I.cannot.wait.

Kyle's making wings.

Life Lately

Furlough.  That's about all there is to mention about life lately in our house.  Then, I saw my sister's post today, so I thought I would steal her idea and mention a little more.

Day 1:  Head into work - sign the paperwork - head home from work.  There may have been some tears.  I am totally disappointed in our government that my job is not important enough to keep going.  (I'm not talking about being 'essential'.  I know that what I do is not as important as what others do.)  Feeling a bit worthless.  I am also totally disappointed in myself.  We did not have to move to an area where it takes us two incomes to pay our bills, but we did.  Take a nap - get up and dust off - clean the house - find a green crayon melted in the dryer and almost lose it again.

Day 2:  Paint - paint - paint.  I still have a bunch of white paint for the hallways, so I did what I could in a day.  Threaten Kyle that if he dares to go out to lunch this week, he will have to find a new home.

Day 3:  Take care of sick Anna.  At least I am important at home.  Oh, also got Anna her first haircut!

Day 4:  Play date with Adelaide!  Go to the park - play at the house - teach Anna how to share (she's still working on it).




Day 5:  Take why-is-my-eye-now-red-and-swollen Anna to the doctor - work on school work.  I'm pretty much over being angry.  (Side note:  If I hear one more thing about how horrible it is that the National Parks are closed, I'm going to scream.  This still makes me angry.  I love our parks, I'm sorry for those that live on Federal land, I'm sorry for those that had vacation plans, but I AM NOT GETTING PAID!  How is that not a bigger story?  (not about me personally, but about the 800,000 of us not getting paid and about the 1,000s of others working while their pay is delayed))  I have this constant uneasy feeling, but I'm trying to concentrate on doing stuff that makes my day worthwhile.  I don't watch the news, Facebook drives me insane, and I never even think about setting an alarm for the next day.  Hope I'll get a phone call when we do get back to work. 

Day 6:  More school work - pack for upcoming trip to Maine - run to Target for a few things - buy much needed flats from Target - wear them to school - find that they are super uncomfortable - maybe cried on the way home about spending the $16 on said shoes - stay up way too late talking with Kyle about how stressful things at work are for him.  He has the same uneasy feeling.

Day 7:  More school work - more painting - watch Gossip Girl Season 6 (it was terrible) - try at-home waxing...

Day 8:  Clean the house (again!) - lunch with a co-worker/friend (I told Kyle he could go out to eat too) - Pay only the minimum on a credit card for the first time in years - more school work.  I really do have a lot of school work.

Day 9 (tomorrow):  Head to Maine!  We planned this trip months ago, and since the lodging, flights, and car rental are paid off, we are going.  It will be nice to explore a new place, but with three out of the four of us going (excluding Anna) furloughed, it should be interesting.

Today I created my most creepy photo album to date:  dolls.

Geography can be so fun!   Someone (not actually a geographer) created maps of the U.S. showing how we say things differently.  Click here. 

Carnival

I thought it might be fun to take some pictures of the carnival that visits the nearby mall once a year.  I also thought it might be fun to pick up a candy apple.  However, when I arrived I realized that it costs money just to get into the carnival grounds (!!) so I cheapened out and just took pictures from the parking lot. 

Really Spring?  Really!?!

This is the most snow we have had in three years.

Come on Spring, you can do it.

Thoughts from a New Mom

Now that Anna is one-year, I feel like she is not the only one that deserved a party.  I also survived my first year as Mom, where's my party?

I thought I would share a few thoughts that have been taking up space in my head over the last year.

• I cannot handle anything sad.  When I hear about a baby that is gravely ill or has died, I cry.  When I see the bad guy die in one of my favorite TV shows, I cry.  I cannot handle sad news, so I just avoid it.  As soon as the story takes a turn for the worse, I turn it off and try to think of something happy.
• I have more confidence than ever before and am scared to death a lot of the time.  Having Anna made me realize that I can do anything I want to do.  No, I cannot sing the National Anthem at the Superbowl, some things are gifts that I was not given, but I feel like I can set goals and achieve them.  I do not know if this is because if I can accomplish having a baby, and then keeping her alive and well for one year, I can really do anything.  Or, if I want to show Anna that she too can do anything she sets her mind too.  It is weird to feel empowered, yet scared, all at the same time.  For example, I love to travel and I cannot wait to show Anna the world, but as soon as I get to the airport I go into freak-out mode!
• It is alarming how many times I have left the house only to realize that Anna and I totally match.
• I am obsessed with getting the perfect picture for each and every moment of Anna's life.  This is not the way to enjoy those moments.  Also, I have very few pictures of me and Anna as a result. 
• I cannot make a decision to save my life.  I feel like everything I decide has these huge, earth-shattering consequences that will stay with us for years.  In reality, they probably don't.
• And those are my thoughts, for now.  Here is picture that Kyle took!

