elanamatic

Three Things. One involving nudity.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011
One. Love the Feb Happy Robot smackdown. I praise you Senor Robot and Monsieur Jean Ball for encouraging us to write again. Feb is totally a month of blahs and I have been looking for an excuse to start writing again. Here goes.

Two. It's been two years since I actually posted on here so be patient if my writing skillz have dulled with neglect. In that time, I have done some writing and some other producing, like a second daughter for instance. Her name is Charlotte (possibly the most popular name in my hood) and she is now one and a bit. As Mia says, now I have Two Ones. I would like to blame the lack of writing on my busy grown up life with two kids but clearly that is just an excuse. No more excuses. Just exhaustion.

Three. As Adina wrote recently, kids are filled with enlightenment. To me this comes across in their ability to speak great truths, like "I don't want to be Jewish, I want something to decorate for xmas" and "I just want cookies for supper." I often feel the same way but feel like I can't say admit it. The same rules apply to nudity. Kids seem to love being naked. They have the most fun running around and being little nudies! I sometimes wonder if I was ever that carefree?

Who's The Boss

Thursday, September 24, 2009
No this is not a dedication to Tony Danza.

I was solo parenting in Montreal last week so Mia and I had a lot of quality time together. I don't know if it was all the one-on-one adult interaction or just her age, but her communication abilities seemed to leapfrog before my eyes. We are started having actual conversations. This one was a gem:

I am catching up on work via blackberry while Mia wolfed down some mac n cheese.

Mia: "What's mommy doing?"
Me: "Mommy is emailing her boss."
Mia: "I'm the boss!" followed by tremendous laughter.

I immediately cracked up too.

How did she come up with that one? Is it because I am always calling her bossy? Clearly she is on to something. Now, whenever I jokingly ask her who the boss is, she says "Mia is the boss!"

So true.

Blowing on the shadow of my mind

Thursday, October 30, 2008
Summer is long over. The winter is nearly here. I usually don't mind the snowy season but for some reason I have a feeling this year's winter will be harder than most. The winds have been fierce and cool lately. I am starting to dread the weather ahead. Soooo to keep myself feeling upbeat I decided to make a list of things I love about the cold:

- Dark nail polish
- Soy lattes with cinnamon.
- Soup
- Scarves have always been a fave accessory of mine.
- Dinner parties with rich red wine
- Skiing on a sunny day in deep fresh powdery snow
- Curling up under a duvet reading
- Warming up after a long walk.
- Baking oatmeal cookies.

This year I am also looking forward to playing with some new toys..My macbook, the wii fit and of course that other plaything Mia. Can't wait to see the snow through her eyes. I will teach her to catch snowflakes on her tongue, make snow angels and the art of hot chocolate.

15 months

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Dear Mia -

I am typing you this email on my shiny new macbook. It is pretty sweet! You are currently having a shluf, something you are very good at - this is also pretty sweet. Your dad is catching up at the office and I have the house to myself. It is quiet and clean, two things I have really come to appreciate.

You are more fun every day. In the beginning, I was pretty happy to be back at work, but now that you are walking and talking and laughing and dancing, I miss you like crazy come Mondays. You are totally scrumptious. You still love to eat. You also love to dismiss certain food items without even trying them (rando!) or drop them onto the floor. Thankfully, you also enjoy cleaning and are very helpful at finding bits of food or wayward autumn leaves that you find under the table or on the floor.

We spend most of our time together with you climbing into my lap and asking for the same stories over and over and over. You love to say the words you know. Every fruit is an apple. Butterflys are bubahs. Cows say moo. Cats say meow miow. And of course Dogs say bow wow wow wow wow. You can be more entertaining than TV when we ask to see your belly button and you lift up your shirt to show us your extremely round full belly and pinch it and point.

