This is the first time in days that I have even 10 minues to blog. In general I like my schedule as it provides lots of quality time with the kids, but I would prefer to have some more time for personal internet use.

Unfortunately, CK makes up a big chunk of what makes me feel connected to people other than my family and coworkers, so when I don't have time to come here and read journals and write updates, I end up feeling disconnected and alone. I'm getting better at making real-life connections with people, but its probably no where near where it should be. I'm actually pretty shy and I've been burned on a few occaisions by people who I really enjoyed.

Work is going well. I told a previous colleague that I'm getting a sense of what my challenges will be, which is good, because then I can think hard about how I want to approach them, rather than being blind sided by them. They fall in two areas: one, the industry-standards for contract writing and two, the individuals I interact with most. Neither are bad things, but they pose questions. For example, its hard to know when to rock the boat with something that every body in the industry does but doesn't make sense or is unnecessarily archane (contract language/structure) for example. I can't believe how open to risk/vulnerability insurance companies leave themselves. Seriously. The other issue is the people I work most closely with. I like everyone but have had a few very awkward moments with a woman who actually works out of her home in CA, but who is the person in charge of claims. I think she is very used to be the only higher level woman in a world of men, so I don't know if she feels threatened by me (doubtful - I'm just not that threatening and she is very secure in herself) or if I just came across wrong in the first impressions side of things. I just don't know. All in all, I'm very glad I made the move, though.

Ellen is getting so big. She is "talking" and coo-ing loudly and intensely now. She gets very exciting when I read her books. Her legs start kicking and her fists bunch up and her eyes get big. She smiles from ear to ear, and her eyes actually disapear into her cheeks. Unfortunately she won't let me get a picture of her smile. She sees the camera and just stares at it. S seems very comfortable with both kids during the day, which is great.

Will is as darling as ever. He has started negotiating. "Two more min-tits?" (minutes) "Maybe in a little bit?" "Maybe laydah?" (later) "Maybe two-mana?" (tomorrow) "Maybe cuppa more days?" The other day he told me that we had gone to the zoo "yester-week." Which was technically true.

Ahh, they are my darlings.

Weight-wise, I've been stuck for a month now. I was a getting kind of sloppy, so I'm tighted up the logging and hopefully that will get me back on track at next weigh in. Working out at work is going well. I'm shooting for 4 days out of the week, which leaves me a lunch hour to play with. My office is in a very convenient location.

Hope you all are well.