Puddinhead doesn't feel good (and has the diapers to prove it), and she has been in my arms non-stop since 4:30. She also didn't sleep well last night. I think it's just serious teething -- she's got another molar coming in. But I feel awful for her.
I also feel awful for me: I lost ALL the phone numbers in my phone, most of which existed only there. Would it have been smart to have them elsewhere? Yes, yes it would. But it was a serious of sucky circumstances (mostly my fault) that caused me to lost the numbers, and now I'm just sick about it. I was able to replace many of them, particularly those from friends who answered my email, but there are some that are just gone, gone, gone, including that of an old friend I've very nearly lost touch with (and this may be the nail in the coffin of that relationship).
Wanna know what happened?
Got a new iPhone (YAY!! And super-duper thanks to Sweetie, who rules beyond belief). Synced it to the computer. The phone numbers from the phone went onto the computer, and the addresses from the computer went onto the phone.
It was messy. I cleaned up the contacts on the phone. But if I sync them again, it'll get messy again. So I deleted the contacts from the computer, thinking that ZERO contacts plus a nice clean list = a nice clean list. But instead, it wiped out everything off both lists.
And then I discovered that deleted files from contacts don't go into the trash, they just disappear.
And then I discovered that my automatic back-up thingy had been turned off and hadn't backed anything up.
So everything was really, really gone, unless it was an address I had in the computer the last time I backed up (in February).
And it remains really, really gone unless I've contacted the person and replaced the number.
Anyway, the whole thing pretty much bummed me out, and I STILL can't figure out what I did wrong/why it worked that way. Suffice to say, I know better now. In future, I'll be cleaning up the messy list on the computer. Humbug. I'm still happy to have the new iPhone, though. It's super-duper cool! I even have a fancy Cibo Matto ring tone. Nothing like Japanese girls screaming at you to alert you that a call is coming in.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Nothing like young folks
to make you feel old.
Last night, Zadie stuck her hand in my glass of punch, and I said something like "no, I'll give you a drink, but you have to take your hand out." A first-year teacher next to me said "maybe she can drink through her fingers." "Ha ha," I laughed, "like Mork from Ork." She smiled blankly. "Oh," I said "you don't get that because you were too young for 'Mork and Mindy'." "I think I caught a couple episodes of it on Nick at Night" she replied.
Last night, Zadie stuck her hand in my glass of punch, and I said something like "no, I'll give you a drink, but you have to take your hand out." A first-year teacher next to me said "maybe she can drink through her fingers." "Ha ha," I laughed, "like Mork from Ork." She smiled blankly. "Oh," I said "you don't get that because you were too young for 'Mork and Mindy'." "I think I caught a couple episodes of it on Nick at Night" she replied.
Happy
IMG_1386
Originally uploaded by countmockula
I forgot to mention in my previous post that she also walks around now saying "happy happy happy." It's the sweetest thing in the world. She makes me happy every day.
This picture is one year old. I don't have any new ones because our camera is on the fritz. I changed the batteries, I changed the internal battery, I reset the time and date, I've done all the troubleshooting I can, and it's just sucking. We need to buy a new one.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The amazing adventures of Zadie-pie
In ascending order of amazingness:
She woke me up by giving me a kiss on the lips this morning. She kisses her dolls, the cat, pictures of babies in magazines, and GI Joe. Then she put Joe's head in her mouth. I didn't teach her that.
Today on the way home, I had Led Zeppelin on and I heard clapping, in rhythm, from the backseat.
A couple weeks ago, Zadie started pulling dollar bills out of Mom's purse and saying "money, money." We don't know where she picked that up, because we haven't said "money" to her. Then she pulled my checkbook out of my purse and said "money." Finally, at dinner the other night, Mom got her credit card out* and Zadie again said "money." She doesn't say the word in reference to other stuff. I have no idea how she picked it up. She's either going to be a financial whiz or a gold-digger.
