Friday, July 29, 2011

The things we do as parents

It's quite shocking, really. But yet we persevere.

"Hank, Honey, we're going to start working on you wiping yourself after you go poo."

See? Already, use of the word 'poo' being flung about in everyday conversation.

"But Mommy! If I wipe in there, I might...TOUCH POO." *wide eyed look of horror*

"Well, yes, Honey, you realize Mommy and Daddy risk this all the time when we wipe you? You have to learn to do it for yourself, and that's why it's so, so important to wash your hands really good with soap and warm water after you use the bathroom."

"I don't really like washing my hands."

"Well, be that as it may, you have to do it anyway. Get some toilet paper and let's get started."

Oh sigh.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The joy of yarn

The other day, I went with my mother-in-law to a specialty gift shop that is about 30 minutes south of where we each live. Just a few doors down from aforementioned gift shop was a yarn store. Given that the men were watching the children, I could not let this golden opportunity pass me by.

You see, I've never actually been *in* a real yarn shop. I visit the chain craft stores frequently, and I have no problem knitting and crocheting with acrylic yarn. It has it's very useful purposes, and it's super affordable. Plus, it can be machine washed and dried.

I've always avoided the local yarn shops because I knew that it would set off a dangerous precedent. You know, like on Say Yes to the Dress when the bride insists that she wants to try on a dress that is 3 times what she can afford to pay, despite the bridal consultant's advice to the contrary, and then she inevitably falls in love with that $10,000 dress and nothing else she can possibly try on in her budget zone can ever compare? (Quote of the week from that show: "I don't know what the big deal is, this one is only *a little* over the budget." It was *a thousand dollars* over her original budget. In whose world is a grand just a little bit of money?)

Anyway, we went to the other store first, then to lunch, then to the yarn shop, since it opened later. I justified this trip with the Christmas list I've already made up of the things that I want to make for family and friends this year. I mean, I'm buying it for *other people*? To keep them warm and feeling loved. I mean, that's so virtuous.

Thank goodness we saved this for last. Because my swollen breasts from not nursing Anne in so long kept me from staying there for the remainder of the day. It was SO MUCH FUN. I did spend $40 *sheepish* but I got yarn for 3 different projects. And this yarn is spectactular. I have a silk/merino wool blend that is just to die for. You just want to roll around naked in it it's so soft. I also have a wonderful ball of 100% wool that I'm using already to create a critter so freaking cute you could just die, and then I'm going to felt him when I'm done. FELTING. I'm so excited! This could open up a whole new world for me. Felted slippers, handbags. On the other hand, it could be a complete and utter disaster. I'll keep you posted, because I'm sure it will be amusing one way or the other.

I decided that I've had enough stockinette stitch and plain scarves. If I never try anything new, I'm never going to improve in my craft. I've tended to be much more adventurous in crochet than in knitting, since knitting is so much newer to me. So, I've got an ambitious Christmas list. And my felted guy is knitting along ok so far. Of course, I haven't actually gotten to the felting part yet.

Anyway, I enjoyed the yarn shop tremendously. I just walked around and stroked things. I may have actually talked to a few of them. It was wonderful.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I really hope that's not the baby stirring over there...

I always keep it real on this blog, and I like to think that the results are at least somewhat entertaining. Life is hard sometimes, and if you can't laugh about it, it really isn't a wonderful life.

So, you know, you have a baby. Afterwards, regardless of your method of delivery, there are certain things that the very thought of resuming scare the living daylights out of you. Like, oh I don't know, going to the bathroom. I think we all know exactly what I'm referring to here. And then there's...what we'll delicately call 'renewing your marriage covenant.' (hereafter RYMC).

I know that all women that have had a baby are with me on this one. This is SCARY. Anne is my second child, so I've learned a few things through the years. For instance, certain things can make the resumation of RYMC a tad less frightful. Wine is one of them. The other is a personal care, um, toiletry? available at your local drug store designed to ease your discomfort.

At any rate, you have your ducks in a row, and the time is upon you. Let's see, what are some of the events that will transpire during this interaction that don't normally present a problem?

