Christmas is on its way!!!

Last year's Christmas was not the most Christmas-sy for us. We took occupation of our house 1 November and started our renovations, and then we finally moved in on 28 December, so for the whole time leading up to Christmas we were busy all the time with fixing, and then packing, and lots of uncertainty about when we were actually going to do anything. So we didn't even put up our tree...

So this year we had lots of time to make up for - so we feel fully justified in putting up our tree in November (some voices were even calling for October...)

So last weekend we did the deed.

Joshua absolutely loves Christmas decorations!

And if he could have he would have loved to help us putting up the tree...

Look at that longing look!

Some detail from the finished product

So Christmas has officially come!

First swim

Joshua and I had our first swim yesterday. First time I've been in our pool without a huge belly, and his first time ever in a pool! So quite a day! Took him a while to decide if he liked it, but I think we'll convince him to get in the water again...

Ready for action - thanks to my mom for the cute costume that she gave "Baby Herbie" last Christmas...

Very undecided about the merits of this water thing...

In the end the pool skim was the most interesting thing for him. He also loves the drain in the bath - the water disappearing down a hole somehow fascinates him.

And doesn't our pool just look gorgeous! I think now that I've broken it in for the summer we'll be using it a lot more ;o)

Stressfull moments...

Joshua is such a wonderful baby, that I guess there has to be something that's not perfect, and that's his health... Nothing too serious, just that he has been almost constantly sick with a cold (sometimes getting a bit more serious) for months now.

So when it flared up again last week I made an appointment to see the paediatrician to see if it was allergies, and just in general what to do going forward.

So Tuesday morning I took some time off work (always the up-side to things like this) and off we went. The doctor asked all sorts of questions, did a general examination, and then said he wanted Joshua to have some blood tests to test for allergies, and then also to come back in 6 weeks once his ear infection should be cleared up with the antibiotics.

So downstairs we went to Pathcare... Quite a long walk when you know that your child is not going to enjoy what's on the other end (and I was also carrying Joshua, and anything over 10kg's makes life difficult...) The sisters were really nice, but they couldn't get a vein in the first arm they tried, so that was a whole lots of crying and screaming for nothing. Thankfully they got blood on the second arm. I don't think I could have taken much more. Joshua was swaddled up in a sheet so he couldn't use the rest of his limbs to obstruct the process, and I was lying next to him, just holding his head and singing to him to try and calm him down. I felt so helpless and absolutely horrible for putting him through this. But the wonderful thing about children is that as soon as it was over and I could take him in my arms he calmed down and (because he hadn't slept yet all morning) fell asleep, and slept all the way to Debbie's place.

This is when being a parent is so horrible and unfair... But your child forgives and forgets completely, and that makes it all bearable.

The paediatrician called me back yesterday to say that all the allergy tests came back negative - so no allergies! And what I'm especially happy about is that there are no food allergies (I was really, really hoping that wasn't going to become part of our life). But his immune system is low because his antibodies are a bit lower than they should be... So that's why he's getting sick all time. So we have to go and see him again for him to explain our strategy going forward. He said very definitely though not to lose any sleep over it because its not overly serious, and we can sort it out.

So... Despite the panic, all is well, and at least now we know exactly where we stand!

Our "ba-ba"

Joshua is getting vocal! Yesterday he said "ba-ba". He was at his day mom, Debbie (who is also the Primary president in our ward, and who absolutely loves him to bits), and she said it was so clear and they all got so excited, but of course he just carries on like nothing's happened, and of course he wouldn't do it again...

Then in the evening Andrew was trying to get him to say it again, and off he goes, "ba-ba-ba-ba", and then he decided to go quiet, but he kept on mouthing it for a while.

And then this morning my brother, Andrew got him to say "hu-ba" a couple of times.

I know this isn't "intelligent" talking, and he hasn't shown that he knows what he's saying, but it's exciting to hear something other than growling ;o)

Joshua's first 7 months in visuals

Well, I have a lot of time to catch up on, so I thought I'd just show some of Joshua's highlights over his first 7 months.

At just a few hours old. When they brought him through to me (I had an emergency ceasar, so I spent some time in the recovery room) I just couldn't believe how beautiful he was!

He spent a LOT of time sleeping in the first week, of course. So some of the unique positions he got himself into...

(I'm really frustrated cos the battery on our camera had gone flat, and we didn't use it much while I was pregnant, so the date on all of the photos for the first week are wrong...)

Doesn't he look just like a puppy?

Once he started waking up a bit, towards the 4 week mark. Look at those long fingers! His hands are so pudgy now that I'd forgotten how long his fingers are (If they weren't so long they would absolutely look like sausages now!)
One of the first photos we got of Joshua smiling.
The day of Joshua's name and blessing. We were lucky to have most of our family come to church that day (even my brother Andrew!)

