Still Having Fun

Just wanted to post some funnies so you know we have not lost our sense of humor

• Last week, I was cleaning up the kitchen and MT was on the floor in there with me, I turned to scrub the stove, and he was playing with ABC magnets .... Or so I thought. I was standing less then 2 feet from him and some how he managed to take off his diaper, and find a snack from the trash can - He was licking lasagna remnants that had been thrown away and in the other hand was a banana peel .... Why didn't I grab my camera first .... because I was too busy freaking out about my mother of the year trophy (which after you finish reading this post will realize I have NO chance EVER winning)
• The cure for teething seems to be - Take him to granddaddy's and let them ride up and down the road on the riding lawnmower
• We put those plastic outlet covers in all outlets ..... MT has walked over and removed one before I had a chance to run over and stop him.
• My son is currently sleeping with one of his spoons and a toothbrush as teething toys. Because he refused to go to sleep without them in his hands.
• We went to I.kea a few days ago. Oh the fun we had! I put MT in the high chair and gave him 2 blackberries ..... JUST 2 ..... and went back to the car to unload the loot. Here is what I walked back into: it was just 2 blackberries ...

Suggestions Needed and Crazy 8's

I have been meaning to ask the Internets these questions for some time now ....

• Anyone know a good breakfast bar with fruit in it that does not contain loads of sugar? Can I make my own with less sugar? Ya'know like these. MT loves this concept and I loathe the sugar overload ..Am I being too wacky?


• Are you still putting your 12+ month old in footy pajama's? How long can/do you do this?


• Any one's child waking up in the morning with bumps that look like mosquito bites on them? Maybe hives? I have no idea what/how he gets these on him. It seems like every few days, Some fade and More appear ... He doesn't itch or bother them ..they just bother me because I cannot figure out how they get on him. He got some a few days ago and they look like hives actually but they do not go away for a few days. Maybe more allergies I just haven't figured out yet. Yes, he has clean sheets, I dunno, Sign me up for MOTY.

Thank you for not flogging me for my last post. I am trying to be gentle with myself.. feel what I feel and move on. My OB's office forgot to prick my finger for the NT test while I was there, So I have to go back for that tomorrow. It will be alil while longer for the results.

I was tagged for a crazy 8 Meme

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. Summer and the fun to be had outside.

2. MT's Birthday

3. Keeping Armadillo Safe until December.

4. MT Walking unassisted.

5. More Boat/Island Trips

6. Getting a JOB that is a good fit for our family

7. Seeing Amanda in a week

8. Spending Family Time

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Worked 2 p/t jobs.

2. Washed dishes.

3. Played on Facebook.

4. Watched Ellen.

5. Checked the Mail.

6. Looked for work.

7. Cleaned the kitchen

8. Cried about nothing - Hormones are crazy

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Stop worrying/over analyzing.

2. Get a good nights sleep.

3. Move

4. Help a teething baby teeth painfree

5. Teleport

6. Not have to work; be able to be paid for things I LOVE to do.

7. Read a book - my attention span latelyhas me re-reading the same line over and over

8. Magically make the laundry clean and fold itself - same with the dinner and dishes.

8 Shows I Watch:

1. The Soup

2. Ellen

3. So you think you can dance

4. Wipeout

5. Keeping up with the Kardashians

6. Gossip Girl (but it's over right now ...)

7. Desparate Housewives - Wow the finale was much needed

8. Big Love

8 Favorite Fruits:

1. Mango

2. Strawberries

3. Cherries

4. Kiwi

5. Tomato

6. Pineapples

7. Watermelon

8. Blueberries

8 Places I'd Like to Travel:

1. Europe

2. Greece

3. Italy

4. San Francisco, CA

5. Seattle, Washington

6. Hawaii

7. Alaska

8. Australia

8 Places I've Lived

1. Shallotte, NC

2. Tarpon Springs, FL

3. Holiday , FL

4. Calabash, NC

5. Tallahassee, FL

6. Palm Harbor, FL

7. n/a

8. n/a

If you want to do this ..TAG your it ;)

When it rains, It pours

Just being honest - Very honest!

These past few weeks have been less than stellar. Problem is - My attitude or hormone levels, lack of sleep or just a combination of life. I have been angry and frustrated constantly for 3 ish weeks now. I am not sure anymore If I am choosing to be angry or if it's too many raging hormones. But really I have been uncharacteristically not myself. And I am not liking this AT ALL. I get frustrated with myself for being angry/frustrated. And I now how blessed I am and how ungrateful I look/sound/feel. So the cycle starts all over again. BUT I think last night after a humongo venting, yelling, blaming session directed indirectly at my husband at 11:30pm, I think I am over "it". What ever "it" is.

In all fairness and disclosure, It's been raining (like raining monsoon style) for 17 days straight. Some where in the beginning of the 17 days our roof started leaking through our light fixture, chimney and ceiling in the living room. I notified all the correct people, the roofing contractor came out and delivered bad news that nothing could be fixed until it stopped raining and the walls/inside attic area had a chance to dry out. After a few days, I finally convinced some jerkface that he needed to tarp it off in order to keep some of the rain out of my living room while we were waiting for the rain to stop and everything to dry. (so I didn't have to keep dumping buckets and watching my curtains soak up the excess water) I have had to run one of those commercial blowers, an ionizer and a humidifier for weeks now. I had to break down and take some sudefed because all the dust that the blower was blowing around was making it hard to breathe and sleep. We are still in a holding position waiting for the rain to cease.

Despite my sour attitude we had a FANTASTIC Memorial Day Weekend. I even brought my camera along. We had 2 days in the sun on an nearby island and no rain. It was so.much.fun! MT was so good and had a blast.

Today, I am starting a new p/t job. I am hoping that this p/t job will work out and I am able to quit my other job very soon. The other job was the straw that caused the venting, yelling session last night that my husband suffered from. It is very physically draining and just not the right fit. My co-workers either don't show up to work when scheduled or if they do show up, they are late and High and seem to figure out a way to leave early which leaves me working the hardest and longest. Which is where my husband had me realize was where alot of the sour attitude is coming from.

MT has decided to get the rest of his molars this weekend. Monday, I noticed huge welts/bumps on his gum line. Hopefully they will be making an appearance soon (and not disappearing again like they have done a few times) and he gets some relief. Spots where his canines are are also bulging. He could be getting those too.

I had my NT scan yesterday. All measurements looked great. I am measuring 12 weeks. Armadillo's heart rate was in the 160's. The tech tried very hard to get a look at the goods. But the baby was not cooperative at all. She said her guess would be maybe another boy. But she was not sure. I guess we will have to wait a few more weeks. They forgot to do the finger prick so I have to go back sometime this week to do that. In between all the craziness.

More of the Good

So maybe I have been hit with the Negative Nancy vibe lately. I am trying not to be - That girl. I try to write about the good and the bad and maybe I over enunciated the bad and left out most of the good. These over-abundance of hormones in my body have taken over.

11 months: The Good
- When asked for a hug/kiss, MT will oblige
- Can give "High 5's" and laughs hysterically
- Sleeps most (95%) nights from 7:45pm - 8:30am
- Can walk holding unto furniture, hands, objects, etc
- Says Kitty, Buh bye, Daaadeee, Mum(or MumMum)
- infatuated with Granddaddy
- can feed himself most foods, gets most of it in the mouth until he gets tired of it, or full
- Smacks his lips together when Hungry
- Drinks from a straw
- Taught him how to make noises by strumming his lips with his finger
- Loves to snuggle in bed when he first wakes up and I get him out of the crib
- Loves to play with children
- has a love for music
- Flocks to water

We had to take him out of the infant seat this weekend. He was closing in on the 30 inches. Not to mention, the seat is heavy, then you add 21 lbs to it. I could not carry it for long. I do miss being able to have the handle on my baby but It was time. His lil feet were about to hang over and I was running out of strap to loosen it. I have been very happy with our infant seat. So far, I am just getting used to the convertible. It's been harder to buckle him in. I need to take it to a fire station to make sure it's installed correctly. We bought this seat (in tan)as my Christmas present. I found one at a great price and could not turn it down. It's very fluffy that's for sure.

