I am updating on the post in June about Stefanie making a big step forward with regards to her diet.   

Stefanie has simply amazed me with her eating.  She has tried many new things since I posted.  The foods she has tried on her own are as follows: hamburger pattie, pizza, pork chops, roast chicken, roast potatoes, droe wors to name a few. 

I am so proud of her and I am convinced she will continue to try out new foods in the coming months and years.  I need not have ever worried about her and thought to pressurise her to eat.

In una sera molto afosa e un po’ triste, qualcuno che mi ama mi ha fatto un dono incantevole e inaspettato. Il dono capace di allentare per una serata i miei nodi e di sciogliermi la faccia in un sorriso commosso.

La Stefi è tornata, grazie al volume Stefi, ci si rivede, eh? edito da Rizzoli nella collana 24/7 che ripropone alcune storie apparse sul “Corriere dei piccoli” negli anni ‘70 e ‘80. La bimba con la tordellina di capelli neri disegnata da Grazia Nidasio è stata uno dei miti della mia infanzia, insieme a un’altra bimba dagli improbabili capelli neri e dal comprensibile odio per la minestra, Mafalda.
A pensarci oggi che sono diventata un’adulta piuttosto polemica, mi fa sorridere l’idea di aver molto amato in tenera età due bambine vivaci, acute e irriverenti come la Stefi e Mafalda, io che ero invece una bimba calma e obbediente, anche se già un po’ puntuta.

Il diario della Stefi pubblicato sul “Corriere dei piccoli” è stato uno dei primi godimenti di lettrice autonoma nella mia vita. E ieri sera ho scoperto il piacere di rileggerlo da grande (!?). Ho ritrovato intatte le emozioni di allora, e addirittura il ricordo abbastanza preciso di alcune pagine, e ho apprezzato l’umorismo pungente e la intelligente capacità di Grazia Nidasio di raccontare quei tempi e i bambini con uno sguardo tenero, partecipe e mai banale, e con un tocco di sana provocazione.

Come non amare l’infuriata Stefi che a una signora che le chiede se vuole più bene alla mamma o al papà risponde “Lei vuole più bene a Craxi o ad Andreotti?”.
Oppure la Stefi insofferente alle regole della colonia che scopre solo al ritorno quanto sia stata bella la vacanza senza la famiglia e quante scoperte e ricordi piacevoli le abbia regalato?

Io alla Stefi devo anche il piacere di aver pianto dalle risate leggendo il suo diario nella prima notte di neve della mia vita.

G.Nidasio, Stefi, ci si rivede, eh?, Rizzoli

Shqiptarët që janë bërë të njohur në botë nga Kadareja deri te Kledi Kadiu.

Ata ia kanë dalë të fitojnë një emër në Shqipëri. Më pas ia kanë dalë që nëpërmjet këtij emri të përcjellin vlerat e kombit tonë në mbarë botën. Në të gjitha kohërat ka pasur shumë shqiptarë që kanë shërbyer si ambasadorë të kulturës dhe vlerave shqiptare në botë. Dhe në këtë kohë, ja cilët janë shqiptarët fama e të cilëve shkoi përtej kufijve të vendit tonë.

1. Ismail Kadare – shkrimtar
Shkrimtari me famë tashmë botërore dhe fitues i çmimit “Man Booker Prize”

2. Inva Mula – soprano
Sopranoja me famë ndërkombëtare, e cila përfaqëson denjësisht vendin tonë në skenat botërore

3. Ana Oxa – këngëtare, Itali
Këngëtarja e njohur italiane ka pranuar se babai i saj ka mbërritur në Itali nga Shqipëria dhe pikërisht nga Kruja

4. Sandra Bullock, aktore SHBA
Është bërë e ditur se babai i Sandra Bullock është me origjinë shqiptare (Ngelet në nivelin e  një “Urban Legend” prejardhja e saj…)

5. James Belushi – aktor, SHBA
Aktori i famshëm amerikan, James Belushi, dhe vëllai i të ndjerit John Belushi, është me origjinë shqiptare

