Family

Having family up over the Easter holiday made me realise how much I missed having them closer. I think I must say this every time we spend time with them, but since Eva I have become acutely aware of how important my family is to me.

I think that as an adult, even if you don’t like it, you get used to not having your parents and siblings so close. And initially, even revel in the independence and freedom, but since starting a family of my own, I realise now that Eva is missing out on so much. Just spending a week with her older cousin Riley I could see a change in Eva. 

Riley was great with her — so playful and patient (well, as patient as any 5-year-old) and she idealised him. They constantly played chasey — running from one end of the hall to the other as they laughed and squealed. In fact, I had never heard Eva squeal so loudly or in such a high pitch. He helped and guided her as they did puzzles together, taught and gave her the confidence to blow bubbles in the water (a technique used when learning to swim) and how to do silly things, to our dismay, like jumping off the sofa or climbing the gate. And of course, Eva being a little sponge took it all in.

For that week our house was full. Filled with noise and constant activity and Eva loved it.

However, despite our physical distance, I still feel very close to our families. I’m thankful that we are able to speak on iChat weekly. Although, it might sound odd or strange that Eva doesn’t get to see her extended family as often as most, chatting to them through the computer is her norm. She loves to jabber away about a new toy that she has or what we did that day. She plays peekaboo with them and will often cheekily hang-up on them by closing the laptop.

And as much as I love to travel, I wish that we didn’t have to get on an aeroplane just to see them. In fact, in a couple of weeks we’ll be flying to Austin to attend my brother-in-laws wedding (Eva is going to be a flower girl! Eek!) and I know, once again, Eva will be excited to spend time with family and will be beaming with joy to have the love and attention from her grandparents in person. 

13 April 23 Permalink

Scenes from Melbourne

Our trip to Melbourne was fleeting — just long enough to get settled before we had to leave again. We stayed at my grandfather’s house. The same one my father grew up in, where he played backyard cricket as a kid and kept score by writing on the side of the shed. The kitchen still remains in its 1970s orange laminate renovated state. With grandpa’s post-war home nestled on a quarter-acre block — apple, apricot, fig, and plum trees grow in the backyard turned orchard. 

Living in an inner-city townhouse, we have no lawn for Eva to crawl around on, so she excitedly explored the garden — ripping at the grass and pulling flowers from their beds. 

I have so many memories from my childhood of being at my grandfather’s. Numerous summers and Christmases. Waking up to fresh coffee, breakfast being made and the whistle and sounds of my grandfather singing: “Oh, it’s great to get up in the morning, but it’s better to stay in bed…” 

As my brother and I grew up in this household, so now do our children. Although, Eva will have no real memory of her Great-Grandfather, her cousins will. 

We spent our trip just hanging out as a family. No rushing around. No plans. Just spending time together. We took advantage of Melbourne’s fantastic cafe culture — having brunch and making coffee runs.

We took Eva to the Brighton Beach Boxes where she felt the sand between her toes for the first time. Unsure of the new sensation, she kept on the blanket. 

This trip has made me realise how much I miss having family close by and more importantly how much Eva is missing. With Johnny’s family in America and mine interstate, we try to have weekly iChat sessions with everyone, but you can tell that Eva is so much more responsive when she sees them in person. It is amazing to watch how much she thrives on the attention and interaction. 

Eva excitedly flailed her arms about and tapped to my father’s singing. Chased and crawled after her 4-year-old cousin, Riley. Attentively listened to her Aunty Miwa reading her books. Attacked her Uncle Jamie as he worked on his laptop — slapping at the keys. And calmly allowed her cousin Hitomi to hold her and carry her from room to room. 

With only weeks left until Eva’s first birthday, a whole host of family will be coming to visit and I’m sure at some point I’ll be glad that everyone lives so far away. But for now, I just wish we all lived in the same city.

23 March 26 Permalink