This morning started on a somber note. Daddy got a phone call from Uncle David saying that the night guard at Daddy's work shop had been murdered and dumped in the water tank, and robbers had taken a vehicle and tools.
So many questions. How could we have prevented this? What other reasonable precautions could have been taken? Are we naïve to pray for the best without preparing for the worst - at what point does preparing for the worst signify a lack of faith? How can robbers balance the value of tools against the value of a life? Mozambique has a low life expectancy due to AIDS and so many other things, and life sometimes seems cheap here; at the least it's easy to become calloused to death. But Mommy says that every person is equally precious to God, no matter where they live or come from. And God has no callouses where His children are concerned.
With lots to think about, we traveled on through Transkei – very pretty green rolling hills of farmland (though the gas station we stopped at didn't have gas) – back to the coast through beautiful forest-covered mountains via Port Shepston, and all the way to Richard's Bay.
On the way, we stopped at a gas station where I smiled so nicely a lady gave me a blue Engen sand bucket. I put all my toys in it – it makes a really good toy carrier.
I finally fell asleep in the car and we made it here to Richard's Bay around 10 p.m. I was so happy to see everybody I smiled and smiled and offered them my toy-filled blue bucket and did all my tricks for them! My Daddy's Uncle Hennie and Aunt Olivia are here, plus his cousin Mark and Kwisun and baby Hyu, and his cousin Grant and little girl Michaela. They are all very nice and I can't wait to play with them all.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
On the Road Again
Yesterday we left Ouma and all that good stuff behind and strapped up in the car again. Tell me why any logical-minded sane person would do something like that?
We drove through farmland to Hermanus and stopped for lunch and looked for whales, but I didn't see any. Daddy fed the sea gulls until a big black dog came and chased them away. I think I liked the dog better, anyway.
Then we made it to Mossel Bay and stayed with friends of Daddy's (Mr. Donald & Mrs. Wendy) for the night. They had two cool dogs and I got to try a smoked kalamata olive – very yummy!
Today we saw lots of pretty beaches with nice sand and waves. I think I'm ready to try boogie boarding again.
Then we stopped so I could go bungee jumping on the highest bungee jump in the world – 216 meters. Only problem is they had too many people sign up by the time we got there – they stopped registering at 1:45 because of that. So I never got to set the record as the littlest one to jump. And after all the practice Daddy and I did ahead of time – it was heartbreaking. I even demonstrated all my tricks for them so they could see how talented I was – and then they said maybe if we waited until dark they might be able to squeeze us in – so we waited and waited and waited – until they told us no chance. Mr. Elmer almost cried, too – he really wanted to jump. But then he was glad he saved the money.
Because of all the time we spent waiting to jump, we didn't get to East London in time to camp. In fact, Mommy & Daddy & I only made it to Grahamstown, where we found a bed & breakfast at 11:30 at night. It is a very nice place with a kitty that slept by the bed on a monkey rug.
We drove through farmland to Hermanus and stopped for lunch and looked for whales, but I didn't see any. Daddy fed the sea gulls until a big black dog came and chased them away. I think I liked the dog better, anyway.
Then we made it to Mossel Bay and stayed with friends of Daddy's (Mr. Donald & Mrs. Wendy) for the night. They had two cool dogs and I got to try a smoked kalamata olive – very yummy!
Today we saw lots of pretty beaches with nice sand and waves. I think I'm ready to try boogie boarding again.
Then we stopped so I could go bungee jumping on the highest bungee jump in the world – 216 meters. Only problem is they had too many people sign up by the time we got there – they stopped registering at 1:45 because of that. So I never got to set the record as the littlest one to jump. And after all the practice Daddy and I did ahead of time – it was heartbreaking. I even demonstrated all my tricks for them so they could see how talented I was – and then they said maybe if we waited until dark they might be able to squeeze us in – so we waited and waited and waited – until they told us no chance. Mr. Elmer almost cried, too – he really wanted to jump. But then he was glad he saved the money.
Because of all the time we spent waiting to jump, we didn't get to East London in time to camp. In fact, Mommy & Daddy & I only made it to Grahamstown, where we found a bed & breakfast at 11:30 at night. It is a very nice place with a kitty that slept by the bed on a monkey rug.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Cape Episode
Yesterday we drove to Boulders Beach and saw lots of jackass penguins. Are the girl penguins jillass penguins? There were three cute dassies that made me giggle, too.
Then we drove to Cape Point and walked all the way up to the lighthouse. Mommy was wearing high heeled sandals – fortunately Daddy was the one carrying me. It was windy and cool at the top, but I was all wrapped up in Daddy's towel and cap.
Then we went down to the beach below and ate watermelon and watched ostriches and smelled dead fish.
Then we drove to the Cape Town waterfront and ate supper at Victoria Wharf, a big mall overlooking the harbor.
I had two very sandy poop diapers on the trip. Sand does wonders for cleansing and debriding your digestive system – try it some time.
The traffic was crazy the whole way. I am spending lots of time in the car these days.
I forgot to tell you about my presents. I guess I musta been a good girl this year, cuz I did get some presents. I got a camp chair and potty chair from Ouma, a ball from Emily's mommy & daddy, socks and a bib (that I got dirty right away) from Auntie Pennie, a sea horse that squirts water from my cousins Marquelle & Janelle and family, and play mat puzzle pieces from Daddy that are really yummy.
Oh yeah, I got to see Rudolph tonight again (see "First Kiss") and pulled him by the nose for old time's sake. It was his uncle Mr. Riaan's 21st birthday, so we met up with his family for pizza tonite.
I've also been practicing some of my tricks of opening kitchen drawers & pulling over plants at Ouma's house.
Then we drove to Cape Point and walked all the way up to the lighthouse. Mommy was wearing high heeled sandals – fortunately Daddy was the one carrying me. It was windy and cool at the top, but I was all wrapped up in Daddy's towel and cap.
Then we went down to the beach below and ate watermelon and watched ostriches and smelled dead fish.
Then we drove to the Cape Town waterfront and ate supper at Victoria Wharf, a big mall overlooking the harbor.
I had two very sandy poop diapers on the trip. Sand does wonders for cleansing and debriding your digestive system – try it some time.
The traffic was crazy the whole way. I am spending lots of time in the car these days.
I forgot to tell you about my presents. I guess I musta been a good girl this year, cuz I did get some presents. I got a camp chair and potty chair from Ouma, a ball from Emily's mommy & daddy, socks and a bib (that I got dirty right away) from Auntie Pennie, a sea horse that squirts water from my cousins Marquelle & Janelle and family, and play mat puzzle pieces from Daddy that are really yummy.
Oh yeah, I got to see Rudolph tonight again (see "First Kiss") and pulled him by the nose for old time's sake. It was his uncle Mr. Riaan's 21st birthday, so we met up with his family for pizza tonite.
I've also been practicing some of my tricks of opening kitchen drawers & pulling over plants at Ouma's house.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
How the Baboon Stole Christmas
We went to the beach with friends (Oupa, Ouma, Mr. Jeron, Mr. Elmer, Mr. Ismael, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Pearl and their kids Josh, Luke, Tim, Ben, and Sarah) for Christmas. Mommy says it's not the traditional white Christmas, but I had fun anyways.
I ate lots of sand when nobody was looking. It was very interesting. I also got a good workout from crawling in the sand.
Then I got some salt water to wash it down. Daddy took me boogie boarding and a wave knocked me over face down into the water. I was very brave, though.
Then I fell asleep on Ouma's lap.
While I was sleeping and off guard duty, a baboon came and stole Mr. Jeron's camera with diversionary tricks. All the guys ran after it and threw stones at it and got scratches from the dense bushes. The baboon unzipped the bag and discarded parts along the way. Unfortunately it never got back to its family to take its annual family portrait, or maybe it didn't like the photos on the camera, so Mr. Jeron got all the parts back and the camera is still working! Only then were we allowed to laugh.
No wonder the crime rate is up in South Africa.
Then we ate burgers that Oupa had braaied for us.
I ate lots of sand when nobody was looking. It was very interesting. I also got a good workout from crawling in the sand.
Then I got some salt water to wash it down. Daddy took me boogie boarding and a wave knocked me over face down into the water. I was very brave, though.
