First Mail!

Christopher received his very first post in the mail yesterday- and it was a parcel - a present from his Great Auntie Lesley and his 2nd cousin Adam in Australia- the very best kind of mail you hope to get if you're going to get mail. As you can see, he was very happy with his parcel.

Luckily, Mommy didn't get too many questions from the man at the post office who asked her if she was Christopher.

The present inside is stashed safely in Mommy's cupboard as she sneaked a look. What lovely pressies- but then- Auntie Lesley has always had a knack for giving wonderful presents and looks like Adam has inherited this knack from his mom. Thank you Auntie Lesley and Adam- cannot wait to give Christopher your presents on his birthday.

Shame- poor little bug. Christopher doesn't like anyone's camera but his Moms. When the photographer came to his creche to take photos, Christopher kept hiding his face. The same photographer came back today specially to take Christopher's photo. No dice. Christopher was apparently terrified of the lights and flashes and bawled his head off. I had such a good laugh at him last night. Firstly- he not only imagines doing the anti-rhythm dance like I do- he actually does it- and it is hysterical to watch, knees bent, arse out and he bounces up and down with a manic grin on his face. Would love to know what's going on in his baby, little mind as he jives and burbles away. The Anti-Rhythm dance halted abruptly when I sat down with dinner on my lap. Then, he cruised over to me and was eyeballing my plate with serious intent. When I averted the raid, he decided that a stealth operation was in order and crawled under my legs to try to take me by surprise from the other side. Despite the fact that he very obviously didn't want to eat my food when I offered it- he was still pretty persistent in trying to get his hands on (in) it. I had a hard time eating I was laughing so much because he just would not give up. We both ended up shmeared in Bolognaise sauce- but the amusement was well worth it.

Gorgeous Wall Murals

Some people are just too clever!! Check out these beautiful wall murals on www.wallstory.wordpress.com . I won't steal a pic to show you as that is apparently bad blog etiquette!

When Daddy's alone

What do you get if you leave Daddy in charge?

A headless Cock,

In My Pop-up Book!

I could not resist getting the above book for Christopher last week (there is a whole range of them- so I also got the Jungle One- probably these are two themes that coming from our home our son can most identify with).

They are gorgeous and so clever- I don't know how they manage it but there is an animal a page and the appropriate sound for each animal as you turn to their page. So anyway- the exuberance of the cock's crow has not been dulled in the least given that he's recently head-less. I spose that's a good thing. I'm just a bit sad that Daddy didn't know that you can't leave a 10 month old alone with his pop-up books. I am glad to see that the rest of the farm yard have managed to keep their heads for now.

http://www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Book-Plush/dp/0399220496

I also got this one- the 40th edition for Christopher's birthday. Apparently one of these is sold every minute! Can't be bad money.

Mojo moments since last blog: going grocery shopping (I absolutely love going grocery shopping though the end bit where you have to hand over the moola is a bit sucky). Seeing my first lady bird in ages, feeding Christopher jelly and fruit on the lawn and watching him spit it straight out again, finding some 12-18 month old baby grows for Christopher (for some or other reason these are hard to come by- and I am in no hurry whatever to start dressing my baby like a little boy- God willing I've got years for that!; seeing Christopher bouncing in his cot, hands on the rails, manic grin awaiting an imminent cot-break; finding some 18-24 month baby grows that I had stashed away and forgotten about; going to bed last night at 7.30pm (bliss!); glowing with the praise lavished on me by my cousin in her blog: http://www.stoneburble.blogspot.com/ ;

Finding the latest Joburg's Child was out ( a fantastic free magazine).

Can you identify with this if you are a mommy? I find that when Christopher is asleep, I feel a slight panic creep on on me as my mind spins on all the things that I would like (or have ) to do before he wakes up. I don't know how a Mommy copes when she doesn't get time out to herself and I thank my lucky stars that I have house help. I have been thinking more and more of friends and family overseas and wondering when they ever find time for themselves in between looking after their little ones and doing all the housework and all the other unfun adult things we all have to do. As it is James and I generally only have to share cooking during the week and even that sometimes seems like too much!

