Hilliards Out West

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Can't stay away

With the hot weather a long weekend and knowing the whanau were heading back, the lure of the East Coast was too strong to resist.
We did the long haul and headed straight down to Te Kaha on Friday afternoon, arriving around 9pm with a stop off for dinner along the way. The kids travel so well, we think it's because they do the 3hour trip to the Mount regularly from about 1 week old?

We got to stay in the caravan so didn't have to put up our tent which was nice.
It was a great weekend with a good smallish crowd, the weather was awesome the fishing and diving not so hot but still enjoyed by those involved (the men).

Caleb and Ethan feeding a MASSIVE eel

Maia Rhymes with Briar - Thats why they got along so well :)

Some Maoris down at the river

Reid and some random horses

Briar and Aunty Lou

Some shady Maori

My cousin Dani and her whanau

Some Maoris having another mean TK feed

Homemade See-Saw

Whanarua Waterfall

Some maoris sitting on a rock

2 Maori boys going for a snorkel

Nathan and Maia's Milestones

My big boy is finally going to the toilet. He has been getting there over the last few months, but we're pretty confident going out in public without a nappy now. He started out on a potty which was good because he was comfy on it and it was easy for him. But it caused trouble with going out as he wasn't into going on a big toilet. We had his potty on holiday which was handy as I think the BioLoo at Te Kaha would have been nightmare material for him. But as soon as we got home potty got the cold shoulder and he started using the big toilet, yay. And even with a little bribery he got over his fear of public toilets, when the zoo loo's proved a bit scary for him he did a quick change of heart once an iceblock was mentioned. So now it's pretty plain sailing, he alternates quite happily betweent the stand up and sit down pee.

He is learning to ride his trike he got for Christmas. He has to get a little momentum to get going, and he would rather look around than concentrate on where he's going, but he still enjoys it :)

Maia is 6 days off six months old. I started her on solids a couple of weeks ago, she is still on only 1 feed a day, just easing her in. She likes her baby rice and has just branched out into watties peach & apple which she enjoys. I made most of Nathans food when he started eating real food, so hopefully I will be able to do that with Maia too, although the tins aren't too bad, they can't be the same as giving them good ol homemade.

She has just moved into her big car seat as I had to return the rented capsule. It was handy having her in that, but carrying her in it was a mission, she is so heavy!

Once she hit 5 months she decided she wouldn't take the bottle!!! I had been expressing most days to give her one so she would be used to it, but took a break from the milking machine over our holiday. She did have a bottle of formula once over the holiday and drank it no problems, but there was a problem afterwards when she kept vomiting the rest of the afternoon and in the night. I thought she may have just drank it too fast? But on trying her again once we returned home it seemed she had decided she didn't like the bottle and kept her mouth shut the whole time. The formula was all around her mouth and caused a rash. So it seems she may have an allergy to milk formula. I have been advised I could try soy formula. I have tried that and expressed milk and she continues to stubbornly refuse the bottle no matter what's inside it!!!
It is frustrating as it is nice to be able to leave her with Dean while I pop out and do stuff, or have her babysat as we have lots of weddings/birthdays etc coming up. I am going to keep trying so we'll see. I know Nathan did the same thing but he caved after only a few days I think.

Are you my Uncle?

With Nana and Cousin Kael

Zooming on the Trike

Maia is sitting on her own in short bursts, he she is at the zoo practising

One large lellow lizard

Taking advantage of our hot hot days

Maia and her buddy Tipene, she is about 3 weeks older and like her he is one solid baby. They will spend their summers growing up together at Te Kaha

They like to hold hands, already. We'll be keeping an eye on those two

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Home after 3 Weeks away

We made it back to Auckland after a long time away. We had a great two weeks on holiday with the family. Sadly on our drive home we found out Trevor, my Aunty's husband had passed away. He had drowned while taking his long board out during a family trip to the beach. We were not far from them when we found out so were able to turn around and be with my aunty and the family for the duration of the funeral. It was very sad after spending a great two weeks with Trev down the coast. We will miss him!
The kids are home now and will settle into their normal routine. They did so well over the past 3 weeks, sleeping in different beds with lots of people around.

We look forward to 2008 and hope it is a good one for all reading this. Life is a blessing, please appreciate each day you have and take notice of those you love and give them the time you have. That is my goal for this year.

Another Awesome Te Kaha Holiday

Once again we headed East to my family's spot. A lot of work has been done this year levelling it out and getting it looking awesome. It was different having a little bub as it kept me more camp bound, but it is such a relaxing place I wasn't too fussed about getting out too much. We had a couple of cool day trips out which was good. She did great sleeping in the tent etc and took to camping well. She wasn't the only baby as there was Tipene who is about 3 weeks younger who was another camp baby. Nathan had a great time and it's always good seeing him run around and lose a bit of his city boyness for a little while. The weather was great with only one rainy day towards the end, so there was lots of swimming and fun in the sun.

Our home away from home for 2 weeks, very comfy!

Maia enjoyed camping, but we kept her lily white skin our of the sun!!!

Lots of fish to be eaten

It took Nathan ages to get into the water, but once he got in it was hard to get him out

Putting the Flu on the Bio Loo!! Our latest purchase for the camp, a composting loo. Much different to the long drop from the old days, it breaks down into compost and that big thing that looks like a aeroplane hazard takes the smell away - YAY :)

NEW YEARS EVE