Room Artifacts (for those starting to work on your nursery) - UPDATE

UPDATE: Oh yeah…to add to this feeling of my little boy growing up---
I picked him up from After School last night: and he started The Santa Talk. Yep. Luckily, he can have the joy of “playing” Santa as I did with my younger brother. In fact, the conversation ended with him relishing getting to eat the Santa Cookies next year.


Yesterday, I spent some time putting up posters in my son’s room. These posters not only signal his on-going obsession with all things Star Wars—it also signaled another stage in his growth.








This room started off as a Gaming Room—one where we had put a card table up, had board games and bookcases of books and gaming stuff.

It became my son’s nursery – with Baby Looney Tunes being the theme—here is the last remains of that scheme (kept on the wall by me since the beginning):




Then there was the short lived Transportation Theme—as signaled by this last remain (the light switch):



The picture is a framed drawing from kindergarten.

The longest themed – Spongebob.




Here is what my husband and I tore off this weekend:




And, as I put up the new room décor, I found this artifact, hidden away behind the turtle’s aquarium:




I still have more to remove and add to this new incarnation of this room. But as I started, it felt bittersweet to be doing this. It will probably be the last time I actually have much say in it at all. I am slowly going to take away the artifacts of previous rooms, the ages of my son fast forwarding toward the 9 ½ year old in front of me. The 10 year old (and the teenager--brrr..) not too far from reality—

Help If you can...

Take Back the U.T.E.R.U.S.

Show & Tell #11

Tonight we went out for the first time without either of our kids. We left them in the care of a new babysitter (which worked out very well--my kids impressed her and she impressed us).

The place we went to was here.

Here are some pictures from the last time we went there:



It was to celebrate our anniversary:


And it was to pamper ourselves before we did the long trails and tribulations of IVF (Cycle One of Two). We stayed at the hotel overnight, we went to this restaurant for dinner and to this one before for lunch. In between lunch and dinner, we went to a Spa for massages. It was a wonderful anniversary and a wonderful way to disassociate ourselves from the first part of the infertility tango (the years of TTC, the tests, etc.) and to start fresh for the IVF cycles to come.

As we went to these two places tonight, it was amazing to me that only a little under 2 years has passed. And how much we have went through. And how much we have gained.

5 months - Updated with Pictures

And I can't find the flipping cord to my camera!! So, I took some pictures, but they will have to wait for a bit...

Yesterday, Willow was 5 months old. She celebrated by having a check up at the doctors. She is 14 lbs. 1 oz; I am sorry I do not remember her height. The doctor says she is thriving and totally happy and healthy (which we knew). She also got SHOTS--one in her arm; 2 in her legs. Which meant that last night--at precisely 11:30 p.m. (when we were going to bed) she decided to wake up and be irritable all night. (Poor girl) But, this morning--same 'ole smiley self.

The doctor said she could keep going on the solids--1-2 times a day. So, last night--she got bananas! (Her expression was great--which is what the damn picture will show!)

Fast forward to this morning at around 3 a.m.--she could not sleep unless she was in my arms (even then not necessarily) - I was in our bed with her and Michael came into bed with us (husband sacrificed and slept on the couch downstairs). At one point I woke up to see my two children snuggling up to me. Sometimes I cannot believe my good fortune.

Here's the pictures:

Ready for Bananas?


Okay, so what the BLEEP was that?


Okay, this ain't breast milk, but it ain't bad either.


Sitting up.


Rattle "stolen" (says Michael) from daycare.

Braces Bunch - Welcome 2nd Gen! (belated) - Updated - WHEW!

Okay, I admit, I am behind in my Braces Bunch duties. I swore when I joined the BBs that at the very least, I would send people out Birthday Greetings (even if it was me merely printing out on my printer and sending it out). Well, that went by the wayside during maternity leave, but I am going to start back on this track...and in so doing, I want to update my blog list. And that is where I am completely overjoyed (and overwhelmed!)! There is a 2nd Generation of BBs!! And there are so many interesting and fun people out there. I don't think I had a chance to say "HI" to all the new BBs, who I have not necessarily been keeping track of (well, some of them I was following already). I am proud of JJ for founding the Braces Bunch, and I hope everyone has been sending something out to someone in the BB--it is such a pleasure to get something in the mail! Speaking of giving some love, please stop by BB original member Cibele as she going through a tough time.

