Jack and Katrina's Place

Guy woke up today to find a red stocking in his cot, he wasn't sure what it was but he liked stroking the furry cuff at the top. We had a magic christmas morning together and Guy 'Brmmmmnnned' his little heart out from one end of the lounge to the other with his new toy cars. We got some lovely pictures, too many to organise and share right now, but here are a couple from this most special morning.

Thank you to all our friends and family for the generous christmas gifts, and especially for the mountains of love and support you have given us through the year.

This Blog may take a break now while we visit family in Nelson and Christchurch. More travels and adventures that we look forward to sharing with you in the new Year. It has been an amazing year and amongst our blessings we count the many people who has helped us on our journeys. Wherever you are are today, or wherever you are going this year, go well and may the Peace of Christ be with you.

Guy loves water, showers, baths even playing in the toilet when we're not watching. A few weekends ago we took him down to the South Coast for a walk in the buggy. When we stopped and took him out of the buggy he virtually squirmed out of my arms trying to get a closer look at the sea. It was a beautiful calm day (yes they do happen in Wellington!), so I took him down to the waters edge. Here he is playing with the clear bright water and with a sea urchin shell we found. He even discovered how sharp the little barnacles on the rocks are. He would crane forward to put his hands in the water but when I put his feet on the rocks he'd tuck them up. Ahh the learning begins, so much to see and there's so much we look forward to exploring with him.

A few minutes after these photos were taken he was back in his buggy and rolling along through the afternoon until he fell asleep. He was still sleeping when we reached the carpark so we parked the buggy beside the car facing out to sea, so he was sheltered from the breeze and let him sleep on. I checked on him a couple of times, reclined in his sheepskin, the sound of the gentle sea breaking and his little face so completley serene. I couldn't help wondering 'When was the last time I slept like that?"

Guy seems to love spending time with Jack, and keeps escaping into the garage everytime we leave the door open. The garage is full of interestingly sharp and pointy things and Guy explores everything he sees by poking it with his little index finger (ET finger we call it!) Here he is inspecting the motorbike.

He seems to have developed an affinity for motorbikes, a couple of weekends ago we were walking along the waterfront when we came upon a motorcycle club having a Harley Davidson show. I was worried the noise would frighten Guy, but Oh no! he was almost impossible to hold onto as he wriggled and twisted in my arms trying to get a look at all the bikes at once. Not sure if it was the noise or the chrome, or the movement but he wanted to crawl in amongst it all.

However in case you think he's being overexposed to macho pursuits, he also enjoys cuddles with his Mummy, and has just developed the tendancy to drop his cheek in against her shoulder when he is feeling affectionate. Here is wearing one of her hair clips that he took a fancy to, so yes he is being raised to appreciate all things and choose his own way.

Guy enjoys reading, (or looking at books at least) Katrina reads him books through the day that she gets out from the childrens section of our local libray. Guy has his own card, the Wellington City Counciil sent out and application form automatically a few weeks after he was born. Last week he even got his first 'delinquency fine' after Mummy forgot to return the Baby Einstein video.

In the evenings after a bath it is Jack's turn to read the stories. Favourites are 'Thomas the Tank Engine' and especially 'The Hungry Little Caterpillar" Guy turns the pages and pokes his little fingers through all the holes. Guy enjoys a wide variety of reading material, he was fascinated by all the pretty yellow pages in the phone directory and here he is studying the full colour pictures in the power tool catalogue with Jack.

Guy continues to entertain and delight us with his new discoveries. He brrrms his cars (and only his cars, you can't trick him with a block or teddy) along the ground with full sound effects, which is hilarious, and he loves to read his books and turns the pages over and lifts the flaps to see what's underneath.

Just lately, however, Guy has discovered the joys of sliced tomatoes and will put away several slices in one sitting. He's also found that there are lots of little holes, perfect for little fingers and can often be found with his fingers up his nose. One day he was so industrious with his finger up there, that he made it bleed!