"Hey, Honey. What's your New Year's resolution?"
My husband isn't listening.
Here we are - eating nachos and drinking wine on the loveseat, the baby is on my lap cooing at the TV while eating his hand. The girl has been asleep for hours already.
It's been a big year:
We became landlords and moved into a bigger home.
We had a son!
I became a stay at home Momma.
I pinned approximately 347 things and created 4 of them.
We discovered that art can be created from toilet paper rolls.
We fired our mechanic.
We nearly killed our most resilient plant...and killed all the others.
We still don't own smart phones.
Adeleigh started calling me "The Grumpy Dragon" when she doesn't get her way.
We laughed a lot.
We learned what happens when a black permanent marker finds its way into the dryer.
...
A little louder this time, "HEY! What's your New Year's resolution?!"
Phaeton - "I don't @#$%& know.....To cuss less."
He's watching Feliz 2014, the Spanish Channel's New Year's Eve coverage in New York.
Phaeton - "Do you understand this?"
Me - "Um. No."
Phaeton - "I can't understand this at all."
Happy New Year!
Love, The Gaglios
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
This is our new life
If you had asked me 5 days ago where I would be in a week, I would have told you that I'm going back to work - back to a job that I love, with people I love working with. The kids will be taken care of - Adeleigh at her new preschool and Atticus at home. Grandma will help out one day a week. And Phaeton and I will work opposite shifts, so one of us will always be with him. We won't have a day as a family for at least 5 or 6 months, and we may only have 1 or 2 evenings a week together - unless one of us calls out sick for a day. Since Atticus still will not take to a bottle, I will just make the commute home on my lunches to nurse. If needed, Phaeton and Grandma will bring him to me throughout the day. It will be....stressful. But, we will make it work.
Then today, I officially accepted my dream job -
We had always talked about the possibility of allowing me to stay home, but never really anticipated it happening. We have many friends who do it and make it work. We talked to family members who make it work. And we decided to seriously take a look and see if we could make it work too.
We can. And we will. It just makes sense. I plan on looking for a few kiddos (maybe one or two) to watch during the day, so that I can still generate some income. And I am excited to be able to utilize my Human Development and Family Studies degree in our home.
I know it won't always be easy, but neither would the alternative. So, I am not going back to the job that I love with the people I love working with. But, I get to do the job that I love more with the people I love most. It just feels....right.
So today, as I snuggle with the kids on the couch eating apples, Adeleigh yelling at me that she needs more peanut butter, I can't help but feel excited to hear that sweet voice yell at me more often.
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Then today, I officially accepted my dream job -
We had always talked about the possibility of allowing me to stay home, but never really anticipated it happening. We have many friends who do it and make it work. We talked to family members who make it work. And we decided to seriously take a look and see if we could make it work too.
We can. And we will. It just makes sense. I plan on looking for a few kiddos (maybe one or two) to watch during the day, so that I can still generate some income. And I am excited to be able to utilize my Human Development and Family Studies degree in our home.
I know it won't always be easy, but neither would the alternative. So, I am not going back to the job that I love with the people I love working with. But, I get to do the job that I love more with the people I love most. It just feels....right.
So today, as I snuggle with the kids on the couch eating apples, Adeleigh yelling at me that she needs more peanut butter, I can't help but feel excited to hear that sweet voice yell at me more often.
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Who could leave this sweet face during the day anyway?
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(Photos by Jessica Loucks)
Saturday, December 21, 2013
He is totally worth 9 days of labor
In case any of you hadn't heard, the Spumoni ice cream trick did not send me into active labor. I ended up with 9 days of "prolonged early labor", 2 false alarm trips to the hospital, and an extra pint of black licorice tasting calories...Which I wish could have been mint.
Here I am at false alarm #1 -
October 1st - I went to work in labor, beginning to think that this was my new life. This baby is staying put - forever. I had already had my membranes stripped once, with nothing to show except an extreme disliking of having my membranes stripped. And on this day, I went back to my midwives, only to hear what I had been hearing for the last 9 days, "You are definitely ready to have this baby. He could come today. Or he might wait another week."
I may have yawned.
"Do you want me to try stripping you again?"
Since this was my new life, and I was growing used to the pain, I told her yes, fully expecting it to be another unsuccessful attempt.
I went back to work, against my husband's advice, and encouraged that he go see a movie and pick me back up at 5.
Phaeton - "Um. I don't think so. What if you go into active labor?"
Me - "I won't. And if I do, just have your phone on vibrate."
He decided to grab a pizza and beer and either wait for my call or wait until 5pm.
Thirty minutes in, he texted to see how I was.
I texted him - Contractions are two minutes apart again, but I fully expect them to stop any minute.
Honey, let me come get you.
No. Go to a movie.
Fifteen minutes later, he texts.
I texted him - They are getting more intense. But, it's only been fifteen minutes.
I'm coming to get you.
Let's wait to see if they last an hour.
Honey...
Two minutes later - Come get me. This hurts.
He was already halfway there.
We went to get Adeleigh from daycare and met up with my parents. Then headed straight to the hospital.
I was dilated to a 7 after having been stuck at 4 cm for a week. For the third time in 9 days I heard, "This is it!" Then, since this was my new life, a little piece of me was convinced that I would be the medical mystery that would undilate back to a 4.
At 11:45pm my midwife, Lani came to check on me. A quick look and she said, "This baby is ready. Go ahead and push...let's see what happens."
I pushed.
"Oh this won't take long. Push again."
If any of you remember my very first blog post, it took 4 & 1/2 hours of pushing before I could call myself a momma. So hearing my midwife say "this won't take long" was music to my ears.
My midwife started yelling for the nurse (the same nurse that delivered Adeleigh) to get in there. Then, she said something that made me laugh...
Please note: At this exact moment in time, I was still pregnant, which translates to - I have no recollection of what she said. But I have the epidural to thank for allowing me to laugh while pushing a baby out.
His head crowned. Our nurse still hadn't arrived, and I assume due to some rule or legality, my midwife told me, "No pushing! And no laughing until Jan gets back!" She literally held his head in place through 2 contractions until the nurse walked in. Four minutes (and 2 contractions worth) into a new day, caught by his daddy, my little guy was here.
And [almost] born by laughter, he is perfect.
Here I am at false alarm #1 -
October 1st - I went to work in labor, beginning to think that this was my new life. This baby is staying put - forever. I had already had my membranes stripped once, with nothing to show except an extreme disliking of having my membranes stripped. And on this day, I went back to my midwives, only to hear what I had been hearing for the last 9 days, "You are definitely ready to have this baby. He could come today. Or he might wait another week."
I may have yawned.
"Do you want me to try stripping you again?"
Since this was my new life, and I was growing used to the pain, I told her yes, fully expecting it to be another unsuccessful attempt.
I went back to work, against my husband's advice, and encouraged that he go see a movie and pick me back up at 5.
Phaeton - "Um. I don't think so. What if you go into active labor?"
Me - "I won't. And if I do, just have your phone on vibrate."
He decided to grab a pizza and beer and either wait for my call or wait until 5pm.
Thirty minutes in, he texted to see how I was.
I texted him - Contractions are two minutes apart again, but I fully expect them to stop any minute.
Honey, let me come get you.
No. Go to a movie.
Fifteen minutes later, he texts.
I texted him - They are getting more intense. But, it's only been fifteen minutes.
I'm coming to get you.
Let's wait to see if they last an hour.
Honey...
Two minutes later - Come get me. This hurts.
He was already halfway there.
We went to get Adeleigh from daycare and met up with my parents. Then headed straight to the hospital.
I was dilated to a 7 after having been stuck at 4 cm for a week. For the third time in 9 days I heard, "This is it!" Then, since this was my new life, a little piece of me was convinced that I would be the medical mystery that would undilate back to a 4.
At 11:45pm my midwife, Lani came to check on me. A quick look and she said, "This baby is ready. Go ahead and push...let's see what happens."
I pushed.
"Oh this won't take long. Push again."
If any of you remember my very first blog post, it took 4 & 1/2 hours of pushing before I could call myself a momma. So hearing my midwife say "this won't take long" was music to my ears.
My midwife started yelling for the nurse (the same nurse that delivered Adeleigh) to get in there. Then, she said something that made me laugh...
Please note: At this exact moment in time, I was still pregnant, which translates to - I have no recollection of what she said. But I have the epidural to thank for allowing me to laugh while pushing a baby out.
His head crowned. Our nurse still hadn't arrived, and I assume due to some rule or legality, my midwife told me, "No pushing! And no laughing until Jan gets back!" She literally held his head in place through 2 contractions until the nurse walked in. Four minutes (and 2 contractions worth) into a new day, caught by his daddy, my little guy was here.
And [almost] born by laughter, he is perfect.
Friday, September 27, 2013
The Spumoni Underground Operation
There's this common idea that Spumoni ice cream has labor-inducing effects. We've been hearing a lot of advice lately to give it a try. And when you've been having strong contractions anywhere between 2 and 60 minutes apart for 5 days straight, had over 5 labor checks in 3 days and been in and out of the hospital with false labor, you heed all the advice you can get.
__
Earlier today, Phaeton and I ate at Snooze for brunch after yet another midwife appointment for the week. We walked inside to put our name down.
Host - "Two today? Can I get your name?"
Me - "Yes. Heather. And I have an interesting request."
Host - "What's that?"
Me - "Can we please get a booth, off to the side, not in the open? I'm having contractions and don't want everyone to see it."
Host - "Sure thing. You know what's funny? I've had that request a few times in my time working in restaurants. It'll be about 5-10 minutes for your table."
We were seated in our booth and our waitress greeted us. "Hey guys! I thought the next time you'd be here you'd have another little baby in your arms!"
Me - "Ha! We did too! I've actually been having contractions for 5 days now, so hopefully soon."
Then, she proceeded to tell us about her experience working at an italian restaurant a few doors down. She said that almost 100% of the time, customers who ordered their spumoni ice cream went into active labor within 24 hours.
Phaeton - "We've heard about spumoni a lot lately. Where did you guys get your ice cream from?"
Waitress - "Just across the street at Walrus. But, I think they only sell it to restaurants. I don't know if you'd be able to get it yourselves."
When we left the restaurant, we decided to make a stop across the street at Walrus. I sat in the car and watched Phaeton walk inside, fully expecting him to come back out in a matter of seconds without any spumoni ice cream. A few minutes went by, I had an excruciatingly painful contraction, and out he walked with a brown paper bag and the biggest smirk on his face. He got in the car and said, "Well, that was a weird experience."
__
Phaeton had walked in and was greeted by a young girl working behind the counter.
Phaeton - "Hey, do you guys happen to have any spumoni?"
Girl - "What's spumoni?"
Phaeton - "It's something you take when you're in labor and want the baby to come out quicker."
Girl - "Oh, ummmm....??? Let me go ask the Ice Cream Maker."
The girl left the room for a few moments and returned with a confused look on her face - "Are you from a restaurant?"
Phaeton - "Uhh. Yes."
Girl - "Which restaurant?"
Phaeton - "....[awkward pause]....The restaurant that's going to give me some spumoni."
.....{crickets}.....
Even more confused Girl - "Ummm....I'll be right back."
She left again and walked back out with the Ice Cream Maker.
Ice Cream Maker - "Which restaurant are you with?"
Phaeton, sticking to his awkward answer - "The restaurant that is going to give me some spumoni."
.....{more crickets}.....
Phaeton and the Ice Cream Maker just stared at each other for a little while....It sounded a little bit like this-
Ice Cream Maker - "Yeah. We have spumoni."
He opened up a fridge, separate from the other flavors and put the bucket on the counter. He left the room without another word. The girl opened up the container.
Girl - "Whoa."
Phaeton - "What?"
Girl - "There are just so many flavors in here!"
Phaeton - "That's what makes it so powerful. You need to remember this: When you are in labor, you need to eat some spumoni to get the baby out. Can you remember that?"
Girl - "I'm never going to forget this day for the rest of my life.....How much do you want? A pint?"
Phaeton - "Yes, please."
Girl - "Would you like another pint?"
Phaeton - "I won't need anymore until next time."
Girl - "Okay. Enjoy your spumoni."
Phaeton - "Oh, it isn't for me." And he walked out with his brown bag and the biggest, most mischievous grin on his face, like he had successfully performed a secret underground operation for his pregnant wife.
____
We'll let you know if it works :)
__
Earlier today, Phaeton and I ate at Snooze for brunch after yet another midwife appointment for the week. We walked inside to put our name down.
Host - "Two today? Can I get your name?"
Me - "Yes. Heather. And I have an interesting request."
Host - "What's that?"
Me - "Can we please get a booth, off to the side, not in the open? I'm having contractions and don't want everyone to see it."
Host - "Sure thing. You know what's funny? I've had that request a few times in my time working in restaurants. It'll be about 5-10 minutes for your table."
We were seated in our booth and our waitress greeted us. "Hey guys! I thought the next time you'd be here you'd have another little baby in your arms!"
Me - "Ha! We did too! I've actually been having contractions for 5 days now, so hopefully soon."
Then, she proceeded to tell us about her experience working at an italian restaurant a few doors down. She said that almost 100% of the time, customers who ordered their spumoni ice cream went into active labor within 24 hours.
Phaeton - "We've heard about spumoni a lot lately. Where did you guys get your ice cream from?"
Waitress - "Just across the street at Walrus. But, I think they only sell it to restaurants. I don't know if you'd be able to get it yourselves."
When we left the restaurant, we decided to make a stop across the street at Walrus. I sat in the car and watched Phaeton walk inside, fully expecting him to come back out in a matter of seconds without any spumoni ice cream. A few minutes went by, I had an excruciatingly painful contraction, and out he walked with a brown paper bag and the biggest smirk on his face. He got in the car and said, "Well, that was a weird experience."
__
Phaeton had walked in and was greeted by a young girl working behind the counter.
Phaeton - "Hey, do you guys happen to have any spumoni?"
Girl - "What's spumoni?"
Phaeton - "It's something you take when you're in labor and want the baby to come out quicker."
Girl - "Oh, ummmm....??? Let me go ask the Ice Cream Maker."
The girl left the room for a few moments and returned with a confused look on her face - "Are you from a restaurant?"
Phaeton - "Uhh. Yes."
Girl - "Which restaurant?"
Phaeton - "....[awkward pause]....The restaurant that's going to give me some spumoni."
.....{crickets}.....
Even more confused Girl - "Ummm....I'll be right back."
She left again and walked back out with the Ice Cream Maker.
Ice Cream Maker - "Which restaurant are you with?"
Phaeton, sticking to his awkward answer - "The restaurant that is going to give me some spumoni."
.....{more crickets}.....
Phaeton and the Ice Cream Maker just stared at each other for a little while....It sounded a little bit like this-
Ice Cream Maker - "Yeah. We have spumoni."
He opened up a fridge, separate from the other flavors and put the bucket on the counter. He left the room without another word. The girl opened up the container.
Girl - "Whoa."
Phaeton - "What?"
Girl - "There are just so many flavors in here!"
Phaeton - "That's what makes it so powerful. You need to remember this: When you are in labor, you need to eat some spumoni to get the baby out. Can you remember that?"
Girl - "I'm never going to forget this day for the rest of my life.....How much do you want? A pint?"
Phaeton - "Yes, please."
Girl - "Would you like another pint?"
Phaeton - "I won't need anymore until next time."
Girl - "Okay. Enjoy your spumoni."
Phaeton - "Oh, it isn't for me." And he walked out with his brown bag and the biggest, most mischievous grin on his face, like he had successfully performed a secret underground operation for his pregnant wife.
____
We'll let you know if it works :)
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Daughter of the Year
Today was not one of my finer days of being a Mom. I blame it on feeling 92 weeks pregnant with excruciating leg cramps and feeling like everytime this baby moves inside of me, a watermelon is going to fall out. Meanwhile, I'm also trying to entertain a rambunctious 3-year-old who refuses to nap while my husband is away at work. All I want to do is sleep. But, I would also settle for going into labor so that the watermelon pain would soon subside.
So this afternoon, I had a pregnant Mommy temper tantrum, and unnecessarily sent Adeleigh to "the naughty step". And then I broke down. I didn't know for sure if I was crying because I was in so much pain, or if I was pregnant, or if it was because I felt awful for having snapped at her, or if I was frustrated, or if I just needed a good cry, or all of the above. But my little girl sensed that I needed something and got herself up from the naughty step, walked over to me with a tissue and wiped away my tears. "Mommy, don't be sad. I want you to be happy right now. Do you need a hug and a kiss?"
"Yes, sweetie. I need a hug and a kiss."
She gave me the sweetest hug and kiss, another hug and kiss, wiped away more tears and threw the tissue away in the wastebasket. "Are you happy now?"
"Yes, Adeleigh. Mommy is very happy because of you. I just don't feel well. But, I'm very sorry that I yelled at you."
"That's okay, Mommy. I love hanging out with you. Don't be sad."
I felt a slew of emotions, more happy than anything, and the tears just kept coming. I tried explaining to Adeleigh that I wasn't sad, but that now I was crying because I was happy.
A few minutes later, Phaeton called on his way home from work. In the middle of our conversation, Adeleigh grabbed the phone from me and told him, "Daddy, Mommy is very sick and sad. But, I will take care of her and make her happy again."
So, after a day of questioning myself and how I would ever survive as a momma of two, let alone a momma of one and a watermelon protruding from my stomach, I suddenly realized that everything will be just fine. I'm sure there will be difficult days ahead. And I'm sure that I will have some additional not-so-fine Momma moments. But today, when I was quickly reminded of the innocence and pure, unconditional love that emits from my little girl's heart, I realized why I was so overcome with emotion. I realized that all of the moments and memories, all of the overwhelming feelings and emotions, all of the learning and growth of the last three years that we've shared with Adeleigh, are about to be multiplied.
And I feel ready. Not just physically ready, but for the first time, really ready for this next chapter in our family. So, while today didn't go as ideally as I would have liked, I think I needed today to happen the way it did so that I could get there.
So this afternoon, I had a pregnant Mommy temper tantrum, and unnecessarily sent Adeleigh to "the naughty step". And then I broke down. I didn't know for sure if I was crying because I was in so much pain, or if I was pregnant, or if it was because I felt awful for having snapped at her, or if I was frustrated, or if I just needed a good cry, or all of the above. But my little girl sensed that I needed something and got herself up from the naughty step, walked over to me with a tissue and wiped away my tears. "Mommy, don't be sad. I want you to be happy right now. Do you need a hug and a kiss?"
"Yes, sweetie. I need a hug and a kiss."
She gave me the sweetest hug and kiss, another hug and kiss, wiped away more tears and threw the tissue away in the wastebasket. "Are you happy now?"
"Yes, Adeleigh. Mommy is very happy because of you. I just don't feel well. But, I'm very sorry that I yelled at you."
"That's okay, Mommy. I love hanging out with you. Don't be sad."
I felt a slew of emotions, more happy than anything, and the tears just kept coming. I tried explaining to Adeleigh that I wasn't sad, but that now I was crying because I was happy.
A few minutes later, Phaeton called on his way home from work. In the middle of our conversation, Adeleigh grabbed the phone from me and told him, "Daddy, Mommy is very sick and sad. But, I will take care of her and make her happy again."
So, after a day of questioning myself and how I would ever survive as a momma of two, let alone a momma of one and a watermelon protruding from my stomach, I suddenly realized that everything will be just fine. I'm sure there will be difficult days ahead. And I'm sure that I will have some additional not-so-fine Momma moments. But today, when I was quickly reminded of the innocence and pure, unconditional love that emits from my little girl's heart, I realized why I was so overcome with emotion. I realized that all of the moments and memories, all of the overwhelming feelings and emotions, all of the learning and growth of the last three years that we've shared with Adeleigh, are about to be multiplied.
And I feel ready. Not just physically ready, but for the first time, really ready for this next chapter in our family. So, while today didn't go as ideally as I would have liked, I think I needed today to happen the way it did so that I could get there.
Photo by Jessica Loucks
Monday, August 26, 2013
Now you are three
Dear Adeleigh,
I can't quite believe it. I remember the day you were born as vividly as I remember two minutes ago. And look at you. Now you are three.
We carry on simple and thoughtful conversations. We give lots of hugs and kisses. We teach each other everyday about love, about being vulnerable, about facing our fears. You can tell me that you love me without me saying it first. You amaze me everyday with your compassion and genuine concern for others. With your knowledge and comprehension of the world surrounding you. Like this evening, when you explained to me that we needed to get a screwdriver out of Daddy's toolbox so that we could put batteries in your toy. I assumed Daddy had said that to you just minutes prior, but he hadn't.
You make your Daddy and me laugh everyday and one of our favorite things is hearing your giggle. We also really love your freckles. We love that you say Mommy and Daddy are your best friends, because you are ours too.
We may not always show it, but we love that you face our fears. Like yesterday, when we were having family photos taken and you decided to start climbing a tree.
We didn't even know you could climb trees. We love your confidence and your artistry in everything you do. Even if you fall down and roll across the room doing it, you are not afraid to get up and try it again. You are a strong independent little girl. But we love that you still need us. We need you too.
Adeleigh, you have taught your Daddy and me what family is all about. We didn't comprehend the magnitude of its meaning until you.
Happy Birthday, Little One.
