Monthly Archives: May 2009

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Space Station!

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Well I just saw something that I’ve never seen before! What’s that, you ask? The International Space Station just zoomed by in the night sky! It was absolutely amazing, and super fast. It was gone within a few minutes. It was visible last night too, but we forgot to go outside and look. It will be visible again tomorrow night too. You can go to NASA’s ISS Viewing website to look up a viewing schedule for your area. If you live in the Statesboro area, it will be visible at 9:30 tomorrow night. You should check it out!

Material Girls

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Summer heat is upon us, and I am in a predicament: I have nothing to wear. All of my summer clothes are either too small for my lactating bosoms, too revealing for someone who is now a mother to wear, or as is most often the case, both. In an attempt to find something cool and classy to wear, Emily and I hit the mall this week. Now first of all, let me explain our mall to those of you who are not familiar with Statesboro. Our mall is more commonly referred to as the “Small”. Our mall has 2 department stores (JC Penney and Belk), a Bath and Body Works, Hallmark, a shoe store, a jewelry store, a Rue 21, and a few places to eat. There used to be a Goody’s but they went down the pooper a few months back.

So anyway, that leaves me with JC Penney and Belk. I had a few Belk gift cards, so we went there first. After trying on about 20 shirts, I bought this. pink tank top Very plain, very boring, but at least it does the job.

I hadn’t planned on shopping for Emily that day, but I always check her department just in case there is a sale. And guess what? There was! Emily got these:

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How cute! Then it was on to JC Penney. I usually don’t have much luck there, but I decided to give it a try anyway. Strikeout! I didn’t even find anything to try on. It was all ugly and way too revealing. But Emily found 1 more outfit!

outfit 4I love Carter’s clothes! Everything that she got that day was Carter’s, and when we got home, we had a coupon in the mail for $10 off of our next purchase at the Carter’s Outlet. They are having a 50% – 70% off clearance sale right now too! Oh my goodness, I cannot wait to go!

And hopefully I will find something for myself soon. My mom told me that she always shops at Cato, but I’ve never been there. She showed me the website and they have some really cute clothes – for cheap! I hope Emily likes to shop as much as I do, because we are going to be doing some major shopping in the next few weeks. We have to find clothes for me, a gift for my sister’s birthday, and of course Father’s Day gifts for the new dad and Em’s grandfathers. Watch out malls, here we come!

*Photos courtesy of Belk.com and JCPenney.com

I’m Still Here

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No, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. I’m still here. I am just finding that now that I’m not working and I’m home all day, I have less time to myself than I did when I was working. Hmm. Imagine that. I have a lot of catching up to do, so lots of blogs are on the way! Don’t give up on me!

American Idol

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In the mid to late 90’s, when people still listened to cassette tapes, I would sit in my room listening to the radio, waiting for my favorite song(s) to play. There was always a blank tape in the stereo, and as soon as the latest hit came over the speakers, I pressed “record”. Instant mixtape!

I never bought music. I didn’t have money to buy tapes or CDs. I was too young to (legally) work, and any money that I did acquire went toward buying much more important things, like compacts and glittery lip gloss.

And even now, when I can afford to buy music, I still don’t. Every CD that I own was either gifted to me or is one that I made from the songs I’ve downloaded illegally at no cost onto my computer. With the exception of two Britney Spears CDs and Nirvana’s greatest hits. Those I actually went to the store and bought. Because, hello? It’s Nirvana! And Britney! (Old Britney, by the way. Hit Me Baby One more Time, Britney. When She Was Actually Entertaining, Britney).

Last night was the FIRST TIME that I watched American Idol this season. And aside from last season (what was I thinking?) it was the only time I’ve ever watched it. Seriously, Denny and I are like, the only 2 people we know that don’t watch it. Even his dad watches it. And if you know me IRL (In Real Life), you are probably peeing your pants right now at the picture forming in your head of Dennis tuning in to American Idol.

So since AI is everywhere and is all that anyone can talk about, I decided to see what exactly all of this Adam Lambert fuss was all about. And I only knew his name because they talk about him and his sexual orientation (which has nothing to do with one’s ability  to sing, by the way) nonstop on the radio. (I still can’t tell you the other guy’s name. Chris? Kris?)

