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Friday, December 28, 2001 What You Say? Finally this updated blogger works! Getting comments on here was a bear, but it was worth it! ------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 17, 2001 Roast Coffee Beast Never, ever try "Egg Nog Cappucino". Really. Stick to the convenience store variety brand "French Vanilla". It's safer that way. ------------------------------------------------
Sunday, December 16, 2001 Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Took Parker tonight to his first parade - the Annual Newberry Christmas parade. A lot more exciting and less noisy than the Watermelon festival parade - though I think we may enter parker in the Watermelon King contest next year... The garage door went kaput today when the tension spring wires suddenly decided to go all over the place and part of the door came off track. I spent a few hours basking in the light of our exterior Christmas lights trying to repair it...I'll call a real repairman Monday :) ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 13, 2001 Cheryl Cloud  ------------------------------------------------
Honda Juggernaut My Honda Accord continuously surprises me - last night it appears I did not close the driver door completely, and the cabin light was on all night. Nevertheless, it started on the very first try this morning. I have no doubt this car will still be serving whatever Mad Max type drives it in the future post-apocalyptic world..."In a world where justice is a forgotten concept, and a man is defined by his machine, One Honda will stand before the forces that could end human civilization...forever." ------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, December 12, 2001 Cooooooooookie Cook So, the department of financial affairs had its Annual holiday party yesterday. I decided to try and stoke my ego by winning their cookie contest. I thought I had a decent shot...out of fourteen entries, four were mine. However, none of them one. So what did I get for staying up til the break of dawn, forcing Kristin to watch Parker while I slaved at the oven. Nuttin. In hind sight, the Vinegar Cookies were not vinegary enough. The lemon cookies were too lemony. The oatmeal almond raspberry cookies were a little gooey. And, although the snickerddodles were perfect, everyone knew what they were - no mystery there. I got to bring them home and make Kristin happy. That was a good point. ------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 10, 2001 The Lunch That Goes Crunch  Note to self: Despite their cheesy goodness, a bag of Cheetos does not constitute 'nutrition', nor does it define 'lunch'. I must get up earlier and make myself a lunch that incorporates at least 1 of the four major food groups. ------------------------------------------------
Do Over In a similar vein, the project I've been working on for two days has been last year's document, so I had to start over scratch. I should follow Garfield's maxim - "I Don't DO Mondays." ------------------------------------------------
Lotion Motion I can be such a klutz - I was running behind last Friday, so I put my razor, the new one with the lotion dispenser, in my briefcase. The non-rigid, leather, bumps up against everything and offers no protection to a lotion dispensing razor with no cover type of briefcase. Luckily, the only thing in that particular compartment was a silk tie that conveniently absorbed the entire cartridge of lotion. Took the tie all day to dry, and most of that time for me to remove the napkin particles that adhered to it as I tried to dry. But it's now the softest feeling tie you've ever felt! ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 06, 2001 Random Error I realize now that I am giving the impression of the stoic, silent man -- kind of like the Marlboro Man without the cigarette. I mean, my posts look like foot notes compared to Kristin's :) Had a mild panic attack last night...the SCSI card apparently went bad and refused to let the computer do anything but run. Couldn't turn it off, just sat there and hummed. Needless to say, we are now resolved to save every scrap of data in back-ups; the website, Parker's photos, the old photos I scanned from my grandmothers, Kristin's dissertation, our entire cd library saved as mp3s. We also learned that the modern hard drive can survive being pushed off a three foot high desk (bad kitty). ------------------------------------------------
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Thursday, December 13, 2001 Squealing I forgot to mention that Parker is testing his ability to squeal ... any day now, it'll come. He's also currently having a love affair with his zebra on the cradle-swing's mobile. Sorry lion, you were his first love. Sorry elephant, you too, are in the past. And look out giraffe, I'm sure you'll be next. What a heartbreaker. ------------------------------------------------
Public Nursing & Public Crying So, we had our second attempt at a photo session at Sears on Tuesday evening, and all went pretty well. The day had been trying, what with Parker awake and practically fussing from 9:30 to 3:30 straight with breaks only to nurse. The previous couple of days were also hard, because he was fussy, and I read online that when fussy, put them to the breast first, but that ended up not working so well. Sure, he was quiet when nursing, but he was violent too. He would clamp down hard, pull and writhe, and I broke down and cried a couple of times we did it. So, Tuesday, I didn't do that. It was also the day after Jeff baked cookies all night instead of spending time with Parker. So Jeff got home and was exhausted from staying up late making his cookies so I had to drive to the photo studio. Parker had also fallen asleep at about 4 pm. We left at 5:30 and Jeff was sitting in the back with Parker. You'll think this is cruel of me, but I was so angry that Jeff was nodding off when I had about as much sleep as him and had a very emotionally draining day, that I would pump the brakes at stoplights just enough to jog him awake without disturbing Parker. And giggled about it. I enjoyed it, especially the look on Jeff's face the first time. But I was sooo angry. We got to Sears and Parker was still asleep. I thought he might stay asleep and at least wouldn't be screaming throughout the photo session. I was now fine with that idea. Well, I guess Parker somehow knew that and woke up (not really, but it did kinda seem like that). The photographer had a foreign accent and said we could feed him if that would calm him down, and after repeated, "Are you sure?"s from me, he set up a chair and a place to set anything we needed to feed him. I figured, well, he's foreign (hispanic looking/sounding), so I made it obvious that I was going to nurse him by starting to unsnap the flap on my bra from the neckline. I made sure and gave him plenty of time to leave if he wanted to. I think at that point it dawned on him exactly how we were planning on feeding him, and I was so happy how he took it in stride. I don't think it was what he was expecting, but he didn't flush and run out saying, "Oh my God!!" either. He just said, "I'll be out here when you're ready." and left. My first attempt at nursing in public that was not in a room of others doing the same. He ate a little, but was still fussy and not wanting to eat anymore. Exhausted and not able to think of any other way I could comfort him, I handed him off to Jeff. At least he didn't calm down immediately, like he has done in the past (makes me feel just peachy when he does that, don't you know), but he did calm down. We had a couple of bouts of crying during the photo shoot, but all in all it went rather well. You can't tell he had been wailing in the pictures. One of the reasons we had picked Sears was the backgrounds. Specifically, Jeff and I loved the First Snow background (you can see it at their website if you are interested). But, Parker was really too young to do much in the pictures except sit, so for those, the photographer took pictures of me and of Jeff each holding him. Neither of us had planned on being in the pictures, so they weren't great. But we got good pictures of Parker in his Santa outfit (thanks Mama!) and cute pictures of Parker in a wintry bear shirt and khaki pants (thanks "Mom"!) with two brown bears on either side. I had gone Tuesday to the mom-baby luncheon, where Parker cried almost the whole time. I was really stressed out, and sat next to the same woman I have for the last couple of times, whose name escapes me, but she has the most adorable little girl names Gracie. This woman is so nice, I wish I had the courage to ask if she'd like to get together sometime, so I don't feel so completely isolated from other moms. Her daughter is 9 days younger than Parker. Anyway, I was stressed out, but holding my own during the luncheon, until the end, when it was my turn to speak. I started out saying how Parker and I were having a difficult time the past several days, since he was so fussy as they could all obviously tell ... then the tears came, and I had broken down. I hadn't done that in front of anyone since when we were having problems initially with breastfeeding. I felt horrible for it afterwards, but it was much needed and the ladies there were very supportive and helpful. But I got to eat a lunch that I didn't have to try and prepare, I got to be around other moms with problems and, yes, fussy babies, and I got to weight the little bugger. He weighed 13 lbs., 3 oz. -- subtract 3 oz. for clothes, and he weight 13 pounds!!! My arms must be getting stronger. I am so happy. In the 8 weeks since he was born, he's gained on average 1/2 lb a week. Given that he only returned to birthweight in the first 2 weeks, he's done quite nicely. I am so proud of him and of me. Probably the main reason I had wanted to start breastfeeding in the beginning really wasn't because of the bonding or the nutritional benefits or the challenge (definitely not that), but because of the cost savings. I know that is sad to say, but it is the honest truth. But knowing that he is gaining so well, and that it is because of me is very comforting and makes me feel much closer to him as a mommy. And I need that, since his fussiness can at times be overwhelming. One think I know is that it is more than likely not the typical colic that both my mom and Jeff's mom had to deal with. I don't know how they did it. Again, thank God for our swing ... in case you're wondering Fisher Price Cradle Swing ... goes front-back and side-side ... the side-to-side is the lifesaver. So, I've decided I will definitely be starting my own journal/web log page for many reasons. First, I don't like how this is set up, especially for my lengthy entries. Second, I think I want one all to myself. Third, I don't think I'll have a link straight to it from our main page. From it to there is one thing, but I don't know. I'm not sure I want every Tom, Dick, and Harry reading some of what I want to put in there ... because I know I'm holding back some of what I want to write about specifically for that reason, and I want to be free to write about whatever is on my mind. If you want to keep reading my thoughts etc. once I make the switch, please e-mail me -- besides, it would be great to know people are actually reading this and are interested in what else I might have to say ------------------------------------------------
Friday, December 07, 2001 Our photo plans busted So, the photo session didn't go well ... in fact, it didn't go at all. We got to Sears early, and I wanted to make sure Parker was calm, so I nursed him in the car while Jeff took the other car and got dinner (I was going to work after the photo shoot). He gets back and we get to the photo studio just in time for our session appointment. The waiting room was chock-full of people so we let them know we were here, sat down and filled out what photos we wanted when and with what backgrounds, etc. And which coupon we wanted to use. Parker was absolutely adorable! He was cooing and wide-eyes, and happy. The photo session is supposed to take 15 minutes. He was this way for 25 minutes. But we hadn't been taken into a studio yet. He started to get fussy, but was manageable for the next 10 ... still no studio. Then 10 more minutes of him crying before I tell Jeff I've had it and we're leaving. As we are heading out, I tell the receptionist we are leaving, because we made an appointment, and had prepared him for that time, and now 45 minutes had passed, and he was inconsolable and there was no way we would get any good pictures. I was in tears, Parker's beet red face was covered in them, and we left. The woman tried to get us to stay, saying we'd be seen immediately, and that we shouldn't have had to wait, and I told her it was pointless. We went out to the car, as quickly as possible, Parker and I crying and Jeff pushing all of our stuff in the stroller behind us. We got to the car, and to calm him down, I nursed him again. He must have been very upset ... he stayed on for 20+ minutes, before I decided we needed to leave the parking lot. In the interim, Jeff went back in to get our coupon (we may have been upset, but we wanted that coupon, especially since unfortunately the backgrounds we really wanted were at this store). They apologized and gave us a card for two free sheets of prints ($24 value) and told us that it should never have happened, appointments are seen at their time no matter what, and if we decided to reschedule and come back ,they would make sure things went that way. Well, whatever. We'll still probably go, because, as I said, I wanted those backgrounds. Poor Parker has been in a tissy ever since, though. Intermittently spitting up (probably from over-eating if that's possible ... I hear it isn't but I am not sure I agree) and turning beet red from gas presumably, though I think he just had too much today. Anyway, he has been up since 5:30 pm, with only occasional naps in the car ... he should sleep pretty soundly tonight, I'd guess, once he falls asleep. The swing is trying its darndest to work its magic. Cross your fingers for me. ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 06, 2001 Diapers, Pictures, Pumping, oh my!! Well, it has definitely been a while since I last made an entry here. I have been trying to get stuff done, had computer and server problems, and just generally haven't had much to say. Jeff and I have had every intention of switching Parker over to cloth diapers, but just haven't done it yet. I think tomorrow day I will and we will try to this weekend. I would hate to have received all of those diapers to not be using them AS diapers, especially since Parker is now big enough to presumably wear the vinyl pants without big gaping holes at the legs. We've also investing in one of the Velcro flapped diaper covers I found at Target. I think we'll try those first. No weight this week, since Parker was too stuffy to go to the Mother-Baby luncheon Tuesday. This also meant he missed the Santa that was going to be there. Booooo!! So, we might (gasp!) take him to the mall and get some pictures there. Speaking of pictures, tonight he is finally going in for his photos at Sears. We picked Sears because of their backgrounds (which you can see online, btw) and the coupon we have. I just hope we don't get suckered into spending tons of dough ... they know we're suckers!!! Both my sister and I have baby pictures at our first Christmas in Santa outfits ... me with hair and her with a red wig (sorry, sis ... I've always had longer hair --- teee-hee!!). So, we're continuing that tradition with Parker, thanks to his Oma buying him a Santa suit from Wal-Mart. I'm excited and nervous about this photo session.
For those of you following my escapades in nursing ... all is going well, I've bought Medela's Pump In Style and finally returned the hospital pump. There are still times when I want to quit, but then I look at my little boy and ignore whatever is wrong at the moment. Unless I'm trying to burp him and he is fussing ... that drives me batty, I give up and keep feeding him, then he spits up. One thing I have read on bulletin boards addressing breastfeeding is that gassiness can come from hyperactive letdown (which I believe I have, considering the flow when I pump), and the suggestion is to burp often and feed from only one side for a 2 hour period. I believe it has been working, and lately onions haven't been affecting him, so I don't think it was the onions. He still has smelly gas, though. About 2 days ago now, he had 3 BMs in one day ... big ones. Must have been a cathartic release, since he was extremely fussy that day, but hasn't been as bad the following days ... knock on wood. I was at work the other night (I'm going in at night, for many reasons, none of which I'm going to share right now) and pumped there for the first time. I was very on-edge with every noise I heard, even though I had made a plainly obvious sign that said everything short of "exposed breast inside ... enter at own risk". Although I am a pro at pumping, it was very difficult to get my milk to letdown there. Finally I had to say, if someone walks in ... sobeit! My biggest fear was that Nick, the undergrad student in the lab would be the one to walk in ... that would be mortifying ... for both of us, I'm sure. Well, must prep for pictures and work tonight ... I'll try to be better about keeping things updated. BTW ... measured Parker with a yardstick (not terribly accurate, but I'm sure it is ballpark) ... 23 inches long!! ------------------------------------------------
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