Made in Richmond

I…uh…eesh, I really have no excuse for the lack of posting other than OH MAH GAH I’m busy and tired. So! I presenteth bullets…eths.

• JR is being kind of butthead about food lately. Meaning he only wants to eat bananas and pretzels. I also found out that he only eats at day care if one of the teachers sits with him and chats him up during lunch. So that’s awesome. And by “awesome” I mean “not at all awesome.”
• I’m loving how the UK version of The Office is on Hulu now.
• My skin is in another funk — normal I hear when you’re on an antibiotic (it goes in waves as things get balanced out), but damn if it isn’t annoying.
• I went to a baby shower on Sunday, and my ovaries *might* have jumped when I saw all those WIDDLE CLOTHES AND SOCKS. ACK!
• JR now says “Ohhhhhhhh no!” but as an expression of excitement. I wondered where he got it from until at the aforementioned shower I said the same thing when the Mama pulled out the cutest little dress and bloomer set. Mystery solved.
• I cried four times today.
• My hair has gotten so long that people who haven’t seen me for a while actually do not recognize me. At all.
• The funny thing is, I still picture myself with really short hair.
• Amalah makes life a better place.
• Ross and I watched “The Hangover” the other day. I totally do not see what the fuss is about.
• But! We also watched “I Love You, Man” and laughed hysterically probably 78% of the time. That seen where he’s saying “Slapping the bass”? Yeah, that’s our marriage.
• My inbox is appalling.
• JR’s class has a color each week, and sometimes they ask parents to bring in a snack representing that week’s color. This week’s color is green. Because Ross hates fake food, he is now in the kitchen making crackers colored green by peas.
• Even if it doesn’t work, I respect the effort because I was totally all, “Let’s just make green Rice Krispie Treats or slap some green icing on animal crackers.”
• (If I did the cooking, we would all weigh 742 pounds.)
• Anyone else in love with Penelope Cruz?

Yup. That’s about how it is inside my brain today. Care to share what’s rattling around in yours?

We’re a month into JR’s new routine of going to day care and my new routine of being in the office 3 1/2 (give or take) days a week.

I must say, things are going swimmingly. Aside from that whole missing an entire week due to a cold/ear infection that caused a ruptured ear drum. Details, details.

While some days I hate (hate, hate, hate, haaaaate) dropping him off, overall, we are handling things well. He typically cries when we leave, but I can hear him stop as soon as the door shuts. He also cries when we go to pick him up, but on a few occasions I’ve been able to sneak in without him seeing me, so I know that he waits to turn the waterworks on until he realizes that we’re there. I think he just forgets that he misses us, what with all of the learning and playing and fun-having he’s doing.

I do ok most days. His day care center is within walking distance of our office — something that is both good and bad. Good in that I can get there in 2 minutes if I need to, but bad in that… well, I can get there in 2 minutes if I need to. The building is just sitting there, taunting me all day long.

But the absolute best outcome of our new situation is that I no longer spend the time we are together feeling pulled in two directions. I feel much less guilty about making myself unavailable to work-related tasks in the evening because I’ve been able to invest quite a reasonable chunk of time to those during the day. I’m a better worker, and a better mother because I don’t feel like those two roles are constantly in conflict.

Plus, that “Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama!” I get when I go pick him up is pretty awesome.

Last week JR’s class had “Wacky Wednesday.” While I’m sure this event was planned purely for the teaching staff’s enjoyment, we played along because, come on, who doesn’t want to see 13 toddlers dressed like idiots?

Well, JR doesn’t, apparently.

(I understand that a striped blazer, plaid shirt, and sweatpants aren’t crazy-wacky, but hey, we wear boring clothes over here. It was the best we could do.)

Ok, I know that he was performing this to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti…but MY LANDS, Mr. Timberlake is quite attractive when he sings this:

(I know it’s cut off a little bit to the right there. I have no clue what to do about that, but you get the idea.)

(And my apologies to Kristin for 1) having to hear about this again and 2) for getting this song in her head. Again.)

I meant to write this weekend, but I spent it enjoying my now healthy son and not reading my email. It was pretty great. But, alas, I now have some catching up to do. Womp womp womp.

