May 2012
17 posts
Lately...
Playing at the park
Riding in the golf cart
Insisting on wearing two different hats
Playing golf
Falling asleep on mama mid-lunch
Super enthusiastic
In Praise of Long Weekends
All hail the long holiday weekend! Mac and I actually got a bonus day off last Friday so I ended up having a 4-day weekend. And boy, was it needed.
This past weekend we…
Went for a walk to Caribou and around the urban nature reserve Friday morning. Mac insisted on walking all the way to Caribou and all the way home from the nature reserve, which means that he walked about 1.5 miles that...
Dream Big, Kid
While I have a rather active imagination, I tend to be irritatingly practical. I fear change, I fear risk, I fear failure. This fear has more or less defined my life.
Example: Instead of going to a conservatory theatre program for college, I instead went to U of MN in order to save money and get a “real” degree. I wanted the comfort of a paycheck and to be able to live without the...
“Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world, and there are things you...”
– aaron sorkin in his amazing commencement address to syracuse (via thekimenator)
Relevant.
Can the Rest of You Please Stop Being so Awesome?
Yesterday, as I was getting a bikini wax (yes, my lady parts are now well-groomed — you’re welcome for that Super Important Piece of Information), I was commiserating with my aesthetician about post-baby bodies. Both of us have been suffering from a real lack of enthusiasm over the current state of our figures, and we’ve decided the best solution is for everyone else to quit...
The Friendliest Kid on the Block
Mac is a hugger. For as large a personal bubble as I have, this kid doesn’t seem to have one at all. While he’ll hug just about any adult if asked, it’s other kids he really loves hugging.
He hugs all his little friends all the time all day, without any real reason. He gives gentle hugs to little babies where he simply rests his head on theirs, and he gives big bear hugs to...
A Long Way of Telling a Short Story
When I was growing up, my parents owned a marina. Since my dad was a teacher, it was a great way for my parents to own their own business and earn extra money during the summer. Plus, it was a pretty awesome place to grow up (we lived in the house just a few feet away up the hill from the marina).
(this is a picture of the marina today. No, you’re not missing something. It was bought by...
Oh, also?
I feel it’s relevant to mention that, while out on the boat, I got stung in the ass by a bee. It hurt like hell. And I STILL had a great Mother’s Day. That’s how good my day was — even a bee sting to the buttocks couldn’t ruin my day.
FYI
After I wrote that mother’s day post, Mac made me chase him around the house as he protested against having his diaper changed, broke the mirror off the wall and was a complete brat during breakfast.
So I guess some days are luckier than others ;-)
Mother's Day
As I slipped into bed last night, my skin still smelling of sunscreen and fresh country air, I couldn’t help but smile as I drifted off to sleep.
It would be an understatement to say I was in a funk last week. I don’t know what my problem was, but I could feel myself slipping further and further under a black cloud of despair and it just seemed to get worse as the week progressed. ...
“Racism isn’t born, folks. It’s taught. I have a 2-year-old son. Know what he...”
– Denis Leary, 1992
15 Ways To Stay Married For 15 Years →
heylaney:
All the crap you read in magazines about honesty, sense of humor, communication, sensitivity, date nights, couples weekends, blah blah blah can be trumped by one word: loyalty. You and your spouse are a team of two. It is you against the world. No one else is allowed on the team, and no one else will ever understand the team’s rules. This is okay. The team is not adversarial, the team...
A Good Book is Hard to Find
I have had it up to HERE with all the talk about Fifty Shades of Grey. A few weeks ago, I gave into the pressure and decided to download a preview on my kindle to see what all the fuss was about. Honestly? It was the worst thing I’ve ever read. And I read all the Twilight books, so I know what I’m talking about. So I’ve decided to talk about some books I’ve read...
Young House Love
John and Sherry have been Shutting. It. Down. lately. I got a little bored during most of their kitchen upgrade but lately they’ve had several posts where I hear myself whisper-shouting “Yes! Brilliant!” out loud while reading. The latest series they have going on about paring down and simplifying their life has been particularly inspirational to me.
First, there was this post...
"One Born Every Minute" makes me so happy I made...
My mom and The Husband only. No one was allowed to text updates or chat on the phone. Relevant parties were notified when I went into labor, and everyone and their mother was notified once I gave birth.
Watching this show and seeing some of the awkward situations and toxic family dynamics that occur in some delivery rooms just makes me so, so happy that I was a hardass about who was allowed...
