Sticky Baby

Hold up...wait a minute...

2011-07-06T09:19:00.000+02:00

Everyone hates a boaster, but I just had to share...

Guys, guess where I'm going next Wednesday??

SHUT UP! I KNOW!

THE COOK ISLANDS, Pacific Island Paradise, heaven.....

I got booked on a job there for 3 days and 3 nights!!!!!! I AM DYING RIGHT NOW!!

Anyone feel like being human origami and folding themselves up into my luggage?

Thought so....

Milestone reached

2011-07-05T06:13:00.000+02:00

Papadada and I had just about given up on ever 'doing lunch' again. "Until we are 54 years old, something like that", we had said to one another, our words laced with longing and pain. With much sorrow, we bade farewell to our chic and funky lunch spots, trading in our freshly toasted foccacias and skim-soy-lattes for DIY baby-food and Ikea high chairs. Welcome to parent-hood, right?

21 months and a couple of weeks on....

TA-DA!!!

We have ourselves a new lunch date!

Waitress? Party of 3, please:)

Ok, so the lunch locations are uber-child friendly meaning not all that cutting-edge, nor chic. But hey, at least we're back on the scene!

And look! Not even a high-chair in sight. Gee whiz, Sticky Baby, you've come a long way, kiddo.

(PS: How downright FREAK-AY that the table number is 21?!?!?)

Sticky Piccie

2011-07-04T06:16:00.000+02:00

"If I stay very still, maybe they won't find me.I knew I wore this red turtle-neck for a reason....D'oh, the green balloon is a dead giveaway!"

Just a little something I prepared earlier...

2011-06-20T08:57:00.001+02:00

An unusual burst of midday energy made me do this:

This wee project required paint, painter's tape, a brush, and some double-sided tape. And of course some chalk. I purchased the board in one of those dollar stores that smell funny. The original frame was a boring pine colour, hence the dire need to re-paint it white. The rest? Piece of cake. Easy peasy. Yes, you can call me Martha....

The little quote was not a midday stroke of genius. I stole it from some wall decal website. Sue me. (Actually, please don't. Consider it flattery.) The minute I laid eyes on those words, I knew it had to take pride of place in Sticky Baby's room. It is him down to a T!

You likey?

As he grows up, I intend to change the 'mumma message'. When he is 12, I might write something along the lines of, "Yo tween..youre attitude is totally not toasting my bagel. Change it or your father's foot is going to land dangerously close to your butt". Ahhh, so many uses!

Anyhow, Sticky Baby's room is slowly coming together. Another little project or two and it should be ready for the big reveal...

Love letter

2011-06-14T12:44:00.001+02:00

Well, It's about time for a letter to the fruit of my loins, (one day when you're, like, 16 and feral, you will want to vomit at those words. Suck it up teen-boy! Mama and Papa made rompy-pomp and consequently bore the most beautiful piece of fruit known to man-kind. There!)

Ok, so you're 21 months old. You're nearly 2 bubba! TWO! I find myself in stitches at least once a day, rollicking with laughter at your antics. You are so incredibly funny. You find joy and excitement in the smallest of things. You remind me of the simplicity and wonder of life. The core of our humanity. Love and laughter.

You are a human parrot. You will repeat any word we throw at you. "Barbecue", we will say. "Ba-qu-qu" you will confidently belt out. "Gorgeous", I will throw at you. "Gooorg-is", you will coo. Daddy will say, "Basketball". You will echo, "Ba-ket-ball". AH! Is there anything better than hearing you speak? I think not. The other morning, you surprised us with your very first sentence - "Kick the ball". You really are your father's son.

At night, when I put you to bed, you demand I sing you an impressive repertoire of nursery rhymes. "Row Row?" you ask, extending your arms in a rowing motion. And then, "Pie-pie" as you attempt the Incy Wincy Spider action. Followed by "Baaa-baaaaaaa" in your best bleating sound. I melt. And I stand there, rendition after rendition of 'Row your Boat' and 'ABC', more in love with you with every verse I sing.

You have discovered your father's passion for all things cars, remote controls, bikes and machines. Almost every hour on the hour you will ask me for your '"Fixit", which is the house-hold screwdriver. You just want to fix whatever you can - the door knobs, your bean bag, your leaky sippy cup, the neighbour's cat. You imitate your father sooooo much! And don't get me started about your cars and "Mo-to-mikes". When Daddy bought you your first slot car set the other day, well, weren't you the happiest little boy alive! Mind you, Daddy isn't quite ready to let go of the controls yet, so the best you can do is watch the cars whiz by and occasionally lunge at the tracks!

You're really starting to enjoy a few television shows here and there. Your favourite of all is "Giggle and Hoot", a terrific blue owl and his best friend Jimmy. If you could crawl into the TV set to kiss them, you would. "Hooty, hooty!" you call out! I think I know what kind of birthday cake I'll make for your 2nd birthday....

You dance like no one's watching, which is a phrase we adults try and live by. Well, my little boy, you are my daily reminder to let loose and release my inhibitions! You stomp and you spin and you wave your little hands in no particular rhythm, but it all makes sense to you.

Your language skills are quite remarkable. You understand absolutely everything we are saying. Your father and I have even reached that parental milestone of s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g things out. That's how switched on you are with words. And your confidence is astounding! I could ask you whether you agreed with the new tax being introduced next financial year, and you will look me straight in the eyes and say, 'Zheah'. That's how you say 'Yeah'. 'Zheah'. It's going to catch on.

You FREAK us out with your counting skills. Papa can start counting, "1, 2" and you will pipe up in the next room whilst playing with your blocks, "3". Your daddy and I couldn't believe it the first time it happened. And it keeps happening! All the way up to 8! You'll interject with your favourite numbers here and there. Genius boy.

You love to kiss everything. You love Bob, the neighbour's cat, you kiss him until he runs out of the yard. You love your stuffed animals and toys. Where there only used to be 'Ra-Ra' the blue rabbit in your cot, there now is 'Ba-Ba', the white sheep and occasionally 'Papy' the golliwog. Crowded house.

And to top off these past 24 months, you have finally, FINALLY evolved into a cuddle-bug. You follow me around saying, "Cuddo, Cuddo mummy". I die.

You are obsessed with your grandparents. You have given each of them quite unique names. No help from us, this is allllllll you:

Babo
Manini
Po
Mania

Yep, special!

You continue to love balloons and bubbles, slippery slides and cherry tomatoes. Thanks to Po, you have discovered the delight of chocolate. No going back now...

Dropping you at school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is so exciting. You are in love with your teacher, Nathalie, saying "Nathie" almost every day! Your little friends call you 'Wemy' because they too cannot pronounce 'Rs'. Too cute for words.

My heart is full every time I look at your olive skin, your golden hair, those blue eyes, and that cheeky grin.

Bring on the big 2nd birthday! It's going to be a doozy!

Separated at birth?

2011-06-13T23:21:00.000+02:00

I guess that makes Papadada 'The Skipper' and me, 'Ginger'? (or Mrs Howell on a bad day...)

Note: Picked up that little white hat at Target for $1.01! Bargain of the millennium!

Medicated

2011-06-09T22:50:00.000+02:00

This evening, whilst I was preparing dinner, Sticky Baby decided that Bob, the neighbour's cat, needed a dose of Baby Nurofen..

Drawing back the syring-y thing.....

(he grabbed it out of the top drawer, sneaky bugger)

Aiming in the whisker vicinity....

"Me not meant to medicate feline with liquid paracetamol? Really mummy?"

Classic.

I love this phase of toddler-hood. Mimicking and parroting galore. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right?

Busted

2011-06-09T04:47:00.000+02:00

Cross my heart, they weren't like this when we put him to bed. Hulk baby must've grown half an inch in the course of 12 hours and woke up busting a big toe out of his snazzy red onesie.

Perhaps I should consider buying him one of these suits for next Halloween...

Heck yes!

Uh-oh

2011-06-07T23:33:00.001+02:00

You know when you need to laugh so much, that you press your lips together so hard that your eyes start to sting?

That was me this morning.

Sticky Baby was pushing around one of his plastic trucks. He came up on the couch to show me that the tray of the truck can lift up. He then looked at me and said "casse", which means 'broken' in french. I explained to him that it wasn't broken, that it was simply a feature of the truck. Still confused, he looked back at the truck, said 'broken' again and then.....

"Fuck".

My eyes bulged out of my head.

So he said, this time with a question mark of hesitation,

"Fuck?"

And then in a really cutesy high pitched tone,

"Fuck!"

Look, the context of the word is perfect. His truck is broken in his eyes. Fuck!

But I think he's actually trying to say truck. I HOPE HE'S TRYING TO SAY TRUCK!

Gee.Whiz. I think it's time for mama to curb her cussing.

Have any of you had something similar happen?

My friend was telling me the other day that her 3yr old, whilst at the doctor, pointed to a framed photo the doc had of himself with a giant fish on a fishing expedition. Her 3yr old, clear as day, said "Fuck me mum, look at that big fishy"!

MORTIFICATION!!!

Hahahahahahha! Out of the mouth of babes.....

The Jesus Syndrome

2011-06-07T11:25:00.000+02:00

Look at that, Papadada has a disciple....

Foot washing is back in, people.

I must say, it was my turn last night, and it makes for the most relaxing end-of-day treatment.

Cheers to that, Sticky Baby!

Chuckle

2011-05-25T23:50:00.000+02:00

Brilliant, no?

Now press PRINT on your tool bar and take this down to Centre Management at your local mall.

Do it.

I rug you

2011-05-24T13:07:00.000+02:00

In the throes of planning the decorating overhaul of our new place....it’s a total and utter work-in-progress and for now the best I can do is copy and paste delightful images onto my desktop. Counts for something doesn’t it?

My desirables of the moment - RUGS. Geometric, bold, animal print, herringbone.

Give ‘em to me!

Unfortunately for area-rug-obsessed little me, all of these beauties are nowhere to be found in Oz, but for those of you o’seas, you can score one at www.overstock.com

The hunt continues....but this is for shiz what I am looking for!

Sticky Piccie

2011-05-22T12:12:00.000+02:00

Hey there, Gollywog, you wanna eat with me?

I said EAT, God damn it!

Brilliance by Dooce

2011-05-19T23:25:00.000+02:00

The mother of all bloggers, Heather B. Armstrong, from the acclaimed Dooce, has such a way with words...

"Did you know that "certainty" and anything remotely similar in meaning is the Universe's cue to screw with parents?"

So true, right?

I heart her brain.

In love with....

2011-05-19T03:33:00.000+02:00

The last of my 3-part luuurrve series.

The following items are making me swoon in a big way this week...

Cross-body leather satchels.

I have one, and people are asking me if it’s in fact my conjoined twin.

’Nuff said.

Shabby chic white dining tables with timber tops.

Papadada has promised me a DIY replica.

Yeeps.

Eye chart art.

Custom-made is the go.

Imagine the possibilities....

Painted furniture.

I have about 3 thrift store finds littering our back deck.

Can’t wait to smack them with paint brushes. Yipee!

Poffertjes. Duch mini pancakes.

They’ve been staring me down at the local cafe.

It must be done. And SOON!

Well my pretties, I hope you enjoyed the things I am loving on at the moment. It sure helped to lift my spirits!

In love with....

2011-05-17T22:54:00.000+02:00

And the love-fest continues, peeps.

Today, I pay homage to these smile-inducing thingy-majiggies:

Carrera Sunglasses. I want a pair so bad.

Old, vintage suitcases, stacked, for decorative purposes. Kitch. Love.

(good storage solution too!)

Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

So. darn. more-ish

These + glass(es) of white wine = best Friday night meal EVER

Chalk boards. In frames.

I want one in every room of the house.

To be continued....

In love with...

2011-05-17T01:26:00.000+02:00

Guys, I’m seriously J-U-S-T emerging from a 2 month long nightmare with the Sticky One. No details to come. None. Beat it, negativity! I’m so done with you!

In lieu of dark, broody, ‘poor me’ sentences, my posts for the remainder of this week are going to be full to the brim with positivity and things I LOVE!

Pictures a worth a thousand words, and Lord knows I can’t string more than four 1-syllable words together at the moment, so here goes...

I love Acupuncture.

I have been going twice weekly for 2 weeks now, and finally, sleep and I are back to being BFFs.

Rachel, my natural therapist, can stab me anytime she likes.

I love flat leather riding boots.

Comfortable, stylish, chic, wintry.

I love earplugs.

Along with the acupuncture, they’re helping me sleep. And really,

what’s not to love about anything this yellow and squishy?

I love slow cookers.

They are making my weekly ‘menu planning’ a breeze.

Healthy, easy, hearty, delicious.

I love soy lattes.

Now that I am working 2 days a week, I am indulging in one of these either before or after work.

Peace and quiet, me and my latte. Nutty, milky goodness.

I love IKEA DIY projects.

That cool kids book shelf? IKEA spice racks, $2.49 each!

GENIUS, no?

To be continued....

Yesterday...