And finally, we picked up some potty chairs and decided to introduce her to them and see what happened. Well, what happened is that she wants to use the potty on a semi-regular basis. She has had long spells where she stays dry in the diaper and then pees in the potty. I'm amazed. She's barely over 1 year, but she's on her way (I know, it may be a long path, but this is the first step) to being potty trained!
I just think she's a kick in the pants.
*Yes, believe it or not, besides providing me free child care, Mom still buys me dinner every Sunday. I'm guessing I did something very, very nice in a previous life, 'cause nothing I've done in this one deserves it.
She woke me up by giving me a kiss on the lips this morning. She kisses her dolls, the cat, pictures of babies in magazines, and GI Joe. Then she put Joe's head in her mouth. I didn't teach her that.
Today on the way home, I had Led Zeppelin on and I heard clapping, in rhythm, from the backseat.
A couple weeks ago, Zadie started pulling dollar bills out of Mom's purse and saying "money, money." We don't know where she picked that up, because we haven't said "money" to her. Then she pulled my checkbook out of my purse and said "money." Finally, at dinner the other night, Mom got her credit card out* and Zadie again said "money." She doesn't say the word in reference to other stuff. I have no idea how she picked it up. She's either going to be a financial whiz or a gold-digger.
And finally, we picked up some potty chairs and decided to introduce her to them and see what happened. Well, what happened is that she wants to use the potty on a semi-regular basis. She has had long spells where she stays dry in the diaper and then pees in the potty. I'm amazed. She's barely over 1 year, but she's on her way (I know, it may be a long path, but this is the first step) to being potty trained!
I just think she's a kick in the pants.
*Yes, believe it or not, besides providing me free child care, Mom still buys me dinner every Sunday. I'm guessing I did something very, very nice in a previous life, 'cause nothing I've done in this one deserves it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monkey baby
Zadie makes the monkey sign. Watch until the end -- it's cute.
She is working on several new words and signs. She says "kitty" pretty well now, and says "ow" and does the sign for hurt*. She tries to say diaper, and has done the sign for outside. She is much better at "no" now. (It used to be "nuh" and now it's really got a long "O".) She uses her popper very well now, and plays with the shakers I got her on Easter. She told my mom today, via sign language, that "squirrels eat." I said she was a good girl the other day, and she replied "goo gur." She tries to say belly button, and can move my finger to her navel (although she won't point to it with her own finger yet). She made the sign for nurse perfectly today (she usually pats my chest, but today she patted her own). She really likes pointing to eyes and saying "eye." We have been working on kissing and hugging her dolls and animals, and she's been getting really good at it. Today she kissed her Baby Beans several times, and each time, I said "Aww, that's sweet." Then she started making kiss noises and saying "aw" herself, so it went "Mwah, aw. Mwah, aw. Mwah, aw."
*She needs the hurt sign these days. Not only does she have a nasty-looking swollen gum where a molar is coming in, she got her first bloody nose the other day. On Easter, she bailed and fell face-first into the coffee table. Her nose was bleeding in two places -- one on the outside and one on the inside. It got swollen up and she has a bruise on her forehead.
She is working on several new words and signs. She says "kitty" pretty well now, and says "ow" and does the sign for hurt*. She tries to say diaper, and has done the sign for outside. She is much better at "no" now. (It used to be "nuh" and now it's really got a long "O".) She uses her popper very well now, and plays with the shakers I got her on Easter. She told my mom today, via sign language, that "squirrels eat." I said she was a good girl the other day, and she replied "goo gur." She tries to say belly button, and can move my finger to her navel (although she won't point to it with her own finger yet). She made the sign for nurse perfectly today (she usually pats my chest, but today she patted her own). She really likes pointing to eyes and saying "eye." We have been working on kissing and hugging her dolls and animals, and she's been getting really good at it. Today she kissed her Baby Beans several times, and each time, I said "Aww, that's sweet." Then she started making kiss noises and saying "aw" herself, so it went "Mwah, aw. Mwah, aw. Mwah, aw."