We are so lucky to have such an easy going (you sleep in every morning until 8!) and lovable baby. I took you to the doc this week and when they asked me if I had any concerns about you, I said "Nope. My only is that if we ever decide to have another child, they won't be as easy as you." That pretty much sums it up. You are super special and I hope you have fun on all our upcoming adventures together. I also hope that you keep up the dancing but that someone else (maybe your auntie Marsie?) will teach you better moves, cos your dad and I are pretty pathetic (but also hilarious!) when it comes to bustin out the moves.

Ok better cut this short. I have celery sticks to fill with cheez whiz for tonight's Mad Men Season Two Finale soiree. Luvs ya!

work/life + balance = myth

Monday, September 22, 2008
So it has been at least two months since I last posted. I was tempted to abandon this whole writing thing but decided I am not a quitter so here goes:

I returned to work at the end of July and my life has been a non-stop to do list ever since. Saying that, I am actually loving being back at work. I have my own separate identity. I can accomplish things. I can drink coffee uninterrupted. Plus, I now appreciate my time with Mia even more so and I think she does too. Oh and I get a paycheque. A true "win-win" to borrow from my workaday nomenclature.

Today I went for lunch for the first time with some other working moms (from other industries) and it confirmed my feelings. As a working parent, you are in constant go/do mode. The laundry/cooking/cleaning is endless. It is totally kicking my ass. Even tonight, I made dinner but I am too tired to eat it so I am drinking a beer and typing out these thoughts instead. I'll eat my fish tagine experiment tomorrow night. Never in my life have I been too tired to eat. This is definitely a new reality.

It has also come to my attention that this work/life balance myth applies to pretty much everyone. The more space you have, the more work/life expands to fill it. There are also a number of distractions that are sucking my creative time, namely TV (mad men!), facebook, twitter, fashion mags... and it goes on.

Still, I am not doing too badly. I have managed to squeeze in a workout or two. I don't *only* feed the kid mac n' cheese. I have been paying most of the bills on time. Sadly, these "wins" are at the expense of my social and/or romantic life.

Here's hoping it all gets easier with month three.

14 months, yikes.

Monday, September 22, 2008
So my little Mia is no longer so little. She is hardly even a baby. In fact she is a full on toddler. She has really nailed the whole walking thing and has taken it so far as to start running.

Last night we were invited to a friend's place for dinner. Their layout is very circular. Halfway through the evening, Mia started running around in a loop. I was prompted to chase her and say "I'm gonna catch you" and she responded by running faster and squealing with delight. What a squeaker! We were both sweating and out of breath by the time dessert came around.

She is also starting to babble up a storm. She loves to say bubbles and turtle and bow wow wow wow wow. Dog and cat still rank and now she points at my nose all day and says "nose."

A total girly girl, she looooves shoes. She says shhhhooooes all day long. After I take them off, she goes and gets them and says shooooes. I have to put them back on again. Fun times.

She still loves her snuggly bunny which she now puts in cars/buses etc.. and drives around making vroom noises. Too cute.

We haven't uploaded pics in months. I'd like to blame my return to work but I think I should really blame the PVR instead.

I have a one year old.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Dear Mia,

I have been a neglectful parent and happyrobot contributor. I have barely posted in the last three months. Mostly because you went from lying around on your back or tummy to sitting up, standing up, crawling (more scooting), talking and all kinds of other crazily impressive stuff. Yesterday you turned one. I was a totally emotional girly girl all day. Even the day before, I was a little teary. A far cry from the head to toe black, rock loving, angst ridden girl I used to be. I am now mushy mom. I blame you for this as you will probably blame me for everything else from here on in. I totally love you to bits. You have bright red curls and now that you are enjoying solid foods and no longer starving, you bring on the smiles. And the giggles. It's all pretty delicious.

You are obsessed with dogs. It was your first word after dada. You are constantly pointing them out and listening for their barks. You might one day become a vet, or maybe a dog walker (this fills your father with dread.) Everything to you is dowg! Dawg! It's like hanging out with Randy Jackson all day. To be fair, you also like to point out cats. Ca. And flowers. And birds. Oh and did I mention bananas? They are another one of your fave things.

