Today is Wednesday...my last day is Friday - the countdown is in full swing!
I am doing pretty well. I only got teary-eyed ONE time today, and there were no witnesses (great!). This is impressive considering that I was taken to lunch by my awesome staff (the original ones before my department grew), my great friend Susan (CEO's assistant) and Mo, our CEO. When I arrived to work, I found a beautiful gift bag on my desk and inside....the most thoughtful gift I could imagine! They had gotten me one of those photo mugs...you know where you have photos printed onto the mug. Well, they had made a collage of photos of me with my friends and coworkers over the six years that I've been at The Trust. It was awesome. That's what made me cry a little. I was worried about the lunch - but the conversation was light and fun and thus tear free.
Today I also began packing up my office. This won't be too difficult of a task b/c most of my stuff will stay put as is. I'm only taking personal items and some books or notes that will be particularly useful for consulting later down the road.
So - speaking of tears. I must have just hit an emotional stage of this pregnancy b/c yesterday I got teary and/or weepy a couple of times. Once, while driving home these songs came on by an appropriately named band 'The Weepies'. They are an awesome folk-rock type band that I wouldn't say are particularly melancholy, but they do make me feel nostalgic. Second, while Alex and I were watching American Idol, 'Big Mike' sang some Shania Twain song that sounded to me about moving on after someone dies (although I think it's about a break-up) so I started crying. Third, Alex told me a very sad story about one of the brides at a recent wedding - I won't get into it - I probably would have gotten teary about that even if I wasn't pregnant. And finally, we've been watching the movie Armageddon in pieces for a while now and finished last night. That was the kicker. Alex was teasing me that he thought he would need to change his shirt after the movie b/c I cried all over him. I was kind of a mess at the end of the movie - but it's really sad when Bruce Willis decides to stay on the asteroid to detonate the bomb and says goodbye to his daughter....so sad.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wow! Weelicious Wonderful
I have several goals for my upcoming foray into being more of a homemaker (along w/ overseeing our child care center - but still).
1. More time for Caleb and baby girl in August
2. Help Alex with running our businesses so that he can ALSO work less
3. Improve spiritual health
4. Improve family's physical health.
1. and 2. will be addressed by having quit my job, beginning in May.
3. Not working like a crazy-person will give me more free time. More free time = more time for God's word. I have also joined Bible Study Fellowship. I'm finishing up the current series (John) now in the evening through May and then in September when the new series on Isaiah begin in September I will do that one during the daytime (ahh, the liberty of having day-time free!)
4. Getting healthier. My goal is to take time to walk and/or do other activity outside with Caleb everyday. Now that I will have more time to think about and prepare meals, I want to make healthier, meals with fresh ingredients.
So - this just might be the best blog I've read in AGES. If you have babies or toddlers - this is for you! Weelicious
Now that Caleb is eating 100% table food, I am often faced with the challenge of trying to think of meals that Alex and I want to eat, that Caleb would also eat. This is really difficult - especially right now since Caleb is just over a year - he flip flops on what he eats. Some days - he loves veggies or fruit; the next, he won't touch them. The only stand-by guarantees are applesauce, bananas, and yogurt.
As I've been poring through this website, I have found that I save almost every recipe to my recipe box! They are delicious and healthy (and easy) recipes! So far, I haven't cooked any - but I have several printed out a waiting for me!
ENJOY!
1. More time for Caleb and baby girl in August
2. Help Alex with running our businesses so that he can ALSO work less
3. Improve spiritual health
4. Improve family's physical health.
1. and 2. will be addressed by having quit my job, beginning in May.
3. Not working like a crazy-person will give me more free time. More free time = more time for God's word. I have also joined Bible Study Fellowship. I'm finishing up the current series (John) now in the evening through May and then in September when the new series on Isaiah begin in September I will do that one during the daytime (ahh, the liberty of having day-time free!)
4. Getting healthier. My goal is to take time to walk and/or do other activity outside with Caleb everyday. Now that I will have more time to think about and prepare meals, I want to make healthier, meals with fresh ingredients.
So - this just might be the best blog I've read in AGES. If you have babies or toddlers - this is for you! Weelicious
Now that Caleb is eating 100% table food, I am often faced with the challenge of trying to think of meals that Alex and I want to eat, that Caleb would also eat. This is really difficult - especially right now since Caleb is just over a year - he flip flops on what he eats. Some days - he loves veggies or fruit; the next, he won't touch them. The only stand-by guarantees are applesauce, bananas, and yogurt.
As I've been poring through this website, I have found that I save almost every recipe to my recipe box! They are delicious and healthy (and easy) recipes! So far, I haven't cooked any - but I have several printed out a waiting for me!
ENJOY!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
countdown begins!
Wow! So much to share since my last posts...
1. The countdown has begun at work - only TWO WEEKS to go! I still get very emotional and nostalgic at the thought of saying goodbye to my wonderful, wonderful coworkers whom I care about so much. However, as the work and projects keep coming--I have to admit I am SO relieved to see a light at the end of this tunnel. Not even, that light is the dawning of a new day - it's just so close!
2. Caleb is now walking and walking. About a week and a half ago you could practically see the switch flip in his brain that told him, "Hey this walking thing is way more efficient than crawling, even if I do fall down a lot." Since then - walking comes first.
3. Vocabulary is growing. Caleb says Mama and Dadda - although Dadda comes far more frequently. Dog started out really clear as Daoh (like "ahh" with a D on the front), but it is now a two syllable word that sounds like dod-do. Which is just weird since we have made a point of always calling things what they are, so we say "dog" not doggie or anything else. Dog is said to almost anything with 4 legs - he also says it if he hears barking. Somewhere along the line he picked up 'Bird' (burr) - and very accurately says it to anything that flies (we saw a lady-bug in a cartoon - that was a burr).
4. In case you don't follow me on Facebook - #2 is a GIRL! At first, we had to adjust b/c we kind of thought we wanted another boy. But now - we are all warmed up to having a little girl. Although am nervous about one thing: I have had very, very short hair for over 10 years - I don't think that I even know how to put up a ponytail - I'm very concerned about learning to do a little girl's hair.
1. The countdown has begun at work - only TWO WEEKS to go! I still get very emotional and nostalgic at the thought of saying goodbye to my wonderful, wonderful coworkers whom I care about so much. However, as the work and projects keep coming--I have to admit I am SO relieved to see a light at the end of this tunnel. Not even, that light is the dawning of a new day - it's just so close!
2. Caleb is now walking and walking. About a week and a half ago you could practically see the switch flip in his brain that told him, "Hey this walking thing is way more efficient than crawling, even if I do fall down a lot." Since then - walking comes first.
3. Vocabulary is growing. Caleb says Mama and Dadda - although Dadda comes far more frequently. Dog started out really clear as Daoh (like "ahh" with a D on the front), but it is now a two syllable word that sounds like dod-do. Which is just weird since we have made a point of always calling things what they are, so we say "dog" not doggie or anything else. Dog is said to almost anything with 4 legs - he also says it if he hears barking. Somewhere along the line he picked up 'Bird' (burr) - and very accurately says it to anything that flies (we saw a lady-bug in a cartoon - that was a burr).
4. In case you don't follow me on Facebook - #2 is a GIRL! At first, we had to adjust b/c we kind of thought we wanted another boy. But now - we are all warmed up to having a little girl. Although am nervous about one thing: I have had very, very short hair for over 10 years - I don't think that I even know how to put up a ponytail - I'm very concerned about learning to do a little girl's hair.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Why does a salad cost more than a Big Mac?
I received this from a friend. This graphic was recently published by the Consumerist, with the few words, “This is why you’re fat.” Find an article talking about it HERE.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Please accept my resignation
No - not from blogging. In fact, I think that you will find that my blogging should be increasing soon.
I have resigned from my job. That's the big news I spoke of in the previous post. It was an easy - yet difficult decision.
My last day will be May 5, eight weeks away. Given my position I wanted to be able to give them as much as time as possible to come up with a transition plan.
We've been thinking about this at some level or another since Caleb was born. It picked up intensity when we found out we were pregnant again. But the bottom line was this - Alex and I are insanely busy. I can say confidently that everyone who knows us rarely knows anyone busier than the 2 of us. It has been taxing and stressful.
Some time ago I heard Andy Stanley preaching on a podcast about making wise decisions. He spoke at length about this verse, Proverbs 22:3:
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
He talked about how he and his wife made that verse their prayer - that the Lord would help them to see danger and give them wisdom to take refuge. He talked about how God's answer to those prayers had led them to make decisions that really couldn't be explained otherwise.
This is how Alex and I feel. We see danger in the pace of our life. We love the Lord. We cherish our marriage and are so thankful that it is strong. We want more than anything to raise Godly children who deeply love the Lord and seek His will for their lives.
The pace of our current lives would lead us away from accomplishing that ultimate goal of raising Godly children. I am so busy and over-extended that I often fail to study the Word as I used to and should. I fail to pray as I used to and should. Alex is such a wonderful leader of our home and encourages me to read and pray.
We are always so tired and stressed out. Lately Alex has had a cold for weeks that won't go away and I get daily tension headaches. Both of these are directly related to our current lifestyle.
Something has to give; and we decided to choose what that would be while we still could.
I'm excited and nervous about this new stage in my life. I am sad to leave The Children's Trust. It has been such a wonderful place to work. I am mostly sad about leaving the wonderful friends and colleagues that I have worked with for the past six years. I am also sad about not being a part of the good work that is done as a result of The Trust. The place is doing so much to improve Miami.
However, I know that I will have no regrets. As we move forward our goals are to grow and strengthen the spiritual and physical health of this family. There are behaviors that I want to instill in Caleb and this means ensuring that I live them daily. We will be changing things for the better.
I have resigned from my job. That's the big news I spoke of in the previous post. It was an easy - yet difficult decision.
My last day will be May 5, eight weeks away. Given my position I wanted to be able to give them as much as time as possible to come up with a transition plan.
We've been thinking about this at some level or another since Caleb was born. It picked up intensity when we found out we were pregnant again. But the bottom line was this - Alex and I are insanely busy. I can say confidently that everyone who knows us rarely knows anyone busier than the 2 of us. It has been taxing and stressful.
Some time ago I heard Andy Stanley preaching on a podcast about making wise decisions. He spoke at length about this verse, Proverbs 22:3:
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
He talked about how he and his wife made that verse their prayer - that the Lord would help them to see danger and give them wisdom to take refuge. He talked about how God's answer to those prayers had led them to make decisions that really couldn't be explained otherwise.
This is how Alex and I feel. We see danger in the pace of our life. We love the Lord. We cherish our marriage and are so thankful that it is strong. We want more than anything to raise Godly children who deeply love the Lord and seek His will for their lives.
The pace of our current lives would lead us away from accomplishing that ultimate goal of raising Godly children. I am so busy and over-extended that I often fail to study the Word as I used to and should. I fail to pray as I used to and should. Alex is such a wonderful leader of our home and encourages me to read and pray.
We are always so tired and stressed out. Lately Alex has had a cold for weeks that won't go away and I get daily tension headaches. Both of these are directly related to our current lifestyle.
Something has to give; and we decided to choose what that would be while we still could.
I'm excited and nervous about this new stage in my life. I am sad to leave The Children's Trust. It has been such a wonderful place to work. I am mostly sad about leaving the wonderful friends and colleagues that I have worked with for the past six years. I am also sad about not being a part of the good work that is done as a result of The Trust. The place is doing so much to improve Miami.
However, I know that I will have no regrets. As we move forward our goals are to grow and strengthen the spiritual and physical health of this family. There are behaviors that I want to instill in Caleb and this means ensuring that I live them daily. We will be changing things for the better.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Food
Since the day of Caleb's surgery to implant Eustachian tubes in his ears he has had SUCH an improved appetite. Not only is he eating more (most of the time) but since the surgery he has rarely (may once or twice) had baby food - he has been eating table food. So here are foods that I'm happy that he seems to like:
Lightly salted edamame
other green veggies (peas, green beans)
Crazy for bananas
Trying now veggies cooked in lentil stew
He is basically willing to try anything that he sees us eat. But some days he likes the food (almost always the first time) and then he doesn't. Like strawberries - some days he'll eat them all up, other days he'll spit them out. I'm less happy about how much he LOVES all things made from bread - but oh well.
He is often moody in his high chair - I think he ultimately hates being restrained in things - he also dislikes the car seat. That moodiness makes it so that he ends up of gagging some b/c he's complaining w/ food in his mouth.
He's teething something crazy - getting 4 molars, and one other tooth.
Lightly salted edamame
other green veggies (peas, green beans)
Crazy for bananas
Trying now veggies cooked in lentil stew
He is basically willing to try anything that he sees us eat. But some days he likes the food (almost always the first time) and then he doesn't. Like strawberries - some days he'll eat them all up, other days he'll spit them out. I'm less happy about how much he LOVES all things made from bread - but oh well.
He is often moody in his high chair - I think he ultimately hates being restrained in things - he also dislikes the car seat. That moodiness makes it so that he ends up of gagging some b/c he's complaining w/ food in his mouth.
He's teething something crazy - getting 4 molars, and one other tooth.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Updates
Hello everyone!
What a whirlwind life has been lately....
So - in news (to some, not all of you)
This was actually taken in November when I found out one morning before heading off to work...I know - what a day! I'm 13 weeks now. Generally I can't complain...but, I do some. I'm not as nauseous as I was with Caleb, which is nice. I am EXHAUSTED. Which I was with Caleb too, but I had time to sleep then. I also have a chronic cough which is getting annoying and making my abs hurt. #2 is due August 26. Caleb will be 18 months old.
I'm also thoroughly worn out because Caleb has had 6 ear infections since September (that's about 1 per month if you counted). And has had chronic ear infections since mid-January. He's had 3 this year already. We went to see a pediatric ENT at University of Miami a week and a half ago and he said that Caleb is WAY above the threshold for Eustachian tubes in his ears. The threshold for him - 3 in 5 months or 5 in a year....remember the math we did a moment ago? yeah. We are ready, this last month and a half have been really hard on all of us. These ear infections have been accompanied by days of high fevers, wakeful nights, clinginess, etc. I'm worn out. Also, related to that, I'm certain - Caleb has been 17 pounds since his 9-month check up. He'll be one year in 2 weeks - that's not good. He doesn't have a good appetite and doesn't eat or drink a lot. I know he's not ever going to be a chubby kid - but to not gain weight in 2.5 months? That's not good.
I will likely have other big news coming soon - but we'll let the anticipation build for a while....
Shaleen.
What a whirlwind life has been lately....
So - in news (to some, not all of you)
This was actually taken in November when I found out one morning before heading off to work...I know - what a day! I'm 13 weeks now. Generally I can't complain...but, I do some. I'm not as nauseous as I was with Caleb, which is nice. I am EXHAUSTED. Which I was with Caleb too, but I had time to sleep then. I also have a chronic cough which is getting annoying and making my abs hurt. #2 is due August 26. Caleb will be 18 months old.
I'm also thoroughly worn out because Caleb has had 6 ear infections since September (that's about 1 per month if you counted). And has had chronic ear infections since mid-January. He's had 3 this year already. We went to see a pediatric ENT at University of Miami a week and a half ago and he said that Caleb is WAY above the threshold for Eustachian tubes in his ears. The threshold for him - 3 in 5 months or 5 in a year....remember the math we did a moment ago? yeah. We are ready, this last month and a half have been really hard on all of us. These ear infections have been accompanied by days of high fevers, wakeful nights, clinginess, etc. I'm worn out. Also, related to that, I'm certain - Caleb has been 17 pounds since his 9-month check up. He'll be one year in 2 weeks - that's not good. He doesn't have a good appetite and doesn't eat or drink a lot. I know he's not ever going to be a chubby kid - but to not gain weight in 2.5 months? That's not good.
I will likely have other big news coming soon - but we'll let the anticipation build for a while....
Shaleen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
