ME: JJ, do you want to go watch TV in the other room with Sweat Pea? Sweat Pea is watching the same thing you are watching in here."
JJ: No, I want to be with my Mama. That's what boys do - be with their Mamas.
Can't argue with that. No matter how much I'd rather be watching the news.
Also below is an e-mail we received from our financial advisor, who happens to have the same name as JJ. Make sure to scroll all the way down so you can see the e-mail he is referencing:
Sent: Thu 11/12/2009 8:55 AM
To: Jonathan
Subject:
Jonathan,
I think something got lost in the translation in this email.
Can you please resend?
Have a great day.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:02 PM
Subject: JJ
Babbj
Hmglf
Vnfjgfjjd
Hkf gfjf
Hfgkfhoff
Gihhfjkogg
Vchvxhchfx
Nnhgnhfcvbx
Gfhgfgdbcxbv
Ggffggddczff
Vvbccbcgkf
Bbbbvbmvjv
Nbjnngkcjxxh
Jxkxjxjxjznxnx
Bzzjxjxjjxnx
Nxncjco
Djdj
Djjfjnddj
Xnjxjxjjjjnd. Jxkxjxbxjxb. JJ
Vzhzhxjchhcjxjhxjxjxhjhx. Sweet Pea
Jxjbxbxbxbbcbxbcbcccbx. Daddy
Hzxhzhxbbxbxbzbxbbzbx. Mommy
Hzhxhhxhxhxnhxxhhxbbx. Nanana
Jdjbndxnnxnxncnzncnsnx. Poppy
Sent from my iPhone
*******
Apparently while we were out to dinner JJ was playing with Jonathan's iPhone. Oops.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My two cent tip of the day
For what it's worth...we have discovered how to get our 7 year old daughter to snap out of her funky moods - and when you are home from school for a holiday, it sure does come in handy:
Stick her on the treadmill with her ipod and some headphones. I am amazed how happy this makes her. Works for the rest of us....only makes sense it would work for her too....for a few minutes anyways.
*********
Sweet Pea has recently shared with me her belief that one is supposed to attend the college nearest to their home. I have no intention of correcting her anytime soon. MassBay here she comes!
Stick her on the treadmill with her ipod and some headphones. I am amazed how happy this makes her. Works for the rest of us....only makes sense it would work for her too....for a few minutes anyways.
*********
Sweet Pea has recently shared with me her belief that one is supposed to attend the college nearest to their home. I have no intention of correcting her anytime soon. MassBay here she comes!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Deep thoughts
As all parents know the bed time hour can get a little hairy. Lots of running around (by the kids), lots of screaming (by the parents), because everyone has had enough, and we'll we're just tired and cranky. Makes for some lovely quality time.
However, my kids are on to something. They have taken to providing Jonathan and I with back and foot massages before they go to bed. Yes - that's right. They are give US massages. Just when you think you might be screwing up the parenting thing, your kids go do something like this and you realize you must be doing something right. After all, this is the way it SHOULD be.
I realize their actions are an effort to prolong going to bed. This is not lost on me. But those are some smart kids. I would NEVER turn down a massage - not at the end of a long day.
Jonathan and I lie side by side on our bed and they take turns - first Sweet Pea gives me a massage, and JJ gives one to Jonathan. Then they switch. Last night Sweet Pea was even helping Jason master the foot massage a bit - sharing with him her technique. And she's good!
It the event your thinking we might be taking advantage of our children, let me assure you how this lends to some serious quality time and discussion. Take last night for example:
Abby had unhooked my bra strap so she could get the full range of motion over my back. A few minutes later Jason says, "Mommy, why do women wear bras."
"So their breasts don't sag." I replied. Nothing like the truth.
"No really." He said. And then as if a light bulb went on over his head, he added, "I know why. They wear them so their breast don't smell. No wait, it must be to keep them warm."
I think amid my uncontrollable laughter I managed to say, "Yes, you might be right."
So you see, we have some very deep conversation from which I am sure our children are benefiting from greatly.
However, my kids are on to something. They have taken to providing Jonathan and I with back and foot massages before they go to bed. Yes - that's right. They are give US massages. Just when you think you might be screwing up the parenting thing, your kids go do something like this and you realize you must be doing something right. After all, this is the way it SHOULD be.
I realize their actions are an effort to prolong going to bed. This is not lost on me. But those are some smart kids. I would NEVER turn down a massage - not at the end of a long day.
Jonathan and I lie side by side on our bed and they take turns - first Sweet Pea gives me a massage, and JJ gives one to Jonathan. Then they switch. Last night Sweet Pea was even helping Jason master the foot massage a bit - sharing with him her technique. And she's good!
