Only a few books have made me choke back tears. I mean 4-Kleenex, snuffling and gasping with the weight of sadness and the beauty of great literature. Those have been, in order:
A Wrinkle in Time, when I was 12.
The Sparrow, in 1999.
and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, July 31, 2007.
(I have ONE more chapter to read this evening -- I'm counting on Caillou to babysit for me while I devour it.) THEN you may comment. :)
Tuesday, July 31
Monday, July 30
Plain vanilla
I cherish our weekends so much, especially the plain-vanilla ones, where we don't have anything too specific planned, and can just wake and enjoy our weekend routine, maybe read every moment we find spare, such as while browning ground beef or when AJ's content to play for FIVE SECONDS by himself, umm... I mean, read a little bit (still Harry Potter), and live this simple family life.
I love the time spent with AJ, too. He is so cute wanting to PLAY --with me-- all the time. He bounces from one thing to another. I don't always WANT to play, but remind myself that playing is his JOB, his only responsibility in the world right now, to learn and explore through imagination and Legos and board games and laughter. (He's fun to play board games with at this stage, because he's not competitive. Whoever wins, he screams with glee, "You WIIIIINNNN!") I sit on the floor with him and TRY to think of plausible dinosaur adventures for Triceratops and T-Rex. I used to think I had a good imagination. (Where does that go when you turn grown-up??) I try not to fall asleep, too.
Oh, AJ does have ONE other responsibility, and that is the potty training. We had an underwear weekend, with I think 2 or 3 accidents, and finally on Sunday evening I admitted defeat and put him in a Pull Up. I'm sure that was A Grave Error and broke the rules of the potty training but I was just tired of it. And I needed some time to wash underwear so he could wear/take it to school today. Krissy Poopyhands saw her boy's 2 accidents as a stunning victory... I must be a glass half-empty kind of girl because each time it frustrates me. He can keep a Pull Up dry ALL DAY: Why is it the moment I put underwear on him, he has an Oops? And WHY, when I ask him nicely or plain tell him, "It's time to potty," does he get so defensive and flat refuse? I know he doesn't do that at school. I guess it's one of those "He loves you/trusts you the most, so he acts out for you" moments. Le Sigh. I know we'll get there. It's just a mental challenge.
Oh, also: Big-boy bed! Still the crib, but the railings are off and he now has sheets and a real pillow and COVERS, which made him jump up and down (on the bed) like he'd won the lottery. I'm pretty excited by the sheets, too, actually. They're a washed denim and really handsome and I NEVER buy new sheets! Fun, fun stuff.
I did some shopping yesterday and it was awesome. Can't beat spending money when you HAVE NO CHOICE... nothing fits anymore. It's officially the awkward, in-between stage where my regular clothes hate me and maternity are still too baggy. So I went to Lane Bryant and to Talbot's where I had a gift card, and was SAD SAD SAD, because they have gorgeous brown madras petite dresses there right now for Fall. GORGEOUS. And I couldn't buy one. But still, I scored with 2 pairs of comfortable shorts and three new tops. Should get me through Hubby's high school reunion next weekend, anyway.
I feel bad for the lack of inspired posts lately (and for all the potty talk). I feel like we're just plodding through the dog-days, though... y'know? It's hot, work's busy, we're all fine, but just... Auto-pilot.
I love the time spent with AJ, too. He is so cute wanting to PLAY --with me-- all the time. He bounces from one thing to another. I don't always WANT to play, but remind myself that playing is his JOB, his only responsibility in the world right now, to learn and explore through imagination and Legos and board games and laughter. (He's fun to play board games with at this stage, because he's not competitive. Whoever wins, he screams with glee, "You WIIIIINNNN!") I sit on the floor with him and TRY to think of plausible dinosaur adventures for Triceratops and T-Rex. I used to think I had a good imagination. (Where does that go when you turn grown-up??) I try not to fall asleep, too.
Oh, AJ does have ONE other responsibility, and that is the potty training. We had an underwear weekend, with I think 2 or 3 accidents, and finally on Sunday evening I admitted defeat and put him in a Pull Up. I'm sure that was A Grave Error and broke the rules of the potty training but I was just tired of it. And I needed some time to wash underwear so he could wear/take it to school today. Krissy Poopyhands saw her boy's 2 accidents as a stunning victory... I must be a glass half-empty kind of girl because each time it frustrates me. He can keep a Pull Up dry ALL DAY: Why is it the moment I put underwear on him, he has an Oops? And WHY, when I ask him nicely or plain tell him, "It's time to potty," does he get so defensive and flat refuse? I know he doesn't do that at school. I guess it's one of those "He loves you/trusts you the most, so he acts out for you" moments. Le Sigh. I know we'll get there. It's just a mental challenge.
Oh, also: Big-boy bed! Still the crib, but the railings are off and he now has sheets and a real pillow and COVERS, which made him jump up and down (on the bed) like he'd won the lottery. I'm pretty excited by the sheets, too, actually. They're a washed denim and really handsome and I NEVER buy new sheets! Fun, fun stuff.
I did some shopping yesterday and it was awesome. Can't beat spending money when you HAVE NO CHOICE... nothing fits anymore. It's officially the awkward, in-between stage where my regular clothes hate me and maternity are still too baggy. So I went to Lane Bryant and to Talbot's where I had a gift card, and was SAD SAD SAD, because they have gorgeous brown madras petite dresses there right now for Fall. GORGEOUS. And I couldn't buy one. But still, I scored with 2 pairs of comfortable shorts and three new tops. Should get me through Hubby's high school reunion next weekend, anyway.
I feel bad for the lack of inspired posts lately (and for all the potty talk). I feel like we're just plodding through the dog-days, though... y'know? It's hot, work's busy, we're all fine, but just... Auto-pilot.
Thursday, July 26
Work things, breakfast, etc.
It has been the busiest week at work so I'm feeling like SURELY I need to be doing one of a thousand work-things right now, but there is a curious lull, and a lack of email this morning, making me think I can stray for just a few minutes to write here. And make myself an egg and some toast.
This pregnancy (I guess) has made me return to breakfast, and decide that it's really the most versatile meal of the day. I've never been one to ADORE eggs and toast, but lately they just SOUND GOOD. As does cereal (Cinnamon Life! Raisin Bran! Honey Bunches of Oats! Rice Krispies!). I thought I had eaten enough cereal as a child to never, ever want it again -- and I haven't eaten it, regularly, in years. But lately it's just another one of so many great options. I'm Mrs. Mary Sunshine about breakfast, and part of it is that I have the ingredients for everything on this list, nearly every day:
Yesterday at work we had to explain our division, and what we actually DO, to someone in the corporate chain of command. As I was sitting there I was thinking, "It's really pretty damn cool, what we do." And I think it was a little gift to me from God, that tiny thought. So I'm grateful for it, even though it has now fleeted away and today just feels like normal drudgery. ;)
AJ's teacher has said she thinks he's READY, absolutely ready to be wearing underwear to school. So we start tomorrow. (Eeee!) I'm nervous for him because he definitely doesn't have the #2 thing down. Normally he waits until the 6:00pm hour to do that business -- he's nothing if not regular! -- (so it's only ME who'd have to deal with it, which is good only because I think accidents will upset him in a major way), but what if...? I guess we'll just have to see.
I'm reading Harry Potter 7 and just dying that we haven't yet seen #5 in the theater. If we don't, it'll be the first in the series that we have missed on the big screen. And that would be tragedy.