A lil Late and trying not to Rush

Seems these days, A lil late is how we roll. Standard Norm for us.

MT is 11 months (11 months, a week and 2 days to be exact). It seems to be a very awkward and challenging phase for us right now. He is not a Infant but Not quite a walking Toddler. Like our very first Tween stage. He is not content laying/sitting playing with toys/other babies. He is in constant motion. He wants to chase and be chased. Run around with the older kids but Can't figure out completely how to stay on his feet. Thus leads to me hunched over assisting him walking all over helping him chase after the world. As much as I do not want to rush life, I will be glad when he figures out how to walk on his own.

He is down to 2 bottles a day and I believe that I could drop them both. They are the AM/PM bottles. He only drinks 2-3 oz out of them. I have managed to get him to drink Milk out of a sippy cup. He has been doing this for about 3 weeks now.

He has also decided that he does not want that 20 min morning nap, anymore. The problem is, I think he still needs it. (some days) He gets cranky/wound up and unable to eat lunch. I am not sure what to do completely. We are just winging it. I have let him skip it a few times and lunch is *disastrous on those days. Ends in tears, His and Mine.

*Food always flies regardless of how tired he is, lately. But it is thrown so much more if he is tired/cranky.

He has decided that he thinks I am a short order cook. He will eat some things some days , and refuse to eat the same items on another day. Which makes feeding him challenging. I never know if what I fix him will be suitable for that day. I know as soon as he starts throwing it. He throws what he will not eat. ... MUCH frustration and lots of bending over to clean my floor. He eats on carpet .. ... A stern "No", Makes him laugh. I also figured out that I have to leave the food on the floor until he is done. Because the "pick up" game is OH SO entertaining.

He made his first boat trip to an offshore island here. I have spent many many summer days growing up going to the island and it was such bliss to get to take him out there. He enjoyed every minute of the boat ride and beach. I was worried because the first time we went to the beach, It was a big fail. Sand was the cause.

I forgot to bring a camera to show how awesome he did wearing his life vest, hat and sunglasses. He was a rockstar trooper. He fell asleep on the drive out and back.

We are in the process in moving to all snap diapers because yesterday during nap time, I went and found his diaper off and thrown out of his crib. If I had been thinking, I would have snapped a picture of his. I was half annoyed but half amused. I ordered 3 fu.zzi bu.nz. Oh the softness. They feel amazing. (are they only supposed to come with one insert) I put them to the ultimate test. Overnight. No leaks what do ever. They have my stamp of approval so far.

I had a perfect moment Monday last week and ran out of time to blog about it. E, MT and I were sitting on our bed and I was cleaning out my purse. I found the Armadillo (baby in the belly's Nickname) Ultra sounds. I handed one to MT and starting explaining that he was going to be a big brother. He started jabbering and holding up the u/s and squealed with glee. I know that he really didn't understand. But every time we would say, "You are going to be a big brother", He would laugh, giggle and scream. He sat there with him until he lost interest and then we moved on.

Speaking of the Armadillo, I have my NT/Triple Screen on the 26th. I have been able to get out of the house more and eat lately. It is good to be on the upswing. I am just hoping things are still going well inside. I am not able to be as careful as I would like to be taking care of MT. But I think Having MT to take care of helps my mind not have time to wander.

