The Ugly
1. The bodily devastation of carrying a child. Although I have to say I am currently lighter than I've been in about 6 years. Just need to work on the tiny front bottom that's arrived due to the tummy muscle massacre.
2. Magoo's occasional inclination to sneeze and spew at the same time. Glorious.
3. Me at 1:30am. Nuff said. Although thank god for a hard drive recorder so I can catch up on Home and Away and Glee.
4. An overtired child. I used to be cynical when friends with kids would harp on about routine or missing a bedtime. I now wholeheartedly apologise to said friends.
5. When his movement monitor goes off in the middle of the night. Bloody thing is inclined to false alarm but I don't dare not use it. Waking up to a beep which COULD mean Magoo has stopped breathing is sheer terror.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Perfect Match
I interrupt the Good, Bad, Ugly and Surprising series to celebrate a very special day. Today, the 13th November, is the 11 year anniversary of Hubby and I being together. Tomorrow will be our 5th wedding anniversary.
Hubby and I met in uni, and were part of a bigger group of friends. At first we didn't think much of each other. I thought he was a bit of a smooth talking, Irish player and he thought I was a short haired, angry little lesbian (no I wasn't a lesbian, I was just in a bit of a male-hating stage).
We hung out lots at the tavern having illusions cocktails and these really god choc chip cookies that they sold. I was apparently "off limits" to him as one of the other guys in the groups had put dibs on me. Obviously angry little lesbians were that guy's type!
I knew there was something between us when (I used to sleep walk and talk) I found myself sitting up in bed one night having an imaginary conversation with him and laughing my head off. I figured any person that I could laugh like that with, especially in my dreams, was someone I wanted to be with always.
We have supported each other through exams, long hours starting our careers, further study, living apart for four years, building a house, travelling lots, and always demanding jobs. And we have always adored each other.
And June this year we gave each other the best gift we could, our beautiful little Magoo. I wouldn't want to go through the parenting experience with anyone else.
Hubby, you are the most amazing partner a girl could ever hope for. You are super intelligent, faithful, mega handsome, funny, reliable and all the rest. I love you so so much and look forward to the rest of our lives together, whatever may come.
And I bet you're glad I'm no longer a short-haired, male hating angry little twit anymore too :)
Happy Anniversary hun.
xoxo
Hubby and I met in uni, and were part of a bigger group of friends. At first we didn't think much of each other. I thought he was a bit of a smooth talking, Irish player and he thought I was a short haired, angry little lesbian (no I wasn't a lesbian, I was just in a bit of a male-hating stage).
We hung out lots at the tavern having illusions cocktails and these really god choc chip cookies that they sold. I was apparently "off limits" to him as one of the other guys in the groups had put dibs on me. Obviously angry little lesbians were that guy's type!
I knew there was something between us when (I used to sleep walk and talk) I found myself sitting up in bed one night having an imaginary conversation with him and laughing my head off. I figured any person that I could laugh like that with, especially in my dreams, was someone I wanted to be with always.
We have supported each other through exams, long hours starting our careers, further study, living apart for four years, building a house, travelling lots, and always demanding jobs. And we have always adored each other.
And June this year we gave each other the best gift we could, our beautiful little Magoo. I wouldn't want to go through the parenting experience with anyone else.
Hubby, you are the most amazing partner a girl could ever hope for. You are super intelligent, faithful, mega handsome, funny, reliable and all the rest. I love you so so much and look forward to the rest of our lives together, whatever may come.
And I bet you're glad I'm no longer a short-haired, male hating angry little twit anymore too :)
Happy Anniversary hun.
xoxo
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and the Surprising Part 2
The Bad
1. "Number Threes" - the ad with the explosion in the car is not far off the truth. Once every few days a poo comes along that is, short of gaffer taping a whole packet of Huggies and a couple of Tena Ladies thrown in for good measure to his arse, impossible to contain.
2. Spews, Spews, Spews. Dear Lord that child can't keep his tucker and it drives me nuts. Beware a certain grin as it is his way of saying "Get ready Mum I've got something for ya!!"
3. The fact that everyone has an opinion on how you should parent. Honestly people, if you feel so strongly about it go and have one of your own. And to older people, parenting has come a long way.. deal with it.
4. Not being able to pop into the shops for a loaf of bread etc. Although I have become very well acquainted with my local Maccas drive through.