This pregnancy (I guess) has made me return to breakfast, and decide that it's really the most versatile meal of the day. I've never been one to ADORE eggs and toast, but lately they just SOUND GOOD. As does cereal (Cinnamon Life! Raisin Bran! Honey Bunches of Oats! Rice Krispies!). I thought I had eaten enough cereal as a child to never, ever want it again -- and I haven't eaten it, regularly, in years. But lately it's just another one of so many great options. I'm Mrs. Mary Sunshine about breakfast, and part of it is that I have the ingredients for everything on this list, nearly every day:
- I could have coffee and an english muffin or a bagel. Usually with cream cheese. Tomato if I have it.
- I could have milk and cereal, and orange juice. (no coffee when I eat cereal, though, because I put milk in my coffee and that'd just be an overload)
- I could have an egg. Toast. Butter. Apricot jam.
- I could get crazy and have a banana with peanut butter.
- A single-serve cottage cheese. (Love)
- A yogurt smoothie with frozen strawberrries.
- Toast and peanut butter, Sis's favorite.
- Feeling savory? How 'bout an egg burrito? (I always have tortillas and salsa in the fridge.)
- Or I could snag some of AJ's beloved Cinnamon Bun oatmeal.
- Don't forget PANCAKES.
- Blueberry muffins. (there's a ready-made package in the pantry)
- Ooh, what if I made banana bread?? Score.
Yesterday at work we had to explain our division, and what we actually DO, to someone in the corporate chain of command. As I was sitting there I was thinking, "It's really pretty damn cool, what we do." And I think it was a little gift to me from God, that tiny thought. So I'm grateful for it, even though it has now fleeted away and today just feels like normal drudgery. ;)
AJ's teacher has said she thinks he's READY, absolutely ready to be wearing underwear to school. So we start tomorrow. (Eeee!) I'm nervous for him because he definitely doesn't have the #2 thing down. Normally he waits until the 6:00pm hour to do that business -- he's nothing if not regular! -- (so it's only ME who'd have to deal with it, which is good only because I think accidents will upset him in a major way), but what if...? I guess we'll just have to see.
I'm reading Harry Potter 7 and just dying that we haven't yet seen #5 in the theater. If we don't, it'll be the first in the series that we have missed on the big screen. And that would be tragedy.
Monday, July 23
All the ideas
...that might be good blog posts, if I could spend enough time to flesh them out.
- Some friends came over for dinner on Saturday, and brought flowers for the table. They're perfect little lavender roses, and exactly match the tablecloth I had picked out. They have made me REALLY happy. Just flowers. I'm sitting next to them now.
- My coworker is back after her maternity leave. I'm alternately giddy because I've missed her, and sad because I know how she must feel today. I want to promise her that it gets easier, and it does.... I know that she's got a good setup of wonderful family taking care of her baby girl. And readjusting? Well, that's just part of it from now 'til eternity. I think we readjust a tiny bit every day.
- I feel like I want to CALENDAR the prep-for-baby to do list. Like, okay, we need to get AJ moved into his new big-boy room, and he'll need some time to get used to that before the baby arrives, so... calculate back a few months... aaaaand, okay, mid-November needs to be the goal.
- So, before then, I've got to get the closet in that room cleaned out. And the dresser moved out. And buy some fun things (maybe wallies, maybe Ikea) for decor. And a new queen-sized comforter for him. Make it as Pottery-Barn-Kids as possible, on a shoestring budget! But I want to wait 'til we know if Baby is a boy or girl, because if it's a girl, I can recycle some of AJ's baby stuff into big-boy stuff... and this is where my head explodes with all the thinking.
- I had a good talk with my friend Martina on Saturday night, who said she is so much better for her kids when she's working. For her, it means she comes home eager to see them, and not overtired from their whining and fussing. And she is willing to spend time with them, and is more patient, because she's been away from them. I decided that I feel that way, too in many ways. It made me question wanting to switch to part-time work, but I'm not about to deviate from that plan just yet. It merits much more thinking, though. I can tell you after a long day like Sunday, with AJ having no nap and not eating well, that *I* was most definitely over it, and tired (as evidenced by my SLAMMING his unfinished dinner plate into the sink after he'd been defying me, and raising my voice)
- Yesterday we played outside with the neighbors in cool, low-80-degree, no humidity weather. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were still out in full force. AJ is NOT a big fan of bugs. He's pretty scared of them, actually. They told me at daycare one day last week, he cried all through naptime. When I asked him why he said "I had a ant on my knee." :( I can relate. My first nightmare was about giant bugs. I was really young -- 3 or 4 -- but I remember scenes from it pretty vividly. A dream. Weird.
Friday, July 20
Deep breathing for today
Best thing I've read all week is located here.
I like the part that says,
I like the part that says,
Life does not come to us all at one time; it comes only a day at a time. Even tomorrow is never ours until it becomes today, and we have nothing whatever to do with it but to pass down to it a fair and good inheritance in today's work well done, and today's life well lived.
Thursday, July 19
I am hungry and I have a due date
Whee! I couldn't resist some baby-swag. I know, it totally cheapens the place but too bad. :) Baby #2 is on his or her way Feb 16, 2008, and the doctor said so! We tried to find heart tones today during my first, painfully paperwork-laden prenatal visit, but no luck. Not worried, just bummed because it would have been neat to know that the little kumquat-sized fishie is really for-true in there with audio evidence. Since I still have a hard time believing it.
I love when they asked (twice) How's your diet? Do you eat fruits and vegetables? I kind-of don't know what to respond to that. "Doesn't everyone?" or "Not 5 times a day, but yes." or "Does guacamole count?" Hee hee. It's a different OB practice for me -- much closer to home than my last doctors, as is the hospital where I'll deliver this little bundle. With AJ, we were thankful that labor started in the middle of the night because that guaranteed no traffic problems down I-75. This time, I don't want to commute to the birth of my child. The hospital is right down the street (well okay, ten minutes away) from home. And as a special bonus, it's across the street (literally) from our church, so during the down-time, hubby can run over there to light a candle for us. :)
Wait. Did somebody say guacamole...?
I love when they asked (twice) How's your diet? Do you eat fruits and vegetables? I kind-of don't know what to respond to that. "Doesn't everyone?" or "Not 5 times a day, but yes." or "Does guacamole count?" Hee hee. It's a different OB practice for me -- much closer to home than my last doctors, as is the hospital where I'll deliver this little bundle. With AJ, we were thankful that labor started in the middle of the night because that guaranteed no traffic problems down I-75. This time, I don't want to commute to the birth of my child. The hospital is right down the street (well okay, ten minutes away) from home. And as a special bonus, it's across the street (literally) from our church, so during the down-time, hubby can run over there to light a candle for us. :)
Wait. Did somebody say guacamole...?
Tuesday, July 17
82 wpm
Some days I sit in my cube and just listen to all the ridiculous typing going on around me, and it makes my heart ache. There will be no other sound except various ones of us pushing the letter-buttons. It makes me wonder WHAT in the hell is so important that 5 people need to be sitting here, brows furrowed, fingers clacking, for 8 hours. Even the sound of my own typing is giving me the heebies right now because it's just so obnoxious. I think it's also because we all type so damn FAST, like it's a life or death race and we have to PUSH, PUSH, PUSH all these stupid useless words out into the world, before we can hit "Send" or "Print" with a big flourish, and get up from our desks to go pick up the hot-off IMPORTANT.DOCUMENT. I'm mostly talking about work, and the business of the world (not blogging -- blog typing, of course, is critical). It just strikes me some days how stupid we all might look if the proverbial aliens came to watch from above.
