a tad less floppy: building some muscle for the inevitable:
The Sit Alone/The Unassisted Sit
Pretty much his favorite position: On mommy with easy access to breakfast/lunch/dinner/late night snacking.
I apologize for the silly, generic, stereotypical boy onesie. Blech...
but LOOK AT THOSE EYES!
The Mad Family Four on a Ferris Wheel -go 'round and 'round.
(stopping by the county fair)
"Hey guys, look at mama! SMILE! I SAID LOOK AT MAMA! OVER HERE!"
click...
CLOTH DIAPERS!
It's a bold move, baby!
We have taken la plunge! As each diaper and its accessories (12 diapers, 1wet bag, detergent, inserts) arrived on our front door, the more nervousexcited I became about moving forward in the cloth diaper revolution. And although, to date, it's only been a couple days I have to say I LOVES IT! It's really not as hard/disgusting/time consuming as some would say it would be. For me, what's another load of laundry?
there will always be laundry.
(Look at my cute sleeping baby!!)
I'm so impressed with how clean they come out of the wash, how easy they are to use, and how much money we're going to save! Oh, and one less diaper in the landfill...
In full disclosure, I am still using disposables at night. This might change later...but for now it's just easier not dealing with the bulk and the snaps when you're half conscious...
In the next few weeks, I'm planning on switching over to reusable wipes as well. Rumor is I can throw them into the laundry along with the cloth diaps. Super easy, ya'll...
Who knew I'd be the co-sleeping, baby wearing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding mama that I've become?! I certainly didn't set out to become a card carrying member of "Attachment Parenting" but HERE I AM! Turns out this babe (and myself) are just a happier, calmer, more well rested (sort of ) unit than otherwise. Bottom line is it works for our family and as individuals. And that's how you get through the day. And the night...so we're going wit-it.
I've been working mucho this weeko -and mein oh mein! On one hand -it's nice to get off the couch. The adrenaline of being around...um, the people I work with...has kept my energy at a sufficiently productive level.
On the other hand...the hangover the 1st trimester take over is still in high tide.
The embryo-baby has ELBOWS!!
Oh! And guess who's interested in waking up in the middle of the night?!
My 2 year old! Yay!!!
Who does he think he is?? A newborn??!!
In other news, the husb and I went out for some fine dining. There's something really *magical* about watching your husband drink 4 2 martinis while I sip on my club soda/orange-pineapple cocktail...
...but I'm the one who wakes up with the -headache/nausea/fatigue- hangover.
C'mon week 12...!!
Week 10:
We've graduated to the Fetal period!!
I'm getting cloooooser...I see you 2nd trimester! I SEE YOU!! C'mon here, girl, come here!
I seriously need a good night sleep. And a new pair of pants. And a pantry full of salts, sweets, greens, and Reeses Pieces. I could probably purchase some more granny panties as well.
oy.
When I was pregnanct with Milo (WIWPWM) I remember distinctly there were 3 weeks (week 6-9) that were filled with the sleepy-head nausea. And then, magically, at week 10, I felt good. Non-pregnanct even...
But this time...all this started even before I took the pregnancy test, when I was barely 4 weeks along. (I took the test 4 days before my missed period, on December 28. One reason was so that I wouldn't jack my baby up with all the alcohol I was planning on consuming for NYE. Good thing...But my doc told me that was dumb. I should have enjoyed myself and then waited for my missed period. Ha, I love that lady!)
I've been feeling this nausea and fatigue harder and longer (hehe) this time around. It's been 6 weeks. Where is the goddamn light in this tunnel??!!
Seriously, week 12. I need you. And spring? And time change? I'm looking forward to you, too.
Excuse me while I go cry into my Fiber One cereal.
I'm in the process of getting to know my our new laptop and downloading some new pics from the camera. This might take awhile due to a new and improved Honey Dew list. Yeah BABY!! So here is a post I wrote back in October, nearly 3 months ago...
"Things here are going great! How's your night going?"
When I work evenings, the husband finds himself one on one with the toddler. I love getting "proof of life" pictures and/or videos through my phone. Here are a few pics that he has sent to let me know that all is well while I'm at the jobby job.
"the good life"
"See mama? Daddy does bathe me when you're at work!"
"At the beach! Hope you're having a good night! Wish you were here!"
"He took off his diaper. Here's hoping he hasn't peed on the couch."
Not the same as being there, but I'm thankful that I live in a time where we can quickly and easily send a picture or a video to our loved ones -of our loved ones- while away...
