Our lovely neighbor Carene, after reading the blog and understanding my desire to improve my phsyique asked if I would like to become work out partners a couple days a week. I was so THRILLED! My response had a lot of YES, YES, YES in it. Carene's gracious family Pete, Abbi & Gracie agreed to watch Sophia, while we are out walking, taking a class, etc. On Thursday night, they cooked me a lovely dinner and then off for our walk around the neighborhood. It was so nice to get out and about with a fellow neighbor, mom and friend. Thank you Bressoud family for a nice night. Looking forward to our next walk.
Friday, was a crazy and tense day. Our yearly reviews were due. As if, personal reviews are not hard enough, we also write peer reviews that are to be anonymous. (However, when you only work with 4 people, it's pretty easy to know who wrote that about you). I don't know if I shared with you, but the average age at A&F is probably 26. So it is very hard for professional criticism to be taken in just that manner. Our rating system for doing good is "YOU ROCK". (Dear Lord, is this the path I am really to be taking?)
Saturday, we did not get up and ready in time to take Sophia to baby yoga. We just took it easy, and later in the afternoon met Karen & Isaac Steidle for some coffee at Starbucks. Karen and I were acting as chaperons for the date. It was nice to do a little mommy/girl/adjusting to being back to work talk. When I got home, my neighbors John, Gina & Dog Carl came over and dropped of the most tasty vegetable soup and chocolate chip cookies. I love the soup, so much I have stretched it out over 3 days. Yummy! Thank you Gina, John & Carl. (I have the best neighbors!) Saturday night, I found a babysitter from my evening out at the "Mommy Mixer" (like speed dating, only mom's meet potential babysitters) and met Sharon and Judy for the 5:30 movie of 27 Dresses. Defiantly a chick flick, but fun. Just in case you wanted to check out the mommy mixer web site.
http://www.mommymixer.com/home.aspx
Sunday, I went with a fellow co-worker Sam Low to the OSU women's basketball game which honored military members and their families. Sophia loved the basketball game. The bright lights, loud noises, and people to look at overstimulated her and she took a nap in my arms.
Monday, in effort to be more PC (and probably court ordered) , Abercrombie gave us Martin Luther King Day off. I was thrilled to have a long weekend. Sophia and I made our way down to Cincinnati to visit a friend, Brandee Anderson who had a baby girl Annabell on December 27th. She is doing the whole mom thing alone. Can you imagine doing all the shifts alone? I can't! Brandee has it all organized, she is calm, and adjusting well. She did not complain one single world! I was impressed! I had high hopes that I could help Brandee with some cleaning, cooking, organizing, possibly give her the opportunity to take a nap, but Sophia was a little Devil! All I could do was tend to Sophia and we kept laughing that I was going to need a nap. Lul! Note to self, leave Sophia at home, when it's critical to get something done. Somehow, Sophia's timing is always right on que. Brandee mentioned to me, her charming husband told her, that she had the tougher part of the year. Bless his heart.
Once, leaving the Anderson home, Sophia and I went to Jungle Jim's Grocery Store. Has anyone been there before? It's quite an experience.... I am not a good cook, so I found myself picking up my staple items of cereal, vegetables, etc. I am sure my friends Danya & Sharon would be disappointed in my selected items.
Sophia taking a bath Monday night.