You all get my SuperMoms award!

Inspiration, Just one Joy a Day and Upliftment

Sleeping Beauty? Isn't she to preshuss for words??? This is Scout Stone, my cousin, Nola's, little girl in an ensemble selected by herself as evening wear. Gorgeous. This picture made me smile. Don't they just pull on your heart strings when you watch your angels sleeping...don't you want to scoop them up and hold them close and breathe in the smell of their hair and cover them in kisses??? Sometimes don't you feel the inadequacy of the means we have to express our love and the overcarbonated, giddy happiness when you look at your child?

Here is Scout, a little younger- but again- can't help smiling looking at this gorgeous pic of her from her mommy's blog. Don't you love the thought- capturing just one joy a day? I have found a lot of joy just reading it- so if you feel like a little joy yourself, check out Nola's blog (Nolicool ) at http://www.stoneburble.blogspot.com/ .

I was recently inspired by this picture on Nolicool- a baby mobile that Nola made. Gorgeous! I demanded to know how she did it.

Then my hunt began (luckily Nola encouraged me cos often that's as far as my inspiration lasts me...). I needed a wire circle. You would have thought I was asking people where to locate the 5th circle of Dante's Hell!!! A florist suggested that I use a wire coat hanger. This resulted in me jack-rabbiting out of bed one night when sleep was my reluctant bed-fellow and ferreting about in my cupboard, claiming my prize and spending about 15 minutes trying to get the coat-hanger to resemble something like a circle. When I was finished....it looked like something from the 5th circle of Dante's hell...but in no way- in no- Picassan stretch of the imagination did it resemble the sought after wire circle. I laughed to myself afterwards thinking if anyone had been watching this lot- I might have scored free boarding in a room with pretty, white, bouncy walls.

I shan't bore you with all the details. Just to say- I had forgotten how wonderful it is to make something, getting frustrated, starting over again and finally feeling quite proud of something you have created. SO thanks, Noles- for the instructions, inspiration and encouragement (and almost being indirectly responsible for my early death- more about that just now)- here it is!

Christopher seemed very interested in it. Especially the 2 hearts on the silver elasticated thread at the bottom- so anyway he grabs onto that and I have him in my arms and when I walk away- I don't realise that my angel still has one of the hearts in his hand. The effect was pretty much like a hybrid catapult/boomerang and my head was kinda in the way...Ouchies!!! But I am still thrilled with my creation. I was thinking tonight- wondering with how much time and effort I lavished on this project- cursing as I tried to sew the butterflies on and glue the birdie on ...how long God took to fashion Eve- did he get it right first time? She was the perfect woman- can you imagine how beautiful she must have been? But God robbed her of her right to complain- I mean can you imagine- you are perfect, your hubby is perfect, your living area is paradise? If there were more chicks- what the heck would they have had to talk about? My husband is more perfect than yours? So to end off with- some more of God's wonderful creatures- Bush babies at the Free Me Centre. Aren't they gorgeous? The caption: FreeMe Photos of the Week 12-18 April 2009 Ooooh! Mealworms ... my favourite! Six bushbabies - three handraised babies (below), two wild juveniles picked up in unsafe places, and one escaped pet - are waiting for their 'soft-release' process to begin." Good luck you little okes! It is so sad to think that the numbers of these furrballs are diminishing rapidly even in suburbs where they used to roam happily. Apparently one of the things that hurts their numbers are electric fences and it's recommended that the bottom wire be a dummy wire to allow their free passage.

Those worms are so disgusting. When I volunteered there- you hoped that whatever baby bird you were feeding would gulp them down quickly- because every now and then they actually "bite" you- a testament to how much I love baby birds- cos I am the most squeamish person ever about creepy crawlies. http://www.freemewildlife.org.za/ .

Well- this baby is bushed and about to be a bed-baby! Sleep-tight!

Yay! First Walkies!

