Richard made it back from the other side of the planet safe and sound and, true to form, Abbey waited until then to take her first two unaided steps and I got sick. Feeling weak and wobbly and sorry for myself, but also grateful for the break in frenzied activities. More entries later including mystery trip photos.

Sesame Street vs. the Chemical Brothers

What is this? I wanted Sesame Street!	Just let me check out the track listing.
...and the sniff test.	Well, okay. But it better be good.

Later, back at the Batcave...

It's a ghost!

Oh, wait...

Strange experiments in food.

Note that milk has been very carefully poured from Abbey's mug, but only onto one part of the plate: the sausage compartment...

Otherwise, plans continue for Wednesday's mystery outing and I swear I'm not cooking another meal for the rest of the week.

Today was pretty long and boring, just getting over all the excitement of yesterday. Fortunately I managed to find the energy to get more ice-cream. Instead of me waffling on about split milk and torn picture books, here's Jane Espenson's article on TV roles portraying women in the workplace.

Today was a Good Day. Mum and I pushed Abbey to the limit by taking her to the Stitches and Craft Show all day. She hardly complained at all. We took her outside for a crawl on the lawn a couple of times because it was pretty boring for her being stuck in the pram, but considering she did not sleep from 7.15 am until the twenty minute nap she took in the car at 3.30 pm she is the Best Daughter Ever.

So, yes, we spent a little bit of money, but honestly held back on even more, so I say it was a winning situation. And the best thing I bought will be a great toy for Abbey once I've finished playing with her. It's Imogen from ak traditions; a beautiful handmade in Kyrgyzstan doll with lots of clothes for me to knit. She's not exactly the same as on the website, but came with dark blue cords and felt boots and a mess of pinkandwhiteandblue wool to knit a jumper and hat.

Teething seems to have settled down for the moment, but that doesn't mean the night was without drama, oh no! I heard a strange bumping-smash sound a little after I put Abbey to bed last night. I couldn't find any obvious cause, even after checking all the windows, so put it down to the renovations next door. Checked on Abbey - sound asleep. This morning I went in to find the crappy IKEA light fitting in Abbey's room had fallen off and smashed against her change table. Pity we just installed the same sort in the study. I'm waiting for it to fall on my head right now...

Luckily it fell about as far from Abbey's cot as possible, so the only injury she suffered was being made to watch Barbie commercials interspersed by cartoons this morning, instead of reading books like she wanted to, while I vacuumed the floor seventeen times. I'm going to Parent Hell for that one.

Here's a pic taken once order was restored and she was back in her natural environment.

And here's a bonus one from yesterday of her practising her ambidextrousness.

I understand there's something on the TV tonight called S-t-a-r W-a-r-s. Must check that out.

Edit to add: Holy Crap! I was just checking email before going to bed and the damn light fitting went ping! I managed to catch the glass shade before it fell. So that's a NO vote for bargain IKEA light fittings. Weird thing though, the one in Abbey's room has/had been up for 16 months, and this one not even a fortnight.

We saw Richard off at the airport this morning. He's spending the next ten days at a conference in Washington D.C. Ten days is not only the longest that we've been apart in the last six years; the longest he's been away from Abbey; the longest I've had to care for Abbey solo since she was born; but, it is the longest period of time that I have ever had to be the responsible adult.

How did I get to age 29 without this occuring before? I've never lived alone. In fact I've never even lived in a share house, so no practice being responsible (or not) there. I've house-sat for a week at a time here and there, but that's it. This is going to be some trial by fire.

Got off to a good start by taking the, uh, scenic tour of the Western Ring Road from the airport. Other than that day one has gone swimmingly. Abbey looked around a bit for Richard at bathtime (he often gets in from work at this time) but is otherwise just teething. Lower right molar. Bring on the drugs!

I'm off to watch mediocre movies and eat ice-cream soy-product now.

Cheekiness is genetic. Who knew?

I love Richard.

My japanese name is 黒川 Kurokawa (black river) 久美子 Kumiko (eternal beautiful child).
Take your real japanese name generator! today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

Craft Corner Deathmatch is a tv show I could get behind.
Challenge #1: The Underwear Sex Change - Y-fronts into a bra. Your materials include rick-rack and a Be-Dazzler.

Loobylu's February Month of Softies gallery is up with 112 entries. The best thing is not trying to find the most amazing submission, although that is fun too, but the sheer breadth of abilities. Hand painted dolls, knitted rabbits, felt, buttons, stapled paper! You should have a go this month. Yes, you.