Christmas Pics

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Belated wishes

Sorry for the very belated Christmas wishes but internet coverage in the Bay of Islands can be best described is not much better than hopeless, thank you all for your emails, texts and presents, very special, we had a great day in a place called Oke Bay with Gran and Granddad, champagne brunch and all, I will get some pics uploaded when a connection that is fats enough makes it possible.

I have managed to get a pic of Eva uploaded with her new best friend Lulu, something has happened over the last week and her vocabulary seems to have tripled so Lulu is an easy one.

We have been away a week now and other than a few Dad mishaps, another scar to add to the list, all has been amazingly easy, Eva is in her element and we are both far more at ease which is a very peaceful feeling.

Last night we stayed in a really secluded bay, well it was until a few other boats a a pod of dolphins turned up, I am still in awe is to what happened, the dolphins basically sat around Sea Esta, literally 1 foot away, in the end about 10 kids from the other boast came over and jumped in and to all of our surprises the doplhins played with them through until dark, I have never seen anything like it, I got a bit on video as I doubt anyone will believe it so captured the moment so you didn't think it was one of my spectacular dreams!!!!!

I can hear Eva going, yes, Dad Dad Down Please, not sure how at 21 months she can say it with such a commanding tone, mmmmmm, oh dear what have we created, hanging out in the Bay of Islands for a couple of weeks before venturing further a field, have a happy and safe New Years and see you in 2011.

Love Dave and Eva

Being Eva

Three days to Christmas and Eva already has a stack of presents under the tree only but a few from me and a whole heap from you so thank you in advance.

Eva has taken to painting as you can see from the attached pic, and loves nothing more than making a mess, oops sorry art, the other pic is with a stunning flower windmill which Eva got for Christmas from a friend of ours Petra, she loves it, hours of fun.

Off tomorrow in the boat, not sure for how long, not sure where just good to get away and do a lot of me and Eva, I look forward to a bit of down time to confront and HOPEFULLY sort a few thoughts floating around in the old grey matter, I too often forget it was only two years ago that Karen and I had a quiet Christmas at home in Harrogate before heading to Wales for our god son Archie's christening.  Then on to London to see in the New Year, we had a few health scares on the journey which we both just put down to pregnancy.  Blissfully unaware of what was to come we were happy and proud of each other, the baby we had made in Eva and what we had faced since our first bout with cancer.

I keep pinching myself, this is a nightmare right??? It just seems to be a really long one and I am struggling to wake up, yes I still feel that way even though I am acutely aware of my reality, so to the ocean, sea air and fingers crossed some sun to heal a few wounds that have been left far too long.

On what really matters

Its not often I add to the blog forwarded emails but I thought you all might appreciate this especially the photos, wow mum and dad make even Eva look tall :-)

I met Geoff and Sally last year away in the boat, we all need role models and people that live life on their own terms, Geoff and sally are very much that, special friends indeed.

Enjoy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dearest David, Eva and family,

You reached out to us, and in so doing, have made our Christmas feel special.   

Thank you for sticking with us and sending us the latest e-mail.   We both 

truly enjoyed seeing you and watching a very adorable young lady grow us!  Eva

is beautiful, lively, happy and full of her own opinions.   You are doing such a 

magnificent job of raising her.   (or is she raising you?)   Either way, 

what a success.    

We were feeling a bit "off" with no family around this Christmas, and yet, the way you 

have made us feel a part of your family each time we see you, we now feel a bit 

less sad.    Your mum's Christmas Cake will be a very special part of our two day 

Christmas "holiday" in Taupo.  Thank you so much.

We hope that the path ahead is a bit less blurry -- and that things come into 

focus (for you and for us).   No matter what, it will be good to watch the journey.

Hopefully this photo will be evocative of what the holidays are all about:

being with those we care about, and still thinking of those who cannot join in.

As Eva would say, "THANK YOU" for a lovely day.    But don't forget David,

Geoff and I still would love to sit and talk to you some more.    We'll make a point of

trying to get in touch on the 29 or 30th.   

I will also include some of the other photos -- but my favorite is of all of you -- including

Eva's special friend, Sam.

with love, friendship and good wishes for the Holiday season.

fondly,

Sally and Geoff

Where did that baby go?!

How much Eva changes how much more she becomes a mini Karen, looks attitude and everything in between, a happier and more proud dad I could not be.

Christmas for me is for family and this would have been our fourth together and our second with Eva so as much as I do my best to get into it an amount of reflection is inevitable and it is really simple, I miss Karen. 

