tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44649258531708006482012-02-10T06:42:13.309-08:00Finding out what really happens after "happily ever after"...Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.comBlogger4931100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-59765311388909489652012-02-10T06:42:00.000-08:002012-02-10T06:42:13.321-08:00

This morning started like any other: Daddy got up and started the coffee maker.  James laid in his crib and chatted with stuffed animals and called for "mama" every so often.  I laid in bed making a mental checklist of things that needed to be done today. I heard A shaking a bottle up, and I started to stretch.  He came down the hallway, turned in to James' room, and I heard the squeals of

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-47809550141233009502012-02-09T01:00:00.000-08:002012-02-09T07:35:22.241-08:00

I was recently able to sit and read The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown and upon finishing it immediately told my mother-in-law to read it as well. She is one of 4 sisters, and I am one of 2.  Anyone with a sister should sit and read this as the writing and story is really the best depiction I've ever read about that unique relationship where you can't help but love her, even when you don't like

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-21821490410822642812012-02-08T06:59:00.001-08:002012-02-08T06:59:14.679-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-27382972617370722592012-02-07T12:53:00.000-08:002012-02-07T12:53:09.221-08:00

I don't know if I ever told this story, but it hit me as my husband and I were talking about the movies coming up on our radar. James was born just after the summer films launched, and I still remember the last two movies we saw before we became parents: Thor and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides I'm not sure which one it was at, but while on the way in to the theater, the ticket

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-79467488543012692732012-02-06T08:09:00.000-08:002012-02-06T08:09:29.462-08:00

James is finally at an age where I won't feel guilty about putting him in a penned area, with all his toys, and leave him to play.  But I don't want him alone in one room while we are in another, either working or playing. So, the dining room that was also being used as an office is also now his play area. I think. We are still playing with ideas, but we have too much "stuff" and not enough

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-22262741111204897952012-02-03T08:47:00.000-08:002012-02-03T08:47:05.593-08:00

So, as a mini-update: I am lucky to still be employed.  For the foreseeable future, that will continue to be the case. My company and another company "merged".  I don't know all the details, but the main point was that for about 48 hours there was no way to tell if I would continue to be employed.  Especially after reading their FAQ sheet and realizing it was the complete opposite of what we'd

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-65835504011415676872012-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:002012-02-02T07:35:53.814-08:00

So, with no exercise at ALL, but just a change to diet, I've dropped 13.3 pounds in the month of January.  I honestly have less than 4 pounds to go until I reach the number I was at in 2010 when I got pregnant. The plan is to start that whole exercise thing to see if I can keep things moving along.  The major weight loss was that first week, once I stopped eating bagels and white bread and

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-60077957444210446612012-02-01T05:59:00.001-08:002012-02-01T06:00:37.200-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-56241183909335906722012-01-31T08:16:00.000-08:002012-01-31T08:16:26.744-08:00

Okay, where did January go? No, seriously, how did it suddenly become January 31st?  To me, the days go faster and faster.  Work is steady and keeping me busy enough during the days.  James is moving faster.  He can turn on his tummy, move sideways to get to things, and I swear he looks over his shoulder when moving backwards and is manuevering.  Yesterday we witnessed him moving like an

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-32177757928380020772012-01-30T08:28:00.000-08:002012-01-30T08:28:53.860-08:00

For Christmas, James was gifted a Sophie giraffe.  Admittedly, this was his first squeaky toy. Up until a week ago, he laughed when we made noises with her, but seemed not too interested with doing anything other than pounding her against a toy truck. Then he discovered that he could just squeeze her and the squeak would happen.  Which meant that as he chewed on her legs, he'd squeeze her head

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-4569316074775665802012-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:002012-01-27T12:01:01.198-08:00

So, for those of you who remember reading about me doing the 365 day challenge of photos, I have managed everyday to post something on that link on the right. In order to try something a little different in February, I'm going to do this!  I like the thought of having a type of photo assignment, so this should be interesting.  It'll still be posted over on the Tumblr link to track it, so make

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-74360849679487231232012-01-26T07:54:00.000-08:002012-01-26T07:54:57.601-08:00

