...out the door.
This was a rough year. The (sole) highlight was the arrival of Roo #2, who delights us every day simply by being here.
Working in opposition to this joy were: ongoing work-related drama, the expected struggles that take place when adjusting your family to two new members in rapid succession, a true loss of social network (aside from my burgeoning Twitter and FB presence, ha), friends' health challenges and tragic losses, and -- for the first time in my life -- an unpleasant sense of ennui, aimlessness and impending failure.
Not doom, mind you. Just failure.
I'm carving out a plan to address this incipient haziness, this lack of focus, and I have to say I am excited for the tabula rasa that comes knocking at my door in two hours and 17 minutes.
Happy new year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
In Which Kanga Realizes It's Been Much Too Long
...since I posted. Much has changed. Much has happened.
First of all, we welcomed Roo #2 (also a J) on May 12. Her birth went smoothly, and I was lucky enough to have the same delivery team as last time, with the exception of the anesthetist. The new one was also wonderful, of course. St. Vincent's FTW!
Second, I've gradually realized that the name of this blog is woefully inappropriate. I wouldn't care much about changing it, except that I do plan to begin writing more (my friend N raises a skeptical eyebrow), and topics will include but certainly not be limited to the issues surrounding information professionals in creative fields.
That said, the name will likely stay. Inertia drives me (now there's a paradox).
More soon...I promise.
First of all, we welcomed Roo #2 (also a J) on May 12. Her birth went smoothly, and I was lucky enough to have the same delivery team as last time, with the exception of the anesthetist. The new one was also wonderful, of course. St. Vincent's FTW!
Second, I've gradually realized that the name of this blog is woefully inappropriate. I wouldn't care much about changing it, except that I do plan to begin writing more (my friend N raises a skeptical eyebrow), and topics will include but certainly not be limited to the issues surrounding information professionals in creative fields.
That said, the name will likely stay. Inertia drives me (now there's a paradox).
More soon...I promise.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
In Which Kanga Faces Facts
Fact #1: My maternity leave starts this Friday.
Fact #2: Nonetheless, I will be at work Saturday, since I have to take a day off tomorrow due to J's illness (my first ever for that reason, BTW, so that makes it easier to swallow).
Fact #3: We are having carpet installed Mon and Tues.
Fact #4: Alan asked the karmic gods to keep J healthy for only two key dates...when I went on a two-day getaway with a friend, and during the carpet installation. She has thus far managed to barf and fever her way through both. Thanks, karmic gods!
Fact #5: I could never. ever. ever. come up with the structure and stimulation for my kid(s) that most SAHMs do. By the time 4:00 rolls around, I'm out of ideas, folks. I like the challenge in the abstract, but it's a good thing I'm not a SAHM.
Fact #6: 15 days till Roo #2's arrival.
The above facts brought to you by Second-Baby Heebie-Jeebies International.
Fact #2: Nonetheless, I will be at work Saturday, since I have to take a day off tomorrow due to J's illness (my first ever for that reason, BTW, so that makes it easier to swallow).
Fact #3: We are having carpet installed Mon and Tues.
Fact #4: Alan asked the karmic gods to keep J healthy for only two key dates...when I went on a two-day getaway with a friend, and during the carpet installation. She has thus far managed to barf and fever her way through both. Thanks, karmic gods!
Fact #5: I could never. ever. ever. come up with the structure and stimulation for my kid(s) that most SAHMs do. By the time 4:00 rolls around, I'm out of ideas, folks. I like the challenge in the abstract, but it's a good thing I'm not a SAHM.
Fact #6: 15 days till Roo #2's arrival.
The above facts brought to you by Second-Baby Heebie-Jeebies International.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
In Which Kanga Realizes She Missed February
Nary a blog post in February...an indicator of how work, home life and preparations for Roo #2 have all stepped up considerably.
Here we are in March, exactly two months from when my maternity leave begins. A co-worker sent me a fascinating article written by another librarian who was, shall we say, quite well-prepared for her own 12-week FMLA leave.
Though there's more than a whiff of OCD about this woman, she wrote a fantabulous manual of her job's duties, set up an FAQ to guide those who were assisting in her absence, and said in all seriousness that no work piled up in her absence.
I definitely plan to take snippets of her recommendations. The list of frequently asked co-worker questions seems valuable, as does a full list of database passwords, clear access to previously performed secondary research results, and a basic how-to for much of what I do each day.
In other news, we have named Roo #2! Thanks to all those who offered suggestions. We feel really good about our choice and are now "settling in" with it to allow it to attach itself to our second little girl.
Here we are in March, exactly two months from when my maternity leave begins. A co-worker sent me a fascinating article written by another librarian who was, shall we say, quite well-prepared for her own 12-week FMLA leave.
Though there's more than a whiff of OCD about this woman, she wrote a fantabulous manual of her job's duties, set up an FAQ to guide those who were assisting in her absence, and said in all seriousness that no work piled up in her absence.
I definitely plan to take snippets of her recommendations. The list of frequently asked co-worker questions seems valuable, as does a full list of database passwords, clear access to previously performed secondary research results, and a basic how-to for much of what I do each day.
In other news, we have named Roo #2! Thanks to all those who offered suggestions. We feel really good about our choice and are now "settling in" with it to allow it to attach itself to our second little girl.
Monday, January 19, 2009
In Which Kanga Tells Roo a Secret
Bathtime is a great time to share secrets. Today, while I was shampooing J's hair, I told her a short story.
"Tomorrow, baby, a man named Barack Obama is going to be inaugurated as our 44th President. He is an African-American, and he is a great man. This is important. But what's more important is that you are growing up in a really, really exciting time. I will always remember that I was with you on the eve of the day everything changed."
J laughed and pulled her foam letter "E" off the wet wall of the tub.
"Tomorrow, baby, a man named Barack Obama is going to be inaugurated as our 44th President. He is an African-American, and he is a great man. This is important. But what's more important is that you are growing up in a really, really exciting time. I will always remember that I was with you on the eve of the day everything changed."
J laughed and pulled her foam letter "E" off the wet wall of the tub.
Monday, January 5, 2009
In Which Kanga and Roo Make Room For...
...a baby sister. Roo #2 will be a girl, as evidenced today by our ultrasound.
By the way, Portland residents -- if you can get Susannah the sonographer at NW Perinatal, do it. She doesn't, of course, promise specific boy or girl babies, but she's got a darn good prediction track record and an excellent bedside manner.
I had, of course, approximately 25 boys' names and only two or three girls' names that even piqued my interest. Any suggestions, esteemed readers?
(Suggestions of "Dewey" or "Marian" -- as in librarian -- will be duly ignored.)
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