I just found a poll on another parenting blog that I read that was asking if, in light of the recent sling recalls due to infant deaths you would stop using a sling and/or babywearing. To me, the whole thing seems unheard of. first of all, i find it hard to believe that someone properly wearing their child would not notice the child was havingtrouble or not breathing (but how awful to have that happen!). second of all, the slings recalled look like nothing i have ever seen nor would ever wear. so no, i would not stop babywearing. what is unfortunate is from this, likely a lot of new moms won't even try slings or wraps. especially considering the stigma attached to babywearing as a crunchy/hippy practice (because a giant stroller that weighs a ton that can cut off a child's fingers makes much more sense). people don't stop using cribs altogether after the recalls! i guess what it comes down to is that accidents can happen anywhere at anytime for almost any reason.
i also recently read a great article on vaccinations that was forwarded from the doula that runs our home birthing group (read: a lot of these women do not vaccinate). i've been having a lot of disscusions recently about vaccinating/not vaccinating with a couple of mamas i know, as one of them does not vaccinate her child. read the article for yourself, but it makes a couple of great points that 1) those who do not vaccincate make a decision that does not only affect themselves but people around them - so no, it is not just a personal decision. if it was personal it would affect only that person and 2) people that don't vaccinate are often around others who don't vaccinate and that is where previously unheard of diseases can reemerge as they infect all of those that are not vaccinated. people don't think about mumps or rubella. but one person catches it and it can spread like wildfire - especially to these unprotected babies with little by way of natural immunities. vaccinations have to be looked at from a public health standpoint, not just a personal health standpoint. To me, I'd rather expose my child to the smallest risk (and as of yet, not proven scientifically) of exposure to something in a vaccine that may or may not create a trigger for autism, than a larger risk to be unprotected against a number of diseases that are easily preventable and could cause serious harm or death if infected by. Unfortunately, I feel as though the growing trend of parents that choose not to vaccinate (and even those that do) are doing so because they feel as though they are doing so from an educated standpoint. but reading only articles that talk about how harmful vaccines are (or how great they are) is not fully educating oneself and therefore making an ultimately uniformed decision.
i'm impressed that therese sent out this article and i wonder what kind of response she got back? this group is made up of outspoken women who firmly believe in how they raise their children and often don't like to see the other side of the story. i've already been astounded by the number of moms who don't want to allow their child the "heel stick"/PKU genetic screening test. they would rather not expose their child to the "trauma" of being cut on the heel when they are a day or two old than possibly prevent serious neurologic problems resulting from the myriad of disorders that can be diagsnosed from that one test. again, I feel as though some of these women are not completely educating themslelves and are therefore putting their child's life at more risk than they are preventing. I know moms only want the best for their babies, but experts are experts for a reason and moms should refer to them when questions of health come up.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
baby product line up
I know a few people having their first babies, which gives me the chance to give advice - everyone loves to give advice, right? My main advice is to have the birth you want, and if that doesn't happen, accept the birth you have. i was lucky to have a great pregnancy, great labor (although she almost arrived before the midwife), great birth. and i know my way of birthing is not for everyone, but i hope that some of the advice i can give could help every new mama. for example, no one needs a changing table and how uncomfortable is it anyway to change a baby sideways?? it also gives me a chance to share my absolute favorite (and not so favorite) baby products.
favorites:
1. earth mama angel baby - anything. particularly the nipple butter. its safe for baby, so you can put it on and breast feed right away, and it doesn't make you stick to breast pads (OW! lanisoh does), it smells pretty good, and it isn't super gunky like lanisoh where you have to wash your hands and get all the greasy off. i also found their bottom balm to be a major life saver. we don't need to go into details, but common sense: something large comes out of something small and you end up incredibly sore, among other issues. this stuff smells minty good and is super cooling, like sitting on an ice pack. or like icy hot without the hot and without the funky smell. loves!
2. burts bees baby bath - i just got a little package of it for xmas but it smells so nice, i want to bathe in it always. same for the arbonne bath soak - it reminds me of the post-birth bath my midwife made for me (full of cloves, sea salt, and secret ingredients!) and baby and i can both bathe in it! the earth mama angel baby bath soak is pretty nice too!