(a) you will nurse the baby into a happy coma in silent prayer that she will not wake up for the next little while.

(b) you will move the bassinette across the room with the careful precision of a surgeon so as not to jostle her awake.

(c) you will become extremely paranoid and glance over your spouses's shoulder toward the bassinette as inconspicuously as possible a shameful number of times.

(d) inevitably, you will have to breasfeed the baby back to sleep at an *extremely* inopportune time.

Here's hoping that she will never read this and thus be scarred for life.

Knitlit

I've been able to read more lately (nursing a baby provides many such opportunities) and I've been enjoying a knitting fiction series that I discovered at my public library: the Seaside Knitters.

So far, I've read 2 of the books. I really love them. They're set in a small coastal town in Massachusetts, and center around the owner of a yarn shop and her knitting group. Very typical "cozy mysteries" and very enjoyable to read. You like the characters and are drawn to the setting. Each book has a pattern in the back that one of the characters is working on in the story. I definitely recommend them to those who enjoy this genre of fiction.

Monday, July 25, 2011

The heat continues...

"It could always be worse you know, Sweetie. We do have our window units in the bedroom (thank GOD). What if the power went out?"

"DON'T EVEN SPEAK THOSE WORDS ALOUD."

I mean, can you imagine? We'd be camping out in the basement with the washer and dryer and old kids toys. I guarantee it.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Nursing under the cover of darkness

Not so long ago, I wrote a post about a trip to Babies R Us with my mom in which I scoffed at nursing covers as ridiculous and completely unnecessary. Well, sometimes a dose of humility smacks you right in the face. :)

For whatever reason, Anne completely detests nursing under a blanket. She wriggles and tries to bat it off. Meanwhile, I'm struggling to even bare my breast under the thing, holding on to it with my teeth. Getting her latched is yet another production. When she inevitably delatches and needs to burp immediately lest she explode, I've nearly flashed the whole room at least a dozen times.

So eventually, I just started pumping and bringing bottles with me whenever I was going to be with the baby in public. It's just so much easier, and my pump is awesome. (Medela Pump in Style Original, for the record).

In the mean time, my mom ordered me something called an Udder Cover. I scoffed at first, yes I did. It was backordered for a while, so didn't arrive until this week. I tried it today, and I have to say, I'm now a believer.

It's very simple, and those of you with sewing skills (I'm thinking of a few of you in particular :) ) will be able to make one of these lickety split. It's just a pretty piece of fabric that extends from your neck to about your waist, and is nice and wide. It's a light cotton, so not all hot like most baby blankets. The little piece that goes around your neck has one of those metal clasps that you can adjust, you don't have to tie it. Thus, you can get it in a spot you like and then leave it, slipping it quickly over your head when you need to use it. The collar has some kind of thin rigid thing in it, so that you can peek down and look at the baby whenever you need to. Baby delatches? Mine does, constantly. You can relatch them without having to perform a physical act of acrobatic proportions.

And that's it! But the beauty of it is that you can pop it on, and then discreetly pull down your top and nursing bra, and *then* get the baby underneath to latch; you have both of your hands free to work with and you are covered the whole time. I tried it out today while my dad was in the room and it worked like a dream.

I now sheepishly revoke my scorn of all nursing covers. This one is particularly nice. I can't remember the one I tried in Babies R Us, but I really did hate it. The thing went to, like, my *knees* and you had to tie it in place. *purses lips* It and I did not see eye to eye.

The Udder Cover that I chose is called "Laila," and is pink and ivory. I kind of love it.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Summer crafts

Well, I'm still sweating, but the end is in sight, so my spirits are higher. We do have window a/c units in the bedroom, so we turn them on right after dinner, and then go upstairs into our "oasis" for the rest of the night. Hank reads his Berenstein Bears books, and Mike and I have a drink and bounce Anne.

