The Super Soaker 5,000

Domestic Diva (in training)

As you know, I was planning to give my notice when I returned to work. I did just that and they asked me if I would be willing to work part time. Part time would be fine with me if I could find reasonable child care. Meaning, reasonably priced, not a daycare - but a person that kept only a couple kids. Well, Jason and I met with a lady that keeps kids just down the street from us. She has 4 of her own, the oldest in kindergarten plus some more she watches. After visiting with her and seeing how many kids she has to watch day to day, I was overwhelmed all over again about leaving Elise. I didn't feel like she would have the attention she needs with all those kids, but while I was thinking that, Jason was thinking to himself that it's a great idea! We walked down the driveway, I got in the truck and didn't even have it started before I busted into tears. Of course, Jason asks what's wrong and in between sobs I say "You're...... gonna make......me leave her...... aren't you?!" No more words were exchanged beyond that.

Fast forward to today... I am currently at a stay at home mom. However, my first week at my new "job" isn't quite going as I had envisioned in my mind. I was envisioning days of playing with my daughter, keeping up with the house and laundry while she naps, getting myself showered and dressed before noon, meal planning, all those domestic duties my husband would appreciate coming home to. However, I have only managed to complete a few loads of laundry, take myself to the doctor, bathe both Elise and myself yesterday afternoon after a spit up accident, and haven't showered yet today. I wasn't looking forward to starting out my week being sick. Luckily, I made it to the doctor this morning, got some antibiotics and will hopefully be on the mend very soon.

I am very fortunate to have Jason around, though. I know not everyone is lucky enough to have their husbands help with dirty diapers and get up in the middle of the night to help with feedings. He does so well with Elise, I wasn't a complete nervous wreck while I was working and he was staying home with her. He might need a little guidance when it comes to picking out clothes for her wear, but if that's the least of my worries I'll take it!

Video

All I Want For Christmas...

Need Meds, STAT!

I think the lack of rest and constant running around (let's not forget the stress about returning to work, quitting my job, then meeting a potential part-time babysitter - but that's another day) has finally caught up to me. Now I am laid up with a runny nose, congestion, and sore throat. Not only do I fear getting Elise sick, but any kind of cold medication could dry up my milk.... my worst nightmare! I want to avoid formula at all costs, which could be the reason my freezer looks like this...



That's right, just call me a milking machine. That's all the breast milk I have been saving up. It was initially for me to send to daycare but since she's not going I have a pretty hefty stash of milk in case all the cows in the panhandle die.

So, at midnight last night, while rummaging through my own personal arsenal of medications I was on the phone with one of the nurses from the nursery at the hospital. They have lactation nurses there and said to call anytime, but being so late I could only talk to the nursery. Never the less, I rattled off various drugs and she proceeded to tell me what was a Level 2, Level, 3, etc. I have an appointment with my OB on Tuesday. Hopefully she can give me something to clear this mess up, because Elise has been fussy (I don't think she feels well either) and between my sneezing and nose blowing and her crying and spitting up it makes for some exhausting days!

I'm Clearly a Rookie

It has been made very clear to me that I am no pro at shopping with a baby in tow. Picture this if you will. Elise and I head up to Amarillo last night to run a couple of Christmas errands. The first stop: Kohl's. Now, typically I park far enough away that I can get my driver's side door open and then the door that opens up from the inside to be able to maneuver the car seat out. Well, considering this insane time of year, parking far enough away to do that would be in another zip code. So, I say to myself and my little girl... to heck with it. We're parking by the front door. Mind you it is dark and this time last year a lady was kidnapped in the Kohl's parking lot. So to me, the closer to the door the safer we are.

So, I park and methodically lay out my plan of attack. I am actually able to un-click the car seat and move it from the back seat to the front console in one or two swift maneuvers while sitting in my seat. I then proceed to exit the vehicle and lug the car seat and diaper bag (that contains everything but the kitchen seat) all out the driver's side door without dinging the car next to me. One point for Mommy!

I head into the store only to find no buggys that I can set the car seat in it. Only a dinky basket on wheels. One point for Kohl's. So, I am making my way through the idiots who are completely oblivious to the fact that I am hauling around a baby and 75 lb. diaper bag... that means move people! Well, I get over to the kids clothes and make my selections. Well, I can't obviously put my unpaid merchandise in my diaper bag because a) it's freakin full and b) they will accuse me of shoplifting and a trip to the pokey isn't on my to-do list. So, I am now carrying my child in her car seat, my diaper bag, and my merchandise. Two points for Kohl's.

