My son LOVES bugs

I don't have a lot to say but wanted to share some pictures taken on the weekend.

Look What I've got!

I was hanging out at my mates place on the weekend when William found a beautiful fat Mantis. He's a fearless and gentle wee boy. We've always stressed to him to "Let the bug come to you."Don't you just love the look on his face?

Yummo

And to top it off a lovely family picture

AAAAWWWWW

A Librarian’s lunch

Golly I’m predictable. Any normal person would have gone to the park with their 2year old on a nice sunny lunch-break
Me I go to the library (YES. I DO WORK IN ONE) but not a public library.

There is an exhibition of fairy tales and fantasies for children which, (according to the library website) celebrate:
magnificent illustrations showcasing some of the world’s best illustrators
classic fairytales that children have pored and pondered over for more than a hundred years
the development of children’s fantasy literature .
On display were first editions of:

• 
  Beatrix Potter’s Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)
  
• Lewis Carroll’s Through the looking glass, and what Alice found there (1872)
  
• E.H. Shepard illustrations for A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh (1926)
  

There were many more beautiful books including some WICKED ASS pop up books, I walked around carrying William pointing and exclaiming in whispers. He recognised characters and stories and whispered (mostly) back to me.

On our way to the main part of the library I put William down on his feet and said “Well William I really enjoyed that, what beautiful books” he replies “they are very special”
AAAWWWWW

We then got a couple of picture books and I grabbed a lasagne and got a wee cupcake for my VERY well behaved monkey.

Penny I think you are the only Aucklander that regularly reads my blog… The exhibition finishes this weekend, if you haven’t already seen it. It’s not “BLOW YOUR MIND” awesome, but it’s still pretty cool

Not-so-newlyweds game

Stolen from liz James n I have done the “newlyweds game”
Results below (I’m in pink and he’s blue)

THEN we swapped the Questions and answers to relate to me

(James Green Me Pruple)


1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?

Something Whedon Buffy/Angel

Something Whedon Something Whedon

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

Salad? N/A

No dressing Naked

3. What's one food he doesn't like?

Salad The aforementioned salad

Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Brussel sprouts Mushrooms

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?

Water Steak

Something with Vodka cranberry juice (with or without vodka)

5. Where did he go to high school?

Avondale College Avondale

Papatoetoe High Pap High

6. What size shoe does he wear?

8 7.5ish?

7.5 7

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?

Geeky Models mostly orky stuff… Models

DVDs DVDs

8. What is his favourite type of sandwich?

Ham and Cheese Ham and cheese

She likes infinite variations luncheon meat and tomato sauce on white bread

9. What would he eat every day if he could?

Roast Pork (Although at his stag do he learnt there IS a limit to how much crackling one can eat)

Roast pork... or perhaps macaroni

Emma couldn't eat any one thing forever it would bore her Cookies

10. What is his favourite cereal?

CEREAL? By favourite I assume you mean least hated, rice bubbles

She eats cherrios or wheat bix most often I suppose but that doesn't mean it's her favourite Sultana bran

11. What would he never wear?

A Baby costume Soylent leather (LOLS)

A padded bra Fat suit

12. What is his favourite sports team?

Does Bloodbowl count? N/A

I'm not sure this applies IPW

13. Who did he vote for?

He won't say. I don't have to answer this one

It's a secret ballot you know I don't have to answer this one

14. Who is his best friend?

Me. Emma

Me perhaps Depends. James because he’s the one I want to spend the most time with
Heather because I can talk to her about anything, ADORE making her laugh
Milly because she’s so sweet and I know she’s always there for me no matter what

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?

I left this one blank but maybe ball him out in front of people or our son (not that Liam isn't a people... I have a temper) Not sure

Talk over her and finish her sentences Sees himself as that nerdy pimply no-friends geek when really he’s popular, sexy and sooo wonderful (puke puke)

16. What is his heritage?

Kiwi mostly he’s ¼ Irish Irish I guess

English/Irish Mostly POM but 1/4 Irish and Born in NZ

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?

