Mogly's Diary

Gala's vocabular at age of 2.5

2012-01-22T10:35:00.001+01:00

1. Гандана = градинка
2. Тобави = чорапи
3. Салод = сладолед
4. Ценѕеле = тенџере
5. Фублал = фудбал
6. Венге = легне
7. Вандо = ладно
8. Муди = смрди
9. Фама = салама (унгарска бела зимска)
10. Музнав = смрзнав
11. Овосијата = мемориска игра со овошја
12. Пацавинки = палачинки
13. Тотла = торта
14. Банинани = банани (мн. од бананана = банана)
15. Фопки = хулахопки
16. Апка = мајмун
17. Мукакала = правосмукалка
18. Фунта = фустан
19. Пепутка = пеперутка
20. Пепеска = Пепелашка
21. Телеваса = тераса
22. Моклов = морков
23. Опкот = октопод
24. Кумализа = локомотива
25. Дуф = дух (дуфот = духот)
26. Ципа = птица
27. Вишки = виршли
28. Јунак = југ (пр. Ципите летаат далеку на јунак)
29. Жива пота = испотена, жива вода
30. Мајкини ногицки = нозе
31. Побего је = побего је
32. Амбув = албум Животинско царство
33. Бутикати = дупликати
34. Ќе те поб’зам/побузам = ќе те победам, побрза сум од тебе
35. Сакам да победувам = сакам да ми пуштиш игрица на телефон

Beautiful

2011-05-24T15:00:00.000+02:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Gala's clips

2011-05-24T08:52:00.004+02:00

Here are some funny Baby TV clips with Gala: Birthday clip and Hokey Pokey clip.

Enjoy!

Immunization Calendar

2010-05-07T23:01:00.002+02:00

Immunization Calendar: A pretty handy thing to have.

You can also download it from here.

Cuddly toys and dust mites: Some advice on toy wash

2010-04-08T14:01:00.002+02:00

All baby toys should be washable. Pre-washing reduces possible harmful or allergenic substances and reduces the number of dust mites. Microscopic organisms found in every home, dust mites can cause allergic reactions even when dead since it is actually their excretions that cause allergies. Nearly 40% of all Europeans suffer from some degree of household dust mite related allergies and the numbers are growing.

If your baby’s favorite toy turns out not to be washable, here is a simple but helpful trick that will kill the dust mites that are surely there. This is especially important if your baby is sensitive to allergies: put the cuddly toy in a plastic bag and store it for at least 24 hours inside the freezer. Clean it afterwords with a hot damp towel to remove the dead dust mites.

This is a great trick my mom found out about from Electrolux baby brochure. And it works fine :)

April Fools' Day

2010-04-08T11:20:00.004+02:00

Last week's April Fools' Day, in my kindergarten. Guess what I was disguised in :)

Am I the cutest or what? :)

My birthday party

2010-04-07T16:41:00.006+02:00

Finally, some photos and video inserts from my birthday party in Dreamland Playhouse!

Enjoy!

To see the photos from the party go to my mom's facebook profile or just click here.

Miss you, guys!...

2010-03-16T10:41:00.003+01:00

Reggae greeting card from Andy and Elina! Click on the photo to view the whole greeting card. Turn on your speakers loud and dance! :)

You guys made my day! Miss you, a lot!

Jana

2010-03-11T12:53:00.003+01:00

This is Jana's response to my birthday party invitation:

Love it! Thanks Jana, I am looking forward!

Sooooooo excited :)

Now and then...

2010-03-10T22:07:00.010+01:00

Can't believe it's been one year already...

March 11, 2009, 8.45: The morning just before heading to the hospital...

March 11, 2009, 13.11: In the hospital. Thanks God for epidural!

March 11, 20.35: The first photo of Gala, just 5 minutes after she was born...

March 2010: A year later...

March 10, 2010, 18.50: Day before the first birthday

Tomorrow

2010-03-10T09:17:00.003+01:00

One day to go! :)

Come to my Birthday Party

2010-03-09T09:19:00.003+01:00

Hello, hello! Will you come to my first birthday party?

Come to Dreamland playhouse, on Saturday - March 13th, from 3 p.m.

See ya! :)

Greeting card for my mom

2010-03-09T09:15:00.002+01:00

When I said March 8 is for all important women in my life, I haven't forget my mom. On the contrary!

As a special surprise, I made a special greeting card for my mom, with the help of my kindergarten teachers.

Happy Woman's Day, Mom! Love you! :)

International Women's Day

2010-03-07T23:55:00.006+01:00

International Women's Day, or March 8. Or Осми Март.

For many people this is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. For women in Macedonia it is mainly a day when they receive flowers and go to restaurants to celebrate their day with cheap turbo-folk music.

However, as for my first Осми Март, my mom and I made special greeting cards for the most important women in my life: grandmothers (Ata, Duki and Baba Vujna) and my kindergarten teachers (Bube, Lile and Bile), signed and verified with my footprints and hand-prints.

I hope I'll make all of them very happy with my self-made Осми Март greeting cards!

My first петка

2010-02-23T19:45:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I've got my first петка (five) on my hand. I've earned it because I surpassed the expectations of everyday assignments by my kindergarten teachers. In other words, I felt asleep unassisted, completely by myself.

Now I am 'скроз одлична' with GPA (grade point average) 5.00.

Tips and Tricks from Electrolux: Enjoy new life

2010-02-22T11:37:00.001+01:00

Most young parents see the world from an entirely new perspective when a baby is born. Day-to-day schedules become more complex and the need for support in the household increases drastically. Fortunately appliances are designed to increase both baby's and her parents' comfort. However, learning how to take full advantage of the multiple benefits of household appliances is often overlooked in the rush.

Electrolux, the world's leader in home appliances, has put together a brochure, especially to help improve parents' knowledge of appliances so that you can do even more to provide for your child's well being.

It is designed to help young parents, grandparents and potentially babysitters. It provides lots of nice tips and tricks, on milk and moving to solids, on preparing home cooked meals, using cookers, dishwashers, washing and drying machines, vacuum cleaners, and all the other home appliances. It also includes some very useful tips on things you always wanted to asked about, bu you haven't had any idea who to turn to for help. Such was (for me) the list of standard symbols of fabric care you see on clothes and textiles:

You can download the whole brochure here, or visit Electrolux Baby Care website for more info.

My favorite songs

2010-02-08T17:55:00.004+01:00

My favorite songs lately can be found at British Council web site.

If I should make a top list of my favorite songs, it would be as following:

1. Incy Wincy Spider

2. Ten little aeroplanes

3. If you're happy and you know it

There are many nice songs to watch and to sing along as well as fun stories to tell here on this web. You can download mp3 and midi files of some songs, download and print song lyrics and sheet music to some of the songs.

Have fun!

My space at 'Circle of Moms'

2010-01-18T12:57:00.005+01:00

My space at my mom's 'Circle of Moms' :)

You can follow all my milestones here: first sat up, first steps, first tooth, first day in kindergarten.... Became a fan and follow me and what's new about me :)

Happy New 2010!!!

2010-01-01T10:34:00.002+01:00

View whole photo album here.

Marko wishing happy holidays

2009-12-29T16:26:00.002+01:00

My cousin Marko wishing everyone happy holidays, with the Happy Holiday Recipes :)))

Tips & Tricks from Electrolux: Enjoy new life

2009-12-29T16:01:00.004+01:00

The 2009 single

2009-12-27T13:35:00.003+01:00

If I was asked to make a 2009 top list, this would definitely be my no. 1 song from VH1.

The point of no return

2009-12-10T16:29:00.001+01:00

No return now. I can walk.

and fall...

