The most beautiful quilt, ever. I heart it.
The top.
Borders.
The back folded over the front.
Gorgeous, huh?
Archive for February, 2009
Thanks, Mom
Saturday, February 28th, 2009Saturday up at the Outlets
Saturday, February 28th, 2009Today we went up to the outlets. I heart outlets. As a matter of fact, I think that a major PRO for living anywhere is living with 30 minutes of the Banana Republic Outlet. Sigh. If ALL of my clothing could come from there, I wouldn’t cry at all. Not even a little bit. Sigh again.
Our outlets also has a Carter’s, however, which provides endless opportunities to find onesies for $1.99 and PJ’s for 50% off. Camper is growing so quicky we find ourselves up there every month or so scrounging for good deals with the other cheap people of Western, MA. More than that, we get out into the sunshine and watch our Bubbs looks at things and grab at things and snooze in his stroller. Today on the drive home he did something MIRACULOUS. He’s got this hanging monkey toy (from Carter’s…a gift from a lady at church) and he actually took his paci out of his mouth and tried to put it in the monkey’s. The look on his face was like, “Hey, I’m trying to share. Where’s your mouth?” It was priceless. In addition to that amazing little feat, he also mastered a new assortment of sounds this week, one of which we sourced to his Galloping Fun Jumperoo. He can now whinny like a horse. And if that’s not how you spell that, well, I don’t really car.
We got home (after grabbing some nuggets, I am addicted to chicken nuggets), gave the Bubbs a bath, and now we’re just chilling and watching a few episodes of Leverage. Oh yeah, little tip. If your baby has lots of dry skin on his scalp like Camper does, rub some olive oil on his head before you shampoo. We put it on Bubb’s head while we wash the rest of him and then use one of his soft baby brushes to rub it in a little. Then shampoo, rinse, and bye bye dry scalp. Bye bye baby dandruff.
Don’t forget, you have until tonight at midnight to enter the drawing for the miracle blanket. We’ll post the winner, chosen by Bubby at random, tomorrow!
Brand New Day Today
Friday, February 27th, 2009John fixed the elliptical. So today, not Monday, TODAY, not next week, I decided to start. I got the bright idea to get some books on CD to listen to while I work out. Music doesn’t distract me enough, and if I can’t get outside because of the snow and the ice, and I have to be in basement, I really need something to distract me. Just some chick lit- I’ll let you know what I think of them as I hear a little more. Just 20 minutes today, more tomorrow. I know that working out will help with the IBS (now officially diagnosed, no colonoscopy, I went to the doctor again) and also with the entrapment I sometimes feel as a SAHM. Just sometimes.
John heads off to the library every day now to work on his writing. First, his application for a grad school program and then another project he’s been wanting to focus on. I think it’s been good for him to have somewhere to go where I can get him to “hold Bubby for just a minute” and good for me to learn how to do stuff without so many pairs of arms around to help. (Let’s not fool ourselves, I’ve still got help) but honestly, I just gotta figure life out. One day, God willing, we will have a steady income and a place of our own, and I better know how to go to the bathroom without hiring a babysitter or I’m in trouble. OK, it’s not as bad as that. I can be pretty independent as a Mommy, but I’ve still got some learning to do.
As for what I’m going to be up to as John writes and when he gets work, I think I’ve found a Mommy Baby group to start going to. I just hope with my new stomach regime I’ll be able to get a handle of my ISSUES and get out. Also, I officially have my first TWO piano students! I had a listing on craiglist for beginning piano lessons, and after a few crazy emails I got one that was a legit inquiry into my services. I went for a consultation last night- their house- not mine- and was a wee wigged out to be going to someone’s house I didn’t know. At all. (Shouldn’t have seen Taken, huh?) So I hired help- brought my brother along as my thug in the car. I promised him Taco Bell for his services, and instructed him that if I didn’t come out in 20 minutes to call me because I was probably in distress. An hour after arriving and after I visited with the NICEST family in the entire world, I walked outside to a brother who had been trying to figure out how to climb the side of the mansion they lived in, enter through the bathroom and save me before they cut me into a thousand pieces. I felt bad that I broke the protocol and freaked him out, but I seriously have the best brother ever.
The funny part was that new piano student codename: Speedracer (younger brother figure) kept looking out the window “checking” on Jonathan, worried that I left my “little brother” in the car. I told him that my little brother was no longer little, and he was just fine. I don’t know if they realized why I brought him along or not, but I don’t care. I’m just not into death and disappearing, and although I was super lucky and they are very nice (and had TWO kids to teach, not just 1!) I’ve definitely walked into houses before and feared for my life. Call it a side effect to serving a mission in Brixton. What can ya do? But I was lucky, there was no near-death experience, and I will now be teaching Speedracer and sister Ballerina, who are both amazingly nice children being raised by charming and respectful parents. I almost didn’t feel shy at their house. Almost.
So that should be fun. I get to prepare lessons again, and I am going to love being “forced” to spend more time with the piano. I’ll have to post some of my lesson materials so anyone who so desires can use them with their kids. I already have a few games planned out to help Speedracer learn the names of the notes on the staff.
Also, yesterday, I made some more Bubby food. I think squash is by far the nicest, most pleasing veggie to steam and puree. It turned out really smooth and pretty. Even more than the carrots! Let’s hope he likes it.
Wondering What my Problem Is
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009So I went out tonight for a book club. I only got about a 1/4 of the way through the book (I started it this morning, when I found out the club was tonight) and I think I really had a good time. I say this because although I enjoyed the conversation and liked everyone there- I feel uneasy. Something about being “out” has left me feeling undone. I’m not sure what it is. I expected to come away feeling like a better Mommy or Wife for having gone out- as I usually do- so I don’t know what’s up. It’s weird. And no, it’s not that I forgot to start the washer before we left so I have to creep down at 2 am to get a clean bottle for Bubby. It’s something deeper. Who knows.
The next book we’re going to read is The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry. Although I was told that it is called “Willow Bee” I’m pretty sure that if we back the grapevine up it’ll turn out to be The Willoughby’s…a children’s book by the same author as The Giver, a book I actually enjoyed. Tonight was Farenheight 451, which was a really good “discussion” book. The highlight of the evening was when we discussed whether or not we would lowjack our kids. Good times.
What Bubby’s Eating
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009Soooo…the big “solids” debate. From the very beginning I knew that Camper would be an eater. When I was learning to nurse him in the NICU, my favorite lactation consultant picked him up and cuddled him and noted how he turned to her to try and nurse. She said, “This ones an eater. We gotta get your supply up, now.” And it turned out, he was. He’d nurse for 45 minutes on each side every 2 hours. It was exhausting. When we started him on formula he ate all the time, as well. Some people say that babies eat less or less often on formula. Not Bubby. As time has gone by he’s even off at about 4 oz. (he was up to 6 oz. a time at one point) every 3 hours. What’s so confusing is that it stays that way…I think he’s meant to start eating more food less often, but not Bubby. He likes 4 oz. every 3 hours all day, all night. For awhile after he turned 3.5/4 months old he wanted to eat 2/3 oz. every 2 hours- and that’s when the doc said to introduce solids.
I decided to make the food myself- for a 5 month old it’s so simple to steam some veggies, puree and freeze. He likes carrots the most, peas the least, and I couldn’t even bring myself to make him eat the spinach. I quickly figured out that fruit is expensive in the wintertime! So although I really want to make his food myself, I am buying the fruits for now. He likes applesauce (just all natural applesauce, not necessarily babyfood), pears, (LOVES the pears!), and bananas. He also loves sweet potatoes, but I’m not too keen on them because I’m not sure he should be eating something so starchy? I started him on rice cereal (as is recommended), and when it became clear that he enjoyed that, I started adding the other foods. He loves all those fruits and veggies, rice cereal, mixed cereal and oatmeal. Just recently he seemed to be eating less of his bottles- so I’ve backed off the cereal a bit. I think that because he IS so young, his bottles are the most important thing. So instead of food 2x a day, he only gets it once a day, and although I still give him a little bit of a few things, I give him less food overall. A meal might look like this:
Carrots, Rice cereal Formula
Peas, Mixed cereal and Pears
Sweet Potatoes with Oatmeal and some Applesauce (cold from the fridge)
You get the idea. What I’m wondering though, is if it is really important for him to eat a bottle before eating, or if I can just still a solid meal in there in the middle of the day and have it be fine. I don’t want him to get dehydrated…especially because solid food isn’t nutritionally important to him right now. It’s simply a nice bonus, tastes good, and fills him stomach up in a way that he likes.
This afternoon I was eating my lunch and he actually got mad that I wasn’t giving him any- poor thing sitting there with his mouth open begging me for a taste. So I went down and fed him, and he was all smiles. I’ve been looking for a book on what to feed a 5 month old, but so far all I’ve found is this site. I’m not sure how I feel about it- especially because Bubby doesn’t like big bottles. From what I’ve heard for adults, smaller meals more often is healthy. I feel like any advice I get from the formlua/baby food companies are all given to make me buy the most amount of their product possible. So I think we’re going to keep following Bubby’s cues. It might mean more work for me, but so far Bubby’s weight and height to weight ratios are just perfect, so we can’t be doing anything terribly wrong.
Flying Solo
Monday, February 23rd, 2009Today I was flying solo for most of the morning. John went to the library to work on writing and his application for school, my Mom got called into work (my Dad and Jonathan were off at work, too) and so it was just me and Bubby. Alone time with Bubby is nice- I love that I get all of his attention, and he demands all of mine. As such, I didn’t get much done til John got home. After which time…I STILL didn’t get much done because although I tried to make some necessary phone calls (health insurance, interview for freelance work) none of it worked out and will all have to be repeated tomorrow. I think that is the thing I hate MOST in life: when you set time aside to do something, go through the laborious process of doing it, and then find out that it was a waste of time because you just have to do it again anyway.
In other news, I might have my first piano student, John has an interview, and I’m seriously considering going to bed. Right now. But then I’d miss the new John and Kate! Ah…we’ll see how it goes.
Night all.
Don’t forget about the giveaway! See my sidebar for details…
Miracle Blanket Giveaway!
Saturday, February 21st, 2009In honor of my most favorite swaddle ever, I’m hosting a Miracle Blanket giveaway! Up for grabs:
One beige/natural colored 100% cotton swaddle, pediatrician recommended, of course! And although I’m no pediatrician, I can vouch for this one myself!
This is all you have to do-
If you have a baby, leave a comment about one specific hectic night sans sleep. For example: The night John and I held Camper up as if he were crawling on the ceiling while singing “Spider baby, spider baby…” (Yeah, that was a real low point in our sleep deprivation days. At least Camper seemed to be having fun.)
If you have a baby on the way or know someone who could use it as a gift, nominate yourself or friend by commenting on your fears/questions about sleeping post baby. Or not sleeping, post baby, as the case may be.
And if you don’t fit either of those categories and still want it, hey, be my guest. Just comment and state your case, and we’ll see!
The giveaway will be open until 12am February 28th, at which time we let Bubby choose a number and a winner! (That next morning anyway, he’s rarely up at midnight anymore!)
Bye Bye Blue Car
Friday, February 20th, 2009The car is officially sold. I have very mixed feelings about it- mostly I’m just glad we had it available to help us when we needed a leg up. It was my first little car and I loved it’s blue zippyness. So I’m sad and glad. Mostly just grateful. We’ve had a good run together. I will always remember it as the defining car of this era of my life. My wee hatchback.
As we had to drive to HARTFORD to sell it, we made a stop by Costco and BabiesRUs to get some necessities. I FINALLY found the Avent Weenspoons I’ve been looking for. I’ve liked everything Avent so far, except of course, the bottle warmer. But that’s another post, already written. We also got some overnight diapers. Once le baby starts sleeping through the night, at least in terms of waking up to eat and going right back to sleep, I highly recommend Huggies Overnights. I wasn’t sure they were making a huge difference, I usually still change him once a night anyway because he poops, but last night was my first time without the overnight diapers, and YES. There is a difference. Big big difference. I can confidently let him stay in one diaper from about 6pm until 5am with the overnights…which when you have a sleeping baby on your lap more than happy to go back into his crib without exposing his hindquarters to the air…HIGHLY helpful. (They start in size three, but we’ve had him in them since 2 months just fine. I’d say any baby 12 lbs. and up can use them just fine.)
After the shopping we made our way home. Bubby was very good in the car and when he got home devoured a four once bottle, his oatmeal and pears, and made it through a few peas before calling it quits. And yes, I am still making his veggies and freezing them. I’ve found fruit to be expensive in the wintertime, though, and since we seem to concentrate more on veggies, I just buy some fruit already done from the store to give him a treat or mix with his oatmeal, rice, or mixed cereal. The other day I was eating some of the applesauce we bought for him and he started in with the begging eyes. I fed him right from my spoon and he loved it! Even chilled from the fridge! I think that constitutes his first snack. My 5 month old baby. He’s a cutie.
I’m off to see if John needs help getting him put down for the night, and then I think some relaxing is in order. For sure.
Three Things
Thursday, February 19th, 20091) I really really really really want to go to BlogHer Conference 2009. But it conflicts with my possible 10 day on campus session for my masters degree. I say possible because I’ve barely just applied. And get this. THEY ARE IN THE SAME CITY. Arg. (I also fear situations like BlogHer Conference 2009 because what if I’m the girl sitting alone at the lunch table? Twittering that I’m lonely? So saaaaddddd.) (And what do people do with their babies?)
2) I just spent an hour comparing diaper/wipes prices online. If you had to choose between Amazon.com, BabiesRUs, and Costco, which do you think would be cheapest?
Well it’s BabiesRUS! Beats Costco by 1 cent, and by general variety, and amazon.com isn’t even worth thinking about! It’s craziness. I would have thought it would be: Amazon, Costco, then BabiesRUs. Oh how wrong I was.
3) I need spring. Really bad. The sidewalks thawed out just in time for Bubby and I to take ONE WALK, only for it to start snowing again! It’s so sad. I. NEED. TO. GO. OUTSIDE.
Life Isn’t Fair
Thursday, February 19th, 2009Camper woke up at about 2am and wouldn’t go back to sleep. This, however, is not the cause of my consternation. When I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, I had
THE BEST HAIR OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.
It was amazing. It flipped out in just the right way. My bangs were in this weird configuration that looks so sweeping and graceful. Even my skin looked rosy and nice.
Why does this always happen? I have the very best hair days in the middle of the night. By day my hair looks, well, clean. But I am completely at a loss as to what to do with it. This is my conversation with myself in the mirror everyday.
“Well Erin, what shall we do today?”
“Makeup?”
“Ok, but just mascara. No need for the other stuff. We’re not going anywhere.”
“Ok. what about the hair?”
“Ponytail?”
“We did that yesterday. And the day before.”
“Ponytail it is.”
So sad.
