Music to live by

(Sung to the Tune of the Great Pretender)

Oh yes, I'm the Great Sebastien,
I sit here and cry all the time.
I whinge and I moan. Yes, I feel all alone
as sit in my swing and I cry.
Waah, waah, waah

(Repeat until he falls asleep or you lose your voice or you decide to pick him up and go on to the second verse - probably the latter).

Oh yes, I'm the Great Sebastien,
I stand on your knee and i smile
I watch and I play. I could do it all day
just as long as I know that you're mine

Admitting Defeat...she's a girly girl *sigh*

Today we checked out an Old Navy kids' clothing sale - Alex loved grabbing various items off the racks (inevitably a pink skirt or dress "look mummy! A beautiful dress/skirt" "Yes Alex - remember we're just looking at these sales racks") and we did end up with a dress, two shirts and a pair of shoes - all for $15! The shoes were not something I was looking for - Alex chose a pair of pale pink "ballerina shoes"...but we got them. She was so excited when we got home she wanted to try everything on. When the shoes came out of the bag she grabbed her "beautiful gown" from the clean clothes pile to wear with them.





She then proceeded to prance and dance (plus a few gymnastics "routine finish" moves that she obviously picked up from last week) in front of Sebastien saying "look at my beautiful gown Sebastien - and my beautiful shoes!

Just gorgeous Alex!









By the way- I'm not sure why the photos sometimes get spaced out like this - when I'm creating the post, they are lined up beautifully with small spaces between them.

What are those sticks?

We took the bus into campus today to see Tonic Sol-Fa at the Krannert Center - unfortunately we missed the start but they even did a rendition of "If you're happy and you know it" for the kids there. I wish we'd been on time because I really enjoyed it.






Afterwards we had lunch at a thai cafe. Alex grabbed my chopsticks and starting playing with them while we were waiting for our lunch. She's going to have a lot more practice at the end of the year!







She actually started eating her lunch with them - but I convinced her to use the spoon - it was too cold to not eat and she had more on her clothes than in her mouth at that stage.







It's also getting to the stage where she'll need her own entree (main) instead of just sharing mine - especially when she likes it!

Close-Knit Community

I've joined a programme where we live that will (re)teach me how to knit. Having been brought up with a crafty mum and nanna, it was galling to realise I don't have a crafty bone in my body. Much effort went into learning the intricacies of knitting, only to produce a quasi-rectangle that was sewn into a bag shape. My childhood efforts ended and I haven't been tempted to pick up needles again even throughout two pregnancies. Until now. I have to knit 4 units (child scarf, pair of mittens, hat = 1 each; adult hat, pair of mittens, scarf = 2 each) from donated yarn and then we will learn how to knit baby sweaters. My thinking is that baby sweaters will teach me any sweater - since following a pattern is, shall we say, part of my problem ;). Anyway, here is a photo of the beginning - two skeins of yarn (one already re-rolled), the needles and guage piece plus practice ribbing. I have two months to complete the 4 units...the clock is ticking!

Proper Playgroup Attire

I'm starting to think that the reason Alex likes to go to playgroup is for the dress-ups. If there's a dress, skirt, hat or pair of shoes there, she'll find it. Here she is tending to baby whilst appropriately attired with backpack and sparkle skirt - oh and beaded bracelet.



By the way, this is the same playgroup that Sebastien rolled over at.

Riding Champion...

Ever since friends of ours (Trish and her daughter Olivia) gave Alex a batch of books - many of which were about Barbie or princesses - she has read them over and over again. This is, and has been for a while now, her favorite. Barbie's "Riding Champion" is now a staple and has morphed from a bedtime reading favorite, to an imagination "let's play daddy!" game. Here she is in her "riding boots" (rainboots from Australia) and "riding pants" (still teaching her about jodhpurs, Aunty Chelle). Of course, Alex's horse is always white and always called "Rosebud"...just like Barbie's. She's ready to have her first horse-riding lesson any day now Aunty Chelle...

