And THIS is Why I Love My Husband

A few weeks ago, Mitch had told me that he had booked massages for us and arranged Katie to come out and sit with the girls so we could have a night out.  Shocked and excited, I anxiously looked forward to Date Night, as we had not been out for a very long time.  I had lots of questions - what else would we do?  where would we eat?  how late would we stay out? - but Mitch was not very forthcoming with any details.  It was a surprise, he said, and so I just had to wait.

Yesterday, after my marathon week of concerts at school, I came home, scribbled some last-minute notes to Katie for the girls, and walked out the door.  Mitch had picked up Katie at work since she and Boston share a car, and so as we pulled out of the driveway I asked Mitch if Katie was just staying the night so that we would not have to drive her into Minneapolis at a late hour.  To my surprise, he said yes, and that we had a room booked at Hotel Ivy in Minneapolis for the evening.  Mitch not only booked a beautiful room right in downtown and arranged massages in the spa at the hotel, but had packed my bag (he had never done that before) and taken care of every detail for the girls.  Changed the sheets for Katie?  Done.  Made pancakes for the girls for Saturday morning breakfast?  Done.  Packed all of my makeup, which was in several places in the bathroom?  Done and done.

I was completely overwhelmed with love for my husband.  In our crazy, busy life, where most of our lives focus on our work and the girls, it was so nice for us to have a night to focus on ourselves and give attention to our own relationship.  And I was completely surprised, as Mitch has never done anything like this before.

I can't decide what I liked the best from our night out - dinner out at Hell's Kitchen, where there was a jazz group performing, or the massage, or the champagne we had in the room, or ordering room service for breakfast and lounging in the hotel robes and drinking coffee while watching the news.  I think I just liked being with Mitch.

Thanks, honey.  I am so lucky that we have each other.

Random Thoughts and Pictures

A couple of weekends ago, Mitch and I devoted some time to working in the yard. It's this time of year - leaf-dropping time - that we begin to curse our choice in house. (Who wanted to live in an older neighborhood with mature trees, anyway?)

I think the girls had a pretty good time in the leaves, even though Gizmo had to share with Gonzo -





It was the perfect fall day that Saturday. The only thing that would have made it better would have been an Illini win.

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The next day, all hell broke loose in the house. Mitch contracted a pretty nasty virus and was out of work for a few days while I worked crazy hours due to conference week. The best part was that the girls avoided the virus.

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I had a few days of work for the state's educational convention (which I did not have to go to), so I was able to stay home and hang out with the girls. We had a great time!


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Tonight, I watched Gizmo inhale a piece of lasagna. It was the kind of no-breathing, no-chewing, can't look up, use both hands type of eating. I was completely impressed. And I come from a long line of fast eaters, especially when it comes to lasagna.

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Gonzo is seven months old. Where has the time gone? She is sporting two new teeth, and could not be cuter, although I noticed that she's starting to look a little bit like a linebacker. A cute linebacker, though.

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When I was pregnant with Gizmo, I was telling a colleague how ready I was to go home for the day to relax. My colleague, who has two teenage children, just laughed at me. He told me that for him, being at work was relaxing, and that going home was when the real work started. I remember thinking, "How could that be true?"

Now I laugh every time I think about that day, because he could not have been more right.

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.

Bathtime Mash-Up

Last night, while giving Gizmo a bath, Mitch and I were singing songs to keep her distracted. (Lately, she hasn't minded the hair washing, but now hates getting her upper body washed. Who knows.) Anyway, we began with "Rubber Duckie", and in keeping with the Sesame Street theme, I began to sing "Sing a Song".

Mitch started singing "I'm Too Sexy".

Gizmo was highly entertained.

Spring Break! Post #2 - The WORST of Spring Break

You know what isn't fun?  Being sick.  Sleeping on the bathroom floor.  Feeling as though you would rather have a baby again instead of feeling the way you do.  Having to stay inside when the weather could not have been more perfect for a week off because you are throwing up.   

You know what else isn't fun?  Watching poor Gizmo throw up.  A lot.  And trying to take care of someone who can't tell you what's wrong.  Luckily, she is a champ and has the sweetest temperament even when she isn't feeling well.  

Another not fun thing?  Listening to Mitch getting sick as I type.  Knowing that he is going to be sick tomorrow, and most likely will be laid up for the next 48 hours.

Yep, we've all got the flu.  Or at least some type of stomach bug.  Mine lasted for about 48 hours, Gizmo is on the mend, and Mitch is just starting his round.  

This is how we have spent Tuesday night through today.  No fun outings, no walks, no items crossed off my to-do list.  Mitch was a champ when I was sick taking care of Gizmo and me, and now I'll return the favor.  

Of course, we also have Katie at our disposal, who arrived this afternoon to take care of Gizmo for the week.  Looks like I'll add "nurse" to her list of duties this week.  

Here's to hoping summer arrives soon!

"I'm So Confused...."

Becoming parents means learning a whole new set of habits:  sleeping habits, eating habits, showering habits...the list goes on and on.  I have adjusted to these new habits and routines fairly well and without much rough transition time.  Mitch on the other hand, is another story.  

