koo-koo very MUCH!

This is one of the new phrases little A has been using this week. I made her several play-do bunnies, and for each and every one, she exclaimed with delight "koo koo very MUCH" (translation: thank-you very much). The maintenance guys came to fix our port in one of our bedrooms and as they were leaving, you could hear a small voice singing out 'koo koo very MUCH', as the door was closing on them. It's just so darling!

Today's phrase (I believe the words are mine, but the tone is definitely her pappa's): "What are you talking about?". It is usually said with a furrowed brow (she inherited that from her dad and has been making the face since birth...it's genetic I think). She's been asking me and Malou this question all day, even when it is irrelevant.

Another essential conversational phrase in our home: "Phinny no wicking me" (see also "Phinny no kissing me"). Apparently Phinny is being overly affectionate with her, and gives her lots of licks, hence, "Phinny no wicking me".

We have joined the Officer's Club, and little A and I have been to the pool twice. We opted to go on "Ladies Only" swim days, in the case that my immodest swim wear may be offensive to the locals (it's a maternity swimsuit, topped off with a too tight swim cap...junior size...while I wait for my shipment from the US). It seems that the Club is not too strict on enforcing the "Ladies Only" policy, as both days we have gone, there has been a man in the pool.

Little A loves swimming and I'm glad to be able to take her regularly now. The baby pool is quite nice--the water is heated and the pool is indoors. Today we hopped around in the bigger tank as well (there was nobody there other than a lifeguard doing lengths) and she really seemed to enjoy it. She sat on the big red slide, and gleefully jumped into my arms.

We spent the first day of Ramadan (Saturday) eating all afternoon long (in the privacy of our friends' villa of course), at our friends Monique and Mark (an Australian-American couple, with two little boys), and watching a rugby final. It was Australia versus New Zealand, and they invited three other families: one Australian, and the other two from New Zealand. We, as Canadians, were neutral. P got into the rugby, and really enjoyed the action. I was very impressed by the fitness of the athletes...very big quads and pecs, but spent most of the time with little A ('home now' is also one of her expressions which she usually pulls out about two minutes after we arrive in somebody's home) trying to distract her (with food and toys). Everyone was so lovely. It was a great afternoon, and it felt very easy and comfortable...just like home. A great way to usher in the first day of Ramadan.

Last night P felt his son kick for the first time. I have been feeling it for quite some time now, and have been waiting for him to be able to enjoy it as well. I have moved down into our guest bedroom now to sleep. My hip has been giving me a great deal of pain (again), so a few nights ago, when I had to hold the banister to drag myself up the stairs, I decided I wouldn't bother and would just sleep on the main floor. The next morning, I woke up, and though the pain was still there, it was dramatically reduced. Then I remembered...I think the SAME THING happened to me during my FIRST pregnancy. We had just purchased the tempurpedic bed, and I began to experience extreme pain in my back and hips. Then, after moving to our old bed, with a firmer mattress, the symptoms were greatly alleviated. I think there is something about the tempurpedic-how it is engineered to fill in your curves...when your pregnant there are so many more curves...and so much more weight..that things can get out of alignment very easily if you don't get the right amount of support. Plus...now I don't get woken up when little A starts calling out for 'momma' in her sleep on the baby monitor (P just keeps on sleeping through).

Still really enjoying True Blood. What a great show...and each episode just leaves you hanging!! I wish I had the box-set of books...I could devour them so quickly. I wonder if we'll ever see an episode where Jason Stackhouse manages to keep his shirt on for the ENTIRE episode? Although..if you've got it...

Speaking of books, I have just finished "The Holy Woman". It was heartbreaking (but with a happy ending), and I sobbed my way through to the finish. This book resulted in me losing hours of sleep (as I stayed up late to read and sometimes read during my morning 'nap time'). I would recommend it to anyone. I have heard there is a second book called "Typhoon"...I will have to try and get my hands on it. I have also been trying to read about the Mad Trapper, (apparently an infamous Canadian historical figure who neither of us had ever heard of until my friend Barbara told us about her new writing project...what ARE they teaching in schools these days??), but this has been difficult as P is also trying to read the same book at the same time...so it keeps disappearing on me. My friend Barbara also sent me her latest ghost stories book...but it freaks me out, so I never read it before bed...I can only read a few stories at a time before I have redirect my attention elsewhere. Malou, on the other hand, gobbled this book up (much like "Haunted Hotels"...she loves non-fiction...especially scary non-fiction).