Update

Finally, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The worst weeks of work are over - although there's been drama on top of drama. I was considering on posting the next edition of "worse week ever part 2" to explain last week, but decided it could be summed up with one more day:

1. Rushing into work in the early monring at the last minute (leaving Tanner with my 80+ neighbor - which we said we would NEVER do),
2. Only to find out it was for no reason AND get the news from HR -
3. Team member was currenly in ER after driving home from a Happy Hour,
4. Forgetting I took the DART until I couldn't find my car in the parking lot,
5. When I finally got to my car, realizing my car wouldn't start cause Ileft my lights on.

But no worries, I still made it to Book Club!

The BEST news ever, Tanner has a new full-time nanny, who came very highly recommended. Her name is Grandma! And I can't tell you how thrilled/ecstatic I am. Finally, I can rest in peace nowing he's in good hands...

Random

Did you ever try to find your car and forget where you park? While it might be hard to locate in a shopping mall, parking in front of someone's house is usually a given. But apparently not.


Last Sunday, our neighbor came to ask if we have a Honda parked in front of our house. We DID have a Honda parked there, but when I glanced up, it was no where to be found.


My first thought - who would steal a car in front of my house in the middle of the afternoon! But then the neighbor informed me that it happened to be "rolling" slowly down the street. It made it halfway down the street, but luckily no cars were in it's way so we were able to easily rectify the situation and bring it back to it's original position safe and sound.

Birthday Wishes

For Anthony's birthday, he sarcastically asked his parents for a Xbox 360. And this is exactly what he got.

In my opinion, it's the best one ever!

Now a Wii - that one you might be able to persuade. But we really don't have any time for tv, let alone video games.

I won't say how old cause yes, I'm technically olders. But who's counting.

Just my luck

Today I can an email stating how the company is re-vamping their maternity program. Instead of giving 2 weeks, they are giving you a total of 8 weeks. That's in addition to the standard short-term disability of 6-8 weeks. So, you automatically get 14 weeks of 100% paid leave when you have a baby - no matter what.

But OF COURSE it didn't go into affect until AFTER I had Tanner. Granted, I took over 16 weeks w/him, but I used two year's worth of accumulated time off to do so.

But then on the other hand...having another baby never looked so good! And the thought hasn't even crossed my mind since I have little Tanners!

What's up doc?

Tanner is our very own little Bugs Bunny - who has recently discovered a passion for chewing on carrots. He was getting very exciting and anxious while chewing on it - that he practically gagged himself. Here's the intense look he gets on his face when he gets into it.

It appears that Tanner is finally teething. I can see the little white buds forming on his bottom gums, but nothing has broke the surface yet. I'm hoping this is why he hasn't been sleeping the greatest lately. But other than that, he is my happy, cheerful baby!

PS - And no, he is not stashing away any carrots in those cheeks of his.

Tax Time

Just for the record, this is NOT why I decided to have Tanner!

But it sure did help this year when I went to do my tax return. While I'm use to paying out thousands, this year I was relieved when I found out I would actually be getting thousands back in return. $7K big ones.

So despite the fact that the economy sucks and most likely all company bonuses will be nilch - and despite the fact that the dental school is charging the students $4K a year to rent equipment that they already charged them $20K to buy...

Today is a great day!

Yes, it's true, I'm a tax accountant so I thrive on this stuff. And if just so happends that I was able to utilize practically every deduction and credit out there - retirment contributions (401K and IRA), child tax credit, childcare credit, education credit, charitable contributions, sales tax deduction, home mortgage interest and property taxes. Finally!

And I actually learned something new. Remember last year how the gov't sent out the stimulus checks to supposively stimulate the economy (which apparently didn't work as intended)...

Well, Tanner hadn't been quite yet so I was thinking I just missed the extra $300 that would have come had he been born earlier. But nope, I diodn't miss a thing, I'm getting the addition money back on my return. Imagine that! So if your income was too much last year and you didn't get the rebate...or if you had a child in 2008...this may mean more good news for you too!

Yes, I'm crazy busy this time of the year, but if you have any tax questions, feel free to ask! I LOVE saving people money - especially at the govt's expense. But hey, it is such a small price to pay to live in such a great country. I'll gladly pay taxes any day!

Splish Splash

After getting totally drenched and having more water out of the tub than in the tub, it occurred to me that Tanner has finally outgrown the infant tub we use to give him a bath in the kitchen sink.

While he's always splashed and had a good time playing in the water, this brings it to a whole new level. He'll just keep kicking his legs and the water goes everywhere. Anthony tries to tell me I just need to put less water in it [he's the clean one in the fam], but he's having so much fun - I just can't resist.

Tanner loves the tug boats. They are soft and squishy and he loves to chew on them. And he likes to lift the cup of water and drink a few sips - or should I say gulps. Except he got a whole mouthful and nearly choked himself.

here's a video if you want to see for yourself the cuteness: