Too much information and awkwardness

Ok, so today (the father) was home sick today. He actually TOLD me, the nanny, that he had "the runs" and had vomited. Ak, so if I wanted to know about the bodily functions of those I work for, I would use their bathroom.
I don't.
Anyway, so after THAT awkwardness, it was apparant there would be more. AKA Daddy sleeping upstairs while nanny cared for the children downstairs. Thus every little cry was heard upstairs by the father, who is genetically ingrained to hear every cry or pseudo-cry either of his children utter. (pseudo-cry is the term I just now gave to when #1 starts to cry, but I know he's bluffing, he's faking it to see if it'll get him what he wants. symptoms are no tears, unconvincing belts of tears etc) anyway so that was awkward. included in the awkwardness was when he called me ..from upstairs. ugh :)
And now i've been told that he might need some help with the baby DURING THE NIGHT. WHA....? The mom's gone on business for the week so it's just me and sick Daddy. an interesting week, that's for dang sure.
Anyway, went to my first bible study tonight! I've been going to this church I really like ( wasn't sure the first few times cause the people weren't overly friendly, but I've heard that's just how people are here, takes longer to get to know them or something, you don't get descended on by friendliness after walking into a church... for the record I really personally enjoy the mass assault of friendly people, but this is the new yorkers' state so I'm workin with them on their bad habits)
sorry, that parentheses was so long you may have forgotten what I was talking out, i said I've been going to this church I really like ... and I have been meaning to go to one of the bible studies for awhile, but I had to do research, etc. and put it off, you know, the usual. I mean, hte last thing you want to do after a long day of diaper-changing is going out of your way to do something awkward. so I finally did it and it was amazing. the women were so nice, the study was good, and i'm learning more about the church- all stuff I really like (like they believe in praying for healing with the laying on of hands and annointing of oil-- the Bible tells us to do this and have faith that people will be healed, so why does no one do it?) and one woman actually gave me her # and said I'm free to come over any time! also, I heard that they'res a special young-people church service (sat. nigt- not that good of timing for my Manhattan trips but maybe I can go twice- make friends, then go back to sunday church? we'll see) and also they were telling me lots of nannies go to this church so I can have nanny friends! Christian nanny friends! what a find! I was so happy when I left I almost cried as I walked to my car.
so that was pretty awesome.
I think I won them over with my witticisms about New Yorkers (about how I always get honked at and it really throws me off, then the other day, I decided to try out the honk when this woman was taking her SWEET time at a green light, then to find out she was waiting for a mother and child to cross in front of her. spent the next 10 min. apologizing to the window. ugh) and my gorgeous smile :) my friend Betsy tells me that I have the ability to seem comfortable in really awkward situations even thoughI'm definately not. well, I don't know that that's true but if it is i'm using that trait in overdrive lately. !!!! I better head to bed, I may be the baby-feeder at 2 a.m. so i'll need my rest.
goodnight friends
christina

