Thursday, January 31, 2008

What all the cool babies are wearing this season

If you haven't heard already, Polly Tod is a new online store featuring cool baby clothes and because Bear is the most happening thing this side of daycare I am so getting him some of their shirts.



I love this one.



and of course this one...



Every mommy blogger should be obligated to buy this one



Go check them out and see all the funky t-shirts. I'll post a picture of Bear in one when I get it.

If you are a blogger and would like to get a free t-shirt from them click here.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Bear

Then



Now



We've come a long way, baby

100 and counting..

In celebration of my 100th post my boss let me go home early today. No, not really. Although that would have been awesome. She did however let me go home early today because of some work being done to our A/C at the office. They were hammering and pulling down ceiling tiles, they shut off the air, and they were using some kind of glue that made me feel like mickey mouse on crack. I'm supposed to be diligently working on my laptop I brought home but I thought she wouldn't mind if I took a break to watch the One Trill Hill episode I had recorded. I'm already loving this season.

I'm waiting on my friend to call me back about our big plans to watch Lost tomorrow night. We need to decide on a game plan for dinner so as not to interupt any of the TV watching. And whats up with this episode they are airing tonight? It said online that it is some kind of "enhanced" episode to get people caught up? I dunno. I guess I'm just supposed to watch and not ask questions like the good like sheep that I am. Baa..

When I picked up Bear at daycare today the teachers made a big production of the fact that tomorrow is his birthday. And of course I need to bring cupcakes so they can take pictures and celebrate. Seriously? They said I didn't have to bring cupcakes for the whole class (they are all under 1) but I could bring at least one for him and there was some serious hinting about extras for the teachers. They were joking in that way that tells you that they are only half-joking. So being the teacher pleaser that I am, of course, I am going to go buy some freaking cupcakes for his birthday tomorrow. I know I don't have to but now that its out there I will feel like a witch if I don't. Somebody should get me a freaking cupcake for all the hell I went through giving birth a year ago but whatever. I'm not bitter.


At least I still have the leftover cake and cupcakes from this weekend to appease me.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Good deals at The Children's Place

I bought some things on The Children's Place website 1 1/2 weeks ago. They came in tonight and I am really excited. I got 2 pairs of pants, 1 onesie, 1 fleece pullover, 1 shirt, and 2 pairs of shoes with tax and shipping for $35.00. They are all for next winter except the shoes. They still have some of the deals going on if you are interested in checking it out. Check out the monster deals at the bottom of the page.



Nothing to see here

I have been busily entertaining myself (aka frantically typing like my life depended on it) by signing up for the giveaways hosted by Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer. My site meter is going a little wonky at due to the throng of people flocking to my site to sign up for my Sephora gift card. I have way more response this time than I did with the Fall Y'all giveaway. I don't know if its because the prize is better or that there are more participants. Maybe its just that we have all been crazed by greed at the sight of all that free stuff.

Besides that life is going along as usual. We survived the weekend of guests, cooking, and cleaning. The housekeepers came yesterday and scrubbed away the last of the errant icing from the kitchen floor. The highchair has been hosed off outside and its cushion has been washed. We are having another couple over on Thursday to watch the Season Premiere of Lost and if the show wasn't so great I would probably be ashamed of how excited I am about this. We have several friends coming over Sunday to watch the Superbowl. I think this is our punishment for having the best floor plan for entertaining and the biggest TV. Damn you karma.

It will be fun but after this I am retiring from the hostess business for a bit. Drinking beer and cooking at same time is not only tiring but possibly dangerous. For the food and for me. I have been invited to an out of town baby shower in February and I'm not sure if I am up to going. Then I have another baby shower in March and another friend just announced his wife is pregnant and due in September. We just went through this baby shower spurt 2 years ago when they had their first babies and now round two is upon us. My next door neighbor is due on Feb 6th. Soon people will begin asking us when we will be having another. I hope soon but we'll have to see how the finances look. Definitely not until after my vacation in May. I refuse to ride 10 hours in the car pregnant. I do not travel well while pregnant.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Bloggy Giveaways Carnival


IT'S HERE! The return of the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival. After much consideration I decided to give away something I have been longing for since I first came across Amalah's Advice Smackdown.

A $25.00 Sephora Gift card.

Please leave a comment below with your email address or a link to your blog to be entered. I will draw after noon on Saturday, February 2, 2008. No entries after noon on Saturday will be accepted. No duplicate entries, please.

Good luck!

