So, I’m back. And obviously I lived. My trip was nice. Some great 10 hour work days in there, but being able to go back to the hotel and only worry about myself for 2 nights and 2 mornings was delightful. I was a bit disapointed that the kids didn’t want to speak to me on the phone and wasn’t very fond of Ed who asked how it could possible take me so long to get them ready in the morning since he got them right up and out the door, (I didn’t even say anything to him about it though because I was still enamoured with him for taking the kids and his dad out to dinner on Tuesday night so that I could pack and organize for the rest of the week in peace) but in all it was nice to get away.
And after an extremely busy weekend, I’m back at work plugging away and in complete disbelief that my brother’s wedding is in less than 2 weeks. It really came up fast. The fact that I haven’t had my dress altered yet is a tesatament to how quickly it came up.
I don’t know, I thought I had a lot to say but I’m at a loss. I suppose I’ll end here with the hopes of being inspired to write again later.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
On Chaos
Yesterday I read This post over at Swistle’s, titled “Reasonable Requests”, and I started to think, “Wow, I’m Swistle’s husband…” Not literally, of course, but she described me in detail. Then all of the mom’s leaving comments. Yikes.
This is the thing about me. I can not for the life of me, ever keep my mind on one task. I’m cooking dinner, but maybe I should fold a basket of laundry while the water boils, and then Eddie has pooped and needs to be wiped, and Caitlyn needs a diaper. Then Ed asks could I possibly refill his iced tea glass. Then the pot of water boils over. It’s a vicious circle, and before I know it, yesterday’s folded laundry is crumpled in a basket, the dinner dishes are piling up in the kitchen, I’m trying to squeeze a bath or two in, the kids are going to bed late….again, I need to run the vacuum, and before I know it, the day is over.
I tell Ed all the time that I wish he could see everything that goes on inside my head. He might complain that I left my dinner plate on the couch, but I swear, it’s not because I’m lazy or had a poor upbringing. It’s because my mind jumps from task to task and I’m on to the next thing before one thought is complete. I might even see said plate as I’m passing by and make a mental note to pick it up on my way back to the kitchen, but I get so distracted that sometimes it doesn’t happen.
What is this? Some sort of adult onset of ADHD? I can’t be the only one who goes through this. How do I get to the point where I just pick up the plate?
This is the thing about me. I can not for the life of me, ever keep my mind on one task. I’m cooking dinner, but maybe I should fold a basket of laundry while the water boils, and then Eddie has pooped and needs to be wiped, and Caitlyn needs a diaper. Then Ed asks could I possibly refill his iced tea glass. Then the pot of water boils over. It’s a vicious circle, and before I know it, yesterday’s folded laundry is crumpled in a basket, the dinner dishes are piling up in the kitchen, I’m trying to squeeze a bath or two in, the kids are going to bed late….again, I need to run the vacuum, and before I know it, the day is over.
I tell Ed all the time that I wish he could see everything that goes on inside my head. He might complain that I left my dinner plate on the couch, but I swear, it’s not because I’m lazy or had a poor upbringing. It’s because my mind jumps from task to task and I’m on to the next thing before one thought is complete. I might even see said plate as I’m passing by and make a mental note to pick it up on my way back to the kitchen, but I get so distracted that sometimes it doesn’t happen.
What is this? Some sort of adult onset of ADHD? I can’t be the only one who goes through this. How do I get to the point where I just pick up the plate?
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
A This & A That
Who knew that I would get old so quickly? I have prided myself on perfect vision my entire life, but over the last few months, I’ve noticed my computer screen becoming a little bit blurry after I’ve been at work for a while. Then it was hard to read the paper. Now my screen is constantly blurry. I sucked it up and went to the eye doctor today, and sure enough, I need glasses. Just for reading and computer work, but I need glasses. I think the dr. could sense that I was upset by this because he said, “Really, you have good vision, really you do! You have great distance vision! And very healthy eyes in general.” I’m sure that it’s all down hill from here and that I’ll need bifocals by the time I’m 35.
