(no subject)
Hello.
Yesterday I had a mother of a migraine. Went to bed with it, and awoke with it at 6 am. Head throbbing in a warm room. After bringing Michael to work, I stopped at CVS looking a mess. It was still dark out. Migraine medicine was buy one, get one free with a CVS card. I grabbed two packages, and a bottle of water. At the counter, I held Alden on my hip as I struggled with my wallet, trying to find the CVS card without spilling a mess of receipts everywhere (I really need to empty it out). The card must have evaporated. The man at the counter sensed my desperation and gave me the discount anyway.
I haven't been able to take migraine medicine for the past two years due to pregnancy and breast feeding. Alden is still not fully weaned, but at this point, the medicine cannot hurt him. The migraines seem to be coming more regularly lately, so I'm grateful for this wonder of modern medicine.
In the car I took one pill, then went home and both Alden and I went back to bed. I awoke a couple hours later, and the migraine was magically gone. Sweet relief.
For the past few days, I've been getting the sense of fall. It must just be the light changing, because it is still so hot.
Michael starts school tomorrow. A 15 month trade program to be an electrician. We are moving forward.
Yesterday I had a mother of a migraine. Went to bed with it, and awoke with it at 6 am. Head throbbing in a warm room. After bringing Michael to work, I stopped at CVS looking a mess. It was still dark out. Migraine medicine was buy one, get one free with a CVS card. I grabbed two packages, and a bottle of water. At the counter, I held Alden on my hip as I struggled with my wallet, trying to find the CVS card without spilling a mess of receipts everywhere (I really need to empty it out). The card must have evaporated. The man at the counter sensed my desperation and gave me the discount anyway.
I haven't been able to take migraine medicine for the past two years due to pregnancy and breast feeding. Alden is still not fully weaned, but at this point, the medicine cannot hurt him. The migraines seem to be coming more regularly lately, so I'm grateful for this wonder of modern medicine.
In the car I took one pill, then went home and both Alden and I went back to bed. I awoke a couple hours later, and the migraine was magically gone. Sweet relief.
For the past few days, I've been getting the sense of fall. It must just be the light changing, because it is still so hot.
Michael starts school tomorrow. A 15 month trade program to be an electrician. We are moving forward.
(no subject)
I somehow lost the ability (or will) to put words together since having a baby. I'm still looking, reading, appreciating, but all attempts to contribute are half-assed and can't make it off the ground.
(no subject)
Two days before Christmas, my cell phone took its last breath. It had been misbehaving for weeks. The touchscreen would intermittently malfunction, most often when I really needed to read or send a text, or access my contacts. Anyway, it went out with an SOS, desperately flashing up at me until the battery died or whatever.
Perfect timing. Just like when Blackie got sick the week before Alden was due, and racked up a huge hospital bill. But I just went with it. Yeah, last minute Christmas shopping, what? I upgraded my cell phone (after about a year of deciding), and I don't regret it.
Instagram, anyone?
oh christmas tree
The cat is quite happy about there being a tree in the house. The first day I put down the tree skirt, she slept on it all day.
We put an old, blank drawing pad to good use, and made the paper stars (idea from here; the site isn't in English, so I just went by pictures), and the paper lace garland with a nifty Martha Stewart hole puncher. For now, I seem to have lost a bit of the Christmas spirit due to some un-merry visitors, but hopefully I'll get it back soon. I still have to make the star for the tree top.
preparations
Can I just tell you how excited I am for Christmas this year? So, so very. We already have a tree in our living room, and it's only the first of December! I've never had a Christmas tree of my own. Even the last few years I lived at home, we were tree-less. Now with Alden, I have a renewed interest in the holiday. In seasons in general. In traditions -- creating them.
We're still in the process of assembling decorations. There are lights, ornaments, red bows, paper stars, a paper lace garland, all waiting to go up on the tree. We cut out paper snowflakes to tape to the windows. My living room is a mess of paper crafts. I want the full tree decorating experience, complete with jolly tunes and warm beverage. (Motherhood is apparently bringing out my maximum dorkiness, but I can't say that I care!)