*She needs the hurt sign these days. Not only does she have a nasty-looking swollen gum where a molar is coming in, she got her first bloody nose the other day. On Easter, she bailed and fell face-first into the coffee table. Her nose was bleeding in two places -- one on the outside and one on the inside. It got swollen up and she has a bruise on her forehead.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
The bunny dropped off several musical shakers. Here she is shaking.
The eggs were not hidden very well.
Here she is with Daddy, her two egg shakers, and a banana shaker.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The cupcakes
IMG_3098
Originally uploaded by countmockula
Yesterday on Facebook I saw a BEAUTIFUL picture of cupcakes that Jenny made. She mentioned that she was going to bring some over for Zadie.
Today I went about my errands, going in and out through the garage, and came home from lunch with Grandma at about four. Sweetie was supposed to be home at five and I had planned to make one of his favorite meals, so instead of going anywhere else in the house, I just stayed in the kitchen and started dinner.
Apparently, while I was out, Jenny had dropped off the cupcakes and FedEx had come by with a package. My mom then dropped by, not planning on coming in, but then seeing everything piled up on our porch, she decided she'd better bring it in.
When I first started making dinner, Zadie was in the room with me, but after a few minutes, she wandered out into the living room. I checked on her and found her nose-deep in a chocolate cupcake with three other cupcakes on the floor around her. I picked them all up and put them back on the plate, then put them on the kitchen table. I went back to cooking.
A few minutes later, I turned around to see what she was doing, and she was gnawing on a green-frosted cupcake. Three others had fallen into the diaper bag when she pulled the plate down. I guess when it comes to cupcakes, I really need to keep an eye on this one.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Zoo pictures
With a flamingo friend:
Reflection in the koi tank:
On an alligator:
This orangutan had a blanket on and reminded me of Yoda. He later climbed up his play structure with the blanket on the whole time.
Imitating the giraffe, who was sticking out his long tongue.
Us with bongos in the background:
Zadie got a new romper for her birthday. Jenny kept making fun of her for not wearing pants.
Here she has adorned herself with toys.
'
In jammies and tutu.
Reflection in the koi tank:
On an alligator:
This orangutan had a blanket on and reminded me of Yoda. He later climbed up his play structure with the blanket on the whole time.
Imitating the giraffe, who was sticking out his long tongue.
Us with bongos in the background:
Zadie got a new romper for her birthday. Jenny kept making fun of her for not wearing pants.
Here she has adorned herself with toys.
'In jammies and tutu.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
The zoo, take two
This morning, our original plans for the day fell through. I checked the weather, and there was a 40% chance of rain. I took the odds, and we went to the zoo right as it opened. For about the first hour we were there, we had the place practically to ourselves.
It was a lot more fun this time than last time. The monkeys were whooping it up, the lemurs were playing, the chimpanzees were eating (as Zadie pointed out to me) and playing, and almost all the big cats were out stalking around. She made the monkey sign for the first time, then did it again while I talked to my Grandma on the phone and told her about the monkeys. She loved the fish, seemed interested in the bongos this time (last time she totally ignored them), and saw red pandas, zebras, a tiger, jaguars, ostriches, emu, kangaroos, a hyena, and more. In the reptile house, she made the frog sign at the frogs and was nonplussed by the snakes. About halfway through the exhibit she insisted "walk, walk!" and so she walked the rest of the way (missing the animals, of course). She was also really interested in the construction at the giraffe habitat, a couple trucks that drove through, and a zoo employee who was eating yogurt. (She made the "eat" sign at me and pointed at the employee.) My favorite moment was when we saw these howling car-alarm-like monkeys. They were going "WHOOP! WHOOP!" She quietly whooped back at them, then watched them for several minutes before deciding she was scared and needed a hug.
I saw a zoo employee with a creepy big teased-up pompadour who looked like Bruce Campbell in Bubba Ho-Tep.
