Settling In

I know it has been a while since I blogged. And to be honest, I think I at least have a pretty decent excuse.

Today is only Tuesday and I am flat out exhausted. All of the mental and emotional distractions that I avoided or ignored or displaced or just didn't seem to have last week - have hit in full force.

My new job is all it promised to be - challenging and stimulating and a big step up in terms of role and responsibility. I think the last time the "first two days" of anything were so busy was when I had LP. Before that maybe when I started college.

I think the transition to full time work is having more of an impacted than I anticipated. Not on the girls really - they are really excited that I am home in the morning to help get them up and ready for school - more on the Hoos and I. Previously, I was the one with flexibility and long-term stability in my work environment. I was the first call day care made if the girls were sick or had an incident or accident and I was able to drop everything and rush to the rescue when needed. For the next few weeks, the Hoos has to take on that responsibility.

And, of course, while they were 100% fine last week when I was home and available, today at 1 - when I was about to call someone to postpone a conference call to jump into an impromptu meeting with an out-of-town visitor, my cell phone rang. LP landed funny when jumping (or falling) off something in the playground. She was complaining about foot pain and insisting on being carried everywhere. There was no swelling and any injury wasn't obvious beyond what she said or did, but her complaints were consistent and persistent.

We worked it out that the Hoos picked her up to take her to the pediatrician around 4. Two and a half hours, an x-ray and an ace bandage later, we are no closer to uncovering the cause of her wincing. Although, for perhaps the first time the Hoos got to spend the afternoon at the doctor's office. With an uncomfortable whiny child. It sucked. Not that I know this because he told me - he took it like a champ and is totally my hero - but because I have been there.

Bedtime wasn't a dream, but again the Hoos bore the brunt. I am totally appreciative of him picking up the slack - and accepting the lackluster dinner I put on the table.

So, while the new job is busy as all get out, I am still happy to have made the move. I got invited to the company's management team meeting next week - not as an agenda item or observer - but as a participant. That is pretty awesome. I know that after the short term adjustment and some minor hiccups and foot injuries we will be back on track. And hopefully I will be back to blogging more frequently.

A Day Without LP is Like...

About two months ago, the Hoos and I booked my in-laws to babysit LP overnight for this past Saturday. Our actual request was "Do you have any free Saturday nights coming up during which you would want to watch our most beautiful, well-behaved daughter?" and the 22nd happened to be available.

We didn't have any events we had to attend, there was nothing special planned, we just figured we might as well get in a few last date nights before we welcome Bun into our home. Because finding someone (even relatives) to babysit for a newborn and a toddler simultaneously...is probably not going to be easy.

We went out for a nice relaxing dinner and then went to the $4 movie theater and saw National Treasure 2. The movie wasn't great, but it didn't really matter. Truth be told it was nice to have some time to concentrate on myself and the Hoos. I didn't have to duck flying food, pick stuff up from the floor, order something that I thought might be amenable to a toddler, or conduct any diaper sniffing. And then, when we returned home from the movies around 10:30, I still had enough energy to sit like a lump on my couch and enjoy ice cream with my hubby.

Sunday morning I probably woke up around 8, but I didn't actually move until 9:15 or so. Shortly thereafter the Hoos said, "Do you want to get up or should I?" My only response, "Why?" Because, really, what need did I have to get out of bed? I could take a leisurely shower later, eat breakfast whenever I wanted and without sharing, and in general not feel guilty about being lazy.

We found out later that LP slept until 9:30 at my in-laws' house, but I will not curse their good fortune. In fact, I will use it as an "argument" when I need to convince them or my parents to babysit again (not like they need much convincing). When you have a toddler that sleeps until 9:30, who can complain?

During the day on Sunday the Hoos and did a whole bunch of random activities. We were both able to accomplish things we needed to without feeling guilty that the other person had their hands full. It is very rare that we can undertake different activities at the same time (except during nap time). I did laundry, went to the grocery store, and watched some basketball. The Hoos worked on his kayak (still a work in progress in the basement) and installed a new smoke detector in our bedroom (I offered moral support and played the important role of being prepared to knock him down if he got electrocuted). One of the best parts was taking a stroll around our neighborhood together. It was nice to get to walk and hold hands. I can't even remember the last time that happened.