I can't quite believe it. I remember the day you were born as vividly as I remember two minutes ago. And look at you. Now you are three.
We carry on simple and thoughtful conversations. We give lots of hugs and kisses. We teach each other everyday about love, about being vulnerable, about facing our fears. You can tell me that you love me without me saying it first. You amaze me everyday with your compassion and genuine concern for others. With your knowledge and comprehension of the world surrounding you. Like this evening, when you explained to me that we needed to get a screwdriver out of Daddy's toolbox so that we could put batteries in your toy. I assumed Daddy had said that to you just minutes prior, but he hadn't.
You make your Daddy and me laugh everyday and one of our favorite things is hearing your giggle. We also really love your freckles. We love that you say Mommy and Daddy are your best friends, because you are ours too.
We may not always show it, but we love that you face our fears. Like yesterday, when we were having family photos taken and you decided to start climbing a tree.
Photo by Jessica Loucks
HeartStrong Photography
We didn't even know you could climb trees. We love your confidence and your artistry in everything you do. Even if you fall down and roll across the room doing it, you are not afraid to get up and try it again. You are a strong independent little girl. But we love that you still need us. We need you too.
Adeleigh, you have taught your Daddy and me what family is all about. We didn't comprehend the magnitude of its meaning until you.
Happy Birthday, Little One.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Be sure to drink your Ovaltine
This evening, I made a phone call to DISH network to adjust our service programming. I went into it fully expecting to hear sales pitch after sales pitch as to why I should justify spending entirely too much money for hundreds of channels that we never watch. Here is a small glimpse into the conversation with my new friend from DISH:
Me - "Hi there. Our 3-month promotional period is about to end, so I would like to change our plan to the basics before we get charged regular price. We'll take whatever is cheapest."
My friend - "Okay, Ma'am. I understand you would like to get rid of over 160 channels. Can I ask why?"
Me - "Yes, we are trying to cut back on our finances as much as possible since we're about to have a baby."
My friend - "Oh how exciting. Congratulations. I remember that feeling of excitement and anxiety, all at the same time. We have a son that keeps us up at night. We are very tired. Is this your first?"
Me - "It's our second, so fortunately we have been through the sleepless nights and know what to expect."
My friend - "Oh yes. There will be many nights where you are up with the baby. Wouldn't it be nice to have so many channels to choose from late at night? Or to have the cartoons for your other child to watch while you tend to the baby?"
Me - "Oh no. We're good. We won't miss all of those channels. We hardly watched many of them."
My friend - "Okay, well we have a Baby TV channel for only $5/month."
Me - "Baby TV? What's that?"
My friend - "It's the number one program for babies and toddlers. Even your new baby could watch it. Are you considering making this purchase?"
Me - "No thanks. We need to cut back and only want the basics."
My friend - " Okay, well if you are sure. Then I will go ahead and issue that change for you."
Me - "Thank you."
My friend - "Sure, Ma'am. Congratulations again on your baby. And please don't forget to take your vitamins. Have a great night."
I hung up the phone and laughed. I told Phaeton that my new friend just reminded me to take my vitamins.
Phaeton - "That's good advice. Did you take your vitamins?"
Come to think of it, I forgot to take my prenatal vitamin this evening.
Thanks, DISH friend!
Me - "Hi there. Our 3-month promotional period is about to end, so I would like to change our plan to the basics before we get charged regular price. We'll take whatever is cheapest."
My friend - "Okay, Ma'am. I understand you would like to get rid of over 160 channels. Can I ask why?"
Me - "Yes, we are trying to cut back on our finances as much as possible since we're about to have a baby."
My friend - "Oh how exciting. Congratulations. I remember that feeling of excitement and anxiety, all at the same time. We have a son that keeps us up at night. We are very tired. Is this your first?"
Me - "It's our second, so fortunately we have been through the sleepless nights and know what to expect."
My friend - "Oh yes. There will be many nights where you are up with the baby. Wouldn't it be nice to have so many channels to choose from late at night? Or to have the cartoons for your other child to watch while you tend to the baby?"
Me - "Oh no. We're good. We won't miss all of those channels. We hardly watched many of them."
My friend - "Okay, well we have a Baby TV channel for only $5/month."
Me - "Baby TV? What's that?"
My friend - "It's the number one program for babies and toddlers. Even your new baby could watch it. Are you considering making this purchase?"
Me - "No thanks. We need to cut back and only want the basics."
My friend - " Okay, well if you are sure. Then I will go ahead and issue that change for you."
Me - "Thank you."
My friend - "Sure, Ma'am. Congratulations again on your baby. And please don't forget to take your vitamins. Have a great night."
I hung up the phone and laughed. I told Phaeton that my new friend just reminded me to take my vitamins.
Phaeton - "That's good advice. Did you take your vitamins?"
Come to think of it, I forgot to take my prenatal vitamin this evening.
Thanks, DISH friend!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Rody & Adeleigh
For every year of Adeleigh's life, we have taken a memorable photo of Adeleigh with her good friend, Rody. Rody lives inside Dandelion Toys in Old Town and oftentimes we find him resting towards the back of the store.
Here is the first time they met.
Love at first sight is an understatement.
Here she is on her 2nd Birthday, riding Rody off into the sunset (after kicking Abe off, of course) -
This evening, we found our good friend resting under a table and were excited for their reunion.
We're not sure if Adeleigh underestimated the strength of her own bounce, or if Rody just needed some alone time. But while trying to re-capture the moment of their first meeting, this was what happened -
Not just once, but 3 times -
For whatever reason, their chemistry was a little off this evening. But, Adeleigh is tough. There were no tears. So, we just moved on and walked across the street for something that never disappoints - ice cream.
:)
Here is the first time they met.
Love at first sight is an understatement.
Here she is on her 2nd Birthday, riding Rody off into the sunset (after kicking Abe off, of course) -
This evening, we found our good friend resting under a table and were excited for their reunion.
We're not sure if Adeleigh underestimated the strength of her own bounce, or if Rody just needed some alone time. But while trying to re-capture the moment of their first meeting, this was what happened -
Not just once, but 3 times -
For whatever reason, their chemistry was a little off this evening. But, Adeleigh is tough. There were no tears. So, we just moved on and walked across the street for something that never disappoints - ice cream.
:)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
6 years
Six years ago today, I married a guy who I met in a bookstore café.
He’s the guy who sat frozen in a 60 degree hospital room for over 40 hours while I was in labor. He never left my side. And he never once complained about it.
He’s the guy who caught our daughter with his bare hands and will forever mark that as the proudest moment of his life.
He’s the guy who every night, night after night, is there to brush Adeleigh’s teeth, read stories with her and help tuck her into bed.
He’s the guy who allows her to crawl in between us in bed each night because he knows how much I love having her there. And when he repeatedly gets kicked in the head and throat, he silently steps out and sleeps in the other room.
He’s the guy who sits with his hand resting on my belly every night, so he can feel our son moving too.
He’s the guy who tells me and shows me every day how much he loves our family.
He’s the guy who loves to remind me that I am his soul mate.
Six years ago today, I married mine.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
The baby has allergies
Adeleigh has a lot of ideas when it comes to her baby brother in utero, including -
He likes to jiggle.
The baby has allergies. And when his allergies make him cough, he covers his mouth with his arm. Smart boy.
He gets out of his crib and walks across his room. (His room = My uterus)
When she pokes my belly button, it makes him giggle.
She can hear him.
He wants out.
~~
I can't wait for the two of them to meet :)
He likes to jiggle.
The baby has allergies. And when his allergies make him cough, he covers his mouth with his arm. Smart boy.
He gets out of his crib and walks across his room. (His room = My uterus)
When she pokes my belly button, it makes him giggle.
She can hear him.
He wants out.
~~
I can't wait for the two of them to meet :)
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Like a fishy
This week, Adeleigh started swimming lessons.
Here she is the day before her first class, 15 miles away from the swimming pool -
And here she is the day of, 15 feet away -
Her least favorite part of swim class is laying on her back, but she's getting more comfortable. My least favorite part of swim class are the last 2 minutes, when the teacher instructs us to submerge our children's heads under water. I was the only parent during the first class that didn't do as instructed. Call me ridiculous, but I feel cruel dunking my unsuspecting daughter's face in chlorine water. I don't even like dunking my own head under water. And I feel cruel enough during bath times when it gets in her eyes. I've consoled her on numerous occasions when this happens, or worse yet, when water accidentally gets up her nose. That is the equivalent to the end of the world.
Since I wasn't mentally prepared to have to purposefully do this, I told the teacher that I couldn't this time, but that I might consider it for the next class.
The next class, Phaeton joined us in the water. As the last 2 minutes approached, I took a deep breath and told Phaeton I really needed his help.
The teacher instructed us to submerge our little ones. All of the other seemingly stress-free parents joyfully dunked their children under the water once, some of them twice.
My blood pressure rose.
I told Adeleigh what we were going to do.
Then, her wonderful daddy went under water to show Adeleigh that it was okay. When he came up alive, she grew the biggest grin and giggled. Then we told her that next she was going to do it with Daddy. She took a deep breath with Phaeton and I dipped her under water and quickly pulled her up.
She was a little shocked, but still smiling. She wiped her eyes and we attempted it again....
She was a little shocked, and came up coughing. She clutched onto me, whining about the water in her eyes and I immediately started apologizing and heading toward the towels.
Phaeton reassured the both of us that it was okay and that I didn't need to apologize to her for what just happened. So although it's still my least favorite part of class, I suppose I am getting a little more comfortable. And so it seems that we are all learning a thing or two with these parent/tot swim lessons.
He was right. She was fine. And once her eyes were clear again, she felt very proud of herself for going under the water - twice. And I felt better for having let my guard down enough for these few moments and allowing her to do so.
So, we celebrated with our sunglasses on and enjoyed vanilla lavender milkshakes in Old Town -
Here she is the day before her first class, 15 miles away from the swimming pool -
And here she is the day of, 15 feet away -
Her least favorite part of swim class is laying on her back, but she's getting more comfortable. My least favorite part of swim class are the last 2 minutes, when the teacher instructs us to submerge our children's heads under water. I was the only parent during the first class that didn't do as instructed. Call me ridiculous, but I feel cruel dunking my unsuspecting daughter's face in chlorine water. I don't even like dunking my own head under water. And I feel cruel enough during bath times when it gets in her eyes. I've consoled her on numerous occasions when this happens, or worse yet, when water accidentally gets up her nose. That is the equivalent to the end of the world.
Since I wasn't mentally prepared to have to purposefully do this, I told the teacher that I couldn't this time, but that I might consider it for the next class.
The next class, Phaeton joined us in the water. As the last 2 minutes approached, I took a deep breath and told Phaeton I really needed his help.
The teacher instructed us to submerge our little ones. All of the other seemingly stress-free parents joyfully dunked their children under the water once, some of them twice.
My blood pressure rose.
I told Adeleigh what we were going to do.
Then, her wonderful daddy went under water to show Adeleigh that it was okay. When he came up alive, she grew the biggest grin and giggled. Then we told her that next she was going to do it with Daddy. She took a deep breath with Phaeton and I dipped her under water and quickly pulled her up.
She was a little shocked, but still smiling. She wiped her eyes and we attempted it again....
She was a little shocked, and came up coughing. She clutched onto me, whining about the water in her eyes and I immediately started apologizing and heading toward the towels.
Phaeton reassured the both of us that it was okay and that I didn't need to apologize to her for what just happened. So although it's still my least favorite part of class, I suppose I am getting a little more comfortable. And so it seems that we are all learning a thing or two with these parent/tot swim lessons.
He was right. She was fine. And once her eyes were clear again, she felt very proud of herself for going under the water - twice. And I felt better for having let my guard down enough for these few moments and allowing her to do so.
So, we celebrated with our sunglasses on and enjoyed vanilla lavender milkshakes in Old Town -
Friday, July 5, 2013
Not all animals need heads
Recently, Adeleigh was given some hand-me-down Barbie dolls. We found them while unpacking the garage and decided to pull them out for play. They lasted about 5 minutes in their original condition until Adeleigh decided they needed something - - -
*Warning*
Image may not be suitable for girls who love their Barbie dolls completely intact -
Not only did she promptly rip both of their heads off, but she also calls them her "animals". And she still plays with them.
Some may find this disturbing.
But, Phaeton and I think we may have a budding feminist who doesn't appreciate inhuman representations of women. And now without their heads, their dimensions of height to body mass index are slightly more accurate.
*Warning*
Image may not be suitable for girls who love their Barbie dolls completely intact -
Not only did she promptly rip both of their heads off, but she also calls them her "animals". And she still plays with them.
Some may find this disturbing.
But, Phaeton and I think we may have a budding feminist who doesn't appreciate inhuman representations of women. And now without their heads, their dimensions of height to body mass index are slightly more accurate.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
The pink ones are for her
Today -
She spent the day in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard playing in the sun, sprinklers and slip 'n' slide with her cousin, Ashton.
We got a little sunburnt. Oops.
We celebrated her Aunt Amy's Birthday and ate way too many brownies.
(We might still be eating brownies.)
She napped for a whopping 30 minutes.
We questioned her ability to stay awake throughout dinner.
We took a stroll around our block and watched 3 pre-fireworks shows put on by some of our new neighbors.
Then, she had us pretend we were walking through the jungle, looking for monkeys in the trees.
We questioned her ability to stay awake for the big show at the lake.
So, we decided to stay home and set up blankets by our upstairs windows.
We had an [almost] perfect view of the entire Lake Loveland fireworks show from our bedroom.
She decided that all of the pink fireworks and smiley face fireworks were made especially for her.
We decided that she was right :)
~
We only wish this was the view from our bedroom window...
And we only wish that we took this photo -
(Photo credit: Loveland Reporter-Herald July 4, 2013)
Happy 4th of July!!!
She spent the day in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard playing in the sun, sprinklers and slip 'n' slide with her cousin, Ashton.
We got a little sunburnt. Oops.
We celebrated her Aunt Amy's Birthday and ate way too many brownies.
(We might still be eating brownies.)
She napped for a whopping 30 minutes.
We questioned her ability to stay awake throughout dinner.
Within minutes, we watched her go from half-asleep to running around the restaurant in circles.
We drove home with all the windows down. She loves that.We took a stroll around our block and watched 3 pre-fireworks shows put on by some of our new neighbors.
Then, she had us pretend we were walking through the jungle, looking for monkeys in the trees.
We questioned her ability to stay awake for the big show at the lake.
So, we decided to stay home and set up blankets by our upstairs windows.
We had an [almost] perfect view of the entire Lake Loveland fireworks show from our bedroom.
She decided that all of the pink fireworks and smiley face fireworks were made especially for her.
We decided that she was right :)
~
We only wish this was the view from our bedroom window...
And we only wish that we took this photo -
(Photo credit: Loveland Reporter-Herald July 4, 2013)
Happy 4th of July!!!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Pregnancy Brain - Incident 35
It happened again. My poor husband.
We have had my 24 week appointment and glucose test scheduled for the last 8 weeks. I have been preparing for this moment. I made arrangements to get off work early and have coverage in my department. I had consciously been reminding myself that today, of all days this pregnancy, is the day when I can't just munch on a bag of chocolate chips throughout the day. I wouldn't want to skew any results or anything...I had also regularly been reminding Phaeton of my appointment on Tuesday the 18th, in case he wanted to come.
Phaeton - "Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me. I am going to make arrangements so that I can go with."
Me - "If it's too much trouble, you don't have to go to this one. I'm just going to drink a big glass of orange sugar water and have my blood drawn after meeting with the midwife. I'll be fine."
Phaeton - "No honey. You know I always want to come to your appointments. Plus, I want to hear his heartbeat again. I don't want to miss it. I'll make it work."
So he did.
And the way he had to work it out was to go in this morning at 7am, leave for our appointment at 2pm and go back into work from 6 to at least 10pm to process his inventory. Not an easy day he arranged to attend my appointment.
Then I went and screwed it all up.
My coworker brought in my favorite Starbucks drink, which happens to contain a large amount of sugar. And without thinking, I gulped it down, whipped cream and all. It was 3 hours until my appointment. With my coworker sitting across the desk from me, I stared at my empty cup and said, "Thanks for the drink. But &%$#. I just realized I have my glucose test in 3 hours. I can't believe I forgot. Think it'll be okay?"
She laughed and said, "No way. Look at all that sugar you just drank. You should probably call your midwife."
I did. My midwife said, "No way. We'll have to cancel your appointment. We'll get you in this Thursday instead."
I couldn't help but whisper a few expletives at myself. Now it was time to break the news to my loving husband.
...[crickets]...
He didn't get mad. At all. And he told me that he would still be there on Thursday. And every single coffee shop in town knows not to make my drink that day.
I love my husband.
We have had my 24 week appointment and glucose test scheduled for the last 8 weeks. I have been preparing for this moment. I made arrangements to get off work early and have coverage in my department. I had consciously been reminding myself that today, of all days this pregnancy, is the day when I can't just munch on a bag of chocolate chips throughout the day. I wouldn't want to skew any results or anything...I had also regularly been reminding Phaeton of my appointment on Tuesday the 18th, in case he wanted to come.
Phaeton - "Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me. I am going to make arrangements so that I can go with."
Me - "If it's too much trouble, you don't have to go to this one. I'm just going to drink a big glass of orange sugar water and have my blood drawn after meeting with the midwife. I'll be fine."
Phaeton - "No honey. You know I always want to come to your appointments. Plus, I want to hear his heartbeat again. I don't want to miss it. I'll make it work."
So he did.
And the way he had to work it out was to go in this morning at 7am, leave for our appointment at 2pm and go back into work from 6 to at least 10pm to process his inventory. Not an easy day he arranged to attend my appointment.
Then I went and screwed it all up.
My coworker brought in my favorite Starbucks drink, which happens to contain a large amount of sugar. And without thinking, I gulped it down, whipped cream and all. It was 3 hours until my appointment. With my coworker sitting across the desk from me, I stared at my empty cup and said, "Thanks for the drink. But &%$#. I just realized I have my glucose test in 3 hours. I can't believe I forgot. Think it'll be okay?"
She laughed and said, "No way. Look at all that sugar you just drank. You should probably call your midwife."
I did. My midwife said, "No way. We'll have to cancel your appointment. We'll get you in this Thursday instead."
I couldn't help but whisper a few expletives at myself. Now it was time to break the news to my loving husband.
...[crickets]...
He didn't get mad. At all. And he told me that he would still be there on Thursday. And every single coffee shop in town knows not to make my drink that day.
I love my husband.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Pregnancy Brain - Incident 29
It was midnight, in our second week of living in our new home. We were still living out of boxes and I was feeling out of sorts, overwhelmed with how much we still had to unpack. We had just laid down for bed and Phaeton was starting to snore. I had just realized something and felt the urge to tell him immediately -
"Hey, Honey. I just realized that all of our closing papers are with the ultrasound photos, ultrasound DVD, camera and external hard drive. I can't remember where all of that is. We need to find it."
Phaeton - "Seriously? You woke me up to tell me that? Do we need to find it right now?"
Me - "Well, no. But tomorrow probably."
Phaeton jumped out of bed - "I'll go do it right now."
Me - "Seriously? You're amazing."
Phaeton - "No, I'm not seriously going to do it right now. I'm getting my ear plugs. Good night!"
Every day for the last week, I've been looking throughout the garage and reminding Phaeton that I still haven't found those VIP items, insinuating that I would like for us - er, him - to work tirelessly until they are found. Every day, he's been looking through the garage, moving all of our unpacked boxes around, unable to find them. Today, we did quite a bit of work in the garage together and they were still nowhere to be found. He even spent extra time in the evening, opening up every single box and scouring inside to see if he could find anything I had been missing.
He broke the news to me -
"Hey, Honey. I just looked through every single box and none of that stuff is out there. We just might have to consider it all a loss and start over. Maybe the midwives will have a copy of the photos and DVD we could get this week."
I wanted to cry. "You just looked through every single box out there?"
Phaeton - "Yes. And all throughout our cars. I'm sorry, Honey. I couldn't find any of it."
Me - "Okay. Thanks for looking."
I started to mourn the lost items, especially the ultrasound photos of our new baby, feeling like I barely had any time to look through them. To get my mind off of it, I decided to wind down and clean up Adeleigh's toys in the living room. I opened up the doors to the entertainment center to put the toys away. There, in a cabinet that hadn't been touched in two weeks, were all of the things I'd been missing. All of it.
I pulled it all out, with the biggest smile on my face and started admiring the ultrasound photos. Phaeton walked in the room and just stared at me
.....[crickets]......
I looked up at him.
Phaeton - "Seriously? You found it all just now? Where was it?"
I was embarrassed to tell him.
Me - "Ummmm. It was right here. Inside this cabinet. I must have put it here to keep it safe the day we moved in." I laughed. "Oops."
Phaeton - [silence]
....[crickets]......
Me - "I'm sorry, Honey. Sorry for reminding you everyday for the last two weeks. And sorry that you looked tirelessly through all of those boxes for me tonight. What can I say? Pregnancy-brain.....tee hee hee....Love you."
Phaeton laughed. "You reminded me more than once everyday for the last two weeks. Just wanted to remind you. Love you too."
He's a good guy.
"Hey, Honey. I just realized that all of our closing papers are with the ultrasound photos, ultrasound DVD, camera and external hard drive. I can't remember where all of that is. We need to find it."
