Light the corners of my mind...

So, as you probably know, Woodland Mama gave us a blog assignment. (I suggested the idea... I thought it'd be fun and now I'm the last to do my homework. Bad teacher.) Since I am a visual learner I chose a memory that had accompanying photos.

When we were younger there were two ice cream parlors on our family's radar. There was Jeromes in Scottsdale shopping center. (I couldn't read yet though so I thought it was dromes) And there was Farrell's in Ford City. The confusion began, at least for me, because Liza called Farrell's "Drums". (They used to bang a loud drum when singing happy birthday and because that was so cool, a lot of people went there for their birthday. Liza did not like those drums though. She would sometimes moan "no drums" and cover her ears. We know she was little, but Jen and I would want to hide her in the closet because of our burning desire to get to go.)

In any case, Farrell's rocked my little world. I loved the "marble" tables and the pleather banquettes. I loved the old timey photos and fonts (I didn't know it was called a font then.). I loved the piles and piles of whipped cream and maraschino cherries in a way that only a little kid CAN love maraschino cherries. I loved the straw hats and striped shirts the employees wore. But most of all, I loved the candy store. I loved that candy store in a way that is sort of difficult to explain.
First of all, let me be clear in telling you that we almost never got anything from the candy store. I am not telling you this in an "I was so deprived" kind of way. Honestly, I don't think I could have handled it if my mom or dad said, "Go pick out one thing." My little brain would have surely short-circuited. I just wanted to look. The Farrell's candy store was a thing to behold. Hundreds of colorful, confectionery masterpieces were suspended together on racks and poles that blew my little five year old mind. I just wanted to sit and stare at it for hours.

We went to Farrell's on my birthday and Jen's birthday. I don't think we went for Liza's. And while, after twenty-five years or so the visits are lumped together in my mind, I vividly remember the sheer thrill that news of a visit to Farrell's brought me and the awe of the wall of lollipops.

In searching for photos for this post I read the rather interesting history of the Farrell's franchise. There is one open again in Santa Clarita, California. If I ever find myself there I would probably feel compelled to stop, but I also fear I would leave disappointed.

Friends

I've gotten a small amount of grief from Joel and my family when I talk about bringing Dexter to playgroup. Yes, they're small. (Especially Dex who is the youngest by three months.) The babies seem to enjoy each others company. They make a lot of noise and smile a lot when we're together, plus it provides new toys to drool on. It is also really nice to have the connection with other mothers. (Also, when it was so cold in January I was glad to have a nearby place to go when I needed to get out of the house.)

I've been back at work for two hours and no tears yet! It isn't so bad to be back. So far most of the students have been very glad to see me and that makes me feel good. (Just wait until they get their first assignments.) Could I BE anymore of a drama queen?

New Tricks...

Dexter learned how to roll over on purpose this weekend. Now it is old news to him. Tomorrow I head back to work. Sad. It will be pretty difficult to leave this face in the morning.

Dear God,
Please break my mother's camera. She is torturing me. Everytime I turn around she has that thing pointed in my face. The time to act is now. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dexter Barr

The couch potatoes

So our little family has gotten into the bad habit of turning the TV on pretty regularly. I used to be good about only turning it on if there was something specific to watch; now I just turn it on because it is there. Yesterday I hit a new low by watching a rerun of Who's The Boss. (I don't care if it WAS the 80's. There is no excuse for Judith Light's hair.) Then today I watched (on TV of course) a segment about how many Americans are suffering from sleep deprivation and one cause is the TV. (duh. Makes sense.) So...I am making a little challenge with myself and forcing Joel to go along. We're going to shut off the TV at 8:00 on weeknights and hopefully wean ourselves down from there. (Though I will have to record a few shows that I love to watch later or on the weekend.) I hope it lasts longer than the other challenges I have undertaken. (Who can forget the snooze alarm debacle of '03 and the 40 hours I lasted on the Atkins diet in the height of that craze? Mmmm bacon.) Anyhoo, I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Also, don't spoil what happens on ANTM tonight because I am taping it to watch tomorrow.

Dexter designed accessories...

it's what all the stylish ladies will be wearing this spring.

Over the last few days Dex has been laughing, grabbing at his toys, and babbling pretty often. We are having so much fun talking to each other. I am also having mixed feelings because it is the countdown to my return to work. On the one hand, I actually miss my job and won't mind seeing my students again. On the other hand it will be pretty difficult to leave this little man every day. Luckily, Joel will be home for two weeks with him; that should ease the transition.

Here he is wearing his hat from Lithuania.

Warmer Weather

Dexter and I have been enjoying the warmer weather. Last night we went to book club and later today we're going for a walk. First we decided to stretch out in the sunlight on the floor of the living room.

