...and then there were three.

A new purpose, a new garden

2011-03-28T01:20:00.002-04:00

Not that I expect anyone even checks here anymore...But

This poor long neglected blog has just been repurposed. It is now my gardening journal. I'm sure this will still include several dozen pictures of the (not so little one) but it will also include boring details about planting, caring for, and trying desperately not to kill plants here in the low desert of Arizona.

Today I braved my first step. Six plants in a very small, rather simple 'garden' as a preliminary garden. The kind that will let me learn.

I started by purchasing a book about growing plants in Arizona, "Month by Month Gardening in the desert of Arizona" by Mary Irish. Decided to start with a few annuals, because, well, they were gonna die anyway, the goal was to see how long I could keep 'em alive until then.

I decided on two - the firewheel and zinnias. And I was gonna get some Basil to make a go of it. I desperately want fresh basil, and it is a pain to acquire at my local grocer. Time to grow it.

Went to Lowe's in a search for plants, sprinkler accoutrement and compost. They had neither of the type of flowers I was looking for. So I punted. Two pots of African Daisies, two pots of Cuphea (a perennial shrub, see link below), a basil plant, and, because the little one said, "I want mint" a peppermint plant. Plus some sprinkler pieces to extend the drip line from the citrus trees and a big ole bag of composted mulch. (I bought Miracle Grow garden soil at Sam's the day before.)

Long story short, dug between 6 and 8 inches down into the hard ground, mixed in some garden soil whilst removing rocks (lots and lots of rocks) planted each plant in to the level it was planted in the pot, set up the sprinkler heads to water each set of roots fairly well, and mulched the whole thing. And man am I sore. Now I wait and see what happens next.

Some salient details

African Daisies, annual, full sun
Cuphea, perennial shrub, full sun - one got put alongside 'the rock' which may not get quite full sun until it's a bit bigger, but we'll see
Basil, which variety I don't recall off hand at the moment, full sun, annual
and peppermint, full sun, planted alongside 'the rock' as well.

Watering schedule is currently every 5 days for half an hour. Drip line has two spouts for the bed, and I think they are set to about 2 gallons an hour each. Probably a little more.

Pictures coming tomorrow, because of course I discovered our camera was dead today. So I got a few with my phone...which are still on my phone.

Bet you didn't expect this.

2009-11-30T21:51:00.003-05:00

So, a post every...oh six months. Not bad right?

Heh.

A lot has happened around here since last I posted. It would be silly to even try to play catch up. So let's just jump in here, shall we?

We had a lovely Thanksgiving here with Jus' folks and a couple of dear friends. It was honestly one of the most wonderful visits. Now, for those of you on the east coast, don't get me wrong...I missed you all on Turkey Day. But it was really nice to have family and friends around our table and just be.

Plus it gave us a chance to do some exploring around the area, unfortunately I wasn't the taker of all the pictures this weekend, so I don't have many yet to share. But here is one of Russell playing with the goats at the zoo. It'll have to do until I can get a copy of the others.

To all of you who have stuck with this blog despite my poor performance, I thank you.

Russell's first Haircut

2009-07-15T01:10:00.004-04:00

Russell's hair is so fine and so blond that I almost feel like he doesn't have any. So, it was a hard to decide that he needed his first haircut. But I finally grew weary of him looking like a balding old man with the wispy stuff at the back of his neck and took him to get his haircut.

Before:

from the front:

profile:

We went to a chain place that caters to kids, so he got to sit in a car shaped seat that faced a tv screen. He loved it, until the buzzers were turned on.

During:

Playing with the car:

Then the buzzers went on:

Then the buzzers touched his head:

Then mommy had to put the camera down to comfort him.

But he looked really handsome when he was done. The other mother in the place (with 2 school-aged kids) commented that he looked older afterwards. The cut seems to have done his hair good, since then it's looked like it's fuller. He does have hair, it's just clear.

After:

'Helping' in the kitchen.

2009-07-14T01:00:00.002-04:00

Russell has earned a new nickname around the house: 'helper'.

Yep, he helps you with all your chores.

He helps you unload the dishwasher by climbing into it and pulling out the sharp objects.

He helps you clean the floor by chasing the mop.

He helps you with laundry by emptying the clean laundry out of the basket and throwing it around the living room.

So, when you need a few minutes to do something, like cook dinner, you give him something to help with.

On June 30, I gave him a bowl, a wooden spoon, and a quarter cup of flour. Voila: cooking in the kitchen, helping mommy. And boy did he have fun.

He's gonna be a chef when he grows up.

And then, of course, the dingo 'helped' by licking all the flour off of the floor. What a team!

Delinquency is my middle name.

2009-07-13T00:20:00.001-04:00

I have been so busy that blogging hasn't happened a lot lately, but cute pics of the babe have been taken, so I am going to work backwards and share the best of the best with you guys. Here's the first installment, July 1 - July 11 2009:

July 1st, 2009: Russell loves to sit and stare outside. Actually, most of the time it is him sitting and looking outside, and then imploring me to go outside. But you know, same thing right?

He does not understand that it is over 100 degrees out there.

The artistic version:

I love that photo.

July 7th, 2009: Russell loves spaghetti...it doesn't love him:

Just yesterday morning (7/11/09) I took this before we went over to the new house. He still loves his jungle mat.

More to come in the next few days...

Our new home.

2009-07-11T21:07:00.006-04:00

I made reference to us buying a house. It was a whirlwind, and one of the many reasons that I haven't posted lately. It was all precipitated by the fact that the house we are currently renting was put on the market by it's owner, because they are behind on the rent. There is NO WAY we were going to deal with the possibility of them going into foreclosure and us being evicted. And seriously, we didn't want to have to find a rental house now and move and then do it all again within a year, since that was the rough timeline for us to buy a house anyway...

so, long rambling saga cut short, we went for it, and closed on Thursday.

Here are some pics of our new home, which I am madly in love with:

The front room.

A shot through the dining area to the living room.

The living room. (Russell was hanging out in his pack and play while we were doing things around the house today).

The FANTASTIC kitchen.

The even more FANTASTIC pool! I kid you not when I say that one of the few luxuries I have ever wanted was a pool, and now I own one. And it is a gorgeous one. I am delighted.

I'm not the only one, Russell LOVES the water, and when he first saw this pool he thought he had just about won the lottery. All he wanted was for me to let go of him so he could go in the BIGGEST BATHTUB EVER. Alas, it was in really bad shape a few weeks ago (when the previous owners left, it was neglected for a few months) so we can't swim in it yet until a few more water treatments get the rest of the ick out. I SO look forward to it. (Especially since it averages 110 here right now.)

These are my fruit trees! I have wanted fruit trees so long that I asked for them for my 16th birthday. (To his credit, Jimmy bought me 2 apricot trees that year, but one didn't survive the New England winter, and the survivor couldn't bear fruit without a second to cross-pollinate.) The one on the left is a super-productive lemon tree, and the one on the right is an orange tree. I am thrilled.

Back inside, this is the loft, it is right outside the master bedroom double doors.

Yes, we are a little concerned about small babies throwing things off of it...like small babies. Here's the view down from the loft into the front room.

Cool no? We're not sure what we are going to do with that space yet, but it's a neat one.

Finally, the master bedroom.

The other two bedrooms don't photograph all that well, so I didn't bother to put the pics here, but one is for Russ and one is a guest room. Here's a good picture of Russell playing in his room.

He was crawling through the door and then shutting it most of the way and then crawling back out. ... well, until mommy realized that there were unprotected outlets on the other side of the door, and she couldn't see him, and she swung the door open fast and whacked him HARD in the head with it.

Yeah, great parenting. The only thing this kid really needs protection from is his mommy...I felt guilty until, well, seriously, I still feel guilty about it.

I also didn't get any good pics of the bathrooms, one master bath with a soaking tub and a stand alone shower and another full bath upstairs for Russell and guests, plus a half bath downstairs. There's a laundry room, and a two and a half car garage with a utility sink. And I am sure I am missing other details, but I can't remember them all.

If you made it this far I am sure you can tell that I am totally in love with the place and can't wait to move-in. Of course, now we have to pack... UGH.

Then again...

2009-06-18T14:29:00.002-04:00

Please disregard that last post, turns out, I was being a little overambitious.

As of this morning, my dissertation defense has been rescheduled for the fall. This decision was all mine, though whole-heartedly supported by my advisor. Unfortunately, as I came down to the wire, I realized that there is no conceivable way I can both write this and do it justice in time for a July 17th defense. There is too much data and there are too many details to push it.

(As an aside, all of this is particularly true given the other events that are mucking up my life. I have been so busy working I have hardly had time to mention here that we are in the process of buying a house! But that is another post for another time.)

So, a graduate student I remain for a few months longer. We will reschedule the defense as soon as I have hit a number of benchmarks. Molly expects a October defense. I would love it to be sooner, but I am OUT of the prediction business, and it will be done when it is good. (Note that said "good" and not "perfect"...I want to graduate EVENTUALLY). In the meantime I will continue my intense schedule of work.

In the meantime, I will try and post SOMETHING once a week. You shouldn't all be deprived of cute baby (dare I say TODDLER!) pics just because I am still working on this dissertation!

The final countdown...

2009-05-04T16:33:00.002-04:00

...I have a defense date! YAY!

On July 17th at 1pm, I will be defending my dissertation.

I have 70 days to finish the document and get it to my committee, and then 2 weeks to prepare the presentation.

AHHHHHHHHH!

And. Go.

First biking...

2009-04-30T18:45:00.003-04:00

...then hiking.

In March, Jus' folks came out for a visit. We took Russell on a hike in his hiking pack. He loved being able to see.

Getting ready to go.

Out on the trail...

...and loving every minute of it.

So exhausted he took a nap while we hiked.

and the obligatory scenery picture: a view out over Phoenix

It was a lot of fun, and certainly something we will be doing more of, when Mommy has some spare time...sometime in the future.

Some odds and ends and excuses.

2009-04-28T13:50:00.003-04:00

I've been a lousy blogger, but it's because I've been a darned good student (mostly). Fair trade. Just a heads up that it might not get much better for a while, but I promise it's only temporary.

Working hard IS going to pay off eventually.

