A topic on my October mom's board today was to name 10 lessons you want to teach your child. Thought it might make for a fun blog topic, too . . .
I hope Alyssa will learn from me ~
1. Always say please and thank you and show respect no matter how important you think the person you are interacting with is.
2. How to handle money responsibly
3. Get out of town . . . travel as much as you can. It may be scary, but its an invaluable experience.
4. Its okay (and encouraged!) to make mistakes and bad choices; recongonize that you've done so and learn from them.
5. Let your guard down and just be silly once in awhile.
6. Don't judge people solely on first impressions . . . many of the important people in my life wouldn't have been in my life if I had.
7. Take time to enjoy the little things in life; in the end they are what matter most.
8. Don't let other people tell you who you should be or what you should do; follow your own heart because it knows best.
9. Listen to your gut and don't be afraid to do what you know is right deep down regardless of the "popular" vote.
10. Know that no matter how harshly the world tosses you around, you always, always, always have a safe haven at home (with your mommmy :) ).
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Got Parenting Skills?
Which of us is the lesser of the parents?
Adam: Hey, Alyssa's having Twizzlers for dinner, okay?
Me: Okay.
Is it me for agreeing that its okay for her to have twizzlers or Adam for not wanting to find something more healthy than twizzlers or is it me again for not going downstairs and finding her something else to eat?
Adam: Hey, Alyssa's having Twizzlers for dinner, okay?
Me: Okay.
Is it me for agreeing that its okay for her to have twizzlers or Adam for not wanting to find something more healthy than twizzlers or is it me again for not going downstairs and finding her something else to eat?
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Recurring Nightmare
I think this is maybe the mommy equivalent to the "naked high school" dream . . .
Ever since Alyssa was born I've had this dream where I put her down for her nap, and then I just leave the house. I go to the grocery store, go to the mall, ect, but I leave her completely alone at home figuring that she'll nap, I can run errands without having to lug her along, and I'll be home before she wakes up. Sometimes I end up running late or losing track of time and then I start freaking out because Adam is going to be home before I am and I wonder how I'm going to explain that I left Alyssa completely by herself. Its sounds so silly, but I'll wake up absolutely horrified at the idea of Alyssa being alone and me leaving her.
Ever since Alyssa was born I've had this dream where I put her down for her nap, and then I just leave the house. I go to the grocery store, go to the mall, ect, but I leave her completely alone at home figuring that she'll nap, I can run errands without having to lug her along, and I'll be home before she wakes up. Sometimes I end up running late or losing track of time and then I start freaking out because Adam is going to be home before I am and I wonder how I'm going to explain that I left Alyssa completely by herself. Its sounds so silly, but I'll wake up absolutely horrified at the idea of Alyssa being alone and me leaving her.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Back in the swing of things
Alyssa and I started back at jazzercise this week. I'm trying to ease into things by doing M,W,F classes for a few weeks and then hopefully adding a fourth one into the mix sometime. Maybe on the weekend to give Alyssa and Daddy some alone time. I'm amazed at how much I missed my classes. Not just hanging out with other adults, but I actually feel so nice and stretched out and not so tense all of the time. But the best part of it was today . . . watching Alyssa come running out of the childcare room absolutely beaming from cheek to cheek. And I don't think it was happiness at seeing me . . . it was happiness at being back around her friends, being able to run around with the other kids, and just have her own little "me time". I never thought when I started doing jazzercise as my ticket to get healthier both physcially and emotionally/mentally it would have such a huge impact on Alyssa's well being, too, but I think its turned her into a really well-adjusted and outgoing toddler. Maybe I'm not such a sucky mom after all. :P
Lookit!
Look at what my wonderful, fabulous, spectacular handsome hubby surprised me with yesterday! YAY! I'm torn between loving it and hating it, but I think we'll learn to co-exsist peacefully as soon as I can learn to work the thing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! :) That totally made my Tuesday.
Monday, August 14, 2006
I feel like such a sucky mom today
The day started out good . . . we went to jazzercise, stopped by McD's for lunch to get Alyssa "nunnets", played a little "hide in the closet" and then happily went down for a nap. Fast forward to about 3 PM. Within about 20 minutes she insisted her DVD be changed about 7 times. She drives me NUTS when she toddles up to the entertainment center, pulls open the glass front, and pushes the "open" button on the DVD player, pulls the DVD out, brings it to me and says "Done", then freaks out until I let her pick out another one. So I had finally had it, told her no more TV/DVDs for the rest of the day and decided to go outside. Normally a favorite activity of hers and its actually not insanely humid out. We were outside for 30-40 minutes and I think she cried for about 90% of that time. She cried because I wouldn't let her keep going up and down the next door neighbors slide (its a BIG slide and makes me nervous when there aren't two of us there to watch her AND I feel weird having her play in their yard when they aren't out, even though I know they don't care). She cried because on our walk around the block I wouldn't let her wander up the side street and play with some other kids that we've never met and were a lot older than her and their Barbie jeep. She cried because I tried to make her play in the front yard instead of the back yard because we have no flipping trees in the backyard and it gets HOT with the sun beating down on me and I have no tolerance for heat in my pregnant condition. I moved all the toys she was playing with to the front AND pulled out the chalk. The only time she stopped crying was when the garbage man was picked up Robb and Crystal's yard waste and I think she only stopped crying then because she was too scared to cry. She cried when I suggested walking around the block. She cried when I picked her up to carry her inside.
I finally broke down and put in another DVD (actually 2, because one is never good enough) to get about 20 minutes of peace while I made supper. And now I'm watching her and Adam walk down the street together and she seems so happy and I feel like a fat, frumpy, funless mom. And I'm not sure if I'm cut out for the SAHM gig.
I finally broke down and put in another DVD (actually 2, because one is never good enough) to get about 20 minutes of peace while I made supper. And now I'm watching her and Adam walk down the street together and she seems so happy and I feel like a fat, frumpy, funless mom. And I'm not sure if I'm cut out for the SAHM gig.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Paranoid, much?
Alyssa and I got home about 30 minutes ago from the inlaws for a "Congrats Ben Dinner" (oldest bil got his MBA today, woo hoo!). Anyway, I quickly let the dogs out, hit the bathroom myself, and then went upstairs to get Alyssa ready for bed. As we were getting ready to sit down to read books I heard Joey start barking furiously. Which isn't that big of a shocker, but when Lexi started in too, I had to go check things out. I could see that someone was at the door, so I left Alyssa at the top of the steps and ran down to see who was there.
There was a good looking "kid" (I'm guessing around 18ish) standing there. I opened the door, but kept the screen door shut and he explained that he lives a couple blocks away, goes to UNL, was on the dean's list and just got selected to go study in France and Italy for a semester with 12 other students (off topic ~ how cool would that be?!). He said his mom had paid for 1/2 the trip, but he had to come up with the other half, so he was doing some fundraising. I told him that I was just getting ready to put Alyssa to bed and asked if he could come back tomorrow. He got this kind of shifty look on his face and said something along the line of "I've only got 2 more packages of kids books left, so I'm not going to be doing this much longer". I considered checking out what he had to offer, but insisted that I needed to get Alyssa to bed, so he left.
Halfway through his "speech" I realized that I unconsciously locked the screen door since my hand was on the handle. And as I went back upstairs to read to Alyssa I felt really uneasy for some reason. Almost like he was casing the joint. I hope Adam gets home soon because my tummy is all sorts of topsy turvy. I kinda wish we had an alarm/security system (besides a 100 lb golden retriever and a 11 lb pomeranian, that is).
There was a good looking "kid" (I'm guessing around 18ish) standing there. I opened the door, but kept the screen door shut and he explained that he lives a couple blocks away, goes to UNL, was on the dean's list and just got selected to go study in France and Italy for a semester with 12 other students (off topic ~ how cool would that be?!). He said his mom had paid for 1/2 the trip, but he had to come up with the other half, so he was doing some fundraising. I told him that I was just getting ready to put Alyssa to bed and asked if he could come back tomorrow. He got this kind of shifty look on his face and said something along the line of "I've only got 2 more packages of kids books left, so I'm not going to be doing this much longer". I considered checking out what he had to offer, but insisted that I needed to get Alyssa to bed, so he left.
Halfway through his "speech" I realized that I unconsciously locked the screen door since my hand was on the handle. And as I went back upstairs to read to Alyssa I felt really uneasy for some reason. Almost like he was casing the joint. I hope Adam gets home soon because my tummy is all sorts of topsy turvy. I kinda wish we had an alarm/security system (besides a 100 lb golden retriever and a 11 lb pomeranian, that is).
Friday, August 11, 2006
Hog Update
4 very serious looking guys are currently carving up the hog. So I can put to rest my fears of them just dropping the poor thing on the drive way and yelling "COME AND GET IT" to which 100 people run forward to start ripping pieces of flesh from the bones.
Can I get an "ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"? I'm being such a baby about this, but it is providing for some good entertainment for Alyssa and I today.
Can I get an "ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"? I'm being such a baby about this, but it is providing for some good entertainment for Alyssa and I today.
Ewwww to the 10th degree
Our next door neighbors are hosting a pig roast tonight for neighbors, friends, family, people who happen to wander by, ect. I'm always up for a fun neighborhood party, but after seeing "the hog" slapped up on the bed of a pick up and sliced down the middle this morning, I'm not sure I can handle this. I've been apprehensive about the whole thought of eating a roasted pig (for some reason the thought of eating unprocessed pork really gets to me) and then add the nothing sounds good/the thought of everything, including ice cream, makes me want to yack lately . . . not a good situation.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
His CRAP machine . . .
Adam did a sleep study a couple weeks ago because he hadn't been sleeping well/feeling really tired lately and they couldn't find anything wrong with him from his physical/blood tests that his doctor did. (I know ladies, you're totally impressed that I have a husband that voluntarily goes to the doctor, aren't you? ;) ) Anyway, we haven't heard his results for sure, but we're expecting to hear that he has some variation of sleep apnea and will need to wear a CPAP machine at night.
I'm having WAAAAY too much fun with this. First of all, when I was reading his blog where it mentioned different things about the CPAP machine, I immediately read "CRAP machine". So now I tease Adam about being an old geezer and having to wear his CRAP machine. Then after we turn out the lights at night we take turns humming loudly and blowing on each other's faces to prepare ourselves for what life will be like when CRAP-py comes to stay. We're how old? I suppose we laugh so we don't cry, right?
I'm having WAAAAY too much fun with this. First of all, when I was reading his blog where it mentioned different things about the CPAP machine, I immediately read "CRAP machine". So now I tease Adam about being an old geezer and having to wear his CRAP machine. Then after we turn out the lights at night we take turns humming loudly and blowing on each other's faces to prepare ourselves for what life will be like when CRAP-py comes to stay. We're how old? I suppose we laugh so we don't cry, right?
Friday, August 04, 2006
Welcome to my world
its almost taken on an "Alice in Wonderland" kind of feel. Nothing is as it should be!
Monday, July 31, 2006
My little chocolate monster
This picture makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. Ahhh, the joys of parenthood!
She looks positively evil, doesn't she? ;)New Family Members!
After watching Alyssa totally wig out watching the Wiggles this morning when they showed a gold fish (and then continue to say "Fish, Fish, Fish" while pointing at the TV throughout the day), I decided to take her to the pet store and see what she thought of fish in "real" life. She LOVED it, so we came home as the proud new owners of two goldfish. Currently we're leaning towards naming them Macaroni and Cheese. All afternoon/evening Alyssa has been completely enthralled with them. And heck, when they die, I bet she'll be the first to volunteer to flush them . . . she loves flushing stuff. I just hope that life with a toddler isn't to traumatizing for them. Already she'll pull her step stool over to the bookshelf and climb up to look at them. I'm waiting for the day that she decides to try to pull the tank off the shelf . . . yikes!
Live long and prosper fish! Aka FEESH!FEESH! in Toddler-ease.
Live long and prosper fish! Aka FEESH!FEESH! in Toddler-ease.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Its a proud, proud day . . .
for this mommy to a little girl!
Introducing . . . the ponytail! Its there, barely, but its there!!! :)
Let's flash back to a year ago . . .
Look at my 'lil baldy!!!
Introducing . . . the ponytail! Its there, barely, but its there!!! :)
Let's flash back to a year ago . . .
