You Guys are Bad-Ass

Here's a big shout out to Boston, who ran his first marathon today! His goal was to finish, and that he did. I think I speak for our entire family when I say we are so proud of you!

Another big shout-out to The Mrs., who ran her first half-marathon today as well! Way to go!

It's An Easter Miracle...or Two

I could button my normal pants this morning to go to church. (Nevermind the muffin top....they still buttoned. A cardigan can hide a multitude of sins.)

Also, Mitch, Gizmo and I had breakfast, got dressed, and got out the door and made it to 8:30 church on time. Baby G stayed home and enjoyed Jewish Easter with her auntie and uncle.

Happy Easter!

Celebrating Easter a Little Early

Gizmo loves to play with her Little People. They are some of her most favorite things, and she has a lot of them. She has a prince and princess, complete with horse and buggy, an airplane with a pilot, a car with a mommy and a baby, a farm complete with animals and Farmers Jed and Sonja Lee (they are named that by the company; we didn't come up with that), two cleaning guys she calls "dudes", and the entire Nativity set.

Lately she's been putting her Little People in her shoes and laughing hysterically. The laughter has died down in the last couple of days, and now she takes great thought on who will go into which shoe. Here's what happened the other day:

Gizmo: Chue!

Me: Yes, that's your shoe.

Gizmo: Pee-ple!

Me: Which person would you like to put in your shoe?

Gizmo: (thinking, then looking around at her choices....) Jeez!

Me: You want to put Jesus in your shoe?

Gizmo: Jeez chue!

My mom: Did she just say Jesus was a Jew?

It Took Me Two Days to Finish This

I am . . . a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a friend.

I want . . .to go eat another chocolate chip cookie, but I've already eaten 5 or 6 today.

I have . . .the most wonderful family anyone could ask for.

I wish . . . we would win the lottery so that I would not have to work.

I hate . . . to watch scary movies.

I fear . . . that something terrible will happen to Mitch or the girls.

I hear . . . the rhythmic sound of the breast pump. (Sorry if that is TMI, but a girl has to multi-task!)

I search . . . for socks that don't have holes in them, almost every morning. Why do I not just go buy new socks?

I wonder . . . if I will ever have job security in my profession.

I regret . . . leaving Mitch in Tallahassee to move back to Illinois when he was in law school.

I love . . . watching Mitch with the girls. He is truly a fantastic dad.

I ache . . .in my tummy after eating too many chocolate chip cookies.

I always . . . could have a glass of red wine. Or a Leinie's. Or a Jameson and Ginger Ale. Or a margarita. Or....

I usually . . . arrive at work a few minutes late every day.

I am not . . . as organized as I think I am.

I dance . . . with Mitch in the kitchen to make Gizmo laugh. And to make Mitch laugh. I am a terrible dancer.

I sing . . . almost constantly. Lately I've felt like Gizmo's personal IPod, as I start a song to sing and she says, "no", and then I change it and she says "no", until we find one she likes.

I never . . .keep promises to myself, and that's something I wish I could change.

I sometimes . . . wonder what I would do if I didn't teach music, and I honestly can't think of anything else. Which scares me as well.

I cry . . . very rarely anymore, but post-partum I have shed many tears as my hormones balance back out.

I lose . . . sleep wondering about the future.

I am grateful . . . that I have a happy, healthy family.

I need . . . eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.

I should . . . learn to be more patient with people.

You're welcome. . . Mrs.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Because Congress got things figured out (and I use that phrase loosely in this case), Mitch's paternity leave ends today. For the last two weeks, he and I have been a team in figuring out how to make our family of three work as a family of four. We've had our good days, a few bad days, and more laughs than I can remember. We've done night feedings together and encouraged each other when things with Gizmo became difficult. We've had plenty of wonderful moments where our new family has sat together to play and laugh. We've shed some tears of frustration.

I have had more fun than I can remember in the last two weeks. Of course, they have been difficult and sleep-deprived, but I have enjoyed every moment of it. I am incredibly sad that this time as a new family is over and my partner will not be here to help me, but I know that it is necessary so that we can, you know, pay the mortgage.

Mitch, I love you, and I am so glad that we have created this beautiful family together.

Catching Up From the Last Two Weeks

Spring in Minnesota has finally arrived! The last of the snow melted in our yard this week, and Mitch was able to take Gizmo in the inaugural ride of her new "wag-uh" on one of the beautiful days we had this week.


She has also enjoyed riding on her horsey made by Papa Poke, although she's becoming more and more of a daredevil when she tries to ride it....


The adjustment to "Baby Gen" is a slow one, with moments of her saying "No Gen! No Gen!", but also sweet ones, when she helps with a feeding or gives Baby G kisses.


I'm feeling pretty good two weeks out. This recovery has been much easier than my recovery with Gizmo. What a difference between the two!


And finally, Miss G (who still needs a blog name, but we have had no time to think of a creative one. I'll take suggestions) is thriving, as she weighed in at 9 lbs, 2 oz today at her 2-week check-up. She's now over her birth weight, and put on a pound in a week. The nurses and doctor couldn't believe it. I think it's safe to say her Poke genes are starting to show through.


Mitch's paternity leave is getting extended due to Congress's lack of a budget. Dumbasses. I guess if he has to be off work, this is the perfect time to do it. I wasn't quite sure I was ready to go it alone, although I know both Gramas are ready and willing to help! It'll be great to have him home another week. But let's hope that's it.

The Delirium is Setting In

Tonight's conversation, 10:18pm, the bedroom:

Mitch: Hey, can you sign this form as my witness so I can be an organ donor?

Tina: Sure, I can be your witness. "Can I get a witness?"

Mitch: (almost simultaneously) "Can I get a witness?" Damn, you beat me to it!!

Tina: This whole staying at home together thing isn't so bad.

Mitch: It's almost like it's good for our marriage. Good thing we have these kids - they are the glue that holds our marriage together. And of course, the alcohol.

Tina and Mitch: Hysterical giggling.

Mitch: I'll hand you the computer so you can blog that.

Tina: Thanks.

What I Learned in My First Week as a Mother of Two

The baby is the easy part. It's adjusting the toddler that's the most difficult.