We're a teeny bit famous

A while back there I posted "What's In A Name?" http://grandenny.blogspot.com/2009/03/whats-in-name.html

Well the saga is not quite over, last week Justine, Major and I were part of a feature that appeared on Campbell Live NZ TV3, highlighting our plight and disappointment at not being able to register Major as a first name for our wee darling.

The camera crew came with the pretty young reporter and all the lights, cameras, sound equip, it was all very exciting! Justine and I flew around the house in an absolute frenzy tidying and polishing before they arrived. The neighbours came out to stare when they spotted the TV vehicle outside. I rushed to my room to throw on a splash of makeup, hoping I would be able to think of intelligent sounding answers at the right moment.

Major was just too cute for words, smiling at the reporter, the camera-man, the couch, his feet, photos on the wall.... He was perfect actually. The reporter asked if she could hold him while they filmed her intro. Right on cue, he smiled and gurgled happily at the camera, the reporter fell in love with him and the producer was impressed. His mother beamed so smuggly, yes she really has produced the best behaved, cutest baby she knows.

All too soon the adventure was over and I had to rush back to work making sure I emailed and texted all my friends, relatives, casual acquaintances etc to invite them to tune in to watch it that night. They even let me go home early from work so I could catch the show. Right after it aired the phone ran red hot, everyone wanted to tell us they'd seen it and how great Justine came across, how cute Major was etc. The next day the feedback started; everybody has an opinion, some agreeing and sympathising with us, others saying it was a ridiculous name to call a child.

But that was last week and now it's this week and I've watched the interview almost as many times as I've watched Twilight!

Anyway if you'd like to see it this is the link http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/When-a-babys-name-is-a-Major-problem/tabid/367/articleID/101815/cat/84/Default.aspx#top

I'd just like to say, I know Major is an unusual name but it was my dad's name and I'm proud of my daughter for having enough love for her grandfather to want to name her son after him. To carry the name of a beloved ancestor is an honourable endowment. I believe it will give Major a sense of belonging and will reinforce the tenet that families can be together forever.

Visiting Teaching

While I was blog stalking I happened upon a visiting teaching blog with the most wonderful ideas for handouts. This delightful little treasure chest is my adaptation of an idea from the visiting teaching blog.
I glued 'jewels' to the lid of the teasure chest then filled it with treasure: scripture mastery cards, pencils, a note on how to study the scriptures taken from "Preach my Gospel" and finally a couple of quick scripture games for FHE, oh and an inspirational quote from Pres Kimball taken from the April VT message. I just loved these so much that I made extras for myself and my granddaughter.

Thankyou Visiting Teaching Blog, I was really excited to get out to deliver these with the message this month.

It's Been a While

Chas, Disa and Major

Gosh, this month has flown by, I've had a birthday, bought the TWILIGHT DVD, see earlier post here http://grandenny.blogspot.com/2009/01/confession-of-twilight-freak.html; watched the Twilight DVD including the deleted scenes and a few other random clips that were in the extra disc. I've somehow managed to pass a competency test at my new job and I'm not the 'newbie' any more infact I was even helping the new newbie with some tips the other day.

But the best thing of all is that I've been able to watch my adorable moko learn to smile and goo, almost manage to control his little hand and laugh with delight when he occasionally manages to get that hand up to his mouth and lick it like it's the tastiest icecream in the world. I've tried not to be concerned when I watch the water come flying out of his bath all over the carpet as he learns to kick his chubby wee legs and practises going hard til he's all worn out. I wasn't too squeemy when I changed his nappy and the poo was all the way up to his chest, all over his tummy and his kicking legs spread it all over the change table too. And I've adored looking at the photos from his latest playdate with Chas and Disa.