Look at my 'lil baldy!!!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Julai ~ you gotta do this one!
| You Are A Margarita Martini |
 You are a full on partier, with a good deal of sass and spunk. You're always friendly and welcoming - and very tolerant of obnoxious drunks. You should never: Drink and dance. The pictures will be everywhere the next morning! Your ideal party: Is loud, with good music and fun drinking games. Your drinking soulmates: Those with a Dirty Martini personality Your drinking rivals: Those with a Classic Martini personality |
What Flavor Martini Are You?
I gotta know if we are drinking soulmates, drinking rivals, or somewhere in between!
(Not that it'll stop us for going out and partying it up like rock stars, but its good knowledge to have)
I've always wanted to be known as "the girl with a good deal of sass and spunk" ~ too often I'm known as the girl with a good deal of ass (I must be tired because that is DAMN funny to me tonight). And its true about me not drinking and dancing . . . only leads to injury, I'm afraid.
(Not that it'll stop us for going out and partying it up like rock stars, but its good knowledge to have)
I've always wanted to be known as "the girl with a good deal of sass and spunk" ~ too often I'm known as the girl with a good deal of ass (I must be tired because that is DAMN funny to me tonight). And its true about me not drinking and dancing . . . only leads to injury, I'm afraid.
I feel like such a loser!
I keep getting blown off . . . by MY MOM!
Last week all the H-town "grandmas" were coming into town for the Street of Dreams home tour. They started out their day by visiting all the grandkids and kids' houses. The day before they came my mom e-mailed me to say that they were stopping by our house first, but if I wanted to go over to Renee's house with them afterwards I was welcome. And since I hadn't seen Renee's house or met her twins, I was pretty much planning on going. But then the fateful day arrived. Renee's mom asked Alyssa if she was going to go with them to go see Stephen and Abigail, but then said "oh, maybe I shouldn't have said that, she'll want to go with us". I looked at my mom expecting her to say something along the lines of "she is going with us" or "did you decide if you wanted to go over to Renee's?", but she didn't say a thing. I tried to just let it go, but I was disappointed.
Saturday my mom and I were running some errands and she told me that she and her friend Mary were going to come into town this week and do some shopping and wanted to know what we had going on. I said we were free pretty much all week. This morning I called to find out if they had decided what day there were coming so that I could have Adam leave the carseat here. (He's car is broken, so he has to take Gwen to work). My mom said "Oh, we're coming in this morning after my meeting" as if she was surprised that I had asked. Great. I guess its probably selfish of me to expect that every time she comes to town she'll want to see us/hang out with us, but when she specifically asked what my schedule was, it seems like kind of a blow off.
Last week all the H-town "grandmas" were coming into town for the Street of Dreams home tour. They started out their day by visiting all the grandkids and kids' houses. The day before they came my mom e-mailed me to say that they were stopping by our house first, but if I wanted to go over to Renee's house with them afterwards I was welcome. And since I hadn't seen Renee's house or met her twins, I was pretty much planning on going. But then the fateful day arrived. Renee's mom asked Alyssa if she was going to go with them to go see Stephen and Abigail, but then said "oh, maybe I shouldn't have said that, she'll want to go with us". I looked at my mom expecting her to say something along the lines of "she is going with us" or "did you decide if you wanted to go over to Renee's?", but she didn't say a thing. I tried to just let it go, but I was disappointed.
Saturday my mom and I were running some errands and she told me that she and her friend Mary were going to come into town this week and do some shopping and wanted to know what we had going on. I said we were free pretty much all week. This morning I called to find out if they had decided what day there were coming so that I could have Adam leave the carseat here. (He's car is broken, so he has to take Gwen to work). My mom said "Oh, we're coming in this morning after my meeting" as if she was surprised that I had asked. Great. I guess its probably selfish of me to expect that every time she comes to town she'll want to see us/hang out with us, but when she specifically asked what my schedule was, it seems like kind of a blow off.
Stopping to smell the flowers
Friday afternoon when I got Alyssa up from her nap she was rolling all over the changing table and fighting getting her diaper changed something fierce. She finally got semi-free from me and grabbed my tank top that I was wearing. I figured she was going to try to pull herself up with it, but lo and behold all she wanted to do was pull my tank top closer to her so that she could "smell" the flowers on it! It happened again yesterday when I walked into to get her after her nap. I was wearing ANOTHER shirt with flowers on it (honestly, I don't have that many flowered items in my wardrobe, I swear!) and she got SOOOO excited. She grabbed at my shirt before I could even lean over to pick her up and inhaled deeply as she stuck her face into my shirt. Too cute!!! I love her!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Jeff ~ this one is for you!!!
Most of my readers know our big news by now, but there are a handful that don't (and evidently there are a handful of smarty pants out there *cough* Amber, Randy, Asten *cough* that figured it out on their own even thought I was trying to be super sly about it).
Anyway, we are very happy to announce that our Miss Alyssa is going to be in a big sister in February! Happy = Terrified, right? ;) For anyone who wants to read my pregnancy thoughts so far I started a new blog for Baby "Bun". I'm really going to try to keep it up, but I have a feeling that it will probably just get "adopted" by my Mama Musings blog. Already screwing over the 2nd kid; right on schedule. We've had 2 ultrasounds already, so I'll post some baby pictures for you all to "ooohhhh" and "ahhhh" over. :)
Bun @ 6 weeks 3 days
Bun @ 8 weeks 3 days
Anyway, we are very happy to announce that our Miss Alyssa is going to be in a big sister in February! Happy = Terrified, right? ;) For anyone who wants to read my pregnancy thoughts so far I started a new blog for Baby "Bun". I'm really going to try to keep it up, but I have a feeling that it will probably just get "adopted" by my Mama Musings blog. Already screwing over the 2nd kid; right on schedule. We've had 2 ultrasounds already, so I'll post some baby pictures for you all to "ooohhhh" and "ahhhh" over. :)
Bun @ 6 weeks 3 days
Bun @ 8 weeks 3 days
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Friday night parties
It was an exciting Friday night for our family. Adam and I went to a wedding, so G&G Nelsen were on Alyssa duty. They took her home with them and she spent the night partying it up like a rock star at Jacob's 16th birthday poker party with the rest of the Olsen family.
notice she doesn't know to hold her pretzel like a cigar . . . she's just trying to shove as much food in her mouth as quickly as possible. That's my girl!!!
I think it was Alyssa's advice that helped Anna win the big money . . . we seriously need to talk about getting a cut of that!
The wedding we went to was really nice. The reception was at the art museum downtown, which was absolutely stunning. I had always kind of thought it was a weird place for a reception given the layout, but it was very classic and sophisticated. We had a fun time hanging out with Asten, but if we could have eaten a little earlier, like within an HOUR of getting to the reception, and avoided the pesky "who should we eat first" incident things would have been a lot better. ;) Or at least be less stingy on the appetizers. Maybe "pushy wine guy" should have been in charge of those. I think I'll write a letter.
PS ~ Know what time Alyssa went to bed? 11 PM. Know what time her parents went to bed? About 11:15 and I felt like a total party animal. How sad is that?!?!?!
notice she doesn't know to hold her pretzel like a cigar . . . she's just trying to shove as much food in her mouth as quickly as possible. That's my girl!!!
I think it was Alyssa's advice that helped Anna win the big money . . . we seriously need to talk about getting a cut of that!
The wedding we went to was really nice. The reception was at the art museum downtown, which was absolutely stunning. I had always kind of thought it was a weird place for a reception given the layout, but it was very classic and sophisticated. We had a fun time hanging out with Asten, but if we could have eaten a little earlier, like within an HOUR of getting to the reception, and avoided the pesky "who should we eat first" incident things would have been a lot better. ;) Or at least be less stingy on the appetizers. Maybe "pushy wine guy" should have been in charge of those. I think I'll write a letter.
PS ~ Know what time Alyssa went to bed? 11 PM. Know what time her parents went to bed? About 11:15 and I felt like a total party animal. How sad is that?!?!?!
Cousins!
As much as my youngest niece can tend to drive me NUTS, completely and utterly NUTS, its things like this that totally warm my heart and makes me glad that she's around.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Splish Splash they were having a BLAST!
Okay, maybe blast is a bit much, but it rhymed!
Alyssa and I went with our neighbor Amy and her daughter Sophie (3 months younger than Alyssa) to a sprinkler park close to our house this afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised that it was first of all, free, and second of all very uncrowded for a pretty warm summer afternoon. Its kind of out in the middle of no where (like our neighborhood, I guess). There were 3 other kids there when we got there about 3:45 and then maybe around 10 when we left at 5. Its kind of geared more towards the toddler age group, so I didn't have to worry about Alyssa getting bowled over by some big kid. We'll definitely be going back ~ we'll have to take Evan and Charlie with us sometime. (PS ~ we miss you guys!!!)
Alyssa and I went with our neighbor Amy and her daughter Sophie (3 months younger than Alyssa) to a sprinkler park close to our house this afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised that it was first of all, free, and second of all very uncrowded for a pretty warm summer afternoon. Its kind of out in the middle of no where (like our neighborhood, I guess). There were 3 other kids there when we got there about 3:45 and then maybe around 10 when we left at 5. Its kind of geared more towards the toddler age group, so I didn't have to worry about Alyssa getting bowled over by some big kid. We'll definitely be going back ~ we'll have to take Evan and Charlie with us sometime. (PS ~ we miss you guys!!!)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Weather
My sister called last night to see if Alyssa and I wanted to come over and go swimming some time this week. I told her that either tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday would work and she replied that we should try for Tuesday because its going to be waaaay too hot on Wednesday. Too hot to swim?! What the heck? Wouldn't you want to swim on the hotter day? I know I would, but whateva!
In other weather related news . . . its supposed to be 102 on Wednesday and 71 on Friday. That just blows my mind!
In other weather related news . . . its supposed to be 102 on Wednesday and 71 on Friday. That just blows my mind!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
She makes my heart burn
I used to long for the days when Alyssa would be out of my stomach because I suffered really bad heart burn during pregnancy. Little did I know that she would make my heart "burn" just as bad, if not worse, when she was outside my body.
Yesterday morning I was vacuuming and I put Alyssa's rocking chair and mini easy chair up on the coffee table. My monkey, seeing a fine opportunity to prove her climbing skills, immediately made a beanline for the top of the coffee table and ultimately the top of her chair. As I turned around I saw the chair (with her in it) sliding off the coffee table. I did grab it before she fell, so she wasn't hurt at all, but it did scare the poo out of her. She cried for a good 10 minutes afterwards ~ she's such a sensitive soul.
Last night she was climbing on me then climbing on the coffee table and I kept telling her that she was going to get hurt. Then I said something along the lines of "Alyssa, do you remember this morning when you almost fell off the table and got really scared?". She gave me these big sad eyes and walked out of the room towards the front of the house. Turns out that she PUT HERSELF ON THE NAUGHTY STEP! Adam went to check on her and she was sitting on the steps looking all sad. I didn't yell at her when I reminded her that she almost got hurt, it was just a normal/reminding tone. And its not like I put her on the naughty step for almost falling off the table earlier in the day. And besides that I've only put her on the naughty step twice in the last couple months that we've been using it, TWICE, so its not like she spends a whole lot of time there. Just broke my heart that she thought I was mad at her or she had disappointed me somehow and she thought she needed to be punished.
Of course then today she threw herself off the coffee table onto me on the couch multiple times whether I was ready for her or not (thankfully her mommy is a pretty "fluffy" landing pad, so she didn't get hurt), so she must not have been too traumatized.
Yesterday morning I was vacuuming and I put Alyssa's rocking chair and mini easy chair up on the coffee table. My monkey, seeing a fine opportunity to prove her climbing skills, immediately made a beanline for the top of the coffee table and ultimately the top of her chair. As I turned around I saw the chair (with her in it) sliding off the coffee table. I did grab it before she fell, so she wasn't hurt at all, but it did scare the poo out of her. She cried for a good 10 minutes afterwards ~ she's such a sensitive soul.
Last night she was climbing on me then climbing on the coffee table and I kept telling her that she was going to get hurt. Then I said something along the lines of "Alyssa, do you remember this morning when you almost fell off the table and got really scared?". She gave me these big sad eyes and walked out of the room towards the front of the house. Turns out that she PUT HERSELF ON THE NAUGHTY STEP! Adam went to check on her and she was sitting on the steps looking all sad. I didn't yell at her when I reminded her that she almost got hurt, it was just a normal/reminding tone. And its not like I put her on the naughty step for almost falling off the table earlier in the day. And besides that I've only put her on the naughty step twice in the last couple months that we've been using it, TWICE, so its not like she spends a whole lot of time there. Just broke my heart that she thought I was mad at her or she had disappointed me somehow and she thought she needed to be punished.
