Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Aforementioned Torte
Stream of Consciousness
I wish I had a candle that smelled like fall. I really think that would make me happy right now. I know you can't buy happiness, but for me at this moment, happiness would be the scent of fall in a jar that I could spark with a lighter. I need to put up our fall decorations. It's finally cool enough for me to do it. I'm sad that they weren't up for all of September, but it still felt too much like summer. It's raining outside, and I love it. We have had so much rain over the last few days. I'm glad our house has never flooded, even during the biggest flood of the century that happened in Kinston. There are flood warnings everywhere, and we don't have flood insurance. I hate that sometimes excessive amounts of rain mean we might have an appearance of a cockroach or two. I can't stand them. I hope the one Chad killed two nights ago screamed a death warning to all his friends so they will be too frightened to come inside. Kaden is sleeping. Why didn't he sleep last night? I am exhausted. Sometimes I don't know if I can make it another day as a mommy. Now I feel like a horrible person for admitting that. Then Kaden smiles, or coos, and I am in love with my job again. Speaking of jobs, I don't want to go back to school. I have missed absolutely nothing about it. Nada. Nothing. What if Kaden thinks Gigi is his mom when I go back to work? I hate that health insurance is a necessity. I hate that it costs so much money. The TV in my living room looks so ghetto. It was bad enough just chilling on the floor, but now Chad hooked up our rabbit ear antenna so he could watch the Boise State game. It looks preposterous, but watching Oprah in the afternoon while I nurse Kaden is pretty amazing. I might let its ghetto-ness slide for a bit longer. What should I make for dinner? I wonder if I have anything in the pantry I can mesh together into some kind of resemblance of a meal. Trudging through rain to the store with a baby who may or may not be fussy, while carrying a car seat that is definitely heavy, doesn't sound too appealing. I have my follow-up visit at the doctor's office on Friday. I am guessing everything is OK, so she will probably give me the go-ahead to start working out again. I am excited, because I know that's the only way I am ever going to fit into my pants again, but somehow going to the gym in a state of exhaustion sounds somewhat overwhelming to me right now. It would probably help me lose weight if I stopped making desserts like lemon cheesecake tortes and coconut chocolate chunk blondies and consuming them in large quantities. I get to see my family in nine days! I am terrified about taking Kaden on the plane. My biggest fears: a blowout on the airplane, and trying to change that diaper (Where do you do such a thing? In the plane lavatory?); a screaming baby who won't be consoled; finding an inconspicuous place to nurse in public (I am still very private about this. I don't understand these women who can just pop their boobs out in public. It is just awkward to me. I know nursing is a natural thing, but still, it just weirds me out.) I am sooooooooooooo glad Chad is flying with me this time, so I don't have to do this all on my own. Chad is such a good dad. Like an amazing dad. I love watching him with Kaden, it is the sweetest thing in the world. I need to dye my hair. And have my bangs cut. I have been having insanely crazy dreams lately. I think it's because I'm sleeping in such short bursts. Usually I remember my dreams most after a nap, and that's all I really feel like I do at night is nap until Kaden wants to eat again. Here is my strangest one: Bringing the biology teacher's snake home as a present for my brother, Jared. In my dream I didn't bring the cage for the snake, just the snake. The snake was a huge Boa Constructor, and was neon colored. The snake clearly didn't stay in the corner of the house where I put him. Then I was terrified trying to find the massive creature. I kept looking for him in piles of shoes, and Chad kept telling me to go to bed. What does this dream mean? I think it means I deserve a new pair of shoes. Heels. Preferably sexy ones.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
4 Reasons Why My Child is the Best Baby Ever
1. Last night, Kaden ate at 8:00 p.m. He fell asleep by 9:00 p.m. He didn't wake up to eat again until 2:30a.m. He then went back to sleep (or at least stayed content in his bassinet) until 6:30. He followed this same sleep pattern the night before. I love it. Now granted, this means he eats a lot more frequently during the day, but I can totally put up with that when it means more sleep in a row at night.
2. The other day, Kaden was napping in his crib. I was doing dishes in the kitchen, and I heard him start to cry on the baby monitor. I finished up the last few dishes, and then went to the nursery, assuming I was going to need to pick him up. Instead, I found him just chilling there, staring at the crib bumper, practicing his smile. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. He would get this HUGE grin on his face, then stop, then get another HUGE grin. Since he was happy, and he hadn't seen me peek in on him, I decided to leave him for another few minutes. When I went back to check on him, he looked like this:
Apparently, smiling had tuckered him out, and he was completely zonked again. Such a funny boy. Notice that he has completely kicked out of his swaddling and the bendy we tuck around his feet?
3. Kaden is getting a lot more smiley, which we love. Here's a couple shots taken last Sunday, while Chad was getting him to smile:
And here's one of him conversing with his Aunt Lauren:
That same Sunday, Kaden enjoyed watching the ECU football game with his Daddy:
(As you can tell, Kaden was really into the game.)
4. Kaden really is just a genuinely GOOD baby. I don't know how we lucked out, but he really is a dream. He hardly ever cries, and when he does it is usually because he is hungry or wants his diaper changed. When he gets sleepy or wants to be held, he might fuss a little bit, but nothing compared to what I had prepared myself for mentally before he got here. With the exception of a few sleepless nights, he usually does a great job falling back asleep after he eats during the night. For the most part he is just a content, happy little guy.
I can't believe Kaden will be a month old on Saturday. He is growing so much and changing every day. In addition to what I wrote above, at one month old, Kaden:
--Is a pro at tummy time (but then, he's really enjoyed that since week one) and moves his head from side to side with coaxing from Mom and Dad.
--Is extremely observant. He loves to stare at lights, ceiling fans, and has even started to try to swat at the toys on his bouncy seat. He will only let you hold him over your shoulder if he is very tired. Otherwise, he moves his head all over the place trying to escape. He is scared to death he'll miss something while he's being held that way.
--Is very expressive. He has the funniest little facial expressions, a lot of them very serious. Sometimes he gives you this look that seems to say, "What ARE you doing?" or "That's REALLY weird. Maybe you should stop now."
--Has finally grown into his swing enough that he thinks it might be an OK place to sit for a few minutes.
--Prefers a clean diaper. In fact, if he has a wet diaper, he wants a clean one to poop in.
--Is a chubby little fella. I took him out to the high school yesterday during his afternoon nap, so I could enter some grades for my classes. One of the English teachers saw him and thought he was almost 2 months. When I told her he was only 4 weeks, she asked, "What are you feeding him?!" My response, "I'm pretty sure straight cream." Seriously. And the child is a guzzler. I cannot wait to see what he weighs at his 2 month checkup.
--Is called by a variety of names around our house, including, but not limited to: Bubby (for some reason this is his chief nickname), Kade, Kadester, Kadelet (as in Piglet), Mr. Kaden, Master (as our lives clearly revolve around his demands now), Snuggle Bug, and Swaddle Bug.
--Is sure to fall asleep if you take him anywhere in the stroller or car. I have used these methods to lull him into nap time land on MANY occasions.
--Is the highlight of our lives. Even though I can't believe he's almost one month old, I also can't believe we ever had a life before he got here. We love our Kaden boy!
2. The other day, Kaden was napping in his crib. I was doing dishes in the kitchen, and I heard him start to cry on the baby monitor. I finished up the last few dishes, and then went to the nursery, assuming I was going to need to pick him up. Instead, I found him just chilling there, staring at the crib bumper, practicing his smile. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. He would get this HUGE grin on his face, then stop, then get another HUGE grin. Since he was happy, and he hadn't seen me peek in on him, I decided to leave him for another few minutes. When I went back to check on him, he looked like this:
3. Kaden is getting a lot more smiley, which we love. Here's a couple shots taken last Sunday, while Chad was getting him to smile:
And here's one of him conversing with his Aunt Lauren:
That same Sunday, Kaden enjoyed watching the ECU football game with his Daddy:
4. Kaden really is just a genuinely GOOD baby. I don't know how we lucked out, but he really is a dream. He hardly ever cries, and when he does it is usually because he is hungry or wants his diaper changed. When he gets sleepy or wants to be held, he might fuss a little bit, but nothing compared to what I had prepared myself for mentally before he got here. With the exception of a few sleepless nights, he usually does a great job falling back asleep after he eats during the night. For the most part he is just a content, happy little guy.
I can't believe Kaden will be a month old on Saturday. He is growing so much and changing every day. In addition to what I wrote above, at one month old, Kaden:
--Is a pro at tummy time (but then, he's really enjoyed that since week one) and moves his head from side to side with coaxing from Mom and Dad.
--Is extremely observant. He loves to stare at lights, ceiling fans, and has even started to try to swat at the toys on his bouncy seat. He will only let you hold him over your shoulder if he is very tired. Otherwise, he moves his head all over the place trying to escape. He is scared to death he'll miss something while he's being held that way.
--Is very expressive. He has the funniest little facial expressions, a lot of them very serious. Sometimes he gives you this look that seems to say, "What ARE you doing?" or "That's REALLY weird. Maybe you should stop now."
--Has finally grown into his swing enough that he thinks it might be an OK place to sit for a few minutes.
--Prefers a clean diaper. In fact, if he has a wet diaper, he wants a clean one to poop in.
--Is a chubby little fella. I took him out to the high school yesterday during his afternoon nap, so I could enter some grades for my classes. One of the English teachers saw him and thought he was almost 2 months. When I told her he was only 4 weeks, she asked, "What are you feeding him?!" My response, "I'm pretty sure straight cream." Seriously. And the child is a guzzler. I cannot wait to see what he weighs at his 2 month checkup.
--Is called by a variety of names around our house, including, but not limited to: Bubby (for some reason this is his chief nickname), Kade, Kadester, Kadelet (as in Piglet), Mr. Kaden, Master (as our lives clearly revolve around his demands now), Snuggle Bug, and Swaddle Bug.
