A Scrumptious Macalicious

2008-10-25T06:45:00.004+02:00

you did it, for the first time ever you copied a sentence!{almost} you were screaming at me for milk, water, or just a drink. I turned to you calmly and said, "Son, it's better to ask "please mama, may I have a drink" You looked me straight in the eye and said "please mama, something something water" You didn't really say something something, but it was a couple of words that I don't know how to type to make it sound how you said it, but it could have been "mayIhave..." Oh son, this has made me a very happy mama. I love you xoxo

our little model

2008-10-15T19:14:00.005+02:00

some modelling jobs call for the model to stare off into the wild blue yonder. You've got it down, this is "your look". If only we could find a way to make millions, I am certain you would totally be in demand for that role.

Parco for playo

2008-10-14T14:01:00.000+02:00

Oh how you love being with your cousins.

2008-10-13T13:04:00.001+02:00

Your smile fills my heart and swells it to almost overflowing. Your laugh captures me and holds me spellbound unaware of the hours marching by. Your "goofy" is much more enticing than your screaming. Your "happy" is much more inviting than your scowl. You are pure delight (most times) I love you all times love Mama xoxoxox

movie night

2008-10-11T11:02:00.000+02:00

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

We had family tonight. Nicholas and Alexandra, your cousins came for a movie night. You were loving being with the big kids. They were loving being with you. I was loving watching you being so happy. Love you mama xoxoxox

Paper planes and cousins

2008-10-10T10:56:00.001+02:00

Dear Masher,

Your cousins are here. They arrived yesterday. We are both very happy to see them.

Tonight you and I went over to the vacation apartment where they are staying to visit. Nicholas made you some paper airplanes and you thought that was just great. You spent several minutes running in the backyard with them, occasionally you let them fly into the air then squeal excitedly as they crashed to the ground.

I have missed this for you son. I want you to know the sense of family that comes from being a part of one another's lives.

I love you Macadoodle.

love mama

xoxoxox

"whats that noise?"

2008-10-09T10:47:00.001+02:00

There is quite a buzz going on a round here at the moment. They have started building something next door on the empty section of land. I wonder what it will be.

I am excited for you, all the activity will be a great treat for you I am sure. I suspect we will see you looking at the window constantly throughout the process. I'm glad.

I love you my "totally boy" boy.

love mama

xoxoxo

2008-10-08T10:32:00.001+02:00

Dear Son, Often we walk to school in the mornings. At the moment the weather is so lovely, warm and very sunny with no humidity. It means that we walk a lot during the day, to the park, to the supermarket, to discover this in the neighbourhood. You have taken to standing up in the stroller. It seems to be your favourite mode of transport currently. I actually like it when you do, because it says to me "here I am world, I'm ready for you, I'm looking you in the eye, I'm living my life out loud" and you do. I really like the colours of your school. It makes me feel happy and warm inside. I hope that you feel happy and warm when you are here. You appear to.

When you awoke from your nap we made dinner together. You found great joy in making music on all the things in front of you. You sang while banging each item for a different sound. I hope you continue to dance, play and sing throughout your life son, music is good for the soul.

I love you, now and forever.

love mama.

xoxoxox

30 months and counting

2008-09-22T00:11:00.004+02:00

We have been working with you over the last couple of months to help you learn your numbers (and to count) Now you can count to 6 properly, and get the other numbers to 10 out of order, but you know them! We are so proud of you. Today you were playing with a number puzzle and excitedly took the number 5 over to your lightning McQueen pillow and put in on the 5 of the 95 on Lightning's door. I was so surprised and pleased. You really are coming along nicely son. Bravo. We love you love mama. PS Planes are still your favourite.

you love to...

2008-05-08T07:34:00.000+02:00

RUN

Just now...

2008-05-04T02:44:00.000+02:00

Just now I went into your room to check on you, as I sometimes do in the middle of the night. I couldn't find you on your bed, I searched the room quickly and then I heard you move. You were curled up under the table in your little hut mama made you a couple of weeks ago with your head resting on your little dalmation puppy pillow. HOW CUTE!

I didn't want to move you so I gently placed your blanket on top of you and you woke up just for a brief moment, you reached out your hand to me and softly whispered "mama" as you squeezed my hand and slipped back into sleepytime slumber.

Oh, melt my heart little one.

You must have been very tired today, because we went hiking in the hills with Daddy and you did a lot of walking yourself. It is so much fun for us to see you love the outdoors as much as we do. It is always a pleasure to take you hiking son, you are one adventurous little man

I love you

love mama xoxoxo

2008-04-24T03:59:00.000+02:00

My dearest Masher. I love this photograph of you, I actually took it a few weeks ago but tonight whilst I was cleaning out some of my files on my hard drive I found it again. It made me smile big. It made me remember you as a happy boy, it made me hope that these days will come again. You haven't been too happy these last few days. You haven't been too pleasant to be around these last few days. But you still love life, you still live your life out loud and I think that's okay. I love the energy you have, I love the vibrancy you show for everything you do - good and bad. You, my son, are someone destined to lead, to cut new paths, to forge new routes. I am excited about what you might do in your life. I am excited to be there for you always. Let's hope we all make it through this rough patch. Love mama

The first time.

