The Nettings Do NZ - Week 6

Well, there is no need to keep suspense…1. What piece of sporting equipment did Caleb purchase this week?  2. How did the transition from a bassinet to crib go for Kensley?   Caleb bought a surfboard this week.  And it was an absolute nightmare trying to transition Kensley!  After two sleepless days and nights, a grumpy baby and a grumpy momma, Kensley is currently sleeping away in her bassinet (which has been placed in her crib).  She was up almost every two hours through the night and was so upset.  I can clearly remember only 2-3 nights in her whole 5 months like this prior to attempting the transition.  She has always loved her sleep and her bassinet.  I guess if she loves her bassinet so much, why kick her out of it?!  I’m ready to cut holes into the bottom of it so she can stay in it until she’s 18 if she wants.  The reality is, she loves her sleep like her momma and doesn’t do well without it.  It made me remember the moments as a child that I would be having a tantrum and my parents would say, “she’s just tired” which would make me even more upset.  Turns out, they were right!  And I’m sure we are in for a similar story with Kensley…but poor Caleb, has two of us to deal with :P.  Actually, he earned super husband points again this week because he knew how tired I was, so he was able to get home early on Tuesday and sent me off on a run then took us out for a late afternoon beer and fries at Craft Embassy!   He sure knows the way to my heart.

After recovering from our sleepless nights, Kensley and I met up with Julia and Lucy for a walk and coffee.  I also got a few rides in on my new bike trainer….which is now, unfortunately, broken.  We had Mary over for dinner on Thursday night.  We had discussed the fun we have been having with our wine tastings previously, so she brought a pinot noir from Marlborough!  This wine was called “Crossings”, 2016 and I have no idea the price because we weren’t really going to ask her what she paid for it, right?!  We all agreed that this wine was really good, “super smooth” and “goes down easy”.  Mary and Caleb give it 4/5, and I give it a 4.5/5.  We had it with a “build your own rice paper rolls” spread (inspired by Elyse and Emily back home).  Friday night, Caleb and I cracked into another bottle, Mahi 2016 ($37.99).  We had it with homemade pizza (yes this is our Friday night thing); one was chicken, pesto, mushrooms and the other was chorizo, feta, sundried tomatoes, and spinach.  I really enjoyed this wine, 4.5/5 (again, yes); it was one of the wines I tried at Inati, which I had to track down last week.  Caleb also enjoyed it, giving it 4/5.  He stated it was “very nice, more spicy than The Crossings but not over the top; a bit more edge but also a bit more flavour”.  He tasted black current.  Since it’s September, we will move onto another region for this month.  Up next: Central Otago Pinot Noirs.  I chose Marlborough first because I recognized this region the most from the NZ wines I’ve seen in Canada.  However, now that we’re here, we have learned that the best pinot noirs in NZ come from Central Otago, so I really can’t wait to try them!

In terms of adventure, this week was pretty low key because Caleb worked all weekend (booooo).  It’s funny that Monday-Friday seem to move so smoothly with just me and Kenz but I’ve really looked forward to and gotten used to having Caleb around on the weekends; so this weekend was a bit lonely and a bit of a bummer!  Actually, Kensley had the biggest adventure of all, as she had her first babysitter (other than family when we were in Ottawa).  To break up my two weeks a little bit, with Caleb working all weekend too, we had a babysitter come over Saturday morning.  Sarah is 17 years old and such a nice girl!  She is Kayla’s cousin (we are so thankful for Kayla!).  Her mom dropped her off so it was really nice to meet her as well.  I hung around the house for the first 1.5 hours to let her and Kensley get acquainted.  She was so good with Kensley and Kenz really took to her, giving her smiles and watching her intently.  I went over naptime routine with her and put Kenz down, then I was able to head out for some me time, which meant a 10k run.  It was perfect!  I’m sure we will be seeing a lot more of Sarah!  On Sunday afternoon, Kensley and I met up with Mary and her friend Jamie (visiting from Ireland) at Ilex Café, which is located in the Botanical Garden.  I really enjoy the adult company J

I mentioned last week that Kensley had started this very obvious interest in food, and it has only progressed.  We have listened to her cues and started a few things (peanut butter, banana, sweet potato, egg, cheese).  I think it’s safe to say that she loves food!  She sits there so happily chewing away.  I’m trying to progress her slowly, as we just ordered a high chair for her and are awaiting its arrival; it isn’t ideal to have her sitting on my lap to eat.  However, she doesn’t really seem to be willing to wait.  She actually stares me down, chews and yells if I eat in front of her and don’t offer her anything.  This has resulted in me literally hiding from her to eat at times.

