Development

He now takes 4-5 steps before loosing his balance and falling. Really very cute. He loves saying "Daddy" and only when it is really necessary, he says "Mummy". Too cute.

And he waves is hand "bye-bye". Adorable... :-)

Tooth no. 8

Many things happened last week Saturday (21.11.09). Firstly, Unovandu learned how to go down the couch feet first. Now he turns around, when he wants to go down and crawls down backwards. After many weeks of "turn around and go down with your feet first", the young man finally checks it. And without much notice, tooth number 8 turned up. Now he has 4 teeth at the bottom and 4 teeth at the top.

Unovandu is totally jealous of his sister. When I am cuddling or playing with Venotjari on my lap, he crawls over and starts pushing her off my my lap. He is also very good at staged crying. If there is something he cannot get or that he is not allowed to have, but he wants, then he dramatically "throws" himself on the floor and starts crying. After 30sec, he lifts his head up to see whether I am making any move to pick him up.

Really very cute....

My favourite from our time in Namibia

First step

I should really start blogging more often and keeping up to date with the news.

Last week Saturday, 14th November 2009, Unovandu took his first step. Since then he has made no further attempt. So we will see when he will start walking. He seems to be taking his time...

Apart from that he is constantly "speaking" - and with so much emotion, that one really thinks he is trying to say something. I should make a video of it and post it.

Venotjari is really doing well. Her behaviour is very constant - one knows what to expect and if she does misbehave, it is always short-lived. I hope that this constant phase remains for a while. But I am sure the storm will come soon enough.

Developments over the last 3 months

28.07.09 : Unovandu's first food with solid pieces (supposed to support the speech development)
29.07.09 : sits freely, without using a hand on the floor for support
31.07.09 : Atatata da da (first speech... maybe....?)
11.08.09 : Venotjari makes her first stinker on the toilet!
11.08.09 : Unovand's upper left front tooth appears
14.08.09 : Ba ba ba ba
15.08.09 : Ma ma ma ma
18.08.09 : Unovandu's upper right front tooth appears
01.09.09 : Fully weaned! Unovandu no longer says u-ghrrr. Ne ne ne, ata ata
15.09.09 : First extensive "brabbeln"/ baby speech
17.09.09 : Fith tooth appears (upper right)
10.10.09 : Sixth tooth appears (upper left)
19.10.09 : seventh tooth appears (lower left)

Back in good old Germany

We have been back now for 2 weeks and I guess one can say that we have somehow settled back into life here. I just cannot come to terms with the weather... it is icy cold - too cold. Tomorrow I will update you all on what have been happening, what happened during the past months. Now I am too tired and it is too cold :-)

Still no sitting...

... but holding onto things and pulling himself up into a standing position. And the result of which is ( more than occasional) falling and bumping his head. He has been doing this now for about two weeks, but I must comment that his stability is improving and the bumps on his head decreasing.

Venotjari is such a chatterbox... quite amusing at times - or more precisely: very amusing at all times... :)

Teething pains

He really is in quite a bit of pain the past few days. Out of the blue he starts crying and is totally unsatisfied with everything. Eating is also painful (I think) because he always starts crying. And if one looks carefully, his front upper gum is swollen and are a shimmering white colour. So all the signals are pointing towards teeth that are making their way through.
And to top it all up, he has a cold. So the nights are very restless for all of us.

Venotjari also has a slight cold - although not as bad as his. We went swimming on Sunday and she was inlove with teh water. She even went into the pool without her pool noodle and went as far as putting he head under the water. She clearly had a good time and it is such pity that we cannot swimming again this Sunday, because Daddy is going to a music festival.

I am now crossing my fingers that both kids get well before the day of our big journey home...

He is now a professional crawler and an amateur sitter

Amateur sitter...

Professional crawler....


Apart from that, Unovandu is slowing but surely becoming more demanding. He demands much more attention and entertainment and makes his dissatisfaction heard (by crying and moaning). He also started complaining when I leave the room. But as his crawling speed increases, his complaining decreases, because he can follow me where-ever I go.
He sleeps very well - only wakes up in the early morning hours (5 or 6am) and when I give him his nukky, he goes back to sleep until about 7.30.
All in all I cannot complain and being a mummy is so much fun at the moment :)

Our sweethearts

Absolutely adorable and through and through siblings....