6. Eda Zari – këngërare, Gjermani
Lindur në Tiranë, Eda Zari jeton prej vitesh në Gjermani, ku është një këngëtare, producente dhe kompozitore mjaft e famshme. Ajo është gjithashtu ambasadore e kulturës së Shqipërisë

7. Ferid Murati
Nobelisti me baba shqiptar dhe nënë amerikane, Ferid Murati, fitoi çmimin “Nobel” në mjekësi në vitin 1998

8. Angjelin Prelocaj
Balet maestro i Parisit, Angjelin Prelocaj është fitues i një sërë çmimesh ndërkombëtare
Me prinder te lindur ne Vermosh te Kelmendit-Malesi e Madhe

9. Eliza Dushku – aktore, SHBA
Aktorja e cila luajti përkrah Robert de Niros dhe Leonardo Di Caprio-s në filmin “Historia e një djali”, është me origjinë shqiptare

10. Agim Kaba – aktor, SHBA
Shumë pak e dinë se djaloshi simpatik që ka luajtur në telenovelën “Ndërsa bota rrotullohet”, është me origjinë shqiptare

11. Stan Dragoti – regjisor, SHBA

Regjisori dhe producenti hollivudian e bëri të ditur para disa vjetësh kur mbërriti në Shqipëri prejardhjen e tij shqiptare

12. Richard Lukaj – ekonomist, Wall Street, SHBA
I lindur në Itali nga prindër shqiptarë, Lukaj cilësohet si “magjistari” i Wall Street, duke mbetur një nga menaxherët më të rinj të një rangu aq të lartë

13. Joseph DioGuardi – ish-kongresmen, SHBA
Ish-kongresmeni amerikan, Joseph DioGuardi, i lindur në Bronks, Nju-Jork, njëkohësisht dhe lider i Ligës Civile Shqiptaro- Amerikane. Ai është me origjinë shqiptare dhe që prej vitit 1989 ka bërë 15 udhëtime në Ballkan

14. Emina Cunmulaj – modele, SHBA
Supermodelja me origjinë shqiptare, Emina Cunmulaj, është shpallur ylli i ri i revistës së famshme te fotomodeleve “Elite” dhe “Vogue” në SHBA

15. Donald Lambro – gazetar, SHBA
Ai është një gazetar amerikan me famë botërore dhe mbi të gjitha me origjinë shqiptare

16. Tie (Tahir) Domi – lojtar hokeji, Kanada
Ka lindur në Ontario, Kanada më 1 nëntor 1969 nga prindër shqiptarë. Është një lojtar hokeji mjaft i famshëm në Kanada

17. James Biberi – aktor, SHBA
Aktor në Shtetet e Bashkuara të Amerikës, ndërkohë që prindërit e tij janë shqiptarë

18. Tania Doko – këngëtare, Australi
Ajo e ushtron aktivitetin e saj në Australi, por tashmë dihet se ajo është një këngëtare e suksesshme me rrënjë shqiptare

19. Mirela Tafaj – soprano, Kanada
Si shumë të tjerë, edhe Mirela Tafaj është një soprano shqiptare, e cila ka bërë emër edhe jashtë kufijve të Shqipërisë

20. Elona Bojaxhi – aktore, modele, SHBA
Elona Bojaxhi është modele dhe aktore me origjinë nga Berati. Ajo është zbuluar nga një regjisor, duke filluar më pas karrierën aktoriale

21. Laureta Meci – aktore, SHBA
Laureta Meci, e lindur në Kuçovë, ka përfunduar shkollën prestigjioze të aktrimit “Stella Adler” në Nju-Jork dhe po avancon me karrierën e saj

22. Ilir Shaqiri – balerin, Itali
Balerin i famshëm shqiptar në Itali, u bë i njohur nga programi televiziv “Amici”

23. Kledi Kadiu – balerin, Itali
Balerin shqiptar me famë të madhe në Itali, pas pjesëmarrjes dhe suksesit të tij në programin televiziv “Amici”