5. Having so little time to myself to read, relax or even write a blog every now and then.
6. Stressing every minute of the day about Magoo's health, future and happiness. But I am a worrier, so not everyone would experience that.
7. The loss of an income. I LIKED earning money. Although apparently a full time mother and housewife's equivalent is about $160K per year - pay up hubby!!
8. Stupid hormones combined with hours of being on my own. I get weird. Picture dancing with pure joy to the new 7Two TV channel "It's Time" song, and belting out the old Home and Away theme song (the Early Years is on - I am in heaven).
9. The fact that as a stay at home mum, Home and Away the early years being on represents heaven (see point 8). It all just becomes a little bit desperate...
1. "Number Threes" - the ad with the explosion in the car is not far off the truth. Once every few days a poo comes along that is, short of gaffer taping a whole packet of Huggies and a couple of Tena Ladies thrown in for good measure to his arse, impossible to contain.
2. Spews, Spews, Spews. Dear Lord that child can't keep his tucker and it drives me nuts. Beware a certain grin as it is his way of saying "Get ready Mum I've got something for ya!!"
3. The fact that everyone has an opinion on how you should parent. Honestly people, if you feel so strongly about it go and have one of your own. And to older people, parenting has come a long way.. deal with it.
4. Not being able to pop into the shops for a loaf of bread etc. Although I have become very well acquainted with my local Maccas drive through.
5. Having so little time to myself to read, relax or even write a blog every now and then.
6. Stressing every minute of the day about Magoo's health, future and happiness. But I am a worrier, so not everyone would experience that.
7. The loss of an income. I LIKED earning money. Although apparently a full time mother and housewife's equivalent is about $160K per year - pay up hubby!!
8. Stupid hormones combined with hours of being on my own. I get weird. Picture dancing with pure joy to the new 7Two TV channel "It's Time" song, and belting out the old Home and Away theme song (the Early Years is on - I am in heaven).
9. The fact that as a stay at home mum, Home and Away the early years being on represents heaven (see point 8). It all just becomes a little bit desperate...
The Good, The Bad, the Ugly and the Surprising Part 1
Friends without kids keep asking me what are the good and bad things about having Magoo.
The Good:
1. Having a guaranteed smile in the morning when you go to get him up.
2. Watching all his quirky habits as they develop. Current favs are blowing raspberries and sucking his toes. Priceless.
3. Making jokes with Hubby about what we think he is thinking. Imagine Stewie Griffin voice and a very cheeky child.
4. Laughing at farts.
5. Laughing at poo sounds.
6. His hands gently (and sometimes not so gently) patting my face and neck
7. When he laughs. I read once that hearing your child laugh is the greatest feeling in the world and I agree.
8. Seeing the world through his eyes. It's impossible to feel jaded when you begin to see the lawn or a leaf as fascinating.
9. The satisfaction of creating and nurturing one of tomorrow's strong and brilliant men, which I just know Magoo is going to be.
The Good:
1. Having a guaranteed smile in the morning when you go to get him up.
2. Watching all his quirky habits as they develop. Current favs are blowing raspberries and sucking his toes. Priceless.
3. Making jokes with Hubby about what we think he is thinking. Imagine Stewie Griffin voice and a very cheeky child.
4. Laughing at farts.
5. Laughing at poo sounds.
6. His hands gently (and sometimes not so gently) patting my face and neck
7. When he laughs. I read once that hearing your child laugh is the greatest feeling in the world and I agree.
8. Seeing the world through his eyes. It's impossible to feel jaded when you begin to see the lawn or a leaf as fascinating.
9. The satisfaction of creating and nurturing one of tomorrow's strong and brilliant men, which I just know Magoo is going to be.
Friday, October 30, 2009
No Flash Forward Please
So we ran into some friends that we hadn't seen for awhile the other day. It was the first time they had seen Magoo, and one of the first questions they asked was "so when's the next one coming?" Strangely, we get this alot. I don't mind close friends discussing this when we have a good chat, because it is then more about my overall life plan. But throwaway questions from those further removed really give me the shits!
Why is it that everyone is so preoccupied with the next milestone in each other's lives that we are completely ignoring what's going on right now? Poor Magoo is still pretty fresh out of the oven, yet already we have to be talking about the next one? Is what we are doing right now not enough of an interesting story?