Of course then today she threw herself off the coffee table onto me on the couch multiple times whether I was ready for her or not (thankfully her mommy is a pretty "fluffy" landing pad, so she didn't get hurt), so she must not have been too traumatized.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Glimpse into the future
Thursday last week Alyssa and I "kidnapped" Christy, Evan, and Charlie to go out for lunch in my (and Jeff's) hometown at Mickels/Wickies as a pick me up/early birthday lunch for Christy. We stopped by my parents house for a few minutes before heading back home to change diapers and get a cheerio refill. As we were leaving town when I heard Evan say "Mom, Alyssa's throwing cheerios at Charlie". Instantly I was saying "Alyssa, don't throw cheerios at Charlie". Its funny how second nature it was and how it felt so natural. I guess that's a sign that I can handle more than one kid, right? Right? RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Watermelon + Small Town Parade = Good 4th 'o July fun!
Okay, I've been trying to figure out something to blog about for a couple days now and nothing spectacular is coming to mind (its been a fairly mundane week), so I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures from the 4th of July. My mom and I took Alyssa to the parade in a town about 15 minutes from my hometown. My dad and "Johnny" (his restored 1935 John Deere tractor) were going to be in the parade, so that's pretty much the only reason we went. Its always really fun to see my dad having such a great time perched on top of his tractor. He really looks like a kid in a candy shop and you would have no clue that Parkingson's is slowly taking over his life. One of the great times I'll look back on ~ but that's not what this is all about. You gotta love small town parades . . . the local funeral home was giving out huge slices of watermelon, so since Alyssa was dressed festively in a watermelon dress (1 of 3 4th of July outfits that she rotated through) I decided to give her a piece and let her go at it. Of course, cuteness followed . . . 
The other thing that stuck me as "cute" during this parade was the announcer. First of all, they had a guy standing in front of the court house narrating who was going by and what they were riding/driving. And the gave a short biography. "Here comes Norm N on his 1935 John Deere Tractor. Norm lives on West Park Street and enjoys himself a nice hamburger on summer evenings". Not quite that detailed, but pretty darn close. Makes me miss my youth! Stay tuned for more small town fun . . . the county fair hits my hometown next week and I think Alyssa may ride in the parade with my nieces in my dad's wagon being pulled by the famous "Johnny".
The other thing that stuck me as "cute" during this parade was the announcer. First of all, they had a guy standing in front of the court house narrating who was going by and what they were riding/driving. And the gave a short biography. "Here comes Norm N on his 1935 John Deere Tractor. Norm lives on West Park Street and enjoys himself a nice hamburger on summer evenings". Not quite that detailed, but pretty darn close. Makes me miss my youth! Stay tuned for more small town fun . . . the county fair hits my hometown next week and I think Alyssa may ride in the parade with my nieces in my dad's wagon being pulled by the famous "Johnny".
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Daily Dose of Cuteness ~ Thanks to Alyssa for being so cute!
One of Alyssa's current favorite books is a Sesame Street Book called "Cookie See, Cookie Do" Each page is Elmo saying to do something, then you flip open the page and it will say "Cookie See Cookie Do *insert other SS character* too, you can, too!" We get to the page where Elmo says "Touch your nose. Touch your toes! Cookie See, Cookie Do Bert, too, so can you!" and here's where the cuteness really poured forth. Normally Alyssa and I will touch her nose together (she's finally nailed all the facial "body parts" and then we'll touch her toes together. Well today, I happened to be sitting cross legged on the floor with her in my lap, so she reached out and grabbed my toes and wiggled them as I was wiggling hers. TOO STINKIN' SWEET! I love that kid.
My second favorite book moment is from her long time fave "Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs". We'll get to the last page where it reads "Dinosaurs looking right at you to say goodbye because we're through". As soon as I say "you" she'll start waving at the dinosaurs in the book. Can you FEEL my heart melting?! I love that kid!
If I had a dollar for every time I said that, our money troubles would be over and I would take everyone I know on a vacation to a tropical island somewhere. Bring on the cabana boys and fruity drinks with umbrellas in them!
My second favorite book moment is from her long time fave "Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs". We'll get to the last page where it reads "Dinosaurs looking right at you to say goodbye because we're through". As soon as I say "you" she'll start waving at the dinosaurs in the book. Can you FEEL my heart melting?! I love that kid!
If I had a dollar for every time I said that, our money troubles would be over and I would take everyone I know on a vacation to a tropical island somewhere. Bring on the cabana boys and fruity drinks with umbrellas in them!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
I'm worth a lot, too!
Last night our insurance woman came over to talk to us about life insurance. Dum dum dummmmmmmm. Something that I know we really need to do (along with wills and all that jazz), but its so easy to put off because a) we don't have a whole lot of extra money lying around and b) who wants to think about that stuff?! But it turned out to be quite the ego boost for me. I always think about how screwed Alyssa and I would be if something happened to Adam since he's the one that brings all the money into the house, but last night I realized just how screwed Adam could be if something happened to me. We need to take out a policy just as big (if not bigger than Adam's ~ size DOES matter in this case) to cover MY worth (what Adam would have to pay for childcare, ect) if something happened to me. I want to put the estimate sheet on the fridge to prove to myself that just because I don't "work" and bring a paycheck in, I'm still damn important to this well oiled machine we call our family! Money, schmoney, honey . . . its all about the amount of life insurance you need to "replace" me.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Have I mentioned that she cracks me up?
I was getting ready to put Alyssa to bed tonight when Joey was going nuts barking at the kids next door, so on our way to Alyssa's bedroom I stuck Joey in our room so that she wouldn't keep barking and wake Alyssa up. Usually she'll just go hide under the bed or next to the toilet and be perfectly content, but not tonight. Tonight she is barking at an octive that no human should be able to hear and trying desparately to dig her way through our bedroom door. I was getting ready to go in there and beat her, I mean release her when I hear "no, no Jo!" coming from Alyssa's room. HOW STINKIN' CUTE IS THAT?!?!?!?!?!
PS Christy, this entry is basically for you because I wanted to blog about SOMETHING since I know you live for my blog, but for crying out loud ~ update your own already!!!!
PS Christy, this entry is basically for you because I wanted to blog about SOMETHING since I know you live for my blog, but for crying out loud ~ update your own already!!!!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sing what?
I found this site listing misinterpreted/mis-sang songs from Boomer's sister Angie's blog. (I think I've turned into a blog stalker for Angie since I found out that she teaches jazzercise and I'm totally in awe of her now. Is that creepy? ;) ) Anyway, I was looking through there and found myself seriously dumbstruck by some of the "oops" people had. Take the Beach Boys "Fun, Fun, Fun" ~ "she'll have fun, fun, fun 'till her Daddy takes her tea bag away". Huh? What kind of moron thinks that that could be the words to a song? It doesn't make any sense . . . but then I started thinking about my own experiences . . .
My classic song "oops" that will haunt me until the day I die is from "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown". You know the line "Badder than 'Ol King Kong"? Well I seriously thought it was "Badder than Whooping Cough". Come on! Whooping Cough is BAD, people!
Then there was our white water rafting trip to Colorado where Kimmy and I kept singing "Do you come from the land of hunger?" instead of "Do you come from the land down under?". Maybe we were affected by lack of food during that trip. Yeah, that's it.
My classic song "oops" that will haunt me until the day I die is from "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown". You know the line "Badder than 'Ol King Kong"? Well I seriously thought it was "Badder than Whooping Cough". Come on! Whooping Cough is BAD, people!
Then there was our white water rafting trip to Colorado where Kimmy and I kept singing "Do you come from the land of hunger?" instead of "Do you come from the land down under?". Maybe we were affected by lack of food during that trip. Yeah, that's it.
Back from the land 'o lakes . . .
We spent a long weekend in Hastings, MN for Eric and Hope's wedding. Overall, I *think* we had a good time, but Adam's blog may tell a different story.
Things I learned while on vacation:
*When traveling with a toddler, do NOT pack ANY white shirts (I packed 2, and both came home poop stained ~ and my top for the wedding also has a nice, pink, watermelon dumdum stain on it)
*Alyssa is MOST DEFINITELY not ready for her own big girl bed. She slept with me for part of both nights that we were in the hotel. Let's just say, it was an adventure in and of itself. There's nothing like being woken up by a toe in your eye or mouth or nose.
*Iowa and Minnesota's exit sign numbers correspond to the mile marker that the exit is located on. How convenient! According to Adam not all states do that. Dumb asses.
I absolutely love how everyone in the Olsen/Chipman family is totally head over heels in love with Alyssa. Its such a heartwarming feeling to see her being wrapped up in so much family love since she doesn't have a whole lot of "blood" family. Unfortunately, her debut of the chicken dance had to be postponed due to "the runs" (hence the poop stained shirts), but hopefully we'll be able to break it out come the 4th of July.
The wedding was held at a Pioneer Village near Hastings, which was really neat. The church was this small old-fashioned building and the reception hall was a really beautiful log cabin-type building. They had hired a horse and buggy/carriage to give Eric and Hope a ride after the ceremony, then it stuck around for a couple hours so that the guests could go for rides around the property (lots of cute pioneer village buildings), too. Besides the wedding for the most part we just hung out at the hotel and hot tub/pool. We did make our way down to the Mississippi river for some photo ops (needed SOMETHING to scrapbook) and we hit a creamery in town that had AMAZING ice cream a couple times. The best was the birthday cake ice cream ~ it had chunks of angelfood cake in it and sprinkles! We were told that the drive would only take 4 1/2 hours, but not so with a toddler and her grandpa. The drive up took 6 hours (with two stops) and the drive back took about 7 hours (but we did stop and have a "real" lunch). It was a looonnngggg weekend and I'm glad to be home, but it was really nice to get away.
Things I learned while on vacation:
*When traveling with a toddler, do NOT pack ANY white shirts (I packed 2, and both came home poop stained ~ and my top for the wedding also has a nice, pink, watermelon dumdum stain on it)
*Alyssa is MOST DEFINITELY not ready for her own big girl bed. She slept with me for part of both nights that we were in the hotel. Let's just say, it was an adventure in and of itself. There's nothing like being woken up by a toe in your eye or mouth or nose.
*Iowa and Minnesota's exit sign numbers correspond to the mile marker that the exit is located on. How convenient! According to Adam not all states do that. Dumb asses.
I absolutely love how everyone in the Olsen/Chipman family is totally head over heels in love with Alyssa. Its such a heartwarming feeling to see her being wrapped up in so much family love since she doesn't have a whole lot of "blood" family. Unfortunately, her debut of the chicken dance had to be postponed due to "the runs" (hence the poop stained shirts), but hopefully we'll be able to break it out come the 4th of July.
The wedding was held at a Pioneer Village near Hastings, which was really neat. The church was this small old-fashioned building and the reception hall was a really beautiful log cabin-type building. They had hired a horse and buggy/carriage to give Eric and Hope a ride after the ceremony, then it stuck around for a couple hours so that the guests could go for rides around the property (lots of cute pioneer village buildings), too. Besides the wedding for the most part we just hung out at the hotel and hot tub/pool. We did make our way down to the Mississippi river for some photo ops (needed SOMETHING to scrapbook) and we hit a creamery in town that had AMAZING ice cream a couple times. The best was the birthday cake ice cream ~ it had chunks of angelfood cake in it and sprinkles! We were told that the drive would only take 4 1/2 hours, but not so with a toddler and her grandpa. The drive up took 6 hours (with two stops) and the drive back took about 7 hours (but we did stop and have a "real" lunch). It was a looonnngggg weekend and I'm glad to be home, but it was really nice to get away.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Tuesday beef
Not that kind of beef . . . a complaint kind of beef.
Today it hit me that we need to face reality and accept that we will be making two house payments again next month, which will suck 75% of our income (okay, Adam's income) down the drain. Plus, it doesn't look like my big business venture is going to take off quite as soon as we had planned (although I TOTALLY understand wanting to stay home longer with Miss Lenka, Angie), so I'm feeling a bit strapped. So what do I do when I'm all ready to get riled up about something and need some company? I call Julia. I know she'll get all worked up with me in a heartbeat. I started telling her horror stories of our evil realtor (okay, so maybe I "expanded" a little bit, but what do you expect from a drama queen?!). She produced a wonderful display of outrage, which was what I was counting on.
