Learning from others

We just got back from California. We spent the better part of the week with my sister in law and her children.

Every time I see her and her children, I feel the same way. She messed up her life and she continues to allow it to roll down hill.

I am continually learning from her mistakes so I would like to share her story. Hopefully others will not make the same mistakes. I will refer to her as E.

When E was 19 she entered her rebellious phase. She feel in love with a man 16 years ago, who she knew had a history of spousal abuse and she never told anyone about his history. Her husband occasionally hit her but she always took it and kept it mostly to herself. He was unemployed for 6 months. At that time they moved in with E's parents. E's mother spent a good portion of her savings and retirement supporting the family. Finally E's husband got a job in California close to my husband. From time to time E's parents would come and stay with E. E's parents always did the cooking cleaning and bought E's children the best gifts while visiting and buy other large ticket items that were needed. E's husband was never happy about E's parents visiting. E's husband was only good for the money he made. E and her husband were funny. They buy things they don't need but tighten the budget on things they do need (food, clothing, housing.)

In fall 2007 E's husband beat her. He threw her against the wall then down on the ground and started hitting and kicking her. All of the children were a witness (4, 9, 14 years old.) The 14 year old boy had to step in and pull his father off of his mother. We (my husband and I) wanted to call the police but E did not want us too. We respected her wishes and my husband had a serious talk with E's husband and was warned that next time there would be no choice and no one to stop us from calling.

We moved away from California. August 2008 we received a call at 11pm from the 14 year old. He called to let us know his dad was drunk and threatening his mother and being vulgar. The 14 year old and my husband communicated online. When E was hit by her husband, my husband was on the phone with the local (to them) police and they were there in 2 minutes. They took him away and a restraining order was issued the next day.

As you can see it was very typical. He is a control freak when it comes to what he can control and she is naive about the world. He kept $50k in the bank all the time saying how poor they are. He even made a joint account just so he could deposit the tax return money without her knowledge (or signature.) E believes that everyone she meets is so nice and had no idea that the government was giving $1500 to families as part of the tax relief program (in 2008) even though everyone I know was talking about it.

You know your 2 year old will be smarter than you when....

She knows the difference between right and left body parts, says, "We're almost home!" when you turn on your street, reminds you to "Be careful!" when you get mad at other drivers or (baba) starts swerving, and she spells her last name with the same ease you do.

We have a local educational channel aimed for middle school to high school level students. I told my husband maybe I should have her watch that and the university channel (always watching in on a computer technology class.) Could you imagine....

I would really never have her watch something that advanced at her age, but children truly are sponges at this age.

Did I mention the 6 month old says, mama, baba, and night, night. He is just now getting a firm grasp on sitting up by himself.

Grandmas.....

My mom called this morning. We started talking about Christmas presents. As you can see from the last post I am a very practical person and I know what I want for my kids. We don't celebrate but they do so we are going to see them for the holidays.

Cotton food from "Under the Nile." He can chew on it, she can play with it and have herself a store or cooking party. $26 not cheap, but okay.

Melissa and Doug Lacing beads. She can sort but color or shape and make her own necklace. $10 very affordable.



I talk to my mom and she was thinking about getting them something along the same lines but different.

Not bad or anything. Just more money and it looses half of it's purpose (sorting) and I am not sure Gibo will want to play with it when he is 3.

This for Gibo. $68 from FAO. It is a very cool toy and all, but for a 6 month old I don't see a lot of purpose behind it.

From my mother who in the same call said she is worried about money (she has cancer and will start chemo. soon) The same person who growing up said $50 gifts are the limit and made all three of us go in together to get the orginal Nintendo for Christmas one year.

I guess being a grandma changes everything.....

This years toddler "IT" gift

This year if you have a toddler you have just got to get them a kitchen. Almost every toddler parent I know is buying them a kitchen. It's okay if you don't have room, just make room for it. It okay if you can't afford your mortgage and you are thinking of letting your house get forclosed on, just get your kid a kitchen for Christmas because if you don't your 2 year old will hate you and you will be out casted by all of your other cool parent of 2 year old friends.

They range from the table top stoves




to diners







Yeah so guess what Z is getting. $10-15 wood lacing beads. And G? He is getting felt or cotton fruits and/or veggies ($20) so he can chew on them safely.

Chicken Pox with a baby

Gibo will be 6 months this Friday. Last Wednesday it became obvious he had the chicken pox. I thought okay it is just chicken pox, not a big deal. I was so wrong. Emotionally it was so draining.

We went to the doctor on Wednesday. Our usual doctor was not in. The doctor we saw looked at him and wasn't sure what it was and had to go get a second opinion. As we are waiting more and more dots are showing up, they are doubling right before my eyes. They conference with each other and decide it is chicken pox that I gave to him from the shingles that I had (didn't know it was shingles at the time), because they have a 2 week incubation period.

Thursday (Thanksgiving) my husband is home for the weekend to help. Thursday night only Zuzu sleeps. We are up all night with Gibo who is just so upset, uncomfortable and has a 102 fever with Tylenol in him. We changed our bed sheets at least twice that night and gave him an oatmeal bath at 3am to help with the itching.

Zuzu's love for Gibo really started to show through. She wanted to be there with him and confort him when he cried. She would get upset when she couldn't be by his side.

Friday night it became obvious Zuzu had the chicken pox too. Saturday Gibo started getting better and Zuzu worse. Saturday night her eye started getting a little red so for the 3rd time in a week we went back to the doctor. Turns out it went away on it's own and she was fine.

Now we are just waiting for all the sores to scab over so we are no longer contagious and we will pray for minimal scars and that Gibo has magically become immune (even though when babies his age get it they usually don't.)

In all of this I did learn that Gibo is 20 lbs now and my husband not only had the chicken pox as a boy, but the mumps and measles too.

I am happy that Zuzu and Gibo had each other through this and even if we could not make them smile, they could still make each other smile.

My favorite store of all time

PCC Natural Markets. They are only in the greater Seattle area, but they should be an example to grocery stores everywhere. They but Whole Foods to shame. Think costco (organic) food prices but without the bulk and with more choices and products. They even have a full vegan refrigerated row with chesses, milk and whatever else you could need.

I knew I was in love when I walked in one day to buy my staples, bought about $15 extra dollars in shampoo and still walked outspending less than my usual trips to other grocery stores.

...and it only got better. I became a member (it is optional) and now once a month I get an additional 5% off and another time I get 10% off everything. The membership was $60 and it is a lifetime membership, unlike Costco where you pay every year.

