Happy Birthday

In the midst of the end of year postings all around (one of which I'm dying to post) I would like to put a 'Happy Birthday' out into the ether for my beautiful little man Paterson, who turned 1 today.


I was frightened at having a boy. I didn't want to find out the sex because if it were male I didn't want my first reaction to my second child to be disappointment. I wanted a sister for Lil so she would have the relationship that I have with my sister. I didn't know what to do with a boy. Please don't bother pointing out all the logic flaws with this - I'm well aware of them. I was only a little sad when he was born, but only because Nathan hadn't decided against calling our son 'Paterson' as I had hoped he would (love you bub!).

But let me tell you, I could not love Paddy any more if I tried. He is a constant source of delight. His beautiful blue eyes light up when he smiles. He giggles uncontrollably at Lily's attempts at slapstick. He squeals when the 'kissing monster' gets him. He loves tackling and rough-housing - although his penchant for biting isn't making him a popular playmate at present. He eats like a child possessed. No one is safe while eating near him. He loves to bury his head in pillows. He loves to stand on all fours and look between his legs while resting on his head on the ground. He talks and goos and points at everything. He loves opening draws and closing doors. He loves de-furring Rosie the cat. He loves to push things - cars, vacuum cleaners, doorstops... Now he has teeth he loves making noise with his tongue against his teeth. And blowing raspberries. And of course biting. I love how he now deliberately puts his arm up around me neck; not just to hold on to me, but for a hug. And I kind of like that he still prefers to come to me when he's sad. Makes me feel needed, you know?

Anyhoo, I wrote this more for myself than anything. You say you'll remember this amazing spectacular moment in their lives - but then the next amazing spectacular moment comes along to replace it*.

So, Happy Birthday little man.

And Happy New Year to the rest of you; I'm a new year's eve grinch (which is why the universe made me have a child on NYE) so I'll think of you at 9.10 when I'm snuggled up in bed.

Naomi

*(except that I will always remember Lil saying 'Mum, when you die and I get older, can I wear your marrying dress?' a couple of days ago...)

Single? Literate?

Huge props for the National Library for seeing a market for singles who don't dig the drunken/disco scene. I would soooo have gone for this in my single days. I hope this is a huge sucess for them!

Literary Lovers: Speed Dating for Book Lovers

Join us for a celebration of reading and romance. Bring along a book you love to act as an ice-breaker. Find romance, or simply broaden your reading while enjoying a glass of wine in the idyllic setting of ex Libris at the National Library.

Presented by: National Library of Australia
Start: 6:30pm
Event location: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes
Cost: Adult: $30 Concession: $25
Organised by: National Library of AustraliaMore information: Info: 02 6262 1271
Booking: 02 6262 1271 20 February 2009
Official Site: http://www.nla.gov.au/

Blue is 'done'
Red is 'never will'
Black is 'not done'

Over half... not bad considering there are some things I wouldn't want to do (like bounce a cheque)

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited The Great Barrier Reef.
5. Stood under the stars in the outback, the real outback – think Uluru.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (But I have given - for over 10 years now).
7. Been to the Gold Coast’s theme parks – anyone, you take your pick.
8. Climbed a mountain - does Kosciusko count?.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sung a solo.
11. Bungee jumped, jumped out of plane, been paragliding or hang-gliding, hot air ballooning – you get the idea, you’ve been hundreds of metres about earth in a seemingly flimsy contraption.
12. Visited Melbourne.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Had a child. Raised a child. Worked with children.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Been to the Snowy Mountains.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Visited the Brett Whitely studio in Surry Hills, Sydney.
20. Slept on an overnight train or bus.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Been backpacking.
23. Taken a mental health day.
24. Been buried in sand with just your head and toes sticking out.
25. Held a possum, kangaroo or koala – or any other native Australian animal. (Why, only last week I held a stripped legless lizard!)
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Been in a fun run. (I just walked)
28. Been on the Blue Mountain cableway.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Played, or watched, summer cricket. (I've been forced to listen - does that count?)
32. Sailed, kayaked or canoed our beautiful waterways.
33. Seen the Daintree.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Visited an Aboriginal settlement or mission.
36. Learned a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. (I don't think I realised it at the time...)
38. Toured the Sydney Opera House.
39. Tried rock climbing (indoor or outdoor), abseiling or just simple bush walking.
40. Visit Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
41. Been to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
42. Sunbaked at Bondi.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Broome.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone fishing.
49. Seen Tasmania’s old growth forests.
50. Been to the top of Q1, on the Gold Coast.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Driven the Great Ocean Road.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Norfolk Island.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Guide biscuits.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. (But not anymore, mad cow took care of that)
65. Gone jet boating.
66. Visited Port Arthur.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Australian War Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Federation Square.
74. Been on the Murray River.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Travelled, or climbed, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Three Sisters at Echo Point, Katoomba.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Been to Hermannsburg.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited Parliament House. (Worked there too...)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Saved a pet.
95. Been to the site of the Eureka Stockade.
96. Swum in The Whitsundays.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a mobile phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Lovely stuff

* Edited to fix *&^@%^ photos*

Its been so long since I posted, and time is getting away from me, so here is a brief rundown of what I've been up to. Once this is posted I can get back to some kind of regular posting. That's the theory anyway.

I posted a while back about a Chegal picture used in the movie Notting Hill, and moments later a beautiful package arrived on my doorstep from Miss Dot at Planet Lime! Isn't it stunning!

And nearly a month ago now we (Mother, Sister, Husband, Daughter and Son) went down to Melbourne for my birthday, and my sister bought me this great necklace. Its from Elk - and TSS, they have a necklace with a black pear on it!!!

Also finished a little swap package for Backtack and posted it off to the lovely Kim in Canada - but can't show you that because she's not received it yet...

We stirred the pudding.

Went to my 'little' sister's 30th party

Wrote meaningless stuff in the magnetic words on the fridge.

Watched my kids play together. Really play together.

So. There we are. Back to normal transmissions shortly.