It was fun picking out frames though. I tried on a bunch and hated a lot, then liked a few until the girl found THE PERFECT FRAMES. I tried them on and loved them…..until I found out that after the $130 my insurance covers, they would still cost me $160. Not necessary for glasses I will only wear sporadically. So, I settled for a pair of plain brown frames that I didn’t have to pay anything for. I should have them next week.
Speaking of next week, I will be taking my very first ever plane ride on Wednesday morning. I’m terrified. I got an email this morning that said I was more likely to be killed by a donkey than to die in a plane crash, but I’m still scared. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Millions of people fly every day, but when you’ve never done something before….I don’t know, fear of the unknown? I’m sure that my plane won’t fall from the sky, and that if I am meant to die in a plane crash, it will happen whether or not I ever board a plane. I just wish that I could drive to NC.
Not much else is going on. Ed’s cousin, who has a son about 2 years older than Eddie and a daughter who is 3 dropped off a few bags of clothes for the kids the other day, and they were just the right sizes, some 4T tees and pants for Eddie and tons of size 24 month clothes for Cait. I had just gone through a bunch of Eddie’s old clothes to see what Caitlyn could possibly wear this summer, and these came at a good time. How is it that I spent $300 on summer clothes for them and it’s still not enough? I think we’re pretty well set now, but I have to remind myself to ask Ed’s cousin how she keeps her kid’s clothes so immaculate looking. You would never know that these have been worn before.
The weather is very grey and rainy today, and the kid’s moods matched. Caitlyn was insistent that she was coloring and painting this morning, just as we were walking out the door and she threw a huge temper tantrum and dragged Eddie right down with her. How does the almost 2-year-old convince the 3-year-old that it’s ok to paint and color when it’s time to leave? That girl, I’m telling you. She’s darn lucky I love her so much because she even walks with an attitude. On the way in to daycare this morning, with her hat off to the side, and her sunglasses on (though it was raining), her new sneakers and her walk with ‘tude, she was told “Wow, you’re going to be quite the sista when you get older.” This I know is true.
It was fun picking out frames though. I tried on a bunch and hated a lot, then liked a few until the girl found THE PERFECT FRAMES. I tried them on and loved them…..until I found out that after the $130 my insurance covers, they would still cost me $160. Not necessary for glasses I will only wear sporadically. So, I settled for a pair of plain brown frames that I didn’t have to pay anything for. I should have them next week.
Speaking of next week, I will be taking my very first ever plane ride on Wednesday morning. I’m terrified. I got an email this morning that said I was more likely to be killed by a donkey than to die in a plane crash, but I’m still scared. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Millions of people fly every day, but when you’ve never done something before….I don’t know, fear of the unknown? I’m sure that my plane won’t fall from the sky, and that if I am meant to die in a plane crash, it will happen whether or not I ever board a plane. I just wish that I could drive to NC.
Not much else is going on. Ed’s cousin, who has a son about 2 years older than Eddie and a daughter who is 3 dropped off a few bags of clothes for the kids the other day, and they were just the right sizes, some 4T tees and pants for Eddie and tons of size 24 month clothes for Cait. I had just gone through a bunch of Eddie’s old clothes to see what Caitlyn could possibly wear this summer, and these came at a good time. How is it that I spent $300 on summer clothes for them and it’s still not enough? I think we’re pretty well set now, but I have to remind myself to ask Ed’s cousin how she keeps her kid’s clothes so immaculate looking. You would never know that these have been worn before.
The weather is very grey and rainy today, and the kid’s moods matched. Caitlyn was insistent that she was coloring and painting this morning, just as we were walking out the door and she threw a huge temper tantrum and dragged Eddie right down with her. How does the almost 2-year-old convince the 3-year-old that it’s ok to paint and color when it’s time to leave? That girl, I’m telling you. She’s darn lucky I love her so much because she even walks with an attitude. On the way in to daycare this morning, with her hat off to the side, and her sunglasses on (though it was raining), her new sneakers and her walk with ‘tude, she was told “Wow, you’re going to be quite the sista when you get older.” This I know is true.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Mother's Day
I had such a great Mother’s Day.
It started at 5:30 AM with Eddie peeing the bed, but after that it was great. The kids slept until about 7:30, and I got up to get them settled and Ed let me go back to sleep. I had every intention of getting up by 8:30, but the next thing I knew it was 10:00. I went out in to the living room, and I heard Eddie and Caitlyn in FIL’s room, so I went to check things out. Eddie told me “Daddy went to get you breakfast! I’m going to help him cook it! And Cait can make the coffee!” I let them keep playing and I laid on the couch and watched TV for a while. Truthfully, my head was killing me from sleeping so long.
Ed was home soon with a big café mocha from Starbuck’s for me, and food that I wasn’t allowed to see from the grocery store (Food too? You had me at Starbucks!). Soon he had Caitlyn come in with a card for me, and then right after that, Eddie brought me a HUGE frosted pastry heart. I started to smell garlic and onions in the kitchen and I dove right in to this incredibly fattening pre-breakfast snack. Ed cooked me eggs like I like them (really runny), bacon, toast and wonderful hash browns with onions. It was so good; I could have eaten 6 eggs.
Caitlyn took a quick nap and before we knew it we were on our way to meet my parents at “A Day Out with Thomas”. We spent the day there just doing little things, and eating…..best thing I ate-a root beer float—mmmm. Caitlyn rode a horse and she was so darn cute. (Eddie refused) We nearly missed our train, but did get on in the end, had our ride and headed home.
Ed and I picked up a salad and garlic bread on the way home and we were in for the night by 7:00. It was a good dinner, even though Caitlyn ate all of the good stuff out of my salad and Eddie ate all of the garlic bread.
A perfect Mother’s Day indeed.
It started at 5:30 AM with Eddie peeing the bed, but after that it was great. The kids slept until about 7:30, and I got up to get them settled and Ed let me go back to sleep. I had every intention of getting up by 8:30, but the next thing I knew it was 10:00. I went out in to the living room, and I heard Eddie and Caitlyn in FIL’s room, so I went to check things out. Eddie told me “Daddy went to get you breakfast! I’m going to help him cook it! And Cait can make the coffee!” I let them keep playing and I laid on the couch and watched TV for a while. Truthfully, my head was killing me from sleeping so long.
Ed was home soon with a big café mocha from Starbuck’s for me, and food that I wasn’t allowed to see from the grocery store (Food too? You had me at Starbucks!). Soon he had Caitlyn come in with a card for me, and then right after that, Eddie brought me a HUGE frosted pastry heart. I started to smell garlic and onions in the kitchen and I dove right in to this incredibly fattening pre-breakfast snack. Ed cooked me eggs like I like them (really runny), bacon, toast and wonderful hash browns with onions. It was so good; I could have eaten 6 eggs.
Caitlyn took a quick nap and before we knew it we were on our way to meet my parents at “A Day Out with Thomas”. We spent the day there just doing little things, and eating…..best thing I ate-a root beer float—mmmm. Caitlyn rode a horse and she was so darn cute. (Eddie refused) We nearly missed our train, but did get on in the end, had our ride and headed home.
Ed and I picked up a salad and garlic bread on the way home and we were in for the night by 7:00. It was a good dinner, even though Caitlyn ate all of the good stuff out of my salad and Eddie ate all of the garlic bread.
A perfect Mother’s Day indeed.
Friday, May 11, 2007
This Sunday I’ll be celebrating my fourth Mother’s Day. It is amazing how time flies. I’ve learned a lot over the last four years-things I would never have expected to learn before I was a mommy.
