Sugar Beets: 2013

I must let it be told that I have a condition, a magazine condition. Some women have a boot condition other women have a bag condition (I have a little of that one), but my biggest condition is my magazine collection. I LOVE periodicals!! Not just any magazine's, but design magazines.. like Coastal Living, Elle Decor and HGTV to name a few. Heck you can throw in some Instyle Mag. At times I bombard my family members who travel from SA to bring some South African design mags like Elle Decoration SA and Visi mag.

Not so proud that my imprint on the environment doesn't bode well, so am starting to get my magazines downloaded on my iPad. It just isn't the same as the glossy surfaces of a magazine, but will have to work at it to get used to it!!

Yes, it's a bit of a condition, but one that is hard to let go!

The BIG ONE!

Can't believe that my baby girl is one today. Where did the year go? What happened? I can honestly say that time has zoomed by and I only wish that things would slow down, but I know that they will only continue to speed up.

It has been such a blessing to have a baby in my life again. I cherished having given birth to Henry 6 years ago, and now with Camilla, I get to experience the evolution once again. The whole experience having a baby girl has been somewhat surreal because in many ways my two children are very much alike. Of course they are two individuals, there own little brains, body and souls, but I do feel these two are connected souls. Both are very headstrong and smart with social skills to charm even the most uninterested bystander. I get that I am completely boasting here, but it is at these moments and milestones where I can really take time and reflect on their growth and changes and completely revel in it. I love my KIDS!

Today is officially Mila's birthdate, but we celebrated with family last night. Despite cutting two more teeth this weekend, runny nose, sleepiness and all, Camilly was a super star (what birthday doesn't have some stress).

Camilla enjoyed her pressies so much! We gave her a 'baby' and she hugged and kissed her baby. She is such a huggy love! Henry was a good helpful big brother. All he wanted to do was assist in blowing out the candles, unwrapping presents and help play with her toys. What a loving big bro (she's one lucky gal)!

Dearest Camilla Georgina Kruuse, today is your very first birthday. What a lucky mama I am to have you in my life and to celebrate you, my girl! It is hard to believe that a year has passed. You have changed so quickly from a wee infant to the early stages of toddlerdom. We're in for a whirlwind with you. You're a feisty gal, who knows what you want! You can keep up with your older brother who at times doesn't realize that you are about less than half his size and all he wants to do is love all over you (some of those big hugs can be a bit too overbearing, but you've learned to let him know). You love to carry around the odd sock and use it to chew on or help dust or wipe things up. Greeting neighbors, friends and family has come easy for you. You blow kisses and your wave, which is by far one of the most darling things you do, is so animated where all your fingers open and close like a flower. You have been calling out to your brother Henry for months now. Most mornings when you awake we can hear you calling his name (I must admit I'm slightly jealous to the fact that you use his name a wee bit more than mine). Most animals, go 'woof, woof' even a gato (cat). When you see most animals you give a nice high pitched squeal and then you woof like a dog. We're still working on the meow like a cat. And when you see your auntie's cats, you still 'woof' at them and point! You love food and have an array of favorites: apples, blueberries, raisin toast, avocados, quesadillas, clementines, lemons and freeze dried fruits. There's more but the list would continue down the page! You are still loving chi chi (nursing), and we've started to try out both goats and cows milk, but they haven't won you over yet. Hoping to get you to enjoy a bit more each day. Some of your daily routines which you love is going to take Henry to the bus stop in the mornings. I think you like seeing your brother and all the kids take off in the big yellow bus and wishing you could join them, but I also know you enjoy greeting our friends who meet us at the stop. You get to smile, coo and be passed from mom to mom. There are so many moments with you Camilla that I wish I could freeze into my brain and etch them in there for life. Grasping to hold on to these moments and to not let you go so quickly, I'm trying to keep you a baby just a little bit longer. I love you my daughter.

Love and kisses from your Mama!

This coming Saturday we are hosting another birthday with a few of our little friends. It is a bunny themed (she was born on Easter) birthday and am super excited! Will post more pics later!