Yep... that means exactly what you think it means. Baby GIRL Takekawa is well on her way, and expected to arrive around January 16, 2016!!
Tommy and I just found out a few days ago what the baby's gender is. I know people love waiting to find out when the baby is born, but I have a hard time understanding why. I've had a perma-grin on my face since the moment I found out. Knowing we have a sweet little baby girl on her way brings me so much joy! And what a surprise it was.
A few months prior to me getting pregnant I had this vision that I'd be having another daughter next. And then I got pregnant. Read the Chinese Birth Chart. And Heard the Baby's Slower-Than-Emi's heartbeat for the first time. And I started to think- this must be a boy?! And then my friend's three year old told me it was a boy. And according to this boy's parents- he has never been wrong. So for the next 16 weeks I walked around beyond confident that I'd be having a little boy. So when Emi opened up the envelope and read the letters to us (kind of) and revealed it was a girl- well, I don't think I've ever been so surprised.
Now Tommy and I have all the confidence in the world. We know how to raise girls. BGT's birth date is just a few weeks before Emi's birthday, so we are pretty much ready for her arrival. I know exactly what to expect from my second daughter- sleeping through the night at 10 weeks, easy-going personality, beautiful dark hair and olive skin, and the sweetest personality in the world right?! I mean we are all exactly like our older siblings so I don't know why this wouldn't be true for us.
We are so looking forward to our life as a family of four. And Emi is living up the rest of her life as a single child. Her requests to be carried are suddenly being fulfilled (before we'd tell her to walk but knowing our arms are going to be full again soon as gotten us to soften up and lug her around) and a nice trip to the Dominican Republic this Fall as a finally hooray for our family of three!
Life.Is.Good.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
The Five Minute Rule
Lately I've been feeling incredibly inefficient. Between Bravo having some especially good seasons of The Real Housewives and summer laziness... I just haven't gotten a thing done.
As I was sitting on the couch the other day (watching Bravo Tv) thinking about how I should get laundry, cleaning, work, shopping done I remembered an incredibly brilliant rule a friend had told me about several years ago. The Five Minute Rule. Here it is in a nutshell- if the task that needs to be done can be done in less than five minutes- do it now.
I have been employing this rule lately, and I am amazed at how many tasks can get done in less than five minutes each. And honestly, once you get a few tasks done in a few minutes one of two things happens: 1) you feel so motivated at how much you have already gotten done and forge through the remainder of your to do list; or 2) feel so accomplished that you quit your to do list and enjoy the rest of your afternoon and evening guilt-free! Win-win either way.
As for the tasks that take more than 5 minutes. Well, those are a struggle. Currently I'm removing them from my to do list and placing them on my husband's. The tasks still aren't getting done, but they are off my list.
As I was sitting on the couch the other day (watching Bravo Tv) thinking about how I should get laundry, cleaning, work, shopping done I remembered an incredibly brilliant rule a friend had told me about several years ago. The Five Minute Rule. Here it is in a nutshell- if the task that needs to be done can be done in less than five minutes- do it now.
I have been employing this rule lately, and I am amazed at how many tasks can get done in less than five minutes each. And honestly, once you get a few tasks done in a few minutes one of two things happens: 1) you feel so motivated at how much you have already gotten done and forge through the remainder of your to do list; or 2) feel so accomplished that you quit your to do list and enjoy the rest of your afternoon and evening guilt-free! Win-win either way.
As for the tasks that take more than 5 minutes. Well, those are a struggle. Currently I'm removing them from my to do list and placing them on my husband's. The tasks still aren't getting done, but they are off my list.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
9 Things... Emi Edition (why not?!)
1. I finally got around to getting Emi's 3 year pictures done. You'd think this would mean that most of the frames in my office and house are filled, but nope.... still empty. But here is a sneak peek of my little beauty!
2. I got a call this week from an attorney I respect quite a bit. At the end of the conversation he said "Do you have a blog?" I said "Yes?" He said "Well I was just trying to find your phone number so I googled you and your blog came up. Its pretty neat." Ugh... I instantly regretted writing the post "Pottying With a 3 Year Old!
3. Emi's new thing is to ask "Is it beautiful?" She asks it when she gets dressed, colors a picture or looks in the mirror. Melts.My.Heart.
4. It blows my mind how much she mimics what she sees. For example, the other day at the zoo, the path was closed so the only way was to go up stairs. Tommy picked Emi and her stroller up and hauled her up the stairs. That night when we got home, Emi picked Molly up, stroller and all, and carried her up the stairs!
5. Speaking of the zoo, we went to the Omaha Zoo and brought my nephews along. They are the best. Seriously, to see how much fun they have with Emi brings me so much joy. (Even if he calls me Donna!)
6. There is still no clear answer on whether she is left or right handed. Just when we are ready to call it, she suddenly starts using her other hand. Obviously however God designed her to be is how she shall be, but if I could choose I'd make her right handed. Don't you find lefties a little off? :-)
7. Emi went through a short phase where she was stealing toys from the babies at daycare. So funny because it is so the opposite of her personality. Usually she is helping take care of babies! And now she is back to her normal self again. The babies are happy.
8. I love when we are driving down the road and she sees cars that she recognizes. She will yell "There's Grandpa!" And then we will pull up to the white truck and she says in a disappointed voice "That's not Grandpa!" Sometimes she is more cautious and says "Mama, is that Meghan's car?"