First day in kindergarten

2009-12-01T23:37:00.004+01:00

Today was my first day in kindergarten.

There I met my new teachers Lile, Biljana and Ljupka, and my new mates.

So mom, dad, grandmas... don't you worry, I'll be just fine :)

Back on the track

2009-11-14T18:22:00.002+01:00

So many milestones and so many new things happened meanwhile, and I haven't let my mom and dad take a breath and drop a line on the blog...

But I am back on the track now! I hope... :)

Samba, samba, samba...

2009-09-02T20:39:00.004+02:00

A postcard from Brazil, from Andy and Elina.

Thanks guys! Luv ya!

Ivo's first day at school

2009-09-02T12:13:00.003+02:00

September 1st is the most exciting day for many kids. Especially 6 year-olds. Like my cousin Ivo.

It is because September 1st is the day when the summer is over, but more importantly - it is the first day of school.

Traditionally, the first-graders' moms make the most delicious cakes on this date. That is why we, the other kids, are very exited to go there and celebrate the first day of school as well.

Moreover, yesterday was even more important day and my couisin Ivo was even bigger star: he and his classmates were on all the main news, together with the Minister of Education and the Mayor of Aerodrom! They were focused on the new books and (hopefully) on the Minister speech, that no one understood.

Good morning!

2009-09-02T09:52:00.002+02:00

Yeeeey! I can sit unsupported now!

No need of pillows around me anymore! ;)

Good morning, mom and dad :)

Kindergarten

2009-08-30T23:33:00.004+02:00

My parents took me to the kindergarten for the first time. As it seems I will go in kindergarten starting from this December, but we had to apply now if we wanted to save a place in the groups...

So we went there to submit the application form and to meet the kindergarten nursery maids. And I must say that I liked pretty much what I saw there. I saw children playing in the yard, I heard lots of laughter of happy kids... and I am becoming more and more exciting about going to kindergarten!

And for the parents who are also thinking of sending their kids to kindergarten, here is a small brochure, encouraging and providing tips on how to prepare the kid for kindergarten.

I have a 'стрина'!

2009-08-27T20:51:00.003+02:00

Hey guys, do you know what else is new?

I (will) have a new aunt! Actually, it is called 'стрина' in Macedonian!

Her name is Suze, and she is my uncle Tosho's fiance (since last week). I haven't met her yet, but everyone says she is really nice :)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, here she is, стрина Сузе (the pretty blond girl on the right):

On the photo (from L to R): uncle Tosho, aunt Hristina and aunt-to-be Suze.
The engagement ring is in the middle :)

Introducing Foods Calendar

2009-08-25T17:57:00.003+02:00

My mom has prepared a pretty handy calendar of introducing solid foods, based on things she has read and experiences other moms have shared with her. You can download the calendar by clicking here.

Also, if you really, really want to catch moments of baby's first foods, my one-and-only excel-mom has also prepared another calendar in which you can enter every food the baby has tasted, together with notes such as: date when first tried, form in which it was taken, and even how it was accepted (5 stars rating, where 1 is dislike; 3 - like; 5 - baby's favorite). Download from here.

My first solid foods

2009-08-25T17:33:00.010+02:00

My first solid foods: carrot, paprika, plumb, grape, milk pap...

August 17: My first carrot juice. I loved it from the start!

August 21: My mom put a piece of paprika in my hand. I did what I usually do - I put in my mouth. And it was kinda nice. After that, my mom started to make me a paprika juice, which I also like a lot.

August 23: That afternoon I was enjoying the late summer sun in Volkovo when a piece of plumb somehow ended up in my mouth...

August 24: My very first milk pap and my very first solid food! I liked it so much that I could eat the plate itself!

August 25: My dad feeding me with Hip's milk pap. Soooooo tasty! Yammiiii!!!

But I still hate that apple juice...

August 11: WTF?!?!

My first milk pap

2009-08-25T13:55:00.002+02:00

Yesterday my mom gave me some milk pap, a small amount, just enough to taste it. It was the first time I’ve tried some real (solid) food, other than her breast-milk and juices she usually gives me these days…

And for the whole time, I was holding the spoon on my own, very very tight:

I really loved my first milk pap! I loved it sooo much, that I almost ate the whole plate! And I mean literally: at the end mom and grandma Ata had to hide the plate away from me, because I could probably eat the plate itself too.

My newborn friends

2009-08-25T09:16:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I got two new friends: Tara and Joana. They are both daughters of my parents' colleagues at work: Tara is daughter of Dzambo, my mom's colleague, and Joana is daughter of Dance, dad'd colleague.

Tara and Joana were born in the same day, but in different hospitals in Skopje. I can hardly wait to meet them and show them the world!

Vroooooomm!!!

2009-08-20T13:33:00.000+02:00

Me, "driving" Milica's cabriolet :)

Introducing juices and solids

2009-08-16T11:01:00.009+02:00

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 4-6 months, when it is the best time to introduce baby's first new tastes.

Usually apple juice is recommended to begin with, first as a 1:10 solution, and slowly introducing the juice only, in a baby bottle, up to 50-100 ml a day.

The menu is best to be extended once or twice a week, but not more often than that, because the baby needs some time to get use to and accept the new taste.

Here is a great baby cook-book (in Croatian) that you can use up to preschool age, with lots of advises and more than 100 recipes of baby food.

A good source of advises and recipes can also be found at Baby Centre web site. Annabel Karmel also offers lots of recipes and guides for babies and children on her web site.

An afternoon with Nikola

2009-08-15T12:47:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I have spent a nice afternoon with my friend (and cousin) Nikola in Ramstore Mall. He was sending me kisses and smiles all day long.

I tried to send kisses back to him, but nobody thought me how to kiss yet...

Save the dolphins

2009-08-12T02:46:00.001+02:00

Hope you understood what I've just said...

Before you start packing…

2009-08-12T02:25:00.005+02:00

Summer holiday time. The dilemma where to spend holidays is probably not as hard as the question what should I take for the baby… Where to start?

You should have enough clean and comfortable baby clothes, a hat, diapers, bottles and pacifiers… lots of toys, a plastic pool… But before you even start packing these things, you’ll have to drop by in the closes pharmacy and get several things. Here’s the list:

1. Nifuroxazide. Nifuroxazide (INN) is an oral nitrofuran antibiotic used to treat colitis and diarrhea. It is sold under the brand names Ambatrol, Antinal, Bacifurane, Nifrozid, Ercefuryl, Endiex (CZ, SK, PL), Pérabacticel (FR) and Septidiaryl. It is sold in capsule form and also as a suspension.

2. Avil. AVIL Tablets, Retard and Syrup contain pheniramine maleate, a medicine used to treat allergic conditions such as hayfever, runny nose, itching skin and skin rashes. It is also used in the prevention and treatment of inner ear disorders (eg. Meniere's disease) and travel sickness. AVIL Decongestant also contains pheniramine maleate, ammonium chloride and menthol. It is used to treat chesty coughs, or chest or nasal congestion due to an infection or allergy.

3. Phenergan. Phenergan is used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin rashes. Phenergan is an antihistamine that relieves nasal stuffiness and inflammation and red, inflamed eyes caused by hay fever and other allergies. It is also used to treat itching, swelling, and redness from hives and other rashes; allergic reactions to blood transfusions; and, with other medications, anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction).

4. Daleron (paracetamol) syrup/oral suspension. It has a fast effect, and beside reducing temperature it also eases the pain, and even anxiety.

5. High sun protection baby body milk, SPF 30+. Be sure you take baby sun milk, because it has to be hypoallergenic, free of perfume, alcohol and chemical filters. It is also good to be a waterproof if you plan to put your baby in the water. The baby sun milk protects baby skin from sunburn and irritation caused by light in a reliable and especially skin-friendly way.

6. Insect Repellent (exp: Autan). Protects against mosquito bites. But the most often question is what repellents are safe for babies and toddlers? One of the most effective ways to protect against mosquito bites is by using insect repellent with DEET. However, these products should be used with caution.

In 2001 the Environmental Protection Agency made the following recommendations regarding the safe use of insect repellent with DEET for children:

• Do not apply to infants under two months of age. (Skin permeability becomes similar to adult by the second month of life.)
• Read and follow all directions and precautions on the product label.
• Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to young children's hands or near eyes or mouth.
• Do not allow young children to apply products themselves.
• Use just enough to cover the exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Do not use under clothing.
• Avoid over-application.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Wash treated clothing before wearing again.
• Do not use spray solutions in enclosed areas or near food.
• For use on face, apply to adult hands and then rub on face. Do not spray face. Avoid areas around eyes and mouth.

Experts agree that insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective. Years of DEET use have resulted in relatively few reports of adverse reactions. Most reported incidents have not been serious.

Oh… and here is another tip: Before you even settle in the new hotel or apartment, find a pediatrician and write down his/her telephone number! Anything can happen and you might need a doctor in the middle of the night, when there is no one on the streets to ask for the closest pediatrician, doctor or ambulance.

So that’s about it…. Have a great holiday!

An improved 'good morning'

2009-08-12T00:26:00.004+02:00

A short update on the previous post on my good-morning-surprises that I make for my mom and dad after I wake up...

This time I managed to turn around, crawl to the other end of the bed, throw out everything on my way (pillows, blanket...) and hide under the swaddling-pad, like in a cave.

I think I just discovered my new 'secret place'...

My first new taste

2009-08-12T00:21:00.005+02:00

Yesterday I turned 5… months!

It was a big day for me, not only because of my mini-birthday, but also because I have tried for the first time in my life another taste other than my mom’s milk!

It was an apple juice. And I must admit I didn’t like it much. I was first eager to try it, but now that I did – I must admit it is far from what I expected. I am always so curious when I see mom or dad drinking something from their cups and glasses, and I guess they recognized that I am ready to try something new…

However, tomorrow is a new day, and I will prove them that I like new tastes, I just need some more time to get use to them :)

Welcoming my newborn friends

2009-08-06T19:42:00.005+02:00

This week two new friends of mine were born: Angela Kazandziska on 1.08 and Luka Paunovski on 4.08.

Welcome, guys! I am looking forward to meeting you in person and to play with you! As a 'џомба', I will teach you how to roll, pinch, cry and laugh... how to eat your toys and toes... how to make your parents smile... I will teach you all kind of things, I promise!

Welcome!

Angela, Day 1

Luka, 3 weeks

The most effective lullaby

2009-08-02T23:18:00.004+02:00

Update on the previous post on lullabies and nursery songs:

Болен ми лежи Миле Поп Јорданов. A Macedonian folk song, hymn of Veles.

The most effective lullaby, ever! All credits go to my dad!

Thanks, dad! :)

All my “good mornings”

2009-07-31T19:58:00.003+02:00

I love mornings! I love when the sun comes out! I love when I see my mom and dad above my bed, kissing me and wishing me good morning!

But what I love most about mornings is their faces when they first see me: they are amazed -- and sometimes even shocked -- by my new posture every morning in my bed, and they wonder how in the world I’ve managed to get there!?!?!

I never cry to call them when I am awake, I usually just patiently wait for them to remember to check on me! And then they come to wish me good morning. Can you imagine their reaction when they see me smiling at them in an impossible posture?

After some time, when they’ve calmed down from the first shock, they started to record these postures of mine, so here are some of them. Note the posture on the first photos – that is the night posture, the sleeping posture. Now, watch the postures in the morning. Amazing, isn’t it?

These are simply all the different ways I wish them a good morning, too.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

2009-07-30T22:56:00.003+02:00

I like when my mom or dad sing to me. Especially before they put me to bed. It makes me feel safe, and loved... But I also like to listen to music during the day, when I am awake.

My parents often wander what songs are best for me, or what music I like most. A recent survey, conducted in Great Britain, revealed that today’s parents are more likely to sing pop songs to their children, in hopes of calming them, than classic lullabies.

My mom, for instance, usually sings the following songs to me: “Twinkle, twinkle…”, “I love you, you love me…”, “The wheels on the bus”, “Елко, елко”, “Авионче бело крило”, “Како ли јас да пораснам”, and the funniest song “Pempico, Pempico kad cemo u Mexico….”! She claims that she couldn’t remember any other nursery rhymes. But she also likes to play me some music from her laptop, especially some classical pieces (Debussy is my favorite so far). My dad, on the other hand, prefers hmmmmhmmhm-ing rather than singing a particular song.

Here is my advice to parents (mine and other babies): let us listen to whatever we show you that we like! Try out our favorites, or classical music (the old standby), or spice things up with Brazilian or African tunes! Anything with a good melody will do, although slow songs may work best for bedtime and fast ones for play. In the morning, play classical music (choose something pleasant and happy, such as a tinkly piano concerto from Chopin or Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons") so we’ll wake up in a light and upbeat mood.

Music helps you bond with your child, too. When it comes to playing tunes for your kids, think cheerful and simple and stay away from head-banging rock, grunge music, or rap.

If you have trouble to remember some lullabies, you may want to check Babycentre or Parenting at iVillage for lullaby lyrics. A good basis of lullabies (with music) may be found on KIDiddles and on 1stNurseryRhymes.com.

For nursery rhymes in Macedonian, the best sources are Super Production YouTube channel (around 300 songs from Супер Ѕвезда Festival of children songs) or Златно Славејче playlist.

Good luck!

My dad...

2009-07-30T22:06:00.000+02:00

My dad really has a style!

In the bookstore

2009-07-30T21:58:00.004+02:00

What can I say, I like to read! ;)

Support my blog!

2009-07-22T16:42:00.003+02:00

Dear friends,

If you like my blog, please do not hesitate to show your support!

You can do it simply by clicking the Google Ads in the sidebar! Not only will you help me continue writing and posting on regular basis, but you may find some solutions there as well, for you or for your baby!

Thank you in advance!

Mogly

My dad and I

2009-07-15T00:46:00.003+02:00

My dad took me for a walk yesterday. After a while, somehow we found ourselves in Bravo Cafe, for a beer. Exhausting walk, I must say...

The big moment

2009-07-14T15:58:00.003+02:00

Today I met my aunt Hristina, for the first time! It was a moment to remember...

Steeling my toys....

2009-07-14T15:51:00.000+02:00

My dad loves to steel my toys and play with them. Sometimes he gives my toys a band new function! It's his rich imagination though...

Funny uncle Nesho

2009-07-14T15:47:00.000+02:00

A big day

2009-07-14T09:14:00.001+02:00

Today is a big day for me: I am finally going to meet my aunt Hristina! She is coming today in Skopje from Graz, Austria, where she studies music.

I am very excited!

Left-leg phenomenon

2009-07-12T17:28:00.002+02:00

I want to be in a good shape for the summer. That is why I exercise hard these days. But with my left leg only. My dad joins me in this left-leg-only exercising phenomenon.

At work

2009-07-10T19:55:00.001+02:00

This is me, blogging and Facebooking:

What is my eyes color?

2009-07-08T02:22:00.003+02:00

Well, my eyes color is changing from day to day. I was born with blue eyes, and since then they look different every day... sometimes they are dark blue, sometimes brown, sometimes they look greenish...

Today they were brown, and two days ago they looked pretty green... Who knows how they'll turn out at the end :)

Pregnancy tip: When the time comes

2009-07-08T01:47:00.003+02:00

My mom continues with her top tips for other moms (and dads) to be. Today on the Manu – when THE time comes: getting ready, heading to the hospital, what to take for the hospital, etc.

1. Have your documents ready in your purse: health insurance card, blood type card, and history of pregnancy documents (optional): pregnancy card, microbiology tests, laboratory results, ultrasound, etc. (this is especially important if you deliver at doctor other than your health-care provider that knows your pregnancy).

2. The midwife on your Lamaze classes in the State Hospital (Државна болница) probably told you that you have at least 2-3 hours from your first pain to the time when you should head to hospital. Wrong! When the pains and contractions start - go! Don’t wait, just go!

3. No need to rush to have the bag ready months before the full term! Yes, it is good to have everything ready before the baby comes, but don’t panic if it isn’t – while you are in a hospital, daddy take care of it!

4. If you want your bag ready anyway – this is the list of things you would need. Remember, you will need these things only if you plan to deliver in one of the state hospitals. If you go to a private one, the only thing you’ll need is: toothpaste, cell telephone, and a positive thought. These are some other lists I found on the net (1, 2), and this is my list (3), all of them in Macedonian.

5. At the end, as John Zakour says in his “Man’s Guide to Pregnancy”: No use writing much about the trip to the hospital, because you won’t even remember it anyway.

Baby Einstein does wonders!

2009-07-08T00:06:00.003+02:00

Few weeks ago I have discovered television. I am still fascinated by the moving pictures and the talking (and singing) heads that come out from that strange box: once my eye reach it, I can’t help myself – I simply must turn my head towards it, whenever my in someone’s arms…

It didn’t took me long to build an attitude for certain TV programs. Beside my favorite sports TV shows (‘The strongest man’ on EuroSport channel, and sometimes a good football game), my definitely No. 1 is Baby Einstein DVDs! My favorite video stories are Baby Mozart, Baby Galileo, Baby’s First Moves and Baby Monet.

Baby Einstein is a line of multimedia products (and toys) that specializes in interactive activities for children aged 3 months to 3 years old. Subjects such as classical music, art, and poetry are prominently explored. These products are currently made by a division of the Walt Disney Company, marketed under the slogan, "Where Discovery Begins". Baby Einstein DVDs are very popular with many parents who desire to provide an early boost to their children's cognitive development.

Although my mom and dad don’t allow me to watch it very often, cause they believe that too much TV is not too healthy, when I am cranky or simply not in the mood the only thing that helps (after my parents have tried everything else) is watching Baby Einstein DVDs! I sometimes am able to watch it for more than one hour, have a 30 minutes nap, wake up and that continue to watch it again for another hour!

That is why my parents admit that Baby Einstein really does wonders!

Am I the cutest or what?

2009-07-07T23:27:00.004+02:00

Photos taken before we headed to Ivo's birthday party.

Am I the cutest or what?!?! :)

Yummy!

2009-07-07T23:04:00.007+02:00

After days and days of practicing, I finally managed to put my toe in my mouth! Soooooooo tasty! Yummy!!!

The historic moment captured!

In other words...

2009-07-07T22:31:00.001+02:00

What I am really trying to say is...

My language

2009-07-01T12:23:00.002+02:00

... and this is how I actually talk to adults! :)

My new happy sounds

2009-06-30T21:44:00.002+02:00

These are my new 'happy' sounds. This is when I am happy and excited.

Drooling at Nikola

2009-06-26T16:21:00.001+02:00

Drooling at Nikola :) Прва лига! :))

The world around me…

2009-06-25T00:35:00.002+02:00

I am starting to draw some conclusions about the world around me. It is strange how small things can fascinate me…

I am looking at everything with curiosity, even my own reflection in the mirror. I observe carefully the objects around me; I take time to observe them before I grab them! I am mastering my grabbing skills and anything within my reach is fair game now.

When we are with friends, I try to hear the richness of human interaction. I enjoy watching the antics of other babies, toddlers, and pets, as well as of adults.

I sometimes stop sucking my thumb or my paci just to listen to certain voices and sounds. I especially enjoy when someone coos or makes noises at me, and I try to sing along. That is how I express my excitement! I gurgle, smile, I ooh and coo. And the fun has really begun as I am starting to laugh loud.

My friend Gerard…

2009-06-24T16:00:00.004+02:00

My friend Gerard, my favorite giraffe.

Mind not my dad at the end of the clip. He just came from work and had another bizarre day in Tetovo.

Hands in, drool out

2009-06-24T00:32:00.005+02:00

I first discovered my hands a couple of weeks back, and now I am downright fascinated with them!

I spend lots of time watching and examining them, putting them in my mouth, and trying to suck on them. I sometimes even spit out my favorite pacifier, just to make space in my mouth for my hands!

It may seem that I am becoming a bit obsessed with my newly discovered digits, but this form of self-comfort is sometimes very soothing for me. Which, on the other hand, gives my parents a little break, too.

My salivary glands have been working since I was still in utero, but now you may notice that I have also started to drool. That is why I am producing more saliva than I can swallow and I am putting everything in my mouth, beside my hands. This doesn't mean that I am teething just yet, although I may sprout my first tooth in the incoming weeks. Most babies do that between 4 and 7 months of age.

Love whispers

2009-06-23T16:14:00.001+02:00

My friend Davor, and me. In a baby romance. Love whispering.

‘Примерок’ is a very funny word

2009-06-23T15:38:00.001+02:00

Research shows that babies whose parents speak to them extensively have significantly higher IQs and bigger vocabularies when they get older than other children, so interaction is especially important right now.

Maybe this is why my mom and dad talk to me all the time as to an adult! However, I must say they very often use very strange and funny words. Such as fish, sample, and so on.

One of the funniest words I’ve heard them say is the word “примерок”, which actually means “a copy”. I just couldn’t stop laughing when I first heard this word!

Reading time

2009-06-23T15:30:00.003+02:00

The most exciting part of my day is when mom or dad read to me.

I like board books that have large, bright and colorful pictures, from which my parents read or just narrate. I already have a list of my favorite books: Snow White and the seven dwarfs, The wolf and the seven goats … And no, I don’t have anything against other numbers beside 7!

Ironically enough, I somehow cannot get used yet to the story of Mogly and the Jungle book, though my mom and dad really believed that this would be the right story for me! But I will give a second chance to the story. Maybe the book is just not colorful enough for my age.

I sometimes also hear them reading to me some strange things I don’t understand. It must be something which is written for adult ears and not for babies my age. I remember my mom reading me loud some strange things about yields, stocks, values and annuities while she was studying for her final exams, and my dad reading to my mom some illiterate and bizarre stories written by his students, on which they both laughed very loud!

At the end, reading to me, even at this young age, will pay off. Hearing my parents read helps me develop an ear for the cadence of language. And varying the pitch of their voices, using accents, and singing makes the connection between us much more interesting.

My 15th week: Rock and roll and growing strong

2009-06-23T13:40:00.002+02:00

I am almost 15 weeks now and I weigh 6.8 kilos! I still have a small constipation problems (for a month already), but I think it is slowly going away.

I can now lift my head and hold it up for several moments and longer, while lying on her back, or on my tummy. When sitting with support, I am able to hold my head steady and erect. I already even manage to sit up with minimum support. When I am on my stomach, I lift my head and chest to about 45 degrees as if I am doing mini-pushups.

I need enough space to stretch and move my arms and legs. I simply enjoy moving as I please at the moment. These movements can help me strengthen and tone my developing muscles. On my tummy, I am starting to push off with my legs — the first step in getting on the move.

I am now learning how to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, I am starting to move from my side to my back and my back to my side. The complete roll over will probably come for a month or so, though, because I need stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver. For that purpose, I exercise every day, with help of mom and dad, but I also watch my favorite sports TV show – ‘The strongest man’ on EuroSport channel.

My movements are also getting more and more coordinated. The jerky arm and leg movements of my newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when I am watching mom, dad, other people, my toy-friends or while watching TV.

My increasing mobility makes my diaper changes very difficult. My parents can no longer leave me unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface now that she can move around. And I will make even more and more difficult for my mom and dad in the next months! So they better be prepared!

No, I will not cry!

2009-06-23T11:19:00.004+02:00

Yesterday I got one of the most painful vaccines so far. It was some kind of a cocktail of several vaccines. The nurses put first one needle in my leg, then one in my butt, and then they made me swallow some sappy and bland liquid from a spoon! It was irritating and painful. But I am a big girl now so I won’t let them make me cry! That afternoon I was feeling a bit sick and flabby, I had a little higher temperature and I was sleeping a lot. But today I woke up feeling great. I am now ready to play again with my toys and with my fingers and toes, and to smile again to mom, dad, cousins and friends…

This afternoon mom and dad will take me to Ivo, my cousin, who will celebrate his 6th birthday today, in a playhouse called “Boomerang”. My dad will take me to a toy shop to find a birthday present for Ivo – he wished for a car that is driven on a remote control. Ivo and Ina have just arrived from their two-week summer holiday in Greece, and I can hardly wait to see them. I really missed them a lot.

So many things to share…

2009-06-22T15:31:00.005+02:00

So many things to share, so much to catch up… But where to start?

My mom had to study for her exams, and that is why I haven’t written much lately…

I am proud to say that I had been a good baby, so my mom could study and pass four exams since I am born, and last week she gave her last MBA exam! Now she started to work on her master thesis, which she plans to give by this October. I promise I will do my best to be a good baby again and I will not to give her any headaches so she can finish it as soon as possible and then have all the time just for me :)

Meanwhile, my dad was invited on a ceremony where he was handed out his master diploma. He was the only MA among 255 graduated students at the UKIM Philology Faculty that were delivered diplomas on the ceremony that day! It wasn’t some ceremony as far as I am concerned, but I am proud of my dad, because he managed to finish his master studies before I was born, and started to work on his doctor thesis right away! He even managed to submit the thesis proposal last week!

Now the summer holiday may officially start!

That means I am back to the pages of my diary :)

My second mini birthday

2009-05-11T07:57:00.006+02:00

Today I am 2 months old! I am getting stronger, my cheeks are getting bigger. My cramps are slowly going away, I sleep better, I cry less and I laugh more!

Now I can tell the difference between familiar voices and other sounds, and I am becoming a better listener. I can also show that I am in tune with my environment – see how I look to see where certain noises are coming from? An ongoing conversation (although seemingly one-sided) helps me develop my sense of place. I even watch people’s mouths as they talk, fascinated by how it all works. I can now better communicate with a growing repertory of coos (musical, vowel-like sounds), smiles, and unique cries to express his different needs.

At this point, I begin to move beyond my early preferences for bright or two-toned objects toward more detailed and complicated designs, colors, and shapes. I see and even try to touch colorful objects: my fish Nemo, Memo, Xhemo, Dimo and Shlomo… Urmo the Clown, my mom’s finger, the stars from my play mat, the singing moon above my bed... My hands are mostly open now and ready to reach out to the world!

In the early days of my life, grabbing was mostly automatic and instinctual and I couldn't let go if I wanted to. Although I can't really grab objects just yet, I can hold things placed in my hands. And, once I wrap my hands around something, I might not let go so easily.

I sleep well through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), and I make my parents are one of the lucky few! During the day, I stay awake for longer intervals instead of cycling back and forth so much. I have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours.

The weather is beautiful these days, so I go out almost every day! I enjoy the sun and the trees outside, the colorful object, the people around me, and even the loud rock’n’roll music can’t change my mind or my sleeping/eating routine!

Baby sleep basics: Birth to 3 months

2009-05-10T13:15:00.003+02:00

Newborns sleep a lot — typically 14 to 18 hours a day during the first week and 12 to 16 hours a day by the time they're a month old. But most babies don't stay asleep for more than two to four hours at a time, day or night, during the first few weeks of life. The result? Lots of sleep for your baby and a very irregular — and tiring — schedule for you. Your job is to respond to your newborn's cues, so you'll probably be up several times during the night to change, feed, and comfort him.

At 6 to 8 weeks of age, most babies begin to sleep for shorter periods during the day and longer periods at night, though most continue to wake up to feed during the night. They also have shorter periods of REM sleep, and longer periods of deep, non-REM sleep. Somewhere between 3 and 6 months, experts say, most babies are capable of sleeping through the night. They're not talking about eight hours, though — they generally mean a stretch of five or six hours.

Some infants sleep for a long stretch at night as early as 6 weeks, but many babies don't reach that milestone until they're 5 or 6 months old and some continue to wake up at night into toddlerhood. You can help your baby get there sooner, if that's your goal, by teaching him good sleep habits from the start. More...

Here are some tips for helping your baby settle down to sleep:

Learn the signs that mean he's tired. For the first 6 to 8 weeks, most babies aren't able to stay up much longer than two hours at a time. If you wait longer than that to put your baby down, he may be overtired and have trouble falling asleep.

Watch your baby for signs that he's tired. Is he rubbing his eyes, pulling on his ear, or developing faint dark circles under his eyes? If you spot these or any other signs of sleepiness, try putting him down to sleep. You'll soon develop a sixth sense about your baby's daily rhythms and patterns, and you'll know instinctively when he's ready for a nap.

Begin to teach him the difference between day and night. For the first few days you won't be able to do much about this. But once your baby is about 2 weeks old, you can start teaching him to distinguish night from day. How?

When he's alert and awake during the day, interact with him as much as you can, keep the house and his room light and bright, and don't worry about minimizing regular daytime noises like the phone, TV, or dishwasher. If he tends to sleep through feedings, wake him up. At night, don't play with him when he wakes up. Keep the lights and noise level low, and don't spend too much time talking to him. Before long he should begin to figure out that nighttime is for sleeping.

Consider starting a bedtime routine. It's never too early to start trying to follow a bedtime routine. It can be something as simple as getting your baby changed for bed, singing a lullaby, and giving him a kiss goodnight. Read here about how to establish a routine and what else can help in getting your baby to sleep.

Give him a chance to fall asleep on his own. By the time he's 6 to 8 weeks old, you can start giving your baby a chance to fall asleep on his own. How? Put him down when he's sleepy but still awake. Some parents think that what they do this early doesn't have an effect, but it does. Babies are learning their sleep habits. If you rock your child to sleep every night for the first eight weeks, why would he expect anything different later on?

Not everyone agrees with this strategy, however. Some parents choose to rock or nurse their babies to sleep because they believe it's normal and natural, because they enjoy it and their baby is thriving and sleeping well, or simply because nothing else seems to work.

Help your baby soothe himself to sleep. Many experts — and experienced parents — recommend putting your baby to bed drowsy but awake, to help him learn to go to sleep on his own. One way to smooth the transition between your arms and sleep is to make sure your baby has something to look at as he falls asleep.

Baby sleep training. Don't try to impose a sleep schedule or training program on a newborn. Typically, by age 3 months or so, babies have started to develop more of a regular sleep/wake pattern and have dropped most of their night feedings. And somewhere between 3 and 6 months, experts say, most babies are ready for sleep training and are capable of sleeping through the night. Learn about baby sleep training techniques here.

And finally, keep track on baby's sleeping patterns on a chart. It will help you learn and if necessary adjust baby's sleeping routine. Download a template of sleeping patterns chart here.

Good luck!

I love my paci!!!

2009-05-09T23:34:00.007+02:00

I just love my paci! Well, it’s not like I cannot live without it, but sure I enjoy sucking it, especially after a good meal or before I go to bed!

However, while some parents wonder how they would ever survive their baby's first year without the use of a pacifier, others are very much opposed to the idea of using one of these little gadgets. The decision to use a pacifier is a personal one a parent must make.

Infants often suck to calm themselves and a pacifier can come in handy when sucking from the breast or bottle isn't sufficient or practical. But your baby may not even want or need to use a pacifier; some babies prefer their own fist, thumb or fingers for self-soothing.

Most experts agree that if you wish to use a pacifier, you should wait at least two weeks after birth before even attempting to introduce one. This will help your baby to establish healthy and stable nursing patterns before introducing a foreign object.

There are pros and cons to using a pacifier: They can help calm a cranky or colicky baby or a baby who is already fed and full but still wants to suck and research suggests they may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, they also may increase the risk of middle ear infections, early use may interfere with breastfeeding, and your baby may become dependent on one.

Many parents wonder when they should take away the pacifier. This is a controversial question. Some experts recommend taking it away by age two, others say the child will give it up on their own, while others say it should be given up when your baby is weaned and no longer feels the need to suck. Some children hold on to their pacifier for many years, which can lead to dental problems and can become a very difficult habit to break if it is used as a security object. However, as long as your child gives up the pacifier by around age 5, there's probably no need to worry about long-term dental problems. That's because during the early months and years, your child only has baby teeth; permanent teeth generally don't appear until around age 6.

If you do decide to use a pacifier, here are some guidelines. Read this if you are still wondering if it is OK to let your baby use pacifier at night. And read more on this issue here.

At the mayor’s…

2009-05-05T17:49:00.003+02:00

Today Mr. Ivica Konevski, the new mayor of Aerodrom, organized an event for all newborns in the municipality and symbolically handed us certificates as a proof of the onetime financial aid we’ve been granted. My cousin Ivo accompanied us there.

The “широк повој” dilemma: To use or not to use?

2009-05-05T10:07:00.006+02:00

First of all let me explain what is “широк повој”, also known as “широко повивање” or “дупли повој”. The term is used to describe something which would be most closely translated as large swaddling of a baby. I couldn’t find any more adequate term in English, since today's Western world (English speaking environment) is not familiar with this concept at all.

The “широк повој” means using prefold diapers (square shaped cotton diapers) called “тетра пелени” in order to prevent some orthopedic problems. The concept of “широк повој” is related to the belief that the Balkan is an endemic geographic area where more children are born with hip-bone problems. Today it is used only partially in Macedonia and Serbia, and only as a result of recommendations of some old-school doctors.

Old school: The belief in the Balkan countries is that the newborns should wear 2-3 prefold diapers to tightly hold baby’s legs wide open, because of a strange myth of a genetic predisposition of babies born on this geographical area for hip-bones anomalies. However, the “new school” pediatricians will deny this myth explaining that this is a theory from 40 years ago, and they will recommend using only disposable diapers, such as Pampers, Nunny’s, Bekutan, Violeta, Diapers, Huggies… Read Dr. Goran Vidoeski’s explanation.

Nevertheless, I tried to find some studies that will confirm the thesis of the Balkan predisposition of hip anomalies at babies, but all I have found was recommendations based on a tradition: my grandma has used them, and my mom has used them. And we all turned just fine, so it is safer to use широк повој for my baby, I have nothing to lose…

So, if you were delivered in some of the state hospitals (Државна болница, Чаир...), the doctors for sure have recommended you using “широк повој”, and if you were born in а private hospital, you have probably never used such prefold diapers, and you were completely lost when the Патронажна Сестра (another term that I don’t know how to translate: a nurse sent by the State Hospital to check on you) told your mom that you must wear these silly, fat diapers. And why they still recommend them in the 21st century? Simply because someone hasn’t updated the books for 40 years, so it still remains as official policy of the state gynecology clinics.

In case of such dilemma, your parents should consult a orthopedist, who will recommend using or not using широк повој based on examinations.

If you want to read more on these “широк повој” controversy and other moms’ experiences, go to these forums: Родители и деца 1, Родители и деца 2, Вие и вашето дете, Рингераја...

Today, you can find also prefold (cotton or wool) easy-to-use eco diapers that are not широк повој, but normal повој. Unfortunately, they are not available on our market yet.

My mom puts only disposable diapers only (Pampers Sleep&Play) and I feel fine.

My newborn friend....

2009-05-03T17:51:00.010+02:00

Today, at 14:59 in Dubai, a new friend of mine was born - Eva!

Eva, Lina's sister, daughter of Sanja and Zarko Molnar, is 52 cm and 3,544 gr! I can hardly wait to meet her in person!!!

Congratulations to her mom and dad once again!

Bureaucratic guidelines for new parents

2009-04-28T15:07:00.013+02:00

In the past month, my parents have mastered finding way out from the bureaucratic labyrinths of our bizarre society....

So I share here their guide (based on their experience) for all new parents in Macedonia wondering how to begin and where to look for financial help...

Download the "Bureaucratic guidelines for new parents" (in Macedonian) here.

Download the FZOM Application here.

List of documents needed for financial aid from Municipality of Aerodrom here.

Good luck!

Baby Fair

2009-04-22T09:51:00.003+02:00

This weekend, from 24th to 26th of April 2009, in the halls of “Skopje fair”the first Baby Fair in Macedonia will be held, under patronage of the Association of Pediatrics of R. Macedonia. It is the first specialized fair which will gather domestic and foreign companies and brands which offer products and services for babies, children and pregnant women.

Conceptually the fair is designed to be one place where profiles of the companies will cover all segments of babies, children from 0-14 years, pregnant mothers as well as the parents like active participants in the child’s environment.

Baby Fair covers all important periods for the future parents: pregnancy, baby, growth, child, education and family life. Areas and profiles that will be covered by the fair manifestation and which we expect to participate: Healthcare and education (pediatrics, psychologists, gynecologists, different area specialists and etc.), Pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, Clothing and footwear, Food, Furniture, Appliances for preparing children food and health food, Automotive industry, Strollers and carriers, Toys and practical gadgets for babies and kids, Photographing and fun games, Magazines about babies and kids, etc.

Mom and dad promised to take me there and I hope they’ll buy me a baby play mat with the most wonderful toys!

Top 5

2009-04-19T20:16:00.006+02:00

This is the top 5 list of things I love most:

5. Moving my naked legs and feet: When my tummy hearts, this is the best way I improve my mood.

4. Sucking my pacifier: When I cry, only my favorite green pacifier helps.

3. Taking a bath: Bath time is the best!

2. Falling asleep on my dad’s chest: Daddy always tells the most beautiful stories!

1. Definitely no. one: Eating! Nothing’s so good and tasty like mom’s milk!

Who do I look like?

2009-04-18T21:05:00.007+02:00

Although I believe it is very much obvious, I would ask you to share your opinion and vote who do you think I look like more: my mom or my dad?