I guess if the gears in our brains made noise as they turned round and round, that would annoy me even further. So thank goodness for that.
I guess if the gears in our brains made noise as they turned round and round, that would annoy me even further. So thank goodness for that.
Monday, July 16
Phoning it in
Sorry guys, all I've got is the 1st-trimester blahs (TI-RED), and the past rainy weekend where I did nothing but lay around. Seriously. So, I've probably done this one before but TOO BAD.
Were you named after anyone? My first name was my Grandfather's first name, which is pretty cool. Not many girls can say that.
When was the last time you cried? Thursday I got a little teared up, but the last good cry was a while ago.
Do you like your handwriting? I have never liked my handwriting. It's very sharp and inconsistent -- sometimes slanty, sometimes not.
What is your favorite lunch meat? Ham. But I prefer "real" ham over cold cuts. With mayo & pickle.
Do you have kids? Kid-S! Plural! That is a scary thought but yes, 1 out- and 1 in-utero.
If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself? I think so. We would be so close I would tell myself to have a backbone once in a while.
Do you use sarcasm a lot? NAWWWWWW.
Do you still have your tonsils? Yep. And my wisdom teeth.
Would you bungee jump? No way.
What is your favorite cereal? Oooh, I just bought some Cinnamon Life and I think it is my very favorite in the entire world. I wonder if the fact that I wait so long between buying it makes it that much more appealing to me?
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Not if I can help it.
What is your favorite ice cream? Coffee ice cream (although I had some Rocky Road, of all things, the other night and it was mighty delicious)
What do you notice first about people? I guess overall neatness (or lack thereof) is the first thing that really jumps out at me.
Red or pink? Red. I have said since I was about 4 years old that red is my favorite color. However, I don't wear a ton of red, and my house isn't crammed full of it.
What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I can be pretty lazy.
What is the last thing you ate? (when I started this post:) Thai Peanut Bowl with chicken... (just now:) Cinnamon Life!
What color pant and shoes are you wearing? khaki jeans, brown sandals
What are you listening to right now? my coworker gripe about his server connection and a client request
What are your favorite smells? onions simmering in butter (is this question on every meme?), fresh peaches, hazelnut coffee, lavender, clean laundry
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Emily, a programmer I work with
What are your favorite sports to watch? football, gymnastics
What is your hair color? the most boring brown
What is your eye color? hazel
Do you wear contacts? No, and no glasses either.
Scary movie or happy ending? Happy ending.
What is your favorite food? pizza or Mexican, although I had both this weekend, and neither one appealed to me that much pre-eating, or after dinner! Odd pregnancy thing?
What was the last movie you saw? Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer (DH's choice!)
What color shirt are you wearing? khaki with pink stripes
Summer or winter? Fall.
Hugs or kisses? Really, hugs.
What is your favorite dessert? chocolate pie, I think.
What are you reading? I started The Time Traveler's Wife but not really into it yet.
What is on your mouse pad? don't own one
What did you watch on TV last night? some of the E-3 coverage with hubby, then a few minutes of that movie "Picture Perfect" with Jennifer Anniston and Kevin Bacon
Rolling Stones or The Beatles? The Beatles
What is the farthest you've been from home? Japan, although it didn't feel so far away since my family was with me and we were on a military base. Poland felt farther.
Where were you born? Hereford, Tx
Over the weekend I had thought of some additional questions to add to this, but now they've escaped me. Anyone who wants to play, feel free to play.
Also! Go congratulate Sam! Baby Kicky Feet was born, hooray!
Were you named after anyone? My first name was my Grandfather's first name, which is pretty cool. Not many girls can say that.
When was the last time you cried? Thursday I got a little teared up, but the last good cry was a while ago.
Do you like your handwriting? I have never liked my handwriting. It's very sharp and inconsistent -- sometimes slanty, sometimes not.
What is your favorite lunch meat? Ham. But I prefer "real" ham over cold cuts. With mayo & pickle.
Do you have kids? Kid-S! Plural! That is a scary thought but yes, 1 out- and 1 in-utero.
If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself? I think so. We would be so close I would tell myself to have a backbone once in a while.
Do you use sarcasm a lot? NAWWWWWW.
Do you still have your tonsils? Yep. And my wisdom teeth.
Would you bungee jump? No way.
What is your favorite cereal? Oooh, I just bought some Cinnamon Life and I think it is my very favorite in the entire world. I wonder if the fact that I wait so long between buying it makes it that much more appealing to me?
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Not if I can help it.
What is your favorite ice cream? Coffee ice cream (although I had some Rocky Road, of all things, the other night and it was mighty delicious)
What do you notice first about people? I guess overall neatness (or lack thereof) is the first thing that really jumps out at me.
Red or pink? Red. I have said since I was about 4 years old that red is my favorite color. However, I don't wear a ton of red, and my house isn't crammed full of it.
What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I can be pretty lazy.
What is the last thing you ate? (when I started this post:) Thai Peanut Bowl with chicken... (just now:) Cinnamon Life!
What color pant and shoes are you wearing? khaki jeans, brown sandals
What are you listening to right now? my coworker gripe about his server connection and a client request
What are your favorite smells? onions simmering in butter (is this question on every meme?), fresh peaches, hazelnut coffee, lavender, clean laundry
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Emily, a programmer I work with
What are your favorite sports to watch? football, gymnastics
What is your hair color? the most boring brown
What is your eye color? hazel
Do you wear contacts? No, and no glasses either.
Scary movie or happy ending? Happy ending.
What is your favorite food? pizza or Mexican, although I had both this weekend, and neither one appealed to me that much pre-eating, or after dinner! Odd pregnancy thing?
What was the last movie you saw? Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer (DH's choice!)
What color shirt are you wearing? khaki with pink stripes
Summer or winter? Fall.
Hugs or kisses? Really, hugs.
What is your favorite dessert? chocolate pie, I think.
What are you reading? I started The Time Traveler's Wife but not really into it yet.
What is on your mouse pad? don't own one
What did you watch on TV last night? some of the E-3 coverage with hubby, then a few minutes of that movie "Picture Perfect" with Jennifer Anniston and Kevin Bacon
Rolling Stones or The Beatles? The Beatles
What is the farthest you've been from home? Japan, although it didn't feel so far away since my family was with me and we were on a military base. Poland felt farther.
Where were you born? Hereford, Tx
Over the weekend I had thought of some additional questions to add to this, but now they've escaped me. Anyone who wants to play, feel free to play.
Also! Go congratulate Sam! Baby Kicky Feet was born, hooray!
Friday, July 13
Inflection
My little boy is SUCH a grown-up talker.
Yesterday I asked him, "Will you go to Walgreen's with me?" And he said,
"Suwah. Dat will be a good idea."
After our errand, I said, "Thanks, man. I really appreciated your help in there."
And he said, with exactly the inflection you would use,
"Oh, no pwobbwem. Nooo pwobbwem."
Yesterday I asked him, "Will you go to Walgreen's with me?" And he said,
"Suwah. Dat will be a good idea."
After our errand, I said, "Thanks, man. I really appreciated your help in there."
And he said, with exactly the inflection you would use,
"Oh, no pwobbwem. Nooo pwobbwem."
