Things & Thumps

Who said 'things' can't make you happy?

I've had my eye on this Eames 'Hang It All' forever, and the other day I decided it was time it was mine. I knew it belonged in our home, and of course I was vibrating with excitement at the store (Living Edge...oooo I love!), but it wasn't until I actually got it home and ripped the box open that I realised how happy it made me.

Even the next morning, as it patiently lay on our bedroom chair, waiting to be hung, I smiled, and felt a great sense purchase satisfaction.

It's now hanging proudly in our entrance and I make a special effort to greet it as often as possible.

It's a good thing its hooks are round and not sharp as it appears the girls have both inherited their parents ability to create accidents wherever the potential exists.

Mia decided to test out a stunt-double career when she was bouncing on a friend's enclosed trampoline - yes - I highlight enclosed - she unzipped the zipper of course and continued to bounce, flying straight through the opening to the ground, landed on her shoulder, rolled and bounced right up..... lots of tears followed but nothing an icy-pole couldn't fix, for her anyway, I'm still having palpitations.

Central Bindi supported by two 'eggs' on either side

Meanwhile, Poppy has declared herself to be a true 'head banger'; not of the musical/bogan kind but of the literal kind. Her will consistently overrides her lack of skill and now has two beautiful eggs on her forehead, as one Jewish friend commented, rather like "Jew horns". Yesterday she also added to the list a bruised cheek and sore chin.... when will this end? I'm just hoping all of these marks will clear by the Birthday extravaganza so she doesn't spoil my photos..... ooops I meant her photos.

Perhaps we should have simply kept Poppy in her original box, that way she would still be in mint condition

Aside from trying to save our girls from serious injury, Luke and I actually took some time out the other day, to celebrate our seventh wedding anniversary. We headed to the city for a matinee performance of Billy Elliot. Was fabulous, great cast, set, music, everything, possibly the best musical I've ever seen! We later indulged in an early dinner at MoVida where I proceeded to intoxicate myself with a single glass of red and two sips of Absinthe - was soooo relaxed.

Thanks to the grandparents who looked after the girls, and not to mention folded some washing!

Other developments: Just wanted to share this photo of Mia and explain the Bindi craze in this house. Mia's kinder teacher is Indian, so Mia has taken to a curious fascination with Indian stuff, mostly painted elephants, Bindis and their colourful music. I've been teaching her and Poppy all of my Bollywood moves (2) post dinner to the music from Monsoon Wedding.

Finally, as a follow on to my previous post, I'm glad to announce we have sold our Deco dazzler Bar/Cabinet for $1100, not bad considering it was a little damaged. Unfortunately the rudest woman in the world bought it which has turned our Saturday into something out of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode... Luke has named her Cabinet C%#!@!

Oh, and we've painted the house and found a new hairdresser who can cut fringes! I shall continue to rely on you blog followers for leads, I got some great links with outstanding results.

Noisy

Life seems rather noisy these days, so much going on and my head feels rather busy and consumed by too many thoughts (mostly of the un helpful kind). Anyway.. I'm working on it, and, today is Wednesday which is always a good thing when Wednesday is my wonderful day off work and on with the girls.... I LOOOOVE Wednesdays!

However, this morning's activity didn't quite go to plan. It was Mia's 3 & 1/2 y.o. check up with the Health Nurse. My naches meter was primed and polished only to be snatched and buried before I could even say "yes well, we do realised she's very special, yes we are very proud of our Mia". Mia was in a defiant and shy mood and refused to do anything!!!!!!!!!!! So in short we walked away with little but a name of a speech pathologist.

More attitude....

Over the last few months I've been concerned about Mia's speech. She has significantly improved in recent months, however, I feel she is behind her peers. To all of you out there reminding me that she's bi-lingual, yes I have taken that into consideration, but I'm still a little concerned, mainly as I worry that her limited vocab and lack of speech clarity could potentially limit her social experience as it's affecting her confidence and as other children are beginning to notice. So I've just booked her in for a hearing assessment and we'll take it from there.

Aside from that, she's been wonderful. Luke and I had a great time with her this past Sunday when we attended the Mt Scopus musical production of the the Sound Of Music one of Mia's favourite musicals.

It was fabulous, so professional and entertaining, we had a ball. The highlight for us of course was simply observing Mia as she experienced a live show for the first time. She was so excited by everything around her, the lights, the curtains, the seats, the music and even the actors. It took her a little while to believe they were the characters (I think she expected to see Julie Andrews herself) but she was sold at the end and when we got to meet some of the cast, she was smitten as she would have been meeting the real Fredrick and co.

I must say, we were all surprised to hear one song which we know as Shalom, Farewell being sung as So Long, Farewell, and this, at a Jewish school!

Luke and I loved the Jewish nuns (no crosses, but quality shcnozzes), all singing in Latin! We were however disappointed this line (not for children!) didn't quite appear in the production.

Meanwhile Poppy has been perfecting her own character and has introduced us to her tantrums complete with throwing herself back and screeching like a hyena... charming. Actually she is charming most of the time. She's learnt to blow kisses but often misses her mouth and instead hits herself on the forehead turning her gesture from a sweet affection to more of a Homer Simpson "Dough" type of move.

Now I failed to capture Poppy doing any of the wonderful things I've shared here, instead, here is Poppy ignoring her mother's instructions, just like her sister

Which is pretty much what I said to myself the other day when I realised I had fallen off my real-estate obsession wagon and found myself with not one casual and curious house inspection but with a list of 3!!!!! How could I allow this to happen? Anyway, I think I'm OK now, I caught myself after inspecting house 1 and being a little disappointed.

So instead, I'm looking for a painter to come and make this place look a little better. There are a few other tasks to perform as part of this 'Latte-House' revival:

-Clear furniture: We have a couple of pieces we've decided to clear as they don't fit. I've already listed one on Ebay, our deco-bar, feel free to bid.

-Source a cleaner: If anyone knows of someone good who will do our area, please let me know as I'm struggling.

And that's just the beginning!

I'm also in need of a little TLC myself and am after a new hair dresser, had to dismiss the last one, too sloppy, conversation too inane even for me... so again, if anyone can recommend.... my hair is out of control!

TREMOR

We had an earth tremor last weekend, registered 4.7 on the Richter scale. We were all home, still awake and what initially sounded like a train passing by quickly turned into something much more powerful.

I couldn't help but think that this was timely considering the state of the world around us (bush fires, drought, financial downturn... crisis! crisis! crisis!).

And in my own nervous world, three friend's husbands lost their jobs recently, so it was rather real & close when my company announced almost 2000 jobs were to go. I prepared myself for the worst while Luke prepared for nothing "Why worry? I'll worry if and when we have a reason to worry." His worryless attitude both irritated and incited envy as I struggled to control my erratic head.

I was so consumed that on a grocery shopping expedition with the girls I didn't notice when Mia's shorts fell down to her ankles as she trailed behind me calmly explaining "My shorts Mummy, can you see, they've fallen down!"

Meanwhile Luke did try to offer some support in the form of a preparatory role playing exercise for 'the meeting'. Some of Luke's helpful lines were: "If I draw the blinds and give you x will you reconsider?" and "Is it because I'm Jewish?". Needless to say, I had my own back up lines.

So after spending the last few weeks endlessly speculating with my colleagues on what was to be, and developing a nervous and ridiculous habit of laughing at the most inappropriate moments (dubbed 'funeral laughter'), most of the team was relieved to receive good news on Thursday that we were in fact still employed! A bittersweet feeling remains as some people weren't so lucky.

Perhaps Poppy sensed the future and was sending me a signal when the day before 'the meeting' she was motivated by Mia's chocolate ice cream on the coffee table to stand! She was generously rewarded with Mia voluntarily sharing her ice cream, pity little of it made it to Poppy's enthusiastic taste buds.

Other new Poppy achievements:

Doing: Pointing, clapping and placing hands on he head ('mechi mechi capa-im'), crawling, snooping

Saying: Mama, Dada, Or (light in Hebrew), Boodi (Bear in Hebrew backwards), Book (for Bakbook which is bottle in Hebrew)

Meanwhile Mia continues to amaze me with her compassionate and playful approach to sisterhood, I just hope that continues and that when these girls are in their 80's they still enjoy each other's company

Sister, you're so funny you make me want to gauge my eye out

Today I had special time with Mia, she has a fever but the poor love is still deliciously gorgeous and hasn't complained one bit. It's the first time we've shared a day at home since Pre-Poppy, no offence Poppy, but we've had a time.

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