uh wow.

So, it turns out I'm not so much teaching sign language as much as I'm just signing with kids. Still freggin awesome, because today I asked a color of a frog and a little boy signed green, rather than voicing it.

Awesome. Seriously, the other teacher (who is like, freggin awesome) knows sign and teaches them signs all the time too, but this was like, incredible.

But, Nic is sick. I thought it was teething, but he has the diarrheas, and a fever of 102, and he barfed on me at work (gross) and he's just not himself. Like, he's tired, and he napped pretty much all day.

eff me in the a.

Seriously? the kid never naps so I'm freaked the fuck out. I still dont know what it is, but yesterday and today I left work early because he was sick. I also think it's the germies. It's not like this is a gross daycare, b/c I wouldn't work in a place like that OR take my son to a nasty place.. hellooo, but still. Kids have germs, he's bound to get something.

I'm debating on taking him to urgent care in the morning, but with Motrin and a cold washcloth, his temp was 99.. so I don't know what to do. I hate the ER- people barf there, and I will have a panic attack, and so I can't go.

I mean, I'm new to all this, so it's confusing, and my dang mother isn't here.

Thanks a lot, Teen.

uh wow.

So, it turns out I'm not so much teaching sign language as much as I'm just signing with kids. Still freggin awesome, because today I asked a color of a frog and a little boy signed green, rather than voicing it.

Awesome. Seriously, the other teacher (who is like, freggin awesome) knows sign and teaches them signs all the time too, but this was like, incredible.

But, Nic is sick. I thought it was teething, but he has the diarrheas, and a fever of 102, and he barfed on me at work (gross) and he's just not himself. Like, he's tired, and he napped pretty much all day.

eff me in the a.

Seriously? the kid never naps so I'm freaked the fuck out. I still dont know what it is, but yesterday and today I left work early because he was sick. I also think it's the germies. It's not like this is a gross daycare, b/c I wouldn't work in a place like that OR take my son to a nasty place.. hellooo, but still. Kids have germs, he's bound to get something.

I'm debating on taking him to urgent care in the morning, but with Motrin and a cold washcloth, his temp was 99.. so I don't know what to do. I hate the ER- people barf there, and I will have a panic attack, and so I can't go.

I mean, I'm new to all this, so it's confusing, and my dang mother isn't here.

Thanks a lot, Teen.

worst day of my life.

Today I started my new job. It's not my dream job, and it's not the job in Texas, but it's a job, and I'm using sign... I'm teaching sign language to kids at a daycare, and also just being a general "teacher" there in the later afternoon. I work from 9-6.

That is a LONG freaking day. Without my baby. Who I can hear because he was in the next room.

He did pretty well, I left with no complications. He waved bye bye to me, and went to play with this cute little girl, and he was a happy little camper.

Then came the crying. From me. Three times before noon. Thank god the classroom I was in had a bathroom, and I could go "pee" and come out with red eyes. They probably think I have a poop issue huh? haha

Then, on my lunch break, I took Nic out of his class, and we went to starbucks where I got a delicious pesto chicken salad (my new obsession) and Nic had animal crackers. And I hugged the shit out of him. For an entire hour. And I cried again.

Then, when I went to leave him again from 1-530 he cried. And I lost my shit. I cried for 10 mins straight and had to re-do my makeup in my car. Then I went back to work, and played with OTHER peoples kids, and it killed me. I got Nic at 530, and we went home to have dinner and then he went to bed. Like, wtf. I dont get to spend any time with him anymore. THE BOY NORMALLY IS ATTACHED TO MY HIP and now I dont see him except for a few hours at night? fuck that. I seriously almost quit. That's how much I hate it. Not to mention that I'd like to have Thursdays off for wings, and also Tuesdays and Wednesdays for.. well. That's a whole other story. Not for this entry.

In any event, this sucks. LJ fuckin PROMISED I'd be able to stay home with him until he was older... so this is killing me. I tutored for 9 months, and I wish I could do it for 9 more. I hate being away from Nic. I mean, it's kinda differnt when my aunt takes him over night, since I leave at like 10 and get there at 8ish or so, because he just sleeps, but it's shitty when I'm with other peoples kids, and I know mine is right next door and I can't hug him and kiss him.

I'm so glad I got this job, but I hate that I can't be with Nic. I hate it.

m f-er

I can not wait for the divorce to be finalized.

seriously.

I can not wait.

Stress.

I'm overwhelmed. Surprise Surprise.

The interview tomorrow isn't going as planned, due to the video phone in texas... apparently, something is wrong with the one they'd be using (they have to record the interview) and so it's just going to be a phone interview. I'm not stressed about that part.

I'm not really even stressed about the interview in general. I have a really strong feeling I'll be hired to work at the college, and that's exciting.

Except.

I'd like to stay here, not because I'm afraid to move. I'm not. It'll be hard as hell to do even more than I already do totally alone. I mean, I have good friends there, but no one that I can just drop Nic off to. Like... yesterday.

Yesterday was probably the best day I've had just being Gina and not Mommy. I dropped Nicolas off at my moms at like 11:45, and she took care of him until 6 and she dropped him off at my house, where my cousin babysat him until about 10:30. I had almost 11 hours of being Gina.

I went with a special someone to Bisbee (the most adorable town EVER) and we antiqued, and it was amazing. The whole afternoon was like... a dream to me. It was perfect. ps? I wish I had lived there as an adult not a 5 year old because it is just so amazing now... didn't really realize it then.

On our way home, we decided to go to a BBQ and that too was amazing.

I sorta don't wanna move now. And truth be told, I never was DYING to move to Texas, I just thought it was a smart move for 2 reasons: 1- a job offer, that will look great to add to my interpreting portfolio, and 2- I thought LJ could be stationed there so he could be closer to his son.

Apparently, his career is a bit more important right now, because he would rather be a DI than a dad. Whatev. I don't care anymore. Aside from sending him his father's day gift, and chatting occasionally on fb, I no longer try to have any thing more than a parent to parent relationship. I'm 100% ok with this now, and I'm so proud of myself for finally letting go. It was hard, and took over a year, but I'm very happy to say I have absolutely NO interest in being with him anymore. Sure, parts of me wishes Nic could have 2 parents with him every day, but... that's it. Nic doesn't know any different, he doesn't know who LJ is, at all, an that sucks, but that's just the way it is I guess.

But back to yesterday. ...I am still floating on cloud 9 because of it. But I am also desperately trying to find a job here in Tucson, just to keep my options open. LJ's mom even looked in Mesa for positions, and nothing is open. I understand that at the end of the year, it's not going to have lists of needs in the school districts, but I wish they'd post something I could apply for. I'd even consider working in an HI room for a year... I just need SOMETHING!

The good news is my landlord loves me, and always gives Nic candy, so today when I was letting him touch nic's face without screaming or making it obvious that I would sanitize the shit out of Nic's face when we left, I sweetly asked if I could month to month it here in the condo until I find out what I'm actually doing, and he said "darlin, I'd love to keep you there forever, of course you can" and so, now I wanna move to texas a little because I love being called darlin'. But I don't want Nic saying y'all so this is really a huge delema. AGH!

Nic News

• he says "dat, dat" (that?)
• he says "oh" when you tell him what it is.
• he can stand up and scoot along the bed/couch/crib/dishwasher
• he drinks 20oz of formula a day, and nurses 2 times a day, morning and night, just because I'm not ready to let go yet
• he laughs with his entire body like me :]
• he shakes his head no, but I'm not sure if it's because when I scold him I shake mine, or if it's becuase he really means no
• he signs more, eat and milk
• he stands in his crib and screams until I go in there, then starts laughing
• he eats the same exact breakfast every morning, and if I change it, he throws whatever it is off his tray
• he can copy your coughs
• he claps if you say yay, but not if I try to show people because he apparently wants me to look like a dirty liar
• he gets into EVERYTHING in sight now. awesome!

He's just getting so big, and I want to stop time, and not let him grow up. Ever. I don't like it I'd like him to be potty trained, but stay this tiny and adorable and I hate him growing up :(

yowza

My baby sister graduated from high school on Wednesday. I remember the day she was born. Consider my mind, blown. She is going to the UofA, and I couldn't be more proud of her.

I got a call on Monday for an interview at TSTC, a college in Texas that I had wanted to work at a few years ago. Now that I have the chance to do it, I'm interviewing via a VP phone. I have no idea where this place is down town, so I think tomorrow I'm going to do a dry run. I'm so nervous. I haven't interpreted in a year. I mean, I subbed, but it wasn't a real interpreting job..

I need to get out of Tucson, so this will be a welcome move.

so... I asked LJ, for the last time if he was 100% sure he wanted a divorce, because I am finally ready to let go, 100%. It kinda sucks to be ok with the fact that it's happening.. but I guess that's better than being depressed about it. Life has certainly thrown me some curve balls.... I never expected to be a 25 year old single mom, (almost) divorced and dating (yay me!), and scrambling to get sitters... (Finding someone I trust to sit with Nic is a bitch. So far, I've only left him with my mom, LJ's mom, and my cousin Sydney. Sydney is awesome. I'm so happy she is available for me to use. But what's the going baby sitter rate? I do 10$/hour... am I gyping my own cousin?!)...

I wouldn't change a thing.

I got the most adorable baby boy out of the deal.

A baby boy who is 28 inches long, and 19.7lbs.

A baby boy who is almost done with his medicine, and is finally not coughing.

A baby boy who points to things and asks "dat?" (that).

A baby boy who can clap when you say yay, and copy your coughs or screams.

A baby boy who can stand up.

A baby boy who DEVOURS Oreos.

I can't believe how big he's getting. I had to lower the mattress in his crib, because he can stand up and I seriously think he would have climbed out, so I did it, myself, no man needed. Booya.

whew.

The past week has been a whirlwind of a life.

I turned 25 last Saturday, and while I built it up to be a depressing thing, it wasn't bad. My in-laws got me a dainty, beautiful tiffany's bracelet, and my parents got me a simple yet beautiful silver band...also tiffany's!! oooh how I love T&Co. Seriously. I love it.

So, on my actual birthday, my MiL, parents, brother and grandma went to Caruso's and it was delish. My sister was at the UofA doing something with track, and getting some scholarship thing, so she was off the hook I guess... and she more than made up for it with a kick ass Glee card, and an Ulta gift card. Because we all know I'm freggin obsessed with eye makeup. But I didn't even buy any.

Anyway, after dinner, my MiL and mom watched Nic, and I went out with my friends. We went bowling, then had some drinks at a pub, which is SO skuzzy, and so, I love it. It's a 100% sure thing that I run into someone from HS and they're all nasty and drunk. Oh East side Tucson, how you've gone down hill..

Whatev.

it was a nice birthday.

Tuesday I finally applied to TSTC and fingers crossed there. I better get that job. I'll die if I dont. Literally. I'll die. OF STARVATION because no where here is hiring! Suuuucks.

Today, Monica and I took the kids to the Zoo. Amazing. I last took Nic in January, and he really didn't know what was going on. This time, he was pretty into it, especially the giraffes! He got so excited and pumped his little legs to get out of the stroller, and then, when I took him out.. get this.. he gasped. MY SON IS DRAMATIC LIKE ME!!! thank the good lord, he's acquired my personality, and that, my friends, makes my world a better place.

Also, Nic stopped eating baby food. WTF is that about? I have my freezer stocked. Literally, the entire bottom shelf is full of baby food. I probably have enough for another 2 months, and he hates it. So, what does he eat? crackers, turkey, cheese... lamb. Anything but baby food. And today, at claim jumper, he had his first ever cinnamon applesauce, and it wasn't normal applesauce, so now I'm on a quest. It was like, minced applesauce, and I can't figure out how to make it. Maybe I'll ask my MiL to ask her hubby, because he's awesome. I mean, I know how to make chunky applesauce, but UGH this child is gonna be the death of me. Thank God I got 4 bottles of wine for my birthday. And 2 in the fridge. And 3 on my baker's rack. I think I might have a problem...

Nic's Snacks

(Ritz, Teddy Grams, Yogurt Melts, Graham Crackers, Cherios)

So, I just got an email saying there's like 130 days to my baby's birthday. I'm going to go cry in my bed and listen to his heart beat in utero and eat my weight in chocolate. While I do that, enjoy some pictures of my almost 1 year old. :'(

Eating a tortilla, sweet potatoes, peas, cheese, turkey and rice

"uh HELLOOOOO there's no more pudding Mom!!"

Sesame Street, in his bean bag. Drinking fucking formula.

(he drinks anywhere between 4-12 oz of it a day now... nurses only 3-4 times a day )

I'm pretty sure I'm a bad mom for not helping him before taking the picture, but that shit was FUNNY

Just e-mailing his dad.

He sleeps in the most outrageous positions.

His smiles literally melt my heart.

BFFs... sorta