Well, I'm nearing the end of my browsing and wouldn't you know it... My little sweet pea decides she wants to start getting fussy. Ok, put everything down on the floor and dig for a paci... ok, I have ONE. Let's make sure this doesn't fall on the floor. Pacify my child and head for the check-out. Well, I believe in following the rules of driving while shopping. Walk on the right side and pass on the left. Well, I guess in Japan they drive on the left side of the road because I had to weave in and out of displays in the isle with all my crap while a couple had an entire conversation in Japanese while pushing their empty cart without any regard to the poor girl toting an infant, bag, clothes, and a cell phone up to her ear. You can only imagine my frustration at that point. Another point for Kohl's.

So, I get checked out and head out to the vehicle... now what am I gonna do to get all this crap in the truck without opening the extra door? I'm not. I inevitably have to open the driver's door, move over while raising and lowering the car seat to accommodate the extra door and then move back over to put her in. I'm sweating profusely by now. So, I sit in the truck to try to get my bearings. Next up, head over to Old Navy... I look inside and see NO carts so that's not gonna happen. Head over to Target. The parking lot is almost filled up to the road. Not happening either. Next stop... Chic-fil-a and we are going home!

Needless to say Kohl's won and that shopping trip was a big FAIL!

Bests of 2009

I'm jumping on the band wagon a little late and hope to finish all of these, but I'm also realistic in that it probably won't happen. I am taking part in a challenge to reminisce about my personal "bests" of 2009. There is a specific topic for each day of December, and as of today, I am 20 days behind. So, without further a due let's get to it!

Dec. 1, 2009 "Best Trip"

Because, most of the trips I made this year were to Tyler and any trip I take with my husband is always entertaining. I'm going to branch out on this one and go with the trip to Missouri. Jason and I loaded up and headed to Pampa to ride up with Daddy and Lori. We sat on the turnpike outside of Joplin for 2 hours because a semi-truck ran over a lot of cars. We literally taveled less than 5 miles in that 2 hour span. Fortunately, I was pregnant and had to stop quite frequently so we were behind the wreck and NOT IN IT! I guess that's about the only reason to be thankful for sitting in traffic.

I had not been to Missouri since the funeral of my PaPa, which was 8 years ago. It was good to see lots of family that I hadn't seen, and some who I didn't even remember. We had a family reunion in Urich and visited the gravesites of my great grandparents and my Papa. It was a bittersweet trip in that I was able to go back, but that I was expecting a baby of my own that my Papa wouldn't be here for.

December 2, 2009 "Restraunt Moment"

One that sticks out, was in Tyler at Outback. Jason, Lori, and I met my mom and a couple of her friends for dinner. Can we say "My two moms?"


December 3, 2009 "Best Article"

I'm sure something related to pregnancy or babies, but nothing special is coming to mind.

December 4, 2009 "Best Book"

Since I found out in March that I was pregnant, all I read all year was books about pregnancy. Lori bought a book for me that some celebs swear by that was written by a midwife. It definitely touched me in a less than sentimental way. It was all about giving birth with little to no medical intervention. The midwives suggested the women in labor hike through the woods to perpetuate it. And the pictures in the book, were pictures of cavewomen giving birth... as in before the invention of the razor, or scissors for that matter.

December 5, 2009 "Night Out"

Oh, how I wish I would have done my personal bests of 2006 or 2007. I wasn't as boring back then. Because most of my nights out consist of Jason & I going to eat Mexican food, joining my co-workers and their spouses at the Japanese Steakhouse was really fun.

December 6, 2009 "Workshop"

Definitely going to our pre-natal/child birth classes. They were really entertaining!

December 7, 2009 "Blog Find of the Year"

While I always enjoy reading blogs from my family, I am always left entertained and wanting more from "Heir to Blair." A blog about motherhood, from someone I don't even know!

December 8, 2009 "Moment of Peace"

The baths I took nearly every night when I got home from work towards the end of my pregnancy.
December 9, 2009 "Challenge"

Clearly birthing a child. Enough said.

December 10, 2009 "Album of the Year"

I'm on the fence.

December 11, 2009 "Change to the Place I Live"

Most definitely Elise's Room. It might be my favorite place in the whole house.


I guess I will have to work on this more later, hopefully it will be completed before 2010!