One of the things that plagues me as a parent some days is my inability to adequately represent my girls on this site. I don't feel like I can capture the true awesomeness, if that's even a word, of their beings and depict the love and humor and intelligence and compassion and pure, strong will packed into their tiny little bodies. Sometimes it's all so overwhelming to me, that I think that it would be easier to not even try.
I can't find the words to describe the look of curiosity and disgust and intensity on Josie's face as she discovers an ant outside and kneels down to get a closer look before ordering us to get it because she doesn't like ants, remember?
I can't truly describe what it's like to watch Eve as she grabs a book from the bookshelf and drops to the floor, completely absorbed, for the next 15 minutes, flipping pages and pointing out objects and naming them and telling the familiar story to herself in her own little words, in her own little world.
I can't capture the aura of pride that emanates from Josie when she not only is able to undress herself and put her clothes in the dirty clothes hamper, but picks out and completely gets into her pajamas all on her own and comes running from her room to show us that she did it all by herself.
And I can't really convey how awesome, and sometimes terrifying, it is to watch Eve follow her sister's lead and insist on doing everything by herself. She climbs into her highchair on her own, wants to walk up and down stairs on her own, and tries to put on shoes all by herself. The will and independence and determination is so strong in her, you can just feel it.
There are so many aspects of their personalities that are just too big, too funny, too much for me to tackle here. I can try to report on the day-to-day accomplishments, the struggles, the tears and the laughter. But to truly know them, you just have to be with them. I will never be able to do them the justice that they deserve here in only words. But I hope someday, if they ever read these words, they will appreciate that I tried.
Welcome to my life. You may want to plug your nose.
Monday, April 28, 2008
I kid you not. THIS was the webpage I discovered left on my screen as I grabbed my laptop and sat down on the couch tonight.
My personal favorite? "Morning thunder."
And - I'm not making this up, either - as I type, Eve is in the girls' room saying, "Mommy toot. Daddy toot. Je-che (Josie) toot. Evie toot!"
Seriously. You feel a little bit sorry for me, don't you?
My personal favorite? "Morning thunder."
And - I'm not making this up, either - as I type, Eve is in the girls' room saying, "Mommy toot. Daddy toot. Je-che (Josie) toot. Evie toot!"
Seriously. You feel a little bit sorry for me, don't you?
Something old, something new
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Same stuff, different layout. It's still a work in progress, still some tweaking here and there to do... but whattya think?
“He had such enthusiasm and excitement – almost like another Brewster…”
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Funny how that statement, made by KARE 11’s Randy Shaver this morning on 93X in reference to yesterday’s media meeting with the Vikings new defensive end Jared Allen, would (to any normal person) clearly indicate Tim Brewster, the Gophers head coach. But Pat and I, as we listened on the way to work this morning, had to laugh at how we automatically envisioned Allen jumping up and down with a tennis ball in his mouth, dropping the ball on occasion into someone’s lap, just begging them to play fetch with him, and beating everyone in a 6-foot radius of him with his wagging tail. Enthusiastic and excited. Two perfect descriptors for our crazy, 90-lb black Lab. And, apparently, college football head coaches in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Also, I have decidedly come to the conclusion that Splenda is disgusting. Seriously – I’m trying to choke down a container of light yogurt made my Rainbow’s house brand – and I’m thoroughly disgusted. I cannot stand the artificial taste. Other products don’t usually bother me this badly – I can always taste a fake sweetener, but it usually doesn’t turn me off enough where I can’t even eat it. I’m going to have to lick the wall of my cubicle just to get the taste out of my mouth. Chairman Bob must have been delusional the day he guaranteed the quality of this junk. Into the garbage it goes.
That’s all I’ve got for today. More ranting at a later date. Stay tuned.
Also, I have decidedly come to the conclusion that Splenda is disgusting. Seriously – I’m trying to choke down a container of light yogurt made my Rainbow’s house brand – and I’m thoroughly disgusted. I cannot stand the artificial taste. Other products don’t usually bother me this badly – I can always taste a fake sweetener, but it usually doesn’t turn me off enough where I can’t even eat it. I’m going to have to lick the wall of my cubicle just to get the taste out of my mouth. Chairman Bob must have been delusional the day he guaranteed the quality of this junk. Into the garbage it goes.
