Teatopia

Nursing in public did not go so well . . .

Remember the nursing in public issue? Well, I did it, finally, and it didn't go so well. There are many pervs in Columbus, GA.

I posted about it here.

My Passion

Tonight was a night I've been looking forward to: the premiere of "Moms on the Road: Africa". It's about 8 moms who leave their families to spend 6 weeks traveling around Africa. Tonight's episode took place in Cape Town, a place near and dear to my heart-- my favorite city in the world. I saw places I recognized, and it brought tears to my eyes. It also amazed me how ignorant some of these woman were about the world. Some of them didn't know that Africa was a continent. Hello? One of the black Americans didn't know there were white people in South Africa. You'd think these woman would've attempted to find out a bit about where they were going.

Besides my family, traveling is my passion in life. I am really excited about some of the new shows on the Travel Channel. I can't wait for Joan Cusack's new travel show. I know it'll be a hoot!

Since I can't travel right now-- Olivia's too young, no money, etc-- I am living vicariously through people on the Travel Channel. I know my traveling days are far from over. It's just a matter of time. I have miles to go before I sleep . . . I want to give Olivia the gift of knowledge and experience. I want to give her the world.

I totally love this commercial. It makes me want to hop on the next plane to wherever.

Still on the list: India, Thailand, Kenya, Japan . . . the list goes on.

Where do you dream of going?

Click below to see where I've gone.

Already been to:

1994: Ontario, Canada (family vacation)
1996: Ontario, Quebec, and Montreal Canada (family vacation)
1999: Cancun, Mexico (family trip celebrating my high school graduation)
2000: England, Wales, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Italy, and the Vatican (went to Cambridge University for summer school, then traveled around Europe with friends)
2001: Cancun, Mexico (family trip for sister's high school graduation)
2002: Cancun, Mexico (honeymoon-- loved it so much, wanted to take James)
2004: Seoul, Korea (with James to see his family)
2005: South Africa & Swaziland (the best experience of my life besides events pertaining to my family)

Looking back, I am so blessed to have been able to travel. That's one reason I have NO money, but it's so worth it.

Hump Day (no, not humping silly)

My house smelled good all day! I baked an almond bundt cake that was to die for and also made mini cheddar and herb biscuits. I was hoping they'd come out like the ones from Red Lobster, but they were actually kind of sweet, and although they tasted nothing like Red Lobster's, they were really yummy. :-) Since my mom started back to school (she's now teaching where I taught last year), my grandma and I have been making dinner at my parents' house every couple of weeks, just to make things easier for them since they work. I love to cook, so I enjoy planning the meals and meeting my grandma for our shopping trips. My mom watches Olivia when she gets home, and my grandma and I cook. Tonight we made beef stroganoff.

Olivia is going through a major mommy attachement, which is making me feel guilty. I feel badly when she reaches for me to get her when other people who love her are holding her. When she sees me, she cries huge crocodile tears and curls her lower lip and reaches for me. I love that she wants me, but it makes me feel like I can't ever leave her. I'm with her all day, and I think it's hard for her to be away from me. She also still nurses all the time, and that has made a really strong bond between us. She still doesn't eat rice cereal (besides having had it a couple times) or baby food. Just breastmilk. The pediatrician said if I was willing, I should keep up the nursing until she needs more. I was surprised, but we're going with it. The only thing about only nursing is she still poops all the time since breastmilk is easily and quickly digested. It doesn't smell though, so I can't complain.

James stayed home today because he has a big research paper for grad school, and he needed more time to work on it. It was nice having him here, and he was surprised how much work Olivia is. Yes! I'm glad he realizes staying home isn't all tv and painting my toenails. Not that he says anything, I just have a complex that I want to appear busy, like I have to validate that it's hard work. Silly me!

