Things have been busy busy busy as usual. I spend my days at home, working and watching Jax, who turns 2 on Sunday. (You can follow many of our mini adventure here.) I’ve been using my tiny bits of free time to do DIY projects for Jax (like a play kitchen, toy barn, chalkboard, wall art and art corner), designing and sewing quiet book patterns for my blog, and (at the moment) doing crafts and cleaning for Jax’s second birthday party.

This blog is annoying to write in because the software is so out-of-date. But when I try to update it, everything goes blank and has to be restored from backup. Yikes!

Recently I tried an experiment to see how many hours of work I could get in while watching Jax. My hours were dwindling because he now needs a lot more interaction and playtime. I was coming in at around 24 hours a week and I really needed to be at 30. I decided to overshoot for a week and try for 40. I didn’t make it, but I figured out the best schedule for us right now.

At night, I bring my laptop up to the bedroom. That way, I can get in an hour or two of work while Jax is still asleep or just waking up. Around 9 we start getting ready for our day including my shower, getting us both dressed and making breakfast. We’ve been enjoying having time for scrambled eggs and pancakes! From 10 – 12 we play, do learning activities, run errands and I might clean a bit (if Jax is okay with playing in the playroom on his own for 15 minutes.) At noon he has a snack, but is generally too tired for lunch. He takes a nap and I get back to work. When he wakes up around 2 or 3 (depending on when he got to sleep), I usually take a short break so be can have a larger snack/mini lunch. After that, he plays beside me as I work. He can watch a  couple preschool shows we’ve recorded, play with toys and books, or do letter and number games on the iPad. I finish work around 5. If I haven’t made it to 6 hours for the day, I work in bed after Jax is asleep to make up the rest of the time.

This past weekend we visited my dad in his new apartment. He has Parkinson’s and it was becoming difficult for him to live on his own in his townhouse. His new place is in a great community with a lake view and plenty of amenities. He no longer drives, so it’s a big help to have so much at hand, plus rides to shopping. Eventually he can move up to assisted living if needed.

I’ll post again about my nearly 2-year-old! I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone. To quote Jax, “So Saaaaad!!” Heh. I’ll also share his birthday party – a sushi theme for my little sushi lover!

1. Take time to smell the flowers. Nothing is so important you can’t pause to spend 5 minutes with your loved ones.

2. I don’t feel anywhere near as old as I am. That’s a good thing, right?

3. I’m really good at leaving sippy cups behind.

4. Babies grow up too fast.

5. I still hate making phone calls for work, but I’m getting better at it.

6. It’s hard not having family close by. I’m a little jealous of those that do, but I’m grateful for what I have.

7. I don’t think I could ever kiss my sweet son enough.

8. I’m not as nervous about flying with a little one now that I’ve done it.

9. I can change a diaper super fast. Even when that baby is running away from me!

10. Bubbles are amazing when you’re one.

11. I’m more materialistic than I’d like to be. When I lose a favorite thing, it really pains me.

12. It doesn’t need batteries or licensed characters to be fun. This wooden kiddie car has been in our family 100 years. Jax adores it!

13. I’m actually glad that co-sleeping keeps me from turning the tv on in bed. I barely watch tv anymore, and I don’t mind. I read instead! Also, toddlers fill an entire king-size bed.

14. Sitting quietly in a morning sunbeam can brighten your whole day.

15. I need to make more friends.

16. Nightly toddler baths may take up my evenings, but I know I’ll miss them when they’re gone.

17. I’m pretty sure I won’t have the time or money to do all the creative projects in my head until Jax is off on his own. I’m trying to find a balance.

18. I hate cilantro. It tastes like day-old garbage to me. But I might be broken.

19. Teething is hard.

20. I’m trying to practice cooking more, but I’m really not good at it. Probably because I grew up with just my dad and his very limited culinary skills. But, I do love to bake! Let’s live off cookies!

21. I run errands when I’m lonely for adult interaction.

22. I’m really going to miss nursing when Jax weans. It exhausts me at times, but I couldn’t feel more bonded to him.

23. It’s weird and amazing when your child starts to talk.

24. I didn’t feel like myself in the months my hair wasn’t in braids. I chopped it all off to start fresh then hid it under hats until it was long enough to braid again.

25. I’m not sure anyone lives more in the moment than an almost-2-year-old.

26. I am always wishing I could buy myself new clothes and accessories, but I buy Jax clothes instead. After all, he’s the one constantly growing.

27. My baby loves “sushi”! (He eats miso soup soaked rice with heaps of tofu, crab sticks and edamame.) If you ask him what he wants for dinner, the answer is always “sushi”!

28. Aim high. Higher than you think you can reach. You may surprise yourself.

29. Time speeds up when you are a mom.

30. I wish I had more time to clean and organize during the times I am full of energy. I find it satisfying. I used to offer to clean friend’s rooms growing up.

31. Dogs are expensive. Benny’s current ear infection will likely cost us $1k we can’t afford. It’s a doozy.

32. I’m a little overwhelmed but the tantrums that are beginning to happen. But I try hard not to let them frazzle me.

33. Acknowledge and respect your children when they have something to say – even when they are just starting to talk. I was hushed often as a child and I realize now it hurt.

34. I love the iPhone I got this year. I don’t miss my Droid a single bit. And now that my whole side of the family has either iPhones or iPads, Jax gets to do FaceTime with them.

35. Make some time to get messy and creative. I always feel better after creating something beautiful.

Contains 245 photos.

My year in photos…

A few years ago I gave up on wearing contacts. They are expensive and my allergies make it so I have to be on prescription allergy eye drops to be able to wear them, adding to the expense. Glasses are cute anyway, and hide my under-eye circles better than makeup. Hah!

We ended up with some medical fsa to spend before the end of the year, so I started thinking about fun glasses. I always go into my eye appointments saying I want funky frames, but then leave with “safe” ones because I know they need to go with everything. Well, I already have my safe, every day glasses. And I can get prescription glasses with anti-glare for between $12 – $35 a pair online. From trial and error I know the narrow range of frame measurements that will work on my face. But what fun frame should I pick?

I was thinking of getting the gray version of what I have now, but it isn’t very funky, and is darker than I’d ideally want for a gray pair. Still in the running though.

What is your favorite? If I’m getting them, I have to order before the year ends. I couldn’t get their frame previewer to center the glasses, so use your imagination!

Contains 77 photos.

Taken on December 8th, 2001 and mentioned here. I had the webcam balanced at the top of the shower door pointing down, and pressed myself up against the glass to get a reflection. .

This post is mostly for family and close friends who have asked about Jax’s wishlist, likes and sizes.

To read about our family portraits, click here.

But first a note for all our online and far away friends. Jax (and I!) love mail. He especially likes cards that open and kids’ drawings. If you’d like to send him a holiday card or drawing, he’ll return the favor! Make sure to have a clear name and address we’ll be writing back to. I only have a few extra holiday photo cards, so you’d likely be getting a custom Jax creation.

Jax Segall, 43300-116 Southern Walk Plaza #234, Broadlands, VA 20148-4463

Jax’s Wishlist is an Amazon list of ideas I’ve put together. You could shop from it or just use it for ideas. Here is some of what is on it: I am making him a wooden play barn (for scale, it is being made out of a dollhouse) so any wooden farm animals/vehicles/etc would be great to go along with it. Our “little chef” has a play kitchen and LOVES anything to do with play food. Wooden food sets or kitchen accessories would be a big hit. He loves drawing, painting and stickers. Building with blocks, climbing and sliding. He’s started playing more with musical toys and loves to “dance” to their tunes.

Jax is wearing size 18 months. We are buying larger – 24 months to 2T. He really needs winter footie pajamas in size 24 months that he can wear right away. Sweaters, hoodies and fleece tops. A snow suit and boots. Spring/summer clothes should be 2T. He wears shoe size 6 toddler right now, so I’d go with a 7. He’ll be growing out of his brown loafers soon and has outgrown his black shoes. He loves hats, but has a big head. Go for hats for 2 – 3 year olds! He likes to wear Washington Capitals gear and will say “hockey” and “let’s go Caps!”. He has outgrown his infant jersey and hat.

Random useful things: socks, tableware/cups, place mats (to phase out his highchair tray) and  iTunes gift cards (for educational games).

If you want my wishlist, it’s here. But, Christmas is all about the little ones!

Contains 32 photos.

We made it in one piece to and from California for vacation! I didn’t want it to end… It was so nice taking long walks along the strand. First, the plane rides: We had non-stop flights both ways on Virgin America. Dan booked seats in the back since we were installing a car seat and we didn’t want to be in the way. It took a lot of time to install, so that turned out to be a good plan. Security was fine. In VA I had to take Jax out of the baby carrier and he cried going through the metal detector. In CA he was asleep in the carrier and they let me just walk through the detector …

Continue reading →

Contains 12 photos.

Photos by Kollin Bliss from October 2005.

Contains 25 photos.

Photos taken October 15th, 2000.

In April of 2003, I was talking about eyeballs…