#anettingnewzealandadventure: December 2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

The Nettings Do NZ - Week 21

We had a busy week this week with Poppa. On Monday, Kenz, Poppa and I headed to Sumner beach. This is my favorite beach in Christchurch so we wanted Poppa to experience it despite the grey skies. We walked the beach and enjoyed a coffee at the park while Kensley played contently. That afternoon, Kensley and I met Julia, Lucy, Hannah and Isabel for a little play date in the Botanic gardens. The girls enjoyed the swings and playing in the grass while the moms caught up. In other news, Poppa has been joking that Kensley is snow white because the birds always come around her. It turns out, that they might be after Poppa because they made their way into his bedroom wall AGAIN (previously at Kinloch). On Tuesday, Poppa wanted to finish his Christmas shopping so went strolled around the shops near our house. Wednesday we had Kensley’s Plunket appointment. Plunket is the New Zealand well-baby program. Kensley has bumped up to the 30^th percentile (from 15^th) for weight (she loves eating real food) coming in at a whopping 16lbs and remains around 10^th percentile for length.

It had been a few weeks since Kensley had seen Sarah because we were away and then she was away, so I was eager to get her over this week. Sarah spent Thursday morning with Kensley while I took Poppa for a trail run in the Port Hills. I thought he’d love it because it offers some great views and I was right! He loved it so much that he wants to do it again; despite thinking I was trying to kill him! It was a nice leisurely morning for us: running, having breakfast out and getting groceries. Kensley was happy to see Sarah again which always makes me happy! Friday morning must’ve been pretty low key because I can’t recall what we did. The afternoon was beautiful so Poppa, Kenz and I had a beer and some food on a patio while enjoying their live music. Kensley absolutely LOVES music and dancing right now so she was very entertaining to us, but also to the musician and the rest of the tables on the patio because they couldn’t resist her dance moves, smiles and screams of joy! Later that evening Caleb and I went out for a date night. The city was really pumping because of Christmas parties (I think). We enjoyed a beer at Fat Eddy’s and actually saw a group that was at the patio Poppa and Kenz and I were at earlier – they raved about her, which made Caleb and I pretty proud. The mood and scene was so fun – I felt like partying! However, after dinner and my second drink at about 930pm….we were ready for bed.

Saturday, Caleb took off towards the west coast to do a portion of the run that is part of The Coast to Coast race. It was along a riverbed and sounds technically challenging to run along; Caleb said it was barely a run, more of hike/run. He also met someone to pick up/buy….drum roll please….a kayak! Poppa, Kenz and I did some shopping. Kensley and I also tagged along to a pottery class thingy with Jacqui where I painted Kensley a cute little Christmas plate.

We mixed things up this weekend and did our morning at The Boat Shed on Sunday. Then we hopped in the car to take Poppa to Akaroa for a little day trip. We walked around the cute little town, which was MUCH busier than our first visit due to two cruise ships stopping over. We then treated Poppa to some fish and chips at this great little shop we discovered last time. Oh and I also got some Christmas baking done this weekend!

Kensley continues to try to move forward and is getting closer and closer despite being super frustrated. She absolutely loves her time with Poppa. She giggles so hard with him. He has been dancing around singing with her and she actually tries to sing along now which is SO sweet! She loves to stand up, play peek-a-boo with her dinner plate, she gives kisses while smacking her lips, continues to clap, and loves feeding the birds on our patio with Poppa – she goes crazy with excitement. This week, Kensley was also asked to be the flower girl in our friend's, Dave and Trish's, wedding in August, which she was overjoyed to accept!

Family portrait

We used to sit and look out the window...now she stands

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!

Swinging with her friends

Sumner selfie

Poppa and Kenz at Sumner

Port Hills run

Not bad, Poppa!

Happy Friday!

Akaroa

Fish and chips!

Monday, December 10, 2018

The Nettings Do NZ - Week 20

On Monday, Poppa thought he was feeling better after being hit hard with his fever so we made our way to the mall. Turns out, a 4k walk each way might’ve been a bit much for him as his fever returned. That means we laid low and let Poppa rest up! We still got out for some small walks with him, explored the Arts Centre, and played on the grass (Kensley’s favorite!). On Thursday, I had a few hours to myself in the morning while Kenz and Poppa hung out. I saw Julia (and Lucy) and Hannah and (Isabel) for coffee and attended my last “Mums and Tums” class. On Thursday afternoon, our local grocery store was having their customer appreciation Christmas “party” at the store. This just meant some prizes, food tasting, coffees, and wine/beer tasting. Kensley has a lot of friends at the grocery store, they LOVE seeing her, so they encouraged us to come. It was a cute little event and they actually gave Kensley a gingerbread house to take home. It made Poppa’s heart happy to see that we have friends all over the city; the employees actually know Kensley’s name and light up when they see her!