The man ASSURED me that we would have the house sold in two weeks at most and here we are at three weeks without even a nibble. COME ON PEOPLE! GET OUTRAGED! WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN! SEND MONEY (to me)!!!!!!!!!!!!
The final nail in the coffin of my day was when I remembered our realtor, let's call him "Jim" (haha Eric!), said that he would be taking out an add complete with a picture in the Sunday paper last week to grab people's attention. I dug through the paper and found the ad which read:
*insert address here* is spectacular. Refridge and washer/dryer stay. Comfortable rec room with fireplace. *insert price and "Jim"'s phone number*
THAT'S FREAKING ALL IT SAID.
HELLO!? How about listing that it has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms? Maybe I'm a moron, but I would rather know how many bedrooms/bathrooms a house had instead of knowing that it has a "comfortable rec room". Who cares if the house has a bedroom or a bathroom; I just want to make sure it doesn't have an uncomfortable rec room.
Petty, I know, but it bothers me.
Today it hit me that we need to face reality and accept that we will be making two house payments again next month, which will suck 75% of our income (okay, Adam's income) down the drain. Plus, it doesn't look like my big business venture is going to take off quite as soon as we had planned (although I TOTALLY understand wanting to stay home longer with Miss Lenka, Angie), so I'm feeling a bit strapped. So what do I do when I'm all ready to get riled up about something and need some company? I call Julia. I know she'll get all worked up with me in a heartbeat. I started telling her horror stories of our evil realtor (okay, so maybe I "expanded" a little bit, but what do you expect from a drama queen?!). She produced a wonderful display of outrage, which was what I was counting on.
The man ASSURED me that we would have the house sold in two weeks at most and here we are at three weeks without even a nibble. COME ON PEOPLE! GET OUTRAGED! WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN! SEND MONEY (to me)!!!!!!!!!!!!
The final nail in the coffin of my day was when I remembered our realtor, let's call him "Jim" (haha Eric!), said that he would be taking out an add complete with a picture in the Sunday paper last week to grab people's attention. I dug through the paper and found the ad which read:
*insert address here* is spectacular. Refridge and washer/dryer stay. Comfortable rec room with fireplace. *insert price and "Jim"'s phone number*
THAT'S FREAKING ALL IT SAID.
HELLO!? How about listing that it has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms? Maybe I'm a moron, but I would rather know how many bedrooms/bathrooms a house had instead of knowing that it has a "comfortable rec room". Who cares if the house has a bedroom or a bathroom; I just want to make sure it doesn't have an uncomfortable rec room.
Petty, I know, but it bothers me.
Monday, June 12, 2006
20 months
Dear Alyssa,
You are 20 months old today. I cannot believe how old that seems!!! When I was pregnant, 18 months was the "magic" age when I thought that I would start thinking of you as a toddler. Turns out that I started thinking of you as a toddler as soon as you started "toddling". Imagine that. :) So, I kind of felt like I lost about 6 months of "baby" time because at about a year old I started thinking of you as a toddler. And I expected the toddler time to go from 18 months to at least 2 1/2 years old. Well, you fooled me again, you little turkey, because you are turning into a full fledged KID!
I know I probably say this in every letter to you, but you are so SMART! Just Saturday you taught yourself how to blow bubbles with your spit. I think I was at least 4 before I did that. You were so cute, walking around saying "mwah, mwah, mwah" and blowing these giant bubbles out of your mouth. (Only a mother could find spit coming out of a mouth cute) You constantly amaze me at how you understand how things work and where things are supposed to go. If I hand you one of your bowls or cups out of the dishwasher and ask you to put it away, you head right for the drawer where your "kitchen supplies" are. If the dogs want to go out, you'll point to Lexi's leash as if you're afraid I might forget that she needs to have that on before she goes out. In the morning after you've finished your cereal, you'll stack your cup and your spoon inside your bowl and hold it out to me as if to say "all finished!". A couple weeks ago you ate all the cereal out of your bowl (sometimes using a spoon, sometimes using your hands; you don't really care) and lifted the bowl to your lips to finish drinking all the milk. Remarkably you didn't spill a drop! How did you know that that's what you were supposed to do? Daddy and I don't eat cereal in front of you that often ~ its just amazing what a sponge you are. Our new house has toilets in it that you can flush (the old house "flushers" were too hard) and after I go to the bathroom, you insist that you have to flush the toilet for me. You'll flush it, then start clapping, and walk out of the bathroom just as pleased as punch.
You're still not talking too much and you're still really holding out on Daddy. You call him mama all the time and sometimes if he tries to get you to say "dada", you'll lay face down on the floor and shake your head no like you're being tortured. You will say it for a twizzler, though!
This weekend we're going to Eric and Hope's wedding. I've been trying to teach you to do "The Chicken Dance" so that the Olsen family has even one more reason to think that you are the cutest and smartest and best little girl in the world. You do a pretty good job with it. Yesterday I went to get you up from your nap and you were lying in your crib practicing your "wings".
I would say your favorite toy this month is my thermometer. I keep it next to the bed so that I can take my temperature every morning and you seem to think it makes a very fine cell phone. You love that it beeps when you turn it on/off and I'm constantly finding you with it held up to your ear, just jabbering away in your own little language.
You love being outside and going for walks. When we moved to the new house, we knew that one of our first changes was going to have to be putting up a fence to keep the dogs in. Now I think its even more important to put up a fence to keep you in because you are IN LOVE with the neighbors swingsets and sandbox (not that they mind having you come visit, it just gets a little tiresome for old Mommy and Daddy). We set up a little pool in the backyard that you've had a lot of fun with and you're getting to be an expert slider on your little castle slide.
I really love this age that you are at right now. It can be VERY frustrating at times and you have had a couple time outs because you're starting to "test the waters" of independance, but overall you are such a happy, wonderful, sweet, thoughtful, smart, and beautiful little girl and we are sooo lucky to have you in our lives.
Love always,
Mama/Mommeeeeeeee
You are 20 months old today. I cannot believe how old that seems!!! When I was pregnant, 18 months was the "magic" age when I thought that I would start thinking of you as a toddler. Turns out that I started thinking of you as a toddler as soon as you started "toddling". Imagine that. :) So, I kind of felt like I lost about 6 months of "baby" time because at about a year old I started thinking of you as a toddler. And I expected the toddler time to go from 18 months to at least 2 1/2 years old. Well, you fooled me again, you little turkey, because you are turning into a full fledged KID!
I know I probably say this in every letter to you, but you are so SMART! Just Saturday you taught yourself how to blow bubbles with your spit. I think I was at least 4 before I did that. You were so cute, walking around saying "mwah, mwah, mwah" and blowing these giant bubbles out of your mouth. (Only a mother could find spit coming out of a mouth cute) You constantly amaze me at how you understand how things work and where things are supposed to go. If I hand you one of your bowls or cups out of the dishwasher and ask you to put it away, you head right for the drawer where your "kitchen supplies" are. If the dogs want to go out, you'll point to Lexi's leash as if you're afraid I might forget that she needs to have that on before she goes out. In the morning after you've finished your cereal, you'll stack your cup and your spoon inside your bowl and hold it out to me as if to say "all finished!". A couple weeks ago you ate all the cereal out of your bowl (sometimes using a spoon, sometimes using your hands; you don't really care) and lifted the bowl to your lips to finish drinking all the milk. Remarkably you didn't spill a drop! How did you know that that's what you were supposed to do? Daddy and I don't eat cereal in front of you that often ~ its just amazing what a sponge you are. Our new house has toilets in it that you can flush (the old house "flushers" were too hard) and after I go to the bathroom, you insist that you have to flush the toilet for me. You'll flush it, then start clapping, and walk out of the bathroom just as pleased as punch.
You're still not talking too much and you're still really holding out on Daddy. You call him mama all the time and sometimes if he tries to get you to say "dada", you'll lay face down on the floor and shake your head no like you're being tortured. You will say it for a twizzler, though!
This weekend we're going to Eric and Hope's wedding. I've been trying to teach you to do "The Chicken Dance" so that the Olsen family has even one more reason to think that you are the cutest and smartest and best little girl in the world. You do a pretty good job with it. Yesterday I went to get you up from your nap and you were lying in your crib practicing your "wings".
I would say your favorite toy this month is my thermometer. I keep it next to the bed so that I can take my temperature every morning and you seem to think it makes a very fine cell phone. You love that it beeps when you turn it on/off and I'm constantly finding you with it held up to your ear, just jabbering away in your own little language.
You love being outside and going for walks. When we moved to the new house, we knew that one of our first changes was going to have to be putting up a fence to keep the dogs in. Now I think its even more important to put up a fence to keep you in because you are IN LOVE with the neighbors swingsets and sandbox (not that they mind having you come visit, it just gets a little tiresome for old Mommy and Daddy). We set up a little pool in the backyard that you've had a lot of fun with and you're getting to be an expert slider on your little castle slide.
I really love this age that you are at right now. It can be VERY frustrating at times and you have had a couple time outs because you're starting to "test the waters" of independance, but overall you are such a happy, wonderful, sweet, thoughtful, smart, and beautiful little girl and we are sooo lucky to have you in our lives.
Love always,
Mama/Mommeeeeeeee
Bliss, plain and simple
I would be willing to bet it has been about 22 months to the day since I went out and just splurged on myself to any great extent. I would have been about 7 months pregnant, and I think that was when the "Oh my God, we're having a baby and I'm quitting my job and we're not going to have any money and we're going to have diaper our baby in dish towels and eat ramen noodles for every meal" panic hit me.
Yesterday, I had my first Close to my Heart home gathering. (CTMH is scrapbooking and stamping supplies for those of you not "in the know"). Because I was the hostess with the mostest this month and my sucker friends bought so much stuff I got to pick $120 worth of stuff out of the catalog for F-R-E-E!!! Happy Shopping to M-E! I have almost polished off my entire wish list from the summer idea book and I can't wait to get all my new things so I can start scrapping (and organizing since I did buy some organizing stuff). Maybe I'll even post picture of all my fun stuff and all the super cool fabulous layouts I'll do with them.
Yesterday, I had my first Close to my Heart home gathering. (CTMH is scrapbooking and stamping supplies for those of you not "in the know"). Because I was the hostess with the mostest this month and my sucker friends bought so much stuff I got to pick $120 worth of stuff out of the catalog for F-R-E-E!!! Happy Shopping to M-E! I have almost polished off my entire wish list from the summer idea book and I can't wait to get all my new things so I can start scrapping (and organizing since I did buy some organizing stuff). Maybe I'll even post picture of all my fun stuff and all the super cool fabulous layouts I'll do with them.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
I need
Inspired by blog entries from Adam and Boomer, I decided to use google to find out what "Christi needs". Here's what google had to tell me:
Christi needs new multi-purpose arena. *I would settle for a new multi-purpose cleaner, I feel like I'm kind of in a rut.*
Christi needs constant attention and regular maintenance *Hell yeah!*
Christi needs no gimmick *Wish I would have known that a long time ago*
Christi needs to finish knitting the shop sample poncho that she started a month ago *definitely sounds like me*
Christi needs qualified individuals to fill positions listed on our web site * I won't accept applications from just ANYBODY, you know!*
Christi needs someone else to step up. *yes, because I'm scared of heights, you know*
Christi needs to take bold new measures to deal with the problem *check, did that at lunch today with the inlaws.
Funny, I just thought I needed more money, more time, a smaller ass (and thighs and stomach and all other body parts), more sleep and to sell my old house. Amazing the things you can learn from the internet.
Christi needs new multi-purpose arena. *I would settle for a new multi-purpose cleaner, I feel like I'm kind of in a rut.*
Christi needs constant attention and regular maintenance *Hell yeah!*
Christi needs no gimmick *Wish I would have known that a long time ago*
Christi needs to finish knitting the shop sample poncho that she started a month ago *definitely sounds like me*
Christi needs qualified individuals to fill positions listed on our web site * I won't accept applications from just ANYBODY, you know!*
Christi needs someone else to step up. *yes, because I'm scared of heights, you know*
Christi needs to take bold new measures to deal with the problem *check, did that at lunch today with the inlaws.
