Found

I found this photo on Edith's Flickr site and thought I'd steal it because it is a pretty cool picture containing all the nescessary pieces. Do I look human, check. Nora not crying, check. Interesting perspective, check. Cool lighting, check.

I don't have a lot to report this week. I am dropping back into that feeling of overwhelmingness. Technically we've supposed to be moving into the new house next week. The first in fact. But, I can't quite imagine that happening with things the way they are right now. I am finding it hard to get the energy together to accomplish little things in the evening. And my decision making is beginning to falter. I was a Macy's today, where I needed to spend $100 in order to get a free panini press (or maybe it is like 29.99, basically free) and I couldn't decide which towels to buy. AND I had already scoped out the selection on Tuesday, seriously what is the matter with me? In the end I didn't get any towels, instead I bought to outrageously expensive (but hugely on sale) shams to match my CK bedding. When I got to the desk they were out of the panini press (the whole point of the outing) but they managed to get one from a different store. So on a scale of successful shopping 1-10, I'd give it about a 6.

Please and Thank you

Today was playgroup.
I meet with my friend Nancy beforehand to caffinate and then we head off for 2 1/2 hours of wall-to-wall toddlers. I don't love playgroup, but Nora does, so I do it for her. And to break up the mind-numbing amount of hours I have to entertain her. The "class" she's in now is for 2-3 year olds. I've noticed a change in the parents this class. The kids are beginning to be enrolled in activities.
One mother said, "I can't do Thursday because we have Spanish in the morning and ballet and piano in the afternoon."
I can only assume she was talking about the 3-year-old Tilley and not the baby. Weird. I can feel the competition starting, or maybe just changing. Because now it isn't about things we can't control, like growing, walking, or talking but things we can control like learning Spanish and ballet and piano.
Most poignent of all was during snack time when one of the other mothers was crouched down amongst all the toddler and Nora turned to her and said, "More water please." With not only shock, but actual horror the mother looked first at Nora and then at me. Her look clearly said, "How dare your child do something mine can't." Worse yet, after she poured the water Nora said "Thank you."

I might not permanently injure the KD

Kitchen
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

KD stands for Kitchen Designer in building lingo. She pulled a few strings to get us our cabinets by Friday. We were supposed to get them on Monday, then on Wednesday (well, if you'd like to know the truth we were supposed to get them on Dec 23rd.). But, there was a big storm in Canada (where they are made) and so the truck rolled into LA on Thursday and we had to beg to get them delivered on Friday around 5:30pm. It was one of the best days of the building for me. Right up there with finally breaking ground. I think it's because once the kitchen is in, I'm ready to move in.
So when is this thing going to be finished? The short answer is never. The longish answer is as follows:
The counters will be measured for on Wednesday, should take three weeks from then.
We ordered a diswasher and a micowave/hood on Saturday, should be two weeks.
Carpet just arrived at the installers yesterday, the one for Nora's room is wrong. But hopefully we can install the rest next week.
Electrician is coming this weekend to install sconces in hall, bathrooms, and chandelier in dining room.
Contractor should be coming today until Friday to finish up some stuff. He should be busting through to the studio and installing a pocket door there. Putting in the front door.
Alec should finish the cabbinets this week/weekend.
Interior doors should be here next week, and we still have to find someone to put them in.
Exterior painting is expensive so we need to get another quote.
Finishing the deck and railing, probably Victor and Alec.
Trimming out ALL the doors and windows and the base board...poor Alec.
That's all I can think of right now.

More Finished

JEG Vanity
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

So, the bathrooms are essentially finished. That means that no one else is going to be coming out here to work on them. As you can see, my bathroom still needs a mirror and some shelves under the counter here, and the paint touched up, and a tp holder, and a towel bar, and, and, and. You see why it is somenights so overwhelming that I just curl up and watch episodes of Veronica Mars all night.
But, we have started bring over shit from storage. The idea was to just bring everything and put it into the closet until we have time to go through it. But, somehow that didn't stop us from going through the boxes at storage while Nora played in dust, rat shit, and eventually climbed around the front seat of the car. I'm sure you can see this coming right? She locked herself in the car. Faye and the neighbor started to panic, but Alec and I were pretty confident in Nora's ability to understand us and to grab a little thingie and pull it up. The problem: Nora loves to play in the car and screams bloody murder at the end of such sessions. So, we worried she wouldn't want to let us in. Turns out, she unlocked the door within 2 minutes and then got totally pissed that we wanted to get in the car too.
I guess next time we should just go grab a cup of coffee.

I was actually going to post something...

but then I got distracted by this "blog of note"!!
http://twochineseboys.blogspot.com/


I highly encourage you to get over there right now and watch "bu de bu ai".

Also, I am planning on watching all the rest when get home tonight.

Over-Hearing

Yesterday, in the car on the way to work I was listening to NPR and they were airing the Alito hearing. I'm not hugely interested in this laborious process, but somehow I got a little caught up in it. The best part was when Diane Fienstein, "Democrat, California" started asking questions. Yeah, I thought let's see if my state can bring it. Never mind the fact that she isn't actually my senator, that'd be Barbara Boxer, but I couldn't help but claim her just a little, because she was so condescending and bitchy. She would ask awesome hypothetical questions and when Alito would not answer it by saying things like, "well I can only speak in terms of actual cases..." she'd say, "That isn't my question." and "I don't think you understand what it is I'm asking you." At one point he actually appologized. I think what I like the most was the similarity it bore to a typical retail transaction. Senator Feinstein is the good consumer, trying to buy a dining room chair and Alito is the sales associate who enjoys with-holding information because he can, or maybe he's just stupid. It plays out in the following way:

West Elm (Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica), busy and full of twenty-somethings sales people with headphones.

Consumer: Hi, I'd like to know the availability of this dining chair right here.
Sales Associate: That one? Which color?
C: Blue, but online it looks like you don't have blue, so I guess brown.
SA: Yeah, we are soldout of the blue, how many of the brown do you want?
C: How many do you have?
SA: How many do you want?
C: Well, that depends on how many you have...Ideally I'd like six blue chairs, but we'd only need 1 chair to take home and see if it works with our table.
SA: So, how many do you want?
C: Could you just check?
SA Makes loud and annoying call for a stock check
20 minutes later
SA: We don't have six. And this line is discontinued, we'll be getting our Spring line in two weeks.
C: I don't think you understand my question, "Is there any chair that we can take home today?"
SA: We can order them for you.

Retail Therapy

My lamp
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I bought this lamp on Friday and now I feel much, much better. I also did some painting and Alec did base-boards so things are starting to look more finished. Yeah!
Anyway, I love this lamp. I'm going to focus on that for awhile.

I'm sick

and tired.
I think that is why I haven't been writing.
I feel crappy. I have a cold (okay that is only for the past two days). But I just want things to stop dragging on. I am tired of whining about the same ole stuff. I bore myself.

Nora:I love you but I need a fucking break.
While I'm at work I can't wait to get home and see her, once I'm home it takes 10 minutes before I'm fantasizing about bedtime...hers and mine. I feel drained of everything from money and time to patience and intelligence.

House:I love you but your not mine. And so all the work, sweat, and money I put into you ultimately make me feel cheated. I look around you and see beautiful things, but I also see all the compromises, the overrulings, and I'm afraid I'll never feel really at home.

Friends: I love you all, but stop living so fucking far away. I want to see you whenever I want or at least be in the same time zone.

Wah, fucking wah

Evenings with The Goffin/Schumachers

Peek into ABS bathroom
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Last night I painted and Alec and his dad laid subflooring and bamboo flooring. Really no different from any number of night from the last few months.
We're moving along, blah, blah, blah.
It'll be done before we know it, blah, blah, blah, except I'm pretty sure I'll know when it is done.
I've uploaded some pictures of the unexciting adventures of house construction. It's one of those things that is only interseting to the people involved and maybe close friends and family.
Nora is coming along nicely, I swear she learns fifty new words a day. She is nearly two though, and whining and screaming in the middle of Restoration Hardware is quite common.
Sesame Street is over and so is my alloted blogging time. Bye.

Living Room, sorta

Living Room, sorta
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

For Christmas I got a sofa, a rug, and a rocker.
Alec and his dad finished the floor on Friday and on Saturday we went to Donze, where all our furniture and other crap is stored. More than anything, I wanted my sofa. So we somehow muscled it up onto Vic's subaru roofrack, tied it down to within an inch of it's life and drove 15 mph with the hazards on. Where there is a will there is a way. We sit over there for a few hours a day and dream about living there someday.
I really want our kitchen cupboards to come in though. They were supposed to be in on December 23, but sur-fucking-prise they are now due on January 9. I hate that (insert derogotary term) woman from the design store. Anyway, the progress is continuing.
Today, Nora and I are going to join the hordes of post-Christmas shoppers, she needs to be trained from early on to keep up...
FYI, no christmas cards were sent out this week. But if your reading this blog, you already know what is going on with me and have seen pictures of us anyway, right?

Beleaguered

Paint colors
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I'm so sick of this.
I want to live here, instead of work here.
Soon.
We've been saying that for a year
and a half.
February 1st now NO MATTER WHAT.
That was Nora's due date.

Painting Walls

I spent most of the weekend painting walls and ceilings. It is like nothing I've ever felt before. I mean, duh, of course I've painted walls and ceilings before. Anyone who has seen our apartments will know that I paint. But those were pre-existing walls, walls that had seen other inhabitants, other lives. I painted them to make them mine, not theirs. But these new walls...they've been mine since before they were born. Their placement, their construction, have all been in the service of my family. Painting the ceiling detail that Vic knew in his head and we all went along with, knowing that I'll be starring at that ceiling for a long time, well. So, I am enjoying every blister, every dollop of paint in my hair, on my face, and all over my clothes. This is going to be my "for real" house. Holy Shit.

Make up test

There is a chance to redeem yourself if you did poorly on my quiz. The link is to the right and down.

Ceiling detail

Ceiling detail
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

This is the living room ceiling. I couldn't really picture it when it was in its early stages, but wow, I love it now. The drywalling is completely finished, except that they left the scaffolding behind so that we could use it to paint this ceiling. I still need to buy the paint, maybe today. Except that it is raining and doing with errands with a toddler is hard enough without rain.
Things really are coming along though, I've been priming for all I'm worth. Anytime now we can put in the flooring and and and....
Nora is feeling better, except I noticed that she has a rash all over her back, but I can't think of anything different she has eaten. She is just so big, I honestly can't beleive it. She still has the body of a toddler, but every once and a while I get a glimpse of her girl body, in her movements and facial expressions. And her taste in bad tv is coming along nicely, well she is my daughter. She has her Little Einsteins and I have my Breaking Bonaduce.

Fevered

Nora has a fever. It all started on Monday; she woke up from her nap with a fever.
That evening, she resembled a warm cookie. She was lethargic and quiet, I know I should feel bad for her and I do, but it is damn nice to have your toddler be cuddly. She is normally going warp-speed from 6:00 am until 7:00 pm, with a brief break from 11:00 until 1:00. So, watching TV with her sitting on my lap for an hour is a real treat. Yesterday, she seemed better in the morning and we even went to play with Marc and Betsy, but by the time I got home from work, she was feverish again. This morning she seems okay. Here's the thing, I'm not all that concerned about her fever. I mean, you know it happens and what is the pediatrician going to tell us that we don't already know? Give her some tylenol and wait it out, unless it gets dangerously high, of course. But, I am not behaving as most first-time moms. Nonetheless, I do feel confident in my instincts that she is going to be fine. I think.

Building a house is hard

Especially when there are four people involved and I am used to getting my own way.
Every decision has to be run through the committee, consisting of Vic, Faye, Alec, and me. Doing anything by committee is hard enough, but building a house on your in-laws property, which they ultimately own is even more hairy. The last few days we have been knee-deep in tile negotiations. After a lengthy review process though, I am happy to report that my bathroom is going to fucking rock! It will have a spa-like feel with 5/8 inch glass mosaic tiles from Walker Zanger. They are so pretty, they look like beach glass with the same matte finish. After "we" decided to use them I felt the kind of elation that was last felt when I finally got a pair of guess jeans in sixth grade.
We won't be in the new house by Thanksgiving as hoped. I mean we'll be in there, priming, painting, etc. But we won't be living there. Maybe we'll be in there by Christmas, but I don't think I've been THAT good this year.

Selfishness, Thy name is daycare

Tea with Bear
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I took Nora to Daycare today, at 8:20 am. She went on Monday at 11:00 and on Tuesday at 12:00. She isn't feeling all that great (a cold most likely contracted on Monday or Tuesday), so she isn't all that much fun to be around. Our normal morning routine is 7:00-8:00 Sesame Street, while I bathe and drink coffee while listening to NPR. 8:00-9:00 Breakfast and getting dressed. Around 9:00 we usually have something to do: visit a pre-school (Mon), go to playgroup (Tue), look at tile/doors/hardware/bathroom fixtures (Wed), or go to Trader Joe's (Thur), but today there was nothing on the agenda, except that I wanted to be alone to putter. So I packed up sniffles and hauled her off to daycare promptly at 8:15, without breakfast and with just enough Pedicare to get her through the morning. As soon as she saw where we were, she clung to my neck and pointed back towards the car. She cried when I left her and I felt pretty shitty. I've spent my Nora-free, guilty morning on the computer backing up all the photos onto a disk and picking up a little. It feels weird to be home alone.

Tea Time

Tea Time
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Nora loves to pretend to eat at her little table. She spends lots of time lunching with bear. So much time, in fact that I had to move her table closer to a TV, so that I could enjoy my day as well.
This week, Nora has gone to a daycare twice. I think she likes it, but I hate leaving her with a stranger and a strange bunch of kids. Also, she seems sick today. She has a runny nose. She is really good at blowing her nose but hasn't quite gotten the wiping part of that. The blowing part seems great when you are the one holding the tissue, wiping and throwing it away. However, it is less charming when she finds an old tissue in trash holds it up to her nose and blows for all she's worth. Then without the wiping she just has a face for of blown out snot, dripping and waiting, gross.

Not one of the pictures

Pumpkin Patch
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I uploaded twice. Maybe being a mom does make you stupider.

Back by Popular Demand

At Grandma's House
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Pictures of my offspring.
This is outside my Mom's house in Rice Lake.
Nora is not only cute as the dickens (or is it cute as a dickens? what dickens? one of Dicken's characters?) she is also one odd little ball. She pulls the covers completely over her head to sleep. When we come in her room to check on her, we don't know which end is up. Once we uncover her a bit we find a sweaty little baby who snores.
Nora is still giving the finger to daylight savings, primarily by waking up at 4:45 (yesterday) or 5:15 (today) and shrieking. Blurry-eyed, Alec and I end up in her room telling her it is too early and also that shrieking is so totally not okay. I even threatened a timeout this moring and it actually worked. So, now 6:15 feels like we're sleeping in.
As for the house. I have been in a PMS-related rage at the kitchen designer. It is not my finest hour/day/weeek. Once I calm down a bit I will give you all the boring details.

Fuck Daylight Savings

I am not a nice person before six am. I suppose it could be argued that I am not much of a nice person after six either. But, trust me when I say that I am unbearable before six. I think it goes back to my high school days when I worked at the pool. Everyone had to do an early bird shift once a week. The pool opened at 5:30am and there needed to be two lifeguards on duty. My personal belief is that if you want to swim laps at 5:30 in the morning you should be willing to drown. Especially, if it is January and 12 degrees. My entire week was built around the dread that my one shift per week generated. The entire night before I would be lamenting my fate. Need to open the doors at 5:30? I'd leave the house at 5:28, leave my bed at 5:27:30 and scrape the windshield at 5:29. Back in those days I welcomed FallBack, because it meant a slight reprieve from the Early Bird. But toddlers don't seem to understand the benefit of gaining an extra hour in the morning. Nora awoke at five fucking am and I just ignored her. Sure, I wasn't getting any sleep, but at least I wasn't giving in to her. At around 5:30, I finally relented and got up to make her a bottle and ask Alec if he intended to share in the wealth of an extra hour of Nora. While I slammed through the kitchen swearing and preparing her bottle, Alec went into her room. Surprise, she had reached into her shitty diaper and surprise wiped it all over her crib, sheet, blanket, and self. Fucking sweet.