I shouldn't be surprised though. When I was in high school it was "what are you going to do at uni?". When at uni it was "where are you going to work?". Got a boyfriend - "when are you getting engaged?". Got engaged it was "have you set a date yet?" Got married it was "when are the kids coming" etc etc.
But I wonder when is the end-point of enquiring about someone's future? In 40 years time will we all be asking each other: "how's the prostate holding up?", "How long do you think that hip's going to last?", or even just "Think you'll bite the big one this year?"
Please give the poor new mum's uterus and other reproductive gadgets a break. I can unequivocally say that even if hubby and I had the time or energy to get back "baking" we are focusing on Magoo and loving him is more than enough for us right now.
Why is it that everyone is so preoccupied with the next milestone in each other's lives that we are completely ignoring what's going on right now? Poor Magoo is still pretty fresh out of the oven, yet already we have to be talking about the next one? Is what we are doing right now not enough of an interesting story?
I shouldn't be surprised though. When I was in high school it was "what are you going to do at uni?". When at uni it was "where are you going to work?". Got a boyfriend - "when are you getting engaged?". Got engaged it was "have you set a date yet?" Got married it was "when are the kids coming" etc etc.
But I wonder when is the end-point of enquiring about someone's future? In 40 years time will we all be asking each other: "how's the prostate holding up?", "How long do you think that hip's going to last?", or even just "Think you'll bite the big one this year?"
Please give the poor new mum's uterus and other reproductive gadgets a break. I can unequivocally say that even if hubby and I had the time or energy to get back "baking" we are focusing on Magoo and loving him is more than enough for us right now.
Monday, October 26, 2009
GALL Movie Review - Election
Since having Magoo we don't get out much on Friday and Saturday nights. We are therefore at the mercy of whatever the television stations can dredge up from the depths of their viewing library. It is common knowledge that weekend television is pretty much crap, and I like to think of it as the TV people's way of punishing us for being at home at these times - I call it "GALL", or "Get A Life, Loser" television. Better Homes and Gardens and the near monthly repetition of Mean Girls and True Lies are good examples of GALL television.
But occasionally someone, somewhere takes pity on us GALL viewers and puts a real pearler on, as they did on Friday night.
If you haven't seen "Election", with Reece Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, then get thee to the nearest Video Ezy and check it out. It's a black comedy based around a high school presidential election, with the painfully annoying Reece Witherspoon running for class president, and Matthew Broderick's initially squeaky clean teacher watching his life disintegrate around him. It's got adultery, lesbianism, backstabbing and bee stings and is bloody funny.
But I would like to point out that I in fact recorded this one as I was out - yes OUT for the first time in a looong time (woot woot!).. Thanks for a great night Bee :)
But occasionally someone, somewhere takes pity on us GALL viewers and puts a real pearler on, as they did on Friday night.
If you haven't seen "Election", with Reece Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, then get thee to the nearest Video Ezy and check it out. It's a black comedy based around a high school presidential election, with the painfully annoying Reece Witherspoon running for class president, and Matthew Broderick's initially squeaky clean teacher watching his life disintegrate around him. It's got adultery, lesbianism, backstabbing and bee stings and is bloody funny.
But I would like to point out that I in fact recorded this one as I was out - yes OUT for the first time in a looong time (woot woot!).. Thanks for a great night Bee :)
Ikea - keeping Aussies in line since 1975
The other day Hubby, Mother in Law and I took Magoo to Ikea for the first time. I don't know how other countries feel about Ikea but Australians just love the place.
We love the ingenuity, the organisation, the value for money (oh us Aussies are such a bargain driven lot), and of course the ball room. Despite the fact that I am about 20 years too old for the ball room I still fantasise about having a turn in there. From recent conversations I know I'm not alone...
To Australians, Ikea is like a symbol of all things European, and don't we just love to get away from our stubbies, pies and footy for a bit of European elegance... mate.
But it does crack me up how we flock there by the thousands despite the fact that Ikea and it's "co-workers" (no not employees, staff or workers, but "co-workers") contravene so many of Australia's conventions. Allow me to elaborate:
Convention 1 - Australians have a God-given right to take trolleys into the car park as they please and if you are lucky we may return them to the trolley collection thingy but we still reserve our right to leave them anywhere we wish... mate.
