Feline Fridays - A REAL Cat

Maybe You Can Help Me?

Hey bloggers, maybe you could help me find an answer to my question. Is it ok of milk comes out of my baby's nose? I can't seem to find an answer online or in books.

I have come to terms with boys are gross. I love my little boy and my husband, but men/boys are naturally more inclined to grossness than girls. My little man poops more than Jordan did and spits up more than Jordan did. The spitting up concerns me a little, but the milk coming out of his nose after making coughing type noises is starting to concern me. If you have witnessed this or know anything about it, please leave me a comment!

Thanks =)

Let the Move Begin!

Dave received his new orders, he will be leaving Norfolk February 20th and heading back home to help us get ready for our first big move. So continues my life as a Navy wife. This will be the first of many moves in the upcoming 20 or so years. Needless to say both Dave and I are nervous about moving all of our stuff, 2 children, and 2 cats in the wintertime... to Illinois... which doesn't have winter-friendly weather.

In fact, nervous does not begin to cover the emotions I am feeling this week. Obviously I am excited that my family will be together again in a month. But all the logistical stuff is becoming a bit overwhelming to me. Tomorrow I have the daunting task of calling our landlord and informing him that we are terminating our lease. I then have to set up a day/time that I can personally deliver our written notice along with a copy of Dave's new orders. I hate confrontation. I am dreading this phone call. Please God, don't let me be a crazy hormonal lady and cry on the phone to my landlord!

Just so you don't think I am totally lazy (and those of you who see me on Facebook might think that since this morning's status said I ignored my daughter to surf blogs) I also am meeting coworkers for lunch, mailing items I sold on Ebay, vacuuming the million goldfish crackers and bagel crumbs all over my living room floor, washing my shower curtain, putting away laundry, doing dishes, mopping the floor.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that at least one of the above chores actually gets completed. And that I get a nap. Oh glorious nap!!

Honest Scrap Award

I received this award from Mary Beth the other day and have finally had a moment to fill it out. I hope you have learned something new. I always am excited to learn something new about someone I thought I knew pretty well.


Here are the rules for this award:
a) List 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! and
b) Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

1. I am a lazy shaver. I hate shaving more than is necessary. Thank God Dave was away for most of this pregnancy because I really let myself go in that respect. In the summer I will shave my arm pits when I wear tank tops, and am getting better about shaving my legs (I used to just wear pants all summer to avoid it).
2. I am deathly afraid of tampons. I have never used one. I tried to insert one once, but it scared me. I can give birth twice but I can't stick a piece of material up my hooha.
   
3. I love my daughter to death but I said "I hate you" a few times to her when I was particularly down and tired and more worn out than any one person taking care of a child should ever be. I will never forgive myself for saying those words out loud.
   
4. I used to keep every piece of private mail ever sent to me. Unfortunately it took up way too many shoe boxes and I purged many of the letters I received over the past 20 years about 3 years ago. I am still really sad about it. The most important letters I kept were from a pen pal... not just any pen pal, but a soldier. In the 4th or 5th grade (maybe? I forget when actually) we had pen pals assigned to us at school, soldiers overseas. Mine wrote to me about the scorpions in his tent, and all sorts of things about living in the desert, what his home was like back in the states, etc. I have always wondered about him and if he ever made it home. I wish I could find him.
   
5. I can't get cable because I will watch too much TLC, Animal Planet, and Nick (because of me... not Jordan). I had cable once and watched Spongebob more than I would like to admit.
   
6. I seriously thought my college boyfriend was the ONE.
   
7. When I was pregnant with Jordan I stole my coworkers food when I worked on Saturdays and no one else was there. I blamed the weekend janitors.
   
8. Most people don't know, but I was hospitalized during college for OD'ing on Tylenol (this was the second mental hospitalization in a year). Not the brightest attempt. I am also a former cutter. I hate my scars. I hope my children never ask me about them because I still don't know how I will answer. When I am really upset and stressed out I occasionally think about cutting but would never do it again. It nearly made me lose Dave.
   
9. I find folding my children's cloths very relaxing.
   
10. I was never able to answer the question "what do you want to be when you grow up" when I was younger not because I wanted to be many things, but because I never saw myself as making it this far in life still alive. I am so very thankful I am here!!
    

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And now I pass on the awards to:
Sara
Kirsten
Emily
Kristy
Kelly
Melissa
Keeling

I Want a Happy Toddler!

The other day I was listening to my current favorite podcast, Pregtastic. Yes, I still listen to pregnancy related podcasts even though I am no longer pregnant. I really should be listening to something else, but I still have about 60 episodes to catch up on!! Anyway, the last show was an interview with Dr. Harvey Karp, author of Happiest Baby on the Block and, now, Happiest Toddler on the Block. After hearing that his toddler book was on dvd, I immediately went to my Netflix queue and added it to the top. Yesterday, the dvd arrived and I watched it while Jordan was at daycare.

Let me tell you, this stuff WORKS. Jordan usually throws a big tantrum when I put her in her crib at night. She lets me brush her teeth, change her diaper, read books, turn off the lights fine, but as soon as I put her in her crib, major meltdown appears. So last night I applied Dr. Karp's techniques to my daughter and what do you know, it worked!!! Moments after starting, Jordan stopped crying, laid down in her bed, and said "bye mama". Voila, tantrum ended!!!

I am sure Jordan will give me plenty of opportunities to practice this weekend. But at least this time I am armed with valuable techniques to tame my toddler.

****

On a side note, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Jaxon, who turns the big 2 today. He is the first of my labor buddies' babies from Babyfit.com to turn 2. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Anyway, I hope Jaxon had a wonderful birthday!! We're sending our love to him and his family.

Feline Fridays - Half the Weight

Here are my two littlest ones. Ben is half of Alice's weight! Hard to imagine my Little Man that little, but he is! Alice has a bit of a contemptuous look on her face, and honestly, who can blame her? It is only a matter of time before Ben is chasing after her just like Jordan.


Here is Jordan at about the same age with Alice. Imagine that... both girls are lighter around the middle =)

I'm Ready...

For Ben to sleep more than an hour at a time during the night.

For Jordan to realize it is okay to sleep past 6.

For Jordan to stop pinching and hitting me.

For the cats to not require expensive diet food.

For my tummy to shrink back to a non-pregnant looking size.

But most important....

For my family to be together again. I miss my husband.

One Word

1. Where is your cell phone?... desk
2. Where is your significant other?.... Away
3. Your hair? messy
4. Your mother? .... home
5. Your father? ...... work
6. Your favorite thing?..... family
7. Your dream last night? ........ none
8. Your dream/goal?... togetherness
9. The room you're in? office
10. Your fear? .... failing
11. Where do you want to be in 6 years? .... unknown
12. Where were you last night? .... home
13. What you're not? ..... skinny
14. Muffins?...... chocolate
15. One of your wish list items?... books

16. Where you grew up?..... Pittsburgh
17. The last thing you did?.. napped!!!
18. What are you wearing?.... sweatpants
19. Your TV? .... off

20. Your pet? .......... fat
21. Your computer? .... on
22. Your life? .......... lonely
23. Your mood? ...... frustrated
24. Missing someone? ...... husband
25. Your car/truck? ........ cold
26. Something you're not wearing? ..... hat
27. Your summer? ......... misplaced
28. Love someone? ........ family
29. Your favorite color? .... blue
30. When was the last you laughed?... morning
31. Last time you cried? ....... morning
32. Who will resend this? ........ unknown
33. Who did you last talk to? ..... Jordan

Feline Fridays - If only he knew then what he knows now

Here is Roy on the couch with Jordan when she was about 3 weeks old. For some reason I don't see him doing that with Ben. =)

Just Waiting

Me and Ben waiting for Dave to log onto Skype. I could be cleaning up dishes from dinner, tidying Jordan's toys, taking out the trash that is to be picked up tomorrow, or any other chores on my list. But no, I am sitting here listening to Jordan settle herself to bed over the monitor with Ben sleeping in my arms. I can hear Roy snoring behind me and see Alice curled up on my bed.

My Achey Breaky Heart

No, I am not referring to the Billy Ray Cyrus song... I am referring to Dave leaving today. His paternity leave ran out and he had to go back to Norfolk. I managed to not shed a single tear all the way home from the airport and for the few hours I was home. However, when taking Jordan home from daycare, I could see her sad, crying face in my rear view mirror as she cried out "No Daddy, No Daddy". It was so sad to listen to and all I could do was keep driving and cry and say "I know, I miss Daddy too". Thankfully after about 5 minutes I was able to distract her with talk of chicken nuggets and dip for dinner. Of course, then she cried because we were not getting home fast enough!

I miss you Dave. XOXO

Recycling Gone Too Far

My whole life I have been programed to wipe front to back, as every girl has. It is just what you do when you are going to the bathroom. So now that I have a boy, I can't seem to wrap my brain around the whole "penis" situation. I can wipe in any direction I want to?? That is against everything I know! And even though I've obviously seen penises before, it is really weird to have to touch a little one at least 8 times a day. I feel like I have entered foreign territory. Getting peed on? Definitely has happened to me twice now. Even our wall has been christened with newborn pee.

But Ben has taken the "penis" situation a bit too far. Dave and I gave Ben his first bath at home yesterday. All was going well, we managed to clean him... he pooped, cleaned him again. Then Dave and I were about to get him out of the tub when he peed. You really can't blame the poor little man, he was all exposed and nothing was covering him. However... it was WHERE the pee went that startled us. His penis shot up and the pee went right into his MOUTH! Some things need not be recycled!

I hope Ben's future wife reads this one day ;)

Due Date Day

Today is my due date. Instead of giving birth, I have a one week old baby in my living room. I have been a mommy of two for an entire week. How has time passed so quickly??? I am utterly in love with my little man and can't imagine life without him. Jordan is adjusting as well. Only a couple bouts of jealousy this weekend, but I think she is doing great! We will all be sad when Dave has to leave on Wednesday. =(




I really wish Dave was capable of making a video without all his commentary. Really, is it necessary?