So, this updating my blog list might take some time, but I am looking forward to meeting new people!

UPDATED: Okay, that is a LOT of new Braces Bunch Members! I must say that there seems to be lucky baby dust all OVER the BB's, so many of you are in the midst of pregnancies and hopeful BFPs...Good Luck to ALL!

Show & Tell #10

I love Autumn. I especially love Autumn in New England. While the weather and the foliage are the most noticeable things (ahh, the smell of fall!) other things come to mind during fall. Pumpkin pie for one...

A few years ago (omg--these photos are from 2004!) we went to a Pumpkin Festival in Concord, MA. My husband, merely because he thought it would be funny, joined in the pumpkin pie eating contest.



And yes, it was the funniest thing in the world! Unfortunately for him, the pumpkin pie taste/smell stayed in his beard and mustache for so long--he HATES pumpkin pie now (hey, more for me!)



What are your favorite things about Autumn?

Reminders

(This post is in the TMI range—you have been warned)

So. Finally got AF.

Reminding me so much about what I so hate about it. The bloating, the cramping, the bleeding, the general UGH.

Reminding me about how for many years I would grumble about why I would go through this each month, but STILL would not have the pay-off of another child.

Reminding me about the 2 years that I kept careful records on our calendar, notes that say “SP” (started period) with a big “X” marking times that ovulation would be happening. (I look at old calendars and think—“What a waste”).

Reminding me that for those 2 years we just assumed the timing was off; not that there was something actually wrong. (again, the wasted remark)

Reminding me that the last time I started a cycle I had to call the Clinic so they could set up the protocol and so that I could come in for my blood draw (more blood—yeah!) and start the long waiting periods of hope and hell.


It is so hard to have these reminders and understand that this time and for time in memoriam, I don’t need to care about any of that stuff. Its over and I can look at my daughter and be happy.

Show & Tell #9

Time, time, time, see whats become of me
While I looked around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please
But look around, leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter --Simon & Garfunkel

It is amazing how not so long ago I wrote this post. Reading Mel's posts about her troubles leaving the twins at daycare reminded me about how nervous I was about my son's first day of kindergarten. Would he get on the right bus? Would he be okay at school ALL DAY? Would I survive? Of course, the results were mixed. He got on the bus fine, I was not "all" right that day--I even took the day off (just in case HE needed me), but only 3 weeks later would we start the unending school meetings about his eventually diagnosed ADHD/Anxiety disorder.

All I do know, is the simple yet true part of life...it goes too quickly.

Kindergarten





First Grade





Second Grade

A little movie I made at Jumpcut.

Third Grade





Fourth Grade

Need I say more?

I was looking at Geek clothes for both kids, and found this

BTW, Cafe Press does have some cool clothes for infants (oh, hey for everyone--who can resist a Cthulu for President Sticker?)

Show & Tell # 8

Recent photos from Niagra Falls, Canada. We had never actually seen the falls, even though when we have traveled to Michigan, we have passed them many times. This time we chose to stay at a hotel with a view of the falls. We left Michigan on our way back to Massachusetts on Friday night. Arrived at our hotel at 1 a.m.

This was the view we had outside our hotel room.


Willow, who had been asleep the whole time in the car, awoke to look at the view:


We awoke to an even better view.


And then had room service bring up breakfast so we could eat outside on the deck.






All the pictures and video I took cannot do it justice. I think water is such a beautiful thing and to see those falls made me awestruck. I could have watched the falls for hours. (However, we still had a 12 hour drive ahead of us--next time, next time).

Firsts

First time seeing Niagra Falls:



First Day of School - 4th Grade Edition:
(Same photos I have taken every first day of school since kindergarten: waking up; having breakfast; going out the door)





First Bite: (Willow had some cereal mixed with formula for the first time on Monday, September 1st)

"I'm Back, Baby!" -- Bender (Futurama)

Got back from the Michigan Trip last night about 11:30 p.m. (EST). It was a LONG drive, but the kids were great (both there and back). It worked well to leave on Friday night and then stay at a hotel in the early morning (1-2 a.m.) and then go keep going on Saturday. Willow slept through most of it, was amused by her big brother the other part of it. We made sure to make frequent stops on the Saturdays, and it worked out well. On the way back, we promised Michael we would play Weird Al when we hit Massachusetts--and to see his smile when he heard Weird Al--priceless.

We had a good time and we visited a lot of relatives, but a little more visiting happened than we thought would -- because Husband's uncle died just before he was able to see him. So, part of our time was spent going to the Wake and Funeral. Very sad, but it also allowed Husband to be able to see some relatives he might not have seen. And it made it all the more meaningful for him to spend time with his Grandmother later in the week.

Michael also got to hang out with his cousins, especially N. Michael also had fun playing/snuggling the dogs, especially Spanky. Willow was a super trooper -- she was passed around to tons of adults and was not fussy in the least. She was cuddled and cooed over the whole trip. And she had fun looking at all the different things. We also got a chance to have some adult time--went and saw "Tro.pic Thun.der"(hilarious).

We ended the trip with a hotel room overlooking Niagra Falls. None of us had really seen the Falls even though we had traveled past it all these times going to and from Michigan. This time we had a wonderful view and had breakfast outside our room looking at the Falls. Then we did a few touristy things, walking a strip that included some Haunted Houses (Michael was fascinated by them, but could not get the courage up to go in them). Leaving there about 1:30 in the afternoon, it made a longer day for the adults, but seeing Niagra was a good way to end a good trip.

Here's some pics (others to come).


We all went to Greenfield Village.



Michael and N went into this sweet shop in Greenfield Village.







Michael was impressed with the machinery (got to make a candle holder with a lathe). And especially impressed with the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law (the floor is the same floor Lincoln stood on--Michael felt the floor and said he was touching the footprints of Abraham Lincoln).


Another thing we did was spending a LOT of time at this video game arcade. It was great fun.

And Other Disgusting Things...

Random Stuff:

Disgusting things (and no, not talking about diapers here—so far its pretty tame):

Both Willow and I have colds. I don’t want to point fingers—Willow—but someone gave me a cold. And of course, as seems to be the case ever since I have had kids, I get pink eye when they get colds. So, this past weekend I was dealing with Willow with her slight cold and my left eye looking like I was hit in the face—PINK EYE! (okay, am I the only one who thinks of this South Park?)

My pink eye is now gone, I don’t think I am getting a sinus infection like I thought I was—just a damn irritating cold. Willow had a very minor cold and seems to be fine (other than the occasional cough in the night). Michael and Husband seem to have escaped.

Last night, I was holding Willow and kissing her tummy (as I am want to do). I had just finished BFing her ½ hour before, and was chilling with her and Husband while waiting for dinner to finish cooking. As I kissed her tummy for the Nth time—she burped up. On my face. On my hair. On my glasses. Luckily, it did not hit my mouth. But it was gross. And funny. Oh yeah, Willow and Husband thought it was major funny (Michael, who would have probably burst a gut laughing, was outside playing). To show you what type of Mommy I am…I just washed up in the kitchen sink—I did not run for the shower. I have had worse and I know the worse will be coming—wait until your 3 year old throws up on you while you are taking him to daycare, thus insuring you a day off from work with a toddler who may not be sick at all (they tend to sometimes just throw up for no reason, ya know). Oh yeah, fun times are in store.

Speaking of fun times…I may not be too available on the internets this week…we are intending to do something crazy. A road trip to Michigan. Leaving this Friday night, thinking since she is sleeping through the night, it might be the best for her. If any of you out there have traveled on a road trip with a 4 month old, please give me any advice you might give. The trip to Michigan is 800 miles one way, so we are talking 12 + hours with an ADHD 9 year old; a cranky Husband (who hates road trips and travel in general) and a 4 month old – I am doing most of the driving.
We have done this trip before, the last time being when Michael was 6 years old, but never with such a young one. I have a feeling I will need some of that chocolate I packed up for the trip…

Book Tour - Eat, Pray, Love

Someone else pretty much summed up my thoughts on this book. Here are my answers to some of the questions. I found this very self indulgent, even for a memoir.

At the start of the book, the author states that she will not go into the details of her divorce. Could you accept this and move on to the rest of the book, or did this lack of explanation influence your opinion of the entire book?


I had a problem with the fact that she did not go into details in the book. I feel that if you are going to show how you overcame a crisis, I would like to know WHAT the crisis was and how it affected you. The author saying that she had a “disastrous divorce” does not help me to feel any sympathy towards her. A lot of people have bad relationships and divorces. If you are going to write a book about discovering yourself, you need to be able to also reveal your life. Otherwise, I can’t really tell what adversity you overcame.

When my IRL (in real life) book club discussed this we had widely differing opinions on the tone of the book. Some thought it was "all about me, poor, poor me!" and "whiny" while others saw Gilbert's self-focus in as a fascinating journey to becoming a better person. What would you say?

I was wondering if anyone else felt that she was whiny. I tried several times not to roll my eyes as I read. I am sorry, but someone who gets to travel (and LOVES it); someone who gets to do a job that she wants to; someone who is not tied down by family responsibilities and can just go off and “discover herself” for a year—oh boo hoo!

Also, it was hard being an infertile hearing her basically bemoan the fact that she did not want children. I know it is her choice, and I would normally not have an issue—I guess it is just a tender spot for me, and since she did not go into the details of her trauma—except to say that then she had an INTENSE relationship with a hottie—oh gasp! (Okay, so I REALLY couldn’t find her sympathetic).

I am sure she has had a hard time. I did read with interest her struggles with depression, as I have family members who deal with this, and I have dealt with PPD. I felt sympathy for her when she was dealing with being alone in the world. BUT, without her going into specifics of her troubles, I can only assume that things for her are 100 times better than many other people who have dealt with depression and loneliness. She, at least, seems to have means to be able to deal with her needs (like traveling and writing). Maybe it was her writing style, but I did not find her a sympathetic person overall.


Elizabeth Gilbert's spiritual crisis was brought to a head by a failing marriage and the dawning realization that her desires were not nearly on the same track as some seemingly powerful, external expectations about how her life should unfold. What defining 'disasters' have triggered you to course-correct your life? Did the crisis(es) sneak up on you or did you see it (them) coming, but deny it for a while? What expectations did it force you to challenge -- either your own or external ones? How hard was that for you personally (as in, are you the kind of temperament that is naturally rebellious? Or not so much? Do you have a hard time letting go of control? Or are you at ease with improv on a grand, spiritual level?)

I think we have two major crisis’s in our lives. I could see both coming, but I denied them for a while.

The second crisis was dealing with our infertility.

The first crisis was finding out that our son had ADHD and social pragmatic issues. This is something we still struggle with. My expectations for my son and the real issues he faces daily. It is hard to see (and know empirically) that your son is very smart but is struggling in school mainly because his brain does not process things the way that others do. When I first found out he was having issues in school, the first thing I thought was “Don’t all 5 year olds act like that?”
My second thought was that I had failed him as a parent. It took me some time to get over that guilt. I realize in hindsight that at some point we were in denial about his issues. I also realize that at some point our expectations for what we thought our son’s behavior and abilities were had to change. Not that we excuse his behavior issues. But, we have learned when it is necessary to ease up on the control. For example, Michael goes through phases where he HATES tags on things – like his clothes, toys, etc. At first, when he was 3 years old, we thought it was cute (it was mainly on toys at that time)—we called it Tag-ectomies. Then, we realized at age 8 years, insisting on tags being removed from his clothing was something he NEEDED. And I stopped being irritated by it. This is especially hard for me, as I am a person who prefers to control things in my life (and sometimes I would like to know how to wash his clothes, damn it!) I have learned to be at ease with my family and its quirks, and I enjoy them more for them.

Hop along to another stop on this blog tour by visiting the main list at Stirrup Queens (http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/). You can also sign up for the next book on this online book club: Baby Trail by Sinead Moriarty (with author participation).

One Year Ago Today - Updated with More Recent Pic

One year ago today.

One year ago today, I found out that this:




Would become this.




One year seems like a long time and a short time. It seems like so much has changed in this year, and it has. And yet, there is a part of me that always felt that this would happen. And a part of me that thought it would never happen. I had no idea where I would be a year ago. A year ago I had hope. I also had fear. I had confidence and yet I had none. I knew I was lucky, but yet mourned the fact that I wasn't lucky enough not to have done this "naturally".

One year and it is a lifetime. My daughter's lifetime. I am so thankful for her.

I wish everyone who wants this, gets to experience this: