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!
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.
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….
So so sorry for the lack of contact lately, oh, all my wonderful fans. You see, besides from my (and my two chief administrators, Professor Mommy and 3-years-til-Dr. Daddy) being horribly jet-lagged (even still) and slightly sick for a time, we’ve just been desperate to get in some reading and writing.
would you like me to read to you, mommy? (mom&dad might’ve helped)
The trips to NYC and Florida (thank you to granny and grandpa, and ouma and oupa, respectively) were simply divine. Aunt Sam and Uncle Emy get madd shout-outs too. You can see many-a-photo of good times on flickr. No time to surf? Here’re a few highlights Prof. Mom insisted on:
new year’s and grandpa’s birthday (he’s OLD!)
play dates with tylor and aunt samantha / uncle emy
girrrrrrl power!
and… starving myself before christmas dinner
And, coming up, thanks to the extremely generous Ouma Harriet, I am going to experience my first two weeks of summer, EVER. We leave for South Africa on Monday - art for us!
After a wonderful few days with my parents and their friends, then with our “other” family for Christmas, Sidonie is feeling a bit mis with a bronchial infection 
We’ll have to take it easy with my sister and Aunt (and their spice - plural of spouse) in Florida, hoping that some of Sid’s shining dispostioin will shine through her illness… There are over 20 new pix of the angel up on flickr. Check them out.
See more pix on flickr.
Sidonie and Mommy’s new game! Click here or on the pic for video. (Note that one of Sid’s new nicknames is “boo,” like the little laughing girl in Monsters Inc).
i’m too cute for this shirt (although i do appreciate it, Linda)
In the words of Chrisopher Robin, aka Alan Alexander Milne:
When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I’m as clever as clever,
So I think I’ll be six now for ever and ever.
Mommy and Daddy got me building blocks and other li’l toys to celebrate on my 6-months birthday, which is also my first Thanksgiving! And oh, there is so much to be thankful for.
57 morehampton road - in front of the tree - and Donnybrook Village (our ‘hood)
the dodder river and seagulls in the city! - both within 8 mins walk from our place
ballsbridge village - 10 mins away - and Irish overcast days!
daddy, make it talk! and who can resist a face like this?
dolphin! and pretty in pink!
do you think the red or the yellow tastes better? and i come gifting bears
(me likey the presents)
i’m a big girl - first time at the table for dinner in my own seat!, and
Not sure there’s enough food here for me. What are you guys having and where’s the Turkey?
Thanksgiving Dinner!
The countdown begins: 3 weeks and 2 days til I see Granny and Gramps, 4 weeks and 3 days til Ouma, Oupa, Auntie Sam and Uncle Emy. CAN’T WAIT! (And, I won’t complain about more presents, I think…)
We slowly are getting settled into our place.
photos: “sitting sid, in the dublish living room” and “my bedroom, my bed, my sleep. go away.”
And I’m learning the finer points of high living.
photos: “feeling so high in my chair (well, not really mine, but for now)” and “my rightful place in the world!”
Not really used to the food or eating habits of these strange peoples just yet.
photos: “you can shove as much as that stuff as you want in my mouth, i know it’s not boob.” and “the aftermath”
But the scene is hot.
photos: “sidonie in autumn” and “too much apple juice!”
And, two more photos for good measure.
photos: “baby soup” and “my first art fair”
image: 'sidonie' by nathaniel stern
