Teatopia

Memories of 2006

Head on over to Mommy Musings and tell me what your most precious 2006 memory is!

Yummy Goodness (and lots more)

I meant to post sooner than now, but things have been kind of busy. I have been super tired-- a combo of my long-awaited time of the month and also a major lack of sleep. Olivia is cutting her top 2 teeth and has been on a nursing strike since Friday night. It's not that she doesn't want to nurse. She tries, then cries, and holds her mouth funny because of the pain. Motrin helps some, but mostly, I think we're just going to have to wait it out. She doesn't even want to suck on a pacifier, so I know she's hurting. She'll take a bottle, and when she's not chewing on it, she'll drink milk that I've pumped. It's stressing me out though since I can't pump as much as she gets when she nurses, so I'm lucky to get 3 ounces. She finally nursed twice last night and I'm hoping she'll nurse more today. James doesn't get why I'm so worried. "Just pump" he tells me. Well, I can't get as much milk and it's frustrating to me, and I know it is to her. She tries and tries, but I can tell it hurts.

Anyway, here are the pictures from my Christmas appetizer party last Saturday night.

Pictured above: sugar cookies with pink buttercream icing, cucumber sandwiches with garlic spread, on the tiered tray: peppermint marshamallows (store bought), egg salad sandwiches, and ranch roll-ups, then there's sausage & cheese dip (sooooo good!), crackers & veggie spread (also store bought), chocolate covered pretzels with crumbled candycane sprinkles, and caramel apple cider with mulling spices and vanilla beans. My sister brought an amazing ham & jalepeno ham pate, but I guess we forgot to take a picture.

In other news-- good news!-- Olivia is picking up things like crazy. Playing is what gets her through the terrible teething pain since nursing can't do the trick. She is learning more words every day. Her latest is "dog" (but she really doesn't pronounce the "g"). She looks at the dogs, pats them, and yells "daw!" She also says "eye" and touches my eye when I ask her "Where's Mommy's eye?" She also pulls everyone's hair now and says "air!" She's pulled herself up a few more times, but I'm really thinking she's more of an intellectual. :-) She isn't behind in her physical milestones, but she's definitely not early. My mom likes to brag that when I was little, my pediatrician often told her that I was the brightest 2 year old he'd ever seen, but I always met my physical milestones late or on time, never early. It's weird, because I wouldn't really say that I was really smart in school. I was labeled gifted, but I had lots of trouble taking tests. I totally freaked out and also, I had to work for A's. James's smarts come more naturally I think, but I really had to study. I think I'm still like that. Anyway, Olivia seems to be stronger intellectually, like I was (or so my mom says).

She also wants to feed everyone. She has to put her finger foods in someone else's mouth before putting it in her own, but she gets upset if you actually eat it. My sister ate something that was offered, and Olivia just stared at her fingers like, "where did it go?" She also dances constantly. My cell phone rang yesterday, and she started dancing. Too cute. I tear up every time she dances. I'm such a dork. :-)

This morning, we kept the nursery at church, and of course. There were 3 adults, and we divided up who changed which babies, and I of couse, got the poopers (we didn't know, it just happened that way). I didn't do a good job of changing the boy. You moms with boys get some big props because I had a hard time wiping his butt and trying to keep his pee-pee covered so I didn't get wet. At first, I didn't even cover it because I was using 2 hands to change him, and the other lady said, "you must not change boys much because you're about to get sprayed doing it that way. I didn't get sprayed, but I did manage to get poop all over the cloth changing pad. Oops. He was cute though, even if she did spit up all over my cashmere sweater. Let me just say, formula spit-up stinks! And so does formula-fed baby poop (all poop stinks, but it smells much worse). Yuck.

I also meant to tell you about our date a few nights ago. My mom kept Olivia while we went to see "Blood Diamond". Oh my gosh! It was amazing. Leonardo DiCaprio's accent was impecable. My South African readers will have to tell me their opinion if they see it, but it sounded good to me. He was supposed to be from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe I believe), but it's so close to SA. At the end, they showed the waterfront in Cape Town, and seeing it so big, looking so real on such a huge screen, made me ache to go back. I don't know what it was about South Africa, but I fell in love. Someone asked me the other day if I was from South Africa. It seemed to random. I wondered if I looked Dutch or something, but then I later realized I had a tiny South African flag pin (purchased in Cape Town) on my denim jacket pocket. I'm such a idiot!!!!!!! Hello! Anyway, the movie was action-packed and wonderful. I'm impatient awaiting "The Namesake" to come out too. I'm reading the book and it's really, really good.

Ok, enough blabbering. Off to make some goodies for tonight: hot wings, and maybe some sticky buns. Wait, might not have yeast. Sratch that. Just the wings I guess.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

She's Here

Aunt Flow has arrived. I'm glad I didn't spend $$ on a test. It's not that I didn't want to know, I just really didn't think it was likely since there was no indication of a rubber thingy malfunction. Whew! I know I want more, inspite of feeling guilty b/c I love Olivia so much, but I'm not quite ready . . .

Food pictures later and details on our date last night.

Where, oh where, has my period gone?

Hmmmm . . . I have always been on a 23 day cycle. It's short, but it's consistent. The first month off the pill last year (because we didn't start trying for a baby until the next month) my period immediately went back to a 23 day cycle. When my period came back after having Olivia, again, right back to 23 days. Heck, I even had to switch birth control pills a few times because I had breakthrough bleeding around 23 days. My body was just that eager to stick with it's 23 days.

So if I'm so regular, where the heck is Aunt Flow???? I'm not on the pill, but we do use some protection in the form of some very thin rubber thingies which I will not specifically say because I don't want people to find my blog when they type this word in.

I'm 5 days late, which isn't a lot, but it's not normal for me. James suggested I buy a test. I said no, because I'd feel silly. I can't be pregant. Heck, I just was. (tell that to Emmakirst and Mary). I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, all the excitement from the holidays made it late. I once got my period really early because a guy broke up with me. Stress/trauma/excitement can all affect your cycle.

So now I just wait . . .

Christmas 2006

Our first Christmas as a family of 3 was wonderful! It's been a busy last few days.

We had dinner on Christmas Eve at my grandmother's (dad's mom) house where we exchanged gifts and my aunt made Zuppa Toscana (the awesome soup from Olive Garden). She got the recipe from someone who used to work there. Then, we went to my mom's for a Christmas Eve party. We usually have a ton of food, but we ate lightly considering we'd just had dinner!

Olivia was dressed in a Christmasy outfit, but she promptly pooped when we arrived at my grandmother's, and she was so wiggly that it got on her clothes when we changed her.

Back at my parents':

clapping for her great-grandma (the one I always talk about)

After we ate (again), we sang Christmas carols, and Olivia clapped her hands and danced! Oh, and in other music news, Grammie the music teacher (my mom) has Olivia matching pitches. My mom sings "laaaaa" and Olivia sings "laaaaa" back at the same pitch. My sister and I started doing it at this age, so Olivia's right on target!

We woke up Christmas morning . . .

Olivia was more interested in the wrapping paper and bows initially, but she's had a blast playing with all her new toys.

Santa was good to us all this year. I got several books I wanted: Mothering Your Nursing Toddler (I think I'm going to nurse past a year, just not sure how long), Slow Cooker Precipes, an Organic cookbook, and a few novels, a new cell phone, some gift cards to various coffee shops, snack bars for nursing moms to keep in the diaper bag (those were in my stocking), a gift certificate for a massage from my grandma, clothes, bath goodies, etc.

I still have a ton of food pics to post, but Olivia just woke up, so they'll have to wait!

Track Santa!

This is the neatest thing! You can see where Santa has been so far on this website. What a cute idea for kids!

Just got back from dinner at my grandmother's (dad's mom) and we're about to have a small party at my parents' (with mom's mom). I spent the afternoon baking peanut butter filled peanut butter cookies for my dad. I give him some every Christmas. Now I'm off to eat again. :-)

Hope everyone is having a good night! :-)

It's Christmas Eve!

This morning at church, I was particularly emotional as we sang Christmas carols. I kept looking over at my daughter as she danced to all the songs. I felt so incredibly blessed. This is the best Christmas ever!

