Swimming early morning then crashed after lunch. Callum was great at the beach -- not worried at all by the waves or getting facefuls of water -- he's such a water lover!
He just loves toddling around & around the unit here, and Anya is getting very comfortable with roaming freely to play with her older cousins. Next door there's a little girl, Rebecca (age 5) who Anya wanted to go play with, but we missed out; we'll try again tomorrow.
29 December 2008
25 December 2008
22 November 2008
Walking Not Dreaming
I see from Paul's blog that Heather is walking! (and she's two months younger than Callum) And here I was all set to announce with trumpet fanfare that Callum has been walking this week. So it is true, boys are slower than girls at walking. All and sundry have repeated this folk wisdom to me. Therefore it must be true... (I don't get it, because at the same time, folk wisdom is that boys are more advanced than girls at physical stuff like climbing.)
He's actually been capable of walking for quite some time, but just too comfortable with having my hands there helping him. So getting him to walk on his own has required a bit of trickery on our part until the small steps increased to multiple steps and from there suddenly this week he's started walking the length of our house (albeit not a very big house).
Yay! No more endless laps of the living room and kitchen for me!
He's actually been capable of walking for quite some time, but just too comfortable with having my hands there helping him. So getting him to walk on his own has required a bit of trickery on our part until the small steps increased to multiple steps and from there suddenly this week he's started walking the length of our house (albeit not a very big house).
Yay! No more endless laps of the living room and kitchen for me!
05 November 2008
Punching News
We have a winner – Anya informed me last night at bedtime, “Today was Punching Day, and I won!” I asked her who else played. “Claudia…” she said, “Claudia and I punched each other, like this --” and alternated punching her fists straight out in passably good boxing technique, better than some of my fellow kickboxing students! (I wonder how Claudia felt about that?) I then doubled over her pillow against my front, and encouraged her to punch it, which she loved.
04 November 2008
Punching Day
“Dad,” she interrupts our conversation on the way home in the car. “Dad, I have something exciting to tell you.” (We’ve told her many times that she needs to wait her turn to talk.) “Yes? What is it Anya?” “We’re going to have a Punching Day tomorrow!” “What’s Punching Day?” “Punching Day is when we all punch each other until we fall down. Then whoever wins gets a prize!” (A long pause as we imagine a Kindercraft-wide punch-up.) “What?!”
The concept was clarified this morning as David asked, “Anya, could you tell me about Punching Day again? Will everyone at Kindercraft punch everyone else?” (We smirk at each other.) “No, it’s at Mama’s gym!” (The light dawns… she’s made this up out of what I told her about my Saturday morning kickboxing class!)
03 November 2008
One More Good Reason to Be a Parent
“Mum, mum,” gasping with laughter as I tickle her, “stop, stop, stop,” squirming and wriggling, “stop that business,” and as I start laughing at her turn of phrase, giggling harder, “settle down mum!”
There’s nothing quite like laughing with your kid!
28 October 2008
Stats
Just a quick snapshot of Callum's growth (generally above the 50th percentile) so far and how he compares to Anya at the same age (almost 2 kg heavier and about the same length).
Anya weighs 17 kg now and is 3-1/2 years old.
26 October 2008
A Groggy Weekend
We had a very tough weekend -- kids not napping and both of us exhausted by day's end. Seems like Callum may be going from two naps to one nap per day, and Anya is moving toward no nap at all. One benefit hopefully would be to have earlier bedtimes at night, but I really don't know how I can survive a napless day! We indulged ourselves in a lunch outing today and although it didn't alter the napping situation, it helped us both feel a lot more relaxed, so I think we'll be doing more of that!
Anya said something that surprised me yesterday. We were watching In the Night Garden (by the same folk who did the Teletubbies) and she said out of the blue, "I think there's a person inside Iggle Piggle." I replied, "Really? What about Upsy Daisy?" and she said, "I think there's a person inside her." (She also pronounced this in that strange way you can say something tentatively, with a rising inflection at the end of the sentence so that it almost sounds like a question.) I was amazed... I didn't know she would have any idea about them being costumes, although of course it makes sense as she loves "dress-ups."
Meanwhile Callum has been getting us to read books to him (when not indulging in his primary obsession, walking) -- he literally opens my hand, puts a book into it, and inserts himself into my lap. He can point to pictures of cars, dogs and so on when asked. His favorite book is This Old Man...
Anya said something that surprised me yesterday. We were watching In the Night Garden (by the same folk who did the Teletubbies) and she said out of the blue, "I think there's a person inside Iggle Piggle." I replied, "Really? What about Upsy Daisy?" and she said, "I think there's a person inside her." (She also pronounced this in that strange way you can say something tentatively, with a rising inflection at the end of the sentence so that it almost sounds like a question.) I was amazed... I didn't know she would have any idea about them being costumes, although of course it makes sense as she loves "dress-ups."
Meanwhile Callum has been getting us to read books to him (when not indulging in his primary obsession, walking) -- he literally opens my hand, puts a book into it, and inserts himself into my lap. He can point to pictures of cars, dogs and so on when asked. His favorite book is This Old Man...
22 October 2008
Going Back in Time
I made a quick list of highlights that I missed posting when I didn't have time to blog (May to August) -- see the "Backtrack" post, August 23rd.
Jacaranda Season
The jacaranda trees are blooming all over Brisbane at the moment, coloring the skyline purple and lacing the ground with beauty as well. I took all sorts of photos this morning while walking to work because the University of Queensland lakes are a particularly stunning setting -- they have masses of yellow water lilies blooming as well -- unfortunately I couldn't seem to get the right composition to capture the effect. As well, this camera doesn't seem to do purple very well, as if it's automatically adjusting it to a less surreal color or something. I shall have to go try again at lunchtime.
