The morning after.

Today is the day after Christmas day and Boxing Day (by the way, I’ve heard many reasons why it’s called Boxing day. Which one is the correct one?). And Christian is peaceful… almost. He hasn’t quite recovered his balance from the hectic holidays. But he looks like he’s planning something… 

 Today, the family… Tomorrow, the WORLD!!!!

 I was just kidding…

 Would this innocent face be the face of a world conqueror? Maybe 😉

My dad and me. Chilling out after breakfast and watching the cricket (much to the annoyance of mum. She hates cricket!).

It looks like I have a bit of growing still to do to fill his shoes.

 I’m happy.

I’m really happy.

Christmas day. Yay!

It’s Christmas! And all is noisy and hectic. It’s Christian’s first Christmas, but he was a little overwhelmed by it all.

Martine, Heidi, and a slightly frazzled Christian.

Christmas is about food (well, not really, but sometimes it’s hard to tell)

This year, we had 21 people to Christmas lunch (at 4 o’clock… which seems to be the normal time for Egyptians!). As usual, Andree put on a wonderful spread that had us having to unbutton top pants buttons to make space for dessert.

Of course, Christmas is also a time for gifts. The kids could not wait and were investigating the amazingly large pile of presents.

There were a total of 73 presents this year… All the more amazing when you realise that the adults had a Kris Kringle and the majority of the presents were for the 5 children. I think Father Christmas needs an appointment at the physiotherapist for his bad back after visiting this house.

Anticipation…

Of course, some of us decided that they could buy themselves a Christmas present. Rafik decided that it was time for big screen goodness.

I think my dad was happy with his Christmas present this year.

No family gathering is complete without games… For us, poker, Texas Hold’em style!

 

Merry Christmas! Hope you had a good one.

 

My new toys

This year, the extended family have instituted a Kris Kringle for the adults… 6 families at the Christmas lunch means that there are simply too many of us this year! Instead, a few of us have been receiving Christmas presents random gifts that so happen to be around Christmas time. How can I complain when my new toy is a remote-controlled indoor micro helicopter? 😉

Isn’t it wonderful to have brother-in-laws (www.regularbuzz.com) and their girlfriends (http://www.cineplicity.com.au/)… Shameless plugs!

P.S. This one is not for Christian!

I also received an early Christmas present from my brother (www.paulthia.com … another shameless plug!). Our wives didn’t get why this present is appropriate, but my brother and I love it!.

P.S. This one is not for Christian either!

A few random shots

Sometimes, when I’m looking after Christian, what I’m really doing is playing games working on the computer while he’s in his portable bed on the computer table. As you can see, he has almost outgrown the bed. Still, he still looks pretty happy to me 😉

Christian with Teta (Great-Grandma) Mary. This is the first time that she has held him.

This is his cousin Phillippe. Hopefully, we’ll get something like him in a couple of years time.

To grandma:

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday, dear grandma.

Happy birthday to you.

😉

When he’s not eating, crying, or pooping, he is either…

 sleeping when mum sleeps (actually, it’s the other way round), …

… or just sleeping (or impersonating a starfish), …

… he’s smiling 🙂

 He loves his toys. And he’s getting stronger. Cool.

About our cats

And now for something a little different from baby photos… but there is some relevance. Our cats have been neglected, poor things. With the arrival of Christian, they haven’t got the attention that they used to. We were worried about the cats accidently hurting our child or showing signs of jealousy. Fortunately, there has been none of that. Instead, and remarkably, they show zero interest in the baby, which we don’t quite understand. They don’t sniff him, or rub against him, or investigate if he’s lying on his playmat on the floor. Of course, we are careful and never leave Christian unattended with the cats. Still, it has been a surprise.

Rafik and Bridget

Finally got photos of Rafik and Bridget with Christian! I’m forever grateful that they dropped in and brought a M&M McFlurry with extra M&Ms for me during the night watch. And they took over the feeding…

Doesn’t she look comfortable 😉

Bonding with his Godfather.

 Mum and bub taking some time out.

Carol, Jason, and Hailey (and Harleen and Mandeep too)

This is Hailey – Christian’s current girlfriend 🙂 I think her parents, Carol and Jason, would agree with an arranged marriage. Only joking… But their children would be citizens of the world – Chinese, South African/Dutch mixed with Chinese, Egyptian, Syrian, Armenian, and other bits of the Mediterranean. And an Australian citizen.

Hailey was born 3 weeks before Christian (told you he likes older women…).

Hailey with her mum Carol.

… and with auntie Harleen.

Christian and uncle Mandeep sharing a joke.

Hailey and Christian got together the next day. Look, they’re already holding hands…

Syncronised crying. They’ve had enough of each other already.

Grandparents.

Relaxing summer time. I think he will get to know this backyard (his grandparent’s) every well. Especially since our backyard is unmowed and has weeds about 3 feet high. We have an excuse 🙂

Granddad is already trying to teach him poker. But Christian didn’t help granddad win.

And he’s getting the girls too.

Don’t all babies look so relaxed when asleep. I suppose that they get a lot of practice.

 Bub with mum.

Double chin bub with mum. 

It appears that he likes older women 🙂

Bath time :)

Christian certainly likes his bath time. Even washing his face doesn’t disturb him greatly. And he loves his hair/head being washed. I think everyone likes having their head massaged, Christian included.

Please, Christian, don’t dirty the bath water… 

 Chubby cheeks.

 

Robin Hood impersonation

Look at my messy hair. Where’s my hairdresser?

All clean.