Jenn over at Munchkin Land started this meme, and tagged anyone who was interested. So, here goes...
Four Jobs I Have Had:
• Advertising Representative, my current job
• Editor-in-Chief at my college newspaper
• Guest Relations Representative at Six Flags Elitch Gardens
• Retail Associate/Cashier at Party America
Four Films I Can Watch Over & Over:
• The Devil Wears Prada
• She’s the Man
• 13 Going on 30
• Sweet Home Alabama
Four Places I have lived:
• Aurora
• Gunnison
• Telluride
• Thornton
Four Favorite TV shows:
• The Office
• Gilmore Girls
• One Tree Hill
• Prison Break
Four Favorite Foods:
• Firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos at On the Border
• Chips & Salsa & Queso at On the Border
• Banzai Burger at Red Robin
• Chicago-Style Hot Dog at Chicago’s Best in Estes Park
Four Websites I visit Daily:
• Rocky Mountain News
• Hotmail
• MetroWest Newspapers
• Various Blogs
Four Places I Would Love to Be:
• On a beach, in Hawaii – will be in September!!!
• East Coast, preferably Boston – my lucky sister-in-law gets to go this week!
• Gunnison – I love & miss that small town!!
• At home playing in the backyard with Kevin, Brooklyn and Shiloh
TAG..you're it. If you want to participate, please do so...
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Meet Martha
This is Martha...
Martha is the newest addition to Brooklyn's baby nursery. For her first birthday, I surprised her with her first baby doll. Dolls are her #1 favorite thing in any toy store, and she reaches out her arms and wants to hold them the moment we enter the aisle.
Kevin took her to the toy store today. When they entered the doll aisle, Kevin pressed this baby's hand, and the baby started crying. Brooklyn go so upset because she wanted so much to console the baby. Real-life crying babies upset her, and she will do what is within her power to help soothe the baby, including giving them a hug, kiss and pat on the back.
Last night, I was playing with her and her babies. She has three. She can spend hours and hours wrapping them each up in a blanket of their own, rocking them to sleep, giving them their bottles and then waking them up for more blanket wrapping. It is actually quite sweet. As we were playing, I started making a crying sound, supposedly coming from her babies. She runs over there, grabs the crying baby, walks over to the recliner to rock them. When she gets in the recliner, she starts to rock them, gives them a kiss and holds them tightly, and a couple times she says "ssshhh..." Once she got the baby settled down, she handed her back to me for me to put back in her bed. At one time, she had all three babies that she was trying to console and get back to sleep. It was one of the most precious things to watch.
As I have said before, Brooklyn is one of the most loving, compassionate little kids I have every met. She is very tender-hearted and always very helpful. It shows through all the time, but there's something to be said for those moments like last night where you can just sit back and watch her personality grow as she tends to her babies.
You may be wondering, why the name Martha? Was that on the box from the toy store? No. After the toy store, Brooklyn and Kevin took me out to lunch where I first met her new dolly. I asked Brooklyn at lunch what her dolly's name was and she said "Matha." I said is your dolly's name Martha and she said "Yes Mama." I started doing a quick checklist in my mind..Martha? Do we know a Martha? No. In one of her books is there a character named Martha? No. Is there a Martha in any of the kid's shows she watches? No. The only thing I can come up with is I do this little bit for her about a pet mountain lion named Herman, and maybe she was trying to say that because she has tried to say his name before. Or, maybe she was saying a few words together and it sounded like Martha to me. Regardless, the dolly's name is Martha.
So, Martha...welcome to the family! You're in good hands with Brooklyn as your mommy.
Martha is the newest addition to Brooklyn's baby nursery. For her first birthday, I surprised her with her first baby doll. Dolls are her #1 favorite thing in any toy store, and she reaches out her arms and wants to hold them the moment we enter the aisle.
Kevin took her to the toy store today. When they entered the doll aisle, Kevin pressed this baby's hand, and the baby started crying. Brooklyn go so upset because she wanted so much to console the baby. Real-life crying babies upset her, and she will do what is within her power to help soothe the baby, including giving them a hug, kiss and pat on the back.
Last night, I was playing with her and her babies. She has three. She can spend hours and hours wrapping them each up in a blanket of their own, rocking them to sleep, giving them their bottles and then waking them up for more blanket wrapping. It is actually quite sweet. As we were playing, I started making a crying sound, supposedly coming from her babies. She runs over there, grabs the crying baby, walks over to the recliner to rock them. When she gets in the recliner, she starts to rock them, gives them a kiss and holds them tightly, and a couple times she says "ssshhh..." Once she got the baby settled down, she handed her back to me for me to put back in her bed. At one time, she had all three babies that she was trying to console and get back to sleep. It was one of the most precious things to watch.
As I have said before, Brooklyn is one of the most loving, compassionate little kids I have every met. She is very tender-hearted and always very helpful. It shows through all the time, but there's something to be said for those moments like last night where you can just sit back and watch her personality grow as she tends to her babies.
You may be wondering, why the name Martha? Was that on the box from the toy store? No. After the toy store, Brooklyn and Kevin took me out to lunch where I first met her new dolly. I asked Brooklyn at lunch what her dolly's name was and she said "Matha." I said is your dolly's name Martha and she said "Yes Mama." I started doing a quick checklist in my mind..Martha? Do we know a Martha? No. In one of her books is there a character named Martha? No. Is there a Martha in any of the kid's shows she watches? No. The only thing I can come up with is I do this little bit for her about a pet mountain lion named Herman, and maybe she was trying to say that because she has tried to say his name before. Or, maybe she was saying a few words together and it sounded like Martha to me. Regardless, the dolly's name is Martha.
So, Martha...welcome to the family! You're in good hands with Brooklyn as your mommy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Perspective on Motherhood
I just read an article from the next issue of Newsweek titled, “Stop Setting Alarms on My Biological Clock.” I have posted the entire article below. After reading it, I feel like I should be more offended that I am, but yet I am not because the author makes some really good points.
Kevin and I made the choice to wait two years after we were married BEFORE we started our family. So, I understand and can sympathize a little with the author when she talks about being asked all the time why she wasn’t pregnant yet. One of my former co-workers asked me every week for like a year when if I was pregnant yet, and I have to agree with the author, it’s personal, and the constant questioning got annoying. It’s almost like becoming a mother was some sort of right of passage simply because I was married.
Recently I have been guilty of the same thing that once used to drive me crazy. My cousin got married this past Saturday, and two weeks before the wedding, I said, so when are you two going to have kids? They weren’t even married yet.
Now, that I am a mom to my precious little girl, who by the way is 19 months old today, the questions have started again. But, this time, it’s not annoying, it’s not offending, in fact, it doesn’t bother me at all. Why is this, I have asked myself several times? Well, I think it’s because I know in my heart that I want to have another baby, something I wasn’t sure of about a year ago. It wasn’t because Brooklyn was a bad baby or that being a mother was too much to handle. It was simply because I didn’t want her to feel like she didn’t have Mommy’s full attention and I didn’t know if I could love another baby as much as I love her. But, watching her personality take shape and see how compassionate she is toward other babies, her friends and her family, I know that we could add another baby, and that’s why the questions are okay this time around.
The one part of the article that did get to me was the last part when the author talks about manners and not bringing your children to adult only parties when they are clearly not invited. Well, that’s fine and dandy, but some parents, such as Kevin and I really love to spend time with our little girl. We love to take her with us wherever we go. This isn’t because we are trying to “inflict” her on others, it’s because we enjoy her company.
Enough said. What’s your take on the article?
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I am at a party chatting with a woman I know slightly. As her young son squirms out of her embrace, she slips her hand under my shirt. She's not getting fresh with me. She's touching my tummy with her cold hand and asking me, in a concerned voice, "Why aren't you pregnant yet?" I smile, break free from her touch, and head to the food table to fill said empty belly with her brat's birthday cake.
