Oh my, its been 3 weeks since I posted. Need I say, we have been busy?
So here is an update on our Christmas.
Nic visited Santa at the mall and, well "visited" is kind of euphemism here. He actually saw Santa, approached Santa, and then decided Santa was scary and proceeded to scream his festive little head off. Later that day at a Cost*co he "visited" Santa again in the same way he "visited" him the first time. Oh well, we tried. If I had managed to get a picture of the "visit" it would have matched the picture of my "visit" to Santa years ago. If you think about it though, Santa is a little scary; big man with a beard dress in an odd costume, wanting you to sit on his lap. Under any other circumstances we would tell our children not to get within 50 feet of a person like that. I don't blame you Nic. You may also feel the same way I do about clowns.
Despite not telling Santa what he wanted, Nic received many presents. He got a football, toys that make noise, toys that move, toys that "bark", toys that roll across the floor, toys that he is still too young for and that doesn't include all the stuff he got for his birthday. So much in fact that he can sit on the living room floor surrounded by his toys and give them about 2 minutes of attention each and play for a good amount of time. Got to love the toddler attention span!
Nic saw an aunt, an uncle, a grandma and grandpa, numerous cousins, some second cousins (I think that is the technical relationship) and some other in-laws of various relationships.
It's interesting that prior to Thanksgiving I look forward to the disruption in my schedule for the holidays. I get tired of the usual schedule and want it unusual for a while, but by the time Christmas is done, I am ready to get back to the usual.
Today is New Years Eve! Yippie, we are going to PAR-TAY! OK, maybe not. I think we will have a toast, play with some toys and give a round of kisses and hit the sack - possibly before midnight.
Tomorrow we will welcome 2009 and a whole new set of wonders and amazement from the super baby!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Second Cake
The practice with the first cake paid off for Nic as he ate and smeared and ate and smeared cake very well at his party. He has cake in his hair (thanks Rachel), he has cake on his bottle and his arm and everywhere else within his reach!
Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us and for all the presents that Nic is thoroughly enjoying. We all had a wonderful time!
If you haven't done so, take a minute to scroll down to the first picture and then scroll back up. It's amazing to see Nic grow through his first year.
Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us and for all the presents that Nic is thoroughly enjoying. We all had a wonderful time!
If you haven't done so, take a minute to scroll down to the first picture and then scroll back up. It's amazing to see Nic grow through his first year.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Reflection
A year has passed since Nicolas was born so it is time to reflect.
Here are my thoughts (in no particular order) on this past year.
1) This year has brought the most dramatic and wonderful change I have ever experienced.
2) Nic is a genius.
3) Pregnancy and childbirth was the most wonderful experience I have ever had. It still gets me emotional when I think of his head coming out (yep, I said head coming out - it was amazing).
4) My home has gotten messier with each addition (cat, husband, dog, child) and each year I care less about the mess.
5) I can see how motherhood isn't for every woman.
6) I must have had a lot of time on my hands before I had Nic.
7) No matter how tired I am when he wakes me up in the middle of the night, I still love to kiss his sweet little face.
8) The jobs that pay us may be important (some more than others), but this is the most important job I will ever have.
9) My weekly e-mail about my baby's development said "toddler" today - eek, I have a toddler!
10) If you hurt my child...well I won't put it in writing, but you know...
11)There is no love greater than this.
Thank you to everyone who helped me get through this first year. Thank you for keeping up with us. We will continue this blog into the next year and many after.
Here are my thoughts (in no particular order) on this past year.
1) This year has brought the most dramatic and wonderful change I have ever experienced.
2) Nic is a genius.
3) Pregnancy and childbirth was the most wonderful experience I have ever had. It still gets me emotional when I think of his head coming out (yep, I said head coming out - it was amazing).
4) My home has gotten messier with each addition (cat, husband, dog, child) and each year I care less about the mess.
5) I can see how motherhood isn't for every woman.
6) I must have had a lot of time on my hands before I had Nic.
7) No matter how tired I am when he wakes me up in the middle of the night, I still love to kiss his sweet little face.
8) The jobs that pay us may be important (some more than others), but this is the most important job I will ever have.
9) My weekly e-mail about my baby's development said "toddler" today - eek, I have a toddler!
10) If you hurt my child...well I won't put it in writing, but you know...
11)There is no love greater than this.
Thank you to everyone who helped me get through this first year. Thank you for keeping up with us. We will continue this blog into the next year and many after.
Happy Birthday Nicolas!
Yesterday was Nicolas' First Birthday!!!!!
We were so busy yesterday we didn't get time to post so we must do it a day late.
Tomorrow is his birthday party! I will post pictures from that later. We did already have a pre-birthday cake for him at my mom's house over Thanksgiving so he has experienced the hands into the cake part. With that practice he should be ready to dive in mouth first!
We were so busy yesterday we didn't get time to post so we must do it a day late.
Tomorrow is his birthday party! I will post pictures from that later. We did already have a pre-birthday cake for him at my mom's house over Thanksgiving so he has experienced the hands into the cake part. With that practice he should be ready to dive in mouth first!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Let's Be Thankful!
I was home for Thanksgiving this past weekend (home is Indianapolis). Thursday morning I went out for a run through my old neighborhood and reflected on the years that have passed and all that I have to be thankful for. As I ran I was thankful for the fact that I could go out for a run; thankful for my health and physical capacity. I ran past my good friend Sara's old house and was thankful for her still being my good friend after 30 some years. I looked at the house next to her old house and thought of how I heard that family had fallen apart with divorce and drugs and un-timely death and was thankful that my family did not go through that. I ran past other houses and thought of the friends and families who used to occupy those houses and where they were now. I ran past the house of the guy I liked who was older than I and really hot and the girl I played with whose house seemed to grow on its own (little house - now big house on top of the old house). I ran past my mom's neighbor's house whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver and whose mother died of cancer and her father had remarried and his new wife died of cancer too and her neighbor whose son died of a brain tumor and she later died of breast cancer and if this seems like a run on sentence......... it is. I ran and thought and ran and thought and was thankful for my family. I wondered how the big neighborhood got so small. I ran past the house where I used to babysit where the house had roll down metal protective barriers on the windows (I thought that was totally cool when I babysat). You all know that my father died of cancer 3 years ago. Maybe another child that was a child when I was a child in that neighborhood thinks of that when they run past my mom's house.....
I am thankful for my son, my husband, my mom, my brother and his wife, my friends, my in-laws, my time in Indiana and Georgia and North Carolina (Illinios and California too). I am thankful that I am her today to tell you all of this and have the life I have. I may not have everything I want....but I have everything I need. I love you Ted and Nicolas!!!!!
I am thankful for my son, my husband, my mom, my brother and his wife, my friends, my in-laws, my time in Indiana and Georgia and North Carolina (Illinios and California too). I am thankful that I am her today to tell you all of this and have the life I have. I may not have everything I want....but I have everything I need. I love you Ted and Nicolas!!!!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What Do You Want To Do With Your Life?
They ask us this question early on. High School Guidance Counselors try to help us plan our careers when we are 17. How can we know? I often wonder what Nicolas will be.
When I was 17 I wanted to be a doctor, a plastic surgeon actually. Not just to give women bigger boobs or less cellulite or fewer crows feet (though a trade-out with other doctors would serve me well now), but to fix things that really needed to be fixed. At 19 I switched into Exercise Physiology and loved it. Over the years and through my career I have loved the path but often have not loved the work.
Today I came back to what I love. Before I got to typing I was surfing the net for more information on the conditions that some of my clients suffer and how better to help them. As Ted and Nic lay sleeping on the couch, I could have crept into bed and gotten a head start on sleep, but I was compelled to learn more. As the day has gone on I have been more and more inspired to find new ways to help them work through their physical obstacles and become the person they want to be.
The mother of one of my clients (the client is suffering a debilitating neuromuscular disease) waited for her daughter in the lobby as we trained. Afterwards I went to talk to her to let her know how well her daughter did and how great an attitude she had. The mother, having previously looked heartbroken, looked surprised and pleased at that. Her daughter is 2 years older than I am.
It just made me see even more how every day of their lives, no matter how old they get, we wish and hope and ache for our children.
I hope that Nicolas gets to be everything he wants to be. He is tough, but sweet; smart and mischievous and becoming an amazing little man!
When I was 17 I wanted to be a doctor, a plastic surgeon actually. Not just to give women bigger boobs or less cellulite or fewer crows feet (though a trade-out with other doctors would serve me well now), but to fix things that really needed to be fixed. At 19 I switched into Exercise Physiology and loved it. Over the years and through my career I have loved the path but often have not loved the work.
Today I came back to what I love. Before I got to typing I was surfing the net for more information on the conditions that some of my clients suffer and how better to help them. As Ted and Nic lay sleeping on the couch, I could have crept into bed and gotten a head start on sleep, but I was compelled to learn more. As the day has gone on I have been more and more inspired to find new ways to help them work through their physical obstacles and become the person they want to be.
The mother of one of my clients (the client is suffering a debilitating neuromuscular disease) waited for her daughter in the lobby as we trained. Afterwards I went to talk to her to let her know how well her daughter did and how great an attitude she had. The mother, having previously looked heartbroken, looked surprised and pleased at that. Her daughter is 2 years older than I am.
It just made me see even more how every day of their lives, no matter how old they get, we wish and hope and ache for our children.
I hope that Nicolas gets to be everything he wants to be. He is tough, but sweet; smart and mischievous and becoming an amazing little man!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Kill, Kill, Kill
No I haven't lost my mind, but sometimes I want to kill, kill, kill!!!!
When I say that I mean germs!
I try to be green and non-toxic when it comes to cleaning products. I use Method soaps and surface cleaners, eco friendly dish detergent, and even green floor cleaner. I know that all the toxic substances in the cleaners are harmful to the whole family. Look under your sink and count up the toxic substances, then think of a situation like Galve*ston, TX where the flooding brought all those cleaners out in the open and added them to the flood waters. Or that all the cleaners sent down the drain or toilet add to the sewers and may or may not be filtered out into the lakes and rivers.
I buy the chemical-free sunscreen and lip balm.
But in the last couple months Nic has been sick with a number of ear infections and most recently a viral infection, so now when I think of the germs, I want to Kill, Kill, Kill.
Bleach, Win*dex, Clor*ox, Ly*sol, Rai*d...bring it on. If you are a living organism in my home that I didn't give birth to, marry, adopt, (myself too) or plant....beware!
When I say that I mean germs!
I try to be green and non-toxic when it comes to cleaning products. I use Method soaps and surface cleaners, eco friendly dish detergent, and even green floor cleaner. I know that all the toxic substances in the cleaners are harmful to the whole family. Look under your sink and count up the toxic substances, then think of a situation like Galve*ston, TX where the flooding brought all those cleaners out in the open and added them to the flood waters. Or that all the cleaners sent down the drain or toilet add to the sewers and may or may not be filtered out into the lakes and rivers.
I buy the chemical-free sunscreen and lip balm.
But in the last couple months Nic has been sick with a number of ear infections and most recently a viral infection, so now when I think of the germs, I want to Kill, Kill, Kill.
Bleach, Win*dex, Clor*ox, Ly*sol, Rai*d...bring it on. If you are a living organism in my home that I didn't give birth to, marry, adopt, (myself too) or plant....beware!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Seriously Lacking in Posts
Wow, I have been very neglectful of my blog. I bet my friends have stopped checking because they assume there will be nothing new. And really it's not that there isn't anything new, we have just been so busy. But here is the update.
Nic still walking everywhere! Sometimes he resorts back to crawling but only for a minute. So my time at home often consists of simply chasing him around.
He has 6 teeth and I caught the beginning of a new one yesterday as his mouth was wide open screaming at the doctor's office. Yep, back to the doctor. He had a temperature of 103 yesterday when we got home and straight to the doctor we went. She isn't sure exactly what it is but it's not an ear infection and its not strep, just some virus that must run it's course. So it has been doing that for the past 2 nights and little sleep has been had by Mom or Nic.
Despite the fever he remains as charming and handsome as always!
As I always promise, more later when I have time.
Here is a cute Halloween picture. As you can see, Nic is afraid of dogs:)
Nic still walking everywhere! Sometimes he resorts back to crawling but only for a minute. So my time at home often consists of simply chasing him around.
He has 6 teeth and I caught the beginning of a new one yesterday as his mouth was wide open screaming at the doctor's office. Yep, back to the doctor. He had a temperature of 103 yesterday when we got home and straight to the doctor we went. She isn't sure exactly what it is but it's not an ear infection and its not strep, just some virus that must run it's course. So it has been doing that for the past 2 nights and little sleep has been had by Mom or Nic.
Despite the fever he remains as charming and handsome as always!
As I always promise, more later when I have time.
Here is a cute Halloween picture. As you can see, Nic is afraid of dogs:)
Friday, October 24, 2008
Toys!
With Nic's one year birthday coming up friends have asked me what the theme of his party will be. Theme? If figured the theme would be a birthday party, but I am domestically challenged in that way. So my friends asked what Nic likes to play with...and that just made me laugh.
Right now he is carrying around a John Mc*Cain flyer we got in the mail (I don't think it is an indication of his political preferences). Most days he is carrying around some kind of plastic container or lid or sport bottle. In the mornings he likes to carry around his little black "portfolios" like the little busy man that he is - lots to do today Mom, got to check my portfolio.
Then there are the socks, he loves socks..chewing on socks, re-arranging socks.
But none of the things that he likes to play with on a daily basis are actually toys.
So the theme of his party will be ... oh who knows. I will have to look to my friends for help on that. But we will have a party. Partially for him and mostly for us for making it through one year!
Right now he is carrying around a John Mc*Cain flyer we got in the mail (I don't think it is an indication of his political preferences). Most days he is carrying around some kind of plastic container or lid or sport bottle. In the mornings he likes to carry around his little black "portfolios" like the little busy man that he is - lots to do today Mom, got to check my portfolio.
Then there are the socks, he loves socks..chewing on socks, re-arranging socks.
But none of the things that he likes to play with on a daily basis are actually toys.
So the theme of his party will be ... oh who knows. I will have to look to my friends for help on that. But we will have a party. Partially for him and mostly for us for making it through one year!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Big Smile
If you have been following this blog you know that Nic never smiles for the camera. Today that changed. Mr. Smileypants was wide open and grinning for the camera.
Maybe it's because Nic got to go to the Salon today! I finally got my hair cut for the first time in 13 months. Now this isn't because I have just totally let myself go and had ridiculously long hair. No, if you read back to the Sept. 10th post (2007) you will see that I cut 10 inches off my hair for Locks of Love. Therefore, no need to cut it for 13 months.
So if you are looking to save money in this difficult economy and you haven't gotten yourself particularly attached to a hairstyle or your hair having any style for that matter, this could be a good way to save money.
It looked really cute when I left the salon. I should have had the stylist take a picture because that may be the last time it looks good until I get it cut again. If you don't know, I am completely hairstyling impaired (I should check to see if there is a medication for that). I have big and small round brushes, I have mousse and sprays, and stuff to make it shiny and stuff to make it fluffy, stuff to make it soft and stuff to make it curly....but what you get is a ponytail.
Maybe it's because Nic got to go to the Salon today! I finally got my hair cut for the first time in 13 months. Now this isn't because I have just totally let myself go and had ridiculously long hair. No, if you read back to the Sept. 10th post (2007) you will see that I cut 10 inches off my hair for Locks of Love. Therefore, no need to cut it for 13 months.
So if you are looking to save money in this difficult economy and you haven't gotten yourself particularly attached to a hairstyle or your hair having any style for that matter, this could be a good way to save money.
It looked really cute when I left the salon. I should have had the stylist take a picture because that may be the last time it looks good until I get it cut again. If you don't know, I am completely hairstyling impaired (I should check to see if there is a medication for that). I have big and small round brushes, I have mousse and sprays, and stuff to make it shiny and stuff to make it fluffy, stuff to make it soft and stuff to make it curly....but what you get is a ponytail.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Yessiree I'm Walkin'
Nic is walking! He is only up to 6 steps at a time, but he's still walking.
Of course, with the onset of walking he is now wearing shoes too ~ Janice will be so excited!
He can only fit into one pair of the shoes that his friends and family gave him so we will have to shop for his next pair (darn).
He is also sprouting his 2 front teeth to add to the 4 others that have already come in. Teething is just so much fun for everyone:)
So that's the update on my little man. I hope to post more stories soon - we've just been so busy.
Of course, with the onset of walking he is now wearing shoes too ~ Janice will be so excited!
He can only fit into one pair of the shoes that his friends and family gave him so we will have to shop for his next pair (darn).
He is also sprouting his 2 front teeth to add to the 4 others that have already come in. Teething is just so much fun for everyone:)
So that's the update on my little man. I hope to post more stories soon - we've just been so busy.
Monday, September 29, 2008
You May Know This, But....
Life isn't fair.
During a phone conversation with a good friend today I was reminded of how life isn't fair. My dad always told me that and I know it's true, but somedays it just hits you even more. We were talking about how there are women out there who are addicted to crack, pregnant, still smoking crack, selling their bodies for crack, pregnant... and there are other women out there going to all lengths to try to conceive.
It's just not fair.
Then there is my friend's sister who has lived a clean and healthy life and is dying of cancer. The doctors are treating her with chemo to try to give her just a little more time with her husband and 2 young children.
It's just not fair.
Excuse me, I must go kiss my husband and child.
During a phone conversation with a good friend today I was reminded of how life isn't fair. My dad always told me that and I know it's true, but somedays it just hits you even more. We were talking about how there are women out there who are addicted to crack, pregnant, still smoking crack, selling their bodies for crack, pregnant... and there are other women out there going to all lengths to try to conceive.
It's just not fair.
Then there is my friend's sister who has lived a clean and healthy life and is dying of cancer. The doctors are treating her with chemo to try to give her just a little more time with her husband and 2 young children.
It's just not fair.
Excuse me, I must go kiss my husband and child.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
All germed up and still trying to walk!
My little sweetheart is all full of boogers and germs :(
He had an ear infection a couple weeks ago that we treated. He's been running a little warm, but nothing so high he needed to be taken to the doc. Then this morning the ladies in childwatch took his temp. at 103, so off to the pediatrician we went.
Now after the pediatrician visit he has a worse ear infection and perhaps tonsilitis. This afternoon I think he actually sneezed out a big piece of earwax.
However, the infected ears, runny nose, cough, and fever have not stopped his progress in trying to walk.
This afternoon with a tummy full of antibiotics and Tylen*l, he took 2 unassisted steps before falling to his bottom. What a trooper!
He had an ear infection a couple weeks ago that we treated. He's been running a little warm, but nothing so high he needed to be taken to the doc. Then this morning the ladies in childwatch took his temp. at 103, so off to the pediatrician we went.
Now after the pediatrician visit he has a worse ear infection and perhaps tonsilitis. This afternoon I think he actually sneezed out a big piece of earwax.
However, the infected ears, runny nose, cough, and fever have not stopped his progress in trying to walk.
This afternoon with a tummy full of antibiotics and Tylen*l, he took 2 unassisted steps before falling to his bottom. What a trooper!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Watching Football with Daddy!
We know Nic likes football.
Which team he likes is still up for debate.
Last season he had a Colts jersey that he wore proudly! Sadly, it does not fit this year. So Peyton, if you are reading this (which I am sure you are) Nic wears a 12 month size.
Otherwise he will be forced to wear this Steelers bib all season.
Go Colts!
Which team he likes is still up for debate.
Last season he had a Colts jersey that he wore proudly! Sadly, it does not fit this year. So Peyton, if you are reading this (which I am sure you are) Nic wears a 12 month size.
Otherwise he will be forced to wear this Steelers bib all season.
Go Colts!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Favorite First Foods
I think Nic has found one of his favorite first foods.
Now as a protective Mom, not ultra-crazy, over-protective, but dangerously close to it - Mom; I have gone by the rules to introduce the appropriate first foods slowly. I make all his food, and by "make" I mean put it in the blender. He eats peas, sweet potatoes, blueberries, pears, apples, etc. Occasionally we let him "taste" other foods on the table.
Ted is a bit less conservative. So the other evening as Ted was eating a big kosher pickle (one of Ted's favorite foods) he let Nic have a try.
Nic LOVED it!
To the right is Nic's pickle-eating caught on "film".
Now as a protective Mom, not ultra-crazy, over-protective, but dangerously close to it - Mom; I have gone by the rules to introduce the appropriate first foods slowly. I make all his food, and by "make" I mean put it in the blender. He eats peas, sweet potatoes, blueberries, pears, apples, etc. Occasionally we let him "taste" other foods on the table.
Ted is a bit less conservative. So the other evening as Ted was eating a big kosher pickle (one of Ted's favorite foods) he let Nic have a try.
Nic LOVED it!
To the right is Nic's pickle-eating caught on "film".
Friday, September 5, 2008
Nine Month Check Up
Nic and I went for his nine month check up at the pediatrician today, and once again, he is a GENIUS! This was our first time back to his former pediatrican and it confirmed my decision to go back to her. She, Dr.B., really takes interest in her little patients and I felt very comfortable with her. We spent some time going over the 8 months she didn't see him and recognizing his many accomplishments and remarking on the fact that he is a GENIUS! This is a feeling I didn't have as much with the other one. Not that she wasn't a good pediatrician, but I didn't get that warm and fuzzy feeling, along with other staff issues I had there.
His current stats are: 19.5lbs (but he feels like 25 - my boy is all muscle) and 29 inches. His height is actually in the 90% percentile for height! As you know, neither Ted nor I are overly tall, but my uncle on my dad's side is over 6ft. I think there is a lot of my dad coming through in Nic. Having lost my dad over 3 years ago, it warms my heart to see some of him in my son. There are little tints of red in his hair too:)
My mom comes to visit next week and I am excited for her to see the progress he has made and how much of a little man he has become. She was here 3 months ago, but he has changed so much in those months. When she was here last, he wasn't even crawling, but now - watch out, here he comes.
We walked to Starb*ucks this morning after our morning run and I sat him in one of their big leather chairs while I adjusted his stroller straps. I snapped a picture on my camera phone, but don't know how to get it off of there to post. If I find out, I will definately post it. It's so cute! He looks like he is so excited to be sitting by himself in a big chair.
His current stats are: 19.5lbs (but he feels like 25 - my boy is all muscle) and 29 inches. His height is actually in the 90% percentile for height! As you know, neither Ted nor I are overly tall, but my uncle on my dad's side is over 6ft. I think there is a lot of my dad coming through in Nic. Having lost my dad over 3 years ago, it warms my heart to see some of him in my son. There are little tints of red in his hair too:)
My mom comes to visit next week and I am excited for her to see the progress he has made and how much of a little man he has become. She was here 3 months ago, but he has changed so much in those months. When she was here last, he wasn't even crawling, but now - watch out, here he comes.
We walked to Starb*ucks this morning after our morning run and I sat him in one of their big leather chairs while I adjusted his stroller straps. I snapped a picture on my camera phone, but don't know how to get it off of there to post. If I find out, I will definately post it. It's so cute! He looks like he is so excited to be sitting by himself in a big chair.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Happy Nine Month Birthday Nic!
Today is Nic's 9 month birthday! For the first year of your life, you get to celebrate every month:)
Today he marked the occasion by standing on his own for about 10 seconds. Yippie!
His potential for walking before one year is definately there!
Today he marked the occasion by standing on his own for about 10 seconds. Yippie!
His potential for walking before one year is definately there!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Family Day at the Big Pool
Last weekend we had a "family day", which meant Ted, Nic and I spent the whole day together. The trip to Lo*wes and Cost*co may not have been that exciting, but the good part came at the neighborhood pool.
No more sitting the shallow water splashing around for Nic, he wants in the deep water, and not to be held, but to "swim".
He has really taken to the water, unfortunately at the end of the pool season. Good thing we still have his pool in the yard.
We have seen that Nic is a good runner (winning the race in July); he enjoyed cycle when I was pregnant; and now the swimming. I think we may have a triathlete on our hands!
No more sitting the shallow water splashing around for Nic, he wants in the deep water, and not to be held, but to "swim".
He has really taken to the water, unfortunately at the end of the pool season. Good thing we still have his pool in the yard.
We have seen that Nic is a good runner (winning the race in July); he enjoyed cycle when I was pregnant; and now the swimming. I think we may have a triathlete on our hands!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
What's Up With Us?
I realized that I haven't put up a new blog in 2 weeks so I thought I would post an update. The good thing is that all is well with us. Nic goes for his 9 month check up next week. Can you believe he is almost 9 months old!? Well I can't.
Here is what has been going on with Nic:
1) He is crawling faster each day, so fast you have to keep your eyes on his or else he is out of the room and into something he shouldn't be.
2) He can crawl all the way up the stairs (we go behind him for backup).
3) He has 2 teeth that are just so cute. The top 2 are on their way.
4) He is a big flirt!
5) He has hair! Not a lot of it, but its there. Mostly blonde but a hint of red, bringing in my dad's genes.
6) He looks just like me as a child (ensuring he will be very handsome:)).
7) He claps and knows how to clap when "things" are done well.
8) We are not sure how much he weighs but we will find out next week, I am guessing 21lb.
9) He loves peas, sweet potatoes, pears and blueberries.
10) He loves the water! I have taken him "swimming" a couple times and he loves "swimming" his arms and kicking his legs. No more sitting and splashing for Nic.
I am working a regular 6 hours a week and upwards of 10 hours. During this time Nic goes into the childwatch at the Y. This has been the most difficult part of me working. With the variety of work that I do, he is in 3 different childwatches and then one more for working out close to the house. Today when I picked him up he had just awoken up from a nap and he was content.
Now it's 7:30p and he has just woken up, so it's time to go....
Here is what has been going on with Nic:
1) He is crawling faster each day, so fast you have to keep your eyes on his or else he is out of the room and into something he shouldn't be.
2) He can crawl all the way up the stairs (we go behind him for backup).
3) He has 2 teeth that are just so cute. The top 2 are on their way.
4) He is a big flirt!
5) He has hair! Not a lot of it, but its there. Mostly blonde but a hint of red, bringing in my dad's genes.
6) He looks just like me as a child (ensuring he will be very handsome:)).
7) He claps and knows how to clap when "things" are done well.
8) We are not sure how much he weighs but we will find out next week, I am guessing 21lb.
9) He loves peas, sweet potatoes, pears and blueberries.
10) He loves the water! I have taken him "swimming" a couple times and he loves "swimming" his arms and kicking his legs. No more sitting and splashing for Nic.
I am working a regular 6 hours a week and upwards of 10 hours. During this time Nic goes into the childwatch at the Y. This has been the most difficult part of me working. With the variety of work that I do, he is in 3 different childwatches and then one more for working out close to the house. Today when I picked him up he had just awoken up from a nap and he was content.
Now it's 7:30p and he has just woken up, so it's time to go....
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
I'm Addicted
Hello, my name is Dana and I am addicted to F*aceb*ook. I have neglected to post or look at my friends posting for almost a week because I am interested to see what is going on with my face*boo*k page. The good thing is that I have "reconnected" with many high school friends.
It's really fun, but highly addictive. I haven't posted a bunch of pictures or a ton of information as I still want to keep some things private (like the pictures on post on this site - right). But I got into it out of curiosity and after hearing about the things some people put on their pages. Then I started getting friend requests and started finding old friends and then started finding out my friends had pages. And well, now I am hooked. A friend "threw a cow" at me and I am still trying to figure out what that means.
So I will keep this page for Nic and try not to post too much on the other. Here is a picture of Nic in his new shirt from Grandma. I took a totally cute one of him post bath, but no nudie pictures here (he may become a Senator or the Pre*sident one day.
It's really fun, but highly addictive. I haven't posted a bunch of pictures or a ton of information as I still want to keep some things private (like the pictures on post on this site - right). But I got into it out of curiosity and after hearing about the things some people put on their pages. Then I started getting friend requests and started finding old friends and then started finding out my friends had pages. And well, now I am hooked. A friend "threw a cow" at me and I am still trying to figure out what that means.
So I will keep this page for Nic and try not to post too much on the other. Here is a picture of Nic in his new shirt from Grandma. I took a totally cute one of him post bath, but no nudie pictures here (he may become a Senator or the Pre*sident one day.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
And Then There Were Two
The baby tooth fairy has visited Nicolas twice in the last 3 weeks. He was Mr. Sunshine (and by that I mean grumpy, crying, etc) for a couple days the week before last. I rubbed my finger on his gums and felt a tooth! Once it broke through the gums he was fine and then last night and today he was Mr. Sunshine again. So he was eating some peas today and with his mouth wide open I saw the second tooth coming in. That makes....um....22 to go?
The baby milestones are so fun for parents. Those who aren't parents sometimes have a different take. Now, I know many single or non-parent individuals who are excited about the little steps Nicolas is taking, but I also know that others yawn and roll their eyes at the stories.
For example, I was teaching a workshop this past weekend for a nationally recognized and highly respected health and fitness organization. It's a 3 day workshop to help prepare individuals to take a personal training exam. I've been teaching these for almost 4 years now and have been in many stages of my life when I teach (just married, in the middle of a move, just starting a job, about to pull my hair out from that job, 3 months pregnant, 9 months pregnant, new mom to a 3 month old and now). This time I could totally relate to the stay-at-home-moms in the group who were trying to develop a career they could manage while caring for their children.
There were, of course, some younger folks (and when I say "folks" it definately shows that I am older than they are:)) in the group. During one break one of the non-parent, but older women asked me how I liked motherhood. That discussion could go for the rest of the time alloted for the course....but I kept it short and told her how wonderful, but challenging it was and how much my life had changed. I had quoted a book that I just started reading (yes, I still have some time to read) that said something like - once you have a child you realize how much your life was missing one.
One of the young men in the group laughed, and said "I just don't understand how".
I wouldn't have understood how either 2 years ago. But now with Nic I can't imagine my life without him and realize how incomplete it was before. I told the young man that if he did have children one day, he would see what I mean, but that feeling has to come to each person in their own time.
So for our update, Nic is doing great and we are all moving along quite well. I have moved from working 5 hours a month to 8-10 hours a week. Plus teaching 2 of those workshops in a row.
Life is good!
The baby milestones are so fun for parents. Those who aren't parents sometimes have a different take. Now, I know many single or non-parent individuals who are excited about the little steps Nicolas is taking, but I also know that others yawn and roll their eyes at the stories.
For example, I was teaching a workshop this past weekend for a nationally recognized and highly respected health and fitness organization. It's a 3 day workshop to help prepare individuals to take a personal training exam. I've been teaching these for almost 4 years now and have been in many stages of my life when I teach (just married, in the middle of a move, just starting a job, about to pull my hair out from that job, 3 months pregnant, 9 months pregnant, new mom to a 3 month old and now). This time I could totally relate to the stay-at-home-moms in the group who were trying to develop a career they could manage while caring for their children.
There were, of course, some younger folks (and when I say "folks" it definately shows that I am older than they are:)) in the group. During one break one of the non-parent, but older women asked me how I liked motherhood. That discussion could go for the rest of the time alloted for the course....but I kept it short and told her how wonderful, but challenging it was and how much my life had changed. I had quoted a book that I just started reading (yes, I still have some time to read) that said something like - once you have a child you realize how much your life was missing one.
One of the young men in the group laughed, and said "I just don't understand how".
I wouldn't have understood how either 2 years ago. But now with Nic I can't imagine my life without him and realize how incomplete it was before. I told the young man that if he did have children one day, he would see what I mean, but that feeling has to come to each person in their own time.
So for our update, Nic is doing great and we are all moving along quite well. I have moved from working 5 hours a month to 8-10 hours a week. Plus teaching 2 of those workshops in a row.
Life is good!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Such a Big Boy!
Nic has achieved a couple more milestones (well sort of, milestones for our life).
Today he ate his first meal in a high chair! His new highchair arrived last night with some assembly required, which meant they sent us some wood and screws and said "good luck". After a few misplaced screws and upside down boards, we managed to make it into a functioning high chair.
Then on a similar note, Nic sat in the kid seat of the shopping cart!
I know, my life is full of excitement! Highchairs and grocery carts, but to us it just shows how Nic is getting bigger by the day.
He has also sprouted his first tooth. After 4 months of chewing and drooling, he finally worked one through. Now we can look forward to 19 more!
Today he ate his first meal in a high chair! His new highchair arrived last night with some assembly required, which meant they sent us some wood and screws and said "good luck". After a few misplaced screws and upside down boards, we managed to make it into a functioning high chair.
Then on a similar note, Nic sat in the kid seat of the shopping cart!
I know, my life is full of excitement! Highchairs and grocery carts, but to us it just shows how Nic is getting bigger by the day.
He has also sprouted his first tooth. After 4 months of chewing and drooling, he finally worked one through. Now we can look forward to 19 more!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Day at the BIG POOL
Today Nic spent some time at the BIG POOL, and by BIG POOL I mean the pool at the nearby Y.
We met a friend and her 3 children.
We slathered on the sunscreen, pulled on the swimmy diapers (well Nic had on the swimmy diapers, but what a good idea for adults - especially at the swim up bars at resorts, the water is always warmer there...anyway).
We walked into the water and dunked him in up to his bottom. Nic wasn't too sure about it at first since it was much colder than the pool at home, but after walking around and splashing some water he was ready to sit at the edge and splash.
We sat and splashed and he laid on his tummy over my legs and kicked and splashed and smiled and watched the other kids in the pool. After a little bit we sat under the umbrella and had a snack.
Definately a successful trip, one that we will make again soon. I didn't get a picture, but will try to next time. Just having the "swim" go without issue was enough of an achievement for one day.
We met a friend and her 3 children.
We slathered on the sunscreen, pulled on the swimmy diapers (well Nic had on the swimmy diapers, but what a good idea for adults - especially at the swim up bars at resorts, the water is always warmer there...anyway).
We walked into the water and dunked him in up to his bottom. Nic wasn't too sure about it at first since it was much colder than the pool at home, but after walking around and splashing some water he was ready to sit at the edge and splash.
We sat and splashed and he laid on his tummy over my legs and kicked and splashed and smiled and watched the other kids in the pool. After a little bit we sat under the umbrella and had a snack.
Definately a successful trip, one that we will make again soon. I didn't get a picture, but will try to next time. Just having the "swim" go without issue was enough of an achievement for one day.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
More Pictures for Friends Near and Far
I don't have a lot to update you all on from this past week. Nic is still crawling fast, trying to stand and "talking" our ears off. But I know you all like new pictures so here is a new one for you.
I made Nic a drum from a coffee can and put some rocks in it. Add a wooden spoon and you have an instrument. It's quite fun.
Nic is going to the BIG POOL tomorrow with lots of water, and kids, all kinds of fun stuff. I will update you on that later.
I made Nic a drum from a coffee can and put some rocks in it. Add a wooden spoon and you have an instrument. It's quite fun.
Nic is going to the BIG POOL tomorrow with lots of water, and kids, all kinds of fun stuff. I will update you on that later.
Monday, July 7, 2008
And The Winner Is....
Nic came in at 27:02, Mommy at 27:03 and Daddy at 33:40. Let me do the math for you, that's 6:37 behind me and Nic. So not only did we beat him, we cooked him. Let me do more math for you, I ran under a 9 minute mile pace. That's about a full minute faster than I was running the week before! So let me just pat myself on the back for a minute........Ok, I'm back.
It was a fun race overall. Hot and humid, but all very do-able for 3.1 miles. This was my first race with a baby jogger and it was definately my biggest concern. It ended up making it a lot more fun as Nic got cheered on by all the folks on the side of the road. He, of course, slept the whole way. I heard a couple comments from people as I squeezed past in the first mile. I heard "I don't see why they allow baby joggers in the race, there's just not enough room for them"; and "I hate it when the baby joggers pass me, especially when it's a woman pushing twins and I still can't keep up"; and "You ran the whole way pushing him?". Before too long I had gotten out of the crowd and we had room to run. There were two baby jogger runners total in the race, too bad there wasn't a prize for that since I came in first in that division. Another mommy milestone reached.
Now it's time for the next challenge.
It was a fun race overall. Hot and humid, but all very do-able for 3.1 miles. This was my first race with a baby jogger and it was definately my biggest concern. It ended up making it a lot more fun as Nic got cheered on by all the folks on the side of the road. He, of course, slept the whole way. I heard a couple comments from people as I squeezed past in the first mile. I heard "I don't see why they allow baby joggers in the race, there's just not enough room for them"; and "I hate it when the baby joggers pass me, especially when it's a woman pushing twins and I still can't keep up"; and "You ran the whole way pushing him?". Before too long I had gotten out of the crowd and we had room to run. There were two baby jogger runners total in the race, too bad there wasn't a prize for that since I came in first in that division. Another mommy milestone reached.
Now it's time for the next challenge.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
And He's Off
As you know if you have been reading this blog that Nic started crawling about a month ago. Well since then he has gotten really good and really fast at the crawling. Now this week he has started to stand up holding on to the bouncy seat, the book shelves, the stairs, the dog. It must be the 2-a-day workouts I have been putting him through.
He has also started "talking", making the baa baa, maa maa, laa laa, daa daa sounds and he is very emphatic about it. He has decided he wants to talk and EVERYONE must listen. It's so amusing that Ted and I just look at each other and laugh.
While you are lighting your fireworks tomorrow (first be careful) and then light a sparkler for Nic as it will be his 7 month birthday!
He has also started "talking", making the baa baa, maa maa, laa laa, daa daa sounds and he is very emphatic about it. He has decided he wants to talk and EVERYONE must listen. It's so amusing that Ted and I just look at each other and laugh.
While you are lighting your fireworks tomorrow (first be careful) and then light a sparkler for Nic as it will be his 7 month birthday!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Race Updates
For those of you who are following the Race Challenge, here is an update.
Ted has increased his running from 1 mile to 3 miles at a 10:30 pace. Very impressive for a non-runner wearing 2 year old running shoes.
I have gone from running 10 minutes at a time to running a consistent 3.2 miles in about 30 minutes. I had told Ted a couple weeks ago that I had run 3 miles in 25 minutes figuring that he would call my bluff, but he didn't. Since then I have admitted to him that I am not nearly that fast. I would be interested to see what my pace is without the jogger, but really what is the point as I doubt I will run without it for a couple years.
I met a woman today at the end of my run who was jogging with one baby in a double baby jogger. When I inquired as to the empty seat, she said she had some presumptuous in-laws:).
I have been told that the race is not that big and that maneuvering with the jogger shouldn't be too much of an issue. I just have to conquer some hills. So things are still looking good for me to take the prize (and by prize I mean bragging rights).
Despite the winning and the bragging, I am glad I had this challenge presented to me. It has really helped me to push myself in my running and I feel much stronger because of it. So bring on the 10K!
Oh and I saw "dad" again today. He didn't smile today, but I know he was still watching.
Ted has increased his running from 1 mile to 3 miles at a 10:30 pace. Very impressive for a non-runner wearing 2 year old running shoes.
I have gone from running 10 minutes at a time to running a consistent 3.2 miles in about 30 minutes. I had told Ted a couple weeks ago that I had run 3 miles in 25 minutes figuring that he would call my bluff, but he didn't. Since then I have admitted to him that I am not nearly that fast. I would be interested to see what my pace is without the jogger, but really what is the point as I doubt I will run without it for a couple years.
I met a woman today at the end of my run who was jogging with one baby in a double baby jogger. When I inquired as to the empty seat, she said she had some presumptuous in-laws:).
I have been told that the race is not that big and that maneuvering with the jogger shouldn't be too much of an issue. I just have to conquer some hills. So things are still looking good for me to take the prize (and by prize I mean bragging rights).
Despite the winning and the bragging, I am glad I had this challenge presented to me. It has really helped me to push myself in my running and I feel much stronger because of it. So bring on the 10K!
Oh and I saw "dad" again today. He didn't smile today, but I know he was still watching.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Lounging by the Pool
Nic got a new swimming pool last week. It's about 3ft x 5ft and just big enough for the whole family to fit in. We do have a neighborhood pool, but going down there with a baby requires too much of a commitment. Nic loves to sit and splash in the water and chase his water toys, but his attention span is still too short for a public pool. Besides, if I went to a neighborhood or public pool we would have to deal with other bathers and I'm just not up for that yet. Maybe once he is walking, but not now. So anyway, we blew up the pool and spent a little time splashing around. Nic dunked his face in the water and got over that initial startle of being submerged. Much fun for all. To the right is the picture Ted took. I think Nic is saying "please Dad, I'm naked".
Monday, June 16, 2008
Ghosts
I saw a ghost while running this morning.
Nic and I had headed out early this morning to run before it got too hot. If you haven't followed the race challenge between Ted and I, please read Run Dana Run two posts back. I had prepared a training schedule that increased my running time by about 2-3 minutes each run. However, I am way ahead of schedule having increased my run time from 10 minutes to 30 minutes in 2 weeks.
This is where the ghost comes in. I was running this morning and had just made a personal best time for running since I stopped running when I was about 3 months pregnant. Of course I felt pretty good about myself. It was then that I looked out at the traffic going past me and saw a navy blue Jeep Cherokee driven by an older man with a grey beard and ring of grey hair around his head. He was wearing a faded bluish t-shirt and as our eyes met, he smiled at me. Even though I know its not possible, I could swear that it was my dad. First I smiled, and then laughed a little at what I thought I had seen, and then I got a little teary which made my throat start to tighted, which isn't good while running, so I went back to smiling. I felt a very real sense of him telling me "good job". As I looked through the skylight of Nic's jogger, I felt that running wasn't the only thing he was telling me good job on.
Nic and I had headed out early this morning to run before it got too hot. If you haven't followed the race challenge between Ted and I, please read Run Dana Run two posts back. I had prepared a training schedule that increased my running time by about 2-3 minutes each run. However, I am way ahead of schedule having increased my run time from 10 minutes to 30 minutes in 2 weeks.
This is where the ghost comes in. I was running this morning and had just made a personal best time for running since I stopped running when I was about 3 months pregnant. Of course I felt pretty good about myself. It was then that I looked out at the traffic going past me and saw a navy blue Jeep Cherokee driven by an older man with a grey beard and ring of grey hair around his head. He was wearing a faded bluish t-shirt and as our eyes met, he smiled at me. Even though I know its not possible, I could swear that it was my dad. First I smiled, and then laughed a little at what I thought I had seen, and then I got a little teary which made my throat start to tighted, which isn't good while running, so I went back to smiling. I felt a very real sense of him telling me "good job". As I looked through the skylight of Nic's jogger, I felt that running wasn't the only thing he was telling me good job on.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Nic is Crawling
Nic is crawling, like honest hand-knee-hand-knee crawling. He was been jumping like a frog and maybe getting one knee or one hand but not both. This is good and bad all at the same time. Just thought I would let you all know.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Run Dana Run
Almost everyone reading this blog knows I have been working out for years, since I was 15 to be exact (and I am much older than 15 now). I've done high impact aerobics (in thong leotards); I've done step aerobics (with steps made of wood); I've done hip hop aerobics (seriously I did), I've done the slide (and I don't mean the electric one); I've done indoor and outdoor cycling; I've done the stairmaster and elliptical for more hours than I could ever hope to count; and I've run (I've even won placks and trophies for running - no cash though).
I say all this because a 5K race should be nothing, right? Our friends in Wilmington invited us (or I may have invited myself, not sure) to join them for the 4th of July and run a 5K race the next day. Ted made the bet that he will beat me in this race. For those of you who know Ted you may think no way (he's not a runner), but here is the history. In 2003 we ran the Cooper River Bridge Run and he beat me by 15 seconds. For the next 3 years I could not live that down. Then in 2006 we ran it again. I, just coming off a half marathon, beat him by 10 minutes.
Now 2 years later and still in good shape (doing some running, indoor cycling and elliptical machine) I should be able to beat him again. Oh yeah, I also gave birth 6 months ago, have run only minimally and will be pushing Nic in the baby jogger for the race. Now I think I can get over the giving birth 6 months ago as I am totally back to normal after that. I can get over the only running minimally by upping my training in the next 4 weeks. However, my speed may suffer in the jogger. Is that an excuse? Probably.
So there, my friends, is the challenge. Wish me and my co-pilot luck on July 5th.
I say all this because a 5K race should be nothing, right? Our friends in Wilmington invited us (or I may have invited myself, not sure) to join them for the 4th of July and run a 5K race the next day. Ted made the bet that he will beat me in this race. For those of you who know Ted you may think no way (he's not a runner), but here is the history. In 2003 we ran the Cooper River Bridge Run and he beat me by 15 seconds. For the next 3 years I could not live that down. Then in 2006 we ran it again. I, just coming off a half marathon, beat him by 10 minutes.
Now 2 years later and still in good shape (doing some running, indoor cycling and elliptical machine) I should be able to beat him again. Oh yeah, I also gave birth 6 months ago, have run only minimally and will be pushing Nic in the baby jogger for the race. Now I think I can get over the giving birth 6 months ago as I am totally back to normal after that. I can get over the only running minimally by upping my training in the next 4 weeks. However, my speed may suffer in the jogger. Is that an excuse? Probably.
So there, my friends, is the challenge. Wish me and my co-pilot luck on July 5th.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Viva Las Vegas
Ted and I took a couple days to get away by ourselves this past weekend. We chose Vegas because Ted likes to play blackjack and I like to.....go on vacation. It was our first time away from Nic since he was born (or really since March of 2007:)). My mom, bless her heart, volunteered back in January to babysit for the weekend.
It was both a relief and very scary to be away from him. Through my mind raced all the things that could happen. What would happen to Nic if the plane went down? We don't have our will written out yet. Maybe we shouldn't have left without doing that. What if Nic has to go to the doctor, will Mom know that he needs to go? What if I never see him again...? (On top of that I was reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picolt - not the most uplifting book for a parent.) I held back tears more times than I can remember and couldn't hold them at times either.
We arrived in Vegas about 11am and got into our room by 2pm. By then I was so exhausted I could hardly stand up. Since we were on vacation, I thought a nap was in order. However my brain didn't agree with my body and I lay awake for 2 hours trying to sleep. So I showered up and headed to the bar for a cocktail. I walked through the casino and sat at the bar and thought - this doesn't look like the movies anymore. I didn't see anyone resembling Brad P*itt in Ocean's Eleven, I didn't see many women dressed like the women in the tv show Las Vegas (though I was not either). I saw a lot of older women in jogging suits with a hairdo that gets done once a week at the salon. I saw a lot of college boys hauling in their own cases of Natural Light. And I saw a lot of kids. Why anyone wants to take a baby or even a teenager to Vegas on vacation is beyond me.
I went to Vegas 12 years with a guy I was seeing - we had the typical drunken Vegas weekend (but that happens in Vegas..well you know). Then Ted and I went 2 years ago spending part of the time at a convention and the other part walking everywhere and seeing as much as we could. This time I slept a lot (or tried to). I did have some drinks and play some games, but like the rest of my life, this destination changed too. We ate one dinner at the hotel's steakhouse and spend more than I usually do on groceries for the week. But as we sat and ate our expensive entrees and sipped our wine ($49 bottle -eek that's 16 bottles of cheap Chuck) we knew that quiet dinners for 2 were not going to come along too often, so why not enjoy.
Don't get me wrong, if I had to make the choice all over again I would give up ALL the wild weekends for one full of Nic's giggles and spit up.
Thank you to Mom for taking excellent care of my little bundle of joy. I know she went home and slept a good 8 hour sleep free from Nic's nocturnal crying, kicking and scratching of the sheets.
It was both a relief and very scary to be away from him. Through my mind raced all the things that could happen. What would happen to Nic if the plane went down? We don't have our will written out yet. Maybe we shouldn't have left without doing that. What if Nic has to go to the doctor, will Mom know that he needs to go? What if I never see him again...? (On top of that I was reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picolt - not the most uplifting book for a parent.) I held back tears more times than I can remember and couldn't hold them at times either.
We arrived in Vegas about 11am and got into our room by 2pm. By then I was so exhausted I could hardly stand up. Since we were on vacation, I thought a nap was in order. However my brain didn't agree with my body and I lay awake for 2 hours trying to sleep. So I showered up and headed to the bar for a cocktail. I walked through the casino and sat at the bar and thought - this doesn't look like the movies anymore. I didn't see anyone resembling Brad P*itt in Ocean's Eleven, I didn't see many women dressed like the women in the tv show Las Vegas (though I was not either). I saw a lot of older women in jogging suits with a hairdo that gets done once a week at the salon. I saw a lot of college boys hauling in their own cases of Natural Light. And I saw a lot of kids. Why anyone wants to take a baby or even a teenager to Vegas on vacation is beyond me.
I went to Vegas 12 years with a guy I was seeing - we had the typical drunken Vegas weekend (but that happens in Vegas..well you know). Then Ted and I went 2 years ago spending part of the time at a convention and the other part walking everywhere and seeing as much as we could. This time I slept a lot (or tried to). I did have some drinks and play some games, but like the rest of my life, this destination changed too. We ate one dinner at the hotel's steakhouse and spend more than I usually do on groceries for the week. But as we sat and ate our expensive entrees and sipped our wine ($49 bottle -eek that's 16 bottles of cheap Chuck) we knew that quiet dinners for 2 were not going to come along too often, so why not enjoy.
Don't get me wrong, if I had to make the choice all over again I would give up ALL the wild weekends for one full of Nic's giggles and spit up.
Thank you to Mom for taking excellent care of my little bundle of joy. I know she went home and slept a good 8 hour sleep free from Nic's nocturnal crying, kicking and scratching of the sheets.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
When Did I Lose My Mind?
When exactly did I lose my mind? Was it during birth? In the sleep-deprived weeks after? I'm not sure when it happened, but it happened.
But don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining, it's just funny. I talk to Nic and myself all day long in different voices, making up songs for every little thing we do. Some of my favorites:
"Falling Off the Couch"
"Poopie on the Butt"
"Babies with Pacis"
The list goes on and on.
Not that I was using a ton of brain power before I had him, but ......come to think of it......this is much more creative! I can come up with a jingle off the top of my head, some even have dances to go with them. If you visit with Nic and I, I may sing and dance them for you, they lose something when written.
Here is Nic in his "look Mom, no hands" pose!
But don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining, it's just funny. I talk to Nic and myself all day long in different voices, making up songs for every little thing we do. Some of my favorites:
"Falling Off the Couch"
"Poopie on the Butt"
"Babies with Pacis"
The list goes on and on.
Not that I was using a ton of brain power before I had him, but ......come to think of it......this is much more creative! I can come up with a jingle off the top of my head, some even have dances to go with them. If you visit with Nic and I, I may sing and dance them for you, they lose something when written.
Here is Nic in his "look Mom, no hands" pose!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Blue Do-Rag Lives On
In my mother's living room is a picture of my dad on vacation in the British Virgin Islands at the helm of a boat wearing a blue do-rag - or bandana if you wish. My mom blew up a copy of that picture to display at his funeral 3 years ago as it is a wonderful picture of him having a great time on his trip and the best way to remember him.
The other day Nic was "helping" with folding laundry and I pulled out my blue bandana and thought it would be fun to fashion a do-rag on him. To the right is the result. At the time I wasn't thinking of the picture of my dad, but my mom mentioned the similarity so now it's what the picture is for.
Though he always looks stunned in his pictures, I assure you he was smiling before it was taken. It looks like he is trying to be tough in this one.
The other day Nic was "helping" with folding laundry and I pulled out my blue bandana and thought it would be fun to fashion a do-rag on him. To the right is the result. At the time I wasn't thinking of the picture of my dad, but my mom mentioned the similarity so now it's what the picture is for.
Though he always looks stunned in his pictures, I assure you he was smiling before it was taken. It looks like he is trying to be tough in this one.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Nic Enjoys a Day in the Park
Today Nic enjoyed a day in the park. And by park I don't mean some ordinary park with swings, and a walking trail, I mean the US National Whitewater Center. If you are not from Charlotte, or have not been there, check it out at http://www.usnwc.org/. It's awesome. This week they are hosting the US Olympic Team Trials for Whitewater Slalom. So we spent about 4 hours today watching future Olympic athletes complete - it was very cool. As you can see from the picture, Nic was enthralled. He actually spent most of the time alert and watching the people, the water, the dogs, etc. And then for those of you not from Charlotte, below Nic is a picture of my friend Janice (who provided the tickets to this event - thanks Janice) with a tiny USNWC staff person in front of her:)
After the event, Nic sang Janice the ah ah ah song, which goes like this "ah ah ah, ah ah ah, ah ah ah, ah ah ah..."
Then he showed her how well he can roll from his back to his tummy, which is his new favorite "trick". Oh, and then he "drank" from a glass of water. By "drank" I mean took water into his mouth from a glass like a normal person, then unsure of what to do with the water once in his mouth, let it run on out. He will start to eat solid food in the next 3-4 weeks, so it's a good start.
After the event, Nic sang Janice the ah ah ah song, which goes like this "ah ah ah, ah ah ah, ah ah ah, ah ah ah..."
Then he showed her how well he can roll from his back to his tummy, which is his new favorite "trick". Oh, and then he "drank" from a glass of water. By "drank" I mean took water into his mouth from a glass like a normal person, then unsure of what to do with the water once in his mouth, let it run on out. He will start to eat solid food in the next 3-4 weeks, so it's a good start.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Looking at the World Through Mom Colored Glasses
I was flipping through my calendar the other day and saw that Mother's Day is coming up in May and made a note to send my mother something and then thought holy *%&!, I'm the Mom. Not that I hadn't realized it yet, but it struck me a little different. Now, don't get me wrong, I've have had my indoctrinations into motherhood with a 180 in my daily life, an emergency trip to the hospital, the fact that it now takes 2 hours to do what used to take an hour, and the feeling of if you hurt my child and I will beat your f******* a** (must be in the mood for cursing today). But on top of that the world looks different. Parking garages are scarier, the #7 on the bottom of Nic's bottle brought changes in how we feed him and ourselves, and unsafe drivers make me even madder now, but I react more calmly (because I have a "baby on board" - I still hate those signs - like I would hit you if you didn't have that sign).
There was a student in Chester County, SC who was planning a "Columbine style" attack at his high school, but luckily his parents called police when explosives were delivered to the house. About 2 miles from our house a teenager was shot and a woman injured when someone came to their front door and open fire when they answered. Though this didn't appear to be random, it was too close to home. If I am not up listening to Nic breathe, those things keep me awake at night.
So how do we keep our children safe in this world. I know the mothers out there have thought about this alot. I can feed him organic food from glass bottles. I can drive the biggest, most gas-guzzling SUV with him strapped into the industry recommended safety seat.
I can hope that the president we elect will bring about positive changes in our country. Of the options we have, can they ensure that Nic will have a safe place to go to school with qualified teachers who won't harm the students (because if you hurt my child I will beat your f****** a**)? Can they ensure that we/he will have access to affordable, quality health care? Can they stand firm on environmental issues so that he has a healthy world to live in when he grows up and raises his own family?
My friend Rachel posted a link to another blog that posed some good questions on politics. Check it out at http://amommystory.blogspot.com/2008/04/dear-presidential-candidates.html
Since I am about as versed at politics as I am at history, I won't embarass myself with too many details on the issues. But like everyone else, I know what I need, but I'm not sure where to get it.
But I digress from the political issue...
Off to build my plastic...ooops I mean GLASS bubble (or maybe #1 plastic) to put Nic in for the rest of his childhood.
There was a student in Chester County, SC who was planning a "Columbine style" attack at his high school, but luckily his parents called police when explosives were delivered to the house. About 2 miles from our house a teenager was shot and a woman injured when someone came to their front door and open fire when they answered. Though this didn't appear to be random, it was too close to home. If I am not up listening to Nic breathe, those things keep me awake at night.
So how do we keep our children safe in this world. I know the mothers out there have thought about this alot. I can feed him organic food from glass bottles. I can drive the biggest, most gas-guzzling SUV with him strapped into the industry recommended safety seat.
I can hope that the president we elect will bring about positive changes in our country. Of the options we have, can they ensure that Nic will have a safe place to go to school with qualified teachers who won't harm the students (because if you hurt my child I will beat your f****** a**)? Can they ensure that we/he will have access to affordable, quality health care? Can they stand firm on environmental issues so that he has a healthy world to live in when he grows up and raises his own family?
My friend Rachel posted a link to another blog that posed some good questions on politics. Check it out at http://amommystory.blogspot.com/2008/04/dear-presidential-candidates.html
Since I am about as versed at politics as I am at history, I won't embarass myself with too many details on the issues. But like everyone else, I know what I need, but I'm not sure where to get it.
But I digress from the political issue...
Off to build my plastic...ooops I mean GLASS bubble (or maybe #1 plastic) to put Nic in for the rest of his childhood.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Possibly the longest day of my life
Monday was, possibly the longest day of my life.
Monday my beautiful, perfect, charming, and spectacular son had to go in for surgery. Yes, surgery. Here's how the day went.
7:45am notice a swelling in his groin
8am call the Pediatrician's office and realise they don't open til 8:30am
8:30am not wanting to waste time, arrive at the door of the Pediatrician's office
8:45 see the pediatrician (or else they would have had a hysterical mother on their hands)
12:45pm arrive at the Pediatric Urologist's office
1:15pm Pediatric Urologist tells us his situation is an "emergency".
3pm Nic goes in for emergency hernia surgery
3:30pm Urologist tells us that he did well in his surgery and is in recovery
3:40pm Mom breaks down in tears (joyful) in the family waiting area
5:00pm mom and dad get to see Nic
5:15pm Nic is smiling at the nurses as we carry him back to his room (he's such a flirt).
7:30pm mom and dad return home with a sore, swollen and grumpy - but healthy baby Nicolas.
It was probably a routine surgery for the Urologist (who was excellent by the way) but very traumatic for mom and dad. Nic got pain meds, but we may have needed them more.
The next 2 days I didn't leave the house and sat there and watched him breathe during his naps. I stayed up and listened to him breathe on the monitor.
3 days later he is happy and kicking around like nothing ever happened.
Mom and dad, however, may need another week of recovery.
My mom has said that once you have a child you will "throw yourself in front of a truck (train, etc) for them". Once I gave birth to Nicolas, I had to agree that I would do ANYTHING for him. If the doctor could have cut me open for him I would have done that in a heartbeat. Ted said the same thing. Until the day that I gave birth to him, I had not been given a hospital room. I had not been admitted to a room that was mine for my stay - thank God. I hope to not see many of them in my future. Though a minor procedure for all who look in from the outside, it was, well...scary, scary, scary and scary on top of that. I don't know what I would do if I lost him, I really don't, I don't even want to think about it anymore. It makes me think of all parents who have lost their children and pray (not being an overly religous person) for them.
This will probably not be our first hospital trip with him, but I will hope and pray for a healthy life for him.
Monday my beautiful, perfect, charming, and spectacular son had to go in for surgery. Yes, surgery. Here's how the day went.
7:45am notice a swelling in his groin
8am call the Pediatrician's office and realise they don't open til 8:30am
8:30am not wanting to waste time, arrive at the door of the Pediatrician's office
8:45 see the pediatrician (or else they would have had a hysterical mother on their hands)
12:45pm arrive at the Pediatric Urologist's office
1:15pm Pediatric Urologist tells us his situation is an "emergency".
3pm Nic goes in for emergency hernia surgery
3:30pm Urologist tells us that he did well in his surgery and is in recovery
3:40pm Mom breaks down in tears (joyful) in the family waiting area
5:00pm mom and dad get to see Nic
5:15pm Nic is smiling at the nurses as we carry him back to his room (he's such a flirt).
7:30pm mom and dad return home with a sore, swollen and grumpy - but healthy baby Nicolas.
It was probably a routine surgery for the Urologist (who was excellent by the way) but very traumatic for mom and dad. Nic got pain meds, but we may have needed them more.
The next 2 days I didn't leave the house and sat there and watched him breathe during his naps. I stayed up and listened to him breathe on the monitor.
3 days later he is happy and kicking around like nothing ever happened.
Mom and dad, however, may need another week of recovery.
My mom has said that once you have a child you will "throw yourself in front of a truck (train, etc) for them". Once I gave birth to Nicolas, I had to agree that I would do ANYTHING for him. If the doctor could have cut me open for him I would have done that in a heartbeat. Ted said the same thing. Until the day that I gave birth to him, I had not been given a hospital room. I had not been admitted to a room that was mine for my stay - thank God. I hope to not see many of them in my future. Though a minor procedure for all who look in from the outside, it was, well...scary, scary, scary and scary on top of that. I don't know what I would do if I lost him, I really don't, I don't even want to think about it anymore. It makes me think of all parents who have lost their children and pray (not being an overly religous person) for them.
This will probably not be our first hospital trip with him, but I will hope and pray for a healthy life for him.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Who Needs Nursery Rhymes?
Janice and I went to get our nails done last weekend. Fruit Punch was my color choice, but this is about something different. Janice needed to buy a nail top coat or base coat or something like that from OPI. The only one of this product that they had was in a special package with what appeared to be the OPI Pig Mascot. This pig, to the right, was wearing a red ladies hat, white/pink "fur" coat, red heels and nothing else. Not that we would expect a pig to have a pantsuit on under the coat, but it gave the pig an odd appeal or maybe a disturbing factor depending on who you ask. Janice tried to refuse the pig but I had to, for some odd reason, bring it home. I'm not really sure what I am going to do with the pig, but I will know when the time comes. Until then it's a toy for Nic and Piper (our lab). So while "dancing" the pig around in front of Nic and Piper, I came up with a song that goes like this. Unintentionally to the tune of the "Two and a Half Men" theme song, Pig pig pig pig I'm a big pig pig; pig pig pig pig I'm a big pig pig......(then not to be uncreative) Pig pig pig pig I'm a cross dressing pig, pig pig pig pig, pig pig pig pig, I'm a pig, you're a pig, we're all pig pig pig pigs, pig pig pig pig... and so on.
Nic squealed with delight, I mean totally laughed and squealed with delight. Then I put the pig in the bouncy seat with him and he hugged it and held on to it and yelled when I took it away. The pig may have to make a quiet departure before he gets too attached.
Nic squealed with delight, I mean totally laughed and squealed with delight. Then I put the pig in the bouncy seat with him and he hugged it and held on to it and yelled when I took it away. The pig may have to make a quiet departure before he gets too attached.
Monday, April 7, 2008
4 month doctor visit
Nicolas went for his 4 month doctor's visit today and as we suspected.....he's a GENIUS!
OK so the doctor didn't actually say that, but I know that's what she was thinking. He is now 14.5 lbs and 25.5 inches. Unfortunately for Nic, he had to get blood drawn and get vaccinated. As you may guess, this did NOT make him happy. It didn't please me much either. Not that I was against them doing it. I know that he has to get vaccines and getting blood drawn was a necessity too. But the crying and the pained look on his face was so heartbreaking for his mom. He got the big red face and WAILED. I would too being a little guy like him getting a needle stuck in my arm (which didn't work) and then getting pricked in the heel. Then if that weren't bad enough, getting 3 shots in the leg. Luckily he is sleeping soundly now.
I am still not sure that I want to stay with this particular practice. As I mentioned before our original pediatrician left unexpectedly when he was 2 months old. I found her, however, at another practice even closer to the house. Today's visit was supposed to decide it for me,but unlike previous visits they were friendly and efficient and I got in and out in 1.5 hours which, for all that was done, isn't too bad.
OK so the doctor didn't actually say that, but I know that's what she was thinking. He is now 14.5 lbs and 25.5 inches. Unfortunately for Nic, he had to get blood drawn and get vaccinated. As you may guess, this did NOT make him happy. It didn't please me much either. Not that I was against them doing it. I know that he has to get vaccines and getting blood drawn was a necessity too. But the crying and the pained look on his face was so heartbreaking for his mom. He got the big red face and WAILED. I would too being a little guy like him getting a needle stuck in my arm (which didn't work) and then getting pricked in the heel. Then if that weren't bad enough, getting 3 shots in the leg. Luckily he is sleeping soundly now.
I am still not sure that I want to stay with this particular practice. As I mentioned before our original pediatrician left unexpectedly when he was 2 months old. I found her, however, at another practice even closer to the house. Today's visit was supposed to decide it for me,but unlike previous visits they were friendly and efficient and I got in and out in 1.5 hours which, for all that was done, isn't too bad.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
10 Thoughts
My friend Janice has a posting on her blog of the 10 thoughts I am having and asked her friends to do the same (www.gopuddlejumping.blogspot.com). So here we go.
1) Why does the sun come out after you have changed from sunny day plans to rainy day plans?
2) Why do salads and wine at restaurants always taste better than at home?
3) Nic is "talking" to me right now and it's one of the coolest things I've ever heard.
4) The most amazing experience I have had in my life is giving birth to my son and I hope everyone out there who wants to one day have a child will because there is nothing like it.
