Kate has had a cold for a week now. After two nights of being up every hour-on-the-hour, I was exhausted. Then we headed to my in-laws for a whirlwind surprise 70th bday party for my father in law. After coming home from that, Natalie woke up with a cold yesterday so I had two sick girls home together. Needless to say, today I am feeling like I'm getting sick. Will be heading out for chicken noodle soup and Zicam soon.
This is particularly disturbing as I was doing so well with my gym routine and resolution to get fit. The first 2 weeks of Jan I made it to the gym 4x/week. Was beginning to feel really good. Then Kate got sick which meant no gym time. This week I expect I won't be able to hit the gym all week because I want to make sure Kate is fully recovered before going back. I'm slightly worried she may have picked this up from the gym, so we'll have to see. So this week I'm focusing on eating healthy and perhaps if I have any energy left I may get in some Wii Fit time. But I'm trying to stay positive and focused and realize that this is my life. It will always be this way and I just need to work around it. While it's frustrating to have setbacks that are out of my control, I know if I stay focused the weight loss and fitness gain will happen in time.
But two things are making me very happy today. First, I'm getting my haircut today, which I just love because it's two hours of leisurely salon time by myself. Pure joy. Second, we are starting to plan a trip to CA in April to see my folks, and that is making me very happy as I miss them and can't wait for them to meet baby Kate.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Single Parents, I Bow Down to You
Dean has been in Portland all week. I. am. tired.
I don't know how single parents do it. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to accept my first design project since Kate was born. A simple 2 hour powerpoint cleanup. While my husband is away. While Kate has been having 2am parties all week. While Natalie was not in preschool. Yeah, smart, I know.
After a horrible morning, the project is done. I have clearly learned that one cannot work from home with two children home without childcare. Especially when neither of them napped this morning.
I am headed to the liquor cabinet.
I don't know how single parents do it. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to accept my first design project since Kate was born. A simple 2 hour powerpoint cleanup. While my husband is away. While Kate has been having 2am parties all week. While Natalie was not in preschool. Yeah, smart, I know.
After a horrible morning, the project is done. I have clearly learned that one cannot work from home with two children home without childcare. Especially when neither of them napped this morning.
I am headed to the liquor cabinet.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
1st Beach Trip of '09
And little Kate's first trip to the beach ever! Too cute. Natalie has learned to bury herself in the sand and is becoming quite the seashell collector. One thing about the gulf coast beaches in FL, seashells are in abundance! Watch for some crafty seashell projects coming soon...
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Playdate Lessons
What happens when the parents are too busy chatting and not keeping an eye on the kids:
Basically the entire contents of Natalie's room was moved into the dining room because they were playing market and needed items to sell. Hard to argue with that logic, but doh!
Basically the entire contents of Natalie's room was moved into the dining room because they were playing market and needed items to sell. Hard to argue with that logic, but doh!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Happy 2009!
Like most things in my life these days, I am a bit late on this post. But I do have a reasonable excuse this year. We have been busy. First, we hosted Dean's folks for Christmas, which was wonderful and so exciting as Natalie really "got" the whole Santa factor this year.
Then, a few days after they left, our good friends Kim & Ron came out with their daughter and spent an evening with us. Now, you think a one night stay wouldn't take up that much time. Except that I haven't seen Kim and Ron in a long time. We had to make the most of it which meant consuming three bottles of wine between the four of us. We might have stopped at two, but being the Floridians that Dean and I are becoming, when your midwest friends visit, it is obligatory to get them in the hot tub so they can visualize the great FL winters when they go back to the subzero temps. And of course, if you're going into the hot tub, wine is a must! Hence the opening of bottle #3. We stayed up until 12:30, which in my San Francisco days would have meant the evening was just getting fun. But in my mother to an infant days means that while I have been up at 12:30 many times, I haven't stayed up that late in awhile. So the next morning, I was a little tired and surprisingly, not too hungover. But unfortunately, it was also NYE day. We bid farewell to our friends and then...
That night we went over to our neighbors to celebrate. The girls had a pajama party with tv, popcorn and candy. And some very cute party hats.
Bliss to the under five crowd. We had some great appetizers, pomegranite martinis, good wine, champagne and wii fun. We left about 10:30 when the meltdowns were about to ensue, then Dean and I stayed up and watched the NYE shows. I'm showing my age here but am I the only one who LOVES watching Anderson Cooper with Kathy Griffin? She is perfect for that venue! I love her humor and how she seems to make Anderson nervous and giddy like a schoolboy. Anyway, Dean and I outdid ourselves and ended up staying up until 2:30. Yeah, we had our groove on until the next day. Ugh. Natalie "slept in" until 7:30, for which I should have been grateful. But let's just say it was a painful day.
And then yesterday, my darling hubby turned 40!!! So while we didn't go big, we enjoyed some good food, drink and presents at home. Today we are heading to Siesta Key for some beach time and then to his folks for another celebration.
So, with all this celebrating I'm looking forward to getting back to our routine and achieving a major resolution this year. I am going to lose weight and get active again. I have a few things going for me this year. 1)Today we join the local YMCA that is just up the road and has great childcare. 2)I got Dean the Wii Fit for his bday and we set ourselves up with is last night. Let's just say when it does your fitness evaluation, it is painfully honest. Ugh. And 3) I am motivated. I'm tired of feeling frumpy and looking at a closet full of clothes from before my pregnancy with Katherine that I want to wear again. OK, in full disclosure, there is also a stack of clothes from before Natalie was born that I want to wear again. So I've given myself until Katherine's 1 year bday. Whatever doesn't fit by then is getting donated.
I'll keep you posted on my progress. I have lots of other resolutions I'd like to tackle, but am focusing on only one this year. I'm hoping that will help me achieve success. Stay tuned!
And here is to a healthy, wise and prosperous 2009 for all.
Then, a few days after they left, our good friends Kim & Ron came out with their daughter and spent an evening with us. Now, you think a one night stay wouldn't take up that much time. Except that I haven't seen Kim and Ron in a long time. We had to make the most of it which meant consuming three bottles of wine between the four of us. We might have stopped at two, but being the Floridians that Dean and I are becoming, when your midwest friends visit, it is obligatory to get them in the hot tub so they can visualize the great FL winters when they go back to the subzero temps. And of course, if you're going into the hot tub, wine is a must! Hence the opening of bottle #3. We stayed up until 12:30, which in my San Francisco days would have meant the evening was just getting fun. But in my mother to an infant days means that while I have been up at 12:30 many times, I haven't stayed up that late in awhile. So the next morning, I was a little tired and surprisingly, not too hungover. But unfortunately, it was also NYE day. We bid farewell to our friends and then...