Funny, I just thought I needed more money, more time, a smaller ass (and thighs and stomach and all other body parts), more sleep and to sell my old house. Amazing the things you can learn from the internet.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Mom's Say the Darnedest Things
As a mom I have anxiously awaited the day when I can tell people "Do you know what Alyssa said today?!" and then tell some cute little antidote about what my charming offspring said. But instead of that happening, I have found things coming out of my mouth that I never would have imagined saying.
Take last night for example
Me: "Alyssa, stop making out with daddy's chapstick . . .I'm serious, stop tonguing it and put the lid back on NOW".
Take last night for example
Me: "Alyssa, stop making out with daddy's chapstick . . .I'm serious, stop tonguing it and put the lid back on NOW".
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Damn Credit Cards!
Okay a few months ago I was doing SPECTACULAR with my spending. My credit card bills for a couple months were lower than they had been in YEARS and I was feeling so proud of myself. Then came the month from heck aka the month that we moved. I had to put our house inspection (almost $400) on my credit card, plus carpet for the old house ($200) on my credit card, so that month was kind of "ouchy". Then last month was pretty high, too, just from weird, random things. So I went to check my balance today because I felt like I was doing really well. Not so much. If someone else would pay for my groceries, gas, and diapers I would be sitting pretty!
On the up side . . . I'm quickly packing away the Disney Dream dollars! Disney Cruise here we come! I think my balance is almost 400 points. Now I'm not sure how points actually translate to dollars, its probably like $4, but 400 points sounds impressive, right?
On the up side . . . I'm quickly packing away the Disney Dream dollars! Disney Cruise here we come! I think my balance is almost 400 points. Now I'm not sure how points actually translate to dollars, its probably like $4, but 400 points sounds impressive, right?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Monday Stupidity
I've been meaning to blog about this for a long time. Maybe I already have and my brain is such mush that I've forgotten. Eh ~ I'm too lazy to go back and see if I blogged about it already, so pretend its new and fresh.
A few weeks back we got a confirmation post card from the post office saying that our mail would be forwarded to our new address. It then listed the types of mail that would be forwarded and details like that. The final sentance of the post card read something like: If you do not speak English or cannot understand this post card, please take it to your nearest Postal Office for assistance.
How the heck is someone who doesn't speak English going to figure that out?! I think it may be a conspiracy.
A few weeks back we got a confirmation post card from the post office saying that our mail would be forwarded to our new address. It then listed the types of mail that would be forwarded and details like that. The final sentance of the post card read something like: If you do not speak English or cannot understand this post card, please take it to your nearest Postal Office for assistance.
How the heck is someone who doesn't speak English going to figure that out?! I think it may be a conspiracy.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Melancholy
If I had to describe how I've been feeling lately, it would be melancholy. I've been feeling really "forgettable" lately and I'm struggling to figure out exactly where I belong and what my purpose is in life. I normally try not to have these posts on my blog, I try to keep these feelings inside and hidden, but I need an outlet this time.
I think this all started about the time we moved to the new house. I felt so helpless as I watched Adam log hour after hour after hour on the old house; like I should be doing something more to help, but a) its really hard to help when you factor Alyssa into the equation. I did go over any time I could get a babysitter, but I still don't feel like I did enough. b) I don't have enough faith in myself to believe that I could do things to help. I've been feeling so clumsy and awkward lately that I was afraid I would make things worse. I was so terrified that I was going to start painting the bedroom and knock an entire gallon of paint over on the floor. Or I would ruin the toilet seat by leaving a bottle of windex on it that evidently had a leak (wait! I did do that! Let's hope someone is just looking for a new house that has a weird blue ring on the toilet seat).
Then a few weeks ago Alyssa and I went to my parents and all I heard all weekend was my mom calling her friends to say "Alyssa's here, come on over!” What about me? I hate the fact that now when I see my parents they rush towards me like they always did, but instead of rushing forward to give me a hug, they rush forward to grab Alyssa. And then sometimes, as an after thought, they remember to give me a hug or attention or acknowledge my presence. I love that they get so excited at seeing her, but darn it, I need some love, too!
I've been frustrated lately that the few times I get to hang out with friends, I've had to take Alyssa along. I went out with Chris and Julia for Chris' birthday lunch and it was "table for 4 ~ the horror". Now, this is two fold. Ever since I quit TPG I've felt more and more uncomfortable going out with Chris and Julia. When we were all working together we went out for lunch all the time to complain about work and co-workers, but I think I've gotten to the point 2 years lately where I just can't relate. I felt like they felt awkward because they had to come up with topics that could include me, and I felt awkward when they started talking about work and I just had to sit there. Plus there's the fact that I had to bring along this noisy little tablemate, which I always feel weird about when I'm hanging out with someone who doesn't have kids of their own. I know that both of them adore Alyssa, but I still feel guilty for having to turn "3 amigo time" into "3 amigo + 1 time".
So I've been feeling really lost and struggling lately and all I really wanted was a couple hours away from my kid and away from my house where I could just relax and try to enjoy myself. I was trying to talk Adam into letting me call my parents to see if they would babysit yesterday so we could go out for dinner and a movie. He wasn't going for it, so I dropped it. Then two hours later he got "kidnapped" to go out for a movie because Eric and Chad knew that he could use some time "away". I sobbed. Then I found out that the guys got Adam to go see "The DaVinci Code". The movie that I've wanted to see since I knew that it was being made into a movie. The movie that Adam wouldn't see with me. The movie that Julia said she would see with me, but decided to go see with Brad. See, forgettable.
I knew that he would drag his heals about going out with the guys because he knew how sad I was yesterday and how I've been struggling lately. But I know that he really deserves to go out and have fun, too. He does so much for Alyssa and I, I honestly don't know how I would live without him, and I'm touched that Eric and Chad realize that and wanted to make sure that he lived it up away from the old ball and chain. I know that if I had told him not to go, he would have stayed home. But as much as I realize that I need some time for myself before I lose myself completely, I have a hard time taking it. It’s a lot easier to put everyone else's wants/needs ahead of mine. I guess its my way of hoping that someone will acknowledge how much I do and appreciate me and tell me that I deserve some happiness, too.
I hesitate to actually post this entry because it means that I let my shield down and let people who think I have it all and keep it all together know that I'm far from perfect. I have to admit to my imperfections and irrationality. I've never been able to do that before because I'm too scared that I'm going lose those people I care about most; that I'm going to scare them away. But for some reason this time I feel like I need to share this with my "loyal readers", even though most of them are the ones I want to hide this from the most.
I think this all started about the time we moved to the new house. I felt so helpless as I watched Adam log hour after hour after hour on the old house; like I should be doing something more to help, but a) its really hard to help when you factor Alyssa into the equation. I did go over any time I could get a babysitter, but I still don't feel like I did enough. b) I don't have enough faith in myself to believe that I could do things to help. I've been feeling so clumsy and awkward lately that I was afraid I would make things worse. I was so terrified that I was going to start painting the bedroom and knock an entire gallon of paint over on the floor. Or I would ruin the toilet seat by leaving a bottle of windex on it that evidently had a leak (wait! I did do that! Let's hope someone is just looking for a new house that has a weird blue ring on the toilet seat).
Then a few weeks ago Alyssa and I went to my parents and all I heard all weekend was my mom calling her friends to say "Alyssa's here, come on over!” What about me? I hate the fact that now when I see my parents they rush towards me like they always did, but instead of rushing forward to give me a hug, they rush forward to grab Alyssa. And then sometimes, as an after thought, they remember to give me a hug or attention or acknowledge my presence. I love that they get so excited at seeing her, but darn it, I need some love, too!
I've been frustrated lately that the few times I get to hang out with friends, I've had to take Alyssa along. I went out with Chris and Julia for Chris' birthday lunch and it was "table for 4 ~ the horror". Now, this is two fold. Ever since I quit TPG I've felt more and more uncomfortable going out with Chris and Julia. When we were all working together we went out for lunch all the time to complain about work and co-workers, but I think I've gotten to the point 2 years lately where I just can't relate. I felt like they felt awkward because they had to come up with topics that could include me, and I felt awkward when they started talking about work and I just had to sit there. Plus there's the fact that I had to bring along this noisy little tablemate, which I always feel weird about when I'm hanging out with someone who doesn't have kids of their own. I know that both of them adore Alyssa, but I still feel guilty for having to turn "3 amigo time" into "3 amigo + 1 time".
So I've been feeling really lost and struggling lately and all I really wanted was a couple hours away from my kid and away from my house where I could just relax and try to enjoy myself. I was trying to talk Adam into letting me call my parents to see if they would babysit yesterday so we could go out for dinner and a movie. He wasn't going for it, so I dropped it. Then two hours later he got "kidnapped" to go out for a movie because Eric and Chad knew that he could use some time "away". I sobbed. Then I found out that the guys got Adam to go see "The DaVinci Code". The movie that I've wanted to see since I knew that it was being made into a movie. The movie that Adam wouldn't see with me. The movie that Julia said she would see with me, but decided to go see with Brad. See, forgettable.
I knew that he would drag his heals about going out with the guys because he knew how sad I was yesterday and how I've been struggling lately. But I know that he really deserves to go out and have fun, too. He does so much for Alyssa and I, I honestly don't know how I would live without him, and I'm touched that Eric and Chad realize that and wanted to make sure that he lived it up away from the old ball and chain. I know that if I had told him not to go, he would have stayed home. But as much as I realize that I need some time for myself before I lose myself completely, I have a hard time taking it. It’s a lot easier to put everyone else's wants/needs ahead of mine. I guess its my way of hoping that someone will acknowledge how much I do and appreciate me and tell me that I deserve some happiness, too.
I hesitate to actually post this entry because it means that I let my shield down and let people who think I have it all and keep it all together know that I'm far from perfect. I have to admit to my imperfections and irrationality. I've never been able to do that before because I'm too scared that I'm going lose those people I care about most; that I'm going to scare them away. But for some reason this time I feel like I need to share this with my "loyal readers", even though most of them are the ones I want to hide this from the most.
Friday, June 02, 2006
I'm giddy!
I get to babysit Evan and Charlie in about an hour! I'm so stinkin' excited! I would have been more excited if I could have had date night with Christy instead of dumb 'ol Jeff (just kidding!!!!), but I can take one for the team. :) Poor Christy and Jeff haven't been out just the two of them since their HONEYMOON, so I'm thrilled that they took me up on my offer to babysit. I can't wait to hang out with the boyz! Alyssa is going on hour 3 of her nap (she didn't go down until 3 this afternoon), so I think she's getting ready to hang with them, too!
Oh! And I'm giddy also because I got my phone back today and its perfectly fixed! It works! It works! I can see my screen again! I can take pictures and text message and pix message and see my phone book and all that good stuff again! Happy Day!!! It took less that 24 hours and $50 to give me such bliss . . . I wish I would have known that 8 months ago and I would have been a lot happier.
Oh! And I'm giddy also because I got my phone back today and its perfectly fixed! It works! It works! I can see my screen again! I can take pictures and text message and pix message and see my phone book and all that good stuff again! Happy Day!!! It took less that 24 hours and $50 to give me such bliss . . . I wish I would have known that 8 months ago and I would have been a lot happier.
About me
I've read so many of these over the past couple weeks that I don't even know who to give "credit" to. So, if you read this and you filled this out, I got it from you! :)
1. Yourself: Creative Perfectionist
2. Your car: Ford Escape
3. Your Hair: Cute today
4. Your mother: Best friend
5. Your Father: I admire
6. Your Favorite Item: My Adam
7. Your Dream Last Night: Can't remember **** but interesting side note ~ the other night I had a dream that Chris Noth was my biological father and I went to visit his California vineyard that was full of orange trees. Maybe he made Orange wine.
8. Your Favorite Drink: Fruit-infused Lemonade
9. Your Dream Home: Cinderella's Castle
10. The Room You Are In: Office/Den
11. Your Pets: Lexi, Joey
12. Your fear: Kites damnit!
13. Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Right here
14. Who you hung out with last night: neighbor kids (and my own)
15. What You’re Not: Technologically knowledgable.
16. Your Best Friends: Christy Angie
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Housekeeper Money
18. Your Gender: Girly girl
19. The Last Thing You Did: Watched TV
20. What You Are Wearing: Swimming suit
21. Your Favorite Weather: Early Fall
22. Your Favorite Book: Secret Garden
23. The Last Thing You Ate: Chips n Cheese
24. Your Life: Rewarding and comfortable
25. Your mood: exciting and relaxed.
26. The last person you talked to on the phone: Angie Dwight (thank goodness you called, Angie, or I would have had to put my mother-in-law!)
