Notes from Silly-vill

2010 in photos

2011-01-02T15:44:00.025-05:00

*idea lifted from Auntie

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

To say this past year went by quickly would be an understatement.
I hope 2011 brings me slower days to savor the great moments and extra patients for the tough moments.
Happy New Year!

My pillar of integrity

2010-09-08T19:29:00.002-05:00

So Nico's fist day of kindergarten is in 12 hours.
I could write about how time flies. How big, smart and independant he is.

Yet, I will write about how I have already fucked up his homework.

A week or so ago, we got a letter very nicely asking the parents to round up some visual answers to my favorite things (where I live, thing to do, food to eat. That sort of thing).

I think I've got all the time in the world to convince Nico to draw lovely portraits of these favorites. What he doesn't draw, I can print out in one hour at the local CVS, no?

"Hey, what's your favorite thing to do?"
"Dig in the dirt!! I want to dig! But it's too hoooooot out to diiiiiiiig, sigh!" Dramatically throwing body on the floor.
"Do you want to draw your self digging? We could use those cool markers and your easel?"
"No. Can I watch TV?"

After three days of this (today being the third) I promptly sit him down at the computer and we pick some lovely photos. He did, however, draw a plum and our cat. Favorite food and pet.
I start to gather our things to go to CVS and melt down number one starts. #1 leads into number two and so on until there have been no less than four separate issues to meltdown over. We don't get to the store, so I order the prints online to be picked up at the store in ONE HOUR.

Jesse stops on his way home to get the ever-lovin' photos.
He comes home with no photos.

He is told, "Why, no we have no photos for you. Your wife placed the order to be picked up in 5 to 7 days."

No. NO, I DID NOT!
Why on earth would that even be an option in the ONE HOUR PHOTO category of ordering! Who in their right mind wants their photos printed in one hour at an undisclosed location to be shipped to the local store within 5-7 days!! This is utter lunacy.

I panic a bit.
His first day of school. My first homework assignment. I cannot be that mother (even though I am)

So, here we are on the eve of the first day of school.
Well, I was here.
Nico was here.
Cora was here.
Jesse was at CVS saving my ass, Printing 5 photos and he never complained. Never scolded me for not seeing this coming. Didn't bitch because I was, yet again, unprepared.
He is my pillar of integrity.

Attack of the stinky kind

2010-08-31T15:02:00.008-05:00

*warning: this post contains overuse of curse words and exclamation points*
FUCK!

Oh, you want to know what's in the bag?
Let me introduce you to our new roommates.
Some of them are nice and cozy in this bag. Soon they will suffocate and DIE and this makes me VERY HAPPY.
I can be heard yelling, "die fuckers!" "I hate you, god damn Chinese invaders!" "Any one found crawling on my children will be drowned in a jar of rubbing alcohol!"
Tired of guessing?
fucking STINK fucking BUGS! FuckGoddamnyouHolyHell!

This prehistoric gift from China is invading our bedroom. You know, the room where we spend 6-8 hours semi nude, asleep with our mouths open. Oh, and the baby.
I am fully convinced that she will awake from a nap, see one crawling on the bed and think "this must be a delicacy somewhere, eh, let me see here" then with her new found, swift pincer grasp pops one in her mouth. Gahh, I am getting sweaty thinking of it. Would she spit it out, stinky smell = yucky taste. Could she be poisoned? They bite! THEY FUCKING BITE!!
I flushed 7 or 8 down the toilet last night. Another 5 this morning. Then came afternoon nap time. There was a party on our air conditioner, behind the radiator, flying around the room, crawling on the window shade they all stopped and looked at me when I walked in the room. They seamed to be sizing me up. I decided not to waste any more water on these fuckers! I gently plucked them one by one with a kleenex and placed them in the bag of death. I then put bag of death filled with no less than 10 fucking stink assshitholedumbstupid bugs in the hot trash bin outside.

Wait, I didn't tell you. They are called STINK fucking BUGS because when squashed they FUCKING STINK and apparently this fucking stink is a call to all the other fucking stink ass shitty fucking bugs like "It's warm in here, come in here!" or "AVENGE MY DEATH! THE KIDS ARE THEIR WEAKNESS!"

Any advice on permanent fucking removal?

UPDATE: As of tonight the space we think they are entering has been blocked with foam. Take that fucking fuckers, the bugs not you!! (How's that Jessica?) There have been a few stragglers but no new bugs! Dare I say we won this battle?

Thoughts on breastfeeding.

2010-08-08T08:04:00.008-05:00

This past week was World Breast Feeding Week. All over facebook, breastfeeding threads abound.

A question posed by a group I "Like" on facebook started me thinking of my breastfeeding experiences.

"What are some myths you've heard from formula feeders as to why they don't breastfeed? How do you respond or do you even bother trying to educate and correct the perceived myth? How can we as individuals better promote breastfeeding among our friends, family or community besides just nursing in public?"

emphasis mine

Oh, I received this gargantuan box containing 2 full sized cans of formula from Similac. This was my welcome to motherhood because "feeding is hard"

To say I was upset is an understatement. Insulted and angry, yes. This all got me to thinking not only about breastfeeding but formula as well.

You see, I was once the woman who unhappily formula fed.

Nico was born in hospital, five years ago this Friday. I got no breastfeeding support, okay they gave me a tiny bit of bad support. Hours past after his birth before I put him to my breast. Hours!!
I cry to think of him rooting for his hand and me not knowing enough to offer my breast.
I would also like to add that Jesse and I took the breastfeeding class prenatally offered by the hospital. So, technically we were educated.

Then I get angry.
There were many nurses, the nurse midwife and my family around. None of them suggested I put him to my breast. I am not angry at my family, I only mention my family to point out that breastfeeding is seen as a private matter. Perhaps a family member did want to suggest he be fed, but because it would not be "polite" they didn't speak up.

My milk comes late (like postpartum day 4 or 5) with Nico the doctor was concerned about his weight loss @ 2 days old. I was told (by the ped and his lact. consultant) I had low supply and needed to supplement with formula and pump.
Nico was a sleepy baby and would fall asleep at the breast almost immediately. The doctor and his lactation consultant suggested I try to wake him and to have him feed for about 20 minutes each breast. Then Jesse would feed him a few ounces of formula and I should pump with a hospital grade pump. We should do this routine two hours from the start of the last routine. That left about 45 minutes of non-feeding time to be a family. We were exhausted and worried. I dreaded the nights when time slowed. Add to this the fact that I could not pump more than 1/2 ounce ever! I still can't. Neither the doctor nor the lact. consultant told me that some women have an incredibly hard time pumping. Nor did they try to trouble shoot why.
The pump could have been inadequate for me.
The breast shield too large or small.
I was most certainly not in the mental state to be pumping. Yes, some women need to set the scene to relax. To think of their baby and waterfalls, hoses, sprinklers, bath tubs full of water in order to get any letdown with a pump.
The doc did, however, write me a prescription for a medication. A med for reflux whose side effect in some women was increase milk supply. This sucked. It left me more fuzzy headed and sleepy. Not surprisingly, my supply did not increase. So I assumed that I had little to no milk and my baby was essentially starving. No one corrected me. No one questioned me. Every one told me I had done "all I could have"
After one month of the retched routine, I decided to formula feed with a comfort nurse in the evening when he was crabbiest. The one or two nursing sessions each day were lovely and I am glad we had them.

With Cora I also experienced low supply. She was born at home and nursing shortly after she was born. It wasn't until a doctor visit at 3 months that we discovered my low supply.
From 2 months old to 3 months old she gained not one ounce. However, she did grow in length and hit all her milestones.
At her 3 month well check the doctor advised formula supplementation or even rice cereal. I* decided to give it some time and check other resources. I was not about to let my breastfeeding relationship with Cora slowly slip away. I did realize that she needed more calories than I was able to give her so my dear sister, Jessica, pumped or nursed her once a day.
I owe part of the decision to seek out more help to our midwife. Prenatally, I voiced my concern about breastfeeding this baby. We had many lovely discussions about my fears. She never speculated or tried to "diagnose" my first breatfeeding experience. She validated my feelings (Jesse's too). She said many times that she knew my body could nourish my child and was confident that we could do it. She instilled in me the knowledge that I CAN breastfeed and if problems arise to seek more opinions because there are many, many options.
I went to a free La Leche League walk in clinic and read this book. The LLL leader weighed Cora and while watching her nurse, listened to me tell my tale thus far. It was very nice to have that. To have another woman listen to me, nod, place her hand on my shoulder and say "I have some ideas."
She also thought my supply was low. She gave us options, choices other than formula.
I decided to nurse Cora more (like whenever she was fussy, anytime at the breast would increase supply), to switch sides often during feeding (will wake a sleepy baby and also signal another let down), use breast compression when feeding slowed a bit and to have Jessica keep providing one nursing session each day (thanks to her ample supply). I was already taking herbs to support my current milk supply (Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek) but decided to add Goat's Rue, also called French Lilac. Goat's Rue is pretty damn cool. It can/did increase supply.

We scheduled another weight check at the ped's. She did gain a bit but I had to do a bit of educating. The Doc and nurse practitioner did not know of Goat's Rue and those other little tricks to increase supply. Again they recommended formula or a bit of cereal.
There were more weight checks and ounces gained but still not enough.

At four months, we decided to add some solid food and cut out Jessica's daily nursing. Cora was nursing better overnight (when supply is at it's highest) and I knew my supply had increased. Cora had stopped hitting my breasts, pulling at them while eating, squeezing them or just screaming and I could hear way more gulping.
We opted to not feed her cereal flakes from a box. Have you seen that stuff. It's gray, blech.

One of the LLL leaders suggested avocado or sweet potato. These guys pack way more fat and nutrients than sad gray cereal.

With my new supply, techniques, confidence and avocado, Cora began to gain good weight. Sure she is still a peanut, but she is just a small human who is hitting milestones (early even). She is thriving, happy and healthy.

If I did not have the gentle support of those women, well, I fear I would have lost our breastfeeding relationship.
So to answer that question up there,
"How can we as individuals better promote breastfeeding among our friends, family or community besides just nursing in public?"
and those that answered it with a "How could the mother not know_____?" or "How silly, she thought_____?"

Short answer is that some of us didn't know, no one told us.

I think we need to keep in mind that some women have never been given support like I was privy to.
Perhaps they have not heard of comfort nursing, or supply and demand or that a babe may need to eat more than the every 2 hours as their doctor/hospital/nurse/mother/sister/friend or all of them told her.
Also, it could be her "choice" because of body image issues, prior sexual assault/abuse or other reasons that she doesn't want to discuss with you.

If someone had said to me, before my supply tanked and could have been saved: "Do you think there might be another way to save your breastfeeding relationship without formula?" "I know your body can do it! If you want to explore other options, I can call LLL or another lact. consultant for you. I can drive you to a LLL meeting. You and your baby CAN breastfeed!"
Maybe things would have turned out differently.

I have learned so much from both experiences and hope that I have the ability to gently support the other breastfeeding women I know.

