tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96374282024-03-23T13:51:02.264-04:00after all the folderol...<br>
so if ever someone says to you, <br>
life isn't fair, get used to it <br>
then you should say 'well it might be; <br>
if folks like you would let it be.'<br>
<i>~the avett brothers</i>carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.comBlogger1567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-56888668113302255332013-08-05T05:11:00.001-04:002013-08-05T05:11:29.073-04:00it's not that I don't want to write on here....it's just that it's not highest on the list. and the book of the face serve the same purpose in some ways.
<br>
<br>and I'm not sure who even reads this :)
<br>
<br>the last two weeks have gone like so:
<br>
<br>-my little petunia got two more teeth. on the same day.
<br>-I had a busy week--alumnae chapter things, softball, etc
<br>-Saturday we hung out at the Picc's--bruschetta, paleo tacos, beer in the back yard while our girls played in the pool and crafting = awesome.
<br>-Sunday AM, while preparing for early brunch with the Kocises, I hurt my back. We now know its a herniated disc. :( that day I wore my brace, the Sullivans watched her and we went carseat shopping.
<br>
<br>At 5am Monday morning there was an "incident" involving passing out and vomiting and turning a crazy pale green color. It was bad. Poor Cleona Was crying in her crib as all this happened, it was not good. We went to the doc ASAP on Monday morning.
<br>
<br>last week:
<br>-laid low
<br>-avoided activities
<br>-was a "squatter" in a standing cube
<br>-slept as much as possible
<br>-took a lot of ibuprofen.
<br>
<br>and now:
<br>
<br>I'm still in the back brace
<br>Our dining table is now in the basement
<br>And I could use a nap. :)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-25251732091717690162013-04-23T14:08:00.000-04:002013-04-23T14:08:03.685-04:00it's probably a little ridiculous...but I'm thinking about moving churches because of the "pictoral directory."<br />
<br />
well, sort of.<br />
<br />
I live a ways from my church. 20 minutes on good days. 30-35 minutes on bad ones.<br />
<br />
The times slots that we could legitimately take are the evenings and weekends. Evenings, though, are pretty much out. We don't have an hour to spend in the car with Cleona. Besides that, it's our only time with her during the week, really, and I'm not spending it taking pictures I don't want, after which they'll try to convince us to spend money we don't have on images we don't like. Right.<br />
<br />
And then there are weekends. Which, again, not really how I want to spend my time. Yes, it's once every two years. And yes, I know it's nice or whatever, but really?! so I asked if we could send in a picture so we could at least be included. The answer is no.<br />
<br />
I'm also disappointed from a while ago--because Cleona's birth? NOT IN THE CHURCH BULLETIN UNDER "Joys." That one actually stung. They didn't put it in the email to the congregation either. Evidently there are "too many concerns" to fit the joys. I would think that kind of a ratio would be all the more reason to include the joys. Right?<br />
<br />
But most of all, I want Cleona to grow up going to church. And going there regularly. And if it's somewhere between 20 and 35 minutes away...and add to that how we'd like to move in the not too distant future, and how it's likely we'll be moving in the wrong direction, well....yeah.<br />
<br />
So I might be looking.<br />
<br />
I mean, I love my church. I love being in the choir. And there are some really fantastic people...but maybe it's not right for me anymore?carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-34060682577819673242013-04-17T00:04:00.000-04:002013-04-17T00:05:16.071-04:00if you had told me...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK6ocTgKRVT_UGK0PKpEl9jpYCKABQ6A_Plgdxm4LPOZ5sR4tc43yFb_NXt2gGS_swtcMtnaP5sOzxA-cZ9J2_uVTtwCO9l3iuj4LyaGH8Cx5yvPlxYqe9959v4Hroub5DXjpnw/s1600/photo-716072.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK6ocTgKRVT_UGK0PKpEl9jpYCKABQ6A_Plgdxm4LPOZ5sR4tc43yFb_NXt2gGS_swtcMtnaP5sOzxA-cZ9J2_uVTtwCO9l3iuj4LyaGH8Cx5yvPlxYqe9959v4Hroub5DXjpnw/s320/photo-716072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5867661989545240514" /></a></p>carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-85759997093758070432013-04-15T01:11:00.001-04:002013-04-15T01:11:47.498-04:00two hundred and thirty four.tonight I am sleeping in my own bed. our nice king bed. all by myself.
<br>
<br>matt is sleeping in cleona's room. she is sick and fussy and needs attention. so she gets it.
<br>
<br>but tonight is noteworthy because its the first night I won't be sleeping in the same room as her. which is very freeing and also makes me tear up a little.
<br>
<br>I hear a lot of moms lament how their baby is growing up...but that's not what tugs at my heart strings. I mean, I'm really looking forward to her being five. and eight. And even fifteen!