2008-04-18T22:22:00.000+02:00

Tonight was the first time in more than a year that you have not screamed the house day when getting your hair washed. HOORAY. In fact, you did so well and managed to hold the washcloth over your eyes to stop the water getting in. I am so proud of you being able to do this. When I wanted to get a photograph of you to document the first time of no screaming you became such a goofy comic. Roaring and cackling at the camera like a crazy kid. It was lovely to see you being so playful, you usually hide whenever you see the camera pointing your way. Sadly though for most of the day you have been one tough cookie. Was it something you ate? did you sleep funny? Was it something we said? Are you lamenting your mama once more joining the paid workforce? You wanted to throw everything, break everything, hit everything, kick everything, and scream at everything today. I guess we all have days like this, when we feel like doing all those things. If you aren't 2 though there is very little forgiveness for acting in this manner. I hope you get over it soon. But right now, you are sleeping in your bed, after you and I spent an hour reading stories together. And in the peace and quiet of the evening, it's easy to remember how much we love you, and how precious you are to us. love mama xoxo

2008-04-15T14:09:00.000+02:00

Dear Son, I am so proud of you. You finally managed to scale the wall on the climbing frame. It has taken you a week from when you first tried, to your success. Well done! Now throughout your life, you can scale any mountain that might be an obstacle for you. You totally rock! Love mama

Through your eyes

2008-04-04T22:39:00.000+02:00

We played with the playdough again today. I suspect you ate more than you sculpted. But thats all part of the playdough experience for a 2 yr old I think.

I wanted you to play with the playdough by yourself, but you insisted I joined you. I am glad you did. It occured to me that one of the reasons mummies should join in is because it can be a little scary doing something on your own if you havent had much experience with it before. I like support at those times, I bet you do too... so we made lots of things together in our playdough factory.

I love how much you concentrate on your tasks. I love you, love mama.

Today was brought to you by the letter "B"

2008-04-02T22:50:00.000+02:00

Beads - sorted, ball - bouncing and beading bracelet.

Butt of boy hovering bravely. Some of the things we did today Mac, I am so proud of you and the things you could do today. You wanted me to open my bag of beads I had bought last night. I suspect you thought they were candy.

I got out an empty egg carton and tried to teach you to sort by colour. That was a little too challenging for you yet, but you liked putting individual beads into spots and filling the egg cup before moving onto the next one. You spent a long time doing this I then thought I would try to teach you to thread beads onto something. I used some pipe cleaners, which were the perfect things to use. At first it was hard for you, you didnt quite grasp the concept, but then I peeked through the hole of the bead at you and showed you how to line it up with the pipe cleaner. You thought this was a fabulous game. After a few beads you were threading like a pro. We turned our beads and pipe cleaners into bracelets, and wore them proudly I am so proud of you, and to have been able to see you through the process. We also played soccer outside. You surprised me by throwing the ball at the tree trunk over and over again, and catching it each time. You worked this out yourself, which I think is pretty darn cool for a 2 year old! It was playgroup day today too and you might notice in one of the photographs above that you have something blue under one of your fingernails. That is because we played with the play dough too. It was a lot of fun with you today. I am glad we could make things and play together. I love you mummy xoxox

Playgroup

2008-03-31T13:14:00.001+02:00

Often you are still sleeping when Daddy is ready to go to work, so I have to wake you to be able to drop Daddy off so we can use the car. Sometimes I don't want to take you to play group because you are still sleeping and because it's hard for me not to be able to communicate with the other parents and the head teacher there. I feel shy. But when I think about how much fun it is for you, and how much you enjoy the toys and the other children to play with - I am always motivated to take you.

Today was a great day. You didn't hurt anyone with your toy throwing efforts and you didn't throw a huge tantrum when we were leaving. That makes it so much more pleasant for me, the other children... and I bet it's more pleasant for you too.

You love the ball pit. You love it so much that you didn't even want to come and have birthday cake with all the others, you preferred to play instead. They have a new area for it and you adore it. I love the wonderfully bright colours.

You were just such a cool guy at playgroup today. I hope it's like this more often big guy.

love mama xoxox

Parma, Emilia Romanga, Italy.

2008-03-30T10:02:00.000+02:00

In Piazza Di Duomo. I love these shots Daddy took of you today, while we were visiting Parma, Italy. It really does capture your crazy personality perfectly. You had the best fun running around in this large Piazza, chasing all the pigeons. They were too quick for you though. You also were nearly hit by a car, seriously, you were only centimeters from being run over by a carload of Nuns. You ran straight into their car, but they didn't even stop to see if you were okay. Mummy screamed when she turned around. I was so mad at them, and Daddy. But you are okay, and back to your normal screamy self tonight. You really had a hard night of not being content to sleep. Perhaps you were recalling your little short life flashing before your eyes moments before nearly being mincemeat!

2008-03-29T04:32:00.000+01:00

Today my son, you drove us nuts. Daddy swooped you off to bed in a huff, he doesnt cope well with you sometimes in the hour he is home from work. I wanted to sell you on ebay, at least make a little something for my trouble. You are a tough kid.

I was thinking it was a GOOD idea to take you to gather rocks along the gravel road near our apartment, I was WRONG.

You would not come when I asked you to, you would not leave the poor tulips in the garden alone, you would not stay out of the puddles, you would not stop screaming when I insisted we leave, you would not pander, you would not stop throwing stones, you would not, could not.

I know that there will be a time very soon when I will miss your funny things, your grubby handprints everywhere, your books and toys on the floor, your quilt being carried everywhere, your toy cupboard spilling out, your insistance at me putting the seagull puppet on my hand to pretend to gobble everything.

But right now, you are driving me NUTS!

and even through all of that, we love you to bits.

Painter Man.

2008-03-27T02:50:00.001+01:00

Usually I don't let you near the paints, I am not sure why. Well yes I am, it's cos you run through the house touching things when I ask to clean your hands before you do that. Today I decided to contain you by closing the other doors and putting anything up that I couldn't easily wipe clean. It worked a treat, and you my son, had a blast "painting". I put an old shirt of mine on you for that authentic "crazy artist" look and you thought it was kind of cool wearing mama's shirt. You kept asking for more and more colours for your work. Aunty Joy said you have our good sense of colour. I think she might be right.

I really love the enthusiasm you show for art. Art is also something I love.

And I love you too,

Love mama xoxox

the you that is you

2008-03-25T07:38:00.000+01:00

You seem to be getting the hang of this 2 year old business quite well. If I was to sit down and write a book about the things you do at 2, it would be like any other book about 2 year olds. You are perfectly normal.

You love to dance, you cant help yourself. As soon as a beat comes on that you like, you start moving some part of your body, laughing, and enjoying yourself. If I put on a musical me CD as soon as the word "hello" is sung you squeal with delight. You can't say the words to all the songs on the CD"s but you love to 'sing' along, tapping your hands on your knees to the beat.

It's inevitable that you will be a music lovin' teen with long unkempt hair and itunes in your ears. I wonder what they will have instead of itunes when you hit the teenage years. I don't know, but one thing I do know, it will be music your parents hate, at a volume that sends them crazy, of that I am sure.

You love to be outside. Your mood does not stay pleasant for long when cooped up inside. You always want to run, everywhere we go. If you are in the stroller you want out, saying "down, down" if we are walking, you run. You run kind of funny, it's almost as though you are just falling into each step. Sometimes you really do fall. The other day you fell and Daddy heard you ask yourself if you were okay. You are so funny!

You have a few words - your great love at the moment is "car" for a car or "car car" for a truck. I like how you distinguish the difference. You are also crazy about lions. Although you say it more like "lilin" every animal that looks like it could be a cat of some kind is a lion to you. You also say "cow" to things like horses, goats, sheep, antelope, zebra and of course a cow. You are starting to talk more now, and starting to copy us more, we were worried.

If your door is closed when you wake up in the morning you knock on the door to be let out. If we answer your knock by knocking back you ask "whoisit?" We laugh. If your door is open you search the apartment for me and as soon as you see me you squeal and run to my waiting arms. I love to see your excitement at seeing me in the mornings. It wears off quickly throughout the day. You are my boy in the mornings. You run to Daddy as soon as he comes through the door at night with the same excitement. You are Daddy's boy at night.

You like cereal for breakfast, cheerios or All bran (with chocolate flakes scattered through) In Italian it's called Fiocchi & Cioccolato. We like it too. You have yours with lactose free milk and I often catch you eating it with your fingers. You like to drink the milk from the bowl when you are done. I think you got that from Daddy.

You like fruit in the mornings, around 11 or so. You also like cheese although we have to limit how much you eat of that since it makes your tummy not so happy. You would eat cheese and yogurt all day long if you were able. You also love avocado, tomatoes, olives, smoked salmon, pasta, apples, bananas and many more things. The only foods we have noticed you don't like is lettuce, and jalapeno's. You will try anything. Good boy!

You hate getting dressed. Sometimes you kick, but you always you squirm. It takes 3 times as long to dress you as it should. You are starting to put your t-shirt on yourself, although you aren't really initiating this. I just leave it hanging around your neck to make you do it. You don't really show much favouritism toward any particular piece of clothing. Unlike your mother.

We keep your noisy toys in a cupboard, it has a lock on it. You knock on the door when you want it opened. The first things you will reach for are your cars. You like to have one in each hand and scoot along the floor with them. I smile when I see you doing that. It's so cute. You also clean up your toys at night when I ask you too. You are good at that now. You are just starting to get the hang of play dough. The other night you enjoyed actually making something instead of eating it. I am glad we will be able to have some play dough fun now. You don't really like to draw yet, you love to push each individual crayon off the table and watch it drop to the floor instead. All the time looking at me as though you are saying "I didn't do it!"

You are starting to become interested in books now. Each night I read to you before bed, before you would pull at the book and rip the pages, now you listen and say "lookatdat" " Oh, whatsdis" as you point to everything on the page. My favourite part of the day.

When I am done reading, I say a prayer with you and tell you I am leaving. Every night without fail you run to the door to try and get out also. I tell you to go back to bed, you cry (for about 10 seconds) after I leave. If I sneak a peek at you, you are sitting back on your bed flicking through a book.

You help me with the laundry, you like to carry something out to the line for me. You also like to run away with all the clothes pins/pegs. When I ask you to hand them to me, you run further. You like this game.

You are a hawk eye, you never miss a thing. You never miss the things I am trying to hide from you. If I say no to you, you scream, sometimes you even drop to the ground and kick your feet in a fully fledged tantrum. I ignore you and move on. You get over it pretty quickly. Sometimes though you scream all day long. Sometimes I spray you in the face with a mist of water and you stop instantly. You do not like water on your face, I do not like your screaming.

Actually you do not like anything around your face or head. You hate your hair brushed or cut. You hate your face being washed. You hate the doctor checking your ears, inside of your mouth, or your glands. You can be a difficult lad. The only thing 'head' related that you will participate in without screaming is your teeth brushing ritual. You love to brush your teeth. You ask for your brush when you are taking a bath, you suck off the paste first, then brush around your teeth. After you are done you will let Mummy brush them more thoroughly.

You like to walk down the stairs, holding the handrail and my index finger. You usually try to jump the last step. The other day you jumped three, my heart nearly jump out of my chest. You scared me. But you landed perfectly and looked at me with a "What?" expression on your face. You ran off laughing. You also prefer to walk up the stairs than take the elevator. Just like your Mummy.

