So far, we’ve bought a car and Kai’s anywhere chair from trade me.

Our wheels in New Zealand

Kai all strapped in to his anywhere chair 

New Zealand Sunset from our balcony

I love to share cool things and we’re digging AirBnB right now. It’s free to list your space and a professional photographer will come and photograph your house for free.

It can be a great source of revenue while traveling or just a little extra mad money.

Nursing 5 month old baby Kai at a EO event in Portland, OR

Initially, the goal was breastfeeding for 6 months which moved to 1 year which moved to 15 months. Now Kai is a healthy 21 month old boy and still loves his Mom-Mo (breastfeeding) time. He’s able to ask for it with sign language and verbally. He even asks for “other side” when he’s done with one boob. I used to think that if they can ask for it, they’re too old to nurse. Funny how things changed for me after having my own baby.

20 month old Kai having his “afternoon tea” in New Zealand

Of course, I know he gets nearly all of his nutrition from food and water. I also know that he’ll be just fine without Mom-mo milk. But, it’s so nice to give him that extra little comfort and nutrition because I can. We’ve weaned down to twice a day for a few months and are officially only nursing once a day as of 3 days ago. After his nap, he asks for his mom-mo milk constantly.  Taking out that post nap session has been a real bugger. Because he doesn’t take a bottle or cup of ANYTHING except water it’s tough to offer a similar alternative. However, I know that time and consistency will pay off eventually.  Distractions work okay but it’s mostly more work for me to take it away in the afternoon. Ideally, I wanted to let him stop on his own but am not sure if that would happen?

About a month ago, I saw some adorable calves in the field near our apartment lounging with their mamas. Driving by one day, I saw one particular calf nursing away and thought “oh my dog” that is one big baby! I giggled and said, that could be you Kai…

Anyway, as we embrace the new year with new possibilities, I think weaning is the next step. Although, we did wean down to once a day last November for a week but I ended up bringing it back. Supply and demand baby. The human body is amazing!

A few tips I’ve picked up for weaning:

1. Have a yummy snack ready to offer with their drink of choice

2. Dora the explorer is my friend

3. Distract, cuddle and play as much as possible!

4. Keep those boobies covered, once he sees them he wants them (No changing into my swimsuit in front of him)

This is a picture 3 days after my wasp sting (Still red, itchy and sore)

Besides last week, I can’t remember the last time I was stung by a bee or a wasp?

Last Tuesday, Kai and I were driving to the West End for a beach playdate. As I got out of the car, I put my jandels (flip flops) on and felt a sting right between my big and second toe. I looked down and swatted the wasp out of there but it was too late. Funny because Kai and I seem to be the only ones in New Zealand who ALWAYS wear shoes. One of our little friends who is 10 will go to school all day barefoot. People will be barefoot on the beach, at the park and in the grocery store here. Not me, I wear my shoes almost always and I still got stung. Funny how that works.

My foot itched so much and was sore for a little over a week. I had a massage the day after I got stung and forgot to mention it to the massage therapist. So, half way through the massage she started massaging my foot (it wasn’t swollen yet but itched like crazy) I loved it! It felt like she was itching it from the inside. Looking back, I think she spread the venom all around my foot because after the massage my foot swelled up and wouldn’t fit in my shoe. I’m just saying..

 Ella trying to get a turn on the ipad after her big brother Ethan went to bed.

Kai carpooling with his New Zealand buddies. Eleanor, Ollie and Isack in the far back seat.

 Kai and Ella having a lovely dinner date together.

Kai helping Maya bury her sister Romy in the sand at the West End.

I can rock out to my music and solve all my dilemmas while trail running. The footing can be a little slippery and steep to say the least so I have to watch my step. But it is always worth it and I’m a better person after I take my medicine…

My favorite girlfriends!

Louise and Ella (Kai’s girlfriend), and Ethan, Kai and me, Sarah, Tina and Eleanor (Kai’s other girlfriend)

Mike (Sarah’s hubby) or “Boom Boom” as we like to call him

Sporting my black hair color just a couple of months earlier

When I decided to color my hair from black to blonde I was eager to get it done. It didn’t matter that I had 5 years of permanent black hair color on my hair or that I only had 3 weeks to do it. Luckily, I have an amazing hair stylist who is like a magician.

After four sessions of 3+ hours in less than 3 weeks, I was officially blonde. The best part was the company of my favorite hair stylist in Portland OR who is full of fun! Funny part is that I knew I was heading to New Zealand for awhile and figured I’d just have some serious roots. Sure, I’m having fun with them but am starting to sniff around for hair stylists and salons here in New Zealand because I wouldn’t mind losing my roots. If you have a stylist you love, you feel my pain because looking for a new stylist can be very daunting.

Of course the big risk is coloring my hair again and having it fall out. I was definitely warned and am a little iffy about seeing someone here in New Zealand. I suppose I could start fresh with a cute, short cut if I color it again and it falls out. I’m just saying..

Where’s the Starbucks? Not here, not in Ohope or Whakatane New Zealand. Instead, it’s a Long Black or a Flat White. I added the link of my video from 3 years ago talking about the Long Black or Flat White, some things never change. Except maybe my hair color.

A flat white is similar to a latte and a long black is similar to an americano. However, every coffee shop is drastically different when making their long blacks. Typically, a long black is just that; LONG and BLACK. So, forget ordering a 1/2 caf americano because most espresso machines only pour double shots in New Zealand and if you order 1/2 decaf you’ll be paying for 4 shots. Yikes. Better just to roll with it and go for that double shot! I have found a few coffee shops that are nice are happy to make my “special americano.” Two shots of espresso, hot water, 2 raw sugars and a little soy milk on the side. My favorite coffee shops also have coffee cards (not punch cards like I mistakenly called them and was corrected) where you buy 8 drinks and get one free. Sweet As! (means awesome or cool in New Zealand)

Posing, pre-run with my special americano

Tips When Ordering Coffee In New Zealand

1. Ask for what you want but be ready to take what they make

2. Be prepared for strange looks and salty faces when ordering your tall americano with 2 raw sugars and a little soy milk

3. They like to put the sugar in and stir it for you so order it all at once

4. Ask for a coffee card if you think you’ll be back

5. Ask for “takeaway” when ordering if you want your coffee to go

6. No tips! Just accept it and don’t force our “US crazy tipping culture” upon kiwis. It makes them uncomfortable.