<br>
<br>It's just...I miss her. I like having her near me. She will just get a few extra kisses when she wakes up to nurse. :)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-7253709328333114952013-03-18T00:55:00.000-04:002013-03-18T00:55:00.738-04:00gobi leroy.tomorrow I will have more to say.<br />
tonight I just have to write, just for a moment.<br />
I lost a friend today.<br />
I know it sounds silly, but he was my friend.<br />
<br />
he was there when I had no friends in the state where I lived, and there as I've cultivated my local flowers, so to speak.<br />
<br />
He loved heights, especially the top of banisters and the china cabinet. He LOVED being outside and rolling around on cement. He would "flop" for me, where I would pet him and pet him and pet him until he would flop on his side in delight. He would always try to lick my forehead. I told myself that meant that he loved me too.<br />
<br />
he has seen me through a divorce, a marriage, two sinus surgeries, a colorectal surgery, pregnancy and birth. Gobi would cuddle with me when he knew I was sad. I know I posted about how I think he and Hazel were trying to help "small fry" in my belly. He has lived with me in every place I've been in NC--all five of them. He was kind and loving and very protective of me. I know you fellow pet lovers understand--Gobi was my furry child. I raised him from a teeny tiny kitten on. His meow caught my attention at the shelter and I heard it every day.<br />
<br />
He didn't like Hazel at first, but eventually they became fast friends. I can tell she misses him already. We cuddled a lot tonight.<br />
<br />
He was even good to my daughter. She would pull on his fur (because six month olds don't do anything gently!) but he would let her. He protected her. He was jealous of her but knew she was important to me.<br />
<br />
I got twice as long (and more) with that cat as they estimated. The problem was his heart. A good friend said today that perhaps he also lasted so long because of his heart--the metaphorical one. :)<br />
<br />
I'll add a picture tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-83900173956112113682013-02-23T23:37:00.001-05:002013-02-23T23:37:23.803-05:00after having been a momma for six months I can confidently tell you....nothing can prepare you for it.
<br>it is incredible. in a way I cannot truly articulate.
<br>I hope to do it again. more than one more time.
<br>it is difficult and stressful and exhausting.
<br>and it is the best decision I've made to date.
<br>
<br>happy half birthday little petunia!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-72220295789457784362013-02-11T00:52:00.001-05:002013-02-11T00:52:57.176-05:00motherhood...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4Jrl-KHr-OMbjDM2dY-KrVAXj_iuEc1R8ryORvuL9jtISlYGAxONSPRwOPO12c58HJ3xmjbY5YpFkjQDtZxdIMUyqmhielsSY1fsOuyS462cOqMkpb9V_itNR4_OZyKFHp8qNg/s1600/photo-777176.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4Jrl-KHr-OMbjDM2dY-KrVAXj_iuEc1R8ryORvuL9jtISlYGAxONSPRwOPO12c58HJ3xmjbY5YpFkjQDtZxdIMUyqmhielsSY1fsOuyS462cOqMkpb9V_itNR4_OZyKFHp8qNg/s320/photo-777176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5843569198183282802" /></a></p>is not for the faint of heart.
<br>or those who require copious amounts of sleep.
<br>
<br>except maybe it is. you could argue that I fell into the above categories. and I'm told it is terribly obvious--I absolutely adore being a momma.
<br>
<br>this little girlie sure is hilarious! her giggles are infectious and practically EVERYONE notices her everywhere she goes. we went out to brunch today with a lovely gift certificate (thanks grandmom and pop pop!) and I kid you not---people were stepping up to our table to make googley eyes at my baby girl. she shares her smiles and smizes and winks!
<br>
<br>I am trying to teach her to high five. in twelve days she will get her first solids--my plan is local sweet potatoes! She can almost sit on her own!
<br>
<br>Everyone laments how Cleona is growing too fast....but little CeeCee isn't doing that--she's growing so wonderfully! And it's so fantastic seeing her change and develop! I am impressed with her, proud of myself for growing her and feeding her and totally in awe.
<br>
<br>She is still teeny--in the 13lb range. I bet she will get to 14 for her next appt later this month. The RSV/bronchiolitis set her back a little weight wise too. But she is strong, smart and observant!
<br>
<br>Last thing--one of her favorite things that I do is return her smile. Sometimes she scrunches up her face with her eyes closed tight and then opens her eyes while letting her whole face explode into a grin. She LOVES it when I do that to her! It makes her smile all the way to her little tiny toes! :)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-36078883773080106162013-01-16T00:26:00.001-05:002013-01-16T00:26:38.677-05:00a really awful adventuresuffice it to say: sick babies are no fun.
<br>
<br>Cleona is sleeping in her carseat. She visited the doctor twice in under 24 hours. This is breaking my heart.
<br>
<br>And to top it all off, I have a plugged duct. I think it's getting better. I hope.
<br>
<br>Also I just learned that you can nurse an infant who is sleeping in a carseat, especially if the carseat is located in a co sleeper.
<br>
<br>No amount of concealer will hide my dark circles tomorrow. And no amount of coffee will wake me up. I am (mostly) okay with that.
