Young at Heart

In my most of my pictures, I refer to "the boys", which includes my husband. Here's why:

It's Fun Being a Grandma

It's pretty hard to spirit Connor away from my mom's grasp. She carried him when he was starting to get fussy and sleepy. Connor was also not feeling too great with a cough. More on that later. Here Mom passes off her camera to keep Connor from melting down.

Hmm, that's a pretty nice camera.

Well, it worked for a bit anyway. Grandma tries another tactic....

The swing. Ahh, this is the life, rocking and sitting cozy with Grandma. He looks like he might swing away into sleepyland.

Now, later that evening, Connor's cough was acting up. Mom went in and got him and consoled him by having him sleep on the couch with her. It doesn't stop there....we moved the bed back into Connor's room and she and Connor were roomies. Connor got to play and rest in the big bed with Grandma.

It's going to be big fun undoing all the spoiling! That's what grandmas are for!

Grandma Comes to Town

My mom came for a visit last Thursday. We started off by doing our typical park and pizza night with the boys. This time, we ate at the picnic bench by the playground. Here the boys are having a grand time hiding in the tunnel.

This is one fun dad taking both kids down the slide. Connor would like to try out the slide on his own, but so far he hasn't gotten past Mom or Dad successfully.

One happy grandma and one tired little Connor.

Food, glorious food!
Grandma catches up with Ian.

Ian puts his feet up for a quick rest.

More to come on the next entry (which you'll probably see before this one!)

Connor is 11 Months Old!

It is unreal that a year has almost past. This time last year, I was finishing my last few days of work and sleeping on the couch upright for weeks. Waiting and waiting and waiting for this little guy. Funny how I know that period of time was so tiring and uncomfortable (and I am not anxious to do the pregnancy stuff all over again, trust me) BUT, it seems like forever ago.

Here is the little cherub enjoying his first ice cream cone. We are at a point where Connor does not like to be spoon fed any longer. The food must be on his tray. Applesauce and all runny foods included. He really had fun holding and eating his ice cream, since none of us could touch it and possibly take any of it. This new development has also resulted in us giving him a bath daily.

Okay, the ice cream cone evening was last week. So technically he was 10 months old. But see how much more mature he is in this new 11 month old photo taken just this afternoon? What a difference a week makes.

Yes, this is supposed to be Connor's shining moment. The boys were in the backyard playing under Daddy's makeshift tool bench (aka computer desk that is never coming into our house again). Ian was hiding underneath and Connor was enjoying the hide and seek game. Ian was just too cute popping out from under the desk, so I snapped a "few" pictures. Here is one of probably ten. Note to Irish relatives: that is the Ireland soccer jersey Ian is sporting.

Here's our little big guy just shy of a year. The most poignant moment that I could not capture on photo (yet) was the emergence of those two top teeth. He grinned at me today and you could see four teeth, not just two. No more gummy gums on your fingers. The moment was so strange because he actually looked different and a bit older. No, I didn't cry. I'll save that for the day that I realize he isn't an infant any longer. Anyway, the worst teething is over for this week, he is back to sleeping through most of the night and he is much happier in general. After all, he is 11 months old now, so he needed to be chipper for the occasion.
In other news, the babysitter will arrive in town tomorrow. Oh, did I say babysitter? I mean my mom. (Hey, Tom...suit up, we are actually going on a date! ) Ian has her scheduled for the zoo and probably hours of bubbles. So, we should have some solid blogging over the next week.

Happy almost one, baby C!

I Heart Work

It's great to be happy. I really love my executive director job. Not just like it, love it. Not just because it is a cool title (it is). It is challenging and I often question whether I am doing well or if I am out of my league. Tonight we had the monthly board meeting and everyone individually at some point mentioned how much they enjoyed having me working for them or complimenting the work I had been doing so far. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they like me, they really, really like me!

Yesterday was our big concert at the Mesa Arts Center and I got to bustle around, greeting performers, getting the right people on stage, giving out checks, working with the house manager, it was fun. Now, I am spending time finding new places for the chorale to perform, talking with music directors and performing arts center managers, all of whom are expressing sincere interest in working with the chorale. It is keeping me very challenged, but in a satisfying way.

In the end of March, I will be taking an course in non-profit management to help me learn the ropes (or to climb a bit higher). The best news of the day came after our board meeting, because my bosses were very pleased with my chorale work, they would like me to continue to stay on for the next season.

It is so wonderful to come home jabbering away a board meeting. How many people do that?!

On a different note, no pictures to display. Connor is cutting the top two teeth and he is just not in the mood for picture taking. Plus it is hard to take his picture when I am consoling him for a majority of the day. He is awake several times overnight crying too, so we are all not in a photographic mood. Better luck on your next blog check-in!

Genius!

Okay, remember my complaint about the pole in my father/sons photo? Well, Jesse asked me what pole? He did some crazy photo editing and here's what he sent-


Jesse, you made my day!!!

Future Percussionist?

So, who does this remind you of? The youngest Murphy shows promise in percussion.

Connor definitely likes percussion, whether it's banging hands on a tray or playing a log drum. His favorite book is "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb" with all the drums. Oh, boy.

Does Thomas check if the boys play with steady beat or copy rhythms? You bet. Are we both complete music geeks? Yes.
This picture reminds me of Thomas, very serious about the music. I have a bunch of pictures of Thomas playing, I should compare them. It 's in the facial expression. Here's where we turned the corner....Hmm, what makes this mallet so interesting?


Let's taste and find out! Uh, oh. Mommy did NOT like that idea. Rubber mallets tend to break into pieces, so Mommy wasn't going to allow the mallet/lollipop bit.

This is one of the first times I have told Connor "no" in a stern voice. At first, he thought it was funny when I took the mallet out of his mouth. He popped the mallet back in his mouth. On the second "no", he was unsure how to proceed, eyeing me with bewilderment. What is this woman saying? He slowly put the mallet back to his mouth, watching me the entire time. Once again, I took the mallet out of his mouth and said "no" in the "I mean it" voice. This time, I got the quivering lip and then the waterworks began.

Okay, so I had to turn away from him because it made me want to cry myself. Look at that face. It is the hardest part of being a parent, all those love no's that my mother in law always talks about it. But, being the well rounded photographer that I would like to be someday, I read that you should take pictures of all the baby moments, not just the happy ones. So there you have it.
Just think, someday he might be a percussionist!

Even More Fun at the Park

Ian got quite a workout tonight. Thomas has him practicing longer kicks. Interestingly, Thomas appeared to remain in one spot for much of the time. What is that about?!
Okay, okay, he DID move! Way to go, Tom! Score! (I'm only kidding with you) Notice his hands in his pockets....it was really cold!

It was much harder to get a decent picture of either of our soccer players. Ian really was cute with the hood. (must always have the hood on...he blended in well with the teenage skateboarders at McDonald's.)
I was really hoping these "aww" pictures would have turned out slightly better, but the main idea is there. Here is a father, his two boys and a lightpole.

I think we always wonder what kind of parents we'll be. Thomas is a terrific father. He's busy, he's tired, but he makes time for the park. He makes time for crazy clunk games with Ian. He reads the only three books that Connor is interested in with him. He lets the boys know how much he loves him, whether it is fun, happy love or the love you have to learn from. He is consistent. He is silly. He gets frustrated like any parent does. He needs to know that I think he is one cool daddy-o. (hmm, where have I seen that phrase before??)

These boys are so fortunate. I am fortunate too.

More Fun at the Park

Peekaboo!

Our typical Friday family night, working up an appetite at the park, although we decided to skip pizza in favor of McDonald's. That will not happen again. Stick with pizza, always stick with the pizza.

Anyway, we started off by taking the boys to Freestone Park in Gilbert. I was a click maniac since the sun was setting and I could shoot with natural light and try to recall half of the photo lessons I'd read over the last several weeks. Connor was amused by the camera, so I got a few fun shots of him.

It was pretty windy and chilly this evening, so we didn't stay too long. Now, remember we live in Arizona. Windy and chilly to us now is in the 50's. We were all in layers, Ian and I were wearing gloves, Connor with the hat. Our New York branch thinks we are a bit ridiculous. But when my mother in law told me it warmed up to 30 degrees in New York, my Arizona winter seems just divine and fine to me.

I was really, really trying for the Tom and Connor "awww" shots. This one is a favorite, but blurry and far because I was in the wrong mode and trying to snap before Connor looked away. I LOVE watching Thomas carrying Connor.
Many shots included Connor sampling the grass. It's becoming his favorite pastime at the park lately. Decided to give everyone a break with the "Connor eats grass-again!" pictures. But when I got this photo, no grass involved, it was worth the 30 that I deleted.

More to come....

