E - Vida

Last Saturday we pierced Jorja's ears. After over 12 months of her on and off asking for it... She didn't know until it hit her! I'd hoped that we'd find a place that would do both ears in one go. But alas. Twenty (yes 20!) minutes after the first one, an ice cream, yellow candy sprinkles scattered all over the floor, a spiking blood pressure and some coaxing, Mom (that's me) pierced the other ear. I can't seem to shake the feeling of "Did we do the right thing?" I guess that's part and parcel of the decisions that we make as parents... She definitely seems to be enjoying her bejewelled ears - and just like she didn't quite comprehend the somewhat unpleasant process involved in 'getting earrings', as parents we don't always grasp how much influence we hold in our hands!  Well...it's done.

This weekend I noticed that Ethan grabs for my cellphone and moans when I place it out of reach or hide it. Now I know it's taking over. Around the time of his birth, my phone went on the blink. Besides the inconvenience of being out of reach during my hospital stay and missing out on congratulatory calls, I can safely say that it was a good spell for me. Seven months down the line, it's plain to see that I am heavily dependant on this device and it's taking over more than just my ear time... I propose PHONE FREE ZONES. Let's start with the easy ones: 1. The bathroom Yugh! 2. The bedroom Tick! 3. While driving Uh hmm! 4. At the dinner table Aha! And now for the tough one: After, say, 20h00? I can fully appreciate the conveniences of a cellphone - I can! Plus there are extra emergency, disable and battery life features. All I'm saying is...Let's curb our enthusiasm to be SO connected! 

One week on, we can safely say that P-J enjoyed a quiet and comfortable birthday - no massive meltdowns, no NEW grey hairs, no surprises (whoops?).  We had quiche for dinner and once I'd reassured all and sundry that it was socially acceptable for real men to eat quiche, all that was left to do was enjoy a slice of birthday cake, family time and the blessing of another year past. Now look at this: I don't think that when P-J pulled this familiar pose (donned in way too many photos throughout his teen years) he could've ever imagined that his 7-month old son would do the same, one day down the line! These men in my life...  ...Just the pose itself can give you a little insight into my daily dealings with them both!  It sure felt good to celebrate Peter-John's 28th birthday with him (of which I've know him for 14 of those years). Perhaps a little better for me than for him, because every year, he asks for a motorbike...and every year, I don't d

There I was, feeling particularly guilty about not having blogged in oh-so-very-long...When after a little investigating, I realised that it is a common trend at the moment! Seems to me that life is going on with or without our stories! Oh! But stories are fun... Like the one where we celebrated Ethan's 6th monthiversary in the September heat of a Sunday afternoon with a quick swim and all! Or like the one where we (that's everyone) moved rooms around at home to fit us in a little bit better. Admittedly, I suffered some severe mover's remorse aka miss-my-baby anxiety the first few days...but now Ethan calls me during the night, and I do the Long Walk to Freedom to him, just so that we all know that the other one still cares. Let's not forget the trip to Hillcrest Berry Farm for Aunty Robyn's birthday - where Jorja enjoyed a fantastic-looking gingerbread man - I mean, check out that expression - and Andel suffered a berry babbalas! Th