I set the alarm to get up at 7AM this morning. I figured after sleeping in until 8AM these last 2 weeks was going to KILL me when I had to get up at/around 6:30AM for my first day at the new job tomorrow.
Evie awoke not too much past my getting up. Rob joined us & we all had breakfast... or rather... we tried to teach Evie how to scoop up her oatmeal in a spoon. Mom 7 dad then had to tag-team clean up Evie since most of the oatmeal landed everywhere but in her mouth. I think oatmeal is one of the main ingredients in cement just after sand and gravel.
I got Evie dressed and thoroughly enjoyed the full arm embrace I got as I pulled up her pants. She then also did NOT want to be put down. Normally I find this completely annoying since I have things I want to get done. She weighs a lot and being one-armed truly slows a person down. But, this morning, I thought, "You don't want to go down? Great! Let's be siamese twins for the day! This will be fun!"
Rob was full of energy this morning and had Evie ready to go to the sitter's at 8:30AM. Normally we show up at 9:15AM. Evie didn't want to go. She was completely content laying belly-to-bely on me in our living room side chair. I truly enjoyed feeling her belly breathe and feeling it hop when she giggled. Damned, tomorrow is going to be hard. I'm suddenly flooded with the feelings I had leaving her at 2 months old.
Off she is whisked and out the door to the car. She watches over Rob's shoulder and then turns to get in the car.
I close the door.
I'm left wondering if yesterday was just a perfectly outstanding day hence the reason why I am pining to stay at home with Evie now or if we finally just got into a groove (only to have that be broken once I work again).
*sigh*
Kids are amazing creatures.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A little fried..
I'm at that place in time where I try to throw too many stokes in the fire because frankly, I am cold (bored) and suddenly the fire rages (too many people get back to me with ideas for get-togethers) and I am temporarily blinded by either joy (yeah! I have so many friends and things going on, this is great!) or stress of the workload (holy crap, I took on far too many things and I am suddenly overloaded with commitments).
This rant will only make sense to a select few (Alycia, Natalie... yes, I am naming you) and the rest may be confused.
Other than the above, I have enjoyed a Monday and Tuesday with Evie at the sitter's. I thought I would be WAY more productive in her absence but have realized its winter and I am completely overwhelmed with the extra time on my hands.... do I paint the entire kitchen or clean out the entire basement? (I chose to do neither).
So here I sit on Tuesday night with only freshly highlighted hair and a $200 H&M clothing bill to show for my time off, but hey... I needed some pamper time, too, so don't wag your finger too closely to my eyelashes, thank you.
I managed to accomplish some things yesterday like switching to Gmail (and manually copying over friends' email addresses), making vegetable stew, putting away CC memorobilia and starting my taxes (yuck).
Today, I showed up to a hair appointment that was slated for tomorrow. To fill my new found time, I went clothing shopping & met a friend for lunch. I later returned to the hair appointment early this afternoon (since they managed to fit me in for a cancellation) and chilled for an hour before Evie came home from the sitter's.
I spent this evening connecting with displaced CC friends and trying to work out the details on a co-worker's baby shower invite I am designing.
I have realized recently that I would make a HORRIBLE stay-at-home mom. I also realize that it is FAR MORE WORK to stay at home than my actual job has ever been. Watching a toddler all day while trying to accomplish anything is exhausting beyond anything I have experienced since my college days. There have been moments in recent days where I have seriously sent praises out to all the single moms out there who do this... ALONE and while working multiple jobs.
I can't wait to start work so I can get back to a routine,
I'm such a man.
I sound like my father's generation. Or hell, his generation before him.
I LOVE being at home, too. Don't get me wrong. I'm all hands on. I love to clean, bake, cook, and take Evie to all new places.
But I am such a better mother on the weekends and at night. Days on end would make me so nasty.
But, maybe Evie doen't notice this - which is good. I don's want her to.
She cried, scratch that, HOWLED when I left her at the sitter's Monday morning after watching her Thursday - Sunday.
She doesn't cry for daddy like that.
Hmmmm. Makes me so sad for her and secretly happy for me all at the same time.
I know going back to work now will make me miss her terribly, too. Its like my summer break is ending and its time to go to a new school with all new students and teachers.
Ah, mixed feelings abound today.
This rant will only make sense to a select few (Alycia, Natalie... yes, I am naming you) and the rest may be confused.
Other than the above, I have enjoyed a Monday and Tuesday with Evie at the sitter's. I thought I would be WAY more productive in her absence but have realized its winter and I am completely overwhelmed with the extra time on my hands.... do I paint the entire kitchen or clean out the entire basement? (I chose to do neither).
So here I sit on Tuesday night with only freshly highlighted hair and a $200 H&M clothing bill to show for my time off, but hey... I needed some pamper time, too, so don't wag your finger too closely to my eyelashes, thank you.
I managed to accomplish some things yesterday like switching to Gmail (and manually copying over friends' email addresses), making vegetable stew, putting away CC memorobilia and starting my taxes (yuck).
Today, I showed up to a hair appointment that was slated for tomorrow. To fill my new found time, I went clothing shopping & met a friend for lunch. I later returned to the hair appointment early this afternoon (since they managed to fit me in for a cancellation) and chilled for an hour before Evie came home from the sitter's.
I spent this evening connecting with displaced CC friends and trying to work out the details on a co-worker's baby shower invite I am designing.
I have realized recently that I would make a HORRIBLE stay-at-home mom. I also realize that it is FAR MORE WORK to stay at home than my actual job has ever been. Watching a toddler all day while trying to accomplish anything is exhausting beyond anything I have experienced since my college days. There have been moments in recent days where I have seriously sent praises out to all the single moms out there who do this... ALONE and while working multiple jobs.
I can't wait to start work so I can get back to a routine,
I'm such a man.
I sound like my father's generation. Or hell, his generation before him.
I LOVE being at home, too. Don't get me wrong. I'm all hands on. I love to clean, bake, cook, and take Evie to all new places.
But I am such a better mother on the weekends and at night. Days on end would make me so nasty.
But, maybe Evie doen't notice this - which is good. I don's want her to.
She cried, scratch that, HOWLED when I left her at the sitter's Monday morning after watching her Thursday - Sunday.
She doesn't cry for daddy like that.
Hmmmm. Makes me so sad for her and secretly happy for me all at the same time.
I know going back to work now will make me miss her terribly, too. Its like my summer break is ending and its time to go to a new school with all new students and teachers.
Ah, mixed feelings abound today.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday Morning Playdate
Its always good to get 'em together and tire 'em out. Miles and Tyler came over at 9AM for a brief indoor play followed by a spin at the elementary school playground (again, only 3 houses away from us). They don't really play together so much as copy what the other one is doing: Yank the toy out of their hands and pantomime, "its mine now, sucker!"
Many fake cries, goldfish, and poopie diapers later... everyone was home by 11:30AM and we ran some errands to further tire Evie (and ourselves) out.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Liquidated: Circuit City
Since Evie's story begins at Circuit City, it only seemed fitting that I take up a little space on her blog to write about its final chapter.
"Circuit City to liquidate remaining US stores
he second-biggest electronics retailer in the nation, Circuit City Stores Inc., says it has reached an agreement with liquidators to sell the merchandise in its 567 U.S. stores after failing to find a buyer or a refinancing deal."
So that's it. A leading retailer in the electronics business for 60 years is now no more.
Surreal.
I hate that that word gets overused, but honestly, Friday was... surreal.
I sat at my desk Friday morning about 9:30AM. I've been a wee bit late everyday this past week. Its hard to wake and go to a company in which you have truly done nothing since the beginning of November when it first filed for Chapter 11.
As one of my co-workers put it, "it's been like walking in a morgue for the last two months, I'm glad its finally over."
I had checked the online news first thing that morning anticipating something positive before the courts would release final word around 10AM. Overall, the online news looked promising. We did have 3 interested liquidators but also 2 very interested parties who wanted to buy the company with hopes of moving forward with the business as a whole.
So, as I sat in my cube pep-talking 2 co-workers. While I shared my theories that the real people who will get screwed would be the directors since the new investors would get rid of the old regime in the first order of business.... I overheard word that there would be a "Town Hall Meeting" at noon. Moments later, 15 minutes before the news was released to the press, it was over. An email was sent out announcing our liquidation.
What?
I had just finished my pep-talk. And, this wasn't any part of it.
Suddenly the halls get very busy. It was like the bell had rung and passing period had begun.
I heard people making jokes like, "Well, I guess you could flick me off now (said a boss to her subordinate)."
I saw some people wide-eyed not really understanding what to do next... do we have to vacate immediately?
Some people began furiously asking for samples of their work while printing out pay stubs as proof of employment for their next job.
I.... sat there. Watching. Mouth hung open. I was speechless.
I, however, have a job.
Yes, the timing couldn't be MORE PERFECT.
A friend turned me on to an opportunity with his company. I hate to post the name of the place on a public blog but basically, I got federal job working in the internal IT dept as a web designer. Yes, I will be going back to my web design roots.
I found out about this opportunity in late December. So late, in fact, they called on December 23rd and wanted me in that day! Due to the holidays and various vacation schedules, I went to an interview late Monday January 5th. Apparently it went very well because my friend called throughout the week with positive news. By Friday, January 9, an emailed offer arrived. Coincidentally, on Friday, January 9, Circuit City announced its plans to hasten its possible buy-out by going to auction the following week. We all thought this type of thing wasn't going to happen until March 1st (this would be the first day of our new fiscal year).
This past Monday, January 12th, I took my HR rep out to lunch. As we sat she turned and said, "You're quitting."
"Yes."
"Damned!"
I told her my feedback on my experiences while working at CC. She listened and asked forward-thinking questions. We were both wondering if any of this was ever going to see the light of day. If the company went belly-up, all of this conversation would be mute anyway.
I called my department Director Monday afternoon and we made plans to meet for lunch on Wednesday. She was out all week moving into a newly renovated home.
I slowly told close co-workers throughout the beginning of the week. How do you tell people you have a job in such a volatile environment? Its like announcing, "Its my birthday!" Besides, who wants to hear your good fortune when their fate hangs in the balance?
Many people were not at all supportive. Jealous, yes. Insecure, yes. Was it hard for me to handle, yes.
I feel terrible. I feel lucky. I feel like there is something I could do to help so many excellent co-workers but in reality, what the heck can I do? Its not like I'm on a life raft that I have any control over.
There were some people who were surprised I had a job. Maybe its because of the market and they've been looking, too. Maybe its because they think they are better than me and are surprised I landed something. Maybe it never truly sunk in that they should be looking, too. After all, some of these people have NEVER HAD ANY OTHER JOB besides Circuit City. After years of being somewhere it becomes the very definition of who you are. To have the rug yanked out from underneath you must be... terrifying. Plus, I think people found my acceptance of another job was somehow "quitting the team". I had opted to jump overboard rather than continue to help bail out water in the great sinking ship.
So, after the news broke on Friday... we sat around for an hour waiting for the Town Hall Meeting. People stood around in the cafeteria waiting for the auditorium doors to open. The room was packed, standing room only (the chairs had been removed for this meeting). Additional employees stood in the cafeteria East Wing waiting to hear the news over the speaker system.
The same panel that has been addressing us for months - acting CEOs, HR Directors, General Counsel, etc. One by one they spoke. One did not receive any applause from me (and a few others). Some people walked out of the meeting... it seemed pointless after awhile.
Many went out to lunch just to get out of the building. I stayed. I didn't know what to do with myself outside of the event that was unfolding minute-by-minute. At 2PM our Director called us together to hand out final letters (notices of the liquidation, really). Everyone would get 60 day severance and health care coverage through the end of March. All are required to report to work on Monday to gather things and see if they will need to stay working at the office as assistants to the liquidators. Some already know they will have to stay on... many assume they will not (why would the liquidators need someone who creates our marketing plans?).
I was one of the last to leave. Its hard to leave. All that stuff - the piles of old Tabs (Sunday circulars) all, useless. All the archives of TV ads, in store ad campaigns, photos of national stores, email addresses of outside vendors... all worthless. Pointless. Useless. I hate to sound dramatic but it really was a rather dramatic scene to behold. I also have to mention here that some Circuit City memorabilia was taken home: a jacket with a logo, an autographed football, a coffee mug. Perhaps it will all be on Ebay sometime soon. The end of an era.
I had taken home nearly everything the night before in preparation of the worst and, again, my last day was in one week. I gather my last remaining things (a lamp, a pin board and a box of kleenex) and headed out at 3:30PM.
I headed straight to the bar.
I might report back to work on Monday. Turns out that I may be eligible for one week's worth of severence pay since I wrote in my resignation letter that my last day would be January 23rd. I wouldn't want to jeopardize free money afterall. ;-)
So, that's that [clap, clapping of hands]. Its over.
A new chapter begins....
"Circuit City to liquidate remaining US stores
he second-biggest electronics retailer in the nation, Circuit City Stores Inc., says it has reached an agreement with liquidators to sell the merchandise in its 567 U.S. stores after failing to find a buyer or a refinancing deal."
So that's it. A leading retailer in the electronics business for 60 years is now no more.
Surreal.
I hate that that word gets overused, but honestly, Friday was... surreal.
I sat at my desk Friday morning about 9:30AM. I've been a wee bit late everyday this past week. Its hard to wake and go to a company in which you have truly done nothing since the beginning of November when it first filed for Chapter 11.
As one of my co-workers put it, "it's been like walking in a morgue for the last two months, I'm glad its finally over."
I had checked the online news first thing that morning anticipating something positive before the courts would release final word around 10AM. Overall, the online news looked promising. We did have 3 interested liquidators but also 2 very interested parties who wanted to buy the company with hopes of moving forward with the business as a whole.
So, as I sat in my cube pep-talking 2 co-workers. While I shared my theories that the real people who will get screwed would be the directors since the new investors would get rid of the old regime in the first order of business.... I overheard word that there would be a "Town Hall Meeting" at noon. Moments later, 15 minutes before the news was released to the press, it was over. An email was sent out announcing our liquidation.
What?
I had just finished my pep-talk. And, this wasn't any part of it.
Suddenly the halls get very busy. It was like the bell had rung and passing period had begun.
I heard people making jokes like, "Well, I guess you could flick me off now (said a boss to her subordinate)."
I saw some people wide-eyed not really understanding what to do next... do we have to vacate immediately?
Some people began furiously asking for samples of their work while printing out pay stubs as proof of employment for their next job.
I.... sat there. Watching. Mouth hung open. I was speechless.
I, however, have a job.
Yes, the timing couldn't be MORE PERFECT.
A friend turned me on to an opportunity with his company. I hate to post the name of the place on a public blog but basically, I got federal job working in the internal IT dept as a web designer. Yes, I will be going back to my web design roots.
I found out about this opportunity in late December. So late, in fact, they called on December 23rd and wanted me in that day! Due to the holidays and various vacation schedules, I went to an interview late Monday January 5th. Apparently it went very well because my friend called throughout the week with positive news. By Friday, January 9, an emailed offer arrived. Coincidentally, on Friday, January 9, Circuit City announced its plans to hasten its possible buy-out by going to auction the following week. We all thought this type of thing wasn't going to happen until March 1st (this would be the first day of our new fiscal year).
This past Monday, January 12th, I took my HR rep out to lunch. As we sat she turned and said, "You're quitting."
"Yes."
"Damned!"
I told her my feedback on my experiences while working at CC. She listened and asked forward-thinking questions. We were both wondering if any of this was ever going to see the light of day. If the company went belly-up, all of this conversation would be mute anyway.
I called my department Director Monday afternoon and we made plans to meet for lunch on Wednesday. She was out all week moving into a newly renovated home.
I slowly told close co-workers throughout the beginning of the week. How do you tell people you have a job in such a volatile environment? Its like announcing, "Its my birthday!" Besides, who wants to hear your good fortune when their fate hangs in the balance?
Many people were not at all supportive. Jealous, yes. Insecure, yes. Was it hard for me to handle, yes.
I feel terrible. I feel lucky. I feel like there is something I could do to help so many excellent co-workers but in reality, what the heck can I do? Its not like I'm on a life raft that I have any control over.
There were some people who were surprised I had a job. Maybe its because of the market and they've been looking, too. Maybe its because they think they are better than me and are surprised I landed something. Maybe it never truly sunk in that they should be looking, too. After all, some of these people have NEVER HAD ANY OTHER JOB besides Circuit City. After years of being somewhere it becomes the very definition of who you are. To have the rug yanked out from underneath you must be... terrifying. Plus, I think people found my acceptance of another job was somehow "quitting the team". I had opted to jump overboard rather than continue to help bail out water in the great sinking ship.
So, after the news broke on Friday... we sat around for an hour waiting for the Town Hall Meeting. People stood around in the cafeteria waiting for the auditorium doors to open. The room was packed, standing room only (the chairs had been removed for this meeting). Additional employees stood in the cafeteria East Wing waiting to hear the news over the speaker system.
The same panel that has been addressing us for months - acting CEOs, HR Directors, General Counsel, etc. One by one they spoke. One did not receive any applause from me (and a few others). Some people walked out of the meeting... it seemed pointless after awhile.
Many went out to lunch just to get out of the building. I stayed. I didn't know what to do with myself outside of the event that was unfolding minute-by-minute. At 2PM our Director called us together to hand out final letters (notices of the liquidation, really). Everyone would get 60 day severance and health care coverage through the end of March. All are required to report to work on Monday to gather things and see if they will need to stay working at the office as assistants to the liquidators. Some already know they will have to stay on... many assume they will not (why would the liquidators need someone who creates our marketing plans?).
I was one of the last to leave. Its hard to leave. All that stuff - the piles of old Tabs (Sunday circulars) all, useless. All the archives of TV ads, in store ad campaigns, photos of national stores, email addresses of outside vendors... all worthless. Pointless. Useless. I hate to sound dramatic but it really was a rather dramatic scene to behold. I also have to mention here that some Circuit City memorabilia was taken home: a jacket with a logo, an autographed football, a coffee mug. Perhaps it will all be on Ebay sometime soon. The end of an era.
I had taken home nearly everything the night before in preparation of the worst and, again, my last day was in one week. I gather my last remaining things (a lamp, a pin board and a box of kleenex) and headed out at 3:30PM.
I headed straight to the bar.
I might report back to work on Monday. Turns out that I may be eligible for one week's worth of severence pay since I wrote in my resignation letter that my last day would be January 23rd. I wouldn't want to jeopardize free money afterall. ;-)
So, that's that [clap, clapping of hands]. Its over.
A new chapter begins....
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Potty time
So the doctor tells me to go and buy a baby toilet during Evie's recent 18-month check-up. It seems both completely ridiculous and sad that she is becoming a kid (and no longer my little baby).
So, I bought this $25 plastic job that features a lid (so it becomes a step stool later) and a rubber ring to "cushie that tushie". Whatever, I think she should have to learn how to sit on a frigid, hard surface like the rest of us, but, whatever.
So, the doctor tells me to let her get comfortable with it and just let her play with it. We put it in the bathroom maybe a week ago and its just sat there. I showed Evie the flip-up lid and she expressed no interest.
Fine.
Suddenly, this morning, Evie lifts up the potty lid. I was putting on mascara and I hear Rob from the doorway, "Hey! Psst! Check out it out!"
Evie picks up the lid and correctly sits on the toilet.
(No, she didn't actually 'go'... she doesn't even know how too. She just sat there in her footie pajamas and must have been mimicking what she sees us do).
Before I could comment on how funny/cool the whole action was... Evie then stood up (as if to flush? I looked on, hopeful), grabbed Moo-Cow, shoved him in the mini-toilet slamming the lid shut.
*sigh*
Thank goodness this wasn't the real thing or Moo-Cow is in for a lot of baths.
So, I bought this $25 plastic job that features a lid (so it becomes a step stool later) and a rubber ring to "cushie that tushie". Whatever, I think she should have to learn how to sit on a frigid, hard surface like the rest of us, but, whatever.
So, the doctor tells me to let her get comfortable with it and just let her play with it. We put it in the bathroom maybe a week ago and its just sat there. I showed Evie the flip-up lid and she expressed no interest.
Fine.
Suddenly, this morning, Evie lifts up the potty lid. I was putting on mascara and I hear Rob from the doorway, "Hey! Psst! Check out it out!"
Evie picks up the lid and correctly sits on the toilet.
(No, she didn't actually 'go'... she doesn't even know how too. She just sat there in her footie pajamas and must have been mimicking what she sees us do).
Before I could comment on how funny/cool the whole action was... Evie then stood up (as if to flush? I looked on, hopeful), grabbed Moo-Cow, shoved him in the mini-toilet slamming the lid shut.
*sigh*
Thank goodness this wasn't the real thing or Moo-Cow is in for a lot of baths.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
So much going on and yet, ...nothing to report.
I haven't been blogging lately. No idea why. I really am quite bored at work these days but I can't really do this sort of thing there.
When I get home, I've been giving myself more slack than ever when it comes to expectations - some nights I'll cook and some nights I give in and order out. All nights I lay around in my PJs after Evie is down by 7:30PM.
I finally put away the last of the Christmas decorations today. I had a wreath up on the mantle, some lights, a trio of Yuletide singing cow pig & chicken electronics (ah, its so horrible, its great), and some reindeer. I can now officially cross that task off my list.
I actually dusted something today (no idea when I last did that. Its seriously must have been before Evie was born) and even vacuumed the baseboards in the hallway. I'm realizing how truly gross my house is. I now see why my mother is horrified. I also now see why that woman could never handle a full-time job when I was a kid. The limited time to clean, organize, cook, bake and run a household goes completely on the wayside when you have a 3ft tall munchkin terrorizing the dog with a plastic recorder in hand.
Oh! Here's something worth reporting!
I booked a house on the Outer Banks today. Yippee! Rob and I haven't had a true "vacation" in years. No exaggeration. We went to Asheville for 1 overnight this past Thanksgiving Weekend but that was sandwiched in between the days spent with my parents for the actually Thanksgiving holiday in Greensboro. It was so nice but not nearly long enough to be deemed a "vacation". Before that, we went to Virginia Beach for 2 nights in August of 2005. Before that, we went to Montreal for 1 week in September 2004. Now THAT was a "vacation".
So, I found a dog-friendly house in Avon for late August. We will be staying there from Sunday to Sunday (one full week! Yes!) but we will also be bringing the dog, a 2-yr-old... oh, and my parents. This could prove great or really bad. Fortunately the house has separate TV rooms, 2 separate decks, a hot tub and a neighborhood pool pass so I am hoping we will all find ways to take breaks from one another. I'm also anticipating finding time to dump Evie with grandma/grandpa (er, did I say dump? I meant "lovingly drop off and leave in the care of") for a day or two.
When I get home, I've been giving myself more slack than ever when it comes to expectations - some nights I'll cook and some nights I give in and order out. All nights I lay around in my PJs after Evie is down by 7:30PM.
I finally put away the last of the Christmas decorations today. I had a wreath up on the mantle, some lights, a trio of Yuletide singing cow pig & chicken electronics (ah, its so horrible, its great), and some reindeer. I can now officially cross that task off my list.
