Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Edited
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wrapping up 2008
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes, I promised last year that I would be a good parent, and I think I have started that off well. This year's resolution is a continuation on that theme: always, ALWAYS putting my family first.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
HA! ME!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank god.
5. What countries did you visit?
Zero. Gestating and birthing kept us in town.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A more positive outlook on life. Noah has definitely helped with that and I hope to continue well into the rest of my life.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 29, 20o8: Big ultrasound reveal to tell us we were having a boy. July 20, 2008: The birth day of said boy.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Giving birth. Hands down. (Do we sense a theme here?)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping in close touch with far away friends. I plan to remedy that in 2009.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Episiotomy, anyone? Damn that hurt.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't buy it (hello, budget) but my SLR camera that my parents gave us this Christmas.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Again, Tim's. He is an amazing father and he works so hard to make sure Noah and I are cared for and happy.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one really.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Diapers, baby toys, baby clothes, baby baby baby. That should be reason enough to wait until you're old enough and financially secure to have a kid.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
NOAH. Oh, and Noah.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Beethoven for Babies...on repeat in the car.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? So much happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter. Damn it.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, see #14.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Cuddled with Noah. There is never enough cuddling for me.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying about Noah. I spent far too much time on the internet reading new mom message boards and fuh-reaking out about every little thing.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With our families.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Oh hell yes.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Gossip Girl. I am 16.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor. It may not have been literature, but it was damn funny and made me feel less like a moron.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
What is this music you speak of? Unless it was created for babies, I haven't heard it lately.
26. What did you want and get?
Noah.
27. What did you want and not get?
Sleep. Same as last year.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmm, first this music thing and now movies...didn't get to see much this past year.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27 this year and spent the day baby-free.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having to worry about money.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Yoga pants...with stretch.
32. What kept you sane?
Tim and his patience.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barry O. We have so much to look forward to, he and I.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Oh I don't know...let me think...SARAH PALIN.
35. Who did you miss?
All my friends who live far, far away from me.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Noah. He rocks.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Life is so much sweeter when you have someone special to share it with. Whether that be a wonderful partner, a child, or a supportive family, life doesn't seem so knock-down hard at times.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Like movie quotes, this is just something I can't do well. I'll leave it to you to add whatever sums up YOUR year.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Best. Christmas. EVER.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
And so it begins...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Five Months
I think you and I both deserve a hearty congratulations for making it five whole months. For some reason, this month's birthday really meant a lot to me. Maybe it's because you are now firmly in "baby" territory and the newborn phase is definitely over. Maybe it's because I felt that by five months I should have my act together. Ha. I SO don't. But you don't know that because you're just a itty, witty, bitty baby who loves to laugh and smile with your whole body. From the tip of your head to the bottom of your toes, you smile with everything you've got.
So much has happened this past month. You began to roll over, your first tooth arrived and you're THISCLOSE to sitting unsupported. You've tried rice cereal many times and are still a bit ambivalent about it all. Shhh, don't tell anyone but we may just forget about the cereal and move straight to the hard stuff...sweet potatoes. That's right. Big boy food. We'll see. I am kind of chicken when it comes to change with you. You're growing up so so so fast I can barely keep up. But with this growing up comes all the delightful moments we have. And these moments are made all the better because you sleep through the night and THANKYOUSOMUCH.
This month our goal is to get you on a daytime schedule. So far you call the shots but guess what? Game over buddy. Mama's in charge from now on. Hopefully you'll humor me for at least a few days and get to napping at regular intervals. Please. It will make our lives so much easier and our days much more predictable. And maybe you could nap for longer than 45 minutes? You used to but this silly teething business has really messed with the hours long naps. And mama needs her downtime to read blogs, err, um, work out.
I love you so much little man, so very much. I am so excited to see what this next month brings for you and for our family.