Here are some photos of me, and my mom and dad when they were my age (or a little bit "older"), I hope it will help you decide and vote.

More photos here.

The poll is on the bar on the right. Thanks for voting! :)

Welcome, Bisera!

2009-04-18T20:37:00.006+02:00

Last night a new friend of mine was born!

Bisera (I hope this would be her name) is the loving daughter of Marche and Joco Girovi, and a friend that I was so excitedly waiting for these last few weeks! She was born 2,8 kg, yesterday at 7 p.m. in Drzavna Bolnica in Skopje.

This week another friend of mine came on this world - Davor, son of Pana and Anela.

I can hardly wait for them to grow up few more weeks and to play together!

My adorable toothless smiles…

2009-04-14T10:30:00.002+02:00

I love to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. I even make an "ah" sound when I hear the voice of mom or dad, or when I see their faces, and I'll be eager to find them in a crowd.

I gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum – that way I express my feelings. And I smile a lot too. I reward my parents’ loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-them grin. They coo and gurgle back, and talk to me face to face. This makes their hearts melt, even if they've just had their worst night yet. Nothing else matters to them than my smile!

When my mom has things to do, I enjoy hearing her voice from across the room. She is talking to me silly motherese or baby talk, and I am attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating. My dad is also talking, narrating and singing to me, and I enjoy our conversation so much, that I may even start to chime in with my comments. When I am disturbed or I have some tummy pain, I relax and fall asleep from dad’s stories and songs on his chest.

I am proud to say that my neck muscles are getting stronger, which allows me to hold my head up for short periods. In the beginning of the third week I could already support it for a few moments while lying on the stomach, for example, and I could even turn it from side to side.

My first video clips

2009-03-22T17:39:00.001+01:00

March 11, half an hour "old".

March 12, several hours "old".

March 13, 2 days "old".

First days of my life...

2009-03-17T22:50:00.001+01:00

I am HERE

2009-03-12T10:13:00.012+01:00

Finally I am out, up, and beatin' I meet my mom some minutes before 8:30 pm last night 11th of March, and this is how I look, my first encounter with daddy and with the phenomena of freely stretching legs.

Today is the D-Day!

2009-03-11T07:41:00.001+01:00

OK guys…

NOW I’m really heading to the hospital! By this evening I will meet my mom and dad, from the other side of the womb!

So don't panic. And please be patient, my dad will write all the details after I’m born :)

Everything's ready for me!

2009-03-09T13:36:00.005+01:00

Everything's ready for me!

Only... I am still inside....

Don't worry, I feel great here! I am just not in such a hurry to see the outside world, cause I know I'll have lots of time for it :)

I am due… and still inside

2009-03-04T14:04:00.004+01:00

Today I am 40 weeks! This is my due date, but I am still inside my mom’s womb.

It's hard to say for sure how big I will be. An average newborn baby weighs about 3.4 kilos (a small pumpkin) and is about 51 cm long. But last time my doctor measured me, I weighed more than that.

My CTG shows that I am just fine and that my heart works well.

My skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason my noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

It’s only me inside

2009-02-26T03:19:00.002+01:00

No, I don’t have a twin brother or a twin sister.

It’s only me inside mom’s belly.

So please stop asking her if she carries twins. She is not. And no, there is no chance the doctors have mistaken.

Thank you.

My name is Gala Takovski

2009-02-26T02:53:00.007+01:00

So now it is official. My name will be Gala. Gala Takovska. I like it. Do you?

Gala (Гала) is a girl’s name of Greek and Russian origin, meaning ‘Calm’; it is also a Russian and Slavic name, short from Galina or Galena. Variant of Hebrew Gal, meaning ‘mound’,’ wave’.

The world’s most famous Gala was Gala Dalí, muse and inspiration, a model, a great love and a wife of Salvador Dalí, a Spanish Catalan surrealist painter.

Gala was born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia, to a family of intellectuals. Among her childhood friends was the poet Marina Tsvetaeva. As a young woman, living in Moscow, she graduated as a schoolteacher in 1915.

Dalí met Gala in August 1929. She was a Russian immigrant eleven years his senior, who at that time was married to surrealist poet Paul Éluard. Dalí and Gala, having lived together since 1929, were married in 1934 in a civil ceremony. They later remarried in a Catholic ceremony in 1958.

In the early 1930s, Dalí started to sign his paintings with his and her name as "it is mostly with your blood, Gala, that I paint my pictures". Gala was also a frequent model in Dalí's work, often in religious roles such as the Blessed Virgin Mary in the painting The Madonna of Port Lligat. Dalí's numerous paintings of her show his great love for her, and some are perhaps the most affectionate and sensual depictions of a middle-aged woman in Western art.

“Gala asomada a la ventana” (“Gala at the window”), a sculpture by Salvador Dalí, in Marbella, Spain.

“Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bumblebee around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening”, painting by Salvador Dalí, 1944.

Well… I know for most of you it will be difficult to get used to my new name, since you have addressed me as Mogly for almost nine months. So although I will be Gala when I am born, I won’t be mad if some of you still call me Mogly. I kind of started to like it as well :)

Poll on my name is now closed!

2009-02-26T02:41:00.004+01:00

As you already know, my mom and dad made a short list out of all your proposals for my name. The short list was made based on the 110 different name proposals that you have been sending to my e-mail address little.mogly@gmail.com. Out of these 110 proposals, 67 (61%) were girls’ names and 43 (39%) were proposals for boys’ names. After that you could vote the short list for the name you liked most.

That was a competition for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. Votes so far: 109. The poll is now closed, it is time to announce the winners:

Since no. 1 is my dad’s proposal, and no. 3 is my mom’s proposal, the main prize will go to the one who proposed the name no. 2 (17 votes). The prize goes to… aunt Marche (Marija Dimitrijevic)!!!! Yupiiiiiii!!!! Congratulations and thanks for the beautiful name!!!

There is also a special prize that will go to my cousin Ina, for her great dedication and involvement in this project. Thanks you Ina, and I can hardly wait to come out and meet you in person!

However, mom and dad will have ME as a reward, for the rest of their lives!

Once again, I thank all my friends that have sent all these beautiful name proposals and that follow my blog.

39 weeks down, 1 to go!

2009-02-26T02:27:00.004+01:00

I have a great position and I am ready to get out of my mom’s belly. Oh, I am so anxious to greet the world as soon as possible!

I continue to build a layer of fat to help control my body temperature after birth, although it's likely I already measure about 50 cm and weigh a bit over 3.2 kilos, like a small watermelon. The outer layers of my skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Today is day number 274 and I am weeks pregnant. I have 6 days or 1 week left, and I am 97.9% of the way there. In other words: 39 weeks down, and (according to mom’s doctor, not less than) one week to go…

I decided to listen to the doctor. If not a week, I will for sure try not to come out for two more days, because tomorrow is a big day for my parents and especially for my dad: he will become a Master tomorrow!!! And not just any kind of master, but Master of Arts, i.e. he will (I know for sure) successfully defend his master thesis in the field of communications.

The title of the thesis (although very long and at first look a bit confusing) is “Semiotic as an adequate theoretical-methodological model in the research of processes of creating of meaning at advertisements, focused on advertising teasers”. In simpler words, it is a pretty interesting research of teasers in advertising, something that no one has made before my dad. Which makes me even more proud!

Thumbs up, dad!!!

38 weeks down, 2 to go! Or less…

2009-02-19T12:23:00.003+01:00

This is day number 268 and I am 38 weeks! I have 12 days or less than 2 weeks left, and I am 95.7% of the way there. Although I am full term already, my mom’s doctor believes that I will probably not be born before the due date, which is March 4.