5) I used to think blogging was hoakie (for lack of a better word), but I really like it now.
6) Getting a pedicure on a blah day really lightens your mood.
7) I received a t-shirt in the mail the other day wrapped like a deli sandwich and now I want to send them to all my friends.
8) I can have fun for hours making faces at Nic.
9) Ted tried to use Nic as bait for young women at the mall, but the average age of the women he attracted was 50.
10) I will try to remember every time something pisses me off or gets me down that I have a wonderful life filled with wonderful people. Chances are that if you are reading this, you are one of those wonderful people, so thanks!
1) Why does the sun come out after you have changed from sunny day plans to rainy day plans?
2) Why do salads and wine at restaurants always taste better than at home?
3) Nic is "talking" to me right now and it's one of the coolest things I've ever heard.
4) The most amazing experience I have had in my life is giving birth to my son and I hope everyone out there who wants to one day have a child will because there is nothing like it.
5) I used to think blogging was hoakie (for lack of a better word), but I really like it now.
6) Getting a pedicure on a blah day really lightens your mood.
7) I received a t-shirt in the mail the other day wrapped like a deli sandwich and now I want to send them to all my friends.
8) I can have fun for hours making faces at Nic.
9) Ted tried to use Nic as bait for young women at the mall, but the average age of the women he attracted was 50.
10) I will try to remember every time something pisses me off or gets me down that I have a wonderful life filled with wonderful people. Chances are that if you are reading this, you are one of those wonderful people, so thanks!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Baby Jogger
Nicolas and I had our first outing in his baby jogger last week and our second today. If being able to stay at home with him were not pleasure enough already, this would make it great! We went to a nearby neighborhood where there are continuous sidewalks and from one end to the other spanning 4 miles. It was noon on a beautiful Thursday. As I jogged along with him enjoying the mild temperatures and wonderful sunshine, I thought .....this is spectacular. Despite the fact that it was the first time I had run since May, I felt pretty good. We actually walked some and jogged some so don't be too impressed with my ability to run 4 straight miles. The simple pleasure of being outside on a great day with my son getting some exercise was amazing. Those of you who work all day inside are probably thinking "must be nice". Well having spent many years working inside on nice days, working long hours on nice weekends, or being too *&!**$^ irritated and exhausted from the former to enjoy a nice day, I am glad to finally be able to sit back and say AHHHHHH.
Thank you to the nice YMCA folks who purchased the baby jogger for my baby shower back in October - it will be used well!
Nic seemed to enjoy the experience, watching the world go by, getting "isn't he cute" from the others out walking, and falling asleep before the excursion ended.
But now Nic is now screaming his cute little head off in his crib upstairs having only slept an hour:). Got to run!
Thank you to the nice YMCA folks who purchased the baby jogger for my baby shower back in October - it will be used well!
Nic seemed to enjoy the experience, watching the world go by, getting "isn't he cute" from the others out walking, and falling asleep before the excursion ended.
But now Nic is now screaming his cute little head off in his crib upstairs having only slept an hour:). Got to run!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Another Picture
Not much to report on the motherhood end, but had to post this cute picture! Pam, a long time family friend, gave Nicolas this outfit. It goes with the bear feet jumper in one of the older pictures.
I was going through some of his clothes yesterday and realized that he has not worn a lot of his cute clothes. Other mom's told me this would happen so it wasn't too surprising, but some of the things were so cute. And the shoes! Cute little shoes in 0-6 month sizes. So far I have not found much need for shoes on this child, but I want him to wear his cute little shoes. So yesterday I dressed him in as many new items as I could - 2 different shoes (race cars and giraffes), a bear bib, a baseball hat..... The best thing was that he didn't seem to mind, just laid there and played with the clothes and looked at his shoes. Janice - we may have a future shopper on our hands.
Thanks to our family and friends, Nic will have lots to wear for the next 6+ months and then he has lots of hand-me-downs from his cousins.
I was going through some of his clothes yesterday and realized that he has not worn a lot of his cute clothes. Other mom's told me this would happen so it wasn't too surprising, but some of the things were so cute. And the shoes! Cute little shoes in 0-6 month sizes. So far I have not found much need for shoes on this child, but I want him to wear his cute little shoes. So yesterday I dressed him in as many new items as I could - 2 different shoes (race cars and giraffes), a bear bib, a baseball hat..... The best thing was that he didn't seem to mind, just laid there and played with the clothes and looked at his shoes. Janice - we may have a future shopper on our hands.
Thanks to our family and friends, Nic will have lots to wear for the next 6+ months and then he has lots of hand-me-downs from his cousins.
Monday, March 24, 2008
4 months
Tomorrow Nicolas will be 4 months old. Can you believe it? This morning I dressed him in a little polo set given to him by some friends and he really looks more like a little boy than a baby. He kind of looks like a young man about to go to work on casual Friday.
See picture to the right.
More on Nic to come. Just thought I would post a new picture!
See picture to the right.
More on Nic to come. Just thought I would post a new picture!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Here is my little man clad in green for St. Patrick's Day. I am not usually one to decorate myself for the holidays, but dressing him up is a whole different thing. Aren't we supposed to dress our kids up in cute, and one day embarrasing, outfits! Better go get bunny ears for Easter!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
After Picture
The other day I was giving Nicolas a bath in my bikini as I was having Ted take some bath pictures and didn't want "naked mommy" to be part of them. Then I thought, well I took 6 months worth of belly pictures, I should take an "after" picture. I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I think I can comfortably go to the pool this summer in my bikini. I am NOT going to post this picture. Mainly because I may one day become the mayor of a small town and don't want the picture to surface and cause uproar amoungst the conservative townspeople. Instead I will post another Nic picture - much cuter anyway.
I think Ted wants a correction to the last posting about the vacuum. He said he didn't actually intend to give me a vacuum for my birthday. He was just joking and knows how inappropriate it is to give your wife a vacuum for her birthday. So don't think ill of him:)
I think Ted wants a correction to the last posting about the vacuum. He said he didn't actually intend to give me a vacuum for my birthday. He was just joking and knows how inappropriate it is to give your wife a vacuum for her birthday. So don't think ill of him:)
Saturday, March 8, 2008
A different kind of luxury
The commercial says "He went to Jared", but on the housecleaning front, it's "we got a Dyson". I know I shouldn't be so excited about a vacuum cleaner. Maybe it comes with the whole stay at home mom title, but it's awesome. I have a 2 year old lab who sheds like...well, she sheds a lot. Balding men would love to have the kind of hair this dog puts on my carpet everyday. So I asked Ted the other day if I could get a Dyson - yes I asked him. I don't make a $400 purchase without discussion with my husband and expect the same from him.
So today - I got one.
I was at TOM night with my girlfriends the other night and one of the questions that came up from the table top questions stack was "If you could have unlimited FREE spending at any store, what would it be?". Four of us answered TARGET. We got into the conversation of all the things you could buy at Target. Just think, FREE formula and diapers, tp, health and beauty products, cleaning products, Levis, ipods, CDs, wine, a Dyson vacuum....the list goes on and on. So that's how it started.
My birthday is at the end of the month and Ted says it should be my birthday present. I, honestly, said I didn't care. I don't think I would have gotten a $400 birthday present as it is. Not that my husband isn't a wonderfully caring man who wants to buy me everything I want. It's just that if I were to ask for a big, expensive present it would be diamonds and $400 doesn't buy the kind of diamonds I want. So for my birthday, I want....hmm, how about a pedicure (but not at the place down the street that did a less than wonderful job last time). Janice will you go with me? Erin, Janna and Rachel you are free to come too! Margaritas afterwards!
So today - I got one.
I was at TOM night with my girlfriends the other night and one of the questions that came up from the table top questions stack was "If you could have unlimited FREE spending at any store, what would it be?". Four of us answered TARGET. We got into the conversation of all the things you could buy at Target. Just think, FREE formula and diapers, tp, health and beauty products, cleaning products, Levis, ipods, CDs, wine, a Dyson vacuum....the list goes on and on. So that's how it started.
My birthday is at the end of the month and Ted says it should be my birthday present. I, honestly, said I didn't care. I don't think I would have gotten a $400 birthday present as it is. Not that my husband isn't a wonderfully caring man who wants to buy me everything I want. It's just that if I were to ask for a big, expensive present it would be diamonds and $400 doesn't buy the kind of diamonds I want. So for my birthday, I want....hmm, how about a pedicure (but not at the place down the street that did a less than wonderful job last time). Janice will you go with me? Erin, Janna and Rachel you are free to come too! Margaritas afterwards!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Thanks TOM
Thanks again to the TOM ladies for another fun Girl's Night. I really value these times together to share stories, laugh at ourselves, eat some not-so-nutritious food, well, just get out with my friends!
That's Not My Job...
Ok, this isn't really a post about Nicolas and the cute things he's doing, but it is still about being a mom. I have included a new picture of him though.
I have been on the phone with the hospital where he was born, the pediatrician's office, the OB's office, the central billing office for the previously mentioned offices, my old insurance company and my new insurance company. Now don't get me wrong: My OB is great and his office staff are nicer than most. The pediatrician's office is decent but my original pediatrician left without notice when Nic was 2 months old, and the medical staff at the hospital where he was born were great for my labor and delivery. It's mostly the billing offices and the insurance companies.
I called one office to see if a particular claim had been refiled and the lady who answered "doesn't do that" and the woman who does wasn't in that afternoon so I have to call back. Then I was on with the billing office for the hospitals correcting information that I have corrected 3 weeks ago. They keep billing Nic's claims to my old insurance despite the number of times I call to correct their information. I needed to get a "precertification" for a procedure done in the hospital when he was born. Well that woman "doesn't do that" and I needed to talk to medical records. The brilliant woman who answered the phone at medical records said I "probably" need to come in to the medical records office ..."probably". I love it. So next time someone needs something from me that I don't feel like doing, I will just say, well that's not my job and the person who does do that isn't in today. Call back tomorrow.
I have been on the phone with the hospital where he was born, the pediatrician's office, the OB's office, the central billing office for the previously mentioned offices, my old insurance company and my new insurance company. Now don't get me wrong: My OB is great and his office staff are nicer than most. The pediatrician's office is decent but my original pediatrician left without notice when Nic was 2 months old, and the medical staff at the hospital where he was born were great for my labor and delivery. It's mostly the billing offices and the insurance companies.
