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Going Cable-Free, the Geek Way

Late last year J and I made the decision to cancel our cable. Not because we had stopped watching TV, but because we were no longer watching our favorite shows as they air. Sure, the DVR that our cable company had provided was getting a lot of mileage, but we couldn't ignore the fact that the majority of the shows we enjoy are available — for free — online. So what is the best way to live cable-free in a technologically-driven household? Well, this is how we did it...

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A Half-Assed Update

Claire woke up no less than nine times last night. Each time with an agonizing scream that pierced my heart. Needless to say, I got very, very little sleep. I decided to take her to the doctor this morning in order to ensure that there was nothing physically wrong with her. I was particularly concerned that she might have an ear infection because the symptoms of an ear infection are very similar to those of teething. Our pediatrician declared Claire perfectly healthy, albeit a bit cranky. She remarked on Claire's great hand-eye coordination, her terrific balance, and even her clean ears. After checking her mouth, the doc showed me how her top middle gums were painfully bulging with some white showing underneath. "It...

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Education Regrets

With the increasing number of studies and articles questioning the value of college degrees, in addition to the declining rates of employment and starting salaries among new graduates, it is no wonder that today's young adults are fraught with regrets about their college choices. According to a recent study by Rutgers University’s Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, a full 74% of recent graduates wish that they had done something differently about their college careers. At the top of the list is choosing a different major, with getting more internships/experience a close second: I can't help but be reminded of myself and my husband when reading articles such as these. Shortly after we had first started dating, I had asked him, "If you could...

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Growing Pains

About a month ago, Claire's first two teeth popped out. And the very next day, she no longer started screaming for (seemingly) no reason and resumed waking up only once per night. And within days of that, she *magically* started sleeping a full 12-13 hours through the night. And taking at least one 1-hour nap per day (well, 2 hours when her Aunt Annie is watching her but we all know that it's only because she's kissing up to her). You guys, you don't understand how good it feels to have your baby sleep that long. Especially after 5 consecutive weeks of multiple night wakings, scattered catnaps that do little to rest her tired little body, and endless fussing/crying/screaming from pain and...

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