I actually dusted something today (no idea when I last did that. Its seriously must have been before Evie was born) and even vacuumed the baseboards in the hallway. I'm realizing how truly gross my house is. I now see why my mother is horrified. I also now see why that woman could never handle a full-time job when I was a kid. The limited time to clean, organize, cook, bake and run a household goes completely on the wayside when you have a 3ft tall munchkin terrorizing the dog with a plastic recorder in hand.
Oh! Here's something worth reporting!
I booked a house on the Outer Banks today. Yippee! Rob and I haven't had a true "vacation" in years. No exaggeration. We went to Asheville for 1 overnight this past Thanksgiving Weekend but that was sandwiched in between the days spent with my parents for the actually Thanksgiving holiday in Greensboro. It was so nice but not nearly long enough to be deemed a "vacation". Before that, we went to Virginia Beach for 2 nights in August of 2005. Before that, we went to Montreal for 1 week in September 2004. Now THAT was a "vacation".
So, I found a dog-friendly house in Avon for late August. We will be staying there from Sunday to Sunday (one full week! Yes!) but we will also be bringing the dog, a 2-yr-old... oh, and my parents. This could prove great or really bad. Fortunately the house has separate TV rooms, 2 separate decks, a hot tub and a neighborhood pool pass so I am hoping we will all find ways to take breaks from one another. I'm also anticipating finding time to dump Evie with grandma/grandpa (er, did I say dump? I meant "lovingly drop off and leave in the care of") for a day or two.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Another Saturday Night
In an effort to do good on one of my New Year's Resolutions (see previous post), I decided to finally pick-up the canvases Rob bought me when I had this "great idea!" to paint last March. The paints I had rushed out to buy have also sat untouched for well over 9 months now.
Its sad how often I do this.
So, I turned on my iPod, laid out Evie's splatt-mat on the dining room table and invited Rob to join me.
What the hell else are you going to do when you have no babysitter?
So, Rob tried his hand at watercolors (a craft he, too, has put off for nearly a year now) while I got to it.
I pulled out this glue I bought in 2004 when I was going to decoupage something. I pulled out the origami papers (also purchased in 2004 for part of the decoupage project that never got underfoot). I grabbed the paint brushes long ago packed in the basement and began seeing what happened.
Four liberating hours later, I completed 2 masterpieces and am left feeling somehow "relieved" for letting some playtime loose.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
1. Be more creative. Do. Something. Anything!
2. Allow myself to get messy. Allow Evie to get messier.
3. More adventures.
2. Allow myself to get messy. Allow Evie to get messier.
3. More adventures.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Yo Gabba Gabba Gear!
Crap! When did I miss this siren?
They used to have earrings featuring all the charater's heads, a hanging Brobee necklace, a Plex keychain and more. Damned, this is all that remains:
click here: Hot Topic
.
.
.
They used to have earrings featuring all the charater's heads, a hanging Brobee necklace, a Plex keychain and more. Damned, this is all that remains:
click here: Hot Topic
.
.
.
Christmas: Its a Wrap
We drove to my parents' house for Christmas this year. We spent last year in Ohio and after traveling these last 6 years... we are left questioning if we will just stay put for Christmas 2009. If only we could transport all our friends to the Richmond area over the holidays, than we could get everything we want (hint, hint).
So, I came home after working on Tuesday Dec 23rd, to a VERY worn out Rob. Eve was freshly laid down for a quick nap. Turns out Rob was developing a cold and was burnt out after having a very active kid all day. One fast food meal and a quick nap later, we were on the road. We got to my folks' house by 10:30PM that night.
Wednesday was Christmas Eve. We let grandma get Evie up while we tried to ignore the fussing downstairs (my mother, not Evie). Rob and I then spent the day running a few errands to our favorite haunts (sans baby) and we dined on a most excellent lunch of hot wings at Buffalo's. All-in-all, a good day. Dinner that night was lasagna and everyone crashed reasonably early.
Christmas morning included copius amounts of coffee, mimosa's and my mom's homemade breakfast quiche. We also TRIED TRIED TRIED to get Evie excited about opening gifts. The girl opened maybe... 2 total. She was more into exploring the house, sitting in grandma's chair, playing with coasters and basically talking to herself. Ugh, disappointment.
