Teatopia

Another Yipppeeee!

James got a new job! A better job! With more money, great benefits and a sign-on bonus! Things have been really rough for us and I've considered going back to work because we need the money, but now I can stay home. James told me not to look yet, that he wanted to look first, and he got one! I feel so relieved. I am so thankful I am able to be a SAHM. Being home with Olivia is the best. :-)

You've Got Mail!

In this day and age of e-mail and all things electronic, there is something still amazingly exciting about getting real, live mail at your house! I especially love it when that mail is coming in the form of a package! Harry Potter is supposed to arrive today (I might kill the folks at Am@zon if he doesn't), as well as other various stuff, like a free case of red tea which a wonderful company wants to to try out and review. Yipppeeee! I also ordered some stuff for O, which I'll blog about later.

I seriously thought about NOT going to my BFing playgroup this morning so I could be here when the mail came. Pathetic, I know. But since I'm not that big of a loser, we're headed out. Send me mail vibes!

YIPPPEEEE!!!!!

James just finished his master's degree. A perfect 4.0, dean's list, and Phi Kappa Phi member. I'm so proud!!!

I'll also no longer be a single parent! No more night classes for James. Yay!!!!

Because I can't think about anything else right now (TMI to follow)

Ok, so the doctor said no bladder surgery until after I'm done having babies. That could be several years. We know we want to try to #2 before the new year, but I could see us trying for a 3rd within a few years after that if we decide to have 3. I think at this point it depends on our financial situation at the time. Anyway, I can't wait that long, but I hate to have a surgery that will be undone with another birth. That's just crazy.

However, I was so busy last night at the book club making pot after pot of coffee (note to self: buy a carafe) and serving dessert (I decided on peach cobbler because my parents happened to bring me some peaches so it made good sense) that I didn't stop to go to the BR. I was also in charge of leading the discussion. Then one of my candles burned part of my wall, and I had to deal with that. Luckily, enough of the black came off that you wouldn't really notice. Needless to say, I was busy. It didn't feel like I really had to go that much, but when the night ended and I went to change clothes, my Poise pad was SOAKED. I can't do this for years. I'm peeing right and left. It isn't just an, "oops! I sneezed and out came a few dribbles." It's much worse. What will I do when I'm pregnant? I guess then I might be a little less embarrassed because it's pretty much a cliche that women have trouble holding it, but I'm not even pregnant, and I'm a leaky faucet. I woke up this morning, and as soon as I sat up, WHOOSH! This is awful!

I don't want to have surgery more than once, but might it be worth it not to be peeing my pants all the time? What would you do? Have surgery and risk having it again, or just stay padded and deal with it? If you really think about it, just dealing with it is easier said than done. It's a big incovenience. We 're planning a possible beach trip and I've already thought about what to do when I'm in my baithing suit and don't want to wear a bulky pad. I'm *so* frustrated!

Today

This morning I have:

-- done 3 loads of laundry

-- changed a v. stinky carrott poop

-- tried to distract Olivia away from the fridge (she won't stop banging on it and screaming "cheese" and she's had way too much already)

-- cleaned up b/c I'm hosting book club tonight

-- obsessed over what dishes/containers to use to serve dessert and coffee, and what to put the cream, sugar, and flavored splenda packets in

-- talked to one of my favorite students on the phone for a while and had a great conversation about morality. Kids can be so cool!

Books and Boobs

Am feeling v. happy!

There's a house for sale in our neighborhood, so I called the number on the sign and pretended to be in the market for a new home so I could find out the asking price. I was thrilled to learn that we've aquired some equity! Now if I could only pay off the new heater and air conditioner we put in so I can actually keep the equity when we sell our house. We've been thinking about moving lately. Just thinking. And talking. Not planning. We want another child, but I know I'd like to enjoy having more money each month (less cooking for me!) and I'd hate to have a bigger mortgage. Hmmm... something to think about. And moving is such a pain. I'm getting anxious just thinking about it. :-)

My aunt and uncle are visiting us this week. They last saw Olivia when she was 7 months old, so she's a completely different baby now. Walking and talking, and she's been giving them hugs and kisses. I like that she doesn't give open-mouthed kisses like so many babies. She gives nice, dry normal smooches and I love them. I'll often pretend to cry just to get a smile and a kiss (she knows I'm kidding).