Phaeton - "Seriously? You woke me up to tell me that? Do we need to find it right now?"
Me - "Well, no. But tomorrow probably."
Phaeton jumped out of bed - "I'll go do it right now."
Me - "Seriously? You're amazing."
Phaeton - "No, I'm not seriously going to do it right now. I'm getting my ear plugs. Good night!"
Every day for the last week, I've been looking throughout the garage and reminding Phaeton that I still haven't found those VIP items, insinuating that I would like for us - er, him - to work tirelessly until they are found. Every day, he's been looking through the garage, moving all of our unpacked boxes around, unable to find them. Today, we did quite a bit of work in the garage together and they were still nowhere to be found. He even spent extra time in the evening, opening up every single box and scouring inside to see if he could find anything I had been missing.
He broke the news to me -
"Hey, Honey. I just looked through every single box and none of that stuff is out there. We just might have to consider it all a loss and start over. Maybe the midwives will have a copy of the photos and DVD we could get this week."
I wanted to cry. "You just looked through every single box out there?"
Phaeton - "Yes. And all throughout our cars. I'm sorry, Honey. I couldn't find any of it."
Me - "Okay. Thanks for looking."
I started to mourn the lost items, especially the ultrasound photos of our new baby, feeling like I barely had any time to look through them. To get my mind off of it, I decided to wind down and clean up Adeleigh's toys in the living room. I opened up the doors to the entertainment center to put the toys away. There, in a cabinet that hadn't been touched in two weeks, were all of the things I'd been missing. All of it.
I pulled it all out, with the biggest smile on my face and started admiring the ultrasound photos. Phaeton walked in the room and just stared at me
.....[crickets]......
I looked up at him.
Phaeton - "Seriously? You found it all just now? Where was it?"
I was embarrassed to tell him.
Me - "Ummmm. It was right here. Inside this cabinet. I must have put it here to keep it safe the day we moved in." I laughed. "Oops."
Phaeton - [silence]
....[crickets]......
Me - "I'm sorry, Honey. Sorry for reminding you everyday for the last two weeks. And sorry that you looked tirelessly through all of those boxes for me tonight. What can I say? Pregnancy-brain.....tee hee hee....Love you."
Phaeton laughed. "You reminded me more than once everyday for the last two weeks. Just wanted to remind you. Love you too."
He's a good guy.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Toddler talk
Conversation overheard this morning at Adeleigh's daycare between Adeleigh and her little friend, Makena:
Adeleigh - "Hi Makena. This is my Mommy, Heather." (She introduces me to her friends every day.)
Makena - "That's cool, Adeleigh."
Adeleigh - "Kena, see my ponies? You like them?" (Ponies = ponytails)
Makena - "That's cool, Adeleigh. I don't have ponies. See my bun?"
Adeleigh - "Aww cute. See my dress? That's cool?"
Makena - "Cool, Adeleigh. See my shirt?"
Adeleigh - "I like your shirt, Kena."
Makena - "Thanks, Adeleigh. See my shorts?"
Adeleigh - "Cool shorts, Kena. Mommy did my ponies today. This is my Mommy."
Makena - "Cool, Adeleigh. I like your ponies.,,,"
.....
I love having a toddler. Conversations tend to be so much less complicated with her around.
:)
Adeleigh - "Hi Makena. This is my Mommy, Heather." (She introduces me to her friends every day.)
Makena - "That's cool, Adeleigh."
Adeleigh - "Kena, see my ponies? You like them?" (Ponies = ponytails)
Makena - "That's cool, Adeleigh. I don't have ponies. See my bun?"
Adeleigh - "Aww cute. See my dress? That's cool?"
Makena - "Cool, Adeleigh. See my shirt?"
Adeleigh - "I like your shirt, Kena."
Makena - "Thanks, Adeleigh. See my shorts?"
Adeleigh - "Cool shorts, Kena. Mommy did my ponies today. This is my Mommy."
Makena - "Cool, Adeleigh. I like your ponies.,,,"
.....
I love having a toddler. Conversations tend to be so much less complicated with her around.
:)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
A $5 ice cream cone
This week -
Adeleigh taught me that the baby cows we see on our way to daycare every morning "Aren't cows, Momma. They are goats."
I discovered that Fruity Pebbles are gluten free. And they are a hit with the whole family.
After weeks of demanding that my coworkers please tell me when I start to waddle, it became official.
I realized that I had been taking for granted the lack of spiders that live in a 3rd story condo.
I started price-comparing local pest removal companies. Because what does a waddling pregnant arachnophobe do when she kills the biggest, hairiest spider she's ever seen in her new home??? She tries to justify spending hundreds of dollars to prevent it from ever happening again. (And she refuses to unpack another box until she's reassured that it is bug-free.)
I am still able to paint my toenails.
I learned that pregnant women aren't meant to fall asleep in toddler beds.
We discovered that spending $5 for an ice cream cone is totally worth it. Even if only half of it actually makes it into a mouth.
Adeleigh taught me that the baby cows we see on our way to daycare every morning "Aren't cows, Momma. They are goats."
I discovered that Fruity Pebbles are gluten free. And they are a hit with the whole family.
After weeks of demanding that my coworkers please tell me when I start to waddle, it became official.
I realized that I had been taking for granted the lack of spiders that live in a 3rd story condo.
I started price-comparing local pest removal companies. Because what does a waddling pregnant arachnophobe do when she kills the biggest, hairiest spider she's ever seen in her new home??? She tries to justify spending hundreds of dollars to prevent it from ever happening again. (And she refuses to unpack another box until she's reassured that it is bug-free.)
I am still able to paint my toenails.
I learned that pregnant women aren't meant to fall asleep in toddler beds.
We discovered that spending $5 for an ice cream cone is totally worth it. Even if only half of it actually makes it into a mouth.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Perks of not living in a 1-bedroom condo (Day 1)
Being able to let the dog out without putting on our shoes.
Not watching the TV above the volume level of Mute after 9pm.
Not sharing our bedroom with the garbage disposal.
And the real perk of the evening -
Watching my husband create makeshift shower curtain rings out of old boxer shorts because the other rings are packed in a box somewhere, and hearing him justify it by saying he's creating inspiration for Pinterest.
.....
They did turn out pretty cool :)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Love at first sight
Seeing Baby on the ultrasound screen made it all the more real. Our ultrasound tech asked us before the first splat of blue jelly, "Are you wanting to know the sex of your baby?"
"Do you see that in between the legs? It's a BOY!"
"YES!" We both yelled...kindly.
"Well, okay! Let's get this started then." And she didn't waste any time. We took one quick look at the head and profile, then the arms and legs, then -
"Do you see that in between the legs? It's a BOY!"
We both started giggling and crying. Our tech handed us tissues and said, "I cried too when I found out I was having a boy." We giggled some more.
If you had asked me before today what I wanted, my answer was something like this - "Well, of course I would be happy with either....But, secretly I want another girl....But, I would love a boy too....But, Adeleigh is convinced she's going to have a baby sister...."
And to be honest, [secretly] I was kind of nervous about having a boy because I feel like I have the whole raising a girl thing down. I've clearly had more experience with a girl baby. I can relate a little bit more to the girl drama because it is all-too-familiar, and very much surrounding me (even at the present moment). I have felt nervous that I wouldn't really know much about having a boy.
Would we need to start playing basketball? Or buy some baseball bats to keep around the house? Do I need to learn to love spiders and start collecting them in mason jars?
How does an arachnophobe learn how to love bugs? And how am I going to tell my little girl, who is wholeheartedly convinced she's going to have a baby sister, that she's not?
I quickly realized how much I was over-thinking everything, because once we learned that our little kicker is a boy, all of that hesitation and nervousness went away. And I couldn't help but start to cry, thinking about how new and different and exciting all of this is.
___
So, this afternoon when we went to pick Adeleigh up from daycare, we couldn't wait to tell her the exciting news.
"Adeleigh, we have a surprise for you."
"A surprise? What?"
"Mommy has a baby boy in her belly! You're going to have a baby brother!"
"A baby brother? In your belly?" Her face lit up. "....Can I have my surprise now, please?"
We laughed. "That is the surprise, Sweetie! But, after dinner, we're going to celebrate and get a treat."
We went to Coopersmith's for dinner and Adeleigh couldn't wait to share her surprise with the entire west-facing patio. One by one, she walked up to each table and said, with the biggest smile on her face, "I have a baby brother. It's in my mommy's belly. See?" And she'd run back over to our table, pat my belly and say, "See? Right here." I got teary-eyed again, thinking about how amazing it is to see the joy and love that our little girl already shares for our little boy. And how proud of him she already is.
She's going to be such a good big sister.
And we are already so in love with him.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Valentine's [Mother's] Day
Today this Momma -
Woke to a cute little girl who handed me her favorite toy flower, kissed me on the cheek and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy." (I knew what she meant. And it was very sweet.)
Ate 4 or 5 (or 6) delicious gluten-free double chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast...guilt-free.
Took my first uninterrupted shower in a long time, and used up all the hot water.
Received a red construction paper heart with buttons glued on it from my little one. "This is for you, Momma. Happy Valentine's Day." (I knew what she meant.)
Received a thoughtful card from Phaeton that made me cry...they always do.
Ventured to my favorite part of town with my two favorite people.
Ate waffles in Old Town.
Went shopping and bought a few big purchases for our new home.
Checked a few more things off of our Moving To-Do List.
Experienced toddler meltdown #1 (for the day).
Continued shopping and bought one small purchase for myself - The Lumineers CD.
Didn't care that I was the only person under the age of 60 shopping in the CD section at Best Buy.
Endured toddler meltdown #2.
Met up with my mom, sister and nephew for dinner and enjoyed free TCBY for Mother's Day.
Played at the park and watched the kids run wild.
Survived toddler meltdown #3.
Decided that naps are no longer negotiable.
Ended the day snuggling with my girl on the couch.
Was reminded of how special it is that, despite the ups and downs in a day, she and I always end up this way.
Felt the baby kick more than I have any other day so far.
Received some late-night, invaluable words of wisdom from my mother.
Woke to a cute little girl who handed me her favorite toy flower, kissed me on the cheek and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy." (I knew what she meant. And it was very sweet.)
Ate 4 or 5 (or 6) delicious gluten-free double chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast...guilt-free.
Took my first uninterrupted shower in a long time, and used up all the hot water.
Received a red construction paper heart with buttons glued on it from my little one. "This is for you, Momma. Happy Valentine's Day." (I knew what she meant.)
Received a thoughtful card from Phaeton that made me cry...they always do.
Ventured to my favorite part of town with my two favorite people.
Ate waffles in Old Town.
Went shopping and bought a few big purchases for our new home.