1. Yourself: Creative Perfectionist
2. Your car: Ford Escape
3. Your Hair: Cute today
4. Your mother: Best friend
5. Your Father: I admire
6. Your Favorite Item: My Adam
7. Your Dream Last Night: Can't remember **** but interesting side note ~ the other night I had a dream that Chris Noth was my biological father and I went to visit his California vineyard that was full of orange trees. Maybe he made Orange wine.
8. Your Favorite Drink: Fruit-infused Lemonade
9. Your Dream Home: Cinderella's Castle
10. The Room You Are In: Office/Den
11. Your Pets: Lexi, Joey
12. Your fear: Kites damnit!
13. Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Right here
14. Who you hung out with last night: neighbor kids (and my own)
15. What You’re Not: Technologically knowledgable.
16. Your Best Friends: Christy Angie
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Housekeeper Money
18. Your Gender: Girly girl
19. The Last Thing You Did: Watched TV
20. What You Are Wearing: Swimming suit
21. Your Favorite Weather: Early Fall
22. Your Favorite Book: Secret Garden
23. The Last Thing You Ate: Chips n Cheese
24. Your Life: Rewarding and comfortable
25. Your mood: exciting and relaxed.
26. The last person you talked to on the phone: Angie Dwight (thank goodness you called, Angie, or I would have had to put my mother-in-law!)
Thursday, June 01, 2006
I have a confession . . .
I am absolutely, positively, freaked out by and terrified of kites.
I had been meaning to confess this for a long time on here, but I was reading Allison's blog and it reminded me. As much as I love Avery's Nemo kite, just looking at it flying up high made me feel like I was going to throw up. One of my favorite movies when I was younger was "Mary Poppins" and when they got to the "Let's Go Fly A Kite" part of the movie, I would have to turn away. I still listened, because I loved the song, but I couldn't watch it.
When I was younger I was so afraid that I would get picked up off the ground. I would actually lay myself out flat on my back on the ground as if that would help keep me down. I hated the pull of the string as it went from side to side in the air. Just the thought of it makes me ill. Adam's announced a couple months ago that she had bought kites (included a Care Bear one for Alyssa) for our next "family fun day" and I swear I felt myself go completely white just thinking about having to fly a kite. I know that I'm not going to get lifted off the ground (HELLO! I've been overweight since I was about 10!) and even if I did I could just let go of the string, but just the sensation of being so terrified and traumatized as a child makes me think that I will never ever be able to fly a kite the rest of my life.
Weird, huh?
I had been meaning to confess this for a long time on here, but I was reading Allison's blog and it reminded me. As much as I love Avery's Nemo kite, just looking at it flying up high made me feel like I was going to throw up. One of my favorite movies when I was younger was "Mary Poppins" and when they got to the "Let's Go Fly A Kite" part of the movie, I would have to turn away. I still listened, because I loved the song, but I couldn't watch it.
When I was younger I was so afraid that I would get picked up off the ground. I would actually lay myself out flat on my back on the ground as if that would help keep me down. I hated the pull of the string as it went from side to side in the air. Just the thought of it makes me ill. Adam's announced a couple months ago that she had bought kites (included a Care Bear one for Alyssa) for our next "family fun day" and I swear I felt myself go completely white just thinking about having to fly a kite. I know that I'm not going to get lifted off the ground (HELLO! I've been overweight since I was about 10!) and even if I did I could just let go of the string, but just the sensation of being so terrified and traumatized as a child makes me think that I will never ever be able to fly a kite the rest of my life.
Weird, huh?
Daily Dose of Cuteness
Please ignore the milky gums ~ she had just taken a big drink before I snapped this picture.
I could just eat her up!
Time out!
Alyssa got her first time out tonight. I still feel like she's a little bit young, but its been a topic on my October board for a couple days now and some of the moms on there swear by it, so I gave it a shot. I'm really trying to break Alyssa of her habit of climbing up onto tables. I don't know what it is, but the girl is ENTHRALLED by table tops. Please tell me this isn't a sign that she's going to be a stripper or something when she grows up. Although I hear they make good money . . . and she is awfully cute . . .
Anyway ~ back to the story at hand. She was kneeling on a chair eyeing the table in "that way", so I told her that if she got back up on the table she would go to time out. Up she went without batting a eye, so I picked her up and carried her to the steps. Adam and I had decided that we would go the "naughty step" route, thank you Nanny 911 and Super Nanny. I put her down the bottom step and set the timer for 1 minute. She stayed there for all of about 3 seconds, so the rest of the 57 seconds I gently held her in a sitting position and ignored her cries and flailing limbs (okay it wasn't really THAT bad). Longest freakin' 57 seconds of my life! I don't know that she got anything out of it, but after the minute was up I explained that she was in time out because she climbed on the table and gave her a kiss. Let's hope something sunk in because I don't want to have to go through that again for a long time.
Anyway ~ back to the story at hand. She was kneeling on a chair eyeing the table in "that way", so I told her that if she got back up on the table she would go to time out. Up she went without batting a eye, so I picked her up and carried her to the steps. Adam and I had decided that we would go the "naughty step" route, thank you Nanny 911 and Super Nanny. I put her down the bottom step and set the timer for 1 minute. She stayed there for all of about 3 seconds, so the rest of the 57 seconds I gently held her in a sitting position and ignored her cries and flailing limbs (okay it wasn't really THAT bad). Longest freakin' 57 seconds of my life! I don't know that she got anything out of it, but after the minute was up I explained that she was in time out because she climbed on the table and gave her a kiss. Let's hope something sunk in because I don't want to have to go through that again for a long time.
I feel like super mommy today!
I decided that I was going to put up Alyssa's new swimming pool this afternoon. As I was opening the box I read the fine print that "for 8 and 10 foot models at least 3 people will be required to set up pool". Hogwash, I thought! (The only reason I can figure out that you would need all those people is because you roll out the pool and then have to hold the plastic sides up while the water fills the pool; its not one of those blow up jobbies) So for all of you out there who want to know . . . you don't need 3 people. You need one smart-ass adult, 1 toddler (which is really like 2 adults working against you),and a "hold up the sides team" that could include: 2 plastic adult lawn chairs, 1 childsized plastic lawn chair, 1 little tykes mower, 1 old pool filter, and 1 fisher price chatter ride on toy. So, yes I probably looked like a complete moron propping the sides of the pool up with anything and everything within reach as I filled it with water, and I'm sure the neighbors got quite a kick out of it, but darn it I GOT THE SUCKER UP ALL BY MYSELF!
And most of the neighbor kids have already been in it and gave it the seal of approval.
Mission accomplished. I think I should go find myself a beer.
And most of the neighbor kids have already been in it and gave it the seal of approval.
Mission accomplished. I think I should go find myself a beer.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
How I make myself feel like a better mom
Hint #1 ~ call sister and say "Tell me the story again of how you used a permanent marker to write the number for poison control on the front of your fridge because you had to call it so often when Anna was a toddler".
Ahhhhh . . . Joni makes me feel like the freakin' Mother Theresa of motherhood. Its a good thing.
Ahhhhh . . . Joni makes me feel like the freakin' Mother Theresa of motherhood. Its a good thing.
She's late! She's late! For a very important date . . .
My theatre director from college was supposed to come visit us today. She was supposed to be here at 1:30. Its now 2:36 and no word from her. She was actually supposed to come last Wednesday, but had to go have some tests redone at her doctor's office. Since she's over an hour late is it okay to lock the doors, pretend I'm not home, and go take a nap?
I feel bad admitting this, but I'm really kind of glad that she stood us up. I didn't remember she was coming until 12:30 and its been such an "off" day. Maybe its because yesterday was a holiday, but I feel like I've been frantically trying to play catch up all day. Blech!
I feel bad admitting this, but I'm really kind of glad that she stood us up. I didn't remember she was coming until 12:30 and its been such an "off" day. Maybe its because yesterday was a holiday, but I feel like I've been frantically trying to play catch up all day. Blech!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
No such thing as a sure thing
I remember from my pregnancy I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders when we first saw Alyssa's heartbeat at my 8 week appointment. Then the weight was lifted a little more when we first heard her heartbeat at 10 weeks. Then I hit the 13 week mark (end of the first trimester) and the weight was pretty much gone. I didn't feel like I had to frantically check for signs of spotting anymore, I didn't have to stop and overanalyze every twinge and twitch in my stomach; I felt confident that this kid was here for good.
I found out yesterday that my friend Stephanie went in for her regular 25 week check up on Friday and they couldn't find a heartbeat. They did an ultrasound and based on the baby's measurements, it had stopped growing 3 weeks before. She had no idea. She hadn't been cramping, bleeding, none of the usual "there's something wrong" signs. Supposedly she was going to be induced yesterday, but I haven't heard any updates yet. Steph's a very strong Christian, so I guess she has a positive attitude believing that God has a plan for everything. I'm a Christian, too, but damn, if that happened to me I don't think I could think that rationally.
This was her 4th child and she seemed really laid back about the whole pregnancy. They told most of their family and friends when she was right around 13 weeks pregnant. After she told me she was pregnant she followed it up by "I guess I better set up my first appointment, huh?" Then I talked to her about a week and a half ago and she hadn't set up her appointment for her "BIG" ultrasound yet. I wonder if on some level her body knew that things weren't going to go right and it was trying to protect her by not letting her get too attached/involved. Or maybe by the time you have 4 kids you just know all the ups and downs and its not that exciting anymore. I hope I never feel that way. I hope every pregnancy is just as magnificent and spectacular and exciting (and heck, even scary, because that's part of the process) as my first.
I found out yesterday that my friend Stephanie went in for her regular 25 week check up on Friday and they couldn't find a heartbeat. They did an ultrasound and based on the baby's measurements, it had stopped growing 3 weeks before. She had no idea. She hadn't been cramping, bleeding, none of the usual "there's something wrong" signs. Supposedly she was going to be induced yesterday, but I haven't heard any updates yet. Steph's a very strong Christian, so I guess she has a positive attitude believing that God has a plan for everything. I'm a Christian, too, but damn, if that happened to me I don't think I could think that rationally.
This was her 4th child and she seemed really laid back about the whole pregnancy. They told most of their family and friends when she was right around 13 weeks pregnant. After she told me she was pregnant she followed it up by "I guess I better set up my first appointment, huh?" Then I talked to her about a week and a half ago and she hadn't set up her appointment for her "BIG" ultrasound yet. I wonder if on some level her body knew that things weren't going to go right and it was trying to protect her by not letting her get too attached/involved. Or maybe by the time you have 4 kids you just know all the ups and downs and its not that exciting anymore. I hope I never feel that way. I hope every pregnancy is just as magnificent and spectacular and exciting (and heck, even scary, because that's part of the process) as my first.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Inspiration
My mom forwarded me an e-mail today (no big change there . . . she's starting to get a little bit predictable with the forwards and a wee bit annoying). It was filled with different "awe-inspiring" pictures and motivational quotes, but one of the quotes today really got to me. It was by Michael J Fox ~ who I greatly admire anyway because of all he has done for Parkingson's Disease research and the way that he has worked to tell the world about the challenges of PD. He is one of my all time heros. Anyway, the quote was:
"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection
Excellence, I can reach for
perfection is God's business"
This really hit me hard because I've struggled with putting unreasonable and unrealistic expectations on myself for a long time so that I could be perfect. Its a hard habit to break, especially when you can't really bring yourself to comprehend that its okay not to be perfect. The world is not going to fall apart if I'm not perfect. My friends will not leave me if I'm not perfect. Adam won't abandon me if I'm not perfect. Alyssa will not be taken away from me if I'm not perfect. I know it in my head, but my heart doesn't listen so good. But, I've been thinking today, that excellence isn't such a bad thing to work towards. Almost as good as perfection ~ just without so much pressure.
"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection
Excellence, I can reach for
perfection is God's business"
This really hit me hard because I've struggled with putting unreasonable and unrealistic expectations on myself for a long time so that I could be perfect. Its a hard habit to break, especially when you can't really bring yourself to comprehend that its okay not to be perfect. The world is not going to fall apart if I'm not perfect. My friends will not leave me if I'm not perfect. Adam won't abandon me if I'm not perfect. Alyssa will not be taken away from me if I'm not perfect. I know it in my head, but my heart doesn't listen so good. But, I've been thinking today, that excellence isn't such a bad thing to work towards. Almost as good as perfection ~ just without so much pressure.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Its Official
11275 Bauman Ave it not "ours" anymore. It belongs to the realtor community now. Thank you to our own "green house" for all the memories.