21 September 2008
Secrets
I read PostSecret regularly and quite enjoy it, but often what goes through my head during the viewing experience is, "I wish I had a secret worth posting," followed closely and indignantly by, "these aren't SECRETS" (while looking at someone's arty farty made-up secret or not even secret, just some sentiment). It seems to me that quite a few people send in "secrets" just so their art can appear on the site. Not cool.
20 September 2008
Great Events
Today is our eleventh wedding anniversary, but that's been eclipsed by my mother-in-law's 80th birthday party. David's oldest brother, Don, hosted the party of thirty people, one of whom said that he'd known Raema for 65 years. That is pretty incredible. It was also pretty incredible the way he kept patting her on the head like a pet, but I guess that's the familarity that comes with time...?
The day started with a mist over everything, like a foggy mountain morning (not the usual sort of weather for sunny Brisbane), then burned off to become quite a warm day. So we had our first swim of the season in Don's pool.
The other big event of the day was Callum's teeth. I noticed that he was sporting two new top teeth, bringing the grand total to six (four on top, two on bottom). This explains quite a bit of his recent restiveness during sleeps. He was a big hit at the party -- always is, to be frank, because he is so friendly and relaxed almost all the time. I do worry he's going to grow up to be a bit of a Casanova.
Anya had a great time running around with her cousin Siena, who is only 3 days older but looks about six months older as she is larger and sturdier. Luckily for Anya, Siena is the youngest of three, so doesn't mind Anya's bossiness.
We each brought a few dishes -- I made an enormous supply of nasi goreng, while David made a green salad and the birthday cake -- all absolutely delicious. I never actually looked up a recipe for nasi goreng before and was surprised how simple it was -- I used to buy it frozen from Trader Joe's (when I lived in LA) and add slivered almonds, and it seemed to have some ineffable flavor. Turns out that's a blend of kecap manis, shrimp paste, soy sauce and chili sauce! Not so mysterious now that I live in Australia where Southeast Asian food is practically home cooking.
The day started with a mist over everything, like a foggy mountain morning (not the usual sort of weather for sunny Brisbane), then burned off to become quite a warm day. So we had our first swim of the season in Don's pool.
The other big event of the day was Callum's teeth. I noticed that he was sporting two new top teeth, bringing the grand total to six (four on top, two on bottom). This explains quite a bit of his recent restiveness during sleeps. He was a big hit at the party -- always is, to be frank, because he is so friendly and relaxed almost all the time. I do worry he's going to grow up to be a bit of a Casanova.
Anya had a great time running around with her cousin Siena, who is only 3 days older but looks about six months older as she is larger and sturdier. Luckily for Anya, Siena is the youngest of three, so doesn't mind Anya's bossiness.
We each brought a few dishes -- I made an enormous supply of nasi goreng, while David made a green salad and the birthday cake -- all absolutely delicious. I never actually looked up a recipe for nasi goreng before and was surprised how simple it was -- I used to buy it frozen from Trader Joe's (when I lived in LA) and add slivered almonds, and it seemed to have some ineffable flavor. Turns out that's a blend of kecap manis, shrimp paste, soy sauce and chili sauce! Not so mysterious now that I live in Australia where Southeast Asian food is practically home cooking.
16 September 2008
I Can Do It! I Can Do It!
Last night Anya finally realised how buttoning a shirt works, and was proud to button her own pajama shirt. It's funny how such a small thing for adults is such a huge achievement for toddlers!
She has also continued to practice her jumping and balancing -- can balance on one leg for up to 30 seconds at a time now. (This doesn't sound like a lot, but you try it!)
Her drawing has also developed incredibly -- we were astonished yesterday by a cat she drew all by herself, complete with ears and whiskers. I shall have to scan it in and post it. :) (fridge art taken to the next level...) She's also been practicing her lettering (mainly focussing on her own name) and can write a very passable capital A now as well as several numbers.
She has also continued to practice her jumping and balancing -- can balance on one leg for up to 30 seconds at a time now. (This doesn't sound like a lot, but you try it!)
Her drawing has also developed incredibly -- we were astonished yesterday by a cat she drew all by herself, complete with ears and whiskers. I shall have to scan it in and post it. :) (fridge art taken to the next level...) She's also been practicing her lettering (mainly focussing on her own name) and can write a very passable capital A now as well as several numbers.
13 September 2008
Look Ma, No Hands!
This week Callum has been surreptitiously freestanding without support. I say surreptitiously, because he started doing it only for microseconds while next to secure supports. I started noticing when he grabbed interesting items with both hands and stood on his own without realising it. His most advanced move was to grab a newspaper while seated, and stand up while still holding it. I seem to remember other parents telling me their sons seemed to walk and stand more easily while holding a toy. This never happened with Anya because she started by holding my hands for walking, but I guess boys are typically more independent.
09 September 2008
Jack and the Beanstalk
For fun yesterday I downloaded the words for "Jack and the Beanstalk" from Sur La Lune and printed it out with spaces inserted for me to do my own drawings. This is pretty rough as I did it in a hurry, but I might do a more polished version if everything turns out well. (I've also been doing a similar project with Puss 'n Boots but much more carefully and slowly.) Below are just some of the sketches.
Jack meets a stranger who, curiously, knows his name and offers him five magic beans.
Jack wakes up the next morning to a shady bedroom and finds a giant beanstalk outside his window.
The ogre throws down three calves from his belt and says, "Here, wife, broil me a couple of these for breakfast." (I wish I had drawn the table a bit lower, but I love how Jack is peeking out of the oven, where the ogre's wife hid him. I had trouble not thinking about Shrek when sketching up the ogre!)