Wednesday, July 11
Toys for 3 year old boys
(I say boys, but our neighbor came over, a girl, and she was every bit as interested in AJ's new toys as he was.) Rounding up birthday things that were most successful:
Write these gift ideas down, people. My advice to you.
- One of those books with the buttons down the side, that play music for every character. Ours is a Shrek variety book, which may have more to do with it than the buttons, but for the first 2 days, AJ didn't even want me to take the plastic wrap off. He was perfectly happy to push the buttons through the plastic: "Story? Pages? Who cares. It beeps!"
- Cariboo, by the makers of Cranium. Now when I was just out of college, my roommate planned Game Nights every few weeks, to where I got pretty sick of games. But this one is really very cool for a 3-year-old. I don't get bored until at least 2 rounds in. ;) It's a treasure hunt. There's a magic key for unlocking the treasure, there's educational letter- and number-matching.... it's just great. A total success -- we've played it nine-leventy million times since Sunday.
- Chutes & Ladders, the classic I never played until this week. I personally think the update of the board's design went a little too far -- I find it hard to tell where the ladders and slides begin, and the squares on the path are difficult to distinguish under all the other fat graphics -- but AJ lurvhs this game, too. He likes to spin the spinner, and he likes to BANG his piece as he moves it around the board randomly. (We really have to help him follow the correct path, number by number, but that's understandable since he only counts to 14 and the numbers go to 100!) When he hits a ladder, it's WHEEEEEEEEE! and ALL RIIIIGHTTTT! and loads of fun for everyone. Or at least for him, heh.
- No surprise, a Thomas wooden Gold Mine Mountain track and train set. Do I even need to explain this? He loves it from tunnel to bridge and around the bend. He loves to make the trains go, and make them crash. It is a masterpiece of boyhood happiness. :)
- You know, Mr. Potato Head and all the "costumes" are entertaining him, too. He's at a stage where he'll "talk" for his toys, which makes me hide around corners so I can listen without making him self-conscious. The big, deep voices and the teensy, high-pitched voices are so funny! I love it.
Write these gift ideas down, people. My advice to you.
Tuesday, July 10
Slow down, y'move too fast
I read a couple of bloggers who are paid for it, and it's funny, they're just about as pregnant as me -- which is to say, barely -- but all of a sudden have something to SAY about it. Like, pregnancy and baby TOPICS. Me, I'm still just starting to register it. And I'm lucky, because I am so far having another EASY pregnancy without nauseaKNOCK WOOD KNOCK WOOD and without weird major cravings -- except yesterday I did want to eat a large meal about every hour and a half -- so aside from a little crampiness and none of my underpants fitting (gawd!), not much has changed for me yet.
I think about it all the time, I'm just not talking about it out loud. I guess because of all the other excitement going on. AJ's birthday bash was every bit as tiring as I thought it would probably be, with all the relatives here to celebrate. It was wonderful, just tiring. My brother in law DID become newly-engaged, while they were here! So, Wheeee! A wedding! We think they've chosen December 31 as their date, however, and all we can say to that is Ugggggggggh. Could there be a worse time of year?? I don't think so. (Of course I've also pictured myself as the 6-months-pregnant bridesmaid, Sigh. I'm thankful the bride's talking about letting us wear black at least.) Thank goodness we already have December 31 off work but one Blessed Event adds to-do list fodder in triplicate, including getting AJ fitted for a ring-bearer tux, probably, and showers and being the helpful older sister-in-law. (I did get excited thinking about bridal registries. Squee!)
Seems like there's a lot more on our plate for the rest of the year, too. Oh, I know: Hubby's 20th high school reunion in a few weeks (read: trip to Savannah). And my parents want to take us to DisneyWorld with their new Vacation Club points (COOL!), but it has to be before November 30th. And some dinner plans with various groups of friends that we've been meaning to make forever. And inviting the neighbors over (because on 4th of July their 3-year-old CALLED ME OUT, saying, "We NEVER go to AJ's house!" I was mortified because it's true). I'm starting to get a little freaked out and just imagine what kind of freak-out I'll be having when the baby actually ARRIVES. Heaven HALP me.
I will say this. At one point during our carazy weekend of festivities, when AJ was running around playing "Rock Star" by Smashmouth via his Shrek audio birthday card, and the garage door was being opened and shut about a thousand times an hour, and I didn't have any creamer for coffee, and some NASCAR race must've been on TV to entertain... I don't know who... my Dear Husband took me aside into our room and hugged me, and patted my tummy very gently, and it was the first time he'd done that this go-round. It was just what I needed: a quiet reminder that this time is about US, him and me, and this new little person that we haven't met yet, and it's a good, new, sweet single thing. I love him for doing that.
I think about it all the time, I'm just not talking about it out loud. I guess because of all the other excitement going on. AJ's birthday bash was every bit as tiring as I thought it would probably be, with all the relatives here to celebrate. It was wonderful, just tiring. My brother in law DID become newly-engaged, while they were here! So, Wheeee! A wedding! We think they've chosen December 31 as their date, however, and all we can say to that is Ugggggggggh. Could there be a worse time of year?? I don't think so. (Of course I've also pictured myself as the 6-months-pregnant bridesmaid, Sigh. I'm thankful the bride's talking about letting us wear black at least.) Thank goodness we already have December 31 off work but one Blessed Event adds to-do list fodder in triplicate, including getting AJ fitted for a ring-bearer tux, probably, and showers and being the helpful older sister-in-law. (I did get excited thinking about bridal registries. Squee!)
Seems like there's a lot more on our plate for the rest of the year, too. Oh, I know: Hubby's 20th high school reunion in a few weeks (read: trip to Savannah). And my parents want to take us to DisneyWorld with their new Vacation Club points (COOL!), but it has to be before November 30th. And some dinner plans with various groups of friends that we've been meaning to make forever. And inviting the neighbors over (because on 4th of July their 3-year-old CALLED ME OUT, saying, "We NEVER go to AJ's house!" I was mortified because it's true). I'm starting to get a little freaked out and just imagine what kind of freak-out I'll be having when the baby actually ARRIVES. Heaven HALP me.
I will say this. At one point during our carazy weekend of festivities, when AJ was running around playing "Rock Star" by Smashmouth via his Shrek audio birthday card, and the garage door was being opened and shut about a thousand times an hour, and I didn't have any creamer for coffee, and some NASCAR race must've been on TV to entertain... I don't know who... my Dear Husband took me aside into our room and hugged me, and patted my tummy very gently, and it was the first time he'd done that this go-round. It was just what I needed: a quiet reminder that this time is about US, him and me, and this new little person that we haven't met yet, and it's a good, new, sweet single thing. I love him for doing that.
Friday, July 6
Audience participation
Bah. There's nothing new to read. I'm having one of those days where I click "Refresh All" every ten minutes in my feed reader. That can't be good, can it? I guess I'll just have to entertain myself.
I made the CUTEST cupcakes for AJ's birthday party at daycare today. They're white cake, with white frosting and red sprinkles, and they're delish (every good chef tries the dish, don'tcha know). The teacher said to me on Wednesday, "Sure, bring 'em in. I'd do something if the parents don’t, but it's HIS day on Friday." (His birthday is Sunday.) It, of course, made me a little sad to think that some parents WOULDN'T do something for their kid's birthday… but to say so would be judgmental, since I don't know what circumstances other people are dealing with. I’m just glad that the daycare employs sweet, loving people like Miss Ashley who love the kids when they need loving, and celebrate each one on his or her special day.
So, for the birthday I think we have an official extravaganza locked and loaded, even as I tried not to. (At least there will only be ONE screaming kid running around, and he's mine.) The grandparents on both sides are headed this way as I type, as well as AJ's uncle, who's intending to propose to his girlfriend TONIGHT! We have to recommend a restaurant for the actual scene of the romance! And afterwards, they'll come back home to MY house! So exciting! I have the champagne chilling in the fridge right now. Ooh, maybe I should go out at lunch to get a bottle of sparkling juice for me and little fetus (now the size of half a pea!) to enjoy.
Although AJ's birthday is on Sunday, we'll likely celebrate Saturday with a lunch trip to the brand-new pizza buffet place, a Dora cake, and some presents:
What are good gifts for a 3-year-old boy?
My mom and I have been trying to keep a running list as AJ grows, so we'll know, next time we have a birthday party to attend (or next baby, perhaps!), which things get good reactions at which ages. Please share your favorites!
I made the CUTEST cupcakes for AJ's birthday party at daycare today. They're white cake, with white frosting and red sprinkles, and they're delish (every good chef tries the dish, don'tcha know). The teacher said to me on Wednesday, "Sure, bring 'em in. I'd do something if the parents don’t, but it's HIS day on Friday." (His birthday is Sunday.) It, of course, made me a little sad to think that some parents WOULDN'T do something for their kid's birthday… but to say so would be judgmental, since I don't know what circumstances other people are dealing with. I’m just glad that the daycare employs sweet, loving people like Miss Ashley who love the kids when they need loving, and celebrate each one on his or her special day.
So, for the birthday I think we have an official extravaganza locked and loaded, even as I tried not to. (At least there will only be ONE screaming kid running around, and he's mine.) The grandparents on both sides are headed this way as I type, as well as AJ's uncle, who's intending to propose to his girlfriend TONIGHT! We have to recommend a restaurant for the actual scene of the romance! And afterwards, they'll come back home to MY house! So exciting! I have the champagne chilling in the fridge right now. Ooh, maybe I should go out at lunch to get a bottle of sparkling juice for me and little fetus (now the size of half a pea!) to enjoy.
Although AJ's birthday is on Sunday, we'll likely celebrate Saturday with a lunch trip to the brand-new pizza buffet place, a Dora cake, and some presents:
- Spiderman sleeping bag
- "I Spy" card game
- "Cadoo" board game, which I hope is somehow "Memory" related
- possibly a plastic slide for the backyard
- a new Mr. Potato Head "outfit"
- a big plastic dinosaur playset, and
- 2 new battery-operated Thomas trains for our train set.
What are good gifts for a 3-year-old boy?
My mom and I have been trying to keep a running list as AJ grows, so we'll know, next time we have a birthday party to attend (or next baby, perhaps!), which things get good reactions at which ages. Please share your favorites!
Tuesday, July 3
Do over
I'm really embarrassed about my post yesterday with all the whining bratty nonsense.
I'd like to start over and try again: We're expecting! And so are a lot of other folks, including my work friend, J! Isn't that awesome? It's going to be a(nother) banner year. :)
It is, indeed, awesome, and I'm starting to be able to tell there's something happening in my belly; yesterday I felt all crampy, all day. Things are adjusting to accommodate a squatter I guess! Hee hee. I also HAD to eat ice cream, twice, yesterday. FEED ME calcium (in a tasty frozen confection). Finally, my bladder, which has never been the same since AJ was born, is definitely taking notice. I'm back to ye olde familiar morning potty break -- I totally remember this. Every day about 40 minutes before my alarm goes off, I'm waking up and having no choice but to go, just like last time. This is a feature of pregnancy I grew to hate, especially when it started be accompanied with fourteen other bathroom trips per night, but mostly because in the remaining 37 minutes before the alarm, you just can't get back into an excellent sleep cycle. (Silver lining: It becomes prime time for testing out baby names.)
* * * * * * * * * * *
Along with the enormous gift of a baby-to-come, I've been given another little gift.
A few months back, I asked my Mom to look for the white paperbacks I remember carrying to Mass on Sundays as a child: "The Old Testament for Children," "The New Testament for Children," "The Life of Jesus," titles like that. They were just pocket-sized, and perfect for a little girl toplay housekeeper with, dusting the pews baaaack and foooorth noisily read quietly during church.
Mom found 'em, and she tossed in an old black missal with gold lettering and red-edged pages, called "Mother Love." I have a sneaking suspicion that maybe HER Mom gave it to her (though I'm not sure), and I'm just giggly over it. Its heft -- for a small book, it's chock-full of those parchment-thin pages -- and its quaint little 1950s tips are somehow a comfort to me. Like this:
Hee! Having such a 'vestige' of the pre-Vat II Church tradition makes me want to pass its lessons on more conscientiously to my own children. I.E., I ought to read it, and pray, more daily.
Some of the prayers I like best:
I just love it. I've put it beside my bed. I don't promise to read it every night, and I'll never be as pious as the Confraternity of Christian Mothers who put the thing together. But I think it's good practice to rely on Grace in motherhood, and maybe this will remind me to try. :)
I'd like to start over and try again: We're expecting! And so are a lot of other folks, including my work friend, J! Isn't that awesome? It's going to be a(nother) banner year. :)
It is, indeed, awesome, and I'm starting to be able to tell there's something happening in my belly; yesterday I felt all crampy, all day. Things are adjusting to accommodate a squatter I guess! Hee hee. I also HAD to eat ice cream, twice, yesterday. FEED ME calcium (in a tasty frozen confection). Finally, my bladder, which has never been the same since AJ was born, is definitely taking notice. I'm back to ye olde familiar morning potty break -- I totally remember this. Every day about 40 minutes before my alarm goes off, I'm waking up and having no choice but to go, just like last time. This is a feature of pregnancy I grew to hate, especially when it started be accompanied with fourteen other bathroom trips per night, but mostly because in the remaining 37 minutes before the alarm, you just can't get back into an excellent sleep cycle. (Silver lining: It becomes prime time for testing out baby names.)
* * * * * * * * * * *
Along with the enormous gift of a baby-to-come, I've been given another little gift.
A few months back, I asked my Mom to look for the white paperbacks I remember carrying to Mass on Sundays as a child: "The Old Testament for Children," "The New Testament for Children," "The Life of Jesus," titles like that. They were just pocket-sized, and perfect for a little girl to
Mom found 'em, and she tossed in an old black missal with gold lettering and red-edged pages, called "Mother Love." I have a sneaking suspicion that maybe HER Mom gave it to her (though I'm not sure), and I'm just giggly over it. Its heft -- for a small book, it's chock-full of those parchment-thin pages -- and its quaint little 1950s tips are somehow a comfort to me. Like this:
On Going Steady: Are your teenage sons and daughters "going steady" to Confession, Communion, and Holy Mass, or are they "going steady" on dates and becoming spiritually unsteady?
Hee! Having such a 'vestige' of the pre-Vat II Church tradition makes me want to pass its lessons on more conscientiously to my own children. I.E., I ought to read it, and pray, more daily.
Some of the prayers I like best:
Lord, please help me today to be a good wife, mother, and neighbor. (um... yes.)
* * *
How often I ask You to listen to me, O Lord. Give me the grace to listen to my children and especially to my teenagers. (Or toddlers!)
* * *
The day is about over. I worked and I am tired. (Amen!) Please give me the gift of a good night's sleep.