As I’m cooking my chicken alfredo (from scratch!) and listening to Adam sing some song about the world?, I couldn’t help but wonder why everyone likes him so much. Is it just me? Or is this guy really a terrible singer? Is all of the hoopla surrounding him only about his possible gay-ness? Because although it shouldn’t matter, his gay-ness (or lack thereof) might sadly be the deciding factor in this competition. In my opinion, his voice is just not that great. He doesn’t have my vote (if I voted, which I totally don’t).  

The other guy – Kris Allen – I looked it up, is actually much, much better. Did you hear him sing Ain’t No Sunshine? Huh? Did you? Cause if you didn’t, you really missed out. And if you did, then Oh My God. Amazing, right?

So my point in all of this is, if this Kris Allen does win, (or most likely not. That darned skinny jeans wearing, black eyeliner smudging, crazy haircut having, Adam Lambert!) I would totally buy his CD.

But not if his first single is that “No Boundaries” song. Because, hello? That is one of the worst songs ever! Why does every AI winner’s song have to be sappy and emotional and sunshine and rainbows and dreams come true? Why can’t it be real? Like something that the winner would actually normally sing? It’s career suicide before their career even starts!

Couch Potatoes

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Emily and I are having an affair – with the television. After working all week, all I wanted to do this weekend was hang out on the couch with Emily and do nothing. And that’s just what we did.

For the first (and hopefully last) time ever, I watched Hannah Montana. And it was actually funny. I think I like it.

No, I’m not kidding! It really is good. But I cannot let myself watch it anymore. It’s really, really not good for me.

But neither is Keeping Up With The Kardashians or The Girls Next Door, but I watch those shows religiously these days.

Hey, what’s wrong with watching a show about girls who are my age that date an 83 year old man? Oh, you think it’s weird and gross? Well, I guess it is, but it sure is entertaining. And that Khloe Kardashian is hilarious!

I have also gotten back into baseball because there is nothing else to watch on Sundays. Or now that I think about it, that is the case every day. Anyway, when I was in high school, I watched baseball every day. If there wasn’t a Braves game on, I would watch whatever other teams were playing. I memorized the line-up, I knew the stats, and I actually understood all of the terminology and baseball jargon. It made sense to me, and it gave me a connection to my dad. And let’s face it, that’s about all we had.

There were many nights that I was lulled to sleep by the announcers’ steady, soothing voices. And it was those Atlanta Braves that I stayed up to watch on the night my sister was born. The night that I stayed up and fixed my hair and applied make-up after my shower, because I knew that she was coming. Me and baseball, we go way back.

I’m not proud of my tv addiction, but since I am not at all an outdoors-y person, what else can I do in my spare time?

The solution: Go outside anyway!

I have got to get out of the house! I need to plant flowers, go for walks, go swimming, and lay in the sun. And not just for me. I need to do it for Emily. I need to get her out of the house too. I need to show her that exercise is important and fresh air is refreshing and relaxing. She needs to know that a life spent in front of the television is no life at all. And I need to do all of this NOW, before it’s too late.

You see, over the weekend, we had a discovery. By chance, we found out that Emily is mesmerized by the tv. If she catches a glimpse of it, she is fixated, caught in a trance. She loves it. She loves the colors and the movement and especially the music. And I’m ashamed to admit this, but once I knew that the tv would keep her entertained for a bit, I stuck her in her swing to get some cleaning done. It was only 30 minutes, and she was watching the Little Einsteins, but I still feel guilty.

It’s just so hard to go outside in the evenings. It is already hotter than seven hells outside, the mosquitoes would carry her off, and the rain! It never stops these days. I was going to take her to the pool this weekend, but she is too young to be in the sun. So I was going to go in the evening, but then it rained. I can’t win for losing! So what can I do? What can I do with a 2 1/2 month old to get her away from the tv? I feel like she gets bored, even though she is probably plenty stimulated just by looking around at this point. I sing to her, I read to her, I show her toys, but I feel like it all gets old after a while. So please, do tell me, what else can I do?

Mother’s Day

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I’m almost a week late with this post. I don’t have time for anything anymore! I’m at school until 3:30, and then I’m off to get Emily, then feed her, do a few things around the house, feed Emily again, cook, eat, get Emily ready for bed, put her to bed, get a shower, and then go to bed myself. Whew! Just thinking about all of that makes me tired!

So, how was your Mother’s Day? Wonderful, I hope. Mine was great!

Emily made me the sweetest card! She found a poem online, printed it out, cut it into a heart shape, and colored it. Then she addressed it to “The Best Mama”, and wrote “I love you mom”!!  And her Daddy only helped her a little bit!