Love,
Mama
Posting will be light around here due to the holiday, so Noah wishes you an early Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! He didn't have a driedel handy for his posed photos, just a Santa hat, my apologies.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rearing it's ugly head
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Owning up
Sunday, December 14, 2008
And yet another filler post
The fingers are CONSTANTLY in the mouth. Sometimes he gets the whole fist in there and gags himself. You would think he would learn the first time...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Crazy-making
I put him back in his car seat, wrapped the bundle me around him, and ushered us out of the store and into the parking lot. We made it to the car, I packed him and my bags into the backseat, and we headed towards the parking lot exit. It was then, when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw his limbs flailing about, that I realized I NEVER BUCKLED HIM INTO THE CAR SEAT. That's right, I committed my first major parenting error. Of course I immediately pulled over, parked the car, and got Noah all settled AND buckled into the car seat before continuing on our way. But those few minutes were enough for my crazy mama brain to begin running through all the possibilities of what could have happened.
You know it's not good when your mind goes straight to the baby dying in a car accident scenarios. But it was like I was possessed. All the way home I couldn't stop thinking about what if? What if a semi had hit us? What if I had hit a patch of ice and rolled the car? Is this the rest of my life? Always wondering what if? Always worrying about the harm that could befall my child(ren)? How did my mother ever let me leave the house, let alone allow me to go to CANCUN as a 17 year old? Nononononononononononono never gonna happen.
If it wasn't poor form I would have had a drink in the middle of the afternoon to calm myself. Thank god nothing happened and I realized my mistake before entering traffic. Next time my checklist will include Baby Buckled In? Check and double check.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Pity Party, Table for One
Monday, December 1, 2008
Still need help on the diaper thing BUT...
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Huggies are NOT the new Hoover Dam
We have a leak. Actually, not just ONE leak, but many, many leaks. Noah has been leaking out of his diapers, and I have no idea what to do. I change him every couple of hours during the day, always before and after naps (and the after change is always because he has leaked out during his nap), and since he is sleeping mostly through the night I can't change him then so we have a leak in the morning. I half expect that leak since he does go so long without a change, but it didn't always happen and I would really like it if we could face the morning without ANOTHER crib sheet change.
Here is where we are at diapers-wise:
Noah is 13.5 pounds, so firmly in the size 2 range for most diapers (12-18 lbs). We're currently using Huggies Supreme/Gentle Care size 2 or Huggies Regular size 2. We haven't noticed much of a difference in absorbancy between the two, at least not enough to warrant the price difference. We have also used Pampers Swaddlers size 2 which we had leaks with but even worse was that his clothes always felt damp in the front when he wore them.
Friday, November 28, 2008
The end of an era (a very short-lived era)
It's pretty fantastic though that he is right on target for hitting all the infant milestones. Rolling over, pushing up on his arms, sitting with assistance...all of these things show us that he is developing well and growing quickly. I find it reassuring that we can so easily see his progress and watch him grow.
I hear from those who have gone before me that the novelty of rolling ends pretty quickly, but I should resign myself to a week or so of lost naps and plenty of nighttime wake-ups. I just cannot express how excited I am. No words. Seriously. Excuse me while I go bang my head against the wall.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving to you
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Pardon the interruption
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Two Years, or How We Ended Up Here, Part IV
Two Years, or How We Ended Up Here, Part III
Two Years, or How We Ended Up Here, Part II
Two Years, or How We Ended Up Here, Part I
Friday, November 21, 2008
It's not all bunnies and rainbows over here
Happy Birthday to my husband
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Four Months
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Watch out, Giada
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Winter Lentil Soup
- Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Turkey Chili
- Scallop and Corn Chowder
- Some crazy ass casseroles my friend taught me how to make (please note that I usually despise casseroles because the mixing of the food just makes me squeamish, but these turned out pretty tasty)
- Triple Layer Mud Pie (holy hell this was delicious and will be making it's way to my mother's Thanksgiving dessert table)
Can you even BELIEVE how big he is getting? He is turning into a BOY and there is nothing I can do to stop it. 4 months this Thursday, people.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
If I had a Twitter account, this would be a tweet
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Starts with a "G" and ends in "uilt"
Monday, November 10, 2008
G'day to you
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Maybe the zombies ate it
I was smart once upon a time. I used to pride myself on being well-read, up to date on current events (YES, I know who won the presidency...but hell if I know who our senators are now), and always curious about that which I did not know but wanted to learn about. When Tim and I first met, he could start talking about his technology business or a new project he was working on and I could ask intelligent questions and we could have a two-sided conversation. Now? He'll start talking about a project, my eyes glaze over and I think about what to dress the baby in for the next day or perhaps I think about how we're doing on our nap schedule. I mean, really? I can't focus on an adult conversation for more than two seconds? What happened? It's like I went to sleep and woke up in an entirely different life.
