Here's the Deal

We are slowly starting to get used to the hustle and bustle of Seattle living. We thought that coming from Minneapolis, which is constantly compared to Seattle, we wouldn't have much of a problem adjusting.

I was wrong.

I am daily reminded how busy it is here, or should I say how much BUSIER it is here.


For example, today it took Mike and I 1 hour and 40 minutes to go 12.1 miles. No, we weren't in traffic, in case you were wondering. Half of that route was on the highway (that part went quick thanks to the 3 person carpool lane, with the cop standing on the side of the road waving cheaters over) the other half was on back streets (not so quick). It's draining to have to always plan how to get from point A to point B and a great alternative back up route, all in a city we are clueless about. Not to mention the fact that this took place at noon on a thursday. I don't know about you, but that doesn't qualify as a "traffic" time to me...

Anyway, we decided that when people come and visit, the first thing they say when they leave and are out of ear shot is "I can't believe they live amongst that mess!" (because yes, it really is that bad). The good news is, mike and I are learning to deal with it...or at least learning never to go anywhere alone. The bad news, we knew traffic would be bad going home (around 2:30) so we planned for lacey to get a snooze in the car, but she didn't fall asleep, she pooped instead. We missed our afternoon nap, let's hope she sleeps okay tonight.

Pleasant times all around.

3:23 a.m.

that is the time that lacey woke up crying last night. instantly i was filled with dread, because i was thinking, i probably won't go back to sleep tonight...

For the past 3 nights, i have given her motrin during her bath to help with her sore gums. In my efforts to not over-medicate her, I skipped it last night.

Lesson #1- Medicate

So I gave her motrin and then didn't pick her up, i just rubbed her back for a few minutes. She had calmed down, so I left. She fussed for 10 minutes and fell asleep.

Lesson #2...don't pick her up. It wakes her up more.

Lesson #3...you will still not be able to go back to sleep, and you may throw up multiple times in the process.

Regardless, I was happy with my baby and she didn't wake up until 8:15 this morning!

when you have the flu.

you are expected to lay on the couch, sipping 7up, snoozing, and eating crackers and popsicles. Typically 24-48 hours later you are good as new and usually crave some "real food" like cheetos (well, that's what I always want).

when you have morning sickness...

you are expected to wake at the crack of dawn and either head off to work or care for your child(ren) at home. You must feed them, bathe them, change diapers (while gagging). Your husband expects you to clean, and do laundry, and vacuum. Your doctor expects you to gain weight and take vitamins every day, regardless of the fact that they make you violently ill (light-headed, nauseas, shaky, all in order to throw them up). And the best part? This lasts for weeks on end.

So next time your tummy feels a bit queasy from the flu bug. Just think, you could feel like this for the next 3 months. Then count out how long that will be. Its a very long time.

I have not been able to keep anything down for close to 16 hours. Life is not fun right now.

quick update.

Last night she slept from 8 pm-8 am!

We were redeemed. But not after a long, tiring, day.

Mike worked 11 hours, i was sick all day and throwing up. Mike brought me OJ from work, drank it down, we decided to go to the grocery store, I promptly threw up all of the OJ in the garbage in the parking garage on our way out of the house.

We drove by Red Robin and mike wanted it so we stopped because it sounded fine to me as well, then they were out of highchairs, we finally got one, then we were seated next to a family with 3 little, yet loud, boys. They kept yelling "baby incorporated" at lacey. I have no idea what that means but it was annoying. The parents didn't do anything. Lacey was a little freaked out. Then a couple came and sat down at another table near us. She was pregnant...maybe 20 something weeks. Her husband was endearingly rubbing her belly. cute? well at that moment all i was thinking is "you guys have no idea what you are in for" but it was cute none the less.

went to the store, came home, and now mike has 2 glorious days off.

WONDERFUL!

at my wits end.

last night mike worked. i had to put lacey to bed, but i had a plan.

I called my friend and we decided to go for a walk and get lacey outside in the fresh air and "wear her out."

I came home, did the bedtime thing, fed her a bottle, and 10 minutes later she was out like a light. PERFECT.

Fast Forward 2.5 hours....

Mike comes home, eats quick and is coming to bed. He has to be up at 5:00 a.m. for work. Suddenly, I hear lacey starts screaming frantically from her room. I get up, but mike is already in there calming her down. Tells me he'll take care of it and I should go back to bed. I was feeling like crap anyway so I said cool.