* * *
How often I ask You to listen to me, O Lord. Give me the grace to listen to my children and especially to my teenagers. (Or toddlers!)
* * *
The day is about over. I worked and I am tired. (Amen!) Please give me the gift of a good night's sleep.
* * *
I just love it. I've put it beside my bed. I don't promise to read it every night, and I'll never be as pious as the Confraternity of Christian Mothers who put the thing together. But I think it's good practice to rely on Grace in motherhood, and maybe this will remind me to try. :)
Monday, July 2
Me, Me, Maternity
I was packing for our trip eleven days ago and noticed, "Hey, Self, it's been 43 days... You are going to need to either pack Tampax and Tequila, or possibly saltine crackers and peppermints, so which is it?"
And it was... saltines. (Hoo-ray for not needing Tampax on a beach vacation.)
So there you have it, my news. I'm about 4 weeks in, I guess, and perfectly thrilled and grateful. I told my parents, sister, and best friend last week and had fun "hiding" it from our other family ("Just a Sprite for me, thanks"). It -- the news, not the Sprite -- certainly added to the joy of having a week off.
I'm being slightly grumpy about it today however, because I came home from vacation (painful enough in itself) hoping to share the news with a few close coworkers. And then got scooped: another of our colleagues announced while I was out that she's expecting... Twins. (Hey look over there, it's the air going SWOOOOSH, right out of my tires.) There's also another work-friend who helps out part-time in the summer, and she's due in 5 months or so. The two of them standing together today, talking about due dates, just made me feel childish. Like, "It's no fair" and "But that's MY news," and probably a dose of "I guess no one will care about me now, I'll just go eat worms."
I AM Extremely Immature. And I realize that every woman, especially someone I think of as a friend, deserves to be a mother and deserves congratulations and excitement, and not petty selfish scowls from me. And that some people can't get pregnant, or can't right now, and I have nothing to whine about. NOTHING. It's a bigger forehead-slap than the day I realized, after a particularly bad vocal audition, that there are a LOT of talented singers in this world. Really A LOT. I'm not the only one. And I'm happy for everyone, really. I don't know why I can't just say, Hey! this will be fun! We'll all start comparing our heartburn and looking cute in our shared maternity clothes. (Can I borrow your red blouse?)
I will confess something I'm a tad ashamed of -- back when I got pregnant with AJ, I was desperate to be first at my office. We are a group of around 25 people, and at the time, about 6 of us were married-a-few-years-ready to be thinking about it. I WAS first, and was really relieved. So I guess this is come-uppance for that smug (and stupid) "win." Maybe next week I won't cringe when I see all the other pregnant women. I guess I can't help my natural feelings, so for now I think I'm going to stamp my little feet for a teensy minute. Mine! (Whaa.)
And then, I'm going to get over it and be excited. :)
And it was... saltines. (Hoo-ray for not needing Tampax on a beach vacation.)
So there you have it, my news. I'm about 4 weeks in, I guess, and perfectly thrilled and grateful. I told my parents, sister, and best friend last week and had fun "hiding" it from our other family ("Just a Sprite for me, thanks"). It -- the news, not the Sprite -- certainly added to the joy of having a week off.
I'm being slightly grumpy about it today however, because I came home from vacation (painful enough in itself) hoping to share the news with a few close coworkers. And then got scooped: another of our colleagues announced while I was out that she's expecting... Twins. (Hey look over there, it's the air going SWOOOOSH, right out of my tires.) There's also another work-friend who helps out part-time in the summer, and she's due in 5 months or so. The two of them standing together today, talking about due dates, just made me feel childish. Like, "It's no fair" and "But that's MY news," and probably a dose of "I guess no one will care about me now, I'll just go eat worms."
I AM Extremely Immature. And I realize that every woman, especially someone I think of as a friend, deserves to be a mother and deserves congratulations and excitement, and not petty selfish scowls from me. And that some people can't get pregnant, or can't right now, and I have nothing to whine about. NOTHING. It's a bigger forehead-slap than the day I realized, after a particularly bad vocal audition, that there are a LOT of talented singers in this world. Really A LOT. I'm not the only one. And I'm happy for everyone, really. I don't know why I can't just say, Hey! this will be fun! We'll all start comparing our heartburn and looking cute in our shared maternity clothes. (Can I borrow your red blouse?)
I will confess something I'm a tad ashamed of -- back when I got pregnant with AJ, I was desperate to be first at my office. We are a group of around 25 people, and at the time, about 6 of us were married-a-few-years-ready to be thinking about it. I WAS first, and was really relieved. So I guess this is come-uppance for that smug (and stupid) "win." Maybe next week I won't cringe when I see all the other pregnant women. I guess I can't help my natural feelings, so for now I think I'm going to stamp my little feet for a teensy minute. Mine! (Whaa.)
And then, I'm going to get over it and be excited. :)
I really thought I'd be liveblogging the beach.
I guess I disappeared there, for my vacation week, lost to the blogosphere and to work and email. I fully intended to use my laptop while we were in Florida but I just never could bring myself to pull it out of my briefcase. In fact, even looking sideways at my briefcase last week made me shiver and involuntarily turn the other way, so I couldn't have kept up with the blogs even if I'd had anything to say.
The week was nice; it was beach week. There was some of the usual drama (hey, you take 30 of your nearest and dearest relatives to one resort complex and see what happens), not to mention AJ's own drama -- the kid wouldn't go NEAR the sand or the big, bad ocean, and whined about just nearly everything else -- and I'll tell you: mentally? Not so much a vacation.
Then I come back to a disshelved workplace -- some extra drama there, too, while I was gone -- and it pretty much shoots my mood right to hell. Far, far away from here isn't far enough. :( Boo.
I should be grateful that I had a vacation at all, and I am. But the first day back? Ouch. Sorry if I'm not much for chatting. And I'd really like to spend all day catching up on your blog, but instead I have a buttload of work to do.
I'm going to go Sigh several times now.
The week was nice; it was beach week. There was some of the usual drama (hey, you take 30 of your nearest and dearest relatives to one resort complex and see what happens), not to mention AJ's own drama -- the kid wouldn't go NEAR the sand or the big, bad ocean, and whined about just nearly everything else -- and I'll tell you: mentally? Not so much a vacation.
Then I come back to a disshelved workplace -- some extra drama there, too, while I was gone -- and it pretty much shoots my mood right to hell. Far, far away from here isn't far enough. :( Boo.
I should be grateful that I had a vacation at all, and I am. But the first day back? Ouch. Sorry if I'm not much for chatting. And I'd really like to spend all day catching up on your blog, but instead I have a buttload of work to do.
I'm going to go Sigh several times now.
Thursday, June 21
Whammo.
This is why your Mom always told you, "No horseplay:" Last night while "snuggling" with AJ (read: tickle fights and him jumping on the bed, his latest discovery), he leaned back and his big, heavy toddler head came flying down toward the pillow... right where my nose happened to be. (Cue Lipnicky: "Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?") I had my eyes closed, and didn't know it was coming.
I heard something crackle, and then saw actual stars. OWWWW.
We NEED to lay off the nonsense in this house, because until that painful moment last night I tried to forget that we are uninsured until July 1. Of course we have the COBRA option, which I probably should have done the minute DH left his old job, but I didn't get the paperwork until about 4 weeks later (Rrrrr), and then we were busy signing up for the New Insurance so .... we called the COBRA number the other night and you know they cover you retroactive to the last day you worked... meaning, you have to PAY for all of that. Which added up to $780 or so. And since we only have 2 more weeks 'til the New Insurance kicks in... I'm willing to risk it to save the cash. I mean seriously. SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS would pay for a LOT of daycare or pedicures.
