AB tells me I always have the best intentions, but I tend to not think through how Leif will actually respond to certain things in the long run.
Take last night for example:
Leif: "Mommy there's a ghost over there." He whispers pointing to his blue towel hanging on the hook.
NM: "Nope, it's just your towel. Do you want me to move it?"
Leif: "Ok."
NM: "There done, the towel is now in your hamper."
Leif: "Mommy, there's a ghost in my hamper."
NM: "Ok, how about I just remove the towel all together?" (I get up and toss the towel out of the bedroom. Return and sit down.)
Leif: "Mommy there's monsters." (He has a seriously horrified look on his face. I felt so bad for him.)
NM: "Honey there is no such thing as monsters."
Leif: "Yes there are."
NM: (Surrender. Thinking...) "Leif if I gave you some monster poison would you be really careful with it and only use it if the monsters come near you?"
Leif: (Nods.)
I go into the kitchen and scrounge under the sink for that tiny squirt bottle I saw a few weeks ago. Find it and fill it with about an inch or two of water.
NM: "Leif this is monster poison, it makes the monsters go away if you spray them. Here, spray it once and make sure it works."
AB and I giggled as he fell asleep with a completely serious look on his face holding the squirt bottle in front of him with both hands.
Night falls. I go to bed. I get up. I hear Leif in his bedroom playing while I am dealing with fussy girl.
Leif: "Mommy! I need more monster poison!"
Quilt top on bed? Drenched.
Floor around the bed? Drenched.
Walls near bed? Drenched.
Lion hamper? Drenched.
It is truly amazing how far 2" of water in a spray bottle can go.
Tonight...
AB: "Leif time for bed."
Leif: "I NEED MONSTER POISON!"
Then heard over monitor...
AB: "Leif if you spray that again I am going to take it away."
AB: "Leif if you spray that anymore you won't have any monster poison when you need it."
AB: "Stop spraying that now."
AB: "Stop, just stop now."
AB: "No monster poison, there is no such thing as monsters! Let me have it."
AB: "Give it to me now."
AB: "I said stop spraying, do you want a time out?"
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The week so far
This week has been a whirlwind and it is only Wednesday.
Aside from AB starting his new job where he has to be onsite at 6:30am (which means leaving the house at 5:45am at the absolute latest) and gets home about 6pm, work has been busting my butt in a variety of ways... all good. (Except for the dead monitor courtesy of a massive thunderstorm here last night.) I have an exciting proposal going in tomorrow with a co-PI I have never met, but apparently wow'd with my concept paper. Then I got the nod from my directorate for a major equipment request... that doesn't mean I get this $100K piece of equipment mind you. It means I get to rework the proposal (sans charge code) once more for the lab level review.
On the personal side, Skadi was sent home from daycare "sick" when she really wasn't "sick". We have had a challenge with one of Leif's teachers that has resulted in a meeting with the teacher, director and his two former teachers. Then Leif had a dental exam this afternoon. He did spectacularly, rave reviews from the hygienist and dentist on his wonderful behavior and no cavity status (smiling as I accept the pat on the back).
Anyways, good he had a good experience and actually requested to go back to the dentist tomorrow (weird child) because poor kid has inherited my ultra-crap teeth and has a long appointment coming up for four, yes FOUR crowns done under general. Apparently his new second year molars are not all shiney and beautiful like they should be. When I finally convinced the dentist to speak scientist to me he tells me they are "hypoplastic" and that the enamel on his molars instead of forming lovely crystalline lattices (and those of you who know my research know I love crystalline lattices), the enamel is instead amorphous. Cause most likely being use of antibiotics while the enamal was forming. And here I thought the awful yellow appearance of his molars was tartar... and therefore attacked with even more vigor.
Anyways, now I know how my parents felt when everytime they took me to the dentist it was something. And typically... not inexpensive. Though at least they had better dental insurance than we have now... (where I will stop before I rant, at least we have some dental insurance).
AB wants a second opinion. I have a dental appointment next week and will chat with my dentist - who loves me - after replacing 7 of my teeth last spring.
I can make it through tomorrow... I really can. Then come Friday I can rejoice!
Aside from AB starting his new job where he has to be onsite at 6:30am (which means leaving the house at 5:45am at the absolute latest) and gets home about 6pm, work has been busting my butt in a variety of ways... all good. (Except for the dead monitor courtesy of a massive thunderstorm here last night.) I have an exciting proposal going in tomorrow with a co-PI I have never met, but apparently wow'd with my concept paper. Then I got the nod from my directorate for a major equipment request... that doesn't mean I get this $100K piece of equipment mind you. It means I get to rework the proposal (sans charge code) once more for the lab level review.
On the personal side, Skadi was sent home from daycare "sick" when she really wasn't "sick". We have had a challenge with one of Leif's teachers that has resulted in a meeting with the teacher, director and his two former teachers. Then Leif had a dental exam this afternoon. He did spectacularly, rave reviews from the hygienist and dentist on his wonderful behavior and no cavity status (smiling as I accept the pat on the back).
Anyways, good he had a good experience and actually requested to go back to the dentist tomorrow (weird child) because poor kid has inherited my ultra-crap teeth and has a long appointment coming up for four, yes FOUR crowns done under general. Apparently his new second year molars are not all shiney and beautiful like they should be. When I finally convinced the dentist to speak scientist to me he tells me they are "hypoplastic" and that the enamel on his molars instead of forming lovely crystalline lattices (and those of you who know my research know I love crystalline lattices), the enamel is instead amorphous. Cause most likely being use of antibiotics while the enamal was forming. And here I thought the awful yellow appearance of his molars was tartar... and therefore attacked with even more vigor.
Anyways, now I know how my parents felt when everytime they took me to the dentist it was something. And typically... not inexpensive. Though at least they had better dental insurance than we have now... (where I will stop before I rant, at least we have some dental insurance).
AB wants a second opinion. I have a dental appointment next week and will chat with my dentist - who loves me - after replacing 7 of my teeth last spring.
I can make it through tomorrow... I really can. Then come Friday I can rejoice!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The great mom debate
This last week I had occasion to have three episodes of why women who work are cheating their kids and are the downfall of society thrown up in front of me. By the time I came across the third, which albeit wasn't directed at me, I had enough and let a little steam rise. (You know who you are - sorry!) So here I am to offer my response to a couple of those comments this week.
One of the most heated, divisive debates is among moms. Whether it is best to stay at home, work inside the home (referring to holding down a job while staying at home, not to imply in any way that stay at home mom's aren't working) or work outside the home. It's a debate that I despise because, simple fact, we aren't all the same. What the women of my mom's generation and before did with the women's liberation movement was to enable future generations of women to have the choice on whether or not they would work outside the home.
Of course these days it isn't so much about having the choice to stay at home. There are many women out there who would choose to stay at home, but making ends meet on a single income is just impossible. But... social issues aside and so I don't delve into politics and turn this post into a boring pile of drivel, let's sidestep that issue (for now).
I am most of the time able to blow off the debates even though accusations that I am not raising my own children and use of the phrase "part time mom" sting. Some of my closest friends are stay at home moms. Never once have I thought of them as "lazy" or "uneducated". In fact, the opposite. They work their butts off harder than most people and many are very educated women who worry about (among other things) reentering the workforce someday.
The buzz words are obviously intended to hurt. I believe we are all moms who would balk at our children purposely hurting another child's feelings, yet for some reason it is ok for us to do it to each other? We teach our kids to get along, to resolve their issues, to stand in another's shoes, and not to live on assumptions. About time we practice what we preach.
I am going to offer somewhat of a solution because if I see another post of "this is the problem but I don't know what to do about it, just thought I would share" I might puke. First off, support each other. Realize that not everyone has the same choices and options available to them. Simply realize that we are all women who have to make choices and support the women you know in their roles.
Second, mentor young women and don't be afraid to talk about reality. Along my long academic road I had a few female professors, but never once did one broach the issue of the logistics of balancing family with a professional career. Not to mention the sheer fact that by the time you get an undergrad degree, an advanced degree, do any post-degree training and then start a job you will likely be in your early 30's minimum, with a ticking uterus and a boss that expects you to perform like a young professional eager to put everything you have learned into play during those last few years of "worryfree childbearing".
Communicate with young women so that when they enter the career world they know that it can be very hard finding balance, but also very rewarding. Communicate with young women so that maybe those who see themselves being stay at home moms don't feel as though getting all the letters behind their names is a prerequisite or that anyone thinks less of them for their choice not to or for their choice to take a break from their career paths. Communicate with young women so that they don't grow up disillusioned that being a superwoman is easy and that she is the only one out there struggling to do it all...
You know... bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let him forget that he is a man... hmmm... maybe it's that last part that maybe the crux that breaks the camels back. (KIDDING!)
One of the most heated, divisive debates is among moms. Whether it is best to stay at home, work inside the home (referring to holding down a job while staying at home, not to imply in any way that stay at home mom's aren't working) or work outside the home. It's a debate that I despise because, simple fact, we aren't all the same. What the women of my mom's generation and before did with the women's liberation movement was to enable future generations of women to have the choice on whether or not they would work outside the home.
Of course these days it isn't so much about having the choice to stay at home. There are many women out there who would choose to stay at home, but making ends meet on a single income is just impossible. But... social issues aside and so I don't delve into politics and turn this post into a boring pile of drivel, let's sidestep that issue (for now).
I am most of the time able to blow off the debates even though accusations that I am not raising my own children and use of the phrase "part time mom" sting. Some of my closest friends are stay at home moms. Never once have I thought of them as "lazy" or "uneducated". In fact, the opposite. They work their butts off harder than most people and many are very educated women who worry about (among other things) reentering the workforce someday.
The buzz words are obviously intended to hurt. I believe we are all moms who would balk at our children purposely hurting another child's feelings, yet for some reason it is ok for us to do it to each other? We teach our kids to get along, to resolve their issues, to stand in another's shoes, and not to live on assumptions. About time we practice what we preach.
I am going to offer somewhat of a solution because if I see another post of "this is the problem but I don't know what to do about it, just thought I would share" I might puke. First off, support each other. Realize that not everyone has the same choices and options available to them. Simply realize that we are all women who have to make choices and support the women you know in their roles.
Second, mentor young women and don't be afraid to talk about reality. Along my long academic road I had a few female professors, but never once did one broach the issue of the logistics of balancing family with a professional career. Not to mention the sheer fact that by the time you get an undergrad degree, an advanced degree, do any post-degree training and then start a job you will likely be in your early 30's minimum, with a ticking uterus and a boss that expects you to perform like a young professional eager to put everything you have learned into play during those last few years of "worryfree childbearing".
Communicate with young women so that when they enter the career world they know that it can be very hard finding balance, but also very rewarding. Communicate with young women so that maybe those who see themselves being stay at home moms don't feel as though getting all the letters behind their names is a prerequisite or that anyone thinks less of them for their choice not to or for their choice to take a break from their career paths. Communicate with young women so that they don't grow up disillusioned that being a superwoman is easy and that she is the only one out there struggling to do it all...
You know... bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let him forget that he is a man... hmmm... maybe it's that last part that maybe the crux that breaks the camels back. (KIDDING!)
Friday, July 13, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
OCD?
I bought a little notebook to keep track of blog topics now that I have a professional blogging gig. It wasn't hard for me to come up with a few posts a week on my personal blog, but there are times I need more inspiration now. Or at least somewhere to catch those fleeting thoughts until they could be penned permanently.
That notebook has since become my lifeline. It has a vinyl front and back (so it doesn't tear in my purse), it is about 3"x5" and has 5 sections.
I left it on my desk last night and actually felt a little anxiety about not having my notebook. The loose piece of paper I resorted to just seemed inadequate.
The first section is for blog ideas, barely legible to most people.
The second section contains important notes, like to remember that today was water day for Leif and he needed a swimsuit, towel, water shoes and a bag. Or that I really need to stop and buy a new badge lanyard on my way in or out of work one day soon.
The third section houses information about upcoming events. Last week it was multiple lists about the camping trip, now it is birthday party planning. I also have a list of proposal ideas and topics in here since they seem to come to me at 10pm when I am headed to bed.
The fourth section is grocery lists because for some reason things I need from the grocery store come to me about 2pm when I am feeling that early afternoon lull.
And the fifth section is a neatly written out list of dinner ideas. I hope to keep adding to that list with regularity. (Have any to share?) It is the section I can flip to at lunch when I run into Safeway for a sandwich (they make the best sandwiches around) and look to for ideas and things I need. Or when AB calls, sounding hungry and says, "any ideas for dinner I don't have any do you want to order pizza?" Yes, all in one sentence.
I have become freakishly anal about this notebook. And truly, I actually find it kind of funny because I have always prided myself on my super brain that remembers everything. Apparently though I have a limited capacity and remembering everything for myself, my husband and two kids is just plain impossible.
Hello, my name is NM and I am a compulsive list maker.
(Thank you mom... "make a list!")
That notebook has since become my lifeline. It has a vinyl front and back (so it doesn't tear in my purse), it is about 3"x5" and has 5 sections.
I left it on my desk last night and actually felt a little anxiety about not having my notebook. The loose piece of paper I resorted to just seemed inadequate.
The first section is for blog ideas, barely legible to most people.
The second section contains important notes, like to remember that today was water day for Leif and he needed a swimsuit, towel, water shoes and a bag. Or that I really need to stop and buy a new badge lanyard on my way in or out of work one day soon.
The third section houses information about upcoming events. Last week it was multiple lists about the camping trip, now it is birthday party planning. I also have a list of proposal ideas and topics in here since they seem to come to me at 10pm when I am headed to bed.
The fourth section is grocery lists because for some reason things I need from the grocery store come to me about 2pm when I am feeling that early afternoon lull.
And the fifth section is a neatly written out list of dinner ideas. I hope to keep adding to that list with regularity. (Have any to share?) It is the section I can flip to at lunch when I run into Safeway for a sandwich (they make the best sandwiches around) and look to for ideas and things I need. Or when AB calls, sounding hungry and says, "any ideas for dinner I don't have any do you want to order pizza?" Yes, all in one sentence.
I have become freakishly anal about this notebook. And truly, I actually find it kind of funny because I have always prided myself on my super brain that remembers everything. Apparently though I have a limited capacity and remembering everything for myself, my husband and two kids is just plain impossible.
Hello, my name is NM and I am a compulsive list maker.
(Thank you mom... "make a list!")
Monday, July 09, 2007
Christmas in July
What could be better? As a Christmas nut, going into a Christmas store in Leavenworth was a sure bet that money would fly out of my purse.
I officially made my very first Department 56 purchase.
For about the last four years I have collected a Christmas village. When I was deciding which one to collect I debated pretty heavily. I so wanted the Department 56 set, but when I dragged my husband to then Bon Marche to look at them, he balked. Ok, not just balked, he nearly threw a mini fit in the store and I left empty handed.
Really, I told myself, the Lowe's set was a far better bet. The price was right and we never go a month or so without a trip to Lowes. Thus guaranteeing to myself that AB would always buy me a piece for my set every year for Christmas.
HA!
Three or four years without any addition to my, albeit very nice, Lowe's set pretty much gave me free reign when I admired the sets in the store.
I did resist the buildings. But when Leif pointed at the cutest Christmas tree with wildlife surrounding and the tree decorated with food items (Christmas in the Forest)? Sold. It would be a perfect centerpiece to my already wildlife themed village. I also bought the Children's Nativity.
So now I have a new resolution... instead of waiting for my husband to add to my set every year, I will do it. He can go back to buying me mittens and hats with no guilt whatsoever.
I officially made my very first Department 56 purchase.
