nerd to be

Mommy and daddy told me to apologize for their lack of postings lately. We are about to go on holiday and visit family in Zurich and South Africa, then it’s time for the big move to Milwaukee!

Here is daddy’s post on our holiday in Belfast. And here are more photos from that trip.

Here are some great photos from my Second Birthday, including visits from Baba (Granny Jeanette) and Papa-p (Grandpa Phil). A sample:

And, just to keep you fully up to date,  photos of: some other visiting friends, my good friend Solana’s b-day party, and early spring.These have all been up for some time, but Daddy hopes to post more pics, perhaps even some video, before we leave on Monday….

Mommy and daddy finally got around to editing some video clips together from our great holiday in Disney with the US family. I miss my granny and grandpa and ouma and oupa and uncle emy and auntie sam (and especially little leo) SOOOOOO much. Here’re are two video memories - I wish I had some of my South African family, too! For them, just below, some newer photos - mommy says I am growing too too fast….

movie 1 (click to play)

movie 2 (click to play)

And some pictures:

word. life. we can’t front

got everything?

click for more sid photos…

The details are slowly trickling in via (brief) transnational phone calls and texts from daddy’s not so tech savvy family, but it sounds like Leonardo Mazzola was born around 5:15 5:00 AM EST, 5 and a half 5.7 pounds (he’s little, but strong! 3.5 weeks early, is all). We’ll get a pic up when we have it - he’s in for quite a ride. Congratulations Aunt Sam and Uncle Emy! I can’t wait to meet Leo!

Spent some lovely time with many doting family members while rockin’ the Mouse at Disney. Catch over 100 pix at flickr. Will post some video in a week or so.

pink with flamingoes

chrismakkah bush

emo daddy and pensive mommy

santa is it my turn yet? and ta, santa

matthew and sidonie solving the problems of the world

More new photos here.

Yes, we’ve got a diaper-load of photos we’re about to put online from our trip to South Africa! In the meanwhile, below is a photo, followed by two ADORABLE videos - Sid and Daddy playing on the couch at Grandpa Howie’s place. Afraid that may be it with the videos for a while, tho — Dad’s video camera completely died while in South Africa (it had a nearly 7-year run….). Enjoy!

Video 1 and Video 2.

Had a brief stop in NYC with mommy and daddy. So nice to see family! Pix here. Miss it already!

Check out my trip to Belgium thus far - heaps of pictures on the flickr site, aptly named. My mom and dad love me, but the weather stinks!

That’s right, as my first birthday present to myself, I stood and walked several steps from my aunt to my ouma with no help or support. I AM SUCH A ROCK STAR.

Just a few pics from the celebration (thanks to my god-mommy for the party favors, to all my grand-folks for their wishes and gifts):

So there I was, only 364 days old (doll)…

… when suddenly my world turned upside down!

AUNT SAMANTHA! (we love Aunt Samantha. she was waiting for me when I woke up.)

As you can imagine, today is an exciting day. I’ve already gotten so many lovely emails and text messages from family and friends all over the world; I’m verklempt, totally knotted up…

Ouma and Oupa also arrived last night, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again (promise to upload pics soon). In the meanwhile, mommy gave me my first ever birthday present, which daddy helped me to open (including the sequel to my favorite book, The Gruffalo!).

BIRTHDAYS ARE DELICIOUS.

More soon from the big girl: 1!

There’s a new photoset on flickr (daddy says he never puts his own stuff on flickr any more!) of Sid’s taking of West Cork by storm… And it suits, given the weather. Was a lovely weekend, if not busy, and Sid made some great new friends. Here’re a few (click for more) to celebrate her 11-month birthday today.

my new friends, milo and angharad

And on this day, I have 8 teeth (2 more coming), I can crawl like a pro (and pick myself up and put myself down, and scale the rails), I know heaps of verbs when I hear them (dance! clap! fetch! poop!) - but am still working on saying my first “official” word - and I am starting to show both my parents’ willful nature….

Daddy took this pretty photo of me and mommy in the park. I match the apple blossoms! Every day should be like this. Except my grandparents and aunties should all be here, too… Miss you already!

Originally uploaded by mommy and daddy.
see more of my latest pix here.

IMG_0899.JPG

Excuse me, pardon me, excuse me, new driver here, I have a learner’s, excuse me, coming through, sorry, whoa slow down there, mommy….

My first vehicle! Thanks granny and gramps.

Originally uploaded by ma & pa.
see more of my latest pix here.

See pics from Sid’s first St Patty’s - the parade in Dublin, no less! - here.

“I looked so cute in my green outfit that even strangers took photos of me.”

It began at the airport in Dublin - daddy was all clean shaved for the jump to Summer in Africa, and I was just too too excited to see granny - thanks Ouma Harriet!

We stayed with Brendan and Jill in Joburg - they’re v. nice and daddy says I have my first crush (and look at that view from knee sized height!)…

I spent quality time with uncle João-ey, got to wear the “geek” shirt Tony bought me, and even hung out with my brother Michel and his new mommy, Gemma. Mommy won’t say it out loud, but she knows I’m cuter than him. OH! And that last pic is when I matched daddy’s artwork at his opening

Nice few of the Ridgway girls, with mom, auntie and granny…

I also got to see Lucy, and even spent some time at the Vaal river; thanks Colleen and Matt!

What a fanfabulous trip it was! I was sad to go, but at least now, back in Dublin, my buddy Mara can teach me how to play the piano. And hey, my god-mother Nancy arrives today, too, so I may be treated like a golden child for just a bit longer….