By Friday, Poppa was back in action and craving some good food (a burger) so we walked to see a tribute to those who died in the earthquake “185 White Chairs” and then went to a pub for lunch and a beer on a patio. Caleb and I were supposed to attend a work dinner on Friday night, unfortunately, he ended up having to cover call. On Saturday, I got out for a run in the Port Hills with Liz which was amazing! Definitely different than running on the flats. My aim is for us to do this weekly, which I hope is realistic! Then Caleb, Poppa, Kensley and I went to The Tannery. The Tannery has been renovated with cute little boutique shops throughout and a great brewery. “Cassel’s and Sons Brewery” was where we enjoyed lunch and a beer and some live music. Kensley was a huge fan of the singer/guitarist, as she kept staring at him, doing her little dance move/twist while smiling and pointing. He seemed to enjoy her attention. On Saturday evening, we had Mary over for homemade pizza and some (too much) wine/beer. We put up our stockings and Christmas tree and also devoured Kensley’s gingerbread house. On Sunday, I felt the after effects wine and Caleb wasn’t feeling great. He had a fever and had to go back to bed, which totally isn’t like him. Fortunately, his fever passed and although he wasn’t feeling his best throughout the day, he improved. During the day, Kenz, Poppa, and I went to the Arts Centre Christmas Market and to the Botanic Garden Café for lunch. Oh and GREAT NEWS: Caleb got a spot in The Coast to Coast Race in early February (he was on the wait list as the event was sold out). He says he needs to “start kayaking for real now”.

Kensley seems to be bigger and bigger each day. She is learning quickly; she claps, she points, she continues to wave, and she has some new dance moves (head bob and body twist) that we love to encourage because they’re so damn cute! She is working really hard to crawl but becomes pretty frustrated. She’s able to push herself backwards but can’t get the forward motion yet. Her legs are getting super strong and she loves to stand on the couch and look out the window. She has experienced the first food that she isn’t a fan of. I made her some homemade lentil and spinach cakes that she will barely put to her mouth but likes to bounce off the table. She continues to love to chatter!

Pretty happy about her gingerbread house!

Trying so hard to crawl!

Hanging out in a tree with Poppa

Poppa and Kenz needed their own Christmas pic

Mini Mama!

Check out how green things are outside...so weird!

Serious decorating happening...

Caleb's first artificial tree...$12...we went big!

Kensley finding the perfect spot for her first ornament from Nana, Joel and Justin

I'm so in love with our first family Christmas photo!

Sunday, December 2, 2018

The Nettings Do NZ - Week 19

This was Poppa’s first full week in Christchurch. Unfortunately, the weather has been pretty poor, like the worst weather we’ve had since we’ve been here! Grey and rainy! Dad and I heard someone say that this is the worst weather Christchurch has had in 40 years and I was also told this by someone else. The weather didn’t stop us from showing Poppa our typical weekly routine, walks in the gardens, runs, and coffee at The Boat Shed. Poppa is already a regular at the coffee shop; our favorite employees know him by name and he knows them by name and takes part in our daily visits. I’ve been able to get my run in a little later in the morning instead of going before Caleb heads to work and Poppa has cooked us some meals. Poppa is getting to know our neighbourhood pretty well and can navigate through runs, walks with Kensley, and to the various stores! He is pretty happy that he is still able to watch Leaf games via the internet.

On Wednesday evening I was able to head out to a girls night fundraiser at Tania’s. Mary joined and we had a really nice time! On Thursday, Poppa hung out with Kensley for the morning and I went to my mom and baby class without my baby :P then grabbed lunch with Jacqui after. On Friday, we had homemade pizza night and invited Mary, Michaela and Veronika. Michaela is Caleb’s buddy’s (Ryan) wife who was visiting from Revelstoke. Her and her sister, Veronika were doing a road trip around New Zealand and were ending in Christchurch. Unfortunately, we didn’t have room for them to crash with us but thankfully, our amazing friend Mary, was willing to host them! We had a great visit with them Friday night and it continued on Saturday. Saturday morning, we headed to Waikuku beach for photos with Santa! I thought this was absolutely necessary for our first summertime Christmas and bought us all (Caleb, Kenz, Poppa and I) matching PJ’s for it. Jacqui and her family had photos shortly after and she brought us all ice cream to celebrate our beach Christmas photos which was super cute! We haven’t yet received the photos but stay tuned. Then we rushed home and I got sorted out to meet Mary, Michaela and Veronika at The South Island Wine Festival at Hagley Park. It was a super fun scene with DECLICIOUS wine! Afterwards, Caleb was able to join us for dinner and drinks. Unfortunately, Poppa was hit hard by a NZ bug and had a fever all weekend. Saturday night we put Kensley down and he manned the monitor while he was sick in bed. Thankfully, she didn’t wake! Sunday was pretty low key as this momma had to recover from busy and wine-filled weekend. Caleb biked out to Lyttleton (Christchurch port) to meet Michaela and Veronika for coffee before Michaela flew back and then later in the afternoon, Caleb, Kenz and I got out for some Christmas shopping!

Kensley loves having her Poppa around! He makes her laugh quite a bit and he has a lot of energy for her. She is continuing to try to crawl and seems to be getting closer and closer each day. At this point, she’s only able to push herself backwards and get on her hands and knees and rock. She is pointing at everything and has been saying a lot of “dada dada dada dada’s”; a few times pointing at Caleb but I’m not convinced that she associates the two because she points at a lot of things and says “dada dada dada dada”. Oh and Kensley turned 8 months this week! She also has started dancing and loves to mimic dance moves!