You still only have two bottom teeth but the top ones are on their way and you have been keeping us up all weekend. When we give in and bring you into bed with us, you like to stand up and smack the headboard. You love smacking that thing. I am glad it is smooth because I know you secretly want to climb it to get a better look at our print of kimono cats fishing.

We bought you a cupcake for your birthday. You devoured it in record time and then tried to eat the wrapper. A cupcakeaholic myself, I couldn't have been more proud.

Happy first year Mimi!

Pineapple gut rot

Wednesday, June 04, 2008
I must admit, as much as I am enjoying being at home with baby, there are moments where I feel a little too desperate housewife for my liking. So far this morning, after feeding Mia breakfast (at the expense of my caffeinated beverage which was too lukewarm by the time I got to it) and putting her down for a nap I have complete the following domestic tasks:

1. Changed into the requisite yogawear daytime outfit (in my defense I am going to a yoga class today but I would prob don the same sweats regardless)
2. Read Real Simple. A magazine I never picked up before mat leave. It's not the right magazine for me and I probably won't buy it again, but I did tear out a few of the recipes from the back.
3. Put away dishes.
4. Sorted laundry.
5. Put some veg in the oven to roast so Mia can have something to eat eat eat later.
6. Cut up the delish organic pineapple I bought yesterday. Since I was cutting it into a smallish container, I took the one for me, one for you rule. Now I have pineapple gut rot. Has anyone else ever had this or am I just extra sensitive?

Spring Inventory

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
I am spending a lot of time roaming the house these days as Mia (now ten months, and deserving of a dedicated entry) has learned to shluf (sleep/nap) for hours at a time. Seeing as it is spring, I have been cleaning out all the drawers, cupboards etc.. I felt like I was back in retail taking inventory. Below is slice of my real life inventory pie for spring 08:

I have...
- 6 different roll-on deodorants. Four of them "natural." The other two are backup.
- 8 kinds of body lotion. Many are gifts. Why do women gift moisturizer to other women?
- 4 boxes of Annie's Whole Wheat Mac N Cheese. (I swear they are for Mia)
- Too many sweatpants to count.
- a ton of stuff to post to craigslist
- one heck of a cute baby girl.
- Ten weeks until I go back to work (eep!)
- still got "it" (a stranger bought me and my friend a coffee in the market today.. I thought my days of free drinks were over!)
- a great partner
- loving family
- super duper friends!
- five annoying baby gates
- 6 different piles of magazines
- one wii (!) complete with mario kart and aspirations to own a wii fit
- too many apples to eat
- not nearly enough chocolate
- 4 weddings in the next 6 months
- severe case of writer's block
- a serious addiction to shasha chocolate snaps, i had only had the ginger until a kind mom offered me some in the park one day (i was starving as I'd only packed food for Mia) and I had a handful and nearly swooned with gratitude and deliciousness.
- ooh since drafting this i also tried the all new lemon poppy seed shasha snaps, divine!
ok i go now.

Nine months in, nine months out.

Thursday, April 24, 2008
Dear Mia -

You are now nine months old. My lovely little person, you bowl me over with your burgeoning personality. You are curious and light, serious and demanding, giggly and defiant. Also just too darn cute for words. Your red hair is starting to curl and I promise to do my best to help you tame the big mane you have inherited.

Growing quickly, you love to stand, bounce, reach and eat. OMG do you love to eat! Almost any kind of food will do but bananas and cheese rank highest on your gimme gimme scale.

You also love to nuzzle, cuddle and attack me with wide open mouth kisses. And pull my hair. And stab me in the eye with your tiny taloned fingers. Oh and pinches. And blow raspberries. Non stop raspberries.

Sleep is also big on your list of priorities. For that we are exceptionally grateful. You are the best sleeper around. I am pretty sure you scored that trait from me, I heart sleep too.

Social and chatty, you love to check out the older babies. They fascinate you and cause you to ooh and ahh super loud. Dogs are even more exciting.