We are NOT drywalling this week

Serves me right. I HAD to get all excited and proclaim the fact that drywalling was immenent. In fact the actual drywall is nowhere to be found, at least that is what the drywall guy says. I'm thinking, if this is your business, your career, wouldn't you make sure that you had drywall, or at least a source for it? Anyway, this entire week has gone by without a drywall srew being drilled, and I am heading home tomorrow and will not see any of the progress that I anticipated.

Meanwhile, here in Rice Lake, it's...well... very depressing. The houses are all these dismal little one story ranch houses. No character. And the big story this week is the opening of the Wal-Mart Super Center. The old Wal-Mart is now one more empty building. And the bookstore I worked at in High School closed down, because ya' know they sell books without the huge discounts. And the pool where I worked in High School has a big crack in it, so I guess it is closed for a while. Each time I come back here I remember why I was in such a hurry to leave. DEPRESSION. Even the beautiful fall colors and crisp days can do little to combat the desperation this town emotes. I suppose it goes without saying that I was a drama queen in high school too.

Seven Months Pregnant

I can barely remember what being seven months pregnant was like. But, I'm pretty sure that is about where we are with the house. You look ready to lay down and have that baby right where you are, but there are still 2 looong months ahead. Months filled with the hurried preparations of a new baby. Weeks when you think, "Let's have this baby already!" Similarly our house looks pretty well done, the changes are small and incremental. But can't it just be finished, seriously. We are in a mad rush of picking out carpet, appliances, cabinets, tile, EVERYTHING that goes into a new house. And we are doing it by committee, which can be very time consuming. Just like with Nora, there are things you have to buy, necessary, expensive things...crib, car seat, diapers and then there are those lovely little non-essentials that make having a baby worth it, clothes, shoes, toys, bedding. The house is the same way. Bathtubs must be bought, but what kind of fixtures are all a matter of taste (and budget). This state of expectation and excitement is dampered by the long weeks ahead, weeks of setbacks, rain, bloating, and constant peeing. And with my track record, seriously overdue!

Hopes and Dreams

I've been thinking lately about what I hope for Nora as she grows up. Do I hope that she finds her passion, of course. But, what are the ramifications of that. I mean wouldn't we all like to "pursue" our passions? But how does that pay the bills? I would love her to be a ballerina or a artist or a writer, but what if that means that she'll be broke and, and, not able to buy expensive handbags? Then again, what kind of parents wants their child to grow up to be a financial analyst, not the kind of parent I want to be. I mean what if being artsy means that she is living with us until she's in her thirties...that is just too awful to think about. I guess this is coming from me evaluating my own choices in life. There is nothing like a neighborhood meeting to really distill all your life choices down to their essence.
"So, what do you do then."
"Um, actually right now I work part-time at the university for benefits, but I have my master's in children's literature."
"Really, what kind of books do you write?"
"I don't write, but I have graded papers for the univeristy class on Children's Literature."
"Oh, so you teach."
"Ah, no. Just grade papers for the professor."
Meanwhile, the monthly payment for my student loans is due.

Rainy day

It is a lovely rainy day today. The kind that make you want to bake and drink cocoa, read a book, and curl up with a cat. The rain that is charming after months of sunshine. And the kind that is perfect for working in an office, listening to the Garden State soundtrack and looking out at the gray sky, which incidently is just what I am doing right now.
I can only have this attitude because I don't live in a studio with my only child sleeping in a room under the house. Instead I belong to that set of society that lives in more than one room, and has their children sleeping in a room down the hall where they can peek in at them at any moment.
The house is being insulated today. It might only take one day, but let's say it takes two, we'll still be starting drywalling this week. WE'LL BE STARTING DRYWALLING THIS WEEK!!!! After that is finished, we paint, put in flooring, order kitchen cabinets, get tiles, basically get to all the fun stuff. And see what this place is actually going to look like. It is just so fucking cool I'm speechless.

Trading Spaces

We live in the big house now. Vic and Faye are in the studio. They insisted, no really they did, and who are we to tell them that living in a coverted two car garage is not really all that much fun. I mean, sometime you just have to learn by doing, right? And during this learning curve Alec, Nora, and I might as well live in luxury. Okay, in all honesty we owe to Nora, what a little trooper. She choose just the right time to learn to climb out of her crib, scaring the bejeezus out of her grandma.
Here's how it played out:
We spent two nights and one day in the studio before they returned. The transistion was not going well for me, refer to earlier post. But, Alec had faith that in time it would be fine. Nora seemed bored with the small space of the studio, I believe I also commented on that fact in my lament. I expressed these feelings to Faye and she was sympathetic, but didn't really know what could be done. Then Nora woke up from her nap and Faye and I went down to get her. She was not in her crib. She was on top of the table that is next to her crib, fists full of toys and appearing to be returning to her crib. In other words we caught her at just the right moment. I'm not sure how long she'd been getting in and out of her crib, but the morning before, I had come in to find her sitting in a basket, tipped over and pinned to the side of the crib. I did wonder at the time how she managed to reach that basket as I was sure I had put it well out of range. But, that seemed like an insignificant question when what I was really wondering was how the hell she got herself sitting IN the basket, it was tiny.
(Personal References: Brandy: it was the basket that the Zingerman's stuff came in. Ali: It reminded me of the picture of Beave in the basket when she was a kitten.)
SO once we realized that Nora was getting out of her crib, it seemed like a natural progression that she would open the door and go roaming about the yard in the middle of the night, that is until she ran into a coyote. Faye was thus determined that we should move into the house and they would endevour to live in the studio, which anyway is much bigger than the Spanish pensionnes they had just been staying at. Like I said, who are we to dissaude them. We've been sleeping in the new digs for two nights now and I don't know about anyone else, but I think this is going to work out fine.

Trying to readjust

I don't want to go back to studio living. In fact, it may even be that I CAN'T go back. It s-u-c-k s, hard.
For one thing, we don't know how much longer the house will take 2 months, 3 months, more? It appears that it is anyone's guess. I just can't hold out over the rainy season again. Today, was our first full day back in the studio and Nora is not into it. It is far too small and boring to hold her attention and she threfore spends her energy on getting into everything that is off limits. That leads to battles of will, and crying and tearing of hair, mostly mine. So, what do we do?

Our only option is to stay in V&F's vacation rental. It too, is small, but at least there are different rooms, and a back yard, and close to downtown. I'm not sure how much rent they'd want. More than what we are paying now, no doubt. Plus if we are down there, it isn't as easy to work on the house (whenever that will happen) or for Faye to babysit Nora. But, the privacy and kitchen are strong draws for me.

I'm trying to stick it out, but at some point you just have to fold, right?

House? Yes, please.

The corner of doors
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

There are doors and windows in our house. And a roof too. And boxes of flooring that we sill someday walk on, I think. I hope. Thanksgiving?
Though no one is working on the house this week and the netflix disc 2 of season four of Six Feet Under was broken, I'm in a pretty happy state.
Seeing the house get further and further along is just amazing. I can't wait to unpack my boxes and move the hell in! We are trying to plan the kitchen cabinet layout right now. Course, it takes a back seat to painting tongue and groove boards (56 of them), showing the Donze rental, finishing up Faye's design job, and oh yeah, taking care of Nora. Also, playgroup on Tuesdays, CASA on Thursday, and AAAGGGHHH, how did I become busy MOM person. I'm going to go watch TV for 15 minutes before I have to leave for work. Bye

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Nora'sChocChipPancakes1
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I honestly have very little to say today. A very long weekend, but since we're over at Vic and Faye's I took this opportunity to upload so cute ass pictures from their computer. This was a few weeks ago, but we made pancakes this morning too. Click on the headless pictures on the flickr site, once you do her head magically appears.
By the way, I'm thirty now.

