tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27171294430886210702024-02-18T21:47:50.187-08:00Cello MamaMom by day, cellist-by-nightCellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-36868778407572143512010-03-23T11:34:00.001-07:002010-03-23T11:48:47.323-07:00StuffHey, all. Trying to post at least on occasion to make Carrie happy (hi, Carrie)!! Gotta keep these pregnant ladies happy, y'all. It's the least we can do.<br /><br />So where the heck have I been? I hardly know. The last 6 months have been such a blur. I've been taking care of myself again - eating right, going to the gym, etc. That feels good. Been playing waaaaay too much Farmville. (Must stop. Really must. Tomorrow).<br /><br />Girls are fantastic. Kate is FINALLY seeming to make progress on the potty training thing. Or perhaps I should say I am making progress - because I got so I just couldn't handle the accidents anymore, and my freaking out all the time made things SO much worse. Kate and I had a rough six months, folks. ROUGH. But it seems we've turned the corner, and not constantly dealing with dirty undies (and pants, socks, carpet, furniture) has allowed me to remember how amazing my 4 year old is. She's talkative, imaginative and she's learned so much. She's just so grown up.<br /><br />Elizabeth is a joy. She talks a blue streak and her favorite phrase is, "I do it!" It is usually followed by success and her shouting (loudly - the girl has lungs), "I did it! I did it! By My-Self!!" mental note: must get that on video.<br /><br />I have tons to do in the next month. Pete's sister is getting married May 1st, and I am a bridesmaid. First of all, let me share that when I ordered my dress in November I ordered a size that was too small in the waist (3 inches) and hips (1.5 inches). It fits me now - hooray! But I still must figure out hair, shoes, undergarments. Must schedule alterations. Have dresses for the girls, but still need to have those hemmed and get tights. Haven't started on Pete yet. Planning two bridal showers in the next month.<br /><br />I need to get activities for the girls (Kate, primarily) scheduled for summer or I will spend way too much freaking time on this laptop. I am also just beginning a project to paint nearly our entire house. We've lived here 8 years and have painted the basement and the girls rooms. We are far, far overdue. I am on my orchestra Board and we need to hire a new general manager and concertmaster. Plus I have something like 10 solos in our April concert, so I have some serious practicing to do.<br /><br />So if you don't hear from me again for awhile, that's what is going on.<br /><br />Godspeed.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-19415121494979170342010-03-07T07:56:00.000-08:002010-03-07T07:57:48.146-08:00FreakyYep, pretty much spot on for a life in IT management at a large company. Not so much for stay-at-home parent. But what can you do...<br /><br />Best Occupational Category<br />You're an ORGANIZER<br />Keywords<br /><br />Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate<br /><br />These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.<br /><br />ORGANIZER CAREERS<br />Suggested careers are Administrator, Secretary, Printer, Paralegal, Building Inspector, Bank Cashier, Private Secretary, Statistician, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Bookkeeper, Medical Records Technician, Developer of Business or Computer Systems, Clerical Worker, Proofreader, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Banker, Certified Public Accountant, Credit Manager, Store Salesperson, Actuary, Dental Assistant, Business Education Teacher, Food Service Manager, IRS Agent, Budget Analyst, and Underwriter.<br /><br />ORGANIZER WORKPLACES<br />Your very careful, conscientious, conservative nature gives others the confidence to trust you with handling money and material possessions. Structured organizations that have well-ordered chains of command work best for you.<br /><br />Suggested Organizer workplaces are large corporations, business offices, financial lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and quality control and inspection departments.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-38951606060367067412010-02-09T10:53:00.000-08:002010-02-09T11:01:45.958-08:00Can I just go to bed now?So far today:<br /><br />- I forgot to eat my banana on my way to the gym, resulting in trying to do a 75 min conditioning class on 200 calories of protein. <br /><br />- I 'snuck' out of a very full 75 min conditioning class after 45 min. <br /><br />- Elizabeth fell into a very large puddle of icy slush leaving the gym.<br /><br />- While shopping for (dry) clearance pants for Elizabeth at Target (but before buying my groceries), I lost my new leather gloves. <br /><br />- Kate (yes, Kate, my nowhere-near-potty-trained-4-year-old) pooped her pants. <br /><br />- The school we plan to send Kate to next fall called asking where Kate’s teacher reference was - they need it this week to decide whether or not to admit her. I haven't even asked for it yet. (Oh well, she probably won't be able to go anyway, because she won't be potty trained).<br /><br />- After cleaning up Kate (and while on the phone with the school), I learned Elizabeth found the pancake batter and poured it all over the kitchen.<br /><br />Here’s hoping this day gets better, and fast.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-69670039855289192712009-10-09T10:47:00.000-07:002009-10-09T12:07:14.335-07:00Playdate ShmaydateKate and her "best friend" Molly are in the same preschool class with another neighborhood boy named Jack. Since Molly and Jack are both youngest children, when they are in school their moms have actual free time. So they arranged when school started that they would take turns - on Wednesdays one would drive to preschool and then take them home for lunch and a playdate. The other would take Fridays. I was offered to take part. I am reluctant, to put it lightly.<br /><br />First of all, since they have Weds/Fri, I believe the assumption is that I could take Mondays, but we have a playgroup Monday mornings we've been doing for nearly 3 years (although now just Miss E and I go). The last thing I want to do is have that whole day taken by obligations. Also, since I have orchestra on Sunday nights, I often spend Monday afternoons trying to get the house back in order after a weekend of less-than-impeccable cleaning habits.<br /><br />Secondly, I am a big believer in harnessed car seats. Kate's will allow her to sit harnessed until she's 65 lbs., and I don't care if I have to wrestle her 7-year-old body into that chair, I will. They are the safest way for children to ride in a car. These moms aren't moving car seats around - they are just using booster seats with shoulder belts - even though our kids are still just a bit too young and small to use booster seats. When it comes down to it, I don't think I'm quite ready to let someone else drive my kid. Heck, I haven't even let her grandparents do that, yet.<br /><br />Thirdly, I don't want to sacrifice a big part of a day each week to take care of those kids so their moms can have some kid-free time. I guess that's in part because I wouldn't get the same benefit. I don't get kid-free time - I still have Elizabeth around. I'd rather have Kate here Weds/Fris than do this rotation. When it's just my kids, I can still get things done. I can clean, do exercise, do laundry. I can live my life. With three 3-year-olds I will be busy the whole time making sure they don't destroy the house. It's an afternoon gone every week. <br /><br />Last, but far from least - I'm not in such a hurry to "get rid" of Kate. She's already apart from me 3 mornings/week - that's a big change for us. This would add 2 days/week when she would be gone several more hours. She's not even four! I left my career to be home with her - to make her lunches and just be there. It makes no sense to me that 2 days/week she'd be 5 houses away while someone else feeds her - and I'm right here feeding Elizabeth. It's already going so fast - why speed it up even more?<br /><br />I've made a lot of arguments against it. The big argument for it? Kate wants to go. They very kindly offer for Kate to come over for the "playdate" portion of the day, but I don't feel I can let her do that without reciprocating. And Kate really, really wants to go. She wants to play with kids all afternoon - even though when she does she is overstimulated and CRANKY. I feel like a totally selfish and mean mama that I don't want to have her friends over here all the time (at this age - later, I hope they practically live here). I feel sort of stuck on this.<br /><br />So, friends, tell it to me straight. Do I need to get over myself, and have these kids over? Do I need to chill on the whole driving/booster thing? Am I entitled to think that 3 days of preschool is enough time away and it's OK for Kate to have the down-time at home?Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-42626060253371145882009-08-21T09:12:00.001-07:002009-08-21T09:12:58.513-07:00Yep, 'cause that's what I really needMy mom is sending me links to quack diet programs. Subtle, eh?Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-25598895562798745782009-07-23T08:21:00.000-07:002009-07-23T08:33:38.146-07:00Flip-ing OutGot my new Flip MinoHD video camera yesterday. It's my birthday present. I know my birthday is in December, but this way I have it to take to Hawaii! <br /><br />If you don't know what it is, you should really check it out <a href="http://www.theflip.com">here</a>. It's awesome.