all about my new job

It's way overdue, but I did want to mention a bit about the new job. I love it so far. It is tough, tough, tough leaving Annie, but I spend my lunch hour with her, which is a nice refresher for the afternoon. Also, my hours are 7:30-4:30, so she hangs out with her dad in the morning and then I pick her up and we're home by 5. I really can't complain.

I love the Red Cross. It is a great organization, truly a volunteer-led organization, with an extremely unique culture. There is certainly such a thing as a Red Crosser, and I'm not sure the same thing can be said about any other nonprofit organization. When we're retired, I picture Chris and I volunteering all over the U.S. with the Red Cross. That being said, I was burned out from the job. I am not sure if it was the commute or the sheer magnitude of the job, but I was feeling less than enthusiastic about the nonprofit field as a whole. I am still not sure it is the fit for me and unsure if this is where I'll spend my career, but I have a renewed faith in nonprofits and have rediscovered the passion for community building that I first found on Cape Cod.

OK, blah, blah, blah. So what the heck are you DOING? I am employed by the United Way as part of the State of Florida's Full Service Schools iniative. The idea behind Full Service Schools is that children are unsuccessful in school for a variety of reasons. Some are academic and some are not. Examples of nonacademic barriers to success are divorce of parents, death of a loved one, depression, homelessness, and lack of proper nutrition, among many others. Full Service Schools works with students and famlies to eliminate there barriers. I manage the Jacksonville beaches Full Service Schools site, which is a two-minute commute from home. (YAY!!!!!!!!) The job involves day to day management of about 8 staff members and a lot of work out in the community, forming partnerships, marketing our programs, and, most importantly, seeking solutions to problems facing this community.

There is absolutely no reason why a family living at the beach should not have food, decent housing, needed medication, etc. It is a solvable problem. You have all heard the old quote, "think globally, act locally." What ever happened to that phrase? I like it, and it is precisely what I am doing now. My job is flexible and open ended and designed to be site specific. There are so many opportunities to improve my community and I can take positive steps in this position.

A big concept that I feel passion for is that of sustainability. One of the best things you can do to create a sustainable community is to work where you live, shop where you live, meet your neighbors, know your local political leaders, etc. and work for change. That is what Chris and I are doing now, and I'm proud of it. I'm happy and energized and focused and feeling great about the work I'm doing. Life is good and I'm where I'm supposed to be!

I'm not sure how long this will be up, but I was in the local newspaper (front page, no big deal - HA!): http://www.beachesleader.com/articles/2008/12/26/beaches_leader/news/doc495298c459928574255103.txt

the evolution of anne

She is constantly growing and changing, but the big changes seem to happen overnight and in stages, if that makes sense. Of course the stages overlap, but this is one way of looking at her evolution:

Stage 1: Adorable Baby Blob
Age: 0 – approximately 3 months
Characteristics of this stage:
· Wakes several times/night
· Breastfeeds for long periods of time
· First smiles
· Looks cute in every outfit
· Loves the swing
· Likes to look around but does very little interacting
· Very fold-y and tiny and perfect
· Lots and lots of diaper changes
· Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of spitting up
· Constant bib wearing

Stage 2: Beginner Interacting
Age: 3-4 months – 5-6 months
Characteristics of this stage:
· Starts to sleep through the night but still not much of a napper
· Rolls over both ways
· Plays with toys
· Smiles more frequently
· Laughs out loud
· Spitting up lessens
· “I’d prefer to stand, thanks”
· Talking

Stage 3: On the Move
Age: 5-6 months - ???
Characteristics of this stage: We shall see but she is ready to start moving. She reaches for her toys and sits on her own. She has started getting mad if you take her away from the toy. She puts herself into crawling position but isn’t quite sure what to do when she gets there. New, and often louder, sounds are coming from her mouth: more laughs and now excited squeals. Nana says she sings and I agree. She used to roll over as practice, sort of a neat trick. Rolling over has become functional; as in, there is my octopus, I must roll over there to get it. We are waiting for longer and more predictable naps – stay tuned!

Annie is definitely developing a little personality. We were discussing her three main traits, and I called her inquisitive, laid back, and a little shy. Chris called her happy, curious, and laid back. (We answered separately.) Meg says Annie is very independent, and I would agree with that. If you put the pacifier in, she pulls it out, turns it all around to examine it, and then puts it back in herself if she wants it. Put the spoon near her mouth and she will reach out, grab it, open her mouth, and feed herself. She is still on cereal only, but we will probably move onto veggies next week. We will have to see which personalities are age-related and which ones are hers to keep!

rolling over is soooooo 2008

She seriously must spend at least 30 minutes a day doing this. It must be some sort of pre-cursor to sitting because she is sitting up all by herself!!!! I have not captured (OK, I haven't tried either) Annie rolling, but I had to capture her six-inch killers. The girl has abs of steel. This is not the perfect example of her ab exercises, but she gets too distracted by the camera. I would call the face she is making maybe interestedly amused? Not sure but it is a common expression. As always, ignore my annoying voice.

reflections on life

I'm feeling rather reflective today. It is still the beginning of the new year, the time for reflection on life: where we are, where we thought we would be, where we are going. I did not make a New Year's resolution this year, but I would like to take a few moments to take in life.

What a year! The change from this time last year to now is not just external; it is an internal change that I know has occurred with me and, I think, with Chris too. Just some random thoughts:

• The love you feel for your child is unexplainable.



• I take for granted that we have a healthy, perfectly normal child.



• Life will never be perfect and you will never be "there." I appreciate this so much more since having Annie. Yes, I need to prepare for the future, but more than that, I need to enjoy every minute of right now. My new secretary said she put 52 marbles in a jar when her daughter was born and took one out every week for her baby's first year of life. Almost HALF of Annie's marbles are gone already. Yes, she will hopefully have a lifetime of marbles, but this time when she is little is precious.



• In life, you should do what you have to do and put on a happy face while you are doing it. More and more, I see a larger plan (is this God's plan?) for my life. Meg has a shirt, "live the life you love," but I prefer "love the life you live." Take joy in this world!

OK, that's all for now. Did anyone laugh at the marble thing? As I reread that part, I realized it sounds like Anne is 6 months old and already losing her marbles. Lord help her as there is plenty of crazy in her genes!

I may not have a New Year's resolution, but I am trying to take steps toward further simplifying my life. This year, I am going to focus on finances, planning and spending responsibly so we can have another baby and maybe even retire someday. Getting pregnant in 2009 would be wonderful, but we will have to see!

If you are here only for the pictures, check out this big girl! and GO GATORS by the way!