Daylight Saving Ends

Our littlest darling is 7 weeks old today. Check out how the end of daylight saving has confused his sleeping timetable. Much to our amusement tonight his mummy bathed, dressed and fed him without him waking up. I mean it is only an hour, but it sure has upset his body clock.
And it seems like all of a sudden he has lost his brand new baby look. His wee legs are getting little rolls on them and his nighties only reach to his knees, when he was new they came below his feet and now they're half mast. He's also smiling and talking.
When I look at him I marvel at the wonder of God's amazing plan for new life, at the blueprint so lovingly created to enable this tiny new bundle to grow in stature and wisdom; at the ability this baby has to enslave us with love for him, to make us respond to his every whimper.
I marvel that this tiny bundle can teach his adult mother how to put another's needs ahead of her own, how in 7 short weeks he's taught her things I've been trying to teach her most of her life. And, she's realised that life is okay without makeup and straightened hair. Life's better than okay actually. With a little darling like this in the home, life is a wee slice of heaven.

Daylight saving's end has just wrecked the wee poppet's schedule

Play Date

Major had his first big play date today with his girlfriend Disa and his older buddy Chas. Now how cute are these photos? I've been giggling at them ever since I got home from work. Apparently he slept through most of the date as did Chas but Disa was wide awake checking out her two sleepy suitors.

Disa: Eeny Meeny Miney Mo, Which way do I want to go?

Major: Can't a guy get any sleep around here?

Disa: You're the one that I want, oo hoo hoo

Major: Man I knew I was cute but I'm still pretty chuffed she picked me, oh well doesn't look like Chas is up to it anyway - that guy sure can sleep!

Like the sands through the hour glass, these are the days of our babies lives

What a Difference a Day Makes

I love that old song

'What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours

Brought the sun and the flowers, where there used to be rain'
Well I've just completed two days working with real people after 5 weeks training - practising on the crash test dummies, and what a difference a day makes!

Thursday was just awful, I wasn't looking forward to it and with good reason. The old nerves kicked in and I stared at my instruction sheet like it was a diagram of the surface of the moon. It just plumb didn't make any sense to me, there was nothing recognisable in it, despite the fact I had committed it all to memory the day before. Instant amnesia. Is this really me I wondered, I've always been so confident and assured, well mostly, okay sometimes I am.

But now it's Friday night and Ive managed another whole day and some people even said thankyou and sounded like they really meant it. In fact by this afternoon I was actually enjoying myself. I'm quite looking forward to next Monday.

Yes, what a difference a day makes, 24 little hours....

Ready Or Not Here I Come

Remember how I was ecstatic a couple of months back cause I got a new job.....

Well I've been in "training" for the past 5 weeks and now the powers that be have decided it's time to let us loose on the real people and this afternoon I had the exciting job of moving all my junk, oops I mean important work resources, out to my very new (make that almost new) desk. The previous occupant did leave a few reminders of his/her existence behind, including lots of old, yukky blue tack and a half filled salt shaker. But I'm not complaining . In no time at all I had my work station looking like it had been mine forever, oh well for quite a while anyway.

So tomorrow is "D" day, it won't be role plays or practice runs there will be real people relying on me to know stuff and advise them and I just want to say I've never felt so nervous before about doing a new job - EVER.

I'm heading off now to make something delicious for my new boss - to try to appease him in advance - for trying his patience, testing his resillience and pushing his ability to remain calm under pressure.

I'm looking forward to this time tomorrow night when those first day jitters will be all behind me, and I hope I'm still employed.

A Great Reason to Celebrate

Last Thursday we got together for the Relief Society Birthday meeting. I'm the 2nd Counsellor in our ward Relief Society, so this is a busy and exciting meeting on my calendar. Lots of planning, preparation and rounding up assistance.
We had a great night as these photos show. I have come to know and enjoy the company of all these women, with all their fabulous different qualities.
Sets me to thinking, when you attend Relief Society you KNOW you will make friends.
I've lived in lots of different places, different country even, and have enjoyed the company and friendship of some remarkable women; women who have the same goals and standards as me, women who know who they are, why they are here and where they are going. I love Relief Society for the way it enriches my life and for all the friends I've made along the way and of course all the spiritual enlightenment.

Our wonderful Relief Society Sisters

Check out the centrepiece, it's recycled from Justine's birthday into a Relief Society tree
We had great fun making birthday cards for Visiting Teachers to use throughout the year

Plus there was candle decorating

And last but not least, delicious shared supper and birthday cake.

No resting on my laurels though, I'm already starting to plan the next quarterly meeting - a service auction, can't wait.

One Month Old

Our littlest darling has reached another milestone - he's a whole month old! Because I'm a doting Gran, here's some of yesterday's photos. If you click on them you can see the full sized picture.

All bathed up ready for bed, Mum's just waiting for my eyes to start looking heavy

I think my mum's just the bees knees - can you tell?

Now I'm a month old I can show my muscles - see
p.s. Gran still loves me even though I pooped all over the couch, and mum still loves Gran even after she dropped my poopy nappy on the floor in mummy's bedroom, cos Gran was flustered when I weed and pooped on my changing table, my clothes, myself and my sheepskin while Gran was trying to put some long pants on me. Lucky I'm so cute eh.....

The Holiday's Over

Shelley, Luke and Jade

The house has a tinge of sadness to it, it's safe to put your feet down - anywhere and the day no longer starts with twenty questions.

Our darling house guest, formerly known as The Only Grandchild, now known as The Eldest Grandchild has gone home, all the way back to Sydney. Her mum and daddy came to pick her up and all too soon the holiday was over.

There were so many things I still wanted to do with her, but I dare say they'll keep. All we're left with are memories, the wonder of how much she's grown and giggles from our fun stuff.

Like the night we were out walking and played dare truth or promise - her suggestion. I picked truth, and much to our amusement, she hadn't quite sorted out the way the game should go. She supposed in her inexperience, that she had to tell me something truthful about myself. In a very solemn voice she whispered "Gran, in the mornings, well your breath really stinks" Justine and I doubled over with laughter, then we explained that I had to tell the truth to any question she should care to ask. More contemplation.... then with bright eyes that gave away the mischief thought behind them, she asked "Gran, have you ever looked at your poo in the toilet?" More hearty laughter from Aunty and I..... the things 8 year old girls wonder about!

Before she left I asked her what the highlight of her holiday in New Zealand had been, (she'd been to a few other places before she arrived). "Baby Major" she announced then added almost all the other activities of the entire holiday, so I take it she had a pretty good time in NZ.

Oh and one final thing, she loves New Zealand better than Australia, although she does like Aus, but she's definately coming back to NZ to have her babies when she gets a husband. Yip, I can rest easy, my darling granddaughter's plans for her future include making me a Great Gran with babies in the same country as me. Life is good.

What's In A Name?

What's in a name? Well apparently there's plenty!

Justine has just received a letter advising her that she is unable to register her baby using Major as a first name and if she can't provide a good explanation of why she should be allowed to call him Major, he will be registered using his other names Te Kahui James.

Major, apparently is an undesirable name. How dare they!! Major was my father's name and let me assure you: HE was a GREAT man and we are delighted at the prospect of his name being carried on in our family. Major Te Kahui James represents a leader and gatherer in our whanau (family). It is a name fit for a little man who has waited sooo long to come to this earth.

Now I could understand if she was trying to name him Talullah Does The Hula in Hawaii, Bus Shelter Number Five, Fish And Chips, Benson And Hedges, Shotgun, or Pete And Repeat. These are all actual names given to children, all of which I would label undesirable. But no, they are obviously all okay cos they are allowed - no explanation required.

Where is the logic and where is the common sense in this crazy old world of ours? We wait with bated breath for the outcome of this debacle!

3 Weeks Old Today

Today Major is 3 weeks old, gosh it seems like he has been with us for more like 3 months or even 3 years. That's probably got something to do with the fact that he never seems to sleep, and he's ALWAYS hungry. But when you see how adorable he is those minor irritations just melt into thin air. His mummy, his daddy and Gran are just SO in love with him. Oh yes better not forget his only first COUSIN, she's pretty spellbound too.

Here are the 3 week old photos especially for my sister, who tells me today she loves to show off my blog to her family. Feel free to leave a comment Di, just click below where it says comments.

I love my bath age 2 weeks

Don't tell anyone, Gran slipped me a dummy cos I don't like the car

Hey check out my flash socks

Notice how wide awake I am....

I've already out grown some of my flash new clothes