When Toddlers Dress Themselves

When Toddlers
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Vic and Faye left for Spain yesterday, for a month. I thought we'd just move right over there, that was the plan anyway. Then I realized how much I like my stuff. And their house feels big and dark and kinda cold even. Funny, I really like the warmth and coziness of the studio. But, today I started moving our stuff over there. Mircowave, toaster oven, and some food. I still need to move some clothes, and ultimately my Tivo, which means I really am committed.
The house is moving along very well, I almost can't believe that we will be moving in all in a matter of months. I don't even remember what all we have in storage only that we can get along with very, very little.
Watching the Hurricane survivors cope with the aftermath I'm struck again and again at how impermenent THINGS are. How much energy is spend in acquiring them, caring for them, and ultimately in saying goodbye to them. Yet, I take great joy in shopping, it is hard to reconcile the two sentiments.

Good Morning my dear house

South side of House
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

The shell of the house is pretty nearly done. Done enough, that we had a "topping out" party on Saturday and it was lovely. Lots of people involved in the making of this building were in attendence, from the guy at the planning dept. to the 80-odd year old structual engineer to the contractor and the electrician (who had wired up the house that very morning). Building a house is so very like having a baby. And since cetain people keep waiting for signs of when I"LL next rent my body to a developing person, this is our new baby #939. So this was our baby shower. And, today we have an ultrasound, that is a nailing inspection. I hope we pass and can move onto the next phase.

We've ordered the flooring for the upstairs and the bathrooms. Bamboo! I got it for a steal online 2.64/sq ft. We'll be installing it ourselves. We've been making all kinds of Important decisions about the #939, we feel a little like genetic engineers. Have you noticed that I've used the word "engineer" twice already? Must be working in the Chemical Engineering dept (there's four).

Vic and Faye leave for Spain in one week. So, we'll be moving over there for the month of Sept. which means that anyone wishing to visit, is highly urged to consider September as optimal visiting time...especially since I'll be turning 30 on the 14th and might need a little support.

That's my baby

That's my baby
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Yep, she has my jeans, I mean genes. This was on a recent visit to Macy's. AND that shoe was from the sale rack. I quite literally couldn't be prouder of her. I wonder when she realized that shopping was fun. Was it those cold February and March days when the only possible place to stroll was Cambridgeside Galleria? Or was it the two weeks in Paris that included no fewer than 12 trips to Galleries Lafayette? Okay, she may have been groomed for this particular proclivity. But, if I've had this much success with shopping without really trying, just imagine how easy ballet is going to be!!

BTW Nora really is the cutest girl in the world.

Thank you Eunice

For introducing me to someone I feel I have know for EVOR.
Dooce.com
This woman is awesome. Not only is she MY age but her daughter is only 8 days older than Nora. Weirdness. I had heard of her website from Annie, but never really checked it out. Then last night Susan intrigued me enough to check it out. And that is how obsessions are born. It is like that person everyone keeps telling you you would love and then you finally meet them and yep, pretty much they rock.

I apologize myself for the misunderstood.

This line is from an email from an author. The authors that I "speak" with come from all over the world and many of them count English and a second or third language. As such, lingistic jewels are commonly found in unassuming emails. I have decided to start a list. So far, I have the above, as well as:
Thank you for the following email of you.
and
I can revise our paper thoroughly without anxiety.

I think that last one is my favorite. Wouldn't we all like to revise thoroughly? without anxiety? I know I would.

In other news, I had simply the best time EVOR in Boston. A taste of the old days, pre-parenting. I stayed out late, slept in, and got a wonderful haircut. Back in SB, the house is coming along. The contractor is optimistic that we'll be in the house by Thanksgivig, so long as we don't mind a few plumbers et al hanging around. Uh, no.
I hope to have pictures of the new developments soon...can you second floor!

Old photo New comment

NOT getting her way
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

So, this is the "most viewed" photos on my flickr photostream. I find this interesting. But, I thought I would update everyone on Nora's evolution from this photo to the present in terms of behavior when someone uses the N word. In this picture, clearly, she is in the mode of "pity party". Shortly after this stage she moved onto the "inflicting pain on the user of the word" stage. This included (but was not limited to) biting, pinching, hitting, and headbutting. After a particularly stinging pinch I told her very sternly no and then proceed to tell her how much that had hurt. She appeared sympathetic and even made the frowny, crying face with tears. For the most part she has curbed her outburst againt others. It gave way to the "self hurting" stage. Which I have to admit, as a parent, is more disturbing that her hitting me. When she hears No she either hits herself in the face or pulls her hair. Though the pediatrician says it is good for her to hit herself, I can't help but think of Rainman. I mean, HELLO doesn't that hurt! I know it hurts actually because you've done it to me. Recently, she has started to transition away from the self-inflicted variety of frustration and into inatimate objects, like what ever it is she is told no about. ie my computer. or her doll. I'm not sure this is progress.

Work continues a pace

DSCN0490
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

is apace one word or two. Anyway, as you can see there is more than just a whole in the ground. In fact this is our downstairs. We hope to see some upstairs this week!
In other news, I am coming/going to Boston (depending on who you are). And can't wait to see all my friends. Here's the itinerary:

Wednesday July 27th, arrive in BOS at 9:30pm
Thursday July 28th, Institute from 5pm on...
Friday July 29th, Institute all day and possibly the evening too.
Saturday July 30th, Institute all day and possible the evening too.
Sunday July 31st, Institute brunch in the morning and free in the afternoon and evening.
Monday August 1st, Free all morning and afternoon, flight leaves BOS at 5:41pm
Yeah!

Family photo

Family photo
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

We miss travelling. It was so nice to spend time together as a family. This is one of the few photos we have of the whole family. It was taken on the roof of the Galleries Layfayette (one of MY favorite places in Paris).
Now that we are home the routine of life has firmly settled in. Work, cleaning, eating, errands, and all the rest of the stuff. Of course, the construction of our new house keeps things interesting. Speaking of which, I am going to upload some pics of the progress.

Post sickness

New/Old stroller
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I've been really ever so not well.
Sinus infection, days in bed watching Law and Order, NYPD Blue, and Buffy. But, now I am feeling much, much better.
I went to the doctor on Tuesday morning and although it was a severely shitty experience, I got some antibiotics and am now feeling less not well.
Except for that pesky little "secondary infection" you know the one I mean, the one that is reserved for the ladies...
So I am three weeks into the new job and it is going well. I like the work, location, and in a month or so I will like the paycheck. It is funny not seeing Miss Nora as much. But, I think I will get used to it. Also it helps me to appreciate the time we do have together.
I leave for Boston on Wednesday! Can't wait to see everyone and have a loverly time on my own!!!!!

On my own at the UCEN

With the Mom
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Well, nostalgia strikes again. I am currently sitting in the UCen or University Center at UCSB using on of the crusty old terminals. I am waiting until 6:15 when the students in the Children's Lit class finish their midterm and I can gather them up and tote them home to grade with haste. (I will be doing the same thing with their papers at the end of July when I go to Boston for the Institute). Being on campus now though feels so different. I think it is because I am now a career employee, in other words I belong here. Some how I always seemed to know that I would end up working for a University. I guess I thought it would be as a professor rather than as a administrative assistant. C'est la vie. It suits me fine right now. Especially the benefits. Here is the problems with the benefits, though the problem is not specific to UC benefits. I want to have my next baby (NOT in the oven, by the way) as close to possible as I did in Cambridge. The short version: NOT a prayer. The hospitals (2) do not perform VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Ceserean) which doesn't directly affects me, but lets me know the general tone of the doctors and hospitals here: Consevrative. There was apparently one or two doctors that worked with midwives up until a short time ago when something happened during a home birth. Apparently the midwife involved was run out of town and the rest are a bit gun shy. I know that there isn't a Birth Center like in Cambridge, but I would ideally like as little to do with a doctor as possible. Still, I don't want to have the baby at home either. Basically what I am saying is that it suck that there are so little options for birthing in a supposedly liberal state like California. And, since my labor was so short last time round (and sencond babies typically arrive in half the time) travelling doesn't really seem to be a viable option. What to do? Oh, and any doctors that still use a midwife don't seem to take any insurance plans.