For about the last four years I have collected a Christmas village. When I was deciding which one to collect I debated pretty heavily. I so wanted the Department 56 set, but when I dragged my husband to then Bon Marche to look at them, he balked. Ok, not just balked, he nearly threw a mini fit in the store and I left empty handed.
Really, I told myself, the Lowe's set was a far better bet. The price was right and we never go a month or so without a trip to Lowes. Thus guaranteeing to myself that AB would always buy me a piece for my set every year for Christmas.
HA!
Three or four years without any addition to my, albeit very nice, Lowe's set pretty much gave me free reign when I admired the sets in the store.
I did resist the buildings. But when Leif pointed at the cutest Christmas tree with wildlife surrounding and the tree decorated with food items (Christmas in the Forest)? Sold. It would be a perfect centerpiece to my already wildlife themed village. I also bought the Children's Nativity.
So now I have a new resolution... instead of waiting for my husband to add to my set every year, I will do it. He can go back to buying me mittens and hats with no guilt whatsoever.
The familiy camping trip
Last Friday we headed out on our annual camping trip with our friends. Normally this falls on Father's Day weekend, but being that we were unable to do Father's Day this year because AB and Leif were just returning from Alaska, we postponed.
After driving for four hours (including three stops for a screaming infant), we secured the same wonderful campground that we had two years ago. For someone who grew up camping and has always loved camping, I was surprisingly, not looking forward to this trip. Camping with an infant was just striking me as pure misery.
In fact, aside from the drive up and back as well as not being able to help AB with the setup or take down (or the packing beforehand), it wasn't that bad. Skadi did great and was well behaved pretty much the entire time. She may still be a lump, but when she wants to be, she is a noisy lump.
We arrived Friday about 3 hours behind schedule thanks in part to the unscheduled stops, the extremely slow service at Dairy Queen for lunch, and just to not being able to pull things together as quickly as planned. Even though we have had children for nearly three years we always forget to apply the "kid factor" in calculating expected times.
We tossed chipotle marinated ribeyes on the BBQ for dinner and enjoyed visiting. It quickly became apparent though that while the adults may have found the bridge over a small stream into the parking area to be a quaint entrance into the campsite surrounded by trees, the kids found this aspect to be a challenge that we fought all weekend.
Saturday after blueberry pancakes we packed up and headed to a fish hatchery we saw on our way to the campsite. Leif loved the trout pond, with fish food to feed the fish. We walked around some, started on a hiking trail but soon bailed when the heat became overwhelming and the kids were showing signs of certain starvation. We picnicked quickly and then headed back to camp for naps all around. Yours truly included.
We made a quick trip into Leavenworth for a little shopping after naps, then dinner and another night in a 10' x 10' tent with one dog, one sleep talking toddler, AB and I and Skadi. We fit... just barely.
Sunday morning after breakfast burritos AB worked hard to pack up the camp, while I helped when I could and fielded toddlers - who really wanted to help. Lots.
We had a good time. For not looking forward to the trip I did have a nice time. The best part of it was watching Leif in nature. He shoveled loads of dirt in his little tractor, we caught bugs and put them in the bug box, he loved it. He has asked nearly non-stop since getting back if we can go camping again.
I might actually even entertain the thought if we can find a place to camp that isn't more than an hour away so that we don't have to listen to Skadi's protests.
What I really want though? A travel trailer. Pretty much one just like Joey's. I have dreams of taking the kids camping in Yellowstone, the Canadian Rockies, Yosemite, Crater Lake... and the trailer makes those trips just so much more feasible.
After driving for four hours (including three stops for a screaming infant), we secured the same wonderful campground that we had two years ago. For someone who grew up camping and has always loved camping, I was surprisingly, not looking forward to this trip. Camping with an infant was just striking me as pure misery.
In fact, aside from the drive up and back as well as not being able to help AB with the setup or take down (or the packing beforehand), it wasn't that bad. Skadi did great and was well behaved pretty much the entire time. She may still be a lump, but when she wants to be, she is a noisy lump.
We arrived Friday about 3 hours behind schedule thanks in part to the unscheduled stops, the extremely slow service at Dairy Queen for lunch, and just to not being able to pull things together as quickly as planned. Even though we have had children for nearly three years we always forget to apply the "kid factor" in calculating expected times.
We tossed chipotle marinated ribeyes on the BBQ for dinner and enjoyed visiting. It quickly became apparent though that while the adults may have found the bridge over a small stream into the parking area to be a quaint entrance into the campsite surrounded by trees, the kids found this aspect to be a challenge that we fought all weekend.
Saturday after blueberry pancakes we packed up and headed to a fish hatchery we saw on our way to the campsite. Leif loved the trout pond, with fish food to feed the fish. We walked around some, started on a hiking trail but soon bailed when the heat became overwhelming and the kids were showing signs of certain starvation. We picnicked quickly and then headed back to camp for naps all around. Yours truly included.
We made a quick trip into Leavenworth for a little shopping after naps, then dinner and another night in a 10' x 10' tent with one dog, one sleep talking toddler, AB and I and Skadi. We fit... just barely.
Sunday morning after breakfast burritos AB worked hard to pack up the camp, while I helped when I could and fielded toddlers - who really wanted to help. Lots.
We had a good time. For not looking forward to the trip I did have a nice time. The best part of it was watching Leif in nature. He shoveled loads of dirt in his little tractor, we caught bugs and put them in the bug box, he loved it. He has asked nearly non-stop since getting back if we can go camping again.
I might actually even entertain the thought if we can find a place to camp that isn't more than an hour away so that we don't have to listen to Skadi's protests.
What I really want though? A travel trailer. Pretty much one just like Joey's. I have dreams of taking the kids camping in Yellowstone, the Canadian Rockies, Yosemite, Crater Lake... and the trailer makes those trips just so much more feasible.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A holiday in the life of a toddler
Fourth of July started out by calling my sister to wish her a Happy Birthday.
Leif: "Happy Birthday!"
Aunt Angie: "Thank you Leif."
Leif: "Have a good day!"
Aunt Angie: "OK, you too."
Leif: "I love you grandma!"
Oops.
Then we headed to the park for some playing on the equipment and so I could get a picture taking spree in.
Leif: "Happy Birthday!"
Aunt Angie: "Thank you Leif."
Leif: "Have a good day!"
Aunt Angie: "OK, you too."
Leif: "I love you grandma!"
Oops.
Then we headed to the park for some playing on the equipment and so I could get a picture taking spree in.
NM: "Leif say cheese!"
Leif: "Cheese and salami samwich!!"
After buying some fireworks and feeding Leif, I headed out with Skadi to get V and do some shopping. The trip started out frighteningly productive at The Gap (after a short somewhat productive trip to TRU for the kid's upcoming birthdays), then it petered off when nearly everything at Gymboree was quite familiar (too familiar?) and Children's Place lacked plain non-fluorescent colored shorts for itty bitty girls.
The afternoon continued at home after Leif woke up from a nap with a visit from his friend, J. J's mom was looking for an excuse to get out of the house with a sick husband at home, so they came over.
The boys played and played in the swimming pool. I learned that Leif knows how to speak German with nearly perfect inflection as he took to repeating phrases that J was saying to his mom. I also learned that I might have the most sensitive little boy on the face of the earth.
We were in his bedroom getting out of swimming clothes and he tells me, "J is mad at me".
NM: "No sweety, I don't think J is mad at you."
Leif: "He is."
NM: "Why would he be mad at you? I was out there and he didn't seem mad at you to me."
Leif: "He is mad at me."
NM: "Well Leif let's go out and see if J wants to play trains and I will watch to see if he seems mad at you."
(No indication of any anger on either little boy's parts until an hour later when it was time to leave.)
Leif: "My hug J." (Arms outstretched.)
J: "I want this train."
Leif: "My train. MY HUG J!" (Trying to wrap arms around J.)
J: "NO HUG ME! I WANT TRAIN!"
J left and both boys were in tears. Leif because he didn't get a hug and J because he didn't get Leif's train.
Apparently running around in the hot sun was good for Leif though... he ate nearly three chicken drumsticks, a bowl of shells and white cheddar and corn.
Afterwards we got ready for fireworks, a little mini display in front of our house with some sparklers and fountains and firework turtles (go figure, Leif picked them out).
And best of all... C came over to watch. And C likes hugs as much as Leif does.
All was better.
(However Leif did inform me this morning that the sparkley turtles were scary last night.)
Monday, July 02, 2007
Look at me!
Probably not surprising to many families of two or more children, but for some reason the addition of one child to the photo results in exponentially more photos that must be taken to obtain a decent one. It went something like this:
"Leif lay on the pillow next to Skadi."
"Look at me."
"Leif lay down."
"No, you can't take a picture."
"Get off her arm, NOW!"
"Stop poking her head."
"Leif lay down on the pillow next to Skadi."
"Alright, nevermind, go play."
The result of my efforts with the two of them is here:
"Leif lay on the pillow next to Skadi."
"Look at me."
"Leif lay down."
"No, you can't take a picture."
"Get off her arm, NOW!"
"Stop poking her head."
"Leif lay down on the pillow next to Skadi."
"Alright, nevermind, go play."
The result of my efforts with the two of them is here:
Friday, June 29, 2007
How to put a toddler to bed
1. Bribe child with a gummy frog to get in the shower.
2. Put said child in shower after eating gummy frog to clean the grime of the day off of him.
3. Bribe child with ice cream to get out of the shower.
4. Grab a pair of pajamas to put on child.
5. Go back and grab a second pair of pajamas when first pair caused a screaming fit along the lines of "I DON'T WANT MONKEY JAMMIES!"
6. Go back to get the monkey pajamas back when screaming switched to "WANT MONKEY JAMMIES!"
7. Scoop a small scoop of ice cream in the bowl.
8. Decline to add more 14 times.
9. Insist child finish eating ice cream in a timely manner.
10. Put toothpaste on toothbrush and start brushing toddler's teeth.
11. Seriously consider duct tape to keep hands off toothbrush while trying to brush.
12. Give child drink of water in one particular Mater paper cup. (What to do with all the other unacceptable paper cups... see post about bandaids.)
13. Insist child go to the bathroom despite not needing to go.
14. Watch in amazement how much child pees considering he didn't have to go.
15. Night night kisses to sister and daddy.
16. Walk to bedroom.
17. More night night kisses to sister and daddy (with much giggling as he runs across the house).
18. Bribe with books to return to bedroom.
19. Pick out a lesser favorite book to avoid reading favorite book over and over the entire time.
20. Read second place book loudly over whining about The Sneetches, the current favorite.
21. Pick up The Sneetches.
22. Read The Sneetches.
23. Read The Sneetches again.
24. Go cut a star out of construction paper, put tape on the back and return to put on child's belly.
25. Read The Sneetches again WITH a star on child's belly.
26. Say prayers.
27. Kisses and hugs.
28. Take child to bathroom again.
29. Wait while child smiles and giggles and pretends to go potty.
30. Insist child is done.
31. Endure screaming of "NOT DONE!"
32. Cheer about the two drops that fall and then send him back to bed.
33. Decline five invitations to join child in bed.
34. Leave.
35. Return with drink of water.
36. Decline six invitations to join child in bed.
37. Leave.
38. Do your best to ignore screaming.
39. Realize screaming is about the star.
40. Grab flashlight on the way back to the room to find star that fell down between bed and wall.
41. Decline seven invitations to get in bed with child.
42. Leave.
43. Sit on couch.
40. Relish the silence for the 30 minutes before you fall asleep.
2. Put said child in shower after eating gummy frog to clean the grime of the day off of him.
3. Bribe child with ice cream to get out of the shower.
4. Grab a pair of pajamas to put on child.
5. Go back and grab a second pair of pajamas when first pair caused a screaming fit along the lines of "I DON'T WANT MONKEY JAMMIES!"
6. Go back to get the monkey pajamas back when screaming switched to "WANT MONKEY JAMMIES!"
7. Scoop a small scoop of ice cream in the bowl.
8. Decline to add more 14 times.
9. Insist child finish eating ice cream in a timely manner.
10. Put toothpaste on toothbrush and start brushing toddler's teeth.
11. Seriously consider duct tape to keep hands off toothbrush while trying to brush.
12. Give child drink of water in one particular Mater paper cup. (What to do with all the other unacceptable paper cups... see post about bandaids.)
13. Insist child go to the bathroom despite not needing to go.
14. Watch in amazement how much child pees considering he didn't have to go.
15. Night night kisses to sister and daddy.
16. Walk to bedroom.
17. More night night kisses to sister and daddy (with much giggling as he runs across the house).
18. Bribe with books to return to bedroom.
19. Pick out a lesser favorite book to avoid reading favorite book over and over the entire time.
20. Read second place book loudly over whining about The Sneetches, the current favorite.
21. Pick up The Sneetches.
22. Read The Sneetches.
23. Read The Sneetches again.
24. Go cut a star out of construction paper, put tape on the back and return to put on child's belly.
25. Read The Sneetches again WITH a star on child's belly.
26. Say prayers.
27. Kisses and hugs.
28. Take child to bathroom again.
29. Wait while child smiles and giggles and pretends to go potty.
30. Insist child is done.
31. Endure screaming of "NOT DONE!"
32. Cheer about the two drops that fall and then send him back to bed.
33. Decline five invitations to join child in bed.
34. Leave.
35. Return with drink of water.
36. Decline six invitations to join child in bed.
37. Leave.
38. Do your best to ignore screaming.
39. Realize screaming is about the star.
40. Grab flashlight on the way back to the room to find star that fell down between bed and wall.
41. Decline seven invitations to get in bed with child.
42. Leave.
43. Sit on couch.
40. Relish the silence for the 30 minutes before you fall asleep.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Update on the Bean
Skadi has a mole in the funniest of places... her belly button! It didn't heal well after she was born. It was treated with silver nitrate when she was two months old and it has since healed most of the way. There was a spot that had appeared as a scab for a few weeks. Finally last night I decided I was going to wash it well and see if I could get the freakishly adherent scab to start moving on. When I couldn't distinguish the edges of the scab from her skin I took a look and realized it is a little mole! On her bee-bo!
There isn't a whole lot going on with her lately. A friend of mine today asked how she was and then said, "well she must be crawling by now". He was happy to hear that time wasn't flying nearly as fast as it sometimes feels.
Nope, not crawling, but she is a big girl. She has rolls and rolls. I weighed her at 17 lbs the other day. Fear that she will be moving out of the baby bucket far too soon plagues me. I put her in one of the ultra-cute outfits this morning and was saddened to see that the arm holes were no longer big enough (even though the rest of the outfit was fine). *Sigh*
There isn't a whole lot going on with her lately. A friend of mine today asked how she was and then said, "well she must be crawling by now". He was happy to hear that time wasn't flying nearly as fast as it sometimes feels.
Nope, not crawling, but she is a big girl. She has rolls and rolls. I weighed her at 17 lbs the other day. Fear that she will be moving out of the baby bucket far too soon plagues me. I put her in one of the ultra-cute outfits this morning and was saddened to see that the arm holes were no longer big enough (even though the rest of the outfit was fine). *Sigh*
For my wine loving friends
Something has happened to my palate. It has been replaced with one more refined. I blame our friends.
Years ago when we went wine tasting there wasn't a wine I didn't at least like. Most anything tasted just fine to me and a large percentage of those tasted great.
The Friday before I returned from maternity leave, AB and I took off with Skadi and left Leif in daycare and went to a few new wineries in the area, something we don't do regularly because we don't have the time and it isn't an ideal outting for a 3 year old. I was disappointed by the fact that not only were there wines I didn't like, but a huge number I would call mediocre and only a small number that I really liked. My palate now has a Gaussian distribution.
AB picked up a California Central Coast Chardonney the other day for something different. We chilled it, opened it and I nearly spit it all over the counter.