Tonight I watched the Barbara Walters special on 20/20. She interviewd Terry Irwin-- her first interview since losing her hubby. I cried every time she cried and it was so hard to watch. Olivia was sleeping next to me on the bed, and I kept kissing her. When Terri said she had "lost her prince" I burst into tears. Thank goodness I had tissues next to me for the tears, because Olivia woke up and hit me in the nose, and I got a nosebleed. I've mentioned it before, but it's been a while; I have my nose pierced. It's just a tiny, tiny stud, but when she hit my nose, the end of it punctured my nose and OUCH!!! James thinks I need to take it out now that I have an active little girl, but I'm not ready . . .

Oh. So so happy about this! My sweet mom is giving me some money to get my hair highlighted this Saturday. My hair has always been dark blonde, but ever since I had Olivia, it's brown now, so I am getting a much needed haircut and some lighter color. And my aunt is coming from Virginia to see Olivia this Friday. We have a fun next weekend planned!

You mommies out there, I have a question over here at Mommy Musings.

Change is afoot . . .

I have decided to change my blogging style. I don't write enough about who I am, what my daily life is like. There are other bloggers I feel I know. I know what they do, what they feel. When I look at mine, I don't see it that way. I mean, do you really know what I've been doing the last couple of days? Probably not, and if I don't write more about it, I won't remember some day either. So, with that said, I'm going to try to get more into the details, and if it's boring as hell, well, I'll stop!

OK, so yesterday . . . yesterday was sad and eye-opening. I went to Target, as I often do, but for some reason there were tons of children with major problems there: illnesses, handicaps, you name it, and none of them were together. Pure coincidence. I was there to get Olivia some fall stuff (I know I said no more, but my mom bought them, so you can't yell at me!) The first one I noticed was a young girl (maybe 5?) in one of those head and neck supporting wheelchairs. I looked, felt sad, and continued shopping. Next, I saw a tiny baby (too tiny to be out in public if you ask me) in a stroller, covered with a tent-like plastic. Think boy in the bubble. The tiny thing was hooked up to an oxygen tank which was being wheeled next to the stroller. Every few seconds, it beeped and I'd hear the tiny baby take a breath. I smiled at them and pushed my perfectly healthy, chubby girl away, saying a silent prayer for the baby. Not even two minutes later, I saw a young boy (4 maybe?) with leg braces walking with much difficulty while he attempted to hold on to an umbrella stroller with his mangled hands. My heart sank. He was a beautiful little boy, and as I watched his mother walk patiently beside him, I though how proud I'd be if that were my son. But then again, maybe that's not how I'd feel. I can't really say, can I? I suppose a mother is proud no matter what, but I'm sure with that pride comes a defensive feeling because you know people are watching him. I was starting to wonder if God was laying these images on my heart because I have laid in bed the last few nights, unable to sleep, trying to think how I can pay off the rest of our credit card. Then, as I was leaving, in walks a young girl (I'm guessing 7 or 8) with her mother and sister. She was completely bald, obviously from chemo, and I started to cry, right there in the middle of Target. God, you were sending me a message, weren't you? I wouldn't trade Olivia's health for all the money in the world. Last night, as I prayed about these things, I felt God say, "I'll take care of you. I always do" and I thanked him for our health.

Now for a bit lighter material. Last night I made the most incredible pad khing chicken(ginger, garlic and soy sauce sauteed with mushrooms, green peppers, and onion. Oh my!) I used a recipe from a Thai cookbook, so I can't take much credit, but it tasted JUST LIKE what I order at Chili Thai, one of our favorite restaurants. James even remarked that we didn't have to go there to order it anymore, to which I gave him the most evil look.

Then, after dinner, Olivia and I went by the mall of drop off my white gold chain to be fixed. Remember the necklace James bought me when I had Olivia? I leaned over and the chain got caught in Olivia's car seat. Luckily, it's easy to fix! Anyway, I took this as we were leaving. My new trick for when she's fussy in the car, or at any time, is giving her a spoon to suck on. She first showed interest in my spoon a couple of weeks ago, and now she beams when she sees one.

But then she decided that she'd rather play with the plant.

So, she ditched the spoon . . .

Well, Olivia just woke up from a 20 minute nap, which is actually long for her, so I'm off to change her. We've already had two poops today, one of which got all over her sheets, so hopefully there won't be any more surprises today! :-)

Fall Finds

I am dying for some fall weather. I love this time of year, and it's still freaking 80 some degrees. Boo hoo!

I am in in fall mode, full force, and I wanted to share some fall finds:

-- I am can't wait to try out this awesome sounding chai recipe. There's nothing like a hot drink to warm up your insides and make you want to snuggle!

-- I love love love sweaters, and even though I can't afford it, I really love this one. Looks very warm and snuggly.

-- This pasta with sausage and sage in a pumpkin cream sauce recipe has been my go-to fall recipe for the last few years. Even thinking about making this recipe gets me all excited! I am majorly cooking deprived these days. It's the ultimate comfort food!

-- I WANT THESE SLIPPERS. It would be cruel not to buy me these slippers.

-- I want to make Halloween s'mores by the fire. Sadly, we have a gas fireplace-- well, not sadly, because it's freaking awesome and we saved for a while to have it put in-- but it does mean there will be no making of any s'mores at our house.

-- And, last but not least, fall means Olivia gets to wear this!

What makes you think of fall?

Woman who drink are more likely to get pregnant

Read this.

Hmmmm . . . you think? If you drink a lot, you're more likely to have sex, which miraculously, is how babies are made. Who would've thought?

I guess the only problem left is who the father is and when the hell you conceived??? HA! "Doctor, I don't even remember having sex . . ."

Shoppy

I hate that it stays so damn hot down here for so long. I bought all these cute fall clothes for Olivia, and by the time it's cool enough to wear them, she won't fit in them anymore!

Today I went to a great consignment sale for babies that's held in a warehouse twice a year. I got some really cute winter clothes because I was sure I didn't have enough. Later, when I washed them and began sorting through her closet to put them away, I discovered that I have enough fall/winter things to clothe several children. We bought several designer outfits from one of James's so-workers and I've been picking up things here and there, and so now we have a ton! She has a few pairs of overalls, jeans, jumpers, several pairs of pants, long-sleeved onesies, a few winter dresses (we could honestly use more of those for church), and tons of cute pants and tops outfits. And she has the most adorable pink giraffe coat, sweaters, a pullover fleece, and a Calvin Klein jean jacket I received from a co-worker. Oh, the cuteness!!!! I can't stand it! Bring on the cold weather NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our City

I never got to write much last night because James finally came to his senses and decided to go to bed, so I had to get Olivia. Last night, I had dinner with Lovinmuzic, and it was nice to have girl time. We are at Johnny Carino's and it was really yummy! I've missed being with Rebecca this year. I'm happy in my new life, but there is still a part of me that misses my job and friends.

Today, as I ran my errands, I noticed all the growth here. There are so many new stores and restaurants going up-- 6 more Starbucks in the next 6 months, a Kohl's, Petco, and tons of others. But then, there is still a lot here than makes this town kind of redneck, so I decided to snap a few pictures with my camera phone.

This first one is hard to see. This pick-up truck was covered in hunting stickers and it says "redneck woman" on the back windshield. That's an ok title for a song, but not to advertise on your vehicle, in my opinion.

And this truck had the BIGGEST tired I've *ever* seen. Because the first car is closer, it makes the big truck look smaller than it is, but I passed by it on my way into a store, and the bottom of the car was almost at eye level. It's cool here to have huge ass tires. Kind of pathetic if you ask me.

And here's the cutest baby in our city, maybe even in the world! :-)

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I was right

I was right. She woke up again before going to sleep until 4:00 am. Right now she is up, and very much awake. She's been sitting here with me while I read blogs, sitting here in her bright pink pajamas, pacifier in her mouth, staring at the screen while I kiss her fuzzy head. A minute ago, I convinced James to take her for a few mins so I could post. Can you believe he's still up? What a nutjob. I'm officially on baby duty. This is my shift since I don't work and he's awake. If I wasn't on baby duty, I'd soooo be asleep right now.

