Turning it up to 11

Yes, today calls for turning it up. Singing (or screaming) at the top of your lungs in your car because no one ever told you it was going to be this frustrating. Oh, yes, as the Shirelles told us, "Mama said there'll be days like this...." but she didn't tell me.
And so, a homage, to the-end-of-the-work-day, get-me-the-hell-out-of-here, and get-me-a-beer, sing-along-with-the-songs-you-don't-listen-to and sing-in-front-of-other-people-montage. That's right, we need a montage. Beware of my weirdness and way out of date musical tastes (and my wrath, because I'm one angry dwarf, and 200 solemn faces are you.)
1. Bulls on Parade, Rage Against the Machine
2. Song for the Dumped, Ben Folds Five
3. One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces, Ben Folds Five
4. Megalomaniac, Incubus
5. Let It Be, The Beatles

OK, I'm really lucky, and my drive home from work isn't very far, so I only had time to listen to 1 angry dwarf a couple of times so I could sing "kiss my ass goodbye now, look who's tellin who what to do...." On the outside, I'm a goody-two-shoes wimpy conformist; but beware of the anarchist beneath......it helps to release.

Coming home from work when you have a kid is so different. I used to come home after work on a rough day and turn into a vegetable in front of the TV for seriously, literally, hours. I don't have that choice anymore, which is OK, because things I never thought I would have had the strength for before, I am finding I do now. Case in point, having a really crummy day at work and managing to not totally melt down. Aaah, maturity. I guess I had to find it sometime. Every day, you really just have to push through the crap, and hope for a better day the next time the sun comes up, because laying down and giving up is just not an option. Although that sounds nice, cause, man I've had this pain in my neck and back all day; I miss massage. (Giving them and receiving them)

Getting rid of all selfish, whiny thoughts



now!

OK, I have exorcised the demons. Now I can give you all some sweet updates on the bebe.

Holiday hangovers

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I have finally discovered the reason for 95% of Americans making the same New Year's weight loss resolution each December 31:

I will accept my Nobel Prize for brilliance in "duh" anytime.

Meanwhile, I try to survive through another dull week in the office during which all the management and executives take their eons of earned vacation while those of us who are lower on the totem pole hold down the fort. I am currently fighting the impulse to curl in a ball under my desk with Garfield.

Since a light snow has begun this afternoon, my California-born boss has gone home due to inexperience with winter driving. I have my memories of Christmas to keep me warm. Amelia enjoyed the shiny wrapping paper. She sat on my lap while we opened her presents and watched everything. We kind of guided her hand into ripping the paper on one package. I'm sure she'll enthusiastically maul the packages next year. Rick got me a gift set with my favorite Elizabeth Arden Green Tea perfume, but the best present of all is looking at this face every morning.

What I want for Christmas

This is all I need:


Amelia has been working on sitting up in the Bumbo baby sitter chair. Rick took this picture of her at home today. I can't wait to get home and see her. It's pretty cool to watch her hold her head up and look around. She's also making lots of cooing, gurgling, and grunting noises. It's not English yet, but you can tell she's working on it.

Brian should be creating a delectable feast for us this evening; a stuffed pork tenderloin roast with mashed potatoes (Grandma Nash's favorite), green beans, and squash casserole.

Although she might not get much out of it this year, we're still looking forward to Amelia's first Christmas. She has 3 baby's first Christmas ornaments on the tree! Aunt Sue gave me a picture frame one for a shower gift, Grandpa Russell & Carolyn sent us a cute baby in a cradle for Christmas, and we just received a lovely handmade one from Annette.

A quick post from work as I have exactly 55 minutes left. (what work they thought we would accomplish on Christmas Eve, lord only knows....)

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

T-shirt o' the day

This one's for you, Janessa

blog overhaulin'

Blogging with a baby in my lap, since her new favorite position is sitting up, so we'll make this short. A little cut n paste from the Myspace update I made the other night:

Yeah, so, it's only been about half a year since I last posted a blog. But for real, Mrs. Smith, I have a good excuse this time. An actual human being came out of me. Then my husband and I were responsible for it's every need. 4 short weeks later, I went back to work, while still caring for said mini human. What a strange trip it's been.

This isn't news to a lot of you, because:

a. Rick is better at keeping up with phone calls and email and such. He's so techno-savvy, my man.

b. You've been to my house

c. I've been to your house

So, if you are one of the patient, sweet acquaintances that I have neglected to stay in contact with recently, I apologize sincerely.

It only took 2 1/2 months for me to post it but:

Amelia Kathleen Diaz was born October 5, 2007. Our world has been tipped off of it's axis, but in a really good way. :) I posted a few pics. It's only 11:38 as I write this, so getting a little tired now (I know, more excuses), so I'll wrap this up. Don't worry, I'll post more soon. I should have more free time as Amelia should be graduating from Harvard and getting elected President any day now.

Fat girl in a little coat

OK, let's have a little discussion about the insulting experience of shopping for maternity clothes. One would think this would be the one time in a girl's life when large enough clothes can be easily located. I got really excited after seeing an ad for Kohl's that showed all the maternity clothes were on sale. Up until recently, I'd been getting by wearing most of my old clothes, but the belly is starting to get in the way. Keeping in mind we're trying to stay on budget, because this kid is eventually going to come out and need crazy things like clothes and diapers and food and daycare, good timing on the ad. Some notes on my shopping experience:
1. Cracked out pregnant lady who was shopping at the same time as me: you are scary, ma'am. I could seriously only stand about 5 minutes of her hovering near me and jumping from rack to rack as she looked for the smallest clothes in the department.
2. On the subject of small clothes: I mean no offense to women who are petite, naturally small framed, etc. etc. Seriously, I wish I was you. But I'm not. I kind of started out larger than normal, and pregnancy is a bad time to adopt a radical weight loss plan.
3. I am not Jennifer Aniston. I do not have a personal trainer or Zone meals delivered to my home. I am not having a fake pregnancy on TV. Having my belly hang out over my pants and/or below my shirt would not be cute. I need the clothes to actually cover my body so I can wear them to work.
4. Sizes, 0, -0, Small, and Extra Small should be prohibited from maternity departments. If you're that small, one would think you don't need maternity clothes.

As I have only been able to locate a few reasonably priced maternity tops at Target, my wardrobe is shrinking. Thus my experience getting dressed for work this morning: v

If I get any happier, I'll make myself nauseated

1. Glucose Tolerance Test came back normal. I don't have to worry about diabetes. Hooray!

2. 4th of July. Great holiday; I love my country even if Lee thinks I'm some kind of dirty democrat hippie. haha. And it will make a nice little break in the work week.

3. Scanner gun fun! Dana and Megan helped me set up a baby registry at Target. It's kind of impossible for baby clothes to be uncute.

4. Got hired on as an official employee at Concorde last week. No more messing with the temp agency, and now I have a little more job security, as long as I can convince Amelia to go full term so I will qualify for a leave of absence.

5. Barbecue goodness. Rick's grilling ribs tomorrow.

6. Birthday Thursday! Going out with the Grandma. :)