Botanic Garden

Mor-Mor came to visit and stay with us for almost a month. It was a visit so that she can see Bug after almost a year and to meet Evan for the first time. So, in order to keep everyone entertained without breaking dada's wallet and to enjoy the last days of "summer" one of the things we have visited was the Auckland Botanic Garden.





It is the most amazing Botanic Garden I have ever visited. Not only does it offer great range of unusual plants, trees and flowers but it is also free, allows some hand on experience, great children's play garden and I could just go on and on.



We didn't even explore the whole place as the size of the garden could easily match the size of a small town's.



Bug absolutely loved the whole experience along with Mor-mor and I. Evan not so much, however he slept through the whole time.



Well, maybe not thw whole time........

Who needs television when you got “wocks and sticks and a howsee to ride”?

We have a yard. Not the most kid friendly yard but never less a yard. Lately Bug decided to spend as much time as she can out there, just running and jumping around, collecting rocks and sticks and chasing or watching working bumble bees.
She is fascinated with bugs. She is lucky to have many interesting crawlers who like to share our yard or even our house as a delightful guest who just popped in to say hi.
Bug likes to watch them, observe them or even play with a few. At the end of (most) these occasions we let them go free and say our goodbyes.
Who knew that such little things could bring so much pleasure?

The business of being born

So, he is here. Evan Jonas has arrived (fashionable late) on 02/21 at 6:02pm.
He was 9.5 pounds and as healthy as such big baby can be.
We spent only about 4 hours at birth care as I decided not to stay for the night but to go home with my family.
Today was the firth day having him home and I can’t begin to tell how lucky we are with both of our babies.
Evan is the mellowest little fellow and really all he does is eating and sleeping. Bug seemed to change right before our eyes when she first met him. She became the most caring big sister we could’ve asked for and absolutely adores her little baby brother.
Me? I am just waiting to see if this is the calm before the storm?

Vacation #2

We took our second vacation shortly after the new years. This time our destination involved a short 2-hour drive to a peninsula called Coromandel. It was only a short trip, which we planned for 5 days but ended up leaving the 4th day due to rainy weather. Our days included driving from one beach to the next exploring what the peninsula has to offer, spending as much time in the clearest ocean water we have ever seen and surfing, surfing and some more surfing. Even Bug got to use a boogie board which we found at the beach house and every single day the first thing she asked after opening her eyes: “Can we go surf? Let’s go to the beach!” Needless to say I am sure it makes Will happy to have raised (so far) a daughter who shares his love of the water and everything beach. Some of the highlights of our trip included the Hot Water Beach, where you can dig a whole in the sand and find your very own hot water “tub” for the day, also Cathedral Cove where you can hike down to one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen.
The best thing about New Zealand and its natural beauty that it still feels like it is as untouched as can be with 7 million people living here.

Vacation #1

One of the reasons we came to New Zealand was to travel. Having the opportunity to move to this part of the world opened up possibilities that we could never effort unless we won the lottery. New Zealand itself has a lot to offer, but being so close to Australia, Asia and other parts of the world presents a lot of options for us to go and see. Due to our little bun in the oven we did have to miss out on some trips this past year, but still managed to get away for two weeks for the Holidays. This time we have rented a beach house with some friends just north of Auckland called the Northland. It is about 4-5 hours drive and has breathtaking beaches, untouched land and lush forests. The vacation itself reminded me of my childhood vacations. My parents each year would choose a destination either in Italy or Austria, booked an apartment or house close to some type of water, packed us up in a car and spent ten to fourteen days with us. Each day the agenda included: Spending time by the water, afternoon snooze, lots of great food cooked by my mom and eating out for dinner maybe every other night. Oh, and let’s not forget Gelato, Gelato, Gelato. We made friends while on the beach even though we could not understand one another, went home with lots of amazing memories and a tan that stuck with us for months to follow.
I think that is exactly what we gave Bug this time. She loved “family time” spent on the beach, hanging out on a deck overlooking a fantastic beach and eating with everyone after cooking the meal. We have found beaches to surf, to snorkel, to swim or just wonder around. Spent 2 weeks totally cut off of the “outside” world. No TV, no internet or radio. Just a lot of spending time together!

Belated Birthday Pictures

Bug’s life before and after 3 in a far away land

Main events:
1. Finished her swimming lessons 3 weeks ahead of her class. We were told she was not challenged and was ready to move to the more advanced class. She did and she felt right at home. No fear. She swims under water in the pool like a champion and we are hoping to sign her up again in the next few months.
2. Got into “kindy” and started in January 3 days a week. Nice to live in a country that pays 23 hours of childcare to help families out. It is also going to be a great break for me when the baby arrives in three weeks.
3. She is more of a little girl than a baby now. Her body, her speech, her sense of humor and the way she expresses her feelings no longer reminds me of a baby but rather a little girl who does not lack any confidence.
4. She turned three and so now, SHE IS THREE!
5. She had her very first family vacation immediately followed by the second one.
6. She is very excited to become a big sister and for the most part I think she does understand what that means. Just ask her. Her answer would be: “I love my little brother. He will cry and poop and eat and pee and sleep and cry.” Well, we shell see.
7. She became pretty home sick and at some point in November she told us she wanted to go home. We, naïve parents, told her that she is at home, when she reinforced the word “HOME” to us again. That is when we realized she meant California and really just where her beloved family is. We had to tell her that we couldn’t go right now because it is a long way on a big plain. She suggested that it would be ok and we should just go and go now. Our response to the demand was that mommy cannot fly because of her big belly and the baby in there, but as soon as he arrives we could go see everyone. Every since that day she likes to knock on my belly while telling his brother: “Hurry up baby brother. It’s time to come out.”
8. Her cooping response to me being pregnant was that she herself has a baby in her belly. The baby often kicks and makes her tired, lately it makes her “feel very heavy”. Will and I wonder what will happen to her baby when her baby brother arrives. Will it just disappear?
9. Played soccer, loved soccer and now that it’s over I don’t think we will sign her up again as mommy was not to keen on the gym it took place and that for the most time they had to play inside. Her kick improved though and has no problem following a “game” in our house against daddy. 10. Starting “kindy” I was told she has an American accent, but a week or so ago she came home and started using Kiwi words. I had to double and triple check to make sure I’ve heard it right.