When I decided to be a stay at home mom for a few years I thought part of the bargain would be having time to pursue some of my hobbies and interests. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Yea, lots of free time. The thing is, I know I do still have at least a teensy bit more "free" time now than I will have one day when I go back to work. I really want to find time for the things that interest me. Such as:
Photography- I bought a nicer camera just before Lilah was born. I play with it occasionally. I can adjust the f stop manually, do some basic editing, and take a much better picture than the average amateur out there. But that's it. Ultimately I want to never visit a Picture People again. I want to take beautiful photos of my kids, and maybe other people's. I just can't seem to find the time to learn what I need to learn and implement.
Cooking- I love to cook. I am pretty good at it. My new kitchen is huge and has semi-professional equipment. When I do have time to cook, the food is awesome. But I wish I had more time to try elaborate and gourmet recipes. I want time to experiment with new things. I kind of also want a prep chef and someone to clean up after me.
Sewing- I do not know anything about operating a sewing machine. But I wish I did. I just want to be able to sew a simple hem, make some throw pillows, that sort of thing. While we're on the topic- any recommendations for a good beginner's sewing machine?
Exercise- I'm not sure if this is a hobby, but it's something I semi-enjoy and wish I had more time to devote to. Out of all of my "hobbies," this one wins. I do work out at least 3 times a week, but gosh that's not enough. I probably devote the most time to it because it's more socially acceptable to be a sucky seamstress than it is to be a lard ass.
Craftiness in general- I love painting, scrap booking, reupholstering, etc. I did paint the whole playroom. It is about 99% done and I promise to take photos (albeit mediocre ones since I have no time to pursue photography) when it is totally finished. I wish i had more time for the little projects I think of from time to time.
While I'm listing the impossible, or at least the not very likely, let me just throw this one out there- learning to play a musical instrument. I started to learn piano at one point, but had to stop when I moved away from the piano. I wish I could play piano or even drums.
I also wish I had more time for this blog. Sigh.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Timeline of the Nap
December 2006- January 2007, B.C. (Before Children)- I napped
January 2007- July 2007- No naps for Sophie or me (Gosh, those were fun times!)
July 2007- April 2008- 2 naps for Sophie, 0 for me
April 2008- February 2009- 1 nap for Sophie, 0 for me
February 2009- March 2009- 1 nap, accompanied by me to (a) transition her into her new room and bed, and (b) rest my 9 months pregnant self
March 2009- May 2009- 1 nap for Sophie, 4 naps for Lilah, sometimes a nap for me
May 2009- August 2009 - 1 nap for Sophie, 3 naps for Lilah, occasionally a nap for me
August 2009- May 2010- 1 nap for Sophie, 2 naps for Lilah, very rarely a nap for me
May 2010- 0 naps for Sophie, 1 nap for Lilah, maybe a couple of minutes alone in the bathroom for me if I'm lucky
And here's just a random question: At what point should one cease to hold out hope for something being "just a phase?"
January 2007- July 2007- No naps for Sophie or me (Gosh, those were fun times!)
July 2007- April 2008- 2 naps for Sophie, 0 for me
April 2008- February 2009- 1 nap for Sophie, 0 for me
February 2009- March 2009- 1 nap, accompanied by me to (a) transition her into her new room and bed, and (b) rest my 9 months pregnant self
March 2009- May 2009- 1 nap for Sophie, 4 naps for Lilah, sometimes a nap for me
May 2009- August 2009 - 1 nap for Sophie, 3 naps for Lilah, occasionally a nap for me
August 2009- May 2010- 1 nap for Sophie, 2 naps for Lilah, very rarely a nap for me
May 2010- 0 naps for Sophie, 1 nap for Lilah, maybe a couple of minutes alone in the bathroom for me if I'm lucky
And here's just a random question: At what point should one cease to hold out hope for something being "just a phase?"
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Party Time
This past Sunday we had Lilah's First Birthday Party. I really had not wanted to host 50 of our nearest and dearest, but I knew Lilah deserved a big bash just like I had made for her big sister two years earlier. It was the fourth birthday party I have made, and it was by far the best. I was virtually stress free. Somehow, even though there were more people and more preparations, I managed not to freak out at all before, during, or after the party. I think I finally have these things down to a science. It was so nice just to enjoy the day with everyone.
A few days before the party I had two different photo shoots with Miss Lilah in the hopes of using one shot as a sign in board at the party. The first shoot consisted of pearls and a tutu (which I made myself!):
The second shoot was a cake smash and we used one of the photos as the sign in board:
Lilah had a great time at her party:
It still amazes me how much Lilah has grown and learned lately. In the past two weeks she has become an expert crawler, learned how to pull herself up consistently, and walk around while pushing the walker. She has learned some new words (most notably, "cheese," which I am obviously THRILLED about). She is down to one nursing a day, which saddens me tremendously, but I need to have her completely weaned before we go away for Memorial Day weekend. Where is that tiny little baby I used to snuggle against me all day long? Why do these kids keep growing up so fast? SIGH. At least as they do grow up we can have some pretty fun parties.
A few days before the party I had two different photo shoots with Miss Lilah in the hopes of using one shot as a sign in board at the party. The first shoot consisted of pearls and a tutu (which I made myself!):
The second shoot was a cake smash and we used one of the photos as the sign in board:
Lilah had a great time at her party:
It still amazes me how much Lilah has grown and learned lately. In the past two weeks she has become an expert crawler, learned how to pull herself up consistently, and walk around while pushing the walker. She has learned some new words (most notably, "cheese," which I am obviously THRILLED about). She is down to one nursing a day, which saddens me tremendously, but I need to have her completely weaned before we go away for Memorial Day weekend. Where is that tiny little baby I used to snuggle against me all day long? Why do these kids keep growing up so fast? SIGH. At least as they do grow up we can have some pretty fun parties.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pesach 2010
Things have been crazy lately. Today's saga alone has consisted of floor refinishing, projectile vomit, cleaning out the back seat of my car and car seat from said vomit, and an adamant refusal to nap or have quiet time from Sophie. Don't be too jealous.
However, I didn't want to pass over (ha ha ha!) a post about Pesach. We had a great time. We stayed at the Hotel Liberman again for a week and a half. Our stay included three meals a day that were cooked and cleaned up after by someone other than me. The hotel also provided free childcare from the time the kids woke up (I got up at my leisure) until they went to bed.
We decided to have a special seder for Sophie on the first afternoon (and the real one later that night) where we told the story of the haggadah, sang the songs she learned, talked about everything on the seder plate, hid the afikomen (4 times, as that was clearly her favorite part), and danced and sang some more. It worked out great. I've always struggled with the fact that the seder is supposed to be for the children, yet in order to let them be a part of it they have to stay up super late, be more patient than they are capable of, and eat dinner at an absurd hour. This was a great way to have the best of both worlds- mini seder for the kids, then after bedtime, real seder for us.
It wouldn't be Passover at the Hotel Liberman without a pre-yom tov family photo:
After which we attempted a Messing Family Photo:
Well, we tried.
Later that week we had a lot of fun. We met up with some blog buddies at the Children's Playseum in Bethesda:
We went downtown to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which Shimmy and I have been doing since we were dating:
On the way home I stopped and took a pic of the Real World DC house, because I'm just a dork that way:
We also had fun playing at the park:
It was a lovely week and a half. Thank God for holidays, parents, and warm weather!
However, I didn't want to pass over (ha ha ha!) a post about Pesach. We had a great time. We stayed at the Hotel Liberman again for a week and a half. Our stay included three meals a day that were cooked and cleaned up after by someone other than me. The hotel also provided free childcare from the time the kids woke up (I got up at my leisure) until they went to bed.
We decided to have a special seder for Sophie on the first afternoon (and the real one later that night) where we told the story of the haggadah, sang the songs she learned, talked about everything on the seder plate, hid the afikomen (4 times, as that was clearly her favorite part), and danced and sang some more. It worked out great. I've always struggled with the fact that the seder is supposed to be for the children, yet in order to let them be a part of it they have to stay up super late, be more patient than they are capable of, and eat dinner at an absurd hour. This was a great way to have the best of both worlds- mini seder for the kids, then after bedtime, real seder for us.
It wouldn't be Passover at the Hotel Liberman without a pre-yom tov family photo:
After which we attempted a Messing Family Photo:
Well, we tried.
Later that week we had a lot of fun. We met up with some blog buddies at the Children's Playseum in Bethesda:
We went downtown to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which Shimmy and I have been doing since we were dating:
On the way home I stopped and took a pic of the Real World DC house, because I'm just a dork that way:
We also had fun playing at the park:
It was a lovely week and a half. Thank God for holidays, parents, and warm weather!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My Baby is One
Happy Birthday, Lilah!
In some ways I can't believe an entire year has passed since you were born. It seems like yesterday you were so tiny, covered in new baby smell and softness. In other ways it seems like you've always been here. I can't remember a time when your giggle didn't fill our home and our hearts. I remember vividly everything about the way you looked when I held you seconds after delivering you. Sometimes I see the exact same expression on your face as I did then. A tiny creature whose eyes were full of wonderment. Those eyes are reflections of my own- both in physical appearance and sentiment. I am full of wonder of you. You are my calm child. Always peaceful, serene, quietly observing and later implementing what you have learned. I hope you always have that sweet, peaceful energy about you. I love you for that and for so many other reasons. Happy Birthday, baby girl. Looking forward to a lifetime of love and memories!
In some ways I can't believe an entire year has passed since you were born. It seems like yesterday you were so tiny, covered in new baby smell and softness. In other ways it seems like you've always been here. I can't remember a time when your giggle didn't fill our home and our hearts. I remember vividly everything about the way you looked when I held you seconds after delivering you. Sometimes I see the exact same expression on your face as I did then. A tiny creature whose eyes were full of wonderment. Those eyes are reflections of my own- both in physical appearance and sentiment. I am full of wonder of you. You are my calm child. Always peaceful, serene, quietly observing and later implementing what you have learned. I hope you always have that sweet, peaceful energy about you. I love you for that and for so many other reasons. Happy Birthday, baby girl. Looking forward to a lifetime of love and memories!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sales 101
All inspiring sales people please heed the subtle yet successful methods of Jordan at MAC (who is no more than five years younger than I am).
Yesterday my mom took us girls to the mall for a much needed wardrobe update. After pushing two antsy kids in two strollers around the mall for a few hours, during which is usually nap time, we were quite ready to call it a day. Except that I remembered that I had been out of my lipstick for about four months. The MAC store was right by the mall exit, so in we went, a caravan of fatigue and crankiness. I walked right up to the counter and said, "can I please get a tube of x and a tube of y."
Jordan: Oh! Those are my moms favorite colors!
Me: thank you
Jordan: That will be $__.
Me: Long pause. Actually, give me some eye makeup.
Jordan: Um, what kind?
Me: Whatever. Let me just sit in this chair and you make me look good and young again.
Five minutes and five times more than the original total later, I was on my way home.
Next in Project Make Me Feel More Like My Own Age: A haircut on Friday.
Yesterday my mom took us girls to the mall for a much needed wardrobe update. After pushing two antsy kids in two strollers around the mall for a few hours, during which is usually nap time, we were quite ready to call it a day. Except that I remembered that I had been out of my lipstick for about four months. The MAC store was right by the mall exit, so in we went, a caravan of fatigue and crankiness. I walked right up to the counter and said, "can I please get a tube of x and a tube of y."
Jordan: Oh! Those are my moms favorite colors!
Me: thank you
Jordan: That will be $__.
Me: Long pause. Actually, give me some eye makeup.
Jordan: Um, what kind?
Me: Whatever. Let me just sit in this chair and you make me look good and young again.
Five minutes and five times more than the original total later, I was on my way home.
Next in Project Make Me Feel More Like My Own Age: A haircut on Friday.
Monday, March 8, 2010
24*
*disclaimer- I have never once seen the show 24 and I am okay with that.
Here's what I have accomplished over the past 24 hours (see also: why I have no time for intelligent blog posts, calling friends and their fetuses, or anything else really):
-I sketched out the entire mural in the playroom. Next comes painting!
-I painted an old chandelier. What was once old and brass is now chic and black.
-I unpacked Shimmy's office even though it meant carrying empty boxes up to the attic to distribute the weight of the boxes of books better and taking twice as many trips down with boxes as it would have taken Shimmy.
-I shlepped both cranky kids to the store after picking Sophie up from school and then shlepped them and huge boxes of diapers back home (yay for lots of coupons and sales).
- I made a dent in the ever-present and ever-growing pile of laundry.
Oh and I took care of the kids all day long, including during the witching hour while Shimmy works late, aka, is at the CAPS game.
This is my new norm since the move. I exist at a break-neck pace. I do not stop to eat or sleep. I have lost 5 lbs. I fit into my skinny clothes. I am hungry. I am tired. But I am thrilled. Stay tuned for more pics as soon as I get a chance.
Here's what I have accomplished over the past 24 hours (see also: why I have no time for intelligent blog posts, calling friends and their fetuses, or anything else really):
-I sketched out the entire mural in the playroom. Next comes painting!
-I painted an old chandelier. What was once old and brass is now chic and black.
-I unpacked Shimmy's office even though it meant carrying empty boxes up to the attic to distribute the weight of the boxes of books better and taking twice as many trips down with boxes as it would have taken Shimmy.
-I shlepped both cranky kids to the store after picking Sophie up from school and then shlepped them and huge boxes of diapers back home (yay for lots of coupons and sales).
- I made a dent in the ever-present and ever-growing pile of laundry.
Oh and I took care of the kids all day long, including during the witching hour while Shimmy works late, aka, is at the CAPS game.
This is my new norm since the move. I exist at a break-neck pace. I do not stop to eat or sleep. I have lost 5 lbs. I fit into my skinny clothes. I am hungry. I am tired. But I am thrilled. Stay tuned for more pics as soon as I get a chance.
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