Every time we saw a kid under about 8, she said "Baby!" At one point I thought she was going to join a tour group. Oh, and something odd happened. There was a little girl Zadie liked and was walking towards. I saw that her name on her name tag was "Mia." Zadie has been calling our cat "Mee-ah." As she walked toward this girl, she said "Mee-ah, Mee-ah!" The only thing I can think is that her dad must have said her name and I didn't hear it. Either that or my kid can read. Or the girl reminded her of our cat.
It was a lot more fun this time than last time. The monkeys were whooping it up, the lemurs were playing, the chimpanzees were eating (as Zadie pointed out to me) and playing, and almost all the big cats were out stalking around. She made the monkey sign for the first time, then did it again while I talked to my Grandma on the phone and told her about the monkeys. She loved the fish, seemed interested in the bongos this time (last time she totally ignored them), and saw red pandas, zebras, a tiger, jaguars, ostriches, emu, kangaroos, a hyena, and more. In the reptile house, she made the frog sign at the frogs and was nonplussed by the snakes. About halfway through the exhibit she insisted "walk, walk!" and so she walked the rest of the way (missing the animals, of course). She was also really interested in the construction at the giraffe habitat, a couple trucks that drove through, and a zoo employee who was eating yogurt. (She made the "eat" sign at me and pointed at the employee.) My favorite moment was when we saw these howling car-alarm-like monkeys. They were going "WHOOP! WHOOP!" She quietly whooped back at them, then watched them for several minutes before deciding she was scared and needed a hug.
I saw a zoo employee with a creepy big teased-up pompadour who looked like Bruce Campbell in Bubba Ho-Tep.
Every time we saw a kid under about 8, she said "Baby!" At one point I thought she was going to join a tour group. Oh, and something odd happened. There was a little girl Zadie liked and was walking towards. I saw that her name on her name tag was "Mia." Zadie has been calling our cat "Mee-ah." As she walked toward this girl, she said "Mee-ah, Mee-ah!" The only thing I can think is that her dad must have said her name and I didn't hear it. Either that or my kid can read. Or the girl reminded her of our cat.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
New pics
I like this one because she looks downright ecstatic.
She has begun pretending, putting pieces of wooden sushi to her mouth and saying "Mmm nummy."
After seeing how much she liked a kid-sized chair at her cousins' house, I thought I'd buy her one. She immediately took to it.
First she climbed on it and pointed at the flowers.
Then she pushed it like a walker all over the house.
Last night, pooped out after falafel.
That is all.
She has begun pretending, putting pieces of wooden sushi to her mouth and saying "Mmm nummy."
After seeing how much she liked a kid-sized chair at her cousins' house, I thought I'd buy her one. She immediately took to it.
First she climbed on it and pointed at the flowers.
Then she pushed it like a walker all over the house.
Last night, pooped out after falafel.
That is all.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Zadie and Daddy's extremely well-documented day.
On Tuesday, Sweetie had the day off, so he spent all day with Z. He took 44 pictures. Here are a few.
Zadie climbed onto her new zebra.
And also into the fridge.
Then she apparently went gangsta.
He got her dressed and took her to the park.
For lunch there was spaghetti.
Then a change of clothes and a ride in the wagon.
Azaleas are nice.
She pretended to sleep, then hit Daddy in the face!
Daddy made his special fruited tofu for dinner.
He almost got a picture of them together.
Zadie climbed onto her new zebra.
And also into the fridge.
Then she apparently went gangsta.
He got her dressed and took her to the park.
For lunch there was spaghetti.
Then a change of clothes and a ride in the wagon.
Azaleas are nice.
She pretended to sleep, then hit Daddy in the face!
Daddy made his special fruited tofu for dinner.
He almost got a picture of them together.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Alphabutt
I love this CD. Alphabutt by Kimya Dawson She's the girl from the Moldy Peaches who did much of the Juno soundtrack. This is a kids' CD. Frankly, it's probably better for kids older than mine, with all the butt, doo doo, and fart jokes (my favorite: "There's a big strawberry on its way to my mouth... It smells good going in and bad going out."), but I don't care. There are also many references in there for adults, like the song about Bobby-O, skinny younger brother of Fabio.