I am impatiently waiting for Harry Potter to arrive. Am@zon hasn't even sent it out yet. I may have to attack someone with a hack saw. I WANT MY HARRY POTTER BOOK AND I WANT IT NOW! I am DYING to find out how it all ends. I just hope this one is better than the last. I wasn't that impresses with the last one. In the meantime, I've found the cutest series: the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency". I'm only on the first in the series, but I'm already hooked. It's about a woman in Botswana who opens her own detective agency with the money from the sale of her father's cattle after his death. I like that it's in Africa because the cultural info is interesting.
I like that it has words like lekker and biltong. Good old South African words (I am so totaly obsessed). I love reading words spelled in the Bristish fashion. Words like "organised" and "neighbour". Very cool. It doesn't read like a typical mystery. It's a lot lighter, perfect for tired Mamas like me who can barely focus on a book by the time their stubborn baby is asleep.

I also ordered Olivia a book called, "Breastmilk Makes My Tummy Yummy" to which James asked, "Isn't that a bit weird?" My repsonse? A very mean look and "Absolutely not!" I think it's great! Breastfeeding is awesome and amazing and this book is the cutest. It even has a picture of a baby nursing from a "boof" on the front. She may not understand the book now, but someday, when I nurse her brother or sister, we can read the book together and she'll understand how special it is.

Speaking of BF, I was at a breastfeeding moms' playgroup yesterday, and I learned of a campaign called ban the bag. It's interesting. Check it out. I have mixed feelings. If you are formula feeding, it's very helpful I suppose, but it might sway some people toward bottles who are undecided. I know how much I wanted to nurse, but when I couldn't get Olivia to latch on, the bag, with all its samples, started to look good, but I resisted the urge. In that sense, they were a bad influence, yet I was glad to have samples. I gave them to my friend and she was grateful. I think we need to be pro-breast but not anti-formula either. Some people need to formula-feed and some want to and will regardless of what you tell them, so why not give them something free to feed their baby? Just thinking out loud (you know what I mean). I like to talk about BF with these ladies, but I think the judgement is wrong. They can be pleased with their choice, and be passionate about it, without ridiculing others. That really bothers me.

Now for a completely off topic question. Seen any good movies lately? My Netfl!x queue is seriously lacking.

What are those doing in my cart?

Each time I go grocery shopping and have to buy more of these, I try to hide them under the other stuff on my cart because I don't anyone to see them. When I check out, I'm always conscious of what the check out person might be thinking. A 26 year old girl buying incontinence pads. Maybe I'm not alone? Please tell me I'm not.

Ever since having Olivia, I've had a little trouble with bladder control. No biggie. It happened so seldom that I never thought much of it, but now it's become a much bigger problem. I went to see my OBGYN last week, and he examined me and said he thinks the tissue that tightens to close my urethra is torn or at least has been pulled pretty loose, which means I have a bit of a dribbling problem. It's a result of my very large baby coming out my hoo-hoo and somehow in the process, something was torn. I need surgery to fix it (it's easy to fix) but the doctor thinks I should wait until I'm done having babies because it could very well happen again.

In the meantime, I need some protection in the way of pads to catch any dribbling. It's not caused by coughing or sneezing. It just kind of makes its way out at random moments. The OBGYN warned that I may have some major incontinence issues during my next pregnancy, so please, don't say anything funny! I'm a little scared because I don't want to embarrass myself. It seems like all the crazy things happen to me.

I've heard that this isn't that uncommon, but I can't say I know anyone else who has this. But it's not like you'd go around telling everyone either. I'm just trying to keep in mind that this can be fixed at some point, and until then, I'll just need back-up!

As long as I'm not needing to share pull-ups with my daughter, I should be in good shape.

Which Dessert?

