July a month of birthdays.....

Monday July 28th, 2008

The last couple of weeks have been very hectic for me with J away on business for 10 days, J's birthday celebrations, playdates and summer. I've had to take a break from blogging sorry. But I'm now back again with lots of news....

Today is my 37th Birthday - yeah!! - Happy Birthday to me!!
Well for something different I'm going to celebrate it 2 times! (believe me my friends are surprised, its very unlike me to celebrate my birthday, I think this is from 1. living away from family and 2. After many, many yrs of planning exciting events for various global companies I felt burnt out!)

First event was on Sunday 27th, lovely dinner made by J for me. After Miss S went to bed we relaxed and enjoyed a lovely dinner of chicken stuffed with basil (growing almost wild on our deck!) with bacon wrapped around it, served on a bed of white truffle fettuccine with a side of asparagus! - Yummo. Dessert was chocolate molten cake served with a scoop of Ben and Jerry's latest flavor icecream. Plus I was able to enjoy a glass or two of wine, since I've finally now weaned Miss S - yes sad but true, after the last month of constant biting it was time to stop.

The next celebration will be held in mid August a BBQ for about 8 people. So should be busy couple of days. I figure I haven't properly celebrated by birthday in 10 years so time to dust of the party shoes! I'll post pics later.

J turned the big 40 early this month so finally downloaded some pics to share of his big day.

J enjoying his new birthday present with Miss S

Miss S doing her safety test for Dadda

Miss S playing with the box the hammock came in, entertainment for at least half an hour.

J blowing out his birthday cake

Miss S wondering what is going to happen next

Birthday Cake - coconut with key lime lemon filling!

The birthday boy - infront of his rosemary bush from my family

My moan...

Tuesday July 15th, 2008

I hate rudeness, the other day when I was out shopping with Miss S who was in her stroller not 1or 2 but 3 people refused to open the door for me - grrr. Makes me annoyed that people can be ignorant and refuse to hold open the door. Hay I'm all for women's rights but would it hurt people to hold the door open for a second.

Really I don't understand why people are so rude, when I was growing up I was taught to hold the door open, and say Thank-you and please, Lately I'm encountering alot of young 20 somethings who don't have any manners and understand politeness. Obviously it's not cool to be polite it's a real shame that their parents can't spend some quality time teaching them basic manners.

So next time you are out shopping don't forget to hold open the door for the lady with the stroller. This kind act will bring back it's own rewards to you later.

Sunday last day of the week or beginning!

Sunday, July 13th 2008

It's a funny day Sunday - is it your last day of the week or beginning of a new week? I wonder for me it's the last day of the week. When I was a child we would visit God on a weekly basis this was the beginning of the week, now it's the end. Funny how your feelings and thoughts change. Sunday's have always been the day before back to school or work, now it's just another day for me. Anyway before I bore everyone with my ramble I found this fun word site and decided to make a word cloud describing summer 2008 with S.

Happy Sunday

Oh boy it's Monday.....

Monday, July 7th 2008

Oh how the w/end just flew by for me. Actually the last couple of weeks have been a total blur for me. So much has happened... Let's see.

My family arrived from OZ - first time for them to meet Miss S. A lovely time was had with S meeting Grandpa, Grandma and her Uncle. It's a shame they don't live closer the 20+ hour flight is abit far to just visit for an evening! Let's hope we win lotto!

Sitting with Grandma

S giving Grandpa an Eskimo kiss - a lucky few get this treatment!

After my family left we drove to Traverse City (4 hr drive w/out S) - our first break away with Miss S. Our mini break ended up being only 2 nights (we had originally planned 3 nights, 4 days) after Miss S decided to scream bloody murder each night when going to bed. In order to solve this problem we drove around the town for 1hr - 2 hrs until S finally feel asleep. On the 2nd night we decided it was too much for her and us and packed our stuff so we could leave the next morning. Sorry my holiday pics are not very exciting - our plans of visiting the beach and vineyards went amiss when we decided to leave early.

Leaving home

Driving to "Up North"

My new project - helped make the hours fly by during the drive.

S enjoying her first bath away from home

Separation anxiety

S is going through separation anxiety at the moment, unfortunately we have now resorted to letting S CIO (Cry it out) - I know alot of people are against this but after J and me cuddling her till she fell asleep (40 mins each) and having her wake up the moment you lie her down into her crib, the decision was made lets try CIO. Tonight will be our 3rd night.

S needs to relearn how to fall asleep for all her naps and night sleep, time and patience are now needed and the later is again being tested. I thought we had just gotten over this hurdle of sleeping - we had this problem at 2 months which lasted till 4 months of age at that time it took up to 2 hours of walking and rocking for S to fall asleep. I'm hoping this week will help with everyone gone and her routine going to back to normal, here's hoping that S can get back into her old habits of sleeping - like a baby!

Friday Photo...

Friday June 19th, 2008

Notice that S is wearing the same colours as my gf!! - it's like they planned it.

Strange thing.... when my gf and I worked together yrs ago we often came into work wearing the same colour outfits, so S is just carrying on the tradition - good girl!

Happy Friday everyone.

Learning History...

Wednesday, June 18th 2008

Today I learnt some Australian history. I often use a quote from a former Australian PM - Malcolm Fraser (Prime Minister from 1975-1983) was famous for:

"Life wasn't meant to be easy."

Unfortunately his political opponents seized on the sentence, arguing it revealed the attitude of the privileged and wealthy towards less-fortunate Australians. The words have been fixed to Fraser like a badge of dishonour, but they weren't original.

George Bernard Shaw used them in Back to Methuselah: "Life is not meant to be easy, my child ..." Fraser, however, overlooked the second half of the playwright's sentence: "... but take courage: it can be delightful." It transforms the message.

I'm going to keep on using the original quote with pride, I often repeat it to myself like a mantra when I'm feeling annoyed, overwhelmed or tired. By repeating this to myself I seem to get over my hump and just get on with it.

So that is my Australian history lesson for today... find your own mantra it may help to keep you motivated and focused when you are faced with difficult journey's ahead.

It's Monday start of a new week.

Monday, June 2nd

Wow half way through the year already, one day closer to the beginning of Summer. MI summers are hot and humid but it's a nice break from the winter which is very long (Nov - May). On the w/end I finally washed the winter woolies, hat, scarfs, gloves and put them away, since they won't be needed till later this year.

I heard this interesting comment on the w/end. Thought I would share it -

"I'm allergic to fat - once I eat it I break out in fat."

-I laughed after I heard this, cos it's true. After hearing this I felt motivated to do something extra this week to improve my fitness and well being. I've decided to get up half an hour earlier in the mornings - 5am to get a mini workout. I'll see how that goes and update everyone.

edited - June 3rd - yeap it's been 2 days and am getting up early to fit in the workout.

Christmas in May

Sunday, May 25th

The other day it was like Christmas at our house, no we didn't experience a snowstorm, though it is not unheard of having a snow storm in late May. The Postman Pat truck delivered numerous box's for us. - yeah!!

J rushed into the foyer to inspect the boxes then quickly pounced on a couple and ran upstairs with them, I have since learnt that they where my Mother's Day presents. A midsized box arrived for J, which contained an adapter cable so I can now download photos from my camera phone to the computer - so more S pics!

Plus a huge parcel arrived for Miss S - I picked up the parcel and placed it on the kitchen table, wondering how long it would take for her to notice it. Once she was placed into her chair she immediately noticed the parcel and smiled at me, thinking "its for me...." I told her we would open up the parcel once she had finished her supper.

Who sent S a parcel? (Granny and Grand Dad had sent it from UK). I explained to S that the parcel had traveled on the plane just for her - no excitement at that comment. After opening the package I took out the contents, assorted clothing items and a book. I showed her the dresses and sweater, but they produced no excitement - just a mmmm, nod of the head, and a cute smile.

The big winner was this book , since she already owns a couple of these Touchy, Feely Usborne Books within her library. Well I only had to show her the book, not even open it up and she started to kicking her legs in excitement, moving her hands and arms around in the air, and almost hyperventilating.

Once I gave S the book their was no way she would part with it, so for the next half an hour before bath time I read the book a couple times and let her play with it. Then S read the book and told me, in her language what to touch on each page. S's reaction was adorable, utter amazement and excitement for her new book.

On that day for S Christmas had come early, it's nice to see S starting to recognize and realize that certain things are only for her.

Happiness is....

Monday, May 19th

Wikipedia states the definition of Happiness (also called felicity) is an emotion in which one experiences feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy.

Happiness for S is being pushed in the shopping cart, this produces shrieks of joy and lots of giggles. & When you go outside with the shopping cart the shrieks and giggles become louder once the wind starts blowing through her hair.

Last Friday we visited the local park where S meet up with some of her friends from my exercise class. I placed S in the infant swing, at first she was very unsure about it, but after pushing her a couple of times she understood what was happening and held onto the swing. Next the bout of giggles started producing a huge smile. For S this is pure happiness and joy infact utter contentment.

When you hear S giggle and laugh it only makes you laugh, its very contagious. On Sat she had another play on a swing at a BBQ, J pushed her faster and higher - like only a Daddy can!

On Sun she went in the swing within our subdivision park - though this one was not an infant one and had no support in the front other then a chain! - so I wasn't able to swing her so high and therefore didn't produce has much excitement.

It's lovely that such a simple activity can keep S amused, content and happy. Happiness for me is hearing her giggle, laugh and finding delight in what is new.

I believe that some people are naturally more happy then others, I hope S is happy, content and fulfilled with her life when she is older and still able to find joy from the simple things in life.

When you are content, fulfilled and overall satisfied with your lifestyle/life you are happy. Maybe more people need to find their own "swing set" that will provide them with bouts of giggles, laughter and happiness.