Right now I have three favorite tracks. The first is "Happy Home," which talks about how she never thought she'd have a happy home with a backyard and a hammock and a paid-off student loan. It also includes the lines "If you're breathing then you're living/ If you're living then you're learning/ So write and write and keep on writing/ Just make sure your life's exciting."
The second is "I Love You Sweet Baby," which chronicles their day, including eating avocado for lunch, nursing, reading, playing peekaboo, and saying how happy they are that she's their daughter. My favorite line is "You're an amazing human being." I know it's not, like groundbreaking lyrically, but it touches me.
I also love "Smoothie," which is very peppy and exhorts Papa to make Mama a smoothie so she can feel the baby inside her go "wild." She says it feels like a school of fishes, a fart in a tub, two bowling balls rolling a perfect game... It reminds me so much of when I was pregnant and how active Zadie was and how I could always feel her kicking.
I also think Suzanne of Cuss and Other Rants would appreciate "We're All Animals," about how she doesn't shave her legs or "down there" because she's an animal.
Anyway, if you happen to read the ol' blog here and have little ones, you might appreciate this CD. I've been listening to it (gasp) without the baby, even.
Right now I have three favorite tracks. The first is "Happy Home," which talks about how she never thought she'd have a happy home with a backyard and a hammock and a paid-off student loan. It also includes the lines "If you're breathing then you're living/ If you're living then you're learning/ So write and write and keep on writing/ Just make sure your life's exciting."
The second is "I Love You Sweet Baby," which chronicles their day, including eating avocado for lunch, nursing, reading, playing peekaboo, and saying how happy they are that she's their daughter. My favorite line is "You're an amazing human being." I know it's not, like groundbreaking lyrically, but it touches me.
I also love "Smoothie," which is very peppy and exhorts Papa to make Mama a smoothie so she can feel the baby inside her go "wild." She says it feels like a school of fishes, a fart in a tub, two bowling balls rolling a perfect game... It reminds me so much of when I was pregnant and how active Zadie was and how I could always feel her kicking.
I also think Suzanne of Cuss and Other Rants would appreciate "We're All Animals," about how she doesn't shave her legs or "down there" because she's an animal.
Anyway, if you happen to read the ol' blog here and have little ones, you might appreciate this CD. I've been listening to it (gasp) without the baby, even.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Birthday party
Little red wagon
Originally uploaded by countmockula
There are approximately one billion new pictures on Flickr, and a few of them are even good. Just click this picture and it'll link you.
We had a great time. I decorated my first cake (I don't usually make cakes, and when I do, it's German's chocolate), and I think it came out okay. Zadie had fun, even if she didn't really understand the whole presents thing. She did especially enjoy her new swing, riding in her new red wagon, and eating her cupcake. I tried to convince her to blow out the candle, but she made a grab for it instead.
In future, we may have to have parties at the park, because it was really crowded in the house. Well, we love our house, but it's not really set up for entertaining. Sorry if anyone was uncomfortable.
She was squirmy at dinner tonight, and had been squirmy at sushi on Friday, too. I'm hoping she's not in a phase where we can't take her out to restaurants. It's been really nice to be able to take her everywhere.
Now I'm exhausted. Good night!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Goatee
fumanchu
Originally uploaded by countmockula
Our baby has been getting rather more junk food this week than usual, but I think we'll slow down after her birthday party. Anyway, she had chocolate ice cream at Gunther's last night, and we were able to see what she would look like with a goatee.
The other day, we generously gave up the swing to another mother, not thinking that she would then monopolize it for half an hour with a parade of different kids, but whatever. Zadie played near the sand, and she likes climbing on the handles of this sand shovel.
