Ass Kicking: Work is.

This month has been the hardest month of work I have ever had. As of today, everything I can possibly do, is done. I'm waiting on a few reviews, but until anyone gets back to me, I'm off the hook. Of course, that means I'll be getting all feedback over the weekend, which kind of sucks, but whatever. I can run a phonecall with a little rum in my system, right?

And so, now, even though it's barely 2 pm, I'm going home. I'm going to enjoy my children. I'm going to spend some time with Xtian. I'm going to be patient, and only turn on my computer when I absolutely have to.

And in a couple of months, when the confidentiality is a moot point, I will share exactly what I've been working on and can step back and say "Damn. I can't believe I actually did that!" But in a good way.

First week down

My first week back at work is over. Working was fine, but man, trying to start the routine is killer. Most nights Xtian didn't get home until 7 pm or later, and on daycare days the kids are a mess. Between trying to get everyone organized and keep everyone happy and having fun, it's a little tough right now. I'm sure we'll settle into a routine, but right now I'm a little wrecked.

Speaking of daycare, I'm having a hard time with a few things. I like the people a lot and Warren has a really good time with his friends there. But my parenting choices are at odds with theirs. It's not the big things, but they are things that make a big difference in the kids' attitudes. The big issues are food and TV. The TV is less of an issue for Warren now (he's allowed to watch some TV now, and they have the tube on much more than I would like, but Warren mostly ignores it and plays with toys.), but so far Lennox has been there 2 days, and 2 days I've arrived to find Lennox (who is 3-months old, by the way) staring at the television.

I feel like this one is easy to deal with right now. Lennox is immobile, so I just need to ask them to make sure he's turned AWAY from the TV. I can't imagine they can possibly fault me there.

The harder issue is food. I'm not a total stickler for food. Warren has had cookies and non-healthy snacks. But those are only in special/extreme circumstances. Warren's diet consists of whole wheat bread, that I bake, all-natural peanut butter, a lot of fresh and dried fruit, and a handful of veggies that he likes. Sometimes, I can get a yogurt into him. That's pretty much all he eats. But at daycare, "fruit" means pre-packaged fruit snacks that are primarily high fructose corn syrup. Juice can mean kool-aid. Yesterday Warren let it slip that he gets chocolate at daycare. CHOCOLATE TO A 2-YEAR-OLD WHO DOES NOT GET SUGAR. And yes, I've had conversations with the daycare folks about Warren's food needs.

I've mostly ignored the issue to this point. Not everyone feels the way I do, and the kids are only there two days a week. So, nutritionally, I know he's fine. On the other hand, I know that Warren's shitty attitude on daycare days has a lot to do with all the sugar and crap he's eating all day. Certainly, some of the horror can be attributed to the stress from the chaotic environment and the crummy naps he gets at daycare. (At home, Warren takes 3-4 hour, completely undisturbed naps. At daycare, I'm sure it's nothing like that.) But the multiple meltdowns in the few hours we get to spend at home before bed are horrible.

The problem is this, I can't expect them to make special meals for Warren. And if everyone else is getting a snack and Warren is left out, that sets up a nasty dynamic. Not my goal. So, there's not really a point in having a conversation about it. All it will do is create friction in the relationship, and we need this situation to continue working for a while yet. Are these two issues worth finding a new daycare? I don't know. I feel like it isn't. But I also know that the first reasonable-feeling excuse to find new arrangements, I will.

Again, it's not that I'm terribly unhappy. I feel conflicted. I like the people and I know that Warren is having fun and learning there. I hate how nasty and fragile Warren is when he gets home. And right now, Lennox doesn't really know the difference. The only impact going back to work seems to have on Lennox is that once I get home Lennox wants to nurse every 10 minutes. And that makes getting organized for the next day really hard. (Yeah, try making dinner when you get interrupted every 10 minutes and have to spend 20 minutes with a baby attached to you.)

Hopefully we'll find our groove soon. Because, man, am I ever tired.

And it'

Bonding

I'm on maternity leave, meaning I do not get a paycheck. In an effort to be prepared for this time, I purchased a short-term disability policy from AFLAC last year. I filed my paperwork to start collecting my benefits the day before I went on maternity leave. Here we are, 7 weeks later, and I have yet to received a single penny.

