http://www.theopinionatedparent.com/2008/03/31/tiny-tales-the-perfect-recipe-for-lifes-memories/
March 31, 2008
March 30, 2008
Baby poll - now open!
Be sure to guess the baby's gender, weight, and length! Poll now open (link on the right side of the blog).
March 28, 2008
Move Countdown: 2 weeks and 3 days
We’ve been so busy lately I haven’t had a chance to post about the recent relocation activity. Here goes!
Our House
We put our house on the market in February, and had 3 offers in 4 days! We signed the P&S with the highest offer (our asking price which is amazing in this market). The buyers have already booked a contractor to start renovations on the house the day after closing, so the deal is not likely to fall apart. The closing is April 16th.
Jobs
I get to keep my job with Staples and work from Colorado! This arrangement will be reevaluated over time. If Staples buys Corporate Express (which has been in the news), then my job might change into something related to integrating the Corporate Express customer service systems into ours. If that happens, I might start working from the CorpEx offices, and not from home. Joe will stay home to take care of the kids until we figure out which town in Colorado we will settle in. It doesn’t make sense for him to find a job and to put the kids in daycare when we don’t know where we will be in 6 months.
The Move
Gigi (my mom) will be coming into town on April 12th to take Trey back to Austin with her. She will bring him to Denver on April 19th. I am flying by myself on April 14th and shipping my car. Joe and Quinn and Mance are driving during the week of the 14th in Joe's truck. We are using PODs to move, and the first one is being loaded by Joe even as I type.
Getting Settled
We'll stay with Mari & Scott until we find a house to rent close to them. I flew out there a few weeks ago and checked out a few places, and there are so many to rent! I'm sure we find something and be settled in within a few weeks.
Trey and Joe are already scheduled for swim lessons at the town Rec Center. Trey starts daycare 2 days per week on May 5th. I found a place that I think he will LOVE! I want him to be in some sort of program so that he has an activity outside of the home and with other kids adn adults - especially once the baby comes.
Stay tuned for more exciting plans.
Our House
We put our house on the market in February, and had 3 offers in 4 days! We signed the P&S with the highest offer (our asking price which is amazing in this market). The buyers have already booked a contractor to start renovations on the house the day after closing, so the deal is not likely to fall apart. The closing is April 16th.
Jobs
I get to keep my job with Staples and work from Colorado! This arrangement will be reevaluated over time. If Staples buys Corporate Express (which has been in the news), then my job might change into something related to integrating the Corporate Express customer service systems into ours. If that happens, I might start working from the CorpEx offices, and not from home. Joe will stay home to take care of the kids until we figure out which town in Colorado we will settle in. It doesn’t make sense for him to find a job and to put the kids in daycare when we don’t know where we will be in 6 months.
The Move
Gigi (my mom) will be coming into town on April 12th to take Trey back to Austin with her. She will bring him to Denver on April 19th. I am flying by myself on April 14th and shipping my car. Joe and Quinn and Mance are driving during the week of the 14th in Joe's truck. We are using PODs to move, and the first one is being loaded by Joe even as I type.
Getting Settled
We'll stay with Mari & Scott until we find a house to rent close to them. I flew out there a few weeks ago and checked out a few places, and there are so many to rent! I'm sure we find something and be settled in within a few weeks.
Trey and Joe are already scheduled for swim lessons at the town Rec Center. Trey starts daycare 2 days per week on May 5th. I found a place that I think he will LOVE! I want him to be in some sort of program so that he has an activity outside of the home and with other kids adn adults - especially once the baby comes.
Stay tuned for more exciting plans.
March 27, 2008
My own little reminder system
When I haven't eaten in a while, the baby starts kicking like crazy. Its a nice little reminder to get some food!
The kicks have become much stronger lately. And in more places. At first he/she was just kicking way down low (and some well placed kicks to my bladder), but now I feel kicks and punches all over.
My 24 week checkup went well yesterday - no worries! I already have an appointment in Colorado with Mari's doctor for my 28 week checkup, glucose test (testing for gestational diabetes), and ultrasound to check to see if the placenta previa has corrected itself.
The kicks have become much stronger lately. And in more places. At first he/she was just kicking way down low (and some well placed kicks to my bladder), but now I feel kicks and punches all over.