2011-05-14T06:24:00.000+02:00

Desolate beach walk - check
Chillin’ with Papadada - check
Man-hug with Papadada - check
Cherry-tomato scoffing with a side of sand - check
Mama behind the lens - check

Perfection

Sticky Piccie

2011-05-02T06:04:00.000+02:00

It’s been a while since you last saw him....

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, HAT, PJS and GUMBOOTS!!!!

He’s heavily into ‘dressing up’ these days. Mostly accessorising with various hats and shoes. Yesterday? It was my straw fedora and tan wedges. Needless to say, Papadada was MOR-TI-FIED....

Royal Wedding Fever!

2011-04-29T06:14:00.000+02:00

Top of the morning to you!

I’m back, I’m back! Can’t believe I’ve abandoned you all for close to 1 month. My worst effort yet, I must say.

This is just a short post, as I’m too afraid I’ll give my fingers keyboard culture shock...

Guys, the wedding of the century is on tonight!! WOOHOO!!

Is it wrong to kinda wanna be sandwiched between the two of them?

Seriously, I didn’t think I’d get into it at all, but the media frenzy has well and truly sucked me right in. And look, I’ve always been a fool for romance and pre-wedding jitters. What’s not to love! I’m all over these nuptials like a fat kid on a cupcake!

And I’m loving how excited everyone is getting! I heard that a friend of a friend is throwing a ‘royal wedding party’ at her place, and everyone invited has to wear their veil or tiara from their own wedding. SUPERB! Sign me up!

Others will be glued to the tele, sipping British cocktails such as Pimms and Lemonade and chowing down on scones with clotted cream and jam. YESSSSSSS!

As for me? I’ll be at the footy. Yes, the footy. Papadada is playing, so I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thank God for my iPhone, is all I’m saying. I’ll be downloading up to the minute play-by-plays from Westminster Abbey.

Do any of you have regal plans for this special day?

Cheeeeers m’dears!

Guess hue?

2011-04-07T18:45:00.001+02:00

A bit of a teaser for y'all before the weekend. The latest (I mean the first) DIY project I have embarked on.

Re-vamping Sticky Baby's cot.

We bought this grand ol' dame from a pre-loved baby store. Beautiful, top quality timber. Big and roomy for our boy. I had visions of painting it the minute I laid eyes on it.

This is her before:

Man, who knew I would ever sand anything...but I did! Tedious and laborious, yes, but I got a good tan in the process. Always the multi-tasker...

Now I know you're gagging for a good after-shot, and even though she's finished and GORGEOUS, I don't want to post a piccie until Sticky Baby's entire room is ready to be paparazzi-snapped.

So instead, here is a sneak peak at the colours I picked. Don't be alarmed...I know they're out there...

Trimmountain green and Lemon leaf yellow. I even love the names.

It took me all of 10 minutes to choose these hues. I find that I work best on gut instinct and impulse decisions. The creative juices were perfectly aligned whilst at the paint shop. Yessssssss.

What do you guys think?!?!

How to eat jelly beans according to Sticky Baby

2011-04-06T11:17:00.000+02:00

Step 1: Act like you have a splinter in your right foot.

Step 2: Scream bloody murder, forcing your mother to run to the pharmacy like a deranged banshee on amphetamines, to buy tweezers, Betadine and.....Jelly beans (cha-ching! that's what I'm talkin' about. I've got the old girl hook, line and sinker!)

Step 3: Get both parents to check, re-check, and triple check allegedly affected foot.

Step 4: Continue to scream bloody murder until your mother pulls out the jelly bean bribes from her purse. (come to papa!)

Step 5: Sit on the kitchen sink, shirtless, for added dramatic effect.

Step 6: Put 3 jelly beans in your mouth at once.

Step 7: Suck the sugary, coloured goodness off each bean. Excessive drool is a bonus. Again, for effect.

Step 8: Spit out the faded beans in your mother's hand. They're no good to you now. You're all about the food colouring and it's nutritional qualities.

Step 9: Make your mother take a photograph of the sticky, colourless jelly beans littering her paw, as she shakes her head in disbelief....

Step 10: Jump off the kitchen sink, land on both feet, and run like an agile lemur around the backyard 3 times. Just to rub it in. Splinter? What splinter?

THE END.

I've never been so happy to see a fridge in my life...

2011-04-04T13:07:00.000+02:00

Yeah, I know, such a lamo statement. But jay-zus, it's true!

This weekend was truly momentous. We finally moved into our new home!!!!

4 long months in the making, living out of suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks and Woolworths green bags, like crazy travelling gypsies, crashing at family members' houses, impinging on their lives, leaving behind us a trail of nappy wipes, footy boots and OPI nail polish ( seriously, I love that stuff).

OVER! OVER FOR GOOD!

With every box that was unpacked, I felt a weight being lifted from my shoulders. Therapeutic. Joygasmic. That big-ass Samsonite suitcase? I kicked it's ass at approximately 4pm on Sunday. Gonzo. Ciao, Ciao, see ya later.

Papadada and I were blessed to have an elite team of movers on hand to help. My parents, my sister and her hubster, my grand parents, and my in-laws. All had different duties, ranging from heavy lifting to Sticky Baby wrangling.

My mother truly missed her calling in life and should be named Australia's leading Professional Organiser. The woman is a machine. With every movement, with every swift Stanley-knife manoeuvre, with every flourish of her Spray & Wipe bottle, my life felt a little more settled, a little more....exhale. Thank you mum. Our closets never looked so Martha Stewart-esque. Our kitchen looks like something out of a glossy magazine.

Friday night, we kicked off the working bee with a paint-off in Sticky Baby's future bedroom. The previous owners had it painted a vibrant fuchsia pink. Yeah...not gonna work....So, the sis, the bro-in-law, Papadada and I put paint brush to paint pot and did an award-winning paint job. Looks killer. But this is what it looked life before..

My brother in law demonstrating that men, no matter how seemingly mature,

will ALWAYS find drawing boobies hilarious.

I know you're going to hate me for not posting an 'after photo', but I promise, it's on it's way!

And can I just say that this whole moving in experience was also like a giant shopping spree bonanza. You see, after we were married, we had to box all of our beautiful gifts and put them in storage, seeing we were still living in France and had no desire to spend a year's wages on international shipping. So the better part of Saturday morning was spent squealing with rapture as I peeled away delicate tissue paper to reveal the most exquisite Villeroy and Boch platters and dishes. Uh-huh. I know. Not only that, but towel after towel of gorgeous Sheridan goodness, sheet sets with enough thread count to make the Egyptians cringe, and glass wear that made Sticky Baby run for the hills when he saw the look of 'you better never touch these' on my face. Designer toasters and Jamie Oliver crock pots amid french silver ware and Tupperware. Yep, oodles and oodles of good stuff for the casa. JOY!

Please forgive me for being a little MIA on the ol' blog lately. Again. But now you know why. And I promise there will be pictorials to make you go ooh and aah as soon as we have Internet hooked up in the new digs.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to roll around in discarded bubble wrap and collapsed cardboard moving boxes. Yeeeeeeeewwwww!

April Fools!

2011-03-31T23:51:00.000+02:00

Sticky Baby pulled off a successful April Fools joke this morning.

He came up to me, said, "Mama, caca" (poo in french), to which I responded, "Ok, let's change you then". Once he was well and truly in spread-eagle pose on the change table, I unfolded the offending nappy, only to reveal - gasp - NO POO AT ALL!

Good one, Sticky Baby, good one. You got me.

First day on campus

2011-03-29T06:53:00.002+02:00

Today was Sticky Baby's first day at day care.

All dressed up in his practical cotton shorts and lightning bold t-shirt, I snapped this shot of him before hopping in the car. (Please excuse the nappy-wearing primate in the background. His name is 'puppy'. Yep, puppy. Sticky Baby says so.)

Look, I'll be honest, there was a fair bit of kicking and screaming and gut-wrenching sobbing, I have to say. But then Sticky Baby turned to face me and said, "Pull yourself together mum and get with the program, you're not doing much for my playground cred here"..

No seriously, the much anticipated 'drop-off' went rather smoothly. There was about 1 minute of crying as I left, but by the time I was settled in the car, Sticky Baby had dried his tears and was in Miss Cassie's lap in the sand pit. Loyal to a fault, my child. Humph.

My bottom lip did quiver a tad, as I walked down the child-friendly ramp to the car park. It's a big day for our family. The start of a new adventure, the mark of a blossoming independence that every parent wants for their child.

Papadada picked him up at 11:30, just as the Sticky one was finishing his lunch out on the wooden deck with his little pals. Ok, so Papadada kinda forgot to bring home Sticky Baby's water bottle + shoes + sheets. But hey, it's his first day as a day care dad too, so I'm letting it slide just this once...

Tomorrow, we go back for day #2, while I tackle a half day at my new job. Yeeeeeew! Exciting!

Oops! Nearly forgot!

As promised, a close up of Sticky Baby's new school bag that rocks the big one:

Now, is that not Lego-tastic?!?!?!

LOVE THAT BAG!

Warm and fuzzy

2011-03-25T11:55:00.001+01:00

Today may have been the best day I've had in a long while.

It didn't involve much at all, this lovely day of mine...

Two good cups of coffee before 8am, a warm morning sun, a blue sky accessorised with wispy, dreamy clouds, my husband walking around the house in his best jocks, my baby boy in nothing but a nappy, a lounge room full of brightly coloured wooden blocks, their messiness not bothering me in the slightest, some necessary errands to run, all of them achieved with ease, resulting in a satisfying, audible exhale, a midday swim set to a soundtrack of splashes and laughter, clean, sun-warmed towels, a hearty lunch of last night's leftovers, a damp-haired, sleepy baby down for a restful, water-logged sleep, a cuddle on the couch with my sweetheart, crawling under crisp, white sheets, the fan on low, indulging in a rare, middle of the day catnap, an afternoon tea of chocolate cookies and strawberry milk, the three of us bouncing on the trampoline, fingers pointed upwards at passing birds and planes.

All of the things that I love, but never knew how much. The simple things. The unity and warmth and easy breathing that comes with being with your family.

A perfect day.

I love you, my boys. Thank you xo

Papadada snapped this shot of Sticky Baby and I. I wish he was in it too.

And the page turns....

2011-03-24T23:01:00.000+01:00

Next week heralds the beginning of a new chapter for us.

I am re-entering the work-force. It's a 'casual' position, only 12 or so hours per week. But hey, I'm re-entering the work-force nonetheless. It sounds so grown up, doesn't it? Me likey.

And in other page-turning madness....

Sticky Baby is making his sticky debut at DAY CARE!

Hells yes, sound those trumpets! My weasly boy is going to school! Agh. My heart aches yet swells with pride and excitement all at once.

His school bag is so frigging cute. A canvas replica of a blue Lego block (photo to come). It was a total Kmart score. Seriously, Papadada wishes he had one for himself, that's how cool it is.

His lunchbox? All robots and space invader-like. Awe-some. His sheet-set bag? A retro drawstring number that used to be mine. Vintage is all the rage in creches these days. Or so I just made up.

So two days a week, our little french fry will go to day care while mummy goes to work. It's a big, new world for the both of us. Separation like we've never known. But healthy, constructive, positive separation.

Part of me feels like screaming "Not my babyyyyyyy!" as I yank him off his scooter, swaddle him and then put him to my breast. But then I release the fastenings on my straight jacket and realise that good things, no, great things, will come of this.

I can't wait for:

Finger paintings - his name written in the bottom right hand corner by the teacher's neat cursive
Dirty, sticky toddler clothes - testament to the day's adventures
Detailed parent-teacher reports - I'm a stickler for bowel-movement and nap info. Shoot me.
A new little mate
A new little girlfriend
Warm, sweaty hugs and kisses at pick-up time

Like sand through the hour-glass, so are the days of our lives....

(wait..who said that? Oh shit, that's right....embarrassing......)

Goosebumps

2011-03-24T10:44:00.001+01:00

Read this for a reality check. A guest post on Mamamia, by Catherine Deveney. Golden, golden parenting advice.

“ALL children need is to know that they are loved. That simple sentence has been the most poignant thing anyone has said to me for a long, long time. He’s right, this bloke. And he’d know. He was a broken-hearted little boy and he is now a beautiful father. Repeat after me. All children need is to know that they are loved. Say it every day, have it tattooed on your forehead and write it in the sky. All children need is to know that they are loved.

I was reminded of this as I read a story about a Family Court judge in New Zealand who ruled that a girl named Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii could change her name. Her parents actually named her Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. The judge then cited examples of children named Midnight Chardonnay, Number 16 Bus Shelter, Violence and twins called Benson and Hedges. Funny? Sure. A bit off topic? Absolutely. But it reminded me yet again that children do not need unusual names to make them special.

They are special. And all they need to know is that they are loved.

Kids don’t need an en suite, computer games, jumping castles, ukulele lessons, bandanas, ironed clothes, matching socks, fancy private schools, trophies, in-ground pools, electric toothbrushes and rooms full of toys.

They don’t need to have a bath every day. They don’t need their own room. It’s OK if they sleep in their clothes and have Weet-Bix for dinner in front of the telly every now and then. Lollies, plastic junk that gets broken underfoot, fancy renovations, junk food and outsourcing parenting are not good ways to love them. Loving them is the only way to love them.