On November 18, 1999 my future husband joined the Navy. He flew to Chicago where he spent 9 weeks in boot camp. Upon completion, his parents drove from Georgia, through a blizzard, to see their middle child graduate. Shortly thereafter, Justin spent a year in Pensacola, FL going to A and C school. After a 2 week reprieve, Justin was sent to Hawaii for 3 years. The next duty station was in Connecticut (where we met). When we got orders to move to D.C., we quickly agreed this would be our last stop.
But, as usual-all-ways, things changed...
June, 2008, Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Because after 9 years, 3 duty stations, 1 wife, 1 baby on the way, and a bad economy...my husband decided to reenlist for 3 more years...
And then suddenly? It's that time again. To this date, my husband has served close to 11 years. Safe to say the odds of staying active duty for the full 20 are in sight...
Here are some shots of the ceremoney...and an added bonus? My in-laws, who drove up from Georgia, got to witness their first, albeit brief, reenlistment ceremony.
My husband-guy periodically leaves for very important top secret missions. I probe him as to the particulars, but he's a sucker for his security clearance. Which I'm okay with, because it pays my bills.
haha.
Yes, he knew he was marrying someone with $25,000 worth of student loans. And maybe a credit card with a balance that included 4 zeros.
Anygolddigger, when he does these "business trips" I am forced to find my inner single parent energy. Fortunately, I was able to score some shifts at work and I could really play the whole single working parent gig. Unfortch, that leaves a pile of trash, laundry, and dishes. AND, I miss my naps.
So when I get a parking ticket AND get backed into by an SU-fucking-V within 45 minutes of each other, I am also forced to find my inner WHATTHE FUCKITY FUCK I DON'T DEAL WITH THIS SHIT WHERE IS MY HUSBAND calm-casual superwoman-ness.
The lady that backed up into me (haha) was supercool as we exchanged car insurance info. I almost wanted to see if she wanted to go get a Margarita and an appetizer afterwards. But I had the kid and well, y'know... Meanwhile, Milosis was in his car seat, having a less-than pleasant sniffle. I guess a big jolt to the car while mama is not in it, can terrify a 2 year old.
(quick story: We were parked at a gas station. I got out of the car to pump gas. As I inserted my credit card, I heard a big BANG. That would be my bumper getting french-kissed)
So when we got home I did what any normal person who just got backed up into would do.
"Call the insurance company to file a claim?"
Oh, no, not this girl. I rearranged the living room.
I could insert all the excuses (dinner, gym-tan-laundry, spider webs), but honestly, I just didn't feel like dealing with it.
(you hear that? that's the sound of my husb shaking his head, rolling his eyes and sighing)
The next morning, I got a call from the car insurance company -it rhymes with Fate Charm. Fortunately, the whole thing will be covered by the lady's liability, along with a rental car and blah blah blah.
When I hung up with them I thought, "maybe I should ask them if/when this whole deal will expire. Because I'd like to rearrange my bedroom next and I just don't feel like dealing with the whole -get my car fixed- thing."
Moral of this story: Don't park behind a vehicle that is bigger than yours at a gas station right after you get a parking ticket for parking in the wrong spot AND an expired employee parking permit. ALL while your spouse is out of town and you really need to take out the trash/laundry/think of what frozen dinner you'll throw in the oven tonight.
And entertain a 2 year old.
Also? My hat is OFF to those who truely juggle the single/working/parent thing.
I'm in a funk. And I hate funk. Milo has been in his daycare situation for 6 months now. When I first enrolled him I couldn't commit to a full time position and the lady who runs the show was not filled up, so she was able to accomodate us. My jobby job "outside the home" isn't a full time position. Some weeks I work 5 days. Other weeks might just be 2. And some days I'm put on-call. Some days I'm working evenings. Other days I'm working day shift. So I needed a place that would fly with my "fly by the seat of my big girl panties" job.
So some weeks Milo is in for the full week. Some weeks I only put him in for 2 days.
And yes, this schedule has driven me batty. But, on the other hand, I like that I don't have a rutty 9-5 weekday job...that will be there later, but for now, I want to spend time with my little darling..
Well, things are changing. FUCK.
Two days ago my day care provider (DCP) lady called. She chatted with me about ways to handle diarrhea, sore balls, how it's better to use a warm wash cloth instead of wipes, get some pedialyte for the dehydration, omit juice and milk...
You know, award winning, hard hitting, edge of your potty seat kind of stuff...
Yeah, I said sore balls.
Then she dropped the bomb: She needed to let Milo go because someone needs his "slot." "Is 2 weeks enough time for you to find a new place for him??"