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding? Did you struggle at all? Did you decide to formula feed?

* I say 'I' but Jesse and I discussed all of this at length and came to decisions together, well most of them anyhow.

P.S. one more cute photo because, well, CUTE!

Say what?

2009-09-26T07:39:00.002-05:00

Fetus and I are about 33 weeks along and counting. Baby is growing and busy. I am tired and can feel my sore hips loosening, hooray!

I have been meaning to post a third trimester update, I have been meaning to do a lot of things lately...I end up writing this crazy to-do list and then reading on the couch when I have free time.

Mostly I wanted to share this bit if verbal diarrhea I saw:

Let the snarky-ness begin.
Seriously?
Come on Sen. Kyl (R Arizona)!
There are a million and one covered "diagnoses" tests, conditions, procedures etc that men and women do not have in common. .
Sir, I venture to guess that it's because our reproductive systems are different. I will never use my insurance coverage for a vasectomy or prostate exam, but then again I do not have a prostate gland or testicles, my four year old would be happy to elaborate on the subject, if you need.

If you go about separating a men's health insurance and a women's health insurance wouldn't that cost more?
Not to mention, where would this leave all the transgender folks?
What is your point, sir?

Of all the asinine sound bites out there against health care reform this may take the cake for me.

25 Weeks

2009-08-02T18:45:00.004-05:00

Pregnancy is so very different with a preschooler in the house.
I am at about 25 weeks now and so obviously pregnant. Looking forward to meeting baby, fetus as I lovingly call my baby (I just typed "her"...hmmm...signs everywhere)
This kid moves like Nico did, non stop and with gusto. I have a feeling big brother will have an equally active playmate.
Nico will lay down next to me, take my hand, put it on his abdomen and say "can you feel my baby moving?" He'll take a big breath so his stomach moves.
"My baby will be out soon, same as yours." Nico says. "My baby will come out at home, with everybody here." He continues. Then he proceeds to name EVERYONE in our extended family and I have to explain that not everyone will be at his siblings birth. Funny little man. I am glad he's thinking about the birth.

A post from my lovely sister reminded me that there are some darn cute things for babes.
I have been so engrossed with life, Nico, hating the rain and cursing "The Great New England Tomato Famine" to think about baby accoutrement. But, I started browsing Etsy (the handmade mecca of the Internet, seriously check it out) Big trouble, so many cute, useful items.
I know we have a lot of stuff left over from Nico, so we don't need more ...but look at these...

Darling Olive Elephants loafers by Gracious May

One Hip Teether by little alouette

KoolKid teething rattle (Kool as in Kool Aid) by mimi shop

Wooden Grabbing and Nursing Necklace by stones of healing
so sweet.

I really like that it is obvious these vendors care about children.

The 1% Doctrine

2009-07-12T10:36:00.012-05:00

I'm sure you've heard of Dick Cheney and his quote:
"if there is a 1% chance of a terrorist act occurring, we must treat that threat as if it were a certainty"
Ron Suskind wrote his book The 1% Doctrine about this and I just watched a great video that tied the 1% doctrine to the maternity system in the US today.

Eugene R Declercq,PhD, Professor of Maternal and Child Health at Boston University School of Public Health says in his video Birth by the Numbers of the 1% doctrine:
"this is the perfect description of the philosophy of contemporary maternity care. When you set up a system that focuses on the 1% of problems that might occur, you undermine the care of the 99% of the mothers who don't need those services."

I could not think of a better way to put it. You should watch the video, he breaks down the statistics in to easy to understand and plain terms. I find at times it is hard to take solid information away from personal stories. The stats get lost in the fluffiness or gore of the story.
It is all to easy to sit back after reading a birth story or watching a movie about birth and think "that madness will not happen at the birth of my child" or "well, at home may have been great for them, but what if..." Then you go about your day and do no research, no more critical thinking about system of maternity care in this country or of the birth options you may have (or why you don't have options).
This video was easy to follow, not to long and left me thinking about what I can do to help facilitate change. I have already changed the way I think about birthing and prenatal care, but what can I do to help families make their own informed choices? What can I do to help bring these choices to families covered by medicaid, like me? How can I help change the system so that Medicaid covers out of hospital births and gives these families actual choices?

Going back to Birth by the Numbers, the stats he speaks of are for birth rates, maternal and perinatal death, cesarean section rates but left me thinking of prenatal testing as well.

I never once asked why, when presented with a prenatal test when pregnant with Nico nor were the tests presented as a choice. I don't think that my situation with the Nurse Midwifery group is/was unique.
Let's take the first ultrasound (u/s) I had.
I think it was at our first prenatal visit at about 7 weeks....medical history given, family situation discussed, the CNM busts out the "wheel" The wheel is a guide to finding an estimated due date based on a 28 day menstrual cycle. Find the first day of the last period and the wheel gives you the estimated 40 weeks later ie: estimated due date. What if your cycles are 25 days apart (as mine are) then the provider should be able (through experience) finesse the date to accommodate your individual cycle.
At the end of our visit the CNM said we should schedule an u/s to better calculate the due date, so we did. No questions, no reading, no thinking. Nico's due date was then set at August 4, it would change 2 or 3 more times before he was born, spontaneously on August 13.

More concerning to me is the second u/s to "check and see how things are" I should have asked, "what things?" Knowing what I know now, I would have asked "what could you find out that would change the course of my pregnancy?"
This is how I feel about prenatal testing: What could this test tell me that will change the pregnancy?
Will I abort the pregnancy if there are markers for Downs Syndrome?
Is there some operation that I or the baby will need within the first 5 minutes of birth to save a life?
Even if some potential abnormality is found is there anything that can/will be done?
Will the abnormality be "watched" with more u/s, cause me tremendous amounts of undue stress and resolve itself as the fetus grows? This happens alot and to people I love.

I have to think the providers must order all these "watch to see" u/s to cover them in case there is a congenital abnormality in the child, the parents get sad/pissed and sue the provider for not "monitoring the pregnancy" and warning the parents. In turn causing the malpractice insurance rate to increase dramatically and the providers to treat 99% of pregnancies as though the 1% of problems will occur.

I also would like to discuss screening for Strep B late in pregnancy. As I understand it, Strep B is form of bacteria that can naturally "colonize" (live in) the genital tract of women without causing symptoms or being harmful. These colonizations can fluctuate, at 36 weeks pregnant you could test positive and at 40 weeks negative. The bacteria can be passed to the newborn during birth or not.
So, why not screen during pregnancy?
If you are a Strep b carrier you will receive antibiotics via IV and your newborn will be given antibiotics and treated as a sick child, even if no symptoms are present.
Well, if it can stop a possible infection, why not?
So as to not give unnecessary antibiotics to a new born.

True, strep B can cause a fever in laboring women. So can an epidural. Either cause gets you and your newborn antibiotics.

If I go to my primary care provider's office with a runny nose, I do not automatically get an antibiotic nor do I want a provider that would give me one. Other causes are rooted out, allergies, common cold etc. and then the diagnosis is treated.

Why be so quick to give a newborn baby antibiotics?
If the newborn shows signs of infection, yes please treat with antibiotics.

This is our plan. If baby is showing signs of an infection, treat the infection. As our baby will be born at home, there is also no risk of this baby being infected by viral illnesses or bacteria that are prevalent in hospitals.
Don't think that since the birthing center is a separate wing that the support staff isn't all over the hospital before they are in your wing. There is no separate food staff, cleaning staff or lab techs for the birthing center at hospitals.

None of this was discussed by our CNM, it went something like this, "Do you want to screen for Step B this week?"
"What's that?" I ask.
"A bacteria that can live in or around your vagina and can cause and infection in your baby during birth. If you are negative, you won't need IV antibiotics during birth." says the CNM
"Okay" I say placing my feet in the stirrups, scooting my butt down to the edge of the paper covered table and opening my knees a little wider.

Please read, ask many questions and make informed choices, even if they aren't the same as my own. At least you will own those choices.

P.S. Our CPM's table doesn't have stirrups or paper.

ARRGH

2009-06-20T07:47:00.003-05:00

I posted today. I started the post a long while ago and I cannot figure out how to change the publish date to today! So please scroll down for a prenatal visit post.
M

Weeks 8-14

2009-05-21T07:12:00.005-05:00

Ahh, second trimester, how do I love you.
I have more energy. I am not so crabby. I still get nausea after supper, but not so bad. I can go a whole two hours now without eating, impressive I know.
I felt baby moving in the last week. At first it was hard to distinguish between the mad gas moving and fetus. Yesterday, no mistake, quickening. It is nice to have more than a tummy and nausea as physical proof of pregnancy. Even if it is only me who can feel it.

In other parts of our life.
Jesse was gone for two weeks on a gig. Two weeks is a long, long time for a three year old and his Mama. I am so very grateful to have family near. It wasn't as bad as I expected but I did yell more than I ever have in Nico's life. Disappointing, but a gal can only take so much.

Jesse got back last weekend and our town held Big Rig Day, a parking lot full of trucks, perfect.

Cherry Pickers, no problem. This is N's "serious worker face"

N's favorite breakfast treat, Ala Auntie, "Special Toast"
Toast, goat cheese (Goat Rising, delicious) with local Honey.

How much do I love that N asks for food like Goat Cheese and Kalamata Olives? Much to Jesse's dismay, he doesn't even like to smell olives.

Mmmm, special toast. I'm going to make some right now.

Out Rage.

2009-05-15T08:27:00.002-05:00

I cannot wait to see this movie.

Prenatal visit

2009-05-02T08:24:00.014-05:00

We had two prenatal visits with our midwife, she's a Certified Professional Midwife and just what we were looking for. She cares for the whole pregnant woman and her family. My emotional well being is asked about and discussed. Jesse and Nico's as well. She hugs. Our visits are about one hour. We are very comfortable and confident in her and her ability to support us through this process.
We have chosen to birth at home.
We did not come to this decision lightly, I don't believe the decision on where to birth should be a light one. We also don't feel that it was a tough choice.
I have read countless books and articles on birth, statistics, the medical model of prenatal care/birth and the midwifery model of prenatal care/birth.

I work within the medical community, I am fully aware of the life saving and quality of life increases that medical technology can provide.
I don't believe that in average, non complicated pregnancies the hospital with a surgeon* and inadequate nurse to patient ratio is the best option for most families.
I believe families/women have a right to an informed choice on were to birth & with whom.
I don't believe that pregnancy is a diagnosis or something to be remedied.
I believe that medical technology is amazing, if used appropriately.
I believe women have the right to informed consent in all areas of pregnancy and birth.
I believe that we are not all given informed consent in pregnancy/birth and are owed such.
I believe the system needs to change.
I believe in medical intervention only when necessary.
These are beliefs are mine and shared by others. What are your beliefs on birth?

When Nico was a year old I started to reflect on his birth. I soon realized that I had some unresolved feelings about what was done to me at the hospital, prenatally and why I wasn't given all the information I needed to make informed choices. Jesse and I talked frequently about our memories of the pregnancy, birth & day after. My sister started asking me some very thought provoking questions and I started reading.