It won’t spoil them. It won’t make them greedy. Loving them will teach them there’s enough to go round and there’s no need to be stingy. Loving children will teach them to love. Withholding love will teach them to withhold.

When I had my first child, I asked people what they did with their second child. There were a lot of uptight first children around and second and subsequent children generally seemed more relaxed. People said things such as happy parents equals happy baby, follow the child and don’t muck about with cloth nappies, just go the disposables. I thought to myself, I’m not going to treat this baby like he’s an only child. I’m going to treat him as if he’s got four brothers and sisters.

When my eldest was four days old, he wouldn’t stop crying. People were getting more and more anxious about trying to stop him crying. Pacing up and down the hall, patting, jiggling. The cries got louder and louder. I was lying on the bed and said: “Give him to me.” I held him and said: “You just cry as long as you want.” Calm descended. Instead of struggling with the reality (thanks to a few champagnes), I went with it. I used this technique many times and although it never stopped a baby from crying, a toddler from whinging, a child from nagging or a bunch of kids from squabbling, it stopped me from struggling with what was happening.

Around the age of 60, people seem to start looking back on their lives. Before then, they were too preoccupied living it. My new theory on parenting is to parent like a grandparent. All the grandparents I know look back on their parenting days and tell me they wish they’d been more relaxed and less controlling. They wish they’d enjoyed it more. Sure, get the homework done, teach them to be kind to each other, to help out and to wait their turn. It just means not going into conniptions when they leave their wet towels on the bathroom floor. It means stopping what you’re doing to give them a cuddle on the couch, tell them a story or lie together on the trampoline looking at the clouds. Just for a moment.

The wisest bloke I know is a cabinetmaker. His name is Michael Clarke. He’s 60 in January and has spent 45 years going into homes installing wardrobes, drawers and bookshelves to help people store their stuff. His wife’s a psychologist. The two of them have spent a great deal of time in other people’s lives and under their roofs. He told me they’ve come to the conclusion, with their vast and varied experience, that the only thing you can do for your kids is to get your own shit together.

When you were a kid isn’t that all you wanted? To know that you were loved and to feel that your parents were trying, and sometimes failing, but at least trying to get their shit together? Is it possible that it really is that simple?”

Don't you just love that? Simplicity. Love. Affection. Now.

Mama L in TV land

2011-03-23T09:44:00.000+01:00

Guys! The TV commercial I shot a couple of months ago has gone to air. Voila! Enjoy! I'm the shower lady brushing me fangs and squatting me ass off...

And the good news? I just landed another TVC shooting next week! Can't say too much more right away, but I promise to show it off on the bloglet once it hits the airwaves in a few months.

LOVE LOVE LOVE being back at work!

I am woman hear me ROAR! (or brush, or squat...whatever...)

News

2011-03-22T05:19:00.001+01:00

I have some exciting news, peeps! Can't say too much just yet, but here's a hint...

Starts with W...ends in ORK!

Hot diggity, mama just got herself a job!

At risk of being handed the same fate as Heather B. Armstrong from the world-famous Dooce blog (she got fired after blogging about her workplace), I will refrain from naming my potential future employer. But, what I can say is that it involves fashion and pretty, pretty things. Swoon.

Only 1.5 days per week. The perfect, happy medium between Mummyhood and Womanhood. Yes, they are two completely different things, if yer didn't already know that!

Mummyhood is that sticky realm of unending, thankless tasks, such as:

Wiping down the high chair 834 times a day
Filling sippy cups and water bottles
Preparing snacks
Peeling fruit - or as Sticky Baby says, 'Apo'..that's apple, in case you didn't catch it.
Making food
Heating food
Picking food up off the floor
Packing the nappy bag and unpacking the nappy bag
Hanging out laundry
Folding laundry
Hating laundry
Groceries - while chasing toddler away from the circular deli saw
Doctors Appointments
Changing nappies
Smearing Sudocreme on bum parts
Applying sunscreen
Wiping faces
Putting sandals on
Enforcing 'please' and 'thank you'
Adjusting children in car seats - in and out, in and out...eeech, my back...there goes my neck.
Cooking dinner - cereal
Doing it all over again the next day.....

Womanhood goes a little something like this:

Applying make up
Doing hair
Wearing heels
Slipping into stylish, clean clothes...and staying that way
Indulging in a fresh coffee - from start to finish - no interruptions
Initiating conversations that don't necessarily begin with, "Sticky Baby's poo looked like Kraft Crunchy peanut butter this morning".

Can't really think of much else to put on this list just yet, but hopefully in a couple of weeks time, I'll be able to tell you what it feels like to get back to 'Me' for 1.5 days a week.

I feel a revolution coming on.

Stay tuned!

Exe-work?

2011-03-17T21:38:00.000+01:00

Whilst reading one of my favourite blogs, Dear Baby, the writer, Melissa made mention of one of these....

Behold the Signature Treadmill Desk 9000!

Your eyes are not betraying you. The torturous treadmill did indeed breed with the trusty work desk. Bom-chica-waw-wow.

Genius? Or just plain 'Oh-no-they-di'nt'....(head bob, finger wave, pouty lips)

Melissa testifies in her post that the treadmill desk they have set up at her office allows her to shoot off emails while getting physical. A welcome respite from the sedentary lifestyle adopted by most office workers, no doubt.

Do we love it, or do we hate it?

Part of me is envisioning endless multi-tasking possibilities. For one, blogging and jogging! Fused together, this creates bogging! Hmmmm....sounds suspiciously like a toilet activity....must rethink...

Running while drafting a proposal, lunging as you catch up on Facebook, speed walking and forwarding bad email jokes. Is this machine the answer to enhanced productivity or is this yet another invention lurking in the shadows, ready to snatch away any shard of our 'down time'?

I'm torn between the two. Frankly, as I sit here typing, the idea that my glutes could be getting a workout is rather appealing. Then again, it's all so Jetsons, isn't it?

For those of you loving it, you can buy one here. Or maybe you could convince your boss to get one for the staff room. Just don't go blaming me when he expects you to work like a dog AND look as toned as Madonna.

Add to cart

2011-03-17T04:51:00.001+01:00

Two books I am desperado to get my detergent-dried hands on...

I sort of consider myself a Tizzie protege. Her first book, Save our Sleep (baby edition), helped us so much with Sticky Baby. Her methods may be controversial to some, but no one can argue with the fact that our Stickster has pretty much slept from 7pm-7am since he was 3 months old. Booya! All thanks to Tizzie and her kick-ass routines. I preach at the Tizzie alter. Daily. Any baby-rearing problemos I have? I simply tilt my head, arch an eyebrow, put my index finger on my chin and conjure up a visual of the Tizz-ster. An answer always descends from the Tizzie-heavens. Ok, I'm going to shut up now. Needless to say, I can't wait to read her second installment for toddler-hood!

My sister and a tonne of my friends have read this one. I don't know much about it, but seeing I'm a girl, and Sticky Baby is a boy, I figure it won't do me any harm to learn more about boy-kind and all their crazy quirks.

It's a bit ambitious really, this whole 'book reading' notion of mine...Seriously, I have trouble finishing a photo caption in a glossy magazine of late....

Have any of you read these books? Thoughts? Are any of you out there fellow Tizzie Hall Devotees??

To run or not to run?

2011-03-16T05:30:00.001+01:00

Ok, don't laugh.

My sister emailed me yesterday and point blank asked me if I wanted to run a half marathon with her in June. Yes. A half marathon. Yes. She's certifiably nuts. But very fit. And yes, she asked about as nonchalantly as one would ask, "Did you catch last night's episode of Kim & Kourtney Take New York" (and of course, those of you who know me would know that the answer to that is a resounding YES!).

So this got me thinking. Can I physically put myself through 21kms of road running? Approx 2.5 hours of pavement-pounding? I've done a few fun runs here and there (I even have a finish line photo a la Katie Holmes to prove it), and I do an alright job on the 'ol treadmill. But lately, my fitness regime has been more along the lines of boxing classes, free weights, a bit of skipping, and maybe 10 minutes worth of Lady Gaga tracks on the rower. Not bad. But not quite a half marathon.

I'm still toying with the idea. Could be fun. Sisterly bonding - over pain. Oh, the excruciating pain. Is my body even capable of doing this? Should I pull on my joggers right this minute, run out the front door now and see how long I can go for? Disillusionment with a side of breathlessness and shin splints, anyone?

I will keep you all posted on my decision. In the meantime, like all decent half-marathoners, I have created a pictorial of gym wear that is hot-to-trot.

Lululemon citrus pants; Stella McCartney for Adidas tank; Lululemon zip-up jacket

Nike shoes; Stella McCartney for Adidas gym bag

Lorna Jane sleeveless jacket; Lululemon groove pants; Lorna Jane frilly tank

Lorna Jane singlet

(and yes, I intend to 'run like a girl')

Stella McCartney for Adidas headband; Stella McCartney for Adidas organic hoodie

Stella McCartney for Adidas running shorts and drink bottle

Guys, I've saved the best for last......I think this outfit will give me the motivation I am looking for to cross that finish line.....

TA-DA!!!!!

Half-Marathon, here I come in all my neon-undie glory!

The mighty moccasin

2011-03-15T04:28:00.000+01:00

Sticky Baby is giving Imelda Marcos (or Carrie Bradshaw for a more contemporary reference) a run for her money with these little beauties.....

Have you ever seen a moccasin so cute? I didn't think so. Mummas, run, don't walk to Kmart. $15. You know you want them.

And come winter, we will be busting out a pair of shoes that will make the girls at playgroup weep. Let's just say, they would make Elvis proud. That's my hint. Photo to come....

Melting Moments

2011-03-12T08:35:00.000+01:00

My sister and I agree....nothing beats seeing your children holding hands and playing together.

In order of appearance: Gisele, Jude and Sticky Baby

Cousins are magic.

Our heart parts went boom boom.

Whites and Brights

2011-03-10T02:25:00.000+01:00

Really loving the white and neon bright colour combo at the mo. Fresh, fun, and leaves so much room for personal interpretation and execution. I am having dreams of a big, bold, fluoro accent piece somewhere in the new house....someone pass me my sunnies.

A sc-hairy encounter

2011-03-09T02:09:00.000+01:00

Two days in a row, are we all impressed with my posting efforts? Gold star for me.

Anyhoo, I absolutely had to share what i just saw whilst driving down the street a few minutes ago.

A lady, perhaps in her 40s, with hair down to her calves (yes, calves)....

But that's not all folks!

That obscene amount of hair was braided, and along the entire length of the plait were SCRUNCHIES!

GASP * SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH * VOMIT

As if one scrunchie wasn't enough, this wench had to go and ~~adorn~~ disgrace herself with a squillion of them!

That collection of horrors above? I swear she had them all. And the bottom right hand selection from the poorly chosen brand name EUROTARD? I think they mean U-RETARD. (I'm such a bitch. A bitch I tell you!)

Look, I nearly had a crash. The woman was a walking fashion faux-pas. She desperately needs a one-on-one consult with Ken Paves or Tabitha from Salon Takeover (love that show).

That's my rant for the day.

Karma, be kind....

The dog ate my homework...and other lamo excuses

2011-03-08T05:06:00.000+01:00

I am officially the worst blogger. It's been a rude amount of time since my last post and I honestly want to bitch-slap myself. Please, feel free to give me a virtual Miss Piggy 'Hiii-YA' karate chop. I deserve it.

Nonetheless, I present to you all my summary of excuses:

I have been super-dooper, disgustingly busy

Selling this....

Buying this....

Doing this...

and thinking I look like this....

but really looking like this.....

Receiving vile amounts of these....

whilst still miserably living out of these....

Watching and loving this....

and this...

ok, and this.....

All the while neverendingly chasing and vacuuming after this.....

AM I FORGIVEN??? Please say YES!!!

Hair now, gone tomorrow

2011-02-22T21:56:00.000+01:00

'Twas the day of the big cut yesterday. Armed with a little box of Smarties to distract the 'victim', and Grandma and Auntie Shae in tow for moral support, the whole experience was an absolute delight! Nat the hairdresser had the steadiest hands in west - very impressive..

The robe with fishies on it was a true fashion statement

Can you see my hand holding out the Smartie bribes? Mum points...

AND NOW, FOR THE FINAL REVEAL.......

IS THAT NOT DIVINE?!?! We can't stop looking at him (nothing new there). He's gone from baby boy to toddler in the space of an afternoon (the Beckham pose with his blue bouncy ball is cold, hard proof). The curls are still in there - lots of texture - but the boy is smooth as silk and very dapper. Meanwhile, he looks SO much like a blonde version of my father. I can't wait to line them up together and see my mother's jaw drop!

Sticky Baby, you are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I loved your curls with a passion, but this new do is doing wonderful thing to my heart parts!

Falling..

2011-02-21T22:45:00.000+01:00

Clearly, I've fallen off the face of the earth...

So sorry guys, but the past couple of weeks have been capital H, Hectic.

The honest truth is that I am slowly being buried alive under a pile of suitcases. Samsonite, 1. Lise, 0. You win luggage, YOU WIN, you horrid, back-breaking mole!

Yes, we are still, 2 months on, galivanting between our families' homes - my grandparents, my in-laws, my auntie and uncle's. They've all been so gracious and generous while we house-hunt, house-sell. To be honest, I can't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, it's effing pitch black in here and I don't even have one of those cool forehead-miner lamp things. Dammit!

Our house goes on the market this Saturday. Papadada and I were doing a last minute frantic yard cleanup in the rain last night. On his birthday. It sucked the big one.

Yes, the big PapaD turned 31 yesterday! Hip Hip Hooray! I can't believe we're entering a new decade. He makes 31 look smokin' hot though...

In other news, Sticky Baby is getting his first haircut this afternoon! Da da Daaaaaaa! All those curls have turned into massive dreadlocks. For real, the hippies are seriously envious. Despite applying countless dollops of my $50 hair mask in at attempt to untangle the knots, those things just won't budge. My mother-in-law and I cut the evil birds nests out a few nights ago, which was a start, but now Sticky Baby is sporting a weird-ass, uneven mullet. Needless to say, it's well and truly time for the professional hairdresser to intervene.

Will post piccies of the new big-boy do asap! I'm already mourning the loss of my baby boy's sweet curly white-man 'fro. Hopefully the curls come back thicker and stronger, like Samson from the bible or something. Otherwise, we better pray that he suits the short-back-and-sides style...

In memory of the 'fro....Krusty the Clown meets nutty professor.

And yes, that is another one of Papadada's dirt bikes....

Be my Valentine...

2011-02-11T11:55:00.001+01:00

Some V-day inspiration for a friday evening. Ahhhhh, sweet dreams are made of these.........Date night here I come!

Marc by Marc Jacobs - chunky salmon ring + heart drop earrings

Christian Louboutin pigalle pumps; Christian Louboutin marechale pumps; Jimmy Choo quiet patent pumps

Jenny Packham ‘ensemble’; La Perla Balconette bra and g-string

Lanvin satin clutch; Smith and Canova fuschia bag

Herve Leger Bandage dress

Azarro Javanaise pleated silk dress

I’ll have one or all of these, thank you very much. I’m feeling sexy just posting these. Gorgeous, no?

What are you all doing for Valentine’s day this year?

Excuses, excuses

2011-02-09T04:22:00.000+01:00

Ok, I’m going to lay it on the line here.

My blogging is SUCKING THE BIG ONE at the moment, but I am here to provide a tangible explanation..

So, the house we were planning on renovating? We’ve kinda had a change of heart.

Last night, Papadada and I both verbalised our hesitations with the ballooning builder’s quote. Daylight robbery. Or so it seems. A lot of moolah to spend on a face-lift. We’re sort of gagging on the whole process and it hasn’t even begun!

Now we’re contemplating selling and buying elsewhere. Ta-dah!

So now Papadada and I are glued to the MacBook, trawling real estate websites and yahooing when we see properties we like.

Mama L: This is it! It’s a winner!
Papadada: I’ve found it! Our dream home!
Mama L: Scroll down, scroll down!
Papadada: That kitchen is vile, we can’t live there
Mama L: That bathroom...never going to happen
Papadada: Death trap for Sticky Baby...Next!
Mama L: OMG OMG OMG! This could be it!
Papadada: Let’s drive by now!
Mama L: It’s 11pm. Calm the eff down.

You get the picture. It’s madness over here right now.

To be continued....

Movin’ on up

2011-02-07T09:14:00.001+01:00

Sesame Street is seriously star-studded these days. Didn’t mean that to be a tongue-twister, sorry.

Sticky Baby and I tuned in over lunch today only to come face to face with Jake Gyllenhaal and Adam Sandler. Umm, is it just me, but in MY day (holy shit I sound old) Sesame Street ‘celebs’ were no where near being A-listers. Or maybe I wasn’t interested in the ‘humans’ that featured. Truth be told, I had eyes only for Snuffleupagus. Who can blame me. That hairy mammoth still rocks my world.

Granted, during the episode, the stars weren’t at their Hollywood best. I mean, Jake had a talking octopus on his head in order to demonstrate the meaning of the word ‘separate’ and Adam Sandler was serenading Elmo with a ukalele (actually, nothing different there for Mr Sandler). Regardless, I found both of them to be totally endearing and massively cute in their SS performances.

I am now crushing on him a little harder...even with a brown sea critter on his noggin...

As a side note, Sticky Baby is OBSESSING HARD over balloons. How are balloons related to this particular post? Well, anything round and up off the floor is a balloon, in Sticky Baby’s world. So that octopus on Jakey’s head = balloon. Round light fittings = balloons. People with large heads = balloon. It’s getting to be embarrassing. Not only that, but he goes totally apeshit when he sees real balloons at the mall. Hello, sale season anyone? Balloons frikking ev-ery-where. Our living room floor looks like a helium-addicts den...

Princess of Darkness

2011-02-03T02:55:00.000+01:00

I am considering going dark for our master bathroom. I know, it’s a departure. But I am drawn to the drama and mystery that these tones evoke. It’s sexy and grown-up. Stylish and chic.

Love this combo. The wallpaper is killer, as is the cabinet.

Textured walls. Big tick. Cool tap-wear too.

Clearly, this is never going to happen. But I love it anyway. Who the hell has a chaise-longue in their bathroom, is what I want to know...

I quite like the black and white mosaic tiles here, and the framed mirror. And all those drawers in the cabinet. Storage heaven.

So, what do we think? Am I having a brain-fart here? Is it too masculine? Are we already having nightmares about toothpaste splatters and soap scum?

I really want each room in our new house to make a statement. I don’t want to play it safe anymore. White, schmite. I want a bit of za-za-zoo, damn it!

Lots to contemplate....

Weeeerrrrk it, girl!

2011-02-02T12:42:00.001+01:00

Guess what I did yesterday?

I WORKED!

Yup, yup, yup. After 3 YEARS of not working (I know, shocking, but we were in France for hubby’s work), I did my first day of hard yakka back in Australia and I LOVED every minute of it!

As you’ll notice in the right hand column of my blog, it says that I’m a "retired fashion model". Well, I am about to retire the word “retired”, ‘cause I’m back on the scene, bitchezzzzz!

Ok, so ‘fashion model’ might be pushing it these days After all, I’m 30 as opposed to 14, I am not 7 feet tall and eastern European, and my name certainly doesn’t end in Zevilowski. And my client base certainly isn’t what it used to be. Gucci is now Target and the days of modelling for Wonderbra have been replaced with maternity bra catalogues. You get the drift.

Used to be me.... except not exactly Eva.H Now? That’s more like it.....

Yesterday’s gig though, was quite lovely. A TV commercial shoot for a well known women’s multi-vitamin. Fun little concept about how women multi-task and how good we are at it. The scene I shot involved being in the shower, brushing my teeth, washing my hair and doing squats. Cute, right?

Believe it or not, Sticky Baby was also put ‘on hold’ for this TVC. The agency suggested that the client may want to see him, which they did, and of course he seduced them with his curly white-man’s-fro and serious toddler ‘tude. The two of us casted for a scene that involved a mum feeding her toddler while bouncing a newborn in a bassinet and doing her finances on the laptop. And of course I also auditioned for the aforementioned ‘shower scene’. Unfortunately, bubbarama did not get the job. Close, but no cigar (rusk). In hindsight, I guess Sticky Baby and I don’t look ANYTHING like mother and son, so the producers obviously decided to nix my little man but keep mama instead! Yeeeewwwww! Sorry baby, maybe next time, but mummy was super dooper stoked to have a day to myself back ‘at the office’!

I will try and get my hands on the finished product when it airs. That will make for a hilarious blog post!

And you guys better comment on my shower squat skills!

Meanwhile, my teeth have never been cleaner, my hair is squeaky and my ass hurts like hell!

Go team model mums! Model hard, model HARD!!!!! (Peanut, that one’s for you!)

DIY Project

2011-02-01T05:55:00.001+01:00

Look at this credenza. Just look at it.

Oh my God, I’m in love with this piece of furniture.

Seriously, I’m going to attempt this DIY project for the new house.

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can.....

I found this amazing design blog called centsationalgirl and the clever author tackled this little beauty all by herself! I am yahoo-ing over the genius geometric print and the fresh colour combo.

Do you guys love?

Thrift shops beware! I am now officially on the prowl...

Introductions

2011-01-31T06:34:00.000+01:00

I would like to introduce you all to the newest member of our family....

His name is Shumba.

He’s a car. To be precise he’s a 1976 Toyota Land cruiser, or as Papadada prefers to say, ‘an investment’ (questionable)...

Shumba is Papadada’s new love. They spend a lot of time together. To and from work, little tune-ups here, bashing and banging with spanners there, pots of Vaseline to stop leaks in the roof. It’s pure joy for him.

As can be expected, Sticky Baby now also worships at the Church of Shumba. Like father, like son, right?

This is a daily ritual now. PapaD comes home from work, and my two boys disappear inside the beige carcass that is Shumba (South African for ‘Lion’, in case you were wondering...)

Honestly, I can’t complain. Shumba time = mama time = Kell on Earth (new fave show) + cup of tea time.

I now also worship at the Shumba Temple....

I told you guys it was Award Season!

2011-01-30T11:05:00.001+01:00

It’s no secret that I am as excited about Award Season as Charlie Sheen in a hotel room full of skanks. So, you can imagine my delight when my lovely blog-friend Erin over at Huddy P, one of my daily don’t-talk-to-me-until-I’ve-read-this blogs, presented me with the Stylish Blogger Award. Hot Dang! Thanks Ezza! (That’s Aussie for Erin.)

In following with this award’s tradition, I shall now list 7 things that you may not know about me:

1/

I didn’t speak until I was 3 years old. You can stop laughing now. And for those of you who know me well, I have MORE than made up for lost time! The reason I didn’t speak until that age? I was absorbing two languages at once, french and english. Now, I am a bilingual genius. Take that haters! PS: How cute is that pacifier?? You can actually buy them here

I love OPI nail polishes. The quality is second to none and the names they give each hue make me giddily happy. ElePhantastic Pink, MonSooner of Later, Black Cherry Chutney. Love.

See that cat? Mr Bigglesworth? He was previously a hairy feline....and then, we crossed paths and I WAXED him!!! Yes, I’m a hair removal nut! I love tweezing, hot wax, threading, you name it. I’ve been waxing my legs since I was 12 years old (I was rather hirsute as a youngster and my mother refused to let me shave. Thanks mum, I owe you big time!). Now, I own my very own semi-professional wax pot and I go all out on my eyebrows (and other areas) every few weeks. Looooooove.

I have recurring nightmares about tidal waves. I’m often standing on the shore watching it race towards me. Weird and scary. Can someone tell me what this means??

Papadada and I were quite old-fashioned when we first started dating. Yup. Day-dates only. Outings to the beach, lunch, movies, stuff like that. It was very sweet and quite revolutionary for both us. Didn’t last long, ‘cause we were H.O.T for each other, but you know, it was lovely while it lasted and IT WORKED! I bagged me a smokin’ hubby from being all coy and frigid. BAHAHAHAHHA!

When I gave birth to Sticky Baby, I actually, physically, pulled him out of my vajin (as Kourtney Kardashian would say). In France, this is how they do it. During the birthing classes, the thought of this made me feel quite ~~grossed out~~ unsure. But, but, BUT, it was probably one of the most exhilarating, unforgettable experiences of my life! Once his little shoulders were out, the midwife instructed me to grab hold of him under his arm pits, and then, voila, I PULLED HIM OUT OF ME AND ONTO MY CHEST! Magic. Pure, surreal, magic. (I kind of felt like Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon). Papadada kept saying, “Holy Shit, HOLY SHIT”!

I speak french to Sticky Baby.

Papadada and I speak English to one another.

Papadada speaks fr-english to Sticky Baby.

Sticky Baby speaks....well who knows what he speaks....but it’s beautiful.

Seriously, it’s the United Nations over at our house. For real.

And there you have it, readers. Do you still love me or are you all still totally grossed out about the me-yanking-Sticky-Baby-out-of-my-vajin thing? Too much info? Maybe....

Perhaps I should rename this blog TMI....

The Boy from Oz

2011-01-28T22:33:00.000+01:00

(Not a post about Hugh Jackman, sorry to disappoint....)

As promised, here are some pics from our Tru Blu Australia Day, this past Wednesday. A big “Shank-u" to Zoe and Adam, our consummate hosts, who each year play a pivotal role in their neighbourhood’s Annual Billy Cart Races. So cute! So fun! There were eskys and beer and wine and lamingtons and sweaty children and sunglasses and Australian flags galore! Just the way we like it....

The men’s final once-over of ‘our’ billy-cart

(and yes, that is a wheelbarrow with wheelchair wheels and two toddlers as the pilots..)

Sticky Baby making a love connection over the esky. That’s our boy.

Totally rocking the oz hat.

