Frazzled! Not only do I have to prepare for the Halloween festivities, but I've got Ellie's 1st Birthday the very next day. I have tons of baking to do for both! I've been running around like a mad-woman on my lunch break, going to 3 different stores because some had some of the stuff I needed but not one had ALL. Grrrrr. What happened to one-stop shopping? On top of that, I went to get Ellie's winter coat cuz it turned mighty cold this week, and I found that it's way too big! So I had to go buy another winter coat for her to use the next couple of months. Add in a pumpkin-carving contest at work tomorrow (I have no carved pumpkin to submit yet cuz the one I did yesterday sucked ass!) and the mini-party Thursday morning at daycare, and I'm now officially a lunatic, trying to be SuperMommy AND work a full work week.
It'll all work out. I need to chill! As my niece use to say, "Take a chill pill!"
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Another Interview!
Courtesy of my gal, Homeslice.
1. Being a working mommy can be challenging. What do you do during the hours you are away from your family? Was it a conscious choice to work?
I am a historical researcher at an environmental data company. Say that five times fast. I study fire insurance maps depicting properties, what they’re made of, what they’re used for, etc. from the years 1867-1996 all over the U.S. It’s a pretty interesting job. I’ve been with the company for 5.5 years now. I was promoted to assistant team leader for my group about 2 years ago.
I was planning on being a SAHM. I really was. 6 weeks into my maternity leave changed all that. We just didn’t have enough money. And, I’ll admit, I wasn’t very good at BEING a SAHM. It’s still difficult to say that, but it’s true. And to be even more honest, she’s much better off in daycare. She absolutely loves it… Teri (her provider), the other kids, the toys, the swings outside, the trips to the library, I could go on and on… she thrives on it. I’m amazed at how much she has already learned just by being in that environment.
Another plus is that she may never have another sibling, so this group of lovely children are a great alternative. We’re still not sure if we’re going to try for child #2. Part of it is “are we capable of raising a second child?”; part of it is “do we want to go through the let downs of trying to conceive and failing month after month all over again?” I don’t know if I can go a second round of that.
2. What has changed in you the most since becoming a mother?
I can now think on a child’s level. Even AS a child, I had a hard time doing this. I was the oldest little girl in the world. I loved being with adults. Sure, I played with my friends… Barbies, let’s pretend, tag, etc… like any other kid, but I felt most comfortable at the grown-up table.
Ellie has brought the kid out in me. I love to build stuff with her. I love to growl with her. I love to get down on the floor and play paddy cake for hours on end. I never knew being a kid could be so much fun.
3. List your favorite thing about yourself and the thing you least like about yourself.
I love that I can care so much about people. Sure, there are those who irk me to no end, but I pretty much care for everyone I come into contact with to some degree. I care about their well-being, their feelings, and their ideas. I care for them simply because we’re all people, so we SHOULD care, ya know?
I least like the fact that my feelings get hurt so easily. I dislike the fact that it matters what people think of me. I wish I could just let it go. I wish the tears didn’t come so easily. I wish I had a thicker skin.
4. How did you meet your husband? What’s your relationship like today?
I met my husband through my ex-sister-in-law. HA! I knew that first marriage was good for SOMETHING! (I also got an amazingly good friend out of it, too, in the form of said ex-SIL. Kim rocks:) We actually went to high school together, but we didn’t know each other then. Small world and all that.
Harry and I are best friends, lovers, parents, fellow couch potatoes, shopoholics, and all-around partners-in-crime. There’s no one I’d rather spend a night with, vegging on the sofa in grubby PJs, watching bad 80s flix. Awwwww.
*********************************************************
Now it’s your turn. If you want to be interviewed, leave me a comment including the words “Interview me.” I will respond by emailing you some questions. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them questions.
1. Being a working mommy can be challenging. What do you do during the hours you are away from your family? Was it a conscious choice to work?
I am a historical researcher at an environmental data company. Say that five times fast. I study fire insurance maps depicting properties, what they’re made of, what they’re used for, etc. from the years 1867-1996 all over the U.S. It’s a pretty interesting job. I’ve been with the company for 5.5 years now. I was promoted to assistant team leader for my group about 2 years ago.
I was planning on being a SAHM. I really was. 6 weeks into my maternity leave changed all that. We just didn’t have enough money. And, I’ll admit, I wasn’t very good at BEING a SAHM. It’s still difficult to say that, but it’s true. And to be even more honest, she’s much better off in daycare. She absolutely loves it… Teri (her provider), the other kids, the toys, the swings outside, the trips to the library, I could go on and on… she thrives on it. I’m amazed at how much she has already learned just by being in that environment.
Another plus is that she may never have another sibling, so this group of lovely children are a great alternative. We’re still not sure if we’re going to try for child #2. Part of it is “are we capable of raising a second child?”; part of it is “do we want to go through the let downs of trying to conceive and failing month after month all over again?” I don’t know if I can go a second round of that.
2. What has changed in you the most since becoming a mother?
I can now think on a child’s level. Even AS a child, I had a hard time doing this. I was the oldest little girl in the world. I loved being with adults. Sure, I played with my friends… Barbies, let’s pretend, tag, etc… like any other kid, but I felt most comfortable at the grown-up table.