Ten Foods I Don't Like

I am piggybacking from another blog on the ring....and I needed a fun break from the ten million things that came up at the last minute today and tonight.

1. Liver. Yuck. My grandmother would actually go out to a restaurant with us and order liver and onions. Again, I say, yuck.

2. Can I say liver twice?

3. Pork Chops. I remember chewing them endlessly until it tasted like paper in my mouth. I am pretty sure I cried a few times when my mom made pork chops.

4. Milk straight up. My husband is probably faint of heart right now, but I don't like drinking milk straight in a glass. Only in cereal. Now, the exception here is when I was pregnant, then I could drink milk with no problem.

5. Codfish (and assorted fishes except salmon). My uncle Chet forced me to sit at the dinner table with a hunk of codfish on my plate and demanded I stay there until the fish was eaten. I was there for a very, very long time. Also, in Ecuador, we went fishing for trucha and afterward, it was cooked and served to me with the head and eyeballs. I could not. My abuelita ate it.

6. Pig. I am talking the whole pig....again in Ecuador, this is a big deal and my dad always buys a pig for the family gatherings there. Again with the face, the ears, the crunchy skin. My cousins would tease me about it, but it just wasn't happening.

7. Maple Syrup. Now, this one is strange and even baffles me. I loved maple syrup until Connor came along. Suddenly the smell makes me ill and I cannot even stand to have the boys eat it and smell like syrup afterward. I eat my pancakes with peaches now. I am even grossed out now as I write about maple syrup.

8. Ketchup on French Fries. Never have liked ketchup on anything except a hamburger and it must be mixed with mustard and mayo. I refuse to eat anything that ketchup has even touched in some way. Now my son will eat most things doused in ketchup.

9. Eggs. I was kicked under the table by my then future mother-in-law for eating eggs politely when she knew I hated them. I do not like them, Sam I Am.

10. Green Olives. I have to vote for black olives as my favorite.

I am sure there are more foods....my mom will probably come up with a bunch. Back to work now....

Falcon Field Air Museum Part Two

Curious little C really liked hanging out in the back of the Army jeep.
All my boys in one spot.A very rare photo of myself alongside my favorite plane..."Miss Murphy". There seemed to be quite a few cute ladies plastered on the planes. (Oh, yeah....forgot to tell the folks back home that I chopped my hair off.)

A well timed family hour...just enough for something fun to do after lunch and before naps. We all came home for a nice snooze.

Falcon Field Air Museum Part One

In an unusual burst of energy, the four of us set out to visit the Falcon Field Air Museum, here in Mesa. Honestly, all I truly know is that it has a bunch of old planes, including a B-17. The boys really enjoyed the visit.


Ian's favorite part was this cute little pedal pusher plane for kids. That was pretty much all he was interested in, until.....Here's Connor in the plane. His moment was short-lived because Ian was not too impressed that Connor was in his plane.
back to the original thought....Ian had a great time climbing into the B-17 cockpit with Daddy. The quarters looked really narrow and small, so Mom and Connor watched from the ground and took pictures.

Check the next post for some more photos......

He Stands Alone

Okay, folks, mark the date. Connor stood by himself-no hands, no prompting from either parent. We were outside blowing bubbles and he was standing next to my patio chair watching bubbles go by. All of a sudden, I looked and Connor is standing, no hands on the chair, ever so briefly. I started to get all happy, when he followed up with a forward pitch right into the metal arm of the chair. Unfortunately for him, he landed on his eyelid, so he has a nice purple mark on his eye. That brought on the tears, the ice and lots of consolation on Daddy's part. (Ian kept clamoring for more bubbles over all the commotion, so I elected to do the bubbles, since Tom is much better in the emergency/first aid/consolation department).

Later today, Connor was in the living room and did his little standing routine minus the injury portion of the show. We were about to grab the camera, but he sat down as we mentioned it. Once he wakes up, I will be keeping my camera handy so I can capture the moment for you.

I Want to Sit Next to My Brother

Sometimes, little things warm up your heart (and my camera), for instance, this morning. Ian sat in his usual spot with his toaster stick. Connor was in his chair; his usual spot is next to me. Ian announced, "I want to sit next to my Connor, I want him to sit next to me.". He got up and started pulling Connor's chair next to his. Tom and I had that "awww" moment and then Ian says, "Mommy, take a picture, get your camera." I obeyed my orders and this is what I got.

So many people tell me how much the boys look alike, but I usually don't see it. I know all the differences. In looking at these photos, I actually see how much they look like brothers now, in looks and in spirit.

p/s: I took 20 pictures of this event. I scaled them down to about 5 or 6 good ones. This camera ROCKS-thanks to my cute hubby!

A Balancing Act

Not the greatest picture, I know it. But look Ma, no hands! Connor is attempting to stand and balance in one place. He does pretty well until it becomes a "catch me!" game. No steps yet, but he moves from place to place standing and holding on as much as possible.

His latest favorite game is standing up in the bathtub-one of those games that capitalize on a parent's fear and anxiety. So bathtub time is basically a barrage of "Connor, sit down." "Cooonnooor, sit please" (more insistently) "Connor, sit down now" until I finally give up and just take him out of the tub because I cannot stand repeating myself for selectively deaf ears. He does know what sit down means, he actually sits down when I say it, watching me carefully the entire time with a big fat smile. Once that bottom hits water, he pops back up and starts the game over again. Lovely.

Our newest favorite is Connor sitting in his booster at dinner (strapped in so I don't have to say "sit down, Connor".....then it becomes the "sit down, Ian" game, which is just as fun, let me tell you). He shakes his head no for us while he is eating. That's it. It is very amusing even though it probably sounds quite lame in writing.

Well, here's Connor either protesting that he didn't get enough dinner or maybe there is a Cheerio in his eye (Ian's catch phrase for having something in your eye). You just never know what these boys will come up with next! Love to the peeps!

Oh, The Places I Might Go

Right now, I am typing while listening to the baby talk to himself in the crib. He has been chatting it up the last few days; he has a lot to say. Quite a few 'mamas" here and there. I don't know that it is directed at me, but let's just say it is.

Well, I am actually NOT going to write about the boys today (sorry Grandmas)-I am giving myself an entry to share some of the fun work that I am learning and opportunities that are on the horizon.

The Chorale work has been really fun. The first board retreat was exciting to me, getting to see how the operations work. In fact, my opinion was taken on a few issues, so that really built up my confidence. They know I am learning the ropes and they are helpful, but they expect the work to be done. I like it. So, now I get to write and present my very first board report on Monday! Since the concert is coming up in March, I am doing several phone calls, emails and confirming contracts which is easy. The musical director will be giving me more directive on Monday about going out to visit venues, make contacts with the staff and find a great place for the chorale to perform in. It is really enjoyable work.

The grant writing is more sporadic; however I do like writing and I've been successful with all of the grants I've written so far. We are working on becoming a non-profit organization to be able to hold summer music festivals in Prescott. If this actually gets off the ground, I would work the administrative part of the actual festival, plus find and write the grants. While it hasn't earned me enough money to truly boost our income, it is really terrific experience.

Finally, I applied for an unpaid internship with the Arizona Commission on the Arts. They have a few openings and I applied for the Local Arts Development program. It involves reviewing grants, maintaining databases, organizing some state museum work, and doing some research. It is not directly in the arts education department, but that is not available until the summer. Anyway, I have the time to do it and they do say that many of the program interns go on to paying jobs with the Commission or other arts organizations. If it doesn't come to pass, the performing arts director will refer to another arts organization looking for an intern as well.

So, I think this is becoming the way to go. If the doors continue to open like they have been, I'll consider it a sign that I am heading in a good direction. My husband is so supportive, regardless of our meager income, he continually encourages me to find the work that I enjoy. He would be much happier if I was making more money, I'm sure, but this year has been about making the most of new opportunities for me. If I can translate that into a career, I'll do it.

The schools are now starting to ask about what teachers are planning to do for the next school year...are we returning or leaving, what positions are we interested in, etc. I had to complete a survey on it with my name, so they could get ideas. Honestly, teaching two days a week has been delightful, even teaching PE. I don't mind not having a classroom. I teach kindergarten plus a special education class. I don't miss the grind. I feel happier about going in. But, I know that if something else presented itself, I could easily subtract the teaching.

Should I work part time next year? Probably not. I love the chorale job, which is really much more difficult with a full time job. Love the grant writing, but it's hit or miss moneywise. And being home for the boys is something I will never regret. Teaching is a sure bet and it will be probably always be there, considering the desperate need for teachers. All I can say is we'll see.

I have to thank all the people who support me in my endeavors, who tell me to try and see, who kindly give me compliments on my successes and encourage my writing. That is the only way I have the courage and confidence to move along. So thank you.