Merry Christmas Eve, my dear friends!

P.S. My mastitis is so much better after starting antibiotics yesterday!

Mastitis

Merry Christmas-- I have mastitis. I really shouldn't say that, because I am so blessed, but I hate that I feel crappy for Christmas. My boob hurt so badly last night, so I got online and read up on it, and my symptoms are definitely those of mastitis: swelling, redness, intense pain, hot to the touch. I read that bacteria, usually from the baby's mouth, enters through a crack or bite wound. This morning it had spread, and half my boob was red. I called my OBGYN and the dr on call called me in some antibiotic. It hasn't gotten worse, which is good, but I am so tired. I had a fever earlier. I was already planning to host a Christmas dinner tonight-- I bought all the stuff-- so I cooked all day when I should've been resting. Oh well. A good time was had by all, and I got some great food pics that I'll upload later.

Just thought I'd update. I need to figure out how to handle this biting thing. She doesn't bite while nursing. It's more that she suddenly latches off, and my nipple scrapes against her jagged bottom teeth. I try to read when I think she's done so I can break the suction with my finger, but if there's a sudden noise or something, sometimes she's quicker than me. I've tried to say "no" but I can't seem to make myself say it harshly enough.

Now for some happy news: Olivia said "hair"! If you ask her "where's Mommy's hair", she pulls it and says "air!" She understand's a lot of things, but conveniently doesn't quite get "no!"

My Whole Cheek is a Pimple and My Nipple Hurts

I loved reading your comments about having more kids. I think Melany hit the nail on the head with her comment. I can't imagine loving another child like I love my Olivia. I know it's possible (since I've never met a parent who loved their other children any less) yet I still can't quite imagine it. I almost feel guitly even thinking about it.

After I wrote the post, and I imagined never having more children, I felt sad, so I guess I know I want them, I'm just going to have to trust that God opens up your heart for as many children as He blesses you with.

And in other news, what was a big nasty pimple has now become a mountain. If you look out your window, you just might be able to see it in the distance. It's so big, that when I met my sister at the grocery store earlier, she suggested I try cortizone in case I was having an allergic reaction to a bug bite. Nope, I assured her, it's really a pimple. And it hurts like hell. I can't smile. Heck, it hurts to talk because if my cheek even moves the slightest bit, it aches. Everywhere I went today, I was sure people were staring at my pimple. I tried to stand at an angle when checking out at the register or when people stopped to see my baby. I am so conscious of this thing.

I even made up a song about it to comfort Olivia when we was crying in the car. I sing to her so much that today, when my sister took her to another part of the store, I started singing completely randomly in the middle of the store, and when I realized it, I wanted to die. I'm sure people thought I just had lots of Christmas spirit! I must've been a real vision today with my pimple and random singing.

Maybe later, if I'm in a humorous mood, I'll post a picture of Mt. Pimple.

I posted on my other blog about my poor nipple. Olivia bit the crap out of it and I'm worried it's infected. Any nipple advice for me?

50/50

Nothing much has been going on lately besides mad last minute shopping and running around. I'm throwing a little Christmas gathering for family on Saturday night (invited a couple of friends, they are now going out of town for Christmas, decided to just keep it family and not invite the rest of our friends), so I've been busy planning my menu for that. Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about something lately, probably because I'm totally PMSing, and I have a gigantic zit on my cheek to prove it. It's one of those painful under-the-skin ones that you can't really see but hurts like a mother. I'm constantly conscious of it. If I even move my face I can feel it. Yuck.

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about having another baby, or rather, NOT having another baby. I'm totally torn on this. I always wanted 2-3 kids. As I watch Olivia grow like crazy, it makes me want to do this thing all over so I can have a newborn again, but then I think of all the reasons one child is a plus:

-- I LOVE to travel. It's not a hobby, but an obsession, and for my 25 years and limited financial means, I've managed to travel quite a bit when I could've bought a new car sooner, or a bigger house. If I have more than one child, we may not travel again internationally for 20 years. Traveling with one child is do-able. I'd love for Olivia to have opportunities to see things most kids don't get to see.

-- On the other hand, speaking of opportunity, I'd love for her to have memories with a sibling, like I had. I loved playing with my sister when we were little, and although we're very different, we're still close now.

Then there's adoption. If we do have more than one child, we'll probably have 3. We'd have one more biological child, and we'd like to adopt one.

I'm just not sure. James wants another one, no questions. And if we do have another, it's not far off. But for me, I'm 50/50. I am consumed by Olivia, and I'd love to give everything to her, but I know that once I had the other child, I'd be double fullfilled, and them tripply (is that a word?) when we adopted a third.

And if we do proceed with more, I think we'd try again in 6 months or so. James will be 28 on his next b-day. We wanted to be done by 30.

I know my readers are from all different walks of life, so I'm hoping you'll share a bit about your child preferences. Do you have kids? How many? Do you want more? Do you want any at all? It'd be interesting to me to hear about why you did/didn't want kids and why you want/wanted the number you have.

Pity Party

I don't know what was with me today. I felt like a total nut job all day. I was super-stressed and super-emotional. My house is dirty again and I can't seem to find the time to clean it. I hate for my house to be dirty, to the point of obsession (I suppose I'm a bit compulsive about this. I know James would agree). It's not like I'm a clean freak, I just can't seem to relax until it's the way I want it. Olivia has been more high maintenance than usual, which isn't helping. She woke up every hour and a half last night. She'd cry, then she'd nurse, then she'd want to play. Half the times she woke up, she scooted over to me, and started poking at my face until I woke up. I am so freaking tired. I feel like I'm losing my mind.

Then, I yelled at James when he came home for lunch because I was so tired, and had so much to do, and he was an easy target to vent my frustrations. While he watched Olivia at lunch, I got dressed and put on my make-up, and the tears started to come. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to think of all the reasons things were good and I needed to pull it together: I was able to quit my job and stay home like I wanted, it's Christmas, I have a wonderful daughter, James's bonus paid for next semester's tuition (which we were praying for), etc, etc.

Then later at the mall, I ran into my favorite student from last year. We hugged and talked for a bit, and her mom told me that I was her favorite teacher and that I had touched many lives. She said the kids loved how happy I was to be there. This particular student has won a few writing contests, and her mom said that as her English teacher, I definitely played a part. It all felt so good, and I bit my lip to keep from crying as I walked away. I felt nostalgic and a little sad. I love being home, but I loved teaching too, and until I go back at some point, it will always be something that I miss.

Another thing that's upsetting me is about my grandma (I should mention her more because we talk every single day and I see her a few days a week. We've always been close). Anyway, she found out that she needs $8,000 worth of dental work and not only can she not really afford it, but it's going to be painful and she can't see putting out that kind of money at her age, but then again, she needs it so she can chew! My heart aches for her. She cried today and said that her body hurts (even though her health is good) and that her 2 knee replacements still ache. She has trouble walking, and now this, and she said she wants to die. I love her and I want her to be happy.

I also feel like I rarely have quality time with James. I think having a baby in our bed is seriously putting a damper on what's supposed to be happening in a married couple's bed. A quickie on the floor (and hitting your head on the nightstand) just isn't going to cut it. But I don't know what else to do. Olivia sleeps less than most adults. She just can't seem to stay asleep and she still doesn't nap, and until things are better and she's more regular, I can't see trying to put her in her crib. Besides, we tried it and it was a nightmare. She woke up constantly, screaming, and I'd finally get her to sleep just to get up shortly after again! I'd be going back and forth all night. It's easier to whip out my boob while still half asleep and nurse her until she's back out. I don't have the energy to do it any other way.

I also need to lose weight. I had a dream last night that my mom told me I was fat. Like she'd ever say that (or even think it). I am feeling badly about myself. I didn't even want to go into Victoria's Secret today with my mom because I kept imagining how fat I'd look in all the lingerie. It's just so hard to find the time to exercise right now, especially this time of year, but I've got to.

Ok, the pity party's over. Who'd like to bet my period will arrive in the next few days? This rant has PMS written all over it.

Picture Post

Here are the long-awaited (maybe you weren't waiting, but anyway . . .) fashion faux-pas pictures from an Atlanta mall known for its celebrity sitings.

This girl just chose the wrong color, and way too much of it. The white boots didn't help either.

I'm sorry this one is so small. I took it with my cell phone and for some reason, it wasn't as big as they usually are.

And this girl brought 2 poodles to the mall. Wait, those are her boots. My bad.

This is a picture James took of Olivia and I the other night. He didn't get any full length shots. We were in such a hurry to leave so we could drop off Olivia and get to the party before the open bar closed. Turns out the wine was free all night (we aren't really liquor drinkers).

BTW, Olivia now says "Dad-ee" and not just "dada" anymore. The little traitor. She knows how to call "mama" when she wants me, but I guess it's just not as much fun to say. She's also decided to give my abs a good work-out. Lately, she throws everything and then yells "uh oh". Then when we retrieve it, she grins, throws it again, and yells "uh oh" as it flies across the room. I am so sick of leaning over, but if I don't give it back to her, she yells. I guess these games are typical, but I don't know if I should always pick it up. Am I spoiling her?

I have more pics, but I seriously need to go to bed! It's 12:45, and I'll need to be up in just a few hours (if not sooner) to nurse my growing baby.

Christmas Card Swapping

I plan to post pictures later of my hot self at the party, but in the meantime, while I have a few minutes (James took Olivia Christmas shopping-- I am alone in the house for the first time since April), does anyone want to swap Christmas cards? I wrote a cheesey Christmas letter and I'm using that picture of Olivia by the tree to go with it.

I am sending mostly to family, but if there's anyone who wanted to swap cards, let me know. I'm already sending one to Lisanne because she always sends me cards. :-) BTW, I love getting international cards, and I may not get any this year. V. depressing!

Little Black Dress . . . or not

Tonight, James and I are going to our annual "grown up" event, a cocktail party at a ritzy country club for his work. I look forward to it every year for the awesome food (prime rib and desserts), free wine (although couldn't have any last year!) and the dancing, or rather, watching everyone dance while drunk. We don't always dance because I usually wear shoes that I think look good, but don't necessarily feel good. You understand though, right? I have to look hot. It's the one event of the year that warrants a little black dress. Except there's one prblem, the LBD wasn't fitting so well this year. Well, it did, but my flabby post-preggo tummy wasn't looking so hot in a defined dress. Damn. I tried on everything, was ready to throw in the towel and just not go when almost everything showed my belly bulge (note to self: don't try on a dress at night after eating a #9 at Burger King, a milkshake, and a funnel cake). Anyway, I finally found a winner! I'll post pictures tonight!

Last night, we went to a Christmas light's show, hence the eating of the funnel cake. We chose to drive through the lights rather than ride the trolley because if Olivia cried, it wouldn't spoil it for everyone else. Thank goodness, because after initially loving the lights-- she squealed and clapped), she got some teething pain and started screaming while knawing with her one sharp tooth on her little hands. Yep, tooth #2 is making it's way up. What? No teeth for like, 8 months, and now suddenly 2 in 2 days? Sheesh. Anyway, once the pain subsided with the help of teething tablets, she was back to watching the lights.

Well, I'm off to the post office and then it's back home with my hot self to get ready for the party. I'm going to flat iron my hair. Last year, everyone was so interested in my tummy (I wore the cutest black, sequined pregnancy top with black maternity pants), so this year, we want the focus off my belly, so the plan is, if I have long flowing hair, maybe no one will notice the baby fat that should already be gone. On another note, I had a back check-up today. I have arthritis in several place in my back (injuries that have turned into arthritis from the accident). The doctor said I need to walk 5-7 times a week. Maybe that'll be the motivation I need to tone the tummers?

A tooth is a coming!

Guess who's getting their first tooth? I'll give you a hint: she has blue eyes and nine chins. Give up? :-) My sweet Olivia! It's barely up, but I can feel it when I rub my finger alone her gums. It's the lower one on the right side.

She's been really fussy today, poor baby. She keeps calling "mama mama mama" and reaching for me. At least she now knows who mama is, but it breaks my heart she's feeling badly. I can't complain though. I've though about baby Amelia (GFF's baby) a million times today. She's the prettiest, sweetest baby. Olivia was so quiet and cranky the day we met them, so I can't wait see let Amelia and Olivia play together again. I know they'd get along well because they are both so full of personality. I'm just glad Amelia's procedure is done and she'll hopefully be feeling better soon.

Here's the picture I took my the tree last night. I think I might use it for Christmas cards, which I am so behind on.

And here are a few more I snapped yesterday morning. I was putting on my make-up, and I turned around to find this. I need to be more careful. This child would eat poop if I let her. Wait, she already has.

Don't worry-- she didn't swallow any. And excuse those nasty toilet stains. No matter how hard I try, I can't get those dark spots off around the top.

On another note, my grandma has remarked a few times how she wishes she could travel abroad again before she dies. She has trouble walking and doesn't have a lot of money, and she just found out that my aunt and uncle (the ones we visited a couple weeks ago) are taking her to Mexico for the opening of my other uncle's charity that brings eye glasses to poor people. She's so excited! She'll get to see an old Colonial city and the Mayan pyramids! We honeymooned in Mexico and got to see them, and it was awesome!

Random Thoughts

-- Earlier, I talked to James about helping me more. Specifically tonight, when I needed to make choclate dipped pretzels (some for out of towners and so they need to be mailed asap) and also, I needed to wrap presents that also need to be mailed-- for his family I might add. Do you think he is watching Olivia? No siree. He lasted through most of the pretzel making (but he kept asking me how much longer) and now he's on the internet trying to find my dad an extra gift just from him, which is sweet, but we had already agreed to let me do the wrapping tonight.

-- We had Olivia's picture taken with Santa tonight, and she was not at all happy about this. Funny thing is, after paying money to order a package of not-so-great photos (that sadly also have me in them because she was screaming bloddy murder without me there), we actually got even cuter photos tonight by our tree.

-- I feel really badly about something. A good friend called me tonight who is in the midst of a divorce. It's hard enough that's she's so young, and it's sad for us because they were one of the "couples" we like to hang out with, although it kind of changed after Olivia arrived. Anyway, tonight she was telling me about all the bad stuff between them (he's being a total butt and he was the one cheating). She mentioned that she'd had a one night stand to get back at him and rubbed it in his face, and I told her "good for you!" What? I'm a Christian woman. I hate when I "play along" with things my non-Christian friends do. It's not like I should judge her or criticize her, but I shouldn't act like I condone that kind of thing. I feel ashamed that I acted like I thought it was ok, let alone a good thing to do. And it's not the first time I've congratulated her on choices I wouldn't make. I love her a lot and she's a good friend, but I know I did the wrong thing tonight and I feel badly about it.

-- Olivia started clapping today. It's so cute and she's so proud of herself. I can tell! If I clap, she claps and it's so much fun. I love being a Mommy. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

8 Months

My Daughter,

It feels as if I'm writing these letters more frequently. Time is passing too quickly, and soon, your days of being my baby will be gone. Of course, you'll always be my baby, but you just won't look like one. Even now, I look at you-- how you are almost too long for your changing table, how some receiving blankets barely cover you-- and I see how much bigger you are (more than twice your birth weight). I smile whenever you learn new things (so many this month!) but sometimes, I have to swallow to keep that that lump in my throat down because I'm worried I'll cry while everyone else is rejoicing over a new milestone. It's hard being your mommy because I feel things more deeply than anyone else, but I also reep the most rewards. Who else watches you look at them as you lovingly nurse? Who else is the comforter, the boo-boo fixer, the cure-all for everything? I am so blessed.

This was a really big month for you. You started crawling and now you're all over the place. You follow me in and out of rooms and you can get to anything that interests you, which is pretty much everything. You also can stand while holding on to things, and you're working on pulling yourself up after after one success! You also have excellent hand-eye coordination and you self-feed with your thumb and forefinger. Gone are the days where I feed you little pieces of food. You take it from me and then feed yourself. You are very independent in a lot of ways. You also understand that something out of sight should not be out of mind. Daddy likes to hide Gerber fruit puffs in one hand, show you, then close both hands and you know where it is every single time. I read that babies usually don't understand this concept until at least a year, so we are so very proud of our baby genius!

You also met your Mom-mom for this first time this month when she came down for Thanksgiving. She wanted to come sooner, but she was so happy to see you and she misses you so much. She got you to say your first word, "uh oh" and you've been repeating things ever since! You can say "dada" and "mama" although I really don't think you associate them with us quite yet, and you can say "bye bye" and wave. We know you understand this because if someone says "bye bye" you immediately wave. You also have said "duck" many times, but not when your Daddy is around. We're trying to work on other words, but when I say the same word over and over again, you laugh at me and blow raspberries.

You and your Mom-mom:

I really thought I'd be able to report you'd gotten a tooth, but that's not the case. In fact, I expected it to pop up ages ago, but you still smile that toothless grin constantly.

One of our favorite games is repitition. If I stick out my tongue, you stick out yours. If I put my hands above my head, so do you. You dance when we dance, and mimic pretty much anything we do. You laugh and laugh and think it's the best game in the world.

You still are not a very good sleeper, but you are wonderful in so many other ways, I'm trying to be patient. :-)

We can't wait for Christmas. We don't have as much money this year since I stopped working, but Daddy and I agree: you're all we want this year and we are so incredibly blessed and happy!

The Hubby Has Returned (and totally scary outfits)

Wow! Where did the weekend go? Wait! I know! I spent it making up for lost time with the hubby. He came home Friday evening. He was so worried Olivia would forget him but she didn't. When he came home, she was crawling around, and she bypassed her favorite shelf to pull things down from to go and see Daddy-- and believe me, that's something. I spend most of the day these days trying to keep her away from this shelf. I guess at some point I'm going to have to take my pictures frames off and candles and other stuff off, only to be replaced by who knows what. I'd rather watch her like a hawk then ruin my ultra chic (yeah right) decor.

Anyway, after the hubby arrived home, we spent some quality time as a family, and then it was off with Olivia to her pack 'n play so Mommy and Daddy could have some fun of their own. She played happily for a while, and then we all went to dinner and came home to catch up on Nip/Tuck episodes. It was nice to have him there.

On Saturday, James had his last exam for the semester, so Olivia and I went with my mom and sister to Atlanta for shopping and the majorly trendy Lenox Square Mall, where, following GFF's post on fashion faux pas, I saw tons of my own. I even snapped a few pics which I will have to post later. Just a run down though:

-- sweaters tucked in. The horror!

-- Boots that looked like wooly mammoths

-- girls with like 10 different patterns. Is this the trend now? Did I miss something? Is it ok now to have leopard-print shoes, striped pants, a bright green sweater, and a bag with a differnt pattern. Eeeeek.

-- Total sluts. Boobs, camel toes (cleavage of a different nature), I even saw one girls crack because he low-rise jeans were just that low.

Scary, people. Very scary. Now I know I don't belong in Vogue, but I'm also not out at a mall where celebs are often seen strutting my stuff in horrific attire. I could maybe even be more adventurous than I am, but at least I keep covered. Even when I was thin and a 32 D, I still kept things covered that other people didn't need to see.

Olivia woke up 20 times last night, and that's not an exaggeration. I am so freaking tired, but she's got plenty of energy. ??????????? Tomorrow, I have an OBGYN appt and a bake fest in the afternoon.

How was your weekend?

Also, I posted that I'm worried about producing less milk. Any advice?

This New Life

I've been sitting in my mom's office for the past hour, watching as Olivia attempts to pull herself up holding on to the computer tower. In the other room, are all my old co-workers. My mom now teaches at the school where I used to teach, and she's hosting this year's Christmas party. Tonight, this house holds 2 worlds for me: the one I left, and the one I live in now. Outside this door, I can hear my old life. Talking, laughing, visiting, and I'm stuck in this room, watching Olivia try vigorously to get up. I'm here to offer hugs and kisses each time she falls. To give her reassurance so she can get back up and try again. I'm totally missing the party. And you know what? I don't mind a bit.

