WOOOOW!!

Just a quick report:

We are soooo proud of Erik who used his potty for the first time today!!

When getting his nappy changed he told Mama that he needed to make a wee and wanted the potty. So Mama went to fetch the potty, sat Erik on it and he made his wee wee IN THE POTTY!

That was VERY exciting for both of them and Erik insisted on remaining seated until he managed to squeeze out a few more drops.

He got a sun sticker on his potty chart and told Daddy all about it when he came home.

We are all VERY proud!

Nesting!

Glenn’s phone captured Meli last night packing Lillian’s clothes into her chest of drawers.

The T-Shirt will probably be speaking the truth very soon, but Meli can say that Lilly – not even born yet – is very much her Daddy’s little darling already!

(Meli can’t think of much else besides how she can’t wait to be rid of this heavy TUMMY!)

Return To The Aquarium

This week was fairly uneventful. Glenn was very busy at work and Meli very uncomfortable pregnant. The scan on Tuesday showed a very happy 3.1kg Lilly and Erik was happy to visit Granny and Oupa on two evenings while his parents enjoyed some couple time out.

Probably the highlight of the week for Erik was a second visit to the aquarium – this time with his little friend Milla!

He really enjoyed showing her around. Here they are in front of the catfish eels.

For another 10 days Meli is allowed to say that Milla must be the cutest little girl ever! She was such a little lady running around with her dark curls, her pink dress, tights and shoes, her necklace and HANDBAG! Meli was very tempted to just eat her up!

Erik spots drawing opportunities everywhere! (those are penguins in the background)

Once again he particularly enjoyed the penguins – this time one came very close and Mama started wondering if they might bite little fingers?

We will have to come back again soon to further explore the frog section, the touch-pool, the kelp forest and and and …

The “Wheels on the Bus’

As cute as Erik is listening to his Nursery Rhymes, he is also notoriously hard to capture on film.  As soon as he spots the camera, he immediately stops doing whatever cute thing caused Mom or Dad to run for the camera in the first place and demands to see!

Well - Glenn now has a secret weapon.  His new Android phone captured some nice video…(see Meli, it is a WONDERFUL phone!)

So, without further ado, I bring to you Erik and “The Wheels of the Bus” from earlier this evening…

Fishies!!

While Glenn und “Uncle Clinton” were busy laying the floor in Lilly’s room, …

…  Meli and Erik decided to visit the aquarium.

http://www.aquarium.co.za/

Erik had been there twice before, but this time he was finally old enough to thoroughly enjoy it!

He RAN from one tank to the next and admired the marine life.

Not even the huge deep water crabs scared him. (found this pic online – mine didn’t turn out as I was worried about using flash)

 The swarm of tiny catfish eels swimming directly towards him did though!

It being a Saturday he was in the good company of tons of other kids anjoying themselves.

Unexpectedly he even got to play in a sandpit set up in the kids’ playarea.

The playarea is really nice. It has got a huge – partly underwater – window to the penguin pool, lots of stuff for kids to do (including beading and drawing and a jungle gym) as well as a little snack bar for the kids and parents.

The penguins definitely were a highlight …

… and several times Erik had to laugh out loud at the funny birds, the water, the rocks …

… and for pure joy.

Most fascinating though was probably the “man!” in the fishtank feeding the fish.

Not even in the aquarium could a Saturday pass by without seeing Auntie Ant …

… and so we enjoyed lunch at the Marina (Erik mostly watching the boats and playing in puddles).

When we came home Glenn and Clinton had been watching rugby instead of laying the floor!

But they did finish it in the afternoon and the room is starting to really look like a nursery!

We’ll post pictures soon!

Have a lovely Sunday, Everyone!

PS.: Milla, why don’t we go to the aquarium together??? Erik

Welcome Jasper!

Last night 10pm our time little Jasper David Krygowski was born. All went well and we are so happy for Brenda and Jim!

And here’s the new earthling:

Welcome, Jasper!

Sittin’ On The Dock Of A Bay

Dock’s restaurant used to be one of Meli’s favorite locations when she first came to Cape Town. She used to love going there for coffee or breakfast and read a magazine or book all by herself.