For now, the cats are circling, sniffing things out. It remains to be seen whether or not I'll need to lock them in the bathroom every night for a month so they don't destroy every beautiful thing.
tooth & nail
Michael has to go to the dentist to get four fillings today, the day before Thanksgiving. Also, I've had to throw away three of Alden's teethers that the cats punctured and drained the water out of.
Charlotte the cat has been scratching a spot on the back of her neck, and now it's completely hairless and bloody. I used the last of the bandage wrap that we had, so I have to get more before she completely shreds herself to bits. She did this a year and half ago to the same spot. I have no idea why.
Conehead cat likes being covered in envelopes:
Working out the particulars of Thanksgiving. We're probably going to end up having Thanksgiving not on Thanksgiving. Michael has to work on actual Thanksgiving anyway. I guess getting the fillings today works out.
Charlotte the cat has been scratching a spot on the back of her neck, and now it's completely hairless and bloody. I used the last of the bandage wrap that we had, so I have to get more before she completely shreds herself to bits. She did this a year and half ago to the same spot. I have no idea why.
Conehead cat likes being covered in envelopes:
Working out the particulars of Thanksgiving. We're probably going to end up having Thanksgiving not on Thanksgiving. Michael has to work on actual Thanksgiving anyway. I guess getting the fillings today works out.
wedding
I've been starting to think about wedding plans. Was poking around online last night, researching venues, pondering aesthetics. I got overwhelmed, and ended up staying awake all night. I tried going to sleep for awhile, but the baby was hogging the bed, and my arm fell asleep from trying to lie funny around him. So I just got up and researched some more. I can see how people easily freak out about this stuff.
So far, my #1 choice for location is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. [Bok Tower Gardens on Wikipedia.] I haven't found out how much it costs because I'm afraid to. Gardens & trails, mossy oaks, a bell tower, 1930s mansion, views overlooking orange groves. Very Old Florida. I am sold. For now. Things could change.
My file of wedding inspiration photos keeps growing as I wait for my Pinterest invite. Right now, I'm thinking orange blossom tiaras and candles in mason jars.
OR, how about a ranch wedding? Ranch reception? Is a one hour drive unreasonable from the ceremony to the reception? Probably.
So far, my #1 choice for location is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. [Bok Tower Gardens on Wikipedia.] I haven't found out how much it costs because I'm afraid to. Gardens & trails, mossy oaks, a bell tower, 1930s mansion, views overlooking orange groves. Very Old Florida. I am sold. For now. Things could change.
My file of wedding inspiration photos keeps growing as I wait for my Pinterest invite. Right now, I'm thinking orange blossom tiaras and candles in mason jars.
OR, how about a ranch wedding? Ranch reception? Is a one hour drive unreasonable from the ceremony to the reception? Probably.
no worse for wear
Look at this 4 1/2 month old munchkin!
Every day, his face is different. I'm still trying to get a hold on what he looks like.
I'm still trying to get a hold on what I look like. Coming to terms with body image. It's a process. Immediately after his birth, I thought vanity had been blown out of the water. My body was unlike it had ever been, and I figured that was permanent. It wasn't, but I'm still not the same.
I've recently embraced the idea of high-waisted jeans (which, I'll have you know, are NOT the same as "mom jeans"). Clinging desperately to my old low rises just left me with a muffin top. The high-waisted ones tuck everything in, flatten the tum, can be disguised with long tops. I have no complaints so far.
And I fit into a size 4! Despite those nagging 15 (or however many) leftover pounds. Who knew? I wish I could remember what my measurements were before I was pregnant. Something like: 33" bust, 26" waist, 34" hips? My measurements now: 36 1/2" bust, 30" waist, 36" hips. Plus a slight tummy. I'd like my waist back, but otherwise, things aren't so bad. Vive la vanité.
Every day, his face is different. I'm still trying to get a hold on what he looks like.
