Letting Go

Moving Day! A group of friends from the Young Marrieds came to help us. They were a huge help and they made a stressful day fun. Mabel not so much. She found a way to be right in the middle of the action. She had a pretty rough day since she was sure we were leaving her for good, but I'm happy to report she's been eating good and loves sniffing around our apartment grounds.


In the course of the move, I realize now that I let some things slide. Like helping Maizie get dressed....


...and knowing when it's time to bring out the next size of pajamas.


And letting her do this.

Pride Cometh Before the Fall

For All My Cold-Weather Friends

So, long time no blog. We have a lot to catch up on (like moving to a new apartment with a packrat 16-month-old), but for now, I just thought I would taunt you, my beloveds that live in Colorado and Michigan and Chicago and Maryland. Taunt, taunt. It's your turn to taunt me in July.

Laptops, Buggars, and Ring around the Rosy

New developments in the world of Maizie.


Hard at work or hardly working? This new laptop toy I got at a consignment shop is a big hit. It's like a modern-day speak and spell, but right now, she just enjoys the "jukebox" setting.


"This gets mommy's attention for some reason. She makes funny faces at me when I do this. I'm going to do this all the time because I love mommy's attention!" Not sure how to get past this one. Every once in a while I will "catch her" not picking her nose and will praise her for it. She then proceeds to pick her nose.



So, the bath issue has been resolved, knock on tub. Jason has given her two baths this week with no freak-outs. I still haven't attempted, but hopefully his mojo wears off on me. What does this have to do with "Ring Around the Rosy" you ask? Well, I talked to my mom about the bath issue and she told me that at this age so much is going on in the wee one's brain that it gets overwhelmed easily and can lead to temper tantrums and new fears. She said swinging motions and circular motions really help the brain "reorganize". Out loud I said, "Cool, I should try that," but inside I thought, "Sounds a little hokie to me."

Anyway, the very next day I was watching Maizie play by herself and she just started turning in circles. Sorry, mom! You were right once again. I guess I should always trust an Early Childhood expert! The next few days, when she started getting fussy, I would twirl her or play ring around the rosy with her. She loves it, especially the part about falling down. And, in case you were worried, no babies were harmed in the making of this film.

Quote of the Day

Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly graded for performance. --Milton R. Saperstein

I came across this quote today and it was exactly what I needed to hear. This week, I've been really hard on myself because I felt like I've "let" Maizie get out of control. I was giving myself a C or D. Fact is, she is simply 15-months-old. 15-month-olds scream in public sometimes. They try to wriggle out of your grip and run away from you. They stand up in shopping carts and have temper tantrums even when you calmly explain to them that standing in shopping carts is dangerous. But they also cock their heads to one side and shimmy their shoulders when a good song comes on. And they carry on entire (and extremely adamant) conversations with you about "Beesig Bajoobee" and "Oxana Biyoul." And 15-month-olds squeal with delight when you come at them with your "tickle face" and they lay their heads on your shoulder when you sing them to sleep. So I need to learn to stop grading myself and comparing myself and simply enjoy this amazing adventure called parenthood.

Underwater Politics

Just wanted to tell you about a cool website my friend Kim wrote about on her blog a few weeks ago. You must check it out. http://www.glassbooth.org/

Jason and I actually invented this website a few years ago. Someone else just beat us to the punch. We were talking about politics (a topic on which we usually disagree), and we thought there should be a site that completely takes the personality out of the equation. A place that listed only the issues a candidate stood for and then you could choose based on that. Anyway, someone must have overheard us and started Glassbooth. Foiled again!

Well, believe it or not, Jason and I picked the SAME person after filling out the survey. Our number 2s and 3s were VASTLY different, but I was amazed that someone could actually unite us! Me no telly who he is, except I guess that's he's a he, but it was really interesting to discover more about my political leanings, which are generally extremely dormant.

And, here are some pics from our snorkling fun. Just to be random.


The boat, the S.S. Miguelito.

The best shot of the underwater ones. Currently my wallpaper on my PC. Takes me to my happy place. :-) That's my bro in the background.

Me in fish-hunting stealth mode.

The legend himself.

Big day

The 20th of January is a big day in the George house.

First, our little girl turns 15 months old today. I still see her as a baby in my eyes, but she proves to me every day how grown up she is. She's super independent and doesn't like me to hold her hand when she walks. In fact, today she almost made it out of the auditorium on her own while I was talking. She's learning new things every day and constantly amazes us. Our favorites right now are Old McDonald (she sings "EIEIEIEI" right after we sing "Old") and how she will get up in a chair with a book and turn the pages and laugh and laugh about what she's "reading". Happy Birthday, wee one!

And secondly, we have been in Austin officially for a year now! What a year it has been. Time has literally flown by, so we still feel like we just moved here a couple months ago. I'm going to have to stop using my "I don't know anything, I'm new here" excuses. We've been so thankful to be welcomed by so many people and are excited to call Austin home (although I will admit I catch myself looking for the Rockies occasionally when I'm driving west).

Oh, and Festucles (what I call Jason's car--it's a mix of Festiva and Hercules) has been reborn. Jason got the timing right and she's made it to Lowe's and back. He straightened the bumper out and just needs to get her fitted with minor things like blinkers and such to pass inspection. Oh, and none of the seats other than the driver's are installed. You know, minor things. Glad to have you back, Festy. For those of you interested in a history lesson, here is Festucles' adoption announcement. Feel free to keep those AutoZone gift cards coming!