over and out . . . for now

I am taking a break.  I am at my limit.  I have had three migraines in the last six days.  I keep remembering additional people who deserve hand written thank you notes . . . and then forgetting  . . . and then not writing any at all.  I blamed my husband when Squish threw up (spit up is too mild an expression for what happened) all over himself and me in our bed at midnight the other night.  They started potty training at Bug's school, and I have nothing close to a game plan for how we will keep up the training at home.  Last, but most certainly not least, I have not slept for more than an hour and a half in a very long time.  

So this blog, which has become part diary, part locker decoration, and part message in a bottle, is on hiatus.  

Check back in a month.  

Over and out.

COMMUNITY NEWS: Local Roots CSA - Winter Season

I just got the following info from Local Roots about their winter CSA . . . enjoy!

Our winter CSA is a great way to provide families with locally grown produce and our winter season features vegetables from our farmer's greenhouses; this means spinach, kale, and swiss chard in the winter season when the season usually only brings us root vegetables. The shares may include everything from vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, grain and beans, juice, cheese, and bread, all based on your preferences and all from regional farms that use healthy growing practices with pick-up in once convenient location. 

The CSA’s unique model is designed to offer greater convenience, product variety, value, and payment flexibility.  The winter season runs from December-February with members paying upfront for 12 weeks as opposed to the 24 weeks in other CSAs.  Membership applications are due November 27, 2011 for locations in Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill.  Information on products, farms, and how to sign up can be found at www.localrootsnyc.org/csa/products

About Local Roots NYC

Local Roots NYC is a new organization dedicated to connecting New York City with local farmers and their food through CSA programs.  Local Roots NYC hosts bi-monthly supper clubs and provides recipes, and other tips to make cooking at home easier.  More information can be found at www.localrootsnyc.org/.

About CSA

CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, allows city residents to have access to fresh produce grown by a regional farmer.  CSA members purchase a “share” of produce from a local farm.  Shares of produce are brought to the same site for members to pick up each week.  By joining a CSA, members learn what foods are in season in the North East, support small, local farmers, discover new varieties of produce, try out new recipes, eat healthier, and reconnect with their food.

Priorities

Special Agent Dos (a.k.a. The Little Squish) arrived safe and sound at 2:23 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2011.  

Labor and delivery went well.  (Notably, in the early stages of labor, my water broke on Clinton Avenue about a block from our apartment.  Left with no alternative, I walked home feeling like I was living one of those anxiety dreams I've heard about where you show up naked to school.)

Life with Little Squish has been great so far.  During the days, though, I developed a list of priorities for myself:

(1) Eat
(2) Sleep
(3) Hygiene (brush teeth / shower / wash hair . . . in that order of importance)
(4) Clean.

Yesterday, I managed to get through the first two, and I think I brushed my teeth.

Today, I have already completed the first three - including having washed my hair.  A day without a migraine is so much more productive.

The Great Divide

I spent all day yesterday trying to get the birthing party for Special Agent Dos started.  I cleaned Bug's room and re-organized his wardrobe to make room for all things 0-3 months.  I dusted.  I organized the linen closet.  I walked a mile to buy a shower curtain and then a mile home.  I ate all the spicy parts of my green papaya salad with my Thai take-out dinner. 

Then, around 10pm, Bug woke up crying.  

With Toddlers The Days Are Long, But The Jokes Are Hilarious

Last week, Bug turned two.  

7:15am - Bug wakes up, and I teach him how old he is.     

"[Bug], how old are you?"  

"Two!"  

"How old are you today?"  

"Four!"  

"What?!?"  

"Five!" 

"What?!?" 

"Two!!!! [hahahahahahaha]"

7:25am - I suggest we leave the Bug's room to get the breakfast routine started.  In the living room, I see that I have thirteen work emails that must have arrived between 11pm and 7:25am.  (Normally, I have about 0-2 emails waiting for me when I wake up.)  I sit down to find out what all the fuss is about.  As I am distracted by Email #3, I hear the Bug running down the hallway and into the living room.  He hides out of my sight behind the couch, and I hear "Rarrrr!"  Then I see two little eyes peeking at me from behind the couch.  As soon as I look up, down goes the little head, and I hear "Rarrrrrrr!!" as he runs back down the hallway.  The Birthday Monster has arrived.

music appreciation

Bug has shown a keen interest in all things stringed-instrument lately.  He points out guitars whenever he sees them - on building blocks, in books, at parks.  He sometimes asks to see my violin, and we talk about the parts of the instrument, including the tuners.  When he got excited about an autoharp at his grandparents' house, we talked about the strings, the chords, and the tuners.  He also likes the banjo, and if a book has even one picture of a banjo, Bug will find that page and say, "Banjo!"

Two nights ago, while I was holding Bug and singing his lullabies before putting him to bed, he put both hands on my collar bone and said, "Tuners!"  

Unsure if I had heard him correctly, I asked, "[Bug,] did you just say 'tuners'?"  

Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is almost here, and as with all three-day weekends, it cannot come fast enough.  

This year, as was true when the Fraggle Bug was in my belly, I feel so pregnant that my own "labor day" cannot come fast enough either.  Nevertheless, I try (try!) to remind myself that what I really want - more than anything - even more than to not be pregnant anymore - is a healthy, happy baby (emphasis on the healthy).

This year, I also find my mind wandering frequently to questions about my job, my career, and that ever-elusive work/life balance.