Our Contribution to the GNP of China

Saturday, January 26, 2008

We do birthday's up right

Well we survived Birthday Bash 2008. I haven't been this tired since my wedding. We got up around 8:30 and didn't sit down till after dinner. 33 guests showed up to celebrate Bear's 1st birthday. It was fun but really hectic. We got everyone fed, did cake and opened presents. 11 kids under 10 and no drinks were spilled, no one was injured, nothing was broken. My carpet is even amazingly cake free. Although I can't say the same for Bear's hair. He was a champ and played nicely and didn't have one meltdown. We still have cake and ice cream if anyone wants some.

Here's a picture for those of you who need visual evidence of the festivities.

Friday, January 25, 2008

A Mother's Love


I was reading this news article today and it really wrenched my heart so to speak. A mother who sacrifices her life to save that of her unborn child. I have never had to make that decision, although it was a discussion I had with my husband when I was pregnant. If given the choice between me or the baby I wanted him to choose the baby. No questions asked, no second thoughts. I told my mother that after I gave birth and she said she wasn't sure she would have been able to back him in that decision. I am after all, her baby.

I had serious complications when I gave birth to my son. So serious I ended up in ICU and they had to stabilize me enough to do an emergency c-section. I had my doctor, a cardiologist, and a pulmonary specialist working together as a team. My doctor, who is a devout Catholic, said when he got the call from the hospital that morning, he dropped everything and raced over. The entire way to the hospital he was calling on Mary and all the saints for intervention on my behalf. Although I am not Catholic, I thought that was very sweet. He even prayed with my parents and husband before he went into the operating room. I had a lot of prayers that day as my Mom called her church and asked all the staff to pray while I was in surgery and my church also had everyone praying. I knew nothing of all of this until later.

The anesthesiologist told my parents that in the 10 years that he had practiced at the hospital I was the 1st mother he had seen give birth in the main operating room downstairs in the ICU instead of in the labor and delivery operating room. I spent another 2 days in the ICU after the birth before the doctors released me to go back upstairs to labor and delivery. The nurses joked I was in worse shape than my son up in the NICU. During all of this I never once worried about myself, I trusted that the doctors would do the best they could. My only thought was of my son, once he was out and I heard him cry I could have died right there and been perfectly content.

I know most every mother would throw themselves in front of a moving bus to save their child but what about their unborn child? One they haven't met? It amazes me that the maternal instinct to give up your own life for your child's life doesn't extend to the womb for every mother. I'm not talking about an abortion decision for an unwanted pregnancy. That is a can of worms I don't even want to open. I am talking about a case of a wanted healthy pregnancy that someone would terminate to save their own life. The fierceness of my love for my son started the moment the pregnancy test popped up the word pregnant in the window. I'm not here to judge or to tell someone what the "right" choice is. It is simply something I cannot fathom or wrap my mind around. As I approach the one year anniversary of that day I know my decision was the right one. I have made it clear to my family that in subsquent pregnancies if the choice needs to be made again I want my baby to be priority #1 in that operating room.

A Mother's Love - Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Party Pooper

Party planning is stressful. I thought a simple birthday at home would be easy. Hamburgers, hot dogs and a cake. How hard can that be? Well start by inviting 50+ adults and 12 kids. Add in that half are unreliable on RSVPs. We have had 34 for sure RSVPs (24 adults and 10 kids). But not all of those who RSVPd will probably show and there is a good chance that at least 10 that haven't RSVP'd might decide at the last minute to come. So I have settled on 35 as my number for purchasing food and drinks.

Now I need to do the grocery shopping for all the hamburger and hot dog fixings for 35 people. And the cake and ice cream and drinks and chips and dip and plastic ware, etc, etc. My head is starting to spin. And some people may or may not stay the night. We also have to get up that morning and prepare all the food fixings and drinks and have everything ready by noon. And clean the patio and put out the cushions for the lawn furniture. Not to mention making sure the house is relatively clean and childproof considering there may be at least 10 people under the age of 7 in the house. Someone needs to pick up the cake Saturday morning as well.

I'm starting to stress a little. Add in a husband who wont think this is a big deal and will think you are crazy for stressing about this. Oh and did I mention, I will have a 1 year old underfoot while doing this? I really didn't think this would be a big deal until I starting writing the grocery list and my to do list for Saturday morning and realized I have no one to help me but my husband.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

“What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain?” - Marquis De Custine

Luckily I have a blog.

Things that annoy me in no particular order for no particular reason.

* When your husband asks for your help but really means drop everything right now and come do this for me because I don't want to figure this out on my own.

* When people are stopped at the 4 way stop before you get there but they sit there and wave at you like its your turn. When you start to go they start rolling forward in a slow motion version of chicken.

* When you put your child in his high chair for dinner and he spits up. When you clean him up and walk away to prepare his cereal he projectile vomits reminiscent of Linda Blair across the tray. Note to self, never feed him split pea soup.

* When there is nothing new to watch on TV but American Idol because the writers hate you and are withholding scripts just to watch you squirm.

* When you have 60+ blogs in your google reader only 2 of which have a new post and those take you all of 5 minutes to read and then nothing. NOTHING? Really? Come on, I need to live vicariously. Did you not know there is a writers strike on and my DVR is EMPTY people?

* When your husband goes to pick up the dinner you called in and he eats 3/4 of the garlic bread from your order. The portion of the meal you were most looking forward to.

* When there is no beer in the house. I repeat, NO beer.

* When your ridiculously small 401k starts shrinking at an alarming rate right before your eyes. That's it, I'm putting all my money under my mattress where at least it would be shrinking under my weight and not the crappy stock market.

I think this is the universe's way of calling it a day.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Don't call me Betty Crocker

I had the day off today for the MLK holiday. Bear and I spent a lovely day hanging around the house. I made an amazing loaf of honey wheat bread in the breadmaker. Then I made a new recipe for dinner. It was a broccoli cheese casserole thing I had never made before. It took forever to make with steaming the vegetables and cutting everything up. It looked delicious and we were eager to try it.

YUCK! It was NOT good. That is so disapointing. I spent all this time, not to mention the ingredients on something that had no flavor. As my husband says, I get it right 99% of the time. This was one of those horrible 1% nights. We ended up throwing the whole thing in the trash and picking up Taco Bell. Oh well, at least my bread was good.

We got home from Taco Bell with our food and sat down at the coffee table to eat. We are klassy like that. Bear is very interested in everything we eat now and kept sticking his fingers in my nachos and pulling cheese off my taco. Then he grabbed my iced tea and dumped it all over the table, my food, and my lap. I'm glad I at least have some more yummy coconut macaroons I made this weekend to give me solace. Back to the grind tomorrow.

Just a cup of coffee?

I was watching this video on CNN.com this morning and it reminded me how fragile pregnancy really is. I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks which I am sure was probably due to a genetic abnormality or the low hormone levels the doctor found when he checked me the next day. I got pregnant with Bear the following month and had a relatively uneventful pregnancy until he was born at 32 weeks 5 days.

I remember reading all the pregnancy books before we started trying and reading all those no-no lists for pregnancy. No shellfish, no sushi, no riding a bike in the third trimester, etc. I knew that caffeine was one of those dangers but I had no idea it doubled your miscarriage rate. I did cut out all caffeine my 1st trimester with the exception of the small amount in chocolate. I slowly let myself have the occasional coke or glass of tea when I got farther into my second trimester but I was still very cautious. Some people told me that I was going a little overboard as a cup of coffee wouldn't hurt the baby. I don't know about you guys but my typical cup of coffee is a minimum of 12 oz. Especially since I drank an average of 3 cups a day before I got pregnant. That can be a lot of caffeine. I know now that I did the right thing in cutting it all out even if people thought I was a little paranoid.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Best Laid Plans

We had big plans this weekend, places to go, people to see. Ok, maybe it's not big by other people's standards but I was excited none the less. We were going to go to my old coworker's sons birthday party Saturday afternoon then go home and get ready for a really nice birthday dinner for a friend of mine. WE HAD A BABYSITTER. Someone volunteered to watch my child so I could go out with several other couples for a nice evening out.

I'm sure you know where this is going. Bear woke up Saturday morning with the fever back. We gave him Ibuprofen and fluids and he was acting fine. We kept him home from the birthday party but still planned on doing the birthday dinner that evening. At 6pm the fever came back so my husband volunteered to stay home with Bear and I went to the dinner. It was really nice but I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have if he could have come. I was the only person there without my spouse. Times like this make me wonder why I work.

I work all day and miss out on Bear's daily activities and then when the weekend rolls around he is usually sick so we can't do anything. My birthday weekend, Thanksgiving, this weekend all spent caring for our sick child. I feel bad for Bear because he spends his weekends recuperating from the virus du jour. We spend our weekends taking care of him and canceling plans. It is very frustrating to not even get to enjoy the 2 days we have together as a family before the work week starts again. I am tired of complaining about being a working mother. I am tired of doctor visits and cancelled plans. I really don't think I would mind working as much if Bear was well and we got to make the most out of the time we had together. I honestly don't know how single parents do it. I have tremendous respect for people who do this day in and day out without the support of a significant other.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Fever

The daycare just called and Bear has a temperature of 101.7. I called my husband and he is on his way to get him. I actually wouldn't have minded leaving work early on a Friday especially since it is in the 30's and wet outside but my husband volunteered. It would be a perfect day for cuddling with my baby on the couch and catching up on my Tivo with a cup of hot chocolate. But alas, I am again almost out of sick leave. I have to take Bear for his one year checkup at the end of the month so I have to leave time for that.

