Our SA Trip...

Happy New Year all!  It's been so long since I last blogged!  Thought I must blog about our SA trip before I forget about all we did....feels like the trip was ages ago!

 

New Years Eve





A week of solid sleep from Addison!  I think it’s safe to say we’re pretty much back on track.  We’re back from our trip to South Africa almost 2 weeks now, and just as it took a week to settle into SA time, it took us another week to settle back here in NC.  Rod was questioning if it would ever come right (bear in mind he was not there to adjust the girls to SA time), I told him to give it a week, “I promise it’ll be over”….Shew, thankgoodness I was right!  The wakes at 1am, 3am and 6am by Addi, were not very entertaining….it wasn’t as though she woke happy and talking in her crib, rather screaming and crying, so I HAD to go pick her up so not to wake Emma.  And as soon as I picked her up, she was all smiles and saying, “Mumm Mumm” wanting breakfast. Unfortunately Emma would wake up and so the entire household would be awake from 3 or 4 am.  And everyone was hungry!  Now that Addi is sleeping past 6am, Emma gets to sleep in a bit later and not be disrupted out of her sleep.  Nice that Rod and I get a bit of a lie in too (we’re beginning to feel human again).

As good as it is to be back home and back into routine, we had such a grand time in SA!  Always never enough time to see everyone and do everything we wanted to do (we always come back saying, oh we forgot to do this and didn’t get to eat that!)  But we really did do a lot and saw as many friends and family as we could!  It was so good seeing everyone.  Seeing the girls play with their cousins and other kids, very special!  And just to see everyone love the girls so much!  Emma fit in so easily, as soon as we set foot off the plane, she was eager to meet the family, went to everyone when they greeted us, and when we got to my parent’s house, shoes off, t-shirts on and running outside in the garden BAREFOOT on the grass with her cousins, using the pool noodles as swords, pretending to hit each other and chasing each other!!!  I thought Emma would be so tired, but she wanted to keep playing.   (I can’t actually remember if she napped that afternoon, I know I did, I was bombed after 14 hours of flying with both kids and probably only getting 2/3 hours sleep!!   I did regret not getting to bed earlier the night before, but always hard when you’re about to travel and shoving in that last, “just in case” item).  My Aunt travelled with me, but unfortunately they split us up and so were sitting in different rows (the flight was full to seat us all together).  They gave me the bassinet seat, which was great, I didn’t have to worry about passengers in front of us, and we could stretch out our legs a bit, and having the bassinet relieved me a bit when Addi would sleep.  She was a bit big for it, and I was worried more about her falling out, but it helped.  The air hostess we had was a gem!  She really looked after us, almost like our own private air hostess, she’d keep my meal and when Aunty Ang was done eating, we’d swap seats and I’d be able to eat my hot meal hot and in peace, fueling up for the next shift!  If I needed milk for Emma she’d see to that too….great service!  This made up for the beginning of the trip when we just took off, Addi and Emma had fallen asleep, the airhostess bought the bassinet and set it all up and for some reason attempted to take Addi from me and put her in the bassinet!!!  What person does that???  Of course Addi woke up and was up for a while after that, I know the hostess had good intentions though.

Just after take off

Emma's meal



Caity all into playing with Emma's hair, Emma had to comply, but eventually just broke down.

Getting on the SAA aircraft and hearing the SA accent, seemed weird at first, but exciting that we were going home again! There were quite a few kids on the plane, so I didn’t feel too bad if the kids fussed a little.   I had to laugh though as soon as we took off and the seatbelt light went off, all the parents on the plane were searching for their meds to calm the kids down!  By the time the last 6 hours came, all the parents were getting antsy and just wanted to get to SA, me included!!  Overall the kids travelled really well (kept reminding myself that I made them make this trip, they didn't ask to join), and coming back felt like a breeze because Rod was there, we got a row of 4 seats to ourselves and I got to sleep a little more than 3 hours!!  Amazing how a few hours of sleep makes you feel even if it is in an uncomfortable aircraft seat!  And maybe just aswell we managed to sleep, as we didn’t know what we had in store after this 16 hour journey….lets just say we discovered the connecting flight to get to Raleigh was booked for the day before!!!  Silly oversight on our part, but in the end we remained calm (what could we do really) and it all worked out fine, we got home safe and sound!! 

