that one day in september

Yesterday happened to be the re-match of the AFL Grand Final, but that's not what I'm blogging about. While the Grand Final is synonymous with the phrase "...that one day in September", for me it was different. Yesterday also coincided with what happened a month ago, on a day in September. 3rd September, to be more precise.

The start of September usually heralds a few things - the start of spring, goodbye to coldness (although you wouldn't have known much difference in the weeks that followed) and my beloved late Nanna's birthday. This particular year, it was also the day I found out I was expecting our second child. It's something I'm still grappling with, not so much the shock, but the realisation settling in. This pregnancy was planned, or rather, in the words of my husband, "We should get onto that", as if it was yet another task that had to be done, like mowing the lawns.

A test was conducted, me musing, "hmm, what if" and there it was, 2 pink lines on a stick. I said a quiet "Happy Birthday Nanna" to myself, knowing she'd be tickled pink to know - or perhaps she already did on same other level. I kept the stick, showed my husband and we kept quiet for a good month. It felt good to have a nice little secret all to ourselves, but when we started telling people (at 10 weeks), the excitement and happiness was infectious which made it seem all the more real.

In the meanwhile, it's business as usual with the daily grind. I'm not stopping myself going to the gym, I'm determined to not blow out of proportion, though I'm a bit dismayed to see the middle "tyre" returning. I'm thankful now that I'll be moderately "with child" during the summer period, instead of heavily pregnant, it ought to make the summer a bit more bearable. That, and maxi dresses.

So happy birthday Nanna, you're not here to share this news with us but it made your birthday a little more special, even if I was the only to know it.

a win

03/09/2010
Originally uploaded by ninevah

Because I rarely win things -- thought I'd share this. Each week, my gym has a competition for those who come in at least 3 times a week.

This week, I won! A snazzy Contours backpack is nothing to sniff at (and it's quite comfy to wear, too).

Arrival of spring & clean-outs

Another quiet period between posts. Typically, I can't think of much that has happened - Winter, for the main part. It's cold in our house, we have no central heating, and the main heating unit is in the lounge/communal area. The only other heater we have is one of those standup, moveable metal oil heaters, which resides in Rory's room during the winter months. Thankfully yesterday marked the first day of spring - though you wouldn't know it from the persistence of rain - so the weather is on the way up.

Along with the onset of spring, the vegetable/herb garden has been re-invigorated with more vegetable seedlings and herb seedlings, some herbs have been transplanted to other areas to make better use of the space and the citrus plants which will one day be 'espaliered' are slowly getting bigger. I'd love to take a picture and upload it of the revamped garden, but someone (who recently turned 2 1/2) broke the camera and until I can get a new one, I've borrowed my father's "pink" digital camera however don't have the means to upload just yet.

Today the small boy and I are having a day at home, we're both suffering colds (his is worse than mine so far) so I took the opportunity to do a stocktake of the pantry (how many cans of tinned tomato and corn kernels have I?!) and make use of some overripe bananas. Next stop, resorting the plastics cupboard. I'm still avoiding completing the study clean up/sorting, as I know I'll need at least one full Rory-free day to do this. Maybe I'll feel motivated this weekend? Though wouldn't you know it, sunshine is predicted for Saturday and who wants to spend time indoors?!

comfort soup

15/06/2010
Originally uploaded by ninevah

Today's very simple recipe is a favourite I used to make when I was living on campus at University. It's from a tiny Gabriel Gate recipe book and is super easy and super quick to make.

Leek & Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

2 chicken fillets
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon butter
2 medium leeks, finely sliced
1 carrot, diced
1 medium potato, diced
8 cups chicken stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup corn kernels
2 tablespoon parsley (optional)
crusty bread to serve


Method:

1. Cut chicken into very small pieces and toss in a bowl with soy sauce.

2. Heat butter in a non stick fry pan and stir fry leeks for 2 minutes. Add carrot and stir fry for 1 minute.

3. Add potato and chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.

4. Blend half the soup to a puree and return the pureed soup to the pan.

5. Add corn kernels and simmer for 5 minutes.

6. Add chicken pieces to hot soup and leave on gentle heat for 5 minutes without boiling it. Stir in parsley and serve.

Serves 6

Note: I find using a bamix in the pot to blend it, rather than remove portions in batches to puree, much easier.

new/old

20/05/2010
Originally uploaded by ninevah

Rory was given this cool handmade wooden car last night by my step-grandmother, Ma. What's even cooler about it is that it was made by my late grandfather, Poppa, as a gift for someone they knew. Now it's been returned to the family and Rory (and later, presumably when Huon's old enough) is delighted with it.

It's his new favourite toy. In the picture, you can see his two teddies have been stuffed in. 'White' Teddy is driving (allegedly) despite both legs hanging out the side door, and 'Yellow' Teddy is rear passenger.

capabilities vs complacency

I sometime think that Rory was sent as a challenge, both physically AND mentally. My endeavours at the gym - to lose weight, keep fit and be able to chase after a small tornado - have clearly paid off. The mental challenges are ongoing and the goal posts are always changing with no abatement in sight. It's interesting to note that none of the other kids in my Mothers Group appear to challenge their parents in the way Rory does. He, perhaps, sets the trend at times.

Every so often, we appear to reach a point where boundaries and capabilities are met, silently acknowledged and respected. And then, predictably, a sense of complacency sets in and we (both mother and son) know what we are capable of and life is good. That is, until another skill or ability is discovered.

As was discovered this morning.

Since Rory transitioned to a 'big boy bed' in the past month and a half, he's now able to get himself up and out of his room when he wakes in the morning. Usually, he'll run down to our room and snuggle in bed before his father reluctantly gets up and organises his (Rory's) breakfast. In the past week, he's started taking himself off to play nicely with his toys in the loungeroom.

Until this morning.

I awoke sometime after 6am to hear noises in the kitchen. I was sure I'd shut the kitchen baby gate, which is secured from the wall to the bench. My ingenious son had pushed his high chair to the bench and clambered over (no doubt thanking his skills he'd picked up from Gymbaroo in the process). By the time I'd dragged myself to the kitchen, I'd caught him standing in front of the fridge, with the door wide open, plastic bowl in hand, filled with 'bix' (Weet-bix). It was hard to tell him off for showing such initiative.

Unfortunately, this now means more baby proofing is required in the kitchen, as one of the last few 'gated' areas of the house is now accessible to a small inquisitive tornado. But on the flipside, now that Rory is becoming more self-reliant (by showing that he's able to entertain himself and get his own breakfast), it's a comfort to know that he able to carry out 'routine' activities without a lot of parental help.

Still doesn't mean we get a sleep in though!

there are no donuts in death

Every Sunday afternoon I check the Postsccret site to absorb the writings of postcards of anonymous people wanting to get a secret off their chest. Most of the time, the secrets are slightly depressing, although there is quite often a few gems which shine some basic truth.

Today's batch included the one above. It struck me as being a pretty obvious sentiment. Why forgo all the pleasures that life can give you for an eternity in an unknown oblivion?

I think I want pizza for dinner now.