This guy (or girl) visited us on Saturday.  Creepy!  I do not like it when I can look a bug in the eye and it can look back.  After Googling it, I found that seeing a praying mantis can actually be a good thing.  I guess they bring good luck (which is probably the only reason why LSU managed to win Saturday night).  They also, supposedly, come at at time in your life when you are feeling overwhelmed and you have over scheduled yourself, and when you need to be reminded to slow down and find peace.  He/She came at that exact time.  Now if only Mr./Ms. Mantis would have helped with my to-do list, it would have been a better visit.

Hostess with the Mostess

I have a lot of hosting duties coming up so I am in full planning mode.  First up, my sister's baby shower in October.  She threw me such a nice shower, so the pressure is on to do the same for her.  I have been searching the internet for ideas, and hounding family and friends for help.  I think we have come up with some good ideas.  These are not some of them:

let's start with the invites.  (source)

 

decorations?  (source)

games!  can't tell what it is? it is pin-the-sperm-on-the-uterus, of course!  (source)

refreshments.  let's chug beer from a bottle.  (source)

don't get me started on all of the horrible cakes out there.  this is the only PG-rated one I could post.  (source) 

gift?  actually, knowing Erin she would probably use this.  (source)

 

 

Weekend Recap

• Anna decided to sleep through the night and sleep until 6am.  Wahoo!
• Erin and Sean babysat so Kyle and I could have a night out.  We ate dinner at Founding Farmers.  Delicious!
• We also ate at PF Chang's and Seasons 52 this weekend.  We are fancy.
• Anna had another successful swim lesson.  She is pretty much awesome at the frog kick, even if she is supposed to be doing the regular kick.  She may have thrown up a little in the pool.
• I went to Loehmann's twice for one dress.
• We got our new couch delivered.  Finally!
• I caught up on sleep, but did not catch up on anything else.  One of these weekends I will actually get all of my to-do list done.
• Finally, there is this.  I cannot tell you how excited I am - so so so so so so excited!

and now all of our money is gone.

Well, not really, but it sure feels that way.  

Over the past month we have purchased this:

and this:

The car is necessary for when I go back to school this fall and I think it was a good purchase.  After a bunch of drama, we decided to purchase a new car.  I love that is it bigger than our other car.  I can get Anna in and out so much easier and we tested out the extra trunk space this past weekend with a trip to Goodwill.  On the other hand, ever since purchasing the Lexus, I have become a snob and the Hyundai is no Lexus.  


The air conditioner is necessary because ours broke, for the third time since we moved in, right in the middle of the epic/record-breaking/Earth-ending heat wave, while we had company.  (Did I mention all while walking barefoot uphill?)  Plus, I am now a worried (psycho) mom, so it is even more important that it works.

It sucks spending all that money on two pretty boring purchases but I am thankful that we are able to get the things we need.  We will now be watching Netflix and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the rest of the year.



 

Random Thoughts

• Anna is up to three meals of fruits or veggies a day and last night she ate an entire jar of squash.  I am not sure what normal proportions are supposed to be, but that seems like a lot.
• Riley is really enjoying Anna's mealtime.
• I hope to make Anna's food myself someday.  Yesterday I made peanut butter cookies instead.
• Nothing prepares you, mentally or physically, for baby poop after food.  Nothing.
• Yesterday a lady told me that her goal is to have grandkids by the time she is 50.  That does not seem like a job that is up to her...
• I saw my sister's kitchen over the weekend.  It is already looking so good and they have barely begun.  I am not at all jealous (close eyes and repeat three times - I am not jealous, I am not jealous, I am not jealous).
• Kyle and I are obsessed with Friday Night Lights.  I also started watching Downton Abbey, but it is still too early to tell.

