Happy Travelling Wee Jordy...

Your Mamma's got your warm jammies all ready...

Go well darling and see you SOON

P.S. if you see SANTA CLAUS & his reindeer up there in the sky, point him this way.

O.K.

xxx

Counting down

This time, a month away, Dear Jordy, your Mama will be BURSTING...you will just about be touching down in Dunedin, and I bet, all you will want to see something fun!!
( you won't know that's me yet,)

so here's your wee bike which I'm sure will make you feel a wee bit at home. It's got wheels after all! It's also got a contraption to magically turn into a scooter too!



And then you'll see your Dad's favourite things. This is a very treasured collection Jordy, saved all these years, especially for you.





Now, I know you're a 2000 something wee boy, so even though your Dad's old favs will be fun, you'll be wanting some bells & whistles, so there's a few toys that friends have been keeping for special occassions ( that's you!) Your Mamma even bought batteries for this collection! When your Daddy was a wee boy battery toys weren't even invented. Well, if they were, I pretended they weren't!




We have been very lucky wee Jordy cos some of my friends think they may have some more children some day, so they have saved their favourite things and wee reap their hourding. Here's a really fun duvet cover and I will put this on Finnie's bed just in case you don't like the cot that's waiting for you.



But, I think you will Jordy. It's really good. Promise. Although it's a wee bit smaller than what you are used to it's very cosey & that's what you need here 'cos you never know what the weather's going to bring. Our temperatures are so much colder than what you are used to.

Anyway, this wee cot will make you feel as "snug as a bug" ( that's an NZ saying )

and we have snuggy pyjamas & hats & boots & jackets too. You will love being wrapped in "layers". That's what we do here to manage the changes in weather. It will be so much fun to introduce you to climate themes. Your Mama is very good at "all weather picnics"

Tell Mummy & Daddy "no worries" ( that's another NZ saying ) we will have it all sorted.

Some of the things here, you will find a bit strange, for sure: Like you will have blankets, & you can go straight outside without going in a lift!!!! yes, you can!!!! & wait till you walk up Mama's hill...that's really wierd.

But some of the things will be exactly the same. Everyone making sure you are getting your "tucker" ( that's another NZ saying)

Here's your throne wee Jordy. It has pride of place. Your Mamma can't imagine right now all the cooking & meals that will go on, but you can be sure they will. And you can watch it all from here so you won't miss out on ' all the going's on" ( that's another NZ saying )

Your Mamma is preparing Xmas Cake.

Your very First cos last year you were too wee... & couldn't even eat big things!

One year perhaps you'll be here to lick the bowl! That's the best bit.

Not long now wee Jordy & Guess What?

The best thing is that Santa knows EXACTLY where to find you..

xxx

Springtime

Well, now that the painting is more or less done it's time to get into Garden mode.

Dunedin Springtime can be Four Seasons In One Day so we have to be extra vigilant in monitoring weather reports if we want to do outside stuff. I remember Dora was perplexed, when she first came to NZ as she couldn't understand why we kiwis were fixated on the weather. Well, she soon became as anal as the rest of us....perched in front of the tele...& calling to me in the kitchen..."Maree, the weather!" What we Southerners learn to do though, is just shrug our shoulders & get on with it.

So, I have begun my planting out for Summer although I am keeping tomato plants inside for just a little longer. The temperatures this November can range from 3 - 20 degrees in one day!

I have been shoveling horse manure into the garden & hopefully this weekend I'll be able to plant out some vegies ( maybe silverbeet, lettuces, rocket, strawberries ) I already have rubarb & radish growing. I'm not really a vegie grower, it's usually pot luck. All my roses are about to burst into flower though. Then I just have to hope that we don't have a huge downpour to spoil the show. I guess that's one of the nice things about gardening here...it keeps you always hoping for the best!

Anyway, I wonder what wee Jordy will think of all our seasons - I can just imagine his little concentration frown as he feels the air. And, I wonder what he'll think of the Lawnmower!!!!

We Begin our Winding Down....

We are nearly over another busy busy year. Exams will soon be over and very soon 20,000 Students will go home for their Mum's & Dad's to look after them...or they will travel to far away places ( with advise & up to date innoculations given )
Dunedin will soon become it's usual Summer Ghost Town.

So, what better way to kick start our quieter times than Melbourne Cup Day.

We decided it would be fun to dress for the occassion

Everybody had turned out in best gear...some more outrageous than others...

Our male Docs especially would have done justice to any Cup Day event!

My ensemble was a very classy piece borrowed from Cousies.

After the race & drinks & pizza we had a quiz night & once again I was in the winning team!

The last round was Kiwiana & I even remembered the main characters on Playschool...( Nick & David's equivalent to Baby Einstein I suppose )

Little Ted

Big Ted

Jemima

Manu

Humpty

How about that.......!

We have a few social times planned over the next few weeks. We work exremely hard and this year has been especially challenging as we successfully managed pandemic situations. We have such a great team it's nice to celebrate & have fun together.

Preparations

Nick's Room.

( will put Jordy's things in the dresser - Nick's things won't fit! )

D& D get my room ( best bed! )

no worries tho Nick, have new duck weather duvet & underlay woollen blanket. Only the best for my boys.

Jordy's Room...

Cot still to come...but his wee Dunedin weather outfits are almost ready.

So I am very busy these days. everyday is one day more to having my family here..

.

Jordy will be 16months!!!

& doing all sorts of new things, but I won't be too much suprised 'cos D&D have been So Wonderful keeping me up with the latest Jordy tricks.

I have a JR countdown at work & friends have donated so many things for Jordy...

pyjamas

sweaters

long trousers

warm t shirts

&

a cot

blankets

highchair

....

all these things are starting to trickle in...so much fun

Aunty Judy says we must have Lamb

And of course there will be Ham.

Only 41 sleeps...

& a few less for Nick's arrival.

Now here's Jordy!!! After just a few months...
So many things he can do now...
Jordy is walking...running...catching ball...
He is mischievous...very...a wee goer...
He can say "cow" & "car"...
He watches his Mum & Dad as they sing "heads shoulders knees & toes"
He knows when to clap...( that's a genetic Auntie Judy Thing )
Jordy: your Mum & Dad share all your wee moments so eventhough I'm so far away I even know when you have a cold...
and of course you love your food
x

This is the last delicious moment that Jordy & I had together.
June: and Jordy was 10months old.
He could do many things....
definately turn over book pages...
definately crawl...
nearly pick up his own food & feed himself...and Jordy
definately knows his Mama Maree can pat-a-pat him to sleep...

Visiting Jordy through Skype

Look how much my wee Grandson's changing....Isn't he georgeous!

It was so so lovely to spend Jordy time yesterday. The Skype line was really clear so I watched as he trotted round his various wee places at home. I can't believe how fast he moves...Before now I had an idea, through photos, of his walking but to see it on cam was so much fun. He's very very fast, he kinda looked like that little boy in "Where the Wild Things Are" - This little white form would drift in & out & away again. I was too busy watching to grab a shot.

You can see how tall he is now from his the standing pose. He pulls out a book and turns the pages with such concentration - ah, what a boy!

He had a wee Baby Einstein time too cos he's cutting out his mid morning nap now so needs a wee "down" time to make it through to lunch.

So so cute...he watches intently, and then giggles delightfully when the wee character on the DVD pulls all his clothes off the bed. Jordy loves that bit & watches Dad to see if he thinks that bits the best part too. Mummy & Daddy rewind and another smile & then another giggle.

This wee boy is just blossoming.

Jordy, here's your Dad & Uncle Nick

See....so much fun & mischief ahead! That's plaster your Daddy's covered in.
Crumbs, it doesn't seem that long ago at all!

Come on over Wee Jordy ....

...there's lots for you to get into here!

I've just had a wee giggle to myself as I finish up again after another few hours of painting.
What fun that wee boy would have...just imagine!
Although his Dad and his Uncle Nick grew up with all this stuff around them 24/7 without too much mischief, NO WAY for my wee Grandson

It's really relaxing painting away, listening to the radio, almost as good as a walk, as long as I don't look about & notice all the other stuff that needs doing! However, Rome wasn't built in a day and these days I know my limitations.

It's only 12 more weeks till my wonderful family arrive & although the painting isn't specifically for them ( the windows, for instance, were in desperate need ) it's nice to have motivation for getting at least some things done. I mustn't forget to plant some strawberries for wee boy, radishes might be a bit strong for him yet....see how my mind's working...

Today, I put an email out to my work pals & I now have the loan of a cot & blankets, YES BLANKETS, Jordy, that's a word you don't know yet, and a Highchair, and I have a carseat ordered.... a friend has even offered some toys. We all think it's best to wait a few more weeks to see how much Jordy grows, but at the moment I am guessing size 2 to borrow winterish clothes.

And, oh yes, that's right...

a little cup...
a little bowl...
a little spoon...

