where have I been? What have I been up to?
I don't even know where to start.
Back to the realities of school and working from home.
Catching up on emails.
Working on some freelance designs.
Wedding anniversaries....well just one. I'm monogamous.
Starting and finishing commissions.
Saying, "I will bath the dog today".
Dealing with cranky kids who are dealing with their own realities of easing back into school life.
Balancing family warfare.
Thinking about birthdays.
Cleaning toothpaste off my walls.
Finishing new works for new stationery soon to be released by this company.
Wondering why I do what I do.
Reading funny books to one child whilst the other spends way too long in the toilet at the local bookshop. (I discovered that the toilet wall was covered with posters, including a Where's Wally poster) 25 minutes later!!!!!
Listening to Norah Jones.
Thank GOD for Norah. Honestly I haven't listened to her for ages. I saw her live a few years ago, but even then, my Norah days were long gone. Infact, 7 years ago is when I really remember Norah. I was pregnant at the time with Mr A and her first album was everywhere. After he was born I found that Norah soothed him. You know the theory. Watch 'Days Of Our Lives' whilst pregnant means that your newborn will more likely be calmer when they hear that familiar tune or voices each day.
Well I really think it works. (Not with Days. Never watched a full episode in my life. And proud of that.)
My two have been very cranky and cheeky this week. School is back, routines are expected and tiredness has sunk in. So on Tuesday when the household was about to explode with anger, I stopped. I calmed myself and turned on Norah. Before the first track had finished the house was peaceful, both monkeys were happier and more responsive to my requests.
It worked again today.
Who/What is your Norah?
I don't even know where to start.
Back to the realities of school and working from home.
Catching up on emails.
Working on some freelance designs.
Wedding anniversaries....well just one. I'm monogamous.
Starting and finishing commissions.
Saying, "I will bath the dog today".
Dealing with cranky kids who are dealing with their own realities of easing back into school life.
Balancing family warfare.
Thinking about birthdays.
Cleaning toothpaste off my walls.
Finishing new works for new stationery soon to be released by this company.
Wondering why I do what I do.
Reading funny books to one child whilst the other spends way too long in the toilet at the local bookshop. (I discovered that the toilet wall was covered with posters, including a Where's Wally poster) 25 minutes later!!!!!
Listening to Norah Jones.
Thank GOD for Norah. Honestly I haven't listened to her for ages. I saw her live a few years ago, but even then, my Norah days were long gone. Infact, 7 years ago is when I really remember Norah. I was pregnant at the time with Mr A and her first album was everywhere. After he was born I found that Norah soothed him. You know the theory. Watch 'Days Of Our Lives' whilst pregnant means that your newborn will more likely be calmer when they hear that familiar tune or voices each day.
Well I really think it works. (Not with Days. Never watched a full episode in my life. And proud of that.)
My two have been very cranky and cheeky this week. School is back, routines are expected and tiredness has sunk in. So on Tuesday when the household was about to explode with anger, I stopped. I calmed myself and turned on Norah. Before the first track had finished the house was peaceful, both monkeys were happier and more responsive to my requests.
It worked again today.
Who/What is your Norah?
Vashti Bunyan has been our Norah for the last 5 1/2 months with our (now not-so-new) baby. She sings Little D to sleep every night when it is bedtime. At this point we are a little bit over listening to it second hand through the monitor. But as my sister says, one day this music will make our hearts ache with fond memories of our tiny baby time. I'm sure she's right.
Posted by: little red hen | 10/05/2009 at 22:27
Music is something that I never turn to at first thought, but when I make myself put it on, it can calm everyone in the house right down, myself included. I often wish that I had turned to it sooner in the day! We love Devotchka, Vampire Weekend, and Kathleen Edwards at our house. And ALWAYS in the car!
Posted by: Amy | 03/05/2009 at 01:56
oh I wish I had a Norah.
Because we definitively have some family warfare going on... and ketchup on the wall instead of toothpaste.
Apparently chips can fly.
Posted by: monica | 25/04/2009 at 03:03
Tiel, sounds like your Norah is our Norah and my sisters Norah too. Sounds like our little ones were all little in the Norah's first album stage. Around here Norah is still leant on as a sleep tonic. Bless her ultra-talented cotton socks.
Posted by: Alisa: Ink Caravan | 24/04/2009 at 19:14
Hi Tiel, I joined this group http://connect2mums.ning.com/ to meet mums who "share on babies, bedroom & beyond!" Join us 4 latest info on bubs, kids, tweens & mums 2! It's fun & free! I will also send an email invite! Claire xo
Posted by: Claire Anthony | 24/04/2009 at 13:19
I think that all hospitals should send home new mothers with Norah! Norah is my Norah too. My husband knows if Norah is playing that mummy was having a rough day.
Still loving your blog in NJ Tiel. Thank you for sharing.
Corina
Posted by: Corina | 23/04/2009 at 22:41
Yay, The Terrible Plop. Andrew Joyner's illustrations are fantastic.
Posted by: Lou | 23/04/2009 at 09:24
James Taylor and Jack Johnson! Works every time!
Posted by: Lin | 23/04/2009 at 06:52
I love how music can totally change the mood of an entire house. Oh, and that book is on my wish list at the moment - I went to university with Andrew who illustrated it! He does such great work.
Posted by: Fiona | 22/04/2009 at 22:42
Wanna know something...Norah is my/our Norah too! When I birthed Miss A five years ago, the hospital midwives had it blaring in the nursery where I had to go a couple of times with her. It was so peaceful for the babes I was convinced it would help us at home. And.it.did. I must pull that CD (Come Away With Me) out too and hopefully it will do the trick this week as I have a cranky little Miss that I have never really met before. Don't like it one inch. Thanks for pointing out that it's probably a return-to-school gripe.
In other funny news, we also have that book on loan from the library this week. As they say, great minds think alike!
Posted by: Kikimiss | 22/04/2009 at 22:00