We used Certified Nurse Midwives in an Ob group during my pregnancy with Nico. I feel that my first mistake was how I (I say "I" because I alone made this decision) choose them and the hospital. We (I say we because I believe these are "we" decisions and can lead to wonderful conversations with in a partnered relationship) did no research, didn't realize that we should. We did not interview the midwives, didn't realize we should. I just knew that family members birthed with them and retold pleasant experiences. They were a popular group. They were close to our home and the hospital. They were midwives.

I became disappointed in myself and the medical community. I had not educated myself well enough about the possible outcomes of prenatal testing and birth. Oh, I read books while pregnant with Nico, just not the right ones. I had digested the standard What to Expect and others, we knew the phases of birth, went to "birthing classes" (in quotes because looking back I learned nothing helpful, just hospital policy) we planned a natural birth,had a birth plan and had the baby stuff at home. **

I did not, however, read about the medications that could be offered to me while in labor, the prenatal testing or the amazing results of hospital births with the support of a doula. None of this was brought up in conversation by the CNM's we visited prenatally either. I wish we had hired a doula for Nico's birth, it would have been nice to have a supportive, knowledgeable support person for Jesse and me. I believe that had we hired a doula, I would have breastfed Nico earlier and had better immediate postnatal care.

All of the choices Jesse and I make now are informed and discussed. We are supported by our CPM, physically and emotionally. This is what I wish for all women. There is too much fear wound around pregnancy and birth in this country.
Fear of causing your fetus harm.
Fear of pain.
Fear of our bodies.
Our bodies are built for pregnancy and birth, really they are.

I would like to invite you to have a conversation with me, each other and strangers about birth and pregnancy. I have been wanting to start conversations with those in my family and friends, but have not due to fear. Fear of hurting feelings. Fear of how I might be perceived.
I vow to start these conversations. When I do, please know, I do not what to "convert you" to some home birth hippie. I only want to discuss your feelings, believes and thoughts, as well as mine. I also hope that we can each learn something new about one another to think over. And I hope that you don't take my word for it and that you start reading.

Statistics that shock me:
C-section rate for live births in the USA according to the National Center for Health Statistics: 2006 is 31.1 % and rising.
***C-section rate at the hospital Nico was born in 2005: 25.4%
***Hospital with the highest rate in the state of MA 2005: 42.4%

Next posting: prenatal testing

* Obstetricians are surgeons, that is their designated medical specialty and how they are trained. Many do not see a live non-medicated, no intervention birth during their training!

**I am planning to post a book list, suggestions please.

**according to the birth report by State of MA choose 2005 page 39 (2006 and 2007 are also there and about 36-40 pages down, check out the stats!!!!!!)
More states are linked here

Etsy give-away.

2009-04-16T19:19:00.001-05:00

Man, I love all the items here.
Take your chances and enter to win great handmade items.

8 Weeks and counting

2009-04-09T07:04:00.006-05:00

This blog may slowly morph into a birth blog. Yes, birth blog. I am about 8 weeks pregnant, sleeping 10-12 hours each day and always with the damn nausea.

Nico is enjoying telling every one that "Mama has a baby in her uterus" but he says words like uterus so often that some folks have paid no mind until I say "yes, it's true".

I have precious few minutes until I need to eat again so here is the last month in photos.

Walking in Arcadia
Uncle Justin had his Doctoral Recital (Yippee, he's working so very hard! His brilliance is hard to deny) The Fine Arts Center at BU had this lovely goat head sculpture that Nico loved. (There was no placard with the artist name so I don't know who to credit)

Hanging out with the best (and cutest) cousin ever!

Sewing and knitting is at a stand still. Although I do have a blankie started and some diaper covers or soakers to go over cloth diapers, which I'd love to get from this kick ass diaper service.
Mother herb diaper service provides cloth diapers and wipes for the SAME price per diaper as disposables. Did you read that and the wipes part!!! They come once per week haul the stinkies away and leave fresh diapers, whoot.

See that, I'm already needing food!!

Another give-a-way

2009-03-09T19:07:00.001-05:00

Win a free Bumgenius 3.0 Diaper! This is a valuable All-In-One cloth diaper that you can use for yourself or give as a gift to someone expecting a baby! Go check out Hot Belly Mama's Blog for details on how to win this wonderful All In One Cloth Diaper. Hot Belly Mama will announce the winner on March 30th, after her 30th birthday!

Here is the direct link to her blog:

http://hotbellymama.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

Bumgenius is a type that was on my list titled "try this awesomeness"
But I never got around to ordering some. Great opportunity to try one.

Invalidate Prop. 8

2009-02-07T15:41:00.002-05:00

On election night I was happy and proud.
The next day I was angry, sad and embarrassed.
I do not live in California.
I did not get to vote on Prop. 8, yet I was/am embarrassed.
I hope that the Supreme Court makes the right choice, the only choice in my opinion and invalidate prop 8.

Advice needed

2009-01-29T12:26:00.003-05:00

After reading this I am ready as I ever was to create a vegetable garden to help nourish my family through the winter.
I have been thinking of my Paternal Grandparents, who had an amazing garden. I have wonderful memories of picking beans, cutting parsley (my favorite) and the like.
I want those memories for Nico.
I yearn to taste those memories.
I am not known to enjoy dirt. I do in fact, although I haven't always. There was a gap beginning with pre-teen hairspray and ending with the birth of my son.
I am at a loss as to where to start.
I know start with the seeds, stop being a smart ass.
I hope that with some help from my memories and my Aunts (Marty & Sue both amazingly patient women and super gardeners to boot) I can grow and nurture my family with a garden.

Nico with Marty in her garden.

Do you have any advise or book suggestions for a gal in New England?

The proud Mama

2009-01-18T08:44:00.009-05:00

Nico is becoming quite the story teller.
I love how the story/pretend play can change at a moments notice.
Lately the players are; our family with the addition of another child, a baby, "my baby" according to Nico, a girl. I think this has something to do with how darn cute Baby Cousin Chicken Ashley is.

Last night this played out:
Nico was on the potty. He's on toilet paper probation* so I was standing in the door way.
He wipes and says "Mama, this is my baby from my utadis"** Holding out the toilet paper.
"My, what a beautiful baby" I say.
"Oh no!! My baby's in the toilet!" says Nico as he runs into the other room.
Thinking he's moved on to something else, I flush.

"Noooo, No, No. Oh! No! My! Baby! You! Flushed! My! Baby! Now she's in the pipes. Can you hear her cry?"
There is the small muffled cry of "mama, mama, I in the pipes and it's yucky."

I try to convince him his baby is so agile that she has fought the flush and jumped out, no dice.

He is freaking out in his pretend emergency way.
This a full on pretend panic. There is running with no direction in mind. There is the constant yell of OhNo! OhNo! OhNo! He runs up to table tops and counter tops rummaging through the clutter looking for nothing and everything at the same time. He settles on imaginary tools and an imaginary plumber, obviously.

Meanwhile, I am retrieving a baby doll from the living room.

We are at the door to the cellar, pretending to be in the cellar, listening for her crys. The plumber says "I gonna shoot her out pipe" Nico Mama says "I will catch her" I hold the baby on the cellar door, the plumber makes some noises and throws the baby to her waiting Mama.

"Oh my baby, I so sorry you got flushed and was in the yucky pipes"

Baby crying.

"I am so sorry that I flushed your baby! Is she alright?" I ask.

"Yes, but she is hungry" Nico answers.
I turn around and this is what I see:

Mama Milk, of course. He's a good Mama.
He feeds her for a good 5 minutes, then we eat dinner.

The Happy Toilet Baby (Tallulah Bob Pleepbo) and her Mama, Nico.

*Toilet paper probation is given to those accused and found guilty of using FAR too much toilet paper.
Probation consists of no longer being allowed to close the door for full privacy therefor proving the guilty is capable of using two squares for pee-pee.
**uterus: pronounced yoot-a-dis
***Mama Milk is made in a mother's body to feed babies. Mama's drink orange juice and her body makes it into yummy milk that babies love.

Earlier in the day, Nico and Jesse watched a favorite TV show. The New Hankie Workshop .
Then Nico proceeds to play. Only his show is called the "The Brand New Hankie Workshop" He fixed my cabinets, just don't call him Norm.

Miscel.

2008-11-30T18:56:00.001-05:00

Cool baby carrier give-away I came across...Nicole, You should enter...these Ergo carriers rock!

Win a Free Organic Embroidered Ergo Baby Carrier Hands Free System from Along for the Ride

I smell an english muffin

2008-11-06T19:43:00.003-05:00

Total bummer, I have no photos of the best Halloween costume EVER.
Nico wanted to be a Butterfly Robot. No foolin'
Sister got some good shots, as soon as I get some from her, you can see them too.

I had to share this funny Nico night.
Tonight at dinner, Jesse has rehearsal, Nico was restless so I told him a story.
Jack and the Beanstalk. Or at least my memory of the story.
There was the hunger, the cow barter for three magic beans, the ensuing fight with family, planting said beans and waking up to the giant stalks. I got Jack to the castle, sneaked him under the door, the Giant smelled him and said
"Fee Fi Fo Fum, I smell the Blood of an Englishman!"
After I said this I envisioned Nico freaking out in the middle of the night about a giant trying to eat him.
So my giant never tried to eat Jack, couldn't find him and Jack stole a few grapes off the table to feed his hungry family.
This actually ended up being very nice.
The open-ended version left Nico room to make a lot more stories up. Which we acted out the rest of the night. Me on my knees as Jack and Nico with hands on hips as Nico Giant.
Here's the funny part, Nico Giant says

"Ge Gi Go Gum! I smell English muffins and blood!"

His f sounds like a g. I don't have the heart to correct the muffins and blood, nor has he asked why Jack smells so. Man, three year olds are such fun creatures!

P.S. Yippee Barack Obama!

The Lighter Side

2008-10-15T13:15:00.009-05:00

So while I am imagining the next generation being forced to pray in school, dying from back ally abortions and other such nonsensical far right things.
This is what he was doing:

It's progress, usually the pile-o-friends is ON his head.

Here's what he's been up to

Jack Hammering:

Playing along with Tom Petty

Looking super dapper in his suit (hand made by Noni 20 years ago for my brother) and his red Chuck Taylor's at Baby Ashley's Baptism. He calls them his rock-n-roll sneakers.

Oh. My. Shit!

2008-10-15T12:51:00.003-05:00

I am currently in tears. Tears of sadness and rage.

I try everyday to point out to Nico how to be respectful, in doing so I have begun to think in more respectful ways. This goes against everything I want my three year old to do/say/think or imagine.
Why should it be okay for a man, woman and campaign to be inciting fear and hate.
I hope Nico gets to vote in a well respected political world.

I fully understand the nature of politics as a game. This is unfair play and I don't like his politics but I'd like to at least respect the opponent of my candidate.

