Great news-I took the kids to the doctor today and they have.....hand-f00t-mouth disease!!!! At first, I thought, "isn't that a disease that cows get?" but that is something else entirely. So, we are contagious, home for the rest of the week and I get to wash and clean every sheet, towel and toy that has been used this week. Oh boy.
By the way, Thomas just has a normal cold.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Three Sick Males Under One Roof-OH BOY!
Bring on the mopey. I have three boys in the house under the weather. Husband included. He has a cold that has depleted most of our tissue supply, but he went to work and is happily playing some Warcraft game that I don't pretend to be interested in.
Connor has been running a low fever and took not one, not two, not three but FOUR naps today. Of course, I was at work so I missed the sleep extravaganza, but we all know that is far from normal for little C. He has been extra clingy today, one of those "don't put me down" days. Another indicator that things are going awry is in how little food he cares to eat over the last two days. Connor loves food. I don't know of any food he has rejected. You put food in front of him, he eats it. Broccoli and peas included. Tonight, he ate a bit of his chicken, broccoli and potatoes, but not with usual gusto. He didn't even finish his applesauce. Later, as I tried to rock him to sleep, he chewed on his sleeve, his fist, my shoulder and on the bottle. My educated guess suggests that we are about to be charmed by the presence of some more pearly whites. Let the fun begin (again).
Ian ran a fever all day Tuesday, up to 104 at its highest point. He was playful in the morning and early afternoon. Then, in the wink of an eye, the meltdown fest began. If Connor touched one of his toys, Ian would cry, "He's breaking it!" and sit and cry. Pretty much anything Connor did or looked at brought on a serious fit. I decided they needed some sleep so after 20 minutes of screaming by Connor, both boys took a hearty nap before gearing up for round two. Thankfully, Thomas was home to assist, although he was not up to par himself.
This morning, Ian woke up with no fever, no sign of illness so I sent the boys on to daycare with instructions to call if the fever returned. Ian had been complaining that his tongue hurt. Thomas and I checked it for canker sores or a bitemark and didn't see anything. At daycare, he continued to mention his tongue was bothering him. Alexis wasn't sure what it was either and she knows pretty much everything baby-toddler related.
Tonight at dinner, the poor child is sitting with his plate of chicken, potatoes and a piece of broccoli (untouched, I might add) with the usual pool of ketchup. The potatoes went fine. We asked him to eat one piece of chicken, which he started but ended up crying. Normally, he cries when he doesn't want to eat something, so neither Thomas or I gave in to that and insisted that he still eat that one piece of chicken. (meanies) More tears and I finally help him coat the chicken in ketchup, which he deemed worthy enough to try. He popped in his mouth and began crying more.
Finally the light dawns on us after considerable time coercing Ian to eat that damn piece of chicken, our brains click on that perhaps it is not the tongue, but his throat that is hurting. Out comes the flashlight and lo and behold, a white, icky looking throat with red spots. Nice. No wonder the kid is wailing when I am force-feeding him acidic coated chicken. Wake up and smell the doctor's appointment. That will be for tomorrow's adventure.
Now, here is the bonus in all this craziness and it might seem, I don't know, a little selfish or something. The boys curl up so cozy when they aren't well! They stop the busyness of their day and seek me out. Connor crawls and stands up on me, with his little head buried in my neck or just lays my lap while I play with Ian. It's so tender. Ian lying on the couch tonight where we could rub his back, ruffle his hair and just let him be quiet and restful. Ian resting in my arms like he was a baby once again, thumb in mouth and eyes closed. It doesn't last long, it seems that he has already taken flight when I am still down on the ground. But when they land, however briefly, to rest.......I just don't have words to describe how wonderful it is to be needed and loved by my children.
But, do they all have to be sick at the same time??
Connor has been running a low fever and took not one, not two, not three but FOUR naps today. Of course, I was at work so I missed the sleep extravaganza, but we all know that is far from normal for little C. He has been extra clingy today, one of those "don't put me down" days. Another indicator that things are going awry is in how little food he cares to eat over the last two days. Connor loves food. I don't know of any food he has rejected. You put food in front of him, he eats it. Broccoli and peas included. Tonight, he ate a bit of his chicken, broccoli and potatoes, but not with usual gusto. He didn't even finish his applesauce. Later, as I tried to rock him to sleep, he chewed on his sleeve, his fist, my shoulder and on the bottle. My educated guess suggests that we are about to be charmed by the presence of some more pearly whites. Let the fun begin (again).
Ian ran a fever all day Tuesday, up to 104 at its highest point. He was playful in the morning and early afternoon. Then, in the wink of an eye, the meltdown fest began. If Connor touched one of his toys, Ian would cry, "He's breaking it!" and sit and cry. Pretty much anything Connor did or looked at brought on a serious fit. I decided they needed some sleep so after 20 minutes of screaming by Connor, both boys took a hearty nap before gearing up for round two. Thankfully, Thomas was home to assist, although he was not up to par himself.
This morning, Ian woke up with no fever, no sign of illness so I sent the boys on to daycare with instructions to call if the fever returned. Ian had been complaining that his tongue hurt. Thomas and I checked it for canker sores or a bitemark and didn't see anything. At daycare, he continued to mention his tongue was bothering him. Alexis wasn't sure what it was either and she knows pretty much everything baby-toddler related.
Tonight at dinner, the poor child is sitting with his plate of chicken, potatoes and a piece of broccoli (untouched, I might add) with the usual pool of ketchup. The potatoes went fine. We asked him to eat one piece of chicken, which he started but ended up crying. Normally, he cries when he doesn't want to eat something, so neither Thomas or I gave in to that and insisted that he still eat that one piece of chicken. (meanies) More tears and I finally help him coat the chicken in ketchup, which he deemed worthy enough to try. He popped in his mouth and began crying more.
Finally the light dawns on us after considerable time coercing Ian to eat that damn piece of chicken, our brains click on that perhaps it is not the tongue, but his throat that is hurting. Out comes the flashlight and lo and behold, a white, icky looking throat with red spots. Nice. No wonder the kid is wailing when I am force-feeding him acidic coated chicken. Wake up and smell the doctor's appointment. That will be for tomorrow's adventure.
Now, here is the bonus in all this craziness and it might seem, I don't know, a little selfish or something. The boys curl up so cozy when they aren't well! They stop the busyness of their day and seek me out. Connor crawls and stands up on me, with his little head buried in my neck or just lays my lap while I play with Ian. It's so tender. Ian lying on the couch tonight where we could rub his back, ruffle his hair and just let him be quiet and restful. Ian resting in my arms like he was a baby once again, thumb in mouth and eyes closed. It doesn't last long, it seems that he has already taken flight when I am still down on the ground. But when they land, however briefly, to rest.......I just don't have words to describe how wonderful it is to be needed and loved by my children.
But, do they all have to be sick at the same time??
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Backyard Fun!
Judges Score for T. Murphy: 10 for height, 10 for form, 10 for cuteness!!
Ian likes to use the soccer net by throwing the ball over the net. 
Our little soccer star!!! Thanks to Grandma for the awesome soccer net!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I Get By With a Little Help From My Family
Over our vacation, with Michael's motivation ("stay focused!") and help, the guys got to work on attaching new baseboards. Thomas finished the last few pieces with a little help from Ian.
Now, I do have to apologize to my husband. For some reason, I didn't document all the work he had done with Michael. With all my picture taking and a brand-new camera, this got overlooked. (maybe because I was busy trying to keep the boys out of his hair so he could actually work!) So, to be fair, I took some photos of the final piece being added.
A proud, happy handyman. Caulking and painting are the final, final steps, but he was just happy to get all the pieces in place! Once the work is completely done (don't hold your breath, folks...we are not exactly timely in the project completion area), more photos will follow. An extra special thanks to Michael and Terri, who stayed on an extra day at our house to help us finish, when they were ready to bust a move and get back to sunny LA. THANK YOU!
Now, I do have to apologize to my husband. For some reason, I didn't document all the work he had done with Michael. With all my picture taking and a brand-new camera, this got overlooked. (maybe because I was busy trying to keep the boys out of his hair so he could actually work!) So, to be fair, I took some photos of the final piece being added. 
A proud, happy handyman. Caulking and painting are the final, final steps, but he was just happy to get all the pieces in place! Once the work is completely done (don't hold your breath, folks...we are not exactly timely in the project completion area), more photos will follow. An extra special thanks to Michael and Terri, who stayed on an extra day at our house to help us finish, when they were ready to bust a move and get back to sunny LA. THANK YOU! 