They only allow the use of plastic bags for produce (which usually are wet from the misting) and the dry goods (like grains, soup mixes, and nuts) but in both cases there are small brown paper bags as an option too.

They have cooking classes for toddlers up to seniors.They support farmland growth and local farms. They carry harder to find meat, like lamb and bison. Every time I try something new from PCC I fall in love all over again.

If you are ever in the greater Seattle area make sure you check out PCC.

Worth the time

My parents claim they know (all about this.) Well if the "know" the why don't they make the necessary changes???

I can talk until I am blue in the face and nothing ever changes because I am and always will be the "daughter" and they the "parents". I hope I am smarter than that when I am 50.

Another strike against phamacetical companies

I can't believe that anyone would be so naive as to even make all these assumptions this in the first place. Motrin is working on pulling the ad.

Old Pictures

My mom and I taking a bath circa 1981.

Dig my pin striped jeans, suspenders and my volcano science project. 1989

Just in case there was any doubt about my poor white trash history :) It was a 4 door long bed Chevy. I slept in one of the bench seats, my brother in the back row, then my parents and youngest brother in the back of the truck. Not sure when this picture was taken other than sometime between 1985 and 1992. I believe this was Pismo Beach.

It's offical

My mom has cancer in her bones. It took doctors 6 months to figure out what we already thought it was by the power of deduction and reading on the internet. Just one more mark against doctors in the US and another reason I don't trust them. She has been suffering with no name to her pain for almost a full year now.

So after Thanksgiving she starts Chemo and we go from there. As she says the good news is she will finally be loosing that extra 100 lbs she has been carrying around and we will be making a few trips out to California. The doctor that she is working with told her that some blood count number (to tell you have cancer) is the highest he has ever seen, but with a bone marrow transplant and possibly some stem cells she should be okay after they are able to kill off the cancer.

Just when I was happy that this ride called 2008 was going to be over....a ride called 2009 is looking even more challenging.

Feeling skinny--er

I am officially down to 134 lbs. My size 4's fit. I am happy. About 7 more pounds and my 2's should fit. I am very excited. My husband even said, "What is this you loose a few pounds and suddenly you have energy?" I seriously thought loosing weight would be harder this time around, I love to be wrong :)

My goal is to be squeezing into those 2's for the new year. With Gibo's help I should be able to do it.

Worse than poop

Baba has this big waiting room chairs that he got for free 3 years ago and he loves them. I hate them. They are our dinning room chairs. When we moved they got covered in plastic. Baba put Zuzu's chair on top of the plastic (as in 4/6 chairs were still covered in moving plastic.) Her chair is on there in such a way that he threaded it through holes he poked in the plastic.

Most of this week our apartment smelled like something died. 2 days ago I figured out it was her chair. So yesterday I vacuumed the sides to see if I could get anything out. It still stunk.

This morning after breakfast while baba was still upstairs I said screw his precious chair (and cover) I am taking the booster & plastic off.

I seriously started gagging. Ever smell a rotting animal...the stinkiest smell you can imagine...that was this. A brown puddle of milk with floating chunks and a ring around the edge of the booster chair.

I seriously contemplated throwing the chair away. I held my breath and hosed it down in the sink. Then I soaked it in the sink, then scrubbed with soap. Then sprayed down with anti-bacterial cleaner then rinsed again.

I think it will be okay now. Did I mention I hate Baba's chairs.....

2 adults, 2 kids, 1.5 beds

We had guests over the weekend that were 80 years old. So We gave our guests Zuzu's room so they could be close to the bathroom and minimize the stair climbing.

We have a queen bed and a crib attached to the side. Zuzu would get ready and go to bed first in our bed. Then Gibo would fall asleep and we put him in the crib next to the bed. Then we would sleep like that until Gibo would wake up hungry. Then I put Gibo in my spot, move Zuzu to the crib, then move Gibo over to the middle and nurse him back to sleep. If my husband and I both sleep on our sides or almost on the very edge of the bed we can fit all four of us. The problem becomes Zuzu's tossing and turning and bumping her brother.

So it can be done, and I am sure there are people all over the globe that sleep four people to a bed everynight. I do admit, I love snuggling with both my kids, but Zuzu did miss her room.

Through all of this we started a new routine of putting both kids to sleep at 7:30/8pm so that we could have 2 hours every night to ourselves.

For the first time in over three years....

my toe nails have paint. I use to always paint them and well for the last 3 years I haven't made it a priority. So now it is 11:30pm and I am finally doing it :)

Interesting enough it was almost 3 years ago today that I found out I was pregnant with Zuzu. What a journey the last 3 years have been....

Oh and I lost another pound

PLEASE teach my husband to drive!

We have owned our for 5 or so weeks now. So far my husband has slammed into the curb with it 2 times. The second time was today about 3 hours after I talked to him and said take it easy because your driving sucks. Be easy and smooth....smooth = good driving. I got no problem if he wants to drive like crap...that is fine just be willing to let me drive then and quit the macho BS.

Our gender roles are messed up. Honestly he is a better cooker and cleaner than I am, and I am a better fixer of things non-computer as well as I know my way around a garage and how to mow a lawn (he has never mowed a lawn.) Is he willing to admit it, No! I am? Yes!

Our problem #2: I don't like the way he french kisses (no passion) and he doesn't like the way I do (probably too much passion. This has been bothering me a lot lately.

Our problem #3: He is always at his sisters beck and call and rarely at mine. Sure I am not anywhere as needy or confused about day to day function in society, but when I say help please he should at least try to respond in a semi-quick fashion. (This is an ongoing problem...can you tell.)

Weight Loss Conclusion

Well I didn't do as well as I wanted to, but I did well enough. I had to slow down and back off to keep G's weight up. Diet and exercise are not good for chubby babies.

I hope to loose another 10 lbs by the end of the year, then I will be content until G is a year old....or so I think.

Economics

It is not like me to use this blog to post about real world politics, but believe it or not I am an educated woman and spend my fair share taking econ. classes, it was my minor.

Everyday I wake up listening NPR and everyday I hear something that makes me think "WHAT THE F**K ARE THEY DOING????" I am sorry but this nation is ran by a bunch of morons.

First- How is it that each state with in the U.S has to balance it's budget and make huge cut backs while we blow trillions on a war for oil and Israelies. (Follow something besides your local news and fox and follow the BBC or something half way decent and let me know when the light bulb comes back on.)

Second- So let me get this straight, we give AIG money, they take a vacation, come back & say they need more money and now we give them a loan?? Do I look like your sugar daddy or your b1tch???