Real Food

When we eat dinner, we include Sebastien too - usually in his bouncer or swing. But in the past month he's begun complaining that he can't see everything. So having seen everyone eating food, Sebastien has started to track loaded forks with his eyes - and an open mouth. Sorry buddy, munch on that table instead (for only another 6 weeks)...

University of Illinois Gymnastics

Want a fun way to spend an evening? Go to a gymnastics meet. Alex was mesmerised (though the snack helped). We had good seats up high so could see everything happening. It was a mens & womens meet so there were 3 universities there. All the equipment was set up so lots to see.






Far and away Alex's favorite was the womens floor routines - because they were set to music. The mens were much more focused on the tumbling difficulty.







Trying to capture ome of the tumbling was very difficult with my limited camera capabilities - but I kind of like the blur.








U of I mens team on the pommel horse. The rings are impressive too.
And it was raining outside - more fun for Alex as she got to wear her gumboots (rubber boots) and jump in puddles!

Sibling Stuff I know

Today we took Brayden (4 1/2) to Monday Mania. Conversation in the back seat (Brayden, Sebastien and Alex):

Brayden: Your baby is smiling at me!
Alex: Yes. He's big little.
B: You can't be big little - cause if you're big then you are little too. Like your brother - he's big, and my brother - he's little, so you can't be big too. You know it's great because they are little now, but soon he'll be big and that'll be great cause then he'll be a kid. Then you'll both be kids, and then you'll be adults - he'll be big and you'll be big...well then you'll be mummy and daddy big - only you won't be as big as your dad because girls, mummies are smaller than daddies, you know?
A: Yes.
B: Only your head will be an adult head, only smaller than daddy...
A: My mummy is big (Thanks kiddo).
B: Mummies are smaller than daddies. You know, I'm having a space party...

I really wish I'd had a recorder to record it because it was so funny to listen to. I really only got half of Brayden's explanation about big little because it was, well long! Alex happily listened - she was just happy to have another kid around!

Struggling to take naps

Alex has "done away" with naps most days. Instead we have "Quiet Time" where she's in her bed, in her room for a couple of hours in the afternoon. The aim is to synchronise Alex and Sebastien...we're not there yet! Anyway, she nearly always protests that she's not tired, that "I had a good sleep Mummy" (liar liar pants on fire) so when it all goes quiet, I usually expect to see her asleep - but this was a somewhat unusual way to find her! Notice all her "friends" in bed with her.

Alex's artwork

Here is the latest art effort from the fridge - we throw it out after taking a photo otherwise we'd be overwhelmed! The two gingerbread men she decorated herself, and the (handtrace) turkey card she did too. The fingerpaint effort was her first at Parents Morning Out and happened in early January. Not one to like having her hands dirty, fingerpainting did not come easily! (Yes, she's wearing some clothes.)

It's all about the sharing...

What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine - wait a minute! That's MY mantra! Mummy scored two free donuts with her coffee purchase at Dunkin' Donuts today and (wonderful person that she is) offered them to Daddy and Alex. Now this photo shows Alex having finished hers already, and Daddy enjoying the last couple of bites of his...having shared most of it with Alex of course!

Valentine's Day

Hmm, "what romantic thing did we do for Valentine's Day this year?" we've been asked by several people. Well, with two children in tow we headed off to the Cosmopolitan House on campus for a trivia night. We just turned up - knew practically noone (it has been almost a year since we have been for their regular coffee evenings) and joined a team. We won one out of four rounds and ended up tying for first place on 26/40 (I know, we couldn't believe that was a winning score!) but lost on the tiebreaker. Here we are at our table, having finished our pizza dinner.

Popcorn on toast!

We've been trying to get through the mountain of eggs in our fridge - and not being a fan of them myself, this is difficult - so Brett's been making scrambled eggs on toast...or as Alex says: "We're having popcorn on toast!"

Hey, at least she enjoys eating it!! Far be it for me to correct that illusion...

The Queen's Christmas Message 2007

OK, so I've been slack. I only sent out Christmas cards this past month...and now I can post the letter that went with them!

Dear Loyal Subjects

Happy New Year! We hope that this letter finds you all well. We do apologise to all for the tardiness of Our correspondence. We throw Our hands up in the air – ever since We were usurped (story to follow), standards at the Royal Palace have fallen. In any case, Our very best wishes for 2008 – We're hoping that it surpasses this past year for you and your family.

Since Our last Christmas message, the kingdom has been thrown into turmoil. There has been uproar in the Royal Palace with the grandstanding of a new pretender to the throne. While visiting the colonies there was a coup in the Royal Palace. Servants #1 and #2, the devilish traitors, breached the defences of the inner sanctum of the Royal Court and presented HRH2 on the throne as a fait accompli. We felt like no more than a commoner with a 9 month layoff notice. Note to Self: We shall have to investigate the intricacies of the “heir” system to ensure Our continued reign.

But We digress. Having been a mature toddler for a year now, We converse with everyone and anyone “in full sentences, with manners and in a normal voice” - or Servant #1 gets quite upset. The latest fads in the Royal Palace involve princesses, pink, lipgloss and highheels, much to Servant #1's distress. We love to sing and dance and can't wait for 6.30pm each day when Servant #2 comes home to play with Us – and all Our “beautiful toys for you”. Whilst it is true that handbags and lip gloss were de rigeur accoutrements for all outings, Royal Protocol has developed to also include jewelery, high heels and underpants. Yes, the Royal Throne has been graced many times this past year, and in spite of a “withholding” hiccup recently, We seem to be well on the way to being nappy-free by three. Our Royal stamp of approval is now required for all attire – more recently requiring the donning of a “beautiful gown” and “red, sparkly Dorothy shoes” regardless of the prevailing weather - for One must be attired appropriately for One's station in life – after all, One cannot help being the Queen.

We believe that We shall be attending school once We attain the age of three, although Servant #1 is unsure as to whether this may be delayed as the Kingdom is considering moving its capital. We have been restless with excitement for some time at the thought of attending a continental finishing school for young ladies and are somewhat placated by the formally established starting schedule. Perhaps more importantly, We would love to catch one of those yellow American school buses and going to school would do just the trick.

We have decided that naps are overrated and that Our time would be better spent testing the loyalty of Servant #1. Servant #1 still insists One needs to spend time in One's room for security. From whom One wonders? It is truly unfortunate that Servant #1 is in despair about this development, however We have attained an age where afternoon solitude is simply no longer necessary.

We continue to purvey the local social scene. We attend many social events each week including three playgroups where We see Our many friends. Thankfully the arrival of HRH2 did not require that Servant #1 become delinquent in these outings that are necessary to relieve the tedium of the Royal Palace. With the arrival of HRH2, One has been required to share One's Royal Bedchamber – which ocated in the danger seat,

Servant #1 has continued in her Community Aide position in Family and Graduate Housing, also adding Space Manager to her portfolio of positions – We are quite unhappy with Servant #1's evening meeting attendances and One doesn't see why One shouldn't be allowed to attend Oneself. Although We continue to reign over the office, We have had to compete with several other babies who were born this past year, not the least being HRH2. We do still condescend to patronise said establishment in spite of this.

Our time spent with Servant #2 continues to be a Saturday, with Our supervision of the laundry and also swimming – not at the same time. Last year this time provided Servant #1 some “me” time, however HRH2 has also usurped this time and it now merely provides some “one-on-one” quality time ocated in the danger seat, or so One believes. One has really enjoyed spending some quality outdoor time with Servant #2, going hiking and camping earlier in the year. This past season has also seen Us become somewhat of a patron for Servant #2's soccer team. Often We assist the coach from the sidelines shouting “Run daddy!” or “Watch out!” and generally shouting out whatever the teammates shout from the sideline.

Servant #2 continues in his studies and assures Us that this year will find him graduating. Accordingly, he is on the job market and undertaking interviews in January at several institutions around the world. He informs Us that We will know where We will reside after March. We will keep Our constituents appropriately informed.

This past year saw Us journey to the southern colonies to attend a wedding in April. We were suitably attired in a “beautiful gown” and preceded the bride down the aisle, as befits a person of Our station. We also welcomed several visitors from the southern colonies this fall, including Grandparents #1 and #2, ostensibly to visit HRH2, but One knows better. Having been introduced to jelly beans the last time We were in the colonies, We made our acquaintance with Ben & Jerry's this time, and even had a tub brought by Santa for Us. One was also delighted to receive delivery of a new Royal Carriage that allows both HRH2 and Oneself to travel in style. One was quite upset to learn that One would initially no longer be travelling in the style to which One had become accustomed. This new conveyance allows One, as befits One's station, to recline in the rear whilst HRH2 is in coach. This also allows HRH2 to be located in the danger seat, in case of a vehicular misunderstanding. We truly enjoyed having Our visitors and were sad to see them leave. Unfortunately We will not be undertaking a visit to the southern colonies until the end of 2008 – however One does deem it necessary to visit in late 2008 in order to ensure the continuing adoration of One's subjects.

We know all about Christmas, having skated with Santa Claus and also seen him at various events around town. We know about making good choices and We were interested to know that Servant #1 had an interview with him just before Christmas. We are sure in Ourselves that We have made good choices – mostly. It also didn't take Us long to figure out Halloween, running quickly from the very first house We “trick or treated” at to the next, and then the next. One was quite upset to be required to return home after attending a mere 2 streets worth of houses and next year One will insist on attending to the rest – after all, it is only fair.

One has received for One's birthday a Royal Trike “Britannia” that One most enjoys riding around the Royal Palace's grounds. At first it was a real trial for One to get over any small encumbrance (such as cracks in the pavement), however now One rides well and has worked out that One can steer as well. These modern conveyances are quite appealing. Next season One will require Servant #1 to allow One to drive the Royal Stationwagon.

It behooves Us to mention a couple of the more salacious stories about the young Usurper, appropriately sanitised as Royal Protocol demands:ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, ocated in the danger seat, although One does find this hard to believe.

Wishing you a festive season and a new year filled with opportunity – oh, and a Happy Valentine's Day!

HRH Alexandra

Having made use of such modern devices as the internet to talk with the colonies, One has taken it upon Oneself to instruct servant #1 to devise a blog for those subjects interested in maintaining a year-round observation of the Royal Household.

http://www.nevingrahamfamily.blogspot.com/

One has also recently discovered the delights of e-mail – how novel – and One may be contacted at (refer Servant #1 for address). One has Servant #1 review this once a week with Oneself and One does delight in responding in person.

HRH Alexandra

**News Flash** Sebastien Rolls Over!!

And everyone misses it!

Yep, at Trish's for playgroup this morning there were a couple of firsts. Sebastien, having some tummy time in the hopes of him maybe thinking about rolling (previously he's managed to get halfway then given up), rolled front to back - and everyone was looking elsewhere! It happened in a split second whilst I was on my way to pick him up because he'd been fussing long enough - and in the time it took for me to look down to make sure I didn't step on a toy, then look up - he'd rolled over and was happily chatting to his hands. Go figure!

Baby Evan managed to produce a tooth bud for his mamma whilst we were there too - so if you want a first, go to Trish's house!!

There were four in the bed...

...and the little one said "roll over, roll over" - so Mummy rolled out (and grabbed the camera to capture a moment). Our bed just isn't big enough for the four of us...luckily Alex likes her toddler bed - now we just have to convince Sebastien his crib is "his crib"!

Shrove Tuesday...I mean Super Tuesday!

The IHOP (International House of Pancakes) usually has a charitable free pancake day on Shrove Tuesday - but this year it coincided with Super Tuesday (presidential nominations around the US) so they delayed it a week.

Being one always happy to eat out...I asked some friends to come with us for "breakfast" (ok, it was 9am) and some of them managed to make some time for it. It was fun all around with 3 moms, 3 toddlers and 3 infants (though T is technically a toddler now Heather!)

So here're some photos from Jen of the girls (Anna, Alex and Emmy) first waiting for the pancakes...then enjoying them in all their maplesyrup-ed glory!

Happy Valentine's Day

We were invited to a wonderful party today, and whilst late, managed to stay for several hours. Alex had a ball playing with her friends and Sebastien actually had enough to entertain him to leave him on a rug watching everyone! Donita made some great cupcakes, took some great photos too! Thanks to Mary for hosting a great day.





Here's Kylie, Anna and Alex sorting out toys.





Sebastien reaching for his firefly toy.





Pondering the merits of standing up...

Happy Birthday

Alex needs to work on her surprises. The day before my birthday Lys prepares Alex for a gift giving session the next day, inlcuding secreting the present away in Alex's room. Later that day while I am playing with her in her room,

"Let's look at the surprise, daddy!"
"What surprise?"
"This one."
What's in it?"
"CHIIIIPS!"

Hmm, Pringles. Sometimes tomorrow can't come soon enough.

Daddy's home!!

Each evening, Daddy tries to get home by 6.30...and as the door opens Alex will shout "Daddy's here!" quickly followed by "Let's play, dudes" (complete with "hang 10" hand signs - thanks Daddy!).

Recently it's been dancing to the princess songs on a cd we were given. Who knew daddies could dance so beautifully...




...but Daddies only have limited energy supplies.

I LOVE my sister!

Some days it's pretty good - and others it isn't. This afternoon, after Alex decided (again) that naptime was overrated, she insisted on "annoying" Sebastien (whom I was trying to get to sleep). "I just want to see him properly, mummy" she stated as I pushed away her advances on her (not quite) slumbering sibling. In the end I gave up as she really didn't let the poor kid get to sleep...

My personality

Thanks to Donita (whose blog I poached this from).

Click here to create your own painting.

Chinese New Year

As we usher out the year of the Pig and usher in the Rat, we attended a festival here - plenty of dumplings to eat...Mummy's favorite! Alex sported her chinese outfit that we were given by a friend last year. She even got to practice her mandarin (Xie xie - thank you) which the attending chinese residents loved. It will be very interesting to see the New Year come in next year - in China!

Here's Alex playing a game with Daddy and Sebastien.

It's -5C/23F plus windchill...

Let's see, what should we do to celebrate Daddy's 35th birthday ...
I know - let's leave him at home to work on his presentation while we go to the ZOO!

Indeed, we joined Bo, Sophie, Lukas and Alice at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, IL on Sunday - snow on the ground, bitter wind (the advice when we paid admission was to head to the rainforest section...) but the place all to ourselves. I'd like to add that it was beautiful otherwise, nice clear blue skies with the sun shining...

Here's Alex and Lukas smiling for the camera (thanks Sophie).



Bo shows them some of the animals in the rainforest section.








When we visited the bears/tigers/monkeys section, the monkeys started screaming - which freaked out Alex (she had no idea what was making that noise) - luckily Sophie was on hand to pick her up and comfort her (Bo checked with Lukas but he seemed fine). Later, Alex kept saying that the monkeys were shouting for her "Come see us Alex!" - Sophie's explanation - and that seemed to make her happy. Although not keen to see the tiger, eventually she peeked out from the stroller canopy and watched him sleeping on his metal bench.

We also dropped into McDonalds on the way home for some lunch - Lukas and Alex had fun chasing each other.








Here they show their souvenirs - Alex a sealion and Lukas a dolphin (I think).

Thanks to our friends for the invitation - we had fun!