3. california baby diaper cream - i like this much better than desitin or bourdeaux's butt paste. it doesn't have that weird butt paste smell or color and isn't super thick that you can't smear it on easily. and it works. granted, her lack of any sort of real diaper rash ever may be due to the cloth diapers (and she gets changed much more frequently b/c she absolutely can't stand being the slightest bit wet), but we've never had a diaper rash problem. but if we do - we are ready to go with hospital grade triple paste.
4. little remedies cradle cap lotion - it kind of smells, but you wash it out right after and it gets rid of the cradle cap really easily (which is good, b/c otherwise i pick at it. and you're not supposed to). and its almost completely natural. i found it while i was looking for gentle naturals cradle cap lotion, but couldn't find that anywhere. this is probably the same ingredients and works well.
*almost everything we put on her i try to keep organic, all natural. but, we do occasionally go for the medicinal - a friend at the hospital gave us some anti-fungal power bc/ she had terrible sores in her neck rolls where milk would get in and stay wet (gross, right? it smelled really bad too), which got rid of it almost immediately. we're crunchy, but not to the point of risking her well-being or comfort even. tylenol goes a long way with a teething baby. but so does clove powder and glycerin rubbed on her gums.
things i wish i had known about:
1. lily pads - they're like breast pads that never leak. leaking milk is by far the worst thing ever. and on occasion still happens to me. like saturday at a party with about a billion strangers around and no change of clothes. embarassing? yes. but i used the baby as a human shield for the wet spot and luckily had on a black shirt. crisis averted.
2. hands-free breast pump - i guess i knew about it, but didn't think i would need/want it? or maybe i thought it wouldn't last. but the ability to do things without having to hold onto bottles while pumping would be so nice.
3. temporal thermometer - i knew about it, i just didn't get one. and now i'm wishing i had. bc/ the crappy little underarm thing we got sucks. its slow. she doesn't want to be forced to hold her arm down. its not precise. i hate it.
other things i hate:
1. johnsons and johnsons - anything. i think they're lotion stinks. i realize its the classic "baby" smell, but i don't like it. but maybe i'm biased b/c i prefer all natural stuff. not that i think they have tons of chemicals in their products, i mean, people have used them for years! but maybe THATS the cause for the rise in autism. right? anyway, i just have some weird mental bias against it.
2. lanisoh - boob cream and wipes. but i think i made that clear.
i'm on a quest for a good skin lotion for her. she's starting to get chapped from drooling. i've heard weleda is good, so i might try that out.we've been using arbonne for baby (ABC) sunblock. i don't really have any complaints, but its really thick, so hard to rub in (especially on her bald little head), but i used it on myself and like it - less greasy and no sunburn! but i'm thinking she and i might need something a little stronger than SPF 30. she's already been sunburned once, i'd hate for it to happend again.especially with soccer starting and the weather being so nice - she'll be outside a lot. hopefully her father remembers to lotion her up!
my computer is working again, so i can start adding pictures (yea!). hopefully next post....
favorites:
1. earth mama angel baby - anything. particularly the nipple butter. its safe for baby, so you can put it on and breast feed right away, and it doesn't make you stick to breast pads (OW! lanisoh does), it smells pretty good, and it isn't super gunky like lanisoh where you have to wash your hands and get all the greasy off. i also found their bottom balm to be a major life saver. we don't need to go into details, but common sense: something large comes out of something small and you end up incredibly sore, among other issues. this stuff smells minty good and is super cooling, like sitting on an ice pack. or like icy hot without the hot and without the funky smell. loves!
2. burts bees baby bath - i just got a little package of it for xmas but it smells so nice, i want to bathe in it always. same for the arbonne bath soak - it reminds me of the post-birth bath my midwife made for me (full of cloves, sea salt, and secret ingredients!) and baby and i can both bathe in it! the earth mama angel baby bath soak is pretty nice too!
3. california baby diaper cream - i like this much better than desitin or bourdeaux's butt paste. it doesn't have that weird butt paste smell or color and isn't super thick that you can't smear it on easily. and it works. granted, her lack of any sort of real diaper rash ever may be due to the cloth diapers (and she gets changed much more frequently b/c she absolutely can't stand being the slightest bit wet), but we've never had a diaper rash problem. but if we do - we are ready to go with hospital grade triple paste.
4. little remedies cradle cap lotion - it kind of smells, but you wash it out right after and it gets rid of the cradle cap really easily (which is good, b/c otherwise i pick at it. and you're not supposed to). and its almost completely natural. i found it while i was looking for gentle naturals cradle cap lotion, but couldn't find that anywhere. this is probably the same ingredients and works well.
