We cut the cable cord

Dave and I have been hunting for a new t.v. show since we got rid of cable a few months ago in favor of an AppleTV, with access to Netflix and Hulu streams. Dave tells me we are definitely getting cable back when cash flows in more freely. I can get behind that. Not that he has much time to veg, but he's a sports-watchin' kind of guy. I do miss live t.v. once in a while, for Sunday football or news on for background noise, but I was sick of being a Comcast sucker, paying them more and more each month for a commodity we used relatively infrequently (or rather, paid for 500 channels and watched 3 of them).

Not happening for us

From what I hear, t.v. is thriving these days, thanks to certain networks picking up well-written, bold concept shows. We're both interested in The Americans, a Reagan-era drama about married KGB spies, masquerading as a normal family in DC suburbs, but it isn't on Netflix or Hulu, we don't want to pay extra for it. Same goes for Homeland, a show with rave reviews starring Claire Danes as a stellar, albeit bipolar, CIA agent. I've loved Claire since her days as Angela Chase in My So Called Life, when I identified with her teenage angst and hopeless crushes. Angela led me to embrace denim overalls as fashionable; she rocked them, and other 'edgy' Contempo Casuals separates circa '94.

Claire and Rayanne ain't misbehavin

So back to 2013 t.v. options. In the off chance I have enough downtown and energy to keep my eyes open while on the couch, I'm often overwhelmed by the sheer options of shows. I've heard great things about Downton Abbey, but I just haven't been compelled to invest. We gave up on Orange is the New Black due to boredom. We (mostly) liked House of Cards, a modern DC-based drama about majority whip a.k.a. Kevin Spacey clamoring to the top of federal government at the expense of nothing and no one; the next season will air this winter. We've been dedicated to Mad Men over the years, but it's not in season. Top Chef, the only reality show I can watch without cringing, unfortunately doesn't exist in our cable-less lives.

The very likable Kristin won 2013 Top Chef

I really like documentaries, and my favorite sub-genre is the meth documentary (their teeth! their bad haircuts! I can't look away!), but there are only so many of them. I also have a cursory interest in Breaking Bad or Walking Dead, but Dave doesn't have much stomach for those (you know, your garden variety high-school-chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-maker and zombie dramas). I recently discovered Sons of Anarchy, and convinced Dave to try it even though I had no idea what it was about.

The show began in 2008, and has been FX's most successful to date. We are about 6 episodes into Season 1, and I'm in. to. it. It's about a California-based biker gang who run guns for cash while operating a garage by day. In some episodes, the guys do right by bringing justice to the good and punishing the bad. And by punish, I mean punish. The Sons pursue their own brand of law enforcement, and they are violent - think The Sopranos on Harleys. There are of course side stories about family, love interests, drugs, and hidden histories. I'm getting intrigued and I certainly don't mind watching Jax for an hour. He reminds me of Kurt Cobain. Me-ow!

Oh hey, Jax. Didn't hear you ride up.

Some scenes are a little too gory for my taste, but all in all the Sons story is strong, and I hope we can stick with it (yes, I refer to committing to a show like it's some noble achievement, like training for a big race or finishing a book). I like having something to turn to, to know the story line, to have favorite characters....something we're invested in. Sure beats watching Duck Dynasty, a little gem Dave picked out during our dying cable days in a strategy to, I don't know, lower my opinion of him?

Take it out back and shoot it!

Happy Thanksgiving, and as the cold, short, and dark days carry on, happy t.v. watching my friends!

Only two cups of sugar

I made dinner with an insane amount of butter recently. It's rare that I bust out the recipe box these days, but once in a while I'm inspired to whip something up besides spaghetti. On Tuesday, I made  Brussels sprouts braised in butter, along with lemon chicken doused in butter, and 90-second microwavable Uncle Ben's rice, likely created in a factory with chemical butter flavor (but those food scientists did a pretty good job). My friend Erin gave me the sprouts recipe and I eat them out of the pan like they're French fries.

That's fiber-ful spaghetti, but she doesn't know it.

Speaking of chemically processed food, Edie ate chicken nuggets and her body weight in mandarin oranges for dinner. I realize nuggets aren't healthy, but don't tell me how they're made. They're kind of a kid-dinner crutch and they work, for now anyway. A former colleague made chicken nuggets from scratch - I wondered, aren't you negating the point? They're cheap, they're easy, they're not  made by humans. Same with mac n' cheese. I used to only buy white cheddar Annie's. Now I'm not too proud to put some yellow-ass Kraft in my grocery cart, depending on how thrifty I'm feeling.

Again, spaghetti. Notice a theme?

I've had periods of food snobbery, like when I made fancy dishes from my Cook's Illustrated subscription, or when we tried eating Paleo for a while one week. Those two former versions of my life may be healthy, but I just don't have the budget, time to go to peruse the aisles of a grocery store, or the will/availability to chop veggies and turn on the oven for every meal. I realize it's kind of a sad testament to our busy lives, but time is of the essence so I feed my kid instant oatmeal or Gorilla Munch for breakfast. At least we eat at the table together and I toss in some raisins whenever I can. Okay, Edie eats her cereal in front of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, while I get Emmeline and myself ready...is that so bad?

Edie feeds Emmeline breakfast while I run upstairs for Edie's toothbrush...and hopefully hairbrush!

Edie and I baked bread and made lasagna while Emmeline napped on Sunday, a gorgeous fall day. I had a bunch of produce and meat to use up. I got my best appliance friend, the Slow Cooker, out of storage to make turkey-zucchini lasagna. We needed to eat some butternut squash and bananas before they went bad, so I found a recipe for squash banana cranberry bread (damn I love Google!). It may sound random, but it is delicious, and  I'd done some stealth parenting by sneaking veggies and fruit into a kid-approved bread. Furthermore, I eliminated one of the recommended three cups of sugar. Really, three cups of sugar - is that ever necessary? I gave the leftover pureed squash to Emmeline - she's almost six months, and ready for her first solid foods. Her review? Her face says it all.

I could seriously just eat her up!

I feel an absurd amount of satisfaction when I cook fresh food just before it expires. If I create a meatloaf the day that the ground pork's about to go, I give myself a high five. An internal high five. In general, I might've lowered my family's dietary standards, as time and energy are at a premium. But I still aim high when possible, and once in a while I'll even puree my baby girl some food.

Running a relay without the baton

We did another race, and this one was big. Not Dave's really real upcoming race, but this was a family affair that required setting an early alarm, securing a babysitter weeks in advance, and some general training. Dave and I completed a marathon relay as part of the Hartford Marathon. The day includes many different races - kids fun run, a 5k, wheelchair race, half marathon, marathon relay, and full marathon. Though the marathon relay has less glory than many of the other events (i.e. we didn't get finisher medals and the only offerings at the food tent when I got there were dry bagels and pears). Anyway, it fit the bill for Dave's amped up training needs, and my lackluster training.

We run this town

I've done the half marathon before, and it's a great course through the Parkville neighborhood of Hartford, into the tree-lined streets of West Hartford, out through photogenic Elizabeth Park, and under the Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park, with ample spectators cheering and bands playing. Dave and I did a marathon relay as he's training for the NYC Marathon in a few weeks. His training run for last weekend was a cool 20 miles, so we figured why not train on a course free of traffic and stocked with Gatorade? I'd do the remainder miles, which ended up being about 5.5.



VIP access to the Coachman

Our relay team did well, though not as well as my Dad and Jeff, who schooled us. I won't replay it mile for mile, but it was an absolutely gorgeous day, spirits were high, and Kevin and Jan's Winnebago was stocked with mimosas, coffee, sandwiches, and apple cider donuts for post-race rehab, and an outdoor patio to boot. They bought their camper specifically for pre- and post-race retreat, and it is an awesome resource. Less need for Port-a-Potties, coupled with a warm and dry place to store gear, and the added tailgating element increase the race day experience tenfold. People walk by and look at us longingly like, "Why didn't we think of that?" (here I am rhapsodizing about the benefits but have I done an ounce to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the glorious Coachman? Nope. I'm lame!)

A few things of note: my mom has been cleaning up Hartford Marathon events. 5Ks are her specialty, and this past year she keeps winning for her division (women in a certain age bracket). She's been getting more and more first place ribbons, as she did on Saturday. Did I mention she's beat me substantially the last few races we've done? I pretty much eat her dust, and couldn't be more proud.

Competitive parental units

My mom, sister, and I just registered for the Austin, Texas half marathon. I'm pretty pumped for a few reasons. One, I like the half marathon distance and training is reasonable. I thrive when I have a clear goal. After watching the marathoners finish on Saturday, I concluded that humans aren't designed to run 26.2 miles. It just seems insane. (I still flirt with the idea of running a marathon someday, primarily because I doubt I could do it).

Second, the Lone Star State! I've never been, and I know that Austin isn't the "real" Texas, but I'm excited to go during the short, dark days of February. Training starts in a few weeks, but until then, I'll be racing my mom at a Halloween 5K and cheering for Dave (and Jeff!) in New York City in a few weeks.

Can you spot Dave?

Emmeline's Daily Digest

This will be short and sweet, just like Emmeline.

One highlight of my day is getting the reports from the girls' classrooms. As Edie has graduated to the preschool she has a less detailed report, but Emmeline's are pretty cute.

For example:
Emmeline had a nice day. She liked playing peek-a-boo with a large scarf. Lots of smiles. I helped her bang two small wooden blocks together to music. She had some tummy time and did some reaching for rattles I put in front of her. Outside for some fresh air.

And this from her first day:
Emmeline napped for five minutes while drinking a bottle. When tried to put in crib she laughed and played with eyes wide open.

We love tummy time and mirrors

I save some of these daily digests because they're infinitely cute, but we really don't have the storage space for all. (I've kept some of Edie's too). As indicated above, Emmeline does not sleep much at daycare, but she's happy for the most part, just plum tuckered out by the end of day. When I get there she is usually being held and spoken to warmly by her teacher, a 19-year infant room veteran. I try to soak up as much of my baby as I can.

America's Next Top Mom

I am watching America's Next Top Model for the first time in ages. It is television trash to the max and it's hitting the spot. It brings me back to my Queens days, when Erin and I watched it from some crusty old futon. The contestants' tears are a-flowin' (in between screams of delight) on this season's premier as they convince Tyra on their undying need to be ANTM. A lot has changed since then, but it's comforting to see Tyra is still crazier than a sh*thouse rat.

Edie gives the camera her best serious look

In other news, I'm working full-time, at a new job from home. As an urban planner! I love working from home.  It is a huge task to get the girls successfully out the door, so it's a relief that I don't need to pack my lunch or iron pants. Baby barf on my shoulder? No big deal. The morning routine is a two-hour ordeal, so by 9am I feel that I've already worked a half-day.

[sidenote: Dave just came into the room with a look of disgust at the tv. My glorious half-hour of trashy indulgence is over...]

To spend more time with my girls, I'm trying an experiment this week. My alarm goes off at 5am, and I sneak downstairs and put in an hour of work in my home office. If I get work out of the way early, I can shave an hour off at the end of the day and pick up my darlins' from daycare. I get the coffeemaker ready the night before, which, even though Dave used to do this in Seattle, seems revolutionary. Anything that increases efficiency is top priority in my book.

Edie teaches Emmeline a thing or two

My plan only works if the girls sleep till 6am. Ready for Shawna's Deep Thought of the Night? Even with the flexibility of working from home, balancing a full-time workload is tough. Each girl needs a lot of time, attention, and love, and the work needs a lot of time and attention. There is limited quantities of time and energy to go around. I've said before that we love our daycare: they provide top notch service, they treat the children with love and respect, and the teachers are truly dedicated to early childhood education (the wonderful teachers and daycare providers of the world have a special place in heaven). I trust the girls are in good hands, but I miss them a lot.

The conundrum is that we work to afford our lifestyle and childcare. We need childcare because we work. Even if my employer granted me a part-time work week, childcare is not prorated accordingly. So if I were to work four days a week, tuition wouldn't be 4/5ths of the price. It might be 92%. I'm sure there's a granny running a home daycare in East Bucktooth, CT with legit prorated costs, but I've found nothing within a reasonable distance. So full-time daycare and workweek it is, until I find the magic solution otherwise. I guess when our kids go to public school, we won't need to pay childcare and can ease up on the work schedule. Conundrum indeed.

Speaking of lack of time and energy, I should probably go to bed so I can spring up at 5am and let the roosters know it's time to rise.

Smoothie date in WH Center

High on Life!

Tonight I ran my first post-baby race with my Mom, Dad, (uncle) Kevin, and Dave. In hindsight, it was fantastic. During the race, I was struggling to feel strong and graceful. The 5k "scramble" coursed along the Connecticut River, on a paved trail and through the woods. Race conditions: hot and sweaty, not too big a crowd, and overall pretty quiet. As mentioned, I've been running a bit - a few miles here and there, nothing significant, but felt it was time to register for an organized event and get officially back in the game. I fare better with a clear goal, and have lots of supportive family who consider races social events.

