So lets begin at the beginning - Zachary's first flight was somewhat different to Trent's & my maiden voyages - firstly neither of us left the country until we were in our teens/ early twenties, and secondly we were slumming it down the back of the plane. But not our little Zach, at 10 weeks he flew out with umpteen bags booked in premium economy on a overbooked flight. As he got to the gate to board, he landed an upgrade to business class (luckily they let his parents go too). Zach was a champion on the flight sleeping most of the way, and taking the strange surroundings in his stride, much to the surprise and delight of the rest of the business class passengers. Then the real fun began!
Our touring schedule would have made most pop stars quiver. First stop was Grand Auntie Frouke's place where we ate, drank, walked and chilled out for the weekend. Although Frouke's not much of a baby person, she reckoned Zachary was alright, and he thought she was pretty tops too.
As parents we were proud as punch that he'd 'performed' so well, that was until Sunday night... up until this point we hadn't realised how much noise a small baby makes during the night (we'd all obviously passed out the first night). Zach sleeps in his own room at home, always has, so much to Trent & my surprise he snorted and snuffled, squawked and squirmed the entire night which was not very conducive to us sleeping. We resolved to wear ear plugs for the rest of the trip which did thankfully help.
While Trent worked and tried out different Sydney commutes based on our multi abodes, Zach and I caught up with friends - we'll let the photos do the talking. I discovered the "convenience" of having a car and a small child, including the joys of having to use a car seat. Both of us were less than impressed - Zach having taken all car rides strapped to us in the baby carrier thought this travelling at a distance was sub-optimal, and my back wasn't at all use to lifting him in and out of the middle seat over a seatbelt (that contraption was definitely designed by someone who doesn't have to use it). But we both got past this, or at least got use to it so we could enjoy seeing you all.
The next weekend saw our first real test of long haul driving. Trent & I have always enjoyed car journeys, so heading to Taree was no exception. Except that it took us 1 1/2 hour to leave Sydney (we needed to pick up a travel cot - many thanks Titus & Lisa for your generosity, and keys from Karin & Duncs to facilitate the return to Sydney, which also meant we had to feed Zach again before actually making the freeway...). And of course we needed to feed him again part way through because the little man doesn't do 3 1/2 hours without food. So we arrived mid afternoon having begun the day at 7am - another parenthood lesson! The up side was that Zach was now use to the car seat and obliged by sleeping most of the way or playing with his toys. Thankfully this also applied to the next 3 extended car rides to Tamworth, Newcastle and back to Sydney.
Zach was again star of the show with family and friends flocking to catch a glimpse of him. And he proved why we think he's brilliant, not only being a chilled dude but also mastering kicking, tummy time push ups, bubble blowing, assisted sitting, rolling, first 'swim', sleeping 12 hrs and blessing people with his smiles. Ok so I'm talking him up, but most people told us they thought he was awesome so its hard not to brag a little!!
For those of you who have been looking for some of that beautiful Aussie weather in our photos, you'll be as disappointed as us - Aus turned on some pretty ordinary weather, the temperature was mildy warmer than HK and a whole lot wetter. The trip across from Taree to Tamworth was very average - 4 hours of driving in the rain, on bad country roads, in a crap hire car (don't ever buy a Hyundai i45) wasn't pleasant. But we could have had it worse, the following week both towns were in flood. So with that average we were pretty lucky to get a clear day on Australia Day and spent it at the Bendemeer pub having lunch and a bevy or two with the extended family. On the positive side because the weather was so ordinary Zach didn't get sunburnt which I had been rather paranoid about!
From Tamworth, we decided to break up the journey back to Sydney and dropped into Newcastle at Ben & Benieke's place where we got to meet little Saba for the first time (and Zach got his first kiss!).
The weather mostly held with a couple of nice days to explore. Ben took some great photos of Zach which will most certainly make the gallery wall. We were grateful to Ben for giving us the images, given he's in the photography business (http://www.bentreverton.com/) and especilaly given these are the sorts of shots I've been trying to get and failing miserably. For anyone looking for a photographer, Ben will travel too (ok that's the end of my plug for a good mate with a lot of talent).
Our last week again saw Trent back to work & participating in the mega commute from Mt Colah to the city (Karin don't know how you've done this for so many years), and Zach & I on a mission to see friends and other children who have been born in the last few years that we were yet to meet. We covered some serious Sydney miles from Mt Colah to Carlingford, North Ryde, Parramatta, Marrickville, Milson's Point, Warriewood and more. It was a hectic week but a delightful one too. It makes Oz hard to leave every time with so many good mates and family who reinforce why we love it. We hope you enjoyed having us as much as we enjoyed the catch ups!!
Our last proper day in Aus saw us down at Coogee beach and the weather finally shined - we feel it was Australia's way of trying to convince us to stay. One day Australia, one day.
(Who says you need siblings to pester you, just get yourself an Auntie Winks!)So now its home again in HK which we are glad for. Suitcase living isn't all its cracked up to be. So Kung Hei Fat Choy to you all - may the year of the dragon bring to you all the power, passion, vision and success that this year is suppose usher in!!
lots of love
Nik, Trent & Zachary
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