Well, I think it is time to finish this blog off as I started it as a pregnancy blog and now that it's January 2008 and 1 month until Alexander's first birthday, I think it's time to end this one and perhaps start another blog somewhere. I will advise details if and once I have found the time to start one.
The end of the year has come along so fast and I cannot believe it's the first day of 2008 already. The Danes have come and gone. Sisse and Michael arrived the 30th November. They rented an apartment in Llandudno for 10 days. Mor and I met them at Melissas for breakfast the morning after they arrived. It was good to meet Michael, Sisse's fiance, who is very sweet. Later that day Christy and I and kids went to the barnyard for a mini school reunion of all the ex Fish hoek pupils we have managed to accumulate on facebook. Christy still hasn't got the hang of facebook, and I'm sure she won't ever bother, but it was such fun to see these girls that we were at school with nearly 20 years ago. Quite a few of them I have seen over the years, either just greeted or spoken to as Lynn and Kirsty are both in the travel industry. We met at 15h00 and ended up staying till past 19h00. We seemed to have so much to catch up on, we will definately get together again soon, maybe next time with some of the guys from school.
Sisse and Michael took it easy the first week, and Mor and I were of course not on leave yet. On Sunday night Mor, Sisse and Michael came over here for a braai. Michael sat outside mostly because he is allergic to cats, but luckily the weather was pretty good and not so much wind. Maya, Rasmus and Zoe arrived on the 06th Dec and stayed at S and M in Llandudno as they fetched them late at night from the airport. The next evening Z, M and R came to us and I just bought some roast chicken and chiabata and I made some salad. M and S went home so it was just us and mor. It was so nice catching up and getting to know Maya, and specially meeting Rasmus for the first time. Zoe and Thomas got on so well even with the language barrier. Thomas picked up a few Danish words like "lad vær " and "Hold op", and Zoe also picked up some English words.
The next day we went to Dalebrook beach, the kids loved the rock pools. We were home by lunch time and S and M picked up the others and went to Kommetjie to meet Bimse to see the house they are going to be staying in after they come back from Garden route. They stayed over at S and M that night as well, and came back here the following evening and we just had woolies lasagne and salad, and was just he 4 of us and the kids. Sat up late chatting which was really nice. The next morning before I went to work, S and M fetched them and off they went up the Garden route for a week.
While the others were up the Garden route, we went to Karen and Frans annual Christmas party the day I "broke up" from work, on the 14th. Frans was FC as usual and the kids had such fun. They are such good people and had bought presents for about 20 kids. On the 16th we went to Lydia and Hugh's house for another Christmas party. We bought a gift for the kids and Hugh dressed up as FC. We also played the present game, but just bought 1 gift per person for R50.00. Seems everyone is adopting the game. Everyone bought a plate of food, and we all had a good time. Craig enjoyed speaking to SA musician Heather Mac and taking a trip down Brass bell memory lane.
The Danes came back the 18th, and came past here to collect their things that were in the flat and went off to Kommetjie. Michael has caught a bit of flu so I gave him some of the medicine I had.
The next day Mor and I went to boulders and met them there. Lucky they had gone in earlier coz the beach was closed but we managed to get in because we told them that the others were keeping a spot for us. We even got escorted down to make sure we weren't lieing. Zoe and Thomas swam, played in the sand and swam with the penguins. We left at 15h00 as I had to get home so that Caroline could leave coz I left Alexander with her. The others went to the scratch patch and Thomas was a bit upset that he couldn't go.
Friday night, the 21st, Craig went out for his yearly lunch/jol with the boys. Mor and I went through to the Danes in Kommetjie and Michael and Rasmus made a braai. A very good one I might add. Had lovely dinner, and drove home at about 22h30. Craig came home just before midnight, which is early for him, but I guess he had been going since lunch time.
