Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Linky is 1!

So I have ALOT of catching up to do on Helena's BLOG.  Since I last updated we celebrated her first birthday, Ouma came and visited, Linky went trick or treating for the first time and lots more.

For her birthday we had a little Braai and owl cupcakes for some friends here in Newport.  Ouma hand made all the cupcakes!

Linky checking out her cake.  We tried taking a video of her tearing into her owl cake but she isn't your normal kid.  Instead of destroying it and smearing it from one end of the room to the other she daintily picked at it.  Finally BA had to et it for her or else we could have been there ALL night.

A close up of her owl cake. Ouma spent over 8 hours decorating this cake and 20 matching cupcakes for her party.

Someone didn't want to take a birthday picture.

Her decorations ... which we saved so we can use them next year and every birthday until she turns 18!

So its no secret that I am a sucker for couple/family costumes.  So after finding Linky and Ouma black cat costumes, I just HAD to be a witch.  Unfortunately, BA is a spoil sport and refused go along with the theme ... so instead he was Domo (a Japanese Anime character).
One of us isn't like the others ....

Two black cats ... meow!
 

We also had some professional pictures taken for her first birthday.  Some of the pictures turned out too cute and well others . . . are just funny.

Le bebe and her daddy.

Us girls.

Family picture.  Linky thinks it hilarious when we both kiss her at the same time.

One of my most favorite pictures of Linky.  She is really just gorgeous here :)

Awkward photo 1: This will definitely make her Sweet 16 slide show of the most embarrassing photos through the years.

Awkward photo 2: Now, I am not a photographer by any means but this is the worst angle possible.  BA looks like a giant and in turn it makes me look as wide as I am tall.

Awkward photo 3: Dear Lord, remind me NEVER to take photos from straight behind.

Awkward photo 4: If BA wasn't wearing his match purple sweater, it would look as if he photo bombed us!

It has been so incredible to watch her grow and learn over these past 13 months.  I find myself is awe almost everyday at what an amazing little person she is: so bright and full of personality.  BA and I are constantly telling each other how truly lucky we are to have her.  Although she is a naughty thing most of the time, I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure she really is ours!

At 13 months she:
1.  Has six teeth: four on top and two on the bottom
2.  Has gone from walking to running and now climbs up anything and everything.
3.  Loves books.  She now brings them to use to read to her several times a day.
4.  Signs six words: milk (when she wants to nurse), eat, more, please, finished and book.
5.  Is beginning to mimic sounds.  She says mama, dada, please (pa) and sings the Bubble Guppies theme song (ba ba ba).
6.  Can follow simple directions such as "give to daddy/mama," "go get babatjie," "say ta-ta (goodbye)."  However, she hasn't quite learned the meaning of NO. Ha!
7.  Loves looking at pictures of herself.  She always gives me my phone so I can bring up pictures of her.
8. Loves music.  Anytime music plays she sways to it.

Playing ball in the house! Such a naughty thing.

Cheetos monster!  I try and make myself feel better by buying the organic toddler ones ... but really they are just cheetos.

Its so hard taking pictures of this wiggly thing.

Taking saki (root beer) shots at a hibachi restaurant.

Potty time.  Were working on actually using it and learning the sign for potty.

Yelling at us because she didn't want to take a picture.

Ready for a Newport winter.

Linky Baby on her 13 month birthday!

Trying to climb under her motorcycle and getting stuck.



Friday, September 28, 2012

Linky's First Trip to South Africa

Since graduating from NPS, I was stashed for 58 days doing pretty much nothing in Newport.  BA and I decided that since we had the time (and a credit card ... wooo hooo living the American dream) we would travel to South Africa so his family could meet Linky in person.  We went for three weeks ... spending about a week in three different cities with his family.  We went to Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and then to Cape Town during our visit.

Linky did amazing on the trip there and back.  We had to take a 3 hour train ride to NYC, then an 8 hour flight to Amsterdam and then an 11 hour flight to South Africa.  Although there was a few minor melt downs I have to say she did better than I did!  She had so much fun and loved all the attention she got.  We definitely are lucky to have such an amazing family both here in the states and in Africa.

Linky is a seasoned traveler ... a move across country and a trip half way across the world all before her first birthday!

Waiting for the train to New York, doesn't Linky look thrilled?

Linky and her cousins, Ryan and Ethan.  It was quite a task to get them to stop watching their show long enough to take a picture.

Linky loves to be naughty ... like touching the oven after being told not to.
Motorcycle babe.

Her first (and hopefully last) kool-aide mustache.  Her Opa Claude gave her some Sparletta Raspberry.


Another treat Linky was introduced to ... cheese curls ... she loved them.  Luckily they don't make them  in the states (wink wink).

Giving mummy kisses.  Although the past 2 or 3 weeks she has been very stingy with her kisses.  
By far my favorite picture of BA and LA.

Poor Linky cut fifth tooth while we were in South Africa.  This day she didn't feel well, but not bad enough to not be silly for the camera.

Family photo op in Cape Town.

The Asian tourists in Cape Town loved Linky Baby.  In fact 2 women in the group asked if they could hold her and take a picture!  

At a vineyard in Stellenbosh.  And no I wasn't coming from or heading to the gym.  Thats how I dress ... like a homeless lady :(

On our way up to the top of Table Mountain!

No we didn't hike!  We took the cable car.

Me and my homie Madiba (or to Americans Nelson Mandela).

Water baby!

Linky and 1 of Auntie Joanne's cat.  All three cats look the exact same, and I couldn't tell them apart.

At the Hartebeespoort Damn.  We like any opportunity to look small and tiny :)

Sassy thing waiting to fly back to the states.  Her Ouma made her the dress and matching shoes!

Checking out the baby care center in the Amsterdam Airport.

Getting ready to navigate the NYC subway system with our luggage.  We travel light, huh?

Enjoying the view from our dinner booth.

On her 11 month birthday!  

Joining mummy for lunch.  We are currently in VA for a 2 week school.  
x

Monday, September 17, 2012

We survived AFRICA!

We are back from a (short notice) 3 week vacation to South Africa.  As soon as BA gives me the pictures we took, I'll write all about our awesome trip :)

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Pictures for her fans :)

Linky in her new helmet.  We took her for a bike ride last week and she wasn't too impressed.  Hopefully it grows on her!

We try to put her in her crib every evening for a little while so hopefully she will start to like it and want to sleep in there!  (yeah right)

Driving her daddy's van.  One day she'll insist that he pick her up around the block so her friends don't see it.

4 teeth :)

Linky has gotten a ton of handmade outfits from her Ouma and Aunty Grams.  This one is from Ouma.   She's such a lucky girl!

Our new sleeping arrangement.

Someone didn't want to take a nap ... she fought with her daddy until she fell asleep sitting up.

She is such a sweet thing ... when she wakes up from a good nap that is.

Eating Thai food ... tofu and rice ... yummy :)

Watermelon baby!