"There's something wrong with this," I told AB.
He swirled it, sniffed and immediately announced it was cork taint without any hesitation.
Given that some huge percentage (relatively that is) of wines are corked, I counted myself lucky to have not had a corked wine before. (Joking!) On a serious note, I am sure I had corked wine before, but never picked it up.
I left the glass sitting there the rest of the evening. I kept smelling it. How could that whole bottle be trash? It just can't be bad. Can it? Even after my husband told me 14 times it was the bottle, I still questioned my palate. It must be me... maybe chard just wasn't what was going to agree with me tonight.
Confidence... my palate may have changed in the last few years since moving here to the land of wine and water. But it will take awhile before my palate has confidence.
Years ago when we went wine tasting there wasn't a wine I didn't at least like. Most anything tasted just fine to me and a large percentage of those tasted great.
The Friday before I returned from maternity leave, AB and I took off with Skadi and left Leif in daycare and went to a few new wineries in the area, something we don't do regularly because we don't have the time and it isn't an ideal outting for a 3 year old. I was disappointed by the fact that not only were there wines I didn't like, but a huge number I would call mediocre and only a small number that I really liked. My palate now has a Gaussian distribution.
AB picked up a California Central Coast Chardonney the other day for something different. We chilled it, opened it and I nearly spit it all over the counter.
"There's something wrong with this," I told AB.
He swirled it, sniffed and immediately announced it was cork taint without any hesitation.
Given that some huge percentage (relatively that is) of wines are corked, I counted myself lucky to have not had a corked wine before. (Joking!) On a serious note, I am sure I had corked wine before, but never picked it up.
I left the glass sitting there the rest of the evening. I kept smelling it. How could that whole bottle be trash? It just can't be bad. Can it? Even after my husband told me 14 times it was the bottle, I still questioned my palate. It must be me... maybe chard just wasn't what was going to agree with me tonight.
Confidence... my palate may have changed in the last few years since moving here to the land of wine and water. But it will take awhile before my palate has confidence.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Just call me "sucker"
Peer review… as a scientist it is something that is viewed as a donation to the good of science. Something you are asked to do to keep the industry honest and forthright.
Then there’s the flip side, it feeds my ego. Every June when I get the request from the national organization for which I review proposals, I immediately file it away for my annual review. “See here, someone respects my thoughts at this level!” Then sometime in July I review my one or two proposals in this obscure field. They are usually long, and since I try to give really good constructive criticism, it takes awhile to complete.
Each year I volunteer to review as many proposals as they need me for. Like I said, obscure field… one or two a year.
Six. That would be six freaking fifteen to twenty page technical proposals that I was “awarded” to review this year.
As AB said, “well they must think you do a good job!”
Or they see the big sign on my back that says “sucker”.
Then there’s the flip side, it feeds my ego. Every June when I get the request from the national organization for which I review proposals, I immediately file it away for my annual review. “See here, someone respects my thoughts at this level!” Then sometime in July I review my one or two proposals in this obscure field. They are usually long, and since I try to give really good constructive criticism, it takes awhile to complete.
Each year I volunteer to review as many proposals as they need me for. Like I said, obscure field… one or two a year.
Six. That would be six freaking fifteen to twenty page technical proposals that I was “awarded” to review this year.
As AB said, “well they must think you do a good job!”
Or they see the big sign on my back that says “sucker”.
My horoscope
“Someone in power is paying attention to you today, so be sure you look your best.”
I read my horoscope this morning and laughed when I should have listened. From the first part of May up until AB got his new job a few weeks ago, I was applying for jobs. Not really applying necessarily... more sending out unsolicited e-mails with my CV attached to those companies that screamed of the possibility of “ideal jobs”. Those ones that fit into the upper echelon of “wouldn’t it be nice if I landed *that* job in that coolest of locales”! Just putting out feelers basically in areas AB and I identified as places we would like to live.
My fishing rod bobbed today. A bite. The fish is a very large one in a very choice locale. They are a main client, for my industry project client. My research (hopefully) will eventually end up on their fab floor. My jaw dropped when I saw the e-mail expressing their desire for me to go forward in their application process on their secure server.
I sit here with the e-mail in my Inbox staring me in the face. I am afraid to click the link. I pulled up the CV I sent them wondering what exactly peaked their interest. I called AB.
NM: “So I got an e-mail from Y company.”
AB: “You’re kidding me.” (Expletive deleted.)
NM: “Umm, no.”
AB: “Can I just say I am extremely reluctant to leave here now that I have landed a really good paying job, in fact the best paying job I have ever had, with a huge international engineering firm after job hunting for nearly a year?”
NM: “Mmm hmmm” (said with visions of computer chips dancing in my head.)
Ok, I am going to click the link after my stomach settles, because puke all over my desk wouldn’t smell very nice.
*Sigh*
I read my horoscope this morning and laughed when I should have listened. From the first part of May up until AB got his new job a few weeks ago, I was applying for jobs. Not really applying necessarily... more sending out unsolicited e-mails with my CV attached to those companies that screamed of the possibility of “ideal jobs”. Those ones that fit into the upper echelon of “wouldn’t it be nice if I landed *that* job in that coolest of locales”! Just putting out feelers basically in areas AB and I identified as places we would like to live.
My fishing rod bobbed today. A bite. The fish is a very large one in a very choice locale. They are a main client, for my industry project client. My research (hopefully) will eventually end up on their fab floor. My jaw dropped when I saw the e-mail expressing their desire for me to go forward in their application process on their secure server.
I sit here with the e-mail in my Inbox staring me in the face. I am afraid to click the link. I pulled up the CV I sent them wondering what exactly peaked their interest. I called AB.
NM: “So I got an e-mail from Y company.”
AB: “You’re kidding me.” (Expletive deleted.)
NM: “Umm, no.”
AB: “Can I just say I am extremely reluctant to leave here now that I have landed a really good paying job, in fact the best paying job I have ever had, with a huge international engineering firm after job hunting for nearly a year?”
NM: “Mmm hmmm” (said with visions of computer chips dancing in my head.)
Ok, I am going to click the link after my stomach settles, because puke all over my desk wouldn’t smell very nice.
*Sigh*
Friday, June 22, 2007
Five Years of Service
My acting manager called me this morning to be sure I was going to be in my office before he stopped by. I actually had no idea why he would be swinging by. It isn't like I actually even talk to my managers. My curiousity was peaked.
He is one of those guys who talks a lot. Makes a lot of vague references and expects you to follow them. He is also a super guy. For one of the pointy haired sorts, he gets it. Well mostly.
He came in and starting chatting about the history of the company, what it was like here during the 80's, yadda yadda yadda. I smiled and nodded. Not sure at all where this was headed.
He then moved onto that working somewhere for five years is a big deal. (Well sort of, compare to the fact he has been here for 25.) He also told me that this is the time when statistically speaking employees tend to start thinking about leaving. I tried not to let that guilty look take over my face, reminding myself that AB has a good job right now, any plans to jump ship have at least been put off for a minimum of three months. He moved on to the fact that he recognizes that I am the "orphan" among the group... however, he has never had to "deal" with me or find me work. So I am an orphan he is happy to have and he hopes I won't become a stastitic. (Seriously wondering if those rumors about brain implantation aren't correct.)
Finally he reaches in his pocket and pulls out the most wrinkled envelope I have seen in a long time. My five year service award that included a just as wrinkled letter from the lab director with his signature stamped on the bottom and a $30 gift card for the mall. He apologizes for the lateness... my manager had meant to give it to me when I came back from maternity leave four or so weeks ago, but she never got around to it, so she gave it to him and he kept forgetting, but finally just made a point to get out here to give it to me. (My 5 years was April 29th...)
Wow. What do I say? People really want to leave here at their five year mark? I can't imagine why!
He is one of those guys who talks a lot. Makes a lot of vague references and expects you to follow them. He is also a super guy. For one of the pointy haired sorts, he gets it. Well mostly.
He came in and starting chatting about the history of the company, what it was like here during the 80's, yadda yadda yadda. I smiled and nodded. Not sure at all where this was headed.
He then moved onto that working somewhere for five years is a big deal. (Well sort of, compare to the fact he has been here for 25.) He also told me that this is the time when statistically speaking employees tend to start thinking about leaving. I tried not to let that guilty look take over my face, reminding myself that AB has a good job right now, any plans to jump ship have at least been put off for a minimum of three months. He moved on to the fact that he recognizes that I am the "orphan" among the group... however, he has never had to "deal" with me or find me work. So I am an orphan he is happy to have and he hopes I won't become a stastitic. (Seriously wondering if those rumors about brain implantation aren't correct.)
Finally he reaches in his pocket and pulls out the most wrinkled envelope I have seen in a long time. My five year service award that included a just as wrinkled letter from the lab director with his signature stamped on the bottom and a $30 gift card for the mall. He apologizes for the lateness... my manager had meant to give it to me when I came back from maternity leave four or so weeks ago, but she never got around to it, so she gave it to him and he kept forgetting, but finally just made a point to get out here to give it to me. (My 5 years was April 29th...)
Wow. What do I say? People really want to leave here at their five year mark? I can't imagine why!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
What every three year old wants for his birthday
I asked Leif what he wanted to buy A for his birthday on Saturday?
He gave it some good, long thought...
"I want to buy A cheese for his birthday," Leif told me.
He gave it some good, long thought...
"I want to buy A cheese for his birthday," Leif told me.
Warning, substantial whining ahead
Ever have one of those series of days when nothing can go right?
It started with last Wednesday and a diagnosis of ringworm in my three year old.
Then continued on Thursday when my building was evacuated.
Onto Friday where I picked up Skadi an hour after dropping her off after finding out I was off work due to the issue the previous day. While there I found out her main caregiver would be off a significant amount of the next likely three months as her longtime partner dies. (Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. Why does crappy stuff happen to good people?)
A minor one in comparison, but Saturday AB and I came down with colds.
We reached Monday where I learned I would be off work at least one more day. Then I walked in to get my son out of bed when he was yelling only to find out he was unable to walk.
It is now Wednesday and things have started to turn around. My building is reopened and I am working again. Leif can walk fine, though there is still no (reasonable, in my mind) explanation for his ailment Monday. (The radiologist phoned this morning and his x-rays are all good.) And the colds are abating.
Can we just get some good things going now? Please?
It started with last Wednesday and a diagnosis of ringworm in my three year old.
Then continued on Thursday when my building was evacuated.
Onto Friday where I picked up Skadi an hour after dropping her off after finding out I was off work due to the issue the previous day. While there I found out her main caregiver would be off a significant amount of the next likely three months as her longtime partner dies. (Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. Why does crappy stuff happen to good people?)
A minor one in comparison, but Saturday AB and I came down with colds.
We reached Monday where I learned I would be off work at least one more day. Then I walked in to get my son out of bed when he was yelling only to find out he was unable to walk.
It is now Wednesday and things have started to turn around. My building is reopened and I am working again. Leif can walk fine, though there is still no (reasonable, in my mind) explanation for his ailment Monday. (The radiologist phoned this morning and his x-rays are all good.) And the colds are abating.
Can we just get some good things going now? Please?
Monday, June 18, 2007
Gifts for a three year old
How awful is it that it is 5 weeks from my son's third birthday and I haven't any idea what to get him?
Ok, so I have a couple ideas, and as of today, I ordered them. Toy Story the double DVD Deluxe set and a metal Tonka tractor thing for $15 each.
He is all about transportation vehicles right now. And if they haul something (dirt, lots of people or a bed full of nearly anything), all the better. He has a dump truck that is about the freakiest thing ever. My dad sent it to him with the caveat that if he didn't like it, to give it away, no offense taken. The little boy who had it before was scared to bits by it. Truth be told, it scares me. It is a yellow dump truck with a head on top and glowing red eyes, and it speaks. And it is very nearly Leif's favorite toy right now. I might like it a little more if Leif quit bringing it into the house full of dirt.
I perused the toys the other day at Walmart where I went to pick up AB's Father's Day present. Nothing jumped out at me. Partly because everything looked so flimsy. Partly because I have this ideal in my head that Leif will tell us what he wants (so far he tells us he wants a birthday cake for his birthday). And partly because Leif was with me and the few things he did want... I just bought (a trio of gardening tools for $1.97, a squirt gun for $1 and a Matchbox fire truck), which AB later chastized me for.
The best score this week was a wooden rocking horse at a garage sale I drove by for $15. After K made one for C, AB kept talking about doing the same. Not surprisingly it hasn't happened due to the huge number of other projects I have had AB tackling over the last year or so. Leif loves it. AB says we should have saved it for his birthday, and he might be right, except that he will so quickly grow out of it at this point that I want to maximize his use. (Not like we won't have another little being who will grow into it far too soon.)
I am trying to resist the urge to go overboard for his birthday. To take advantage of this year when all he wants is a tractor that digs in the dirt. Yet, I can't help but think he "needs" more. I will squash that urge... after all, he is getting a big, not so inexpensive birthday party.
Ok, so I have a couple ideas, and as of today, I ordered them. Toy Story the double DVD Deluxe set and a metal Tonka tractor thing for $15 each.
He is all about transportation vehicles right now. And if they haul something (dirt, lots of people or a bed full of nearly anything), all the better. He has a dump truck that is about the freakiest thing ever. My dad sent it to him with the caveat that if he didn't like it, to give it away, no offense taken. The little boy who had it before was scared to bits by it. Truth be told, it scares me. It is a yellow dump truck with a head on top and glowing red eyes, and it speaks. And it is very nearly Leif's favorite toy right now. I might like it a little more if Leif quit bringing it into the house full of dirt.
I perused the toys the other day at Walmart where I went to pick up AB's Father's Day present. Nothing jumped out at me. Partly because everything looked so flimsy. Partly because I have this ideal in my head that Leif will tell us what he wants (so far he tells us he wants a birthday cake for his birthday). And partly because Leif was with me and the few things he did want... I just bought (a trio of gardening tools for $1.97, a squirt gun for $1 and a Matchbox fire truck), which AB later chastized me for.
The best score this week was a wooden rocking horse at a garage sale I drove by for $15. After K made one for C, AB kept talking about doing the same. Not surprisingly it hasn't happened due to the huge number of other projects I have had AB tackling over the last year or so. Leif loves it. AB says we should have saved it for his birthday, and he might be right, except that he will so quickly grow out of it at this point that I want to maximize his use. (Not like we won't have another little being who will grow into it far too soon.)
I am trying to resist the urge to go overboard for his birthday. To take advantage of this year when all he wants is a tractor that digs in the dirt. Yet, I can't help but think he "needs" more. I will squash that urge... after all, he is getting a big, not so inexpensive birthday party.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Nothing sweeter than baby belly laughs
Leif, Skadi and I got in the bathtub last night. Skadi loves it there and was happy baby from the start. But what really kicked the bath into high gear was watching her big brother blow bubbles.
Full on belly laughs. The first ones. And how sweet is it that they were at her big brother.
AB commented last night how there was full on admiration in her eyes for her big brother.
Awww!
Full on belly laughs. The first ones. And how sweet is it that they were at her big brother.
AB commented last night how there was full on admiration in her eyes for her big brother.
Awww!
Pizza pizza
We don't even have a Little Caesars here that I know of. But I feel somehow compelled to do the "pizza pizza" thing when talking about pizza.
I had pizza last week while AB and Leif were out of town. So I wasn't overly compelled to have it again. But AB was craving it, so last night was pizza night.
Pizza is one thing that AB and I don't usually agree upon. He likes a doughy crust, I like thin. He likes meat intense and I prefer vegies. We don't even agree upon who makes the best pizza. And frozen pizzas are even worse... except that we both agree that the much sought after frozen Kirkland pizzas on the grilled crust with pesto, fresh mozzarella and sundried tomatoes ARE the best things around frozen. Too bad we can no longer FIND them. Costco just kills me that way.
Leif has sided with AB in his pizza preferences, and since we don't order more than one large because it won't get eaten, the pizza we order as a family usually leaves much to be desired by me. That's alright though... I need to lose some weight and it is a perfect guarantee that I won't be tempted by more than two small pieces.
So dinner last night was "ehh". The pizza arrived and cost more than we were told (coupon was not applied after repeatedly reading off the coupon code to the voice on the other end of the phone). The topping selections on our half and half were wrong. They put one half toppings on the whole pizza, but did change the sauce as requested. So all in all last night, pizza was a bust for us all. Leif didn't care for his toppings, AB was annoyed that the coupon was not applied most of all, and I was just indifferent on the whole thing sitting in front of me.
AB made the call to the pizzeria to complain and we ended up with a $20 credit. Yippee.
I had pizza last week while AB and Leif were out of town. So I wasn't overly compelled to have it again. But AB was craving it, so last night was pizza night.
Pizza is one thing that AB and I don't usually agree upon. He likes a doughy crust, I like thin. He likes meat intense and I prefer vegies. We don't even agree upon who makes the best pizza. And frozen pizzas are even worse... except that we both agree that the much sought after frozen Kirkland pizzas on the grilled crust with pesto, fresh mozzarella and sundried tomatoes ARE the best things around frozen. Too bad we can no longer FIND them. Costco just kills me that way.
Leif has sided with AB in his pizza preferences, and since we don't order more than one large because it won't get eaten, the pizza we order as a family usually leaves much to be desired by me. That's alright though... I need to lose some weight and it is a perfect guarantee that I won't be tempted by more than two small pieces.
So dinner last night was "ehh". The pizza arrived and cost more than we were told (coupon was not applied after repeatedly reading off the coupon code to the voice on the other end of the phone). The topping selections on our half and half were wrong. They put one half toppings on the whole pizza, but did change the sauce as requested. So all in all last night, pizza was a bust for us all. Leif didn't care for his toppings, AB was annoyed that the coupon was not applied most of all, and I was just indifferent on the whole thing sitting in front of me.
AB made the call to the pizzeria to complain and we ended up with a $20 credit. Yippee.
Monday, June 11, 2007
The biggest problem with preschool...
Leif has apparently survived his first day of primary. I worried horribly about this, mostly because he was gone all last week (so he only had two visits to the room) and also due to the late night return from Alaska last night. He didn't get to bed until 9:45pm and didn't fall asleep until an hour later - seriously inhibiting my Sopranos viewing, which *had* to be completed last night to avoid the buzz and spoilers today. (Done, watched, not impressed.)
We planned tentatively to meet C outside so the kids could walk in together for moral support. Leif beamed upon seeing her standing outside and there were many hugs. We walked in and the kids, as expected took off towards their former classroom. Luckily their former teacher was also outside in the hallway, caught them and herded them into their new room.
Leif hit the room like a storm never letting his smile fade. We found his locker and he tossed his blankey in, went to the fridge and he couldn't get his lunch in fast enough. I managed to get a hug and kiss goodbye. I looked around a little and picked up Skadi. One of the teachers announced it was time to go outside and Leif was first out the door and halfway across the "big kids playground" before I could count to three.
C was far more considerate of her dad's feelings in making sure he knew, even if just for a few minutes, that he was needed, loved and her protector against anything scary and new. My child... not so considerate.
I felt a little choked up as I drove by the playground seeing Leif and C climbing on playground equipment without an adult standing immediately adjacent. I kept thinking "he could fall off that monkey bar" all the while knowing that if he did he would get up, dust himself off and crawl right back up there.
No phone calls today announcing any serious impalements due to monkey bars. Not that I would really know since I have no phone in my office. (The source of my disgruntled rumblings all day today.) And my cell phone is very near going kaput in addition to its spotty coverage. (Please let AB get an actual salary with this internship. I want a decent phone when we renew our contract!)
AB picked him up and apparently we do have a new problem though. Convincing our son to leave. Oh and the fact that he feels it completely necessary to eat his two little gummy frogs before his main course instead of after. (Evidently a major transgression in the Montessori world.)
We planned tentatively to meet C outside so the kids could walk in together for moral support. Leif beamed upon seeing her standing outside and there were many hugs. We walked in and the kids, as expected took off towards their former classroom. Luckily their former teacher was also outside in the hallway, caught them and herded them into their new room.
Leif hit the room like a storm never letting his smile fade. We found his locker and he tossed his blankey in, went to the fridge and he couldn't get his lunch in fast enough. I managed to get a hug and kiss goodbye. I looked around a little and picked up Skadi. One of the teachers announced it was time to go outside and Leif was first out the door and halfway across the "big kids playground" before I could count to three.
C was far more considerate of her dad's feelings in making sure he knew, even if just for a few minutes, that he was needed, loved and her protector against anything scary and new. My child... not so considerate.
I felt a little choked up as I drove by the playground seeing Leif and C climbing on playground equipment without an adult standing immediately adjacent. I kept thinking "he could fall off that monkey bar" all the while knowing that if he did he would get up, dust himself off and crawl right back up there.
No phone calls today announcing any serious impalements due to monkey bars. Not that I would really know since I have no phone in my office. (The source of my disgruntled rumblings all day today.) And my cell phone is very near going kaput in addition to its spotty coverage. (Please let AB get an actual salary with this internship. I want a decent phone when we renew our contract!)
AB picked him up and apparently we do have a new problem though. Convincing our son to leave. Oh and the fact that he feels it completely necessary to eat his two little gummy frogs before his main course instead of after. (Evidently a major transgression in the Montessori world.)
Friday, June 08, 2007
Marketing 101
I was struck with one of my pet peeves twice this past week. That pet peeve being... don't try to sell me on something I am already sold on. Or put simply, quit wasting my time.
I signed Skadi up for a swimming class called Tub Time for last Saturday. One hour and $25 later left me irritable, though ending in the hot tub did mellow that irritability. The first half hour was "classroom" time and the second half hour... well actually, the last 20 minutes by the time we got to the hot tub, was in the water. I signed up, I paid, I showed up with my 10 week old in her ultra-cute, yet practical for the summer swim suit. (Check her out... yes, my carpets suck.)
You see not many people with babies sign up for swimming classes, let alone that early. That should serve as some indication of who your target audience is when designing the classroom portion, shouldn't it? Lesson one, know your audience.
My husband and I both started swimming at very young, both about age 4. My parents put me in because we were always around the lakes and they felt it was important I learn to swim. AB's put him in to help with his scoliosis. AB eventually became a competitive swimmer, a swim instructor and a lifeguard. When I was 10, I ran out of classes to take, joined the team, but since I couldn't compete until I was 12 I abandoned the sport in favor of gymnastics. We are active people with a love and respect for the water. Probably typical people who actually sign their child up for this type of class AT a private club.
So don't sit me down and tell me why my kids should take swimming class. Preaching to the choir. (And wasting my time.)
Then there was last night... my son's orientation for his move up to primary (Montessori preschool). My poor head is covered with bruises now from both my grandmother's visit AND a full wasted evening watching the center owner very slowly, with child-like wonder and amazement in her eyes perform each and every work station in the room like we might see our children do.
I was under the false impression that this orientation was to explain to us parents the practical side. What do I need to bring? How often do I bring snack? What is the schedule? The two other families I spoke with post-orientation-from-hell heaved heavy sighs riddled with pain when they broached the topic. I was happy I was not the only one feeling pain at their core for this 1.5 hours. (Ok, I snuck out at 1.25 hours.) Nope, V's pain was physical thanks to 1.75 hours of sitting in sucky chairs. And she is most likely STILL feeling the pain in her back tonight and for days to come.
Kids are amazing. I know. They are resilient. I know. They are emotional and sensitive. This I know all too well. When they have show and tell? This I don't know.
And I still don't know. (And btw... I was sold on Montessori almost 2 years ago when my one year old started washing his own hands, signing and helping with his own diapering.)
I signed Skadi up for a swimming class called Tub Time for last Saturday. One hour and $25 later left me irritable, though ending in the hot tub did mellow that irritability. The first half hour was "classroom" time and the second half hour... well actually, the last 20 minutes by the time we got to the hot tub, was in the water. I signed up, I paid, I showed up with my 10 week old in her ultra-cute, yet practical for the summer swim suit. (Check her out... yes, my carpets suck.)
You see not many people with babies sign up for swimming classes, let alone that early. That should serve as some indication of who your target audience is when designing the classroom portion, shouldn't it? Lesson one, know your audience.
My husband and I both started swimming at very young, both about age 4. My parents put me in because we were always around the lakes and they felt it was important I learn to swim. AB's put him in to help with his scoliosis. AB eventually became a competitive swimmer, a swim instructor and a lifeguard. When I was 10, I ran out of classes to take, joined the team, but since I couldn't compete until I was 12 I abandoned the sport in favor of gymnastics. We are active people with a love and respect for the water. Probably typical people who actually sign their child up for this type of class AT a private club.
So don't sit me down and tell me why my kids should take swimming class. Preaching to the choir. (And wasting my time.)
Then there was last night... my son's orientation for his move up to primary (Montessori preschool). My poor head is covered with bruises now from both my grandmother's visit AND a full wasted evening watching the center owner very slowly, with child-like wonder and amazement in her eyes perform each and every work station in the room like we might see our children do.
I was under the false impression that this orientation was to explain to us parents the practical side. What do I need to bring? How often do I bring snack? What is the schedule? The two other families I spoke with post-orientation-from-hell heaved heavy sighs riddled with pain when they broached the topic. I was happy I was not the only one feeling pain at their core for this 1.5 hours. (Ok, I snuck out at 1.25 hours.) Nope, V's pain was physical thanks to 1.75 hours of sitting in sucky chairs. And she is most likely STILL feeling the pain in her back tonight and for days to come.
Kids are amazing. I know. They are resilient. I know. They are emotional and sensitive. This I know all too well. When they have show and tell? This I don't know.
And I still don't know. (And btw... I was sold on Montessori almost 2 years ago when my one year old started washing his own hands, signing and helping with his own diapering.)
What could be better?
Knowing Leif and AB are safe and sound, but missing me terribly...
A clean, sparkly house...
A pizza just the way *I* want it (thin crust, mushrooms and tomatoes)...
A bottle of cab...
An evening by myself with one happy smiling baby girl...
And the last two episodes of Big Love from last year to ready myself for Monday night. (After I mourn the passing of Sopranos Sunday night.)
A clean, sparkly house...
A pizza just the way *I* want it (thin crust, mushrooms and tomatoes)...
A bottle of cab...
An evening by myself with one happy smiling baby girl...
And the last two episodes of Big Love from last year to ready myself for Monday night. (After I mourn the passing of Sopranos Sunday night.)
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Good news followed by even better news
Good news... I was given a real office with a window! My 5th office in five years. (Though I have been in this one for nearly 3 years.) It has real, actual functional furniture too! I get to join a good part of my group in a building that should be standing for a few more years and not stuck off in the office for naughty women who whine to their managers about equality and the needs of lactating women. Oops, I didn't say that. I feel strangely renewed by the new office. Like I am actually on someone's radar!
Even better news... AB got a verbal job offer yesterday! He will be working for a major engineering firm in the area (participant in contractor roulette) as a Masters Intern. Frankly, I don't even care if he gets paid. Ok, though it would be really, really nice to actually be able to afford Skadi's daycare. Simply getting his foot in the door is huge right now. And should serve to lift him out of the unemployment funk.
Even better news... AB got a verbal job offer yesterday! He will be working for a major engineering firm in the area (participant in contractor roulette) as a Masters Intern. Frankly, I don't even care if he gets paid. Ok, though it would be really, really nice to actually be able to afford Skadi's daycare. Simply getting his foot in the door is huge right now. And should serve to lift him out of the unemployment funk.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Bike horns and giants
Bicycle horns and giants
When you see a bike horn, what do you think of? Yes, a bike horn… like this:
Well if you are like my son, your first thought is that it is a miniature sized breast pump.
AB and I walked into the living room hearing the lovely honking sound indicative that Leif had once again located his bike horn. (It fell between the sectional awhile back and AB and I “left” it there.) However, seeing him holding his shirt up with the horn over his left nipple wasn’t quite what we expected.
“Mommy, daddy, this pump is noisy!”
-----------------------------
We have been working with Leif on spelling his name. Dinner the other night…
NM: “Leif, can you spell your name?”
Leif: Blank, slightly irritated look.
NM: “L…..”
Leif: “E… I… Fo… Fum”
When you see a bike horn, what do you think of? Yes, a bike horn… like this:
Well if you are like my son, your first thought is that it is a miniature sized breast pump.
AB and I walked into the living room hearing the lovely honking sound indicative that Leif had once again located his bike horn. (It fell between the sectional awhile back and AB and I “left” it there.) However, seeing him holding his shirt up with the horn over his left nipple wasn’t quite what we expected.
“Mommy, daddy, this pump is noisy!”
-----------------------------
We have been working with Leif on spelling his name. Dinner the other night…
NM: “Leif, can you spell your name?”
Leif: Blank, slightly irritated look.
NM: “L…..”
Leif: “E… I… Fo… Fum”
On my own
Leif and daddy are off to “Laska” tonight. This was a last minute trip, tickets bought with just minutes left in that 7 day advanced fare purchase price. Leif is starting to have a concept of the fact that he is going on a trip, going on an airplane and that just because we say it right now, it isn’t something he is doing in the immediate future. The thing he doesn’t understand (and is probably going to be a huge point of contention) is the fact that it is just he and daddy traveling. Even though we keep talking about he and daddy going on a trip, I just don’t really think he gets it.
AB was up much of the night worrying he told me. I am not sure what he is worrying about, though he did admit to me last night after Leif had a meltdown about not doing something with me, that he wasn’t sure this trip was the best idea in the world. I see worry in his eyes.
I am positive he is going to do fine. Leif is going to get up there and have so many people fawning over him, he will do just fine. I am sure he will have his moments, and there will be lots of cell phone calls to mommy. (If there aren’t, I am going to feel neglected.) But I really and truly believe that this will be a good trip for Leif and AB.
I have mixed feelings about it all. This week I feel as though I have three children; a 10 week old, a nearly three year old, and an 84 year old. It is true that life comes full circle. Last night I served up Leif, then my grandmother. I cut up Leif’s food, then I cut up my grandmother’s. I worry about what my grandmother is going to say and do in public (example… walking by the Mennonites in the airport, “ARE THEY AMISH?” Feeling very thankful that at least Leif doesn’t currently speak very loudly in public.) In that aspect, I am looking forward to AB taking Leif for a few days so I can focus on giving my grandmother the one on one attention she craves. Then the selfish part of me really looks forward to those three nights where it is just going to be Skadi and me.
The flip side comes with times like this morning where Leif is in a needy, fragile place. I was laying in bed with him hugging him as he was recovering from a bad dream (birds were on top of the house and they were biting him) and all he wanted was me. I know those days are limited to a certain degree, someday he isn’t going to want his mom laying in bed kissing his forehead.
Oh, then there is the worry. Something happened when I had kids. Human fragility replaced invincibility. Ok, as I have aged, invincibility has decreased over the years. However, it was completely wiped out with the birth of my son. I am finding it just completely unfair that I am saddled with this knowledge of how frail life can be just as my son is starting to seek independence. White hairs are creeping up. I worry about everything with this trip… plane crashes, car accidents, someone not paying attention as he ventures to the lake at the cabin, him ingesting something he shouldn’t, he might choke on a Goldfish cracker, or be abducted by aliens. (Kidding.) The need to protect him runs strong and the feeling that *I* am the only one who can do this is not easily squashed.
