And the little one rolled over...and fell out

Have you ever wondered how it is that you manage despite being unconscious, not to fall off the edge of your bed? What wonderous human system keeps us on our beds at night- why don't we just roll right off? How do we know, in the midst of drooldom, where the edge of our bed is? I don't know about you - but I toss and turn- a lot. But strangely- it is only after 35 goes around the sun and popping a sprog who  is now bed-ready that I have ever thought to wonder about this thing that I have been taking for granted.

James removed the one cot side on Christopher's cot today after another successful jailbreak. So far tonight, we have had one alarmed holler from his room as he hit the deck. I am amazed that there have been no more incidents- although - motherhood being what it is- he is waiting for me to be in drooldom in a steamy clinch with Colin Firth and then no doubt- the little one will roll over and fall out and holler like a wild animal and momma bear will stumble through to put the world right again- and then try- in vain- to pick up where I left off with Colin who will then sadly have morphed into a hybrid of The Fly and Webster.

Why is it- have you ever noticed- that if you wake from a really good dream- it is so hard to get back there- but if you wake from a bad dream- down ten espressos, run around the block, clip the family poodle's toenails, trace your family ancestry back to Adam- and go back to sleep- WHAM! You are straight back to the same nightmare. I thought that the universe liked balance- but this to me seems suckily unbalanced and just...wrong.

Ryleigh's birthday party

First our intrepid Party Hero dismantles all the balloons. You never know when they might go off.

Then make sure that the guests are well watered.

Catch the bubbles. Christopher loves bubbles and started to cry when Claire stopped blowing them.

How cute is this? A hug from Ryleigh to say thank you for her present.

Christopher beats a hasty retreat before he can be shown any more such embarrassing displays of gratitude.

On second thoughts...I think I like this stove top and pots myself.

 Ahhh- the decoy. Bubbles- works every time.

Finally we seem to be turning the corner. Christopher was on the verge of pneumonia this week and it was horrible. The nebuliser has been doing wonders though.

I knew that he was on the mend when we had our first jail break this morning. The baby monitor went off and I rush through to find Christopher standing in my bedroom, looking a bit bewildered, like he had just been teleported there and was wondering WTF had just happened. Couldn't help laughing at him and feeling that bit proud of his escape.

I have decided to blog now. Uusally, I would take the gap to do all the things I don't really want to do- like unpack the dishwasher and tidy up. But these are the things that can be done when Master is awake (and has the added advantage of setting a good example. Maybe not.). Blogging is something that most definitely cannot be done when Master is awake.

I think that I have stumbled across the secret of contentment. I feel content when I am doing what I want to be doing. It is when I am doing something to get it done so that I can move on to what I really want to be doing, that I am generally not that chipper. So perhaps the secret is- to always try not to rush through things- to try to make even the unfun things somehow more enjoyable- it's a cliche- but to be more present in what you are doing and I suppose to sometimes make time more often to do the things you really want to do. Let us eat cake and the dishes can wait...

Sick

A few pictures from the long weekend.

Spending time with the cousins- Reece and Riley after swimming on Saturday. It's great fun to throw all the balls out the shell and watch our silly parents scurry about to put them back in. They are so silly- we decided to pelt them too.

I have a delayed response on my Blackberry when I push the button. This is Christopher's uncle's backside. I am still getting used to my blackberry and had to laugh when it asked me if I wanted to set this as a caller ID. Um. That's alright thanks.

The picture on the right is Christopher's version of giving his cousin a luff. Not a jevenile judo hold. Though many may be fooled.

 

Sunday- I needed  to pack a picnic basket for the Elton John concert "Under African Skies". So off to Broadacres Spar where they also have this volksie which Christopher loves. I got the tickets for James' birthday and Christmas present last year. It was freezing and I told James sitting through this concert was a labour of love on my part. I could not wait for it to be over. I think he looks like a caucasian version of Winnie Mandela. I don't know whether that is an insult to him or to Winnie.

Then on Monday- we had an early breakfast with the family to celebrate Granny Pat's birthday at the Lifestyle Centre and there was the obligatory train ride. And then the Big Squeeze when Daddy went with him for another round. It was good entertainment value watching James try to squeeze himself into the little compartment- but all credit to him that he managed it.

We came, we saw, we ate too much, and we conquered. Well. Not too sure.

James was sick on the weekend and grumpy. Today I am sat at home looking after Christopher who is sick and uber miserable. The weather has- so as not to be outdone- also decided to be miserable all of today. I feel miserable too- after having spent the last two nights camped out at the foot of Christopher's cot. There is no point trying to sleep in my own room as I have a compulsive need to check on him every time he coughs.

So, sick child, work piling up, lack of sleep, crappy weather. Noddy on the TV...

I am looking forward to my makeshift bed and a nice hot bath once I put Christopher to sleep.

Weece!

The e-mail from my sister-in-law this morning said- look what I found for the first time this morning. I opened the attachment and found this picture. How cute is my neice- Riley? This is Christopher's anthem at the moment. He walks around saying the names of his cousins- "Weece!" (Reece). "Wiley" (Riley). Weece!

Makes me sad though because I cannot even remember the first time I came into his room and found Christopher standing at his rails- although I do know that it is a March development that he has started to attempt jail breaks from his cot- scary and funny all at the same time.

Had a lovely evening out last night and the wonderful peace of mind knowing that Christopher was with Leanne and she again was a little life-saver- sending me those wonderful sms's letting me know how my little guy was doing and when he was asleep.

We saw the Blind Side last night and I can only say that there are some really really incredible people out there. I cannot imagine taking a strange child into my home the way that they did. What a lovely feel good story- even if it did give me ocassion to cry a few times.

I have learned a lovely new word today- snafu. A real word that allows you to swear in polite company because according to dictionary.com it originated around 1940 and is an acronym for (s)ituation (n)ormal: (a)ll (f)ucked (up). 

I am so tired today that I am even jealous of James who has gone home sick to get into bed. I am so looking forward to my bed I cannot tell you. Although Christopher sleeps through he does cry out some nights and I stagger through bleary eyed to plug in bottles and dummies and anything else required by his young lordship. Luckily for me he then falls instantly back to sleep. I am usually not far behind- but sometimes this type of dis-jointed sleeping can leave me feeling like a zombie the next day.

I do not even sew but looking at my cousin's blog I am so tempted to go out and get Amy Butler's book. How cute does this look? I don't know what it is with me. I love to get cookbooks and craft books and just feast my eyes even though I don't cook and generally don't craft.

Yay! It is a long weekend as Monday is Human Right's Day.

Do not pass begin...

Go straight to the zoo that is your home.

Last night was the first night that I have entrusted the care of my precious child to anyone other than a family member. Leanne- Christopher's teacher babysat him for the first time.

I had a work function. So I scrambled out of work a bit early to fetch Christopher from his Gran's. Then bath him because I am so paranoid about other people bathing him. No-one does it as well as mom. Trying to get ready myself. Leanne arrives. James shouts that Christopher refuses to come out of the cupboard. I shout back that maybe he is not gay. Leanne and I go through to his room and manage to convince him to get out of the cupboard. Start giving her a tour and run-down of the "routine". Who knew it was so involved. Then my friend Veta arrives at the gate to drop off my Christmas tree.

My brand new Christmas tree- the first one I have ever bought and really gone to effort to decorate that I was so proud of. Until Christopher persisted in pulling at the baubles on it until it fell over on him. There was a thump and two little feet sticking out from the fir and pinecones. This was when hubbie was locked in the one side of the house and could not get out because the key had broken off in the lock. I was trying to get a locksmith on the phone. After finally getting through had to put the phone down because there was an almighty howl from beneath the Christmas tree. Rescue son. Get back on phone. Thump!!! Wail!!!Two little feet sticking out from under the Christmas tree. Gees son. I've got a short memory but I think you take the cake. Weren't we doing this like half a minute ago? Please leave the baubles on the tree for just a mo so I can get someone over here to free your dad.

