We're off tomorrow afternoon, headed to visit family in Oklahoma. We'll be back Jan 7.
Until then I'll leave you with our beautiful little Santa (our Christmas card picture...):
Dear Eva (12 Years)
1 year ago
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!!
I know I promised a Christmas update today, but since I am ringing in the new year with a terrible head cold, a la last year, it's probably not going to happen. Sorry!
We're off tomorrow afternoon, headed to visit family in Oklahoma. We'll be back Jan 7.
Until then I'll leave you with our beautiful little Santa (our Christmas card picture...):
We're off tomorrow afternoon, headed to visit family in Oklahoma. We'll be back Jan 7.
Until then I'll leave you with our beautiful little Santa (our Christmas card picture...):
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Yesterday's commute
As you can probably tell I am at home, not at work. Bryan's got a couple of errands to run and Angela (our usual Tuesday nanny) is out of town. So I'm home with Eden, not working because I have no work to do... it's really slow right now.
ANYWAY, yesterday I left the office at 5:30. I got to the T, and there were hoards of people standing on the platform (never a good sign). I waited at least 15 minutes for a train (which never happens, especially at rush hour) and bolted for a seat when it finally came. (I think this weather changing is messing with my back a little bit - I've been sore for the last several days). As I was sitting there working on my crossword people packed in around me. The entire train was full. And then we moved about 15 feet, and stopped. For a loooooong time. Why they didn't just leave the doors open at the platform I will never understand.
So there we were, packed in like sardines, everyone in big puffy coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc. And the lady comes over the intercom - "If anyone starts to feel faint, please do not push the emergency button. Please press the call operator button." Seriously? First of all, I hadn't considered anyone feeling faint but suddenly even I started to feel a little woozy. Second of all, HOW in the WORLD was someone supposed to GET to the call button?
Anyway, I worked on my crossword, screwed up the easy sudoku beyond fixing, and minded my own business. Then the lady in front of me started complaining loudly (to no one in particular, of course) about standing so long and not having a seat. Normally if someone wants a seat I would be happy to give mine up if they (1) are obviously in need of a seat (they are elderly, disabled, or pregnant) or (2) if thy ask (though admittedly this has never happened to me). However, the combination of logisitcal difficulty of switching places with someone on a completely packed train, this woman's not meeting any of the above seat-giving-up criteria, and her annoying-ness rooted me even more firmly into my seat. So there. I realize that is mean of me but she was really getting on my nerves with her unnecessary passive-aggression.
After over an hour the train finally made it to the station (this trip usually takes maybe 15 minutes). Now I had to book it for the bus stop. I got to the platform where much to my surprise was another hoard of people. Now it was nearing 6:45, and Eden eats dinner (including nursing!) at 7:00. Not really an ideal time to be stuck in a train station, with no cell service, a couple of miles away, but whatever. So began waiting for the MBTA #2. No less than FIVE buses drove by which were NOT my bus, and the crowd on the platform kept getting bigger. Finally my bus stopped, and people were CRAMMING each other to get on the bus. I didn't even try for a seat, I went straight for the back door (best place to stand in my opinion). I got a prime spot, and the lady next to me was nice this time. We even made conversation - and I never talk to people on the bus!
Close to 20 minutes and one man who should not have squeezed into the back door of the bus later, I was at my stop and traversing the piles of snow down our street to my warm house with my two favorite people happily awaiting me. It was almost two hours after I left my office, but I was home, and Eden had just finished her sweet potatoes and was ready for mommy! And she was SO happy to see me!! She was distracted from nursing because she kept looking at me and grinning that beautiful gummy grin. It was great, and all the stress of the commute melted away.
But I still wanted to share. :)
ANYWAY, yesterday I left the office at 5:30. I got to the T, and there were hoards of people standing on the platform (never a good sign). I waited at least 15 minutes for a train (which never happens, especially at rush hour) and bolted for a seat when it finally came. (I think this weather changing is messing with my back a little bit - I've been sore for the last several days). As I was sitting there working on my crossword people packed in around me. The entire train was full. And then we moved about 15 feet, and stopped. For a loooooong time. Why they didn't just leave the doors open at the platform I will never understand.
So there we were, packed in like sardines, everyone in big puffy coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc. And the lady comes over the intercom - "If anyone starts to feel faint, please do not push the emergency button. Please press the call operator button." Seriously? First of all, I hadn't considered anyone feeling faint but suddenly even I started to feel a little woozy. Second of all, HOW in the WORLD was someone supposed to GET to the call button?