We go to a playgroup each Mon/Wed/Fri. There are many children there, you tend to play on your own with the cars, or in the ball pit with the girls. You are bigger than most of the others there and the only one to throw tantrums when it's time to leave. I know how much you love the toys and the other children. Sometimes you throw the toys, especially the balls. Everyone ducks for cover. You are a good shot, but are still yet to learn when you can throw things, and when you can't. They love you there, they love Mummy there, we are lucky to have it.

The other day you opened the car door, while Mummy was driving. You frightened me. We moved your carseat into the middle back seat, so you cant. You dont like being in the middle though, as you cant see as much. Silly goat.

Well silly goat, this is you at the age of 2 years, 1 month and 16 days, or so. You are loved beyond measure.

ponder

2008-03-05T06:42:00.000+01:00

Sometimes for a few brief moments, you just stop... and ponder

Scotts Creek Beach, California

2008-02-21T13:51:00.000+01:00

A little positive self talk

2008-02-12T09:19:00.000+01:00

I love myself. I love myself, I love myself. I am the best I can be, I love myself.

Mummy and Mac

2008-02-11T16:01:00.001+01:00

This is one of the best way to spend a Sunday night, walking on the beach with your family and everyone being peaceful and happy. We miss Keke though.

Daddy, Mummy and The Masher, enjoying the sunset colours of sand dollar beach. You are that large hump and extra head on my back!

Many thanks and Happy Birthday

2008-02-07T14:41:00.000+01:00

Dearest Macallum, Mac, The Masher.

You are turning 2,. For 2 wonderful years we have had you in our home. They have been amazing years, you open a world to us that we would not know without you. We love you to pieces. You makes us laugh, make us love, make us crazy and tired. You capture life with both hands and will not let go. I love that about you.

Yesterday we spent the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA with Ruth and your friends Kenny and Cory. You absolutely loved the aquarium, you wanted to stay a lot longer. You also enjoyed the Dennis the Menace Park we played at after the aquarium. Today you spent the day with Daddy and your cousins here in the US - Emily, Sarah and Kevin. You had a great time.

In the evening we had cake and gifts for you. You loved your new puzzles and all the books you got from us and your grandparents. You got lots of fun gifts from your Auntie Joy and NZ Grandma. You are a very loved little boy.

Dear Grandparents I got your book today, as you can see I really love thumbing through the pages and "reading" it. I also like to share it with my friends, Cory and Kenny. They enjoyed my mummy reading it to them. I like books, they help me calm down before bed. Tonight my daddy read me a bed time story. I like it when he does that. Thank you for sending me a cool book. love your grandson The Masher xoxoxox

plane toys...

2008-01-22T21:22:00.001+01:00

We are off in the morning, back to California to get visa's for Italia. Here are some of the toys we got you for your inflight entertainment. I know how much you will love them. People are praying for us and our safety. Grazie to them.

g, m and m

Friday on film

2008-01-18T17:51:00.000+01:00

Story time with Daddy "hello? Hello? e9uydshjrqalkao3w0uamv.ytp" -you on the phone You have just learnt to put your trainset together, love it. I let you run along this country road for a while, you had a blast.

In silhouette

"Give me cookie!!!"

"ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" "mmmmmmMMMMMMMMMM" "sajhfdeyharndcjadf"

"aaaaahhhhhhhhh cooooooooookieeeeeeeeee"

tasty tuesday

2008-01-15T23:04:00.003+01:00

You are that wooly headed kid in this photograph and you are trying something new for the first time. Believe it or not you love it... can you guess what it is?

It's caviar.

just cos

2008-01-13T10:31:00.001+01:00

This photo was shot the day before, but I like it because I love that curly hair of yours. It isn't curly all of the time, only when it is wet or damp. But when it is... oh boy, you look like a supermodel child.

from frumpy to fabulous friday

2008-01-11T21:31:00.000+01:00

I am not sure that you are that delighted with your new clothes in the same way that mummy is. I love that sweater on you, like Daddy, navy blue is definitely your colour. Daddy thinks you are looking very John McEnroe-esque. (He is a famous tennis player with a bad attitude)

tyrannical thursday

2008-01-10T22:23:00.000+01:00

the Masher: "I am your master, you will succumb to me aaaaaaahhhh *Kapow poooooow;@*#*hiiiiiiiiiyaaaahhh">#&*^Take that! @*% Hear me... the great Masher and feel my poooooooooooower!"

daddy: "I call uncle! uncle!"

wishywashy wednesday

2008-01-09T21:35:00.000+01:00

Your favourite thing to play on at any park is the slide. You often jump down it though, scary little boy.

butter wouldn't melt in my ...

2008-01-08T21:43:00.000+01:00

hair? I am happily occupied making dinner, I notice that everything has suddenly gone quiet in the living room. I know that means there is trouble brewing! So I take a peek, and here there you are, enjoying the loot of your thievery. You had stolen the butter off the counter'bench without me seeing YOU. YOU eats it, just like Daddy!

masher monday

2008-01-07T21:19:00.000+01:00

We took a walk after going to the morning outdoor market. I let you take the lead and determine the speed and direction of that walk. You did really well, and stopped at all the paedestrian crossings when asked to. Of course you also stopped at every leaf, every pile of dog poop, every piece of trash and every flower. It's a big mind shift to run solely on toddler time and not hurry them along. I did spend most of the walk lagging behind though. as you can see. I was trying to get a good photograph of you with your balloon, in the end I gave up and made do.

its sunday

2008-01-07T00:15:00.000+01:00

I love this shot of yu that I took tonight. Jumping from your Ikea table onto the couch.

Happy Birthday Grampa from your loud, screaming, obnoxious, stubborn, nearly-2-yr-old grandchild - Tha Masher xoxox.

favourite toy

2008-01-05T19:30:00.001+01:00

Snowflakes.

