Monday, January 26, 2015

goodbye, plague. hello, world.

I'm happy to report that the Plague of 2015 seems to have finally passed us by. Millie and I feel a LOT better, and Matt feels better, so...we're calling it a win. I don't know if my coworkers would agree, though. I went back to work today and was JUST SO VERY EXCITED to be out of my house, dressed, wearing makeup, having something to do, talking to people...holy cow. I think I experienced a day of what extroverts must feel like all the time. PEOPLE!!!! People everywhere!! People to talk to!!! Weeeeeeee peeeeeople!!! I mean, my enthusiasm for not being stuck in my house was so extreme that when I overheard some people wondering whether we may see a snowflake this week (which would naturally entail the entire city shutting down and staying home for days on end with nothing but eggs and milk for company...you know, as in the thing I spend most winters diligently praying for), I gasped in horror and forbade Mother Nature from punishing us with such a thing. I am not ready for a snow week. Try me again next month, snow. This month, I love PEOPLE! 

Although we spent way more than our fair share of time just laying around, napping, groaning, and watching Gilmore Girls last week, at least one person in our family used their time 'off' wisely, choosing to master new skills and get super smart over the course of the week. I'll give you a hint: it wasn't anyone over two feet tall.

Look who decided she can sit independently now!


Look, ma- no hands!
She officially spends more time upright than toppling over, so I guess we call her a sitter? It's crazy. But it's really fun. She didn't wait long before she moved to Stage 2: sitting and grabbing whatever is nearby and looks awesome.

Who says grown-ups are the only ones who can sit on their tushies and eat all day long?
She can also sit up while babbling, spitting, laughing, and grunting. If she decides to whine or cry, though, she tends to crumple over. It's very dramatic.

Tonight she learned to splash in the bathtub with her left hand. Only her left hand, though. Right hand doesn't understand the game. I think she's going to be left handed, if handedness can be determined by observing the hickeys on one's hand and fingers in order to determine Hand Sucking Preference. According to that, the left hand is highly preferred. And also, it's the only hand that can splash. So I guess it's decided. Leftie it is!


But wait- I use my right hand to help me ponder my deep thoughts!
So we had book club on Saturday night. I was supposed to host, but because I actually like my friends and do not wish a plague on all of their households, I opted to host at Starbucks instead of in my living room. Pretty sure that was the right call. I already mentioned that we read The Rent Collector* this month and that I loved it. Luckily, I wasn't alone in my love. We had some ridiculously great conversation based on this story- we barely even had to use the discussion questions that were conveniently located in the back of the book (I truly love when authors do that, btw). That story just really lent itself to a lot of deep reflecting. Also, the girls in my club are super smart and have a lot of academic and professional experiences with poverty, power structures, literacy, and other themes covered in the book. I always love book club, but I especially loved this month because I felt like I left it a wiser, more compassionate person. Also, because I got to SEE PEOPLE. We haven't picked our book for next month yet- any suggestions?

I'm nearing the series finale of Gilmore Girls. It's taken me since October to get through this series re-watch, but it's been delightful. I'm a good 10 years-ish older than I was the first time I watched everything, so I notice things and relate to the situations differently than the first time through. Matt watches it off-and-on with me and tonight he was like "so how does the series end? Do they all die in a plane crash?"

Ummm...yeah. Because that's how rom-com series typically end.

Since I only have a few episodes left, I've been stressing (ha, not really. Promise.) about what to watch next. I think I've decided on Parenthood. I've actually never seen a single episode! I've always imagined it would be a show I would like (Reasons #1-48: Lauren Graham), but until ohhhhh, August...I just couldn't watch it. I mean...it's called Parenthood. Let me take a guess at what it's about. Hm. Probably a little more than jealous, bitter, childless Erika could handle for the past 5 years. BUT now everything's different and all that bitterness is only a distant memory (haha, not really that, either. but it stings a lot less.), so I think the time is ripe to watch. Plus, it's ending, so it's kind of a great time to get on board. I won't have to sit around waiting for new seasons to air and then make it to Netflix...but it's not so old that nobody remembers it or wants to talk about it. Oh, plus, Lauren Graham.

(One of my coworkers told me the funniest story ever today. Her 26-year-old brother seriously called her up the other day and was like HEY! Oh my gosh, I just discovered the FUNNIEST show on Netflix- have you ever heard of a show called Friends?? It is SO funny. There's this character called Monica, and she... and went on to describe the characters and basic premise and basically he totally thinks he just discovered this great little unheard-of show. My friend was so shocked she didn't even know how to respond...because he was dead serious.)

So anyways, now that Parenthood (both the show and the...thing) is in my future, now I can finally be cool and understand what all the hype is about. 



Actually, I'm pretty sure I already totally understand the hype about parenthood. There is absolutely nothing more incredible that a sweet baby who decides she's done playing and just wants to cuddle. Not to sleep- just to stare at her mommy. Be still my heart- this is what I was born for.

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30 comments:

  1. Go Millie! Parenthood is great. I'm so sad it's ending. The characters are all so lovable. I guess I may need to try Gilmore Girls. Never seen it!

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    1. You have to give GG a try. Fast-moving dialogue, great pop culture references, fun characters. One of my faves!

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  2. Glad you're better! I finished Gilmore Girls when I was sick with mono for 16 days earlier this month. Parenthood was good when I watched it but made me cry a lot. I just started Blacklist and can't get enough of it. It's super disturbing though. I chose to think the crimes depicted on that show could never happen in real life.

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  3. SO happy to hear you guys are feeling better!!

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  4. Yeah for the plague being gone! And Millie is the cutest sitting baby ever. That outfit in the picture with her right hand in her mouth. Seriously?! Gah.

    On another random note I just finished a book called Still Alice. Would definitely recommend it and it could be good for a book club. Plus the movie is coming out later this year so that's fun.

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    1. I second Still Alice. It's a great book. Am I weird for replying to comments? Maybe so.

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    2. Not weird at all- I appreciate the vote for Still Alice!! :)

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  5. So glad you're all feeling better! You will LOVE Parenthood. I binge watched it this summer to get caught up and then watched this season live. I am really, really, really sad it's ending next week!!

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  6. Parenthood is like, the most amazing show ever, just after Friday Night Lights. Either one will fill the gaping void in your heart that Gilmore Girls will leave. Though, if you are watching either, stock up on Kleenex, ESPECIALLY for Parenthood. I'm so glad that you are all feeling better. Being sick with a baby, especially a sick baby, is a test of endurance for anyone. It looks like you both pulled through okay, and I can't believe Millie is sitting. How did that happen?

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  7. Bahaha! I think that's going to be me when I go back to work. Crossing my fingers it's sometime next week. I always got sad when a show ended and I needed to find something new on Netflix. So fat I've managed to zoom through 4 shows that I decided to take a break from thinking what's next. Maybe I'll join u on the show parenthood

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  8. The cuteness. The sweetness. How is she already sitting up!!

    I have been on and off the Parenthood bandwagon. I found myself always crying. Some SERIOUS emotional roller coasters with that family. If you're looking for a great show that is INTENSE and super SUSPENSEFUL (but so good), I loved Damages, an FX series. You can get the first two seasons on Netflix. There is a little bit of quasi-naked people (I promise I have morals, I just watch a lot of cable), but the storyline had me hooked. However, we've already established you and I have completely different TV watching interests, so maybe this isn't the best bet, haha. It doesn't take place during WWII, I promise. :)

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  9. So exciting about the end of the plague AND about the sitting up! And we, too, have been working our way through GG - I was watching it alone until Brian tagged along for an episode or two, and now he is acting like he's not interested but I totally know he is. And I also want to watch Parenthood next, but I feel like I "owe" him a less girly series to watch, so we'll see. Oh, and welcome (temporarily) to the wonderful word of extroverts! Sit back and stay awhile!

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  10. Love Parenthood!! I am pretty sure I am in denial that the series finale is this Thursday (or next??)! Anyways, you will love it so . . . good choice!

    Glad you all are feeling better!

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  11. I haven't watched Parenthood...mostly because I heard it will make me cry and I don't like that. ha! I'm glad y'all are feeling better...and I feel you on " yay people"- when I had my gallbladder out, I was only around my parents and Tyler...and by the third day I had begged a friend to come over to watch a movie because I was going NUTS.

    And Millie chewing on her hand with that headwrap and bandanna is KILLING me. Adorbs.