Of course, both the Hoos and I missed LP. We were very excited to see her, and she us, when we picked her up later that day. It is true, everything is better with LP and I can't remember life before her. Some time apart definitely makes me appreciate just how full my life has become since I became a mom.

Ewwww! (I think?)

PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG POSTING MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR SOME READERS. E.G., IF YOU ARE RELATED TO ME. IF YOU ARE RELATED TO ME AND STILL READ IT, NO COMMENTS, PLEASE.

Today's NY Times has an article about people remaining sexually active as they get older. Nearly 38% of men and 17% of women over the age of 75 interviewed reported having had sexual contact with another person in the last year.

A few items are of interest here, methinks.

1. Good for them! I would still like to be in this category when I am over 75.
2. Then again, maybe not. Don't parts start to fall off or not feel so great as you get older? I already feel creaky at times and I am not even middle-aged yet.
3. The disparity between the numbers. Who are these guys hitting? Are there 10 women like "Blanche" from the Golden Girls that put out for everyone?
4. Why did they feel the need to add in "with another person"? That just makes it sound sad.

There should be a joke - What is worse than walking in on your parents being intimate? Walking in on your grandparents being intimate. More likely, being the old people getting walked in on.

Singing in the Rain

Last night, like most nights, the Hoos, LP and I went for a walk after dinner. We have a few "standard" routes through the neighborhood, the longest of which is 2 miles and takes about 35 minutes. We really cherish these walks, not only for the exercise and the fresh air, but because they give us the time to catch up with each other.

As we neared the apex of our walk - the furthest possible point from our house, the sky darkened considerably. Unconvinced that this was due to the increasingly earlier sunset (it was almost 8pm, after all) we picked up the pace a bit and pulled the shade down on the stroller. A quarter mile later rain drops caused steam to rise up from the pavement. This lasted a minute or two and the precipitation abated, or at least it let up enough for us to let our guard down and slow down the pace.

A half mile later, about a quarter of a mile from out house, the sky really opened up and huge drops splashed down. The Hoos and I started to run. This was easier for me, since the Hoos was pushing a not-so-happy LP in the stroller. Of course, our house is at the top of an incline, which makes the last couple of blocks pretty miserable even when it isn't raining. Since I wasn't wearing a white t-shirt, it didn't much matter to me if I got wet. It actually felt nice and the Hoos and I laughed while LP shouted miserably.

It is amazing how small activities like this remind me why I love my husband so much. We had a great time running in the rain and even LP giggled a bit once we got her into the house.

It was Mrs. Peacock - In the Study!

This week several research reports have been released that I think state the obvious. I am just glad that they were not government-funded studies that funneled dollars away from more important things.

First, did you know that women wield the decision power in marriages? If you didn't you are either a. single; b. living under a rock; or c. a very stupid man. However, Iowa State University sponsored a study on this topic, observing 72 married couples to see who carries the most influence in a household. I guess I am glad that there is now "scientific proof" to support what I already knew. Actually, on a more serious note, the study notes that women are better in problem-solving discussions, constructing more powerful arguments in support of their view thereby convincing their husbands to concede. It is good to see that people are moving away from the moronic ideas that during a serious discussion women either cry or withhold sex in order to get their way.

The second study, which I believe was released today, reaches the conclusion that working moms prefer part-time work. A whopping 60% of working mothers (12 percentage points more than in 1997) have come to the conclusion that working part-time is better than working full-time.

Once again, the most interesting part of the study is not the part that made headlines. The data on how moms rate themselves as parents is far more telling in my opinion. SAHM and part-time workers give themselves high marks, where full-time moms rate themselves lower. College educated mothers also rate themselves lower than those with some college or only a high-school education. We continue to be too hard on ourselves, setting a ridiculously high bar. I think full-time workers are used to an office environment where they are used to being rated and setting goals that are to be checked off a list. Give yourselves some credit! You are setting a great example for your kids - showing them how to create a work-life balance.

Maybe next week the media will uncover a story that people prefer sunshine to rain...