Four Fun Things
6 hours ago
Monday, April 1, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Favorite Kind of Day
Today was just a really enjoyable day. We spent most of the day outside as a family.
It started off a little rough, honestly. The kids woke up at 6 am, at least an hour too early for both of them. But Barrow had a nice, long morning nap and Alice responded very well to focused attention from Momma and Daddy. We went to the doctor for the kids' check ups - learned that Barrow (15 lbs, 7 oz) will keep his steely blue eyes and Alice (28 lbs, 4 oz) is still a shrimp. Then we met some potential new friends for Alice and had an Easter egg hunt in Central Park. Came home for a long nap with Alice. Then we made it out for dinner at Chipotle. Another lovely long walk outside.
A great day.
It started off a little rough, honestly. The kids woke up at 6 am, at least an hour too early for both of them. But Barrow had a nice, long morning nap and Alice responded very well to focused attention from Momma and Daddy. We went to the doctor for the kids' check ups - learned that Barrow (15 lbs, 7 oz) will keep his steely blue eyes and Alice (28 lbs, 4 oz) is still a shrimp. Then we met some potential new friends for Alice and had an Easter egg hunt in Central Park. Came home for a long nap with Alice. Then we made it out for dinner at Chipotle. Another lovely long walk outside.
A great day.
Monday, March 25, 2013
How I Miss You
Oh, free time. Time to blog. Time to think. How I miss you.
Life as a working momma of two is a little overwhelming. Okay, a lot overwhelming. There seems to be so little time for anything - for working, for parenting, for reading and reflecting, for cooking, for relaxing...
Here is an example of how our workdays "work":
6:00 - 7:00 Try to wake up early enough to get some emails for work sent, without waking children
7:00 - 8:30 Shower, feed myself, Barrow & Alice
8:30 - 8:35 Panic because I'm so late to work (again), try to get dressed
8:35 - 8:45 Rush around getting finishing touches on my work outfit, packing up purses, etc.
8:45 - 9:30 Commute
9:30 - 5:05 Work like a maniac, often involving hours of meetings. Try to sneak 2 pumping sessions in. Have had several days without a bathroom break all day.
5:05 - 5:50 Commute
5:50 - 8:30 Hubby & I get family fed, dishes clean, apartment straightened, kids bathed, put to bed
8:30 - 10:30 Collapse in a heap on the couch
10:30 - 11:15 Pack lunches for the next day
11:15 - 11:30 Get ready for bed
11:30 Collapse in a heap in bed
Barrow is thankfully sleeping better and better. We bought a noise machine, so lately he has been sleeping until 5, waking up to eat, then going back to sleep. But last night he was up at 2. So ya never know. But we're getting there.
I find adjusting my own personal expectations to how I can perform at work particularly challenging and depressing. I just don't have the flexibility to stay late to get things done, and that makes it hard to ever feel on top of my game. Especially because so much of my new job is responding to crises, so when one inevitably arises at the end of the work day, it's challenging to figure out when to deal with it. I should be better about working after the kids go to bed, but I find I'm so fried by then that it takes me forever to produce a mediocre product.
Anyway, while I'm exhausted and stretched and haven't even mentioned how much I long for time alone and quality time with my husband, I'm also loving life. I feel so lucky to have two beautiful children, a wonderful husband, a job I enjoy, etc. I know how blessed I am.
Life as a working momma of two is a little overwhelming. Okay, a lot overwhelming. There seems to be so little time for anything - for working, for parenting, for reading and reflecting, for cooking, for relaxing...
Here is an example of how our workdays "work":
6:00 - 7:00 Try to wake up early enough to get some emails for work sent, without waking children
7:00 - 8:30 Shower, feed myself, Barrow & Alice
8:30 - 8:35 Panic because I'm so late to work (again), try to get dressed
8:35 - 8:45 Rush around getting finishing touches on my work outfit, packing up purses, etc.
8:45 - 9:30 Commute
9:30 - 5:05 Work like a maniac, often involving hours of meetings. Try to sneak 2 pumping sessions in. Have had several days without a bathroom break all day.
5:05 - 5:50 Commute
5:50 - 8:30 Hubby & I get family fed, dishes clean, apartment straightened, kids bathed, put to bed
8:30 - 10:30 Collapse in a heap on the couch
10:30 - 11:15 Pack lunches for the next day
11:15 - 11:30 Get ready for bed
11:30 Collapse in a heap in bed
Barrow is thankfully sleeping better and better. We bought a noise machine, so lately he has been sleeping until 5, waking up to eat, then going back to sleep. But last night he was up at 2. So ya never know. But we're getting there.
I find adjusting my own personal expectations to how I can perform at work particularly challenging and depressing. I just don't have the flexibility to stay late to get things done, and that makes it hard to ever feel on top of my game. Especially because so much of my new job is responding to crises, so when one inevitably arises at the end of the work day, it's challenging to figure out when to deal with it. I should be better about working after the kids go to bed, but I find I'm so fried by then that it takes me forever to produce a mediocre product.
Anyway, while I'm exhausted and stretched and haven't even mentioned how much I long for time alone and quality time with my husband, I'm also loving life. I feel so lucky to have two beautiful children, a wonderful husband, a job I enjoy, etc. I know how blessed I am.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Together/Separate
Dear Alice & Barrow,
Tomorrow, Mamma goes back to work. It's unbearable. For the past 13 weeks. the three of us have been almost inseparable. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been without at least one of the two of you. But tomorrow I'm facing a full day without Alice's laughs and Barrow's smiles, and it is killing me.
We've had an adventureous, active time together. Maternity leave included trips to the New York Botanical Gardens, to Macy's to see Santa, to Central Park to enjoy the zoo and the horses, countless visits to story time & the library & the Children's Museum, to the Met, to Queens, to Maryland & Virginia. We had lunches with Daddy and dinners as a family. We read every day and did chores as needed. We took care of each other.
Returning to work this time around is very different. I understand better the challenges that lay ahead - for both the good and the bad. I'm excited to be able to use the bathroom by myself. I'm sad to know how hectic our evenings will be.
Above all else - what I don't worry about this time around is whether you will know how much we love you, Barrow. We love you so, so much. And I know that, even though I'll be at work, you will feel how much we do.
I love you both so much. I am doing this for you.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Love Letters
Dear Alice,
It has been far too long since I wrote to you. I think of letters daily, small memories that I try so hard to remember so that I can capture them for you. The blessings you bring to our every day. Sadly there is just never enough time to write everything I want to write for you.
I want you to know that this time in our lives is both difficult and joyful. Being Barrow's and your mother (as well as your daddy's wife) brings joy and fulfillment that I never thought to hope for. I feel such unabashed love for you and our little family. I know I was born to fill these roles, to be this woman. And I am grateful for that awareness because it makes these days that much more enjoyable. But being a parent, especially in Manhattan, is hard. We struggle financially. We have a seemingly infinite number of relationships to build and maintain. Though we have a strong, supportive community in the city, many of these friends live far away in Brooklyn. And we are just always so busy - between work and family dinners and quality time together, there seems to be little give. Your father and I have sacrificed regular trips to the gym. I've given up reading as much as I used to, while your father has not had as much time to write as he once did. These are the personal sacrifices we make to ensure you grow up secure, loved, known. They are well worth it, but must be made nonetheless.
If there were one adjective to describe you right now, it would still be sweet. You have the most kind disposition, good-natured to the core. We cannot go out without someone telling us how beautiful you are. I'm trying to make sure this does not go to your head, trying to remind myself to compliment your intelligence (which is just as impressive) but find it hard not to tell you a million times a day how pretty you are. You love to dance, asking first thing every morning to put on your pink ballet dress and dance for us. We play classical music while you jump and run across the carpet in our living room. You love to read, spending hours each night in your bedroom, in the dark, "reading" stories. You have an active imagination and love to pretend to be mommies ("Mommy, I'm the horse's mommy." "Mommy, when I'm a mommy can I wear that?" "Mommy, Abby is crying for me and I'm her mamma."). We have been reading Angelina Ballerina on repeat, as well as Miss Lina's Ballerinas. You love all of the Bernstein Bears books. You are an adoring big sister, and Barrow loves you so.
I pray that one day you will know this kind of joy, my sweet.
I love you, your brother and your daddy more than anything ever. You are my family, and I couldn't be happier.