This is technically not my photo. It was taken at a birthday party by the parents' friend Roy Yang. So he's the photographer and I have stolen this off his Picasa page, but I swear I'm not making any money off it. I just wanted to show it off.
He took a ton of cute ones. Here's one with Daddy.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Great day - doctor and zoo
I took the day off work, and I'm so glad I did. Zadie and I nursed, then got dressed and went to Cafe Bernardo for breakfast, where we shared eggs, potatoes, and toast. Then we went to the doctor's office for her 1-year checkup. She is above average in height and weight, and the doctor noted several times that she was "very verbal." In fact, she asked Zadie if she knew where her ear was, a question she says she usually asks 3-year-olds, because Zadie seemed so bright. I think Zadie does know where her ear is, but she didn't point to it. She is doing everything she's supposed to, eating well, and impressed the doctor with her words, signs, and animal noises (they gave us a book, and we turned to a page with an elephant and Zadie made a trunk motion with her arm and an elephant noise).
She said it seems like Zadie has outgrown her milk sensitivity (I had a few concerns, but she said they were nothing to worry about), and that it looked like Zadie has two teeth coming in. Then we had to get shots, and there were FOUR today. Zadie was not happy about it. When I picked her up, she clung to my neck. They had said we could go get blood drawn today or wait for another day, and I thought we'd better wait.
We came home, nursed, had a short nap (interrupted by a garbage truck), and then we had the afternoon free and she was in a good mood, so we went to the zoo! At first, I thought it was going to be a bust: She couldn't see the birds, the lemurs were being lazy, there was a crowd around the chimps... But then we stopped by the giraffes to have a picnic, and she was watching them (as well as all the babies that passed by). It improved from there. We saw koi, red pandas, the reptile house, some very active and noisy flamingos, ducks, and big cats. In the reptile house, she said a new word. One of the small frogs hopped and I said "Oh, the froggy hopped!" and she replied "Hop!"
Still to come: dinner, and a walk to the park to play on the swings with daddy.
From her actual birthday yesterday, here are some pictures.
First thing in the morning
Lounging and eating a sandwich for dinner
Opening her first birthday present
It's a popper!
Playing with it outside
Out for froyo with auntie Monkeygirl
I would prefer she went to college
She said it seems like Zadie has outgrown her milk sensitivity (I had a few concerns, but she said they were nothing to worry about), and that it looked like Zadie has two teeth coming in. Then we had to get shots, and there were FOUR today. Zadie was not happy about it. When I picked her up, she clung to my neck. They had said we could go get blood drawn today or wait for another day, and I thought we'd better wait.
We came home, nursed, had a short nap (interrupted by a garbage truck), and then we had the afternoon free and she was in a good mood, so we went to the zoo! At first, I thought it was going to be a bust: She couldn't see the birds, the lemurs were being lazy, there was a crowd around the chimps... But then we stopped by the giraffes to have a picnic, and she was watching them (as well as all the babies that passed by). It improved from there. We saw koi, red pandas, the reptile house, some very active and noisy flamingos, ducks, and big cats. In the reptile house, she said a new word. One of the small frogs hopped and I said "Oh, the froggy hopped!" and she replied "Hop!"
Still to come: dinner, and a walk to the park to play on the swings with daddy.
From her actual birthday yesterday, here are some pictures.
First thing in the morning
Lounging and eating a sandwich for dinner
Opening her first birthday present
It's a popper!
Playing with it outside
Out for froyo with auntie Monkeygirl
I would prefer she went to college
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Huggy bear
My sweet little thing is becoming a hug-monster. Today, Mom told me that Zadie had met a little girl named Audrey and given her a hug. I was sorry to have missed it, but then I took her to the park tonight. She saw a baby and wanted to go play with her, so we went over to play in the sand. The girl's dad said "Sophia, give Zadie a kiss." Sophia looked skeptical, but Zadie threw her arms around Sophia and gave her a kiss, then pulled back, took her in, and then gave her another hug. It was so sweet. I love watching her get to know the world and other kids.