They will be fine. They will be fine. They will be fine.
And when I get past all the worry and missing him (oh and AB too will be missed), I will enjoy the one on one time with Skadi. There are chunky thighs that must be munched. Very.chunky.thighs. (So very sorry for genetics there Skadi Bean.)
AB was up much of the night worrying he told me. I am not sure what he is worrying about, though he did admit to me last night after Leif had a meltdown about not doing something with me, that he wasn’t sure this trip was the best idea in the world. I see worry in his eyes.
I am positive he is going to do fine. Leif is going to get up there and have so many people fawning over him, he will do just fine. I am sure he will have his moments, and there will be lots of cell phone calls to mommy. (If there aren’t, I am going to feel neglected.) But I really and truly believe that this will be a good trip for Leif and AB.
I have mixed feelings about it all. This week I feel as though I have three children; a 10 week old, a nearly three year old, and an 84 year old. It is true that life comes full circle. Last night I served up Leif, then my grandmother. I cut up Leif’s food, then I cut up my grandmother’s. I worry about what my grandmother is going to say and do in public (example… walking by the Mennonites in the airport, “ARE THEY AMISH?” Feeling very thankful that at least Leif doesn’t currently speak very loudly in public.) In that aspect, I am looking forward to AB taking Leif for a few days so I can focus on giving my grandmother the one on one attention she craves. Then the selfish part of me really looks forward to those three nights where it is just going to be Skadi and me.
The flip side comes with times like this morning where Leif is in a needy, fragile place. I was laying in bed with him hugging him as he was recovering from a bad dream (birds were on top of the house and they were biting him) and all he wanted was me. I know those days are limited to a certain degree, someday he isn’t going to want his mom laying in bed kissing his forehead.
Oh, then there is the worry. Something happened when I had kids. Human fragility replaced invincibility. Ok, as I have aged, invincibility has decreased over the years. However, it was completely wiped out with the birth of my son. I am finding it just completely unfair that I am saddled with this knowledge of how frail life can be just as my son is starting to seek independence. White hairs are creeping up. I worry about everything with this trip… plane crashes, car accidents, someone not paying attention as he ventures to the lake at the cabin, him ingesting something he shouldn’t, he might choke on a Goldfish cracker, or be abducted by aliens. (Kidding.) The need to protect him runs strong and the feeling that *I* am the only one who can do this is not easily squashed.
They will be fine. They will be fine. They will be fine.
And when I get past all the worry and missing him (oh and AB too will be missed), I will enjoy the one on one time with Skadi. There are chunky thighs that must be munched. Very.chunky.thighs. (So very sorry for genetics there Skadi Bean.)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
A hodge podge post
This past weekend was a real hodge podge of activity. I had a list of things to blog about and I think it best to just create one gigantic blog entry with a number of sub-topics as I try to wrap my head around both last week and the coming week.
Leif
Leif has had a manic type week. One minute he behaves like the spawn of something fierce… like last night when he sat on my lap in his bedroom and screamed at the top of his lungs for no less then 30 minutes, seriously. Finally AB took over and bribed him with chocolate milk. Five minutes later you would have had no idea he hadn’t gotten his way previously and the world was coming to a screeching halt because of it. Chocolate milk is an amazing elixir.
Then there are just those perfect days, where you want to bottle them up and savor for the next few years. Sunday was one of those. We got up and ran errands, PetSmart where Leif admired the guinea pigs (not quite what he was expecting I think when I said “look a guinea pig”) and lizards and turtles. All attention was then diverted by cats from the shelter arriving. I want a cat. I really, really do. I have finally gotten over the passing of my 21 year old cat, three years ago nearly to the day. I am ready to open my heart to another cat. Leif is too. AB… not so much. The cat will be put on hold for awhile, not just because AB balks, but because I fear my daughter’s stuffy nose is allergies that she inherited from either or both sides of the family. I can’t bring an animal into the house without a better understanding of her sinuses.
We headed to Michaels where Leif wanted to ride IN the basket. Shocker. He hasn’t ridden IN a basket seat since he was tiny. Instead he either stays home or runs mad through the store with either AB or I chasing him. We came across some wooden models and he squealed about the airplane. Being that they were $1, I grabbed one for him. That afternoon Leif sat down at the table with AB and very patiently helped put the model together. I was so amazed that he sat there that entire time. He was quite upset when we put the plane up to dry, but since it has been dry it has taken an honored position next to his side nearly every minute of the day. On my list of things to do this week is get back to Michaels to pick up the helicopter, sailboat and car models as well. And maybe another plane. $1 wooden toys rock.
We got home from errands that day and Leif was starting to get fussy. He told me he didn’t want lunch and wanted to go sit on his bed. We went in to check on him 15 minutes later and he was out. Naps are a real hit or miss with him right now, he has even stopped napping at daycare about 50% of the time we are told.
That night I was putting him to bed. He was sitting on my lap as we were getting ready to read Sam I am, I am (aka Green Eggs and Ham). He looked up at me, completely unprovoked and said, “I love my Skadi”. I told him that was so special and how much it meant to me to hear him say that! He replies, “I really love Skadi”. Awww. Melt my heart!
Oh and the best thing about using baby monitors? Sitting in your bed at 10pm and hearing him talk in his sleep. Too funny! And also reminds me why the baby monitor will remain in his room until he graduates and leaves my house. ;-)
Skadi Bean
The things we do for our kids. I love dairy. I really, really do. I drink milk (which is funny since I refused to as a child), I love cheese. Everything I like to eat has dairy in it. Or so I discovered in making an attempt a few weeks ago to pull dairy out of my diet.
When Leif was about Skadi’s age he struggled with his tummy also. I cut out dairy, it resolved, and I slowly reintroduced it and all was well. Apparently Skadi is just a little more sensitive. Everything was better until I had my little wine and cheese snack on the back patio under my wonderful pergola Saturday evening.
We paid on Sunday when she would.not.calm.down. Ok, then *I* paid on Monday when she had the explosives at one of the high ups house. Her cute outfit lasted 10 minutes tops and I am telling myself that spot on my leg was mustard…
Skadi is great though. She is very wide-eyed. And oh my goodness, the child sleeps! She went to sleep last night about 9pm, woke up at 4:10am to eat and was out again until 7:30am. (Leif otoh, was up three times.)
Upcoming
Airplanes and more airplanes. That is going to be our life for the next two weeks it appears.
My 84 year old grandmother arrives on Thursday. She already has her suitcase packed and sitting by the door! (Apparently this was completed last week.) She is coming up to visit and to attend her 60th reunion of cadet nurses training. It will be a good, but trying week that I am preparing myself for in advance. It is hard seeing her age. It is hard seeing her shrink, and knowing she just thinks of herself as “little” and doesn’t see the hump on her back. And sometimes… ok, much of the time… she is just hard mentally. It is all those senior antics… like leaving a restaurant devoid of sugar packets. (She really CAN afford a bag of sugar.) Or leaving a friend’s house with desserts wrapped in napkins in her purse. (Apologizing in advance for book club night V!) The all too common senior moment of ignoring ones personal hygiene… or forgetting to put her teeth in. (Reminding myself to insert “do you have your teeth?” into my vocabulary between the 14 times I ask Leif if he has his shoes when we leave the house.)
But what do I get in exchange? Time that my grandmother will value forever. Those long talks where I pick up tidbits about our family. A fierce dominoes competitor (is it luck or sheer genius? We will never know). Time that I may never have again with her. Or not… we all wonder if she won’t outlive us all. I will be singing “the patience song” a lot in the next week. But it will be worth it.
Friday I am taking her to get her hair done (see personal hygiene note above). Then she and I and Skadi Bean are driving to Spokane. I am dropping her off at her friend’s house who will ferry her around and is hosting three other women from nurses training at her house. A place I will be happy to not be on Saturday morning when they are all getting ready for their free lunch. I am secretly coveting the trip to Cost Plus World Market with Skadi after the dropoff Friday. Sunday we will all head back to Spokane to get her. My plan is that we leave early, grab her and head to the River Park for a few hours.
Then next Monday is the day my husband and son are packing up and heading to Alaska for five days. I have mixed feelings on this. It was a last minute decision made last night. AB needs to go up and help his mom with some stuff, but he didn’t dare do this and leave me with both kids and my grandmother. Fear of the raving lunatic he might return to prompted him to suggest he take Leif with. Surprisingly I think to him, I told him to go and have fun (secretly coveting the one on one time with Skadi).
This could be a good father/son experience. Or it could be a disaster of epic proportions. Leif is very mommy attached right now. The novelty of going on an airplane will entice him through the security gates at 8pm Monday night, but the fallout will hit Tuesday morning when he wakes up at Papa’s house.
AB will have a fabulous time no matter what and I AM glad that he is taking the time to do this now while he has the time off. (Selfish reason? Maybe some fresh salmon.)
It will be good for me to have a few days with my grandmother and Skadi. And good for a few days with just Skadi. Then I will be eager to welcome my boys home!
Leif
Leif has had a manic type week. One minute he behaves like the spawn of something fierce… like last night when he sat on my lap in his bedroom and screamed at the top of his lungs for no less then 30 minutes, seriously. Finally AB took over and bribed him with chocolate milk. Five minutes later you would have had no idea he hadn’t gotten his way previously and the world was coming to a screeching halt because of it. Chocolate milk is an amazing elixir.
Then there are just those perfect days, where you want to bottle them up and savor for the next few years. Sunday was one of those. We got up and ran errands, PetSmart where Leif admired the guinea pigs (not quite what he was expecting I think when I said “look a guinea pig”) and lizards and turtles. All attention was then diverted by cats from the shelter arriving. I want a cat. I really, really do. I have finally gotten over the passing of my 21 year old cat, three years ago nearly to the day. I am ready to open my heart to another cat. Leif is too. AB… not so much. The cat will be put on hold for awhile, not just because AB balks, but because I fear my daughter’s stuffy nose is allergies that she inherited from either or both sides of the family. I can’t bring an animal into the house without a better understanding of her sinuses.
We headed to Michaels where Leif wanted to ride IN the basket. Shocker. He hasn’t ridden IN a basket seat since he was tiny. Instead he either stays home or runs mad through the store with either AB or I chasing him. We came across some wooden models and he squealed about the airplane. Being that they were $1, I grabbed one for him. That afternoon Leif sat down at the table with AB and very patiently helped put the model together. I was so amazed that he sat there that entire time. He was quite upset when we put the plane up to dry, but since it has been dry it has taken an honored position next to his side nearly every minute of the day. On my list of things to do this week is get back to Michaels to pick up the helicopter, sailboat and car models as well. And maybe another plane. $1 wooden toys rock.
We got home from errands that day and Leif was starting to get fussy. He told me he didn’t want lunch and wanted to go sit on his bed. We went in to check on him 15 minutes later and he was out. Naps are a real hit or miss with him right now, he has even stopped napping at daycare about 50% of the time we are told.
That night I was putting him to bed. He was sitting on my lap as we were getting ready to read Sam I am, I am (aka Green Eggs and Ham). He looked up at me, completely unprovoked and said, “I love my Skadi”. I told him that was so special and how much it meant to me to hear him say that! He replies, “I really love Skadi”. Awww. Melt my heart!
Oh and the best thing about using baby monitors? Sitting in your bed at 10pm and hearing him talk in his sleep. Too funny! And also reminds me why the baby monitor will remain in his room until he graduates and leaves my house. ;-)
Skadi Bean
The things we do for our kids. I love dairy. I really, really do. I drink milk (which is funny since I refused to as a child), I love cheese. Everything I like to eat has dairy in it. Or so I discovered in making an attempt a few weeks ago to pull dairy out of my diet.
When Leif was about Skadi’s age he struggled with his tummy also. I cut out dairy, it resolved, and I slowly reintroduced it and all was well. Apparently Skadi is just a little more sensitive. Everything was better until I had my little wine and cheese snack on the back patio under my wonderful pergola Saturday evening.
We paid on Sunday when she would.not.calm.down. Ok, then *I* paid on Monday when she had the explosives at one of the high ups house. Her cute outfit lasted 10 minutes tops and I am telling myself that spot on my leg was mustard…
Skadi is great though. She is very wide-eyed. And oh my goodness, the child sleeps! She went to sleep last night about 9pm, woke up at 4:10am to eat and was out again until 7:30am. (Leif otoh, was up three times.)
Upcoming
Airplanes and more airplanes. That is going to be our life for the next two weeks it appears.
My 84 year old grandmother arrives on Thursday. She already has her suitcase packed and sitting by the door! (Apparently this was completed last week.) She is coming up to visit and to attend her 60th reunion of cadet nurses training. It will be a good, but trying week that I am preparing myself for in advance. It is hard seeing her age. It is hard seeing her shrink, and knowing she just thinks of herself as “little” and doesn’t see the hump on her back. And sometimes… ok, much of the time… she is just hard mentally. It is all those senior antics… like leaving a restaurant devoid of sugar packets. (She really CAN afford a bag of sugar.) Or leaving a friend’s house with desserts wrapped in napkins in her purse. (Apologizing in advance for book club night V!) The all too common senior moment of ignoring ones personal hygiene… or forgetting to put her teeth in. (Reminding myself to insert “do you have your teeth?” into my vocabulary between the 14 times I ask Leif if he has his shoes when we leave the house.)
But what do I get in exchange? Time that my grandmother will value forever. Those long talks where I pick up tidbits about our family. A fierce dominoes competitor (is it luck or sheer genius? We will never know). Time that I may never have again with her. Or not… we all wonder if she won’t outlive us all. I will be singing “the patience song” a lot in the next week. But it will be worth it.
Friday I am taking her to get her hair done (see personal hygiene note above). Then she and I and Skadi Bean are driving to Spokane. I am dropping her off at her friend’s house who will ferry her around and is hosting three other women from nurses training at her house. A place I will be happy to not be on Saturday morning when they are all getting ready for their free lunch. I am secretly coveting the trip to Cost Plus World Market with Skadi after the dropoff Friday. Sunday we will all head back to Spokane to get her. My plan is that we leave early, grab her and head to the River Park for a few hours.
Then next Monday is the day my husband and son are packing up and heading to Alaska for five days. I have mixed feelings on this. It was a last minute decision made last night. AB needs to go up and help his mom with some stuff, but he didn’t dare do this and leave me with both kids and my grandmother. Fear of the raving lunatic he might return to prompted him to suggest he take Leif with. Surprisingly I think to him, I told him to go and have fun (secretly coveting the one on one time with Skadi).
This could be a good father/son experience. Or it could be a disaster of epic proportions. Leif is very mommy attached right now. The novelty of going on an airplane will entice him through the security gates at 8pm Monday night, but the fallout will hit Tuesday morning when he wakes up at Papa’s house.
AB will have a fabulous time no matter what and I AM glad that he is taking the time to do this now while he has the time off. (Selfish reason? Maybe some fresh salmon.)
It will be good for me to have a few days with my grandmother and Skadi. And good for a few days with just Skadi. Then I will be eager to welcome my boys home!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Spouses make for good blog fodder
AB: "There's a hole in my irrigation line dear NM, dear NM, a hole in my irrigation line, dear NM, a hole."
NM: "How did it get there dear AB, dear AB, how did it get there dear AB, the hole?"
AB: "With a shovel dear NM, dear NM, with a shovel dear NM, a shovel."
NM: "Why a shovel dear AB, dear AB, why a shovel dear AB, a shovel?"
AB: "I was digging dear NM, dear NM, I was digging dear NM, a hole."
NM: "That would have to be a big hole, dear AB, dear AB, it would have to be a big hole, dear AB, the hole."
AB: "It's a huge hole dear NM, dear NM, it's a huge hole dear NM, the hole."
NM: "How big is the hole dear AB, dear AB, how big is the hole dear AB, the hole?"
AB: "It's two feet deep dear NM, dear NM, it's two feet deep dear NM, the hole."
NM: "How wide is the hole, dear AB, dear AB, how wide is the hole dear AB, the hole?"
AB: "Six feet diameter dear NM, dear NM, six feet diameter dear NM, the hole."
NM: "That's a huge hole dear AB, dear AB, that's a huge hole dear AB, in my backyard."
AB: "It had to be that big dear NM, dear NM, it had to be that big dear NM, my lovely wife."
NM: "For why is it that big, dear AB, dear AB, for why is it that big, dear AB, lovely husband?"
AB: "For my bamboo dear NM, dear NM, for the bamboo that I ordered online."
NM: Silence. Fear.
AB: "The bamboo from my gift certificate dear NM, dear NM, my bamboo from my gift certificate that you bought me."
NM: Note to self... think through all scenarios when buying gift certificates in the future.
AB: "There's a hole in our irrigation line, dear NM, dear NM, a hole in our irrigation line, dear NM, a hole!"
NM: "How did it get there dear AB, dear AB, how did it get there dear AB, the hole?"
AB: "With a shovel dear NM, dear NM, with a shovel dear NM, a shovel."
NM: "Why a shovel dear AB, dear AB, why a shovel dear AB, a shovel?"
AB: "I was digging dear NM, dear NM, I was digging dear NM, a hole."
NM: "That would have to be a big hole, dear AB, dear AB, it would have to be a big hole, dear AB, the hole."
AB: "It's a huge hole dear NM, dear NM, it's a huge hole dear NM, the hole."
NM: "How big is the hole dear AB, dear AB, how big is the hole dear AB, the hole?"
AB: "It's two feet deep dear NM, dear NM, it's two feet deep dear NM, the hole."
NM: "How wide is the hole, dear AB, dear AB, how wide is the hole dear AB, the hole?"
AB: "Six feet diameter dear NM, dear NM, six feet diameter dear NM, the hole."
NM: "That's a huge hole dear AB, dear AB, that's a huge hole dear AB, in my backyard."
AB: "It had to be that big dear NM, dear NM, it had to be that big dear NM, my lovely wife."
NM: "For why is it that big, dear AB, dear AB, for why is it that big, dear AB, lovely husband?"
AB: "For my bamboo dear NM, dear NM, for the bamboo that I ordered online."
NM: Silence. Fear.
AB: "The bamboo from my gift certificate dear NM, dear NM, my bamboo from my gift certificate that you bought me."
NM: Note to self... think through all scenarios when buying gift certificates in the future.
AB: "There's a hole in our irrigation line, dear NM, dear NM, a hole in our irrigation line, dear NM, a hole!"
Friday, May 25, 2007
Dun dun dun dun - dun - dun dun dun dun - dun
Thirty years ago I was five years old and was blessed with a trip to Denver (a nearly 6 hour drive) to see a new movie that was coming out. I remember standing outside the theater on Colorado Blvd., not really knowing what all the hype was about.
I don't remember details of watching the movie, however, I remember loving it. Afterwards I picked out a cassette tape with a book that went with it of the story. We also bought the vinyl soundtrack and I couldn't wait to get home to put it on the turntable.
I wanted my name to be Leia.
I wanted droids.
I wanted my hair to be like big cinnamon rolls on the sides of my head (mine were little cinnamon knots on either side thanks to my very fine hair).
I wanted a wookie - my dachsund (Inga) had to fill the role.
I wanted to be rescued by Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, but to also show them I was just as good as they were.
I wanted the scary Sand People to go away. (I still do.)
I remember uttering the words, "Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope" over and over. (My poor parents.)
Guess what's playing tonight at NM and AB's house?
I don't remember details of watching the movie, however, I remember loving it. Afterwards I picked out a cassette tape with a book that went with it of the story. We also bought the vinyl soundtrack and I couldn't wait to get home to put it on the turntable.
I wanted my name to be Leia.
I wanted droids.
I wanted my hair to be like big cinnamon rolls on the sides of my head (mine were little cinnamon knots on either side thanks to my very fine hair).
I wanted a wookie - my dachsund (Inga) had to fill the role.
I wanted to be rescued by Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, but to also show them I was just as good as they were.
I wanted the scary Sand People to go away. (I still do.)
I remember uttering the words, "Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope" over and over. (My poor parents.)
Guess what's playing tonight at NM and AB's house?
Big babies rule!
Skadi had her 2 month appointment.
Stats:
Length: 24" (88th percentile)
Weight: 14 lbs 6.5 oz (97th percentile!!)
Apparently I make pure cream! To compare, Leif was straight across 50th percentile at 12 lbs 15 oz and 23".
She is my chunky baby! Love that!
Stats:
Length: 24" (88th percentile)
Weight: 14 lbs 6.5 oz (97th percentile!!)
Apparently I make pure cream! To compare, Leif was straight across 50th percentile at 12 lbs 15 oz and 23".
She is my chunky baby! Love that!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Miss Pink turns
Remember her? Miss Pink Post-Doc?
I showed up at teleconference this morning, my first since coming back and was happily greeted by everyone. There have been some changes during my time gone, mostly project changes I am scrambling to keep up with. I don’t have to scramble too hard since my two hours a week on the project for teleconference are purely for consulting. Still I try to keep abreast of what is going on for other tasks on the project.
After 1.5 years of being a post-doc here, Miss Pink has become Mrs Black. Yes, she did get married.
So either marriage has killed her cheerful pink nature, or it is work. She no longer hauls her 4 year old (minimum) pink cell phone with her dog’s picture on it to teleconference. Nor her big pink plastic water bottle. Those pink fake nails are gone - likely due to performing real work in the lab. And you know… she wasn’t wearing a spot of pink today. Black shirt, black pants (camel toe remains) and black shoes. Demeanor likewise.
A revelation hit me this morning. She fits in.
Apparently too well. Her last day is Friday.
I was saddened by this. I actually grew to like her over the last year. She is smart, helpful, pleasant to be around, even if she does giggle at the most inappropriate times.
Then my savage wolf side kicked in and I was no longer sad. I, at least, made sure she was happy (alright, that she was fine) about her move to a private analytical chemistry company probably making less as a staff member there then she did as a post-doc here. Then I jumped in there with the two other wolves vying for a bite of her (not by choice) abandoned project. The competition… ‘tis fierce!
I showed up at teleconference this morning, my first since coming back and was happily greeted by everyone. There have been some changes during my time gone, mostly project changes I am scrambling to keep up with. I don’t have to scramble too hard since my two hours a week on the project for teleconference are purely for consulting. Still I try to keep abreast of what is going on for other tasks on the project.
After 1.5 years of being a post-doc here, Miss Pink has become Mrs Black. Yes, she did get married.
So either marriage has killed her cheerful pink nature, or it is work. She no longer hauls her 4 year old (minimum) pink cell phone with her dog’s picture on it to teleconference. Nor her big pink plastic water bottle. Those pink fake nails are gone - likely due to performing real work in the lab. And you know… she wasn’t wearing a spot of pink today. Black shirt, black pants (camel toe remains) and black shoes. Demeanor likewise.
A revelation hit me this morning. She fits in.
Apparently too well. Her last day is Friday.
I was saddened by this. I actually grew to like her over the last year. She is smart, helpful, pleasant to be around, even if she does giggle at the most inappropriate times.
Then my savage wolf side kicked in and I was no longer sad. I, at least, made sure she was happy (alright, that she was fine) about her move to a private analytical chemistry company probably making less as a staff member there then she did as a post-doc here. Then I jumped in there with the two other wolves vying for a bite of her (not by choice) abandoned project. The competition… ‘tis fierce!
Monday, May 21, 2007
A week of smiles
Leif has had so many moments this past week... moments that are happy and nice and not stories of screaming time outs. Let's start with the turkey baster...
The turkey baster:
Scene takes place at 6:30am with a groggy mom sitting at the dining room table devouring a bowl of Cheerios.
Leif: "Mommy, is this Skadi's?" (Holding the turkey baster up.)
Me: "Nope, it's daddy's." AB's the one who cooks most all of the meat (after he buys all the meat). Brain quits functioning then.
A few minutes pass.
AB screams.
AB: "Any reason my son is shoving the turkey baster up my nose while I try to sleep?"
I suppose a turkey baster does resemble a bulb syringe. I am just happy I told him it wasn't Skadi's!
----------------------
Little Bunny Foo Foo take two
Leif: "Little bunny whoo whoo hoppin' through the forest, scooping up mice, pop on heads. Down came the blueberry and she said..."
----------------------
What are you trying to tell me?
Leif: "Look mommy, a lion cookie. I eat it!"
Me: "Yep, that's a lion."
Leif: "Look mommy, here a hippo cookie for you!"
Me: "Thanks Leif." I eat it so I don't disappoint him... this is why the pregnancy weight is still lingering.
Leif: "Here mommy, another hippo for you!"
Me: Repeat above.
Leif: "Mommy another one of your hippos! Here you eat it!"
Me: Starting to wonder why hippos are suddenly associated with me...
------------------------
Things we don't need to fib about...
AB and I were cooking in the kitchen when Leif came in.
Leif: "We having broccoli for dinner?"
NM: "Yep, sound good?"
Leif: "Yeah." He walks off.
Leif returns with his slimy bathtub whale.
Leif: "Whale wants piece of broccoli."
I hand him a raw floret. He returns two minutes later and plunks the bare stem on the counter.
AB: "Leif did you or the whale eat this broccoli."
Leif: (looking shameful) "Whale ate it."
AB: "Did he? Well I guess whale gets ice cream for dessert tonight for being a good eater!"
Leif: "No, I eat it!"
-------------------------
And now for an "ahhh" moment
NM: "Leif why did you throw away these books?" (Panda Bear, Panda Bear and Clifford)
Leif: "I don't want those books. You leave them in garbage."
NM: "Leif, we don't throw away our books. If you don't want a book in your room, bring it to mommy and we will decide what to do with it."
Leif: "I don't want in my room!!" He starts squealing.
NM: "Ok, but let's come up with a solution. Would you like to give them to a child who doesn't have books?" I cringe at the thought of giving away Panda Bear, Panda Bear, but who am I to discourage charity.
Leif: Silence while he looks at the books. "I want to give to Skadi."
NM: "Let's go take them to Skadi." I was testing to see how serious he was.
Leif: "Here Skadi, these books for you to read." And he walks off after depositing them next to her.
The turkey baster:
Scene takes place at 6:30am with a groggy mom sitting at the dining room table devouring a bowl of Cheerios.
Leif: "Mommy, is this Skadi's?" (Holding the turkey baster up.)
Me: "Nope, it's daddy's." AB's the one who cooks most all of the meat (after he buys all the meat). Brain quits functioning then.
A few minutes pass.
AB screams.
AB: "Any reason my son is shoving the turkey baster up my nose while I try to sleep?"
I suppose a turkey baster does resemble a bulb syringe. I am just happy I told him it wasn't Skadi's!
----------------------
Little Bunny Foo Foo take two
Leif: "Little bunny whoo whoo hoppin' through the forest, scooping up mice, pop on heads. Down came the blueberry and she said..."
----------------------
What are you trying to tell me?
Leif: "Look mommy, a lion cookie. I eat it!"
Me: "Yep, that's a lion."
Leif: "Look mommy, here a hippo cookie for you!"
Me: "Thanks Leif." I eat it so I don't disappoint him... this is why the pregnancy weight is still lingering.
Leif: "Here mommy, another hippo for you!"
Me: Repeat above.
Leif: "Mommy another one of your hippos! Here you eat it!"
Me: Starting to wonder why hippos are suddenly associated with me...
------------------------
Things we don't need to fib about...
AB and I were cooking in the kitchen when Leif came in.
Leif: "We having broccoli for dinner?"
NM: "Yep, sound good?"
Leif: "Yeah." He walks off.
Leif returns with his slimy bathtub whale.
Leif: "Whale wants piece of broccoli."
I hand him a raw floret. He returns two minutes later and plunks the bare stem on the counter.
AB: "Leif did you or the whale eat this broccoli."
Leif: (looking shameful) "Whale ate it."
AB: "Did he? Well I guess whale gets ice cream for dessert tonight for being a good eater!"
Leif: "No, I eat it!"
-------------------------
And now for an "ahhh" moment
NM: "Leif why did you throw away these books?" (Panda Bear, Panda Bear and Clifford)
Leif: "I don't want those books. You leave them in garbage."
NM: "Leif, we don't throw away our books. If you don't want a book in your room, bring it to mommy and we will decide what to do with it."
Leif: "I don't want in my room!!" He starts squealing.
NM: "Ok, but let's come up with a solution. Would you like to give them to a child who doesn't have books?" I cringe at the thought of giving away Panda Bear, Panda Bear, but who am I to discourage charity.
Leif: Silence while he looks at the books. "I want to give to Skadi."
NM: "Let's go take them to Skadi." I was testing to see how serious he was.
Leif: "Here Skadi, these books for you to read." And he walks off after depositing them next to her.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Filed under things that almost make me feel bad for the younger siblings out there
My little sister has a list of my transgressions as the older sibling... among them the time my mom told us no more water in our bedrooms for tea parties. So I came up with a remedy! I was always very innovative. I very patiently filled up a little tea cup with my spit so we could have a "real tea party". It wasn't my fault... she was never forced to drink it! And really it was my mom's fault for making such a silly rule.
Then there was the time we were going through the Robo carwash and I told her that the flappy wipey things were old Sesame Street monsters... instead of there being a retirement home for the elderly muppets, they were sent to carwashes. My mom wondered for years why she would cry when we would go through the carwash.
One I remember distinctly is when I was about four and she was a few months old. We were leaving KFC (then actually called Kentucky Fried Chicken). My dad was driving, mom was in the front seat of our VW bug holding my sister. (These were the days before carseats.) My sister stuck her finger out to be "biten". It was something she did regularly and we pretend bit her finger, and she giggled. I remember thinking I was SO tired of her getting all the attention. I bit her finger. I bit it hard completely on purpose. She started crying and I knew I was in big trouble. I wasn't though. My mom soothed her and told me not to bite hard in a very calm voice. My little sister obviously doesn't remember this.
It has started in our house... the teasing/tormenting of the younger sibling. And poor Skadi, she has a big brother, a mom who is a firstborn and a father who is a firstborn. Poor thing is destined to never be understood.
Yesterday it was a normal evening as we hung out in the backyard after our walk. Leif was watering the garden, AB and I examining the progress of our gardens, Skadi in the bouncey seat on the shaded patio sound asleep.
AB and I were discussing what to do with our plum tree. For many years since it was planted it has been my favorite tree yielding about 2 small bags of plums a year and being nearly maintenance free while providing screening from our apartment neighbors. This year something has gone awry and we have literally a thousand or more little cherry sized plums on our tree. Something needs to be done... now.
Suddenly we hear Skadi scream! We whip around to see our son standing in front of the bouncey seat spraying her with the hose (nozzle and all)! AB takes off running and grabs Skadi, gets her calmed down and changed. I grab Leif, nearly by the ear and dragged him inside where he stood in a corner screaming at the top of his lungs, where in typical parental fashion was never given a chance to explain his actions.
It has started. Everything that goes into what defines us as the typical oldest/middle/youngest child is now in play in my house.
Then there was the time we were going through the Robo carwash and I told her that the flappy wipey things were old Sesame Street monsters... instead of there being a retirement home for the elderly muppets, they were sent to carwashes. My mom wondered for years why she would cry when we would go through the carwash.