I started a book club through my mom's group, and I'm hosting the first one next week. We;re discussing "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" which is a fabulous book BTW. I'm providing coffee and dessert. I can't decide what to make though. It's so seldom these days that we entertain that I'm obsessing over the details.

Which dessert sounds the best? Keep in mind it should go rather well with coffee.

~peach cobbler

~chocolate cake

~lemon bars

~coconut dream cake

Let the voting begin!

Yeah, I think I will!

The other day I was stocking up on Organic baby food because, yes, my daughter doesn't eat enough table food no matter what I do, and I love how healthy the stage 3 chunky organics are. Anyway, I was putting some stage 3 soups into my cart when these two women came up behind me.

Lady 1: "Look at that crap! Organic?"

Lady 2: "Oh yeah, girl, they make everything organic these days, even rice cereal."

Lady 1: "Who would buy that?" (as I put more into my cart two feet from them)

Lady 2: "Well, people obviously are" (duh, because I am buying it right in front of their faces!)

Lady 1: "Well, she can have it."

Yes, thank you, I think I will. While I have nothing against non-Organic-babyfood-buying, because I don't buy everything Organic, how could you fault someone and be rude to them for buying something healthier? It pisses me off how judgemental people are about extended breastfeeding and buying Organic (within reason) and buying healthy food. I'm doing something GOOD for my family and the environment! Why all the judgement? If I'm not judging them for doing something less healthy, why on earth would they judge me?

I believe that modern technology is ruining us: pesticides, preservatives, processed foods... these things lead to obesity and diabetes. That's why our culture is so over weight (and I know I need to lose a few pounds myself, but sadly, some of my booty comes from my biological dad's side. I'm lucky I'm not bigger!) Anyway, healthy foods lead to a healthy person.

So, yes, I will take all the healthy food I can and feel better for it.

The last few days....

Yesterday, we went to Market Day downtown, which is something new our town has. Although it was small and there were few vendors, I really enjoyed it. I only spent $10 and I scored homemade lavender granola w/ coconut (sooooo good!!!), fresh baked Organic garlic bread, Organic arugula, and and a homemade strawberry muffin. There were also fresh cut flowers, hand-made soaps, and other food.

Later I went to Target where I totally humiliated myself. I made a quick trip to the bathroom when we were donwe shopping, and when I was walking out of the store, I heard someone yelling, "Hey lady! Lady!" and I turned around to see this man running after me. He pointed to my backside, not quite knowing what to say to me, so I checked with my hand to see what was wrong, and I realized I had tucked my skirt almost completely into my underwear and was sporting my blue Vickies to the world. How could I NOT have felt the breeze??? I've never been so embarrassed. I wonder how many other people saw and didn't tell me?

In Olivia news, she has learned to say "hot dog" among her other words. This child is such a talker!! Makes her English teacher mother proud! She's also had a quie a growth spurt. I had to buy her new shoes, so I got these.

I really like Striderite shoes for the support they offer, but I stil like Robeez too. They are so cute!

Olivia has a new obsession with "gasses" (glasses), although as I menioned in my last entry, she thinks gassing is funny too and purposely pushes out gas and then laughs and shouts "toots!" Anyway, she's been wearing glasses all the time. We had to poke the lenses out so she can see where she's going.

Well, we're off to go suit shopping. James has some interviews coming up and wants a new suit. More about that later, but it looks as if our money is not going to be so tight anymore. Keep us in your prayers. We really need better insurance.

I'll leave you with this. What do you think it is?

I sent it to my friend as a joke. It's my dad's freckled fingers, but it looks like a flabby cellulite butt!! HAHA!

Sooooo funny!

I think I've created a monster. I really should be more lady-like. LOL!

My 15 month old daughter just ripped a big one and proudly announced, "haha! toots!" and then did it again a few minutes later.

Coveting=bad

I've been struggling lately with wanting a bigger house, a bigger SUV with a 3rd row, new clothes, new furniture, wanting, wanting, wanting. It's so easy to get caught up in wanting the latest of everything because that's how our society is. We want the newest, best, latest of anything available. Well, most of us anyway. I've really felt God laying something on my heart lately; that what I already have is sufficient, period. We gave up alot for me to quit my job. We've cut back, which means we don't go out to eat like we used (I've started cooking almost every night). I've decided that our mismatched bedroom furniture will have to do for now. Just because there's better out there doesnt't mean I need to have it.

But it's hard. I'm used to buying what I want, traveling, and eating out a lot. It's been a hard transition, but so worth it. I've been doing well with these changes, but then a couple weeks ago, I attended a bridal shower at this beyond incredible, gorgeous house, and I felt the pang of jealousy rearing it's ugly head. I have to accept that's it going to happen from time to time, but I always try to thank God for His blessings and pray that I'll feel more appreciative of what I have. Compared to many, we are rich beyond means. We own our own home, have two nice cars, and the traveling can wait.

I hate that I struggle with this. It makes me so mad at myself. I am such a shopaholic, and I need to resist the urge. I don't even buy stuff for myself, I just want to buy everything for Olivia. I have to remind myself that Olivia is 15 months old and she doesn't care. She's be happy with a plastic spoon and bowl! Besides, she has more toys that she could ever need.

Oh well, I guess this is part of being a one-income family. But I know it's the right choice for us. I just have to keep reminding myself of this.

Perfectly Wonderful! (and something CRAZY!)

What could be better than South African malva pudding? This is seiously one of the best dessert I've EVER had!

Then, I had a good soak in my parents' new hot tub. It's designed so the water runs over into a moat, and then is recycled back into the tub through the jets. It's awesome!

Then, today, I attended my first ever La Leche League Meeting. I felt so at home with other co-sleeping and extended breastfeeders. I was a little skeptical at first. I worried there might be a bunch of women with 6 year olds hanging off their boobies, but everyone seemed friendly and quite normal. Then there was one weird part. I was talking about Olivia and my moms' group, and when I stopped, a lady, Trisha, asked me, "What's your name again?" So I told her and she said, "Wait. Are you Teatopia?" I almost fell out of my chair. Apparently, she knows Lisanne in real life and Lisanne gave her my blog address. How cool is that? I laughed and told her she probably knows more about me than she ever needed to know. LOL!

4th of July fun!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We had a cookout at my parents' new gorgeous house. We took Olivia down to the horse farm next door, and Olivia said "horsey", which sounded like "horshey". So cute! We were getting eaten alive though, so we didn't stay long. Does anyone know if it's safe to but insect repellent on a baby? Hmmm....something to ask her doc next time.

I also made Olivia's great great grandmother's blackberry dumplings. She gave us the recipe when we visited a few weeks back. They turned out so yummy, and they were easy to make. I can't wait to try the recipe again. I may even use another type of berry, although I can't imagine anything else being as yummy as the blackberries were.

I don't have an exact recipe. It's one of those family recipes that she has made for so long that she does it by feel, so you'd have to play around with it. Here's what I did:

Bring the following to a boil:
1 qt. blackberries
2-3 cups of water (it's up to you)
sugar to taste

In the meantime, make the dough for the dumplings:
mix bisquick and water until you have a thick consistency.

When you've got a rolling boil, add the dough in spoonfuls and let it boil. You can tell when they're cooked, but if you're not sure, spoon one out and cut it open to make sure the inside is cooked. These are so awesome. We had ice cream with it, but I'm sure pouring heavy cream on top (my fav when I was in England) would be amazing too!

We've laid low the last few days. I've been really tired, and afternoon showers have made the humidity even worse than usual, which makes it intolerable. Olivia and I have spent a lot of time playing and learning new words: chapstick (she shocked me with this one!), peach (peesh), water (wah-wuh), and glasses (all of a sudden, they aren't "eyes" anymore).

Can I just say again how much I love being a Mommy!?! Olivia is so funny. She makes me burst out laughing several times a day. The other day, while I was cooking, she sat down on a watermelon in our kitchen and just stayed there. She knew it was funny because she giggled the whole time. I always have watermelon and I leave them out on the floor because Olivia thinks they're balls and she rolls them around, yelling "ball." I guess she thinks they're great seats, too!