Perspiring kidlets under the hot aussie sun. Minutes before the big race.

In the eye of the beholder

2011-01-28T01:13:00.001+01:00

This morning at the gym I witnessed the most beautiful display of love and admiration.

A mother and her 3 or 4 year old daughter were signing in at the front desk. The mother was perhaps in her mid to late 30s, a solid-set lady with dark curly hair pulled back in the all-too-familiar pony tail.

In the reception area of the gym there is a large poster advertising a popular work-out apparel brand, featuring a young, blonde, super toned model.

The little girl ran up to the poster and exclaimed, "Mummy! That's you!"

My heart melted on the spot.

The mother simply replied, "You are the best kid in the world".

Now if that's not the truest example of the phrase 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder', I don't know what is.

So, if you're feeling a little blah today just remember that your little one thinks you look hotter than Megan fox and Miranda Kerr combined:)

Fail

2011-01-27T08:43:00.001+01:00

This morning, over breakfast, watching "the land before time" cartoon....

Sticky Baby: "Puppy!" (pointing to a menacing T-Rex)

Me: "ummmmm, not quite bubby, that is actually a man-eating reptile".

Clearly, mistaking a predator for fido would've meant a short life span for my child, had he been born in pre-historic times....

Happy oz day!

2011-01-26T01:50:00.000+01:00

Today is Australia day, the day we celebrate all that is uniquely Aussie and everything that makes our great country so special - mates, bbqs, perpetually kick-ass weather, rubber flip flops, cold chisel songs, Tim tams, Home&Away, tru blu slang that only we understand....ahhh the list could go on and on...

This Australia day is super special for us seeing that we are actually HERE! On today's agenda: a street party in Sandgate complete with sausage sizzle, lots of cold beer and Billy-cart races for the kids!

Sticky baby's outfit for the day will consist of an all-in-one green Terry-toweling suit, baby flip flops and the quintessential Australia flag bowler hat. Pictures to come.

The sun is shining, the sunscreen is on. I love this coutry!

As a side note....we LOVED Black Swan!! What a crazy flick! What did everyone else think of it?

Homeless

2011-01-25T07:26:00.001+01:00

Renovations are yet to begin (soon, soon) so in the meantime we are nomadically-floating gypsies. This month? House-sitting for my grandparents who are away for 6weeks cruising the world. Some people are so unlucky...

Their Internet connection is about as young as they are which translates to semi-blog abandonment. Posting via iPhone isn't that crash hot though I'm doing it right now..

So don't expect any gems from me in the near future. I will try and brush up on one-liner brilliance though being concise has never really been my forte. High school assignments requiring 1000 words usually resulted in me submitting something resembling a coffee table book. Nerd.

So this is just a short post to gloat that tonight is DATE-NIGHT for the handsome one and I. Hooray! We are off to see Black Swan. Can't wait. Sushi is also on the cards. Double-hooray!

Hope you are all having a good week and revelling in Oprah's half-sister news.

A letter for you

2011-01-22T05:33:00.003+01:00

Baby,

This letter has been bubbling away in my mind for a while now. Every day I keep meaning to write it, amazed at what you've learned in the space of a few hours. The evenings get away from me and before I know it, a new day is upon us and you've achieved another half-dozen new feats! It's as if someone's pressed the fast forward button on your growth and ability. In the space of a couple of months, you have truly gone from baby to toddler.

I love you more with each tousled-haired morning, with each new word that comes out of your mouth, with every new expression that you etch on that beautiful little face of yours.

You are saying "Mummy" and "Maman" (french) so incredibly clearly now. You have also taken to calling me "Mami-ma". I love it to the depths of my heart. Best nick-name I've every had.

You are SO tall for your age, with a Herculean strength that amazes me daily. You climb and squat and bend and stretch and balance on your tippy-toes now. Your run is gaining speed with each new sunrise, and your dancing moves would make even hardened men break into a giggle.

Your favourite music at the moment seems to be techno-type dance music (??) and heavier-rock, in particular the Billy Idol song, 'More, more, more'....because you can sing along to it! Can I just say, that blew my mind when I heard you in the back of the car. You are so smart! You also seem to have developed quite the appreciation for Andre Rieu. I find it hilarious. Whenever one of his concerts is on tv, we pull your high chair up to it and you sit there, waving your arms like a conductor. Just like your mummy, you like your classical stuff too. I'm so proud.

Your nightly after-bath ritual is what we call 'The Nudie Run'. Your papa and I release your warm, damp body from the fluffy towel and shout out "NUDIE RUNNNN!!!" and you tear out of the bathroom like a Greyhound out of it's gate. Down the hall, around the corner, two perfect little buns bouncing out to greet Pop and Grandma who are calling out to you, saying, "I can see your bum bum bum bum bum".....It's one of my favourite parts of the day.

Since we've been back in Australia, living with Pop and Grandma while our house gets renovated, you have developed quite a few 'traditions' with each of your grandparents. We call you 'Pop's shadow'. When Pop is home, you're right there beside him, or up in his arms. First thing in the morning? Pop takes you out to pick cherry tomatoes off the bush. You eat at least 3. You are also becoming quite the bird connoisseur, feeding the kookaburras and magpies every afternoon. Pop has shown you how to expertly throw the mince to your feathered friends as they sing you a lovely song in thanks.

With Grandma, you are baking! Apricot and muesli loaves are your specialty, as is licking the batter off the big spoon! Grandma is also the best hide & seek player, isn't she? You pester her several times a day for a game of chasey and tickles. She also takes you to see the cuckoo clock in the kitchen, nearly every hour on the hour. You say, 'Tu-too' when the birdy comes out of his house. 'Tu-too, tu-too'. And we all melt.

Papa has bought a new 4x4. It's actually a very old, vintage one and it's called 'Shumba', meaning 'lion' in south african. You and Shumba are best mates. Every day, you say 'Ba, ba', and your papa lets you play at the wheel, with the gear stick, with the radio. It's your father/son bonding time. He is so proud of you and is already teaching you everything he knows about garages, hardware stores and tool kits.

You are still attending swimming lessons with Pop. You have your very own swimming bag and apparently you are half-boy, half-fish! Even when you're at home, you'll sometimes lay on your belly and start kicking your legs. Practice makes perfect baby!

Your cuddles and kisses and spontaneous displays of affection are just divine. You give me kisses on the mouth, at any given time, for any given reason. Those are the moments when anyone in the same room as me would be able to tell just how madly, deeply in LOVE with you I am!

Your language skills are mind-blowing right now. In fact, you are a veritable little parrot. Each day you mimic a new word that we say, be it in french or in english. You'll give anything a try. It may not be perfect, but it's damn near close! So far, we have counted approximately 30 words in your bubba-repertoire. Here are just a few:

Bumpy
Please (outstanding manners!)
Ta
Bubble
Bye bye
Uh oh (used frequently)
Beep beep (in Shumba)
Baby - both in english and french
Nose - both in english and french
Puppy
Buster
Copter - (anything in the sky)
More (overused at the moment...)
Num num num - when you are hungry or something is reeeaallly good
Ca ca - (poo in french)
Circle
Two - (you've skipped 1 and gone straight to 2)
Cheese - you're french, what can I say?
Apui - this means 'press' in french
Par terre - this means 'floor' in french and is exclaimed after you've thrown half your lunch down there!
Bleu - blue, in french
Chapeau - hat, in french
NO - I'm going to be honest, I'm a little over that one right now!
Cold - with a chilly little sound effect to go with it...'Toldddd....'

You are the most gorgeous little bilingual sponge!

You are confident and cheeky and funny and daring and defiant! Oh, how defiant you can be! You already know how to push my buttons, testing me all the time, checking to see if my reaction to something naughty will always be the same. You approach the oven, finger out, taking tiny tentative steps towards it. I will say 'No! Hot' and you will clap and say 'No!', reprimanding yourself, yet you continue to inch your way forward, millimetres away from it, with a smile on your face. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. You do this with EVERYTHING, all the time!

You are determined and clever and persevering and curious. You love to know how things work. And you've got such a wicked little sense of humour. You are a clown and you make us laugh too many times a day to keep count!

We love you like fireworks,

Maman et Papa

Public apology

2011-01-21T07:12:00.000+01:00

Urgent apology owed! I am typing this from my iPhone so will keep it short...

I had NO idea Nathalie Portman was preggo! Had I known I would NEVER have paid her out in my golden globes bitch-post!

Oh man, I feel horrible...now the whole appliqued red rose thing seems almost appropriate and sweet.

Clearly I am not up to date on my E!news....

Or maybe the lesson is simply not to bag people out!!
(but it's award season and I am hard-wired to do so, damn it!)

Mirror, mirror

2011-01-21T07:05:00.000+01:00

Unhealtily obsessing over these.....

In particular the first two, as the last one may be a tad 'Gladiator-Russel-Crow-ish'...but it could work, it totally could....

Mood board-ing it! (it's my new catch cry...)

(All mirrors from Far Pavillions)

Inappropriate Xmas photo brought to you by Sticky Baby

2011-01-20T07:14:00.000+01:00

(This one from last month's Chrissy archives....pardon the time-warp...now take a jump to the left)

You always hear of those family Christmas get-togethers, where someone's crazy uncle or deranged cousin takes things a little too far, gets a wee bit excited, and makes people feel somewhat uncomfortable....

This year? 'Twas Papadada and I who were red-faced, while Sticky Baby publicly humped his new teddy bear. I hope this doesn't become a yearly tradition.....

Simple pleasures

2011-01-18T22:09:00.001+01:00

There is something about each of these images, colour palettes, textures, moods that puts a BIG smile on my dial! I love the white-wash, the shabby chic, the crispness, the sparseness, the unexpected bitch-slap of colour. I could do without the starfish....but I J'adore everything else. Pinning these piccies on my house reno 'mood board' as we speak...

GG2011

2011-01-18T00:25:00.000+01:00

GOLDEN GLOBES! AWARD SEASON! TIME TO GET MY BE-YATCH ON!

(Disclaimer: I am going to be horrifically one-dimensional, shallow and critical throughout this post. I actually really really really like most of these artists and think they are truly talented. That said, I'm going to indulge my inner-cattiness and let rip! Be warned!)

Tilda, Tilda, Tilda...WTF? Girl, you fell out of the ugly tree tonight..

Helena Bonham-Carter aka HOT MESS with disparate shoes.

Miss Williams, FYI, Woodstock was 5 decades ago.

Renaming this Gossip Girl, 'Granny Girl'. Beige nearly always ruins my day.

Clearly Jennifer Love is my stalker - 'cause that is precisely the way I pull my hair up before a shower. And the frock is frucked. iiiiiiiik.

Seal: "I thought you said we were going to a 70s-themed birthday party for uncle Frederick tonight! This is the effing Golding Globes! WTF Heidi! Your blackberry schedule f*#cked us over!"

Heidi: "Just smile, Seal, calm the f*#ck down and smile your gappy smile!
Guiliana Rancic is closing in on us. SMILE!"

Post break-up bangs...step away from the scissors, Sandy.

Nathalie, I am bitterly disappointed. I heart you. And I can't wait until Thursday to see your new flick. But I'd rather stick that appliqued rose up my yina-banina than see it on your dress.
Gross. Out.

LOVE the dress! But girl, you need to eat a shit-tonne of spinach and grow at least 2 feet

before pulling that one off..(but you still look hot and Tony can go SUCK IT!)

Gorgeous. That green is enviably divine with her colourings. I want to kick her in the shins.

I hardly recognized Emma Stone in this. But I LUV a Calvin Klein dress
and this is yet another success. Peachy deliciousness. Modest, classic yet surprisingly different.
Fresh. Big tick.

Sofia Vergara, I think you are PERFECTION!! Glamorous and bold, that dress showcases your amazing, womanly figure without showing too much skin. It's classy yet risky in red, and your hair is TO DIE!

You are my #1 pick for GG fashion.

(Joan Rivers, I am available as a panelist for Fashion Police, any time. Call me).

Is this normal?

2011-01-17T04:54:00.000+01:00

I am lusting after LAUNDRIES.

This.is.not.normal.

But it feels right! Oh so right!

(I totally forgot to jot down these photo references. Shitballs. I am SO sorry to those designers out there. I LOVE YOUR LAUNDRIES! Please, don't send the cyber-police out to get me!)

Are they not the most stunning laundries EVER?! They actually make me want to fold, press, soak and flat-dry-delicates ALL FRIGGING DAY LONG!

Totally inspired, I have used these four designs as a framework for my Dream-Laundry-Renovation-Project (known here on in as DLRP).

DLRP Wish-list:

Gorgeous, fresh, inviting colour scheme (I die for the sea-foam/duck-egg blue and white palette)
A few favourite photographs framed in classic black & white picture frames. I love the idea of bringing art or family pics into the laundry. For the love of Gayle King, we spend enough time in there, why not make it delicious and aesthetically pleasing?
Lots of laundry hampers. Lots. Minimum of 3. (I love the french wording on the 3rd picture - they stand for 'Colours, darks, whites'. Cute and very appropriate for our family.)
Drying racks for delicates + sufficient bench space for flat-drying of knits.
Cubby hole/locker for each family member. A holding spot for clean, folded clothes if I can't be assed putting them away just yet. Chances are strong.
Plenty of storage space for cleaning products, brooms, mops, vacuum cleaner, ironing paraphernalia.
Extra storage for additional bathroom/pool towels.
A radio/ipod dock
Lots of bench space, for folding and sorting or sitting on my ass drinking a glass of sauv blanc, head-banging to the sounds of Lady Gaga.

