The best mother's day present ever!

We welcomed Lily Elena Campbell in to our famly on Sunday 11th May (Mother's day in NZ so very appropriate) at 7.16am. After a straightforward labour, she arrived in a big rush before Josh and Sandy, our midwife, could catch her! Luckily, she landed on the bed and vocally protested the indignity! She weighed in at 3.37 kilos (7.4 pounds) and has all the necessary fingers, toes and other bits. Blue eyes and lots of dark brown hair - definite resemblance to Josh more than Sarah so far. We've been warned to expect jaundice but there are no other issues and she's eating and sleeping like a champ.

Dad is tired but very proud. He started a new job last week so is back to work already, as the projects he's working on are all go, go, go! He's working for Business Porirua (the local Chamber of Commerce) and has a horrendous 2 minute commute;) Means he's close by to have lunch at home or be called on if needed at home.

Iris and Phoebe are very chuffed with their little sister. Iris kindly informs all guests on the right way to hold her and introduces her as Lily Delena. Phoebe calls her "Yiyi" and helpfully points out her "yittle nose" and "yittle hands" and other parts. Our first few days as a family of five have gone very smoothly, thanks to a great deal of help from Granmarg. Lily has been very settled since we got home and Iris and Phoebe have been taking it all in their strides.

Mum is fine - "easy" birth means quick recovery so am quickly feeling more like my real self (soooo relieved to be no longer pregnant!) Looking forward to getting to know this new daughter.

And now for a few pics of the star of the show...

Easter Bunnies and chocoholics

Pretty self-explanatory really!

Les vacances

We had almost two weeks away in February and managed to fit in time in Taupo and Napier, as well as a full week at a holiday house in Gisborne. The girls both coped well with long drives and enjoyed beaches, hot pools, seeing family and friends and, of course, ice creams. Highlights included a ride on a steam train, the Morere Hot Springs, Jamie, Finn and Rose's trampoline and having the whole of De Brett's to ourselves for several hours!

Building sandcastles on the beach just minutes walk from our Gisborne HQ. (Young Nick's Head in the background).

Iris overcame her swing phobia while we were away and now we can't keep her off them! Phoebe's always been a swing fiend so now we push them in tandem.

Iris' first attempt at photography, taken down on the wharf. Not too bad, we thought.

We went for a lovely meal on the 17th Feb (our wedding anniversary - 12th!). This photo was taken at around 7pm - the sun lingered for much longer, making for a fantastic evening topped off with an ice cream on the beach for dessert.

Iris was very taken with the mosaic seat outside the Gisborne museum. It's full of quirky little touches and warranted very close inspection.Iris and Phoebe were beside themselves with excitement when we headed out for a walk and stumbled on a steam train. Even more excitement ensued when we discovered we were just in time for a ride. The train is staffed by volunteers and makes trips on Sunday mornings from Gisborne to Muriwai, a round trip of a couple of hours including a stop for morning tea at Muriwai.

We had some busy days so this was a common sight in the back of our car each afternoon when we headed back to base. This one was taken on the way back from our Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay expedition.

Iris on postcard duty.

Giles under a pile of kids on the trampoline that Iris is still talking about.Phoebe, the acrobat, was happy to entertain herself on the rail from the front door when the bigger kids monopolised the tramp.

Last stop before we finally made it home to the Bay was the Brown Sugar Cafe in Taihape, where the girls enjoyed special "lunch bags" which came with "coffee" (aka fluffed up milk!). For those of you with young kids, if you're passing through Taihape, the lunch bags were a great idea - vegemite sandwiches, fruit, muesli bars and a little mini pack of chips plus the drink for $5.

Summer highlights

It's been a long, hot and fantastic summer for the Campbell family. Iris is turning into a real entertainer - she loves to sing (never stops!) and provides a running commentary on daily life. SHe is working on counting to twenty, she gets to about thirteen and things get interesting and has a fantastic version of the alphabet ("A,B,C,D,G,S,R...) Phoebe is talking up a storm too. She knows the names for a surprising number of things around the house and is a fantastic mimic. She's currently working on two and three word sentences (daddy go car, cat sleep bed, baby tummy mummy, want some and so on). Her version of "The Wheels on the Bus" is great - "Wheels, bus, up, down!". Josh is in the midst of job interviews and Sarah has been busy painting and "nesting". May 17th suddenly seems very close!

Here are some highlights from the last couple of months. A very sandy Phoebe at Paekakariki Beach.

Iris the tiger at the Teddy Bear's Picnic

Iris making her own entertainment (what you can't see in this picture is the huge playground with slides and swings that was completely ignored while she went up and down the hill on her box!)

What happens when Phoebe brings hair ties to Mum way too early in the morning and says "hair up".

Phoebe in her big girl togs.

Entranced by the Nickle Nackle tree.

Too cool for words.

One of many ice creams consumed this summer.

Ditto.

Dressing up (unfortunately you can't see the fluffy rabbit tail that finished off the outfit!)