Tackling the new year with baby steps.

We started this year on a rather hectic, disorganised note.

We spent the last 2 days of 2009 travelling back from Cape Town to Pretoria (about 1400km) and then the 3rd & 4th of January travelling from Pretoria to Harare (another 1100km) - hair raising stuff on the last leg! Suffice to say, we have had enough of road trips for now - Samuel even resists getting into his car seat to do school runs.

Yvonne & Samuel enjoying a break during the trip down to Cape Town - yes, we did have a little tantrum when we had to get back into the car :(
Yvonne was so great with him at all the play areas!

However having said the above, we loved seeing our family and spending time in Cape Town. Samuel loved the beach; the girls were "snap happy" as they tried to capture each family moment on "film" and spend as much time as possible with family. For some of the family it was the first time meeting Samuel - Samuel handled it so well and they all loved him to bits.

Samuel meeting Toerien in Kimberley - one of his cousins

Assisting on the guitar during a "Band Hero" session at my brother's house

We were also blessed to meet up with the Paul family, Samuel's foster family from Ghana

On Christmas Day, I really wanted to believe that this was Samuel's first steps, but is really only was a stumble and then an attempt helped along by my brother, Theo

And then ..... amidst the craziness of unpacking, first school day and rotten flu for both Ellen & me, Samuel blessed us with his first steps on 6 January 2010!!!:) Praise God!!!!

Marina scarcely had time to capture this image of him getting up on his own and then 2 seconds later he walked 2 steps!!!

There were so many tears of joy!! I remember clearly sharing with my friend Anne my concerns regarding our new foster baby when we collected him almost a year ago. He had very little muscle control and could not even keep his head up - in short, he was like a newborn and this about 3 weeks before his 1st birthday. This holiday he was also able to communicate through baby sign - more & please was a sign often used when Ouma sat down with something nice to eat.

After the initial steps on the 6th, Samuel decided that the only person who warrants his efforts, is Yvonne. Mommy begs & pleads, but he only smiles, turns his back on me and starts crawling away. Then his sisters come home from school and its a whole different ballgame - literally....

George & the girls were hitting a few golf balls on our front lawn, when Samuel decided that he preferred cricket. He used a miniature bat that Oupa gave him , got up and stood the way Gretch taught him on the last day of our holiday! All on his own!! :)

And today Samuel went on his 1st bicycle ride around the garden with his Daddy.
Yes, again a small tantrum as he did not want to get off. He is definitely getting close too the age of 2!!!

For us the most amazing thing is watching Samuel try and try again until he is able to stand up on his own; master the steps in the house or build a tower toy. He listens attentively when we explain how to do it and shouts of joy & praises himself with a "well done" sign when he is able to do it. He trusts us unconditionally. He teaches all of us to listen, learn, not to give up and take joy in even the smallest achievement.

Thank you Lord,

- for the ongoing amazing healing process in Samuel's life;

- for our extended family that love him unconditionally and take

pleasure in each of his milestones;

- for an amazing Daddy & sisters that just poured love & attention into him this holiday.

Help us Lord,

- in this new year to be more like little children in listening, learning & trusting You;

- to take joy in all the baby steps / milestones in our lives that You enable us to achieve;

- to be obedient to You in all aspects of our lives.