Jack meets a stranger who, curiously, knows his name and offers him five magic beans.
Jack wakes up the next morning to a shady bedroom and finds a giant beanstalk outside his window.
The ogre throws down three calves from his belt and says, "Here, wife, broil me a couple of these for breakfast." (I wish I had drawn the table a bit lower, but I love how Jack is peeking out of the oven, where the ogre's wife hid him. I had trouble not thinking about Shrek when sketching up the ogre!)
01 September 2008
Bittersweet
The annual Riverfestival started this weekend with a spectacular fireworks display along the Brisbane River bridges and F-111 flyover with afterburner, but we missed the whole thing, as Anya informed us that fireworks are scary (too noisy) and we were not keen to brave the crowds anyway. Maybe next year. So we spent the weekend pretty quietly, with small forays to the library and the park. I managed to attend my usual Saturday morning kickboxing class and had fiery thighs the rest of the weekend. I guess that’s good – one day, I might have thighs of steel, if I persist.
As for Anya… I was planning to report triumphantly that we had managed to banish lice from Anya’s head after three strenuous weeks of foaming, combing and “sit still! Anya! SIT STILL!” but this morning I was dismayed to still find several eggs in her hair. Her hair is so fine that the eggs are really hard to remove, and there is so much of it that it really feels like a Sisyphean task when I sit down to comb out the eggs one by one. I can only be relieved, anyway, that Callum, David and I have managed to avoid getting infested. I still feel itchy whenever I think about it, though…
25 August 2008
Life, the Fast Version
I’ve decided to try posting via email from now on. Sadly, I can’t seem to find time to blog properly, so maybe this will work. You’ll notice I started back at work mid-April and stopped posting in May… (except for one or two uploaded photos)… We actually hit a lot of milestones recently which surely merited blog entries, but time continues to shoot past like whitewater rapids, so I’ll just have to recap quickly now:
This weekend Callum’s two top teeth started to break through so he’ll finally have a complete set for biting… he’s already a menace whenever anyone is eating (wants to eat everyone’s food!) Now he’s really set. As for walking, he is still “surfing” the furniture. I’ve tried holding his hands for walks, but so far he only takes a few steps and sits down. Talking consists of babbling although a few times he’s seemed to repeat a sound back, and his main form of communication continues to be laughing (most of the time) and screeching (when he wants something NOW, or is frustratedly trying to remove his shoes and socks).
Anya is starting to be interested in spelling out words, but so far only spells “DANGER” and her own name. She knows “DANGER” from going to the train station and seeing lots of construction sites around town. She’s been pretty indifferent to the Olympics, but it’s been good to introduce her to the idea of physical contests. She’s got a great broad jump, a tiny hop for vertical jumps, and super yoga-quality balancing and flexibility. Going from point A to point B usually involves running enthusiastically or sauntering slowly, with no in-between speed setting possible.
I turned 40 on August 2nd and Callum turned 1 on August 11th. It’s rather unnerving to be confronted so emphatically with the age gap between us (Anya’s birthday is in May, so I tend not to think about it too much, with her). The same week, Brisbane had the “Ekka” (Royal Exhibition), an annual week of agricultural displays and competition which has somehow become popular as a fun fair. We duly went along and showed Anya and Callum all sort of animals and took Anya on some rides, and went home exhausted after just a few hours. Since then we’ve felt a bit partied out, so haven’t been up to much.
What did I do for my big four-oh, you ask? My day started with my usual Saturday morning kickboxing class, after which I went to a beauty salon, where David had arranged for an hour long massage followed by a facial. Then it was home for lunch and naptime (not for me, unfortunately), then over to our in-laws to celebrate more birthdays (my nephew Isaac and niece Jessica). Last, in the evening, we went out to dinner with friends at Mondo Organics, a restaurant whose chef I’ve enjoyed watching on Ready Steady Cook. At day’s end, I collapsed gratefully into bed – really feeling my age.
23 August 2008
Backtrack
A quick summary of Callum events (missed when I didn't post anything from May to August...)
21/5 waves back
3/6 gets keen on pulling himself up on furniture to stand
12/6 mimics my actions -- feeling a book, tapping a box
15/6 first tooth
2/7 Callum had been napping -- Raema (David's mum) heard a brief cry, and didn't go in right away; she found Callum crawling out the bedroom door, much to her shock (must have climbed out of his cot from the bassinet insert, across our bed, and somehow got down to the floor) -- we stopped using the bassinet insert!
8/7 loves to point; Anya has been licking his finger to make him laugh
14/7 second tooth
20/7 climbed a full flight of stairs, at Rob's (David's brother) house
27/7 clapping
11/8 first birthday! ...says "ah-ta!" peeking out from behind a cloth; puts things into a box (until now was only pulling them out!)
21/8 hands things to us over and over; loves rummaging in drawers and cupboards
23/8 third tooth (top left)
21/5 waves back
3/6 gets keen on pulling himself up on furniture to stand
12/6 mimics my actions -- feeling a book, tapping a box
15/6 first tooth
2/7 Callum had been napping -- Raema (David's mum) heard a brief cry, and didn't go in right away; she found Callum crawling out the bedroom door, much to her shock (must have climbed out of his cot from the bassinet insert, across our bed, and somehow got down to the floor) -- we stopped using the bassinet insert!
8/7 loves to point; Anya has been licking his finger to make him laugh
14/7 second tooth
20/7 climbed a full flight of stairs, at Rob's (David's brother) house
27/7 clapping
11/8 first birthday! ...says "ah-ta!" peeking out from behind a cloth; puts things into a box (until now was only pulling them out!)