BTW, I fixed the link on Mommy Musings so you can see Olivia's Halloween constume.

Singing at the top of my lungs

What?!? Can it be? It's only 11:10 and Olivia is asleep? My prayers have been answered! Now, I can say with all confidence-- I'll even bet you the rest of my hair-- that she'll wake up at least once before finally going to sleep at her normal bedtime of 1:00 or 2:00 am. But, for now, I'm thankful. And I was just telling James that I was going to make an appointment with her pediatrician about why she doesn't go to sleep before 1:00 am, and why she wakes up every few hours, and why she then won't sleep at all the next day and then repeats the whole thing over again, except the next night, she waits until 2:30. She even has dark circles under her eyes, just like mine. Matching dark circles. Isn't that cute? But now I'm thinking she must've overheard the conversation about going to the doctor, and she's decided to try and be cooperative because she knows that we can barely afford to pay a $30 co-pay. Isn't that thoughtful of her? I mean, $30 is almost enough one unnecessary trip to Target, right?

And did anyone see Nip/Tuck tonight? I watched is pacing around my living room, baby in my arms, but I saw most of it. Why the hell did Sean have to go and cheat on his wife when she's due to have a baby? It made me so mad. So mad in fact that I told James I couldn't watch it anymore, but we all know I didn't really mean it.

My appointment went well today. I am sore though, which he warned me about. I think he helped me though because after he finished working on me, I was able to turn my head further and I was looser in general. It was a good appointment and Olivia was fine with James while I was gone, which brings me to something else I wanted to talk about.

Olivia is mommy-obsessed. She will not, I repeat, will not let anyone else hold her. Not daddy. Not Grammie. No one. She growls at them. Last night, she was laying in our bed with us, and I got up to brush my teeth. She begain growling and grunting, so James had to take her in our bathroom so she could watch me brush my teeth in the mirror. She actually held on to me while I got ready for bed, and talked to me (in her own way of course) and smiled at me in the mirror. Then, when we all got back into bed (this is how I get her to go to sleep-- she falls asleep with us, then I move her. Clever, right? Maybe not.) Anyway, I always face towards her, but I turned over to take off my glasses and put on chaptstick and she began grunting. Did I mention she also grunts? When I turned back around, she reached for me and when I leaned towards her, she buried her face in me and held me. I love it, but it makes me feel awful when I have to leave her. It is sweet though. I love her with every ounce of my being, and I always will feel this way about her, but I'm pretty sure her Mommy-obsessed phase is just what I said, a phase, so I better enjoy it while I can.

Rainy Monday

I had a great time today meeting my friend. What a big whoppin' relief to meet a NORMAL, SAHM. She was really down to earth, and we talked about all kinds of stuff: episiodomies, husbands who are seldom home, books, the lack of stuff to do in our city, post-partum hair loss. I seem to talk about this a lot because I think everyone must notice and I feel like I have to explain. Luckily, she could relate. Her little boy was gorgeous! He has the prettiest brown eyes, and everyone at Starbucks was coming over to see him and Olivia, saying that they'll probably get married someday. :-) We had a nice time talking, and we're going to try a new mom's group on Thursday morning together, where I will hopefully meet even more normal mommy friends.

Today, it poured down rain, making the temperatures a bit cooler than usual. I am loving this weather. I have had just about enough of these 100 degree temperatures. I'm ready to break out the sweaters! And I also need to hop on the treadmill if I expect to fit back into my fall clothes. Last fall, I was wearing maternity clothes, but I can't get away with those this year!

Tomorrow, I have a consultation at an Orthopaedic clinic to evaluate my back and to set up a physical therapy plan for the 3 degenerating dics in my back from the accident. Can I just say how glad I am we decided to get a lawyer? I feel I deserve some compensation for all this crap. It's totall inconvenient for James to use sick leave hours to come home and watch Olivia for the 3 hours I'll be gone.

I posted over at Mommy Musings about baby Halloween costumes. Head on over and comment! I am so excited about dressing Olivia up!

Baptism and Mommy Play Date

she was so good. The truth is, she was exhausted because she had a bad night last night (teething maybe?). We were worried she wouldn't let the minister hold her, but she did. She even let him walk her down the aisle so the congregation could see its newest member. She just looked up at the minister and everyone "oohed" and "ahhhed" and I was such a proud mommy! She wore the baptismal gown I found at a craft fair last October. My friend B came and videotaped it. He also took some pictures, but I turned off the flash so it wouldn't disrupt the ceremony, so they are hard to see.

Afterwards, my sweet grandma treated everyone to lunch at Johnny Carino's. After we got home, Olivia became fussy. She still doesn't nap. After only 6 or 7 hours of sleep last night (and not consecutive hours), she still didn't take a nap of longer than 15 minutes all day. Even now, when I thought she'd be exhausted, she's still up, sucking on my quilt next to me in bed. How can this child survive on so little sleep?

Tomorrow, Olivia and I are getting together with a girl (I say girl like I'm still a kid or something!) and her 5 month old son. We met through a Yahoo group for moms in my area. The group has been really inactive (it was one of the no-so-good ones I tried), so this other mom and I decided to meet by ourselves at Starbucks tomorrow around lunchtime. That's one thing I like about staying home. It's so hard to go out in the evenings with James in class and me trying to get dinner together. It would be nice to have a friend who also stays home during the day. As I've mentioned before, I am majorly deprived of mommy friends. I'm in a new stage in my life and it's hard doing it alone.

Mama's got a brand new job

So my SUV has had these crazy lights flashing at me on the dashboard. Driving my car has been like being at a disco . . . I took my car in this morning, but they couldn't find anything. When I got it back, the warning lights had stopped. Then later, as I was driving on the highway, they started up again and then my spedometer shot down to zero mph even though I was still going 60. Then, the gas gauge went to empty and then back up. I headed back over to Saturn and they were able to hook it up to a machine and diagnose the problem. We have a powertrain warranty and an extended warrenty, so I wasn't worried. Turns out this is like the one thing that isn't covered (naturally). So, $320 later (and that's after James had to purchase a new computer this month because his went caput) . . .

I can now be found on the corner of Victory Drive showing off my enormous milk-filled tata's and letting my hair wig blow in the breeze, hoping for a few customers.

On a more realistic note, I know God never gives you more than you can handle, but things financially just seem a little nuts right now. *trying really hard to have faith*

The hair. It continues to fall out.

I got the results back from my blood work. All is normal. I was kind of hoping I did have a thyrpid problem because then a little medication would stop the hair loss. Now, instead, I'll just have to wait up to a year for it to run its course. And even worse, Olivia has made it her goal in life to pull out the only strands I have left.

Anyone know where I can purchase a decent wig??? Because that's where I'm headed.

Blast from the Past

A few night ago, I decided to check out My Space. I'm sure most of you have heard of it. Have you sign up for it? I set up an account months ago, but just haven't had the chance to really spend much time on it. If I get the chance to go online, I usually try to blog. Anyway, I had several messages from high school friends with questions like, "Is this the same Hannah from high school? I know you're married and the name is different, so I wasn't sure" and "You had a baby? Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" Like many people, I had hoped to catch up with some old friends, but now that I have, it's made me depressed. When I saw friends who have gotten married, had kids, finished grad school, etc, it just made high school seem sooooo long ago, which left me feeling old. Old and sad. I'm closer to 30 than I am to 20. James's 10 year reunion is approaching, leaving me wondering where the hell time did time go?

I found one of my nest friends from middle school. We later had a falling out in high school because she decided she wanted to drink and smoke and be a slut, and I didn't buy into all that. I also found another close friend from high school who now lives in Israel and from what I gathered, he's becoming a rabbi! Whoa! It's so strange to see what these people are doing. I remember passing notes to them, and screaming at football games with them.