Anyway, I worked on my crossword, screwed up the easy sudoku beyond fixing, and minded my own business. Then the lady in front of me started complaining loudly (to no one in particular, of course) about standing so long and not having a seat. Normally if someone wants a seat I would be happy to give mine up if they (1) are obviously in need of a seat (they are elderly, disabled, or pregnant) or (2) if thy ask (though admittedly this has never happened to me). However, the combination of logisitcal difficulty of switching places with someone on a completely packed train, this woman's not meeting any of the above seat-giving-up criteria, and her annoying-ness rooted me even more firmly into my seat. So there. I realize that is mean of me but she was really getting on my nerves with her unnecessary passive-aggression.
After over an hour the train finally made it to the station (this trip usually takes maybe 15 minutes). Now I had to book it for the bus stop. I got to the platform where much to my surprise was another hoard of people. Now it was nearing 6:45, and Eden eats dinner (including nursing!) at 7:00. Not really an ideal time to be stuck in a train station, with no cell service, a couple of miles away, but whatever. So began waiting for the MBTA #2. No less than FIVE buses drove by which were NOT my bus, and the crowd on the platform kept getting bigger. Finally my bus stopped, and people were CRAMMING each other to get on the bus. I didn't even try for a seat, I went straight for the back door (best place to stand in my opinion). I got a prime spot, and the lady next to me was nice this time. We even made conversation - and I never talk to people on the bus!
Close to 20 minutes and one man who should not have squeezed into the back door of the bus later, I was at my stop and traversing the piles of snow down our street to my warm house with my two favorite people happily awaiting me. It was almost two hours after I left my office, but I was home, and Eden had just finished her sweet potatoes and was ready for mommy! And she was SO happy to see me!! She was distracted from nursing because she kept looking at me and grinning that beautiful gummy grin. It was great, and all the stress of the commute melted away.
But I still wanted to share. :)
Winter is here!!
Boston was blanketed in probably close to two feet of snow over the weekend. Bryan spent half the weekend outside shoveling. I spent nearly the entire weekend indoors, either snuggling up next to the fireplace with Eden or having playdates with other little cutie pies. :) I came home Friday after lunch, and it was just starting to snow as I walked down our street from the bus stop. By evening we were snowed in. We had to cancel the church staff Christmas party we were hosting, and my Saturday morning Bible study meeting. But it was nice to have an unexpectedly free evening. We played some Wii with J&K and Bella. (Well, Nino played with Bella. And they didn't play Wii... since they don't have thumbs and all...)
Saturday Eden and I headed to Jeremy and Carol's to hang out with Carol and their son Soren, while the men went to help a friend of ours move (in the snow!). Soren is 10 months old and he's a ton of fun. He is constantly on the move, and he is learning to stand up all by himself! He'll be walking in just a few short weeks. I can't imagine Eden at that point yet. Soren and Eden love each other, though Eden tends to spend a lot of time trying to eat him. I think ever since she got that first kiss with Zek, she is lip crazy. :)
Sunday it snowed a lot more. We went to church and then hung out a little with Zek and his mommy Elisa at our place, then headed back to J&C's for their annual "Johnson"-Swedish Christmas dinner. YUMMY! We didn't know much about Swedish food, but they gave us a lesson! It was really great - pickled beets (homemade - which were actually pretty good!), St. Lucia rolls, meatballs and gravy, beans, cheese and crackers, potatoes, squash and cranberries, rice pudding, Carol's awesome raspberry oatmeal squares, glogg (the non-alcoholic version), and lots of other stuff which I'm sure I'm forgetting - but not because it wasn't delish. We met some new people and hung out with old friends, and it was great. Three babies rolling around on the floor was a lot to keep track of but it was really nice to be able to relax and know that people weren't freaking out about our kids, to have them there next to us joyfully playing with Soren's toys, but to still be engaged in adult conversation.
I think because I spent so much time over the weekend either home or in the car or otherwise indoors I didn't realize how much snow there was. Walking home from the bus stop yesterday the snow was piled next to the sidewalks anywhere from knee height to shoulder height. It was like trying to navigate a maze coming home, trying to avoid the sidewalks people didn't shovel after Sunday's snow (grr!) or didn't shovel at all (GRRRR!).
But it's a Winter Wonderland. And I LOVE it. And I am so glad we're not trying to fly out of it. :) I think staying here for Christmas was a really good idea for reasons we didn't really anticipate - one of my work friends tried to fly out on Friday and was stuck in Boston until Sunday. And they have a one-year-old. Hopefully this will clear up enough to avoid delays by next week - we're going home January 1. Though I won't complain if we get stuck in Dallas...