His Dark Materials trilogy (with massive spoilers)
So... here's what I thought. I read "The Golden Compass" and was totally taken in by this feisty, rough-and-tumble, courageous little girl, Lyra. I loved that she did what she thought was right, whether it was to bully some Gypsies into taking her on a mission or to befriend a fierce armored bear. She occasionally had bad judgment, but she made decisions for herself. The world that Pullman built around her was interesting, suspenseful, exciting.
Then there was "The Subtle Knife." This one sort of felt like a middle book. It introduced a new character, Will, and a couple different worlds, but in general it felt short and like a transition between the first book and some kind of conclusion. In fact, I was surprised when I came to the last page and remember thinking "Oh! That's it?" Still, I was engaged in the story and was looking forward to the concluding book.
And then there was "The Amber Spyglass." Which DRAGGED ASS. Here would be a touch of interesting, familiar stuff related to the plot, and then there'd be thirty pages of sentient wheeled sheep. And then there'd be some more back-to-the-action stuff, and then they'd decide to take an arguably pointless side trip into, say, the underworld. And then back to the sheep-with-wheels. And somewhere along the way, Lyra became dull and subservient. She had this machine that gave her answers called an alethiometer; she had the unusual ability to read it. But at some point, she decided she needed to follow Will on his big adventure and stop so much as consulting the alethiometer without asking him first. What happened to feisty? I guess it grew up and fell in love and turned into a pansy.
Worst, the whole series leads up to this big conclusion: There's going to be a new Adam and Eve, and Lyra's Eve, and she's going to be tempted by a temptress (this chick named Mary), and she's going to give into temptation. So what happens? She and Will end up hanging out with Mary, then go into a pretty forest setting, where Lyra gives him a piece of fruit and they fall madly in love and do it and it saves the world. But then they can't be together anymore, so they just, you know, are cool with that.
Wait, what? First of all, what's the temptation? The nookie? And how was Mary involved with that? The temptress isn't much of one, the temptation isn't much of one, and it's completely unclear why their horizontal bop saves the world (or, if you've read the books, causes Dust to flow normally instead of into the abyss).
Anyway, it was a bit of a let-down. I really had to slog through the last book, and when I got done, I didn't feel particularly rewarded. Well, the good news is that now I can go back to my magazines.
Then there was "The Subtle Knife." This one sort of felt like a middle book. It introduced a new character, Will, and a couple different worlds, but in general it felt short and like a transition between the first book and some kind of conclusion. In fact, I was surprised when I came to the last page and remember thinking "Oh! That's it?" Still, I was engaged in the story and was looking forward to the concluding book.
And then there was "The Amber Spyglass." Which DRAGGED ASS. Here would be a touch of interesting, familiar stuff related to the plot, and then there'd be thirty pages of sentient wheeled sheep. And then there'd be some more back-to-the-action stuff, and then they'd decide to take an arguably pointless side trip into, say, the underworld. And then back to the sheep-with-wheels. And somewhere along the way, Lyra became dull and subservient. She had this machine that gave her answers called an alethiometer; she had the unusual ability to read it. But at some point, she decided she needed to follow Will on his big adventure and stop so much as consulting the alethiometer without asking him first. What happened to feisty? I guess it grew up and fell in love and turned into a pansy.
Worst, the whole series leads up to this big conclusion: There's going to be a new Adam and Eve, and Lyra's Eve, and she's going to be tempted by a temptress (this chick named Mary), and she's going to give into temptation. So what happens? She and Will end up hanging out with Mary, then go into a pretty forest setting, where Lyra gives him a piece of fruit and they fall madly in love and do it and it saves the world. But then they can't be together anymore, so they just, you know, are cool with that.
Wait, what? First of all, what's the temptation? The nookie? And how was Mary involved with that? The temptress isn't much of one, the temptation isn't much of one, and it's completely unclear why their horizontal bop saves the world (or, if you've read the books, causes Dust to flow normally instead of into the abyss).
Anyway, it was a bit of a let-down. I really had to slog through the last book, and when I got done, I didn't feel particularly rewarded. Well, the good news is that now I can go back to my magazines.
Monday, March 23, 2009
OMG!
IMG_2799
Originally uploaded by countmockula
Well, I had been having Z nurse on both sides before work, and the not-pumping had been going fine. Until today. I failed to have her nurse on both sides, and now I can't take off my sweater, because I have one giant hard boob with a big wet spot on my t-shirt. Good times.
I also forgot my purse today, so two of the errands I wanted to run after school are out. I need cake frosting color and I have a skirt that was altered that I need to pick up.
Anything else interesting? I'm taking the day after Z's birthday off for her 1 year checkup. Presumably the doctor will notice how amazing, smart, strong and healthy she is.
This is spirit week, and I'm excited to dress up. I have a new hat that's perfect for crazy dress day. I think I'll wear my wacky orange stewardess outfit with it. And Wednesday is "twins" day, so the other teacher for whom I am frequently mistaken and I are dressing identically. We happen to have the same boots and skirt! Great minds shop alike, apparently.
It's sunny but cold today. I tried to get some sun at lunch, but was freezing. Luckily, there was magic chocolate in my bag! It must have dropped out of a previous lunch I packed! I had a delightful .17 oz serving of Scharffen Berger chocolate.
Oh, that reminds me. Weight Watchers is sucking right now. In the three weeks I've been sticking to it super-carefully, I've lost exactly 1 1/2 pounds (it may be a little more than that, but not according to the scale this morning). I've added in workouts -- in fact, I've gone to the gym ten times already this month. I've cut down on snacking. I have been practicing good portion control. I don't know what's up! Is it my stupid post-30 metabolism? Last time I was really into WW, I lost 40 pounds in about 6 months, and my average at the beginning was like 4 pounds a week (afterward it slowed down to about 2 pounds a week). Is this just stubborn fat? Am I doing something wrong? Is it that medication (many people have trouble losing weight on it, but that's because it's an appetite stimulant, so it makes you EAT MORE, and I've been really careful with what I eat)? Anyway, I'm just feeling pissy about it right now, because my goal is to be in my normal Summer wardrobe by May. And those are my pre-baby fat clothes, not my when-I-was-a-size-8 clothes.
Okay, I'm fooling around while my kids write a practice essay. I'd better do some real work. Take care,
CM
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Weekend so far
Post-party II
Originally uploaded by countmockula
We got up this morning, ate, cleaned, went grocery shopping, and got ready for a party. We went to childbirth class with a couple we hit it off with, and we've been out to dinner, had them over, they've had us over, etc. over the last year-and-a-bit. Their son, Liam, is five days older than Zadie, and his birthday party was today.
Zadie had lots of fun, eating almost a whole slice of pizza and an entire cupcake! She also climbed up and down the stairs and drooled on Liam's toys. She was so tired afterwards that she fell asleep in the car on the way home, but when we got home, she took her sweater off and I got this picture. Sweet, huh?
We're testing her out on regular milk, and she seems to be okay. I'm monitoring the poo, but I understand that people don't like it when mommy bloggers talk about the poo, so that's all I'll say.
I wrapped her birthday presents, and we got some presents from Auntie M in the mail today. I checked with Granny, and she's coming to the party, and I know all Zadie's Sacramento grandparents are going to be here (she's blessed with a total of 7 grandparents, but not all are local), plus her Monkeygirl and Liam's parents and Liam and her cousins (technically 2nd cousins and 2nd cousins once removed, but who cares) and great-aunt. I'm making a fishy cake (have to go to Cake Castle for colors this week).
I'm reading the third book of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. I'm on page, like 800-something. It feels like I've been reading them forever, and they're starting to get a little preachy. I'm so ready to be done, to catch up on some magazines, and then to start another book. That doesn't even include my work reading.
I guess that's it. Take care, all. Enjoy Spring!
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