another thing i love about australia

In honour of Australia Day today (our national holiday... kinda like the 4th of July) I'm doing two things:

1. Spelling "honor" as honour.

2. Showing you one of the many things I love about this nation:

In case you haven't worked it out already... Australia has special parking spots (just after the disability spaces) at grocery stores and shopping centers that are designated for parents with babies and small children.

Genius I tell you. Pure genius.

Just one of the many things I love about this nation.

And now for a bonus... my favourite pint-size Aussie, all dressed to impress for Australia Day:

levi's shirt says "fair dinkum aussie" (fair dinkum = aussie slang for true/legitimate/real}

Dear friends, happy Australia Day to my Aussie mates! And to the rest of you... feel free to hop on the Oprah Wagon and come and join us for a holiday over here. You will indeed love it too.

aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

baby supermodel featured on postcards from...

I was reading Postcards From... today, and realized that--in the chaos of getting ready to leave for our trip to America--I forgot to point you to a very special feature. You see, back in November Levi was featured on the fashion blog of Kate Maggie.

Kate is a dear friend of ours... and since she has recently moved to Canada, we're missing her a lot these days.

So as I pine away missing all five feet of her fabulousness, I thought to myself "Why not point you all there now?"

Now, without further adieu, please check out "Little Levi" - Levi's very first appearance on a fashion blog. Here's a sneak peak:

Just looking at these makes me a little sad... Levi's changed so much in the last two months, and Kate now lives way too far away from us!

But life marches forward, doesn't it?

While you're visiting the Little Levi post, check out the rest of Postcards From... Not only is Katie more than lovely, so is her blog. And--shhhh--just between you and I, she's also in the midst of starting up Postcards From Vintage - an online shop filled with fabulous re-worked vintage creations. (Love!)

Dear friends, do you read fashion blogs? I don't read many, but this is one that I don't miss... for more reasons than one.

proud of my little supermodel dude,

p.s. Thank you so much for your feedback about the best 1st birthday gifts yesterday! It's great to hear from some other parents of toddlers about what your kids liked best, and what's stood the test of time. xx

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
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perhaps i should clothe my child more often?

We had some friends over for a mommy/baby play date the other day. It was fun watching the kids play together while my sweet friend and I caught up.

It wasn't until after our friends were gone and I was looking through the few photos that I snapped, when I realized that I hadn't even put Levi in clothes that day.

As usual, there he was in just his diaper with his rolly-polly tummy perched on top.

Yes, near-nudey baby was on a date with a well-dressed older woman.

{is she trying to hand him a sock here? i wouldn't be surprised.}

On another note, why is my child the same size as a girl five months his senior?

Dear friends, aren't you grateful for friends that you don't have to try and impress? 

relaxed, secure, and grateful,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

dear God, thank you for the scrunchie face

Ninety-five percent of people that meet Levi think he looks just like his daddy.

This is pretty much the only time people ever say my son and I look alike:

I’ve dubbed it the “scrunchie face”.

When Levi does it, people giggle and say that it’s cute.

When I put it on it doesn’t really get me anywhere. But at least then I can prove that he is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone.

I like that.

Dear friends, who do people say your child looks like?

mama scrunchie face,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

auto-responder: vacation notification {woohoo!}

Actually, these photos are not from our vacation. They're from a beautiful afternoon at our local pool/beach a few Sundays ago...

But in honor of the fact that we are well and truly on holiday now, I thought I'd post these holiday-ish looking photos of my boys.

Because, you know, they're just so dang cute.

And because I'm writing (and scheduling) this post about a week before we really are on holidays. (Yeah, I'm tricky like that.)

And mostly because Levi's grandma is always hanging out for more photos of her first grandchild.

These are for you Gigi... your favorite grandson and your favorite son-in-law. (And we'll see you in person soon!)

{those cheeks!}

{those eyelashes! and that little button nose!}

{who needs to be home for nap time when you can just crash out on the beach?}

{responsible mommy keeping my boys under cover of the shade... while i sunbathe of course.}

Dear friends, there's no real reason for this post other than to throw up a few photos in celebration of being on holiday. (And to appease Gigi of course.) But aren't you jealous that I live in such a beautiful place that my Sundays can look like this?

now relaxing with family,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

i heart... Nike Baby {baby fashion}

It's been many moons since I've done an i heart {baby fashion} post.

But I found this photo in the archives and couldn't resist.

Look at my little dude in his Nike basketball hightops:

Seriously?

That kid is legit. And he's definitely half American. {swish}

It's so strange to think that some day soon he'll be towering above his mama and wearing shoes that are the size of small dogsleds. And possibly even playing basketball himself.

For now, I'll just enjoy his shoes still fitting in the palm of my hand.

Dear friends, Levi rarely gets to wear shoes... only for special outings and silly photo shoots. I suppose that could have something to do with the climate here. Heck, he rarely even wears clothes this time of year. How about you? Do you dress your babies in shoes?

just do it,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

the countdown is on

Within the last few days golf balls have relocated to my throat and a low-grade fever keeps creeping in and out of my weary body. Suitcases sprawl across the guest room bed and floor waiting to be packed. The sink is full of dishes. Twenty emails need to be written. Fifty-seven loads of laundry need to be washed, hung, folded, and put away. The house needs a good once-over... toothbrush-style. My hard drive is in desperate need of a back-up. My neck and back aches and my head throbs. Twelve thank you notes are waiting to be sent. The fridge needs to be cleared out. And on. And on. And on.

And it all needs to be resolved in the next two days.

Why?

Because I am going on a much needed, much anticipated holiday with my family.

BRING IT.

No doubt we will get on that plane. It's Sydney or bust and then onwards to the Home of the Brave.

Things might be "ready". Or not.

I might be "well". Or not.

Life might be completely in "order". Or not.

But come rain or shine we will board that plane on Saturday morning without looking back.

We will load up our gear and stuff the overhead compartments full... and then collapse into those tiny little seats and let out big, relieved sighes as we look at each other and smile the smiles of those that are on...

vacation.

Oh dear God, thank you for a chance to rest. Soon.

But for now, I need to get back to my fifty-seven loads of laundry.

And just because my boy is cute (and I know you love him), I'll leave you with these:

 

Apparently I know how to spell the word "month" after all.

Dear friends, it's Thursday here. My countdown is ON. What are you counting down for these days?

10, 9, 8, 7...

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

life's little mysteries

There are many mysteries in life... Some significant, others... not so much.


A few of the mysteries I've been pondering lately:


1. Why there is always dirty laundry next to--and on top of--the laundry hamper that often doesn't make it in the hamper unless a certain someone *ahem* goes behind another certain someone *ahem* and does the remaining 5% of the job.


2. Why it takes some packages a week to arrive from America, and others three weeks. (Of course, it is fun celebrating my birthday again in November for a change...)


3. Why the fuel light never turns on until I'm on my way to an important appointment or meeting. (For the record, I think there should be a warning light for the low fuel warning light. You know, like... turn yellow for a while and then turn red? Just like the stop lights. It really would make the world a better place.)


4. Why three things magically appear on my to-do list every time I cross one thing off. This equation makes no sense to me. (Feel free to enlighten me!)


5. And why God thinks it's okay to let my little baby grow 1.3 inches within an eight day period. (I saw this with my own eyes... and about keeled over with shock, horror, and fright.)

{66.4cm on Oct 30 and 69.6.cm on Nov 11. That's 1.3 inches folks... in a week. Crikey.}

Dear friends, what mysteries have you baffled at the moment?

why God, why?

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

cleerly mommy kan spel reel good

I realized the other day that I'd forgotten to take Levi's nine month block photos. 


Because I knew that I couldn't be trusted to do them monthly, I had decided that I'd do some at three, six, nine, and twelve months... But apparently even taking them every three months is hard to pull off. (He's now half-way to ten months. Ooops.)


It's especially hard to get decent photos as he gets older since he will rarely hold still for more than a nanosecond.... making for a whole slew of out-of-focus snaps.


I wish I could blame his wiggles for my spelling. But that's a whole different issue.


Even Levi was less than impressed with me this time:

"Really mom? Nine MOTHS? Is that the best you could do?" said Levi, complete with his classic "scrunchie face".


Dear friends, I'll have you know that I did notice this mistake about thirty (mostly blurry) photos in and still had time to fix "moths"... But honestly, I'm still trying to find my groove! Because at the moment... Life. Is. Nuts. Are you with me? Do you have your groove right now... or are you trying to get it back like I am?

tryin real hard,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

these are a few (more) of my favorite things

It’s been a while since I’ve done a favorite things post… But there are so many notably precious things happening lately that I thought I really must…

So, my dear sweet boy, here are some of my favorite things about you at nine(ish) months old.

1.            The way your eyes light up and you wave your arms and squeal with delight whenever you see your daddy. {IveNeverSeenAKidLoveTheirDaddySoMuchAndILoveIt.}

2.            That sometimes during story time you now “read” to me and show me the pictures… and you always turn the pages. {MyCleverMonkey.}

3.            The way you immediately start clapping whenever I ask you, “Would you like to sing a song?” {CutestWayToAnswerAQuestionEver.}

4.            Watching you go crazy as soon as you see any person under the age of ten that you can potentially play with. {SlowDownSonYoureStillMamasBaby.}

5.            Your little voice “singing” along with mine… anytime, but I especially love it at bedtime when we sing the “sleepy song”. {HeresToManyMoreSongsMyDarlingTinyTenor.}

6.            Kisses. Millions of kisses! You pulling my face toward yours and planting big, slobbery, open-mouthers right on my smacker… as well as all over my cheeks and chin and nose and everywhere you can possibly land. And it’s never just one… but four, seven, sometimes twelve. {SlobbersNeverBeenSoSweetAndICantGetEnough.}

7.            Your little "Mowgli crawl” (Jungle Book) on hands and feet when your knees are slowing you down. {YouJustCantWaitToGetOnThoseFeetForGood.}

8.            The fact that anything new captures your imagination. {NeverThoughtAPlasticHangerCouldBeSoFun.}

9.            Your attention to details! Today you studied a flat, dark brow mole on my leg… trying to scrape and rub it off. Everything tiny has become fascinating. {YoureHelpingMeNoticeTheSmallThings.}

10.        The thrill you get on the swings as you throw your head back, close your eyes, and scream in delight as you hold on for dear life. {CanIPushYourSwingForever?}

11.        Watching your little tummy grow by the day. {LoveThatPooBearPooch.}

12.        The way you fearlessly throw yourself into the water and delight in the ocean and the pool and anything to do with water. {ThoughYourFearlessnessDoesScareMeALittle.}

13.        The sounds of “mama” and “dada”… {BeStillMyBeatingHeart!}

14.        Being an eye-witness to your transformation from being a crawler to a walker. {ICantKeepYouOffYourFeetEvenThoughIDesperatelyWantTo}

15.        That little gap between your two front teeth. {ImTotallyInLoveAndHopeItSticksAroundAWhile.}

16.        Watching you dance—bouncing up and down and waving your arms high—whenever you hear live music or the stereo. {ThisBabysGotRhythm}

17.        Laughing at the Cheerios stuck all over your face and chest anytime you eat them. {IsThereSomethingOnMyFace?YouAsk.}

18.        Catching a glimpse of you in the rear-view mirror as you start to clap whenever the stereo gets turned on. {MyMiniMusicLover.}

19.        Playing hide and seek and hearing you squeal with delight when you find me. {SoMuchFunAndSoDarnCute.}

20.        The discovery that you understand more and more words every day. {DevelopingInLeapsAndBounds.}

21.        That proud grin on your face and twinkle in your eye that you get when you’re walking along the table or the couch or with somebody holding your hand. {YesSweetieMommysSoProudOfYou.}

22.        Your little head burying into my chest and your arms wrapping around my shoulders and neck when we sing the “sleepy song” before bedtime. {UnlockingNewPartsOfMyHeart.}

23.        Tiny hands getting coordinated enough to touch gently… and yet usually too excited to do anything but slap and bang and wave with glee. {LoveTheFeelOfYourPatOnMyLegWhenYouWantUp.}

24.        Those cheeks… especially when you are storing an entire three-quarters of a banana in there. {JustWhenIDidntThinkThoseCheeksCouldGetCuterTheyDid.}

25.        Kisses? Did I already mention the kisses? {ShhhDontTellDaddyButILoveItThatIGetMoreKissesThanHimAtTheMoment.}

  

Dear friends, it’s a gushing-about-my-gorgeous-son-and-recording-the-preciousness kind of day. How about you? What’s your favorite thing about your child’s current age?

recording and remembering,

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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

juggling one too many things

In my latest (failed) attempt at (overly ambitious) multi-tasking, we had many tiny casualties.

I was tempted to put my son on the floor and let him go to work. After all, I had cleaned the floors earlier that morning.

But then I remembered the sandy poo diaper from a few days ago... and changed my mind.

Dear friends, have you had any good blunders lately? Care to share?

broom in hand,

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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

sandy poo equates to a good day off

We've had to work some long hours and weekends lately due to a packed work schedule... but to help make up for it we got to sneak in a day off mid-week. It was a beautiful day at the beach full of playing in the surf, soaking in the sun, and... 


...gobbling up sand.

After our day in the sun we all showered/bathed and went to bed clean. The next morning we discovered that Levi had a diaper full of sand... Poo and sand.


I guess that means we had a great day off.


I have more to say about that glorious day, but for today I'm going to leave you with poo and sand... Poo'ed sand.


Dear friends, what's the strangest thing you've found in your child's diaper??

slightly burnt and entirely happy,

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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

the wanna-be halloween post

Because Australians don't really celebrate Halloween... And because it's in the 80's here... And because babies are just so cute in little hats...

I decided to share some of my favorite baby beanie finds on Etsy that would be the perfect centerpiece for a chilly night out trick-or-treating with the big kids... if Aussies did Halloween... and if it was about 40 degrees cooler.

available here

available here

available here

available here

available here

Arg! Aren't these babies and beanies just so, so cute??! Maybe I can think of an excuse to dress Levi up anyway...


Dear friends, what are you dressing your kids as this year?


lovin lil owly babies,

I decided to jump back on the bandwagon. 
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adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission