However the last couple of weekends have been blissful. Last Friday evening once O was sound asleep in bed I relaxed with a vodka and tonic while M cooked steak and mushrooms in garlic butter which we ate on the sofa watching this week's recorded Flight of the Conchords. The more episodes we watch the more I get into this show. The musical element works, I love the dorkiness, their friend/manager just cracks me up and their accents remind me of an ad for cheese which was on tv when we lived in Aus for which the tagline was pronounced 'your frund in the frudge!'.
Saturday I lay in. Bliss. M fed, watered, played with, dressed and changed O. We are trying to cut down the amount of tv she watches at the moment as she is turning into square eyes. I could hear several demands from her, and lots of 'Beebies isn't working today' from him. Then M went off to do some much needed clothes shopping. I took O off here to meet a friend and her daughter for coffee and take the girls to the park. O and her friend were a picture of childhood joy running through the autumn leaves, giggling and yelling. Back home for nap for her and Guardian reading and tea drinking for me and M. Then we walked O round to a birthday party and M went to the pub, possibly the first time he has done this on a Saturday afternoon since she was born. Day was rounded off with a thai from here and watched The Devil Wears Prada. I love thai food but haven't yet found one in East London which hits the spot. Our neighbourhood joint in Sydney has spoiled us for life I think, still have dreams of their heaven beef and deep fried perch. If anyone can recommend a good one then please let me know!
Sunday I had yet another lie-in and read my book while M took O to the flower market for flowers and bagels. We then drove to see friends in Hertfordshire and were spoiled with a fabulous roast lunch and lots of cuddles from their beautiful baby girl. It was lovely to see how O engaged with the baby and was very gentle with her. She really enjoyed rolling around on the baby's playmat and babygym which she was way too big for!
This weekend has been full of glorious autumn sunshine. Walks in the park, crunchy golden leaves, wonderful food and family time.
I haven't done a massive amount of reading but two books have caught my eye, both with a parenting theme. Tim Gill's report on childhood and how children are growing up with less opportunity to take risk and therefore learn and grow for themselves. I really agree with his premise, but as a parent living in central London I do wonder when we will feel happy to let O go to the park or walk home friends etc unaccompanied. The second was an extract from a book in the Observer Woman magazine called Mommies Who Drink, the author of which seems like an antihero to the monotony of parenting tomes and gurus who pile the pressure on us to be the perfect mother. There was a huge backlash against this book in the states, but the extract was hilarious and I may have bought it on the strength of the title alone! I also managed to borrow Douglas Coupland's new book from my brother-in-law to add to my bedside pile of reading.