But, for now, since I am here, how about a few cute baby pics? Here are some random everyday pics from March that are cute. (And since some of them are over a month old, maybe it's time to get them up, no?)

Making it hard to put PJs on him after a bath.

Wild hair. It's like this a lot these days.

Sticking out our tongue at the camera.

What? I swear, I FOUND these tissues all torn up.

Opening a present.

I'll try and get posts up when I can, but no promises.

Biking babies!

2009-04-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Russell has gotten (on a few occasions now) to go biking with his daddy. He loves it! (Mommy doesn't own a bike yet.)

Having a Ball!*

2009-04-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

One of Russell's favorite toys right now. A giant (for him) beach ball. If we underinflate it just slightly, he can pick it up really easily.

He loves to bang on it.

and he is learning to roll it to another person.

Next step, how to shoot a jump shot. hee. hee.

*come on, I love good puns.

You don't think the dingo likes to snuggle?

2009-04-18T13:10:00.000-04:00

Do you?

Too cool for this blog.

2009-04-17T10:25:00.000-04:00

I have friends (one, in particular) who can remember every detail of every day of their lives. I, on the other hand, have vague recollections of things that were noteworthy, single frame images, and strange sensory memories, that are really nonspecific and often hard to figure out what they are reminding me of.

Right now I really wish I were that other type of person, because I want to make reference to a song my 5th or 6th grade chorus sang (I think, it could have been junior high) where we all had to bring in sunglasses. I think the name of the song was 'Shades' but I can't be certain...

Anyway, that's all a long winded way of introducing the coolest baby on the block:

Yeah, he's too cool for this blog...

...and he's getting a big head about it, literally. See those super-cute sunglasses. They are supposed to fit kids to age 2. Right now I am trying to figure out whether I need to get him a bigger pair He's only 10 MONTHS old! But he's got the biggest head ever. I am going to try one more time to adjust the velcro, but I think we need to get the 2-5 YEARS pair. Oy.

Pic of the day: beanbag portrait.

2009-04-15T15:21:00.002-04:00

We were visiting friends about a month ago, and I needed to entertain the baby. Lucky for me he loves to pose for pictures.

And I got for a run today. Unfortunately, it marks the first occasion on which I fail to finish my run due to lack of ability. Which is funny, if you think about it, because I've done this run before. The details:

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 1.
Start time: 11:30 am MST
Run time: 29.5 minutes
Distance: 2.1 miles
Pace: 14.0 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 13.31
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Living out here has started to teach me what it really feels like to be dehydrated. The first sign for me, barring plain old thirst, is a slight dizziness in the back of my head. It feels like I do when I get motion sick. I didn't feel it today until I got back to the house, but when I was running I felt something strange which made me stop and walk halfway through the last 5 minute run. I guess you could almost call it weakness. It could be an even earlier sign of dehydration that I hadn't noted before now. I will be more cognizant of it in the future.

Now, for those that are prone to such things, don't worry. I had water on me and drank it all the way home. I just don't think I was hydrated enough to run.

I will repeat week 4 day 1 on Friday. If at first you don't succeed...and all that.

Oh yeah, and Happy Tax Day!

Happy Easter and some Catch up.

2009-04-13T15:30:00.008-04:00

I hope you all had a pleasant Easter (well, thems of you who celebrate it.)

Russell had his very first visit from the Easter ~~bunny~~ er, dingo.

He was brought bubbles and six plastic eggs filled with Cheerios, all in a blue bunny bucket. It was very exciting.

In lieu of the 'standard celebration', we went on a hike and had a picnic lunch. It was lovely.

Russell discovered that Mommy's green apple was tasty.

We enjoyed the scenery.

And it was all so exciting, Russell took a nap towards the end.

(Yes, these pics were taken yesterday, demonstrating that I can, in fact, post pictures in a timely fashion. Don't get used to it. I still have about a month's worth of backlog to make up for.)

For instance...

I fell behind on my posting for a few days there, many apologies. Because of that, I never posted my run on Friday. I admit, by waiting even a few days, I have forgotten many bits of it. But here is a close approximation:

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 3.
Start time: midafternoon
Run time: 25 minutes or less
Distance: let's call it 2 miles.
Pace: a complete mystery
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 11.21
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Another beautiful day in Phoenix. I had to turn around a wee bit early because I had to use the ladies room, but other than that, a good run.

I was going to go out for another run yesterday, but we wound up on the hike instead. A far better deal, in my opinion. My intention is to start week 4 on Wednesday. Progress is slow but steady.

Poor dingos.

2009-04-09T12:45:00.001-04:00

We, as doggie parents, have the audacity to clip the dogs toenails.

See how sad it makes her?

These photos just make me laugh. She is such a wuss. She looks like this when we brush her too.

Poor dingos.

Pic of the day: Hanging around with daddy

2009-04-08T08:30:00.001-04:00

Too cute not to share.

And another run! Three in a row!

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 2.
Start time: 9:30 AM MST
Run time: 30 minutes
Distance: 1.97 miles
Pace: 15.2 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 9.21
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Another beautiful day in Phoenix. Another great run. While I briefly considered going straight to week 4, I have decided that I am going to finish up week 3 on Friday, I am really feeling good right now. No need to rush it.

Look who's 10 months old!

2009-04-07T11:15:00.005-04:00

Cute as ever.

We bought him this rubber puzzle mat so that he could be outside on the patio with us, otherwise he only has cement and/or gravel. Unfortunately, he's a clever one, and rapidly learned how to pull all the pieces apart.

See:

pulling it up

playing with the pieces

And just plain causing a ruckus.

But he LOVES it, so we let him have his fun. At this point, he's much better about not banging his head on the ground, so if there are parts of the patio that are uncovered, it's not as big a deal.

...and a run

2009-04-05T15:08:00.002-04:00

I managed to get out for a run today! Two 'in a row'! I am so glad to be back to healthy.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 1.
Start time: 11:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.44 miles
Pace: 14.34 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 7.24
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Phoenix is all blue skies, flowers, and butterflies today. TOO gorgeous for words. Even some of the most common weeds around here blossom with daisy-like flowers in the most fantastic shade of orange.

The run itself was good. Exactly the speed I need right now. It was a little challenging near the end, but I did it without huffing and puffing and thinking I was gonna die. Perfect. On Wednesday, I will do week 3 day 2.

Too true.

2009-04-05T13:59:00.000-04:00

In this tough economy, we are relatively lucky. Justin has a solid job that is in no danger, and the cost of living is low here. But still, we watch our spending and budget monthly. There are many things we would like still, but nothing that we NEED is out of reach.

In fact, after several years as grad students (and last fall when we were supporting two homes halfway across the country from one another) we seem to be pretty comfortable. (Comfortable enough, in fact, that I start to feel guilty about how much we do have compared to others that are being hit hard by this economy through no fault of their own.)

Occasionally though, I am reminded of what it really means to be comfortable. A recent blog post I stumbled upon reminded me again. If you have a chance, read it.

May you all be so lucky to have the important things.

What a nut.

2009-04-04T00:10:00.000-04:00

Funny story...

...so on Wednesday, I dropped Justin and Russell at work and daycare respectively, and on my way home stopped at the natural foods store, an Arizona chain called Sprouts, to find some Fenugreek supplements. (Fenugreek is commonly used to increase milk supply, a recent concern of mine, so I thought I'd give it a go.) Now, I LOVE shopping at Sprouts. It's got beautiful produce, three aisles of bulk bins of grains, candies, nuts, trail mix etc, and a great bakery. (Never mind their meat counter!) So letting me is is always dangerous. Especially alone.

So on Wednesday I wander in. I find my fenugreek capsules (thanks Em!) and take the opportunity to shop for a few minutes. I ponder some organic baby food, but decide Russell is barely letting me spoon feed him anything anymore. I look at the produce and pick up some pears as a new finger food treat for Russell. I grab a round of my FAVORITE tomato focaccia, and then I give in to wild temptation and get two treats for me. Some chocolate covered pretzels and some roasted salted pistachios.

Now, I knew chocolate covered pretzels were a weakness of mine. But I had NO idea how powerless I was in the face of pistachios. I ate half the bag. I could. not. stop. By some miracle, in the guise of a mild tummyache, I did not finish them all off.

Then I went to pick up Justin.

In regaling Justin with the travails of my (rather boring) day, I mention that I am completely powerless in the face of pistachios.

This is when he points out to me, much amused, that there is a pistachio recall and associated Salmonella scare.

Um...what?

You see, I have recently started avoiding the news. I HATE the fact that it's all about children being abused, crazy people killing themselves and others (often children) and how stupidly bad our economy has gotten. So I had no idea. And seriously, I buy myself pistachios maybe once every six months! But I had to pick Wednesday...

...so, after a few hours of wondering I finally went to the Sprouts website where they posted a notice that said that their pistachios were unaffected by the recall. So I am not going to die of Salmonella. I might still suffer a stomachache or two from eating the whole bag, but I won't die of Salmonella.

Sometimes...sometimes my timing is just so amusingly terrible it's funny.

The faster I work...

2009-04-03T12:00:00.000-04:00

...the behinder I get.

I was just looking through baby pics and realized that, with regards to posting images here, you consistently get pictures about three to four weeks behind. Commentary without images is usually up to the minute.

For instance, these pics were taken on March fifth. I was sorting laundry. Russell 'helped' by finding the big pile of daddy's socks and rolling in it.

I guess a few weeks behind is the price you pay for uber-cute baby pics. (Or is that the price you pay for relying on me to post uber-cute baby pics? Same thing, right?)

In more timely news: I got out for a run this morning for the first time since...well looking back at the blog records, February 21st. Yikes! Knowing how long it had been, I went back a few weeks in the C25K program to see if I could gauge my fitness level at the moment.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 2 day 3.
Start time: 8:00 AM MST
Run time: 30ish minutes *see Notes
Distance: 2ish miles *see Notes
Pace: hard to calculate from 'ishes'
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 4.80
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: So I felt really good today, week two is still under my belt with no issues. Having said that, I didn't finish it as it was supposed to be run because as I was coming up on the last 3 minutes of intervals, I spotted two stray dogs. Both without collars and in really good health, just trotting along separately down the street. I stopped running and pulled out my cellphone to figure out how to report these.

One of them, a beautiful shepard mastiff cross, if I had to guess, trotted along beside me for a little while, then went off to explore someone's yard. I am (as I type this) on hold with the Maricopa county animal control office to report them, so that maybe someone can pick the poor things up before they get hit.

I only wish I had been capable of getting them to follow me home so I could keep them safe until the animal control officer arrived. But I am certainly not going to handle a unknown stray by myself, no matter how friendly they seemed. I hope their mommies find them...or at least that they find a good home.

Babies in high chairs: Part III

2009-04-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Spoons are tough.

you have to know which end is which

How do you do it?

Warning: too much information ahead.

2009-04-01T10:09:00.001-04:00

Disclaimer: this entire post is about breastfeeding. If this is a subject you would rather not read about, you won't miss anything by skipping this post. I promise. You can just start again with tomorrow's post (which, I also promise, will contain cute baby pics), no hard feelings.

***
I have hesitated for a while to write anything regarding breastfeeding because so many people feel so strongly about it. Frankly however, breastfeeding is a huge part of my life right now and means a ton to me. It takes enormous amounts of time and energy to maintain, but I feel it's worth it.

So why write about this now? Because I've been sick. Being sick and breastfeeding at the same time sucks. I can't take many meds (most notably decongestant, ARGH!) I need about 50 times as much water as a normal human being. And when you get sick, your supply drops, your body chooses to use your extra energy to get well rather than produce milk. So I worry that Russell isn't getting enough to eat.

In some ways, breastfeeding is kind of ridiculous in that you have no idea how much your kid is eating. I mean, not only can I not see how much he's eating (boobs aren't transparent. Now THAT would be weird), but I can't pump and measure because I know darned well that he is a far more efficient breast pump than my Medela. Since the engorgement stopped I can't even feel let-down. If he wasn't such a messy nurser, I wouldn't necessarily know he was getting any at all! So unlike formula feeding mommies, I just have to trust him to tell me if he's hungry.

Over the last few days, he has not been shy about telling me just that. Often. (insert Pirates of Penzance joke here, go on, I'll wait...) Which tells me my supply is low as expected. However, it also makes me wonder if this might be the beginning of weaning. What if my supply doesn't come back? I don't know if I'm ready for that. I set out on this breastfeeding thing determined to make it to one year minimum (as per the American Association of Pediatrician's and the World Health Organization's recommendations) and Russell turns 10 months old next week. That's two months shy, minimum. If we really are starting to wean now...

...is that ok for him?
...what do I need to do to make sure he still gets the nutrition he needs?
...have I failed?
...does it affect his psychological development? (nursing is not just nutritional, but comfort as well)

It's a lot to think about, and honestly, probably the second big decision I have faced as a mommy (see my post on daycare evaluations for the first). I mean, I know he'll turn out fine either way. Heck, if I turned out as well as I did on 1970's grade formula alone, he'll be a super hero on breastmilk AND modern formula!

It might all be moot. In 48 hours, my supply might bounce back and all will be well with the world until Russell weans himself or I have to make this decision at a later date. But it might also mean a huge shift in my day-to-day life, not to mention a change in my relationship with my son. Honestly, nursing isn't just a comfort for him...

It is something that means a lot to me and I have spent a lot of time thinking about recently. Just another piece of our life here that I thought I'd share.

I FEEL good.

2009-03-31T11:47:00.002-04:00

(In my best James Brown impersonation...which is NOT good I can assure you)

It is so nice to feel good again. All Praise Antibiotics! No snot, no fatigue (other than Russell deciding to get up at 5:30 this morning...) and no sinus headache! Yay! After two full weeks of being sick, this is the best. thing. ever.

AND yesterday, as I was nearing the end of all the uckiness, I even made progress on my dissertation! Yay X2!

So, when will you get cool/cute/funny baby pics and a REAL blog post that isn't just about the state of my illness. I'll see what I can do about that asap. But in reality, I've been sick for two weeks, I need to do laundry, I need to vacuum, I need to do dishes...

...maybe I need to lie down. :)

Tough week

2009-03-27T15:08:00.002-04:00

For the last two weeks I have been sick. With increasing discomfort as the weeks progress.

My dissertation does not go well either.

So, bear with me if posts are a wee bit less frequent for a week or two. Or at least until I get an hour where it doesn't hurt my head to sit in front of my computer.

Until then, there is an awful lot of cute baby here to peruse...

Morgan update

2009-03-25T12:21:00.002-04:00

Just so you all know, the lovely and vivacious Morgan, after just under a week in the hospital, was discharged yesterday and is doing fantastically well. It'll still be a few weeks until she can go to school, but she is up and moving and we are all insanely impressed at how well that little girl has healed up.

I am very happy for her.

In related news, a PSA: should you ever send something by Amazon, double-check the address. Thankfully, my folks live in a town where everyone knows everyone else, because when I sent a package home for Mo, I put the wrong number in the street address. Replaced a 2 with a 1...a small mistake, but most obnoxious.

Mom will head down the street to pick up the package from her neighbor later, but I feel like a dummy. Go figure.

Babies in high chairs: Part II

2009-03-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

Russell is learning to use a sippy cup. Mostly this means that Russell is learning to turn a sippy cup over so that he can pour water (or juice, or formula) on the tray of his high chair. Occasionally, he even gets some in his mouth!

Pic of the day: Flip Flop F(l)un.

2009-03-22T12:01:00.000-04:00

I'm bigger than daddy's flip flop.

One day my feet will be so big.

Trying on daddy's shoes. I don't think they fit.

Auntie Sarah's Scarf

2009-03-20T14:36:00.000-04:00

Yes, more knitting.

Yes, I am still working on my dissertation. But a girl would go crazy without her 15 minute breaks, and I had a couple of projects sitting around on the needles that I have been working on 15 minutes at a time in an attempt to finish them.

I wish I could've gotten a better picture of it, but here's the best I got.

This one, I cast on (that's knit-speak for started) almost a year ago, and it shouldn't really have taken that long. I've just been...busy. But it's done, and it's pretty, and it is being sent to Auntie Sarah ASAP.

(I hope you like it Auntie Sarah)

Things you can't prevent.

2009-03-19T12:40:00.008-04:00

I am a neurotic person. There, I said it. I worry unnecessarily about many many things, but I do everything in my power to stop myself. Usually I can calm myself with a simple: "you are being irrational, that won't happen."

But what if it did?

Let's take yesterday as an example. I got a call about 2:30pm from my mom telling me that my niece fell out of a tree and was impaled on a tree branch/stick and was being airlifted to Boston.

[News stories about it can be found here and here. The second site has a video link on the page too. They interview my stepfather and his mother.]

Now, as far as I know at this point, Mo is fine. Or, as fine as you can be given the circumstances. (She had surgery last night to remove the 7" stick, which had pierced her liver, but otherwise did no significant damage.) She's still in the ICU pretty drugged up and she won't get out of the hospital for a week or so, but she'll be back to normal in no time.

As a parent, this gives you pause.

It's irrational to think that I could ever stop Russell from horsing around, playing rough, or taking a tumble. I mean, kids climb (and fall out of) trees, it's the way it is. But to know that one random freak accident could do them serious harm...that significantly impedes my abilities to be rational in the face of my irrational fears.

Accidents happen, kids get hurt. Freak accidents tend to make the news with increasing regularlity these days, and I have to remind myself that these are still relatively rare. (If they were commonplace, they wouldn't be news...) Heck, in the last 24 hours, I've heard four different stories about my dad falling out of trees, off of ranger stations, and off of overpasses. He's fine. Most of the time, kids are fine.

I don't intend to keep my kid in a bubble, in fact, I'd fail if I tried. What I will do is tell him I love him every day, love every minute I have with him, and hope that he never has one of those freak accidents that doesn't have a happy ending.

It was just another day.

2009-03-17T10:09:00.000-04:00

Feb 26 2009.

I had a cute baby who demanded my attention. I had a digital camera. I think we all know where this is going.

Reaching for toys is so cute.

Hey Mommy!

Me and My Monkey. (Mommy made him for me at Build a Bear for Valentine's Day!)

One great portrait.

It makes him happy when I take his picture. It makes me happy too.

Remember the Grapefruit Tree?

2009-03-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

Yeah. My dead brown thumb strikes again. At least this time is wasn't lethal (yet).

See for yourself:

Grapefruit tree on January 13

Grapefruit tree on March 2

Huh. There seems to be less...um...foliage. I was told at the nursery that overwatering a grapefruit tree will kill it. I have a history of neglecting to water my plants, so this sounded like a match made in heaven. This time, I *intentionally* let the soil get good and dry before I watered it again. I'm good right?

It turns out, that when dealing with citrus, they'll survive fine with little water, but if they get too dry, the next time you water them they get all confused and all the leaves fall off. Gah!

The proper procedure is to water evenly every few days. Especially with a container grown citrus, because they dry out faster. Wish someone had mentioned that. So now, I have a bit of a Charlie Brown Grapefruit Tree.

I know it's not dead since, 1) it has a bunch of new leaves (since I started watering it properly) and 2) it has a ton of blossoms. It smells fantastic. It just doesn't provide shade the way it used to. Let's call it, shade challenged.

I just want to keep it alive long enough to get a single fruit from it this year. One. Single. Grapefruit. Is that too much to ask?

3.14

2009-03-14T11:58:00.003-04:00

Happy Pi day to you all. Yay for Geek Holidays!

I believe we will be having a dinner pi(e) and and dessert pi(e) this evening in celebration. We missed Darwin Day this year, so I suppose it's only fair we celebrate the other major Geek Holiday.

If you have Pi(e) today, or do anything else to celebrate, leave me a comment.

PSA : one click could save a life.

2009-03-14T11:29:00.000-04:00

Trick question: if you could help save lives without doing any more than clicking on a link, would you?

You can.

The Breast Cancer site donates at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free. I've even made it easy and added a button on my sidebar to take you straight there.

This doesn't cost you a thing.

When you click, they display ads from their site sponsors. 100% of the money from these advertisers goes to the site's charity partners, who fund programs to provide mammograms to women in need.

So, every time you stop by to check in on the cutie-pants, click on over to the Breast Cancer Site. It takes only a second, and could help save a life.

Crashed!

2009-03-13T16:00:00.000-04:00

After a long hard play, you need a recharge. Sometimes however, you just don't have the time (or the inclination) to let go of your toys before you crash out.

Notice he still has Monkey in in left hand.

Still clutching big green monster's scale.

And holding on to his FAVORITE toy, Justin's wireless mouse.

Play hard. Nap hard. That's Russell's motto.

Did you know the zoo has animals?

2009-03-11T12:15:00.000-04:00

When the family came down to visit a few weeks ago, Russell, mom and I went to the zoo. It was a beautiful day, and we just wandered around and looked at the exhibits.

This time, Russell noticed that there were ANIMALS! Not all of them mind you (the green metal railing around 80% of the exhibits was fascinating too.) but he did start to understand that we were looking at animals.

In particular, in the children's part of the zoo, the animals are more accessible. They are usually only behind a fence with a few rails like a barnyard, so kids can see them better.

Russell spotted the Xebu. He got this big grin on his face. Then he spun around in my arms and hugged me tight as if to say, "Oh my gosh momma, don't look now, but there is a big animal in that pen and it's gonna get me!". It was really cute.

He also got to pet the goat in the open goat pen while Grammy Nason held him.

Mom also took a great pic of Russell and me in the Monkey exhibit.

The zoo is more fun every time we go. For both of us.

No more dingos sleeping on the bed...

2009-03-09T09:30:00.000-04:00

...if only.

Hey, you interrupted the dog's beauty sleep!

Daylight Savings, Schmavings.

2009-03-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

To my family and friends outside of AZ. Remember that AZ doesn't do the whole daylight savings thing...

...so, for instance, if you are in the eastern time zone, our time is now three hours off of yours, not two, until daylight savings is over.

Pretend we live in California, without the earthquakes, until October.

Babies in high chairs: Part I

2009-03-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

You know it's law to take pictures of your kids eating right? I mean, I'm just following the rules...

He had finished dinner, and wanted to play with the (somewhat messy) bowl. At this point he already had peas all over him, so why the heck not?

This last one is dangerously cute.

More knit things for Russell.

2009-03-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

I finally finished Russell's jacket. It's a good thing too, because if he doesn't wear it soon, it's gonna be too warm for it. Right now, it at least is cool enough for a sweater in the mornings and after sunset.

I thought I'd show it (and him) off a bit. I think he's awfully handsome in it.

I've sworn that the next time I start knitting a garment for him, it will be at least two sizes bigger than what he currently wears, giving me a chance of finishing it without the mad last-minute "if I don't finish this now he will never wear it before it doesn't fit" moment. Let's see if I can keep to that.

Pic of the day: At home baby portrait.

2009-03-03T10:00:00.001-05:00

I realized today how far behind I am sharing some of the great pics of Russell we have. So here is some catch up.

On the 29th of January, I took a series of portraits of Russell wearing one of the sweaters his Grammie Georgi made for him, and they came out pretty well, if I do say so myself.

He's such a fantastic kid, I think he even enjoyed the photo shoot.

Two realities. Same planet.

2009-03-02T15:58:00.003-05:00

The email from Jet Blue yesterday (paraphrased): Due to a Winter Storm that will bring heavy amounts of snow, your flight has been cancelled.

The weather in my backyard today, which is more or less the same as it was yesterday when I got the email.

Seriously.

It is very hard to accept that in NY they have gotten 15 inches of snow and are looking at getting far more. It's gonna be 90 here today.

Clearly,I am not a Phoenix native, I'd be used to this sort of thing.

So, my trip to NY was canceled. Molly and I had a conference call instead. (She held her end from home, because all classes were canceled at Stony Brook and her road wasn't plowed yet as of 11 am...I still have a hard time with this.). We got a ton done. Saved me a trip, which can't be a bad thing. Everyone wins.

Prepare for radio silence.

2009-02-24T11:01:00.002-05:00

OK, I have a week (6 days to be precise) to process the rest of my most important data set for this dissertation before my next trip to NY on Sunday night/Monday morning.

I also have had a sick baby for the last three days.

If you don't hear from me for a week, you'll know why.

See you on the other side.

It's a good thing he won't remember this.

2009-02-21T23:26:00.005-05:00

Russell got a ... well that's funny, I have no idea what to call the darned thing.

It's a combination toy. It's one of those ring stackers where you have big rings that go over a cone. And, a musical tub that you drop balls into. It's made up to look like an elephant, with a big funnel for a head, and two of the rings have feet.

Why do you care about my poor description of a toy?

Because this toy produces some of the most fantastically cute pictures you will see today. They make me laugh whenever I see them

You see, the rings with the feet velcro (for some reason I don't understand) and Justin and I have had more fun (at Russell's expense, naturally) with those rings.

See:

Tee hee - he's so cute.

Here she comes, Miss America...

...or a Star Trek 'alien'

Just another shining example of quality parenting.

I did get out for a run today, nothing special.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 5 day 1 (take2).
Start time: 4:00 PM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.5 miles
Pace: 14 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 4.80
Blue Brooks 12.83

Notes: Running in the afternoon is way harder than in the morning. I think I am running harder than I did the first time through, that run was much harder than the first time, but I did it nonetheless. Now my quads are sore. Good sore, but sore.

Running update

2009-02-18T15:30:00.002-05:00

With the family in town, I never got out for a run on Saturday (We went for a walk at the zoo instead.) So my 'weeks' of running are off a little.

Then, I did a run on Monday, (C25K week 5 day 1, for those keeping score at home) and it went fantastically well. But, exact stats I don't have, because I never wrote them down in the chaos.

Today, I did week 5 day 2. I did it, but it was HARD, and I just barely made it through that last interval. Those stats are below.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 5 day 2.
Start time: 10:15 AM MST
Run time: 33 minutes
Distance: 2.44 miles
Pace: 13.52 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 4.80
Blue Brooks 7.33

So, with my schedule all messed up, and my work cut out for me in terms of the next run (week 5 day 3 is a straight 20 minute run...) I have decided to step back and keep the success rate up.

Saturday I will restart week 5. This felt good on Monday, and will likely feel great again on Saturday. Monday I will run week 5 day 2, which I did today, and likely have more success. And then, whether I like it or not, I will run the week 5 day 3 20 minute run in one week, and will report a raging success! How's that for optimism?

Back in a minute...

2009-02-18T13:09:00.002-05:00

Family came to visit this last week, and between the visit and the dissertation I haven't had the time to post.

I will be back shortly.

Presents!

2009-02-10T15:31:00.006-05:00

Between Christmas and my Birthday, we have received a number of great gifts in the last few months, and I thought you'd like to see some action shots of us loving them all.

Andy and Sarah sent Russell two fantastic puppets for Christmas. Check these out!

and of course they came in this:

I made reference before to the birthday hug monkey well he not only made an appearance this year, but he got a bike too!

Justin also got a bike!

Russell loves to play with some of his Christmas presents like drum

and his vtech ball

But, he still doesn't quite get his jonny jumper...he will.

Two of my favoritest presents from this year are my grapefruit tree

and my Roomba.

(I also ADORE my Garmin, but I don't have a pic of it)

So thank you one and all, if you gave us one of these objects, we are enjoying them thoroughly. Of course, if you gave us something that isn't here, we are likely enjoying that too...but it hasn't shown up on film yet.

Oh...and I just realized, this is my 100th post! Go Blog Go!

Reason #4...

2009-02-09T11:52:00.003-05:00

that I like Phoenix: Rainbows!

I was driving Jus to work this morning, when I realized that today was a run day. This would have been totally unremarkable, except I realized it because I was thinking about the fact that it is RAINING. This would be my first run in precipitation of any kind here in Phoenix. No biggie really, but remarkable because it is so unusual.

When I got home I went out for my run. There is a significant upside to rain in Phoenix: RAINBOWS! I saw three on my short little run, one of which was a complete arc. I never run with my camera, unfortunately, but it was beautiful.

Now, Run stats:

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 2(2nd time).
Start time: 9:15 AM MST
Run time: 40 minutes
Distance: 2.75 miles
Pace: 14.54 minute mile
Miles on Sneakers: Blue Brooks 5.11

Notes: I am feeling really good about these runs. I will certainly be ready for week 5 next week. Of the 40 minutes, 16 of those are spent running (interspersed with walking intervals) and I finish each running segment without significant exhaustion. I know next week ramps up fast, but I think I am ready for it.

A couple of good days

2009-02-08T13:54:00.002-05:00

Friday we went down to Tucson so I could meet with Molly who was in-state. I had a very productive meeting and feel like progress is being made,

Additionally, we got to see the Tucson gang for the first time since living here. It was a good time. AJ and CJ have a fantastic new house (I am suffering from a tiny bit of house envy) and we spent the night and came back yesterday.

When we got back I got in a run. It was hard to get out, since I had just spent 2 hours in the car and was 'road-tired' but once I worked the lead out, it was a fantastic run. I am so very glad I am re-running week 4.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 1(2nd time).
Start time: 3:00 PM MST
Run time: 32 minutes
Distance: 2.36 miles
Pace: 13.56 minute mile
Miles on Sneakers: Blue ?? 2.36

Notes: fantastic. Just fantastic. The first 5 minute run segment felt almost easy...or at least good. The second 5 minute run segment certainly wasn't as hard as the last two times. I think the 5 day break did me good, let some muscles I needed built up. Looking forward to Monday.

Our most unphotogenic dog.

2009-02-05T11:51:00.003-05:00

Let me start by saying how much I love my dog. She has her quirks (like being afraid of the baby), but she's also got a long list of wonderful traits. She's the sweetest dog you'll ever meet, fastidiously clean, and very smart (assuming the scale you are using does not include border collies). She is also an incredibly beautiful dog.

In person.

Once you get a camera out, somehow my dog becomes unbelievably homely. Photos always make her look either developmentally delayed, like she's attacking someone, or simply looks (or walks) out of frame. Every time I decide to get a dog pic, I wind up with things that look like these:

The tongue.

The tic.

Or just crazed.

However, every once in a while, I get lucky and get something decent.

So, there are actually a lot fewer pictures of my dog on this blog than I would like, because they are SO incredibly hard to take.

Unrelated health update: After spending all day yesterday fighting a fever of 102 degrees, needing lots of cuddles and some tylenol, the Hug Monkey is back to his usual healthy happy self. He's such a great kid.

No run today on account of illness.

2009-02-04T11:16:00.002-05:00

No, I'm not ill. The Hugmonkey is.

Poor thing has a fever. So far as I can tell, that's his only symptom. But it's high enough that he can't go to daycare; and he's clearly not feeling great, since he's curled up in my lap right now just staring off blankly into space.

So, I solicit advice from any mommies (or daddies) out there, how do you keep an infant with a cold comfortable? (Other than tylenol and hugs?)

So, no run for me, for a good cause. This more or less cements my decision to rerun week 4. I'll get back to it this weekend.

Right now, I am going to cuddle my baby.

Family, Friends, and more Family!

2009-02-03T11:27:00.005-05:00

Part last (seven?) in my holiday wrap up series.

The last few days of our visit home were spent visiting with family and friends I nearly never get to see. Now that we are all 'that age' we all have children of our own, so there were kids everywhere! It was wonderful.

Some highlights:

Russell loves his great grampa.

Visiting with the gang from Keene.

TC and Alexis

TC and Russell

Visiting with the gang from Concord.

My aunt and Russell.

After all that visiting, we got on a plane and left the frigid northeast. It was a fantastic vacation, and I am still reveling in the fact that I managed to see you all over the break. It makes me so very happy...I hope it's not too long before we get to see you all again.

Happy Groundhogs Day!

2009-02-02T12:47:00.003-05:00

Which, I admit, doesn't mean much to Phoenicians. I haven't actually spoken to any natives about it, but they probably don't understand it.

It was one heck of a Super Bowl yesterday. Cards lost...but only just barely. It was fun to watch, and even more so because I am so happy for the Steelers. I took the day off from working yesterday so I could enjoy one day completely without "I should be working" guilt.

In addition to watching the game, we watched the first three sets of the rebroadcast of the Nadal/Federer final at the Australian Open. I organized all my digital pictures on my computer, and I finally finished the knitting and seaming of Russell's jacket that I have been working on very slowly for a while. All it's missing now is buttons, because I don't have any yet. Isn't it cute?

And it fits him darned perfectly at the moment. Once the buttons are on, I'll take a picture of him in it.

I also made breakfast yesterday, and had to keep the little one entertained while I did so. I gave him a funnel. It was picture worthy.

Today, I got my run in...I think this week will be week 4 and next week will also be week 4. I think if I push to week 5 next week I am doomed. No harm in slowing it down. It'll ultimately make it more fun.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 2.
Start time: 10:00 AM MST
Run time: 32 minutes
Distance: 2.36 miles
Pace: 13.56 minute mile
Miles on Sneakers: Pink Adidas 2.36

Notes: My pace *appears* do be improving tremendously. Really, there is just less total walking because today I ended the day's program AT my front door. No extra walking home because somehow I wound up a quarter mile away. Until I am done with the C25K, it will jump around a lot because pace isn't really what matters here. (I was just curious.)

I am also adding a new stat...miles on sneakers. It won't be exactly accurate for either pair of running shoes I own, because I have no idea what miles these shoes have already seen, but it will give me an idea of when I should spring for a new pair of shoes to avoid serious injury.

Pre Superbowl Run Notes

2009-01-31T13:52:00.002-05:00

Happy Super Bowl Eve everyone!

One of the benefits of having lived in four different states (it's actually 5 if you count the one before I have any memories) is that I have developed opinions of the sports teams in each of those states, and in some cases, outright fan-dom.

So, while my #1 team is not in this year's superbowl, BOTH of the other teams I feel a certain amount of loyalty to are. I win either way.

But, since watching a Super Bowl (or any sporting contest, for that matter) and not caring who wins actually detracts from the game. So I have chosen to root for the Cards in this one because

A) You cannot fail to catch the fever here in AZ.
B) They have never won a Superbowl in franchise history.
and most importantly
C) I like to root for the underdog, and I honestly think that the Stillers have a better chance at this.

In fact, Cardinals fever is so great around here that all of the workers at Russell's day care were in Cards jerseys yesterday, and then I went to a doctor's appointment and the entire staff there were also in jerseys. Including my doctor. No whitecoat for him...nope, just a Warner jersey.

So Go Cards! (No offense to my beloved Steelers.)

Now - today's run.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 1.
Start time: 9:00 AM MST
Run time: 36 minutes
Distance: 2.59 miles
Pace: 14 minute mile

Notes: Week four is HARD. I know in a few weeks I won't necessarily feel the same way, but that was the toughest one yet. BUT, having said that, I did it. I can now say I can run for 5 straight minutes at a time...more than once in half an hour. I will sally forth and do week 4 day 2 on Monday.

New Years Fondue (sort of).

2009-01-29T17:57:00.007-05:00

Part six in my holiday wrap up series.

While we were on the east coast for the holiday, we drove down to Long Island so that I could meet with my advisor about this little thing called a dissertation. We timed it so that we could spend the New Year with our friends there.

Joe and Jesse graciously let us stay at their place for three days with a baby. Their generosity knows NO bounds. We cannot thank them enough.

Russell had a great time. They had three kittens, this is one of them. Which one, I still don't know, two of them were identical as far as I was concerned.

and a big mirror to play with.

For New Years, the gang had a fondue party! However, without Auntie Sarah in the kitchen, these things just don't go as smoothly (pun intended) as one might like. The first batch of fondue was perhaps...I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

first batch, yes folks, that lump of cheese mush on a plate was in fact, supposed to be fondue.

Decided to 'rescue it' by broiling it in the oven and making it a warm-cheese-logish-type- thing.

final presentation.

At least it was yummy; The second batch was much more successful.

Other odds and ends from the evening.

Jesse hanging out with Gina's new room mate.

Russell and his 'big red cup'.

Happy New Year!

No, it wasn't really that kind of party, those girls just like to pose for the camera. But we did have a great time!

Has it been a year already?

2009-01-28T13:00:00.000-05:00

Amazing what a difference a year can make. A year ago, I was pregnant, Justin was still in grad school, and we lived on Long Island.

Now, we live in Phoenix, Justin has a real professorial job, and most of all we have this cutie who at this point, is nearly a little person and everything!

This was taken January 9th, surrounded by his Christmas spoils. Note the teething ring up around his left shoulder. Too funny.

Also, A year ago today, I started this blog. It may have been fits and starts for a while, but I appear to have the hang of this down.

I also managed my initial goal of an average of better than one post a week. It may have been sporadic, but hey, it worked!

Now, in the throes of trying to write a dissertation, there may be some slow periods again, but I promise I am trying. It's an awful lot of fun.

So, thank you to those who visit and read my blog. I really appreciate it. Let's see what the next year brings!

Run notes for Wednesday.

2009-01-28T11:48:00.002-05:00

And I thought I was tired on Monday. Good gravy! Russell is teething (2nd tooth coming in)and I got about four hours of sleep last night. Broken up. I am so very very very tired. Funny thing is, my run felt better than Monday. Can't explain that.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 3.
Start time: 9:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.29 miles
Pace: 15.02 minute mile

Notes: Chilly morning. The unseasonable heat wave has passed. Even at 9am, it was in the high 40's. Which means starting out is cold, but by the end I am REALLY comfortable. It won't last long, but these conditions are wonderful for running.

I am debating rerunning week three next week. If it think I am going to push myself forward. If it turns out that Saturday's run is hard enough that it isn't fun, I will rerun week three Wednesday and Friday.

Now, off to work...

Random holiday tidbits and pics.

2009-01-27T10:45:00.004-05:00

Part five in my holiday wrap-up series.

As with any good vacation, there were a lot of moments throughout the vacation that merit a special place in the memory. Here are a few from the days just after Christmas.

Helping dad play bridge:

And now for my famous card trick.

Saying hi to Rosie.

And finally, Russell's opinion of Physics:

Which brings us right to the end of the 2008. Next* in the holiday wrap up series will be our trip to Long Island for the New Year.

*Whenever I get to it.

Running out of time.

2009-01-26T12:51:00.002-05:00

My runs are becoming more important than ever. I NEED them for two reasons,

1) Stress relief: I don't talk about it much here on the blog, but my dissertation is starting to kill me with the stress load. It really should be done by mid April, at the latest, if I want to graduate in May and EVERY piece of it is taking 10 times longer than I want it to. I don't know if I will ultimately be successful or not, and if I am not, it will feel like the BIGGEST failure. I don't deal well with failure.

and 2) because of the constant feeling of failure here, my runs have become my only source of success. Each time I finish a run or a week, I feel so much better for a while. SOMETHING that goes right every time. Which is good.

So, I got out for my run again today, and it felt good. To be fair though, the stress from everything else is making them harder (not to mention a certain lack of sleep last night due to a very cute baby). I may choose to repeat a week or two here or there just to make sure I don't rack up a fail in the run department too. I don't know if I can handle that right now.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 2.
Start time: 10:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.29 miles
Pace: 15.02 minute mile

Notes: I am tired. I felt it today in every part of my body as I ran. At least the weather has cooled back down to seasonable temps though, so it was the perfect temperature for a run.

Week three of nine.

2009-01-24T13:38:00.002-05:00

Yay Running! Starting week three, so far, so good.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 1.
Start time: 11:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.29 miles
Pace: 15.02 minute mile

Notes: It was uber fantastic out there today. Beautiful, sunny, not a recycling or garbage day so I didn't have to dodge cans. My pace seems to be slowing a little, but the running intervals are longer, so I think I am walking more slowly between them. I'm just happy to be out and in the sunshine for half an hour every other day.

Santa!

2009-01-22T00:23:00.005-05:00

Part four in my Holiday Vacation 08 series.

Russell got to meet the jolly old man himself. He thought he was pretty cool.

Next year he might have a better idea what's going on, but this is still one of those moments that melts a mommy's heart.

Making a habit.