Our trip to Holland in pictures

Resumé: we all had an excellent time; Cadzand is definately worth a holiday - an amazing coast and beach; Brugge remains a beautiful, little town; Venotjari fell inlove with the waves and the sand; Unovandu was constantly satisfied with just being there (hardly cried or complained); a one week holiday that felt like two weeks relaxation!!!

Lots of new things

It has been such a long while and so much has happened since then.
1) 3 days after we sighted Unovandu's first tooth, the second one came out - directly next to the first. So 2 down, 18 to go.
2) About a week after the sighting of the secon tooth, the young man finally started crawling on all four. Which means that he has been practicing since apprx. two weeks and he is still very wobbly when crawling. When his object of current desire is too far away and he wants it immediately, then he reverts to crawling on his belly - the faster mode of movement.
3) Since the crawling on all four, he has started trying to sit, but he places his one hand on the floor for support and balance. I think that learning to sit will take quite a while, because when we make him sit (not allowed - we know - but we just did it for a very short moment..) he topples over. But he has time...
4) Venotjari is really a doll. Her favourite game at the moment: hide-and-seek. And she has endurance and can play the game for hours on end - alas.....

Sighting!!! First tooth

It is finally there - Unovandu's first tooth has come out today. Daddy felt it just a while ago. It is the bottom left front tooth. An exciting moment... at least for us parents. And it came out without any obvious pain for him - no excessive crying, no fever, no moodiness. I am impressed at how robust the little man is!!!

More crawling

This is a very cute video showing Unovandu's forwards progress. Now that Venotjari has more or less had enough of dear old MacDonald, we can look forward to a reloading within the next months...

Some photos

I can read

Yummy carrots

Mr. expert carrot eater...

Moving...

Here is the video of Unovandu's first forward crawling - taken on the June 3rd 2009 and also nicely shows his justified reaction when nagged (once again) by his sister...

6 months and going strong

And he is really going strong. This afternoon he crawled all the way into the hallway. We were in the kitchen and he heard the voices and he did nit feel like being alone in the living room. So he started making his way to us. I find that absolutely cool, that he is becoming so mobile.
The last two days he has been enjoying his carrots - don't know why. I think that he his teething and that the solid food is not what he wants at this point. I will see how it goes tomorrow.
I actually wanted to take a picture of him today. Will do so tomorrow and post it.
Apart from that he spends the days roaming all over the living room and seems more interested in Venotjari's toys than his own - maybe because they are bigger (or he is just bored with his things).

Venotjari has not been sleeping well the last two nights. But she is in an excellent mood during the day. It is currently alot of fun being with her, especially listening to all the things she says. She has started creating words (that only she knows the meaning of) and finds it absolutely amusing turning a familiar word into something new.
Her hair has started to grow - and quite fast for that matter. I will post the photos tomorrow.

What a pity

I have been trying to upload the video of Unovandu's first solid food meal, but in vain. I think that the video may be too long, which is why it does not work. That means that I will have to make another one and upload that.
Well, his first meal was exactly 1 week ago (30th May 2009) and he really wasn't amused. It was probably due to the fact that the carrots weren't 100% fine and there were still small pieces in there, which made it difficult for him to swallow. Also, he didn't quite know what to do with the spoon in his mouth. 1 week later he has become a total professional. He knows that he has to open his mouth and nicely takes the food off the spoon. In addition to that he has also started eating quite a bit. He eats so much that I do not need to breastfeed him afterwards, because he has had enough.
Its like that with everything he does. Give him a couple of days and he becoms an expert at it.

Baby swimming

Here are some photos of Unovandu in the pool. He really does enjoy being the water and is always wanting to touch and interact with the other babies. The result of which being that he splashes water all over the place (and most of the mothers are not amused and they turn their babies away... who can understand that - it is only water).

Ready to move FORWARDS

Unovandu is still a very busy bee, becoming more busy as the days go by. A couple of days ago he would always crawl backwards (on his belly) in his endeavour to reach whatever was lying in front of him and caught his fancy. Now he has understood to push off his toes and feet and can therefore move forwards. He reaches and stretches and really uses his arms well. I really wonder how long it will take until he really crawls - our agile little worm...

Some more pics

Dad and V - during our picknick at the Rhein...

The children - at home...

The ladies - sunbathing and enjoying the current great weather...

More firsts

Venotjari went on her first "nature day" with the kindergarten. They made a field trip to a park/forest and spent the whole morning there. What impressed her the most was the ride with the "big bus" back and forth. When they got back she proudly went into her old group and announced that she had been on the bus. When we arrived at the kindergarten this morning, the kids from the both the dolphins and the butterflies were all in the hallway putting on their rain clothes. Venotjari immediately went to Elias and they started talking. Quite amazing that children of that age really have relatively proper conversations and it is cute to watch and listen to.
The result of the nature trip, is that she was extremely tired and has been whining and moaning since we arrived home. It is now high time for her to go to bed.

As for Unovandu, he has started pushing himself up on all fours - ready to start crawling. So he will be on his hands and knees and starts rocking his body back and forth. I should make a video of it, as it is quite amusing to watch. Watch this space...

Kids growing up

Venotjari has started playing with Playmobil or Lego figures and imitating some interaction between them. They talk to each other etc. She manages to keep herself busy this way for quite some time - and I am very happy about that. As of next week she will only be going to the kindergarden for 3 days a week. So I am anxious to see how the days at home will go with the three of us.
Today Michael dropped her off at the "Dragons" in the morning (normally we drop her off at the "Dolphins" and then they take her over to the Dragons). So this is a first and she apparently managed it quite. Maybe she has now accepted her fate and the move to the group with the older children. The teachers of the dolphin were saying that she was not learning anything there anymore and therefore it was time to move. Now she has started trying to recite the alphabeth and the months of the year. Let's see how long ot takes until she knows them :)

Unovandu is a very busy bee. He refuses to stay lying on his back (unless he decides that he wants to). Otherwise he tries to crawl and ends up all over the floor. It is just amazing to see how much the little man laughs and smiles - practically all the time and to everybody, everywhere. The only time he cries is when his sister is pinching or lying on him or when he is hungry. He is such a friendly person - it fascinates me all the time.
Yesterday we were at the Rhein barbecueing with Sergej and Natalie and the kids. We stayed there for maybe 3 hours and during that time, he was so content playing by himself. I honestly nearly forgot he was there.. :) ... Hope he remains content for a long time...

Pics

Bathing in pink water... looks crazy, doesn't it...

Am I not so grown up already....???

Breakfast with the Zatjirua/Grevings

Sleeping beauty

This is what happens when Venotjari spends the day at the kindergarten and then goes to "the other gym room" to do some exercises and gymnastics (this time fully participating and really doing something, instead of just standing around and mayby jumping on the trampoline - although she remains shy when it comes to the gym teacher Thomas)... she come home totally wasted... and manages to fall asleep on the couch like that...

New news

So much has happened in the past weeks. The first change is that we have cut Venotjari's hair. She is now boasting a near-bald head and she is wearing it with pride. I also think that she looks great. She is just too cute and good-looking; with or without hair. The only problem is that she has been sleeping very badly of late. She wakes up in the middle of the night and starts crying and refuses to be calmed down by anyone. she also cannot say what the problem is and why she cries. It is very frustrating, especiall because one does not know the root of the problem and cannot understand why she acts that way. I guess a little bit more understanding would be helpful for her - but like I said, it is very frustrating and difficult.
Also Venotjari's move to the "dragons" is quite difficult for her. She seems to be very attached to the "dolphins" and it places her under quite a bit of stress to move to the older group. I guess she just feels more comfortable with the little kids. Let's see how long it takes for her to make the step.
Unovandu is a busy bee. He has become extremely agile. He turns 360° in both directions and does not stay in one place. Leaving him alone on the couch is no longer possible. He lifts is backside quite high as if he wants to start crawling. He even pushes his upper body up with his arms.
What I also noticed his is preference for the colour blue. Even when we were swimming, he prefered going after the blue ball. But I have read in some book, that that was proven in some scientific study. Anyway, quite amazing to see that it also applies to one's child.