Evie did go BONKERS over her Yo-Gabba-Gabba figurine set. She took them all out of the box. Then put them all back in the box. Then took them all out of the box. Then put them all back in the box. You see where this is going, right?
Another Christmas hit, the xylophone. She transported this thing everywhere and played all sorts of "melodies."
Evie's Christmas top ten:
1. Yo-Gabba-Gabba figurines
2. Xylopone
3. Mini magnetic Doodle Pro
4. Little People Play Farm
5. Foofa T
We lingered in North Carolina the day after Christmas (and stocked up on post-holiday close-out must-have's from Target) before heading home Dec 27th. This additional time allowed us to all finish up the severe colds we brought to grandma/grandpa's house... grandma was quite happy with this.
All-in-all, a great holiday but I'm still looking forward to the Christmas that involves Santa-anticipation and mass gift-opening. Perhaps 2009 will be the year?
18 months (today!)
Today, Evie officially is One and a Half.
Today, I realize how much more work is expected from me.
Looking back... NOW... the beginning seems so easy. All that was expected of us was a messy house and exhausted parents cradling a well-fed & loved newborn. Simple, right? Gawd, it was so horrible in the beginning. The stress! Was she eating enough? Did I hear her cry? Is she still breathing? Did she just have a blow-out & did I bring an extra onesie?!.
At today's doctor's appointment we got the typical, "Is she eating OK? Is she playful?" type of questions.
Then we got, "Is she using a spoon?" Well, yes. Sorta. I load it up (but only if its sticky food liked mashed potatoes and only if I feel like dealing with her dumping it everywhere).
"Is she using a cup?" Well, yes... when I get a wild hair and enjoy the comic relief of watching her try to use a cup.
"Is she talking?" Um, well, she says 'daaawg' for 'dog' and 'hi' after much coaxing. Oh! and she points to her PJs and yells out "B-B! B-B!' when wearing her Brobee pajamas, does that count?
"Are you disciplining her?" Um, you mean like telling her 'no!' and trying to get her to stop giggling?
The discipline question really got me.
This kid seriously thinks we are funny. And we get even funnier when we panic or yell out,"no!' to dangers like standing on chairs or running away down the sidewalk.
What am I going to do if Evie is anything like I was as a kid?
What's Rob going to do?
I don't know how to get this kid to take me seriously but I can say this - it better happen SOON or we are in a load of trouble when she gets to 13. By then, its too late!
Today, I realize how much more work is expected from me.
Looking back... NOW... the beginning seems so easy. All that was expected of us was a messy house and exhausted parents cradling a well-fed & loved newborn. Simple, right? Gawd, it was so horrible in the beginning. The stress! Was she eating enough? Did I hear her cry? Is she still breathing? Did she just have a blow-out & did I bring an extra onesie?!.
At today's doctor's appointment we got the typical, "Is she eating OK? Is she playful?" type of questions.
Then we got, "Is she using a spoon?" Well, yes. Sorta. I load it up (but only if its sticky food liked mashed potatoes and only if I feel like dealing with her dumping it everywhere).
"Is she using a cup?" Well, yes... when I get a wild hair and enjoy the comic relief of watching her try to use a cup.
"Is she talking?" Um, well, she says 'daaawg' for 'dog' and 'hi' after much coaxing. Oh! and she points to her PJs and yells out "B-B! B-B!' when wearing her Brobee pajamas, does that count?
"Are you disciplining her?" Um, you mean like telling her 'no!' and trying to get her to stop giggling?
The discipline question really got me.
This kid seriously thinks we are funny. And we get even funnier when we panic or yell out,"no!' to dangers like standing on chairs or running away down the sidewalk.
What am I going to do if Evie is anything like I was as a kid?
What's Rob going to do?
I don't know how to get this kid to take me seriously but I can say this - it better happen SOON or we are in a load of trouble when she gets to 13. By then, its too late!
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