2008-01-04T17:52:00.000+01:00

We couldnt get out to the parks again today due to the slippery, snowy conditions. So instead we made our own little snow project inside. You drew some "pictures" on the craft paper then I cut out the shapes. The scissors were too big foryour little hands to work.

We then went outside briefly to collect some snow and watch it melt in the warmth of our apartment. I practiced the italian for snowflake "il fiocco di neve", seems much easier to say snowflake - alas. You got so excited when we stuck our creations on the window. I wonder if daddy will notice!

Playtime

2008-01-03T19:46:00.001+01:00

You are a line-r upper my boy. You love to place everything very carefully in a line, like with like. It could be a little OCD, but I prefer to say ypu are learning about size, volume and other mathmatical concepts.

You also straighten the outside mat when we get to the door. Sometimes Daddy will make it crooked just to see what you will do. You straighten it immediately. He is a teasing kind of Daddy.

I really hope this doesn't ruin your life son.

the year in a snap

2007-12-19T03:53:00.000+01:00

a new phase

2007-12-11T15:53:00.000+01:00

You're so talented, what can I say.. You can position sunglasses yourself these days, is there no end to your brilliance...and with such a cute look I can't bear to take them off you. "duuuuuuuude, you're like totally workin' it yo!"

biaper

2007-12-10T10:01:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I heard you knocking on your bedroom door, followed soon after by "mumma, mumma"... which was followed by "biaper". Sure enough when I walked into the room I was hit by the unpleasant aroma of poop...confronted with diaper wipes all over the bed and diaper rash cream smeared on the forhead of the suspect. I present exhibit A, the accused - I say you are guilty as charged...

Playgroup

2007-12-07T14:07:00.000+01:00

I was trying to get some shots of you at the playgroup today for your Grandma-Grampa, but I was having an off day with the camera, I think. Also, you are not allowed to take photographs of anyone else's child, so trying to get shots without other children at a playgroup is... well nigh on impossible. These 2 are the only ones in focus. You also love the dinosaurs and blocks. Today there was a swimming pool with pasta and lots of containers to fill. Totally not allowed in NZ. But this is Italy lol!

A couple from the last couple of days.

2007-12-04T10:29:00.000+01:00

in Rimini, on the Adriatic Coast.

2007-12-02T06:35:00.000+01:00

I love his eyes

2007-11-30T08:21:00.000+01:00

Everyone comments on The Mashers eyes and eyelashes. Of course it's nearly impossible to capture them on camera because, well, he doesn't keep still long enough... but here he is... in full 'eye'sight and in focus even!

First Day...

2007-11-28T17:01:00.000+01:00

We have found a little free playgroup/nursery school nearby to our apartment. When I say nearby I mean 5 kms or under 3 miles. We went there for the first time today. Francesca (mike's boss's wife) came with us as they required us to have an Italian speaker with us. She was great in explaining things to me and to the wonderful woman who runs the place.

The nursery school is one where you stay with your children. The goal being to make friends both children and parents. I am the only person under 60 I would say. Grandmothers tend the children here, not parents. Grandmothers bring their children to playgroup, not parents. Francesca said Italian women would die without there Momma's. They also cook and clean for their grown children, and grandchildren - where do I get one of those? I asked Francesca to collect names and addresses for me HA!

The Masher ran off as soon as we entered the door and was well established in play mode within 5 mins. Apparently all the other grandmothers there were talking about how beautiful he is, how gorgeous he is, how confident he is and how friendly he is... if only they knew! He was a gentleman today, even being the big strapping hero of the playground by pushing one young lady around in a cart. She smiled, cooed, laughed and enjoyed herself. And I swear I saw her flutter her eyelashes at him. I'm going to have to keep an eye on that little minx!

The Masher had a wonderful time, he loved the toys, the songs and the other children. This was exactly what he needed >>> therefore exactly what I needed for him. We will go again on Friday, but sadly this time without the safety of Francesca.

Hopefully I will be able to pick up some language - everyone was so keen to talk to me, yet I remain a deaf/mute.

here he is getting reading for his big day...

My boy is growing up.

2007-11-24T08:50:00.000+01:00

I went on a massive culling expedition so that I could continue to add photographs to this blog - you are really starting to look a lot less like a baby and a lot more like a boy! I really need to do something about that hair some time soon. Several months ago I was given a bunch of boy clothes - mostly winter things that were somewhat unnecessary in California. I had the good sense to ship them to Italy and boy oh boy I am glad we did. It is very cold here but that blue puffer jacket is a winner with you, it keeps you so toasty warm! You love to push the stroller, it is so good for you, developing those big muscles.

Macallum in Italy...

2007-11-17T19:00:00.000+01:00

all I get these days is this....poor little munchkin

can we say 'clone'?

2007-10-15T03:51:00.000+02:00

secret beach

2007-10-07T12:29:00.001+02:00

Mike and Mac went to the beach yesterday while I continued with the packing/leaving tasks I have set myself. Mike doesn't know how to use my camera so he doesn't know how to set the exposure probably - this is a big lead up to say that Mike isn't happy with any of his photographs from today. I love the expression on Mac's face in this one though. He looks just sooooo happy!

face in the shadows

2007-10-02T16:14:00.001+02:00

An unwilling model

2007-09-26T14:36:00.000+02:00

The light in Mac's room at about 5 o'clock at night is great, with much bribery and angst, I attempted a photo shoot with Mac. I can not believe he is old enough to stand on a small table and not worry about him. My baby is growing up too fast. I do know what it is about that first pic, but I really like it. I think it is kind of almost my 'style' or the style I want to achieve, at least.

he loves his bath

2007-09-24T23:37:00.000+02:00

Mac is the best kid to bathe, he is keen to get in, play with his bath toys and when it's time to get out - he says byebye to all his toys and pulls the plug - fabulous. Of course, he looks awfully cute too.

what's that look?