The 23rd was so hot here, we just stayed around the pool the whole day. I had to pop down to the shops to get a few gifts for the present game as I had to buy for both Christmas day at Lindas and boxing day at Bimse's. The 24th, the weather was cool in the morning, even rained heavily with thunderstorms, which was lovely weather to do the cooking in. Dawn came over to help put the mirrors up and Mor came at about 16h00 to put the roast on. The danes arrived just after 17h00. The kids got out of their Christmas outfit and had a swim. Well, Thomas hadn't really gotten dressed yet, he woke up from his Christmas afternoon sleep when he heard the others arrive. We had a lovely Christmas. The food all turned out great, except for my ris alamande, was a bit dry and nobody ever really wants to eat it anyway, and Craig even went to 7 shops to find tinned cherries! The kids each got a whole almond (surprise surprise) and Maya got the adult one. Michael didn't suffer at all with the cat allergy, so maybe he is not allergic to South african cats, or maybe it's because it is warm so the doors are always open, and we don't have carpets and the place gets cleaned every day, and Alex only really comes indoors after the kids have gone to bed. We all got spoilt with lovely gifts. The kids were very happy with their gifts, and I was specially happy with my new camera from Craig, a canon A560 7.1 megapixel with a much bigger screen. Lovely! From Mor I got a blue dress and some moisteriser that I had wished for. We got some lovely Geog Jensen and Holmegard bowls and Xmas deco from the Danes. Thomas only got to bed at 01h00 just after the guests left.
Christmas day we just relaxed again, wrapped the gifts, swam etc. We went to Linda's at 19h00. She had invited about 26 of her friends and family, and laid the long table. We had lovely food as usual. The kids got more gifts, and we played the game, which was fun. Never seems to get boring. The kids slept over.
The next morning, Craig fetched the kids from his parents and I made the shrimp salad and packed frikideller. We went to Bimse and Kenny's farm in Wellington. Amy arrived straight from London with her fiance, Stan. It was lovely for Maya to meet her extended family, some for the first time, and catch up with them. Bimse even pulled out the photo album from when Mads and Lolly were in South africa. So weird taking a trip down memory lane. We had our usual lunch in the scorching heat, fighting the flies off. We played the game again. The kids paddled in the small pool. We went for a walk on the farm and Craig, Thomas, Zoe and Gian Luca swam in the dam. We got home at about 21h00, just after sunset. The Danes had left a little earlier.
The Danes already left the next day. I can't believe its gone so fast and I almost feel as if we didn't spend enough time with each other, but obviously they did a few touristy things, and also needed time and space to relax and take it easy, which is not easy when you only have 3 weeks to see a country for the first time.
Now, over to Alexander, since this blog is supposed to be about him. He seems to have mastered crawling overnight. From the one day to the next he had started shuffling like a caterpiller along the floor. He can move fast and we have to now be very careful of what is lying on the floor within his reach. He is also starting to open and close doors and unpack what is in the cupboards, his favourite being the tupperware cupboard. He has had his fingers slammed a few times but recovers very quickly. On Christmas day, he suddenly started crawling perfectly, just like that. He stands up in his cot, specially when he doesn't want to be there! but then he struggles to let go and get down so ends up falling on his bottom. He has been a bit more miserable than usual the past week, but it has been so hot even at night and his first 2 bottom teeth look as if they are just under the gums. No teeth have come through. I wonder if he will have any by his first birthday. Caroline has taught him to clap hands, and when you say clap hands in either English or Xhosa, he laughs and claps his hands. She has also taught him to wave goodbye or hello when somebody is leaving or coming. He is so darned cute when he does that. He also points and people that he knows and makes a sound as if to say "who is that?" and I'm sure I have heard him looking at Craig and saying "dada" He absolutely loves girls. He would hug and crawl all over Zoe whenever he saw her and the other day when Mark, Bev, Josh and Jamie came for a braai, he was the same with Jamie. He loves to rub his gums on peoples flesh. He spits things out when you say "spit". He has been for a few swims in the pool. He is always a bit apprehensive in the beginning but once he gets used to it, he loves it. The water has been up to 28 degrees, which is what you get when you have a small pool and over 30 degrees heat.
So, now it is a new year. We have just relaxed and spring cleaned around the house today. Last night, Anthony and the 2 of us went to the Brouwers for a new years braai. The kids went to Craigs parents. We only at at 23h30 so had to finish quickly to get ready to wish each other at midnight.
You know you are getting old when you wish each other happy new year around the tv, SOBER and go straight back to sit down and chat instead of dancing and partying the night away. We left at about 02h30. Anthony wanted to go party at pirates or Verdi but there was not much happening at either place.
So, sadly this is going to be my last entry in this blog. I will start up another one where I can hopefully upload photos.
Chow for now... see you on the flipside.
2007-11-23 (baby has arrived)
November nearly over!
