The ball

We bought a ball for Zoe, and she’s been absolutely fascinated by it! She blinks her eyes every time the ball bounces, which is very sweet. She also loves the colours, which are so bright. And she might even learn a bit about the countries her ancestors are from – or maybe at least how they taste!!   Although we must say we got the proportions between the ball and Zoe SO wrong… the ball is half of her size, which makes us always laugh.

ps. michi says we’re creating a football (soccer here) machine – Brazil and Germany fused together!

pps. michi also says that Zoe reminds him now of the “Great dictator” with a ball like that (see picture below). Well, let’s hope these “particular” German genes will not come through…

Swimming

We did our first family trip to the swimming pool with Zoe today!  Zoe didn’t seem at first that impressed and we were more excited than her! But then the water…  She couldn’t take her eyes from this curious substance. Once inside this element she enjoyed herself a lot and was jumping up & down with Papa’s help and “flying through the water” with mamae’s help. After all this excitement she just had to have an exhausted & deep sleep in the pram, and we used the break to have a swim ourselves and eat a little something. What a beautiful day again.

First steps in the pool

Amazed by the water

Waterplane

38 degrees

It’s been hot. Today it’s been 38 degrees – and we CAN feel it.

We all woke up very early and by 7am were ready to go to the beach with our 300 bags of stuff. 230 steps down to the garage, and the car door wouldn”t open. Hmm, surprise surprise the car battery was flat. So we went back upstairs, 257 steps again with our 300 bags and little Zoe looking puzzled. Papa called the car service, battery was replaced and off we went.

And it was worth it!  The beach was already getting full by 9am, and the water was SO amazing: so clear and refreshing. Mamae and Papa took turns enjoying a little swim while Zoe slept in the pram.

By the time we got back home the heat had increased. So it was Zoe’s turn to enjoy some refreshing water. We set up her bath in the terrace and we all had a lot of fun.

We’re just back from our lunch at a very nice cafe down the road. Also got some nice meat for the “barbie” (Australian for barbecue) from our friend Terrys. We just can’t think of going out again before the thunderstorm. Oh yeah, we’re looking forward to it, it’ll cool down afterwards. We can barely move. And Zoe’s been living only in her knickers, it’s just too hot here.

The bottle…finally!

Ah….Zoe finally decided to take the bottle! And formula!!!!! Of course, not any formula, but the champagne of formulas (price wise). Never mind, as long as she can drink the milk, and mamae can go back to work without worrying too much

It seems that it was all about a good chat and perseverance…Yep, Papa and mamae had several serious talks to her, explaining why she needed to drink from the bottle. Here’s probably what Zoe heard:

- Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

And her reply:

- A-coo? A-rzzzzzz RZZZZZ

Never mind, it worked, somehow!!!

A true stubborn/cabeca dura/dickkopf in the family, we still wonder where she got that from??!…HAHAHAHAH

Some pics on our drinking adventures

The highchair

We got Zoe her first chair! It’s been a success already, more than the food…just joking. The first day she was more excited about the new view, though, and the food was secondary. But she’s back enjoying her food. By the way, she rarely makes faces when eating now!

And she’s so happy eating that she even wants to bring the spoon to her mouth…so sweet! So now it’s carrot on the cheeks, ears, hair, even feet! Basically she now eats like Papa!

Some pics on her new chair

First beach adventure

We took Zoe to Clovelly for her first beach experience. Calm waters and plenty of children.

I think I don’t need to write much, you’ll see it well via the pics.

Mamae and Zoe

what is this strange moving surface?

Papa and Zoe

Pretty view from our tent

Let’s go swimming!

What a big bath!

Next time some swimming as well!

More beach please!

Fofissima

Difficult to find an equivalent word in English, but basically she’s so cute and chubby. My unbiased opinion, of course!

She now loves being kissed (especially belly kissing!), or let me put it better, she now shows that she enjoys it. So it’s a lot of giggling and plenty (even more!) of kissing and cuddling…Zoe is also much more aware of us around her, and she’s now interested in looking up at whoever is holding her. Fofissima…

Zoe keeps trying to sit up, and loves standing while we are holding her. So much practice for what is coming next!

The Glass

Yum, chamomile tea!

We couldn’t resist posting this new pic of Zoe and her favourite (magic!) glass. After so much struggle with the bottle (but we haven’t given up yet!), at least we can consistenly give her a drink from The Glass. I’m not sure if you can grasp why The Glass is so important for us here, but believe me, it IS. We started with water in The Glass, which she definitely loves. Now she even starts moving her lips as The Glass approaches. So cute! We then tried to give her some formula from The Glass, since it seemed to be a hit in itself…so you think: she obviously drank it. Of course not!! What a face of disgust!! But we’ll continue trying it for a little longer, perhaps changing the formula brand for the fourth time?! Not joking. How about bottle brands? And dummies? Hahaha, we know them all by now.

Zoe has also been very happy playing in her gym, although she now barely fits on the mat (Mr Octopus is probably relieved, he can’t face more pulling and beating)…  And mamae can’t believe how fast babies grow! And turning?! It was such a task, but now, one blink, she’s on her back, another blink, she’s on her tummy, kicking her legs away and looking around for something new. The sweetest bit is that she can’t turn back on her own, so after a while we hear some grunts and/or a scream of protest. Then it’s mamae, Papa or Oma to her rescue. A bit like a beetle on its back – just the other way around!

Christmas, New Year and the Blue Mountains

Days and days without writing, and so much has happened – again! And it’s the New Year already….

A quick update on our last few days:

Merry Christmas!

Oma arrived just in time for our Christmas barbecue: octopus, prawns, snapper. All so yummy, Papa! And we had auntie Sharps and uncle Nelson over with us (but we haven’t got a pic of both of them on the day!). It was Zoe’s first Christmas, not that she noticed anything different, hehehe…How could she if mamae only managed to put the decoration up on the 23rd?! 

We also had a visitor from overseas on Boxing Day! Auntie Marininha came to say hello on her way to Perth.

The 31st was great, we went to the beach in the morning – Papa and mamae had a dip while Oma stayed with Zoe under the shade. We even saw the amazing fireworks from our terrace – partly, of course, but it was beautiful. 2009 started and we can’t believe it yet. Time is just flying by.

We went to the Blue Mountains today. It’s such a short distance but Michi and I hadn’t managed seeing them so far. What a sight! We’ll certainly take everyone there, it’s really breathtaking. Check it for yourself on the pics below.

In the meantime, Zoe has been eating  loads of fruit and some veggie. On her menu we’ve got now apples, pears, mango, carrots, swede, banana, avocado. Favourites so far are clearly the pears, bananas, mangoes and swede! And it’s so amazing to see how interested she’s become in whatever we eat and drink…watching it all.

Modern caveman

We realised it’s easier to feed her if we are also eating. Social eating?! We’ve been also trying some formula now and then, which she SOMETIMES decides to have a sip from. Slowly we’ll get there – not much choice here, “Kindy” (that’s how they call childcare here) will start mid February. We need to get ready! (I mean, mamae needs to get ready for that!!)

Otherwise we’ve been enjoying the time off with Papa and Oma, beach, park, amazing salads and loads of barbecue. Ah, Papa has to justify his expensive new toy!

The three sisters

By the way, a very very very Happy 2009 for all of you!

View from the Sublime Point - perfect name, isn't it?

Another "sublime" picture

ps. Xmas decoration pictures by auntie Sharps