I'm still trying to get a hold on what I look like. Coming to terms with body image. It's a process. Immediately after his birth, I thought vanity had been blown out of the water. My body was unlike it had ever been, and I figured that was permanent. It wasn't, but I'm still not the same.
I've recently embraced the idea of high-waisted jeans (which, I'll have you know, are NOT the same as "mom jeans"). Clinging desperately to my old low rises just left me with a muffin top. The high-waisted ones tuck everything in, flatten the tum, can be disguised with long tops. I have no complaints so far.
And I fit into a size 4! Despite those nagging 15 (or however many) leftover pounds. Who knew? I wish I could remember what my measurements were before I was pregnant. Something like: 33" bust, 26" waist, 34" hips? My measurements now: 36 1/2" bust, 30" waist, 36" hips. Plus a slight tummy. I'd like my waist back, but otherwise, things aren't so bad. Vive la vanité.
(no subject)
Alden had a good day. Finally, after a string of grumpy days. There were smiles and gurgles, and he sat quietly long enough for me to vacuum and pick up around the living room. Then he napped without argument. There was no crying in the car when we went to pick Michael up from work.
Tonight, there was still a bit of fuss when I tried to put him to bed, but now he's fast asleep in the swing. Lately we've been having to go through the going-to-bed process at least five times before it sticks. Maybe his issue is resolving now, whatever it is.
Tomorrow, maybe pumpkin patch? Tonight, brownies!
Tonight, there was still a bit of fuss when I tried to put him to bed, but now he's fast asleep in the swing. Lately we've been having to go through the going-to-bed process at least five times before it sticks. Maybe his issue is resolving now, whatever it is.
Tomorrow, maybe pumpkin patch? Tonight, brownies!
(no subject)
I'm trying to email a video to my parents and Kyle, but it's not working. Connectivity issues? No, I don't think so. The file is probably just too big. Damn. I recorded some of Alden's first real laughs. It's so cute.
I uploaded the video to Flickr, but apparently there's a size limit and only a portion of it is showing up. I've been trying to use Flickr as a back-up for my photos. Right before we moved, my laptop stopped working. Blue screen of death and all of that, even in safe mode. I'm no computer whiz, so maybe it's repairable, but until I know for sure, I'm counting on all my files being unrecoverable. Luckily, the last time I decided to back up all of my photos onto my external hard drive was right after Alden was born. I know I've lost some photos, but most of the ones taken between that time and now ended up on Flickr, so I didn't lose much. For now, we're using a borrowed laptop.
Michael's grandmother stopped by tonight with two trash bags full of hand-me-down toys. Some are alright, plastic shapes and things. But others are noisy honking, singing contraptions which are possessed and will go off all by themselves. She said she washed them all before bringing them over, so maybe some water got in them and is making them act crazy? Or they really are possessed. (Michael says, "At least they're already in trash bags!")
I uploaded the video to Flickr, but apparently there's a size limit and only a portion of it is showing up. I've been trying to use Flickr as a back-up for my photos. Right before we moved, my laptop stopped working. Blue screen of death and all of that, even in safe mode. I'm no computer whiz, so maybe it's repairable, but until I know for sure, I'm counting on all my files being unrecoverable. Luckily, the last time I decided to back up all of my photos onto my external hard drive was right after Alden was born. I know I've lost some photos, but most of the ones taken between that time and now ended up on Flickr, so I didn't lose much. For now, we're using a borrowed laptop.
Michael's grandmother stopped by tonight with two trash bags full of hand-me-down toys. Some are alright, plastic shapes and things. But others are noisy honking, singing contraptions which are possessed and will go off all by themselves. She said she washed them all before bringing them over, so maybe some water got in them and is making them act crazy? Or they really are possessed. (Michael says, "At least they're already in trash bags!")
(no subject)
Tonight I tried leaving Alden home with Michael while I worked for a few hours. It's nice to be able to bring him along when I need to, but after evening upon evening of accomplishing nothing, I needed a night alone to focus. Having the office only two traffic lights away from home is a dream. I trekked back and forth twice to soothe a frantically screaming baby who wanted only to sleep, but not by himself.
