Rhino & Lion Park

23 May 2010

We were supposed to got to Wakkerstroom this weekend but after a horrendous night with both the kids on Thurs we decided to rather stay home. So with no other plans we found ourselves free to do whatever we wanted - thus we decided to take Zara to the Rhino and Lion Park in the Cradle of Mankind near Krugersdorp. She was so excited to see the Lions, Rhino, Cheetah, Leopards, Zebra, Buffalo (or gruffalo as she calls them) etc. We also took her into the enclosure with two six week old lion cubs. She was very calm until the one tried to nibble her shoe and she realised they a lot stronger than she anticipated. She was still happy to look at them as long as she was safe in her Dad's arms... She was also very keen on touching the python. She even went and kissed its tail ... I must say she does at least have a degree of self preservation as she was not happy to have it put round her shoulders like many others were doing. I think she is certainly a girl after her Grandpa's heart as she loves reptiles and can spend ages looking at them

Eli visits peadiatrician

17 May 2010

Eli is already 5 weeks old and I took him for a "check-up" with Dr Lucic today. This is mostly to ensure that if we ever need her, he is already a patient in her practice. Zara fortunately only ever went to her at 6 weeks and 6 months...

As this was his first official medical assessment, she was very happy with his birth story and progress to-date. She would normally have seen him before we went home from Genesis but unfortunately she was overseas at the time. It was pointless having him checked by another pead as we need him to be with the same Dr as Zara.

Birth 5 weeks old :

3.300 kg 4.345kg,

52cm tall 55 cm tall
34 cm head circumference 38.5cm head circumference

Pretty good growth for 4 weeks 6 days!!!

She too has commented on how strong he is and at how good his head control is. She also strongly encourages holding your baby as much as possible as well as using a dummy! I have been holding off on the dummy till the feeding is fully established but I guess nows as good a time as any, especially if it gives me an extra few minutes when Zara needs me as well...

Dr Lucic gave me all the time I needed to ask any questions and at no point did I feel like I had to hurry up as the next patient was waiting. Once again we have been lucky to get such an amazing doctor.

Sleeping beauties...

a picture paints a thousand words...

Our special great-granny Nana

2 May 2010

We went through to Pretoria to visit Nana. It was an absolute privilege to introduce Eli to her - he is her 10th great grandchild!!! Zara was immediately drawn to Nana and insisted on sitting next to her in Wimpy - with absolutely no prompting from us... When Zara talks about Nana, she always calls her "my special Nana"

After brunch, we took Nana home and managed to "bully" her into a minor photo session with the kids and even more importantly to get a four generations photo!

Eli meets the v Gelder Grandparents

3 May 2010

Leaving Durban from the old airport, Grandpa & Grannieannie arrived safely in Jozi to meet "Eli 9" as he is affectionaetly called by Grandpa.

No sooner were they here and Zara had her grandparents reading her books & playing with her toys ;-) We had a cold,wet visit with lots of fun seeing Shannon Woodliffe and Nana. Three days were over far too soon and it was time for them to fly back to the new Durban airport...

Zara goes to the dentist

29 April 2010

Today was Zara's first visit to the dentist. We have found a wonderful "paediatric dentist".

With toys galore and a magical chair that goes up and down, not to mention the great movie to watch (and take home) about a rabbit -Dr Rabbit - who tells kids all about dental hygiene...who needs to be afraid to say "AAAAHHHH" to the kind doctor?

We were very relieved to know that Zara's teeth are perfect - no cavities - and she and Eli will be back there in October! At this appointment, Zara will get "fissure sealants" to prevent cavities in the molars (assuming we have managed to keep her teeth cavity free till then)

Eli meets the Atkinson Grandparents

25 April 2010

We have been so lucky to have Chris' folks come to stay with us for the week!
With their help, was Zara still able to have all her usual activities swimming, music and gymnastics) and the novelty of her Grandparents taking her made it extra special... this also freed up sometime for me to rest up & settle into our new life with a new baby in the house.

Not only did they rally around Zara but also did all my shopping and Heather got stuck in and cooked & cooked & cooked making sure we were all very well fed while Mirriam was off sick!!

Thank you so so much xxx

and then there were THREE

when Zara was born there was an uncanny resemblence to Chris as a baby. We have now added little Eli to the equation and clearly the apple really doesnt fall far from the tree!

In this family, Mum is just the incubator... and no postman stopped by this house ;~)

Visit to Osetopath

20 April 2010

Today I took Eli to have a check-up with Emma, the osteopath. She says that he is in fine form and then also gave me the once over and did some much needed adjustments. I feel so much better and ready to tackle our new life ;~)

First bath

19 April 2010

Today, Eli is 7 days old! As this is the last day that Sharon would be visiting us at home, she also helps us with his first bath. In typical baby fashion, he was not best pleased having his clothes taken off, so cleared his lungs with a good roar but as soon as he was in the water he was completely relaxed. According to Sharon, a nice deep, warm bath simulates how they remember being in the womb and that why they relax so nicely. He was also weighed again and he is 50grams under his birth weight. Guess that means that he is feeding well!

I must admit I felt rather sad at the end of the visit. Even though we know she is just on the other end of the phone should we need her, we have shared the most magical experience with her and the support, encouragement and knowledge she shares with us is invaluable. Seeing her so regularly towards the end of the pregnancy and then on a daily basis for a week after the birth makes it hard to get used to not seeing her as often from now onwards...

The best assistant

19April 2010

This morning I was treated a refexology session at home. I had been given a voucher for my baby shower from some of the Mom's in our Friday afternoon Moms and babes get together. Zara was a very good assistant, I think she just loved getting to use as much cream as her little hands could get out of the jar...

Superman...

19 April 2010

When trying to choose a “first” outfit for Eli it was quite hard to find something neutral but special... While on holiday in Durban I found a superman baby vest and decided that it would be our new baby’s first clothes. We had a blue set and a pink set washed and packed as we didn’t know who we would be meeting when it was finally time for our baby to be born. Eli has certainly taken to his role quite seriously, starting by being born hand first and then posing in the sun...

Zara’s first outfit had “I’m the boss” on it and she certainly has tried her very best to live up to that! Perhaps I need to be more careful in my choice of outfits ;~)

He aint heavy... he's my brother

18 April 2010

Zara really does love her little brother! Sometimes she forgets her own strength and we have to remind her he is just a tiny baby and his arms and legs aren’t made of rubber ;~)

and of course, Daddy is as pleased as punch with his two little cherubs...

Sunshine boy

17 April 2010

Once again we are sunning our baby... luckily we have a great spot in our bedroom so it’s quite convenient to give him his daily dose of rays. The first day he was really not too keen to have his body all exposed but he really is starting to enjoy just lying there. Zara has also been enjoying helping us with massaging the calendula oil and passing us what we need when we need it. As you can see she takes her role very seriously as she also gets into her “birthday suit” to keep Eli company...