April 2012
16 posts
A Previous Post →
On Friday, I wrote a post about what I believe to be a common sentiment, but one that is rarely expressed, regarding the complications (to put it mildly) in a marriage/relationship during those infant baby days.
In case you missed it and have some time (it’s a long post), here it is.
"It Would Be Better If I Was Doing This Alone."
That’s a thought I had far more often than I’d like to admit when Mac was an infant.
The past few days, I’ve talked to friends about how hard marriage was when my son was first born, and how there were times when I absolutely hated The Husband and resented everything he did. It’s an ugly truth and I’m not proud of those feelings, but now that I’ve come out the...
Oatmeal Fritters
Last week, I posted a picture of Mac’s breakfast on Instagram and twitter. Lately it seems I’ve been in the habit of posting many of his meals, but this one in particular sparked a lot of curiosity:
Pictured above are some oatmeal fritters I made. I usually make these once or twice a week for breakfast and they’re always a huge hit. After several questions, I thought it...
Top 10 Cities for Affordable Vacations →
stuffaboutminneapolis:
#2 Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis is a hands-down cool destination for family fun. The city’s many parks and natural amenities, all free, make it a summer playground, and several major attractions are free or discounted.
Explore the City of Lakes and 180-plus area parks, where 81 miles of on-street and 85 miles of off-street trails showcase landscapes and historic...
Bicycles Are Red Hot
For the past couple months, The Husband and I have been talking about whether or not we should invest in some bikes so that we can take Mac for bike rides. I haven’t been on a bike since college (and I barely rode it then, which is a sore spot between my parents and I since they invested in a very nice mountain bike for me my freshman year and I abandoned it outside my boyfriend’s...
Two Words
It’s official — Mac has mastered the two words I never wanted him to learn.
I know that beggars can’t be choosers and I’ve been stressing about Mac’s lack of verbal communication skills, but I somehow deluded myself into thinking that even once he did decide to start talking, he’d somehow avoid my two most dreaded words.
Those words?
“No” and...
It's The Little Things
If I were to detail the number one anxiety inducing thing in my life, it would be the grocery bill (aka, the Target bill). Try as I might, I can’t seem to shave the $50 off that monthly bill that I really need to. Every time I go shopping, I get a knot in my stomach and hope that my coupons, the sales, and my 5% Target card discount will help keep the bill down. But every week, they fail...
The Perfect Mom
Sometimes, like tonight, I get off the phone with my mom and wonder how I can ever be as amazing a mother as she is.
It wasn’t a remarkable conversation. Nothing life changing. Nothing special discussed. But she’s just so awesome in so many ways — big and small. How can I ever be that great?
I’m so, so lucky to have her, but damn if she isn’t a lot to live up...
The Pressure
The pressure is getting to me, ya’ll. The pressure to be physically perfect.
Just saying that sounds absolutely ridiculous to me, but it’s the truth.
A couple months ago, I started working out regularly. After trying a few different regimens, I decided that running 20-30 minutes 4 days/week seemed to be the best plan for me. I’m happy I’ve made this plan. I feel...
Single Mom
This past Saturday, after waking up early with Mac, I decided to take him on a donut run. One of the grocery stores near us makes their own donuts fresh every day and they’re the greatest freaking donuts I’ve ever had.
So there Mac and I were at the nearly-empty grocery store at 7:30 on a Saturday morning; both in our PJ’s, both still rocking some major bedhead (I have no shame...
Maximum Cuteness
I’m not sure who slipped what into Mac’s sippy cup this weekend, but the little dude was extra cute.
It wasn’t any one remarkable incident or one spectacularly adorable gesture— it was just a series of sweet and precious moments that threatened to explode my heart with happiness.
It was a weekend full of nothing in which he was happily able to entertain himself with...
Embracing it
Last night, while drinking my Crispin cider (yes, before 5:00 because your rules of acceptable drinking times don’t apply to me), I decided that a big, fresh salad sounded like the most delicious thing ever. So I convinced The Husband to forgo my planned meal with me and instead head to the fancy grocery store nearby and hit-up the salad bar. It was an easy sell.
Then, when we walked into...
I'm Done Trying
This morning I got my period. That means that for at least the next 4 months, we have to stop trying to have a baby.
As I’ve mentioned before, next February I am in one of my best friend’s weddings in the Dominican Republic. I have no desire to be fresh out of labor and standing up for my friend. I have no desire to go into labor while in the Domincan. I have no desire to be...
Growing Up
There are reminders every day of how much my baby is growing up, but somehow nothing makes the growing up process more obvious than how my kid has been eating sandwiches.
I mean, that he’s old enough to eat sandwiches is enough to take. But that all I need to do to serve a grilled cheese (and sneaky spinach) is cut it into fours sort of blows me away. My baby knows how to take bites? ...
Easter Sunday: or Why I'm Not Winning Any...
At the end of last week, I found out that instagram is finally on the Android platform. Upon discovering this, I immediately downloaded it and became instantly hooked (feel free to follow me! My username is sutherslat).
On Saturday, I was scrolling through other users photos and started feeling sort of guilty. Everyone was posting photos of their children’s Easter baskets and Easter...
Weekend In Bits
My great grandma died. She’s my last living great grandparent, and it’s pretty impressive that, at the age of 30, I still had one around (she was the mother of my paternal grandma). Sadly, because of some ugly family drama between my grandma, her sisters, and my great grandma, I hadn’t seen or spoken to her in almost 10 years. She was nearly 99-years-old.
My grandma’s...
March 2012
4 posts
Playing Nicely
I don’t know how we managed to raise a child who could happily entertain himself, but I’m so glad we did. Watching his imagination at work while he plays quietly by himself is one of my favorite things.
Also?
Please note that his hat is sized 12-18 months and is way too big for his 21.5-month-old head. It’s possible Mac has the smallest head in the world. His 6-12 month hats from last summer still fit him.
Oy. No wonder he isn’t talking yet. There clearly isn’t room in his head to make space in his brain to learn language.
I'm Back
Yup, I’m ready to come back to blogging. Actually, I’ve been ready to return to blogging for the last week or so, but it turns out that once you stop blogging, it’s hard to find the time to do it again.
The last month+ has been good for me. No, I’m still not pregnant. This is the last month I’ll be able to try for a while since I’m in a wedding next February...
February 2012
13 posts
A Break
Yesterday’s post was meant to be private. I don’t know what happened, but somehow it published. Awkward!
This morning I woke up and within an hour, got my period.
It embarrassing to have written what I wrote yesterday and get my period today. It’s embarrassing to go through this emotional roller coaster publicly and I’m afraid that I’ve created an environment...
A Flutter
It’s ridiculous to be writing about this. I know. I’m only halfway through my cycle.
But still…
Last night, I was laying in bed and a felt a flutter. A telltale flutter. A flutter that I have only ever felt while pregnant.
It is virtually impossible that I would be able to feel any movement from any hypothetical fetus.
But there it was. A flutter. Almost as if it was...
Thinking Out Loud
Sometimes I fall down the blogging rabbit hole and what I read causes me to examine my life a little more closely than would be considered healthy.
I’m not a hipster. I don’t take photos with a DSLR and then edit them to look precious and washed out. I don’t use cloth diapers. Mac wears clothes from Carters and Old Navy. His bedroom was pretty much cobbled together last...
Happy Valentine's Day
On what is intended to be the most romantic day of the year (at least according to Hallmark), what do The Husband and I have planned?
Well, let me tell ya — we know how to bring the romance. We have very special evening planned.
First, we’re going to head to Menards to look for a new light fixture for our dining room. Then, we’ll have a gourmet meal of Tuna Fish Hotdish. And...
Bane of My Existence
There are a lot of little things about my home I don’t like. The floors (ok, that’s not so little considering I hate 75% of the flooring in this house and dream of one day replacing it all with wood laminate), the hideous blinds in our living room, the fact that our kitchen appliances don’t match, the wall color in our master bath that absolutely plagues me, the fact that there...
Pattern Overload.
Is anyone else alarmed about the amount of polka dots in that picture in my previous post?
Someone should probably stage an intervention for my addiction to polka dots. And once I get that under control, we can work on my addiction to stripes…
1 tag
Regrets
I don’t know what my deal is lately. If I’m nostalgic or having a stroke or what, but I’ve been thinking a lot about my past and how far I’ve come the last 10 years.
All things considered, I have a pretty tame past. Sure, I perhaps spent a bit more time in bars (both working and drinking) than is generally recommended, but it is thanks to those bars that I made some of...
Random Thoughts:
Remember how I was going to do that February photo-a-day contest? Go ahead and snort-laugh along with me. There’s no way I’m going to keep up with that. Oh wait, did I say going to keep up? Dude, I’m already behind. Oh wait, I’m not simply behind — I’m done.
I am dealing with some rapid mood swings right now. One minute I’m all aglow with the...
