Little Mermaid...

Today Zara started a new game with Daddy...

What the game entails is: he puts her on the lilo in the pool then she slips off into the water and he is there to catch her.

With great delight she did it over and over till she was absolutely exhausted!I must admit, even though Dad was right there to catch our budding mermaid, my heart did skip a beat...

Christmas Day 2008

Today is Zara's 2nd Christmas!

Having been a super good girl her Grandpa passed on the necessary message to Santa and we found a christmas stoking in her cot. Being on holiday we did not have our own Christmas tree but on arriving at Mark's we found an abundance of presents! The kids had a ball opening gifts and the parents battled to keep track of what had come from whom - so, Thank you EVERYONE for spoiling us and especially Zara! After present opening session we had a swim and then had a feast of roast lamb and gammon cooked by Mark and Michael - YUMMY!

Such a lovely day to have all the "van Gelder" clan together again!

Beach Babe

This afternoon we went down to Umghlanga Beach. Zara has always been a water baby and loved the calm Croatian sea so we were not too sure how she would take to the wilder North Coast crashing waves. Well much to our delight she was so excited and kept wanting to crawl into the waves giggling and shrieking with absolute pleasure. Being bounced and dunked by the "wild" waves once or twice didn't seem to faze her!

Grandpa Christmas on Duty

This year we were lucky enough to catch Grandpa Christmas on duty at the Westville Mall. Even though he is Zara's grandfather, we dont often - in fact almost never- get to see him all dressed up for the all important job of Santa... what a treat it was!

not every child gets to say their Grandpa works for Santa ;~)

No trauma - just cherries!

This afternoon I decided to let Zara taste "cherries" - having grown up in "Cherry Town" and having a great love of the sweet fruit myself, I guessed she would too - and boy oh boy did she love the cherries!!!! and was in dire need of a full rinse once she had filled her tum...

Sleepy Bear

I love seeing Zara when she is sleeping and I think these photos speak for themselves...

The Big First Birthday Bash...

Today was Zara's first birthday party. With a range of babies, toddlers, scholars, moms, dads and grandparents, Zara was thoroughly spoilt and enjoyed being the "belle of the ball". The jumping castle was a win and it kept everyone entertained. Zara even had her first piece of cake and devoured it with gusto and looked like a cake eating pro :~)

Thanks to everyone for coming and spoiling Zara!

Mini Party

Today Shaun, Eleanor and Samuel came round for tea - this was a post birthday/pre-party celebration- so that Samuel could give Zara her birthday present. The adults selfishly enjoyed the yummy cupcakes that Eleanor bought while the kids played together. Its going to be so much fun when they can run around the garden together...

Now I am ONE!

There was quite a bit of excitement this morning of Zara's FIRST birthday! We had all her presents on the bed when she came up for her morning milk. Having had a practice run about a month ago for Daddy's birthday, Zara seemed to know just what to do with presents. She even (politely) read all her cards before the paper "ripping" began. Its really hard to believe that a whole year has past since our little cherub entered the world...

Happy FIRST Birthday little girl!!!

Front teeth

all I want for my birthday are my two front teeth...

Having cut her first teeth at 5mths, which is rather early...there has been no more action. I was starting to wonder if Zara would ever get any more teeth. Then low and behold, shortly after her 11 month birthday out they "popped". We have been very lucky with teething so far, she seems to drool a lot and gets a little bit grumpy with an over-active tummy, and, before you know it the teeth are out. I have certainly put my faith in her Amber necklace that she has been wearing since she was 3 months old and am not about to try any more teeth without it. As she is so much older and willful, it has been a little more difficult to get into her mouth to see the new teeth. They have already had about 10 days growing time, so ,tonight in the bath, she was more than happy to show off her new pearly whites - well done little girl, you'll now be able to enjoy your birthday cake two teeth richer!

Tour de Emmarentia

Just before we went on holiday, Chris bought me a new bicycle and I have been dying to go riding with Chris again, but am often not able to leave Zara, so Phil & Cheryl very kindly gave me their bicycle baby carrier... which I added to Chris' birthday presents ;~)

The next challenge was to find a helmet small enough to fit our little girl. So armed with bike, baby carrier and helmet we set off to Emmarentia for a test drive.... Zara was as pleased as punch and babbled up a storm while Dad did some extra peddling on the bike. We looking forward to our trip to Wakkerstroom next weekend so we can all enjoy a family ride out in the country.

Zara and friends

Zara and Samuel - these two are going to be a handful when they both running around - Samuel, we going to be counting on you to keep an eye on Zara in the years ahead...

Zara and Jazmine - Zara playing "peek-a-boo" with Jazzy at Moyo

Zara, Jazmine and Alex - they managed to get themselves into this mini circle, Alex having a taste of Zara's dummy, Jazzy poking his cheek as if she is telling him off about the dummy and Zara tast testing my keys...

(we Moms, met through anti-natal classes-Zara was due last but was born first, then Jazmine 2 days after Zara and Alex 4 weeks later)

as you can see, Zara has been having a wonderful time catching up with all her friends ;~)

Rebekah comes to Jozi

It has been quite a while since we have seen Chris' cousins - Zara's 2nd cousins, but we were ecstatic when Lauren phoned to say they were coming to Joburg. Zara & I collected Lauren & Rebekah from the airport and we spent a lovely day together at Mike & Laura's (Dave had to go to work). The kids got on famously and even gave us some time for "adult" chat. Just as anticipated the last time we were together, no more lying down/calm photos - and this will certainly be the last time we get together with "stationary" babies....

Daddy's Birthday

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADA- HIP HIP HOORAY!!"

There was much excitement and intrigue this morning for Daddy's first birthday as a Dad. With just over a month to go till Zara's birthday, she got a good practice run in opening presents! Dad was not even ready to start opening and Zara was making a go for the card. Seems like she will have fun ripping papers and with her "quizzie-lizzie" nature she is just as intrigued by what comes out of the paper.

We had a lovely day together... we went out to breakfast, then took a trip to the zoo and lazed around on the grass before going off to look at a few animals. To finish off a perfect day, we had a delicious prawn braai at the Katz's. (thanks guys!!!)

all in reverse

Since we have been home, Zara has been making a huge effort to get "mobile". She pushes herself along the floor on her tummy, the only obstical seems to be her reverse skills are over powering forward motion. She has however figured out, that if she aims her bum in the general direction she wants to go, by hook or by crook, she'll get there.

Then again... sometimes.... the aim just gets her backed up in a corner!

She is so determined to get it right - that its happening in her sleep as well ;~)
(note how she is still "hedging dummies" - just like Daddy and the markets)