Yay! We are so proud of you Poobaroo! Look at the look of absolute joy on Christopher's face as he took his first steps under his own steam tonight instead of having to rely on one of the Big People (or the Big Stupid One {as James refers to himself in discussions with his son} and The One with Boobs {as James refers to me in discussions with his son}).

Thank you to Uncles Dougie and AJ for the green-handled Fisher Price baby zimmer which happens to be one of Christopher's favouritist toys ever and to Christopher's Godmother, Taz for the loan of the orange-handled baby zimmer (another big favourite with Christopher). I have not laughed so much in ages as he grabbed the handle and practically ran across the room and then had a minor tantrum each time that I tried to assist him to turn around and infact even tried to mow me down a number of times (maybe I should be called the Big STupid One No.2?). Then we were out of the bedroom and off down the passage. Stairs- no problem- with Amma's help we magically sailed over these as we careened onward into the lounge and straight for the TV. Unfortunately, there were some quilts on the floor with all your toys scattered on them- but zimmer was then used as a steamroller- which didn't work too well as it reared up in protest and you fell over (but Mommy had a wonderful laugh at the chief entertainment that you were providing on your adventure and no harm was suffered- except maybe to your little baby ego). Well done, beautiful, fearless, Poobaroo! We ruvs you rong time!!!

The mature conversation

Seeing as tomorrow is voting day, I sent out an e-mail that I thought made some very valid points on how to vote like a good little democrat. David J writes back, "Too long. Send bullet points". (3 page article- but as I said- very good) Me: Suggest I save us both some time and just send bullet....? Him: Ouch. Claws back. Me: Hiss!!! I had a good laugh at that. Don't the fun, frivolous e-mails sometimes remind you of passing notes in class? I still have some of those notes in my little memory suitcase- dating back to when I was 14 and a member of the Bionic Six. Don't ask...We thought it was cool. Just gone on a mad scratching spree to ferret out one note in particular that I really liked, written by Jacqueline Hillsdon (as she was then- last I saw of her- I was very impressed- she had written a few of those back page columns that are always funny and light-hearted- it was in either the Cosmo or the Fair Lady) but I digress. So here's her poem (verbatim with spelling mistakes and all) about my first boyfriend: " Dearest Dears (there is a very cute looking pen drawn reindeer next to this salutation. There are 3 arrows pointing at this dear. One labels him RUdolph. The second points at an antenae stiff tail that is angled skyward and says, "Har Har" and the final arrow points at some dots that appear to be coming out of Rudolph's arse and says simply, "Yuk Yuk". I am not sure of Rudolph's significance to the poem below. I am not sure whether I established the intended interpretation from the artist at the time or whether it was simply obvious to my 14 year old mind.) A gloriously wonderful poem we shall write To moranic embasieels deserving nothing but spite. And as for Gerad (?) Fineas and JP Stuff them in that Zumbooraks fleas knee Lets start with JP Who, according to Kris-ty Is pervertly sex-y. But according to we We find that he Is devastatingly Similar to that Zumbooruks knee. Luv We" And for you Scrabblers out there- Zumbooruk is a bona fide word- a beautiful word that makes me smile cos I always remember this poem when I think about it. For those of you that are curious as to what a zumbooruk is- it is a canon mounted on a camel... No surprise that Jackie was the only one out of the 6 of us that was invited to join the Johannesburg School for Gifted Children after we all did IQ tests. Anyway, if I am to perform my civic duty properly tomorrow (lots of decisions you know) better be off to bed. In honour of election day and a certain parktown prawn politician (Parktown prawns for those of you that don't know them- will probably be there alongside cockroaches as the sole survivors if we ever get hit by a comet or nuked or something)- I have a special bottle of Fat Bastard Chardonnay (my favourite wine) ready in the fridge for lunch at my mom-in-law, tomorrow.

Psyche

Read the blog below this slideshow and then if you are still interested- have a look- but may not make much sense unless you've read the blog below (Favourite Moments). On the right handside under the main screen- there is a little screen icon- click on that otherwise it is difficult to read everything and to see the pictures properly.