Today she loves it no less – in the best of companies one can have! Family and friends

Sunday morning we met Ant at Dock’s for brunch.

We all enjoyed the beautiful weather and the great location, but Erik particularly enjoyed watching the boats …

More!?

… and the sea lions on their sun spot.

Oh yes – and fun with Daddy of course!

News From Mia

Today Michelle sent us pictures of Mia’s first days in her new home. She seems sooooo happy – and so are we for her!!!

Here she is on Rex’ favorite spot on the sofa …

… and Rex sleeping on the carpet

Here the two of them in their “house beds”.

And here is Mia enjoying a Kudu shoulder! Mjam!

That is a Mia-HAPPY-look!!!

Bye Bye Mia!

We will miss you lots!!!!!!!!

Today was the day – fortunately and nice and sunny one …

… when after a last walk at the dam with Meli …

… Mia was picked up by her new owner Duncan and went to live with him, his wife Michelle and their dog Rex.

We think that Mia will soon pick up Rex’ habits (above) and will be very happy on their beautiful Karoo farm!

Duncan called earlier to say that they’d arrived safely in Plett, that during the long trip Mia travelled happily on the front seat and that after a nice walk with her new canine friend she finished two bowls of food.

We think this all sounds fabulous, but Meli must say that although she is very happy for Mia the house is very empty and quiet without her.

So in order to think of something more cheerful, Meli and Erik …

… went to meet Katharina, Florian and Ayana at Deerpark Cafe in town.

Climbing …

… is not only Erik’s favorite game!

Ayana also proved to be a real pro at jumping! Here you can see her preparing for one of her daring leaps!

Ayana agrees with Erik that the only thing better than climbing are rumble tumble games with Daddy!

Unfortunately Erik’s Daddy was stuck at home painting Lilly’s room – which is now a beautiful pink!

Mia

Although this blog might make it seem like we don’t have a care in the world, we of course have our worries and sorrows just like everybody else.

It’s just easier to report the pleasant things this way.

Anyway, today we’ve got not so nice news – but they are really not so bad either. We’re trying to look at the bright side.

As many of you know we’ve been having some problems with Mia and Joey as both of them already had quite a few behavioral issues when we adopted them from the rescue organisation.

These only turned into real problems though from the time when Meli was pregnant with Erik. Especially Mia became overprotective and even bit people (including a kid) on our walks. When she almost bit another child a few weeks ago we had to make the decision to find another home for her.

With a child – and soon two – we simply cannot help her overcome her “issues”.

It really is very sad as Mia is a fantastic dog – she is so loving, intelligent and fun and really great with Erik – although he often gives her a very hard time!

Well, as difficult as it was placing an ad and trying to find someone who could be right for her (and she for them) we are now very happy to have found a home for her that seems perfect.

The very nice couple lives in Plettenberg Bay (6 hours drive from CT). They already have a German Shepherd who was also rescued with serious behavioral problems 10 years ago, so they know about dogs with issues.

Although they stay in Plett, they also have a farm which we are sure Mia will LOVE to explore. And according to Mia’s new master she will be spoilt “rotten” – with her own “Boudoir le pettit femme”, food topped with lamb and gravy as well as two walks a day.

Oh – and no annoying little kids chasing her around the house!

This sounds to us like Mia will be moving to doggie heaven and that sure makes us feel much better about parting from her!!

From our side we will be keeping Joey – his problems are more annoying than worrying If it stays that way we will be his retirement home.

We think it will be good having only one dog when Lilly arrives. On the long run we are looking to get another one though as we would like a proper canine playmate for the kids as well as a guard dog; a trainable dog that we can take places and let off the lead.

This means that we will be getting a pure bred puppy at some stage in the next couple of month – depending on how things go with Lilly of course.

This is the state of events in a nutshell; but first things first.

Saturday Mia will be picked up by her new owner.

After that we will be busy getting everything ready for our little girl!!

On the 11th Lilly will be in our arms (if she doesn’t decide to come earlier … our OB will be out of town the days before and that reminded us a lot of when Erik was born …);

and then we will have to post lots and lots of Lilly pictures (and Erik ones too of course).

And THEN we will see about another dog.

Lots of love from the Rabies