Then I fell asleep on Ouma's lap.
While I was sleeping and off guard duty, a baboon came and stole Mr. Jeron's camera with diversionary tricks. All the guys ran after it and threw stones at it and got scratches from the dense bushes. The baboon unzipped the bag and discarded parts along the way. Unfortunately it never got back to its family to take its annual family portrait, or maybe it didn't like the photos on the camera, so Mr. Jeron got all the parts back and the camera is still working! Only then were we allowed to laugh.
No wonder the crime rate is up in South Africa.
Then we ate burgers that Oupa had braaied for us.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Emily
I have a cool big cousin – she is 1 month minus 5 days older than me. That makes her lots bigger. She's got dark hair and big blue eyes. She likes to smile for cameras – but I'm much too busy for that. Maybe when I'm older and wiser. I'll put some pictures up so you can see us.
Anyway, she lives with her mommy (my Daddy's sister Tannie Deirdre) and daddy just around the corner from Ouma's house. They have a really nice Christmas tree in their house that I'm not allowed to play with.
We got to play in Ouma's pool together, plus played with stacking cups and balls and animals and books and all kinds of things. She listens very well to her mommy and shares toys with me – maybe I'll do that too when I'm older and wiser.
Anyway, she lives with her mommy (my Daddy's sister Tannie Deirdre) and daddy just around the corner from Ouma's house. They have a really nice Christmas tree in their house that I'm not allowed to play with.
We got to play in Ouma's pool together, plus played with stacking cups and balls and animals and books and all kinds of things. She listens very well to her mommy and shares toys with me – maybe I'll do that too when I'm older and wiser.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The Drive
Thirty hours straight strapped in a car seat is a bit much, if ya know what I mean. Especially when it was only supposed to take 21 hours. But we made it to Ouma's house near Cape Town, and Mommy says I am definitely a first rate world class traveller bebe. I slept and I slept and got bored and slept and got bored and slept some more. Plus my monkey kept me company.
Swaziland. I now have a new country in my passport! That makes five countries I've been in so far. Swaziland was beautiful and green and mountainous. Mommy says it looks like a giant-sized golf course. Daddy says Heidi and Peter would enjoy it there.
Meat. We got stopped 124 times in Swaziland by people who checked our trunk to make sure there were no dead bodies (or other kinds of meat) in there. They don't want no foot n' mouth disease (like Daddy says he has) there.
Wart Hogs. On our trip we saw wart hogs, baboons, impala, and gemsbok, as well as lots of really long-tailed birds that looked like they were barely able to make it into the air.
Christmas Music. We didn't bring any CDs with us from the US (we put all the music on a hard drive) – so didn't have anything to play in the car's CD player – except Christmas music! It was packed away with our Christmas stuff instead of with our CD collection, so it made it over. So Daddy had to listen to it all 30 hours! And he survived!
Cameras. Daddy says we must be very photogenic, cuz the speeding cameras took our photos a couple of times. Don't know why - we musta been goin' at snail's pace for it to take 30 hours to get there.
Poop. Okay – I won't bore you with the details. But it happens, ya know . . .
Drivin'. I am learning how. I've got the steering wheel, horn, gears, lights, and wipers all figured out now.
Swaziland. I now have a new country in my passport! That makes five countries I've been in so far. Swaziland was beautiful and green and mountainous. Mommy says it looks like a giant-sized golf course. Daddy says Heidi and Peter would enjoy it there.
Meat. We got stopped 124 times in Swaziland by people who checked our trunk to make sure there were no dead bodies (or other kinds of meat) in there. They don't want no foot n' mouth disease (like Daddy says he has) there.
Wart Hogs. On our trip we saw wart hogs, baboons, impala, and gemsbok, as well as lots of really long-tailed birds that looked like they were barely able to make it into the air.
Christmas Music. We didn't bring any CDs with us from the US (we put all the music on a hard drive) – so didn't have anything to play in the car's CD player – except Christmas music! It was packed away with our Christmas stuff instead of with our CD collection, so it made it over. So Daddy had to listen to it all 30 hours! And he survived!