I am now really plumped up. I weigh over 3 kilos now and I am over 50 cm long. I have a firm grasp, which my parents will soon be able to test when they hold my hand for the first time! My organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color my eyes will be? Well, you may not be able to tell right away. If I am born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If I am born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time I am 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.

For my mom it is getting harder and harder to carry her heavy stomach, it's getting even harder to breath while she talks, cause her stomach is pushing her lungs up. She also has a trouble sleeping: sometimes she wakes up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep till the morning. During these night hours, I am keeping her awake and amused with my active stretching, kicking and dancing, and most of all – moving down and getting ready to come out. But she says she generally feels fine – she is still active, going to work every day and trying to walk as much as she can… or as much as I let her to.

For my mom and dad, the next days and weeks are a waiting game. They are using the time to prepare my nursery or to take care of necessary tasks they may not get around to for a while after I am born. My dad made new furniture for me in the bedroom, as well as in the rest of the home. Tomorrow they will take me to pick up a bed for me, and a stroller....which is not an easy task at all!

We are all a bit excited as the day is near...

I am full term!

2009-02-11T19:17:00.007+01:00

This is day number 260 and I am 37 weeks! I have 20 days or 3 weeks left, and I am 92.9% of the way there. This means that I am full term and that I arrive now, my lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though my due date is still three weeks away.

I now weigh around 3 kg and measure a bit over 48 cm, head to heel. I think I also have full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1-4 cm long. My mom and dad heard my heart work on a strange device at my doctor’s, called CTG, and according to that my heart works just fine, although I sometimes feel excited, especially when my mom and dad decide to take me to a R’n’R’ band gig, an exhibition, somewhere “на гости” or some social event in town.

For my mom, it is getting harder and harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. She tries to take it easy through the day — for this may be her last chance to do so for quite a while. She now looks as she has a huge Pilates ball under her blouse, which is growing bigger and bigger every day.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-02-05T11:58:00.003+01:00

This is day number 254 and I am 36 weeks! My due date is 4th of March, I have 26 days or 4 weeks left, and I am 90.7% of the way there.

I am still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. Theoretically I now weigh almost 2.7 kgs, like a Crenshaw melon. God, my dad is anxiously desperate for the summer to come and we to gorge ourselves on his favorite fruit – her sweetness the Melon.

However, as the day before yesterday we went to the doctor whose face shall be one of the first I am to see upon birth, his own diagnosis surmounted the limit of three kilograms, him being even confident that I am almost 3.2 kg! This got my dad upset a bit as he is still doing exercises (popularly known as 'се билда') with funny 30 kgs, since my current weight is promising one leading to me being healthy even 4kg baby, the birth weight of my both parents combined.

I am now 46 cm long. And I am shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered my body as well as the vernix caseosa ("Que?!?"), the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. ("Oh, thaaat!") I swallow both of these substances ("Ghaaagh!'), along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement. In other simpler words that we all can understand: "It's getting shitty tight and anticipating in here".

At the end of this week, I will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) I am definitely in a head-down position. Thus spoke our doctor and his instrument two days ago.

Otherwise I had great weekend hanging around with my dad's guests and friends, and my own buddies: Kalin, Marko, Prohor, aaandd Jakov, who's much older. It was my dad's 31st birthday. However, it is a pity Jana did not show up. I know it was with good reason. Although I shall not treat such an absence on my own birthdays! :)

I hope to see my cousins this weekend I spend some time with them. Tomorrow my aunt Hrisitina is coming from faaar away – Austria. Can't wait to chat with her as I have not done so for some 4-5 months now. She only knows me as veeery small. :)

Well, guys, 4 weeks to go. Fasten ye patience, and …

35 down, 5 to go

2009-01-28T10:17:00.003+01:00

Hi, guys! Today is day number 246 and I am 35 weeks! I have only 34 days or 5 weeks left, and I am 87.9% of the way there.

It's getting tight in-here now that I am 45 cm long. And bit over 2.5 kg And I am finally being compared to my dad's favorite fruit – sweet-as-sin, a juicy, smelly 'диња', melon i.e. Because I am so snug in my mom's womb, I am not likely be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times I kick should remain about the same. Well, what did they expect – to take both my gym and the full equipment with it.

I still have the walls to serve me the purpose of a boxing bag. My kidneys are fully developed now, and my liver can process some waste products. I am now officially member, as my dad puts it, of this shitty world to which I am a full contributor. Ha! Let him be patient for a while, and he'll know what real featrobution is. Most of my basic physical development is now complete — I'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight. OOO right, 5 weeks to go and counting.

The past week was great. I spent a lot of time out there with people. First, last Thursday I was tortured for some good three hours by "I-don't-know-what-I-want,-but-you-should-listen-to-me-and-suffer” gang of people who were trying to 'ги опраат' things in MK cultural life and prosperity by organizing an almost pointless tribune on the topic of blogging and arting. In my dad's words, a typical MK winking and winning style.

During the weekend I was taken to the park by my friend Kalin and we had great time! Actually, Kalin had a great time, playing around with other kids, with his and my parents, with the waiters, while I was in my mom’s belly, waiting to try the delicious soup of Уранија restaurant! After that, I met a new friend – Marko. He is 2,5 yrs old, and he is amazed by books on cars and trains! This will be my next present for my new friend Marko.

But then two nights ago I was amused by the sounds of people cheering about something called baklava (баклава), though I do not know its full meaning. My dad's saying that the second best thing that happened to the world after the dissipitation of the always-hard-cored-закржлаени сендвичи од Метропол. And that it is the sweetest thing in the planet, after me of course.

Although the Baklava music was nice, and the documentary movie was amusing, that night I still haven’t tried of the sweetest baklava that everyone is talking about…

Second Parental Preparatory Class

2009-01-21T21:35:00.001+01:00

Now I weigh slightly over 2 kilos – hurray, just like two of the juiciest melons, those from Strumica sold in trucks and tractors under the big Canadian maples on Naroden Front street. My fat layers, not the ones you know as ‘мрсни јастучици’ — which will help regulate my body temperature once I’m born — are filling me out, making me rounder like a ball.

My skin is also smoother than ever – an undreamed paradise for modern day cosmetic and genetic industry. My central nervous system is maturing, and as my dad says I am now centralized and I shall not mumble about any decentralization for the years to come.

My lungs are continuing to mature as well. And to tell you the truth I can breathe better than my mum in this period. A new skill that she has to master before I come out, and exactly the reason for her’s and my dad’s second parental preparatory class. This time as my dad claims was more practical in nature although he was not quite serious all the time.

For example instead of carefully scrutinizing what the speaker, remember the Синѓелиќ-hairdresser looking woman, was saying. Instead he was paying more attention to her speech as to guess her non-skopjan origin. And when she started to show how to breath properly during the time of contraction and that by suggesting that each exhalation should be accompanied by the s sound, he was trying to practically counter argue the use of other sounds, “z” for example, or “tz”, or even “sh”. Just to come to the conclusion that “s” is best suited for the purpose. And when the lady, well to be over euphemistic, started talking about prep techniques ad tricks he went bit far in his fantasy in regard to nipples, pumping and milking it out. I have no idea how I will handle such infantile parent?!

How ever, I think he is gradually coming over his phobias, especially after a Sunday chat with my friend Jana and her folks. She is sooo nice and enjoyable a company. And only 9 months my senior. I hardly wait for us to get together. About my mother, well, Pedro once said Todo Para Ella, isn’t what all my dad’s domestic frolicking all about?