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  12. Glad you're feeling better! I feel that same level of happiness in going to the gym and the store after being shut in with sickness for a few days. Too bad those outings don't pay :)

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  13. Another reason to watch Parenthood (I was late to that party, too): the mom/grandma's name is Camille, aka "Millie". Destiny :) I'm so amused that friend's brother thought he discovered Friends! And way to go Millie on that awesome sitting!

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  14. I finished Gilmore Girls a week or so ago and I totally agree about viewing it really differently now than before. Dean AND Jess are jerks... I'm glad she didn't end up with either. I remember not really liking Logan then for all that he stood for... money, privilege, etc, but now, girlfriend made the WRONG decision. I think my grownup self has less delightful ideas about working to do what you love and understands what the heck a bill is. Haha. Oh and insurance. No insurance on the Obama press crew. Sad.

    So that was long. I think you'll like parenthood. Lauren Graham's character is actually not my favorite, or at least not right now. I think I've had different favorite characters based on how moronic their decision making was for that character in that season.

    Glad everyone is feeling better! And also that headband... she's just the cutest. I kind of want one in adult size.

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  15. So glad all of you are feeling better, and look at your big sitter!! Go, Millie, go!

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  16. Yay for feeling better. We've got our first cold over here. No fevers just lots of snot & coughing. I'm a wreck about it, I can only imagine how it will be when he actually gets sick!! I love when they loveingly stare at you. I was washing out the Nose Frida (A. K. A. gods gift to parenting sick kids) and I looked down and Kyle was staring at me smiling. Then my Mommy heart burst.

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  17. Yay for the sickness making it's exit! Not soon enough!
    I wish I could wear a head wrap thingy as cute as Millie. My goodness she makes it look perfect!
    Parenthood!!!! Love every single episode every aired. I'm so sad it's ending. I'll be re watching the series all over again from the beginning!

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  18. Okay, maybe I need to try Parenthood next. Although Dave and I are watching that Friends show right now and it's pretty good, You really ought to check it out :)

    And Millie sitting -- oh my goodness -- she's growing up right before our eyes. Next thing you know, I'll blink and she'll be driving and I'll be collecting Old Age Security.

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  19. Have tissues on hand for Parenthood. Wild by Cheryl Strayed would be good for your book club. I really enjoyed it!

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  20. I am watching Parenthood on Netflix and like it but don't LOVE it. I don't want to quit on it because everyone is WILD for it, but I don't ever see myself going crazy for it. Although at the same time I was watching Sons of Anarchy so it might be I'm a little warped. ;) And sitting up is the best phase. They are so much happier and CAN'T GO ANYWHERE! It is the perfect phase! Glad everyone is healthy! P.S. - I did SAG Awards fashion if you want to take a gander. :)

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  21. I am so glad to know the entire household is feeling better :) It must have been terrible for you to be so happy to see people..haha As always I love all the adorable pictures of cute Millie!

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  22. Glad you all are feeling better.

    I feel like if you lived in CA we would be best friends. Haha! I am re-watching Gilmore Girls right now too. I am only on Season 2, but at the rate I am going I may be done in 2 months. I LOVE Parenthood and I am so sad to see it end. So if you like Lauren Graham then you will also LOVE Parenthood. I started the GG re-watch to help with the post Parenthood depression I anticipate having.

    My husband just discovered Friends. Up until now he has only seen parts of episodes and doesn't really know the characters. I am a HUGE friends fan and can quote all episodes. He watched 2 the other night while I was asleep and then started asking me questions. I made him watch the first 2 episodes so he would understand more. I am trying to get him hooked so we can watch from beginning to end together on Netflix.

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    1. That is too funny!! Your husband should be friends with my coworker's brother!! They can discover together!! :)

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  23. She's wearing a J Baby Rag bandana bib* and she's mayyyybe a leftie?!? My favorite post yet.

    *at least I think that's one I made. ;)

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  24. WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF FRIENDS?! Phew just had to get that out. I'm glad his life is now changed and he knows how hilarious it is! I haven't watched Parenthood either I'll be curious what you think of i. Side note: One of my English teachers in high school taught Lauren Graham!!!!!! I think that's about as close I'll get to her but I'm taking it.

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  25. Glad you are all feeling better . . . books:if your group can do scifi just read:"Ready Player One"
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ready_Player_One

    sigh, wow never heard of "Friends", I wow. It's like never hearing about the Brady Bunch.

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