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!