9. Emi is energy efficient. I usually know when she is headed out of her bed and into our room because she shuts her lamp, fan and music off first. Its a good heads up for me to meet her at the door and redirect her to her own bed!
2. I got a call this week from an attorney I respect quite a bit. At the end of the conversation he said "Do you have a blog?" I said "Yes?" He said "Well I was just trying to find your phone number so I googled you and your blog came up. Its pretty neat." Ugh... I instantly regretted writing the post "Pottying With a 3 Year Old!
3. Emi's new thing is to ask "Is it beautiful?" She asks it when she gets dressed, colors a picture or looks in the mirror. Melts.My.Heart.
4. It blows my mind how much she mimics what she sees. For example, the other day at the zoo, the path was closed so the only way was to go up stairs. Tommy picked Emi and her stroller up and hauled her up the stairs. That night when we got home, Emi picked Molly up, stroller and all, and carried her up the stairs!
5. Speaking of the zoo, we went to the Omaha Zoo and brought my nephews along. They are the best. Seriously, to see how much fun they have with Emi brings me so much joy. (Even if he calls me Donna!)
6. There is still no clear answer on whether she is left or right handed. Just when we are ready to call it, she suddenly starts using her other hand. Obviously however God designed her to be is how she shall be, but if I could choose I'd make her right handed. Don't you find lefties a little off? :-)
7. Emi went through a short phase where she was stealing toys from the babies at daycare. So funny because it is so the opposite of her personality. Usually she is helping take care of babies! And now she is back to her normal self again. The babies are happy.
8. I love when we are driving down the road and she sees cars that she recognizes. She will yell "There's Grandpa!" And then we will pull up to the white truck and she says in a disappointed voice "That's not Grandpa!" Sometimes she is more cautious and says "Mama, is that Meghan's car?"
9. Emi is energy efficient. I usually know when she is headed out of her bed and into our room because she shuts her lamp, fan and music off first. Its a good heads up for me to meet her at the door and redirect her to her own bed!
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Pottying with a 3 year old...
Tommy claims that there is nothing more disgusting in this world than a men's public restroom. I find it hard to believe that it could be more dirty than the ladies' pubic restroom, but am afraid I'd get arrested if I tried to find out. So, what that means is when we are in public and Emi has to go to the bathroom- the ladies' restroom it is!
I'm getting better at taking her. No, she hasn't had any accidents. The skill I am learning more has to do with the things that she says and what she does when she is in there.
For example, it may seem wiser to use the handicap restroom as you may have more room for two of you in the stall, but I've learned this can also create a dilemma when the adult is sitting on the toilet midstream and the child opens the stall door. If you are in regular stall it is easy to remain seated and reach your arm out to shut the door. In the handicap stall, one must sit and pray nobody walks in while begging your child to shut the door.
Going back to lesson in my last post- honesty is the best policy. Ilearned heard about this one. Maybe the child will ask "Mommy, do you have to make yellow or go poopy?" And maybe the adult will think it is wise to ignore the child's question leading the child to ask again but in a louder voice "Mommy, are you making yellow or going poopy?" To save some embarrassment perhaps the child's mother will reply "I'm making yellow." But, as soon as the child learns that the parent is not making yellow and instead is going #2, the chid may scream in excitement "You're going poopy, good job!" And just maybe, that child will also want to give the adut extra encouragement to the parent (Afterall, the adult did lie to the child about having to go #2 anyway) and start chanting "push it out, push it out, all the way out!"
Maybe we one day we will have an uneventful trip to a public restroom, but in the meantime, she keeps it interesting.
I'm getting better at taking her. No, she hasn't had any accidents. The skill I am learning more has to do with the things that she says and what she does when she is in there.
For example, it may seem wiser to use the handicap restroom as you may have more room for two of you in the stall, but I've learned this can also create a dilemma when the adult is sitting on the toilet midstream and the child opens the stall door. If you are in regular stall it is easy to remain seated and reach your arm out to shut the door. In the handicap stall, one must sit and pray nobody walks in while begging your child to shut the door.
Going back to lesson in my last post- honesty is the best policy. I
Maybe we one day we will have an uneventful trip to a public restroom, but in the meantime, she keeps it interesting.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
9 Things...
1. After a six month hiatus, I'm going to just reenter the blogging world like I never left it. (I hope).
2. I love Emi's imagination. First of all, it means that there are no side effects from the amount of time that I have allowed her to use her Ipad for the first 3 years of her life. :-) But also, it is so fun to see the things she thinks of. She makes a great mama to Molly. She loves to take my phone cord and pretend it is her lasso and she is catching animals. I hate how quickly she is growing, but I love the little girl she has become.
3. No, I'm not pregnant. You were curious, right? I also haven't moved, bought a new car or even taken a vacation. It's still on my to do list though. All of it.
4. Emi keeps asking to go swimming outside! When we drove over the lake this week (ice and snow covered) she asked if we could go boating. She took the news better than me.
5. I did, however, start my own law firm. I left the old place in July 2014. New office has been open about 8 months. It is going well. And, like most of my other friends told me, once I did it I would be asking myself why I hadn't done it sooner.
6. Thank god they only sell those girl scout cookies once a year. Those Lemonade cookies are too die for, and I don't even like lemon flavored things. Right?
7. Every week Tommy gets a random text from the same random telephone number giving him hours for a work schedule the following week also including details of whether its "Expo" or "Server" or whatever other details that are involved. This has been going on for over a year. The problem is Tommy doesn't work at the place he keeps receiving texts about. And instead of letting this person know they have the wrong number, he keeps letting them text him week or week. Good thing texts don't cost the ten cents they used to!
