On the night I arrived in George, on our way home from the airport, we thought we saw the North Star. It was reflecting so brightly that I thought it was actually the moon, but it was a full moon that night, not a crescent and I could see Mr Moon on the other side of the sky. Since I have been here we can see it most nights when the clouds clear, especially when it is load shedding and the town is dark. I joked that it was the North Star welcoming the baby. I even joked that we were all out of Frankincense and Myrrh and any wise men are always welcome to impart some wisdom in our direction.
Then my ex-husband came over and told us it was actually Venus. Apparently we cannot see the North Star in the Southern Hemisphere. I hate it when science interferes with the magic of my reality.
Little Amelia Ray was due to come home last Monday but they were not happy with her levels of jaundice and kept her another night under the UV lamp. We took her in for a test at the lab on Thursday to see if she was improving. Her levels needed to be below 250 and they were 251. They decided to try another type of test and her level was 249! They phoned the doctor who said that she was happy with that but we must keep monitoring it and we will retest her again on Monday.
In the meantime Lily has been putting Amelia in the sun for a bit each day as the nurses advised. Her bouncer is right opposite my laptop so I can keep an eye on her while working easily.
I play Native American songs and drums and sometimes just the traditional baby lullabies for her on Spotify. She is not bothered by noise at all but seems to like music. I sing Wendayho to her often (the Cherokee morning song).
She is such a good baby and only cries if hungry or has a wee that needs changing.
On Tuesday I was outside at the back of the house trying to warm up in the sun and I heard Lily and Josh enter the front door with Amelia. They did not tell me they were released from hospital and surprised me. Suddenly I spotted about 6 mousebirds flying around the garden. I stood up to look at them and a beautiful white butterfly flew straight towards me and skimmed over my hair fluttering over me with the softest wings.
We then spotted the same little bunny that was here earlier in the week.
It was as if Amelia was a Disney Princess being welcomed home by the animal kingdom! Aho!!
The bunny has been gradually moving closer. Today he was actually right next to the back patio where we sit.
There are so many birds here. In addition to the mousebirds there are lots of sunbirds, including the Amethyst Sunbird which I had never seen before. He loves to come and nibble on the aloe plants. There are a variety of birds I cannot identify without my bird book.
We can hear weaver birds building and fighting over their nests in the nearby trees.
If you are not familiar with the Weaver birds, the female chooses her mate based on who makes the best home for her based on the “location, design and relative comfort of the nest which ensures the good genetic quality for the father of her offspring alongside a safe home for her eggs”. If she does not like his design or quality, she rips it to shreds and flounces off. Can a bird flounce? A Weaver can beatch!!
Fun fact: Weaver birds are the only birds recorded with the ability to tie knots.
Caitlin drove down to George yesterday and Trevor came over last night. It was lovely to have all of my babies together all at once gathered around my grandbaby. We ordered some Nando’s chicken and munched in the half light as we had no electricity from 4pm to 8pm. It is such a pain at that time as we cannot cook dinner.
We tend to head to bed for 7pm and then watch series but once I have a hot bath, get comfy in bed under the blankies I am out like a light. Last night we pushed the boat out til about 11pm! Amelia was not very happy last night and kept Josh and Caitlin awake. Eventually Lily managed to get her settled and everyone got a bit of sleep.
Caitlin brought some gorgeous baby clothes that she drew little designs on and then embroidered. How adorable are these?
Ragnar is very sad that he is not the baby of the house any longer and he wails for someone to let him in their lap. That someone is usually me.
But even a face as adorable as Ragnar’s cannot compete with this face. We are all besotted.
We really are blessed with Amelia. She is such a calm baby, I have never encountered anything like it. Long may it last! Meanwhile we are just doing our best and putting Amelia’s needs first. As long as she is well fed and happy, nothing else matters. I try to make sure Lily eats and keep the dishes washed and helped her with the tons of laundry.
I have decided to stay down until the 27th of July and Norm will come down for a few nights and then fly back with me. A better solution for everyone all around. Both Lily and Josh have confirmed I am needed, I never want to overstay my welcome or insert myself where I am not wanted or needed.
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend and are keeping well. Until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxoxox
Kitten in the City 
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