for ten years

Me: I'm going to go take a shower.
Q: Tinty stay with papa...for ten years.

Guess how long elephant babies stay with their mamas. Yup, ten years.

And then in a weekend mad rush to get the most out of our Entertainment Book which expires tomorrow, it was off to Wholly Bagel for lunch and to buy one dozen, and get one free.

We were not deterred by the swells that threatened to eat us, nor by the come-from-nowhere hail.

While at Wholly Bagel, Q played so nicely with a 4-year-old boy named Charlie. He was such a gentle, clever, and well-mannered boy. His parents were American. He reminded me so much of my nephew Thomas, in looks and demeanor. Imagining how much Q would love to play with his cousins made my heart ache a little.

another birthday celebration

This morning we had a birthday celebration with my antenatal group. We have a small group...just five families. One of the other mums organized it all, and despite our protests, paid for it all too. Very generous. Just the mums and tots. It was held at a child-friendly cafe that has a great play area, a couple private party rooms, and a story-telling Wonderland. We each brought a $10 gift and did a lucky dip. Q's favorite parts were seeing his friends, eating marshmallows, and riding the bouncy horse. Inside the Wonderland, he was fascinated by the parrot, the teddy bear picnic, and the rocking chair that Goldilocks broke.

I think we can officially call Q's birthday over until next year! Next up, the Queen, followed by Jeremy.

cool kids at PS22

Don't you just love how each and every one of these kids is totally into it and completely uninhibited?

It inspires me and makes me happy.

progress

Our little one has become a bit discerning in the food department over the last few months. Not liking things that once upon a time were his favorite. Once a fruitarian, now he's down to five. If meals aren't on a very regular rotation, it's like trying to get him to try it for the first time again. I wouldn't necessarily call him picky. He eats a pretty good variety of foods, but he's a selective eater. One to stare down his nose at dinner, carefully examining what's on the spoon with squinted eyes and a wrinkled forehead. And he can be very stubborn. It's frustrating, but we've tried to be relaxed about it. Not forcing things. In the moment that can certainly be hard though. But we continue to offer him things until he hopefully one day learns to like it.

And today was one of those days.

Mandarins. I consider them to be the perfect take anywhere, no knife required fruit, so liking them is pretty crucial in my mind. And he loved them when they were last in season. So after a month of me trying to get him to eat mandarins, and him occasionally trying a section but immediately spitting it out, telling me they are either "too spicy" or "too sour", he ate one. And half of mine. Just like that. And loved it.

Sometimes even the littlest things are worth celebrating.

Actually this whole week he has been very adventurous and oddly accepting of pretty much everything that has been on the table. Initially not wanting to try the Tomato Barley Soup (again that he loved as a baby), but then devouring it. Asking for seconds of a meat and veg lasagne. Gobbling up his WeetBix with grated apple and banana instead of with the blueberries he is accustomed to.

Maybe he has turned a corner.

replenishing our vitamin D stores

"jumping coat"

(during an after-dinner "uppercising" session)

Quincy: (pleadingly) Jumping coat.
Me: What?
Quincy: Jumping coat. Jumping coat.
Me: I'm not sure what you mean.
Quincy: Jumping jacket. Jumping coat.
Me: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, jumping jacks?
Quincy: (relieved) Yes!

lingering wild weather

Nothing new for windy Wellington as winter approaches, but we've had a week of dreadful weather (taking a much-appreciated break on Q's birthday though.) Some crazy storms. Non-stop rain. Wicked southerlies. And seriously cold. According to the Dominion Post, "It was a particularly foul, miserable, and revolting weekend." Couldn't have said it better myself. "Revolting" is particularly appropriate.

And because I like numbers, here is how this past weekend measured up...

13.9 metres: maximum swell in Cook Strait
148 kilometres/hour: strongest wind gust
8 degrees Celsius: lowest temperature (Not a big deal, unless you don't have central heating or an insulated home!)
50 millimetres: rainfall in a 24-hour period

I'm so glad we were able to hibernate all weekend. In fact, we've only left the house twice in the last week. Heavenly for the homebody in me, but we've all been recovering from one thing or another, and I'm more than ready to chuck these in the bin...

As you can imagine, the clothesline hasn't seen much activity all week. (The clothes don't dry too fast on the indoor rack in this cold, damp weather, let me tell you!)

I managed to catch a 2-minute glimpse of the sun. Not quite enough to satisfy the RDI of vitamin D, I suspect.

Definitely a perfect day for soup. We made a big pot of Tomato Barley Soup this morning. I love when dinner is ready long before we even eat lunch. Such a carefree feeling the rest of the day.

And now Q is sleeping and I'm going to carry on scrapbooking. I need to finish a layout I foolishly started at 11 last night. Thanks to the lingering wild weather and the hibernation, I'm on a bit of a roll after a two-month break.

Maybe someday I might tackle those first birthday pics!

happy birthday little guy!

happy mother's day

It was a happy mother's day here...low key with plenty of time for cuddles.