They grow up so fast part 2...

All of a sudden my little newborn has become a baby. He's smiley and giggling. He engages when people make eye contact and talk to him. He has also grown out of several of his 3-6 month jammies. He isn't so skinny anymore either; he's got baby chubby cheeks.
It doesn't end with just Dexter either! Rory has a new haircut that makes her look so much like my sisters and I did when we were younger. She looks like a girl...no longer a toddler. Iain will be ten (!) in May and he'll have his first sleepover. (Though hopefully not his ear pierced as we were able to do at 10.) And Donovan! Mr. GQ is hardly recognizable these days. Liza's friend said he looked like a rock star at her party. Don't tell him though. We don't want it to go to his head.

Three Day Weekend!

Hooray for long weekends. We get more time to hang out as a family and occasionally have out-of-town visitors. Iain proved himself to be a great babysitter and big cousin. We had a fun party for Liza, saw a few good movies and spent some quality couch time. Who could ask for anything more?


This last picture is a bit outdated, but we don't have too many family photos.

Ichabod Crane

Dex had his two month check up a few days ago. Since he is still playing catch up on the gaining weight...his 11 lbs 1oz put him in the 25th percentile for weight. His length and head size, on the other hand, are 75th percentile so, like his dad, he is long and skinny. I should be so lucky.

My funny Valentines

Joel and I spent a quiet evening at home staring adoringly into the eyes of our little cutie. We didn't do anything special; just spent time with each other. Nothing is more romantic than that.

Beggars/choosers

I have a problem! I have been so tired, all I wanted Dexter to do was sleep sleep sleep. Now he is finally doing it and I keep checking on him to make sure he is OK because he doesn't ever sleep this much!

Things I like...

Probably most things were better in the good old days. It seems every generation thinks so. Even I am guilty of bemoaning the state of the modern world because things were so much better when I was growing up. (Halloween, playgrounds, shopping malls, etc.) However there are times when technology and modern advancements can actually be an improvement on the way things used to be. So, at the risk of being called Barbie, I am going to occasionally blog about them under the category "Things I like..."

*The Bundle Me by JJ Cole. This fabulous little invention is attached to Dex's car seat. I can zip him in on cold days and not worry about putting him in a horrendous "I can't put my arms down" kind of snowsuit. Plus, when he is in it, little old ladies just say, "I wish I had one of those" instead of yelling at me for bringing the baby out in such weather.

*Trader Joes... I know that many corporate places are ruining the nations economy and threatening our individuality, but try as I might, I just can't find anything wrong with Trader Joes. Yes, I love mom and pop groceries, (family- remember Henry's Finer Foods/Seven Day? Joe's Butcher Shop with Hole in One Doughnuts?) But I must admit to being Trader Joes obsessed. The prices! The healthy, yummy foods! The funny writing in their sale paper! The customer service!

*Organized play dates... Okay, I'm going to get some flack for this...but the neighborhood organization that puts together play dates has been helpful to me. I like the women I am matched up with, and now have met other women in my neighborhood who have kids around the same age as Dexter. Plus now I don't have to bore my family and friends with all my breast feeding stories. (Though I do anyway.)

*www.imdb.com: If you are a movie/TV/and trivia lover what could be better than the Internet Movie Database? (There you are watching Godspell. Who is that guy playing Jesus? He looks SO familiar. IMDB it and you find out Holy Crap! It's Victor Garber, the father from Alias. Plus you can find out when movies are coming out. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? Sorry. Not until 2008.)

*Netflix. I always return movies late. Now I just have to mail them at my leisure. Plus it seems the fastest way to mail them is by leaving them sticking out of my mailbox for the mailman. How lazy can you be? LAZY! And, they have so many more movies AND TV shows. Plus, I don't agree with the politics of the CEO of Blockbuster so now I don't have to give them my money anymore.

So see? Even though I heart nostalgia, sometimes progress can be a good thing. While I don't think you should sell your soul to the devil for the sake of a bit of convenience, why not recognize a good thing when you see it? Plus coming up with a new invention is one embodiment of the American dream. Sometimes progress can be a good thing.

The Happiest Baby on the Block...

Well, I thought I was boring the audience with Dexter pictures, but his auntie just requested an update. This is the smile that is entertaining me and warming me up on this rather blustery day.

Since we've no place to go...

So we're still indoors today, though I hear it will be a balmy eighteen degrees on Friday and we're definitely headed out of the house if that is the case, Dex and I are making our own fun. First we experimented with the hippie baby carrier. Then we hung out in the sun on the living room floor and pretended it was summer because the sun is shining so bright.

