Pure Pageantry

Has anyone seen that show on TLC about pageants for little girls? I don't know about anyone else, but pageants are pretty much unheard of in Northern California. What I do know, is how ridiculous dressing up your little girl like that is. That's just my opinion.

The clip I saw was of a little girl getting ready for a pageant all dolled up with a spray tan, fake veneer teeth, teased hair and a full face of make up prancing around in the mirror saying "I look good". The image was just so not right, in fact it was utterly disturbing. How can these moms dress up their toddler daughters to look so cheap? Apparently the mom's argument for doing this outlandish kind of thing is to teach their daughters confidence. Whatever happened to ballet and tap dancing? Now they have to parade on around on stage like the girls at the local gentleman's club. I don't think that is teaching them confidence. I think it is teaching them that looks are EVERYTHING. Which life is not about.

I would never in my wildest dreams make Sonya participate in something like that. I am thinking more along the lines of soccer, tap, ballet or whatever else she wanted, but nothing whose sole focus to success was based on the whiteness of your teeth and the level of your hair. And of course she will need to like it and enjoy it, or else, we don't need to do it. I don't want to make her or force her do it.

I'll get off my soap box now. Gotta go pump!

Boogers

Sonya has a cold. She has had a slight cough in the morning for the past few days and last night at the in-law's house for dinner she had a really raspy voice when she cried. I felt so bad for her. I also felt bad because I did not let them hold her too long. I was being extra protective, I guess. Today she has some booggers and some clear snot and still has the sharp raspy voice. She does not feel like she has a fever, so that is good. I went and bought her a humidifier and she is seems to like it. Hopefully she will start feeing better soon.

We went to my niece's 3rd birthday party on Saturday night. It was crazy. Little kids running around everywhere. They were all pretty well behaved. I thought there was going to be way more tantrums but they were good. My sister in law made Red Velvet cupcakes. The frosting was soooo thick it was hard not to go for seconds! I love cupcakes. I could eat cupcakes for dinner. Maybe I will make them for Superbowl. Speaking of Superbowl... what are we going to be doing? We have a massive t.v. so Hubbs always refuses to go to anyone else's party because he says we have the best view on our couch. I can't really disagree with him. Does anyone have any cool Superbowl plans?

Daycare

We finally found a daycare. Hubbs and I knew from the get go she was the real deal (only after searching and visiting many hell holes and meeting all kinds of weirdos. that was a fun experience). I checked her license and she has no complaints on her record. Although I don't go back to work until the second week in March, we decided it would be a good idea for Sonya to go a couple times before she starts full time, that way she is used to a new place.

Hubbs made me select a day this week and today was the day she went. I dropped her off around 10:30 a.m. and picked her up at 2:30 p.m. I ran numerous errands while she was there to keep my mind off the fact that she was there. I know it would of been harder if I was just at home doing chores. Dropped things off at Goodwill, went to the bank, went to a baby boutique downtown, got a pedicure and had a doctor's appt.

When I picked her up she was totally mellow and did not cry at all on the way home. She has been in a really good mood since so I feel better about her going to daycare. I know it is hard the first few times, or maybe it never gets easier. Once I am back at work she will be going three days a week. The other days she will be home with me. My boss is letting me have a flexible schedule which entails me working from home two days. I am really happy about the arrangement.


Umm... off the subject, but how stunning did Michelle Obama look yesterday in not only that yellow-green outfit but also the white gown? Seriously, that lady is chic.


Here is a pic of my little pumpkin grinning for her mommy!

Not Feeling Good

So for the past week I have been utterly exhausted. It feels like I got run over by a semi truck hauling dairy cows. I am getting plenty of sleep because Sonya sleeps through the night. For the past couple of weeks I have had dizzy spells and been getting light headed. Now I am getting headaches. I went to call my doc today to get some blood tests done to see what the scoop is but they are closed. I did some very reliable research (right) on the Internet and think that maybe I could be anemic or have something wrong with my thyroid? Both things can happen postpartum.

Today I walked around the lake with my mom and Sonya and told her about it. She got super worried and insisted that the solution was to eat more fattening foods because I was so skinny. So at lunch she made me get a French Dip. Which was absolutely fabulous, by the way. I don't like feeling like this, especially when I am with Sonya. Hopefully there will be an easy way to solve the problem.

In other news, we purchased an SUV this weekend. It is a Toyota Highlander. It will initially be for the hubbs to drive, but I think we will do the car swap before we know it because I currently drive a smaller Volvo sedan. It is getting more and more inconvenient with a baby in the back and stroller.