Rules of the Road

Do NOT drink and drive...



especially with a bucket on your head.

Thankfully innocent bystanders are safe.

Ben's Birth Story

Monday morning, on the way to take Jordan to daycare, we got the call at 7:15am to come in for my scheduled induction. Get there by 8, in a room by 8:30. They got me changed, hooked up to the IV and started pitocin and the penicillin drip. My doctor came in at 9am and did a check. I was still only 1 cm dilated and my cervix was not at all ready. She scared me because she kept saying that she should have checked me last week before scheduling my induction... made me a bit worried that Monday would not go well at all! However, they had already started, so no going back. She stuck this little soft gel tab thingy inside me (miso something???) to get my cervix ready and stopped the pitocin. After an hour, contractions started. After 2 hours, they were stronger. At noon (3 hours later) I was 2 cm dilated and the doctor broke my water. Not a pleasant feeling, though the random gushing throughout the afternoon was entertaining. At 1pm, they started the pitocin again and another penicillin drip. Half an hour later the contractions were coming much stronger than I had anticipated and were 1-2 minutes apart... time for the epidural!! I had a great doctor (well, doctor in training!) and his supervisor. The epi went in fine and I loved that this particular doctor prefers to have patients control the dosage instead of a continual drip. It was heavenly =)

I wasn't pressing the epidural button much as my right leg had gone numb and I got a bit paranoid about taking any more so I felt all my contractions. Around 4pm my doctor came in and checked me again, 4+ cm. She kept saying "this baby is coming soon!!" I was more skeptical as I couldn't imagine going from 4 to 10 cm terribly quickly. However... around 4:30 the nurse kept asking if I had any pressure. What are you talking about lady??? I never felt that with Jordan because of the strong epidural so I had no idea what she was referring to. A few minutes after the nurse left the room I felt like I HAD to push! Dave ran out into the hall to get the nurse and within minutes I was ready!! It was SO QUICK! 4 pushes later, and lots of crying and uncertainty on my part, Ben had arrived! Proud daddy cut his cord!

We had a bit of a scare. His cord was wrapped around his neck twice. The NICU team rushed in and checked him over. After a little oxygen he was ok. Monday night he spent a few hours in the NICU because of some strange grunting noises he had been making since birth. XRay showed nothing wrong and eventually it cleared up. He was returned to me by 4am. He nursed like a champ and spit up the nasty formula bottle that they had given him in NICU. Good boy! After 2 nights we came home!

It all went so quickly and I couldn't be more pleased with my birthing experience. I am amazed at how little my boy is. He was born 6 lb 9oz and 20 inches long. He is a gorgeous gorgeous boy! He is also quite the nursing champ and my milk was in by last night.

My Last Blog as a Mommy to One

Today is the last day I am a mommy to one child. This is the last day that I can call Jordan my baby. Tomorrow she passes the torch onto her baby brother. I am terrified but excited. I am fully ready to accept the challenges that comes to a mommy of two, however I feel I am still entitled to my freak-outs (ahem, DAVE!) on occasion. I am enjoying my last day, however I am sad that I am too tired and worn out to be incredibly active with Jordan. Thankfully her Daddy will be home soon to help out!

Enjoy your babies... they grow up too fast.

Feline Fridays - My "Other" Children

Before Jordan (and Ben) my cats were my children. I coddled them, gave them treats, bought them oodles of toys they didn't need. Dave and I used to sit on opposite sides of the living room and toss mice for Alice so she could run around and play. We made sure the laser pointer had fresh batteries.

Since having children of my own, the poor cats are severely neglected. Don't get me wrong, they still get enough food (or more than enough!), they litter box is cleaned, they get water, occasionally I remember to brush them. But toys? Treats? Play time?? Poor Alice has had 3 new mice in the past year, and that's only because my mother gave them to her. I feel bad, and I keep telling myself I will play more with my cats and pay more attention to them this year. Maybe when the kids are both in school full time is more realistic??

Christmas present to the kitties in 2005.

Playing with the kitties, they loved chasing our fingers behind the bathroom door.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year internet!!!

Unfortunately I have no wild stories about how I brought in the New Year. I am quite lame, and will admit this. I skyped with Dave for a few hours, we mostly re-did our budget for January. Exciting. I scooped the cat box. I listened to my toddler scream at me through the monitor from 10:30pm-11:10pm because she thought it was morning and I wouldn't let her out of the crib. Then I slept until she screamed at me at 6:30am because it really was morning.

Despite the lack of celebrations, I am thrilled to see 2009 here. 2008 was a great year... so many things happened. Jordan morphed from a baby to a full-fledged toddler. Dave graduated from Carnegie Mellon with a masters degree then joined the Navy. I got pregnant (duh!). 2009 will bring even more changes. Ben will be born in just a few days, our family will be moving either in February or June (Dave can't seem to make up his mind), and I quit my job that I've been working full time at for the past 5.5 years so I will be finding a new one when we move.

I hope 2009 is good to us, and all our friends and family. Take care world and enjoy the first day of 2009!