Ok, so he did it all. But she was with him while he was doing it, and he did say that she picked out the poem.

Ok, so I’m lying about that too.

But it was the sweetest thing ever! That’s all that I needed for Mother’s Day. It was more than enough to warm my heart and make me feel special, needed, and loved.

My Mother’s Day was awesome!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I got a present too. I got this!

ipod

 

An iPod touch! Too bad I’m too busy to use it.

Angels in Disguise

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Sometimes people come into our lives, and we don’t realize how lucky we are to have them. Well, I did know, but since I haven’t seen this person in over a year, I sort of forgot how special she is. I was reminded yesterday.

When I got home, there was a box waiting for me. I knew that this box was coming, but I didn’t know when, and I didn’t know what was inside.

It was like Christmas, my birthday, and a trip to Disney World all wrapped up in one small brown package.

I laughed so hard that I almost cried when I saw what was inside.

There was one of these:

bumGenius-one-size-3_0-blossom

One of these:

bumGenius-one-size-3_0-butternut

One of these:

bumGenius-one-size-3_0-grasshopper

This:

Diaper-Sprayer

And this:

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Excited, thrilled, and ecstatic don’t even begin to describe how I felt. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

I was so excited that I put the pink diaper on Emily before I even washed it because I just could not wait to use it! And it was adorable! And it fit perfectly! And I just might have to buy some more (but don’t tell Denny).

So thank you, thank you, 1 million times thank you, Becki. I bet you had no idea that diapers could make a girl so happy.

Oh, and Becki, we have to get together soon! I miss you like crazy and Emily needs to meet you! Please!

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We celebrated our anniversary yesterday by taking Emily to her 2 month check-up. Fun times!

Side note: Why does a doctor who strongly encourages breastfeeding not have a room where waiting mothers can nurse their babies? I had to sit on the toilet and feed Emily. Once again, fun times!

It seems that Emily is going to be a skinny mini. At her 2 week check-up, she was 21 1/4″ long, and weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. She was in the 90th percentile for height and the 75th percentile for weight. Fast forward to yesterday. She is now 22 3/4 inches long, in the 75th percentile, and weighs just under 10 pounds (9 lbs. 15 1/2 oz. if you wanna get specific), and in the 25th percentile. She is so tiny! I must be starving her! Poor thing. 

Then came the shots. And if you know me, then you know how I feel about needles. I couldn’t watch. But we lucked out and got the best nurse EVER, and she was seriously finished in less than 5 seconds. She was so fast that Denny (who did watch) didn’t even know she put band-aids on her legs until we gave her a bath last night.

I was upset by her stats and her shots, but nothing could have prepared me for the news we got next.

 Emily was born with a little knot on her neck, and at our first appointment the doctor told us that it was a branchial cleft cyst , but not to worry because it isn’t harmful to her. It was formed early in her development and should have gone away on its own long before she was born. The worst that can happen is that it will get infected, but then again it might not. It has to be treated later. But, at that first appointment, she didn’t say how it would have to be treated. Nor did I go home and do any research, because she said not to worry. But my curiousity got the best of me and yesterday I asked about treatment.

And do you know what she said? Surgery! SURGERY! My poor little love is going to have  HER NECK CUT OPEN! I couldn’t hold back the tears. I felt like I’d been hit by a bus. I would actually let a bus hit me if it meant that Emily didn’t need this operation. She has to be put to sleep. She has to be hospitalized. I’ve never even been in the hospital! Heck, she wasn’t even born in the hospital!

Stupidly, I looked up branchial cleft cysts today. I found out that it is extremely close to the jugular vein and carotid artery – and it doesn’t take being a doctor to know that both of those are MAJOR! Because of this, the doctor might not be able to remove the whole thing, and it could come back! I am officially Scared To Death.

But, the pediatrician did say that there is a chance that she is wrong and it might not be a branchial cleft cyst, and we were referred to a specialist.

Please pray that she is wrong.

Happy Anniversary To Us!

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*Um, I meant to post this yesterday, on our anniversary, but it seems that I saved it instead of publishing it! Oops!

Two years ago, we got dressed.

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Two years ago, my daddy walked me down the aisle.

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Two years ago, we said “I Do”.

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Two years ago, we danced.

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Two years ago, we ate cake.

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And it’s been the best two years of my life! Happy Anniversary babe – I love you!