If you'd like you can sign and open letter to the campaign here.

Still on Earth

2008-08-24T09:00:00.002-05:00

I am still here, sort of.
I started a new job one month ago.
I drastically underestimated how it would change our lives. N is adjusting well, I am a mess. Not the kind of mess that worries all the time or cries over the loss of his toddlerhood. The kind of mess I always have been, but dialed up to 90. Meaning, I never know where my clothes, shoes, wallet or keys are. Now I don't have 30 minutes to find these items, I have 3.
I refuse to dwell on the negative!
Here are the positives
-N is thriving in his new environments: He spends two full days at a pre-school like child care, some time with Grampa and a day with Grammie

-The office I work in is VERY SUPPORTIVE of my Motherhood. I can quote them "Your child comes first, If your schedule needs to change or you need to leave to get him that should be your priority" I mean COME ON, how fucking refreshing!

-POTTY TRAINING. Yes, I dare capitalize. If in underwear, he will use the potty.
We have started making trips out in public with the drawers on. I now know where the bathroom is every where we go.
There should be a rating system, Alex are you in.
The Most Child Friendly Potties in the Valley?
I would give my business to stores just on the basis of their bathrooms at this point.
For example The Green Bean in Northampton has super yummy food, a step stool in the bathroom and toys. 4 lids up!

Sewing has slowed to a crawl, unfortunately.
I cannot stop listening to this

waiting for new episodes of this
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/

Sleep Drunk

2008-07-26T21:55:00.004-05:00

We just returned from one of Jesse's gigs. They were playing late, there were fire works scheduled and N napped quite well, so we went.

N and I got arrived home at 10:15 PM!!!! Yikes. He is so sleep deprived that he's drunk dialing playgroup buddies to say "I love you, man."

This conversation happened while we were getting PJ's on. The topic was: Oral Hygiene and why we need it.

Me: ...and so we need to get the sugar off your teeth....blah blah blah...

Nico: *grabbing my face* "look at me Mama, I have sometin' portant to tell you"

Me: "Yes?"

Nico: *Very seriously* "Mama, when you a baby in my tummy, you little little"

Me: "Wait, I was in your belly?"

Nico: " Yes, you to little to member"

Me" "I must have been small, you have a little belly. Where did I come out?"

Nico: "Right here." *pointing you his left side, where there is no obvious orifice*

Me: "How did I get out, there's no hole?"

Nico: "Mama, You poked you finger"

Seriously, he said Poked Your Finger! Who else could have come from the magical womb of my son?

Me: "Oh, I thought I came out of Noni's uterus"

Nico: "No, No, you mistake. You poked finger and my said "Ooooooh, cute baby"

Me: "That is sweet. Did Dada come from your belly too?"

Nico: *in a tisk tisk you silly girl kinda way* "No, No. Dada come from Grampa's belly"
"Now my brush my teeth."

Good Night.

Dedicated to Aunt Nicoley

2008-07-01T20:46:00.010-05:00

The prince and I were lucky to spend the afternoon today with his very sweet Aunt "Nicoley"and Baby Cousin (in utero, due late August, very cute already)
She ever so gently reminded me that I have been ignoring my blogging duty.
Here it is in photos:
No sewing photos will appear, even though I have been sewing (see cute fetus mention above)

Sitting in Bobcat ("Bobcap") Highlight of lifetime, to be talked about for generations to come.

Finding Mama's old (pre-N's birth) makeup and using the dark cream shadow for moustache. Oh and for a soul patch, like Dada!
Visiting Forest Park

Eating lunch among the roses at the park ...
...feeding much of our lunch to this guy and two of his buddies.
Did you know that chipmunks devour sunflower butter sandwiches and prunes!?
That is my knee in the foreground, if I had three more prunes and 1/2 hour longer I could have feed him out of my hand. Rabies be damned!
We've been using the potty!!!!!
Let me say it one more time, THE POTTY damn it!
Mostly I think he likes to be naked from the waist down, the weather is perfect for such outfits so we indulge.
Why just this morning he serenaded me while I cooked breakfast.

The CD playing rather loudly in the kitchen was The Beatles Abbey Road...This kid digs him some Beatles.

comic relief

2008-05-22T13:46:00.003-05:00

I have gotten down off my soap box long enough to get word that the magical band
The Flaming Lips are finally getting to show their movie this summer.

Um, do I need to bring my own pot or is it included in the price of a ticket?

Untitled

2008-05-20T19:56:00.009-05:00

We had the annual Big Rig Day, which is a large parking lot full of trucks. It's called big rig day, and there are "Big Rigs" but no one cares about them. You aren't allowed to climb in them. The DPW trucks on the other hand...

Nothing makes N happier than a digger. Well, may be Ice Cream.
There was a BMX freestyle team showing off their stuff. N was pumped, yelling and jumping. I can see him doing crazy tricks when he's older. Although, I may have to put my foot down when it comes to motorized recreational vehicles.
Did you have any idea that ATV's were made this small? Me either. That tiny training wheel next to the ATV belongs to a very small, very dangerous looking dirt bike.
Please Note N's got different pants on in these photos. This is because 10 minutes after arriving at the much anticipated big rig day, N peed through is diaper and all over the butt of his pants. Jesse had to go home and get new pants, while I stayed with N and said 10,000 times in 10 minutes "I'm so sorry. You can't sit in the trucks until we change your pants." The little bugger would them start to take his pants off and look especially pitiful. I only hope that other parents were as strong and he didn't end up sitting in someone else's pee.
The other funny stuff he's been doing of late, well there's this dayYes Sir-y that's a breast pump, "Mine Best Pumper" if you ask N. Not for his breast though, for drinking out of, digging in dirt and make shift horn. We cleared out our junk cabinet, yes cabinet. It used to reside below the junk drawer and would get all the junk drawer overflow. Apparently, in a 2 month old new Mama haze I dumped the good old breast pump bottles. N was in awe of the baby stuff and pretended to be a baby most of the day. A baby who ate cookies.
He's also been:
Planting seeds. Aunty Marty Marigolds.

Rockin' the guitar

I have been slacking in the sewing department.
But I did make this shirt for Vincent, the amazing three year old cousin.

It might be my favorite shirt thus far...I'd like to make N a matching one.
I haven't been sewing so much lately because I have been reading and gathering information on the sad state of child birth in the US.
I am heart broken, truly heart broken over the lack of choice given to birthing women.
I am even more dismayed that the surgeons who are caring for the majority of women, let us think we have many choices.
When we don't.
In many hospitals we can't choose not to be hooked up to an IV.
We can't choose to ambulate because we are strapped to a fetal monitor. We can't choose not to have pitocin because the MD knows best. We can't choose not to have an epidural because the pitocin we didn't choose causes us unbearable (un natural) contractions. We can't choose not to have a c-section because we are now numb, on our backs, unable to push and the MD has a to think of his/her malpractice insurance.
I can't help but get fired up and I want you to be fired up. I want us all to demand that we get our choices. I wish that we all could rise up and let our children be born, not delivered.
I do believe that medical intervention is necessary, but when there is a medical necessity, That is to say an emergency. I believe that pregnancy is not a medical condition that needs to be "treated" It's a process.
Did you know the rate of cesarean section in the US is over 30%
According to the World Health Organization, Countries with some of the lowest perinatal mortality rates in the world have cesarean rates of less than 10%. There is no justification for any region to have a rate higher than 10-15%. It does more harm than good.

Why? Why are midwives being run out of ObGyn practices across the country? Why are they so un-insurable?

Jesse and I are getting to the point where we are thinking of having another child. To hire a midwife to give birth at home costs $2,000 and up. Our insurance will pay $0 and when I asked around, someone told me not to even ask my insurance provider. Doing so would put me at greater risk of getting any coverage I could fight for. Who has thousands of dollars saved up for birth? Who can save thousands of dollars in a year or two?
Not us. I am hoping that when the time comes we find a midwife we love that needs her house painted.
I hope that this post begins a conversation, it might be the best way to start rising up.
In the mean time I am searching for away to help.

A letter

2008-04-13T13:16:00.006-05:00

Dear High Fructose Corn Syrup,
I am ending our relationship. It's not me, it's you.

You confuse me. How can chemically altering, piping you into a truck and trucking you around the country be less expensive than a natural sweetener? Oh, I forgot the whole corn growers of america bit.

I have decided that since I cannot understand how you are created (no matter how many times I read about the process) nor can I got to a factory to see you be created (your creators keep their recipes under lock and key), I will cut you out of my life.

This is no simple feet! You are everywhere. Your sticky un-naturally sweet arms reach in to every corner of my grocery store. You are in brightly colored snack crackers and subdued brown "Whole Wheat" breads. I refuse to have you in my family's diet just because your corn company is in bed with major food companies. I find the fact that you might be harmful to my son's brain repulsive.

I know you didn't choose this life and I'd like to believe that if given a choice you would remain corn syrup. But you can't, so I must leave you behind with the artificial coloring.

Sincerely,
Myssie

Here is a list of the things I came across that have HFCS in it(*I had the culprit in my kitchen and have changed brands) Aside from the extra time reading labels (which I did with the kid in the cart or on my back) it wasn't awful. I could find brands that were HFCS Free and of comparable prices. The only thing left in the refrigerator is Ginger Ale, it's Jesse's. N and I don't drink it and I respect his right to drink HFCS if he so chooses.

Bread*
Bread crumbs*
Ketsup*
Baked Beans*
BBQ Sauce
Marinade*
Cool whip
Hot cocoa mix* this was tough! I did find a really good quality mix in the "natural" foods section of the Stop & Shop. It's so much better tasting than the other!!
Soda
Stuffing Mix
Cereal*
Apple Sauce
Cranberry Juice Cocktail

43 Days

2008-04-05T19:17:00.013-05:00

Since my last post!?
Have I been busy?
Eh, Kinda.

Sewing these to be gifted

"Sugar Tree"

"Princess Gabriella"

For Nico

Crayon Roll

(I'm thinking of making some for etsy)
It is super easy and can be modified to fit markers, pencils, knitting needles, chop sticks, make up brushes...sky's the limit

Here it is rolled up.
No more loose crayons making a mess in my messy bag.

Projects in various stages of completion:

Mystery gift for Baby Cousin

Wallet: needing a snap

Bib: needing a snap

Wall hanging "Coley Beach #2" needs sun stitching, ribbon & dowel to hang (to be posted on etsy, or sold to you perhaps)
Coley Beach #1 was inspired by and given to my dear Sister-in-Law Coley for her birthday.

Nico got some new spring-time accoutrement

Gloves: great for working outdoors, with joint compound & painting walls. Not so great for helping to cook or eating jelly beans.

Glasses: are never actually worn in the sun

Viking Hat: well that's just plain fashionable!

Boots: are for wearing EVERY WHERE, preferable sans pants.

This is how he looks at least once each day...I am very proud.
Truth be told, I couldn't wait until this kooky, wearing strange get ups to the grocery store stage hit. Although, I am glad that I can coax him into pants when necessary.