The other morning we were awoken by the sound of something being hit in James' room.  He was laughing and babbling as well, but the slapping was coming between it, and it was pretty constant. It seems that a certain little boy had figured out that there was a way to start his mobile by hitting a button on the bottom of the unit.  It's a battery operated unit, and does have an on/off switch up

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-69551825389289486782012-01-25T07:14:00.000-08:002012-01-25T07:14:27.891-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-34342670355940973572012-01-24T07:27:00.000-08:002012-01-24T07:27:24.468-08:00

James has always been a champion sleeper.  Once the hospital people stopped prodding him awake, he was set to cuddle and never looked back. Last month, he started fighting our normal snuggle time before sleep, and so we made a switch.  He now gets placed in his crib, a blanket tucked around him, and we say night night and walk out.  There have been 2 times where we timed it too early, and 5

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-19764851938598870312012-01-23T11:32:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:32:18.554-08:00

After a couple of days where napping was just not on his list of things to do, and daddy was getting frustrated, I declared Saturday would be his official day off. I woke up with James, and we did everything together.  He had my undivided attention, and you could tell he was loving every minute of it. By the time the day ended, I was thoroughly exhausted. But in a good way. I spend my days

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-10481468647527441992012-01-19T04:00:00.000-08:002012-01-19T05:56:48.287-08:00

Apparently my son's birth opened a floodgate of sorts. At least, it feels that way. I have two girlfriends who are due in March, 10 month after James was born.  Another this month.  And another in April.  I think there may be one in May as well. What I love about these pregnancies is that we are all about the same age.  Our late 30s.  Starting families. And we all agree on one thing: If we

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-6719858913147719202012-01-18T06:57:00.001-08:002012-01-18T06:57:53.031-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-29652677871078049692012-01-17T07:27:00.000-08:002012-01-17T07:30:36.919-08:00

Yes, I spelled that right.  I'm not pining for anything.  I am pinning. On Pinterest. I know I am late to the party, but after talking to my sister yesterday, we realized that we both wanted to sign up and have things on our own boards.  Plus, I love that I can go through all these bookmarked recipes and pin them in 1 place to look at and find. Talk about clearing space. So, do you

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-25381032606745226352012-01-16T10:51:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:51:48.703-08:00

James has discovered that if he picks his hands up that he can navigate his movements. He has become quite adapt at turning in a circle.  While on his tummy. He also has figured out reverse. But forward is trickier. If you place a toy just out of reach, he lays there all stretched out, toes extended as if he is Superman in mid-flight, and grunts.  And this is all after that rocking on hands

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-66427730920968592332012-01-12T12:11:00.000-08:002012-01-12T12:15:14.838-08:00

I've just finished another book, and this one has me discussing science matters with my husband.  All about fats and our diet and things that make him wonder if I should be allowed to read anymore books.  And all this is becuase of Steven J. C. Gaulin's Why Women Need Fat. The title alone had me itching to read this one.  And I am so glad it did not disappoint. Now, I've had my own battles with

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-51680149808559406442012-01-11T11:21:00.001-08:002012-01-11T11:21:49.445-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-82598203094895636372012-01-10T08:44:00.000-08:002012-01-10T08:45:41.257-08:00

Things are happening at work. Things that have us wondering what will happen next. Things that have us both anxious about whether or not I'll still have a job. There's a plan in case it all goes to pot.  Not a great plan, mind you.  Especially because we are in a lease here until mid-April. Right now, it's all holding our breath, trying to focus on working as if nothing is changing, and just

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-45228939484700479692012-01-09T09:31:00.000-08:002012-01-09T09:52:41.391-08:00

James is spending more time on the floor lately. He sits and plays with the truck his daddy picked out for him as a Christmas present.  As he pushes it out too far, he slowly will get himself into a position where he is laying on his tummy. From there, he finds his ways to his hands and knees.  He rocks back and forth, and after a bit ends up laying on his tummy, appearing to be practicing his

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-43504984519305223092012-01-06T18:23:00.001-08:002012-01-06T18:23:32.861-08:00

At least for the geek inside me.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-30066492363134380772012-01-05T07:41:00.000-08:002012-01-05T07:41:48.256-08:00

The holidays were actually pretty mellow for us.  Nothing too major happened. James has been rocking on his hands and knees regularly, tends to move backwards, and is enjoying his new toys. And then Monday night happened. He was playing with his toys and babbling as per normal.  Just random noises and giggles.  And then... Well, my hear melted.  Over and over again.  Because in the middle of

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-52508563716631066002012-01-04T05:56:00.000-08:002012-01-04T05:56:36.994-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-3331765281889750892012-01-03T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-03T08:21:11.416-08:00

An old friend of mine posted a link to a blog she started to do a photo challenge for 2012.  All you do is is post 1 picture a day each day of something you are doing, and I decided that this could be fun. Besides, no one would get tired of James, especially videos as he learns to do things, right? So, I will still occasionally post pictures here, and there will be a Wordless Wednesday each

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-14923749599263301002012-01-02T07:04:00.000-08:002012-01-02T07:04:57.180-08:00

A few weeks ago I came home from the store and sat to talk with A.  I want another baby.  I want James to have a brother or sister to play with and grow up with. But I know that we can't just have it happen. When I was pregnant with James, I honestly was the healthiest I'd ever been.  I was eating carefully, my diabetes was under control, and I always felt happy. I am still 17 lbs heavier

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-28404215466628566782011-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:002011-12-30T05:00:02.582-08:00

I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that at this time last year I was waiting for the results of the amnio. We just wanted to make sure that the baby would be healthy.  And confirmation that our guts and that early ultrasound were right and it was a boy. Our son. I'm now a mommy.  My little boy is just over 7 months old.  He's celebrated his first Christmas and is starting to rock on

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-68293508985798862392011-12-29T06:46:00.000-08:002011-12-29T06:46:19.942-08:00

After reading Jeffrey Zaslow's' The Magic Room for the BlogHer Book Club I wish I'd done things a little differently when it came to my wedding dress. By the time we became engaged, A and I had been living together for just under 3 years and had talked about marriage for almost as long.  We never had any doubts we'd be together forever, it was just a formality for us. About 6 months before the

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-49100576278092575802011-12-28T06:38:00.001-08:002011-12-28T06:38:41.704-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-76178318708957423192011-12-27T07:39:00.000-08:002011-12-27T07:39:43.526-08:00

Well, any fear that James wouldn't get plenty of things for Christmas went out the door. He celebrated 4 times: with one side of the family the 24th, then with us Christmas morning, his great grandparents Christmas afternoon, and then my in-laws were here on the 26th with more. Our living room has no more space for toys.  And he has a new wardrobe that should take him to his first birthday.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-86638928081426675692011-12-22T07:47:00.000-08:002011-12-22T07:47:19.548-08:00

Every time we are in a store and look in the baby/children's department, I look at the little things and can't remember James being that small. The onesies?  The carriers?  The swings? I just can't picture him in those things anymore. Last week, we ran some errands after work.  We've learned that he is good with 3 stops per outing as long as we can alternate how he travels.  Normally, we take

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-8630979074480603912011-12-21T04:00:00.001-08:002011-12-21T04:00:01.695-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-54047165769733216002011-12-20T06:30:00.000-08:002011-12-20T06:30:13.509-08:00

When A moved to California, Christmas became something he loved when not working retail. He used to tell me stories of the family visits, going everywhere on Christmas Day and seeing all the relatives.  You may think he would have loved all this, but he really wished they just stayed home. My family has always done Christmas Eve: Late dinner.  Movies. Staying up until midnight to open presents.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-39934878313004564282011-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-16T08:00:37.377-08:00

I want to start by stating this has nothing to do with the baby.  James still sleeps soundly through the night, is pretty good about playing with his things, spends time playing with us, and in the end is the best baby. And the only saving grace this week. THIS WEEK. Work has been borderline hellish, with some of the weirdest and dumbest things going on.  Enough that I have purposely closed

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-61866573362237766122011-12-09T11:56:00.001-08:002011-12-09T11:59:07.515-08:00

A box arrived yesterday. My aunt had sent gifts for James, and when I called to let her know we'd received them, I was told there was one that we could open now. Yay for early presents! We waited for James to be up to try out present opening. All I can say about that is that it took some time and he liked the paper more than anything else. Me? I loved what was inside! I mean, our

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-22665001651669207772011-12-07T06:29:00.000-08:002011-12-07T06:29:09.554-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-15845931417814546152011-12-06T11:42:00.000-08:002011-12-06T11:42:43.461-08:00

My family has been gone almost a week and we still are not back to our normal routine. Work is back in place, so my days are filled with projects and calls.  I'm also trying to work my way through some books, and we've become addicted to Skylanders, so sleep is losing. I think the hardest hit has been A.  For him, two weeks of people to play with James meant a mental break from the daily

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-31573883645828121872011-12-05T07:58:00.000-08:002011-12-05T07:58:14.644-08:00

With this being James' first Christmas, I wanted to make sure that certain things were done. No, I didn't go overboard, but there were things I wanted to be able to look back at later and remember with him. The tree is up, and there is a new ornament for baby's first Christmas now on it. Holiday pictures were taken and framed.  Today, they will be hung up on the wall in the living room. Once

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-39264724472544590692011-12-02T10:05:00.000-08:002011-12-02T10:05:16.815-08:00

Something my family learned over the last 2 weeks is that I hate throwing away leftover food.  We are on a seriously tight budget, so leftovers are lunch here, and I have used some old recipes my mom has shown me through the years to use things from the fridge and create something new. Last week, I showed one of my nieces how to take some white rice that had been leftover and in the fridge for a

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-22839956348405303722011-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:002011-11-30T14:45:12.674-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-27163697133207880332011-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:002011-11-29T17:22:04.266-08:00

We went to dinner tonight. Table for 5 1/2. There was a toast. My sister admitted to crying earlier. I don't think I realized just how much I was going to miss them until that moment.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-70394886366276618172011-11-28T09:17:00.000-08:002011-11-28T09:17:56.386-08:00

After seeing the doctor today we have confirmed that he's doubled his birth weight! Official weight is 16 lbs 8 ounces and 26" long. We also have the green light to continue to offer him table foods that we are eating, so there will be more pumpkin pie in his future. Also awesome: once he figures out how to pinch his fingers together we are okay to give him cereals!  Even if there are no teeth

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-32814535906515904882011-11-27T19:45:00.001-08:002011-11-27T19:48:13.781-08:00

If you look to his right there is a space up there where his Tigger was. Apparently James wanted him closer while napping cause this is what he did before falling asleep.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-46263521962599259172011-11-26T19:07:00.000-08:002011-11-26T19:07:59.537-08:00

One of the challenges we have next is sippy cup training. James has to be pretty much off the bottle by his next surgery.  Because of what they are doing, sucking will just hurt him during recovery, so they say to try to wean him as much as possible. Lucky for us, he's making it easy.  He watches us eating and drinking, and seems intent on copying it. Tonight he drank a little more out of

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-72967390207186777592011-11-25T18:21:00.001-08:002011-11-25T18:21:15.418-08:00

And I am already wishing he would stop growing now...

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-81754584652880300642011-11-24T19:01:00.000-08:002011-11-24T19:01:19.128-08:00

A year ago, I cooked for my in-laws and had just had our first ultrasound.  We'd seen a bouncing baby, laughed at the movement, and then each called our mothers. They laughed at us and our reactions to seeing a moving baby inside me. This year, my son slept through dinner, waking just as we were having dessert. He had a bottle. Then pumpkin pie. Apparently the pie was his favorite thing ever.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-81589182980863463822011-11-23T19:13:00.000-08:002011-11-23T19:13:45.693-08:00

And we spent it at the mall. Just the girls.  The men at home. And we came home to one little man in bed, and daddy having cleaned up the kitchen. Behind me, there are 2 pumpkin pies already in the oven and an apple pie being put together. We still plan to bake eclairs in the morning if not later tonight. Tomorrow is turkey and fixings and family and joy. And being thankful...