Speaking of Anne, her sleep has gotten a lot more regularized. God bless 8 weeks of age. That's really a turning point for sleep issues, has been for my babies at least. Now granted, this does not mean that they start miraculously sleeping through the night or anything. It just means that things seem more manageable to me at this point. Anne actually falls asleep now anywhere between 7:30 and 9 (usually more between 8 and 8:30) and then will sleep 5 or 6 hours. This is like nirvana to me. She'll wake to nurse, and then sleep for about a 3 hour stretch. At this point, we start to get into a gassy/fussy place, but hey. That's a great night for a 9 week old. I'll take it!

Anyway, I figured I'd post on happier topics since I was so cranky on Wednesday. I've been knitting when I can, despite the heat. It brings me a lot of solace. I'll have to post pictures of everything soon; I just haven't had time to hook my camera up to the computer. I finished the pot holders I was working on for my mother-in-law, and the socks for my sister. I had a sweater languishing in my closet, so I picked that back up for when I'm in air conditioned situations. It's going really well, actually. I just finished the first sleeve yesterday, so I'm about to start sleeve 2 (unfortunate, they're like socks that way) and then I just have to do the neckline and I'm done. Sleeve 1 took me forever though, so I'm sure this project will take me well into the fall. I've been happy with the pattern. It's a seamless pattern, so the sleeve stitches are placed on a stitch holder back up at the top of the body, and then you pick them up afterwards to knit them. This is my very first sweater, and I'm anxious about how it will look. It's for me, so if it looks ridiculous, I won't have to worry about guilting some poor relative into wearing it.

I'm actually already composing my Christmas crafting gift list (yes, I'm crazy). I want to get an early start, because I know it'll take me forever.

Oh, how I long for sweet fall, with it's cool, crisp days and lack of sweating. We'll get there.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

HOT

Since Saturday, we've been experiencing a heat wave here in Western New York. And for someone who loathes being hot and sweaty, it's been excruciating.

I guess the real problem isn't necessarily the temperature, more so the humidity. We get high humidity around here near the Great Lakes. It doesn't reach 90 degrees that often around here, but we're expecting that tomorrow. Oh joy.

And it's one of those heat waves in which you get through one day, and then check the weather:

"Oh great, tomorrow is going to be *worse*. And the day after that even *worse*. What's that? Ah, the entire 7 day forecast looks like the apocalypse is just around the corner. Fantastic."

It's just painful. And without central air conditioning, our little two story brick house has been like an oven. And what happens when the Catholic Librarian's family gets hot? They get CRANKY.

As I sit on the sofa, feeling like I may burst into flames at any moment, Mike comes in, and I inevitably complain about something. Because, you know, he's somehow responsible for how hot and miserable I feel. And my weather-optimistic husband tries to make me feel better:

"You know Sweetie, it's really not that bad."

Really? We're all covered with a sheen of sweat. My thighs are sticking together. Anne's hair is one big wet brown curl. You can feel yourself sweating in the SHOWER. I can hear that weird bug sound outside.

YUCK. A lot of people around here feel that since we have harsher winters, they shouldn't complain about the summer heat. Well, I like the winters and don't complain about them (usually). Therefore, I feel justified in bitching about the heat all I like.

And for the love of all that is holy, MY SON. His behavior has been *atrocious*. I suppose it could be the new baby. But naturally, I blame the heat. We're all home all day right now, sweating, and it's not pretty. Being home all day with two sweaty and fussy children is a heck of a lot harder than going to work, let me tell you.

We'll get there. But it's been a long ass week. The worst of the heat should abate on Sunday. Thank goodness.

Trying to end on a non-whiny note, I will say that this summer has been a real blessing, heat notwithstanding. I've loved being home with the children, and with Mike. It's been a joy. I go back to work at the end of August, and I know that it will be very emotional for me. It's been a very special and rewarding time for me.

Another Henry gem

"Mommy, what kind of onesie was Anne wearing when she was in your belly?"

"She wasn't wearing a onesie in my belly, Honey."

"What? You mean she was...NAKED?!" *scandalized*

"Well, yeah Honey, everybody is when they're in their mommys' belly."

"You mean...I WAS TOO?!"

This modesty outrage brought to you from the child who streaks nude through the house daily.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Things of which we normally don't speak

When you have young children, you quickly accept that you will now discuss bodily functions that normally I don't admit to ever doing myself. I know that some married couples can discuss such things, and even do them in front of each other freely, but Mike and I are just prudish, I suppose. We allude to them, discreetly, but that's the extent of it.

But with kids, all of that normal social etiquette goes out the window. I guess this is because if we didn't encourage the children to do these things, *our* lives are that much more difficult.

"Mommy, I put a HUGE poo into the toilet!!"

"Congratulations Sweetheart! I'm so happy for you!"

"Mommy, Anne just made a really loud noise. I think she gassed."

"Oh good! She must feel so much better! Good for you Anne!"

It's just part of our lot in life.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Henry, the walking infomercial

"Mommy. When Anne gets bigger, are we going to get her a Gyro Bowl?"

"A what, Honey?"

"You know, a Gyro Bowl. The one we saw on tv? That doesn't spill?"

"Oh. Well, I don't know, Honey. But that's a good idea. That's so nice of you to think of Anne."

"I think we should, Mommy. Did you know that it can fall down the stairs and still it won't spill? It also can go in the dishwasher, and comes with a lid."

"Wow Honey, you really know a lot the Gyro Bowl."

"Yes, and if you call now Mommy, you get another one free. You can also use them for paperclips on your desk at work."

"I guess...that's a good idea, Sweetheart."

"Yes, it's kid-proof and a great value."

A ha.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Anne's 8 week checkup...

Today was Anne's 8 week well pediatrician visit, and with Hank at Vacation Bible School and Mike teaching, I took her myself. I was apprehensive, since these would be her first vaccinations. :(

When we arrived, she was weighed and measured. Little chunker weighs in at 12 lbs 7 ozs, and has grown 2.5 inches since birth! She's in the 90% for both height and weight. I don't know what it is, but I grow GIANT children. The doctor checked her over, said she looked great, and I asked about her spit up issue. Since she's gaining weight so fabulously, they're not worried about reflux. She just spits up more than the average baby. Alas.

Then came the dreaded moment. I hate it the most when they're this little, because they have no idea that it's coming. I held her tight, and when the first shot went in, there was this little shocked silence. I thought maybe the "delayed scream" would come into play, where their mouths open with no sound for a full 10 seconds while they gather steam to let loose THE BIG ONE. But not Anne. Within 1 second, she unleashed the ear splitting WAIL OF HORROR and began kicking her legs so hard that the nurse had a hard time finishing the rest of the shots. :)

But the instant the nurse finished and I picked her up, she was fine. I held her for awhile before buckling her back into her car seat, which she hates. Poor babe.

Now she's crying in her swing, so I must run. It's a lovely day today, so we're bound for a walk. :)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Summer activities going well

I've commented before that I was nervous going into the summer about being home with both children after Henry finished school because I'm so unused to it. I'm very routine oriented, and I was used to my work routine.

HOLD EVERYTHING. I just saw a Puppy Chow commercial with a Golden Labrador puppy that is just about the cutest dog I've ever seen, and his name is apparently 'Bandit.' *squeals*

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled blogging...

Anyway, I'm happy to report that my concerns were for naught and I'm thriving in my stay at home routine. I love being home with the kids, and I've developed a happy (albeit very loose) home routine. It's going to be much harder to go back to work this time.

We signed Henry up for just a few short summer activites, to help keep him active and not bored, and they're going very well. He's at Vacation Bible School this week at the parish school he'll attend in the fall. It's a Panda Mania theme, and there are cute stuffed pandas everywhere. They're playing lots of water games, which is his favorite part. He's also taking swimming lessons and plays tee ball on Tuesday evenings. So far, this seems to be his favorite activity.

And I have to say, I'm kind of loving this new "suburban mom" feeling I've got going on, especially since we now have a school-aged child plus a second child. I feel happy amongst the other families hanging out at the ball field each week, and am very much looking forward to attending the events of both children as they grow up.

