Power

Saturday we watch the snow fall and fall and fall, and counted our blessings that we still had power. We grocery shopped and visited with cousins and played with babies. We rented "Limitless" staring the beautiful Bradley Cooper OnDemand. And then, boom, ten minutes from the movie's ending, the power went out and we haven't seen it again. The husband and I sat at the front window and watched the branches on the trees droop and wondered how the lady next door had her lights on. (Generator, it turns out) Then an hour later, snap, half our tree fell and took down the electrical wires. We grabbed the Beaner out of the crib and brought him in bed with us for fear the tree would fall on our house and certainly all hope of power was lost. When the sun came up in the morning, we looked up and down the street to see so many fallen branches, so much damage. Michael had a sweat shirt and sweat pants on over his pjs but still his nose was so cold. My parents had power, so we packed up the car, doofy dogs and all and headed for the shore. And we've been camped out here ever since.

My week

Last Thursday, Michael and got up and got ready and got ourselves in the car at exactly 7:45 as we do every morning. I must have been preoccupied thinking about the two crock pots full of chili I had in the back seat for soup day at school that I was paying enough attention to the sides of my car as I pulled out of the driveway. It was like slow motion when my driver side mirror bent backwards against the side of the garage. Trying my best not to swear in front of my child. I got out of my car and picked up the pieces. Also trying not to cry as it was only 7:45 in the morning. You don't realize how much you rely on your side mirror until it isn't there.
On Friday, Michael and I got up and got ready and again got ourselves in the car at 7:45. Click, click. Jeep won't start. Click, click. Still won't start. I call the husband. Take the key out and try again, he says. Click, click. No go. So at 7:55, Michael and I got out of the car and spent the day together. Stranded. Thank God for AAA. First guy came at about 9am. He tried to jump the battery. Nothing. Your battery is good, he said. Should I have it towed, he said. No, not yet. Thankful for a family in the car business, I called my brother. No it has to be the battery, he said. Have your husband buy a new battery and it should work, he said. So the husband comes home on his lunch break with a very expensive new battery. Click, click. Its not the battery. Second AAA guy comes about one o'clock and tows it to my father. You don't realize how much you miss your car until you don't have it. But, I did get to stay home with Michael.
(I have terrible luck with cars, and that goes way beyond these two incidents. Did I ever tell you how my car go towed the night before the first day of school a few years ago? Or how my first accident I hit a parked car? Or in college when I hit a moving firetruck? Or in college when I made a u-turn and hit a van and broke my arm? Or...there's many more)
On Saturday we attended our first kid's birthday party. The husband said it felt the we were welcomed into a secret society of parents and kids. I felt like we belonged there. I can't wait to go to our next children's party. (And Michael's in just three months!!)
On Sunday the husband drove me down to the shore so I could get my car. Oh how I missed her. Then my sister and I went bridal gown shopping. My sister has the body of a model. Evey dress looked stunning on her. She will certainly make a beautiful bride. It made me remember how much I love my wedding dress. It made me want to wear it. Our anniversary is in a few weeks. Maybe I will try it on for old times sake.
On Monday my mom picked Michael up from daycare early and they spent the afternoon together. My mother in law called before I got home and my mother answered the phone. Later, we had to listen to and come up with answers for "why can't I spend the day with him?" (You can, just ask) "Why does she always get to be with him?" (She doesn't, you are insecure)
On Tuesday I stayed home from work because Michael had his nine month check up. (Nine months!!) He weighed in at 21 pounds and 28 inches. (Good thing we bought the new carseat!) I cannot believe my guy is going to be ONE YEAR OLD in just 3 short months! After the doctor we went out for a much overdue lunch with Ms. D and her posse where Michael threw three french fries and about fifty cheerios on the floor.
To summarize, last week ended on a bit of a low note, but this week is looking pretty good thus far. I am optomistic that the rest of fall will be fantastic.

Penny's learning to share

This is what happens when Daddy's in charge.

School

Never before in the nine years I've been teaching, have I felt more like "just" the music teacher than I do this year. I could be invisible and no one would know the difference. So long, of course, as the classroom teachers get their prep. To the adults in this building I feel that is my sole purpose. To provide them with a break. To the students, I know that I do matter. I will never be as cool as the gym teacher, but I will always be cooler than math. And of course, that is why you become a teacher; for the students. But wouldn't it be nice to be recognized and appreciated by your peers?

I wish I loved my job more, I really do. But its never because of the students.

So it turns out raising a baby, working full time and living a life take up a lot of ones time. But I am back and I promise to update at least once a week, hopefully more.

The Beaner is no longer a Bean. He is a little boy. He's crawling, and babbling, and getting into all kinds of things that he shouldn't. He's apple picking, and dog tail pulling, and making friends at daycare and being all kinds of cute.

He's had his first Rosh Hashannah, his first Yom Kippur. He tried gefilte fish (he loved it, I knew he would) and matzoh ball soup. Our first Mother's Day and Father's day. He celebrated his aunt's engagement. In a month he'll have his first Thanksgiving. And before we know it, his first Channukah and his first birthday.

He's amazing, this little man of ours. The best part of my day used to be laying in bed with him in the mornings. Now its walking into daycare and watching him grin from ear to ear and squeal with delight at the sight of me. Or maybe its when he crawls over to me and tries to climb up my leg. Or maybe its when he puts his arms out for me to pick him up. Or maybe when I blow raspberries on his belly and he laughs and laughs. Or...

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." ~ The Beatles

Anxiety

Let me first say how happy I am that William and Kate are finally married. The lead up to this wedding seemed to last forever. I'll admit that I was one of the few people who could really care less about all this, but I will say that it was nice to not hear about awful things all of the time on the news. She's beautiful and I think they really are in love, even though I still don't get the fascination with it all.

I'm having major anxiety today because I have to bring Rex to the vet this afternoon and because L won't be home in time, I have to bring the Beaner as well. Big doofy dog, big heavy car seat carrying small baby, teeny tiny vet office, other questionably behaved dogs=very anxious me. L is suppose to meet me at the vet office where he will either stay with Rex or take Michael. It is my hope that L will get there before the actual appointment, best case scenario before I even get out of the car. Its 9:30am now, the appointment is at 3:45 and its already the only thing I can think about. Good lord.

I am so excited to bring Michael to the Daffodil Festival tomorrow. L and I go every year and I'm excited to bring Michael and take pictures in the flowers. I hope we can make it a family tradition every year, taking pictures and seeing how he's grown.

Happy

Going to a specialist at a children's hospital with your three month old? Not fun.

Watching the nurse hold his head while he drinks something gross and has xrays taken of his throat? Not fun.

Waiting an hour for the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor? Really not fun.

Holding your three month old in your arms while a tube is put up his nose and down his throat? Very, very not fun.

Hearing that your son is going to be okay? Really good.

Seeing first hand just how blessed you are to have a very healthy, happy baby? Priceless.