Monday, April 30, 2012
excuses, excuses
My laptop crashes every three minutes, so we're finally getting it fixed (pays to have geek IT friends). Meanwhile, Jon is using the desktop web building for his new job morning day and night, and blogging on this iPhone has made my carpal tunnel flare up like craaazy (I know, lame). Please excuse any typos to follow, this is a very small screen. Blah blah blah.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
home sweet apt
Since I'm still the worst and have no time to actually write about anything today (or yesterday or the day before) I'll just add some photos from last weekend's dinner with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend. We're really happy with how our home has turned out, collecting things over the years.
When we first got married everything was bare, because I refuse to buy things just to have them or just to decorate/fill space. I will not buy something unless I love it, and if nothing out there fits the picture in my mind, I just wait until it comes. Our furniture = years of Christmas and birthdays. Instead of presents, when we were lucky enough to buy we'd choose to get something we needed as a family instead...$20 IKEA coffee table, ho ho ho! A five year work in progress (five years ago is when we started really dreaming and picking things out for a life together) things are really cozy now. We know IKEA doesn't last forever as many will point out, but that's part of why we like it, because we know our taste will change over the years too. That and we can afford it. That and it cleans up reeeeally easy. If one thing feels complete so far in life, it's home. Home is a good start, right?
Jon loves to cook and I just love to have people over, so now that we can finally really do it we're trying to book friends and family throughout the year!
Oh look, I ended up filling an entry after all.
When we first got married everything was bare, because I refuse to buy things just to have them or just to decorate/fill space. I will not buy something unless I love it, and if nothing out there fits the picture in my mind, I just wait until it comes. Our furniture = years of Christmas and birthdays. Instead of presents, when we were lucky enough to buy we'd choose to get something we needed as a family instead...$20 IKEA coffee table, ho ho ho! A five year work in progress (five years ago is when we started really dreaming and picking things out for a life together) things are really cozy now. We know IKEA doesn't last forever as many will point out, but that's part of why we like it, because we know our taste will change over the years too. That and we can afford it. That and it cleans up reeeeally easy. If one thing feels complete so far in life, it's home. Home is a good start, right?
 |
| Our Nest |
Jon loves to cook and I just love to have people over, so now that we can finally really do it we're trying to book friends and family throughout the year!
 |
| Holy cannoli... |
Oh look, I ended up filling an entry after all.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
meeting N&N ♥
Soon enough I will "retire" and have my own babies. Meanwhile, my heart belongs to these little ones still after two years! The amount of love I've experienced with them is incredible, sometimes I could just burst. If being a mother makes me feel more full than this, and I know it will, I just don't know how I'll survive. :)
When I started, three-year-old N still had a hint of a German/British mixed accent. He would greet me in the morning with his big blue eyes and brown curly bed head in a t-shirt, briefs and Lightning McQueen slippers. It didn't take him two days to start hugging me hello (not shy at all) and he'd invite me to sit with him while he finished breakfast. Breakfast was usually an awesome European spread - french baguette, cheeses and meats, sliced tomato, crepe style pancakes. He only ate the bread and cheese. "Rocket fuel" he called it. He told me about the neighborhood, family and friends, the importance of recycling, his travels. The first time he lifted his mug of chai and said "cheers", I almost fell off my seat. Every day with him was a new awesome conversation, a new adventure.
N♥ had just turned a year old and was still taking two naps a day. I'd open the door to her room and she'd be standing in her crib with the biggest smile behind her clear plastic binky, blonde hair always perfectly tousled from sleep, big blue eyes sparkling. She bore striking resemblance to a biological Jolie-Pitt child. She just wanted to explore everything with her fairly new walking feet. Toddle and fall, toddle and fall...laugh, jump (kind of) and start over again. Taste this, bang on that. I love that age, like curious little cavemen. She was learning first words in both English and German, so I got to learn with her. I loved watching her discover and play. Both kids were (and still are) extremely cuddly so there's never a shortage of kisses and hugs. They both loved to read, take walks and laugh at even my worst jokes. Could it get better than that?
I'm so thankful for their parents, who have become incredible friends and mentors. I'm glad they took the chance at finding me and I'm glad I gave them a chance! (They were the last one...I've got hilarious and nightmarish nanny stories to tell too) They've also introduced me to others in the neighborhood, a handful of equally terrific families that I've gladly included in our time over these two years. All of the kids together make a perfect grand finale in the child care chapter of my life.
To celebrate our "nanny-versary" we had Superman ice cream. Happiness is a sticky blue face. I can't wait to see what year three brings. I only hope I've been as good to them as they've been to me!
When I started, three-year-old N still had a hint of a German/British mixed accent. He would greet me in the morning with his big blue eyes and brown curly bed head in a t-shirt, briefs and Lightning McQueen slippers. It didn't take him two days to start hugging me hello (not shy at all) and he'd invite me to sit with him while he finished breakfast. Breakfast was usually an awesome European spread - french baguette, cheeses and meats, sliced tomato, crepe style pancakes. He only ate the bread and cheese. "Rocket fuel" he called it. He told me about the neighborhood, family and friends, the importance of recycling, his travels. The first time he lifted his mug of chai and said "cheers", I almost fell off my seat. Every day with him was a new awesome conversation, a new adventure.
I'm so thankful for their parents, who have become incredible friends and mentors. I'm glad they took the chance at finding me and I'm glad I gave them a chance! (They were the last one...I've got hilarious and nightmarish nanny stories to tell too) They've also introduced me to others in the neighborhood, a handful of equally terrific families that I've gladly included in our time over these two years. All of the kids together make a perfect grand finale in the child care chapter of my life.
To celebrate our "nanny-versary" we had Superman ice cream. Happiness is a sticky blue face. I can't wait to see what year three brings. I only hope I've been as good to them as they've been to me!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
favorite iPhone apps
Pinterest - Do I have to explain? Click for my boards, if you care :)
Pandora - I haven't listened to broadcast radio in ages. Now everyone can see my ridiculous taste (not even a smidgen of it)...
IMDB - Jon "Hey look it's Katy Perry" Me "That's Zooey Deschanel"
Him "Nah that's Katy Perry. You know, the chick from Elf" Me "What? Um, no babe"
(pull up IMDB app, instant win)
other scenario - "Omg who's that guy...in the other movie, with the thing...you know right? The one with the hair!" "I know who you're talking about I just can't...dammit!"
(pull up IMDB, save everyone from growing aneurysm)
Countdowns - I like seeing how close I am to excitement!!!
Fooducate - A grocery shopping must! Scan the barcode of a product and it gives it a health grade, plus offers suggestions on what you could try instead. It's amazing how many things are marketed to be healthy but end up being the worst! I'm also picking up a lot of awesome products I would have overlooked otherwise.
Gratitude - I'm definitely an annual victim of the winter blues. This year I discovered the Gratitude app, a really cute little way to count your blessings before bed, look over it later and feel a bit better. If I can't come up with specifics for a given day, I just put the obvious. I don't stick to it every day, or weeks even (I'm not great at that stuff...so what do I do? start a blog) but it's nice to have there and reflect on a crummy day.
111 Things - This year is our year of the BUCKET LIST, the year of "let's do whatever random things we come up with while no one else is depending on us", and this is the simplest app for it! It gives you 111 ideas and you can delete/add your own. I pretty much added all of my own, but I love that it gives you inspiration to start. When you check it off, it automatically dates it (or you can edit if you want to include things you've already accomplished, which would also be cool)
Baby Names - When the moment comes, after we've had so many conversations through the years about name ideas, I don't want to forget it all and have to start back at square one. So I carry a phone list of possibilities. We strongly agree on a few (yay!) but I won't share - we'd like to be able to keep final choices secret until birth, but we'll see how that goes (I'll bust, I'm sure). We've got some time.
Games - I don't play games that often. I do have Tiny Wings, Words With Friends, Draw Something, and Baby Monkey Riding On A Pig (a random, slap happy download and great song to annoy friends with)
Any must-have app suggestions? :)
Pandora - I haven't listened to broadcast radio in ages. Now everyone can see my ridiculous taste (not even a smidgen of it)...
IMDB - Jon "Hey look it's Katy Perry" Me "That's Zooey Deschanel"
Him "Nah that's Katy Perry. You know, the chick from Elf" Me "What? Um, no babe"
(pull up IMDB app, instant win)
other scenario - "Omg who's that guy...in the other movie, with the thing...you know right? The one with the hair!" "I know who you're talking about I just can't...dammit!"
(pull up IMDB, save everyone from growing aneurysm)
Countdowns - I like seeing how close I am to excitement!!!
Fooducate - A grocery shopping must! Scan the barcode of a product and it gives it a health grade, plus offers suggestions on what you could try instead. It's amazing how many things are marketed to be healthy but end up being the worst! I'm also picking up a lot of awesome products I would have overlooked otherwise.
Gratitude - I'm definitely an annual victim of the winter blues. This year I discovered the Gratitude app, a really cute little way to count your blessings before bed, look over it later and feel a bit better. If I can't come up with specifics for a given day, I just put the obvious. I don't stick to it every day, or weeks even (I'm not great at that stuff...so what do I do? start a blog) but it's nice to have there and reflect on a crummy day.
111 Things - This year is our year of the BUCKET LIST, the year of "let's do whatever random things we come up with while no one else is depending on us", and this is the simplest app for it! It gives you 111 ideas and you can delete/add your own. I pretty much added all of my own, but I love that it gives you inspiration to start. When you check it off, it automatically dates it (or you can edit if you want to include things you've already accomplished, which would also be cool)
Baby Names - When the moment comes, after we've had so many conversations through the years about name ideas, I don't want to forget it all and have to start back at square one. So I carry a phone list of possibilities. We strongly agree on a few (yay!) but I won't share - we'd like to be able to keep final choices secret until birth, but we'll see how that goes (I'll bust, I'm sure). We've got some time.
Games - I don't play games that often. I do have Tiny Wings, Words With Friends, Draw Something, and Baby Monkey Riding On A Pig (a random, slap happy download and great song to annoy friends with)
Any must-have app suggestions? :)
Friday, April 13, 2012
27! the salsa birthday
First weekend of birthday fun, my favorite cousin came into town from ATL! I picked Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar for dinner, a hot Vegas or NYC style restaurant in Woodmere with amazing chips and salsa, guacamole and rum cocktails.
Before dinner our best friends Kyle and Lauren met up with us at the apartment and brought me this adorable bottle of cake flavored vodka. No kidding, it is cake. And vodka.
At the restaurant we ordered a full spread of flavored guacamoles and salsas, which change every now and then. The chips are one of my favorite things, instead of the normal, expected tortilla chips they have crisp plantains and taro. The food is a mix of all Mexican, Central and South American and my Brazilian style chicken soft tacos were a delicious crunchy nutty spicy treat! I can't believe I didn't take a picture, I always do. I was probably too into the drink of the evening, an incredible pomegranate ginger mojito garnished with a stick of sugar cane.
For birthday weekend two (the actual birthday weekend, but I like to drag my birthday out as much as I can either way) I wanted to do something new and different and found complimentary salsa dance lessons at the VIP Fortress Nightclub in Cleveland.
Before dinner our best friends Kyle and Lauren met up with us at the apartment and brought me this adorable bottle of cake flavored vodka. No kidding, it is cake. And vodka.
At the restaurant we ordered a full spread of flavored guacamoles and salsas, which change every now and then. The chips are one of my favorite things, instead of the normal, expected tortilla chips they have crisp plantains and taro. The food is a mix of all Mexican, Central and South American and my Brazilian style chicken soft tacos were a delicious crunchy nutty spicy treat! I can't believe I didn't take a picture, I always do. I was probably too into the drink of the evening, an incredible pomegranate ginger mojito garnished with a stick of sugar cane.
For birthday weekend two (the actual birthday weekend, but I like to drag my birthday out as much as I can either way) I wanted to do something new and different and found complimentary salsa dance lessons at the VIP Fortress Nightclub in Cleveland.
Kyle and Lauren came with us for this adventure. Upon walking in we were greeted by the professional instructors on the floor and asked if we were there for beginner, intermediate or advanced lessons. Us obvious beginners were taken to one side of the floor and taught the basic counts, steps and turns. The guys learned how to "hold a pizza and raise it up", spinning themselves and then us by our hands, spinning another way, and another way. We spun, missed, lost our balance, laughed, traded partners, spun some more, until we perfected our basic little routine. The instructors were great. The gentleman seemed a little envious of my husband's height while eagerly pointing out his disadvantages, but we got a laugh out of that too. The boys felt a little sick from all of the spinning so shortly after dinner, but we're excited to practice at home and go up for another lesson someday. I could have watched the advanced dancers go all night. What a fun new experience to start off year 27!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
why this year is awesome
- We might get health insurance. I cried at that news. See "boob scare" in the previous entry. Not to mention we haven't wanted to start a family without it. Not to mention HEALTH INSURANCE!