Cameras. Daddy says we must be very photogenic, cuz the speeding cameras took our photos a couple of times. Don't know why - we musta been goin' at snail's pace for it to take 30 hours to get there.
Poop. Okay – I won't bore you with the details. But it happens, ya know . . .
Drivin'. I am learning how. I've got the steering wheel, horn, gears, lights, and wipers all figured out now.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Mount Everest Next!
There are steps between rooms throughout my house, and I've been practicing going up them all.
Today I decided to tackle the big one - 18 steps to the second floor! And I did it all by myself - all the way to the top.
So now Mommy has stair gates on her Christmas list, and I got mountain climbing gear on mine. Crampons, anyone?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Volunteers Beware
If you're thinking of joining a Maranatha volunteer group in Mozambique, pray about it carefully. Either cannibalism is alive and well in Mozambique, or we're having some ESL issues.
Last month our HR guy hired a "Cooker of Volunteers" who is now on our payroll.
This week our Logistics guy purchased a "Pot for cooking of volunteers."
Their English is WAAY better than Mommy's Portuguese. I think I need to become an interpreter.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Gettin’ Ready for Work
Getting ready for work in the morning is a hard job.
First I tried to get in the shower with Mommy and pulled the shower curtain out and got a puddle of water on the floor.
Then I did my drum routine on the toilet seat. (Thanks to Mommy, the seat WAS down.)
Then I unraveled some toilet paper.
Then I found a book that fell off the bedroom table and sat under the table and read it aloud. Then I ate it.
Then I dumped all the folded clean clothes out of the laundry basket trying to find something to wear. Only Daddy's clothes were in it, though.
Then I ate Mommy's shoes.
Then I untied her laces every time she tried to tie them.
Then I emptied the toybox in my bedroom.
Then I dumped lots of the clean folded clothes out of my suitcase (we don't have shelves or drawers yet) trying to find something to wear.
I STILL have my jammies on.
But Mommy says we have to go eat breakfast now, so atat atat – talk to you later!
First I tried to get in the shower with Mommy and pulled the shower curtain out and got a puddle of water on the floor.
Then I did my drum routine on the toilet seat. (Thanks to Mommy, the seat WAS down.)
Then I unraveled some toilet paper.
Then I found a book that fell off the bedroom table and sat under the table and read it aloud. Then I ate it.
Then I dumped all the folded clean clothes out of the laundry basket trying to find something to wear. Only Daddy's clothes were in it, though.
Then I ate Mommy's shoes.
Then I untied her laces every time she tried to tie them.
Then I emptied the toybox in my bedroom.
Then I dumped lots of the clean folded clothes out of my suitcase (we don't have shelves or drawers yet) trying to find something to wear.
I STILL have my jammies on.
But Mommy says we have to go eat breakfast now, so atat atat – talk to you later!
A Day's Work
It is a tough job to go to work every day.
Today I rifled through Mommy's wallet and then chewed on it.
I took her phone list, ate part of it to hide the evidence, and dragged the remainder across the floor to make it look like the dog did it.
I worked on the safe combination trying to open it.
I chewed on the keys to the safe.
I grabbed at the pen Mommy was writing with to make sure she wrote everything correctly.
I entertained her visitors.
I worked on the 10-key calculator making it print funny numbers.
I put my fingerprints all over Mommy's laptop monitor.
I made sure all her computer equipment was plugged in correctly.
A Q
I typed the A and Q above. Impressive, huh?
I pulled the money out of Mommy's wallet and counted it. I didn't eat it, though. Mommy says it has lots of germs.
I inspected the trash in the office to make sure we weren't throwing away anything that might be recyclable (or edible).
I provided soft background music for the office.
What would Mommy do without me? She wouldn't get ANYTHING done!
Today I rifled through Mommy's wallet and then chewed on it.
I took her phone list, ate part of it to hide the evidence, and dragged the remainder across the floor to make it look like the dog did it.
I worked on the safe combination trying to open it.
I chewed on the keys to the safe.
I grabbed at the pen Mommy was writing with to make sure she wrote everything correctly.
I entertained her visitors.
I worked on the 10-key calculator making it print funny numbers.