Sponge with cream and Jelly lollies on the top Sponge cake

If I bake it'd be a disaster cake, but she'd like a sultana cake. A BIG ONE.

18. Did he play sports in high school?

Does Bloodbowl count? Theatresports

I don't think so Does sexing count?

19. What could he spend hours doing?

Playing on the computer Blobbing

reading reading

20. What is one unique talent he has?

***Blushes*** That would be telling! My nose clicks (After reading my answers he says he prefers my answer!)

Extreme common sense in all situations super observant

Another meme from Mim

My lovely firstborn..

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes. James and I were married 1 / 4 / 05

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Over the moon

4. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
32

5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I was on my way to work on Saturday (Luke’s birthday) and my boobs were a little tender. I knew right there I was up the duff… I went down to the pharmacy and got me a test and did it in the loos at work. When I came out there was a student washing her hands and I wanted to jump up and down and hug her.

6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
I rang James at home

7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Yeah. I did, and I found out in my second scan WITHOUT being told.

8. DUE DATE?
June 6 2006

9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Only a little bit. James was kind enough to make me breaky in bed before I got up. It helped.

10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
burgers… But I always do. lol

11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
Cafés. I found it hard to eat correctly at work

12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Boy.

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
only a little but am so glad I have a boy

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
about 2kg

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
yerp

16. WAS IT A SURPRISE SHOWER?
Nope. Control freak me had to know

17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Not until the birth

18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Auckland hospital. Just

19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
I woke up around 7ish with very slight cramping. Sent James off to work saying I’ll call him when things get more exciting. Watched a couple of movies (probably ate something but don’t remember) went for short walks and sat on my swiss ball on the deck. I Phoned James around 2ish when the cramps were getting more intense. I think we may have watched another movie together… Everything was very relaxed and calm and nice. We got to the hospital around 6ish. I was 3cm. We stayed for about two hours and were sent home. THAT’s when everything went wrong. I writhed on the bed at home for half an hour, had a bath to try ease my pain. Got out, dried myself. My water broke AFTER I got my undies on DOH! Then a very frightening dash to the hospital. William started crowning in the car on the way to the hospital. I was determined not to have him in the car. James kept his cool and zoomed along the Motorway at 120kph. We got to the hospital, I needed a wheelchair and was rushed into a room (we’d called sometime during that rush so they were expecting us) I got my pj pants Down and leaned on the bed and William promptly fell out. (was caught)

20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Stated above but I navigated “it’s ok to go through red lightsAAAAAAA. Oh no! roadworks! Go off here AAAAA and then AAAAAa down Whatsersname street. AAAAAA”

21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
It was so fast but I guess a midwife and James was in the room.

22. WAS IT VAGINAL OR C-SECTION?
Vaginal.

23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
One stinkin panadol (lol panadol’s not in the word dictionary and is trying to change it to parasol) I borrowed Penny’s TENS machine but it just aggravated me. The bath helped a little but I would have been happy with a little gas (but we DIDN’T have time) I had HEAPS of gas afterward tho…(stop laughing!!!) The surgeon took about two hours to put me back together again. (BADLY) Gas felt like about four glasses of wine. mmmmmm

24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
2. something kgs I think… Gotta checking

25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?
11.44pm 06/06/06 (Just made it! Can you imagine James's disapointment when they sent us home saying he wasn't going to be born that day. Liam proved those silly midwives wrong)

26. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
William Michael.

27. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
2 ½

Jandals BAD

OK not the smartest idea. It’s a muggy “casual Friday” so I’m in a skirt and tee shirt today and I decided to wear Jandal/flipflop/thongs to work. It’s also RAINING. The polished concrete/pebble tiles surrounding the Hikuwai plaza were like ICE.

I was coming down the stairs toward William’s crèche (below the tree you can see) and fell on my butt. I’m ok just pissed off.

