A year long hiatus ...

What happened? Oh yes, Darius decided to arrive at 32 weeks on the 23rd of December 2010. Life turned the hectic corner and most of it was dominated by a fun size mini-human that wouldn't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time.

If you're interested, here's the story of his birth, { http://bit.ly/iSTSpW } I wrote it once, I can't bare doing it again.

Life after Darius arrived home were beyond busy. My in-laws arrived shortly after and thank goodness they did. I'm not sure how I would have coped if it wasn't for them. After they left, Gideon took over Darius-duty every second week-end, every Thursday and Friday night so that I could sleep. Not enough words in the dictionary to say how thankful I am.

So a year later, he now weighs 10kg's (!!!!!) and is a happy, happy baby.

Last night, I stumbled upon this blog: Momastry. Like so many others, her most recent post resonated with me, like a big giant ghong going. She so beautifully verbalised what I've been thinking the past year. It may have been magnified by previously mentioned traumatic arrival of a certain baby, maybe also because living here, some things just feel as if they take on bigger proportions than they might do normally? Maybe its because I'm just really, really tired of doing this on my own. Whatever the reason, she inspired me to take a long look at myself, my life and I'm happy to say there'll be some interesting changes coming.

Firstly, reviving of my beloved blog, that just fell so far off the wagon, I couldn't even remember my log in! A total shame.

Secondly, some honest blogging, about what I see, feel and experience here, because after all, it IS quite the experience.

And thirdly, to balance my time between the boys, Digiridoo and Nowthenhabibi, so that I feel there's still time for me, in there somewhere. This I learnt, I absolutely must make time for me and spend time with me. If I don't, I'm not happy and if I'm not happy, well then life sucks and that's just boring.

So here's to a new year open with possibilites, a blank slate to decorate on, journal on, to live.

A quick recap of other stuff that happened: we had a brilliant vacation in South Africa and some days I still can't believe we're back here. My homesickness threatens to reach epic proportions every now and then, it helps to know that this too shall pass.

In other news, Kaydin's at his new school, happiness personified, his teacher is an absolute darling and wicked talented at keeping a class of 4 / 5 year olds in tow.

Darius had a very quiet birthday, with a cake and a candle, we'll do a party when Ouma Hettis is here in February.

Kaydin had a very quiet birthday yesterday, he'll have a party at school on Tuesday and a big bash on Friday. Which reminds me I really need to do those invites!! yikes.

And some birthday pics: {You can click on the photos for a larger view}

 

And do you see the Lego in the last photo? That's like and 8th of all the Lego he got for his brithday, I think all the Lego in the world came to him yesterday. Ok, not quite, but you get the picture.

So that is it for now. More on the imminent birthday parties and associated chaos, soon.

we send much love to all.