This week’s successes:

Caleb worked and operated pretty much independently this weekend!

Caleb got a surfboard

Kensley is back in her bassinet (this is definitely her own success and not so much ours)

Kensley LOVES food and has started solids

Kensley’s new toys from Poppa

Kensley had her first babysitter

Kensley’s grandma booked her flights to visit in February

Our 5 month old

Sometimes we find flowers on the ground at the Botanical Gardens

This is what "winning" looks like

After her first nap back in her bassinet

  

Yessssssss

This was fun while it lasted!

Still practicing 

She's getting there!

Loves watching the washer!

    

Not always all smiles

New toys from Poppa!

The Nettings Do NZ - Week 5

This week involved some changes to Kensley’s sleep routine.  She has successfully dropped to two naps a day – as long as we are home.  If we are out and about she just naps away in her stroller or car seat whenever she wants.  Tonight is also her first night out of her bassinet!  We both feel quite sad for her because her bassinet has literally travelled all over Ontario and now New Zealand with us and has really become her little safe space.  As soon as I put her down in her new [travel] crib, she looked up at me with the saddest little eyes and started screaming.  There were some extra tears, cuddles and feeds for bedtime tonight but she has been asleep for a few hours at this point…so fingers crossed she doesn’t struggle too much throughout the night (or nights to come).  The next change to come for her will be solids, which I think she will enjoy a bit more.  She has begun watching our food closely and practices chewing away now; it’s so darn cute.  She is getting stronger each day in many ways but specifically with sitting up and her grip strength; she is grabbing ahold of things and swinging them around now. 

Our week was filled with our typical things – work and workouts for Caleb; walks, runs, lattes, and cooking for Kenz and I.  We also had Julia and Lucy (mom and baby from blind date a few weeks ago) over for lunch on Wednesday, which was super fun!  Wednesday night, I got out (woohoo) for dinner with Mary (Caleb’s colleague from Ireland).  We went to an amazing restaurant, Inati, which is known for sharing plates.  We decided to indulge and do the tasting menu: chef’s choice of sharing plates with wine pairings.  It was truly amazing (minus the pig tongue – totally not my thing but I did try it).  I loved the food but I really can’t say enough about the amazing New Zealand wines we tried.  I even tracked down a bottle of one of the wines today for Caleb and I to try next week because I haven’t stopped thinking about it!   Mary and I are going to try to do this a few times a month.

This weekend, we are invited to Kayla’s boyfriend’s (James) parents (Lyn and Kerry) farm, which is on its way to Akaroa.  Kayla is good friend of Lara, one of my good friends from home.  She is truly a gem!  She picked us up from the airport when we arrived in NZ and waited for us for at least an hour while we tried to get our place sorted out with our letting agent.  On our way there, we stopped at Birdlings Flats; a beautiful opened, flat stoned beach.  I really wish I would have taken more pictures of their magical farm and the views.  They have a large piece of land that spanned a small peninsula with stunning views on all sides.  Truly a dream piece of property that they intend on building their dream home on (to go with their his and hers Ferraris).   Caleb, Kensley and I stayed in this spectacular little cabin behind their house.   Kayla served up some tasty cheeses, salmon and spreads on Friday night as Kerry cooked dinner; roast with delicious variety of roasted root vegetables.  These we perfect for the pinot noir we had chosen this week, Jules Taylor 2016 ($31.99).  This wine was 5/5 for me, Caleb says 4.5/5.  It was smooth, easy drinking and just down right delicious.  Caleb says it had “a rich, dark berry flavor”.   On Saturday, Caleb and I cooked breakfast, and then we strolled around the farm.  Kensley met her first horse (Auntie Autumn will be happy) and Caleb experienced some bee keeping with James (he owns the company Natural New Zealand Honey).  We made our way home on Saturday and stopped at New Brighton Beach for a quick family beach run.  I should note that we made this stop because Caleb had to pick up some more sporting gear.  This weeks purchase…golf clubs!  Stay tuned for next week :P  Actually, I should also acknowledge and give praise to him for also getting me a bike trainer this week.  It is set up with his road bike so now I can, not only run with Kensley but I can bike while she naps as well.  Unfortunately Jaime, no Zwift rides with you yet but someday!  

Today (Sunday), Caleb took off for some New Zealand skiing at Craigieburn Valley Ski Field, which is about an hour and half north west of Christchurch.  He texted me to tell me it was “knarly”.  He says it was a very different ski experience than in Canada; much smaller scale.  Less intermediate terrain, maybe what skiing was like 50 years ago in North America.  Fewer people, more rugged terrain, smaller total area.  Kensley and I met up with Mary for brunch at Hello Sunday Café where I had the best coconut milk latte I’ve ever tasted.  Then we walked around for a few hours because it was so beautiful out!  We've developed a bit of a Sunday night routine that involves: Buddha bowls for supper, then we sit on the couch and I write this blog and Caleb works while we watch Glam Masters (makeup artist competition on Bravo).  Caleb is beginning to think he is one of the judges, remarking and critiquing all of the looks.  

Thats all from this week! Oh, and tomorrow we will wake up with a 5 month old baby :)

This weeks successes:

Momma’s night out

Caleb got out skiing

Kensley is transitioning to a crib

Caleb got golf clubs and I got a bike trainer

Getting to hang out with Kayla

Spending the night with a New Zealand family on a New Zealand farm

The bite of cookie dough mixed with vanilla ice cream that Caleb literally just fed me :P

Just hanging out on a park bench

Loves when daddy gets home from work!

Park hangout selfie

Starting to sit up...and may need her bangs trimmed.

Outside of our little cabin on the farm

Great dinner and wine! (Photo cred: Kayla)

Meet Kayla; she has Kensley on a mini horse saddle

I'm standing far away telling Caleb not to get too close with Kensley

Old school rope tow

The "nutcracker" which lets you grab the rope tow

View of the southern alps from Craigieburn Mountain

Looking back towards Christchurch from Craigieburns

The Nettings Do NZ - Week 4

This week was the week of Kensley’s first fever and cold.  Boy, was it sad.  She had a few rough days and one REALLY rough night but I’m glad to say that she is completely on the mend.  Caleb and I were both hit hard with a New Zealand cold during our first week here so we had nothing but empathy for her and her little cough and runny nose.  This meant our week was pretty low-key.  We still went for our walks, lattes, and for groceries; she and I even got three runs in together and she proved to be her father’s daughter as all three were only intended to be 5ks but she pushed me to 7k x 2 and a 10k (she fell asleep and there is no better motivation than a sleeping baby!).  Needless to say, I LOVE the running stroller and although an adjustment to run with, I definitely feel like I am getting into the groove with it.   Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to our mom and baby fitness class this week because I thought it was unfair to drag Kensley out for a two-hour affair when she was clearly not feeling well.  Despite her cold, it also seemed to be Kensley’s week of admiring her daddy.  Forget it, if Caleb is in the room, all eyes are on Caleb, watching intently whatever he is doing.   She has also been working on sitting up independently!   

On Thursday evening, we had one of Caleb’s colleagues, Mary, over for dinner.  Mary is the lower limb fellow who is here from Ireland.  We had a really great visit with her and Mary and I have planned some baby-free activities – stay tuned!   We enjoyed a bottle of Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) 2017 ($15.69) with honey dijon chicken and coconut curried quinoa with roasted cauliflower served on spinach; and New Zealand vanilla bean ice cream and with homemade raspberry sauce on top for dessert.  Funny enough, Mary brought the same bottle of wine (except 2015) and some delicious Barry’s Bay (NZ company) cheeses.  I really enjoyed the wine, and Caleb says it was pleasant and enjoyable (although he admits to not really remembering at this point).  Here it comes: 4/5 from me, and Caleb just said he agrees J.