Why? Because AFLAC can't seem to communicate with my doctor to prove that I gave birth and how. They want to confirm whether it as a c-section because they pay more for c-section deliveries. Since it was NOT a c-section, I'm here waiting so they can confirm that I get less of a benefit. This is ridiculous. Meanwhile, the state of California, for all the budget problems and furloughs has been batting 1000 in getting me my paid family leave money on time, every time. In fact, when I forgot to check a box on a form, I got a phone call from the state within 2 days to check the information.

In this instance: Private For Profit Company: SUCKS. State-run Department: Rocking it.

~~~~

In Lennox's birth story, I alluded to how difficult I found bonding with Warren after the horrible delivery. A friend asked how I found bonding this time around.

Within 2 seconds of being born, Lennox was snuggled to my chest, and didn't leave my sight until he was taken for his circumcision the next day. To this day, I've only been away from this baby a total of about 10 hours. I always wake up 2 minutes before he needs to eat in the middle of the night, no matter what. When he does cry, as soon as he hears my voice or feels my touch, he stops. I don't know how, but I always seem to know exactly what he needs.

Part of this is due to having gone through this before. But there is no doubt in my mind that the immediate bonding has a huge impact. I don't feel "trapped" by the constant togetherness, like I sometimes felt at first with Warren. Warren openly preferred Xtian for the first year and half of his life. In stressful situations, Warren needed Xtian, not me. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that Xtian was there with him throughout the first hours of Warren's life, and got to hold him almost immediately. On the other hand, I didn't get to touch him until hours after his birth while I was shaking uncontrollably in the recovery room.

I documented the difficulty I had with nursing Warren for the first few months. I didn't get to initiate breastfeeding until we were back in the maternity ward. And I was so tired, I couldn't keep my eyes open while the nurse tried to tell me her name. So, nursing did not start off easily with Warren.

With Lennox, we started nursing within moments of his birth and haven't had a single problem yet.

Of course, this is not to say that I feel any differently toward either kid. It just took a lot longer to get to this point with Warren. We got there, it was just much bumpier. And I think my complete adoration of Warren is fairly obvious. I mean, come on. The kid is completely gorgeous, charming, fun and funny.

And for the last year, Warren has been glued to me any chance he gets. So, clearly the slow bonding has not done anything to harm our mother-child relationship on the long term. And I wonder if Lennox's eventual, inevitable distancing from me will be harder because our bond was so immediate and so intense.

I guess we'll find out when the time comes.

Parenting is so much easier when you aren't outnumbered

My mom has been off work all week (Spring Break for the school she works at) so she's been hanging out with me and the kiddos. I have to say, if you have the means to have two adults to every child in your care, go for it. And if one of those adults just happens to be your child's very favorite-est person, all that much better. Good heavens, it's easier to be patient and kind to a two-year-old when you're well rested and not the only person in charge of paying attention to him or her.

Warren is at the stage where he needs to talk about things...a lot. We repeat the same words, sentences, stories over and over and over again. And he's not satisfied to just say it, he wants me to pay close attention, agree with him and also share his enthusiasm. Which is cute the first 72 times you've talked about the orange truck down the street. But that 73rd time it starts to grate on your nerves.

Lennox figured out smiling this week. And cooing. I have a theory about this. I think babies know exactly how far they can push you before you lose it entirely. So, after 5 weeks of sleep deprivaation, jumping to attention at the slightest hint of a cry, and countless hours giving over your body to nourish the little thing, you might be wondering why the hell you are doing this. So, the kid takes pity on you and gives you a little smile and some gurgling noises and it restores your soul. Evolution at work, people. If babies weren't so cute, we'd all leave them on the hospital doorstep.

That said, I'm not complaining. Lennox is a really good baby. Eats well, sleeps well, and is generally happy to go with the flow. Which is nice, since Warren is very intent on his own agenda these days. After almost 6 weeks home with him, I think we're getting to a good place. There are a lot of changes around here, with a lot of new rules and happenings. The first few weeks were not so good. But I think Warren and I have figured out how to work with each other, and that when we are both patient and kind, we have much more fun.

Of course, this is all subject to change at the drop of a hat. So, don't quote me on this when I'm back here railing about my horrible snot-face of a kid.

And after a month of missing Xtian, in a *ahem* physical manner, we're back in action. I've found it's much easier to be nice to Xtian when we're both...relaxed. After a month on the "injured reserve list" I feel just pissy and totally disconnected from my partner. So, let's just say my entire household should be glad I got the all-clear from my doctor.

So, with that over-share, calling it a night. Remind me to tell you how I lost my child at a mall. Parent of the Year material right here.

Foul-smelling but getting thin.

My entire house smells vaguely like urine and old milk. This is less than pleasant, but when your entire wardrobe is covered in breastmilk there's only so much I can do about it.

Lennox is now a month old, and I'm enjoying this little bug immensely. Warren is still crazy in love with the little guy, which is super endearing. Warren is happiest when he can hug and kiss his "Lemick" and this is fabulous. Slightly less fabulous since Warren's rocking a nasty cold right now, but I can't fault the guy for his intentions.

I'm very pleased to say that I am currently wearing pre-pregnancy jeans. Not just wearing, but wearing comfortably, and the jeans have not even a modicum of stretch to them. So, that's awesome. Right there is one of the best arguments for breastfeeding I can give. 25 pounds, gone in matter of three weeks, without having to limit my food intake or really exercise.

two year olds are irritating

So, still pregnant, but work is definitely calmer. After weeks of threatening, I am officially off all other projects. I am not communicating about any other projects, I am not "pitching in", I am not offering my help. So, all I have left is the book-rewrite that will never die. But at the very least, I will no longer be showing up to work as of next Monday.

I am trying to be zen about the due date. And frankly, the biggest freakout is over the fact that if I show up to my last prenatal appointment still pregnant they will be scheduling a c-section. And I so do not want a c-section. So, I feel like I'm under the gun here. And of course, every day I show up to work, I have no fewer than 30 people asking "You're still here?" "Still haven't popped yet, eh?" and other such things. Which, you can imagine, is incredibly irritating. But most people don't get it, so it's not fair to kill them over it.

Warren is completely obnoxious these days. I think it's a combination of being two years old, being a little sick, and the overwhelming sense that something big is coming. Every single setback (such as having to wait all of 8 seconds while the DVD player turns on so he can watch the Muppet show, like he asked) turns him into a fit throwing, whiny ball of horror. I'm working really hard to not react in anger and show the little shit some patience. But my lord, whining just triggers my smacking reflex. This phase passes, right?

So, hopefully we'll have a baby within the next 58 hours and can avoid the whole horrifying surgical situation. And maybe Warren will get over the whining phase really fast so he can keep his baby teeth for a few more years. (Just kidding. Mostly).

2

My little guy turns two years old today. It feels like forever, and also the blink of an eye.

So, forgive me a little mama moment.

This kid just kills me. I miss him when he takes a long nap. I can't wait to see his sunny little face when I get home from work. I'm just madly in love with his funny little self. It is utterly incredible to see so much of myself and so much of Xtian in him. I completely melt when he takes me by the hand, leads me to the couch and a cuddly blanket so we can snuggle and read one of his books. He will go to enormous lengths to make you laugh, the salad spinner on his head is a particularly big crowd pleaser. I love how overjoyed he is when he figures something out, jumping up and down, clapping and shouting "YAY!"

Lately we've been spending a lot of time with the new babies of my friends. Watching him kiss the babies, and try to hug the babies is unbelievably sweet. I cannot wait to see him grow into his role as a big brother. But I will admit, I am worried about having to take time and attention away from him when the new baby arrives. He's only recently started to prefer spending time with me, and I worry that he will resent me, or feel abandoned by the whole experience. I'm also afraid of my own lack of patience once the new baby arrives. I've mostly been doing ok with my own frustration and anger when he acts out... so far. But once I'm horribly sleep deprived and dealing with the challenges of a newborn, will I be able to check myself as easily? Will I become the shrewish mother I never wanted to be?

I think we'll be ok, for the most part. But he's such a special little human, and I really don't want to do anything that could dampen his spirit and enthusiasm.

So, as his birthday officially begins, I just hope that he knows how much everyone around him simply adores him. Happy Birthday Wu.

Where the hell am I?

I am in Salt Lake City, Utah today. Work stuff, really early flight, really long day, but it was good and super productive. Work has been kicking my ass in a ton of different ways. All good, getting things done, but long hours, break-neck pace and all that makes for a kind of tired mama.

Warren is killing me with cute these days. He says things and chatters baby-gibberish at you all day long, telling you stories. I keep finding him parked on the couch, surrounding by all the couch cushions reading Mama Do You Love Me? to himself. Except the only part he knows is the word "mama" so he just mutters that to himself while turning pages and making animal sounds. And then I fall down and die from all the cuteness. Cory started school and seems to be enjoying it. He needs to pick up a couple more classes to be considered full-time and keep up the medical insurance through my work, but all the classes have waiting lists. Ridiculous. Hopefully the classes will thin out a bit this week.

Xtian is doing well, likes his job, is having fun with Warren. He has a few friends here in town so he gets to hang out with some dudes fairly often. And slowly but surely the whole "we are having another kid" thing is becoming a reality for him. It took him a while with Warren too. It's just not very real to him until the thing starts moving around enough for him to see and feel. Well, last night this little alien was doing flips so vigorous I kept getting the wind knocked out of me. I think we've got another dancer on our hands here.

All bets are off whether it's a girl or boy. I feel exactly the same as I did with Warren, the thing is super active, but I keep thinking girl. Of course I thought Wu was a girl too. So clearly, I have no idea. Mostly, I'm just looking forward to another tiny squishy baby who will cuddle with me for more than 8 seconds. Warren's very lovey, but he's ready to RUN after a quick hug and kiss.

You know, I honestly didn't bond with Warren right away. Sure, he was cute, and I loved him, but as he gets older and becomes more like a person, I find myself just absolutely smitten with the kid. I miss him when he's been napping for more than an hour. It feels slightly ridiculous, but it's true. I just can't wait to see him as a big brother and how neat that will be to watch him with a new biscuit.

Weekend goodness

I just had a delightful weekend. Friday we found a daycare provider who is not trying to rob us blind (The only other person who returned my calls wanted $130 a week, when Warren will be there for 6-8 hours a week. Uh-huh.). Good folks with a a handful of kids, one who is Warren's age. I feel good about the people, and frankly that's all I can really hope for.

Saturday we ran a few errands, and went to a kiddo's birthday party. I wasn't sure how Warren was going to do, with all those big kids (the party was for an 8-year old), and the party took place at one of those inflatable bounce-castle places. An entire compound full of those things. At first Warren would not leave the Little Tykes Cozy coupe (you know, the red and yellow little kid cars everyone either had or coveted as a three year old). He sat in that thing and scooted along backward for an hour. When we tried to get him to play with something else, he screamed. But once we finally coaxed him out with promises of bouncy balls, and hid the damn cozy coupe, he could not get enough of the entire thing. So, that was a total blast to watch him play with all the big kids.

Once we left the party we got home just in time to meet Jen and her new man-friend. They were kind enough to bring a bunch of different beers we'd never even seen before. So, we made burritos and guacamole and spend the evening doing our own beer tasting. (Only tiny sips to taste for the pregnant lady). Just an utter delight.

Then Sunday, we had a leisurely breakfast and went for a walk and watched Warren play with a scuba-diving proof camera. And since it was scuba-proof it is also toddler proof. So, for once he got to play with the grown up toys without anyone stopping him. And that's just fun. So much of childhood and toddlerhood is being told you aren't allowed to play with stuff, or touch anything. So, it was a blast to give him free-reign to touch and play with something without being told to stop.

I am weak

I got promoted at work. It's really great, except all my "free time" is now spent being a "parent" instead of "writing bullshit on the internet." Also, Warren decided to do a little redecorating on my laptop. Now, I have no space bar. So, that's fun.

Also, I have big exciting life news, but I'm not ready to share with work, so I can't share on the internet. Hopefully not too much longer do I have to be super spy.

But the new job is great. It's also a zillion hours a week, but in a really exciting way. I get to write. For a living. And make good money doing it. So, that's a plus and makes me more sure that moving to Sacramento wasn't the worst choice I've ever made.

Meanwhile, Cory got his driver's license, Warren is a big ol' 19 month old who thinks he's a big kid, the cats are mostly ridiculous with the heat (how many days in a row can it really be over 100 degrees? The answer: a million, evidently)

I did spend last weekend with my big sister, my friend Jen and her sister. It was so much fun. I love getting a whole bunch of people you love together, and then they all get along really well. I haven't laughed so hard in forever. And we weren't drinking. I know, I was surprised too!

Also, since my computer is sad and on her last legs, I bought a new computer today. One of Xtian's friends sells computers on ebay, and this is one he got for hella cheap. So now, I have a supersexy touch screen laptop for 1/3 what I had planned to spend. Huzzah!

I miss my internet friends. Though I'm still following everyone via my Google Reader, I just can't comment from it (and work can't give me shit for it, since all my work articles are on it too!). So, I'm still on top of most folks.

Happy times.

Writing for the sake of writing.

Mama is tired. I was really looking forward to visiting my lovey Sarah last weekend. I packed my bags, loaded up my truck, kissed my boys and was on the road. I got about 30 miles (which took over 45 minutes) away, when my cell phone rang. It was Xtian. Asking if I happened to have the only set of car keys in my purse. Fuck. I couldn't leave them without wheels for the entire weekend, I know they had stuff to do, and we live in the middle of nowhere. They would be totally stranded.

So, I turned around and another 50 minutes later I was back at home. And the thought of having to start the trip over made me cry. So, I made my apologies to Sarah, and settled in for a very chill weekend with the kiddo.

My mom came for a little visit this week. So Uncle Cory had a couple days off from Wu duty while my mom spoiled the kid rotten. But he's so darn cute, it's hard not too. The little dude is just charming. And I'm not being biased, he charms the pants off of everyone. Makes me worry for the horror that will be his teenage years. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Meanwhile, work is ramping up big time. Some potentially exciting if frightening things coming up. But this is where I thrive, under pressure.

But, nothing is certain yet, so I'll keep my big mouth shut.

Foodwise, I have been one boring broad. Nothing exciting or even particularly delicious. It's officially too warm to enjoy cooking. But I'm thinking this weekend I'll cook up some rich, fabulous bread for Xtian. It is father's day afterall. I guess I should give him a gift, eh? Isn't that how this whole thing works? Crap. I suck at gifts.

Time to eat a dinner of Chicken McNuggets. Don't you judge me.

what the hell do you do with beets?

If you haven't already, do not rest until you have watched the pilot episode of Glee. It won't be on until the Fall, but seriously just beautiful. Since Scrubs has completely jumped the shark (and they are threatening to come back for another season. They will ruin this show come hell or high water), this will completely take it's place. 90% hilarious, and 10% poignant. And the pilot ends with them singing Journey, so you know this bitch is loving it.

Warren gives kisses these days, which is pretty much the sweetest thing ever. And then he says "thank you." It makes me giggle every time. Also, he's still obsessed with shoes. Mostly high heels, but in a pinch flip flops will do. He carries them all over the house trying to put every shoe on everyone who'll sit still. Creepy? A little. But what little kid isn't a little creepy?

Cory has himself a girlfriend. We've met her a couple of times. She's cute, seems nice, but she's a... vegetarian. She's not even militant, but whenever I spend time with a veg. I'm just certain I'm being judged. Also, I hate having to limit what I cook for dinner. I have a hard enough time making food that we all enjoy, now I have that limitation too? Well, maybe we just won't invite her for dinner. It's kind of funny watching Cory be a total teenager for once. Yesterday, he was on the phone with her from 3:00 pm until after 8. He's so adult and poised all the time, I forget he's still a teenager. And so I get to play big sister and torture him constantly, making awkward condom remarks whenever he's on the phone. I didn't get to do that with my own little brother (bugger never let on when he was dating anyone), so now I'm visiting this on Cory. I'm a horrible person.

Oh, and I have a question for you? How do you like to prepare fresh beets? I've never cooked with them at all, and my CSA box was full of beets last week. So, any suggestions? Please? I'm at a loss.

Right, I swear I'll get back into a regular posting schedule. I've got a million things to say, I just never find the time and motivation concurrently.

What?

Updates:
Warren still refuses to call me Mama. In fact, he has no name for me at all. Uncle Cory is "uncle", Xtian is "Dada" and he makes no reference to me at all. He loves me and comes running whenever he sees me, and all that. I just wonder when he'll figure out that I have a title or a name. Weird little munchkin that he is.

Parenting makes you a dork. It's just true. This is now even more apparent since Warren is having a language explosion. He's learning a few new words a day, which means I have to stop cussing around him. Makes me feel like Ned Flanders when I try to replace "bad words" with nonsense. But, it's either that or I'm that awful parent whose baby is walking around saying "eat my ass, you shithead." And really? I have enough bad parenting points, I don't need to add more.

So, since I really can't write about work anymore (not that there's much to write about, lots of work, some frustration, but mostly good) I'm kind of at a loss for what to write. I desperately don't want to be a "My kid did the cutest thing!" person, but it's just the natural progression of having a small human tethered to you. They absorb every thought and action. It's all about them. Even when you don't want it to be.

But frankly, I'm so madly in love with the little thing, I just can't help myself.

Oh, the bizarre "gated" community I live in (aka, 60 year old duplex that origianally served Military Officer's housing in the middle of f'ing nowhere, but like, an entrance has a gate, so it's a fascist regime)is officially sucking my will to live. Why in the name of jebus would you bother guarding this dump?
But, we're locked into a lease until October. At which time we will (hopefully!) move downtown where there is ANYTHING within walking distance. Seriously, it's over a mile to anything. Need a convenience store? 1.6 miles, on the side of a busy road with no sidewalks. Awesome.

On the plus side, I had a big ass deadline that I never thought I'd make. A few extra hours on the weekend, and I completed 9,000 words two days early. That's right, sometimes I kick ass. Other times I completely suck, so I guess it all evens out.

And that's it for my psychotic, go nowhere update. Happy Wednesday folks!

Dragging Ass

Oh ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I am officially dragging ass. Lots of work projects (including writing 15 video scripts by June 1, Hurray!) which are great, but there's only one of me. And therein lies the problem.

But, the anniversary date was just lovely. Xtian took me to a restaurant called Johnny Garlic, owned by Guy Fieri. A great joint, the man has fabulous restaurants. Then Xtian blindfolded me (here's where the horribleness in me comes out. He puts a blindfold on me, and I say "you know everyone will think you're just kidnapping a white lady, right?" See? Terrible.) And we ended up going to see Wolverine (who cares if it wasn't exactly great film, Wolverine... so hot right now.) at one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters. And he even packed a flask of rum to pour into my coke, so Mama was happy as can be.

This coming weekend will be jam packed and delightful. Saturday I get my tattoo finished, followed immediately by "confidential" plans. I wish I knew what was going on, but Xtian's decided to surprise me two weeks in a row.

Sunday I'm taking the kid and the husband to the City, where we will explore the Science Museum with my darling friend Nathaniel. I've been completely enamored of Nathaniel since the day we met, and now Xtian finally gets to meet him too. Super looking forward to it.

Once the kid inevitably runs out of patience at the museum, we'll be crossing the Bay Bridge to help Sister Jen and Kate demo their new house. As it turns out, 100 year old homes are not always "move-in ready." So, that will be fun and exhausting. I've tried to reserve our Monday for some actual relaxation, but we'll see how that goes once all is said and done.

And then it's back to work for 4 doubly packed days of working it. I think I need a nap.

Surprises and how I ruin them.

Because I can never do anything unless I do 8 things at once, not only was Sunday Mother's Day, but Xtian and my wedding anniversary was this Wednesday. I'm not much for sentimental displays and demanding to be made a big deal of, so we kept it mellow. Spent some time together, and commemorated the day with cupcakes. Frankly, it was awesome.

And tomorrow I'm being taken on a date. I don't know what, when, where or anything else. I have been asked to wear a dress. That is all I know. What in the world could it be? I have no idea, and I'm trying not to guess. I take after my mother in her Nancy Drew qualities, so I try not to ruin Xtian's surprises. This has been a hard won lesson, as I spent the first few years of our relationship ruining everything. (Still officially the meanest thing you can say to someone "why do you always ruin everything." Just let it ruminate for a moment.)

Sister Jenn and Kate will be coming up to babysit for the evening, so as an added bonus, I get another day with my sis. And Kate finally gets to see exactly how much fun Warren can be in the morning. It really is hard staying angry at the kid who woke you up at 6 am on a Saturday when they spend the morning singing gibberish at you and kissing your forehead.

I think it's time for another glass of rum. Good night.

Mother's Day Awesomeness

So this weekend I volunteered at a "housing first" homeless project, followed immediately by spending 3 hours being riddled with needles (pictures forthcoming....). I arrived home at the same time my parents showed up for our Mother's Day Dinner. So, we cooked up a crapload of pasta, and ate cupcakes that were delicious the night before, but were placed back in the oven for storage, horrifically drying them out. Sad. But the ganache and buttercream frostings were delicious.

Sister Jenn spent the night, and we stayed up playing cards and drinking rum. Perfection. In bed at 2 am, awoken at 8 am by a singing toddler. And my mother's day spoiling began.
Xtian makes the best breakfasts in the world. That is not an exaggeration. For this fine day, it was toasted bagels with cream cheese, lox, cucumber and a dash of kosher salt. Just glorious.

Friend Jen came up to play in the afternoon. We took Warren to the park and about melted in the heat. In a mostly good way.


At one point, he was climbing all over the jungle gym, and looked really unsteady on some steps. Jen reached out to help him. Warren stopped cold, put his hands on his hips, eyes wide with attitude, and yelled some gibberish at Jen that could only mean "I can do it myself!" Pretty much the greatest thing ever.

Good stuff.

Just finished the most delightful weekend. I only had a couple of things I needed to get done, so most of the weekend was spent hunkered down, relaxing. I never did get out of pajamas on Sunday. I sent Xtian and Cory to a movie on Sunday (they've had a long stretch of extra mile child care lately, and totally deserved a treat), and Warren and I got to spend some unstructured time playing. It was so fun to actually enjoy his company, rather than being frustrated that he isn't doing what I need him to be doing. Such a neat little human.

The entire weekend was really all about just being together as a family and having a good time. We did a little housework, did some baking together, but mostly just chatted and played games. I'm feeling pretty domestically satisfied lately.

Mrs. Sparkles is doing well after her surgery. She was so lonely being locked up alone all weekend. We finally let her out for a few hours of play on Sunday evening. I'm so pleased that even when she is hurting and tired, she still indulges Warren's cuddling.

It was a good few days and it was about time I expressed a little gratitude for my sweet little family.

Rough Day

My company shares a building with another company owned by the same person. Technically, they are separate and distinct corporate entities. But we all work together, share resources and see eachother all the time. I work pretty closely with them, as they actually have graphic design resources.

First thing this morning, half their company was let go. Including several of my friends. Cost cutting maneuvers that were necessary, but still it sucks.

On a happy note, Warren has figured out how pockets work. He has taken to storing his phone (an old non-functioning phone Cory found among some old clothes) in his pocket, and periodically whips the phone out, puts it to his head and starts chatting gibberish into it. High-Larious.

In other news, I'm going to be in San Francisco for a couple days next week. WHEEEEE! Should be good times.

Taking requests, apparently

Per Faith's question, the name Mrs. Sparkles actually came from an Aqua Teen Hungerforce episode. No, I do not live in a frat house, but the show is absolutely the best in nonsequitur humor. In the show, Master Shake has a kitten named Mr. Sparkles, who was a magician and per Shake's instructions, not to be touched. So, when our little kitty appeared and thoroughly charmed everyone in the house, we named her Mrs. Sparkles.

Our family has also started anthropomorphizing a variety of things, such as our potted Christmas tree (hello, $20 at a garden store and now I have a Christmas tree for the next 20 years? That my friends, is called "Value") which we named Todd, and a styrofoam ice chest named Terrence. No, it makes no sense, but is hilarious nontheless.

Ok, naked baby needs me. I totally need to share kitty pictures. For that matter, I haven't posted a Warren picture in over 6 months. I truly am the worst parent ever. Huzzah!

Shuffling Along

So, I have some awesome new work projects that are fun. They also validate that the company owner likes me enough that I'm fairly sure she's not planning on firing me in the near future. So, that feels nice.

Cory seems to be enjoying his Manny gig, and Warren's digging it. Seems like it works for the time being. They really enjoy each other, and I love how Warren's developing these days. I like to think all of Cory's goodness and hilarity are rubbing off on the wee sprite.

Christian seems to enjoy his job. Frankly, I don't know if it's the job he likes, or if he's just so relieved to have one he would never dare think anything bad. But he and Cory get to be buddies, and do their guy stuff together. Friday night they'll be going to the Kings game, and I'll be home drinking liquor and watching horrible tv. A delightful time for all.

Right. Off to bed. Have a lovely day, y'all!