Saturday Eden and I headed to Jeremy and Carol's to hang out with Carol and their son Soren, while the men went to help a friend of ours move (in the snow!). Soren is 10 months old and he's a ton of fun. He is constantly on the move, and he is learning to stand up all by himself! He'll be walking in just a few short weeks. I can't imagine Eden at that point yet. Soren and Eden love each other, though Eden tends to spend a lot of time trying to eat him. I think ever since she got that first kiss with Zek, she is lip crazy. :)
Sunday it snowed a lot more. We went to church and then hung out a little with Zek and his mommy Elisa at our place, then headed back to J&C's for their annual "Johnson"-Swedish Christmas dinner. YUMMY! We didn't know much about Swedish food, but they gave us a lesson! It was really great - pickled beets (homemade - which were actually pretty good!), St. Lucia rolls, meatballs and gravy, beans, cheese and crackers, potatoes, squash and cranberries, rice pudding, Carol's awesome raspberry oatmeal squares, glogg (the non-alcoholic version), and lots of other stuff which I'm sure I'm forgetting - but not because it wasn't delish. We met some new people and hung out with old friends, and it was great. Three babies rolling around on the floor was a lot to keep track of but it was really nice to be able to relax and know that people weren't freaking out about our kids, to have them there next to us joyfully playing with Soren's toys, but to still be engaged in adult conversation.
I think because I spent so much time over the weekend either home or in the car or otherwise indoors I didn't realize how much snow there was. Walking home from the bus stop yesterday the snow was piled next to the sidewalks anywhere from knee height to shoulder height. It was like trying to navigate a maze coming home, trying to avoid the sidewalks people didn't shovel after Sunday's snow (grr!) or didn't shovel at all (GRRRR!).
But it's a Winter Wonderland. And I LOVE it. And I am so glad we're not trying to fly out of it. :) I think staying here for Christmas was a really good idea for reasons we didn't really anticipate - one of my work friends tried to fly out on Friday and was stuck in Boston until Sunday. And they have a one-year-old. Hopefully this will clear up enough to avoid delays by next week - we're going home January 1. Though I won't complain if we get stuck in Dallas...
Big Sale!
For all the parents (or parents-to-be) out there...
Baby Center's store is closing in January, and they're having a huge sale. Plus there is free shipping if you spend $49. I just bought a ton of stuff for Eden for a total of $50, including an ADORABLE little long-sleeved dress and leggings (I had never seen this brand before but their stuff is really cute and this is a huge discount from the prices on their website). So fun! Check it out!!
Baby Center's store is closing in January, and they're having a huge sale. Plus there is free shipping if you spend $49. I just bought a ton of stuff for Eden for a total of $50, including an ADORABLE little long-sleeved dress and leggings (I had never seen this brand before but their stuff is really cute and this is a huge discount from the prices on their website). So fun! Check it out!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Photo Fun
Since everyone is doing it, I'll join the fun, even though I realllly wanted to cheat and pick a different one!!!
Here's the rules:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder
3) Explain the picture
4) Tag 4 people to do the same
NO CHEATING! (cropping, editing, etc!)
Honestly I don't know why we still have this picture... it's from the first day we got our Canon, in May of 2005, and we were testing it out at Bryan's mom's house. I leaned over to do who knows what and Bryan took a picture of my behind. Lovely.
I tag: Kelli, Ruthless, Cee, and LEO (if she's not in labor...)
Here's the rules:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder
3) Explain the picture
4) Tag 4 people to do the same
NO CHEATING! (cropping, editing, etc!)
Honestly I don't know why we still have this picture... it's from the first day we got our Canon, in May of 2005, and we were testing it out at Bryan's mom's house. I leaned over to do who knows what and Bryan took a picture of my behind. Lovely.I tag: Kelli, Ruthless, Cee, and LEO (if she's not in labor...)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Half A Year
Dear Eden,
You are half a year old today. For six whole months you've been blessing our lives, and I can't remember what life was like before you started doing it. You are really such a joy.
You've grown so much over the past six months! You're sitting up now, and you're happy to entertain yourself in the middle of the living room. You can reach for your toys, and they pretty much always end up in your mouth, covered in drool. You're starting to lean forward and we can tell you're trying to figure out how to move forward. We're starting to face reality that our house will need to be babyproofed soon! You can already roll over and over to get where you want to go. It's weird when we sit you up on the rug and turn away for a second and you're five feet away!
You're eating vegetables now. You love sweet potatoes and carrots, you tolerate squash and peas, and you still make funny faces with green beans. You get so excited when it's time to eat solids. We put you in your Bumbo seat, and you start squealing with delight and flapping your arms up and down, banging your hands on the tray! Next stop: fruits. We can't wait!!