<br /><br />So be prepared for some video clips here and on Facebook. <br /><br />Here's my first clip:<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7IFlZa47pBSAVT6Rde9qgQ-XXGpSxsaxKWSfHFirMeYQEKIwPdjy6bz99IWqe79eFhi4Mj51UOOupqnLkJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-11900141893211171022009-06-20T18:45:00.000-07:002009-06-20T18:46:43.640-07:00Come again?I just told Pete, "I'm like a gay man in a woman's body."<br /><br />It really made sense at the moment.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-62195296995589253072009-05-18T13:22:00.000-07:002009-05-18T13:36:58.985-07:00Up-DateGuess what? I like my husband! And he likes me, too!<br /><br />I know that seems like a silly thing to say, but I must admit to having been a bit of a basket case the last couple of weeks. Pete shares little in terms of personality with his father. Regardless, having his dad leave wife #3 did give me panicked moments wondering when I'm going to come home someday and learn that Pete doesn't want to be married anymore.<br /><br />It's wrong for me to doubt Pete like that. He certainly doesn't deserve it. It unquestionably annoys him. But sometimes having so much divorce in his family gets to me.<br /><br />But I had a revelation on Friday that I think put those insecurities to rest. We must have a good relationship - because there's no way I would be THAT excited go to out with him if we didn't! And he was just as excited! It was like we were actually DATING again!<br /><br />We got Elizabeth to bed first (Dana probably isn't quite up to dual bedtime yet) and then took off. A brief stop at CPK (right next to theater) for our favorite spring rolls and a beer and then off to the movie.<br /><br />Star Trek was really quite good. I must admit to being a bit of a Trekkie. I had three geeky older brothers who introduced me to the first series. Then in high school, when Carrie was out on actual <span style="font-style:italic;">dates</span>, I spent WAAAY too much time watching The Next Generation in my basement with Jared. Pete and I watched Enterprise when we were dating. I don't own any costumes, but am far from the uninitiated. <br /><br />But I think even someone without these experiences would like this movie. It reinvigorates the whole Star Trek concept. The actors playing Kirk and Spock did a fantastic job of bringing in nuances of the originals without stepping into mimicry. The supporting characters provided much-needed comedic relief to an intense plot. Frankly, one of the better movies I've seen in awhile.<br /><br />We were still home before 11 - and early night for the old folks - but it was probably the most fun we've had on a date in a long time. Now we just have to decide what to do THIS weekend!<br /><br />As an aside - I let Kate put lip gloss on, and she is trying to talk without touching her lips together. Try it. It's pretty funny.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-27468443387909130822009-05-18T11:07:00.000-07:002009-05-18T11:11:00.070-07:00Huh?Has anyone noticed that the "boy" cow on Back at the Barnyard has udders?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IC7nhxiewe3F6tugXcahqU1iTwSXGxKDpUEGkRNSxR4mbiUVRj4lWDTLfeJ-KxTvZScAU_m3-OCSajj5xt9HEfbd48j6d0aaFKpDNvFbK6dNtuJ_lNIJLTpZTGTYSBLnx7Y2aTLCsqTL/s1600-h/otiscow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 84px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IC7nhxiewe3F6tugXcahqU1iTwSXGxKDpUEGkRNSxR4mbiUVRj4lWDTLfeJ-KxTvZScAU_m3-OCSajj5xt9HEfbd48j6d0aaFKpDNvFbK6dNtuJ_lNIJLTpZTGTYSBLnx7Y2aTLCsqTL/s320/otiscow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337227974797903474" /></a>Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-70837021626051390212009-05-15T10:59:00.000-07:002009-05-15T11:08:06.604-07:00Date Night!Pete and I have a date tonight!<br /><br />Since we had Kate, we've not been terribly good about such things. I really didn't want to leave her - almost ever - until Elizabeth was born. I don't know if that was brought on by our struggle to have her, or by the three months I had her in daycare. All I knew was that being away from her caused me physical pain.<br /><br />Somehow, with Elizabeth in the picture, that went away. Maybe I mellowed out. Maybe I just trust the world in a way I didn't before. I think part of it is likely just that I'm not leaving them "alone" - they have each other. But either way, I've been itching to get out more lately. I've been wanting more time to focus on Laurie the Person instead of just Laurie the Mom. <br /><br />Add to that the very real evidence we've had at what happens if you don't nurture your marriage, and I couldn't get a date planned soon enough! Thankfully, my niece Dana is eager to earn spending money for our family trip this year. Tonight we'll do a quick dinner and catch the new Star Trek movie. Next week I'd like to just do a more sit-down dinner and just talk. We haven't had "dates" two weeks in a row in over three years! I'm so excited!Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-43137331896348729722009-05-15T05:45:00.001-07:002009-05-15T05:57:00.215-07:00John DeereI mowed the lawn last night. Ahhhhh. I mowed our lawn growing up (and a couple neighbors' for a few summers) and I always enjoyed it. I love tuning out and enjoying the fresh air and smell of the grass. I love the instant gratification. I love singing my heart out and knowing no one can hear me (yes, they can see me, but I try not to think about that). When I was a high-schooler, it was something my dad actually let me do - and thought I was good at it. Taking care of the yard was one of the very few things I was totally entrusted to do. It makes me feel free and young and alive and competent.<br /><br />Pete's been working a ton lately, so I wanted to do this to try to take something off of him. We're a team, so if his workload is higher, then mine needs to be, too. My goal was to do this so he could spend more time with us on the weekend. Little did I know that I would be transported back 15 years in the first five minutes. I am reclaiming my seat on the John Deere.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-82631954047609335502009-05-14T10:39:00.000-07:002009-05-14T10:49:22.011-07:00CaribooKate's "best friend" Molly came over for a play date this morning. They are only 11 days apart in age and they play together really well. Today we all sat down to play Cariboo. Molly doesn't have this game, so she always wants to play it here. I, however, try to avoid it because I go crazy that she still doesn't seem to get the game. (I know, control-freak much, Laurie?)<br /><br />Anyway, we were playing again today and Molly was just going through and opening the little flaps without drawing a card first. I kept reminding her to "Draw a card, Molly, draw a card!" when Kate looked at me and said, "Why are you being so mean, Mommy?"<br /><br />"Mean?" I asked, incredulously. I thought my tone of voice was OK, I was really just being a nag more than anything.<br /><br />"Yes, you're being mean about making Molly draw a card."<br /><br />"I'm sorry, honey. I was not trying to be mean. Molly doesn't have to draw a card if she doesn't want to."<br /><br />"Okay. That's better."<br /><br />And more than my shame at the fact that I was bullying little Molly, I was flooded with pride. Not only did Kate sense I was getting frustrated, but she called me on it. She stood up to me to protect her friend.<br /><br />So how can I tell her to always do that? Always and forever?Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-14447585545236674652009-05-13T21:23:00.000-07:002009-05-13T21:30:58.814-07:00A very depressing thoughtDinner went fine tonight. He mostly played with the girls while I fixed dinner, and then Pete got home. I wonder if he hears the crickets chirping when he tells us some other "awful" thing about her. We don't want to be unsupportive, but we just don't know what to say. He seems to be doing well, though, and that's the most important thing.<br /><br />One of the hardest things for me about this whole situation is that the entire M clan barely seems to care that this woman won't be part of the family anymore. I think they've been together 10 years - they've been married 7 1/2 - and not a single person seems to care she'll be gone. <br /><br />The same thing happened when Pete's sister got divorced a few years ago. I thought it was just the guy. But now the same (non)reaction about Marilyn. In fact, in both cases the family almost seems glad that they're gone. With so much divorce in the family (only his grandparents and one aunt/uncle have NOT been divorced) perhaps it's to be expected.<br /><br />As someone who married into the family, it literally makes me sick to my stomach to think that they would react this way if it were me. I think of them as my family - I genuinely care about them and enjoy seeing them. Would I just get a half-hearted shrug, too?Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-21155561034368344602009-05-13T10:44:00.000-07:002009-05-13T11:07:23.502-07:00DinnerJim's coming over for dinner tonight, and I begged Pete to try to be home early so I didn't have to be "alone" with him for too long. Don't get me wrong - I love my father-in-law. But I just don't know what to say. What do you say to a grown man going through his third divorce? Whose wife claims to be totally taken unawares? There are plenty of things I could say, but probably none I should. (repeating to myself: "This is not my problem.")