TPB3

Posted on by
2

(Updated with link to bag I saw today…)

Field Trip!

Ingrid and I moseyed on down to Epic Sports today, to check out the Timbuk2 (and other brands) and I’m now back to coveting the Metro. Some people warned that it might be too small, but alas, I am not a purse carrier! So, perspectives vary, because the Metro seemed positively HUGE to me. There was a young couple there, and the woman was carrying a Classic bag, and talking about how she wished she’d gotten an Extra Small, so I butted in and asked "why?" and then asked her how she liked it, and she said she’d had hers for a year, daily use as a purse, and it looked brand-new, so that’s nice. Anyway, I can see if you are a purse-carrier, and looking to fit in diapers+, it would be too small, but as a wallet&keys carrier, it’s more like I’m looking to fit that in with the ziploc of diapering supplies, not the other way around. If that makes sense.

I guess if money was no object, I’d design my own, as Robyn suggested, but when I add in the features I’d want, the price gets up around $100, which is way too much.  For a daily bag, I really like the Metro. I was also able to see the colors, which was nice, as well.

Not that I’m buying anything at this point, it’s mostly just a mission to see what I want when I notice a sale or whatever. I do that, often, hypershop, make a decision, and then wait to actually purchase. So far, it’s been a successful way of finding things that are Just Right.

(Also, Epic had the bag in Peacock blue/Chartreuse/Peacock Blue, which I was surprisingly taken by. When I saw Slate Blue and Burnt Orange in person, they looked rather blaaaah, which was part of the Metro-Love, Not Blah.)

TPB2

Posted on by
4

So, apparently the Metro is smaller than it looks. I haven’t seen it yet in person, but the downtown sporting goods store allegedly carries them, and I do plan to check it (and others in the line) out. Dammit!  (I mean, I even looked it up on Flickr. I am that laaame.)

So, instead I’ve been spending Ingrid’s naptimes looking up bags. Yes. I know. Shut up. Lame.

What I’ve decided would make TPB for me, based on other bags I’ve used:

  • Outside, easy access, pockets, like water bottle pockets. On my previous TPBs, these have held bottles or my keys or my sunglass case or whatever.
  • Fairly easy to keep clean
  • Waterproof or resistant (I imagine…)
  • Not as big as a traditional messenger
  • Not as small as a purse
  • Not hideously ugly
  • Not too boring
  • Not too froufy
  • A light colored liner — that’s one of the cons of my current bag, that it’s a black hole, and I loved the idea of a gray lining!
  • One adjustable strap, preferably, and, of COURSE,
  • nothing Pooh-Ass.

So, that would be my requirements. I don’t carry a checkbook wallet, just a bifold, but I would like to carry my camera more, which is fairly small but chunky (my Olympus, I can’t imagine fitting the D70 in anything that would meet my everyday needs, now that I think about it), and of course, traditional Ingrid supplies, with room to grow.

And, why do so few bag companies offer any sense of SCALE with their pictures? Sigh. (Actually, Timbuk2 does, but apparently it still skews for me, as the Metro seemed pretty big. But, then again, I usually just carry a wallet.)

TPB

Posted on by
2

I didn’t realize I needed The Perfect Bag, until I read Laura’s post on it.  For one, the post clarified a mystery that had been plaguing me for a few months; I’d seen a woman with a really cool bag in the grocery store, with only a logo showing and no brand-name, and didn’t have the guts to ask about it. Anyway, it turns out it was a Timbuk2 bag, of which I am now coveting the Metro version.

But, see, I’m 2 days away from a discount at a place that also sells bags. They just aren’t… as cool. Or something.  The closest would be a Heatwave bag, but well, meh.  They used to market a diaper bag, but it was just this bag with a changing pad thrown in, and I don’t really like the colors, and it kind of looks like a giant grandma purse.  The bag I got as a diaper bag was this one, which is so freakin’ huge. (My friend with twins +1 got it for me, which explains a lot.)  I do use it as Ingrid’s suitcase when we go away.