2009-01-21T11:55:00.001-05:00

Good news, no sunburn from Monday! I have successfully gotten out for a run again today. They say it takes 21 repetitions to form a habit, I am up to 6. I shall continue.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 2 day 3. FINISHED WEEK 2!!
Start time: 9:15 AM MST
Run time: 34 minutes
Distance: 2.33 miles
Pace: 14.59 minute mile

Notes: We are supposed to have record highs today for January here in Phoenix, so I tried to do my run as soon as possible. Thankfully it is overcast today, so it was only 65 when I got out. Week 2 of the C25K training schedule is over, I start week three on Saturday. I dunno if I'm up for it, but we'll see.

A moment of hope.

2009-01-20T13:01:00.003-05:00

I just watched Obama's inaugural address, cross-legged on my living room floor with Russell in my lap.

I don't really know how to say how much that moment moved me. It defies words.

Somehow the gravity of the moment was greater now that I have a child.

Good Luck President Obama.

Milestone Tracker: First Tooth!

2009-01-20T11:19:00.003-05:00

On Wednesday last week, Russell's first tooth broke the surface. I found it when he chomped down on my finger!

As of yet, however, we still can't see it well enough to get a picture, but I didn't want to put off posting it any longer. It's just too exciting.

Besides, for someone with a memory as bad as mine, if I don't record it somewhere, I will never remember when it happened.

Happy Inauguration Day!

This time with H20!

2009-01-19T15:52:00.003-05:00

I think this could easily become a habit. Which is sorta the point, no?

After 2 fails, I finally found a running store here in Phoenix that carries hydration belts (a belt that has water bottles attached to it) for runners. You'd think that water consumption here in Phoenix would be a high priority for runners and the darned things would be easier to find.

So I bought one I really like, and took it on my run today.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 2 day 2.
Start time: 11:30 AM MST
Run time: 34 minutes
Distance: 2.35 miles
Pace: 14.47 minute mile

Notes: Perhaps noon in AZ is not the smartest time to go running any time of year. It was 78 and SUNNY when I went, and I was afraid I'd regret not a) wearing sunscreen and b) bringing all 4 bottles that attach to my belt. But, all's well that ends well and the two bottles were sufficient...and so far, no burn. Of course, with this fair skin, sometimes they develop over the course of the day. We'll see what the next few hours bring.

So far, the running is good, though tougher than I remember it being. I guess I just need to keep it up.

Running away.

2009-01-17T13:10:00.003-05:00

Quick notes on today's run.

(Russell's first Christmas post is below...somehow I managed to publish these posts in the wrong order)

Walk/Jog C25K Week 2 day 1.
Start time: 10:30 AM MST
Run time: 34 minutes
Distance: 2.35 miles
Pace: 14.47 minute mile

Notes: Another pretty day, and fantastically sunny. 63 degrees when I left the house. The second week starts making the running harder, and I could certainly tell. I now have no choice but to find a way to carry water, running in the desert without it is a quick way to kill yourself.

Russell's first Christmas Marathon.

2009-01-16T17:37:00.007-05:00

Part three in my holiday vacation '08 series.

We have always considered ourselves lucky that our parents live close together. That way, we never need to choose which parents to spend any visits with, we can see them all.

It does however, backfire on single-day holidays. On Christmas we go from house, to house, to house no fewer than four times, and have for several years. (In fact, a few years ago it was up around six, but we have cut back). This year we did it with a 6 month old! He was, in point of fact, the best. baby. ever. and handled it without the slightest fuss. His day (and ours) looked like this:

Stop 1:
Christmas Eve is always at the Georgi's, so on Christmas morning we wake up early and open stockings.

The Christmas elf made it seem not-so-early this year.

Then, we bundle everyone up into the car, and drive off to...

Stop 2: My mom's house for breakfast at 9am and gifts with that whole side of the family. Here is Russell being loved by Auntie Kim.

Russell got a wee bit overloaded with the huge group and all the noise, so he snuggled up with his new tiger and fell asleep in daddy's arms.

Then, the chaos subsides briefly, we jump back in the car and head a mile down the road to...

Stop 3: My dad's parents' house. My dad has graciously given up the trip to his house on Christmas and now meets us at Nana and Grandpa's for the holiday cheer and gift exchange.

Russell took his afternoon nap in Nana's arms. This pleased his great grammie no end.

Then, we pack it up again folks, we head to:

Stop 4: Back to the Georgi's.

Since the Georgi's are the only family without small children, they have allowed us to wait until 3 or so to come back and open gifts. Again, a really sweet gesture to accommodate our crazy schedules.

Russell really had a blast here, playing with all his Christmas wrapping paper

and boxes

that I don't know why anyone wrapped anything but empty cardboard for him.

Russell finally fell asleep in Grammie Ann's arms here. We put him to bed shortly thereafter.

He was such a good kid considering how long the day was. And whenever he was awake, he LOVED opening presents.

Merry first Christmas kiddo.

Another running post.

2009-01-14T12:16:00.003-05:00

I promise that one of these days I will get to more cute baby pics. But while I am trying to build this running habit, I refuse to skip a post.

Got out today after dropping Russell and Justin off. I don't usually like to take time away from working on my dissertation, but Russell had a really bad stomachache last night, and kept us up until 11pm, so getting up early to go run was not an option.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 1 day 3.
Start time: 9:30 AM MST
Run time: 40 minutes
Distance: 2.57 miles It should have been a 34 minute run, but I ended the proscribed intervals further from home than usual and it took an extra 5+ minutes to walk my butt home.

Notes: BEAUTIFUL day. 50 degrees, sunny, still and gorgeous. I am not missing New England January right now. Actually, although I lose a little work time, I should definitely do these during daylight once a week right now, just to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Pretty soon it will start to get ridiculously hot midday and I will be glad for my dawn runs.

I am now done with Week 1. Starting Saturday, I will start week 2. So far, infinitely doable.

I went running!

2009-01-12T12:22:00.003-05:00

This morning was week 1 day 2 of my running program, and I got out and did it!

Start time: 6:45 AM MST (I kid you not)
Run time: 30 minutes
Distance: 2.01 miles or so, I didn't pay very close attention, but it was mostly the same route as last time.

Notes: Cold desert predawn morning, I have NO idea what the temp was, but it was uncomfortable at first, probably about 45. I upped the challenge rating today though, and took the dog on my run. I took Sandy largely because it was dark when I started and I wanted the security of a furry friend. Turns out, she's in worse shape than I am, and has the attention span of a goldfish. I had to drag her butt the last few intervals. She's also a chicken, and when the recycling truck came by, she spooked.

I love my dog.

But the run felt good, and went quickly, largely because of the distraction.

Next run: Wednesday or Thursday, not sure which.

Tacky Gift Swap!

2009-01-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

I am blessed with dear friends from high school who are still friends after all these years. Every year, the gang gets together for our annual tacky gift swap. This annual affair is, if I remember correctly, 5 years old (correct me if I am wrong Kyle).

It seems that every year it gets harder and harder to schedule the whole gang together, and this year proved no exception. As a result we got together at 1:00 on Xmas Eve, sandwiching it between all of our family get togethers and celebrations. I was so busy having a darned good time that I forgot to take much in the way of pictures, only a few are worth sharing. (Ladies, if anyone has any to add, please send them my way!)

Kyle with Russell.

One of the 'classic' tacky gifts, I believe this gem of a tissue box cover is from a gift swap several years ago.

Elena, our 'little hostess' eschewing pants and opening gifts. Yeah, it was that kind of party!

Thanks Becky for hosting this year. See you ladies next year.

Attempt #40 at running again.

2009-01-10T11:32:00.004-05:00

So when I started running a few years ago, I used the "Couch to 5K program" from Coolrunning.com. It was great. It started me off running without burning out. It gave me an idea of what I "should" be able to do, and most of all, it gave me a forum for discussing failures and triumphs with others doing the same thing. By the end I was running over 5K at a time, and even entered and ran a few 5K races. I was in the best shape of my life.

Then I got pregnant. hee hee.

Now it's time to get back into shape. So I start again. Only this time, I have a few added advantages (and one major disadvantage).

Advantage 1: I've done this before and know I can.
Advantage 2: I know how GOOD it feels to be in shape, so motivation is less of an issue.
Advantage 3: I have found a series of podcasts (here) that have worked out all the timing and intervals and set them to music, so I don't have to go through the obnoxious process of timing them all out myself.

Disadvantage: I would rather be spending my time with this cutie:

But this morning I got up and went to do it.

Start time: 8:20 AM MST
Run time: 30 minutes
Distance: 2.01 miles
Notes: Chilly desert morning, 51 degrees and sunny (I know, those of you in the north only wish it were 51 in January). It felt good to get out. I WILL do this.

Happy Birthday to ME!

2009-01-09T08:30:00.003-05:00

I am 31 years old today. It sounds older than it feels.

As of this writing, we plan on going to Zoolights tonight at the Pheonix Zoo, and having a yummy dinner. But plans might change, just so long as I get to spend time with my family, I'm a happy girl.

The start of our holidays.

2009-01-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

We traveled back to Mass for the holidays for almost 2 full weeks, and as with any 'baby's first', Russell's first Christmas included literally hundreds of photos. I have sooooo much material, now I just have to find the time to post it all. It'll all be spread out over the next few weeks.

***
We traveled out to Mass on the 23rd. The 23rd is a day of maximum airport traffic, maximum crowds, maximum chance for disaster. Nope. We got to the airport early, got through security with minimal fuss, and got to the gate early enough that the flight before ours hadn't left yet.

I have almost perfected the security gauntlet with an infant. This time I didn't even forget that there were liquids in the diaper bag.

We settled in and entertained the little one. (Note his Christmas blanket; if you wait until the 20th to buy xmas stuff for your little one, things like this cost you only 98 cents.)

The flight from Phoenix to Manchester arrived early, Russell was a dream, our rental car was there waiting for us, and we got to my mom's house early enough so that Russell could play with his cousin and aunt (and a mechanical Reindeer that plays "Grandma got run over...").

It may not be home anymore, but it still is 'home for the holidays', and it was nice to know we'd be around family for a while.

But without the porridge.

2009-01-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

I have a pet peeve. (Ok, I have several, but that's neither here nor there.) I hate it when the blankets on the bed get turned around so that the tag sticks into my face at night. It annoys me.

So the other night, I climb into bed, and lo and behold there is a tag in my face. Erk. I make Justin (and the dog) get off the bed so we can rearrange the blankets so that the tag is not in my face. We climb back into bed.

As we are settling back in, Justin discovers that he has the tag for the other blanket in his face. The following exchange happens:

Me: (starting to get up) We can rearrange the blankets.
Him: Don't need to, I don't care.
(pause)
Him: We're like the three bears that way.
Me: (confused) Huh?
Him: You hate tags, Russell loves them, and I don't care either way.

Jus always makes me smile.

Russell playing with a tag on his jungle mat. He does indeed love them. He finds the on everything and then plays with them preferentially over the 'rest' of the toy. It's really cute.

A Happy New Year to You All!

2009-01-01T08:00:00.004-05:00

May it be filled with peace, joy, and prosperity.

For me, the new year is always a time of looking forward. (I will let the 'year in review' shows on every channel do the looking back for me. GO for it VH1!)

I decided to set a couple of goals for 2009. Some big, some tiny, all things I want to achieve in the coming year.

My goals for 2009:

*Finish my dissertation and Graduate. (First stage: do a minimum of 3 hours of work on it, every day, without fail.)
*Get a job.
*Knit myself a sweater or sweater vest - I haven't decided yet.
*Make a dent in my student loans.
*Something about running...I haven't formulated this one well yet. I want to get back out there, but I don't really have a concrete goal yet. Maybe something as simple as get out for a run at least once a week.

and, most important of all (wink)

*post at least one blog post a week for the whole year!

Has anyone else thought about what they want to do in the coming year?

We're in trouble soon.

2008-12-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Russell is nearly mobile-on-demand.

Right now, he rolls and scoots and rolls and scoots, and can get anywhere he wants to fairly quickly. But any day now...

Just before the holidays I left him for a couple of minutes (less than 10, I had a timer running for something else) and he found his way under his swing.

I guess it's time to invest in baby gates.

When vacant lots give you lemons.

2008-12-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

Reason #3 that I like Phoenix.

Across the street from Midwestern University (where Justin is working) there is a lemon grove. It's on property that belongs to Midwestern that they are not currently using, effectively a vacant lot. So, if one is so inclined, one can just walk on over there and pick whatever lemons you want.

Citrus is a weed here. How cool is that!

So, one day we stopped and picked a bunch of lemons. 'Cuz we could.

Then we let the baby play with them. 'Cuz we could. But it was cute.

And then I tried to get a picture of Jus, and this is what he gave me:

All told, we had way more fun than 5 free lemons ought to provide.

Success!

2008-12-26T08:30:00.002-05:00

I did it! A post every other day from 12/1 to 12/25! Maybe, just maybe, I have finally trained myself in the fine art of regular posting. Only time will tell.

But wait, there's more! I still have more to share in the coming weeks, so more bloggy* goodness for you. I am going to try and keep up the every-other day posting schedule as long as the content holds out.

And with a kid this cute, the content well may never run dry.

*bloggy (blo - gee), adj. 1) Related to or deriving from blog content. 2) total gibberish I just made up. Hey, it's the web, you're allowed to make up words, right?

Merry Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T12:50:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends the world over. May the new year be filled with Peace, Joy, and Prosperity for you and yours.

For us, Christmas is always a celebration of family and friends, seeing everyone we can, and enjoying the time with those we love.

I am looking forward to sharing that love with Russell for the first time.

Baby Kisses

2008-12-22T07:00:00.001-05:00

Russell learned how to kiss his mommy a month and a half ago.

There is nothing better than sloppy wet kisses given to you by your baby. Even if they are more like having your chin chewed on than kissed. It just can't be beat.

Reason #2...

2008-12-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

...that I like Phoenix.

There is a damn fine zoo. And I am a sucker for zoos. In fact, I am such a sucker for zoos, that the first day of our honeymoon was spent at the Seattle Zoo. That is how much of a sucker for zoos I am.

And the Phoenix zoo is fun.

(Please forgive the quality of pictures, for some reason the white balance on our camera was off...)

Now, technically this isn't Russell's first zoo trip. He went to the Bronx zoo with us in July, but I (ahem) lost the camera and didn't get those pics. (And if you want to get really technical, he went to the San Diego Zoo with Jus and I in April at -2 months old) But, this is now the first zoo trip which A) I have pictures for and B) He noticed he was at the zoo.

Now, 'B' may be pushing it, since at most of the exhibits he was looking at something fascinating, like the stroller. Or a tree. Or the little tag that sticks off of his pants. But he did notice a couple of animals. And I truly believe he had a good time.

Russell and Daddy looking at the Coati.

Russell and Daddy looking...well, cute

Russell and Mommy in front of the giraffe exhibit.

Of all the things at the zoo though, Russell LOVED the duck pond. But he was so tired, he fell asleep while watching the ducks.

We only did part of the zoo, but we got memberships so we could come and go as we please in the next year(s). What a treat to be able to share something I love so much with the Hug Monkey.

And I leave you with the following words of wisdom:

Giving of Thanks

2008-12-18T08:00:00.001-05:00

We had a lovely and quiet Thanksgiving here in Phoenix with friends who drove down from LA to spend it with us. We spent the day in our pajamas, played with the baby, ate and ate and ate, and spent the evening geeking out in front of our (4!) laptops. It was a great joy.

BTW: If you are looking for oodles of hilarity, both fail blog and cake wrecks are great ways to kill time!

However, between the baby and the culinary delights, my hands were full the whole day and I never once took my camera out and took pictures! How delinquent. It's probably better that way - we WERE all in our pajamas.

I hope all of my family and friends who live near and far had as lovely a holiday. I want to say thank you to all of you for making my life so full of joy and love.

And of all the things I have to be Thankful for this year, this one tops the list:

One of the hardest things I've done in a long time.

2008-12-16T08:00:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday I went to Long Island to meet with my advisor and get some progress made towards the dissertation.

WITHOUT RUSSELL.

Wow. Was I not ready for that.

I worried about it for weeks before hand. Did I have enough milk stored up for him? Was he going to have enough day care so that his daddy didn't have to miss work? Was he going to be OK without his mommy? Was I going to scar him for life?(!)

Turns out, I probably should have been worrying about whether I was going to scar me for life instead. I missed him constantly, and I missed him even more those times when I called home and Justin told me he had a bad morning, or a bad night. Add the fact that Justin was sick, and we have a case of MAJOR MOMMY GUILT.

When I finally landed in Phoenix, and passed through security, they were there waiting for me. I dropped my bags and grabbed my baby, elated to have him back where I could hug him. He took one look at me and his face turned bright red and his eyebrows furrowed and he yelled at me. Boy was he mad. I was clearly getting a rant to the tune of "How dare you leave me Mommy! I missed you and you were gone and I am so mad at you...etc." He did it for about 10 minutes. Damn near broke my heart. At one point he even threw himself towards daddy, hoping daddy would take him back and he wouldn't have to be held by "That awful Mommy person who abandoned me, she doesn't deserve to hold the baby!"

Thankfully, within minutes, he decided that having Mommy back might actually be more important than yelling at her about being gone. His face cleared up, and he snuggled in as close as he could and wouldn't let go of my shirt. I even got a smile, followed by a hundred more. He fell asleep in the car seat holding my hand on the way home, and when we finally got home, he was more than happy to be able to nurse again. Sunday I got a full day of baby time. We both needed it.

So, all told, a little rough on both of us, but we survived it.

Mommy guilt still has me worried that he won't trust me not to leave again. I hope not...

Visits

2008-12-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

I alluded to Jus' family visiting in my last post. They came out in mid-November. His folks had a wedding to attend in LA, and since they were already out on this coast, they figured why not grab Geoff and Tally (Geoff's dog) and drive down to Phoenix for a few days...

We did some fun stuff (like the hike) but mostly we just visited. And for that, I am truly grateful. It made the transition a lot easier. I am still having a hard time with the idea that my family is so far away. Knowing that visitors can and will come out, really made the move easier on me. I know they don't read my blog - but if they ever do, I thank you guys. I know you think that barging in when the boxes were hardly empty was hard on me, but it meant more to me than you can ever know.

Some highlights from the visit:

Russell thinks dogs are the coolest thing ever, and Tally thought babies were pretty interesting too.

Uncle Geoff with Russell.

The spectacular sunset.

And, Russell in Grammie's hat.

It was a good visit.

Welcome to Phoenix; now go take a hike.

2008-12-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

I guess I should get around to answering the burning question on everyone's mind.

I really like Phoenix. Here's one reason why.

Most of Phoenix is flat. No hills, flat. Then right in the center are a couple of smallish mountains that stick straight up out of the flatness. Which means there is mountain hiking right in the center of metropolitan Phoenix, and very popular with the locals. We went up one of the 'moderate' trails (read, slightly above my current fitness level.) Actually, Justin, Russell and I got 3/4 of the way up, and Jus' parents and brother (who were visiting at the time) took the two dogs the rest of the way up while I fed Russell and waited for their return trip. Proof positive that when this dissertation is done, I need to get some more exercise.

But the views were lovely. I leave you with pics.

Another technical note.*

2008-12-11T10:53:00.001-05:00

Now that I am paying much more attention to the blog, I realized the current comments settings weren't working for me, or for some of you for that matter.

I have therefore changed them, and if you weren't able to post a comment before you will be able to now. Keep in mind however, that your comments won't show up immediately, because I have to OK any comments that appear.

I think this new arrangement will be more satisfactory to me.

Happy reading...

*This post also does not count towards my "post every other day" promise...still not cheating.

Holiday Confusion

2008-12-10T07:00:00.002-05:00

So, I was a bad mommy. Ok, a distracted one. And when we moved from Long Island I packed Russell's Halloween costume on the truck.

The truck came on November 4th. Oooops.

So, Halloween had no costume for the baby. In fact, Russell spent his first Halloween lying around on the living room floor with his parents because we still had no furniture. We had lots of Trick or Treaters though, and gave out a ton of candy.

As an aside, I think the highlight of my night was early on. I gave out some candy to a cute little witch (the costume, not the child) and as I closed the door, I heard her say, "Daddy, those people have no furniture." I nearly cried I was laughing so hard. More children commented on it, but that first one was so sweet and cute. It was hilarious.