<br>
<br>Welcome back to work, Momma. Good think this cute kiddo is worth it!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-76170466593871514302013-01-13T01:27:00.001-05:002013-01-13T01:27:08.582-05:00books.I was thinking of starting a new book. Perhaps the third in the girl who kicked the hornets nest or whatever.
<br>
<br>Which led me to think of books I read this year....
<br>
<br>3/4 of the Game if Thrones Books (really 3.25 of 5 I think, since he wrote the fifth)
<br>
<br>The second Agent X/ Bricklayer book
<br>
<br>3/4 of Charlotte's Web aloud to Cleona.
<br>
<br>Natural Hospital Birth (SO glad I read this)
<br>
<br>Breastfeeding Made Simple
<br>
<br>Most of Ina Mae's book
<br>
<br>About 30 pages of Happiest Baby on the Block and like four other baby books
<br>
<br>A good bit of The Vaccine Book
<br>
<br>And I think one more.
<br>
<br>I miss reading! And I think I might have to stop buying paper books because I usually only have one hand to hold a book--so kindle ones are better! Plus I FINALLY have a Durham Library Card so I can rent ebooks!
<br>
<br>PS: ebooks autocorrects to Ebola!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-78615329798559414332013-01-11T00:05:00.001-05:002013-01-11T00:05:57.896-05:00my how you have grown<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscU9wt_fzb1B9KRBNgcWoA3DOP-hfHTeYaN9qXVjkY85mq4CmGZAi3r6akgaFQYQyANB6f2UiHDX26z9AhKOTOOhlqCdGzMjw4aNXkghULf2FKAghbVJfIA2eac7lg3YnzHaicQ/s1600/photo-757896.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscU9wt_fzb1B9KRBNgcWoA3DOP-hfHTeYaN9qXVjkY85mq4CmGZAi3r6akgaFQYQyANB6f2UiHDX26z9AhKOTOOhlqCdGzMjw4aNXkghULf2FKAghbVJfIA2eac7lg3YnzHaicQ/s320/photo-757896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5832053449404593442" /></a></p>I have a four and a half month old! More than a third of a year old! Wow!
<br>
<br>She reached for my glasses, pulled them off and then did this.
<br>
<br>Also, being a working momma is HARD. I'm at 75% and its hard. I think I average six real hours of sleep a night because I'm always waking to check on her at like 2am.
<br>
<br>Work is like so:
<br>
<br>10/1015 arrive, having dropped her off and pumped on the way there
<br>1145 leave to feed her
<br>1230 return
<br>330-400 pumpity pump pump
<br>530 or so head out.
<br>
<br>Except I've had to stay later three times in the past six workdays. And worked at home tonight.
<br>
<br>I'm definitely losing it a little. Thank goodness she is cute! And gave me the chance for some real sleep last night!!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-27006521649260773022012-12-29T02:44:00.001-05:002012-12-29T02:44:27.469-05:00brills.occasionally, as a parent, I feel like a super-fool. okay more than occasionally. but still.
<br>
<br>this means that our moments of brilliance must be celebrated!
<br>
<br>hence:
<br>
<br>the last five nights have been hellish. we have been woken up at crazy friggin hours. travel is certainly a member of the "to-blame" party. additionally we switched swaddles midweek for safety's sake (girlfriend is rolling over both ways and was freaking me out with her middle of the night back arching on her side). and Cleona was sleeping in a borrowed pack n play. we are 98% sure someone let their kiddo continue to play in it when they were well past the weight limit--the hard bottom/pad was more than a little curvy.
<br>
<br>Also important to note: I slept for 3.5 total hours last night.
<br>
<br>Thus, we are in survival mode. We decided this AM that if Cleona woke, after two pacifier attempts I would nurse her. Regular schedule be damned. Also, I suggested that perhaps she should sleep in our (full size) bed the whole night--I usually pull her in with us after the first AM feeding and she sleeps soundly then.
<br>
<br>Matt took it one step further and suggested he sleep on the couch so Cleona and I could have plenty of space.
<br>
<br>So far, so good. It's definitely going better than last night. Full update is forthcoming.carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-14446003530156688762012-12-22T00:53:00.000-05:002012-12-22T00:54:10.671-05:00I considered today...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Z60Y8n3b3k4k-dZ6aby0xb6pT3buxfeltnKFdAtSCGql-jAnHL8xrd5zSWn1iruYTLx3v0LdKPDREa3TwZ0ilk7tm8Bid__C4XOTEZlTogf2jYjdMEe1pVFkkGqidWZuYx-Pg/s1600/photo-750672.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Z60Y8n3b3k4k-dZ6aby0xb6pT3buxfeltnKFdAtSCGql-jAnHL8xrd5zSWn1iruYTLx3v0LdKPDREa3TwZ0ilk7tm8Bid__C4XOTEZlTogf2jYjdMEe1pVFkkGqidWZuYx-Pg/s320/photo-750672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5824644173162338146" /></a></p>The last "real" day of maternity leave. Just Cleona and me....
<br>
<br>
<br>We snuggled until 910.
<br>We got clean. (And then I put on pjs again!)
<br>We ate a lot. And played. And ate. And rolled. And napped. And are.
<br>We also did laundry, arts and crafts and worked on refinancing our house.
<br>
<br>It was truly delightful. I am SO sad to be going back but excited to see adults, to make (more) money (than I do with photography) and grateful to be starting back part time so I can spend more time with my late-sleeping petunia.carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-53729210927196400322012-12-13T00:38:00.000-05:002012-12-13T00:38:20.914-05:00a little letterdear cleona,<br />
<br />
tomorrow you will be sixteen weeks old. sixteen amazing, frustrating, wonderful, sleepy, cuddly, fantastic and unbelievable weeks. arguably the very best sixteen weeks of my life.<br />
<br />
In my life I have accomplished many things I've been proud of--I was second in my class. I received the highest achievement a Girl Scout can be awarded, was a Top Ten Freshman and also was selected as one of only ten women in my collegiate year to receive the highest honor a KayDee can. These are kind of big deals.<br />
<br />
you, little girl, are bigger. you are the very best, most amazing thing I've ever done.<br />
<br />
I look at your sweet eyes and amazing expressions and delicate hands and it makes me teary and smile ear-to-ear at the same time. <br />
<br />
people told me that having you out of my belly would sometimes make me sad because I wasn't the only one who really got to interact with you. people told me I'd be sad to share you. they were sadly mistaken.<br />
<br />
my favorite smile in the world is yours. my second favorite smile in the world is the one that your daddy makes at your when you smile at him.<br />
<br />
you have the sweetest laugh I have ever heard. it looks like we made a great decision with your name--because every description I've heard of your great, great, great aunt, both of our namesake, includes that she had a delightful laugh. I love it that you do too.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to see what hand you write with. And what color your eyes will be (your PopPop and Auntie Nicole think they will stay blue!). And what your first word will be. I can't wait to teach you what kindness is, and the names of colors, and how to throw a softball. I hope you like soccer because I can't wait to see Matt teach you how to play. I can't wait for you to learn to read, either. I've been reading Charlotte's Web (the copy from your fab godmother/auntie Jen) to you and A Short History of Nearly Everything because I want your vocab to be amazing. :)<br />
<br />
One of my very favorite things is how much you like to be near me. It makes every late night, every worry, every time you make a mess everywhere and even the way you were born with your hand by your face and how you made me push for four hours totally, completely worth it. I love that you sleep best when we cuddle in the morning. You've started reaching out your feet and hands to make sure I'm still there. It is just wonderful.<br />
<br />
you get dozens of kisses every day. your daddy and I find a delight in you that I cannot even articulate. I really do love you with all of the love in the world.<br />
<br />
~your lucky, lucky mommacarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-795861099453345722012-11-29T01:20:00.000-05:002012-11-29T01:21:37.196-05:00when it happened...<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I was actually about to brag on Cleona and say to the FB world--"look how good at this I'm getting!" I was about to upload this pic.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her roll over to her left!!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I put her back on her belly and she rolled to her right. So I put her back up again and after a few she rolled to her left--and I got a video!!!!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">She did it for us one more time tonight--and rolled to her right. </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">This kiddo is impressing the hell out of me! And doing pretty awesome by developmental chart standards ;) (<span style="font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; "><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_milestone-chart-1-to-6-months_1496585.bc">http://www.babycenter.com/0_milestone-chart-1-to-6-months_1496585.bc</a>)</span></div><div><font face=".HelveticaNeueUI"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face=".HelveticaNeueUI"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">Super proud mom over here! Way to go my little petunia!!!<br></span></font><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphencExmuTt8rFHyiJn7r1VSpPI3gRHHxN7cNaRAWs1_VQKYS_S24mGo-HXGeRfX9wlc5HJwwevfsG0fmTspggBn5O9BoxHke5D66cN9fcOoxHQwwqgyZHFEapKd8cx6tzzZAT8bQ/s1600/photo-797197.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphencExmuTt8rFHyiJn7r1VSpPI3gRHHxN7cNaRAWs1_VQKYS_S24mGo-HXGeRfX9wlc5HJwwevfsG0fmTspggBn5O9BoxHke5D66cN9fcOoxHQwwqgyZHFEapKd8cx6tzzZAT8bQ/s320/photo-797197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5816116284848123746" /></a></span></div>carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-43064525840827959752012-11-25T23:56:00.001-05:002012-11-25T23:56:56.393-05:00all before noon I...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSsCfovAPw4w-WL7uwMopcxmcJY0mppCDe7QU8Up9eetb4JS4uyXfwTYjiPOev6kTpNFAcKL0FcF0CcIzspas6uoCQT_sfOJABcTpetzTj8vF5y-vESsV3CmiXCVCdBLXyy6V0w/s1600/IMG_3996-716394.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSsCfovAPw4w-WL7uwMopcxmcJY0mppCDe7QU8Up9eetb4JS4uyXfwTYjiPOev6kTpNFAcKL0FcF0CcIzspas6uoCQT_sfOJABcTpetzTj8vF5y-vESsV3CmiXCVCdBLXyy6V0w/s320/IMG_3996-716394.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5814981204483518818" /></a></p>-fed Cleona four times (counting the 3am feeding)
<br>
<br>-bathed Cleona
<br>
<br>-showered
<br>
<br>-put away a load of dishes and reloaded the dishwasher
<br>
<br>and got ready for a photoshoot. I felt very accomplished! Matt wasn't feeling so hot...which seems to happen after Thanksgivings in Augusta--not due to the food but prob due to him overdoing it! So during that time I also made arrangements for Auntie Jen to take care of Cleona during my shoot--and she had a great time, see? :) they walked around Umstead and had a delightful time! Cleona definitely loves nature!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-71537089392997819742012-11-24T00:30:00.001-05:002012-11-24T00:30:50.953-05:00this photo is of terrible quality.<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1gB3_dClnSBa0ivQ6zIAl1RXHtY-LvGpiH-gQ7q824YJgru6sKdosJngMCya59w6PMrV27BpStUYrhbFvLZQiKIWpqBsezXIQ3CeEWYgwFl4kqIstFdU8bLWhtbz2QN9j4-RKA/s1600/photo-750954.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1gB3_dClnSBa0ivQ6zIAl1RXHtY-LvGpiH-gQ7q824YJgru6sKdosJngMCya59w6PMrV27BpStUYrhbFvLZQiKIWpqBsezXIQ3CeEWYgwFl4kqIstFdU8bLWhtbz2QN9j4-RKA/s320/photo-750954.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5814247771898430850" /></a></p>but it's the best thing I've seen in days.
<br>
<br>we've been in augusta visiting the frys. Cleona has had a grand old time seeing her cousins. But her sleep schedule is meeeeeesssssed up. Travel + growth spurt + crazy stimuli = bad news bears.
<br>
<br>Wednesday night she woke at 1230, 440, 700 and 1000.
<br>
<br>Last night she would.not.go.down. I think a little of it may have been that we forgot to tell some people about her just-before-sleeping cries. But she didn't nap during the day until 4pm, when she zonked out in the moby. I ate thanksgiving dinner with her strapped to my body, and then we went for a walk, too!
<br>
<br>
<br>And then, like I said...no sleep til Brooklyn, which apparently means 1am in Cleona time. Poor girl.
<br>
<br>But tonight at 1025 I laid her down. And she's been asleep for two hours. And this makes my heart oh so very happy!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-67244383385157698862012-11-17T01:08:00.001-05:002012-11-17T01:08:31.887-05:00the worst first yet.Cleona has her worst first yet. I'm quite certain it isn't her worst first ever--but it's certainly no fun.
<br>
<br>And it is a "who-can-tell-for-sure!?" thing.
<br>
<br>She has her first runny nose (a cold?) and her first fever (nose related or from yesterday's vaccines?). It was 101 this afternoon at 99.8 later in the day. We now own infant tylenol. It took trips to two stores--the lady at babies r us talked to my like I was asking for a unicorn or the easter bunny. She said infant Tylenol doesn't exist. Clearly she is wrong. Anyway.
<br>
<br>In any case it is no fun. For anyone. She is fussy and snotty and making the little high pitched whistle noises from dry nose yuckiness. Poor kiddo.
<br>
<br>Hopefully she will be right as rain in time for her baptism Sunday!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-36528728698395219172012-11-15T01:24:00.001-05:002012-11-15T01:24:08.349-05:00"Cleona, this is called being trendy. You'll understand when you're older."Today I bought five pairs of skinny jeans. Two or three will be taken back. But it makes me feel SO GOOD to have pants that fit.
<br>
<br>Y'see pregnancy kind of reorganizes your body. Things move, redistribute...etc. I think my hips got wider and I now have what I like to call "padding" on my abdomen. Except I am only a couple of pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight--so I'm sure it's the shifting of weight, yknow?
<br>
<br>Anyway, today we visited Nicole, Sloan, Kara and Leo at the mall play area. Quite fun! And then Nicole and I went shopping. And then more shopping. And now I own skinny jeans in dark wash, tab and a purple pink. (And ones in another brand that are dark and purple pink--gotta decide)
<br>
<br>And I feel a smidge trendy. And I'm totally okay with that.
<br>
<br>Also, Matt has a theory about why girls fall in love with shoes...because of how moms buy clearance shoes in all sorts of colors and then have the kiddos rock 'em. I think my non-moving almost-three-month old has more pairs of shoes than her father does (not counting cleats). And my shoe collection? Lets just leave that be :)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-44823935815157197592012-11-15T01:16:00.001-05:002012-11-15T01:16:59.035-05:00look at her neck skillz.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwraI73RuV6dAT6g2ZvjdlwTeHVJopcDwB-WhGkBrqTrvEQP37E7UVLFTljDpoteL3z4-vDT3cb__c' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>we will see if this works. it's cleona's first time in the bumb0!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-38767312109679753672012-11-12T01:17:00.000-05:002012-11-12T01:18:54.578-05:00if it weren't so late...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil63dGlk86JSKV4B48nVl1GjRoJ3gwLpeqyjUOaIVsiQHrjN9W6EetTFz66eyQ7h_hodIpDRH-e4i2k7TZPIwHK1vwQqZrOeuTVNByHuNxsFjgk1y_B_Xr4Zy1BElcWPMFVnUeAg/s1600/photo+1-734578.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil63dGlk86JSKV4B48nVl1GjRoJ3gwLpeqyjUOaIVsiQHrjN9W6EetTFz66eyQ7h_hodIpDRH-e4i2k7TZPIwHK1vwQqZrOeuTVNByHuNxsFjgk1y_B_Xr4Zy1BElcWPMFVnUeAg/s320/photo+1-734578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5809807140180029778" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8HWI9MmSJcpZ34rvD4NO5oAo-yjtr4JNVimPGQFvJ9dvJxE7-y7F1dIbLDRpuySczyn-3yZQfGbq81IxYRtOWxuoUo4Q55Gl4Wd-JM9N54wdM2jxizQhyphenhyphen89oq5vCANBH_4WwHg/s1600/photo+2-738968.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8HWI9MmSJcpZ34rvD4NO5oAo-yjtr4JNVimPGQFvJ9dvJxE7-y7F1dIbLDRpuySczyn-3yZQfGbq81IxYRtOWxuoUo4Q55Gl4Wd-JM9N54wdM2jxizQhyphenhyphen89oq5vCANBH_4WwHg/s320/photo+2-738968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5809807155623865154" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFibaHjV_Tl8lfm7abKPoHg-ltLDY-6TFRwfgP2OhoIieeqrhrXvKnIeDiTSKhmbLJY5ta1MxCkjG9qcD1FUMauedoHfjwKCT2yz97FuM4icdvJCXf-n6mA4rJtiLBbJo7kI50rA/s1600/photo+3-742326.PNG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFibaHjV_Tl8lfm7abKPoHg-ltLDY-6TFRwfgP2OhoIieeqrhrXvKnIeDiTSKhmbLJY5ta1MxCkjG9qcD1FUMauedoHfjwKCT2yz97FuM4icdvJCXf-n6mA4rJtiLBbJo7kI50rA/s320/photo+3-742326.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5809807168080917826" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmdb9jBseJmP_qhEdtZ3zZdoDwAHsbaCyf1WhSHe4KrxMvJAEKy2gnp4fWHT0f0JXkvuikwjYvPVMOcbjgaAGtxHqoOYNu-jLIIfGcluFnREq2ZxAQAWs57cHriFOMjhqvPh_Cg/s1600/photo+4-746278.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmdb9jBseJmP_qhEdtZ3zZdoDwAHsbaCyf1WhSHe4KrxMvJAEKy2gnp4fWHT0f0JXkvuikwjYvPVMOcbjgaAGtxHqoOYNu-jLIIfGcluFnREq2ZxAQAWs57cHriFOMjhqvPh_Cg/s320/photo+4-746278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5809807187331801714" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlw5xqQbL0iym9dBb2N7Obr8wNUWeC4ARNZ_zND0yQ8vxNA3eimj0fxlmbfGSadfRzPerCOOVIRSMwZWt5gZrYYpsrBhFDEjTJL-kGO3bS8t2Bpoq-LZHBkQhY9N4RGr3oub-KQ/s1600/photo+5-749879.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlw5xqQbL0iym9dBb2N7Obr8wNUWeC4ARNZ_zND0yQ8vxNA3eimj0fxlmbfGSadfRzPerCOOVIRSMwZWt5gZrYYpsrBhFDEjTJL-kGO3bS8t2Bpoq-LZHBkQhY9N4RGr3oub-KQ/s320/photo+5-749879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5809807199738209138" /></a></p>I would be more eloquent. :)
<br>
<br>We went to a rehearsal dinner. Matt stayed for the wedding. Compliments were heaped upon us. It was amazing. see: FB status (aka photo 3)
<br>
<br>The $5 sling from the consignment sale, the one I really just bought because I liked the fabric, is awesomesauce. Additionally I kind of want to see my own sling. I think I'm gonna.
<br>
<br>I also want a new sewing machine, an iPad mini or kindle fire (for Skype and/or facetime) and a point and shoot camera. In other words amazon will be getting serious cash from us over the next several months.
<br>
<br>Cleona rocked the tie-dye onesie from Asheville today. Then pooped on it. And once changed, she ate and then took a delightfully cuddly nap on me. Baby cuddles make my heart sing.