Love,
Mommy
It has been far too long since I wrote to you. I think of letters daily, small memories that I try so hard to remember so that I can capture them for you. The blessings you bring to our every day. Sadly there is just never enough time to write everything I want to write for you.
I want you to know that this time in our lives is both difficult and joyful. Being Barrow's and your mother (as well as your daddy's wife) brings joy and fulfillment that I never thought to hope for. I feel such unabashed love for you and our little family. I know I was born to fill these roles, to be this woman. And I am grateful for that awareness because it makes these days that much more enjoyable. But being a parent, especially in Manhattan, is hard. We struggle financially. We have a seemingly infinite number of relationships to build and maintain. Though we have a strong, supportive community in the city, many of these friends live far away in Brooklyn. And we are just always so busy - between work and family dinners and quality time together, there seems to be little give. Your father and I have sacrificed regular trips to the gym. I've given up reading as much as I used to, while your father has not had as much time to write as he once did. These are the personal sacrifices we make to ensure you grow up secure, loved, known. They are well worth it, but must be made nonetheless.
If there were one adjective to describe you right now, it would still be sweet. You have the most kind disposition, good-natured to the core. We cannot go out without someone telling us how beautiful you are. I'm trying to make sure this does not go to your head, trying to remind myself to compliment your intelligence (which is just as impressive) but find it hard not to tell you a million times a day how pretty you are. You love to dance, asking first thing every morning to put on your pink ballet dress and dance for us. We play classical music while you jump and run across the carpet in our living room. You love to read, spending hours each night in your bedroom, in the dark, "reading" stories. You have an active imagination and love to pretend to be mommies ("Mommy, I'm the horse's mommy." "Mommy, when I'm a mommy can I wear that?" "Mommy, Abby is crying for me and I'm her mamma."). We have been reading Angelina Ballerina on repeat, as well as Miss Lina's Ballerinas. You love all of the Bernstein Bears books. You are an adoring big sister, and Barrow loves you so.
I pray that one day you will know this kind of joy, my sweet.
I love you, your brother and your daddy more than anything ever. You are my family, and I couldn't be happier.
Love,
Mommy
Monday, January 21, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Barrow
Some things I want to remember about Barrow:
* You love to be held. There is very little time during the day when I'm not wearing you. And that, I think, has given us a special connection. You know how I smell, and feel comforted when we are together.
* Smiles started at about 7-weeks. We had our first "game," where I jumped every time you hiccuped. You loved it.
* You are a grunter and your toots can wake your family up!
* You are SO much bigger than your sister. At 8-weeks you weigh 12.5 pounds. It took Alice at least 4 months to weigh that! I love it - our big man.
* You adore your sister. She gets the biggest smiles from you - and she loves getting them. She dotes on you constantly, giving you hugs and kisses whenever she sees you. She holds you every morning.
* A memory I hope to hold: On Christmas Eve, we were driving home from dinner at your Uncle Tyler's house. You were totally exhausted and began screaming (which you just don't do). Nothing I was doing could calm you. So Alice started singing "Mamma's gonna buy you a mocking bird." I joined in. Within 30 seconds, you were calm. Within a minute, you were asleep.
I love you, your sister and your daddy more than anything ever.
Mamma
* You love to be held. There is very little time during the day when I'm not wearing you. And that, I think, has given us a special connection. You know how I smell, and feel comforted when we are together.
* Smiles started at about 7-weeks. We had our first "game," where I jumped every time you hiccuped. You loved it.
* You are a grunter and your toots can wake your family up!
* You are SO much bigger than your sister. At 8-weeks you weigh 12.5 pounds. It took Alice at least 4 months to weigh that! I love it - our big man.
* You adore your sister. She gets the biggest smiles from you - and she loves getting them. She dotes on you constantly, giving you hugs and kisses whenever she sees you. She holds you every morning.
* A memory I hope to hold: On Christmas Eve, we were driving home from dinner at your Uncle Tyler's house. You were totally exhausted and began screaming (which you just don't do). Nothing I was doing could calm you. So Alice started singing "Mamma's gonna buy you a mocking bird." I joined in. Within 30 seconds, you were calm. Within a minute, you were asleep.
I love you, your sister and your daddy more than anything ever.
Mamma
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
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