Catching Up... Grandpa Mark's visit

I have a lot of catching up to do on here! I have had these pictures from my dad's visit waiting to be posted for over a month... so here goes.

Within minutes of Grandpa's (or "Papa" as Madeleine says) arrival, they were assembling the wooden go-kart that he built for M.

The finished go-kart! She had a lot of fun with it, but it took awhile to get the hang of the steering. Dad disassembled it and took it back home with him, so it will make a reappearance someday when they come see us in California.

She loved playing with all of Papa's little containers and coins.

Ross got lots of Grandpa time in the mornings, while I got lots of sleep-in time!

 One of the many couch tents built for Madeleine.

My Dad spent a lot of time working on our little strip of grass, and made it look so lovely... I'm sure our neighbours were just as appreciative as we were.

Madeleine helped out with the sweeping...

 ...and Grandpa helped carry Dolly while M pulled the bin.

Madeleine sometimes gives us a good taste of what her teenage years might hold, and here she seems to be practicing her disgusted, this-is-so-not-cool, face in response to Grandpa's custom-made "M" pancake.

Cozy times with Papa...

Ross' got his first professional haircut at the local barber's, and my dad was there to document and distract.

Ross got to try out the go-kart too, and became an expert at ringing the bell.

Grandpa lying halfway off the couch for a snoozing, spread-out M...

M let Grandpa blow-dry her hair. 

M loved Grandpa's containers with screws and bolts.

It was a wonderful month with my dad here, and both kids loved the extra attention. Steve and I both felt so blessed to have so much help while he was finishing up with the writing. It was really special for me to have so much time with each of my parents on their own, and it certainly made the last few months of Steve's PhD less stressful and a lot more fun.

Moving On...

We've been in NZ nearly five years, but the time has come to say goodbye. A couple of months ago, Steve was approached by a top astronomy researcher in the US to come work for him. This came at a time when Steve's post-PhD contract here in NZ was all of a sudden looking very uncertain, so we gave the new offer serious thought. We have decided to make the move, and feel thankful that a new door has opened when another one shut.

Starting in January, we will be based in Berkeley, California, just outside San Francisco. Steve will be designing and building a spectrograph for one of the Keck telescopes in Hawaii. He'll work at the Space Sciences Lab  at the University, and we will hopefully live within bike-commuting distance. However there are still so many details to sort out - housing, shipping things, travel dates, immigration... sometimes it is overwhelming. It will also be very sad to say goodbye to our friends here and our idyllic little village of Eastbourne, but overall we are slowly getting excited for this new adventure.

This week we fly to Canada for our 3 week visit based around Chris and Antoinette's wedding. When we get back in November, we'll start selling things and planning for our next move!

Submitted!

After four years of hard work, Steve submitted his PhD thesis yesterday. His deadline was the end of September, so it is amazing and relieving that he finished ahead of that, with no stress or big rush at the end. Our 6th wedding anniversary is on Sunday and this is by far the best present he could ever have given me.

He brought home a printed copy to read through one last time earlier this week - a hefty 273 page book with countless diagrams and equations dotting the pages.

Today is the first Saturday in a long time that he has not had to go in to work. The kids have had him to themselves all day, I got to sleep in (after being up with Ross a lot last night) without feeling guilty for keeping Steve from his work, and he is taking a much-needed nap with Madeleine on the couch as I type. She was clearly excited to start her day with Daddy, and woke him up at 5:30 this morning.

Steve has told me many times that he has enjoyed and learned a lot from this PhD, and feels proud of what he's accomplished and submitted. The thesis now goes to two external reviewers, and Steve defends his thesis in mid-December down in Christchurch. It has certainly been a long and hard road for all of us in different ways, but we have no regrets and thoroughly look forward to the days ahead.

8 months!

I am constantly reminded our little boy is growing up as he is changing so much these days. Getting him to stay on his back for this picture was a challenge - he is on his tummy and commando-crawling around now, eager to explore. 

He has also developed a very dramatic cry in response to Madeleine doing something he doesn't like, even when it's a gentle pat on the head.  Although, I think this particular time she did take a toy away from him.