Well, it is pretty darn cold outside. Our hot water pipe to the shower froze on Sunday. But we fixed it and I can't wait for that $275 hot bath I'm going to have tonight! I guess I am pretty lucky that I don't have to go anywhere, but I am getting a bit of cabin fever. Joel told me to leave the house last night even for just a little while. I have never enjoyed a trip to CVS and Starbucks more, let me tell you.

But Dex and I are having fun together at home. He is so smiley and even a bit giggly lately. He definitely recognizes his mom and his dad. Last night when Joel walked in the door and spoke to me Dexter grinned from ear to ear, even before he saw him. Tomorrow he is two months old. Time flies.

Here is the backyard view we are checking out as I type...

Even though the results were disappointing, we had fun at our Superbowl party. (I ate and surfed the net during most of the game, but I did make some Blue and Orange cupcakes.)

So I told you I'm not the biggest fan...

but I guess Dexter is.

Although I occasionally miss going to Happy Hour...

Nothing beats a Friday night at home.

I know that Liza is excited about the release of the last Harry Potter book, but I have to tell you it makes me kind of sad. As of July 21, 2007 I'll never have another Harry Potter book to look forward to.

The Hungry Caterpillars

My hungry little boy wants to eat ALL the time.

Like mother like son...

Last night Dex went to his first party with Joel's musician friends. We had to dress him appropriately. He's been such a good boy...sleeping for a very long stretch at night. (Five to six hours.) Very nice.

Hey lady, leave me alone!: A Photo Essay

It's the same old song but with a different meaning...

For years mothers have been struggling with the dilemma of staying home to raise their children or working to support their family. Now, I know it isn't always a choice, but for the sake of this post I'll discuss it like it is. When Joel and I were thinking about buying a house we had many discussions about whether or not it was the right time. Taking on our rather substantial mortgage to buy the best house we could find for the cost eliminated the possibility that either one us would ever be able to stay at home with the kids. We are, like many other families I know, a two income family in order to own a home. (Yes, we could have spent less money, but we would have had to live in a neighborhood where we wouldn't have felt as safe or put so much money into the house we'd be in the same financial situation.) At the time, and even now, I believe that was the right choice FOR US. I wanted to be able to create a world rich with traditions like having a yard to play in, a place to mark their growth on the wall, with the added bonus of home equity to give us a bit of security. The downside of this is getting to miss out on some of the day to day stuff that I'd get to see if I stayed home, as well as the worries that might come about from putting Dex in daycare. But now that Dex is here and I spend each day with him, I begin to dread the thought of leaving him each day. I am very fortunate to have close family members and friends who will take care of him for this school year so that he won't be in daycare until September; however, I still hate the thought of leaving him each day. So this is how I console myself:

*Dex will adjust just fine. He has a ton of people who love him; especially his mom and dad who will hate to leave him each day but are doing it in order to provide the best life for him that they can.

*Joel and I are fortunate to even have this dilemma because we are lucky enough to be educated and employable. We both love what we do and love it all the more because it enables us to care for our family.

*Although teaching has its downsides, the hours are definitely an upside and we will be able to spend more time with him than any other full time job would allow.

So, yeah, this is some of what drifts through my mind between feedings and playing, and rocking Dex to sleep, and working on the yearbook, and laughing at the state of my house. Don't worry though; I am not letting this get too much in the way of enjoying the time that I do have to be home with him.

This is a little picture I like to call "Big Head, Tiny wrists".

This little piggy holds his own bottle...

Look at that happy guy. Guess what? Last night he slept from 9:30pm- 3:30am...the longest stretch ever by far. Then, he slept again from 4:15-8:00! I haven't slept so long since December 5th. Hooray! I feel sort of human again. I hope this is a trend and not a one off.

In other news...the Bears won. hooray. (lowercase letters to show lack of enthusiasm). Do you think there will be another Superbowl Shuffle? Gross. Also, look at Dex's cool cousins. We had so much fun at the farm last weekend.

Confession...

I don't really care about the Bears. I try. I am one of those people others mock when they say "name two Bears players", 'cause I can't do it. (Though, maybe because I know Brian Urlacher, even if I can't spell it. Plus, there's the guy who has been on the news...Tank something. Johnson? Williams Jr.? Plus, I guess I know there is a cute one with an unpronouncable name.) My friends are all really into it and go to games even if it is zero below. But me, if you invite me to your superbowl party, I'm only coming to eat your chili cheese dip and find the other secret football haters.

Dex has been good about doing his morning workout at the baby gym. Me, on the other hand... I'm too busy eating brownies for breakfast. I have a crazy sweet tooth which I irrationally blame on nursing.