Sunday, January 07, 2007
A Baby, Three Foam Letters and a Bathtub
I love cute bathtub pictures. When Ian was little, we pasted foam letters to his head for fun. (these children will need therapy after seeing these photos) Anyway, I figured what we do for Ian, we should do for Connor too. The problem here was Connor's name was a bit too long to put on his head. I also didn't have enough of the right letters. Thought about doing a license plate type of thing :CNR. They didn't stick, so I ended up with just one little C. I also tried CJM, which worked nicely for one quick photo. 
Now, those of you who are extra neurotic (I know the type... I am one!) I realize that foam letters are not meant for young infants. You might note that Connor has a foam letter in his mouth. Well, I was careful to remove the foam letters following the photo shoot. All the letters shown were completely intact.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Murphys Get Out of the House
Our excursion out of the house today included a hike at Lost Dutchman State Park, a fairly easy set of trails we felt we all could manage. Thankfully, the winters in Arizona are beautiful for hiking, no matter what time of day.
Now, we did choose this hiking area because it was flat enough for Ian to walk by himself. He did that for about 10 minutes of an hour and a half hike.
Keeping Ian entertained, we walked through the cactus forest, over the tricky trail and promptly got turned around and ended up walking just a bit longer than we anticipated. Some of the cactus looked deceptively soft to touch.
Connor enjoyed a comfortable ride, once he managed to get rid of his hat once and for all. He was pretty sleepy for most of the walk.
Thomas got a bit of a workout. Actually, I ended up carrying Ian on my shoulders for most of the hike. We searched for elusive jackrabbits and learned that birds makes nests in trees and inside the saguaros.
Ian was ready to go home....actually he wanted ice cream. Instead, we ate delicious jelly-laden sandwiches at the ramadas before heading back home. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to naps (Connor, Mom and Dad) while Ian played quietly in his room (no nap, surprisingly).
Now, we did choose this hiking area because it was flat enough for Ian to walk by himself. He did that for about 10 minutes of an hour and a half hike.
Keeping Ian entertained, we walked through the cactus forest, over the tricky trail and promptly got turned around and ended up walking just a bit longer than we anticipated. Some of the cactus looked deceptively soft to touch.
Connor enjoyed a comfortable ride, once he managed to get rid of his hat once and for all. He was pretty sleepy for most of the walk.
Thomas got a bit of a workout. Actually, I ended up carrying Ian on my shoulders for most of the hike. We searched for elusive jackrabbits and learned that birds makes nests in trees and inside the saguaros.
Ian was ready to go home....actually he wanted ice cream. Instead, we ate delicious jelly-laden sandwiches at the ramadas before heading back home. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to naps (Connor, Mom and Dad) while Ian played quietly in his room (no nap, surprisingly).Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Para nuestro querido Papi
This one is for my father. I haven't forgotten how important futbol is to my father's family. My boys have not one, but 5 soccer balls of various sizes. They now have a soccer net in the backyard. However, the most fun is taking the soccer ball to the park and playing with Dad and occasionally Mom too. This week, our little family has gone to the park each day, lugging our soccer ball (a different one each time) and a frisbee (that's to make Dad happy) and of course, my happy little camera. So, expect many park pictures...it's just what we do.
Little C isn't running or kicking the ball (yet) but he enjoys all the park action and being a part of the Murphy fan club. He loves rolling the ball around. We figure it will not be long before Connor joins the team.
Big brother Ian has three main goals at the park: play frisbee, play soccer and play on the twisty slide. Everyone has to go down the twisty slide, by the way.
Daddy gets a break in the action to hang with baby C. It's Mommy's turn to play with Ian, but she tends to get caught up picture taking.
Connor gets a little bored waiting around for his turn to play soccer, so he gets some extra nourishment from eating dry grass. Mmm, good!
Dad-I know how much it means to you to have your grandsons take an interest in soccer and they definitely are carrying that part of you in their enthusiasm, it must be in their sangre.
"Por eso yo quiero que en mi mente siempre tu carino este bien fuerte
Aunque estemos lejos o aunque estemos cerca del final
Porque nada valgo porque nada tengo si no tengo lo mejor
Tu amor y compania en mi corazon."
-Juanes
Little C isn't running or kicking the ball (yet) but he enjoys all the park action and being a part of the Murphy fan club. He loves rolling the ball around. We figure it will not be long before Connor joins the team.
Big brother Ian has three main goals at the park: play frisbee, play soccer and play on the twisty slide. Everyone has to go down the twisty slide, by the way.
Daddy gets a break in the action to hang with baby C. It's Mommy's turn to play with Ian, but she tends to get caught up picture taking.
Connor gets a little bored waiting around for his turn to play soccer, so he gets some extra nourishment from eating dry grass. Mmm, good!
Dad-I know how much it means to you to have your grandsons take an interest in soccer and they definitely are carrying that part of you in their enthusiasm, it must be in their sangre.
"Por eso yo quiero que en mi mente siempre tu carino este bien fuerte
Aunque estemos lejos o aunque estemos cerca del final
Porque nada valgo porque nada tengo si no tengo lo mejor
Tu amor y compania en mi corazon."
-Juanes
The ABC fill in the blanks
Okay, I nabbed this one from Cindy on her blog, I love answering all those email/blog questionnaire deals, so here goes......
A is for age: do I have to??..... 35
B is for beer of choice: Partial to Corona, but I haven't had beer in forever!
C is for career right now: elementary kindergarten Music/PE teacher, grant writer and executive director of Sonoran Desert Chorale (whew!)
D is for your dog’s name: NO DOGS!
E is for essential item you use everyday: shampoo
F is for favorite TV show at the moment: Lost (sorry J&T, it's true)
G is for favorite game: Cranium or Charoodles
H is for Hometown: Wappingers Falls, NY
I is for instruments you play: Clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, guitar, agogo bell
J is for favorite juice: Cranberry (the real juice kind, not the negative 5 percent juice kind)
K is for whose butt you’d like to kick: Can't we all just get along?
L is for last place you ate: Chez Murphy
M is for marriage: I am married for 7 years
N is for your full name: Linda Garcia Murphy
O is for overnight hospital stays: 3 total: Appendix, baby 1 and baby 2!
P is for people you were with today: My three cute boys and my favorite evaluator, Nora
Q is for favorite quote: Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart. Be ready. Here comes life. -Maya Angelou
R is for Biggest Regret: Not buying a bigger house (this week's regret!-have you seen our garage?!)
S is for status: one day at a time!
T is for time you woke up today: 5:30am with the baby
U is for underwear (style & color) you have on now: Red VS ones-the comfy kind! (my family reads this!)
V is for vegetable you love & one you hate: I love all vegetables! Even the worst ones!
W is for worst habit: Habitual tardiness
X is for x-rays you’ve had: I've had a chest x-ray.
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Delicious chocolates!
Z is for your zodiac sign: Leo
A is for age: do I have to??..... 35
B is for beer of choice: Partial to Corona, but I haven't had beer in forever!
C is for career right now: elementary kindergarten Music/PE teacher, grant writer and executive director of Sonoran Desert Chorale (whew!)
D is for your dog’s name: NO DOGS!
E is for essential item you use everyday: shampoo
F is for favorite TV show at the moment: Lost (sorry J&T, it's true)
G is for favorite game: Cranium or Charoodles
H is for Hometown: Wappingers Falls, NY
I is for instruments you play: Clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, guitar, agogo bell
J is for favorite juice: Cranberry (the real juice kind, not the negative 5 percent juice kind)
K is for whose butt you’d like to kick: Can't we all just get along?
L is for last place you ate: Chez Murphy
M is for marriage: I am married for 7 years
N is for your full name: Linda Garcia Murphy
O is for overnight hospital stays: 3 total: Appendix, baby 1 and baby 2!
P is for people you were with today: My three cute boys and my favorite evaluator, Nora
Q is for favorite quote: Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart. Be ready. Here comes life. -Maya Angelou
R is for Biggest Regret: Not buying a bigger house (this week's regret!-have you seen our garage?!)
S is for status: one day at a time!
T is for time you woke up today: 5:30am with the baby
U is for underwear (style & color) you have on now: Red VS ones-the comfy kind! (my family reads this!)
V is for vegetable you love & one you hate: I love all vegetables! Even the worst ones!
W is for worst habit: Habitual tardiness
X is for x-rays you’ve had: I've had a chest x-ray.
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Delicious chocolates!
