To-do lists

I know it's a little late for resolution talk, but that's OK — because I don't do resolutions. At the start of each year, I compile a list of resolutions and then fail to keep any of them. Hell, I don't even remember what 2009's resolutions were.

The thing I am good at, however, is the to-do list. I thrive on lists, and without my daily to-do list, I'm at a loss. So here are my to-do lists, both for this year and for "someday."

Things to do this year:
1. Start exercising.
2. Save more money.
3. Pay off the car.
4. Budget for art.
5. Develop a plan of action to finish my bachelor's degree.
6. Eat fewer processed foods.
7. Manage time better.
8. Live more with less.
9. Be a good mom.
10. Volunteer.

Things to do someday
1. Go back to school. Finish bachelor's degree and get an MBA. Think about going further.
2. Buy a nice camera. Take a photography class.
3. Build a deck.
4. Build a garage or shed.
5. Plant a garden.

Wish me luck!

140 Characters

I was late to the Twitter party, but when I signed up a year ago, I totally fell in love with it. I use it mostly professionally, connecting with sources and getting story ideas, but I also use it to inform all 850 of my followers every hilarious thing Isaac does.

Here's what you missed in December:

Isaac's new step stool has a cubby hole. In it today I found his Chuck Taylors, a pair of panties and 5 tampons.

Isaac has learned how to shake hands. He's been shaking my parents' and my hands for about 30 minutes now.

http://twitpic.com/vqobb - I thought playing in the snow would be fun. It was not.

My kid is on track to spend all but 12 minutes of his toddler years in time out.

http://twitpic.com/vll7s - Look, ma! No hands!

Isaac found out tonight that Max does not like bananas. He does, however, enjoy french fries.

Fist time Isaac hasn't cried when I dropped him off at day care!

How to make your own wrapping paper. (You will need: butcher paper, finger paint, a willing toddler and patience) http://tinyurl.com/y97l29y

Is it sad that my dog has TWO Christmas sweaters? Maybe just a little? Oh well.

Funny how things work out

In August of 2008 I compiled two lists, one of things I want to do "some day" and one of things I want to do "right now."

I have not done any of the things on my "right now" list, which were mostly things I was passionate about at the time — becoming a postnatal doula, planting a garden, going to church. Things I thought would be easy.

I've accomplished quite a few things on my "someday" list, though. I've begun volunteering. I've bought a house. And, while I'm not rich, I've managed to pay off enough debt and take on enough freelance writing assignments that Isaac and I are comfortable.

So it's funny that I have yet to do any of the "easy" stuff, but the things I thought would be unattainable for at least 10 years... well, they weren't.

Going to start working on my lists for 2010 now...

What a difference a year makes!

Then:


Now:

Isaac dancing/pooping

He is so going to hate me when he is a teenager.

Things Isaac says

NUH! (No.)
Da ta (Thank you.)
Uh oh!
Brrr!
Mama
Dada
Nana (John's mom)
Isaac (Pretty clearly, actually)
Dah (Dog)
Dah (Elmo)
Duh (Duck)
Duh (Duh. I was shocked the first time I heard him say this. I mean, repeat me saying this.)
Hi!
Bah bah! (Bye bye!)
Ah da da (I love you)

Ladies' man

Daycare has been a struggle for us. He cries when I drop him off, cries when I pick him up and, depending on how long his nap was that day (usually about 30 minutes; definitely not long enough) he cries in the evenings, mostly I think out of sheer exhaustion.

All that, however, might be changing. Isaac has a girlfriend.

Yesterday, his teachers told me he was holding hands with a little girl named Malana. Then, he walked over to her, kissed her on the cheek and did a little happy dance.

I teased him about it most of the evening, and this morning, I asked him if he was ready to go to daycare, and he said yes. I asked him if he was going to see Malana, and he said yes.

When we got to school, he started pointing to the door and saying, "Uh uh uh," which is what he says when he wants something. When we got to his classroom, he let me take off his coat and was generally happy until, looking around the room, he noticed Malana wasn't there yet.

THEN, he started crying and didn't want me to leave.

Malana's mother was bringing her to school as I was leaving, so I'm sure he cheered up pretty quickly.

Love,
The Former Most Important Woman in Isaac's Life