2007-09-19T18:45:00.000+02:00

At times I have to wonder, what it is he is thinking. Okay so he is standing on the windowsill is it fear? bravery or what? It's just shocking he is looking right at the camera, so my guess as to his thoughts is "MOTHER, get me off this thing!"

19 months old

2007-09-17T05:34:00.001+02:00

He can say butterfly, sing to the veggie tales tune, jump and squat, use a fork, and cause general havoc and mayhem throughout the day - perfectly normal.

one in 61,610

2007-09-12T20:56:00.000+02:00

There were 61,610 babies born in New Zealand last year, which is the highest number in 35 years....and my lil cutie was one of them! Hooray!

number 2's

2007-08-31T16:09:00.000+02:00

Macallum had his second haircut on Tuesday, he still looks very cute, of course. Haircuts are traumatic for him for some reason, he screamed and screamed and screamed. Screaming in itself most people can deal with for a short time, but the constant turning of the head was a problem. The cut is a little rough because quite frankly evenness was impossible with his head turning every which way... but it's good enough for now. Every now and again in a quiet moment, I do a little fine tuning. No camera=no pix. He still has diarrhoea - day number 6.

LochLomond

2007-08-18T15:26:00.000+02:00

We took the chance to go to Loch Lomond last night with Mum, I called Mike at work to meet us there. He did. Everytime we manage to go there it takes my breathe away - it is so stunning, and so close to our house. Last night was particularly magical because it was "magic hour" for great photo light. It was a lovely evening with a cool breeze blowing off the lake and there weren't many peeps there, like the typical day time crowds. I really enjoyed capturing a few (meanng 200 or so) photographs of my boys, the lake and Grandma.

18 months old.

2007-08-17T10:13:00.000+02:00

Macallum, you are 18 months old*you can 'swim' across the pool with your float belt on and kicking your legs like crazy, you are just learning to use your arms at the same time*you like to watch "snoodle" (snoodles tale - a veggie tale dvd), you call all dvd's snoodle*you love to climb, on the table, the couch, the bed - anything you can, you will climb. Today I had to stop you climbing into the dryer and retrieving your favourite blanket*you love to dance, alone or with an audience, its all the same to you*you play your musical instruments along to the beat of your music. *you love time with daddy* you like to throw and catch, you even say catch as we toss you the ball*you like to be the centre of our world and you certainly are.

giggles

2007-08-15T13:13:00.000+02:00

Mac loves it when Mike throws him in the air and catches him, he giggles like a madman

A couple from the last couple of weeks.

2007-08-07T10:19:00.000+02:00

17 MONTHS

2007-07-15T16:49:00.001+02:00

Macallum is 17 months old - in this photograph he is pleading and screaming at me. I told him he was not allowed to run straight into the Lake. Mean mama, I know. One day he will thank me for this. Gotta love the pure toddler emotion.

In the last month he.............

learnt how to climb onto the bed, couch, table, highchair, computer desk and into the dishwasher.
stepped down a single step without holding onto anything.
does the leaping frog action for the leapfrog game.
deliberately throws a ball to you.
points to body parts on demand.
signing "more" "bottle" and "up" the only signs I taught him 6 months ago.
learnt to say cheese, lights and shhh.
went boating on Loch Lomond and biking on Angel Island.
had an awesome 4th of July day with his whanau.
and a lovely night with his cousins and Uncle.
stayed with Kenny and Cory with Mummy while their parents were away.
learnt to hit people in the face and throw heavy objects at them too.

Happy 17 months son, you are loved and cherished greatly.

A few of Macalicious from the parade in Scotts Valley

2007-07-06T16:26:00.000+02:00

He really had loads of fun watching everything pass by. He wanted to go and join in the fun.

the two americans

2007-07-06T02:33:00.001+02:00

first attempts...

2007-07-03T03:56:00.000+02:00

Okay, this is an attempt at portraiture. I had a general idea in my head and this didn't quite achieve my artistic vision, but it gives me something to work with at least.

2007-06-29T05:29:00.000+02:00

hot day

2007-06-22T02:48:00.001+02:00

2007-06-15T07:45:00.000+02:00

Cupcake heaven

2007-06-11T09:54:00.000+02:00

Recipe for disaster/fun

take 1 16 month son

add one part adventure

2 parts budding motor skills

add 1 delicious cup cake

leave alone in the sun to bake for 10 minutes

............................................................................................................................................................end result

PERFECT

1st Haircut

2007-06-06T19:53:00.000+02:00

the local park

2007-05-30T14:40:00.001+02:00

15 months old - yipeeeee

2007-05-11T01:55:00.000+02:00

Yosemite Mac

2007-05-08T16:41:00.000+02:00

I refer to Macallum as the "Glacier Park of babies" merely because in my own biased way I think he is gorgeous. I have now started calling him "Yosemite Mac" because Glacier Park Mac is harder to say. So here he is Yosemite Mac!

The fine art of tent making

2007-05-08T16:26:00.000+02:00

We were bored, Mac was cranky and I was frustrated with him, so I got out an old blanket and we made a tent between the two couches. It was lots of fun and brought back memories of when Kieran was little and we played together in our living room tents for hours, in fact, sometimes we even slept in them.

My gorgeous little boy

2007-05-03T13:14:00.000+02:00

Grandma and Macallum

2007-05-02T06:02:00.000+02:00

I really like this picture of Macallum and Grandma, but sadly grandma is a little blurry... bad grandma!