Big Apple, Little Apple

Went into the city again yesterday- New York City, the Big Apple. First stop Grand Central, then New York Public Library, which is like a big gorgeous museum- but a weird library cause you find the book you want, then tell a librarian and go into a "reading room" which is a huge vaulted magical rool of books. You sit there, and a librarian finds you and gives you the book.. and finds you at a specific seat. It reminded me of the pharmacy when you let them know what you need then you sit and wait for them to call your name with your perscription. Nichols, your "Pride and Prejudice" is ready, please pick it up at the counter. And the thing about the books--you can't take it with you! they aren't a "lending library." hmm. never seen one of those before, but oh well. Anyway it's gorgeous. And they have the books I want, so that's nice.
As I was walking through central park, which is frankly, unspeakably magestic as it awakes from its winter slumber. Some of the partitions keeping people from the sleeping grass have been taken down, and the park is beginning to sprout a little green here and there. I love Central Park because its the great equalizer. Rich, poor, lifers, and tourist, work-outers, and stroll-byers all descend on the park on theis warm winters day. Actually, that's something that really takes some getting used to about this city. 2 steps from Cartier (a premier jeweler to the rich and/ or famous) you find a "15 postcards for a dollar" place (yep, I stopped there, some of you may be recieving these pricey fellas) A seedy Korean food joint, next to a trendy Soho clothing store where you'll spot celebrities and spend 500 bucks on a dress. In the meatpacking district, you've got raw meat and ... that's right! Couture fashion and exorbitant rents. Weird. But kinda cool, too.
The more often I come here, I realize the city really is pretty safe. Other than this really scary guy Jessie and I saw on the subway harrassing this lady, I've never been scared for my safety.
As I was walking through this tunnel at the North tip of Central Park, I realized, wow I really am living the dream here. I tell you what, folkds, the city will wear down your reasons to leave and make you fall in love.
I am inspired.
inspired to sew myself something interesting to wear
inspired to write
inpspired to paint
inspired to take weird pictures... of sunsets that only exist when I'm wearing my $5 fake Chanel sunglasses that I bought off the street.
The problem is, today is Sunday.
I am back in Port Chester, a significantly smaller apple.
Although a great town, it is altogether uninspiring. Here are bills to be paid, sleep to be had, tv to watch to turn off a tired brain tired of screaming children, the creativity in the air of Port Chester was stifled long ago by the daily grind.
but I realized yesterday as I rode the train back home that this, who I've become, the girl who just takes care of kids, goes to the gym, eats healthy, and goes to bed early, THAT'S NOT ME! I fear instead of doing interesting things and saying interesting things and reading interesting things, I just am getting by and living for the weekends when I can go to the Big Apple and really experience life.
Well, that's gonna change. I got a call tonight, I'm joining a bible study on Tuesday. which is good not only for fellowship but also social interaction- I fear that the whole "don't use it you lose it" is applicable for social skills, and I don't want that to happen at all! :) Also, I got out my sewing machine today. I'm going to buy some fabric and start designing some clothes- my friend Tina wants a dress, and by golly she'll get one. And I'm going to go buy some paint, and get some deep philosophical books from the library and not girly fluff. Katie, I think we had the right idea last semester when we didn't have a TV! It DID make us better people! We read the newspaper, we talked more to each other about our days. But having the option and not partaking, that is when strength is born. And the problem here is that i have the option to "relax" and "veg" to my hearts content. But I have a problem with that. see, I don't want life to pass me by and wish I would have lived more. So, that's it! I'm heading to bed and tomorow I'm going to try to use my relaxation to accomplish something, not just fill my head with fluff. :) good night friends!
thank you hal and judy for the email, and Shannon, Caroline, and Parents for the recent mail! And Bill, good luck with "Piston" I'm sure he'll do great and the sign will look amazing!
Katie Paulson, I miss you and love you and hope you're doing alright in the room without me! let's make a phone date!
love you all, friends!
christina

Ok SO...

Ok, so I REALIZE that my my last 2 blogs have been about what substances have come out of the children I am caring for full time.
and I apologize. I've probably caused indigestion among the masses of good blog-reading folk. I'll chat a bit about the rest of my life. Today, drove #1 to school. Driving with the kids is surprisingly nice- both the kids are really good car-riders and I sometimes sing to them at the top of my lungs and they aren't old enough to feel like i'm good or bad or weird or whatever, so that's pretty nice.
then the local starbucks, where Liz, the one person I've met that seemed slmost alright with being friends with me in the future, works. she wasn't working today, which is unfortunate, but i figure I"ll friend-stalk her for like another 2 weeks or so?? eh?
so, the baby and I headed home, did some errands, puked all over (he did, ie former blog) etc.
Picked up #1, drove the round-about way home to spot some busses (we LOVE the busses around here) and came home and finished up the day with only ONE emotional breakdown (not me! the 2 year old! i swear!) and I retreated to supper then the gym (where I may have found my future husband in this guy that uses the treadmill in front of me while I use the exercise bike) then home! for Beauty and the Geek! and some little things to get done. a great day, all in all
off to bed,
crack of dawn is wake up call :)
christina

Vomit city- not that bad haha!

hello, friends!
i'm writing this frantically while on commercial from one of my new favorite shows- Beauty and the Geek. who doesn't love a little reality TV to finish the day? :)
Anyway, I have a new story for all my faithful readers today.
So I'm feeding the baby at like 11:30, and I'm burping him, you know, the whole baby routine. So I'm burping him and then it begins.
Vomit, flowing out of him like it's his job, and he's makin a million.
Gushing out, all over me, all over him, all over the COUCH. I'm like uh, uh what to do? what to do? I'm C O V E R E D in baby vomit. We rush upstairs, me holding him out from my body as far as I can.
I strip him down, diaper and all, and plop him on his baby bath chair thing in the bathtub and I strip down too, until I'm in a towel, trying to keep it on and bathe the baby simultaneously as fast as I can and I think it kinda scared him a little bit cause he's looking at me with this horrified look in his eyes, anyway so I wash him up and slap a diaper on the little guy, throw both of our clothes in the wash, and head downstairs, him in the diaper and me in the towel... to a RINGING phone! sounds disastorous, right?
actually, it was just my dad, calling to chat, he felt a little leading to give me a call while he was driving down the road.
AGAIN, A SHOUT OUT FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT!
so we chatted about my insane day while I got dressed, scrubbed, lysoled, and febreezed the couch, and funny how that works, but instead of being annoyed, I just laughed at myself and the situation and thought, yeah, this is going on the blog :)
anyway, love you all!
christina