Psyche

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Favourite moments

There were so many things that I wanted to share. But... the special plug for my camera charger has mysteriously vanished. So fall back on the trusty old cellphone. Perhaps not... Christopher and I went grocery shopping and I let him entertain himself with it and now I think it is fubar and I cannot get it to work.

The timing is absolutely perfect having cancelled the cellphone insurance as a waste of money after paying it for years- about 3 months ago. But I console myself with the fact that the damage would not have been covered as they would have cited water damage- and no doubt being drooled on and gobbed on and sucked on and chewed on (you get the picture?) count as water damage. And if you're thinking critical thoughts, then you try taking a cellphone off a 10 month old and get back to me... What are your favourite moments of the day? I can't rate my most favourite- but in no particular order these are mine: Walking through the blue farm-house door at Christopher's creche at the end of my working day and being greeted with a smile that melts my heart and lets me know that I may be insignificant to many- but to my son, I am his favourite person; getting a phonecall from James during the day, just cos he wanted to say hi; crawling into bed at the end of a long day;

Looking at the childrens' art as I walk into Christopher's creche; lying in bed holding Christopher with his head resting above my heart when I feed him his first bottle of the day (it's generally the only time he will allow me to cuddle him); being brought a cup of tea; seeing an e-mail come in from a friend or family member that I have been eagerly waiting to hear from; sneaking in to check on Christopher sleeping and smiling to myself when I find him cuddling his teddy and sleeping in some bizarre position; watching Christopher's eyes light up when he sees one of the cats and makes off at speed after them; arriving home to see James' car already in the garage and when he doesn't arrive before me, hearing him come in the front door; having a hot bath at night... there are so many- but how easy it is for us to only think of the crap that has happened in our day- the people that were rude or thoughtless, the traffic, the ridiculous politicians, the crime...Nice to stop that constant feed of negativity and focus on the good stuff for a change. How true this quote is from Robert Brault: "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things." And while we are on quotes- I have to share this which my bookclub friend Liesl, shared with me, when I had a particularly crappy day at work and I asked her why it was that people around us can think all sorts of things about politics, sport, religion and generally- we don't care if those thoughts are different to our own- or even pretty deranged! But- when those same people think and voice things about us that we don't think are fair - they stick- they haunt- they disturb us. Why can't we let it go like all the other things that other people think- that we don't agree with? Also, why is that horrible words stick like lint to black clothes and it's so hard to let them go- but when people praise you- it may make you happy for a while- but you soon forget? Liesl wrote back and shared a favourite quote of hers in her e-mail: "Harsh words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are endless..." I'm going to add something here from Nola's e-mail to me- happens to also be from a favourite song of mine- but I never really knew the words till Nola's e-mail: "Stop and stare I think I'm moving but I go nowhere Yeah I know that everyone gets scared But I've become what I can't be, oh Stop and stare You start to wonder why you're here not there And you'd give anything to get what's fair But fair ain't what you really need..." Those last lines about wanting what is fair- just struck me- they are so true- very often fair ain't what you need. I remember when I had first started working where I currently work and a male colleague of mine who I thought was a friend said some things to me that I thought were very cruel and harsh- and I despised him for it. It is only years later with a bit of maturity under my belt (not much- just enough to scrape by) that I realise that he did me a favour in saying what he said- that he was right- and I am thankful to this day. As the saying goes- a true friend stabs you in the front! I have changed my password on my computer now- to "wonderful" and I challenge myself to not click enter after typing it in- until I have silently thought about something that is wonderful in my life- even the smallest, simplest things. I have also decided that for a while, I'm putting a filter on what I choose to focus on. No melancholy books, no violent movies... And then to share something with you that so often makes me smile inside. Something that I think of when I need a bit of a perking up or when I walk past some people that are hoity toity or just any occasion that calls for it: The Anti-Rhythm Dance. I wish that I could take credit for the idea- but credit must go to Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz. I read that every now and then just for a laugh when they are out- they do the anti-rhythm dance- I don't think it needs any explaining. It's something that has stuck with me. When I need a laugh and I 'm walking past people taking themselves too seriously, I have visions of myself, knees bent, ass out, arms flailing, jiving and shimmying and hakka'ring in my own version of The Anti-Rythm Dance. It never fails to make me grin on the inside. And now- not so much favourite moments- but little pleasures I have each day- this is one This African Violet is on my desk at work and this little plant just seems to have such heart. It just keeps going and is the most rewarding plant that I have ever owned (and in plant terms I am regrettably a serial killer). I have to admit here to being a bit Prince Charles'ish about it because I do talk to it (but only in my mind) every now and then. It is always flowering and beautiful. The sad thing is it was given to me by people who started up a new company a few years back and the plant out-lived the company (it has also outlived every other African Violet that was given away to colleagues of mine at the same time). But no credit to me... A very special person looks after this African Violet and it thrives under her green fingers. Another of my daily pleasures- Alina Mogodi- a colleague of mine who just spreads such a happy vibe around her and someone that I don't know what I would do without at work. She is a wonderful lady who is always looking out for others before herself.

