These Manhattan kids know more than I do. It's really just disgusting. But Rebekah - the one in the middle - is a total gem. She still plays tennis all the time... and I was one of her very first tennis teachers! It felt good to be a part of such a beautiful family event (even if the reality of having teenagers some day made me feel ill).
By the end of this evening, I missed Ruby and Eloise so much I wanted to burst. 24 hours away from them is plenty for now. Even with an open sushi bar.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Sick Pleasures
This is what I got to look at while I got my haircut. Heaven. Honestly - I adore my mountains and lake here an VT, and I appreciate them every day - but Manhattan just lights my fire. It's borderline absurd. And I was getting a fucking haircut! A good one at that... and then I managed to run over to Marc Jacobs where they just happened to be having a 70% off sale... and I bought 2 pairs of shoes. AAAAAAAhhhhhh.
It was just short of orgasmic. This was all after having a greasy breakfast with Ram. So I scored a cab in about 2 seconds, stressed out during the trafficky ride, and skibbled my ass onto MetroNorth - all in just enough time to get back to the hotel in Old Greenwich, slink into my icky nylons, swanky outfit, makeup and, of course, slippery new heels for the Bat Mitzvah of the century.
It was just short of orgasmic. This was all after having a greasy breakfast with Ram. So I scored a cab in about 2 seconds, stressed out during the trafficky ride, and skibbled my ass onto MetroNorth - all in just enough time to get back to the hotel in Old Greenwich, slink into my icky nylons, swanky outfit, makeup and, of course, slippery new heels for the Bat Mitzvah of the century.
SuperRamian
Ram. You never fail to get me to do the craziest fucking things. I drove 8 hours in a snowstorm to get my ass to Bedford NY - where I was greeted by an amazing dinner and good old friends - but then I returned to my hotel in the most ridiculous way and should have gotten a good night's sleep in preparation for the Bat Mitzvah ahead. But no. What did I do? I chased your International, Unavailable ass into Manhattan on Saturday morning, waaaaay too early, and was greeted by a crazy, hung-over, partied-out goofball. Your hat did look like quite the statement in combination with the skyline. And if you hadn't told me you were out until 5AM I might have thought you had taken a Benedryl for allergies or something... but I give you a huge huge gold star for pulling yourself together for me, and for scoring me a delightful sunny day haircut in the hippest of spots.
when we are cute
When we are cute, we are really really cute. When we are bad... we are almost bearable.
Family
Do we looked wiped out or what? Looking back, I'm glad this "fear of people" phase that Ru and El were in has passed. They wanted nothing to do with anyone on Thanksgiving - well, at least at the beginning. They sort of warmed up after a few hours, but by then they were exhausted and crazy. Toddlers are so amazing. One week they drive you mad, the next they impress the hell out of you. I guess this Thanksgiving I was thankful for my ability to have perspective, and I was thankful for red wine.
Tres Generaciones
Pardon the español, but the Webster men all on one couch - what a photo-op! I snapped this beautiful shot before we went to Thanksgiving dinner.
Friday, November 18, 2005
post-it child
This photo demonstrates the kind of stuff that happens when I'm not paying attention. Fortunately, I have plenty more post-it tags in an array of colors for both girls to waste when I need a second to myself. The best thing though, was how pleased Ruby was when she did this - she came over to me and said, "So pretty".
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
up the hill
i did it. i bought a new camera. and guess what? mom found the old one under a pile of crap in milton. any buyers?
this was such a spectacular day when i took this picture. love the long shadow of Ruby...
this was such a spectacular day when i took this picture. love the long shadow of Ruby...
Monday, November 07, 2005
type-oh
Just for the record, I don't spell-check any of these blogs - so forgive me for "restraunt" in the previous entry. That shit drives me crazy...
Totally in need of a camera to make any of this worth while. The girls had such a pleasant weekend, with a visit to Brattleboro and Grandpa Jim's cabin and the photo opportunities were everywhere. We played outside all Saturday and threw sticks in a stream and collected acorns while Myles chopped wood. Jim's on the lookout for some land for us to buy in the Ames Hill area near Bratt... we just missed out on 25 acres next to an orchard. Doesn't that sound completely out of character for me? Country living? Well, I just feel like it would be a good thing to have regardless of where we end up for Myles' residency - I mean, 5 years in one place and then we can settle in southern VT. HA!
It's all so bizarre right now. Thinking that far in the future excites my gag reflex, but I though I'd throw it out there so y'all can discuss.
Did I forget to mention that I stayed out 'til 2:45 AM on Thursday, followed by a 1:30 AM Friday night? Enormously helpful to be taken care of by some girl friends. I feel slightly refreshed.
Totally in need of a camera to make any of this worth while. The girls had such a pleasant weekend, with a visit to Brattleboro and Grandpa Jim's cabin and the photo opportunities were everywhere. We played outside all Saturday and threw sticks in a stream and collected acorns while Myles chopped wood. Jim's on the lookout for some land for us to buy in the Ames Hill area near Bratt... we just missed out on 25 acres next to an orchard. Doesn't that sound completely out of character for me? Country living? Well, I just feel like it would be a good thing to have regardless of where we end up for Myles' residency - I mean, 5 years in one place and then we can settle in southern VT. HA!
It's all so bizarre right now. Thinking that far in the future excites my gag reflex, but I though I'd throw it out there so y'all can discuss.
Did I forget to mention that I stayed out 'til 2:45 AM on Thursday, followed by a 1:30 AM Friday night? Enormously helpful to be taken care of by some girl friends. I feel slightly refreshed.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Bins, Designer Dish Soap, Party of One
The digital camera is officially lost. Posting photos won't really be an option for a while I guess, but I can hardly restrain my urge to plunk down a mastercard at the old BestBuy and get something really swanky. So, for those of you who don't read and just peek, I apologize. You might have to bear with me and read up on my nonsense. (I might start posting vintage Ru & El pics from, like, 2004.)
For this weeks insane entry, you get to hear all about coming back to life in Burlington. Christ. I can barely get anything done - and we are in a tiny space compared to my mom's house. Perhaps that's what contributes most to my wavering mental status and inability to avoid procrastination. Or is it Ruby and Eloise? Their sleep schedule is completely wacked out and they are waking at 5:30... only to want a morning nap at about 9 AM. I'm not dealing with it very well - but Myles is in Chicago for a night taking test (which explains my lame 9:30 Saturday night entry here... or is it the glass of vodka I just drank?) and I think I might let the girls cry a few minutes longer than usual in the morning. Hope those heater vents don't carry too much sound to our neighbors... Well, we did get to go to Muddy Waters for bagels this morning all by ourselves. Going out to restraunts with the two of them is finally do-able without an extra hand, and they love feeling grown up about the whole process. All three of us got in the bath tonight too - which was hysterical because it was a tight squeeze for me and I ended up scratching my ass on the faucet when I stood up at one point - and Ruby was all concerned about my boo boo on my bummy... but they excelled at washing my hair and Eloise keeps telling me that "Mommy's dee-wee" or - SILLY actually. Miss Weez has issues with words beginning with S. Substitute D always and you will always have a better chance understanding her.
To make up for my somewhat lame-o homecoming, I decided that reorganizing the apartment might be a good idea and I have purchased some more bins. Now I know some of you have known about the genius of BIN lifestyle for a while now - because they have been available forever, but for whatever reason I've been obsessing about the concept of faux organization. The crap in my bathroom is still there, but it just looks better because it's partially hiding in a stupid, nice looking container. I guess that's not really organization, is it? It's really just a cover up... just another bottomless junk pit filled with hairballs, gooey leaky samples of hair "products" from 1998, and some stupido hair removal kits. Regardless, the BIN inventors are cashing in on my poor excuse to clean my home. I feel special about it.
Next topic, also genius. Super delicious smelling Williams Sonoma dish soap... laughed my ass off when I saw the stuff in my mom's house this summer and wondered what the world was coming to. But when I walked into the store in the mall this weekend, I couldn't resist the "Roman Fennel" dish and hand soap! My excuse is this: I do so many fucking dishes every day, at least the annoying, tedious task can be a brief escape into the world of aromatherapy. Roman Fennel dish soap makes me smile every time I put it on a sponge or squirt it in a crusty pan. And I wash my hands obsessively too (soon to be Howard Hughes, no?) just so I can sniff my luxury item several times a day. What an excellent market to tap into: the tired, stay-at-home mom type who wants household chores to feel luxurious. Fuckin' A. Fuckin' A! (Say it with me everyone: FUKIN' AAAAY!)
And for my future entry topics? Dust bunnies, potty training, lame cooking, my lust for over-the-knee socks, the intelligence of the Ashkenazim (relative to penis size) and (please don't let me forget - EVER) sexy women who have gray hair. Let's hope for your sake - whoever you are - that I get a chance to write more frequently. And can I talk about Milton Academy grads too? Don't let me forget.
For this weeks insane entry, you get to hear all about coming back to life in Burlington. Christ. I can barely get anything done - and we are in a tiny space compared to my mom's house. Perhaps that's what contributes most to my wavering mental status and inability to avoid procrastination. Or is it Ruby and Eloise? Their sleep schedule is completely wacked out and they are waking at 5:30... only to want a morning nap at about 9 AM. I'm not dealing with it very well - but Myles is in Chicago for a night taking test (which explains my lame 9:30 Saturday night entry here... or is it the glass of vodka I just drank?) and I think I might let the girls cry a few minutes longer than usual in the morning. Hope those heater vents don't carry too much sound to our neighbors... Well, we did get to go to Muddy Waters for bagels this morning all by ourselves. Going out to restraunts with the two of them is finally do-able without an extra hand, and they love feeling grown up about the whole process. All three of us got in the bath tonight too - which was hysterical because it was a tight squeeze for me and I ended up scratching my ass on the faucet when I stood up at one point - and Ruby was all concerned about my boo boo on my bummy... but they excelled at washing my hair and Eloise keeps telling me that "Mommy's dee-wee" or - SILLY actually. Miss Weez has issues with words beginning with S. Substitute D always and you will always have a better chance understanding her.
To make up for my somewhat lame-o homecoming, I decided that reorganizing the apartment might be a good idea and I have purchased some more bins. Now I know some of you have known about the genius of BIN lifestyle for a while now - because they have been available forever, but for whatever reason I've been obsessing about the concept of faux organization. The crap in my bathroom is still there, but it just looks better because it's partially hiding in a stupid, nice looking container. I guess that's not really organization, is it? It's really just a cover up... just another bottomless junk pit filled with hairballs, gooey leaky samples of hair "products" from 1998, and some stupido hair removal kits. Regardless, the BIN inventors are cashing in on my poor excuse to clean my home. I feel special about it.
Next topic, also genius. Super delicious smelling Williams Sonoma dish soap... laughed my ass off when I saw the stuff in my mom's house this summer and wondered what the world was coming to. But when I walked into the store in the mall this weekend, I couldn't resist the "Roman Fennel" dish and hand soap! My excuse is this: I do so many fucking dishes every day, at least the annoying, tedious task can be a brief escape into the world of aromatherapy. Roman Fennel dish soap makes me smile every time I put it on a sponge or squirt it in a crusty pan. And I wash my hands obsessively too (soon to be Howard Hughes, no?) just so I can sniff my luxury item several times a day. What an excellent market to tap into: the tired, stay-at-home mom type who wants household chores to feel luxurious. Fuckin' A. Fuckin' A! (Say it with me everyone: FUKIN' AAAAY!)
And for my future entry topics? Dust bunnies, potty training, lame cooking, my lust for over-the-knee socks, the intelligence of the Ashkenazim (relative to penis size) and (please don't let me forget - EVER) sexy women who have gray hair. Let's hope for your sake - whoever you are - that I get a chance to write more frequently. And can I talk about Milton Academy grads too? Don't let me forget.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
teef
We are finally understanding the concept of "smiling" and how picture taking actually works. Getting both of them to look at me at the exact same moment is quite a challenge. But I did it! Dig our French sailor shirts...
Game Time
The window seat is a new favorite hangout. This photo makes me feel like they are such big kids. Now only if they would use the potty...
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
hoods
Just look at how cute hoods are. I love hoods - always have. Even when they make me look like a bullet or a speedskater, I still think they are quite the cozy fashion statement. But, I never really knew how adorable they could be on children - I should have known! I'll probably get back to Burlington and put the girls in hooded jackets even when they don't need it just so I can revel in their little tadpole sweetness. On a different note, notice how exhausted Myles looks in this photo - and that was after some decent sleep (but after working 40 straight hours, does one ever really "catch up" and feel well-rested?) I hear he reconstructed a shoulder today - or did a shoulder replacement actually. Is that insane or what? People can have artificial shoulders. Yikes.
All I want to do in this weather is hole up and be boring... eat soup and drink tea or something lame like that. At the risk of becoming totally insane while house-bound, I made Myles go out for dinner and beers on Sunday night to see Lyllah and Ricky. We ate sliders. SLIDERS. YUMMMMMY! (Or as Ruby likes to say, "zummy".) I think I want to open an organic beef slider bar on Church Street. But not lame-o sliders, I mean like, really cute and weensy sliders on homemade buns with perfect amounts of cheese, yellow mustard, one pickle and a blob of ketchup. No choices. Just sliders. You see, if we had stayed home, I might have forgotten about how delicious bar food is.
Ummm... the pages and pages of annoying notebooks are still sitting in my old bedroom making me feel like R. Crumb's wack-o graphomaniac brother. Honestly, you have never seen anything so insane as my collection of academic notes. I should save them and use them as wrapping paper or make an installation (or decoupage the entire bathroom with them), but considering I have accrued them since 8th grade I think there are just too many. I would have to rent out a storage unit for them until I could put them to use.
Today my mom and I took Ruby and Eloise in to the North end of Boston to visit our friend Sarah, where we went out to a super zummy lunch at a trattoria (they ate broccoli rabe!) and then went to a cookie shop and an excellent salumeria and bought SALUMI for dinner. I skipped out on marzipan for the first time in my life... which was probably a wise choice considering how sedentary we have been in the rain... but at 10 pm I'm regretting that decision. Mmmmm. Sugary almond paste.
I think the rain is going to last for 5 more days or something. Someone just told me Middletown, CT is flooded. Time to hit the CNN.com for more depressing news.
All I want to do in this weather is hole up and be boring... eat soup and drink tea or something lame like that. At the risk of becoming totally insane while house-bound, I made Myles go out for dinner and beers on Sunday night to see Lyllah and Ricky. We ate sliders. SLIDERS. YUMMMMMY! (Or as Ruby likes to say, "zummy".) I think I want to open an organic beef slider bar on Church Street. But not lame-o sliders, I mean like, really cute and weensy sliders on homemade buns with perfect amounts of cheese, yellow mustard, one pickle and a blob of ketchup. No choices. Just sliders. You see, if we had stayed home, I might have forgotten about how delicious bar food is.
Ummm... the pages and pages of annoying notebooks are still sitting in my old bedroom making me feel like R. Crumb's wack-o graphomaniac brother. Honestly, you have never seen anything so insane as my collection of academic notes. I should save them and use them as wrapping paper or make an installation (or decoupage the entire bathroom with them), but considering I have accrued them since 8th grade I think there are just too many. I would have to rent out a storage unit for them until I could put them to use.
Today my mom and I took Ruby and Eloise in to the North end of Boston to visit our friend Sarah, where we went out to a super zummy lunch at a trattoria (they ate broccoli rabe!) and then went to a cookie shop and an excellent salumeria and bought SALUMI for dinner. I skipped out on marzipan for the first time in my life... which was probably a wise choice considering how sedentary we have been in the rain... but at 10 pm I'm regretting that decision. Mmmmm. Sugary almond paste.
I think the rain is going to last for 5 more days or something. Someone just told me Middletown, CT is flooded. Time to hit the CNN.com for more depressing news.
and back
down the driveway on a rainy rainy Sunday. Not much to do here in Milton, but at least Myles had 3 whole days off work.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Solid Waste
We saw this while heading back from Katie and Cameron's wedding this Saturday. Poop humor still makes me bust a gut laughing.
Love Letters
I can't decide whether being home has been good for my mental health or not. My mom finally got me motivated enough to go into my old room and start cleaning out the piles of crap from my past... but it's pretty unnerving to see such a collection of letters from old boyfriends, and my overly detailed journals from high school and early Wesleyan. Mollie Nelson was such a twit. (That's a nice way of putting it. I think the proper high school term would be "whore".) Actually, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been friends with me if I were a classmate of mine. Perhaps this is why I feel so compelled to write here and now, because it's enlightening to be accountable for your emotions and past actions. I understand now how good I am at strategically forgetting the past in order to smooth out the future. Call it protection, call it normal, call it unhealthy - I'm not sure what it is. Blocking out various events in my life must come naturally to me.
What I'm trying to get at is that I'm shocked at who I used to be... and maybe slightly afraid that my old capricious self lurks somewhere around the corner. How much of our past still defines who we are? How much of your current definition of self is made up of carefully chosen, positive memories? What about all of the icky stuff? Is that good for us? I don't know, but the answer to these questions has completely preoccupied me.
To come to some conclusion on how to address my emotions, I have made the difficult choice to keep the love letters and the journals are now tucked away in a neat pile. (oh the passion! the energy! the longing! where has this all gone in the era of the email and blogs? I'm reminded of each person by the sweet subtleties in handwriting, cleverness in the margins, poorly chosen stationery.) Throwing these things out would just be another way for me to escape my history.
p.s. - love my disdain for technology and email? I AM AN OLD FART.
What I'm trying to get at is that I'm shocked at who I used to be... and maybe slightly afraid that my old capricious self lurks somewhere around the corner. How much of our past still defines who we are? How much of your current definition of self is made up of carefully chosen, positive memories? What about all of the icky stuff? Is that good for us? I don't know, but the answer to these questions has completely preoccupied me.
To come to some conclusion on how to address my emotions, I have made the difficult choice to keep the love letters and the journals are now tucked away in a neat pile. (oh the passion! the energy! the longing! where has this all gone in the era of the email and blogs? I'm reminded of each person by the sweet subtleties in handwriting, cleverness in the margins, poorly chosen stationery.) Throwing these things out would just be another way for me to escape my history.
p.s. - love my disdain for technology and email? I AM AN OLD FART.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Rhinovirus
So Eloise and Ruby ended up with colds after our busy busy weekend. Boy oh boy I can't wait to have a runny nose too! I almost forgot how intensely annoying it is to have sick kids... and in the grand scheme of things, they're not really that ill right now! Just wait until the boogers make their way into Ruby's lungs and we have to start up the fucking nebulizer... I'm so not looking forward to the winter. Speaking of annoying things, Myles started a new rotation in Orthopaedics at UMass Worcester and won't be spending the week with us. At least he has a place to stay that's closer to the hospital than we are - and really, this rotation lasts about 3 1/2 weeks so I think I can handle it. He says he'll be able to have weekends off mostly... but I know in doctor-speak that means he might have Saturdays free.
Ruby and Eloise just love being in this big house with my parents. When they wake up in the morning they get new diapers and then they both skibble over to my parents' door and knock knock knock... and then it's lots of bouncing around with Ammie and Boppy on their king size bed. Sometimes they watch a little Teletubbies and then my mom makes them delicioso scrambled eggs, or I cop out making hot breakfast and give them their new favorite "cerealmilk" (cereal WITH milk). If we don't have cerealmilk when Ruby wants it... then I get to hear her repeat it over and over and over - Rain Man style. (Time for Wapner... time for Wapner... Wapner, Wapner... yeah.) I'm beginning to wonder if my kids have problems with verbal diarrhea already. Literally, they're worse than I am. They're never quiet. A running commentary for every situation. I'm not quite sure how to handle it sometimes because I can't respond to everything they say. It exhausts me to no end because I have to acknowlege everything twice.
Have I forgotten to mention that Ru and El tried holding hands in the stroller yesterday? It was hysterical. They totally amused themselves.
At this very second my dad has been driving this absolutely gorgeous old Porsche up and down the driveway making the most obnoxious noise... and I'm convinced it's going to wake the girls. But that wouldn't be the first time my dad has accidentally woken them up... well, actually my sister's giant shoes or her dog might be more of an issue... or the fucking mailman (letter carrier!) who constantly SLAMS the door - BANG! - like clockwork right about a half hour before I'd like them to be awake. Living in suburbia presents a whole new list of challenges with kids, and I am more convinced than ever that I just love urban/town lifestyle. Which reminds me, I want to go shopping... mmmmm.... retail therapy.
Ruby and Eloise just love being in this big house with my parents. When they wake up in the morning they get new diapers and then they both skibble over to my parents' door and knock knock knock... and then it's lots of bouncing around with Ammie and Boppy on their king size bed. Sometimes they watch a little Teletubbies and then my mom makes them delicioso scrambled eggs, or I cop out making hot breakfast and give them their new favorite "cerealmilk" (cereal WITH milk). If we don't have cerealmilk when Ruby wants it... then I get to hear her repeat it over and over and over - Rain Man style. (Time for Wapner... time for Wapner... Wapner, Wapner... yeah.) I'm beginning to wonder if my kids have problems with verbal diarrhea already. Literally, they're worse than I am. They're never quiet. A running commentary for every situation. I'm not quite sure how to handle it sometimes because I can't respond to everything they say. It exhausts me to no end because I have to acknowlege everything twice.