24. Leon Cino – balerin, Itali
Si shumë balerinë të tjerë shqiptarë, edhe Leon Cino u bë i njohur shumë shpejt në Itali

25. Klajdi Selimi – balerin, Itali
Sërish një balerin shqiptar që u bë shumë shpejt protagonist i programit “Amici”

26. Marina Malota – aktore SHBA
Ajo vjen nga një familje me prejardhje shqiptare dhe ka luajtur në shumë filma si “Til There was You”, “The Thin Red Line” etj., ndërkohë që edhe vëllai dhe motra e saj merren me aktrim

27. Tedi Papavrami – violinist, Francë
I lindur në Tiranë, ai studio në konservatorin kombëtar “Superieur de Musique” në Paris.
Ai ka interpretuar në shumë skena të botës

28. Erald Dervishi – kampion botëror shahu
I lindur në Durrës, ai është një nga kampionët më të rinj në historinë botërore të Shahut

29. Mirsa Adami – pianiste
E lindur në Tiranë, Mirsa Adami fitoi në 1990-ën çmimin e parë në një konkurs për të rinjtë në Itali dhe një vit më vonë interpretoi në Roterdam, Holandë. Ajo luan si soliste në dhomën e muzikës dhe është shumë e suksesshme

30. Saimir Pirgu – tenor
Pavarësisht se në moshë të re, Saimir Pirgu u bë shumë shpejt i njohur si tenor, duke fituar një sërë çmimesh në Itali

31. Nate Dushku – aktor, SHBA
Ai është vëllai i Eliza Dushkut dhe njësoj si ajo rrjedh nga e njëjta familje me origjinë shqiptare dhe është njëkohësisht aktor

32. Hila Popaj – ish-aktor, SHBA (Chinatown)
Ata që kanë parë seritë e filmit “Ninja” duhet ta kenë parë pa e ditur se ai është shqiptar.
Ai gjithashtu ka luajtur edhe në “Chinatown”

33. Liria Begeja – regjisore, Francë
Liria Begeja është regjisorja e njohur franko-shqiptare

34. Elsa Lila – këngëtare, Itali
Pasi korri mjaft sukses me çmimet e saj të para në Festivalin Kombëtar Shqiptar, ajo u bë e njohur edhe në Itali, ku mori pjesë në festivalin e Sanremos

35. Astrit Zejnati – balerin, Arizona, SHBA
Pasi ka studiuar në Shkollën e Baletit në Tiranë, Astrit Zejnati ka arritur të jetë balet maestro në Arizona

36. Miriam Cani – këngëtare, Gjermani
Vajza e grupit “Preluders”, Miriam Cani, tashmë e njohur në Gjermani dhe në vende të tjera evropiane, është nga Elbasani

37. Stefi Gjine – teniste, Kanada
Ajo është shumë e re, por një teniste me një të ardhme që premton shumë, me 124 trofe deri tani

38. William Gregory – astronaut, SHBA
William Gregory është një astronaut amerikan, paraardhësit e të cilit kanë emigruar nga Shqipëria në fillim të këtij shekulli

39. Aurela Gaçe – këngëtare, SHBA
Këngëtare shqipëtare që tashmë po korr sukses edhe në SHBA

40. Igli Tare – futbollist, Itali
Futbollisti shqiptar, i cili është mjaft i suksesshëm gjithashtu në Itali

41. Ambeta Toromani – balerinë, Itali
Si shumë balerinë të tjerë shqiptarë edhe Ambeta Toromani u bë shumë shpejt e njohur në Itali

42. Oni Pustina – model, Itali
I shfaqur në reklama të ndryshme, Oni Pustina është modeli i famshëm shqiptar që luan rolin e postierit në emisionin “Ce posta per te”

43. Valbona Çoba – modele, aktore, SHBA
Ajo u bë e njohur fillimisht në Shqipëri, më pas në Greqi si një modele e famshme, ndërsa tani është modele dhe aktore në SHBA

