Sorry, its' taken me so long to recover from the trip and the REAL return to work, so here is my belated American blog (it's been done in bits over days):

We're back after a fabulous time with family in America

I'm wrapped to report that Poppy has turned out to be an amazing little traveler. From the moment we set off to the day we returned, she was dragged and pulled in every direction, with little complaint and tons of charm.

We were generously spoilt (by family) but unfortunately also hugely angered by our airline UNITED. Before I share the good times, I really must get this off my chest. United are shit, do not fly with them! A summary of their customer service: What customer service? A bunch of incompetent, tired, old, NQR morons..... thank goodness for the kindness of fellow passengers who did everything from carry bags, pushed strollers, played with, held & even fed Poppy!

Now, moving right along.

My Birthday celebrations continued in the States (first time I was in the States for my Birthday in 21 years), was great to celebrate with my sister and her family and Dad and Ada. Luke arranged for flowers and a balloon to be delivered, exceptional work!

The Bat Mitzvah itself was Superb with my niece Maya putting on a performance to be proud of. I really liked her female Rabbi too, very relaxed and modern. Poppy ensured she was heard too, she sang from both ends!

This is the only decent photo I have from the Bat-mi, Maya, I'm waiting on the official shots!

At the reception caught up with more family, this time from NY and was thrilled to meet some of Maya's little friends. The festivities around the Bat-mi, ensured we ate NON STOP!

Shopping was also on the cards of course and while I was slow to start (sister you were so worried!), I kind'a made up for it in the end (and I mean the very end, even in the airport!). How could I dare leave behind a replica Presidential limousine (you know the one, it's now rocket proof!) and Presidential mints?

One of my favourite stores: Lego!

Other highlights included

A day in the city visiting the monuments. Failed to spot the Obamas but did see a White House sniffer dog who could have potentially once sniffed the President, or at least his security entourage.

At the Lincoln memorial

This is MY official White House photo

Visiting some of our old haunts

Our house and street in Rockville

A stroll around Georgetown.... beautiful! The only place I drank real coffee, oh how I missed Luke's lattes.

Supermarket shopping. My sentimental eating reached epic proportions as I scoffed down bowls of my favourite childhood cereal (Cocoa Puffs) and prayed that my teeth and gut wouldn't explode.

Being there for Ben's Driving Permit acquisition

And simply having quality time with the family and sharing little Poppy around. Left: The one in the middle is my cousin from Chicago

Week 2 and day 1 childcare

Following week 2 at work, I'm absolutely spent, but happy.

It's been another week of way too much laughing (I've developed giggle Tourette's) at the most ludicrous of things and, once again, I blame my colleagues. A regular preface to most statements I seem to make at work has earned me this T shirt.

And an innocent comment about someone in the office being "a bit 80's" has turned into an ongoing silliness involving side pony tails and the vision of fingerless gloves. This is by far the most erect of side pony tail I have ever spotted.

I am however managing to get my head around 'worky' things and my corporate speak has progressed in leaps and bounds. Mia is has taken note of my over indulgence in some words, current favourite "Utopia", pronounced "Utoooooooopia" (Prue and Trud-ish). We like to insert it into every conceivable sentence for eg: "Presentation Utooooopia" and "Team workshop facilitation Utoooopia". Mia's version:

Take I


Take II

So on the home front, Luke has been superb at keeping me in the know by sending text updates, photos and videos. Today he sent me a video of Poppy post-childcare, playing happily on the floor and was so kind to position behind her a large tub of my choc-brownie ice cream for my pleasure.

These are some of the other 'news reels' have received from him while I'm hard at working earning a crust.

Amazing! Lactating man! (a friend actually believed this!!!)

Followed by Stigmata on the same day! Miracle people we are.

Meanwhile,Poppy's first day at care was a success. She ate, slept and drank, played and grizzled and everyone loves her (and they better keep that up!). Mia too had a fabulous time seeing her friends again and getting rid of us for the day. I was however disappointed she didn't visit Poppy once! Typical big sister, once her friends are around, little sister is ignored.

It's amazing to think of all the changes that both girls have gone through in the last few weeks. Mia's speech has improved dramatically, and so have her impersonations of Luke and I. Her "Oh My God!" and "Lukey, did you fart? Oh Lukey, yuck!" are spot on. My favourite is when she impersonates Luke's clutsy-ness, such as kicking her leg back while drawing the curtains.

Her Hebrew is also improving with her now able to recite short excerpts from her favourite books.

Her love of boys hasn't waned over summer and at a friend's 40th Birthday bash at Balnarring beach this weekend, she unashamedly followed around a couple of older boys. We'll have to watch her on this one.

Poppy meanwhile is commando crawling mostly towards Oscar and electrical plugs (ooops!). She's also waving and does something resembling the Hakka. Luke is now scoring 'Da Da' and couple of times she's said 'Ma Ma', but most of the time I get 'Bah Bah'. She's still not sitting but isn't bothered by it. On the food front, she's eating EVERYTHING!

She could probably consume at least 1/2 of Barak Obama's cupake forehead before we could utter OBESITY! 5,600 presidential cupcake art installation, Obama/Lincoln

Yes, this picture combines two great loves of mine. Obama & Cupcakes. This is a sample of what's to come on 14/2 in Washington DC at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, when I'll be there!!!!!!!

Poppy and I are off in just over 2 weeks for my dear niece's Bat-Mitzvah extravaganza. I haven't been to the States for 13 years and I simply cannot wait to see family again and revisit some old haunts.

I'll share more about the trip soon, in the meantime, I'll leave you with these recent shots of the girls.

We survived week 1!

So pleased to announce that we have successfully survived week 1 of my return to work.

There were so many boxes to tick, and well, the important ones are sorted

- Poppy sleeping through the night
- Poppy taking the bottle
- Poppy eating real food
- My tits adjusting (you should see my Dolly Pardon look in the afternoons in the office.....)

We still have to work on the following:
- Missing the girls... good luck to me.
- Mother guilt, see above.

Don't worry about us

I have to thank my mother and my dear (friend, these are her photos) who came to help Luke during the week, Luke himself for being such a star Dad and to my two new work mates who made sure that a good majority of the week was spent pissing my pants (well almost, I have been doing my exercises)

..we'll be fine

P.S
Have to share this.

On my return to work eve, this was my conversation with Mia:
M: You're going to work tomorrow?
I: Yes
M: All by yourself?
I: Yes
M: Would you like me to come and hold your hand?

When I got home:
M: Did you cry today, were you sad today?
I: No, I'm OK, why did you think I would be sad?
M: Because you have no friends

Eahhhh!

My anxiety has reached epic proportions, and if my tummy was a building it would resemble something like the NYSE floor during the beginning of our recent market crash.I'm struggling to define what exactly it is that's stressing me out. I don't believe it's about work as I actually like my job, and it's not about the girls going to childcare, as we couldn't be happier with the care & program that they provide. Is it the separation from the girls, that fear that I'll miss out on something???? Probably. Perhaps some other stuff that I haven't been able to articulate?

I'm sure the lack of sleep isn't helping me feel any better (although Poppy's sleeping is much improved). However, recalling some of the fun things we've done not only over the past few months but even in the last week has helped distract me somewhat.

Visiting friends in their holidays house on the beach (and I mean ON the beach): Great view, people, kids, food, clear skies & dolphins!!!

Mia and co

NYE BBQ with friends: Relaxing, delicious and we made it till midnight!The kiddies enjoying their last icypols for 2008 and Luke and his Snapper friend

My easy breezy tapanade & tomato tart

Seeing old friends make it through a tough time with flying colours
Decluttering

Eating fresh apricots off the neighbour's treeyum!

Planting a herb garden
A creative 4th Birthday party

Knights themed party, note head knight standing

Poppy after consuming her very first Chocolate cake.... needless to say, satisfied, but wondering what took so long

A day in the city (saw Gurksy exhibition at the NGV.. spectacular, h to go in twice to take it all in)

Mia's new favourite garden in Melbourne (at the NGV)

Gursky's Montparnasse

It's the final countdown

Every time I say this to my self, I can't help but sing Europe's 1986 hit in my head, and it makes me feel that little bit better (or at least it acts as a brief distraction).

It's the countdown to work that I'm more preoccupied with..... back on Monday! But before I plunge into 2009 and my return to the corporate world, I'd like to briefly recall all the significant and wonderful people, places, thoughts & things that filled these past twelve months.

Mia nuding up (again) in the garden of the Daylesford holiday house
Jan 08

Dayelsford/friends/Pregnancy/new kitchen/new words/no nappies/independence/wedding/Poppy arrival/naches/love/ sisterhood/little nappies/visitors/no sleep/boobs/little feet/milestones/Larry David/grandparents/more friends/ sharing/chocolate/sister & niece/3/rooms/creativity/cupcakes/surprises/home/motherhood/dance/religion/community/parenthood/art/cars/books/Olympics/more family/more naches/photos/blogs/marriage/laughter/Madmen/playdates/parenthood/ice cream//exhaustion/compassion/elation/George/worry/dreams/cousins/curiousity/Big Love/festivals/Oscar/memories/gardens/inspirations/The Sound of Music/city/apron/wide eyes/teeth/cuteness/performances/partnership/leisure suit/boys/park/wheels/text messages/self discovery/aspirations/anxiety/kisses/nature/work/and more naches again.

I could go on but I'll spare you.

It's been a busy year to say the least. I can honestly say that while I do have my moments, on the overall, I've never been so grateful for what I have and what I and those around me have achieved.

I have no resolutions for the NY, simply I hope and I will continue to work towards ensuring 2009 is a healthy and happy year. I hope to be able to reflect back on 09 as a challenging but fulfilling time, where we managed to juggle our lives and found some semblance of balance and contentment.

Thank you for sharing 2008 with us and l look forward to more in 2009.

Here's to family, friends, art, food....and a laugh.

Happy NY!
xx
Cookie

Christmas Day

We were so spoilt today, especially the girls.

After Poppy's super sleep in, we opened gifts galore and headed to the place where we knew Santa hadn't ordered the shops to be closed: Jew Town.

So this was Christmas lunch.

Followed by a bit of this...

and dessert.

Festivus for the rest of us

First let me wish everyone once more a very happy Festivus. Once again, I failed to send out any cards, but thank you for the many cards that we received, always a treat.

I must also thank those of you who actually for a few seconds (and some for even longer) thought that those photos were actual shots of our house. I can't tell you how flattered I am!

It's been the quietest Chrismikka ever this year. Due to Poppy's erratic sleeping/eating routines, lurgies and general lack of energy, we've kept things rather low key. And while I know it's exactly what we needed, I couldn't help but feel that we were missing out on something.

Don't believe a thing they tell you

Still we did manage to meet up with friends at the official Hanuka celebrations at Caulfield Park. Such events, despite their dagginess (excellent T shirts reading "Good Jewish Boy" and"Don't Worry Be Jewish") to some extent lack of organisation (no Latkes!), certainly go along way to excite small children. The three different inflatable contraptions certainly helped and Mia had a blast despite us leaving well before candle lighting and fireworks.
Poppy also had a blast.


The party at the park and even visits to Balaclava Rd in Jew Town where we saw many different Menoras (candelabras) and tasted some of the culinary delights, certainly contributed to Mia's experience of the festival . Of course, we've also been lighting our own Menorah every night and I attempt to sing the only Hanuka song I know (Ner le or My Candle).





Will Santa/Rabbi bring me new teeth for the Fetivus

For those in the 'community' who warned us of the evils of our mixed marriage ("you'll screw up those kids" they cried) we did our bit last night. We had friends over for dinner, lit candles, which was then followed by the unwrapping of red & green covered presents.

Poppy has given us the greatest gift of all this morning, SLEEP! It's almost 10:00 Am and we still haven't opened the rest of the presents which have been collecting under our tree while we wait for our poppet to wake. Mia has been remarkably patient as our plans to visit the zoo begin to unravel (too late). I'm not complaining!