Ek gaan see toe!!

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air…"

Erik did all this on his first visit to the sea - 15 to 22 January 2010 at Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa with me, Fred, Ouma Daleen and Oupa Willie.

And he LOVED it!!!

Daddy were on the ball with the whole blogging as you go; so I will add on to his blog about this memorable time rather than to start from the beginning. His blog for those who don't know yet: www.fredsenekal.net

One of Erik's first footsteps on a beach.

This was taken after unloading all our stuff when we went for a stroll on the beach about 15:30 on Friday 15 January 2010.
I love the smile and excitement on my little boy's face when he ran with his little feet on the beach sand for the first time towards the water. No fear, just wanting to explore everything new. The sand, the water, and everything small he saw.

Shells

And even an orange.

And soon after arriving he could say "see" when asked where he was.

Saturday 16 January

Two new words Erik learned while playing on the beach were "bou" and "sand". He loved digging holes with "Pappa", climbing into it and hiding their feet.

"Bou!!"

"Sand!!"

And when playing in the waves he would shout "nog nog" when the water pulls back.

Here are some more photos of Erik on the beach, taken Sunday 17 January.
We thought its going to be a struggle to get Erik to put on a hat as he always pulls everything off in seconds. We started "training" him at home when we swam. And it seemed to have worked...

Erik and his hat

He even started practising for his rugby days, imagining how he will score a try like Habanna.

Tuesday 19 January

Other than the fun in the sun, Erik also played his first tenpin bowling. He could not resist playing with the balls during our first game, so we asked for his own lane during our second game. He had a great time staring at the rolling ball towards the pins. And he even had a better score than me!!! (thanks to the bars off course)

Erik's excitement while we were rolling the ball towards each other

Erik playing tenpin bowling

Erik's first tenpin bowling score

On Wednesday 20 January it rained most of the day. Later it stopped and we could braai the evening when my cousin living in Toti came to visit.

Weather wise, the last day on the beach (Thursday 21 January) were the best. Sunshine the whole day and no wind (most days were overcast and the rain Wednesday). Most of the days, after a while on the beach, the wind will start blowing. This would blow up the sand against you, which Erik did not like at all.

The morning of our last day on the beach we however did not take photos - to my disappointment. (We forgot the memory card in the laptop after downloading the photos.) This I only found out when I wanted to take photos of the jelly fish that washed out onto the beach.

On this day Erik did not ask my or Fred's hand to "stap" because he got a liking in two 12 year old girls (twins, and quite something for the eye) to "stap" with him. He sat in the water with them, passing on hands full of sand, not even a worry about the waves. He played until he got quiet, his eyelids heavy but happy sitting next to the girls.

Luckaly there were still some jelly fish on the beach later the day when we went for a final walk and some picking up small shells before we went out for dinner and the big packing up.

Jelly fish

Picking up shells

We were also very lucky to see Oom Piet (the flat building's 'opsigter') catch a small Stingray.


What was very funny was when it flapped (like a bird would do) Erik made the sound he associates Hadidas with. And then suddenly said "Haai!". And could I kick myself for stopping the video recording just before that. (I wanted to post the video, but had some trouble with the uploading)



Afterward while walking back to the stairs, we asked him who thought him that it was a "Haai".
To our amaze his reply: "Tjiff Tjaff".

For those unknown to Tjiff and Tjaff, they are 2 green characters on the satellite's Afrikaans children channel.

He usually loved watching them, until he found the big purple guy (now also available in Afrikaans) called Barney.


Just as you come down the stairs from the flats towards the beach on your left hand side (I think Fred's blogg has a photo of the stairs) there are a little boat that tickled Erik's curiosity. He loved to sit, stand and climbing on the boat.

Fun in the boat

And then we took our last photos of Erik on beach for the last time this holiday before we walked back to the flat.

And we ponderred if we should not stay one more day. But unfortunally all good things have to come to an end. For the Monday again was the beginning of a new working day for Fred. We will however come again soon.

