Bunnies & Lambs & Chocolate, Oh My!
March 16, 2012 by ·
In the place where Willow sleeps
When I was growing up, we had a tradition at Easter. My parents would put together a scavenger hunt for us to find our chocolate.
High in a tree where the birds find seeds
We looked forward to this every year – the four of us gathered around the slips of paper to see who could guess the location of the next clue. [Read more…]
New Life
March 14, 2012 by ·
When I chose my one word for 2012 – VIBRANT – I had a moment where I wondered if perhaps it might come to mean more than just joyously living life. It was wishful thinking at the time – a what if and not a when.
Now it’s a when.
Somewhat to my surprise (but certainly not unwelcome) I’m pregnant.
<insert joyous hooray>
My reaction to this, and the roller coaster of emotion over the last several weeks, could potentially fill this blog from now to my due date. (But don’t worry – I won’t subject you to quite that much navel gazing.) I will share one story about a reaction that was most unexpected given that this is something wanted and hoped for, but mostly I’m hoping to move on in a much more positive frame of mind than I’ve been in of late.
If you read my post yesterday, you’ll probably wonder what on earth had me so worked up. I wonder that a bit myself, actually, as I knew I would once I got past that milestone. You see, I started a new job in the middle of December, which puts me not quite at the three-month mark. Total newbie. And I’m replacing someone who was away on mat leave for a year and then returned, on a part-time basis, only to resign a couple of months later to stay at home with her son. The team I’m leading has had a rough time with having a manager over the last couple of years (or not having one, as the case may be).
I know, this is more important. And people will understand. And what are you going to do, anyway?
I know all that.
But somehow over the last six weeks I’ve managed to work myself up into a state of guilt and unbridled angst over this. “Screw you” is not a life philosophy I subscribe to. (Not that anyone who leaves a job for any amount of time due to pregnancy or parenting does…) I’m not even past my probation period – not that I had any concern about being fired as a result of this announcement, but it’s all just so…new.
So instead of continuing to add to my already ever-present nausea with a stomach in knots, I decided to come clean. Better to have it in the open than stuck in my head, I figure. And besides, given how fast I’m already expanding it wouldn’t have been a secret for long.
In any case, it went well. I’ve told them and now I’ve told you.
And now, joyously, all those words that have been walled up inside me can be set free.
Coming on or around October 13, 2012 to a blog near you.
Image credit: SanShoot on Flickr
Missing Grandma
February 21, 2012 by ·
Big, spontaneous tears at bedtime tonight.
“I miss Grandma,” he said, his voice in the darkness succumbing to a wail.
Oh dear, I thought.
He was tired—by design, since tonight is volleyball night for my husband and I’m tired and didn’t want an extended bedtime again (ha ha) so we skipped his nap—so I figured it was a small sigh and he’d succumb to sleep.
“Oh buddy, I know you miss Grandma. She’s coming to visit soon though.”
Sniff, sniff, wail.
“We’re going to go and visit Grandma and Grandpa soon too!”
Nothing.
“And you know what? They’re getting ready to move here!”
“They should live right next to us.”
“Maybe they will.” (Mental note: Ask the neighbours if they would like to sell their house.)
“We never should have left our house.”
“…What do you mean? Which house?”
“Our old house.”
Oh dear.
This child sure knows how to break his mama’s heart. He’s probably been thinking about Grandma and all the fun things they do and all the things he wants to show her. I imagine his little brain thinking about this but not saying anything until now, when it comes out in the quiet of the night. Whether it’s a tired lament or not, I know he misses them. I knew he would. I dreaded it.
I tried to jolly him along – “They’re coming soon!” and “You know what?! Grandpa is a really good skater and he would love to go skating with you! You can show him your new skates and what you’ve learned so far!” – but no dice.
He was quiet, and at first I thought it was working. I could no longer hear his sniffles—only mine—but then it started again.
“WAHHH!!”
The mommy-cheering-up tactics weren’t working, so we called Grandma. They talked and made a list of all the things they’re going to do when she comes to visit and, for now at least, it’s all better. Until the next bedtime, and the next, and the next. Until they’ve moved close enough to make him happy.
I really need to go and sweet-talk the neighbours.
The Story of How We Met
February 15, 2012 by ·
“You need someone who lights you up,” my mom told me several years ago. At the time I was dating a guy I really liked, but who I knew wasn’t going to be a long-term thing. A few months later – after said boyfriend moved away, thus ending the relationship – I came home from a weekend trip to a friend’s wedding. As soon as she saw me, my mom knew I’d found that someone.
Thus begins the story of how my husband and I met. Sort of. We actually met several years before that wedding, but that’s a story I’m sharing with Rach for her “So How’d You Meet?” series. She asked me if I’d share it and of course I said yes. It’s a happy story to share, and I love Rach to death. She’s one of the nicest (and best) bloggers I know (and we still need to set up a Skype call, Rach!).
Come visit me at Life Ever Since to read the rest of the story.
