(Pic. above: Zealand's first step into the ocean outside of our condo. He couldn't have been more thrilled).We arrived to Maui after a six am start that began on a bus, then BART, then another bus and then finally the Oakland airport. Our flight was five hours with a short connecting flight from the big island to Maui. Zealand enjoyed every leg of the trip and did beautifully on the plane. He ran the aisles of the plane turning many heads as he did so and scarfed down at least four pieces of my homemade banana bread along the way.
It began to rain as we neared our condo and several gorgeous rainbows appeared against the mountains through the clouds. An auspicious sign for the beauty and joy to come! By the time we checked in the sun was out again and Zealand could not wait to head down to the ocean. He was literally squealing and panting with sheer delight as the waves licked his feet, his thighs and rolled up against his chest. We then walked to a calmer part of the bay and all three of us waded in for a swim. I mark this moment as the beginning of Zealand's true love of the ocean. Prior to Maui he had only played at the edge and had been more interested in sand toys and throwing things into the water's edge.
Duane was eager to expose Zealand to the world of water sports and patiently took him out on little adventures close to shore. Zealand was excited to try but needed to stay close to shore. Usually after a few minutes he would say "back." We followed his lead and were careful not to push him.
Most mornings he would ask to go for a walk and walk we would - along the beach and up to a path along the coast or over to a cluster of rocks near a home to many sea turtles.
During the days Zealand would often say "swim ocean." Being as pregnant as I was I wasn't very comfortable taking him out in the waves so I would either suggest a walk or the swimming pool. Our condo pool was heated to 80 degrees! Perfect for a pregnant mama and a little guy! He loved pool time - holding on to the bar and lowering himself into the pool, holding on to the side and saying "up and down," floating on a boogie board, playing with pool noodles, blowing bubbles, singing songs, and being thrown up in the sky by his dada. We were amazed at how little fear or reservation he showed. While wearing his life vest he got a kick out of letting go and dipping under for a few seconds. Going under never seemed to upset or alarm him. He is a natural in the water.
While Zealand had the time of his life and I simply took in the surroundings and enjoyed water time and early morning walks along the coast, Duane took advantage of all of the water sports that were happening all day long with the wedding party. Peter and Liz are action heroes and generously rented five surfboards, five paddle boards, windsurfing gear, and diving equipment for anyone who was game. While Zealand slept or spent time with me Duane managed to get in a few dives, a good dose of surfing and paddle boarding throughout the trip, and a nice full day windsurfing with Peter and his friend Jason. A few times he even caught nice surf right outside our condo. Zealand watched with wide eyes. His da da is his action hero.
Our condo was oceanfront with friends and family of the bride and groom surrounding us from side to side and above us. There was a patch of grass, individual patios for all guests with chairs (and in our case toys as well), bbqs at either end, and fences to hold us all in. This made for a perfect backyard for little ones. Each morning Zealand would head to the back screen and make his way outside where he walk the path to see what he could see. We could even stay inside making breakfast or whatever knowing that he was safe. Our next door neighbors, Lori and Jim, also have a little guy, Aiden, who Zealand enjoyed playing with. Aiden is four months younger but just as curious and happy as Zealand is. On our last night they held hands for a bit while strolling around on the patio.
Both Zealand and Aiden developed a crush on Liz's sister Gretchen's youngest daughter, Eloise or "Ellie." Zealand followed her around the night of rehearsal dinner asking where the "go go" went (he calls girls "go go's"). Aiden seems to have more skills in the girl department and took her hand and invited her to sit down next to him on a lawn chair. But, Zealand had his chance the night of the wedding while Aiden slept peacefully back at the condo with his grandparents watching over. He scored a dance with the beautiful Ellie! Right before this picture was taken he looked over at us and laughed with a look that said, "can you believe this, look at me!"
The wedding was held at an old sugar mill and the whole evening was straight out of a fairy tale with cupcakes, a gelato bar, dripping flowers from the terrace, red and white striped straws for jugs of lemonade and iced tea, glass, candles, wildflowers peeking out of jars, buddha statues, light wood antiques, a waterfall, stone patios, and a passionate fully in love couple who wrote their own vows and were married by the groom's brother and bride's sister. It was magical. A dream wedding.
Zealand caught the spirt of it too and danced the night away after polishing off a rather generous portion of coconut and chocolate gelato. He stood in the middle of everyone clapping his hands maniacally over and over again like an energizer bunny. He attracted many beautiful ladies, including Liz's mom, who couldn't get enough of Zealand dancing. After dinner he kept asking "party?" He finally got his party.
Our first trip to Maui as a family of three was full of fun and love. Thank you Liz and Peter for including us in this special week. The spirit of your relationship and who you both are helped to create this wonderful week. All we had to do was show up! The trip, I know, will be with us forever. We can't wait to come back with our family of four. 
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