Z is for your zodiac sign: Leo
Friday, December 29, 2006
Brothers at Play
Who can resist a little two-year old, holding a brand-new soccer ball, his jacket on, saying "Will you take me to the park?" Fun Aunt Terri couldn't say no, so we took the boys over to the park, along with my new camera. While I am still learning about the camera, I loved that I captured some of the expressions on their faces, especially Ian's laughing smile.
"The first time his laughter unfurled into its wings into the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same. " author unknown
"The first time his laughter unfurled into its wings into the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same. " author unknown
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Playing with Our New Toys!
The Diego Rescue Center was a huge hit with both boys. In a rare moment, Ian allows Connor to look at the rescue center.
Uncle Michael could not resist the temptation to give nephew Ian his first camera lesson.
My gift to Thomas was also a gift to myself. This workbench will come in quite handy in finishing the trim over the next two weeks (and projects still TBD)
Ian went right to work with his new tool set and showed Daddy how things are done.
My new toy will come in handy as you will see in future blogs! Stay tuned! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!
Uncle Michael could not resist the temptation to give nephew Ian his first camera lesson.
My gift to Thomas was also a gift to myself. This workbench will come in quite handy in finishing the trim over the next two weeks (and projects still TBD)
Ian went right to work with his new tool set and showed Daddy how things are done.
My new toy will come in handy as you will see in future blogs! Stay tuned! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!
Christmas Morning at the Murphys
Ian was really excited to have Santa Claus visit his house. He left a note explaining what a good little boy he has been all year and all the gifts he deserves. Leaving nothing to chance, he also left milk and cookies for Santa. He was amazed the next morning when the cookies were all gone! He was ready to open gifts, but first Mom insisted on a hearty Christmas breakfast. Then the boys finally got down to business and opened gifts. LOTS of gifts!
Ian offered to help everyone open their gifts, while Connor enjoyed the wrapping paper.
As you can see, after all the gifts were opened....chaos! The boys weren't sure what to play with first.
Daddy helped Connor decide to play with the lion.
To be continued.....
Ian offered to help everyone open their gifts, while Connor enjoyed the wrapping paper.
As you can see, after all the gifts were opened....chaos! The boys weren't sure what to play with first.
Daddy helped Connor decide to play with the lion.
To be continued.....
Monday, December 18, 2006
Santa's LIttle Helper
As assistant director of the Christmas decoration committee, Ian enjoys a warm cup of cocoa before getting to work. The sugar rush really gives him that much needed burst of energy to get the job done.The assistant director has several important tasks. Of course, taking the Christmas tree out of the box is the first step.
Putting the ornaments ever so carefully of the very end of the branches takes a delicate touch. (I don't know why this sentence is a link)
Needing a bit of assistance getting the star on top of the tree. Ian feels his colleagues should be able to work in various conditions. Daddy had to blindly assist, which was quite challenging.
And when all is said and done, be merry and sing lots of songs!
Saturday, December 09, 2006
The Precarious Little C
He crawls, he stands, he lets go and holds on with one hand! 
Will try standing up in any situation. This has results in several lumps and bumps.
He needs to be hanging on for dear life for most of his day now. He holds on to the kitchen chair and lets go with one hand, then screams in pure delight and pride. Big Brother will occasionally encourage him to take both hands off, resulting in some world class tumbling. Then the screams are those where the sound is delayed because it is that traumatic. He shakes it off quickly and resumes his standing position. What a trooper. Little C is moving on up.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Get Over Myself, sheesh!
I've been in a bit of a slump with writing, maybe a bit with things in general. Trying to keep a grasp of all the things that need doing at this time of year and I feel a bit short-tempered lately. I grow weary of the whining toddlerhood stage and also the dinner table antics. Connor's new found talent of standing, holding and falling down puts me on hyperalert during the entire day. Ian awake two hours after he was put to bed. The morning comes too quickly after lying awake through Connor's 2:30am separation anxiety cries, soothing bad dreams at 4am and then struggling to move for Connor's 5:30am wakeup call. It's motherhood, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Okay, so I've given you the bad and the ugly mixed together. I talk about toddler whining, but here I whine too. So where's the good in all this?
Ian is spelling words. STOP. WALK. DOG. Thomas had him spelling words in the funnies on Sunday. He soaks up books, memorizes them, reads along, reads to himself. He loves it. Storytime has become my favorite time with Ian.
Connor is a bathaholic. He stands at the edge of the tub while I fill it with water and he screams in delight. He splashes, he plays, he tries to stand up in the water. He loves getting splashed by Ian. It's pure joy to watch him laugh. I even put away the baby tub, because he was climbing out of it to get into the actual tub.
Ian is singing holiday songs. Currently, the repertoire includes "Jingle Bells", "Up on the Housetop", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and a Hanukkah song that we played in the car tonight 6 times in a row. The music teacher/music geek in me has taken note that he sings relatively close to pitch many times. Feel free to smack me after that sentence.
Connor is a Irish meat and potatoes guy. I made beef stew with carrots, potatoes and all in the slow cooker. The only one eating this glop is Connor and he loves it. He gets irate if I am not shoveling it in quickly. People wonder how this child is the size of a one year old. Well, I think we have our answer.
So, my goal for tomorrow is to try and put the frustration on the back burner and enjoy the boys, tired or not. Let them help and participate more in the things I need to do. Go out, enjoy the fresh air and take pictures. Try not to forget that they are just little boys and that they are my little boys. Take a deep breath and enjoy my Calgon bath once they are in bed tomorrow night. And maybe tomorrow will be a good, good day.
Okay, so I've given you the bad and the ugly mixed together. I talk about toddler whining, but here I whine too. So where's the good in all this?
Ian is spelling words. STOP. WALK. DOG. Thomas had him spelling words in the funnies on Sunday. He soaks up books, memorizes them, reads along, reads to himself. He loves it. Storytime has become my favorite time with Ian.
Connor is a bathaholic. He stands at the edge of the tub while I fill it with water and he screams in delight. He splashes, he plays, he tries to stand up in the water. He loves getting splashed by Ian. It's pure joy to watch him laugh. I even put away the baby tub, because he was climbing out of it to get into the actual tub.
Ian is singing holiday songs. Currently, the repertoire includes "Jingle Bells", "Up on the Housetop", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and a Hanukkah song that we played in the car tonight 6 times in a row. The music teacher/music geek in me has taken note that he sings relatively close to pitch many times. Feel free to smack me after that sentence.
Connor is a Irish meat and potatoes guy. I made beef stew with carrots, potatoes and all in the slow cooker. The only one eating this glop is Connor and he loves it. He gets irate if I am not shoveling it in quickly. People wonder how this child is the size of a one year old. Well, I think we have our answer.
So, my goal for tomorrow is to try and put the frustration on the back burner and enjoy the boys, tired or not. Let them help and participate more in the things I need to do. Go out, enjoy the fresh air and take pictures. Try not to forget that they are just little boys and that they are my little boys. Take a deep breath and enjoy my Calgon bath once they are in bed tomorrow night. And maybe tomorrow will be a good, good day.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
A Late Update (I know, I know!!)
Happy belated Thanksgiving to everyone and I apologize for the lack of updates. There are many fun stories to tell about our weekend visiting Michael and Terri and Terri's family. Unfortunately, I am just too tired to catch you up right now! However, I want to thank Michael and Terri for hosting us for the holiday. It is always fun visiting both of you. I imagine once the boys are old enough, we four will be banished to the tent instead of you. Thanks for uprooting to accomodate us.
This picture shows what I am truly thankful for. My husband who keeps me laughing and tolerates all blankity blank I give him over silly things. For these little boys who make our world crazy, exhausting, happy and who constantly shed new light on the things we take for granted, I am continually blessed and grateful.
Friday, November 17, 2006
It's a Busy, Busy Life
"And someday I'm gonna do something great
I'm gonna make my world a better place
But I don't know if I can today
I'm just trying to make my way."
-Nancy Wilson
I have really been trying to find tiny ways to work from home and to work in areas that I find challenging and new. As I posted several entries ago, I had an interview with the Sonoran Desert Chorale for the Executive Director position. They were willing to give me a chance, even though I don't have true experience other than teaching music and organizing choral festivals. The chorale is comprised of working professionals who have a great love of choral music and who want to perform quality literature. I was so inspired and amazed in watching them rehearse and it is such a great privilege to be a part of their administrative team. The work is challenging, yet I can work from home and at 3am if I need to. (I don't, but I could!)
I continued to look for more opportunities even though I really have enough on my plate with the chorale, teaching part time and grant writing. I discovered a posting for the Mesa Arts Center looking for a part time music instructor for the Spring. After calling, I had a great interview (which took over an hour, probably the longest interview I've had yet!). They were looking for someone really for the summer to teach preschool music, a few mixed elementary music classes and a performance program that is created with the drama/dance department along with the kids. They called me this week to teach next summer, plus they have one class open for me in the Spring to teach. It will run into the fall, with homeschool classes, preschool classes and I can start a mom/infant music class if I want. It is completely up to me what I teach. They do have themes that the dance, art and drama teachers follow. If they are doing the ocean, I would just find songs and music related to that. They have instruments and a nice space to work in.
I also continue to work on my grant writing projects. Maria, my employer, has given me a huge research and grant writing project to fund a music retreat in 2008 for music enthusiasts. I would also work at the retreat (if we can get it going) doing the adminstrative work. The grant work is more sporadic and obviously my pay is based on each project I write. However, I really enjoy the process and it's been fun.
All that being said, working from home has been the greatest challenge. Anyone who feels working at home to be with your kids would be a simple solution, it isn't. I have to work around naps, outings, tears, meals, cleaning, etc, etc. Sometimes I don't work until after 8pm, and I've put in a full day of work already. The baby take very short naps and it usually awake most of the day. I need breaks sometimes and they don't come most days until my head hits the pillow.
I love the opportunities I've been given so far, including being with my boys more often and I will try to make my way and make it all work.
I'm gonna make my world a better place
But I don't know if I can today
I'm just trying to make my way."
-Nancy Wilson
I have really been trying to find tiny ways to work from home and to work in areas that I find challenging and new. As I posted several entries ago, I had an interview with the Sonoran Desert Chorale for the Executive Director position. They were willing to give me a chance, even though I don't have true experience other than teaching music and organizing choral festivals. The chorale is comprised of working professionals who have a great love of choral music and who want to perform quality literature. I was so inspired and amazed in watching them rehearse and it is such a great privilege to be a part of their administrative team. The work is challenging, yet I can work from home and at 3am if I need to. (I don't, but I could!)
I continued to look for more opportunities even though I really have enough on my plate with the chorale, teaching part time and grant writing. I discovered a posting for the Mesa Arts Center looking for a part time music instructor for the Spring. After calling, I had a great interview (which took over an hour, probably the longest interview I've had yet!). They were looking for someone really for the summer to teach preschool music, a few mixed elementary music classes and a performance program that is created with the drama/dance department along with the kids. They called me this week to teach next summer, plus they have one class open for me in the Spring to teach. It will run into the fall, with homeschool classes, preschool classes and I can start a mom/infant music class if I want. It is completely up to me what I teach. They do have themes that the dance, art and drama teachers follow. If they are doing the ocean, I would just find songs and music related to that. They have instruments and a nice space to work in.
I also continue to work on my grant writing projects. Maria, my employer, has given me a huge research and grant writing project to fund a music retreat in 2008 for music enthusiasts. I would also work at the retreat (if we can get it going) doing the adminstrative work. The grant work is more sporadic and obviously my pay is based on each project I write. However, I really enjoy the process and it's been fun.
All that being said, working from home has been the greatest challenge. Anyone who feels working at home to be with your kids would be a simple solution, it isn't. I have to work around naps, outings, tears, meals, cleaning, etc, etc. Sometimes I don't work until after 8pm, and I've put in a full day of work already. The baby take very short naps and it usually awake most of the day. I need breaks sometimes and they don't come most days until my head hits the pillow.
I love the opportunities I've been given so far, including being with my boys more often and I will try to make my way and make it all work.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Ode to a Mother in Law
My mother in law calls our house and begins her messages the same way each time.... "Hello, Tom, Linda, Ian and Connor, it's Mom. Sheila. Grandma. Mother in Law. "
The first few times, we chuckled because it was so cute. She didn't leave any one of us out; she covered all the bases. Now, we are disappointed if she doesn't do her spiel, because it is so her.
Sheila came to visit us here in Arizona in mid-October, a perfectly lovely time to be here. My brother-in-law, Michael, joined us all for a weekend trip to the Grand Canyon.