Third- We loan GM $25B, they spend $3B in internet advertising. Dear GM we know who you are, your cars suck and/or are over priced, that's why we don't buy them. Why don't you invest that money in figuring out a way to get the engines to go 100,000 miles without leaking oil all over the place? I mean 100 years using a combustion engine, this isn't like rocket science.

Fouth- We have the Boeing machinests on strike. I understand you are under valued but your neighbor just lost his job 2 months ago and is getting forclosed on next week (see for yourself). There comes a time when you have to feed your family and keep a roof over their head and tell the union to go F themselves.

Now for the Biggie...
How about we raise the interest rate to give our dollar value again and then people will be interested in keeping their money in the banks (since it would actually earn money.) Then we could switch to complete Islamic banking home loans over the next 6 months.
If companies get burned in the process it was probably their own faults, in time other better ran companies will take their place anyway.


Islamic banking:
Say you want a $100,000 house, but you only have enough to cover your closing costs and put $10,000 down. So you need a loan for 90% of your house. Three blocks over a house just like your's rents for $1000 a month.

Given this info., the people that loaned you the money own 90% of the house that you live in. So every month you pay them 90% of $1000, or $900 rent. Then you need to pay down your home loan, so you pay them another $835 a month, so that every month you own more of your home and you pay less rent. So then if you paid $10,000 in the first year, not counting rent (plus your orginal down) you now own 20% of your home, and your rent has been adjusted every month and now you are paying $800 a month rent.

If at the end of the first year you have to sell your house at a loss the loss is split. So say the $100,000 house is now only worth $50,000. The split is an 80/20 (since those are the owned percentages) so buyer would only get $10,000 back out of the sale and bank only gets $40,000 from the sale (plus the rent them.)


I have the strongest feeling everything they are doing right now is only making things worse long term.

Made my own wrap

G wasn't very happy in the ergo like Z use to be, so I had some green cotton knit laying around and make my own wrap out of that. It seems a little more comfortable but he still hates it.

That was 2-3 weeks ago. Now we are back to the ergo and he is such a big boy he sits in it normally. With Z we didn't do that until 6 months.

Each child is obviously different, I knew it but I guess I didn't realize how true it could be.

Cherios and high chair toy down!!

Z was just laying on the ground and all of a sudden she starts peeing like a boy. It starts shooting up in the air, she peed in the bowl of cherios she was munching on and this little toy that fits inside the tray of her fisher price booster seat (that I just got out for her brother this morning) and of course on the carpet.

Ramblings

I have been pretty busy. Potty training, sick babies, making good food for my husband to eat (Ramadan), going to parks, swimming lessons, teaching Z some preschool level skills.
Then music lessons are starting this week and family coming next week.

I am very much enjoying my new van. It brings a new level of freedom.
Where am I going to nurse my son, where am I going to change his diaper, and how am I going to keep an eye on my daughter while I do all that? Not to mention have have more than enough trunk space now I can start getting some craigslist deals since I now have the means to get items myself versus sending my husband out when ever he has the time. (I really want to to get G a jumperoo in the next couple of weeks.)

In other news the economy is really suffering. I see the pros and cons in this. Good because now those crazy housing prices are finally starting to adjust back down to normal levels, but bad because my husband is too scared of the economy to buy a house. Maybe the November election will bring some good change with the new year.

All in a days work....

throw-up in bed, blue paint in carpet, coffee table coasters soaked in urine (don't ask)....

Weight Loss Ticker

Finally....

I finally got my minivan. (I was supposed to get it before G was born.)

We were going to get the Odyssey but DH is a techy so he wanted some bells and whistles. He fell in love with this model a year ago when we rented one for a week.

We brought home mama's new baby....
A '08 Sienna XLE Limted with Dvd, leather, laser cruise, and bluetooth and some other fancy toys.





If you are bored here is an entertaining story....

We went to one dealer to get Costco pricing. We get their unload the kids and she says....I have the '08 at the other lot, let me get a car you can follow me. (Well at first she wate us to ride with her over...um hello two car seats lady....)
So we get to the other lot and unload the kids again.
"look as this beauty I drove over pre-owned '06 with 39K miles dvd, navigation, laser cruise...the works, only $31xxx."
The cars are all locked and they are all the '09. "I just wanted you to see them for color and feel them" (okay smoke much weed lady??) We tell her what we want, she says "that package doesn't exsist" I told her I just saw it last weekend. About 2-3 more times we tell her what we want and she continues to tell us that doesn't exists. Then she says we should go
She says let's go back, I can talk to my manager, and get some VIN to look up the costco pricing on.
We get back in our car the man & I are like this lady is crazy. We told her what we wanted, she said she had it in stock and all we wanted was a price. Now she is just wasting our time & she wants us to sit for 2 hours to get a price because she has to find the car by talking to her manager, searching the state, & typing in VINs....let's go. DH said let's just go and not say anything...if she asks we will say the kids were done. I told him, no I might be bringing our car their for service so we better just say thanks but no thanks.

Anyway we traveled to another dealer where we knew they had our car in stock & got it for about $1k more than the '06 the crazy lady showed us.

7 weeks

That is how long it took to loose 10lbs. I haven't had any junk food. When I crave it, I just try to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy clothes and that reminds me that I can do without.

At this rate I hope to start to fit in my old clothes in 2 more months.

Cashmere Cuddles Review

I had a chance to try out a carrier from Cashmere Cuddles for a few weeks. It is by far one of the most beautiful carriers I have seen and the pictures don't do them justice.

When I first tried this on I was overwhelmed and it wasn't as intuitive as the ergo. G was about 6 weeks at the time and had little head control so getting him in it was not easy. (You put it on and then put baby on shoulder like you are going to burp baby but a little higher than normal and then ease the baby down into the carrier.) G was not happy with his feet tucked inside and wasn't quite wide enough to sit in it like the picture (taken at 10 weeks when G was 16 lbs and 25.5" long.)




As you can see G doesn't have a lot of head control as this age but now Teri (the owner) has added the option of hoods that would help support little heads.

The carriers are very comfortable and light weight which is great on warm muggy days. There is also a matching tie to hold your child in closer to your body (not pictured.) Since this carrier lacks a lot of bulk it easily fits in any diaper bag and most purses. A huge plus over the ergo.

Cashmere Cuddles now has an online video available by requests for those of you that are like me and sometimes feel "carrier stupid." Seeing them used in real life and video really helped me with using it.

After using it for a few weeks, I am not sure this is the right carrier for a newborn just because getting them in and out (especially) is really difficult (since you need 2 hands to lift them out and then you don't have a free hand to support their head.) I think this is a great carrier starting at 3-5 months with the leg gussets and for half the price of an ergo you can't go wrong.

