Author Archives: kiesa

Twitter: January 12

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 7:41 AM
Calvin had another rough night last night. He was waking up before I could give him another dose of ibuprofen.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 7:54 AM
Calvin found the Wii Operations Manual and was paging through it.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 8:18 AM
Well, it’s official. Calvin doesn’t like peas, even when I alternate them with fruit. However, the apricot/applesauce went down well.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 9:17 AM
Calvin looked like he was ready to fall asleep but now he’s in his crib complaining.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 9:31 AM
I think he may have drifted off now . . .

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 3:04 PM
Calvin’s new car seat has arrived. As promised, it’s huge.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 7:36 PM
From daycare: “Calvin had fun playing with the sensory balls.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 10:31 PM
Well, I’m pretty sure I have the basic part of the car seat installed correctly.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2010 10:32 PM
However, the “versa tether” has me mystified. I’m being to suspect it won’t work with our Rav4 in the rear-facing position.

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 7:50 AM
Yesterday Calvin saw a real train. Not surprisingly, he insisted we stay and watch until it was gone.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 7:51 AM
He has also taken to pointing out buses and demanding that mommy provide more when they leave.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 8:08 AM
Today we have plans to go get my install of Calvin’s car seat critiqued.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 2:24 PM
Whew, finished cleaning the bottom level of the house just in time.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 2:27 PM
Now I really want to air out the house but I think it’s too cold :(

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 5:31 PM
Got new muffin pans for Christmas. Now I must test them out ;)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 5:47 PM
We’re having “Easy Asian” tonight and Calvin is scarfing it down. It’s lovely to see all those veggies being consumed.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 5:51 PM
I think Calvin may have met his vegetable requirements for the rest of the week tonight.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 6:28 PM
From daycare: “Calvin had a good time panting at the Easel this morning.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 6:29 PM
In other news, our car seat check went fine. The only mistake I made was in tightening the seat too much.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 6:32 PM
Apparently you are suppose to test whether the car seat is tight enough by trying to move it with your “non-dominant hand.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2011 8:42 PM
Calvin might finally be asleep . . . If I’m lucky.

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2012 5:22 PM
From daycare, “Calvin had fun playing sink or float.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2012 7:47 PM
Odd, Calvin was asleep by 7:15pm.

2014

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2014 5:20 PM
I just bought a cheap tablet for $10. I wonder, how bad does a tablet have to be to not be worth $10?

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2016 3:34 PM
Apparently Julian threw up again. Though, I’m not discounting emotional trauma of mommy having to work . . .

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2016 4:22 PM
Calvin did not get @calvinsdad’s travel bug. There isn’t any place he really wants to see.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2016 5:13 PM
It’s good to learn new things but I didn’t want to learn this today: [This URL no longer works. However, based on context, I believe this was the day our au pair accidentally put dish soap in the dishwasher instead of dishwasher detergent.]

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2016 5:14 PM
Also, my dishwasher now smells like salad.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2016 5:18 PM
On the other hand, my dishwasher is suds free!

2017

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2017 10:47 PM
I’m getting sick so of course I decided it was important to skip sleep in order to house plan.

2019

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2019 10:58 AM
Julian is exploring a kid-sized burrow at the zoo.
Julian stands in the middle of a large concrete burrow with a whole in the middle. It comes up to about his waist. He is backlit by sun streaming through the trees.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2019 11:01 AM
Julian says Calvin is in a sticky web.
A rope web hangs in the air. Calvin is in the middle with a slightly sulky look on his face drinking out of a milk carton.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2019 11:05 AM
Julian is a turtle.
There is a large fake turtle shell that Julian is under to make it look like he is a turtle.

2020

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2020 8:39 AM
Julian definitely provides vaguer answer to questions than Calvin. I ask what Julian wants for breakfast. He says, “something with one egg.” He means pancakes.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 12, 2020 12:14 PM
This is spaceship Bob.
Four cardboard boxes are lined up in a row in a living room. The front box has an angled front, like a windshield, and Julian sits inside with a cardboard control yolk. Calvin sits in the second box, with the word Bob stenciled on the side, and two more boxes are behind him.

Reading Holiday Recap

As I mentioned in the Reading in 2023 post, I decided to take a reading vacation just a few days after getting back from our winter vacation.

What I Read

What Went Well

  • I got really lucky and enjoyed all the books I read. My favorite was probably Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date followed by Loki’s Ring.
  • I really liked having a goal of reading a different genre each day.
  • On the first day I got a massage in the early afternoon. This was a great way to emphasize the vacation was suppose to be relaxing and fun. The early afternoon time was also good because it gave me plenty of time to do some reading in the morning and drop by the library to pick up even more books before going to the appointment.
  • It was really nice to schedule this when the kids didn’t have school so I could just sleep in as long as I wanted.
  • It was fantastic having supper options made ahead of time. I basically didn’t have to spend any time on supper at all, just grabbed things from the freezer and heated them up.
  • During the day I read in the purple chair in the sunroom. Jaeger got this chair off Craigslist when he first moved to San Francisco and it is the perfect reading chair. You can lean back and put your legs up on an ottoman or lounge sideways equally well. In one of our moves it lost a rear leg but we propped it up on a short plastic stool and it works fine.
  • I ordered a winter tea sample pack from Friday Afternoon and started each reading session with a pot of tea. The whole setup was very cozy.

Lessons Learned

  • I think having one of the genres being Science Fiction or Fantasy was a mistake, at least with the goal of only reading new authors. It was a little stressful to try to find a new author that I was fairly certain I would enjoy. Instead, it might have been nice to set aside the last day of the reading vacation for a re-read of something comforting.
  • I tried to do too many things on Saturday. In addition to reading a book, I also tried to play a long board game with the family and then go out to dinner with Jaeger. Next time I should probably try to do no more than one non-reading thing a day.
  • Because I knew Saturday would be full, I stared Saturday’s book on Friday. That was necessary to finish the book by Saturday evening but I didn’t find it as satisfying.
  • I was planning to do a little bit of exercise first thing in the morning, before reading, and then going on a short afternoon walk. I felt it would be good for my body to get at least some movement each day. I did well the first two days but less well once I hit the weekend. Though, I didn’t get any weird aches from sitting too long each day so maybe it turned out ok regardless.
  • I do not know why but I kept wanting to snack. This was not something I had anticipated. Next time, I think I should spend a bit more time thinking about reasonable but fun snack options.
  • I didn’t have a plan for what to do when I was done with my book of the day. I purposely picked relatively short books but that meant I was done reading them in 4-6 hours. Because I allowed myself such leisurely mornings this was a pretty good length to finish before supper. However, I usually read in the evening too and wasn’t sure if I should start a new book or do something else.

Other Ideas

  • One of my initial thoughts was to also watch TV/Movie book adaptations. I was thinking things like Jane Austen movies, Agatha Christie episodes, maybe some Shakespeare adaptations. However, we don’t have a great setup for that right now. We have one TV in the living room, which I didn’t feel like monopolizing, and I find it hard to lounge when watching on an iPad or computer. I still like the idea but don’t really know how to make it work.

Ideas for Next Time
Overall, this was an ideal vacation for me and something I would like to repeat. I really liked the one-genre-a-day format. However, some other things I might consider for the future (or not):

  • Book with movie pairings
  • Books I keep meaning to read but haven’t — slightly worried this might make it less fun but maybe not
  • One long book
  • Reading books around a theme, perhaps in different genres.
  • Potentially schedule around an author event
  • Just read books I’ve read before
  • Just read classics

Twitter: January 11

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 7:39 AM
Calvin had a very restless night. It’s really obvious when his pain meds wear off.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 7:39 AM
Calvin’s breakfast today: pureed holiday bean soup.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 7:51 AM
I wonder if I’m confusing Calvin when I shake my head rapidly back and forth sideways and say, “yes! yes!”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 8:22 AM
The holiday bean soup was a great success. Calvin ate at least 4 oz and probably would have consumed more if I had given it to him.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 8:22 AM
Like normally, he also enjoyed the cheerios.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 8:22 AM
His current project is holding the sippy cup I gave him and shaking it violently upside down.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 9:02 AM
@calvinsdad Indeed. Though, I was originally thinking more for exercise purposes :)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 9:04 AM
Calvin seems to be in a really good mood this morning. It’s technically time for his nap but he’s still happy.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 9:10 AM
Well, that was sudden. Time for nap NOW.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 12:51 PM
I think we have a washer that stretches jeans. My weight hasn’t dropped that much so it can’t be my fault my jeans are sagging :(