Okay, peace out.

Where have I been?

Taking 3 mile walks at the park with my new jogging stroller. Looking for daycare, grocery shopping, Target shopping, doing laundry, etc. The weather here has been out of control warm so I have been taking advantage of getting out the house. I love stormy weather, but I can't pass up 75 degree weather in January.

I have bought two different orchid plants within the last month. I usually buy ones with lots of buds so I know they will be blooming for a really long time however, the buds have been falling off leaving me to enjoy the already open blooms and that's it! What a rip off. I will continue trying to find the plant that blooms for three months like my last one.

I made New England Corn Chowder the other night and it was fabulous. The recipe could feed an army so we had leftovers coming out of our ears. I even froze an entire container of it and we still had a crap load.

Now that the weather is becoming more seasonal, I plan to post more, even if they are ridiculous and have not point.

The tears....

They were the size of elephants as they slid down her face. I could not bear it and started in on the water works myself. Hubbs soothed her while I whimpered in the corner. A mom really can not handle seeing her child in pain.

Sonya got her 2 month shots today. I think was I was more stressed out than she was. She let out the loudest cry, it just was so sad. I nursed her in the office and she calmed down. My little hunny bunny.

Thoughts streaming through....

My brain is mush. How is it that at one minute I want to grab hubbs in a headlock for waking up Sonya with his ridiculously loud sneeze and the next minute he has never looked hotter as he plays with her on the couch? How come no one warned me that finding daycare is one of the hardest things to do? Why is it that Lucy decided to puke all over her dog bed last night and then fart the night away stinking up the entire house while I was trying to get Sonya to go back to sleep? How come Target never has Size 1 Pamper diapers in the family size pack? Who are the knuckleheads who label a sleeper 6 months when it can fit my 2 month old perfectly?

Resolutions...

It is that time of year. Time for my 2009 resolutions:


-Try not to sweat the small stuff

-Stop and smell the roses once and a while

-Watch less t.v., but that is hard when I am nursing, what else am I supposed to do during that time, knit a sweater one handed?

-Try out more recipes, I am over the usual weeknight fare I have been making

-Get hubbs in the kitchen more, he is willing, I just need to include him

-Plan a trip, and go on said trip

- Become a better writer

I Love the Smell of Dreft

Seriously, I do. At first it smelled weird to me, but now it smells so clean. Taking a look around the house here is where we stand...
Number of loads of laundry which need to be folded: 4
Height in feet of the dirty laundry in our closet: 3
Stacks of maternity clothes which need to be boxed up and put away: 5
Dishwasher waiting to be emptied: 1
Pounds of chili which needs to be eaten in the refrigerator or else I just wasted a crap load of food: 2
Number of dogs which need to be walked: 1
Thank you cards that are awaiting to be sent: 4
Christmas presents that are waiting to be put away: Too many to count
Number of garbage's to be emptied: 3
Bathrooms that need cleaning: 3
You get the picture. And in protest of doing anything house related we will be celebrating the New Year tonight with friends while I drink my first glass of bubbly in....well, about a year!

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays

I can not believe Christmas has come and gone. Sonya had her first Christmas! It was so much fun opening up all of the fun toys and clothes she got. This year we got some good memories, in particular, when I hosted Christmas Eve and I made the worst lasagna ever by adding two cups extra of wine to the sauce. I have made the dish dozens of times but for some reason my breastfeeding brain was in full swing. Everyone was getting tanked just off the pasta and not their glasses of wine! I think I owe my family an apology. Here are some pics from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

O Christmas tree...

Hubbs' brother and his girlfriend
My little gift!

Cutie Patootie

Here are some recent pics of Sonya around the house, I tried to capture her smiling but only got a half smile from her and from our Christmas party we went to last night.

Smiley Smilerson!

Seriously... can she be any cuter?

Next to the dessert table where I was nibbling on EVERYTHING!

Sonya with her cousin Ava who is 4 weeks older.

Weighing In- Part 2

The female body truly is amazing. I never really realized this until I pushed out a 9 lb. 5 oz. baby out of my Hoo Ha 6 weeks ago. Being pregnant truly was awesome but labor itself, even more amazing. I know, it was so freaking painful I thought someone had started a fire in my abdomen and back, but it was still cool. But I am getting away from the point of this post (well, it's not really a point, but the Birth Story is a whole other post).

I gained 35 lbs. during pregnancy, perfectly normal for my pre-pregnancy weight. Towards the last couple of weeks I was getting very bloated and full of fluids. Once I got home from the hospital I had lost 20 lbs. A couple more days and 5 more were off and I have slowly but surely been losing the weight since. I weighed myself this a.m. and I am only three lbs. away from my pre-pregnancy weight which I figured was pretty much the same since my milk jug boobs have probably added 3 lbs. Anyhoo, I have not been dieting and probably am eating more now than when I was pregnant. I ate extremely healthy and rarely splurged on ice cream, etc. when preggers so maybe that had something to do with it.

So basically I am almost back to normal except for my hips which might be a bit wider now, which I am totally okay with. I also need to tone my abs too but have been kind of waiting (also using as an excuse) until I got the "go ahead" on exercise from my OBGYN at the 6 week post appt., which she now has done. So that is that! I am very lucky that I lost the weight so quickly. But I also was very diligent when pregnant not to eat whatever I wanted and really focused on healthy things. Plus I exercised which I know had something to do with it. Oh yeah, I believe breast feeding is a big part of it too since you are burning tons of calories.

So at my family's Christmas party this weekend I plan on celebrating the bounce back (in my pre-preggers jeans) by putting down the carrot sticks and drinking a glass of bubbly and nibbling on not just one or two stuffed mushrooms and cookies, but heck I might even get crazy and have three....or four.

Schedule Smedule

So everyone (mom's I know) have been asking me if Sonya is now on a schedule. She is barely 6 weeks old, is she supposed to be on a schedule? Anyhoo, from what I hear, apparently she is. She does have a pretty similar pattern/routine that she does each day, however it does vary. The biggest issue I am having for her is that she does not take lengthy naps during the day (at least an hour) when we are at home. She will only take long naps if I get her into the car seat carrier and go someplace. In that case she will sometimes sleep up to 4 hours!

I am reading the Baby Whisperer which has been recommended my many people. I think the premise is pretty reasonable but the no rocking before sleep and no eating before sleep rules are much tougher, especially when it seems like she will not calm down unless I rock or bounce her or feed her. I don't know. Today I have decided not to go anywhere just to see if I can start putting her down for actual nap times in her bassinet or crib. Hopefully I will be successful at least one time!

She does sleep through the night so I can't stress too much. Also, hubbs weighed her the other day. She is almost at 12 lbs.! Her 3 month sleepers are almost too short, I started buying 6 month clothes yesterday. What a little porker! I love her. Need to post pics but I can't figure out how to load photos from our new camera to the computer. Will have hubbs take care of that tonight!

Oh, yeah Work...

I brought Sonya into work today. It was good chatting with some of my coworkers and catching up for awhile. I also found out a couple of them are preggers now too, so we ended up talking pregnancy for a very long time. Little Sonya was dressed super warmly in her snuggly polar bear fleece, it snowed on the hills around here last night, which is pretty rare for these neck of the woods. She snoozed the entire time. I could tell some of my coworkers wanted to hold her, but I did not feel like policing them to wash their hands. I am anal about germs around her.

I was feeling a bit Betty Homemaker and came home and put a pot roast in the slow cooker. The recipe is from Paula Deen and is really good. Now I just need to greet hubbs at the door with a martini wearing my pearls and we'll be good to go.

I know, random post, but hey it's all I have in my head right now!

The Nights Must be Crazy

Sonya sleeps through the night. She has been since the first week. That means that I am very refreshed every morning. It also means I wake up with boobs the size of 10 lb. bowling balls about to explode. So since she sleeps so much at night, she does not like to get naps in during the day unless we go some place. Something about her car seat and she is just so comfortable. We will run errands and she will snooze and snooze. If I am at home all day she will only cat nap.

The evenings are always crazy. She seems to be much more hungry and only wants to eat. Hubbs and I take turns soothing her by bouncing or by me busting out the boob. I heard evening crankiness is common because your milk supply goes down through the day.

I have an ongoing list of things that I need to do in my head. Fold laundry, finish addressing Christmas cards, print up photos, wrap presents, pack up maternity clothes, make cookies, etc. Hubbs and I have decided it might be time to hire a housekeeper. We will start out at once a month and see how that is. That will not be the only time it is cleaned, we will clean in between, but it will be a nice break. Having a housekeeper seems so luxurious to me. I have never had one before.

I have decided to be much better at reading my blogs and posting better. Coming up with topics has been a challenge, not to mention eating a full meal. Off to bed.

Good Weekend

Since our last post Sonya has been much better about me putting her down for a nap throughout the day. She is a sleeper at night in her bassinet, it is during the day that she sometimes is only comfortable while snuggled on me. Which I do love.

She has been starting to smile, which is all gums and pudgy cheeks. I truly melt every time she does it. Every little coo, grunt and squeal I am soaking in because I know they grow so quickly!

This weekend we went out to a local Taqueria on Friday night with her and then went to a real restaurant on Sat night with a friend. She woke up and we fed her a bottle of pumped milk there. She was perfect. We even took her out to breakfast yesterday. We had lofty plans to walk around the lake but since it never got out of the 40's we decided it was probably not the best idea, even if she was super bundled up. Here are some pics from Thanksgiving, she was wearing her first dress!

On the couch digesting after the big meal.

My cousin's daughter and Sonya. Sonya's look says "Get me out of here!"

My cousin Amy, her daughter Anna, my mom and Sonya

How Long Does it Take to Decorate a Tree?

Yesterday was crazy. Sonya did not want to sleep at all. She would fall asleep after nursing and I would transfer her to either her crib, the bouncer, the swing or pack n'play and within two minutes she woke up. Each time she fell asleep I raced into the living room to try and put up at least a couple more ornaments on our tree. At this rate the tree might be finished by Christmas (actually I finished it last night, two days after getting it).

She loves to sleep on me or the hubbs. Last night Hubbs busted out the Baby Bjorn which she loved. He folded laundry as she just chilled in the little seat.

Today we are going to Target to do some Christmas shopping and spend money on the usual things. I also will be picking up our holiday photo cards. They are adorable. It is a picture of three of us on Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, it already feels like it was ages ago. I ate as much as a horse with the excuse I am burning 500 extra calories due to breast feeding. Either way, that second piece of apple pie which I opted not to endulge in, probably would of been a bad idea. We visited both of our families that day. Always a bit crazy when we try to do that. Next year we are going to one or the other.

I have not read my regular blogs in ages. Still learning how to multi-task with a newborn. Did I mention I love being a mommy? I love being with our little pumpkin. She is the apple of our eyes!

My Sweet Pea

Getting the Hang Of It

I am getting used to this being a mommy thing. Took me a little while to remember I have a child I need to care for and that I can't just run to the drugstore without orchestrating a game plan as to how I will do so with Sonya around her sleeping, eating and getting changed. I have made a couple of trips out of the house by myself so far. Once she gets into her car seat she either zones out or just falls asleep.

Either way, I am loving being a mommy. Even with the lack of sleep, sore boobs and inhaled meals in between 2 minute naps, I think I am getting the hang of it.

Sore Boobs and Being a Mommy

Okay, who forgot to tell me that your nipples get so freaking sore in the beginnings of breastfeeding? Seems like little Sonya is a little barracuda therefore each initial latch on is quite painful and causing strained facial expressions on my part. Oh well, the pain is worth it. I do think they are slowly beginning to get better.

Today is the first day on my own. Hubbs had to go to a couple of meetings so I am alone with the little peanut. So far, I have had a cup of coffee, breakfast and even squeezed in a magazine read, but still no shower. The shower can wait. I have changed about 15 ass-plosion diapers, this girl really knows how to drop bass!

Yesterday we ventured out to Target together. I just was not confident enough to go by myself with the little one. I keep on worrying that she will wake up mid-shopping demanding the boob. So the Hubbs came along to steer the cart and watch over little Sunshine. Hopefully within the next few days I will be okay with starting to run errands on my own.

Lucy and Patty don't know what to think about this new addition to the home. Lucy had sneaked in a couple sniffs and licks but for the most part, she is staying away. Patty is pretty butt hurt that someone else has taken her place as a snuggle partner. She will not even jump on the couch if we are on it. I hope she comes around soon as I do like snuggling with the kitty.

Another interesting thing about postpartum is the amount you sweat. I seriously break out in a sweat throughout the night and most of the time when I am breastfeeding. I think I have sweat my pregnancy weight away. Just shows how much fluid you retain.

I am working on Sonya's birth story but with my pace around here, it will not be up for a couple of days. In the meantime, I am going to go back to snuggling with my girl.

In Love

Words can not express how much I am in love with our little girl. She is so perfect and cute, I could stare at her all day long. Since being home, the days have flown by. Been trying to learn the ropes of this whole parenting thing. Now I know what lack of sleep really feels like, but it is so totally worth it. I love her so much.

She's Here!

