End of Week Scramble

Dear Friends and Family,

It's Friday. And, with a little luck I'll make it through the day. And, that, my friends, is all my brain can muster up today.

That, and I entered in our month end numbers for retirement and they were better than expected. Hooray for team mouse.


Cheers!
mouse

Jinxed

Dear Friends and Family,

And just when you think it's going okay... My mom called last night to tell me that my dad is in the hospital. He was admitted for some tests. And, then my sister called to fill me in on all of the gory details. Apparently my dad had some infection of the lungs/bronchial tubes when he was a kid and it caused some scarring of the respiratory tract. Well, as you get older, it makes you more susceptible to respiratory tract illnesses and makes treatment of them more critical than if you didn't have the scarring.

From what I can gather, my dad must have caught something. And, now everyone's concerned it's pneumonia. And, I feel bad. I was annoyed with my dad for his behavior when he visited for P's birthday. And, now I realize he must have been pretty miserable.

It still doesn't excuse his behavior. And, still doesn't change Mr. mouse's feelings about the whole thing. But, it makes me feel bad that I didn't give him the benefit of the doubt. I guess it's true, that's what happens if you cry wolf once too often.

So why do I feel jinxed? I was just lecturing a friend at work about letting people live by their decisions and letting go of what you can't control. And, I still feel that way. I just feel bad because my dad didn't have the easiest time of it.

He grew up under two tyrants in an environment that would make parents today shudder. He grew up in a war torn country deprived of resources and a lot of what we take for granted now. And, he's been carrying that baggage around his entire life.

I know I didn't have the easiest childhood either. And, I'm very fortunate to have grown out of the trap that so many fall into - the trap of repeating the mistakes of the prior generation. And, I guess that's why I feel bad. Given the hand I was dealt, I feel like I made the best of it and the best of it is pretty good. And, I feel like my dad didn't. He became a victim. So, while I'm sitting here with five deuces, he's decided to fold. And, that's why I feel bad. I was lucky. He wasn't. And, I feel sorry for him.

Well, time to dig deep and be strong. And, time to watch and be grateful for what we have been able to offer P - a mom and dad who love her unconditionally; a home that is safe and happy. Time and attention and smiles and laughter and hugs and reading time and play time and care are all things P gets to take for granted. We're fortunate and P's fortunate. And, that is a good thing. I feel like I've done what I can to make the world a little bit of a better place by being able to provide for P what I didn't have as a child.


Cheers!
mouse

More Toddler Tricks

Dear Friends and Family,

Mr. mouse had dinner with a work colleague so I had the evening alone with P.

She slept half of the way home and quietly watch the passing scenary the other half of the ride home.

I fed her dinner - lots of beans, some turkey, some bread and then half of my yogurt.

Then, when we played, she did a couple of funny things that only a mother can care about.

She kissed one of the characters in a book she's been reading. She sat down when I said sit. She made fire engine noises when she picked up her fire engine. And, she kissed monkey and held her when I put her down in her crib. See, things only a mother can care about.

I have to wonder what is going through her head these days. She spends a lot more time at home reading than playing. She pulls her books out looking for a book she likes, then she sits down, opens the book, flips through some pages, and then puts the books down and goes for the next one. Sometimes she'll pause on pages and make comments. Sometimes she'll just look intently. Sometimes she'll come over to ask you to read. Almost all times she'll reorient the book if it's upside down. Sometimes we let her read on her own. Sometimes we volunteer comments. I can tell there's a lot going on in that noggin of hers, I just don't know what.


Cheers!
mouse

Good Night, Meh

Dear Friends and Family,

P is a regular driver now. She walks over and then looks up and smiles and wiggles a little which is her signal that she wants to be picked up. Then she points to where she wants to go.

Last night, Mr. mouse picked her up to take her upstairs to bed and she looked at me and waved. She waved! She's never waved before (outside of me waving her arm for her).

I'll have to try and capture it on video soon.


Cheers!
mouse

07.26.10: Quiet Weekend

Dear Friends and Family,

After a weekend with Trixie and the tall one, we had a quiet weekend at home before the onslaught of the neighbors. Our mouse winter cabin neighbors are headed over this weekend and staying the week. I can't wait!

Saturday, we headed out for some family grooming - his and hers waxing. A family that grooms together stays together. Then, we wended our way through some traffic for some dim sum. P loved the fried radish cakes and spare ribs with black bean sauce. She's a funny duck.

Saturday afternoon we spent running errands. And, then, we settled down for some yummy dinner at home - fresh pasta with cod and beans and a drizzle of olive oil. P loved it.

Sunday, we headed out to meet up with some friends for a play date/picnic in the park. P and her giant friend had fun and we got a chance to catch up and compare notes with another set of parents.

We came home. P had her nap. Mouse had her manicure. Then, we headed out for dinner. And, the weekend was gone. I love weekends.


Cheers!
mouse

Friday!

Dear Friends and Family,

We're all up. Me with my coffee and my blog. P with her retro trendy boat. Mr. mouse with P. Moments like these are so precious.

I think we're on the verge of P erupting in verse. She's making so many more sounds. It's only a matter of time before it all sorts itself out in her head and the words start coalescing.

P and Mr. mouse are putting the lifesavers on the two people that came with her toy. Yesterday, she tried to fit the lifesaver on her own neck.

Lovely as it all is, time for me to start getting ready.


Cheers!
mouse

Passage of Time

Dear Friends and Family,

It's sometimes dark when it's time to feed P in the morning. And, it's not quite as bright out when I head out of the office in the evening. Somehow, we went from the quiet start to summer to summer in full swing to summer with a finite number of weekends left.

Only one thing to do. Make the most of it and seize the day!


Cheers!
mouse

Other People's Lives

Dear Friends and Family,

Why social media? I was reading another person's blog, someone I don't know in real life, but someone I sometimes think I know in virtual life. And, I realized it's a funny thing.

In one sense it's affirmation - I've been there! I've thought that! I've done that! In another sense it's vicariously living someone else's life - I'll never do that or go there, but it's nice to be there/do that through someone else's eyes.

And, then I wonder, why do people write? What drives content creation? Some people write for money. Other people write for fame. Me, I write to find peace, to work myself through all the little (and big) thoughts that would otherwise make me a little more mentally cluttered. The side benefit is that I get to go back and look at the randomness from years past and remember.

Twenty years from now, it'll be an interesting monologue. Life through the eyes of a thirty-something.


Cheers!
mouse

Chronicling the Toddler Years

Dear Friends and Family,

It never ceases to amaze me that people are utterly amazed by their own kids when clearly every kid eventually figures out the same stuff sooner or later.

Yet, I am utterly amazed by P.

This weekend, she went from a walker/crawler to a walker. She still crawls from point A to point B if the distance isn't far and she's got stuff in her hands. But, it's more a scooching motion than a crawling motion. But, for anything more than a couple of scooches, she gets up and walks. Utterly amazed.

She's fallen back in love with reading. She'll pick up book after book and bring them to you and give you a huge smile and sit on your lap ready for a good read. After you "finish" the book, she'll bring over the next one. Utterly amazed.

When you're carrying her, she'll point to where she wants to go. Utterly amazed.

She's got chomper #8 coming in. It's been almost a month, I just kept forgetting to write about it. And, the stranger anxiety seems to be getting better (or she simply likes our current two house guests).

Sunday, she was full of kisses. I got to feed P her afternoon snack. She ate nearly a full bowl of pasta. And, I got to put her to bed. We read Goodnight Moon together. Then, we read Dear Zoo. Then, I picked her up and she pointed to her crib and climbed in. I patted her on her back until she fell asleep.

Oh, and she made the cutest face while holding her bottle. I missed capturing it because I wasn't fast enough with the camera, but I got a similar picture yesterday in the car.

And, last but not least, we have a couple of new words. Cup. Thash (that is). And, bee beep (car). Utterly amazed.


Cheers!
mouse

07.19.10: The Mouse B&B is Open for Business

Dear Friends and Family,

What a wonderful serendipitous weekend. A friend and a tall friend wrote last week about an impromptu weekend in town. Yes! I needed a little light at the end of the tunnel. Last week was a tough week.

We converged in the burbs Friday night and opted to skip on the traffic and nosh on some Korean food before driving in. P fell asleep on the drive home after filling her belly with potatoes, carrots and more potatoes.

Saturday morning, I met Auntie J for a walk through the park and breakfast. Then, we spent the day at home playing with P. I think. Nothing big pops into my head. How quickly the details get forgotten.

Saturday evening we all went out to dinner together. And, then, in a sinfully decadent escape, I sent P home with Mr. mouse while I went out to have a couple of cocktails with friends. I still dream of bacon stuffed dates and dark and stormy cocktails and creme filled cupcakes.

I'm glad we had a chance to catch up, even if it meant Mr. mouse was home babysitting.

Oh, we napped on Saturday. That's right - we all slept the afternoon away. It was glorious. We all needed the sleep.

Sunday morning, we opted to take the bus to brunch, only the brunch place was packed and the rain was coming. So, we ducked into our favorite ice cream shop for dessert and to come up with a plan.

P got sleepy so Mr. mouse took her home and I went out for brunch with our friends. We got back, P was sleeping. Mr. mouse was sleeping. Mr. mouse woke up, I fell asleep. Not the best hosts here. We bagged on the museum and instead sent our friends off to the architectural tour.

We played with P and had dinner in. Then, I put P to bed. It was a nice end to a perfect weekend.

Tomorrow I'll write about the million and one new things our little toddler is doing.


Cheers!
mouse

Resilient Mouse

Dear Friends and Family,

I made it through another day at work. The meeting with my manager went fine.

P's up and having breakfast - banana bread and water.

I love you all, but I think I'll go join her.


Cheers!
mouse

Frustrated at Work

Dear Friends and Family,

It's been a tough week. Instead of getting to focus on my work, I feel like I've fallen down the rabbit hole and landed in some wonderland that is anything but wonderful.

Last fall, my manager asked me to make a major change in the way we run our business and since he's the boss and it seemed like a good decision, I moved mountains and made the change. We're still finishing up the dribs and drabs of the endeavor.

And, now, he's asked for a second major change. And, this one, like the last one, feels rushed and promises many months of heartache and headache. And, I'm feeling a little like who moved my cheese. And, if I'm feeling that way I'm certain everyone else is like STOP EFFING WITH MY CHEESE, YOU @#$%!.

Hence, I'm feeling burned out and wondering why I do what I do. Is it worth it? The time and energy for the money? I always come around to yes, it is - especially in this economy. But, I wonder, one day, will I wake up and say no, it isn't. I'll feel sorry for the people I work with when that day comes.


Cheers!
mouse

Consumer Price Index

Dear Friends and Family,

I know in the long run a negative CPI is a bad thing. Bad things happen when CPI is negative. People hoard money because it'll be worth more tomorrow than it is today. And, when people hoard money, everything grinds to a screeching halt. Okay, it's not that bad, but it isn't generally heralded as good news.

On the flip side, for our "retirement" model, a couple of months of low CPI certainly helps the long run numbers. So, I have to admit, for this Friday's June CPI release, I'm kinda sorta hoping for a low number.

That, and I think we're ready to open another retirement account. I think we're what J.D. Power would call a self-directed investor now (whereas we were probably a full service investor before).


Cheers!
mouse

Time with P

Dear Friends and Family,

Last night, as I was laying in bed, in the hazy land that is not quite awake and not quite asleep, I realized how quickly these toddler years will go. And, I realized I want to take a bigger part in P's daily routine.

Mr. mouse feeds her dinner. He puts her to sleep. He does most of the diapers. He does half of her baths.

I don't want to look back twenty years from now and realize I missed out on some precious memories. I don't think Mr. mouse will mind sharing dinner, sleep and diaper duty.

But, that brings to mind a larger question. Is living a life where one of my priorities is to avoid regrets later in life a good way to live? Seems like it's an emotionally safe way to live, but in making those choices am I missing out on other potentially more rewarding experiences? Or is the whole thing a crazy paradox at some point?

Something to ponder during my drive in. Happy Tuesday.


Cheers!
mouse

07.12.10: Weddings (2 of 3)

Dear Friends and Family,

We made it. After a couple of busts, we made it. P hasn't been the best traveler as of late. But, this time we made it out and back without incident.

Mr. mouse's step brother's wedding was this past weekend. It was at a small place in upstate New York. The wedding was in a small hollow by a burbling brook. The cocktail hour was in an old barn lit up with huge paper lanterns. Dinner was under a tent lit with four large chandeliers. I left inspired to want to do something similar on our roof deck. It was so beautiful.

Sunday, we flew back and spent the day at home with P. She napped, ate lunch, had a bath, played, went shopping, had milk, napped, ate dinner, and then fought Mr. mouse until 12:30 before falling asleep.

She's learned a new word. We call shoes shin bal which is Korean for shoes. Technically, according to google, it's gudu, but, we've been using shin bal. Well, P points to her shoes now and says bal whenever she sees her shoes. She loves wearing them and gets upset with us because we don't let her wear shoes inside the house.

She's also consistently using the word ba for both bottle (which is understandable) and cup (which is the same thing to her, I guess). She'll point to it and then say ba and then sometimes because she thinks we're not the sharpest tools in the shed she'll follow up with moa (more) in both verbal and sign language. Our little girl's growing up.

And, last but not least, she's unequivocally shown consistent play. We bought her a toy boat with two people. She takes the two people and puts them in the boat. If we take them out, she opens the boat and tosses them back in. She then takes the flag and the life boat and uses the flag as a spoon, mixing up something or other in the life boat which she uses as a bowl and tasting it occasionally. Too cute.

Day one in the new room. Time to get ready so I've got a couple of extra minutes with her.


Cheers!
mouse

Big Girl Room Transition: Day 4

Dear Friends and Family,

Last day of transition.

P goes to the toddler room after breakfast and stays there until pick up.

I'm going to try and do a slightly earlier than usual pick up so that she's not too frazzled by the time I get there.

Drum roll please... P drank all of her milk from her cup while at school yesterday. Yeah for P!

Seriously, if we had done this a couple of weeks ago, this week would have been a lot less stressful. It is what it is. All in all, I can't complain. P's been a champ with this transition.

Unfortunately, P's BFF hasn't been as happy with her transition. She's in the other toddler room and she's been a less enthusiastic about the whole toddler room routine. She's got a lot going on for a little girl - toddler room transition, new sibling on the way, her old BFF moving to a new room.

I'm glad I took the time over the past couple of weeks to take P to the toddler room in the morning and evenings during drop off and pick up to get her used to the idea. It took her a couple of visits to get used to space and be okay with sitting while I was in the room. Definitely time well spent.

Well, today's the day I need to do the last of the organization. P's diapers and wipes and cream should go over. I'll need to clean out her drawer and transfer it over to the toddler room. I'm sad and excited at the same time. It's kind of like moving.

And, one last round of thank you cards and gifts for the infant teachers for all that they've done for P.


Cheers!
mouse

Big Girl Room Transition: Day 3

Dear Friends and Family,

Two days down, two days to go. Slowly, but surely we're all transitioning this week.

The shoes. No problem. Girlfriend loves her shoes and protests when we take them off when we get home.

Milk. We've been mixing breast milk with whole milk. So far, so good. Last week was 3:1 which P drank without comment. This week is 1:1 which P drank yesterday without comment. Next week is 1:3. Then, we move on to regular whole milk. Any left over breast milk will be a weekend treat when it's convenient - if we're traveling or out and about or out of stock, she'll get whole. If there's four ounces lying around, she'll get breast. Life will be so much simpler than it is now.

Cup. Not bad. Not a stunning success. Surprisingly, P can't finish four ounces in a cup, but she can chug six ounces in a bottle. We've discontinued the bottle at school and on the weekend (mostly) so there's only one bottle to contend with - a new bottle we just added to the equation this week. Last Friday, it was bottle time on the drive home, and we were stuck in traffic and I was desperate. So, I reached back and gave P her bottle and she drank it in her safety chair and fell asleep and we all got home in one piece. So, Tuesday, I offered her her leftover milk in a bottle when I loaded her up in the car to head home. She drank it, but still woke at her usual time to protest the rest of the way home. Yesterday, I offered her her leftover milk again and she 1. almost fell asleep to the bottle and 2. protested from her usual time. Today, I think I'll offer the bottle when she wakes up. We'll see how it goes. As soon as she's forward facing, I'm okay switching this last bottle to a cup.

Room. It's been a little hectic this week dropping off things in three rooms (old room, new room, kitchen) and picking up things in three rooms (old room, new room, kitchen) and there's stuff to clarify and there's stuff to organize and just plain old stuff. But, it's going fine. P seems to be doing okay with the transition. At least that's what the teachers tell us. She's "sad" when she first gets to the room and then she adjusts and is fine for the rest of the time there. We don't know if "sad" is drama queen/frog eyed girl/bawling with head to the ground "sad" or it's just not totally happy. I guess there's no way to really know. Today she's in the new room from just after breakfast to nap time.

We all fell asleep last night after getting home. Time to scrounge up dinner and get girlfriend in the tub before heading out.


Cheers!
mouse

Big Girl Room Transition: Day 2

Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday, P spent two hours with the toddlers, after breakfast until before lunch, before returning to her comfort zone of the infant room.

From what I can gather, she did okay with the transition. She bawled for the first five minutes which was only to be expected of our little drama queen. Then, she found her BFF out on the playground and the two of them played with a toad and some leaves. She found her groove, I think, and was okay for the rest of her time, I think.

Today, she's in the room for three or so hours from after breakfast until after lunch, before returning to her comfort zone of the infant room.

My day was chock a block full of stuff yesterday so I didn't have a ton of time to worry about how P's day was going which was a good thing. There's only so much a helicopter mom can do in one day.


Cheers!
mouse

Big Girl Room Transition: Day 1

Dear Friends and Family,

After much prep (both emotional and physical), P starts her transition to the toddler room today.

We've got her big girl cup and her bug repellent and her clothes and her shoes and her towel all packed. She'll be going to school in her swimsuit for water days. And, she'll be sans bottle.

P's transition is a little more complicated than most toddlers' because she's still on combo milk (breast milk + whole milk) and she's on food from home. I guess other parents get to drop off their kids and the kitchen just switches their count from one room to the other. It's worth a little extra juggling for P to eat what we eat.

I think this week and next will be tough for all of us as we figure out a new routine and make the little adjustments that everyone makes when they transition.

Time to get ready for work. Leaving a little early today to have a little extra time at school.


Cheers!
mouse

PS: weekend was fun. my sister came up to visit. we sprinted through a bunch of museums hunting down elongated penny machines. we watched fireworks from the deck.

Jealousy

Dear Friends and Family,

We met up with a friend for dinner and I offered to hold the baby for a couple of minutes. Well, P comes back with Mr. mouse from her diaper change, and she's not having it. She was clearly not happy with the concept of another baby with her meh. I can't say I've ever seen her jealous before, but I can't say I've ever given her reason to be jealous before.

We got a good laugh out of it. The baby had fallen asleep so we put in his car seat. And, P jumped into my lap and shot everyone dirty looks.

Too funny.


Cheers!
mouse

Thursday

Dear Friends and Family,

One of the people I work closely with at work is moving. Yesterday was her last day.

And, because I'm picking up her work until they hire a new person, last night was my first night (of probably several nights) of working from home. I can't say I remember the alarm clock ringing this morning.

Well, I got a lot of stuff done so there is some gratification in that.

Two more days until the weekend.


Cheers!
mouse