I love children and definitely plan on having them. Maternal instinct is oozing out of my pores: I've infantilized my dogs; I've gotten down on my hands and knees at the park with babies I barely know. My marriage is wonderful and solid, and we are both blessed with good health. I've been a nanny, a teacher, a youth-group leader. I've taken childhood-development courses solely for the purpose of someday raising happy, balanced children. I have always looked forward to becoming a mother.
So why don't I have kids or even the inkling right now? It's because of you. Yes, you: the fanatical mothers of the world. It may seem like ages ago now, but you weren't always like this. You, too, were sneering at the obnoxious parents who brought their infants to fancy, adult, nighttime restaurants or R-rated movies and let them carry on, ruining things for other patrons. You've been terrible advertising for the club that you so desperately need others to join.
If you want me to join your ranks—and you've made it clear with your cold, clammy hands on my stomach that recruiting my uterus is of paramount importance to you—I need to set some ground rules.
First, please stop asking me when I'm going to get pregnant.
For all you know, I cannot have kids. For all I know, I cannot have kids, as I have not yet tried. But imagine how painful this line of interrogation would be if I had submitted to all kinds of procedures, only to come up empty-wombed. It would be emotionally devastating. Yet ever since the day after my wedding two years ago, I have fielded this question from the eye doctor, the dental assistant, my yoga teacher, the bagger at the grocery store. All of them feel entitled to ask. Don't. It's none of your business.
Next, don't completely abandon your own life and passions. You're setting a bad example for aspiring mothers-to-be like me.
I recently expressed my happiness over an achievement I had at work to a mother-friend of mine. She said, dripping with condescension, "Well, you don't know happiness until you've had a baby."
That's very possible, but don't rain on my parade, as I've never said to you, "Remind me, when you went to that expensive college you majored in diaper-rash prevention, right?"
I happen to love my job. It fulfills me in ways no other person—even a child—could. I learned through my own mother's example that the best lesson you can teach your kids is to pursue their passions. It's not selfish to have your own life. In fact, it's selfish not to.
Now let's talk a bit about manners, as in please teach your children some. The world has rules, and kids should learn them. And being well mannered does not infringe on their individuality and freedom.
I crouched to meet the eye line of an acquaintance's 4-year-old to greet her, and in response, she punched me in the face so hard my mouth bled. What was more baffling was the mother's reaction: nothing to the child, but to me she said very sternly: "You really shouldn't talk down to kids."
I also shouldn't be punched in the face by kids whose parents don't know how to set basic boundaries. Experiences like this don't exactly encourage me to hurry up and get pregnant.
Finally, don't make your kid an extension of your own narcissism.
No one could possibly love your kids as much as you do, so stop inflicting them on others. Don't bring your kid to adult parties when you're not sure if it's kid-friendly. If they didn't invite your kid, they don't want your kid there. If you don't want to get a babysitter, stay home.
My husband thinks some people, particularly mothers, behave in these ways because it helps them validate their own choices. But he doesn't truly understand how infuriating it is, and that's because nobody badgers men with questions about procreation.
Becoming a parent was your decision, and I am thrilled for you. All I'm asking is that you let me make that choice in my own time. And keep your hands off my belly.
Kevin and I made the choice to wait two years after we were married BEFORE we started our family. So, I understand and can sympathize a little with the author when she talks about being asked all the time why she wasn’t pregnant yet. One of my former co-workers asked me every week for like a year when if I was pregnant yet, and I have to agree with the author, it’s personal, and the constant questioning got annoying. It’s almost like becoming a mother was some sort of right of passage simply because I was married.
Recently I have been guilty of the same thing that once used to drive me crazy. My cousin got married this past Saturday, and two weeks before the wedding, I said, so when are you two going to have kids? They weren’t even married yet.
Now, that I am a mom to my precious little girl, who by the way is 19 months old today, the questions have started again. But, this time, it’s not annoying, it’s not offending, in fact, it doesn’t bother me at all. Why is this, I have asked myself several times? Well, I think it’s because I know in my heart that I want to have another baby, something I wasn’t sure of about a year ago. It wasn’t because Brooklyn was a bad baby or that being a mother was too much to handle. It was simply because I didn’t want her to feel like she didn’t have Mommy’s full attention and I didn’t know if I could love another baby as much as I love her. But, watching her personality take shape and see how compassionate she is toward other babies, her friends and her family, I know that we could add another baby, and that’s why the questions are okay this time around.
The one part of the article that did get to me was the last part when the author talks about manners and not bringing your children to adult only parties when they are clearly not invited. Well, that’s fine and dandy, but some parents, such as Kevin and I really love to spend time with our little girl. We love to take her with us wherever we go. This isn’t because we are trying to “inflict” her on others, it’s because we enjoy her company.
Enough said. What’s your take on the article?
><><><><><><><><><><
I am at a party chatting with a woman I know slightly. As her young son squirms out of her embrace, she slips her hand under my shirt. She's not getting fresh with me. She's touching my tummy with her cold hand and asking me, in a concerned voice, "Why aren't you pregnant yet?" I smile, break free from her touch, and head to the food table to fill said empty belly with her brat's birthday cake.
I love children and definitely plan on having them. Maternal instinct is oozing out of my pores: I've infantilized my dogs; I've gotten down on my hands and knees at the park with babies I barely know. My marriage is wonderful and solid, and we are both blessed with good health. I've been a nanny, a teacher, a youth-group leader. I've taken childhood-development courses solely for the purpose of someday raising happy, balanced children. I have always looked forward to becoming a mother.
So why don't I have kids or even the inkling right now? It's because of you. Yes, you: the fanatical mothers of the world. It may seem like ages ago now, but you weren't always like this. You, too, were sneering at the obnoxious parents who brought their infants to fancy, adult, nighttime restaurants or R-rated movies and let them carry on, ruining things for other patrons. You've been terrible advertising for the club that you so desperately need others to join.
If you want me to join your ranks—and you've made it clear with your cold, clammy hands on my stomach that recruiting my uterus is of paramount importance to you—I need to set some ground rules.
First, please stop asking me when I'm going to get pregnant.
For all you know, I cannot have kids. For all I know, I cannot have kids, as I have not yet tried. But imagine how painful this line of interrogation would be if I had submitted to all kinds of procedures, only to come up empty-wombed. It would be emotionally devastating. Yet ever since the day after my wedding two years ago, I have fielded this question from the eye doctor, the dental assistant, my yoga teacher, the bagger at the grocery store. All of them feel entitled to ask. Don't. It's none of your business.
Next, don't completely abandon your own life and passions. You're setting a bad example for aspiring mothers-to-be like me.
I recently expressed my happiness over an achievement I had at work to a mother-friend of mine. She said, dripping with condescension, "Well, you don't know happiness until you've had a baby."
That's very possible, but don't rain on my parade, as I've never said to you, "Remind me, when you went to that expensive college you majored in diaper-rash prevention, right?"
I happen to love my job. It fulfills me in ways no other person—even a child—could. I learned through my own mother's example that the best lesson you can teach your kids is to pursue their passions. It's not selfish to have your own life. In fact, it's selfish not to.
Now let's talk a bit about manners, as in please teach your children some. The world has rules, and kids should learn them. And being well mannered does not infringe on their individuality and freedom.
I crouched to meet the eye line of an acquaintance's 4-year-old to greet her, and in response, she punched me in the face so hard my mouth bled. What was more baffling was the mother's reaction: nothing to the child, but to me she said very sternly: "You really shouldn't talk down to kids."
I also shouldn't be punched in the face by kids whose parents don't know how to set basic boundaries. Experiences like this don't exactly encourage me to hurry up and get pregnant.
Finally, don't make your kid an extension of your own narcissism.
No one could possibly love your kids as much as you do, so stop inflicting them on others. Don't bring your kid to adult parties when you're not sure if it's kid-friendly. If they didn't invite your kid, they don't want your kid there. If you don't want to get a babysitter, stay home.
