A Post Sandy Update!

Hi everybody from a damp cold and dark New York.

Hurricane Sandy hit us 6 days ago and I have finally found a place to plug in my laptop and some miracle WIFI to connect to. I feel like I have been totally cut off from the outside world. Until today, I had only seen the devastation from my car window, but am totally shocked as I turn on a television for the first time and take in all the tragedy and heartbreak especially coming out of our neighbour, New Jersey.

Although it has been tough for us with no power or heat, especially with a sick baby and the cold temperatures, but today we moved to my father in law's apartment since he regained power and at least we will have a house to return to whenever our power is restored.

If you would like to donate to the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Fund, please click here.

Here are a few pictures from around the neighbourhood, mostly just down trees and electrical wires. Nothing compared to the pictures I am seeing from NJ.

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6 months of Zoey

Pumpkin Hat from ItsyStitches

Weight: 13lbs 

Height: I will measure her tonight and update asap.

Clothing size: Around 3-6 month clothing and a lot of 6 month size now fits. I just did another closet clean out. It's so sad to say goodbye to some of those cute little outfits, but luckily we have a lot of adorable replacements.

Diaper size: Size 2

Feeding: Still 5oz about every 3hrs. She has also had green beans, sweet potato, prunes and apple.

Sleep: 3 or 4 naps during the day, but is still not sleeping through the night. :(

Milestones: She is HALF A YEAR OLD! She is getting closer to sitting up on her own and has started with the ba-ba's. You can tell she really wants to crawl, but hasn't figured out how to actually move, she makes sudden lunges at objects and wants to eat everything in sight!

Loves: Her big teething ring with a rattle in the center of it, funny faces that mommy makes, sitting in her jumper, her blankies and monkey.

Dislikes: She is not too fond of solids, but I'm still working on getting her used to it.

Adventures: Zoey attended her first birthday party, we went apple and pumpkin picking this month and she also got her first cold (not much of an adventure).

Mommy and Daddy could not get through the month without: Jumper! We can put her in it for 30mins at a time while we get stuff done, and she loves it!

I've been a mom for half a year.

We have reached a little milestone. Today, my little girl is 6 months old. 

Sometimes I feel like time is going by so fast that if I blink for just 1 second I'm going to miss everything. On the other hand, being a mom is the most natural and consequential thing I have ever done that I can hardly believe there was a time before Zoey. I may not have had a full nights sleep for 6 months or a day off all to myself, but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

I will be back tomorrow with Zoey's monthly update.

Cha Cha Cha Changes...

 

Hi, and welcome to the NEW and improved blog The African Llama. 

I decided to change the name of the blog as I feel like I am beginning a new chapter in my life. I am no longer that foreigner adjusting to life in New York (I am a New York resident now ~yay~ but not yet a US citizen ~boo~) , no longer a tourist in Manhattan (even though I still find something new everytime I walk around) and my new adventure as a parent has taken over any desire for me to spend an entire night clubbing in the city, missing that last train home and having to sleep on the floor in Grand Central Station. (Although you might still find some toned down versions of all the above here).

I am also rebranding this blog to connect with my Etsy shop. For those of you who may not know, I started creating custom applique onesies and selling on Etsy a few months ago. I have been so pleased with the feedback that I have recieved and the great customers I have connected with that I wanted to be able to bring life and personality to my shop through my blog. This means that YOU, my blog friends, will be the first to hear news about giveaways, promotions and new items which is great for all those new mommies out there. I will also focus more on DIY and share some fun projects with you that happen while baby is sleeping.

So what the heck is an African Llama? Well, you can read a little more about the name {here}

Connect with The African Llama:

facebook: www.facebook.com/theafricanllama

twitter: @theafricanllama

instagram: The African Llama

Etsy shop: www.theafricanllama.etsy.com

5 months of Zoey!

Weight: 14lbs

Height: 24'

Clothing size: She still fits into SOME 3 month clothing, but mostly around 3-6 now.

Diaper size: Size 2

Feeding: About 5oz about every 3hrs. Zoey now eats rice cereal in the morning and I'm hoping to whip up my first batch of green beans for her to try this weekend.

Sleep: She is still waking up once or twice a night to eat. (Tired mama and papa over here!!) but can now easily fall asleep on her own (without being rocked to sleep).

Milestones: Zoey has become a roly-poly! She just rolls and rolls until she is all the way across the room. She can sit up at a 45 degree angle for a while and she has a VERY strong grip! She has definitely found her voice! She chatters away to herself in the morning when she wakes up and can reach some pretty loud decibels.

Loves: The TV :/ Having a blankie to hold all the time, rolling over, playing with mommy and daddy.

 

Dislikes: Too many people in her face at one time.

Adventures: Zoey had her first trip to Brooklyn to a very noisy festival and was GREAT! She even fell asleep in the noisiest restaurant ever.

Mommy and Daddy could not get through the month without: Blankies! She always has to have something to hold which calms her.

Remembering



The 9/11 memorial, NYC

As a 14 year old kid on September 11th 2001, I was sick from school and at home watching the devastating news coverage from 8000 miles away in my hometown in South Africa. Little did I know that just 9 years later I would become a permanent resident of New York and call it my home.

I have walked amongst people who experienced the events of that terrible day first hand, and heard stories of heartbreak. I have witnessed the building of the memorial since its early beginnings and slowly watched as the 1 World Trade crept up to become the tallest building in Manhattan and took it's place in the New York City Skyline.

Today I want to remember all those who lost their lives and my whole heart goes out to anybody affected by such tragedy.

Zoey Does DC!