44. Aris Golemi – balet maestro, koreograf
I diplomuar në Shkollën e Baletit në Tiranë, ai ka performuar live me këngëtarin e muzikës kauntri, Dwight Yoakam, dhe gjithashtu ka qenë koreograf i disa pjesëve të grupit N’SYNC

45. Masiela Lusha
E lindur në Shqipëri, Masiela Lusha po vazhdon karrierën e saj prej aktoreje në SHBA. Ajo është shfaqur në shumë filma dhe spote publicitare

46. Kristina O’Donnelly
E lindur në Romë, Kristina O’Donnelly është e bija e një shqiptari të Maqedonisë. Ajo është shkrimtare mjaft e famshme

47. Mariela Cingo
Mariela është një pianiste e re shqiptare me banim në Londër, ku ka fituar shumë çmime për interpretimet e saj

48. Laura Mersini Houghton
Ajo është kozmologe dhe është shqiptare, si dhe një nga femrat e pakta në botë që merren me këtë shkencë

49. Ardian Harri

Ai është një profesor shqiptar në Universitetin e Shtetit të Misisipit në departamentin e ekonomisë bujqësore

50. Luan Krasniqi, boksier
Ai është tashmë një boksier më famë, i cili ka mbajtur deri vonë titullin Kampion i Evropës

E padyshim edhe NENE TEREZA!

Nene Tereza

Consigli per gli acquisti, da leggere sotto l’ombrellone. Se siete nati fra la fine degli anni ’60 e la fine dei ’70, e i vostri genitori vi compravano Il Corriere dei Piccoli, vi ricorderete della Stefi! Io, nato nel 1973, andavo matto per le storie della Stefi. E così, quando l’ho visto in libreria, ho subito acquistato il volume antologico pubblicato da Rizzoli intitolato “Stefi” (18 euri), che raccoglie alcune fra le storie più belle.

Stefi

La Stefi è una bambina di circa 8 anni che vive a Milano, con papà e mamma, i fratelli più grandi Cesare e Valentina e il cane Ubu. Tiene un diario, dove narra quello che le accade, ad esempio quando deve imparare una poesia per la scuola, o la vita in colonia (adesso ci sono i campi estivi…), o i giochi con gli amici Eziomaria e Samanta. Io mi ricordo anche una storia esilarante di quando cercava di farsi passare un singhiozzo, ma purtroppo quella non c’è nella raccolta. La Stefi è simpatica perché è una bambina vera, non una bambolina e neanche un’adulta in miniatura. Non conciona di cose che non sa, affronta con realismo e fantasia i problemi quotidiani (una sua frase ricorrente: “Io sono la Stefi, e le cose me le invento!”), e non ha alcun senso di inferiorità nei confronti dei grandi. Adesso che sono grande, oltre alle storie, apprezzo anche lo stile grafico di Grazia Nidasio, elegante ed essenziale, ma precisissimo e vivace, per nulla lezioso.

Di questa grande autrice di fumetti, Coniglio editore sta per stampare il primo volume antologico di Valentina Mela Verde, la sorella grande della Stefi, le cui storie uscirono dal 1969 al 1976 prima sul Corriere dei Piccoli, poi sul Corriere dei Ragazzi. Io per ragioni anagrafiche Valentina la conosco poco, ma correrò a comprare l’albo quando esce!

Valerio

So here I was saying yesterday that Josh did not want try the big bed. I tried again with him last night.  I lay with him on the bed and he fell asleep did not move.  I went to bed knowing that in the morning he is a very early riser and often starts calling for me from 5am. So I knew to expect a 5am visiter next to my bed!!! I should’ve  gone to bed early, if only I had known what sort of night I would have.  Josh spent all night in his bed till as I predicted 5am when he appeared beside my bed.

However I had an eventful night and am trully wrecked now. Stefi arrived at my bedside sometime during the night and climbed in. I woke because of being cramped between her and DH.  I was tempted to join Josh in his bed but did not want to disturb him. So I tried sleeping cramped up but I could not.  So I moved Stefi with Josh in his bed, thinking he could keep Stefi company.  That worked for awhile till he appeared as I said already.  I put him into my bed between DH and I (I am used to this with him plus he is smaller) No sooner this happens that Stefi is beside my bed crying cos she woke to find Josh gone.  So I took Josh (who now wanted a bottle) back to his bed. He was crying and so was Stefi. So DH took Josh and brought Stefi to me in Josh’s bed. A short while later Josh returned to climb into the single bed with Stef and I.   Confused???? So am I!!