liquids and substances

so, yesterday I realized how very much my life has changed- in forms of substances I have come in contact with.
I was helping the 2 yr old eat his snack (he wanted chips and salsa to which I thought, hey what the heck! vegetables!) and he would get a chip in his mouth then freak out cause it was too big so I'd have to stick one of my digits in there and break up the chip. IN HIS MOUTH. I'm like a momma bird that has to reach in there and help him digest his food! it was one of those moments where you think, is this really my life?
So check one for children's spit
Then the 2 yr old has a cold so I have to wipe his nose every 30 seconds. So when I'm trying to feed him and have food all over my hand and reach over to wipe it on a napkin and YEP wrong one- wiped food all over snotty kleenex.
Check one for children's snot
Also under children's snot, we were walking to the library today and I had forgotten kleenex's and didn't want to use my sleeve or his sleeve so.... that's right people, I wiped his nose with my hand. then quickly wiped it on my pants and used this travel antibacterial stuff all over my hands.
Check two for children's snot.
ALSO, the milk we feed the baby is the mom's breast milk. So if it's contained in the bottle, then in the baby, no problem but is it? No. Let me tell you a little story called nipple-not-on-tight-enough. Oops, I just did :)
Check one for my Boss's breast milk
And does the breast milk stay in the baby! Hecks no! :) Although I read in this baby raising book that spit-ups happen if you don't burp the baby enough or improperly so it is my personal mission in life to burp so wonderfully that there are NO spitups, ever, but it happens sometimes, OK? i'm not perfect! ;)
anyway, so baby vomit CHECK!
Of course the obvious bodily functions as well, which we deal with every day- but those are the things I KNEW i'd be dealing with. no one told me that I'd be one with the bodily functions of the kids. Also, I find that a good chunk of the interactions between me and my bosses consists of which of these substances came out of them during the day.
Anyway, am I GLAD that free laundry comes with this job :)
Also, a side note towards the show "What Not To Wear"
They're always bashing on mothers who "don't have enough time" to get dressed and look nice/ shower/ wear makeup because they look horrible in public. well, i've got news for you, fashion nazis. Those mamas are right! sometimes i don't even have time to brush my teeth during the day! (well, that's a stretch, but i MAKE SURE to do it before I leave the house) I totally understand the haggard looking mom's, barely combing their hair before heading to the store.
Guilty!
plus, by the time you got back, you'd look like that anyway!
whew, what a workout! :)
love you all,
christina

Feels like home

Did you ever see something so beautiful that it made you feel like you found home? Tonight, after gallavanting around the city all day looking at new exciting things I'd never seen, I arrived back at the Ner York Public Library and Bryant Park. As I walked out of the Subway past an old subway sax player, my heart, like, smiled, because I knew that when I came out of that Subway tunnel, I would be home. The weirdest feeling, really, but there's just something about that park and the gigantic library next door that makes me want to cry. Maybe because it's the first place I hung out in after making my way out of Grand Central that first time, circling the blocks but always winding up there. Maybe because there's just something about a house of books that will always be home to this poetic soul. Anyway, it's like my heart has staken it out as "our spot." Free ice skating, concerts, fashion week extravaganzas, and in the summer a huge lawn for picnics and all kinds of stuff. Just walking up to the park made me smile so big, knowing that somehow, I'd found the spot in NYC that feels like home. As I stood leaning over the railing over the park below, I chatted it up with this old black security guard about the history of New York and the subway system :), then headed over to Grand Central to head home. A little lady was having trouble with like 20 bags, so I flashed her a famous smile, picked up some of her bags, and we headed to her train. Nothing like helping a stranger to make you feel like a million bucks. Want people to love you? love them. That's what i say. Well, I actually have never said it but there's no time like the present, eh? :) Anyway, all of this was a wonderful ending to a near-perfect day. I arrived in the city, grabbed a cab up to Lincoln Center, where my new/ old friend Allison Richert and I had lunch at a Szechwan place (sp?) she headed to work, so I meandered over to an outdoor fruit market and grabbed some hot cider to sip while I read my book at an outdoor area nearby. It was the coolest feeling, like I AM A MOVIE, they write movies about stuff like this, I am living this life! So cool. Anyway :), after that I hopped on a Subway and headed South to check out the "hip" downtown areas I've heard so much about like Soho and Greenwich Village. I never know where I'm going, so I always ending up circling a lot of blocks but that's the good thing about not having anywhere to be! you're not in a hurry! It's awesome! so then I hopped on another subway (by the way, people, it is sheer luck i get where I need to go because I have no idea still how this whole subway system works) and took it down to the Battery Park area and took my first ride on the Staten Island Ferry, a free ferry to, of course, Staten Island. There wasn't much outdoor deck space, so I'll be trying other boats in the future, but for free, it was A+++! A great view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, and an unbelievable sunset over the Island. Then I headed back up to Soho to meet Allie for Supper. we walked, talked, laughed, got peanuts and coffee from street vendors (yep, my first st. vendor experience! I loved it!), walked out of a diner cause it didn't meet our budget (Park Ave. has NOTHING girls-on-budgets like us can afford by the way), and finally found a place to eat. Truthfully, it was the most fun I've had since I moved here. The start of a beautiful friendship :) Who knew? All in all, a fantastic day WHICH, as a bonus, was all chronicled via photo thanks to my G & G's generous disposable camera donation! So keep this email, Grandma and Grandpa! You can read and peruse the pictures and the email and get the whole story :) AM I THE BEST GRANDAUGHTER EVER? :) haha. Anyway, this is a long blog which I am embarrased to admit, I actually put my pen to paper and wrote it all as I rode the train back to Port Chester! Aren't I just the lamest? haha. Then arrived home to THREE pieces of awesome mail! I live an amazing life! :)

Sidenote: unrelated.
The Holy Spirit is amazing. If anyone is wondering why their life as a Child of God is unfulfilling, you should read the book of Acts and pray that the Lord would work mightily in you the way he did then. HE STILL WORKS LIKE THAT! He hasn't changed! The Holy Spirit will rock your world. I am who I am and doing so great not because I am an easily adaptable person. I am who I am and how I am here because of the Holy Spirit in me and God's blessings on my life. The key is GIVING IT UP. We stubborn people want to do it all ourselves and let God take a part. God will do more than we can imagine if we give it ALL. You know that thing you think you are doing just fine with? Think again. Let the Holy Spirit examine you- don't be so quick to think the OTHER person needs to change, the SITUATION needs to change, etc.

MAYBE YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

Thanks be to God who is all I need and fulfills my every need. :) Praise be to the God who fills my heart with joy even when circumstances aren't ideal. Praise be to the God who is unchanging when everything else is so unpredictable! Blessed be the name of the Lord.
OK, off the soapbox.
love you all
christina
THANKS FOR THE MAIL TODAY, MOM, MEGAN, AND BECKY.
YOU ARE AMAZING!!