I am obsessed with listening to every episode of This American Life
Nico is obsessed with They Might Be Giants Video Podcast

I watched this amazing movie (and you should too)
On my reading list are this and this

On my wish list is an ergo carrier.
Nico has been wanting to be carried on my back in the mei tai at stores and it's becoming a pain to get him in and out. It was great when he was a bit smaller, I can't seem to get my shoulders comfy now.
I wish I had know that I would prefer the Ergo over a mei tai when I shelled out the cash, i'm looking for a used one but no one is giving them up.

Last but not least:
Annoyed by...................the promotion of books on the backs of books.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to explain to a 2 1/2 year old that the pictures of cool books on the back of a cool book does not mean that it's on our book shelf somewhere.
He eventually understood, well he at least got that we don't have the books and he can now say "promotional purposes only"
He did, however, ask me to got to the library and retrieve every Sandra Boynton they have available. Now! Please!? (7:30 pm = closed dear........I'm am proud that he asked me to got to the library and not the store)

May be I can squeeze in one more This American Life and another bib before bed...
Good night all

How could I forget...

2008-02-22T13:39:00.003-05:00

THE NEW CAR

It's quite zippy, N really likes it (I do too!) We got a great deal, but no snow tires. I don't want to be out driving today anyway.

The downside to a "new to us" used, (pre-owned: come on folks it's used!) is that it takes a month or two for the old owner's smell to be replaced by my smell. I have a very sensitive nose and the previous owner had a dog. One more reason I can not wait for spring.

This car is very,very out of character for me. I have always driven big sedans. I think it started with my first car, given to me by the infamous Uncle Andy (my father's brother). The Beast a 1990-something Buick La Sabre, two-door. So I could drive all 10 of my closest friends around but had to get out to let them out of the back seat every time.
My favorite of all time was a 1978 Pontiac Bonneville (this very color, sea mist. But mine didn't have leather seats) This add is blowing my mind, by the way! It had ridiculously low mileage and I could have driven it for years. Too bad I was 20 or 21 and didn't know I should check the oil before I headed on a long drive and the engine ceased, I was so very sad.

Now I know and I have a very handy husband who helps to remind me.

Quick notes during nap

2008-02-21T13:26:00.015-05:00

N is taking his preNap BM (Grammie reference anyone?) It's become routine so I don't go downstairs after I tuck him in because in 10 minutes I'll hear "MaMoo Pooooooop"
TMI? Too bad, I have a kid and poop is a huge part of our life, someday...someday poop talk will be a thing of the past.

What's we have been up to in photos:

Wallet for Lovely Rebecca, just in time for her Florida trip.

Made with a pattern from Bend the Rules Sewing.

Shirt for Baby Cousin (Yippee, It's nice to be able to talk about it...Sister-in-Law & Brother-in-Law are having a Baby!!!!) In late August! We couldn't be any happier, they are going to be super fun parents. Gush*Gush I know I can't help it...

The tree has been given to Nicole, as well as the bib (there are more but I'm just not happy with my top stiching so I'm making new ones)

The shapes were given as a shower gift from my sister to someone she's studying with, I think.

We got hand-me-downs from Vincent which included underwear...N had to wear them over his PJ's to bed that night.

A necklace that my mother gave to me for my Birthday. N loves it and wears it often and loves to be a train conductor and loves to stick wooden skewers into tiny holes and loves to show you proudly.

What to do on a boring, rainy February day? Jump off the couch onto cushions of course.

Sewing update & Yummy treats

2008-01-26T10:44:00.001-05:00

N and J are off to the car wash and I got time to myself, Yippee!
I love quick, instant satisfaction sewing projects (for obvious reasons).
I wish I could post photos but the recipient reads this, so all I can say is Nicole: the fabrics are adorable, you will use them often and I had a very lovely time making them!
On to Yummy treats. No Pudge Fudge Brownies are amazing. If you are a chocolate brownie fan I urge you, no I implore you to immediately make these. This is not a brownie that lacks in any way, there is no compromise on flavor for less fat. All you need is the box and some yogurt and I found them at all 4 of the grocery stores where I shop. I will leave you to your cravings.

Your choices are: to read this blog or not.

2008-01-25T13:03:00.001-05:00

Oh man! It's been a while!
I thought about blogging just about everyday, then the very next moment N would want all my attention.
So I'll start at the beginning...christmas

Good times were had by all, even though I didn't finish all my sewing and we ending up baking cookies and giving a tree ornament to everyone (I have serious receiving guilt even today)

New Year's Eve...I'd rather not talk about...N screamed until 10:00 and then I fell asleep. Jesse out was playing. This is why I hadn't blogged or sewn (sewed?)
We /N had a sleep (power) struggle.
N is the kind of kid who needs choices. I can often be heard saying things such as " Nico, these are your choices: walk or be carried" or "Nico, it's not a choice to put Cd's in you mouth" or the very popular "Nico, your choices are: turkey or tuna sandwich, chocolate is not a lunchtime choice"
I guess he was asserting his power of choice over sleeping (most of the time it just felt like torture) for the whole of December and most of November it was very hard to get him to sleep...I ended up rocking him to sleep and if he took a nap it was under protest, leaving me exhausted. Then came the middle of the night wakings, sometimes 6-8 times. Finally I would bring him to bed with us. It didn't take him long to figure out that crying loud and often enough would get him into bed with us.
Oh, there was also the manipulation, fake vomit sounds, banging on the crib with fists and claiming to have hurt his head (I watched him do this many times!! plus his hand was red not his head) all to get me in the room and he'd say "no leepy" (not sleepy) in his most pathetic voice.
Well, I finally had it and the opportunity was ripe. We got some big boy bed books from the library, a big boy bed, I made a bedtime routine chart complete with photos. The Best of all a new night time waking routine.

When he woke up yelling "Mama, mama, mamoo" (Never Dada, by the by) I would go to the gate at his door and say "at night we stay in our beds, your choices are cry or get in bed and I'll cover you up" Of course the first three nights I must of said the script a million times, but after a few nights all was well.
Then he tested, and tested and tested. Nothing I said or did made any difference, doing nothing led to the vomit noises and fake injuries. So, we started just going in and silently putting him into his bed. As J put it "we got Super Nanny on his ass" It sucked, but it worked and he still tests. We give him the choices or the super nanny treatment once or twice and then he's cool.

This sleep issue has made me see that during the day he needs a ton of choices. Often just the word choice will calm him. We go to a playgroup every Wednesday, he loves it, but will protest (read:throw a fit) leaving the house. I usually try to talk him into agreeing, this rarely works. The only sure fire way to get him into his coat is for me to go into another room and say "Nico, I am ready to go to playgroup, when you are ready to go, please let me know and we can get your coat on" with in 5 minutes he bounds in the room "ready" to go. Power, real or implied, is amazing!
I am very curious to see what he does with his question authority attitude, it's in his blood, no doubt.

As for the crafting, I was far to tired to sew during the sleep battle. I hate to admit it but now I am feeling far to lazy.
You see, I was displaced.
My craft space has been displaced. My brother has been crashing at our place, in the office/craft room. So I moved my sewing to the dinning room. So now I have to clear the table, drag out the machine, drag out the supplies and in 1/2 hour N is awake again and I have to put it all back. Don't get me wrong, I love that we are able to help my brother out, I love him, but I want to want to sew again. Ack, maybe tomorrow, when J is home all day. I'll let you know.

For now I'll leave you with these great images from christmas:

Dada "stay the F*#@ away from my i-od"

N calls this fake mp3 player his i-od.

Winter Hats & Paper Watches

2007-12-15T12:27:00.000-05:00

Lunch time today included winter hats and a paper watch....

Nico was pretty desperate for a watch the other day so I made him a paper watch, which according to Nico, always reads two nine.

This is his funny face, although it looks suspiciously like pissed-off face and those ear flaps go "flap'a flap'a flaaaap'a"

We wore many hats during this lunch...all were too small for my head. Nico insisted it was snowing in the house and since we didn't have hoods on our sweatshirts...hats!

Looks like it's two nine, I should get my day started.

My tiny crafter...

2007-12-10T13:00:00.004-05:00

Attention! Attention!
Nico embroidered!
This is the story of the first time my darling son sewed.

I was setting up my iron and other tools to cut fabric. N climbs on the table and states "Me, me! Ni-Ni (that's what he calls himself) sew" I started to say no and then I quickly grab a plastic tapestry needle, a swatch of fulled wool. "Oh, NO! My embroidery thread is upstairs."
I don't want to risk taking N up, he may see something shiny on the stairs and loose interest in sewing, so I call up to J, try to explain what and where the thread is...he throws it down...now we are ready. Yippee....I am super excited, which makes N even more excited and this is the product.

I couldn't more proud. I helped a bit, the eye was hard to push through and I had to turn the swatch over, but he told me "turn, please"
I am in love with it...do I frame it? Do I turn it into a tree ornament? So many keepsake options.

Speaking of keepsakes ...is anyone else so overwhelmed because they haven't started sewing gifts yet? Seriously, I feel like I have 8,000 things to do and 2 days to do it in, Arrrg!!!
I had been busy making Birthday gifts and a skirt for a special occasion (see below)
and I didn't take photos of any of it, my camera sucks and I finish EVERYTHING at the last minute so we run out the door and I think "Damn, no photo again"
Well, I made cousin Matteo, in my opinion, the best robot shirt to date. In honor of his 9th birthday.
I made Alexandra, Matteo's Mama, a tree.*Note:*Not this particular tree, I used different material for the leaves.

I also made Cousin Rebecca a change purse for her 15th birthday.

We had a very nice weekend. My dear Mother-in-law treated us (sister-in-law Nicole, cousin Rebecca and I) to the ballet. The Boston Ballet. The Boston Ballet performing the Nutcracker!! It was beautiful.
The stage dressing was amazing and the dancers, oh, they make you feel like you could dance!
In honor of the performance, sister-in-law had a lovely Nutcracker luncheon. The food was delicious. She had nutcrackers for all of us, Nutcracker trivia and great company.
Thank you both for a wonderful day.

I am full of thanks for...

2007-11-25T18:19:00.000-05:00

... the table...

...the turkey...

...serious political debate...

...sunglasses...

...this smile...

Giving Thanks for Sewing Machines...

2007-11-24T10:44:00.001-05:00

I would like to, again, thank my Mother for the sewing machine she gave me last year. I made a pair of slippers for N, it made me realize how much money I have saved and I really enjoy sewing. Introducing the robeez knock off slippers:I bought two pairs of slippers this year and he would not wear them, plus they were pretty slippery and the fact that he wiped out a few times didn't help. So I found a pattern and loosely followed the instructions. I used non-skid material for the soles and lined them with fleece (left over gray squirrel fleece to be precise) he really likes them. I think he picked up on how proud I am of them. Even 2 year-olds gets psyched if something is made especially for them!
So I'm going to make him a pair each for grandparent's homes, one less thing to haul down there when we visit.

Thanksgiving was very fun. We hosted, I roasted my first ever turkey, she was lovely. (photos will follow when I get them from Jessica.
I think everyone was worried that I would have a melt down or three, but I made a promise to my self that I wouldn't stress and I didn't. Cooking went smoothly and everything was out of the oven on time. I must admit I had notes and a time line well planned out, I was prepared. Jesse was wonderful, as usual, he cleaned and kept N out from under my feet.

Hmm, what material to use for the next pair?

I Can't Stop...

2007-11-11T13:32:00.001-05:00

...Sewing. But I can't show you any of it. It's probably a gift for you.
...Watching
...Reading
...Listening Tombigbee, very appropriate for thanksgiving!
i do all this during nap time so I must leave this short.

Mad Squirrels on Lawn Mowers

2007-11-03T12:17:00.001-05:00

N has started telling crazy stories, one of which goes like this: (I'm filling in the conjunctions)

A squirrel, a big squirrel, bought a new lawn mower. A sit mower like Nonu and Grampa's. He mowed grass and more grass until he saw the garage. He mowed the garage down, BANG! Garage falls down.

Most of the stories come while we are eating a meal. They also are inspired by truth, as all good stories are in one way or another. Grampa and Nonu both got new ride on mowers. N was a squirrel for Halloween and he always wants to knock things down, first it was with a bulldozer, now it's a "big mower"

Here is the squirrel in action"

I made the squirrel bits...ears, belly, acorn, tail

He wouldn't stay still long enough to get a great shot.

I'll have to get a shot of the acorn, it's very cute.

Oh, I also didn't post about the Tori Amos concert. It was wonderful. Her shows are never dull. The set list was close to perfection for me, if she played Father Lucifer and Mother Revolution it would have been perfect.
It was very nice to look over at Jesse, across our Jack & Cokes to see him as himself and not the father of Nico. It think that unless you have a kid, that is going to seem very strange and silly.
I keep a mental list of reasons I don't like to be out in public because of "Stupid People" and there were three sitting to my right at the show! There was talking, very loud talking and getting up 4 to 5 times in the first set, making up get up to let them by!
A man got fed up and told them to shut the Fuck up already and they had him booted, him not the talkers!!! Then they started taking about him getting booted and my ever so fed up husband turned to them and said "Seriously, are you seriously going to talk through the whole show!? You are louder than the band....everyone around you is miserable!" and there was no more talking.

In the craft portion of life I am knitting this for Nico (scroll down to Woodins) I have cut the fabric to make him a bath robe and I need to start on my Holiday gifts. If anyone has ideas about sewing or knotting for men, I'm all ears. No scarfs or hankies allowed!
I am also in to this Pay It Forward Exchange I found at Jessica's blog
Here's how it works: I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog or *sending three hand crafted items to people in your life for no good reason!
(I added this last part * because I don't think anyone who reads this has blog, other than Jessica, If you do....de-lurk, comment and get yourself a super gift!)

Skirt and a small purse.

2007-10-15T11:43:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I will wear a skirt and carry a small purse!

Listen, you may not knowt he joy of carrying a small purse. So I will tell you. It's very exciting not to carry diapers, goldfish crackers, "blankie" water, tissues, hand sanitizer and various toys in my bag.
Jesse and I are going to see Tori Amos in CT. I am pretty psyched to get out of the house with out my screaming appendage, I mean, son.
Plus Tori always puts on a good show and we've got good seats. If you haven't you should listen to her latest album...American Doll Posse.

I have been checking a blog that has the set lists to the shows and it seems that she's doing a song each show that's a small improv, I'm not sure how improvisational they are, but they seem to be about the town she's in or satirical shit about the goings on of the world.
I found this one on you tube and it is quite funny, check it out above.

Goopy Goop

2007-10-06T18:47:00.001-05:00

So, my life has changed today.

Bold statement, yes?

I have discovered Goop! Jessica (sister and child care wonder) and Alex (friend, cousin-ish and Mama wonder) probably already know about goop. I think they are the only people who read this so, ladies here you shall be reintroduced to Goop.

1 cup of corn starch (which, until recently I thought was evil and just fed yeast infections!?)
3/4 c of water

It is a liquid, no solid, no liquid...ahh...I love this stuff! Oh, so did N.

I can't wait to use it again tomorrow. I also can't help but think: There was a time in my life that I could/would have spent and entire evening with a bucket of this stuff and the munchies.

In other Nico news, he's taken to wearing funny hats.
Demanding chocolate milk

Getting lots of pretend "boo boos", needing medicine, real band-aids and fake limping.

Telling Tall Tales

Loving Trains

He also loves jumping in the leaves

Happy weekend.

I heart Podcasts

2007-10-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

Oh man, cleaning the kitchen recently became less tedious...I figured out how to hook the iPod into the radio and voila, scrubbing the stinky sink no longer makes me want to cry!

I am currently waiting for the magical uploads to complete so I can unload the dishwasher.
I don't know what this says about me but when I find a podcast I dig, I listen to it from start to finish. I mean from the first episode to the current in as short a time as possible. I do the same with T.V. shows on DVD and I am inevitably dissappointed when I have to wait a week or longer for another.

Here's what I listen to now:
NPR Wait,Wait, don't tell me...
NPR Fresh Air
Frickin Circus
Savage Love
SModcast
The Sounds of Young America

Do you have any cleaver, funny or slightly dirty podcast you can reccommend?

Kick Ass Camera

2007-09-22T10:24:00.001-05:00

First off.....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE!

She was kind enough to lend me her Kick Ass Camera to take photos of our crafty crafts.
We are applying to the Bazaar Bizarre in Boston and they require photos.

I also had fun taking these:

Cheers!

Can't Blog Must Sew...

2007-09-15T13:32:00.001-05:00

Holy Moly have I been busy.

Sewing, Good
Toddler fits, Bad

I despise the saying "terrible two's", but fuck if it ain't true! My mantra now is "breathe, breathe, down to his level, calmmmmmmmmmmmm"
I'll admit to throwing many a good fit over not being able to find something, so who can blame a two year old who just wants his damn hammer/music/stick/recorder ("that's not a recorder, thank you very much, it's a saxophone")

Oh, and the strange obsessiveness.
No one mentioned that.
Justin, my brother-in-law is an amazing musician and put together an album called Vista. It's N's obsession. We have to trick him into listening to anything else.

He's also obsessed with saxophones, lots to do with the sax playing Uncle does on the album. So I pulled out some Coltrane, why not?
He dug "My Favorite Things" the only issue is that he thinks Justin is John Coltrane.
He also thinks that Jesse is playing ANY drumming he hears! It's very sweet.
Every so often there will be an instrument he doesn't know or a noise he hasn't heard before and his eyes will light up and here's what follows in words, gestures and ASL:
Nico: "Mama?"
Me: "What N?"
"NO! Mama! Music!?"
laughing "Oh No, that's sweet but Mama didn't play that/sing that/make that noise"
"Ha Ha Yes! Mama! Music!"
"okay, yes Mama does it all!"

I never thought that white lies would be such a huge part of my life! So if you've always dreamed of being a rock star, come over, play ____(insert instrument here) and N will think it's you every time he hears or sees ____(insert instrument here)

Here's what I have been up to when I'm not fending off the toddler blues:

Granted they are not all sewn up and backed but they are on their way!

From left to right:
Princess Dotty
Hypnotic Quartet
Brown Berry Bush

Blues Quartet
BFF

Wallet and bag
(for change, chap stick, band-aids, hand lotion, candy...you know stuff I don't want Nico to "see" in my purse)

Inside wallet: I love, love, love this fabric, therefore, equally love the wallet.

And lastly, Nico eating his breakfast this morning:

The yummy berries and pretty flower are from our farm share at Mountain View Farm.

This was my lame (or so I thought) attempt to get Nico to sit at his table for dinner last night.
He got his very own flower and vase at Chez Mama. Lo and behold, it worked!! Super Mama to the rescue....damn did I just type that...jinx myself? Now I will now have the worst mothering afternoon, I just know it. I'll let you know.
Happy Tuesday.

FireFox to the rescue

2007-08-25T18:27:00.000-05:00

Testing,testing, testing..... I just downloaded firefox and my life has changed!!!!
I was using Safari (which comes on these fabulous Macs) but my Gmail and blogger just aren't fully supported by Safari. But Now Look Out!

The weekend was a bit hairy, actually the whole week was hairy.
J had gigs everyday (except Monday 8/20) So he and N had Daddy days. I got a bit of time to myself then J would leave around 2 leaving N to wake from a nap to just Mama, how awful. Fits ensue. I swear I heard him say "No, Dadaaaah, Home!" 4 billion times. Including 3:30 AM!!!!! But we are settling back into our routine again.

Saturday was so very F'n hot and humid, yet I thought it was a great idea to crank the AC and bake choc. chip cookies! N had a blast. I set up all the ingredients on the kitchen floor, we proceeded to make a mess and some pretty good cookies.

Yep that's chocolate on his face, we couldn't wait!! It's a good thing you can bake with egg-beaters (they are pasteurized making batter eating less deadly!)

Yesterday, despite only sleeping for 4 hours I, with N's help, sewed up two pillow cases for his pillow. (N decided to be fully awake and play on our bed from midnight to 4AM No-one was happy yesterday)

and today's nap will consist of coming up with a cleaver anniversary gift for this lovely couple:

I'm thinking of trying to find the man behind them, he looks like a thoughtful gift giver!?

I also wonder if anyone out there knows of a grant to help parents of toddlers to get out of town for a few days? Friends of ours are getting married and they are having a bachelor(ette) party to rival all other.
It consists of three nights in New Orleans!!! J and I went to New Orleans after our wedding and would love to go back. I wish is wasn't so costly to travel, any one have great ideas for discount travel?
God Damn, why didn't all our friends who plan great parties have them before some of us had kids?
Oh, right, the world does not plan all the fun stuff around me. Darn.

Well, if you don't know of a grant we can apply for how about a make-a-wish foundation for the parents of perfectly healthy children. Maybe, I'll start one....

P.S. JL I use "N" and "J" to save precious time (they are such long names you know!)

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

2007-08-19T17:48:00.000-05:00

Holy Moly! We're back from Cape Cod trip #2 and glad to be home.
We must have bad bed Karma...climb out of the gutter, not that kind...the kind of bad bed karma where you arrive at the rented house, the bed is harder than a rock, a bit squeaky and your son just doesn't want to sleep in his travel bed (BOTH VACATIONS!!!)
I am currently drafting a letter to the company that made our bed at home (http://www.yankeemattressfactory.com/) it is The MOST COMFORTABLE EVER. and I need them to know how happy the bed makes us.

Aside from the rock bed and extra bedmate, the week was good. We were lucky to have great beach weather. N loves the water, he just ran right in, kept going and brought Mama back a boat!

He also loved the Ice Cream at the Brewster Scoop ; in capital letters because in our family Ice Cream is a very important food group, along with Coffee and Rum for the adults, mind you.