Checked a few more things off of our Moving To-Do List.
Experienced toddler meltdown #1 (for the day).
Continued shopping and bought one small purchase for myself - The Lumineers CD.
Didn't care that I was the only person under the age of 60 shopping in the CD section at Best Buy.
Endured toddler meltdown #2.
Met up with my mom, sister and nephew for dinner and enjoyed free TCBY for Mother's Day.
Played at the park and watched the kids run wild.
Survived toddler meltdown #3.
Decided that naps are no longer negotiable.
Ended the day snuggling with my girl on the couch.
Was reminded of how special it is that, despite the ups and downs in a day, she and I always end up this way.
Felt the baby kick more than I have any other day so far.
Received some late-night, invaluable words of wisdom from my mother.
Especially today, this Momma is -
Feeling grateful for my Mom. And so grateful to be one.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Boy or Girl?
The other day Adeleigh's daycare provider called me to say, "Well, I was going to tell you to keep it a secret, but Adeleigh has been telling me all morning what you're having. So, Congratulations!"
Me - "We haven't even had our ultrasound yet. We have no idea what we're having!"
Her - "Seriously? She says it with such conviction. I totally believed her! She said that she's having a baby sister!"
Me - "Yes. She really wants a baby sister. No. We have no idea yet."
Her - "Well, maybe she knows something no one else does! So, now I can say it. Please keep it a secret from me! I want to be surprised!"
____
I've added a poll to the right side of my blog, so please feel free to tally whatever your intuitions might be. I'd be curious to hear!
If you have "no hunch", here are a few tidbits to take into consideration:
- According to a friend's Chinese calendar apps, every single one says we're having a boy.
- According to our realtor's "psychic" calculations, if the baby is born in September, it will be a girl; October, it will be a boy. (Due date is October 5th and babies in my gene pool tend to come early, including Adeleigh. She was born 3 days early.)
- Side note - Our realtor is not really a psychic. But when it comes to predicting gender, she claims to be right 100% of the time.
- Between all of my siblings, we collectively have 5 girls and 4 boys.
- I have had many more migraines with this pregnancy than with my first, my morning sickness lasted longer, and I break out more. Many people tell me this is probably because it's a boy. However, some of the Old Wives Tales suggest these symptoms are likely because it's a girl.
- In fact, if you believe in the Old Wives Tales, they lean slightly more towards girl.
- Before we had the ultrasound with Adeleigh, I wholeheartedly thought she was going to be a boy.
- Side note - She wasn't :)
- Adeleigh says with conviction that it's a girl.
To be continued...
:)
Friday, May 3, 2013
Friday
We really love this town. And even though we'll be moving twelve minutes south to Loveland at the end of this month, we've made a promise to one another that we'll still frequent Old Town at least every weekend this summer and fall :)
___
This evening was the First Friday Gallery Walk in Old Town. And as bad as I wanted to meander through every single art gallery we walked by, all I saw were displays of glass artistry and extremely valuable, fragile designs conveniently resting at the perfect toddler-wrecking height. So, in an effort to not destroy our local artist's livelihood, we window-gallery walked instead. And still had a blast.
First stop, Big Al's Burgers, for what might have been the best burger I've had in this town. Ever.
Our little social butterfly took it upon herself to sit at the neighboring table and make friends with a few members of local law enforcement -
___
This evening was the First Friday Gallery Walk in Old Town. And as bad as I wanted to meander through every single art gallery we walked by, all I saw were displays of glass artistry and extremely valuable, fragile designs conveniently resting at the perfect toddler-wrecking height. So, in an effort to not destroy our local artist's livelihood, we window-gallery walked instead. And still had a blast.
First stop, Big Al's Burgers, for what might have been the best burger I've had in this town. Ever.
Our little social butterfly took it upon herself to sit at the neighboring table and make friends with a few members of local law enforcement -
Here she is telling the policemen about her dog, Rico.
We couldn't leave until she actually became one of them - badge and all -
You're looking at the cutest member of the Fort Collins Police Department.
Then, we made a stop to visit our friend, Donald the "really really big horse", as Adeleigh calls him.
And of course, we made a non-negotiable stop for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. I didn't get a picture of Adeleigh enjoying her strawberry ice cream cone because I was too busy sharing my double scoop of mint chocolate chunk with the baby.
_____
Have I mentioned how much we love this town?
:)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Maybe we caught her at a bad time
This evening while playing in Adeleigh's bedroom, Rico came to join us. He sat beside Adeleigh's pile of beads and pennies, and Adeleigh scolded him, "No, Swiper. Don't touch the treasures." So, Rico (a.k.a. Swiper) got up and walked out.
We giggled.
Phaeton - "Adeleigh, do you like Rico?"
Adeleigh frowned - "No, I don't like Rico."
Me - "Do you like Nubi?"
Adeleigh, still frowning - "No, I don't like Nubi."
We giggled again, recognizing that it was approaching bedtime and that she really does love her pets.
Then, I asked a question that I thought would lighten her mood and make her smile. I was wrong.
Me - "Adeleigh, do you like the baby in Mommy's belly?"
Adeleigh - "I don't like Baby if it's a boy. I only like Baby if it's a girl."
Me - "Oh. I'll bet you would like it if you had a baby brother."
Adeleigh - "No, I only want a baby sister."
Recognizing that it was late and approaching bedtime, no matter what we find out in five short weeks, we're pretty sure Adeleigh will love the baby no matter what.
:)
We giggled.
Phaeton - "Adeleigh, do you like Rico?"
Adeleigh frowned - "No, I don't like Rico."
Me - "Do you like Nubi?"
Adeleigh, still frowning - "No, I don't like Nubi."
We giggled again, recognizing that it was approaching bedtime and that she really does love her pets.
Then, I asked a question that I thought would lighten her mood and make her smile. I was wrong.
Me - "Adeleigh, do you like the baby in Mommy's belly?"
Adeleigh - "I don't like Baby if it's a boy. I only like Baby if it's a girl."
Me - "Oh. I'll bet you would like it if you had a baby brother."
Adeleigh - "No, I only want a baby sister."
Recognizing that it was late and approaching bedtime, no matter what we find out in five short weeks, we're pretty sure Adeleigh will love the baby no matter what.
:)
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Princess
Princess -
[prin-ses] (noun):
1. a female sovereign; a daughter of royalty
2. a girl who is so cute, her parents let her rule the house
3. Adeleigh
Examples, as witnessed in the Gaglio home -
To wake up in the middle of the night sobbing, demanding that before anyone gets any more sleep, both of the princess's feet must be kissed. (And since it was 3 a.m. and everyone really needed more REM time, both feet were quickly kissed.)
To wake up in the middle of the night, crawl out of the princess bed and into Mom and Dad's queen, push everyone to the edge so that [said princess] can sleep horizontally, and actually get away with it - every. single. night.
To wake up at two in the morning in Mom and Dad's bed, demanding a cereal bar, a bowl of strawberries, a glass of milk and a movie.
To actually get three out of four middle-of-the-night demands, on any given night.
To convince Mom and Dad, night after night, that it's time to get a King-size bed - - - for the princess, of course :)
Adeleigh
[add-a-lay] (noun)
1. a girl considered to have the qualities or privileges of a princess
[prin-ses] (noun):
1. a female sovereign; a daughter of royalty
2. a girl who is so cute, her parents let her rule the house
3. Adeleigh
Examples, as witnessed in the Gaglio home -
To wake up in the middle of the night sobbing, demanding that before anyone gets any more sleep, both of the princess's feet must be kissed. (And since it was 3 a.m. and everyone really needed more REM time, both feet were quickly kissed.)
To wake up in the middle of the night, crawl out of the princess bed and into Mom and Dad's queen, push everyone to the edge so that [said princess] can sleep horizontally, and actually get away with it - every. single. night.
To wake up at two in the morning in Mom and Dad's bed, demanding a cereal bar, a bowl of strawberries, a glass of milk and a movie.
To actually get three out of four middle-of-the-night demands, on any given night.
To convince Mom and Dad, night after night, that it's time to get a King-size bed - - - for the princess, of course :)
Adeleigh
[add-a-lay] (noun)
1. a girl considered to have the qualities or privileges of a princess
Friday, April 12, 2013
Reasons I must be pregnant
Other than the countless days of nausea that left me glued to the couch, here are a few strong indicators that I have a human being growing inside of me:
I hate the news.
I love celebrity gossip.
I cry at Starbucks, Subaru and diaper commercials on a regular basis.
For the first time ever, I bought a jar of pickles at the grocery store. And for no apparent reason, other than it just felt like the right thing to do.
I keep losing and forgetting things.
I eat everything.
If you ask my husband how he can tell I'm pregnant, apparently:
I sit like a man.
I hate the news, but insist on watching it anyway.
I bore him with celebrity gossip.
I cry at everything.
I keep demanding that he buy me a Subaru.
I lose the mail key - every day.
I eat everything. And what's left uneaten, is probably spilled or stained on my clothes.
And my favorite -
I'm always right. :)
I hate the news.
I love celebrity gossip.
I cry at Starbucks, Subaru and diaper commercials on a regular basis.
For the first time ever, I bought a jar of pickles at the grocery store. And for no apparent reason, other than it just felt like the right thing to do.
I keep losing and forgetting things.
I eat everything.
If you ask my husband how he can tell I'm pregnant, apparently:
I sit like a man.
I hate the news, but insist on watching it anyway.
I bore him with celebrity gossip.
I cry at everything.
I keep demanding that he buy me a Subaru.
I lose the mail key - every day.
I eat everything. And what's left uneaten, is probably spilled or stained on my clothes.
And my favorite -
I'm always right. :)
Saturday, March 30, 2013
13 Weeks
That's my lucky pregnancy number.
That's how many weeks pregnant I was with Adeleigh when the "all day sickness" finally subsided and my green, always frowny face started to resemble more of a happy pregnancy glow. That's how many weeks pregnant I was when I had enough energy again to walk a further distance than from the couch to the bathroom without stopping to rest or throw up. That's how far along I was when I magically forgot the previous 9 weeks of misery that consumed me, day in and day out.
I am at 13 weeks today and after the last few months of nausea, aches and blah without any lasting relief, I was losing hope that history would repeat itself this morning.
And then I woke up...
...for the first time in 9 weeks, earlier than anyone else in the house, including the dog. I laid there for a few minutes with my eyes open, trying to determine how my belly was holding up.
Fine.
I jumped out of bed and for the first time in 9 weeks, had this crazy idea that I would walk the dog. I woke him up and took Rico on a short walk along the path behind our building.
Still feeling fine.
I came inside to a half-asleep husband and daughter and started cooking them breakfast for the first time in 9 weeks. Phaeton put his glasses on, looked up at me and said, "Who are you?"
