Are You Ready?

By now you've surely heard of the incredible love offering that our corner of Bloggityville gave to Heather. If you haven't heard, Heather was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few weeks ago and is undergoing surgery tomorrow at the Mayo Clinic. As of last Friday, "we" raised almost $18,000 to help Heather and her family in this particular time of need! Amazing. Heather is just so thankful and continues to be so faithful and so strong for her husband and her kids even during this uncertain time. But let me get to the point. The monetary donations are surely a blessing, but there is only so much that money can do. It's very simple, really. SHE.NEEDS.YOUR.PRAYERS. So please pray for and think of Heather tomorrow. Pretty please.

Oh, one more thing. Kelli at Living In Grace has set up a prayer chain so that Heather and her family will be covered with prayer every hour for a whole week. How awesome is that?

This bloggity thing never ceases to amaze.

A sweet thank you - to be in love!!!!

The attached is a thank you note from one of my male friends to his friends for attending his birthday party - look at his emphasis on his thanks to his girlfriend -- how sweet is this.....

"And last and definitely not least I want to thank the most beautiful woman in the world. Not simply because she is gorgeous, but also because the spirit and soul that emanates from her is so warm and caring…and she can cook! Adrienne, you are truly a gift from God and the best partner a man could ever have. Thank you for loving me and I love you. As I walked into Eyebar and saw the smile on your face, it reinforced to me how happy you are when I am happy. I cherish you and thank you for caring so much for me that my happiness brings you joy. I love you all and thank you."

Works for Me Wednesday: Birthday Edition

The theme for this week's WFMW is Birthdays!

I have a love affair with special occasions. I love birthdays. I love parties. I love planning them. I love making people enjoy themselves. And I love that now with two little ones I have years of party planning ahead of me! I collect all sorts of ideas and themes in anticipation of their special days. Here is one that worked splendidly for Oldest's 1st birthday party:

Cereal "Necklaces"

All I did was take a spool of twine, cut the twine into pieces long enough to make a very very loose "necklace" and thread them (ok, I had my sister thread them) with Fruit Loops. Each child was given one of these "necklaces" during the party and they were a hit. They had just as much fun wearing them as munching on them. And they kept the kids occupied for a mighty long time. I even made the Birthday Girl's "necklace" all pink by using only the pink Fruit Loops. They're easy, affordable and fun. Give it a try...It worked for me!

Visit Rocks In My Dryer for tons more tips on how to make birthdays even more special.

Cole Haazard

I knew breaking in new shoes could sometimes be a pain but who knew it could be hazardous! This morning I was backing out of my driveway on my way to work and I went to step on the brake but because my shoes were brand new, I had no traction and my foot slipped right off! Luckily I wasn't on a busy street -- it could have been ugly. Well, my feet wouldn't have been ugly because, trust me, the shoes are cute. But still, it could have been worse. Could you just imagine the news headline?

Don't get excited. I got them on clearance.

And please don't get scared away by my superficial shallow rants. I am, how do you say, a "multi-dimensional woman." Therefore, a thought-provoking, deep-discussion-worthy post is on its way soon. Maybe.

I should get paid for this

This is not a plug or anything, but I went onto http://www.babycenter.com for some assistance with my toddler's recent change in behavior and I found it extremely helpful. I used to check that site weekly when I was pregnant - but for heaven's sake, who's got time after baby arrives. Anyway, I visited it again today and thought I would share it with the blog world (although most of you probably already visit it regularly). If you haven't....check it out!

Melt-down

So yesterday was our first public melt-down - it was horrific. The day started off great. DD slept until 10:30 a.m. (she's usually up at 8:30 a.m.), much to our satisfaction and we thought - wow, this is going to be a great day! We won't have a cranky baby (as we did on Saturday) and we will all go out and have a great day. So we pack up and head out to breakfast. It was great, she was patient and saying "hi" to everyone in the restaurant. We had a few snacks for her to munch on while we awaited breakfast and everything was going very well. The food arrives and all hell broke loose. I don't know what happened. She starts going buck-wild. Grabbing at daddy's plate, just making a huge mess, screaming at the top of her lungs. So, DH takes her outside to calm her down a little and when they return, she refuses to go back into the high chair. Kicking and screaming. It was quite a scene!

