Author Archive: Robyn

I Have The Most Amazing Friends

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One couple I have known for years are currently in China meeting their daughter for the first time.  She’s just over 12 months is a real cutie and we are all waiting for the ‘We’re Home!’ announcement.

A person I know who is currently going through Male to Female gender transition is coming out to her parents today.  Very brave.  Very scary.

My friend who is a single mum of 4, 2 of whom are still at home, is reading Law at a local university.

Another family I know, although not all that well, just signed the adoption papers for their baby girl, who they have had since she was a fairly small baby.  She was born with a myriad of health problems thanks to her bio mom’s addictions and now has her forever home.

I met all of these people on the internet.  Some I have met in person.  Some I have not.

I keep all of them close to my heart and in my prayers.

I know I am very late with Adam’s 19 month newsletter.  I promise to try to get it done this week.  What’s that? Did you say something? Dublin trip post? Oh…yeah.

There is No Word For How Tired I am

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My Mom is in town and we’re having a lot of fun but it’s exhausting.

Also, Adam had a record setting 45 minute screaming tantrum today because I told him ‘NO!’ when he opened the freezer door.

And he hasn’t been sleeping well because he has yet another infection in his ears and lungs.

And…I think that’s it.

I think that’s enough.

So, Let’s Try This Again

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On Wednesday my mom and step dad get here for a week visit.  They are basically stopping over on their way to Africa for a 3 week tour.

You may recall last June when they came for Adam’s 1st birthday and stopped over in London during it where my mom landed herself in hospital and never made it back.

Yeah.  She’s not allowed to leave the country this time until her visit is over!

Her coming is always good as it kicks me in the bottom to get things done around the house.

Today I have: –

  1. Folded and put away laundry
  2. Taken down the Christmas tree and assorted other Christmas decorations
  3. Tidy Adam’s room and reorganized some things, including hanging his clothing hooks on the wall so we can actually use them to, you know, hang clothing.  Or, in the current case, his bicycle helmet.
  4. Put together the new storage bookcase in the hall closet and reorganized that closet
  5. Oh and do about an hour of work I actually get paid for.

So I’m a bit tired.  And actually have one more thing I’d like to do today.  And 4 things on my list for Wednesday, which is Adam’s next day in daycare.  Or I could do some of the Wednesday things tomorrow while he’s napping.  Presuming he naps!

So thanks for the visit Mom!  My house is getting so organized now!

And Today, 4th January 2011 At Aproximately 5pm

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Adam climbed up on the sofa.

My life is over.

I have nowhere to put the phone now.

I am out of high shelf space.

Also? He can open doors.  But only if he can push.  He hasn’t figured out pull yet.  I am expecting that tomorrow.

To counteract this display to cause Mama and Dada to go ‘OH CRAP!’  he has also started running towards us to hug our legs.

He gives kisses.

He tries to feed us.

He does that patting his hand over his mouth thing going ‘wawawawa’.

He tells us long involved stories that I am sure some day will be in English.

He gives snuggling head butts.

He pats you on the arm when you are carrying him.

And also today, for the first time, he went for a brief walk with his Dada with no buggy or reins.  Holding hands down the pavement and around to the car park of our building.  I missed it as I was lying down, but Dada was very very proud.

But, did I mention? OH CRAP HE CAN CLIMB!!!

So, Do I Have Any New Years Resolutions?

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Not really.

I mean, I have plans and goals for 2011 but I wouldn’t call them resolutions.

I want us to move to a house, probably rented but buying is not off the table right now.

I would like at least one more client for a few hours a week or to create a website for someone from scratch.

And that’s about it, really.

It’s been a good year, just past.  With Simon getting a great job advancement and my company doing fairly well.

So I don’t really have any resolutions.

And one wish…for an entire month, just one month, of no illness for Adam. 🙂

I Have Spent The Last Few Days

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as it looks more and more likely that Christmas will be Simon, Adam and I, due to my in laws being iced in, thinking about Christmases past with my family.

And I wonder, does my step mom still yell down the stairs, after being woken by the younger generation, once her children, now her grandchildren, ‘Did he come?’  Just as if she wasn’t the one who arranged the gifts under the tree.

Do my brother and step-sister remember the year we stood out and lighted the Illuminares over and over and over again?  And the one year where one of the bags caught fire because of the wind and my brother had to stamp it out?

The year I got mad as my slightly drunk step mother insisted that I go to bed so Santa could come because I was the baby and I was at least 21?

The first Christmas J & B and I were in California and we were so broke but still had one of the best Christmases ever.

The year my dad had a heart attack at Thanksgiving and I went home for Christmas for the first time since I had moved to California.

My first horribly homesick Christmas in Northern Ireland, when I left Simon at the local pub and crawled into bed to cry.

Being with my family last year, for the first time in 6 years.

And now, just me and Simon and Adam.  Our first Christmas in our own place.  We wish the in laws could be here, but the weather is against us.

So we’ll eat a ton of turkey.  And a lot of sausages.  And possibly waaaay to much stuffing (everyone has sent me Stove Top! I have four boxes!).

And have a Happy Christmas.

Happy Christmas Everyone!

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This is it, the home stretch to our first Christmas in our own home.

Simon’s parents arrive, snow and ice willing, on Friday evening to spend the holiday weekend.  There are mucho presents piled under the tree, mostly for Adam.  Good thing he’s so young as several say they are from Santa Clause.  I just don’t have anywhere to hide them!

Plan for food:

Christmas Eve: Broccoli and Stilton Tart, salad, bread, trifle for pudding

Christmas Day: Turkey and *all* the trimmings! Christmas Pudding for, well, pudding.

Boxing Day: Not sure yet.  But probably leftovers!

All served with wine and brandy and champagne and who knows what all!

So I hope everyone has a safe, happy and wonderful Christmas.

And/or had a safe, happy and wonderful Chanukah.

Or Kwanza.

Or Yule.

Or what have you!

Christmas 2010

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So this year, for the first time, we are staying home for Christmas.  In our own flat.  Simon’s parents are coming to stay and I am making Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

And so we bought a tree.  It’s not real.  It’s very small.  And it’s behind barriers so a small boy leaves it alone.

It’s hardly the tree I envisioned.  But it’s all ours.

And I think Charlie Brown would like it: –

Christmas Tree 2010

Happy Christmas everyone!