Have I forgotten to mention that Ru and El tried holding hands in the stroller yesterday? It was hysterical. They totally amused themselves.
At this very second my dad has been driving this absolutely gorgeous old Porsche up and down the driveway making the most obnoxious noise... and I'm convinced it's going to wake the girls. But that wouldn't be the first time my dad has accidentally woken them up... well, actually my sister's giant shoes or her dog might be more of an issue... or the fucking mailman (letter carrier!) who constantly SLAMS the door - BANG! - like clockwork right about a half hour before I'd like them to be awake. Living in suburbia presents a whole new list of challenges with kids, and I am more convinced than ever that I just love urban/town lifestyle. Which reminds me, I want to go shopping... mmmmm.... retail therapy.
Monday, September 26, 2005
HUSBAND AND WIFE!
Could this be cuter? High school sweethearts Scott and Julia were married on a pristine September Saturday in Nantucket... we wish them so much love and joy for the future. (Look at the sky!)
The Groom
Oh Scott. I'm thrilled that I captured this look of yours. Remember when we suffered through that torturous class "Style in the Visual Arts"? And we got in trouble with the professor laughing about the correct way to spell "FUDGE-Y"...
SuperOrange Dresses
Scott and Julia's wedding was one of the best celebrations I have ever attended. This is no exaggeration - everything was just right. The weather, the people, the size, the food, the decorations, the music... perfect. It is most certainly more fun to attend a wedding than to plan or be in one. Ruby and Eloise had a blast running in the manicured lawn, imitating the big kids, attempting to play croquet and throwing a tennis ball around. They ate a bunch of the caramelized onion and gruyere cheese tartlets - and Myles took them home early so I could enjoy dinner and talk Wesleyan crap with my peeps.
You know, if I may be so honest, I have to admit that uploading the photos here takes me so fucking long that I have very very little intrest in actually writing any decent descriptions. There's too much good stuff - I've waited too long between entries here in blogville.
You know, if I may be so honest, I have to admit that uploading the photos here takes me so fucking long that I have very very little intrest in actually writing any decent descriptions. There's too much good stuff - I've waited too long between entries here in blogville.
not so thrilled
Big Sis Eloise doesn't really love the goggles, but she's very skilled with an alan wrench - seriously!
Ruby Loves Accessories
A recent visit to the Boston Children's Museum gave the girls a chance to show off their skills with tools... and Ru's recent obsession with "costume".
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
heh.
I've been missing from computer land for many reasons, one of which involves how much fun we have been having (see photo of Ru sneaking under the table for example...), the other reason being how much pain and emotional distress I have been suffering.
Sometimes I lie awake at night wondering what the fuck I'm doing living in my parents house, stressing over my husband's career indicision, obsessing over my girls, missing my friends... and regretting some major life choices. All I can really do is laugh about how my current situation reflects an "I told you so" that I told MYSELF. In many ways I really just wanted to be a mom, and a really really good one. But I do struggle with the issue that I never completely pursued the other things that I was good at, or that I liked before I had kids... so at this point I realize that I short changed myself. Everybody tells me that I will have time for my career once my kids are older - and I know that can be part of my vision for the future - but being a mom will always be my priority. And considering my incredible inability to finish a task.... Yikes. And what if Myles does land an Orthopaedics residency somewhere? And what if he doesn't? Perhaps now my dilemma becomes more clear.
Sometimes I lie awake at night wondering what the fuck I'm doing living in my parents house, stressing over my husband's career indicision, obsessing over my girls, missing my friends... and regretting some major life choices. All I can really do is laugh about how my current situation reflects an "I told you so" that I told MYSELF. In many ways I really just wanted to be a mom, and a really really good one. But I do struggle with the issue that I never completely pursued the other things that I was good at, or that I liked before I had kids... so at this point I realize that I short changed myself. Everybody tells me that I will have time for my career once my kids are older - and I know that can be part of my vision for the future - but being a mom will always be my priority. And considering my incredible inability to finish a task.... Yikes. And what if Myles does land an Orthopaedics residency somewhere? And what if he doesn't? Perhaps now my dilemma becomes more clear.
Go SpeedRacer Go
Boppy also is also known for his superior ability to drive a vintage race car. Last week we got to plop the girls in it so they could experiment with "driving" - which is their new favorite thing ever since I let them go in the fucking gargantuan plastic grocery carts at the market. I could write an entire blog on these unsanitary and amusing contraptions... kids are smitten with them and parents can barely wield them through the aisles. I wish I could record a little sound bite of me imitating the drone and squawk of the cart. For those of you who know me well enough I challenge you to draw up some favorite Mollie sound-effects into your mind.
Bops
Most nights here in Milton my dad graces us with his superior musical abilities right before bedtime. The girls like to say "Robert Gigi" when he's playing - which is a goofy reference to the entertaining middle-aged, cozy Jews who play kid songs in the Burlington Library. It kills me whenever they say it - because George Nelson is a musical legend... and to compare him to Northern Vermont's version of Raffi is blasphemy!
Bug World
I used to play with Bug World when I was a little kid, and honestly I don't remember having a finer memory. Here Eloise demonstrates how much she loves the "elevator" function of this genius toy.
What??
This was actually a funny evening if I remember it correctly... I was drinking a bunch of wine and the cousins were decorating the twins with flowers while pushing them around the yard in their crappy strollers. When I look at this I realize what different little people they have become in the course of 2 months. I don't think they are really babies anymore... and considering that they can convey thoughts and emotions and memories through words - I don't really dig the "toddler" term either. But until they are out of diapers, I guess they remain toddlers, right?
Pensive with Daisy...
Being at home gives me plenty of opportunity to find photos from this summer that my mom took on her digital camera. I think this one dates back to July.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
PARTY-RAMA!
My mom did some entertaining while I made dinner the other night - blowing bubbles. Clearly this demonstrates full-on "excited" face, which we have been trying to capture on camera for months now. I know I haven't really figured out how to make my pictures display large enough for people to make out any details on this damned blog... so for those of you who want a better display, I hope you click on the picture and it takes you to the Flickr site.
Just to change the subject of this entry completely, I guess I have to apologize for my lame blog content recently. There's almost too much to say - and the moments that I have some "genius" little essay welling up inside me seem to be when I'm in the shower getting ready for bed. Bed totally has priority these days. I mean, I have a great story to tell that involves me falling flat on my face and spraining my toe/foot because I was attacked by a bat. (Seriously - I was dive bombed by a bat 3 times in the hallway of our building back in VT.) And that got me all riled up about stuff, but I never got to put in down in my Doogie Howser journal. I could really write volumes about my family and Myles' career path. Shit. There's a great story about my grandmother's ashes too. Maybe that's after a glass of wine tonight.
Just to change the subject of this entry completely, I guess I have to apologize for my lame blog content recently. There's almost too much to say - and the moments that I have some "genius" little essay welling up inside me seem to be when I'm in the shower getting ready for bed. Bed totally has priority these days. I mean, I have a great story to tell that involves me falling flat on my face and spraining my toe/foot because I was attacked by a bat. (Seriously - I was dive bombed by a bat 3 times in the hallway of our building back in VT.) And that got me all riled up about stuff, but I never got to put in down in my Doogie Howser journal. I could really write volumes about my family and Myles' career path. Shit. There's a great story about my grandmother's ashes too. Maybe that's after a glass of wine tonight.
Maggie
Here we are looking fancy in our dresses while we play with Maggie in the yard. Maggie is Aunt Gwennie's dog who we get to be with for a while... or at least as long as my sister chooses to stay in the house with all of us. Crazy! The house is almost full - and bursting at the seams with all of our crap. My mom is in heaven, right? And sometimes I am too because the laundry seems to get done and the sippy cups are always washed... it's a mom's fantasy to be taken care of that way (to a point, I guess). For now it's really dreamy.
We have a tough time sleeping in a double bed though. Myles always seems to have a sweaty limb draped over me or poking me in the head, or I'm lying on my side trying to give him space, just about to fall out. Sometimes I can't believe that we shared a double futon for 6 years. Actually, I cant' believe we have been together for 9 years...
We have a tough time sleeping in a double bed though. Myles always seems to have a sweaty limb draped over me or poking me in the head, or I'm lying on my side trying to give him space, just about to fall out. Sometimes I can't believe that we shared a double futon for 6 years. Actually, I cant' believe we have been together for 9 years...
KIF_0883
And here we are! We have arrived to my mom's house in great spirits. The anticipation of seeing "Ami" and "Boppy" is finally made into a reality... and we are thrilled. The ever mysterious Uncle Angus made an appearance last night and won the heart of Ruby with a new toy. (It's a crazy noisy thing that simulates hitting a baseball and tells you "good job, you hit a triple!" and plays take me out to the ball game. Perfect.)
Myles has started working with a hand surgeon at Tufts N.E. Medical. His day begins at 6:15 AM and ends (if we're lucky) shortly after 5 PM. But this is all just unpredictable in the medical world - I never really understand his schedules and how long surgery takes and how much traffic will affect his journey home. Then he comes home, gobbles down some food and has a ton of stuff to read afterwards. I'm tired just watching him! I don't even really remember saying goodbye to him in the wee morning hours. It's all very very weird I guess. We were spoiled this summer - having him all to ourselves. Looking forward to Myles' absence this fall makes me feel sick to my stomach. Good thing we have more distractions than ever down here in Boston.
Myles has started working with a hand surgeon at Tufts N.E. Medical. His day begins at 6:15 AM and ends (if we're lucky) shortly after 5 PM. But this is all just unpredictable in the medical world - I never really understand his schedules and how long surgery takes and how much traffic will affect his journey home. Then he comes home, gobbles down some food and has a ton of stuff to read afterwards. I'm tired just watching him! I don't even really remember saying goodbye to him in the wee morning hours. It's all very very weird I guess. We were spoiled this summer - having him all to ourselves. Looking forward to Myles' absence this fall makes me feel sick to my stomach. Good thing we have more distractions than ever down here in Boston.
KIF_0862
Ruby loves a big slide. Her methods of getting down them kind of gives me a heart attack because it's inevitable that her huge shoes catch on the edge while the rest of her body makes it's way down. She doesn't seem to care though. No major injuries as of yet.
KIF_0863
Friday morning we managed to get out of the house for a second and we had a playground date with our buddies Megan, Mark and Fisher. Here Eloise demonstrates that she too can hang with the big kids... sort of. (I'm not really looking forward to the day when both of my kids are climbing up high like Mark.)
