Map of Africa (found on Internet)
Stain of Africa (found on Mookie's sleeper)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Rock Me Amadeus
Rock On.
Rock You Like A Hurricane.
Rock of Ages.
I Love Rock and Roll.
Rockin' In The Free World.
I Am A Rock. I Am An Island.
Rocky Top Tennessee.
I'm guessing you've noticed the theme? Except I kinda lost it with that last one. :o)
Anyways, this blog post is not related to rock and roll songs at all! I just wanted to lure you in. Intrigue you. Pique your interest, per se.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally bit the proverbial bullet, and ventured out in search of a rocker-recliner to put in Mookie's room. I had test-driven a couple at people's houses, and liked how much more comfortable (and quiet) they were compared to the antique rocking chair that was in her room.
While I love the notion of the antique rocker (5 generations of mamas have fed their babies in this rocker), I do not love the characteristic "creeeeeek" sound that it makes when you rock. And when you sit down. And when you get up. Not so good when you've finally gotten a baby to sleep and now need to rise and put her in her crib.
So, back to the bullet-biting. I had done some online research, but recliners need to be sat in, and rocked in and stood up from and I haven't figured out how to do that over the web. :o) One Thursday, I put Mookie in the car and went to a few furniture stores. When we got to the store, I put her in a front carrier, and prepared to sit, rock, and stand. During the furniture calisthenics, I learned something that day that I didn't expect to learn.
Rocking recliners speak.
There was the rocker that said "Don't lean your head back when you are tired because the back of the chair doesn't go high enough. And your neck will hurt. And you won't like that very much."
And I sat in the rocker that had less-than cushy arm rests, seeming to say, "What? Why would you want to put your arm here when you've got your baby's head in the crook of it? That makes no sense to me. Put your drink here, not your arm"
Then there was the rocker that looked nice, and had a nice price tag, but when I sat down, it didn't fit. I swear it was pushing me back out as it seemed to say, "Get up, go do the laundry. Don't relax here. Don't rest your head. You've got WORK to do!!"
And, finally, the rocker that was the right height, and width, and depth for me. When I sat down, I think it let out a comfortable sigh. It said, "Please sit back. Relax your shoulders. Put your baby's sweet little head on my armrest. Between you and me, we'll get her to sleep. And when she is asleep, if you really want to stand up, I'll keep quiet. But if you want to sleep here with you, I'll let you."
It should come as no surprise, then, which one now lives in my baby's bedroom.
What does your recliner say?
Rock You Like A Hurricane.
Rock of Ages.
I Love Rock and Roll.
Rockin' In The Free World.
I Am A Rock. I Am An Island.
Rocky Top Tennessee.
I'm guessing you've noticed the theme? Except I kinda lost it with that last one. :o)
Anyways, this blog post is not related to rock and roll songs at all! I just wanted to lure you in. Intrigue you. Pique your interest, per se.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally bit the proverbial bullet, and ventured out in search of a rocker-recliner to put in Mookie's room. I had test-driven a couple at people's houses, and liked how much more comfortable (and quiet) they were compared to the antique rocking chair that was in her room.
While I love the notion of the antique rocker (5 generations of mamas have fed their babies in this rocker), I do not love the characteristic "creeeeeek" sound that it makes when you rock. And when you sit down. And when you get up. Not so good when you've finally gotten a baby to sleep and now need to rise and put her in her crib.
So, back to the bullet-biting. I had done some online research, but recliners need to be sat in, and rocked in and stood up from and I haven't figured out how to do that over the web. :o) One Thursday, I put Mookie in the car and went to a few furniture stores. When we got to the store, I put her in a front carrier, and prepared to sit, rock, and stand. During the furniture calisthenics, I learned something that day that I didn't expect to learn.
Rocking recliners speak.
There was the rocker that said "Don't lean your head back when you are tired because the back of the chair doesn't go high enough. And your neck will hurt. And you won't like that very much."
