Looks like I haven’t written a post in awhile so got to do it now, quickly, while Mo is taking a nap.
We just got back from our three-week trip to NYC where it was nice to catch up with my family and friends. Swear I talked more on this trip then I have in the past nine months. Now we are back and getting over colds and Ramona’s first fever, which was probably due to international travel and getting her one-yr vaccinations. Meanwhile, Dan and I are looking for work. It’s a bit stressful figuring it all out-work, daycare, and Dan going back to school but we are also very excited about making some cash and planning our next moves….Today is Dan’s first day of school at the University of Sydney, where he is working toward an MA in Digital Media and Culture, and he is super psyched about it.
Knee Update: After two months of my knee not budging from 90 degrees it now bends about 105 degrees (140-155 being normal). I now have completed all my free physio and hydro therapies. I am supposed to walk up lots of hills and continue my knee exercises on my own. I see the doctor in 6mths and then the wires and pins come out (another surgery). I also have to get tested for osteoporosis since I fell while standing (not from a big height), and was recently pregnant and breastfeeding, also my mom and grandma have it…so we shall see. The doctor was glad my progress was slow on one hand since it helps the bone heal stronger but also worried that I could trip and fall again. He was certain that in 6mths I would have all my bend back.
So how was the trip to NYC? Well, it was great to see everyone-really and truly. I can’t begin to explain how isolated I have been in the ‘burbs of Sydney being a new mom and not knowing anyone (oh yeah and not being able to walk). So re-connecting with old friends was what I really needed-and clothes-I really needed clothes because jeans and shoes are outrageously expensive here, $90 for low top converse and $200 for Levi Jeans-for realz. Ramona had a great time getting re-acquainted with her cousins in DC where we celebrated her birthday again and all the January birthdays in our family. We stayed in DC for a week right before the big storms hit and luckily we got out before that mess! Mo picked up a few new mannerisms from her cousins, one being dancing in a circle and stamping her feet. Pretty hilarious and I will post a video soon. Ramona also started talking more-lots of blab, blab, blabbing first thing in the morning. She has been also “singing” into he electronic microphone she got for her birthday-totally gonna be an MC-Dan will be so proud.
What else? Oh yeah I ate tons of turkey bacon while Stateside. Little known fact about Oz, they got no turkey bacon-it is sad but true! I didn’t want to risk smuggling it in even though my love for turkey bacon runs deep. I just can’t justify getting a huge fine for it. So I gorged on it for three weeks straight.
And I lost my iPhone in a cab.
I also found out that I seriously could not get a good cup of coffee until I got back on Australian soil. Even the cafe in the Sydney airport has better espresso-that’s the truth. And the produce is a lot fresher-even in big supermarkets-you can literally taste the difference. Also going out to eat in NYC I often felt sick after because the portions are a lot bigger than back here.
The weather was really pleasant when we got back-supposedly from the time we left until we landed there was a disgusting heat wave and then pouring rain. Glad we missed it but got to say Winter in the Northern Hemi-not so much fun either. Dealing with ice and snow while traveling with a baby and recovering from a knee fracture is not the best way to see the city. Also the subway elevators stink like piss-but I knew that already just needed to use them more because of baby and leg. Next time we go in the Fall or Spring for sure.
Here is a summary of all the other crap I did not post in the last few months:
Julie-anne visited us for six weeks: She was really wound up when she got here and then by the end became like butter, melted butter. Pipe in here Jubes for a re-cap of your time in Oz-maybe then other people will visit.
Christmas on the Macadamian farm in Broken Head:
Beach in the morning, tea tree lake in the afternoon (and yes it is a lake filled with tea tree oil and it is amazing!!!) life is hard.
and Mo’s first birthday a kitty kat themed party at Centennial Park.
