My, How Times Have Changed

Ten years ago Mitch and I celebrated our first New Year's Eve together.  We had just started dating, and I rushed to his apartment that he shared with the girls to celebrate after arriving back in Champaign from a bowl trip to Florida with the MI.  We had Bacardi Limon and Sprite and sat underneath the mistletoe (which his roommates found humorous, since we had just started dating.  Damn, those girls used to intimidate me.  Now I am proud to call them some of my best friends.)  Anyway, as I sit here tonight at 9:00 with a personal bottle of champagne and wonder if I'll ever make it until midnight (let's face it, I won't), I can't help but reflect over the first decade of the new millennium.

In the last ten years......

• Mitch and I started dating and got married within two years.  Have I ever told you about our first "date"?  I suggested we go out for drinks after our Music History final exam, and so off we went to Murphy's for pitchers of Icehouse and burgers.  A walk back to my apartment and a little making out, and the rest is history.  Mitch and I got engaged on New Year's Eve 2000; he brought over a bottle of champagne and some bridal magazines and popped the question.  It was easily one of the happiest days of my life.  
• We graduated from college and both have earned master's degrees.  And are still paying off the loans. 
• We have moved eight times and lived in three different states.
• Between the two of us, we have visited sixteen states and Canada.
• We have held thirteen jobs (but not at the same time, of course).  
• We have made wonderful friends all over the country.  I hate that as adults when you live far away from so many of them that you rarely get to see them.  
• We have lived with our parents at various times during the decade.  While it's never easy to go home, our parents have always made the transition seamless for us.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful, supportive parents.
• We had our little Gizmo, who really completes our lives.  I know I've mentioned before that Mitch and I weren't sure if we were ever going to have kids before, but we both agree that it was the best decision we've ever made.  There is no greater pleasure than listening to your husband and daughter giggle and laugh while they play together.  

The last decade has given us many ups, some downs, and lots of laughs, we look forward to the next decade (our thirties - yikes!) and what opportunities will present themselves.  What do you hope to have happen in the next decade?

My Least Favorite Part of Being a Parent

While there are many great things about being a parent, there certainly are the less-glamorous parts of the job.  Poopy diapers, slobber, babies that don't sleep through the night, and the stress and pressure of raising a happy, healthy, well-adjusted child are just a few of the lowlights.  What I hate the most, though, are the doctor's visits.

Our doctor is great - she is a very sweet lady who takes very good care of Gizmo and is patient enough to answer all of my new-parent questions.  Gizmo is well-behaved and doesn't mind stripping down, getting on that scale (sixteen pounds today!) and being poked and prodded.  In fact, today she cooed and tried to grab the stethescope from the doctor.  The worst part, of course, were the shots.  

Vaccinations.  Yuck.  I hate getting them, and I hate to watch Gizmo get them.  But, I am not one of those granola-crunching, flower-skirt wearing hippy moms who believes vaccinations are giving our kids autism, so she's getting them.  Today was her second round of vaccinations, and it gets worse every time she gets them.  It's so hard as a parent to watch your happy infant go from smiling, to confusion, to sheer terror and pain.  Four times.  The tears streamed down her chubby cheeks as she looked at me, all the time thinking "Why would you do this to me?"  Thank goodness she doesn't know what's going on before she gets them, because as we sat in the waiting room today you could hear the screams of the unhappy children getting their shots so that they can avoid getting polio or diptheria, whatever that is.  The doctor's office is almost a torture chamber of sorts, kids filing in only to be stabbed with needles to keep them healthy.   Poor kids.  

I can remember as a child going to the doctor's office to get our regular school check-ups (and vaccinations) and vividly remember Winnie running around without pants on away from the doctor, she was so unhappy to get that shot in her butt.  I dread the day Gizmo starts to do this.  At least Gizmo has some cute Joe Cool band-aids to help her heal and some Baby Tylenol to keep the fever down.

By the way, Gizmo is in the 95% for her height and weight.  Such an overachiever. 

Merry Christmas!

