I know I've been a bit lazy in the past about updating this blog on a regular basis, but wow....I seriously dropped the ball this time! 3 months??? Has it really been 3 months since the last time I wrote anything?
I hang my head in shame.
....actually, I better stay upright because there's a very good chance I'll fall into a deep and drooling sleep if I put my head down, and then we'll experience yet another day of bloglessness (yes, I did just make that word up).
Where do I even start?!
Well first of all, in order to redeem myself somewhat (or maybe just ease my own conscience?) I'll tell you the boring details as to why I've neglected the blog for so long. Actually, it's not all boring. The non-boring reasons: we've had LOTS of visitors keeping us company! My lovely and amazing cousin Kora was here for a month. My bestie and our koumbara (maid of honour) Jen came for 2 weeks (so not long enough Jenny-poo...next year I'm requesting your presence for at least a week more). Miltos and Valerie, the other Greek/Canadian couple and very good friends of ours, were here for a few crazy weeks for their Big Fat Greek Wedding which was so much fun. And my gorgeous blond bombshells are here as we speak, Melina (Holland) and Johanna (Sweden). Actually Johanna was also here in May for Eleni's baptism, and she is the person to thank for all the stunning photos from that day that I'll share with you later. I can't believe we were so lucky to have her as our photographer. I won't go on about her talent because it embarrasses her, but you'll see for yourself anyway so there's really no need for words.
Other than that I've been taking care of Eleni of course, who is growing up into a little toddler right before my eyes. And I've been working in our restaurant 2 nights a week when we have live Greek music. It might not sound like much but WHEW! MOMMA IS POOPED YALL!....did I just say that??? Yeah I did, and I'm not even going to erase it because it's a good example as to how tired I am. Weird things are coming out of my mouth and I have absolutely no control over it. Is there such a thing as insomnia induced Turrets?
Anyway.....
As for an update on Eleni.............are you ready for this?????
SHE'S WALKING!!!!
Actually here's where I do hang my head in shame (although ever so slightly so as not to fall asleep) because she turned 11 months 3 days ago, but she started walking at 9 1/2 months. Yes I do feel bad for not telling you all right away but I have to admit, my sense of Mommy-Pride might be helping me ignore that guilt a little because MY BABY STARTED WALKING AT 9 1/2 MONTHS! That's so crazy! She must be a genius!
She's talking a lot more now too which is very cool. She now says Mama and Baba very clearly. She says Cat, Go, Ti (Greek for 'What') and Poo.
Yes. She says Poo. And until this morning she was using it 2 ways and neither of them had to do with what we say in English as poo. Pou in Greek means 'Where', so if she's looking for something she says this. But also grandpa in Greek is Papous, which is a little difficult for her because it's a two syllable word where each syllable has a different sound.........does that make sense? Anyway, she drops the Pa and just calls Yorgos Pou. It's very cute. But as I said, this is what's been going on UNTIL this morning when I asked her if she was pooping and she excitedly screamed "POOP!" So there's really no denying it now. She knows what it means, she can say it and I'm sure she'll be using it all the time from now on. Lovely.
Anyway, I'm going to leave it at that for now because I really can't wait to show you these amazing photos from the baptism. Next time I write....which I promise will be much sooner than 3 months from now....I'll tell you what happened at the baptism and I'll also share a really good white cake recipe I just tried today. Why a cake recipe? Because I've never made a cake from scratch so I thought I better practice a bit since our little monkey will be turning 1 year old in a month, and good mommy's bake birthday cakes from scratch. Right?
On our way to the church
Olympia
Proud papous Yorgos
He appears to be patiently waiting, but we were REALLY late....
Looking slightly bored...like I said, we were so late
These are the clothes Eleni was put in after her 'bath'
Nonos (God father) Lefteris asking his niece/God daughter if she's ready for her bath
And much to relief of all our guests, we finally begin...about an hour late...Greek style!
Thea Stratoula. One of my favourites!
Peek-a-boo Johanna! I see you over there with the camera!
Greeting the guests inside the church.
The priest greeting Papou
And now, we get ready for the bath
She's in...
And she's out....crying and wondering what the heck just happened
The priest cuts the hair...I don't know why but anyway...
Papous, and cousins Katerina and Donna behind
Still crying.
She wasn't all that impressed with the 'bath' everyone kept telling her about, but it was also nap time so it's a little hard to enjoy anything when you're late for nap time
She calmed down quickly though
She doesn't seem too angry with him
Getting the fancy clothes ready to put on her now that she's been baptized
Proud Baba
My handsome father in law
Some family pictures.
This is Antonis' aunt. She lived in Australia for a long time with her husband and children
They're so much fun...and they speak English!
And we're done! Let's eat!
We came back to the restaurant with just a few close family members and friends for lunch
Olympia in all her glory.
"EAT!"
And after we eat, it's play time
Now these pictures are a little out of order but I can't be bothered to move things around, so...
This is after the ceremony is over and a very proud Papou has some snuggles
The beautiful Katrine. She's one of our favourites as well
This is the uncle that lived in Australia.
I told you they're fun!
Baba stealing some kisses but I think Eleni might have her eye on someone else.....
Maybe it's little Dimitris???
First kisses!
Ummmmm.......
Whew! What a day!
But it was fun!
The photos from the baptism are amazing!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMiss you already!
-XxX-