Long Distance Relationship

Bobby's been in California all this week, but that doesn't mean we've lost touch. In fact, we've been talking to each other for almost an hour a day. That's more than we usually sit and chat when he's in town! What has brought on this amazing transformation? TECHNOLOGY! Sing it, Kip:

Yes I love technology
But not as much as you, you see
But I still love technology
Always and forever

We’ve been video-conferencing. Alice likes it, too, which is the best part. Here are a couple screen shots from our conversation this morning. The first one is Bobby showing Alice something he picked up for her at the Yahoo gift shop. The snapshot was taken from our computer, so Bobby looks pixelated. Alice appears a little confused.

Alice showing Bobby her block-in-teeth maneuver:

Then a nice big close up for a virtual goodbye kiss. Bobby took this shot from his computer, so Alice is the one that's pixelated this time:

More than a little conflicted

Okay, I'm dreaming of a fantastic summer with the babe and suddenly I realize she's gonna need a swim suit. Not only a suit, but a swim diaper as well. Then I think, "Why be redundant? Why not get a cute clothie swim diaper and just throw on any old baby t-shirt on top?" So I start looking online for cloth swim diapers and I stumble upon an Imse Vimse swim diaper with a matching tankini and it's FREAKING cute! Can you imagine Alice in this?! The red, the fishies, the teeny ballerini skirt! My heart is racing and my palms are actually sweating because I think this is the most perfect, adorable, and amazing little swimsuit for my amazing little baby and I'm afraid they'll be all gone when/if I finally decide to get one.

exasperated *sigh*

I'm not a clothes shopper. I hate that stuff. But this, somehow, is different.

So why don't I just buy it, eh? A $30 gift won't break the bank, right? Or why not ask someone else to buy it as a birthday gift for the babe? This is where I start to feel conflicted. This outfit is a one-trick pony. Why buy something new when I can buy any old cloth swim diaper that will do the job just fine, if only less charmingly? Why demand more NEW stuff that is destined for a landfill, even if 20 kids end up wearing it before it's thrashed? It almost seems like buying this outfit could contradict 2 of the 3 reasons I chose cloth diapering in the first place (i.e. save money, reduce waste, have fun).

resigned *sigh*

Well, the only solution in harmony with all 3 "clothie choice reasons" is nudity. And that's simply not allowed. The kid's gonna need a swim diaper no matter what. It probably won't kill me to buy a used one. I may even find it enjoyable to save money and prevent unnecessary waste. Maybe even FREAKISHLY enjoyable?

We'd love to SEE you!

Bobby just solved the video chat problems we've been having with our computer. Yay! So, if you're interested in setting up a live video chat with us, please email or call one of us directly to exchange screen names and set up a meeting time. See you soon!

Bobby's Sunday Summary

This week started out a lot like last week.  Susan had something planned nearly every night and was very very busy.  Two little things changed last week when my dotted line boss called (for those of you don't know dotted line is often used in the business world to refer to someone that is not your real boss, but what you do is important enough to them that you report to them, and get projects from them like your real boss).  Well, the first thing was that he and a few other people had decided that I should fly the California the next week to try and speed up work on a project.  That is fine, I was kind of expecting it, and I am writing this to you from CA right now.  Then he offered me a job.  Recently at Yahoo they had some layoffs, and as part of that they decided to reorganize a fair amount too.  I was not part of the layoffs, but I was part of the reorg.  That means that once I finish the projects that I have started I will be transitioning to a new group doing some what different work, don't know what it is yet.  Apparently my dotted line boss did not want to loose me, which makes me feel good, but also gave Susan and I a hard choice.  He did offer to let me stay here in Champaign, but was pushing for us to relocate to California, and if I am the only one in the building working for them I feel like I might get missed or left out when some things happen.  Susan and I did not want to move just yet so we turned them down,  but it was a kind of anxious few days while we decided, especially since one of our dearest friends just moved to San Francisco and made us consider it a bit more then we normally might.

Pensive Moment

The babe is sleeping and Bobby is in transit right now, so I have a few moments to think alone. A good number of thoughts are rattling around upstairs tonight. Here are a few. Today was the first time I had fasted in 21 months and it was less difficult than I feared. Alice giggled tonight, even after I accidentally walked her face into a doorknob. The world seems more serious when you're in the RS presidency...so many people to think about...but I'm still the socially awkward geek I've always been...when does this get easier? I secretly hid a box of Thin Mint cookies for Bobby to find unexpectedly. I am sorry that I have not been more supportive to my friends and family, especially those close to me. I wish I could enjoy eggplant.

Hmmm. Perhaps these are not so much thoughts as confessions...