You finally earned a tooth this month. I bought you a fancy bib to celebrate your newfound chomping capabilities. I am scared I will spoil the crap out of you but I am doing pretty ok so far. I think. You are really obsessed with me, which is amazing but also terrifying because I am guaranteed to disappoint you one day. I am human after all and my flaws run deep. I wish you could remember the unwavering love you feel for me at this age (except for when I wipe your face, then I quickly become your mortal combatant!) but I am sure you will forget the first time I say no, you cannot buy that outfit or no you cannot stay out all night. Eep.

In the meantime, I will take what I can get and squeeze you back hard as I can.

Thirty-three years and eight months

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I turned 33 last week. Or should I say 29 again? Celebrating yourself when you have a baby seems almost impossible. I did not get to wash my hair, or stay in bed and read. I did however convince the dude to take time out in the afternoon to go for lunch. We went to the very delicious DT Bistro around the corner from us. Sadly, we were so stuffed with yummy sangwiches that we skipped the decadent desserts.
Since my bday fell on a long weekend, we had a little breakfasty brunching with friends at our place Friday morning. The dude made the most delicious Raspberry Lemon French Toast Strata and I made a little savoury salad to accompany it. Oh and there was also lots of baguette and cheese. It was all crazy delicious and nice to hang with friends. I kept stalling on posting as I have not yet downloaded the pics but I am tired of this avoidance strategy. I think I have developed posting paralysis so I am just getting this entry out and hoping I can write something more interesting next. Please bear with me.

Mia also had a birthday of sorts on Friday. She turned eight months. I skipped writing a seven month celebration as we were in Florida where she was too busy being spoiled by grandparents and little old ladies. We had a lot of fun playing in the pool and taking long naps. And now holy cow, she is eight months and radically different. Not only can she sit up for hours on her own, she started babbling bababa, dadada. She has a lot to say and it is all pretty wonderful to hear. Her current favourite thing to do is smack anything within reach. She still has no teeth but much as I love her toothless grin, I pray they come soon because her teething is hurting us all.

Peekaboo, Six Months Are You

Sunday, January 27, 2008
Dearest baby Mia -

You are now six months old, holy crap! You are growing stronger, sweeter, more interactive and willful every day. You are also totally gorgeous. I love seeing bits of your ever developing personality come to the surface. You love love love to be active, and are still the life of the party. Lately, you resent lying down, you want to be upright, checking things out. You continue to look right, look left, look right, surveying the ongoings of life. We know you are in charge and hope that we can meet your expectations.

Saturday mornings, you now have swimming lessons with your dad. Everyone kept commenting on how great you are in the pool. So brave. So tough. So fearless. By the time that half hour has passed your lips fingers and toes are deep purpley blue from cold. Still you don't complain. This fragility manages to make you even more beautiful and special.

You have a deep sense of humour that is both innocent and fresh. You love peekaboo but often play it cool. I have to work super hard to get you to release those teeny tiny peals of laughter but it is worth every effort. The sound of your laugh is so beautiful, I melt into a puddle of rainbows and starfish.

We started you on solids last week, and you took to them like a champ! Unfortunately, you are still on strike when it comes to the bottle. You had some formula that didn't agree with you last month. After projectile vomiting the entire contents of the bottle, you absolutely refuse to go near anything to do with bottles or formula. The bottle is the only physical object I have ever seen you push away from your mouth. It is making me mental but I admire you consistency.

Recently you've started nestling your head into my neck when you are sleepy. It is the sweetest thing. Just writing about it brings tears to my sappy mom eyes. I admit that sometimes I just let you nap there on the spot, forgoing the crib for my arms. Cheesy I know, but how much longer will you fit right there? I need to soak up every bit of this time.

Uh oh, sounds like you just woke up. (Sadly for me, sleeping through the night is no longer one of your merciful qualities, still I am so grateful that you are a happy healthy baby.) Ok, I am on my way..

