playground
I had a fun sunday. Mum was looking after the boys and arranged to visit me at 11am. This of course meant I had to get up and do all the visible housekeeping tasks to make my home look photographic ready (which is the only standard of cleanliness that meets Mum's standard).
But at least I got to enjoy the benefits too, with my lounge room looking colourful and clean; my fridge emptied of rotting vegetables, clean sheets on my bed and folded in my linen cupboard and i even made a tasty vegetable frittata for brunch. When my guests arrived, it was Ash that led the discussion, starting by questioning me about whether I smoked! (My downstairs neighbour does and the smell taints the downstairs stairwell entry). He is so against smoking, like his older brothers. Then he and Gus set themselves up in the kitchen and made chocolate and banana milkshakes, these being the joy of my pregnancy (AND they haven't led to any excessive weightgain). Whilst in the kitchen Ash noticed photos of Ned and Gus that were taken 5 years ago and wanted to know who the boys were. With lots of hints he recognised the 5 year old version of his eldest brother, but completely failed to recognise Gus as a 3 year old, and kept asking if it was actually a photo of himself (the narcissitic toddler inside).
Then I asked the boys to tell me what they thought of the baby's bedroom, and they were impressed, Gus remembered the teddy bear mobile that is now above the cot, Ash liked the caterpillar toys and they each took turns at playing with the baby trapeze-a feature that suspends soft toys and can play music, whilst the baby lies beneath.
I observed, yet again, that Lu-fang has stage fright when Ash is around, he wouldn't do any kicking at all (but is going crazy now). Ash placed his hands on my belly and asked about the baby's position, was quite on the ball about identifying where babies grow, checked once again that the baby definitely hadn't been born yet. Then later on, after he'd phoned Andrew (and narrated who was at the flat, how many people were in the room, which room in the flat we were in), he was playing with my iphone. "I love you Georgie" he said, which was cute, though possibly confused with how much he loved my phone...
Gus was quieter, possibly dejected about the Bulldogs not making the grand final, but he did want to show me his Naplan results which he was proud of. I was proud too-not surprised, because I know how much ability he has, but thrilled to see how proud he was of scoring outstanding results in reading and numeracy and grammar. Surprised though that he was lower for writing-am used to him being so expressive and interested in writing cards and stories. But his Mum puts it down to lack of practice-there hasn't been that much storywriting at school... this is a shame, cos Gus has a great imagination and it wouldn't take much encouragement to get him writing. Shall have to think of a gentle way of getting him to write more. Mum of course was impressed but more surprised, makes the unfortunate mistake of comparing Gus to Ned and thus not recognising that Gus has different but equivalent abilities. His interest in sports is a bit of a mask, compared to Ned who is so intellectually competitive.
Later on I met up with them again at the playground, because Ash invited me along (he also wanted me to join him for lunch). We went to Hazelwood Park-it was very much a burnside crowd: nice playground, leafy and well maintained grounds, picturesque setting and all the other women were dressed up. Whilst it is nice to make something of yourself, it did seem somewhat absurd that children were being accompanied, on a Sunday, by adults in designer heeled boots and jackets and make up and earrings and so forth. Kids who needed to be pushed on swings, or mounted on flying foxes or encouraged in the sandpit. I guess there's a type that gathers in certain areas of town... Ash liked the playground, went on the flying fox multiple times; whilst Gus made an effort but afterwards said that it didn't have enough equipment to be awesome. It was touching though to see him join in for his brother's sake, help him on the flying fox, give him hugs whilst they waited in the queue, making sure Ash felt comfortable around all the other kids. Naturally Ash took him for granted, and in fact wanted more attention from me. It's touching to be doted on by my nephew, hope he can transfer some of the interest to Lu-fang.
The other end to the week, as A and I prepare for what is probably the last 5 weeks before the baby arrives, was coming up with a name. Whilst we get closer to a final list, we have finally chosen a nickname: Lu-fang. which was a name suggestion from Greta. It sounds a little martial arts/asian film culture to me, but it's cute and the baby responds to it with kicks, so it's good for bonding. His sister's reaction was a bit WTF, but most friends quite like it. Haven't shared it with our parents, just not worth the hassle
But at least I got to enjoy the benefits too, with my lounge room looking colourful and clean; my fridge emptied of rotting vegetables, clean sheets on my bed and folded in my linen cupboard and i even made a tasty vegetable frittata for brunch. When my guests arrived, it was Ash that led the discussion, starting by questioning me about whether I smoked! (My downstairs neighbour does and the smell taints the downstairs stairwell entry). He is so against smoking, like his older brothers. Then he and Gus set themselves up in the kitchen and made chocolate and banana milkshakes, these being the joy of my pregnancy (AND they haven't led to any excessive weightgain). Whilst in the kitchen Ash noticed photos of Ned and Gus that were taken 5 years ago and wanted to know who the boys were. With lots of hints he recognised the 5 year old version of his eldest brother, but completely failed to recognise Gus as a 3 year old, and kept asking if it was actually a photo of himself (the narcissitic toddler inside).
Then I asked the boys to tell me what they thought of the baby's bedroom, and they were impressed, Gus remembered the teddy bear mobile that is now above the cot, Ash liked the caterpillar toys and they each took turns at playing with the baby trapeze-a feature that suspends soft toys and can play music, whilst the baby lies beneath.
I observed, yet again, that Lu-fang has stage fright when Ash is around, he wouldn't do any kicking at all (but is going crazy now). Ash placed his hands on my belly and asked about the baby's position, was quite on the ball about identifying where babies grow, checked once again that the baby definitely hadn't been born yet. Then later on, after he'd phoned Andrew (and narrated who was at the flat, how many people were in the room, which room in the flat we were in), he was playing with my iphone. "I love you Georgie" he said, which was cute, though possibly confused with how much he loved my phone...
Gus was quieter, possibly dejected about the Bulldogs not making the grand final, but he did want to show me his Naplan results which he was proud of. I was proud too-not surprised, because I know how much ability he has, but thrilled to see how proud he was of scoring outstanding results in reading and numeracy and grammar. Surprised though that he was lower for writing-am used to him being so expressive and interested in writing cards and stories. But his Mum puts it down to lack of practice-there hasn't been that much storywriting at school... this is a shame, cos Gus has a great imagination and it wouldn't take much encouragement to get him writing. Shall have to think of a gentle way of getting him to write more. Mum of course was impressed but more surprised, makes the unfortunate mistake of comparing Gus to Ned and thus not recognising that Gus has different but equivalent abilities. His interest in sports is a bit of a mask, compared to Ned who is so intellectually competitive.
Later on I met up with them again at the playground, because Ash invited me along (he also wanted me to join him for lunch). We went to Hazelwood Park-it was very much a burnside crowd: nice playground, leafy and well maintained grounds, picturesque setting and all the other women were dressed up. Whilst it is nice to make something of yourself, it did seem somewhat absurd that children were being accompanied, on a Sunday, by adults in designer heeled boots and jackets and make up and earrings and so forth. Kids who needed to be pushed on swings, or mounted on flying foxes or encouraged in the sandpit. I guess there's a type that gathers in certain areas of town... Ash liked the playground, went on the flying fox multiple times; whilst Gus made an effort but afterwards said that it didn't have enough equipment to be awesome. It was touching though to see him join in for his brother's sake, help him on the flying fox, give him hugs whilst they waited in the queue, making sure Ash felt comfortable around all the other kids. Naturally Ash took him for granted, and in fact wanted more attention from me. It's touching to be doted on by my nephew, hope he can transfer some of the interest to Lu-fang.
The other end to the week, as A and I prepare for what is probably the last 5 weeks before the baby arrives, was coming up with a name. Whilst we get closer to a final list, we have finally chosen a nickname: Lu-fang. which was a name suggestion from Greta. It sounds a little martial arts/asian film culture to me, but it's cute and the baby responds to it with kicks, so it's good for bonding. His sister's reaction was a bit WTF, but most friends quite like it. Haven't shared it with our parents, just not worth the hassle
Comments
BTW, re Francine Prose, read 'The Blue Angel'.
Good luck over the next 4 weeks!