He calmed her down and came to bed. Not 10 minutes later she starts crying again. Ugh, its about midnight now. this time I go in, How many times can you rock your child to sleep, just to have them wake up screaming when you lay them down??

5....
15...
20...
30.....

I don't know because I lost count.

Then I did what I SWORE i would never, ever, ever do.

I brought her in my bed. And she FINALLY fell asleep. Time: 3:30 am.

Then I carefully carried her to her crib. Miracle upon miracle she stayed asleep.

She woke up at 6:30 am. Crying and crying and crying. Duh, she's exhausted.

Fed her, changed her, Got myself some breakfast. Put her down for a nap 30-crying minutes later.

Can someone please give me some insight as to what is up with her?!?! She was so zone-y last night it was kinda freaky. Teeth? Separation issues? It was the hardest night to date and both Mike and I were thinking "why on earth are we having ANOTHER? and "why are we parents to begin with?"

this never happened to me...

If you have been pregnant, you have probably seen this picture a time or two.

No matter how many times I have seen it, its still a little bit scary, but at the same time definitely amazing.

one piece of advice.

I have a friend who lives in our condo. She and her husband have been married almost 3 years and she is ready to have a baby! When you take a new mom, who is also pregnant and put her together with someone who wants to get pregnant...well you have a million things to talk about.

She's really sweet and she asked me the other day. What is one piece of advice you would give to new mom's? Ummmm....since I consider myself a 'new mom' it was kind of hard to answer. But I told her "Buy ONE reference book that covers all the bases and throw everything else away, then TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS." Books absolutely cannot raise your child and it drives me crazy when people try to fit their child into the book.

Randomly, today I read this and I thought it was worth posting:

"Have Confidence in your instincts; they will serve you well. Though today's new mother may have achieved feats of monumental proportions in school or at work, she still ventures into motherhood as a wobbly-legged beginner. Even the most confident among us have moments of doubt and confusion. We can't compare ourselves to the unattainable perfections of imaginary parents. We can only hold ourselves up to the high standards that we, as intelligent and caring women, set for ourselves. In these enlightened times, we are offered the well-meaning "how tos" of parenting from every angle--the media, our friends, our family.

It pays to recognize that there is not set formula for success, and that so often the answers lie within you and your baby. When in doubt, look to your past and consider how well your intuition has served you. Then apply your sound judgment to the issue at hand, and move on. Your confidence in your parenting skills will increase tenfold with each decision made and each problem solved. Don't be afraid to take a stand and try a new approach. Do what works for you and your baby. Recognize your special qualities as a mother and have faith. Your self-assurance will not only stand you in good stead, it will also help you set and example for your child, enabling him or her to become a confident and independent person."

my child eats everything.

we are clean people. really we are.

i don't know how lacey finds leaves, string, and styrofoam to eat. It makes me feel like I keep a messy house. today she was sitting by my feet and was coughing/choking on something. I reach down, pick her up, and pull a leaf out of her mouth. WHAT?? Where do you get leaves this time of year, they are certainly not on the ground yet, and how did a leaf get in my dining room without me noticing?


I guess I am still getting used to the whole "getting into everything" child. Now that she is mobile I often lose her around the house because she moves so fast!

Funny Name. Serious Diaper?

Knickernappie Disposanot.

Isn't that such a crazy name for a diaper? I bought one to try out because they snap rather than velcro and they snap towards the back. Specifically for those children who get great amusement in pulling off the diaper (a.k.a. Lacey).

Along with the Diaper I bought a Loopy Do insert (what is with this company and the dumb names?) Its a thin insert, that is microfiber on one side, hemp on the other. So its thin and dries in the same time the pocket covers do.


The diaper is only $15.95 which i think is great, but it doesn't come with an insert. Those are another $5.00 (these are the prices at Clothdiaperoutlet.com). I didn't need to buy the insert but they had such great reviews I couldn't NOT buy it : (

The verdict: I really like the diaper and how it fits lacey. the fleece is SO SOFT. I wasn't crazy impressed with the insert, it was supposed to be able to hold a lot of fluids, but I found it held the same amount as my other inserts. The snaps were great. Size medium goes from 16-28 pounds and lacey has plenty of growing room. I'd give it a thumbs up but maybe skip the special (and pricey) insert.

Cravings Cravings

In no particular order.

