Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Mommy's Special Chair

When we moved just over 2 years ago from our 400 square foot apartment to our 900 square foot apartment, I was beyond overjoyed. I had the spent the the year prior to the move looking at open apartments on craigslist longing for the day we could move.
I will always look back on that apartment with fondness because that is where Boyd and I spent our first years of marriage. In the beginning, the lofted bed seemed cool and was great because we were able to utilize the space below it. We were able to make due with the small kitchen because there were only 2 of us and since the kitchen only had space for 1, it was fine. It was on the second floor of a brownstone, so it meant walking up a flight of stairs from the street and then another set of stairs to the apartment.
It was going to be a great way to get exercise. It had a lot of character (in new york terms it meant it was old and the rent wasn't so bad)

But, by the 3rd year, the apartment didn't seem so charming. That was the year Gavin was born and that apartment was just not that child friendly. Going up and down loft stairs to calm a screaming baby got old really fast. So, Gavin began sleeping in our bed until he was old enough to move. Carrying a stroller up and down 2 flights of stairs and through 3 doors and 1 gate was enough to make me want to stay home. The kitchen was too small to hold a baby and cook his food at the same time. We needed to do laundry much more frequently and lugging a baby, and 4 loads of laundry to the nearest laundry mat was just too much.

I was ready to move. Once we decided to stay in New York and that is was indeed time to move, I couldn't rest until I found an apartment. In my post- partum craziness, I spent many hours looking at apartments on line prior to that decision, so once we finally decided to move, I knew the market and I knew what I wanted. I even knew the building. Luckily, I found an opening in that building and we found a 2 bedroom apartment for a "reasonable" New York rent. We couldn't move in for nearly 2 months because they were renovating the apartment.

The wait time was almost unbearable. Since we had found an apartment and I no longer needed to be looking for an apartment, I turned my crazed attention to finding furniture for our new apartment. I really became obsessed with it. Those who know me, know that I have a hard time making decisions, especially when it comes to things that really don't matter in the end, like what shampoo I should buy, where we should eat dinner, or what furniture was going to be best for our apartment. I spent my free hours searching and searching. It got to the point that I could go into peoples homes and apartments and know where they got their furniture. Pathetic, I know. It seemed so important at the time.

I struggled with what pieces of furniture to buy. But, in all my indecision, I found one chair that I knew I had to have. I loved it from the beginning. I based the rest of my decisions around it. It has come to be known as "mommy's special chair."

So, you can imagine how I felt when I walked in the room and found that Eli had gotten the bowl of blueberries off of his high chair and had dumped it into my favorite chair. It took everything in me to not scream. But, I did cry a little.

*In my initial post, I failed to mention the outcome of the stained chair! I was able to get most of it out. Luckily, the blueberries were mostly frozen, so there wasn't as much damage as there could have been!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Called to Serve

We had a experience this week that was truly exciting. Via skype, cell phone, and land line, my family, my brother's family, and my sister's family were all able to be "present" when my parents opened their mission call. They will be serving in the Tampico, Mexico mission as CES Program Specialists.

I opened my mission call with my parents on the phone and now 9 years later I was able to be there with them. It is hard to believe.

I have to admit I was sad when they first said they were going. Of course, I know that is very selfish of me. They are going to be amazing missionaries and I think they are going to be perfect for the CES Program. WE love you Mom and Dad are proud of you!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

A little glue and a car band-aid to make things all better

Eli is our little daredevil. He is climbing and jumping off everything these days. We pray on a daily basis that he will survive the many falls he endures each day. This week he finally had his first fall that resulted in a trip to the doctors. He fell of Jane's bed this week and he split above his eye. Thank goodness it wasn't a huge cut, but we (thanks Jamie for the quick assessment) decided it was probably just big enough for stitches. I rushed him to his pediatrician. His doctor began our visit with. "We often suggest with facial cuts that you visit an ER or a Cosmetic surgeon to get stitches." A plastic surgeon? (Only in New York!) It was just a little cut. Luckily she decided that it was in a good spot and it was a clean cut, so glue was sufficient. Thank goodness!

My Dr. told me she keeps glue at home for her 3 year old boy. Can I get a bottle? It is times like these that I wish I had gone into medicine.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Do you see Wall Street in his future?

(and no, not all of Wall Street is bad and corrupt) I just had to get this little outfit for him. He looks just like his daddy. I just adore this little monkey. Yes, he makes me want lock myself in my room and collapse on the bed at the end of the day, but with a smile like his, I can't stay away for long. He is growing up so fast and is well into toddler hood.
He loves exposed bellies and the minute he sees ones he comes running after it and puts his face on it or puts his hands all over it like he is tickling it. Gavin loves to play this game with him and the other day I even used it as a way for him to follow me.

He now has a little scowl whenever he gets upset. He has a sense of ownership and is having a harder time giving things up.

He carries his blanket around like Linus.

Boyd still puts him in the Bjorn (front carrier) from time to time because he loves it. I get a kick out of it because Eli's legs hang down to Boyd's knees.

His little personality gets stronger every day! Watch out!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

You would have to be a nut!



Last New Year we cheered on several of our friends who decided to run in the Emerald Nuts Central Park Midnight run on New Years. It is a race that begins after the countdown on New Years and it is 4 miles. I had wanted to run in it, but I chickened out. So, I promised myself that I would do it next year.

2008 passed too quickly! Most of you know that I am not a runner. I used to be athletic, but I could never run very well. I started off the year very well. I was working out and eating better, but just before summer I got off track. I started working out again in November, but because of the holidays I have not been working out.

The day before the race I realized the race was approaching. I have to admit I didn't want to do it. The weather was supposed to be near 0 degrees and windy. Luckily, Jamie didn't back down and she encouraged me and we decided we were going to live up to our promise to ourselves.

The weather predictions were correct and the temp felt close to 6 with the wind chill. We (me, Jamie, Becky, and Sam)bundled up and went on our way. Boyd was kind enough to stay behind to watch the kids, so they didn't have to endure the cold.



It was cold, but it was also very exciting. With everyone all squished together we began the countdown and then the firework began as we started the race . It was very exciting I must say. . At the 2 mile marker there was water and non-alcoholic champagne. So, My first goal was make it there without stopping. Once I got there and had a swallow, I continued on my way and I didn't stop again until I reached the finish line. I did run the whole thing, but I would say it was more of a jog/shuffle. I am sure I looked funny, but I didn't care. I just wanted to finish the race. And I did. It took me almost exactly one hour to finish.

I arrived to my friends cheering me on. ( a huge sacrifice since they had to wait in the cold for an additional 20 minutes)I missed Boyd at the finish line, but I think he was much more comfortable at home!
I forgot my ipod, so during the race I had time to think about what I wanted from this year. Like most people I like new beginnings. This race was something new for me and it was great way to launch my new year. I hope that this year I can get in a good groove and keep running my race.

I hope that this year I can really focus on the needs of my little family and make sure I am meeting them. I need to take care of myself as well. I've realized that my health is so important and I am not taking very good care of my body. I want to change that.

As a family we decided it is going to be a year focused on simplicity and humility. We have been blessed with so much and we need to truly respect and appreciate it.

Happy New Year!