I know it's funny that I am so surprised by all the changes, because I think I surprised them even more. I'm one of the only ones who is married and has a baby!

I think, if I get the chance, I'm going to go dig up some old photo albums from high school . . .

5 Months

My Olivia,

You don't know it, but today isn't just your 5 month birthday. It is also the 5 year anniversary of a tremendous tragedy in our country. It made me think about how innocent you are, and how happy I am, that for this brief period in your life, you know only goodness and love.

Every month with you enriches my life more and more. You have stolen our hearts with your beauty, goodness, and intelligence. I am so proud of you, my Olivia Beth.

This month has been hard because of your teething. I never thought when I first felt the tiny point of a tooth, that 2 months later, it'd be no closer to coming through. It breaks my heart to see you in pain. You go from being very verbal and playful to feeling tired and wanting Mommy to snuggle with you. I hate that your hurting, but I eat these moments up. I love having your little head on my shoulder. I love that you reach for me when you don't feel well. I breathe in your scent and drink you all in. I know someday I will look back on these moments and wish I could hold you again the way I can now.

My favorite time of day is the morning when Daddy is leaving and you come sleep with me. Although we miss Daddy a lot, I love having Mommy and Olivia time. You still sleep in our room, in a bassinet beside our bed. Some people have bugged me to let you sleep in your own room, but Daddy and I agree we aren't ready yet. You have years of sleeping in other rooms-- in other houses-- and we aren't ready to give up having you with us just yet. I'm not sure that you are either.

This month you also have a new found love of blowing raspberries. You do it hundreds of times of day. Sometimes it's in response to something exciting, other times, you just do it because you feel like it. When strangers talk to you, you often say hello by spraying them in the face. You think this is very exciting and you kick your legs.

You also have become quite observant. We didn't even realize how closely you watch us until you screamed and reached for my cup. When I brought it closer to you, you put your little hands around it and brought it to your mouth. You tried to lift it up, and when I helped you a bit, you took a sip. We now cannot drink from a cup when we're around you, because you scream until we give you a sip. You can't drink what we drink. Mommy still nurses you exclusively because the doctor said you are thriving and don't need anything else yet. Go boobs! We did experiment with some cereal, and after you nose-dived into the dish, I am quite confident you'll love it when we do begin other foods!

I love that I am home with you-- that I never miss a thing. I know how blessed I am. Money is tight, but you know nothing of that-- only that you are happy and loved.

I can't wait to watch you grow up (but don't do it too fast). I am so curious about the woman you'll become. I want to travel with you, take you to places I love. I hope we'll be as close as I am to your Grammie. I heard Daddy tell you the other night that he's give up his computers for you. I know that he probably wouldn't ever need to, but that was his way of telling you he'd do anything for you. It made me laugh! I love looking at you and seeing your Daddy, who I love so much. You are going to be a beautiful woman, inside and out.

This Sunday, you are going to be baptized. Mommy is afraid she'll cry and embarrass herself as she agrees, before God, to raise you according to our faith. This is something important in our family, our faith, and I am excited to have you christened. My grandma (your great-grandma) is taking the whole family out for brunch at the same hotel where your Mommy and Daddy had their wedding reception. This means so much to me.

I love you, my baby girl. No matter how big you get, you will ALWAYS be a my little baby girl.

All my love,
Mommy

Sunday Lunch

We just said goodbye to our friends from church. They came over for lunch and we had a nice time. One of the couples has a very moblie one year old, and I learned that I love A LOT of baby proofing to do before Olivia is moving around on her own. I have too many picture frames and knick-knacks that she can get to! It was nice to have friends over to eat. I made Mexican lasagna (alternating layers of seasoned beef, cheese, and soft tortillas. Then, on the top layer, I covered it with cheese and scallions. I also made sweet Mexican corn cakes, a salad and there was peach cobbler with ice cream and Starbucks coffee for dessert. Yum! It felt good to entertain.

I think the best part, though, was getting the house clean for our friends. My house hasn't been THIS clean in a year. I nested when I was pregnant, but I didn't tackle all of James's junk. Everything is so neat and I love it. If James so much as leaves one pair of shoes in the living room, I'm going to spank him! (and not that kind! LOL!)

Tomorrow, we are braving the teething and tryng again to get Olivia's portraits taken. I'm also planning on looking at Halloween costumes for Olivia!

Christmas shopping, presents, teeth, and no poop

For the first time ever, I have started Christmas shopping super early. I figure this was the last month I got my paycheck, so I'd better buy stuff while I can. Also, there are such great sales going on right now. I've been shopping all week. I'm purposely leaving some stuff until the holiday season though because how boring would it be not to have any Christmas shopping to do??? James said he ordered some early gifts for me. I guess we had the same idea. He also ordered me a present for now because he said he hadn't surprised me lately. He got me "Country of My Skull" about the Truth and Reconciliation Hearings in post-apartheid South Africa. I am such a history geek, I know, but half my major was history. My hubby really knows me!

Today, I took Olivia to get her first set of professional portraits done, but after 45 minutes of trying to get good shots, we gave up and I rescheduled for Monday. Poor Oliva. All she did was rub her mouth and fuss because her teeth hurt her. She felt fine before we left or I would've given her some Tylenol. She was also really tired. As soon as we gave up and stopped bugging her, she fell right asleep in her stroller.

She's been so funny lately! She literally blows raspberries for hours on end. I have to change her outfit constantly because it's wet with spit. It's so funny! We do it back and forth to each other. She'll blow one, and than wait for me to do it. Then she squeals and does one back. It's so much fun. I'm sure people think I'm nuts. I walk down the aisle of the grocery store making toot sounds at my baby. :-)

Tonight we ate Mexican food because I had a coupon (yes, these days, only if I have a coupon). At the restaurant, there is one of those machines that you put 50 cents or so in and try to get a stuffed animal. These kids won a really soft, fuzzy yellow elephant and they came up to us and said they wanted Olivia to have it. It was so sweet of them. We said thank you and gave it to Olivia. She loves it. She held it against her face and smiled. :-)

We are having the no poop problem again. It's been 3 days, but she doesn't seem to mind, so I guess I shouldn't worry, yet. Tomorrow, I have errands to run, and I'm sure taking her out in public will tempt fate enough for her to have an explosion somewhere where I can't easily change her! LOL! I'm hoping though that she'll go in the morning. I also hope that her tooth comes through. This sucker has been trying to come in for a month. Just how long does it take? I can feel the tiny edge of it in her mouth, and if I look very closely, if she's still, I can see a white dot in her mouth. It's taking freaking forever!

Olivia the Beautiful

And check out my sidebar for month 4 pictures! :-)

Nip/Tuck comes back on tonight!

Nip/Tuck season 4 premiers tonight. Can I hear a woooooo-hoooooooo!!! We've been watching this show ever since the first episode, before it became totally sleezy and trashy. Not that it wasn't somewhat back then, but now I'm almost ashamed that I watch it. Almost.

We're getting portraits of Olivia taken on Friday. Even though we take a gazillion photos a day (speaking of which, I have some funny ones to post), we haven't had them professionally taken yet. Shame on me. I also scheduled at a craft fair, the day after I found out she was a girl. My grandma bought her a gorgeous bonnet that turns into a handkerchief for her to carry at her wedding and my mom wants to buy her a gold cross to wear-- her first piece of jewelry. I'm worried I'll cry when she's getting baptized. Do people do this? I can't say I've ever noticed anyone crying at those before. I am miss waterworks lately!

Did I mention that Olivia drank out of a cup for the first time this past weekend? She's been really interested in anything we are eating or drinking lately, and when she leaned towards my cup, I decided to let her take a sip. I was drinking purified water, so when she put her little mouth on the side of the cup, I gently tipped it, and she took two sips! Way to go Olivia!!! :-)

I'm off to get a milkshake with my mom, which I *so* don't need, but I haven't the willpower ro refuse. I am craving some chocolate lately! Then, it's back home to watch Nip/Tuck! I need to watch something besides depressing tributes to the Croc Hunter.

