Busy Busy

I've neglected this blog for a long time.  When I have the time to blog, I spend it going through other people's blogs.  Man, there is just too much good stuff out there.  I'm currently in the process of finalizing Ainsley's Woodland animal meets Shabby Chic Birthday Party.

(Don't you love my blacking out ability!)


 We are going all out on this one people!  I'll post some of the things I've been working on for this party, like the tee pee the kids get to paint... until then, here is my sweetcheeks, growing up!

I'm Baaaack

Ugh... what a roller coaster I've been on.  Training for a new job, trying to figure out a schedule for Ainsley and I, and maybe doing something occasionally to keep my sanity equals no internet time.  Which actually helps my sanity.  But anywho...

I interviewed for another job that pays 10K a year than my current one.  This may should ridiculous, but I think making more would make it a little easier to leave Ainsley every day.  At least I would feel it's more justified.  And if I don't get this position, I'm hoping to change my current job hours from 8 to 5 to 7 to 4.  It would give me some time to play with Ainsley and maybe make a decent dinner more often than I am now.  I'm typically a winter kinda gal... I like dark dreary days.  Makes me want to snuggle up and read a book.  However, I'm really looking forward to summer this year.  More daylight so I can take Miss A to the park and we can work in the yard a little bit.  I have a long list of projects I need to do with her too.  Thank you pinterest....

This evening I did get a chance to cook a little.  I won't tell you about the chicken.  It's not even worth typing about.  The mashed potatoes I tried were awesome though.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures.  I do have some of Miss Ainsley though!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 oz crumbled feta cheese
5-6 medium Idaho potatoes
5 cloves of garlic, peeled ( I always use WAY more garlic than any recipe calls for)

Peel and cube potatoes.  Put in saucepan with garlic.  Cover with water and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, reduce heat and cover.  Simmer for 15 minutes.  Drain, put in large mixing bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and mash.

another day in the backseat

That's right... I spent my lunch napping in the backseat of my car again.  I was up til 1:30 finishing up cleaning the house.  We went out friday, on a date night.  It was only the second one since Ainsley has been born.  We may have done it up too much.  We were both really out of it on Saturday, so cleaning was put off until sunday.  I seriously cleaned for 14 hours.  This place was a disaster.  It was mainly from the dogs.  Dog hair EVERYWHERE!!!!!!  ugh.  Anyways, I'm tired.  Goodnight from a super tired workin mama....

Oh.... look at me.

Yup, two post in a row.

I'm starting to get my days a little more sorted out.... I think.  I went and got my hair cut this evening and had a couple of inches taken off, so it should me quicker for me to dry in the mornings.  This was the first day in the last several that I didn't have to go out to my car at lunch and take a nap.  I'll count that as a win.  I'm posting on here tonight, and I managed to take a pic of my pumpkin when I got home.

It makes me sad that this is what I miss all day. But she is a cutie...

The doctor said she should start recognizing her name.  That might be true if we called her her name on a regular basis.  I call her Sweet Cheeks, pumpkin, sweetheart, roo...  The spousal unit calls her killer.  Yeah, I don't know either.  Anyone got any other good pet names? 

I'm still needing to fit in running and cleaning.  I also need to reevaluate my diet.  I cut out pops and juice.  I only drink coffee, water, tea and milk.  And I still haven't lost any more weight.  I have AT LEAST 10 lbs to loose.  I hate actually "dieting".  I try just to eat better.  Maybe I'll concentrate on not so many carbs, and more lean protein.  *ugh*

Working sucks!

I've neglected this blog.  The little time I do have now a days, I enjoy reading other people's blogs versus writing on my own.

Working and having enough energy to play with my daughter for the two short hours I get to see her awake every day is tough.  I honestly don't know if I can keep it up.  Here is what my days have been like the last week...
(she usually feeds around 3-4)
5am-wake up
between 5 am and 7:15
Nurse her one more time
pump
get her bottles ready
pack bag with cloth diapers and wet bag
pull her food out of the freezer
shower, blow dry my hair, make-up (these seem like give me's, but when you stay home, you don't do these things on a regular basis)
Spousal unit takes Miss A to daycare

Work by 8 am
pump ~10 am
noon- quick bite at my desk, pump, and then short nap in my car
pump ~2 pm
Leave work at 5pm
Get to daycare north of town around 5:45 pm
Get home around 6:30 pm
She gets fed at 7 pm
Bath at 8 pm
Down for the night at 8:30
at night, pull dirty diapers, clothes and bottles out of her bag
do some laundry, make some dinner, repack her bag, try to pump one more time
In bed by 11-12 pm


I'm dying doing this routine.  And the money I'm making seems really hard to justify it.  I suppose there is nothing I can do about it right now, so I have to just go with it.  I'm also trying to fit some time in for my blogging every night, training for a 5k, and maybe even some occasional housework that needs to be done.  I have 100 lbs of dog in this house.  Not cleaning like I use to, there is dog hair EVERYWHERE!!  I don't get to spend much time with Ainsley.  I use to take at least one picture of her every day.  I haven't taken one since friday night.  I'm just missing so much.  It really makes me sad.  I think I'm going to give up on cooking and trying new recipes.  Tonight for dinner was a bowl of cereal after a lunch of frozen bean burrito...  *sigh*

The ticking clock

Ugh.... four more days til I have to go back to work.  Every moment of my life seems fleeting and rushed right now.  I have so much stuff to do around the house, while trying to spend every precious moment playing with and enjoying my baby girl.  Today was a long day.  Had the foundation guy out, tried to get Miss A down for a nap that she wanted no part of, took a shower (which is a feat of itself), went to the grocery store, made the spousal unit cupcakes for his birthday, cooked dinner, made Ainsley baby food (sweet potatoes), bathed her, and got her to sleep.  Now I'm sitting here watching the daily show, drinking wine, reading blogs, and going and watching my baby sleep occasionally.  I'm not ready to leave her.  I should feel fortunate.  I was able to spend 6 months with her, which is more than most people get to spend. But I want to be with her all the time. 

Tick tock tick tock

Bitter Sweet

So I haven't had much sleep lately, and getting ready to go back to work... I'm just generally exhausted.

I didn't get a chance to go through a bunch more diaper bags last night.  Maybe I'll stroll through a couple more pages tonight.

So yes, I have another job.  It's really bitter sweet however.  It's making less than I was at my last job.  16K in fact, which is quite painful.  It's actually making less than what I STARTED my last job at 5 years ago.  The more I sit here and think about it, the more frustrated I get.  I can't believe I'm leaving my baby for that kind of money.  But I feel like I didn't have much of a choice.  I told my spousal unit about the opportunity, and he's pretty hell bent on me working.  I do need health insurance, which is a nice perk of having a job.  Apparently gay couples can get insured, but couples living together and having a child together, but not legally bound in a marriage can't get eachother insurance.  Honestly, it's bullshit! So yes, I'm starting mid month.  I think I'm just going to sit here this evening and be depressed about the fact the babysitter will have ~8 hours with my baby, and I'll only have 4 hours a day to bond with her. 

Again....   I can't believe I'm leaving her for that kind of money....