- I'm starting my third year with the incredible family who I work for as a nanny. When I began with them the little boy was three, I will call him N, young names protected just because it feels right. His little sister N♥ (the heart shows the difference) had just turned one and was toddling around in diapers and Robeez. It didn't take long for them to steal my heart! Now this summer N will be six, N♥ has just turned three and the two of them continue to brighten my days with astounding conversations, lots of laughter and the added enjoyment of their neighborhood friends - M and C♥ (we'll say the heart is for girls), A, J and baby J. All of these children are incredibly well behaved, which if I get into enough stories from being a nanny over the years, you will find has not been very common. I adore the families of all of the kids. The days are exhausting, mind and body, but I definitely can't complain. This year feels like a big one though - both climbing trees, both on bicycles, both going to school in the fall - two times the worry and adventure!
- The year to get in shape. No more excuses. Running is not fun, I don't care what anyone tries to tell me. Exercise is not fun. After both though, I do feel pretty awesome. I want to be back in the shape of my life before we decide to get pregnant (and go back to square one, ha) and we both want to be happy with ourselves half-naked on the trips that we've planned...
- Traveling, finally! Jon didn't even like to talk about this a year or two back, because it was something that just wasn't in our cards. He surprised me by planning a wonderful weekend in Virginia Beach two years ago when my wanderlust spiked, but other than that, an equally short honeymoon and driving to the occasional wedding we haven't had time or money to really get away together. This year, we said to hell with it all (because sometimes it just gets to that point) and made plans to go with our best friends on a road trip across the country this summer. Fifteen states in two weeks, to California and back. Next year, hopefully the East Caribbean. Next week, Chicago. Things are happening! We have passport applications. I have a beach hat. Look out, world.
- I'm starting my third year with the incredible family who I work for as a nanny. When I began with them the little boy was three, I will call him N, young names protected just because it feels right. His little sister N♥ (the heart shows the difference) had just turned one and was toddling around in diapers and Robeez. It didn't take long for them to steal my heart! Now this summer N will be six, N♥ has just turned three and the two of them continue to brighten my days with astounding conversations, lots of laughter and the added enjoyment of their neighborhood friends - M and C♥ (we'll say the heart is for girls), A, J and baby J. All of these children are incredibly well behaved, which if I get into enough stories from being a nanny over the years, you will find has not been very common. I adore the families of all of the kids. The days are exhausting, mind and body, but I definitely can't complain. This year feels like a big one though - both climbing trees, both on bicycles, both going to school in the fall - two times the worry and adventure!
- The year to get in shape. No more excuses. Running is not fun, I don't care what anyone tries to tell me. Exercise is not fun. After both though, I do feel pretty awesome. I want to be back in the shape of my life before we decide to get pregnant (and go back to square one, ha) and we both want to be happy with ourselves half-naked on the trips that we've planned...
- Traveling, finally! Jon didn't even like to talk about this a year or two back, because it was something that just wasn't in our cards. He surprised me by planning a wonderful weekend in Virginia Beach two years ago when my wanderlust spiked, but other than that, an equally short honeymoon and driving to the occasional wedding we haven't had time or money to really get away together. This year, we said to hell with it all (because sometimes it just gets to that point) and made plans to go with our best friends on a road trip across the country this summer. Fifteen states in two weeks, to California and back. Next year, hopefully the East Caribbean. Next week, Chicago. Things are happening! We have passport applications. I have a beach hat. Look out, world.
 |
| Take me away! |
- Right now, everyone is happy and healthy. I have to say, unfortunately I don't always let myself enjoy this because I tend to get a lurking feeling that the next terrible thing is around the corner. I tend to get upset just thinking about things that haven't even happened yet, or remembering the feelings that we had last year and years before and how down I was. I'm working on that! Allowing myself to enjoy what's going on this year, not allowing myself to feel guilty, to worry (okay that's easier said than done - but trying!) or dwell on anything. I'm figuring myself out a little more, working on my "shell" (a lifelong process - I'm an awkward introvert/extrovert mix), working on what I'm sure is probably adult ADD, and working on not caring what other people think. I'm trying to make more time to just hang out with my parents, grandparents and brother, trying to spend a little more time with friends instead of staying in with my sweats and the Roku (still need that time too though or else I get cranky) and finally, enjoying every single day with my husband and best friend.
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