<br /><br />Jim tries to explain to us what happened, and most of his "reasons" are the little things. The peccadilloes we all learn about when we live day-in/day-out with someone. My personal opinion, he just decided he didn't want to be married anymore. And I don't know if that's a good enough reason to walk away. But there's no way to really know what that marriage was like, so I'm really trying not to make assumptions - trying to withhold judgment. That's so hard for me to do. <br /><br />After Marilyn's son's abuse via Facebook last week, I de-friended them both, and asked Marilyn to stop emailing me. If by some miracle they reconcile that may be tough to explain, but I just needed to get out of it, and fast. I haven't heard anything from them since, thank God.<br /><br />This whole thing gives me a pit in my stomach.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-85203798633075637622009-05-12T18:41:00.001-07:002009-05-12T18:42:07.014-07:00OverheardSinging along to the Beatles - <br /><br />"I get by with a little help from muffins."<br /><br />Oh, honey. Don't we all.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-81240311753460415952009-05-12T18:38:00.000-07:002009-05-12T18:41:15.362-07:00Pillow Talk"Mommy, can we be mamas together? Oh. No, I can't be a mama, I'm too little. But when I grow up I'm going to be a mama!"<br /><br />"Oh! That's great, honey. Being a mama is a wonderful thing."<br /><br />"Or... maybe I could be an ice cream truck driver. Then I could give out ice cream to other children and eat some, too!"Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-55867068840136702842009-05-10T18:41:00.000-07:002009-05-10T18:42:07.054-07:00ShaftedGood thing I am so grateful for being a Mom.<br /><br />Because I got totally shafted today. No gift, no card, nada.<br /><br />Oh, I got to sleep in an extra hour, during which time Pete cleaned the kitchen. I guess that counts for something?Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-80079311445026895072009-05-07T18:18:00.000-07:002009-05-07T18:20:15.622-07:00Juuuuuust GreatNow I'm getting chewed out publicly by Marilyn's son on Facebook. (well, me, Pete, his sister, etc). Apparently they think we've known for months this was coming. <br /><br />How the HELL is this becoming MY business???Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-23335703977991537522009-05-07T05:48:00.000-07:002009-05-07T05:49:06.829-07:00New RuleInfants and children in diapers should not be allowed to eat asparagus.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-81525628227600359282009-05-06T08:51:00.000-07:002009-05-06T08:58:25.344-07:00Gorgeous!If you ask me, Minnesota weather doesn't get any better than it is today. Since the girls are both still feverish (but otherwise OK) we skipped school and my dentist appointment (so sad). I piled both girls in the BOB and we headed off on a long walk, with a playground stop in the middle. This weather is like heaven on earth.<br /><br />Which is a good thing, since I could use the distraction from my idiocy. I sent out an email to family about Elizabeth's 1st birthday party, and forgot that the email address I had was for Jim AND Marilyn. Marilyn got it. She's now sent me three emails about how shocked she is, how much she loves the girls, etc. I have no idea what to say and really just want to stay out of the whole mess. That's what I get for sending emails late at night when I'm exhausted.<br /><br />It is SO nice to not have anything going on today. We're over-scheduled this semester (yes, for my 3-year-old) and it's gotten really old. So I'm classically over-compensating and have nothing but swimming lessons scheduled for summer. I'm really looking forward to it now but will probably be going stir-crazy by mid-June! But I can't wait to get up and go to Elm Creek Park and take a long walk and then go swimming in that fabulous swim pond!! I am SO ready for summer!Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-53348554214814137912009-05-05T14:46:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:06:49.677-07:00Stream of consciousness update post...Hey. You've been warned - this will ramble.<br /><br />Long time no... well... anything. I'm so out of the loop that I just found a card from Meigan from a month ago wondering where I'd disappeared to. Oops. Sorry, Meigs. I'm alive! I will email you this week!<br /><br />Remember I posted awhile back about getting over myself? Well, that's generally gone quite well. I sort of burst through the post-baby-blues and suddenly started taking care of all kinds of business. The result is that I've been keeping myself busier than I have in a long time. My house has been clean enough most days that my MOM could come by unannounced and it would be OK. (For those who know my mom, that is saying something). I also am having on-going carpal tunnel issues. If I'm on the computer too long in the evening my hands are so numb and tingly I can hardly sleep, so I haven't been on too much. Should probably see a doc about that someday, but I'm sort of in denial about it.<br /><br />Today I am the only one in my family not sick. I'm actually not sure if it's a cold or the flu. Pete just has a bad headache. Kate woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and bad cough. Neither of us really slept. Elizabeth woke up from her nap with a fever. I'm going to see what plays out. I'm quite proud of myself, really, because I had a couple of weeks there where I was so freaked about "swine flu" that I was starting to stockpile food. So far, the fevers are mild and they are generally "normal" so I'm just taking it hour by hour, as you do with little ones who are sick. Kate fell asleep on the sofa about a half hour ago. I'm trying to decide whether to try wake her up for a bath (never works) or just let her sleep through til morning, when she'll get up at 5AM.<br /><br />I've been really busy lately helping plan festivities for my parents upcoming 50th anniversary. We are all taking a trip (all siblings, nieces, nephews) in August and we are also throwing them a party. So far, I'm pretty much doing everything. I'm not at all resentful of that, but I am thrilled we finally got this vacation figured out because it was exhausting me to do all of this research and have my parents change direction with the wind. Now I just have a pit in my stomach about how much it is costing them (they insist on paying for us all, which is absolutely insane). I guess now I can start focusing on their party.<br /><br />Since I have this trip coming up with my 3 size-4 sisters and 1 size-2 brother's-girlfriend, I have gotten moving again on the weight loss. I lost about 10 lbs. in March, but totally lost steam in April, so now I've got 13 weeks to shed as much as I can. I will still be an elephant compared to my family, but at least I'll hopefully fit in my swimsuit.<br /><br />Speaking of anniversaries... or NOT having anniversaries... we found out last night that Pete's Dad is getting a divorce. Not a huge surprise - Jim has dropped lots of hints - but it's still kind of big news around here. They had a prenup so hopefully it won't be too protracted. Now we just need to figure out how to explain to Kate why she doesn't have 3 grandmothers anymore. It's not like we're close enough to Marilyn that we'll stay in touch, really. But she has been there Kate's whole life, and I think she will be very sad to not see her anymore. I have no idea what to do on that. Do we tell her upfront? Do we wait for her to ask where Grandma Marilyn is? <br /><br />Elizabeth is tired of being ignored. Since we're the only ones awake right now I should probably give her some attention. Just wish me luck that tonight I will get some sleep, and avoid this illness myself!Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-67789596666713019642009-03-05T06:03:00.000-08:002009-03-05T06:05:43.326-08:00I must be doing something rightIn the midst of this long, cold, dark winter, if Kate sees sunshine she starts singing The Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" and insists I join in with her. <br /><br />I don't know why that makes me so happy, but it does.Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-26842847795907915472009-02-22T09:10:00.000-08:002009-02-22T09:39:55.971-08:00Stye-Me(d)Ouch. I have a stye. For those who've never had one, it's essentially a pimple on the edge of your eyelid. (oops, hope you're not eating lunch right now). I've had a few in my life - this is by far the worst. It doesn't really look gross, it's just red and a little swollen, but it hurts and itches like H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks. They usually go away in a few days, but in the meantime I'm not supposed to wear eye makeup or contacts.<br /><br />Yeah, right. Like that's going to happen.<br /><br />For one thing - no eye makeup? Maybe. I'm not quite <span style="font-style: italic;">that </span>vain that I will self-destruct without my daily dose of Covergirl. But no contacts? I have a 9 month old - I will be wrestling glasses out of her little fingers about every 3 minutes. Plus, I HATE wearing glasses at orchestra. I have these teeny rimless specs which provide no peripheral vision - I can't see the music and the conductor in the same field, so I wind up bobbing my head up and down like a chicken. Perhaps I should get a pair of <a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/lilmisspriss888/Pink%20Rock%20Candy/AmAp-VintageEyewear.jpg" target="_blank">big, round 80's glasses</a> just for these circumstances?