Baseball and popcorn

Enjoying the last of the five for five deal.

Got Milk?

Mommies beware. Come with your own supply because it isn't as available as one might expect. Matter of fact, this weekend I left a fast food restaurant (I was just driving through for milk and chicken strips) because they only had fat free milk; and we had to leave an extra innings baseball game because the only vendor that carries milk (in the whole park according to customer service) closed and we couldn't find a drop of it in the whole park! At least the zoo carries two percent because that would have been a bummer weekend. Normally I carry a cooler with a thermos of milk - but with the hot weather and our long days out, I figured I would just spend the extra money and purchase milk wherever we go.

Not that simple. I just want someone to explain to me why family friendly venues don't prepare for the basics. Got Milk? You better, because they will not.

Our July 4th

It was a great weekend, full of great memories. Not complete as Padres lost, we didn't make it to last weekend of fair and Gunnar isn't here, which just doesn't make the July holiday complete. It is a time for families and ours was minus one. Next year we'll get 'em.

Saturday at Sea World

Decided to burn off energy at Sea World. At 15 months, he has lots of energy and we try to allow him some freedom to exercise it.


He loves music and the Sesame Street performances amuse him.

Baseball

June is coming to a quick end and July will mark the halfway point for the season. I love taking the Dude to the games. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the first part of the season.

Happy Thought

The most amazing thing about the development of a child, is the change of emotion that occurs throughout repeated experiences. One is able to measure the comprehension, recognition and watch it as it grows into curiosity. As we grow up, these moments occur less and less. It is absolutely a joy to have the opportunity to experience those emotions again - in moments that I often take for granted. However, this moment still takes my breath away.

Father's Day 2009

On Sunday, the Dude and I escorted my Dad and Linda to the USS Midway Museum for an afternoon of exploration. The on-board cafe was surprisingly good. All of us were exhausted afterwards. He didn't make it out of the parking lot before passing out for a late afternoon nap; and slept through a stop at Horton Plaza and dinner at one of our favorites, Los Ponchos.

Where does the weekend go?

I have a nice gig that allows for every weekend to be a long weekend. If only I could find a permanent job(ahem, are you listening Universe?) that afforded such luxury, I would be set. Yet, come Monday I wonder what did and I. I did do a lot, but sleep deprivation doesn't translate to a fresh start for my week.

I wish I could say that I did a million things, like a spa day on Friday before going out to dinner at this exclusive little Spanish cafe. After drinking several pitchers of Sangria, spent evening dancing and off to after-hours party at a friends' of a friends' house. In reality, we spent Friday at Dad's house for BBQ. Spent Saturday night waking up every hour or so with the Dude. Poor guy is suffering from low-grade fever, most likely caused by teething. I don't care what Children's hospital web site claims, why can't teething cause a fever? Anyways, we relaxed at home while waiting for Lakers game to start. Dinner and game-time. Sunday disappeared as we watched the celebrations(Go Lakers!).

It doesn't matter if the weekend is long or short; because when we wake up to go to work, it signifies it is gone and passed. And isn't a passing always a little sad?

When did play become work?

Somewhere between the age of 17 and 20 I lost the ability to play. It was a slow progression that began in high school. Running becomes training, an extra fun bonus that accompanies playing a sport. Then, there is weight-training, shoot arounds and practices. In high school, I dreaded all these additions, but I did them (most of the time) because I loved game-time; and I wanted to play, not ride the pine. Currently, with my days filled I squeeze in working out at the gym during lunch or after the Dude goes to bed.

My dilemma, like other moms, is this - I would rather play with my little guy than hit the gym. Of course I know being fit helps me to keep up with him, and elevates stress (feeling and looking better in clothes is additional bonus), but I already spend ten hours a day away from him. This working mom gig is harder than anyone tells you for one simple reason. I want my cake and to eat it too. I want to workout; I want to work; and I want to spend time with the Dude. I don't want to choose, but in life I prioritize. Somedays I can't get it in. I hate those days and scheme where else I can squeeze it in. Or shorten my routine to fit in 30 minutes by breaking up my cardio or weight-training routine. It takes a commitment to get all of this done - no messing around. Oprah once said, "You can have it all, just not at the same time". To this I say, "Watch me".

Five Minute Rule

There is a window of opportunity that really can impact your day. Call it the five minute rule. Dude woke up this morning before my alarm went off. It is extremely difficult to tear myself away from a 14 month old who wants to cuddle in the morning. Since, most mornings he is still asleep when I leave for work. It is indeed a treat for me. Sure it causes me to rush around the house frantically looking for my phone (which is already in my purse); gathering my lunch and often leaving my coffee (which I do when not rushed too). Now I have a 45 minute commute to Carlsbad and discovered that leaving late does change everything. I left no more than five minutes later than I normally would, and encountered traffic slowly grinding up Interstate 805. Those five minutes caused me to be 15 minutes late to the office - and I cut across 52 to I-5 to escape the mass of cars headed nowhere. So, remember this next time you think, it's only a couple of minutes because it might not be.

Speed-Bumps: The Bane of My Existence

Driving through a city, we do what we can to avoid speed-bumps. Swerving, aligning the tires of our cars just so to minimize the jolt. For older cars, we might do it as to limit the impact on our shocks that we should have replaced months ago. The purpose of these god-forsaken heaps of cement and tar are to slow our pace, but how many people only slow-down prior to driving over? I see it all the time, and I'm guilty of being one of these drivers too. To add insult to injury, I fill with dread as I approach a speed bump, because (more often than not) I have a sleeping child in the backseat. I cringe and peek in my rear-view mirror to see if he woke up or was jerked into some contorted position that freaks out any new mother. Head hanging forward...how will they breath? I think to myself. Like life, it is unnecessary worry and self-induced stress as he continues to sleep or rights his position moments later. Only now, I hold onto the knowledge that soon he will be a teenager; and those same speed-bumps will be a comfort to me, knowing that he will be forced to slow-down, if only for a moment.

Seeing ourselves

And now the next generation of non-fishing Griffith-Ochs (I've never known Gunnar to fish either

San Diego Zoo and Sea World

We wondered how young is too young for parks like the Zoo and Sea World. He was typically more interested in the people, rather than the animals on exhibit. It was fun to see his reaction when something did get his attention. He was especially scared by the sea lions, and when the gorilla charged towards us.
I would still say it is a good time with small children. Go during off-peak times, during the week to avoid crowds; and on cooler days the animals are more active.