Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Good to be home
The last week has been full - full of driving, flying, working and time with the girls. After a seriously fun weekend in Baltimore with 9 lady friends, I returned home for 36 hours before a full work week in Brooklyn.
All of our husbands should have taken our wallets before we left home.
At Rusty Scupper - mmm, very yummy crab cakes here!
It seems silly and pretentious but traveling for work always makes me feel kind of important (just trying to be honest). I was not going to a big conference as the key note speaker or even to speak on a panel. No, I was just heading to the central office to train my new employee - important for me and my team, but in the grand scheme of the professional world it's not exactly important. I think it's the fact that I head to the place where businessmen (and women!) make big deals, settle important cases and do things that impact our global economy - New York! New York just feels so special, big and well, important! Probably because it's so very different from my life at home in the country.
And I'll admit I get a small thrill out of buying a coffee at Dunkin Donuts (and maybe a donut with sprinkles) or ordering an appetizer because it sounds good - things I wouldn't normally do if I were footing the bill (you may call me cheap, but I like to call it frugal, and I'll thank my mother for that).
I typically dread the trips beforehand because I really don't like leaving Geoff and Mary-Michael. I know it's healthy to have a break now and then, but it feels like Mary-Michael is doing something new everyday, and I hate to miss it! I hear it only gets harder once they can talk and tell you how they feel about you leaving... But thankfully, I always leave her in good hands with Daddy and Grandma, and I'm grateful that they each get some alone time with her.
When I do finally arrive I am usually completely focused on work, so it's a good time to catch up and spend time in person with some of the folks I work with every day. Despite the foot of snow that fell while there that altered my travel plans a bit, it was a really successful and fruitful trip. But boy am I glad to be home. How can you not be when you have these amazing people to return home to?!
All of our husbands should have taken our wallets before we left home.
At Rusty Scupper - mmm, very yummy crab cakes here!
It seems silly and pretentious but traveling for work always makes me feel kind of important (just trying to be honest). I was not going to a big conference as the key note speaker or even to speak on a panel. No, I was just heading to the central office to train my new employee - important for me and my team, but in the grand scheme of the professional world it's not exactly important. I think it's the fact that I head to the place where businessmen (and women!) make big deals, settle important cases and do things that impact our global economy - New York! New York just feels so special, big and well, important! Probably because it's so very different from my life at home in the country.
And I'll admit I get a small thrill out of buying a coffee at Dunkin Donuts (and maybe a donut with sprinkles) or ordering an appetizer because it sounds good - things I wouldn't normally do if I were footing the bill (you may call me cheap, but I like to call it frugal, and I'll thank my mother for that).
I typically dread the trips beforehand because I really don't like leaving Geoff and Mary-Michael. I know it's healthy to have a break now and then, but it feels like Mary-Michael is doing something new everyday, and I hate to miss it! I hear it only gets harder once they can talk and tell you how they feel about you leaving... But thankfully, I always leave her in good hands with Daddy and Grandma, and I'm grateful that they each get some alone time with her.
When I do finally arrive I am usually completely focused on work, so it's a good time to catch up and spend time in person with some of the folks I work with every day. Despite the foot of snow that fell while there that altered my travel plans a bit, it was a really successful and fruitful trip. But boy am I glad to be home. How can you not be when you have these amazing people to return home to?!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
10 months old
Our sweet Mary-Michael,
You are truly becoming a little girl. It's both exciting and a bit sad for us to see you growing up so quickly, but we are loving every moment with you...ok, maybe not when you're screaming in the car seat, but everything else, we love.
Here's what you're up to these days:
-You love your pink blanket from the Rose's - it rides in the car and you rub it against your face and put your thumb in your mouth even if you're not sleepy. You look so sweet.
-If we're eating, you want to be eating, too, which essentially means you are trying all sorts of foods because it's not always time for you to have a meal, so you eat what we eat.
-When you are supposed to be eating, you throw your food and sippy cup when you don't want anymore, but for the most part you're a pretty good eater.
-Not much makes you happier than animals, especially Radar, Carla and the cats at anyone's house you visit. Daddy is so excited to get you baby chicks for your first birthday. In fact, he's outside working on your coop right now.
-You are extremely ticklish, and since we love to hear you laugh we often tickle you to the point of annoyance (for you, not us).
-You are saying mama and dada, and I think starting to mean it (vs. the babbling you were doing a month ago).
-You give big, wet kisses and clap often with a big grin on your face.
-You are starting to dance with your new musical toys from Christsmas (and by dance I mean bop up and down and shake from side to side)
-Lately, we'll catch you standing without holding on to anything, but only for a moment.