Random Thoughts

• I wear my bathing suit cover-up in the morning.  I used to wear my robe all morning, so when I fed Anna I did not ruin my work outfit (that I actually pick out the night before).  It is getting too hot for that, so I have resorted to my bathing suit cover-up.  Kyle actually said this morning that it was not work appropriate, if that is what I was thinking.  Every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror I am a little sad knowing I am not going to the pool or beach today.
• Even though I gave up on Gossip Girl, I sometimes still read the synopsis online.  Pathetic.  
• We are looking for a new (to us) car.  I love that we are a one-car family and I hate having stuff that does not get used often, but with the logistics of school/work/day care in the fall, we need another car.  I hope to find something a bit bigger than what we have now, but we are on a strict budget.
• We are trying to fit life insurance into our budget.  I am not sure why, but I never even considered life insurance before.  Our financial guys said it is actually more important than saving for Anna's college.  This totally makes sense, now.  
• I cannot seem to make any decisions lately and I am always moody.  We have a lot on our plate right now and I am struggling with being overjoyed with all of the good in our life and crying-my-eyes-out type of tears because of what is not.  When I am happy, I start to feel guilty about it, and when I am sad, I feel like I am wasting my time and energy.  I know life can be downright shitty sometimes (my Dad's favorite saying is, "Life is not fair") but I still wish it was not.  Life just feels so short and some days I want to say, forget responsibility, let's seize the day.  However, other days I am way too scared to do that.  (Side note:  Kyle does not deal well with tears.  He tries his best with kind words and a hug, but does not know what to do with me.  He is in trouble with Anna :) ) 
• Finally, I like donuts (doughnuts?) and I am not afraid to say it.  Why is it whenever we talk about obesity rates or the state of our nation's health, that donuts get all the blame?  (Another one of my Dad's sayings, "Everything in moderation.")

 

• P.S. - Kyle stopped following someone on Instagram today because they took too many pictures of food. 

Saturday Morning Runs

Every Saturday morning Erin, Kyle, Anna, and I have been meeting on the mall for a run.  We have been doing this for three weeks now, so I am pretty sure we will be flaking out soon.  

It has been really fun and the mall is a great place to meet up.  There is plenty of parking and a metro stop nearby. 

The entire circle that goes around the mall is 4 miles, so it is easy to pace ourselves.  So far we have gone the entire 4 miles, but have only run about 3.5 of those miles.  

Erin could probably go the whole 4 miles if she was not nice enough to wait for the rest of us.  I could probably go 3.6 miles if I did not have to take my turn with the stroller.

Erin and I are training for a 10K in September, so I hope we do keep up our runs.  

The best part?  We meet Sean for breakfast afterwards.  Sean comes from tennis, so he comes to breakfast gross and sweaty too.

Random Thoughts

• I have officially given up on Gossip Girl.  I watched that show from the beginning, but this season has gotten ridiculous.  So, goodbye upper east side!  Also on the fringe - America's Next Top Model and Smash.
• My hair is falling out.  I am guessing it is a I'm-no-longer-pregnant symptom, but wigs could be made from the hair in my shower and the bathroom floor each morning.  Luckily, I have a lot of hair.  Unluckily (?), I have no time to vacuum.
• I interviewed for my job.  I have been working as a temporary federal government worker for 6.5 years and I finally have the chance to become a permanent federal government worker.  I interviewed a couple of weeks ago - fingers crossed!
• We want to take a family vacation this summer, but I have no idea where to go.  I do not think this has ever happened before.  I think I may get Anna a passport this weekend, just in case.
• I finally finished my edits on a paper I am trying to publish with a professor, but I have not heard anything back from him.  I want to yell, "I managed to do my work while having a baby and you cannot even let me know you received my edits?!" but I will not.
• I am in a funk.  Between sicknesses, a baby not sleeping through the night, an ailing grandmother, and a long list of to-dos I do not think I will ever get to, I have been out of it.  It is mostly I-am-feeling-sorry-for-myself crap but it is keeping me from enjoying life right now.  I need to get back in it, and pronto! 
• I heard Anna giggle for the first time.  It was the highlight of my weekend.

Random Thoughts

• Anna started "talking" and it is the cutest thing ever.
• Anna also started shedding a tear when she cries and it is the saddest thing ever.
• LSU lost the big game.  I am still not ready to talk about it.
• I bought a plane ticket to take Anna to see my parents in Wichita.  I am scared to fly with her but my sister is coming to help.  I am also scared American Airlines is going to mess with our tickets and we will not be sitting next to each other anymore.
• I was watching TLC's A Baby Story (I can watch it now that I have gone through it) and when the show checked in with the family seven weeks later, the dad had only changed one diaper!!
• Kyle has changed many, many diapers. 

