Dear Blog, it's me, Andrea.

A body at rest will stay at rest. So, that's why I haven't blogged for a long time. I have the LAWS OF PHYSICS working against me.

Lots has happened in the last couple of months. These are the highlights.

Chase:

You love shoes. YOU. LOVE. SHOES. You love your green dinosaur crocs and if we try to help you put them on you chuck a wobble. You love putting Zoe's shoes on. If she tries to take them from you, you chuck a wobble. You put my boots on. You look silly. But, you don't care.

You love meat. YOU. LOVE. MEAT. It's pretty much all you want to eat. I remember not long ago I was freaking out that you were turning out to be a vegetarian (let's face it, they're all weird) but phew, that phase is over. We picked you up from daycare one Friday and the girl there said "Boy, Chase sure likes his sausages. He had about 6 or 7." I informed her that we try to cut him off at 2. No one that's less than 2 feet tall should eat 7 sausages. Ever.

You're still albino. White hair, blue eyes, pale skin. I still cut your hair and do a marvelous job each time.

You love your cars. You don't do anywhere without cars in your hands. Usually hotwheels, or the "neenoo" which is the ambulance, or "kachow" which is Lightening McQueen. You drive them on my couch, you drive them on me, you drive them all over. It's a one track mind. Until you're 14 of course. Then you'll be into video games. Ha.


Zoe:

You are such a lovely little lady. You are polite. You are a good conversationalist. You don't like it when it's "too quiet" in the car. We tell each other stories and I love hanging out with my little mini-me. You still like to tell everyone you see that "I'm a big girl, I'm FOUR YEARS OLD". And apparently you told the termite inspector that you sleep with 5 animals, not 6, and not your baby because she's too hard, and not that baby because it makes noise. I'm sure he was riveted.

You are getting much more confident in your swimming lessons and you still love school. Dancing is a favourite of yours, and so we have "dance parties" in the lounge room all the time. I like this, well, because, I don't get to go clubbing anymore, so this is my replacement. Jumping and arm waving with my 4 year old to the Black Eyed Peas.

RJ:

Still enjoying the stay-at-home gig and had a surf trip to Bali with his friend Jer. Just recently built a most beautiful deck to which he exclaimed "After 3 long, hard, back-wrenching days building a deck… I'd rather watch the kids!".

Andrea:

I had a blast on my sibling trip to Vegas. It was just my sister and brother and I in the city that doesn't sleep. Shopping by day, gambling by night. My visa keeled over and told me she had a headache, but I gave it a couple ibuprofen and off we went!! After just a couple days, RJ had to send me more money. I was "up" from all the gambling, but down down down from the shopping. Then off to Calgary to meet my wee nephew William, what a cutie!!

Am officially a permanent employee with Chevron (was previously contracting). If you are wondering what I do, I'm in IT (for Geosciences). That's all I ever tell non-industry people. RJ doesn't even know what I do. I think he always tells people "something with computers".

I plomise it won't be 4 months again until my next post. Especially since Halloween is coming up, so I'm sure there will be some scaaaary stories. Well, "Chase ate 9 sausages and barfed on the dog" scary, I'm sure.

Take care all.
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The Zoe Chronicles - not quite 4 yet

Dear Zoe,

NOTE: This post poops rainbows and unicorns, if gushy is not your thing, discontinue reading.

You're my little mini me. It's all about Mommy lately, and I'm loving this phase. You tell me all the time "I love you Mommy" and "I miss you when you're at work, Mommy" and once you even said "I love you more than Daddy"… (Ha! Take that, RJ, you've been top dog too long)




We're joined at the hip and this couldn't please me more. We cuddle on the bed and tell each other stories. We cozy up together and go through my jewelry boxes. We go lunching and you are always the perfect date. You want to wear a jean skirt and black sweater, just like Mommy. And when I get home from work you screech and run into my arms. Frankly, I’m surprised they haven't produced a cheesy made for TV movie about us.

You've quoted your first movie. "It's a conspiracy, man" from Cars. Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud.

You sing along to songs in the car. Real songs by real bands (not just Wiggles and High Five, may they choke on their mikes)… and I love it. You sing them just like me. Off key and although you don't know all the words, that doesn't stop you from singing SOMETHING. Poor Daddy.

And now you join us in the "movie production company" game… when a movie starts rolling, you'll shout "Dreamworks!"… (it's the only one you know)




You get your gorgeous hair from Daddy (thank god, frizzy is never fashionable)
You get your singing voice from me (sorry kid)
You get your appetite from me (we go to parties for the food)
You get your height from… well, hey, wait a minute, hmmmm
You get your beautiful eyes and long lashes from Daddy
You get your superior intellect from me (antidisestablishmentarianism was your second word)
And when you want to wear green with orange and blue, that's your Dad coming through
Your wit and humour is all your own though, and it's sharp

Love you, my marvelous mini me,
Mommy bear

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Co-parenting with a 3 year old

Historically, if 3 year old Zoe is really misbehaving or not listening to us, we'll send her to the "bathroom" to think about things. We'll close both the doors for a couple minutes -- although we are usually waiting for her to apologise to someone, so if she doesn't, then she stays in for another couple of minutes.

Cole was playing with his hot wheels (tm). He had "vroomed" it on my coffee table to which I swiftly exclaimed "Cole... not on the table... only on the floor!".

Zoe then led Cole by the hand into the bathroom, closed both the doors and then went up to daddy to say "I just put Cole in the bathroom. He wasn't listening and was putting cars on the table. So he needs a couple minutes."

Thanks, Zoe, but I think we got the hang of this parenting thing.

Next, she'll be telling me which foods to feed him and which school he should go to. Actually, that would be helpful, it's a hard decision.

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Apparently sunsets are in the eye of the beholder

We were driving back from Freo at dusk and the sunset over the river (with King's Park in the background) was just beautiful.

Mommy: Wow, that is such a beautiful sunset.
Zoe: I don't like the sunset.
Mommy (in a mock-Zoe voice): I hate rainbows and puppy dogs.
Zoe: Oh, I like puppies.
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The Call Is Coming From Inside The House

Had a real live scary SCREAM movie moment last night.

RJ was in the bathroom shaving and I was on the couch watching TV. My mobile phone rang. I went to grab it and saw that it was RJ calling. All I could think of in a wraspy evil voice was "THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE"... I got the shivers whilst answering it and only heard wierd noises on the other end. I walked through the dark house to get to the bathroom to find RJ.

This was all of course in slow motion.

But, big sigh of relief when found him clothed and shaving, his phone and wallet in his pocket, and it had inadvertently dialed my number.

His phone was stalking me.
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And Then There Was Cole - 22 months old

Dear Cole,

The 22 months have flown by… (ok, well it helps that I've blocked out the first 6 months due to sleep deprivation).

You are all about your bike. Bike. Bike. Bike. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkeeeeee. That's all we hear.

And, when you don't get to ride said bike, you will run screaming down the hallway and fling yourself on whatever you can find. Bed. Couch. Floor. Then you'll look back to see if we're watching. We're not.

Once, during "naked running baby", you bolted to the rug and peed. Officially, this makes you part dog.

You now say "love you". Or, really, it's "wub oo".

Cole, I can't stand how cute you are. But stop peeing on the rug. The last dog that did that ended up outside fulltime.

Wub oo!
Mommy bear

The Zoe Chronicles - 46 months, I think

Dear Zoe,

You've just announced you're pregnant. This is crazy fun because your 3 year old cousin Fiona is also pregnant. You're having the babies in September. You want to wait to have the babies after your 4th birthday in August. You're having 2 girls and 2 boys. You will name them after you have them.

The pregnancy is going well.

My girl, we're tickled pink! I'd love it if you have a big family! When I asked you if you're staying home with the babies or if you'll go to work you said "I'll stay at home with the babies and you can also watch them Mommy". Somehow I think that that means you'll be off shopping whilst I'm home with your screaming pooping 4 babies. I mean, my lovely grandchildren.

Congrats on the news Zoe!!

Sleep well now, dear, you'll know why come September!

xoxoxoxox
Mommy bear

My Personal Shopper

So, Zoe and I went for breakfast today for mother's day at a restaurant by the beach. JUST Zoe and I. Cole wasn't invited this year. It's not that Cole is a rotten kid, he's just work. Like going to the dentist. Not horrible. Just would rather not go.

And it was LOVELY. Zoe had the pancakes and I had my eggs benny. She was a lovely dining companion and we had a blast.

On our way home, we were driving by a mall and she said "I want to go to Karrinyup to look around". Me: "OK" (like it's hard to convince me to go shopping)

We went into David Jones and she said "I'll just go this way, and I'll meet you there". With her nose all crinkled and being serious, it was a classic moment.

Love you Zoe -- my little mini me.

And Then There Was Cole - 21months old

Dear Cole,

Well, you've had your first big boy injury. You tripped at the French doors and broke your fall with your face. On the bricks. And, to make matters worse, your dad was replacing the door knobs so there was wood chips and sawdust all over your face when you got up. Blood and wood chips -- you wore it like a man.

Just the other day, you climbed up the chair to the table trying to get a cracker. You pushed the chair back out from underneath you and dangled on the table for a millisecond. And then it came… the (what appears to be slow motion) slide backwards hitting your head on the chair on the way down. It stunned you and I was able to distract you out of it and nary a tear came from you. You're one tough little dude.

When you wake up the first thing you do is run to the basket of movies, pull it out, grab the "Cars" movie and say "piTOW, piTOW, PITOW!!". That's your catch phrase for "Kachow" like Lightening McQueen says. It's a love affair. I think you're also smitten with Sally, whom you affectionately call "YaYa".

You say a million words. Or, at least it feels that way since Zoe was a late talker and took some encouragement. You will try any and all words. Bumblebee (your favourite song), cookie, juice (although I don't know why this is one of your words, you've never had any) (to my knowledge) (maybe your dad is secretly feeding you juice and cookies for lunch), bus, truck, choo choo (you LOVE trains which is convenient since we live beside train tracks), water, up, nigh nigh, baby, push, wee (for swing or slide), out, bickie (for cracker), lellow (for yellow), the list goes on and on. And, you're starting to do two word sentences… last night you said "Love you!".

* Proof that the second born will always be SO FAR ADVANCED and MUCH MORE EASY GOING and TOUGHER and SILLIER than the first. He he he.

You've got a massive beer gut. It's obviously from all the juice and cookies that your dad is sneaking you. Or, it's because you are the biggest eater (you hold the record at 6 adult size sausages) but you don't seem to be getting taller. Just ROUNDER.

You run everywhere. No walking. Run down the hallway. Run into Zoe's room. Run to the table. Run outside. Run and trip out of the French doors, oops, we covered that.

You're tough like diamonds, so much more shiny and much more precious, we love you!
Mommy Bear


* Ok, busted, this comment is because your dad and I are the second born and OBVIOUSLY FABULOUS people…

The Zoe Chronicles - 3 and a half and a bit

Dear Zoe,

We were on our way to a friend's BBQ:

RJ: "Oh no, I forgot to get some drinks"
Zoe: "Don't worry Daddy, they'll have water at the party, I PROMISE"

We give you a two minute warning when we leave playgrounds, or friend's houses, etc. But now everything is two minutes with you:


"I love you Mommy. In two minutes."
"I'll go get my jacket. In two minutes."
"Are we having dinner in two minutes?"

Your new favourite songs are Bumblebee by Art vs Science and Jane Says by Janes Addiction. Unfortunately, that bumblebee song is catchy and we sing it for everything:

Bumblebee bumblebee bumble bumble bumblebee.
Polarbear polarbear polar polar polarbear.
Zoegirl Zoegirl zoe zoe Zoegirl.
You get the point, get the point, get the, get the, get the point.

We recently went camping with Nadia and her family (Giacomo is your age, and Alessia is Cole's age) and we went to a 5 star campground. You loved the giant jumping pillow. You wanted to jump the whole time. Waiting for it to open at 9 (since we were awake before 6am) was hard on you.

You've drawn on our freshly painting dining room walls with pen. Twice. And we thought you were the good one.

Love you more than all the toddler doodles on all the coffee tables in all the worlds.

Mommybear
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And Then There Was Cole - how old are you now?

Dear Cole,

Well, true to being the second neglected child, I have no idea what month you are. Are you 19 months old? 20? I suppose I should do the math. 20 months it is.



You love rearranging my bookshelves. You're doing it right now. If you knew me better (say, like someone that's known me for 22 months) you'd know this drives me bananas. I don't like things out of place, but despite me reminding you, this doesn't seem to concern you.



You've stopped giving us kisses. That was fast. You were unconditionally giving hugs and kisses all over the place last month. Now, we have to trick you. And, yes, I just ignore you and smother you with kisses anyways.



You're an excellent driver. I know this because you are always playing in the front seat of Daddy's car (you're not allowed near mine) and you keep the radio low and use the indicators.



Your hair is still white as rice. My Grandma (your Great Grandma Simpson) thinks it's remarkable. We do too. But, boy, you have a great haircut.



We love you Cole bear, come to think of it, I'm going to track you down right now and smother you with cuddles!!



Look out!

Mommy bear

The Zoe Chronicles - Over the hill

Dear Zoe,

You are 42 months old, which I guess means you're over the hill. I hope for your sake it's not all downhill from here since I speak from experience that bad knees suck.

A conversation we had just now inspired me to type this...

We were playing with alphabet tiles on your bed.

Mommy: "What should we spell? Dog? D.O.G.?"
Zoe: "Let's spell Maggie"
Mommy: "Oh! Your teacher, good idea. M.A.G.G.I.E."
Zoe: "Let's spell cat"
Mommy: "Ok, C.A.T."
Zoe: "Vagina. That's what we need to spell"


Love you more than all the Scrabble tiles in the world, doll,
Mommy bear
M.O.M.M.Y. B.E.A.R.

PS --- V.A.G.I.N.A.

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Dear Cole,

You are a magnet… you have us all wrapped around you. The caregivers at daycare just adore you and the other kids seem to migrate to you and follow you around. Zoe's friend Charlotte is besotted with you and smothers you with kisses and hugs when she sees you. Your friend Sophie always asks her mom if she'll see you that day. Will Cole be there?

Is it the white hair?
Is it your joyful personality?
Is it because kids can learn really naughty behaviour from you?

You are going to be that kid that tries to climb higher than he should. Jump off things that you shouldn't. Break things that are meant to last… Rules and boundaries seem to mean nothing to you. You already FLING yourself off the bed and couch. You usually land ok, but one time I was lucky and managed to grab your leg before you did a face plant off the bed. I have reflexes like a superhero.

You love big trucks. You call them "buck". Anytime you see them, you point them out.
You are going through your Uh OH! phase. It's adorable. Of course, you'll throw your cereal on the floor and say UH OH! You'll drop a toy in the car and say UH OH. You'll drink the last of your beer and say UH OH!

Cookie Monster is now a favourite character and you love saying "Cookie!". Also, you like the word "dirty" … you are always pointing out your dirty feet. Or your dirty tray. Or the dirty floor (um, grab a mop, buddy).

You are very affectionate and will give hugs and kisses whenever asked.

You're a sweetheart, an energy, a mover and a shaker.

We love you Cole Bear,
Mommy Bear
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So, the first time I ever cut RJ's hair, he had to have his head shaved. That was over 13 years ago and I think he's still traumatized.

I cut Zoe's fringe all the time. Sometimes it's too short and she looks like a doofus. But most times it's pretty much straight.

A week ago, I cut Cole's hair. And, I mean a full blown haircut. Over his whole head. I was like Edward Scissorhands madly grabing hair and shearing it off. Blonde strands were wafting through the air. It was a stunning success. Cole looked so handsome and frankly, the haircut was brilliant. RJ wouldn't give me the satisfaction by admitting that I had done a good, no wait, a GREAT job.

RJ's hair was looking scruffy around the ears. How harmless! Surely I can just trim around his ears. (Especially since I've just mastered the art of hair shaping! See previous paragraph) Well, after a few well positioned yet unbearably choppy and crooked cuts around one ear, RJ wouldn't let me "even it out" and do the other side. RJ had to make a trip to his barber, Dr. Snippy.

As RJ was sitting in the chair, sipping his beer, Dr. Snippy fixed his coif. The Doctor himself actually commented on Cole's haircut. Said it was amazing. I mean, he didn't go to Doctor school for hair for 6 years to be called Mister. He knows what he's talking about.

RJ still won't admit the masterful job I did on Cole's head.  Well, I don't need his approval, since I've been complimented by the Doctor himself.  A TRUE professional.

(Think of all the money I've saved cutting my kids' hair. Enough for a girls trip to Malaysia, surely.)

The Zoe Chronicles - 3 and a half

Dear Zoe,

You started "school" this year, a 3 year old program -- 2 mornings a week and you LOVE it. You do a happy dance every time we mention it's time for school and squeal every time you tell me how your day went. You're really in your element. I haven't told you that you could have about 18 more years of school ahead of you, oh yes!

Dancing is a favourite activity of yours, and since I'm an excellent dancer, we prance around the living room quite often. We've even done some pilates together.

Writing, drawing, painting, and reading are still well loved and you try to read my books (even though I keep telling you that mine don't have any pictures). You always tell me that my book is about a cat. Named Diamond.

You are very patient and sweet on Cole. You are sure to teach him life lessons like "how to share" and "we don't take, we ask for things" and "only drawing on paper". This from the girl that I found colouring in my passport once.

You are lovelier every day. And you're very tall.

Love you Zozo, Zozi, Zee-bear.
Mommy bear
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Cyclonophobes are party poopers

So went over to Rottnest Island for a weekend of camping with friends… left Friday morning, planning on returning Sunday evening.
The weather was perfect, sunny and 30s, no wind, absolutely not a cloud in the sky. Camping on this island is great -- the campsite is practically on the beach, the whole island is "car free", there's snorkeling all around the island, bike paths everywhere, a pub, playgrounds, and even RJ's favourite coffee shop, The Dome.


But cyclone Bianca decided to ring us up and mention that she *may* be stopping by.




Saturday afternoon the campers were told that we had to pack up and evacuate because the cyclone is going to hit. As we were packing (in the hot cloudless lovely climes) the rangers came around again to exclaim "Pack up and get to the school! A storm's a comin in an hour!". So we went to the coffee shop instead and watched in amazement as the five minute storm passed by…


What a bunch of hullabaloo over nothing. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday - sunny, no wind, and not a cloud in the sky. Damn those cyclonophobes!!


It's quite an effort to go camping on Rotto (especially with two kids in tow) -- the dog was in the kennel for 4 days, we had our ferry rides over with all our gear and bikes, went grocery shopping on the island and had to chuck most of it because we were packing in such haste -- and coordinating the trip with our friends and their kids… (and two other dogs in kennels).


It was a lovely one night trip, just too bad it ended so abruptly. But, there's always next year

Our Annual Update...

Well, I realize I've fallen off the wagon with blogging.  What's my excuse?
I'm a mom.
I work.
Reading chews up a lot of time.
So does watching "How I Met Your Mother".
Facebook sucks all blogging time.
Facebook is just plain time suckage.
And then I suppose I should be cleaning my house whenever I have some spare time. 
In fact, I think I hear a toilet calling my name.
How glamorous.

Anyhoo, I will actually do a real post soon, but until then, here's our annual Christmas letter that I didn't put up.....



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Happy belated Christmas wishes, and Happy New Year!

2010 was a great year, but a year of lots of activity in the Jacobsen household. At the beginning of the year, I was on maternity leave, and enjoying my time with Zoe and baby Cole. Those months are a little bit of a blur though, in fact, I don't even really remember the summer months at all. Must have been because Cole liked to nurse every 2 hours around the clock. He sure did sleep a lot as a baby, but just not for long stretches! Our days were filled with mother's group, swimming lessons, going to Rhyme Time, that kind of thing.

In April, we took our first family trip of 4 overseas, and Cole (8 months at the time) was not a great world traveler. He and I were pretty much awake and crying for the first 5 nights. We went to Las Vegas (and were met by my brother, sister-in-law, and niece, and RJ's mom and RJ's brother!!) then to Calgary to introduce all the rellies to Cole, and then back to Las Vegas. There's always so much to do in Vegas, it really is an easy family vacation!! And, I got to play poker with my brother in Vegas. Cross that off the bucket list (playing with Gus Hansen on the WPT is still on the list though, he he he).

In August, I was made redundant from BHP (volunteered redundancy) and then landed safely at Chevron, where I've been ever since. RJ and I did the stay-at-home-swap and now I’m the paycheque and RJ's at home with the kids. Their days revolve around playgroup, parks and the beach, and your general this-and-that. The kids are in daycare on Fridays, so RJ and I have a "date day" (I'm only working Mon - Thurs). However, most of the time it turns out to be a to-do day.

Zoe (now 3.5) insists on reminding us daily that she's a big girl. She's talking our ears off, and despite her horrible singing voice, she sings our ears off too. My favourite conversation with her this year was:

Zoe:  I have a bum.
Mommy: Yes, you do.
Zoe: You have a big bum.
Mommy: Oh. Well, you're short.
Mommy to Daddy: RJ, you better say something really really nice to me RIGHT NOW.

Cole (now 1.5) is my little action man. He likes to climb. He likes to get into trouble. He doesn't listen. He laughs laughs laughs all the time. He likes cars. And chewing on shoes. And chewing on furniture. We think he may be part dog.

Both my kids are great sleepers (still napping once per day and sleeping 12 hours at night) and for this we will always consider ourselves lucky.

RJ (now 43.5) is enjoying being the stay at home dad. He is a natural -- very calm and patient, and always comes up with fun outings for the kids. The only downside is that he'll sometimes stick my kids in ghastly outfits. Blue, green, pink, and grey do NOT go together at once.

In December, the 4 of us went to the big island Hawaii for Christmas. This was a most fun and memorable vacation. My family from Calgary (brother and family, sister and family, and my parents) all met us there and had a great time. The snorkeling was fabulous, the beaches were beautiful, the erupting volcano was a sight, the botanical gardens were grand, I swam with dolphins, and seeing the cousins together was… well… the highlight.

What will 2011 bring? Not much excitement planned at all. Zoe will start a 3 year old program at school -- 2 mornings a week. Cole and RJ will dive into some swimming lessons. I'm hoping the Chevron gig is still intact (Zoe calls it Fevvyron), and we don't have any trips on the calendar. Yet.

We sincerely hope your 2011 sees you in great spirits, health, and prosperity. All the best from us to you….
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