Hope D&D remember his wee sleeping companion sheep...

I wonder if he needs a baby bath, he looks a bit big for that now, perhaps he can go in the bath??
Hmmm, better get a plug...

Oh, so much to look forward to.....&

I wonder where he'll want the Xmas Tree!

It's Warm Here at Dalmeny!

Here is my new addition. Course Winter Proper is over now and this morning, as I write this, the sun is shining through so brightly that I have to turn the laptop round to see! But as all Dunedites know, we will continue to experience "cold fronts" through to December...and now Bring Them On I say! It has been so luxurious waking up to warm air ( I pretime it to come on before I wake up ) and this morning I was able to read in bed without my hands numbing up and having to rub them together before turning the page.

So wee Jordy come on over....it won't be as hot as Sing of course but we won't need to introduce you to Jack Frost. ( see, we experience such cold winters that we even have pet names for the cold! )

Anyway, I must just tell you about the book I finished this morning -

"No I Don't Want to Join A Bookclub" Virginia Ironside.

It's the diary of Marie, who is turning 60 and she is thrilled to be growing old...truly...she's not in denial....and, guess what! She falls in LOVE...with guess who?...Her little Grandson Gene!
Well, I feel such affinity with this woman that I want to ring her up!!! Invite her for a long weekend even.
Here's a little excert and you will see what I mean:

Just got back from babysitting Gene. He has a bouncing machine that hangs from the doorframe and spends about ten minutes in it at a time, leaping up and down and laughing, looking like a mixture of a leprechaun and Michael Flaherty.
He can now put a blanket over his head and take it off which I think is TREMENDOUSLY clever.
He has a little cloth book of animals and we go through it again and again, me making all the animal noises. The only one he can do is the fish noise which is a kind of "pu pu" sound made simply by opening and closing your mouth. I am overjoyed. I feel totally responsible for having taught Gene to read. I am bowled over by his brilliance.

Further on a little in the story, Marie is mortified to learn that this little favourite book is missing so she searches all through London for a copy...finally finding it and she is so overjoyed ( I can almost feel her elation! )...

I was so delighted by this that I had to find the saleswoman...and show her.
"When he gets to the fish bit" I said, expecting her to faint with admiration and call her colleagues over, asking me to repeat this amazing story, "he goes "pu pu"!"
"Oh really?" she said, edging away slightly.

O dear...I know for sure that EVERY assistant in the baby shops I have been in this past year have heard ALL about Jordy. I am slightly embarressed to admit that in one such shop the poor woman had me for Thee Whole Hours!

And again. here she is waiting for Gene to come over for the night..

I keep looking at his little cup and plate; Iv'e got all the toys out and his cot's all ready. I feel quite skippy inside, as if I had a new boyfriend coming over. How Jack & Chrissie ( parents ) will be able to cope without him for two days I don't know.

Hee hee. Isn't it just lovely. I know I shall be bursting butterflies when wee Jordy comes to stay. The diary isn't all about her & wee Grandson, but it's just such a wee one sitting gem and I had a smile on my face the whole time.

Well, it really is a fine sunny day so had better go and soak some of it up and I can even look forward to it turning cold later in the day as I'll be returning to a snug wee hoose. Yeahhhh!

Happy First Birthday My Darling Jordy!

What a wonderful year it's been having wee Jordy in our lives. And eventhough I'm so far away I am so so lucky as the wee stories, & pictures, and now movies!!! keep me & family in touch with Jordy's progress. I have the bestest DIL in whole wide world for making this possible. Thankyou SO SO much Dora for sharing our wee man's day to day. I can't imagine my wee house now with out all the Jordy paraphernalia.

I know it could be said that I am a little biased, but our wee darling is especially lovely.
He is such an expressive little character and very definately his own wee self. It's canny though how much he reminds me of his Dad.

Here's a pix of D taken when he was almost the same age as Jordy is now.

That look of serious concentration and sturdy quietness when working things out, will be familiar now to those who know Jordy.

And wee Jordy is also showing he has his Mum's gift of sudden joyful laughter.

Just wonderful.

Well, if wee Jordy grows up to give a fraction of the joy that his Dad and his Mum has given us we will be very blessed indeed.

Congratulations D&D. A Grandma couldn't wish for more.

Finnie & Me & Celia Makes Three!

Last weekend Margaret, Celia & I travelled down to Invercargill to celebrate Finney's Baptisim into our Holy Catholic Church.