Feeling homesick

Feeling homesick as the weather here lately has been awful (highs of 19F lows of 6F plus a windchill that drives the temperatures even lower...) so I decided it must be high time to bake some warm damper for lunch. Alex helped out (mainly by keeping Sebastien otherwise occupied) and even with having to convert the all purpose flour to SR flour, it didn't turn out that bad - maybe a little too dense in the middle. Add to a slice of just-out-of-the-oven damper some butter and "lashings of Golden Syrup" and you have - mmmm!


And I think that Alex agreed too!

(Yes, we are raising a little "naturalist" - or just keeping the home heating up too high...)

You had to see it to believe it!

Apparently Sebastien fell asleep on his own the other day, Alex was reading next to him on the couch. No holding, no rocking, no "shushing", no nursing...all by himself. Brett was so astonished (and knew I wouldn't believe him) that he took a photo. But don't worry, it hasn't happened since. After all, we wouldn't want a habit to form...

Sebastien at FOUR months now!

And he only gets bigger...

An Alex/Sebastien comparative photo next month.

His collection of "friends" is only getting bigger too!

Quick - while he's asleep

Yes, Sebastien is asleep on the couch, finally!

We ventured outside for ten minutes just after lunch today - and before Alex's "quiet time" - and Sebastien had his first outdoor snow experience. He was cold as it was still windy so we headed inside quite fast.




Alex wanted to go sledding - so I told her maybe tomorrow before a friend's birthday party we'd go.

Another month, another post, another snowstorm...

Well here we are already in February - and I still can't get used to writing '08 for everything. And the midwest has been hit by another snowstorm - we got 8 inches of snow overnight and they've only just tackled our carparks - at 11am the next day! We don't need to dig out our car though because it's at the garage getting fixed - small mercies.

So the University Maintenance dept was a blur of activity yesterday morning, preparing for the coming snow. Spraying paths with the salt solution, salting the roads etc. Just about every school is shut today, except the U of I - go figure! Alex is pestering me to go outside in the snow - we may just wait until this afternoon - Sebastien can't go out for long so it'll be a few minutes just outside the apartment. Will try to take some photos as it will be Sebastien's first "snow time" - and who knows if it will snow again this winter!

The photo is of a dumptruck filled with salt - there's a neat little "spinner" just under the back where the salt falls out that "spins" the salt to throw it further from the truck.

Is there volume control?

It seems that Sebastien is a more...hands on baby than Alex was. Needing to be held as much as possible, suffering from incredible gas pains (even using Mylicon) and sleeping maybe 45 minutes for his naps (wanting to be held all the rest of the time) and (seemingly) only eight hours (in two hour bursts) at night. Sometimes we've had to just lie him down and walk away - at least for ten minutes or so, to regroup. Last week, I had to take this photo of him mid-scream as so many people say what a happy baby he is...at least in public! I was tempted to take video, but didn't think that the sound would be all that hot. Alex has been pretty good, trying to entertain Sebastien if he's fussing and before he starts crying, but even she has her limits.
Here's Alex, having tried to placate her brother with the firefly toy...no go.

And the winner is...

Xiamen University, PR China!

Ni hao ma?

Yes, Brett accepted an offer of employment there teaching (in english) and researching economics at WISE (Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics) at Xiamen University.

He is starting on 1st September 2008 so needs to finish up his PhD in the next 6 months.
We will be in China for at least 12 months - maybe up to six years if all goes well. It is likely that we will be moving to China in July/August this year so if you still wish to see us in the USA, you need to hurry up!

Meanwhile, I'm looking at learning Mandarin...so adding another language to my list. Hoping to have more than a rudimentary grasp by August - so wish me luck!

A New Year's Resolution

Most years I make resolutions about me: lose weight, get fit, eat better, save more money...this year I made a resolution to post half the days in a month - so for a 31 day month I want to post 16 posts, minimum. So YAY FOR ME! Having met that target for month 1 of 12. Let's see how the rest of the year goes.