BM Update

That's a Bailey-Mittman update, people! Gosh, you guys are SO nasty!

I know it's been awhile since I've given any details about our little family, so I thought that I'd catch you up on the latest and greatest. I'm going to write it as a Top 10, namely because of #9.

10. Adam finally got orders last week to report out to Ft Hood, TX, for a one-year mobilization. This was what we've been waiting for for quite some time. Unfortunately, the orders came on the same day he was to report, so he had to go into overdrive with the packing and getting affairs in order. It was exhausting and frustrating, although the chaos didn't leave a lot of room for sadness. That has come in the days since he left. Bryony and I have been doing okay in his absence, but for the fact that we've been suffering a bit (see #9).

9. Bryony and I have been sick. She came down with a bad cold right around the time that Adam left and it just escalated from there. What a joy to wake up several times a night to a baby crying because she couldn't breathe! I made sure to take her into the steamy bathroom while I showered, and rubbed spike lavendar oil on her chest to open up her sinuses. My La Leche League group also suggests squirting a bit of breastmilk into her nostrils to break up the mucus (this only kinda worked, in part because of her attempts to wrestle away from me, all whilst screaming bloody murder). Just as she was getting better, I came down with the cold and have been in recovery ever since. As much as a mother wishes ill health upon herself before her child, I have to say that it is HARD to get up the strength to take care of a baby when you don't even want to get out of bed. In any case, I've started to feel better in the last 24 hours or so, but even being at the computer starts to wear on me, so I keep my usage short.

8. My job search has proved unfruitful, at best. It gives me a headache even thinking about the many, many cover letters and resumes I've sent out over the last several months only to get the same "you were not selected to go to the next stage of the application process...", if I get a response at all. Friends all over the country have been sending me job leads, which I've been following up on, but I am exhausted. Between Adam being gone and having Bryony as a beyond-full-time job, getting sick and just plain application weariness, I'm putting the job search on hold for a bit. Besides, as open as I say that I am to the idea of moving to Whereversville, USA for the right job, the longer I'm away from Adam makes me realize more and more that Bryony and I need to be close to him. So last night I set my USAJobs search agent to the Austin, TX area.

7. Adam took Kika with him to Texas, hoping that she would flourish in the warmth of the Texas sun. Unfortunately, they are experiencing a cold snap down there that, while not nearly as cold as Michigan, is still a little hard on our little 14-year old pup's joints. Hopefully the temps climb pretty soon. I have Greg House here with me. He keeps me company at night and curls right up to my chest like a fluffy teddy bear.

6. My D.C.-area family got slammed by the winter storm that blasted its way through this past weekend, dumping over 2 ft of snow on them. The 9-12 inches expected in Michigan tomorrow seems to pale in comparison, especially since they are expected to get another 10-20 inches on top of what they're already digging out of. I'll definitely remember them when I start feeling sorry for myself while shovelling tomorrow.

5. Bryony update: She turned 8 months old on 31 January, and she has changed a lot over the course of her very short life. As of now, she can clap, almost crawl, stand (with support) and hold her own bottle while feeding. There are also a lot smaller nuances that I pick up on that are hard to describe. For example, yesterday we baby-sat for a friend's 7-month old, and while she was crying in my arms, it was like Bryony knew that my hands were full, as she just sat in her bumbo chair for a good 20 minutes, playing very independently with her toys. I had never seen her so self-reliant, but I was thankful! The night before, I took her to a friend's dance performance, and while I thought she would fall asleep, instead she sat in my lap, watching all 2 hours of the performance. She laughed and clapped, clearly enjoying herself. At one point, there was a tap dancing routine and she started to thump her hand on her lap to the beat! I was marvelled by her interest and connection to the music and dance. Can you tell I love my little girl?

4. Knitting is going well. I don't remember if I've mentioned my knitting group in a previous post, but I joined back in October or so and have been happily making beginner's projects--purse, scarf...not sure what's next but am excited about having learned a new skill. Hopefully one day I can knit well enough that future Xmas gifts will be handmade (and the recipients will like them!)

3. Bryony and I have taken on two volunteer activities to break up the week a bit and get us out of the house. Both are through the local neighborhood center, which I got familiar with over a year ago. Monday afternoons we spend a couple hours working at the local greenhouse, planting vegetable crops, watering, weeding, etc. Wednesday mornings we help out with the Senior coffee meeting; we set out pastries and coffee and hang out with the seniors while they listen to a speaker or hang out amongst themselves playing games or sharing conversation. I love the time with other adults; Bryony seems to enjoy the new sites, not to mention all of the people who can't help but dote on her.

2. I was debating whether I was going to post this (mainly so as not to worry my mother, who I think always worries about me), but so many people already know, so I might as well. On MLK Day this year, I was a witness to a kidnapping on my street, just a few doors down. At first, I thought it was just kids from the neighborhood fooling around. However, after opening my front door and seeing a man carrying a young woman over his shoulder while she kicked and screamed for help, I bolted out my house and ran up to the vehicle he was carrying her to and memorized the license plate. After he drove away, I immediately called 911 and reported the license plate number, descriptions of the suspect and victim and the vehicle, as well as the direction the vehicle was driving in. I saw squad cars patrolling the area in the hour after I made the call, but Inever saw a follow-up on the news, so I don't know how it ended. I've been too lazy (or chicken?) to call the Lansing police to inquire.

1. I've been attempting to channel some Zen-like philosophy this year, letting go of hostility and bad feelings that I've harbored toward certain people in my life for some time. I've decided that not only does it drain me of energy that I could use in a positive way--such as focusing more on my child, my hobbies and interests, friends, etc.--but being angry at people indefinitely is not the example I want to set for Bryony. So, I'm working on the principle of "moving on." It's working in some small ways, and I feel lighter, more confident and less angst-filled. I'm hoping to continue exerting this philosophy toward all of the would-be employers who have so unceremoniously rejected my application from their interview pile.

Good night, everyone. Be safe on the roads, snow-weary travellers!