mothers on the verge

I woke up this morning in a better mood -- been feeling competitive and insecure in my professional work and feeling my family life has been eating a much bigger chunk of my time than I wished. I know I have a wonderful rabbit, and for the most part great prince, but when she leaves in 15 years, (and he is -- who knows????) I sure would love a career I am proud of to turn to and enjoy. And then I woke up this morning to see a story in the NY Times magazine written by a woman I know who has one book published --- and another coming out this Fall. And she's younger than me (albiet by not much -- but STILL younger....) Of course she is single, doesn't have children and has income from other sources which means she can write without worry about the rent. In other words she has T*I*M*E. I really wouldn't make different decisions about my personal life. But it's making me feel more and more than somehow I can't have it all -- at least all of what I want. And that's re...

So...where was I when the chapter on potty training regression was handed out? The Rabbit has peed in her pants about 8 times in the last 3 days. The worst? She thinks it's funny. And now there's been accidents on the couch and her bedroom rug -- which miraculously we avoided during the initial training. I know..I know....two steps forward, one back. But please! We're going back to the potty trips every two hours. Oh what a fun weekend this shall be.....

For all those living in Gotham, I am sure you read the piece in Escapes this morning in the NYTimes about this lovely resort called Treebones that is in Big Sur, California. Well, the Prince, rabbit and I just happen to be taking a one-week drive down the California coast in April and I called tonight to see if there's room: "Will there be just the two of you?" "Well, and my three-year-old daughter." "Oooeeuuu. Well, we only have a certain number of families yurts (note to reader: hut)." "Really?" "Yes, we find, uh, it strikes, uh, a nice balance. We have nothing that night. Is there any flexibility? We have one night the week before and one the week after." "Um, no. We'll still be in New York then." "Sorry." So, not to sound like a snob, but the Rabbit has slept in a golden crib in The Ritz in Spain, and had breakfast in bed at The Cadogan in London. She's had waiters in white-tableclothed restaurants al...

Living in a big city gives me certain perks: pretty good coffee, decent shopping options, and the glory of not having to use a car seat. Subways and buses are fine for me with the rabbit, and when I do need to use a car service or a taxi, I only go to my destination point and then back so I don't have to lug the 45-pound exoskeleton of a car seat further than door to door. So while I get that Britney should have known better than to travel with the mini in her lap, and I get that in the car culture land she lives in, it's just not that hard to lock the creature into a car seat that never even has to move — I have to say that I feel for her. Now let's get something straight — I'd rather listen to a jack hammer in my apartment than her music. But as a mom I have no problem with her shooting off the bird at those who feel they need to give her some parenting advice. Who among us hasn't been the victim of a "kindly" person suggesting we bundle our little ones ...

Well, this was too offensive to pass up. Now the Associated Press has decided that having a child creates instabilty in the workplace: ABC News Anchor Elizabeth Vargas Pregnant By FRAZIER MOORE (AP Television Writer) From Associated Press February 10, 2006 12:07 PM EST NEW YORK - ABC's "World News Tonight," scrambling to fill the gap left by its injured anchor, Bob Woodruff, is facing further instability: Elizabeth Vargas, Woodruff's co-anchor, is pregnant. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/gossip/13840712.htm Love it. Now thousands of women all over the world are going to find their bosses, editors, CEOs, etc are little less sympathetic tomorrow when they ask for maternity leave. Hey, if the AP says it creates instability, then it must be true.