Baby's First Christmas

I don't know who's more excited for Darian's first Christmas, but I think it's me. I just want to experience this through his eyes and see his reactions to everything, the tree, the presents, the carols, the christmas goodies and everything else that comes with Christmas. Cameron & I are huge Christmas fans so I am hoping this can be instilled into our boy. I want to creat lasting memories and fun family traditions for us so we get to enjoy this holiday every year and maybe have something that our kids can pass on to their kids.

We hadn't made elaborate plans for Christmas so after talking to Bradley & Shamini we decided we'd go to see them over Christmas instead of staying home. They are coming to us for Darian's first birthday so we thought it would be good to go and see them over Christmas. We had booked our tickets about a month ago before so plans for our trip had to be put into place, after all it is our boy's first ever Christmas. We eventually, after a few weeks of deciding what would be the best way to protect Darian and well, protect the tree from him, bought a playpen that we could put around the tree so he wouldn't be able to get to it. When we put it up, he was asleep so we were anticipating his reaction when he woke up the next morning to see the tree. Unfortunately, all that worry about him wanting to rip the tree to shreds quickly dissipated when he woke up that morning. He gave the tree one look and carried on as if it had been there all along. He was totally uninterested in the tree, we even tried to get him to touch it but he wasn't interested at all. So all that faffing over the tree was for nothing! We left for Sydney the Friday before Christmas and I have to say our boy was amazing on his first trip in an airplane. He fell asleep while we waited at our gate so when we got onto the plane he was fast asleep, he slept through take off and woke up about half an hour into our journey. He didn't cry, or moan and groan but was quite happy. Except he eventually got tired of sitting on our laps and just wanted to get down onto the floor and crawl around. He was so full of energy and wanted to play with everything other than his toys, so by the time we landed in Sydney 3 hours later we were exhausted. It was then that we decided that we wouldn't go to South Africa until he was old enough to sit in his own seat! It didn't help that his pram was over 10kg's so it had to be booked into oversized baggage so we had to carry him through customs and passport control until we got to baggage claim. We were seriously exhausted by the time we got into the arrivals hall, only to not see Bradley or Shamini! When we called them they were at a different arrivals gate (Sydney has two - go figure)! Anyway, it was so good to see them that when we did we just kind of forgot all about the tiredness! It was just after 6pm Sydney time when we arrived so about 8pm Auckland time so Darian was quite tired by then. We grabbed something to eat before we made our way to Fennell Bay, where Brads & Sham live, about 2 hours drive out of Sydney.

We spent the first day in at home because it was terribly hot. It left me drained and Darian was getting used to the heat himself, thankfully he wasn't too fussy over it. He spent the whole holiday in just his vest and nappies. Christmas Eve we took a drive to the mall and around the Lake Macquarie to see the area. I must add that Lake Macquarie and the surrounding areas are beautiful. We went for dinner at Blue Water Pizza on Warners Bay and then got some ice-cream and just walked along the Esplanade. It was a lovely cool afternoon and there were families out picnicking and enjoying some family time.

The lake itself, I've recently found out, is twice the size of Sydney Harbour. It is really picturesque and a wonderful holiday spot. The only thing that freaked me out was the fact that Bradley told us about "The Family" that lived at the creek where they lived (it led onto Lake Macquarie), about 2 houses down the road from their house. "The Family" sounded very mafia like when he started telling us, only to find out it's a group of Iguana's or Goannas (huge lizards...urgh) that reside at the entrance to the creek. Just thinking about this freaks me out. Needless to say, I did not venture anywhere near there. I did take Darian for a walk one afternoon just to the end of the road, where the grass patch started, about 5m away from the entrance to the creek and turned around and went back home. I was interested in seeing this but when I thought if these things attack and I have Darian with me... so I chickened out. Anyway, I sooned realised we weren't in NZ anymore and had to get used to the idea of creepy crawlies and snakes and spiders and iguana's for the next 2 weeks.

Christmas day we spent at home. We had some relief as the weather cooled down and we had some rain so we spent the day indoors. Brads and Sham made a marvelous Christmas lunch and we just enjoyed each other's company. By now, Darian who was not interested in teh tree at home was quite fascinated by the tree at hs uncle & aunty's house and kept going to the tree and fiddling with the decorations.