At Ikea not only do they want you to return your trolley to a particular place but there are bloody great bollards surrounding the exit to make it physically impossible to take your trolley into the car park area. Of course it is also impossible to easily get in or out with a pram as we found out...
Convention 2 - Australians have a God-given right to receive as many plastic or other bags as they wish upon purchasing even the smallest item. For we will use them as garbage bags later on - hence we are recycling... mate.
At Ikea you can pay for a paper or reusable plastic bag. Don't get me wrong on this, I think Australia is pathetically behind European countries in cutting out plastic bags, but the "20 cents for a bag!!!" comments I was hearing cracked me up.
Convention 3 - Australians, upon paying for food, have a God-given right to make as much mess as we please and don't even think of asking us to put anything away... mate.
At Ikea when you have finished your food you must return the tray and contents to a big rack at the side of the cafeteria. I think this is quite reasonable, but I watched with eager anticipation as a couple of young guys got up and went to walk away without clearing their table. Sure enough, a "co-worker" appeared like an Oompa Loompa (I don't mean he was short, just fast and well-timed) and instructed the young blokes to clear their table. Despite looking as though they'd been asked to slice off half an arse-cheek and wrap it as a Christmas ham, they dutifully did as they were told.
Whenever I'm at Ikea I just can't help but feel that we are all pretending, that we are made to behave in a way that is so very against our great Aussie instincts. So why do we do it? Is it that we want to be seen to be oh so Euro chic? Is it that we picture a couple of Swedish brutes called Jan and Sven waiting to pounce on us at any minute should we put a foot wrong? Or is it that we are afraid that if we don't behave, Ikea will pack up all it's stuff and go back to Sweden and we will never get to buy an Akut kitchen utensil set for $1.95 ever again?
PS The Daim cake is great.. mate.
We love the ingenuity, the organisation, the value for money (oh us Aussies are such a bargain driven lot), and of course the ball room. Despite the fact that I am about 20 years too old for the ball room I still fantasise about having a turn in there. From recent conversations I know I'm not alone...
To Australians, Ikea is like a symbol of all things European, and don't we just love to get away from our stubbies, pies and footy for a bit of European elegance... mate.
But it does crack me up how we flock there by the thousands despite the fact that Ikea and it's "co-workers" (no not employees, staff or workers, but "co-workers") contravene so many of Australia's conventions. Allow me to elaborate:
Convention 1 - Australians have a God-given right to take trolleys into the car park as they please and if you are lucky we may return them to the trolley collection thingy but we still reserve our right to leave them anywhere we wish... mate.
At Ikea not only do they want you to return your trolley to a particular place but there are bloody great bollards surrounding the exit to make it physically impossible to take your trolley into the car park area. Of course it is also impossible to easily get in or out with a pram as we found out...
Convention 2 - Australians have a God-given right to receive as many plastic or other bags as they wish upon purchasing even the smallest item. For we will use them as garbage bags later on - hence we are recycling... mate.
At Ikea you can pay for a paper or reusable plastic bag. Don't get me wrong on this, I think Australia is pathetically behind European countries in cutting out plastic bags, but the "20 cents for a bag!!!" comments I was hearing cracked me up.
Convention 3 - Australians, upon paying for food, have a God-given right to make as much mess as we please and don't even think of asking us to put anything away... mate.
At Ikea when you have finished your food you must return the tray and contents to a big rack at the side of the cafeteria. I think this is quite reasonable, but I watched with eager anticipation as a couple of young guys got up and went to walk away without clearing their table. Sure enough, a "co-worker" appeared like an Oompa Loompa (I don't mean he was short, just fast and well-timed) and instructed the young blokes to clear their table. Despite looking as though they'd been asked to slice off half an arse-cheek and wrap it as a Christmas ham, they dutifully did as they were told.
Whenever I'm at Ikea I just can't help but feel that we are all pretending, that we are made to behave in a way that is so very against our great Aussie instincts. So why do we do it? Is it that we want to be seen to be oh so Euro chic? Is it that we picture a couple of Swedish brutes called Jan and Sven waiting to pounce on us at any minute should we put a foot wrong? Or is it that we are afraid that if we don't behave, Ikea will pack up all it's stuff and go back to Sweden and we will never get to buy an Akut kitchen utensil set for $1.95 ever again?
PS The Daim cake is great.. mate.
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