First holiday without Ms Maya

Yes, it's been a while I know - I've been so busy at work and have even been taking work home - and truthfully, if I have any free time over the weekend or in the evening, I spend it with Maya or chill with Hein or watch TV. I seriously need some girl time!

In a week's time we'll b going on our first holiday - international holiday that is - sans Maya. Two weeks without my little girl. The only reason why I think I'll be fine is knowing that she'll be with my parents. I'm flying to Durban to drop her off and then when we get back, Hein will fly to Durban to pick her up. My parents are so excited and I'm excited for them!

These pics are some of my favourites of Maya and her dad. Love.

Determined to walk

You would never guess from this video that Maya can't even crawl yet. She refuses.

The walking ring

It's such fun seeing Maya so mobile - and the way she gets so excited when she discovers that this contraption can take her to places she's never been able to reach. It was a gift from her grandparents when we went to visit them in Durban. Her favourite however is the dustbin. So whenever she's on the go, we have to swiftly move that out of her reach.

Maya's cousins

The poser

Maya loves the camera - she literally stops what she's doing and smiles for the camera. Makes me laugh every time.

Daddy's girl

It was hard when Hein was away - a whole week! I'm not talking about looking after Maya on my own. I missed him. And I missed him for Maya too. So many little things were happening while he was away - like she unclipped the seat belt of her swing chair all on her own and other little things that I didn't record but gave me such joy. It's that feeling of sharing the responsibility and joy of raising a child together. And I felt such pressure at work knowing it was up to me solely to make sure I got home in time for the nanny to be able to fetch her 4-year-old son from school. My heart raced and I would break into a sweat every time I had to pack up my things at the office and get on the road home praying that nothing would happen to prevent me from reaching home in time. I don't know how single parents manage.

So what a wonderful Saturday night I had excited for him return and getting up the next morning to pick him up from the airport. Maya, had been yelling by the time I parked the car. It was hot and she was bothered. But as soon as she saw her father, she gurgled and smiled and her misery was forgotten. She's in love with her father. And he's in love with her.

Two little teeth

I hadn't realised until Nanny Noma pointed out one morning last week that Maya had two teeth. I was gutted! Why hadn't I seen them? And the thing is, she had been suffering from a mild case of diarrhoea and her cheeks were all flushed... still I didn't put two and two together.

My little sausage has not gone through that terrible teething phase like they warn you in all the books so I should count myself lucky. Shame, I can see her gums are itchy though and I've given her Purity teething biscuits which she loves but oh boy do they make a soggy mess; and of course teething toys. But her favourite is chewing on your finger! She succeeded in scraping my pinky finger nail quite considerably!

Today she's seven months! Hooray Maya! And I've also decided to stop breastfeeding her as of this morning. Sorry my darling. But you love the Nan and mommy needs to work getting her figure back. It's time.