1. Skittles (especially the orange and red ones...definitely not the purple ones)
2. Nachos from Taco Bell (by nachos I mean the $.89 chips with cheese, not the complicated ones)
3. Pepperoni Personal Pan Pizza's from Pizza Hut (It reminds me of Book It! Did anyone else do Book It! when they were in Elementary school?)
4. Orange Popsicles
5. WATERMELON, Apples, Peaches (basically any fruit)
6. Chai Tea Latte's
7. Lucky Charms
8. Mashed Potatos
9. Corn on the cob
10. Grilled Cheese
11. Rice (plain)
12. Lemonade

Someone in my condo...

....a neighbor actually, thinks they are a great cook.

How do I know this? Because they cook with so much garlic, spices, and onions that it literally comes into my condo (through the thick walls) and makes me throw up. My husband said that people who are getting into cooking...culinary style....often use a lot of garlic. He should know, he used to be that person (until I got pregnant last time...we haven't bought garlic since).

anyway, I literally RUN back and forth to the elevator (with the stroller) or the stairs (when its just me...they are closer). It is so so so so so gross.

Other things I can't do.

-Go into the grocery store....enough said.
- walk by an Asian restaurant
- Walk by an Italian restaurant
-Open the fridge
-Load the dishwasher

I am sick of this. Morning sickness is why I am only having 2 kids. I.am.not.kidding. if you haven't had it bad you are blessed. really really blessed.

**just to let you know, just writing this post made me run to the bathroom. not cool.

I'm expecting...

Yep, that means I am pregnant.

But we aren't telling the whole world, so if you read it here consider yourself the bearer of private information and don't go blabbing!

Anyway, went to the doctor yesterday. I measured 9 weeks...right on schedule...everything looks good. I go in for the Nuchal Ultrasound August 15th. We'll start telling people after that.

I've been sick but not nearly as sick as I was with Lacey which makes me almost certain this is a boy (and now I am REALLY wishing I had bought more gender neutral things.....). We aren't going to find out the gender this time around. Although cravings and adversions are the SAME EXACTLY as they were with lacey. Maybe I am having another girl and the Lord is blessing me with not being so sick this time. I hope so!

I weighed in at 95 1/2 pounds yesterday so now I am on a mission to gain some weight. I promptly went to Taco Bell and enjoyed some nachos and came home to DQ cake...then I felt sick. So don't expect that to happen to often. Anyway, that was what i weighed with lacey and I gained 35 pounds so I am not too worried...

Mike and I are excited and yes, we planned this. We know having 2 so close together will be tough, but we wanted them to be close to be good playmates! Plus I am so excited to have a newborn in the house again!!

Anyway, this may slightly turn into a pregnancy blog, so sorry if it does but I just need to get things off my chest that I love or hate about pregnancy so you are my audience.

I can try to post an ultrasound picture of the peanut (literally) but don't expect it too soon...

Fall

Now I know I shouldn't wish away time BUT, I really really want fall to be here. Here are some reasons.

5. Cooler Weather
4. Not having to have my windows open 24/7 listening to the traffic and smelling the nasty Indian restaurant 2 blocks away.
3. Lacey turns ONE
2. Fall sweaters and back to school.
1. GRANDE, NON-FAT, EXTRA HOT, 1/2 SYRUP PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE WITH WHIP from Starbucks.

Seriously, I want one of these NOW. I wait for them to come back around every fall. Then I go and purchase one nearly everyday (Did I mention I save up for this year round too?). I am an addict.

Diaper Stripping

I need to strip my diapers because they stink when lacey 'uses' them.

If you have done this can you tell me what your process is? My plan is to keep washing the diapers on hot with no detergent maybe 4 or 5 times (or until I can see no suds in the water). Is this correct? I know you can use Dawn, but we don't have any in the house (we use 7th Generation dish soap and I really don't want to go buy a bottle of Dawn...).

Also....I don't have enough diapers and washing everyday is not a good option for me. I don't have the time. So I need to invest in some new ones. I use only bumgenius right now, but Lacey pulls on the tabs. I would like to try fuzzi bunz since they have snaps. Can you tell me if you like these? And why? And where I can get some for less than $19.99 each?

Confessions.

I am an okay "cook" I am not a great cook and I have never professed to be. In fact I am very out of practice at the whole cooking thing because my husband does all of it. I've maybe cooked dinner 3 times since I've been married...maybe.