8. I always tell my clients that honesty is the best policy. Recently I realized that I need to modify that advice. So now I will tell people "Honesty is the best policy except when it involves calling the opposing parties' wife a whore."
9. I'm totally bummed about my friend, Giulianna Rancic, is in some deep water right now. Godspeed, girl!
2. I love Emi's imagination. First of all, it means that there are no side effects from the amount of time that I have allowed her to use her Ipad for the first 3 years of her life. :-) But also, it is so fun to see the things she thinks of. She makes a great mama to Molly. She loves to take my phone cord and pretend it is her lasso and she is catching animals. I hate how quickly she is growing, but I love the little girl she has become.
3. No, I'm not pregnant. You were curious, right? I also haven't moved, bought a new car or even taken a vacation. It's still on my to do list though. All of it.
4. Emi keeps asking to go swimming outside! When we drove over the lake this week (ice and snow covered) she asked if we could go boating. She took the news better than me.
5. I did, however, start my own law firm. I left the old place in July 2014. New office has been open about 8 months. It is going well. And, like most of my other friends told me, once I did it I would be asking myself why I hadn't done it sooner.
6. Thank god they only sell those girl scout cookies once a year. Those Lemonade cookies are too die for, and I don't even like lemon flavored things. Right?
7. Every week Tommy gets a random text from the same random telephone number giving him hours for a work schedule the following week also including details of whether its "Expo" or "Server" or whatever other details that are involved. This has been going on for over a year. The problem is Tommy doesn't work at the place he keeps receiving texts about. And instead of letting this person know they have the wrong number, he keeps letting them text him week or week. Good thing texts don't cost the ten cents they used to!
8. I always tell my clients that honesty is the best policy. Recently I realized that I need to modify that advice. So now I will tell people "Honesty is the best policy except when it involves calling the opposing parties' wife a whore."
9. I'm totally bummed about my friend, Giulianna Rancic, is in some deep water right now. Godspeed, girl!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Bossy Pants
Are you wondering how Emi is doing? Just great! She is talking so much. In fact, the other day I nearly lost my nephew. You know, "Silent" Sam. I apologized to my sister by saying "Sorry, I don't always have to keep my eyes on Emi because I can always hear her, so I'm not used to having to pay that much attention!"
And as Emi learns more and more words, she seems to get more and more bossy. If you take a look at both the Vos and Van Wyk families, this is really no surprise. Afterall, my Aunts do have a wine named after them called "Bossy Pants."
It does get a little embarrassing at day care to hear her boss the other kids around. And she seems to know just who she can get away with bossing around. For example, she knows she can boss Sam around, but she would never boss Anthony around.
Here are some of her favorites:
"No, that's not right!"
"No, get away from there. Its not time to put your shoes on!"
"No, you aren't supposed to do that!"
My mom even mentioned to me the other day, in the most endearing way, that Emi was becoming a "little b%#*h."
I guess the bossiness skips just one generation and not two.... :-)
And as Emi learns more and more words, she seems to get more and more bossy. If you take a look at both the Vos and Van Wyk families, this is really no surprise. Afterall, my Aunts do have a wine named after them called "Bossy Pants."
It does get a little embarrassing at day care to hear her boss the other kids around. And she seems to know just who she can get away with bossing around. For example, she knows she can boss Sam around, but she would never boss Anthony around.
Here are some of her favorites:
"No, that's not right!"
"No, get away from there. Its not time to put your shoes on!"
"No, you aren't supposed to do that!"
My mom even mentioned to me the other day, in the most endearing way, that Emi was becoming a "little b%#*h."
I guess the bossiness skips just one generation and not two.... :-)
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
I'm THAT Mom....
There are a few things I remember from preschool- typewriter day, a circle rug we all sat on, the day our bodies were outlined on old wallpaper as a keepsake. Oh, and how my mom forgot it was picture day that year. I'm not sure why I remember this so clearly. I was not a girly girl growing up, so it is not as if I wish my mom would have dressed me in a cute dress rather than jeans and a carebear sweatshirt. I was too young to wear make up. But regardless, I remember it.
I was reminded of that day today as I brought Emi to her new daycare... without a change of clothes, or a coat, a half hour late, without any of the forms completed, and just in complete and total chaos.
As I hurried into the office for what I thought was 15 minutes late for a conference call (that I was actually 45 minutes early for) I felt things hadn't been that chaotic since Emi was 3 weeks old and I was pumping in the car on my way to work!
When we got home today, Emi sat down next to me and patted my back. As if to tell me "Its okay mom!" In fact, even when I said sorry to her she said in complete excitement back "Hey! I'm okay!" I just hope I had as much compassion for my mom growing up as Emi has for me.
Oh, and by the way, Emi had a great day at her new daycare! She didnt cry when I left, she napped well, and had lots of fun with her new friends! At least somebody had a good day!
I was reminded of that day today as I brought Emi to her new daycare... without a change of clothes, or a coat, a half hour late, without any of the forms completed, and just in complete and total chaos.
As I hurried into the office for what I thought was 15 minutes late for a conference call (that I was actually 45 minutes early for) I felt things hadn't been that chaotic since Emi was 3 weeks old and I was pumping in the car on my way to work!