That night we went over to our neighbors to celebrate. The girls had a pajama party with tv, popcorn and candy. And some very cute party hats.
Bliss to the under five crowd. We had some great appetizers, pomegranite martinis, good wine, champagne and wii fun. We left about 10:30 when the meltdowns were about to ensue, then Dean and I stayed up and watched the NYE shows. I'm showing my age here but am I the only one who LOVES watching Anderson Cooper with Kathy Griffin? She is perfect for that venue! I love her humor and how she seems to make Anderson nervous and giddy like a schoolboy. Anyway, Dean and I outdid ourselves and ended up staying up until 2:30. Yeah, we had our groove on until the next day. Ugh. Natalie "slept in" until 7:30, for which I should have been grateful. But let's just say it was a painful day.
And then yesterday, my darling hubby turned 40!!! So while we didn't go big, we enjoyed some good food, drink and presents at home. Today we are heading to Siesta Key for some beach time and then to his folks for another celebration.
So, with all this celebrating I'm looking forward to getting back to our routine and achieving a major resolution this year. I am going to lose weight and get active again. I have a few things going for me this year. 1)Today we join the local YMCA that is just up the road and has great childcare. 2)I got Dean the Wii Fit for his bday and we set ourselves up with is last night. Let's just say when it does your fitness evaluation, it is painfully honest. Ugh. And 3) I am motivated. I'm tired of feeling frumpy and looking at a closet full of clothes from before my pregnancy with Katherine that I want to wear again. OK, in full disclosure, there is also a stack of clothes from before Natalie was born that I want to wear again. So I've given myself until Katherine's 1 year bday. Whatever doesn't fit by then is getting donated.
I'll keep you posted on my progress. I have lots of other resolutions I'd like to tackle, but am focusing on only one this year. I'm hoping that will help me achieve success. Stay tuned!
And here is to a healthy, wise and prosperous 2009 for all.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas from Florida!
Merry Christmas to all! I hope the end of Christmas day finds your hearts filled, your bellies full and your wishes granted. Here are a few scenes from our lovely day.
Frosty Who?
Leaving Cookies for Santa
CutiePie and Granddad
Santa's Helper
Wii Fun
81 degrees on Christmas Day!
And a Florida Night Before Christmas:
A tropical visit from St. Nicholas---
The Night Before Christmas in Florida
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town,
no noses were frozen, no snow fluttered down.
No children in flannels were tucked into bed;
they all wore their shorty pajamas instead.
To make wreaths of holly, it wasn't too hard,
for holly trees grew in most every back yard.
In front of the houses were daddies and moms
adorning the fruit trees and coconut palms.
The slumbering kiddies were dreaming in glee,
in hopes they'd find water skis under the tree.
They all knew that Santa was well on his way,
in a shiny red sports car, instead of a sleigh.
He whizzed up the highways and zoomed up the road.
He drove with the top down, delivering his load.
He raced through the night in the balmy, salt air.
Like a tourist in Florida, he had not a care.
The tropical moon gave the cities a glow,
and lighted the way for old Santa below.
As he jumped from the auto he gave a wee chuckle.
He was dressed in Bermudas with a Disney World buckle.
He paused on the lawn to take in the night,
and marveled at the twinkling of thousands of lights.
Each house had been dressed to welcome him in;
it warmed his old heart to be treated like kin.
There weren't any chimneys, but that caused him no gloom;
Santa came in through the Florida room.
He stepped into the house, but stayed only a minute,
to empty his sack of stuff that was in it.
Before he departed, he treated himself
to a big glass of orange juice left on a shelf.
He turned with a smile and dashed to the car.
He'd made only half his deliveries so far!
He shifted the gears and stepped on the gas,
and up U.S. 19 he went like a flash.
And I heard him exclaim as he went on his way,
"Merry Christmas y'all, I wish I could stay!"
Frosty Who?
Leaving Cookies for Santa
CutiePie and Granddad
Santa's Helper
Wii Fun
81 degrees on Christmas Day!
And a Florida Night Before Christmas:
A tropical visit from St. Nicholas---
The Night Before Christmas in Florida
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town,
no noses were frozen, no snow fluttered down.
No children in flannels were tucked into bed;
they all wore their shorty pajamas instead.
To make wreaths of holly, it wasn't too hard,
for holly trees grew in most every back yard.
In front of the houses were daddies and moms
adorning the fruit trees and coconut palms.
The slumbering kiddies were dreaming in glee,
in hopes they'd find water skis under the tree.
They all knew that Santa was well on his way,
in a shiny red sports car, instead of a sleigh.
He whizzed up the highways and zoomed up the road.
He drove with the top down, delivering his load.
He raced through the night in the balmy, salt air.
Like a tourist in Florida, he had not a care.
The tropical moon gave the cities a glow,
and lighted the way for old Santa below.
As he jumped from the auto he gave a wee chuckle.
He was dressed in Bermudas with a Disney World buckle.
He paused on the lawn to take in the night,
and marveled at the twinkling of thousands of lights.
Each house had been dressed to welcome him in;
it warmed his old heart to be treated like kin.
There weren't any chimneys, but that caused him no gloom;
Santa came in through the Florida room.
He stepped into the house, but stayed only a minute,
to empty his sack of stuff that was in it.
Before he departed, he treated himself
to a big glass of orange juice left on a shelf.
He turned with a smile and dashed to the car.
He'd made only half his deliveries so far!
He shifted the gears and stepped on the gas,
and up U.S. 19 he went like a flash.
And I heard him exclaim as he went on his way,
"Merry Christmas y'all, I wish I could stay!"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Florida Holiday Attire
80 degrees today!
and some other seasonal pix...
and a quick video of the girls
and some other seasonal pix...
and a quick video of the girls
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Yesterday, I was THAT mom
One of the first things you learn when you become a parent, is that you didn't know crap about being a parent before you had kids. It doesn't matter if you are the coolest aunt/uncle, have a ton of babysitting experience or you teach children. When you have your own child, all that wisdom you thought you had? Useless. You quickly learn it's all about survival in the early years.
Yesterday, I was THAT mom. The one I promised myself I'd never be.
I am still extremely sleep deprived. Which means my hair/makeup routine, which I maintained stringently while pregnant (after all, I wasn't going to be THAT pregnant lady either), has gone to the wayside most days. So, there I was, out and about looking exactly like one looks when: you haven't slept in five months, have not attempted to hide the symptoms with makeup, and have barely run a brush through your hair. Couple that with the fact that most of my regular clothes still do not fit, leaving my current fashion statement as a mismatch of loose maternity clothes and tight, ill-fitting regular clothes. You can imagine I was a vision to behold.
Against my better judgment, I take both girls grocery shopping at 3:30 in the afternoon. Breaking two of my rules. And getting a larger than life reminder of why said rules are in place.
First rule: never do regular weekly shopping with both girls. Why? Because if you have an infant that cannot yet sit up, they are in a car seat that must be placed either in the front of the cart and your preschooler in the back, or vice-versa. Either way, your cart is full of kids and there is very little room for food. But because we have little food in the house and I know that I have to go to the post office when Natalie is in preschool the next day, I try to get it done. So, I decide to put Katherine in the front and Natalie in the back. She's good w/ me piling food around her so I figure that's my best option. Riiiight. Which leads me to...
My second rule: if shopping with children, only shop in the morning. Why? Tired kids + grocery shopping = complete mayhem. Here is how our little adventure went.
We enter the store (and remember, I am a vision) and I head to the bakery to get Natalie the free cookie they offer kids. First bad decision. This works for about three minutes. Then she finishes and starts to get antsy. Meanwhile, Katherine is chilling, but starting to stir. Then Natalie informs me, in a quite loud voice "mommy, I have to go to the potty. I have to pee AND poop!" Leaving the people snickering around me, we head to the bathroom. While I'm tending to Natalie, Katherine is in the cart outside the stall. I can see her but she can't see me. Not good. In the past few days she's started making this new sound that literally sounds like the kid in the exorcist. I'm not kidding. I think she's discovering her voice and playing with it, which is good. But even to Dean and I the sound is horrible. And we are her parents. So you can imagine how much worse it sounds to strangers. Whilst in the bathroom the exorcist sounds begin.
We complete the bathroom break and then Natalie asks me if she can walk, not ride in the cart. Something I've never allowed her to do before. In my sleep deprived mind I think hey, this will work. Then I can fit all the groceries in the cart. So with some strict rules of staying by my side we set off. Katherine is still using the exorcist voice so I look for the binky. And after tearing apart my bag realize I don't have one. Shit.
So now I am distracted, trying to keep Katherine happy and Natalie is running free. I keep reminding her to stay by the cart as I am simultaneously making funny faces to Katherine and throwing random food items into the cart. Then Katherine takes it up a couple octaves so I race back to the baby aisle and grab some binkys. I break one out and shove it into her mouth. Without washing or even wiping. I'm desperate and let's be honest. Kid #2 doesn't get the same hygienic treatment as kid #1. So, thinking I'm brilliant we continue on until... she spits it out. I repeatedly reinsert, but she does not want it. She is only interested in her new sound. At this point, I'm highly distracted and twice almost run Natalie over with the cart. I give her one last warning to walk beside me and she runs around the cart so I swoop her up and set her in the back of the cart. Immediate melt down, crocodile tears and cries of "I don't waaaaant to sit in the cart" ensue. I try to reason with her and tell her to calm down to no avail. I even do the public threat of time out. All the while, Katherine is screaming her exorcist screams. And remember, I am a vision.
Yeah, good times.
So I head for the nearest checkout with 2 screaming children, a random mish-mash of groceries that will likely not even make one full dinner and of course land in the line where a price check is needed. That takes a full five minutes. With a fortyish man in front of me trying to ignore my kids. I stared him down and I think he took one look at me and was too frightened to even say a word. Lucky him as at that point I would have loved to go off on someone. But I thank him now as he prevented me from making an a** out of myself in front of my children.
So there I am, wondering how I got to be that mom who looks awful, is scolding her kids in public and will stare you down if you try and give me the look.
Oh, and best of all, I still have no real groceries in the house which means I have to go back to the grocery store. Sweeeeet.
Yesterday, I was THAT mom. The one I promised myself I'd never be.
I am still extremely sleep deprived. Which means my hair/makeup routine, which I maintained stringently while pregnant (after all, I wasn't going to be THAT pregnant lady either), has gone to the wayside most days. So, there I was, out and about looking exactly like one looks when: you haven't slept in five months, have not attempted to hide the symptoms with makeup, and have barely run a brush through your hair. Couple that with the fact that most of my regular clothes still do not fit, leaving my current fashion statement as a mismatch of loose maternity clothes and tight, ill-fitting regular clothes. You can imagine I was a vision to behold.
Against my better judgment, I take both girls grocery shopping at 3:30 in the afternoon. Breaking two of my rules. And getting a larger than life reminder of why said rules are in place.
First rule: never do regular weekly shopping with both girls. Why? Because if you have an infant that cannot yet sit up, they are in a car seat that must be placed either in the front of the cart and your preschooler in the back, or vice-versa. Either way, your cart is full of kids and there is very little room for food. But because we have little food in the house and I know that I have to go to the post office when Natalie is in preschool the next day, I try to get it done. So, I decide to put Katherine in the front and Natalie in the back. She's good w/ me piling food around her so I figure that's my best option. Riiiight. Which leads me to...
My second rule: if shopping with children, only shop in the morning. Why? Tired kids + grocery shopping = complete mayhem. Here is how our little adventure went.
We enter the store (and remember, I am a vision) and I head to the bakery to get Natalie the free cookie they offer kids. First bad decision. This works for about three minutes. Then she finishes and starts to get antsy. Meanwhile, Katherine is chilling, but starting to stir. Then Natalie informs me, in a quite loud voice "mommy, I have to go to the potty. I have to pee AND poop!" Leaving the people snickering around me, we head to the bathroom. While I'm tending to Natalie, Katherine is in the cart outside the stall. I can see her but she can't see me. Not good. In the past few days she's started making this new sound that literally sounds like the kid in the exorcist. I'm not kidding. I think she's discovering her voice and playing with it, which is good. But even to Dean and I the sound is horrible. And we are her parents. So you can imagine how much worse it sounds to strangers. Whilst in the bathroom the exorcist sounds begin.
We complete the bathroom break and then Natalie asks me if she can walk, not ride in the cart. Something I've never allowed her to do before. In my sleep deprived mind I think hey, this will work. Then I can fit all the groceries in the cart. So with some strict rules of staying by my side we set off. Katherine is still using the exorcist voice so I look for the binky. And after tearing apart my bag realize I don't have one. Shit.
