Friday, June 24, 2011

January 2.


A happy new year, indeed.

We are thrilled.

And terrified.

But mostly thrilled.

We can't wait to meet you, precious little one.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

It's Thursday.

I started the day with shampoo in my eyes, which was unpleasant enough. But that was followed closely by a startlingly large spider waiting for me outside the shower, and then by me somehow running straight into the toilet, which I'm pretty has always been in that same exact spot. The highlight of my morning was managing to successfully hide in Calvin's room with a bowl of cereal. I had to hide my cereal consumption because we didn't have time for both of us to have a bowl of cereal and I really needed one because I felt like I was going to pass out from low blood sugar. And if that had happened, well, we would have been even later than we already were.

One irritated eye, dead spider, stubbed toe, banged-up shin, bowl of cereal, and late daycare drop off later, I made it to work. But not without a quick stop at Target first, where I purchased a new cardigan. The one I chose to wear over my tank this morning didn't even remotely cover my bra straps, which I didn't notice until I was almost to work. While I occasionally lack modesty, I don't usually show up to work with lacy bra straps a blazin'. I blame my shampoo eyes for that oversight.

It's been a day. I'm really tired. I'm a little grouchy. My toe is kind of sore. But, gosh darnit, I am going to write a Thankful Thursday post. It's been a while, and I've got some thankful to share. But none from this morning, of course. This morning sucked.

Without further ado, today's list of things that have nothing to do with today but I'm thankful for nonetheless:

1. Cloud 9 by Tresics t-shirts. Never heard of that brand? Me neither. Until I went to Marshall's and found this super soft cute grey t-shirt for $5.99. I think I've had it for maybe two months and it's already been worn more than most items of clothing I own, even the two t-shirts I still wear from my junior year of high school. After unsuccessfully scouring the internet for more Cloud 9 t-shirts, I finally went back to Marshall's, where I found three more. If you live near a Marshall's, go. Now. Best t-shirts ever.

2. I have an office! We're talking four walls, a big window, and — most importantly — a DOOR. When I was hired seven years ago, there were four of us in marketing, I was at the bottom of the food chain, and I shared a cubicle with all of the marketing samples. Two years later there were four of us in marketing, I was second from the bottom, my intern got to sit with the samples, and I got to move into a slightly larger cubicle without a window. A year after that everyone in my department left, two new people were added, and I was back at the bottom of the (slightly smaller) food chain. However, I got a promotion and was moved into a cubicle with three walls and a big window. And now there are only two of us in marketing, we work as partners, and I have my own office. The office my boss had when I first started here. I've successfully made my way from minion to manager. While my job hasn't changed much — in fact, I now just do the work of all three people without oversight — there's something very satisfying about looking back at my past from the comfort of my new office.

3. Windows are Rolled Down by Amos Lee. That song is on repeat. Like, all the time.

4. I am head-over-heels in love with So You Think You Can Dance this season. I feel like everyone is really talented, and so far there have been some pretty decent routines. I am such a sucker for the contemporary pieces. Like this one, for example. Or this one. Sigh. Such a guilty summer pleasure.

5. I've started listening to audio books on the way to and from work. I don't know why this never struck me as a good idea before, because I love to read and I don't have time to read and I spend a solid hour blankly staring out the window of my car every day. My friend Jennifer loaned me Janet Evanovich's Two for the Dough, the second book in a series I've tried to read based on a number of recommendations, but could never get into. And I loved it. I mean, the Evanovich books are kind of a cheap thrill and by no means literary masterpieces, but who wants to think while driving? It took me about a week to get through that book, and now I'm onto the next one. My commute has improved tenfold.

6. Tomorrow's blog post, which I've been working on for a few months. Good things take time, you know.

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Summer lovin'.

You've probably noticed I've been a bit scarce lately.

No?

Um, okay. That's kind of sad. But hey, it's fair. I've been a pretty pathetic excuse for a blogger and blog commenter. I'm sorry. I love you. And I read your blogs even when I don't comment. Promise, I do. You're all so clever and crafty and devoted to your passions. And your kids remain very cute. So, keep up the good work. And I'll try to do better with the commenting.

Anyway, for the past few weeks while I've not been blogging, I've been living. Outside, mostly. Spending time with my family. Working in my yard. Going to the farmer's market. Playing in the sprinkler. Soaking up these blissful early summer days of 75-degree weather and low to no humidity.

Heaven, really.

We've been to the zoo. And the park. And Minnehaha Falls. We've sat on a number of patios for dinner, ours included. I baked an incredible blueberry peach pie, of which I only captured a before photo (dumb). We've planted lots of flowers and Nate's coaxed grass to grow in impossible places.

I am happy. And thankful — for our sweet little house and healthy little family and all kinds of culinary goodness like orzo/tomato/dill salad and hot dogs and caprese salad and Byerly's steak kebabs and cheddar and sour cream potato chips and grilled vegetables and my pie and other things I wish I could eat every single day of the year.

Is it obvious that summer = food in my mind?

And now, a random mishmosh of outdoor photos — some with captions, some without.







The picture below was my attempt at capturing the line for dinner at Sea Salt last weekend. All I could get was the back third of the outdoor line. So, triple that line and then add in the line of people inside the restaurant. I am so glad we got there when we did (in the first third of the outdoor line). Our wait was only an hour (plus another hour for our food to come). Sounds crazy, but there's no better way to spend a Saturday night. Or $30. Dang, that food is amazing.






Here is my pie. Unbaked. Amazing, huh? I was impressed. Just imagine this all golden, crisp, and bubbly with lots of blueberry goodness leaking out the top.




This poor quality photo of Calvin was included solely to showcase his mad head of curls post-bath. They are so awesome, but as soon as he wakes up in the morning his hair is back to stick straight. Unfortunate. I was hoping the McLaughlin 'fro would live on.






Tuesday, June 7, 2011

In case anyone is wondering...


Have I mentioned how much I hate being hot?

Pant, pant, sweat.

It be my birthday today?

Was the question asked day in and day out over the course of a two month period by my son. Every morning Calvin would bolt upright in his bed, pop his head up over the edge of the crib, and say "It be my birthday today? My Mickey party today?" And I would say "No, sweetie. It's not your birthday today. But, soon!"

Well, soon very quickly turned into three weeks ago and this mom of the year is just now looking through the pathetic assortment of photos I took during Calvin's birthday party. Really, my worst showing yet. Somehow I have no problem capturing the boring everyday moments on film, but the big, important events in my son's life? The ones he talks about for two months beforehand? Not so much.

No photos of our family. No photos with the Grandmas. No photos with Uncles Jon or Mike or Aunt Mary. No photos of the expertly strung crepe paper or Calvin and Grandma Mary jointly blowing out the candles on her birthday cheesecake.

Sigh.

Sorry, kiddo. Just know that we all had lots of fun at your Mickey party. Even if we don't have the best photos to prove it.















Since I'm already admitting to my failures as a mother, I may as well tack this one on: I really dropped the ball on that whole keeping a baby book thing. Good intentions and whatnot. Luckily I've heard the internet will be around forever, so I'm relying heavily on the blog to fill that void. Here's hoping Calvin never wants to know when his teeth came in or what his favorite vegetable was at 18 months, because I've got nothing.

Anyway, I took Calvin to the pediatrician two weeks ago for his two-year well child checkup. He is, in fact, a well child. The ever-important stats:

Weight: 28lbs, 50th percentile
Height: 36 inches, 80th percentile
Head: 19.5 inches, 75th percentile

He's on track growth-wise, and his verbal and large motor skills are on par with that of a three-year-old. We heard a similar account during his spring conferences at school a few weeks ago — he's the youngest in his class but he's keeping up (and then some) with the three-year-olds. He knows his colors and shapes, can count up to 10, has a very large vocabulary, and has begun stringing along pretty impressive sentences (most of which begin with "I don't!").

While I am proud of my son's "academic" achievements (for which I take no credit, the Lord has truly blessed us with a bright and capable kid), I am most impressed by Calvin's tender heart, sense of humor, and good-natured personality. He is a joy. And a challenge. But mostly a joy.

I'm so lucky to be his (disorganized) mom.
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