The end
~.~

Being grateful

 
"I wish I could leave a trail of gratefulness behind
me that you could see, glowing thanks."
- Author: True to Form by Elizabeth Berg

When was the last time you said thank you? Thank you for every small thing in your life? We get so busy that so many things go unnoticed. This I ask of you today: turn around and remember where you come from and what things came along your path for which you should be grateful.

My life is great. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful husband and have the choice to be part of my son's growing years every day. So many moms long to be there, but do not have the means. But this I should say, the real thing to be grateful for is having a child in your life and to be called "Mom". Needing to work or not.

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."

Another little miracle that filled all of our hearts with gratefulness for his existence is Zephan.
On 13 August 2009 he was born 5 weeks pre-mature. Zephan only weigh 2.28kg and were just over a week in ICU. This was a difficult time for Jaco, Marcelle and all the family. But he was more than a fighter. Zephan is a precious gemstone. Hard rock diamond. One of a kind.
Since he came out of the hospital he amazed everybody with his WILL. Today, 4 months old already, you will never say this friendly little baby boy was born pre-mature.

Zephan in ICU the day of birth.

Zephan and Mommy (Marcelle) at 4 months.

We are grateful to have him as part of our life. To Erik he is still only "Baba", but soon this 2 cousins are going to run together, play and fill our homes with their laughter. A small thing for which we should be thankful, a large piece of our lives - family.

Erik and Zephan December at Ebenezer Dam

That's also one of the reasons why every year the 'Geyers' have a "manne naweek" at Oom Josef's (Joe) farm first thing in the New Year. As from last year the 'Geyer vroue' also started to make use of this weekend to take the time and just "kuier". A nice family time before we all get busy with our work. So this coming weekend we all will travel to Naboomspruit. Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandma's, grandpa's and grandchildren....

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Author: Melody Beattie

Tell your love ones what they mean in your life. Hold your child to your heart.

Be grateful.

Erik is growing up so fast.

I cannot believe that it is already 16 months since Erik was born. My little baby boy is becoming a little man. Soon he would communicate in full sentences. But for now we enjoy junior's broken words and the copy cat he is when he hears new words he finds interesting.


Starting to know what he wants my life is full of new adventures as I re-discover small things through his eyes. Erik will take me, Pappa, Ouma or Oupa by the hand pulling us towards the door saying "stap stap" when he wants to go play outside.

During this festive season and our 2 week visit at Ouma and Oupa Fratter at Ebenezer Dam Erik loved playing with the dog (Matrix) and petting the cat (this he could only do when Oupa were with him; else the cat would arch his back and huff). This was fun to watch as he were SO excited every time he could run towards the "Woef" or run away when Matrix becomes too friendly.

So what is in store for me and my little man for 2010?
Firstly: "Ek gaan see toe!"
Erik will have a vacation at the sea for the first time in two weeks time. I'm very excited and can't wait to see his reaction as this little Senekal loves water.

Then we will start the Kindermusik again this month. He completed the 0 - 18 months group (Village) last year and will now start the next group (Our time). This again have the promise to be lots of fun. Not just are there "maaikies", but he loves music. As soon as music start he would start dancing. Then the Flowers on Kowee (an afrikaans childrens channel on DSTV). As soon as they start singing he wil stop what his doing and watch them. Some songs he will also start to immitate the 3 Flowers' movements.

We will also again do our weekly playdate with Erik's 4 Kindermusik maaikies Nicola, Yanie, Izabella and Ruan.

Maybe a trip or 2 and everything fun...............

We are also looking forward to meet a new 'Geyer'.
Anine's little girl in March.
We are so happy for you guys. Enjoy this gift and always remember children are a blessing.

A Wee Bit of Heaven
Drifted down from above
A handful of happiness
A heartful of love
A mystery of life
So sacred and so sweet
The giver of joy
So deep and complete
Presious and priceless
So loveble too
The world's sweetest miracle
Baby, its you.
- by Helen Steiner Rice

A photo of Erik taken 1 December 2009

Till next time.

A New Year

1 January 2010.
A happy New Year to all family and friends.
May this year be filled with love and happiness.

Photos and bloggs about my little one to follow soon.
Love
:-)