Thursday, November 13, 2014

hodge-podge

It's random thoughts or nothin' today...and since I've already picked nothin' for two days in a row, we'll go with the random thoughts.

1. This working mom gig is no joke. In case you were under the impression that working 40 hours a week (45 if you count the commutes!) plus raising an infant was some kind of walk in the park...well, it's not. And to top it off, it's dark by the time I get home so WE CAN'T EVEN GO TO THE PARK. Waaah. So it's not easy BUT I must say- it's still better than I thought it would be. I cram more than I ever thought possible into the minutes when Millie is sleeping so that I can be fully present and engaged every minute that she's awake and we're together. Matt and I have all of these lists around the house (Things To Do At Night, Things To Do Before Work...) and we're being super proactive about everything and therefore so far I can say that we haven't been too overwhelmed by anything. The laundry stays in check (including the diapers). The house isn't a wreck. We cook and eat 3 meals a day. Her diaper bag(s) are always properly stocked. And in addition to all of that and work, we have this fabulous little person to love and play with and snuggle and we absolutely couldn't be happier. Tonight we even crammed in 30 minutes of circuits while she napped before dinner. Since exercise is definitely the most prominent thing we've given up lately, that made me feel like today was extra-successful! (PS. In case it didn't seem abundantly clear here- every single 'sacrifice' is infinitesimal to what we've gained. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a working mom because it means I'm a MOM, and that's all that really matters.)

2. Since I don't get much down time now, I've become highly selective about how I spend it. As you may have observed...blogging doesn't make the cut every day. Ha. My spare hour or so at night is usually split between trucking through Gilmore Girls or reading. I've read some GREAT books lately. I kept thinking about doing a book review post, but like...nahhhh. Too much work. I'll just share my current fave. In a separate bullet point, of course.

3. READ THIS:

Source
But Erika, you're probably thinking, that looks like yet another YA dystopian trilogy! Haven't you gotten over those yet? Aren't you 31 and not 15? Aren't they all basically the same?

To answer your very judgy questions...Yes, No, Yes, Yes. BUT SERIOUSLY YOU NEED TO READ THIS SERIES. I'm not quite finished with Book 3 (I picked blogging instead!!), but they are AMAZING. Sure, in a way they're very much like all the other YA trilogies of late. BUT in another way, they're better. One of the best differences is that the back story on this one (like, how did The Country Formerly Known as the United States become some insane dystopian society?) is FAR more believable and plausible than usual. They don't really explain that until the 2nd book, but when they do, you're like whoa. That could actually happen. And then THAT could happen and then THAT could happen and then OMG IN TWO GENERATIONS WE COULD BE LIVING IN THIS STORY!!!!! It makes the whole thing much creepier and more awesome. Also, there isn't nearly as much teenage angst in these, in my opinion. Sure, there's a teenage romance, but it's compelling without being quite as eye-roll-worthy as in other books.

So anyway, in conclusion, add these to your library holds list and thank me later.

4. I was looking at my Google Analytics yesterday and noticed that one of my favorite old posts must have gotten discovered and shared and re-shared on Facebook, based on tons of new visitors all coming from FB to the same post. And it just happens to be last year's Christmas Grammar Intervention. And you know what THAT means- it must be Christmas card season again!! I had planned on doing Christmas cards this year (hello cute baby!), but I feel like I just got done addressing our birth announcements like five minutes ago and I STILL haven't finished my thank you cards, sooooo...all of a sudden, doing another mail out doesn't seem nearly as appealing. I don't know. Does that make me the Grinch? 

5. I really try to avoid sharing the same photo on multiple platforms, but sometimes it simply can't be avoided. My deepest apologies if you already saw this on Instagram the other day, but see...I've looked at it 282929491 times and still think it's the best thing I've ever seen, so maybe it won't annoy you too badly. 

Sometimes Camilla gets to come to my work and spend lunch hour with me. This is evidently what she thinks about it:


Dying. I just die every time I see it. AHHHHHHHHHHHH she is so stinkin' cute!!!!

But for the sake of fairness, this was really just one of her many facial expressions she made in about 4 seconds. Matt caught all of them with his fast thumb snapping lots of pictures.


See, really she likes it there. Or something. Maybe.

That's all I've got. Have a great Thursday!

24 comments:

  1. Interesting. I read Legend, at least I think I did... Day somebody or something, right? I'm second guessing myself because I didn't really like it. I'm a sucker for anything that has a sequel, but I finished the first book and just felt like I could walk away and not spend four more dollars.

    I'm very impressed with your productivity level. My house looks like a bomb went off and my only excuse is the dadgum adoption book that I've been working on every night and the fact that my house is too cold to do anything but get in bed.

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  2. I thought I was over the dystopian trilogies but now you're making me reconsider. It's really worth it? My library list is so long right now but I might be able to fit it in.