Month 2

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Dear Emily,

The second month of your life did not seem to go by as quickly as your first. Time seemed to slow down a bit, the days dragging on, much to my delight. At the same time, however, there were days when I prayed that night would fall and to sleep you would go. You see, before you were born, I did a lot of reading, and I knew that I should expect a crying peak around 6 weeks. Since you rarely ever cried prior to your 6 week mark, I thought I would get lucky and miss out on that stage. But no, the crying did peak, and when I say that you cried, what I really mean is that you had Major Meltdowns of Epic Proportions.

As you cried, there were times when I cried right along with you. I tried everything imaginable to soothe you, but the only thing that worked was the golf cart. I have never, ever been more appreciative and grateful for that golf cart. Riding puts you right to sleep, thank God, since most of your meltdowns are due to a combination of being overtired + fighting sleep.

And oh, when you sleep, you are precious. emily-065

So beautiful, so serene, so delicious that I want to gobble you up, because holding you close is never close enough. I love every thing about you;    the rolls on your arms, ssl26236

 your wispy hair that is just long enough for me to run my fingers through, your smiles when I sing to you, your laughter when Daddy comes home and you hear his voice for the first time all day,

the way you suck your thumb, ssl26062

your much improved eating habits, the way you smell, the way that you look like Daddy but act just like me, and my favorite is that you need me, want me, have to have me. Although it upsets the other people that love you so much, it thrills my heart that there is nobody else in this world that can make it all better like I can. Sometimes all I have to do is pick you up, and all the tears fade away. Seeing you happy is the most rewarding part of being a mommy.

We’ve come a long way is four short weeks. We have routines that make life so much easier for us. You continue to sleep all night long (most nights) and after you eat your first meal of the day, you usually return to sleep for a few more hours. Then you take 2 or 3 naps each day, and often I will take naps with you. You love to sleep on my chest, and even though I know I shouldn’t make it a habit, I cannot stop myself from rocking you to sleep every time. The evenings are your happiest time of the day. This is when Daddy is home, when you get your bath, and when I rub your feet with lotion (this, by the way, is your most favorite thing in the whole world!)  before putting your jammies on. Before bed, you nurse one last time, and then I swaddle you, ssl26064

which you absolutely love. As soon as you are wrapped up tight, you know that it is bedtime, and you usually will go right off to sleep.

Your eating habits, as I mentioned before, are so much better than they were last month. You eat every three hours during the day, and it only takes 15-20 minutes for you to get your belly full. You don’t fall asleep while you’re nursing anymore, except for the occasional bedtime feeding. The aftermath of your feeding is a whole different story, and it’s a terrible one. You have gone from having poops all day, to usually having a big one in the morning, and a big one at night (except for Saturday, when you pooped 3 times within 30 minutes, with one of those being a blowout that got on Daddy’s shirt! Ha!). ssl26142

You have yet to poop or pee in the bathtub, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed and knocking on wood that you don’t (or if you do, just make sure it’s when Daddy is bathing you).

This month taught me more lessons than the first, and you learned a lot too. You now know that when I pull my shirt up and my bra down, good things are coming your way. Seriously, your face lights up like Hugh Hefner’s when you see a boob. You’ve learned that if you whine when the music stops on your mobile or swing, mommy will make it start again. You’ve learned how to follow toys with your eyes, and your favorite toy is your telephone rattle.

Mommy has learned some very valuable skills, such as how to use the bathroom with one hand, while the other is holding you. Also how to do just about everything else one-handed, including putting on your socks. With my left hand. Shouldn’t there be a prize awarded for that? Anywho. I’ve learned that you love to be naked, and dressing you is a struggle. I’m in for it big time when you become mobile. I’ve figured out what your cries mean, and I can usually calm you down fairly quickly. I’ve learned how to cloth diaper, ssl26242

and I’ve finally learned how to use the Program setting on my camera, so that I can take better pictures of you.

In the middle of the month, your new cousin Whitaker was born, and you met him on your first trip to Uncle Brian and Aunt Christy’s house. ssl26146

You attended your first wedding at the Desoto Hilton in Savannah, where mommy’s friend Jessica Kirksey married Jason Scheil. You also went on your longest car ride yet to Pelican Point – 1 1/2 hours away!

My little bird, I can’t wait to see what May has in store for us. I am sure that there will be many more firsts for you and I am so excited to watch you grow and learn! Mommy and Daddy love you more and more each day, and you bring so much joy to our lives!