moving forward

So we had movement today. No letter but at least info from the person who ultimately signs the letter. This means we are for sure going to Kenya. In a fit of excitement I filled the dining room table with things to pack and then instantly lost the desire to pack them. This means that there are many more places for Henry to perch, sleep on and climb into. Tomorrow I hope that motivation will return.

Incidentally, I must be addicted to sugar. All I have been able to think about all day is ice-cream.

Tonight Emma had a long evening nap and was ready for bed at 8:20 but just couldn't focus on nursing. I decided it was perfect timing for the sleep training and put her in her crib and then stood with her and shushed til she fell asleep, my hand on her belly. The beginning of this was a little rough as Oleo was determined to get in on the action and wailed and cried outside the door but once K had dispatched her with some kibble Emma fell sound asleep. I am very curious to see if she wakes in an hour and a half as she has been doing.

In other news, my toe which I dropped the cat flap on may be gangrenous.

legs akimbo

Well so much for my last idea of blogging about Emma. The whole deal with Emma is that I either have no time for blogging or am too tired to blog. Blerg!

At any rate - we are moving to Kenya. Or so it seems. The official letter still hasn't arrived but we have been proceeding as if it has. Until last week, we got to the point where we have done all that we can do to be ready. Boxes have started piling in the lounge, creating a throne from which Henry can observe us superciliously. Passports have been checked, and in the case of Emma, requested at the PO.

Just an aside here... how fabulous is this country that you can get your passport at the POST OFFICE! "Yes Ma'am, here is your document that opens up the whole wide world for you, will you be needing some stamps today?". No Home Affairs, and best of all, no surly, disgruntled Home Affairs employees. Postal workers are not famed for their cheerful dispositions but they make Eyore look more like Tigger when stood next to Home Affairs personnel.

Enough digression. We are stymied, stopped and halted and so many more words that I am not going to bother to type. Until that letter comes in the mail we cannot finish packing, book flights, find a house, or decide what is happening with the cats. I have been having nightmares about being in a car driven by someone else, about to crash while a tsunami slowly unfolds on the horizon.

Shoo. Just typing this is making me stressed. Good night

Baby stuff

So there have been requests to start blogging again. On thinking about it, this seems like the perfect venue to be all baby all the time. I do try not to be so the rest of the time in order to preserve some part of my brain not related to being a mother. Also this way people can choose to hear all about Emma, and also watch me slowly lose complete control of my life and mind. They can also choose not to. It'll be like Bridget Jones' diary but hopefully less pathetic. Ooh but maybe with a little Colin Firth.

K just remarked how we get to choose to do one fun thing each day. Today he took the cats to the vet and I had a couple of gf's over for afternoon chat and snack. OK - so his thing was less fun than mine but on Monday he gets to play basketball and I get to have a driving lesson, so fair's fair.

Emma snacked all day, so I guess this could be one of those growth spurts where she is hungry all day. She seems to have this weekly. Looking forward to the Pediatrician on Tues so she can tell us if it really is a growth spurt or just a day where she feels like a little of this and a little of that.

She does this thing that I love where when she has had enough of a breast she throws her head back, releasing the nipple and making a lip smacking noise. Then she stretches her arms far above her head like she scored a goal. What is it they say? Laduuuuma! Maybe K will get a soccer player after all.

Day two of waking up planning to wax my legs.

I love this handbag.

I just wish it were smaller...

Guess what K got for his BDay

A Label Maker. My Label reads "Wife".

BFF

If it weren't for the fact that I am still finding bits of cat hair in orange and black attached to bits of cat skin around the house when we have been out, I would think these two were thawing towards each other.

Scones for breakfast!

My friend J gave all the crafternooners this recipe. It takes a total of half an hour to make and the scones are delicious! I used self raising flour instead of regular and was rewarded by fluffy scones. I also used half a teaspoon of cinnamon and craisins instead of currants. J is right that this is a dangerous recipe, far too easy to make, far too easy to enjoy. They apparently freeze well but I would have to make a double batch as this batch didn't last past breakfast.

The recipe: http://inediblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/dangerously-easy-scones.html

Daisy

My latest office mate. She came in touch-sensitive so that she would nip everyone who tried to touch her, but after hanging out in my office for a week she has become a little snuggle bear. She is a pit bull mixed with some boston terrier, and with that mix it's no guess why she likes to climb up on my lap and look adoringly up at me while I work. Too sweet.

can't believe our eyes!

Well Oleo wouldn't even sit on someone's lap for the longest time. She also detests Henry. Tonight Henry was having a nap on K's lap, as is one of his most favourite things, when Oleo climbed up, mushed K's belly till it was satisfactorily soft, and laid down right next to her orange arch nemesis. We were dumbfounded and I had to share. I know our Irving Str. roomies will be dumbfounded too.

Ice storm

I have always thought that a fresh snow was incredibly beautiful but had never taken the time to think about how ice could be the same way. After an overnight ice-storm the other night it took us twice the amount of time to walk to the bus stop because I had to keep stopping to admire. I also took some pics, but again, on my cell so just not great photos - they don't do the ice justice at all.

scaredy cat

This evening Henry had me in stitches. He is apparently deathly terrified of stink bugs. There was one crawling around on his cat condo and he just kept backing up and around as the stink bug got closer and closer. His little fluffy face was so funny as this teeny wee thing invaded his space. By the time I got around to taking the photo the bug had made it all the way around and Henry was studiously ignoring it.

another puzzle

There are so many, I have a new vanity plate almost daily to ponder.

YTRYSI

Is it a name? Girlfriend of the Russian mob in C'ville? Or is it something about Why try? Why Try says I?

more vanity plates

I saw these in the same Panera Parking lot:
OHBLADI
OHBLADA
They weren't next to each other, but it can't be coincidence.

Beagle puppies

here's a fun one

BUKNKD

Ross

Ross is my new favourite. He is another one of those shy hounds. He is young, maybe two years old and so still has a lot of playful attitude in him. When he is outside he is a completely different dog to indoors. We think that he must have been an outside dog. When he is out there I get play bows and leaps and running. When he is indoors he is worried about all the noises and spends his time equally with his chin on my knee giving me that special worried hound furrowed brow and equally hanging over the half door making sure that bad things are not happening out in the hallway. He has the softest ears this side of the equator and is completely attached to me after only a few days. I hate to say it, but I think I am in love again, as I was with Fred. Sigh.

PS. I apologise for the sideways photos, I just cannot get blogger to cooperate.

another puzzle

This is the temperature control for our fridge. It is unnecessarily complex. In K's words we will work it out in an "empirical method" which is, try different things till you figure out how to turn it down.

the meeting of two posts.

Remember the ridiculous little doggy jerseys? This is the first one to be used, and isn't she the most adorable munchkin you have ever seen.

What's for dinner?

I love these vanity plates for a little early morning humour.

We woke up to snow this week, blech.