<br>
<br>And so does Cleona. She is, hands down, the very best thing I have ever done in my whole life. Just FYI.
<br>
<br>I think when we have future kiddos I'm going to have to grow additional hearts (yes plural) to hold all the love. Mine is already bursting at the seams ;)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-70044576159598431272012-11-09T01:41:00.001-05:002012-11-09T01:41:23.213-05:00my mom is very good about reminding me.......to write stuff down.
<br>
<br>today I donated thirty servings of my breast milk. Cleona's breast milk.
<br>
<br>I had 85 feedings worth in my freezer when I decided to do so. I now have 62ish. So it's not like I'm up a creek from doing this. But that's nearly a gallon of milk I gave away.
<br>
<br>I gave it to a woman I don't know--not even her name or the gender or her baby. I know the baby is four weeks-ish old and the mom was diagnosed with cancer and has started chemo. It's my understanding that that is why she cannot breastfeed.
<br>
<br>It's her second child, so during the first two weeks she was able to build up a small supply before starting chemo. Thus far, this kiddo hasn't had formula. Moms from all over the US have shared and sent their milk so that this child can have it because that's what the mom had wanted to do so much.
<br>
<br>I find this amazing. And such a testament to the power of women.
<br>
<br>My mom reminded me that one day I'd want Cleona to know that I did this. Breastfeeding is important, in my opinion (and in science's, but moving in). I also believe that giving to others is important.
<br>
<br>But this gift was not without guilt--because what if my supply dried up next week?! Thirty feedings would last six days! That's almost another week.
<br>
<br>I did it because I can.
<br>I did it because I believe a woman who would ask for this kind of help would do it for another if the situation were reversed.
<br>And I did it because I can't help but think that it is one shining star in this mom's life right now knowing that her child is being fed so well, and that the baby is getting a stronger immune system because of mommies all over.
<br>
<br>In a few weeks, if my supply holds up and she needs it, I hope to be able to give more. Though it has caused some difficulties for both Cleona and me, I am grateful that I have milk aplenty and was able to share. :)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-5941702643689499782012-10-31T01:23:00.001-04:002012-10-31T01:23:19.511-04:00things I did not want to learn today...1. Cleona's most recent record for how many times in one day she can pee on her outfit during a diaper change, necessitating a new diaper and new clothes (answer: three in 16 hours.)
<br>
<br>2. What to do when you go to put clothes in the drier and realize that a diaper made its way into your washing machine. (They are re-washing now. I'll weigh in on the method used when I'm done). Oh and did I mention I found this out at 1250 am, after staying up to finish her Halloween costume? And that the only pair of jeans that fits me is in that load?! Love it that I have umpteen in the next size down and ONE of these.
<br>
<br>to end on a positive note, for the last three nights (or is it four?) Cleona has slept for nine hours straight. I don't know what we are doing to cause this, or if its just happenstance, but still. She was sleeping seven before, and removing the rest of the incline in her bassinet brought it to nine. It's super fab and I feel really fortunate and hope she keeps this up! And I really appreciate the "mommy gift." :)carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-52796153249568615192012-10-30T00:53:00.000-04:002012-10-30T00:53:10.121-04:00"cultivate flowers."...continued from the previous post, with an update...<br />
<br />
<span>On Saturday my adorable gal was my wedding reception date! Matt got to
come for just a little while but had to leave to okay soccer. The
reception was for my good friend Gurdas. He was married in India to a
really fantastic gal! I feel honored to have helped him in the
ring-buying process (I'm a professional hand model, don't you know?!)
and it was great to be there today!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>And
then on my way home I thought about how cool it was that I knew him.
And not just because he's such a phenomenal person (though he is!) but
because of how we became friends. In a grad school class I mentioned
that I might like to find some people to work with on homework and
whatnot. The professor suggested I stay after class and if anyone was
interested to come talk to me. I expected no takers as I was a part time
student and everyone seemed to know one another. But this fellow in a
turban came to introduce himself to me...and the rest is history :) For
some reason something that sticks in my mind about becoming friends with
Gurdas is the day that our professor asked a question in class and
immediately followed with--"but Carrie and Gurdas can't answer any more
questions" because he and I had been answering them all! I loved how we
were both so pleased to have been silenced, and how it showed how well
we worked together!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Anyway...it just
goes to show how friends can be found in the most unexpected of places!
And I am so grateful to have celebrated with him today! He and I both
became part of a family of three within a few weeks of one another--him
by marriage, me by giving birth, and I think that's extra fun too! :)</span><br />
<br />
<span>and then today...I attended a memorial service for a 21 year old, Kyle, who had some physical and mental disabilities. He passed unexpectedly on Thursday. I didn't know him very well, but I remember that every time I saw him he made me smile--he knew my face and my name (which I learned tonight was because he loved to study the church directory) and he was always glad to see people he knew!</span><br />
<br />
<span>During today's service a man got up to speak during the memories-of-Kyle's-life portion of the service. He said he wanted to come up to the front and see everyone's faces--he wanted to see Kyle's flowers. He explained that his granddaddy had taught him that in life you need to cultivate flowers. That you need to have a whole garden.</span><br />
<br />
<span>I can guarantee this image will stick with me for the whole rest of my life.</span><br />
<br />
<span>If you are reading this, there's a very good chance that you are one of my flowers. (and thank you ever so kindly for that!) My friends are my flowers. Gurdas is one of my flowers. Matt and Cleona are my flowers, too. Jennifer and I talked about this briefly tonight before our amazing six plates date, and said how it's a much better phrase than "collecting people." She and I have realized that unlike many of our other friends, we "collect" people everywhere we go--aka we make new friends (but keep the old) everywhere we go. We don't know why and we don't do it on purpose--we just do. But now we are going to call it collecting flowers. :) And it makes me envision a flowerbed full of lilies and daisies and venus fly traps and pea shoots and basil plants and orchids and cacti and who knows what else. I think I might just have to paint it. If you'd like to request to be a certain type of flower, let me know. :) (Cleona will be a Petunia, just FYI)</span>carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-60128095906481288962012-10-28T00:51:00.001-04:002012-10-30T00:44:49.571-04:00a third of cleona's life ago...<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
we went to a lactation consultant. I mentioned it briefly in my oh-yeah-and-I-had-a-baby post.
<br />
<br />
I suppose I should say--if you don't like hearing about boobs or breastmilk, or rather if you don't like hearing about boobs in the context of breastmilk, then this is a post you should skip. Well, until the picture. begin reading there. Moving on...
<br />
<br />
So, at that point we found out I was dealing with two issues--an oversupply of milk and a forceful letdown. I was (and am) grateful for too much milk rather than two little--though now we are up to 72 frozen feelings of milk. The forceful letdown means for Cleona it's like drinking from a fire hydrant at the beginning. Awesome, right? The problem is solved by pumping a bit before I feed her--which is a pain in the rear BUT has such a positive effect it's worth it. And that's part of how I've built up my supply. And did I mention I'm grateful for our upright freezer?!
<br />
<br />
Anyway. We went to the LC because CeeCee would only latch right in the football hold. Lets just say that everything else did damage. Turns out the two things were related...and that we needed to do angled football hold, feed her upright (like she was sitting up) or feed lying down. And maybe, just maybe, some day other positions might be possible.
<br />
<br />
Well today my little petunia successfully fed in the cradle position!!!! It was kind of fantastic to see that work and expand our options!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGfdf-DhJSK1_BU3WZ1JjXujUSdboduWACeDmcfodcJkC9NyKIUxwBQVrf6yWd3Nhx9vgFv6YVJdGMZmqhz5OlErAitcx2DeQ3N7LeNZc73yS1L9JWKmhD3EVzPAqbFU3t-9Jww/s1600/photo-702353.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804218388433519138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGfdf-DhJSK1_BU3WZ1JjXujUSdboduWACeDmcfodcJkC9NyKIUxwBQVrf6yWd3Nhx9vgFv6YVJdGMZmqhz5OlErAitcx2DeQ3N7LeNZc73yS1L9JWKmhD3EVzPAqbFU3t-9Jww/s320/photo-702353.JPG" /></a></div>
Changing topics....which you'll have to see in another post because blogger didn't cooperate....carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9637428.post-50298085780351583362012-10-25T00:57:00.001-04:002012-10-25T00:57:57.616-04:00maternity leave...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8tg1tEStp6YqqWONCmp0PRIHXEn0aml550Y_QQ2VgwuIB-vp502nubk2sKpVjnu4cn4AUgtnq5ztgCpDsVrMI1zhI1PsA-bEPY0tuI3D2BXFygynw0H2pKpxqfz64OSVOU49hA/s1600/photo+2-777617.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8tg1tEStp6YqqWONCmp0PRIHXEn0aml550Y_QQ2VgwuIB-vp502nubk2sKpVjnu4cn4AUgtnq5ztgCpDsVrMI1zhI1PsA-bEPY0tuI3D2BXFygynw0H2pKpxqfz64OSVOU49hA/s320/photo+2-777617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5803106745852078018" /></a></p>Is both awesomesauce and frustrating.
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<br>Let me be clear--I LOVE being home with this adorableness all day long--even when she isn't being adorable.
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<br>But daaaang sometimes I just want to, say, take a shower when *I* want. Or eat when I'm hungry. Or take the night off. Not so awesome.
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<br>Also not awesome? Vaccines. The vaccines they wanted to give her today required SIX different pieces of paper, two representing multi-vaccines. UGH. We are giving her all of her vaccines but at a delayed pace--because I'm a grown up and I wouldn't let them give ME that much at once!!carehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869424857406810074noreply@blogger.com0