Of course, he loves his big sister and follows her every move.

He has gotten three teeth in the last month, and his fourth is about to pop through. It's resulted in more closed-lip expressions, like this little pose...

He absolutely loves this soccer ball, but the hockey stick is a close second...

Having fun with Grandpa Mark (more pics that include Grandpa will follow in another post)...

Ross continues to be a very happy and smiley little boy. He's eating more and more each day and is far less picky than Madeleine lately.

He's gotten into a good morning and afternoon nap routine, and wakes up talking and singing to himself, which is always fun to hear. Next month we will be in Canada for Uncle Chris' wedding. We are so excited for the rest of our family to finally meet him!

Picture Post

I'm finally getting around to posting more pictures from my mom's time here. I feel like we have been riddled with colds and teething ever since she left, which has left me with little time and energy for much of anything. Thankfully, my dad arrives this Friday!  

Here is M trying on Grammie's glasses...

 Going for a walk on the promenade...

Sitting on the seal sculpture near the Eastbourne shops (our almost-daily walk destination, when we don't have colds)...

Ross getting his hair cut... the local barber was busy, and I figured, how hard can it be?!

 Done!

Munching on a banana...

Holding the little dog and purse from Auntie Kristin...

 Posing on the couch...

It's not every day you get to have a nap on Grammie's shoulder...

 Cuddles with Grammie after a nap...

 Exploring the waterfront...

 Making angel food cake with Mommy...

 At the park...

Feeling the fuzzy magnolia buds...

More baking, to use up all the leftover egg yolks...

Madeleine and her best friend, Jac, having a serious discussion at Playcentre...

More cuddles on the couch with Grammie...

Out for lunch at the Botanic Garden's cafe...

M got very excited about all the ducks around the fountain at the gardens...

And now, we get to have Grandpa Mark here for a month!

7 months!

Ross turned 7 months this past week! He is on the move more now and although he's not crawling, he can sure get around by rolling, turning, and wiggling. He loves getting into Madeleine's toys and having a good chew on them if she's not looking. He's starting to eat more solids and has been pretty good at trying just about anything. Unlike Madeleine, he really likes being spoon-fed, so this time we'll likely do more of a mix of spoon and finger foods. 

He is still such a laid-back little guy, and is busy taking in the world around him. I can see two little teeth starting to push through on his bottom gum, and I think (and hope) that's the reason for some unpredictable napping lately.

Tomorrow we take Grammie to the airport, after a wonderful month with her here. I have a lot more pictures from her camera, so will put more up soon.

One last picture, of Madeleine telling Ross "it's okay baby, it's okay" as he squirms and tries to wriggle out of her arms...

Grammie Time

We are just over halfway through my mom's visit here, and already I can tell how much Madeleine (and I!) will miss her when she leaves. I have rarely seen Madeleine so happy to spend a whole day inside, just following Grammie around, helping her with everything possible. She loves to "sit on the couch in the sun" with Grammie, each with a cup of "tea" and a snack. She gives Grammie big hugs and kisses and if my mom leaves the room, Madeleine immediately asks "where Grammie going?" I'm relieved that when we say good bye this time, it will only be for a couple of months, since we are planning a trip to Canada in October. 

Ross also loves the extra attention and cuddles from Grammie, and especially loved being part of the roll-the-ball game this afternoon (although he was quite serious and intent on holding onto the ball).

Ross is 6.5 months now and loves joining in on meal times... he's tried a huge variety of things from lamb to pineapple to zucchini, and is slowly getting better at getting the food into his mouth and not just onto the floor.

Madeleine recently discovered my shell collection and has lots of fun sorting through them all. I feel so justified in hanging onto that collection over the past three moves we've done.

Steve is putting in long hours of thesis-writing, which makes both kids even more excited to see him in the evenings when he comes home for dinner. Neither one can get enough of Daddy, and I think we'll all be glad when the thesis is submitted in October. 

Here is a rare family photo of us all! Three out of four of us looking at the camera is as good as it got... maybe next time I'll put some pants on Ross and make sure I don't have food in my teeth.