Wow, it scares me how fast time is going. I seem to wake up with slight Monday blues and when I blink again it's Friday. I cannot believe that December is on our doorstep. I haven't even thought of Christmas decorating, never mind present shopping. My calender looks like a nearly finished sudoku puzzle with very few boxes left to fill in dates. I never realised that I had become quite a social person, trying to fit everyone in, and struggling to fit it all in.
This week I went to see Tenzin Palmo at the Baxter. She is a Bhuddist healer, quite important in the Bhuddist world. I have to admit I don't know much about her, other than she spent 12 years isolated in a cave, has written a few books, had some dvd's made, and now lives in a nunnery in India. My client Erika, from the Bhuddist centre booked Tenzin's flights with me (business class!) and gave 3 tickets for Gail, Howard and I to go and listen to her speak. We had good seats. I struggled to understand what she was talking about, but I will find myself remembering and understanding more and more as the days and nights go. She is such a gentle soul and has the lovliest smile. I was honoured aftewards to meet her, as Erika introduced me to her.
Last night, Thursday night, we had our staff dinner at Anatoli's, Turkish restaurant in Greenpoint. It was lovely and as usual we had a lot of fun and laughed. Ronnie gave us each a R300.00 voucher to Jakes restaurant, which Craig and I can hopefully enjoy soon.
Thomas was mean't to go to a birthday party today, to Jo Jo, in his class, but it has been prosponed till next Friday because bad weather was predicted. It has been very strange weather for this time of the year. A black south easter with lots of rain. Most of the garden route is flooded with many roads closed to traffic. I have yet to swim in our pool. I have been in once, Craig and Thomas have been in a few times, but I think it needs to be a bit warmer before I go in.
Tommorow we are going to Katja and Adrian for Alexa's 2nd birthday. Sunday Dorje's birthday party. Last Sunday we went to Caitlin and Chloes' birthday party out in Paarl. It was so hot out there but windy in CPT.
Thomas only has 1 week of school left. This year has just flown by too fast, I cannot believe he only has 1 year of kindergarten left before he starts "big school" He seems to be loving his school. He is always very happy to go and most of the time he runs off to his friends without even kissing me goodbye. He loves his teacher too. I don't know how he is going to cope being off for 2 months, but luckily I'm on leave from the 14th Dec - 03 Jan and then Craig is also on leave from Christmas till 16 Jan. I hope I can have a few days off after the 16th Jan as Thomas only goes back to school on the 24th.
Alexander if of course growing up right before my eyes. He is just so cute. His face lights up when I come home and he starts waving his arms about and shrieking. I puts his arms up when I bend down to pick him up. He can manage to get into all positions including crawling position. He puts his bum up in the air and somehow shifts backwards. If he sees something he really really wants to get hold of, he can manage to shift forwards. I am sure he will be crawling any day now. I can safely leave him in sitting position, coz the only time he falls backwards is when his brother comes and pushes him backwards, which he does quite often. Thomas is still a bit rough with him, but at least Alexander is getting big and tough, must weigh about 12 kilos by now, so he can handle it.
I have been insanely busy at work with Adidas and soccer stuff. The prelimary draw for the world cup 2010 is happening in Durban this week end, plus there was soccerex in Joburg, million dollar golf at Sun city, and loads more including some international flights plus trying to fit in my other clients. I have been feeling a bit like Leisurenet days where I would work way past 17h00 and not take lunch. But I have to leave the latest 16h30 else Caroline doesn't make her bus and I feel quite bad when she misses it, which really isn't often. So, I haven't done much blogging, emailing, facebooking, babynetting or anything other than work work work. I thought I'd catch up and write some emails tonight, but after putting 2 kids to bed, having a rough week, I'm actually quite ready for bed, actually it's already 23h15, I thought it was earlier.
So, nightie night, till next time....
2007-10-22 (baby has arrived)
We are the champions!!!!!!!!
Well, well, well, What a week-end!!
You may ask what is this hideous green on gold, or should it perhaps be gold on green, coz that's exactly what the boks were this week-end! Gold cup on the green field. Yes!! we won the world cup! It's our's for another 4 years. We beat the Pommies 15-6. It was a very tense game and not that exciting as there were no tries scored. Just a game won on penalties and advantage. But nonetheless, it's the final score that counts!