Ellie has brought the kid out in me. I love to build stuff with her. I love to growl with her. I love to get down on the floor and play paddy cake for hours on end. I never knew being a kid could be so much fun.
3. List your favorite thing about yourself and the thing you least like about yourself.
I love that I can care so much about people. Sure, there are those who irk me to no end, but I pretty much care for everyone I come into contact with to some degree. I care about their well-being, their feelings, and their ideas. I care for them simply because we’re all people, so we SHOULD care, ya know?
I least like the fact that my feelings get hurt so easily. I dislike the fact that it matters what people think of me. I wish I could just let it go. I wish the tears didn’t come so easily. I wish I had a thicker skin.
4. How did you meet your husband? What’s your relationship like today?
I met my husband through my ex-sister-in-law. HA! I knew that first marriage was good for SOMETHING! (I also got an amazingly good friend out of it, too, in the form of said ex-SIL. Kim rocks:) We actually went to high school together, but we didn’t know each other then. Small world and all that.
Harry and I are best friends, lovers, parents, fellow couch potatoes, shopoholics, and all-around partners-in-crime. There’s no one I’d rather spend a night with, vegging on the sofa in grubby PJs, watching bad 80s flix. Awwwww.
*********************************************************
Now it’s your turn. If you want to be interviewed, leave me a comment including the words “Interview me.” I will respond by emailing you some questions. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them questions.
Friday, October 19, 2007
What my daughter has taught me
Patience - Patience has always been a virtue which I sorely lacked. I was the most impatient person I knew:) Ellie has coaxed and coached me into being an extremely Mellow Mom, and I thank her dearly for it. I've been able to integrate that feeling of "letting it all go" into my every day life. It's wonderful. Now I'M the one who tells others to take it easy.
Take time to play - B.E. (Before Ellie) everything was work, work, work. I have to do this, I have to do that. This HAS to be done now. It CAN'T wait. My life is no longer like that. The laundry has piled up, the kitchen is a mess, the bed needs to be made... all that can WAIT. After dinner, it's playtime. I get down on the ground with Ellie, and we just play. I had forgotten how to do it. I had forgotten what it felt like. It's a de-stresser for sure. And it's like a second childhood. Good times.
Laugh - I love humor. It's what's gotten me through the worst of times. I laugh easily. Ellie has taken this to an all-new level. She's my little comedienne. She feels it's her mission to make me laugh, and I'm happy to oblige.
Physical contact is OK - I'm not a huggy kind of person when it comes to other females. My mom never hugged me, my sisters and I never hugged, and I never initiated hugs with my female friends. I always felt awkward. Ellie has cured me of this. I can't get enough cuddle time with my girl. She curves to my body, and it's like we're one person once again. It's the best therapy ever.
There's so much more I can learn from her, and I plan on paying close attention. I don't want to miss one small lesson at the School of Ellie. She's the best teacher I've ever had.
Take time to play - B.E. (Before Ellie) everything was work, work, work. I have to do this, I have to do that. This HAS to be done now. It CAN'T wait. My life is no longer like that. The laundry has piled up, the kitchen is a mess, the bed needs to be made... all that can WAIT. After dinner, it's playtime. I get down on the ground with Ellie, and we just play. I had forgotten how to do it. I had forgotten what it felt like. It's a de-stresser for sure. And it's like a second childhood. Good times.
Laugh - I love humor. It's what's gotten me through the worst of times. I laugh easily. Ellie has taken this to an all-new level. She's my little comedienne. She feels it's her mission to make me laugh, and I'm happy to oblige.
Physical contact is OK - I'm not a huggy kind of person when it comes to other females. My mom never hugged me, my sisters and I never hugged, and I never initiated hugs with my female friends. I always felt awkward. Ellie has cured me of this. I can't get enough cuddle time with my girl. She curves to my body, and it's like we're one person once again. It's the best therapy ever.
There's so much more I can learn from her, and I plan on paying close attention. I don't want to miss one small lesson at the School of Ellie. She's the best teacher I've ever had.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y
We went to Aspetuck Apple Orchard here in CT today, and we went all out. We got pumpkins, apples, peanut brittle, cider, and the best damn apple doughnuts I have ever had. The weather was beautious (low 60s) with a crisp, Autumn breeze playfully caressing our hair and faces. Ellie enjoyed herself, eating her first apple off the core.
We finally got another family foto; one of the ladies working there was kind enough to help us in that department.
Ellie was a bit cranky yesterday and this morning before our little excursion, but we chalked it up to a molar that's slowly making its way through her gum. But when Ellie awoke from her afternoon nap, we found out the real culprit to blame for her unhappiness... an extremely itchy and puffy right eye. THEN it dawned on me - PINK EYE. Ugh.
I remembered Teri (her daycare provider) had mentioned one of the other kids had been sick during the week, and they thought he possibly had pink eye. So I called her up to confirm, and, yep, poor little boys' got it. And now my poor little girl does, too. She's had it once before, so we know what to expect. But she's a lot older now, and she rubs her eyes like crazy. These next 3 or 4 days are NOT going to be fun.
My poor baby. Hopefully it'll start to clear up soon since we caught it so quickly. We called the doc to make sure we could give her the drops (he gave us the thumbs up), and now we just have to wait. Oh, and struggle with giving an 11 month old eye drops 4 times a day.
It was looking to be such a good day, too. That'll teach me to joke about my mom's cold.
Karma's a bitch sometimes:)
We finally got another family foto; one of the ladies working there was kind enough to help us in that department.
Ellie was a bit cranky yesterday and this morning before our little excursion, but we chalked it up to a molar that's slowly making its way through her gum. But when Ellie awoke from her afternoon nap, we found out the real culprit to blame for her unhappiness... an extremely itchy and puffy right eye. THEN it dawned on me - PINK EYE. Ugh.
I remembered Teri (her daycare provider) had mentioned one of the other kids had been sick during the week, and they thought he possibly had pink eye. So I called her up to confirm, and, yep, poor little boys' got it. And now my poor little girl does, too. She's had it once before, so we know what to expect. But she's a lot older now, and she rubs her eyes like crazy. These next 3 or 4 days are NOT going to be fun.
My poor baby. Hopefully it'll start to clear up soon since we caught it so quickly. We called the doc to make sure we could give her the drops (he gave us the thumbs up), and now we just have to wait. Oh, and struggle with giving an 11 month old eye drops 4 times a day.
It was looking to be such a good day, too. That'll teach me to joke about my mom's cold.
Karma's a bitch sometimes:)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Never knew there'd be days like this
I love being a working mom. I really do. I love the "me" time I get at the office. I sit in my cube in the corner, tucked away from the rest of the world, listening to music, sipping my coffee, jamming away at my workload contentedly, and occasionally popping into MM for my daily fix of stimulating conversation. There are days when it is my salvation.
And then there are days like today when I miss Ellie so much it hurts. Days like today when I stare at her picture on my wall instead of my computer screen. I get a lump in my throat and a pain in my chest from wanting her with me right here, right now.
I never knew these little people we create could really tug on our heartstrings like this.
This was what my life was missing. And to think there was a time when I didn't want to have children.
Just a few hours more, and I'll be home with her again. The weekend can't come soon enough.
And then there are days like today when I miss Ellie so much it hurts. Days like today when I stare at her picture on my wall instead of my computer screen. I get a lump in my throat and a pain in my chest from wanting her with me right here, right now.
I never knew these little people we create could really tug on our heartstrings like this.
This was what my life was missing. And to think there was a time when I didn't want to have children.
Just a few hours more, and I'll be home with her again. The weekend can't come soon enough.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
When the word "provider" takes on a whole new meaning
There are days when I seriously consider moving us away from all this, to another state, and another state of mind. Not even our jobs factor into not going; there are always other jobs.
No, the main reason why I push these thoughts away is because we'll never find someone like Teri to watch Ellie during the day. With all the horror stories you hear and read about daycare, our provider is worth all the bullshit of our every day lives. We are just so damn lucky.
We're brainstorming on a Christmas/End of the Year gift for her. How do you show someone who was a complete stranger 10 months ago that she's now part of our family?
I thank my lucky stars for finding her. She rocks.
No, the main reason why I push these thoughts away is because we'll never find someone like Teri to watch Ellie during the day. With all the horror stories you hear and read about daycare, our provider is worth all the bullshit of our every day lives. We are just so damn lucky.
We're brainstorming on a Christmas/End of the Year gift for her. How do you show someone who was a complete stranger 10 months ago that she's now part of our family?
I thank my lucky stars for finding her. She rocks.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
8 so far
Colds, that is. Yes, I've had 8 colds this year, as has Ellie. It's that new mommy/daycare thing. I managed to skip one of hers in May, and, knock on wood, she's been lucky enough to miss the one I've got right now. A new little girl at daycare brought a cold with her the first day, and it somehow jumped right through Ellie and sneezed itself all over me. Ugh. Better me than Ellie, though.
My immune system is shot this year. I was a 2-colds-a-year kid and a 1-cold-a-year adult. I'm always around sick people at the office, and I don't catch everything there. With Ellie, it's a different story, most likely because she likes to stick her fingers in my mouth and luckily for me, my coworkers are kind enough not to do that. You know, proper work etiquette and all.
So far, I've been sick about 70 days of the 275 days of this year so far. What gives? Is this really normal? I'm wondering if my low iron count has anything to do with it.
Ugh, I say. Double ugh. Make it go away.
My immune system is shot this year. I was a 2-colds-a-year kid and a 1-cold-a-year adult. I'm always around sick people at the office, and I don't catch everything there. With Ellie, it's a different story, most likely because she likes to stick her fingers in my mouth and luckily for me, my coworkers are kind enough not to do that. You know, proper work etiquette and all.
So far, I've been sick about 70 days of the 275 days of this year so far. What gives? Is this really normal? I'm wondering if my low iron count has anything to do with it.
Ugh, I say. Double ugh. Make it go away.
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