It the event your thinking we might be taking advantage of our children, let me assure you how this lends to some serious quality time and discussion. Take last night for example:
Abby had unhooked my bra strap so she could get the full range of motion over my back. A few minutes later Jason says, "Mommy, why do women wear bras."
"So their breasts don't sag." I replied. Nothing like the truth.
"No really." He said. And then as if a light bulb went on over his head, he added, "I know why. They wear them so their breast don't smell. No wait, it must be to keep them warm."
I think amid my uncontrollable laughter I managed to say, "Yes, you might be right."
So you see, we have some very deep conversation from which I am sure our children are benefiting from greatly.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Lucy went to the vet today. She has conjunctivitis. Not the kind we think of - not contagious, just from allergies, etc. She also has vaginitis. (I'll spare you the details.) We kind of new she had it but there's nothing you can do about it. Apparently it goes away once they are spayed. I asked the vet if all her ailments were a little unusual. The vet assured me, she is quite normal and this is just par for the course with a puppy. All I can say is I can glad we got pet insurance. Although it's really not that helpful unless you mail in the claim forms which I cannot seem to remember to do.
*******
I am so not liking this homework thing, and its not even MY homework. I'm having flash backs to school when I could feel the weight of the homework hanging over my head. Ironically, they seem unfazed by it. I think that's a good think. I think.
I have taken to paying my son to eat dinner. It seems to be working. He could be a very rich man some day.
*******
I am so not liking this homework thing, and its not even MY homework. I'm having flash backs to school when I could feel the weight of the homework hanging over my head. Ironically, they seem unfazed by it. I think that's a good think. I think.
I have taken to paying my son to eat dinner. It seems to be working. He could be a very rich man some day.
Monday, September 14, 2009
It seems that along with starting kindergarten JJ has also developed a new level of assertiveness, for lack of a better word. The other day we were talking about something (about what I cannot remember) and he was going on, on, and on. I interrupted him to essentially cut to the chase and give him a response. But before I had a chance to complete my thought he said, with a very serious face, "Mommy, I was talking. Let me finish." I apologized, bowed my head in shame, and let him continue, as painful as it was.
Then, last night, he crawled into our bed at some ridiculous hour of the night. Actually, I'm not even sure it was night, it could have been at 5 AM but really, at that time, might as well still be night. As he snuggled up to me he said, "Mommy could you schooch over just a bit, I don't really have much room here." Had I not been SO tired, I would have of course said, "NO! Take your little butt back to YOUR bed where you can have all the space you want." But at the moment that would have required way too much energy, so I did the only other thing I could do which was schooch over.
I then slept for the rest of the night (however long that was) with his knees wedged into my back. I can still feel the knots.
Then, last night, he crawled into our bed at some ridiculous hour of the night. Actually, I'm not even sure it was night, it could have been at 5 AM but really, at that time, might as well still be night. As he snuggled up to me he said, "Mommy could you schooch over just a bit, I don't really have much room here." Had I not been SO tired, I would have of course said, "NO! Take your little butt back to YOUR bed where you can have all the space you want." But at the moment that would have required way too much energy, so I did the only other thing I could do which was schooch over.
I then slept for the rest of the night (however long that was) with his knees wedged into my back. I can still feel the knots.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight years and 1 day ago today
I was on my way back to Philly from Boston. I was visiting Jonathan who was staying with my parent while he did a rotation in the area. My flight left at 8: 30 AM. I was 7 months pregnant.
The next day I was back at work, sitting at my desk when a friend and colleague came by and said she just heard a plane hit the World Trade Center. We quickly got on the Internet and went right to CNN. It was about 9 AM. The Internet was not yet jammed with traffic. There was a picture - it almost did not look really. Smoke was bellowing out of one of the towers. We assumed a small plane must have lost control and tragically hit the tower. We had no idea what was still to come.
We soon found out another plan hit the other tower. Word of other lost plans soon began to circulate. Our office was gathered for an emergency meeting. I worked for a federal agency, right next door to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. While nobody had details, at this point it was assumed these were acts of terrorism. For our safety, we were sent home.
I went home and sat on my couch alone for the rest of the day watching images one could not even have imagined only hours earlier. With the rest of my family in Boston, there was no where to go. No way to get home. No air travel. All bridges between Boston and Philly, closed. It was a feeling I will never forget.
Friends near by who knew I was alone and pregnant invited me to come for dinner. I didn't really want to go. It felt like too much energy to muster when I felt physically and emotionally exhausted. In the end I went and was glad I did. It was better to not be alone.