And also at work- the picture does not do it justice- my office is on the 5th floor and my view is incredible. People often comment about my view when they come into my office. I am religious about pulling the blinds right back every morning. It is really magnificent in Jacaranda season- a carpet or royal purple.

I love these little guys that come and sit right on my window ledge at work- the little swifts- chirping and fluffy. Sometimes I think they sense me looking at them and they turn to look at me through the tinted windows.

And finally... a life-long pleasure...ART! But not just any art. How gorgeous is this picture by Jessie Willcox Smith? I love art that conveys emotion or a story and art that is true to life- don't give me Salvador Dali (nightmare fodder) or Picasso.

I love the pre-Raphaelites, Brian Froud, Mooney, Cicely Mary Barker. I love classical statues. One of my best days ever ( thank you to my parents for one of the best presents ever- A European Contiki Tour when I finished varsity) was the day I got to walk around the Muse d'Orsay- to this day I have yet to see so much beauty in a day.

I had never been one for Van Gogh- but to stand in front of one of his originals- the posters just don't do him justice- for one thing- his pictures are a lot larger than I thought- but if I am not mistaken- it was his Starry Night- that took my breath away- it is magnificent. Again- a wonderful reminder to pay no mind to your critics- if you look at how his work was received (or rather not received) in his day...

And finally, a picture that is hanging in my bedroom (thank you James!). It has various names- most commonly it is called- The Abduction of Psyche. The first time that I saw it was in my mother's gallery- when she owned Feathers' Gallery in Knysna. This must be over 10 years ago now. I can't tell you why, but I had such an emotional response to it- my eyes filled with tears and I got a lump in my throat- I think ...it could be the sheer, raw, tenderness that it conveys. I was ecstatic when my mom said that I could have it and had it framed for me (sadly it is a print- but just as beautiful to me anyway).

It was painted by William Adolph Bouguereau, who is one of my favourite artists- along with Leighton and Waterhouse. The story is beautiful (I love classical mythology too)- so if you don't know it (How Eros (otherwise known as Cupid)- the God of Love- fell in love - with a mere mortal nogal, how his mother dearest was not very boomps a daisy about the whole thing and how after many trials, the love of an immortal leads to a mortal attaining immortality...check out http://www.artrenewal.org/articles/2001/Cupid_and_Psyche/cupidpsyche1.asp http://www.paleothea.com/myths/psyche.html

Once you know the story- have a look at the beautiful slideshow in my next blog that tells the story using various artists' work.

The final joy of today, getting into bed with a new book- Marley and Me.

Goodnight. Sleeptight Bunnies.

Sorry Mr Easter Bunny

Upon formally introducing my son to Mr Easter Bunny this morning, Christopher grabbed him unceremoniously by the whiskers and tossed him over his shoulder. Obviously, Christopher is not impressed by fame or promises of sweet favours in the future. I warned him that if Mr Bunny were to be treated with such lack of finesse, there could be a supply problem down the line. Christopher looked non-plussed and picked up his toothbrush to inspect it. Point taken son.

Oh I wish I were a Rock star.