fell in love today

So today started out like any other- stumbled out of bed at around 6:20, made it upstairs, fed the baby, fed the 2 year old, some bob the builder, and off to school.
I dropped Kid 1 off at school- the first day that I made it all the way to school with no turn-arounds or wrong turns. yeah!
Then Kid 2 and I headed to Starbucks-I thought I'd write a few letters and carch up on some bible reading. He had the courtesy of letting me hang out there for awhile, then got a little restless for his milk so we hurriedly headed out to the car to do a little back-seat lunch.
As I held him in the back seat, trying to get him to take the bottle when he was so obviously hungry, this eighties song, you know the one, "YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN, WOMAN..." anyway, I'm singing this wong to baby and I realized, I love you, kid. I really love you. there's no where else I'd rather be this morning than with you, in the back of the minivan in the Strarbucks parking lot, working on a bottle. :) It was really nice. Then this great Howie day song came on, and there we are singing, hanging out, and I was just laughing at myself, at the good time we were having.
...anyway by the 13th song, when we were still working on the bottle, it got a little old :) but It was cool to realize I'm falling in love with these kids. makes working with them a little better too :)
anyway the rest of the day was spent shopping for the family, Target, driving all around and getting things done, and I'll admit I'm prlly the only "mama" rocking out to 80's songs at the stoplights, but it was a great time.
One other thing I realized today... Mary Poppins was magic.
No, let me explain. In the nanny serach, you find nannies that claim "the real mary poppins, for your family!" well that's just silly! mary poppins created a false expectation for nannies everywhere, we should not be feeding into these lies! Of COURSE she was a great nanny, turned the family around and all, she was magic! When SHE wanted the children to clean up, she just snapped her fingers. REAL nannies spend an hour trying to get a 2 year old to realize his toys aren't disapearing, they're just getting put away.
When Mary Poppins wanted to go on a fun trip, she just hopped into a sidewalk painting. REAL nannies work up a sweat getting everyone dressed, getting the million things you might need, and making the "extra" effort to wear "real pants." Anyway, I just thought I'd clear that up :)
I've been spending the last couple of nights at the gym, and since the thigh worker outer is the only machine I know how to use other than the treadmill and the elliptical, I was walking like a cowboy today. A sore cowboy. So I may take the night off and get some things done. I keep myself surprisingly busy for the amount of things I have going on. Which is nice. anyway iI'm off, but I hope you all have a great night!
keep the mail comin!
christina

some details i may have left out...

so my good friend james davenport said that when I tell people about how things are I forget a LOT of important things that I assume people know. anyway so I copied and pasted all the questions he sent me and my answers. prhaps not too entertaining but if you're just not getting connected w/ my blog, or my life, here's what's up...
how many kids: 2
how old: 3 months and 2 1/2 years oldare they good: sometimes- the baby only cries when he's gassy, or tired, or hungry, or lonely. so all the time kind of? :) and the two year old doesn't like to share. or play w/ others. or do anything other than watch tv. but other than that they're awesome?
do you like them: i like them a lot :) they're really cute and fun and cuddly when they're not screaming, but i guess you gotta take the good w/ the bad haha.
do you like the parents: yeah i really like them but it's a little bit awkward living in someone else's house and all but i think that will wear off.
how long do you work: i work from 6:15 am (yeah, i know) to about 4:30 or 5 every night.
do you have nights free: yep, i have the nights free, and since i don't have any friends yet i go out to eat, go to movies, sew stuff, read books, watch tv, make phone calls, and stuff like that.do you go out to the city: i went to the city this weekend and will prlly go down about every weekend cause it's fun and different than here. plus i have two friends there so that's nice- to talk to a friend cause here it's just me and the pple i live w/ who are cool but they're my bosses ya know? :)
do you live by the city: i live in a suburb of the city, about a 1/2 hr away. i can ride the train there really easily which is nice.do you have city friends:i have two city friends but i didn't meet them in the city, i met one on project and one is from my hometown so those are really my only friends so far :)
do you have a car to go to the city: nope, i take the train and then when i get there i walk and take cabs and the subway too
are you afraid of getting mugged: not really anymore, you just have to look tough all the time and like you would really put up a fight. look mean and stuff and people don't bother you, that's what i've heard.
have you found a church: well i've visited two, the first was good but no one talked to me there, and the second was wayyyyyyy surfacey. i may go back to the first one and just talk to people and not wait for them to talk to me? we'll see.do they have a post college group for you: yeah, i haven't gone cause i'm not sure if that's the church i'm sticking with
is your family christian: no, they aren't. they're like non-practicing catholics.
how did your interviews go: they went well- the first one was like 7 hours and the 2nd one was like 5 and the third was like 20 min. :) i took the job from the 2nd interview. the first two went super well- third kinda sucked :)
did they think you were fun by your outfit you wore: i'm not really sure- the family that i picked was realllllly surprised that i dressed up and they were like, well if you take this job you definately won't be dressing up! we wear sweatpants around here! so that was cool.
what outfit do you wear: i wore some dress pants, a tank top, pointy tan shoes, and a jean jacket. looked pretty nice.
how many interviews did you have:3
what do you get paid:i get paid $500/ week plus free food and rent :) pretty nice, huH?
are you going to last a year: uh, i think so, i'm not a quitter and i have a realllly good attitude, i think it'll be better after i find a church and friends, but i'm doing alright for now too
do you like it: i don't know yet. i'm trying to learn to like it all. i like the great ethnic restaurants, i like that new york city has a huge amazing library, i like that transportation around here is so easy, i like it that the family i live with is so nice and easy-going
what dont you like the best: there's not country around here, my family and friends are far away, people in new york aren't as friendly, i miss christian fellowship, i miss being known, i don't like that people are either rich or poor here and not in between
do you miss iowa: yes, a lot
do you like nyc: yeah, but not as much as i thought i would
what is there to do in the city: well, i go shopping, to the library, walk around, go to new different places? that's all i've done so far :)
do you go clubbing: uh, no
so there's the details, folks! more later
christina

