8 1/2 months (NZ 1)

We made it to Auckland!

After a nonstop on Delta from Orlando to LAX and another nonstop from LAX to Auckland, we arrived in New Zealand at 6:30am. Thomas was pretty antsy on the domestic leg, but that just meant that he was very tired for the long flight! Apart from it being a very long flight, it was a great ride. For one, we got on! And then we got seats together! And THEN, the cabin crew asked us if we wanted to sit together in the bulkhead so that we could have a bassinet for Thomas!!! Yes, please! And they were all so genuinely friendly and thoughtful. Thomas was able to take a few naps -- as soon as he fell asleep in our arms, we put him in the bassinet for an hour or two until he woke up, and then we could have a rest. I don't think Matthew slept very well, but I must have had a couple of good naps because I got off the airplane feeling pretty good. As we got off the airplane, a couple of people told us that we had such a good baby, and that they barely knew that he was on the flight! Well, that was a relief! Whenever Thomas fusses, I feel like there's a spotlight on us and that everyone around us must be glowering. Good to know that sometimes these things are all in my head!

Jocelyn, Kathryn, Joanna, David and Katie all met us at the airport. We had a cup of coffee at our traditional spot in the airport, and this time had a bit of sushi from the sushi place for breakfast. Yum. It was pleasantly chaotic and Thomas had a great introduction to his cousins, aunties and granny.

The rest of the week was all about getting used to the time change and temperature change! Jocelyn and everyone were so helpful in getting Thomas a huge pile of warm clothes (and baby paraphanelia) since it's the middle of winter here. Jocelyn even knitted him this gorgeous yellow sweater! It's so funny to see Thomas crawling around bundled up as if he's about to climb Mt. Everest. After about four nights, he became acclimated to the time change and stopped waking up in the middle of the night. Hooray!!!

Other things we have been doing: Birthday cake and dinner out with sister Joanna, birthday party for cousin Jasmine, dinner with Matthew's college friends Tony and wife Helen, "afternoon tea" with neighbors Paul, Anna and Alice, walking to "the shops," buying cookies like Tim-Tams (google "how to eat a Tim-Tam" and you'll see why I'm excited about Tim-Tams), dinner with brother Stephen, Monique and Jasmine, visits from dads Murray and Bryan, . . . . Jocelyn has been one great babysitter, sometimes babysitting three kids at once! On one hand life seems very uneventful and boring, but on the other hand, it's been very busy and social! Thomas is getting a lot of socialization, and he really enjoys his cousins. And they seem to enjoy him, too. At the end of the day when he's antsy and tired way before his bedtime, it's a kind of shock to remember what a difference his new, busy, people-oriented life in Auckland is to his quiet life in Orlando! No wonder he gets so tired!

By the way, Thomas' new syllable is da-da! He's crawling and standing with ease, getting greater control over his hands, and getting quite talkative. Still only the two teeth.

Next week: Our adventures in Wellington!