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Friday, October 29, 2004


The ladybug flew to the coffee table and played with the iron for a bit. Posted by Hello

One of the ladybugs was really hungry and flew in to get something to eat. Posted by Hello

Thursday, October 28, 2004

The Great Baby Quest

As promised, I'm going to update you on the TTC plans. They aren't much right now. I've had a freaky week though and my mind is constantly turning things over. My official appointment to start metformin (which is SAFE during breastfeeding woo!) is November 22. That's like 3 Mondays from now. Wow.

I had a crazy dream the other night. --- I dreamt that I was pregnant and I started going into pre-eclampsia like I did with Magdalena. They told me they needed to induce, but since I had already consented for an elective c-section (failure to progress, cephalopelvic disproportion) they would section me that evening. I called Erich on the phone so that he could be there. I'm not really sure if he ever made it there. Anyways, they rolled me in for my csection and took the baby out. This entire time I thought she was a she because apparently I had an ultrasound or something. Anyways I was like 36 weeks and a bit early so they took the baby to the NICU to make sure she was okay. They stitched me up and I stood up off the table (pretty cool trick after having a csection huh?) and walked (heh) to the NICU. When I got there, I asked for my baby. The lady said "I believe she is that one over there." The baby she pointed to was the HUGE baby and I said "this can't be my baby. She's to big! I have small babies and the tag doesn't say my name." The nurse replied, "well, then your baby is probably underneath that one." (???) So I rolled this big baby over and underneath was this itty bitty baby who looked ALMOST identical to Magdalena as a newborn. And the baby wasn't a girl, but a boy. I went to nurse the baby and found out he was tongue tied to like Magdalena was. At the end of the dream I was in search of the doctor that clipped Magdalenas tongue, so she could clip Baby Boys tongue too and Magdalena and Baby Boy were both squirming to nurse. --- Now is that a crazy dream or what? Whatcha think it means???

So with that crazy dream on my mind I decided to take an OP test (ovulation predictor). I had some leftover in the bathroom from last years TTC days. And it came out... drumroll... positive. LH surge with ovulation predicted in the coming days. And today.... drumroll... my temperature dropped signaling ovulation. I took another OP and it was negative which means that LH surge is over which would make sense because the LH surge comes BEFORE ovulation. Looking back at the chart I conceived Magdalena with, I surged, temp dropped, ovulated, pregnant. Which is what is currently happening.

See the thing that has me all nervous and such is that I can't possibly believe that my body is doing what it is supposed to be doing. And I hate this waiting. My entire body is tense with the what ifs. And I should relax because if my body did go ahead and release an egg like it was supposed to since I had all the signals of ovulation and need to be calm for that little egg and sperm to meet and make Magdalena a big sister. Oy.

And even though all these things happened, it doesn't mean that my body actually released the egg. My body has done crazier things. I need a glass window to see what is going on in there. This is driving me nutso.

Oh, and I've lost 15 pounds to date. Woot.

I Feel Pretty...

well, actually I feel special. I was just going through my sitemeter referrals and seeing how Blogexplosion has really upped my traffic and noticed that I had a referral from Cootiehog.com. Anyways, Cootiehog has added me to her own special list of blogexplosion blogs she likes which makes me feel very special. :)

Oh, and I'm stuck in my computer chair. Magdalena is trying to figure out how to move between objects while standing up. She actually trying to take steps and her feet just ain't doin what she wants them to do. So I'm stuck in my chair because somehow she got to me and is holding on to the back and if I move she'll fall and I'll be named "Bad Mommy of the Year." This girl is going to walk soon isn't she? **sniff**

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Must Haves and Have Nots

Being poor really makes you want to shop, ya know?

I'd really like this Olive Green Maya Wrap.

I'd like these Pink Dragonfly Robeez in size 6-12 months for when Magdalena outgrows her little kitty ones. (Currently she is wearing 0-6 month. I'm not lying when I say my child is tiny.)

