Friday, August 31, 2012

IT's MY LIFE... (Bon Jovi style)...

I feel like I have not been working a lot lately. But then when I go to work, its so crazy that I feel like I need more time off! It has been an interesting transition leaving a job after 11 years and then starting with a new company, going through the training and then starting in my new role. Overall, it has been good. The challenging part is going from being the expert in everything to feeling like you know nothing. My first impression with Starbucks was that the people are amazing! I worked at 2 different stores and did not meet one person I didn't like. That has pretty much remained the same now that I am in my store (3rd store).  **I say "pretty much" because there are a few exceptions that I may get to later.

Anyways, back to my time OFF of work. Last week I had 2 days of only meetings, one was 2 hours long and one was 3. Nice. And I had 3 days off. Do the math, I worked 2 full days. It was great!

On Wednesday after my meeting, Jack and I went to swimming early and met my sister and her girls there. Jack was happy to play in the baby place (YAY!) while Nicole and I worked out. After that it was awesome to jump in the pool. Jack was the only boy there that day and I joked that was why he was so excited, happy and giddy, but really, he just loves swimming!

I had Thursday and Friday off, but now for the life of me, I can't remember what we did. I am sure it included a trip to Target and other misc. errands, then playing in the living room while watching quality TLC programing, playing in the basement with giant legos and building stuff and then going on hilly walks in the neighborhood. That sounds about right. Whatever it was, it was quality time with my son that I enjoy.

On Saturday, Jack got to spend the morning with Jen and they went to the new Everett Clinic in smokey point family fun day. It was so funny hearing her talk about how everyone just assumes Jack is theirs and when they correct people they either don't believe her or say, "You should just claim him because he is so cute." Then Jen and I (and Jack) went to Jamba Juiee and hung out outside chatting. Jack also threw my jamba juice on the ground and spilled it everywhere. :)  I am so lucky to have a friend like Jen who is an amazing auntie to Jack and I cannot cannot cannot wait until she has a baby! They will be such amazing parents.

Sunday was one of those days where I was kind of a cranky bear and looking back I should of more enjoyed the time I got to spend with my husband, since that time is few and far between. It included driving around forever and working on his boat. We also got to see his dad and stepmom as well as later that night we had dinner at the Outback with his Grandma and Mom, for his Grandma's 1 millionth birthday. It was a good time. Jack ate more at the outback then all of us and he sat in his highchair saying Hiiiiii to everyone who walked by and blew one random lady a kiss. It was freaking adorable. And even though we ran around all day and I was starving, it was great to have a day off together!

This week I had 3 days off again!! :) :) :)

On Wednesday I didn't make any plans just in case my sister needed me to watch the girls. She ended up not needing me, so Jack and I stayed home and did laundry and cleaned up the house. I also made homemade garlic mashed potatoes. Kind of random but I wanted to try it. Then we had our last swimming class of this session which made me sign up for the next one. It starts next week and as much as we kind of dread going, once we get there it is so fun and Jack loves it, so its for him! But I am still not a fan of wearing a swimsuit.  Nope.

Thursday Jack and I met Christina and her daughter Olivia at the Zoo. I was SO excited, Jack had never been to a zoo before. Olivia was born 1 week before Jack so they are very close in age and very cute together. They make the same funny, crazy noises and flirt with everyone who walks by. It was also fun to have some adult conversation with Christina, she is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Jack got to see giraffes (his favorite animal!) walking around and eating and he also got to see little penguins swimming under water. Overall it was a good time, minus the awful headache I had all day. I am thinking about getting the zoo membership for next year because (if I actually use it) it will be a fun place to go on days off as Jack gets older!

Friday was a weird day. I debated going to the fair but eventually decided eating a deep fried twinkie would not balance the terrible traffic, hot weather, crowds and cow poop. Jack and I got up early and went to Target (surprise), brought Mike coffee and breakfast at work and then drove around looking for garage sales. Well, I looked for garage sales and Jack slept. The sales were a bust. I am also not a good garage sale shopper because if I drive by and don't spot anything interesting I don't even stop. I really just want some outdoor toys for Jack and was looking for bookshelf or organizational stuff for my sister. Anyways..we spent the rest of the day at home playing and now Jack is growling at me and has a poopy diaper. You know what that means....

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

It's the little things...

Sometimes you hear a story or watch a show about something that is a true story that sticks with you. If you are pregnant or thinking about being pregnant, don't read this blog. I know that just by saying that, no one is going to stop reading, but it was my fair warning.

Recently I read on Facebook about a guy I used to work with and his wife, who were expecting a baby girl. At 41 weeks she went into labor and baby Aisley was born but never took her first breath.

I am consumed by this.

First, sadness for M and Loni. I have only met him once or twice and I have never met his wife. After having a child recently I can only imagine going through what they are experiencing. I tear up just thinking about what happened that day, or the feeling the next day,  and week(s). Or last Sunday when they met at a park at sunset to remember their baby girl.

Second, I just want to know why. M posted ultrasound pics from 2 days before the birth that showed a healthy baby girl with a healthy heartbeat. I do not understand why or how this could happen. Is there anything the Doctor or Nurses could of done to prevent this?

Loni has a blog called "A girl named Kevin" that I can't stop reading. She does not understand why people keep telling her she is brave and strong. She is. I think it is because most people can not even fathom going through the experience that she is and they are just amazed at her ability to cope. Her blog talks about the birth, what happened, her feelings, her thoughts. I just want to jump through the computer and give her a hug.

They started a fund to help pay for Aisley's funeral and medical costs. I had to donate. Even though money is not going to help the emotional side of it, it will hopefully help eliminate some of the financial stress.

