It’s true. I’ve been neglecting my blog, in part because I’m busy and in part because I like getting to say the random stuff I have to say on Twitter and Facebook. It’s effortless, compared with blogging, but I’m really not telling stories. There was a time that this place, and those who visited it, were an integral part of my life. But I’ve gotten out of the habit and find it hard to get back in. Do you mind if I start with a bit of a generic update, then see if I can move on to interesting stories and maybe get my blogging mojo back?
Gatito is doing so incredibly awesome. He had another viola recital last weekend and just got up there and played. I’m sure he was a little nervous, but there was no drama about it. He’s doing great in soccer, too, running with the kids, kicking the ball. The one time I went, I saw other kids cowering on the sides with their parents, and that was him last year, but no more! He has a big song and dance performance at school tomorrow. My dad got a little preview of it during a special guest day a few weeks ago and said the teacher is using him as the leader. I know we have been singing a lot of Grand Old Flag and Happy Trails around here, so I’m excited to see the whole thing! Hard to believe there are only two more weeks of school after this one. I’m happy he’ll be there for the summer, but sad this awesome school year is coming to an end. He’s obsessed with Star Wars and we have to play SW all the time around here. I am frequently Leah, while he is Han, and I try not to get uncomfortable when he looks in my eyes and tells me he loves me, then gives me a kiss!
What can I tell you about Ella at 8.5 months? She is amazing. She remains the happiest baby you ever saw. My god. She is smiling in practically every picture. She’s got six teeth (four on top and two on bottom), none of which seem to have bothered her much growing in. Her eyes are still a deep blue and what little hair she has just might be strawberry blond. She’s been doing crunches trying to sit up since she was two months old, and as a result she has this super strong core and abs of steel. She doesn’t crawl because she prefers to sit up and she has incredibly long reach. Every morning, while we get ready, we give her a basket of toys and she sits quietly, pulling out and examining each item, one by one. I have started to take her swimming while A takes Gatito to soccer, and she’s totally comfortable in the water. While her easy-going temperament is different from her brother’s, she shares his focus, long attention span, and powers of observation. I can see the wheels turning in there.
Work has been busy, but successful lately. I have a much better idea of the path forward for the second half of the year than I did for the first half, and that clarity of direction eases my mind a lot. I still have to do all the work, but I know what to do, so that’s good.
My little side business is plugging along. Just as I was about to begin production, I couldn’t get my hands on the materials I needed and had to find an alternative. The good news is that I think my alternative may turn out to be better than the original. Materials have arrived at the manufacturer. I just need to order packaging and inserts, do photography once the first units are produced, and set up the web site and distribution center. Oh god. Sometimes I really do wonder what I am getting myself into. It’s a lot of work and I wonder why I had to add this to my burdens. There’s no turning back now, though. I will be launching in August or September for a trial season and see what happens. Stay tuned and I will let you in on all the gory details when it gets closer.
Tata’s last day of work is next Wednesday. A and I are taking the couple of days before Memorial Day weekend off and then our new nanny starts on June 1. Gatito told me that he didn’t know how it was going to feel when she goes back to Mexico. I told her that he would probably miss her a lot at first, but that he would get used to having his new nanny (who needs a blog pseudonym). I think, probably, three months’ notice was a little too much for a four-year-old. A couple of weeks might have been better for him, but we none of us are great at keeping secrets around here. I am sad for him.
And… the last thing (not) going on is our house. It’s been on about 2.5 months and we just lowered the price for the second time yesterday. The cleaning every morning is killing us. (Really, A, as somehow I got baby duty and he got clean-up duty.) I can’t really go any lower than this and still be able to afford something livable in the town we want to live in. So, I guess we give it till the end of June or maybe mid-July. We’d need to be in contract and be closing within 90 days in order to start Gatito in school in that town. Soooo, I’m not sure what Plan B is. We could happily send Gatito to another year at his current school, but it costs a fortune and then we just have to do this all over again next year. It’s all a giant pain in the ass and I wish we could just win the lottery. Sigh.
Not much of a story, but that about catches you up. I shall try to return soon. Thanks for sticking with me.
You are a great storyteller, and Twitter just isn’t the place to do that. I miss the stories of a lot of bloggers who have gone to the stream of consciousness and are no longer really writing. thanks for the update; glad all is well.
Hee!
It seems I struck a chord with quite a few people with that post! I’m so glad to hear from you – it seems, if not moving exactly well, things are changing….and change is good, right? Usually?
Bah to the sulking. And hurray to both a quiet girl and a busting-out-all-over G!
Glad to hear the whole story, and go Gatito on his performance! I am excited for him to have a chance to charm the crowd. That’s amazing about the viola – I keep thinking that music might help calm Mimi down, but then I don’t think she has the fortitude for it.
Ella sounds like such a joyful girl. Wish we could see a picture!
Sorry about the house. We’re in some kind of limbo, too. Nothing’s simple, is it?
Also am dying to hear about your venture! Anyway, sounds all good. Hope the new nanny is a great fit!
Also, you know, for whatever reason, I think of Mimi when I blog – that she will read it someday. It’s a record, not just a communication. A letter instead of a phone call.
Blogging leaves a mark. Assuming I ever print it out. Which becomes less and less likely as it would be a gazillion pages.