Here are a few pics of Christmas day:

On Boxing Day we got out of the house and went to the mall, but everything was closed so we just headed down into Newcastle and took a walk on the pier and I had an interesting look at Newcastle Harbour and the Port operations. They had a vessel coming into port so I had a good look at their Tug operations. I was probably the only one interested but hey, these things interest me now... work habit! LOL!

The Thursday after Christmas Cameron & Bradley had tickets to watch the A-League (Autralian Soccer league) and they headed off to Sydney to watch Sydney FC play the Central Coast Mariners. One of their favourite soccer players, Allessandro Del Piero plays for the Sydney FC so they had to go see him in action. They had a bit of drama on their trip though, they took the train into Sydney but got off at the wrong station. They went to the wrong stadium and had to take another train to get to the right Allianz Stadium.

Here they are at the wrong stadium... Sham & I couldn't believe that they didn't realise this when they got there and nobody was there...

That weekend we went tenpin bowling, which was fun. Darian was really intrigues by the lights, sights and sounds, thankfully he stayed in his pram and didn't try to crawl on the aisles!

New Years Eve we went and did some shopping for stuff for New Years and spent the evening at home, just the 5 of us. We had our own little party and danced the night away, Darian decided he would wake up at midnight so just after the countdown I had to get him back to sleep. By then I too was exhausted and headed to bed. Such is the life of a parent! Brad then made my favourite, Crab curry for lunch on New Years day... mmm wouldn't mind some of that now... he also showed me how to make it so I'm definitely gonna have a go soon.

We then just had one more day with Brad & Sham before they had to get back to work. We then had to get ourselves ready and pack for the trip back home. We left on Friday morning and Bradley drove us back to Sydney, Sham had to work so we said our goodbyes that morning (VERY HARD) and we flew out of Sydney that afternoon.

It was a wonderful holiday and I am so glad Darian got to spend his first Christmas with his aunty & uncle. These memories are to be treasured and I can't wait to make more memories for our little family.

Getting ready for Baby's first Christmas

I cannot bleieve we are at the point of celebrating Darian's first Christmas. Last year this time , we kept saying that in a year we'd have a little baby at Christmas, and here we are. Time sure does fly.

Last Sunday we went to Westfield's St Lukes Mall as we needed a Westpac and they were the closest branch open on a Sunday. As we got to the mall we walked past the Mall Santa and his elves and saw they had already started taking kids Christmas photos. As there were only 2 people in the line I suggested to Cameron that we take Darian for his first Santa photo. So we did and he was such a cutie, and was so good. He sat very quietly and didn't cry or moan, he was rather intrigued with this white-bearded man and then looked straight at me and smiled. The photgrapher didn't have to try to get him to smile or look at the camera, he just did it instantaneoulsy. She was very impressed, and must've been brought straight back to reality when the little Asian girl who was next started screaming her head off as soon as her parents got to Santa.

How's our boy's first photo with Santa?

This week his day care had their Christmas Party so we had to get him all dressed up in his christmas outfit (I had bought a little elf's costume last week) and have a little gift wrapped for him so Santa could give it to him. It was really cool to see all the kiddies in their christmas outfits and the teachers looking all festive. The centre itself was all decorated and it really felt christmasy. They had invited the parents as well to join in so I went along, how could I miss it?

Waiting for Santa

 Getting his gift from Santa

At the lunch table with my friends

Christmas celebrations are in full swing now... can't wait til he's old enough to appreciate it.

Fletchers Kids Christmas Party

Yesterday we went to the Fletchers Kids Christmas Party. It's the first time since Cameron's worked with Fletchers that we could go and I'm glad we did. It was a fun afternoon out and although Darian and I had been to Ambury farm just last week, it was a totally different experience.

Fletchers really went all out for their staff and their families. They had booked out the entire farm for the day and had so much more entertainment than just the actual farm animals. They had kits and bouncy castles and face painting and all sorts of fun things for the kids to do. I'm sure next year Darian will have an even better day as he'll be older and big enough to understand and enjoy the time.

Farewells &... Animal Farms???