My husband thinks some people, particularly mothers, behave in these ways because it helps them validate their own choices. But he doesn't truly understand how infuriating it is, and that's because nobody badgers men with questions about procreation.
Becoming a parent was your decision, and I am thrilled for you. All I'm asking is that you let me make that choice in my own time. And keep your hands off my belly.
Friday, July 13, 2007
I am so hosed!
I shouldn't check my email. To be more accurate, I shouldn't click on any email from Children's Place. I have a weakness. (Isn't admitting I have a problem the first step!?!) I absolutely LOVE to shop for clothes, shoes and accessories for Brooklyn, and that store is by far my favorite. If you don't believe me, you should walk into Brooklyn's closet and you'll basically be walking into a mini version of a Children's Place store.
Back to my story... I login to my email, and voila, there's a Children's Place email. The title of the email? "Our Newly Expanded Shoe Collection has arrived." I should have stopped there, but did I? No. I clicked on it, and it took me to their website. I spent the next five to ten minutes oohing and aahing over each shoe, making sure they came in Brooklyn's size. Guess what, they did? Then I went to check out what clothes were on sale. But, guess what? They are starting to introduce their new fall line. Ahh!! Why do they torture me so??
After a few more minutes, I came up with the cutest fall outfit for Brooklyn. Here it is...
I just love that chocolate brown color, and is quickly becoming my go-to color for any new clothes. Brooklyn looks absolutely adorable in that color, too.
Kevin tries his hardest to keep me away from Children's Place because he knows I get so weak and that I have an addiction to that store. I spent almost an hour shopping for my goddaugther's birthday present. I just had to match everything, and I was being very picky that day. The worst part about shopping in the store is when you go to checkout. The ladies behind the counter always offer their Children's Place credit card, which will save you 15% off for the first purchase. Ughh! I always say no to their offer though because it isn't necessary, but for a moment, I think well if I did, than I could buy that other skirt that I was eyeing but decided against.
So, yeah, I am so hosed. Is there a group I could go to? Something like MATSFKC (Mommies Addicted To Shopping For Kids' Clothing)?
Back to my story... I login to my email, and voila, there's a Children's Place email. The title of the email? "Our Newly Expanded Shoe Collection has arrived." I should have stopped there, but did I? No. I clicked on it, and it took me to their website. I spent the next five to ten minutes oohing and aahing over each shoe, making sure they came in Brooklyn's size. Guess what, they did? Then I went to check out what clothes were on sale. But, guess what? They are starting to introduce their new fall line. Ahh!! Why do they torture me so??
After a few more minutes, I came up with the cutest fall outfit for Brooklyn. Here it is...
I just love that chocolate brown color, and is quickly becoming my go-to color for any new clothes. Brooklyn looks absolutely adorable in that color, too.
Kevin tries his hardest to keep me away from Children's Place because he knows I get so weak and that I have an addiction to that store. I spent almost an hour shopping for my goddaugther's birthday present. I just had to match everything, and I was being very picky that day. The worst part about shopping in the store is when you go to checkout. The ladies behind the counter always offer their Children's Place credit card, which will save you 15% off for the first purchase. Ughh! I always say no to their offer though because it isn't necessary, but for a moment, I think well if I did, than I could buy that other skirt that I was eyeing but decided against.
So, yeah, I am so hosed. Is there a group I could go to? Something like MATSFKC (Mommies Addicted To Shopping For Kids' Clothing)?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Brooklyn's 1st Baseball Game
As you may know, that's Coors Field in the background on the photo. Brooklyn went to her first Rockies game on Saturday as part of her PaPa's 55th birthday bash in downtown Denver. We had a great time at the game and even got cooled off with the nice downpour that sent us out of our seats to wait under a big metal girder while the rain stopped long enough to remove the tarp over infield to let the game resume. Kevin found it particularly funny when the lady who guards the seats and checks your tickets to make sure you are in the right area, told him and the rest of the crowd to "stay back because of the horrific lightening." As he said, yeah, go let's go back and crowd under the big metal girder because that's safe!! The game got a little delayed because of the rain, but it turned out to be a good one. Everyone enjoyed themselves, the Rockies won, Brooklyn got to meet Dinger (as proof by the photo), she stayed awake until the middle of the 8th inning when she finally crashed in mommy's arms, and my dad had a great birthday and was truly surprised that we were taking him to the Rockies game. So all in all...a great time!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Today changed my way of thinking
I went to a funeral today for my childhood friend's aunt, Jeanette. My dad and her dad have been great friends for many, many years. I didn't personally know her aunt, but being that her family was my second family growing up and her mom and dad were always like my second parents, my heart told me to go and lend support to the family. The funeral, which was more of a celebratory ceremony honoring her life, was very beautiful and very emotional. My friend and two of her three sisters sang two songs and quite a few family members shared how Jeanette touched their lives through songs, prayer, stories, letters and poems. What a wonderful woman who embraced the Lord's plan for her life and worshipped and praised Him in everything she did, and she was definitely quite the singer! Jeanette's husband had recorded her singing talents and a few songs were played during the ceremony. By the end, I began to feel very sad that I did not have the chance to meet this talented woman who touched so many lives. But, as others said several times, she is now in a much better place where there is no pain and she can walk beside the Lord as He has promised.
As I drove back to work, I called my dad to tell him about the ceremony as he couldn't get off work, and during our conversation, the phrase "best friend" was used. This phrase hasn't bothered me at all until today. It wasn't that it was used in a bad manner, it's just that the "best" part of the phrase made me feel sick to my stomach. What makes someone better than another? What makes a friend the "best"? And, do we have "worst friends"? I have fallen guilty to using this phrase to describe a woman in my life whom I have known since sixth grade and whom I am very close with. But, I have another girlfriend (the one who I saw today at her aunt's funeral) that I am very close with as well. What title, if you will, does she get? Simply "friend"? Sadly, yes. Is that fair? It's not a matter of being fair, it's a matter of being true. And, to be true, you have to genuine and to call one of these women my "best friend" and the other "friend," makes my heart hurt because I feel like I have lifted up my one friend and not the other other. Both of these women are so very near and dear to my heart and I love them both like a sister. So, from here on out, the term "best friend" goes out the window. I don't want to label my friends and I don't want either one to think that the other is superior because that's not the case. I have shared my heart, stories, tears and laughter with both of them. We're all riding the roller coaster of life as we all are mommies, wives, daughters, sisters and believers in Christ, and the last thing any of us needs is to be judged. They are both my closest girlfriends, and I will leave it at that.
Even though, I never met Jeanette, I feel that through listening to those she loved share her life with me today, it has changed my way of thinking, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
As I drove back to work, I called my dad to tell him about the ceremony as he couldn't get off work, and during our conversation, the phrase "best friend" was used. This phrase hasn't bothered me at all until today. It wasn't that it was used in a bad manner, it's just that the "best" part of the phrase made me feel sick to my stomach. What makes someone better than another? What makes a friend the "best"? And, do we have "worst friends"? I have fallen guilty to using this phrase to describe a woman in my life whom I have known since sixth grade and whom I am very close with. But, I have another girlfriend (the one who I saw today at her aunt's funeral) that I am very close with as well. What title, if you will, does she get? Simply "friend"? Sadly, yes. Is that fair? It's not a matter of being fair, it's a matter of being true. And, to be true, you have to genuine and to call one of these women my "best friend" and the other "friend," makes my heart hurt because I feel like I have lifted up my one friend and not the other other. Both of these women are so very near and dear to my heart and I love them both like a sister. So, from here on out, the term "best friend" goes out the window. I don't want to label my friends and I don't want either one to think that the other is superior because that's not the case. I have shared my heart, stories, tears and laughter with both of them. We're all riding the roller coaster of life as we all are mommies, wives, daughters, sisters and believers in Christ, and the last thing any of us needs is to be judged. They are both my closest girlfriends, and I will leave it at that.
Even though, I never met Jeanette, I feel that through listening to those she loved share her life with me today, it has changed my way of thinking, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
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