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 5:23 PM
Our dishwasher is leaking.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 8:25 PM
Just got back from book club and managed to get Calvin from car seat to crib without waking him :)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 8:37 PM
From daycare: “Calvin loved playing at the table with friends.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2010 8:37 PM
Daycare also commented that “he loved the lunch!” (which was more pureed holiday bean soup)

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 7:37 AM
I suspect that Calvin asks for milk/water during meals just so he has another item he can build with.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 7:59 AM
I slept in till 7. Was going to get up at 6 to exercise but I decided being well-rested while alone with Calvin is more important.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 9:00 AM
I actually remembered to take out the garbage today before getting the email reminder.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 10:11 AM
I’m starting to like text messaging. @calvinsdad troubleshooted a furnace problem for me while in class. Handy :)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 10:12 AM
(I was feeling the need to put on socks which made me discover that our house was 65 degrees when it’s suppose to be 72.)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 10:13 AM
65 degrees isn’t horrible but I was worried it would get too cold at night if our furnace was actually broken.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 2:00 PM
Ever time I look at the interest rates for our savings accounts I want to cry.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 4:51 PM
I’m annoyed by how bad password rules are at our financial institutions. Only one allows special characters.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:07 PM
Just got home from running lots of errands.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:17 PM
Ever since Calvin saw _The Magic of Flight_, he’s refused to watch Elmo DVDs.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:31 PM
I think, but am not sure, that our programmable thermostat is crashing every time it hits a new time slot.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:32 PM
I’m changing tactics with potty training. Now Calvin gets 2 M & Ms when he goes. This makes it easier to offer a reward when we’re not home.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:32 PM
(It also allows me to use the TV to babysit him while I’m alone and taking sharp knives out of the dishwasher.)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:43 PM
From daycare: “Calvin had fun pouring from one cup to another using cheerios in the sensory table.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 6:43 PM
Calvin went potty somewhere . . . and I don’t know where . . .

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2011 8:44 PM
Calvin actually played in the bathtub for 30 min. I don’t remember the last time he did that.

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2012 7:43 AM
Calvin appears to have developed a phobia of the ceiling fan in his room. This is inconvenient.

2015

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2015 5:26 PM
I naively thought that end of year finances wouldn’t take the whole day . . .

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2015 7:55 PM
The 2015 budget has been approved!

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2016 6:59 AM
Well . . .both Calvin and Julian threw up last night so I guess we’re having another sick day.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2016 7:25 AM
On the upside, food finally tastes good again to me.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2016 1:47 PM
Our professional books have been packed away!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2016 2:16 PM
I made the mistake of sitting down and the mass market paperbacks are not packing themselves.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2016 5:45 PM
Calvin must still be sick. He only ate 2 tacos.

2017

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2017 8:05 AM
For SF allegedly being overrun with tech people, there’s an appalling number of sites who require _phone calls_ to get things done.

2020

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2020 11:53 AM
I’m trying to decide if I should drag the kids out of the house today. Julian seems significantly better but I’m not sure if I should take him out around other kids yet.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2020 3:24 PM
I pulled out my wedding notebook and noticed I have a 3.5″ floppy that says “Wedding 8/4/02” on it and I’m wondering what exactly is on the disk.

[When asked if we had something that could read a floppy.]

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2020 5:30 PM
Um, I’m not sure. I could probably figure out something if I was desperate. However, I’m pretty sure it was just the electronic copy of my notes which were in the binder and, bring paper, still readable.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2020 5:32 PM
There’s definitely data preservation lessons in that example . . .

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 11, 2020 6:42 PM
Calvin did not realize we have an emergency stockpile of peanut butter but of course we do. (Hidden in a secret location known only to me.)

Twitter: January 10

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2010 4:53 PM
Got “teething biscuits” for Calvin. He seems to be enchanted though that’s probably the sugar that’s in it.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2010 4:56 PM
We finally have new blinds up in our living room! Cheap but _so_ much better looking.

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 6:51 AM
@calvinsdad Oh, that sounds like a rough night. Are you going to be coherent in time for class?