-And finally, you despise the car seat. As soon as we put you in it, you arch your back and cry, which only gets worse as we try and strap you in. So, I load the console with toys, puffs and a sippy cup to hand you throughout the car ride. Typically, these don't last long because they're thrown, so then you just cry. It's a lot of fun.
It's hard to believe it's time for me to think about your first birthday. I really can't believe it's only 2 months away. Please stop growing so fast baby girl.
We love you so very much,
Momma
Watching Daddy build her chicken coop.
If you look really, really hard you can see the two bottom teeth.
You are truly becoming a little girl. It's both exciting and a bit sad for us to see you growing up so quickly, but we are loving every moment with you...ok, maybe not when you're screaming in the car seat, but everything else, we love.
Here's what you're up to these days:
-You love your pink blanket from the Rose's - it rides in the car and you rub it against your face and put your thumb in your mouth even if you're not sleepy. You look so sweet.
-If we're eating, you want to be eating, too, which essentially means you are trying all sorts of foods because it's not always time for you to have a meal, so you eat what we eat.
-When you are supposed to be eating, you throw your food and sippy cup when you don't want anymore, but for the most part you're a pretty good eater.
-Not much makes you happier than animals, especially Radar, Carla and the cats at anyone's house you visit. Daddy is so excited to get you baby chicks for your first birthday. In fact, he's outside working on your coop right now.
-You are extremely ticklish, and since we love to hear you laugh we often tickle you to the point of annoyance (for you, not us).
-You are saying mama and dada, and I think starting to mean it (vs. the babbling you were doing a month ago).
-You give big, wet kisses and clap often with a big grin on your face.
-You are starting to dance with your new musical toys from Christsmas (and by dance I mean bop up and down and shake from side to side)
-Lately, we'll catch you standing without holding on to anything, but only for a moment.
-And finally, you despise the car seat. As soon as we put you in it, you arch your back and cry, which only gets worse as we try and strap you in. So, I load the console with toys, puffs and a sippy cup to hand you throughout the car ride. Typically, these don't last long because they're thrown, so then you just cry. It's a lot of fun.
It's hard to believe it's time for me to think about your first birthday. I really can't believe it's only 2 months away. Please stop growing so fast baby girl.
We love you so very much,
Momma
Watching Daddy build her chicken coop.
If you look really, really hard you can see the two bottom teeth.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
While I love the turnover of one year to another because it's a great chance to reflect on the past and dream for the future, I am grateful that God's mercies are new every morning. We don't have to have a new year arrive to declare a change in our heart, the way we think or the way we act. God can do those things and we can make those changes any time! But if you are someone who makes New Year's resolutions, I pray you get the strength, courage and time to do whatever it is that's on your mind for this year. Just remember, every day we have a chance to start over and strive to be a better person. Thank goodness for that!
But besides my little quip about New Year's, I also love a chance to get friends together. So, for the third year in a row, we had some 20 adults and 8 children (age 5 and under) at our home to celebrate last night. Every year there are more children, which makes it more entertaining, loud and chaotic in terms of stuff being everywhere. But I love it, and the kids did great with very few tears, scuffles or bruises.
Tex, Philip and Radar
Micah, Sherry Lee and Avery trying to decide who's up next on the horse.
Kid chaos!
Micah showing off his party hat.
Hunter and Zach getting ready for Dance Revolution.
Renee (and baby in the oven) warming up for their turn to dance.
Lacey and April - two dancing queens!
If you need some clean, fun adult entertainment that is guaranteed to make you laugh you must play Dance Revolution. F.U.N. Here's a quick highlight of Matt and Geoff from the first dancing duel.
But besides my little quip about New Year's, I also love a chance to get friends together. So, for the third year in a row, we had some 20 adults and 8 children (age 5 and under) at our home to celebrate last night. Every year there are more children, which makes it more entertaining, loud and chaotic in terms of stuff being everywhere. But I love it, and the kids did great with very few tears, scuffles or bruises.
Tex, Philip and Radar
Micah, Sherry Lee and Avery trying to decide who's up next on the horse.
Kid chaos!
Micah showing off his party hat.
Hunter and Zach getting ready for Dance Revolution.
Renee (and baby in the oven) warming up for their turn to dance.
Lacey and April - two dancing queens!
If you need some clean, fun adult entertainment that is guaranteed to make you laugh you must play Dance Revolution. F.U.N. Here's a quick highlight of Matt and Geoff from the first dancing duel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
