Jetlag is almost cured. Children now back to their usual bedtime and crack-of-dawn wake time. The 10am wakings were good while they lasted…for a whole two days.
I want to give a medal to all of the people who have successfully parented a child through the ages of two and three and lived to tell the tale. Seriously y’all, this shit takes some reserves of patience and inner strength that I may have to hire excavating equipment to find within me.
I am scaring myself with how many times a day I wish I could freeze The Noble Baby in his current state, at nearly 10 months old. He is so much fun right now — getting into everything, becoming really curious about the world around him and increasingly mobile (started crawling on our holiday!), babbling and starting to repeat gestures and laughing at silly faces and noises. I look at him and squeal “You are so freakin’ adorable” and coo and pinch his cheeks at least five times a day, like I’m some great spinster aunt who just looooooves babies but only ever gets to see one about once every three years and so goes completely overboard when faced with one in the flesh. I love love love this age, it is my absolute favourite. However, it does make me feel a smidgen guilty that I’m dreading him becoming a toddler because then I feel like I’m hatin’ on my daughter for being three, when it’s not her fault that she is so infuriating, annoying and troublesome 50% of the time. Must remember the other, oh-so-hilarious-and-wonderful 50% of her, too.
My sister is here visiting and we break out the wine between 5-6pm nearly every evening. Thank god for sisters, is all I can say, for reminding us that we don’t have to stop drinking when we have kids. And the lady can make a mean, mean cocktail. She is uber-useful, amongst her other great qualities. Love ya, sis!
Someone’s dog(s) keep crapping right on our front drive. I suspect it is my trashy, horrible next-door neighbours (who happen to have three huge dogs) and I have resolved today that if I discover it IS them, I am going to place the messiest, stinkiest, leakiest nappy on their front step one morning, sunny side up. So help me god, I am serious. I’m a vindictive little bitch.
I never get tired of the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
Rachel Maddow could kick Bill O’Reilly’s ass, anytime. And I really wish she would. He needs a beatdown and that news ninja is just the one to give it to him, I think.
My parents and husband suprised me on my 30th birthday while we were in the US by renting out the bed and breakfast where we had our wedding. I had no idea they were planning it and was truly, genuinely surprised, which is such a rarity these days. It was a spectacular walk down memory lane, to have a drink on the same roof where we had our pictures taken in our formal attire; to get in the same hot tub; to sleep (ahem) in the same bed; and eat at the same breakfast table. The owners were away and no one else was there so we had the entire place to ourselves. To kiss my husband on the steps where we said “I do” all those years ago and see our two children playing nearby was the most magical, wonderful birthday present and one I will never forget. Thank you, TNH and the Noble Parents.
I was skinnier immediately after giving birth to TNB than I had been since 2003. I put this down to the magic weight loss diet that is Breastfeeding and happily continued stuffing my face. Unfortunately, when a baby starts on solids and drops even just a couple of feeds, the weight piles back on. And I don’t mean a pound or two overall, I mean like a fucking freight train of fat come to roost in ma belly. That was a complete mangling of the metaphor, but you get my drift. In the last two months (since TNB started on solids in earnest, and after my American holiday), I have gained a whopping 15 lbs! I am not even joking. The trousers I used to need a belt to even keep up are now pretty snug and I feel like a stuffed sausage in my cute summer t-shirts. Right now I am rocking the baby doll shirt and yoga pants look until I can shed some of this weight and get back on track after Gluttonypalooza 2008/09. Yoga classes start on Wednesday and I’m beginning the Couch-to-5k programme a week after that. With a little work and some luck, those pounds will be shed, oh yes.
Finally, a really cool animation of an interview with John Lennon in 1969, by a teenage boy who snuck into his hotel room. Hat tip to the amazing and creatively rich Eris at Welcome to the Planet
Couch to 5K is good stuff. I used the Ullrey podcast, but there’s a blog called kissmyblackass.org (no, really) with C25K podcasts with music that has worked better for me. I’m not all about the techno, but I can run to 90′s hip hop and 80′s pop. And uh…some of the hip hop might inspire some feminist rants.
I want to comment on every bullet point! I’ll spare you the babble.
The 3 year old plus toddler is really challenging. I can honestly say that I do not know anyone who has breezed through this time in life. Those little people push my buttons until I change myself, so it’s ultimately a good thing. Exhausting, but good.
The 3-year-old and toddler thing is so so so true. I had no idea, even though M warned me. And, I really hate to tell you, it only gets worse as they become both mobile. It truly is like herding cats!
The contrast between three year old and adorable baby can be harsh! I’m a few months ahead of you, 3.5 and 16 months and though your post makes me miss the chubbly baby my toddler was I find him still ever adorable, and my daughter showing real sweetness even more often now. Lovely post, thanks.
TNB is so darn adorable, I understand why you want to freeze this time. And while TNC can be trying at times, she is also so absolutely adorable and funny as hell. That girl has some Personality! I think you will find it much easier when she is going to pre-school 4 days a week. She loves and needs that interaction with other kids. And it will get better as she learns to be more easily reasoned with. You are still alive and that is saying something for getting through toddler age! I miss all of you so much already. Starting to plan for our visit over there now.
*weeping* – I am *NOT* missing the next Savage visit state-side. No. I will be there every minute (excepting, of course, any B&B anniversary repeats). However, I, like, Lyn, am going to begin plotting my own visit across the pond. It is such short notice, but I may need to return to Cairo next week, in which case I shall harass you for a layover, if it works for you all. I miss you guys so much. This blog only makes it worse.
Welcome back! I’ve been eagerly waiting for more posts Your 30th sounds divine. Re: the fat train that picks us up after babies start solids, OH YEAH. I’m on it. I packed on 10 almost immediately after he weaned himself (at 14 mos) and another 10 just for grins since then. That breastfeeding thing is a bloody miracle. I (almost) want to get pregnant again just so I can lose the weight – although second time around, I’ll know what’s up and hopefully stay slimmer. One can dream…
Re: toddlers… I so relate. My poor daughter drove me so batty I fear we will never have a good relationship. When the youngest was a newborn I actually cried (hormones, ya know) because I knew that one day I would be yelling and impatient with this tiny, perfect angel. He is now 2 months away from 3 and far from an angel. I cannot wait for it to be over so I can enjoy being a mother again (oh, that sounds so awful, but I know you know what I mean.) I’m just learning that wine at 5pm is the answer…
Couch to 5K is good stuff.
I used the Ullrey podcast, but there’s a blog called kissmyblackass.org (no, really) with C25K podcasts with music that has worked better for me. I’m not all about the techno, but I can run to 90′s hip hop and 80′s pop. And uh…some of the hip hop might inspire some feminist rants. 
What a fantastic birthday present.
I love Eternal Sunshine. my absolute favorite movie ever.
You are so lucky to have gone home and have your sis there with you right after to help you get over home and family withdrawal.
couch to 5k is excellent. so glad you had a great birthday!
I want to comment on every bullet point! I’ll spare you the babble.
The 3 year old plus toddler is really challenging. I can honestly say that I do not know anyone who has breezed through this time in life. Those little people push my buttons until I change myself, so it’s ultimately a good thing. Exhausting, but good.
The 3-year-old and toddler thing is so so so true. I had no idea, even though M warned me. And, I really hate to tell you, it only gets worse as they become both mobile. It truly is like herding cats!
The contrast between three year old and adorable baby can be harsh! I’m a few months ahead of you, 3.5 and 16 months and though your post makes me miss the chubbly baby my toddler was I find him still ever adorable, and my daughter showing real sweetness even more often now. Lovely post, thanks.
What an amazing surprise for your birthday, that sounds idyllic.
Aww fantastic pressie! (well done TNH)
Miss Alora is now just 2 and creating all toddler hell…and ‘Madam’ Poppy is exactly that at 6….urg when does it stop!!!
Fitness sounds good…ummm > Ok, so more wine or jogging?
TNB is so darn adorable, I understand why you want to freeze this time. And while TNC can be trying at times, she is also so absolutely adorable and funny as hell. That girl has some Personality! I think you will find it much easier when she is going to pre-school 4 days a week. She loves and needs that interaction with other kids. And it will get better as she learns to be more easily reasoned with. You are still alive and that is saying something for getting through toddler age! I miss all of you so much already. Starting to plan for our visit over there now.
*weeping* – I am *NOT* missing the next Savage visit state-side. No. I will be there every minute (excepting, of course, any B&B anniversary repeats). However, I, like, Lyn, am going to begin plotting my own visit across the pond. It is such short notice, but I may need to return to Cairo next week, in which case I shall harass you for a layover, if it works for you all. I miss you guys so much. This blog only makes it worse.
I’d love to see a Maddow-O’Reilly bout.
Welcome back! I’ve been eagerly waiting for more posts
Your 30th sounds divine. Re: the fat train that picks us up after babies start solids, OH YEAH. I’m on it. I packed on 10 almost immediately after he weaned himself (at 14 mos) and another 10 just for grins since then. That breastfeeding thing is a bloody miracle. I (almost) want to get pregnant again just so I can lose the weight – although second time around, I’ll know what’s up and hopefully stay slimmer. One can dream…
oh yes, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind… don’t know how often I’ve watched it. Such a fab film
There’s an award waiting for you over at mine
Re: toddlers… I so relate. My poor daughter drove me so batty I fear we will never have a good relationship. When the youngest was a newborn I actually cried (hormones, ya know) because I knew that one day I would be yelling and impatient with this tiny, perfect angel. He is now 2 months away from 3 and far from an angel. I cannot wait for it to be over so I can enjoy being a mother again (oh, that sounds so awful, but I know you know what I mean.) I’m just learning that wine at 5pm is the answer…
Our neighbors leave shit on our lawn too… grrrr!