I chuckled. "Thirteen weeks! I'm at 13 weeks today! I feel like myself again for the first morning in a long time."
Phaeton - "I can tell because you're doing everything that I've been doing for the last few months and it's not even 7:30am. This is awesome! But, can you please stop the vacuuming until we wake up?"
Our eventful day went on without a single bout of nausea or headache. And for the first time in 9 weeks, I'm awake after 10pm.
Phaeton - "I feel like you're back....I've missed you."
~~
I'm really hoping this lasts!
That's how many weeks pregnant I was with Adeleigh when the "all day sickness" finally subsided and my green, always frowny face started to resemble more of a happy pregnancy glow. That's how many weeks pregnant I was when I had enough energy again to walk a further distance than from the couch to the bathroom without stopping to rest or throw up. That's how far along I was when I magically forgot the previous 9 weeks of misery that consumed me, day in and day out.
I am at 13 weeks today and after the last few months of nausea, aches and blah without any lasting relief, I was losing hope that history would repeat itself this morning.
And then I woke up...
...for the first time in 9 weeks, earlier than anyone else in the house, including the dog. I laid there for a few minutes with my eyes open, trying to determine how my belly was holding up.
Fine.
I jumped out of bed and for the first time in 9 weeks, had this crazy idea that I would walk the dog. I woke him up and took Rico on a short walk along the path behind our building.
Still feeling fine.
I came inside to a half-asleep husband and daughter and started cooking them breakfast for the first time in 9 weeks. Phaeton put his glasses on, looked up at me and said, "Who are you?"
I chuckled. "Thirteen weeks! I'm at 13 weeks today! I feel like myself again for the first morning in a long time."
Phaeton - "I can tell because you're doing everything that I've been doing for the last few months and it's not even 7:30am. This is awesome! But, can you please stop the vacuuming until we wake up?"
Our eventful day went on without a single bout of nausea or headache. And for the first time in 9 weeks, I'm awake after 10pm.
Phaeton - "I feel like you're back....I've missed you."
~~
I'm really hoping this lasts!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I needed this
I took the last two days off from work. Not because anyone is sick. Not because we are moving, packing or unpacking. I just took a break.
And it was just what I needed.
Monday
I spent all to myself. No toddler. No husband. No agenda.
I had enough energy to complete a load of laundry.
I scheduled myself a prenatal massage.
I painted my toenails, realizing that in a few short months, I'll no longer be able to reach them.
I conquered my fear of shopping with a toddler and took her out after I picked her up from daycare.
She was perfect :)
Tuesday
After 10 hours of much needed sleep, I woke to a little girl hugging my cheeks and kissing my nose.
My midwife told me that I should eat whatever I want and not feel guilty about it.
We spent the day playing with family we hadn't seen in over a year.
I had my first 12-hour stretch in 7 weeks without any nausea or headaches.
We heard the baby's healthy heartbeat for the first time -
which put it all into perspective for me....for the first time.
Today was perfect :)
I needed these last few days to re-focus. It must have worked. Because even with all the chaos and uncertainty going on around us, for the first time in months, everything just feels right.
:)
And it was just what I needed.
Monday
I spent all to myself. No toddler. No husband. No agenda.
I had enough energy to complete a load of laundry.
I scheduled myself a prenatal massage.
I painted my toenails, realizing that in a few short months, I'll no longer be able to reach them.
I conquered my fear of shopping with a toddler and took her out after I picked her up from daycare.
She was perfect :)
Tuesday
After 10 hours of much needed sleep, I woke to a little girl hugging my cheeks and kissing my nose.
My midwife told me that I should eat whatever I want and not feel guilty about it.
We spent the day playing with family we hadn't seen in over a year.
I had my first 12-hour stretch in 7 weeks without any nausea or headaches.
We heard the baby's healthy heartbeat for the first time -
which put it all into perspective for me....for the first time.
Today was perfect :)
I needed these last few days to re-focus. It must have worked. Because even with all the chaos and uncertainty going on around us, for the first time in months, everything just feels right.
:)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
She's going to be an opera singer someday
You know that sound that you wish you would have the power to create, in the event that a stranger started attacking you? The sound that would alert the world around you that you need immediate help? That noise that would cause the stranger to run away in pure terror, scared of what other powers you possess?
Adeleigh has more than perfected that sound. And her favorite time to practice her S.O.S. scream, without fail, is while shopping with Mom.
Yesterday, she exercised her vocal cords in the bakery section of Sam's Club. The entire town dropped what they were doing and turned away from the sampling stations they were snacking at, to hone in on the stranger that must have been abducting a small child.
Hi everyone. Yeah, everything is okay over here. It's just my daughter, mildly upset that she can't have that one M&M cookie that is tucked in the middle of the 3-foot by 4-foot 350-piece cookie tray. I promise she belongs to me.
Phaeton left the salmon sampling station to come and find us. He just followed the train of stares and scowls until he spotted us. Fortunately by then, Adeleigh had calmed down.
Phaeton - "Oh man, that was loud! What happened?"
Me - "Oh, you know. The usual. She wanted a c-o-o-k-i-e and I offered her fruit snacks instead. You can't just buy 1 c-o-o-k-i-e here."
Phaeton - "The chef cutting the fish said that she's going to make a great opera singer someday...[We chuckled]...Want a sample of some salmon?"
She's at that age where she's learning how to manage the many emotions of toddler hood. It isn't always going to be easy for her to gauge what an appropriate reaction is, or where is an appropriate setting for such a reaction. I feel like it's our job to teach her that. Yet oftentimes, I struggle with what to do when she decides to project her operatic voice-in-training in public. I try my best to validate her feelings, to re-direct and to teach her appropriate behavior. And I know that these moments are learning opportunities for each of us. I just feel like I've got a long ways to go. And I feel like she's got some time before her toddler-insanity-scream translates into music to my ears.
So Adeleigh, in the meantime, the next time you want to go shopping, Daddy is in charge of taking you. I promise though, that I'll be there when you want to buy your prom dress.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Growing
If you haven't seen or heard from me in awhile, here are some excuses I have -
I've been stuffing my face with sausage and mushroom pizza, vanilla ice-cream smothered with crushed M&M's and ginger ale.
Because I'm growing. And so is our family!
I've been stuffing my face with sausage and mushroom pizza, vanilla ice-cream smothered with crushed M&M's and ginger ale.
I've been sitting on the couch, allowing the house to get ridiculously mangy, and not really caring about cleaning it.
I've been demanding that my husband please stop eating onions.
I've been sleeping curled up on the couch while my wonderful husband does everything - cooks, lets the dog out, entertains Adeleigh, does the dishes, washes and folds laundry, grocery shops - everything.
I've been told I look a little green. I've been feeling a little green.
I've been told I look a little green. I've been feeling a little green.
I've been telling my husband how amazing and wonderful he is for doing everything - except for eating onions.
I've been asking my husband to drive to all ends of town, to pick up whatever it is I'm craving.
I've been hissing at anyone that gets near my food.
I've been asking my husband to drive to all ends of town, to pick up whatever it is I'm craving.
I've been hissing at anyone that gets near my food.
I've been waking up in the middle of the night to munch on Cinnamon Chex.
I've been caught crying while watching car commercials.
I've been caught crying while watching car commercials.
I've been thinking about packing for our move in a few weeks, but I haven't been able to get up off the couch.
I've been fantasizing about getting a bigger couch -
We'll need a bigger couch for our bigger home - our 3 bed, 2.5 bath town home that we are moving into next month. And this October, every single one of those 3 bedrooms will belong to someone.....
We'll need a bigger couch for our bigger home - our 3 bed, 2.5 bath town home that we are moving into next month. And this October, every single one of those 3 bedrooms will belong to someone.....
Because I'm growing. And so is our family!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Sometimes I bribe her
Yes I bribe my child. Don't judge me. I bribe her because it works.
To the child who hasn't eaten anything except a few bites of cheese and a vitamin in three days:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you eat five bites of your dinner, you can have a scoop of icecream."
The outcome: five more bites of sustenance and one more serving of dairy in a belly that I'm wholeheartedly convinced is starving.
To the child who never, ever eats her veggies:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you eat that one teensy piece of broccoli on your plate, you can have two chocolate chips."
The outcome: a very dramatic production of facial expressions of disgust while stomaching the smallest broccoli floret ever. And two fewer chocolate chips for me...
To the two-year-old who argues why she should be able to wear her diaper while taking a bath:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you take your diaper off before sitting down in the tub tonight, you can have five bedtime stories."
The outcome: a toddler that rips her own diaper off and throws it away without throwing a tantrum in the tub, and five bedtime stories.
After a sleepless night of constant interruptions from a toddler who is no longer confined to a crib and can move about the condo at her own free will:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you stay in your bed all night long tonight, you can have a treat tomorrow morning."
As I'm thinking about what treat I might offer her, the only "treat" we have in the house right now are chocolate chip cookies....And who eats cookies for breakfast?
.......{crickets}........
Certainly not this Mom. :)
And who lets their children ever eat cookies for breakfast?
If this actually works tonight - Definitely this Mom.
Don't judge.
To the child who hasn't eaten anything except a few bites of cheese and a vitamin in three days:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you eat five bites of your dinner, you can have a scoop of icecream."
The outcome: five more bites of sustenance and one more serving of dairy in a belly that I'm wholeheartedly convinced is starving.
To the child who never, ever eats her veggies:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you eat that one teensy piece of broccoli on your plate, you can have two chocolate chips."
The outcome: a very dramatic production of facial expressions of disgust while stomaching the smallest broccoli floret ever. And two fewer chocolate chips for me...
To the two-year-old who argues why she should be able to wear her diaper while taking a bath:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you take your diaper off before sitting down in the tub tonight, you can have five bedtime stories."
The outcome: a toddler that rips her own diaper off and throws it away without throwing a tantrum in the tub, and five bedtime stories.
After a sleepless night of constant interruptions from a toddler who is no longer confined to a crib and can move about the condo at her own free will:
"Hey, Adeleigh. If you stay in your bed all night long tonight, you can have a treat tomorrow morning."
As I'm thinking about what treat I might offer her, the only "treat" we have in the house right now are chocolate chip cookies....And who eats cookies for breakfast?
.......{crickets}........
Certainly not this Mom. :)
And who lets their children ever eat cookies for breakfast?
If this actually works tonight - Definitely this Mom.
Don't judge.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Horror Story
After a 10-year horror movie strike, I allowed American Horror Story to come into our home.
Biggest. Mistake. Ever.
Phaeton - "So, I'm going to watch a really scary show. If it freaks you out too much, just tell me to turn it off and I'll watch it when you're not here."
Me - "What is it?"
Phaeton - "American Horror Story."
Me - "You can watch it. I'm not really paying attention."
