Saturday, March 31, 2012

Huh?

My doctor prescribed me some Vicodin before my surgery in case I had another gallbladder attack. I never used it so decided to take it before using my new prescription post-surgery.

When I finished that bottle and switched to the new prescription, I didn't realize it was double the dose of the old! I was drooling in my sleep and dreaming about babies with full sets of teeth screaming "Mama!!"

I got the urge to scrapbook and made this strange page. I vaguely remember adding the oversized red deer to the page and the "Beautiful Day" sticker.

Apparently I Instagrammed it as well...

Holy crap.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Super Dad

Today I got to see my husband do my job as a mom while I recover from surgery.

He was exhausted after little sleep and a full night of feedings. He spent the day feeding, playing, rocking, and loving sweet, little E. He even had to take her out to pick up my prescription with no help from me.

He did great, and it was obvious she felt completely happy being with him. She stared at him so lovingly, held his hand, laughed at his jokes, and was quickly comforted when he picked her up. She fell right to sleep in his arms at nap- and bed-time.

I was so impressed with him. He didn't just go through the motions, the logical feed, rock, change-diaper routine. He actually anticipated what she needed and worked diligently all day to keep her happy. He went well beyond sufficient parenting.

I feel so blessed to have a husband who can step in and be a mom to my baby. Her smiles make my recovery ten times easier!!

Love him!

Friday Finds!

My For You Blue Board on Pinterest!

That color that's somewhere in between cloudy sky blue and light sea green:

Sweet

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rock-a-bye, Lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek-peek-a-boo).
The shopping is not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there is a hullabaloo.
But I'm playing "Kanga" and this is my "Roo."
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rock-a-bye, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Ruth Hulburt Hamilton, 1958

The Power of Faith and Forgiveness

Yesterday I had my gallbladder surgery. I feel one gallbladder lighter now! I had a strange reaction to the anesthesia, but nothing serious, and recovery seems to be progressing normally.

While waiting to be released from the hospital, I got a text from my mom saying my grandpa had passed away. It was expected, but it's been extremely hard on my family caring for him and watching his deterioration over the final days. I hope that with the grief there comes some sense of relief and that the healing process can begin soon.

My grandfather was the ultimate storyteller. He saw the funny in the everyday way people live their lives, the silly and unexpected things people do. This is the one trait I will take with me and hold close above all others - finding the joy in people and the sometimes strange, absurd things they do.

Grandpa was a big, Italian man who seemed to tower over everyone. He had large hands and wore a big, gold ring on his right hand, his wedding band on the left. He exuded intimidation and demanded respect but was equally loving and funny.

My father is the youngest of his four children, and his memories of his upbringing are a mix of those qualities, the good and the bad. I've heard the stories throughout my life about what type of father Grandpa was, and I know there's still pain there.

I wondered how my father would handle the range of emotions, the absence of closure, as he watched his father slowly pass away. How do you forgive?

My dad did it like this, and I took notes:

After they found out Grandpa had cancer, Dad started taking him fishing. There were some weekends Dad was just too tired to go, but he went anyway. I don't think it was time spent bringing up old memories - just quality time together.

I always want to be the talker, the fixer, and I'd encourage my dad to talk about his childhood with Grandpa, but he didn't. Even near the end, when the pain meds made Grandpa angry, and he lashed out. I knew my dad felt like he was 5 years old again, being intimidated by his father, but he handled it with such grace. I told him he should tell Grandpa that his feelings were hurt, but he didn't. His response was, "What will it change?"

I wanted my dad to have a voice and be able to speak up to his father, but maybe he was right. They had been rebuilding their relationship for years.

I realized that Dad forgiving grandpa wasn't one big "I'm sorry" moment. That's what I would want. (In fact, if I never saw the person again but felt I was on good terms with them, I'd be happy.) But my father literally lived forgiveness, every time he went fishing when he didn't feel quite up to it, every time they made dinner plans with my grandparents or arranged a family reunion, and each day he took care of Grandpa until the end.

So, when Grandpa's pride and pain medicine got the best of him, and he yelled at Dad, he let it go.

When Dad said, "What will it change?" It wasn't him giving up on changing a man who was forever a "bad father." It was accepting all the good and bad in a person, realizing you can't change it, and choosing to focus on the positive.

This is the true power of forgiveness. And maybe that's why Dad is the best of Grandpa - the prankster, the storyteller. He loves people and finds humor in simple life moments. He loves so fiercely, and if it's difficult for him to show it, you wouldn't know. He talks with me for hours and never denies me my "I'm sorry" moments, though he gracefully shows me that they're not needed.

----------

Recently, after everything we'd been through this year, Dad confided in me that he was struggling with his faith. Isn't it amazing that when you feel most lost, you can unknowingly be guiding others? Because of his grace, strength, and forgiveness, I know we will get through this, that we'll all be okay, and that our bond as a family is only growing stronger.

Grandpa & E:

Monday, March 26, 2012

Me!

Here is an old pic of me from back in the day!

Smash Book - From Jess!

Look what Jess found at The Girl with Curls!! Check out the video here!

I must buy one right now... off to find!

The Garden Song

Singing this to E this morning. It's one I grew up with - lots of happy memories!


Sunday, March 25, 2012

Jack McJinglepots

Mr. McJinglepots wrote back!! He says:

As a matter of fact, my name is Jack.
And I come from across the water.
Though, we call it a pond, and of it I am fond.
For I travel it in a cotter.

A cotter you ask, no, I must stay on task.
And tell you why I came.
It's a mystery you see, how I came to be.
But the answer is found in my name.

-Mr. McJinglepots

I Am Going to Kill You, Oatmeal

This gallbladder diet blows. I'm eating all low-fat and fat-free foods until my surgery this Thursday. One of the foods that's most filling that I can actually eat is oatmeal. You can add a twist to it with just about any fruit, and honey or brown sugar. But by day 32 of eating any variety of oatmeal, you pretty much never want to look at oatmeal again.

Anyway, last week I decided to finally go out by myself (no Mark, no baby)! I had to go to the post office, then decided I'd stop at the cafe for a cup of tea and some one-on-one time with my Kindle. Just a little simple me-time...

The post office trip was a success which probably had something to do with not struggling to carry E's car seat in, or dropping packages, or having to ask a random stranger to use a crowbar to pry me out from underneath said car seat and packages.

At the cafe, though, my outing took a turn. They were out of tea(?!). They gave me coffee instead. Coffee is delicious, but it also burns a hole in my stomach. I took a few sips and tried to focus on my book. I ended up calling Mark instead which ended in tears and him insisting that I go out to lunch while he give E a bottle.

I took him up on it, and imagined having a beautiful, veggie sandwich for lunch. I went to 3 diners. Due to some new VT diner fad (I can only guess), diners now don't serve lunch on Saturday... at all. My choices were eggs, pancakes (made with eggs), or... oatmeal.

At the third diner, I told the waitress about my dietary restrictions. She told me not to worry, that she'd make something special. Thank God for that good, old-fashioned Vermont hospitality.

Of course, she brought me... oatmeal. But not just any oatmeal - death-wish oatmeal. She had loaded it with fattening foods like almonds and butter. WTF. I felt betrayed by the sweet, little, old lady... in a Kathy-Bates-in-Misery kinda way.

Then it all caught up with me, and I had to fight back tears - the new-mom exhaustion, the stress of being away from E, the oatmeal I couldn't eat, the coffee... All of a sudden I felt like I was going to be violently ill.

I lied to the waitress, telling her I had gotten a call and had to leave right away. I asked her to wrap up my food which took her forever... I rushed home and got sick for the next 2 hours.

The last of my me-time that day was spent in the bathroom.

Last night Mark and I had his parents babysit, and we went out for dinner. Finally, a real break! And no chance of anyone serving us oatmeal for dinner!

Draw Something!

Anyone else playing Draw Something?? We're hooked!

My drawings are a little lacking... But have to admit it's super goofy fun to watch your opponent trying to guess the word "spinach" from this drawing.













My nephew knows me well enough to guess this one. Not too familiar with who the kids are listening to nowadays. Where's my Walkman?!














Random opponent, Raul, got an unexpected surprise when this super realistic volcano exploded in his face!














More info about Draw Something here!

My username: LizBeth2583

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Work!

So I was all set to stay at home with E full time when, lo and behold, a day care called with an opening, willing to take her for mornings, and 100% okay with me only paying for half days!

I'm going to try to go back to work - mornings at the office, afternoons home with E. If it doesn't work out, we'll go back to Plan A!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

A Reading Corner Mystery!

Whaaaa??! I've finally (almost) finished E's room! We've had quite a fun time creating a little cozy space for her. I sleep in there with her at night and decided to make my bed into more of a day bed for a cute little reading corner. Then this morning, just when I least expected it:

A Reading Corner mystery! E and I keep a journal handy in our corner to write about books, the weather, and anything else! I recently decorated the cover and added a note: "Guest Writers Welcome". This morning I woke up to find this little note written under one of my entries: "What a fandingle! This little miss jingle! Cute as a button, but lighter than mutton! -Mr. McJinglepots." E and I are quite confused by this... Will write more later.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Mom Shirts

Mom shirts are for ...
A) pulling on
B) sleeping on
C) wiping your nose on
D) all of the above

Friday, March 16, 2012

Cute Baby Rule

Some guy in line at the supermarket told me that he has a rule for himself: since everyone tells moms their babies are cute, he "only says it when he really means it." And he proceeded to tell me that E was the cutest baby.

I thought that was a load of crap... or some type of play date pick up line.

No cute baby rule for this mom... I'd rather lie through my teeth. Which is why I said, "And your son... Wow. That's one cute baby..."

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Stay Away from the Stairs

Later in the week I'll write about my current job situation but for the time being, this post from 27Bslash6 sums it up quite well. Read the full email exchange here.

...I once read about five monkeys that were placed in a room with a banana at the top of a set of stairs. As one monkey attempted to climb the stairs, all of the monkeys were sprayed with jets of cold water. A second monkey made an attempt and again the monkeys were sprayed. No more monkeys attempted to climb the stairs. One of the monkeys was then removed from the room and replaced with a new monkey. New monkey saw the banana and started to climb the stairs but to its surprise, it was attacked by the other monkeys. Another of the original monkeys was replaced and the newcomer was also attacked when he attempted to climb the stairs. The previous newcomer took part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Replacing a third original monkey with a new one, it headed for the stairs and was attacked as well. Half of the monkeys that attacked him had no idea why. After replacing the fourth and fifth original monkeys, none had ever been sprayed with cold water but all stayed the fuck away from the stairs...

We Built This City

While I ate breakfast this morning, I put E in her bassinet to play. When she got bored, I started singing the first song that popped into my head: "We built this city! We build this city on rock 'n' roll!" Mark came out of the bedroom and jumped in: "Do you remember? We built this city... we built this city on rock 'n' roll!" I quickly found the video on YouTube, so we could dance to it! E started kicking her legs and moving her arms, dancing with us. The best part was that she acted like this was just a normal morning at our house. She's definitely our girl!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Pinterest Monday

My recent favorite Pinterest find!

Lori Nix's photographs are incredible! The difference between me and her: I wanted to take photos like this until I realized the amount of work that went into them. In other words, I'm a lazy photographer. I want the photo opportunities to come to me...

Anyway, I'm inspired to create my own photo moments!

Lori Nix Photography via Pinterest

Big Wheels Keep on Turnin'

E's stroller arrived about 4 weeks before she did. We had gotten in late one night, and the Graco box had been left outside the door.

I was so excited to open it, so Mark did the initial setup, but I insisted on going to bed before he had time to attach the wheels.

Three months later, and we still hadn't finished assembling that stroller. I didn't pressure Mark about it, because I had no need for it, but last Wednesday turned out to be a beautiful, 60-degree day. I had been in most the week and weekend, and my brain was getting that cabin-fevery itchy feeling. I had to get out.

I had Mark do most of the household chores while I was pregnant -- partially due to nausea, fear of hurting the baby, and just plain laziness. I'm still relying on him quite a bit but decided that had to change. I was determined to put the wheels on.

I spent my only free 20 minutes of the morning trying to "snap" those wheels on per the instructions, until I broke down and started to cry. I just didn't have the arm strength. It was so heartbreaking to be so close, within reach of holding my ticket to freedom.

I think in the past I would have kept crying, eaten two donuts, and sat down to watch some crappy daytime tv to forget my problems. It's different now. E was sitting in her swing watching me. I smiled at her and said, "Who needs a stroller? Mama will find some wheels!"

I bundled her up, put her in her car seat, and drove to the grocery store. I pulled up next to the shopping-cart return. I don't condone stealing, but borrowing one would be okay! I put E in the cart, and we went for a walk around the shopping center. We looked a little goofy, but luckily I'm not the type of mom who's bothered by that! We waved to the woman walking her dog and chatted with the old man doing his weekly shopping.

It was E's first time out without a blanket over her car seat. She stared at the big blue sky and smiled at me as I told her how creative we were and that we're two women who won't let anything stop us!

This week is going to be sunny and warm again! I had Mark snap on those pesky front stroller wheels this morning. I told him E and I could handle the back ones.

He left for work, and I put her in her bouncer. She watched as I assembled the wheels, axles, and brakes. I had to hammer the wheel caps on.

This was her reaction. I like to think she's proud of her old lady!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

You Are My I Love You

You Are My I Love You
by Maryann K Cusimano

I am your parent you are my child
I am your quiet place, you are my wild
I am your calm face, you are my giggle
I am your wait, you are my wiggle

I am your audience, you are my clown
I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down
I am your Carrot Sticks, you are my licorice
I am your dandelion, you are my first wish

I am your water wings, you are my deep
I am your open arms, you are my running leap
I am your way home, you are my new path
I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath

I am your dinner you are my chocolate cake
I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake
I am your finish line, you are my race
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace

I am your favourite book, you are my new lines
I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine
I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo
I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Infant CPR

Good refresher! I pray I never have to do it!

http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/childhood-injuries/infant-cpr.aspx?xid=nl_YourDailyNewsletterfromWhattoExpect_20120303