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 6:57 AM
The good news about my arm giving me trouble while I sleep is I’m eager to get up early to exercise.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 7:31 AM
Calvin is putting Elmo in his Cat in the Hat hat and then placing it on his head.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 8:40 AM
Some random person parked a crew cab truck in front of our driveway. *grr* I had a hard time getting the Rav4 past it.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 10:51 AM
My desk has been cleared off!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 10:52 AM
In other news, the truck in front off our driveway has left.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 12:58 PM
Someone, maybe our eastern neighbor, shoveled our driveway/sidewalk for me! I was really dreading trying to do that with my arm problem.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 4:05 PM
We aborted a trip to the playground (too much snow on equipment) to gawk at animals at Petco instead.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 4:31 PM
Found 3 new “Curious George” books, 1 Dr. Seuss, and 1 train book at a second hand store today.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 4:32 PM
From daycare: “Calvin really enjoyed painting today. He sat with N and had a ball.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 6:02 PM
At Petco today we saw a white rat, sold for food, that had been returned because it faced down the snake it had been bought for and won.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 6:29 PM
I gorged on roasted vegetables for supper and am very full. Calvin was less enthralled.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2011 7:23 PM
Ok, I’m ready for Calvin to be asleep now. I can last another hr, really . . .

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2012 7:02 AM
Ugh. I’m looking forward to Calvin sleeping through the night again.

2013

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 12:16 PM
Calvin, interrupting my work, “Mommy! Don’t say anything to me because I’m working on something.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 12:17 PM
In other news, the visit to the dentist went well and he actually got his teeth cleaned this time.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 1:24 PM
Calvin has paused the TV show he is watching in order to “call” someone on the the pretend phone. Now he’s said by and is back to the TV.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 6:53 PM
My new immersion blender is 6oz heavier than my old one. It’s also taller. I miss my older immersion blender *sigh*.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 6:53 PM
Also, the new one’s “nonstick guard” came out of the package cracked so I have emailed to get a replacement.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 6:55 PM
All complaints aside, the whisk did make great whipped cream.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 7:24 PM
Right before vacation Calvin and I listened to _Pie_ by Sarah Weeks. I promised Calvin we’d make a pie so tonight we ate Apple Pie.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2013 7:28 PM
My house was a lot cleaner before Calvin and I decided we should make a pie.

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2016 7:51 AM
Today is not one of those days where I’m handling Julian’s clinginess well.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2016 12:57 PM
I mentioned Julian had a terrible night. @calvinsdad is surprised because he slept great.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2016 12:57 PM
Even though he was in the same room and Julian woke up 4 times including one solid hour of screaming.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2016 4:45 PM
I’m looking through the new Room and Board catalog. So much grey. Why? Obviously I’m too old to understand.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2016 4:46 PM
I still adore the Woodwind bookcases though: https://web.archive.org/web/20160321215012/https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/living/bookcases-and-shelves/woodwind-86h-bookcase

2017

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2017 8:45 AM
Definitely time to move. We used the heater this month so our bill is insane.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2017 8:16 PM
The lights are flickering.

2018

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2018 6:13 PM
Julian has just informed me that kissing an owie does not work if it has already been covered up by a band-aid.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2018 7:37 PM
It was amusing to watch Calvin try to clean the toilet without going anywhere near the toilet. Looked like very awkward contortions.

2020

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2020 2:57 PM
Well, if I need any confirmation Julian was sick: I found him almost asleep on the stairs and he didn’t complain when I carried him to bed.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2020 2:57 PM
Though, that also could have been more a result of coughing all night than being sick itself.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2020 5:03 PM
He’s still coughing but Ibuprofen did perk him up a fair amount, eventually.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 10, 2020 7:44 PM
Julian is still perky. Not sure if he’s getting better or the ibuprofen hasn’t worn off yet.

Twitter: January 9

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2010 7:13 AM
Calvin’s pretty cranky this morning so I’m carrying him around in the baby bjorn. Not sure what I’m going to do when he outgrows it (soon).

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2010 7:43 AM
Calvin is enthusiastically eating pureed peaches this morning.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2010 7:51 AM
Wow! Calvin ate more than 4 oz of peaches!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2010 7:51 AM
Now it’s time to try cheerios.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2010 7:56 AM
Calvin doesn’t seem to mind the cheerios but he still really cranky so isn’t eating them well.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2010 7:34 AM
Yea! I have my menu/shopping list planned for next week.

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2011 11:50 AM
Babysitter canceled due to snow so went grocery shopping with Calvin this morning instead of working.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2011 11:50 AM
Now I’m trying to get a little bit of work done while @calvinsdad tries to convince Calvin he’s hungry.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2011 2:37 PM
I’ve been trying for the past hour to get Calvin to nap and he’s still screaming.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2011 3:04 PM
We’ve given up on the nap idea.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2011 6:22 PM
Calvin is currently entranced watching _The Magic of Flight_. He’s very much into planes and a video is harder to tear pages out of.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2011 7:08 PM
Calvin has a new word, “moosh” which apparently means “move this please” (usually without the please).

