First Trip Away

Last weekend we had our first weekend away. With Zara, all of 6 weeks old we braved the drive to Wakkerstroom for our first weekend away. Knowing this would be a good dress rehearsal for our trip to Durban over Christmas, I made sure that she was fed before we left and true keeping with her content nature, she was as good as gold. As we were turning onto the motorway, we saw Shaun & El. Even though we had planned the weekend at the same time we had not expected to leave Jozi at the same time, let alone basically travel in convoy. Approximately 15 mins out of Standerton, Zara began to stir, ready for her next feed. We had planned to stop there for lunch so her timing was impeccable. We met up with Shaun & Eleanor and enjoyed our lunch together. After lunch, back in the car and we made it there safe and sound. The weekend was lovely, although the weather was a bit miz and cold. On Saturday night the temp dropped to about 10 degrees. Many good laughs and too much good food and it was time to come home again. The trip back was just as "easy", so roll on December! When we arrived back home I took this photo to show how we can no longer travel light and how little miss muffet has the most luggage of us all!

(while we were away, there were HUGE storms in Jozi, hence the mucky driveway! Poor Senzo is still trying to catch up all the mess that was made...)

Six Weeks Old

Last week little Zara turned 6 weeks old! I really cant believe how the time has flown by. I must say that the first six weeks of pregnancy seemed to drag by for me. That is possibly due to the fact that one feels completely exhausted and on top of that I had this constant nausea to contend with. I am not saying that the first few weeks of parenting have not been tiring, its just that when your little one looks at you its all worth it.

Chris and I are very lucky as Zara has been a very easy baby! She is extremely content and relaxed. She feeds really well and sleeps quite well too. I have been lucky to only have an average of 2 wakes during the night. She just does her little grunting thing and that's my cue for her feed. Its amazing how I have become so tuned into the sound that I don't hear the police sirens going past but one grunt and I am up.

We had her weighed at "Bumps & Babes" last week and she is now weighing 4.7kg and is 56cm tall. This means that since Sharon's last home visit (on day 7), Zara has grown 4cm and gained 1.5kg ~ according to the Chinese horoscope, 2007 is the year of the pig, and our little "pork chop" is certainly living up to it.

Zara is also a lot more interactive. She is a little stingy with her smiles ~ except to Dad, he gets loads! She sometimes lies with me at the computer kicking her legs and gurgling while I get some work done.

Everyday certainly does get better and more rewarding, but I still feel the need to slow things down. I just want to savour every second with her while she is still so tiny.

Night Owl

A couple of nights ago, at 10.30pm I took this photo Zara. As you can she she is very alert and wide awake - hence we are trying an earlier bath time schedule.

Looks like she is going to take after her Mom.......

Water Baby

Zara is now just over 5 weeks old and definitly a lot more alert and responsive. She is interacting with us an as you can see from the photos loves her bath with Dad. We have been trying to bath her earlier these days as we find that her bath seems to wake her and then she goes to bed far too late. Dad is not always home in time but when he is they have a great time together....

Lazy Dayz

In stark contrast to how we spent the Sunday Zara was born - FIVE weeks ago, we took full advantage of the beautiful weather in Jozi and spent the day in our garden.

Its hard to believe that we are already into November and this is one of the first days we can truly consider being summer. So with the sun loungers for us and the sun cabana out for Zara, our little family soaked up the quiet sunny environment. Zara was more than happy to lie on her play mat in the shade while Chris read his newspapers and I read my book. Zara even spent a little time looking at her activity gym in between the numerous feeds and naps (perhaps she is having another growth spurt...) After our picnic style lunch it was time for me too to enjoy a nap....