Miss Kolka

As time goes by and we get closer to D-day (which is more of a do-day than the traditional decision-day and Im setting it 10 days after my cerclage will be taken out- so 3rd of January 2009) there are plenty of things to think about - like getting the right furniture ...

and the bag that goes with it - *Thank you Birgitte and Per *
as well as the first babyclothes - Check!

There are some things that you do have to think more carefully about though like bottles. Apperantly new studies have shown that plastic baby bottles made out of a certain substance called Bisphenol-A  (BPA) can be harmful to babies. There seems to be a link between the product and risk of cancer, diabetes, early puberty in girls and even autism. Even more so when the milk is heated in the bottles, which I hear is necessary to get your baby to drink it. So you should either opt for bottles in glass or those who are especially without BPA (a clue: if the plastic is hard and transparent, or it says 7 and a recycleable signe on the bottom it's not safe). What I find scariest is that the most common label here in France AVENT- found in EVERY baby store contains this substance in all its bottles... but apparently not every one agrees on how dangerous PBA is... only Canada and 3 states in the US have banned the substance in baby bottles but if the link has been proved in several studies, and some published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, well that's enough for me. I will definately not buy Avent.    

Then there are the diapers. Who knew that diapers were so expensive and how do you know which ones to choose since you don't see what products are used for drying and take away the bad smells on their covers? There is a reason why children have more excema these days than 50 years ago if chlorin is on their arses all the time. Also, you better have your budget ready for that one, thats all I can say.. I don't know how people manage with under a 1000 euros per month with children for example. Well they probably wash recycleable diapers.. emmmm no thank you.  

Yes, there are many things to worry about in this consumerism we live in. But for now, instead of worrying about which cartoons my child will be allowed to watch and at what age, I better get back on thinking about myself. I was perhaps a little bit too cocky after my last check at the doctor's a month ago, remember where I was so proud of my little weight gain? Well, since then 4 brand new kilos have joined the party , something Mr Cohen is not happy about. And when you see that video, I think you'll know why. Its all little miss Kolka thinks about...

Watch the video on flickr 

He sure looks cool... If all goes according to plan I sure hope he'll call upon her to help.

Only four days to go...

and by the way.. How annoying is Larry King on CNN?? Very. I dont even understand how people can watch anything on TV in America, with commercial breaks every 3-4 minutes. And I am not exagerating - I've timed it on the show - I clearly have too much time on my hands or else I wouldn't watch that show. But you keep watching, because somehow you think there is something coming up you wouldn't want to miss,  and then, suddenly, the show is over... And you are just left there feeling disappointed and betrayed. This cannot be good television. No wonder people download their own shows now... anything to escape from this advertising overflow. 

The future is not only Obama.. its  also Tv on demand, downloaded on the Internet. Television as we know it, is dead, killed by greed and money.  

So Today was the first preparation class for the Birth (apparently something I am ready to think about now) That amongst others things, like breastfeeding and child-care when going back to work. It might seem a bit early but in a big city like Paris you rather be more organised that not - or you'll end up being forced to act like a Kengaroo when its back-to-work day. that is make a pouch on your stomach and keep a 4 month old baby there hidden, latched on a nipple. Not the ideal first day back but hey... There is still some way to go to avoid that. (and I am lucky to still have my vacation left at work so I get a bit more than the 8 weeks planned by the french state in maternity leave)

Pan has been a real trooper - smiling when the mother-to-be has been crying over leaking water in the bathroom, listening when I complain over specific spices in exotic food or just waiting for my episodes to pass when I get annoyed over laundry or other mondain things, which can be often, too often. Not easy for him. And sometimes I don't even think it can be blamed on the hormones. Lets hope the relaxation technique I learned today with 6 other very prengnant women can help to ease my tention so I can smile back. Smile back and laugh at his silly jokes (like the ones the little students love, but then again they are only 7 years old) and also remember to give back some love and affection in the form of a wonderful, warm chocolate cake. Because thats the only way I know how.

So Miss Palin has now come out and commented on the expenses made by the republican party for her clothes and make up... against the advise of her aides and of the GOP campaign. They must have been plucking their hairs, this apparently being something Sarah Palin does quite often, going "off script" when it suits her. A complete no-no for a successful political strategy. 

This is what she said at a rally a few days ago although she had been advised not to mention the clothes-issue:

 "This whole thing with the wardrobe, you know I have tried to just ignore it because it is so ridiculous, but I am glad now that Elisabeth brought it up, cause it gives me an opportunity without the filter of the media to get to tell you the whole clothes thing."

What??? What is she trying to say? does anybody even understand  that last sentence? (Elisabeth being the co-host of the View - and a republican supporter who introduced Palin by saying the attacks on her and her clothes were sexist.. aha ok but of course!)
Palin's defense was that she did not own the clothes any more than the lighting or the props on stage (isn't she just one of them?) It goes a little bit to my former point of this whole story being blown out of proportion. What worries me though is that the governor can't seem to be able to speak clearly, or finish sentences properly:

"You'd think - not that I would even have to address the issue because, as Elisabeth is suggesting, the double standard here it's - gosh, we don't even want to waste our time."

The double standard is what? "Gosh" is not going to get you out of discussion at the UN with other world leaders when you are taking about important issues. This "folksy" approach can perhaps work at home, but for a possible world leader - not so sure.  Jee... what can we expect next tuesday? Well you know, also, jobcreation?  man I dont dare to even think it!

that's how you can sum up in semantics the quality of Sarah Palin's thinking:

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