I have a bunch of projects to keep me busy tonight: I haven't sewn or knitted (knit?) at all since last week and I'm a bit antsy to get going. Here's what's on the menu
a robot appliqué for my dear brother-in-law Ron, who doesn’t want his chest to proclaim " All Day I Dream About Sex"
and slippers....The mornings are getting cool, N and I have been falling all over in our socks so I am knitting these slippers to keep us safe and warm
(http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTtwinkletoes.html)
Nico's will have a single cross strap, not the pretty ballet wrap, breathe easy manly men.

Oh and more shirts, here's the princess I made for someone to gift away!

Deep Breath....

2007-08-11T12:32:00.000-05:00

That's what I've been telling N to do lately. With all the crazy family stress and communication break down I can tell he's been craving to be teh center of attention. Who can blame him? (I'll not go into details, and anyhow I think that family members are my only readers, if I don't know you de-lurk already!)

We did manage to have a bit of fun (we always do, don't we?)
We went to Jesse's gig on Tuesday night with some family. N made a friend; they danced and danced until he was completely sweaty.
Thursday we took an unexpected day trip to Boston. Jesse got called to play at a Rock-N-Roll camp (Day Jams) that is run by Nicole (& Justin), a nice 45-minute set and the joy of playing with his brother (I think they both crave creating music together!)
Nico LOVES to watch live music! So do I, but now I like to watch his reactions and dancing more than the musicians. He is hysterical with the dancing, clapping and now thanks to the pre-pubescent campers, head banging. Serious head banging. "Thought I'd never see the day" kind of head banging! To Stevie Wonder's Superstition!!?! By the way headbanging or head banging?
I have been busy sewing! A princess shirt for the lovely Lucie (a birthday gift so late it's now a very merry un-birthday gift)

A tree shirt for sale on etsy:

A tree shirt for Talula who has just turned 1.

We are sad to miss the birthday celebration today but, I have to finish packing for our Cape Cod week. We're leaving tomorrow and I haven't really packed much. I work better under pressure, although this fact leads to unhappiness in the marriage area of my life.

Last night we put off packing because we HAD to watch Pan's Labyrinth. It was amazing, truly stunning and quite violent. I loved it and can't wait to watch the DVD extras. Maybe I can watch it while I pack.....

July Maddness

2007-08-01T18:09:00.000-05:00

Thank God July is over!!
It was a crazy month...Nico's 2nd Birthday party, Jesse's birthday and some personal shit that went down.

The party was great. N had such a good time with everyone but especially his cousins and they are pretty darn cute together.
This is the only moment N got territorial over gifts!

This is the shortest post, I know but it's very close to bed time...Maybe I can get some sewing in....

Handmade Menagerie has arrived

2007-07-13T19:02:00.000-05:00

Three Cheers!!!

After talking about it for months, Jessica and I finally set up an Etsy shop (Etsy.com is a web site where you can buy anything handmade. Artists start up "stores", you can look for hours there are so many and you buy directly from the artist!)
You can find us at handmademenagerie.etsy.com I love the name...
Handmade: Made by hand, not by machine
Menagerie: A diverse, exotic, or peculiar group of people or things.

I have not yet posted any thing...shirts are in the making and cell bags are also.
We also stumbled across a great boutique that just opened called Dandie in the Underworld Here's an excerpt from an interview

"We're a small boutique and art space hidden in an alley of downtown Northampton, MA selling crafty- type goods from local artists (western mass peeps). The boutique is entirely decorated with recycled goods, things we found and have given new life. We're giving back to the community by providing an outlet for all of the local underground crafters..."

And provide an outlet they do...it's a great little space hidden away in an alley behind where Fire and Water used to be. When I was there I felt as though I was in on some sort of secret or the beginning of a social movement.
I am honored to have some of my shirts for sale there...I'm proud so here they are My Robot Minion and a cute baby shirt:

*The photos are not good, they were taken in haste, so go see them in person, better yet e-mail me handmademenagerie@gamil.com and commission a shirt!!

"Space Duo"

"Opposing Arguments"

"Synchronized Quartet"

"Shape Up"

and my favorite of late, a tail I knitted for Nico. He loves to be many animals and we always end up admiring the fake tail, so now we admire the "real" tail! This morning he was "Nico Doggy" and I have been told that Nico Doggy eats bananas and chocolate, go figure!

The Portugesse Cow

2007-07-01T12:57:00.000-05:00

Oh, vacation how do I love you?

This particular vacation or Portugesse Cow (vaca) as Justin referred to it, was great.
We had a lovely house in Falmouth on a very small, very private pond. There were rented kayaks, lobsters, family game nights and many drinks. Thanks Bob & Deb for a great week.

We laid low and hung out as a family. With Jesse's crazy schedule we don't get that very often four days in a row. Nico loved being surrounded by family, there was always someone eager to play a silly game.

Here is our vaca in photos:
The Pond

Nico at the Pond:

Our very windy beach day:

Mini Golf...

and Ice Cream!!

The Family at Woods Hole:

Team Cape Cod:

So now we are back. Nico on the other hand thinks all the rules remain the same as vaca. So the early morning was spent flushing the toilet 8,000 times, demanding chocolate for breakfast (to be fair we do sometimes have choc. chip pancakes)
begging to watch TV and calling me Mom.
I'm not ready to be Mom, I don't even want to be Mom when Nico is older, I want to Mama (previous sentence typed with extremely poutty face on)

My dear sister saved me from Mom dome and we went to the Olde Hadley Flea Market. Where I got these cocktail napkins

I love the one wear Bea (that is what I named her) is looking so dearly at her untouched martini...I know that look! Then she polishes it off and quick turns the other way.
I think I may stitch them to a background, vertically and hang them in the dinning room.

Jessica, however, made out like a flea-market bandit. She got many great things, the best being 2 pair of Simple shoes for $20! Yes, 20 Freakin' dollas!!!! The orange pair I covet but alas they are a bit snug. 3 years ago I would have bought them and either never wear them or deal with the terrible blisters. Now though, I need to be comfortable!
My family needs me to be comfortable...keep the Mama comfortable and you all shall be comfortable!
Happy Independance Day (or Happy Stole the Country from Native American Day whichever you choose)

Let the air out

2007-06-20T18:44:00.000-05:00

I can surprise myself sometimes!
Today, I got a flat tire on a very dramatic part of a very busy road.
The tire was on the driver's side and couldn't be changed with out placing the "changer" in harms way. So I decided to call AAA, a kind woman told me they would rush it because I had a small child with me. Well, no amount of rushing was going to keep Nico entertained and since I was fairly close to home I called Aunty Jess. She couldn't take N to our house, she had an appointment. She did however, come and hang out with us on the side of the road for a while.
She is great!
Great for so many reasons, but here are a few: she'll show up on the side of Rte 66, hang out, give her nephew crackers, talk with me about peeing in the woods (or behind a lawn-mower), sing crazy songs, hug me and then call later to make sure we're okay. I guess it's regular sister stuff, I would do it for her, but just having her there makes a flat tire fun!
So, the surprise was that I remained calm, didn't kick or hit the car and (dramatic pause)

NOT A SINGLE CURSE EXITED MY MOUTH!!!
That might be the ultimate test, or maybe not. But I pretty fuckin' proud of myself (I had to get ONE in)

The past week was good, I think. I just looked at the calendar to make sure I know what week it is!?
We went to a graduation party, good fun at my Aunt Marty's and Uncle George for both their boys, who are smart and hysterical.
N had a great time with Marty; she is the most energetic woman I have ever known. She kept up with N and then some.

Father's Day, we had my family and Jesse's parents over for a cookout. Here's the sign N and J made.

Last, but not least, we had our first speech therapy session. Nico has made great improvement since the evaluation, mainly because Jesse and I communicate better with him now. The signing helps tremendously! He's got a huge list of words and a ton more signs.
The other thing he's learned how to do is un-lock and open the front screen door!!! No folks, he doesn't just stand and look, he runs onto the porch. So now we've got a pitiful gate across the top of the stairs and we've taken to having time-outs when he tries to escape. In fact, just tonight he had a time for running out. Not 15 minutes later, J caught him looking at the door adoringly said "Nico, NO" Nico headed to the ottoman, where the times take place, sat down, signed "NO" said” NO", pointed to the door and said "lock". He sat there for few seconds and hopped down. Well he gets it but I'm sure tomorrow there will be at least one escape attempt with subsequent fit and time-out.

I'll most likely not post again for a while. We've got to pack for our vacation and then get our buts to the Cape, woo hoo!!

Happy summer solstice.

Near Dear Family

2007-06-14T11:50:00.000-05:00

I love that most of our family is close by. Close enough to all get together for Birthday's on the special persons actual birthday. I can't imagine moving far from here (I hope my siblings and J's brother don't have to move far to get their dream jobs)
Yesterday was my F-In-L (Bob) Birthday.
A lovely affair. my M-in-L (Deb) always out does herself and throws a great party. Sea food and cake, yum.
Plus, we got to spend some time with Nana, Meme, Pepe, Jesse's cousin Rebecca (who n is falling in love with) her Mom Lynne, Uncle Justin and Aunt Nicole!!!

Singing, cake and the candles excite N, so we prepared by practicing and made crowns for N and Grampa:

Which they both wore with pride!

On Sunday 6/10/07 Jesse's band Changes in Latitudes(.com) played at a town fair during daylight hours.
Perfect for N to enjoy the show. Poor little guy, he wanted so badly to be on stage playing with J!!

So we settled for the foot of the stage

And ate Ice Cream for dinner.

Nico is in the Dada stage, he asks for him all day and drops everything when J gets home to run and hug him.
N and I actually got into a fight yesterday, it went like this:

N: (in his own language mix of words and sign) Dada, Dada? Mama where is Dada?

Me: "N, Dada is working"

N: Drumming!!! (as he drumms in the air and dances)

Me: "No, sorry sweet. He's painting today"

N: NA NA NA (no no no) DRUMMING!! Let's get in the car and go catch the gig! (handing me car keys)

Me: "Oh sweet, I'm sorry Dada is painting and we can't go see him. Let's put a puzzle together"

N: NA NA NA Drumming!! (shoving keys at me and running to the door)

Me: "How about a snack?!" (hopefully opening the refrigerator door)
By the time we were done eating the pear Jesse was home.

2 posts?

2007-06-09T19:03:00.000-05:00

Yes two posts but I'm excited...............
I just stumbled across The Moth (themoth.org)
and you should too.

Visions of lives past & a skirt?

2007-06-09T08:36:00.000-05:00

So the skirt was done on time.
It's cute, I was cute...it's rare that I feel cute.
The retirement party was very nice, you could tell that everyone there respected and enjoyed working with Bob.
Here's the skirt:

I love the Sew What? book. The next skirt I make will take just a few hours!!! But I find I work best with a dead line (leaving little time to procrastinate, so someone have a party!)

I have also been transferring data from our old iMac to our new iMac.
yes, it's taken me like a year to do so, but again I had a "deadline" father's day.
Please don't scold me, I never backed up photos or anything so I had to get old photos.