*almost everything we put on her i try to keep organic, all natural. but, we do occasionally go for the medicinal - a friend at the hospital gave us some anti-fungal power bc/ she had terrible sores in her neck rolls where milk would get in and stay wet (gross, right? it smelled really bad too), which got rid of it almost immediately. we're crunchy, but not to the point of risking her well-being or comfort even. tylenol goes a long way with a teething baby. but so does clove powder and glycerin rubbed on her gums.
things i wish i had known about:
1. lily pads - they're like breast pads that never leak. leaking milk is by far the worst thing ever. and on occasion still happens to me. like saturday at a party with about a billion strangers around and no change of clothes. embarassing? yes. but i used the baby as a human shield for the wet spot and luckily had on a black shirt. crisis averted.
2. hands-free breast pump - i guess i knew about it, but didn't think i would need/want it? or maybe i thought it wouldn't last. but the ability to do things without having to hold onto bottles while pumping would be so nice.
3. temporal thermometer - i knew about it, i just didn't get one. and now i'm wishing i had. bc/ the crappy little underarm thing we got sucks. its slow. she doesn't want to be forced to hold her arm down. its not precise. i hate it.
other things i hate:
1. johnsons and johnsons - anything. i think they're lotion stinks. i realize its the classic "baby" smell, but i don't like it. but maybe i'm biased b/c i prefer all natural stuff. not that i think they have tons of chemicals in their products, i mean, people have used them for years! but maybe THATS the cause for the rise in autism. right? anyway, i just have some weird mental bias against it.
2. lanisoh - boob cream and wipes. but i think i made that clear.
i'm on a quest for a good skin lotion for her. she's starting to get chapped from drooling. i've heard weleda is good, so i might try that out.we've been using arbonne for baby (ABC) sunblock. i don't really have any complaints, but its really thick, so hard to rub in (especially on her bald little head), but i used it on myself and like it - less greasy and no sunburn! but i'm thinking she and i might need something a little stronger than SPF 30. she's already been sunburned once, i'd hate for it to happend again.especially with soccer starting and the weather being so nice - she'll be outside a lot. hopefully her father remembers to lotion her up!
my computer is working again, so i can start adding pictures (yea!). hopefully next post....
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
new blogging GOOOOAAAAALLLLS
I've decided I have two new goals for this blog:
1) to start a craft swap. I keep seeing these great craft swaps - some are quilting squares, some are embroidery swaps, some just have a common theme (obviously my favorite is the alice in wonderland theme), but they all look so fun. so here are my problems:
A) i have few readers that craft. i have few readers period
B) i myself am not a very good crafter and therefore will feel slightly sorry for whoever has to swap with me.
that said, i know a few people who know people who like to craft and i think i could get the word out and get some participants. so now i ask you. my fellow blog reader, would you like to participate? and if so, what kind of swap would you like to participate in?
2) to start this blog in a slightly new direction - as a natural/semi-crunchy mommy blog. i know, some will find this boring, and i promise to sprinkle it with my humourous and witty everyday antecdotes that you all read this here blog for. but i have found that i can't find exactly the kind of blog that targets the kind of mama i am - slightly crunchy, yet kind of too lazy to be really crunchy, and much too into gossip, celebrities, and materialistic things to be really hippy. i want a blog that tells me the best slings, how to make my own baby food (ok, not that difficult but still), some natural product reviews for my baby and me. basically what i'm doing now with a slight twist on the mama/baby-centeredness. thoughts?
i'd love to eventually get some readers who don't know me...we'll see how that goes. i just seem to have a bit more time on my hands to devote to this. and once i get a new laptop - it's on! and i'm still considering twitter...
1) to start a craft swap. I keep seeing these great craft swaps - some are quilting squares, some are embroidery swaps, some just have a common theme (obviously my favorite is the alice in wonderland theme), but they all look so fun. so here are my problems:
A) i have few readers that craft. i have few readers period
B) i myself am not a very good crafter and therefore will feel slightly sorry for whoever has to swap with me.
that said, i know a few people who know people who like to craft and i think i could get the word out and get some participants. so now i ask you. my fellow blog reader, would you like to participate? and if so, what kind of swap would you like to participate in?
2) to start this blog in a slightly new direction - as a natural/semi-crunchy mommy blog. i know, some will find this boring, and i promise to sprinkle it with my humourous and witty everyday antecdotes that you all read this here blog for. but i have found that i can't find exactly the kind of blog that targets the kind of mama i am - slightly crunchy, yet kind of too lazy to be really crunchy, and much too into gossip, celebrities, and materialistic things to be really hippy. i want a blog that tells me the best slings, how to make my own baby food (ok, not that difficult but still), some natural product reviews for my baby and me. basically what i'm doing now with a slight twist on the mama/baby-centeredness. thoughts?
i'd love to eventually get some readers who don't know me...we'll see how that goes. i just seem to have a bit more time on my hands to devote to this. and once i get a new laptop - it's on! and i'm still considering twitter...
Friday, March 12, 2010
long delayed update
is it quite apparent that i have very limited access to my computer? oh blog, i've missed you. i know i have only a special few who read you, but you and i - you and i are like THIS. and i've neglected you so! work has been busy, we're waiting on buying a new laptop so i can upload fun pictures....we'll have to make do with down-time-at-work updates.
first off: alice in wonderland. there was no question i would like this movie. i was (as i've said) a little apprehensive about the updated story line. but let me just say - i LOVED it. loved it. was talking about it all weekend. absolutely spectacular. the way they melded the two stories (wonderland and through the looking glass) and made them into an entirely new one, that made sense, was funny. loves. and of course johnny depp. even anne hathaway was great and i don't particularly enjoy her. must go see it again. it also helped i had free tickets, popcorn, and soda - i also love alec.
recently we've been starting merit on solids - i spent last weekend making purees of butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes (orange), apples and bananas (white/brownish),and peas and green beans (green). she loves bananas, gags on everything else. but "they" say you have to feed a baby something at least ten times before you can say whether they like it or not. i've also started her on yogurt, which she seems to like. we're still nursing too, so she's only getting fatter! but at seven months, she's supposed to be doing solids pretty regularly and we're slightly behind so i'm trying to play catch up. jack doesn't help much - he says if he won't eat the green, he can't make her eat it. which i would agree with at some point later in her life (she will never have to eat brussel sprouts around me). just not now, when we're trying to introduce new things to her. maybe she loves peas like her mom!
and in any spare time i have i've been embroidering up a storm. things i can't post here b/c they may be gifts for someone who may or may not be reading this, but let's just say i'm getting much better and these things are pretty darn cute. i bought a new book: a rainbow of stiches that has so many great ideas, i need my own copying machine to enlarge all the prints i want to make! and yes, jenny you can borrow it! and i'm having a serious need to sew together some soft blocks and balls for merit. its just hard to find time without her. in my head i would wait until she went to sleep, but i end up falling asleep then too, so that doesn't really work. i know at some point she'll be more independent and i'll be able to do these things (and maybe read a magazine before the next one arrives), but right now its hard.
she also has reached the stage where she doesn't want to be left alone. so no more playing by herself for a bit while i go to the bathroom. uh uh. no way. huge crocodile tears if i do that. but otherwise, she's so good!
she has two little bottom front teeth coming in. i can see little white nubbins poking through. when i try to look at them ("let mom see your teeth") she sticks her tongue out so i can't. only if she's talking or crying or trying to eat something. she seemed to have the worst teething a week or two ago and then it subsided. it may be starting up again as they poke out a little more, but cloves and tylenol do wonders for her! i also bought some teething rings she seems to enjoy until they aren't cold anymore. she really likes nana's beer mug. its nice and cold all the time.
i've headed back to the gym. yea me! and i've lost 2 lbs since going. nursing + working out = super quick weight loss. this is awesome. i'm actualy back into my pre-preganacy jeans (or most of them, the size 4s are still a little tiiight). its very exciting. i want to try my nice "client" pants but i'm scared - the last time i tried them on it was ridiculous how they didn't fit. that may be a project for this weekend...because it is time to go through clothes! away with you stupid sweaters! spring is here and i am ready for some t-shirts!! unfortunately most of my t-shirts do little to hide tattoos at work, so i'll have to do some serious picking and choosing. and some seriuous shopping. hooray!
teh warm weather is fantastic! we've been keeping the windows open, jack and the baby have been out walking and excercising (thanks Pat!). we're starting to plan for the garden. one of the best things about jack being home (besides the fact that i can call him in the middle ofthe day and tell him i want brownies and i have home made brownies waiting for me when i get home. but i digress) is that he's super into the garden and will be tending it like a fool. we're starting all over again. i'm taking out a lot of the herb garden b/c it got out of control (chamomile is crazy!), and we're turning the dirt over with the compost incorporated to make some super rich soil. the part i'm most excited about is my nieces will each have their own corner to grow whatever they choose. i'm on the lookout for plants - we're not equipped to start from seeds (we don't get enough sun in the house), and plant sales are so late in the season (end of april), hopefully great big greenhouse and lowes will get things in earlier. i'd love to buy from a local place, but can't really find anywhere that does that, apart from their partcicpation in the plant sales. i know jack is ordering pepper plants online, maybe i'll look for veggies the same way. i'll need to do some research!
spring fever booyah!
first off: alice in wonderland. there was no question i would like this movie. i was (as i've said) a little apprehensive about the updated story line. but let me just say - i LOVED it. loved it. was talking about it all weekend. absolutely spectacular. the way they melded the two stories (wonderland and through the looking glass) and made them into an entirely new one, that made sense, was funny. loves. and of course johnny depp. even anne hathaway was great and i don't particularly enjoy her. must go see it again. it also helped i had free tickets, popcorn, and soda - i also love alec.
recently we've been starting merit on solids - i spent last weekend making purees of butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes (orange), apples and bananas (white/brownish),and peas and green beans (green). she loves bananas, gags on everything else. but "they" say you have to feed a baby something at least ten times before you can say whether they like it or not. i've also started her on yogurt, which she seems to like. we're still nursing too, so she's only getting fatter! but at seven months, she's supposed to be doing solids pretty regularly and we're slightly behind so i'm trying to play catch up. jack doesn't help much - he says if he won't eat the green, he can't make her eat it. which i would agree with at some point later in her life (she will never have to eat brussel sprouts around me). just not now, when we're trying to introduce new things to her. maybe she loves peas like her mom!
and in any spare time i have i've been embroidering up a storm. things i can't post here b/c they may be gifts for someone who may or may not be reading this, but let's just say i'm getting much better and these things are pretty darn cute. i bought a new book: a rainbow of stiches that has so many great ideas, i need my own copying machine to enlarge all the prints i want to make! and yes, jenny you can borrow it! and i'm having a serious need to sew together some soft blocks and balls for merit. its just hard to find time without her. in my head i would wait until she went to sleep, but i end up falling asleep then too, so that doesn't really work. i know at some point she'll be more independent and i'll be able to do these things (and maybe read a magazine before the next one arrives), but right now its hard.
she also has reached the stage where she doesn't want to be left alone. so no more playing by herself for a bit while i go to the bathroom. uh uh. no way. huge crocodile tears if i do that. but otherwise, she's so good!
she has two little bottom front teeth coming in. i can see little white nubbins poking through. when i try to look at them ("let mom see your teeth") she sticks her tongue out so i can't. only if she's talking or crying or trying to eat something. she seemed to have the worst teething a week or two ago and then it subsided. it may be starting up again as they poke out a little more, but cloves and tylenol do wonders for her! i also bought some teething rings she seems to enjoy until they aren't cold anymore. she really likes nana's beer mug. its nice and cold all the time.
i've headed back to the gym. yea me! and i've lost 2 lbs since going. nursing + working out = super quick weight loss. this is awesome. i'm actualy back into my pre-preganacy jeans (or most of them, the size 4s are still a little tiiight). its very exciting. i want to try my nice "client" pants but i'm scared - the last time i tried them on it was ridiculous how they didn't fit. that may be a project for this weekend...because it is time to go through clothes! away with you stupid sweaters! spring is here and i am ready for some t-shirts!! unfortunately most of my t-shirts do little to hide tattoos at work, so i'll have to do some serious picking and choosing. and some seriuous shopping. hooray!
teh warm weather is fantastic! we've been keeping the windows open, jack and the baby have been out walking and excercising (thanks Pat!). we're starting to plan for the garden. one of the best things about jack being home (besides the fact that i can call him in the middle ofthe day and tell him i want brownies and i have home made brownies waiting for me when i get home. but i digress) is that he's super into the garden and will be tending it like a fool. we're starting all over again. i'm taking out a lot of the herb garden b/c it got out of control (chamomile is crazy!), and we're turning the dirt over with the compost incorporated to make some super rich soil. the part i'm most excited about is my nieces will each have their own corner to grow whatever they choose. i'm on the lookout for plants - we're not equipped to start from seeds (we don't get enough sun in the house), and plant sales are so late in the season (end of april), hopefully great big greenhouse and lowes will get things in earlier. i'd love to buy from a local place, but can't really find anywhere that does that, apart from their partcicpation in the plant sales. i know jack is ordering pepper plants online, maybe i'll look for veggies the same way. i'll need to do some research!
spring fever booyah!
Friday, February 19, 2010
pescados failure
valentines day almost failed this year. jack and i don't really celebrate valentines day (there are just way too many other present giving events too close together before february), plus we think its kind of silly. but we took advantage of the excuse, brought merit to her nana and grandpa's and headed to pescado's (my FAVORITE resturant on the southside).
because it was v'day weekend, i called to make a reservation. the recording said they do not take reservations. me, being a logical person did not take this to mean i should call back and speak to someone b/c maybe, just maybe, they would take a reservation. because surely if they did, they would have this on their recording. right?! right. i checked the website which said IF you wanted the special 4course menu for v-day you could make a reservation. i didn't want that. i just wanted voodoo shrimp and crab empanadas. so saturday evening we head to pescaods. early, b/c i knew it would be busy. here we are met by the rudest host.
host: "do you have a reservation?"
me: "no...."
host: " well, we're only taking reservations tonight"
me: "but i called and was told you don't take reservations"
host: "we ONLY take reservations on valentine's day. did you talk to a person or the machine?" (this in the tone that i was a complete idiot)
me: " i got the recording which said you do not take reservations. why would i call back and talk to a person after hearing that?"
host: "well, you should have talked to a person. you can wait for a seat at the bar but it will be an hour and a half"
at this point jack had to physically pull me out of the resturant b/c i was getting extremely angry. booooo pescados. the worst part was, i really like that resturant and now i don't ever want to go back.
so then we drove to this asian "bistro" nearby that has thai, chinese, japanese. i thought they might have sushi and at that point decided i really wanted sushi. we get there. nope. plus, no one came up to seat us while we were standing there looking at the menu. double fail.
finally we ended up at suhi o. there we were told it would be a wait, but there was room at the bar and they WOULD seat us even though we didn't have a reservation. we ended up getting seated early (they had a cancellation), had some great wine and good sushi and i was totally happy.
and merit did ok with her grandparents. cried for a good hour, wouldn't take a bottle and then was fine. i don't know how soon they'll be willing to watch her again but at least we got a night out.
because it was v'day weekend, i called to make a reservation. the recording said they do not take reservations. me, being a logical person did not take this to mean i should call back and speak to someone b/c maybe, just maybe, they would take a reservation. because surely if they did, they would have this on their recording. right?! right. i checked the website which said IF you wanted the special 4course menu for v-day you could make a reservation. i didn't want that. i just wanted voodoo shrimp and crab empanadas. so saturday evening we head to pescaods. early, b/c i knew it would be busy. here we are met by the rudest host.
host: "do you have a reservation?"
me: "no...."
host: " well, we're only taking reservations tonight"
me: "but i called and was told you don't take reservations"
host: "we ONLY take reservations on valentine's day. did you talk to a person or the machine?" (this in the tone that i was a complete idiot)
me: " i got the recording which said you do not take reservations. why would i call back and talk to a person after hearing that?"
host: "well, you should have talked to a person. you can wait for a seat at the bar but it will be an hour and a half"
at this point jack had to physically pull me out of the resturant b/c i was getting extremely angry. booooo pescados. the worst part was, i really like that resturant and now i don't ever want to go back.
so then we drove to this asian "bistro" nearby that has thai, chinese, japanese. i thought they might have sushi and at that point decided i really wanted sushi. we get there. nope. plus, no one came up to seat us while we were standing there looking at the menu. double fail.
finally we ended up at suhi o. there we were told it would be a wait, but there was room at the bar and they WOULD seat us even though we didn't have a reservation. we ended up getting seated early (they had a cancellation), had some great wine and good sushi and i was totally happy.
and merit did ok with her grandparents. cried for a good hour, wouldn't take a bottle and then was fine. i don't know how soon they'll be willing to watch her again but at least we got a night out.
RIP toshiba
It happened! My computer DIED. but luckily I saw it coming and managed to get all my documents (dissertation!), pictures (merit's birth, showers, etc), and most of my music off before it happened. So now I'm wondering - do we get a new laptop and spend the money now or get a netbook and wait until Jack's computer dies too? We really only need a netbook with maybe an external hard drive. But a new laptop would be so nice. So I'll be shopping around. In the meantime, I can't upload any pics on here (and I have some good ones), so you'll just have to deal with links and words. And we can't skype which is a major bummer. Hopefully by the end of the month we'll have something new to play with.
i went to visit Niya's new bundle of joy - so freaking cute and SOFT. oh man i love babies. i forgot that merit was once that small with the same little alien hands and feet. he's absolutely adorable. congrats!
Merit has decided she ONLY likes bananas. She actually gags up apples and squash until it is all out of her mouth, and then will happily eat some more bananas. is it bad that we fed the apples to her repeatedly just to watch her yack them up (it was kind of funny)? it might be a texture thing and not a taste thing though, i couldn't get the apples and squash blended as smooth as the bananas. I'm not super worried though b/c 1) its still a bit soon for her to be on solids and 2) "they" say that you have to keep feeding them food (at least 10 times) before you can really say the baby won't eat it/doesn't like it. so the attempt at solids contiues slowly but surely.
She has also decided that her new bedtime is 10:30. This is good and bad. good b/c now we can hang out a bit longer (either just with each other or out with friends, which is nice). But MOM misses her 9:30 bedtime. surprisingly I'm not overtired (although by friday it really catches up with me). she still gets up at least 2-4 times during the night to eat which is fine with me. but she also likes to kick and swing her arms while she's eating which is not all that fine. ah well. one day we will sleep again. But then I think, as soon as we get back into a normal sort of routine, we're going to do this all over again! I love my baby but I love sleeping too.
I am slowly but surely working on some really great embroidery projects. and getting better with each one (and within each one). hopefully, i'll be able to post pictures soon. although a few i won't be able to b/c they're gifts. i'm also wanting to do some cross stitching/embroidery projects inspired by things such as this and these. I know a few people that would enjoy it. And is it sad that i am really itching to make that cross-stitched rpatz i posted a few weeks ago? yea, i'm going to buy the thread this weekend. and sarah, i'm thinking of you to send it to....
i can't wait for merit to start doodling her own little pictures i can then turn into threaded works of art. i've got some tracing paper, a transfer pencil and i am ready! i guess i have a few years though. but i do have some nieces and nephews that may be interested....
and speaking of in-laws, my sister in law has her annual st. patty's day party coming up and i've asked to make the desserts (we compliment each other so well - i make the sweets, she makes the savories). irish coffee cupcakes with whiskey-flavored frosting (trust, i've had whiskey flavored whip cream before and it is delicious!) and double chocolate stout cake. you have to keep the drinking theme going!
can i just say i am so excited this weekend and the next week are snow free?
i went to visit Niya's new bundle of joy - so freaking cute and SOFT. oh man i love babies. i forgot that merit was once that small with the same little alien hands and feet. he's absolutely adorable. congrats!
Merit has decided she ONLY likes bananas. She actually gags up apples and squash until it is all out of her mouth, and then will happily eat some more bananas. is it bad that we fed the apples to her repeatedly just to watch her yack them up (it was kind of funny)? it might be a texture thing and not a taste thing though, i couldn't get the apples and squash blended as smooth as the bananas. I'm not super worried though b/c 1) its still a bit soon for her to be on solids and 2) "they" say that you have to keep feeding them food (at least 10 times) before you can really say the baby won't eat it/doesn't like it. so the attempt at solids contiues slowly but surely.
She has also decided that her new bedtime is 10:30. This is good and bad. good b/c now we can hang out a bit longer (either just with each other or out with friends, which is nice). But MOM misses her 9:30 bedtime. surprisingly I'm not overtired (although by friday it really catches up with me). she still gets up at least 2-4 times during the night to eat which is fine with me. but she also likes to kick and swing her arms while she's eating which is not all that fine. ah well. one day we will sleep again. But then I think, as soon as we get back into a normal sort of routine, we're going to do this all over again! I love my baby but I love sleeping too.
I am slowly but surely working on some really great embroidery projects. and getting better with each one (and within each one). hopefully, i'll be able to post pictures soon. although a few i won't be able to b/c they're gifts. i'm also wanting to do some cross stitching/embroidery projects inspired by things such as this and these. I know a few people that would enjoy it. And is it sad that i am really itching to make that cross-stitched rpatz i posted a few weeks ago? yea, i'm going to buy the thread this weekend. and sarah, i'm thinking of you to send it to....
i can't wait for merit to start doodling her own little pictures i can then turn into threaded works of art. i've got some tracing paper, a transfer pencil and i am ready! i guess i have a few years though. but i do have some nieces and nephews that may be interested....
and speaking of in-laws, my sister in law has her annual st. patty's day party coming up and i've asked to make the desserts (we compliment each other so well - i make the sweets, she makes the savories). irish coffee cupcakes with whiskey-flavored frosting (trust, i've had whiskey flavored whip cream before and it is delicious!) and double chocolate stout cake. you have to keep the drinking theme going!
can i just say i am so excited this weekend and the next week are snow free?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
blizzaaard!
yet another weekend trapped inside because of snow. Its not so bad for me, but I know jack and the baby are going stir crazy! it looks like a blizzard outside (but apparently i say this with every snow). normally, i love the snow and would be super stoked on this. but we don't have a good sled, none of us have snow clothes/boots, and of course merit is too young to fully enjoy it. and she's too young to sit outside with us while we build a snowman. so here i am, stuck indoors, weekend plans ruined! and of course, i still have to go to work. at least we have cable and power. and internet. although my computer is on its last little bit of life - the power cord doesn't quite make a connection any more. so i'm hurridly trying to burn everything off of this computer before i can no longer use it. and i'm doing our taxes. fun day!
we've tried to start feeding merit mashed bananas (mooshed boonoonoos). she doesn't seem all that interested - she's more into the spoon, the bib, the bowl. but she eats it. but i don't think i'll be forcing the solid food issue for awhile. i thought she'd be really into it b/c she's so interested in what we're eating and drinking. but i really think she just likes the cup or plate or whatever the food is in. and speaking of food, these are the major changes i've seen in my own eating habits with the baby here:
1. i've learned to eat VERY fast
2. i've learned to eat lukewarm food. a lot.
3. i've learned to eat with one hand, with the baby in the other
none of this bothers me much, but i think it really bothers jack. he has this weird thing about not being disturbed while he eats and therefore refuses to eat while holding the baby (he either waits for me to take her - therefore we don't eat together often, or sits her in her chair). ah the joys of parenthood!
she has learned to sit up by herself rather well, which means she can play with her toys by herself for a good period of time, letting me embroider, be on the computer, cook. and shes very into her toys - she has a stuffed penguin named spartacus she loves, a cabbage patch doll she likes to poke in the eyes, and she's into her books which is cool.
we think she may be teething a bit too. so we've started putting some clove/glycerin paste on her gums to soothe them (1tbs vegetable glycerin to 1 tsp clove powder, chilled in the fridge). she loves it and it makes her smell yummy. like christmas.
we've tried to start feeding merit mashed bananas (mooshed boonoonoos). she doesn't seem all that interested - she's more into the spoon, the bib, the bowl. but she eats it. but i don't think i'll be forcing the solid food issue for awhile. i thought she'd be really into it b/c she's so interested in what we're eating and drinking. but i really think she just likes the cup or plate or whatever the food is in. and speaking of food, these are the major changes i've seen in my own eating habits with the baby here:
1. i've learned to eat VERY fast
2. i've learned to eat lukewarm food. a lot.
3. i've learned to eat with one hand, with the baby in the other
none of this bothers me much, but i think it really bothers jack. he has this weird thing about not being disturbed while he eats and therefore refuses to eat while holding the baby (he either waits for me to take her - therefore we don't eat together often, or sits her in her chair). ah the joys of parenthood!
she has learned to sit up by herself rather well, which means she can play with her toys by herself for a good period of time, letting me embroider, be on the computer, cook. and shes very into her toys - she has a stuffed penguin named spartacus she loves, a cabbage patch doll she likes to poke in the eyes, and she's into her books which is cool.
we think she may be teething a bit too. so we've started putting some clove/glycerin paste on her gums to soothe them (1tbs vegetable glycerin to 1 tsp clove powder, chilled in the fridge). she loves it and it makes her smell yummy. like christmas.
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