Motherhood...

I was never sure if I wanted to be a mother.  I didn't know if it would be my thing, and it's a lifelong commitment that I wasn't sure I was willing to make.  Now that I am a mother, I am already thankful for the experience.  Sophia has been a pretty good, happy, and easy child - a good introduction to motherhood.  It is a really difficult job, though, especially at the beginning.  There is always something to be done, and never quite enough sleep.  Here are some photos of what we have been doing...

The laundry is never done!

On the changing table nibbling on her fingers.

Drying off after bath time.

Nap time.

Outside enjoying some fresh air with Dad.

Enjoying a walk looking at the sunset with Mom.

The Past Week or so...

So once again I have not posted on my blog regularly enough!  I'm sorry.  Still getting used to being a mother and trying to get everything else done that needs doing.  Plus trying to have a little fun since it's summer time!  Today Sophia and I went swimming with another family.  It was her first time in a pool.  I picked up this swim suit (called "togs" here in New Zealand) for her today.  The sun is really strong here so most kids wear suits with sleeves like this.  She had fun splashing around (and so did I!).   

This photo is for Grandma (she's wearing some of the "shoes" you got for her).  :)  She likes lying under this thing and looking at the toys hanging down.  Thanks to Hamish and Anita for letting us borrow it!  All her toys are on a boat somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.  And thanks to Julie and Chloe Brouwer for the cute jeans she's wearing!  :)

Sophia and her dad have been able to spend a bit of quality time together, sleeping and hanging out.  

Here is the official welcome to motherhood!  We bought a mini van (or "people mover" as they are called here)!  I feel like a bit of a dork in it, but it drives really nice and it's so much more roomy than our car.  We've driven it all over the city already.   We have gone to a small carnival, a street performers festival, a beach not far from the city, and numerous rental houses to view.  It's been good to just walk and drive around and explore and get to know the city we will be calling home.  We still do not have a place to rent, but are hoping to find one soon.  We have seen many places, but most of them have not been very good.  The one we liked had many people interested, but we were not chosen.  I'm sure God has a place for us somewhere around here.  

We're Here!

We have been in Auckland, New Zealand since Friday, but I am finally feeling awake enough, and think I have enough time, to get this post done today (Thursday here). Welcome back to my blog, whoever checks this!

The night before we left for New Zealand, St. Louis was still being covered in snow. We ended up getting about 6 inches. It was really beautiful, but made us wonder if we were going to be able to leave on time.  We ended up leaving St. Louis late, but our flight out of L.A. was a bit late as well, so we made it, no problem.

We had a bit of luggage to deal with at the airport...four large suitcases, one duffle bag, four carry-ons, a car seat, and a stroller. It's a bit different traveling with an infant! Thanks to our friend Sandie who helped me finish packing, drove us to the airport, and helped us deal with all the luggage, especially helpful with a husband who has a messed up finger!  

Overall, the trip over went well. Sophia was a top notch world traveler pretty much the whole way, which is what made the trip bearable. She slept for quite a while in this little bassinet on our flight from L.A. to Fiji.  

There were some perks to traveling with a baby...we were able to cut to the front of the security check in points, and in some cases, we went into a whole separate room to go through security, we could board the plane first and get ourselves all situated, and we got through customs very quickly!  

We are now in the heat of summer.  All of our bodies are trying to adjust. The picture here is of Peter and Margaret's garden in the back of their house.

It's nice being here in summer because the last time we were here I was cold the entire time.  Since we arrived we have been getting settled and trying to sleep off the jet lag.  Sophia is probably the one who has adjusted the best.  Travis taught his first class on Tuesday night (see his blog for the details).  Thanks to everyone who prayed for our journey.  I will try to update this as things continue on here!  I miss you all in the states very much.