Living in America 2012--Because It Is No Longer 2011

[MmeBucket]

This is what happens when I start threads--they get stupid titles. Someone else needs to start the next one. Hopefully we can get this one filled by 2013.

Link to old thread for reference

Not much happening here. The kids have been off school for 25 days. I am soooo looking forward to them starting school tomorrow. Except it is my day to help, so instead of getting a break from my two, I'll have 22 of them to deal with.

Quite - DD is going to be a ladybird. I was in the 2nd hand shop today to get DD a snowsuit. I got her a lovely black one that our future DS can use the following year. It was $15 and it is the same one we saw when we were in Denmark that cost $220. The shop also had lots of halloween costumes and I was darn tempted to get another costume for DD. They had a cow, giraffe, bumble bee, duck and the cutest horse outfit.

We're recycling too - DD will be wearing the pumpkin outfit DS wore on his 1st birthday - he's a Halloween baby. He's going to be spiderman, ridiculously overpriced costume from the Disney store do counting as part of his birthday present. He'll be 4 and is convinced the whole Halloween thing is all just for his birthday!

DD turns 1 on thanksgiving Sunday, so might keep the pumpkin costume out for that too

Baby pumpkins are absurdly cute! Flip I'm sitting in the playpark by milburn co-op nursery, watching DS. run.riot. You're going to love this s area. :) Good luck with the move.

I love hearing about all the Halloween outfits - DD is going to a pumpkin (recycled from DS) and DS is going to be a pirate (aaaar!). I'm looking forward to dressing them up and local kids coming around trick or treating. We've decided that we won't take them out trick or treating, as they're still so young...but I'll still enjoy it .

Blackcurrants we saw that park when we were house-hunting - it looks lovely! We were out at the house today and it was so beautiful out there. Bet it was a great day for the park. Roll on moving day next Sat!

Want2be that second hand shop sounds like it has amazing bargains! That sounds hard with DH being away for so long. Hope you got some good fall family time before he left.

Girlwith how cool about the tattoo! I'm too much of a wimp to ever get one done but I have visions of you being all svelte and SoCal cool . I mentioned that diet to DH and he nearly fainted - I'm a complete nightmare not great with low blood sugar so the prospect of me fasting had him terrified . Oh and I can't believe your DD is turning on so soon - I was lurking when you joined this thread and it doesn't feel like that long ago that you were pregnant and planning to move...

VintageNancy are you back in SF and back into life there?

So we were out at the house today to meet the landlord and pick up the keys etc. We even managed an Ikea run (man the view of Newark airport from the cafe had DS enthralled!). We bought a car on Friday night (and parked it in one of those crazy cramped Manhattan garages) so I even drove today for the first time in the US - me like automatic . We also checked out our local playground and had a light brunch at a local cafe. It was a beautiful crisp fall day and it had me chomping at the bit to move next week! Though the train back to Manhattan was a bit as it was a double decker train and it was v hairy getting DS in the buggy into the train as our local station has a very low platform.

We did manage to get to a pumpkin patch/fall festival in Madison Sq Park on Sat but it was mobbed (with lots of very cute dressed up kids!) so we had some sandwiches at a great deli and headed into Chelsea to see this crazy exhibition instead.

Wooah, all your activity and doing-ness is putting me to shame! We went to DH's school's "Fall Fair" (basically the summer fete) on Saturday and I had to have a nap afterwards! :) I'm pleased you're really getting into your time here - I like automatic too!
We go up to that playpark a fair bit (we have friends with DCs in Chatham) and might even meet you there one day! There's a really nice bakery nearby, which is good to know about.

Flip There is a parade in Maplewood for halloween. It is great fun and the children enjoy it. We didn't do it last year because we were both working. Totally hear you on driving automatics. I think it is so much better than manual. If you need anything you should take a look at maplewoodonline because people are having garage sales this time of year. There is also a thread under discussions where people list what they are giving away. I got a tykes slide and swing on there for DD.

We didn't get that much done this weekend. DH and I had an argument on Saturday which was a build up of tension. He hasn't quite realised how much work DD is because he isn't around that much. She is into everything now. While DD was down he baked his bread (Danish rye bread which cost $9 back in Denmark) and after he had gone up to study the buzzer went. I tested the bread and it was baked so I took it out. DH didn't grease the pan properly and he didn't tell me tell me that sometimes it needs another 10mins. I was fighting with the bread trying to get it out of the pan I burnt myself pretty badly. At the same time DD had managed to open the safety gate and was in the kitchen. I screamed because the hot pan nearly hit her on the head and she was trying to touch it. The oven was 475F (which is why the bread was burnt. The dog then came running in and was trying to get at the bread to eat it!

DH came downstairs to the comotion of me holding DD under one arm while she cried, the dog under the other arm (he is 70lbs so I was holding him back rather than holding him up IYKWIM) and I was trying to kick the bread into the pantry and shut the door so neither would burn themselves. Oh and I didn't have slippers on, just socks so I also have a burnt toe this morning too. Somehow our floors are not burnt. Anyway, we have a new schedule now and DH has been surprised at how energetic DD is. He was also surprised at how my day breaks down. He thought I was able to get so much more study time in than I am. When I went through my day he was surprised and has been a lot more supportive since having the conversation.

so glad you had the conversation, want, and it went well - I think it's easy to miss things if you're away a lot, specially developmental milestones like "no longer sits on a rug playing with toys" and "is now a danger to self" -

Those were milestones DS seemed to hit really early. We were so proud

Want2 gosh, that sounds like such a stressful incident - hope you're not too badly burned (and thank god your DD and dog were ok!). I hate when things like that happen. Though it's good that it allowed your DH to hear how your day to day life is. Studying is so hard anyway, that with a toddler in tow (and baby no 2 on his way), I really salute you for doing it! I often find that myself and DH have our "best" rows/discussions when a crisis or incident like the one you describe happens. And I'd love to get stuck into a yard sale or two or more - I kept seeing signs as we wandered around on Sun (some said they took credit cards which had me - have never been to a yard sale but didn't think taking cards was part of it!). We need things like lamps and book cases and I suspect that yard sales may be good for them. Plus I love a good rummage as part of bargain-hunting!

Blackcurrants well, after all our busy-ness over the weekend I had to have a nap today while the kids slept [am blaming last night's bout of insomnia]. But I remember clearly how it feels to be pregnant with a toddler and working so if I were you I'd be napping every weekend! And would definitely love to meet at that park sometime. Millburn is the town we originally wanted to live in and saw a place around the corner from the park that sounded great on paper but was in such terrible condition that we couldn't rent it...

Flip It is hard sometimes trying to study, work full time and have a toddler plus one on the way. Anyone can accpet credit cards now using their ipad or their iphone. I found a few yard sales around here charge too much for stuff. They don't get that it is 2nd hand... I picked up a high chair that hadn't sold in a yard sale this weekend from the curb. They wanted $50 for it. If they had asked for $20 they probably would have sold it. Instead they gave it away for nothing. Some people around here think furniture is an investment. To me it is an expense and with young children it is a liability. Ikea is the way forward!

For lamps take a look at the christmas tree store. The place rocks for stuff like that. Failing that there is also Target. For $15-20 you can get really nice lamps there. I think I have said before to go to the one on rt 22. There is also a Michaelss and TK Maxx down there, both of which are really good for things like that too.

Blackcurrants Oh how I miss those days of her alternating between the exersaucer and jumperoo. We just switched to cablevision this weekend and DD keeps pulling the card out of the front. I was happy that she wasn't trying to climb up the TV stand!

Hello all you NJites

Flip settling in sounds like its going swimmingly! Well impressed at credit cards being taken at yards sales, who knew

Want2 ugh horrid argument and awful situation to find yourself in, they grow up and change too flipping fast sometimes! Glad that DH has taken it in though, hope he adjusts accordingly!

I can reassure you all I'm not svelte sadly, baby weight is redistributed gone but the flabby bits need sorting! My mum is over and having both DC tomorrow so I get a whole day off! Can't wait! Mani/pedi booked, power yoga and sitting on the beach READING A BOOK!

Passed my driving test 2weeks ago (ever, never drove in UK) and have driven so much this week. Including from Santa Monica to Pasadena and back yesterday (40 mins each way) and to Santa Barbara today (2 hours!!) - that is lot of fricking freeways

ooh that IS a lot of freeways - the idea of driving in LA makes me nervous (which is nuts, as I've driven everywhere around nyc) I think the roads just seem so BIG over there. Congrats on passing your test!

Want2 I remember thinking "Right, everything valuable is above waist height" and my older sister saying "noooo, above SHOULDER height, amateur!" and being very annoyed at her.
Sure enough, less than a year on, DS can reach anything below my shoulder height. There's a point around 14-20 months, where they can get in all the trouble in the world, but can't be reasoned/counted/bribed out of it. You just have to babyproof and distract.... at least it doesn't last!

DS is a climber. Everything is securely bolted to the wall!

I used to go out to LA when I worked for a bank. I was not good with the freeways and it became the office joke. The big boss lived in Malibu in this amazing home/masterpiece and I was so freeway'd out by the time I got there that I asked if I could call a car service to get home because I needed a stiff drink or two. I had the rental company pick the car up from his house and worked a deal out with the car service for the rest of the week!

Girl With this 2nd pregnancy I am not looking that pregnant but my stomach area is very flabby. It is not good and I am dreading the wobble that will be there after I get the baby out. I don't think it helps that people here tend to be more image and health aware. Everyone we know exercises at least 3 times a week and watches their diet. Our neighbours who have had kids in the past 3-4 years all have perfect figures. Their secret is running - 45mins a day on treadmills in the basement. This is the reason we bought a treadmill. If you can't beat 'em join 'em!

blackcurrants Duly noted. I am the first on both sides with the new generation. It is a steep learning curve!

want2 I really understand 'home gyms' in a way that I didn't before I had children - the idea of being able to exercise while DS naps/after he's in bed is very tempting, and the idea of being able to do it then go upstairs, shower, and dress - without needing to travel at ALL - is even more so!

And yes, it really is a steep learning curve - at 27 months DS can be persuaded not to do things, but even 5 months ago he just couldn't - they don't have the impulse control to NOT touch whatever fascinating (read: disgusting, dangerous, potentially lethal) object it might be. It's easier to remove the object, or install a few baby jails gates, until you can do the reasoning part a bit later! We are finding 1-2-3 Magic really helpful, but he's only just getting the cause-and-effect aspect of it. Mainly parenting is about averting complete meltdowns in our house!

You all sounds like life is very exciting at the moment.
I had my fill of excitement this weekend. My Mother was in San Francisco on her way back to UK after a tour holiday, so I drove from our lovely quiet rural area to the city for the night.
I went Sunday morning very early then hit a lovely fog bank in Dublin which continued all the way to the Bay bridge, amazingly it didn't slow anyone down they are mad drivers! I thought I was doing really well till I went to get off the bridge only to find the exit closed due to a marathon that was going along the Embarcadero (which is where our hotel was ) Got off at the next exit, nearly got onto the Embarcadero only to find more Police sending us back into the city, tall buildings, narrow streets and me with not a bloody clue where I was, no detour signs anywhere, a coach stuck cause it was too big for the corner, lots of honking horns, I went in circles a few times, then headed up hill a while, then recognized a street name and turned, two minutes later I found the hotel (after 30 minutes of panic) Now my feet are aching for all the walking we did, Dd is back in school today after her unexcused absence yesterday to see off Grandma, she has gone in wearing her new souvenir fleece that Grandma bought her she's very happy to have seen her.
Now I need a quiet week to calm back down only for Dh to tell me I need to research money transfers to UK for when we get the house sold.
He has someone coming to see about buying the boat on Wednesday then new carpets are supposed to be put in next week.
I have to get sorted for all our worldly possessions to be moved into the garage and onto the deck so they can rip up the old and put in the new.
I really need that calm week. I'll try and book it in for next month some time!

Home gym is where it is at. I don't have time to drive somewhere to go exercise, esp. as I go back to work on Nov 5th. My hours in Jan through mid Feb will be crazy as I need to get as much experience as I can get. They have told me they won't be promoting me next year unless I really prove them wrong. I don't see that happening but I want to set myself up to get everything in line so I do get promoted the following year. Everyone at my level is childless so the playing field isn't that level. My training is to be held in Atlanta and Chicago/Atlanta during November over a 3 week period. I have two weeks to find someone who can come in and do evening cover as the help we had found a job last week too!

CALeaving That is why DH and I each keep a gps in the car. The traffic here in NJ is awful due to the construction. The detour signage is awful and there aren't any police redirecting traffic. I got the Garmin Nuvi at Costco for $130. Not the cheapest but it is so worth it.

Ladies, we found out today that our shipping container will be delivered on Friday - it only arrived in the US last Friday, so this was a much speedier journey through customs than we were prepared for! We are . Can't believe that on Sat night we'll be sleeping in our own bed again it will feel tiny after 4 weeks in a ginormous bed.

Want2 well done on getting the new job! The training/hours sounds crazy, but you sound motivated to prove them wrong, which is great . I got a law degree while working full time in the UK (pre-DC and I never actually qualified as a lawyer) and it was hard, so can only imagine what studying with a small child in tow is like. And that is so funny about the high chair - I think people find it hard to price their own things, as they paid so much for something/loved it etc.

Blackcurrants I'm glad to say my DS is not a climber, he takes after some of his cousins with a streak of natural caution, which makes me so proud (much easier on my nerves!). Babyproofing against a climber is hard! My DS was the 10th grandchild on my side, and DD is the 12th (I'm the 2nd youngest of 6 and was the last to have DC). So in Ireland they have loads of cousins but only 4 in the US. Still, means we've picked up a lot of tips about parenting along the way, as well as things we definitely didn't want to do!

Girl wow, that is super freeway driving! It's like 0 to 60 in terms of driving! My DH lived in LA for years and talks about the freeways and the sprawl rather fondly.

Calleaving another fan of GPS here. Glad you got to the hotel but sounds quite a ride to get there. Getting all your stuff sorted for moving is stressful so hope the new carpet-laying goes well.

Sadly I did have the GPS running at the time and it kept trying to turn me around and send me back to the closed roads In the end I followed a taxi up hill a bit then turned and followed a road I knew the name of and it worked while the silly GPS was telling me to turn somewhere else.

I hate it when my GPS does that. I used to have to drive through Manhattan and I would swear like a sailor whenever the President was visiting town. I can't believe they shut down whole roads. There is a reason the capital is Washington DC. People in NY should visit the President, not the other way round!!!

It took me 4 hours to complete the background check and then I saw my DL had expired so I went down the DMV to renew. It took me all of 1hr to get it renewed. I was in shock because when I went to the same office to change my name I arrived at 7am and waited in line until lunchtime for two Saturdays in a row. The third Saturday the security man recognised me and pulled me to the front of the line at 11am. I was 2.5 months pregnant with DD when this happened too!

Oh no the DMV is horrendous.
We always joke about the lines, never get in the short line, when you get to the window they will tell you it's just for farm vehicles!
We go to the one that is uphill in the mountains from us now, I've only had to wait for ages one time. It turned out to be a used car dealer who drove up from the central valley with all his sold car paperwork, took an hour, when he was finally done all the people in line cheered and the DMV worker was killing herself laughing, she then told the man to make an appointment next time. He was beet red walking past us all to get out.

I couldn't figure out why American friends were so horrified by the idea of the NHS until I used our local post office and our local DMV - and realised they thought their (naice) doctor's office would become like those places!

Our DMV is next to a huuuge charity shop so when I had to renew my license this summer I rewarded myself with a quick trip round, and got a heap of lovely things for DS at 50c each. That's probably the only redeeming feature for our DMV, to be honest.

I'm going into the city today for some meetings, and to use the uni library. I can't find my only maternity coat and so am going to have to wear my purple fleece that I usually only wear for dogwalking. Ooops, there goes any pretensions I ever had to pregnancy chic! :)

Yep - I had a nightmare getting my NJ license when I moved over here. When my former employer wanted to move me up to CT I grabbed the chance and got my license up there - the day before I moved back to NJ! I then just had to transfer the license to NJ rather than sit their stupid multiple choice test. The test in CT was much more comprehensive (parallel park, reverse into a parking space, emergency brake, a chat about driving in snow/rain and how to maintain a car).

I dread DD taking her license in NJ. I would sit on a Saturday morning, pass the exam but be told that I failed. The lady (nasty woman) barked at me that I should have figured out that they only pass a certain number of people every week and I should come back on a Monday! I dread going to get my car inspected and plan to go an hour before closing as that seems to be the best time to catch these guys.

Anyway - after filling out the independence check for my new employer they came back and asked for more information about DD's 529 plan. Rather annoyed because I answered all their questions when I filled out the form yesterday. I also had to change my car insurance coverage. The insurance for my 2005 VW golf is now costing me $1650 a year instead of $955. The car is only worth about $5K!

Flip Hope the move went well this weekend! DD had the squits again, just as DH left for Denmark on Friday night. He really endeared himself to me when he told me last night that he was tired.... I had the poop queen for the weekend.

er....can't you just book an appointment? I did for both written and practical exam, ok still had to wait around half an hour because they were over running but it was better than turning up and queuing...our DMV goes all out with its decorations inside, normally covered in Lakers paraphenalia but is like a flipping Halloween pop up shop in there at the moment!

Lull in visitors this week, quite enjoying not having to really do anything, and DD thankfully napped for ages this morning so I got the house back in order. Must make sure I keep up the driving, mum was brilliant making me do so much while she was here - still shit scared of freeways but feeling very confident in Santa Monica now. Phew!

So, driving the children to WeHo on friday for a pumpkin patch visit (temp has dipped a bit now and I'm not prepared for winter yet - it's 20celsius - but going back up to 27/28 on Friday!)....UK at Christmas is going to be a major shock to my internal temperatures

eeesh, that's hardcore Want2 -sorry your DD's been so unwell.

DH is getting tired, but mainly cos he's got to do all the heavy lifting (physically and in terms of taking over toddler meltdowns) at the moment, since I am at the 'huge and exhausted' phase of pregnancy now. I had quite hardcore braxton hicks a few days ago and realised I really needed to calm down, put my feet up, and drink a biiig glass of water. Several big glasses of water. We've just done a huge amount of house re-organization (furniture switching rooms etc) and DH has done all of it, poor blighter. I've done some important positioning of furniture, though! He doesn't complain - he knows that until he does some gestating, I'm not hearing any complaints!

Bless you blackcurrants. We have that coming. I have no idea on what to put where for #2. We have two bedrooms plus an office on the 2nd floor and two bedrooms on the 3rd floor. Tempted to put both DD and the newborn on the top floor so I can get some sleep!