In other news, my job is going very well. I like my co-worker, I'm learning the ropes quickly, and I enjoy being away from home on a regular basis. I can't wait to get a paycheck, woo-hoo!

The house is still behind schedule, no surprise there. But, everyday that there is no one working makes me very, very crabby.

Nora with Lake

Nora with Lake
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

This photo is from the balcony of Edith's house in Lugano. If it wasn't for the heat, it would have been perfect. Although with the heat the only possible thing to do was to visit the Lido. It is kind of like a beach club on the lake. There are also pools, kiddie pools, diving pools, swimming pools, and the best fries we've ever had. It was so relaxing to be here, especially with Edith. I can't wait to return some day.

Fun at the fountains

Fun at the fountains
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

We're back.
And yes, that last post was the worst possible day. I'm all better now.

Tomorrow is 4th of July and we plan to go to the beach for the fireworks, if Nora can stay awake that long. I love the fireworks here they are unlike anywhere else.

I've some new photos on flickr, but I am still too jet-lagged to come up with anything interesting to say.
Sorry.

past the point of wanting to return

I've offically lost it.

It happened today at approximately 6:17.
In the stifling heat
of our incredibly cramped
dirty
noisy
hostel room.

I'm not sure what exactly pushed me over the edge.

It might have been
the four flights of stairs
carrying the stroller
in 100 degree opressive heat
but
I think what finally did it was
having to step over laundry somewhere between the third and fourth floor
stepping into a room faintly reeking of baby shit.

I sat against the wall and started to cry
feeling very
unglobtrottery

A cold shower helped
barely

Now I am just hoping against hope that tomorrow will be better
Fuck
It can't get worse
right?

16 minutes at the BK

Hey, you'll never guess where I am blogging from...
Burger King,in Lugano. Zou get 30 minutes free with everz meal. So,I think it is worth feeling sick from fast food for such an...exotic...local from which to blog from.

Not much new, that is to say, too much new to write in 14 minutes. Here's a small recap.

Marseille (So. of France) verz nice, should have spent one more day. The car rental tried to jack us out of money surprise surprise. Nice hotel, terrible rainstorm.

Genoa or Genova on the map, but don't pronounce it genovah because that isn't right. It was cool ONCE loooong before we saw it. I kept trying to picture it in its original gradeur, the way zou see a reallz old man and trz to imagine him back when we was virile. But in the end it was just depressing. But the gelato was good and cheap.

Lugano: Ever so lovelz to be back in Switzerland where it is clean and clean and Edith and Yannick are here. It is wonderful to have some Baby relief. Speaking of pea, she has two monstrous molars, reallz quite scary. She is doing so well, but she is eating . Bread and the occasional Babybel cheese. We hope that this week she'll get back to eating at least one or two vegetables. I'm getting ready to come home, but am not looking forward to living in a studio again. Why oh why can't everz house be built in 7 days like on TV.

Holy crap;

Durstlöschen
Originally uploaded by ewyler.

I can blog pictures from Edith's page...
How cool is that shit?!

Here's my caption: EVERYONE drinks in Europe.

Link to some photos that don't

show Nora's new haircut.

They are on Alec'S Aunt's flickr page and I'm sure she won't mind all of you tromping over there to take a quick look...Right Edith?

So, we leave Paris on Monday and I can't believe that it has happened so quickly. We have a babysitter coming tonight who is giving us some time to have a civil dinner.

I forgot how completely tiring visiting a place is. Everyday you truck out there ready to cram as much info and sites as possible into a few hours, walking everywhere because go forbid you should be underground and not SEE something and a cab? we all know the only thing you look at in a cab is the meter!

We did manage to get a membership to the local video store across the street. Boy an addict will do anything to get their drug of choice eh?!

Okay, today I am tres fatigue and tres uninspired to write...sorry!

In which I rant and make several errors

Anybody read that David Sedaris book where he speaks with a lisp and so just avoids using words that have ssses. That is how I feel about the french keyboard. The letters A W M Z . and all the numbers are srewy. All this time and I didn't know how many words needed an m or a w, I mean A, of course that one you'd expect. Anyway I've used up most of my patience with the keys with that little analogy.

The RANT*

The woman who rented us the apartment...I emailed her to tell her that the shower curtain had so much mildew on it that it was unhygenic, she emailed back that she doesn't know what mildew IS, I guess she is one lucky lady. Anyone have a worthy translation for MILDEW?

We are getting eaten alive by something. Each day more and more little bites appear on our arms and legs, do you think she knows what bed bugs are? Alas, we've not seen anything that seems like it could be the culprit.

On the up side***

We had a great day today. We went to the Luxumbourg Gqrdens where they have an amazing playground for kiddies (that's what everyone calls them) and Nora had a friggin ball. There was a group of preschoolers who were intriqued by the thing behind her ear; one of them felt behind her ear to see if she had one too. The sky clouded over and because I had taken the parapluie out of my backpack this morning it started to pour, all the kiddies ran for cover and there was mass hysteria, but in a good way. Nora enjoyed the fuss, but still wanted to play in the rain and she did have a few compatriots.

After the park, Nora fell asleep and we had a wonderful lunch in a noisy, crowded and perfectly Parisian restaurant.

**NOTE SCHEDULE CHANGE***
It has come to our attention that Nora reqires some time out of her stroller during the day. Accordingly, we've alloted 11 til 12 for free for all sand throwing/eating, running around, screeching. After that, it is naptime, no negotiations!

A Paris

At last my appetite for massive quantities of Petite Bateau clothing at cheap prices has been satiated. Alec and I shopped the day away yesterday, finding veritable bargins at every turn.
The apartment is a little less than impressive. It is close to the metro and technically speaking it is still in the city limits (the border is across the street). I'm impressed at the photos that were on the woman's website and looking around the apartment I find myself wondering where exactly she was standing to take the majority of them. It reminds me of our apatment in Beacon Hill, only this place is smaller and now we have a baby. Course it is better than what we've got in CA, at least here there is another room to escape to.
Nora is doing pretty well considering she has cut about 2 molars and still has another two that she is working on: Her new schedule is bed around 8p.m.(or 6p.m.tonight because she wouldn't eat her dinner); up at 6:10; nap around noon. Considering all we're asking of her she does really really well. Today, for the first time, she fell asleep in her stroller, which allowed us a chance to have a civil lunch at a cafe looking up at the Sacre Couer. My time is running low so I have to now look for hostels in Marseille....Email Me, I forgot all your email addresses but I can still access my account.

Still Bernen

Today is our last day in Bern. We´ve not done a whole lot, but that´s okay. We meant to take the train to a small town nearby called Murten, but after visiting the post office and spending 30 swiss francs to send 15 post cards, that´s like 25 bucks. So, we decided that we couldn´t afford to go anywhere today. Okay, that´s all a ruse we are really just lazy. Yesterday, we went to this like area called a lido, that is sorta like a dream for parents with kids, they have a kiddie pool and about three other pools for grownups. All around is grass and trees with shade. There is even an area that is fenced off for topless sunbathing. The kids were so funny, many of them were naked, some had underpants and a few has bathing suits. Nary a swimmer diaper to be seen. I liked that, kids pee in pools, live with it.
Today we´ve been to the train station to reserve seats on the Lausanne - Paris train for monday.That took nearly and hour and right at the end some old swiss ladies reprimanded us for letting Nora walk around barefoot were it was dirty. Um, Switzerland isn´t dirty...have you ever been to Italy?
About the new job...I´m getting excited, but also kind of sad that it is the end of my freedom. Well, actually, I´m sure it will actually mean a lot more freedom for me. It has full benefits eventhough it is part time. Also, if we can arange childcare amongst ourselves that means I get to take home the full salary. That will be great as all my student loans are coming due...
Tomorrow we leave for Lausanne and we´ll stay at Alec´s godmother´s. Should be cool.
Peace out.

