Mama got a job and Dad came home for a visit!

So, I realized that I never posted an update on the job situation. After meeting with the Occupational Therapist (OT) and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) I was offered the job! I start March 2nd and can only describe this as bittersweet. It's great that I am going back to work, but not so great that I'm leaving my babe. Today was tear filled, for both of us, as I dropped her off at daycare for a couple of hours. I almost didn't know what to do with myself as I walked around Target all alone. Mackenzie and I have been together all day, everyday, for the past 9 months. I don't think I can talk about this anymore....still too emotional.

Nathan was able to come home for the long weekend and it was FABULOUS. I love these two people more than anything. Thanks for making the trip.

Story Time Dropout

My girl, Mac, is a mover and a shaker. Not much will keep her down, other than a DVD by the name of Happy Feet (which I have seen 4519 times). I am aware of this, so why did I think something as simple as story time at the library would be a good idea? We arrived a little early so she could run around and get that out of her system. She was doing the usual, climbing stairs, dancing, laughing, looking cute and devilish all at the same time. The mother sitting next to me smiled and asked, "Is she always like this?"

Why yes, my daughter is a ball of energy that keeps me going at all times. I looked at her daughter that was a little older than Mac and she was sitting next to her mom. I could have been jealous of that mom and her docile little girl, but as I looked over to see Mackenzie scaling the steps and then celebrating with a little jig, I couldn't help but laugh and feel my heart fill with love.

Story time started with a little song and Mac enjoyed this part as she continued to sing out "yea, yea, YEA!" for a good 30 seconds after the song was over. This made me a little nervous, as I wanted to be respectful of the other parents and children. I guess Mackenzie didn't realize that she was only part of the pre-game show. The woman started reading a story, that was completely inappropriate for this age group, and Mackenzie wanted nothing to do with it. Fortunately, I had my mother-in-law with me so she helped with a swift exit. Good times with the Miller family!

As for the job situation, I received a call on Friday from the school and was asked to come in Monday morning for a second interview with the OT and SLP that I would be working with. Not sure what to think of this......

The Interview

The interview went well.

However, I do not think I will be offered the job. I have not actually spoken with the school, but the job posting was taken down and I can't imagine they would do that if they had not already offered and had someone accept the position. At first I felt annoyed and slightly disappointed, but I'm okay with not working right now...or am I just telling myself that since I didn't get the job? It felt pretty darn good putting a suit on and walking out of the house with a purpose. I felt like my old self, before the military, before moving 4 times in one year, before spending 6 out of 12 months away from my husband. It's not that I like my old self better, it's just that I'm still getting acquainted with my new self. Did I lose anyone?

I spoke with Nathan on the phone tonight about not getting the job and his response was-

"Who cares....you already have a job, you're the mother of our daughter."

And THAT is why I love my husband.

Who does this?

I have an interview Monday morning at an elementary school near base.

I'm sort of freaking out about it. Too many things to think about...daycare, waking up early, looking presentable before noon, and actually working. I was complaining to Nathan about having to leave Florida three weeks earlier than planned.

He looked at me and said, "Do you want to go back to work?"

I looked at him and replied with, "I don't know."

I have a nasty habit of doing things, just to see if I can. Once I know I can do something, I'm over it. So I'm left wondering, do I really want to go back to work or am I just trying to see if I can get a job? I think I want to go back to teaching, but I am not looking forward to putting little Mac into daycare. I did it before, so why is it so much harder now?

Wish me luck:) And enjoy the funny picture of Mac, it was taken around Christmas.

First Impressions

Mackenzie had her 15 month check up yesterday with a new doctor. She is actually 16 months old, but who's counting? Since it was our first time at this particular office I had a million forms to fill out. The waiting area wasn't busy so I didn't feel too bad letting Mac run around, as long as she stayed away from the sickies. At one point I was talking to the receptionist when I heard a few girls behind me snicker, next I heard Mackenzie's little giggle she uses to get my attention. I turn around to see her standing on top of a picnic table. She smiled and did her little "haha, look what I'm doing" dance. We were ushered to the examination room a few minutes later. Mac was weighed, measured, and pricked. Her stats have finally leveled off in the average range; weight 24lbs, height 31in. The doctor didn't have any concerns and said I could start using time outs. He also referred to her as a spitfire and told me she'll make our lives more fun. I think that was a polite way to say we're going to have our hands full. I'm okay with that, I wouldn't have it any other way.


Here is some good news for ya, my friend's husband returns from Iraq in March and guess who gets to capture those special moments? That's right, ME!! I can't wait!

Birthday Antics

I've noticed over the past couple of weeks how difficult it is to do certain things with Mackenzie anymore. Outings that requires a stroller or sitting in a high chair ends up in a power struggle between mother and daughter. On Wednesday my family and I went out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. We had the kiddo with us and things started out smoothly. Mac colored, ate her snacks, drank her juice, looked at a book, you get the idea. I know things are heading south when she starts throwing items on the floor. This usually leads to her standing up in the high chair. Yes, she will stand up in it and attempt to crawl onto the table, but not before doing a little, "I'm so cute" dance. I have been very surprised to learn how many restaurants have broken straps on their high chairs. Surely, my child is not the only one that attempts this...right?

Now I must make a decision.

Option #1-Assuming the strap is broken; sit her back down in the high chair and listen to her whine. Sit her back down, again, in the high chair and listen to her whine. Sit her back down, again, in the high chair, listen to her cry and ask the waitress to box up my food because this will go on ALL NIGHT.

Option #2-Let her out of the high chair, knowing the grandparents will help keep an eye on her.

Option #3-This isn't really an option, but I will include it since my witty husband would surely point it out. Ask the waitress for another chair that has a working strap. Now, I will tell you why this isn't really an option at all. I would be required to take Mac out of the chair, and to a 15 month old, this clearly means they are about to be set free. Putting her in another chair AND strapping her in would not end well for anyone. Can you tell our child is a little on the temperamental side?

If I let her out, does she win? Or do I win, because now I can eat and enjoy my glass of wine?

So, which option did I choose?

Duh.....option #2. However, I did draw the line when she attempted to take off her shoes and socks. And since I was a teacher, I must reflect on this situation, to learn what worked and what I would do differently next time. Next time, I will make sure the high chair has a working strap before placing my kid in it.

This video was taken a few months ago, but it shows off Mackenzie's dancing skills she pulled out on my b-day.

Nail Polish and Snow

Has anyone stopped laughing at that picture of Nathan yet? Me either! I am a little nervous though because he vowed revenge on me.

In my last post I mentioned that Mac has some sneaky moments, well, this is what I found her doing this morning.....

Look at that face! It says, "I know I shouldn't be doing this."

Mackenzie had her first real snow experience on Sunday. She loved eating the snow until her hands froze up. The whole thing lasted a total of 5 minutes. Next time we'll be ready with mittens.

That mom

Before I had Mac, and even during my pregnancy, I vowed to myself that I wasn't going to turn into that mom that went out in public looking like she just weathered a tornado. I remember telling Nathan, "I don't understand these women, having a kid doesn't mean you can't put on a matching outfit and still get your hair cut every now and then." Little did I know that having a baby/toddler changes EVERYTHING! It's not that I'm just now realizing this, but as Mackenzie enters the next phase of her life, she is getting to be a sneaky little thing. I certainly don't have time to try on 3 different outfits before leaving the house, nor do I have the time to make sure the back of my hair is straightened just right. And makeup, well, that's for special occasions now.

Last week I had the chance to go to the mall without Mackenzie, and I practically ran out of the house, excited to be alone for a couple hours. It was great, I walked around, enjoyed the holiday decorations, took my time trying on clothes. Not until I was getting ready to leave did I realize that I had macaroni and cheese stuck to the front of my sweatshirt. WHAT?? Had I walked around the entire mall wearing mac n' cheese noodles? Yep, I sure did.



Have I turned into THAT mom?


Oh well, if I'm going to be THAT mom, looks like Nathan can be THAT dad!

Are You Serious?

Before Mackenzie and I moved out to Virginia I remember thinking about how I was going to get certain things done without any help from family/friends/daycare. Simple things like going to the dentist or doctor. Most have normal business hours and wouldn't understand if I wanted to make an appointment for 9:00pm, which happens to be the time my husband will be arriving home tonight (he left for work around4:30 this morning). I don't need full-time daycare, I don't even need part-time daycare, I just need someone to watch my kid for a couple hours....someone I trust.

I must have been complaining about this issue enough that Nathan found a child care center that offers hourly and daily rates. First, I was impressed that he found a joint like that and second, I was excited about the idea of doing something by myself (not that I don't love the kid). I went to check the place out today and my dream of going to the dentist came crashing down. The place sucked, it wasn't terrible until I saw the lady working in the toddler room without any of her front teeth. Of course it would be the room that my child would be in. We left and ditched the packet of information. I better figure something out or I might end up missing a few of my own teeth.

I had the chance to have dinner Tuesday night with some good friends. We hadn't seen each other in months and it was great catching up. Mandy lives in DC so there isn't any excuse for not seeing her more often and Jilly lives in Chicago. I drove home that night thinking about my friends that I don't get to see very often (that's pretty much all of them) and realized how much I miss them! Remember back in high school when you would hang out with your girlfriends at least four times a week? I believe it should still be that way, especially since adulthood and motherhood bring on so many more stressors. What were we stressed about back in high school? If we needed each other then, we REALLY need each other now. I miss you girls!