Little trip away..

We spent Friday/Saturday at a glorious little place called 'Tikao Bay'... we were very secluded, and it was really lovely!  We went with Mum & Dad, and met [Great] Uncle Steve, his wife Linda, their daughter Tahna, and Steve's eldest daughter - Sharlene there.  it was the first time in a long while that we've spent a decent amount of time with Steve, Linda & Tahna, so it was really nice to have the opportunity to catch up with them!

Gaby had a blast, running around, exploring the area, playing down at the little beach (when the tide wasn't in, anyway) - and there was a huge shed there, which had an abandoned tractor in it, so Gaby had a tonne of fun playing on that!  We didn't do anything specific there - we sat & caught up, we went for little walks, and really just RELAXED, which I think is something we don't do enough of!  It was sad we were only there for 24 hours, but at the same time, it was nice to get home... although I'm sure we could have all handled another night there!


Here are a few photos from our 24 hours, they'll help give you an idea of how gorgeous our surroundings were - and how secluded we were...

Gaby & Nan checking out the scenery, when we first arrived

Gaby getting ready to test the water,

looking out toward Akaroa

Gaby, loving on Nan

Looking across the little beach

to one of the points, across the bay

Poppa, checking out the scenery

Sharlene fishing, 

looking down other end of the bay

(toward Akaroa)

 The sun starting to come up, 

on Saturday morning

Gaby got the vacation fever! (literally)

We arrived in Queenstown on Thursday, Friday my Grandma picked us up, so we could go and stay with her, in Wanaka, for two nights.  I presumed it'd be a nice time, a good chance to spend some time with my Grandma - and Gaby's Great-Grandma. 

Everything was fine and dandy until I checked on Gaby (in bed) on Saturday night, and noticed she felt a bit warm.  Presuming it was just because she was in bed & warm, I took off a couple of the covers, and figured she'd be fine.  I went to bed at 10.15pm & when I gave Gaby a kiss goodnight - she was even hotter, all over.  My spidey [Mummy] senses started tingling, and I asked my Grandma if she could see what she thought - whether Gaby was just hot from bed, or if she had a fever.  She felt her forehead and said she thought she was just hot from being in bed, but got the thermometer anyway.  I took her temperature - and it was at 39.0c - 36.5-37.0c is considered normal, so she definately had a fever!  I took more layers of bedding off her, stripped her down to her nappy & then sponged her down with some tepid water.  15 minutes later the temperature hadn't gone down at all - and that is when I noticed a rash.  Naturally putting a rash & high fever together, I freaked out, and imagined all sorts of outcomes - foremost in my mind was meningitis, even though I was sure it wasn't a meningitis rash.  I ended up ringing the on-call doctor, just for advice - and she told me to take Gaby into the surgery & she'd meet me there.  Of course being on vacation, I didn't have any Pamol (tylenol for you American ladies!) or Ibuprofen, so I really had no way of getting the temp down.

The doctor met us and after examining Gaby, she determined that she had a virus called 'Slap Cheek', which is basically a virus where they get a really high temp, a rash all over - and their cheeks go bright red, and it looks as if they have been slapped... hence the name, slap cheek.  She gave me some Pamol & Ibuprofen, and sent us on our merry way. 

Luckily the meds worked.  At 12.15 her temp was down to 38.2c, and by 2am, it was down to 37.1c... I still didn't sleep very well - I can't help but worry when Gaby is sick!  Especially when it comes on so suddenly.

Three days later she seems to be better.  The rash is mostly gone, and she no longer has a fever... thank goodness.

Lesson learnt:  when going on holiday with a child, always take a supply of Pamol or Ibuprofen, in case of fever, or other complaint!

Countdown to vacation...

Thursday morning at 8.35am, Gaby and I fly out of Christchurch - headed for Queenstown!  Terri paid for our flights, as a combined birthday/christmas present for me - luckily she got cheap flights, so it didn't cost her an arm and a leg!  I can't wait to see how Gaby is on the aeroplane this time - last time we went on one, she was about 22 months old, so not really old enough to get excited about it.  But now she's 3 - and loves aeroplanes, and I'm sure she'll have a blast!!!!

Right now I'm trying to catch up on all the washing, so we have enough changes of clothes to take away with us (and enough to come home to!), times like this I remember why after every holiday I say "right, I NEED to keep on top of laundry"...  At least with Gaby being a bit older, I don't need to take quite so many changes of clothes for her, or as many odds & ends!  I figure all I need to take for her, other than clothes, is some nappies for night time, and her wipes.  I'll put some toys & books in her carry on luggage, for the plane - but I don't think she'll be too fussed about toys while we're away.. too much else going on!

Friday & Saturday night we are staying in Wanaka (around 1 hour from Queenstown) with my Grandma, which will be great - always nice to spend time with family!  Gaby doesn't get to see her too often, so any time we get to spend with her, is special.  We'll also get to see my cousin, Stacey, while we are in Wanaka - she is newly engaged, so I have some bling to inspect!!!!!!! 

I hope Gaby behaves well - I know that people don't EXPECT her to be an angel, but I always feel somewhat guilty when we go to someones house, and she acts up.  I'm sure that it bothers *me* more than it bothers anyone else, and I'm thinking it's a normal part of being a parent.