21/8 hands things to us over and over; loves rummaging in drawers and cupboards
23/8 third tooth (top left)
07 August 2008
Going to Town
5-Aug-08 Gaythorne Station
Originally uploaded by jaguarish
This is our typical arrangement when going to work for the day. Behind David you can see the stairs we know very well from crossing the train tracks to get to the city-bound platform from the carpark. Anya now has legs of steel from traipsing up and down these stairs three days a week!
13 May 2008
Man Enough
This is the tale of one man, two children, and several Samaritans...
David was taking Anya and Callum home on the train yesterday when Anya started to cough. She coughed and coughed and coughed until she started to gag and then... she threw up.
Two men nearby immediately moved out of the vicinity.
Three women immediately came forward to offer help. One even gave David her towel to mop up the mess.
David was taking Anya and Callum home on the train yesterday when Anya started to cough. She coughed and coughed and coughed until she started to gag and then... she threw up.
Two men nearby immediately moved out of the vicinity.
Three women immediately came forward to offer help. One even gave David her towel to mop up the mess.
02 May 2008
01 May 2008
Swimming with Dolphins
We had a great Anzac holiday weekend with Paul and Teresa and Heather (now 6 months old) at Tangalooma, a resort on nearby Moreton Island where dolphins come nightly to be handfed by willing tourists. I had imagined myself swimming with dolphins (yes in a fantasy-like mini-movie starring Elaine) -- the reality was quite different, with long lines of tourists going down to the water like an assembly line, but it was still pretty amazing to be that close to the dolphins. We waded out with a staff member and each had a fish to place in the water. I wasn't quick enough and my young dolphin (3 yr old) nipped my fingers a bit by accident. Anya, meanwhile, was keen initially, then ended by climbing my body in fear when Storm and Silhouette were actually circling us. (I'll post the photo soon.) So David fed Anya's fish to the dolphins as well, then the staff member even gave us more fish to prolong the moment. Paul gloated afterwards that he got THREE fish to feed their dolphins -- I didn't realise it was a competitive point!
The other great activity was snorkelling the wrecks just off shore. All of us enjoy scuba diving (Paul used to be an instructor) so it was the perfect holiday activity for us, and largely fitted in with the constraints imposed by two babies and a toddler. Paul earned platinum status by looking after both Callum and Heather while Teresa and I were snorkelling -- both babies needed naps and he had to walk up and down the beach carrying them both until they fell asleep. Meanwhile, David was back at the villa waiting for Anya to finish a nap. He went snorkelling after we came back, and Paul went back with him.
From Anya's perspective, the best part was probably having four adults to talk to. I don't think she considers herself a child! She enjoyed being right on the beach with grassy areas, sandy beaches, a swimming pool and playground all within a short walking distance. It certainly was great being able to swim at a moment's notice (the family unit at Peregian Beach is a couple of blocks away from the beach).
26 March 2008
Silver Clouds
warhol4
Originally uploaded by jaguarish
Took Anya to the Gallery Of Modern Art today to enjoy the kids' area. My favorite part is a high-ceilinged room with fans blowing around bouyant Mylar pillows (the silver clouds). I had a hard time convincing Anya to pose at all for this "celebrity portrait" as she was more interested in using the controls in the photo booth -- hence the odd expression.
For some reason this photo reminds me of the Frieda Kahlo self-portrait with herself repeated three times as goddess, mother and child sitting inside successive embraces.
Thunderbirds Are Go!
This Easter weekend, we stayed at the family units in Peregian Beach along with our in-laws. Last year Anya had followed her cousins around without real understanding, while they hunted chocolate Easter eggs (the youngest, Isaac, by cunningly following their dog around); this year she actually did some hunting herself, with everyone chiming in, "hot!" "cold!" to clue her in. I wish I could remember what Americans do, because my childhood Easter memories are mostly formed from school activities as my parents didn't do much special for Easter. I remember dying and decorating hard-boiled eggs, crafting bunnies and chicks from cotton balls and pipe cleaners, and just maybe getting to eat a tiny bit of chocolate and marshmallow. (That's another discrepancy -- no marshmallow chicks are sold here.)
Meanwhile, Callum really got moving this weekend and started going across whole rooms and down hallways, groaning with the effort as he went. Life's a whole new ballgame for him now! Today he also stepped up the pace with making not just one, but several different syllables in one continuous burst of sound -- for example: "Mamamam bab bab buh mam mam buh bah boo..." (Until today he would only repeat one syllable over and over.) This morning I could swear he talked for a solid fifteen minutes (and David could hear him from the other end of the house) while I lay groggily next to him and occasionally lifted my head to murmur to him encouragingly.
Other milestones for Anya: sleeping overnight without a nappy (she's been dry for a few months now but we were too chicken to try it); swimming across a lane and back, talking the whole way; writing letters and numbers... and generally acting like a little adult (except for a baffling need to delay and naysay proceedings at random times throughout the day).
Meanwhile, Callum really got moving this weekend and started going across whole rooms and down hallways, groaning with the effort as he went. Life's a whole new ballgame for him now! Today he also stepped up the pace with making not just one, but several different syllables in one continuous burst of sound -- for example: "Mamamam bab bab buh mam mam buh bah boo..." (Until today he would only repeat one syllable over and over.) This morning I could swear he talked for a solid fifteen minutes (and David could hear him from the other end of the house) while I lay groggily next to him and occasionally lifted my head to murmur to him encouragingly.
Other milestones for Anya: sleeping overnight without a nappy (she's been dry for a few months now but we were too chicken to try it); swimming across a lane and back, talking the whole way; writing letters and numbers... and generally acting like a little adult (except for a baffling need to delay and naysay proceedings at random times throughout the day).
