Auckland Anniversary Day

Today we met Mackenzie Braid. Adorable, perfect and content. She has two parents who are totally besotted with her! Congratulations Braid-ee bunch! Hector was quite fascinated by Mackenzie, even the minor pre feed grizzle seemed to intrigue him. Lovely to catch up with Richard & Lisa, parenthood suits you!

We had a photo shoot of Hector's feet today too. It's no wonder finding a pair of shoes wide enough is a challenge - they're an exact down scaled replica of his dads!!!!

Waiting to hatch - Danaus plexippus

TWO WEEKS! Can we wait that long!?!?!? Mary and Niah brought about ten caterpillars up with them the other week for Hector. We couldn't keep up with their food requirements so had to resort to feeding them butternut squash! Had a giggle at the yellow droppings left behind. We only know the whereabouts of two of the original lot,... this one is carfeully tucked under the rail of the decking. Its also well within Hector's reach so hopefully it'll make it! Danaus plexippus is the name for the Monarch Butterfly.

Auckland Holiday

What a crazy fun filled week! Nanna Collins, Aunty Mary and Niah stayed with us for the past 6 days. Tonight is going to be very quiet and slightly boring! We visited the zoo, swam, had a fery excursion and all around the kids loved having one another to play with. Thanks for the company we loved having you to stay!!!

Nanna Collins liked the zoo even though the Orang-Utans were hiding!

Cornwall Park

WE LOVE IT WHEN FGM KYLIE IS ON HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was our first outing post hospital. Thank GOODNESS KJ was there to be energetic with the boys. Hector's been missing Andrew, so it was all on when they reunited.

Sleeping.....

I still think it's amazing how Hector has never looked back since getting into his big bed. I was so prepared for the perpetual getting out and coming down stairs due to having free reign of the house, but no, each night when we go to check on him we find scenes such as these that have us in stitches!

Yet another one! We stopped for a pregnant lady to cross the road the other day and Hector asked what's she got up there mama?? And ever since he's taken a liking to bundling up his blanket and saying 'this is mine baby in here'. Cute when he falls asleep in the position aint it!

Say NO To Kidney Stones!

All that gardening in the heat apparently did me no good! We had an emergency family outing at midnight Saturday - to the hospital. Long story short I had a tiny 3mm kidney stone floating around, well actually it was stuck, which was what caused the pain. Totally worse than childbirth!!! I had an ambulance ride over to Auckland hospital on Monday night while mum flew in from Wanganui. By Wednesday morning there was still no movement so I had the pleasure of experiencing anesthesia and woke very very happy! Hector took a while to warm to the hospital environment but in the end he though it was kinda fun getting fussed over by the nurses. Thank Goodness for husbands and mums aye - what we do without them.
Moral of the story: HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE

Planting

Our back garden had a makeover today. 40 young tender 'liriope muscari' plants were given a new home today, along with a 'leptospermum petersonii' to keep them company (that's the new tree in the corner of the garden). They say this about the tree: An exciting new cultivar with highly lemon scented foliage, giving a fresh clear scent throughout the garden. Small white flowers in spring. Hardy. Evergreen. Sounds fun to me!

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