However, I was watching the Food Network today...Paula Dean to be exact, and she said that 'you know someone's a good cook if they can make good collard greens' Good Lord. And I am now going to admit to all of you that I don't know anything about Southern Cooking. I have no idea what collard greens are. Make that: collard greens, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas, sweet patato pie, fried chicken (okay i know what fried chicken is, but never it my life would i think people actually make this at home in their kitchens). I have heard of the mentioned foods (thanks to Seanna), but I have not had a bite of them (less the fried chicken). Don't know what's in them, what they consist of and why you'd want to eat them.

I was born in North Dakota. We eat 'hotdish' and jello 'salads'. I have never seen my mom fry ANYTHING in her life. The concept of a vat of hot oil in your kitchen seems crazy and dangerous. However, a hotdish with elbow macaroni sounds comforting...as sad as that is.

So according to Paula Dean I am apparently not a good cook, but maybe I am healthier for it?

UGH

Do you know what is worse then having a cute, yet fussy/clingy baby?

Having the mentioned baby and being sick.


Anyhoo, we have an issue on our hands here. See we have this one cord in our living room. Lacey goes for it constantly. At first I started out by saying a firm "Lacey, No-Thank you" She laughs at me. Then we progressed to an even firmer "Lacey No!" no luck. So then people tell me, to say no and give their hand a little slap. So then I tried that. Its still not working. She LAUGHS. Any suggestions?? She just crawls straight for it.

9 month update

I took Lacey in for her 9 month update. I look at her and wonder "where on earth did my baby go?" This is not a baby this is a mini-toddler! Time seriously flies.

She now weighs 19 lbs 8 ounces (only a 2 lb 2 oz gain in 3 months).
She is 28 inches long (grew 3.5 inches in 3 months!)

She's made quite a bit of strides in the past month.

Lacey can now:

CRAWL!! Mom and Dad have been waiting forever for this one.

Pull up to a stand

Cruise around furniture (okay, so its more like inching around furniture...)

Run while holding on to mom or day

Drink out of a straw.

Feed herself her bottle and sippy cup with ease.

She can drink out of a regular glass without spilling most of the time.

Take off her own diaper (this is not cool).

Says 4 words: Mama, Dada, All Done (Ah Dah), and duck.

Points to her mouth when asked.

Points to lights when you ask her where are the lights.

Points outside when asked.

Waves "hi' and "bye" on command. (usually)

Dances to music on the TV or background music at the store.

Smiles at everyone she meets...no stranger anxiety here yet.

Still ZERO teeth and zero on the horizon from what i can tell.

Lacey still is taking 2 naps regularly. One at arournd 9:15 am and the other around 2 pm. Her normal bedtime is between 8 and 8:30. She is still eating mostly jarred baby food because she prefers it to table food. She isn't very interested in feeding herself, which is still fine by me because there is carpet under her high chair, so the longer i can avoid the mess the better. She'll try anything once and doesn't seem to be very picky about much. She is drinking 24-26 ounces a day.

Baby Borrowers

So that new show Baby Borrowers. Well, i couldn't even watch the whole episode.

DISSAPOINTED.

First, i thought it was young married couples, thinking about having children, wanting to see how having a child would affect the dynamics of their relationship. WRONG. Its teenagers, who are dating. They aren't married and have probably not thought about getting married. They are 17 or 18 years old.

Secondly, the babies they give them are between 6-12 months. Now I totally understand that no parent is going to hand over their newborn, but it isn't realistic to throw someone into parenting a 9 month old who is teething, attached to mom and dad, and have routines that have been set in place over the last 6-12 months. I mean my baby is used to things being done a.certain.way. please don't deviate it will just mess things up. The thing is, when you have a baby you are ready for the newborn stage....and then you progress to the teething stage, crawling, etc. I don't think i would have been prepared to watch someone else's baby for a few days and night straight having not gone through the previous stages.

Which leads me to my third frustration. You know that saying "babies don't come with a manual" Well, these babies do. The parents have typed out a very detailed manual of what to feed the baby, when the baby naps, routines, favorite things, things to do if the baby cries etc. Ha! Wouldn't that be nice if the hospital sent me home with a manual detailing my babies every want and need. One can only wish.

I think its a good concept, and the show might get better because these same couples parent teenagers and senior citizens. That might be interesting. I don't think i'll be blocking out my wednesday nights for this show though...

Mom-Job Description

POSITION:

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:

Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and this wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.