Evernote Beta

I have invites to the Evernote beta to give out. Post a comment if you'd like one and I'll send it your way.

It's like UberNote.

Twitter in Plain English

Great vid on Twitter's usefulness. Upfront, Twitter seemed unnecessary and boring, but now I find it truly does have its merits.

Get Up, Stand Up

For your first birthday I decided to get put some money in your account, give some money to others in need (in the form of a charity donation), and get you the cute upholstered baby club-chair from Pottery Barn. By now you know I like to tackle birthdays early, so I ordered the chair in April for your July birthday. It's a good thing too, because after ordering I found out the fabric was back-ordered until July 2nd. Turns out the fabric came in earlier than expected, and the chair (embroidered with your name) arrived last week. I couldn't wait to see you use it so I decided to give it to you for your 10-month gift, which was just 2 days away. Perfect to let it off-gas a little before you get those tiny little buns in it.

Before I bought it I asked some of our Mommy friends about theirs, and a few of them said their bebe's walk, because they had to stand up to get out of the chair. Well you've been using it for only a couple of days and already it helped you stand up on your own without pulling up on anything. I was clipping your nails while you sat in it, and when I finished you just stood right up and hugged me. Of course after a celebration I ran to get the camera to document this momentous occasion. It's uploading to YouTube as I type this. You're basking in the glory with a baba. I already called Dad, he can't wait to come home so you can give him an encore.

You're brilliant, as suspected

Just so you know, you're brilliant. I have suspected this for quite some time, but I decided it's been confirmed. You learn things so fast, it amazes me. I think you now know my name is Mandy. You've said it twice, and it didn't seem accidental. Also, last night you and I were sitting at the game table off the living room. You heard the garage door opening, and you said 'Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad'. So obviously you associate the sound of the garage door opening with Daddy coming home. Like I said, you're brilliant. But I'm sure you already knew that :)

The $100-Store

I now know the true benefit of buying in bulk (ie Costco...or if, like me, you're too-cool/old skool you still call it Price Club). It is *not* the savings of the specific items you purchase. The real benefit is that buying in bulk keeps you from making the trip to the store as often, thereby reducing impulse purchases.

For instance, The $100-Store: Target. Absolutely mind-boggling that everyone I know enjoys shopping for dish detergent at Target. It's because your excuse to go is the dish soap, cat food and dryer sheets, but you leave...$100 later, with a myriad of thing you never intended to buy. My new Target theory...just go less often. I'm going to spend the same amount anyway, so if I go less often the chances of my purchases being things I actually neeeed are far greater than if i go every 2-3 days as usual.

In February I challenged myself to visit Target a mere once monthly from now on. My first attempt: I spent $150, and I made it 3 weeks without returning. That visit I spent $200, but I picked up 2 birthday gifts I'd be needing for May (yes, I like to bday gift shop early) and made it another 3 weeks without returning.

I've lost focus, and started going too often again. Must. Resist. Red Bullseye. I'm going to renew my challenge, and invite the 3 of you that read my oft-ill populated blog to join me in resisting the $100-Store.

10-Months

Hi Babe-babe. You turned the big 1 - 0 months Friday. I'm noticing that I haven't posted an update here since you turned 9-months :(

I'd really like to blog to you more often, but you never seem to nap! Your napping schedule is a lil wacky these days, as was your sleeping schedule until I demanded progress from you. Let me explain: Evidently you have my natural schedule - stay up late, get up late. Seems that we'd compliment each other well for being attached at the hip as we are, but for the first time in my life I'd prefer and early/early policy. Especially now that summer is (KABAAM!) here, we cannot just go to the park any ol' time we feel anymore. That's strictly an early-morn (on a good day) activity that we'll be missing out on if you continue to sleep until 9 or 9:30. And you know how you love the park...swinging and staring at other people are 2 of your favorite past times. You and I both enjoy watching the trees sway with the breeze, it's calming during a rough day of extreme baby play.

Happy Mother's Day

In getting to know this new being
I've discovered myself

From my body
her life was born
From her life
my heart was born

Tristyn, thank you for making me your mother!