Back to Work

Last night was my first night back working at Hy-vee grocery store. I quit 8 months ago when I was pregnant and didn't feel like I could toss around the 60 lb bags of birdseed anymore.

When I asked to come back nonfoods wasn't hiring but produce was. I'm not picky, I'm just working for the money, so I took it. The hours are fine (of course I'd prefer fewer with 3 times the pay, wouldn't we all). The work isn't difficult. But last night I realized there are three obstacles to me fully enjoying this job: 1) Fresh fruits and veggies smell good, I love food and yet I can't eat it as I'm stocking it; 2) It's cold in the cooler and I have to go in there often and I do not like the cold; 3) A lot of perfectly fine produce gets tossed in the trash and that just makes me feel weird inside.

I am grateful to have this job. I am grateful that Nate has his job and that with these jobs we are able to make ends meet. I realized last night that a lot of my coworkers are struggling financially and work 2 jobs themselves to get by and often still aren't quite making it.

Sleeping Caleb

Asleep before 10!!!

On a normal day Caleb takes 2 1/2 to 3 hours to fall asleep, and sometimes as long as 5 hours. But tonight he's gonna get a full night's rest.

Incredible Jayne

Last week Jayne started rolling over for real. This got her in Evander's way and solicited the first of endless complaints I'm sure we will hear over the years, "Mom! Jayne's messing up my stuff!"

Over the weekend she started scooting backward, away from whatever object she was focused on getting, and also usually ending up stuck underneath the couch, the rocker, or up against the not-so-soft bricks of the hearth.

Sunday she started pushing up on her hands and toes into plank position. (She does a beautiful job of it, by the way.)

And then today she got up on her knees and launched herself forward. She is now able to get to what she wants, sometimes. She stole the toy Caleb was playing with, who just stared at her in disbelief. Eventually, he tired of watching her play with his toy so he stole it back.

She is going to be TROUBLE for these boys!

Jayne LOVES food. She attacks the spoon like she is a starving animal. I am so glad she doesn't have teeth. I'm sure I would lose a fingertip. She ate 2 full baby food containers of food at dinner tonight. This girl is amazing.

Jayne loves her daddy. Sunday night they were playing a back and forth game. One cough from Jayne, one cough from Daddy. She'd cough and smile, he'd cough and smile. This went on for a minute, so cute and adorable. Then suddenly without warning an impressive arc of regurgitated milk spewed from her at great speed. Nate did his best to catch it, sacrificing himself for the sake of our living room rug.

ups and downs

Today I finished reading a book. I've read several books before but still I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I'm done. The book was good, The Hunger Games, even though I fought liking it. I will be reading on in the series.

Yet again, I did not manage to get out the door without saying, "Hurry! We'll be late!" or "Hurry and eat or we just won't go" a million times. I know these phrases don't work but I just can't resist adding tension to our morning.

Got a full workout at the Y, cardio AND weights without being pulled out for a crying child. Thank you Caleb and Jayne.

Managed to get Firestone to pay $250 of our $340 bill at another garage. I am proud of my haggling but do feel that in reality they are responsible for the whole bill. A few months ago they convinced me it was a good time to change my timing belt and water pump. Afterward an orchestra of new noises appeared and my gas mileage plummeted. After taking it back in to Firestone 4 more times I gave up. Just before Christmas the car gave up too. Ends up the timing belt and its cooperative parts were not installed right. My car is back to its fairly quiet and well-running self and we have a new favorite garage in town.

Ran out of ideas for superhero stories for Evander, a major frustration for him and a headache for me since he won't stop asking. What fun dynamics his group of friends must have: Iron Man, Batman, Word Girl, the Super Readers, Tinker Bell, Snow White, Spider man, Captain America, Superman, and Peter Pan.

Today Evander informed me that Dinosaur Train is boring since it has no superheroes.

Caleb took a bite from a cracker on his own tonight. I may have just been seeing it wrong, it was out of the corner of my eye. But I think he really did.

Helped the missionaries out with Arabic translation at a discussion. I still can't figure out if I'm actually helping or if this woman is just humoring me, really knows English and just doesn't have the heart to tell me she doesn't need my pitiful translations. But I enjoy it and even if my Arabic stinks I think she likes having me come.

Now the kids are asleep, Nate is at work. I've finished off a bag of popcorn and I'm trying to figure out how to write a blog.

The First Meal

Jayne loves to eat. Jayne eats well. Milk, that is.
Jayne is now 4 months old.


The feeding started out alright. Not as good as milk, it seems.


Jayne's first meal was brief.






She did still like the spoon.

Sweeping up after Christmas

Am I scrooge if I can't wait to put away the ornaments and tree...not to mention all the toys the kids have gotten in the past two weeks? I swear they reproduce.

Evander now thinks ice cream is the healthy choice at breakfast time and if anyone comes to the house he expects either a gift or a serenade of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". Christmas is ruining my son. Caleb hides in the back bedroom away from all the chaos, and Jayne...well, she just doesn't know better.

Evander has been showing Jayne the full scope of possibilities for her toys. You may think it is just a tummy time mat, but no really it is also makes a great tent.