I love the new apartment. I love the crisp white walls. I love how it still feels clean even when it's cluttered. I love the DISHWASHER! I love the privacy of our entryway. I love the tidy trees, sidewalks, and streets. I love the afternoon view of sunlight on the lake, and watching people biking/skating/walking by with dogs or strollers or kids on tricycles. And after being crammed into such a small space, this place feels like a mansion. I keep forgetting about the extra bedroom. All of Alden's things are in there, so we keep the door closed to thwart curious cats, going in only to grab an outfit or stack of diapers. I have plenty of time to set his room up. For now, he sleeps in our bed, and hangs out wherever we are.
The cats are being royal jerks. Even though all of our stuff is the same, it is new to them since it's in a new place, and must be re-examined. Charlotte jumps on every counter. Blackie bends back blinds to peer out every window. Every time we leave our closet door open, a cat slips in. Michael bought me flowers; Blackie dumped them over. My houseplants are being chewed on. Somebody pooped on the carpet--.
Baby's awake!
I love the new apartment. I love the crisp white walls. I love how it still feels clean even when it's cluttered. I love the DISHWASHER! I love the privacy of our entryway. I love the tidy trees, sidewalks, and streets. I love the afternoon view of sunlight on the lake, and watching people biking/skating/walking by with dogs or strollers or kids on tricycles. And after being crammed into such a small space, this place feels like a mansion. I keep forgetting about the extra bedroom. All of Alden's things are in there, so we keep the door closed to thwart curious cats, going in only to grab an outfit or stack of diapers. I have plenty of time to set his room up. For now, he sleeps in our bed, and hangs out wherever we are.
The cats are being royal jerks. Even though all of our stuff is the same, it is new to them since it's in a new place, and must be re-examined. Charlotte jumps on every counter. Blackie bends back blinds to peer out every window. Every time we leave our closet door open, a cat slips in. Michael bought me flowers; Blackie dumped them over. My houseplants are being chewed on. Somebody pooped on the carpet--.
Baby's awake!
(no subject)
I've been without internet for a couple weeks, but only missed it for managing money. In the meantime, we moved out of Lake Worth. I gave notice at the hospital, and today is my last day. Things are scary, but will be alright. The cats are driving me nuts.
one month old!
My babe is one month old. That went by... kinda fast. He seems to have set himself (& us) on a schedule already. He's decided that bedtime is around 9 pm. Which means 9 pm is also my bedtime, since he nurses to sleep and his eyes will spring open as soon as I sneak out of bed. I can sometimes try to push it later, but it's not worth the protest.
Wake up is around 6 am. This is a little more negotiable. Sometimes a diaper change and some nursing will buy us more ZZZs. Morning starts with a good bit of straining to poop. Then a fair amount of alert time. Some looking around and conversation time. Maybe a little bit of rocking in the swing time.
Month one happenings:
He smiles. They started off as involuntary sleep and "just gas" smiles, then gradually evolved into something more aware, so I can't say for certain when the smiles actually began. By baby book standards.
And he coos. And sometimes he smiles and coos at the same time, and it is the most adorable thing. He coos more at Michael. (Dad's the conversationalist; I'm the snugglist.)
He also fusses and cries and rarely lets me get anything done, which is not adorable. But it's hardly as bad as I expected. And never for no reason, though sometimes it takes some figuring out.
When being held upright against someone's shoulder, he'll slowly raise his head. His head is still pretty floppy, so when he does this, he's very focused and intense. His head bobs slightly and he stares straight ahead. We call it "King Cobra".
He weighs over 9 lbs. and has grown over an inch since birth. He doesn't fit into any of his newborn clothes anymore. Most of the time, he doesn't wear clothes at all, and hangs out in just a diaper since it's so freaking hot. My sweaty, almost summer solstice baby.
(One month later, and I still haven't finished writing my birth story. I've gotten to the part where we leave for the hospital, and then it just stops. It's the part where everything goes haywire, and I'm not yet ready to face my defeat.)