The race was tricky because I didn't have my iPhone with music or the sports tracking app that notes my distance and pace. There were no mile markers (or none that I saw), and I had no watch. (Guess I was taking the minimalist route.) All I could see were the people passing me, and I felt like I was sucking pond water. But I also felt that I was running pretty hard. I thought of the Runners World magazines I've been leafing through, and their 'rah rah running' attitude, and powered through.

I love you Emmeline

The course had looped around so I figured at least we were halfway done. Then a bunch of elite runners (you know, the guys with lean, chiseled bods) lapped me, and I thought, You've got to be kidding. I have to loop around again?! My soul was crushed. I started repeating a mantra: "I love you Edie. I love you Emmeline" to keep propelling forward. It was difficult to not walk, but I didn't. I came upon a guy walking, and I said out loud "C'mon you can do it!", which sounds cheesy but he started running again, and thanked me cheering him on. I told him it felt good to hear those words myself. Cheering crowds go a long way for a runner's mental state; a quiet course is harder to keep the energy up.

I love you Dave

My goal was to finish under 30 minutes, and I crossed the finish line at 26:40. I was impressed! Throughout the race, I had NO idea where I stood, but you have to remember that you don't see all those behind you. I met up with Dave, my Mom, Dad, and Kevin at the finish line/beer tent. Mom and Kevin both placed for their divisions, and we hung around the Hartford waterfront drinking Harpoon and eating Moe's burritos. It was a great ending, and my mom wrangled me into running another 5k on Sunday.

I love you Edie, and Curious George!

By the way, those elite runners who lapped me? They got off track and had to loop around to get back on the course. Yep, that's why I don't want to lead the pack....

Gone woodchuck huntin'

This blog is dedicated to Becky, who suggested not so subtly that I need to update it. I am fully aware that it's as stale as yesterday's Elmwood Bakery donuts, but I swear I have a good excuse. School, work, babies, toddlers, the sun is shining. I promise I'll up my blogging game when my class ends on Sunday. I will even post pictures.

For now, here are some recent highlights.
1. Emmeline is my little pork chop, my happy girl. She learned to laugh, although she's still working on it. Dave and I went away to Chicago a few weeks ago, and she must've ate round the clock while we were gone. She is also a spitter and a cat-napper, both distinct from Edie. Her favorite pastime is bathing, and her favorite food is milk, hands down.

2. Edie and I have been tracking a woodchuck/beaver in our backyard each night around dinner. We spy on him as he munches grass, stands on hind legs, and does his herbivore-type things. We spy from the yard and from windows around the house. I need to look up what this critter is. Edie suggested maybe a monkey or a polar bear, and my Animal Encyclopedia wasn't much more helpful. It has a bushy tail so I'm thinking it's not a beaver. And why would a beaver be in our backyard with no water?

Edie wants to name him Emmeline, but I suggested Woodward. Naming him Emmeline could get confusing.

Can we call him Woodward?

3. I went to the driving range with my mom last night. First I had to blow the bug carcasses out of my golf shoes, then find shorts that don't make me hate life, then downed a mini Coke and a mini Twix bar for good measure. We hit some balls; every 10th one went straight or far (not both). Then we had a beer on the patio and watched white guys tee off, which was fun, and do ridiculous "golf stretches", which was funny.

4. I'm taking an online class through UMass' planning program. It's an intensive 6-week course, ripe with discussion forums (interaction with colleagues is mandatory, the more the merrier), academic papers to slog through, poignant essays to write (with citations),  group projects to coordinate, and so on. The class is about planning for climate change adaptation, and it's an intense topic. Some of my peers are incredibly smart and poignant. I thought I was a good writer, but damn it's been 10 years since I was in school. I enrolled as a test of whether I could hack grad school now, and the short answer is: I can't. It was a great, short term test and I'm glad Dave encouraged me to try it. Even though my dream is to pursue graduate school, something would suffer (relationship with my husband and girls, I'd never work out, I'd skate through my coursework, etc). I'll need to defer my grad school dreams, but I'm ok with that now.

5. Dinner is an "each man for himself" thing these days. I miss cooking, but will again in the near future.

6. My mom and I are doing a 5k next week! My first race since October!? I've been running a few miles here and there, finally getting back in the swing of it, and it feels great.