We decide to just pack it all up. Aside from the fact that she's having this melt-down, we simply felt too embarrassed to stay. Everyone was looking at us (very judgmentally, I might add) and without much understanding. DH takes Lady Day out of the restaurant and heads to the car and I'm still feeling quite embarrassed. People are still staring at me, and I felt so bad that I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I can. What I couldn't understand was why all the women looked at me and this situation with such disdain? Haven't they all been through this? Shouldn't they have been more understanding and empathetic rather than disgusted? We've discussed this before and it's just so amazing how tough we are on each other.

Anyway, we head home and she's still a hot mess.....still cranky and miserable. She doesn't take her normal nap and let's not even talk about bed-time. It was an absolutely horrible day in the Smith household. Let's hope that we don't have any more melt-downs (yeah...right?).

Just Call Them Jed and Granny

I actually like washing the dishes in my sink. And I like washing them because it lets me spend time looking out of my kitchen window. Especially during this time of year when flowers are blooming and squirrels are scurrying and children are riding their tricycles up and down the sidewalk while screaming like wild banshees and hubby is riding his overpriced ride-on lawnmower around the yard. Looking out the window is calming and heartwarming and I am usually so excited that warm weather is finally here.

Except this year.

Our wonderful neighbors moved to Florida to enjoy their retirement. Selfish wretches. And so new neighbors moved in. They seemed nice enough - a young couple and their dog. But let me tell you. I see right through their "oh we're lighting the outdoor fire pit this evening and having some friends over and we'd love to have you join us for a beer" and their "oh thank you so much for the cookies, these are our favorite" lines. They are just trying to butter us up. So that they could build AN ATROCIOUS MONSTROSITY OF A "VEGETABLE GARDEN" RIGHT ALONG THE EDGE OF THEIR YARD THAT BORDERS OURS.

It started off with an ugly rectangle of bricks that was uneven and tacky. They must've realized it because the guy told hubby one day last week: "Oh don't worry about the garden - we're gonna fix it up so that it looks nice." But worry we did. Every day hubby and I would meet at the kitchen window for another episode of "Did They Fix That Bleeping Garden Yet?" It's mind boggling. Our previous neighbors had a lovely lawn. It's was beautifully landscaped and oh if "Abuela" could see her backyard now she'd surely fall out. Why make the vegetable garden that big? Why do it so soon? Don't you want to see how you're gonna use your new yard first? Why would you use ugly bricks? There are just so many questions folks.

So this past weekend they "fixed" it up. They replaced the brickwith plywood. Imagine our confusion. Oh and then they covered the planted earth with black plastic to prevent weeds from growing in. Sound pretty yet? I would take a picture of it for your viewing pleasure, but I don't want to get caught doing it. Just imagine the awkwardness:

Neighbor: Hi there! Um, what are you doing?
Me: Oh hi! I'm, uh, just taking a picture of your ugl-I mean adorable vegetable garden.
Neighbor: Really? Why?
Me: Uh...I think I hear my husband calling me. Love your hair cut by the way. Gotta run!

The real tragedy in all of this is that it makes me apprehensive to look out of my kitchen window. I know that each time I look out and see that thing in their yard, my blood pressure will go up just a little bit more.

I'm not calling them hillbillies or anything. I just wish they had flipped through a few Better Homes & Gardens before embarking on this ambitious endeavor. Hear that neighbors? It's called Better Homes & Gardens.

And while you're at it, put your KAYAK away too.

Brownie Points

Me [doing laundry or whatever]: "Aw man...I'm missing America's Next Top Model!"

Hubby: "Honey. You are America's Next Top Model. And don't let anybody tell you different."

This guy thinks he's slick.

Giddy Laughter on Aisle 3...

Can I just tell you about this wonderful wonderful thing I've found? On Saturday, after we spent the morning watching Hubby's flag football games I took the kids to the grocery store...Right. Around. Naptime. And yes, I know better but I was already out and about and it was sunny out and therefore so was my disposition and I thought "How bad could it be?" And it wasn't! At all. And it's all because of this wonderful little shopping cart that lets two kids ride in their own car attached to the front of your cart. It was my first time using it with both kids and it worked like a charm. There was no screaming. No crying. No kicking. No attempting to jump out of the cart by twisting and turning their way out of the safety belt. No reaching into the cart trying to eat the unwashed grapes. They were happy as larks "driving" the car around the store. The safety belts kept them strapped in and the metal grate beneath their feet kept them from losing their assorted toys that they couldn't leave home with out. This picture doesn't show it but the cart I had even had safety rails that came down on either side so I even felt comfortable putting my 13-month-old in the car.

It was amazing. I didn't have to rush through the grocery at breakneck speed like I usually do. And not once did someone ask or "grunt" at me for snacks. Granted, this particular grocery with this fine apparatus wasn't in my neighborhood, but I have noooo problem driving the extra couple miles if it means peace of mind. In fact, I will probably tell them as much the next time I go.

As I was searching online to find a photo of the cart to show you kind folks, I came across the manufacturer's website. Besides the website being pretty cool, it claims that storeowners who provide these carts to their customers drive up their sales by 20% beccause moms are able to shop longer. I can totally see how this is true. I love how the business world is finally wisening up and realizing that if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

And friends, this Mama's happy.

Reasonable Doubt

(This post was originally posted on 11/30/06. In a cheap way to avoid having to draft a whole new post, I'm just updating this one. Read below for the latest.)

I never thought I would say it, but nursing seems to have a lot of pitfalls. I nursed all three- well still nursing #3 actually, and I do believe that "breast is best" but... there seems to be sound reasoning behind the occasional, if not more frequent, use of formula to provide baby some supplemental feedings every now and again. Nursing is just really hard and Mama needs a break after 6 + months. I'm not ready to throw in the towel to the whole concept, I just think that breastfeeding can be extremely difficult, time consuming and sometimes, hard on your health.

First, we all know, the first few weeks are traumatic for mother and baby. I can only think of one case in where it was a totally beautiful, stress free, pain free experience for both mother and baby(J. Smith). Every other woman I know has had some sort of drama and trauma when it comes to it. If it's not the first few weeks, then it happens at some point during the process. For example, my cousin who has a 5 month old, nurses 24/7. Her baby "refuses" the bottle, so she's her only source of food. During months 2-4, that nursing mama suffered from thrush for almost two months straight. Luckily, her baby never had a full blown outbreak. But, as some of you may know, it can cause extreme pain or discomfort in the mother. I know since I've had it with all three babies at some point or time and believe me, it's no fun. We're talking sensitive nipples, painful letdown, and full blown pain- much like the first few days of nursing. She would cry and nurse at the same time. How is that supposed to be a beautiful/bonding experience for mother/daughter?

On Monday, I was diagnosed with "acute mastisis of the right breast." Translation, you feel like your dying but really, it's just a clogged/infected milk gland, that if it goes untreated, will require immediate surgery. I hadn't felt that bad since I had Congestive Heart Failure. Anyhow, after reevaluating the whole situation, I'm proud to have breastfeed all three of my babies, but I can't help but think, how much easier my life would have been if I just gave them formula. And to make this even a little bit more interesting, my oldest baby who I supplemented with formula much earlier than my other babies, is my smartest and healthiest of the bunch. My youngest on the other hand, who never has had formula (except for the half ounce the nurses tried to give him while we were in the hospital since they claimed my milk was not yet in - another issue on it's own) has the sniffles on a weekly basis. So what gives?? Has my exclusive breastfeeding for 7.5 months been in vain? Should I just supplement now, or what? I'm starting to have doubt.

Update: Hip, hip, hooray!! I made it to 12 months. This was my goal, and I am so proud of myself, despite the pitfalls and struggles. Since I worked part-time, for the most part, it was much easier to maintain my supply. But I'm still proud of myself. At one point I thought I was done, so I tried to introduce formula again. My mom got him to take it a few times. Then I had a freezer of pumped milk. So I stopped the formula. Anyhow, now there's a new issue, of course. It's getting "B" on board with my weaning plan, for the most part. Here's the problem.

Four weeks ago, Little "B," aka Baby Brother, started day care. The first two weeks he was on a hunger strike. He refused the bottle and any solid foods. This had me very nervous and on edge the entire time. I called the pediatrician a couple of times. She assured me he would make it, without IVs. "Give it time. But he's a stubborn one!" is what she'd say. Seeing as how he was only two weeks away from turning one, (his birthday was Thursday), I figured he would adjust fine in day care after he got used it. Not. Four weeks later, he eats, but not so much better. Just enough it seems. Some days he'll eat decently. Others, his infant gram (daily log of bottles, naps and poops) is full of "refused lunch" "refused bottle" "refused sippy cup." Usually on Mondays and Tuesdays. When we start the whole traumatic thing again. Anyhow, at his 12 month well child he dropped weight. Not good, I'm not happy.

Prior to day care, he was doing just fine with solids. In fact, he was eating mostly table food and would have a bottle or nurse three times a day. During the hunger strike, as soon as I picked him up from day care, it was a nurse'a'thon. I'm sure it was part starvation, part need for comfort. Even at home, he would not eat solids well. It was very frustrating.

Even though he eats better, he has not taken a bottle since mid-march. He will not take milk any other way except from yours truly. Not even from a sippy cup. So now if I stop nursing, he will not get any milk. That's not good. A growing baby needs milk! Yes, I can give him yogurt, and that's his favorite thing to eat at day care, but he needs milk, and a balanced diet. Yogurt is not balanced. Then my pediatrician tells me how hard it is to break an older infant from their habits/routines. I knew this, but just didn't think I would be in this boat. I nurse only in the AM and at night. Okay, sometimes during the day. But only after nearly having my shirt ripped off by the child, and him screaming and having a meltdown. This was not the plan. I suppose I don't mind, for now. But I would love to just give him a nice warm bottle of whole milk and call it a day. At least I stopped pumping some time back. That helped, greatly.

My point is, your damned if you do, damned if you don't. Believe me, I'm grateful, but geeze.

This is Interesting

Check out this blog. Any advice? I'm guessing some of us have been there at some point. Hopefully not this bad.

Just Call Me Tardy McRusherson

Ok seriously, I can't take it anymore. No, not the extremely slow start to this season of the Sopranos, I.AM.TIRED.OF.RUSHING. Lately I am feeling like my life is one big rush. I rush to get everyone out of the house in the mornings. I rush to get to work. I rush to get home. I rush to make dinner. I rush to get everyone to bed. I rush to get to church. I rush to get to events. It's really ridiculous. So yesterday, as I was busy rushing to wrap a baby shower gift and signing the card IN THE CARRABAS PARKING LOT, hoping I didn't arrive so late as to ruin the surprise, I decided this was going to the last time I was caught doing this. This time last month you could have found me in the same place doing the same thing. In my car, wrapping a gift before running into an event. Call it poor time management if you want, but I just feel like I don't have enough time.

And then, to make matters worse, when I show up at the baby shower someone inevitably has made a homemade gift of a thoughtful and personalized photo album complete with photos of the mom-to-be at various stages of her pregnancy inside. When in the world do people have time to DO these things?

Is it just me?