And I'd really like the collection of Dr. Sears Parenting Books, but really The Baby Book to begin with. **sigh** I keep checking it out of the library, but sometimes I'd like it for reference ya know?

Completely off topic here, I just finished the book "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" and I REALLY liked it. I think I may venture to Half Price Books and see if they have a copy I can give to my mom for Christmas. I think she'd really enjoy it. And maybe my Dad is waiting for me his own heaven, waiting to talk to me about how he was supposed to die young and how it changed me forever for the good. I guess I'll never know huh? (I'm a firm believer that it is pointless to buy new books when there are plenty of used books needing loved.)

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

It Gets Better Right?

I'm sick of being a grownup. So, today Erich left for work at 11am. He had a job interview via phone at 10:30am. I'm trying not to get my hopes up that this may be the job for him. Anyways, I warmed up some chili for him, we chatted about furnaces and he headed out the door at 11am. I started frying up some potatoes (buy one 10lb bag, get one free at Marsh this week. Needless to say, we're going to eat a lot of potatoes soon). Anyways at 11:34am Erich called to tell me that he has a flat tire, he's in the process of changing it, but wants me to come to him and switch cars. Urgh. **this is where you insert a mumble with a bit of profanity about how no one ever lets me eat a meal in peace I know I know it wasn't his fault but still** So I pack up the girls and head out.

The thing is that the Saturn (which he drives) needs 4 new tires. We've been putting that off for a few weeks. It also needs a muffler, I can hear the boy coming 2 blocks away. Anyways, with a flat tire that had two holes and is bald, it seemed pretty pointless to just put plugs in. And when buying a new tire, since they're sorta bald, I can't just buy one I have to buy two. Then I have to consider that last time we only bought 2 and the one with the flat was one of the newer ones and we'd talked about how we didn't want to be constantly buying 2 new tires. So basically all this babble boils down to that I had to drop $192 for 4 new tires at Sams Club.

Is it ever going to end? $200 for tires, $3000 for a furnace, a little here a little there and I feel like I'm suffocating. And I'm TTC? Am I nuts? Being a grownup bites.

What A Difference A Day Makes

Wow. There's a lot going on around here. Yesterday started out really crappy. I can't think of a poetic way to say it and really crappy seems to fit. It started with T. We got up and I started getting her ready for school. I sent her in to the batheroom to "potty and brush your teeth." While she was brushing her teeth, she says, "Suzanne, I need to go to the bathroom." So I say," well then go." "I already did in my pants." **insert internal rage here** I asked her why she didn't go sooner if she had to go so bad. Her response was, " I didn't realize I had to go until it was running down my leg." So I started my day with a floor full of pee. Joy.

Then the furnace guy came to clean the furnace. You see where this is going, right? So he's down there with his little vacuum sucking all the crap out that sits in your furnace and I'm upstairs dreaming about how nice it's going to be when it's all warm and toasty in here. After all, I've waited this long to turn on the furnace, I deserve it right? So the guy finishes up and come to tell us that he found a "slight" problem. There is a leak on the valve where you turn the gas on and he may have to tag it and SHUT OFF THE GAS! **insert panic here** Our dryer, washer, water heater... all of that is gas powered. So he comes back after speaking to his boss. They agree that it is a relatively minor leak and that it won't hurt to leave it on for a while. Erich and I made sure we wouldn't "blow up or anything." He comes in after being on the phone for probably 20 minutes and says it's going to cost something like $400 to replace the valve. On our 20-25 year old furnace, that's a lot since it's only probably worth that much. Hrmph. So they sent a guy over to give us an estimate on a new one. I called two other places and one sent a guy over last night and another is coming this morning at 10. The heat is on and it feels delicious but I can't keep it this way. I'm scared to death with the babies in here. So it's going to be like $2500 and that sucks. But it comes with a 5 year warranty (the guy last night offered a 10 year warranty) and we are looking at the 90% efficient which will save us money since ours is probably 55% to 60% efficient. It comes with being a homeowner right? I am glad that I went ahead and had the guys come out and clean it and find this leak so that we didn't go the entire season with this leak and not know about it until something really bad happened.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be working with the old folks five days a week. Joy. The money is going to be fantastic but it's going to be exhausting. So today, we're just lounging around the house enjoying our free time.