At any rate, yesterday was a good example of how well it's all working. It was super hot, and so I didn't get out for my usual walk. I waited until tee ball time, since it's much cooler later in the evening. Mike and Hank drove to the ball field, and I popped Anne into her stroller so that we could walk and meet them there, getting some exercise in the cooler air. She was fine the whole way there, showing her maturing alert state by staying awake to look around at the trees and birds as we walked, instead of falling asleep.

We arrived, and as fate usually seems to have it, Anne chose this moment to become fussy. She burst into sobs just as we were approaching the crowds of people. I had to walk her around the surrounding buildings a bunch of times until she fell asleep. Several of the groups consisted of eager-looking teenagers flirting with each other. I provided an important public service by walking by with the screaming baby showing them:

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE SEX

Anne did settle though, and I was able to watch Hank practice throwing the ball to Mike, and then taking his turn hitting the ball off the tee and running around the bases. It's so, so cute. It's a nice activitiy for kids to learn how to follow rules, gain some coordination and work as a team. There are just as many girls there as boys too, it's by no means a male majority. It might be something we'll be interested in for Anne as well, when she gets bigger.

So, I was able to enjoy the fresh air for a bit, and Anne too, since she inevitably woke back up when I stopped strolling her, and I had to take her out and bounce her. But it felt so good to be outside in cooler air, around other people, enjoying watching Hank. Life is good.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2 kids at Mass?

Here's the key though: BY MYSELF.

Mike comes to Mass with me sometimes, but he's by no means a regular attender, and I'm seriously terrified of taking both kids with me. He will take whatever child(ren) I want to leave behind with zero complaint, but if I want them to attend every week, I do have to forge that path on my own.

Henry is really no problem these days, aside from being annoying 50% of the time. You know how that goes. Lots of loud stage whispering and fidgeting. Tons of playing with my hair, which he does deliberately because he knows I hate it. That sort of thing. But at least I don't have to worry about him bursting into a vibrant crying fit and drawing the attention of the entire congregation. At least, not anymore.

But little infants, well, they're unpredictable. And Anne is LOUD. She really has a distinctive little cry. :) And in terms of velocity, there is nothing "little" about it. I haven't been bringing her to Mass because I haven't wanted to deal with the inevitable extractions by myself with Henry also in tow.

But now, Anne is actually quietly alert for much more of the day than she used to be. She still cries a lot, but I do think we're past the peak on that. She cries less now, and can look around at things and occupy herself for short stretches. So, I thought that in a week or two, I'd try bringing both her and Henry. *terrified*

I'm a big girl, I shouldn't be this apprehensive about it. But I just live in fear of people *looking at me*. I'm a classic introvert. I want to blend in always, never draw attention. Sigh.

It'll be ok. And it'll be good for Anne to go. Whenever she reaches a tough stage, I can leave her home with Mike for a few weeks, and then bring her back when things ease. That's what I did with Henry, and he really is a pro at Mass now. Persisting at bringing them is the only way to teach them how to behave at Mass. We'll get there.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Anne at 7 weeks old




My precious Anne is nearly 8 weeks old, and I haven't posted any new pictures in a while, so I thought I'd oblige. :) She's extremely cute, and really getting big. She smiles a lot now, and tracks things with her eyes. She's also sleeping better overall (even the bad nights these days are better than when she was first born) and really showing signs of some early maturity. It's all very exciting.

I was at dance class on Friday night, and remembering how long I danced with her in my belly! Gosh, it feels so much better now. :) But still, I loved dancing while pregnant. I think it's a wonderful testament to the feminine form.

At any rate, she's here beside me, and fussing, so I'd better run. It's hot here today, boo. So we're gearing up to keep cool this afternoon. With no central a/c, the days where it gets into the very high 80's around here, with high humidity, are very uncomfortable. We don't even have any window units in our downstairs. The way our house is laid out, it's too open for a window unit to successfully cool anything. We have them in our bedrooms, and Mike calls it our "oasis" since on days like these we'll go up there at like 7 pm to chat and watch tv in the coolness. We're also having our very first "date night" since Anne was born, and going out to dinner with another couple while my in-laws watch the kids. Adult conversation - it's a novelty these days. :) We're both excited.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Catholic Librarian Children update...