peruvian cuisine

so hello friends! apologies for a couple days with no blogs from yours truly, yesterday I actually spent time with friends for the first time since I moved here! social interaction! yeah! :)
then today i went to a church, which, although I won't name names. was really lame.
the "sermon" if one could even call it that, was about how we should let children be playful and we should all be more honest and playful. (??????????)
that's just silly. gorgeous church, though, really really beautiful. But I was looking for way more than just a beautiful building plus.... all those people with their gorgeous cars and fur coats looked at me pretty strangely when I couldn't get the key in the ignition correctly and the car alarm started going off for like 5 minutes while jetting out of church. ugh.
somewhere new next week i suppose :)
anyway so then i spent the rest of the day reading in bed- what a fantastic sunday, eh?
then went to the Queen Latifah movie "last holiday" FOR THE RECORD- SO GOOD prlly cliche and maybe a little predictable but let's look at the evidence...
1. I was laughing out loud in the theater
2. when it was done, people actually clapped. in the theater!
3. I left with a smile on my face
so i'd say that's a successful night! then it was so BITINGLY cold that i just HAD to stop at the first restaurant serving food i'd never tried, i mean, come on, you don't move to new york every day! so i stopped at a peruvian food joint, in which they had to scour the place for a waitress that knew english, and my food got me full after like 5 bites... and when peruvians say served with fries, they mean like fries mixed into your meal. weird, but good. the Incan place I tried the other day was better, and have the most amazing flan i've ever had. i'll have to ration the flan for sure. anyway now i'm back home, looking forward to another day of not working tom. (mlk day!) and going to finish hand sewing my pillows and gonna make me some jewelry like this amazing necklace I saw at banana republic the other day. so anyway i love you all! thanks mom, grandparents, and tina ingold for the mail i got today! loved it all!
keep it coming! ;)
christina

a book and a baby

thursdays and fridays are the most fantastic days ever.
the two year old goes to school all day long. and it's just me and the baby! so sweet!
yesterday the baby slept allll morning and I was able to go to the fabric store, the bookstore and the sub-par library we have next door. I'm somwhat of a library snob so I was slightly disapointed but everythings so close together up here there's another library like 5 miles away.pretty sweet.
when the baby and me were having lunch, I was singing to him, which he LOVES, and it's was just so awesome, whole house to myself, singing praise songs at the TOP OF MY LUNGS, and a laughing baby. maybe I will have kids :) haha.
today's friday, got paid! and I think tomorow i'm going into the city to have lunch with a friend and explore the day away. I think I will go to the Museum of Modern art and if I have time I will also go to the Museum of Natural History. they are about 10 blocks apart, the MoMA is on the R side of central park and MNH is directly on the other...
so i'll be there.
got emails from a couple dear friends today. made my morning. keep em coming :)
love you all
christina

kids are napping simultaneously! awesome!

today I was DREADING taking care of these kids again, not gonna lie.
But then this morning I was spending a little time with God and he has given me such strength! you know, that's the kicker. moms' gotta have strength to stay strong, to give discipline, to say no and stick with it even though it would be sooooo much easier to just do what they want. it's like there's a million battles a day and the more I win, the better this years gonna go. anyway i'm feeling like i'm doing an ok job right now which is so nice :) better than yesterday! whooo! and i think i'm going into the city this weekend to see my friend Jocelyn from my mission trip last summer- she's living in Brooklyn and she doesn't have any friends in the city either! sweet! a friend! ;) anyway i've been thinking about growth-- the baby, is trying to get a strong neck. Actually, I sing this song to him all the time about it but that's besides the point. anyway he's trying to get a strong neck, he jerks it all around sometimes and he "gets" to have tummy time which he hates. it kind of hurts him and it's not fun. anyway but he HAS to do it, so he can crawl and walk and all those things which parents really prefer their children can do if they are able. anyway so that's kind of how i feel about my life right now. it's tough, but i'm growing. plus i was reading in phillipians ( i think) yesterday and paul is talking about he knows the secret to being ok in poverty, in pain, in prosperity, and in health. what's the secret? through Christ who strengthens him. and i'm definately feelingn that today- Christ strengthens me to keep a clear head, to keep calm, to know what to do, to give love, and to have joy and a happy soul. So that's pretty sweet. :) ok i'm going to go enjoy the next hr 1/2 while both of them nap. YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
christina

a toughie

tough day.
why did I move across the country to get ordered around by a toddler again?
Please tell me there's a light at the end of the tunnel! oh please, please please
ps amanda, about your email, today was NOT the time of my life :) maybe tomorow?
that's it for today folks-
christina

new talents

today i learned a little bit about what being a mother is like.
I actually learned how to prop the bottle up with the left side of my face and drink my morning coffee with the right side of my mouth. pretty amazing, huh?
I realized today why people's social lives go downhill when they have kids. It takes like hours just to get ready to go out much less actually move out the door! and then to get them out of and back into the car? forgetabout it! i just wanted a diet coke today but the mcdonalds here doesn't have a drive through and for the first time in my life i thought IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT! you can't leave em in the car and it'll take like an hour just to get into the place! ayayay!
anyway, a good day all in all, went to the park, learned how to use the baby front backpack thing, did some crafts, ran around like a crazy person, bartered with a two year old, and typed while holding an infant. what a day. good thing is- i appreciate the mom's of the world like crazy now. i cannot BELIEVE people keep having kids! it is sooo much stinking work! wow. anyway i'm headed to bed. i'm tired.
christina

shoulda brought more towels

so today something terrible happened. something so terrible i definately wouldn't be sharing it with the entire cyberspace world if it weren't so dang funny in retrospect.
so anyway, i've been here for 6 days i think. definately am still getting to know the house and the er.... appliances.
I'll just go out and say it.
I clogged the toilet.
they must have bad plumbing here or something because it was DEFINATELY not my fault. anyway so it wouldn't flush, wouldn't flush. wouldn't flush. and each time the water got a little bit higher, and higher, and HIGHER! so i just thought ok whatever, i'll just leave it till tomorow when the parents leave and i'll take care of it then. i'll just go to the movies and eat somewhere, just go out for the night and use the bathroom there, not drink any more liquids once i got home, and just wait it out. it's just my bathroom so no one will be the wiser.
but then i had to try it ONE LAST TIME. ugh.
anyway so it OVERFLOWS all over the bathroom. it was like the most horrible moment ever. i'm sopping it up with every towel and hand towel around. and I'm WALKING in the water on the floor! and i'm saying to myself "this is the worst day of my life, this is the worst day of my lift" ahhh! anyway so i'm toooo embarrased to ask for a plunger so i call my mom to see if the toilet wand thing could potentially do the same job but she says no, it's gotta be a plunger. and that I should swallow my pride and just ask for it.
anyway so i did.
and they didn't seem surprised...
which makes me think...
that they knew this would happen! and didn't tell me! ahhh!
anyway so it's all fine now but cindy says I have to bleach the whole thing and disinfect the whole bathroom and wash all the towels and this and that and ....
ugh.
so anyway tomorow baby einstein may be spending more time w/ kid one and kid 2 than I am, cause I've got a mess to finish cleaning up.
ain't new york fine?
christina

a poem for all you compulsive blog-checkers

i've heard some of you are checking my blog sometimes 2, 3 times a day!
I'm surprised! and baffled! but I thought in appreciation of you select few, I would write a poem in honor of you, my most loyal friends

so you check my blog 4 times a day
and really friend, i really must say
you flatter me much
i'd take you to lunch
if I didn't live 20 hours away

you must think i'm entertaining
while I go on blabbing and explaining
the transitions i make
the adventures I take
and realizing i'm forever in training

I wish I had more things to tell
that i'm doing amazing and well
with crazy cab stories
and tales of date glory
and i'm coming out of the ole "new kid" shell

but i gotta be honest, my friend
somtimes I can't wait for the end
but I've got His joy
and that's quite enough, ole boy
until then I'll trust "I WAS SENT!"

so keep reading, you loyal readers!
I'm creating quite a blog-loving fever
I love it that you care
please keep in in your prayer(s)
and send me mail at least once this year!