I was being careful. I’d put Will down and said “Go slowly. It’s slippery” because I’d already seen one guy fall on the stairs. Whilst sitting in my dirty puddle comforting a very traumatised wee boy another girl slipped right beside me. ALL three of us were in Jandals!

I was looking for a picture of some Jandals and came across THIS article on the dangers of these hazardous footwear . I might have to start thinking of wearing different shoes to work.

Book circle

Thanks to Penny for organising this and making Potato peel society the first book knowing I'd already read this one and be quite busy this month. (for those interested I have finished my paper and also am doing another one this semester!)I read this one last year. I was in Jason's bookstore, wasting time looking at kids books and picked it up on a whim! ALSO got Vegetable-Glue which was six kinds of awesome.

I, like most of you, LOVED LOVED LOVED it, as did my mother-in-law and friends who have borrowed it from me. I think what captured me early on were the underlying themes which are close to my heart. Love of books, Love of people and struggle! I ADORE the way the society came about and the clever way they swindled the Germans out of a swine.

Didn't you think the characters were almost tangible? maybe because it was intertwined with so much history. History like mimbles I knew Little about, which also made the book so appealing.

I have cheated a little, I've been reading the next book and am AGAIN totally in love (was up till the wee hours with it this morning) Anyone having trouble getting this I MAY lend it to you)

That's my favourite thing about a good book.
Sharing it!

paint it black

My blog is usually black

Now it's blacker!

For more info go here: http://creativefreedom.org.nz/blackout.html

Sad day

My Auntie Maria passed away last night.
I was expecting it but I am still incredibly sad and angry.
Maria was an incredible woman. Warm, sweet and loving. Mother of four fantastic boys that have grown into lovely men. (Three of which are terrific dads)


She will be mourned and missed. Taken away WAY too early. My mum made me cry today, she emailed me with “She is in a better place and probably hanging out with Freddie Mercury as we speak … She will be greatly missed. But don’t be too sad – she has her wings at last.”

Goodbye Maria… So sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with you.

25 things

1. I like popping popcorn
2. My fingernails have always been thin
3. I feel small and cute standing next to tall men.
4. Occasionally I forget my age
5. As a little girl I pretended to have asthma and glasses to get attention, now I have both.
6. I’m going to drive across America one day
7. I have disproportionately little hands and feet.
8. I only started really drinking coffee about a year ago
9. Absinthe brings out the gay in me
10. I can control my hiccups
11. There is always a song playing in my head if I like it or not
12. I loved being pregnant and miss it
13. I’m an impulse shopper
14. Sometimes my “touch quota” gets too full and need time alone
15. I dream vividly most nights
16. I’ve landed in LA six times and never left the airport
17. Gifts make my day
18. I have a thing for red shoes
19. Chocolate and coke make me happy but McDonalds’ cheeseburgers cure my migraines
20. I never did well in high school
21. Sometimes I go to bed without brushing my teeth
22. I gossip. Can’t help it.
23. My eyes are a forgettable colour
24. I like general knowledge and revel in telling James something he didn’t know
25. I obsessively check my blog to see if you’ve left a comment. Yes you!

I'm BACK!

OK this isn't going to be the most engaging entry or anything just a couple of pictures I thought you would enjoy

Firstly James, William, my parents and I went to Glenbrook vintage railway on Sunday and had a GREAT day, heaps to see including: Steam traction engines, Clydesdale horses ploughing, vintage tractors threshing, reaping and binding, vintage cars, models and displays, live Big Band and Trad Jazz music and much much more.

William went on two wagon rides and James even got to drive a vintage tractor called Princess!

Then we left William with my parents till Tuesday. I have a cold so it was good to actually spend a little time recovering. My parents took Will out and he was aloud to choose two wee goldfish to go in his very own fishtank. (William's first pets I guess...)

Then he had fun in the pool.

It's been pretty hot (nothing like Oz) but yucky nontheless... Auckland hit 100% humidity on Saturday. EEEEWWWWWW!
More later...