Friday night was another night of homemade pizza (onion, spinach, pineapple and ham) and another PINOT NOIR! Woohoo.  I was so ready for this after a week with a sick baby.  I will admit now, that I was hurting last Saturday after Caleb and I finished a bottle so I practiced some self-control this week.  We had Esk Valley 2017, again from Marlborough ($26.89 on sale for $19.99).  I didn’t think this was anything special and Caleb stated it was “smooth, inoffensive but also unremarkable”.   We are both giving it a 3/5.  Interestingly, so far, we like the cheapest bottle we’ve tried the best; maybe this means we have unrefined palates but it’s good for our bank account!

On Saturday, we packed up and headed north west of Christchurch to Hamner Springs; after our latte bowls at The Boat Shed, of course.  Following a beautiful drive, we embarked on our first hike with Kensley; who slept for most of the 1.5-hour ride on Caleb up the Waterfall Track.  We have had her in the carrier very few times so this was a big success to us.  We finally feel like we experienced some of the New Zealand winter as we encountered some snow on this climb.  Caleb typically shows no mercy on our hikes and if you can’t keep up then he’ll see you at the top (not actually, he’ll slow down a few times), but I must admit, he was pretty cautious with his precious cargo (Kensley) on him.  Unfortunately, we returned to our car to find a flat tire.  Never fear, super daddy can change that thing in a jiffy.  We made our way back to our motel room to warm up; Kensley had quite the chill.  The plan was that Caleb and I would alternate going to the hot springs for a soak and I sent him along to go first but truthfully, my desire to go solo was low so I didn’t bother going.  Perhaps, we will head again and be able to go together when we have some visitors who are willing to watch Kensley (Poppa :P).  Caleb reports that these hot springs were no Le Nordik, a bit underwhelming and a family tourist trap.   On Sunday, Caleb was craving some more mountains so he took off and did a more challenging hike/run up Mt Isobel; he states it was fairly easy hiking with great views; it was clear and crisp with quite a bit of snow.  Kensley and I entertained ourselves with some walks and a nice breakfast out.

To me, the biggest adventure of the week/weekend/our whole time in NZ was sharing a motel room with Kensley, who goes to bed between 5-6pm.  We’ve been fortunate enough up until this point to always have a space to tuck Kensley away when we travel (whether it be another room, a washroom or a closet – sorry Kenz).  Unfortunately, this room didn’t offer any separate space and this caused me quite a bit of stress.  How are we supposed to enjoy ourselves and stay quiet enough for a baby to sleep NEXT TO US (under a make shift blanket fort I made).  Ugh – the answer is, we didn’t REALLY enjoy ourselves because I was a stress case.  Kensley’s sleep is precious to me – it makes her happy, so easy to manage, and it allows me time to myself and with Caleb.  I don’t want to mess with her sleep at all, and that means my husband has to unzip zippers, eat carrots, a bag of chips, and apple quietly,  – as if that’s even possible (so I made him do them all outside haha).  Nonetheless, we all survived and it wasn’t all that bad.  We did have to listen to Kensley have quite the party in her bassinet for about 50 mins at 2am (she was hooting and hollering and really having a grand time then finally fell back asleep).  I wonder if she does this every night!?  I’m not really sure what our future overnighters will have in store for us.  If anyone reads this and travels with a baby can you tell me how you do it and enjoy it…a trick? or is it as simple as always having a separate space for them?     

This weeks successes:

Kensley overcame her first cold

First family hike

Getting into a groove with the running stroller

Caleb bought skis and ski boots

I ran a 10k at 5:22 pace – this is only my third postpartum 10k so I’m pretty happy with that

We all survived our first overnighter with a baby in the same space with us the entire night

She loves to sit up

Practicing her tripod

She is determined

All ready for our first run together

Running and having a cold exhausting - she continued to sleep like this for 1.5 hrs following the run

Friday night is pizza and wine night

Always fish and chips 

Matchy match!

Kensley's fort is under that beige blanket.  I realize this is ridiculous.

Caleb's solo hike.  I request pics for the blog :)

Mt Isobel

Super husband

Couldn't wait to try his skis