But, at least he had cute Halloween slippers his great grammie sent to him. (Thanks Nana!) Don't even get me started on how hard they are to photo on baby feet.

Russell loved them, they made rattling noises when he moved his feet. I think they contributed to his first "finding of his feet". He's playing with them here.

However cute, kitten booties do not a 'first Halloween' costume make. So, we did the next best thing for dressing him up for Halloween. We dressed him up for Election night! Yes, we had a big Election night party to go to with coworkers and friends from Justin's new job, so Russell wore his Halloween costume.

Besides, they were all anatomists, so they appreciated it.

Don't worry, next year he'll dress up for Halloween, not election night. We'd hate for him to get confused.

6 months old!

2008-12-08T07:00:00.003-05:00

Russell turned 6 months old on Saturday.

When he was born, I never thought I could ever love him more than that first moment in my arms. Boy was I wrong. I easily love him more than the day before each and every day.

In six short months, he has learned so much. I look forward to what comes next.

Daycare Evaluations.

2008-12-06T11:29:00.001-05:00

I have waxed poetic before about how much I adored my day care for Russell on Long Island. Turns out, it was a blessing and a curse.

Now I can't find one here I like.

Russell has been going to daycare here, three days a week, for three weeks now. And every day I walk out of there feeling not quite right when I drop him off. At first I thought it might just be that I was used to to ladies on Long Island, and after a week or two I would learn to love this center too.

Not. So. Much.

It's not that he isn't getting perfectly adequate care, he gets changed, and fed and he's safe there. It's just that, beyond that, I don't feel that he's getting anything at all.

So it's time to trust my gut. Yesterday, I went and found a new daycare.

First, I spent about an hour at the daycare I am currently using just to get an idea of a) whether I was just imagining that it wasn't what I wanted and b) what it was (if anything) that bothered me. Up until that visit, it had just been a 'something doesn't feel right' experience.

I highly recommend this tactic for ANY parent who has a kid in daycare. After a couple of weeks, go in and spend an hour. It's very telling. (And if they don't want you to - get your child out of there ASAP) Every daycare has a different personality. Every set of caregivers interacts differently with your child. An hour with them helps you see what your child's day is like. And, truth be told, I expect them to behave slightly better with a parent in the room. (It's like having your boss in the room - don't tell me you've never behaved better with the boss in the room.) You can evaluate the things that are important to you, not just what their literature and their 'tour guide/director' tells you are important.

After an hour at our current daycare, I went to a daycare I had contacted earlier about a space and just spent about 15 minutes sitting in their infant room and talking to the ladies there. I had Russell with me. I could see how they interacted with him (and me) and the other kids.

Now that I've had a daycare I love, and one I am uncomfortable with, I know what I am looking for. OK, at least I know better what I am looking for.

For me, a good daycare:

*Has to be clean. Now my house isn't gonna make the cover of Ladies Home Journal, and kids are messy (often all the way to disgusting) so I won't be all hypocritical and require it's so clean I can eat off the floor. But it has to smell good, or at least not smell bad. There can't be bits and pieces on the floors in the infant rooms. That sort of thing.

*Has to be safe. Duh. Not just babyproofing, but visitor flow control, no one in or out without reason, that sort of thing. It has been my experience that the chains have books worth of literature about how safe your kid is there. Do they have emergency plans? Do they have a nurse on site? Most of the time, this is all required by state law. Check that your state certifies the place.

*Has to have pleasant staff. This one is KEY for me. Easily the most important step, and what was missing at our current daycare. They have to interact with the kids in a pleasant way, talk to the adults...care. I want them to do more than tend to my child, I want them to care about him. The ladies on Long Island did. I need to be able to communicate and relate to the ladies taking care of my child.

Those are the basics. Without those three, my kid ain't going.

The place Russell is in now, is missing the third one. The ladies are nice enough, but they don't interact well with me, and they are so busy tending to diapers and bottles and putting out fires that they never really interact with the kids. That was what was missing.

And the new place has it. At least, it sure seems that way from my visit. I loved the way they engaged Russell when we went in. I loved the way that they had time to interact with the kids in the room. More than anything else, I loved the way they interacted with me. I was asked questions, and they were interested in Russell's development. (How old was he, was he sitting up on his own yet, etc.)

We will be putting in our two weeks notice at our current daycare on Monday. Russell will be starting at the new place in January after the holidays.

I feel so much better now.

Things may be out of sequence for a while.

2008-12-05T12:20:00.005-05:00

Just a heads up.

So, I've promised you a post every other day until Xmas. (This one doesn't count...don't worry, I'm not cheating.) Which includes a bunch of back-logged stuff and some current events.

I've decided that current events will go into the lineup as they happen, bumping back-logged stuff further back. So tomorrow you get a lovely post about my day-care dilemma (which is current) but it means that posts about Halloween and Thanksgiving get bumped further into December. Eventually I'll catch up with myself.

Until then, have fun watching my chronologically challenged brain at work.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming, with a gratuitous pic of the dog (who will be the first to tell you that she doesn't get enough love anymore.)

Ode to Monkey

2008-12-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

Russell was born with monkey toes. Big, long, prehensile, he-still-grabs-us-with-them monkey toes.

Add to that a long-standing joke in our household about the "Birthday Hug Monkey" and we have ourselves a guaranteed baby nickname.

Russell is our Hug Monkey.

Which, of course, means that many of the toys we have gotten him have had monkeys on them. Like jungle mat:

A better pic of Monkey.

Even early on, monkey was a favorite (this one is from August)

and then there is the classic photo which will probably get shown to his prom dates: "When Monkeys Attack"

We have hundreds of photos of our Hug Monkey with his monkey

I suspect monkey will be loved for a while.

I know our Hug Monkey is.

Is it December already?

2008-12-02T21:04:00.007-05:00

So much to do, so little time.

I have spoken to at least three of you in the last week. You know who you are, you faithfully check my blog...which, of course, makes me feel terribly guilty for having a piddling 1 post in the last month.

Without further ado (or unfulfilled promises) I have a post every other day until Christmas, all set and ready to go. This is my gift for you, the people who make the blog worthwhile. Happy Holidays.

...

About a month ago (gasp! time flies!) Russell started thinking about mobility. He started rolling over just before Halloween, which, is hard to get on camera. But, he did start picking himself up and looking darn cute whilst doing so.

Of course, we are lucky that saliva is clear, since our carpets are white.

That same day, I was playing with the camera and got a pretty good picture of mommy and baby.

Thursday: Monkeys!

But you'll forgive me if I post a cute baby pic, right?

2008-11-18T00:25:00.003-05:00

I have been WAY too busy to actually get any blogging done. In fact, I haven't even been running like I had planned. I promise to make up for it in the next few days.

Since my last post:

Working on this dissertation - of course.
Halloween (sort of)
The ELECTION!
We bought a new dining set.
Jus' family came down for a visit/mini vacation.
Unpacking.

You know, life.

I'll start to catch up with posting tomorrow, but it may be a few days before I get it all in.

In the meantime, a cute baby pic to make up for it.

Run by blogging.

2008-11-06T12:59:00.002-05:00

I'll have much more to talk about later, this week and a half has been crazy but rewarding.

Right now, I just wanted to note that I am starting up running again, and I finally got to go out this morning! And...I have decided to keep track on the blog of my progress. (Plus it will keep me posting more often)

Yay!

So, this mornings stats:

Start time: 7:05 AM MST
Run time: 23 minutes
Distance: 1.34 miles
Notes: Chilly desert morning, it was probably only 55 degrees out there, but sunrise is pretty out here. I didn't push myself, since it's been almost a year and half since I was really running, so lots of walking and slow jogging. But it felt good to get out there.

More moving and baby related stuff later. Now, back to work on my dissertation.

Milestone tracker: Solids!

2008-10-28T21:00:00.000-04:00

Our NY pediatrician gave me the ok to start Russell on solids about a month ago. However, I wanted to remove a level of complication from our lives, and wait until we both hit the west coast and he looked like he was interested.

Over the last week or so, he has begun swallowing his own saliva, being interested in the foods Justin and I eat, and, perhaps most importantly, being hungry ALL THE TIME. So last night, we tried some yummy rice cereal for the very first time.

Russell at like a champ, seemed to 'get it', and did a great job keeping it in his mouth. It helped, I am sure, that I made it very very thin so it was mostly the spoon that was new.

I admit, there was a bittersweetness to it for me. He's already getting big, and he's only 4 months old.

I am a worn out baby.

2008-10-26T23:49:00.005-04:00

I wish mom and dad knew how tired I am after the last few days.

First, the movers came and took all of our boxes and put them in a big truck. Mom was at work finishing up stuff when they came, so she wasn't around to take any pictures. But the movers were nice and all stopped to play with me between loads.

After the movers left we went to movie night and said goodbye to our Long Island friends.

Then mom and dad spent 24 hours cleaning the apartment, which took far longer than they thought it would. I sat in my bassinet and played with my rattle and was a very good boy the whole time.

Then we drove up to Mass to visit all of my relatives. It was cold there.

Then we got on a PLANE! I've never been on a plane before, but I was a very good boy and slept most of the way there. I was so good that a few people even told mommy and daddy how good I was when we deplaned in Phoenix. One lady at the baggage claim said she didn't even know there was a baby on the plane.

We drove to our new home and Sandy was glad to see us.

When we got there, we had lots of presents waiting for us. The nice lady who watches the dog left a welcome home basket for us and a toy for me.

Great Nana also sent us a Halloween package, and it included cute booties with kitties on them for me. I wouldn't hold my feet still enough for mommy to get a good picture though.

There is no furniture here yet. Mommy says it will come next Monday or so. Until then, I get to play on the floor.

Tomorrow daddy goes back to work, and mommy says she has to work on her dissertation. Maybe then I will finally be able to get some rest!

Moving Day

2008-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

The moving truck comes today! The boxes all leave my house today! We are officially no longer Long Island residents today!

Woo Hoo!

Now, back to packing/cleaning/etc.

Disclaimer: This post was actually written on Friday night and scheduled for today, because I KNEW I wouldn't have the time, energy, or inclination to post today.

Pic of the day: sleeping baby edition

2008-10-20T20:00:00.000-04:00

I let him sleep in my bed the other morning. He was too cute to not take a picture.