Cristina & Will's Stories: November 2012

Elsa's 1st Birthday - Happy Birthday!

Our little Elsa Liliana was 1 year old on the 1st of October. She has had such a great first year, enjoying being with her family, learning how to crawl, walk, smile and laugh. She loves her sister, Maria, who makes her laugh many times, especially when she is loud and is dancing. Elsa is still tiny, hasn't reached 7.5 kg yet and is quite dainty. We love her to bits and are so happy to have our two little girls. Just before Elsa's brithday, my mum came over to stay with us for a couple months. It's so nice to have her here and to celebrate with her our girls' birthdays.

Maria and Elsa on the 1st of October

Mama Lili playing with Elsa

Happy Birthday, Elsa! La multi ani, Elsa!

Elsa and Grannie Mary

In our Romanian tradition, when the baby is one, she has to choose three objects, which would relate to her future career. So, we put lots of different objects on a tray and Elsa had to choose three of them. Her first chosen object was the scissors. After picking it up, we were all ready for the second object, but Elsa would just look at us and the tray and didn't want to choose anything. After about 5 minutes of persuading her to choose something else, she eventually picked up the mobile phone and the badminton shuttlecock (of which I was very pleased).

Here is Maria trying to encourage her to pick up her next object.

Another moment when you are 1, you meant to have your first hair cut. Elsa's hair was cut by Grannie Mary.

Family picture on Elsa's birthday

Paralympic Games - September 2012

This year was definitely the most attended sport event year for all of us. Figure Skating Championships in January, Wimbledon in June, Olympics and finally, the great Paralympics Games. We were very pleased to be able to get tickets and be part of a such an inspirational event. Seeing these great athletes compete in the Games gave us shivers on the spine and had lots of tears of joy and appreciation watching them. We were there for only one day, but we took the girls with us and experienced quite a few of sport events. In the morning, we went to the Excel Arena and saw Wheelchair Fencing and Boccia and in the evening, we returned to the Olympic Park and saw the final session of the swimming finals. Great experience, great memories and a wonderful day spent as a family and enjoying sport.

Aquatics Centre - London 2012, excellent venue and a super swimming final session

The girls were tired at the end of the day, but it was well worth it

The Olympic Stadium in the background and the Orbit

Summer Time - August Trip to Cornwall

August was a very busy month. Olympic Games for the first part, visits and a very nice trip to Devon, meeting old good friends and making new friends. Here are some pictures from our busy August. Slightly catching up with our blog.

This summer, Maria started taking seriously her responsibilities as a big sister. She is a lovely sister, taking very good care of Elsa, playing with her, helping her to crawl and walk and giving her lots of cuddles.

Maria with her friend, Emily at Wisley Gardens. A lovely day spent together.

Feeding the ducks

Guess what is in the picture?

Another nice picture, in Will's style

Summer flowers at Wisley Gardens

Maria looking at the pretty flowers

At the end of August, my friend from Germany, Ursula, whom I first met years ago in the US, while I was an aupair, came to visit England. Ursula, her lovely little boy, Quirin and her funny friend, Sabine all came over here for 10 days and we rented a cottage in Devon together. It was a very nice trip and it was lovely seeing my old friend and also seeing her baby boy and Sabine. Here are some pictures from our trip to Devon.