Looks at those cheeks!

Yasmin is growing, growing and growing ... just look at those cheeks! She's sitting up now and so loving it. She also had her first taste of solid food this morning - apple puree. She immediately scrunched up her face, can't really tell if she likes or dislikes it. More like a strange taste since she's been getting mama's milk since birth. But she's been a sweetheart these days and life is good for her.

Sitting up in her cot, gazing at the musical mobile

Getting ready to jump into the bath with Sera and papa


It's happy days for her, now that she can sit at the table with us


She's still a bit puzzled with this whole fruit purée business. She spits out more than she actually swallows but it's still early days.

Johan's birthday tea party

For Johan's birthday, Sera and I gave him a little tea party. Ha ha, sounds like such a 'girly' thing but he loved it. Sera was very excited about her papa's party and even went shopping with me, to find a cake for him. We invited some neighbours over and I laid out some light snacks out in the garden (much to the delight of the flies). Happy Birthday babe!

The gang relaxing while waiting for the guests to arrive

Such a pretty cake. Sera helped with three of the candles (can you tell which ones?). And the candles are supposed to indicate 33 years old.

The birthday boy with his two girls, err ... and one boy. That's Etienne who stood in for Yasmin, who was asleep in her cot.

A Christmas to remember

Christmas Day started like this ...

"Oh noooooo .... babe, Sera's eyes are swollen!"

I was in the kitchen making pancakes. Honestly, like I have the time ... I forgot to buy bread the day before and I know how Johan must have his bread and Nutella. But I also know he couldn't say 'no' to pancakes.

I dashed to the room, and lo and behold, Sera's eyes were SWOLLEN. Bee-stung, goldfish, punched up eyes ... my poor little girl. She looked so, so pitiful. Her left eye were mere slits and her right eye was struggling to open too. Johan was horrified, and all I could do was hug her. What a start to our Christmas together! It's surprising how methodical I was actually (Johan would say I was Miss Bossy!!!). I quickly called for the doctor, got Sera to open her presents, made the pancakes, bathe Yasmin, got everyone dressed up for Johan's company luncheon at the Atlantis Hotel but first, a stop at the doctor's.

An insect bit her, so the doctor claimed. There were 3 red dots around her eyes ... why those nasty insects!!!! He prescribed an antihistamine to bring down the swelling and then we were off for lunch. Lunch at the Atlantis was a 4-hour long affair. Sera (who was knocked out by the medication for the first half) and Yasmin were well behaved, considering the amount of hours spent indoors, in the restaurant. Even I was getting very restless!

The day is coming to an end and I'm totally exhausted. Johan and the girls are fast asleep. It may seem like it was just another crazy day but it was special in its own odd way. Like how we took a really nice family photo at Cooper's Clinic. I was so proud of Sera who still felt so pretty in her purple dress, despite her horribly swollen eyes. And most importantly, this Christmas, Sera listened intently and wide eyed when I told her the story of baby Jesus.

Happy Christmas everyone ... much love, Yasmin, Sera, Johan and Des

It's hard to tell, but Sera was excited to open up the presents

Sera presented Yasmin with her present

Our beautiful daughter who didn't let vanity spoil her day

Johan has strange ideas sometimes, like taking a family photo at Cooper's Clinic. But I'm going to love this photo for a long time because somehow, we always find something to smile about

Lunch. We were slightly disturbed by this Santa who had a habit of sneaking up on the diners with a weird sniggering sound and a strange walk. And this Santa also needed some fattening up! Yasmin was not at all impressed with him.

A crown for a king!

That's the over hyped Atlantis hotel behind us ...

Her eyes improved as the day progressed

And we can't forget how sweet Yasmin was despite fighting a cold all day

Days like these ...

We went all out this weekend, literally. We spent the afternoon at the beach here. I don't even know the name of the beach. Basically, it's the stretch between a restaurant and a sand dump. But it was so nice just doing absolutely nothing but lie on the sand, watch some surfers do their thing, and enjoy the wonderful salty beach air. We were there with a neighbour family who has a little girl whom Sera became fast friends with. Yasmin was no trouble at all and even did a power nap in my arms.

The next day, we spend it at Za' abeel park, our favourite one. Again, we were blessed with sunshine and just the right kind of breeze. Yasmin would be on the mat with me, if not, in her carrier on Johan. Sera was just playing around on the grass, running around doing cartwheels with me (ok, I was doing the cartwheels) and playing some football with Johan.

We're definitely looking to having many more days like these!

Yasmin has been easy outdoors ... so curious and engrossed in her surroundings

Yasmin wanting a piece of Sera's cookie. I think Yas will be ready for solids ... soon.

Her little Nintje cap from tante Nathalie

The kids having a go at badminton. That's Etienne, whose family was also picnicking with us.

Sera, Etienne and mama Bonnie playing on the grass

We found these painted horses around the park ... photo time!

She was desperately in need of a nap but she definitely had a good day

Her purple bag

Yasmin has a new sleeping bag, a pretty purple one with embroidered butterflies, one that is more suited to the colder nights here. She LOVES it, I think, or maybe I just want to believe that she's sleeping better because of it. Here she is in the morning, waking herself up (with the help of the camera flash too).

Say hello and wave goodbye ...

The four weeks that oma was here went by so quickly! Sera had a great time with oma. They were like the best playmates, always together, going to the playground, going for walks, cycling around the village or just hanging around at home. Sera was, of course, sad to say goodbye to oma but I think now, she understands 'waving goodbye' means 'saying hello' again.

Sera received her first present for Christmas from oma and opa

Christmas party

Christmas Party at Kangaroo Kids and we were all invited. Oma, Yasmin and I were there to enjoy the festivities. The kids sang Christmas carols for the parents and each one of them were in fancy dress so it was very pretty sight. Sera and her friends were the only kids with silver crowns on their heads. How cool was that! There were lots to do for the kids, bouncy castles, face painting, excessive amounts of food and even Santa dropped by in his 4 wheel drive.

Sera and friends prepare to take the stage

She was so thrilled to see oma, Yasmin and I at her school party

Batman on her left and an Arabian princess on her right

The kids sit comfortably while they feast on the goodies while the adults fuss over them

The Santa arrives ... in his Nike trainers and looking rather starved, and I don't recall Santa carrying a tiny bell?

Unfortunately, Sera didn't take to Santa at all. Her friends all dashed to grab their presents from him except her. She stood away and and cried, motified by the sight of Santa.

I received her present on her behalf

And she finally calmed down in oma's arms and excitedly opened her present

Madinat Jumeirah

We took oma to Madinat Jumeirah for her farewell dinner and of course, it was a treat for Sera and Yasmin who always enjoy going out, and at night ... whoa, double treat. Madinat Jumeirah is a resort built to resemble an ancient Arabian citadel. It is especially beautiful at night but I don't think my photos will do much justice to the place. After playing the tourists, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in one of the courtyards overlooking the waterways.

Behind us is the waterway which meanders through and around the resort. As you can see, both our girls are not cooperating with the smiling part.

The sun was setting thus lending a very warm orange gleam over the citadel. However, it was impossible to get Yasmin to tear her eyes away from the canal or the passing 'abra'.

A view of the Burj Al Arab, the first 7-star hotel in the world

Sera was stuffing her face with bread ...

Yasmin fell asleep before dinner ... probably exhausted from crying during the 20-minute car ride

Thanking Johan for cuddling her while she dozed off

A busy weekend to end a great week

This weekend was an eventful one. First off, opa came over for the weekend and Sera was determined to she got all his attention and she did, of course.

Sera was up early, in her princess dress, ready for opa

Sera, even you are going to have bad photos. 'smile'!

The defining moment for me was putting Yasmin in her pram (we've attempted this several times over the last few months and it was dreadfully unsuccessful) and having her sit in it for 20 minutes while we strolled over (I was so nervous) to Dubai Mall. It was a success I think and it can only get better. And it did because the next day, we had dinner out and Yasmin not only sat in the pram during the walk there but also sat halfway through dinner. Yipee ... ok, I think all mothers and fathers will truly understand this happiness and relief of mine.

1st day - To the mall ...

2nd day - To Urbano restaurant (see the new pram toy she received because of her successful 1st attempt. ha ha)

Yasmin had enough of the pram so into Johan's arms

And we finally put up our Christmas tree. Sera has been talking about the Christmas tree at her school for the longest time and so we thought it would be nice to have one at home, and have her decorate it too. She was a little puzzled about this 'tree' that came in pieces and like a puzzle, it had to be pieced together. But she and oma had fun decorating and wait till she sees the presents under it on Christmas morning.

Okay, I have to say putting up the Christmas tree is not all nostalgia especially when the tree is made of cheap plastic and bits of the plastic are all over the floor. More cleaning up to do! And who's going to pack up the tree after Christmas? 'Groan'. Johan said we'd just leave the whole tree in the spare toilet for next Christmas. Ha ha. Good idea!

Sera was hanging all the decorations at the bottom so we had to quietly move them up for her

And the final touch was the star that nearly toppled over the tree.

One more shot of Yasmin in her pram! You can tell I'm still over the moon that she is sitting on the pram and relieving my back a bit! Ha ha!

3rd day - to the playground with Sera