I put my fingerprints all over Mommy's laptop monitor.
I made sure all her computer equipment was plugged in correctly.
A Q
I typed the A and Q above. Impressive, huh?
I pulled the money out of Mommy's wallet and counted it. I didn't eat it, though. Mommy says it has lots of germs.
I inspected the trash in the office to make sure we weren't throwing away anything that might be recyclable (or edible).
I provided soft background music for the office.
What would Mommy do without me? She wouldn't get ANYTHING done!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Another Week in Review
Well, since I haven't written in a while, I got lots to say, so just be patient . . .
For those keeping track of my dental milestones, tooth seven (bottom left) has made its appearance.
I can make click cluck sounds now like a chicken.
I broke my first snow globe. It was a pretty one with glitter and red and green lights.
I discovered toilet paper – not unraveling it, just biting it. So if you see wet spots or holes in the paper, don't panic – it's just my calling card.
I've decided that sleep is not important. You can accomplish so much more in life if you don't sleep. Mommy spends hours trying to get me to sleep for some foolish reason.
It is okay to take a snooze in the high chair between bites (see my photos). However, if your mommy picks you up and takes you to your crib while snoozing, you'd better wake up fast so you can stand up and bang around the crib and scream as soon as she puts you down. Otherwise you will miss out on life.
I am learning to eat spaghetti. Curry is pretty good, too – don't know why Mommy was holding out on that. You just need to make sure you have a cup of juice or water nearby when you eat it. I am still eating mangos every day.
I give Mommy panic attacks. I like to stand. I pull myself to standing and then let go of what I pulled up on so I can play with things. Mommy knows I am going to fall – so she tries to predict which direction and then make sure I don't split my head open. So far I land mostly on my butt.
I like to drum on my Christmas popcorn tin. I discovered it slides on the wood floor, so I started pushing it and walking behind it. I was quite impressed with myself. Then the tin hit carpet and I landed on my butt. Quite upsetting, I must say. I haven't tried it again since then.
Mommy and I went to the Mommy's group again this week. One little girl kept taking away any toy I tried to play with, and then I got knocked over, which wasn't fun. But Christian was there, and he was very nice and gave me toys to play with.
Mommy has someone new working for her. Mr. Ernesto works in the office all day, and he likes to play with me sometimes, especially if Mommy is busy talking to somebody else.
Last Sunday Mommy baked cashew sandies while I kept her company. Then I helped her hand them out to people.
Also last Sunday, we went to my cousins' house for a Christmas party. They have a really cool Christmas tree with lots of things I'd like to play with. I got to eat refried beans and Spanish rice and homemade tortillas and bits of frozen mango, as well as Christmas crackers and their contents (stickers and jokes, and the crowns were the most yummy). I also got a cat and frog that you can twist into different shapes – they are fun to chew on.
Grandma sent me a polar bear and a drawing of me playing futebol. It looks just like me – even down to the orange toes. And Janelle sent me a yummy yellow lemon – very cool since all the lemons in our yard are green. And Auntie Ann sent some sheep and donkeys.
I rode a scooter for the first time this week. Daddy pushed me around, but I tried to help by putting my right foot on the floor to push off.
Power cords are still cool, but now that I can get up to standing, there are lots of more interesting things at eye level, so I find other ways to get into trouble these days.
Now for some Mozambican news headlines: A two-headed baby was born here in Maputo in November. His second head was nonfunctional and came out of his abdomen. And crocodiles have killed 17 people in central Mozambique in the last two weeks.
Hope your countdown to Christmas is going well! Atat Atat, everyone!
For those keeping track of my dental milestones, tooth seven (bottom left) has made its appearance.
I can make click cluck sounds now like a chicken.
I broke my first snow globe. It was a pretty one with glitter and red and green lights.
I discovered toilet paper – not unraveling it, just biting it. So if you see wet spots or holes in the paper, don't panic – it's just my calling card.
I've decided that sleep is not important. You can accomplish so much more in life if you don't sleep. Mommy spends hours trying to get me to sleep for some foolish reason.