So now I am distracted, trying to keep Katherine happy and Natalie is running free. I keep reminding her to stay by the cart as I am simultaneously making funny faces to Katherine and throwing random food items into the cart. Then Katherine takes it up a couple octaves so I race back to the baby aisle and grab some binkys. I break one out and shove it into her mouth. Without washing or even wiping. I'm desperate and let's be honest. Kid #2 doesn't get the same hygienic treatment as kid #1. So, thinking I'm brilliant we continue on until... she spits it out. I repeatedly reinsert, but she does not want it. She is only interested in her new sound. At this point, I'm highly distracted and twice almost run Natalie over with the cart. I give her one last warning to walk beside me and she runs around the cart so I swoop her up and set her in the back of the cart. Immediate melt down, crocodile tears and cries of "I don't waaaaant to sit in the cart" ensue. I try to reason with her and tell her to calm down to no avail. I even do the public threat of time out. All the while, Katherine is screaming her exorcist screams. And remember, I am a vision.
Yeah, good times.
So I head for the nearest checkout with 2 screaming children, a random mish-mash of groceries that will likely not even make one full dinner and of course land in the line where a price check is needed. That takes a full five minutes. With a fortyish man in front of me trying to ignore my kids. I stared him down and I think he took one look at me and was too frightened to even say a word. Lucky him as at that point I would have loved to go off on someone. But I thank him now as he prevented me from making an a** out of myself in front of my children.
So there I am, wondering how I got to be that mom who looks awful, is scolding her kids in public and will stare you down if you try and give me the look.
Oh, and best of all, I still have no real groceries in the house which means I have to go back to the grocery store. Sweeeeet.
Monday, November 24, 2008
4 months and counting
Katherine had her 4 month checkup last week. How quickly the time is passing! Here are her stats on the baby charts:
- Weight = 10pds 12oz, which means she's gone from 1% to 3% on the weight scale
- Height = 23 inches (10%)
- Head Circumference = 16 inches (40%)
So, the main thing is she's growing and gaining weight. While she is definitely on the small side, I'm just happy she's on the chart. Out of curiosity, I checked MY height online on a women's height chart. Suffice it to say that Katherine has a higher percentage than I. So it's looking like she will be petite and very smart. Just like her mom of course.
Here our little cutie hanging out in the Bumbo.
And on the pediatric urology front, the 2nd opinion was to keep her on the antibiotic for another six months or so and then test her again. She's healthy, the main goal now is to prevent another UTI.
So we have a lot to be thankful for this season...
- Weight = 10pds 12oz, which means she's gone from 1% to 3% on the weight scale
- Height = 23 inches (10%)
- Head Circumference = 16 inches (40%)
So, the main thing is she's growing and gaining weight. While she is definitely on the small side, I'm just happy she's on the chart. Out of curiosity, I checked MY height online on a women's height chart. Suffice it to say that Katherine has a higher percentage than I. So it's looking like she will be petite and very smart. Just like her mom of course.
Here our little cutie hanging out in the Bumbo.
And on the pediatric urology front, the 2nd opinion was to keep her on the antibiotic for another six months or so and then test her again. She's healthy, the main goal now is to prevent another UTI.
So we have a lot to be thankful for this season...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Omnivore’s Hundred
I've seen The Omnivore's Hundred a few times on my blog rolls, so in light of the big feasting that will be taking place next week all over the US, I'm participating! Below is a list from Very Good Taste of the 100 foods one should try before they die. I don't necessarily agree with this list, but it's a fun experiment nonetheless. And it did bring back some fun memories. Border dogs out of Tiajuana... oh the days of yesteryear.
If it's in bold, I've tried it. I'm at 63. You?
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros - Come on, I'm a CA girl
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile - I did try kangaroo on my trip to Australia, but not crocodile
6. Black pudding - tasted in Scottland. NEVER again.
7. Cheese fondue - this is a NYE staple in my family
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart Ugh. Border dogs with colleen and gang in college.
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes - double ugh.
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper - What can I say, I married a Jamaican!
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat Again, the Jamaican thing.
42. Whole insects - not unless I'm goin' for a mill on a game show.
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more Maybe w/ Pete?
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone On Catalina Island when I was a kid
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini - Oh, my fav! With an extra olive of course...
58. Beer above 8% ABV - can you say belgian?
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips - Nasty.
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho Not really a fan.
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe - Not sure if it was Louche, but I have tried absinthe with Harry in San Diego. Once was enough.
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee - On honeymoon!
100. Snake
If it's in bold, I've tried it. I'm at 63. You?
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros - Come on, I'm a CA girl
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile - I did try kangaroo on my trip to Australia, but not crocodile
6. Black pudding - tasted in Scottland. NEVER again.
7. Cheese fondue - this is a NYE staple in my family
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart Ugh. Border dogs with colleen and gang in college.
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes - double ugh.
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper - What can I say, I married a Jamaican!
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat Again, the Jamaican thing.
42. Whole insects - not unless I'm goin' for a mill on a game show.
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more Maybe w/ Pete?
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone On Catalina Island when I was a kid
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini - Oh, my fav! With an extra olive of course...
58. Beer above 8% ABV - can you say belgian?
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips - Nasty.
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho Not really a fan.
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe - Not sure if it was Louche, but I have tried absinthe with Harry in San Diego. Once was enough.
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee - On honeymoon!
100. Snake
You know you live in Florida when...
you wake up in the morning during a "cold spell" and can't believe how chilly it is. Slippers and bathrobes are required. Your 3yo asks for a sweater and slippers to wear over her winter pjs. As you contemplate having a fire (any excuse as we only get to have about 10 a year) you look a the thermostat and it says...
71.
71.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Super Bunnies
There is a bunny infestation on the cul-de-sac.
We currently have nine superbunnies living in our house. If that's not bad enough, apparently there are 100 across the street. Before you think I've become the crazy bunny lady "super bunnies" are Natalie and Sara's (her best friend) imaginary friends. I'm not sure how this got started, but Christie (Sara's mom) asked me how many super bunnies we had one day.
Pardon?
How many are at your house?
Um, Christie, I think it's time to put down that glass of wine.
Then she told me that they were the new imaginary friends the girls dreamt up in school one day.
So I proceeded to ask Natalie that night if there were any superbunnies in our house. And without missing a beat, she says, "oh yeah mommy, I have nine and they all need a good night kiss."
Gotta love that imagination.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
We're Back!
For those of you who read this online, you may have noticed for the past week or so that there was nothing on the website. Well, I finally got a moment to check it out and emailed my webhost and someone had absconded my index page with "malicious code" and it had to be replaced. Hmpf! The nerve! Anyway, all has been repaired and we are back. We are getting ready for halloween, miss Natalie has chosen her own costume this year. I'll email pix on halloween. In the meantime, here are some halloween inspired photos...
I'm also continuing the "fashion week" photos. I really need to come up with a better name since I have a feeling the fashion will continue many years to come. You know how all the cute little infant outfits come with hats? While they look adorable, they are completely useless in FL. It's too hot to require a hat for warmth once an infant is past a few weeks old and is regulating her temperature better. And most are too cutsy to be helpful for sun protection, which is what we really need here. But... they are so cute! So I've decided to get photos of Katherine in all her hats before she outgrows them, for posterity and cuteness, if nothing else. Here are a couple:
This is what she was wearing on our first walk together, mentioned below in my Beetlejuice post.
And this one I took this morning as it's cooling off enough for her to finally start wearing long pjs under her swaddle. I just love this hat, makes her look like a little amish girl. She is adorable, if I do say so myself! By the way, Marla, I cannot thank you enough for introducing us to the miracle blanket back when Natalie was a baby. It's the best! I will forever be grateful for providing us something that has thus far made both my children great sleepers...
And finally, this last one is to show Katherine is getting some of that adorable baby chubbiness. She is gaining steadily and over 9 pds now, so I believe the weight gain issues are resolved. Next week we are off to the pediatric urologist for the 2nd opinion on the bladder reflux, so stay tuned...
I'm also continuing the "fashion week" photos. I really need to come up with a better name since I have a feeling the fashion will continue many years to come. You know how all the cute little infant outfits come with hats? While they look adorable, they are completely useless in FL. It's too hot to require a hat for warmth once an infant is past a few weeks old and is regulating her temperature better. And most are too cutsy to be helpful for sun protection, which is what we really need here. But... they are so cute! So I've decided to get photos of Katherine in all her hats before she outgrows them, for posterity and cuteness, if nothing else. Here are a couple:
This is what she was wearing on our first walk together, mentioned below in my Beetlejuice post.
And this one I took this morning as it's cooling off enough for her to finally start wearing long pjs under her swaddle. I just love this hat, makes her look like a little amish girl. She is adorable, if I do say so myself! By the way, Marla, I cannot thank you enough for introducing us to the miracle blanket back when Natalie was a baby. It's the best! I will forever be grateful for providing us something that has thus far made both my children great sleepers...
And finally, this last one is to show Katherine is getting some of that adorable baby chubbiness. She is gaining steadily and over 9 pds now, so I believe the weight gain issues are resolved. Next week we are off to the pediatric urologist for the 2nd opinion on the bladder reflux, so stay tuned...
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
BeetleJuice
There are many great things about living in Florida. Affordable housing which means you can own a pool on the cheap. Great weather year-round (well, summer is debatable). Access to some amazing beaches and if you're like me, I love the latin influence here. Mmm... can you say cuban bread?
However, there is a major drawback to living in Florida, which I've posted about before. BUGS. Of all variety. My newest foe? The beetle.
Growing up in central California, we had some really cool green iridescent beetles in our backyard. I can't think of what they are called, but am sure my father would know. He is a bug aficionado. The beetles I've come across in Florida are not cute. They are down right gross, of the roach variety. So you can imagine my horror at what happened to me yesterday in not one, but two separate beetle run-ins.
I finally got the car seat adapter connected to our jogging stroller and ventured out with Katherine on our first neighborhood walk yesterday morning. Natalie was in preschool and Katherine had only woken up once in the night so it was a good morning. Now that I am finished with pregnancies (my rule is the kids cannot outnumber the parents), I am trying to get fit again. It's been a good year since I've exercised regularly and my body shows it. The challenge is finding the time with two small children. So three mornings a week while Natalie is in preschool, the plan is to walk the neighborhood and work back up to running again when Katherine is big enough to be in the stroller w/out the carseat attached.
So, we are enjoying our first morning walk. Mornings here are getting very pleasant, in the 70s which is perfect. Katherine seems to be enjoying herself and the fresh air, as I am. As we round the corner and start heading up the one "hill" back to our house, I see out of the corner of my eye something blackish fly right down into the stroller. The stroller where my precious two month old daughter is relaxing. I thought it was a leaf and start looking around to make sure when I spy something moving on the baby blanket. Aack!! No, not a leaf, but a brown, roach-like beetle. Double-aack! So I wisk Katherine out of the stroller and while holding her and the blanket in one hand try to get the beetle out of the stroller. Oh, and I'm trying to do this without actually touching the beetle because... I just can't. Apparently I have a beetle phobia. The body of this one is about an inch in length (small by FL standards) and I just cannot flick him out with the car seat straps. As I keep trying the little bugger crawls in between the straps and under the padding of the car seat. There is no way for me to get at him now as I cannot pull the fabric up while holding Katerine in my other arm. So what do I do? I proceed to push down on the fabric where he went as hard as possible. Then cover the area with the blanket and put Katherine back on top. I then proceed the last quarter mile home as fast as possible with visions of the nasty beetle crawling all over my daughters pristine skin.
Yeah, it was a great first outing.
When we got home, I took Katherine out, took the car seat outside, lifted up the fabric and there he is, alive and well. So I let him go and spared his life. That should have brought me some good Karma, no? No. Apparently, all it did was piss him off and get him to round up his big beetle brothers to hunt me down. Because later that night...
After being woken up after only 1.5 hours sleep by aforementioned daughter, I go into the bathroom to find a huge (2 inch?) roach/beetle on the floor. ICK! I'm too tired to go into the kitchen to get paper towels so gather up some tissues, which are totally inadequate and approach the beetle. I'm silently freaking out at this point as I desperately do not want to touch it, and in my hesitation, miss and he runs! I then see him on the cabinet, about 1/2 way up. Perfect, he can scale heights. I hesitate again and he runs again. This time, into the cavern of our pocket bathroom door where I can no longer reach him. The door that is only a few feet from Katherine's bassinet. So at this point, he's still alive, somewhere in the general area where we all sleep.
That should provide some sweet dreams tonight.
However, there is a major drawback to living in Florida, which I've posted about before. BUGS. Of all variety. My newest foe? The beetle.
Growing up in central California, we had some really cool green iridescent beetles in our backyard. I can't think of what they are called, but am sure my father would know. He is a bug aficionado. The beetles I've come across in Florida are not cute. They are down right gross, of the roach variety. So you can imagine my horror at what happened to me yesterday in not one, but two separate beetle run-ins.
I finally got the car seat adapter connected to our jogging stroller and ventured out with Katherine on our first neighborhood walk yesterday morning. Natalie was in preschool and Katherine had only woken up once in the night so it was a good morning. Now that I am finished with pregnancies (my rule is the kids cannot outnumber the parents), I am trying to get fit again. It's been a good year since I've exercised regularly and my body shows it. The challenge is finding the time with two small children. So three mornings a week while Natalie is in preschool, the plan is to walk the neighborhood and work back up to running again when Katherine is big enough to be in the stroller w/out the carseat attached.