• There is nothing sweeter than your baby’s little face, even when it’s 4am and she wants to nurse, again. Or even when your baby boy is 3 ½ and has peed in his bed and cries and cries because you woke him up to change him.
• Regardless of what your “real job” is, being Mommy becomes your “real job” and the actual job you get paid for is just something you do on the side.
• Regardless of whatever you did in your pre-mommy life, being Mommy is what defines you now. It is what guides you in making any decision and it is the number one factor in who you are.
• You always feel like you could be a better mom, wish that you were a better mom, or wish that you did something differently, but your kids (at least when they’re as little as mine) think you’re the greatest.
There are countless little things, but these are the ones that stand out.
In Eddie’s preschool class this week, they have asked questions about what you do with your Mommy each day and have posted the children’s answers on the door. Some of Eddie’s:
What is the nickname your Mommy calls you? “Bushanaut” (which is a word he made up and calls us) “or Eddie Spaghetti”
What is your favorite food that your Mommy cooks you? “Pizza without the pepperoni.” Glad I’m such a great cook…..
Where is your favorite place to go with your Mommy? “Chuck E Cheeses” I read the question and thought maybe he’d say something brilliant, like the library (why would he say that when he’s never been to the library?), or at least grocery shopping, which he loves, or maybe to the park where we’ve been spending a lot of time. But no, Chuck E Cheeses, where he goes with Ed more often than me. One of the little girls said “church”, which impressed me. Eddie has been asking to come to church with Ed and me, but we don’t think he’s ready.
In Caitlyn’s case the highest form of flattery is that she says “I want Mommy” constantly. Even when I’m holding her. “I want my Mommy” and I say, “You’ve got me!” and she says it again until I say “I want my Catie!” and then she’s a happy girl. I’m excited to pick them up this afternoon and get the mother’s day gifts they made for me.
We have another busy weekend ahead of us. My brother and sister-in-law are graduating from Slippery Rock tomorrow so we are leaving at 7am to get there, and then we are spending Sunday with my parents at “A Day out with Thomas” where we actually ride on Thomas the Train. Exciting, huh?
Finally, I want to say Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful moms out there. I hope your days are full of love and flowers and wonderful time spent with your children.
• There is nothing sweeter than your baby’s little face, even when it’s 4am and she wants to nurse, again. Or even when your baby boy is 3 ½ and has peed in his bed and cries and cries because you woke him up to change him.
• Regardless of what your “real job” is, being Mommy becomes your “real job” and the actual job you get paid for is just something you do on the side.
• Regardless of whatever you did in your pre-mommy life, being Mommy is what defines you now. It is what guides you in making any decision and it is the number one factor in who you are.
• You always feel like you could be a better mom, wish that you were a better mom, or wish that you did something differently, but your kids (at least when they’re as little as mine) think you’re the greatest.
There are countless little things, but these are the ones that stand out.
In Eddie’s preschool class this week, they have asked questions about what you do with your Mommy each day and have posted the children’s answers on the door. Some of Eddie’s:
What is the nickname your Mommy calls you? “Bushanaut” (which is a word he made up and calls us) “or Eddie Spaghetti”
What is your favorite food that your Mommy cooks you? “Pizza without the pepperoni.” Glad I’m such a great cook…..
Where is your favorite place to go with your Mommy? “Chuck E Cheeses” I read the question and thought maybe he’d say something brilliant, like the library (why would he say that when he’s never been to the library?), or at least grocery shopping, which he loves, or maybe to the park where we’ve been spending a lot of time. But no, Chuck E Cheeses, where he goes with Ed more often than me. One of the little girls said “church”, which impressed me. Eddie has been asking to come to church with Ed and me, but we don’t think he’s ready.
In Caitlyn’s case the highest form of flattery is that she says “I want Mommy” constantly. Even when I’m holding her. “I want my Mommy” and I say, “You’ve got me!” and she says it again until I say “I want my Catie!” and then she’s a happy girl. I’m excited to pick them up this afternoon and get the mother’s day gifts they made for me.
We have another busy weekend ahead of us. My brother and sister-in-law are graduating from Slippery Rock tomorrow so we are leaving at 7am to get there, and then we are spending Sunday with my parents at “A Day out with Thomas” where we actually ride on Thomas the Train. Exciting, huh?
Finally, I want to say Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful moms out there. I hope your days are full of love and flowers and wonderful time spent with your children.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
There's been this fun little MEME going around where you ask one of your readers to interview you, and ask you 5 questions. I asked my friend The Flying Mum to do this, and she obliged! Here are her questions and my very lengthy answers.
1. The year is 2032 and everyone is being relocated to Mars. You and Ed have your tickets for the Mars Shuttle and are packing to go, but due to limited cargo space, sentimental keepsakes must be limited to 3 items per child. Which 3 things would you pick to remind you of Caitlyn? Eddie?
Wow, I’m going to Mars! This is hard for me because everything is sentimental with them still being so young. For Caitlyn: her pink blanket, which I’m sure by the year 2032 will have all but disintegrated because she drags it around and sucks on it constantly, her pink Old Navy baseball hat that she loves to wear backwards, and her yellow giraffe that we bought her on her first vacation to Virginia Beach. For Eddie: The photo of him in the frame he made me for Mother’s Day last year, with the “fake” smile for Mommy grin, his blue fleecy blanket that he has slept with since birth, and his Spiderman sunglasses.
2. Is there any artistic piece (can be a picture, music, or film / book) that can instantly alter your mood either for the better, or worse?
I have 2. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, which was the first piece of classical music I was ever exposed to. I get lost in the music. When I was a kid, I would picture myself conducting a huge orchestra performing this piece. To this day I can hear the entire symphony in my head.
The second is Handel’s Messiah. Handle’s use of music and harmony was phenomenal. It is my favorite thing to sing along with and pretend that I am a soprano, alto, tenor or bass singer as I choose. Plus I get strange looks when it is blasting from my car window.
3.You have mentioned that you've never been on a plane, but if you had unlimited finances and could pick one place to visit in the whole world, where would you go?
One place, Jeeze. Part of me wants to say New Zealand because I have some internet friends there, but really, I think I’d like to travel to Italy and see Rome, Venice and Tuscany. There is so much history and culture to be seen there.
4.When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up, and how does it compare with what you are currently doing?
This is a great question. What I do now does not compare at all to what I wanted to be as a child. As a very young child, I wanted to be EITHER a go-go dancer, or a bus driver. High aspirations, right? What a life of luxury to drive a bus in the morning and then strap on some knee high boots and a short dress and dance the night away……As an older child, middle and high school, I was sure that I would be teaching music. I took all of the music classes, voice lessons and piano (which I sucked at). Took the college courses, and then up and quit. I’m still not sure why—then I blamed it on working 3 jobs and not having the time it took. Today, I’m not so sure.
I do, however, use my voice in my work today. My main job is to manage a team of 16 associates who handle any mortgage related escalation/problem for the largest bank in the world. On the side, I record our automated system. Soooo, if you call my bank about your mortgage or home equity loan, it will be me you hear in our VRU.
5. Favorite color, what & why?
My favorite color really varies by day and mood. More often than not, it’s pink. Pink makes me happy, makes me feel girly. Reminds me of my baby girl. Other days it’s orange or yellow because those are Eddie’s favorite colors. Sometimes it’s green because that was my favorite color while I was growing up, and still other days it’s red because it reminds me of my wedding and the beautiful dresses and flowers. Today I have on green to celebrate this beautiful, 80 degree, spring day we’re having!!
1. The year is 2032 and everyone is being relocated to Mars. You and Ed have your tickets for the Mars Shuttle and are packing to go, but due to limited cargo space, sentimental keepsakes must be limited to 3 items per child. Which 3 things would you pick to remind you of Caitlyn? Eddie?
