When I was thinking about today’s photo it occurred to me that I haven’t posted a picture of the 5th member of the family in a while. This is Chloe, our cat. She’s a sweet little thing, except when she’s not. One interesting thing is the different reactions the kids had to her. When Jacob was a baby he didn’t have much interest in Chloe, but Violet loves her. She gets excited when she sees her and tries to grab her all the time. Overall Chloe has been good with her, though there are times she’s been close to taking a swipe at Violet so we always have to watch them when they are together.
When I started my daily blogging back in October I joined NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month. Each month they challenge there members to post everyday to their blog. It’s a great community of people and one that I find I don’t take advantage of enough. So today I thought I’d do a post around this months suggested theme, TIES.
In a couple of months Melissa’s mom is formalizing her long time relationship by getting married. They have been planning the wedding for the last couple of months and as time goes by the plans change. The original plan was for the guys to were black suits and red ties, so they went out and picked up matching red ties for everyone. Plans have changed and now it seems instead of wearing our black suits and red ties we’re going to be renting suits. So now I have a nice red tie without an anywhere to wear it.
Today we take a moment to admire the inner workings of the computer. The mass of electronics that I have changed the world. Perhaps not my most inspired picture of the day, but its the heart of a tool I use ever day. I thought it might be fun to show off what it looked like inside.
Everyday on the way to work I walk by this fountain. It seems that its running most days regardless of the weather. Its a nice reminder that winter last for ever, even that some days it feels like it will.
Ever since Jacob was old enough to enjoy going to playgrounds I have found myself taking a moment to look over any I pass trying to decided if it would be worth bringing Jacob to. Today as I was on my way to a clients office and I couldn’t help but snap a few pictures of a little playground. I’ve passed it a number of times so I had already determined that though he would enjoy it, as he enjoys any playground. It wasn’t worth the trip. Taking these pictures and writing this up makes me think of 2 other playgrounds I have filed away that I want to take Jacob to, perhaps next time I pass them I’ll snap a few pictures to share. Or maybe the next time I pass them will be with Jacob and I can get some action shots.
Today I thought I’d share a picture of some of the different teas from our cupboard. The back row has a Vanilla Earl Grey (I’m not sure where that came from), Two different Green teas, a Dreamland, and a box of regular PC Earl Grey. To the right there is the Decafe Earl Grey that Melissa drank during her pregnancy. Up front is the can of Earl Grey Lynn and Dan brought back from England last summer. It lasted longer then I expected, mostly because we tried to save it for special occasions. But today the unthinkable happened I drank the last cup. So It’s back to drinking regular PC Earl Grey, or maybe it’s time to plan a family trip to England. Though it might be a little expensive way to get a good cup of tea.
Today is a special day, well maybe not special. Today marks the beginnings of another one of the changes that Melissa going back to work has brought about. Today I work from home, so that I can watch the kids. Of course realistically there will be only so much I can do with a 3.5 and 1 year old running around wanting attention. To handle that fact I began working on some of the code I wanted to get done today last night after the kids went to bed. OF course I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked, but I’m hopeful that I’ll find some time during the day or tomorrow evening.
To add to the fun of the day I’m also taking Jacob to his doctor to get his ears checked out. He’s currently in the middle of fighting off an ear infection and I want to make sure that nothing is wrong so I can take him swimming on Saturday, I don’t want him to miss another week. I’ve arrange for my mom to hang out with Violet so that I’m only taking Jacob.
Its strange how much I was looking forward to these days while Melissa was on maternity leave. I really like the days I get to spend with just me and the kids. I miss Melissa and family das are always great but once and a while a daddy and kids day is fun.
Tonight was the first night I was alone with the kids, now that Melissa is back to work. It was a fun night, Violet, Jacob and I had dinner and played a bit when I got home. The after Violet was a sleep, Jacob and I put together Violets Babies Accessories she got for Christmas. I had planned on putting them together long before today, but I never seemed to have the time. Tonight Jacob and I found the time. I can’t wait to see Violets face in the morning when see sees her babies in their High Chair, Stroller and Crib.
Tonight Jacob and I sat at the computer and I let Jacob take control. He took the mouse and picked which show’s sites we went to on PBS Kids. It’s interesting to watch him with a mouse. He holds it in two distinct ways, the first, is the photo of the day. The second is our bonus Picture. When he’s moving the pointer around the screen his hand is back on the mouse. Then when he clicks he lifts his hand and moves to the button. This causes the mouse to slip some of the time making it a little frustrating for him. Occasionally he kept his had on the top of the mouse while he tried to move it around. I’ve been thinking about getting either a mouse for kids, or just a smaller mouse. To make it easier for him, but after watching him navigate around PBSKids.org today, playing different games I wonder if he needs it. Perhaps I just have to give him a few pointers he will do just fine with a regular mouse. What do you think should Jacob have his own mouse? Something better suited to his small hands?
Today is a very important day for our little family. Today is the day that The Wife goes back to work. She’s been on Maturity Leave since Violet was born and before that sick leave. So it’s been 15 months since she had gone to her regular job. It’s going to be a big adjustment for the family. First there is Jacob, this is the second time that mommy has ‘left’ him to go back to work. To be fair the first time he was only Violets age. This time there has been some tears at the thought that mommy wont be home everyday. Then We have Violet, who doesn’t know what is about to happen. She’s just going from having every day with mommy to having some days with Mommy, and some with Daddy and others with Nan. It’ll be an adjustment, but I’m sure my little cupcake will handle it.
For me there will be changes too. Fewer home cooked mails waiting for me when I come home from work, more time with just me and the kids. I’m going to miss having weekends with Melissa and the kids, she’s working 3 out of the next 5 weekends and that normal at her job. At the same time it’ll be good to get back into the regular swing of things. Of all that will change again in the fall when Jacob starts kindergarten.
For now I just want to say, Good luck at work today Melissa, the kids and I will miss having you home.
