Remember the night we sat at Durban beach and watched the waves crash? 9 years ago. I knew nothing about you. I told you this couldn’t work. You told me it could. We spent so much time dreaming. Travelling. Learning each other’s culture. Finding a path where we weren’t sure there was one. Having a traditional Zulu wedding. Saying we wanted babies. We had no idea what babies involved. I didn’t realise that becoming a mother would change the person that I am. That you would become a new person too. That we’d even get a new names – Mummy and Daddy. That our marriage would change when we became parents. That it would no longer be all about ... Continue Reading...
Zara’s first few days at home
Our first week with Zara disappeared in a blur of feeding and making sure my one year old didn't smother my baby. My dad picked us up from the hospital when Zara was two days old. My mum and dad had been looking after our eldest the whole time so my husband could stay at the hospital with me, which I was thrilled about. I know those first few days are so precious - I wanted to share every part of it with him and he didn’t want to miss it. The day we came home was a sunny afternoon. Nala was over excited to see her sister coming home and a little bit crazy (read: a lot crazy). She refused to get in her car seat so it took a while to load ... Continue Reading...
Behind the Scenes of A Mixed Race Family – Our Story
Originally published as a guest post on 3 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1 Old House Our story started with us both chasing a dream. He was a South African Zulu musician singing his way around Australia with his choir and I was a young Australian organising his tour, dreaming of travelling and volunteering in Africa. I followed that dream and we reconnected in Durban, South Africa. I thought he was weird for always calling me, but eventually he charmed me and I warmed to him and a deep friendship started. He taught me to speak Zulu and all about South Africa. Night after night we’d stay up late while I tried to perfect saying ‘x’ and ‘cha’ and ... Continue Reading...
It Takes a Village
I’ve had an easy introduction to life as a mum. Mostly because I haven’t been doing it on my own. I’ve heard people with newborns say they struggle to find time to shower or cook. Yet I haven’t really had that experience. I probably have been spoilt with help. When our daughter was a little 8 week old we packed up our house and went to stay with my parents. Then three weeks later we moved countries and moved in with my in-laws for two months. So, by the time we move again we will have spent three out of the first five months of our daughter’s life living in community. Living in community is good for babies I can see. Our daughter always ... Continue Reading...