Babymoon

This past weekend, Andel and I snuck away on our babymoon vacation (yes, it has taken me this long to reconnect with the real world!). After months of vacillating between ideas of where to go, how long to go for, and whether or not I'd be able to manage a flight, we decided to drive to the beautiful valley of Tulbagh, and enjoy a weekend at Vindoux Guest Farm.

We were promised a private luxury treehouse, warm hospitality and country-kitchen food, and we were not disappointed.

Treehouse number 3

Hardly a humble nest

Andel at his happiest

It was so hot when we got there on Friday afternoon (sorry to rub that in), Andel even managed to get in a good swim.

Such a poser, this one!

Peanut decides not to have a swim!
(the first official public Peanut pic, by the way)

Lord of the Manor

On Saturday, it was a little cooler, and perfect weather, we thought, to do our own little Wine by Cycle Tour. We were going to cycle up to the dam and have a picnic lunch before heading back to the farm to braai for dinner (yes, they cater for all of that!). I, however, forgot to factor in my growing belly - and the fact that there's good reason why pregnant women are not supposed to cycle on an upright bike (well, it's just not possible, really). Andel, on the other hand, forgot to pack in spare tyre tubes. So half way to the dam, he got 2 flats, and we had to walk the bikes back! Thank heaven for the beautiful scenery, fresh air and inviting thoughts of braai dinner that made the walk so much more pleasant!

Breakfast for two - served on our balcony

The long walk/ride back

The perfect end to any day

On Sunday, to wind up a very relaxing weekend, we enjoyed the most decadent 2 hours pamper sessions at the day spa - a mommy-to-be massage (on a preggie massage bed and all!), pedicure and facial, and a destress massage and facial for dad - before taking the scenic drive home.

Savouring the last of the lie-ins

My pedi'd feet

What a great place for a last little getaway before the two of us officially become three. We had such a good time, we may just have to take Peanut back there sometime! :)

Amazing Love

It's been one of those weeks. I'm sure you know the kind: where, for whatever reason, you stop and take stock of your life, reassess where you're going, and realign your priorities.

A lady I know passed away suddenly this week. She was a loud, smiling woman with a big heart and an insatiable appetite for all of Jesus. Ashamedly, at times all the activity that epitomised who she was made me tired. This week though, I was amazed: as people heard of her passing, her facebook profile became filled - page after page - with testimonies of her devotion to the Lord, and the blessing she was to others. It made me really wonder: when I die one day, will people be able (and willing) to say that about me?

And so today, on Good Friday, we remember how God in his infinite and unconditional love (after countless attempts to reach out to the world at other times and in other ways) sent His own Son to die for the entire world - and most importantly, how it didn't end there. Jesus paid the price and fought the fight, and in His resurrection, silenced death once and for all, so that all people can have the opportunity to spend their eternity with Him.

And that's what keeps things in perspective. Death is not final. This life is not it. There is another gift waiting - and others need me to tell them about it.

"Because my sinless Saviour died my sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me."

Babies and Bicycles

I have come to the conclusion that this pregnant woman cannot multi-task - at least, not when it comes to doing assignments and blogging simultaneously! So, my apologies, once again!

Consider this a highlights package of the last month:

1. Ashleigh and duPie's Babyshower

On Saturday, 18 February, we arranged a not-so-surprise babyshower for Ashleigh and duPie at our good friend, Tracy's house. Following a leisurely brunch out, I had the near impossible task of getting rid of Ashleigh long enough to set everything up!

All the ladies (and babies) celebrating with Ash

Yummy snacks - 90% homemade too! ;)

The 'old wives' Section

Ash getting into the swing of things

We had a lovely afternoon: Ashleigh's and duPie were spoilt rotten. The food was fantastic (thank you to PJ who arranged the chilli poppers - all the preggie bellies were most grateful), the gifts all gorgeous, and the company most complimentary.

Megan, Ash's school friend: due April

Noleen: due June

Ilana: due July

We thought for sure that duPie would be arriving the following week, but even as I write this, duPie has not yet made his/her grand appearance...

Jorja rehearsing her big sister duties

2. Andel's 1st Argus
In December last year, Andel made the (appearingly daft) decision to buy a mountain bike when a friend of ours, Brendan, bought his. Given the time of year, I paid my part, and called it a Christmas present. I'm not sure I ever really thought he would do much cycling though - most certainly not the Argus! But during his month-long leave in February, Andel declared that he'd be doing the Argus - a mere one month prior to the 110km race!

I think Andel may have done 10 rides - if that - to prepare. However, yesterday morning at 05h30, Andel was ready in his Virgin Active sponsored kit, camelbak packed and forcing down his nerves and Pronutro.

05h30: the breakfast of champions

06h00: all set, and ready to go

Andel and Brendan at the start

I managed to get a glimpse of the guys on Edinburgh drive, about 30 minutes into the race, and then again at the bottom of Suikerbossie, about an hour or so from the end. Much to my surprise and delight, on both occasions they looked strong and comfortable. Certainly more so that I who was standing in the sweltering heat with a very swollen belly!

Some 70-odd km into the race

Andel says the race was tough. He completed it in 7 hours - which was by far the longest he had been on a bike. Ever. But what an achievement! He and Brendan completed the race, with no training, under extremely hot conditions, and finished together!

Brendan, Nurr and Andel back home after the race
(they don't look tired at all, do they?)

Of course, I can't mention the Argus Cycle Tour without a brief mention of the man who got us all started in the beginning. This year could've been such a sad experience for us all, remembering that Gramps Ikey, our favourite cyclist, was riding in a race none of us would be able to watch. But Andel's achievement seems to have warmed everyone heart, and definitely put a smile on everyone's face - Gramps' too, I'm sure.

And no one was more proud than me... the new cycle WAG! :)

The Perks (and pains) of Pregnancy

According to those in the pregnancy know, I've had a dead easy pregnancy so far:

I've had no morning sickness, I lost weight in my first trimester, and I've hardly shown at all (until now, that is). My hair is long and shiny, and while I didn't style or blow dry my hair before (although perhaps I should have), I now don't have to! I have healthy and clear skin and nails. My previously (just about) B-cup breasts are now an attractive C-cup (something I have waited my whole life for), and my child-bearing hips are, well, finally bearing a child, making them look far more proportional than before! It seems pregnancy has done for me what no diet, fad or make over ever could!

Between you and me though, it's not been quite all that glamourous: that same lushious hair tends to grow too fast, in all the wrong places (I have never had to shave so often in my life!), and those long awaited C-cup breasts can be heavy and rather uncomfortable (thank heaven for maternity bras, however unflattering). Just recently, after much prompting by mothers before me, I earnestly started my Stretch-mark Survival regime, covering my baby bump with Vitamin E oil two or three times a day encouraging elasticity in my skin to beat the bulge. While I understand the logic (and totally get the benefit of starting early), most days I just feel like a deep-fried samoosa!

I realise I can't really be arsed (pardon my language) about all these cosmetics. Easy pregnancy or not, I reckon all these changes are a small price to pay for all the miraculous happenings going on in the womb-world right now. I currently have a daily (nightly) dose of Peanut's movements. I already know that s/he must really like (or hate) music because when I'm at band rehearsal or leading worship at church - regardless of routine - Peanut comes out to play. And I'm convinced that Peanut knows Andel's voice, because when he talks to my belly, s/he moves every time.

Yes, none of my shorts, skirts or trousers can close, I struggle to sleep, and I've gone without sushi for 155 days. It's true that, thanks to the recent heatwave, my fingers and toes look like pork sausages, and I can hardly climb a flight of stairs without breaking into a mild shine. So, I admit, I can't stand for long periods, my back sometimes cramps, and my bladder is constantly under pressure. But so what?

In 4 short months, I'm going to be a mama! :)

Half Way Here

This week Peanut and I enter our 20th week together! :)

So much has happened since we found out about our little bundle last October. I can't believe it's been 4 months already, and yet, sometimes I can't recall too much of my life before the belly. We've been through exams, exhaustion, working the Christmas season, a change in jobs, a complete loss of appetite and bursting out of my clothes (not necessarily in that order), and still every day brings new discoveries.

Peanut is currently over 20 cm and weighs 300g. S/he seems to be a little shy when out in public, managing to hide sufficiently beneath my clothes to make me look as though I've just had a really big lunch. At home though s/he happily makes herself visible to all!

I'm so proud of every little milestone we reach, and even more excited for all we're still to get to. Significantly, this week, Peanut started making enough of a fuss for me to notice when s/he moves around. While these flutters are still rather faint, I have already picked up that there is a short play time between 21h30 and 22h00 every night, when Peanut gets a good workout before preparing for bed (meaning I can't get to bed before then either - a taste of things to come!). It's truly amazing how this fully formed little person floating around in my womb is already controlling so much of what we do!

Thank you to all our friends and family who have been praying for us. Please continue to do so: that the second half of our pregnancy would be as healthy and problem-free as the first, and that Peanut's journey into the world would be just as perfect as we imagine s/he is.

Birthday Boy

Today Andel turned twenty eight - a day he's been looking forward to since he turned twenty seven! Unlike most other men his age, Andel loves the fact that he's getting older, and thanks to Virgin Active who gives all staff members a day off for their special day, makes sure that every birthday is jam-packed with all things he likes to do. This year was no different:

08h00: Andel opened his eyes just long enough for me to wish him and say goodbye as a left for work.

Peanut's card to Daddy

08h30: Andel had birthday breakfast at the Spur (sponsored by Peanut)

09h30: Andel went for a 2 hour cycle to Kirstenbosch (in already 35'degree heat!)

Andel checking out our future neighbourhood :)

12h00: Andel came home to wash his car, and have a bite to eat.

13h30: Andel went to the driving range with Papu and Dennis (a friend from church) for 3 hours!

16h30: I got home to an empty house... Andel joined a little later :)

18h30: The Hendricks clan came round for dinner and birthday cake

Six large pizzas demolished by the famiglia!

Final result

Birthday cake: baked and iced by Robyn, and decorated by Jorja

What a blessed day! And what a good thing Andel managed one like this. After all, it may be the last he gets for a while yet. As he mentioned this evening, next year I may leave Peanut at home with him!

Bitter Sweet Goodbye

I'd never have thought this would feel so weird...

Today was my last day at Virgin Active: a company I've spent the last 5 years working for.

During my time here I have had 5 job titles, and worked in 10 clubs all across Cape Town. I have managed nearly 100 franchise business partners, facilitated more than 20 different fitness products, and qualified 30 staff members to work in the industry as Personal Trainers.

I have had 8 weeks holiday, and even less sleep. While working here I got pneumonia, mumps, and had all my wisdom teeth extracted. I have done approximately 300 opening (o4h30) shifts, and worked on New Years Day every year!

While it's been a long, often challenging season, it has brought irreplaceable experiences:
This is where I learnt to labour, lead, love and live. This is where I got my first real job. How I paid off my student loan. When I bought my first car. Where I met my husband, got married, and (much) later, found out that we were pregnant. I have made lasting friendships, valuable connections and many precious memories.

Today I say goodbye to this world, these old familiar places, and all my former dreams, and exchange them for a new path, and a fresh tomorrow.

Who could have known how bitter sweet this would taste...

Twenty-12

I can hardly believe that another year has come and gone. It feels like just yesterday when we said goodbye to 2010 and welcomed in 2011. So much has happened over the past year: so much to be thankful for, so much that has been overcome, and so many blessings that we've experienced.


Our 2011 looked a little like this:

January:
Andel celebrated his birthday, and was moved from Constantia to Claremont Virgin Active - a move that was indicative of the great job he had been doing, and even greater expectations. I registered to start studying through UNISA.

Andel's birthday picnic

February:
My freelance work at Virgin Active dried up, and miraculously, God provided me with two jobs: a permanent post with Virgin Active as a PT Manager in Gardens, and a 3 month part-time lecturer post at an exercise institute.

Virgin Active Demo Team

March:
Andel and I had our first camping trip, in which we endured a blazing 40 degree heatwave!

Roughing it out

April:
I was given leave (despite starting work only 8 weeks earlier) so that Andel and I could travel to the UK on a wonderful 3 week holiday to family and friends.

London Heathrow: saying goodbye

May:
Andel's twin brother Bernil married his sweetheart Ricki in a beautiful celebration at Houwhoek Inn in Grabouw.

The Klaasen clan

June:
We said a very sudden and sad farewell to our beloved Gramps Ikey who passed away unexpectedly.

Gramps Ikey handing out gifts from the UK

July:
PJ and Ashleigh announced the newest addition to their family: little DuPie who is due in March.