But not for the reasons you think. If I were a rock star, this lap top and my camera would be in satisfying little bits on the floor after I had trashed them. I thought I was super clever this morning- thought I had learnt how to rotate a picture. These things should be simple. One should not have to rely on one's younger brother who has kindly offered, to teach one's dumb ass these things. Anyways, turns out I am not so clever. The manual is very clever. It was written by martians. Only martians can understand the manual. So if you understand manuals, this is a heads up to you as to where you came from. Let us know when you're expecting the Mothership, eh?

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter. Hope that you are all relaxing and having a wonderful long weekend with your families. My hubbie is unpacking the dishwasher and he is not happy with me. Moi? Can it be???? Why you ask? I shall let you in on a wonderful secret. BUT fair warnings - then you may get complaints from the dishwashing dept. in your home.

It's the end of your thighs as you know them (and we feel fine...)

Anyway, wonderful Francesca, my ass and my thighs thank you for this:

This is an e-mail that Francesca forwarded to me from her friend Debbie:

"Over the weekend if you are at home and have nothing to do, give this a try.......its the most easy chocolate cake recipe ever and even the children can make it - there is no mess as you only use ONE mug for everything: (Lara makes it all by herself and absolutely loves it) It is delicious!! If you are having a dinner party and need a quick and easy dessert, you can do it in rammakins - you know those little bowls - not sure if Ive spelt it right, then everyone has their own individual one. Just a warning though, dont make it if you are not intending to eat it or if you are on a diet cos its impossible to resist!! 4 Tablespoons self raising flour 4 Tablespoons sugar 2 Tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 Tablespoons milk 3 Tablespoons oil 3 Tablespoons chocolate chips A splash of vanilla essence 1 large coffee mug Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well Add the egg and mix thoroughly Pour in the milk and oil and mix well Add the chocolate chips and vanilla and mix again Put mug in microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high) The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but dont be alarmed, its supposed to! Do a Nigella Lawson and just scoop it from the bottom of the microwave with your finger !! Yummy !! Allow to cool a little and EAT

Now I am no fan at all of microwave cakes- but I will tell you this is delicious!!! I wanted to show you the cakes- but I am afraid that this was all that was left. I will tell you though that they are just as easy to make as Debbie says- even though my microwave is only 800 watts, it still only took three minutes.

I could not find chocolate chips so I used 4 Staffords Dark Choc Discs in each cup.

As I explained to James, the dishwasher is not a miracle worker, some things still need to be washed by hand...

While these orange mugs are in the spotlight, I thought it was a very sweet and wonderful coincidence when James and I first got together that both of us owned one of them. Out of all the mugs out there that we could have owned...Reunited and it feels so good (yes I am singing that really cheesy song and I happen to like that cheesy song..) Well technically mine I think is borrowed from my young brother. But borrowed on a kind of permanent basis. Sorry Spudo- if you wondered where it went to- it didn't go to Single Sock Land- I have it. There. Now you know. Sunday confession. GOOD for the soul.

So back to Francesca...Francesca is the beautiful blond on the left. As you can see she has eaten quite a few of these cakes since getting the above e-mail (on Thursday last week).

Jokes. This is Francesca and Kinga at bookclub last week and Francesca is going to be welcoming her third babba into the world on 29 April 2009! And we are very excited. Francesca is inspiration for many of us at bookclub because she is 42! My photo does not do her (or Kinga) justice. She really is a beautiful woman and she has looked fantastic throughout her whole pregnancy.

Another one of my awful pictures on the left, but have a look at the gorgeous crockery. Can you believe that Kinga (on the left) made it all? Cups included?

This is Taz and I- Taz is the latest to join our bookclub. Like most bookclubs though, I can't really say it's all that much about books...

Went to go and see Marley and Me with Pat and Loren yesterday. What a WONDERFUL FUNNY and AWFULLY SAD film! Was glad to see a lot more red eyes when I popped into the bathrooms after. I highly recommend this film if you haven't seen it already- but not a kiddies film. Yay while watching the previews, I see there's another X-men coming out. WOLVERINE. Yummy, Grrrrr!