I called one office to see if a particular claim had been refiled and the lady who answered "doesn't do that" and the woman who does wasn't in that afternoon so I have to call back. Then I was on with the billing office for the hospitals correcting information that I have corrected 3 weeks ago. They keep billing Nic's claims to my old insurance despite the number of times I call to correct their information. I needed to get a "precertification" for a procedure done in the hospital when he was born. Well that woman "doesn't do that" and I needed to talk to medical records. The brilliant woman who answered the phone at medical records said I "probably" need to come in to the medical records office ..."probably". I love it. So next time someone needs something from me that I don't feel like doing, I will just say, well that's not my job and the person who does do that isn't in today. Call back tomorrow.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Bath Time
Nicolas has finally come to like bathtime. For the first couple weeks after the sponge baths ended it was a crying fit. Like I was using acid instead of water, screaming, crying, kicking....no fun. I even had the cutest little bath tub set. None of that was making him any happier about the whole process. Then I received some sage advice from Rachel and Erin. I changed to the cheap foam pad that lays in the tub, got undressed and got in with him. Something in the comfort or the safety of having mom in there with him, made it all better. Or maybe he was just laughing at what pregnancy had done to mom's body. Either way, it's a happy experience now. We soap up dirty little hands and play in the water. We scrub up dirty bottoms and clean out the toejam. All of this to smiles and giggles.
Another milestone was reached today. Nic rolled over (3 times)! Not in a row across the floor, but 3 separate times from his tummy to his back.
Another milestone was reached today. Nic rolled over (3 times)! Not in a row across the floor, but 3 separate times from his tummy to his back.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Thank You!
I want to send a huge Thank You out to all who have wished me well in this new chapter of my life. Going back to and then leaving the Y was a great experience. Not only is it a great way to get more parties, cards and gifts, it was so nice to have so many people happy to have me back and sad to see me go. I have made a lot of good friends at the Y. The members at the Steele Creek YMCA are so very special to me. Compared to other places I have been, I would say they are all very "real". "Real" meaning that you get what you see and see what you get. Ginny is one of those special members. We laughed and cried together and shared many stories of our families and our dogs. Ginny is a caring, sweet woman, and I will miss her. Then there are Tim, Janelle, Asha, Martin, Bob, Susi and Jeri. I could name these special people and fill a whole paragraph. I have also lost 3 members whose faces will always be in my memory. Tony Rosa, Mike Bailey and Lili Bryson all passed away during my time there. Tony died of lung cancer and, needless to say, reminded me of my father. Tony loved people with all his heart and loved his family so tremendously. Mike was an avid cyclist who always gave me a hard time in the classes I would teach. Lili was a beautiful young woman with a handsome young son. She was taken from us all way too soon. Even as I write I get teary thinking of how these people have touched my life.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome and I hope it won't be too long before I see you all again.
Thank you for making me feel so welcome and I hope it won't be too long before I see you all again.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Stay at Home Mom
If you had told me 7 years ago that I would be a stay at home mom, I never would have believed you. But then again 7 years ago I was living in Indy in a 500 sq. ft. apartment, sleeping on the same twin bed I had had since I was a kid, taking care of only me (and my cat -Zoe - but she was easy). Fast forward to today, I am living in Charlotte with a husband, a dog (Zoe died the week I found out I was pregnant) and most importantly a newborn baby boy. The commercials says that "Life comes at you fast" and well, it's true.
Friday I resigned from my position as Fitness Director at the Steele Creek YMCA. It was as tough a move as it was an easy one. Tough because we will be with one income and because I am afraid I will go crazy not working. Easy because I get to stay home and raise my son. Even though we go down to one income, working at the Y didn't make financial sense. Around $800 a month in daycare and $200 in gas to get to the Y. So I bring home about half my paycheck (yes, I made that little), work 50-60 hours a week and one weekend a month, and at the end of the day I get to spend a little time with my husband and son. NO THANKS! I can sum it all up in one sentence - I am not willing to give him only what I have left at the end of the day. Sometimes, that's not much. I will miss the friends I have made there and hope to keep in touch with as many people as possible. All said and done, I am very excited and feel a sigh of relief coming on.
So here starts a new chapter in my life.
Friday I resigned from my position as Fitness Director at the Steele Creek YMCA. It was as tough a move as it was an easy one. Tough because we will be with one income and because I am afraid I will go crazy not working. Easy because I get to stay home and raise my son. Even though we go down to one income, working at the Y didn't make financial sense. Around $800 a month in daycare and $200 in gas to get to the Y. So I bring home about half my paycheck (yes, I made that little), work 50-60 hours a week and one weekend a month, and at the end of the day I get to spend a little time with my husband and son. NO THANKS! I can sum it all up in one sentence - I am not willing to give him only what I have left at the end of the day. Sometimes, that's not much. I will miss the friends I have made there and hope to keep in touch with as many people as possible. All said and done, I am very excited and feel a sigh of relief coming on.
So here starts a new chapter in my life.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ah Sleep
I didn't think this day (or night actually) was going to come. After so many sleepless nights or nights with little tidbits of sleep thrown in. But Saturday night it happened. Nic slept 8 hours. I kid you not. He fell asleep at 9pm and awoke the next morning at 5am. I woke up at 4am and felt that horrible panic when I looked at the clock. The thought of "why hasn't he woken up" and "is he OK". I tipoed into his room to find him still sacked out. Sunday night again he slept for 8 hours straight. I am not sure I feel like a normal person again as 8 weeks of sleep deprivation doesn't get remedied overnight, but it feels pretty darn good. I guess I expected a slow transition where he sleeps an hour longer for a couple nights or weeks, but he went from 2 hour naps to an 8 hour sleep. Horray for this milestone!
For those who were keeping up with the nursery project, I have a picture of the monkey for you!
Janice is also painting a toucan for Ted and he has INSISTED on a toucan. It is as close as we could get to a toucan while till looking cute enough to be on the nursery walls. We call it a Tedcan.
For those who were keeping up with the nursery project, I have a picture of the monkey for you!
Janice is also painting a toucan for Ted and he has INSISTED on a toucan. It is as close as we could get to a toucan while till looking cute enough to be on the nursery walls. We call it a Tedcan.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Drive Thru
I've never been a big fan of the drive-thru. There is a drive-thru for everything: coffee, pharmacy, food (of course), dry cleaning, banking, etc. Pretty soon we will have drive-thru dentistry so we don't have to get out of the car to get that cavity filled. Nope, never liked the drive-thru. I'd rather stop my car and go inside. Especially at Starbucks, that way I can experience the coffee shop feel that I like so much. I can talk to the nice ladies that work at the store by my house. I can look at the cute travel cups that I so don't need.
Then....I had a baby. Like the commercial says, "having a baby changes everything".
Now the drive thru is very much my friend. Starbucks (yes, this a common theme in my blog), the pharmacy, banking, etc. Not because I don't WANT to get out of the car. It's that Nic is sleeping in the carseat and if he wakes up he may realize he is wet or hungry and start a screaming fit. It's the fact that the carseat and baby combined weight at least 20 pounds and my bicep strength, well, isn't quite up to that and I have that banging the seat into my knees, about to fall over walk. Those things should have wheels and a long handle like luggage. I guess that's what the stroller is. Anyway...
So the trip into the store will have to wait until those occasional Sundays when Ted watches Nic and I run around on my own. My wild and crazy life!
Then....I had a baby. Like the commercial says, "having a baby changes everything".
Now the drive thru is very much my friend. Starbucks (yes, this a common theme in my blog), the pharmacy, banking, etc. Not because I don't WANT to get out of the car. It's that Nic is sleeping in the carseat and if he wakes up he may realize he is wet or hungry and start a screaming fit. It's the fact that the carseat and baby combined weight at least 20 pounds and my bicep strength, well, isn't quite up to that and I have that banging the seat into my knees, about to fall over walk. Those things should have wheels and a long handle like luggage. I guess that's what the stroller is. Anyway...
So the trip into the store will have to wait until those occasional Sundays when Ted watches Nic and I run around on my own. My wild and crazy life!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
7 Weeks
Today Nic is 7 weeks! I think we are reaching a milestone as he is going 4 hours between feedings at night and he is eating 6 ounces at a time. Maybe this isn't exciting for everyone, but it is for me because it means I can get 3 whole hours of sleep at a time. Nic is eating all formula now as the boobies weren't working for him. The good news is, I can drink all the caffiene I want - hoo hoo Starbucks triple espresso here I come. I used to think it was silly for women to feel bad about not being able to nurse, but now I know. Luckily formula has come a long way and he is eating well.
I have also discovered one of my all time favorite baby products - the Bouncy Seat! This is a must have for all babies. Check out Nic to the right in his seat, sacked out without a care in the world. This seat goes into the exercise room so he can watch me workout; into the bathroom for shower time; on to the living room table for just about everything else. It's like a barcalounger for babies.
I have also discovered one of my all time favorite baby products - the Bouncy Seat! This is a must have for all babies. Check out Nic to the right in his seat, sacked out without a care in the world. This seat goes into the exercise room so he can watch me workout; into the bathroom for shower time; on to the living room table for just about everything else. It's like a barcalounger for babies.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Go Colts! This onesie was actually meant for Nicolas, not the monkey as shown in another picture. Nick seems to really like football. I know you aren't supposed to put your baby in front of the TV for entertainment, but.... he really seems to like watching football. If we put him in his bouncy seat or on Ted during the game he watches with great enthusiasm. Maybe his father's hopes of him being a football star will come true. Ted, however wants him to play for the Steeler's ,whereas I would hope for the Colts.
Football star or otherwise, during our times together I tell him of how he is to grow up to be smart and rich and take care of his parents. Hopefully he won't do that in a bad way like a "girls gone wild" bad internet guy or seedy lawyer kind of way (:)), but in a good "Bill Gates" sort of way. I think about and ask him what he is going to be when he grows up. We hope for the best!
Football star or otherwise, during our times together I tell him of how he is to grow up to be smart and rich and take care of his parents. Hopefully he won't do that in a bad way like a "girls gone wild" bad internet guy or seedy lawyer kind of way (:)), but in a good "Bill Gates" sort of way. I think about and ask him what he is going to be when he grows up. We hope for the best!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Bear Feet
A baby's feet are so incredibly cute. Those itty bitty toes, so soft and clean. It just makes you want to kiss them. To the right here is some really cute feet too. This is a little jumper given to him by a family friend. You can't help but smile when you see these little bear heads bouncing around as he kicks. Even at 2am when you have just changed the nastiest diaper you have ever seen and smelled, seeing these little bears kicking does your heart good.
Nick is up to 8 lbs 2.5 ounces and able to wear more of his newborn clothes. When he was born he was so tiny he swam in his little onsies. Dressing him has become more about convenience than cuteness however. How easy is it to put on and how long will it take to change him? I have not given up on dressing him in silly little outfits, even if for no other reason than to take pictures of him to tease him with later.
Nick is up to 8 lbs 2.5 ounces and able to wear more of his newborn clothes. When he was born he was so tiny he swam in his little onsies. Dressing him has become more about convenience than cuteness however. How easy is it to put on and how long will it take to change him? I have not given up on dressing him in silly little outfits, even if for no other reason than to take pictures of him to tease him with later.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Male Bonding
The bond between mother and child is undeniable. Afterall, we carry these little people inside us for 9 months; we feel their first moves; we have our lives controlled by them to a great extent. So when its time for father and son to bond, how better than over football and napping on the couch. Here is what Ted and Nicolas did over the long holiday weekend. Nicolas sleeps so well when laid out on daddy's chest. It appears neither of them caught much of the game.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