Prior to having Anne, I was curious as to what our dynamic would be like as a family having 2 children instead of just 1. For sure, it's different. And it took awhile for us all to settle in and get used to it. I'd say we're all used to it now.

And they're co-existing pretty well. Henry is so much older, there really aren't any jealousy issues. They have their unique personalities and contributions to the family.

As well, they're both pretty loud right now. :) Henry, for example, is definitely in an inquisitive stage:

"Mommy, where are you going? To do laundry? Can I come with you? Wait for me Mommy, don't go down without me. Why are you putting the clothes in like that, Mommy? Can I help? What's this? Can I dump the detergent in? Why is the water cold, Mommy? How come you're putting those things in that little bag? Is that one of those 'bra things'? Why do girls have to wear those? How come I have breasts too, Mommy? Will milk come from mine too? Why not? How come I have nipples then? Mommy, if a police man is chasing you, what happens if you run away? Is that bad? What happens if they don't catch you? But what happens if they don't? What if you go up into space when the police man is chasing you? It's impossible? What does that mean? But what happens if you do anyway? Mommy, why did you just close your eyes and go like this: 'SIGH'?"

Anne, on the other hand, is just crying a lot right now, and I'm reading that newborn fussiness peaks at 6 weeks, so we're right in the thick of things. She's a loud crier too.

And the thing is, when you're out and about with a newborn baby, people are drawn to you. And I'll be honest. I'm an introvert. I don't like to talk to strangers. Do I know you? Then I'd rather you didn't talk to me. Nor touch my baby.

So, we have this duo going on: fussy baby and strangers looking at me and trying to talk to me. This creates a very sweat-inducing situation for the Catholic Librarian.

*Catholic Librarian waits in line at the craft store*

"OH! *squeal* How old is your baby?!"

*face or hand suddenly in Anne's face, who promptly bursts into tears*

"7 weeks."

"Aw, they're so cute when they're so little. And look at her hair! And..."

*Catholic Librarian silently emits a 'go away' vibe, good intentions notwithstanding*

I can't help it, unsolicited social interactions just make me uncomfortable. I had a grocery store clerk a few weeks ago that was just relentless, and behind me, I could feel the aggravation of the people behind me who were forced to listen to my screaming baby. Inside, I was just desperately wishing that she'd stick my ridiculously vast amount of yogurt to ward off yeast into my bags so that I could speed away with sobbing Anne in tow.

When the baby is quietly sleeping, just don't even look at her, ok? IT MIGHT WAKE HER UP.

Sigh.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

If the baby is sleeping...

When you're the parent of a baby or toddler, sleep is paramount. You need it, yet these small creatures that you love seem determined to wrest it from you. I seem to remember someone telling me once that in a national survey of women, more than *anything*, such as romance, a money tree, yachts, expensive and extravagant vacations, world domination...the thing women wanted the most, more than anything else, was more sleep.

And when the baby is actually sleeping, you will do anything to keep them in that state. At night, there's not much you can do except swaddle them, nurse them, comfort them, and pray. But during the day, I try my darndest to, well, control the behavior of those around me. Numerous things thwart me in this endeavor.

Offender #1 = my son. I think this is a universal kid characteristic: lack of understanding of personal space.

"Honey, don't touch the baby when she's sleeping!"

"Honey, don't be right in her face!"

"Honey, the baby is sleeping, don't blow on her!"

Offender #2 = all people who ring my doorbell when the baby is napping.

If Anne is napping, NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO BREATHE. Let alone RING MY DOORBELL. Yes, that means you, Mr. UPS Guy. Friendly neighbor, perhaps. All of you must secretly hate me.

Although, I plead guilty. When the baby is napping, I'm probably not sleeping. I'm likely to be frantically doing laundry, showering, mopping the kitchen floor, or trying to get in a few decadent minutes of knitting. But I need to do those things too. :)

At any rate, we do what we can. We're still at that newborn point where Anne would rather die than nap in her bassinette or crib. Heaven forbid. It's like she has a radar if you set her down in there during the day. Thus, she naps in her swing, bouncy seat, or in our arms. Hence, being more susceptible to the offences mentioned above.

