Thursday, 29 January 2009
The Boys!
The picture above is of Caleb's first holiday on his own - Let me explain -
On Sunday Caleb decided he was going to the airport to fly away on holiday all on his own without Mommy and Daddy - he then unpacked his entire wardrobe and threw it on the floor in Daniels room - we are not sure why it had to go in Daniel's room, it just did! It was too sweet! He then packed three over-night bags with all his things - including Dad's motorbike boots - picked up all the bags and waved goodbye to us as he "left" for the airport!
Daniel rolled over today for the first time!! YAY! I am so proud of him! He is such a lazy and laid-back little boy that I am surprised he did it at all..lol. I usually have to force him to do his tummy time every day - he would much rather lie on his back and watch the world go by.. It took him 3 months and 3 days!
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Power rests with Africans
Last week, Obama fever hit the world, sweeping across South Africa, instilling a sense of worldwide optimism, ushering in, in the minds of the people, a dawn of hope.
While Obama-mania roars forth, the words of the Congress of South African Trade Unions' general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, rings true.
He remarked that South Africans should remain level-headed, because not a lot of things will change in Africa.
Even though such a comment may seem cynical, Vavi has a point, stressing that Africa will still be facing the same political reality, unless its people fought for change.
It would, indeed, be foolish for us to now pin any great hopes on the President of America turning the situation around in Africa.
It is up to each and every one of us in this land to begin making changes and to build this nation. - Riaan Englebrecht -
How true these words are - if we only keep making noise about change, but actually change nothing ourselves, then change will never come to Africa!
Change one thing today and know that you have made a difference!
While Obama-mania roars forth, the words of the Congress of South African Trade Unions' general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, rings true.
He remarked that South Africans should remain level-headed, because not a lot of things will change in Africa.
Even though such a comment may seem cynical, Vavi has a point, stressing that Africa will still be facing the same political reality, unless its people fought for change.
It would, indeed, be foolish for us to now pin any great hopes on the President of America turning the situation around in Africa.
It is up to each and every one of us in this land to begin making changes and to build this nation. - Riaan Englebrecht -
How true these words are - if we only keep making noise about change, but actually change nothing ourselves, then change will never come to Africa!
Change one thing today and know that you have made a difference!
Monday, 26 January 2009
Musical Beds!
One of the funnier games we play in this house is Musical Beds! Let me explain -
Nobody in this house wakes up in the same bed they went to sleep in! In the beginning of the evening, Caleb is in his bed, Daniel is in his crib in his room and Adam and I are in our bed. Then the fun starts!
At around midnight Adam will get up to feed Daniel, but when he tries to come back to bed, I am spread out on the bed and there is no room for him without waking me - So Adam will retreat to either the spare-bed, or the sleeper-couch in the study.
Then, sometime between midnight and 03h00, Caleb will wake up and crawl into bed next to me (he does it so quietly that I never hear him!) At around 03h00 I wake up to feed Daniel and I usually feed him lying down on the bed in his room - Daniel then falls asleep on this bed and I leave him to sleep (he is too small to move yet, although it won't be long before this is no longer safe) I will then try and go back to my bed, that is unless Caleb is being very restless which is often, in which case I will finish the nights sleep in Caleb's bed! Crazy crazy times!
I have been trying to upload pictures, but there seems to be an issue with my machine.. so I will try again tomorrow!
Nobody in this house wakes up in the same bed they went to sleep in! In the beginning of the evening, Caleb is in his bed, Daniel is in his crib in his room and Adam and I are in our bed. Then the fun starts!
At around midnight Adam will get up to feed Daniel, but when he tries to come back to bed, I am spread out on the bed and there is no room for him without waking me - So Adam will retreat to either the spare-bed, or the sleeper-couch in the study.
Then, sometime between midnight and 03h00, Caleb will wake up and crawl into bed next to me (he does it so quietly that I never hear him!) At around 03h00 I wake up to feed Daniel and I usually feed him lying down on the bed in his room - Daniel then falls asleep on this bed and I leave him to sleep (he is too small to move yet, although it won't be long before this is no longer safe) I will then try and go back to my bed, that is unless Caleb is being very restless which is often, in which case I will finish the nights sleep in Caleb's bed! Crazy crazy times!
I have been trying to upload pictures, but there seems to be an issue with my machine.. so I will try again tomorrow!
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Update on the Cholera crisis in Zimbabwe
It was announced this morning on the News that - since October 2008 - it is now confirmed that 50 000 people are now infected with Cholera and 2 773 have died - Since October??? That is an average of 924 per month or 30 per day!
Who knows how many more will have died by the time you read this sentence...
Who knows how many more will have died by the time you read this sentence...
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Say What?
For those who do not know me, I teach for a living. To be technically correct, I am a Facilitator. Anyway, one of the courses that I teach focuses on empowering individuals through the use of effective verbal communication and I traditionally end this course with a list of my favourite George W Bush quotes.. so in honour of his leaving I thought I would share my two favourite quotes of all time:
1. "There's an old saying in Tennessee. I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."
-17 September 2002 in Nashville, Tennessee
2. "Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many obstetric gynaecologists aren't able to practise their love with women all across this country."
- 20 September 2005
Enough said..
1. "There's an old saying in Tennessee. I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."
-17 September 2002 in Nashville, Tennessee
2. "Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many obstetric gynaecologists aren't able to practise their love with women all across this country."
- 20 September 2005
Enough said..
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
The Plight of Zimbabwe
How many of you (those who are not from Africa) even know that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe? How many of you are aware that hundreds of people are starving every day? Are you aware that children are being used for political gain? Are you aware that people who do not support the government go missing every day in Zimbabwe? Are you aware? And if you are, do you care?
As I sat watching the news recently, the sight of a small boy hooked-up to an intravenous drip whilst lying on a piece of cardboard under a tree really shook me. The child is infected with cholera, but there is no place for him in the hospital. He is lying under a tree on a dirty road, with not a family member or medical practitioner in sight? How can this be? Imagine if this was your child? – By the time you read this blog, the chances are probable that the little boy I speak of is already dead.
In Zimbabwe, the latest figures show that over 300 000 people are threatened by cholera – as if these 300 000 people do not have enough to cope with. If cholera does not end them, then starvation will probably be their undoing.
1 US Dollar (USD) = 19,446,204 Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD) – that is the exchange rate at the moment and yet Grabb’n Grace (President Robert Mugabe’s wife) is able to go on shopping trips to Paris and have lavish international holidays while her people starve??? The Zimbabwean government has just started issuing trillion dollar notes.
The propaganda which is at this very moment being spread in Zimbabwe is an absolute joke! The government is telling the people that Gordon Brown is spreading cholera in Zimbabwe and that even though the Zimbabwe Government is doing all in its power to save its people, Britain is spreading cholera throughout Zimbabwe to undermine the government! Have you ever heard something so ridiculous in all your life? And yet the people believe it. A lack of knowledge and empowerment ensures that the poorest of the poor in Zimbabwe will believe their president who says he is trying to save them from the tyrannical rule of the west. Ridiculous!
I look at my boys and feel blessed. Adam and I are by no means rich when it comes to the conventional meaning of the word – We do not live in a mansion or drive fancy cars, but we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and a warm bed to sleep in at night. Caleb goes to a good school and has more toys than any one child can play with; they both receive private health-care and have more love than most of Zimbabwe’s orphans will know in a life-time. WE ARE RICH! I try to imagine what it must feel like for the mothers in Zimbabwe? Every night they send their children to bed hungry.. or sick.. And there is nothing they can do about it!
How lucky we are and we do not even appreciate it! We complain all the time about having to go to work, or the extra kilograms we are carrying – How blessed are we to be able to earn money to take care of our families! How blessed are we to have so much food available that we are over-weight!
If you do nothing else today, arm yourself with knowledge about the plight of Zimbabwe! Contribute or donate to a charity to help those who cannot help themselves. Only once you have given unselfishly to others can you truly appreciate the rich blessings of your life!
As I sat watching the news recently, the sight of a small boy hooked-up to an intravenous drip whilst lying on a piece of cardboard under a tree really shook me. The child is infected with cholera, but there is no place for him in the hospital. He is lying under a tree on a dirty road, with not a family member or medical practitioner in sight? How can this be? Imagine if this was your child? – By the time you read this blog, the chances are probable that the little boy I speak of is already dead.
In Zimbabwe, the latest figures show that over 300 000 people are threatened by cholera – as if these 300 000 people do not have enough to cope with. If cholera does not end them, then starvation will probably be their undoing.
1 US Dollar (USD) = 19,446,204 Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD) – that is the exchange rate at the moment and yet Grabb’n Grace (President Robert Mugabe’s wife) is able to go on shopping trips to Paris and have lavish international holidays while her people starve??? The Zimbabwean government has just started issuing trillion dollar notes.
The propaganda which is at this very moment being spread in Zimbabwe is an absolute joke! The government is telling the people that Gordon Brown is spreading cholera in Zimbabwe and that even though the Zimbabwe Government is doing all in its power to save its people, Britain is spreading cholera throughout Zimbabwe to undermine the government! Have you ever heard something so ridiculous in all your life? And yet the people believe it. A lack of knowledge and empowerment ensures that the poorest of the poor in Zimbabwe will believe their president who says he is trying to save them from the tyrannical rule of the west. Ridiculous!
I look at my boys and feel blessed. Adam and I are by no means rich when it comes to the conventional meaning of the word – We do not live in a mansion or drive fancy cars, but we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and a warm bed to sleep in at night. Caleb goes to a good school and has more toys than any one child can play with; they both receive private health-care and have more love than most of Zimbabwe’s orphans will know in a life-time. WE ARE RICH! I try to imagine what it must feel like for the mothers in Zimbabwe? Every night they send their children to bed hungry.. or sick.. And there is nothing they can do about it!
How lucky we are and we do not even appreciate it! We complain all the time about having to go to work, or the extra kilograms we are carrying – How blessed are we to be able to earn money to take care of our families! How blessed are we to have so much food available that we are over-weight!
If you do nothing else today, arm yourself with knowledge about the plight of Zimbabwe! Contribute or donate to a charity to help those who cannot help themselves. Only once you have given unselfishly to others can you truly appreciate the rich blessings of your life!
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Laughter Lives Tuesday!
This post is part of "Laughter Lives! Tuesday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check our their blog to read everyone else's "Laughter Lives!" posts.Very recently I started following the above-linked blog, and on of the fun things they are doing on this blog, is to link many blogs together to spread some fun and laughter around the world - what a fabulous idea! Each blogger has to provide a story for that particular weeks topic, and this week is about funny things our children do - so here is mine:
When Caleb was much smaller and starting to learn about his body parts, for some reason he would confuse his ear and his "winkie" - as you can imagine it was extremely funny. So I would point to his ear and say, "Caleb, what is this?" to which he would joyfully shout out, "winkie winkie". Then I would point at his winkie and say, "Caleb, what is this" to which the response would obviously be, "Ear .. its my ear...".
Ha ha ha.. As you can imagine, we had many good laughs about this!
Kristin made me do it!
Kristin gave me the idea to do this photo deal...you go and find the folder you keep your photos in and grab the 4th one.
So here is the fourth picture...Don't ask why he is eating golf balls.. I truly do not know!...lol.. At least now you know why I am so stressed.. this child is always doing crazy things!
Thanks Kristin!
The joys of modern technology!
So last night I wrote this long post with all my thoughts and ponderings... and just as I was getting ready to publish it, something strange happened and I lost the whole thing! Very annoying!
So I will get around to retyping it later today, but for now, look at this video.. how cute is this little chap?
So I will get around to retyping it later today, but for now, look at this video.. how cute is this little chap?
Thursday, 15 January 2009
He loves to sleep on my chest like this.. sometimes we both nap!
Thanks Caz.. :)
Thanks Kelly.. he loves his pet! http://agoddessrising.blogspot.com/
I love this picture.. such sweet babies!
Mommy's little chubby face!I have always wanted a baby with chubby cheeks - Caleb was such a skinny baby, bless him..lol.. but at long last I have a baby with cheeks.. yay!
Daddy wake up.. that's enough napping!
Daddy wake up.. that's enough napping!Magdelana Grace Roberts
Magdelana went home to Heaven .... please pray for Noah and Julie..
She was such a special little girl.. she will be sorely missed - she touched so many lives of so many people she never even met!
Rest in peace baby girl!
http://noahandjulieroberts.blogspot.com
She was such a special little girl.. she will be sorely missed - she touched so many lives of so many people she never even met!
Rest in peace baby girl!
http://noahandjulieroberts.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
What is the world coming to?