In the circle we had Andrew, my dad, Andrew's dad, his brother-in-law Clint, our bishop Andre du Plessis, and our home teacher Mack Park. Andrew gave Joshua a beautiful blessing, and it was just another time that I was so grateful to have a husband who holds the Priesthood and can do all of these ordinances for our family. A very special day.

The Powrie family

The Herbert family
A four generational family - my mom, her mom, me and my son

On 27 June 2008 my sister Colleen married Rohan Schwartz, so the day required all of the dressing up of the occassion.

And then just some of the general cute photos my beautiful boy:

His first bubble bath (bath time is definitely one of his favourite times - and now we generally have to protect all and sundry from his very vigorous kicks and accompanying splashes)

His tongue is somehow one of the cutest parts of him...

He is great friends with the Flounder that Sue brought back for me from Disney

He is just such a happy baby!

The first time we dressed him up for churchHis first time sitting in his chair...
I just love this photo. I feel so loved when I see that look on his face while he's lying next to me
One of his first attempts at sitting independently...

His pajamas!

Remember those long thin fingers? There's nothing thin about this boy anymore!

So that's our little boy!

Just to get it out there - he has no teeth yet; despite sitting beautifully, and being really strong, and he stands really well if you hold him in a standing position, he isn't at all interested in rolling over; he loves growling, making sounds and just anything that makes a noise; he loves his cereal and fruit that he's been having for the last month, and eats really well (eating seems to have come naturally for him... maybe it's in the genes?); he loves other children, and give a huge smile to just about anyone that gives him attention; and he has absolutely captured our hearts!

Introduction

I have finally decided to try the world of blogging.


For my first post it seems appropriate to give a brief introduction to my family.
I have been married for 4 wonderful years to Andrew Herbert, and in April this year we were blessed with our first son - Joshua.

So now for a bit of history about us:


Shelly (Powrie) Herbert


I was born on 12 April 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa, and I've lived here most of my life. I matriculated from Edgemead High School in 2001, and went on to do a BCom and BCom (Honours) in Financial Accounting at the University of Cape Town, in preparation for qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. I worked as an assistant lecturer at UCT in 2006, as part of the academic traineeship program before coming to PricewaterhouseCoopers to complete the last 2 years of my training contract. I took a 4 month break during this year to have Joshua, but I'm now back at work, and looking forward to qualifying in about 4 months time.


I was lucky enough to be born into a family that are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. I consider this one of the greatest blessings in my life. I was able to grow up knowing the truths that have been revealed in these latter days, and to have them as part of my daily life. The Church has been my anchor and has really determined how I have lived my life. I am currently serving in Primary (the children's organisation) where I teach singing, as well as leading our ward choir.


My parents, Les and Sally Powrie, have 5 children - myself, Colleen (22), Andrew (nearly 20), Cindy (17) and Richard (nearly 15). I can honestly say that for the most part we have been a very close and happy family. I enjoyed my growing up years, and I don't think there is much that I would change if I was given the chance.


Andrew Herbert


Andrew was born on 26 August 1970 (yes, he is 13 years older than me...) in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). His parents, Trevor and Sarie Herbert, have 6 children, of which Andrew is the third. They left Zim in 1977 and moved to Johannesburg, where they lived for 7 years until relocating to Cape Town. Most of their life in Cape Town has been spent in Fish Hoek. All of Andrew's siblings are adults, most with families of their own, so to name them all will be a bit clumsy. So I'll introduce them as they come up.


Andrew matriculated from Muizenberg High School in 1988 (he's an 80's child!). He then did his national service, being trained as a medic, and then working in the kitchens (go figure). In 1991 to 1993 he served a mission for the Church in Johannesburg, working primarily in township areas. He came back, and was offered a job at Federal Clearing and Forwarding, a company owned by his sister-in-law's mother, Helen Vlok, and he has worked there ever since. He is now managing the imports department.


Andrew was also born after his family joined the church, and so has lived his entire life as a member. He is now serving in the bishopric in the Panorama Ward, where we live.


Joshua Herbert


Joshua Andrew Herbert was born on 3 April 2008, weighing 3.94kg's and measuring 53cm. He is an absolute delight, and we couldn't ask for a better child. He is incredibly sweet natured, has slept through the night since he was 2 months (except for exceptional circumstances like when he's been sick) and makes us laugh every day.

He is still a very big boy. When we weighed him over the weekend, at his 7 month mark, he was exactly 10kg's. It's no wonder that your arms now die after 10 minutes of holding him. Since we started feeding him solids he has gained a significant amount of weight. But no one seems concerned, so I guess we shouldn't be either.


But, apart from the aching arms and backs, Andrew and I absolutely love being parents, and are very grateful that we have this special spirit in our lives.


I will add a family picture when I remember to bring one to work. We still don't have the internet at home, so I have to do this here. But you can picture in your mind two very proud parents with their beautiful little boy.


If anyone that I have included on the list to get automatic update whenever I do a post would rather not get the updates, please just let me know, and I'll take you off. I know what it's like to have your inbox full of unnecessary email. And you can of course go to my blog whenever it's convenient for you.