Anyway- after his tussle with the tree the top broke off and hung at an annoyingly unstraight angle. What do they say- pride comes before a fall...After this major digression- Veta is at the gate to drop off the Christmas tree which I am told is now like new again. Yay!!! James is on the phone with a client and gesturing to me to please look after the savage. Run outside. Quick conversation with Veta about her friend's child who was in a bad car-crash and had a crushed pelvis. Back inside. Mascara. Lipstick. Back to Leanne to try and finish off the "routine". James asking if he can go off now. Yes dear. Christopher has scrambled up the couch and is jumping up and down on the arm grinning at me. Fish him off and admonish him that this is not necessarily best practice if he wants to keep his noggin intact. Back to "the routine" with Leanne. Christopher grinning at me manically and jumping up and down on the couch arm...again.

Finally, pull out of the garage after kissing Christopher goodbye. What a relief that he was happy to be left with Leanne- but also I feel all the paranoia and nerves about leaving him with someone other than his Granny or his daddy. Pray for his safety. Phone Malcolm my work colleague to say- sorry running late- will be there as soon as I can.

Sms comes through. You better get here as soon as you can. I know no-one here. I phone him and instruct him to make friends with the barman. He is trying to find one but all there is is a lot of waiters walking around with drinks on trays.

Anyway. We have a wonderful night. One of my client's 25th anniversary celebrations. I relax after getting this sms from Leanne: " Hi Kristy..your little boy is peacefully sleeping. We had dinner which he ate all of it, then we played for a bit and he started to fall asleep while I was reading a book to him on the couch, so I gave him his bottle and put him in his cot. Everything is fine...you just have a great time and see you when you back..xx".

Then later: "Hi Kristy. Just to let you know I'm home, James came home just after 9. Everything went smoothly, u have a very good and content little boy! it's a pleasure babysitting for you!Jst a reminder that 2moro is individual and class photo day! See you tomorrow nite at 5.45pm."

So after arriving home and checking on my little angel- fast asleep and content in his cot, I feel like Leanne is worth her weight in gold. Tired today and going for round 2 as James and I are going out to dinner and to see the Blind Side with friends tonight.

Do not pass begin...go straight to the zoo.

Bookclub

We usually have our bookclubs in the evenings sans children- but was really glad today that we had it  on a Saturday with all children around. A beautiful afternoon, with good books, company, food and my favourite champagne- I love afternoons like this.

Adele has a gorgeous home and it was so nice to see all the kids running around laughing together after they got over their initial shyness. It was a sweltering hot day and we all ended up sat around the pool with our feet in- though Christopher made sure that I got in with him- clothes and all.

Picked up an interesting tip overheard in a camera shop. Apparently, it is not good enough to simply delete photos off your camera card- because there will still be all sorts of things left on the card and if you continue to delete this way and reuse- you will eventually start to have corrupted pictures that are distorted. Apparently, you need to format your card. So thanks to Kinga for patiently working out how to do this on my camera. I now have 3 formatted camera cards ready for next time.

Drove home with Christopher and Danika in the back of my car- giggling and laughing with each other- so sweet. Taz sorted out my instant messaging for me on my blackberry. There was that beautiful late afternoon pre-storm light in the sky and on the trees as we drove through the suburbs. Got to Taz's place and retrieved our youngsters from their respective car-seats. There was a confetti of pretzels and biscuits littering the footwells and the seats where they had been sitting. Finished off a lovely day with a last cup of tea with Taz and finally set off before the storm. Christopher and I have been caught in enough of those lately.

The Unbearable heaviness of being grumpy

If anyone was wondering, the critter did reappear in a bold 3 metre scuttle to the jetmaster. I sent James after it but once again, it had somehow mysteriously vanished. Whether one puts this down to most mens' complete and stunning inability to see what is staring them up the nostril or to the fact that a noo-noo has more lives than a cat- I don't know.

