I Can Haz Jorb?

I had my first post-baby job interview on Friday. I walked into the interview under the impression that I would not want the job, but now I think I would love it. It sounded challenging, exciting and fun. The only problem is that Husband is now fairly sure that he wants to stay in NS. So I'm continuing the hunt.

The interview was a strange experience. It's the first time I have been asked about my family in an interview. I was able to talk about what Husband does, how my daughter is growing and our plans for the future. I felt old. I'm not sure what my chances of landing a second interview with the company are. I felt good about how the initial interview went but I lack executive assistant experience. I was one of 12 picked for interviews out of 200 applicants. That alone feels like an accomplishment.

I am going to continue hunting both in NS and in NB and see what happens. I know I will find something but I am taking my time and being picky this time.

Grumpasaurus Regina...

The Squishy I knew and loved is gone. She has been replaced with a Grumpasaurus Regina. She does not want to be alone, but she doesn't want to play. She is sleeping through the night, but refuses to take naps in the afternoon.

Yay babies!

Hunting for the Elusive Career...

I'm starting to think I should have begun career planning when I was still in university. I am at a huge disadvantage due to my complete and total lack of tangible skills. I have a lot of skills that are intangible, however how well can you demonstrate an ability to learn new skills on a resume? Therein lies my problem.

I am still hunting for a career. I've been offered my old job back, the one at the Portrait Studio, but I need something with more hours and more room for advancement. The job market in small town NS is slim pickings for someone with a BA and no practical skills.

I have applied for a few jobs in the 'Fax and in the F'ton area but I'm not sure if Husband wants to move, or wants to watch me commute every day. All I know is that I do not want to wait tables or work in a restaurant again. I thought I was done with that when I graduated.

Back to the grind

Now that Squishy is getting bigger and more independent I am starting to think about life outside the home again. Husband and I have been discussing me going back to work to allow him to take parental leave. This had been our initial plan before I was laid off but since I wasn’t able to find a “real” job after I was let go we have just planned for me to stay home since we need his income.
The only problem with my job hunt is that I don’t think I will find a job in our area. This isn’t entirely bad. Husband and I both want to move back to the homeland to be closer to our families. I have been looking for work back in F’ton where I think I have the best chance of finding something I will like. I think it will take some time for me to find a job where I will be able to use my talents. I would desperately love to do something in the non-profit sector that involves online marketing or publication and promotions, but I think I have to start in administration again.

Trip to the Park

Yesterday was Squishy's first trip to Victoria Park. We had an exciting time since the trails were still covered in ice and Daddy was carrying her in her Snuggly-thing. She slept the entire time we were walking. Daddy took some pictures with his new camera, but I don't think he's put them on his computer and I don't know how to use his new camera.

Everything was beautiful but a little scary. The water in the stream was roaring from all of the rain we've had recently. The ice that covered most of the trails was a little treacherous and we almost fell several times.

We will be frequenting the park more as the weather warms up. I can't wait until Squishy is big enough to play in the playground, and dip in the water. I think Daddy will be taking lots of pictures with his new water-proof camera.

In an unrelated note, Daddy recently commented that he doesn't have many pictures of me holding Squishy. As I thought about it, I realized why. As soon as there is someone else around to look after her, I usually hand Squishy over to them. Daddy usually wants to take pictures when something special is going on, meaning there is usually someone around to hold Squishy while I get stuff done. I spend most of my day holding her, playing with her and feeding her but there are no pictures of this because I spend a good chunk of my day alone with her.

Dinner With Friends

I made dinner last night, complete with cupcake dessert. Squishy was well-behaved and only fussed when we were just sitting down to dinner. Daddy took over soother duty, so he sat with her for a while until she settled so he could eat.

This was my first attempt at fancy cupcakes. I took pictures!


Decorations made free-hand from royal icing. It didn't harden as much as I had hoped.


My silicone cupcake cups.


Some finished cupcakes!

It was fun, and I will have to make more soon!

I'm being watched...

It feels like I've got tiny little eyes on me all the time. There is a little person living in my house that takes in everything. I can't believe how much she pays attention to everything that is going on. If the TV is on she will watch the movement and colours, if she's in her swing she stares around the room. I make sure that I sit in her line of sight. If I'm not in her line of sight I tell her where I am. She just sits and watches.

We had our 1st set of needles this week. On Monday we went to the Dr. and she was a brave girl. She was bawling of course but stopped as soon as we got in the Jeep. She has almost started laughing, when she is particularly amused she makes practice laughing noises. She is becoming much more vocal at the same time. She has conversations with me and with Daddy when he gets home from work.

Doodles and C are coming over for dinner tonight. I am going to attempt to make fancy cupcakes in addition to the roast. I'm not sure what else we will do but we always have a good time when they visit.

First Bottle!

I am so proud! Squishy just took her first bottle from her father! She only put up minimal resistance. I didn't pump much so she was still hungry and needed some boob.

Another Day

Squishy is in her swing asleep and Husband is sleeping in because he has the day off work. I'm watching crappy daytime TV waiting for something to happen. I suppose I could get up and so more laundry, or clean the cat's litter box but I want to be lazy right now. Maybe I'll get another cup of coffee.

Squishy sleeps like her father. They both make the same noises and they both dream. I think her dreams are vivid since she is very active and vocal when she dreams. She has been sleeping very well. Last night she slept from 11 to 4:30 and was back to sleep well before 5. The night before she didn't wake at all from 11pm to 6am.

The cats are still mad at me. Rook keeps trying to get me to pay attention to him, but he does that by getting on Squishy's laundry or trying to jump in my lap when I'm breastfeeding. Luna just ignores me.

Back in NS

We are back in Nova Scotia after a lovely visit to New Brunswick. We got to introduce Squishy to Husband's family. Gramma and Grampy are wonderful with Squishy. Auntie Lizard and Aunt Fuffer got some quality time with Squishy.

I have known my MIL long enough to know that she has a very strong personality. This was the first time I have ever felt at-odds with her. She is the best mother-in-law I could imagine but I was not prepared for her assuming most of the responsibility for Squishy. I enjoyed knowing that someone else would look after her if I needed help, but MIL took that role quite seriously, once going so far as to take Squishy out of my arms. That was a strange experience. I know that the only reason she did that was because the sound of a crying baby has the same effect on her as fingernails on a chalkboard but it still made me question two things I have not yet considered;

1) Am I doing everything I can to comfort my child?
2) Does my MIL think I am a bad mother?

I think that these questions will continue to plague me for the rest of my life.