old and new

So it appears it is finally spring. I took Charlotte to the zoo yesterday and it was 73 degrees so that gives me hope. And yet when I think about planting my flower boxes I know it would be foolish to do it before Memorial Day. Spring obviously reminds one of "new" and "fresh." Usually that comes with some cleaning out of the old.



I am sitting here waiting for my NEW dining room table while my OLD one sits strewn across the house waiting to be picked up by Brown Elephant Resale store. And oddly I am sad because although this table has had it's best years behind it, it has also had my best years so far too. I know this sound precious, and it is, but I remember playing under that table when I was Liam's age. (if you haven't figured out, this was my parents dining room table) And I remember the first time I saw Liam playing under the table and smiling. I got to tell my family I was having a girl at that table. Many many holiday dinners, both mine and my parents have been shared there. So I can only hope now that someone buys this table and uses it in good health. Plus I know the money raised from the sale goes to the Howard Brown Health Center here in Chicago which works with AIDS patients, so that is good. At least I have one more weekend to look at it and for Liam to play under it.

owww

So I found the camera cord and the tooth pictures are up. Today I am going to talk about the fact that I have started working with a trainer at the gym. (all the posts can't be about the kids)

So I have been going to the gym for 2 1/2 years and I have been working out/running probably about 15 years. This guy is kicking my a@#. His name is Woody and he is from Haiti. Very nice, not cheesey at all, which is a huge consideration for me.

When you join Bally's you get a free personal training, obviously it is to sell you on buying training sessions, so I have rejected it for 2 1/2 years. Well Woody approached me at the right time. It was right before Amy moved back to Cincy, so I was losing my workout buddy and I thought this would be a good time to step up my game. I had the free session 2 weeks ago and it was embarrassing. First of all I had no clue that he was going to work me so hard, I thought I would learn a few new ways to do free weights, so I ran 3 miles that morning before I even went to the gym. Darren questioned that choice but I poo pooed him. Then I ate a tiny Fiber One bar on the way to the gym. OH... MY... GOD, about 20 minutes into it I thought I was going to pass out or throw up or both. He could tell and we did a couple of slow walking laps around the gym. It was very embarrassing.

So today I started my 8 week program, 2 times a week. As I am typing this I can tell I am going to be really sore, very soon. But it really did feel great and I would never do that on my own.

After the last session, Liam saw me moaning and groaning and asked me why. I told him I let someone torture me. In the way only sons can protect their mom, Liam assured me he would go beat him up so he wouldn't do it again. I barely had the heart to tell Liam I was now going to be paying for the pleasure.

I may not have the strength to type for a few days :) I will keep the blog posted on my progress

the tooth

The tooth came out yesterday. Liam was watching telelvision and biting on our ottoman...don't ask...and it just broke off. The Tooth Fairy brought him a Star Wars Lego set. She left a note, in very tiny handwriting, letting him know that she normally only gives money but since this was his first tooth she left something special. She also told him to take care of the rest of his teeth. So the next milestone has been reached. I will put a picture up when I can find the cord for the camera to download it.

oh my god

I love my son so much I put the wrong birthday down. Sorry Liam, his birthday is June 7 not 6.
Thanks mom for pointing that out.

this is fun

Yea, I am so glad people are reading and commenting.

So Liam is about to loose his first tooth. That is so weird to me. I can't believe he is almost 6. I swear it seems like just yesterday I brought him home. I was talking to this girl in my building, she is not really a girl but "lady" and "woman" seem too old, anyway she is pregnant. I have been passing around the binder I made when I was pregnant with Liam. It is a 3 inch 3 ring binder. I kept any article I found that seemed important, from essentially conception to getting back in shape post baby. Amy has had it, then I gave it to Kathryn in my building and now Kristy. Kristy is a teacher and I was asking if she was going back to work. She said she and her husband are trying to figure out how to make it work.
I was reminded of the trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art that I made with Darren and Liam when he was about 3 weeks old and I had about 5 weeks left in my maternity leave. I cried the entire time. My heart ached like it has never ached before or since. Before I had Liam I had no question I was going back to work. I loved my job at Beltone, my best friend had just started there, there was no question. I got a promotion while on maternity leave. But man, on June 6th, when I saw Liam for the first time, I knew there was no way I could be away from him. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. So I went back to work and tried to keep it together but within 2 months I knew I wasn't doing anyone any favors, not Beltone, not me, not Liam and I started the long quitting process. It was another 7 months before I was truly not working but most of that was consulting from home so it was cool.

Darren was very worried and hated being put in the role of bread winner. And unfortunately we don't have a lot of wiggle room when he hates his job, like now. But he is a great husband and I do my part by keeping the house budget intact and finding new ways to save money. That is my job and it can be a full time one.

People would ask me if I work and I would say no I stay at home and they would say"oh that is work" I used to demure, when I only had one, and say truthfully, "not really." But 2 has changed my perception. It is work to stay home. But I love it and wouldn't change a thing.

More power to any woman who wants to work. I hate the mommy wars. But I hope that any woman who doesn't want to work can have the luxury, for lack of a better word, not to. My sister and I are very lucky and we know it.

(Just for the record I do still work for Weight Watchers but that hardly counts)

my first blog

Well I decided to pretend I am in my 20's and do a blog. I am not too old right? Maybe no one will read this but I am going to try and keep it up. "Funny" things happen to our family everyday and then I have to try and remember what they were when I see people. If I document it here then my late 30's brain won't have to worry about it. And, like most every other mother in history, I have not been as good about keeping up the baby book on number 2, Charlotte, this will be her history.
Charlotte and Liam are a trip. Liam is almost 6 and Charlotte is almost 2. My dad calls her the "Divine Miss Charlotte", I hope Bette Midler doesn't take offense. She is a piece of work, in the best, funniest, most nerve racking way. And Liam loves her to death. He is a great big-brother. Better than I could have ever hoped for. I heard him in his room the other day saying "I love you Charlotte" And she loves to hug and kiss on him. I am very lucky.
Well there it is the inaugural blog for callahanlifelc (which stands for Liam Charlotte, not my name)