And I sat in the rocker that had less-than cushy arm rests, seeming to say, "What? Why would you want to put your arm here when you've got your baby's head in the crook of it? That makes no sense to me. Put your drink here, not your arm"
Then there was the rocker that looked nice, and had a nice price tag, but when I sat down, it didn't fit. I swear it was pushing me back out as it seemed to say, "Get up, go do the laundry. Don't relax here. Don't rest your head. You've got WORK to do!!"
And, finally, the rocker that was the right height, and width, and depth for me. When I sat down, I think it let out a comfortable sigh. It said, "Please sit back. Relax your shoulders. Put your baby's sweet little head on my armrest. Between you and me, we'll get her to sleep. And when she is asleep, if you really want to stand up, I'll keep quiet. But if you want to sleep here with you, I'll let you."
It should come as no surprise, then, which one now lives in my baby's bedroom.
What does your recliner say?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Breakfast Pouch? Bunch?
Friday night, Dave and I ate dinner at The Olive Garden. Dave really, really loves that place. Me? I'm lukewarm about it. The food is good, and the service is usually fine, but it just isn't my mostest favoritest restaurant ever. You're wondering what is? Well, that would probably be Mission Bell in Manitou Springs, Colorado...or there was that great Brazilian steak place in Munich. (yes, Brazilian steak in Munich). Oh, and then there's the Melting Pot. Mmmm....dipping food-stuffs in gooey cheese. (tingles on scalp at the thought) I guess The Olive Garden isn't Dave's mostest favoritest of all time...but it ranks. His favorite is probably something serving lobster. Or pizza.
Anywhoo.......
So, that night, after pigging out at The Olive garden, as I was putting on my pyjamas, I looked at my bulging belly, and felt like I looked like I did when I was about 19 weeks pregnant! SUCH a "carb belly."
Which got me to thinking...
Have you heard the news that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are expecting their second child? Yep. Good for them, right? No, I'm not one to follow celeb news much, but this one caught my attention. Dunno why, so much, but it did. On Wednesday, when a reporter congratulated her about her pregnancy, she said,
A few minutes later, apparently, she caved, admitted the pregnancy, and said "Thank you, we are so excited, obviously."
Really?
So excited are you that you deny the blessing in your womb and claim that it was a double-helping of croissants?
Which brings me to a pet peeve of mine about celebrities. By and large, most celebrities deny their pregnancies for quite a while. (JLo, Brangelina, etc.) Why is that? I don't get it. Don't celebs realize that cheap rag-magazines (and websites) pay people tens of dollars to watch their every move (and measure their every bump) to detect any changes?
Matthew McConahottie and his girlfriend announced their pregnancy when she was 3 months along. To which I say "Good on ya!"
Why can't they all do that? I understand waiting till you pass the first trimester mark in case you have a miscarriage. I understand waiting to tell family and loved ones before you tell the world. But these people have fans that love them, and are usually stoked when good news are announced, so why, oh why, do they wait to announce? And why, oh why, do they feel obliged to deny the presence of their baby? How is little Cerulean Garner-Affleck going to feel when s/he finds out that Mommy denied his/her existence? Poor kid. S/he'll be ga-orgeous, but will undoubtedly spend time in therapy because of being mistaken for a belly full of bagels.
Okay, that's all I've got. A bit snarky, I know, but this has just bugged me for a while. :o)
Anywhoo.......
So, that night, after pigging out at The Olive garden, as I was putting on my pyjamas, I looked at my bulging belly, and felt like I looked like I did when I was about 19 weeks pregnant! SUCH a "carb belly."
Which got me to thinking...
Have you heard the news that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are expecting their second child? Yep. Good for them, right? No, I'm not one to follow celeb news much, but this one caught my attention. Dunno why, so much, but it did. On Wednesday, when a reporter congratulated her about her pregnancy, she said,
“Oh I’m not pregnant,” she giggled. “I just had a lot of carbs for breakfast. It’s just — what do they call it? A breakfast pouch? Bunch?”Really?
A few minutes later, apparently, she caved, admitted the pregnancy, and said "Thank you, we are so excited, obviously."