Growing up

Am back from Mbatata's wedding and the kids have grown so much in the 6 days I was away. Especially Unovandu - he is now has a good body tonus and does not wobble anymore; he holds his head very well. And he has now started practicing rolling from his tummy to his back. And I am also very impressed about his grabbing skills - especially when he is lying on his tummy and you hold up something high up infront of him. He really reaches up and tries to take it. Venotjari is still doing well and growing up too - becoming more mature somehow. I love my children :)

Good bye for now

Am actually totally devastated - I am leaving today to Namibia for 6 days.. without the kids... and I do not know whether I will manage the time without them well. I will miss them terribly and I hope they remember me when I come back (am sure Venotjari will, but who knows whether Unovandu will too...). I have mixed feelings about going and am dreading having to say goodbye, becuase I know I will burst into tears - could actually cry now...

Roll over... for real

He finally did it - he rolled over from his back onto his tummy. And now he is doing it as if he has been doing so since forever. We only saw him roll over this morning, but I assume he has done it before - we just weren't there to witness it.
It does make me proud to see him achieve that and it also gives me a sense of reassurance that all is well with him and he is developing well.
The doctor told us to leave him on his tummy as often as possible, so that he can develop and strengthen is arms (he is apparently somewhat weak in the arms). So I was afraid that he would not learn how to roll over, if he was on his tummy the whole time. All the worry for nothing... Naturestill took its course... and I guess that doctors do know what they are talking about most of the time and have valid reasons for their instructions.

I want to be a deep see diver...

On Tuesday we finally managed to go swimming again. Unovandu's cough has finally subsided. And he really loved being in the water. At the beginning he just let himself float in the water without much enthusiasm. But then we did some diving with the kids (basically pulling them once under and through the water). He really enjoyed that and was all smiles until the lesson was over. I hope that he stays healthy for longer and that we doi not need to miss out on any more lessons. Otherwise he is still trying really hard to turn over, but is still does not manage to lift his torso. It will probably take a while. Until then - happy practising.

Wunder gibt es immer wieder...

It happened - yesterday Venotjari voluntarily went into the shower and even took the shower head and sprayed the water all over her body and head. Until then any mention of a bath or shower was accompanied by lots of crying and moaning.
She was so proud of herself when she was finished - she was beaming from ear to ear.
Now it seems that our bad bath days are over...

news

Quite a bit has been happening in the last couple of days. Unovandu has now started trying to turn over from his back to his tummy. He doesn't get very far. The result of his endeavours is that he turns around in circles. It has also become quite dangerous leaving him alone on the couch. If you leave him in one place and position, you always find him lying somewhere else, when you return. I remember Venotjari's first movement attempts. She used to slide and move backwards ("robben"). What I do not know anymore was whether she took a long time to learn turning over. What I now do with Unovandu, is that I practice the turning with him, so that he already knows what it feels like to roll over and also so that he can know which movements he needs to perform, in order for him to roll over. Let's see how long it takes until he does it.

I had a chat with one of Venotjari's teachers at the kindergarten. She is a lady from Irland and she is currently doing an internship and will return to Irland in August. Her name is pronounced Cuiva (but it is written completely differently). She said that Venotjari is her translater. When the kids say something to Cuiva in German, she turns to Venotjari and asks her what they have just said. Cuiva is totally impressed about Venotjari's biligualism - and so am I for that matter. I didn't know that she was so firm in both languages. She hardly speaks any English at home unless I prompt her to do so. Good to know that all our efforts are somehow paying off and that she really does know two languages. Amazing... :)

Big sister and little drooler

Venotjari is really getting on well with her little brother lately. I think she has finally realised that he is not a toy to play with and that she should treat him care. She also has not shown any signs of jealousy for a long time now. She even understands, when I tell her to leave the room and keep quiet while I feed him (at least most of the time). She is also very protective of her little brother when we are out and someone wants to look at the baby in the pram. And she never tiers to tell anyone who is interested (or not), that that is her little brother Unovandu.
This morning I looked at her and she looked so much more grown up than usual. Maybe because she was quite satisfied playing by herself and not requiring any animation from us.
Unovandu has turned into a full-time drooler. He also cannot keep his fingers and hands out of his mouth. When I put his play chain in front of him, it becomes soaking wet after a short while - either because it was in his mouth or because it was lying directly in the path of the drool.