I don’t necessarily want a diaper bag, just something I can throw diapers in, you know? That’s what I do now, with a really small backpack, but throwing in just a little sweatshirt, even, overstuffs it. I just have some dipes, a wipe case, and for now, the free samples of a disposable changing pad and diaper cream that I got from CBE classes, in a ziploc bag, a one piece spare romper, and one of those little reels of diaper trash bags for diapering supplies. But, I’d like to be able to stick my camera in there, hat & mittens (or whatever) for both Ingrid and I, etc. And, according to Laura’s post, more stuff will be required soon, like cheerios and little toys. And, hmm, a sling would probably fit in the Metro as well.

So, anyway, I’m all drippy-drooling over the Timbuk2 bags, and it’s SO STUPID, because who DOES that, gets all greedy for shit like that when they are TWO DAYS from having a discount on a similar style bag? I mean, hell, would it even be LEGAL for me to cart my stuff around in a competitor’s bag? Sigh. So lame.

But, if I were to get a Metro, I’m just trying to decide between Slate Blue, LightGreen/Chartreuse/LightGreen, and, of course, Burnt Orange. They are just all so preeeeetttyyy. And not Mom Personified. Or super lame. Dammit.

Eeeee!

Posted on by
1

Most women get all excited over shoes or clothes, but me? I want SOFTWARE. (I mean, I love my Danskos and Keens, but I don’t think that counts.)

Babysitter today, so that I could help out Marilyn with some stuff, which led to a brainstorm of epic proportions that might just serve my practicum project better than the conservation idea (although, I still want to do that, too) but the more I thought, the more I think Mozilla just won’t be able to handle what I want to do, so hmmm, I should get like, Dreamweaver. Only Studio is oh, about a THOUSAND US DOLLARS if you aren’t a student, which I’m technically NOT, but, Marilyn qualifies for the edu discount, which makes it $179. I’m going to email her, to barter my in-home services (which she’s using anyway, and WANTS to pay for, but that seems weird to me) for the software. And then I can learn Flash!

I know. It’s like the Jimmy Choos of NerdWorld.

In other news, sitter did fine, Ingrid blew through all my frozen breastmilk (which, granted, was only like 6 oz), so I need to pump like a mofo over the next few days, which SUCKS because as much as I LOVE nursing, I HATE pumping.  So odd how the same function can feel so totally different with different triggers. Anyway.

MMmmmm. Studio 8.

All about childcare

Posted on by
2

This week has been all about the uncharted territory of childcare for Ingrid. First, we had our introductory visit with the sitter. Ingrid did marvelously, the sitter is a total pro, beyond pro, and I know her and trust her, so we’ve set up a regular gig for my class days, where the sitter comes early so I can go to school and work on school stuff. She’s also going to do some other times, as needed, but I’m really glad to have a sitter for when I need it. 

In addition to that, I also investigated daycare centers that offer infant care, and for the most part, that was depressing as shit.  Several religiously affiliated places that I refuse to support (one, a chain owned by a guy famous for his homophobic politics, so, um, HELL NO), a whole bunch of in-home places that scare me on PAPER (Like Grammy’s Day Care, which boasts a 1:12 ratio, and yes, that’s legal, and no, Ingrid will not be one of 12 fending for herself while Grammy takes a pee) and only one new lead, owned by the parents of a student I had in school, and so I know them, and they are great.  I called there, and there was an opening in October, but then probably not til spring, so I got on their list anyway. October isn’t right for me, not for full time.

In addition to that, I called the in-town center that I’ve been listed at since I was 7w pregnant. They are affiliated with the hospital, so maintain TWO lists, one for hospital employees (who get dibs) and one for the public, which is me. the director sort of laughed when she saw the date I was listed, vs Ingrid’s birthdate, and even THEN, when I said ‘maybe january?" for when I need it, it’s still a huge list.  I did say I would take part-time (the other place doesn’t offer it) just to get my foot in the door. If that happened, I would hope it was day-by-day part-time (often, it’s like a nurse who only works Monday & Tuesday wanting to split the slot with someone who wants W-F) because if THAT was the case, I could sub until full time was an option.  And that wouldn’t be so bad, subbing is good pay for a 6 hour day, and it would be a decent transition to childcare for Ingrid.

But, that’s how fucked up it all is, when you don’t have family or a friend with same-age kids to do that infant-care bit. There is a huge need for infant care, and toddler care, really, that I’d figure out a job around childcare availability instead of the other way around. (And before you ask, Awesome Babysitter is a college student and not able to do full time care.)

Now, if a big bag of money were to fall from the sky, AWESOME, and I don’t have to worry about any of this. But instead, a big bag of money fell into my car, in the form of a fuel tank leak that needed to be repaired, and while we can afford it now, it sort of lit a fire under me to try to find more options, just in case.

(Also, new pics in the August folder…)

Still here!

Posted on by
7

Really! I’ve just been preoccupied or something. Well, I wanted to upload pics, and I need to do a monthly update on Ingrid, and the pressure, well, I ended up doing nothing. ANyway. That’ll come soon. This is tagged career, for general reasons.

First, my LLBean job starts in like, what, 10 days? 9? And I’m sort of freaking. Not about the job, christ, I could do it in my sleep, I’m sure, but about the whole job+family thing. I’m never going to see Dave again, it feels like, between my evening job and one weekly night class, and a second class that meets every few weeks.  Tomorrow, the sitter comes for the first intro to Ingrid, and I’m not worried about the sitter — she’s totally responsible, a pro babysitter, and I have total trust in her — but I’m worried that Ingrid is going to freak out at the STRANGER so much, that the sitter says "um, pass."  Ingrid is great in my arms, when checking out other people, she smiles and interacts and all, but when they TAKE her, she freaks right the fuck out. We’ve been practicing, whenever we can, with her & ‘strangers.’ Today it was my parents, and she cried and shrieked and made me feel like shit, but FUCK, this is NOT an option, for me to never work again. Especially since my car has a leak between the fuel-filling neck and the tank, and goes in tomorrow to get checked out, and hopefully, fixed. I have to work. I’ve been UNBELIEVABLY lucky to have had almost four months with Ingrid, when the standard in the US is six freaking WEEKS, and I know that, but FUCK, it’s hard. Anyway.

So, yeah, I have this evening job, and night classes, and I’ll never see Dave again, but it means Ingrid isn’t in childcare. (The sitter is for special occasions, and hopefully, a weekly appointment so that I can work on school stuff, etc, not a daily thing) Then a job is advertised at the 4-5 school 2 blocks from here, an ed tech position for someone to work with ‘computer assisted instruction.’ I’ve always joked that I’d make a kick ass ed tech, and that it would be a GREAT job — hourly, no assessment bullshit, no parents to call — affecting kids’ lives, without the responsibility a teacher has, that makes their salary less valuable. (It might not make sense, unless you’ve ever worked in a school system.) Anyway, I see the job and shrug it off, but then think "Well, hmm, what DO ET-IIIs make, anyway, at that school?" and because I am a supergenius and know how to find that out, I’m boggled to see that HOLY CRAP, it’s about twice what I thought they made.

But, that would require all day childcare. And it starts in 10, 9? days, the same as the LLBean job. And I have no all-day childcare, and do I really want to work all day? But, all day for an ed-tech means about 9-3. Academic calendar. FUCK.