Really?
So excited are you that you deny the blessing in your womb and claim that it was a double-helping of croissants?
Which brings me to a pet peeve of mine about celebrities. By and large, most celebrities deny their pregnancies for quite a while. (JLo, Brangelina, etc.) Why is that? I don't get it. Don't celebs realize that cheap rag-magazines (and websites) pay people tens of dollars to watch their every move (and measure their every bump) to detect any changes?
Matthew McConahottie and his girlfriend announced their pregnancy when she was 3 months along. To which I say "Good on ya!"
Why can't they all do that? I understand waiting till you pass the first trimester mark in case you have a miscarriage. I understand waiting to tell family and loved ones before you tell the world. But these people have fans that love them, and are usually stoked when good news are announced, so why, oh why, do they wait to announce? And why, oh why, do they feel obliged to deny the presence of their baby? How is little Cerulean Garner-Affleck going to feel when s/he finds out that Mommy denied his/her existence? Poor kid. S/he'll be ga-orgeous, but will undoubtedly spend time in therapy because of being mistaken for a belly full of bagels.
Okay, that's all I've got. A bit snarky, I know, but this has just bugged me for a while. :o)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Dear Mookie: Month Three
Dear Mookie,
A year ago tomorrow I didn't know about tummy time -- or how much you would hate it. I didn't know what would help you fall asleep, be it walking, or rocking, or the soothing sounds of John Denver and Alan Jackson. I didn't know how much it would scare me the night you first slept seven consecutive hours. I didn't know how strong you would be, and how squirmy you would be. And how much I would love holding you, and watching you sleep.
I didn't know how old babies were when they turned over the first time (you were 12 weeks, 6 days). Or when they start to bat at things (you were 10 weeks, 3 days). I didn't know that you would like to do your exercises and dance to fun music all day long. I didn't know how big you would be on your third monthiversary (10 pounds, 10 ounces). And I certainly didn't know that your first laugh (which happened today) would be in the grocery store of all places! I guess you thought Mama's vitamins were funny?
Most of all, I didn't know how easy it would be to love you. I prayed for you and about you for many years before God opened my heart to you. I didn't know what it was like to look into your beautiful blue eyes and see pure love. I didn't know how a tooth-less grin, or an extended foot, could make me reach down and kiss it. I didn't know how easy it would be to put you and your needs ahead of my own, or how protective of you I would be. I didn't know how much I would wish my love for you could fix everything that is wrong. Sometimes it does, but I won't always be able to love away your hurts. I know you will face tough times and hardships in your life, and I know that God can make good come from all of it. But I wish beyond all wishes that my love for you could be enough. You really are an extension of me. Like another limb. And when you hurt, I hurt. When you rest, I rest. When you smile, I smile. When you triumph, I triumph.
A year ago tomorrow, I didn't know what it would be like to live outside of myself. But today, I do. And I thank God for giving you to me.
I love you, little one. Forever and ever and always.
Love,
Mama
(August 20, 2007 was Mookie's "date of conception.")
(Click here for Dear Mookie: Month One or Dear Mookie: Month Two)
A year ago tomorrow.
A year ago tomorrow my life changed forever.
A year ago tomorrow my heart started beating to a new beat.
A year ago tomorrow you began.
A year ago tomorrow I didn't know that you would look a lot like me, and have big blue eyes and be long and skinny. I didn't know how chatty you would be at three months. And how much you would smile. And how your smile would make my day and melt my heart. I didn't know how sad I would be thinking about how, too soon, you will outgrow your Moses basket, and you will be sleeping in your crib all the time. Or how much I would miss you sleeping next to me.
A year ago tomorrow you began.
A year ago tomorrow I didn't know that you would look a lot like me, and have big blue eyes and be long and skinny. I didn't know how chatty you would be at three months. And how much you would smile. And how your smile would make my day and melt my heart. I didn't know how sad I would be thinking about how, too soon, you will outgrow your Moses basket, and you will be sleeping in your crib all the time. Or how much I would miss you sleeping next to me.
A year ago tomorrow I didn't know about tummy time -- or how much you would hate it. I didn't know what would help you fall asleep, be it walking, or rocking, or the soothing sounds of John Denver and Alan Jackson. I didn't know how much it would scare me the night you first slept seven consecutive hours. I didn't know how strong you would be, and how squirmy you would be. And how much I would love holding you, and watching you sleep.
A year ago tomorrow I didn't know that you would steal the show, and steal the hearts of all your family members at your great-grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary party. Oh, they all love you so very much. When you arrived, you brought hope, and strength, and determination, and resolve.
I didn't know how old babies were when they turned over the first time (you were 12 weeks, 6 days). Or when they start to bat at things (you were 10 weeks, 3 days). I didn't know that you would like to do your exercises and dance to fun music all day long. I didn't know how big you would be on your third monthiversary (10 pounds, 10 ounces). And I certainly didn't know that your first laugh (which happened today) would be in the grocery store of all places! I guess you thought Mama's vitamins were funny?
Most of all, I didn't know how easy it would be to love you. I prayed for you and about you for many years before God opened my heart to you. I didn't know what it was like to look into your beautiful blue eyes and see pure love. I didn't know how a tooth-less grin, or an extended foot, could make me reach down and kiss it. I didn't know how easy it would be to put you and your needs ahead of my own, or how protective of you I would be. I didn't know how much I would wish my love for you could fix everything that is wrong. Sometimes it does, but I won't always be able to love away your hurts. I know you will face tough times and hardships in your life, and I know that God can make good come from all of it. But I wish beyond all wishes that my love for you could be enough. You really are an extension of me. Like another limb. And when you hurt, I hurt. When you rest, I rest. When you smile, I smile. When you triumph, I triumph.
A year ago tomorrow, I didn't know what it would be like to live outside of myself. But today, I do. And I thank God for giving you to me.
I love you, little one. Forever and ever and always.
Love,
Mama
(August 20, 2007 was Mookie's "date of conception.")
(Click here for Dear Mookie: Month One or Dear Mookie: Month Two)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Mama, I Don't Wanna!
Mookie doesn't really like "tummy time." At all. She almost always cries and whines and complains and generally acts like she's miserable. Even if I am there next to her cheering her on, telling her how beautiful she is, how strong she is, how proud of her I am, etc.
Every third blue moon, she'll fall asleep on her tummy. I watch her, of course, so as to avoid SIDS in my home, but she sleeps so soundly that I just keep an eye on her and remain close by so that when she wakes up, I'm there.
Yesterday was one of those moons. It might have looked like a regular old full moon to you, but it was blue over our house!
And I know how much she hates tummy time, but I also know how important it is for her physical development. So I put her on her tummy at least once a day, and tell her I'm gonna do it before I roll her over.
Today I put her on her tummy, and she started to complain immediately. So I told her to put her hands up by her head and turn to look the other way if she was bored. AND SHE DID!!! :o) Such a good, obedient girl, right? Gotta love her. :o) And I, of course, told her how wonderful/strong/brilliant/terrific/stupendous she is, and how proud of her I am. She started to complain again, but I wanted to type a quick email to Kelly and Jen. So I was sitting 12 inches from her, and suddenly I realized that she had stopped complaining...so I looked down, and she was ON HER BACK! Looking all kinda proud of herself! She clearly doesn't like tummy time. I think she said something like, "I'm gonna do what I want, Mama. And I don't wanna do tummy time so I'm rolling over."
I was, of course, so excited and proud of her that I didn't run to get the camera, but instead I picked her up and gave her tons of hugs and kisses and told her about 4,000 times how proud of her I am. I got the video camera and tried to get her to roll over again, but all she did was whine and complain louder and louder and louder.
I see more and more every day that she is going to be her own girl, and operate by her own rules, and in her own time. I'm glad she rolled over this time, and I kinda suspect it will be another month before she does it again...and maybe I'm a little glad for that!
