Sunday 20 October 2019

Letter to My Daddy II

Dear Daddy

It's me again, your little girl is all grown up

I'm not waiting for you anymore because you're here daddy

My little heart is so happy and loves seeing you everyday daddy

My mommy looks happier too daddy, can you see her smiling daddy?

I love it when you get me ready for school and pack my school lunch boxes daddy

I'm happy you're part of our family again

I'm happy that you're teaching me how to ride a bike daddy

I fell down daddy come kissy my eina!

I'm happy I can stretch my tiny arms around your neck daddy, your hugs are really the best daddy

You shine my shoes now too daddy, just in time for my graduation and grade 1 daddy

My 6th birthday is coming up daddy, my first party with you there too daddy!

You tell me every night I'm kind and smart daddy, I believe you because mommy says that too daddy

Mommy says I look so much like you daddy, can you see it too daddy?

I will always love you daddy

Forever your little girl...



Sunday 30 December 2018

The Travelling Toddler


Traveling on it's own, as fun as it is, is a mission!

Now add a toddler to the mix and it's damn near mission impossible...well, not really, but you get where I'm going with this, more so if you're a parent, aunt, uncle, ouma or oupa who has had to tackle long distances with the never ending "are we there yet"?

First things first! When traveling across border to enter into South Africa, parental consent from the parent who isn't accompanying you on this journey with your seed is required.

Appointment made at the South African High Commission, we had one item to check off our To-Do list! Great!

I always try to keep her occupied on the road with puzzles and educational toys and naps are also crucial in keeping the both of us sane!

It was lovely showing my daughter around the Mother City! Cape Town, where I spent about four years of my life making friends and just about having the best time of my university life.


We managed to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium which she absolutely loved, went ice skating, visited a museum in the Bo Kaap and also managed to squeeze in a mommy activity by visiting a wine farm in Paarl.


As we went as a group of moms, the kids got to play together and go ice-cream tasting while the moms did the wine and cheese tasting!

Another long road trip back to Namibia and we were home in Windhoek for about two days before we headed to northern Namibia.

Puzzles in tow for the road, we reached Ongwediva where she's been to before! We rested one night and we were off again to go glamping!

Another 500ks later and finally we arrived!

Rundu, what a beauty!


She says the best part of her trip was the boat ride we went on! How amazing to tour my country and show her the beauty that is Namibia!

En route back to Windhoek, we stopped at Oshikoto Lake in Tsumeb!

Our travels took us as near as Gross Barmen where our two days there mostly spent in the waters, ranging from cool to the hot bath and a yoga session by morning to as far as Saldanha Bay for a family wedding.


Another wedding in the north took her on a full day's game drive to the Etosha National Park. She returned with stories filled with elephants, lions and giraffes. 


All in all, the traveling toddler, kept occupied and fed, is a pleasure to tour with!  

 

Monday 16 July 2018

Hospital Blues


I had the worst week of my life when the Doctor's office called me at past 6pm to give me the results of baby's blood test...

The week before we had already been booked off school (and mommy from work to take care of the little one) when Clarissa-Yvonne was diagnosed with an ear infection and tonsils.
As the week went on, she started to feel better and I was happy that I could send her back to school the following week...or so I thought!

It was Sunday afternoon when she started complaining about her tummy but since there was no fever I simply thought it was something she ate! When this continued into the night I decided to follow my instincts and get her to the hospital.

As we arrived at Medi-Clinic we were given a bed and her temperature clocked in at 38.8 degrees. They gave her a suppository and told us to wait an hour for the fever to break...when they came to check again she was worse off with a temperature of 39 degrees. It was then that they placed a wet towel on my baby and after another hour told us we can go home, even though she still had a fever of 38.4 degrees, and further instructed us to visit her doctor the following day.

By now it was past midnight, she was medicated and asleep and I had little energy to argue with the hospital staff as to why we are being sent away while she's clearly not OK and to add to that to further instruct us to go see our doctor while we were already in a hospital filled with doctors!

Moving on to the following day, her doctor examined her and then ordered a blood test. With Clarissa-Yvonne talking my ear off in the ride back home, I expected the results would be fine. He had however, made an appointment for us to get a sonar the next day just to make sure everything was indeed 100% OK!

It wasn't. My heart sank when I saw his number appear on my phone that evening, he mentioned something about high levels of potassium in the blood and said he would call a pediatrician with the results then call me back...

Panic took over as I wondered what all this means, and then the phone rang again...he said I had to get her to Lady Pohamba as soon as possible and that we'd have to spend the night there so they could follow up with more tests.