No real news from me.  I have recovered from last weekend’s floods.  My insurance  are busy with getting the replaced goods ready and cleaning the rest.

Ironically, yesterday we had the most fantastic weather. It was really warm 28 degrees and felt so like summer. It was mad to think that it was just a week ago we were having floods!!! Winter can be like this here in Cape Town – terrible one day and wonderful the next. Today it looks good as well except I am in the office all day.

The kids had a ball outside yesterday. We had them out in the garden playing with toys etc.  DH had to put up the umbrella for them as it was getting too hot!  DH washed both cars as well as 2 neighbours cars.   (How great is he?) The grass was wet with some puddles which Josh delighted in playing and getting all muddy.    I took some photos of the kids playing so well outside together but I need to download them off DH’s camera. 

Saturday and Sunday Josh missed his afternoon nap.  He seemed fine without it but totally finished by the end of the day. I know at school they will continue to get him to rest but there is not a whole lot I can do about that.  He is still not keen on getting onto a potty or into the big bed. 

Josh’s newist words include:
‘dislishes’  (delicious)
‘…..lations’ (congratulations) 
‘champion’ (this is said when he is eating after each bite and he puts his arms in the air)

Stefanie watched the Mama Mia movie again last night.  She is hooked on the whole story.  She keeps on singing the songs almost perfect word for word.   I had both kids in the bath last night and Stefi was singing ‘Mama Mia’ and ‘Honey Honey’ and when she was done Josh clapped his hands and told her ‘More music Pepi’   

Stefi was chatting to me last night and said she wished she was Sofia and I was Donna.  (The characters in the story)  Later she asked me where the Mama Mia people were in the movie.  I told her in Greece so she said when were DH and I going to take her there.   We told her one day to which she replied ‘I wonder how we will find them?’  (Them being the characters in the  movie!!!)   She gets lost in this romantic world and it is so wonderful to watch her when she watches the movie.    The delight and excitement on her face as the story unfolds.  She was dancing around the lounge last night and was rather hyper.  When I told her to calm down and that perhaps she had eaten too much chocolate and she told me ’No Mom, I am excited because of the dancing and singing’ !!!

Stefi is turning into quite an artist. The pictures she is drawing totally amazes me.   I scanned this picture which she quickly drew for my wall at work this morning when I dropped her off at school.

Last night Stefi made a huge step forward.  She has from less than a year old been a very fussy eater.  Her diet is very limited and I have tried most of the tactics to get her to try different foods but to no avail.  I do however insist she eats loads of fruit and try to keep it as balanced as possible on the limited list she will eat.

Many family, friends and even strangers have tried to give me (and my DH) advice on what I must do or lecture me about it.  I have grown tired of listening and so have stopped listening.

I was, as a child, (and to a certain extent still am) a fussy eater.  I eventually started trying out new foods as I got older.  My mother never made an issue of it and so I did not consider it an issue unless I was visiting a new restaurant or someones home.  There are still things I will not eat but on the most part I do well with regards to my diet.

So back to Stefanie.  I was making steak under the grill last night.  She asked me what I was making as it smelt really good.  I asked her, as I so often ask, if she wanted to try some.  To my utter amazement she said yes and promptly tucked into a whole piece of steak and wanted more!!!!   She even asked me this morning when she woke up if she could have it for her dinner this evening.

I was literally jumping up and down for joy!   I am a very happy Mom!!

I have noticed recently that Stef has taken notice of what we are eating.  She will often ask me what I am eating but refuse to try any.  Or on occasion I have given something to her and she has looked at it and turned it away.  More recently she has even licked or just put something in her mouth but then spat it out.   All these small signs I have been hoping will lead to exactly what happened last night.

