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!

A lurgy for Christmas

Merry Christmas!

These are my favourite shots of our home decorated for the festive season

Sorry, did I say our home? I meant some stylish stranger's home (check out http://www.doorsixteen.com/ ). Isn't it gorgeous? I like to fantasize (you already know that).

Yes we have three dining rooms!

I had many intentions of turning our house into a shrine of all things beautiful this Christmas but with the busyness of life, little sleep (have I mentioned that before?) and now a lurgy that's attacked me, it wasn't to be.

We did manage to put up the Christmas tree (Hanukkah bush?) and while it looks a little skinny, it's a native this year, one that we can replant into the garden or keep in the pot for next year (so enviro!).

Mia was wrapped to open her little Babushka pocket which signalled the official beginning of the season. This is our advent calendar provided by a very clever friend who always finds the most unique gifts for the girls, and of course for me. It's been a challenge to creatively think up ideas to fill it (rather than chocolate). So everyday, after Mia is dressed and fed she gets to open a little pocket. Sometime it's activities ('catch a tram', or 'give Poppy a massage') other times it's filled with modest treasures (necklace, sticker, or once it had a chocolate reindeer).

She's a little confused as to why there are still some Babushka pockets hanging on our wall, when we've already had Christmas dinner. Due to sister in-law's trip to NZ we celebrated early. Sara prepared a mighty feast and generously ensured we didn't have to lift a finger (thanks sis!) Special guests this year were Luke's aunty and family inc two gorgeous boys around the girls' ages.

Mia and cousin Gill

The girls were spoilt big time with Mia scoring a scooter (or "Scooda" as she calls it) and the iconic Etch a Sketch. Also masses of fabulous books. Last night she went to bed surrounded by all her gorgeous gifts. It's interesting how as children we are compelled to sleep with our favourite new things.... I remember sleeping with many a gift including Mickey Mouse sneakers, Ice Skates (yes was rather dangerous), and rainbow coloured roller skating pads).

Re the Etch A Sketch, as all great gifts go, it's one the parents can also enjoy and it sure has prompted some healthy competition between us. While I considered my next creation, I looked up some other Etch A Sketch doodlers and found this (I'm really getting the hang of this blog world now, there are actual etch-a-sketch bloggers and arteests!):

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=n2AActRrnSE

We are continuing our bake offs and while this year has been too busy for gingerbread architecture, we did manage to bake some men and shapes (and ohh, what shapes...Luke spotted this and subsequently 'styled' the man on the right) which we gave to the precious kindy teachers (don't worry, not the rude ones).

I also must share with you these triage gingerbread men made lovingly by an Icelandic friend in-law... why didn't I think of that?

Same same... but different

The debate has been raging for months (almost eight to be exact). So here is the proof.... tell me what you see (photos taken 5.5 months for Mia and 6 and a bit months for Poppy).

Teeth

I swear I don't eat a thing!

A quick one, I forgot to share the news that Poppy has teeth!

What a terrible Mother I am. She got her first tooth on 20 November (there is a 24 hour discrepancy between Luke and my ETA, but you know who knows best).

Second tooth made its appearance on the morning of Mia's concert (7 December).

Torture Take 2

I spoke too soon........we have had one testing week. After our brief respite Poppy has been waking every night at least once, but often 2-3 times, as has Mia! Consequently, we are totally stuffed feeling rather Zombie like.

A friend's midweek spoil at Nobu (complete with valet parking was so fun and delicious, I'm having culinary flashbacks) provided temporary relief from motherhood only to be cut short by a desperate text from Luke asking that I come home as Poppy was inconsolable (this is the 3rd time it's happened and Luke isn't the type to begrudge me a night out). We did manage however to have a successful dinner out with friends with both girls behaving beautifully, until the Grandparents left of course, then the circus resumed.

By Thursday, I was so spent, Luke had to come home early from work and take over.

Further to Poppy's no-sleep policy, she is still the non-eater. If there is anything food-like to infiltrate her mouth, these are the conditions of entry: It must...
1. Be placed in front of Poppy, not handed to Poppy
2. Be self feeding item
3. Not be presented on a spoon (cutlery is strictly prohibited)
4. Be smooth in texture

Once all of these codes are followed, there is some chance of Poppy sucking on the food. HOWEVER, should any bit break off and make it's own independent journey past the point of return, Poppy is so resentful it actually makes her shiver. She also has the occasional gag.

She also refuses the bottle. The health nurse has advised she is therefore to progress straight through to a sipping cup. So I bought four different types (just to be sure). Nonetheless, she has quickly developed a passive aggressive relationship with these cups, totally ignoring them even when they're bounced right in front of her.

Considering I'll be back at work in less than a month her reliance on my boobs is rather stressful... apparently she'll just have to adjust.

Despite all of the above, Poppy still manages to enjoy her days, is mostly content and is prone to fits of smiles & laughter, and it's usually in the company of Mia. The other day, unbeknown st to my mum or I, Mia took a break from her nudi 'swim' outside to visit Poppy while she slept. A while past so I crept in to check on the girls. I found Mia dancing stark naked in Poppy's room, while Poppy lay in her cot, wide awake and laughing so hard, she nearly choked. Mia had turned up the music in Poppy's room and was demonstrating her dancing routine.

It was the same dance routine she performed yesterday at her dance school's annual end of year concert (Mia on the right in the following 2 pics). After dropping her off to a couple of rehearsals (all very top secret, no parents allowed), it was a thrill to actually get to see her and her little gorgeous friends perform. I cried so much, I could barely see her... I know, ridiculous, but the combination of sleepless nights and watching Mia, barely 3 and a half y.o. (and also sleep deprived) was overwhelming. Mia was brilliant and did all the moves. Most of the time she looked quite pleased with herself and carried her usual cheeky grin, however, there were moments I could see her looking for us, but with the lights shining bright on stage, the audience area was in full darkness.

Thanks to the grandparents and friends that made up the Mia cheer squad, inc Poppy (loved it) who also had to put up with some super cheesy, glitzy & cheap numbers from the older dancers.

Mia in the front, 2nd from the right

So I feel a bit mean titling this post Torture II, when it could have easily been called 'Sparkle Magic' . It does amaze me what happens in this place in the space of a single week.

I'll leave you with one last thing, Poppy's first time on a swing, Mia was so excited for her!