It is okay to take a snooze in the high chair between bites (see my photos). However, if your mommy picks you up and takes you to your crib while snoozing, you'd better wake up fast so you can stand up and bang around the crib and scream as soon as she puts you down. Otherwise you will miss out on life.
I am learning to eat spaghetti. Curry is pretty good, too – don't know why Mommy was holding out on that. You just need to make sure you have a cup of juice or water nearby when you eat it. I am still eating mangos every day.
I give Mommy panic attacks. I like to stand. I pull myself to standing and then let go of what I pulled up on so I can play with things. Mommy knows I am going to fall – so she tries to predict which direction and then make sure I don't split my head open. So far I land mostly on my butt.
I like to drum on my Christmas popcorn tin. I discovered it slides on the wood floor, so I started pushing it and walking behind it. I was quite impressed with myself. Then the tin hit carpet and I landed on my butt. Quite upsetting, I must say. I haven't tried it again since then.
Mommy and I went to the Mommy's group again this week. One little girl kept taking away any toy I tried to play with, and then I got knocked over, which wasn't fun. But Christian was there, and he was very nice and gave me toys to play with.
Mommy has someone new working for her. Mr. Ernesto works in the office all day, and he likes to play with me sometimes, especially if Mommy is busy talking to somebody else.
Last Sunday Mommy baked cashew sandies while I kept her company. Then I helped her hand them out to people.
Also last Sunday, we went to my cousins' house for a Christmas party. They have a really cool Christmas tree with lots of things I'd like to play with. I got to eat refried beans and Spanish rice and homemade tortillas and bits of frozen mango, as well as Christmas crackers and their contents (stickers and jokes, and the crowns were the most yummy). I also got a cat and frog that you can twist into different shapes – they are fun to chew on.
Grandma sent me a polar bear and a drawing of me playing futebol. It looks just like me – even down to the orange toes. And Janelle sent me a yummy yellow lemon – very cool since all the lemons in our yard are green. And Auntie Ann sent some sheep and donkeys.
I rode a scooter for the first time this week. Daddy pushed me around, but I tried to help by putting my right foot on the floor to push off.
Power cords are still cool, but now that I can get up to standing, there are lots of more interesting things at eye level, so I find other ways to get into trouble these days.
Now for some Mozambican news headlines: A two-headed baby was born here in Maputo in November. His second head was nonfunctional and came out of his abdomen. And crocodiles have killed 17 people in central Mozambique in the last two weeks.
Hope your countdown to Christmas is going well! Atat Atat, everyone!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
More Teeth!
I cut my sixth tooth today! So now I will have my two front teeth for Christmas - yeah!
On another note, can anyone recommend a diaper with LOTS of padding? I am discovering lots of things to pull up on when I practice standing, like my popcorn tin, a foot stool, the bathtub, cardboard boxes, my African drum, and people's legs. Unfortunately, not everything stays still when I pull up on it, and I have been falling on my butt a lot.
A diaper that works on the head would be good too, since I've banged that a couple of times now.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Christmas Survey
Got this survey from my Auntie Barbara and figured I'd participate:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Edible paper – no lead in it, please!..:
2. Tree--Real or Artificial?
What tree? (If you know Daddy, you know what I mean.) I like my cousins' artificial tree, though
3. When do you put your Christmas tree up?
Never ever.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Never ever ever.
5. Like egg nog?
Can I try some, Mommy? In a real cup? Please?
6. Do you have a nativity scene?
A crocheted set from Cambodia and a wood set in an egg from Russia.
7. Favorite gift received as a child?
Mommy & Daddy got a big popcorn tin several years ago. The popcorn's gone, but the tin makes a nice drum. I liked the stocking I got last year before I was born, too. Of course, Baby Jesus is the greatest gift.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Daddy. He doesn't want anything. Plus I don't have any money.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Mommy. She takes everything I give her, even poopy diapers.
10. Worst Christmas gift?
Don't have one.
11. Mail or email a Christmas card?
We'll mail them in May when we're visiting in the US.
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
Do they have a Baby Songs Christmas edition?
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
When I'm old enough to earn some money.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not yet.
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas?
Mango smoothies. Oatmeal in a mug with soy milk. Raisin bread.
16. White or colored tree lights?
Lots and lots and lots of lights – any kind!
