Last year at this time I was beginning to prep for year two in the classroom. Once August hits, it's pretty much time to get your butt in gear in the teaching world. I was reviewing my lessons for the first semester, getting my club meeting dates together for NJHS and preparing for the teachers to return for the first teacher-in-service day of the school year... Oh, how life changes.
Today I found myself changing poopy diapers, slicing up bananas and tending to my attention starved child. At least, that's what he insinuated as he cried for 30 minutes while I did the bills. It's hard to believe that just one year ago I was tending to the needs of hundreds of students at Brinley and now I have one little guy to chase around. My major concerns in life have shifted from data analysis, progress tracking, and school climate to changing Siege's diaper without getting poo smear on the floor.
Some days I just feel antsy and unaccomplished. And then I feel guilty for feeling antsy and unaccomplished because I am blessed enough to be able to watch my precious boy grow and change each day. I have to admit, I sure do laugh and smile a lot more now. Just this morning I watched as Siege shared his breakfast with Nadia. Siege had the biggest smile on his face as Nadi came to chomp down all the banana bits that didn't make it into Siege's mouth. He sure loves his puppy. Life is just a lot simpler now. Most days I love it- I really do, but just today (and I feel guilty even typing it) I'm wondering what life would be like if I went back to work.
I love San Diego. The weather is beautiful, and I could spend everyday of my life walking the boardwalk of Mission beach just people watching while listening to the sound of the ocean. Siege, on the other hand, didn't share the same enthusiasm for the boardwalk as I. We stuck him in the baby seat of the beach cruiser we rented while on Mission Beach.
Usually we'd rent these bikes all day and cruise around, find places to eat, and stop to lay on the beach for a while, but since we had Siege we figured we better just rent for two hours. Well after about 5 minutes the wailing started. People stared and gave us the, "I can't believe you're torturing your poor baby, who clearly hates that baby seat, and is maybe even motion sick from all that crazy riding," look. So, we ended up having to stop every five minutes to calm him down, which meant we really didn't get too far in that two hour time period. After pit stop number 4, I was starting to get annoyed and Chris was starting to worry about our kid's fun-ness level, so we decided to just keep riding. Who cares if he was screaming bloody murder, but then I got those stares again, so I started singing the Itsy-Bitsy-Spider nursery rhyme. It calmed him down instantly. The only problem was, every time I stopped, he would start wailing again. So in order to keep him from sobbing, I had to sing nursery rhymes the ENTIRE time. My voice was hoarse by the end of our ride, and I still got some interesting stares.
He also was not the biggest fan of the beach. He would nose dive in the sand, and sand just doesn't taste as delicious as sweet potato I guess. I think next year at this time the beach will be a little more fun. He's still just a wee bit too little. Besides those two unfortunate situations the trip was awesome. We went to the Long Beach aquarium with our good friends, Pete & Jen and their little girl Tehya. We also did the San Diego Zoo and had a blast there.
It has been a fun month of travel. It made me realize how important traveling is to me. It's something I want to incorporate into our lives at least annually. The memories are priceless, even if they involve voice-hoarsness from Itsy-Bitsy-Spider.
2. 4th of July Block Party
This year my Sister-in-Law and brother had the brilliant idea of throwing a block party on our street for the 4th of July. In the past the 4th has never been that cool of a holiday to me. Believe me, I'm very patriotic and love the USA and all, but we just never did anything that great on the 4th. I'm so excited about our new block party tradition on our cul-de-sac.
They invited a ton of people and everyone brought food and fireworks. The kids seriously lit fireworks for a good two hours, before they were all gone. It was also a great way to get to know the neighbors. And...Siege pretty much slept through the whole thing! It was awesome.
3. Krista & Pat's visit
Chris has a cousin that lives in Wyoming with the cutest two little girls. Krista stays at home with her girls and used to be a teacher, she's a fellow blogger and has a super sweet hubby. Needless to say, we have a lot in common. So, when she told the fam she'd be coming to Vegas I was so excited. We did a ton while she was here that included the Springs Preserve, the Dolphin Habitat, Ethel Em Chocolate Factory, and lots of family/baby time! I'm still exhausted from the week! I'm exhausted and I don't have two kids and didn't make the 14 hour drive here and didn't have to live out of a suitcase for a week, so I can't imagine how they're feeling. But, she handled her two little girls so well. She has a 22 month old and a 2 month old. Chris and I talk about when to have baby number two all the time and I have always been the one to say let's wait or I'm not ready (which I'm still not), but watching Krista with her two little girls made me think I could do it. This is definitely not a pregnancy announcement or a soon to be pregnancy announcement or anything, but she has given me a little more hope and encouragement. Anyway, we had a blast just chatting about our little ones and our amazing hubbys. It was a good time. This is a picture of little Leah playing in Siege's walker. She is such a smarty!
4. Jamie's Baby Shower
My sister-in-law Jamie, is due September 4th with my very first nephew! I'm excited for Siege to have a little cousin to play with at all the family gatherings. Here I thought, our kids would babysit all their cousins, but it sure will be fun to have another little baby around. After weeks of planning, I'm pretty excited with how it turned out. We had a delicious taco bar, thanks to my amazing mother who pretty much catered the event, and a few entertaining games. They got tons of stuff and it seemed to get them pretty excited for the arrival of their little one. I should have got more pictures of stuff happening, and maybe the happy couple, but I was too busy!
(Zoa is the baby's name)
5. Siegers has gotten EVEN cuter
Seriously. He is getting more and more cute and fun as each day passes. He has learned to pull himself up and climb on everything. He is starting to let go and stand on his own and has even taken a few steps (thanks to all his practicing with his Uncle GG). People keep telling me to put off walking as long as possible, but Uncle GG has it in for me I guess. Every time he comes over his goal is to get Siege to talk a little farther. And, while I know this is gonna be big trouble for me, I can't help but think of how cute it is! Check facebook for the video. Anyway, life in Gifford-Land has been pretty good lately. Chris and I will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary soon! I can't believe it's already been almost 5 years.
I've been home almost a full week now and I am finally starting to feel back to normal. The trips were amazing, but they really took it out of me. Traveling with a baby is no easy task. Don't get me wrong, Siege was really great those two weeks, but babies are just demanding. When they want to eat they want to eat 10 minutes ago and it doesn't matter if you're riding the subway or in the Van Gogh room at the Art institute or that it's 4AM and you just got home at midnight. My bubba likes to eat and when he's full he's happy, but when he's hungry he turns into Baby Evil. Good thing I packed lots of food.
I guess I'll start with Chicago. My mom told me she was going a few months back and I sort of invited myself on the trip. "Well, I stay at home now, and Chris is working that whole week..." So, when she asked if I wanted to go, I jumped at the opportunity. I had never been to Chicago and I wasn't expecting it to be as awesome as it was. The city is so old and beautiful. And just amidst all the skyscraper flows the Chicago River. I have decided that taking the architectural tour down that river was one of my favorite things. While you're listening to the tour guide talk about all the beautiful buildings you get an aroma of chocolate from the chocolate factory that operates close to the river. Just wonderful.
The Willis, formely known as the Sears, Tower was another highlight. It has these glass decks you can stand on and see strait down to the street. Very freaky. I also learned that when it gets windy the top of the tower can move up to 18 inches. Thank God it was a wind-free day. I was dizzy just looking out into the city, I can't imagine moving.
There's nothing like Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. It's so good! I've been dreaming about it ever since we got home. It's more of like a pie crust, but layered with deliciousness. I had two massive slices.
Going to Wrigley Field was one of the first things we did.
It was so fun to watch the game with a Chicago hotdog in hand (Seriously, the food was just what I was hoping for, however my waste line doesn't feel the same way about it). Plus, the Cubs were playing the Yankees and they won! And I can't forget to mention Uncle Wally. Yes, I carried Uncle Wally's ashes into the ball game so that Dennis' family could spread them onto Wrigley Field. This was also a little freaky. But, it was the man's dying wish. Glad my diaper bag could be of service. Oh, and a man's ashes looks an awful lot like baby formula. I'm pretty sure we dumped the right ziplock bag.
We went to the Shedd Aquarium, which I think was my favorite of all the places on our city pass. The Jellies Exhibit was so neat. The Field museum was a close second. Our last day there was spent at Six Flags. I hadn't been since high school and I'd forgoten how much I love roller coasters. I had a blast that day, while my mom got some quality grandma time in.
A big Thank you goes out to Aunt Kathy for letting us stay at her house for the duration of the week. She has this amazing Great Dane that loved Siegers. He was about as big as a pony. Her home was beautiful, lots of trees.
I guess I will save San Diego for another post, since my Sieger's is up from his nap. While we were away he said 2 words, "No" and "Mama" (not really sure I can count them officially) and got 3 more teeth! He's 9 months today.