One I remember distinctly is when I was about four and she was a few months old. We were leaving KFC (then actually called Kentucky Fried Chicken). My dad was driving, mom was in the front seat of our VW bug holding my sister. (These were the days before carseats.) My sister stuck her finger out to be "biten". It was something she did regularly and we pretend bit her finger, and she giggled. I remember thinking I was SO tired of her getting all the attention. I bit her finger. I bit it hard completely on purpose. She started crying and I knew I was in big trouble. I wasn't though. My mom soothed her and told me not to bite hard in a very calm voice. My little sister obviously doesn't remember this.
It has started in our house... the teasing/tormenting of the younger sibling. And poor Skadi, she has a big brother, a mom who is a firstborn and a father who is a firstborn. Poor thing is destined to never be understood.
Yesterday it was a normal evening as we hung out in the backyard after our walk. Leif was watering the garden, AB and I examining the progress of our gardens, Skadi in the bouncey seat on the shaded patio sound asleep.
AB and I were discussing what to do with our plum tree. For many years since it was planted it has been my favorite tree yielding about 2 small bags of plums a year and being nearly maintenance free while providing screening from our apartment neighbors. This year something has gone awry and we have literally a thousand or more little cherry sized plums on our tree. Something needs to be done... now.
Suddenly we hear Skadi scream! We whip around to see our son standing in front of the bouncey seat spraying her with the hose (nozzle and all)! AB takes off running and grabs Skadi, gets her calmed down and changed. I grab Leif, nearly by the ear and dragged him inside where he stood in a corner screaming at the top of his lungs, where in typical parental fashion was never given a chance to explain his actions.
It has started. Everything that goes into what defines us as the typical oldest/middle/youngest child is now in play in my house.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Preparing to leave my lair
I have been a huge recluse the last 8 weeks, but it is about to come to an end. On Monday I return to work. I am really trying not to dwell on the inevitable, but that is nearly impossible. I have really enjoyed the last eight weeks at home with my little girl. Sitting on the couch for an hour every afternoon with her asleep on me, taking pictures at every opportunity, and sitting around in my pajamas until noon if I want.
I got a sign early this week that it was time. I was working on cleaning out my closet - one of the goals I had for during my leave - it is about 1/4 done. I discovered that I have exactly five pairs of dress pants that fit me. And three pairs of jeans - unfortunately one pair (my favorite) are way too holey to wear to work and another pair of jeans that are just bad (Goodwill pile). So really only one pair of jeans that fit. None fit really well mind you, but all are acceptable. I guess that means I need to go back now?
There are a few things I am looking forward to at work, fostering some new contacts that I made in the last few weeks, the ability to write a complete e-mail in one sitting, and seeing my friends again. But more things I am not looking forward to, like trying to fill my time without running my project bone dry before the end of the fiscal year.
I don't have many issues with leaving Skadi at daycare. It is close to me, I get to go see her at lunch, and she has Leif's teacher who is absolutely fabulous. Plus she sleeps every minute that I am not there... she will... I know she will. We dropped her things off yesterday and the new director told me that with as excited as the teachers are about her, she must be the baby of the year. She gets the "Number one baby" crib.
This maternity leave has also been further special to me because AB has been home the entire time, not necessarily by his choice as he looks for work. He told me the other day that as disturbing as it is to be out of work, the timing was really fortuitous that he was able to be home with me as I recovered and during those early weeks with Skadi. We are trying to be optimistic that he will have a new job in a few weeks at the most.
What are our plans today? AB suggested we head out after lunch and do a little wine tasting at some new tasting rooms we haven't been to yet. Then we plan to pick up Leif and take him to feed the geese at the park (shhh, I know, you really shouldn't feed the wildlife...).
I am, by nature, a quiet person who is just fine to stay holed up at home, a recluse. But those days are over. Time to put on a little make up (I think I remember how)... time to put my feet back in my good shoes and out of my Birks (I did surrender the socks with Birks though and move out of the grunge era - reluctantly)... time to put a big smile on my face and walk into my building where people will come up with a sad face and say "oh, how are you doing coming back" and I will lie and say "I am just fine! Glad to be back!", lest they see the weak side of me.
I got a sign early this week that it was time. I was working on cleaning out my closet - one of the goals I had for during my leave - it is about 1/4 done. I discovered that I have exactly five pairs of dress pants that fit me. And three pairs of jeans - unfortunately one pair (my favorite) are way too holey to wear to work and another pair of jeans that are just bad (Goodwill pile). So really only one pair of jeans that fit. None fit really well mind you, but all are acceptable. I guess that means I need to go back now?
There are a few things I am looking forward to at work, fostering some new contacts that I made in the last few weeks, the ability to write a complete e-mail in one sitting, and seeing my friends again. But more things I am not looking forward to, like trying to fill my time without running my project bone dry before the end of the fiscal year.
I don't have many issues with leaving Skadi at daycare. It is close to me, I get to go see her at lunch, and she has Leif's teacher who is absolutely fabulous. Plus she sleeps every minute that I am not there... she will... I know she will. We dropped her things off yesterday and the new director told me that with as excited as the teachers are about her, she must be the baby of the year. She gets the "Number one baby" crib.
This maternity leave has also been further special to me because AB has been home the entire time, not necessarily by his choice as he looks for work. He told me the other day that as disturbing as it is to be out of work, the timing was really fortuitous that he was able to be home with me as I recovered and during those early weeks with Skadi. We are trying to be optimistic that he will have a new job in a few weeks at the most.
What are our plans today? AB suggested we head out after lunch and do a little wine tasting at some new tasting rooms we haven't been to yet. Then we plan to pick up Leif and take him to feed the geese at the park (shhh, I know, you really shouldn't feed the wildlife...).
I am, by nature, a quiet person who is just fine to stay holed up at home, a recluse. But those days are over. Time to put on a little make up (I think I remember how)... time to put my feet back in my good shoes and out of my Birks (I did surrender the socks with Birks though and move out of the grunge era - reluctantly)... time to put a big smile on my face and walk into my building where people will come up with a sad face and say "oh, how are you doing coming back" and I will lie and say "I am just fine! Glad to be back!", lest they see the weak side of me.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Why I don't buy fish
It started out something like this yesterday:
"Why don't you pick up some more halibut," AB asked me as I was headed to the grocery store.
I paused and thought about this. Me pick out fish? After 13.5 years of being together he trusts me to have learned the nuances of picking out the fish? This is knowledge that is born with you and cannot be learned. Particularly by someone who was raised near the mountains, i.e., days of driving to an ocean.
Part of being a true Alaskan is having an intimate knowledge of fish and/or wild game that no one from the lower 48 can possibly possess.
One of the worst moments in mine and AB's relationship goes back to when he first met my mom and stepdad. Not only did my cat attack his head and he hit her (my stepdad cheered, I nearly cried), but my mom made salmon. Pink salmon, chum, dog food that is. AB didn't touch it and I was so appalled. My boyfriend was a salmon snob.
My mom and stepdad have long since been schooled in salmon (thanks mostly to AB) and have achieved the near Alaskan standards for selecting quality salmon varietals. They too can be classified as salmon snobs. We wear our Salmon merit badges with honor.
I got to Albertsons and went to the fish counter. I knew enough when the fish monger started pushing the fresh Copper River salmon for $12.99 a pound to turn my nose up at the way they were tossed willy nilly in the cooler looking as though they had been hacked in half with a rusty blade. For shame... the best salmon you can buy here locally treated so poorly.
I saw the goods, the halibut. I balked at $15.99 a pound, but it was perfect looking, white through and through, layed out neatly, and no bruising and fresh this morning the fish monger informed me. I didn't stop at one pound, I bought a whole two pound filet at just over $30. AB would be so proud and maybe I would be one step closer to earning my merit badge in Fish Selection.
I hauled it home happy with my purchase. I encouraged AB to open the package and examine the awesome looking fish I bought. He trusted me he said. I walked around all afternoon with my head held high!
We were making fish tacos for dinner. This is an excellent make ahead meal. If you are going to spoil your freshly cleaned kitchen by frying fish, you might as well do as much as you dare and freeze it, as it freezes excellently. And since I am returning to work on Monday (booo) we decided to stockpile by frying up about 3 lbs of halibut. All that we had left in the freezer and the big two pound filet I just bought. AB does the first pound and then opens the package I bought.
Silence.
"This is cod," he tells me.
"It is not, it's halibut," I respond defensively.
"No it isn't. It's cod."
I am nearly to flipping my lid. "I am NEVER buying fish again, ever!" I say to him in a fake cheery voice so that Leif doesn't realize my displeasure.
"It's not your fault," he tells me, "but you were screwed. How much did you pay for this?"
I tell him.
Fireworks as his face drains of blood.
I held steadfast to it being halibut, they look similar. AB fries up a piece of this mystery fish and hands it to me.
Damn, I think. He's right. It's cod I announce. I may not know the difference raw, but I certainly can taste the difference.
Thankfully cod is our second choice for frying. AB fried the rest of it up without another word of displeasure though I know there were two things going through his mind... 1. I am buying the fish from now on. 2. Once again we are boycotting Albertson's fish counter, the remodel did nothing for their fish quality.
"Why don't you pick up some more halibut," AB asked me as I was headed to the grocery store.
I paused and thought about this. Me pick out fish? After 13.5 years of being together he trusts me to have learned the nuances of picking out the fish? This is knowledge that is born with you and cannot be learned. Particularly by someone who was raised near the mountains, i.e., days of driving to an ocean.
Part of being a true Alaskan is having an intimate knowledge of fish and/or wild game that no one from the lower 48 can possibly possess.
One of the worst moments in mine and AB's relationship goes back to when he first met my mom and stepdad. Not only did my cat attack his head and he hit her (my stepdad cheered, I nearly cried), but my mom made salmon. Pink salmon, chum, dog food that is. AB didn't touch it and I was so appalled. My boyfriend was a salmon snob.
My mom and stepdad have long since been schooled in salmon (thanks mostly to AB) and have achieved the near Alaskan standards for selecting quality salmon varietals. They too can be classified as salmon snobs. We wear our Salmon merit badges with honor.
I got to Albertsons and went to the fish counter. I knew enough when the fish monger started pushing the fresh Copper River salmon for $12.99 a pound to turn my nose up at the way they were tossed willy nilly in the cooler looking as though they had been hacked in half with a rusty blade. For shame... the best salmon you can buy here locally treated so poorly.
I saw the goods, the halibut. I balked at $15.99 a pound, but it was perfect looking, white through and through, layed out neatly, and no bruising and fresh this morning the fish monger informed me. I didn't stop at one pound, I bought a whole two pound filet at just over $30. AB would be so proud and maybe I would be one step closer to earning my merit badge in Fish Selection.
I hauled it home happy with my purchase. I encouraged AB to open the package and examine the awesome looking fish I bought. He trusted me he said. I walked around all afternoon with my head held high!
We were making fish tacos for dinner. This is an excellent make ahead meal. If you are going to spoil your freshly cleaned kitchen by frying fish, you might as well do as much as you dare and freeze it, as it freezes excellently. And since I am returning to work on Monday (booo) we decided to stockpile by frying up about 3 lbs of halibut. All that we had left in the freezer and the big two pound filet I just bought. AB does the first pound and then opens the package I bought.
Silence.
"This is cod," he tells me.
"It is not, it's halibut," I respond defensively.
"No it isn't. It's cod."
I am nearly to flipping my lid. "I am NEVER buying fish again, ever!" I say to him in a fake cheery voice so that Leif doesn't realize my displeasure.
"It's not your fault," he tells me, "but you were screwed. How much did you pay for this?"
I tell him.
Fireworks as his face drains of blood.
I held steadfast to it being halibut, they look similar. AB fries up a piece of this mystery fish and hands it to me.
Damn, I think. He's right. It's cod I announce. I may not know the difference raw, but I certainly can taste the difference.
Thankfully cod is our second choice for frying. AB fried the rest of it up without another word of displeasure though I know there were two things going through his mind... 1. I am buying the fish from now on. 2. Once again we are boycotting Albertson's fish counter, the remodel did nothing for their fish quality.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Congratulations AB!
Anyone have a job for a new graduate with a Masters in Environmental Engineering?
AB graduated on Friday and actually decided to march! I didn't march for my graduate degree. I never really regreted it... at the time. I had to get up here and start my job - or so I thought. If I knew then what I knew now I would have hung out in Reno and started the job in mid-May. They didn't need me asap as I had been lead to believe. Anyways, this post is about AB and not me...
AB decided to walk across that stage, shake the governor's hand (despite the fact he can't stand the woman) in full graduation and hood regalia. I had Leif and the Bean. That was a challenge and I finally relented on actually sitting/playing around the seats and we moved to the grassy area where Leif could run around and I actually got better pictures anyway.
I am just so proud of AB. It took him 7 semesters to complete his Masters in Engineering all the while working full time and adding two children to our family. He rocks!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Fleeting thoughts from Nuclear Mom on Mother's Day
Will my couch cushions ever remain properly placed on my couch?
Can I just freeze this moment in time?
And can we just fast forward through this tantrum.
It's 3:40pm, wine is perfectly acceptable now.
Exactly what other options are there for rinsing shampoo out of hair?
How in the world did poop get there?
A bath is just easier than 14 wipes.
The blowdryer on the changing table advice offered the other day might be worth considering.
Whoever invented bubble blowers is evil.
A real Mother's Day present, both kids napping.
When are they going to wake up? I miss them.
My husband is the best, flowers and chocolate and a cat card whose paw waves when you open the card... (I will never get to see said card again, Leif picked it out for a reason).
I am positive that was a giggle, positive.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! (Regarding the story of AB taking Leif into a Hallmark store... chaos.)
My mom is really cool. I'm so lucky.
I understand that statement that you never know how much you are loved until you have your own kids. I really do.
What is it about my husband's sweat that puts my daughter to sleep?
The white balls from the Hungry Hippos game really do fly far. (And the plastic is amazingly painful to toes.)
Can I just eat those cheeks up?
A nearly three year old making a decision? Painful.
Independence? Also painful.
What can I bribe my husband with to start sitting to pee so that my son emulates THAT?
Wow I love being a mom.
I am the luckiest mom ever.
Can I just freeze this moment in time?
And can we just fast forward through this tantrum.
It's 3:40pm, wine is perfectly acceptable now.
Exactly what other options are there for rinsing shampoo out of hair?
How in the world did poop get there?
A bath is just easier than 14 wipes.
The blowdryer on the changing table advice offered the other day might be worth considering.
Whoever invented bubble blowers is evil.
A real Mother's Day present, both kids napping.
When are they going to wake up? I miss them.
My husband is the best, flowers and chocolate and a cat card whose paw waves when you open the card... (I will never get to see said card again, Leif picked it out for a reason).
I am positive that was a giggle, positive.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! (Regarding the story of AB taking Leif into a Hallmark store... chaos.)
My mom is really cool. I'm so lucky.
I understand that statement that you never know how much you are loved until you have your own kids. I really do.
What is it about my husband's sweat that puts my daughter to sleep?
The white balls from the Hungry Hippos game really do fly far. (And the plastic is amazingly painful to toes.)
Can I just eat those cheeks up?
A nearly three year old making a decision? Painful.
Independence? Also painful.
What can I bribe my husband with to start sitting to pee so that my son emulates THAT?
Wow I love being a mom.
I am the luckiest mom ever.
Filed under things that Leif says that slay me
Leif: "Mommy, I want to do tree pose."
NM: "Ok, let's stop and do tree pose." (Yoga in the kitchen time...)
Leif: "Mommy I need yoga movie. It makes my insides feel good."
NM: "Ok, let's stop and do tree pose." (Yoga in the kitchen time...)
Leif: "Mommy I need yoga movie. It makes my insides feel good."
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thoughts on two
Two kids is great. Ok, so it is insane at times. But seriously the best thing I could have done for Leif is to give him a sibling.
I have seen Leif evolve in so many different ways in the last seven weeks. It started out as 100% jealousy and a complete lack of understanding of what happened to his former life. I would get tears in my eyes when he would scream, "no, that's my mommy!" when I would nurse Skadi. It tore me apart to have AB drag him off my lap screaming as he would jump on it an inch from Skadi's head.
About 75% of the jealousy has abated. It might decrease a little more over the years, but I think we are at a settling point in the pond. A tantrum will occur if I dare bring Skadi into our bedtime routine. His going to bed time is one on one time with AB or I, and that needs to not change for the time being.
What has replaced that 75% of jealousy is love in many forms. He is protective of his little sister - as shown by the growling that has ensued when strangers stop to admire her. Growling followed by "my sister" and then growling again until they leave. (It hasn't helped that AB edges him on in this behavior.) I only hope that his protective nature grows as she grows. Isn't that the dream for all little girls is to have at least one protective big brother?
Tenderness has also entered Leif's life. We were riding home from daycare tonight and Skadi was doing her usual fussing in the car. I turned up the music (hey, it used to work with Leif!). Leif on the other hand showed genuine concern.
"What's wrong boy?" (He still calls her "boy" regularly.)
"Where's your pacifier?"
"Mommy, where's Skadi's pacifier?"
"Anything I do make you happy?"
"Oh don't cry, it's ok!"
All things I heard from the backseat in the most tender little boy voice. Tears.
And his favorite book right now? Ok, second favorite behind "Sam I am I am" is "I'm a Big Brother". Of course you have to substitute his and Skadi's names in for the little boy and gender neutral baby.
When I had Leif I would cry at the thought of him growing up. I wanted him to stay tiny forever. I wanted to savor every minute. I still want to savor every minute with Skadi, but I look forward to watching her grow, I am not fearful of losing the little baby because I know that there are so many fun experiences just around the corner and that it only gets better and the love only grows stronger. Oh and maybe since I think I have a good shot at selling AB on having a third...
I have seen Leif evolve in so many different ways in the last seven weeks. It started out as 100% jealousy and a complete lack of understanding of what happened to his former life. I would get tears in my eyes when he would scream, "no, that's my mommy!" when I would nurse Skadi. It tore me apart to have AB drag him off my lap screaming as he would jump on it an inch from Skadi's head.
About 75% of the jealousy has abated. It might decrease a little more over the years, but I think we are at a settling point in the pond. A tantrum will occur if I dare bring Skadi into our bedtime routine. His going to bed time is one on one time with AB or I, and that needs to not change for the time being.
What has replaced that 75% of jealousy is love in many forms. He is protective of his little sister - as shown by the growling that has ensued when strangers stop to admire her. Growling followed by "my sister" and then growling again until they leave. (It hasn't helped that AB edges him on in this behavior.) I only hope that his protective nature grows as she grows. Isn't that the dream for all little girls is to have at least one protective big brother?
Tenderness has also entered Leif's life. We were riding home from daycare tonight and Skadi was doing her usual fussing in the car. I turned up the music (hey, it used to work with Leif!). Leif on the other hand showed genuine concern.
"What's wrong boy?" (He still calls her "boy" regularly.)
"Where's your pacifier?"
"Mommy, where's Skadi's pacifier?"
"Anything I do make you happy?"
"Oh don't cry, it's ok!"
All things I heard from the backseat in the most tender little boy voice. Tears.
And his favorite book right now? Ok, second favorite behind "Sam I am I am" is "I'm a Big Brother". Of course you have to substitute his and Skadi's names in for the little boy and gender neutral baby.
When I had Leif I would cry at the thought of him growing up. I wanted him to stay tiny forever. I wanted to savor every minute. I still want to savor every minute with Skadi, but I look forward to watching her grow, I am not fearful of losing the little baby because I know that there are so many fun experiences just around the corner and that it only gets better and the love only grows stronger. Oh and maybe since I think I have a good shot at selling AB on having a third...
Little sponges for learning
AB: "Do you want to go for a W-A-L-K tonight?" (We spell this to prevent our dog from tearing our house apart upon hearing the word "walk". Pavlovian response.)
Leif: "I want to go for a walk!!"
Leif: "I want to go for a walk!!"
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Quick note
If anyone has e-mailed me through my blog (i.e. my spam account acarman72@yahoo.com)... sorry, I didn't get it. I usually check it every few days and I got so far behind while being out of town. I had over 1000 (99% spam) e-mails and so I just dumped the whole thing. Post here and let me know and I will contact you if you don't have my other e-mail address.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Probably just what I needed
A few posts ago I expressed a very not ready to go back to work sentiment as I bemoaned the fact that my maternity leave was closing in on being 75% finished. Most all that I have really heard about work in the nearly eight weeks I have been off has been bad. How awful things are right now, the layoffs, life in the "lack of funding" trenches. Couple this with AB's growing discontent of this area (and no one pounding down doors to hire him) and I was nearly ready to call it quits. Key word... was.
I had even found a few jobs online to apply for. One of them, AB stated was a nearly sure thing. My qualifications were perfect and it is working for one of my major client's client. And so we started dreaming about what life would be like in Portland. (Among other cities.) Restaurants. Culture.
Then I checked my work e-mail today and had a five minute conversation with my mentor. Amazing what a little appeal to one's ego can do and knowing that I have someone pulling for me in a recent, and extremely political proposal call, can do.
My mentor talked to a division director (in the group I want to move to). She didn't know my name immediately though apparently stated she felt as if she should know who I was. My mentor told her what big (and extremely profitable) project I had been on and she knew me immediately and recalled me receiving my award for that project in March. When he told her I had a "really well written and intriguing proposal" to put out for this call she "suddenly became very attentive". The conversation ended with the division director stating she would contact a particular person and ask him to work with me on the proposal.
Note to self... next time I see her dropping off or picking her son up at daycare... introduce myself!
So 10 minutes on the internet and 5 minutes on the phone has me thinking returning to work won't be SOO bad. And it has me reminding AB of everything we love about the area... though the summer weather might have been a little forced and definitely garnered an eyebrow raising from AB (remember AB = Alaska Boy). He admitted that the shakedown of a reorg could definitely move me in a very positive direction and my four weeks paid vacation a year is a hard thing to walk away from. It probably also helped that he got two pretty positive responses from headhunters in the area today and sent out about 10 resumes.
For now, thoughts of jumping ship have been shoved onto the backburner. Talk to me in a month though.
I had even found a few jobs online to apply for. One of them, AB stated was a nearly sure thing. My qualifications were perfect and it is working for one of my major client's client. And so we started dreaming about what life would be like in Portland. (Among other cities.) Restaurants. Culture.
Then I checked my work e-mail today and had a five minute conversation with my mentor. Amazing what a little appeal to one's ego can do and knowing that I have someone pulling for me in a recent, and extremely political proposal call, can do.
My mentor talked to a division director (in the group I want to move to). She didn't know my name immediately though apparently stated she felt as if she should know who I was. My mentor told her what big (and extremely profitable) project I had been on and she knew me immediately and recalled me receiving my award for that project in March. When he told her I had a "really well written and intriguing proposal" to put out for this call she "suddenly became very attentive". The conversation ended with the division director stating she would contact a particular person and ask him to work with me on the proposal.
Note to self... next time I see her dropping off or picking her son up at daycare... introduce myself!
So 10 minutes on the internet and 5 minutes on the phone has me thinking returning to work won't be SOO bad. And it has me reminding AB of everything we love about the area... though the summer weather might have been a little forced and definitely garnered an eyebrow raising from AB (remember AB = Alaska Boy). He admitted that the shakedown of a reorg could definitely move me in a very positive direction and my four weeks paid vacation a year is a hard thing to walk away from. It probably also helped that he got two pretty positive responses from headhunters in the area today and sent out about 10 resumes.
For now, thoughts of jumping ship have been shoved onto the backburner. Talk to me in a month though.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Starfish continued
Starfish... found.
V phoned this morning to tell us that the starfish has been found.
Immediate confusion. They didn't come to the cabin with us... how did they find the starfish?
Turns out that she smelled something in the car that smelled like spoiled milk. Then noticed it was coming from the pack and play... the one we borrowed for Skadi to use at the cabin.
Yep. You guessed it. The starfish was put in the pack and play by one little somebody. Then evidently the pack and play was broken down and packed up by one big somebody. (Note, that was NOT me.)
This was a big and stiff starfish. How AB packed up the pack and play with this starfish inside I have no idea. Put some muscle behind it I guess.
Mortified. I think I would have rather it been at the cabin and be facing ribbing for the rest of our lives from family.
V phoned this morning to tell us that the starfish has been found.
Immediate confusion. They didn't come to the cabin with us... how did they find the starfish?
Turns out that she smelled something in the car that smelled like spoiled milk. Then noticed it was coming from the pack and play... the one we borrowed for Skadi to use at the cabin.
Yep. You guessed it. The starfish was put in the pack and play by one little somebody. Then evidently the pack and play was broken down and packed up by one big somebody. (Note, that was NOT me.)
This was a big and stiff starfish. How AB packed up the pack and play with this starfish inside I have no idea. Put some muscle behind it I guess.
Mortified. I think I would have rather it been at the cabin and be facing ribbing for the rest of our lives from family.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Vacation
On the whale watching trip... we saw no whales. It remains on my life list. (And I am seriously questioning the claim on the charter companies website citing whales seen 99% of the time during the April to May season... hmmm...)
Skadi smiles!
Leif and AB and a seal... AB tried and tried to get pictures of the seals that were playing around the boat and we left bummed that there were no seal pictures. That was until we were going through the pictures a few minutes ago. Apparently I got very lucky! See it? (Or is it too small here?)
Having fun on the swing!
How to pack for vacation and other stories
"Leif do you want to pack your bag for vacation?"
"Yes mommy!" and he runs off to his room.
A few minutes later he hauls back his little rolling suitcase packed...
with a roll of paper towels (where did those come from?), Green Eggs and Ham, and a matchbox car. "I ready now!" he announces.
------------------
And from the annals of where did he pick that up?
"I tell you what...." starts about 75% of sentences currently.
-------------------
The story of the most unluckiest starfish... ever.
AB was retrieveing oysters (from our seeded beds) to haul back home and decided to bring a starfish up to the cabin for Leif to touch. It was a large purple starfish and Leif was enamored. He touched the spines and called them "little teeth". We looked at how the starfish ate and touched the little tentacle suction cup things. (It is SO fun showing a child a new thing.)
We manhandled the starfish for a little while and Leif decided he wanted to bring the starfish home. I found a bag to put it in. Leif marvelled and dragged the bag around the cabin.
We were driving home and Leif starts wailing, "MY STARFISH!!"
I calmly told him daddy put it in the back of the car. AB looks at me and raises his eyebrows, "I did?"
"Yes," I tell him, "I put it in a bag next to the cooler."
"Umm, no," he tells me, "I didn't put it in the car."
More wailing from the back seat. "MY STARFISH, MY STARFISH!"
"Leif where did you put your starfish?" we ask him.
"In the garbage," he says.
"Which garbage," AB asks hopeful it is the garbage bag that is in the back of the car to go to the dump on the way home.
"The garbage," he says between wails.
Lucky AB gets to paw through the garbage while dumping it. No starfish.
Yeah, we are going to NEVER hear the end of it if the cabin is stunk up by a starfish.
"Yes mommy!" and he runs off to his room.
A few minutes later he hauls back his little rolling suitcase packed...
with a roll of paper towels (where did those come from?), Green Eggs and Ham, and a matchbox car. "I ready now!" he announces.
------------------
And from the annals of where did he pick that up?
"I tell you what...." starts about 75% of sentences currently.
-------------------
The story of the most unluckiest starfish... ever.
AB was retrieveing oysters (from our seeded beds) to haul back home and decided to bring a starfish up to the cabin for Leif to touch. It was a large purple starfish and Leif was enamored. He touched the spines and called them "little teeth". We looked at how the starfish ate and touched the little tentacle suction cup things. (It is SO fun showing a child a new thing.)
We manhandled the starfish for a little while and Leif decided he wanted to bring the starfish home. I found a bag to put it in. Leif marvelled and dragged the bag around the cabin.
We were driving home and Leif starts wailing, "MY STARFISH!!"
I calmly told him daddy put it in the back of the car. AB looks at me and raises his eyebrows, "I did?"
"Yes," I tell him, "I put it in a bag next to the cooler."
"Umm, no," he tells me, "I didn't put it in the car."
More wailing from the back seat. "MY STARFISH, MY STARFISH!"
"Leif where did you put your starfish?" we ask him.
"In the garbage," he says.
"Which garbage," AB asks hopeful it is the garbage bag that is in the back of the car to go to the dump on the way home.
"The garbage," he says between wails.
Lucky AB gets to paw through the garbage while dumping it. No starfish.
Yeah, we are going to NEVER hear the end of it if the cabin is stunk up by a starfish.
Six weeks already?
Today is the last day of my maternity leave. Six weeks, poof. Gone. I have opted to take another two weeks off unpaid and will go back to work on the 21st. As a currently single income family while my husband finishes up his degree and job hunts in his new field, I have to admit that this two weeks unpaid is painful. My vacation time is on the low side from holiday travel and I need it for upcoming family visits and a few things *I* want to do this summer. So I could use a couple days vacation, but not having sick time for another year essentially, and having a toddler and new baby... yeah, better keep the vacation time.
Before I had kids I tended towards the hard line... what's the big deal, go back to work and get over it. Having done this twice now myself I can officially say that six weeks maternity leave is unjust. I had eight weeks paid off with Leif, but my company has since then opted to outsource the administration of their disability program to an underwriter group who prides themselves on lowering the bottom line. To take an additional two weeks off paid I better have a damned good, documented doctor's excuse. This is despite the fact that I have an additional two weeks time banked that I could use.
I was always the voice of dissent on discussion boards when people would whine about how much better women in other countries have it. My response (as your typical fiscal conservative) was always "who pays for this? The people do! Look at their tax rates! How do you expect small businesses to survive?" Yadda yadda yadda.
Tune changed.
It isn't that I balk at leaving Skadi at daycare. I am truly lucky that I have outstanding infant care and that I have two women who are so excited to have her in their care. Maybe it's that I just am not feeling like going back to work. I am relishing how much I can get done in a day with just Skadi at home, while freaking out at how little I get done with Leif and Skadi at home. I don't know what it is, maybe my feelings of indifference will have abated in two weeks and I will look forward to going back and writing proposals and taking over my project again. Maybe.
Doubtful.
Before I had kids I tended towards the hard line... what's the big deal, go back to work and get over it. Having done this twice now myself I can officially say that six weeks maternity leave is unjust. I had eight weeks paid off with Leif, but my company has since then opted to outsource the administration of their disability program to an underwriter group who prides themselves on lowering the bottom line. To take an additional two weeks off paid I better have a damned good, documented doctor's excuse. This is despite the fact that I have an additional two weeks time banked that I could use.
I was always the voice of dissent on discussion boards when people would whine about how much better women in other countries have it. My response (as your typical fiscal conservative) was always "who pays for this? The people do! Look at their tax rates! How do you expect small businesses to survive?" Yadda yadda yadda.
Tune changed.
It isn't that I balk at leaving Skadi at daycare. I am truly lucky that I have outstanding infant care and that I have two women who are so excited to have her in their care. Maybe it's that I just am not feeling like going back to work. I am relishing how much I can get done in a day with just Skadi at home, while freaking out at how little I get done with Leif and Skadi at home. I don't know what it is, maybe my feelings of indifference will have abated in two weeks and I will look forward to going back and writing proposals and taking over my project again. Maybe.
Doubtful.
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