Random Thoughts

• I have been at home for two weeks now.  It is amazing how fast the days go by when I really do not accomplish much.  Unless you count keeping a baby alive and I am doing pretty well at that.
• It is also amazing how slow the nights go by when you are not sleeping.
• We Christmas'd!  We managed to get a real tree and decorate it.
• Gram and Gramps Rossiter visited.  Anna enjoyed her visit, and Kyle and I really enjoyed all of the help they gave us.  THANK YOU!
• I finished my papers for school.  It is not my best writing, but it is done.
• I have been trying to walk everyday.  I am ready to get back to exercising and I really enjoy the fresh air, so I hope it stays warm a bit longer.  Otherwise, I may have to become one of those mall walkers.
• I really need to learn how to walk with the stroller and Riley (not the best walker).  We used to walk Riley more often and I am feeling really guilty that she does not get out as much.
• I just learned that putting two spaces in between sentences while typing is incorrect.  You are supposed to only put one space.  I do not think this is a change I can get used to.
• Aunt Erin visited again and this time Uncle Sean got to come along too (he has been sick).  
• On Friday I have to take Anna to the doctor and then we have to go to the airport to pick my mom up.  It will be my first trip out with Anna by myself and I am nervous.
• I am trying hard to get used to our new life, but it has not been easy.  I am used to being on-the-go, out and about, and making plans.  I am used to being surrounded by people and activity.  I will adjust, eventually.

Weekend Recap

Weekends are always too short, but I managed to fit a few things into two days:

• Watched LSU win!!  It was a stressful game to watch, but I am very excited about the outcome, so it was worth it.
• Ate at Sticky Fingers.  Sticky Fingers is a vegan bakery and cafe, and since they introduced some new items to their menu, Kyle wanted to check it out.  We went with Erin and Sean, and with all the dietary concerns between us, it is so easy to order there.  It is also delicious.  I had one of the best grilled "cheese" sandwiches, yummy chili, and not one, but two, cupcakes.  Since we are spending the holidays at home this year, I bet we will be back for some Kyle-friendly, and Katy-approved, sweets.
• Shopped for Baby.  We went to Babies 'R Us and actually made it out alive.  That store is so stressful and trying to make sure I have everything to take care of a baby is near impossible, so the fact that we made it out alive is accomplishment enough.  I think if the baby comes tomorrow, we should be ok, but really I have no idea. 
• Started snoring.  Ugh.  I am really embarrassed about this one.  I do not know if it is a pregnancy thing or a weight gain thing, but I snore so loud now that I wake myself up.  I have never snored in the past!  It just started one day.  Therefore, I have moved myself to the guest room, so at least Kyle can get some sleep.  I do not like sleeping in separate rooms, it actually makes me really sad, but hopefully the snoring will stop once the baby comes.  I am guessing it will, since sleeping will also probably stop.
• Turned my clocks back.  Hooray for the extra hour of sleep!  Boo for not seeing sunlight during the work week until the spring.
• Worked on my papers, cleaned the house, caught up on my DVR, watched Kyle repair dry wall and paint, and actually cooked more meals than we ate out.

That makes for a pretty successful weekend, I am already excited for the next one.

Overwhelmed

I am not sure how it happened, but I went from having everything under control to feeling completely overwhelmed.  I am guessing it is all my own fault.  

• My DVR is 72% full.  Yikes!  Since we had a busy weekend and since Kyle is out of town this week, we have not caught up on our TV shows and the DVR keeps filling up.  I do not know why I see this as a "To Do", but every week I aim to get that number down to 0% by the end of the week.  Stupid, I know.
• I am pretty sure my mailbox is at 150% full.  My mailbox key is broken, so I have no hope of getting to the mail until Kyle gets back with his key.  I also have no hope of getting a new key until I can get to the Post Office to fill out all of the forms and pay $30 (!!) for a new lock.  Super annoying.
• I have not watched my Netflix DVDs in weeks.  Again, I do not know why I see this as a "To Do" either, but I have this crazy need to finish all of the movies on my Queue ASAP.  Again, stupid, I know.
• I have two library books out, both due in October, and no time to read.  I have been getting books from the library to save money and it has been working out great.  However, some of the books I get are popular so you can only check them out for two weeks and that is way too short for me, a slow reader.  Why do I do these things to myself?

Here are list of things I actually do need to get done:

• Call an electrician to install the ceiling fan I have sitting in the garage.
• Get the garage door fixed
• Call a fireplace person to ensure our fireplace is working properly before it gets too cold.
• Get an oil change that is way overdue.
• Get a flu shot.
• Put away the baby stuff and figure out what we still need to buy.
• Start writing two term papers that are due at the same time as the baby.
• Pick out kitchen cabinet knobs (and if Kyle reminds me one more time that I need to do this, I am going to break down).

Good thing I have a three day weekend coming up!