ABC's

The Child is learning and loving her ABC's. I took some video of her singing and had to share. Please ignore my horrible, off-pitch singing. It's the price you pay for getting her to sing. She knows/likes the last half of the alphabet best.



Our camera is the kind where you can turn the screen around and watch yourself while filming which is what I was doing. This is why she looks so dazed and staring and it's such a close shot - she kept walking up to the camera. She thought watching herself was pretty fun.

Bored at Work

For those who have read my previous posts about the job, you know it's not all I have been hoping for. I've been super paranoid about what websites I visit because I'm sure they are spying on me and monitoring my usage. But, I just can't hold out anymore. I am bored at working and yes. Blogging. Plus, my after-work life is really busy and I haven't had much time lately to get my blogging fix. So, I'm all behind on the blogs of my friends, I haven't posted much, etc etc.

So there you have it, I'm bored at work. Blogging. Most likely going to get fired. Does anyone know how I can get paid for blogging? Not that my blog is interesting enough for someone to pay me to write it. Hey, I can dream can't I?

SAHM: sort-of

Today I had the day off work. It has been a really nice day. The kind of day that makes me think "Maybe I should be a stay-at-home-mom". The Child and I slept in a little at got up at 8:00. I loaded her into the stroller and went for a walk; man, am I out of shape! When we got home, I did some stretching while she played. Then we had breakfast and unloaded the dishwasher.

Since I had to get some stuff done online I turned on the TV for her while and I did my stuff. After, she decided she wanted to go outside. We went to the backyard and she ran around for a bit while I did some weeding. Next, we came inside and had some lunch. Then, nap time. She went down very well, which is always a good thing.

While she napped I worked on some jewelry and finished my fall collection (coming to the website soon!) When she got up we vacuumed the house. She recently got a little toy vacuum and loves it- thanks sis. She pushed her little one right next to me while I pushed the big one. After we had a snack of peanut butter crackers and fruit snacks. The Child decided she wanted to color so she was doing that while I was checking in on some my favorite blogs. There is a fly in our house (annoying!) and she's a little freaked out by it.

So that's my day thus far. It has been really quite enjoyable and makes me think that someday when it's feasible this stay-at-home-mom thing could be pretty nice. Then I might have time to do all the projects that I never do now.

Counting

The Child is learning how to count. I find it adorable. Today at school her teacher told me she counted to ten - correctly. I knew the time of cute, albeit wrong, counting is coming to an end. So I had to take video before she learns about 5, 6, and 8. She is a little quiet in her counting so you might need to turn up your volume.



By the way, for those of you (my sister) who know my child and are wondering why I don't use her name anymore, it's because I'm paranoid. Just one less bit of personal information that doesn't need to be out there in blogger-land. I thought about changing the name and address of my blog but that's a lot more work than I'm willing to exert right now.

Decorative Touches

Last weekend I was really in the decorating mood. I went to the local arts and crafts store and bought a whole bunch of great things for projects. Not all of them have been completed, but I did finish this cute one for The Child's room.

I stole this idea from another blogger. I don't even remember who it was so I can't give credit (sorry!) but I won't claim it as my own. This mom made a little canvas hand print for each child on their birthday and used them as decoration. Her children were older and she had a great collection of hand prints throughout their lives. What a great way to see them grow! So I have decided to steal it. Here is how it turned out for The Child's 2nd birthday hand print.




Cute right?! I was very excited. Here is my dilemma and I need the advice of those more crafty than myself. I want to put her name and age of the canvas, but I'm wondering if I should put it on the front, or the back. I like the idea of being able to see the ages from the front side but wonder if it will distract from the cuteness of the hand print. So that's where I've left it, no name or age as of yet.

Last night The Man and I went to the store and for some unknown reason, he was in a mood willing to buy window treatments and rods and even a few pillows! So now we have window treatments in the living room. It really is a miracle; the first time in our married, home-owning lives that we've had actual window treatments. They still look a little funny from being folded up in the package for who knows how long, so I'll post pictures once the wrinkles fall out a little more. Or, you can come over and see them! I never get visitors, so come on by!