KIF_0838
Before we left for my mom's house I captured Eloise having a love affair with Peter Rabbit... in the bunny rabbit jammies she picked out when we went shopping the other day. Weeze is such a love bug to everyone and every thing. Bunnies are a new obsession I think.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
The Race
When I look at this picture I feel really disgusting. But the reality is that I thought I looked okay while I was sprinting to the finish. Our friend Jess decided to chase after me with her camera too, so I'll have to ask her for some better shots. This was the smallest road race I have ever attended... and I didn' t like it. For the first 2 miles I chatted away with Jess and Kohar, only to discover that they regularly run 7-8 minute miles, at which point I realized that if I kept up with them I would never ever finish the 6.2. So I sent them on their way and decided to draft behind a large woman in red swishy shorts. Drafting in a lame all-Women's 10 K! I'm such a shit! Besides, she had to be twice my age... which is probably why she beat me by a couple of minutes in the end. Depressing. Very very depressing.
Then I went home and had diarrhea. That's what I get. Did you know that the full definition of diarrhea is not just runny poos, but actually having 3 or more stools than your normal daily "output"? Well, I'll spare you the details of mine, but I did have to question whether it qualified as diarrhea or not. I promise to write an entire blog on poop some day, but for the moment I have to hang out with Ruby who is still awake at 9:30 PM.
Then I went home and had diarrhea. That's what I get. Did you know that the full definition of diarrhea is not just runny poos, but actually having 3 or more stools than your normal daily "output"? Well, I'll spare you the details of mine, but I did have to question whether it qualified as diarrhea or not. I promise to write an entire blog on poop some day, but for the moment I have to hang out with Ruby who is still awake at 9:30 PM.
Race Spectators
I let Myles dress Ruby and Eloise on the morning of my race... only to be pleasantly greeted by my babies at the finish line in their black Harley Davidson teeshirts, goofy, ill-fitting wiggle pants and their tevas. Then it got cold and rainy so they layered that look with their trusty LL Bean jackets and a spare winter hat. Eloise is wearing the hat because she's had a fever for a few days. Now she's covered in a spotty, itch-less rash and feels all better. I wish I had a picture to post because it's quite a good example of a normal case of ROSEOLA virus.
Gene Wilder?
Although Eloise is quite adorable here, and her curls are coming into good form on the humid days, I'd have to say that my girls need a little bit more hair on their heads. The discussion of haircuts has begun though, because the weensie mullets are getting kind of silly looking - but without the mullet there's not much left on top. Any suggestions?
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Alright!!
Classic. This is it - the perfect summer family photo. Ru and Mom with their crazy faces and naked-bum El and Dad looking collected. On closer analysis I am rather confused about our choice to have kept the sunglasses on... that's not really my thing. In fact, there's a secret side to me that wishes I had the ability to wear my sunglasses everywhere - just to annoy people.
Miss Eloise
In this photo I believe Eloise is attempting to pull apart a rubbery piece of seaweed. It seems silly to comment on, but that's just totally her personality. Determined. Persistent. Particular. I love it because there are elements of her personality that are completely foreign to me. Who knew that a 17 month old could be so full of wisdom?
Almost Excited!
I just discovered these photos that my mom took of us at the beach back at the end of July, and it seems like ages ago already. Here we are trying very hard to get Ruby to do her "excited" face... I'd say we caught her at the beginning of total excitement. I promise to post "full on excited" if we ever get it on camera.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Night Night in Alburg
We went to a bluegrass festival in Alburg VT this past weekend, which was the nicest little family excursion we have taken in a while. We met our pals Chelsea and Ben and their daughter Hazel and we drank beer in cans while we sat in the sun, listening to good old white people pickin' and strummin'. I have this fantasy that I'll return next year with an RV, so while the girls are sleeping we can try to have "jam sessions" all night long with a bunch of real Americans. Hell, I'd rather hang with redneck Republicans than their Nantucket counterparts! Anyway, we were lucky enough to have Ru and El fall asleep in their trusty double jogger while we watched Del McCoury and his ridiculously impressive band of well-dressed men play music. I think Myles even put his arm around me while we sat on the picnic blanket, under the "Letter D" moon.
Dang.
I know I know. They shouldn't watch T.V.. It's an atrocity that I never wanted to give in to, but I did. And I am so relieved to have an occasional 15 minutes while they watch Little Bear and his sweet animated friends do absolutely nothing. "They Might Be Giants: Here Come the ABC's" DVD has also changed their world and mine. They call it "Go Go 'g'" - after their favorite song and sometimes zone out to it. Healthy mommy-ing, right? All they need in this photo to make it complete is a giant bag of Cheetos Cheeze Puffs.
Alphabet Cookies
Eloise fell asleep in the car after the doctor's office and a couple of immunizations... while she was eating a much anticipated letter G cookie. I love this look. It really works for her.
Little Orphan Millie
This is what my husband does when we are out. I'm supposed to believe that he's "studying".
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Lucky Me
Ridiculous. I arrive back in Burlington pleasantly comforted by the high groove factor here. Ahh. Groovy hippies. The co-op. Women nursing 3 year olds at farmers market. Tatooed ladies with pit bull puppies on ropes buying organic. It's all so delicious compared to the crisp Nantooshay folks in their Jack Rogers sandals and "peasant" skirts. The bohemian look being relatively IN right now just kills me when a fucking indian skirt (yes, made in India) can be purchased for $350 at a cute little boutique. Dumb asses.