So, we are enjoying our first morning walk. Mornings here are getting very pleasant, in the 70s which is perfect. Katherine seems to be enjoying herself and the fresh air, as I am. As we round the corner and start heading up the one "hill" back to our house, I see out of the corner of my eye something blackish fly right down into the stroller. The stroller where my precious two month old daughter is relaxing. I thought it was a leaf and start looking around to make sure when I spy something moving on the baby blanket. Aack!! No, not a leaf, but a brown, roach-like beetle. Double-aack! So I wisk Katherine out of the stroller and while holding her and the blanket in one hand try to get the beetle out of the stroller. Oh, and I'm trying to do this without actually touching the beetle because... I just can't. Apparently I have a beetle phobia. The body of this one is about an inch in length (small by FL standards) and I just cannot flick him out with the car seat straps. As I keep trying the little bugger crawls in between the straps and under the padding of the car seat. There is no way for me to get at him now as I cannot pull the fabric up while holding Katerine in my other arm. So what do I do? I proceed to push down on the fabric where he went as hard as possible. Then cover the area with the blanket and put Katherine back on top. I then proceed the last quarter mile home as fast as possible with visions of the nasty beetle crawling all over my daughters pristine skin.
Yeah, it was a great first outing.
When we got home, I took Katherine out, took the car seat outside, lifted up the fabric and there he is, alive and well. So I let him go and spared his life. That should have brought me some good Karma, no? No. Apparently, all it did was piss him off and get him to round up his big beetle brothers to hunt me down. Because later that night...
After being woken up after only 1.5 hours sleep by aforementioned daughter, I go into the bathroom to find a huge (2 inch?) roach/beetle on the floor. ICK! I'm too tired to go into the kitchen to get paper towels so gather up some tissues, which are totally inadequate and approach the beetle. I'm silently freaking out at this point as I desperately do not want to touch it, and in my hesitation, miss and he runs! I then see him on the cabinet, about 1/2 way up. Perfect, he can scale heights. I hesitate again and he runs again. This time, into the cavern of our pocket bathroom door where I can no longer reach him. The door that is only a few feet from Katherine's bassinet. So at this point, he's still alive, somewhere in the general area where we all sleep.
That should provide some sweet dreams tonight.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The Results...
Thursday was a tough morning. Had to take Katherine in for her sonogram and VCUG . The sonogram was to view her anatomy to ensure her kidney related anatomy was normal. The VCUG was to see if she had the bladder reflux. Thankfully, my SIL Debbie was in town from Canada and went with me to the appt. All I can say is Debbie, you rock. I was so shaky after that I'm not sure I would have been able to safely drive home.
First we had the sonogram. I had to hold Katherine in front of me, similar to a burping position while the tech spread the goop on her and scanned her back. This wasn't painful, but Katherine cried during the whole procedure. I'm sure it was a bit frightening for her and that she could sense my stress. The good news is she has two perfectly normal kidneys. Debbie was able to join us and was really great trying to comfort Katherine (and me.)
Next up was the VCUG. Here I went in alone with Katherine. I had to put on a lead vest and stand behind Katherine at her head and hold her arms down. She was laid down on a large table where they proceeded to insert a catheter. Now, this was the third time we've done this. At the pediatrician's office it was no problem. Here, the frickin' woman could not get the catheter in. Katherine was crying and screaming the whole time. It was awful. Finally, she brought in another woman, who after a few attmepts was successful. Now, I know my daughter is tiny, only 8 pds, but come on. This is your specialty. I was really upset at this point as they had caused my daughter what I considered undue pain and stress. Fortunately, at the point the doctor came in and he was great. Explained everything and said he'd had to do the same thing with his daughter when she was 2 months old. Basically verbally comforted me, which was exactly what I needed at that point.
Then, they proceed to insert the dye via the catheter. They fill up her bladder with the dye and then watch while she urinates to see if the dye refluxes back out of the bladder. Poor Katherine is crying this whole time, I think uncomfortable w/ the fullness of her bladder but still holds it for a few minutes until she finally relaxes. While this is happening, there is a huge xray machine over her whole little body that the doctor is turning on and off. I must have given him a strange look because he then tells me he's turning it on and off to expose her to as little of the radiation as possible. OK. This whole time, even while they were putting the huge lead vest on my I hadn't considered her exposure to the radiation. So there I am, feeling very surreal like I'm watching the procedure, not participating in it, and realizing for the first time that she is getting exposed to radiation. And she's so tiny and only 2 months old. All I can think of is all this radiation going into her little body and that I cannot protect her. Knowing myself, and that a flood of tears is imminent, I focus all my attention on comforting Katherine as best I can and manage to get through it.
The initial result the doctor gives is that they watched her urinate three times and did not see any reflux. Good news. But, they did find a diverticulum next to her bladder, which is a sign of reflux. So he wanted to go back and do another sonogram to see it for himself. When we did this, they couldn't really find it (sort of saw a small black area) which confirmed that he was correct as the diverticulum will only show up when the bladder is fully distended. So this was the bad news, as these usually only show up alongside reflux. While he didn't see reflux on the VCUG, he said it was still possible she has it, but it didn't show up during that particular urination. So he said I should wait and talk to my pediatrician about our course of action.
So I essentially thought we were out of the water until my pediatrician called yesterday. They want us to take her to a pediatric urologist for a second opinion, which won't be until Oct 28th. In the meantime, my pediatrician spoke with the doctor who performed the VCUG and they both agreed we should start her on a low grade antibiotic for the next six months to prevent future urninary tract infections. She does have reflux, a level 2 out of 5. I'm still not sure how that diagnosis came about since they didn't tell me that at the appt. So basically, I expect the urologist will agree to the prescribed antibiotic and in six months we will have to go through the whole procedure again. Joy.
I'm not thrilled about putting Katherine on antibiotic for such a long period of time, but because her UTI didn't show any typical signs of fever, it's quite possible she could get another one and we would not know. And if one were to go untreated, it could result in kidney damage. So, we will proceed with the antibiotic and hope for the best. Fortunately, I have a friend who's 9 month old is going through the same thing, so I have someone I can talk to.
I really want to thank all our friends and family for all your support through this. You've been invaluable and it would have been a much tougher road without you.
First we had the sonogram. I had to hold Katherine in front of me, similar to a burping position while the tech spread the goop on her and scanned her back. This wasn't painful, but Katherine cried during the whole procedure. I'm sure it was a bit frightening for her and that she could sense my stress. The good news is she has two perfectly normal kidneys. Debbie was able to join us and was really great trying to comfort Katherine (and me.)