I keep seeing these jobs, there’s one for a part time teacher at the Challenger center, which is a place I LOVE, and is ALSO right around the corner, literally, like the Bean job and the ET-III job, just different corners.  And none of them feel right, even though I’m confident I could get either of the other two, because of Ingrid.  I just hope that in a year, that there are jobs like these still popping up: local, related to my degree, and that pay enough to make it worth it.  Right now, I just feel like I’m trying to pick the right direction — Bean means a huge cut in family time, but no childcare, and a nice discount, and an easier pumping situation, because Ingrid nurses maybe once in the hours that my Bean schedule will be, I’ll only need to pump once. A day job would mean needing more pumping time, and needing to find a time/place to do it, which would be HARD in a school setting. (Maybe easier for an ET, though? Hm.) Regardless, I’m not applying, because this isn’t the right time, and oh, right, try to find infant childcare with a week’s notice (and I’m ON all the lists, and have been since I got two lines, because it’s a whole lot easier to refuse a spot than find one… and I have no CLUE how one finds a decent in-home provider) but, yeah. I hope there’s something good at the end of all this, career-wise.

Oh, Mom. You have NO idea.

Posted on by
6

So, I keep a family-friendly blog on the side, and basically post for birthdays and when I have pictures, whatever. Most of my family is sort of new to the concept of The Blogging, so they think it’s just the coolest shit EVER. My mom constantly looks at the pics, shows the pics to others, etc. Just now, I got an email from my mom:

Who is Jeanne and should she be posting on your website?  Do we need to
password your lovely baby pictures?
Love, Mom

I guess that means my mom hasn’t found *this* blog, but I did notice that Jeanne had linked to her blog, which links to THIS blog, so I edited out her URL, JEANNE.

Now I must run and check my stats, in hopes that my mom hasn’t found my blog.

 

Just a few things

Posted on by
2

*SOB*, the D70’s summer vacation at my house is ending. It has been called back into service for school picture season, goddammit. I mean, I am really, really spoiled by having access to such great stuff, for FREE, and I know that, but, SOB! Noooo!!! Sigh.

* * * * * * * * * * *

My sister had called the other day to say she stopped into a kids’ consignment store, and found a few things for Ingrid, and she went straight to the PO to mail it, because if she hadn’t, the clothes would’ve been outgrown bythe next time she thought to go to the PO. She knows her weaknesses. ANyway, the package arrived today, with overalls, a red cord jumper, and a cream colored cardigan, all from baby gap, so, yay! But the absolute BEST PART was the note from Kate, written on the back of a receipt.

"Hi Gretchen! Sorry this is a pathetic card – found some cute things for Ingrid. Too big? She’ll grow! Love, Kate."

Run of the mill, really, until I turned over the receipt and read that it was for two greeting cards. Hahahaha.

* * * * * * * * * * *

I remember really clearly, three years ago in late July, meeting BG & Flynn in Austin for dinner, and Flynn being just this wee guy in a moses basket, and me saying "hopefully, in three more years, that’ll be me!" I mean, we discussed my timeline as part of the dinner conversation. Because of the way I got a job while finishing my undergrad, my timeline was able to be moved up, but because of the issues of thyroid and miscarriage and whatever, it got pushed back.  And two days shy of three years later, Ingrid was born.

I mention it for two reasons: one, I just saw recent pics of that little guy from the Moses basket, and can’t believe that in the same amount of time that’s passed, Ingrid will be that age in the future. Secondly, another friend and I had almost the same conversation that I had with BG three years ago, with the same timeframe, three years for my other friend, and I think of Ingrid being as big as Flynn when this other friend (lord willin & the crick don’t rise) enters the world of mamahood. It just feels very circular and fated and all of that.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I did that myheritage.com celebrity face matching thing.
With my glasses ON, I’m a 70 year old man, like Larry King, or Richard Avedon or a hipster musician like Moby, Elvis Costello, or Sean Lennon.

With my glasses OFF, I’m an african-american model? or something? named ‘Ciara,’ with a hint of Maria Callas, which goes back to 70 year old man.

Ingrid? She’s Condoleezza Rice, of course.

(I was going to add pics, but they aren’t jpg so I can’t. Oh well. It’s late.)

One Year Later

Posted on by
Reply

I just got to wondering if I’d posted anything on May 19, 2005, since I would’ve been in the middle of my miscarriage right about then, and if I had, if I’d remember that day as clearly as I now remember May 19, 2006. Hoo doggy, do I remember that day.