When we got home today, Emi sat down next to me and patted my back. As if to tell me "Its okay mom!" In fact, even when I said sorry to her she said in complete excitement back "Hey! I'm okay!" I just hope I had as much compassion for my mom growing up as Emi has for me.
Oh, and by the way, Emi had a great day at her new daycare! She didnt cry when I left, she napped well, and had lots of fun with her new friends! At least somebody had a good day!
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Nine Things...
1. I hate and love the "Nine Things" post. I love it because I can inform you on some total randomness in my life, but I hate it because it never provides many details.
2. Tommy and I booked our tickets to Vegas for my birthday! I'm so excited- not only to spend time away together- but tickets were so cheap ($214 round trip plane and $77 per night for Paris Las Vegas). Noting makes this dutch girl happier than a good deal!
3. I've actually been away from Emi a few times so this is not new territory for me, but this (trip to vegas) is Tommy's first time away from Emi. I hope he is not a hot mess over it.
4. In case you were wondering, I still search for a new house every.single.day.
5. This morning when I went to three different places to try to find my husband a bear claw donute (his favorite) and failed, I realized that Ankeny is our home. Even though I usually don't feel over the top about daylight donutes- they do make a good bear claw that apparently Johnston, Urbandale and Clive cannot match.
6. This morning when I was too lazy to find Emi matching socks, I put two different colors on her feet. She looked down at her feet and up at me and said "That's funny!" I assume she means her socks and not my parenting style.
7. This week when I was mediating for an older male attorney he said 'You know, Dawn, I use you as a mediator when I got a dumb female attorney on the other side who I need put in her place." That's a compliment, right?
8. This week I received a phone call from a commercial realtor who pretty much thought because he was an older male and I was a younger female that he could push me around. He obviously didn't get the memo- but I sure gave it to him. Later in the week when he was calling back to try to push somebody around, he called a different partner in my firm (who happens to be male). This is what I call a success. :-)
9. Ankeny is also the place we should call home because our two favorite restaurants are in Ankeny (Thai Flavors and Jethros). Ok, I know Johnston has a Jethros- but it is not the same. Trust me.
2. Tommy and I booked our tickets to Vegas for my birthday! I'm so excited- not only to spend time away together- but tickets were so cheap ($214 round trip plane and $77 per night for Paris Las Vegas). Noting makes this dutch girl happier than a good deal!
3. I've actually been away from Emi a few times so this is not new territory for me, but this (trip to vegas) is Tommy's first time away from Emi. I hope he is not a hot mess over it.
4. In case you were wondering, I still search for a new house every.single.day.
5. This morning when I went to three different places to try to find my husband a bear claw donute (his favorite) and failed, I realized that Ankeny is our home. Even though I usually don't feel over the top about daylight donutes- they do make a good bear claw that apparently Johnston, Urbandale and Clive cannot match.
6. This morning when I was too lazy to find Emi matching socks, I put two different colors on her feet. She looked down at her feet and up at me and said "That's funny!" I assume she means her socks and not my parenting style.
7. This week when I was mediating for an older male attorney he said 'You know, Dawn, I use you as a mediator when I got a dumb female attorney on the other side who I need put in her place." That's a compliment, right?
8. This week I received a phone call from a commercial realtor who pretty much thought because he was an older male and I was a younger female that he could push me around. He obviously didn't get the memo- but I sure gave it to him. Later in the week when he was calling back to try to push somebody around, he called a different partner in my firm (who happens to be male). This is what I call a success. :-)
9. Ankeny is also the place we should call home because our two favorite restaurants are in Ankeny (Thai Flavors and Jethros). Ok, I know Johnston has a Jethros- but it is not the same. Trust me.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Nine Things...
1. It has been so long since I have blogged I had a hard time finding the button for a "new post."
2. Emi thinks my name is honey. It is so sweet. I say "Emi, just call me honey, ok?" And she says "Ok, Honey!"
3. Speaking of Emi, she likes to talk to herself a lot. Like today she said "Hi, Emi. I like your shoes!"
4. I have some of the greatest friends on Earth, but when I watch reality TV, I cant help but wish those people were my friends too! (Hello Giuliana and Bill!)
5. Not a day goes by where I dont have a conversation with another female attorney about how we picked the wrong profession.
6. I love Bubble Tea. Ever have it? Grab one at A'Dong's next time you are in the downtown area.
7. Every day I reminded that you can't help people who can't help themselves! Ugh!
8. I pretty much always see people blow their inheritance. It make me question why I try to save so much money when Emi will just blow it on something I would never approve of!
9. Emi got a new stuffed dog named Pepper. She likes to point at it and say "It's a monkey!"
2. Emi thinks my name is honey. It is so sweet. I say "Emi, just call me honey, ok?" And she says "Ok, Honey!"
3. Speaking of Emi, she likes to talk to herself a lot. Like today she said "Hi, Emi. I like your shoes!"
4. I have some of the greatest friends on Earth, but when I watch reality TV, I cant help but wish those people were my friends too! (Hello Giuliana and Bill!)
5. Not a day goes by where I dont have a conversation with another female attorney about how we picked the wrong profession.
6. I love Bubble Tea. Ever have it? Grab one at A'Dong's next time you are in the downtown area.
7. Every day I reminded that you can't help people who can't help themselves! Ugh!
8. I pretty much always see people blow their inheritance. It make me question why I try to save so much money when Emi will just blow it on something I would never approve of!
9. Emi got a new stuffed dog named Pepper. She likes to point at it and say "It's a monkey!"
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Nine Things....
1. Every time it snows those big beautiful white snowflakes I am brought back to a day or two after Emi was born, sitting at the hospital, watching the snow flakes fall down. The.Best.
2. I wish the Olympics were on every year. I love watching it!
3. I'm fairly certain I missed my call as a winter Olympian. Sport of choice- Skeleton- because I'm a fearless biatch. C'mon, you didn't really think I'd be an ice skater, did you?
4. I secretly love cleaning my house while listening to Christian Music. Emi loves it too.
5. In case you are wondering, I do still have my houeskeeper, but I still have to do laundry, pick up, and organize everything.
6. Oh, back to the Olympics. How awful was that when Bob Costas was unable to commentate? Nearly ruined my Olympic Experience.
7. You guys.... I'm totally in to Thai Food right now. Pad Thi Noodles.... the best! Try Thai Flavors in Ankeny. You won't regret it. Oh, but don't overestimate your spice eating ability. Seriously, you're crazy to order more than a zero or one. Even Tommy eats only a three and he loves spicy foods.
8. I love the full conversations I have with Emi now. For Example:
Emi- "I want ipad."
Me: "Sorry, honey, I'm using this Ipad. You need to go get Daddy's, okay?"
Emi: "Okay, Mommy!"
Emi while walking over to Tommy grabbing his ipad "I need the ipad daddy!"
9. Looking forward to a fun weekend with the family!
2. I wish the Olympics were on every year. I love watching it!
3. I'm fairly certain I missed my call as a winter Olympian. Sport of choice- Skeleton- because I'm a fearless biatch. C'mon, you didn't really think I'd be an ice skater, did you?
4. I secretly love cleaning my house while listening to Christian Music. Emi loves it too.
5. In case you are wondering, I do still have my houeskeeper, but I still have to do laundry, pick up, and organize everything.
6. Oh, back to the Olympics. How awful was that when Bob Costas was unable to commentate? Nearly ruined my Olympic Experience.
7. You guys.... I'm totally in to Thai Food right now. Pad Thi Noodles.... the best! Try Thai Flavors in Ankeny. You won't regret it. Oh, but don't overestimate your spice eating ability. Seriously, you're crazy to order more than a zero or one. Even Tommy eats only a three and he loves spicy foods.
8. I love the full conversations I have with Emi now. For Example:
Emi- "I want ipad."
Me: "Sorry, honey, I'm using this Ipad. You need to go get Daddy's, okay?"
Emi: "Okay, Mommy!"
Emi while walking over to Tommy grabbing his ipad "I need the ipad daddy!"
9. Looking forward to a fun weekend with the family!
Friday, January 31, 2014
At Arm's Length and with Oven Mitts On
There is no doubt about it, my parents give great advice.
For example, anytime my mom hears somebody complain about their husband, the response is "They are all the same so you better just stick with the one you got." I have often repeated that tomyself my friends. In fact, while having lunch with a friend the other day, listening to my friend complain about her husband, she told me she often repeats my mom's advice.
My dad, well he gives good advice too. The difference between my mom and dad's advice and commentary is more... colorful.
Here are some tidbits he has given lately:
"When you were studying for the bar exam I saw you sweating drops as big as horse turds."
"Oh yah? Well I categorically deny everything."
"You need to deal with them at arm's length and with oven mitts on."
For example, anytime my mom hears somebody complain about their husband, the response is "They are all the same so you better just stick with the one you got." I have often repeated that to
My dad, well he gives good advice too. The difference between my mom and dad's advice and commentary is more... colorful.
Here are some tidbits he has given lately:
"When you were studying for the bar exam I saw you sweating drops as big as horse turds."
"Oh yah? Well I categorically deny everything."
"You need to deal with them at arm's length and with oven mitts on."
Was I a B$&@H?
After these two conversations this week, I was left wondering "Was I a b$&@h?"
Me: "I am inquiring as to the status of my jewelry repair."
Customer Service Representative. "Oh yes, it was ready for you to pick up the 18th."
Me: "Well I'm not sure why you charged me $15 to ship it if thought I was going to pick it up."
CSR: "We will overnight UPS tonight and refund your shipping charges. Thank you."
Me (On Thursday at 1pm): "When will my dry cleaning be ready?"
Dry Cleaning Place: "Monday after 5pm. Is that okay?"
Me: "I guess that will have to be okay if that is the best you can do."
DCP: "Maybe we can do at 4pm on Monday."
Me: "Don't worry about it."
... Three hours later I check my voicemail and have the following message... "Hi! This is the drycleaning place. I just want you to know your dry cleaning will be ready on Friday after 5pm. Thanks!"
Me: "I am inquiring as to the status of my jewelry repair."
Customer Service Representative. "Oh yes, it was ready for you to pick up the 18th."
Me: "Well I'm not sure why you charged me $15 to ship it if thought I was going to pick it up."
CSR: "We will overnight UPS tonight and refund your shipping charges. Thank you."
Me (On Thursday at 1pm): "When will my dry cleaning be ready?"
Dry Cleaning Place: "Monday after 5pm. Is that okay?"
Me: "I guess that will have to be okay if that is the best you can do."
DCP: "Maybe we can do at 4pm on Monday."
Me: "Don't worry about it."
... Three hours later I check my voicemail and have the following message... "Hi! This is the drycleaning place. I just want you to know your dry cleaning will be ready on Friday after 5pm. Thanks!"
Nine Things...
1. Isn't it so annoying when you have a blog that you just love reading, and the writer fails to post for weeks!?! Ugh... and story of my blog!
2. Emi has been sick since last Sunday. I have brought her to the doctor twice. Which has resulted in two temperature readings, a few swings at the doctor, and me getting yelled out by the doctor for not giving Emi a flu shot because she more than likely had the flu.
3. Emi did not have the flu. And it took everything I had not to yell at the doctor for sticking that q-tip up my kid's nose for no reason.
4. Emi turns 2 on Monday! Crazy, right?!
5. One of my biggest pet peeves is people announcing to groups of people a concept that they don't understand and certainly do not apply to their life. Ugh... Some people are SO annoying.
6. If I could do it over again, I would either be a stay-at-home mom, urgent care doctor or teacher. But really I only want to be a doctor when I feel broke or a teacher when it is summer. So I probably would be a stay-at-home mom.
7. I'm kind of surprised that I never became a county attorney. Never even tried.
8. I wish I'd get to writing my book already. That's the ticket to retirement! You're never too young to plan!
9. I've been feeling seriously old lately. People guess me for years beyond my age. I don't love it.
2. Emi has been sick since last Sunday. I have brought her to the doctor twice. Which has resulted in two temperature readings, a few swings at the doctor, and me getting yelled out by the doctor for not giving Emi a flu shot because she more than likely had the flu.
3. Emi did not have the flu. And it took everything I had not to yell at the doctor for sticking that q-tip up my kid's nose for no reason.
4. Emi turns 2 on Monday! Crazy, right?!
5. One of my biggest pet peeves is people announcing to groups of people a concept that they don't understand and certainly do not apply to their life. Ugh... Some people are SO annoying.
6. If I could do it over again, I would either be a stay-at-home mom, urgent care doctor or teacher. But really I only want to be a doctor when I feel broke or a teacher when it is summer. So I probably would be a stay-at-home mom.
7. I'm kind of surprised that I never became a county attorney. Never even tried.
8. I wish I'd get to writing my book already. That's the ticket to retirement! You're never too young to plan!
9. I've been feeling seriously old lately. People guess me for years beyond my age. I don't love it.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Potty Training....
As I mentioned earlier, I have started working on potty training with Emi. So far that consists of making her sit on the potty every morning that she gets up with a dry diaper. She goes most mornings. Here are the conversations that usually follow:
Me: "Are you all done, Emi?"
Emi: "All done!" She stands up, looks in the toilet and says either one of the following... "Yuck!" or "Yellow!"
My mom calls the move from "yuck" to "yellow" progress...
Me: "Are you all done, Emi?"
Emi: "All done!" She stands up, looks in the toilet and says either one of the following... "Yuck!" or "Yellow!"
My mom calls the move from "yuck" to "yellow" progress...
Nine Things...
1. The primary reason I did not put up outdoor Christmas lights because of my fear that they would still be up in the middle of January. Apparently this is something none of my neighbors care about..
2. Emi rolled her eyes at me yesterday for the first time. (It was over a discussion of going poop in the potty).
3. Speaking of pooping- I have started getting Emi interested in potty training. And yesterday, she pooped for the very first time in thepotty bathtub! Ugh....
4. I loved my husband the most this week when he discovered the poop in the bathtub, and without hesitation, scooped it right out.
5. Today I asked Tommy if we should get Emi a full sized bed since there is no room in her toddler bed with everything she wants to take to bed to her. He responded "You could just tell her 'no'."
6. I hate my job but I generally like being an attorney.
7. Tommy got an Apple TV for Christmas. (Not like an actual tv, but the device- google it if still don't get it) and it might be the best thing ever.
8. Speaking of Apple, it is amazing how much Emi doesn't use her ipad after she got a table and chair for Christmas a long with some crayons, construction paper, playdough and some stickers. Or maybe it is because Tommy is always using it playing Candy Crush.
9. Have you gotten a new recyclable cup from Starbucks? It's the little things....
2. Emi rolled her eyes at me yesterday for the first time. (It was over a discussion of going poop in the potty).
3. Speaking of pooping- I have started getting Emi interested in potty training. And yesterday, she pooped for the very first time in the
4. I loved my husband the most this week when he discovered the poop in the bathtub, and without hesitation, scooped it right out.
5. Today I asked Tommy if we should get Emi a full sized bed since there is no room in her toddler bed with everything she wants to take to bed to her. He responded "You could just tell her 'no'."
6. I hate my job but I generally like being an attorney.
7. Tommy got an Apple TV for Christmas. (Not like an actual tv, but the device- google it if still don't get it) and it might be the best thing ever.
8. Speaking of Apple, it is amazing how much Emi doesn't use her ipad after she got a table and chair for Christmas a long with some crayons, construction paper, playdough and some stickers. Or maybe it is because Tommy is always using it playing Candy Crush.
9. Have you gotten a new recyclable cup from Starbucks? It's the little things....
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Nine Things...
1. The most annoying thing in the whole wide world is a smoke alarm with a low battery. When we moved into our home about 40 months ago, nearly all our smoke alarms needed new batteries. And now, 40 months later, about every other day one needs a new battery. And the beeping starts at about 3am each time.
2. Today Emi said to me "Mommy, I want chocolate!" Huh!?! It is amazing the words she picks up that I have no recollection of saying to her.
3. We lost power for about 2 hours tonight. We tried to stick it out at our house, but that lasted all of 20 minutes. Too dark, too quiet, too cold...
4. The second most annoying thing in the world is those little ghosts on Candy Crush Saga.
5. I found out today that I cannot think while in a clustered-filled room.
6. Sometimes it still feels odd when I get a text from my dad. This is the guy that just a few years ago told me "I dont have conversations over email." And now he has conversations in 40 characters or less!
Do you think he'll ever tweet? Do you Tweet? I don't....
7. I wish I tweeted so I could be trendy.
8. I'm currently saving up my Christmas and Anniversary credits for a new purse. No word yet on how many more credits I need or whether I'll be able to buy it for my birthday. Come to think of it. I don't think I bought anything for my last birthday- and that ended with a zero- which earned me double credits. Perhaps I do have enough credits to buy it! #frugal
9. Gotta go.... New episode of Sister Wives is on!
2. Today Emi said to me "Mommy, I want chocolate!" Huh!?! It is amazing the words she picks up that I have no recollection of saying to her.
3. We lost power for about 2 hours tonight. We tried to stick it out at our house, but that lasted all of 20 minutes. Too dark, too quiet, too cold...
4. The second most annoying thing in the world is those little ghosts on Candy Crush Saga.
5. I found out today that I cannot think while in a clustered-filled room.
6. Sometimes it still feels odd when I get a text from my dad. This is the guy that just a few years ago told me "I dont have conversations over email." And now he has conversations in 40 characters or less!
Do you think he'll ever tweet? Do you Tweet? I don't....
7. I wish I tweeted so I could be trendy.
8. I'm currently saving up my Christmas and Anniversary credits for a new purse. No word yet on how many more credits I need or whether I'll be able to buy it for my birthday. Come to think of it. I don't think I bought anything for my last birthday- and that ended with a zero- which earned me double credits. Perhaps I do have enough credits to buy it! #frugal
9. Gotta go.... New episode of Sister Wives is on!
Friday, January 3, 2014
Happy Aniversary!
On December 30, Tommy and I celebrated the successful completion of our 5th year of marriage!
Tommy surprised me with these beautiful flowers:
The note read in part "... you are an awesome wife and even better mom..." Which I decided to take as a compliment, but also responded with "Well, I'd pick being a mom over being a wife so..." This sparked quite the conversation at work in which all the other moms decided they just couldn't possibly decide whether they would pick their kids or their husband if they had to choose.Are you kidding me? To me, it is a very obvious answer: if you have to pick whether you have your child the rest of your life or your husband- of course you pick your child! I mean, do people really go the hospital during child birth and say "In case of an emergency pick my wife over my kid." No way! And think- they don't even know the kid at that point. Anyway... I told that story later to Tommy and he said "Well, if they all had Emi has their kids they would pick her too!" Love him!
Tommy and I had dinner at our special restaurant- PF Changs. It became our special restaurant on Valentine's Day 2005 when Tommy and I were going to Houston's, our favorite restaurant. When there was a three hour wait- we opted for PF Changs to go, and ever since we eat there usually every Valentine's Day and an occasional anniversary. (Though Houston's is still our preference!)
Here are a few oldie but goodies of us circa 2003 -2005 (Yes, we've been together since 2003!)
I decided to do an Anniversary Quiz:
1. What is the best part about being married?
Tommy's Answer: You get to share your life with the person you love and make great memories.
Dawn's Answer: You get to co-mingle bank accounts so what is yours is mine and what is mine is mine.
2. What is your favorite memory of us?
Tommy's Answer: All the roadtrips we take.
Dawn's Answer: Anything that involves Emi. Oh, and the roadtrips.
3. How many kids did you want to have before we got married and how many do you want to have now?
Tommy: 4 - 4
Dawn: 3 - 3
4. What is the other person's best quality?
Tommy's Answer:: There are too many to name... but most caring.
Dawn's Answer: Biggest heart I have ever seen
5. What is the other person's worst quality?
Tommy's Answer: Indecisiveness
Dawn's Answer: Biggest heart I have ever seen.
Excited for the next five years!
Tommy surprised me with these beautiful flowers:
The note read in part "... you are an awesome wife and even better mom..." Which I decided to take as a compliment, but also responded with "Well, I'd pick being a mom over being a wife so..." This sparked quite the conversation at work in which all the other moms decided they just couldn't possibly decide whether they would pick their kids or their husband if they had to choose.
Tommy and I had dinner at our special restaurant- PF Changs. It became our special restaurant on Valentine's Day 2005 when Tommy and I were going to Houston's, our favorite restaurant. When there was a three hour wait- we opted for PF Changs to go, and ever since we eat there usually every Valentine's Day and an occasional anniversary. (Though Houston's is still our preference!)
Here are a few oldie but goodies of us circa 2003 -2005 (Yes, we've been together since 2003!)
I decided to do an Anniversary Quiz:
1. What is the best part about being married?
Tommy's Answer: You get to share your life with the person you love and make great memories.
Dawn's Answer: You get to co-mingle bank accounts so what is yours is mine and what is mine is mine.
2. What is your favorite memory of us?
Tommy's Answer: All the roadtrips we take.
Dawn's Answer: Anything that involves Emi. Oh, and the roadtrips.
3. How many kids did you want to have before we got married and how many do you want to have now?
Tommy: 4 - 4
Dawn: 3 - 3
4. What is the other person's best quality?
Tommy's Answer:: There are too many to name... but most caring.