The Baby Burrito

A friend recommended a baby book called The Happiest Baby on the Block. Since I have ADD lately I got the DVD instead. It essentially involves wrapping Dex up like a burrito. Turning him on his side almost as if I am playing him like a guitar and jiggling him like jello on a plate. I am not saying this is the answer to all my parenting prayers (ahem, family members who mocked me), but it does seem to calm Dex down. It looks pretty ridiculous though.

In other news...I have a social engagement sans bebe planned in the coming weeks! My first night out with the girls while Joel stays home. Where to? Showtunes at Sidetracks of course! I have the Wicked Soundtrack on right now to get me warmed up.

And I have no book recommendations because time to read right now is limited until I finish my yearbook deadlines. I keep trying, but as soon as I open a book I fall asleep drooling onto the pages. However, if I could read, these are what I am interested in currently:

About Alice

Love is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time

The Book Thief: The True Crimes of Daniel Spiegelman (Written by a friend; I can't wait to read it)

Ahab's Wife (Jen highly recommends this book. I will read it soon because I think I'll like it, but it is on the long side.)

Hide (Lisa Gardner is one of my favorite suspense writers; this doesn't even come out for another two weeks, but I do usually find her books to be page turners.)

And, of course because I am a new mother totally obsessed with pictures of the kid...isn't he the cutest baby?

Some things I have learned while staying home with the baby...

• Sometimes Dexter looks at me so lovingly it melts my heart.
• Sometimes Dexter looks down his nose at me (like when I am bouncing him in his chair at the specific pace neccessary to prevent his tears). I swear his expression says, "You fool. You will answer to my every whim and love it. I am the boss of you. Hahahahahah."
• The View is pretty stupid, but will keep you entertained while breastfeeding. Ditto for Reba and What I Like About You. (Reba is actually kind of funny.) Not the case with Maury, Tyra, and any Courtroom TV show. Those shows are bad in the unwatchable way.
• My house is kind of messy, but at least it isn't dirty.
• My huge pregnancy appetite hasn't gone away.
• Traffic is a lot lighter during the day and Dexter loves the car.
• Although I still don't let Dex sleep in the bed with us at night, I have given in to get an afternoon nap in, and it is my favorite time of day. (Not just for the sleep but for the snuggling.)
• Time flies! I can't believe how fast the days pass.
• I am tired. and...
• This motherhood stuff is the hardest and most wonderful thing I've ever done.

What's cuter than a baby in a funny hat?



A baby sleeping!



Dex and I are enjoying a very nice day at home today after a day from Aitch Eee double hockey sticks yesterday. (Did I really just write that out? What next? Mom jeans?) This maternity leave thing is really nice...

Social Butterflies...

A few days before Christmas I left the house for the first time with Dex and without Joel (sort of). I had to follow him to take his car in to the shop. It was a very short trip, but you would have thought I was traveling to Darfur or something; I was that terrified the whole time. My knuckes were white as I gripped the steering wheel trying to wrap my brain around the enormity of trusting my driving enough to transport the cargo that was most precious to me. I didn't even remember to bring a diaper bag. I couldn't wait to return to the safety of my home. Fast forward two weeks and I am happy to report that Dex and I went out together on Wednesday and today. We visited with a few friends and even hit the grocery store. I still get overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of this little guy, but we are handling it together. Not to say that there won't hundreds of other scary points in this adventure, but I am glad that initial terror has abated somewhat.

The guessing game...

Two weeks ago when Dex would scream his head off he could only be calmed down with the Soothie brand pacifier. (Our family rather crudely calls them plugs.) But those are apparently SOOO 2006! Today after much screaming and spitting of said Soothie back at mommy, we have learned that only the Nuks will do in the new year.

In college I wrote essays comparing literature based on a post modern point of view to a second wave feminist point of view. As a teacher I have researched multiple strategies for literacy development. Now... I am writing about which type of Binky works the best??? I wouldn't change a thing, but it makes me laugh. And truthfully this research has much more relevance and practical application than the college essays. (Though it is fun to think about what those second wave feminists would think about the image of the Soothie posted above.)

2007!

This year I resolve to...

Enjoy time with my son every day

Be the kind of mom I can feel proud of

Appreciate the wonderful things about my husband and not get worked up over petty arguments (Look at how handsome my guys are up there!)

Stop enjoying gossip

Stop biting my nails (this is on the list every year)

Be less judgemental

Learn how to spell judgmental

Work out more and feel bad about my body less

Make healthier choices about eating

Keep a nice garden

Learn a craft (stained glass? Sewing? Stripping and refinishing wood?)

Be more sarcastic on the blog so Pete won’t call me Barbie anymore

Stop biting off more than I can chew

Don’t procrastinate the yearbook deadlines

Be more positive about work

Go on more camping trips

Get over myself and my quest for perfection