Workin' in a Coal Mine

I have been back at work for a over a month and things are going well. My co-workers are good women and I enjoy their company. Remembering policy and the basics of the job have been more difficult then I thought they would be. It's shocking to think that this spring I'll have been employed here for five years.

Keeping things running at home are tricky, but I think we are starting to get into a routine. Aaron is working hard on his applications for grad school so Lump* is spending some more time with his Nana to give Dad uninterrupted time before work. My mommy guilt really doesn't leave a ton of opening for babysitters. I'd love to go to the gym, but I'm horrid at getting up early and so I'll have to make do with Billy Blanks and Jillian Michaels.

Aaron and I voted yesterday in record time. We waited in line for two hours during the primaries and decided to take advantage of early voting. So those of you in Utah who are registered have until Friday before you are doomed to waiting in long lines!!

* We've had people ask why we refer to our son as Lump. When he was born Ash developed a HUGE lump on his head from delivery that hung around until he was eight weeks. So I just started calling him Lump and babies are just kind of like lumps.

Asher Takes Control of Laptop

This is too cute to pass up. Yesterday while I was typing up a letter of intent for graduate school Asher started getting fussy...he is getting over a cold. So, I picked him up and he imediately noticed my laptop and stared leaning towards it. I decided it would be a fun experiment if Asher could feel the texture of the key board, and take some pictures while he is doing it. It was a fun 30 mins...He had some how figured out how to print my list of songs on Itunes, quit a bunch of programs, and rename some files I had on my desktop. He had a great time. So without further ado, the pictures of his experiment.

Aaron's Turn to be Tagged

So I found this one on a friend's blog. Trine did the last one so it's my turn now.

• I am-- extremely tired. Lump has been awake since about 3:00am this morning.
• I think-- applying to grad school is way too complicated.
• I know-- diet mountain dew is bad for me, but oh so good.
• I want--to take a shower.
• I have--a new hoodie on this morning.
• I wish--for three more wishes...isn't that what I am suppose to say?
• I hate--waking up in the middle of the night.
• I miss--chicken...it smells so good to me.
• I fear--dying by choking on my own bodily fluids.
• I feel--cold...well my feet are cold.
• I hear--Jason Mraz's "Live Acoustic Album" it's amazing.
• I smell--the crisp fall air outside my window.
• I search--for the next book to read.
• I wonder--what I am going to be for Halloween. Lump is a wizard, I can't top that.
• I regret--renting "The Boy Who Could Fly" I haven't watched it yet, and it's due today.
• I love--when the kids at work are not yelling at each other...lately they are all jealous of each other because they all "love" the same girl. Oh, and the girl is totally playing all of them.
• I care--about our next president even though I know where our electoral votes are going.
• I always--have a new book to read.
• I am not--as outgoing as I was in High School.
• I believe--college sports are superior to professional sports.
• I sing--when I listen to my ipod.
• I don't always--read my scriptures like I should.
• I write--in a journal everyday...eight days straight!
• I win--at Guitar Hero.
• I lose--my hair...even my sister-in-law noticed it...sad.
• I can usually be found--at Provo Canyon School-Sommerset Campus.
• I'm scared--that what I get Trine for x-mas will not be what she wants...she is very difficult to shop for.
• I read--lately, lots of psychology books...right now I am reading about Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD).
• I am happy about--my dollar raise at work, and another $.50 raise coming in January.

My Day Book

I saw this on another blog and thought it would make a fun and easy post.

I am wearing black pants and a turquiose shirt. All my clothes fit post baby, but my body is strangely different.

I am reading too much political news. My name is Trine and I am an addict.

I am hearing noise from the office and cars passing on the street. One of my favorite sounds is actually typing.

Learning all the time about how to manage the family schedule to make sure that everything that needs to be taken care of is. Also how to remember that Aaron and I actually spend time together that isn't waking up and going to bed.

I am thankful for a spouse and family that are so helpful.

I am hoping that one day I'll be a homeowner. I love looking at model homes and at real estate postings. The Parade of Homes is my favorite date night with Aaron.

From the kitchen tomorrow comes a new corn and bean salsa. Fingers crossed that it'll be as delicious as it looks. Check out the Best Bite for the recipie.

Bringing beauty to my home by breaking out all of my fall decorations this weekend. I love the pumpkin spice wallflower from bath and body works. Not only does our apartment look cute, it smells like I actually make good food too!

Around the house is baby gear. Seriously, we are being taken over by a kid who doesn't speak or eat solid food.

Outside my window it's a lovely fall day. I'm excited to go home for a bit and take Lump for a walk.

I am thinking about Aaron applying to graduate school for next fall and the exciting news that my good friend is coming to visit next month. I'm also thinking about dreading my morning jog tomorrow.

One of my favorite things is eating cookie dough and talking to my good friends. The cookie dough will kill me...it sad that I ate a bunch while watching The Biggest Loser. Self defeating.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Tomorrow is a GNO for some women in my ward. I've never done anything with this particular group, but I'd like to become a little more friendly with my neighbors. Also date night this week is take-out and the presidential debate. We are such a wild and crazy couple!

If I like puzzles does that make me a puzzler?

Aaron and I have gotten back to doing puzzles again. I know this sounds like an activity we should save to enjoy in our twilight years but we've got shuffleboard scheduled for then. Lump has even gotten in on the fun. Puzzles are great because not only do they keep my mind sharp, Aaron and I can still talk while we relax with one.

In other news, we've just been enjoying our baby. He's such a good boy...even with the insane amount of spit-up he produces. Currently he weighs 11 pounds and is 24 inches long. He's pretty much sleeping through the night now, which makes everyone very happy. The night before I went back to work he decided to remind of the old days and was up almost every hour starting at 2 am. Good times. Good thing he's so cute.

Ten Days

My summer at home is coming to an end.  I've really enjoyed being home with Lump, he is such a good baby.  A lot of people ask how I feel about going back to work, I usually respond by saying, "Fine, he'll mainly be with one of us so that makes it alright." This is true, but what I really want to say is, "It doesn't matter how I feel about going to work, it's just what's going to happen." Since, most people who ask are just trying to be nice that response accompanied by tears might be a tad alarming.  

I know I'm not the first person who has to work while they have kids and I won't be the last.  The fact that Lump will be with Aaron most of my time at work is very comforting. My, unfounded, fear is that my baby won't really love me.  This is silly since I'll only be gone 32 out of 168 hrs in a week.  Hopefully we'll be able to develop a good routine with our schedules so we'll be able to make the most of our time together, especially when Aaron and I have time off together.

Withdrawl

Our cable and internet went down on Friday and I'm finally back online. What a sad thing that  72 hrs without them were so difficult. Just me and Lump hanging at home.  We did go visit Mandy and her cute family, so it wasn't all awful. I should find a hobby or read more. Baby Lump and I had a photo shoot the other day.  He would only smile once I moved the camera away from his face. I did manage to get a few good pictures. 

 Lump at two months old!