I am cross. I have spent about the last hour looking for my blackberry cable to connect my phone to this computer to share pics and the whole box of blackberry goodies is missing in action. I have a horrible suspicion that someone has thrown it away. Either that or it is in the same mysterious place that the noo-noo vanished to- though I cannot think what he would need a USB cable for. But they do say that bugs are getting more sophisticated these days. Great mysteries. I hate, hate hate not being able to find my things.

Tomorrow I return to bookclub- once again with my books unread. I have 430 pages left of the Count of Monte Cristo. Luckily, no one seems to be terribly serious about the books.

I am also signing up for the next term of swimming. The Winter term. I am not sure, given that we go at 8 in the morning, whether this consititutes a heart-warming display of maternal dedication or eye-watering stupidity. Anyway, they have all but promised me that if we keep up at this rate, Christopher will be self-sufficient in the water by 2 years old. This is what motivates me. Hopefully, the warmth of my duvet will not be a greater, opposing motivational force. But- Christopher being self sufficient in the water is huge for me and will be celebrated with much jubilation when we get there. Though I would still never leave him alone around water it will hopefully go some way to watering down my rampant paranoia.

My treasures today: the beautiful peach coloured Just Joey roses in front of me. The poor rose bush fell over after the rains we had because it was too heavy with roses. So off they had to come and they are so pretty and so fragrant on my dining room table.

Also- A Keedo 50% off sale where I picked up some gorgeous things for Christopher. Thanks to my mother-in-law for alerting me.

Sneaking in to Christopher's room to watch him sleep and stroke his hair and listen to him breathing.

"I could lie awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure..."
                       -Aerosmith

Shiver me timbers

You remember the ugly noo-noo that I wrote about a while ago? AKA the Parktown Prawn. Well there is one of these beasts chowing down on the cats' biscuits in my kitchen as I type. I can actually hear it lifting and munching on the kibbles. Naturally, I have let the little horror feast away- though it is totally creeping me out as I am sitting in the open-plan dining room with my back to the thing. There just seems to be something wrong with a bug making this much noise as it eats. I am - with difficulty- suppressing deep primal urges to run away screaming like a little girl.

Call me weird though- but I have this food quality test. I am deeply suspicious of foods that the bugs (more especially ants) don't want to eat. So Hills C/d must be just as nutritious as the bag advertises because the noo-noo likes it. A lot. Don't know what is worse- he has now gone quiet. Feel like I am the chick in the shower in one of those horror films.

On bugs- I got to wondering the other day about ants. Do they copulate? Or is there a big queen ant somewhere that just lays eggs and a Chosen One that gets to fertilise them all? And how old is an ant when he is fully mature? I have visions of a little nipper chipping out of his little egg and Mommy ant and Daddy ant saying to him- ok kiddo- stop fucking about now- you're 3 seconds old- time to get out there and start bringing home the crumbs...

As I reversed out of our driveway this morning- it dawned on me (really slowly) as I looked at the bakkie that James had borrowed while his car was in for a service- that I was supposed to be taking Christopher to creche. Usually Daddy's job. Deep sigh. Already late. Drive back in. James and I both laugh that we had managed to forget. Christopher ready in the flashest of flashes and thrilled to be coming with me. Until he realises that he is still going to creche and starts moaning as we pull into the creche parking lot.

He then clings to me for dear life and cries his eyes out as I try to hand him over to his teacher. I crouch down holding him. Try to distract him. Notice that poor little Aiden is again in the Naughty Chair (a high chair where he cannot move). I am not sure that Aiden is ever released from the Naughty chair- it is the only place I ever see him. Although- he must be- in order to perpetrate all the crimes the accident book records. If the accident book is to be believed, Aiden is half vampire. There is no-one in the class that he hasn't had a little munch on.

So eventually leave- feeling like the worst mother ever. Ever, ever.ever. But also so grateful that James spares me this torment every day. I have the joy of seeing my little angel's eyes light up when he sees me and comes running toward me at full, totally unstable, tilt, when I come to collect him. This is my treasure.

And that hubby has arrived home and I can send him to sort out the noo-noo. James walks in and bravely goes off to sort it out. The noo-noo is not there...Where is the noo-noo?