Yesterday on my drive home after collecting Caleb from school, I saw a rabbit lying on the grass on the side of the road - I am unsure as to whether it was injured or not, so I wanted to stop and pick it up and take it to the Vet - I wanted to make sure that it wasn't injured and to ensure that it was not hit by a vehicle as this is a busy stretch of road.
To my shame I did not stop.. and I have been feeling guilty eversince! Anybody who knows me knows that I always stop if I see someone (be they human or animal) in trouble on the roads. Actually, let me correct that.. I used to stop, before I had my boys.. now I don't stop. Why you may ask?
Well I don't stop because it is not safe - I live in one of the most dangerous cities in the world and so it would be silly of me to put my sons safety at risk for an animal or a stranger!
Last year my neighbour was shot outside his home at about 20H00 on a Sunday evening. It was a high-jacking and the robbers threw my neighbour and his wife on the ground, and then shot him while he lay helpless on the ground - after he had handed over his car. I clearly remember sitting in our study and hearing our neighbour screaming and then hearing the gunshots! And what did I do to help my neighbour? Absolutely nothing - except for calling emergency services that is.
And the worst part of it is that if it happened again, I would react in exactly the same way. Does that make me a coward? Possibly! But it also makes me a mother who puts her family first. All I could think about on that night after hearing the gunshots was, "what if they are coming over my wall right now, and the minute I open the door they will be inside.. with a gun" My sweet Caleb was only two at the time - if something happened to him, I would never forgive myself. As his mother, it is my duty to put him first, because if we as parents don't, then who will?
Having said all that, it makes me very sad that I am unable to help a person or animal in need just because I am frightened of my fellow man.
To my shame I did not stop.. and I have been feeling guilty eversince! Anybody who knows me knows that I always stop if I see someone (be they human or animal) in trouble on the roads. Actually, let me correct that.. I used to stop, before I had my boys.. now I don't stop. Why you may ask?
Well I don't stop because it is not safe - I live in one of the most dangerous cities in the world and so it would be silly of me to put my sons safety at risk for an animal or a stranger!
Last year my neighbour was shot outside his home at about 20H00 on a Sunday evening. It was a high-jacking and the robbers threw my neighbour and his wife on the ground, and then shot him while he lay helpless on the ground - after he had handed over his car. I clearly remember sitting in our study and hearing our neighbour screaming and then hearing the gunshots! And what did I do to help my neighbour? Absolutely nothing - except for calling emergency services that is.
And the worst part of it is that if it happened again, I would react in exactly the same way. Does that make me a coward? Possibly! But it also makes me a mother who puts her family first. All I could think about on that night after hearing the gunshots was, "what if they are coming over my wall right now, and the minute I open the door they will be inside.. with a gun" My sweet Caleb was only two at the time - if something happened to him, I would never forgive myself. As his mother, it is my duty to put him first, because if we as parents don't, then who will?
Having said all that, it makes me very sad that I am unable to help a person or animal in need just because I am frightened of my fellow man.
Monday, 12 January 2009
Frustration
Grrr.. I have been battling to upload photos.. for some reason it just won't do it..
I know some of you are waiting to see new pics of the boys.. I will try and get them up as soon as possible!
I was about to start telling you about our weekend, but the littlest one is making his "feed me" noises..so I will continue this post later!
I know some of you are waiting to see new pics of the boys.. I will try and get them up as soon as possible!
I was about to start telling you about our weekend, but the littlest one is making his "feed me" noises..so I will continue this post later!
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Daniel's 10-week shots!
Mommy I hurt....
Make it stop!
Finally asleep.. phew!
Poor baby had two injections yesterday, plus two sets of oral drops!
He weighs 6.3kgs (13.8lbs) and is 63cms (24.8inches) in length.. what a big boy!
He was absolutely fine during the whole ordeal.. just moaned a bit when she stuck the needle in his leg. But.. at about 16:00 yesterday all hell broke loose and he yelled and yelled until evenutally passing out.
It was heartbreaking to watch. Daniel never really cries, he moans here and there, and will make crying sounds if he is really trying to get your attention, but last night was the first time I have actually seen tears pouring down his face..made me cry..
So we were both wailing until I gave him somthing to make him feel better and then about 20 minutes after that he finally went to sleep.. poor little angel...I hate taking him for shots!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
A New Year .. A New You!
Happy New Year..!!!
I cannot believe that 2009 is here already.. Daniel was born last year..it sounds so weird to say this as he is only 10 weeks old!
I have so many things to talk about that I am not even sure where to start!
We had a lovely holiday - we went up to Magaliesburg (mountains) for 10 days to spend time with my Mum. It was a fabulous holiday. Adam and Caleb swam every day and Caleb's swimming has come on in leaps and bounds. I am so proud of him - to think that this time last year he hardly went near the water, and now he is a regular little dolphin - diving under the water to retreive items left on the bottom by Daddy.. it was really sweet to watch - My little hero!
Daniel is just as wonderful as ever! He weighed 5.4kgs at his last weigh-in which was over a month ago, so I am sure he is over 6kgs by now.. He is such a good baby we really are blessed - he seems to be the complete opposite to everything that is MASTER CALEB! Where Caleb is loud, Daniel is quiet. Where Caleb is always on the go (even as a baby), Daniel is happy to watch the world rush around him. Where Caleb is strong-willed and dominant, Daniel is content to go with the flow. Caleb spent his early weeks plagued by colic and a lack of sleep, but Daniel sleeps like an angel and is so peaceful. I love both my boys dearly, and feel so blessed to have two such different children. I am sure that my love for each of them will take me on 2 very different journeys.
My time of "the lazy life" has come to an end .. I went back to gym yesterday! As some of you will know from my past relationship with gym, I am quite dedicated and absolutely love going, so I am sure the baby weight will start to come off soon.. and this time it will stay off - no more pregnancies for me, so I should be able to maintain my figure this time. I worked so hard to lose the weight after Caleb was born, and just as I was nearing my final goal I fell pregnant with Daniel.. Don't get me wrong, my boys are worth ever single ounce of weight, but that still doesn't mean I want to look like this forever! My current weight explains why you don't see pictures of me on this blog!
The Littlest One is waking.. so I have to get ready to take on the roll of Bessie again..lol..No time to check for spelling errors.. but I am sure you will be able to read it nevertheless!
Blessings to all!
Oh.. one more thing.. I have some fabulous pictures of the boys (including Daddy) from Christmas, and will load them in the next day or two.
I cannot believe that 2009 is here already.. Daniel was born last year..it sounds so weird to say this as he is only 10 weeks old!
I have so many things to talk about that I am not even sure where to start!
We had a lovely holiday - we went up to Magaliesburg (mountains) for 10 days to spend time with my Mum. It was a fabulous holiday. Adam and Caleb swam every day and Caleb's swimming has come on in leaps and bounds. I am so proud of him - to think that this time last year he hardly went near the water, and now he is a regular little dolphin - diving under the water to retreive items left on the bottom by Daddy.. it was really sweet to watch - My little hero!
Daniel is just as wonderful as ever! He weighed 5.4kgs at his last weigh-in which was over a month ago, so I am sure he is over 6kgs by now.. He is such a good baby we really are blessed - he seems to be the complete opposite to everything that is MASTER CALEB! Where Caleb is loud, Daniel is quiet. Where Caleb is always on the go (even as a baby), Daniel is happy to watch the world rush around him. Where Caleb is strong-willed and dominant, Daniel is content to go with the flow. Caleb spent his early weeks plagued by colic and a lack of sleep, but Daniel sleeps like an angel and is so peaceful. I love both my boys dearly, and feel so blessed to have two such different children. I am sure that my love for each of them will take me on 2 very different journeys.
My time of "the lazy life" has come to an end .. I went back to gym yesterday! As some of you will know from my past relationship with gym, I am quite dedicated and absolutely love going, so I am sure the baby weight will start to come off soon.. and this time it will stay off - no more pregnancies for me, so I should be able to maintain my figure this time. I worked so hard to lose the weight after Caleb was born, and just as I was nearing my final goal I fell pregnant with Daniel.. Don't get me wrong, my boys are worth ever single ounce of weight, but that still doesn't mean I want to look like this forever! My current weight explains why you don't see pictures of me on this blog!
The Littlest One is waking.. so I have to get ready to take on the roll of Bessie again..lol..No time to check for spelling errors.. but I am sure you will be able to read it nevertheless!
Blessings to all!
Oh.. one more thing.. I have some fabulous pictures of the boys (including Daddy) from Christmas, and will load them in the next day or two.
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