Well the 8 months that mum's been here has finally come to an end. This week we had to say goodbye and it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Mum was quite sad most of the week but we managed to keep her spirits up. Everytime she looked at Darian she would be reminded that this was her last week here with us and she would hug him tightly. To start off the week and to say thank you, we took mum to Marvel Grill Restaurant (http://www.northwharf.co.nz/North-Wharf/Restaurants-Details-Page.aspx?ID=13&Title=Marvel Grill) at Wynyard Quarter. It was a beautiful summers day and we had a lovely Sunday lunch together.  Darian was in his element as usual and kept restaurant patrons oohing & aahing at his antics and cute behaviour. We then followed lunch with yummy gelato at Gelatiamo (http://www.nzicecream.org.nz/Gelatiamo.htm). We then got some nice pics of mum and Darian so she could take some with her.

We had a lovely afternoon together and in a small way was our way of just saying thank you mum for the time you've spent with us over the past 8 months. I can't believe how fast it's come. Mum arrived 3 weeks before Darian was due so she got to see me in all my pregnant glory and was there when he was born, helped me through the hard first weeks of motherhood and was my saving grace when sleep eluded me. I don't know how we would have managed without her. She was a real blessing and I am definitely going to miss her. Yes we had our times of disagreement as we do, but nothing can ever express the gratitude I have for her leaving home for so long to come and help me & Cameron with Darian. We are forever grateful.

Thanks mum.

Thursday proved a very long day for me. Mum's flight was at 6am so she had to be at the airport at 4am, so we left Darian & Cameron sleeping and headed off to the airport about 3:30am. We then got her checked in and as she had to still go through passport control and through the international terminal, she said a quick goodbye and headed off. We both didn't want to prolong it and knew it would be easier and less messy if we had a quick goodbye. One thing I love about Auckland International Airport, there are no window panels where you can sneak a last peak and wave goodbye to family still hanging around for one last glimpse of you, it's in through the gate and gone. So I quickly headed to the car and once I was alone, it hit me... my mother was leaving! It was a bot hard to get through but thankfully when I got home I had big strong arms to comfort me. And a cute little button that was ever so loving when he woke up, which made things so much better.

We then had to get Darian off to school. I had taken the day off because I knew it would be an early morning but also because it was Darian's school outing to Ambury Animal farm in Mangere, South Auckland (http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ambury). As it was his first excursion with the school I couldn't miss it. It was still a bit cold and overcast but we still went ahead. One thing about us Aucklanders, rain never stops your plans!! At school they got all the kids ready and we headed off in the hired bus, which I may add was Darian's first trip in a bus, ever. He was uber-excited and couldn't stop looking at everything and taking it all in.

When we got to the Farm, we were the one of 3 parties that were there so we pretty much had it all to ourselves. We got to see the cows being milked, they chose a cow called Clover, we also went round and saw the pigs, turkeys, chickens, sheep, goats, and other farm animals. Ambury is a working farm that is owned by Auckland Council, so although its open to the public you can actually see exactly how the farm works, it's not just animals in enclosures. Darian wasn't too interested in the animals, he just wanted to get on the grass and crawl around. But it had been raining so the grass was wet so he wasn't happy that I wasn't letting him down. And I think he was more interested in the other kids than he was in the animals. There were a few parents with their kids so it was really interactive for both parents and kids.

But, crazy Auckland weather, we had a downpour just as we were finishing up and had to find shelter while we waited for the bus. It was getting quite late and the bus hadn't arrived so the centre manager (Charmaine) rang the bus company only to find out that the driver had parked about 2km's away, he was parked in Ambury Road and not at the entrance to Ambury Farm. It was frustrating at the time because you think how dumb can one person be, you're picking up a whole bunch of kids can you not put together that they would be at Amburty Farm and not at some random road? So all the poor littlies were crammed into this little shelter that was the information centre. Thankfully they weren't too interested cos being kids, they enjoyed singing and the entertainment they each provided. The teachers there are wonderful and really know how to keep the kids going, even when a curve ball is thrown at them. Darian fell asleep and as I had forgotten his pram in the car I had no where to lay him down so carrying my little man proved quite the arm workout for me. Needless to say by the time we got on the bus it was pure relief to sit down!