Dawn's Answer: Biggest heart I have ever seen
5. What is the other person's worst quality?
Tommy's Answer: Indecisiveness
Dawn's Answer: Biggest heart I have ever seen.
Excited for the next five years!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Merry Christmas
It has been a busy few weeks around here. Besides a few Christmas and New Years celebrations, Tommy and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary!
We had an amazing time at the Van Wijk Winery for the Van Wyk Family Christmas. My aunt and uncle bought an old Church in Sully, Iowa, and have transformed it into a winery. It is beautiful!
Emi enjoyed playing with all her cousins!
Thanks to my cousin, Sheila, for reading the Christmas Story!
My lovely Aunts! People say my Aunt Julie (in the middle) is my twin!
We had a fun White Elephant/Bingo game. You guys, my cousin, Christi, got the worst gifts! There weren't even that many bad gifts, but if there were, she got it! It is so amazing that she continued to open gifts instead of exchanging out for better ones. By the way, I'm enjoying my Bath and Body Works Candle and candle holder and Emi loves her coloring books. (On a side, the other day Emi opened the coloring book and said "I see Elmo" which is weird since we have never watched Seasame Street. #daycare
Emi couldn't resist a picture with her BFF Rylee.
And the gorgeous tree at the winery. (I seriously need to organize a get together with my girlfriends at this place!)
On Christmas Day my family came over to my house. My mom has spent years stitching these Christmas Stockings for the kids.
They are so impressive. She has another one started, but my sister swears she isn't having any more kids!
The kids enjoyed there presents:
Merry Christmas to all!
We had an amazing time at the Van Wijk Winery for the Van Wyk Family Christmas. My aunt and uncle bought an old Church in Sully, Iowa, and have transformed it into a winery. It is beautiful!
Emi enjoyed playing with all her cousins!
Thanks to my cousin, Sheila, for reading the Christmas Story!
My lovely Aunts! People say my Aunt Julie (in the middle) is my twin!
We had a fun White Elephant/Bingo game. You guys, my cousin, Christi, got the worst gifts! There weren't even that many bad gifts, but if there were, she got it! It is so amazing that she continued to open gifts instead of exchanging out for better ones. By the way, I'm enjoying my Bath and Body Works Candle and candle holder and Emi loves her coloring books. (On a side, the other day Emi opened the coloring book and said "I see Elmo" which is weird since we have never watched Seasame Street. #daycare
On Christmas Day my family came over to my house. My mom has spent years stitching these Christmas Stockings for the kids.
The kids enjoyed there presents:
Merry Christmas to all!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Christmas by the Lake
It was the Van Wyk Family's Third(!) Christmas by the Lake experience! It was far better than last year (remember, when my car was broken in to, my purse stolen, and my Northface vest burnt from firework debris!)
It was pretty cold out (windchill negative digits), which kept most people away, but not us! I wasn't too worried that Emi was cold since she fell asleep in her stroller. We skipped the parade and fireworks this year (last year's experience is still too raw in my mind).
Emi hated the animals, so I was worried how it was going to go with Santa!
Nice and bundled up! Don't think I'm a bad mom for not putting mittens on her. I tried, but unless I cut off the thumb on the mitten so she can still suck her thumb, it isn't happening!
Samerson.
The Ringleader!
Thanks Tony and Sam for trying to hold Emi up on Santa's lap!
Cheese!
Emi about two seconds before she fell asleep!
So Tommy and Emi didn't go on the carriage ride, but it didn't stop us!
Back at Grandma and Grandpa's for a snack!
We also watched the movie "We're the Millers" which was very very good!! I highly recommend.We I built towers with the large legos and I we drove the remote control car into it until we knocked it down! I love seeing Emi play with her cousins, and she loves her cousins so much!
I was a little worried about the drive home with the snow, but we got home safely. And the icing on the cake was Tommy being able to start the snow blower without having to call my dad!
Tis the Season!
It was pretty cold out (windchill negative digits), which kept most people away, but not us! I wasn't too worried that Emi was cold since she fell asleep in her stroller. We skipped the parade and fireworks this year (last year's experience is still too raw in my mind).
Sam
Back at Grandma and Grandpa's for a snack!
We also watched the movie "We're the Millers" which was very very good!! I highly recommend.
I was a little worried about the drive home with the snow, but we got home safely. And the icing on the cake was Tommy being able to start the snow blower without having to call my dad!
Tis the Season!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Happy Halloween
I was a little nervous when putting Emi's costume on tonight because I never even tried it on her. Normally she hates things on her head, but she soon got used to the headband, and she loved her costume! I think she looked pretty cute!
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Then we stopped by Aunt Nita and ran into more cousins! We ended up going trick or treating with them. They taught Emi just how it was done. Kennedy reviewed the rules with us "Only those houses with their porch lights on are the ones we get candy from. Landscaping lights do not count." Little did I know that this rule was useful for adults, as Tommy leaned and said to me "So the lights are how you know the house is handing out candy?!" I think Emi was trying to steal the other kids' jokes by the end of the night. After a few houses Emi was walking up to the door and saying "here you go" while sticking her hand out, so the people knew just where to put the candy!
Emi had a great time, and we did too!
And as I pulled into the driveway as Begger's Night was coming to an end I saw that our porch light was not on! I'm thankful Kennedy informed him of the rules. Maybe next year he will listen to me when I tell him to put the porch light on. Oh, and the candy. Yah, he did put it on the step...behind the pumpkins!
Happy Halloween!
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