Sep

One More Sleep

Hi everyone,

To start I must make mention that my blog did not make it into the finals for the SA Web Blogs of 2010. Despite being a little sad about this, I’m very grateful to all my avid readers and fans that voted for me. At least my blog did make it into the top ten, which in itself is a huge achievement for a littley like me.

Monday started off with Granny arriving, and after we bid Dad farewell to go to work, Mom, Granny and I headed off to Fourways Shopping Centre. We seldom go to Fourways, as it is pretty far from our house, and we’ve lots of great centres nearby, but I did enjoy the sojourn. While there we found some cool new clothes for me for summer – the weather is so incredible at the moment, and it goes without saying that I must dress accordingly. During most of the week the temperatures have been in the early 30’s (Celsius).

To take advantage of the brilliant weather, I spent the afternoon outside around the pool. I worn only my swimming trunks, with no nappy. Apparently this is all part of my being potty trained. My ?thoughts on the matter? “Whatever!” When Dad got home from work he too swam and I had a whale of a time splashing him. I also started calling Granny, ‘Anny’, which thrilled her as I hadn’t really had a name for her as yet.

On Tuesday morning Dad went to collect Opa at his house and then took him to Milpark Clinic to be admitted for tests. Poor Opa has been suffering with shortness of breath, as well as two bouts of pleural effusion and mild pneumonia. As the condition was recurring and not responding to medication, Opa’s medical practitioners want him admitted for a thorough investigation and tests. During the morning, Mom and I went to phsyio, for Mommy. While there I played with Emma and Butch, the physio dogs! I was thrilled at how cool Mom’s physiotherapy practice was; in addition to the dogs there was even a resident ginger cat, Jogi. I had a such a good time.

In the afternoon Mom had a graduation ceremony for her BabyGym Mommies and Babies, as it was their final class. Everyone was so thrilled and tea and cake was served in honour of the littley’s that had been in the class for the past few weeks.

After BabyGym, Mom and I headed off to Milpark Clinic to visit Opa. Dad was already there, as he’d spent the day with Opa. I showered Opa with hugs and kisses, as I understood all about being in hospital, having tests done, and lots of prodding and poking. I was not allowed into the ward to visit Opa, but Opa came out to see us. We visited at the cafe in the hospital. Opa had a hot chocolate which he shared with me. I was so thrilled. Additionally Opa got me an inflated Barney – I felt a little bad, as we should’ve been spoiling Opa, but instead he spoiled me.

Wednesday morning we went to music. It would be my last class for two weeks, as the school is closing for the holidays. After a great music class Mom and I did some shopping at BabyCity. At home, I slept for a while, woke up, asked Mom for some food, and drifted off back to sleep, but not before I told Mommy that she must come snooze with me. In the afternoon we visited Opa at Milpark Clinic again.

While there I made lots of friends, as Opa made certain that everyone knew what a little miracle I was. Mom and Dad were bombarded by questions about my condition, how it was treated, next steps, etc. They didn’t mind, as my condition is so rare, and because I’ve survived so successfully people are completely in awe. Mom and Dad also try ‘spread the word’ as it were about my treatment and successes in the hopes that others can benefit from it, no matter how small or in what way. I was now a celebrity at a third hospital!

Mommy had physio on Thursday so I got to see the ‘physio pets’ again. Back home I had a marathon snooze of a few hours. Upon waking, Dad was already home and we headed off to Milpark Clinic to visit Opa. We had dinner with Opa and visited with him in the cafe. It was dark by the time we left, and Dad realised it was almost time for the International Space Station (ISS) to pass over Jo’burg. Each time the ISS passes over Jo’burg at night, Dad gets a Tweet with the time and location to look for it. We headed up to Northcliff, which is one of the higher spots in Jo’burg, and from there we saw the ISS overhead. It was amazing.

Friday was a Public Holiday – Heritage Day, or National Braai Day as has become the custom in South Africa. Dad was allowed to stay home, which always thrills me if I can get more ‘Daddy time’. The good news was the Opa was being discharged that day, so we headed off to Milpark Clinic to collect him. Once we arrived there there was still some admin needed and soon we were on our way. Opa was going to spend the day with us at home. En route, we stopped off a Delta Park for a play for me. I showed Opa all the climbing castles and swings. I was thrilled that Opa could see where I play in the week. It was then time for me snooze so we headed home.

Dad braai’ed for Mom and Opa while I snoozed, and once I was awake Opa and I played in the garden and house. Late in the afternoon we took Opa home – it was the first time we’d been at Opa’s house since November 2008. It was nice to be there, and it was nice to see all the memories of Oma around the house. I even found a framed photo of Oma that I took to Opa and said ‘Oma’! Everyone was thrilled that I remembered her. We only stayed for a quick cup of tea and then we visited Opa’s neighbours over the road, Anne and Frank, who know all about me, but whom I’ve never met. It was awesome to spend the rest of the afternoon visiting with them. Dad had many memories of their house, as he’s little friend Jose, lived there while Dad was growing up, and was there almost every day. That evening, back home, Dad and I once again spotted the ISS – twice in two days.

On Saturday morning Mommy was scheduled to present a BabyGym class, but one after another she started receiving SMS’s that Mommies were cancelling. I guess it was because of the long weekend. We took advantage of the spare time and headed up to the Linden Police Station, which is on the next block. There we sought out the resident bunnies and fed them carrots. I had a wonderful time feeding them the carrots, and calling them kitties! Mom and Dad regularly told me that they’re bunnies and not kitties. Either way I had a ball. I also met a policeman and shook hands with him. In the charge office I stormed off to check out the rest of the police station and discovered the holding cells. Upon seeing the cells I opted to be good, as I didn’t ever want a ‘time out’ in there!

Granny arrived as we got back home and I told her all about the bunnies and the police station. We all headed out to go shopping, as Mom, Dad, Opa and I were heading off to Bakubung Game Lodge next week. During the shopping I drifted off to sleep and, weighing in at 13kgs, Dad opted to take me back to the car where Granny stayed with me. Back home we took further advantage of the stunning weather and lunched on the back patio. Granny spent a long time swinging me in my swing and we played up a storm.

Sunday morning we walked around the Rose Gardens at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia. It was a perfect day, and all the blossom trees were in full bloom, and everywhere we looked it was green and beautiful. Many of the rose varieties were also starting to bloom, so, I stopped to smell the roses frequently. In the afternoon, after my snooze, we went to Cresta Shopping Centre. There I reverted to one of my favourite pastimes – talking and waving to the mannequins in the shop windows. I scored some new books, featuring Bob the Builder and others, and a stunning cannon building toy.

Well, that’s it for this week. I must now go and pack my suitcase and toys, as tomorrow morning Mom, Dad and I are heading off to Bakubung Game Lodge. One more sleep before my first visit to a game reserve!!!! What is even more exciting about this is that Opa is coming with us. It will be the first holiday that I’m spending with Opa so I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to tell you all about it next week.

Lots of love,

Jarrod