If I still lived in California (where the weather stays warmer longer) I would probably have Cashmere Cuddles make me one with gussets and have her add a zipper or velcro pocket since I always need an extra pocket for my phone, wallet, and keys.

2 months and 1 week later

I am down to 142 lbs and at this stage I am content. Sure I wish I was already back down to 125 but any progress is good progress.

Scamming ...

So we moved in March out of state so I canceled the car policy (since CSAA only covers you while living in CA.) They said okay we will get the refund check out to you at the end of the month.

I got busy and called back in May, they said check is going out on May 31st. Had Gibo called end of June, some other lame excuse, called July they said oh we sent it to your old address but we will cancel that check & send to your new address. (A obvious lie because; all mail is automatically fwd here and it never showed, I changed my mailing address to the current one before canceling the policy so why would they have sent it to the old one????)
I call today 1st call I wait, she comes back says it the re-issued check was mailed on the 28th (July) and then CSAA drops the call. I immediatly call back go through the maze of "press 1 for..." and instead of picking up I get a Buzz buzz...yeah guess what that means. I call back again get a new person he says it was mailed on 28th again & repeats my current address back to me minus the apartment #. "Opps!"

I find this entertaining because the post office can still deliver because it doesn't take an IQ to match the last name which is written inside the box so if they had received it, it would have been delivered or returned to CSAA by now. All the other times the CSAA people repeated my mailing address correctly WITH the apartment #.

To make matters more entertaining I went through somethig very similar with my old OBs billing department. Our medical insurence use to cut us a check to pay for bills and I made the mistake of mentioning this and her voice perked up & she wanted to know how much. Didn't tell her, but that lead to a similar string of events & her wanting me to pay over the phone without recieving the bill.Did she think I was stupid???

Makes me wonder if billing departments are starting to try to scam people and how many people have become the latest prey.

Mmmmmm...good

I have to share, cause my dinner was that good (I was tempted to lick the plate.)



Chicken breast marinated in Annies Organic balsamic raspberry dressing(I think that is the brand) for a day. Cooked 350 till no longer pink.

Basmeti rice (cooked with chicken broth or knorr chicken bullion cube already dissolved in water.)

Veggies
Half a decent size onion coarsely chopped and lightly sauteed in a little bit of butter
Half a bag (I think about 5 oz) of frozen corn
Half a bag of frozen peas
Half a can of tomato paste
1/4 to 1/2 a cup of water
2-3 shakes of garlic powder
about 1/2 teaspoon of all spice (you want to be able to smell it a little even after you stirred it in)
salt & pepper to taste

Let simmer stirring occasionally. You want a nice thick pasta sauce consistency.

Serve veggies over rice.



You can substitute the peas & corn with almost any veggie. We always to this with okra (just cook the okra until it is breaking up, mushy, sticky before adding the tomato paste) and peas and carrots. I think my MIL even does it with spinage and it is delicious. You could also change the rice broth flavor if you were having it with beef.


.....and this is how we get picky eaters to eat veggies in our (extended) family. :)

NBL

A group of friends are doing a kind of contest like Biggest Looser. We are all weighing ourselves this weekend and then 12 weeks from now we will weigh ourselves again.

Right before I got pregnant with Zuzu I was 115lbs (I am short) in between the pregnancies I got down to 125 lbs. My goal before I have another child is to get down to 120lbs or make sure all my old clothes fit a little more on the comfortable side.

I ordered 6 minute blast for a workout DVD, I figure I should be able to squeeze that in 5 days a week. It should be arriving soon and I can't wait.

Bum Genuis Cloth Diaper Giveaway

Check out babycheapskate blog

Yes 12 of them...

Lesson Learned

Before I had G, Z ate lunch at 11:30 and started her nap 12/12:30.

Baba was taking care of her for one week and instead of keeping on the program he did things his way....late lunch 1pm and sometimes a trip to the park after ward then naps would start between 2 and 4pm.

Now she naps anywhere between 11am and 4pm and I can't do anything about it. I put G down turn my back for 3 seconds & she wakes him up. Sometimes I just set him down or move him & he wakes up.

Long day (can you tell?).....

As soon as G turns 3 months it will get even easier and I'll work on a schedule for us all.

Cloth Diapering

So finally I am cloth diapering almost full time for Gibo. Seriously I think it was a great choice. I have 12 Bum Genius pocket diapers and they are working really well. I am doing laundry every other day and Gibo sleeps better at night while he is wearing them. I also have less problems with leaks. Strangely enough I am not really getting peed on with diaper changes when I use the cloth.

The bad news is, these diapers have 3 size settings and Gibo is already on the middle one at 6 weeks. I guess I shouldn't be too suprised considering I am a week or two away from taking out the 6-9 month clothes.

If you are looking to buy these cloth diapers the best deal is from cottonbabies.com and using coupon code BESTDEAL for 5% off. I recommend buying the 6 pack, if you try oneor two and don't like them, you ca always sell the other 4-5 you don't use for the same price you paid for them on ebay.

Last night I realized people are happy and life is good because they say it is (not because good or bad things determine it.)

I thought about this because how is it that some people can constantly be so down on their life and feel like all they have is crap, when others deal with things 100 times worse and still go on and manage to smile and be happy at the end of the day.

I truly love my life and enjoy every minute, even when I am half way asleep at 3 am and covered in pee and poop, I just wish I could clean it up while sleeping. :)

I guess my mom wasn't lying when she said, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes stronger" and "All things happen for a reason."

My children, my husband, and I are healthy, feed, and happy, life is good :)

Flying with 2

We left on Thursday afternoon. One child in the go-go-kidz travelmate & car seat and the other in the infant seat and stroller and then one suitcase.

Security wasn't too bad, but we were anything but fast. We had the row in front of the exit row, which did not allow car seats, so Zuzu sat without it. She was upset and fussy whe she had to put on her seat belt (it was nap time) but we distracted her with a snack. Once we were up in the air both kids were sleeping.

We landed and got a rental car. A new Crystler Town & Country. Nice cause it was a mini van but drove & guzzled gas like a truck, and it was gutless (even for a minivan.)

We got to see friends & family on our trip. Thursday night the fire alarm went off in our hotel at 11pm, but both kids slept through it. Z got worn out Friday night and got a little fever, but was better by morning.

Sunday we flew back home. This time there was a 14-16 month old girl that was screaming so it really muffled Z's sadness of puting on a seat belt. G slept the whole way and Z was awake until we started the desent. Funny how she waited until it was time to land.

Overall we had a great trip and I would gladly do it again.

My list of accomplishments

Feeding a 2 year old (table foods) and 3 week old at the same time. Putting a 2 year to bed & reading her stories while ursing the other.

Grocery shopping with 2 by myself in a very small car. (Donations will be excepted to buy mama a newer model minivan since my husbad's car is more like a clown car for midgets-which luckily I am close to being one.)

...Coming soon: Flying with a 2 year old and a 5 week old.

Gibriel

Pronounced: Gib-reel

He is after God's messenger, just in Arabic. DH had a dream about this being his name a few weeks ago, but I wasn't fond of it. So we were really going for Ayoub (Job in Arabic) but when we saw him he was obviously a Gibriel and not an Ayoub.

So Gibriel joined us two days ago and is enjoying milk and naps :)

Birth Story

As you all know I had teaser contractions for about a month prior to birth. I didn't sleep well the night before. More of what I thought were teasers and lots of using the toilet. Morning came and the teasers didn't go away and after all the bathroom visits I knew it would be that night.

So all day yesterday I stayed closed to my friend the toilet and relaxed listening to some Beatles music and just tried to rest up. For the most part they were 7-10 minutes apart while I was laying down and relaxing, but when I would get up to do anything they would come closer. To me they really didn't feel to bad. About 10:30 or 11 am they started getting about 5 minutes apart and a little more intense, but they still didn't seem too bad. So I decided to go take a warm bath. When that didn't make a difference on the contractions and they continued to intensify I told baba he should let the mid-wife know we would be on our way soon. (I didn't want to spend 20 minutes in the car in hard labor so I told him let's just go.)

We arrived around 1pm. They were intense but still not what I would call full power (when compared to Zuzu's birth). So I got in the tub there and relaxed. Then just to get an idea of where I was at I had the mid-wife check me. She said I was at 8 cm. I was completely shocked. I thought for sure she was just trying to be nice or something. (I was thinking maybe 5-6 cm.) About an hour after that I was at 10 cm.

I started pushing. This time was different. I had to work a lot harder to get the water to break and him to crown. It was probably all of 3pm by then. Then I took my time stretching myself so I wouldn't tear. Pushing was so much harder this time, especially in relation to the labor. This time I could feel so much more with his head coming out. It was really weird.

Finally my little man was born at 3:41pm. He came out blue. The mid-wife said it was normal though I wasn't so sure, but he was breathing well and she said to give him some time to get some color.

I ended up with a 2nd degree tear. Which I thought was weird since I was being so careful. Turns out I tore in the exact same spot. I got stitched up.

Later we found out he was 8lbs 5 oz and 21" long. Zuzu was only 7lbs 1 oz, so I guess the extra 1 lb and 4 oz needed to escape some how :D Now I am just worried the next one is going to be 10lbs or something crazy.

We left the birthing center as a family of 4 at 7pm. I came home and rested while baba and Zuzu got me a Fatburger. :)

I'll try to get a picture or two up soon. There are only 3-4 pictures currently in exsistence and baba has them all. I will say he does have light brown hair but nothing when compared to Zuzu at birth.

Sleep is over rated.....

Windy rainy weather. A daughter that got out of bed twice. Going pee every 30 minutes and contractions on and off all night. I think I slept 2 hours maybe 3.

Update

This is way too much info. but I keep this here for my record if nothing else since I don't think I have too many regular readers.

Today my ho-ha feels alive. I believe it has more blood circulation than normal. Not really like tingly (like after good sex), but like more blood is pumping around down there. Almost like when you have to pee badly and you feel it hitting the sides as it comes out.

I am also having little cramps, but they are very little and barely worth mentioning, especially compared to other ones I have experienced.

At my mid-wife appointment last night my blood pressure was way down like 106 over 70, and the heart beat was only in the mid to upper 120s, where it is usually in the 140s. I am also having a harder time getting to sleep even though I am exhausted. My guess is more hormones are kicking in and are almost in full gear.

1pm PST we have the "bloody show". So I guess my ho-ha felt weird for a reason, it is the blood vessels in there rupturing.

Still pregnant

Just keeping the blog updated. I am ready, but I guess baby is not, so I will just try to enjoy my time.

I was killing time this morning...

So I made up my own top 10.



You know your baby has dropped when.....

10. Half of your lap is gone.

9. Your belly no longer grows, your baby just drops.

8. Even though your bed is tall (and you almost have to jump to get into it) you have to roll out of it.

7. You ask your almost 2 year old for help getting up and you seriously consider a digging your hiking cane out of the garage.

6. Clothing that covers the bottom of your belly leaves an inprint (from being compressed between your belly and lap) after you have been sitting for more than 2 minutes.

5. You start to think about what you could put between you belly and lap during the end of labor so that baby comes out with a "cool" imprint on his/her shoulder. (I would really never do this, but I am sure if guys carried babies this would happen all the time.)

4. You go up the stairs on your tippy toes because you have short legs and you are not sure your legs could clear the stairs and your belly going up.

3. You feel like you have a ball between your upper thighs.

2. You start to think that having someone's head between your legs is normal.



*insert drum roll like Letterman*

...And the #1 reason you know you have dropped is when...

....the head starts to stick out of your ho-ha.




Looks down, doesn't see anything, grabs a mirror....phew we are still okay on that last one... :D

Still as big as a house....

I am still pregnant. Yesterday was another "teaser" day. Cramping and back pain most of the day. Monday I tried walking, spicy food and sex. Got a little bit of cramping Tuesday but nothing that did anything or progressed.

I am really tired of being teased and I am ready to have this baby come out. If I wasn't being teased so much, on a deadline so baba can spend a good amount of time with us, and concerned with spending more money on the birth (Baba had a fit when he heard the price and the thought that it could be more after June 1st makes me want to plug my ears), other than that another week or two are good for me.

At my appointment this week my belly was measuring the same and my protein was high, but my BP was normal.

Come on out baby! Your family is waiting. :)
(No I wasn't nearly as bad with Zuzu, she didn't tease me she just did her own thing and came out at the perfect time.)

So bored...

Today I woke up cleaned the stove and microwave THEN ate breakfast. This is seriously insane. I was hungry but I felt like I just had to do it.

Then we went out and bought some food. Then ate some more food and took our nap.

Next I vacuumed and wiped down everything from the bathroom, walls, and even base boards. Yes I know we have only been here 2 months.

If I had a cleaner that didn't stink so bad I would probably clean the shower door better and the sliding glass door.

Now I am looking at the clock wishing it was a little later so I could start dinner.

So not like me, but I want everything to be done and ready because I know I won' t really touch anything again for 3 months.

What I learned last night

Early labor dragging on for 3 hours straight is no better than real labor. At least with real labor you know you are getting somewhere.

If this is all I needed to do to get 30 minutes in a warm bath while Baba and Zuzu pick me up dinner I would have done it a long time ago :D

My mid-wife says sometimes Benedryl (even children's) can slow things down. Didn't have to try it but came very close to considering it.

Now I am hoping to make it to the weekend. Not sure how realistic that is but I can hope.

We are getting to close for comfor now...

Baba was away last week. Wednesday through Saturday night.
Friday of I had a scare. Little contractions for about an hour.

Today I decided to go the store before it got warm. Getting off my butt, BIG mistake. Nothing but little contractions for the 30 minutes I was out.

It is 4:30 and now I can't stand up with out a cramp.

Here is something else interesting I want to look into. Friday my temp was around 98.5, Saturday it was 98.1, then yesterday it was 98.4 and right now it is 98.8. I am not sick just PG and hot. In dogs a change in temperature is a sign of labor....

Almost ready.

Had my mid-wife appointment on Tuesday. Baby's head is down and engaged in my pelvis.
I am "enjoying" walking around with my legs pinched together...yes that great feeling like the baby is trying to get out and putting pressure on everything.

My bowels are going crazy on me, the "ring of fire" is mild compared to what I experienced today.

In one week we will be a go for this baby (37 weeks). I just hope baby waits until after my birthday.

Very Useful Items

A great outdoor blanket for half the price of the ones found in baby/toddler stores. Plus you can always use one of those coupons you have laying around to save more. Just don't wait. They usually run out quickly and don't restock until next spring.

I have had mine (same as above but outside is green) for two years now.

http://www.bedbathand
beyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=114044




Misty Mate. I have owned 2 of the deluxe 24 oz models both times my husband gave them away. They aren't cheap but they are worth the $30-40. I used one in Egypt in 130F weather and while pregnant and birthing Zuzu. (Hormones always give me hot flashes worse than 130F heat by far.)

I found this one online here Doctors Foster and Smith and walked away with it for $27.50 using a $5 online coupon code (that expires today.) Not exactly the deluxe but it does the same job (just not as pretty) and if my husband gives this one away I probably won't be quite as sad....plus this time I am buying it with his money, not mine :D

Before you ask...no this was not made for reptiles the site is just marketing it as such since they are a pet store.

A good resource

(Bought from Amazon


I just got this book and it is fantastic so I had to share. I want to spend more time on focused instruction for Zuzu since I will be home schooling her until she is at least 7. This book designed more for a 3 year olds classroom setting but can be easily adapted.

It is organized by theme. For Zuzu I am going to start on shapes. It gives art and craft activities, snacks, science, music, sensory, movement actives, a few other topics and then a list of books that also work nicely with the unit. If you are a teacher it even has a letter you can send home to parents introducing the topic and the things that will be covered.

I have to order a few supplies before starting but nothing unusual. The book does make me wish Zuzu had her own space or we had a nice yard to set up a small work station/table.

I bought the book itself from Amazon. I shopped around and with (no) shipping it was only about 50 cents more than the cheapest place. Also note this is the 5th edition. If you are on a budget I am sure the older editions would work just as well.

2 nights in a row

Zuzu has transitioned to her own bed in her own room.

When we moved here she spent the first week to 10 days with mama and baba co-sleeping at night. Then she spent 2 weeks on her crib mattress on the floor and mama sleeping next to her on the air mattress. The second week was on and off. (She cries mama goes in and comforts her and then sleeps there for a while.)
Then her big girl bed got set up. For about a week mama slept on the floor next to her on and off (comes in when she is upset usually about an hour at 1 am and then 5am to wake up at 6:30am.) Upon waking up we would go in and wake up or find baba.
Then I took down the air mattress all together. For a week or two I would still go in when ever she needed me and snuggle with her in her bed. As time went on over the next two weeks she needed me less and less and would come wake us up at 6:30.

Naps during the whole transition followed the same pattern as night time. If she needed me I was there. If she didn't need me I was doing my own thing. The last two weeks I let her get up on her own when she is ready and I meet her at the top of the stairs or let her stand at the top and call for "mama" before coming.

It was a long and slow transition (especially) being pregnant and trying to get up from an air mattress but if it works, it was all worth it.

Do I look "fat" to you

Either 33 or 35 weeks....your guess is as good as mine.

This looks yummy

Zucchini-Avocado Salsa

By Cathe Olson

This is a delicious, nutritious alternative to regular salsa. It is great with chips or as a topping for burritos, tacos, or quesadillas.

2 small zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
3 green onions, sliced
2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
dash Tabasco sauce
salt and black pepper to taste

Steam zucchini and corn together just for 2 or 3 minutes until colors are bright. Place in a bowl with remaining ingredients together and chill for at least one hour.

Yield: About 3 cups

Variation: Add 1 to 2 cups diced tomatoes

Long week...

My mom came. That was nice.
My daughter got sick. 105 fever and a trip to the ER.
I retired my rings. I feel fat.
Baba was late getting home when I had my appointment. That had to be canceled.
Got my online shop back up. Really busy again.
Still haven't unpacked anything else.
Took Zuzu to the fabric store and that did not go well at all.
Ate a nice lunch. More fit throwing and another un-enjoyable experience.
My belly is huge and I look like I am due in a month.

....I need a nap...

Good-bye Belly button...

It is gone...Before children I use to have the nicest, deepest belly button. With my daughter it lost it's depth and returned about 50-70% of normal afterwards.
This time it is completely flat and I still have about 6-8 weeks to go. I am not sure if I like this.... :(

Got Carpet???

I bought 2 yards of this on sale and it is awesome. We have a little Ikea table and it even catches our messes :) I think I am offically ready for playdough and paint.

http://tinyurl.com/4bjw6o

I don't have a current coupon code but give it a week or maybe search online for one.

This is 20 gauge...the ones with the cute characters from the regular stores are about 7 gauge and you can really tell the difference.

Target Coupon

Target is offering free shipping on $50 or more of baby gear and you can get $5 off $50 using code TC382BQY

More reasons why Breast Milk is Best...

A new study came out recently that found stem cells in Breast Milk. See article.

This is very interesting to me. Another interesting article I saw in last year was about Cancer patients drinking breast milk.

...and this article claims it is the cure all...well almost.

I think I know ....

what I am getting Zuzu for her birthday..or maybe a little sooner...

It is made for short riders, it is light weight at less than $100 (vs. $290 for the likeabike mini.)

Stress doesn't even begin to describe it....

My husband's dad is still in the ICU. To make matters worse he got an infection yesterday so he is back on the ventilator and has a fever, as well as other problems. To make matters worse he has already used the highest strength of antibiotics available to fight off the last infection.

I can't keep going the way we are going until the baby is born or even after the baby is born. I need my husband here unless his dad is on his death bed and only has 3 days to live or something.

I can just see it now. Zuzu and I home alone and my water breaks and I go into labor. Then I have to do a home birth, while my husband and mom are trying frantically to find a flight here (minimum 5 hours...2 hours for them each to the airport, then 2 hours on the plane, then a 45 minute cab ride.) They arrive and I am laying in bed with baby #2 and Zuzu.

I seriously hope what ever is going to happen good or bad for my husbands dad will happen this month.

My husband and I can barely even talk to each other without fighting because we both feel like the other should be giving more emotionally and physically.

I have a bad feeling...

I have a feeling and I just can't shake it...
My gut is telling me this baby is going to be early...not like 2-3 days early, but like 2 weeks or more early.

With Zuzu I had June 27th stuck in my head. She was due on July 1st. She ended up being born June 29th which worked perfectly, because baba HAD to work on the 27th and on the 28th he stayed home with me when early labor started.

This time the date May 31st is stuck in my head. It is so bad this time it is almost as if I see this date when I close my eyes, where as last time I don't remember it being quite like this. I also feel like my water is going to break and then this baby is going to come hard and fast...like 4 hours.

Time will tell...

My joyous weekend....

Seriously my poor husband can't even think straight anymore, but he insists that he can.

He spends 10 minutes b!tching about how he doesn't have time to enter a contact on his phone (which takes him 30 seconds) then even when he does have 20 minutes to himself he plays Xbox or I find him all curled up with a blanket passed out on the couch at 8pm.

Then when he goes to see his dad he stays up till 11pm shooting the breeze with his sister and mom instead of taking advantage of not working and catching up on his sleep.
The when tell him he needs to go to bed earlier than that and take good care of his body he accuses me of being mean. I ask him how I should remind him in a nicer way, he tells me I just shouldn't say anything.

He had all weekend to unpack some things...
he paid a bill, lifted 3 heavy things out of boxes for me, took one box upstairs, took 5 boxes (that I broke up) to the garage (but left 4 out!??), and made a new pile in the living room of stuff that goes downstairs, set up a computer in the living room (he has a den !??) and put 4 pairs of formal shoes in the coat closet(!??), then b!tched when I told him his shoes go in his closet especially since he wears them once a year at most, and he said well I put them away if you don't like it, you do it.

What did I do over the weekend...
Unpacked 2 big boxes (minus the 3 heavy things), vacuumed, went grocery shopping, picked up after him and Z, took care of the other 5 boxes, moved his shoes, set up his night stand, unpacked a box for Z, put together the lamps (no light in living room for 3 weeks), oiled a toy for Z, not to mention kept her entertained so he could have some time to himself for 30 minutes, most of which he spent on the phone because he can't not answer it.

Ironically he said earlier that day...I know you think I am not sane anymore.
I told him, no you are just going 30 different directions, and no one else is going those directions with you.

He is leaving again for a few days so nothing else will get done by him and then my mom will be here a few days after he gets back.

and to further complicate things this is me now....

Birthing Center

I gained 8 lbs in 3 weeks. I could tell I had two growth spurts (by looking at the tummy) but I had no idea...

The birth center is 20 minutes from home. I did my GD test and I know I passed that and they checked my iron and I am not so sure that is doing well. I was happy they did that because it is being proactive vs. my OB who would have waited until I complained about something to check or just let me deliver and see what happens.

I am glad I didn't do a birthing center for Z, it would have been fine, but I think a first time mom needs more direction and care a little longer. (They will send me home 5 hours after birth. I would birth at home but the closest hospital if I needed one is about 30 minutes away, vs. 5-10 from the birthing center.)

Now accepting applications...

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE ‘THERE IS NO RETIREMENT — EVER!!!

Rantings of a pregnant woman...

I think for the time being this blog should be called rantings of a pregnant woman because she is married to a man.

Thursday night (before the movers came) we were up until 2am packing. Then I was up at 7am packing again while my husband slept in. Friday it took the movers 5 hours to load up our 1 bedroom apartment. We ended up having 4500 lbs worth of crap and we threw out about 200 lbs and packed another 300 or so in the car.

Friday night we hired someone to clean our apartment and we finally left at 8pm. We spent the night at my husbands sisters so my husband could spend time with his dad (in the ICU) before leaving. My husband decided to be irresponsible and after spending 3 hours with his family he stayed up another 2 hours BSing with his mom and sister.

Saturday afternoon we left. My husband insisted on driving despite how tired he was. Then after he dozed off and almost side swiped a car (nearly giving me a heart attack) he decided I could drive.

We arrived to our new home Monday mid-morning. Tuesday he went to work. Wednesday his motorcycle was delivered. Friday night our stuff finally arrived. I got up Saturday and started unpacking Zuzu's stuff. He slept in.

Over the weekend he put legs on a table, put a bookcase together, put up 1/2 baby gates, set up our bed, unwrapped 2 chairs, and unpacked 2 boxes in his den. I unpacked 10-15 boxes and set up the closet organizer and Zuzu's room.

My husband has been gone everyday 7:30am-8pm. Then today he left to go back to see his dad (in the ICU in California) and by the time he comes back the weekend will be over and he will be working again.

Did I mention while he is there he is staying with his sister and her kids (who are on vacation) so he is going to be playing with them while he waits 4-5 hours everyday for his sister to take him to see his dad. Did I also neglect to mention that he gave me the impression that he was going there to work out of the office and would see his dad in the evenings like he did when we lived there (not to hang out at his sisters and "work from her home.") Had he mentioned this he knows I would have never agreed to drive him to the airport at 4:30am or to pick him up because he knows I hate the fact that he always choses his family over our family.
Do you know he said to me..."What are we going to do every weekend when we move if we don't go to my sister?" I was like "WHAT?? Are you joking me? We are going to spend time as a family and we are going to go out and hike, explore, see things, and go places." For 2 years while living in California I wanted to take him to Yosemite and we never went because it was always something, some drama of why we had to go to his sisters that weekend, for him he always wanted to go skiing...we never did that either even though my parents rented a cabin for us and everything.

After my husband's father gets healthy he is cutting the chains and I don't want to hear one thing about his sister and her crap unless there is blood, hospital, or police involved otherwise I am going to call her and b!tch her out and virtually slap her. (I don't do well with people and their BS especially when they can help themselves but choose not to.)

I am going to kill him!

My husband has everything left to pack. I have packed 30 boxes by myself, my mom packed 5, DH packed 1...yes 1.

I call him, he is still an hour away taking care of his dad and he plans to stay the night and then drive 1 hour (after no sleep) work 4 hours then come home and spend all day and night packing tomorrow.

I, of course, know my husband and how he is on little to no sleep and I said, WTH are you thinking you are no good to me tomorrow if you do this. He seems to think he is superman and not my DH. He gets tired and pissy on anything less than 8 hours and asks to be left alone and take a nap.

Did I mentioned he worked till 1am, or later, last night and is already pissy and tired worse than a baby, so he is going to tell me tomorrow "just let me sleep for a few hours and then I will be ready to pack." Which means he is not going to move his a$$ until 4pm and he is only going to have till 8pm to make noise (because Zuzu is just as exhausted as I am) and then he is not going to move until 8am since he is "tired," about the time the movers pull up.

He forgets that I am the PG one and not him all the time. I am so physically exhausted I seriously just got up from a 2 hour "nap." I know that his dad is important to him and he wants to be there to help the last few days but I kind of need him to help wrap the couch, clear off the table (it is still 6 inches deep in his paper junk, as is I will probably do that for him), wrap and stack his ugly ass waiting room chairs that he insists on keeping for our dining room chairs, lift and wrap our bed, take apart the beds, pack the closet full of heavy camping gear, wrap the bike trailer, wrap his fancy chair, pack the printer, big the server, massive cisco firewall, the access point, pack the car with the TV (including get someone to help him carry it), and I am sure there are 3 or more things.

I already told him just get his sh!t together and he can spend Friday night with his dad since it will be his last chance and the movers will have come and gone.

Men just don't think and lack priorities, and my husband puts way more priority on his parents and sisters comfort and well being than his own wife's and family....he has openly said (before his dad got sick) that he would gladly give up the unborn baby's life if it meant saving the life of his father or mother. You can imagine I almost knocked his head off his shoulders and thanked God he would never be allowed to make that choice.

Moving along...

Nothing like trying to pack and having a toddler scream at you because you are packing one of their favorite toys.

The moving truck will be here Friday and while I feel like I am mostly packed, we are no where near where we need to be.

There are 33 boxes packed and I am sure we still have 10 more to go, plus wrapping some furniture, which is going to be insane by itself. I have a feeling we are going to be packing up the place still as the movers pack the truck.

Busy Day...

I have been up since 5am. Baba went to Seattle and got us an apartment/townhouse. It even has a playground viewable from the upper levels.

My parents came over at 7am and rocked the kitchen. (We went through 150 feet of bubble wrap and 200 feet of tissue paper. ) We are up to 31 boxes and I am sure we still have 5 more big boxes to fill.

They just left at 4pm and Zuzu is passed out on the couch from such a long day and I am ready to join her.

...and you think you had a rough month...

This is not baby related as much as it is, life is tough and when you are pregnant you have no choice but to be tougher. It is going to be a rough read so proceed with caution.

Father in law (baba's dad) arrived towards the end of January. He is 67 and a life long smoker. First week he was in good health the second week he was in bed sick. Then he was taken to the ER by my sister in law on a Friday night, she did not bother to call us. He was extremely dehydrated (14 IVs) and had pneumonia. The next day (the 9th) he was in the ICU on oxygen, then tubed, that two weeks all of us thought we were going to loose him for sure. I would drive an hour to take my husband lunch and some clothes and he would just break down. No woman especially while pregnant should have to see her husband like that and have to hold together her family and pretend like it will be okay. We later found out that he has ARDS and his kidneys are failing. As of 2 days ago it seems he is getting better so our hope is back.

On Sunday I got sick. Sister and law and her kids all have fever, strep throat, ear infections, so I assumed the worse. We went to the Dr. Monday, he said no inflection so I should be okay in a few days. Monday night we (husband and I) stayed up until 2am fighting my fever with Tylenol and cold compresses on the forehead and under the arms. All day Tuesday same thing. Tuesday night the fever finally started to break on its own around 9pm. The good news my husband got to spend 2 days with his daughter and putting her to sleep at night so now she is down to 1 feeding a day at nap time. I am not back in perfect health, but that will take time for my chest to clear itself.

Wait there this is only the half of it....

We got a call on Monday (the same day I went to the Dr.) that my husband's cousin, his second brother, had a brain aneurysm and was in the hospital in Egypt and will likely need to be flown out of the country to get the proper help. The bleeding stopped on its own so we are also hopeful on this front.

Then I am online today wondering why my dad is home from work. I find out my cousins (step) granddaughter (who is 1 month older than my own daughter) was abused (found broken bones that were mending on their own) and allowed to drown in the bathtub completely unsupervised. They are going to the little girls funeral today. She is survived by her 3 older sisters. The mom of the little girl is the same age as me and had you told me this would have happened 10+ years ago when I first met the now mother (who is in jail) I would have said you were insane. It makes me so sick. The little girl died on Saturday February 16th. R.I.P.

So now it is time to dry my tears, the month ends tomorrow.

March is bring us a new state (new city) a new home which is still TBD, so it is bitter sweet. I am sad because I have lived within 100 miles of my birth place my whole life, and all my memories are here. My daughter is the 8th generation of my family to be born in California, and the very first generation was within 30 miles of where I was born. It almost seems wrong that my second child will be born in another state, but at the same time after this month I couldn't be more ready for a change.

Great Ergo Carrier Deal

Use save152008 to save $15 on orders over $75
Use save202008 to save $20 on orders over $100

http://www.mybumblebaby.com/ergo-...riers.html

At this price you can't go wrong! They sell for more used on ebay.

Ugh...

My laptop is wearing out and we won't have money to replace it. We are moving in 1 month. Trying to get everything worked out on a house. I am 5 months pregnant. The management wants to show our apartment to people on a waiting list even though there is nothing to show since there is barely walking space on a good day. I have boxes and toys everywhere. Cloth diapers hanging over the shower door and I am not about to vacuum or clean anything for the sake of a stranger.

In good news Zuzu slept through the night 2 nights ago, but last night was a failure.

Nothing more sweet

than seeing the two people you love in their most peaceful state together. I can't help but smile every time I see Zuzu and her baba snuggled up sleeping.

In other news we are moving out of state soon. We are in the process of buying our first home after living in a 1 bedroom apartment for so long. This should be an adventure. A man, his pregnant wife and a toddler moving 1000 miles.