Luna Mbali: 2010

23 September 2010

Once upon a time

Once upon a time in a land far away there lived an old man and woman whose children and grandchildren were scattered all over the world. They loved their whole family and thought of them often. They led happy lives knowing how well their children were doing and what wonderful things they all had in their lives. Right now the newest person in this group Is Luna Mboli, a very small baby who lives in South Africa. She has magnificent dresses that are chosen with care for her each day by her sister Luciana. The old man and woman live in Pleasant Valley, New York USA on a hill that looks over a valley. They want the very best life for Luna and are eager to see her grow and have many friends and adventures. Right now they know that each day is an adventure for her as she discovers ears, trees and the many friends of her parents and sister. This is a happy story and everyone is looking forward to the future.

Day to Day Luna Diary

The typing having become a tad strenuous for Luna I have decided to take over this blog.

Luna is an incredibly fit baby with muscly arms and legs that work constantly. She waves her arms wildly when she’s happy as though she is hoping to take flight. If you hold her so she can stand on her strong legs she performs something between riverdance and a country western hoe down.

She can sit unassisted now and is beginning to exercise her vocal chords by uttering squalks and screeches and low gutteral grunts that make us smile.

Her skin is smooth and soft and her face is round like the planet she is named after. Her eyes are giant blue-black orbs that seem to get larger every minute.

Luna loves trees and she looks at them as though she is fully aware of the miracles that they are. We often wonder what she is thinking but whatever it is it seems to be good thoughts because she smiles incessantly. In fact smiling is the thing she does most.

It feels different in our house since Luna came. She has a peaceful and calming energy that balances the extreme Drama Queen in the rest of us.

Kai and I took part in an ‘Aware Parenting’ workshop and learned to hold Luna and listen to her ‘tell her story’.

Luciana was away this week for a four day camp with her school and the house seemed quiet and a little unbalanced without her. Luci is quite cool when asked if she likes being a big sister but she is so gentle and kind and loving with Luna.

Saturday while Kai was filming (and befriending) tattooed performers at the Hip Hop Kop festival the girls and I went to the playground in Seapoint. Lunas first playground. So many firsts. Luci and I put her on the slide and she didn’t move. But she giggled and put her head back when Luciana spun us around and around on the dizzy-making device.

Luna spends the weekdays with Noma who is completely and totally in love with her. I come home to find the two of them lying on the floor giggling; or to find Luna falling gently asleep on Nomas generous bosom as Noma sings to her in Xhosa.

- - -
Oct 23, 2010:

Have been super busy and thus have not had time to write. I am now sitting up and my face looks clear and open and my eyes seem to get bigger with every second. I am eating food now and particularly loving the organic squash. Daddy is away filming in Joburg. Noma is with me weekdays and I am starting to sing very very loudly.

24 September 2010:

Tio Gavin came to visit and brought carrot cake. Today I am into flapping my arms like a wild bird. Spent Heritage Day hanging with Mom & Dad and spitting up. Ahhhhhhhhhhh bliss. Experimented with food as item of apparel.

23 September 2010:

Noma sang me to sleep so sweetly today. Tonight I will be eating food for the first time (see pics). Mmmm yummy rice cereal.

22 September 2010:

I am getting bigger all the time and I am so good natured but I do spit up quite an enormous amount.

21 September 2010:

My second photo shoot. Today in my red and white outfit (see Pics).

20 September 2010:
I am spending the morning with Noma. Mom is busy shooting in the studio and sister Lu is sick in bed...

19 September 2010:
Today I discovered my ears! Wild!!! A brand new experience.

15 September 2010:

I am four and a half months old today.

13 September 2010:

Got cool shades today (see pic).

12 September 2010:

Drool fest. My second public appearance at Rachel's bday party.

10 September 2010:

Rachels bday at Ethiopian restaurant. Held my bottle for the first time.

9 September 2010:

Mid-wife Maryanne comes for first session of Primal Therapy attachment parenting. Whew what a new age baby I am.

8 September 2010:

Kala came to visit. Mom & Lu went mad buying me cute clothes again. Today I experimented with pointing and reaching.

7 September 2010:

Today I laughed out loud for the first time.

5 September 2010:

Today I am amusing myself making garggling noises.

2 September 2010:

Claire Muller came to visit me and I was super cute.

30 August 2010:

Went to OT with Luci and we went into the 'clouds' and I loved it (see pic). I was giggling and laughing. I can hold my dummy now and I love to watch my sisters sweet face.

29 August 2010:

Drinking bottle cutely.

28 August 2010:

Today I am missing my sister. I am totally getting better at grabbing things.

26 August 2010:

Saw myself today in the mirror, smiled and laughed my sweet toothless grin. Dad leaves the house for first time after op.

25 August 2010:

My hands already seem bigger. I think I love shopping almost as much as Luci does. Mom and Lu bought me a furry vest that makes me look like Atila the Hun (see pic).

24 August 2010:

Rachel looked after me. xx

23 August 2010:

First day to hold something in my hand. I love to watch dancers and I pointed today.

22 August 2010:

I am using my hands more now all the time. I just love trees. Had a nice bath, said "Goo". My sister fed me. x

21 August 2010:

My sister knows that I know all the secrets of the world but she also knows I won't tell.

19 August 2010:

Lots of standing up. Big poo, big sleep, cute dress..

I started sucking my hands today and I laughed at Lu eating pretzels. Julia came over to bless my room and me. I am very blessed as is my family to have me.

18 August 2010:

Dad was crying cause he loves me so much. Luci thinks I look like a turtle (a very cute one). I am sleeping quite restlessly between 2 and 6 AM and I wake every 3 hours.

17 August 2010:

Everyone had cerry pie except me. I am making cute purring noises.

16 August 2010:

Mom and I went to a party for adopted kids. Had a bit of a meltdown at night.

15 August 2010:

Big sleep like a little angel. Lu thinks I will be a famous dancer.

14 August 2010:

Met Tio Gustavo. Mom and Dad haven't figured out the bottles yet and managed to cover me in milk!

13 August 2010:

I have cute hands. We went for a walk in the garden and smelled lavender. I tend to crave cuddles at dinner time. Moms arms are falling off cause she is holding big afro baby (me). I farted up a storm!

12 August 2010:

My first day with Kai and Brooke and Luciana. Luci got an ice cream machine. I am very good and sleep and eat like a little angel.

Luna's Details and Info

27 September 2010

Luna Mbali Talking

24 September 2010

Bath Time

23 September 2010

Once upon a time

Strawberry Picking

My First Beer

Cutest!

Cool Toy

Aaaah...

The Luna

Our Loving Daughters

Chewing

Papa

Lulu and Luna

Laughing Noma

Luna and Noma

Noma feeding BellaLuna

Yummy!

Aah Haa...

Bella Luna

I love my Mom.

Me in my cool shades

Pretty huh?

Red Dress

Got a lovely new sweater today. Cosy warm with little pink hearts.

Sisters!

Blrrrpp

Lunch Time!

Zzzzz

Luna and Brooke sleeping

The Girlies Walking

My Favourite Shirt (because Kai says so!)

Kai's Scar

Lu and Luna in the 'clouds'

Luna and Brooke in the city

The New Age Auchincloss family in Cape Town

The Family

Brooke and Luna

Luciana and Luna smuggling

Luna being serious

Kai and Luna

Our first day

The day we signed the adoption papers!