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  3. I'm glad you're finding the transition to Working Mom better than you thought! I've always maintained that the anticipation of going back/becoming a working mom is way worse than actually being one. And, obviously you're nailing it.

    That face is fabulous. The pout. ADORABLE.

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  4. That totally is the cutest pic!!

    I noticed in your instagram feed on the side that you are reading/read The Husband's Secret. Is it good? I just started it a couple nights ago and I like it so far...

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  5. That picture is for sure worth sharing anywhere and everywhere over and over!!! That is too funny and cute!! I'm glad to know there is a way to be a working mom and keep your sanity, it makes me hopeful that one day I can do it too :)

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  6. Send Valentine cards! Gives you two more months to recover from mailings :)

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  7. Love today's bullets. You're rocking this working mom thing!

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  8. My sister did a Valentine's card instead of a Christmas card when they had their baby. It said something like "We're too late for Christmas wishes, so instead we're sending Valentine's Day hugs and kisses."

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  9. The pictures do not get old . . . her face is priceless! You are rocking the working mom thing! I'm impressed!

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  10. I like your hodge-podge post. They're not very run-on-ish, they are informative, and filled with adorableness. Kinda perfect if you ask me...well I'm not sure you were asking!

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  11. You are rocking motherhood, Erika!! So impressed and how lucky for you that lil Millie gets to join you for lunch some days???

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  12. That pout picture is amazing!! So sad.

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  13. I quite like your random thoughts; something from you is always better than nothing, I say! Still trying to get through The Husband's Secret, but I will most definitely add your newest suggestions to my list. Also, you cannot forego holiday cards this year!!! You would really let baby's first Christmas come and go without a cute greeting card to document it?! (Although the idea about Valentine's Day cards above is really cute...) Lastly, welcome to the world of being a working mom. As it stands, it looks like I could afford to learn a few things from you even though I've been back to work for over two years now.

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  14. Glad you guys are getting into your groove and that things are going smoothly since you have gone back to work!!

    P.S. Got some lipstick at Target! It's NYX but not the exact kind you recommended because the color selection was picked over. But, be proud anyway ;)

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  15. You can always do Happy New Year cards instead.... We just might be going that route this year ;). happy new year, love the Exarhoses.... I only know that's how we would write it because of you! Ha ha!

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  16. I'm glad the working mother thing is going well as it can!! That picture of Millie's big lip still cracks me up so I'm happy to see it again!! Such a little cutie!!! :)

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  17. Seeing that pic more than once is fine by me! She's too freaking cute.

    Another YA dystopian trilogy? Realllllly? I'm gonna have to think about that one...

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  18. Okay, so you aren't going to remember this, but I have to share, and it's probably going to be wordy. Apologies in advance. Whenever Allegiant came out, I bought it for my Kindle that day but didn't start it that day. I was at work pumping and reading blogs and read your thoughts on the Amazon ratings being 3 stars compared to Divergent and Insurgent getting higher ratings. I immediately went to Amazon and scrolled down to see the breakout of the stars (because it was still getting a low rating), and it a genius play by Amazon, their macro (I can only assume a computer program did this and not an actual human being) had selected the following phrase to scroll next to the stars breakdown: I understand why XXXX had to die...blah blah blah. And I got spoiled. I have YET to finish Allegiant (I read maybe 5 or 10 pages every few months) because I am so disappointed by that fact. I am such a romantic at heart and am always having my favorite love stories ruined (I'm looking at you Downton Abbey and Sons of Anarchy). So the thought of a new Dystopian trilogy? SIGN ME UP!!! Millie is adorable and I'm glad being a working mom is doable. There are days it seems I can conquer the world and days I wonder how I remember to put on matching shoes. But those kids sure are worth it!

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  19. I will have to check out this series!! I do love a good YA dystopian novel.

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  20. I cannot believe how well you're managing everything! I'm amazed by your organization and efficiency. By the way, I looked up vinegar pie and it's pretty much the same as lemon meringue.

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  21. Gilmore Girls is totally worth slacking on blogging for. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything :)

    I have the first book of that new trilogy on hold and am looking forward to checking it out. One of the great things about having Tessa in my life is that she lets me know when she's discovered new good YA fiction.

    After how long you've waited to become a mom, I think you might regret not sending out Christmas cards this year. I totally get why you don't necessarily feel like it, but that's just my opinion.

    And that picture of Camilla cannot be shared enough. It's completely hilarious!!!

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  22. I'm glad going back to work has been better than anticipated! And I also love the pouty pic of Millie :) I'm relieved to hear that you recently sent your announcements and finished thank yous. As of this week I'm 99% done with thank yous and I ordered announcements today - on Max's 2 month birthday!
    I don't know if I can do another one of those trilogies, but I've said that before. I really liked The Husband's Secret, so I hope you do too. I hope you do a post at some point about what you've read recently because I'm in the market for something new to read.

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  23. Such a cute picture of Camilla! I am intrigued to read that trilogy. :)

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