<br /><br />In happier news, I am the proud owner of a <a href="http://www.grantviolins.com.au/cello_case/BamXlight.jpg" target="_blank">new cello case</a>, about which I couldn't be more thrilled. Not exactly great times to be dropping cash on things, but my last cello case weighed a whopping 17.5 lbs and this one a mere 7.5. Even with my cello in it it weights noticeably less than my old one does empty! My back and shoulder are rejoicing!<br /><br />Now I just have to line up some gigs to help pay for it!Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-30522623902314021862009-02-12T13:32:00.000-08:002009-02-12T13:34:21.824-08:00And not a moment too soonTwice this week, Kate has gotten up in the morning, taken off her PJ pants and diaper, and peed on the potty.<br /><br />We still have a long way to go, but at least we're headed in the right direction!<br /><br />HEE HAW!!Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717129443088621070.post-15377354789985766922009-02-12T12:15:00.001-08:002009-02-12T12:59:50.904-08:00Completely unsolicited product placementsA couple of weeks ago <a href="http://www.sothefishsaid.com/2009/02/the_beth_is_very_ashamed_of_he.html">Beth Fish did a "Meme"</a> and invited all who read her to participate. Now, with my pathetic blogging track record, answering 5 whole questions seemed a bit much for me. But I was struck by this question: "What's the best thing since sliced bread?"<br /><br /><strong></strong>I have a few things in my life that I sing praises for every time I use them - most of which have been discovered since I became a parent. So I'm going to tell you about some of them. I think it goes without saying that no funds were exchanged to compel these endorsements. :-)<br /><br />1. Razors with built-in "shave gel", namely the <a href="http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=163166&catid=89899">Gillette Venus Breeze</a> or the <a href="http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165559&catid=89899">Shick Intuition</a>.<br />When I first saw the ads for these, I figured they were a gimmick. That such a small amount of "gel" could hardly compensate for a good soap and a high quality razor. I was wrong. They each have their pros and cons but I just rejoice every time I use them. I know, I know - you wonder how long it really takes to suds up your legs in the shower. Longer than you think! I have not used a "plain" razor since the first time I tried one (shaving my calves with a bottle of water sitting on a curb in a parking lot). The only downside is that they are pretty expensive. But it's a great time-saver. I never get razor burn and very rarely nick myself. They are worth every penny.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.clorox.com/products/overview.php?prod_id=ctw">The Clorox Toilet Wand</a>.<br />When I first had Kate crawling around and getting into everything like a rabid Tasmanian devil, I realized something had to be done about the toilet brushes. There wasn't much I could think of that would be grosser than her getting ahold of one of those (except perhaps the plunger). Plus, I tried to find ways to not have as many toxic cleaning chemicals in liquid form around. These work great, and then you toss the little cleaning pad and just have this easily hidden, innocuous little stick. <br /><br />3. The <a href="http://www.stacksandstacks.com/4-bag-laundry-sorter-antique-bronze/1307/11329/?id=175&sku=131863">4 Bag Laundry Sorter</a>.<br />Laundry is the bane of my existance. With E in the picture now, I just couldn't possibly get it all done in one day, so we'd wind up with these sorted piles all over the floor until I actually managed to get through it all. Now we don't have baskets in the closets anymore. We just have this one hamper and all clothes go directly into it - pre-sorted! Not only do I no longer have the drudgery of marathon laundry sorting/washing sessions (I do one load a day), but since I keep up with the laundry now <span style="font-style: italic;">we need fewer clothes!!!</span> Seriously! My mom is horrified that I have this hamper out in my bedroom but I don't really care. It's awesome!<br /><br />4. My beloved <a href="http://www.imagesupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=930&emailmarket=brotherlabelmaker.com">label maker</a>.<br />Nothing wastes time like having to hunt for things when you want to use them. I use my label maker ALL the time!!<br /><br />So, there's my list. I realize they might be seen as expensive and certainly not too "green", but for now they're helping me manage my life.<br /><br />How about you? What are your timesaving finds??Cellomamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01324155073073873706noreply@blogger.com4