Snowy weekend

What to do when it just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing? Why have some fun!

1. Get a haircut
Check out Keira's new 'do. She got it chopped yesterday. Cute or what?


2. Hang out at Hoppeland

Quickie Road Trip

Here we are on a quickie road trip (four hours up and four hours back the next day) to the cabin in order to deliver a washer/ dryer, bed, and bunch of other boxes that we couldn't find space for in the house. Good thing for the cabin. More room to house our junk. Got snacks and drinks. Road trip ready. View out the window. Even though it's cold, still darn beautiful! Hmmm...should we start a fire? It's kinda cold. Yeah! Fire started! Per blowing away the snow...and there was lots of it!

Every Soccer Mom's Wet Dream

Yes, you see it right. Me. The person who said that I would NEVER in a million years drive a station wagon has picked up her new XC70 STATION WAGON.

It's a brand new four wheel drive with leather interior, DAB radio, GPS, beep beeps in the front and back (so I hopefully don't hit anything when I'm parking) and it has lots of room.

There's a rubber mat in the trunk so that the trunk won't get dirty with all kinds of junk that we put in there. There's a high ceiling with room for the stroller and groceries. There's tracks in the car so that I can put netting back there to ensure that the groceries don't roll all over the place.

I can't believe I have this car, but it's great! It drives like my old car..only I don't worry that I'm not going to make it up a hill and I certainly don't have to worry anymore about the leaking transmission fluid, the leaking brake fluid, the starter or anything else. It runs and drives like a dream.

I feel so Mommy-like...kind of sporty and all grown up. I'm not sure I like that whole grown up thing...but, the sporty part is pretty cool. I'm going for another test drive.

Bye, Bye Baby

Here's my other baby of 10 years. The Volvo S70 that I brought with me from Texas. The car that has been with me through thick and thin. I'll miss you, baby! It's been fun.

Purging is good for the soul

It is amazing the amount of stuff that one can accumulate in one's life. Ok, I'm specifically talking about me and my stuff. I mean, there's just so much of it. I've spent all day just cleaning out my closet and trying to find room for all the other clothes that I have with me from my trip to the U.S. and my time in Germany.

My closet is overfilled and stuffed to the gills with clothes that I brought with me from the U.S. 8 years ago, belts that I never wear, shirts that I bought and I thought that I would wear, but I don't because they make me look fat. I even found 4 pairs of True Religion wide bell bottomed jeans that I'd been keeping around because I was hoping that that fashion would come back soon and then I wouldn't have to buy any new ones. Ha! No hope of that . Looks like skinny jeans are here to stay.

I found so many sheets and towels that I don't even use and that have probably been gathering dust bunnies on the top shelf of the closet.

Why so much crap? Well, a lot of the stuff is from the U.S. when I moved here 8 years ago and I thought that I'd probably use it some time so why chuck it?

It's been 8 years now. I'm sure if I haven't used it then, I'm not going to suddenly begin using it now.

I am happy to say that I am no longer married to this stuff that I've managed to hang on to for so long and am happy to get rid of it all. Yes! Yes! Bye bye old jeans. Adios linens and things. Hasta la vista, baby!

God, I feel good!

Year of the Tiger

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

The Rules

Daycare. What a big thorn in my side. This is where she will get used to another caregiver. Someone else besides me who is going to be there for her when she falls or give hug her when she's sad. Someone else who is going to get to pick her up and make her feel better. Don't get me wrong, I do want her to make a bond with her caregiver, but then I also question how this is going to affect her attachment with me or with us, for that matter.

So, here's the ground rules that we are going to stick by as we are integrating our little one into day care. We will live and die by these so that Keira feels loved, whether we are together or apart.

1. We eliminate all separation from Keira except for the time spent in day care. We sleep together. We don't leave her with anyone.

2. We do lots of atttachment parenting stuff, every day. Giggles and stories when she comes home. Lots of kisses and eye contact at night. Wrestling, tickling, giggling. Hair fixing, lotion rubbing, shoe lace tying are all opportunities for eye contact and attunement. Videos are watched with my kid in my lap.

3. Day care is not optional or non-compulsory. Some days I don't like to go to work, and you don't like to go to school. It happens, but we go.

4. I never speak of going to day care in terms of punishment. It's neutral. A fact. Sure, we'd all rather be together all of the day everyday. But this is how our family works.

5. I try to keep our morning routine and with low stress. Find and set out everything the night before. We have to be out the door by a certain time; there's major potential for yelling and disconnect if things go awry and I'm concerned about being late for work. Nobody needs that anxiety.

6. We remain neutral when dropping off. Pleasant and matter of fact. Goodbye honey (hug), I love you (kiss), have fun. I'll see you later. If you're too upbeat, too much on the sell, kids sense an ambush.

7. Either Per or I always pick up the little one ourselves. We will not ask others to pick her up for us.

8. I try to avoid all activities (even running errands) after day care. She's had enough stimulation for the day. We only have a couple of hours before she goes to bed and we want to make the best of the time that we have. We don't meet family or friends for dinner or fun on school nights. It's way too disruptive and tiring for all of us. When kids are tired, they're more apt to feel anxious and unsafe; we have to maintain optimal emotional health by staying rested and grounded. There will be years in the future for entertainment, stimulation and going out into the world. At this point our family is still connecting and it is best done at home.

9. I keep to the same routine every evening. We get home and I feed her a good/ healthy meal as quickly and simply as possible. I really try to keep it friendly, pleasant and loving. I don't waste our brief time together prepping big meals or doing chores. When she's older and ca help, we'll do these things together.

10. I keep in contact with the teachers. I am respectful of the teacher in fron of the child. I am pleasant and demonstrate my friendship with the teachers to Keira. We laugh and talk a bit about her acocmplishments. All serious issues will be done by phone or out of the child's earshot.