You Can't Be Stressed Around a Baby

While home for the holidays, I did a little reminiscing with one of my aunts.

When I was in grad school, I spent every Tuesday afternoon at her house, holding her babies. My cousins. Three of them. You see, the twins were born in November, and they already had the lovely Hailey, who at that point was around 16 months old (if I’ve done my math correctly). Let’s just say that she was also a baby – just not the newborn variety.

As you can imagine, their household was a little insane, and needed a little assistance.

And so I became the Tuesday Girl.

Every Tuesday afternoon I spent approximately 4 hours at their house – I held, fed, changed diapers, fed, rocked-to-sleep, changed diapers, and occasionally entertained, 3 very small girls.

It was great. And exhausting. And perfect for a grad student in housing.

You see, grad school is stressful. It’s especially stressful if you also have an assistantship in residence life – it feels like a full time job, while also going to school full time, and trying to figure out how to supervise staff and appropriately manage a crisis and hold students accountable. Really great stuff – but stressful to try and balance it all and pay for school and figure out “what’s next” in life. So . . . yeah. .. . it was stressful.

But I had my secret weapons: Avery, Anna and Hailey.

Why, you ask?

Because you can’t be stressed when you’re holding a baby. They’re smart. Like dogs, they can sense how you’re feeling. And if you’re stressed? Then they’re stressed. And then they quickly become miserable. And when they’re miserable? They cry. And since you probably don’t want to join in (especially when there are additional small beings that might join in on the crying), you want to console them. And while you’re consoling the baby, it helps you console yourself. Or at least pull yourself out of whatever cohort-ridden drama you’ve found yourself part of, and stop thinking about that next thesis chapter you have to write, or how you’re going to fit in four classes and a practicum alongside your assistantship next semester.

All you have to focus on is holding a baby. Maybe trying to make her smile, or giggle, or calm herself because you awakened her for her afternoon snack. It’s not about you. It’s about the baby.

I was reminded of this when I saw the girls for Hanukkah. They are now 11 and 12 – and the oldest might now officially be taller than me (I’m not sure what I find more unacceptable – her extra 2 inches or the “bye shorty” valediction I received from her. Probably the latter). Anyway . . . my aunt and I reminisced about the days of jotting down every bodily function, memorizing the book “Moo, Ba, La la la” and ‘the Anna dance.’ Those were the days! Though, I do enjoy talking books with them or taking them down in a game of Uno or Who Gnu!

After that visit home, I got to meet Baby G, my bestie’s firstborn.

He.Is.Adorable. Clearly - look at that face!!!

Many of her siblings and their families were present, so I tried to be kind, and not steal or monopolize the baby. Though, I might have once (or twice) said “I think your brother-in-law is hogging the baby.”

[He WAS!!!]

But who could blame him? G is gorgeous and smells amazing and . . . you can’t be stressed when you’re holding a baby! And so I backed down and tried to focus on other things. But it was a good reminder that perhaps I need to volunteer at the hospital to hold babies. It might be a really healthy way to get some stress to disappear.

Come on . . . you know you’d wanna hold this adorable nugget!

I recommend you find someone in your life with a little one [asking a stranger is REALLY awkward, and probably a really bad idea], and volunteer to babysit. Chances are high the parents might need a night out together, and you can get some de-stressing in.

** Side note: I might have spent more time trying to google 'antonym of salutation' to figure out what to call Hailey's farewell statement. What the heck? I've shared the great blog I found along with the appropriate word: valediction. You learn something new every day . . .

New Year’s Resolutions

I don’t normally believe in making resolutions for the new year. I think if you want to make a change in your life, you should do it. And do it now. Not wait for a new year to begin.

Having said that, I’ve decided that NOW, conveniently, I’d like to focus on some things for the upcoming year. [What can I say . . . sometimes I also like to change my mind. J ]

My friend Erin and I often talk about trying to find balance, living in a new town with a new job. [Yes, I know that I have been here now for just over a year, however, the job is big, so I’m giving myself two years to call it “new” . . . deal with it.]

It seems as though we can do one thing outside our jobs – we can work out, be social with other human beings, or we can manage our life [clean our house, cook good meals, do our laundry in a timely manner, organize our closets, etc.]. But, apparently, we can’t do it all. Something, and often, TWO-things, always fall off the plate. I have spent the last year attempting to have a social life, which worked out for the most part, but I also tried to do that other stuff, thus, seemingly failing at much.

