Just do it!

Often I don’t do things because I figure the answer will be no, so I don’t even try. Yesterday I got a double dose of “Just try it”.
The meter lamp for the freeway has been out since daylight savings. Normally I just deal with the traffic, but after a week I was still bugged. I tracked down a number for UDOT, who transferred me to Region I, who gave me the cell phone number to a foreman. I almost stopped there because I didn’t want to call his cell phone to bug him, but the lady assured me it was fine. He told me that it might be because of the construction, but to call one more person. All were surprisingly polite – though not helpful until my final call. He said he’d look into it and took down my number. He also said that if it wasn’t construction related he’d submit a work order. I figured that would take another week or so. You should have seen my grin when I pulled up that evening to go home and…. It was working!!!
Lesson #2: I’ve been trying to get a Swine Flu shot, I even tried to register online for Salt Lake County. In only 15 minutes after registration opened and they were already out of appointments! Weber County was supposed to give out tickets Monday between 4-6pm – really? What’s with the inconvenient hours? Fred went up and walked right in Tuesday morning. I think I was afraid to do that expecting to be turned away and bugged that I’d wasted my time. I decided to “Just try it” and took off work a few minutes early. I walked right in, they handed me a paper, sent me down the hall, filled out a paper, walked down another hall, had my paper checked, walked down yet another hall to stand behind 4 people. That’s it! I asked if I could have a sucker if I didn’t cry. :} I hate shots, but it wasn’t bad at all!

grateFUL for family & friends

How could you not be grateful for a friend that can make Tad giggle this much! Some of my absolute favorite pictures so far!

We truly are lucky to have such helpful family and friends. Tad loves playing with Grandma & Grandpa Lyons while mom's at work. Of course Nannie takes him Fridays which has allowed Fred to have more time to study.

Hopefully they don't go through withdrawls when I'm done working. My last day was supposed to be this Friday, however.... I'm a sucker and I'm staying until the end of the year. Just 2 days a week so it'll be a nice transition back to "mommy-ville". :} He's getting more fun the older he gets and I'm really looking forward to being at home. I think Fred's excited too since we hardly see each other now. And don't worry Grandmas, I've kind of gotten used to bringing him over, I'd love to let you guys entertain him while I do housework - uninterrupted!

Picture obsession?

My name is Marcinda and I have a picture obsession......

Do they really have a photographers anonymous group? :}
Tad is 3 months old! This time I didn't dig out my backdrop though, we went outside. I'm so happy that the weather has been warm even in November.

Here are pictures of our little tyke!

Jasper is finally learning to come around. He didn't even run when Tad made noises. (Talking to the leaves.)

He loves to be outside. These 2 pictures are funny because he was focusing so intently on picking up the leaves and so proud when he finally did it. (Of course they headed straight to his mouth.)

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it's back to work I go...

So, I started back to work on October 30th. Yes, a Friday. It was a great day to start back. I dropped Tad off at Grandma Lyons' then drove to SL. Once there I checked email, chatted, ate a chili potluck, Fred brought Tad down so we could show off his Ant costume. Then I did a little work (our system was down part of the day), chatted, a co-worker brought in her little boy, then I did a little more work, and finished off the day chatting. :} Productive huh?! It's weird to go back to work where you're used to being "non- mom" and coming home to a baby. Two very separate lives.
Overall the day wasn't bad. The best part was coming home and seeing Fred hanging out with Tad. On the kitchen counter was a rose in a cup. Fred said he'd brought it down to give to me at work, but forgot it in the car when he got the stroller out. He's not thrilled with me being back at work - he's very supportive though. My boss has a bunch of business trips this month so I figured I'd give it a week to decide if I was staying until the end of December or just until after her main trip.
The weekend was rough as Fred worked both Saturday & Sunday, then we started back into the work week where I don't see him as much. Luckily Grandma & Grandpa Lyons watch him Monday -Thursday. My dad said he'd watch him on Friday if things didn't work out, but of course Nanny Drysdale & Pompa need a turn on Fridays. They both live close so it's not a big hassle to drop him off in his jammies and head to work. I've been very grateful that Fred drops him off and picks him up 3 days a week.
I did tell my boss on Friday that I was giving my 2 weeks notice. I didn't want to be the typical Utah mom that works for a week then quits to stay at home. But....Fred and I have always had a close relationship and working has put a strain on it, we never see each other. My boss didn't handle the news very well even though she knew I was planning to quit at the end of the year. Hopefully things are a little more mellow Monday.
I don't know how we're going to do it. Fred told me Friday night that he can already tell a difference in my stress level and that I seem happier. I'm excited to be able to teach Tad how to do more things and focus more attention on Fred. He has one semester left! Then he should be able to work full time again. It'll be tight for a couple of months, but I think overall we'll be happier.

Who wouldn't want to be home with this?! (He sucks his thumb and folds his ear over.)