Vacation, all I ever wanted...last week we went up to Cheboygan to visit Ben's parents. We had a great, relaxing time. Eli enjoyed visiting with his g-rents and his auntie Em as well as his first trip to Mackinaw City, and his mother finally learned the difference between Mackinaw and Mackinac.
This Wednesday we are traveling (via train) to California to visit my grandfather and my aunts and uncle. I'm excited to see family and have them see Eli, but I'm on the brink of an ulcer. I am such a control freak that it's hard for me to enjoy preparing for a trip where there are so many unknowns. Bonus: Eli is teething right now (see below) which adds an extra dosage of anxiety. Is Xanax compatible with breast milk? (kidding)
Teething and my gray hair...I'm pretty sure Eli is teething based on several factors: he drools enough in a day to provide water for an olympic size pool, he constantly has his hand in his mouth in the same spot, his gums are swollen, and he is fussier than usual. I hate when he's in pain (as does my REM cycle). I hope this eases soon for him.
Uncle Adam...my brother is in town this week all the way from Massachusetts. It's the first time he's met Eli. Eli has cried both times he's tried to hold him, but I'm pretty sure it's due to him teething (Eli, not Adam). Hooray for family!
Date night... Ben and I had a real date a few nights ago (long time coming). My parents watched Eli so we could get out together. We saw Year One. I'm a big fan of Michael Cera's deadpan stylings. I would recommend if you are a fan, too, Internet. It was great to get out with my novio. We held hands and everything.
Gap jeans...if you're a fan of Gap jeans, then head on down to your local Gap because they are currently 19.99. I bought myself a pair tonight.
Next time you hear from me I might have been sedated due to overwhelming train travel. I will miss you, Internet.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy First Father's Day
To a wonderful father! I couldn't ask for a better man to be the daddy of our Eli. We both love you lots!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Eli: 4 months
Elijah,
Today you are four months! "But wait," you say, "where is my 3 month post?" You ask an intriguing question. The fact of the matter is, your mom is a loser. Not a crack smoking loser, but a good-intention/no follow-through loser. Thus, your 3 month post is missing. Fret not, I will include everything that has happened over the last 2 months.
With dad at first Memorial Day parade (after which I was convinced you had lost your hearing.)
So, wow...four months. You have developed this fun little personality over the last 2 months. I often wondered what would happen if the progeny of Ben and Jeanette did not have a sense of humor. Fears abated...you're hilarious. You laugh at being tickled, your daddy, your reflection, Conan O'Brien--I love it! (Note: If PCS is screening, we don't really watch Conan with our son, it was a poorly constructed joke).
There is no stopping your development. You laugh, bat at toys, roll over (front and back), stand when supported, sit in Bumbo, balance the checkbook--I mean you're a genius. You rolled over from back to front (you've been doing the tummy to back for a month or so--please, old hat) last week and I flipped out. No one was home, so my celebration was somewhat anticlimactic, and you looked at me like my head was on fire, but it was awesome. I walked over to your Grandma's office (you in tow) and declared that MENSA should be called due to your obvious status as a genius. I mean you rolled over...sit on it Trebek!
Also a fun thing you've started doing (I use the word 'fun' very loosely) is spewing buckets of drool onto anything and everything. I put a shirt on you and two hours later, you look like you got caught in a rainstorm (from the neck down). I don't know if you're teething, but you drool and stick everything you can get your hands on in your mouth. That's why I decided to vacuum the other day. I didn't think it would be cool if you found some old Doritos crumbs or a random honey nut cheerio.
I went back to work right after you turned 3 months old and I cried the entire way there. Okay maybe not the entire way; I look like I got kicked in the face when I cry, so I reeled it in 10 minutes out, so as not to frighten my students. Your aunt Carrie graciously watched you those 4 weeks I was at work. You two had great times.
This is the challenge I'm facing now. I love being with you so much and it is so hard to leave you. Right now I'm off until September, but what happens then? I've never wrestled with something so much. I love LOVE teaching, but do we NEED me to work? Word to the feminists, but this sucks.