This is random, but if you drink coffee, you've got to try this creamer! I LOVE coffee, but I try to limit how much I drink (I should be drinking tea! I'm teatopia!) This stuff is so good, and cheaper than St@rbucks for sure.

This afternoon, we're going to head out to go shopping with my mom. I just hope the rain doesn't start until I'm back. It's such a pain to get a baby in and out of a stroller and car in the rain! I love the rain when I'm home. I like to open the front door and watch through the glass storm door. Gone are the days when I'd curl up with a book, but I'm trying to make more time to read. I took GFF's recommendation and picked up "The Red Tent" and I really like it. Makes me feel better to read about women who nursed toddlers. LOL!

Tomorrow, I'm planning on making a South African dessert that I LOVE, malva pudding (which in the British tradition is really a cake and not a pudding as we'd think of one). Sara and I e-mailed back and forth about it. I never could remember the name of it, and she e-mailed me about it and I was able to look up the recipe. Thanks, Sara!

Fun things!

I love doing these lists of things I'm enjoying. I used to do these way back when I first started to blog (more than three years ago!) but haven't done them too often. Here's another!

I LOVE this coconut milk lotion by Fresh Body Market. Their products are all natural (they're also Vegan if that's something that appeals to you). This lotion smells just like the tropics!

I simply adore my KitchenAid mixer. James got me the Pro size and I use it all the time. Now, if I only had enough counter space to leave it out all the time!

I've also been really into baking muffins lately. They're a healthy quick snack before my morning stroller exercise. I've been putting flax seeds into them lately (and when I bake bread), but I think my latest favorite is soy flour. It's important to get some soy in your diet and this is a great way. I love white flour, but there isn't much of anything good in it. I think my favorite muffin right now are pumpkin soy muffins. Yum!

I hit my stupid toe again (the one that the nail ripped off last year and later required some minor sugery), so definitely no flip-flops for me. I've been cheating and paid the price. My sweet grandma bought me these. They're kind of like sandals, but my poor toe will be safe. :)

Oh, and I'm especially loving the gorgeous peach roses my hubby surprised me with this evening! He said that a beautiful girl deserves beautiful flowers. I think I'll keep him. :)

Happy Birthday, James! (and family pictures)

I'm a bit late posting this, but we celebrated James's 28th birthday on Saturday. We had a nice family get together with kabobs on the grill, pasta salad, garlic cheese biscuits, orange cream fruit salad, baked beans, ice cream cake, and appetizers. I didn't get to take food pics because I was running around getting the food out, making kabobs, and cleaning up.

It was a great party! I can't believe James is 28. Most people say he looks younger than that.

Olivia enjoyed trying on people's shoes.

James loved his gifts. We had a great time!

When I started to decorate with the balloons I'd blown up, I noticed one of my decorations looking slightly phallic. LOL! Can you spot it?

My sister's bf Marc and Olivia took turns pushing her toy around. She's obsessed with this thing. She crashes it into everything and then screams "MAMAMAMAMA!!!!!" for me to come and turn it around for her.

We took Olivia to the pool last week, and I've been meaning to post these pictures. She loves her floaty! When we push her around, she says, "Weeeeeeeeeeee!"

She's started calling glasses "eyes", which she made up by herself.

Her vocabulary never ceases to amaze me. She's been starting to say two word sentences, like "Dada side?" which means "Is Daddy outside?"
She also can say most parts of the body (elbow, nose, ear, teeth, hair, eye, etc). I love teaching her new words. She also pointed to various dishes on the dinner table the other night and named them, and I didn't even know she knew the words. She said "rice" and pointed and also "peas". She also knows apple and she days grape ("gaype"). I have to remind myself when we have another child that Olivia is an early talker. I don't want to place high expectations on another child when they might be as smart, just not talking as early.

She had a blast at the cosmetic store, Ulta the other day.

Reading with Grammie at Barnes & Noble:

Hope everyone had a good weekend!