This trip was extra special, not only because the family got to meet Addi for the first time, but we decided we’d venture a little further from Johannesburg.  Since we were going out all that way we thought we must make time to see Cape Town.  Both our parents joined us, along with Nix and her family, and my Por Por and Kung Kung (Grandparents)

Great to see such big smiles!

 Such a memorable trip, so glad we made it happen.  My Pops and Kungs have not traveled in a very long time, the last time they were meant to have travelled was just before my Kungs had his complications with his legs which was over 3 years ago…..hesitant at first to travel, they made it on the plane and to Cape Town.   They were such troopers going around with us and game to do whatever we were doing, going to the beach, visiting wine farms (even tasting), driving along the coast to Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak, Boulder Beach.  My grandparents were so happy to have made the trip and they say they’re still on cloud 9 and wishing they could wake up to the view of Table Mountain every morning (we had a great apartment with a stunning view of the mountain!)   My Kungs even mentioned he wants to relocate to Cape Town, however he says he’d really miss my mom. haha

 

It's all about Wine Tasting in the Cape, and we try as a family!

 

 

3 Generations!!!!!

Visiting Cape Town brought back memories of the time Rod was working in Cape Town for a project and I got to visit every alternate weekend (oh the courting days!).  We forgot just how beautiful the Cape is.  We were lucky to have had beautiful weather and a BIG Thanks to Shannon and Bryan for organizing such great accommodation and making good suggestions of places to see and eat – they were our own personal tour guides and did a great job.  Nice to see Shan settled and happy in the Cape too – exciting for her upcoming wedding, it seems we’ll be making another trip out in 2014, not complaining, altho hope the time adjusting will be easier for the girls and Addi will be a little less dependent!  Poor girl had 3 teeth coming thru during the trip, explained her clinginess and moans and groans!  I did comment to Rod that thankgoodness she’s cute looking, else she would have had nothing going for her with the way she carried on at times!

Johannesburg we got a few games of golf in with my mom and dad, so good to play again and so frequently, nice to have babysitters on standby whenever we needed them!  It didn’t take much to get used to!  Actually this was the most I didn’t have to worry about Emma, as she was so busy with her cousins!   Nix got a taste of life with 4 kids, her kids were 2 days into school when she babysat the one morning, so when it came to school pick up, there Nix was with my 2 girls and her two!  Other mothers questioned where the 2 girls had sprouted from.  Thanks Nix for taking up such a challenge!  She can definitely say she’s done with kids now ! haha    

 

We also made a trip out the the Lion Park – this was something we HAD to do for Emma – here she got to see some SA wildlife upclose!!  Emma’s favorite animal is the Giraffe, so when she saw it her expression was priceless!!!  Best feeling ever to see her so happy!  When we arrived at the park, she said, “We’re in South Africa!”, she got to touch a lion cub (which tried to bite her and scared the “beep” out of her), and she also got to feed giraffes and ostriches!! 

Emma's reaction when she saw the giraffe

Feeding the Giraffe

 

and ostriches

 

Before being frightened by the cub

 Nix just moved into her new home a day before we arrived…such a rush for them, but nice to see them settled and loving their home!  It really is beautiful!  Rod’s sister, Sharon and cousin, Tracey also moved into new homes, so we got to see those too.   

Other special occassions....We got to celebrate Caity’s birthday twice (Jo'burg party and a Cape Town party), a night out with my cousins to see the stage production of Dirty Dancing, the uncles took the kids fishing at an estate one day which was fun!  Christmas and New Years was spent with both our families!  Lots of special memories!  We could have done with more braai-ing (bbq-ing), biltong, wine and more chill time!  These family visits are never really holidays, but always good to be with family and friends and we just cherished every moment we had with everyone we saw!  Thanks to our families and friends for making our trip so memorable, cooking our favorite meals, organizing get togethers, looking after the kids...the list goes on!  We were really spoilt!  We cannot thank you enough and we cannot wait to see you all again!   We love and miss you all TONS!

 

 

Bait!

Emma's catch

 

All the Grandkids

 

Christmas 2012

 

Golden Kids

 

Family Photos

 

 

Best family photo ever!!!  Such Fun!

We have a Walker

So although not a full time walker, I think I can now say we have a walker, she is only going to get better.

Literally just overnight, Addison has gone from 4 steps to several steps!  I'm so proud of her and she's so proud of herself!  Yesterday she would stand in the middle of the room and have this huge smile, like, mom look at me!  Then take a step or two, fall and repeat, Rod gets home and she attempts walking from one toy to another taking up to 4 steps and then this morning, walking up and down like she's been doing it for so long!  the cutest was that she was pretending to stir something in her pot, then walk over to me to feed me, and she did this twice!

She still loses her balance and has a few falls, but she's definitely working on her balance and being able to stop, she reminds me of the drunk waiter from Dinner for One - I think you can youtube it.

Tonight after dinner we tried to get her to change direction while walking, she had her little speed wobble, stopped, tried to turn, and as she did that she fell on her bum.  Things you take for granted, that we're so easily able to do, requires so much co-ord and balance.

Even though we've seen Emma learn to walk, it's still so amazing to watch!  The smiles and giggles from the falls, tears too, the celebrations from the big sister cheering her on "look mom, she's walking, she's walking, go Addi!", so wonderful to watch and hear!!

I knew this day was coming soon and Rod was hoping he wouldn't miss this milestone, I was secretly hoping she would wait for when we got to South Africa!  But being Addison, she sure knows how to keep an over 20 hour journey exciting!

Here are some video of her steps last night and today.
(I should get an award for Best Mom!  Letting my kid thats just learning to walk, hold a spoon in her hand!!! Go ME!!)

First attempt at taking more than 2 steps..

Gaining more confidence...

And then even more...I have to laugh when she falls, otherwise the waterworks start...

Ladybug Girl

I thought I might share this....

This is the book that helped convince Emma to wear her costume....she did not want to wear it (even though she chose it) because the material was too scratchy!
I tried convincing that I'd leave her clothes on so she wouldn't feel the material...no luck.

Emma received these books for her bday and took her a while to allow me to read it to her (once she likes a certain story it's hard to get her to read different stories) after reading it and seeing how great Ladybug Girl was and what a great imagination she has, Emma was convinced that Ladybug Girl was cool and she wanted to be just like her.  Just so happened that we had winter boots similar to Ladybug Girls and when Emma saw these, she got really excited (thanks Uncle Tim and Aunty Carmen).  Thankfully just in time for the party and Halloween.....

I should have dressed Addi as the dog, Bingo - I probably would have if it weren't her bday (could have had Addi crawl the streets behind Emma)....but Pumpkin Pie seemed more appropriate.....

Happy Halloween

I see every Halloween being a very busy time but oh so fun!  After deciding what to make for Addison's birthday dinner we decided to just get take outs (I know such a lazy mom but it was the quickest and easiest for a busy evening), we still made sure to make the birthday mein (noodles).  Funny enough when we asked Emma what we should have for dinner for Addi's birthday, she said "Mein Mein".  Both Rod and I were surprised when she said that...how did she know we should have that...just coincidence??

So after a quick dinner, then singing happy birthday and blowing out 1 candle we quickly got into our costumes (kids only) and bundled up to go trick or treating.  Addi really enjoyed her chocolate cupcake, this girl can really eat....to think I was so worried she wouldn't eat. 

We joined our neighbors Chuck and Jennifer with their girls, Madelyn and Grace and walked our street.  This was Emma's first experience of going around trick or treating...Rod and I loved watching Emma enjoy herself so and get so excited....Going to the doors and knocking, took a little getting used to but by the end of the night she was running to the doors and trying to be the first to ring the doorbell, she asked us to hold her pail as it was getting too heavy.  She sure got tons of candy. 

She was taken aback by one house where Madelyn rang the bell and peered through the window...the lady, dressed as a witch opened up the door and asked, "What are you peeking through my window for??"...Madelyn very politely said, "Trick or Treat" and held out her bag.  Just aswell Emma was standing toward the back, else she'd probably would have come running to us.  She's constantly asking me now, what did the witch say and why??  Everything is why these days...
 
Addi all this while was sitting in her stroller, staying warm under her blanket.  Should be cute next year when she's walking around and trying to keep up with her sister, as she's always trying to do...

Can't believe we now have 2 more months left of this year, it has gone by way too quickly.  Funny how we so look forward to things and they're over in a flash....
Today in the car Emma pipes up....Daddy's birthday is next.....yip, Daddy is the last to celebrate in this family....now what to get Daddy for his birthday and what cake to bake next???  Will be here tomorrow....how old are you this year daddy?? :)

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.