Happy New Year

I can't believe another year has zipped by. I started this year with a bump and now I have a seven month old daughter and a boyfriend who is in danger of me destroying his christmas present. Can you believe that he has been doing all nighters playing that bloody Xbox 360?

Christmas has been entertaining, eventful, but quite relaxing. My family reconfirmed their status as complete crackheads by acting dysfunctional and annoying on Christmas day. Dial M for Bro (the mean, moody, miserable one) decided to be argumentative with just about everyone except the boyf and the bambino. We'd actually thought that he was going to be quite funny when he told the filthiest dirty joke after Christmas dinner, but he quickly showed that he was his usual self.

My ma was demanding and made lots of barbed comments which made me regret giving her Ugg boots for Christmas (so much cheaper from the US) instead of a frickin muzzle... You'd think she would have been relieved about not having to cook on Christmas day and relaxed, but instead she nagged us about when she was getting her food and bitched and sniped with the bro's.

I couldn't even open my presents in peace.
"What's that?" she demanded when the boyf handed me a small box. "Is it an engagement ring?"
The boyf and I cracked up laughing.
"I don't know what it is ma as I haven't opened it yet but judging by the size of the box, it's not an engagement ring..." I said evenly.
"Give it here!" and she ripped the paper off.
I snatched it back from her. "Stop it! It's my gift and I'll open it thank you!"
It was a beautiful glass keepsake from the bambino which has coloured lovehearts with "I love my mummy" engraved on it, especially for when I go back to work. I was delighted but it was mixed in with the feeling of wanting to shoot my mother...

I realised then that the whole dysfunctional crackerjack thing is much funnier when it's not you that's cooking the Christmas dinner... The boyf and I looked at each other helplessly as my family bickered like children and decided to enjoy ourselves and not let it impact on enjoying our first Christmas with the bambino. I felt sorry for the boyf's bro who just looked on bemused but fortunately he wis well used to my family's antics!

The bambino had no idea what was going on but for her it was a paper and ribbon bonanza. She was having the time of her life opening presents, quickly discarding them, and gleefully shredding the latest addition to her paper collection. She got so many gifts from family and friends that she didn't get to open our presents until the following day. She got this Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo from the boyf's mum which is an activity unit and bouncer, and we howled with laughter as she squealed and screamed in delight, bouncing and jigging like a leprechaun on crack.

We've spent the rest of the Christmas chilling out at home, drinking lots of wine, and catching up with various friends and family. It's been great and I've almost forgotten that I go back to work after 8.5 months of maternity leave on Wednesday! Yikes!

The bambino (who looks like BA Baracus today...I promise to take pic of her hair...) has just knocked over a bottle of rum (it didn't break) that was under the Christmas tree. I should train her to knock over the Xbox...

Anyway...Thanks to you all for joining me for yet another year. It's been an amazing one and it's been great sharing my experiences. I know that I haven't been blogging anywhere near as frequently as I used to for one reason and another, and I appreciate the continued support. Hopefully next year will be just as good but even if it was half as great as this year, that would still be pretty damn great. I'm happy, healthy (yes I can't believe it's almost two years of being in remission from sarcoidosis) and up for whatever the next year throws my way.

The next time you hear from me, I can pretty much guarantee that I'll be bitching about 1) stinking commuters, 2) being back at work, and 3) trying to cope with the onslaught of testosterone and ego that is the world of working in media. I'm almost looking forward to it... Hee hee!

Have a great new years whoever and whatever you're doing and here's to 2008 bringing you all that you desire.

Ooh, I'll think I'll do a bit of MJ dancing this evening. We're having a few friends over...

Take care xxx