A Game of Operator

Shelagh was looking at birds outside this morning and saw a cool looking black and multi-colored bird. Joe had told her last week that it was an Oriole. We were all whispering and looking out the window and she said "Mommy, is that a cookie bird?". I took me a minute to figure out that she thinks the bird is an Oreo bird. So funny.

Just Being Kids

I came to an unpleasant realization about myself recently. I have a lower tolerance than I'd like for letting the kids just be kids. Being a generally Type A, semi-rigid person (I'm probably being generous here) who likes routines and has distress when things get out of my control are just some reasons I get impatient with the kids. In stepping back and really looking at some of the things that they have been doing that irritate me, I've come to the conclusion that some of these things are NO BIG DEAL. The kids are generally just being kids. I think I've spent so much time in my life taking care of myself, of things, of people around me and of making sure that everything is in place and things are moving forward that I forget that everything doesn't have to have a purpose; that silliness is fun; that letting loose is not only good but necessary. I'm working on lightening up. It's hard. While I like to have fun and am generally a person who laughs and likes ridiculous stuff, I have a very serious side and the two rarely mix. Thank God that Joe embraces this so easily and naturally. I need to take a lesson out of his book in this case and just slow down, appreciate the moments, and have some FUN with them. Motherhood is not all about taking care, doing, cleaning, organizing, scheduling, and manners. PLAY.

Movies: Star Trek

We dropped the kids at my mother in laws this past Saturday morning and ran off to the movies to catch Star Trek. I'm not a Trekkie, but I did watch the show at my dads house every other weekend when I was a little kid and was looking forward to J.J. Abrams rendition.

FANTASTIC. It was seriously awesome. Casting: Zachary Quinto from Heroes as young Spock - perfect. Spock - cool. Chris Pine - HOT and such a good performance as young Kirk. Sulu, Bones, Uhura, Scotty - all on the money. Eric Bana, who I think is a bit dull, was a great choice as Nero. Even was digging Winona Ryder as Spocks mom. Effects: The ships were insanely cool. The music was great. I cried at the beginning and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. LOVED IT! Joe is not that into Star Trek generally and he really loved it too.

J.J. might be a guarantee at this point...Alias, Lost, Fringe, Star Trek, for sure. I liked Cloverfield and Mission Impossible III. He must do a Star Trek sequel.

Precious Moments

When my head is splitting the other evening and without hesitation my husband leans over and rubs my temple for me. He constantly rubs my shoulders. He starts helping as soon as he comes in the door at night. He calms me if I'm agitated and reminds me to look beyond the moment and relax. Which I need often.

When I'm putting Kelly to sleep and it's dim in her room with only the light of dusk streaming in under the shade...she nurses quietly and while she lounges in my arms, her hand gently brushes my skin and caresses back and forth. She grabs my shirt now and then and then releases it, waves her arm around and settles back down. Every once in awhile she looks up at me and gives me the hugest smile, then resumes nursing. Heaven.

When I'm tucking Rory in at night I lean down for a hug and ask him "Will you be my love?". He answers "Yes, Mommy, I will be your 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, and a million Love" and he nuzzles into my neck and wraps his arms around my neck for a big squeeze.

When I'm tucking Shelagh in at night and she gives me my favorite hugs...the Pat-Pat hug is when she puts her arms under mine and gently pats my back while hugging. The Arm-Wrap hug is when she then puts her arms around my neck, plants a kiss on the lips, and gives me the best bear hug of all time. She knows they are my favorite kinds of hugs and she loves giving them.

The Journey from 1 to 5...

At her 1st Birthday Party eating cake for the first time...

Tonight on her 5th birthday so pleased with her yellow smiley balloon and her JP Licks Oreo Ice Cream Cake (which was awesome, by the way)...

Sick Kid on 2nd Day of Work

It's Murphys Law, right?
So, for my first week back at work I was in the office on Day 1. On Day 2, I had to work at home with Shelagh sick (today). She had a high fever yesterday and fell asleep at 645 last night, but she seems to be doing better today and enjoying the longest run of TV watching she's ever had. On Day 3, I have to take off b/c I have some DR appointments for Kelly that I couldn't reschedule. Nice and reliable, I am. What a great first impression for the guy I'm working for on my new project who is new and doesn't know me. Awesome.

On a funny note, Shelagh decided to put together a list of the things she needs to do to get better so that she can go back to school tomorrow. You see, tomorrow is her 5th birthday. Her best friend at school shares her birthday and she is dying to celebrate with her class on the exact day. I'm not at work anyway, but it would be such a pain to bring her with Kelly and I to Boston and then shop for balloons and cake for her when she is with me. I'd much rather surprise her.

First Day Back at Work

Is not going so bad...

1. I didn't cry when I dropped off Kelly, even though she did her first real belly laugh last night and I was so sad thinking about leaving her. The laughing was awesome. She is ticklish and was cracking up.
2. I got through all 750+ emails this morning with less than 10 not deleted. Yay.
3. I've managed to navigate all the inevitable access problems, etc after being locked out during my leave.
4. I've managed to avoid the director on my new project until now.
5. I've caught up with some friends.
6. I've not eaten any chocolate yet today which is HUGE. I'm usually non-stop into the candy at work.

It's not so bad.