Author: eaumaison (Page 139 of 210)

I got called in to work 7 hours yesterday.   Not bad for a Sunday.  I didn’t get called out again in the evening – woohoo!  More good news is that on our new schedule I don’t have any weekend call, only a couple regular shifts on Saturday. 

Today is my day off and I’m spending it making Jack happy.  We played lots of games, read books, and later are going to take a walk with Jem.  We went down to Littleton to have lunch with Ben for the last time.  I don’t think I’ve explained on the blog about his work changes yet.  Basically, he’s been getting very tired of his job and feeling stuck there.  During his days with Jack he realized how easily he could do school online during naps.  He found a great program at Regis to get his Computer Science degree through online classes.  I’m so excited for him to go back to school and get his degree.  Regis was really good to me and I know he’ll have great classes there.  For now, he is taking three pre-reqs through Red Rocks online.  He got accepted at Regis and will start classes through them starting in January.  At first we thought he would continue to work until then, but we decided that life would be happier if he quit sooner.  Tomorrow is his last day.  I think we’ll do fine on just my salary.  It will really pay off when he can launch himself into a new part of his career in a year or two (he’s still figuring out how long it will take).  In the mean time, I think he’s going to have a blast taking classes in a field he loves. 

And for no reason, here’s a video of me and Jack!

Jack likes to see himself on the computer screen. This is another boring baby video. I’m whispering “near” and “far” to Jack, so no, there’s nothing wrong with your sound. You can’t hear anything but Ben’s computer fan buzzing.

“Sesame Street is black magic.” – Ben.

What is it about post-partum and feeling like a frumpy house-frau?  I have to wear blue and black, bleach and blood stained baggy clothes to work.  When I’m home I either wear baggy comfortable clothes, or a mish-mash of things bought over the past 15 years that don’t fit very well, are out of style, or are plain unflattering but purchased because they were such a steal.  This needs to stop.  In the words of Twist, “Stop feeling like a fat, ugly failure.”

After two weeks of tenuous consideration I marched into Old Navy today and tried on 9 pairs of skinny jeans.  I hated this trend three years ago.  But seeing that it is still around, and all my bootcut pants hide my legs (my one good body feature I have left), and reading online that bootcuts are becoming the new “mom jeans” I took the plunge.  For $16 each it isn’t a big risk.  I bought two pairs and I’m wearing them around the house today with tags on to see if they will really work.

High on my triumph, I went to Ulta to find new foundation.  For years I’ve used a drugstore powder.  It’s time to upgrade.  I was in the store for only 90 seconds, but accosted by 4 glowing, beautifully made-up women offering me help.  I started sweating and felt like hiding my unmade face and tangled hair, quickly becoming overwhelmed by the many expensive foundation options.  I retreated to the car, vowing to return with my sister for moral support, and a nicer outfit and base face. If skinny jeans took me 2 weeks and 9 pairs, I better do my research before returning to Ulta.  One step at a time.

Let’s not even talk about my hair problems.

Instead, here’s a cute picture of my baby!  Distraction!  I’m going to knit and watch 30 Rock!

We got the go ahead to start feeding Jack solid foods at his last check-up.  (BTW, he’s 80% for weight at 16 pounds, 11 ounces.  He’s off the charts for height at 28 1/4 inches.  That matches the 99% for a SIX month old.)

Despite our spoon being too big, he seemed to enjoy it.  Unsure at first of what to do with this sludgy, tasteless stuff we were putting in his mouth, he looked very confused.  But soon he figured out it was fun to play with in his mouth and having me repeatedly put a spoon to his mouth was SUPER fun.  He started grabbing my hand and pulling it in.  I think he ate just 2 teaspoons of rice cereal.  Oh well, that’s not the point.  We’ll get a smaller spoon and keep practicing for fun. 

Curious:

Hesitant:

Determined:

Surprise:

Confusion:

Epiphany:

Approval:

And there’s a few more posted on flickr.  To congratulate him on this momentous step forward, Ben handed his shiny new TI-83 to Jack.  Ben had to get one for his math class and Jack has been lusting after its buttons.

Smug:

Sniff, my little boy is growing up too fast!  First rice cereal and now graphing linear equations!

I think I also talked about these sweaters I knit while in GJ. Here they are finished. It’s too warm to wear them yet.

I made a knit hat from the “Aviatrix” pattern.  I used some soft, stretchy yarn from my stash, and didn’t know its weight or brand.  Even though I made the 0-3 month size and small needles, it knit up huge!  It must be bulkier weight than I guessed.  The hat fits me perfectly. 

I remade the hat in cashmerino aran for Jack in a manly orangey red.  Smaller yarn weight and small needles, so it fits!  These photos are from before I blocked it.  I still need to get a button.  I’ll have to post more photos when it’s cool enough for me to force the finished hat on his head.

Finally, I have a sweater started for myself.  I ordered some great yarn from Knit Picks and already knit through the first skein.  This photo is from the start – it’s about 4 inches longer than shown here. 

I also have my lacy rainbow shawl kicking around, and the argyle sweater for Jack.  It’s probably too big for him this winter, so I slowed down my work on it.  Plus I have 6 skeins of blue heather yarn I spun on my wheel that needs to be knit into a cardigan.  So much to do!  Good thing the good TV shows are back on air for me to knit along.

Here are some photos I’ve had knocking around.

The three of us together!

Kristin, Jenni, and Coral came to visit.  We put them down for tummy time together. 

It did not go well.

But we got some nice group photos afterward.  (Thank you Ben!)

Ben and I were both off of work today.  Aside from a TON of errands and the five poopy diapers this morning (he usually only poops every other day – so thanks for the plums, Ida!), we had lots of time to give Jack love and attention.

Galloping – an easy game for me to play and a nice alternative to the wretched tummy time. 

Rocket – Ben makes better sound effects than me.  His rides also last longer than mine.

Jumper – Still too young to enjoy the jumper.  He used it just to do some freestyle standing, which was mildly entertaining for him.  (The sheepskin serves as an impromptu floor pad because carpet tacks poke through on the threshold.)

Wrist Rattles – Grandma Betty sent over rattles that attach to his arms and legs.  He immediately wanted it in his mouth, but couldn’t quite figure out the physics that it would require.

Sock rattles – Not wanting to overwhelm him, we did hands and feet separately.  This was close to his bedtime, so his play was not very enthusiastic, but he got a good handle on reaching for these bugs.

(If you are counting outfit changes due to various fluids today, the answer is SIX for Jack plus two for me and Ben each)

PS: Ben wants the world to know that we got an awesome new modem called a Deugaster or something, and it gets 25 megabitso thingies speed.  Apparently this is hella fast and he immediately called his boyfriends to brag.  They were duly impressed.

My folks came out for the weekend and we ate it up!  No, seriously.  There was a lot of food.  Damascus Middle Eastern, Goodtimes, Walnut Pizzeria, Sweet Action, Yianni’s Greek, Blue Sky Cafe, and Cafe Rio.  Between the eating we did some shopping – Amanda got some drama costumes, mom and I loaded up on craft projects, hit the Apple store, and I got a new luscious leather purse.  It makes me feel like a grown-up!

The highlight of the trip was seeing the Tutankhamun exhibit at the Denver Art Museum.  Ben and I have been listening to a lecture series about Egypt’s history.  It’s been a fascinating story to hear while we drive.  We were excited to see all the artifacts we had been reading about. 

Most of my pictures are my parents playing with their grandson.  Enjoy!