My 24 week checkup went well yesterday - no worries! I already have an appointment in Colorado with Mari's doctor for my 28 week checkup, glucose test (testing for gestational diabetes), and ultrasound to check to see if the placenta previa has corrected itself.
March 23, 2008
Church with Trey
While in West Virginia visiting Grampy and Aunt Kiki, we went to
church for Easter Sunday. Here are some highlights from the event:
church for Easter Sunday. Here are some highlights from the event:
Trey as we were walking in: "Ohhh.... a fireplace!" [not sure what
he was looking at]
Trey as everyone was listening to the organ: "What's that noise?"
Trey as a hymn was being sung: "La la la Jesus Christ" (and bobbing
his head to the music)
Trey as I had to take him out to the lobby (the first of 4 times):
"I pooped in church!" [he was right.]
Trey looking through the church literature in the lobby: "this one's
cool. this one's cool. this one's cool." Once he had a stack of
reading material we went back into church to try again to be quiet.
Trey looking at a bible: "too many words."
March 20, 2008
Crisis averted
I realized in a panic that this weekend is Easter and Trey doesn't have an Easter outfit! Nor did I think about an easter basket with little goodies or an easter egg hunt. I've been so wrapped up lately in planning for the move (which is a little over 3 weeks away by the way), that lining up easter activities totally slipped my mind. We are going out of town to Grampy's house on Saturday morning. Luckily Grampy and Aunt Keek have the basket and hunt covered. Phew!
So tonight in order to avoid a last minute trip to Old Navy or Gymboree, I opened a box in Trey's closet and found the sweater vest he wore last Easter. It was HUGE on him then, but should fit perfectly this year. I have this thing with putting him in sweater vests for all major holidays. Why? Because little boys look adorable in sweater vests and because I am a mommy and can do these things. It is a right I feel I have earned. Stay tuned for photos.
So tonight in order to avoid a last minute trip to Old Navy or Gymboree, I opened a box in Trey's closet and found the sweater vest he wore last Easter. It was HUGE on him then, but should fit perfectly this year. I have this thing with putting him in sweater vests for all major holidays. Why? Because little boys look adorable in sweater vests and because I am a mommy and can do these things. It is a right I feel I have earned. Stay tuned for photos.
March 19, 2008
my way or the highway
Joe and Trey were playing this morning with one of Trey’s car transporters (carsporters as he calls them), and Joe apparently wasn’t doing it like Trey wanted because he said “Daddy no joking around! Do it like this – 2 hands.”
March 18, 2008
was it really this easy?
So I haven’t blogged about this because I didn’t want to jinx it, but it has been a few weeks so I think I can safely say Trey has given up the binkie. He was soooo attached to it, and I have watched enough SuperNanny episodes that I thought it would be a major deal, but it was such a non-event it almost makes me sad. One day Joe called me from work and asked me if I realized that there hadn’t been a binkie in the crib for 2 nights and Trey hadn’t asked for it. I hadn’t realized it, and it just never came up. If Trey found one around the house, Joe would tell him to throw it in the trash, and Trey WOULD! No wining, no crying, no discussion. Coming from someone who had a binkie until I was 9 (honest – ask my parents), I thought Trey was going to take after me. Joe on the other hand was ready to get rid of the thing the day we came home from the hospital. This is just another sign that my baby is growing up, and I wish I could slow it down.
Tiny Tales Sales
Wow – it has been a fantastic month for Tiny Tales! I typically sell about 30 – 35 kits per month. This month I already have 34, and the website was down for almost a week for the redesign!
March 17, 2008
Leaving comments
I've had a few people tell me that the whole "leave a comment" process is confusing. its really not people - simply click on the underlined comments word at the bottom of each posting, type your comment, do the word verification thing (so I don't get a bunch of spam). Under Choose Your Identity, click by Name/URL and type in your name (URL can be left blank). That's it!
Allergy update
A few months shy of a year, and we have discovered Trey might not have been allergic to dairy after all. Remember the hospital stay of 2007? A whole year of soy milk, soy yogurt, soy cheese, and soy ice cream and it might not have been necessary. Of course, we'll never know for sure, but Joe took Trey to a new allergist who did the skin prick test using a new method and tested his blood, and his findings are they Trey is NOT allergic to milk and tree nuts. He is mildly allergic to eggs, but if they are cooked they should be ok (who would give raw eggs to a 2 year old anyway?), and definitely allergic to peanuts. He suggested we start Trey on yogurt and cheese and make sure he tolerates it ok, then move onto milk. Wee hoo!!!!
March 14, 2008
Our First Home
I am getting sentimental about leaving our first home. When we were house hunting, I saw it online and knew I wanted it. One walkthrough and I was positive I wanted it. We put in an offer the day we saw it. I think it was the 3rd or 4th house we looked at. It is just so "us." No...its not perfect, but it is unique and has been good to us over the last 4 years. I am sad to leave it.
March 12, 2008
6 weeks down...
...many more to go! I have made it 6 weeks without fried food, per my pledge on January 29th. Except the potato pancake that I ate a few weeks ago because Joe told me it was pan fried not deep fried, but I hold him responsible for that and don't count it against my goal.
Aim
Trey gets the concept of aiming into the potty standing up, but as expected, it doesn't quite work out right. This is so freakin adorable!
Peter Potty Toddler Urinal
Peter Potty Toddler Urinal
Now taking recommendations
Can you believe this September will be 5 years of holy matrimony for me and Joe? We want to do something fun, but it needs to be a short trip since I will have just had a baby a few months prior. We will be in Colorado at that time, so somewhere just a short flight or drive away would be best. I had Vegas in my mind - I really want to see the Cirque du Soleil shows. But I throw the question out to you - where should we go for our anniversary? Suggestion box open now! (use the comments feature on the blog)
March 11, 2008
March 8, 2008
Old Man
Quinn is such an old man, but still loves naps in the sun, playing in the snow, and snuggling with Trey. Ok - truth be told he isn't that into Trey, but it is still a nice photo.
New photos
For some reason he wanted to sit in the laundry basket this night.
Practicing tree pose from yoga class, which he LOVES.
Grampy came to visit!
He was running along the sofa, tripped, and took a header on the rug. You can actually see the shape of the woven rug threads on his head.
March 7, 2008
Tiny Tales goes International!
I just had my first non-North America sale! Someone in Germany placed an order.
March 6, 2008
New Tiny Tales review
Ohdeedoh is a subsite of Apartment Therapy, which is a fairly well known blog in some circles.
March 5, 2008
Big changes
So...I guess we can let the cat out of the bag.
The Frankovitch family is moving to Colorado! After talking about it for 2 years, we've finally taken steps to make it happen. The house is under agreement and flights are booked.
I will continue to work for Staples through the end of the year from Colorado (of course taking 3 months of maternity leave this summer). It is just completely unbelievable how things have come together, and we are excited about the change.
Stay tuned for more details!
The Frankovitch family is moving to Colorado! After talking about it for 2 years, we've finally taken steps to make it happen. The house is under agreement and flights are booked.
I will continue to work for Staples through the end of the year from Colorado (of course taking 3 months of maternity leave this summer). It is just completely unbelievable how things have come together, and we are excited about the change.
Stay tuned for more details!
Boring work stuff
As Joe says, this is a post about boring work stuff.
I was quite proud of myself and the poem I wrote below. I sent it to the extended Baton Rouge Call Center opening team (about 40 people).
---------
‘Twas the night before the opening, when all through the site
Not a creature was stirring, only the furniture installers working late into the night.
The bulletin boards had been hung by the IT guys with care,
In hopes that our associates soon would be there.
The Citrix thin clients snug in the cubes could barely be seen,
While visions of the AS400 danced on the screen.
The team that had traveled down to Baton Rouge in the pouring rain,
Was tucked safely away in the Residence Inn on Siegen Lane.
The weekend had been busy with the move and final setup,
You should seen Lynda, Bev, and Deb outside picking the cigarette butts up!
Our IT partners brought up the network and phone system with ease,
I felt like all I had done was say “pretty please!”
In the morning through the doors there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
The hot Louisiana sun reflected on the new parking lot like snow,
At the same time our Canadian friends were saying “at home its 5 below!”
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The associates had arrived – their first day on Highlandia Drive was finally here!
With Trimica and Marie leading the pack through the front door,
I knew in a moment I would see a busy call center floor.
One after another through the reception and onto the floor they came,
They whistled, and shouted, and called each other by name;
"Now, Stacie! now, Nancy! now, Brandy and Kelly!
Hi, Tanesha! hi Robert! hi, Valerie and Demi!”
To their HON chairs and new cubes they went one and all,
To sign into their phones and await their first call.
Invisible to them was all the work that had been done
Who knew meetings about tile and number of bathroom stalls could be so much fun!
The training labs were huge and with state of the art AV equipment
And even some signs our friends in retail had sent.
The breakroom was stocked with snacks, coffee, and sprite,
The flat screen TV on the wall was such a gorgeous sight.
The months and months of planning done from afar,
All of us working towards a common goal with the code name “Project Star.”
Only a few days prior the team had been working from the temp space
At a location where to be safe one might consider carrying mace.
The project team and associates all have reason to be merry,
The Staples sign was hung above the door as red as a berry.
And now the big day in our new building had arrived.
It was bittersweet – the opening was also a closing of a chapter in our professional lives.
So from the PM to the project team who made it all happen,
(this is where I might have to dab my eyes with a napkin)…
You made the vision of a virtual call center come true,
And it couldn’t have been done without each and every one of you.
Although opening a call center happens only once in a blue moon,
I hope I get to work you on a project again soon!
--------
Photos:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=tqvqlh5.5nibq6h9&x=0&y=-ulf2qo
I was quite proud of myself and the poem I wrote below. I sent it to the extended Baton Rouge Call Center opening team (about 40 people).
---------
‘Twas the night before the opening, when all through the site
Not a creature was stirring, only the furniture installers working late into the night.
The bulletin boards had been hung by the IT guys with care,
In hopes that our associates soon would be there.
The Citrix thin clients snug in the cubes could barely be seen,
While visions of the AS400 danced on the screen.
The team that had traveled down to Baton Rouge in the pouring rain,
Was tucked safely away in the Residence Inn on Siegen Lane.
The weekend had been busy with the move and final setup,
You should seen Lynda, Bev, and Deb outside picking the cigarette butts up!
Our IT partners brought up the network and phone system with ease,
I felt like all I had done was say “pretty please!”
In the morning through the doors there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
The hot Louisiana sun reflected on the new parking lot like snow,
At the same time our Canadian friends were saying “at home its 5 below!”
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The associates had arrived – their first day on Highlandia Drive was finally here!
With Trimica and Marie leading the pack through the front door,
I knew in a moment I would see a busy call center floor.
One after another through the reception and onto the floor they came,
They whistled, and shouted, and called each other by name;
"Now, Stacie! now, Nancy! now, Brandy and Kelly!
Hi, Tanesha! hi Robert! hi, Valerie and Demi!”
To their HON chairs and new cubes they went one and all,
To sign into their phones and await their first call.
Invisible to them was all the work that had been done
Who knew meetings about tile and number of bathroom stalls could be so much fun!
The training labs were huge and with state of the art AV equipment
And even some signs our friends in retail had sent.
The breakroom was stocked with snacks, coffee, and sprite,
The flat screen TV on the wall was such a gorgeous sight.
The months and months of planning done from afar,
All of us working towards a common goal with the code name “Project Star.”
Only a few days prior the team had been working from the temp space
At a location where to be safe one might consider carrying mace.
The project team and associates all have reason to be merry,
The Staples sign was hung above the door as red as a berry.
And now the big day in our new building had arrived.
It was bittersweet – the opening was also a closing of a chapter in our professional lives.
So from the PM to the project team who made it all happen,
(this is where I might have to dab my eyes with a napkin)…
You made the vision of a virtual call center come true,
And it couldn’t have been done without each and every one of you.
Although opening a call center happens only once in a blue moon,
I hope I get to work you on a project again soon!
--------
Photos:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=tqvqlh5.5nibq6h9&x=0&y=-ulf2qo
March 4, 2008
Happy 21 weeks to baby!
The baby is 21 weeks old today. He/She is the size of a Cantaloupe and weighs ¾ of a lb.
March 3, 2008
Daily conversation
trey: Dora's on (TV)
joe: I don't think so man
trey: check please! (handing Joe the remote)
joe: I don't think so man
trey: check please! (handing Joe the remote)
Ever have that feeling like you are forgetting something?
Joe took his truck in for a tuneup today so he was driving mine. He called me at work and asked if it was possible I had been forgetting to get my car inspected. I honestly hadn't even thought about it in forever. Apparently it expired in October 2006. Oops.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)