Twenty minutes later -
Me - "!@#$%^&*(!! Holy m$#@#!. This show is messed up."
Phaeton - "Do you want me to turn it off?"
Me - "Ummm...let's just see how the rest of it goes."
Two episodes later -
Me - "Let's watch another one."
Phaeton - "Bedtime."
Me - "Fine. Where's the nightlight?"
Phaeton - "No, don't turn any lights on. I can't sleep with the lights on."
Me - "I'm watching horror shows with you. You owe me. We're sleeping with the lights on."
Five days and eleven episodes later -
Phaeton - "!@#$%.....This show is really messed up."
Me - "I'm done. I can't watch it anymore. It's too disturbing."
Phaeton - "We only have one episode left! You really don't want to finish it with me?!?!"
Me - "I haven't watched horror movies in ten years. I haven't needed a night light in over twenty years. It's been years since I've slept with my head under the covers. I've started doing all of that in the last five days again. I don't want to start getting night terrors like I did when I was little too.....I can't watch it anymore."
Phaeton - "I bet we watch it tomorrow night."
I turned the night lights on and we kissed good night. Phaeton began snoring within seconds. He has that amazing gift. I, on the other hand, couldn't close my eyes. I was too freaked out. I saw a faint light coming from above the covers, so I peeked. The television set was turned on. I stared at it blankly, completely confused at how that happened. Then, it turned off. The remote was sitting on the bedside table.
True story.
I freaked.
Me, shaking my husband awake - "Phaeton! Phaeton!"
Phaeton - "!@#$% What?!"
Me - "The TV just turned itself on and off."
Phaeton - "Honey. No it didn't. Go to bed."
Me - "Seriously, Honey. I'm not making it up."
Phaeton - "Nubi did it."
Nubi, our cat, sound asleep across the room - "Prrrrrr..."
Me - "Sweetie. Seriously. I'm freaking out right now."
Phaeton - "Honey, go to bed!"
Me - "You don't believe me, do you?"
Phaeton - "Well, I saw someone standing next to the TV, but I thought that was you..................[pause]..................Tee hee hee....."
I shoved him in the arm.
Me - "Not cool."
Phaeton - "Yeah, but that was funny."
Me - "Not really. How are you not freaking out right now?"
Phaeton - "Because it was a nice ghost...And he was probably bored, so he wanted to watch a show. But nothing was on. So he turned it off.....[then Phaeton put two earplugs in]....Good night!"
______
I love my husband a lot. But not enough to watch horror shows with him...Ever. Again.
Back on strike.
Biggest. Mistake. Ever.
Phaeton - "So, I'm going to watch a really scary show. If it freaks you out too much, just tell me to turn it off and I'll watch it when you're not here."
Me - "What is it?"
Phaeton - "American Horror Story."
Me - "You can watch it. I'm not really paying attention."
Twenty minutes later -
Me - "!@#$%^&*(!! Holy m$#@#!. This show is messed up."
Phaeton - "Do you want me to turn it off?"
Me - "Ummm...let's just see how the rest of it goes."
Two episodes later -
Me - "Let's watch another one."
Phaeton - "Bedtime."
Me - "Fine. Where's the nightlight?"
Phaeton - "No, don't turn any lights on. I can't sleep with the lights on."
Me - "I'm watching horror shows with you. You owe me. We're sleeping with the lights on."
Five days and eleven episodes later -
Phaeton - "!@#$%.....This show is really messed up."
Me - "I'm done. I can't watch it anymore. It's too disturbing."
Phaeton - "We only have one episode left! You really don't want to finish it with me?!?!"
Me - "I haven't watched horror movies in ten years. I haven't needed a night light in over twenty years. It's been years since I've slept with my head under the covers. I've started doing all of that in the last five days again. I don't want to start getting night terrors like I did when I was little too.....I can't watch it anymore."
Phaeton - "I bet we watch it tomorrow night."
I turned the night lights on and we kissed good night. Phaeton began snoring within seconds. He has that amazing gift. I, on the other hand, couldn't close my eyes. I was too freaked out. I saw a faint light coming from above the covers, so I peeked. The television set was turned on. I stared at it blankly, completely confused at how that happened. Then, it turned off. The remote was sitting on the bedside table.
True story.
I freaked.
Me, shaking my husband awake - "Phaeton! Phaeton!"
Phaeton - "!@#$% What?!"
Me - "The TV just turned itself on and off."
Phaeton - "Honey. No it didn't. Go to bed."
Me - "Seriously, Honey. I'm not making it up."
Phaeton - "Nubi did it."
Nubi, our cat, sound asleep across the room - "Prrrrrr..."
Me - "Sweetie. Seriously. I'm freaking out right now."
Phaeton - "Honey, go to bed!"
Me - "You don't believe me, do you?"
Phaeton - "Well, I saw someone standing next to the TV, but I thought that was you..................[pause]..................Tee hee hee....."
I shoved him in the arm.
Me - "Not cool."
Phaeton - "Yeah, but that was funny."
Me - "Not really. How are you not freaking out right now?"
Phaeton - "Because it was a nice ghost...And he was probably bored, so he wanted to watch a show. But nothing was on. So he turned it off.....[then Phaeton put two earplugs in]....Good night!"
______
I love my husband a lot. But not enough to watch horror shows with him...Ever. Again.
Back on strike.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Networking & Vinegar
Last week I attended my first networking event for my job. Leading up to it, I was nervous. Networking is hugely out of my comfort zone and I was doing it solo, so I sought out a few words of encouragement from fellow team members.
"You're going to do great!"
"Don't feel like you have to walk away with a ton of business cards or a ton of new contacts."
"It's okay to be a wallflower and let people approach you first."
"This will be a great start to getting you more comfortable."
.....
I walked in, grabbed the first open seat at a table of other young professional women and was instantly greeted by the gal I sat next to. I introduced myself and told the ladies who I was and what I do. They did the same. We helped ourselves to some food. I exchanged business cards with the girl sitting next to me. Then the presentation started.
In the middle of the presentation I remember thinking, I'm doing just fine! This is fun! I was proud of myself for branching out of my comfort zone for a little while. And it was nice to break away from the office for a bit. Then, I started telling myself to not do anything embarrassing. I was sitting toward the front of the room and the way my chair was positioned, everyone in the room had a clear view of my seat. I picked up my water bottle, took a swig, and I thought, That would be such a "Heather thing" to do if you dribbled water down your face right now...Don't dribble water down your face right now, Heather.
...
Success.
I went to set my water bottle back down on the table. That would be such a "Heather thing" to drop your almost full water bottle all over the table right now...Don't do it!
...
...
...
...
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean....Oh my gosh, how embarrassing."
Girl sitting next to me - "Oh no. It's fine. Don't worry about it. Really. No big deal at all."
No, I didn't dribble water down my chin. No, I didn't spill my water bottle all over the table, or all over the girl sitting next to me.
But, as I was pulling my arm back from successfully putting my water bottle down, I "successfully" knocked my plate of half-eaten salad directly upside down onto my suit jacket. Not only was salad and dressing all over me, all over my chair, and all over the floor, but I had spilled salad and dressing all over the girl sitting next to me's ridiculously nice, expensive purse.
That was such a "Heather thing" to do.
But, on the bright side -
It was a good event and gave me some good networking experience. And at least I walked away with a business card. If nothing else but to send the girl sitting next to me an apology email for making her nice, expensive purse smell like vinegar.
"You're going to do great!"
"Don't feel like you have to walk away with a ton of business cards or a ton of new contacts."
"It's okay to be a wallflower and let people approach you first."
"This will be a great start to getting you more comfortable."
.....
I walked in, grabbed the first open seat at a table of other young professional women and was instantly greeted by the gal I sat next to. I introduced myself and told the ladies who I was and what I do. They did the same. We helped ourselves to some food. I exchanged business cards with the girl sitting next to me. Then the presentation started.
In the middle of the presentation I remember thinking, I'm doing just fine! This is fun! I was proud of myself for branching out of my comfort zone for a little while. And it was nice to break away from the office for a bit. Then, I started telling myself to not do anything embarrassing. I was sitting toward the front of the room and the way my chair was positioned, everyone in the room had a clear view of my seat. I picked up my water bottle, took a swig, and I thought, That would be such a "Heather thing" to do if you dribbled water down your face right now...Don't dribble water down your face right now, Heather.
...
Success.
I went to set my water bottle back down on the table. That would be such a "Heather thing" to drop your almost full water bottle all over the table right now...Don't do it!
...
...
...
...
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean....Oh my gosh, how embarrassing."
Girl sitting next to me - "Oh no. It's fine. Don't worry about it. Really. No big deal at all."
No, I didn't dribble water down my chin. No, I didn't spill my water bottle all over the table, or all over the girl sitting next to me.
But, as I was pulling my arm back from successfully putting my water bottle down, I "successfully" knocked my plate of half-eaten salad directly upside down onto my suit jacket. Not only was salad and dressing all over me, all over my chair, and all over the floor, but I had spilled salad and dressing all over the girl sitting next to me's ridiculously nice, expensive purse.
That was such a "Heather thing" to do.
But, on the bright side -
It was a good event and gave me some good networking experience. And at least I walked away with a business card. If nothing else but to send the girl sitting next to me an apology email for making her nice, expensive purse smell like vinegar.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Auld Lang Syne
It's 11:15pm, New Year's Eve and my husband just brushed his teeth and crawled into bed.
~
Me - "What are you doing?"
Phaeton - "I'm going to bed."
Me - "Wait, what? It's New Year's Eve! You're not going to stay up with me?"
Phaeton rolled his eyes, whispered expletives under his breath and stood back up.
Me - "hee hee hee"
Phaeton - "Fine. But we're watching Avengers."
~
I think 2012 was a trying year for many. We definitely had our struggles. But it's been a year of fun, with those we love; and a year of growth, individually and as a family.
Here are a few things we've learned this year -
Adeleigh learned yoga.
We learned that onions have purple flowers.
And you don't need toys when you have leaves.
.jpg)
We love leaves.
I learned that the holidays are much more fun with a child around.
And that some of the best moments are captured in your jammies....
...Or maybe at the toy store...
~
We may be finishing the year out with Kleenex up our noses and the smell of cough drops on our breath, but I feel positively about the year ahead.
Auld Lang Syne, 2012. It's been fun.
Here are a few things we've learned this year -
Adeleigh learned yoga.
And started teaching it.
We learned that onions have purple flowers.
And you don't need toys when you have leaves.
.jpg)
We love leaves.
I learned that the holidays are much more fun with a child around.
And that some of the best moments are captured in your jammies....
...Or maybe at the toy store...
~
We may be finishing the year out with Kleenex up our noses and the smell of cough drops on our breath, but I feel positively about the year ahead.
Auld Lang Syne, 2012. It's been fun.
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