And I received my first homemade card from the one who made me a mother. A treasure.

I only wish I could have given my mom a hug today.

lone star in the dark

Once upon a time, in New Orleans, when we were young and childless, we went out to dinner a lot. These days, it is a rarity. Sure it was fun to try out new places and dine with friends and drink a bit more than was necessary, but I kind of like that it's now a real treat to go out to eat. Something to be excited about.

Tonight we went to Lone Star Cafe and Bar (similar to a T.G.I.F.), and it was so much fun to experience the newness and excitement of it all through Quincy's eyes. Heck he was even excited to be going out when it was dark (we left at 6 o'clock!). Pretty telling of our social life really! (I commented to Jeremy that if we lived in Cincinnati, Q wouldn't think that going out after dark was strange at all. And Jeremy replied that we would have to have two cars so that he could go home at a reasonable hour because he was not going to be one of the in-laws asleep on the floor in the other room!)

Initially he kept looking around, wide-eyed and happy, saying "Lotsa people fancy dinner".

His drink was probably the biggest hit of the night. Milk in a tall glass with a straw is apparently the best thing since...well, since rubbish trucks (this week's obsession).

And then his kid's meal dessert arrived. I think the photo speaks for itself.

But as it usually does when you take a toddler out past their bedtime, it all turned to custard in the end. His world came crashing down the moment I got in the driver's seat and papa got in "mama's seat". He was tired. It was unexpected. He likes to have order. Not too hard to figure out, but it sure is interesting how young stereotypes can form.

fyi

The entire first page of the blog is filled with new posts. That's 16 new posts in two days. I'm officially blogged out!

simple pleasures.

• Hearing the words "thank you mama", especially when they haven't been requested.
• Starting a brand new bar of ecoSTORE soap.



• Realizing you took full advantage of a lone fine day sandwiched between many grim ones.





• Taking a long, hot, (quiet) shower on a cold rainy day.
• Eating your 5+ a day without even realizing it.
• Catching a glimpse of your reflection in your child's eyes.
• Not having to cook dinner all week because your husband made big pots of chicken gumbo and spaghetti bolognese on Sunday. (Even if the okra is kinda stringy by the fourth day:)
• Watching your child's imagination take amazing shape before your eyes.
• Cooking a nutritious lunch and watching a certain someone gobble it up.
• Coming home from a family picnic/dog walk, loading up your photos, and having your heart skip several beats.



• Getting caught up on Project 365. (Well this is a pleasure I hope to experience again by Sunday night. The photos are no problem, it's keeping up with the journaling that I find difficult.)
• Hearing your child's laughter. What sound could be better than that?



• Rediscovering an overlooked photo.

two-year-old check up

Today we went to see the Plunket nurse for Q's two-year-old check up. He was very excited. He loves trips the doctor and often asks to go. There are always good toys in doctor's offices. He was disappointed we were going in our car though and had expected to travel there via ambulance. But he was all geared up nonetheless.

At one point she asked him how he brushes his teeth. His matter-of-fact response... "In the bathroom."

The visit didn't disappoint. Once he'd had enough though, he walked to the door, turned and waved, saying "Bye Plunket nurse."

broken hearts and forgiveness

Unfortunately I missed the final picture in this series. I had to take my mamarazzi hat off and put my mama one on. My boy's heart was broken. It lasted all of 5 seconds and Berkley was forgiven. I love that he doesn't know how to hold a grudge. Much like a dog in that respect.

what's wrong with this picture?

Jeremy loves the next one on the left because it looks like he's asking a question. And the one on the right cracks me up because it is the first time I've ever seen him holding a book upside down. Ever since he could hold a book, he'd immediately turn it around if it wasn't already right-side up. In fact, in the Dr. Seuss ABC book he turns the book around on the page with the upsidedown camel on the ceiling.

muffin cup mondays

I got this idea from another blog...once a week serving up lunch in a muffin tin. It's a great way to introduce new things or to try to get him to like something. He's become a bit picky lately, turning his nose up at things he used to love. It can be frustrating. Paybacks are hell, right mom?

today was a good day

Today a little boy played in a big pine forest.

Today we had some much-needed quality family time. Good, wholesome, simple fun. The best kind.

Today we went on a hike and brought along a picnic to have amidst the enormous pines.

Today I impressed my(out-of-shape)self by carrying my 14kg monkey in the backpack for three fourths of the way, until we stopped for lunch.

Today Quincy impressed himself by then walking the rest of the way, with many stops to gather stones, of course.

Today Jeremy was able to clear his head and destress just a little bit.

Today the dogs were in their element.

Today we hunted for pinecones and mushrooms, crossed several bridges, and always stopped to watch the bubbling stream.

Today we got a rare family photo that includes the pups, thanks to the self-timer and a few perfectly arranged tree stumps.

Today I took some of my all-time favorite photos. They made my heart smile. This being one of them...

Today was a good day.