It was Sweet Pea I was pregnant with at the time. Frankly, I think if I hadn't been pregnant, I would have been overflowing with anxiety. Not that I wasn't anxious as the events unfolded, but I think, even then, some motherly instincts must have kicked in and allowed me to remain as collected as possible under the circumstances. I do remember thinking how sad to bring a child into such a fucked up world.
She is now 7 1/2. She does not know what 9/11 is. How do you tell them about something that that you cannot explain - knowing that all it will do will case fear within them? Fear every time they get on a plane, or find themselves at the top of a high rise building. Maybe it won't be intense fear but they certainly will longer have the luxury of living in the protected world they now know. None of us do.
The next day I was back at work, sitting at my desk when a friend and colleague came by and said she just heard a plane hit the World Trade Center. We quickly got on the Internet and went right to CNN. It was about 9 AM. The Internet was not yet jammed with traffic. There was a picture - it almost did not look really. Smoke was bellowing out of one of the towers. We assumed a small plane must have lost control and tragically hit the tower. We had no idea what was still to come.
We soon found out another plan hit the other tower. Word of other lost plans soon began to circulate. Our office was gathered for an emergency meeting. I worked for a federal agency, right next door to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. While nobody had details, at this point it was assumed these were acts of terrorism. For our safety, we were sent home.
I went home and sat on my couch alone for the rest of the day watching images one could not even have imagined only hours earlier. With the rest of my family in Boston, there was no where to go. No way to get home. No air travel. All bridges between Boston and Philly, closed. It was a feeling I will never forget.
Friends near by who knew I was alone and pregnant invited me to come for dinner. I didn't really want to go. It felt like too much energy to muster when I felt physically and emotionally exhausted. In the end I went and was glad I did. It was better to not be alone.
It was Sweet Pea I was pregnant with at the time. Frankly, I think if I hadn't been pregnant, I would have been overflowing with anxiety. Not that I wasn't anxious as the events unfolded, but I think, even then, some motherly instincts must have kicked in and allowed me to remain as collected as possible under the circumstances. I do remember thinking how sad to bring a child into such a fucked up world.
She is now 7 1/2. She does not know what 9/11 is. How do you tell them about something that that you cannot explain - knowing that all it will do will case fear within them? Fear every time they get on a plane, or find themselves at the top of a high rise building. Maybe it won't be intense fear but they certainly will longer have the luxury of living in the protected world they now know. None of us do.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Five times
This is the number of times I was at the school yesterday. FIVE TIMES. First time to drop them off. Second time for a room parent meeting. (Serves me right - I should have said no when I had the chance.) Third time to pick up JJ at noon. Fourth time to bring JJ back for his assessment with his teacher. And finally, the fifth time, to pick up Sweet Pea. I mean really, what if I were still working? Could they make these schedules any less friendly for working parents?
Which brings me to the next issue....a possible PT job may be on the horizon. I wish I could say I was happy about this but just when I start to get into some kind of routine with the kids....WHAM BAM...it changes again. I know I should feel grateful - there are many out of working looking for work. But I FINALLY do not HAVE to work so I am having a little trouble motivating. Not to mention I still feel I am looking for that "perfect" career. You know, the one I can do from home when the kids are at school but still make lots of money. Not too much to ask for, right?
At any rate, seems like the job might take some time to materialize so I am trying to enjoy my time while I have it. In fact, I think I've decided we need to move and we should put our house on the market now. We had planned to wait until spring but who knows how long it could take to sell and I hope to able to buy in the spring. Hence the need to sell. The time it may take to get our house into "showing" form will require my full attention so might as well get on it now. Of course every time I look around the house for where to start, I feel so overwhelmed I just sit back down. I guess I'm going to have to get over that.
Which brings me to the next issue....a possible PT job may be on the horizon. I wish I could say I was happy about this but just when I start to get into some kind of routine with the kids....WHAM BAM...it changes again. I know I should feel grateful - there are many out of working looking for work. But I FINALLY do not HAVE to work so I am having a little trouble motivating. Not to mention I still feel I am looking for that "perfect" career. You know, the one I can do from home when the kids are at school but still make lots of money. Not too much to ask for, right?
At any rate, seems like the job might take some time to materialize so I am trying to enjoy my time while I have it. In fact, I think I've decided we need to move and we should put our house on the market now. We had planned to wait until spring but who knows how long it could take to sell and I hope to able to buy in the spring. Hence the need to sell. The time it may take to get our house into "showing" form will require my full attention so might as well get on it now. Of course every time I look around the house for where to start, I feel so overwhelmed I just sit back down. I guess I'm going to have to get over that.
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