And last but not least:

Fresh flowers. Never going to happen. Definitely, fresh flowers.

I can hear Martha Stewart from here..."The force is strong with this one"

Sticky Piccie - Crouching Tiger

2011-01-16T02:45:00.003+01:00

Don't you just love them when they're crouched down like this? It's one of my all time favourite bambino positions. That, and when they're horizontal and asleep. BAHAHAH!
Good one, good one.....
Oh, and readers, can I please get props for brushing his hair like an old man's comb-over?
Ya-huh, I SO did!

We return to regular programming...

2011-01-14T10:26:00.002+01:00

I will be sure to keep you all posted on Brisbane Flooding updates and clean-up efforts, but in the meantime, I thought I would write a wee post on a big chunk of AWESOMENESS that we recently purchased....

Behold....the FUNPOD!!!

Here's the low-down peeps: This thing is GOLD! I first laid eyes on it at a friend's place, back in September. I kind of pointed, shrugged my Gwyneth-esque shoulders (keep dreaming) and said, 'What's with the weird-ass, cubed-rectangle thingy, girlfriend?'

My friend, being a crap-load more eloquent than I, called it 'The Tower' (very Lord of the Rings). I asked a bazillion questions, probably to the point of being annoying, but what struck me the most about what she said is that out of ALL the baby items she had purchased since her son's birth, the Funpod was by far the BEST! Booya! Now is that a recommendation or what!

Now, these things cost a pretty penny. One must consider it an investment piece, similar to a pair of Louboutins or a Louis Vuitton bag, except no where near as sexy. Ok, I'm not doing a great job of selling it to you, am I? ...... What if I told you that Sticky Baby happily stays in his funpod for half an hour? And what if I said that he is discovering shiz-loads of kitchen activities, such as playing with soap suds from the sink and whisking omelets? Now I've gotcha!

Since purchasing it, I often simply set him up at the bench while I'm cooking, with a few toys, the odd spatula, and a couple of books. He is so thrilled to be up at my level that he keeps himself occupied. GLO-RI-OUS! No more ankle-gymnastics and tireless tugging of jeans. Me likey.

You can read more about the Funpod here. It is an english product and not easily found in Australia (although the company rep told me they are working on securing a distributor), but I was beyond lucky to find a pre-loved one that I snapped up at lightning speed - like a fat kid on a cupcake. Just saying...

With a busy little man like Sticky Baby, who is 16 months going on 14 years old, I have no doubt that I will be making the Funpod my bitch. Finger painting, cake making, colouring in, arts and crafts - the possibilities are endless!

Perhaps next month I shall teach him to pour mummy a glass of pinot grigio and prep a platter of cheeses and quince paste..Yesss..my evil plan is working...Muwahahahahhah!

Miracle

2011-01-13T11:02:00.000+01:00

So happy, relieved and grateful to report that neither my parents' nor my grandparents' house was affected in the flood that has devastated so many. I really don't know how they were spared, but they were.

Thank you for all your prayers, positive energy, and thoughts.

THEY WORKED!

My parents' business is still under water, but thankfully they had enough time to take all their assets to higher ground. The rest will be grunt work. Muddy and messy, but they are so lucky, nonetheless.

It will take months, years to rebuild our city but the people of Queensland are banding together and are up for the challenge.

I am yet to come up with a way I can personally help. There are so many. Donations of nappies, baby wipes, food, money to the evacuation centres that have been set up around the city. Baked goods, heat-and-eat meals. Offers of babysitting for those who will need to focus their energies on cleaning up their homes. These are all in my sights. Papadada is gearing up for some volunteer clean-up work too. This morning he bought a giant high-pressure gurney - excellent idea. He's a man with a plan, that one...

2011 Brisbane floods in photos

2011-01-12T08:39:00.001+01:00

A great, and talented friend of mine has taken some jaw-dropping photographs of our city under siege. For those of you asking me for photos, here they are. Brisbane Central Business District well and truly under water..

And some more pics captured by friends in different parts of Brisvegas...Ugh...Speechless...

Suncorp Stadium, Milton - home of Rugby League and many other sports in QLD.

Water up to the seating area so far..

The view from one of my best friend's parents' house, in Jindalee. The water is coming.

And this was early this morning..

How did this happen so fast?

2011-01-12T04:23:00.003+01:00

Just last night, I typed that my parents' home was safe and unaffected.

Things have changed. I awoke to a phone call from my father this morning, explaining that they had been awake all night, moving prized possessions, documents, family photos, personal belongings to higher ground - on kitchen bench tops, in the attic of their workplace - anywhere. The State Emergency Service have advised the people in their neighbourhood to evacuate while there is still time to salvage as much as possible. The water has not yet reached them, but it's not far away. Will it or won't it? We just don't know. Preparation is key, and they are doing a great job so far.

I cannot get to them at all. All highways and bridges into their area is now underwater. They are safe, thank God, and will be staying with some friends in the next suburb over.

They are placing bricks under their furniture, as they watch the water slowly making it's way to their back door. It was 10 metres away late this morning - only 3 metres away only half an hour ago. No power, no hot water, no phones. Thank God for mobiles and texting!

My best friend's parents' house is also getting hit by the rising tide. Landmarks that we know so well are going under, one by one.

The Brisbane River is set to peak this afternoon at around 3pm, and again tomorrow morning at 4am. All we can do is wait.

We are praying that the water stays away from our beloved homes. There is still hope!

Thankfully, my parents in law are high and dry, with no impending threat of flooding. We are all safe.

The suburb of Goodna has had sightings of bull sharks swimming in their main street. And a giant crocodile was spotted somewhere in the Brisbane River. Let's not even talk about snakes. Oh, and here's a message to those hideous, selfish people who are LOOTING and STEALING from people in crisis - how 'bout we throw you all in with the crocs and the sharks! Now there's a plan the Brisbane City Council should implement, pronto!

Thank you for all your messages of support.

Brisbane relives the 1974 floods

2011-01-11T12:24:00.000+01:00

I am speechless. Never have I seen Brisbane like this before. Having been born in 1980, I narrowly escaped the great 1974 floods that ravaged this city over 35 years ago. But now, I am witnessing first hand the effects of months and months of rain, Queensland's dams bursting at the seams. 10 people dead, 78 missing - so far. The Brisbane River is expected to peak in the next 48 hours, the radio and TV broadcasters constantly reminding us that we "haven't seen the worst yet". They say that 75% of the state of Queensland has been affected by these floods. Children being swept away, houses inundated, precious belongings lost to the tides. Surreal. Devastating.

Sticky Baby and I got caught in a 'sticky' situation this morning. The neighbourhood we are currently in is on high ground - no danger alerts whatsoever - nothing. I decided to pop down to the shops, to give the sticky one an outing, grab some milk, perhaps a take-away coffee. An hour later, I had Papadada screaming at me through the iphone, demanding WHY I was there when that specific area was being EVACUATED. Whhhhaaat???!?!

Making my way back to the car, I drove out towards the main road that would take me home. Gridlock traffic. Both ways. Sirens. Curtains of rain. Fire and Rescue vehicles transporting BOATS on their roof racks. A mild panic set in, as I scanned the area, taking mental notes of which roofs, if any, I would climb on if the need arose. A little extreme, you may say, but just the night before, in Toowoomba (a city less than 2 hours away), what the authorities described as an 'Inland Tsunami' swept mothers and children in their cars away. And here I was, in a car, with my baby....

The bridge up ahead was now underwater, cars being turned away. I made the decision to pull the car over, in a car park that seemed relatively 'high', and wait for the rain to subside. We were ok, I had a sippy cup full of water, a box of sultanas, a functioning radio and a fully charged phone.

Before long, a tap at the window - MY FATHER IN LAW! As big and bold as David Hasselhoff, he came to rescue us! Thank you Gary. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Back at his office, having left my car where it was and taken his powerful 4x4 instead, we awaited the arrival of Papadada, and within four hours of the whole debacle starting, we were home, safe and sound. My mother in law, anxiety levels at an all-time high, had baked a quiche and ironed an entire basket-load of clothes, just to take the edge off!

Other people will not be so lucky. My thoughts and prayers go out to those people with family members still missing, houses being destroyed by the slow-creeping giant that is our water system, businesses going under - literally. Cities around Brisbane have been hit so hard. Grantham, Toowoomba, Caboolture, Ipswich. And of course, North Queensland, who lived through this chaos just last week.

Wednesday and Thursday are supposed to bring more disaster, more inches of rain, more rising tides, and no power. We are so fortunate to be in 'high' neighbourhoods. My heroic father in law also has a generator at hand, which will be a huge help if we lose power like we did late this afternoon. My parents and sister are also dry and safe. Thank God.

I will be saying my prayers tonight. Prayers of gratitude for my family's safety, prayers of mercy for those at risk.

Will keep you all posted.

eek!

2011-01-09T12:35:00.000+01:00

We get the keys to our house tomorrow morning! GAHHHHH!

Trying to contain my excitement...

....but failing miserably and quietly doing these in my head....

and ~~a bit~~ a lot of this......

So many ideas, so many sources to draw inspiration from, so many colour schemes fighting for a front-row seat in my brain-parts. My desktop has been bombarded with .jpgs of different 'dream' rooms, from the humble laundry to the main living space. Am I officially a grown-up now that I get funny in the pants just thinking of white plantation shutters in the living room??

Life skills

2011-01-08T08:18:00.001+01:00

This afternoon, whilst in the car, I taught Sticky Baby the art of fake-laughing. He'll need this savoir faire in future job interviews or wanky cocktail parties, no doubt...

End note: I was not driving whilst filming this clip. I was a bored passenger armed with an iphone. So don't double-whammy me for bad parenting...just saying...

Mama heart attack #743

2011-01-05T12:13:00.001+01:00

DIDN'T!!!!!

Excuse the gratuitous picture of Willy Wonka, but seriously, did I make this kid with Papadada or did I unknowingly breed with a Cirque du Soleil performer??? The kid is not even 16 months old and he has better balance and coordination than me.

I think I feel the stage mother in me burgeoning....

Toddler Discipline Side-note: What is a mother to do? Ok, so holding the iPhone in his face and taking a besquillion photos whilst squealing in amazed delight probably did nothing to deter his naked Evil Knievel All-Terrain-Vehicle stunt. But I was amazed and dang it, I was delighted!

Tomorrow, I'll be kicking myself.....When he does this....

Shit. Shit. Shitballs.

Questionable Husband Behaviour....

2011-01-04T21:33:00.000+01:00

What started out as a game of hide-and-seek, ended in an epic post-work nap, Papadada style. Can you see the snout of the giant plush doggy that he's used as a pillow? Double points for creative-toy-usage-to-parent's-advantage.

Men, huh? If only I could learn to switch off like that. (Must learn this trick from hubby).

Watch this space for a pic of me passed out in a box of nappy wipes....Coming soon.....like, never

Hello 2011!

2011-01-02T02:37:00.001+01:00

Time for some resolutions....

Print out digital pics on computer and camera and put them into albums
Explore a new park/playground in Brisbane with Sticky Baby every month
Get back in the gym and try pole dancing as a workout (not in a seedy way) (ok, kind of)

I can so do that

Exfoliate body more
Moisturise body more
Buy those stainless steel, BPA-free drink bottles to replace the toxic, plastic kind

Bottle-lust

More dinner parties of the 'let's use our wedding silverware' kind
Girls' nights in when Papadada is away for work - sauv blanc, cheese, fig paste and romcoms anyone?
Keep the car clean
Swear less
Plant an edible garden in our new backyard - basil, mint, chives, baby tomatoes, parsley

Oops, wrong herb...

Movies + sushi dates with Papadada at least once a month.
Input all my friends' childrens' birthdays in my birthday alarm calendar
Waste less
Love big

Update

2010-12-30T22:20:00.000+01:00

So there's been a lot of photo posts on Sticky Baby of late. I'm sure you've noticed. In fact, you've no doubt dissed me in mumbled tones under your breath, "Lazy mole, if I see one more photo of her baby or her random shoes...". I forgive you. You're welcome. No but really, 'tis the season to be snap happy and we all know the old adage, 'A picture of Sticky Baby speaks a thousand words'. Sometimes it's just easier to communicate through jpgs, you know?

And the other thing is that there is SO MUCH going on right now, that I hardly know how to begin stringing together the vowels and consonants to explain JUST HOW MUCH is going on right now. Bullet points always come in handy (a throw-back to my old university days), so here goes:

Settling in to a new city/country/continent
Living with the in-laws and sharing a home with 4 adults and 1 toddler
The impending move back to our own house, early Jan
The impending renovations on our house, also early Jan
Buying EVERYTHING on God's green earth for said house

See what I mean?