Everytime Finnie & I get together, it's like we've never been away...we just slip into our own wee thing.
And It's really nice that Celia, ( standing in for Nick, as God Father ) is there to share in the goodnight things too

Counting Down till Next Time...

It's hard to believe that just over a week ago I was with wee Jordy & too too busy having a good time to be blogging...

Now, here I am again back to cutting & pasting and being with Jordy via the computer & putting together all the wonderful photos I managed to capture ( over 200 + & most with JR )

It's a special wee journal that he will enjoy one day too as even though he's extra clever I'm sure he won't remember the very special holiday he had with his Mamma. And you can imagine how proud I am showing all the folks back here our little wonder. Jordy is everything & more....a very special little sunshine that will warm our hearts always.

I am very very blessed to have D&D. Thankyou so much for another wonderful magical time.

It's hard to believe that this wee boy is 21!!!!! How did that happen!!

It was freezing here on Saturday ( .2 must've been the high ) but the whanau had a lovely cosey evening together to celebrate Liam's special birthday & it was especially nice to have Auntie Maureen join us. We had lots of good laughs and A Maureen's stories were a great addition to all our usual yakety yak yak.

Bentan Here We Come! Maybe.....

Well here's the little red case about to go on another journey and this time it has my little Grandson's necessities too.
Darling Dora is busy packing up all the must have baby stuff & I am reminded of all the packing for holidays with the boys. Thank goodness for throw away nappies I say.
Of course while all this packing's going on little Jordy is very happy just doing his usual late afternoon play.
He still takes a moment to come & say hello to old Granny though.

As we prepare for our holiday to Indonesia, Singapore has a few more confirmed cases of Swine Flu. Dora's Mum will not be able to spend all the days with us as strategies need to be implemented. It is a shame but hopefully there will be at least a couple of nights where us Grandmas can hang out together in our glorious stunning silk night gear. Dick too is unable to go as the time has coincided with the Asian Youth Games. We will miss his magic singing, as will wee JR but the rest of the family are coming and we will all meet at the Ferry early tomorrow morning. This trip will already be Jordy's 2nd overseas trip! Very soon he will be catching up with his Mamma's travel number & need a little red case of his own!

Postcard from Jordy to NZ Whanau

Hi You Guys - hear you've had some snow...
Over here, us Dudes are trying to keep cool

Mummy & Mamma both love picnics and I'm enjoying them more & more...

I think everyone agrees that I'm more of an outdoor guy than a cafe chap.

My favourite place of all is home sweet home where I can just hang out & have my Kingdom Of Toys to reign over.

Or a wind down with a movie after another busy day

As you guys down South say, It's All Right Here!

Kiss Kiss gotta go to bed now cos I have another busy day tomorrow.

Here He Is!!!!!!!!!!

Day Three & I am totally immersed in Jordy time.
Little cherub is having his morning nap after breakfast & playtime. This wee boy should be an advertisment for Children's toys - I have never seen such concentration, every wee toy, or container or what ever, he likes to work out what to do, no flitting from thing to thing for him!

I arrived late on Sat evening just on Jordy's night time sleep so he gave me that anticipated frown of concentration that I knew he would and waited until the next morning to make Mama gushes and it wasn't long before he saw me as a big part of Jordy Fan Club. I no longer feel like pretend Grandmother! That first wee feel of his wee body was MAGIC! He is just so lovely.

Sunday morning and we are up and away early to hang out at Santosa. Oh...how delicious to have a big long swim then play in the sand with Jordy. I LOVE this place & so does wee Jordy. A peaceful walk along the seashore then back for nap for all of us. JR then wanted to show me his local playground.
His VERY BEST THING is anything WHEEL! Mummy & Daddy take him to so many interesting places which he takes in somberly but he always ends up like this......
Home again & wee JR has his own wee routines & even though he couldn't come to Lady Smith Black Mamboza with us he can always have wee concerts of his own at home.
The concert was just so so good. The harmony and the movements of these guys truly amazing. And I had THE BEST SEAT! How cool is that! We felt very special indeed in our VIP seats.

Yesterday, Monday, David had the day off so away early again for a trip to the zoo. This place is so good...for all ages. I can see wee JR will be making regular trips here cos he is now a member. Finnie wuld just LOVE this place.
Especially the Bats!!!!

Jordy just loves Daddy....
Afternoon nap then we spent a relaxing hour at another beach park, then JR beddie time again & Mama gets to practice her putting Jordie to bed skills.
Adult time & we relax eating yummy icecream & watching West Wing.
Gotta go now - it's Jordy Time!!!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh