Crazy Days

The past few weeks have been a bit crazy! Trying to get 2 businesses up and running, keeping Micron going and enjoying our time with Zarah has meant not much time for anything else. To keep fit and healthy I've been playing tennis, cycling every Saturday morning and walking.

The weather has been lovely - no rain for ages, but apparently we're going to have a good downpour this weekend which will keep the plants happy.

Little Zarah is growing so quickly. She has two teeth already, so all that drooling wasn't in vain! She's settled down so nicely, and has got such a cheeky little personality :) She doesn't sit still for a moment - she's rolling over easily now and loves being in her jolly jumper and walking ring. She has an awful lot to say in her own little language, and we have a good giggle watching her concentrate on making adult noises!

Here are a few photos and videos so you can see how little miss is growing up :)

Quick Update

So excited to be travelling to the Isle of Man in a couple of weeks. Wish we could use Dr Spock's method of transport, but the plane ride will be worth seeing everyone. Here are a few photos and videos, so everyone can see what they're in for!!

Getting ready for her big trip! 

Spending some time with Aunty Kirsty

iPhone cover from Koodle Kids - the adventure has certainly started :)

This is my new favourite walk. From Sunshine Beach surf club to Noosa. It's 7.5 km through Noosa National Park. Last time we went we saw a huge pod of dolphins playing in the surf. We're taking Dennis and a couple of his friends who are visiting from Cape Town tomorrow morning.

Here are a couple of videos. Zarah never stops moving - sure she'll be walking at 6 months old!!

First Smiles

I suppose Joshua deserves one of the first smiles from his sister. After all, he's put up with all her little "troubles" as he calls them! Here he is chatting away to Zarah before heading off to school. Proud big brother.  

She's desperately looking for that thumb!

Happiest with no clothes on! Love the slippers!

Here's a lovely picture of Nana with Trevor and Mally when Mally was about 9 weeks old. Not sure you'd be able to tell the difference between Mommy and Daughter!

Zarah was passed over to Daddy when he came home from a long day's work because she hadn't slept all day. Apparently it didn't take long before they were both snoring! 

And, finally, sharing a secret with Aunty Bernice... 

8 Weeks old already - she's growing so quickly!

A fortnight goes so fast!

Not sure where the last 2 weeks have gone! Hopefully the next 2 will be a bit less frantic. Here's a quick summary. Little Zarah is growing by the day, and last night joined the Olympians setting records - a 7 and a half hour sleep! Mally's pretty impressed with that! Here are a few pics of the past couple of weeks...

Little Teddy Bear outfit - all the way from South Africa - Thanks Shirley, Daniela, Dino and Lauren

Proud Grandparents

An early morning walk on Friday morning. Lovely weather, and a nice breakfast at The Pastry Chef - our old faithful coffee shop!

We all had a busy day on Saturday. I got up at the crack of dawn to go for a walk from Sunshine Beach along the coast to Noosa with girls from the cycling crowd. Another perfect morning.

In the afternoon we went down to Brisbane for Kai's first birthday party. It was held at Jindalee Boat Club, and Kai was looking good in his party best! How are those beautiful blue eyes!

Kai and Vanessa

Kai with his cousins

The adults had a good time too

Zarah got dressed up, and enjoyed her long trip down to Brisbane.

After Kai's birthday party, we drove back from Brisbane and got dressed up for Debbie's 50th birthday party. She had her party at home, and had really gone to town with the decorations. The theme was Thriller (the Michael Jackson version). Glen went as a Zombie - not much different to the way he usually dresses!)

This is Debbie and Bernard's lounge - everyone dressed up and had a ball!

Thriller

 It's been a quiet Sunday. And now it's way beyond my bedtime!

Chilling with Grandad

Having a heart-to-heart with Grandad!

Look at those big feet - poor little girl is going to curse those long toes when she tries to look elegant in sandals!!

Butter wouldn't melt in he mouth :)

The Social Butterfly

Little Zarah has been getting out and about recently. Of course, everyone wants to see her and give her a cuddle! Last week in Friday we had a special 3-gen day - babies, mommies and grannies! Bernice, Vanessa and Kai came up from Brisbane and we all headed out to lunch. It was quite a mission to pack and get everyone there, but worth it in the end. Here's Zarah all dressed and ready for the party... As you can see, she was really looking forward to it :)

Never mind, she perked up a bit when Mom told her she was in for a ride in the car!