Our Celebrity Portrait
warhol1
Originally uploaded by jaguarish
I finally made it to the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art this week. Strangely, I ended up feeling that I was more impressed by Yayoi Kusama's works. However, I imagine that it's probably hard to take in Warhol's work because he's been so influential. His way of seeing and creating art has so pervaded our cultural environment that his artworks seem (in hindsight) obvious and nothing special.
11 March 2008
Rainwater Tank Installation
This is only a temporary location, but still annoying that the tank completely blocks access through the yard.
David looks like he's grinning, but actually he is grimacing in pain as his head is aching from a cold and the machine vibrations are getting to him (not to mention the general fatigue of a long day of hard labor).
This is the tank overflow pipe (should we ever be so lucky to have that much rain). It was a real bugbear to complete the installation since this neighborhood doesn't have a stormwater system, so we were required to connect to a 1m x 1m x 1m rubble pit. Thanks to the tank installers, we learned this fact after the tank had been placed in the only through access, forcing us to be inventive about how to bring in the earthmoving equipment.
It was lucky for us that our neighbors had their house razed recently (to build a new one) and were happy to let us drive in through their property. David simply cut out some of the rotten old fence (to be replaced anyway as part of construction) and set up a ramp over our back retaining wall. Once situated, the digging was not so straightforward either as he discovered some 60-yr-old construction rubble in the process. Fortunately, the rubble was useful for filling the pit, which was for the rainwater tank overflow. This job took all weekend. Kudos to my manly man!
08 March 2008
Terminal Fatigue
David is conked out in bed with a cold and the rest of the household has also been under the weather for about the last two weeks. I haven't gotten terribly sick (had maybe a couple of days of feeling headachy) but I am very tired from coping with two grizzly kids. Callum seemed to be on the mend earlier this week but went downhill again with new, scarier symptoms. The doctor thinks he probably got a second virus just as he was getting over the first one.
Nonetheless, there are some fun things to report. Last night we had several friends over for a games night -- "Man Bites Dog" was first, then "Listen Up!" No PCs or game consoles involved! Just great food and conversation.
Also despite being sick, Callum has continued to show off new skills such as waving his dummy or toy between my mouth and his own -- he also did this with his grandma. It really seemed like he was trying to insert his dummy in my mouth.
Anya surprised me tonight by properly counting objects in a picture. She's known how to count up to 13 or 14 for quite a while, and recently mastered the idea that holding up fingers = a number, but until now had never seemed to understand about pointing at objects one by one to count them, and would randomly point all over the page while reciting her counting sequence.
Nonetheless, there are some fun things to report. Last night we had several friends over for a games night -- "Man Bites Dog" was first, then "Listen Up!" No PCs or game consoles involved! Just great food and conversation.
Also despite being sick, Callum has continued to show off new skills such as waving his dummy or toy between my mouth and his own -- he also did this with his grandma. It really seemed like he was trying to insert his dummy in my mouth.
Anya surprised me tonight by properly counting objects in a picture. She's known how to count up to 13 or 14 for quite a while, and recently mastered the idea that holding up fingers = a number, but until now had never seemed to understand about pointing at objects one by one to count them, and would randomly point all over the page while reciting her counting sequence.
26 February 2008
Figure Drawing
Asian Beef Salad
David and I made up this recipe last night -- he did the greens, and I did the beef and onions:
Marinate 2 or 3 small flank steaks in lime juice + pulp, chili sauce, kecap manis, soy sauce and honey. (Approx 2 limes, 1 Tbs chili sauce, 2 Tbs kecap manis, 2 Tbs soy, 1 Tbs honey, but I just drizzled it into the bowl without measuring.) Grill on the BBQ or sear in a pan, then slice up for your salad.
Slice 2 onions and brown on the BBQ plate or in the pan. Set aside.
Simmer the marinade on low in the pan until thickened (approx 3-5 minutes). Return the onions to the pan and toss to coat. If there's a lot of sauce then you can also toss in the sliced beef.
Serve warm on a bed of mixed lettuces, fresh basil, tomato wedges & freshly toasted walnuts lightly dressed with sesame oil, fish sauce & rice vinegar.
Marinate 2 or 3 small flank steaks in lime juice + pulp, chili sauce, kecap manis, soy sauce and honey. (Approx 2 limes, 1 Tbs chili sauce, 2 Tbs kecap manis, 2 Tbs soy, 1 Tbs honey, but I just drizzled it into the bowl without measuring.) Grill on the BBQ or sear in a pan, then slice up for your salad.
Slice 2 onions and brown on the BBQ plate or in the pan. Set aside.
Simmer the marinade on low in the pan until thickened (approx 3-5 minutes). Return the onions to the pan and toss to coat. If there's a lot of sauce then you can also toss in the sliced beef.
Serve warm on a bed of mixed lettuces, fresh basil, tomato wedges & freshly toasted walnuts lightly dressed with sesame oil, fish sauce & rice vinegar.
25 February 2008
Some Movement, Please
We've known for some time that Callum is raring to get going -- hates to be left lying around, rolls every which way, and constantly insists on being sat up (preferably in someone's lap) for a better view of the world around him. I've tried to show him how to slide forward on his tummy, but so far he still only scoots forwards if given something big to push off from (then he gets so excited that he's moving!)
Today he was making his usual break for it off the change mat, and I noticed that he was getting up on his knees. So it seems we'll be skipping phase one and going straight to hand-knee crawling. He's also been much more stable when sitting on his own (tipping over after several seconds rather than instantly) so that's the other problem sorted. :)
He's been much more vocal over the last few days despite (or perhaps because of?) having a snuffly cold. Vav vav vav, mam mam mam, bla bla bla (didn't you understand that?) Laughs like it's the greatest joke ever when we say "achoo!" and "boo!"