The "monster"... :-)

I am so tired and I need some sleep. Last night was hell on earth. They call them the "terrible twos", but what our wonderful daughter did last night was not terrible, it was close to evil. She woke up in the middle of the night and started crying. Efforts to calm her down were futile. So carried on and cried for over an hour. At some point the crying turned into screaming and my upsetness turned into rage. I do not know what gets into her, but I do not understand why a child would cry and scream at night for absolutely no reason at all.
It was not long until Unovandu woke up. And once he wakes up, he then has a 2-3 hour sleep-waking up interval until dawn.
So I did not get any amount of rest and I was also not very happy with Venotjari this morning. It's as if she tries to get her way, no matter what it takes. And she "ufortunately" has stamina - more than us - which ends up in us giving in first and she having way. These endless power battles with her are terribly tedious and they should end. I just wonder: when do they end and when do I get to win a battle, or maybe the war in the end...

Venotjari and Magdalena

They were inseperable when Magdalena was attending the same kindergarten as Venotjari. All Venotjari would talk about when she came home from the kindergarten or when you asked her how her day was, was Magdalena here and Magdalena there. They had a very strong friendship, which is quite unusual for children at that age. Now that Magdalena is at another kindergarten, they do not see each other that often. But when they do meet, it is as if they had never been apart. The bond between them is still obvious - they are always very happy and enthusiatic, when they see each other. And they play well together. Once they were busy for about two hours, playing peacefully and concentrated, without Magdalena's Mom or myself requiring to interfere or go between them, as usually is the case, when little kids play.

Not yet better

Venotjari is getting better and now the little one has started coughing again. I wonder when this ping-pong will end. I want to start a baby swimming course with him next week and I am really hoping that by then, the cough will be gone.

Looking at him in this picture makes me amend my comment, that the two look alike. He has his very own distinct features that are different fron those of his sister - although I couldn't really say which features those are... maybe his mouth? Anyhow, he is a charming and good-looking young man. And foremost, he looks like a little boy - he has boy-features :)
The ladies at the baby massage course, where saying that he looks like a football player (to be). Can't say I agree to that - actually wouldn't want to agree to that, because football players all look a liitle darft and stupid; as if they do not have all the brain matter which normal people have.
And I have noticed that the young man really has a wonderful and well functioning digestion. Everytime I feed him, he immediately gets rid of bodily waste afterwards. Also, when he lies on his tummy, he also farts (poops, or however one calls it). His body functions like a swiss watch and he is growing liek weed. He probably weighs 7kg by now - and that at 3,5 months. Must be the very good mommy milk of exceptional quality.

As to Venotjari: she is still having a ball at the kindergarten. Although the days that she was sick and at home were also not as stressful as I though they might turn out to be. As lomg as we are outside and taking a walk along the river, all is fine. As of next month, she will only be going to the kindergarten for 3 days a week. The other 2 days will be mommy and Unovandu days, spent walking along the river or visiting friends.
She has learnt a new song and I cannot decifer it. May be something they learnt from the new Irish exchange teacher they have in her group.
Oh, and the most important thing: she has now started asking to go to the toilet. And when she is on her potty, she makes pipi. She still has not yet let a big one drop, while on the potty, but I believe that it is only a matter of time. When I picked her up yesterday, she even said that she would like to go to the toilet when we get home. I unfortunately forgot to take to her potty, so she made a big one in her nappy. Next time I will be more observant and it will work...

A biter!