Hell Has Frozen Over (and my faith in mankind is restored)

It seems weird to write about hell and faith in the same title, but both phrases accurately sum-up two important happenings.

First, Olivia took a 2 hour map yesterday. TWO. Yes, TWO hours. Perhaps you heard me singing even from your house?

Today, Olivia and I went to the mall to meet my mom for lunch (she took the day off for Christmas shopping). I got out of the car, popped the trunk, and Oh! the horror! No stroller. I panicked. No, James didn't have it. He's out of town. Did I take it out at my parents' last night? Nope. Then I remembered. Yesterday, while I was having my toe checked (the doc was pleased BTW), I took it out so my grandma could walk Olivia around while I was in the doc's office. I remember my grandma leaving it several feet from my car while I strapped Olivia in her carseat and my grandma got in. I NEVER WENT TO GET IT. Immediately I thought of the not-so-nice area where my doctor is. It's next to the health department, and there are often tons of people wondering around there-- people who can't afford nice, pink Graco strollers. It had to have been stollen. People with 6 kids who can't afford one. But when I went to the building where I'd been yesterday, there it was in the lobby, parked against the wall. Some nice person (or my guardian angel) turned it in before nightfall, because surely, it would've been stolen. Some kind, honest person. Thank goodness, because I cannot afford another one. My only consolation if it was stolen, would be that someone who needed it maybe more than me was now going to use it, but I'm happy to have it back. Honesty is always the best policy, I always say.

P.S. Tea arrived from the teaswap today. Off to decide which to try first. So many good choices!

Whirlwind Weekend

Several times over the past few years, whe my grandma wasn't doing well from her various knee surgeries and terrible recoveries, I prayed to God she'd see my first child. So, last night, watching Olivia sleep on her as we watched a movie-- it meant so much to me. My grandma loves her so much, and Olivia loves her too. She's a big help to me, as is all my family since James is gone a lot. I know my grandma loved traveling with Olivia this past weekend. She can't walk with Olivia because she uses a cane, but she helps in any other ways she can. I was able to get some unpacking and washing done yesterday when she was here. We went to Panera for dinner to try to new Crispani before coming back to my house to watch "The Constant Gardener", which we both read. And yesterday afternoon, Olivia and I met MF and her baby boy to shop at Target.

So, about our trip! We went to Irvington, VA to see my aunt and uncle (my aunt married him 1.5 years ago, and I just love him!) They moved to this kind of small, gorgeous waterfront town after fleeing the DC area last spring. They have a house on water that feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. They asked us up this past weekend to see Olivia, and for the annual Christmas light show called "Lights on the Creek". People decorate their boats and they have a big contest. Michael (my uncle) took Olivia and I out on the boat earlier in the day, and we saw all the boats getting ready for the show. It was amazing. Olivia did pretty well on the boat. It was cold, but I bundled her up and she did well.

Please excuse my 8 chins. I took this picture, so I was leaning way back. LOL! Anyway, the view from the boat was awesome. Check out this house!

And this view:

Getting ready for the lights show:

The night of the lights show, we ate at the famous Tides Inn where I had a butternut squash and goat cheese ravioli and a white chocolate chip banana bread pudding with butterscotch sauce for dessert. Amazing, amazing food! We ate in front of a window that overlooked the lights show. My uncle joined us late because he is a photographer and was working at the show.

It was a great trip, and we can't wait to go back!

So proud!

We're back and I have so much to share and so many pictures to post, but I'll save it until tomorrow. I'm exhausted. However, I have to tell you something so awesome!

Olivia said "duck" tonight. She is starting to say more and more words! It kind of came out as "dut" but she said it a few times while playing with her duckies in the tub tonight. I am so proud! She's not even 8 months old and she can say 5 words, although the one she says the least is mama, and I really don't think she associates it with me, or dada for James for that matter. But she definitely knows "bye bye" because she'll wave to us if we just say the words, so she associates "bye bye" with waving. She also knows "uh oh" because she says it when things drop. What about mama though? Aren't I more important that a duck??

She also can pull herself up now. I knew it was coming! I can't believe how fast she is learning and changing. I cry when she does new things because I'm so proud, and then I cry because it means she's big.