Next up was the VCUG. Here I went in alone with Katherine. I had to put on a lead vest and stand behind Katherine at her head and hold her arms down. She was laid down on a large table where they proceeded to insert a catheter. Now, this was the third time we've done this. At the pediatrician's office it was no problem. Here, the frickin' woman could not get the catheter in. Katherine was crying and screaming the whole time. It was awful. Finally, she brought in another woman, who after a few attmepts was successful. Now, I know my daughter is tiny, only 8 pds, but come on. This is your specialty. I was really upset at this point as they had caused my daughter what I considered undue pain and stress. Fortunately, at the point the doctor came in and he was great. Explained everything and said he'd had to do the same thing with his daughter when she was 2 months old. Basically verbally comforted me, which was exactly what I needed at that point.
Then, they proceed to insert the dye via the catheter. They fill up her bladder with the dye and then watch while she urinates to see if the dye refluxes back out of the bladder. Poor Katherine is crying this whole time, I think uncomfortable w/ the fullness of her bladder but still holds it for a few minutes until she finally relaxes. While this is happening, there is a huge xray machine over her whole little body that the doctor is turning on and off. I must have given him a strange look because he then tells me he's turning it on and off to expose her to as little of the radiation as possible. OK. This whole time, even while they were putting the huge lead vest on my I hadn't considered her exposure to the radiation. So there I am, feeling very surreal like I'm watching the procedure, not participating in it, and realizing for the first time that she is getting exposed to radiation. And she's so tiny and only 2 months old. All I can think of is all this radiation going into her little body and that I cannot protect her. Knowing myself, and that a flood of tears is imminent, I focus all my attention on comforting Katherine as best I can and manage to get through it.
The initial result the doctor gives is that they watched her urinate three times and did not see any reflux. Good news. But, they did find a diverticulum next to her bladder, which is a sign of reflux. So he wanted to go back and do another sonogram to see it for himself. When we did this, they couldn't really find it (sort of saw a small black area) which confirmed that he was correct as the diverticulum will only show up when the bladder is fully distended. So this was the bad news, as these usually only show up alongside reflux. While he didn't see reflux on the VCUG, he said it was still possible she has it, but it didn't show up during that particular urination. So he said I should wait and talk to my pediatrician about our course of action.
So I essentially thought we were out of the water until my pediatrician called yesterday. They want us to take her to a pediatric urologist for a second opinion, which won't be until Oct 28th. In the meantime, my pediatrician spoke with the doctor who performed the VCUG and they both agreed we should start her on a low grade antibiotic for the next six months to prevent future urninary tract infections. She does have reflux, a level 2 out of 5. I'm still not sure how that diagnosis came about since they didn't tell me that at the appt. So basically, I expect the urologist will agree to the prescribed antibiotic and in six months we will have to go through the whole procedure again. Joy.
I'm not thrilled about putting Katherine on antibiotic for such a long period of time, but because her UTI didn't show any typical signs of fever, it's quite possible she could get another one and we would not know. And if one were to go untreated, it could result in kidney damage. So, we will proceed with the antibiotic and hope for the best. Fortunately, I have a friend who's 9 month old is going through the same thing, so I have someone I can talk to.
I really want to thank all our friends and family for all your support through this. You've been invaluable and it would have been a much tougher road without you.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
My Little Babushka
Such a hat girl! Today Natalie is at Disney World with her dad, cousin Alex and Auntie Debbie and Uncle Andrew. Such fun. Which means mommy gets a quiet day home alone with the baby. I'm off to go enjoy that right now.
p.s. In other news, we have Katherine's appt. tomorrow to find out if she just had a UTI or if there is something more serious going on. Stay tuned and please keep us in your thoughts!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Little Cuties
My new favorite photo of the girls...
In other news, our air conditioning broke last night. We called the repair people and they can't come out until 4:00. And it's going to be 91 degrees today. Joy!
In other news, our air conditioning broke last night. We called the repair people and they can't come out until 4:00. And it's going to be 91 degrees today. Joy!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Got Curls?
For any gal out there who has curly hair, have I got a brush for you. Yes, you read that right... brush. After a 15+ year hiatus from the brush, I am now a convert. My MIL (thanks Janet!) turned me on to the Ouchless Brush. I saw one last night while shopping and decided to try it. I'm usually dubious about new products for curls. I've donated many George Washingtons over the years to products that have not lived up to the hype. Thus my beauty product skepticism. But, figuring it had been 15 years since I've tried a brush, and now that I have little ringlets to tend to, I thought perhaps it was time to try again.
My curly-haired friends, it was.
I tried the ouchless on Natalie this morning, who I can attest has the curliest spirals of any three year old I know. And it worked. Really well. I did my usual routine: saturate her hair with half the bottle of spray detangler and then I started using the brush. Amazing. She actually enjoyed the scalp massage. She did not scream "go slower mommy!" This is nothing short of miraculous in our household. It takes me a full 5-10 minutes to comb out Natalie's hair with a wide tooth comb. You can imagine the battles. I even told her that preschool wouldn't let her in if her hair wasn't combed. Yeah, I went there.
Afterwards, I tried it myself. And it made my already combed, dry hair look better too. Incredible. It smoothed my hair without combing out all the curls. I will be buying another one ASAP because I simply cannot share it. I must have my own.
So if you have wavy or thick or curly hair, run to your nearest drugstore and buy this brush now. It will be the best $5 you've spent on a beauty product in years.
My curly-haired friends, it was.
I tried the ouchless on Natalie this morning, who I can attest has the curliest spirals of any three year old I know. And it worked. Really well. I did my usual routine: saturate her hair with half the bottle of spray detangler and then I started using the brush. Amazing. She actually enjoyed the scalp massage. She did not scream "go slower mommy!" This is nothing short of miraculous in our household. It takes me a full 5-10 minutes to comb out Natalie's hair with a wide tooth comb. You can imagine the battles. I even told her that preschool wouldn't let her in if her hair wasn't combed. Yeah, I went there.
Afterwards, I tried it myself. And it made my already combed, dry hair look better too. Incredible. It smoothed my hair without combing out all the curls. I will be buying another one ASAP because I simply cannot share it. I must have my own.
So if you have wavy or thick or curly hair, run to your nearest drugstore and buy this brush now. It will be the best $5 you've spent on a beauty product in years.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Stayin' Alive
No, I'm not getting my grove on, although I am a huge Bee Gees fan and not afraid to admit it. I know you know what I'm talking about.
I'm talking about the build up of 8 weeks of severe sleep deprivation. It is settling in and I. AM. EXHAUSTED. I'm averaging about 4-5 hours of sleep per night, broken up into several intervals and it has caught up with me. I'm managing okay with additional cups of coffee chased by an evening glass of wine (the only positive of not being able to breastfeed Katherine anymore.) But boy do I miss the days of "sleep when the baby sleeps". Yeah. That doesn't fly when you have more than one child.
So, here is a belated update while I've got the baby sleeping and Natalie in quiet time for about 30 minutes...
Katherine is gaining weight like a champ! She's up to 7 and 1/2 pounds and doing quite well. To get her to gain weight we had to pretty much go completely to formula. This broke my heart and I'm still very sad about it. I just miss the bonding of nursing an infant. But I know she is healthy and will be fine, so am slowly finding my peace with it.
The bad news is she has a urinary tract infection, so she's been on antibiotics for a week. This can be the sign of something more serious in an infant, so we have to go do more tests in a few weeks when the infection is clear to make sure she doesn't have either bladder reflux or some sort of anatomy issues. Sigh. So we are still not out of the water yet, so to speak. She is however, smiling all the time and starting to coo, which I just love.
Natalie is having fun in the big sister role although she does often ask when it will be time to put Katerine in the swing. I think she misses some of her playtime. But she's already starting to play with her sister. The other day I had gone to the bathroom, and came back into the family room to find that Natalie had joined her sister lying on her back on her activity mat and was telling her all about the birds and such that she was looking at. Melted my heart. I'm looking forward to watching their relationship develop as they grow and become playmates.
But for the time being, what I'm really looking forward to is an uninterrupted five hours of sleep.
I'm talking about the build up of 8 weeks of severe sleep deprivation. It is settling in and I. AM. EXHAUSTED. I'm averaging about 4-5 hours of sleep per night, broken up into several intervals and it has caught up with me. I'm managing okay with additional cups of coffee chased by an evening glass of wine (the only positive of not being able to breastfeed Katherine anymore.) But boy do I miss the days of "sleep when the baby sleeps". Yeah. That doesn't fly when you have more than one child.
So, here is a belated update while I've got the baby sleeping and Natalie in quiet time for about 30 minutes...
Katherine is gaining weight like a champ! She's up to 7 and 1/2 pounds and doing quite well. To get her to gain weight we had to pretty much go completely to formula. This broke my heart and I'm still very sad about it. I just miss the bonding of nursing an infant. But I know she is healthy and will be fine, so am slowly finding my peace with it.
The bad news is she has a urinary tract infection, so she's been on antibiotics for a week. This can be the sign of something more serious in an infant, so we have to go do more tests in a few weeks when the infection is clear to make sure she doesn't have either bladder reflux or some sort of anatomy issues. Sigh. So we are still not out of the water yet, so to speak. She is however, smiling all the time and starting to coo, which I just love.
Natalie is having fun in the big sister role although she does often ask when it will be time to put Katerine in the swing. I think she misses some of her playtime. But she's already starting to play with her sister. The other day I had gone to the bathroom, and came back into the family room to find that Natalie had joined her sister lying on her back on her activity mat and was telling her all about the birds and such that she was looking at. Melted my heart. I'm looking forward to watching their relationship develop as they grow and become playmates.
But for the time being, what I'm really looking forward to is an uninterrupted five hours of sleep.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Weighty Issues
At the five week mark, things are worrisome. Katherine is still having growth issues.
We've been at her pediatricians weekly since she came home from the hospital. Because she was an IUGR baby (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) the doctors look for quick weight gain once the baby is born. Katherine is now five weeks old and only weighs 6pds 5oz. Up only 4oz from the previous week. And not yet up a whole pound since birth. Not good.
So the pediatrician is concerned and basically I need to give her less boob and more bottle to see if that will help. She still screams often during nursing sessions and we have not been able to pinpoint exactly why. I even went to a lactation consultant to get some advice. At said session, Katherine nursed like a champ and never screamed. Such a performer. So this week we are focusing big time on eating and we'll see what happens. She needs to be gaining about an oz a day or else we'll need to do some pretty invasive tests to see if something else is wrong. Needless to say this is stressing me out.
The plan is to give alot more formula this week and see what happens. The idea being more formula will equal greater weight gain. My pediatrician even said that while he hates to recommend against breast milk, that she's just not gaining enough. He actually recommended breastfeeding then offering the bottle at each feeding. But I've decided to alternate giving the bottle first at every other feeding for a couple days to see what happens. She often won't take a bottle after nursing, so I don't feel like that will work for us. I think Dean feels I should just quit breastfeeding and go straight to formula, but I'm not quite ready to do that yet. I really want her to have the benefits of breast milk, even if it's in limited quantities. That said, I'm just really hoping it's nothing more serious and that more formula will do the trick. I'd much rather give up breastfeeding for her health than her have a more serious health issue. Obviously. Sigh. Stay tuned...
So to not be all doom and gloom, here are a few of the latest cute photos of the girls. We've received some really cute outfits for Katherine from friends and family (thank you!) so I will be posting regular fashion week updates as she grows (hopefully soon) into more of the outfits.
We've been at her pediatricians weekly since she came home from the hospital. Because she was an IUGR baby (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) the doctors look for quick weight gain once the baby is born. Katherine is now five weeks old and only weighs 6pds 5oz. Up only 4oz from the previous week. And not yet up a whole pound since birth. Not good.
So the pediatrician is concerned and basically I need to give her less boob and more bottle to see if that will help. She still screams often during nursing sessions and we have not been able to pinpoint exactly why. I even went to a lactation consultant to get some advice. At said session, Katherine nursed like a champ and never screamed. Such a performer. So this week we are focusing big time on eating and we'll see what happens. She needs to be gaining about an oz a day or else we'll need to do some pretty invasive tests to see if something else is wrong. Needless to say this is stressing me out.
The plan is to give alot more formula this week and see what happens. The idea being more formula will equal greater weight gain. My pediatrician even said that while he hates to recommend against breast milk, that she's just not gaining enough. He actually recommended breastfeeding then offering the bottle at each feeding. But I've decided to alternate giving the bottle first at every other feeding for a couple days to see what happens. She often won't take a bottle after nursing, so I don't feel like that will work for us. I think Dean feels I should just quit breastfeeding and go straight to formula, but I'm not quite ready to do that yet. I really want her to have the benefits of breast milk, even if it's in limited quantities. That said, I'm just really hoping it's nothing more serious and that more formula will do the trick. I'd much rather give up breastfeeding for her health than her have a more serious health issue. Obviously. Sigh. Stay tuned...
So to not be all doom and gloom, here are a few of the latest cute photos of the girls. We've received some really cute outfits for Katherine from friends and family (thank you!) so I will be posting regular fashion week updates as she grows (hopefully soon) into more of the outfits.
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