In doing so I found many pre-Baby, um shall we say spirited, photos.
There were late night, spirited games. Bocce, charades, "what the f*ck" as well as the infamous "open bar" wedding.
Here are a few less incriminating shots

Jessica and Ron 2004 "Charades"

Bocce May 2004
My parents have a pretty kick ass bocce court in the yard. It's very fun, until the trash talk gets out of hand (I have a filthy mouth)

This is the ending to my famous bocce toss, deadly if mixed with the proper amount of Gin and Tonic
* an unfortunate side effect is the filthy mouth bit*

a rousing game of "What the F*uck"

Jesse & I at Justin and Nicole's Jack-n-Jill
May 2004

along came N all 8# 7.5oz of him.

Later today we're off to a High school grad party for my cousin Liz. She is wonderfully smart and witty. It will be nice to see the whole giant family especially (Great) Grammie.

Here with my Dad (N's Nonu)

BYE!

Sew what!

2007-06-04T11:59:00.000-05:00

Here's what I purchased today at Valley Fabrics. I've wanted an excuse to get this book (by Francesca Denhartog & Carole Ann Camp). My father-in-law, Bob, is retiring this year and the celebration is on Wednesday. I hope the school gives him a proper send off; he's such a great guy!

I, of course, have nothing to wear. Having not bought any clothes post-baby that aren't classified as loungewear I feel the need for something new. So I had a great dress altering idea that didn't work out so well. Now I will make a skirt, hence the book and yummy fabric.

I will be making said skirt in my newly remodeled craft corner:
N and Jesse put the shelves up yesterday. It's all that N can talk about today, drill, drill, drill and handing screws. This is what he mimes all morning, funny man.

I best get crack'n if I expect to pull this off.

Hot, Hot, Heat!

2007-06-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

Man it's hot.
It's not really that hot, just humid and I feel grumpy so I have decided it's to hot!
Plus I have to grill corn.

Well...I don't HAVE to but my sister and her husband (Jessica and Ron) are having a party. I said I would make this yummy pepper and corn salad and I procrastinated until now. 2 hours before party time.

How does one cure procrastination? I am so very good at it though.

Ugh, I'll do it next week, I swear!!

We had a good week. N and I went to Look Park. We tried to feed the ducks but the geese are faster and they ended up with all the bread. We rode the train, N looked so proud sitting with out a seat belt. He LOVED it, so much that I'll have to remember to bring trian money everytime now. N wasn't the only one. As the train pulled into the station there was an audible groan from every parent and then the piercing screams of the children who wanted another go. Please take note: the only three people on the train not making frustrated noises were a boy and his Grandparents. This is because Grandparents rock!! They say things like " Sure we can ride one more time, that was fun"

Luckily or smartly, the train is right next to the Zoo. So N got to do his second favorite thing: feed the goats!!

In other, productive areas of my life...bear is finished!

He asked to hang out near the Jack; you see I presented Bear to N at a very bad moment. N was in the post fit phase. This consists of a calm boy but when presented with anything other than the "fit causing item" will throw it with such force that I take cover.

N then proceeds to shake his head "NO!" and look at me as if to say "really? You've known me for almost 2 years and you think this bear is what I want? Please!" If he could roll his eyes he would. It makes me laugh.
So, Bear got drunk and passed out until N was ready to play nice.

So off I go the grill corn and party.

Toddler Temp

2007-05-29T10:51:00.001-05:00

Okay so there are a lot of things to get used to when living with a toddler, the list is endless. One I am adding to mine is: never look forward to a trip too much!

Jesse and I were very, I mean VERY, excited for the BBQ in Boston this weekend. An excuse to eat too much, laugh with good people (who are mostly over the age of 5, chronologically any how) and stay up way past our bedtime.

But.... shortly after I posted on Saturday Nico woke up with a fever of 103.4 Many doses of Tylenol later and still 103. Ahhh, Jesse was out playing. I tend not to over-react to fevers; N was trying his best to be his jovial self but 103. 103!!!!

Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said "no more Tylenol, Motrin instead" (How many of you sang that to the tune of monkey's on the bed?)
Seriously, I had no idea that ibuprofen was so much better ay reducing a fever than acetaminophen!!!

Well, after a good dose of Motrin, N slept okay, me not so much. The next day N had nothing but a low grade 99-100 for a few hours.
So needless to say we didn't go to Boston, for fear that 103 would rear it's ugly head and then we'd have to go to the Hospital.

But yesterday we hustled it out of the house at 10 and drove to Boston to eat left over ribs, chicken and super yummy potato salad. N saw his first parade, bag pipes and all. (We forgot the camera so no photos, sorry.) It was a lovely day. N had fun with Aunty Cole and Uncle Justin; they are fun for all ages.

Today it's an early nap then off to pick up some goodies that were gifted to us from some local freecyclers. Do you know about freecycle? I bet there's one in your area, if not you could start one. Check it out http://www.freecycle.org/

Perfect Sping Day

2007-05-26T12:11:00.000-05:00

Photos by Jess Montalino (see the link portion to get to her blog and then her flicker account!)

I just figured out why 1/2 of all the good Blogger stuff doesn't work for me. I run Safari on my glorious Mac, lo and behold, Blogger isn't supported by Safari!! I run into this a bit in this crazy Microsoft world we live in. So many of the features you all take for granted are not available to me (spell check, hyper link ect) So anything I would hyperlink you to will be in my link section (Boo Hoo, I hope Blogger fixes this, right quick!)

So all computer jargon aside, this is the best spring day! Jesse mentioned that it's hard to not be put in a good mood by weather this warm and breezy. I think I'm going to knit outside and then make hummus. As scattered as I am, I like to have a loose plan for the time I get to myself while the prince sleeps!!

The weekend started out wonderfully, albeit, very hot. Aunt J and Uncle Ron brought me a delicious dinner, thanks again guys. Jessica brought her new kick ass camera and took these great shots:

This is my favorite! It's so very N. I imagine him saying..."Yeah, I got this book about cookies, whatcha gonna' do? You're going to get me a cookie and read me this book.." Seriously, he's got the force.

The weekend is only going to get better. Tomorrow we're off to Boston to see Uncle Hammy and Auntie Cole (Jesse's brother and his wife) to have BBQ and play beer pong. I will bet good times will be had by all.

Having Language

2007-05-22T11:35:00.000-05:00

So we had the eval. and I’m so very glad that we did.
These two lovely women showed up from the REACH Program this morning. I admire the work they do. They busted in and got to work, playing, evaluating and charming the socks off of N.
Their feeling is that N is a very social (we already knew this!) kid who "has language" but not spoken language.
It got me to thinking about how much he does communicate and the developmental experts got me to see that there is more I can be doing to help N get a grasp on the spoken language. He does qualify for speech therapy, which we're going to take advantage of, if anything it will help me to learn how to better communicate with N.
It also got me to thinking how much preparation goes into birthing a child and feeding the needs of an infant, only to have the rug pulled out from under you as the toddler morphs into this being that speaks a different language then you and I. Having been around young children most of my life helps, but it's not like having someone with a master’s degree right there with you. I'm glad the REACH Program exists but I do so wish that after the labor/birthing class and the nursing class and the playgroups there was a talking to your toddler class! Anyone want to develop one?

I have few precious moments during naptime and I want to knit. I'm working on a back up blankie for N. It’s nicer then the original, in my opinion.

While listening to NPR a while back, I heard a piece written by this man who needed to replace a missing, (store bought) lovey. The lovey turned out to be discontinued and he was about to pay a large sum on EBay for another so his daughter could sleep. Luckily our blankie can be replaced with little cost, but I figure it's better to knit one now than later. (Later would consist of 10 hours of straight out knitting with a mad toddler who doesn't speak my language.)
I am also knitting a bear for N. He's been so keen on caring for his stuffed animals lately that I want him to have a special one to hug, diaper, feed, torment and bathe.
Off the launder and knit.

The big rig shindig

2007-05-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

In our town of Easthampton, MA we have what they call BIG RIG DAY. They (I don't exactly know who "they" are) fill a parking lot with trucks of all kinds and let kids, big and small, climb all over them. If you happen to be us, you needn't leave the Fire Trucks!

We were having a tough morning. Nico decided to wake up for an hour last night at 11:30, Jesse had a gig so he got home at 2am or so, and N woke up ready to hit the town at 6am!
I hate 6am!
Even coffee doesn't help 6am.
At 6am, I long to sleep untill 11, wake up, go out to breakfast with my hair all messed up and maybe a bit hung over?!
AHH, pre-child days...
Then 7 or 7:30 rolls around, play-doh animals, coffee, birds at the feeder.
It's only in the light of 7:30 that I don't mind 6am.

To blog or not to blog?

2007-05-19T12:03:00.000-05:00

So, I feel as though I should introduce myself...but then who am I inroducing myself to? Odds are I know you. I have always pictured the person I am wirting to/about while I am writting. I am struggling to find a face to "talk to" so here's a the few things I can think of about Me:
I am a Mama, not a Mommy or a Mom. I am hoping that when N can finally string together words that he says "Hey, her name is Mama!" N is 21 months 19 days old and not talking, please don't read *insane mother who can not stop thinking about her childs lack of language* I am not that! I am saddened by his frustration. We're getting a speech devel. evaluation on Tues, so I guess I'm level headed also?

I am a knitter, crafter and hopefull seamstress (hopefull because I am not yet feeling very strong behind the machine) I hope to chronical projects here.

I am a wife. Husband, J, is hysterical, handsome, a wonderfully fun Dada, kind, extremly hard working, a very talented drummer and he reads me like a very short essay. I am constantly in awe of his patients with me. You see, I am prone to fits. These fits tend to happen betweent the hours of 4 and 8pm. Fits occur when, let's say, the kitchen is a mess and I don't want to cook (I have a hard time asking for help and and even harder time admitting I don't want to do something when I feel obligated to do it*read cook*) So I then storm around the house tossing things aside berrating no one and everyone for the mess and my inability to "work in such a mess" or "raise a child in such a mess" You get the picture. Well, husband stands back waits for the dust to die down (10 minutes is the average) suggests take out and never holds a grudge.
I am also a very bad speller and can't seem to figure out the spell check feature, sorry. The help answers all seem to be geared toward PC users and we are a Mac home.

With all that said, Sister Jess and I took a pilgrimage to mecca, I mean Webbs (the yarn palace) today. I am so ripe with project ideas that I can't pick one. That's fine, I need to finish current crafting before I start more! My new love is making appliques to put on shirts, like these:

N in his robot shirt.

Baby shower gift. The bunny is a Jess Hutch pattern.

Easter shirt.

The current project is a tee-shirt for N to wear to the Memorial Day BBQ, hosted by by brother-in-law and his wife. Man, they are great cooks, we are looking forward to it!
Ack, this blogging stuff can take a while, hu? I have a few things to figure out still, like linking?! (I'll be calling you JL)
Have a great, wet weekend.