She Has the Cutest Laugh

Gizmo and I were quoting lines from her favorite holiday movie, "A Christmas Story", the other night.  Here's what she had to say - 

Name That Tune

In an effort to keep the holidays as festive as possible (and to help you procrastinate in wrapping those gifts), I have a musical quiz for you to complete. Here's what to do: 1) Name the Christmas song from the clues given. 2) E-mail your answers to fiftybelowzero at gmail com. The person to get the most correct will be given a congratulatory slobber from Gizmo when we see you next. (It's so worth it, isn't it?)

Good luck!

1. Slogan Chimes =

2. Quiet Evening =

3. Rich Ringers =

4. Hey Man, The Tribune Fairies are Harmonizing =

5. Oh Swiss-Cheese Moontime =

6. Off in the Barn =

7. Wee Tom-Tom Tot =

8. Who's Offspring Are You? =

9. I Eyeballed the Old Lady Smooching with Fuzz Face =

10. Dozen Units of Yule =

11. Kris Kringle is Making the Metropolis =

12. Valentino is a Boozy-Snooted Ruminant =

13. Albino Holiday =

14. Primary Christmas =

15. Lord Save You Gay Pops =

16. Triplet Monarchs of China =

17. Nice Ruler of Poland =

18. Truck-Fruit Cooking on the Coleman =

19. Ego Listened to Tinkling on Yule a.m. =

20. Happiness in the Universe =

21. Platform of Salons =

22. Hurry Up, You Believers =

23. A Small Burg of Steel =

24. The Arrival Was at the Stroke of 12, Naturally =

25. Kling Kleng Stone =

26. Yuletide Sapling =

'Twas the Night Before The Elementary Program....

.....and Tina has decided 

that she'll need tequila

when Friday arrives.

Ode to the Alero

Dear Alero,

Thank you for eight and a half great years of driving.  I remember the day I drove you off the lot, just days before I began my teaching career in 2001.  You were a brand new thing, less than 100 miles old and had that really great new car smell.   The way we acquired you was quite shady, and it angers Mitch to this day, but you proved worthy of purchasing.

You drove me safely for years back and forth to Morris, and took care of Mitch when he was at Florida State.  Nowadays you don't see the amount of driving that you used to, but I think your old, semi-rusted frame is thankful for the ten-minute commute you currently enjoy.  

Only a few times did we need to take care of you when you were sick - a new windshield, new tires, and many oil changes and maintenance repairs.  You never left us stranded on the side of the road or frustrated with your performance.  (Well, except that one time you had a flat tire on the Monday morning of Homecoming week, but I've long forgotten about that.....)

I'm sorry to have to trade you in for a new model, but quite honestly, you were looking pretty sad.  The striping on your windshield was coming off and flapping loudly in the wind, your ignition was finicky at best, your stereo labels had worn off, and your hot/cold air knob has been broken for years.  You are starting to rust, have too many small dents and door-dings, and still have pine needles in the trunk from when I ordered a wreath from the baseball team years ago.  You are too hard to get my new baby in and out of, and this is the real reason I am giving you up.  It's time for a family car, and Alero, you are just not family-car material.  

I feel only slightly guilty for giving you to the dealer today, as they gave us WAY more money than what you are really worth.  But, I hope you live out the rest of your days happy and in one piece instead of being sold for parts.  Who knows?  Maybe you'll be able to go on an adventure to another country where someone else can love you.  Or maybe you can be some teenager's first car.  Whatever your destiny may be, you will forever remain in my heart as the first new car I ever bought.  

I could say I'll miss you, but I won't, Alero.  Good luck.

Love, Tina

December Cute

Here are some recent pictures of Gizmo to warm your heart!

Morning tummy time on Mommy's snow day - no rolling yet!

Singing Christmas carols after her evening bath - 

Relaxing after a hard day of playing with Grama Jersey Girl - 

Enjoying her newest toy - her Bumbo - 

(side note - I didn't think we would need a Bumbo; they seemed a little dumb to me.  Boy, was I wrong!  This thing is maybe the greatest invention since the indoor toilet.  She doesn't like to sit in it for very long, but I'm hoping as she gets used to it more that she'll like to watch me work in the kitchen in the evenings while I make dinner!)

My Grown-Up Christmas List

I can remember sitting down with the Sears catalog as a kid and circling every toy, game and gadget I wanted to receive from Santa on Christmas.  I'll have it be known that I never got all that I asked for (how rude, Santa!), but still loved to dream.  (Winnie and I did get some bitchin' He-Man toys one year, though.)  Mitch did the same thing as a kid, although I'm sure he circled much more G.I. Joe stuff than I did.  

As adults, what Mitch and I want for Christmas is so much different.....

• new socks and underwear
• Menards and Home Depot gift cards
• our bodies circa 1998 (hell, I'd even take 2004....)
• for Gizmo to remain happy and healthy
• a nail gun 
• air compressor
• tire pressure gauge
• new windows
• a USB drive
• comfortable shoes
• homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning (you got that, Mom Poke?)
• good health for ourselves and our families
• to spend quality time with those that we love
• to continue to have jobs that provide us with all that we need
• diapers and formula for Gizmo

Santa, I hope you come through this year!  (Especially with that 1998 body....)

"She Looks Like a Pink Nightmare!"

Today was Gizmo's first venture out into our blizzard-like conditions so that we could begin our Christmas shopping:

Luckily, she put her arms down when she got to the mall.

SNOW DAY!!!

Just what the Dr. ordered:  a snow day for me to get over this cold and spend some quality time with Giana.  (And maybe get some errands done, too!)

My, How Things Change

Last weekend Erik and Cari's wedding made me feel very, very old.  Not that Erik getting married made me feel old, but the fact that my extended family and friends have "grown up", so to speak.  

Example #1 - 

(Almost) all of my cousins have their own significant other, many with children of their own.  It's hard to believe that just ten short years ago we were all living in Dwight planning our "Cousin's Night Out"s and enjoying each other's company on a regular basis.  It's rare that we all get together now, and it's hard to stay in touch with everyone so busy all the time.

Example #2 - 

The Mrs. and I can't handle our liquor anymore.  We tried to party like it was 1999 and still at the U of I that night, but let's face it - we're 30-somethings with kids, and it's just not worth the hangover the next morning.  Boo.

Example #3 - 

The Mack and his wonderful wife Marnie have a kid.  When I think of The Mack I think of Marc Morrison and Warren G playing in his Thunderbird as he cruises through Dwight and Champaign.  On Saturday night he not only was a great dad to Blondie, but Marnie and I discussed the trials and tribulations of pumping while at work.  Seriously?  

If you would have asked me ten years ago if life would be like it is now, I would have said yes.  But do you ever think that everyone else's life is staying the same, especially when you don't see them very often, while yours changes so much?  

The Weekend Recap

Where to begin?  The weekend was a complete whirlwind trip - we left on Friday morning and came home Sunday morning.  We were gone for just over 48 hours, but yet we traveled with two suitcases, a car seat and base, diaper bag, and purse.  Who knew you needed so much stuff when flying with a kid?  Gizmo, thankfully, enjoyed her first flight over the Midwest!  Mitch and I enjoyed it even more, since she slept the entire time.

Once we arrived in Illinois, we made a quick stop at Cin & Tom's, then on to the farm.  Upon arrival, Gizmo was greeted by her entire family, to which she cried she was so happy.  (Or unhappy, as her schedule was so off for the day that she was a total crab.)  Either way, everyone was happy to see us (and by us, I mean her).  

Gizmo got to meet her Aunt Sarah AND her Great-Grama and Grapa Poke on Friday!

Aunt Winnie enjoyed some Saturday morning cuddle time with Gizmo, complete with coordinating onesies - 

- and after meeting Great Aunt Cathy, we were off to the wedding.

Now, there really was a wedding - Erik and Cari did tie the knot.  However, I have no photographic evidence to prove that.  My pictures pretty much were focused on Gizmo - 

 - or the Mrs.

Or Gizmo - 

- or the Mrs.

Or Gizmo AND the Mrs.

Or Gizmo - 

Or the Mrs. (with The Mack - it was so good to see him and Marni!)

I do have ONE picture of Erik from the wedding, as all of the Poke cousins gathered for a picture.  I don't think we've taken one of these in almost ten years.  Quite sad, actually!

It was a great weekend to see so many of my family and friends this weekend.  I sure miss them!  

Let the Party Begin!

Poke is finally getting married.  'Bout time!  The first time we met his blushing bride was seven and a half years ago at Mitch's and my wedding.  Cari, we are so lucky to have you joining the Poke clan!

Momma's ready for a night out and to see all of her extended family, which she sees so rarely these days.  Can't wait!  (Look for the recap next week.)

I Don't Want Your Life

On an average day, you can probably hear 10+ movie quotes spoken in our house.  Some of the favorites we use regularly are:

• "I like to picture my Jesus wearing a tuxedo t-shirt, because it says I can be formal, but I like to party" (Talladega Nights)
• "I like to picture my Jesus with giant eagles wings, singing lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and I'm in the front row and I'm HAMMERED drunk" (also Talladega Nights)
• "Baxter, I'll take you to foggy Londontown!" (Anchorman)
• "They're breakdance fighting!" (Zoolander)
• "My cousin Ray-Ray?  Boop - dead."  (Dodgeball)
  
• "Pretty nice little Saturday - goin' to Home Depot tomorrow, pick out some flooring, maybe go to Bed Bath and Beyond - I don't know if they'll be time."  (Old School)
• "You're so money, you don't even know it."  (Swingers)
• "Who's the big winner?  Mikey!  Mikey's the big winner!"  (Swingers)

In fact, Mitch and my fantasy football team in the One Carbon Hill League is named after Anchorman - "Sex Panther" - the "cologne" that smells like "pure gasoline".  "60% of the time, it works every time!"

However, no movie gets quoted more in our house than Varsity Blues.  I know, why would we quote this, when there are so many other movies that we could use?  This movie (which hit a little close to home when I was teaching at Morris, mind you) has some real gems.  Mitch had said once that I quoted this movie too much, to which I balked and told him he was making it up.  Not more than five minutes later, though, I was spouting off another quote from Varsity Blues.  He was right - 

• "Stud-Daddy Wilkerson.  Look at him dance, get 'em some mustard!"
• "Ice?  Get 'em a beer!"
• "That's not the formation, that's not the formation!"
• "You can do it!"
• "Dummy-o's, follow your dummy-0 quarterback to the mud for a scrimmage!"
• "Coach Lance, put me in!  We'll block it!"
• "Move, freak-o's!"
• "Shit, these boys is havin' the time of they lives out there!"  "No doubt about it."

And my all-time favorite:

• "Puke and rally!"

If only our long-term memory could be used for something useful.....

How are thee different? Oh, let me count the ways....

I have been teaching in an elementary building for over a month now, and to be honest, I'm finding the transition to the little ones a little difficult.  There are so many things that are different:

• in middle or high school, you rarely have to worry about your students peeing their pants.
• middle and high school students don't tattle; in fact, they do their very best to keep things hidden.  Not so much with little kids, who feel the need to tell you if little Johnny looked at them wrong.  (I can't stand this part of the job.)
• they are so damn squirrelly.  Do they ever sit still?  Lots of times middle and high school students sit comatose through the entire class.  (Wow, after writing that, it makes it sound like I might not be an engaging teacher.  We all know that's not true.  :)
• little ones must have VERY SPECIFIC instructions.  
• along those same lines, kids can't just be told to do something.  They have to take turns.  I made the mistake of giving the following instructions:  1) go pick up a book from the stack, and 2) return to their seats.  In five seconds, there were 15 2nd graders on top of each other, fighting to get the first book.  