I felt the need to write about this because I can't stop thinking about it and them. I have always felt that terrible things happen to good people because they are strong enough to handle it and they will share their story with others to create a circle of support, teaching and learning. I think M and Loni are a perfect example of this and I wish them nothing more then the best and happiness for their future.

agirlnamedkevin.blogspot.com

https://secure.piryx.com/donate/OMejTT4s/Aisley-Evelyn-s-Fund/

Thursday, August 16, 2012

The outlet mall experience.

Today I went to the outlet mall and got attacked by a female security guard zooming around on a segway. I think it was kind of karma since I was laughing to myself when I first saw her zooming around the parking lot. After she circled my car a few times and I went to get out, she zoomed right over to me. She said: "Are you an employee?" And as I was starting to say "No..." She said "Never mind, I see kids in the car! Sorry!" And zoomed away. It cracked me up for the rest of my shopping trip. All I could think about was the movie Mall Cop and I had never seen a security guard there before. But it is also weird that they are paying someone to drive around just to make sure employees are not parking in the lot.

Before that even happened, I thought I had made a mistake going to the outlet mall. 9.9 times out of 10 it is a mistake. The thing that tipped me off this time was the giant family of asian canadians that were walking blocking the entire road. ugh. I should make a list for these type of people for appropriate shopping behaviors at the outlet mall... It would go something like this:

1. In the parking lot, there are nice white lines. These are to label spots to park your car. Park in these and nowhere else that is not lined.

2. When walking in the parking lot, be aware of other large motor vehicles attempting to park, it is in your best interest to move to the side to allow them through.

3. When driving in the parking lot, be aware of the pedestrians (these are people) walking to and from their cars. Do not hit them.

4. Those signs that say no smoking near doors/entrances. Those are not jokes.

5. If you would like to stop and have a conversation, please step aside and allow all the other shoppers to pass by.

6. When inside a store, there is a usually a line to pay. Please be aware of this and stand in the appropriate line.

7. No, you cannot have a discount.

8. Please be aware of personal bubbles. If you are next to me or behind me, it is common courtesy to stand 1-2 steps back.

9. When shopping with your entire extended family, please make room for the other people that would like to shop.

10. Please teach your children all of these rules.

Thank you and keep spending your money here.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

The least fun....

I want to preface this by saying I love my sister and her family. She is supermom and has been a huge help to me since I had Jackson. With that being said, by the definition of "fun" today was probably the least fun I could ever have... :)

I worked at 7am this morning, which meant I left my house at 6:10am after rolling the icky garbage cans to the street, that may or may not even be picked up due the the strike. hmm.

I left work about 15 min late and as I was driving on US 2 I called my sister to see if I had time to swing by my house to bring her some stuff on my way to come get Jack. I then find out that Mia is not feeling well and needs to go to the doctor which is in Mukilteo and 4:45 was her only appt. We decided that I could not get all the way to Nicole's house in time for her to make it, so I agreed to meet her there.

Once we got in the doctor's office they took Mia back and Nicole went as well. That left me in the waiting room with Mirage, Monae and Jack. First of all, I get a little anxiety being in a medical waiting room of any sort. I just feel like there are germs everywhere and poor little Jack just wants to crawl around. No thank you. Jack and Monae have mine and my sister's Starbucks plastic cups filled with water (you know the ones that were made to look like Starbucks cold drinks with the straws?).  So, needless to say they spilled water everywhere. Then a crotchedy old woman is in the waiting room, of course, why would one not come in? She was doing that thing where you read a book and rest your head on your hand but only so you can plug one ear. Yep. That. So my next hour went like this.....

Monae dont stand on the chair, sit on your bottom
Mirage, can you stop galloping in circles?
Lets go look at the fish!!
Jack crawls away. Go pick him back up.
No Monae, we are not leaving yet, come back.
Mirage, dont yell at the babies
LOOK at this Book!!!!
No, don't fight over the book.
Jack, please don't chew on the book.
OOh this toy makes noise, look here!!
OK mirage too loud.
Monae can you sit on your bottom please
Ugh, I just sat in water.
Jack crawls away.
Monae please dont play in my purse.
Jack struggling to get out of my arms.
No Monae, thats my wallet.
Mirage, please stop running in circles.
Yes, Receptionist, I wish I had her energy too, (Fake Smile)
Monae, stay in the room please
Jack here is a binky, no more fingers in mouth (Yuck)
Lets look at the FISH!! Can you say FISHY!?!
Monae please stop playing in your diaper bag.
No, lets wait till your mom is back to eat crackers.
**Nicole and Mia come into the waiting room and go into the restroom
**clouds part and angels sing
**YYYAAAYYY!!
They come out and go straight back to the doctor's office.
Oh snap.
Monae, please sit on your bottom
Jack crawls away.
Lets look at the fish!!!
Mirage: "No MO MO you cant have a cracker"
Mirage precedes to take the crackers and run around the waiting room while Monae chases her screaming.
Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.....

After the 3rd time my sister made her appearance in the waiting room and Monae was having a cracker meltdown, Nicole offered to have the girls come back to the Doctor's office so I could get Jack home for dinner. Then I preceded to sit in my favorite north Everett to Marysville traffic, drive all the way to Smokey Point to drive thru Taco Time to bring Mike lunch since he was stuck at work and then finally make it home almost exactly 13 hours since I had left this morning.

(And when I read this to Nicole, after she was done laughing her butt off, she reminded me that I just described every minute of her life. Further demonstrating her title of supermom, as well as making me reconsider ever having more kids!) Just Kidding.

Maybe.