I kept him home last Monday with a fever. We are actually doing slightly better than we did in the fall but I had really hoped he was turning a corner on this sickness stuff. And he is always sick on the weekends too. So we don't miss work but we miss church and birthday parties. Grrr....In the 6 months I have been back to work I think the longest he has gone in daycare without getting sick is 2 weeks. I'm about to make him his own little baby bubble suit.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Etiquette question

So I am at work today and I need to ask a coworker about some hours she reported on a job I thought was complete. I walk down to her end of the hall and I see she is in the office next door speaking to another coworker. They both look at me and continue their conversation. I stand there a few moments waiting to be acknowledged so I can ask her to stop by my office when she has a chance. Instead of acknowledging me they continue to go about their conversation. After waiting another minute I see they are not going to stop talking to see what I want and at this point I feel foolish for just standing there so I walk back to my office. I find this happens quite frequently not just at this job but at previous jobs as well.

Now I understand finishing what you are saying and then acknowledging the person who just walked up but to just ignore them completely is very frustrating. I don't walk down there very often and never to just chit chat so they know I was there on business. I suppose I could have interrupted the conversation but I was waiting politely to be acknowledged. I don't like interrupting other people's conversations but if someone is in my office talking and another person comes by to see me I at least acknowledge them and tell them I will get with them as soon as I am done.

This used to happen to me a lot with my old boss. What was even more frustrating with her is that I would have a client on hold and she would have a 15 minute long conversation with her husband on the phone while I waited. Am I the one who has the bad etiquette? Should I not expect to be acknowledged until they have finished their original conversation? Especially if it is not work related?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Rejection

Ok, so I am watching American Idol again tonight. I know, I know I seriously need a new hobby. In watching all these people get rejected it made me think about how much harder it is to take rejection when your family is there. When something bad happens I usually hold it together fine until I pick up the phone and call my Mom. Then I typically dissolve into a hot sloppy mess. If I were ever to try out for something like that I know I could not have my family waiting on the other side of the door because I would fall apart knowing I have to face them.

They are wonderful and supportive don't get me wrong. I can handle rejection on my own but there is something about the perception that I am letting them down that I can't get past. I just can't handle something embarrassing or terrible happening in front of people I care about. I can be a complete wreck in front of strangers and laugh it off. Perhaps I am crazy but thats just how I am.

Another Excellent Dinner....

courtesy of http://food.yahoo.com

Sorry I didn't think to take a picture until after we ate but then I didn't like the picture once it posted. I made a few adjustments to this recipe. I didn't have any ziti so I used spiral pasta. I used 1 can of chopped tomatoes and half a 15 oz can of tomato sauce. My husband loved it. It would be a good recipe to freeze for later.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Wordless Wednesday



Might I interest you in a toy?



Splish Splash



Come check out my crib, baby

I cringe for you Philly

Last year was the 1st year I watched American Idol all the way through. I was big pregnant when it started, watched in the hospital was in preterm labor, then watched in during the 2 weeks he was in the NICU, and once he came home. My social life was pretty limited. Yet this year I find myself inexplicably drawn to it. Perhaps it is the writers strike or that as a working mom of a 1 year old my social life is still pretty limited on weeknights.

So tonight is the season premiere and 15 minutes in I already find myself cringing and wondering why I watch. Like when that poor tour guide got up and sang and Paula and Randy laughed through the entire song. Yes, he was bad but their behavior was even worse. I know it has to be very hard to sit through all those terrible singers but sometimes they are just mean.It is even worse when people cry. Ack, that gets me every time. I guess thats what keeps people coming back to watch season after season. If they don't end the writers strike soon I am going to be forced to find a new hobby.

Who I am I kidding? What else do I have to watch on Tuesday and Wednesday nights while I surf the web? The news?

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Just call me Mrs. Baird


I got a breadmaker for Christmas with my Christmas money. It was pretty inexpensive. When it came in on Monday I immediately rushed out and purchased bread flour and yeast. My 1st loaf came out pretty well. The end was sunken in a little bit but it tasted good. I got up Saturday morning and since I was in a rush I decided to make a loaf on express bake which bakes in an hour vs 4 hours. It wasn't pretty. Apparently with express bake the water needs to be hot in order for the yeast to rise. I ended up with a doughy nasty ball.

