Thursday, May 26, 2011
A book for every occassion
I found this really beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of the birds and bees in the sweetest least obvious way. Gioia was able to relate with the main character Holly as her mommy is also having a baby. Bean calls her Gioia-Holly, so I think she gets the bigger picture.
Its so cold Gioia has to wear her Umbrella
Gioia spotted a little umbrella in Toys R Us, and she has spent the day opening it and closing it in every conceivable place. It's 8hrs old and the little plastic dome is already buckled and bruised and limp on the right hand side. Who needs entertainment if you have a toodling toddler!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
End of the Holiday
Johan flew back to work last night. We got a whole week extra with him due to a faulty plane and a subsequent visa issue. It was a very productive week and we managed to tie up many loose ends. Johan and I also packed up most of our flat, two weeks early but hey, its less for me to do which is great as Isla is taking over my midrif and thus bending is an issue, and breathing, and sitting and rolling and standing. Saying bye to Johan last Tuesday then picking him up Wednesday morning did leave Gioia a bit confused and now whenever she spots a plane in the sky she is amazed that it works as that was the reason daddy came home...a broken plane. Saturday was our annual party Saturday. Mackenzie and Rebecca both had gorgeous parties and Gioia is still working through the sugar overload.
School has also been eventful. Gioia is in a class with a group of biters, and they are eating chunks out of her weekly. This morning I empowered her by teaching her to yell ''my mommy says NO BITING!'' I hope this does the trick. She did ask if she may hit them, I suggested she tattle tail instead. Live and learn.
Gioia has been saying some very funny things lately. She refers to Johan and I as ''everybody'' and ''my parents'' and she dislikes raisins and picks them out of her bowl while declaring "I don't eat pips''. The terrible two's also only happen at two and a half. I was under the impression that we might have sailed through that supposed difficult age and then she dropped her bad attitude on us like a nuclear bomb. Johan and I got so worked up about when to give time outs and when to give hidings, so we eventually had our first family meeting. We put our little girl on the bed and we both sat in front of her and explained our issues and concerns. She seemed to understand and nodded in agreement. If anything Johan and I became more unified in our tactics to keep Bean on the straight and narrow.
Gioia has been saying some very funny things lately. She refers to Johan and I as ''everybody'' and ''my parents'' and she dislikes raisins and picks them out of her bowl while declaring "I don't eat pips''. The terrible two's also only happen at two and a half. I was under the impression that we might have sailed through that supposed difficult age and then she dropped her bad attitude on us like a nuclear bomb. Johan and I got so worked up about when to give time outs and when to give hidings, so we eventually had our first family meeting. We put our little girl on the bed and we both sat in front of her and explained our issues and concerns. She seemed to understand and nodded in agreement. If anything Johan and I became more unified in our tactics to keep Bean on the straight and narrow.
Saturday morning at the food market
FINALLY...I got Johan to the Hazeldean food market and he loved it. We shared a swiss rosti and Americana coffee and then watched a Fairy paint Gioia's face and fold her a pink dog shaped balloon. Once our tummies were full of exotic flavoured food we hit the highway to Midrand to say howdy to the white lions, jaguars, tigers and cheetahs at Lory Park Zoo. Now we are all back at the flat, in the big bed, each holding a gadget and enjoying technology.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday...a great day!
Johan and Gioia are doing DIY fix it jobies around the flat right now. They are both standing in the shower scratching their heads as they figure out how to fit the tap. Johan is so irritated because the task at hand started off simple...Gioia has not pants on, she has a new pair of 'gym shoes'' on. This lifts the mood in the flat, no pants and her funny comments to boot. Johan has to practise self control as she picks up on the colourful words we drop accidently...and then she repeats them around her friends at her playgroup!
Last night my husband was a hero. I had a determined craving for a creme brulee (so cliche!) at about 8pm and he googled the solution and came back with two beautiful little pots filled with heavens delight...I ate both...in one sitting...unashamedly.
Last night my husband was a hero. I had a determined craving for a creme brulee (so cliche!) at about 8pm and he googled the solution and came back with two beautiful little pots filled with heavens delight...I ate both...in one sitting...unashamedly.
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| My Creme Brulee....the first one! |
Dr Laker gave us the C-section date. So now we know Isla will be here on the 13th of September 2011, a date that will now be a lucky number to me. We were taken on a tour of the ward and the delivery room and Johan was impressed with the Hospital and the new (way more expensive) medical aid that allows me to lounge and re-coop for three whole days.
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| Johan did this weeks school run...solo! I salute you! |
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| Wall of fame expands |
Johan to meet Isla in the morning...so to speak
Tomorrow morning at 9am Johan and I are off to the Gynie for my 21 week check up. He will get to see his second little girl for the very first time, and this excites me so. She is kicking up a storm since the weekend and he did manage to feel her respond to his voice Saturday morning which pleased him greatly. Finding her heart beat with the doppler is a sinch now too. The pregnancy is so easy that sometimes I forget Im carrying her and then I walk passed a mirror or spot my shadow or reflection and I do a double take. I cant wait for a new baby and all the awesome amazings things that come with having one in the house. The smell of the baby stay soft, the morning naps side by side, the Beach Boys serenading us while we bath her...life is so good...pregnancy makes me so content.
Friday, May 6, 2011
A glorious morning on the Beach
Johan and Bean are fast asleep after a morning filled with achievements. Gioia surfed her very first wave solo on her boogie board. The little wave took her ever so gently back to the shoreline then flipped her unceremoniously onto the beach. We all walked back to our flat with our sandy sun tanned heads held high. With a keen beach boy like Johan around our little stringbean has no choice but to surrender to the sea, one boogie role at a time. I photographed the process as usual and while standing in the sand I noticed my very different silhouette. I have a feeling Isla is going to weigh-in more than Gioia. Next week wednesday will be my 20 week check up and Johan will see his new girlie for the first time in real time. 
Helping hand
Gioia has started to show a keen interest in helping us out with menial chores. I let her do it her way and I dont interfere with the process, and after all the work is done we praise her to high heavens and then buy her ice cream.
UShaka Outing
Awesome incredible day. Gioia is the perfect age to enjoy the aquarium and dolphin show. Johan and I loved every minute with her as her face changed from awe to glee to surprise.
Dora Slippers
...apparently its okay to wear your slippers to town if they have Dora's face on them...hmmm....
I love you Kitty Cat
ah...here is Gioia having a fifteen minute conversation with a cat outside the Piggly Wiggly...we have the conversation on film and it went along the lines of " Hi Kitty Cat, I'm Gioia, and I love you"
Howick Falls
Posted in Howick Falls
When William and Kate exchanged their vows we were standing above the falls in KZN, about to start our Midlands Meander day trip. Here I am trying my best to convince Gioia to smile for Daddy and the camera. It didn't work...it hardly ever works anymore.
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| Please just smile for your Daddy |
The many road trip naps
We plan our travels around Gioia's nap time...for the sake of all the occupants in the car! So far the travelling has been a breeze and so has Bean. Isla, on the other hand, likes to move herself as high up as possible in my abdomen, forcing me to sit as straight as an arrow in order to breath, and supply us both with oxygen.
Meet Blondie, Pinky and Smurfie
Gioia aquired three new very colourful dolls from Ouma Lena...we named them accordingly for the sake of my 'pregnancy-brain'!
