A hike a day..

...keeps the stir-crazy away.  While living up here on the hillside outside Dili, there is not much we can do out the front door, mainly due to the fact that our house sits perched on top of the main North-South highway in the country (now granted, it looks more like a windy driveway to a haunted castle than an Interstate, but nonetheless).  With swerving trucks packed far beyond capacity with bags of rice, live chickens and daily commuters, honking and speeding around bends, and youngsters on scooters overtaking said trucks on said blind corners, it is not exactly the safest road for a walk with a stroller.

Fortunately for us, we now have an alternative that keeps Luka closer to us, and out of harms way - so from time to time, we muster up the courage and head out for a hike with a new apparatus that is firmly affixed to our (read: Chris) back, enabling a fast dodge for any oncoming hazard.  A friend recently mentioned on facebook that he has the Lexus of hiking backpacks, I think we have the Rolls Royce if I look closely at all the gadgets and nifty bits of this one - perhaps we should have a hike-off!  And of course, Luka looooooves it.  I think part of the fun for him is to be at the same height as mommy trotting alongside him because the smile stretches from ear to ear...that is, right up until the time he falls fast asleep...

We're Back!

Birds' eye view of Luka in his Ergo Baby on his daily
hike Scarborough beach - 2 August 2011

Well, to say that we have been *busy* might be the understatement of the century!  Since writing last, Luka has jetted off to the UK to attend his mommy's graduation from Oxford, followed by a fabulous trip to gorgeous Edinburgh with uncle Jason and aunt Sarah before they head back to Washington DC.  One of the questions that everyone asks is 'how is Luka with flying' and I am happy to report - he is an expert flyer  - which is a good thing, since we calculated by the time he reaches Timor-Leste in September, he will have flown 70+ hours (too bad he is not eligible for frequent flyer miles yet :)

I will endeavor to update the blog over the next few days with photos (which I will post on the date with which they correspond, so please scroll down to see new photos).

The most important thing is that Luka was at his pediatrician yesterday who is just amazed at his progress and development.
Currents Stats:
5.10kg, or nearly 11lbs4oz.
59cm or 23inches

The doctor was especially surprised at how much he not only smiles, but audibly laughs.  He is also a pretty avid 'talker' now with loads of "cooohs" "Eeeeeew"'s! and some other fabulous shrieks.  Of course, all this voice training has also led to a much more convincing cry!

Please bear with me as I update the photos, and most importantly, enjoy these new precious images of our little man!

My first hike

On an absolutely gorgeous warm winters day in Cape Town, exactly 12 weeks after my birth (2.5 weeks after my due date) my mommy and daddy loaded the 20-year old Toyota 4x4 with a picnic, an awesome Ergo Baby carrier, my grandma and grandpa, and yes ME!  We headed to the Cape Point Nature Reserve to hike in the Olifantsbos area to a local wreck on a pristine beach.

"Walk 'n feed" - an advanced breastfeeding skill I picked
up from my fellow-nursery moms in the Outback

Criss-crossing the rocky beach near Olifantsbos

Awesome day

Pure pristine beach, my new favorite spot.

Part of the wreck from long ago, the whole beach
is a bonafide treasure chest, can't wait to take Luka back
when he is old enough to enjoy all the fun things!

Whale bone on the beach