Bern baby Bern

Okay, I only have 4 minutes to write this post so I wonät be very clever or careful about spelling errors. Here we are in Bern, very nice city and stuff, But here is the big news... I got the Job, I am officially a part of the chemical and nuclear engineering department at UCSB. Hard to believe isnßt it?

More soon....

Schlans

We are still in Schlans, but today we went on a short walk to the Swiss Grand Canyon. It was a nice walk and we had a great time. The weather has been really good so far, sunny and warm. The way people drive around here makes Boston drivers look like Sunday drivers. It is harrowing and I really mean that. I thought I was a bit of a reckless driver, but I have nothing and I mean nothing on these people. And they all seem to be in some kind of agreement. Like, "Yeah, we're likely going to die up around this curve but oh well." I was pretty sick to my stomach after the 30 minute car ride.
We are all on local time now. I still can't believe how well Nora is adjusting to the time change and the travelling.
We'll be heading to Bern on Monday. We are staying at a youth hostel (I thought those days were over) with a private room and shared bath and kitchen and common area. I think it will work out really well because we do NOT want to spend all our time in the same room as Nora. She's great and all, but once she is asleep the real living begins...
We'll use Bern as a base to visit all kinds of other places such as Luzern, Interlaken, and others that are within an hour. We plan to spend five nights there and then move onto Lausanne and stay with Alec's godmother. Then on the 30th it is on to Paris for two whole weeks. I can't wait.

Knowing What is really important

Setting your TiVo for a six week absence is more than just a technical issue, it is also an exercise in evaluating your life.
What shows do I REALLY value (when there are only 20 hours of time available)? Here is what made the short list:

Starting Over ah duh. But I lucked out, because the season is winding up and there are only 5 or so new episodes. Had this not been the case I would have been fucked.
America's Next Top Model. Again luckily there are onlz (z and y is inverted on the swiss kezboard so please follow suit) two episodes left and one is a dumb recap episode. So onlz one.
Alias. onlz four new episodes.
Desperate Houswives, onlz three or so new episodes.

I think that covers it. Law and Order will probablz be sidelined for awhile which is okaz because I've seen most them.

So we arrived safelz. The plane ride went reallz well and now we are battling the jet lag. Hopefullz we'll kick that dog bz tomorrow. Edith live IN the Alps, I'm not kidding. You look out the window and bam, there thez are, these immese postcard-tzpe mountains complete with snowcaps. So beautiful and sort of surreal. We are trying to plan out our next week. We walked through the village of Schlans (where she lives) and talked to some of the villagers, very european....

More soon.

Planes, Trains, and Toddlers

Holy Cow, we leave in less than 12 hours, wait, not quite...more like 14, but doesn't 12 Sound better. Alec's aunt called today to inform us that it is 38 degrees FARIENHEINT in CH today and to pack a wool coat for baby Nora, um we don't do wool coats in California. On the bright side she said it should be 75 degrees by Thursday. So, basically we are vacationing in...Boston??!! Just yesterday we were walking on the beach and I was thinking WHY are we leaving here again, oh right, the Shopping.

I'm starting to get a little nervous. Today I watched Alec making a grilled cheese in our "kitchen" and I realized I might actually miss the ole room. I mean we have been here for nine months and I've grown fond of my microwave/toaster oven set up. Honestly, there is no better way to justify having chips and dip for dinner Again when you don't have a proper stove. I do however miss the cookie baking that happened a little too often in Belmont.

In other news, I interviewed for a part-time job out at UCSB today. It is in the Chemical Engineering department (jeez, I don't even know if I spelled that correctly). Don't you think it is a perfect match?! Okay, okay it is for the Physics of Fluids magazine (huh?). Here's why it is a good fit: Part-time, meaning weekday afternoons, 1-5pm, Full benefits-for the whole family, Pay is actually not horrific, I'm intensly interested in fluids. The interview went very well, and I think they might offer me the job, course I am leaving for six weeks, but then again I am Parfait for the position (ie. it is clerical, very, very clerical). So send positive thoughts this away.

Saw Secretary last night, any thoughts?

Studio 2

Studio 2
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

So I finally took some pictures of the studio. That is to say, we finally cleaned it and then remembered to take pictures...
So click on this photo and it will take you to the studio photos. Now, maybe Nora's room will follow suit.

Not too much is happening here except for getting ready for the trip. I thought I would be more nervous but, I'm actually really excited. I cannot wait to get outta here. It has rained enough in the past three weeks to delay construction for another week. Tres depressing. So, it is time to get out of town, county, state, country and start living (on credit cards). I'll be checking my email periodically too so don't forget to email me...
Trying to leech cable DSL from Vic an Faye, but have hit a snaffu, but hope to have it all ironed out and up to speed (haa haa) when we get back.

Solar

Angelic
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

We just finished meeting with a solar guy who gave us an estimate. I really, really want to go solar. But why does it have to be so godamn ugly?
I mean really now is solar the equivelent of Ugg boot. Something that feels good but looks bad. I mean we're building a house here, something most people take enormous pride in and just because I want to be a responsible citizen I have to slap up some truly horrific looking panels on the roof? No thanks. Not to mention the 15K. I had initially wanted integrated roof tile panels, they are still solar looking but at least not in that "I have solar pride" kind of way. Subtle, there, but not in your face...yeah that's what I want.

Miss Handy

Miss Handy
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Nora loves to help so she assisted on this ikea assembly. It is her very own table and chair set. She loves to sit at the table and color.
Yesterday we went to the beach for a late lunch. There is this great place called the Shoreline. They have tables in the sand. After lunch we went to the waves, which Nora loved. She was very good at standing still while the waves washed over her feet. When they'd wash out she'd run towards them. Makes me wonder what kind of relationship she'll have with the ocean as she grows up. Me, I saw the ocean for the first time when I was 5. I don't remember it really, but I've seen pictures. I like the ocean, I like living on the ocean. It feels comforting to know that it is always there, a steady boundary and constant reference. Being in the water is another story altogether. I like lakes. Salt water tastes yucky. And you never know about tides, currents, and what is under there.
I saw the movie The Upside of Anger. I wanted to see it because, well, Felicity is in it. But, I was worried because Kevin Costner is in it. But, then again so is Joan Allen. Well, I really liked it, a lot. It was this great mix of sadness and comedy which felt realistic. And it was good to see Felicity again.

NOT getting her way

NOT getting her way
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

A complete stranger posted a comment on this pic on Flickr. Unless you of you weirdos is posing as Larry Dimik (Eunice?). It's funny though, how babies break down traditional societal boundaries. Otherwise straightlaced folks suddenly break into baby talk around her. It is especially fun to watch at design stores. Men who spend their day selling doors, windows, and concrete begin to talk in high pitched voice to entice Nora into being held.

There is a lot of activity on the hole today. I call it the hole, but really it is the beginnings of our house. Many men are moving dirt and digging trenches. I'm glad that Victor is always on hand to oversee. It can be a little scary to trust that all these holes and posts are correct.
A picture of the progress is TK.

The little Paddler

Whoa
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Love this part of Summer!

Here is a schedule of our Summer:

May 17
Leave for Zurich

May30-June13
Paris

June14-June20
South of France, suggestions of precisely where are greatly appreciated

June21-June27
Venice

June 28
Return to Santa Barbara

June29-July29
Read for UCSB class again

July 27ish-Aug1
In Boston for Institute

September
Victor and Faye are in Spain
House to ourselves
Guests welcome

Pigtail

Pigtail
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Take a good look, this is the hairstyle that Nora will be sporting for a good long time. The pig's tails are a hit. I actually can't believe that she lets me put them in at all. Of course, I have a maximum of 4.5 seconds to do each one. All the pressure of not hurting her (too much) and the time constraint mean that more often than not they're not exactly even, straight, or centered. Instead, they look like baby horns.

Alec and I spent the weekend in LA and I have to say and eventhough I tried to embrace LA as my nearest metropolitan city, I find it soul-less, without character, and utterly void of community.
But still it was fun :)
We looked at stuff for the house and ate good meals and went to an amazingly upscale mall. One that brought the happy fakery of Vegas to Hollywood. It was good to be away from Baby Nora. We couldn't believe the freedom of sleeping in, the luxury of making multiple stops, the spontinaity of getting stuck in traffic, and the joy of eating my own lunch, all of it.
Of course we did purchase a couple of baby related items.
First, a swing for the tree. Installed today and baby ready tomorrow.
Second, a paddling pool. So damn cute, pictures are upcoming.
Third, baby backpack. No, not a Nora-sized pack; one that she fits into. So we can literally carry her around Europe on our backs. So far she thinks it's groovy, while I'm still trying to put up with the indignity of wearing my child on my body instead of having her nestled in a stylish stroller.

Look Ma'

Look Ma'
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Nora is a learning machine. Here she is just a few days ago on her maiden spoon voyage. Today she was much, much better. Yesterday we hung out around the compound and she walked around the gravel, sand, and bark and had a grand ol' time.

Today has been marvelous too, we've been sitting in the sun and reading books and as soon as she gets up from her nap I fully intend to take her to a park with baby Sydney.

Last week Nora met the SB quadruplets. She was pretty freaked out, but handled it with aplomb. It's funny to think that she will probably be going to the same school as them, maybe even dating one or more of them?! Well, for now we'll just focus on the spoon skills.

The Happy Homeowners

Who's a pretty?
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Well, except for the fact that we don't actually own a home. But this weekend we get to pretend because Vic and Faye are out of town. They went to Mexico on Thursday and are due back Monday. Alec and I spent a very productive Saturday as follows:

8:00 am Breakfast at D'Angelos
9:30 am Alec heads to work to put in some overtime while Nora and I head home and she goes down for her nap.
10:00 I paint one of the storage areas in the newly converted attic space.
11:00 I shower, pick up the house, water outside, and sit in the sun while knitting.
12:00 Spend time researching solar technology for the new house. Also look for the best possible place to stay in LA for next weekend. Read some of my Grammar and Style for Idiots book.
1:30 Check to make sure baby is still breathing.
Alec gets home.
We play outside in the sand, gravel, and dirt. We "clean up" the studio in honor of our guests: Jill, John, and baby Sydney.
6:30 Pick up Jessica at the airport.
7:30 Eat Tri-tip and chat with friends.
8:30 Nora goes to bed sans bath.
9:30 They leave and we do dishes and settle in to watch L&O SVU.
Night.

A book is to read

A book is to read
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Nora loves books. She grabs them and looks at them all the time. Sometimes she grabs one and sits for a little SSR. It's funny because we don't have the ritual of reading a book at bedtime, as I thought we would. We do it sporadically. But this week she has started pointing to her book shelf after her bottle and asking "more". What is her favorite? Duh...Goodnight Moon. Another fave is Good Dog Carl. She was fascinated by this one at the doctor's office and so I bought it for her. I swear it is the only book for her I've bought at sticker price.

Now that the walking is progressing apace another developmental "issue" has arisen. That of the temper tantrum. The synopsis is bascially this:

Nora: I love doing things on my own.
Mom: Time to ____________.
Nora: But, this is just getting good, look I've walked all the way over to the dirt pile and I'm examining each and pebble/piece of dirt.
Mom: Seriously, we have to a) change your diaper, b) go to the store, c) take a nap, d) watch Dr. Phil.
Nora (shaking hands): No, I don't want to do THAT.
Mom (picking up baby): Let's go (in a singsoning-if I use this tone she'll forget about it-kind of voice).
Nora (squirming and pinching) FUck yOu.

This happens more frequently out in public and in the car, so leaving the house hardly seems worth it.

A hole is to dig

A hole is to dig
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Get out your markers, folks. Construction has begun! This will someday be where our house is. That dirt on the right is Nora's room and that dirt by the bobcat is our bedroom and that boulder is in Alec's bathroom.

I got so emotional in seeing actual progress towards our living situation I actually shed a couple tears. I don't think I've been this emotional since I was pregnant. But then again, this "project" is a little like pregnancy. And in keeping with that analogy, this day is like hearing the heartbeat for the first time. You know it is happening, but this is the first tangible evidence of what is to come.

Fishies!

Fishies!
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I love this picture of Nora. I bought this top for her last year and it makes me happy just to look at it. It reminds me of the tops I used to wear when I was little the ones that tied on the shoulder.
So let's see what is new and worth reporting. I know. Nora has strage food likes, I think anyway.
So far she has showed enthusiasim for:
Tzatzki
Goganzola and Walnut tortellini
Portobello mushroom raviolli
Croissants
Comte cheese
Edemame
guava

Rux would be proud.

On her own

Nora has officially joined the upright world. That's right folks, her preferred mode of transportation is now an unsteady,constant balancing act on her tiney little feet. She falls, a lot. But she keeps on keeping on, little soldier. Along with her new found independence is a newfound need to cling to me. The parenting books have some technical term for it, but essentially it means that for every few steps she takes, she in turn whines until you pick her up and hug her. Of couse as soon as you pick her up she whines to get down. Apparently she is working out the conundrum of the cake and eating it. In any case our day tends to be a little more frought than it used to be.

I'm close to finishing the final papers, about 55 left. The grades are due on Monday. I'm not going to have anything to do after that! Well, that isn't exactly true, there is always the taking care of the kid thing....or reading, yeah, I miss that.

So here is another try at doing a link, taking Eunice's advice...
casa

I'd suggest this to anyone and everyone, it is truly a rewarding experience.

LATER

What the FUCK. It still doesn't work. The stuff about a world icon etc. I don't have any icons except a abc one and a picture one. Seriously, I am feeling really incompetant and stupid. Please, there must be a better way. For some reason if you click the title of the blog then it links to the case website. HELP!! Sarah?!! Anyone with a mac, please.....

LATERER

Thanks to Meera I now have a shred of sanity back. Yeah MeeraLee! You were right I do have to do it old school style, safari doesn't support the fomatting button. Blast it all! Also just got off the phone with the apple people rectifying a itunes gift certificate gone bad. I bought my nephew one for his birthday, and let's just say that about now he is asking whether or not his Aunt forgot his blimmin birthday. Argghhhh!!!! Curses! But at least now I have a resolution to the problem, which I should have done in the first place sent him an Andrew Jackson and a card. So much for being the cool aunt.

Little Bitta

Little Bitta
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Here's the real squinchy face.

Today is my last day of freedom. Tomorrow the students turn in their papers and I will have another two weeks of correcting. I'm not sure what I'll be doing apres. Probably just getting ready for our trip. Maybe even getting some reading done.

Nora took some steps Monday. It happened at the window showroom, while we were picking out the windows for our new home. She hasn't repeated the performance since, but I estimate that she is only a week or two away from realizing the benefits of two legged transportation.

Trying to learn how to do a link so here's a try for more information on the CASA program that I am doing. Go here

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Have baby, will travel

So, we are planning a trip, to Europe, with Nora. Yes, the craziness continues. I'm beginning to see a pattern. Finishing grad school will pregnant and with an infant, driving cross-country with a six month old and a cat. Yep, seems like old times. Here's the low down. Alec's extemely generous aunt gave us a trip to visit her in CH for our wedding gift. So we feel like now is a good time. There is construction starting any day, all our shit is in storage anyway, and we won't ever have the money anyway!

We've decided to extend the stay to include a week or two in Paris and a week in Venice. It is scary to think about having a baby on a transatlantic flight, but hey it's only 13 hours. I welcome any advice or comments on this plan....

Leave that alone, please

I've gotten used to the lack of privacy, but damnit that's MINE!
In other words I'm used to peeing with the door open, but the fact of the matter is I've always been selfish. I like my stuff, a lot. I don't want other people touching my stuff without permission, especially people who bang my stuff on the floor after they've put it in their mouth. When I was little I loved playing dolls, but before we could play I always had to divide up the dolls and clothes. We'd take turns choosing what we wanted and to confess, this was my favorite part. After everything was chosen we could always borrow, but let's be honest, nothing matched the feeling of actually owning it. Nora has no appretiation for this concept. She take a sick little joy in cruising over to whatever it is I have or am doing and decides right then and there that in fact SHE must now do whatever it is: typing at the computer, eating, writing a letter. She's come to the conclusion that no matter how cool her phone is (which by the way plays do-ray-mi-fa-so-la-ti-doe) my phone is better, infinately better, even when turned off. So I've learned to deal with teeth scratches and settings I have no idea how to change, because the tantrum she throws is worse than the one I'm ready to throw.

Remembering

Tonight I'm not watching TV, and it feels really good actually. I know that I have an addiction to television but still, I've already given up cigarettes...

Anyway, on Tuesday I spent the entire day correcting papers and attending lecture. I saw Nora for about an hour in the morning and then got home just as she was getting ready for her bath. I realized how much of her day I'd missed, all the little things we do together and I realized what it is like for working moms. I'm beginning to realize that joy in life isn't found in triumphant moments, but in the small daily details—at least for me. I love our little routinr. She is learning so much from me, not the education kind of stuff, but the life stuff: how I move, what I say...all that annoying stuff that makes us realize at one point or another that we have become our mother. I can't imagine it any other way.

You know the cliche about children seeing the world for the first time. I can't believe I'm saying this but Yeah, Nora's day is all about exploring this amazing place. And because I want to show her fun, interesting stuff, I do. We went to the Zoo today. We saw otters, flamingos, turtles, birds, elephants, giraffes, and kee-kee's (lions). She points to everything and just seems to drink it all in. We miss our kitty so much that we go to the animal shelter and look at the kitties. I don't want her to lose her amazing petting ability that Audrey worked so hard for with her.

The squinchy face

The squinchy face
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

This is sorta Nora's funniest face. What I mean is that the actual face eludes the camera. She'll be making said face and by the time the shutter clicks, well, this is what we're left with. A close approximation, but not the real thing.
Still not walking, but here are some of the other amazing things she can do:
Throw a ball
Kick a ball
Put the jack back into the box and close the lid
Everything in Pat the Bunny
Get down from the bed by herself
Go up stairs, unassisted
Go down stairs, unassisted
Detect the presence of a barrett in her hair within about 3 sec., also she does random barrett testing
Gives hugs, kisses, and snuggles
Turn the DVD on and off
Pattycake
Points to her mouth, hair, and nose when asked where they are. We're working on Ear for today.

Some of her words (that she tries to say):
Ball
Bird
Fish

Words she knows she signs:
More
Hungry

Hee-Hee

IMG_0003
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Nora is hilarious, no really she is.
All you have to do is laugh and she thinks, "Hey that IS funny!" and joins right in.
She has really grown since the big ONE. In fact at the doctors office we found out her stats.
HC 30th percentile (that's head circumference)
Height 50th percentile
Weight 20th percentile
You know what's even funnier, I only have 30 more papers to grade! Holy Shit I thought I wasn't going to make it!

More soon.

I'm ONE

I'm ONE
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Holy moley, I can't believe I pushed this person out of my body last year.
Here is the obligatory cake shot. She was actually quite demure about the whole shebang. Right now, NORa is STANDIng HERE PUSHING THE CapS button over and over. I'll write more when1q she isn't pushing b1utton12s.

Bluebook bonanza

Bluebook bonanza
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Here's what 250 Midterm exams look like. effing scary.

The dress that jo sent

The dress that jo sent
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Ohmigod. JoBiv knows just what Nora loves. She is uberfunkadelic.

So, here's the latest. Nora survived her first year. No she's not walking yet. Yes, she had a fabulous time at her party and raked in the Goodies. Susan sent a excellent CD called "Free to be You and Me" which she finds not only entertaining but also informative.

I've been grading like crazy. I am behind on the papers though and starting to get a little scared. The problem is I can't just stay up late and finish them the night before. I can only grade a certain amount before I begin to make rash judgements affecting their scores. Like giving them a D because they spelled throne THROWN. So I need to take frequent brakes, otherwise known as procrastination. Man, I wish I still smoked. Can't you just see me sitting outside smoking a cig and muttering about the incompetencies of the younger generation?

Anyway the grading haze ought to let up next week when I hand in the papers...all 250 of them.

15 in the mouth...

15 in the mouth...
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Yes, Nora stuffed so much cereal into her mouth that she couldn't even chew. What an addict.

She is standing solo now and even takes some steps while pushing a walker thing that Grandma got for her.

Recent books read: Fever 1793 and Stargirl

Last movie watched: Supersize Me

Last meal out: Yesterday, Cheeseburger and Onion rings

Last TV show watched: Desperate Houswives

Last diaper changed: 7:15 am a leaky, messy, disgusting one.

Yum

Yum
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I know why we are a nation of people addicted to carbs. It's because cereal and bread are the easiest things to give to children to eat. Especially when they throw everything onto the floor just to test gravity. Cleaning up banana sucks, picking up a Cheerio, no problem. Also, food use in the car lends itself to Puffins or crusts of bread. Nora likes to stuff as many pieces as physically possible and then have two fistfuls just in case.

On other matters, going to UCSB continues to be good for me, I think. I like the coursework, duh. But I wish that the other TA and the professor and I could sit around and talk about it. Hmmm sounds like grad school huh.

The rain has stopped! Unfotunately it has affected a small comunity only 20 minutes away. La Conchita. I'm sure you've all heard about it on the news. Alec was trapped between two mudslides on the freeway with about 30 other cars for 6 hours on Monday. Luckily he caught a boat home on Tuesday. He's been working for a his old boss here in SB the last coupleof days. It looks like he will be working for him very soon, as soon as he can give his notice at the present place.

Where's the Sun

Snack Time
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

It's raining, it's pouring, Nora's room is flooding.

The latest from the weather desk is Rain...until Tueday. Seriously folks, you haven't experience studio life to it's fullest until you've had two weeks of nearly continious rain. Yes, I am spending my days watching endless epidoses of Law and Order, all three kinds. Still, I need to not have to wade through mud to get my child from her bed.

Book Worm

Book Worm
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Nora loves to read. and reread. and make piles. and chew things, especially peanut butter puffins.

So, I have two days of work under my belt. So far so good. There are about 500 students enrolled so far and I will be responsible for 250 of them. Phew... It is kind of melancoly being back on campus. I remember those golden days of undergraduate life. Hell, I'm even starting to take the gold crayon to my Simmons days. I keep thinking, "You idiot, you had no idea how good you had it back in those days." Then I thought to myself, what if I don't realize how good I have it now? Then I sped home to spend time with the girl. Fuck, she's cute.

I'm going to see Ani DiFranco on Valentine's Day. I'll just be her and me. and a few hundred bystanders.

Watched Alias last night. I have to admit, a little disappointing.

Miss Nora Went to Washington

Miss Nora Goes to Washington
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Still raining here. Miserable, eventhough it has only been a week it feels much,much longer. Nora's room is flooded, luckily her crib keeps her high and dry. The ants have tried to find a haven in our house because they are being drowned outdoors. Unfortunately for them I am pitiless.

I am speeding through the book The Devil in the White City. Soooo good. Reminds me of Cold Mountain the way the story switches back and forth.

Tomorrow I begin the University class. I'm excited but also kind of nervous about grading 250 exams, and papers.

TTFN