It was the place where:
Adam and I came home to find all of our wedding present heaped onto our bed when we arrived home at 11 PM at night after honeymooning for a week and fighting our way through airports for 12+ hours. The culprits that delivered our presents thought it would be a happy thing to come home to. I just wanted my blankety blank bed primed and ready for me to crash.
Jen and I played many a game of "scoopy ball".
We expanded our family the first time by bringing a rolly-polly little ball of fur home that we eventually named Jocelyn Pooh Bear.
I spent a weekend when I was 6 1/2 months pregnant carefully painting a mural for my unborn baby to create the perfect "hundred acre woods" themed nursery.
We brought Alyssa home from the hospital.
We learned to be a family in that house.
It was K-Rock Marketing's HQ for its one and only client.
Anna and Brandy spent several nights with their super cool Aunt Christi and Uncle Adam.
Multiple 4th of July parties complete block-wide firework show.
Multiple parties where I plain old had too much to drink ~ and we have pictures of me handcuffed to Chris Leffler to prove it.
6 weeks after we were married I was forced to be a responsible wife ~ scared me more than I've ever been scared in life, I think, but it also really cemented my relationship with Adam.
I spent my last night as a single woman in that house.
I achieved my dream of having live Christmas trees. Now if only the damn lights around the front window would have stayed up, I would have been ectastic.
We bought our first car as a couple/family home to that house (and my first brand new car ever)
We fostered half a dozen dogs . . . our little part to the doggie community. And we should have adopted our first foster dog. Kipper James ~ we loved you!
I've always thought that its not the building that makes a place a home ~ it the people inside that make it a home. I don't think that's true anymore. Our Bauman house will always have a special place in my heart. It will always be home. And I hope that the next people that live there treat it well and have as many great (and not so great, but still powerful and life changing) memories as we do.
It was the place where:
Adam and I came home to find all of our wedding present heaped onto our bed when we arrived home at 11 PM at night after honeymooning for a week and fighting our way through airports for 12+ hours. The culprits that delivered our presents thought it would be a happy thing to come home to. I just wanted my blankety blank bed primed and ready for me to crash.
Jen and I played many a game of "scoopy ball".
We expanded our family the first time by bringing a rolly-polly little ball of fur home that we eventually named Jocelyn Pooh Bear.
I spent a weekend when I was 6 1/2 months pregnant carefully painting a mural for my unborn baby to create the perfect "hundred acre woods" themed nursery.
We brought Alyssa home from the hospital.
We learned to be a family in that house.
It was K-Rock Marketing's HQ for its one and only client.
Anna and Brandy spent several nights with their super cool Aunt Christi and Uncle Adam.
Multiple 4th of July parties complete block-wide firework show.
Multiple parties where I plain old had too much to drink ~ and we have pictures of me handcuffed to Chris Leffler to prove it.
6 weeks after we were married I was forced to be a responsible wife ~ scared me more than I've ever been scared in life, I think, but it also really cemented my relationship with Adam.
I spent my last night as a single woman in that house.
I achieved my dream of having live Christmas trees. Now if only the damn lights around the front window would have stayed up, I would have been ectastic.
We bought our first car as a couple/family home to that house (and my first brand new car ever)
We fostered half a dozen dogs . . . our little part to the doggie community. And we should have adopted our first foster dog. Kipper James ~ we loved you!
I've always thought that its not the building that makes a place a home ~ it the people inside that make it a home. I don't think that's true anymore. Our Bauman house will always have a special place in my heart. It will always be home. And I hope that the next people that live there treat it well and have as many great (and not so great, but still powerful and life changing) memories as we do.
Moral Politics
Copied from Shawnie and Leslie who stole it originally from Alex. Whew!
Your scored 0 on the Moral Order axis and 2.5 on the Moral Rules axis.
Matches
The following items best match your score:
- System: Socialism, Authoritarianism
- Variation: Moderate Socialism, Moderate Authoritarianism
- Ideologies: Social Democratism, Social Republicanism
- US Parties: No match.
- Presidents: Jimmy Carter (79.15%)
- 2004 Election Candidates: John Kerry (76.10%), Ralph Nader (72.67%), George W. Bush (60.16%)
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
My knight in a shiny red alero
Monday afternoon I was driving back from my parents (in my mom's big, bad granny-mo-van) when I blew a tire on the interstate. It wasn't nearly as traumatic as I thought it would be. I had previously had visions of blowing a tire on the interstate and swirving uncontrollably in and out of traffic, but the only way I really knew for sure that the tire was a goner was by pulling over to the side of the road and getting out to check. My first instinct was to call Adam because he has our AAA number/card, but I couldn't get ahold of him, so I got the exciting experience of going the "on-star route". I did finally track Adam down at home and I'm sure I sounded furious as I screamed "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! YOU'RE AT HOME!!!?!?!?!?!?" into the phone (it was 2:30 on a Monday . . . go figure!). He probably expected me to give him a hard time about playing hooky for the day, but instead he got a big dose of wife freak-out . . . semi-hysterical
"I'm on the side of the interstate with a flat tire and the tow truck won't be here for an hour and its hot and I've got a headache and I think I'm going to be sick" pouring through the phone.
I have to give my man props, though, he didn't even hesitate after hearing my craziness. He simply asked me where I was and assured me he would be there in a snap. And snappy he was . . . I've never been so glad to see that red alero in my life ~ he's a good man, my handsome hubby. I think I'll keep him.
"I'm on the side of the interstate with a flat tire and the tow truck won't be here for an hour and its hot and I've got a headache and I think I'm going to be sick" pouring through the phone.
I have to give my man props, though, he didn't even hesitate after hearing my craziness. He simply asked me where I was and assured me he would be there in a snap. And snappy he was . . . I've never been so glad to see that red alero in my life ~ he's a good man, my handsome hubby. I think I'll keep him.
Its the little things in life
Its the little things in life that make me the happiest sometimes.
Today for example, I had an appointment with the DMV. At the DMV AND a toddler approaching naptime . . . normally a deadly combination.
I had to get my plates renewed and I had lost the little post card thing that they send out in the mail during the move, so I was fully expecting them to give me a hard time about that. She didn't even bat an eye when I explained that I had lost it and I was well on my way with new stickers in about 2 minutes. The best part . . . I thought it was going to be over $600, but it was only $300 and some. Still insanely expensive, but better than the $1600 we paid last year.
Then I stopped at the drivers license counter to get a new license. Always a risky move, but considering I hated my last DL picture, I figured it couldn't be too bad. And I was pleasantly surprised that I actually got a halfway decent picture even though I felt like a complete moron sitting the chair waiting for the picture lady to snap my picture. I was sure that I looked like I had just swallowed a bug or something, but its actually an ok picture. Not that I'll be flashing it around a lot, so you'll have to take my word for it.
Today for example, I had an appointment with the DMV. At the DMV AND a toddler approaching naptime . . . normally a deadly combination.
I had to get my plates renewed and I had lost the little post card thing that they send out in the mail during the move, so I was fully expecting them to give me a hard time about that. She didn't even bat an eye when I explained that I had lost it and I was well on my way with new stickers in about 2 minutes. The best part . . . I thought it was going to be over $600, but it was only $300 and some. Still insanely expensive, but better than the $1600 we paid last year.
Then I stopped at the drivers license counter to get a new license. Always a risky move, but considering I hated my last DL picture, I figured it couldn't be too bad. And I was pleasantly surprised that I actually got a halfway decent picture even though I felt like a complete moron sitting the chair waiting for the picture lady to snap my picture. I was sure that I looked like I had just swallowed a bug or something, but its actually an ok picture. Not that I'll be flashing it around a lot, so you'll have to take my word for it.
Another dose of cuteness from Alyssa
Adam ~ don't read this . . . you probably won't appreciate it. ;)
This morning I was changing Alyssa after I got her up and I noticed that she was staring at my chest with great concentration. As I sat her up after being changed she reached towards my shirt and said, very proudly, "Daddeeeee!" I was wearing a Sesame Street tank top. The "Daddeeee" she was refering to . . . Bert. I think it might have been the unibrow that closed the deal for her. lol
Adam ~ did you read it anyway?
This morning I was changing Alyssa after I got her up and I noticed that she was staring at my chest with great concentration. As I sat her up after being changed she reached towards my shirt and said, very proudly, "Daddeeeee!" I was wearing a Sesame Street tank top. The "Daddeeee" she was refering to . . . Bert. I think it might have been the unibrow that closed the deal for her. lol
Adam ~ did you read it anyway?
Happy Birthday Boomer!
A big birthday shoutout to my bud Boomer ~ who celebrates his final "20-something" birthday today!!! Boomer, consider this your IOU for a piece of birthday cheesecake from the cheesecake factory this fall! ;) Have a great day!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Babies and Babies
Alyssa and I took a field trip this afternoon to see Angie and Lenka. Look at how cute our two girls are together! They are totally going to be BFF!
Right after we got there I was holding Lenka and doing the "Bumblebee" game wiht Alyssa. I buzzed Alyssa and then buzzed Lenka. Then Alyssa did it and buzzed Lenka's little toes . . . it was too stinkin' cute! I totally realized right then and there what an amazing big sister she would make. She has such a huge heart and she's really one of the sweetest kids I know. Even though she's only 19 months old she really seems to be able to express empathy and thoughtfulness (unless you happen to have 4 legs . . . then it kind of depends on the day). I think she has the potential to be a loving, patient, protective, and understanding big sister and who am I to not give her that?
Baby #2 has been a hot topic for discussion and contemplation around our house over the past few weeks. For as long as I can remember I've wanted 3 (maybe 4) kids and I've never thought twice about that plan. Until it comes time for baby #2. In essance, I am an only child. I have a half brother and half sister, but we've never let that "half" word be an issue with us. I honestly believe that Mark and Joni see me as as much of a sibling as they do each other (truth be told, I think Mark probably likes me better than Joni, but that's another story). But when you get down to it, once our dad passes away, a huge link in our relationship disappears. They'll have their own familes and their mom, but I don't really belong there. Once my mom is gone, I'll be alone. I'll have Adam and Alyssa and any other kids we decide to have, but in a sense I will be alone and I never want to do that to Alyssa. I want her to always have family to turn to and to support and love no matter what. But I'm scared. We have a good routine, her and I. We are each other's entire world pretty much and what happens when we add a third to the mix? Will she feel betrayed? Will she understand that adding another family member means more love for her instead of having to share and compete for Adam and my affections? I'm scare of losing time with her. Of forcing her to rely more on Adam and less on me because I'll have someone else to take care of. I know that once we bring another child into the family things will never be the same. And I know in my head that things will be better that it will be a good step and the right step, but in my heart I can't imagine changing things. It hurts to think about her having to share me and me having to divide myself between two little blessings.
Lately I've started feeling fearful of getting pregnant with twins . . . I won't even go there . . . that's another entry for another day.
Right after we got there I was holding Lenka and doing the "Bumblebee" game wiht Alyssa. I buzzed Alyssa and then buzzed Lenka. Then Alyssa did it and buzzed Lenka's little toes . . . it was too stinkin' cute! I totally realized right then and there what an amazing big sister she would make. She has such a huge heart and she's really one of the sweetest kids I know. Even though she's only 19 months old she really seems to be able to express empathy and thoughtfulness (unless you happen to have 4 legs . . . then it kind of depends on the day). I think she has the potential to be a loving, patient, protective, and understanding big sister and who am I to not give her that?
Baby #2 has been a hot topic for discussion and contemplation around our house over the past few weeks. For as long as I can remember I've wanted 3 (maybe 4) kids and I've never thought twice about that plan. Until it comes time for baby #2. In essance, I am an only child. I have a half brother and half sister, but we've never let that "half" word be an issue with us. I honestly believe that Mark and Joni see me as as much of a sibling as they do each other (truth be told, I think Mark probably likes me better than Joni, but that's another story). But when you get down to it, once our dad passes away, a huge link in our relationship disappears. They'll have their own familes and their mom, but I don't really belong there. Once my mom is gone, I'll be alone. I'll have Adam and Alyssa and any other kids we decide to have, but in a sense I will be alone and I never want to do that to Alyssa. I want her to always have family to turn to and to support and love no matter what. But I'm scared. We have a good routine, her and I. We are each other's entire world pretty much and what happens when we add a third to the mix? Will she feel betrayed? Will she understand that adding another family member means more love for her instead of having to share and compete for Adam and my affections? I'm scare of losing time with her. Of forcing her to rely more on Adam and less on me because I'll have someone else to take care of. I know that once we bring another child into the family things will never be the same. And I know in my head that things will be better that it will be a good step and the right step, but in my heart I can't imagine changing things. It hurts to think about her having to share me and me having to divide myself between two little blessings.