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2012 3:12 PM
From daycare, “Calvin had fun making an apple.” I knew our child was precocious but still . . .

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2012 3:12 PM
In other news, he actually napped! Not sure what this means for bedtime tonight.

2017

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2017 9:52 AM
We managed to take the bus from our new house (as practice) to Julian’s daycare! It was an experience.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2017 10:10 AM
When I got up this morning I opened the shower door and found 2 board books waiting for me.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2017 1:10 PM
This might be my new favorite map website for San Francisco: https://web.archive.org/web/20170901085007/http://hillmapper.com/
[The original website doesn’t seem to work anymore.]

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 9, 2017 4:49 PM
Personally, I would prefer that banks figure out how to process money same-day . Fancy stuff later. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/09/wells-fargo-ceo-tim-sloan-how-tech-is-changing-banking.html

Twitter: January 8

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2010 7:41 AM
Calvin doesn’t seem very interested in his purees today but he’s quite enchanted with cheerios. Such a switch!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2010 8:09 AM
Well, I didn’t get any purees in Calvin but he ate a respectable number of cheerios and a tiny bit of mashed up banana.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2010 8:37 AM
Calvin just figured out that he’s now tall enough to stand up and be able to grab the piano keys.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2010 8:47 AM
The problem with trying to take pictures/video of Calvin doing cute things is that he gets distracted by the camera.

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2011 8:20 PM
Just finished taking down Christmas decorations.

2013

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2013 7:01 PM
I still don’t understand how a kiss makes it all better. I’ve never said so to Calvin but he picked it up from somewhere and believes it.

2015

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2015 7:03 AM
Ugh. Our credit card is getting replaced due to the possibility of fraud yet again.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2015 7:04 AM
The point of auto payments is I’m not suppose to have to re-enter a credit card every month. When is chip & PIN coming to the US?

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2016 10:51 AM
I have no energy but the good news is so far I’m keeping down the applesauce.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2016 10:59 AM
I’m either hungry or about to throw up again. I don’t know which.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2016 3:07 PM
Just saw Star Wars. Biggest surprise of the experience: the size of @calvinsdad’s “medium” drink.

2017

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2017 6:38 AM
Ok, there’s actually serious rain out there right now. Hopefully Sunday roads are empty enough it won’t slow down as much as usual.

2018

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2018 9:12 PM
Will my backpack be dry before it’s time to go to work again tomorrow?

2019

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2019 6:58 AM
Me, helping Julian put on his clothes: “Foot! Foot! Where are you?”
Julian: “Mommy, feet don’t talk.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2019 7:18 AM
Please website people, I don’t want fancy graphics. I just want it to load.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2019 6:48 AM
Julian: “I still can’t walk on water. I can’t walk on water because it isn’t solid enough.”

2021

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2021 7:50 AM
Julian has mostly been sleeping through the night for a while now. Yet, he feels the need to wake up the last two nights now that I’ve started working full-time for pay again. *sigh*

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2021 2:58 PM
Julian is clearly related to my side of the family. I just caught him using a spoon to eat peanut butter directly out of the jar.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2021 10:21 PM
This posts says many of the things I believe but much more coherently: https://www.kameronhurley.com/a-plague-is-plague-a-coup-is-a-coup-and-other-topics-not-up-for-debate/

2022

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 8, 2022 9:39 AM
It’s quite novel to have heat in the house!

Twitter: January 7

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2010 7:20 AM
Hm, it appears we lost Calvin’s clippers during vacation. This is not good.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2010 7:59 AM
Today for Calvin’s breakfast: broccoli! He doesn’t seem to object to it per se but even pureed it has a little more texture than he likes.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2010 8:21 AM
Calvin’s doing really well with cheerios today! He’s eating at least 4 without gagging (maybe that was reserved for broccoli).

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2010 8:22 AM
He gets this contemplative far-away look in his eye as he masticates the cheerios.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2010 10:10 AM
Signs our humidifier might be turned up too high: the window has frozen shut due to water on the inside.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2010 5:39 PM
From daycare: “Calvin enjoyed playing with the sensory blocks.”