Wow, I’m going to Mars! This is hard for me because everything is sentimental with them still being so young. For Caitlyn: her pink blanket, which I’m sure by the year 2032 will have all but disintegrated because she drags it around and sucks on it constantly, her pink Old Navy baseball hat that she loves to wear backwards, and her yellow giraffe that we bought her on her first vacation to Virginia Beach. For Eddie: The photo of him in the frame he made me for Mother’s Day last year, with the “fake” smile for Mommy grin, his blue fleecy blanket that he has slept with since birth, and his Spiderman sunglasses.
2. Is there any artistic piece (can be a picture, music, or film / book) that can instantly alter your mood either for the better, or worse?
I have 2. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, which was the first piece of classical music I was ever exposed to. I get lost in the music. When I was a kid, I would picture myself conducting a huge orchestra performing this piece. To this day I can hear the entire symphony in my head.
The second is Handel’s Messiah. Handle’s use of music and harmony was phenomenal. It is my favorite thing to sing along with and pretend that I am a soprano, alto, tenor or bass singer as I choose. Plus I get strange looks when it is blasting from my car window.
3.You have mentioned that you've never been on a plane, but if you had unlimited finances and could pick one place to visit in the whole world, where would you go?
One place, Jeeze. Part of me wants to say New Zealand because I have some internet friends there, but really, I think I’d like to travel to Italy and see Rome, Venice and Tuscany. There is so much history and culture to be seen there.
4.When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up, and how does it compare with what you are currently doing?
This is a great question. What I do now does not compare at all to what I wanted to be as a child. As a very young child, I wanted to be EITHER a go-go dancer, or a bus driver. High aspirations, right? What a life of luxury to drive a bus in the morning and then strap on some knee high boots and a short dress and dance the night away……As an older child, middle and high school, I was sure that I would be teaching music. I took all of the music classes, voice lessons and piano (which I sucked at). Took the college courses, and then up and quit. I’m still not sure why—then I blamed it on working 3 jobs and not having the time it took. Today, I’m not so sure.
I do, however, use my voice in my work today. My main job is to manage a team of 16 associates who handle any mortgage related escalation/problem for the largest bank in the world. On the side, I record our automated system. Soooo, if you call my bank about your mortgage or home equity loan, it will be me you hear in our VRU.
5. Favorite color, what & why?
My favorite color really varies by day and mood. More often than not, it’s pink. Pink makes me happy, makes me feel girly. Reminds me of my baby girl. Other days it’s orange or yellow because those are Eddie’s favorite colors. Sometimes it’s green because that was my favorite color while I was growing up, and still other days it’s red because it reminds me of my wedding and the beautiful dresses and flowers. Today I have on green to celebrate this beautiful, 80 degree, spring day we’re having!!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
THE VERY LAST NERVE
I think it's common for your husband to be the man who is on your very last nerve, but what about when it's your 3-year-old?
Eddie has decided that he is "the boss of Caitlyn", and dictates at her all day long. To be honest with you, I don't care what else he does, but I cannot handle him griping at her for one more second!!
"Caitlyn- we DO NOT tell Mommy no!" and then as if I'm not already aware of the situation...."Mooooomy....Cait said no-oh."
I could kill myself listening to this.
Here's what did it for me this morning:
Caitlyn opened the hall door and was holding on to the railing to go down.
Eddie: CAITLYN!! YOU DO NOT GO DOWN THOSE STAIRS WITHOUT A GROWNUP!!!
Moooooomy, Cait is going downstairs without you......
Me: Eddie, I see her
Eddie: grabs the door and slams it
Caitlyn: falls to the ground crying
Eddie: See Caitlyn? See what happens when you don't wait for a grownup?
Me: All of my hair falls out and I collapse in a heap on the floor.
I'm sure that this is common in any sort of sibling relationship, heck I'm sure it was common in my relationship with my brothers, but right now, it is truly on my very last nerve.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)