Irony w/in

I am sitting here watching this movie. Thinking of the birth of my son, almost a yr ago. In a hospital. Including an Epidural. There is not one thing I would change. Honestly. I am still very pleased with my birth experience. The nurses were incredible. The Dr. was hardly there, she was around when needed, but not too demanding or too medical/technical. Maybe my body was just ready or the baby was ready. Maybe I was too Anxious, Scared, Excited, In the Moment, Naive or whatever but things just progressed and happened and it was just So. I checked in the hospital with the expectation that I would have a baby. I didn't really know exactly how that would occur. I was hoping for a smooth vaginal delivery but knew that in the end, a live healthy baby boy was what I wanted the most.

My opinion, This video is alittle harsh on the Medical/OB Practices. I think knowing your choices, having choices and being educated is very important. I am not at all against home/non-hospital birthing centers. I have close friends that have births at home or in mid wive facilities. (and are midwives) In fact, I would love to have a home birth. BUT, My mind (and my husband) will not allow this path for me at all. Having Dr's/nurses there WITH us and FOR US every step of the way helps my husband and my mind feel more confident. I am not going to lie, I was going with the flow for the most part while in labor. I had no idea what to expect. I mean I read a few books, Went to a class (that I hated), Had coffee with friends that told me their ins and outs of birth. I am not sure I would have considered myself extremely educated..but I was educated enough that I felt confident in going with the flow until there was something that I just was not comfortable with. Do I consider my first birth lucky, I don't know. It just went smoothly. Confidence, Knowledge, Communication and Education were key for me. I do not feel like I lost any kind of experience with my child because it was not considered a natural birth. I do not feel like I bonded less because it was in a hospital or medically assisted. I do not feel guilty that I had a hospital/medical birth. I should not be made feel guilty that I had a medical/hospital birth. Nor should anyone else, How/Where ever you deliver.

BUT this is my experience. Not any one else's. I do believe that everyone has different needs/wants. I believe that everyone is entitled to have their desires/wants/needs met. I also think that the L&D that I used is very aware of helping make the best birth experience possible. I am glad I saw it on cable and did not go rent it. I do not feel like the video "clears up any misinformation" for me (a quote of why they did the movie). I feel like I want to give Ricki's friend Abby a hug at the end of the documentary. Oh the Irony.

Smelling the Ocean

I am undecided still about what to do with my hair. You guys all confirmed my thoughts. "what if the wispy pieces don't go back" or get annoying ... SO I am still going to think on it. I really do think I look more decent with short hair though. See still wavering.

This morning I had to go back to the OB's to check my weight and discuss my situation. I have been able to eat regular food for 2 days now. The zo.fran is helping me feel like a living, breathing human again. I did however lose more weight. 10 lbs in a week since my last visit. She was slightly concerned and reminded me that I need to do my best to eat protein. Being that I think I have this under manageable control now, I am sure I will get back the weight necessary. (and let's not forget I have plenty of weight that I do not think anyone will be able to starve off of me) I am schedule for the NT Scan and another weight/HG check in 2 weeks. I was able to convince the Nurse to try the Doppler this morning. She kept telling me that it was too early, I just wanted her to try. She did and she found the HB within seconds. (I think I am 11.5 weeks - the dr thinks I am 10.5 weeks) whatever .. HB measuring in the 160-170 range. Utter relief to know that I am not feeling well for a living reason!

Blood Pressure was a little elevated but that is because my father was late to pick up MT, I had to call and ask if they could schedule me for a later appointment. Feeding an 11 month old has become one of the most dreaded events lately. It involves lots of flying objects and very few ways to communicate. Followed up by diaper changing as the next. I though we worked through the diaper changing stuff but seems this morning we had to revisit that place ..

I wish I had taken a picture of the coastline I drive up on my way to the dr's because honestly ..It's breathtaking. It's serene and it makes me remember why I live in FL. Here is one I found on the Internet. It's 5+ miles of this to my dr's office. Seeing/smelling the ocean does me good.