Goodbye, Steve

I was saddened by the death of Steve Irwin, aka the Crocodile Hunter. I always liked and respected him. I watched his shows and really thought he was a good man. He's also a father to two young children.

As I watched a tribute to him on Animal Planet tonight, I sobbed as his wife Terry described the bond between him and his daughter. She also described him as her soul mate, and the best father ever. I can't imagine the pain his family is feeling tonight. His son will never know him. He can never walk his daughter down the aisle. I pray that we are always here for Olivia, but you just never know.

P.S. Vote for Olivia! (see my sidebar at the top for details).

Weird movie, food, and vote for my baby

I just got back from seeing a movie with my mom. Wahhhoooo! First one in 6th months! We saw "The Wicker Man" and all I can say is, what a shocker! It was pretty disturbing.

James watched Olivia while I was gone and did a great job. She was in such a good mood when I got home. She loves her Daddy. :-)

I'm going to go put together an Asian Slaw salad and figure out how to use our new ice cream maker. It's the one that attaches to the KitchenAid mixer.

Oh, and please stop by and vote for Olivia. See the top of my sidebar for details. There are many cuties on there, but I'd love for my bonnet wearing babe to win. :-) Thanks!!!

Loving this 3 day weekend

I like that I get to have James around all day for 3 whole days. Although he's getting a taste of what it's really like to watch said youngin' for 3 days. Read this to see what this man tried to pull off yesterday.

Anyway, I spent yesterday afternoon baking goodies for the new neighbors. I realized we barely know anyone. I don't think either of our next door neighbors know our names. So, I decided to be a neighborly neighbor and take over some lemon poppyseed scones and cranberry & rosemary biscotti. They are really nice and around our age. She's from England. Kind of cool. Anyway, last night, James and I went out for Korean food while my mom happily had Olivia all to herself.

We didn't make it to church today because Olivia decided to stay up until 2:00 am and proceeded to wake up every couple of hours thereafter. It just wasn't going to happen.

I'm about to head to the store to buy stuff for our Labor Day meal. I'm making green tea ice cream. :-)

Men Really Are From Mars

Why is it that men can have some very minor ailment, and we have to hear about it non-stop, but we can be puking our guts out and still have to cook dinner, watch the baby, and keep the household going? No, I am not puking. Besides being practically bald, I'm feeling pretty ok. But my husband keeps showing me his sunburns from working in the yard, and I'm expected to sympathize with him. Tell him it looks really bad, that I'm sorry, and suggest something to put on it.

Last night, James asked me to proof-read a paper for grad school because my degree is in English and I'm supposed to be good with that kind of thing. Yes, you're totally laughing now because you know I have typos all the time. In fact, I just typed typo wrong and had to fix it and I often word things akwardly because I'm hurrying. Anyway, when I looked at the computer screen to read his paper, I couldn't see. My eyes got all blurry from wearing my darn contacts too long, and it hurt to try to focus. There were these strange shapes of darkess. When I closed my eyes, they were still there. I told him I thought I was going blind, and he asked me what I thought of his paper. Ha! It's not that he's not sympathetic and sweet, he just doesn't even listen sometimes. I think this is true of many men, and in a way, it's so absurd that it's funny.

I love my husband, but I'm rarely allowed to be sick. I can't be. He wouldn't know what to do without me. It was always like that for my mom too. And it's not that he won't take care of me. The poor guy cleaned up my puke the first week we were married. I contracted some odd disease type something in the Mexican jungle on our honeymoom and threw up a large peanut butter milkshake from Sonic all over the floor. He got a gold star for that one. I would've given him something better, but I was just too sick. But it was easier then. I hadn't established myself as the fallback person in the house. For the most part, I'm the fallback person now. Especially when you become a mom, because then, you're THE MOM. You take care of everyone. Isn't that so true?