Together we never got to see Eva open those presents, come running to us on Christmas morning with that sparkle of excitement in her eyes, this year has been harder than the last so I am not so sure the saying "time heals" is really true I just wish for so much more. 

So cherish those close to you and have a very Safe and Happy Christmas and all the best for the year to come.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Love David & Eva.

Smelling the roses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O-Itzf3vWs

How cool is this

For those of about to have or already have a baby this bath is the go especially when going away boating or camping, and its really well priced, great for a gift (hint, hint, hint).

http://www.bellybeyond.co.nz/shop/New/FlexiBath.html

Such a little girl

We seem to be getting there, there are the usual struggles of being a solo parent but my mum and dad make the journey so much easier, Eva is growing in to a little girl and I am yet to decide whether it is a good thing or a bad one that she takes after Karen especially when it comes to the attitude department :-)

Video Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZlgWWGzJwk

Now thats a big fish

Hopefully the size of my feet in comparison show how big this fish is, a young american caught it, 11 kgs not too bad at all, it is great seeing such a beautiful snapper but even better seeing it swimming away!!

An oldie but a goodie

Nesting, have taken the plunge and purchased a car, second hand cars are so cheap in NZ and o top of that there are some real bargains around so wheels we now have.

Ouch

Our first crash, its the worst feeling when you see them fall and are never too sure what you are going to find when you get them up, luckily just a graze to the face and a few teeth marks inside of her mouth, I was hoping Eva was going to take after Karen and not me on the accident prone stakes but maybe not, oh well no long lasting damage but a note to watch the downhills for us both.

It looks A LOT worse than the photo honest or is that just through my slightly adjusted lenses??!!

A few happy snaps.

		A few happy snaps VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL ADD MORE PHOTOS This online album has 8 photos and will be available on SkyDrive until 02/02/2011.

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My turn

I hoped that we could have a break from doctors and hospitals, just a little over it over the last couple of years, now its my turn but I am sure Eva will look after me while I recuperate and then that will be it for a while, fingers crossed.

I had thought there was something wrong with my knee, the doctor said no its just a ligament strain, the physio proceeded to agree and take my money and eventually I bypassed them and went to the orthopedic surgeon, my cartilage is shot, this running caper keeps me sane, keeps me skinny and gives me enough time to be mum and dad but my body seems to not be so cooperative, never mind I will have to come up with plan B.

As I know you will all be feeling sorry for me put the money you were going to spend on a card and flowers into a cash gift instead, thanks in advance :-)

Off to Auckland on Thursday to do the coastal classic which should be a truck load of fun, oh sorry for you land lovers that is a a yacht race from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, Gran is looking after Eva so should be a blast.

Eva is becoming more and more a mini Karen, looks, argumentative, attitude, strong, stubborn, feisty, cute, mmmmm the next 20 years should be a heap of fun, NOT.

The rest of the month is going to be away in the boat as much as possible depending on how well my knee bounces back and the first weekend of November is a trip to Auckland to watch my brother Mark race his car at Pukekohoe, looking forward to summer, fish, sea, sand and adventures.

About Time

Yes it has finally happened, this video will be usable to Eva's 21st for sure, it has taken a while but at the ripe old age of 19 months its official Eva can walk, I admit to being more than just a little proud.

I am sure of the coming week there will be more than a few bumps and bruises but at least Eva's knees get a chance to recover.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV58BNWpsNw

Eva Proofing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And sometimes Eva is very cute

Two very different cousins

One is a very cute God Son, Archie is becoming a very good looking young man, watch out ladies, he must take after his mother, the other, Eva, is A VERY VERY messy eater, she too must take after her mother!!

A few happy snaps

Back in NZ and it has to be said the last week is the best  Eva holiday to date, I have never had it so easy and we had the most amazing time, here we are back in NZ and Eva and I are now hard at work getting Sea Esta ship shape so we can get away and enjoy the great spring weather we are already having, bring it on.

Once again, if you are in NZ please email us, we always welcome extra crew so there is always a bunk, don't just think it do it!!!!!!

The Evans clan THANK YOU for the week, above and beyond.

Sydney

I don't mean to rave or more so tempt fate but Eva really is an incredible and special daughter, here we are in Sydney and she has been nothing other than perfect, it has been the most amazing opportunity to catch up with friends and spend time in a place that is so special and as close to home as it gets for me.