We're off to walk to the store to get some milk and some bananas. It's a gorgeous afternoon in southern California. I hope your Sunday afternoon is going just as sunnily as ours is.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Turning It On
I don't think I showed you this one, yet.
So, she's learning how to combine her facial expressions with her emotions -- this includes smiles, of course. Which are incredibly cute. But I think this frown is cute, too. It doesn't work on me, by the way. And I hope it never does.
I'll have to start telling her things like, "Stop or your face will stick like that." And, "You're gonna get wrinkles."
I know the difference when she's faking it and when she's really upset by the presence of tears. I hate those. :-( I'll take that frown over real tears any day!
I'll post some pictures from the fam-fest soon.
Hope you have a great weekend!
I passed it around to the fam last weekend, but no one has seen it big.
So, she's learning how to combine her facial expressions with her emotions -- this includes smiles, of course. Which are incredibly cute. But I think this frown is cute, too. It doesn't work on me, by the way. And I hope it never does.
I'll have to start telling her things like, "Stop or your face will stick like that." And, "You're gonna get wrinkles."
I know the difference when she's faking it and when she's really upset by the presence of tears. I hate those. :-( I'll take that frown over real tears any day!
I'll post some pictures from the fam-fest soon.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Plum Tuckered
We're home again. Whew it's been a long day. And a long week. Good stuff, but still...visiting family, passing the baby around, driving from top to bottom and back again...it wears a girl out!
Mookie was, again, a wonderful flying bird. She slept for most of the duration of our flight, and the rest of the time she was awake, I sang to her and we did our "exercises."
Surprisingly, she didn't fight too much when it was time for bed. I know she's over-tired, so I expected some good wailing, but nope. Just a lot of walking for me. And Alan Jackson singing hymns in the background.
I'm over-tired, too. I'm so glad to be home, but you know how it is...gone for a week, and you've somehow got 3 weeks of laundry to do, and dishes, and mail, and things growing in the fridge that look like your 11th grade science fair project. Oh what I would give for a "duvet day." A day to just stay in bed all day. Because of my new "career," I don't actually have to change out of my pyjamas during the day. Nor do I need to leave the house...so neither of those would be a restful change for me. But to stay in bed all day? Now that would be restful. Well, and to have all the laundry done, too. :o) That's not too much to ask, is it?
There were lots and lots of really good things about this trip, but I'm sure glad we're not going anywhere for a long time!
Here are some of the best things (in no particular order):
- Einstein Bros. Bagels -- cinnamon sugar bagel with honey almond schmear
- The Smells -- the Denver airport, the fields, before the rain, after the rain
- The tears of joy shed by family when holding my sweet baby girl
- Staying in a house with air conditioning :o)
- SuperTarget. (we don't have those where I live)
- Seeing cattle in the fields as you drive by on the interstate
- Seeing some of my family for the first time in 2, 3, 5 years
- Driving 100 miles on the interstate, during the day, through a major metropolis, without stopping a zillion times for dumb traffic. :o)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
My Tired Star
Is everyone enjoying the Olympics?
How about those opening ceremonies, huh? Ho. Ly. Cow! Those were super intense. Sooooo coool!!
We're on the downhill side of our trip to Colorado. The anniversary party was today, and the weather was not nearly as hot as it has been. And it rained in the end! Which is great because there has been very little rain in Colorado this summer. Lots this week, yes...but not so much this summer.
Here's a picture my aunt took of Mookie and me on Friday:
Mookie travelled very well, and has just been a STAR!!! Everyone she has met has absolutely loved her. And for the most part, she has loved them, too! So sorry to Aunts Coleen and Cheryl...in whose arms she cried consistently. Don't take it personally. Really. I'm sure it was just gas. :o)
And she loved her Uncle Rob. I can't download pictures for you today, but I will when I get home. I think he might be a wee bit smitten, too. :o)
Her sleeping patterns are all over the map (clock?), though. Which is tough. In fact, it's nearly 11:00 at night, and she is still awake. And she didn't sleep enough last night. And she certainly didn't sleep enough today. She is WAY overtired. Poor girl.