Firsts and Lasts

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Yesterday was both bitter and sweet. It was Adina's last day before her return to work. Mia and I were privileged enough to join them for their last week day playdate for awhile. We had a lot of fun!

We started with a swim at the TriBell community centre. It was Mia's first time in the pool. She looked really cute in the red and white polka dot swimsuit I bought her. She didn't cry at all which I take to be a very good sign as it was pretty chilly in the water and the poor girl was turning blue. Adina sang Gabriel songs and he splashed with delight. I wish I had pics!

Then we went next door to Fresh. We used to go there all the time pre-bebe. It was delish as always. I had my usual, Dragon on soba and Adina had the Ninja on brown rice. We split a sweet potato fries and miso gravy. Gabriel loved the fries, and Mia was extremely jealous. I think her lust was inspired by my eating the above meal at least once a week while I was pregnant.

Post lunch, our bellies full and babies all groggy from their swim, we wandered Queen West. The little chickadees slept in their strollers while we chatted.

Back to Adina's for some chai tea with Kiff. Mia and Gabriel yelped and gurgled at each other and fought over a Kangaroo.

Later last night, back at home with the dude, baby sound asleep upstairs I indulged in another first, brownies! I had never baked them myself before. The ones we made were called fudgy wudgy brownies and are kinda low fat (they contain prune puree) but we added extra chocolate chips to cancel out the healthy fiber.

Mia is stirring, it's time to get us both dressed and out the door. Adina - if you are reading this, we hope your first day back is going great, now shut your browser and get back to business ;-)

Truth Be Told

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Truth be told I wish I had more time to post on happyrobot.

...If the dude forgets to remove coinage from his pocket and I discover some at the bottom of the laundry machine, I pocket it. (Keep in mind in Canada $2 comes as a coin, sahweet.)

...Canada Goose parkas are the new VWs of ten years ago. They are everywhere this winter. I punch the dude in the arm every time I see one.

...The other Toronto trend is food-oriented. Overnight downtown seems to have become inundated by new grab and go restos specializing in one of the following: crepes, burritos, wings or paninis. Personally, I've been loyal to burritos for at least 10 years but lately, I unable to resist a good panini. There is something about the grilled sandwich that has me smitten.

..My other new food obsession is the cafe under the ROM. The Food Studio is where you will find me lunching from now on. (Bonus: Museum members get 10% off.)

..Mia is super adorable but she is also teething and needs to be held all day every day. As a result, I haven't had breakfast or clean hair in a week, but my upper body strength is improving drastically. I might be ready for the one-handed pushup!

..Adina deserves chocolate covered kudos for finding the time to both write and to write well with a young baby.

My little sweet potato

Friday, November 23, 2007
Dear Mia -

Or shall I say, sweet potato! You are now four months old and you gurgle and coo and squawk non-stop. It is the most adorable thing ever, or at least to date. I keep trying to capture it on video but you are captivated by the shiny pretty thing I stick in your face and become incredibly camera shy.

You are a very active baby. Your socks do not stay on long as you love to kick kick kick and send them flying across the room. You are also highly sensitive, easily startled by loud noises such as clanging in the kitchen, you find sudden crashes highly alarming. During those moments we try to toughen you up by calling you wimp. It's not working so we remind ourselves that you are highly sensitive to your environment. Since we are counting on you and your friends to save this mixed up crazy beautiful world, we can appreciate that this is a good thing.

I also admit to calling you some other names, like my little string bean, cos you are long and thin. Sweet potato, because you are delicious. And Stanley. That's who you are from behind, with your little bald spot.

This month you have also started rolling over. You did it for the first time in during my yoga class and I was so impressed, I wanted to shout it out, but I just leaned over and kissed you. I love to kiss your chubby little cheeks and you seem to like it too.