It’s okay, however. I’m going to let it go. But for 2012, I’ve decided that, per my usual self – I do want to try and do it all. I’d like to get up early and work out in the mornings so I can be social in the evenings – and maybe cook, clean and organize a little in there, too. [But not too much – let’s be real – I can’t completely change who I am!!!]

In addition to working on balance, I also want to blog more. I enjoy the process of writing, but haven’t made much time in the last few months to make that happen. I had originally thought I’d try to blog every day – but who really wants to read a post every day? So I’m going to come up with a more manageable goal – but I’m going to be more intentional about writing. I’ll also share at least one weekly quotation and photograph to mix things up a bit. I’m working on some catchy titles for those now. (If you have any ideas, feel free to toss those my way!)

To start the new year off right, I’m going to share both with you today. This picture is an amaryllis I got from my aunt for Christmas. It bloomed yesterday. What better message than a brand new flower in a brand new year?

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

My baby sister: All Wholesome and Shit

While home for the holidays, some of my fam and I attempted to watch The Change-Up, a comedy with Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman.

It’s not even remotely a holiday film.

In fact, it was pretty bad.

So bad, we stopped watching it.

Probably not soon enough.

We might have even traumatized my mother.

The best part happened later, when we were getting ready to go to bed.

Scene: All tucked in our beds

Me, randomly, to my sister: I can’t believe you made mom watch that terrible movie!

Sister: What? You said it was good! (I had dozed through the flick late the night before. When asked for an assessment earlier in the day, I might have given it a “good” rating.)

Me: I don’t know what kinds of movies you like. You rented it.

Sister: I don’t watch THOSE kinds of movies! I watch movies that are PG – not R!!!! I watch Santa Buddies – that’s rated G!!!!!

Me: Burst into hysterical laughter, followed by tears and a mega-coughing fit. Which I attempted to remedy with some magic cough syrup and my inhaler for my ‘sensitive’ lungs. And then promptly got out my notebook to write that quote down. [And, because I'm a good sister, asked Hunter for permission to share her hilarious comment with the blogosphere. You're welcome.]

Good times.

Over . . . Committed? Whelmed? Still a Cluster . . .

I’m doing too much.

Or trying to, anyway.

Some might say, per usual.

I have, overall, high expectations – of myself, of others, and probably the world in general. Most of the time, I can own this. But it’s harder to let go of the ones I place on myself.

Tonight I’m feeling the stress.

I’ve gotten to a place where I have so much to do, I can’t even decide where to begin.

And as it’s too long for a facebook status, I’ve decided that a brain-dump/delayed post/time to organize my thoughts is in order.

Here’s what I want/(need?) to accomplish. Soon. Like tonight and tomorrow:

1.   Make salmon dip for tomorrow’s staff party (just finished – yay!)

2.   Buy more ritz crackers to go along with said salmon dip (must do tomorrow on the way to work)

3.   While we’re talking about the drive to work, we should also put on the list “stop at Starbucks for a peppermint mocha” because this morning I apparently left my just-opened gallon of favorite coffee creamer on the counter. That only is sold at one grocery store in this damn town. That I literally opened this morning and used for one cup of coffee. And left on the counter to go bad. Ugh. Not my best moment of today. Quite sad when I arrived home and noticed it.

4.   Prepare decorations for tomorrow’s holiday party.

5.   Make Triple Chocolate Brownie cookies for tomorrow’s party. [As of sitting down to write this post I’ve cut these off the list. Maybe I can make them for next week. It’s not going to happen tonight.]

6.   Research, make a decision, and perhaps purchase a new car. Goal for this is before I leave for MI to see my family for Christmas. T-minus 10 days here.

7.   Make Holiday cards/notes for staff. I might need to make around 65 of these. I’m coming to terms with using some of the store-bought cards I used for others, and make about half of these.

8.   Write out notes/sign cards for staff.

9.   Download Christmas and Hanukah cd’s into iTunes account so I can make a holiday playlist for tomorrow’s gathering.

10.  Pack up pile of junk (like iPod and player) for tomorrow. Don’t forget the serving knife for the salmon dip!

11.  Make packing list for trip to Columbus this weekend.

12.  Wrap Christmas presents to take to Columbus this weekend. Did I mention that I’m leaving in two days for this?

13.  Email friends in Columbus that I’ll be in town and want to see them during this whirlwind trip. In two days.

14.  Pack for trip.

15.  Eat dinner.

16.  Attempt to convince my sisters to confirm their visit home for Christmas. I know they both want to join my parents and I around the tree, but it might not happen. I’m quite sad about this. And the old(er?)(est?) sister in me wants to make it happen.

17.  Fix chipped nailpolish on nails. Cannot appear in public with these current fingers.

Ugh. I’m sure there are others. Perhaps I need to reconcile with myself that some things just aren’t going to get done. Because surely I should take a few more things off this list other than those damn cookies. But now that the list is on paper (sort-of!), and I’ve re-entered the blogosphere, I need to get back to work. However, I think this was a cathartic and helpful exercise for me. I started my blog this way, makes sense to start back up again with a similar post.

For the Love of Fall

What’s not to love?

Cooler temperatures - It's not too hot, and it's not too cold. Perfect weather for my favorite pair of black boots. And jeans. Add a light jacket and life is good.

Apple  cider – hot OR cold – it’s delicious either way.

A little candy corn. Yum. Those little bits of sugar just scream Autumn! 

Gorgeous colors abound.         

The crunch of leaves on a sidewalk.

Piles of leaves (that you don’t have to rake) that are big enough to jump in.

Oh? And speaking of piles of leaves?

This.

I.LOVE.THIS.PICTURE.

Yes, that is a small child screaming her fool head off, probably scared to death of those ginormous turkeys. That small girl is my sister, and she’s now a perfectly competent (seemingly unscarred) grown adult (who just celebrated her 31^st birthday!). She is well aware of my obsession with this photo. [Which is to say, I don’t feel bad publicly sharing this photo. If she had a fear of large birds, I might think twice. Maybe.] I don’t necessarily have her permission to share it on the blog, but . . . well . . . it is her birthday! J Happy Birthday, Penny!

And Happy Fall to the rest of you!

Side Note: In case you’re wondering, most of these pictures are taken from my tour last week of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Love that I’m surrounded by this beauty every day!

"Ladies, we can do better than this!"

She's right.

We can.

Jenna Fischer (you probably know her from The Office) was on Jay Leno this summer, and I was reminded of a post I "started" when I saw on the news that she had her baby. (I made some quick notes about this post in July, and . . . well . . . we know how much blogging I got done this summer).

While on The Tonight Show, Jenna got up on a soap box that I can really get behind. It’s worth repeating and restating, as apparently it can’t be shared enough.

She started this hilarious public service announcement by sharing that she wanted women to start taking better care of the public bathroom facilities. As a pregnant woman, and through all her many trips to the restroom, she’s noticed a few issues. The first problem is when she leans up against the sink to wash her hands and gets a wet belly. Those signs in airplane bathrooms about cleaning up the sinks? She’d like us to start doing that everywhere. Great idea, Jenna!

And then she addressed my favorite people – the squatters.

You.know.who.you.are.

The freaks of nature who are afraid of getting some kind of disease by sitting on a toilet seat. Or maybe you’re concerned with sitting on some else’s bodily fluids.

You know why that happens?

BECAUSE YOU FREAKING SQUAT OVER THE TOILET. Jenna calls this the “hover and tinkle.”

Just Sit.On.The.Damn.Toilet.Already.

While you might be strenghening your quads, you’re not aiming properly. It’s okay- as women, our bodies are made this way. Just relax, sit down, and keep the seat clean for the rest of us. Otherwise you start a vicious cycle which makes others think they need to squat (or “hover”), thus producing gross toilet seats for the rest of us. Please end this practice immediately.

K. That rant is over now.

If you want to see Jenna’s, go here. It’s pretty hilarious.

Also . . . in case you’re wondering . . . she had a boy. His name is Weston Lee.

You know you're out of control when . . .

I wore three pairs of shoes today.
At work.
Not intentionally, mind you. It just happened.

1. I started with some comfy flip-flops - for driving to work and walking through the construction zone.

2. The heels were for the majority of the day - their inaugural voyage. Gotta get all I can out of this great weather!

3. And then I went on a tour of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. I wasn't sure how often we'd need to go off the path, so I thought it best to cover my toes. Hence, the running shoes.

At the end of the day, I did feel a little ridiculous trying to juggle all these - but what's a girl with cute shoes to do? They can't stay home gathering dust all the time!