We watched it at Dias tavern in town. Steven booked the table ages and ages ago, hoping we would get to the final. Never in a million years did we think that Australia and New Zealand would be knocked out fairly early in the tournement, beat England 36-0 in the pool game, and then face them again in the final. South africa was definately the favourite to win, but then again, England were the champs and would have loved to keep the cup, being the only country to win it twice in a row. But maybe another time, because 2007 was for the bokke! We needed this for our country, for our politics and our pride. We are so proud of the bokke!
Funny thing, is I'm not much of a rugby fan, but there's something about being in a final, in any sport, and rugby is our heritage. Craig sobbed his heart out when we won. It was a great moment and I even felt my eyes swelling up with tears.
Well, since this is a baby blog and not a rugby blog, let's get back to what young Alexander is up to.
He is sitting beautifully now, all by himself. I bought him a bath ring a few weeks ago, but as was with Thomas when he was a baby, he is too fat for it, so I took it back. Instead he sits in the bath with slip mats and since I'm almost always in the bath with him, I use my legs as a bath ring. Thomas still loves to bath with him, sometimes it's just the 2 of them and sometimes all 3 of us.
Alexander can roll over now from his back to his tummy and can get from a semi lying position to sitting up. He had his first fall off the bed about a week ago. I left him in the middle of the bed and went to the kitchen, I then heard a thud and a long wail. I ran to the bedroom and there was the poor sausage face down on the floor, with a magasine on the one side and the radio on the other. He must have been attracted by the baby on my living and loving mag and wiggled his way to it and grabbed it. I felt so bad, but he only cried for a short while and he seemed fine. He did throw up all his dinner and milk that night, but he had been fine during the day and was fine after that, so I'm hoping that was related to something else.
I am still on Atkins diet, and trying to go to gym 2-3 times a week. The weight is coming off, slowly, but surely. Not as fast as I'd like it to get off, but then again, I don't feel as if I'm on diet because it's such an easy diet to follow and I honestly don't feel deprived of anything. I've only lost about 4 kilos, but as long as it's going down and not up! I can fit into most of my old pants except for the size 12's but those are all from about 2 years ago, so maybe it's best I get rid of them and accept that I'm now officially a size 14. No dammit! I WILL fit into them again!!
Alexander is still going down so well. He sometimes protests a bit when I walk out the room, but not for long. I'd never leave him to cry for too long, but I do allow him to complain a bit before picking him up. He totally sleeps through, but wakes up at 05h00/05h30 as dawn is breaking (now being light at that time of the morning) He doesn't go back to sleep like he used to in the days where it was still dark, and I'd just attach him to my boob. Now I've stopped breastfeeding completely and I'm way too lazy to get up and make him a bottle. He's not really hungry, but likes to babble, giggle and chat. Eventually at about 06h00 I fetch him and bring him to the bed where he continues his babbling, pulling my hair, scratching my face. Craig just turns his back and goes back to sleep. I just doze, not really sleep.
2 week ends ago, we left Alexander with Dawn for the whole week end, the longest I've been away from him. I had won a week end at the President hotel. I left work a bit earlier on the Friday, we dropped the kids off at Dawn and Zac and went to check in. We ended up having dinner at Greens in town, after trying to get in at Chef ponds (fully booked) and also deciding that we didn't like the menu at the hotel restaurant after all. We watched the rugby in the bar afterwards and went back to the hotel. The next day, we came home for a short while. Craig went to fetch Thomas and we took him to Hout bay, bought him another Thomas train, walked on the beach, had a light lunch at Dunes and we got back to the hotel at 16h00. We changed and went down to have a drink around the pool. Craig had forgotten to pack Thomas's costume, but no problem, Thomas stripped naked and paddled in the kids pool. I think some of the saurkrauts were a bit offended but who cares!!
We went to the spur that night. Thomas let off more steam on the jumping castle. Back to the hotel, let Thomas watch a few cartoons and off to bed in his sleeper double couch which he thought was very exciting. Next morning we had breakfast and went home, and fetched baba on the way. It was a lovely break and lovely to spend some alone time with Thomas, but of course I missed the little guy, so it was good to see him and he looked like he hadn't missed us at all.
This past week end, the weather was so good, 32 degrees on Saturday, so I had my first dip in the pool. (Thomas and Craig swam last Saturday already) The water was chilly but very refreshing. I'm sure we gonna have a lot of fun times in summer around the pool. Anyway, now that we are bonded to death, we won't be able to afford to go out much, so we will have to stay home and braai!
Ok, I'm off to watch Grey's anatomy that I taped. Till next time!!