New Job - Day Three

I'll admit I have intentionally not posted about the first real day on the new job. Mostly because the first day was not great. It took all my willpower to get out of bed on Day 2. Now that I've completed Day 3 I'm starting to feel better.

I still believe it's a great organization. There are many more advancement opportunities that I had before. Benefits are good. But, I'm a little concerned about the actual job responsibilities. I know I just need to get into it more; give it more time. I need more training. I've only gotten about an hour thus far. I'm supposed to be getting more training tomorrow. So right now I'm just hanging in there, trying to learn as much as I can on my own. I am really glad that tomorrow is Friday.

New Job

I started my new job today. Well, not really. It was just the corporate new hire training but it was actually not as boring as it sounds. I got my ID badge, which makes me feel all kinds of official. I will be doing patient education for cancer patients so my ID badge says "Oncology" on it. Wow! I never thought I'd have such a big word associated with my name.

I start the real on-site stuff tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted on the new gig.

PS- I love the movie Zoolander. We are watching it in the background and it just makes me happy. There are so many great moments. Here's a few of my favorites:
- "There's more to life than being really, really ridiculously good-looking."
- "I think I'm getting the black lung Pop."
- The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good.
- "How are they supposed to learn to read if they can't fit inside the buidling!"

4th of July

Our holiday was pretty low-key. We slept in late then did some housework. My mom came over during the day and we did some scrapbooking. In the evening I attempted to BBQ. It quickly became apparent why The Man is in charge of starting the charcoals and grilling in general. After finally starting the charcoals I realized too late that I had too few to actually cook anything. So the chicken we were planning on grilling ended up in the oven. We ate in courses and had meat last.

We put the Child to bed at normal 8:00 bedtime. I think she would have liked the fireworks but it wasn't worth keeping her up so late. She slept right through them. We watched the Jaws marathon on TV until the big fireworks started about 10. We were surprised to discover that we actually have a pretty good view of one of the shows from our backyard. It may just become a family tradition to watch the fireworks from our backyard.

Bad Parenting at it's Finest

I'm home early today (since I'm between jobs) and what am I doing? Blog stalking, well, blog catching-up really. Reading great stories about adopting kids and answers to questions we are all dying to know. What is The Child doing while I do my reading?

Well, for a while she was playing with stickers. They are great. She was putting stickers on my arms, taking them off, moving them around, then throwing them away. Once she got tired of this, she found her bubbles and actually blew a few on her own. After that got boring she found my car keys and had a good time pushing the buttons on the fab. When she opened the back door I had to take notice and reprimand her, but got back to my blogging. Now she is climbing up and down on the kitchen chairs calling "Mommy? Mommy?" while I answer with nothing more than "Yes?"

I suppose I should tear myself away from the computer long enough to feed both of us. Where is Dad in all this? He went to InstaCare for the illness that has lasted for two weeks. At least he finally went. When I asked him if he wanted me to come, he told me "No, not really." He just texted to say he is only allowed to see the Dr. for one of his ailments and has to choose between the fatigue, nausea, and no appetite illness and the freakishly dislocated-looking knee. What is with that?! I told him to just ask the Dr about both anyway. Sneak in an extra question for the Dr during the 2 minute visit with him.

Last Day

Yesterday was my last day at the non-profit job I have had for four, yes four, years. Four years feels like a very long time at a job. This was the first job I had after college (just gave away my age for anyone who didn't know already). It feels a little surreal to be leaving the only thing I've known in my professional career. However, I'm very excited to be trying something new. I am ready for a change and excited, albeit nervous, about something new.

Before I leave I have to give a shout-out to my super awesome, fantastic, incredible manager, Ms. D. She has been the greatest manager I have ever had (and I've had some bad ones!). She has been a fantastic friend, mentor, and supporter of me over the last four years. She has become a great and trusted friend and I will miss working with her everyday. So thank you Ms. D for all you have done for me. Thanks for being so invested in my personal and professional life.

I start my new job on Monday. I am spending the next few days playing catch-up on housework, errands, etc. I spent most of the morning in the car running errands while The Child was at daycare.