Surprisingly all of the above are all very positive and exciting things. We are beyond loving being back in Australia and you would be hard pressed to find Papadada or I without a goofy perma-smile on our faces. Sticky Baby has become a regular at the local swimming pool, rocking his polka-dot swimmer nappies and learning how to duck dive from Pop. Gorge. My mother-in-law is serving up restaurant-quality meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and making me bottomless cups of tea daily. Total score. I have spent a ludicrous amount of hours on Martha Stewart's home page, hunting and gathering decorating ideas and tips for our new house. Even Papadada has been caught flipping through this month's giant edition of Kitchen and Bathrooms. Gotta love a man who knows his counter tops from his splash backs.

So prepare yourselves for an onslaught of 'What do you think of this door handle/light fixture/tile/bed spread' type posts. Feedback is welcome. In fact, it's mandatory.

I am totally stalking her. She makes my hairs stand on end, but I can't keep myself from coming back for more of her beyond-OCD organizing tips. Ob-sessed.

As an aside, what is everyone doing for NYE? And what sort of NY's resolutions are we making for 2011?

Dropping the 'F' bomb

2010-12-30T02:08:00.000+01:00

FAMILY

FUN

FOOD

Heaven in a box

2010-12-28T06:12:00.000+01:00

Do you die?

My Christmas pressie from my wonderful parents in-law. I am still wiping the drool from my chin, over 72 hours after unwrapping these podiatric delights. I literally died with a leg in the air when I first laid eyes on these little beauties, several weeks ago, trawling the boutiques with Ann, my MIL. Little did I know, she would later treck all the way back to that divine little shoe shop and BUY THEM FOR ME! Every daughter-in-law deserves a pair of hot salmon-hued leather and organza flower sandals, right? But seriously....I am so very, very lucky. VERY lucky.

I love photo editing

2010-12-26T22:59:00.001+01:00

.....The "He's going to kill me" edition....

Sticky Piccie

2010-12-26T12:42:00.001+01:00

Eat, Drink and be Merry

2010-12-24T05:48:00.000+01:00

To all my readers and Sticky Baby fans,

Wishing you all a truly happy and festive Christmas amongst loved ones. This Christmas is extra special for Papadada, the Stickster and I - our first Chrissie back in Australia in 3 years! Oh, to be with family! Tonight, a traditional french Christmas Eve feast with 17 family members and far too much red wine. Tomorrow morning, traditional Aussie Christmas breakfast with the in laws and neighbours, followed by lunch, followed by food-comas all around.

I have been wrapping presents since early this morning, my hands are covered in paper cuts and there may be some sticky tape still in my hair. Classy.

I have a couple of lovely wardrobe changes in mind for the coming days. A sweet white cocktail dress paired with silver sandals for tonight's event and a summery salmon day dress with cute pleating detail around the neckline for the 25th. I'm feeling good about these choices. Fingers crossed I don't spill any red wine tonight. It's totes going to happen, I already know it.

Sticky Baby will be rocking an 'I LOVE SANTA' stripey onesie, accessorising with white cardboard angel wings. Photos to come. And the gorgeous one (Papadada) will be looking fiiiiinnnne in whatever he chooses to don for the occasion.

Love, light and joy to all of you.

xoxoxo

Small Human in Training

2010-12-21T03:24:00.001+01:00

Guess who's wearing training pants?

Yes folks, we're travelling into uncharted waters and going nappy free! My baby is a brainiac and is completely potty-trained at 15 months old. He is the bees knees, the kitty-cats pyjamas, and a genius when it comes to managing number 1s and number 2s.

LIES! LIES!

Look, the reality is that Sticky Baby is still poo-pooing and weeing to his hearts content and doesn't seem at all phased by carrying around a brown turtle-head in his nappy (tmi. gross). In saying that, Papadada and I have noticed of late that whenever he does a poo he clutches at his crotch and makes some sort of random baby sound. We're taking this as a sign that he's aware of what he's doing. So why not run with the wind and begin toilet training now?

His newly found excrement awareness, combined with the stifling Australian summer compelled me to buy him some awfully cute terry-towelling training pants. For now, he's rocking the big-boy pants only in the mornings, while we're still at home. Gives his man-parts some much needed breathing space.

There's been a few 'accidents' of course, but a little baby wee on the tiles never hurt anybody. The terry-towelling does an amazing job of absorbing a fair bit of it, and the colour change on the fabric let's me know what's happened, which is when I lead the Stickster to the bathroom and do a big song and dance. Fun for everyone, including the neighbours.

I get the feeling that Sticky Baby is feeling a little alarmed at the 'nakedness' of the whole thing. Hence, strategic panda bear placement....

Perhaps it's way too soon, perhaps I'll be poop-scooping for weeks, months, years to come. But there's no harm in trying, right?

Ho! Ho! No!

2010-12-20T02:19:00.000+01:00

The much anticipated 'First Mall Photo With Santa Claus'. Much anticipated by me, that is. Sticky Baby?Kinda had to lure him with a string cheese stick. But what's new there. I lure him to many places with cheese. We got there bright and early and were the first eager beavers in line for some Santa goodness.

Result? There were no blood-curdling screams, no ripping off of Old Saint Nick's beard, but no massive smiles either. Sticky Baby was all, 'What evs, mum'. 'When do I get more cheese'.

Totally not having a bar of the big dude in red. Virtually just a photo of Santa and I. And why oh why did I not dress appropriately nor do hair or makeup?? FAIL

"I want to go to there". Not here with the bearded weirdo. There.

And now for the finished, paid for (daylight robbery) product......

Santa looks about as thrilled as Sticky Baby. And yes, that is a zit on Sticky Baby's cheek.

Storm chaser

2010-12-18T07:38:00.000+01:00

The perfect re-introduction to dark, brooding Queensland summer storms....

Hot, humid, singlets and shorts, cold drinks and flip flops...Christmas in Australia....I LOVE!

Au Revoir, France

2010-12-13T12:32:00.000+01:00

There is a magical place by the sea, about a half hour drive from our home in France. It is called Collioure. Visited by some of the world's most renowned artists, both it's scenery and spirit are breath-taking. Papadada and I always swore that before leaving France for good, we would take some family photos in this glorious little nook of the world. Our wardrobe isn't overly 'family portrait' worthy, but the memories certainly are. Enjoy.

France,

We will miss you for so many reasons. We made you our home away from home, cultivated our love for one another other, the Pyrenees and vineyards as our backdrop, and bore a son who will carry his French nationality with pride. We savoured your food, absorbed your rich culture, learnt your language, took on your traditions - many of which have travelled back to Australia with us. Baguettes, red wine, and warm nutella crepes will forever be served at our family table. Thank you for three wonderful, life-changing years.

Merci et Au revoir xoxo

Dubai in megapixels

2010-12-11T05:58:00.000+01:00

At the Dubai Mall Aquarium. Sticky Baby + cold, slimy critters with gills = love

Ummmm...3 arabian men besotted by our child. Their wives were also taking pictures.

The incredible Dubai fountain. Similar to the one in Vegas. Set to a Celine Dion soundtrack, what's not to love?

Shop name summing up our sentiments, exactly.

There were invisible tootpicks holding up our eyelids. The fatigue well and truly had a hold on us at this point in our 300 days of travelling....gawd..

Exhale

2010-12-09T01:38:00.001+01:00

We're home.

At last.

Home Sweet Home.

Will type more when I feel human again.

Ni' night. (It's 10:30am....oh well....)

By George!

2010-12-06T04:37:00.000+01:00

I think I’ve found the ultimate fat-busting, cellulite-banishing remedy!

Ready for it?

Enter Dubai Mall, (largest mall in the entire universe) and get lost for 3 hours! All while pushing a pram with a 12kg sleeping baby-log and a 6-pack of Evian. Whew!

Ok, so the ‘getting lost’ bit is totally subjective. It is a pleasant disorientation, at the very least. For once, Sticky Baby actually slept his entire 2-hour nap in his buggy, giving Papadada and I an unprecedented leisurely shopping time-slot. Ahh, the joys of wandering in and out of shop after shop after shop after shop. Flagship Manolo Blanik store anyone? Don’t mind if I do! (window shopping, of course...boo, hiss). Papadada ummed and aahed over Carrera sunglasses as I ducked in and out of an obscene amount of retailers. Result? Nada! Zilch! Super-fun, nonetheless.

Still loving Dubai. Still hoping to cross paths with a camel, a sheikh prince, or Sarah Jessica Parker on a re-shoot of SATC2.

Speaking of which, I am doing my utmost to channel the fashion of the Sex & The City gals in their latest flick. Harem pants, full-length play suits with colourful wraps, chic sandals. I die.

Heading to the hotel pool for an afternoon swim with my very own Mr Big (and my Mr Small too).

وداعا! Salam! (I think that’s goodbye in Arabic)

Dreamy Dubai

2010-12-05T05:42:00.000+01:00

Wow. Wow. And more wows.

Dubai is NUTS!

Will keep this one short seeing we are paying 20Euros for hotel internet connection. YEOUCH!

We left France on Friday morning. Au revoir! Touched down in Dubai yesterday. Here for 2 nights, 3 days in an attempt to break up the long flight back to Australia.

Happy to report that Sticky Baby did reasonable well on the Paris-Dubai leg. Papadada and I each have 5 to 10 new grey hairs, as opposed to the fistful we developed the last time we flew....

Dubai is jaw-droppingly opulent. We have never seen as many luxury 4WD vehicles, period. And the newly opened Dubai Mall? RIDONCULOUS! An aquarium and underwater zoo in a shopping complex? Sticky Baby was truly impressed. He pashed every single glass enclosure, trying to get a closer look at the stingrays and colourful nemo fish. And then he nearly poked a penguin in the eye (ok, so this happened while I was longingly looking across at the enormous ZARA shop. Oops. But, can you blame a girl? My apologies, dear penguin).

Today, we are heading out to the world famous Atlantis, The Palm resort. Apparently it’s a must-see.

More details to come....

Beautiful Chaos

2010-11-30T12:05:00.000+01:00

12 boxes

3 suitcases

3 carry-ons

1 baby

2 house guests

endless rain and sleet

3 hours of power outage

..... Oh, and I’ve lost my voice.

(probably a good thing otherwise I may be partial to rolling around on the floor, screaming like a stressed-out banshee for the next 4 days to come)

I HEART MOVING

Don’t tell anyone, but I have stashed a bottle of vodka in amongst the bubble wrap that is littering our garage. Ok, I haven’t really. But I’m going to the bottle shop now. See ya round suckerz, mama’s going to get her relocation drinkies on!

Conversations with teddy

2010-11-29T06:01:00.000+01:00

Deep and meaningfuls on the couch....

Big-ass news

2010-11-28T20:49:00.000+01:00

So, I’ve been keeping a wee secret. In fact, it’s everything but ‘wee’, but I can’t resist that sweet, Scottish word. Wee wee wee wee wee. There. I’m done.

Secret? Oh yes...

Papadada, Sticky Baby and I are moving. And I’m not talking houses. I’m not even talking suburbs, nor cities, but COUNTRIES! Even CONTINENTS!

Sweet jesus! We’re moving HOME!!!!!! (There will never be a font big enough or bold enough or sufficient exclamation marks. Just saying.)

After 3 years of living in beautiful France we have decided that a 4th year is no longer in our plans, nor in our hearts. We are ready to go home for good. The two months we spent back home recently were just too golden. Nothing beats family. Nothing beats old friends. Nothing beats the weather and the lifestyle that our beautiful Brisbane, Australia blesses us with. Our baby boy needs his grandparents and his cousins and his aunties and uncles. We need our sanity back.

France has given us so much. Papadada proposed to me in gay Paris. We spent the first two years of our marriage in this country. We made a baby. We created a family, a network of amazing friends, and unforgettable memories.

But now? We are ready to lay down some real roots. We want to be home to share Sunday lunches, birthdays, friends’ weddings, weekend bbqs. We want to open and USE our gorgeous wedding gifts. We want to communicate with our loved ones in real time, not via emails or skype. Give me a coffee date with my mama any day of the week!

My talented and extraordinary husband has secured a brilliant career move back to our home town, so professionally, exciting things lay ahead. Things couldn’t be more perfect.

I can’t even fathom what life will be like back home, for good. Besides living there for 11 short months back in 2006, I haven’t resided permanently in Bris-vegas in nearly a decade. Say WHA? I cant even believe that myself. Wowsers.

The possibilities for Sticky Baby and I are endless. First on the list? Semester enrolment at Gymboree. Baby gym, here we come! Next? Maybe some work here and there for me. Who knows. I’m excited. And the most exciting? The thing that has me doing mental backflips? Perhaps a couple of nights off a month for PapaD and I, leaving the Stickster in the amazing care of his doting grandparents. HELLS YEAH! BRING IT!

Anyways, this post could go on and on and on, like a bad Oscars speech, so I’m going to cut it short.

We leave this Friday. Can anyone say “Surviving on 20 coffees a day”?