Today he was making his usual break for it off the change mat, and I noticed that he was getting up on his knees. So it seems we'll be skipping phase one and going straight to hand-knee crawling. He's also been much more stable when sitting on his own (tipping over after several seconds rather than instantly) so that's the other problem sorted. :)
He's been much more vocal over the last few days despite (or perhaps because of?) having a snuffly cold. Vav vav vav, mam mam mam, bla bla bla (didn't you understand that?) Laughs like it's the greatest joke ever when we say "achoo!" and "boo!"
14 February 2008
Late Night Musings
While cooking some pasta last night I wound up thinking about my friend William. I pretty much think about him every time I cook pasta, although I haven't seen him in over fifteen years (though nearly caught up with him at the turning of the millenium) and haven't exchanged email or anything with him in probably seven years. The reason I think about him is that he's the person who showed me how to slightly twist a bunch of spaghetti before letting it fall into the boiling water. I still remember how "Eureka!" that moment felt to me. I suppose to most people in the world, cooking pasta is a very ordinary event, but to this day, when I stand some spaghetti in a pot and then let it fall in a spiral, I feel a little thrill.
This got me thinking later that night about food memories. I guess they keep coming back because you never stop eating and the food still tastes like it did the first time, bringing the memory right back again. Especially if you're as into food as I am. (I do realise that I've just rather inelegantly re-capped that famous bit about madeleines and tea, but they're my own inelegant words, so there.)
I'll think of Jill every time I eat artichokes. A "wow!" moment when she showed me how to steam one and dip the leaves one by one into scrummy dip, after which I willfully broke away from her recipe (lemon juice with a tiny bit of melted butter) and ventured into high-fat territory (melted butter with a squeeze of lemon juice, and aioli, and anything with lots of butter).
Gosh, anyone reading this who's never met me would never know that I am NOT as big as a house. /laugh/
I also remember my sister "inventing" cheese cooked in a pan, after realising that her favorite part of a grilled cheese sandwich was the cheese that melts out the sides and browns in the pan. At the time, we thought she was weird. She was just in the wrong family! She should have been born to a Swiss or French family... of course, raclette is not traditionally made with a slice of American cheese.
Whenever I cook eggs, I think of my first boyfriend, who astonished me by cooking his eggs in butter. As my parents cooked everything in vegetable oil, it had never occurred to me to cook eggs in butter. His mother is German, hence the butter. I now definitely prefer eggs cooked in butter. Also broccoli cooked in butter. And most anything cooked in butter.
Which reminds me, when I first flew to Australia (to visit my not-yet-husband and in fact he was my not-yet-fiance), I went on Air New Zealand and was amazed by the delicious butter served on the plane -- a weird thing to be impressed by, but I later found out that New Zealand is in fact renowned for its dairy. I learned in the Gina Mallet book (see my list of good reads) that a small increase in the quantity of butter fat can make a world of difference in the taste of the butter, so I'm guessing that's what impressed.
This entry is starting to be all about butter... when my hubby (pre-affiancing) first asked me how I like my toast buttered, I answered him truthfully, although afraid of seeming fussy, that I like to let the toast cool slightly so that when I butter it, the butter doesn't melt all the way. I was gratified when he replied that he did exactly the same thing! The first in a long list of things we do the same (to match the equally long list of things we like to do exactly opposite).
Meanwhile, here is the little pasta recipe (without any butter) I made up last night:
2 small onions, diced small
2 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
2 red capsicums (bell peppers), diced small
approx 1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 large chorizo sausage, diced small
handful arugula leaves, chopped coarsely
handful fresh basil leaves, chopped coarsely
Cook the onion on low heat in some olive oil until softened, then stir in the garlic, capsicum, mushrooms and sausage. Keep going until the mushrooms are cooked. Stir in the fresh herbs. Serve over spaghetti tossed with fruity olive oil or chili infused oil, and garnish with grated Romano cheese or crumbled Danish feta. (I think some fresh sage would also go well, but I didn't have any to try when I made this dish.) If this dish isn't saucy enough for your tastes, add some diced tomatoes to the pan as well and let them cook down a bit.
This got me thinking later that night about food memories. I guess they keep coming back because you never stop eating and the food still tastes like it did the first time, bringing the memory right back again. Especially if you're as into food as I am. (I do realise that I've just rather inelegantly re-capped that famous bit about madeleines and tea, but they're my own inelegant words, so there.)
I'll think of Jill every time I eat artichokes. A "wow!" moment when she showed me how to steam one and dip the leaves one by one into scrummy dip, after which I willfully broke away from her recipe (lemon juice with a tiny bit of melted butter) and ventured into high-fat territory (melted butter with a squeeze of lemon juice, and aioli, and anything with lots of butter).
Gosh, anyone reading this who's never met me would never know that I am NOT as big as a house. /laugh/
I also remember my sister "inventing" cheese cooked in a pan, after realising that her favorite part of a grilled cheese sandwich was the cheese that melts out the sides and browns in the pan. At the time, we thought she was weird. She was just in the wrong family! She should have been born to a Swiss or French family... of course, raclette is not traditionally made with a slice of American cheese.
Whenever I cook eggs, I think of my first boyfriend, who astonished me by cooking his eggs in butter. As my parents cooked everything in vegetable oil, it had never occurred to me to cook eggs in butter. His mother is German, hence the butter. I now definitely prefer eggs cooked in butter. Also broccoli cooked in butter. And most anything cooked in butter.