So no more horseplay. Of course, we are driving (car wreck) to the beach (jellyfish sting) in two days. Guess that means no daredevil activities (parasailing) and no crazy antics (jet-skiing) while we're there (shark-infested ocean). And we'd better skip the waterslide too... insert sarcasm: Oh, DARN... But just THINK of all the things that could happen (pinkeye) that might require medical attention! Then picture me shouting, "Don't move! You'll POKE YOUR EYE OUT!" to AJ, while lounging carefully under my (sunburn) umbrella, watching him sit quietly (broken ankle), doodling in the sand.
I heard something crackle, and then saw actual stars. OWWWW.
We NEED to lay off the nonsense in this house, because until that painful moment last night I tried to forget that we are uninsured until July 1. Of course we have the COBRA option, which I probably should have done the minute DH left his old job, but I didn't get the paperwork until about 4 weeks later (Rrrrr), and then we were busy signing up for the New Insurance so .... we called the COBRA number the other night and you know they cover you retroactive to the last day you worked... meaning, you have to PAY for all of that. Which added up to $780 or so. And since we only have 2 more weeks 'til the New Insurance kicks in... I'm willing to risk it to save the cash. I mean seriously. SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS would pay for a LOT of daycare or pedicures.
So no more horseplay. Of course, we are driving (car wreck) to the beach (jellyfish sting) in two days. Guess that means no daredevil activities (parasailing) and no crazy antics (jet-skiing) while we're there (shark-infested ocean). And we'd better skip the waterslide too... insert sarcasm: Oh, DARN... But just THINK of all the things that could happen (pinkeye) that might require medical attention! Then picture me shouting, "Don't move! You'll POKE YOUR EYE OUT!" to AJ, while lounging carefully under my (sunburn) umbrella, watching him sit quietly (broken ankle), doodling in the sand.
Tuesday, June 19
A little something for everyone
- If you were between the ages of 8 and 15 during the mid-80s, you might get a KICK (ha ha) out of this: Reebok's 'Freestyle' is back! Note that I took their quiz and earned the CLASSIC, the very style I owned and loved. Someone tipped me off to this but I can't think who.
- This is for my dad and the men of his generation -- and heck, for me, too: Cajun town outlaws those no-good baggy pants! HA! I'm not sure they need to be outlawed, but for the love of God, does anyone really think this style is sexy? and HOW can it be comfortable? I truly don't get it.
- For you Lost fanatics, this will make you laugh: A Season 3 Recap
- Getting serious, this is a new little venture of some fellow working mamas, and I think it's a great resource: WorkIt, Mom!. I even submitted an article, just because I can. I figure it's some additional exposure; a "clip," if you will. (You regular readers may recognize it.)
Monday, June 18
Weekend balance
A few accomplishments:
I GREW A TOMATO!! A real-live wee green gumball of a tomato, which I'm hoping will grow to be red and juicy and delicious between 2 giant slices of white bread with mayo. I am super proud of myself. Yesterday I moved the tomato plants to an area that I think will give them more full sun than they've been getting. I don't know how long it takes for a tomato to ripen, but if it's during my vacation next week, and the thing has been mauled by rabbits or just plain rotted by the time we return, I'm going to be M-A-D. Super mad.
Do you know, I didn't even TRY, but now my saying, "AJ, I'm going to count to THREE... One, Two...." TOTALLY works? I'm not sure how this happened but I'm quite happy about it. He will drop everything if I say, "ONE..." Rock on.
We set up our (plastic, thank goodness) Thomas train set again this Saturday morning. Well, I say "we" but I mean ME. :) Thankyouverymuch. It is 8 feet wide and involves a lot of instructions-reading. Whew! AJ loves that thing. He will scoot Percy around on the road, and Catherine the road-truck on the train tracks, which is all backwards and drives Hubby crazy, but it is so fun to watch him play by himself and "talk for" the little engines: "Wait for me, Percy!" says Thomas. "Wheeeeeeeeeee!" says Percy as he goes down a hill.
Less than accomplished:
Still not done potty training, for those of you keeping score. We're definitely taking swim diapers to the beach, and the only progress is that now AJ love-love-loves going to public restrooms. We went out to lunch on Saturday and he went three times. Public toilet seats, my favorite. I did buy him some Spiderman Underwear, AND for attempting to poop the other day, he got to play Daddy's Spiderman game on the Xbox, which seems to be a BIG enticement. Now I'm not one to offer video games at this young age, but at this point, if it motivates him, I'm going to try it. He will not get to play it again UNTIL I see evidence of a bowel movement in the toilet. ("TOE-let," as AJ calls it, which cracks me up. It's exactly the same south-Georgia accent as his daddy. Cute!)
My Father's Day ideas, which I was so proud about, mostly flopped. :( I had hired a neighborhood kid, who'd sent around a flier a few weeks ago saying he was starting a lawn-mowing business, to come mow ours this week and again after our vacation. Now, our lawn barely needs mowing, since we haven't had rain in, Oh, I don't know, 2 MONTHS MAYBE. But the idea was that Hubby would get a break from it for the whole month of June, and even while we were away, our house would appear to be kept up. So thoughtful! So unique! Right? I mean, if someone hired you a cleaning service you'd jump for joy, yes?
Well. First of all, it was a fiasco. 12-year-old Matt brought over a lawnmower with its gas tank on Empty, and couldn't figure out why it kept quitting. He asked for 2 glasses of water and came in the house while the mower "cooled off" a couple times, which was fine but he chose to do the work at 6pm, when I was trying to get dinner and is typically AJ's potty-time so I was fighting with him about that... it was a Calgon moment when Matt asked me if I thought he should check the spark plugs on his mower, and did I have something he could use... blah blah. (KID, I DON'T KNOW OR CARE ABOUT SPARK PLUGS! MOW THE DAMN LAWN AND GO AWAY.) He made it a point of telling me he really needed to do this tonight, because he needed the money to go to the movies because there'd be GIRLS there. *eyeroll*
Second of all, Hubby's reaction to receiving this gift was not satisfactory. When I told him this was his gift, he said, "Okay." Not "Wow, thanks!" but, "Okay." And God bless his perfectionist self, but I could see he was just willing Matt to do it all wrong or run over something with his blade, or screw up somehow. I didn't want him to HELP Matt when it seemed the mower was kaput, so that meant *I* had to take on the hassle... &tc. and grumble grumble and that's quite enough about that.
So DH could actually "open" a gift, I also got him some Nautica dress shirts, both with stripes. He was appropriately thankful for those but mentioned that "When we get to Destin, to the outlets, remember to look for some SOLIDS and then my wardrobe will be all set." So I apparently did wrong there, too, by getting stripes. (I don't care, they're PRETTY stripes.) Sigh.
Best Buy gift cards is all he's getting from now on. And maybe tomatoes.
I GREW A TOMATO!! A real-live wee green gumball of a tomato, which I'm hoping will grow to be red and juicy and delicious between 2 giant slices of white bread with mayo. I am super proud of myself. Yesterday I moved the tomato plants to an area that I think will give them more full sun than they've been getting. I don't know how long it takes for a tomato to ripen, but if it's during my vacation next week, and the thing has been mauled by rabbits or just plain rotted by the time we return, I'm going to be M-A-D. Super mad.
