View from the Prairie Box

Anyone else crying in their ice cream over Grey’s Anatomy tonight?

I know, I know… I’m such a girl.

I am a planner by nature. Though I may enjoy a surprise birthday party here and there, by and large I like to be prepared for what’s coming. Just a few weeks ago I started asking experienced mamas for book recommendations on toilet training. Before I could do much more than that, Livia initiated the entire process. And as I now do some reading, I discover that there isn’t much in the way of profound advice when it comes to this topic.

So here we go, wheeeee! Off and running with little potties and pull-ups, new vocabulary words and enormous doses of cheering for seemingly simple duties… The adventures continue!

I have wanted to post more introspective, thoughtful blog entries in the past few weeks, but haven’t. I wanted to actually complete another book review, telling of how this book called Divided Minds gave tremendous insight into the world of schizophrenia, and how I’ll never again annoy my husband by confusing this mental illness with split personalities. I also wanted to write up a little review on Memoirs of a Geisha, and how I had ignored this book for sometime, probably because of misconceptions related to the occupation of geisha, and how the story was truly fascinating and somewhat sad as well. I wanted to say something about how strange it seemed to me that the main character never questioned the morality of being geisha, and how the religious beliefs of most Japanese at that time were far, far different from the beliefs of many in my own country. I’ve also wanted to spend some time blogging about this John Piper book I’m reading along with some women at church. So far it’s opened my mind to the suffering of saints who have gone before me, as well as taught me quite a bit about the nature of suffering on this earth. We just completed the book section on John Bunyan, and I’m reminded of how I’ve never read The Pilgrim’s Progress and how completing it should be a goal of mine this year.

And my reason for cramming all these potential blog posts into one little one?

My toddler.

My beautiful, bright, adorable toddler is sucking the lifeblood from me. (I’m only half-kidding.) Every ounce of extroverted energy within me is being tested by someone who is less than three feet tall and sometimes refers to me as “Becca.” She is still sweet. She still smiles brilliantly. She still utters cute sayings like, “Peese?” for please and “I buhped” for I burped, but oh my goodness, this child is testing me. She has now added to her repertoire of abilities actions like throwing her writhing body on the floor while shrieking with irritation, touching an off limits item and then shouting No-No! (or like at lunch today, attempting to bite my leg then yelling “No Bite!”), chucking her sippy cups as far as she can when she’s done with them, repeating “Ma” over and over and over and over and over until she’s actually driven me insane. And this is all by 9:17am, before Sesame Street has had the chance to come to my rescue. Suffice to say that by 6pm when Jeremy gets home, I’m ready to abandon my post. Some days the post is abandoned hours earlier mentally.

I am exhausted by this manic toddler action in my house.

Without these three things I don’t think I’d make it through this phase of motherhood in one piece… 1) Naptimes. Praise God for making these human bodies that need sleep, and baby bodies that need even more sleep! Napping allows me to nap, read, clean and generally chill out. 2) My dear friends and parents. Though I only have one child to raise (at this point), my loved ones give me moments of respite during my week—and I have no clue what I’d do if Mom couldn’t take us out to lunch or if Renae didn’t make time for tea. 3) My rock steady husband. Truly, I am a mess without him and still a mess with him… I’m amazed at how he’s continued to bless me even when I’m at my craziest. I especially love him for caring for Livia in the waking hours so I can get a few more minutes of waking up in a peaceful, lazy haze. There’s a lot of love and understanding in that one little action, Mr. Tredway. I do thank you!

Sometimes I feel like a wimp for being so worn by one very small child. But here it is, reality. This is a slice of my life, take or leave it. For now, I’m going to leave it. Naptime hours only stretch so long and, y-a-w-n, the couch is calling.

Thinking: How did I get to be this old? Wasn’t I a high schooler just yesterday?

Also thinking: High school feels like a lifetime ago.

The Nebraska State Capitol is not normally red. (See Keith’s fantastic photo series for proof.)

But it was last night. So, of course Jeremy and I had to drive by for a few photos. Fortunately, my curiosity wasn’t tested for long and I read the reason behind the change in light color in this morning’s paper. It’s all part of an American Heart Association campaign to put the spotlight (pun intended) on women and heart health in state of Nebraska.

It’s a worthy cause. Read more about it on the Journal Star website.

The things you learn while shopping for flatware…!

“Stainless steel is available in two qualities: 18/0 or 18/10 (there is also 18/8 but this is similar in properties to 18/10) The ’18’ refers to 18% chromium which is added to the steel mix to give it stainless properties. The ’10’ refers to nickel which adds to those properties and also gives a silvery sheen. 18/0 is much less expensive than 18/10 and most cutlery sold today is made from this material. 18/10 gives greater protection against corrosion and has a softer shine: most contemporary patterns are made from this top grade stainless steel. 18/0 and 18/10 are both fully dishwasher-safe.”

Oscar nominations are out! I’ve only seen one of the films, and was impressed by it. Some years I’m able to see all five; this, I think, is not that kind of year simply because a movie night for Jeremy and me is not such a frequent thing anymore. Still, I would like to catch a few more of the Best Picture nominees prior to March 5th.

Commentary on the nominations, anyone?

By 9:47am, I have learned that…

1. Contrary to what I previously believed, the kitchen is not child-proof. In fact, Livia discovered, in the very lowest drawer, two boxed sets of knives and a mean-lookin’ cheese grater. (Way to go, mom!)
2. When one hears a repetitive “click click. click click. click click.” for 10 minutes straight while the toddler is extremely quiet, it probably means she’s involved in illicit activities. Like turning the heater in her room on and off. on and off. on and off. When questioned with “Livia!???”, all I hear back is “NO-NO!” Yes indeed, NO-NO.

Beautiful, crazy, strange January weather.

A newscaster recently said he imagined we may not have to scoop snow again this winter in Lincoln… And I shook my head at such a preliminary guess. We live in Nebraska, the state where the sun can shine through snowshowers and where the weather can change in mere minutes.

Anyhow, I love me a good April snowstorm. There’s nothing quite like building a snowman next to a bed of daffodils.

We were *this* close to signing up for a digital phone system with a local business when we discovered there are much cheaper options for doing so. The hook was that we already use high speed internet (a job necessity for Jeremy, a major perk for me) and have a cable hookup, therefore the digital phone system, at $59.95 with tax, seemed decent since it includes free long distance and little things like caller ID and call waiting.

Then a coworker told Jeremy about digital phone service via businesses like Vonage, where the fees are in the $25 range. Not too shabby…

But then, I couldn’t get into my husband’s office yesterday and I got kind of annoyed with that. I end up standing outside the office (in rain, sleet or snow, with baby on hip) until someone buzzes me in. This problem, and many others, could be easily solved with a cell phone. But if we go cellular, we can’t afford a land line any longer.

So, people. Help me out here. Tell me what you use, what you like and dislike, and pretty please with sugar on top, tell me approximately how many George Washingtons you spill for the service.

Mucho gusto.