This week past was Loren and Jonothan's wedding anniversary and Tamzin and Quintins'. Both celebrate their 4 year wedding anniversary- wishing both couples many more and CONGRATULATIONS!

Doesn't Loren look gorgeous! For those of you that don't know- Loren is my sister-in-law and Jonothan is James' brother. All three brothers in the photo above- and James is on the right.

Unfortunately, no pics to share of Quintin and Tamzin's wedding on my computer!

Really, DAD? And then the dish ran away with the spoon? Plausible story that one- what do you think I was born yesterday???

Anyways- time to love and leaves you's all. Will leave you with my favourite Easter cartoon (below) and my favourite Easter joke: What do you get if your pour hot water down a rabbit hole? A) HOT CROSS BUNNies!

Good thing I went back in to do a spell check- otherwise you would have thought that I bake with Coc discs and I might have had some explainin' to do!

An Expensive day

Today was an expensive day! Poor little Christopher has been coughing and hacking and this morning woke up with his eyes gummed up. SO it was off to Dr Patrick KS Li Wan Po or as we know him- Dr Li. A wonderful paed and Christopher grins at him across the desk as mommy asks questions and feels foolish when she can't answer any of Dr Li's questions! But I do know that today Christopher weighs 8.75kgs. I am relieved. Went out with Adele and Jade on Saturday and their beautiful girls make Christopher look like his mommy's been starving him! And I promise that I haven't. He has a wonderful appetite and so far will eat just about anything -except- scrambled egg- don't blame him- I hate it too- and grapes. He'll gladly chew on the kitty kibbles but won't do grapes. Go figure.

(While on the topic of kitty kibbles- if you want a good laugh- have a look at the blogs I follow (under my profile) and click on a Thrift Mrs. I think her address is www.athriftymrs.blogspot.com but may be wrong in which case there is a link from my profile. Anyway- scroll through to her blog on 25 March 2009 with the title "cerealously" above a picture of a piece of rather yummy looking cake. She talks about her mad nutter of a neighbour who came looking for her cat and the conversation that ensued and it is really funny...) Had to laugh at our three youngsters. I am sure the waitress loved us! Half eaten soggy chip discards under the table when we left. Funny how all babies love a french fry. As Adele and I were walking around the nursery afterwards, a rather strange woman approached us and demanded to look at our babba's, cooed at them and then rather seriously enquired if they would be married when they were older. Um...Yes. We are totally into arranged marriages. Anyway, I digress. Christopher's car seat was also upgraded today. You practically need to take out a second bond on your home to afford these things. But what can you do? It is an absolute pet hate of mine when I see parents riding around safely strapped in themselves with their youngsters roaming around free in the car. I want to shout at these people and be rude- but last I heard there's no cure for stupid. Stay off the Grass I realised as I traipsed around the garden with Christopher yesterday that I must sound like a rabid anti-drug campaigner. No! No grass! NOoooo. No grasssss! No. No grass. I always thought grass would only maybe be a problem later in his life. I don't know where I went wrong... He's only 10 months old! Christopher grabs handfuls of grass as he drags me around bent over him like Quasi and quick as a flash that hand is to his mouth and my litany starts- No! No grass! Anyways- time for a nice cuppa and beddies!

On the way

My Little Handyman

So, everything finally dried. Realised that you need a Nobel Prize in quantum physics to put the car seat back together. You may have guessed that I do not have one of these. Anyway, young Christopher got under the hood and lent his MomMom a hand and we were soon on our way. My beautiful boy is very handy around the house! First MomMom puts it up! The pritty pictures. Nice!

Then I helps her to takes them down! (I must learn how to turn pics around- as you can see I have not yet figured this one out- so turn your head or the screen).

Right, I must break here for a cup of tea!

The Garden

Do you have a favourite room in your home? I don't. There is so much I wish I could do in all of them. But- I do love our garden. It was one of the reasons that we bought our home. Here are a few pictures I took today.

And I think that's all for me tonight folks. Don't these pics just take an age to download? Hope you all have a brilliant week ahead.