Anyway, the real rage for this entry is based on my most recent read of the September issue of Lucky mag. LUCKY! I love you I love you I love you. You bring me back to the shallow, child-less, self-indulgent Mollie. Miss Nelson was so lucky indeed! Miss Nelson worked in that crazy building laden with trend-junkies and felt like she could hang (ew, exiting third-person-speak immediately... sorry.) And there is nothing like fall fashion to get me really fired up about being materialistic, because I've always struggled with the lack of layering options in the summer. I hate shorts unless they are for running in, bathing suits are a drag, tee shirts are just a canvas for designs of armpit sweat, flip flops don't flatter my flat feet and the sun dress makes me feel like an old lady. Give me cool fall nights for a cozy cropped jacket with a delicious turtleneck underneath, with a scarf and tights and a skirt and boots and GLOVES! The idea just makes me excited to rid my closet of all the lame, ill-fitting summer crap. Fall fashion is what a fashionista lives for. Besides, when you live as far north as we do, your fall clothes last you a good 9 months... which means it's just more reasonable to justify a cashmere piece for it's extended shelf life. Boots too. Fuck are they expensive and beautiful this season. And actually, fuck Burlington for being completely swamped with snow most days - rendering heels of any sort into a conversation piece. Honestly, I can't count how many times I've had to argue my point for impractical shoes up here. They just make me feel good, okay?
So we are back, and I have a lot to think about because this month is short. Then it's down too Boston, where I can hole up in the house I grew up in... barf. I thought I'd be psyched, but the idea of going back to live in the place that I spent 18 years of my life is just daunting. And with two kids running precarious circles around us! I"m not looking forward to it. I like my simple space here in Burlington. I like the town, I like the groove, I like my friends, I like my laundry machine in arms reach of the linen closet, I like my bikepath and I really enjoy being a mom in MY space. Don't get me wrong either. I get along so well with my mom - most women would be jealous - but I just want to be independent with my family and do things my way. I don't want to be living at home at the age of 29, right? Also, I just need those great September and October days to inspire my clothing choices and make me feel like a college girl again - planning my look for the weather and good company.
Anyway, the real rage for this entry is based on my most recent read of the September issue of Lucky mag. LUCKY! I love you I love you I love you. You bring me back to the shallow, child-less, self-indulgent Mollie. Miss Nelson was so lucky indeed! Miss Nelson worked in that crazy building laden with trend-junkies and felt like she could hang (ew, exiting third-person-speak immediately... sorry.) And there is nothing like fall fashion to get me really fired up about being materialistic, because I've always struggled with the lack of layering options in the summer. I hate shorts unless they are for running in, bathing suits are a drag, tee shirts are just a canvas for designs of armpit sweat, flip flops don't flatter my flat feet and the sun dress makes me feel like an old lady. Give me cool fall nights for a cozy cropped jacket with a delicious turtleneck underneath, with a scarf and tights and a skirt and boots and GLOVES! The idea just makes me excited to rid my closet of all the lame, ill-fitting summer crap. Fall fashion is what a fashionista lives for. Besides, when you live as far north as we do, your fall clothes last you a good 9 months... which means it's just more reasonable to justify a cashmere piece for it's extended shelf life. Boots too. Fuck are they expensive and beautiful this season. And actually, fuck Burlington for being completely swamped with snow most days - rendering heels of any sort into a conversation piece. Honestly, I can't count how many times I've had to argue my point for impractical shoes up here. They just make me feel good, okay?
So we are back, and I have a lot to think about because this month is short. Then it's down too Boston, where I can hole up in the house I grew up in... barf. I thought I'd be psyched, but the idea of going back to live in the place that I spent 18 years of my life is just daunting. And with two kids running precarious circles around us! I"m not looking forward to it. I like my simple space here in Burlington. I like the town, I like the groove, I like my friends, I like my laundry machine in arms reach of the linen closet, I like my bikepath and I really enjoy being a mom in MY space. Don't get me wrong either. I get along so well with my mom - most women would be jealous - but I just want to be independent with my family and do things my way. I don't want to be living at home at the age of 29, right? Also, I just need those great September and October days to inspire my clothing choices and make me feel like a college girl again - planning my look for the weather and good company.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Back Home
Myles set up a ramp from our couch for Ru and El today. Ruby is surfing here I think... they enjoy rolling everything down it and lying on it too.
Last Beach Day
Oh Evelina! We will miss days at the beach with you, and we still talk about all of your cool games. This is our last moment on Jetties Beach, playing in some random boat and feeling like big girls.
Sconset Walk
We took a good little outing to Sconset in matching outfits. I just love holding both of their little hands.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Our Fab Beach Party Spread
So we have these beach parties every summer, and we just eat and eat and eat until the sun goes down. Then we make s'mores. Then the annoying police dude on the ATV interrupts us and tells us that open fires on the beach are illegal now. What ever happened to the good old days? Well, we never listen and we never really get in trouble. We just keep building our fires and apologizing and telling them that we haven't been to Nantucket in a long time. HA! They drive off, scratching their chins thinking... weren't those folks here 5 nights ago ?
Wave Jumper
The words "Nursemaid's elbow" roll over and over in my head when we do this move. Doesn't it look like Myles could just pop off those cute little arms?
Moon
"Mr. Moon Mr Moon you're out too soon the sun is still in the sky. Go back to bed and cover up your head and wait 'til the day's gone by..."
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