That’s all I’ve got for today. More ranting at a later date. Stay tuned.
Down the only road I've ever known.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Here I go, again. But definitely not on my own. So when the 12-week Healthy Loser challenge ended, I had very high hopes that I would take away with me all the tools, advice, knowledge and motivation to continue my weight loss efforts all on my own.
Then I hit the proverbial brick wall.
The challenge ended 3 weeks ago, and I have managed to maintain my weight loss - well, actually, I guess I did gain back almost 1 pound. Which would be all fine and grand, IF I was at a weight that I was happy with and wanted to be at for the long run. But I am not. And I am not alone. A few of my "loser" friends were struggling, as well, so we decided to give it another go. This time, a 10-week challenge, and we already have 15-20 people joining in. I'm going to aim for a 1.5 lb. loss each week for another 15 lbs. gone. Wish me luck!!
Then I hit the proverbial brick wall.
The challenge ended 3 weeks ago, and I have managed to maintain my weight loss - well, actually, I guess I did gain back almost 1 pound. Which would be all fine and grand, IF I was at a weight that I was happy with and wanted to be at for the long run. But I am not. And I am not alone. A few of my "loser" friends were struggling, as well, so we decided to give it another go. This time, a 10-week challenge, and we already have 15-20 people joining in. I'm going to aim for a 1.5 lb. loss each week for another 15 lbs. gone. Wish me luck!!
A smattering of this, a smattering of that.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
We (meaning the collective whole working society of associates at my company) have worked in our current building since construction was complete in May of 2001. I think I’ve mentioned before the delightful and technologically advanced Remcor Ice Dispensing/Water Systems located in our vending areas. Today is a happy day. And here’s why: It has taken me since May of 2001 to perfect the technique of obtaining EXACTLY the smattering of ice I want in my glass. You see – you have to flip the switches for ice and water (on or off – it’s very complex,) then push the button (which they’ve now covered with a handy little plastic cover – to ward off… I haven’t a clue) to dispense aforementioned ice and/or water. I need an exactly perfect ratio of ice to water – or my whole day is shot right down the shitter. I’ve finally figured out that it takes just the right technique and gentle push – and immediate release of the button with BOTH the ice switch and water switch in the on position to get just a smidgeon of ice. THEN you turn off the ice button and continue filling up the glass with water. All these years, I was wasting precious time ineffectually dispensing the ice only – then flipping the ice button off, and the water button on. It was not a mutually healthy relationship. I was always slightly frustrated and disappointed with the high volume of ice dispensed in my glass with a mere one push of the button. And the machine was frustrated with… well, nothing. It’s a machine. And I could never just pour out a little bit of crushy ice, and leave the right amount remaining in my glass. I’m sure you all know the temperamental attitude of ice. Once you start tipping the glass – you just never know what’s going to happen. Is it all going to come plummeting into your nose (or sink, as the case may be) or is it going to be stubborn and stay put at the bottom of the glass? Oh – it’s a guessing game, to be sure. Perhaps you question the importance of my obsession. But have you ever tried to drink water through a straw that is just too darn cold, or not nearly cold enough? Not enjoyable at all, thank you very much. I can only hope that the Greendale Home for the Insanely Obsessive-Compulsive has the same ice dispensing systems.
And, in other news… well, there really is no other news. Patrick left before dinner last night for “softball practice” or some other such excuse for a bunch of friends/husbands/fathers to get together and gossip. Sounds suspiciously like “book club” to me – without the snacks. So it was just me and the girls, and our tuna melt sandwiches. At some point, Josie looked out the window and across the street, and saw our neighbor out with her little boy, cleaning up their yard. She insisted that we needed to go say “hi.” So after we finished and I cleaned up the kitchen, we put on shoes… and DID NOT PUT ON COATS THANK YOU VERY MUCH! and headed out the front door. We introduced ourselves to our neighbors whom we’ve seen for the past however many years, but had not officially met. It was nice. And I mention all this mainly for the reason that it was groundbreaking to see Josie immediately start playing and talking to this little boy, who will be turning 3 this summer. They even took off together into the backyard to play in their sandbox – without asking first, but that’s beside the point. I was delighted since Jo usually has herself firmly attached to my leg when we first meet anyone… even family members and friends she sees all the time. And it was refreshing to meet another family choosing to live in our neighborhood – which didn’t own a pit bull, or have a booming subwoofer in their trunk, or live in their house with 5 other families.
Josie has started to keep track of Mommy and Daddy’s comings and goings. She always tells us “good luck” as we leave the house, and if one of us isn’t home when they go to bed, she asks if we “had fun with our friends” when she gets up in the morning. The other night Pat was leaving to go to a bar with friends to watch the Wild for one of the playoff games that wasn’t televised on a local channel. Side note – this is the time of year when it is especially painful for him to not have cable. Anyway – he was preparing to leave, and Jo asked me where he was going. Upon hearing the answer, she stomped her foot, raised her hands up in frustration, and said, “AGAIN??!"
I can’t recall if I’ve talked about Henry from daycare – and Eve’s little crush. She’s not quite as infatuated as she used to be – she would ask all weekend long for “Enry,” and would stare longingly at a picture on our fridge of all the daycare kids together. I asked Daycare Betty about the two of them – only to hear that Henry wasn’t always all that nice to Evie. And I’m sure that she isn’t always all that nice to him, either – but Betty was too nice to say so. But she loves him anyway – and now, he has a little brother, Baby Joe, who has started coming to daycare, too. This development has been the highlight of Josie’s week – as she is especially deeply embedded in her baby fascination right now. Betty says she hardly lets that baby leave her sight from the time he’s dropped off in the morning until they leave. She couldn’t wait to tell us that “Henry had a baby!” and show us Baby Joe when we picked her up Monday night, and asks Betty each morning if Henry and “his baby” will be coming today.
We’ve started taking the girls to some community education swimming lessons on Saturday mornings. Or, as I like to call them - Bounce-Around-In-Frigid-Water-and-Watch-Your-Fingers-Fall-Off lessons. Let me tell you, the water is cold. And this is the first time we’ve had Eve in any lessons, or in a pool, as a matter of fact. Needless to say, she was not amused. First, you sit on the edge of the pool with the kids, and splash water on their legs and arms to get them used to it. Eve was shocked and dismayed that we would do such a thing to her, and repeatedly yelled out, “NO – STOP! STOP!” And it didn’t really get much better once we were actually in the water with them – Eve told us a couple of times that she was “all done” – until they finally brought out some bribes, or toys, and she got a ball to play with. Then she warmed up a bit to this water nonsense. Hopefully this week will be a little easier since she’ll know what’s in store when we see the pool. Jo, on the other hand, loves every minute of it, and doesn’t want to wait for class to start to get in, and definitely doesn’t want to get out. And, look at me, I’m actually getting in a swimsuit, in front of strangers. I’m definitely not going to be gracing the cover of any magazines any time soon, but it’s not nearly quite as scary as it used to be.
And, in other news… well, there really is no other news. Patrick left before dinner last night for “softball practice” or some other such excuse for a bunch of friends/husbands/fathers to get together and gossip. Sounds suspiciously like “book club” to me – without the snacks. So it was just me and the girls, and our tuna melt sandwiches. At some point, Josie looked out the window and across the street, and saw our neighbor out with her little boy, cleaning up their yard. She insisted that we needed to go say “hi.” So after we finished and I cleaned up the kitchen, we put on shoes… and DID NOT PUT ON COATS THANK YOU VERY MUCH! and headed out the front door. We introduced ourselves to our neighbors whom we’ve seen for the past however many years, but had not officially met. It was nice. And I mention all this mainly for the reason that it was groundbreaking to see Josie immediately start playing and talking to this little boy, who will be turning 3 this summer. They even took off together into the backyard to play in their sandbox – without asking first, but that’s beside the point. I was delighted since Jo usually has herself firmly attached to my leg when we first meet anyone… even family members and friends she sees all the time. And it was refreshing to meet another family choosing to live in our neighborhood – which didn’t own a pit bull, or have a booming subwoofer in their trunk, or live in their house with 5 other families.
Josie has started to keep track of Mommy and Daddy’s comings and goings. She always tells us “good luck” as we leave the house, and if one of us isn’t home when they go to bed, she asks if we “had fun with our friends” when she gets up in the morning. The other night Pat was leaving to go to a bar with friends to watch the Wild for one of the playoff games that wasn’t televised on a local channel. Side note – this is the time of year when it is especially painful for him to not have cable. Anyway – he was preparing to leave, and Jo asked me where he was going. Upon hearing the answer, she stomped her foot, raised her hands up in frustration, and said, “AGAIN??!"
I can’t recall if I’ve talked about Henry from daycare – and Eve’s little crush. She’s not quite as infatuated as she used to be – she would ask all weekend long for “Enry,” and would stare longingly at a picture on our fridge of all the daycare kids together. I asked Daycare Betty about the two of them – only to hear that Henry wasn’t always all that nice to Evie. And I’m sure that she isn’t always all that nice to him, either – but Betty was too nice to say so. But she loves him anyway – and now, he has a little brother, Baby Joe, who has started coming to daycare, too. This development has been the highlight of Josie’s week – as she is especially deeply embedded in her baby fascination right now. Betty says she hardly lets that baby leave her sight from the time he’s dropped off in the morning until they leave. She couldn’t wait to tell us that “Henry had a baby!” and show us Baby Joe when we picked her up Monday night, and asks Betty each morning if Henry and “his baby” will be coming today.
We’ve started taking the girls to some community education swimming lessons on Saturday mornings. Or, as I like to call them - Bounce-Around-In-Frigid-Water-and-Watch-Your-Fingers-Fall-Off lessons. Let me tell you, the water is cold. And this is the first time we’ve had Eve in any lessons, or in a pool, as a matter of fact. Needless to say, she was not amused. First, you sit on the edge of the pool with the kids, and splash water on their legs and arms to get them used to it. Eve was shocked and dismayed that we would do such a thing to her, and repeatedly yelled out, “NO – STOP! STOP!” And it didn’t really get much better once we were actually in the water with them – Eve told us a couple of times that she was “all done” – until they finally brought out some bribes, or toys, and she got a ball to play with. Then she warmed up a bit to this water nonsense. Hopefully this week will be a little easier since she’ll know what’s in store when we see the pool. Jo, on the other hand, loves every minute of it, and doesn’t want to wait for class to start to get in, and definitely doesn’t want to get out. And, look at me, I’m actually getting in a swimsuit, in front of strangers. I’m definitely not going to be gracing the cover of any magazines any time soon, but it’s not nearly quite as scary as it used to be.
I think it's past my bedtime.
Monday, April 14, 2008
As I begin this post - it's 9:11 pm. I often look at the clock at precisely 9:11 - and it always freaks me out a little bit. Is that odd? It's not like I've noticed consistently looking at the clock at like 4:27, or something. Maybe I do, and 9:11 just has such a different connotation now, that I can't help but notice. Little bit sad.
Eve is still ranting in her crib, and no doubt, Josie is in there shushing her until her little lips are ready to fall off. Insane? Yes. Over-tired? Yes. Am I going to do anything about it? NO. Oh - now here we go with the "Daddy!? Where are you?" cheer. I think it's going to be a long night.
Conversations during the bedtime ritual tonight:
Josie: "Daddy, Mommy - I can't find my book. My favorite book. The puppy book. The little puppy book, you know with the puppies..." (looks in her bookshelf, to no avail.) "It's my favorite book. You know - it has the two - no, three puppies." (now is working on holding up three fingers to really drive home her point.) "It used to be right here." (sitting on the floor, forlornly staring at the spot in her bookshelf where the book apparently used to be.) "It was my favorite book."
Me and/or Pat, I don't remember which: "We'll look for the book another night. Let's pick a different book tonight."
Josie: "Well. We can read this book. It's my favorite! Oh - and the puppy book. With the two - no, three, puppies. You know. My favorite."
We had now moved into the singing portion of the bedtime ritual. I was snuggling in the rocker with Josie while Pat was holding Eve. (This was after Eve announced that Josie and I should get out of the chair so that she and Daddy could sit there - not in so many words, but that was the point.)
Josie: "Mommy. Lookit."
Me: "What? Look at what?"
Josie: pulling up her pajama bottoms, which kept scooting down, revealing her adorable little plumber's butt. "My butt keeps looking at us!"
Ah. There. Ignoring them worked - I hear the blissful sounds of nothing. Lazy parenting. Gotta love it.
I'm itching to change up the template on my blog, again. So be patient with me during the next couple of days if I decide to play around with it a little bit. I know kinda what I want - but am having trouble finding it, or figuring out how I can make it happen. And it doesn't help that I don't know much about anything html-y or css-y code-speak or whatever it is you would need to know to do anything yourself.
I'm done. Good night. More later.
Eve is still ranting in her crib, and no doubt, Josie is in there shushing her until her little lips are ready to fall off. Insane? Yes. Over-tired? Yes. Am I going to do anything about it? NO. Oh - now here we go with the "Daddy!? Where are you?" cheer. I think it's going to be a long night.
Conversations during the bedtime ritual tonight:
Josie: "Daddy, Mommy - I can't find my book. My favorite book. The puppy book. The little puppy book, you know with the puppies..." (looks in her bookshelf, to no avail.) "It's my favorite book. You know - it has the two - no, three puppies." (now is working on holding up three fingers to really drive home her point.) "It used to be right here." (sitting on the floor, forlornly staring at the spot in her bookshelf where the book apparently used to be.) "It was my favorite book."
Me and/or Pat, I don't remember which: "We'll look for the book another night. Let's pick a different book tonight."
Josie: "Well. We can read this book. It's my favorite! Oh - and the puppy book. With the two - no, three, puppies. You know. My favorite."
We had now moved into the singing portion of the bedtime ritual. I was snuggling in the rocker with Josie while Pat was holding Eve. (This was after Eve announced that Josie and I should get out of the chair so that she and Daddy could sit there - not in so many words, but that was the point.)
Josie: "Mommy. Lookit."
Me: "What? Look at what?"
Josie: pulling up her pajama bottoms, which kept scooting down, revealing her adorable little plumber's butt. "My butt keeps looking at us!"
Ah. There. Ignoring them worked - I hear the blissful sounds of nothing. Lazy parenting. Gotta love it.
I'm itching to change up the template on my blog, again. So be patient with me during the next couple of days if I decide to play around with it a little bit. I know kinda what I want - but am having trouble finding it, or figuring out how I can make it happen. And it doesn't help that I don't know much about anything html-y or css-y code-speak or whatever it is you would need to know to do anything yourself.
I'm done. Good night. More later.
Sounds of Silence
Sunday, April 06, 2008
The quiet is deafening. Pat just took the girls out to run a couple of errands. Much to Eve's dismay, I'm sure, as she discovers that they are not going to the park.
The laundry is not folding itself, as I was so hoping it would.
We celebrated Grandma Dianne's birthday yesterday by having dinner at Cosetta's, then going back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to play outside and have cake and ice cream. By the way - Patrick makes a mean spice cake. Topped with Grandma Daly's cream cheese frosting, which adds inches to your backside just by being in the same room with it. Josie always starts to chatter away just a bit before we are getting ready to head out. Last night, she was asking Auntie Sara when she was going to come to our house, as she always does. As an added enticement, she told Brian and Sara that if they came to our house, "we have lots of vacuums." So remember that - if you're coming to our house, be prepared to do some spring cleaning.
Josie's getting ready to exercise, while wearing Mommy's shoes.
So serious.
Caught Eve doing... whatever this is... to her play vacuum cleaner this morning. I don't even know what to say.
Alright. The quiet is getting a little eerie. I'm going to go fold those clothes and turn on the radio. I used to really dislike Sundays. But lately, Sunday and I have developed a nice little relationship. She's not nearly as annoying as I used to find her. We've made peace with one another. Perhaps it's the fact that she allows me to nap on occasion. That will certainly move you up a notch in my book.
The laundry is not folding itself, as I was so hoping it would.
We celebrated Grandma Dianne's birthday yesterday by having dinner at Cosetta's, then going back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to play outside and have cake and ice cream. By the way - Patrick makes a mean spice cake. Topped with Grandma Daly's cream cheese frosting, which adds inches to your backside just by being in the same room with it. Josie always starts to chatter away just a bit before we are getting ready to head out. Last night, she was asking Auntie Sara when she was going to come to our house, as she always does. As an added enticement, she told Brian and Sara that if they came to our house, "we have lots of vacuums." So remember that - if you're coming to our house, be prepared to do some spring cleaning.
Josie's getting ready to exercise, while wearing Mommy's shoes.
So serious.
Caught Eve doing... whatever this is... to her play vacuum cleaner this morning. I don't even know what to say.
Alright. The quiet is getting a little eerie. I'm going to go fold those clothes and turn on the radio. I used to really dislike Sundays. But lately, Sunday and I have developed a nice little relationship. She's not nearly as annoying as I used to find her. We've made peace with one another. Perhaps it's the fact that she allows me to nap on occasion. That will certainly move you up a notch in my book.
It's over... but not over, over...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
The 12-week Healthy Losers Challenge is done.
As of yesterday's weigh-in, I have lost 25.1 pounds. Only 4.9 lbs. more to go until I hit my initial goal. To say I am proud of myself is an understatement. I feel better, I look better, and I know that the changes I was able to make in my diet and exercise are ones that I am can maintain in the long run - as long as I stay committed and accountable to myself. Granted, it will be nice to be able to slide into a maintenance mode instead of constantly being so vigilant about losing. I am not quite there yet... but hopefully soon!
This challenge has awakened me to all the horrible choices that it is so easy to make (and justify)on a daily basis. No more excuses! And the knowledge, awareness and responsibility that I've gained regarding making healthy choices in my life will stay with me forever... benefiting not only myself, but my family. Knowledge is power, and I no longer have the luxury of staying in the dark, or living in denial. I know that executing everything that I have learned will be the hardest part, especially in our processed, fast-food driven society. And that's also not to say that I will never indulge in anything not-so-healthy ever again. But I've learned about being responsible for my choices, how to indulge without overindulging and how it's all a numbers game. So armed with these tools, and the continued support of some pretty cool "losers," I start the rest of my life... with a little less of me. Amen!!
As of yesterday's weigh-in, I have lost 25.1 pounds. Only 4.9 lbs. more to go until I hit my initial goal. To say I am proud of myself is an understatement. I feel better, I look better, and I know that the changes I was able to make in my diet and exercise are ones that I am can maintain in the long run - as long as I stay committed and accountable to myself. Granted, it will be nice to be able to slide into a maintenance mode instead of constantly being so vigilant about losing. I am not quite there yet... but hopefully soon!
This challenge has awakened me to all the horrible choices that it is so easy to make (and justify)on a daily basis. No more excuses! And the knowledge, awareness and responsibility that I've gained regarding making healthy choices in my life will stay with me forever... benefiting not only myself, but my family. Knowledge is power, and I no longer have the luxury of staying in the dark, or living in denial. I know that executing everything that I have learned will be the hardest part, especially in our processed, fast-food driven society. And that's also not to say that I will never indulge in anything not-so-healthy ever again. But I've learned about being responsible for my choices, how to indulge without overindulging and how it's all a numbers game. So armed with these tools, and the continued support of some pretty cool "losers," I start the rest of my life... with a little less of me. Amen!!
Going to the Chapel. And I'm going to get Dizzy.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
You'll be happy to know that this morning, Josie and I got "married."
Apparently, in order to get married, you have to be a prince and a princess. (I got to be the princess, because I was wearing a skirt.)
Then you have to stand in the middle of the living room, face each other and hold hands. The ceremony involves turning round and round in circles, until the princess feel like she's going to either vomit or pass out from dizziness. Then, you're married! So, not all that unlike an actual wedding. If we'd only known. We could have saved a ton of money.
Apparently, in order to get married, you have to be a prince and a princess. (I got to be the princess, because I was wearing a skirt.)
Then you have to stand in the middle of the living room, face each other and hold hands. The ceremony involves turning round and round in circles, until the princess feel like she's going to either vomit or pass out from dizziness. Then, you're married! So, not all that unlike an actual wedding. If we'd only known. We could have saved a ton of money.
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