The little man is a biter. Who would have thought. I guess that means that he will have to get used to the bottle very quickly, once he gets his first teeth. But to his defence I must say that he only bites, when he has (apparently) had enough to drink and I am convinced of the contrary - offering him some more. Maybe I should start listening to the silent and subtle hints he gives me... :)
As for the older one: still sick and quite moody for the matter.

Now Venotjari is sick..

.. when does it ever get better - if ain't one thing, its another :-)
She has fever, a bronchitis, her ears are inflamed and the throut as well. Too many things at once. But when she has taken her machine, the fever sinks and she becomes happy and active again.
To top it all up, Unovandu has got a really sore bottom and is practically crying non-stop. He doesn't want to be put down and she wants to sit on my lap. Try and explain to a sick 2 year old that she can't have your undivided attention, because her little brother needs your attention more. Quite difficult- but not unmanageable. We managed to somehow get through the day and attend to the little crises, as they happened. Tomorrow will be a very demanding day, as Michael will be working in the office and not at home like today. Two sick kids to take care of... life couldn't be better... :-) ...the good thing is that there is definately a light at the end of the tunnel and then they are really a joy to have...

3 months old today

There is hope yet...

On the way to the kindergarten this morning, Venotjari was in a giving mood and she allowed me to play my music in the car (instead of her music - which is Coldplay, Viva la vida). Usually when I am allowed to play my music, she also enthusiastically encourages me to sing along.
So today I put on OPP by Naugthy by Nature. And prompt came the "sing Mommy". So I started singing (or rather rapping) along. As always to good music, I was bobbing my head to the beat. And what do I see in the rearview mirror - Venotjari was bobbing her head too!!!
She may dance like an "otjirumbu" and have nearly no feel of rythem at all, but she can bob her head to good music... :)

Getting better and getting worse

Unovandu is on the way to good health. The fever is gone. The cough is still there though, but he is generally a happier person than he was a couple of days ago. The only downside is that the nights are not so good anymore. I need to "retrain" him to better sleeping habits again.
Venotjari is becoming an official "drama queen". She shouts and cries and throws herself on the floor as soon as something displeases her. I had the impression that things were getting better, but this last week proved me wrong - she is still in the "terrible twos" phase... full-time.

Unovandu is sick!

and has been sick now since Monday. It started with a small cough a couple of times during the day and since Wednesday he has fever and is really not feeling well. I hardly recognise my baby anymore. He is moody and cries very often. The worst part of it is that he does not smile - I miss his happy face. He should get well soon.
Crazy how close one is to tears, when your child is in some sort of pain and you cannot help him, because you do not know where he is hurting. I had to stay strong at the doctor today - was terribly close to tears (how embarassing...).
The next worst thing is that today is Friday and his doctor is only back on Monday, should we need him. I hate going to the hospital and having to deal with a doctor that you do not know and that does not know your child. I get the feeling that maybe he is not treating my child properly. So much to having faith in doctors... I don't really, am always sceptical on one I don't know. Who can ensure that he really knows what he is doing and is good at what he does... (Vaja would kill me if he read this...)

Growing up

It may be just me, but the little one seems to have made a large step forward in his development. He is now constantly saying something and he laughs (out loud) quite often - when you tickle his tummy or his side. And I also saw - today - the first indication of sitting while lying on his back (basically lifting his legs up). Seems like the start of something big...
And for me, the hay fever has officially begun - hello to itching eyes, nose, mouth, sneezing and a runny nose.... I am definately looking forward to the next 2-3 months (NOT!!)

After a hard days work under the "activity center"

Heads up

Unovandu has been able to hold up his head for quite some time now, but at the moment I can say that he has become a professional "head-up-holder". He does it so well and for such a long time before beginning to complain - sometimes he can stay on his tummy with his head up for more than half an hour.
His doctor still calls him a "schlappie", because he does not have enough strength in his arms. But I am sure that with enough tummy training, he will master that too.
And the grabbing also goes on. When he lies under his "activity center", he is fully engrossed in trying to grab the rings and concentrate on what is in front of him. He remains an easy-care baby, which of course makes life much better for me.
Venotjari is still our little, complaining, sweet princess.
They are both growing up so fast and time is going by too fast as well!!!

Whos hands are these??

I caught him the other day playing with his hands. His one hand was trying to grab the other and vice verse. It looked quite amusing and I then realised that the poor boy has not yet understood that those hands are actually his..

The model (alligator) face

Beautiful!

Carnival

And Venotjari went dressed as an alligator (or maybe a crocodile, dinasour or dragon - we are not quite sure). She looked adorable, as one can see...
The rest of us were at home and Michael went to work - no partying for us.
The little one has terrible sleeping habits now. It seems to have gone from good to worst and I do not know how that happened

One-off

So yes, it was a one-off. Last night he only slept his unsual hours and I had to get up twice to feed him. So I guess we will have to wait longer until we have peaceful nights... sadly... I started hoping... am slightly disappointed... but will get by :-)

Grabbing and heads up

Yesterday Unovandu started grabbing - or rather tired grabbing a ring lying in front of him. He didn't quite manage it, but he is getting there. And when he lies under his "activity center", he also tries grabbing the rings hanging down in front of him. The result is that he hits them instead - but again, he is getting there.
He's getting better in holding his head up when lying on his tummy. He also does not roll over immediately, but manages to hold his balance for quite some time.
Now he has started crying, which means its feeding time...

Laughing and sleeping

He laughed!! Quite amazing actually that one of us adults were able to make him laugh. Venotjari refused to make a sound- defying all our endevours to make her laugh. But her little niece Anne seemed to do it better and she laughed out loud.
Now Michael has achieved the what-we-thought-was-impossible. Last night before Unovandu had to go to bed, Michael pulled a face and he laughed. Apparently during nappy-change he laughed some more (I wasn't there to witness it..).
Another achievement took place during the night. The slept till 4.30am, woke up, but then went back to sleep and slept until 7 - which is when he got the first milk for the day. Quite an achievement: 8 hours without anything to eat (or drink - if you take it literally..). Maybe this is the start of peaceful, quiet nights without any waking up for all of us... Let's wait and see. It just might have been a one-off and tonight everything will be back to normal.
Very eventful days...

Moving on up

It is now official: Unovandu is a 62.
Venotjari remains a 98... good for my wallet... :-)

New news

Have been way too lazy the last couple of days to write anything on the blog - although Michael keeps asking and saying I should (so that I can remember the time... so he says).
Unovandu is now really a person. It is amazing to see him "wake up" ans take note of what and who is around him. Now the time with him is becoming more interesting, but also more tedious. He needs to be entertained and gets bored very quickly. He still remains a lazy drinker, which sometimes gets me wound up (guess I'm too impatient!).
He turned 2 months yesterday and we weighed him: 6kg. I was shocked. He may be a lazy drinker, but it seems that the small amount that he does drink, is quite enough. He will probably become a "well-fed" baby and toddler, as his sister was... (some people even dared to use the word "fat" when describing Venotjari :) ...)
Speaking of which: Venotjari. According to her teachers at the kindegarten, she is a born entertainer and keeps most of the kids in her group busy. She also keeps me busy, to be honest. The mornings are great with her. The afternoons are okay. The evenings are not that good anymore. It must be linked to her level of energy at each phase of the day. Unfortunately for her, my level of energy is just as low as hers in the evenings, which makes it a difficult time for all involved.
She still adores hr brother to death (literally). Her jealousy is so subtle, that someone from the outside would not recognise it. But we do. Although I must admit that the amount of "nos" and "don't do that" I say to her have decreased over the past weeks. But one still has to keep a watchful eye on her and not leave her too long alone with Unovandu. Because all you hear then is terrible screaming from Unovandu and an innocent looking Venotjari next to him. Trying to ask what she did to him is useless - she just blatantly refuses to reply.
But she remains adorable and you just have to love her...!

Unovandu at (nearly) 8 weeks

Quite amazing how he has grown. He smiles when you aminate him and he has started speaking "baby language". It started about 1-2 weeks ago. From a passive, drinking, sleeping being, he has become a reactive, interacting individual.
The only down side: he vomits very often...

Our first blog. This is a test