Magdalena has gotten really good at standing up, cruising, and recently she's learned how to sit herself back down. Every Mom knows that that is a good thing because there is nothing worse than a baby that is standing and screaming for someone to help her back down. She's also started trying to transfer herself between things like the table and couch. Occasionally she trys to stand up in the middle of the room. Oh, and remember how I said she was crawling on all fours 75% of the time? Right after that she started doing it full time. :)

That's all for now, but wasn't it enough?

Friday, October 22, 2004

Toddlerhood?

I'm TRYING to clean the house in preparation for the graduation party we're having for Erich tomorrow. But... Magdalena has other plans. How do you clean your house when your almost toddler like baby tears everything up that you put away? Following are some pictures of baby girl. :)

That's the look of mischief. :) Posted by Hello

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Thursday, October 21, 2004

9 months

Magdalena is 9 months old today!

Here are the highlights!

  • Last Friday (10/15) she started pulling herself to a standing position! Now she is a standing fool!
  • She is moving right along on the eating solids train. Her recent favorites include yogurt and cottage cheese.
  • She continues to be the happiest baby on the planet.
  • Keeping all her happiness in mind, she is also the worlds biggest baby diva.
  • She is still nursing. And it's fun nursing an older baby! She now talks to my **clears throat** chest when she is hungry. She must being saying," now I'm hungry, so get that milk ready to go because I don't have all day to sit around. There are SO many toys that I NEED to play with!"
  • She is crawling on all fours about 75% of the time now. She saw the triplets do it a few weeks back and now she must do it too.
  • She does all that cool stuff on the floor, sitting from laying down, crawling, rolling, army crawling, and pulling herself up.
  • She's into EVERYTHING.
  • She's starting to recognize "no." For instance, "no Magdalena you can not chew on the electrical cords. Your daddy doesn't like it." (I always say because Daddy doesn't like it. I'm the good guy, remember? heh.)
  • She's a daddy's girl. Mommy's great ya know, but Daddy rocks her socks off.
  • She's loves her little tikes kitchen playset and can play with it for hours.
  • She twiddles her hair at night when she falls to sleep.
  • She is currently saying three words: mama, dada, and ella. (All dogs are Ella.)
  • I'm transitioning her into 6-9 month clothes, though 3-6 month clothes fit best but are a bit on the short side. She wears a size 0-6month Robeez shoe. (She has the little pink kitty ones.)
  • She has four teeth: two uppers and two lowers. One on the bottom is bulging and she is chomping on her fingers a lot, so I suspect she'll have 5 teeth pretty soon.
  • She currently weighs 16lbs 6.5oz and is 26 inches long.


Tuesday, October 19, 2004

**insert clever title here**

I'm around. As always I'm super busy and finding it hard to come in here to blog when the baby wants to play in there. I'm also trying to figure out how to insert "clean entire house" into my afternoon schedule when all that seems to fit is "sleep with baby." **sigh** To make matters worse (or better?) I'm starting to work 4 days a week next week with the old couple. This means a lot more money, but a lot less time. I'm thinking it will be better when I have T less or not at all. Honestly, I'm kinda hoping for the "not at all" category.

I'm also still working on the photo project. I need a picture of my kitchen, which I'll do tonight. I promise. Really, okay? And I have to do Dani's requests.

I guess I'll just let you in on the fact that Erich and I are on the TTC wagon again. I'm filling very mixed about this, but I know it is right. I have an appointment on November 22 (I made this appointment the last of September and Nov. 22 was the soonest they could see me, crazy huh?) to see the OBGYN to try and figure out how to go about this while nursing. I'm definitely going to have to go on Glucophage again which I do believe is breastfeeding compatible. I needed clomid for Magdalena so we'll see what happens. Please do not flame me here for my decision to TTC again or how we have to go about it, okay? I can't take it. I'm too weak. I'm also on a major diet. I'm calorie counting with a sliding scale of 1500- 1800 calories a day. I'm doing well and really proud of myself and already starting to feel a difference.

Okay, Magdalena needs me. I'll update some more with the TTC plans.

Friday, October 15, 2004

Playing Games

Allison wanted to see a family picture plus dogs, my favorite spot in the house, and my kitchen. Well, my kitchen ain't clean at the moment so that will have to wait. The three human picture will have to wait until this weekend. Here is the rest.

I don't even have the energy to get a family picture plus dogs, but maybe Erich does. We'll see.

Ella lounging around. Posted by Hello

Allison wanted to see a family picture plus dogs. Well, when I see Erich again we'll get a family picture. You'll have to see a picture of the dogs separately. Gracy really looks bitter doesn't she? Old age sucks. Posted by Hello

I also enjoy sitting on the floor in the living room playing with Magdalena. Posted by Hello

Of course, I always enjoy just hanging out anywhere in the house with these two silly people. Posted by Hello

Another favorite is sitting on the couch with her sleeping in my lap. It's fun (for me at least) to watch her beautiful face. Posted by Hello

One of my favorite places in the house is sitting on the couch with my diva, with her sleeping on my chest. Posted by Hello

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Tick Tock Tick Tock

In a few minutes, we are going to leave to get Magdalena's pictures taken. I'm impatiently waiting for a phone call though. Alicia is having an ultrasound as I write this and I'm VERY impatient to find out what type of alien is floating around in there. She told me that I'm towards the top of her list to call people, but I'm sure it won't happen soon enough. hrmph.

Get Me This TShirt!

I like this little girls tshirt.

Oh, and this one too. (scroll down to October 9th entry.)

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

What I Did Today (In Pictures)

Here is a brief look into what I did today. Obviously, I can't picture everything. So these are just the highlights.

Made two meals. Chili for lunch and chicken for dinner. Posted by Hello

Washed large quantities of dishes TWICE today. Posted by Hello

Did laundry. And there is more where that came from... Posted by Hello

Took care of the baby. Fed her, played with her, sang with her, bathed her, changed her diaper... Posted by Hello

Plays Well With Others

I'm joining in and posting a picture of dinner. Scroll down to see dinner pics and some pics of our evening. (My Mom ate dinner with us since Erich is at work. That is why there are two plates.)

Why do you think she has that camera out while I'm eating? Posted by Hello

Yum. Posted by Hello

Magdalena waves "hi" to the camera after a yummy dinner of sweet potatoes and a zwieback toast thing. Posted by Hello

Cooking dinner, chicken on the left, mac n cheese on the right. Posted by Hello

The finished product, buffalo chicken breasts and macaroni and cheese. Magdalena had sweet potatoes. Posted by Hello

Magdalena and I sat down for an intellectual conversation today. She thinks I'm quite witty. Posted by Hello

I'm Alive!

I know, I've been absent. So many things going on but I have no clue what! I'm generating a big big post in my head though.

Let's try this meme:

Think of pictures you’d like to see. Leave whatever you’d like to see in the comments. Things around my house, or whatever… something I can take a picture of easily. Once I have enough requests, I’ll start posting them. If I can’t, or won’t, take a picture of something you’ve requested, I’ll let you know.

Friday, October 08, 2004

Nestle Exposed

http://www.babymilkaction.org/press/press16oct04.html

As a side note, every time I hear or say the word nestle I'm reminded of the episode of friends where Phoebes great great grandma Nestle Tollhouse (with a french accent) hands down a recipe for the best cookies Monica has ever eaten. :)

Wednesday, October 06, 2004


Four little monkeys standing in a row... Posted by Hello

Monday, October 04, 2004

Kiss Me Kate

Magdalena gives kisses. I cash in on my chance to get all the kisses I need to keep going since I know there will come a day when she doesn't want to give me kisses. She leans in and tries to put both her lips to together and kisses you and then giggles. I love it. She doesn't slobber on you either which is always a bonus.