Ash's current 29 week belly

August:
We bid a heart-wrenching farewell to our besties Karl and Tarrin who moved to Ireland after spending a wonderful two years with us in Cape Town.

Karl and Tarrin at the Starlight Summer Concert

September:
I celebrated my birthday, and threw away all my ridiculous checklists!

Camps Bay for a birthday cuddle

October:
Andel and I found out we were pregnant, and introduced the world to our little Peanut. Andel also moved clubs again, this time to Point.

Peanut at 10 weeks

November:
After a stressful period of exams, I received a glowing report of distinctions all round, and as a dual exam-anniversary present, Andel and I spent the most amazing time at Asara.

Honeymoon Suite at Asara

December:
Following a turn of events that can truly only be described as divine, I was offered a full time lecturer position at a fitness training academy which will allow me to work normal hours, without any weekends or public holidays, and allow me to finish my studies and be a mommy!


God has been so faithful. He has delivered on His promises, and carried us through the triumphant and turbulent times. As a result, we really have so much to look forward to, and are expectant (pardon the pun) for all He's going to do in our lives this year. So here's wishing you and yours the most wonderful new year. May it be full of love, happiness and many lavish blessings!

I've affectionately dubbed 2012 "The Year of the Baby" as we know at least 10 couples who are awaiting little arrivals this year - so if you're not already pregnant... I'm just saying! :)

...The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...

Today is an additional public holiday, given by the government (last week) to 'compensate' for a public holiday we lost earlier in the year. While I initially thought it was a bit of a silly thing to do (I mean, do they not realise how chaotic this is for staffing?), I'm rather glad I managed to get an extra day to recover from the Christmas weekend. Heaven knows, I need it!

When it comes to Christmas traditions, Andel and I have tried to break the mould a bit. Every Christmas eve is spent with the larger Klaasen family. While we don't have a formal dinner (although this is going to change from next year), we hang out until midnight (usually watch apologetically as the grandkids are woken from their slumber), and exchange gifts as soon as the clock strikes twelve.

Christmas stockings for the whole family - homemade by Robyn

Lexi eagerly awaiting her gifts

Ricki distributing the pressies

Even the adults got in on the action

Just about ready for bed

The next morning, we have a leisurely breakfast before we leave to head back to Cape Town. There we join our church in hosting a lunch for abandoned and abused women and kids. The best part about this that we all share lunch together. For me, it's the best of both worlds: kind of like eating out, but still being at home. And we love that we get to avoid a family tug-of-war by having our own little family lunch.




Christmas evening is spent with the Hendricks bunch. It always starts with Secret Santa, a gift exchange programme that I'm happy to say is working very well for all of us. All the adults draw names in October already, and for Christmas day, only have to get gifts for that one adult, and the kids. The anticipation on Christmas afternoon is almost palpable - especially PJ's (he's the most particular when it comes to gifts, and is always paranoid that he's not going to get what he wants). This year it worked out like this:

PJ bought Dom an ipod

Dom bought Yaya a spa voucher (5 hours worth!)


Yaya bought Papu a tool box



Papu gave Robyn the cash for a Springbok jersey
(the announcement of Peanut threw a spanner in the sizing works)


Robyn bought (an ecstatic) PJ a vegetable knife (that's been on his list since 2008!)


Andel bought Ash a pair of white gold earrings


Ash bought Andel an All Black jersey


And Kim (who was not officially part of Secret Santa this year) got a blender from Santa himself

The younger ones also enjoyed an array of gifts, the highlight being Jorja's keyboard - which her mother spent the day playing!





The rest of the evening was a food, fun and family fest. We had Gran Jean, Gramps George, the Ebrahims and the Hannuman family over for dinner, and a house-full of festivities that went on well into the night. Some survived longer than others...

Andel's contribution to dessert: carrot cake made by his mom, and decorated by his wife
(it seems we were too busy making, eating and surviving dinner to take any more pics)

A day's photography is hard, tiring work!

Christmas really is such a special time. As I reflect on Christmases past and dream of Christmases to come, I'm so grateful for the blessing of friends and family. And amidst all the loving and giving, how can we not marvel at the greatest gift of love ever known: that God could love this fallen world so much, that He sent His son Jesus to save it. How amazing!