Which reminds me, when I first flew to Australia (to visit my not-yet-husband and in fact he was my not-yet-fiance), I went on Air New Zealand and was amazed by the delicious butter served on the plane -- a weird thing to be impressed by, but I later found out that New Zealand is in fact renowned for its dairy. I learned in the Gina Mallet book (see my list of good reads) that a small increase in the quantity of butter fat can make a world of difference in the taste of the butter, so I'm guessing that's what impressed.
This entry is starting to be all about butter... when my hubby (pre-affiancing) first asked me how I like my toast buttered, I answered him truthfully, although afraid of seeming fussy, that I like to let the toast cool slightly so that when I butter it, the butter doesn't melt all the way. I was gratified when he replied that he did exactly the same thing! The first in a long list of things we do the same (to match the equally long list of things we like to do exactly opposite).
Meanwhile, here is the little pasta recipe (without any butter) I made up last night:
2 small onions, diced small
2 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
2 red capsicums (bell peppers), diced small
approx 1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 large chorizo sausage, diced small
handful arugula leaves, chopped coarsely
handful fresh basil leaves, chopped coarsely
Cook the onion on low heat in some olive oil until softened, then stir in the garlic, capsicum, mushrooms and sausage. Keep going until the mushrooms are cooked. Stir in the fresh herbs. Serve over spaghetti tossed with fruity olive oil or chili infused oil, and garnish with grated Romano cheese or crumbled Danish feta. (I think some fresh sage would also go well, but I didn't have any to try when I made this dish.) If this dish isn't saucy enough for your tastes, add some diced tomatoes to the pan as well and let them cook down a bit.
How to Blog It Right
I've been reading Notes from Inside My Head with awe and delight. I write my little blog as a sort of news posting for friends, but this author writes about motherhood with such verve that even commonplace events such as colds, tantrums and tender moments take on a special patina of significance.
12 February 2008
Frangipani T-shirt
One of my main artistic outlets these days is screen-printing t-shirts. My niece Lauren asked me for a frangipani and I came up with this design. I like that it's different from the common frangipani design I've noticed on numerous shirts and tableware ever since she asked me for it.
09 February 2008
01 February 2008
Whimper whimper
So this morning I had been asleep for what seemed an eyeblink, after coaxing Callum to go back to sleep (he'd woken at 5:30 with the birds and started playfully rolling around the bed), when I was abruptly jolted awake by a few firm pushes to my bottom (did I mention my fractured tailbone?) and a bell-like voice saying, "Mama! Wake up! I need to do a wee-wee!"
I couldn't help it -- I started whimpering.
I couldn't help it -- I started whimpering.
31 January 2008
Time to Chow Down
Callum is not quite six months old yet (the age recommended for starting solids) but he's been so demanding that I decided this week to get started with some banana. Unlike Anya, who initially just let the food bubble out of her mouth, Callum immediately got into the swing of things and ate everything I gave him (about a tablespoon). Today was the fourth day and I decided to give him a lot more -- three tablespoons -- and to my surprise he ate it all. Occasionally, he stopped and winced as if the taste were weird, but he kept eating.
The first week you're supposed to do just one meal per day, but the boy is so keen I'm tempted to skip right to having three or four meals! (A meal being one to three tablespoons, at this age.) I can't wait to give him some veggies... maybe then Anya will get back into eating them! She used to eat all sorts when she was a baby, but now will only eat peas and corn (other veggies go in hiding in pasta sauces and the like).
The first week you're supposed to do just one meal per day, but the boy is so keen I'm tempted to skip right to having three or four meals! (A meal being one to three tablespoons, at this age.) I can't wait to give him some veggies... maybe then Anya will get back into eating them! She used to eat all sorts when she was a baby, but now will only eat peas and corn (other veggies go in hiding in pasta sauces and the like).
25 January 2008
Supreme Butter Chicken (not for the anti-fat brigade)
We cook a lot of curries at home -- mainly Thai red or green curry -- but lately I have been using Indian butter chicken curry paste. Last night's effort was especially tasty...
1. Marinate 3 chicken thighs in 2 tsp butter chicken curry paste mixed with 1/2 cup yogurt. (in fridge, preferably overnight, or 3 hours as a minimum)
2. Grill chicken in the oven until done. Slice into bite-sized pieces.
3. Meanwhile, saute minced garlic (to taste), one diced onion and half a green bell pepper (capsicum) until soft; then turn down the heat and add 2 chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon butter chicken curry paste and large pinch of fenugreek leaves (methi). Simmer on low until tomato breaks down.
4. Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup cream (to your preference for sauce consistency), the chicken pieces & juices, and 1/4 cup corn niblets. (I microwaved an unshucked cob of corn for 3 minutes, then cut the niblets off half the cob for my recipe. Don't forget to run the back of the knife over the cut area to scrape off the part of the corn that stays behind when you cut it.)
5. Add salt to taste.
6. Serve over rice steamed with potato pieces, and garnish with unsalted roast peanuts. (Simply dice a washed unpeeled potato and add to the rice cooker -- no extra water needed.)
As with all curries, this probably would taste better the day after making it, but of course you can't make a dish like this and hold yourself back from eating it right away!
22 January 2008
Running With Scissors
Not quite running with scissors, but I did slip and fall. I was going down the back steps, which were slippery with rain, and carrying Callum -- then mostly focussed on protecting him when I started to fall. X-rays showed that I had fractured my tailbone. Hence the dearth of blog entries. I can't sit comfortably and I'm a bit sleep deprived as well since lying down is not too restful either. There's not a lot of useful treatment for this type of injury (you can't set a tailbone) so I just have to put up with the pain. The doctor recommends I wait and see how I'm going in three months. Not a great injury to have when one has a 7.5 kg boy and 15 kg girl to handle!
I do have quite a few journal notes that I want to type into this blog, and will be back-dating them, so for Anya/Callum fans out there, please read back for entries since Xmas to see if you missed anything.