I want my brain back. I want to string sentences together and have them make sense. I want to know exactly what word I'm looking for rather than snapping my fingers and saying "you know...that THING with the STUFF" all the time. Keeping this blog helps. It makes me focus and THINK. Now I'll just go dig out that brain, dust it off, and give it another chance.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A new beginning
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
He tried to vote for Elmo
This was my second time voting. My first was Bush/Kerry in 2004...I neglected to register in time for the Bush/Gore election in 2000 and man do I seriously wish I could turn back time. I am not one of those people who thinks my measly one vote doesn't count. Every vote counts. Every last one. Here's to hoping that the vote Noah and I cast today makes a difference. His future depends on it.
Go here if you want to laugh your ass off today. Click your mouse anywhere in the room for an interactive Palin as President scene.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Monkey-ing around
He was a good sport about the whole thing. It was an amazing fifteen minutes of adorable baby/monkey-ness before he decided we had been making fun of him for long enough. Isn't he so damn cute though?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Kicking ass or is it ass kicking?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
We call this the "professional baby photographer" pose
Friday, October 24, 2008
Together
Monday, October 20, 2008
Three Months
You're also finding out that you have quite the set of vocal cords. Not only do you coo, and gurgle, and grunt your way through a conversation with me, but you've also discovered how to screech. When you're just awake from a nap and hungry, if I change you before I feed you, you express your displeasure with ear-splitting screeches and screams. And I don't mean your average crying baby type sounds...these screams would wake the dead. You enjoy yelling when we "talk" to each other and I love to imitate your sounds right back to you. Apparently you do not like to be imitated because that usually incites a round of brow-furrowing and grumpy expressions. But when you laugh, Noah, oh man do I fall more in love with you. Your laugh comes from deep in your belly and just lights up the room.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The one where we talk about boobs, formula, and the big bad wolf
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Adventures in Ebay-ing
Monday, October 13, 2008
Jazz hands
He loves to "talk" to inanimate objects, especially ceiling fans. Those ceiling fans, they are the best conversationalists I tell you. Our days are lazy and revolve around what rattling, primary colored, squishy toy we are going to play with next. I honestly couldn't ask for anything more. He's a good baby--I know most parents are going to say their baby is good when pressed, but he truly is a sweet, even-tempered baby. We've not had colic (I have no idea how awful colic must be...to those of you mamas and papas with a colicky baby, I pray for your sanity), we've not had hours and hours at night of glass shattering screaming (at least not since he was a few weeks old), he's sleeping through the night again, I could go on and on about how easy we have it. There are definitely some days when I want to put him up for sale on Craigslist, but then I always think about how awful it would be to end up the lead story on the 5 o'clock news when I most likely haven't showered yet that day. (Just kidding, Jojo! I would never wait that long to shower!)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Can I "Make It Work"?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I don't think she feels the same way as I do about pie
Just when you think you have it down...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
It's The Great Pumpkin, Noah Smith!
And of course we needed a family shot. We don't have many pictures of the three of us so it's always nice to bring along the grandma to act as the photographer. (Just kidding, Mom. We really brought you so you would buy me pie.) (Not that I need more pie...obviously. See below for evidence of too much pie.)
And the smiles. The smiles are becoming so frequent but they never fail to make ME squeal with delight. Who can resist this little boy?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Ok, why didn't anyone tell me about this?
Its called a Wordle (http://wordle.net). You can put in your own words, like I did above, or you can link to a blog and Wordle will import the words and randomly arrange them. I have a very special place in my heart for fonts so this is like my Garden of Eden. I made quite a few variations and I am planning to print my favorite one and frame it in Noah's room. Don't be surprised if you start getting these as gifts, folks.