So this is a giant step for Stefanie and I hope this is the start of more adventurous eating.

FIL should be coming home today from hospital.  I hope that he is not rushing things to get out of hospital as I would rather he be there for another night under the correct supervision. But more selfishly I have enjoyed the last 2 nights of ‘freedom’ in my home. I am preparing myself for another 2 weeks as I cannot see why he would stay longer unless his health does not improve.   FIL is a pleasant man but it is still exhausting having an extra person at home.  At least this stay he has done stuff around the house. On Monday after work FIL had hung up and taken stuff from the washing line and done a few other things.  He was very proud of what he had done. Quite an achievement from someone who does not do domestic stuff.

She is a real girl and loves wearing dresses/skirts. Though this winter I am battling to find nice dresses in the shops or even any dress. Poor girl has one winter dress from last year and a few skirts. She wants to wear her summer dresses but it is really too cold for that!  I am on constant alert for dresses when I am out shopping.

Some days when I dress Josh he will throw a little tantrum cos he does not want something put on. I have these dungaree’s which someone gave to him and he does not like them. I keep them back hoping the next time he will like them but it does not happen. He also does not like his face or hands dirty and will ask to have them cleaned most of the time. He especially hates his nose being dirty and will come and tell me ‘buuggers in nose’

Chi di voi non ha letto e amato il Corrierino dei Piccoli alzi la mano! Chi non si ricorda il Signor Bonaventura con il bassotto giallo e il Milione, poi diventato Miliardo? la mia preferita era la Stefi. E poi c’era la Pimpa.

Il giornalino della mia infanzia nasce nel 1908 e il Corriere festeggia il centenario con una mostra a Milano alla Rotonda della Besana fino al 17 Maggio. Tavole, disegni, vignette e bozzetti, a tempera, china, penna a sfera, pennarello.

Oltre i disegni ci sono oggetti d’epoca, giocattoli, burattini, marionette e altro ancora.

Nei week end i bambini tra i 4 e gli 11 anni potranno partecipare a delle attività didattiche particolari. E’ consigliabile prenotare, per i dettagli guardate qui

Ci vediamo lì?

Stefanie is delighted and has shown all her friends and teachers the newspaper.  I am definatly a  proud mother, in fact I am simply beaming. 

Last night I was looking at some videos I had taken of Stefanie at 19 months which is the age that Joshua is now.

I cannot believe how well she was talking and how cute.  She had this soft sweet voice and said so many words.  In the one video she was even drawing and asking me if she must draw a sun.   Stefanie’s hair was too gorgeous.  There is another video of Stefanie putting Lego blocks together, such concentration.  

Josh can talk but not at the level she was talking at the same age.  Also Josh’s voice is very loud and he is wild in comparison.  But then he is a boy and I doubt I would want a softy boy.   Joshua is an adventurous and mischievous little boy.  He has this twinkle in his eyes when he knows that he is not allowed to do something.  He is going to keep us well entertained and on our toes for quite sometime.

Seeing the old videos of Stefanie takes me back and makes me want that time again.   I think that perhaps Stefanie’s speech was so good because I was at home with her and I talked to her from the moment she was born.  I verbalised anything I was doing to her or around her.  With Joshua I have been alot busier since he was born and with me returning to work I have not had the same one on one attention with him as I shared with Stefanie.   But perhaps sometime in the future I will get to spend better quality time with Josh and I look forward to that day.

Stefanie started ballet 2 school terms ago.  She loves every lesson and the week does not go quick enough for her to get to the next lesson.  Last week the ballet school held their first concert and prize giving evening.  My little ballerina performed very well without one moment of stage fright.   All the nursery ballerinas’ received a certificate at the end of the evening. Stefanie was very proud when she recognised her name on the certificate.

]]> http://laura75.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/the-things-they-say/ Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:46:05 +0000 Laura http://laura75.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/the-things-they-say/

Yesterday on the way home from school Stefanie said to me “Mom I have something to tell you. I have made a decision.  I have decided to stay at my old school because if I went to my new school my friends will miss me.”

