People who belong to us

One of the great things about having a new baby is the visits we get from our family in New Zealand.

In the 12 weeks of Massimiliano's life so far we have had stay with us Austin's mum & dad, his brother & brother's gorgeous girlfriend, and now my gorgeous older sister. YAY FOR FAMILY!

Of course the boys have absolutely LOVED having some of their extended family stay with us - getting to cuddle and kiss for real the faces of those they have seen so often via skype.

I have loved being able to hand over a child with a heavy nappy to a doting grandparent/aunty/uncle. What a treat!

What a treat to have those we love, and with whom we have childhood memories with, dote on and pour their love upon our children, thus fulfilling their role as grandparent, aunty and uncle.
It's a beautiful, joyful, yet heartbreaking thing to watch. Heartbreaking because I know that their time of loving upon my children must come to an end and they must eventually get back on a plane that will take them away from us.

Yet there is comfort in knowing that their love and support is unconditional. Even though we are on the other side of the world from our kin, we will always be close because we are a part of the unit and we belong to them. And they belong to us.

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~Anthony Brandt

It's the little things that really matter

In the wake of the tragic earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday I find my thoughts are constantly turned towards my beloved country and the people of Christchurch.

Reading news updates and stories of both miraculous escapes and personal loss I find myself taking any opportunity to embrace my children, kissing their soft cheeks and nuzzling into their necks as I breathe in their scent.

The enormity of what has happened is almost too much to grasp and I feel so far from home and family right now.

My sister, who lives in Wellington, just happened to be in Christchurch for a work conference on that day. I got a txt from her only a few minutes after it had happened saying there had been a massive earthquake and that she was okay.
Unavailability at hotels in the city center meant the conference she was attending was instead held at a venue on the outskirts of Christchurch in a new and (what proved itself to be) stable building.
A small decision such as which venue to choose, but the outcome could have been so very different for her. I don't even want to think upon that possibility.

Even from the other side of the world we are feeling the effects of this very sad sad time in New Zealand.
My day-to-day concerns/worries/frustrations pale in comparison in the face of what really matters to me.
My family.
My friends.
Life and the after-life.

I have floated through this week in a bit of a dream, not accomplishing much at all, my thoughts consumed and my heart breaking for my country, my people.
I have been taking the time to delight in the little things around me - those "little things" namely being my little Luca and Beniamino.

And so, mainly for the grandparents, uncles and aunties of these two little guys, here are some photos to bring you warmth and cheer.

~ Beni full of giggles at his big brother's antics.

~ Luca doing some cooking with Pappa.

That's really what you don't want to see - the chef with a finger up his nose...

~ The new way to eat porridge = rub it through your hair.

 
~ Luca patiently waiting and ready to go on a Big Boy's Day Out with Pappa.

That's him 'smiling' for the camera... We need to work on that obviously.

~ Beni-Boo in his new superman outfit, complete with cape {thanks Anna-Kate & Pango!!}

Bet you never knew that Superman does a very good dinosaur roar.

Tin-Tin-style curl thanks to this morning's porridge.

Sending lots and lots of Aroha to Aotearoa.