David Russo's Blog: Life this Week.

theo-falling-all-the-time

Hi, hello, how’s it going?

Last week, my parents came to visit for 4 days – it was great! It was dark the entire time they were here, which was a bit of a downer, but it was so nice to get to see them and, of course, have babysitters so we could go out alone! We went to the nearby hippie college town, checked out the natural history and art museums, and ate the world’s best burritos.

Theo has been super challenging lately. He won’t let me do anything without whining and wanting to be held. He was very much a barnacle baby and it seems it’s going to continue into toddlerhood. If I’m gone, he does fine – plays happily with Mike and Gabe – but if I’m there, no one else will do and he follows me around asks up for “up.” I love him dearly, but man, it’s getting tiring.

I haven’t really mentioned it at all, but we are sort of homeschooling Gabe for preschool this year and we are all loving it a lot. He’s learning how to write letters, read sight words, and do math. It’s so amazing to see him learn on a daily basis. Really gratifying and so much fun. This has helped me see myself as a teacher for him, and now I’m always looking for ways to teach him, which will be a great effect no matter where he goes to school.

The sun is setting around 4:20 pm now and it’s terrible. I’m trying to get the kids outside as much as we can since the weather has been so unseasonably warm. I view kids like dogs – they need a regular walk to be calmer. (And Theo brings us shoes when he wants to go for a walk…total puppy)

Mike and I have been great about going to bed around (or before!) 10, but one night this week we stayed up late having a really vulnerable conversation about being mediocre. I’m lucky to have my person who I can be 100% completely open with.

We decided to take the 12 days before Thanksgiving to abstain from desserts since I’ve been on a bit of a sugar bender and it’s going…okay. I was eating dessert like 2-3 times a day, so I couldn’t imagine just going one day without spoonfuls of peanut butter and chocolate chips or brownies or leftover Halloween candy or stovetop s’mores. But I’m doing it! And thanks to Better than Before (which I just finished), I’m hoping I’ll be able to transition to a normal person amount of dessert.

I joined a gym for the first time in 6 years last week! Mike’s school lets spouses join for $10 a year, which is fantastic. I’ve already gone a few times and really enjoy it. It’s nice to be able to run after dark or when it’s freezing cold out.

I am one million times more productive at Starbucks then in my home office.

I’m tracking my time for a week and it’s super tedious, but hopefully going to help me spend time more wisely.

Still trying to actively reach out to other people who need friends so we don’t get lonely. It’s sort of working. But I still crave a community of people who I can be honest and open and laugh with. In good time.