I do have quite a few journal notes that I want to type into this blog, and will be back-dating them, so for Anya/Callum fans out there, please read back for entries since Xmas to see if you missed anything.
13 January 2008
Look at ME! Watch ME!
Being on holiday with the family was great -- swimming at the beach every day (even if it was raining) -- and lots of people to play with Anya and hold Callum. There were times that I found myself wandering around the place WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DO. Amazing. We were there for two weeks, then had to go home since David was going back to work.
One thing Anya learned from her cousins was the catch-cry "Look at me! Watch me, watch me!" They tried to teach her to do a forward roll, but she found it too intimidating. She can, however, do some stuff they can't, because she's so flexible: stand on one leg and lift the other out straight by holding her foot with her hand (just like a yoga pose); slide into the splits; downward dog yoga pose (hands and feet on the floor with heels touching the ground). She can also jump great distances and hop (very briefly) on one leg. All this jumping has made her legs really strong, and she can even run uphill now.
It's funny to watch her run, as she hunches her shoulders slightly and lumbers from side to side like a football player. She also sometimes prances through on tiptoe, which makes her hair bounce fetchingly. It's such gorgeous hair, I'm jealous! Her hair is so long now, and she speaks so well, she often seems more like a four year old than a two year old. It's hard to remember she's a toddler when I need to discipline her for misbehaving.
I introduced the "yelling room" because she's been yelling so much. I told her she can yell as much as she likes, but I don't want to listen to it. So she can go into her room, close the door, and yell. Her cousins thought this was a great idea and would often join in.
One thing Anya learned from her cousins was the catch-cry "Look at me! Watch me, watch me!" They tried to teach her to do a forward roll, but she found it too intimidating. She can, however, do some stuff they can't, because she's so flexible: stand on one leg and lift the other out straight by holding her foot with her hand (just like a yoga pose); slide into the splits; downward dog yoga pose (hands and feet on the floor with heels touching the ground). She can also jump great distances and hop (very briefly) on one leg. All this jumping has made her legs really strong, and she can even run uphill now.
It's funny to watch her run, as she hunches her shoulders slightly and lumbers from side to side like a football player. She also sometimes prances through on tiptoe, which makes her hair bounce fetchingly. It's such gorgeous hair, I'm jealous! Her hair is so long now, and she speaks so well, she often seems more like a four year old than a two year old. It's hard to remember she's a toddler when I need to discipline her for misbehaving.
I introduced the "yelling room" because she's been yelling so much. I told her she can yell as much as she likes, but I don't want to listen to it. So she can go into her room, close the door, and yell. Her cousins thought this was a great idea and would often join in.
10 January 2008
Always Laughing
Callum's first laugh was November 20th (yes, I wrote it down!) and he's been laughing so much ever since. He used to only laugh if we kissed his tummy and laughed at him, like he needed company to laugh. Lately he's been laughing if we just laugh with him (no tickling) and then January 8th he laughed after falling asleep. I was so amused by this that I chuckled, and hearing my laugh got him laughing some more (still in his sleep). Amazing!
No talking yet, just cooing -- I'm still waiting for the first "da-da-da" (that was Anya's first syllable).
In other milestones, he rolled over for the first time on January 5th, and since then has been practicing it every chance he gets. Still no good at rolling back again (from tummy to back), though, and he only rolls on one side. I also discovered that if I placed something solid at his feet, he could scoot along on his tummy with his mighty leg kicks. Without any help he can also wriggle a little bit, but has not yet worked out that he needs to dig his toes in. The boy is definitely on the move and keen to get going.
He also grabs all sorts of things now quite well. I have to be careful what I leave near him now. This morning I was eating from a bowl, and he was grabbing the rim (I let him) then he managed to grab some of the food (yikes!) It's fun to lie face to face with him and let him explore my face.
I'm still feeding Callum through the night, maybe because he sleeps with me, which makes it easy for him to demand a feed. Anya started sleeping through from 20 weeks and I was hoping the same would happen with Callum. He even weighs more than she did, which should help with sleeping through, but no such luck. (Boys weigh more than girls anyway, but his current weight matches her weight at 3 months older!) I'm now holding on to hope that starting solids (at 6 months) will help him sleep through. There is no way I can go back to work if I'm still waking through the night and only getting total of about five hours' sleep overnight, unless I get to have a midday siesta.
No talking yet, just cooing -- I'm still waiting for the first "da-da-da" (that was Anya's first syllable).
In other milestones, he rolled over for the first time on January 5th, and since then has been practicing it every chance he gets. Still no good at rolling back again (from tummy to back), though, and he only rolls on one side. I also discovered that if I placed something solid at his feet, he could scoot along on his tummy with his mighty leg kicks. Without any help he can also wriggle a little bit, but has not yet worked out that he needs to dig his toes in. The boy is definitely on the move and keen to get going.
He also grabs all sorts of things now quite well. I have to be careful what I leave near him now. This morning I was eating from a bowl, and he was grabbing the rim (I let him) then he managed to grab some of the food (yikes!) It's fun to lie face to face with him and let him explore my face.
I'm still feeding Callum through the night, maybe because he sleeps with me, which makes it easy for him to demand a feed. Anya started sleeping through from 20 weeks and I was hoping the same would happen with Callum. He even weighs more than she did, which should help with sleeping through, but no such luck. (Boys weigh more than girls anyway, but his current weight matches her weight at 3 months older!) I'm now holding on to hope that starting solids (at 6 months) will help him sleep through. There is no way I can go back to work if I'm still waking through the night and only getting total of about five hours' sleep overnight, unless I get to have a midday siesta.
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