Question of the Day

Why is it that those pesky bar code labels never come off no matter how hard you try? I have been picking at an IKEA label on a plastic tub for 5 minutes, and now I have 27 strips of white stickiness under my nails and on the floor, and there is still a residue left on the plastic that I know will just attract lint and crumbs. What kind of magical glue do they use that the makers of name labels for lunch boxes do not know about? I have left little 'This belongs to' stickers on the street, on the bus, and now just found one under the bed . . .

Man of the House

Don has been in San Francisco since Monday. Makoa had a few really hard days, but now is pretty okay. We've got a routine down where we get to talk to Daddy on the computer in the morning, and we see “Dada big” on the monitor. Sometimes Makoa asks for Daddy to be on the laptop so that we can bring him on the floor and can show him all of the cars that get lined up in the living room. During the day I try and remember funny things that Makoa does so that I can tell Don about them, as he says it is so amazing how much Makoa learns and changes in just a week while he is away. This morning he figured out how to open the sliding glass door, which requires removing a metal rod and unlocking the latch. Isn't learning fantastic?! And then this afternoon he was so cute as he held open the doors for me to push the stroller through saying, “I help you mommy.” Can't get much better than that!

Rockin' Out

Makoa and I were driving home from a friend's house this afternoon and Beyonce's new song, 'Single Ladies' came on. Then I noticed some yellow movement in the rear view mirror. Apparently I had begun to move my head to the music, you know the little head bob and maybe a little shoulder shake that you do when a good song comes on, nothing to noticeable to passerbys, just a little bump to enjoy the rythym? Oh don't judge, you know you do it too! Well imagine being nearly two and seeing what your mom does and then exaggerating it times 1000. Makoa was doing a full head bang, a hair flapping-nearly giving himself whiplash thing. So there were were on Victoria Road in Sydney, Makoa and I, rocking out to the lyrics “if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it . . .”

Halloween Party #2

Only in Australia can you postpone a Halloween Party for a week and no one bats an eye! I found it hilarious that my mother's group moved Halloween, but was so happy that someone was willing to hostess a party that I didn't ask any questions! My friend, Kylie, had us over and went all out on decorations, it was really cute. The weather has been a bit unusual, I guess spring-y, raining one day and hot the next. Well today turned into a really warm one so none of the kids wanted to wear their costumes. Makoa was only kinda in costume, basically just the overalls were the same as on Saturday!


All of us mum's were just so happy that we had made it out of the house, the kids were playing together and we were able to drink coffee and chat that we totally didn't care! By about 11 most of the kids had taken off all of their clothes and were playing with a bucket of water. Who needs toys when there is water and a Wiggles cup? Sorry no photo turned out of the group, it is hard to take a photo of three boys and a girl playing naked!! By the way I LOVE my camera - check out the water frozen in action!



A wonderful spring Halloween party in Australia!

Small World

Sydney is such an amazing place. Maybe it has been the fact that I am a bit out of my normal comfort zone – or perhaps in a new country I have found this ability to search out for new and different people and situations that I would not normally find myself in. I love my neighbourhood because I find people I know out all the time. There is a new hire from the US at Don's work and I took his wife and 4-year old son out to the park today and ran into four other friends and their kids. I found my current job by attending a belly dance class at my neighbourhood centre – purely for getting a night out to myself and to meet other woman who didn't know me first as a mother. At our Christmas dinner night out I learned that my teacher was also the director of a private English language school who needs substitute teachers . . um, hello! Now I am enrolled in a Thai language course on Thursdays (sa-wad-dii) and walking out with one of my classmates I learned that his partner works with Don and their desks are literally two feet apart! What a small world Sydney is – I love it!!

Change

Today is Election Day in the US – we mailed our ballots two weeks ago, FYI. My dad asked me the other day about what kind of news about the presidental candidates made it to Oz. That day on the Today Show I watched Obama and his wife dancing on Ellen and some idiotic thing Palin said recently. But really , many Australians were concerned about who would become the next US President as it would have an effect on the world. Lots of Australians were also watching the election updates today, the coverage was on two of my five channels. Before I went to my massage (that's right, Makoa was in day care and thanks to Lois Brown I was being treated to a massage!) Anyway, before my appointment the numbers were just coming in and they were close in the beginning. I thought, “No really, we (Americans) cannot be that stupid.” Luckily when I came out of my appointment, my friend had texted me the good news and when I went to the video store Obama was giving his speech. Don is in San Francisco and went to Union Square and said it was nuts. He said people were so happy and cheering and cars were honking. He thought it was fantastic that people from all different walks of life could come together and rejoice in the moment. By doing a lot of traveling, and now by living abroad, I have seen some of what the world thinks of Americans because of our leader, and it is not always the best. I can't wait to see Obama bring about the change that is desperately needed and to help Americans come together and (I apologize for the extremely trite expression) “be the best that we can be.”

Swimming

Don has been taking Makoa to swim lessons for the past two sessions and as it is their bonding time (and my chance to have the house to myself) I haven't been in months. I went today in preparation for Don's trip to San Francisco, meaning I would have to bring Makoa next week. Don had been talking about all the new stuff that they did in class, but I was so impressed seeing it all in person. The last time I brought Makoa swimming he could either blow bubbles, kick, or paddle, but now he can blow and kick at the same time.
Don just puts one arm under Makoa's armpits and holds his hands, not full body support any more.

Makoa was just learning to climb out by himself the last time I went, and now he can also crawl back into the water.

They use kick boards on their bellies and backs.


Makoa always has loved the running and jumping part . . . as long as he doesn't always have to go under!


And after class Don and Makoa play in the kiddie pool together.


I hope I do a good job next week - the pressure is on!

Happy Halloween

Yes, I know that Halloween was yesterday, but Halloween isn't a well celebrated holiday in Australia. So, we postponed our celebrations till the American Society's party today - we also rationalized with the fact that it was at least Halloween in the US today! Makoa was the cutest farmer EVER! Grandma Lois brought us a shirt and overalls from Goodwill in Iowa, when I was out of town last weekend I found the perfect hat, and Great-Grandma Rita brought us the animal toys when she was here recently. So, it was a combined effort, helped immensely by whatever magical tactic Don used to get Makoa to wear the hat for at least forty minutes! I took heaps of photos as we went to each play station set up,

there was fishing,

musical chairs

and a bean bag toss. They also had some live entertainment, that Makoa was not really interested in and spend the whole time sitting on Don's lap – guess which one of them was shaking the pom-poms? More importantly there was a playground and a new recruit from Don's office with his family. Very fun family outing – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What Happened?

This morning I had to get Don up early because Makoa wanted Dada and not Mama, I couldn't even help with taking off the sleep sac. Then while Don was lying on the couch and I was having breakfast with Makoa telling him that we were going to playgroup today, he says, "Elsina" (the name of his carer on Mondays and Wednesdays.) Ah, mommy was not getting the love this morning. So, I took advantage of Don being up early and got a few things done. They worked on the computer and Don was happy to have a Koa helper.

Makoa was still playing in the living room while Don and I were getting ready and we were talking about how much Makoa loved Dada and how he loved the time they spent together . . . Don said that was great and that he hoped to spend as much time as possible with him because he would be going to San Francisco in a week for work. "Ahhhhhhhh," I said in a sad voice, "I forgot :(" Makoa comes rushing in from the other room saying, "What happened Mama? What happened?" and gave me a kiss. I figure I still rank pretty high with this precious boy!

Wii Fit

Some of you already know my story about when we got the Wii, but as a refresher and for those who don't know:

Makoa was due to be born on November 20th, the same day the Wii was coming to the Costco in San Francisco. Don had been looking forward to the arrival of the Wii nearly as much as the arrival of our son. So, as a devoted techie wife, what did I do on the due date of my child (who luckily came 4 days later)? I awoke at 5am and drove with Don to the Costco parking lot where we held our place fourth in line sitting on cardboard boxes. Yep, that picture in your mind of a humongous prego woman bundled up in the only coat that can zip across her belly sitting on a cardboard box is correct (and comical). By about 6:30 I could not hold my bladder or my empty stomach any longer so went on a walk in search of a bathroom and some food. And let me just remind you again that I am 40 weeks pregnant with a 10 pound baby. While I was gone I get these frantic phone calls from Don, who is obviously still on his cardboard box, not because his very pregnant wife is out wandering the streets of San Francisco but because Costco took pity on those waiting and decided to give everyone numbers so that they could come back and get their Wiis when the store was open. Only, guess where the Costco card was? In my pocket. Luckily the store clerk still gave him the number otherwise I would probably never have lived that down! After dropping Don off at work I got to go back to Costco to pick up our Wii and the guys at the exit who check receipts laughed as I waddled up carrying my big box saying, "Starting the baby off early I see!"

And that we have. We regularly have Wii family nights, and one of Makoa's first words was 'Zelda' - the game that he and Don would play in the evenings. Recently, Don got an early Christmas present from his folks and has loved playing his Wii Fit. It has a board that you stand and move on along with the controller and its sensor bar, which together open up a whole lot of new fun games. Among Makoa's favorites is the ski jump - notice the form of dad, Makoa, and the Mii on the screen!

and step aerobics - keeping time with the Miis by tapping the hips . . . and right foot . . .

Frozen Yogurt

On Tuesday morning Makoa found the frozen yogurt that Grandma had made while she was here. And yes, 'found' means that he got into the freezer by himself, while I was in the shower, and luckily agreed to the 'rule' that cold yogurt has to be eaten outside with a bib. Wheew! Thought I'd share the cute photos.

Toddler's Say the Darndest Things!

We all know this is true, so I thought I’d share a few funny things that come out of Makoa’s mouth recently.

1 – ‘Excuse Me’ He just learned to say this, which is adorable. What is funny whenever Makoa learns a new phrase is that he finds ways to use it about 368 times in a row and then tells me he said it. So the afternoon was basically him walking by, “excuse me,” and I’d reply, “Okay, good boy saying ‘excuse me.’” Then he’d get past and laugh and say something that resembled, “I said excuse me, haha!”



2 – ‘Big Boy’ Makoa’s highchair is GONE. He is now in a big boy chair, basically a restaurant style booster seat on the dining room chair. He can climb up all by himself (like a big boy) and sit in the big boy chair and of course, as you can imagine, he tells us that he is a big boy in the big boy chair as much as possible!



3 – ‘Come on buls’ The other night I was sitting across from Makoa as we ate diner and talked about our days and I hear, “Come on, buls.” (It is ‘buls’ as in vegeta-buls, which were having a hard time getting on his fork!) And now that I’ve typed it I realize that it doesn’t read quite as funny as it was, think of it in the voice that you might say the sh-word or some other phrase when something isn’t going your way. I’ve started to try and monitor my language as Makoa picks up on ANY word that might come out of my mouth so while I haven’t been cursing as much, apparently I’ve been saying “come on” quite a bit. As we continue in the talking phase I’ve really been learning a lot about what I say!

4 – ‘Koa’ The past couple of weeks Makoa has been using his own name (which I love) and talking about “Koa milk” and “Koa turn” and everything else that belongs to Koa, but this morning for the first time I heard him answer the question, “What is your name?” and he said, “Koa!” It continues to amaze me how children pick up language. Even though I knew he knew his name was Koa, I’ve never heard anyone ask him this before and I never told him that Koa was his ‘name’ I don’t think we’ve ever discussed the term ‘name’ before, so I was impressed when he knew the right answer!

K, I’ll stop bragging about my child . . . for now anyway!!

What's In A Name: Part 2

Remember when I recently posted about the meaning of Makoa's name is fearless? Just thought I'd post this new bathtime trick to freak out the grandmas and worry worts!!

I’m back – well, mostly . . .

Despite what some of you might think I haven’t been keeping you in the dark about the going ons of the Browns in Oz because I am a slacker or because I haven’t got much going on. Over the past 7 weeks I have hosted two sets of guests, first Grandma Rita and Uncle George then Don and Lois Brown. Having visitors is wonderful, but because I am Julie Brown preparing for visitors includes planning their itinerary, printing out maps, collecting tourist information, getting them a cell phone and bus passes, and of course scrubbing the house before and after they leave – exhausting in itself! I’ve also gone on two weekend trips (both with toddler in tow), cared for two sick boys, and tried to keep my sanity as Don and I remember how to balance our own time, work time, family time, together time . . . you know the usual! So, I apologize for not writing more, but I will soon catch you up and post some photos from the past two months, so keep checking back.

What's In A Name?

Do the meanings of the names that our parents give us really impact our lives in any way?? When choosing a name for your own child there is a lot of pressure just in case it does. I remember doing a project in first grade and quizzing my mom about the meaning of my name and why they chose the name they did. Julie means ‘youthful’ and I suppose I will always hope that I am young at heart. I just looked up Donald and found it means ‘ruler of the world,’ well perhaps he hopes he will someday be that too ☺ My niece is named Sofia, meaning ‘wisdom,’ and my nephews are named Ben and Sam, meaning ‘favorite son’ and ‘God has heard,’ respectively – what a smart mom. Me on the other had, I name my child Makoa, meaning ‘fearless,’ and boy oh boy does he try to live up to that name daily . . . today he stood on his bed, gave me a sly little look, and then belly flopped onto the trundle bed that was thankfully pulled out. Of course when I pulled the camera out he tried to go bum first and the landing wasn’t quite as soft, but the picture turned out!

And here’s a daddy cuddle pic too while I am at it . . . ahhh, my boys!

Spring Outings

Today is the first day of spring and I am extremely excited! I LOVE the sun and am looking forward to seeing more of it! Makoa and I have been outside enjoying the nice weather.

On Friday we went with four friends and their kids to the Taronga Zoo. I have a yearly pass because it is just so fantastic. Makoa can get out and run around, there is a playground, and even a few animals :) Here he is checking out the elephants, and me since I took out the camera.

When we got home he was very tired - to be expected after all that running around - and he took a long nap. He didn't seem to be feeling very well and after a minute he puked up all the watermelon he ate for morning tea. Poor kid. Luckily Daddy came home shortly thereafter and was able to help by playing Wii.

I think Makoa is feeling better - what do you think??


Today we went with Aunty Shannon and Gabrielle (babelle as Makoa calls her) to Bondi Beach. The weather was phenomenal and I was almost overdressed in my T-shirt. The kids had a great time digging in the sand and getting wet. Enjoy the photos!

Goose

Makoa is a silly goose – what is even sillier is that when he does something funny he calls himself a goose ☺ Today was a "goose" day.

I pulled off the cushions in the morning to vacuum the couch and Makoa made up a game of running off the couch onto the cushions and falling on his face, just to jump up laughing and saying, “Goose.”

In the afternoon Don and he went for a walk and when they got into the stairwell at home a new game was started of running from the step to the bike to the door, and just in case Don didn’t know it was funny he said, “Goose!”

Then in the bathtub he started another game of climbing, splashing, throwing toys, and blowing bubbles, and of course saying, “Goose!”

My Birthday!

I turned 28 yesterday . . . wow, typing that number seems so weird and maybe not old but definitely OLDER!!

I awoke to a gloomy, rainy day – I am used to a summer birthday, it is odd to be celebrating in winter. Don worked till 2:30am on Thursday so he was able to take the day off, but he had a conference call in the morning. So he hid in the room as I spoke to all the wonderful people who called me! It was kind of a hard week, not only because Makoa was sick and the weather was gloomy, but also knowing that I wasn’t going to be celebrating with family. But getting everyone’s emails and phone calls and cards was wonderful!

After Don finished his work call we avoided the rain by driving to the indoor play area in Gladesville. Two friends stopped by to wish me a happy day and then Don and I got ready for our big night out. Makoa went to Elsina’s (the day care lady) and spent the night. Don and I went to dinner, a gelataria (were I made Don sing me “Happy Birthday” before diving into our sundae), then dancing in Newtown. We hadn’t been dancing in over a year and it was so much fun. We went to the lesson first, while we have done many different swing dances before, we’ve never Lindy Hopped. I had so much fun dancing and laughing and just having a great time. We weren’t very good as it was our first time, but the people we so nice and I think being foreigners definitely worked in our favor!

Coming home was so bizarre as Makoa wasn’t there. Don and I have spent nights without him, but never at our house. We didn’t have to rush home to pay the babysitter or have to be quiet as we talked about our evening. I have to admit that I didn’t sleep very well as I had crazy dreams, but I think next time will be better! Elsina dropped him off at 8 this morning and I think Makoa was a little confused :)

Such a fun birthday!

Bye Bye

Rhonda and Bev left today ☹. Last night Rhonda and I went to sushi and the stayed up late talking - I decided that denial was the best approach to today and so we didn’t talk about it at all. This morning we went to breakfast once Bev got to the house, and then packed them all up. I went to the airport with them to prolong the inevitable.

We sat at a table before the customs line I cannot cross, and I am not much of a crier, but I did today. I realized that I am usually the one leaving others and I am not really a fan of being left.

Australia is so far, and it meant so much to me that Rhonda made the long trip to visit me. I loved having her so close so that even when she was in Cairns we could talk and text every night. I loved that I was able to show her a little of my life here and that she was able to play and connect so well with Makoa. Most of all it was so special for me to see and remember that I have such an amazing friend.

I love you and miss you Rhons!

Hunter Valley

I had been looking forward to joining Rhonda and Bev on their Hunter Valley (see map) tour for weeks, bragging to all my friends, then yesterday Rhonda called me from her Blue Mountains trip telling me it was canceled. Luckily, after a quick online search, I found an even better tour for us to join.

Rhonda and I woke really really early to catch the bus before 7am to meet Bev and our tour van. It was us and a group a 3 and a group of 4 from Ireland. We made a stop for much needed coffee on the way and then were at our first winery, Lindeman’s, by 11.

I was so excited as I have never really done wine tasting before. Our driver organized for us to go to 5 wineries, each very different. At the first place we stood at the counter, the second we were brought to our own area to sit amongst barrels of wine (pictured on right), the third was where we had lunch, the fourth was a boutique with a large table that we all sat around (pictured below in the middle of the grape plants), and the fifth was an unplanned stop similar to the first.


We also went to a cheese factory, and a chocolate shop. What more could 3 women ask for – good wine, food, cheese, AND chocolate. Oh, and to top it off Bev told me at lunch that she was treating me to the tour. How wonderful is that?!!

The end of the day was a little eventful and worth sharing, just because the day was going too smoothly! The final stop, as I mentioned before was unplanned, meaning that our driver did not warn this winery that we were coming. So as the 10 of us walked through the door the two people working were a little annoyed. The man helping us asked what kind of wines we liked. I said that I liked the sweeter fruitier wines – obviously I don’t know much about wine as I am still drinking the sweet stuff! He then asked loudly, “Who here likes sweet wines?” Another girl raised her hand and he told us to stand in the back as, “We don’t have any sweet wines here.” We thought he must be joking as it wasn’t as if that was the only wine we drank, I was just answering his question. But then we never felt welcome to go back to the counter, and we just kept looking at each other and wondering if we were allowed to try any of the wines. We finally pushed our way to the front and tried one wine and as soon as he poured the glass he walked away and started talking to a couple who just walked in. After the fantastic experience we had had all day I really couldn’t believe this – I mean I know Australian’s aren’t the best at customer service but still. So, instead of festering about it I got his attention and told him how rude he was! Not in a bitchy, whiny way, but just told him that I couldn’t believe how he treated us. He looked at me completely surprised and said, “Me, what did I do?” I told him and he replied, “Oh, it must have been Australian humour gone wrong.” Um, no, I told him, “I have lived in Australia for a year and a half and I have never been treated the way you treated us.” I don’t think he was fazed much, but at least I got it off my chest. When we all got back in the bus we all bitched about what a jerk the guy was, I guess the others were treated badly too, so they were happy I said something!

Then, because the trip wasn’t complete, the Irish drank two bottles of wine on the ride home and began singing Irish songs, it really wasn’t too bad until about an hour before we got home, when one of the guys decided to sit on our laps and serenade Rhonda and I with “Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie.”

Thanks again Bev it will be a day I will never forget!!

Aunty and the Aquarium

Today, Rhonda, Makoa, and I met up with Bev (who has been staying with another friend in Sydney) at the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour. I have never been before and was totally impressed. The beginning is a bit dark so Makoa and I quickly went ahead and found the seals. There were these awesome tunnels with the water above you and the seals were playing all around them.
At the top part of the seal exhibit was a coffee shop and while I was ordering my caffeine fix of the day Makoa was leaning on the plexiglass watching the seals. This one came right up to him and all these people rushed over to take a photo!
There was another underground tunnel with Makoa’s favorites, turtles. But he had already seen one of these so we ran through.

We stopped to check out the sharks and wait for Rhonda and Bev. Makoa saw these teenagers sitting in front of the glass and on the bench across from it, and thinking it was really cool Makoa had to do it too. I took advantage and we had snacktime and took several photos.


After leaving the sharks there is this area where the tunnel of water is all around you and there is even plexiglass on the floor. Makoa was so funny, not sure if he could walk across it. He grabbed Aunty Rhonda’s hand just to make sure and would walk to the little rails along the seams and then wait for her hand again, by the last steps he was pointing and saying ‘fishy’ to the creatures below him.


There is also a great playground at Darling Harbour where we stopped before lunch. Aunty took Makoa down the fast slide the first time. As she tried to go for a second ride Makoa pushed her away saying ‘pull’ – we are still working on the difference between push and pull! He was a little unsteady the first time alone, but by the second he had it all figured out.


Makoa and I decided to go home after lunch for naptime and Rhonda and Bev continued on to a museum. We were about to part ways after crossing George Street and with a quick goodbye they started to walk away. Then Makoa yelled, ‘Aunty.’ He has never been upset when someone other than Don and I has left him so I was a bit confused, but called Rhonda back anyway. She gave Makoa a kiss and a said a proper goodbye – the usual way that we part from him and he let out a sad ‘bye-bye.’ When I got on the bus he had a tear rolling down his face and said, ‘Aunty,’ and I tried to explain that she loved him and would be back in the afternoon. It was so cute. He has never acted this way about anyone leaving – sorry Grandma’s, Aunty Rhonda was the first tearful goodbye.