Meet Yusuf

Although I have blogged about Yusuf before, I don't think I ever truly reflected on the influence he's had on my life, and who this unique little addition to our family really is. Partly due to my long blogging absence, partly due to the fact that, post hospitalisation for bronchiolitis, post needing grommets at 2 months old; Yusuf has been a pretty 'easy' baby. He has always been, and continues to be a cheerful little soul, smiling more than not, sleeping well more than not, always interactive and loving toward everyone. Don't misunderstand...I am not claiming that everything is breezy this time round. He gets sick very often, which any parent knows is very stressful and tiring. But even at his most miserable, he'll always find room for a smile. I'm aware it may just be that in contrast to Sumayah, who woke up 10 days after her birth and just turned our world upside down, raising Yusuf seems less...challenging. And while that spirited, lively nature is what we love about Sumayah, it is a stark, yet refreshing contrast to have such a joyful and contented child.

At this age, glimpses of a child's personality usually starts to emerge and as I get to know this new little man in my life I thought it only fitting to celebrate his existance through my blog. As young as he is, he already knows how to turn on the charm. He has this way of looking at you that makes you want to give him the world! Now that he's walking he is crazy busy,he loves being outdoors, and as much as it makes him behave very mischievously, I absolutely adore his natural curiosity. And with that curiosity comes real determination, a trait I hope I nurture rather than cripple in attempts to keep him out of harms way. It amazes me how, after only one year in this world he is able  to  figure things out just by trying again and again and how quickly he already learns from our actions and behaviours. This also happens to be the age when separation anxiety kicks in and he is definately showing signs of attachment to me. If I had to describe him in just one word?...Joyful! And I love him to bits.

Impossible is Nothing

It's amazing how children's personalities develop at such a young age already.We have decided that Sumayah's slogan in Impossible is Nothing. She is one fearless, willful and super determined little girl. When we put her in her playpen, she has started trying to lift herself over. Of course this is not possible because the top of the playgym is at her eyebrow's height, but that won't stop her from trying. She has even managed on a few occasions to lift her body off the ground for a second, hanging only by her fingers! Yep! i am not exaggerating, that is how strong she is. When she's not in her playpen we try blocking her path to the t.v with objects such as the rocking chair and the playpen, but when next we look she is on the other side of the barrier! Somehow she always manages to wiggle her way through the smallest space to get to where she wants to be. Yesterday I had such a good laugh when I caught little miss prison break in action. We have one of those safety gates at the bottom of the stairs, because madam has figured out how to climb the stairs. Yes, at 8 months she thinks can do anything her brother can, so when he goes upstairs, she simply follows him! So anyway, the safety gate is up and while working yesterday she was playing around my feet, then she went to the gate which was behind me. Knowing that it was closed I didn't pay too much attention, but when I turned around to look at her... she actually managed to get her head through the little gap between the gate and the wall and was very expertly trying to manoeuvre her body through. Of course the minute I screeched "oh my word Sumayah! What are you doing?",  it was as if she knew she was doing something she wasn't supposed to and tried to pull her head out.... but it was stuck. So alas I couldn't get the camera to capture the moment because I had to help miss alcatraz get her head out of the bars. She hasn't tried it again, but not too long ago I caught her fiddling with the suction screws that holds the gate securely against the wall!

Oh, did I also mention that she loves eating paper and moving furniture around, particularly the dining chairs. And yes she actually does move them around the dining room! She also broke her play mobile (you know the one that stands on 4 legs that they supposed to lie under on the floor as babies?)... yes well she broke that in half! When we were in Cape Town we could take the one Bilaal had as a baby out of a box in almost mint condition. And I don't bother with expensive brand name bottles, because it's R100 down the drain when she cracks the bottom of the bottle because she is very fond of chucking it (with purpose and force I might add) onto the floor when she's had her fill!

Yep, that's our little Sumayah for you. Can you imagine how much fun we gonna have with her when she starts walking?!