It was obviously ultrasound day, the place was filled with couples
where the woman was rubbing her big belly and grinning.  And me.

I so totally remember that day. Clear as a bell. And how odd, that, a year later, to the day, I’d be the one that the OB was checking on through the day, fitting me in after work (on that day, she stayed til 5:30 to see me), only this time, to deliver Ingrid. An hour short of a year earlier, I wrote that post. How weird. Or something.

In other news, OMG the gas. The gas isn’t KILLING me, but I am sooo gassy, and poor Ingrid has been gassy and sad all day, and probably from my big yummy full o’ folate and iron and stuff spinach salads I’ve been eating. Poor bug.

 

Geeky Mama Stuff

Posted on by
6

We daytripped to MDI today, and found two new free things, which is always good.  One is a path that one of Dave’s clients tipped him off to — it’s just off main street, but there’s no sign, just a small parking area (12cars max, maybe) and a roadcone. Anyway, we turned in there and wandered down to a cliffy area overlooking the water. You could scramble down to a few rocky beaches (and plenty of people had) but in tevas and with Ingrid in the new wrap (yay!) I didn’t feel too confident in doing that.  Either way, it was a great little walk, Ingrid saw the ocean for the first time, and we had fun.  After that, we drove around and ended up at a public beach that we’d never seen before. We’re big fans of Lamoine Beach, which is pretty secluded and away from MDI traffic, but more of a rocky beach than sandy one. The beach in Seal Harbor is broad and sandy, with a really low grade entry to the water, which is crystal clear. We were there at low tide,and the sand went right from the road to the waterline and beyond.  The parking was free, AND there was a bathroom. Score!

Another geeky thing is that our carseat can be tethered rear-facing, unlike many. BUT, you have to find a spot to do that, and I’ve half-assedly looked, but it’s usually when I’m putting Ingrid in the seat, or taking her out, and I’ve never really dug around much. Today, though, I found a great spot to tether, so I did, and now her seat is rock-solid. YAY. Especially since we saw a couple accidents on our way to MDI today, which freaks my shit out ten times more than it ever did. BUT, my arm is all sore from doing the "fuck, she spit out her paci and is crying, so I’m going to try to look in her baby-view mirror to find it, while wearing my seatbelt, but because I’m short, it means the middle of my upper arm is the fulcrum for this often fruitless maneuver." Ugh. I think we might use the paci-leash next time, so at least I could reel it in and not be digging for it. (And, oh yes, we had two in rotation, so when my backup disappeared from reach, too, we pulled over. Sigh.)

But what a cool day! And today Dave carried the camera, so there’s all kinds of pictures of me! Many unflattering, but hey, a nursing tank + wrap + 11weeks postpartum + you know, not a prime physical specimen PREpartum = "eww, my back looks like THAT?"  Oh well. At least the baby’s a beauty!

And on that note, as the fourth trimester starts to wrap up, I have so much more energy and ambition to eat food that involves more than pouring rice milk onto something, or hitting "toast."  this week I put together a salad o’ the week, like I used to, with some edits — baby spinach instead of romaine, no broccoli (sigh. My favorite scrubbing bubbles vegetable!) and avocado. And since I’m eating it at home, I just cut up a vine ripe tomato with each serving, which helps the salad keep. Basically, I filled a large gladware box with baby spinach, chopped up cucumber and orange pepper, and then added a vine ripe tomato and 1/2 an avocado and cubed cheese stick to each serving. DE. LICIOUS. I’ve also been adding frozen berries to my morning cereal, and flax meal as well, if I’m eating oatmeal. I’m thinking I’ll dig out my old Weight Watchers stuff soon, and make a more concerted effort. I am 10 pounds below my pre-preg weight, though, so that’s cool.

Oh, and new pics (most from today, and don’t even get me STARTED on how she sleeps, it freaks me out too) over there on the right, and albums will be updated monthly now that we’re rounding the bend from the fourth tri. Yay!