Repeat After Me

One of my favorite books to read to K when he was just a little baby was Baby Einstein's Language Nursery. The book has a handful of simple phrases that are then written in English, Spanish, French, Japanese and Hebrew. (It has the phonetic pronunciations, so no worries if you're not fluent -- you'll sort of pronounce it correctly to your baby. D and I would often debate the correct way to say a few things ... and if you are fluent, you'll realize some of the phonetic spellings are a little off.)

Well, K decided to take the book out of his archives and is very into having it read to him again. But, at 2.5, now he likes to repeat the phrases back. It's enjoyable to hear him say adios, au revoir, sayonara and the like. He laughs when I make him say them over again until he gets it just right. No wonder people teach their children multiple languages, they definitely can get a faster grasp on them.

There is a danger in having a child who is very fluent in repeating the words that come from their parents mouths. Earlier today when D was watching a football player, he declared "oh, crap!" and of course then K responded back very loudly "oh, crap!" I was proud of myself for not laughing, and instead scolding my husband and letting him know that we really do have to watch everything we say.

But there are a few things we don't have to worry about having to prompt K to say. Like when we put him to bed, he freely tells us goodnight and I love you. Sweet little phrases that every parent longs to hear.

Exhaustion, Always

I had the hardest time waking up today. I just did not want to get out of bed. I can attribute it to the fact that my darling toddler woke up at 3 a.m. and then asked me to sleep on the floor of his room with him. And then proceeded to pet my face and talk to me the rest of the morning. Not once did he fall asleep!! Seriously, where do children get their energy?

He was a real champion this weekend, starting with his flu vaccine on Friday. We opted for the nasal mist, because research states it lasts longer and is more effective. And if anyone knows the history of my sweet son, his first winter was not a good one and he was terribly sick. So, we are always looking for the best options to keep him in health's way. Well... the nasal thing was quick and painless, but one of the side effects is a runny nose -- and boy did he have one for the next two days. It was constantly wiping. It's much better today, but you could always tell when he was getting ready for a blow, because his voice would get all nasal-y.

So, alas, I'm exhausted from a weekend of high-energy toddler, nose-wiping constantly, and of course when I peeked at my calendar for the week ahead ... well, I sort of just want to crawl into my bed. How did my calendar get so out of control? Alas, I'll be able to handle it. That's why I'm a wonder woman/working mother!

Motherhood

I would have to say the greatest gift I've ever been given is the gift of motherhood. No matter how well I could describe it, the only other people who will truly understand it is other mothers. There's something that crawls deep into your soul and makes your heart swell to maximize capacity.

When I read stories about child abuse or neglect, I understand how it could go there. I understand the stressful moments that someone might not have the adequate tools for, the support systems needed in place, or just the right avenues that allow them the space they need. I'm luck, I have a lot of great resources, tools, support, and a fantastic partner who allow me to focus on the positives of motherhood, without having to fall into the realms of the dark.

One of the biggest debates surrounding motherhood this day and age is about stay at home moms vs. working moms. It's a debate that can make former friends never speak to each other again. There are lots of books out about the subject (searching on Borders today brought up over 121 different titles on the subject. Some notable highlights include: I Don't Know How She Does It: The Life of Kate Redding, Working Mother by Allison Pearson, How She Really Does It by Wendy Sachs) The one common theme in these books is that they talk about how can women be both professionals and moms.

It's hard. Every day I struggle with the desire to want to just be at home, helping my son grow up to be the best person he can possibly be. But, is it fulfilling to women who feel like they have "so much more to offer" to look down at them if they also choose to work. Many studies have come out that speak to the effects caused by having mommies who work. One that always sticks for me is that the number of "quality" hours between SAHM and WM are about the same. So even if a SAHM spends more time with her child, the quality of that time isn't greater. That's a bit reassuring, but I'm sure doesn't sit well with SAHM.

I believe you must do what's best for you and your family. Sometimes you have to put your family first, but always make sure you don't lose yourself in the big picture, too.

Human Nature

In addition to my regular duties at work, I captain the Team Building & Recognition cross-functional team. Our tasks are to create activities that help the team get to know each other, feel recognized and bring fun to the work day. Today was our summer outing (while it seems a little late, due to the nature of some of our biggest events, it needed to fall when it did.)

So, I spent my morning helping assemble tables for an organization called The Bridge. Please check it out -- they are helping ensure the future will be a little bit brighter by helping teens who are on the streets. The team also helped sort donations, paint, and move a lot of stuff out of a building they are moving out of. It was a lot of hard labor, but people definitely had to work together -- so our goal of team building was met.

Then we ventured to the Midtown Global Market. If you are in the Minneapolis-area, please, please go and check it out. It's a very affordable marketplace with restaurants, grocers, and shops representing the global variety. I had a very yummy chicken and rice curry dish and a lamb shank -- all for $7.50. It was so much food, I couldn't even eat it all.

Then the groups split into two and we each received a cooking demonstration and a salsa dancing lesson. Yes, we danced with our co-workers! I have to give the instructor much kudos. He really knew who he was dealing with (a bunch of stiff skeptics) and he got everyone out of their shell. I've never seen my co-workers enjoy themselves so much (and we were all wearing matching shirts from our volunteering efforts earlier in the morning (yes, sister dear, those shirts.)

In the end, I think everyone had a good time, helping others, doing something new, and having fun. What it taught me was that we all need to go out and explore, be okay to do something strange and scary in front of people that we have to be held accountable at a future date. I think by letting go of our inhibitions, we'll all be able to work a little better together. (Because, frankly, once you've seen your co-worker sweaty and dancing -- you really can do just about anything!)

Parallel Life

One of my favorite movies is Sliding Doors with Ms. Gwyneth Paltrow. Now, if you're not familiar with the movie, you must run and go get it, move it to the top of your Netflix queue or see if it's playing on TV. It's just sublime. The premise is that one simple thing can alter the course of your life. The movie proceeds to show what happens when Gwyneth's character catches and misses a train -- all due to how fast the sliding door closes. There are many parallels in both worlds ... and I won't ruin the ending for you, but ultimately it follows my mantra of what's meant to be will be.

Every once in a while, I wonder how my life would have turned out if certain things would have changed. If I had followed the course many of my classmates did, would I still be living in my hometown? Okay, probably not, but would I have stayed the course I'm at now, moved to NY and pursued my dream as a great writer with five day jobs to pay the rent? Moved to the West Coast and lived the life of a granola or entertainment lawyer? (Yes, I actually considered law school for a few brief moments.) If I had found a mate in college, would I be living in a very red state and be a Republican? (Again, doubt it ... but ...)

I enjoy my life, and for the most part wouldn't change much ... but every once in a while, I just have to wonder. Do you ever wonder what turn your life would have taken if you'd done just one thing differently?

Silly Guilty Pleasures - Things That Make The World Seem Delightful

It's no secret that I love this time of year. Autumn makes me smile. The crisp air, the yummy smells, the rich tastes, all the activities. It brings a smile to my face to look at my sweaters and know that I'll be able to relish everything I love over the next three months.

It made me also think to all the other things that make the world seem alright in a time of uncertainty. Here's just a few of those silly, guilty little pleasures:

Rick Astley

Now, is it just me, or does he look so much younger than I remember. I mean, the man looks twelve. It just proves that I'm aging. But look at the innocence in the dance moves. The frivolty that it presences. Oh, the eighties were a time of pure sweetness. If you want to see what he's up to check this out: http://www.rickastley.co.uk/

Starbuck's Pumpkin Loaf. This year they upped the ante and it is now topped with delicious pumpkin seeds. However, I just discovered there are over 400 calories in one slice ... so I may have enjoyed my last piece -- ever.

http://pumpkinpassion.com/ Yes, I love pumpkin everything. It's one of the things that makes this time of year so divine. If I had perhaps giving my blog a simple direction, instead of the random musings that it has ... perhaps I could have taken it this way. This blogger may be my new hero.

Playing outside with my toddler. Really, playing inside, too. His smile melts any ice that may have settled on my heart over the course of my first thirty years.

Staying in bed all day. I don't get to do this one too often. But there are a few days when I have had emotional lows ... and had to call in sick because I couldn't drag myself out of bed ... those days I stayed in bed all day.

Cheesy movies. Sorry, I love those horrible teen/tween girl flicks. There's something about watching a movie that you know is probably attacking a few brain cells that makes it okay.

Protesters ... Protesters ... Protesters

This last week the RNC was held in St. Paul, Minn. It meant a lot of things to me ... delayed traffic ... certain restaurants unavailable for lunch ... extra long commute ... extra security measures at work ... buses having to take detours ... protest updates in the news every day ... and did I mention that it totally made going to and from work a big pain in the arse.

Alas, what I found most surprising were the pictures I'd see of the supposed anarchist protesters. Many organized groups tried to hold peaceful protests, marching and trying to get their messages across. Then, this "anarchist" groups would try to create riots, showing they held no regard for authority. What angered me about these messy protesters was that they hid their faces. The peaceful protesters did no such thing. They didn't care if everyone knew what they stood for - BECAUSE THEY WERE PROUD TO STAND UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS. But it was as though these anarchists were almost ashamed, because they hid their faces with scarves. I know they are motivated by the political protesters of the past -- but guess what kiddos -- they weren't ashamed to show her were they are, because they truly believed in what they were protesting. It wasn't a show to put on so they could go back at the end of the night, get drunk, and laugh at their stories, acting self-righteous.

Perhaps some of the anarchists were hiding their faces for security reasons. Fearing for their lives, jobs, families, if they we're found out ... but alas ... then my recommendation would be to stay home or model the peaceful protesters.