Perhaps the best development over the last month is your interactivity. You respond so well when we try to make you laugh. Your giggle is quite possibly the most perfect sound in the entire world. You make a very particular "happy noise" when you get excited - you squeal on the inhale - and give us that beautiful gummy smile! You babble all the time now. Sometimes your babbles almost sound like words, but we're pretty sure it's accidental. Your kisses are amazing - you grab onto our faces, pull us in forcefully and open-mouth our cheeks, our noses, whatever is closest. And I love it. Even when you lick my makeup off and I am covered in drool, I love it.
I should note that last week you kissed a boy for the first time. You and baby Zek were talking to each other at church, squealing and smiling, and then you both reached for each other's arms and you both went in, for the kiss, open mouth and drool and all. It was so adorable. I wish I'd caught it on video...
Another thing I love is that lately, more than ever, you know your Mommy and Daddy. You recognize us across the room, you know our voices. You are starting to get a little more shy around strangers, especially strange men - last weekend you cried when a new man held you, and then he couldn't look at you without upsetting you! It makes me feel so good that you find comfort in me, that you reach for me, that you reserve some smiles just for when you catch my eye across the room.
It's still really hard leaving you every day, my precious one. I wish I could just put you in my pocket and take you out periodically to hug and kiss. But you and your Daddy are great friends. He loves his time with you, and you love him too. Honestly, I am a little jealous of the time Daddy gets with you, but I also love seeing you two together. It melts my heart when you grab his beard with both hands and pull him in for a big sloppy kiss, or when you turn to look at him and give him a secret smile. I love that my two favorite people love each other so much.
Well, sweet baby, all I can say is keep being awesome. Like I tell you every night, you're precious. Every day I'm amazed by you, and every day I know you and love you more. I can't wait to see what is next.
Love,
Mommy
You are half a year old today. For six whole months you've been blessing our lives, and I can't remember what life was like before you started doing it. You are really such a joy.
You've grown so much over the past six months! You're sitting up now, and you're happy to entertain yourself in the middle of the living room. You can reach for your toys, and they pretty much always end up in your mouth, covered in drool. You're starting to lean forward and we can tell you're trying to figure out how to move forward. We're starting to face reality that our house will need to be babyproofed soon! You can already roll over and over to get where you want to go. It's weird when we sit you up on the rug and turn away for a second and you're five feet away!
You're eating vegetables now. You love sweet potatoes and carrots, you tolerate squash and peas, and you still make funny faces with green beans. You get so excited when it's time to eat solids. We put you in your Bumbo seat, and you start squealing with delight and flapping your arms up and down, banging your hands on the tray! Next stop: fruits. We can't wait!!
Perhaps the best development over the last month is your interactivity. You respond so well when we try to make you laugh. Your giggle is quite possibly the most perfect sound in the entire world. You make a very particular "happy noise" when you get excited - you squeal on the inhale - and give us that beautiful gummy smile! You babble all the time now. Sometimes your babbles almost sound like words, but we're pretty sure it's accidental. Your kisses are amazing - you grab onto our faces, pull us in forcefully and open-mouth our cheeks, our noses, whatever is closest. And I love it. Even when you lick my makeup off and I am covered in drool, I love it.
I should note that last week you kissed a boy for the first time. You and baby Zek were talking to each other at church, squealing and smiling, and then you both reached for each other's arms and you both went in, for the kiss, open mouth and drool and all. It was so adorable. I wish I'd caught it on video...
Another thing I love is that lately, more than ever, you know your Mommy and Daddy. You recognize us across the room, you know our voices. You are starting to get a little more shy around strangers, especially strange men - last weekend you cried when a new man held you, and then he couldn't look at you without upsetting you! It makes me feel so good that you find comfort in me, that you reach for me, that you reserve some smiles just for when you catch my eye across the room.
It's still really hard leaving you every day, my precious one. I wish I could just put you in my pocket and take you out periodically to hug and kiss. But you and your Daddy are great friends. He loves his time with you, and you love him too. Honestly, I am a little jealous of the time Daddy gets with you, but I also love seeing you two together. It melts my heart when you grab his beard with both hands and pull him in for a big sloppy kiss, or when you turn to look at him and give him a secret smile. I love that my two favorite people love each other so much.
Well, sweet baby, all I can say is keep being awesome. Like I tell you every night, you're precious. Every day I'm amazed by you, and every day I know you and love you more. I can't wait to see what is next.
Love,
Mommy
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