Oh that's what I would really like to be
Cause if I were a critter on her mobileFriday, February 5, 2010
Just Because I Feel Like Rambling...
One time I went to a sporting event. I won't say which one it was, just because I want to keep it somewhat anonymous. But I was with family and/or friends, I won't reveal who.
I step into the bathroom just before the event so that way I can avoid the long lines later. For some reason, I have a burst of energy, perhaps giddy for the event for which we were at, or perhaps it was the sugar-filled soda I had...either way, I decided to open up the door to a stall, ninja-surprise style.
What I didn't expect was to be 1/2 of the surprise-ees...
Now, these doors are the type that open to the outside, and so they automatically close, not telling you whether they are locked on the inside or not. This one was not.
There was a young girl (perhaps 10-12), on the loo...the door was NOT locked, or perhaps it was broken.
Either way, it will be a while before she chooses to go into a stall with a door that doesn't stay shut...
I step into the bathroom just before the event so that way I can avoid the long lines later. For some reason, I have a burst of energy, perhaps giddy for the event for which we were at, or perhaps it was the sugar-filled soda I had...either way, I decided to open up the door to a stall, ninja-surprise style.
What I didn't expect was to be 1/2 of the surprise-ees...
Now, these doors are the type that open to the outside, and so they automatically close, not telling you whether they are locked on the inside or not. This one was not.
There was a young girl (perhaps 10-12), on the loo...the door was NOT locked, or perhaps it was broken.
Either way, it will be a while before she chooses to go into a stall with a door that doesn't stay shut...
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Perseverance
Brylee was learning this new word this week at daycare. At 11 weeks, her vocabulary is stronger than mine already! At least I can spell it: P-E-R-S-E-V-E-R-A-N-C-E (thank you spell check!)
This morning I felt anything but.
Brylee has the most amazing timing, and by that, I mean she will call on us when it is the most inconvenient (this is the ONE word I cannot spell).
This morning, it was while I was pumping. It was 6:45 in the morning, Cary was trying to catch up on any last minute sleeping, Chester had to go potty, and of course, I was in a bind. I listened to her cry for about 7 minutes before I just gave up, did what had to do, and scooped her up to feed her.
So while feeding her (luckily I had warmed the bottle before in anticipation of her waking), I started questioning my priorities, schedule, and the stress of our day.
Now here's a little background. For some of you, it might be too much information, but to get my thoughts straightened out, I need to do it.
We exclusively bottle feed Brylee. I pump and give her what I can that way, but the first few (crucial) days, Brylee and I didn't see eye-to-eye. And determined to still provide her with 'mommy's best', I decided to go about this way.
Now, this is probably where I should have been more stubborn then my 2-day-old at the time, but it was a new world, I didn't like strangers coming into my room and trying to teach me how it's done (I'm very self-conscious), and I was just tired and sore. So we compromised.
And since, it has almost been a very happy world for all of us. Cary gets to bond with her, just like I do, and it isn't just on me to get up in the middle of the night for feedings (did I tell you how amazing my husband is??!). While he feeds her, I can pump, and this is 15 minutes 3-5 times a day that is 'my time'.
The problems I have, though, is that because I don't nurse her, I don't produce much. Maybe 100 mls in a day. Our child drinks 120 per feeding. But I treat what I produce like liquid gold; while formula costs more, this is more rare and precious, filled with the immunities that she needs.
But the 3-5 times a day leaves me vulnerable. Either I get to listen to my child cry, I don't get to hold her just before she goes to bed for the night, or I have to stop what I'm doing to pump (and lug around the equipment when I go out) or suffer the consequences (how do women who exclusively nurse do it?!?!). And the apartment is feeling neglected (almost as much as Chester is).
When we get up in the morning, its a race against time to get to work and Brylee to daycare. After work, its a race against time to make sure everything is in order to be able to go to bed and get ready for the next day. This isn't including Cary studying; we need to fit that in somehow.
At work, my supervisor worked with my schedule the best she could to help me out with this situation. She has a 1-year old, and understands the mothering situation. But the time allotted for this barely allows for what needs to be done, and it is my entire morning/afternoon break. This does not include going to the restroom or refilling my water glass before I have to be back on the phones, or my adherence is affected (how much we stick to our schedule--such is life when working in a call center).
I had the hopes of giving 'Mommy's Best' to Brylee from anywhere between 4-6 months, when solids start and it will get more hectic. But when I started thinking this morning, I started wondering if that is feasible. Cary is doing his best to make things easier on me. But taking away this task gives me an extra hour or so daily that I can use to work on things needed to do.
It's almost been 3 months. I know children have done really well just formula fed (Cary and I were). Things would be much easier for all of us if we just do this change. But I feel broken-hearted when I think about it. And Cary is encouraging me with staying with the same schedule, if that is what I want.
Persevere.
He is even offering to help out with the morning feedings.
Persevere.
But he needs his rest; he also needs to focus on studying. It doesn't seem fair to ask him to take on this additional feeding when he does so much already.
I don't want to raise my kid to give up too easily in life, much like I did the first few days of her little life. I want to instill in her that to follow through with challenges will reap amazing benefits, that God created us to persevere, because He knows what challenges we face daily, as humans and as Christians.
I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to get pity. I guess this post is more so that I can look back and hopefully see that we overcame this (tiny) challenge, preparing for the next adventure, possibly much more challenging. We will persevere.
This morning I felt anything but.
Brylee has the most amazing timing, and by that, I mean she will call on us when it is the most inconvenient (this is the ONE word I cannot spell).
This morning, it was while I was pumping. It was 6:45 in the morning, Cary was trying to catch up on any last minute sleeping, Chester had to go potty, and of course, I was in a bind. I listened to her cry for about 7 minutes before I just gave up, did what had to do, and scooped her up to feed her.
So while feeding her (luckily I had warmed the bottle before in anticipation of her waking), I started questioning my priorities, schedule, and the stress of our day.
Now here's a little background. For some of you, it might be too much information, but to get my thoughts straightened out, I need to do it.
We exclusively bottle feed Brylee. I pump and give her what I can that way, but the first few (crucial) days, Brylee and I didn't see eye-to-eye. And determined to still provide her with 'mommy's best', I decided to go about this way.
Now, this is probably where I should have been more stubborn then my 2-day-old at the time, but it was a new world, I didn't like strangers coming into my room and trying to teach me how it's done (I'm very self-conscious), and I was just tired and sore. So we compromised.
And since, it has almost been a very happy world for all of us. Cary gets to bond with her, just like I do, and it isn't just on me to get up in the middle of the night for feedings (did I tell you how amazing my husband is??!). While he feeds her, I can pump, and this is 15 minutes 3-5 times a day that is 'my time'.
The problems I have, though, is that because I don't nurse her, I don't produce much. Maybe 100 mls in a day. Our child drinks 120 per feeding. But I treat what I produce like liquid gold; while formula costs more, this is more rare and precious, filled with the immunities that she needs.
But the 3-5 times a day leaves me vulnerable. Either I get to listen to my child cry, I don't get to hold her just before she goes to bed for the night, or I have to stop what I'm doing to pump (and lug around the equipment when I go out) or suffer the consequences (how do women who exclusively nurse do it?!?!). And the apartment is feeling neglected (almost as much as Chester is).
When we get up in the morning, its a race against time to get to work and Brylee to daycare. After work, its a race against time to make sure everything is in order to be able to go to bed and get ready for the next day. This isn't including Cary studying; we need to fit that in somehow.
At work, my supervisor worked with my schedule the best she could to help me out with this situation. She has a 1-year old, and understands the mothering situation. But the time allotted for this barely allows for what needs to be done, and it is my entire morning/afternoon break. This does not include going to the restroom or refilling my water glass before I have to be back on the phones, or my adherence is affected (how much we stick to our schedule--such is life when working in a call center).
I had the hopes of giving 'Mommy's Best' to Brylee from anywhere between 4-6 months, when solids start and it will get more hectic. But when I started thinking this morning, I started wondering if that is feasible. Cary is doing his best to make things easier on me. But taking away this task gives me an extra hour or so daily that I can use to work on things needed to do.
It's almost been 3 months. I know children have done really well just formula fed (Cary and I were). Things would be much easier for all of us if we just do this change. But I feel broken-hearted when I think about it. And Cary is encouraging me with staying with the same schedule, if that is what I want.
Persevere.
He is even offering to help out with the morning feedings.
Persevere.
But he needs his rest; he also needs to focus on studying. It doesn't seem fair to ask him to take on this additional feeding when he does so much already.
I don't want to raise my kid to give up too easily in life, much like I did the first few days of her little life. I want to instill in her that to follow through with challenges will reap amazing benefits, that God created us to persevere, because He knows what challenges we face daily, as humans and as Christians.
I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to get pity. I guess this post is more so that I can look back and hopefully see that we overcame this (tiny) challenge, preparing for the next adventure, possibly much more challenging. We will persevere.
Chocolate Trains
Last night while walking around Grapevine Mills, Cary and I stopped into the chocolate shop to see what decadents they had in store (fudge, turtles, chocolate dipped fruit, chocolate covered potato chips) when a family walks in. This family had a little toddler boy, no more than 3 years old.
The dad, without really looking, reaches up to a display on the counter, and pulls down a chocolate package. He looks at his son, hands the chocolate-on-a-stick to him, and says, "Here it is...your chocolate train!". The little boy's eyes lit up so big as he started vibrating with excitement and shrieked, "Yay!!!"
It was a precious sight. Everyone in the store started laughing. Brylee will bring us moments like that, you can see hints of it now, and I look forward to it. Moments of simplicity bringing joy.
The dad, without really looking, reaches up to a display on the counter, and pulls down a chocolate package. He looks at his son, hands the chocolate-on-a-stick to him, and says, "Here it is...your chocolate train!". The little boy's eyes lit up so big as he started vibrating with excitement and shrieked, "Yay!!!"
It was a precious sight. Everyone in the store started laughing. Brylee will bring us moments like that, you can see hints of it now, and I look forward to it. Moments of simplicity bringing joy.
Image courtesy of Jeannette's Creations
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Greatness Of Modern Technology
Did I mention the daycare Brylee is going to has cameras? It is wonderful because we can check in frequently every day and see what everyone is up to.
It is hard to not check in every 2 minutes, or even just keep the camera up all day long. I have a job, I have to work, and I have to remember that sometimes my calls are recorded, including what is happening on the computer. That would not be good if during all the calls my reviewer saw me pull up the camera. Talk about ACCESS DENIED happening!
One slight disadvantage: it is really hard to decipher exactly who each kid is. If you squint really hard, you might just be able to make out Brylee's little outfit. And I can do that because I dress her every morning. But for Cary and the grandparents checking in? Might not be so simple if they don't know what she is wearing.
Maybe I should attach her own camera to her and set up viewing access that way. We could start our own show-- Survivor: Daycare Edition
And Now A Break From Our Sponsors: Lindt
Lindt Lindor Truffles, where have you been all my life?
Yesterday, I stopped by my supervisors office to grab an end-of-day piece of candy (this only happens once every month or so, when I wonder if she has any Smarties).
I saw these round packages and decided to just give one a shot. What could it hurt? I see the commercials for them and they look pretty good. So I chose the gold packaged one, thinking it would possibly be caramel. It was white chocolate.
Now, I'm not the biggest white chocolate fan. Sometimes its just too sweet for me. But I was still feeling adventurous. So open the hatch, down went the first bite.
And now, I'm hooked. Meaning, I-have-to-take-the-long-way-around-to-avoid-my-supervisor's-desk hooked.
Just from one piece.
And now, back to our regularly scheduled program...
(**Cue World's Best Husband here: at lunch time, I walked into the apartment to find a trail of these delicious truffles leading in the circle that is our home, with a wonderful hug, and a handful of candy at the end! Thank you Cary!!!!)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
This Day In History...
2 years ago today, I got a call from State Farm offering me a position. Obviously, I accepted!
Thank you State Farm for the breath of fresh air. It is so nice to have new friends, new experiences, and so many advantages of working here. I am so blessed!
Thank you State Farm for the breath of fresh air. It is so nice to have new friends, new experiences, and so many advantages of working here. I am so blessed!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Week 10
Guess what? Your baby can pick out his parents' faces in a group. She eyes widen and shine and she wiggles with glee when someone familiar comes near. She's ready and willing to hone her social skills, so make her part of family activities-bring her to the table during dinner, or put her in a carrier sling while you work. She loves your company as much as you love hers.
The second part to this is so true...she does love our company, especially last night around midnight, when she kept crying for us. She was asleep immediately after I held her tiny body against mine, and even though I was frustrated for the premature wake-up call, my heart melted and I almost decided to go to sleep right there in the glider....at least until I fell out :o)
The first part, though, is yet to be proven. Everyday she seems more and more happy, giggling and smiling at things like the ceiling, the fan, her nightlight...her bottle.
I walked into daycare sometime last week to find her being fed, and when they removed the bottle from her lips, she looked at me, little head wobbling, one eye closed, the other squinting to see what caused her disturbance. With the milk dripping off her bottom lip onto her chin, she looked like some crazy drunk person that was ready to beat me up for disturbing her favorite activity. I wish I had my camera handy for that face. It was classic, and hopefully burned into my mind for a long time to come. Like her momma, she likes her food!
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Birthday Bash Weekend...Over A Week Late!
January 15-17 was quite a weekend to remember!
Cary s
tarted it off in celebration for my birthday, going to Medieval Times for dinner. This was our second time there together, but I have been there several times before. And of course, it is always enjoyable! They changed up the story line, so this made the event more interesting because I did not know what to expect. I can't wait for Brylee to be old enough to go with us and cheer on the knights!
Because this was going to be a late night with the dinner event, the little one stayed
overnight with her Oma and Opa, but on Saturday morning I had to pick her up early for a girls' day out with my mom, my aunt Amy, my Granny, and cousin Stacy.
What a fun day! We walked and shopped around the mall, stopping to feed Brylee and getting all of us drinks to enjoy. After finding silly shoes for mom, a funny little hamster toy for Stacy, and a really cute yellow outfit for Brylee, we called the day a success, and then planned for another girls' day in April. Looking forward to it!
Mom and I then went home to meet the guys for our evening of birthday fun (for dad
and me!). Dinner was at Outback, where Brylee had a major fit (she was either hungry, dirty, or afraid of the darker restaurant), dessert was cheesecake at home, and dad and I got to enjoy some fun gifts (dad a light for his Kindle, and the Twilight Zone Series 1st season, and me some charms for my new bracelet!), and then Brylee stayed the night with T-Ma and B-Pa while Cary and I went home to get another peaceful night's sleep. Mom and dad knew that I was starting work again on Monday, and wanted to make sure I got the rest I needed for the emotion-filled week ahead of me.
On Sun
day morning, we woke up pretty refreshed, though I knew I would later want nothing more than to go back into that warm bed. But we had a busy day ahead of us, so off we went!
We picked up Brylee and drove to Cary's parents' house, where I walked in to find a really cool set up for my birthday. We were transported back to the 60's for the day!
Brad, Faith, and Helen showed up not much later than that, and the party started. We ate some extra yummy Cheese casserole, veggies, rolls...a feast! After that, we had strawberry cake (my favorite cake!), played some games (Jennoogle!), and I opened presents.
I got a couple more charms for my bracelet (now I have 9!), a planter for herbs, which I am really looking forward to growing and making pizza sauce with, a truly needed me-time bath, hand, and foot care supply, and...some Uggs!
I have been 'hinting' to Cary for quite some time that I wanted a pair of these boots because I hear so much that they are comfortable, but I really didn't expect to get them. One, because of the price, and two, because we don't really have a lot of cold weather here. But I am loving them, and wearing them a lot! (I promise to take
good care of them, too!)
The weekend was wonderful, seeing all of my family, some extended family, and doing what I do best, eating and sleeping. I am so spoiled by all of my loved ones, and can't imagine what I did to deserve all that I have.
On my actual birthday, Cary, Brylee, Chester and I went back to my parents where we went to dinner and they gave me a tiny digital frame so that I could display all of my favorite pictures on them. Brylee even got (yet another) adorable outfit!
Cary s
tarted it off in celebration for my birthday, going to Medieval Times for dinner. This was our second time there together, but I have been there several times before. And of course, it is always enjoyable! They changed up the story line, so this made the event more interesting because I did not know what to expect. I can't wait for Brylee to be old enough to go with us and cheer on the knights!
Because this was going to be a late night with the dinner event, the little one stayed
overnight with her Oma and Opa, but on Saturday morning I had to pick her up early for a girls' day out with my mom, my aunt Amy, my Granny, and cousin Stacy.What a fun day! We walked and shopped around the mall, stopping to feed Brylee and getting all of us drinks to enjoy. After finding silly shoes for mom, a funny little hamster toy for Stacy, and a really cute yellow outfit for Brylee, we called the day a success, and then planned for another girls' day in April. Looking forward to it!
Mom and I then went home to meet the guys for our evening of birthday fun (for dad
and me!). Dinner was at Outback, where Brylee had a major fit (she was either hungry, dirty, or afraid of the darker restaurant), dessert was cheesecake at home, and dad and I got to enjoy some fun gifts (dad a light for his Kindle, and the Twilight Zone Series 1st season, and me some charms for my new bracelet!), and then Brylee stayed the night with T-Ma and B-Pa while Cary and I went home to get another peaceful night's sleep. Mom and dad knew that I was starting work again on Monday, and wanted to make sure I got the rest I needed for the emotion-filled week ahead of me.On Sun
day morning, we woke up pretty refreshed, though I knew I would later want nothing more than to go back into that warm bed. But we had a busy day ahead of us, so off we went!We picked up Brylee and drove to Cary's parents' house, where I walked in to find a really cool set up for my birthday. We were transported back to the 60's for the day!
Brad, Faith, and Helen showed up not much later than that, and the party started. We ate some extra yummy Cheese casserole, veggies, rolls...a feast! After that, we had strawberry cake (my favorite cake!), played some games (Jennoogle!), and I opened presents.
I got a couple more charms for my bracelet (now I have 9!), a planter for herbs, which I am really looking forward to growing and making pizza sauce with, a truly needed me-time bath, hand, and foot care supply, and...some Uggs!
I have been 'hinting' to Cary for quite some time that I wanted a pair of these boots because I hear so much that they are comfortable, but I really didn't expect to get them. One, because of the price, and two, because we don't really have a lot of cold weather here. But I am loving them, and wearing them a lot! (I promise to take
good care of them, too!)The weekend was wonderful, seeing all of my family, some extended family, and doing what I do best, eating and sleeping. I am so spoiled by all of my loved ones, and can't imagine what I did to deserve all that I have.
On my actual birthday, Cary, Brylee, Chester and I went back to my parents where we went to dinner and they gave me a tiny digital frame so that I could display all of my favorite pictures on them. Brylee even got (yet another) adorable outfit!
Back At Work
Today I am back at work. My supervisor has been kind enough to give me the day off the phones to catch up on emails.
These emails tell a story. For the last 8 weeks I have been gone, the emails that have been sent out tells me what situations happened, what people had to deal with, and who was or was not here.
"Calls in Que--Please Assist"
"Thanksgiving Safety Messages"
"Submit Your Favorite Christmas Holiday Memory"
"Time For Secret Santa!"
...add in birthday wishes, daily schedules (who's in, who's not), and all around corporate communication, and it's as if I had never missed a day!
Except for the 560 emails waiting for me this morning...
These emails tell a story. For the last 8 weeks I have been gone, the emails that have been sent out tells me what situations happened, what people had to deal with, and who was or was not here.
"Calls in Que--Please Assist"
"Thanksgiving Safety Messages"
"Submit Your Favorite Christmas Holiday Memory"
"Time For Secret Santa!"
...add in birthday wishes, daily schedules (who's in, who's not), and all around corporate communication, and it's as if I had never missed a day!
Except for the 560 emails waiting for me this morning...
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Ninjago With A Special Guest
So we took B to go see Ninjago, The LEGO movie a couple of weeks ago, and by we, I mean Cary, myself, my dad, and...my grandfather. Odd co...
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Good morning everyone! Jenn ussually does these posts but I was feeling like she might need a break, so I thought I would try my hand at it....