We ended up with a four night hospital stay and I cannot for the life me begin to imagine how parents have the strength in dealing with and handling a sick child!

I was so relieved when we were discharged the Thursday afternoon I was actually in tears. The days of worrying and concern and trying to be strong for her finally caught up to me..
In this moment my baby girl looked at me and asked me "Can parents also cry mommy?" She asked me why I was sad and I explained that those were happy tears, "Mommy is happy that you're OK!"

"And you're so proud of me right mommy?"

"Right baby!"

Besides the tears from all the blood tests and drip she was on, she was super strong throughout the entire ordeal and at some point told the nurses that she needs her blood back when they're done with it.

My strenght and thoughts go out to all the parents who have sick children out there, this was honestly the worst week of my entire life! I don't know how I would've made it through this week had it not been for the support of my family, friends and colleagues! Our hospital room was packed at every visiting hour and that means the entire world to me!

I am beyond pleased to announce that baby girl is back to school and back to chatting my ear off with endless stories about how much she enjoys 'climbing mountains' aka hiking and how she cannot wait to go to the farm again!

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Master Mom

So 2018 is here and we are already half way through the year...what?

Yeah, I set out to blog more this year and guess what happened, mommy decided to take on her Masters degree!

If I thought carrying you in my belly, working AND studying full time was tough, I have another thing coming...

Now you're here, walking, talking, asking me questions:

"Where were you mommy?"
"Will you come back for me mommy"
"Don't go mommy"

It's harder than I thought it would be!
Between travels with work, attending classes at night and still finding time to try to be the best mom I can be?

But one thing I do know?
We gon' be alright!

To all the parents out there pushing through and working overtime and stressing, and crying when it all feels too much, I
know, deep down in my heart of hearts, We gon' be alright!


Thursday 21 December 2017

Me, my daughter & Kiyomisandz


As a parent, the phrase "sharing is caring" takes on a whole new meaning...

From sharing toilet space to beauty products, there is simply no more personal space!

This year, I was approached to do a photo shoot for the Kiyomisandz brand. Namibia's very own skin care range that smells like a walk in the fruitiest of gardens.

And now back to the "sharing is caring" lifestyle. Knowing my daughter would have an absolute fit because I did something "without her" I arranged her own little shoot so that I could come and show her my pictures...guilt free!

Now we not only share these gorgeous images, but also luxurious strawberry scented bubble baths at night, lemon infused facial and body scrubs in the mornings and kiwi hand washes to take us through the day whenever we visit the "toilet fairy!

Ah the joys of parenthood! Sharing is indeed caring.

But whether you're a parent or not, I'd strongly advise you to try out the Kiyomisandz range or gift it to someone special in your life.

It is indeed the gift that keeps on giving...our skin is glowing, faces clean and clear all while smelling like heaven during the process!

Limited edition gift hampers are available for only N$240.00.

Orders can be placed by emailing hello@kiyomisandz.com

Enjoy!!!





Wednesday 6 September 2017

My Mother, My Hero

My mother, my hero 

My mom is my hero! Above all else, she taught me how to protect by being the ultimate protector 

My mom is my hero, she protected and loved and nurtured so much so that I carry over that protection to my daughter before me 

My mom is my hero! As they took her away, she packs her bags like she's off to a holiday so her children won't worry, showing no fear but a simple wave goodbye

My mom is my hero...she smiles from behind bars and radiates the darkness with her power and glow 

My mom is my hero, she sits with inmates and listens to their stories, she makes friends with them and shares what we can't even call a mattress with laughter till the sun arises

My mom is my hero, she taught her daughters compassion. She taught my sister to bail out a woman she barely even knows because of her kindness inside 

My mom is my hero because our needs are always placed before hers! A superwoman like no other 

My mom is my hero, if I ever become half the mother she is, I'm winning in this thing called life 

My mom is my hero, for every hug, every time she'd pull me aside and tell me "No Bunny, now that ain't right"

My mom is my hero because she fights for what is hers! She is strength through and through 

My mother, there can be no other like you 

My mother, my hero
 
 

Monday 31 July 2017

Of Life & Living

Of life & living 

This life may not be worth living 
But YOUR life is!
Inhale. 
Worthy of the fresh air filling up our lungs
Exhale. 
Your life is worth living
Feel that? 
The breeze against your skin
The tiny hairs on your arms rise against the warmth of the sun
Own it, this life. 
Your life! 
Living among the walking dead, banish it 
Your life matters 
Take it, live it, it is forever yours 
Your best life
Your best you 
Be worthy, make it worthwhile 
Tomorrow is never guaranteed today 
So don't shy away from things you really want 

For this life, YOUR life, is totally worth living