I was totally taken aback, firstly with her use of the word “decision”.  I am also very happy with her “decision” because she was a bit upset when I told her that she was staying at her current school.

My DH has slipped a disc in his back last week and as a result he is off work this week.  Stefi goes up to DH this morning as he is lying in bed and stokes his arm and says:

Stef: “Dad are you going to be alright on your own?”
DH: “Yes I will be fine”
Stef: “Cos I could stay home today and look after you.”
DH: …….simply speechless……………

It is amazing what Stefanie is thinking about these days and trying new ways of getting things she wants.  Very clever tactic on her part to get a day off school.  Sorry to say it did not work this time.  Try another one Stef!!!!

We held the party at Scallywags Play Cafe http://www.scallywagsplaycafe.co.za/   It is a party place for kids and they do everything, all I had to bring was the cake.  The theme was Disney Princess and each child got a party pack with various sweets & chocolates plus a juice.   Mostly the kids played, there was a dress up area, a castle, house, train, various little areas with a doctor’s room, books, plastic tools, a computer and an area for under 2’s.  Each child received a small gift on leaving the party.  It’s great value for money.

Josh had a ball too. He went from one thing to another till he discovered the ride where you use a coin and it plays music. That was it, he did not want to go anywhere else after that. DH kept giving Josh coins. He learnt to feed the machine the coins in by himself.

It was definitely the best option for a party. No mess and nothing to clean up afterwards.

I made the birthday cake.  It was a cake with the Barbie doll stuffed into it.  Not my choice but the choice of Stefanie.   Making the kids cakes is something that I really enjoy doing and find it quite a challenge each year.   Stefi’s first birthday cake was a caterpiller in the shape of an S.  Her 2nd birthday was a pink butterfly cake.  I only realised afterwards how linked those two cakes were, with a caterpiller becoming a butterfly.  Stefi’s 3rd birthday I was unable to make a cake as it was during the time that my DH was still in Ireland and I was living with friends and so did not have access to cooking or the time.  Josuhu’s first birthday I made him a cat, as he is crazy about this ginger cat where we live.  In fact the cat was the most challenging cake to ice.

Here are a few photos

Birthday cake

Party Castle

Birthday girl

 

It was Stefanie’s 4th Birthday on Tuesday 21st October 2008 at 10:20 am on a bright sunny day.   She was born in Dublin, Ireland on her expected due date.  It was great that I did not have a length of days past EDD to wait for her.   Labour lasted about ±18 hours which is not too bad for a first time baby.  Though it felt like a very long and painful time for me. 

Stefi had a good birthday.  She woke up and came into our room very excited. She opened her pressies and loved them. I took cake and cupcakes for her friends at school. She was given a birthday crown which her teacher had made. When I collected her from school all her friends had each drawn a picture which was stapled together and given to her.  Though she was a little upset because there was no more cake left for her.   So when we got home I made another cake for her. (Lucky girl).

I am still in shock that my baby girl is 4. I have been looking at her with new eyes and seeing that there is very little baby left in her. In fact none really. The time has flown and the next thing I know Josh will be turning 4.

This weekend is Stefi’sparty with her school friends. We are having it at a play cafe. There are 12 girls and 2 boys so it should be fun. I will take loads of photos and load some of them on here. I realised that I never took any pics on her actual birthdy – bad mom!!!

Stefi has started of late to ask alot of questions about various things.  She asked me a short while ago where my mother was. I told her very simply that she had been ill and had died and was now in heaven.  The same was asked about my dad.  (He died suddenly when I was 6) 

A few days later she asked DH where his mom was.  (She died 1 month before Stef was born) So DH told her that she had died etc. Stef got all excited and said to me ‘that’s just like your Mom’.  

Stefi often talks about her grandparents.  For the last year she has had an imaginary ‘grandma’.  She tells me that most amazing stories about her and all the things that they have done together.  She will tell me where she lives and will often make a story up relating to what ever has been happening in our life at that moment.  For instance if we went to the Spur for dinner, I will get told a story about how her Grandma also went to the same Spur and what she ate etc.  The stories can be totally realistic but also totally impossible too.  Her imagination amazes me.  

Last night she told me that I cannot meet her ‘grandma’ because she had died and was in heaven.  The other day she was talking on a play telephone when she handed it to me and said ‘It’s your Dad on the phone, the one that died’ !!!!  The friend (someone I dont know very well) that I was talking to at that moment looked rather shocked.

Suddenly I am faced with a reminder of my parents passing and what my child/ren are missing out on.  Stefi also mentioned yesterday while talking about her ‘grandma’ that she wished that she had met her.  Suddenly I felt all choked up. 

I know that DH’s mom would have spoiled Stefanie and Joshua rotten.  She would have been very hands on which would have been great.  My mom was more the old-school type of grandmother but would have shown the kids attention in other ways.

I was surprised by myself getting choked up, simply because close on 12 years have passed since my Mom’s passing.  Here is Stefi trying to sort out her family tree in such childlike innocence.  There seems to be no emotion as such from her, simply because she never knew these Grandparents.

Noa n-am mai scris de ceva vreme.

Din trecut: vineri seara am fo’ în Lord’s bineînţeles, la ziua lu’ Nicky care o’ dat o bazooka. Tare seară normal, că doar vorbim de Lord’s. Sâmbătă am fost la nuntă la Ştefi şi Andrea şi am ajuns acasă pe la vreo’ 7 dimineaţa (deci a fost fain nunta). Ieri mult somn şi chilling la Ciuperca.

Mă uit acuma dimineaţa pe statisticile de la wordpress. Ei au o statistiCĂ CAre îţi arată ce anume caută lumea pe Google şi se ajunge la blogul tău. De mult am vrut să scriu despre chestia asta, dar azi am zis că chiar o voi face pentru că s-au adunat câteva. Lumea a căutat pe Google şi a dat de shmen de blog:

“ce sa vizitam in iasi“ - noa mi se pare normal, am mai scris despre Iaşi când eram în Moldova şi în plus am şi trăit acolo 6 luni de zile sau mai mult.
“film de groaza cu emi” – nu ştiu dacă o găsit filmul de groază cu Miloo da a dat de blogul meu
“status despre muie” – probabil căuta şi el Divizia A la statusuri
“poze cu baieti de 19 ani pe nume rares” – deja devine dubios, atrag şi gaylords la mine pe blog
“la revedere in rusa” – Dosvedanie se zice
“cel mai tare mall din europa” – aici m-o nimerit şi chiar cred că o găsit răspunsul, e România
“pizde de futut si nr de telefon” – bă dacă tu cauţi pizde de futut pe net şi speri să dai şi de numere de telefon e disperată rău situaţia ta
“poze cu fete an pizda goala” – încearcă www.hustler.com poate ai mai mult succes acolo
“amenzi oameni beti” – eu am luat amenzi şi am băut, dar n-am luat niciodată amendă că am fost băut
“olga pizda” – băă nici chiar aşa, olga e fată de treabă nu fi ţăran
“cantece muncitoresti” – eventual cântece de dor şi de jale că muncitoreşti sigur nu sunt la mine pe blog
“baba se fute” – poate, dar nu la mine pe blog, încearcă www.protv.ro sau la ştirile de la ora 17
“fututa pentru prima oara” – încearcă şi tu la un liceu mă
“blog pizda” – şi aici m-a nimerit
“cum invingi lenea” – simplu, leneveşti mai mult ca ea
“multumesc in limba rusa cum se zice” – spasiba, da’ ce dreq sunt eu dicţionar de limba rusă?
“turnat bere pe laptop“, “despre pizda“, “pizde de futut online din moldova“, “beer platz chisinau“, “vizitat odessa“, etc…

Related Posts sau linkuri care au legătură cu ăsta:

Cum sa devii portocaliu
Poze Pepe
Despre Pepe
Disclaimer

Don`t panic … Dickhead productionts present … Stefi The Invisible!
Rated PG13!