Sonya Dixie arrived Friday November 11th at 9:55 p.m. She weighed 9 lbs. 5 oz. and is 20.5 inches long. She had some fluid in her lungs so she had to stay in the NICU for the first three days. We went home on Monday. It was such an emotional experience that I will go into later when I have more time! I am SOOOOO happy to be home with her and I love her so much. Hubbs and I are smitten!

Random Thoughts

First I would like to say how glad I am that the election is over. I was so tired of seeing all of those proposition ads on t.v., it was just getting to be too much. Especially in between watching The Office and Grey's Anatomy.

I am also happy and hopeful about our new president. This is a very moving moment and I am glad to say I took part in this history making election.

Hubbs woke up today with the nesting bug. He finished putting together the Rainforest Bouncer which I attempted at assembling the other day. Mid way through I realized that our child would be sitting on this and I did not want to be responsible for any chair collapse so I left it for the technical mind of the hubbs where I knew it would be put together securely.

Meanwhile I am trying to get all of the laundry finished so that when we get home from the hospital I won't have to go searching for a pair of clean socks. I'm determined to have the house super clean so that when I get home I will be comfortable. I also stocked our house with antibacterial soaps so I can make sure all visitors have snot free hands when they visit and want to hold the baby.

My mom will be staying with us for a week after the baby is born. She lives locally but it will be easier if she just stays with us to assist in late night wake ups if need be. She is the best cook in the world so I can not wait to have her busting out some Paula Deen style recipes for us.

I am so excited that tomorrow is the day! Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight because I know my body will need to rest up!

I Voted and An Update

Just voted, will be dropping off my ballot this morning. Whoo Hoo! Such an exciting election.

So went to the doctor yesterday. If this little one does not come naturally within the next couple of days, I will be induced on Friday morning. Since I am dilated 2-3 cm. and 75%-80% effaced, my doctor says I look good. I am tired of waiting, I want a safe birth and healthy baby! Until then, I guess I will continue my walking, eating spicy food, etc.

I will continue to fill my days with baking, movie watching and maybe even some shopping!

Pregnant

Yup, no action this weekend. Just the usual contractions here and there and ridiculous indigestion and running to the bathroom, but all in all, I am fine! Going to the doctor today to see what the next step is in getting this labor on the way.

Peeing my Pants

Thank you to Multi-Tasking Mama and Christy who pointed how out that maybe I have just been peeing my pants lately hence the reason for the amniotic fluid trips to the hospital. If that is the case I need to get me a plastic sheet on our bed! I am sure hubbs would love to hear I was possibly wetting the bed in the middle of the night, especially on our brand new mattress. Hey, at least it's warm, right?

He he, some pee slippage or not, I watched two movies today and did not even take a shower but did take two walks. Did a couple loads of laundry and fell asleep on the couch and woke up to Patty laying on my belly. She only wants to lay on my belly, which really is not that comfortable considering the amount of heartburn I still get. She must know that the baby is coming soon or something.

Tomorrow is the day. Supposed to go to my brother and sister in law's house to answer the door for trick or treaters while also hanging out with our nieces. As much as I love being around them, I am really hoping I will be in labor instead!

Two More Days...

Had another false alarm today. Thought I was leaking amniotic fluid, again. Was in and out of the hospital within an hour and 20. Starting to recognize the nurses by now and even know the drill when I get there. Anyhoo, having tons of contractions just none with pain and not close enough together. In the meantime, my father in law sent us a bassinet/cradle for next to our bed. Originally I was planning on the baby sleeping in the crib right away or using our pack n' play next to the bed. He saw that plan and said "hell no, you need a bassinet" so he sent us one. It is super cute and I think it will work out better.

Also, when I was at Target yesterday I picked up two blazers for $15 bucks each! They were on sale. One is dark plaid and the other is short sleeved black and tweed. Super cute! I am sure I looked funny trying them on with my big belly. People must of thought I was nuts.

Ummm.... just remembered I was going to make baked apples for dessert. Must do that before I fall asleep.

Coffee, Weather, and Shopping

How much am I loving the fact that all of the tasty holiday coffee creamers are now in stores? Right now I am drinking my decaf coffee with my Pumpkin Spice creamer, not exactly Startbuck's but a nice treat for these cool fall mornings.

Speaking of weather, we are finally supposed to get some rain this week. I am thrilled because I love cool weather. I love the first big rain of the season when the leaves are still falling and you can smell all of the chimneys in the neighborhood.

I can't help but notice how many freaking cute shoes are out this year. Especially boots. I am eyeing these bad boys right now. The sweater selection is also super large. I think I might need to pick up this and this.

Plans for today? You guessed it, off to Target to get detergent or something....