Also on the challenging front, you hate sleeping in your crib. We're trying to transition you into your crib, but I'm pretty sure you'd rather have a lobotomy. It's a challenge, because, well your father and I need sleep so as not to fall over. We're plugging away, though. If you love sleep as much as your mom, I'm sure you'll accept the new sleeping arrangements.
You have changed our lives in so many ways. I'm pretty sure we were the most boring people on the planet before you arrived, because I'm not sure what we did with our time other than watch t.v. You definitely have a captive audience in me and your dad. I try so hard to be the best mom for you. I admittedly stumble and chastise myself for turning my eyes from you for one second to watch "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here". (I'm just kidding, I don't watch that...cough...cough). You amaze me every day. When I'm away from you, I count the seconds until I can see you again. To quote a really funny story, "my heart overfloweth with joy!" We love you so much!
Today you are four months! "But wait," you say, "where is my 3 month post?" You ask an intriguing question. The fact of the matter is, your mom is a loser. Not a crack smoking loser, but a good-intention/no follow-through loser. Thus, your 3 month post is missing. Fret not, I will include everything that has happened over the last 2 months.
With dad at first Memorial Day parade (after which I was convinced you had lost your hearing.)
So, wow...four months. You have developed this fun little personality over the last 2 months. I often wondered what would happen if the progeny of Ben and Jeanette did not have a sense of humor. Fears abated...you're hilarious. You laugh at being tickled, your daddy, your reflection, Conan O'Brien--I love it! (Note: If PCS is screening, we don't really watch Conan with our son, it was a poorly constructed joke).
There is no stopping your development. You laugh, bat at toys, roll over (front and back), stand when supported, sit in Bumbo, balance the checkbook--I mean you're a genius. You rolled over from back to front (you've been doing the tummy to back for a month or so--please, old hat) last week and I flipped out. No one was home, so my celebration was somewhat anticlimactic, and you looked at me like my head was on fire, but it was awesome. I walked over to your Grandma's office (you in tow) and declared that MENSA should be called due to your obvious status as a genius. I mean you rolled over...sit on it Trebek!
Also a fun thing you've started doing (I use the word 'fun' very loosely) is spewing buckets of drool onto anything and everything. I put a shirt on you and two hours later, you look like you got caught in a rainstorm (from the neck down). I don't know if you're teething, but you drool and stick everything you can get your hands on in your mouth. That's why I decided to vacuum the other day. I didn't think it would be cool if you found some old Doritos crumbs or a random honey nut cheerio.
I went back to work right after you turned 3 months old and I cried the entire way there. Okay maybe not the entire way; I look like I got kicked in the face when I cry, so I reeled it in 10 minutes out, so as not to frighten my students. Your aunt Carrie graciously watched you those 4 weeks I was at work. You two had great times.
This is the challenge I'm facing now. I love being with you so much and it is so hard to leave you. Right now I'm off until September, but what happens then? I've never wrestled with something so much. I love LOVE teaching, but do we NEED me to work? Word to the feminists, but this sucks.
Also on the challenging front, you hate sleeping in your crib. We're trying to transition you into your crib, but I'm pretty sure you'd rather have a lobotomy. It's a challenge, because, well your father and I need sleep so as not to fall over. We're plugging away, though. If you love sleep as much as your mom, I'm sure you'll accept the new sleeping arrangements.
You have changed our lives in so many ways. I'm pretty sure we were the most boring people on the planet before you arrived, because I'm not sure what we did with our time other than watch t.v. You definitely have a captive audience in me and your dad. I try so hard to be the best mom for you. I admittedly stumble and chastise myself for turning my eyes from you for one second to watch "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here". (I'm just kidding, I don't watch that...cough...cough). You amaze me every day. When I'm away from you, I count the seconds until I can see you again. To quote a really funny story, "my heart overfloweth with joy!" We love you so much!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A Day in the Life...
As I was perusing the channels the other day, I saw a commercial for an NBC special in which Brian Williams shadows the president so that we, Joe Public (not plumber), may see what life is like in the White House. It was interesting/slash I had it on in the background as I was perusing People.com. Anyway, I thought, hey NBC you just gave me an idea. There are people who I think would like an inside glimpse of my daily routine (and by people, I mean my mom and grandpa). I think I will take on the task, sans Brian Williams, of documenting my school day through photographs.
So, buckle up, this is going to be a long/excruciating ride (you have been warned).
So hard to leave this cuteness every day.
6:33 a.m.: almost ready to go; just have to get Eli's food ready for the day.
My bags are packed: purse, school bag, and breast pump--check.
Morning anthem
6:45 a.m.: Goodbye Spring Arbor
Mists of Concord. Oh mill pond, your beauty is so fleeting
"Asleep at the switch...Not by a dam site." I've never understood that sign.
This pesky little stop light is my lateness gauge. I know I'm running late when I don't make the blinking light. At 6:59 a.m., this light turns into a working stop light. If I have to stop at this intersection, I know I'm running behind.
Boo, I hate getting stuck behind slow moving vehicles.
Welcome to Hillsdale, the last stop of tornado alley.
Turning right onto 12, only 10 more minutes until arrival
"It's the people." The most ambiguous town motto.
This is Heather, she's wicked-cool, and bonus, she laughs at all my jokes.
The lovely Linda, school secretary, which means she deserves some sort of medal.
Welcome to the English room (Irish authors poster, courtesy of Mary Rick, CNP and grandmother extraordinaire)
This is the last day of school, so students are asked to put their textbooks on the 'crate table'. They put their novels from the year on this table. Recognize any favorites?
Crowded desk; grading final exams (check the Dr. Pepper, always a fan favorite)
Here are a few more room pics...
My desks aren't usually set-up in this random way, but I had to space them out for finals
This was the senior prank--putting a snapping turtle in the science room (also known as Heather's classroom)
This is how she felt about it...
Juniors getting ready for their final exam with me
Seniors lining up for graduation practice
Always enthusiastic (to my left...your right...is the lovely Jen, also known as the art teacher)
Ready to go home
Hello Jackson county, birthplace of the Republican party
I took this picture for two reasons: 1.) to showcase the typical scenery on my way to work and 2.) it reminds me of those Verizon commercials
I'm home. :)
So, buckle up, this is going to be a long/excruciating ride (you have been warned).
So hard to leave this cuteness every day.
6:33 a.m.: almost ready to go; just have to get Eli's food ready for the day.
My bags are packed: purse, school bag, and breast pump--check.
Morning anthem
6:45 a.m.: Goodbye Spring Arbor
Mists of Concord. Oh mill pond, your beauty is so fleeting
"Asleep at the switch...Not by a dam site." I've never understood that sign.
This pesky little stop light is my lateness gauge. I know I'm running late when I don't make the blinking light. At 6:59 a.m., this light turns into a working stop light. If I have to stop at this intersection, I know I'm running behind.
Boo, I hate getting stuck behind slow moving vehicles.
Welcome to Hillsdale, the last stop of tornado alley.
Turning right onto 12, only 10 more minutes until arrival
"It's the people." The most ambiguous town motto.
This is Heather, she's wicked-cool, and bonus, she laughs at all my jokes.
The lovely Linda, school secretary, which means she deserves some sort of medal.
Welcome to the English room (Irish authors poster, courtesy of Mary Rick, CNP and grandmother extraordinaire)
This is the last day of school, so students are asked to put their textbooks on the 'crate table'. They put their novels from the year on this table. Recognize any favorites?
Crowded desk; grading final exams (check the Dr. Pepper, always a fan favorite)
Here are a few more room pics...
My desks aren't usually set-up in this random way, but I had to space them out for finals
This was the senior prank--putting a snapping turtle in the science room (also known as Heather's classroom)
This is how she felt about it...
Juniors getting ready for their final exam with me
Seniors lining up for graduation practice
Always enthusiastic (to my left...your right...is the lovely Jen, also known as the art teacher)
Ready to go home
Hello Jackson county, birthplace of the Republican party
I took this picture for two reasons: 1.) to showcase the typical scenery on my way to work and 2.) it reminds me of those Verizon commercials
I'm home. :)
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