Friday, February 13, 2009

Double Wide

After a couple of unsuccessful trials of the new stroller, Michaela finally accepted and now likes the new comfortable double ride stroller. Christine and the girls went to the Olbrich Gardens on Tuesday to enjoy the record 54 degrees, and Michaela enjoyed the darkness the stroller shade provided.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Christine in the News

Christine was at the zoo today with Michaela and Danielle and ended up on the CBS 6 o'clock news.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/18713036/detail.html

http://www.c3ktogo.com/?mgid=21011

http://www.channel3000.com/index.html

Sunday, February 8, 2009

A warmer weekend

The warmer weather was very nice change this weekend. Like many, the cold of the past month kept us inside on most days. We tried to get out for a walk each day this weekend. On Saturday we decided to use the new double stroller and stay on roads, but Michaela did not like it for whatever reason. As a result we were only outside for a short 6 block walk.

Today we went for a walk at the UW Arboretum on snow covered trails and stayed off of the roads. Michaela struggled with walking on the trails, which helped convince her that we should carry her. Instead of the stroller we dug out the backpack carrier. After a short outburst when we put Michaela in the carrier for the first time this year, she settled in for a nice walk and returned to form by looking for birds and phishing them when we stopped to look. It was nice to look at the birds, get some exercise, be together as a family, and perhaps most importantly enjoy the sun and letting it brighten up our day.


In order to get Michaela to look at Christine and the camera I pretended there was a bunny sitting behind Christine. Otherwise Michaela has been camera shy lately.

Friday, February 6, 2009

A week in review

A week in review...time to purge my thoughts and share with others.

Saturday - Sunday: My parents made a mad dash to Madison for Michaela's birthday. The time together was brief but nice. Michaela enjoys the new presents and toys immensely. She got sick however, we think from the spinach tortellini, throwing up on Saturday night. She felt better on Sunday but remained clingy and obviously tired throughout the day.

Monday: Michaela's two year check-up went well. The clinic was temporarily out of the scheduled vaccine, so no shots during the appointment. Michaela was still sick, so she did not like letting Doctor Deb check her out...but all was fine. Christine dropped me off at school after the doctor's appointment and I spent the rest of the day searching job postings and submitting more applications.

Tuesday: Michaela was still sick, so we skipped her swim lesson that night. She will be able to make it up anytime during the remainder of the session when there is a open slot.

Wednesday: I received a call letting me know the decision from my first flyback. They made an offer to someone else. My mind went into overdrive and I can honestly say it did not include the best of thoughts. Christine is a great wife, as I do not know how she is able to put up with me always.

Thursday: I spent the day at school thinking about job outlooks and the overall process rather than actually getting any research done. As a labor economist I realize there are only good/bad employer/employee fits and not good/bad jobs. I feel that I would be a very good fit at this specific flyback, but if my employment there is to happen it will hinge first on another job candidates rejection of their initial offer. I cannot dwell in the past, as I need to get prepared for a different upcoming flyback.

Friday: I was not able to sleep, so I watched a couple of movies and woke up early. Rather than go to school I spent the day trying to reset my mind. I stayed home this morning making blueberry pancakes for my women, and then I went birding during the middle of the day. Would anyone like to speculate whether this bird is a female lesser scaup or female greater scaup, or if this bird is a common or hoary redpoll? These were the questions on my mind today, a much needed relief from other topics. The weather finally warmed up, so it was a great to be outside.

Christine bought a double stroller today, and we all went for a walk late this afternoon. We picked up a complementary smoothie from Smoothie King and Michaela's birthday ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. We stopped to get groceries also, and made it home in time for a spaghetti supper prior to Michaela's bed time.