Looking forward to ‘Au Revoir’ and ‘G’day’ in the space of a few days.

Angel

2010-11-26T06:02:00.001+01:00

I snapped this photo early in the morning, whilst on holiday at my uncle’s dreamy rainforest ~~house~~ mansion. The place is heaven. And in heaven there are angels. Sticky Baby’s white pyjamas glowed in the sunshine like nothing I’ve seen before. All that was missing were wings and a halo. Divine.

The arrival of Mother Teresa

2010-11-25T05:00:00.001+01:00

(In the back of a cab in New York City circa. 2006. Ahhh, I look so FRESH and YOUNG!)

Today, at 12:40pm, one of my dearest, bestest friends in the whole wide world is coming to visit!!! Her name is Teresa, and seriously, she may as well be the Saint of Friendships. We met in steamy Singapore, in a 4-story model house, back in 2003. Amid the sea of 14-year old, eastern-european waifs, and huge-ego’d male models, we spotted one another, clicked over a bowl of 2-minute noodles (yes, we were the only ones eating), and the rest is history! We traveled and worked our way through Singapore, Thailand, Australia and New York City. We have cried over lost loves, laughed ’til the tears rolled down our faces, and danced in crazy thai night-clubs. She read a beautiful psalm at our wedding, and witnessed my growing belly over Skype. She knows my sister, my parents, my grandparents and all my dirty little secrets. She is my sister from another mother and I thank GOD that I get to spend a whole week with her! She will finally meet Sticky Baby, and that is a moment I cannot wait for.

Oh the joy of reunions!

Just Do It

2010-11-24T06:00:00.000+01:00

With much love (and a belly full of dinner), I have put together a pictorial recapitulative of our FREAKIN’ AWESOME time back home. (Don’t you just love a sentence with two fancy, grown-up words and two crappy, slangy words? Mmm-hmmm. Thought so. You’re welcome).

Needless to say, our vacation was verb-alicious. We DID so much. And Sticky Baby was right there with us!

Sight-seeing in our beautiful, river city - Brisbane, Australia

Bush walking and river crossing in lush Byron Bay

Putting in the new letter box with Papy Jacques and Papadada

Running around the house with pjs on his head

Mowing with Papadada in nothing but a nappy.

Riding in the shopping car-t. Baby bliss.

Just a snippet, of course. We had the most incredible two months ever. Memorable, in so many ways. Perhaps life-changing. More on that later. Cryptic, I know...

For now?

We heart Australia:)

Forecasting

2010-11-23T07:26:00.000+01:00

This morning, post-bottle, Papadada and I were watching Sticky Baby play. I love him in his all-in-one, terry towelling pyjamas. The round belly, the cushy tushy, his small, covered feet padding around our living room floor. I melt.

All of a sudden, I blurted out:

“I hope we get a nice daughter-in-law when the time comes. I pray he chooses a nice girl that treats him well”.

This is the look I got from my husband:

Not a true to life image of Papadada. But the look of confusion was identical.

Ok, so maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself. But don’t you guys sometimes think of these things? Like, what if he chooses a real mole of a lass, a horrid, bitchy, nasty piece of work. I die to think. I know he’s still in nappies and is in no way capable of saying anything remotely close to “Marry me”, but I hope and pray that he picks a nice girl. Just like his mother. HA! Damn right

My Fair Baby

2010-11-22T12:21:00.000+01:00

The fair is in town! Roll up, roll up! La Foire Saint Martin comes in once a year, full of spanish gypsies, Nutella crepes, bright lights, and colourful rides. The air is crisp, the coats are out, and sticky baby fingers are tingling in anticipation....

Sporting my gumboots just like all those London trend-setters at summer music festivals

My first ride - The Star Wars 'Millennium Falcon’

(Clearly, I did not know the actual name of this space craft...but Papadada did, and he insisted I record it in this blog accurately)

How the jeebus does this thing work?

The man just cannot resist a shooting game

Ready to get his junk on...hot fries and a crepe. Bring it!

Tragic photo of me..red nose, fly-aways, giant coat that reminds me of the one Anthony Hopkins wore in ‘Legends of the Fall’. Help. But Sticky Baby and fake horse look killer. Photo saved.

Regressing

2010-11-19T07:21:00.000+01:00

We dug out Sticky Baby’s first stroller today, complete with attachable moses basket/flat bed. Guess who decided he wanted to be a newborn babe again?

The new ad campaign for baby bottles.....?

2010-11-18T19:14:00.000+01:00

Papadada back from a run, desperately thirsty, grabbing the first drinking receptacle available...Sticky Baby’s bottle. Weirdo. Gorgeous weirdo.

So much to tell you

2010-11-17T11:29:00.001+01:00

Hey Bubba,

It’s been too long since my last scribble to you. So here we go!

You are 14 months old now, and gee whiz have you been a busy little weasel!

In the past two months....

* You have boarded 6 different planes, wooing the flight attendants from Singapore Airlines and Air France each and every time. Mini Casanova, you are.

* You started walking! And haven’t stopped since! You have spectacular stacks several times a day, but none of them seem to bother you. You are slowly breaking into a bubba-run and you climb stairs ~~terrifyingly~~ remarkably well.

* You are becoming quite the ‘mellow fellow’, as I like to call you. Those magnesium tablets are working their magic and we find you several times a day, laying down on the tiles, peacefully resting your blonde head and happily watching the world go by. Last night you even ‘vegged’ out on the couch with us, giving us big, contented smiles with your belly full of milk. You are divine. Just divine.

* You are saying "bye bye", blowing kisses, and waving all at once. You totally get it. Puzzle pieces are coming together like nobody’s business. Smart, smart little boy.

* You are ‘talking’ like never before. With perfect, melodic intonations and hand gestures to compliment what you are ‘saying’. Although a lot of it is sounding strangely Indian. You say stuff like ‘Batik batik’, ‘Bouti’ and ‘Patak’ A LOT. We have no idea where it’s coming from. But gosh, it makes us laugh! Your Mamie Nic especially loves your crazy little language and imitates your Bollywood-inspired accent to perfection.

* You are turning into quite the little swimmer thanks to Pop’s patience and guidance in the pool. You come home from those swimming lessons completely tuckered out, bleary eyed, but oh so happy!

* You are rocking mad new threads and looking like a real little toddler now! Denim long sleeve shirts, plaid sneakers, woollen vests, cargo pants. Tres tres cute!

* Papy Jacques has nick-named you ‘Babo’, after the way you first starting pronouncing ‘Bye bye’. I think it’s going to stick.

* You have Granski wrapped around your little finger. Completely. You are a tough little nut with her, relishing in your games of ‘catch me if you can’ and making her work so hard for every kiss and cuddle. But the way your face lights up when you see her in the morning says it all, really.

* You have gotten SO MUCH BETTER with being in the car. I think you’ve finally understood that being in a car generally means that we’re going somewhere new and fun. ‘Bout time, kiddo.

* We think you are due for your first hair cut very, very soon. We are hoping that auntie Belinda will do the honours, seeing as she is the best hairdresser in the world. And your God-mother. It’s her duty, isn’t it?

* You are loving cherry tomatoes, blueberries, cheerio cereal, cheese sticks and raisin toast. You also have a serious love affair going on with mashed potato. Carb-loading all the way.

You are changing day by day, surprising us at every turn and making our world such a very bright and happy place.

Love you like fireworks,

x Mama

We’re baaaaaaccckkkk!

2010-11-16T20:03:00.000+01:00

Back in France. Back in blogging action.

Pardon my severe blog-lect (that’s neglect in blogging terms), but I did warn you.

I have a shiz load of photos that I want to share with you all, but the camera charger is buried somewhere beneath a mountain of unpacked clothes and miscellaneous travel items. Sheesh.

Out of all the photos we have taken recently, there was one shot that I kinda regret not having snapped....

It happened yesterday as I was speed-vacuuming the house. I was enthusiastically sucking up dust bunnies beneath the stairs with the nozzle-y end, vigorously rearranging the stuff that we have stored there. I left the power on the vacuum running, placing the nozzle-y end down while I moved some items around. As you do. The next minute I heard a whirring, whizzing sound. I turned around and Sticky Baby’s face was being sucked off by the vacuum. Dear God! Half his mouth and cheek were being violently suctioned and his eyes were bugging out of his head with shock. He must’ve grabbed it while I had my back turned. Shit. Shit. Shit! I quickly jumped into mama-action, turned the vacuum off and grabbed him in my arms. Fortunately, the little guy didn’t really have time to cry. He was too busy touching his cheek, wondering who the hell had given him the biggest hickie of all time.

Seriously though, it could’ve been bad. Really bad. What if he’d popped that nozzle-y round end on his eye? I cringe to think....Papadada made me consider that possibility and now I want to hurl my ravioli dinner.

So here’s a heads up to all you mums out there. Don’t leave the vacuum on, nozzle-y end exposed, with your back turned. Shit happens.

And also, just ‘cause I have to say it... I don’t really mean that I wish I had captured that photo. But that look of sheer shock and ‘WHAT THE EFF’ on his face? I’ll never forget that! You’re one lucky little bugger, Sticky Baby....

Seriously, did this cartoon artist visit our house the other day? Spooky.

Although Papadada looks all wrong and for the love of Kris Jenner, I hope my fashion sense

is better than a black pencil skirt, a purple sweater and black shoe-booties.

WARNING! WARNING!

2010-10-28T01:12:00.000+02:00

This is an official TEMPORARY ABANDONMENT OF BLOG WARNING

Gasp! Shocking! Egad! (for the love of Giuliana & Bill, who says "Egad" anymore...I do)

Yes, dear readers, I am going to be out of blogging action for the next fortnight, until we return to Frog-Land (France).

Papadada, Sticky Baby and I will be spending these last two weeks in Oz with my parents, who strategically do not have a computer in their home. They figure they spend enough time in front of a monitor during work hours, so they have banned anything with a keyboard within a 50 metre radius of the house. I love it, I respect it, I worship their hard-core computer-hating ethos. However, this does spell the DEATH of my regular blogging.

So, I am going to put out a 'patience vibe' to the universe, and I hope you will all latch on tightly. Be patient, my pretties, I will be back shortly with more random baby stories and thoughts on reality tv shows (speaking of which, I have developed a rather debilitating obsession with Giuliana and Bob Rancic and their kick-ass tv program. I have missed a gut-wrenching amount of eps BUT I plan to do a youtube marathon catch-up quick smart! Damn it! No computer at my parents house! GAAHHH!)

I love these guys. It's a fact.

Happy Halloween to my readers in the States, Happy Melbourne Cup Day to my readers here in Australia and I'll see you all soon in the sticky blogosphere!

Prince Pepper Pot

2010-10-25T10:45:00.001+02:00

Sticky Baby may very well have a new name. Pepper pot. This is how our naturopath, Paul, chose to describe him.

I love it.

News from the magnesium-deficiency front, for those of you who have been following the saga. Magnesium supplements are our new best friends. Sticky Baby is on a high dose for now, 6 tablets a day, although the iridologist confirms that until he stops growing (um, excuse me, have you seen the father? This child will NEVER stop growing!) he will more than likely need at least 3-4 tablets a day. We have a little magnesium-junky on our hands. So be it.

The change we have seen in our little boy is quite amazing. There are many times a day where Papadada and I look at one another in sheer amazement. Examples you ask? Pepper pot never, and I mean NEVER, would sit on our laps for a cuddle. Too much energy. Cuddles are for sissies. No time, no time, must continue to romp and crawl and have mini-baby-brain-explosions from too much energy. Now? He cuddles like a pro. Sits, relaxes, even savours the cuddling. BM (before magnesium)? He HATED the car. As much as Kris Jenner hates Scott Dissick. AM (after magnesium)? He will quite easily endure a 1hr car ride. MIRACLE! It's a miracle people! The lion is now a lamb (ok, a very energetic, crazy-ass lamb...but a lamb nonetheless!). Is there a dietary supplement saint I can sing my praises to? 'Cause Hallelujahs are coming your way sister!

For those of you out there with children, I would HIGHLY recommend you visit a naturopath or iridologist if you feel your child has ADD-type symptoms. Restlessness, irritability, highly strung, you get my drift. Magnesium deficiencies are quite common in kids and it would be a crying shame to medicate our little people with hard drugs if they can just as easily be healed with simple supplements. Worth a try at the very least, don't you think? Amen. And for that matter, we've had such a positive experience with our naturopath that I would be inclined to pay him a visit for any other 'ailments' that may come our way in the future. A good mix of traditional medicine and alternative therapies seems to be a sensible option, for our family at least.

Magnesium or no magnesium, our little Sticky Baby will always be a little pepper pot. Hot to trot, full of fire, and seasoning our lives every single day. Love you baby!

C'mon, get mouse-happy!

2010-10-24T23:16:00.000+02:00

Dear readers,

It's that time again, where the votes are re-set for the TOP MOMMY BLOGS directory.

Click here if you lurve you some stickiness!

And now, a message from Sticky Baby himself.... (Excuse the gratuitous nudity. He's an exhibitionist like that.)