When I first started this whole "back to work" adventure...boy, was it hard...on so many levels...but then we found our groove. I enjoyed getting out of the sand box for a few hours, playing dress up and omitting the words "mommy" and "we don't hit our friends" from my vocabulary for a full 8 hours and he loved his routine of tearing up someone else's house.
Now I'm back to calling and visiting new child care centers and trying to figure out where to take him..
Now, finding "as needed" or part time child care is a nightmare.
Finding full time childcare is a close 2nd nightmare.
Especially in mid-August when most people have secured their child placement issues for the Fall.
SO. I think he's going from a small in-home daycare to a corporate "this is the toddler room" pre-school like daycare.
BOOOOOOOO!!!
That is further from my house.
That requires me to sign a contract for full time care.
Which means I pay every week for FT -whether he is there or not!!
MONKEY BALLS.
So tomorrow will be his last day of in-home family day care. Then he is off to corporateAmerica daycare. They even have a FB page. And you can follow them on Twitter.
WTF??
This parenting thing really doesn't get any easier...
does it?
Like I told a friend who has a 12 month old (and one on the way!!), "It doesn't get any easier, just different..."
And, damn, if that doesn't proove itself, everyday...
alternate title: I'm a lazy blogger as of late and/or possibly just so damn busy with work and then dinner and then bath and then rockabye storytime and then I just want to eat chocolate marshmellow ice cream and go night-night...
other alternate title: I'm a lazy blogger who is working far too much this week for other people who are on vacation and then I come home and wait for the husb to cook dinner and then entertain, bathe and put Milo to bed while I take a nap and then catch up with The Hills while eatting chocolate marshmellow ice cream.
But we're still keeping things real. And real klassy, as per usual...
Pants? Pants are for people who live in areas where the temperature isn't being called things like record-breaking.
Now I gotta go watch Hell's Kitchen finish folding laundry...
I've had a nose ring for, I believe, about 8 or so years now. It was a random act of best friend adventure. He got an eyebrow ring. I opted for the nose. Very much like the time we got a tattoo together when he came to visit me my senior year of college. I've had my nose peirced for so long that I forget it's there. Even though it's smack in the middle of my face, I don't see it or feel it. It's like a freckle. A tiny silver ball of a freckle.
Pretty harmless I 'd say.
So when I come across someone who judges me for the 3rd hole in my nose or the tat on my back (which is a tiny little butterfly on my left shoulder blade. I know, SATANIC.) I get that stabby feeling...Y'know, the whole -I really want to be accepting and cool and mature about this but you're saying to my face that face peircings and tattoos especially on women are trashy -that they come across as unprofessional -that people only get these things because they want to be thought of as "different" or "antisocial." It couldn't possibly be in the ballpark of when people wear rings/bracelets/necklaces/earrings. GASP! Hoops in the ears are offensive!!
(Oh, yeah, btw, this was coming from a psychiatric nurse. Nice)
It's called cultural competence. And as a person who works with not only a diverse population, but with a population who are mentally ill, I expect you to have the ability to accept, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures. Who have different world views. Not bad, not wrong, just different.
Please to check your bias at the door. Mmkthx.
Please to become interested in others world views. It's part of being an effective worker in the mental health field. It's part of winning friends and influencing people.
And then there was some words regarding peircing baby girl ears and how just awful that is and how could you...blahblahblah...
And at the time I was so dumbfounded that someone I liked and respected was telling me all this. And all I could say was,
"Wow...okay."
And they were all, "Well, at least I'm telling you to your face."
Yeah, at least you're being rude and ignorant RIGHT OUT LOUD.
That's great.
I went home that night feeling so in a funk. I was actually questioning my decision to maintain my nose ring. The tat I can easily cover up. But, damn, I'm 32. A mother. Should I be wearing this? What image am I sending? Is this good for my son? Will people still take me seriously in the work place and socially?! As a mother??
Yeah, self doubt SUCKS. Especially when you are overtired and it's one in the morning.
So I came home, kicked off my shoes, grabbed a slice of leftover pizza and turned on the tv.
And saw this commercial:
And, BAM. I got my mojo back.
Yup, from a 36 second Holiday Inn commercial.
And I didn't even have to cut a bitch...
ps. On a side note, the UK version of this commercial (seen above) has the chick with the pink hair. The US version does not...interesting, huh?
So I've been back in the World of Work for a couple months now and I'm "getting" what all those working moms flex their jaw and tongues about when they scream/cry/silent treatment about the whole work/life balance. Specifically, being a parent AND working outside the home. There are, indeed, pros and cons to the decisions that we are FORCED to make alongside the decisions that we WANT to make. There isn't Perfection, just What Works. For Now.
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