Sunset Trail

2007-04-25T11:58:00.000+02:00

I wanted pizza, but didn't want the guilt of eating pizza and feeling porky... so.. the great pizza compromise happened. I rationalized that if we got a pizza and hiked to the top of the Sunset trail and ate it, every inch of its cheesy fatness would not sit on my hips for months. Indeed!

We took a jeep ride, with top down, to Felton to pick up our pizza yumminess, as you can see Macallum really enjoyed the jeep ride. How's this for bad parenting.... here I was snapping photos frantically and did not notice his shoulder strap in the unsafe position UNTIL I was perusing said photographs some time later. No brownie points for me. I'm glad we didn't crash and catapult our son into sudden death.

Twas a lovely hike, the result of which was by the time we climbed to the top - we didn't feel like eating much pizza!

Splitting image

2007-03-21T23:07:00.000+01:00

We are in trouble.

2007-03-21T22:58:00.000+01:00

As clearly documented in the following four photographs, Macallum can now open and shut the screen doors... darn!

Park Day

2007-03-16T08:19:00.000+01:00

I took Macallum to the local public playground in Ben Lomond. We were the only ones there for play, I was soon to find out why. All the play structures were so sun baked that you couldn't play on them at all... owie! SO we stayed only a short time, Macallum had a blast all the same.

Beach By the Boardwalk.

2007-03-12T15:20:00.000+01:00

Macallum the tool user.

2007-03-06T12:07:00.000+01:00

Macallum has shown his advanced brilliance once more and has figured out that if he swats at the refrigerator with the broom, he can knock the fridge magnets off so he can play with them. He did this about 3 weeks ago for the first time and at first I thought it was merely my imagination. He has done it regularly ever since. I feel so torn between celebrating his cleverness and telling him off for breaking a couple of magnets. In the end, I think it's cool that he has worked out a way to get what he wants, little scoundrel!!

Amen

2007-02-28T16:03:00.001+01:00

He was telling me a biiiig story when I snapped this, he seldom looks at the camera. I had to laugh at this shot because he was pretending to cry- haha silly boy.

I wish I had a photo of Kieran I could add to this post, because these boys are exactly the reason I can shout amen from the rooftops when reading the following;

received this in an email from Ricki and all I can say is amen and amen.!

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking."Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations" But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moments hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish his or hers. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Our little boy

2007-02-20T01:58:00.000+01:00

It has been 6 days of diarrhoea for Macallum, with a little vomiting thrown in. Thank goodness we can buy nappies/diapers 200 at a time! Up until today he had not eaten for 3 days and was starting to refuse fluids even. Today however he has managed to eat about 1/4 cup of applesauce and 1" of banana throughout the day, I think today is probably the worst of all the days despite that. He is so lethargic and barely walks - he just wants to be lying down on me all the time. I want to hold him close and rock him back to wellness. He has developed these strange red marks over his face and body, I am taking him back to the doctor tomorrow. I am feeling a little scared for his well being. We will keep praying for him while we wait for the doctors office to reopen. If we can't wait that long, its off to the hospital for him. My poor baby, I just want him to be running around getting into everything like normal. I am sure I will regret saying that!

This little guy is very sick

2007-02-18T17:06:00.001+01:00

Playground Antics

2007-02-16T10:03:00.000+01:00

I took Macallum to our local playground to take some shots for an assignment I have for my photography class. The assignment is about lighting and my goal for the playground visit was to get shots to fulfill the "harsh or direct lighting" and diffuse lighting components. These are not necessarily the shots I will use for the assignment, just ones I thought were interesting lighting situations.

A few photos from his little party with the twins, Jake and Chris

2007-02-09T14:03:00.000+01:00

Happy New Zealand Birthday.

2007-02-08T15:13:00.000+01:00

Kia Ora e taku tama. (I'm sure I am missing some important joining words in there- where is Kimi when I need her?). But I am sure you won't know or mind. It is your 1st birthday today, in the land of your birth. Happy New Zealand birthday sweetheart. We are going to have a small party for you with your friends Cory and Kenny today, over at their house while I babysit them. I hope you aren't disappointed that you aren't having a huge family affair like we would if we were back in New Zealand, but I figure you won't actually care this year. I wish your brother was here, I miss him, he is fun to be around. He would spoil you by playing lots of silly games with you, like I did with him many years ago. There are many people I miss for you. Your life would be filled with friends and whanau in New Zealand. But I know that your personality makes even going to the supermarket a great social experience. So many people will stop to talk to us. People are drawn to you son, they are captured by your cuteness and held captive by your smile. I am too. Some days I wake up believing I am the most blessed of women to have had 2 wonderful little boy babies that filled my life with awe. I pray you never lose that sparkle. You are an active guy, always busy with discovery. You seldom sit still, you do not like restraint of any kind, it's as though you understand the phrase more than anyone to "live life to the fullest". I sometimes wish you were more docile. You love books, your quiet time is turning the pages of all your books as you point to the things you see and oooooooooh and aaaaah.. sometimes I listen to you and it's as though the beauty of each page turning renders you breathless with a new discovery. I pray you never lose your wonder. I wonder if you will be an artist, or a writer, perhaps even a photographer like your parents. Images captivate you. Your busy time is spent carrying books around or pulling them off the bookshelf. You also like to put things into bags and carry them around on your back. You are just learning to stack things one on top of the other. Knocking them down seems to still be the greatest fun for you though. I wonder if you will work construction one day. We bought you a sandbox for your birthday, you stare at it from the window as the rain bounces off the lid. The bright red attracts your eye over and over throughout the day. I can't wait to see you playing in it. Daddy filled it with sand that he carried in his backpack from a trail we often walk. Daddy likes to do fun things like that for you, and with you. We also bought you some musical instruments. You and I go to MusicTogether classes each Tuesday. You love it, I love it...we sing and dance and make music together. Last Tuesday they sang happy birthday to you...you were busy with something else. I think you might be a little like daddy in that way, you don't notice the world outside you when you're busy. As we sang, I sang the loudest, for you are my little 1 year old boy. I pray I can always be there for the 'moments' in your life. Much of the time you spend exploring the room or sucking on the instruments. I know you are listening though, you certainly take notice when the instruments change. You like to dance, you liked watching all the parents walk around in a circle as you stood in the middle and did your moves. I bet you thought it was a performance solely for you. You were certainly appreciative of them and clapped as we all sang and danced. You made us giggle. You often make us giggle and smile, frown and worry, play and dance and we love you for it. Happy Birthday Macallum - My life is so much richer for spending this last year as your mother, playmate, nursemaid, personal chef and taxi driver. May we share many more together. Arohanui. Mummy xoxoxoxox

DeckBoy

2007-02-02T23:40:00.000+01:00

Mac loves it out on the deck. But yet again my first aid training came in handy as I needed to extract something from his insides. When will this kid learn NOT to put EVERYTHING in his mouth. I have no clue what it actually was either, I couldn't even tell. I wanted to get some photos of him using a new feature on my camera. I was trying to get JUST his eyes in focus, I didn't quite nail it but I shall keep trying.

Our beautiful boy.

2007-02-01T16:43:00.000+01:00

Macallum and I went for a short walk down by the lake at Quaill Hollow. It was a stunning day and Mac was in a great mood. He even looked at the camera for about 30 seconds... amazing! He also patted a horse and picked up every piece of horse poop he could find. Gotta love a discoverer.

Growing Up

2007-01-31T20:23:00.000+01:00

I am now convinced photographs lie..not only can they add 50 pounds, it seems they age some peeps too. I think Macallum looks a lot older than his 11 months in this shot. Perhaps because he is not smiling, or perhaps its because he is sitting on the couch like a big guy... I dunno, I just know my little baby is slipping through my hands... as it should be I guess.

Kieran

2007-01-28T05:34:00.000+01:00

There is definately a resemblence between Mike, Macallum and Kieran... All three look like they came from the same cabbage patch, rows apart perhaps. How did I managed to have 2 gorgeous sons?? Easy - Im gorgeous! hahaha

The Graduate.

2007-01-26T19:55:00.000+01:00

My precious Macalicious is a baby formula graduate. He has moved from the expensive lacto-free lipil formula onto whole milk due to his coming of age. He just finished our last can of baby formula... it feels like a huge relief and a sad realization at the same time - he is no longer my little baby. It will be interesting to see how his tummy handles the milk. We are hoping he will be fine, because the lacto-free milk is $3.50 a litre and the organic whole Milk is $4 for twice that amount. I went to Longs Drugs last night to pick up a prescription for Macallum. From his well child check the doctor suggested we give him fluoride as there is none in the water here. I was okay with that suggestion after a few conversations with our neighbour, the dentist. However when I went to pick up the prescription the pharmacist questioned the dosage allotted to him. She noticed it was set as twice as much as usual for a child Mac's age. I said "Well okay, wouldn't that mean that I as his parent could only give him half the dosage" She then told me that yes, but it would mean he was missing out on the right amount of vitamins that came with it. "YOU GIVE BABIES VITAMINS HERE????" I inquired in a shocked tone. She replied in an equally shocked voice "Well Yeah!" - As though she wanted to say 'don't you know that you moron.' What ever happened to good balanced nutrition providing all that the body needs?! I see they brainwash the culture to pop a pill from the very beginning of their lives. How odd. The January Collection - 2007

2007-01-24T07:31:00.002+01:00

2007-01-24T07:31:00.001+01:00

One year wellness check

2007-01-24T03:35:00.000+01:00

Although technically he is only 11 1/2 months old he had his 1 year wellchild check today Doctor Coulsen said "he looks fabulous, keep doing what you are doing, he is in prime condition" All bits working in perfect order and he is developing along the milestones nicely. We might need to get his eyes checked though. due to Mike's crossed eyes by 10% weight 22.8lbs = 10.4kgs length 30.5 inches = 77.5 cms head circumference 47.5cms

All in a days work.

2007-01-19T19:44:00.000+01:00

While I was sick I resorted to the borrowed TV from the neighbour becoming a part time babysitter. This is really Macallum's first experience of television with a movie on just for him. (Veggie tales gifted from The Painters of Oregon) He looks so engrossed, as though nothing else in the world exists or matters - the very reason why I am opposed to television.

"Helping" to put the groceries away. Isn't someone supposed to tell this kid not to play with plastic bags? Oh wait, is that someone supposed to be me???? Change of pants after he sits on an avocado. I turn my back to answer the telephone, it was Mike and when I turn to tell Macallum it's daddy on the phone, look where I find him??? In the cupboard under the sink, where I keep the things that a too big to fit anywhere else.

A change of clothes after a day of mischief and still mesmerized, lucky it was only for 1 day.

gotta love a busy kid - and I do!

My son has a dirty mouth.

2007-01-16T22:56:00.000+01:00

I don't tend to leave Macallum out on the deck by himself - just to be on the safe side and guard him against potential mountain lion, coyote or hawk attacks, since afterall we do live in the mountains... but the main reason is....he can't be trusted out there to NOT eat everything in sight. That is only dirt btw, from the planters.

Just playing around.

2007-01-16T03:56:00.000+01:00

I was trying to get some nice black and white photos today, these are just a trial.