When we got back to the school we got him changed and headed home. I was so tired so I was planning on having an afternoon nap with him. But he had other plans, he was full of energy and just wanted to play. By the time he was tired out, it was time to get dinner ready... no rest for mummy! .

So it started off as a sad day but ended on a good note cos I got to experience a lot of "firsts" for my boy.

New Zealand's Got Talent 2012

I must say, since Mum's been here we are really getting our fix of reality tv, but one of the most exciting shows we've been watching is NZGT. This country is really full of talented people and it's nice to finally have this show hit our shores. We've been watching since the beginning and its interesting to see how far our favourites are getting. There's a guy who sings and his name is Kale so it's obvious we're rooting for him, although my favourites are the dance crews or other other talent crews, other than the singers. I mean, there are so many singing contests out there so it'll be nice for people with other talents getting their fair share of fame.

My favourites are JGeeks, which are a contemporary, Moari Kapa Haka dance group that infuse modern dance sets and comedy with traditional Moari performing arts.



They are so uber-cool and are definitely my fave to win. There is also Prestige Dance Crew which are an Auckland based hip hop dance crew that are simply incredible. Their acrobatics and creative choreography are really something to watch in awe.

 

And rounding up my top three is Zane and Degge, a Wellington based juggling-brother's duo which do some pretty amazing stuff.

 

They aren't just the usual "juggle a few balls in the air" duo but do some really crazy things. They keep enticing the audience and the judges with a loaf of bread. They keep it next to them while they do their stint so you think it's part of the act, but when it's over you realise, "hey, nothing with the bread?" They did that at their first audition and when the judges asked them they candidly said, "put us in round 2 and you'll see". So they did but we've yet to see what they'll do!

NZGT is sponsored by Toyota NZ and since Toyota is one of our biggest customers at work they offered us tickets to go to one of the semi-finals. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity and as mum is a huge fan, Cameron agreed to stay home with Darian so mum & I could go to the show. What we didn't realise though was that, it's not live! It's a taping of the show which airs on Sunday night, and the actual taping was on Tuesday night, so what we thought would be an hour ended up being three hours. It was ridiculously fun though. We had to clap and give standing ovations and were directed by the stage manager and team, and poor Tamati Coffey (the host) had to do a few takes every now and then cos he would mess up his lines or we wouldn't be quiet or wouldn't clap on cue, as it goes.

The judges were Jason Kerrison of the NZ rock group OpShop, we saw them live once, they were the opening act for the Simply Red concert we went to a while ago; then there was singer-songwriter legend Ali Campbell of UB40 fame and famous NZ supermodel Rachel Hunter. I don't know if I was more excited to see these people up close or whether being on TV was more appealing, but nonetheless we had an awesome night. We went to the fourth Semi final so we saw two of my faves perform, Zane & Degge and Prestige. Zane & Degge did an awesome and totally mind-boggling UV light performance, so the stage and auditorium went dark and all you saw was balls flying in the air... which was amazing, you had to be there to understand. Here's the You Tube clip link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrCbX-DOBdk

Prestige did another great dance set which had me up on my feet, and it didn't help that all the Prestige fans were right behind me with their banners and stuff so I really got into it. Here's their link for the performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJcWYAn7-e0.

I could seriously watch this clip over and over again... and it's even better when you catch a glimpse of me! LOL! I love how they end it with "Stacey's Mom" cos we all know Rachel Hunter was in that music video and I can tell you one thing, that woman is amazingly beautiful in real life and amazingly tall. She towered over the two guys, and it didn't help she was wearing 6-inch heels. We also saw Kale Simpson, Clara Van Wel and William Fairbain perform, all three singers, although Clara is my fave out of the three.

At the beginning of the show they have the top three from the previous Semi Final come out and tell you which of the 2 progress to the final and so I got to see my fave crew, JGeeks progress along with Evan Sinton (Singer). Sadly I didn't get to meet the judges cos as it ended the judges table was surrounded and I though it's past 10pm, I miss my baby! All in all, it was a great night out. We then met one of the security guards who also does our Cruise Ship arrivals so he says he can get us tickets to another Semi-final or the actual Final so I'm hoping we get to go again, this time Cameron can come along.

If you want to see what JGeeks is all about, click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjEQ8nt-Gvw

New Zealand has some SERIOUS TALENT!!!