Alas.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The comfort of knitting

For the past several weeks I've been finding a lot of happy comfort in my knitting. I don't have my hands free a ton these days, it's true, but when I do, I knit. And...*drum roll*... I finished my very first pair of socks. *gold star* I knitted them in a self striping sport weight yarn for my sister Shauna'h. They're not perfect, but I think they're pretty good. "Pretty good" being defined as:

(a) they look like socks

(b) they will fit on feet, but

(c) they don't exactly match (I didn't line the stripes up on both socks), and

(d) they have funky toes

But like I said, they're pretty good, and were made with love. *angelic beam* The toe grafting seems to be the area I need to work on the most. It's my first pair, so I figure I'll learn from them and go on to master socks from here. Or so I hope.

I'm now finishing up a purple scarf for my mom for Christmas (I start Christmas crafting early, otherwise I go crazy in the fall) and some dishcloths that my mother-in-law asked for. I think then I'll move on to finishing up my sweater and more gift socks. I may even attempt a sweater for Mike for Christmas. I'm disturbingly excited.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

4th of July weekend in the Catholic Librarian's world...

Even when not working outside the home, holiday weekends just feel different to me. Friday started out with my first belly dance class since I delivered Anne, and it felt wonderful. A tad rusty, but everything came right back. We're going to be starting a new choreography, and I'm plotting a new solo. It's super fun.

The rest of the weekend was good, albeit accompanied by the expected foibles of having 2 small children:

*vacuum cleaner roars, directed by Mike* *Catholic Librarian fends off Henry to grab a few blissful minutes of knitting as baby sits in her swing* Anne loves the vacuum cleaner. Apparently it reminds her of being in the womb. It always soothes her.

*vacuum cleaner stops*

*baby wails*

"Mommy, Daddy! I put some poo in the toilet!"

All glamour over here. Speaking of "down the toilet," that pretty much sums up our past two nights. I told you, right? Every 2 hours the past several nights. I rather expected it. Anne is going through the 6 week growth spurt. We weighed her yesterday, and she's just shy of 12 pounds. (!) She gained over a pound in a single week.

Yesterday evening was a nightmare as well. Nearly 2 full hours of inconsolable sobbing. I couldn't even nurse her. She's latch on, flail about, pop off, sob, and then repeat that process ad nauseum. Just a common evening with a 6 week old, unfortunately. Alas. This too shall pass.

Sunday, my mom and I took Henry to see the new Cars movie. I think I can sum it up by saying that it's not nearly as good as the original. I actually found it hard to follow. I thought it was just me, when my mom leaned over and whispered,

"Isn't this kind of hard for little kids to understand?"

I was busy resisting the intense urge to pee given the sheer volume of my "small" drink, and readily agreed. The "small" being small only if you consider a tanker truck small.

Anyway, we did have a good time, even if not totally in love with the movie.

And...there's my baby, sobbing again. :) Off I go. I hope everyone had a great Independence Day weekend!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Postpartum belly dancing :-)

Today is a day that I've been looking forward to for some time - my return to dance class. :) I'm positively thrilled. I had my 6 week postpartum visit to the ob/gyn yesterday, and everything is all healed, so I'm cleared for all of my regular pre-baby activity. I'm within 3 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight; I was hoping to have lost it all by now, but alas. Breastfeeding seems to hold on to a few pounds, no matter what, until you wean.

But I can't wait for class tonight. I've been pumping my little heart out, and have plenty of fresh milk in the refrigerator for Mike to use tonight plus a budding freezer stash. So, Anne will be fine, and I've been longing for this "me time" for awhile now. Dance is just such a creative and social outlet for me.

I've also been working on that pair of socks, my other creative outlet. :) The first sock is done, and I just turned the heel on the other one. It's going very well. The gusset vexes me a bit, but otherwise, it's cake. Well, except for that kitchener stitch thing on the toes. It doesn't look as "seamless" as I'd like, but I'm getting there. Practice makes perfect. :)