--Is sure to fall asleep if you take him anywhere in the stroller or car. I have used these methods to lull him into nap time land on MANY occasions.
--Is the highlight of our lives. Even though I can't believe he's almost one month old, I also can't believe we ever had a life before he got here. We love our Kaden boy!
Friday, September 03, 2010
Dear Next Door Neighbor,
No amount of quiche you bring me after the birth of my child (despite its being delicious) excuses the fact that you frequently let your dogs out in the wee hours of the morning to bark for hours. And hours. And hours.
I understand that your dogs are annoying. You probably let them out because your bedroom window isn't right next to your backyard. You probably push them out the door to use the potty and then promptly go back to your cozy bed to snooze for a few more hours.
Well, MY bedroom window IS right next to your backyard. And you know that annoying barking you heard inside your house, before you pushed the pups outside so you could escape it? Well, it's not such a pleasant lullaby. Particularly when you have just barely coaxed your infant into re-entering the realms of slumber after feeding him at 4 a.m. Nor does it complement a splitting headache that Ibuprofen has not yet kicked. With each yelp uttered by your stupid animals this morning, I felt every blood vessel in my head throb in response.
I am by no means a violent person, but I threatened to kill your dogs this morning. First under my breath, as I attempted to muffle the sound of their cries with my pillow, then more forcefully as the time they spent barking progressed.
I can promise that if you find a dead dog I had nothing to do with it. Like I said, I am not REALLY a violent person, despite threatening otherwise.
I cannot, however, promise to be sad for your loss.
Sincerely,
An Annoyed, Sleep-Deprived Mama
I understand that your dogs are annoying. You probably let them out because your bedroom window isn't right next to your backyard. You probably push them out the door to use the potty and then promptly go back to your cozy bed to snooze for a few more hours.
Well, MY bedroom window IS right next to your backyard. And you know that annoying barking you heard inside your house, before you pushed the pups outside so you could escape it? Well, it's not such a pleasant lullaby. Particularly when you have just barely coaxed your infant into re-entering the realms of slumber after feeding him at 4 a.m. Nor does it complement a splitting headache that Ibuprofen has not yet kicked. With each yelp uttered by your stupid animals this morning, I felt every blood vessel in my head throb in response.
I am by no means a violent person, but I threatened to kill your dogs this morning. First under my breath, as I attempted to muffle the sound of their cries with my pillow, then more forcefully as the time they spent barking progressed.
I can promise that if you find a dead dog I had nothing to do with it. Like I said, I am not REALLY a violent person, despite threatening otherwise.
I cannot, however, promise to be sad for your loss.
Sincerely,
An Annoyed, Sleep-Deprived Mama
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
September 1st and What that Means
Today is September 1st.
That means August is officially over.
That means fall, my favorite season, is just around the corner.
That means the leaves will start to change, then drop from the trees, and my entire world will be painted in oranges, reds, and yellows. Oh, how I love earth-toned colors.
That means all the autumn scented Yankee candles I smelled at Hallmark's anniversary celebration last week will have a welcome spot in my living room. Or my kitchen. Or my bedroom.
That means I can break out the fall decorations and cover the mantle in garland and put a fall wreath on my door.
That means that Kade can sport a sweater vest, and I can wear a scarf on our daily jaunt about the neighborhood.
That means I can lift the windows and enjoy a beautiful Carolina breeze, instead of paying $500+ a month to air condition my house. (The fall always reminds me why I love living in North Carolina, just when the summer had tried to convince me otherwise.)
That means I can sit in my sun room, curled up with a book or a magazine again.
That means I can make SOUP. Oh, how I love a bowl of soup. But soup, my friends, belongs nowhere near me when it is summer. Soup is to be savored in the fall. And fall is almost here!
And, as a reminder of just how awesome fall really is, here are a couple photos from our fall vacation to the Blue Ridge Parkway last October:
Oh, Fall, My Love, please grace us with your presence!
That means August is officially over.
That means fall, my favorite season, is just around the corner.
That means the leaves will start to change, then drop from the trees, and my entire world will be painted in oranges, reds, and yellows. Oh, how I love earth-toned colors.
That means all the autumn scented Yankee candles I smelled at Hallmark's anniversary celebration last week will have a welcome spot in my living room. Or my kitchen. Or my bedroom.
That means I can break out the fall decorations and cover the mantle in garland and put a fall wreath on my door.
That means that Kade can sport a sweater vest, and I can wear a scarf on our daily jaunt about the neighborhood.
That means I can lift the windows and enjoy a beautiful Carolina breeze, instead of paying $500+ a month to air condition my house. (The fall always reminds me why I love living in North Carolina, just when the summer had tried to convince me otherwise.)
That means I can sit in my sun room, curled up with a book or a magazine again.
That means I can make SOUP. Oh, how I love a bowl of soup. But soup, my friends, belongs nowhere near me when it is summer. Soup is to be savored in the fall. And fall is almost here!
And, as a reminder of just how awesome fall really is, here are a couple photos from our fall vacation to the Blue Ridge Parkway last October:
Oh, Fall, My Love, please grace us with your presence!
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