Last farm visit without "Sussie"

Today (Saturday) the L's came for a visit. The last time they were here, was for the baby shower. In the meantime, Gert has been very ill and he has lost 5 kg off his slender frame! After weeks, he finally had a blood test and only got the results after days and several phone calls to the doctor: he has glandular fever and should take it easy at work (Ha!) and not sit in the air conditioning! (Ha, ha!). He should get plenty of sleep and no excitement! (Ha, ha, ha!) With "Sussie" due any moment lots of rest and no excitement will not exactly be possible! "Sussie's" due date is tomorrow, but I doubt she knows that and will make her exit whenever. Dorette's body has been practising contractions for weeks, so Dorette is pretty uncomfortable, but she looks very well - no bloating or swollen feet.
Franco was still a bit drowsy from his nap in the car on the way here and at first just wanted to sit and snuggle against Dorette's comfy tummy. "Sussie" got several hugs and kisses and lots of pats.

Soon after, however, he was his usual active self. His big smile says it all!

Oom Hendrik is the best uncle in the world!

Martelize also thinks so and she has started to call him "Hennik". She calls herself something like "Marte"and Franco sometimes calls her "Lies" (Lize - not Lies as in untruths). He calls himself "Fanco". Both of them say "Ouma"and "Oupa" very clearly. Franco sometimes say "Oupa Jan." He is fortunate to have all four grandparents alive and all living closeby.

Martelize and Franco walking and walking on the treadmill. Later they sat next to it and put their hands on the slow moving belt. Great fun. Then Franco got up, and several times walked to the top, tried to climb back on and slid off. What an exciting slide for a very active little dare devil.

At home his latest "toy" is his father's aluminium ladder. It is quite a big thing, but he carries it about and makes up his own games: first he lies it flat and steps in between the rungs, then on the rungs, then he opens up the ladder and runs under it! Other favourite toys are his father's tools, including a 10 pound hammer! He will be 23 months in 4 days time.

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"Dis lekker op die treadmill" (See video clip for Franco's happy shrieks.)

Martelize saw her old baby car chair, pulled it down from the shelve and got in. Franco was happy to rock her, albeit it a bit on the wild side. Hope he doesn't rock "Sussie" the same way! (Hy het die hele tyd "Af, af!" gesê. Nie baie seker wat hy bedoel het nie: "Op en af" of "Martelize klim af"?!)

Franco and Martelize enjoying an early supper of left overs (mince and rice) in the kitchen. Franco did not care much for Ouma's food, but later both he and Martelize tucked in again when we all had supper at the dining room table (chicken). Martelize on the other hand ate all her food, plus Franco's left overs. Her favourite food is fruit and today we had mango and grapes. Yum! Thelwyn said she ate so well because she did not really eat any lunch. What a thing to say to the cook. Of course it was because she couldn't resiste Ouma's wonderful cooking! (Ouma prefers to forget that Martelize did not want to eat a bite of the same dishes the previous night!)

A freshly bathed Franco hugs his baby sister. "

"Sê vir haar dis tyd om uit te kom Franco!" "Uittom...!"

A goodnight kiss for Sussie. (Franco knows her name, but we don't know it yet and he won't tell...!)

"What is in your cup?"

Martelize "feeding" a willing Franco.

"Sit, sit!" And Franco happily obeyed Martelize and sat down next to her on the steps.