Not only are the kids different, but the entire building has a different vibe.  For example, the other day in the teacher's lounge at lunch, one of the first grade teachers was showing off her latest book to help kids read, and she was essentially teaching a lesson at the table.  There were so many teachers who were into it!  Today the other music teacher was spouting off songs for the staff to sing at the Christmas program, and everyone starting singing along to each song.  

Really?

My question is this - where is the bitching?  Where is the cynicism?  Why are we talking about our jobs at lunch?  Why aren't we complaining about kids?  I just don't understand why things must be all sunshine and roses all the time.  I'm a happy person, don't get me wrong.  But it's a little over-the-top for even my taste. 

Some days, I really miss being in a high school....

Updated Gizmo Pics!

This is for the "anonymous" poster who wanted some new pictures:

This dress is a little big on her still, but is just so darn cute!

A happy girl on a Sunday morning!

Daddy and Gizmo playing.

She has figured out how to suck on her bottom lip.  She has this look a lot right now.

A happy baby!  I think she looks like a turtle, because when she sticks her head up and out, you can actually see this kid's neck.  Otherwise, it's hidden beneath lots of chins.  

She is talking, cooing, and is generally a happy baby.  So sweet!

The Silence Scares the Sh*t Out of Me

Do you have a movie that scares you so much that you can't watch it?  Or, even worse, one that is so scary that you HAVE to watch it?  Growing up on the farm around cornfields and darkness and a maximum-security women's prison right down the street, I have never been one for scary movies.  When I was a kid, I would watch them only because I didn't want anyone to think I was a wimp.  But man, did they scar me for life.

Take for example "The Children of the Corn".  Are you kidding me?  The years that corn surrounded our house were the worst ever.  I was convinced someone was coming out of the field to get me.  In fact, when I was in high school I would sprint from the shed (where my car was parked) to the front door every night so that no one could catch me.  Let's be honest, though - I wasn't the fastest around - my year of track proved that.  Had there been someone there, I would have been dead for sure. Even so, I ran like hell to get into the house because I was scared.  

I also don't go into the bathroom without immediately turning on the light, for fear that I would look into the mirror and accidentally say "Candy Man" three times.  

The worst for me, though, is "The Silence of the Lambs".  I watched that movie for the first time in 7th grade, when I stayed over at my friend Mere's house.  We watched it in the middle of the night in her very dark basement.  I was literally frozen with fear, scared to death that Hannibal Lecter would eat me, or Buffalo Bill would starve me and kill me for my skin.  I had nightmares for months after watching this movie.  I don't think I've ever been more afraid of anything ever in my life.  This movie has seriously traumatized me.  

I saw "The Silence of the Lambs" on TV the other night as I was flipping through the channels.  I stopped immediately on it, thinking that maybe I could now tolerate it and see it for the fictional movie that it is.  Nope.  Couldn't do it.  It wasn't even at a gross or scary part - Buffalo Bill had just taken one of his girls and put her in the back of the van.  That's it.  I had to change the channel.  I am literally getting chills just thinking about it.

To this day, I don't like scary movies.  Won't watch them.   I think the last one I watched was "The Blair Witch Project" in school to prove to a boy that I could handle it.  What a terrible idea - I had to stay in my apartment that night alone (it was over a holiday break), and I didn't sleep a wink.  I'm a wimp, what can I say.

What scares you?

My Favorite Part of the Day

Nothing is better than going into Gizmo's room in the morning and seeing her smile - that big, toothless grin that says she is so excited to see her mommy and daddy in the morning.  What a great day.

Neglecting the Blog to Do All Sorts of Things

Readers, I apologize for not blogging in almost an entire week.  Mitch and I have been busy living lives, if you can believe that.  What on earth could be so important that it drags us away from the blog, you ask?  Well, let me tell you.

Last weekend we had another round of visitors from Illinois - Gizmo's godfather, Martin, and his parents.  We have planned this weekend visit for over a year now, as Martin was in town not only to meet Gizmo, but to attend the Illinois-Minnesota football game in the new outdoor stadium at the U.  Normally, one would assume that a November football game would be cold and miserable, but we lucked out and had perfect 60+ degree weather (and an Illinois win!)

We "tailgated" at the house before the game - 

And true to form, Martin and Mitch broke out the letterman's jackets to wear. (Can you believe it was TOO WARM to wear them to the game?  I was broken-hearted.)

In other news, Gizmo is now holding her head high and proud during tummy time - 

The little kick of the foot just kills me.  

I'll have you know that Gizmo also said her first word this week - "mom".  She's figured out how to make the "mmm" sound, so when she opens her mouth to cry, "mom" comes out.  So sweet!

Finally, my blogging is at an all-time low because I just began reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.  I am neglecting Gizmo, Mitch, the housework, and my job to read this thing.  I can't put it down.  And with that, I'm going to go read....

More Kindergarten Adventures

The Scene:  my music class, middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday.

My kindergarten class was singing "Rudolph" in preparation for the upcoming holiday concert in December.  As I scan the class, I notice one little boy with his head down, and I walk closer to him to make sure he is OK.  

Oh, he's OK.  He's got his hands down his pants.  Wasn't ready for that one.

A while later, I have another little boy who takes off his sweatshirt (it was hot in my room), leaving him with a t-shirt on.  Third little boy next to him notices, then decides to take his shirt off, too.  Only he doesn't have another shirt on underneath.  And he announces very loudly, "I'm going to take my shirt off!", then pulls it over his head, exposing his chest.  I notice other kids are starting to get at their own shirts.....and quickly re-dress naked kindergartener.  

The Cutest Pumpkin This Side of the Mississippi

Ah, Gizmo's first Halloween.  She started the day bright and early, excited about all of the trick-or-treaters coming to the house.  (She, sadly, was not going trick-or-treating, as her Mommy thought it was silly.  Gizmo can't eat the candy, so it just looks like some sad adults asking for a handout.)  We dressed her in Outfit #1, which I think looks like a Halloween Jail Suit.

She didn't stay long in this outfit - one poop and this thing was toast.  But, before she blew it out, she modeled some of her scary faces she's been working on.  First, here's "I'm gonna get you!" - 

Then there's her Robert DeNiro "You talkin' to me?" impression - 

And of course, her scary ghost look.

This next one, well, it's just plain silly.

We got her dressed in her official costume around 5, because I was afraid she would either spit up or poop in it before she could get a good wear out of it.  Once on, I giggled like a schoolgirl, she was just so darn cute.

I don't know about you, but I think that she sure resembles my side of the family in these pictures.  Take away that dark hair, and this girl might just be pure Poke after all.  

Because she looks like such a large pumpkin, I had to put it into perspective - 

Yep.  Still a baby.

After a while, she got annoyed with the hood, or maybe just annoyed with all of the picture-taking, but she did NOT want her picture taken with Mommy.

I, by the way, went as a new mom - disheveled hair, baggy sweatshirt, and no makeup.  Or you could say I went as an excited Illinois fan, since they beat Michigan!  

This picture is just cute because of those chubby cheeks.  (Hers, not mine.)

Mitch also went in a costume this year - he dressed up as himself circa 1995.  This t-shirt was from high school, and he even put on his high school letterman's jacket.  Cool.

Yes, it was an exciting Halloween at our house.  Gizmo slept, we had very few trick-or-treaters, and Mitch and I (ok, I) ate all of the candy.  

A Gizmo Picture-Heavy Post

I haven't posted recent pictures of Gizmo in a while, so here is what she's been up to!

She just loves to play in her crib, kicking her farm animals!

Could those thighs be any cuter?

Meeting #1 Viking Fan at a football party last weekend.  Skol!

Our friend's daughter Fi.  Gizmo really enjoyed checking her out!

Gizmo is doing a really good job of lifting her head up nice and high!
She just loves to sing on her changing table.  

This week Mitch and I had to change out some of her clothes, as almost everything 0-3 months is too small for her now.  I can't believe how fast she grows and changes!