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-64527638617676844172011-11-22T18:27:00.000-08:002011-11-22T18:27:17.235-08:00

In the last week, James has had 2 tastes of "table" food: Nilla Wafers and homemade mashed potatoes. For our own Thanksgiving dinner, we are having the full spread.  All of it is in the fridge, waiting for the baking to begin tomorrow, and the turkey to be cooked on Thursday. My sister has asked if we plan to let James try any other foods.  And I really wish I was comfortable with it. But

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-31059488450514484202011-11-21T17:28:00.001-08:002011-11-21T17:28:41.409-08:00

We warned that the antibiotics that James is taking could cause diarrhea. Is that too much too soon? Sorry. Last round it did happen. This time not so much. And the results of a missed day of proper "flow" has meant a couple of near misses when it comes to him gaining relief. And when we say relief we mean relief. Poor guy just could not get comfortable yesterday afternoon. Life is

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-74669507631496293442011-11-20T17:46:00.001-08:002011-11-20T17:46:30.945-08:00

James has begun sitting up more. Now he's always been a sitter. He really doesn't want to lean on anyone for too long. His elbows and abdominal muscles get a regular workout and have for months. But the last week he's spent more time sitting. And this has lead to more usage of his hands. And more items being places in mouths. And getting soaked. And drooled on. The biggest issue? He likes

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-67216376302163505442011-11-19T18:24:00.001-08:002011-11-19T18:29:31.187-08:00

Even after being apart for almost 19 months, having my sister and nieces here hasn't felt like we have been apart at all. We watch a lot of Food Network. We are getting caught up on movies. Especially chick flicks. We've gone to the movies to indulge in our Twilight issues. And through all of it my son has been in the middle of all our laughter. Adding his laughter to it all.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-7676557323003813722011-11-18T18:19:00.000-08:002011-11-18T18:19:44.858-08:00

No, I normally do not like to celebrate any part of Christmas until after Thanksgiving. But when you find yourself at the mall on a weekday, and it's empty, especially the Santa area... Well, you have to try, right? And it's totally worth it when this is the result:

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-12567858808255281472011-11-17T18:13:00.000-08:002011-11-17T18:13:15.371-08:00

Tuesday morning, my son met his Aunt and cousins. And I think he fell in love. He has not had enough of them, and smiles every time he comes into a room and realizes they are still there to play. They have fallen too, so it's pretty adorable to watch them giggling with one another.  And the more one giggles, the more the others mimic.  It's actually the greatest noise I think I've ever heard.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-45628697456259365352011-11-16T17:59:00.000-08:002011-11-16T18:00:17.960-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-41004493151207016402011-11-15T19:47:00.000-08:002011-11-15T19:47:27.726-08:00

Monday morning, James woke up and had the greenest eye boogers ever. Is that too much info at once?  Sorry. I cleaned him up, and then a little while later noticed that the right eye was a little swollen and there was more green goop oozing out of there.  I assumed clog duct, did the warm washcloth thing, and told A about it. He immediately went to Google, read the possible reasons, and then

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-74778293617126154232011-11-14T17:59:00.000-08:002011-11-14T17:59:30.066-08:00

The question for you: What are the biggest issues you face in keeping your bathroom organized and neat? What are the best tips you have for keeping your bathroom neat and clutter free? You can see my quick tip in the comments here.  Just look for AEinstei1n.  I'll explain that another time. Promise. Also share your tips and comments there with everyone on how you stayed organized in the

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-7641422327295814892011-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:002011-11-13T09:00:02.605-08:00

He was meant to be a country boy, don't you agree?

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-26818043884376153262011-11-12T07:53:00.000-08:002011-11-12T07:53:56.002-08:00

Have you ever heard of a group of women, normally close friends, who spend so much time together that they eventually have the same cycle?  Can you imagine being at the point where you are all going through the same symptoms and sit in sweats on a Saturday night, watching a chick flick, and eating a tub of Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream? By the way, I could eat that every night.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-27167594670278591312011-11-11T17:18:00.000-08:002011-11-11T17:18:38.226-08:00

We have always prided ourselves on how low maintenance we are. I can be showered and dressed to go in 20 minutes.  So can my husband.  If you were to call and ask us to be someplace in 1 hour, we'd be there. Not so much now. About 4 weeks ago, we lost internet at the apartment.  There was something going on with the line, and so we had to head to the in-laws so I could work. This had happened

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-84259688281627600672011-11-10T13:55:00.000-08:002011-11-10T13:55:56.931-08:00

James is slowly outgrowing his infant car seat.  He's still within safety range, so no worries yet for car rides. But walks in the stroller have become...interesting. For a while now, when he has gotten tired of laying against someone or even being propped up against a pillow, he begins to use his elbows and abdominal muscles to force himself upright. No, he can't sit on his own completely. 

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-34075266464825608002011-11-09T12:40:00.001-08:002011-11-09T13:14:54.341-08:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-42173620515921872522011-11-08T17:37:00.000-08:002011-11-08T17:37:14.244-08:00

So, surgery for James' cleft was less than 2 hours.  We were told that once they were done, the wake up process would begin, and to expect another 45 minutes to pass before we could see him. My son was awake 10 minutes after the procedure ended.  We were called 5 minutes after he woke up.  And we were there in front of him 5 minutes after that call. And he had 4 nurses cooing over him as he

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-71645318177579986862011-11-07T18:00:00.000-08:002011-11-07T18:00:19.223-08:00

I know I mentioned that James has managed to put himself on his own schedule. After the surgery, he's been a little off.  The norm was him up and eating by 8:30, and then getting to bed by 8 at night. Suddenly he was sleeping until almost 9 each morning.  This meant he was up until almost 9 at night, sometimes a little later. Which wouldn't be so bad if it didn't cut into my "me" time. You

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-61563121979149161602011-11-06T07:51:00.001-08:002011-11-06T07:51:32.124-08:00

He fell asleep for 30 minutes. Then he woke up and smiled at me. Didn't make a sound, just smiled and touched my cheek. Then he put his thumb in his mouth and went right back to sleep. It's been another 30 minutes and I just can't bear to put him down...

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-83619574323135407522011-11-05T18:35:00.000-07:002011-11-05T18:35:04.989-07:00

Me:  I am not getting sick....I am not getting sick....I am not getting sick..... Him:  I think you're kidding yourself.  I heard you coughing this morning. Me:  But I am not getting sick. James:  Grrrrrrrr  *giggle* Me:  And the difference is I CAN'T get sick.  Cause if I get sick then this household will go straight to hell, so I am not getting sick..... Him:  *coughcoughcough*  *pulls

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-21318310818710355582011-11-04T14:58:00.000-07:002011-11-04T14:58:34.466-07:00

Last week was a whirlwind. We left Tuesday afternoon, spent the night in a hotel, then dealt with James having surgery, then the fiasco at the hospital about sleeping arrangements (I owe you that story, and you will get it), and then dealing with getting the okay to come home Thursday and picking up a prescription the NO ONE carried for our son. Also another blog post to come.  Promise.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-72510680154666101402011-11-03T12:23:00.000-07:002011-11-03T12:25:56.830-07:00

We've always taken our cues from James.  He has determined his feeding schedule.  He has determined his nap schedule.  He even seems to know what time he should be in bed. And yes, he does have a schedule for the most part.  If you force things too soon he will growl.  Which just results in giggling, and then no nap, so he gets his way. Yeah, we are in so much trouble. For the most part, we

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-13218239235845255742011-11-02T17:39:00.000-07:002011-11-02T17:39:56.014-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-7462788117039137612011-11-01T06:57:00.000-07:002011-11-01T06:57:11.744-07:00

I never thought that my son would have surgery before celebrating his first Halloween. But life is what it is, and that's what happened. Also factor in that we seemed to have gone from Summer to Winter in the span of 10 days, and even were anticipating snow this last weekend.... We went trick-or-treating at the mall. I've never done this, even growing up we always went out, so I didn't know

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-73190025850752497582011-10-27T19:29:00.000-07:002011-10-27T19:29:02.698-07:00

Over the last week, James has begun to indicate who he wants to have hold him.  He will nudge or lean towards his chosen target, and has slowly started lifting his arms and kicking his feet when asked if he wants to go up with you hands extended towards him. It's seriously one of the cutest things I think either of us have ever seen. Wednesday we reported to the hospital bright and early to

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-50254321618597104992011-10-24T07:27:00.000-07:002011-10-24T07:27:29.931-07:00

Last night, we sat and went through the initial paperwork to review what will be happening to our son on Wednesday. There wasn't much to it, just an overview, and we each read over it quietly in under 10 minutes. A little while later, we went to bed, and assumed our snuggling positions.... A: I just want to go snuggle with our little guy. Me:  He is a cutie, especially when he's asleep.  But

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-11798285669668876412011-10-21T09:35:00.000-07:002011-10-21T09:35:35.937-07:00

I just realized that we are 10 days from Halloween. That means 25 days until my sister and nieces arrive. But also only 5 days from James' surgery.  On Wednesday my baby is having his lip surgically corrected to remove the cleft. His first plastic surgery encounter! The doctor yesterday reminded us that it could be a year before it is completely healed and looking "normal".  It may require

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-57906515426535059612011-10-12T07:36:00.001-07:002011-10-12T07:36:47.122-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-62267796509773135832011-10-10T06:08:00.000-07:002011-10-10T06:08:21.349-07:00

This morning turned into one of those that I wish I could capture forever - the light, the sounds, and the feelings.  It will be in my heart forever, but I'm afraid I'll miss something.... James was up early again, so he came to bed with me.  I was hoping for another 90 minutes of sleep.  He laid there and made noises and looked around.  I peeked through my eyes - which I closed in hopes of his

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-1518827871375605872011-10-05T08:51:00.000-07:002011-10-05T08:51:37.629-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-3445048896709693632011-10-04T07:27:00.000-07:002011-10-04T07:27:42.769-07:00

I've read so many mommy blogs talk about sleep regression and how it's normal at 4 months.  I was prepared, warned A about this, and kept hoping we'd avoid it. I do want to remind you all that at his worst, James slept 6 hours at a time at night.  If that was going to be his new routine again, it wouldn't be too bad.  But I knew he wouldn't be hungry, he eats more than enough each day, and with

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-66934355745658784022011-09-28T07:11:00.001-07:002011-09-28T07:11:38.062-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-20337894375194901332011-09-27T08:41:00.000-07:002011-09-27T08:41:40.768-07:00

Today is day 3 of solids. James now gets a few spoonfuls of food each morning for breakfast, and again as part of dinner. To be honest, he has taken to this like a champ.  There is no fighting the spoon, he is opening his mouth and taking in the foods, and not making too much of a mess.  We did apples for the first 2 days, and this morning started with sweet potatoes as his first veggie. About

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-89842459309263799682011-09-26T07:45:00.000-07:002011-09-26T07:45:11.324-07:00

As of yesterday my little man is officially 4 months old! We've started with fruits, and so far apples are a hit.  More on that later this week. For now, here are his stats: Weight - 14lbs 14 oz Length - 24 1/2 inches And he is still the happiest little boy I know....

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-24060935876305350182011-09-22T06:16:00.000-07:002011-09-22T06:16:38.536-07:00

I was laying in bed with A on Monday and asked him if he knew what had been happening a year ago.  He didn't know, and so I recapped for him. I had taken a pregnancy test that had come back negative.  I was so certain that I had ovulated and that this was happening that I was crushed to not see that second line. The next morning I had spotted a faint pink in the morning and then nothing.  My

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-60379070188373107542011-09-20T09:36:00.000-07:002011-09-20T09:36:38.472-07:00

I don't think I ever described how I kept up with the world after James was born.  Or what actually made me feel sane. I will give you one hint:  I never turned on the laptop during the first 4 weeks. Take a look at what kept me feeling like a part of the world as a new mommy HERE.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-90361176350972296002011-09-16T09:14:00.000-07:002011-09-16T09:14:13.975-07:00

Our son has managed to inherit so many traits from both sides of the family.  It's actually interesting to see him do something and realize that we've seen each of us do it that way. Like when he curls his toes because he is excited.  They look like mine.  But when he stretches them out full length they are his daddy's feet. Of all things, though, he has inherited his father's internal body

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-71712822738424912322011-09-14T09:39:00.000-07:002011-09-14T09:39:36.341-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-27189230049693461852011-09-13T07:43:00.000-07:002011-09-13T07:43:29.464-07:00

I have always been a sound sleeper.  I've been able to sleep through almost anything, and I honestly was worried that I'd sleep through the baby's cries in the night. So the baby monitor was put on the registry, and it was one of the items gifted to us. What I didn't realize was that the mommy instinct would kick in so well.  I am normally awake a few minutes before the monitor picks him up,

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-50253374974208164562011-09-09T05:57:00.000-07:002011-09-09T05:57:15.573-07:00

I remember 10 years ago.  I still feel tears welling up when I think of that day.  The towers falling. But then I play with my son and hear his giggles. Life has changed so much. He may never understand what happened or why it changed things the way it did.  I hope he will never really feel the terror of wondering when the next attack will happen. But we will never forget.

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-20334103043264621652011-09-07T13:59:00.000-07:002011-09-07T13:59:12.579-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-53845353810314893972011-09-06T13:22:00.000-07:002011-09-06T13:22:29.586-07:00

I have a new love As a new parent a need Give me my coffee

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-41261084293224338892011-09-01T10:14:00.000-07:002011-09-01T10:14:08.960-07:00

I have been counting weeks for over a year now. It's been just over a year since that cycle ended and I wondered if we'd ovulate again without medical help in September. At Week 39 I met my son for the first time. And now he is 14 weeks old.  Sitting in a seat and grabbing things on the tray and chewing on things.  Refusing to roll over, but using his legs to scoot his body while on his back

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-3971431761653668882011-08-24T07:40:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:40:00.635-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-13872998122892326392011-08-23T07:33:00.000-07:002011-08-23T07:33:29.673-07:00

Yes, this post is about poop.  And not just mine or the baby's. At 2 months pregnant, my biggest fear was constipation.  Well, that and losing the baby.  But I had a good feeling about this baby. The constipation made me have nightmares. I had to battle it once before adjusting my diet.  For 2 days I was slowly becoming more and more miserable.  Then I discovered prunes.  A couple of those

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-77706038193807242022011-08-18T06:56:00.000-07:002011-08-18T06:56:33.195-07:00

For years my husband and I talked about what we would name our children.  We tossed around so many: Steven Roger, Anthony Stark, Edward Brock..... As you can tell, we were serious about having a boy and making sure the name was something special. Even last October we were talking boy names, and I had wanted twins so I could name them Samuel and Dean with them sharing the same middle name:

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-27255381044620198952011-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:002011-08-17T06:48:45.295-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-5376795951559055392011-08-16T06:42:00.000-07:002011-08-16T06:42:19.375-07:00

I last saw my family together on April 20, 2010.  We had dinner together, cried in the parking lot, and then said goodbye. The next day I left CA and headed for VA. I was pregnant only months later. We were lucky and able to get my mom here for my shower in March.  It was only 2 days, but it was so good to see her and see she was healthy.  I love her so much and miss her everyday. My brother,

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-72714487206405742962011-08-15T07:32:00.000-07:002011-08-15T07:33:08.447-07:00

There are and will be plenty of stories like this one, I am sure.  So I'm actually going to try to keep track of them somehow to see where we get. So, here's what happened on Sunday... One of the joys and rites of passage to be a parent is to be peed on by your baby. People, there is no way around it.  It's going to happen.  Whether a diaper leaks or your holding them after/before a bath and

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-43538365263280323762011-08-12T11:18:00.000-07:002011-08-12T11:18:36.301-07:00

Are you tired of my bragging about my son?  The natural sleeper who never fusses, smiles at everyone, and still smells so good?  Who lets us nibble on his cheeks when he giggles and actually will raise his cheek to us if we stop playing too soon? Cause, yes, he is awesome.  He could give Barney Stinson a run for his money.  I often think we should have named him Barney Stinson just so people

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-83968375003906116092011-08-11T08:30:00.000-07:002011-08-11T08:30:07.881-07:00

Internets, this having a baby thing is expensive. I won't go into the deep details with you.  I can barely keep it straight since the doctors and hospitals and labs all seemed to bill everything at once in June.  I can tell you that AFTER insurance did their thing my share of the bill was a little over $2K.  And that is on top of the cost of prescriptions, meeting a $250 deductible, their

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-15965069223909480182011-08-10T06:53:00.001-07:002011-08-10T06:53:50.021-07:00

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464925853170800648.post-91426165423816092622011-08-09T08:29:00.000-07:002011-08-09T08:29:01.708-07:00

I have officially been released by The Colonel. After the appointment today I don't go back for another official visit for a year.  I even made that appointment already for August 2012 so that it's on the books. The incision area is so close to being closed.  There isn't any room to pack gauze, but I do have to make sure it is dry and covered during the day.  Which, compared to what we have

Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01754422180489960281noreply@blogger.com0