29/100

29.12.09 (Two entries for today...just cos...)

Jake woke at 5:30am today. After numerous cuddles and walks round the flat, he still couldn’t get to sleep. So I let him wriggle out of my arms and watched as he proceeded to the door, pointing to go out. He was doing his baby Jake talk and then started drumming, accompanied by the dum dum noise. I was touched. He must have noticed how happy I get when he recognises the drum in his book and makes the drum motion. It was as if he was saying, come on Mummy, let’s play drums, I know it makes you happy.
~
Jake’s been sitting down lately. On something as opposed to the floor. He backs up to something (our laps, a stool, the edge of a basket), slowly lowers his bottom and rests there with a sigh. After 5 days at home with us, Paul went out for some time to himself. Made me realise how much of a break I get when he’s around – he’s been doing most of the childcare and Jake loves spending so much time with him. And what have I been doing with my time? Cleaning, chores and sleeping. The sleeping has been good at least.

28/100

28.12.09

It was sunny and mild so we went into town. I got a sketchbook from Cass Arts for £2.50, looked at the xmas tree in Trafalgar Square but it wasn’t as pretty as the one in the private garden in Bedford Square which was lit up with indigo lights. Had a picnic lunch in the British Museum, Jake taking huge bites out of a spinach and tofu quiche and a vegan pizza. He didn’t want any of my tuna sandwich or sausage roll. He was so happy running around there, playing around the pillars and hugging mine and Paul’s legs.

27/100

My deranged looking baby - it was mostly blind contour. 

27.12.09

Jake making funny faces at me, like he’s straining at something. I do them back and he laughs. Jake wandering round the flat saying Daddy, Daddy, Daddy and Yommy Yommy Yommy. Jake having whiny periods, and quiet, focussed playing periods. Playing with the bucket, the stool, his water cup – pouring water over everything – his blocks, the shelf, the carpet, his legs, the sofa. He feeds himself porridge, yoghurt, beetroot, lasagne. He wants to be picked up a lot. Smiles beatifically. I finally get a chance to put up the new shower curtain, saving the old one for finger painting sessions.

Christmas

Enjoying Mummy's Chocolate Cinnamon Cake and the general festivities...

26/100

26.12.09

“Like many love stories, this one begins with an act of foolishness…” So begins March of The Penguins. A heartwarming story of survival, majesty, endurance, fluffy chicks and DEATH. I don’t know why I watch these nature programmes – it’s always the same. You get attached to the furry babies and then along comes a predator to peck it to death or swallow it whole or thrash it about for sport. Still, I like the ‘love story’ line. Boxing Day has been a day of quiet and meandering pleasures. Oh, and walking around looking like a dickhead in my new hat.

25.12.09

Opening presents – Jake laughed whenever I put my funny hat on. Paul got me thermal underwear in L because he thought M meant massive. Found out Paul used to love Heidi stories when he was little. I spoke to Mum & Dad who were very happy to hear from me, Mum was particularly excited and laughed a lot and said she prayed for Jake’s health and for our happiness every single night. She kept wishing me all the happiness and everything we want in life. It touched me and jarred me from my usual perception of my relationship with her.

25/100

~ Merry Christmas ~

24/100

Another one of Jake's melancholy looking wind-up toys.

Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve.  When I was a child, we stayed up till midnight on Christmas Eve to open our presents.  To me, Christmas Eve was always the special day.  I think I still enjoy the anticipation and buzz of preparations better than the day itself.  Although, now that I have Jake, that may change, as I watch his little face when he gets to open his presents tomorrow.

Anyway, I spent the whole morning baking pepparkakor (traditional Swedish xmas cookies).  The recipe I found did not state how many cookies it would make.  I was bloody surprised when I realised I could turn out at least 75 of them, and still had a bit of dough left over for Jake to play with.

The dough had to be rolled really thin, so lifting the star shaped cookies off the counter to place on the baking tray was like helping exhausted star fish get up from the scene of an accident.  I'm happy to report that most of them made it.  I only burned one batch.

24.12.09

Loved Where The Wild Things Are, followed by a luscious pizza with three types of mushrooms, creamy cheese and crispy speck ham. Spent this morning baking xmas cookies, the dough easily made 6 dozen. Threw Jake up and down, complete with sound effects. Resulted in great tummy chuckles and him throwing up his arms and saying “woo woo” when he wanted me to do it again. The friend who’s been ignoring me for two months suddenly got in touch, apologising and sending gifts. I’m still angry though, because I know it will happen again.  I don't know what to do.

Edit: Forgot to mention the lemon tart!  The best ever.

23/100

Anxious misletoe (copied from a wrapping paper pattern)

23.12.09

Made my first batches of pepparkakor cookies while Jake chirruped “Cookie, cake-o, cookie!” and played with some of the dough. Then braved the ice and snow to get some last minute groceries and Jake fell asleep in the pram for an hour and a half! Later, fished a lit torch and cement truck out of a kitchen cupboard and rolled the ball pool round the flat. It’s hours later and he’s still saying cookie, cookie, cookie. Tonight I’m out for “Where the wild things are” and dinner. Then Paul’s off for six days and it’s just two sleeps till xmas!

22/100

22.12.09

I never imagined I’d nearly be undone by the making of cookie dough. Or rather the impossibly precise act of measuring cinnamon onto a teaspoon with a bad wrist while a toddler hangs onto my leg and pushes me at the same time. On the other hand, he said juice for the first time, or “doof”, while mimicking the action of drinking complete with a lip-smacking “ah” afterwards. And said “moe” to porridge and olives. And later on, the cutest chocolate covered face and lots and lots of kisses and cuddles. And the creamiest, yummiest pea and pearl barley risotto.