Things I've been wanting to tell you

I have about fifty billion post ideas bouncing around in my head, but every time I sit down to write them the ideas VANISH. INTO THIN AIR. I know, for example, that I wanted to tell you about nursing. I wanted to say that sometimes, when she is nursing, Nora’s hand wanders gently over my arm, giving me soft little baby strokes that feel – oh! So nice. But then she takes a big ol’ fistful of arm flesh and holds on really tightly with her tiny little dagger fingernails. Sort of ruins the moment. Seriously, HOW do her fingernails stay so sharp? Sometimes it feels like I do nothing but trim those fingernails, but to no avail. They are always, ALWAYS insanely sharp.

I wanted to tell you that I went to my first ever parent-teacher conference fully expecting to be disappointed, and I was. Not because I got a bad report, but because Miss Sara inexplicably failed to describe Jack as the most intelligent, most delightful, and most all-around extraordinary child she’s ever had the pleasure of working with. I know, right? All she said was that he’s very bright, plays well with others, and doesn’t run with scissors. Also, she said he seems to enjoy doing his work, and I couldn’t help but smile inwardly at the idea of calling what those kids do “work.” They’re basically coloring and tracing. But it’s having an effect, because, with guidance, the kid can now write letters that are recognizable to the general public. People say that the first year of a child’s life is the most fraught with changes, and I guess that’s true, but, boy, Jack sure is a changed man compared to this time last year. Heck, he’s changed enormously since September!

And I wanted to tell you how Nora is an easy, happy, smiley baby, but when she’s bored she makes the worst screechy screamy sound that you have ever heard. She’s not upset when she makes it, just entertaining herself. When I hear it, I want to say, “Nora! What a delightful SOUND you’ve discovered!” a la Han Solo commenting on the smell Princess Leia discovered in the Death Star’s garbage masher. When Jack hears it, he covers his ears and says, “Mommy, I don’t want her to make that sound.” You and me both, kid, you and me both.

Oh, and hey! I decided to quit my job. Well, one of my jobs, the one that I claim to work at two days a week in my shamefully out-of-date “About” tab. I used to work there two days a week, but then I cut back to an as-needed consultancy, and they haven’t needed me since April. So when I got an email asking me if I wanted to keep doing it I thought, “Um… no!” and I quit. Fortunately, my other job, the one I actually do stuff for (the one I’m supposed to be doing stuff for RIGHT THIS SECOND, in fact), is still going strong.

So speaking of that job thing…