So! A list it is…

Guys, Jersey Shore. I know I’m way late with this one (as I was with Lady Gaga) but Oh Lord, I love it so. I can’t even explain why. Wait, yes I can: fist pump.

Also: Caprica. I was hesitant because seriously, why mess with a good thing? I’m not *totally* hooked at this point, but it has my attention.

My skincare obsession has now ventured over into makeup. Specifically foundation. I’ve been using a tinted moisturizer, but that just isn’t cutting it anymore. I want something that gives decent coverage but doesn’t get cakey. Tell me, what do you use?

Last Christmas Ross and I just gave each other books. He ended up giving me The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. It follows the construction of the Chicago World’s Fair while ALSO following a serial killer who used the huge crowds attracted by the fair to scout out his victims. Not my typical cup of tea but, man, I loved it. You should read it. But don’t read the last chapter before bed because GUHHHHHH.

I toured another day care center last week. Not because I’m unhappy with where JR currently is, but I had already called this place and scheduled the tour before he started, so it made sense to go look. It was AMAZING. The waiting list if 6 months to a year, so we’re looking at that as our long term plan while his current center is working just fine for now.

Ross and I watched Inglorious Basterds this weekend. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also realized that I am not at all fazed by movie violence. Wanna show someone’s face getting shot off? Sure, I can take it.

We also watched The Hurt Locker this weekend (because I am either 1) the best wife ever or 2) turning into a dude). I enjoyed this one, too. I also realized that the *suggestion* of violence (or fatal wounding) is much more disturbing to me than *actual* violence. Also, (SPOILER MAYBE) why does Ralph Fiennes get almost top billing when he’s in the movie for like 45 seconds?

My sister and I are taking my mom out to lunch for her birthday tomorrow. I told her she we could go wherever she wanted. She picked Chipotle. This is hilarious to me.

***

That’s all I’ve got for now. We will return to more coherent ramblings soon…

JR,

Ohhh, baby boy, it’s been an interesting month. A great one, but interesting.

The biggest change was you starting day care. Overall you’re doing well. You’re still having some trouble napping since you’re used to snoozing away in a quiet house, as opposed to a room filled with other little ones. Your teacher assures me that it just takes a while and pretty soon you’ll be conked out like the rest of them. You seem to like being with the other kids. One of your teachers even said to me, “He’s been in day care before, hasn’t he?” I figured that’s a good sign.

However, I must point out that these day care observations are based on just a little over a week there. You spent your entire second week at home, thanks to a nasty cold and double ear infection. I have to tell you, that week was the hardest week your father and I have ever had. You just cried and cried and cried, you wouldn’t eat, and you were just not yourself at all. That combined with the usual work obligations (that had to be completed with you either on my lap or wrapped around my arm) made things very stressful. To top it all off, I was fighting off a stomach bug AND a cold while helping you get better - not easy to do when you were up every two hours. But, you’re on the upswing now and we’ve gotten to see some smiles and finally hear you laugh. I swear, you didn’t giggle for six straight days.

All kinds of skills are popping up these days. You are fascinated with putting things on shelves - books, toys, your shoes, etc. You’re also developing an interesting habit of tucking your half-full milk cups into cabinets and we don’t find out about it until much later.

Bath time is still really fun. We can finally rinse your hair without you screaming (every time, at least) and you’ve recently gotten brave enough to blow some bubbles in the water! You look so proud of yourself when you do that, and it’s really quite adorable.

Books continue to be the joy of your life. You will sit still for much longer than you used to, sometimes letting me read four or five books in a row! You love turning pages and pointing at the pictures.

Your vocabulary is continuing to grow, although I’m not sure if people other than us would understand you. You definitely have nicknames for things; all blankets are “bee bees” and bananas are “mannies.” You also LOVE to say “Mama” these days, so I’m about as happy as can be. And we get to hear “please” (”beeeeeees!”) and “thank you” (”teek-oo”) often, which makes us very proud. You’re also understanding so much of what we say and can follow multiple directions when we give them to you.

Perhaps the best thing about you these days is how cuddly you’ve become (something that seems to have come with day care and being sick). You love to curl up with me on the couch or in bed and you’re always ready for a hug and a kiss, sometimes giving the to us without being asked. You’re so damn sweet it kills me. My sweet boy, this rumble-tumble little creature full of so much joy and excitement and wonderfully raw emotions, I just can’t get enough of you.