And was especially happy to be given a cuddle by Aunty Bern!

On Sunday morning, she was dressed up in Sunday best and we headed out to meet another new friend. Little Isla Mae is 3 weeks older than Zarah, and twice the size! Ilsa is my friend, Shirley's grand-daughter. I'm sure Mally and Amie will get together again to commiserate with each other about sleepless nights!

And yet another outing on Thursday morning for a family gathering for coffee. Callum got to see his 2nd niece (or whatever she is to him!) for the first time. He was brave enough to hold her for a minute or two, and had us all in fits of laughter with his comments! He should have been a comedian! Zarah also got to bond with her Uncle Trevor and Aunty Kirsty, and her Great-Aunt Lynne!!!

Whew... it's hard work being so popular! 

Actually, I don't think she's been too popular at home over the past couple of days. Apparently, she's decided that night time isn't for sleeping, and it's nice to eat every hour or two! I think the Leitner household is desperately looking forward to 8 hours of unbroken sleep one day :)

Happy Birthday Mally!

Mally is 25 today - a whole quarter century! Mally, Roland, Joshua and Zarah came over for lunch, and Brian and Lynne joined us. Joshua spent the afternoon playing with Oliver, so he was a happy-chappy! 

I suppose it happens when a new baby is on the scene - but I only have pictures of Zarah - the poor birthday girl didn't even get a look-in!!! (Sorry Mally - I know what you're going to say - I'm trying to make up for it!!) 

But Zarah is VERY cute, and was dressed up in her finery for the occasion... She slept most of the afternoon, and said hello for a couple of minutes before they left! 

Back to the Sun

It was Debbie's 50th birthday on Thursday so we went up to Maleny and had a lovely lunch at a place called Reserve. It was very fancy, but perfect for a special occasion. We're having her 50th party on 28th July - and the theme is Thriller (as in Michael Jackson), so I don't expect that to be as civilised!!

At long last the weather has improved - it's like we're back to mid summer! So we were able to go on our weekly cycle to Coolum, have breakfast, and cycle home.

The butcher birds also took advantage of the sun, and came for some breakfast. In fact, one even came into the house and plonked himself down on the coffee table! I won't be encouraging that behaviour!

It was Joshua's 9th birthday on Saturday, so we went around and said hello. We went down to the park near their house and Zarah went for her first trip outside in her pram. Everyone had a game of basketball - I think Joshua has found a new calling!

Thanks Great-Grandma

Thanks for my lovely blanket... it is soooo warm and cuddly, which is great because it's cold and rainy outside....

Zarah's Men!

After a bit of a break, due to a PC malfunction, I'm able to put more photos up. Kelly, Vanessa and Kai spent the weekend with Roland, Mally and Zarah. Here's a lovely picture of Kai peering lovingly at his girlfriend-to-be (or is he laughing at her?!).

And Uncle Trevor got to say Hello too!

What on earth is THAT up there?

And yet another man in her life! 

Now all these men are happy to hold her when she looks like this:

But they hand her straight back to the ladies when she look alike this (this is NOT to be distributed - how would I ever win the prize for "Grandma of the Cutest Baby" with this photo?). This will be displayed at her 21st birthday party - I'm sure!!!

And if you think that's funny - look at her mommy's slippers (a present from Roland - who seems to wear them more than Mally!) No wonder Zarah was pulling such a funny face!

PS: You can comment in the section below this post - be nice now!
PPS: Notice her Daddy is nowhere to be seen - he's too busy cooking and cleaning...

Going Home

Mally and little Zarah went home on Wednesday afternoon - after the mean doctor had given Zarah her injections :(

Here is a picture of her first time in her car seat - she looks like she's hanging on for dear life!

The photos below were taken by a friend of Vannessa's who is a professional photographer and wanted some pictures for her portfolio. They were taken on Sunday afternoon - the day before Zarah was born - just in time!! She took loads so I've just selected a few...