Yesterday I made my third loaf. I did a herb bread and I am proud to say it turned out beautifully. Third time is a charm. We enjoyed it today with my Shrimp and Feta Cheese Pasta , which is turning into one of our favorite dishes.

I also made Shannon's, from Tales of a Misguided Mommy, coconut macaroons and they were fantastic. You should ask her for the recipe. I've been sworn to secrecy but if she doesn't know you in real life she will email it to you. Something about keeping the corner on the local Christmas cookie market. All very hush hush.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Looking up

The hot water heater is fixed. The garbage disposal is replaced. One light switch is fixed and my husband is going to work on the other. My Mom called on my way to get my hair done today and volunteered to pay for Bear's birthday cakes. That helps a lot right there. I went and ordered a 1/2 sheet cake and the little baby cake today at Kroger. I took the napkins I picked out and they are going to do some zoo animals on the cake to match.

My parents also booked our yearly trip to Florida today. We are debating on driving or flying. Neither is a terribly exciting prospect to me. Taking a tiny jet with a baby in my lap for 2 hours and all of his gear sounds not very pleasant. Not to mention I hate airports with the fire of a 1000 suns. The security, checking my bags, losing my bags, the new security restrictions, tiny airplane seats. Pretty much the only thing I don't hate is the actual flying. But driving there with a baby doesn't sound very pleasant either. I don't know. I am really looking forward to the trip though as we didn't get to go to the last two years.

Either way, things are starting to look up.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Grr...and Argh!

Lately I have been frustrated by somethings going wrong around the house and just life in general. This week we have had a leaking hot water heater, a light switch that was hooked up incorrectly which fried our garbage disposal, and problems with a savings account we tried to open. We called the garbage disposal people who said they would replace it since it is under warranty but we have to pay the labor for the guy to come out. The labor costs more than the disposal not to mention the inconvenience of scheduling the guy to come out. So we decided just to bite the bullet and buy a new one which my husband is trying to replace now. He is very much the handyman but every job comes with its unique frustrations not to mention the 3 trips to Home Depot we made this week in fixing this and the hot water heater and the cost of all the parts.

Then we have the whole bank issue. I decided to open a bank account with an online bank that I already do business with. I gave them all the information to open the account Dec. 3rd and mailed them the deposit check. And then I waited and waited. A month later the check still hasn't cleared and I haven't gotten anything from them. No call, no email, no letter, nothing. So I call today and ask what the deal is. They guy explains that they cancelled my new account. Apparently there was a discrepancy on my social security number or maybe it was my address. Can I please fax them a copy of my social security card? WTF?!! I explain as nicely as I can that I already have an account with them so they already have this information and by the way "where is my deposit check I sent?" This is not a piddly $25.00 check. This is a chunk of my savings. He isn't sure but he can have his business office look into it and call me. I'm freaking out a little here. I send them this check and they don't call me, email me, write me explaining that they cancelled my account because they have a discrepancy and oh by the way we have your check "somewhere"? Like I'm going to fax you idiots my social security card?

Grrr...They have just lost my business for sure and if they don't find my check or send me a check for the cost of cancelling the check I am filing a complaint with the BBB.

Delurking Day


It has come to my attention that it is national delurker week or day, depending on who you listen to. Not to be confused with the Mofo Delurker day in October. So if there is anyone stopping by and not commenting now is the time. Say Hello. Stay awhile. I'm new to the blogging world and don't typically get a lot of comments so help a girl out.

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

The best things in life are free?

People always told me that having kids was expensive. And I understood that to a point. Yes there are the early expenses of daycare, feeding, diapers, clothes, gifts, strollers, car seats, pack and plays, swings, etc. Then there are the big expenses like a car, college, and a wedding. What I didn't anticipate were all the little expenses that creep up on you like birthday parties. I never really put any thought into what it costs to throw a birthday party. Its a cake and some decorations right?

I priced invitations for awhile before deciding to do Walgreens photo cards. They had a deal before Christmas for $5.00 off an order so I got 40 personalized photo cards with envelopes for $15.00. That was a lot better than the cards I was looking at that started at at a dollar per card. Then I went to Card and Party factory yesterday to pick up napkins, plates and decorations. I needed to get those early so I could order a cake to match. I spent $25.00 on cake plates, napkins, a Happy Birthday banner, 1st birthday bib and treat bags. I went with a zoo theme because they didn't have a lot to choose from unless I went Pooh or Disney and he doesn't care for any of those things. Then I realized I have to buy stuff to go in the treat bags for the kids that are coming. So I went online to the Oriental Trading company website and picked up quite a few cute zoo related items to go in the bags. That was another $25.00. So I am $65.00 not including postage for the invitations and I still don't have the food or the cake. I know it will only get worse as he gets older and wants more expensive parties like Chuck E Cheese which starts out with a basic party package at 10.00 per child.