Lately I've started feeling fearful of getting pregnant with twins . . . I won't even go there . . . that's another entry for another day.
My inner child . . .
Borrowed this from Leslie
| Your Inner Child Is Scared |
 Like a kid, you tend to shy away from new experiences. You prefer what's tried and true - novelty is scary! New foods, new places, and new friends are difficult for you to deal with. Some say you're predictable, but you enjoy being comfortable. |
How Is Your Inner Child?
She didn't think she was a scared inner child, either. I do enjoy being comfortable and I would prefer the tried and true, but I don't think I shy away from new places and experiences. Maybe I need to get to know my inner child more ~ maybe I should set up a play date. :)
Super Dad to the rescue
some of you know that my cell phone has been "broken" since late October. (I dropped it and the inside screen broke, so I can't see what I'm doing and its a craps shoot to try to use my phone book to call anyone). We've tried calling Verizon several times to see if we could sweet talk (or hard ball ~ as well as Adam and I can play hard ball) them into giving us new phones. Adam's phone stopped working right about a month ago after what we think was a swimming date between the cell phone and the dog's water bowl ~ you can thank your hostess, Alyssa, folks. So, earlier this week we attempted to call Verizon to tell them we wanted to cancel our plan in hopes that they would drop to their knees and beg us to stay with them and offer all sorts of impressive deals. It didn't work that way. So today I called my dad to see if I could get an appointment this weekend with a friend of his that fixes Verizon phones. Bad news was that Samsung (the brand that my phone is) won't sell him electronic pieces. They'll sell him the outside case or the inside case, but no screens. I would have to send it in and who knows how much that would be or how long it would take. So, Dad told me that he was going to call Verizon after lunch and see what he could do about getting me a new phone. He actually sounded like he expected them to just say "Yes sir, Norm, we'll be overnighting those new phones to your daughter immediately". Of course, they pretty much laughed at him when he called, but it was really sweet/cute that my Dad still wants to take care of me.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Girlfriend knows how to work it
For as long as I can remember, I've been a bookworm. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood are of my Dad reading me stories before bed. When my mom would take me shopping when I was younger, she would drop me off in the bookstore and I would happily sit on the floor in the back reading for hours. Heck, I still would do that. I guess the shop 'til you drop gene must skip a generation because I swear Alyssa could outshop me. Anyway . . . I couldn't wait to have a child that I could cuddle up and read with before bedtime. Up until the past week or so, our bedtime reading routine is me reading about 2 pages before Alyssa runs another lap around me and tosses a new book at me without stopping. She might pause slightly to glance at the pages, but as soon as I would get going in a book she would rip it out of my hands and give me a new one. The other night at about 10 PM I actually sat in her rocking chair reading "The Very Hungry Caterpiller" to myself and she was sitting on the floor across the room thumbing through her "Baby Faces" book. That's about as close to bedtime reading bonding we got.
But I think the girl has started figuring out that if she lets me read to her in her rocking chair she can squeeze a few extra minutes out of me before I'll make her go to bed. Tonight she sat still for 5 ~ count 'em 5 ~ books. As soon as I would finish one she would squirm down to pick out a new one. She even let me read my favorite of her books "Olivia" (Thanks Jeff and Megan!!!!), which she normally won't sit all the way through because its kind of long.
How does her little peanut brain figure these things out?! She cracks me up with all the "grown up knowledge" that is popping out daily. Watch out world . . . she's going to keep us on our toes!
But I think the girl has started figuring out that if she lets me read to her in her rocking chair she can squeeze a few extra minutes out of me before I'll make her go to bed. Tonight she sat still for 5 ~ count 'em 5 ~ books. As soon as I would finish one she would squirm down to pick out a new one. She even let me read my favorite of her books "Olivia" (Thanks Jeff and Megan!!!!), which she normally won't sit all the way through because its kind of long.
How does her little peanut brain figure these things out?! She cracks me up with all the "grown up knowledge" that is popping out daily. Watch out world . . . she's going to keep us on our toes!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
A thank you shout out
To the person who decided that it was socially (and trendily) acceptable to wear Bermuda shorts and not look as ridiculous as a 60 year old man wearing sandals and black socks up to his knees. I will never claim to be trendy or fashionable, but I am loving the fact that I can wear these long shorts and not have to worry about a) looking stupid and b) feeling completely self conscious of my thighs/knees c) having to pull down the crotch of my shorts because it keeps riding up. It seems like I am just not a short-shorts/Daisy Dukes kind of build. Shocker! I NEVER thought I would wear Bermuda shorts, but they actually aren’t bad and I think they are actually flattering on me since the only part of my legs that I like are my calves. Sign me up for an Old Navy commercial, baby! I’m a convert! (For the record I did NOT buy my shorts from Old Navy . . . I’m still nursing the hurt of having to go about 4 sizes bigger than normal to wear Old Navy pants. Jerks)
Monday, May 15, 2006
I'm so torn
Its 7:03 PM and my child is napping. I put her down twice today for an afternoon nap and I don't think she ever really slept. She started "hollering" at me after about 30 minutes and I kept hearing her jabbering over the baby monitor, so I really don't think she was power napping. I got home from cleaning the old house about 5:15 and she was a bear, so I decided to put her down for a quick nap. I put in my time on the elliptical machine, got some dinner, caught up on my mommy boards and now I don't know if I should try to get her to sleep through the night with a bedtime of 5:30 or if I should wake her up to put her back to bed in an hour. She has had a nasty cold for the past few days, so I know she needs her sleep. But I don't really want to be up at the crack of dawn (or until midnight, either, for that matter).
I don't know what to do.
My instinct says to wake her up, but its really nice having her sleep so that I can do things. I'm sure if I do wake her up she'll be pretty clingy and that will be the end of my productive evening.
I don't know what to do.
My instinct says to wake her up, but its really nice having her sleep so that I can do things. I'm sure if I do wake her up she'll be pretty clingy and that will be the end of my productive evening.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Happy Mom's Day . . .
to all the moms out there, but especially the ones that read my blog that are a constant inspiration and support system to me.
Special shout out to my own mom, who doesn't read my blog, but is the best mom a girl could ask for. We had our ups and downs during some of those wonderful "teenage year", but in the end she has turned out to be one of my best friends and biggest fans. I really hope that Alyssa and I have a similar relationship some day.
Special shout out to the new mom, Angie, who has already had to face many challenges in less than a week, but is proving what we all knew . . . she's going to be a FANTASTIC mom and Lenka is one very lucky girl.
Special shout out to Paula without whom I don't know if I can handle this mommy stuff. Thank you for always listening, always giving great advice, always sharing, and always being ready with a catty comment when I need it. ;)
Special shout out to Christy ~ my wonderful friend who has had heaps of mommy-ness dumped on her in the past year. I am so greatful that our kids will be raised together and we'll be able to be there for each other each step of the way. Evan, Charlie, and "as yet unnamed" are so very lucky to have you in their lives.
Have a great day ladies!
Special shout out to my own mom, who doesn't read my blog, but is the best mom a girl could ask for. We had our ups and downs during some of those wonderful "teenage year", but in the end she has turned out to be one of my best friends and biggest fans. I really hope that Alyssa and I have a similar relationship some day.
Special shout out to the new mom, Angie, who has already had to face many challenges in less than a week, but is proving what we all knew . . . she's going to be a FANTASTIC mom and Lenka is one very lucky girl.
Special shout out to Paula without whom I don't know if I can handle this mommy stuff. Thank you for always listening, always giving great advice, always sharing, and always being ready with a catty comment when I need it. ;)
Special shout out to Christy ~ my wonderful friend who has had heaps of mommy-ness dumped on her in the past year. I am so greatful that our kids will be raised together and we'll be able to be there for each other each step of the way. Evan, Charlie, and "as yet unnamed" are so very lucky to have you in their lives.
Have a great day ladies!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Evolution of Dance
My best friend from college sent me this link today. Its kinda a long video, but worth every second!
Dance
I miss the 80s!
Dance
I miss the 80s!
Tipsy
So, I just wrote my first drunken/tipsy e-mail ever. Congrats to Christy who will be the lucky receipiant of my ramblings, btw. I was spell checking my e-mail and it wanted to change Alyssa to "balsa". For some reason I found that REALLY funny tonight. Drunken blogging. Drunken e-mailing. I need to go to bed. But its probably my last chance to drink for a loooonnnng time, so I had to live it up right. That'll teach Adam to leave me alone at night.
My kind of math
1 bottle of Moscato
1 Season 3 of Gilmore girls DVD
1 working DVD player
1 sleeping baby
2 dogs locked away in bedroom
Equals . . .
A wonderful (and very tipsy) evening!
Too bad Adam isn't around to enjoy this with me.
Boomer should be proud that I polished off the bottle of Moscato (I don't think I'm spelling that right) myself. I thought about calling him, but decided to keep the good stuff to myself. Tee hee!
1 Season 3 of Gilmore girls DVD
1 working DVD player
1 sleeping baby
2 dogs locked away in bedroom
Equals . . .
A wonderful (and very tipsy) evening!
Too bad Adam isn't around to enjoy this with me.
Boomer should be proud that I polished off the bottle of Moscato (I don't think I'm spelling that right) myself. I thought about calling him, but decided to keep the good stuff to myself. Tee hee!
Monday, May 08, 2006
In honor of "Update your damned blog day" . . .
I'd like to say
Alyssa has a new god-sister or something like that (we haven't quite figured out the relationship yet) . . . the long awaited Baby D has finally arrived, so congrats to Eric and Angie! (Although Angie looked so stinkin' good after delivery either a) she actually had the baby early this afternoon and took a shower, did her hair, ect before they allowed company or b) I'll have to re-evalutate whether I can be friends with her or not). :) As we all predicted, those two make a darn cute baby!
I have to say, I'm proud of myself for holding it together when we went to visit them tonight. This morning I called Angie as she was en route to the hospital and I started blubbering like a fool LIKE A FOOL! Much like the "had to leave the table at Olive Garden to compose myself in the bathroom after they announced they were having a baby" cry fest. Although part of that was relief that I wasn't losing one of my closest friends to the sin and smog of LA. I'm such a sap!
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
MISS LENKA JOHANNAH DWIGHT!!!
MISS LENKA JOHANNAH DWIGHT!!!
Alyssa has a new god-sister or something like that (we haven't quite figured out the relationship yet) . . . the long awaited Baby D has finally arrived, so congrats to Eric and Angie! (Although Angie looked so stinkin' good after delivery either a) she actually had the baby early this afternoon and took a shower, did her hair, ect before they allowed company or b) I'll have to re-evalutate whether I can be friends with her or not). :) As we all predicted, those two make a darn cute baby!
I have to say, I'm proud of myself for holding it together when we went to visit them tonight. This morning I called Angie as she was en route to the hospital and I started blubbering like a fool LIKE A FOOL! Much like the "had to leave the table at Olive Garden to compose myself in the bathroom after they announced they were having a baby" cry fest. Although part of that was relief that I wasn't losing one of my closest friends to the sin and smog of LA. I'm such a sap!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
The "EWWWWWWWWWWWWW" Factor
Its every parent's bathtime nightmare . . . UFOs ~ unidentified floating objects. And then when you identify those floating objects as poop . . . ewwwwwww. And then when you identify the grapes that your child ate for lunch. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Friday, May 05, 2006
I'm ME again!
I went out to get the mail today (always a fun thing when a birthday is approaching!) and found two cards for me in the mailbox. One from my friend Kim and one from my parents. My mom had addressed my card to Christi Nelsen (my maiden name). My first thought was "how long have I been married, Mom?" (answer is a little over 3 years). But then I realized that it made me feel really warm and fuzzy inside to be referred to as a Nelsen again. It was really hard for me to change my last name when I got married. It just doesn't seem to belong to me, even still. Its Adam's name and his parents and brothers names and Alyssa's name, but just not really mine. As much as I love the flowing "K" sound of my first and last name now, there's just something about seeing my old name in print that really made my day. I'm such a sap! :)
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