I'm gonna go now and see if we can get her to sleep now. Goodnight!
How about those opening ceremonies, huh? Ho. Ly. Cow! Those were super intense. Sooooo coool!!
We're on the downhill side of our trip to Colorado. The anniversary party was today, and the weather was not nearly as hot as it has been. And it rained in the end! Which is great because there has been very little rain in Colorado this summer. Lots this week, yes...but not so much this summer.
Here's a picture my aunt took of Mookie and me on Friday:
Mookie travelled very well, and has just been a STAR!!! Everyone she has met has absolutely loved her. And for the most part, she has loved them, too! So sorry to Aunts Coleen and Cheryl...in whose arms she cried consistently. Don't take it personally. Really. I'm sure it was just gas. :o)
And she loved her Uncle Rob. I can't download pictures for you today, but I will when I get home. I think he might be a wee bit smitten, too. :o)
Her sleeping patterns are all over the map (clock?), though. Which is tough. In fact, it's nearly 11:00 at night, and she is still awake. And she didn't sleep enough last night. And she certainly didn't sleep enough today. She is WAY overtired. Poor girl.
I'm gonna go now and see if we can get her to sleep now. Goodnight!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
On The Go
Mookie and I are flying again. This time to Denver for a week. My grandparents are having their 60th Wedding Anniversary party. The anniversary was actually in January, but who wants to spend a Sunday afternoon in northern Colorado in a park in January?
Which. By the way. Who wants to spend a Sunday afternoon in northern Colorado in a park in August?! It is about 30 degrees Fahrenheit hotter in northern Colorado than in southern California. Yes, you read that right. Hotter in Colorado. Than California.
I'm sure she'll travel just as fabulously this time as she did when we flew to Birmingham a few weeks ago. This time we are going for longer, so we're taking more stuff. I've tried really hard to pare it down to get our stuff into one medium bag, but I keep thinking of more and more stuff I want to (or think I need to) take.
When I planned the trip, I felt like one week would be plenty of time. But now? I'm not so sure. I mean, I'm loading up the baby and all our stuff...and there are washing machines where we're going, so enough clothing is not a hindrance. Plus, a week isn't enough time to cart the baby around to everyone. To those of you who we won't be seeing - I'm sorry. I wish we could see you. I do. :-(
I guess we can just plan to go back sometime. And maybe stay longer.
And maybe it won't be 100 degrees next time.
Which. By the way. Who wants to spend a Sunday afternoon in northern Colorado in a park in August?! It is about 30 degrees Fahrenheit hotter in northern Colorado than in southern California. Yes, you read that right. Hotter in Colorado. Than California.
I'm sure she'll travel just as fabulously this time as she did when we flew to Birmingham a few weeks ago. This time we are going for longer, so we're taking more stuff. I've tried really hard to pare it down to get our stuff into one medium bag, but I keep thinking of more and more stuff I want to (or think I need to) take.
When I planned the trip, I felt like one week would be plenty of time. But now? I'm not so sure. I mean, I'm loading up the baby and all our stuff...and there are washing machines where we're going, so enough clothing is not a hindrance. Plus, a week isn't enough time to cart the baby around to everyone. To those of you who we won't be seeing - I'm sorry. I wish we could see you. I do. :-(
I guess we can just plan to go back sometime. And maybe stay longer.
And maybe it won't be 100 degrees next time.
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Newest Addition
So Dave bought a new computer last night. It's considered an ultra-portable laptop.
To compare it to his old one, here is a picture:
When she's ready for her own computer in 3 years, this probably will be her first.
To compare it to his old one, here is a picture:
It weighs 2.2 pounds. When I picked it up in the store, it felt like pretend, like a movie prop. Not a laptop! Not a computer!
As Dave was looking at the specs and making his final decision, I was carrying the baby around, and the salesman looked at me and said "Are you sure this isn't the baby's first computer?" :o)
When she's ready for her own computer in 3 years, this probably will be her first.
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