I'm currently working on setting up a new play area in the house. That is keeping me pretty busy around here. My house is essentially in two parts so I'm hoping to finish it late tonight or early tomorrow.

Magdalena is still sick and has a super clogged up nose. It's no fun I tell you . She freaks out when she is asleep and can't breathe. I can't blame her.

Sunday, October 03, 2004

Tooth Fairy

As if being in Snotland this week wasn't enough, the Tooth Fairy visited us too. Magdalena now sports two upper teeth and two bottom teeth. They seem to come in pairs, which is nice, because for some reason odd numbers of teeth seem weird to me. :)

Friday, October 01, 2004

Snotland

We are in Snotland. Miss Magdalena has her first upper respiratory infection complete with fever. She went to bed last night fine, she seemed a bit stuffy, but I was thinking that she was allergic to the organic peaches that we gave her for lunch. She was up off and on last night and really just wanted to stay on the breast. At about 5 am she really freaked out, her nose was almost completely plugged. Both Erich and I got up with her and noted she was clammy and feverish. We gave her some tylenol, suctioned her nose (no she didn't like that) and went back to bed. (Actually Erich got up. He's been having problems sleeping through the night. He even got up at 3am the other day and stayed up! He'll sit up and say "I'm up for the day." The single phrase that I think annoys me the most.) Anyways, I made a mental note to call the doctor seeing that it is Friday and T has a snotty green nose too. (grr.) We had an appointment at 2:20 and I spent the morning wiping snotty noses, suctioning them, and being irritated that my poor baby was sick. (And my subconscious blames starting solids and T. My brain keeps saying, " She never got sick when she was EBF." And everytime I see T with a snotty nose it seriously makes me annoyed. Is it just me?) Anywho. She has an upper respiratory infection. I'm about to go pick up some abx and some dimetapp which will hopefully clear the snot so we can all sleep. Her fever is responding well to the motrin and tylenol I've given her.

She also had her blood drawn for a lead level. The renovation we did on the house when I was pregnant and since she was born makes Erich worry constantly. So they are doing the test a bit early. We actually had to go to the hospital since she was under 1 year and it was horrible. We did get all of it done and she seems fine now. T and M walked away with stuffed animals. M for being so brave and T for being such a good girl and sitting still and coloring with the crayons and coloring book they gave her. She also got a scooby doo sticker, I'm telling you that girl cleaned house. :)

Monday, September 27, 2004

The Poop Station

Heh. That title makes me laugh.

Julee and Manda asked me about my minishower. For Manda, you can find installation guidelines here. It was really easy to install, though I did have Erich do the installation. What's the point in having a husband if I have to do those sorts of things myself? :) I'm really loving the minishower though. It is working well and I think it was a good investment. Rinsing diapers off does remind me a lot of my work in nursing homes using hoppers, but the smell is definitely not as bad and there isn't AS MUCH of a mess to clean up, thank goodness.

I've set up what I fondly refer to as "the poop station." Our bathroom downstairs is near the the stairs leading to the laundry room. I chose to place the hopper in this bathroom as it is the nearest to the laundry room and we change most poopy diapers down here. And the occasional poopy diaper upstairs, can easily be transported downstairs. :) I bought a cheap stainless steel trashcan that has the foot push/lid open system to store the diapers in. I'm going to carry wet rinsed off diapers downstairs nightly to keep little kiddies out and such and so there won't be so many. The poop station seems to really be working well. Just rinse of the diapers and then drop in the can. Wash hands. Repeat. It makes me really happy, and I have to say that my life is REALLY sad when a poop station makes me happy.

This is what Magdalena thinks of oatmeal and breastmilk. She thinks it was a waste of breastmilk! Posted by Hello