love you all,
christina

a happy soul

so tonight I took the Metro North train over to a town called Rye- adorable by the way- to eat (cute lil spot called "Cosi" and managed to absolutely butcher the title of what I was ordering and made a complete fool out of myself but oh well) and do some much overdue God time. (thanks mom) i was reading in the old testament about those dang Israelites and how they just couldn't seem to get rid of those idols even when they knew they were a bad idea. This got me thinking- has my happiness become an idol? do i want to go to church because of what it will do for me? do I want to spend time with God because it makes me feel better about myself? it's clear that as far as the Israelites, God wanted them 100% to himself. no idols, no compromises. I know that the Bible is full of people who didn't do this- all of them actually, but that doesn't change the fact that it's what is asked of us. since when do I think that I deserve to be "happy?" and what is happiness, anyway, if not a feeting emotional response to getting what you want? shouldn't I instead be searching for Joy? Joy that's found in Christ ALONE? Joy that is not situational so does not depend on a good situation? In church, pastor terry read some thing that said everymorning you should read the Bible not to become a better person, not to preach, not to fulfill a duty, but to get a happy soul.
so tonight that's what I decided. I'm going to throw out the whole being happy here deal.
I'm going to find my joy in Christ, do what I can to make this place a home, and go confidently on my way.
plus, aunt allison says it takes 6 mo. to "like" a job. 4 days down!
christina

Birthday blues?

Nahhhh... :) I'm doing alright! My employers/ ny family here bought me a CAKE, their ordering mexican for us all tonight, they are just trying their darndest to make my day special :) which is so nice! and i'm doing alright! I'm going to buy some new shoes tonight, also, so that should be fuuuuuunnnnnnn!! no, i really am doing alright. today we drove around and tried to figure out where everything is around here... practiced driving the 2 yr old to school-- nervvvvvvvvvoooooooooous! driving this beautiful van but I did ok... only a couple dents. JOKING! hmmmmmmm.... I wonder when DSW closes for the night? well, I'll be finding out.
Thanks for your birthday well wishes all you friendS!
much love
christina

Post-Partum Depression

Can non-mothers have post-partum depression?
Cause I think I have first day nanny depression... wowowow. I felt like all day today I was either changing a diaper or feeding someone. Living with two boys who eat every four hours I feel like I may be falling into their habits as well also. What a job! What a day!
I'm really exaggerating here, I know. So don't worry, all you aunts, and grandparents. It was just a long day. First day of Mom being gone is tough for anyone, aka me, so i understand- i'm crabby too! :) So i gotta give the kid some credit. the baby is so cute! when he laughs and sleeps on my belly I think I'll just die. and the two year old was listening to my walkman and bobbing his lil head around and just couldn't be any cuter. Their old nanny let them watch constant tv so that has already been unpleasant to be the naysayer that put the axe to the constant tv deal. Oh well somebody's gotta be the bad guy, huh? the baby spit up his entire body weight today which may be bad for his health but he seemed to be used to the drill. ???? i think i may go to a movie and eat some mexican food tonight and explore a bit-- i definately need to get out of the house even if it's to walk around the block :) also TOMOROW'S MY BIRTHDAY, THE BIG 23 so i may take my 20 dollars and my new birthday purse (that's right, gma and gpa!) and go buy myself a little something pretty or fun for my birthday. tomorow may be a tough day- birthday in a new place with no friends, anyone? but i'll do something fun, try to make it special, and be positive! that's right, people! glass half full, haven't you heard it? :) anyway I'm off, gonna take a shower and wash the spitup out of my hair and body and then go out on the town! whoohoooo!
night folks
christina

Finally here! started new job today!

hello friends and family!
greetings from NY! I'm here at my new home now, and it's been a rough day but I think I'm gonna love it. I woke up at 4 in the stinking morning and have been going all day-- two plane rides, one flight delay (I'm beginning to get used to it, ugh) and meeting a guy at the airport with a sign that said "Cristina Nickkells" I finally got where i needed to be :) I spent a couple hours unpacking and then another couple hanging out with the kids and showing my skills as a nanny :) I think I passed, at least I hope! the next couple of days I have a bunch of papers to sign, a gym to join, and a minivan to learn how to drive. ayayay. I'm going to bed at like 8:00 so I'm turning into an old lady already! My new family ordered spectacular chinese tonight and I know I'm going to love that :)... could be a problem... anyway not too exciting but I'm here! I've begun the new adventure!
I need to just sit down with my Bible for awhile and see what the Big guy has to say about all this, Man what a day.
Christina