Gussy Gus

Evy has this stuffed Pluto at home and has just named him Gussy Gus. I have no clue where the name came from but I've started referring to him as Gussy Gus too. It's just too funny not to!

Fabulous!

We took advantage of a rare three days at home and did some major cleaning. Piles for Goodwill and old electronics ready for E-bay. I'm feeling great about the extra space in our usually out-of-control cupboards and closets. It was all going well until I turned my back for 15 minutes (long enough to wash the dishes) and came upon Scott playing one of his old video games. Within 2 minutes of walking into the room Evy says to me, Who's that mean guy? (translation: who is the guy dad's shooting at?) and follows with Oh, crap! Wonder where she picked that up...

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful that I will have 4 full days to snuggle up with this cutie-pie over the holiday! These are Evy's two-year photos. Credit goes to Kimberly Raso Photography.

Pretty Moving

I hate to even admit this. The events leading up to Saturday's kickoff were pretty emotional and left me feeling like a blubbering idiot. It started when I got a glimpse of DJK crying as he ran out to hug his adoptive parents on senior day. It continued through the National Anthem and reached a sonic boom in sync with the flyover. I about lost all control when I saw the grown man in front of me crying after the flyover. Why did I leave my damn sunglasses in the car???

Good Cause & Good Luck

Some of my friends are on the volunteer guild for the Iowa Children's Museum so we all decided to have a fun night out and support the museum this weekend at a fundraiser. We had a good time supporting a good cause and it didn't hurt that Scott and I had some serious good luck as well. I won a watch and a necklace and Scott won the grand prize trip to Las Vegas! Hopefully we'll take the good luck with us to Vegas...

Rare Footage of the Animal

Even as an infant Evy was not a cuddler. So, rare moments of stillness like this are very cherished! Lately she has been asking me to carry and feed her like a baby. I'm happy to oblige!

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

You know your child has watched Cinderella too many times when she waves her pretend wand at you and says, "You new Piddy Dess." A Fairy Godmother in training, perhaps. Or, an indication that she thinks my clothes are in rags like Cinderella and I could use a new dress...

No More Office with a View

I've given up my window office. I've given up my seat at the management table. And quite frankly, I've given up enough salary to give Scott a mild panic attack. My team is taking me out for an "ousting lunch" today because effective Monday I will be replaced. Four months ago I asked for an internal demotion. It's a complete change in jobs and a change that allows me to work part time. I am lucky to work for an employer who was willing to make this happen and starting December 1 I will be working 20 hours per week. I could not be more thrilled! Over the last two years I have struggled with the fact that Evy spends 50 hours per week in daycare. I basically only see her on the weekends and I spend my weekends running around like a mad woman trying to get all of our "household" responsibilities done. We don't get much quality time together. She will be little for such a short period of time and I do not want to spend that time at work. I want to spend that time with her, because you can never go back and do it over. So, this is farewell to a chapter in my life that has been professionally rewarding and hello to a new chapter that will be personally rewarding. Wow! Ten years ago I never would have seen that coming...

Don't Take My Happiness

On Sunday night Evy enjoyed her first Happy Meal. It was a treat for her. It was a treat for us. It was fun to let her open the box and get a toy. This morning I read that San Francisco passed an ordinance that would ban restaurants from including toys in children's meals that don't meet certain nutritional guidelines. Give me a break! I don't need the government protecting my child from Happy Meals. I understand the issue. We want children to eat healthier. In my opinion, that is the job of the parents. Maybe San Francisco can change their city mascot to the Hamburglar...

Playing Hard!

A pony wearing, princess, doctor.

Not Good

The last two mornings on my way to work my car has flashed the following warning "Ice Possible Drive With Caution." Crap, we are heading down that slippery slope.