While Tom and Mike went on a lava tuba hike that required headlamps and an open mind about small, dark spaces, Sheila and I set up camp with the boys at our cottage retreat in Flagstaff. By the way, anyone traveling to Flagstaff and/or Grand Canyon, these cottages beat a hotel room hands down. We read comments in their guest books-plural-from people all over the globe. I don't think I read a bad review. http://www.comficottages.com At least, I think that's the right link. The highlight of the evening for Sheila and me was walking to the grocery store with a stroller full of sleepy boys, trying to figure out what we were going to cook for dinner and how we were going to carry our purchases back to the house. Sheila and I have a lot of "great minds think alike" moments, our most brilliant being the decision that we needed some wine. Unsure if there was even a corkscrew at the cottage, we spent quite some time hunting down screwtop bottles of wine. (we could not just buy a corkscrew, that is way too simple) Well, we paid for our loot and stood outside the grocery store organizing groceries into a backpack, hanging bags off the stroller handles and we still had no room, sooooo.....
Yep. It worked perfectly.
We cooked a mean ravioli dinner once the boys arrived. This was followed by an entertaining show from Ian, who is better than tv any day. There was singing, jumping, air tossing (with assists from Dad) and reading books with Uncle Michael. Uncle Michael was also treated to watching Dora and Diego the next morning.
On Monday, we spent the day at the Grand Canyon, walking around, eating lunch outside and then driving back to Phoenix. Ian provided us with a singalong after having an ice cream shake. Connor provided us with earsplitting drama, mostly related to how unimpressed he was with being strapped into a car seat for longer than what seems like 5 minutes. He refused a bottle, refused chew toys and eventually refused any soothing gestures, period. And people wonder why I stay home 90% of the time.
Anyway, my original theme here is Sheila, no matter how sidetracked I get in writing about my kids. She is a loving mother, grandmother, mother-in-law. She doesn't wait for me to ask her for help, she is right in there with the boys, getting them what they need. She knows the importance of a good nap or needing that glass of wine at the end of the day. She respects our decisions as parents, whether she agrees or not. She rationalizes our parenting issues and gently guides us when we ask. She knows where we are in our life, for the most part. She travels even when it is difficult, but she finds a way. We are grateful, all four of us.
It isn't all roses....she, along with basically everyone we know, live on the East Coast. She doesn't get to spoil the boys on a regular basis, like all their grandparents are just itching to do. She treats us with understanding when we cannot travel back East because of our finances and fear of losing our sanity in traveling with two children under the age of 3. But, there are underlying rhythms of emotion that swell during holidays, when you miss the ones you love. She misses us and we miss her too, just like we miss all of our loved ones. There is no easy solution unfortunately, where we don't lose a part of ourselves in the process.
I just want to say that I love her because she hugged me from the first moment I met her. She helped me find my voice when I was too afraid to speak. She kicked me under the table when I politely ate eggs even though I despise them. She lovingly kicked me out at 11pm on Sunday evenings when I had to drive 2 hours back home to work the next day even when I tried to procrastinate and spend more time with her son. I've learned a lot about friendliness in watching her around strangers and how comfortable she is in conversation most of the time. I could think of a million more things, but the most important thing is only for her to know how much this family misses and loves her and thanks her for just being Mom, Sheila, Grandma, Mother-in-Law.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Connor, the sequel
Connor is five months old here. His personality is changing and developing. He looks like Ian, but he is not a carbon copy. Oh, and at 5 months, this little giraffe outfit is a 12 month size. We must be carrying a gene for tall, chunkified babes, but we aren't quite sure who in our families it comes from. It's definitely not us!
Connor at six months old (actually closer to seven months, but who's counting that closely?). I am trying to find pictures that I haven't posted yet, but I think my favorites are all on here. Well, Connor is going to be nicknamed "He Who Doesn't Sleep". He sits up, he crawls, he plays, he talks, it is all rushing upon us.
And now, Connor is seven months old. Here he is with my seethrough backdrop falling down and he obliged me with a few cute looks before he needed to crawl off for places unknown (under the train table). He really just loves company and attention, what baby doesn't? He is just a pretty happy little guy. He has a lot of fun, but you really have to work to make him laugh, he is a tough crib. You have to be genuinely funny and you'll know when you're not. And no one gets him laughing more than his big brother. Connor, it's been seven months of sleepless fun, we love you!
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