I have taken a few happy snaps and will upload them next week when we get back, we even went to a baby show, well for a about five minutes before it cracked me but importantly we got to spend time with Tizzie, Nathan, Kirtsie and Paul which was great after all they have done for us, I had such high expectations of what they would be like and they were all that and more.

A HUGE THANKS goes to Dave and Tania, I am staying at there place in Balmain and it is AMAZING, I haven't told them yet that we are staying for a couple of months :-) (I wish)

Alright, time to go and watch the world cycling champs.

Finally a chance to get out on the water, bring on summer!

Get on with it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvl5yd6cplQ

Spread the word

With the help of Steve White from Fishbone Cafe Kerikeri I am starting a series of running races, not official of course.

The running race thats not a running race, Starts the first Thursday after daylight saving (30th September) and runs until it ends. 5 kilometers or thereabouts, 5:30pm meet for a 5:45 ish start, park and meet at the 88 Below Wine Bar carpark (behind fishbone cafe, Kerikeri). $5 Entry, free glass of house wine or beer after you finish. Further info call (09) 407 3155 or email david.whyman@hotmail.com

The course - from the car park, over the bypass, waipapa road, landing road, through the car park over the foot bridge, back up kerikeri road, right into fairway drive left back to the carpark, just over 5ks, I promise.

Spread the word and let me know any email addresses, I have created a blog so they will automatically get updated with any news, changes and results.

http://88belowwinebar.blogspot.com/

An attempt at balance

An update, finally, mmmmm, it has been an interesting couple of weeks and I am pleased to say that Eva is now settled and back to her normal self, Eva's vomiting reared its ugly head again, she is REALLY REALLY good at going to bed, making herself vomit, being cleaned up and then making herself vomit all through the bed again, testing and trying but a good attempt at getting me back in her bedroom and falling asleep in dads arms.
 
I have to admit it took me to the edge and thanks to a little help from friends (the team at SOS AGAIN)  I played hard ball, a bit of yelling, lots of NOing and all is good, TOUCH WOOD.
 
Even managed a couple of rides and runs this week so starting to regain some balance, swimming is going great guns and Eva prefers to be a submarine than a boat, we have also been going to mainly music and the other kids don't seem to disturbed by my singing but the parents give me lots of strange looks, never mind, Eva loves it and is a regular little boogier so who cares.
 
I have taken a big leap of faith this week and enrolled Eva in childcare, Tuesday and Thursday mornings which is as much for me as for Eva, I need some me time and it gives me a chance to do what I want to do twice a week, in addition I think it will be great for Eva and we will both be better at our respective roles as a result, ME DAD, EVA DAUGHTER right!
 
Eva is continuing to develop and more and more become a mix of Karen and I which is a bloody scary thought, head strong, moody, stubborn, feisty, nice combo, as much as they make life difficult now they are attributes that when added to patience and control will be things I love so much about her.
 
Its great being back in NZ and being here, the boat and our plans all feel right, its is the first time in a while I feel like life is on track I and how I want it to be which is somewhat of a change.
 
SO WHAT NOW?? Well to start Eva walking would be a good one, yes she is yet to take that first step, all good things come to those that wait right, I have a few plans for Sea Esta, turning her to our home is the plan and cant wait for the next four years of summer, really don't do winter. 
 
Anyway time to chill out before catching some zzzs.  

Giving dad a hand!

 
Regards
 
David WHYMAN
M +64 22 407 3155
H +64 9 407 3155  
 
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Back in the swing of things

Wow, what week, I am pleased to say we are finally back to normal after a hard week of getting Eva back on tracking and as a result making dad's life a whole lot easier, remind me not to do that trip again for a while, actually a long while.
 
It is even better to be back doing normal things, swimming today for Eva, bike riding for me, watch out soon I may even be fit again, Eva's swimming was a blast and as you can see from the photos head under isn't really an issue, the swimming instructor seemed to thing I was going a bit far holding Eva under for a minute at a time, how the hell else is she going to clean the bottom of the boat!!
 
Oh and on the boat, had a great day out during the week moving it down to the Bay Of Islands and just enjoyed being on the water, three months is all too long.
 
Mum and dad have been great and are really enjoying having Eva around so a win win.
 
Must fly can hear Eva waking up for afternoon tea.
 
Out thoughts and feelings go out to Maria, a friend in Sydney suffering our same fate, her husband passed away, mmmm, cancer again and Maria is left to bring up there nine month old daughter Grace, we send her all the strength we have for the journey ahead and Eva looks forward to having another playmate when we next visit Sydney.