Current Favourite

Sunday, November 11, 2007
Perhaps this is a tribute to the too much daytime television I have been watching, but I feel compelled to post a list of my favourite things of the moment.. I figure if Oprah and Martha can evangelize, why can't I? Here is a quick list of things I am enamoured with at the moment:

CLOTHING
Stretchy Tanks: It is possible I was inspired by Ryan Atwood having recently started watching reruns of The O.C., but I am obsessed with the stretchy wifebeater-style tank tops from Aritzia. At $25 each they are not cheap, but they make up for it in comfort. I realized this year that having a little strech in your tank top makes all the difference. I don't know why not all camis have this secret ingredient. These are essential all year round.

FOOD
Sabra Hummous. This is where chickpeas go to die. Deelish! I especially like the Chunky and Pine Nut versions. Serve with flatbreads and you have dinner. Or lunch. Or snax.

MAKEUP
Lip Balm: Kiehl's Lip Balm SPF 15 HUE 58B, I have been using this product for three years or so now and I never tire of it. It soothes chapped lips and adds the most subtle colour. Also one little tube seems to last forever.

MIA
Admittedly this is the largest category but she is pretty remarkable. My favourite Mia things are:
- When she looks right, looks left, looks riiight, left, looks right. Looks left. You get the picture. It helps explain her old man bald spot.
- Any and all squeals of delight.
- That she is always missing a sock or a shoe.
- Her ability to kick non stop. She loves to lie on her back and run run run with her legs bicycling in the air.
- Her cries that sound like a tortured kitten.
- Oh and her drinking fists! She balls her little hands up tight to focus all attention, too cute.

THE DUDE
His uncanny ability to rock baby to sleep singing American Pie. I think it is because he has the shuckle down pat but he gives full credit to Don McLean.

HOME DECOR
Wall decals are our new fave thing. We got some for Mia's room from Threadless.com via Blik and some others via a site in Singapore. It's really coming along. Oh and we also picked up this cute penguin humidifier too. We cannot resist the power of penguins.

TEEVEE
Not so impressed by many shows this season. I have watched a few episodes of DIRT just out of curiousity, not sold. Still enjoying Weeds. Heroes is keeping me interested but I am not nearly as hooked as last year. ANTM is just there. This season is weak but I am committed. Mad Men is pretty great. It is available on TMNOD. So is Flight of the Conchords which is fun. I watched the hip hopopotamus episode while in early labour and it was a welcome distraction. Made up silly songs get me everytime.

Happy Three Months

Monday, October 22, 2007
Dear Mia -
I am not sure if this is the right home for this post, but I feel compelled to write you regular notes. Some day, when you are the age I am now and you wonder what you were like when you were a baby, I can pull together some tasty morsels for you to chew on.

Currently you can't chew on much, except your blanket and your fingers. They must be very tasty fingers because you keep 'em in your mouth a lot. Personally, I am huge fan of your feet and toes, and your little buddha belly. You are getting bigger and longer every day, I can barely cradle you with both arms, when only two months ago, I could tuck all of you into the crook of my right arm.

You are a remarkable baby. You started sleeping through the night at about six weeks... And now you often go for 12 hours a night uninterrupted. I should not really be writing this in public because it is unfair to all the other new parents we know. Getting you to fall asleep is tough, but we don't mind. Your dad is the true expert at rocking and shushing you into dreamland.

Today we went to our first mom & baby yoga class. Well, our first class with you on the outside. It was a lot of fun. I think you really dig yoga. I knew you were into stretching, but you really loved the music and staring at my curls while I hung out in downward dog. Seeing you smile up at me was good for me too.

Your favourite way to play is to sit in your bouncy chair and kick like crazy to music while I prep some dinner. It is the cutest thing! You've got rhythm little one, and your energy is infectious. I often dance for your pleasure, putting on a cheezy performance while chopping up some veg.

Now that you are three months, you are no longer considered a newborn but I realize now that no matter what age you are, you will always be my baby girl.

Thankful

Monday, October 08, 2007
I have a lot to be thankful for at the moment. Firstly, I am thankful that our families do not really do Thanksgiving. After all the Jewish High Holidays in September, it's nice to have a long weekend that actually allows for some downtime.

You wouldn't think that weekends matter when you are on maternity leave but it really is still a time I look forward too. Having quality time with the dude, and having another full time parent on the case makes weekend time stretch out in ways in which weekdays cannot compete. Plus, with most of our friends and family out of town or otherwise occupied, we got to spend a whole weekend plus an extra day as a family of three. It was much needed.

Saturday, we managed to all nap. The dude and I on the couch with little Mia in her swing. I am super thankful for the swing! We also did some chillin. I went to the recently renovated Elmwood for a massage, wow, that place is fab! While I was out, the dude made a yummy potato leek soup, and we bought some blue cheese in the market today to crumble on top.

We logged a few hours cleaning up our home office space. Creating order out of chaos is a nonstop job. We are trying to live as clutter free as possible and it takes a lot of work. We have already set up as much online billing as possible but are looking for any other tips on how you get a handle on the bills, flyers, mags and such that seem to grow into large piles like weeds... Got any suggestions?

And now I need to go write some thank you notes. I would be really thankful if there was a way to automate that process, yet still include some hearfelt sentiment.

Mama Mia

Friday, September 28, 2007
I started this post nearly a month ago.. I finally found a few moments just now to wrap it up while Mia gurgles to herself on the activity mat.

I keep trying to a) find time to write and b) write about non-baby things but the truth is at the moment, I am heavily mom'd out. This is evidenced by behaviour that I previously shunned:

- I bought leggings. I haven't worn them since the 80s and they are not a great look for me, but when faced with a wardrobe of pants that won't close without much praying and swearing (and even then, only if they are extreme low rise) the $20 price tag for comfort is totally worth the overly trendiness.

- Eating microwaved meals. Really unsatisfying

- I go out in sweatpants. I was never that girl. Now I am. Sure they might be "fashionable" sweats, but come on, they have a drawstring and go fine with white gym socks.

- I generally hate chatting on the phone. Now it is a lifeline. I can put someone on speakerphone as I feed bebe.

- Eating in the car. I have become that woman you see cracking open a box of granola bars on my way home from doing the groceries. Driving is liberating in that our little Mia loves to snooze in the car.

- I wander the streets in a hungover, unwashed state, without the benefits of the wild party the night before.

- I have a hard time discussing anything non-baby related. It is all I breathe and dream about.

Fortunately, all the above is made worthwhile in that she is an absolute dream. She as a warm personality and the sweetest smile.

Mad Eye Mia

Tuesday, August 21, 2007
So our little Mia is now a month old. I suddenly understand when parents say they grow up so fast. I have no idea where the time went - well ok, most of it has been spent with baby on my boob, or diapering baby or shushing and swaddling fussy baby. Oh and there was some laundry thrown in there too.

In the early days of being a new parent, it is as if you are also infant. You have the same priorities: eat, sleep, pee and poop and you need some help and support if you are going to manage to accomplish any of these fundamental tasks.

We are starting to develop more of a routine these days and we are lucky that our baby girl is a fairly easy baby. She is generally quite calm and a relatively good sleeper (I am sure my new 4:00 p.m. is now beer o'clock habit doesn't hurt.) She is also super cute which makes all the suffering (it's 3 a.m., she won't sleep and we really need to) worthwhile.

She has earned herself many nicknams as such as Mad Eye Mia as she will stare at you with one eye open and grunt. Total pirate baby. She also loves 80s hair bands as the dude discovered during a cranky nighttime episode, when in desperation he started belting Twisted Sister's "We're not going to take it! No, we ain't going to take it!" and she was instantly shushed. This seems to quiet her quickly but fills me with fear if those hairstyles come back into fashion when she is a teenager, her red spiky hair is already starting to curl and kink in preparation for new wave grunge or whatever the style will be called then. (Dear Kheil's - if you 'd like to add a hair product for newborns to your baby line, we're sold!)

It's taken me two days to find bits of time to compose this, and at the moment she is lying in her sling, snoring away on my lap, my life is now set at a very different pace.