Do you know, I didn't even TRY, but now my saying, "AJ, I'm going to count to THREE... One, Two...." TOTALLY works? I'm not sure how this happened but I'm quite happy about it. He will drop everything if I say, "ONE..." Rock on.
We set up our (plastic, thank goodness) Thomas train set again this Saturday morning. Well, I say "we" but I mean ME. :) Thankyouverymuch. It is 8 feet wide and involves a lot of instructions-reading. Whew! AJ loves that thing. He will scoot Percy around on the road, and Catherine the road-truck on the train tracks, which is all backwards and drives Hubby crazy, but it is so fun to watch him play by himself and "talk for" the little engines: "Wait for me, Percy!" says Thomas. "Wheeeeeeeeeee!" says Percy as he goes down a hill.
Less than accomplished:
Still not done potty training, for those of you keeping score. We're definitely taking swim diapers to the beach, and the only progress is that now AJ love-love-loves going to public restrooms. We went out to lunch on Saturday and he went three times. Public toilet seats, my favorite. I did buy him some Spiderman Underwear, AND for attempting to poop the other day, he got to play Daddy's Spiderman game on the Xbox, which seems to be a BIG enticement. Now I'm not one to offer video games at this young age, but at this point, if it motivates him, I'm going to try it. He will not get to play it again UNTIL I see evidence of a bowel movement in the toilet. ("TOE-let," as AJ calls it, which cracks me up. It's exactly the same south-Georgia accent as his daddy. Cute!)
My Father's Day ideas, which I was so proud about, mostly flopped. :( I had hired a neighborhood kid, who'd sent around a flier a few weeks ago saying he was starting a lawn-mowing business, to come mow ours this week and again after our vacation. Now, our lawn barely needs mowing, since we haven't had rain in, Oh, I don't know, 2 MONTHS MAYBE. But the idea was that Hubby would get a break from it for the whole month of June, and even while we were away, our house would appear to be kept up. So thoughtful! So unique! Right? I mean, if someone hired you a cleaning service you'd jump for joy, yes?
Well. First of all, it was a fiasco. 12-year-old Matt brought over a lawnmower with its gas tank on Empty, and couldn't figure out why it kept quitting. He asked for 2 glasses of water and came in the house while the mower "cooled off" a couple times, which was fine but he chose to do the work at 6pm, when I was trying to get dinner and is typically AJ's potty-time so I was fighting with him about that... it was a Calgon moment when Matt asked me if I thought he should check the spark plugs on his mower, and did I have something he could use... blah blah. (KID, I DON'T KNOW OR CARE ABOUT SPARK PLUGS! MOW THE DAMN LAWN AND GO AWAY.) He made it a point of telling me he really needed to do this tonight, because he needed the money to go to the movies because there'd be GIRLS there. *eyeroll*
Second of all, Hubby's reaction to receiving this gift was not satisfactory. When I told him this was his gift, he said, "Okay." Not "Wow, thanks!" but, "Okay." And God bless his perfectionist self, but I could see he was just willing Matt to do it all wrong or run over something with his blade, or screw up somehow. I didn't want him to HELP Matt when it seemed the mower was kaput, so that meant *I* had to take on the hassle... &tc. and grumble grumble and that's quite enough about that.
So DH could actually "open" a gift, I also got him some Nautica dress shirts, both with stripes. He was appropriately thankful for those but mentioned that "When we get to Destin, to the outlets, remember to look for some SOLIDS and then my wardrobe will be all set." So I apparently did wrong there, too, by getting stripes. (I don't care, they're PRETTY stripes.) Sigh.
Best Buy gift cards is all he's getting from now on. And maybe tomatoes.
Friday, June 15
The Deal Is
Apologies to my friends and family who already know this and have heard it ad nauseum.
Remember how I said I was going to lay it all out, how I feel about my job, what I want to do, and when? Well, a conversation was already in progress over at All & Sundry, so I jumped in. She did the hard work for me, and our situations are similar. She likes her company a whole heck of a lot, and they're kind and easy to work for. Me too. She doesn't feel exactly fulfilled in her career. Me either. My own thoughts/plans, cut-n-pasted below, are number 90 in her comments.
So there it is. For some reason I need that second baby to justify cutting back; which isn't exactly fair to AJ, but maybe has to do with SAVING as much money as we can before the 2nd baby comes. And AJ's done just fine at his daycare, full-time.
(BTW, we just got internet "AJ-cam" installed at our daycare. Right now at the very instant in time, he's playing outside. :) I am going to be addicted to this.)
What I think about lately (besides having summers off), is whether to structure a part-time schedule like this?
M off
T work 8-4
W work 8-4
T work 8-4
F off
(total 21 hrs)
or like this?
M-F 8-12
(total 20 hrs)
For daycare purposes (for baby #2, mostly), the first option makes better sense, because if I got off at 12 that's right in the middle of naptime for all their classrooms. But once AJ's in real school, he'd have to have some sort of after-care because I couldn't pick him up until 4:30 or 5. So in that case, the 2nd scenario is better.
And, GEES, I thought I was really anxious to be pregnant the first time around! This time I think I want it even MORE. :)
Remember how I said I was going to lay it all out, how I feel about my job, what I want to do, and when? Well, a conversation was already in progress over at All & Sundry, so I jumped in. She did the hard work for me, and our situations are similar. She likes her company a whole heck of a lot, and they're kind and easy to work for. Me too. She doesn't feel exactly fulfilled in her career. Me either. My own thoughts/plans, cut-n-pasted below, are number 90 in her comments.
I'm in a job I can stand, but never would have imagined for myself. I'd rather work part-time for the same company or just write full-time (I'd probably get most of my writing gigs from... the same company). But I just *cannot* decide. Or make the leap of faith.
We're trying for a 2nd curtain-climber, so I'm just praying that works out, and then I do plan pick one.
As for career aspirations? They pretty much went out the window when my son was born. Why would I want to be a "success" corporately when I can aim to be a success at parenthood? If I make enough to help us pay the mortgage (and the Internet bill), AND have time with my hubby & kid(s), that is going to be enough success for me.
Ideally I want to be a secretary at my son's school (read: summers off), and write/edit on the side. I think that'll work just fine. :)
So there it is. For some reason I need that second baby to justify cutting back; which isn't exactly fair to AJ, but maybe has to do with SAVING as much money as we can before the 2nd baby comes. And AJ's done just fine at his daycare, full-time.
(BTW, we just got internet "AJ-cam" installed at our daycare. Right now at the very instant in time, he's playing outside. :) I am going to be addicted to this.)
What I think about lately (besides having summers off), is whether to structure a part-time schedule like this?
M off
T work 8-4
W work 8-4
T work 8-4
F off
(total 21 hrs)
or like this?
M-F 8-12
(total 20 hrs)
For daycare purposes (for baby #2, mostly), the first option makes better sense, because if I got off at 12 that's right in the middle of naptime for all their classrooms. But once AJ's in real school, he'd have to have some sort of after-care because I couldn't pick him up until 4:30 or 5. So in that case, the 2nd scenario is better.
And, GEES, I thought I was really anxious to be pregnant the first time around! This time I think I want it even MORE. :)
Thursday, June 14
Relative to my job, sort-of
Hee hee. The college admissions game is so much fun.
A high school teacher in San Francisco gives his students "rejection therapy."
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