Saturday, July 27, 2013

Staycation - Friday


19 Months, Week 4


Friday morning/day was gorgeous in the low 70s and we met up with our friends the Cowans at the Cincinnati Zoo. Nora had been there last year, but this year she understands what all the animals are and enjoyed it so much more!

I think my favorite part was the Children’s Petting Zoo - I’m a sucker for farm animals. I think that was Nora’s favorite part, too - she heard a rooster crowing, got to see some goats up close and even pet a cow! 

Unfortunately we only really got a photo of the giraffes & elephants towards the end of our day.




Later on Friday we had 2 appointments to meet with caregivers. Our first appointment was with a young girl about 25 who was very sweet with her own 3 year old and 7-month old. She was very sweet, but her home was absolutely too trashy for me to be comfortable with Nora there. 

Our second appointment was just 2 miles from our house [closer than our current sitter!]. The woman and her husband were extremely kind and caring and have a little boy who just turned 2 and a 7-mo old daughter. The tricky part is, it’s about $60 more a week for them... argh. But for how clean and comfortable we were with them and the proximity to our home, Tim and I will probably make some cuts/adjustments to our budget to make it work. 

I do have one more person I’ll be contacting, so check back and wish us luck!



Staycation - Thursday


19 Months, Week 4

Thursday Tim and I returned to Nana’s house around 11:30. Amy arrived a bit later and  all 8 of us packed up and went to Sharonville’s rec pool - let me tell, you - that’s one nice public pool! They have 3 pools, one of which is an amazingly large kiddie pool. Nora did like it for the most part... after about 2  hours, she didn’t want to get in the water anymore and we’d all had our fill. 

Note the 2 huge slides in the background for the older kids!


Afterwards we had pizza and called it a day around 4:30! Very fun! 

Staycation - Wednesday

19 Months, Week 4

Wednesday morning I went on a run and was taken aback by the chilly air outside - it was awesome! We’ve had the air off for almost a week now! I took Nora on a walk later that morning as Tim cleaned up. We were excited to see 3 deer in a neighbor’s yard. We have a family of at least 4, maybe 5 deer in our neighborhood that we always have to keep an eye out for!



Midday, Nora went to Nana’s house to spend the night [so were Bobby and Gabe!] while Tim & I went with friends to Columbus to see a concert; Tedeschi Trucks Band and The Black Crowes.

It was such a fun night and were able to hang out with old friends without the distraction of the kids : ) 

The Ladies! Pam, Emma, myself and Mandie

The Fellas! William, Rick, Derek and Tim



Friday, July 26, 2013

Wooden Mushroom Burger

19 Months, Week 4

Well we had an interesting incident at lunch on Wednesday...

As we all know - the best food is what you make from scratch. I really like making veggie burgers, but of course don’t always have the time, and throwing one in the microwave is easy. 

I regularly buy Lightlife Veggie sandwiches from the freezer section; black bean and mushroom. Wednesday was our first day off of our latest “staycation” and I heated up a mushroom burger to share with Nora. 

As we neared the end of the sandwich, I noticed something long sticking out of Nora’s mouth... and thank goodness Nora took out said long object - an inch long wooden splinter. No damn joke. I’m incredibly thankful Nora was clever enough to know that wasn’t something to swallow and still in shock that it even happened. 

I contacted the company which is owned by ConAgra [gross - I hate big food business]. They  were extremely apologetic and I was very respectful. I love that they offered my coupons. Really? Because I’m pretty sure I’m NOT buying your product anymore. 



Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sunday Funday

19 Months, Week 3

Since I got my run, errands and all the cleaning done Friday, our weekend was awesomely relaxed and fun. 

Saturday we didn’t do much until a friend get-together at 3pm - Nora got to hang out with all her little friends; Evelyn Morris, Adrian Fearing, Preston Barker and Alice Stender. Should have taken a photo - ! 

Nora had a great time - we learned... 
• she does NOT like playing in sand. Good? 
• she would NOT try tofu : /
• she has a very hard time sharing still
• she likes mini-camping chairs her size

Sunday Nora slept until 6:40am - that’s good for us! I don’t want to jinx us, but I think we’re finally past the 18-mo sleep regression.


So tall! Nora built blocks for 1/2 an hour today - a focus record.

She looks like a Hobbit with her shaggy hair

Again, didn’t do much until after nap time when we headed to Sharon Woods to play! The Harbor/splashpad was pretty packed, but still able to maneuver around to play. Nora does not like walking into the splashpad, just touching the water from afar or walking in it. Nora does like slides. 











Hydrating like a boss.


I guess she’s come around with swings!





After the park, we went on to Cazadores Mexican restaurant simply because we wanted to eat out - it’s been a while. Nora did fairly well and ate mostly the vegetables [good!]. 


Cheers! [inappropriate?]

We came home and had fun playtime. Only a 2-day work week then Wednesday is an adult day which kicks off 2 extra days at home with Nora! 


St. Patrick's

*Just found this old draft, felt like posting it, even though it’s 4 months old

15 Months, Week 2

St. Patrick’s Day is a more enjoyable holiday for me - not sure why since I have zero Irish background. We enjoyed Guinness, I made a rosemary potato soup and Cheddar & Chive Guinness bread on Saturday night. I’m a pretty awesome cook ; ) 

Sunday for dinner we went to a local joint, By Golly’s because I was craving fish & chips. Not only did their fish & chips deliver, but I also had a Smithwicks’s for $3 - score. Nora did fairly well and ate for free because it was a Sunday night. She at some of my fish and her entire personal cheese pizza. 

And last, but never least - we adopted Ailo on St. Patrick’s of 2010 when he was around 1 yr old, so we always consider St. Patrick’s his birthday - big #4 this year! Best rescued dog you could ask for! 


Mmmm


Add caption



More Reunion Photos

Toshi, Nora, Audrey and Martha

Nora & Elliott

Nora attempts to hold Elliott

Nora & Mommy

Nora & Daddy

Bunbury Music Festival

19 Months, Week 2

Last weekend Tim and I were able to get 2 free tickets to Cincinnati’s new music festival, Bunbury. We weren’t fond of any of the bands, so thankfully we could still walk around and see friends without paying out the wazoo. A friend hooked us up with a 3rd free ticket which Stephanie used!

I think that day was around 90˚ - ew. We hung out with some friends and chased Nora around. I felt bad keeping her in the stroller the whole time, so we let her free when we felt we could... which meant a lot of chasing. 

After 3 hours, Nora and I were both pretty much done. 

Glad we got out to see the festival and Stephanie!


Friday, July 19, 2013

Emotional Disappointment - AGAIN

19 Months, Week 3

So I had a summer Friday today - just a day we’re all rewarded to just take off without burning a vacation day - great perk! And I was super selfish [but don’t feel guilty about it] and took Nora to Carrie’s since we’re paying her anyway - and spent the day alone!

I tried to go for an 8 mile run but set myself up for failure by not bringing water. Dummy. I had to stop at 6 miles. Then I took my time showering and left to run errands. I loved being able to take my time and not rush through Target and Kroger - bliss! 

I came home, ate lunch and cleaned the house. I know - a day alone and I don’t relax. But getting all the housework out of the way frees up my weekend to focus on family fun. Plus I don’t have to run either! 

I finally DID sit down at 4:30 to browse Pinterest. Left at 5pm to pick up Nora. That’s when  the mini-bomb dropped.

Carrie said she had applied to yoga school on a whim and was accepted. BAM. She most likely cannot continue watching Nora. We do have as much time as we need to find new childcare as her classes starting out will be on the weekends. I’m not mad at her - she’s young and she’s following her dream and I told her I’m happy for her - I really am. 

Once I got home and told Tim the news, I started crying. Have twice tonight. I’m just sad for Nora. I thought we’d be with Carrie until Nora went to preschool. Having to find a 3rd caregiver just makes me tired thinking about it. Part of me just wants to find a church daycare so we don’t have to go through the searching and interviewing a 3rd time. 

Nora was too small to realize she was leaving Holly. I think she’ll miss Carrie and crew for certain. And I’m not prepared for that last pickup from Carrie’s - my heart is so heavy already. 

So - wish us luck. 


Saturday, July 13, 2013

Family Lakehouse Day


19 Months, Week 2

Our friends, The Baileys hosted another year of Family Day down at their lakehouse down on Williamstown lake in Kentucky. Last year, Nora was 7 months old and could barely crawl! 

This year I was a little nervous just because Nora is such a busy body and was worried we’d be chasing and corralling her everywhere. 

We arrived around 11:20 after Nora slept a bit in the car [woohoo!]. We bought Nora a lifejacket and little float boat and she loved it! Tim and I both took turns floating with her in the lake and she loved watching all the older kids swimming and jumping off the dock. We even saw some ducks “Quack quack!”

I think the golden ticket of the day was that our hosts had a water table up on the deck which Nora loved and they are going to give to us since Nora is basically the last little kid who will be there! Awww. Such nice friends! 

We ate a late lunch around 2pm and by 3:15pm I was surprised that we’d been there that long and that Nora had done so well! 

We left just before 4pm and girlfriend did not fall asleep on the way home. WHAT?? We were baffled. 

She was so damn loopy all night, but in a great mood, just beyond goofy, blowing zurburts on my arm! 

What a fun day with our little sweetheart!

This is how I put on my bathing suit, right?

Upset about something... who knows.


Shhh!

Mommy & Daddy excited for some fun in the sun!

Cool Bro!



Nora & Ty Trowbridge

She’s actually wearing a hat!

KY to OH

100th Birthday

People tend to be surprised that I’ve been at my job for almost 10 years [this October!]. A lot of my friends have hopped jobs a lot since graduating or now stay home with children. So to be at one place for almost 10 years is a rarity nowadays. 

Over the years Landor has had its ups and downs and I was extremely close to leaving years ago when I wasn’t happy with my manager. However, I’ve always been treated very well... the perks have been very nice and I was able to have 6 months of short weeks to be with Nora. I’ve been extremely lucky to have 3 strong female directors who all are working Moms with small children who respect having families and small children, but we all work hard and those 3 women are so awesome at their jobs and I look up to them. 

In a creative environment, no day is exactly the same and we’re always kept on our toes. I’m still thankful for being where I am [thank you Aggie for turning down the internship which let me get in - I was 2nd choice]. 

This past week was our founder’s 100th birthday - he began our company on a ship in San Fran and they threw awesome parties. We celebrate every July and this year we celebrated at Sandbar down on Kellog avenue - it was perfect - first sunny day after all the rain. 

I even left early at 3:15 and was able to do some errands and squeeze a 6 mile run in - yay for free time!


Me and Walter [pretend]

Having fun in the sun with coworkers!

Great beer at Sandbar!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Cabin Fever in July


19 Months, Week 1

I hate saying that we had cabin fever over a summer holiday weekend - but after rain on the 4th, being in the car, Vomit Friday and rain most of Saturday - we wanted some sunshine outdoors! 

After Tim and I woke from our awesome sleep-in, we went to pick up Nora close to 10am - she seemed pretty excited to see us and Dottie had breakfast waiting for us - yum! We had dreams of going to the Sharonville pool, but the weather was iffy and cloudy, so we nixed that and headed to the “harbor” at Sharon Woods. It was awesome - a few ground fountains  to slash in and a playground for 2-5 year olds. Nora enjoyed seeing and stepping in the water, so when we go back, we’ll be sure to dress more appropriately! 

After nap time, we didn’t want to waste more time indoors or on yardwork, so we called up the Kieffers to play at the Cincinnati Nature Center. We couldn’t really go on trails [no strollers allowed] and Nora can’t walk for much distance, so we stuck to the Nature Center, Playscape and cabin. It was fun and we grilled out afterwards to round out a fulfilling day!

Rockin’ out at the cabin

Nora and her cousins Bobby and Gabe

Riding the animal that doesn’t bounce

The mini-creek in the Playscape

Mommy caved on letting Nora have some of Daddy’s Icee... you can tell by my expression how sold I was on this idea.