Mitch has picked up a new habit that is quite interesting.  He has started to "sleep-think", as he calls it.  It's similar to sleep-walking, but he's not getting out of the bed.  He is convinced that the baby is in the bed with us at night, and tries to find it to take care of it.  For example, it was his turn to check on Gizmo as she was crying in the monitor.  Instead of getting out of bed, he started rubbing my bottom.  When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was "looking for the baby in the bed".  Laughter ensued, and he sleepily commented, "I'm so confused!"  He eventually got out of the bed to tend to Gizmo's needs.  

Another instance had Mitch sitting up in bed, searching for something.  When I asked what he was looking for, he said, "I'm looking for the pen!" (to write down her feeding in our log).  He was convinced that I had handed it to him, and that he had dropped it in the bed.  Keep in mind that the pen and log were in their normal spot in the nursery.  Again, he stated, "I'm so confused!", and fell back asleep.  

These types of incidents have not happened once, twice, or even three times.  It has happened many times since we brought Gizmo home.  And I'll have you know that we have never had her in the bed with us.  Ever.  So for him to think she's there is just pure comedy at 3am.  He remembers most of the episodes in the morning, believing that the crying in the monitor is triggering some sort of dream, and causing him to act them out in the bed.  

I wonder how long this habit will stay around.  While I enjoy the silliness in the wee hours of the morning, I think he really does panic that he's going to squish the baby!

Happy 30th Birthday Mitch!

Today Mitch finally joins me in the 30 club.  For his birthday, we went out in Minneapolis for dinner with his family.  

And no, that isn't the limo we took, but it sure was cool!

Anyway, I've been asking Mitch what he wanted to do for his birthday for a few days now, and he has yet to come up with any ideas.  I have told him that he can do whatever he wants.  So this is what he decided to do:

Sit on the couch in his letterman's jacket with his new Twins t-shirt (for Thor).  

Because very few pictures of Mitch have been posted to the blog recently, I found some classics in recent past (i.e., as long as I've had my digital camera) to share with our readers.  

Happy Birthday, Mitch.  I love you.

Training Update #4

Hello again from hot, steamy, stormy Dallas. Today we had Test #3 and I passed all the objectives, and scored 35/37. Yesterday was the halfway point of training and we had conferences with the instructors to assess our progress. The instructor who reviewed me, New Orleans Jackie, said that I am "an asset to the class" so apparently I rock.

Fifty Below Zero News:

Dr. Marty is coming to Dallas for a visit this weekend. Watch out Texas!

SUPER big congrats to Rachel Needs a Job! She needs to change her name to Rachel HAS A Job! Way to go Angel! Tina and I are very happy for you (and Tuba Lady)!

Where Is Jim Cantore And His Blue L.L. Bean Jacket?

On the way back from dinner tonight we heard tornado sirens. Thankfully, I got back up to my room just before the rain and wind started.

View of the storm clouds from the 24th floor:

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View of the storm from the 24th floor 5 minutes later when the rain started. What looks like fog is actually rain being blown sideways by 40-70 mph winds.

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Training Update #3 - now with more quippy goodness!

Had test #2 this morning; I passed all 9 sections and missed a total of 3 questions out of 37.

Here's some actual quotes from class today:

Instructor: "When apportioning real property taxes after the sale of a house, you have to add up the number of days the seller owned the house. So, 31 days for January plus 28 days for February, etc..."

Classmate: "WAIT! WAIT! Will we be given the number of days in each month on the test?"

I was dumbfounded.

This is what I stare in class. Tools of the trade: multiple binders of Training Materials, company issue Laptop, 0.7 mm Skilcraft mechanical pencil, BA II Plus Business Analyst calculator. Off screen: Styrofoam cup of Sweet Tea.

This is the building I'm in from 8:00-4:30 every day.

Training Update #2

I'm pleased to report that I passed the first exam with a score of 36/39. While this is a pretty good score, I should have gotten them all right and plan on getting 100% correct next time.

In one of the more "remedial" sections of the course, we learned a few minutes ago what the different parts of a check are. See attached photo so you can brush up on your basic financial life skills too!

Meals Scorecard:
Chick-Fil-A: 2
Barbecue: 2
Tex-Mex: 1
Not memorable enough to report: all the rest of them

Training Update #1

Things are darn swell down here in Dallas. While training classes are moving at a slow pace, the hotel and surrounding area are very nice.

My hotel room is an extended stay suite with a full kitchen, living room, and separate bedroom. There is a small grocery store less than 2 blocks away, and the hotel provides happy hour and a milk and cookies buffet at night.

I hope you enjoy this photo of the sunrise as seen from my room on the 24th floor as much as I did.

The First Potluck

Mitch (this last weekend):  "I have potluck at work on Wednesday.  What should I take?"

Tina:  "Dessert or salad."

Mitch (today on his way home from work):  I signed up for dessert.  What can we make?"

Tina:  "I have stuff to make chocolate chip cookies."

Mitch:  "I want to take something that will really impress them.  Maybe almond bars!"

Tina:  "I don't have the stuff for that.  You'll have to go to the store."

Mitch (at 6:30pm):  Goes to the store for supplies.

Tina:  Goes upstairs to put up her feet, as her cankles became extraordinarily large with the extreme heat today.

Mitch:  Only asks for help a few times while making them.  Dresses the part and cools himself off as he works.  

I have no doubt his coworkers will just love the almond bars.  Hopefully they won't taste like beer.