Insert witty subject line here September 23, 2008

I’ve been trying to come up with something interesting to write.  Something that will be incisive, funny, poignant and appeal to the breeders and the childless.  However, I can barely remember to bring my wallet with me to work or figure out how to work the headlights on the car.  This morning, I remembered my wallet at the last minute, then, when we arrived at daycare, realized we had forgotten Darwin’s bottles.  Just his nutrients for the entire day.  Crapola.  Everyone told me how dumb I would get when I was pregnant, but no one mentioned how dumb I would be after the baby was born!  I feel like my logistical and organizational skills are stretched to the limit, between work and home.  Joe asked me this past weekend what our schedule was for things, and I couldn’t even begin to think of one.  So we took a nap while Darwin did.  That’s a pretty nice schedule.

We had a great time in NJ and NY with Joe’s sister, her husband and their twins.  And if I think that my organiztional skills are taxed by one child, oy vey!  Their children actually wear pajamas, instead of the dripped on, drooled on onesie they wore all day (Darwin actually often wears home some mystery clothes from daycare because his shirts get so wet from drool.  So not only does he not wear pajamas, but just random stranger’s clothing).  They plan meals.  They have toys that are not turned over clothes baskets or cottage cheese containers.  I’m glad Darwin isn’t old enough to remember, and realize how lame it is to play with plastic clothespins and a flashlight.

I still have to put up a photo of Darwin at Shea and Yankee stadiums.  He did great!  We had a yogurt lid to keep him occupied, and that’s all it took.

Two things I find relatively unnecessary September 16, 2008

Thing 1:  On the bus the other morning, I passed some “student housing” in the Loop.  The signs listed all the amenities, including “granite countertops.”  I am 36 years old with a post-graduate degree and a steady job and do not have granite countertops.  I am not sure why college students need them for their ramen noodles and Milwaukee’s Best.

Thing 2:  While listening to a Cubs game on the radio a few weeks ago, there was an ad for artificial Christmas trees.  In August.  I am all for planning ahead, but really.

Photos coming of our recent trip to New Jersey, and our trips into NY for a game at Shea and a game at Yankee Starium before they get torn down!

Go Cubs go! September 5, 2008

Darwin visits Wrigley Field

Darwin went to his first Cubs game on Sunday and, fittingly, the Cubs lost.  We had a good time, though, and made it until the 8th inning, which I was pretty proud of. I also found out that Wrigley Field is very baby-friendly!  Given my past experiences with Wrigley, it’s a little like realizing that Las Vegas was marketing to families.  They have a stroller check, and in the First Aid room there is a changing table (but none in the restrooms anywhere.  Boo).  Also in the First Aid room I found about 6 other moms, nursing babies, sitting on couches in the AC, watching the game on TV.  Not too bad!  I tried it for about 2 minutes, but there was an oscillating fan in the room, therefore, no breastfeeding.  Just fan watching.  And, we had to get back for the 7th inning stretch.  All this family-friendliness made me feel slightly guilty for some of my earlier visits to Wrigley.  Like the time I tried to drink a beer and inning.  On a work outing.  With lawyers.  I do not recommend doing such a thing.

There were some surprisingly nice NY fans behind us Sunday, there for a bachelor party.  The most gregarious one would make a comment after just about every pitch, always to “Eric,” who was like 4 seats down, and in an almost cartoon-like New ork accent.  “Hey, Eric!  Didja see that?  Curveball.  Now watch.  He’ll throw a splitter!”  or, “Hey, Eric!  Look over there.  What do you see?  We’re in the middle of the city.  Sitting at a baseball game.  And what’s that?  Water!  There’s a lake!”  We ended up talking after I turned around when he said some particularly Brooklyn-laden phrase and I asked “So, where are you guys from, Alabama?”  They didn’t get it.  Sometimes it’s just for me.  He was very nice, and liked Darwin, even after Darwin stuck his drooly hand in his beer.  Oops.  I’m glad I hadn’t really thought too much about things, because I would have been TOTALLY paranoid about all the peanut shells on the ground, and Darwin eating one, or breathing in penut dust, or God knows what, and having some fatal peanut allergy.  Ack!

But, I’m glad that his first game was a Cubs game.  Next weekend, we will be the tourists in NY ballparks, as we go to Shea and Yankee Stadiums before they get torn down.  Wish us luck.

Oh, and going back a couple posts and speaking of firsts — I think I have another one.  My first period in like a year and a half.  I hope so, anyway, or else I’m just psychotic.  Add into the mix a plugged milk duct and bloody nipple, and you’ve got a good drink name, I think  “The psychotic plugged duct bloody nipple.”  It might be a tad long.

This weekend we’re off to a wedding in the UP.  Have a good weekend!

I am ridiculous September 3, 2008

I just went to Starbucks and my actual order was a “grande half calf skinny vanilla latte with protein.” Who does that?

In my defense, I had a gift card.  And I was singing a Woody Guthrie song in my head, if that helps counteract anything.  Probably not.

Cubs photos coming soon!