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2011 1:59 PM
I just finished putting my herbs/spices in the new jars that Mommy L gave me. The cabinet looks so spiffy! :)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2011 4:22 PM
From daycare: “Calvin spent time coloring at the Easel.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2011 4:40 PM
Calvin is playing quietly by himself while I make dinner. It’s very weird.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2011 4:47 PM
I have several cups of Banana Cream left from the waffles last night and don’t know what to do with them.

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2012 12:58 PM
Calvin upon hearing that we plan to buy a house in Boulder this year, “I would like it to have 2 firetrucks!”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2012 8:16 PM
Calvin is currently worrying about his head growing bigger in the night because he might hit his head if it grows.

2013

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2013 5:03 PM
It’s very nice not having to go out to the garage for refrigerator stuff.

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2016 7:11 AM
Julian didn’t throw up last night (though woke up frequently). Hopefully he’s getting better.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2016 8:17 AM
No luck. Julian’s still sick.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2016 3:21 PM
Well, the closet is now clean. Though, I have no idea where the stuff I took out of it should go.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2016 4:40 PM
Oh look. Julian has 2 more teeth coming in.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2016 6:31 PM
I might have caught Julian’s bug. I’m drinking tea and hoping for the best.

2021

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2021 5:01 PM
I’m reading about retirement savings options now and feel slightly giddy.

2022

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2022 10:13 AM
I have Calvin’s booster scheduled!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2022 10:53 AM
Hm, I took both kids to get PCR tests two days prior to them starting school because the lab usually has a 24 hr turnaround time. Calvin got tested Wednesday. In the meantime, Julian got tested at school again yesterday. I’ve already gotten Julian’s results but not Calvin’s.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 7, 2022 10:53 AM
I wonder if Calvin’s test got lost.

(I did make Calvin take a rapid test this morning before he went to school.)

Twitter: January 6

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:10 AM
I didn’t give Calvin ibuprofen last night as it didn’t appear his teeth were hurting him. This turned out to be a mistake.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:11 AM
Once he goes to bed, I don’t like giving it to him as the process wakes him up more. However, at 1am, I gave up.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:11 AM
After that, he slept pretty well until 6.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:14 AM
Calvin is eating his alternate bites of spinach/potato and banana fairly well.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:28 AM
The pediatrician suggested I give Calvin things like cheerios so he gets use to the texture even if it makes him gag for now.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:28 AM
Apparently cheerios dissolve fast enough they aren’t a big choking hazard. However, the gagging is still quite unpleasant.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 8:37 AM
Wow! I think Calvin managed to swallow most of a cheerio! (This is exciting because I have to puree applesauce as it has too much texture)

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2010 7:14 PM
Finally ordered Calvin’s new car seat and not a moment too soon. He’s within 1/2″ and 1 lb of out growing his first car seat.

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 8:19 AM
Getting a yogurt and oatmeal covered Calvin from high chair to potty without him getting his hands on my good work clothes is tricky.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 8:21 AM
I think Calvin is singing a song to his milk to the tune (more or less) of the ABC song.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 4:25 PM
We went to the park right after daycare. The ground was snowing but the equipment was snow free and mostly dry.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 4:26 PM
Calvin enjoyed playing for a bit and then watched the skateboarders.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 4:26 PM
However, as soon as I told him it was time to go home, he started screaming and hasn’t stopped. Even cheese isn’t consoling him.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 4:26 PM
I think part of the problem is I stayed longer than I meant to so his snack got delayed for too long.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 4:31 PM
From daycare: “Calvin loved playing outside in the snow today.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 5:49 PM
Calvin and I are indulging in breakfast for supper tonight: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Waffles with Banana Cream.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 6:23 PM
Calvin, “more abple! more abple!” Me, “you have applesauce in your other cup.” Calvin, “oh.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 6:31 PM
Calvin is “singing” along to Robert Miles’ 23am album.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 6:31 PM
I think Calvin has more @calvinsdad’s taste in music than mine. We compromised on Robert Miles.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2011 7:31 PM
Well . . . Calvin just tore his first library book.

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2012 2:29 PM
Duplos may have given Calvin some unrealistic ideas about what toys should be able to do.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2012 2:30 PM
I just caught Calvin trying to dismantle his [non-duplo] car carrier tractor trailer so he could make it into a flatbed truck.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2012 5:01 PM
From daycare, “Calvin had fun sorting M&Ms.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2012 5:02 PM
This week, Calvin napped 1 out of the 4 days at daycare. Interesting to see what he does next week.

2013

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2013 9:51 PM
Hm, @calvinsdad made it to bed before me. This is not a good sign. Piano movers coming at 9am so I have to be awake before then.

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 2:18 AM
The small mammals are restless. Julian’s sick (throwing up). I’m not sure what everyone else’s excuse is.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 7:27 AM
Well, that was an exciting night but Julian looks like he might be better now.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 7:33 AM
I wish I knew if it was just a short-term bug or if something Julian ate yesterday caused the tummy upset.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 7:35 AM
He was really scarfing down the tofu so if it turns out he’s allergic to soy I could see that being the problem.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 7:36 AM
(I can verify at least parts of supper weren’t digested :( )

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 8:48 AM
In retrospect, it was probably not a good idea to leave a msg for Julian’s doctor right before I had a chance to nap.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 11:19 AM
Well, Julian just threw up again so probably just regular stomach bug. Nurse says to give him Pedialyte today.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 11:36 AM
Good thing we have multiple carriers. My Boba is currently in the wash and we’ve resorted to the backup Beco.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 11:36 AM
Pride goeth before a fall. I’m not going to resort to the Bjorn. Julian’s too heavy for it.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 12:41 PM
Ok . . . the first Pedialyte experiment just resulted in yet another change of clothes.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 3:14 PM
I think I want to put a tarp over everything in our house.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 4:26 PM
I’m having trouble deciding if I’m just sleep deprived or if I’m getting sick too.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2016 6:45 PM
Julian appears to be asleep so I’m off to bed hoping tonight is better than last night.

2017

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2017 4:32 PM
I’m belatedly realizing how thankful I am we were not trying to sell our house during the Boulder 2013 flood.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2017 8:31 PM
The house is too big. How is this possible?

2018

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2018 11:35 AM
Google maps needs an option for “I have kids and need at least 10 min of lead time to get out of the house.” Also, walking time based on a toddler’s random stop and starts.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2018 11:46 AM
Calvin saw this playground and said, “ooh, a wizard’s playground!” Presumably because of all the purple?
Calvin sliding down the slide. The playground equipment is made of bright purple plastic.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2018 12:45 PM
Calvin is sitting in the corner of the playground talking LEGOs with a new friend. So much for exercise.

2019

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2019 12:38 PM
I’ve successfully retrieved the kids in Yakima. Now lunch and then hoping the pass is still good.
Julian, smiling broadly, sitting at the end of a covered blue slide.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2019 3:57 PM
We have arrived home! The pass was even clearer on the way back.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2019 4:01 PM
Julian is singing a song on the potty. I’m not sure if it’s original or something he’s heard before:

“Holding on, I’m holding. I’m never going to fall off because I’m holding on” (repeat)

2021

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2021 12:10 PM
Well, really glad my new job didn’t start today. I feel bad for anyone who has to be functional after seeing the news from DC.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 6, 2021 8:15 PM
Ah work clothes, how I have missed you. (Ok, just the shirts. I’m still planning on wearing jeans and slipper socks).

Twitter: January 5

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 7:25 AM
Calvin started muttering a bit before 5. I got up a bit after 6 when he started getting louder.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 7:34 AM
Calvin’s breakfast today: spinach & potatoes alternated with pears and bananas (so he’ll continue opening his mouth).

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 9:10 AM
Calvin is down for his 1st nap which is good because we have a pediatrician appointment in 1 1/2 hrs.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 11:46 AM
Back from the Dr office. Calvin’s now 50% weight and height.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 5:39 PM
Calvin refused his solid food at daycare today but that’s probably because I had them give him rice cereal since I forgot his normal lunch.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 5:49 PM
Why is it that both Calvin and 5 have a fascination with boxes and packing tape?

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 6:29 PM
Just for posterity, at Calvin’s 9 month dr appt, he weighed 21 lbs, measured 28 1/2″ and had a head circumference of 46 cm.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM
Am I the only one that wonders why baby length is in inches and head circumference in centimeters. Couldn’t they stick to one system?

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2011 7:24 AM
Well, I’ve had a couple of rest days after vacation. Tonight I should go to bed earlier so I can get up and exercise in the mornings.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2011 2:19 PM
Whew! Just finished the upper floor of the house in time to pick up Calvin. Think my arm might be getting better after all.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2011 5:20 PM
We just got back from playing outside for an hour. Calvin tried using his tricycle but his legs are still too short to do it well.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2011 5:34 PM
From daycare: “Calvin had fun dancing to “Animal Actions” and attempting to jump like a frog.”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2011 6:33 PM
Calvin is dipping his cornmeal muffin into broccoli soup. Ewww.

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2012 5:50 PM
I’m not entirely sure what it is about Thursday nights that makes me crave breakfast food.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2012 5:51 PM
I actually had a red lentil soup ready in the slow cooker but needed waffles instead. Guess what we’re having tomorrow night.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2012 8:57 PM
The good news: Calvin is quiet and staying in bed. The bad news, he’s not a asleep yet.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2012 9:18 PM
From daycare, “Calvin made a great building with legos.”

2013

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2013 10:51 AM
I’m ready to go to bed now.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2013 9:09 PM
I really need to buy a new immersion blender but I can’t find one I like as well as the one I had.

2015

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2015 3:06 PM
I have contacted 3 potential daycare centers electronically.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2015 3:07 PM
Given neither @calvinsdad nor I use the phone unless it’s absolutely necessary, whichever provider responds first has an advantage.

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2016 7:17 AM
Julian slept till 6:45am. This is later (in MST) than he slept the entire time we were in Washington.

2018

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2018 10:12 AM
For some reason I thought it was a good idea to update iTunes. There goes my day off . . .

2019

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2019 11:45 AM
All website articles should have publication dates on them.

2021

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 5, 2021 7:37 AM
Frost on the ground! (Just a smudge though.)

Twitter: January 4

2010

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 7:52 AM
Calvin slept an hour on the plane and on the way home and then woke up and decided he didn’t want to go back to sleep.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 7:52 AM
He didn’t fall asleep again until 12.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 8:15 AM
Breakfast today for Calvin: spinach and potatoes.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 8:18 AM
I can’t tell if Calvin is gagging because he doesn’t like the spinach or if the texture is too thick for him.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 8:56 AM
Calvin has figured out if he pulls back the shower curtain he can see mommy. This has unfortunate moisture consequences for baby and floor.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 9:44 AM
Calvin’s down for his first nap. I’m going to try to nap too due to lack of sleep last night but I’m not sure what my chances are.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 3:36 PM
I’ve finished work for the day but I have this nagging feeling I’m forgetting something important.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 5:36 PM
From daycare: “Calvin loved crawling _all over_ today!”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2010 5:47 PM
Calvin is laughing uproariously tonight whenever I VROOM VROOM.

2011

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 8:05 AM
Calvin woke up wanting attention but didn’t want me to look at him.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 1:18 PM
If charities really want me to give them money, maybe they should make it easier to update my credit card info.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 3:21 PM
Calvin is having a lot of fun playing with the drum set and other musical toys from Aunt Sherrie!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 3:26 PM
As soon as we got home, Calvin started using the potty like normal. I wonder when he’ll care enough to do it other places.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 3:38 PM
It appears that my frozen vegetables took the opportunity while I was gone on vacation to procreate.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 4:03 PM
Calvin actually let me make supper without dissolving into a meltdown!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 4:30 PM
From daycare: “Calvin really enjoyed pushing the cars around the classroom today!”

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2011 8:26 PM
Once again it’s time to rotate Calvin’s toys.

2012

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2012 3:08 PM
We’re trying an experiment today to see if I can actually get things done around the house while Calvin is in home instead of daycare.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2012 5:14 PM
Well, that worked amazingly well. Managed to do hours of chores without Calvin watching TV.

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2012 5:55 PM
From daycare, “Calvin had fun kicking the ball.”

2013

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2013 7:27 PM
I really like our new floors. The new floor looks like it was suppose to be here all along.

2015

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2015 12:38 PM
Calvin makes reading so painful, even when he knows the words.

2016

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2016 12:09 PM
We’re through security!

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2016 7:23 PM
We’re home!

2018

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2018 5:38 AM
I think I mistook my first California earthquake for a gust of wind outside (it has been raining so a reasonable assumption in the middle of the night).

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2018 10:31 PM
Julian is still awake . . .

2022

Kiesa @spreadsheetmom Jan 4, 2022 3:15 PM
I did so bad in Catan that Calvin felt pity and kept giving me free resources (6 in all). This is the only reason I ended with 3 points instead of 2. Calvin won the game with 10 points.