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
"Jingle Bell Rock" and "Let It Snow" when Daddy's not around. "Little Drummer Boy Girl," "Mary's Boy Child," "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," "Christmas Shoes" by Newsong, and "Silent Night" in lots of languages.
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home?
Going to visit Ouma and my cousin Emily!
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
Olive, 'the other reindeer' – still learnin' the rest.
20. Angel or Star on Treetop?
No tree . . . Sigh . . .
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
When you get them – why wait for Christmas?
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
People who talk like Santa Claus is real. How old do they think I am?
23. What do you really want for Christmas this year?
My second front tooth so I can lose the vampire look. On second thought, it's kind of attractive on me, isn't it? At least it grows on one. Maybe I'll just take lots of sleep, lots of love, and all the giggles in the world.
24. Any favorite Traditions?
Chew on the crocheted nativity set pieces. Read The Drummer Boy and play on my African drum. Bang my head on the coffee table glass while trying to look at the decorations from underneath the table.
25. What's the most romantic present you have ever received for Christmas?
Mommy got me a bunch of picture frame ornaments so I can have one for each Christmas of my life (or at least the next 50 years).
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Edible paper – no lead in it, please!..:
2. Tree--Real or Artificial?
What tree? (If you know Daddy, you know what I mean.) I like my cousins' artificial tree, though
3. When do you put your Christmas tree up?
Never ever.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Never ever ever.
5. Like egg nog?
Can I try some, Mommy? In a real cup? Please?
6. Do you have a nativity scene?
A crocheted set from Cambodia and a wood set in an egg from Russia.
7. Favorite gift received as a child?
Mommy & Daddy got a big popcorn tin several years ago. The popcorn's gone, but the tin makes a nice drum. I liked the stocking I got last year before I was born, too. Of course, Baby Jesus is the greatest gift.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Daddy. He doesn't want anything. Plus I don't have any money.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Mommy. She takes everything I give her, even poopy diapers.
10. Worst Christmas gift?
Don't have one.
11. Mail or email a Christmas card?
We'll mail them in May when we're visiting in the US.
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
Do they have a Baby Songs Christmas edition?
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
When I'm old enough to earn some money.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not yet.
15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas?
Mango smoothies. Oatmeal in a mug with soy milk. Raisin bread.
16. White or colored tree lights?
Lots and lots and lots of lights – any kind!
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
"Jingle Bell Rock" and "Let It Snow" when Daddy's not around. "Little Drummer Boy Girl," "Mary's Boy Child," "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," "Christmas Shoes" by Newsong, and "Silent Night" in lots of languages.
18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home?
Going to visit Ouma and my cousin Emily!
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
Olive, 'the other reindeer' – still learnin' the rest.
20. Angel or Star on Treetop?
No tree . . . Sigh . . .
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
When you get them – why wait for Christmas?
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
People who talk like Santa Claus is real. How old do they think I am?
23. What do you really want for Christmas this year?
My second front tooth so I can lose the vampire look. On second thought, it's kind of attractive on me, isn't it? At least it grows on one. Maybe I'll just take lots of sleep, lots of love, and all the giggles in the world.
24. Any favorite Traditions?
Chew on the crocheted nativity set pieces. Read The Drummer Boy and play on my African drum. Bang my head on the coffee table glass while trying to look at the decorations from underneath the table.
25. What's the most romantic present you have ever received for Christmas?
Mommy got me a bunch of picture frame ornaments so I can have one for each Christmas of my life (or at least the next 50 years).
Monday, December 3, 2007
Developmental Milestones
I am eight months today! I weigh 21 pounds and am 28 inches. I also get to go through the developmental milestone checklist with Mommy. Well, here's how I'm doin' . . .
- Teeth. Got five of 'em. One in the front – maybe I WILL get my two front teeth for Christmas after all.
- Crawl. Yep – done that. Name the time and place, and I'll be there (especially if there are power cords involved).
- Pull to standing. Yep – I especially like doing this in my crib. One day I'm gonna take a dive.
- Stand alone. I can do this momentarily.
- Say Mama and Dada indiscriminately. I can say LOTS of things indiscriminately. Still gotta learn that discrimination thing.
- Clap hands. I even do this at the appropriate moments.
- Kiss a boy. Done that – no problems there.
- Wave in a royal manner. Still working on that.
- Blow kisses. Still working on that.
- Do chores and earn my keep. I can dump the laundry basket over when Mommy is putting away clean clothes. I can reformat hard drives, too. Does that count?
- Play the Moonlight Sonata. Right now I'm more interested in the percussion effects on our keyboard. I am learning about 4/4 time on my African drum.
- Read the encyclopedia. I jibber jabber sometimes as I'm reading my books. Daddy is convinced I can read, cuz I keep saying "atata" in the car when we pass Tata trucks. I read backwards cuz I'm in a rear-facing seat and see things through my mirror. Daddy says we got to change me to a front-facing seat or I will read EVERYTHING backwards.
- Swim the English Channel. Still working on this one. I am kicking and flapping my arms in the pool now - practicing with Daddy and Auntie Susan.
- Get my black belt. I gotta master balancing and walking first so I can do the kicks by myself.
- Make the Olympic Soccer Team. Working hard on this one.
- Use the toilet for its intended use. Ha ha – very funny, Mommy.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
First Kiss!
I kissed a boy for the first time today! There – got that milestone out of the way before I turned 8 months old – thank goodness! I was gettin' close to being an old maid.
I'm getting' ahead of myself . . . I woke up yesterday morning looking pretty lethargic and still with a 99 degree (underarm) fever, but it was down from 101.1 the night before, so we decided I could wait it out just as easily in a tent as in my own bed. So off we went to the beach! (And my fever did go away.)
We went to the same place as my first camping trip (Bilene) and even got the same camping spot. It was warmer this time, and the blue water was lovely. I played in it with Daddy and got to ride on my boogie board. I'll have to post a video so all you northern hemispherites can drool.
Campin' with us was Mr. Riaan and his girlfriend, brother, nephew, and another friend Neil. They were here on a volunteering stint and getting some vacation time in. Then my cousins and Auntie Susan & Uncle David joined us later for the day.
Anyway, Mr. Riaan's nephew, Rudolph, is a very nice 10-year-old boy. He helped me walk in the sand, bounce on the inflatable lounge chair, and make fish faces. I pulled him around by the nose a lot, and he didn't even mind.
So when we were at my cousins' house for pizza & ice cream after getting back today, I decided he deserved a couple of kisses. I grabbed him by the face and gave him some big slobbery (with teeth) kisses. He is a very nice boy.
P.S. Rudolph says I shouldn't kiss other men so easily, but I think he doesn't just want to be my first, but also my only guy kissed before I get to be 8 months. Well he is in luck, because tomorrow is my birthday and I will never be 8 months again.
I'm getting' ahead of myself . . . I woke up yesterday morning looking pretty lethargic and still with a 99 degree (underarm) fever, but it was down from 101.1 the night before, so we decided I could wait it out just as easily in a tent as in my own bed. So off we went to the beach! (And my fever did go away.)
We went to the same place as my first camping trip (Bilene) and even got the same camping spot. It was warmer this time, and the blue water was lovely. I played in it with Daddy and got to ride on my boogie board. I'll have to post a video so all you northern hemispherites can drool.
Campin' with us was Mr. Riaan and his girlfriend, brother, nephew, and another friend Neil. They were here on a volunteering stint and getting some vacation time in. Then my cousins and Auntie Susan & Uncle David joined us later for the day.
Anyway, Mr. Riaan's nephew, Rudolph, is a very nice 10-year-old boy. He helped me walk in the sand, bounce on the inflatable lounge chair, and make fish faces. I pulled him around by the nose a lot, and he didn't even mind.
So when we were at my cousins' house for pizza & ice cream after getting back today, I decided he deserved a couple of kisses. I grabbed him by the face and gave him some big slobbery (with teeth) kisses. He is a very nice boy.
P.S. Rudolph says I shouldn't kiss other men so easily, but I think he doesn't just want to be my first, but also my only guy kissed before I get to be 8 months. Well he is in luck, because tomorrow is my birthday and I will never be 8 months again.
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