I know I don't have to do that much for a 1st birthday party that he won't remember. And honestly I thought I was going low key. Just hamburgers and cake at the house with our friends and family. Its not like I am getting a clown or a bouncy house. I'm already starting to stress about all those incidental expenses that you don't think about till you get there. Like parties, school supplies, valentine cards for the class, Halloween, carnivals, trips to Six Flags. I guess its all relative.

I just feel like money is flowing out of our pockets. We just had a bad leak in our hot water heater this week. My husband fixed it but we spent $50.00 at home depot buying all the stuff. Which is a whole lot cheaper than having a plumber fix it but still. And we discovered our light switch that goes to our fairly new garbage disposal was hooked up wrong and a surge fried the garbage disposal. So my husband replaced the switch and rewired it but the other kitchen switch is now screwy so he will fix that one tonight. We just spent a nice chunk on Christmas, birthdays, and fixing our air conditioner this fall. And our 2007 property taxes are due this month. Oh well, I am counting my blessings that I can afford to do these things and that I have a very handy husband who can fix most things himself saving us lots of money on repairmen.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

A question of equality

I typically try to avoid political discussions on my blog because so many of the bloggers I love to read lean far to the left of me. I wasn't always conservative. I even voted for Gore in 2000. My husband still gives me hell about that even though I didn't know him at the time. I'm not particularly thrilled I voted for Bush in 2004 but that's neither here nor there. The I like Mike icon on my sidebar seems to magically have appears along with the bumper sticker and yard sign. Whatever.

That all aside, I was reading my Work It Mom blog today and Nataly brought up an interesting topic of discussion. A point I have already discussed with my husband on numerous occasions. He keeps teasing me that once I get into the voting booth my current conservative ideals will fly right out the window and I will vote for Hilary solely based on the fact that she is a woman. Nataly brought up in her blog this morning that exact question. Should she vote for Hillary just because she is a woman? You can go and read her post here and let her know your opinion.

Of course, I was the first one to hop on and answer her question. I just cannot see myself voting for someone purely based on gender any more than I could pick my husband purely based on the color of his hair. It may be a selling point but it is not something I am going to base an extremely important decision on that could affect my entire life. The president appoints Supreme Court justices, signs bills into law, represents us to forigen countries and I am supposed to pick her because she pees sitting down? Seriously? Just because a woman has never been president doesn't mean I am going to pick the first one that comes down the line with a serious chance of winning.

You should pick the best man or woman for the job in my opinion. The person who best represents your view on issues and you feel will do a good job. Now I am not 100% in agreement with any one candidate and often voting is looked at as choosing the lesser of two evils. But, I have to draw the line in the sand here. We are never going to achieve any kind of equality if we continue to push for one person over another based on anything other than their skills, character, and perhaps likeability. I want the person who gets the job done. A person who makes the best decision in the face of adversity. Not the person who looks the most like me.

I am not perfect. I do have baises that are ingrained from childhood. But I at least try to look past those and try to make the most objective decision I can. It appalls me that anyone would consider doing anything different. You aren't helping prove a point on inequality by perpectuating the cycle just in a different direction.

Do you think I am crazy? Should you vote for someone or hire someone just to break a glass ceiling so to speak?

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

I'm not ready for this

I mailed off birthday party invitations today. For my son's 1st birthday party. Did I miss something? Like the past 11 months? When did this happen? I am so not prepared for this. I was excited when he started getting a few months older so he could smile and coo at us. But this crawling, standing, babbling 11 1/2 month old cannot be my child.

While we were at the doctor's office yesterday I went ahead and scheduled his 1 year checkup. I think I may have teared up a little, ok a lot, whatever. I am so excited to see everything he is doing and the little person he is becoming. I am getting a better idea of his permanent eye color and his personality. He has 4 teeth and another one popping through as I type. No one prepares you for this. They tell you that they grow up fast but until you actually experience it you don't really understand. Like the new bride that nods knowingly when people tell her marriage is hard. Like uh huh, yeah how hard can it really be people I know what I am getting into? You don't know until you have been there.

I am truly shocked at the speed at which this year has passed. This time last year I still didn't own a crib, a changing table, or anything remotely baby related. My baby shower was the day before my water broke. I didn't have a suitcase packed or clothes laid out. The baby clothes and bedding hadn't been washed. I wasn't prepared. I feel the same way about this 1st year of parenting. It has been a whirlwind and I was Dorothy dropped into Oz. I remember getting dressed to go to the hospital with my amniotic fluid dripping everywhere thinking oh my God I am going to come home with a baby. I was shaking so badly my husband had to sit me down and put my shoes on. Now it has been almost a year and I don't know where it went. It has been a trial by fire for sure but incredible all the same.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Sick Day

Bear is sick, again. I've lost count now of the number of times he has been sick since I went back to work. Poor little guy has the crud. He's had a cough since he got RSV Thanksgiving week but it has gotten much worse in the past few days. We gave him a breathing treatment last night and that helped some. He had a fever this morning so I called in sick, made a doctors appointment and changed out of my work clothes.

I took him to the doctor at 9:20 and the doctor gave him an antibiotic and said to do breathing treatments morning and night for the next few days. He should be able to go back to daycare tomorrow or Wednesday. So he doesn't have anything serious. That's a relief.

I'm enjoying my day off as well. I was already up and dressed when I decided Bear was too sick to go to daycare so I've had time to check my favorite blogs, pick up Whataburger for breakfast on my way back from the doctor's office, and enjoy 2 cups of coffee while watching America's Next Top Model reruns. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts until Bear gets up from his nap. I wasn't all that thrilled to head off to work today so I wasn't completely disappointed. Although I hate it when Bear feels bad. Hopefully the antibiotic will kick in quickly and he will start feeling better.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

The Good Wife

I don't officially make New Year's Resolutions. Not because I don't believe in them but because I have the memory of a goldfish with Alzheimer's (with the exception of my husband's misdoings). I can't tell you what I ate for dinner last night much less remember to do something I promised at midnight after 15 beers. Alright 3 beers. Whatever, I'm not in college anymore. This year I am making a concerted effort to make and keep a New Year's Resolution. My resolution is to be a better wife. And technically I didn't make it on New Year's Eve with some starry eyed ideal about love. I made my resolution after yet another pointless fight with my husband.

I sat there ready to rip his head off if he dared cross my path and I realized how stupid the whole fight was. Why is it easier to get irritated and yell than it is to just understand that your spouse is human. We are always defensive, always ready to make a quick jab when the other disappoints our expectations. Honestly, our fighting has lessened in the 5 years we have been together. This isn't even the main thing I wanted to work on.

My husband is a much more affectionate person than I am. He wants to *gasp* cuddle in bed and kiss me before he leaves for work. I am just not that kind of person. Maybe in the first few months of a relationship when you are in heat but after that I have to remind myself to be affectionate.

He also needs a lot of words of affirmation, it is his love language . I try to remember to tell him what a great husband, good provider, wonderful father he is but I don't think I do it nearly often enough. All of these things together made me feel like a failure as a wife. We both come from divorced families (his father is on his 3rd wife, mine is about to marry his 4th) and I don't want Bear to grow up the way we did. I don't advocate staying in a miserable marriage because I have seen how hard that is as well. I want to try to avoid not only divorce but also avoid a bad marriage as well. So the past few days I have been trying to be nicer, more accomodating, more complimentary to my husband.

I don't know if this is a testament to the kind of wife I have been, but my husband has been growing increasingly suspicious. He is enjoying the nicer me but more in a who are you and what did you do with my wife kind of way? All in all it has been a pleasant week. He is happier and in turn is treating me better. We dressed up nicely for each other today and took Bear to Olive Garden. We went to the mall and he bought tools at Sears while I picked up a few shirts on sale at Express. It was probably the first time we have been to the mall together without a fight of some sort. We used to call Saturdays fight day because we always seemed to be at each other's throats on what should be a wonderful and relaxing day. So far I consider my resolution to be a sucess. Hopefully I can continue this long past 2008.

Friday, January 4, 2008

A few of my favorite bloggers

I've been slowly accumulating a list of favorite blogs in my Google Reader. I am relatively new to the blogging community as a reader and even more so as a writer. As my list of blogs has expanded so has my list of blog crushes, for lack of a better word. It never ceases to amaze me how open and honest people can be with an anonymous, and sometimes judgy internet. I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite must-read blogs and give them a little shout out. Although I get 5 hits a day compared to their thousands so maybe it should be considered a shout up. Of course only 2 of them actually know I exist but I'm ok with that.

The Someone Being Me Blogger Awards

Blogger I would most like to Meet - Amy from Amalah, She was the first blog I started reading. She is always the first one I check in my Google Reader for updates. I read her archives when I need a laugh or validation, depending on my day.

Blogger with the most Fabulous Life (in my very humble opinion) - Holly from Nothing But Bonfires. I am so jealous of her flawless skin, adorable clothes, glob trotting ways, cute british accent, and of course her apartment in San Francisco.

Blogger I would most like to Hug and buy a Margarita - Lag Liv - that girl has been through Hell and is still rocking her way through law school.

Most eloquent blogger : Kate from Sweet Salty She is so talented it makes me ashamed to have a blog. She writes while I pick at the keyboard like a monkey writing the Bible.

Blogger with the best pictures, Heather from Dooce, she can make the most mundane things look spectacular. My crappy point and shoot cannon weeps in shame.

Blogger who can write openly about faith, religion and babies and keeps me inspired - Veronica from Toddled Dredge.

Blogger who is most likely to respond to your comments and who keeps me entertained daily with her shoe pictures - Jennie from She Likes Purple

I also love Bon from Crib Chronicles. She comes in a close second behind Kate on best written blog and also close to Lag Liv on Blogger I most want to hug and buy a margarita. There are many, many wonderful blogs out there I just wanted to point out some of my personal favorites. I raise my glass (or bag of M&M's) to these incredible ladies.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Recipe review

I made spagetti and meatballs this evening for dinner. I used the Make Ahead Meatball recipe from www.allrecipes.com. They were very yummy. I highly recommend the recipe and they were super easy to make. I made half the recipe and froze half of them after they were cooked. I did add some oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and basil for a little extra flavor.

Going Bananas?

I have a sneaking suspicion that Bear may be allergic to bananas. I've had this suspicion for the last few months but always doubted myself. I've read all the sites about what to feed your child and when and most mention bananas as one of the early foods to try. It doesn't seem to be a big red flag allergy item like nuts or milk. And Bear's symptoms aren't severe by any means. I've been doing my research on my trusty friend, Google, and there isn't a whole lot said on banana allergies. It does say that some people with ragweed allergies can show banana senstivities same with people who have latex allergies. I am allergic to ragweed and my sister is to latex.

Basically when he eats bananas he breaks out in a rash on his cheeks. And he seems to have a little stomach upset. Or so I think. I don't know if I only notice these things when he is eating bananas and I am being unfairly baised. I quit feeding him bananas a few weeks ago and I haven't seen those symptoms with any other foods. Yesterday at daycare they gave him two jars of bananas during the day along with his cereal and when he came home he has bright red chapped, rashy cheeks in addition to loose bowels and a nasty raw bottom. I believe this confirms my suspicions but I could be wrong. The raw bottom could just be from the fact that he had a loose bowel movement and the raw chapped cheeks could be from the fact that it is cold outside and he has been drooling a lot lately.

I guess my question for you, dear internets, is whether any of you have seen this same thing happen with you or your kids? No one in my family has had food allergies so this is all new to me. I plan on bringing it up at Bear's one year checkup at the end of the month but I thought I would query you in the meantime. I also asked the daycare providers to stop giving him bananas until further notice. I guess I will wait and see if the red rashy cheeks and the raw bottom continue even after they stop feeding him bananas.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Wordless Wednesday : Simple Pleasures

Back to work

The holiday is over. My blissful week and a half off work is done. The daycare people were happy to see Bear this morning though so that made me feel a little better. When I dropped him off the teacher told me one of the other teachers called her to remind her Bear would be back today because she was so excited. It has been a quiet morning so far though since everyone is just getting back.

I am glad to have the holidays behind me though. Normally I am depressed at the end of the holidays when I pack up and leave my parent's houses and then even more so when I pack up my trees and decorations. This year my heart just wasn't in it for some reason. It took me 2 hours but I got the tree all put away last night and it was such a relief to have my living room back. The house looks oddly bare but I love having the extra space back.

I had a mini meltdown last night. My husband and I were bickering about stupid things all day yesterday. So stupid, I don't even remember what they were a day later. I realize we have been doing that a lot lately and I hate that. I thought to myself, how much harder can it be for us to be nice to each other? My new resolve is to be a better wife in 2008. I have definitely been neglecting my marriage lately with the working, baby, life stuff. I also yelled at Bear last night and made him cry. In my defense, he was trying to chew on an electrical cord but still. I felt awful. So I went to bed and cried and cried about what a crappy wife, mother, employee I have been lately. Then I cuddled up to my husband and apologized for all the mean things I had said and told him what a great husband he really was. I went and checked on Bear and sat in his room in the dark for awhile and stroked his little soft fluffy head through the crib bars. I am extremely blessed and I tend to forget that when things get stressful.