Love,

Mama

Stage 1: Breeziness

Hmm, he feels a little warm. You know, he was a little sniffly and crabby today. Let’s just give him some Motrin and put him down early. He’ll be fine tomorrow. My, didn’t we handle that well?

Stage 2: Panic

Is he wheezing? I think he’s wheezing. Did you take his temperature? 103? What do we do? Can you call your mother? Please call your mother. I’m going to keep redialing the doctor’s office until they open so we can schedule an appointment. Is he wheezing?

Stage 3: Mutual hatred

You think you’re tired? *I’M* tired. How many times have you sucked the snot out of his head today? Oh yeah, well I don’t really care if you’re stressed out. We’re all going through this so SHUT UP. That’s it, no more babies.

Stage 4: Solidarity

Babe, I’m so glad you’re here. I would never be able to do this without you. I feel like we have the same bond that P.O.W.’s do, ya know? We can get through this. We will get through this and be so much stronger for it. Babe, babe, I love you. I just…I just love you (please don’t leave me alone with the shrieking child oh God).

Stage 5: Euphoria

He’s laughing! He’s eating! He’s smiling! Remember how awful that was? Oh, he’s so perfect. And you’re wonderful. No *you’re* wonderful. No, no *you’re* wonderful.

It’s been a rough few days.

Last Wednesday JR started showing signs of a wicked case of the grumps. We assumed it was teeth (which wasn’t completely off), gave him some Motrin and went about our business.

The grumps continued steadily until Saturday evening. And then Saturday evening marked the beginning of a multi-day crying streak that has yet to cease.

The child is sick. SIIIIIIIIIICK. Sick in a way that has made up for the complete lack of sick we have experienced in the almost 15 months he’s been with us. Fever, cough, crying, runny nose, runny eyes (yes, babies can leak snot out of their eyes - I didn’t know that either and it’s just as horrifying as it sounds), crying, not wanting to eat, crying, only wanting to be held, crying, the works. He’s also waking up a couple times a night, shrieking for someone to wipe to boogers out of his eyes or suck the snot out of his head because, hello, we wakes up not being able to see or breathe.

(I told Ross that it’s all reminding me way too much of what life was like with a newborn. I hope this doesn’t ruin JR’s chances for ever getting a sibling. It’s possible.)

But what’s worse is that he is just not himself. There are no animal noises, no shouting of “THIS,” and not one single laugh. Not even a giggle. It’s depressing.

Meanwhile, I’ve become a mad woman. I haven’t left the house for more than two hours in six days. I can’t go to work. I can’t sleep because I lie awake anticipating the whimper from the next room. My work is so half-assed it’s ridiculous. And I’m being mean to everyone.

So, be patient with me (although I doubt I would be patient with you if we met in person because RAWR). I’ll be back soon.

The throwing thing is definitely a skill he acquired from a classmate. We’re working on it.

(Ok, not school days. But day care days sounds weird.)

So far, JR has spent 2 1/2 days in day care. Monday was kind of a test run; he only stayed a couple hours due to delays from the snow, but he’s spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday there.

Here’s a picture of us outside of the center Tuesday morning.

(Please excuse my dumb face. I’m just going to say that this was in the middle of me taking a deep breath. There were lots of those that morning because OMG MY BAY-BEE.)

It’s going well so far. I’ll spare you the mind-numbing details. Here’s a summary:

Day 1: Just a half day; I cried, he didn’t; walked in the find him sitting in a little chair eating lunch with his classmate like he was a little person or something.

Day 2: Full day; I cried, as did he; picked him up at around 4; found him messy with finger paint, sweaty, tired, and so very happy.

Day 3: Another full day; I didn’t cry, neither did he; picked him up at around 4; found him toddling happily around the room (despite the fact that he only slept for 30 minutes (!).

So, we’re pleased. The lead teacher is lovely, and the assistant teachers are very, very sweet. He’s tuckered out by the end of the day and I can already tell that he’s much more interested in sitting and listening as we read to him. He’s also gotten much more cuddly when we’re with him. I can support anything that leads to that.