Perturbed

I love Christmas.

I love Christmas lights -- so much so that I keep them up till February.
I love Christmas cookies -- especially the dough.
I love Christmas Cadbury Eggs -- doesn't Santa bring you Cadbury Eggs?
I love Christmas presents -- especially giving them (really, that's the truth).
I love the glow of our Christmas Tree.

I love sitting in our house with no other lights on except for those from the Christmas tree (well, that and the TV because it's just silly not to have the TV on). The tree is so important to me that a couple years ago I spent a little money on a nice, pre-lit tree. I also purchased a really cool canvas bag (because who can ever get the tree back in the box?) where you can just throw all the tree parts in, zip it up and store it in the garage or attic for next year (or in my case, five months after I put it away). Since we've already had two years with this tree and canvas bag I can testify as to the ease of use - the tree and bag make for super efficient set up and dismantling therefore maximizing tree-time enjoyment.

With all this LOVE of Christmas talk, I'm sure you're wondering why in the world I'm perturbed. I'm perturbed because I've just discovered that Cartman (king of all that is gross) has been using my wonderful, easy-to-use canvas Christmas tree storage bag as his PEE MAT!


A. Pee-free zone.
B. Pee-filled zone.
C. Steam-vac that we used to need when our whole house was Cartman's pee mat.

Ugh! I can't imagine what my poor, beautiful Christmas tree smells like now. Buttin says it's time to buy a new tree, but I think it's time to sell an old puppy (any takers?).

Now, here's a picture of the one animal in our house who I'm not currently perturbed with - Mouser.

I know the picture is a little blurry and Mouser looks a little crazed, but Cub and Mouser are just so cute together.

Even though Cub grabs, pulls and bites Mouser non-stop; Mouser genuinely seems to like little Cub. I had to leave the room to grab my camera (I know - shocker - I don't have it around my neck at all times) and Mouser didn't follow me, he stayed right by Cub.

Run At Work

I've been thinking about this idea a lot lately because of Graby's sporadic sleeping pattern, but it was difficult to do before now because the weather has been too hot to run much later than 6:00 AM.

This morning he woke up at 5:50 AM (after only one tiny feeding session at 12:30 AM) which is too late for me to run after feeding him, but a little too early for me to have run before he woke up (not to mention that I have no idea how to predict his wake up time, so planning a before or after run is difficult). So, I fed the cub, got him ready for school, put on my running clothes and packed him in the car. We got to school just as they were opening (around 7:00)

I got to work around 7:15, pumped and was out the door for a run around 7:35 AM. I just ran around work for about 40 minutes and was back at the office by 8:20. I was only a little sweaty, but who cares most of our misfits are sweatier than me. As long as the weather is good, I will certainly do this again.

It was another BEAUTIFUL day outside so when cub and I got home we played outside for a good hour and half. One of today's new objects was a spatula - it was very popular:

Change Of Plans

I was planning to devote my entire post today to running.

However, the weather was so nice and the cub was so happy that I decided to take a bunch of pictures and make a little photo essay of our day (with a little running thrown in) instead.

This morning I woke up not sweating and the air conditioner was not running. My first thought was that the (going on 6 months now) postpartum hormones had finally left my body. To my surprise, a cold front (a real one) had come in and it was a chilly 58 degrees outside. I wasn't able to run this morning (sad face) because cub slept in till 7:15 (happy face) after having been awake from 2:30 AM - 4:00 AM (sad face). It's still somewhat difficult to plan my morning runs because his schedule is still so wacky, but I didn't wake up in a puddle of my own sweat and I got a total of 7 hours of sleep and it was chilly outside so I knew this was going to be a good day.

I had to dress cub in REAL clothes (including socks) today. I made a mental note to buy him more stretchy pants. He has about 1500 onesies (although only 1 - long sleeved onesie) and two pairs of pants. He looks so freaking cute (a common theme for today) and he was in love with his socks:

After a good morning at work (no pictures from work because there was no cub at work), I went to pick up Graby. He was fast asleep in his little school bed, so I had to take another picture:

I waited at his school and played with some of the babies while cub slept for another 20 minutes. When I put him in his car seat to go home I noticed how blue his eyes look (kind of the way mine do) wearing his blue shirt, so I had to take a picture:

We got home and went immediately outside to play. Our new object of the day was a spoon (as you can tell - it was a BIG success):

Just for good measure, here's another picture of him playing outside and looking happy:


After about an hour outside, it was time for some for a snack and a nap. I didn't take a picture of him napping, but trust me - he was cute.

When he woke up - I decided TO GO FOR OUR FIRST RUN IN THE JOGGING STROLLER. It was only about 80 degrees (the temperature I think it was when I went for a run on Sunday morning at 6:30).

We went for a short 1.5 mile jog. I'm kind of an arm flapper when I run, so having to keep my hands on the stroller while running was a little awkward at first. I discovered that when going straight I only need to keep one hand on the stroller, leaving the other arm free to flail about. I'm sure my free arm slightly overcompensated and I probably looked a little silly, but it felt wonderful to go for a run in such beautiful weather. Cub really seemed to enjoy it too. He just looked around and ate his toy.

Here's a picture of the two of us (with a close up of cub's foot) post-run:

Here's a cute picture of cub post-run:


We came inside and cooled off (I actually DID break a sweat during the short run). Since I had my exercise, it was time for cub to have his - so he played around in his jumperoo.

After some additional playtime, a bath and dinner - cub is now in bed asleep. I'm not going to risk flash photography on this one, so again you'll just have to trust me that he's very cute.

I know this ended up being just another post with a ton of pictures of the kiddo, but it really was such a beautiful day and he really was in such a great mood that I really had to change my post topic and share (I know that's a lot of REALLYs).

Thirty Second Movie Review - Wall Street

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Very entertaining movie, but I prefer to call it Wall Streetier. I hate the "Money Never Sleeps" part of the title. It ended a little too happily and perfect. What does it say about me that I liked all the back stabbing (not literal) and double crossing better than the sweet parts of the story?

Three Months Till Christmas

Whoopppee!!

Let the countdown begin.

To get my son back for his non-sleeping night, I put bows (Christmas) in his hair. Here are a couple of my favorites.

About Last Night

So . . .last night was our first night with a babysitter.

This is how I felt about leaving cub.


I left Lauren (very sweet, wonderful babysitter) with pages of instructions. I was mercilessly teased (by my friend Liz) for my detailed notes, (You can find Liz's parenting tips in the comments section of this post.) but I wanted Lauren to be prepared.

Let's back up a little . . .

Yesterday afternoon wasn't a great one for little cub. He was tired, clingy and cranky. My theories as to why he was so cranky:

1. He could sense that I was a little uneasy;
2. His cold (the one he's had on and off for two months) was back with a vengeance,
   
3. He wasn't wearing his teething necklace (I forgot it at school); and/or
   
4. He was tired (the night before he was up for about 1.5 hours in the middle of the night).
   

Buttin thought #3 was hilarious.

He took many small naps in the afternoon and by 5:50 he was tired and ready for his bath, dinner and bed. I was putting him to bed when I heard Lauren walk through the door at 6:15. He was fast asleep when I left the two of them around 6:35.

I went to meet my friends Liz & Jonathan for a 7:00 Wall Street (cookie review to come shortly) and I was planning to be home by 10:00.

Here's what was supposed to happen: Cash was supposed to stay asleep. Lauren was supposed to watch TV (or read, eat pizza, sew, play with the cats, bake cookies - whatever she wanted to do).

The few nights before last, Cash had been waking up around 8:00 needing a little back patting (so I left that factoid in her instructions), but the night before he had slept from 6:30 - 3:30 straight, so my hope was that Lauren and Cash would never see each other.

Here's what did happen (as best I could piece together from Lauren):

• Cash woke up around 8:00 (not a huge surprise and I left Lauren with multiple things to try if this happened).
• Apparently, back patting was making him angry and hysterics were performed.
  
• Lauren picked Cash up to comfort him (as per the instruction manual) and he got better.
• She tried to put him back down again and AGAIN he would start to cry.
• Next she tried to feed him (sometimes if he's so tired at dinner time he doesn't eat as much as he should and wakes up and needs a snack - I provided a warm bottle in the event that this occurred). He wasn't eating.
  
• The he started farting.
  
• She thought he might have pooed, and I left instructions that if he had a blowout (although he never poos at night) to change his diaper (Liz found this particular instruction to be hilarious/obvious) and so she did.
  
• She danced around with him in the living room and then tried to put him back down in his bed, he cried.
• She walked outside with him to calm him back down and then tried to put him to bed, more crying.
  
• Next she tried to feed him again, no luck.
• At this point, I think she just figured it wasn't worth the back and forth and just walked around the living room with him and the two of them watched True Blood.
  
• When I walked through the door at 9:30, I was greeted by two pairs of eyes and a big smile from cub.
  

Lauren said that he had been very smiley and happy since about 9:00, but that there was some difficulty earlier in the evening. I felt so bad for Lauren and poor, tired Cash.

As soon as Lauren left, I gave Cash the magic boob and he was out within 5 minutes . . . for about an hour.

I was prepared for what was coming . . . when he's overtired he DOES NOT sleep well.

He was awake at 10:30, at 12:45, at 3:00 (I noticed he was soaking wet - I forgot to show Lauren how to use the cloth diapers and so she put it on backwards. His pjs were soaked with pee. I wonder what Liz's parenting manual would say about pee-soaked pjs?), at 5:15 and then he took a nap in my lap from 6:45 - 8:30.

I have no idea why cub wouldn't go back to sleep with Lauren. Maybe he wasn't feeling well, maybe he missed me or maybe it was because he hadn't been wearing his amber necklace all afternoon (that's my vote).

We will try a babysitter again (actually MorMor will be here on Thursday and Friday night) and I just hope Lauren is willing to try again.

Baby Free Friday - Things I Miss

Buttin and I have been small business owners for a little over two years now.

Neither one of us has any desire to return to corporate America, but there are some things that I miss:

• The ability to disagree. In the corporate world, disagreements are not unusual (even between clients and vendors). Corporate folk commonly use phrases like "I'm going to push back", but the point is - they disagree all the time. In our small business world, the customer is always right (even when they're not).
• At the end of the day it was not my problem. I took great pride in my job and worked my little tail off, but I was just a little cog and didn't (thankfully) have to worry about computer problems, paying bills, payroll or human resources. As a small business owner, I worry about all these things and more.
• Vacation. Sadly vacation is not really an option as a small business owner. One day it will be, but right now Buttin and I are too big of control freaks to leave this place for any longer than a couple of days at a time. I hope one day to travel with Cub (take him to Disney World and the Harry Potter theme park), but the longest Buttin and I have both been away from the business (together on a vacation) is two days.
• Powerpoint. Yup, I said it - I miss powerpoint. Decks became such any easy way to communicate ideas when I worked in Corporate America and sometimes I miss the simplicity of just putting a couple bullet points in a presentation and sending it off.
  

The truth is I could do about a dozen posts detailing all the reasons why being a small business owner is wonderful for our family. Every time I talk to a new mom who is dreading going back to work full-time or someone complaining about their boss I am reminded how fortunate I am to be to be a part of our little carpet selling misfit clan.

It's Time

I'll admit it - I've been a little babysitter hesitant.

It's not that I don't trust other people with Cash, it's just I don't trust other people with Cash.

I'm kidding (kind of).

We've only ever left cub with MorMor & Gigi and their monthly visits usually allow Buttin and me to have one night out together every month. That's been good for us. Buttin and I actually enjoy nights at home together, on the couch with some sushi take out.

Well, tomorrow night is going to be our first night with a babysitter. Buttin will be at Fantastic Fest and I'll be going to see a movie with Liz & Jonathan (so our first night with a sitter and we won't even be together - go figure). I thought just going out for a movie would make for a good first try with a babysitter - that way, if anything happens I'm not very far away and going to see a movie is not really a major event.

Cash's first babysitter is a very nice woman, Lauren. Liz & I met Lauren when we volunteered for the The First Tee last year. She is very sweet and has a ton of experience with children. Hopefully, Cash will be asleep the entire time and she'll just spend time with our animals.

Wish me (and her) luck!

Now here is one happy baby:

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is a common theme for some of the blogs I read.

I'm feeling lazy today, so I'm doing "Wordless Wednesday", which roughly translates to "Pictures of Graby".

Cub with Mouser, striking a pose:


Cub close-up:

Happiness

I had a frustrating day as a small business owner.

Actually, it was just one phone call that I let ruin my day.

Sometimes people just want to vent and nothing that I say will change their mind (short of giving away something for free). I so want to make our customers happy that it upsets me when I fail even though I know it is not always in my control.

Oh well, this is small stuff and I'm not going to sweat it.

Besides, I got to spend the afternoon with a little man that brings me immense happiness. We haven't really been able to swim much the last couple of days because of all the clouds (we need the sun to warm up the water) so today I filled up the pool with some warm sink water and some cold hose water to make luke warm pool water.

Here is Graby perfecting his side-stroke:

The Fly Catcher

Have I mentioned how much I love this blog?

Some of the pictures this mother takes of her daughter make me tear up a little because they're just so sweet. I am also still in awe that her daughter stays asleep. Our cats get a dirty look (from me) if they meow too loudly because they might wake cub up.

Here is another attempt to copy her adorable idea, I call it The Fly Catcher.

Baby In Black

DIAPER

I finally broke down and bought cub a black cloth diaper (actually two).

Little cub decided he really wanted to sleep last night. He slept from 6:30 PM - 6:00 AM with not so much as a peep (well, maybe a little cough every once in a while). Buttin and I didn't know what do do with ourselves.

Painting With Liz!

Yesterday, Liz and I went to Painting With A Twist.

I had never heard of the place before, but it's a pretty fun concept. They give you a canvas, paint, an apron (very important, especially for me and Liz) and an easel. There are a couple of instructors and they walk your through creating a painting during the two hour session. There were about 15 other women in our group (Liz was invited by one of her friends so Liz invited me) and there was wine and cheese and chocolate!

When Liz first told me about this place - I was a little concerned they'd try to cage all my awesome creativity. Turns out - you can do what you want, but they encourage you to follow the instructor.

Liz and I were in rare form - it might have had something to do with our Twilight Zone lunch experience at Antonio's (it was like their first time making food). She started out by asking the instructors if I could have a person-sized canvas because I wanted to do a naked painting a-la-Farrah Fawcett. I'm not sure if we were amusing to the instructors or to the other painters, but we were cracking ourselves up.

Here's Liz and her painting (hers looks like a lot like the example)


Here's my painting (I rebelled by turning my canvas the opposite way and making a fall tree instead of a spring one).


Here's Liz and I:

Liz and I will certainly do this again and maybe next time we'll bring Jonathan and Buttin.

A House Divided

The University of Texas - Longhorns
vs.
The Texas Tech - Red Raiders

What in the world is a raider and why is it red, do they paint their faces? Do they have a rash?

Baby Free Friday - Little Pieces of Love

Little Pieces Of Love
by Molly Naylor

Mom & Dad - I feel a little ignored,
while you play with baby cub, I get bored.

I don't want to go outside because you shut the door,
so now I will poop on the kitchen floor.

I'm an older puppy and I need more hugs,
or I will continue to leave you little pieces of love (aka poo nuggets).

It's well known how disgusting Cartman is, but I really think Molly and Scratch are fighting for the title of most disgusting Naylor pet. Molly has started pooping on the kitchen floor (she actually leaves a little trail, it's not just all in one area), but I decided against posting a picture of it. Scratch, if he deems the litter box as "too full" has taken to peeing on the towel we place outside the shower. Nothing like stepping out of the shower onto a towel of cat piss.

Cartman is not without his own new disgusting things. Occasionally, little cub will spit up a little (who am I kidding, sometimes it's about a gallon) and Cartman loves to lick it up. (I know, you're jealous.) Sometimes I think he follows me and Cash around just so he can find little morsels - he's going to love it when Cashman starts eating (and dropping and/or spitting up) real food.

Here's a little picture of Ms. Poop-on-the-Floor (along with cub . . .not completely baby free):

Songs I Sing

Yesterday during our mamas' get together Candy (Henry's mom) started singing Lady Gaga to Henry to make him laugh. She's positive that Henry will be mortified when he's sixteen to learn that his mom sang Lady Gaga to him.

This got me thinking, there are quite a few songs that I sing to little cub throughout the day. I'm not sure if Cash will care when he's older, but I'm sure some of these songs will make Buttin roll his eyes.

On the way to school in the morning, I sing Say Hey (I love you). There's a lotta "Hey Mama" and "I love yous" in the song.



I also sing (because it's on the radio so much and after I admit this, Buttin will want to do a musical intervention for Cash) Still Haven't Met You Yet.



On the way home from school, I sing Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. Except where the song goes "I love you baby and it's if quite alright I need you baby . . .", I substitute "Graby" for "Baby".

At night, when I give cub a bath I sing a creation of my own called "Baby Snowman Song". It's done to the tune of a Mozart composition (which is also a the tune for the "you are my bestfriend" song from Little Einsteins)



While I'm feeding cub at night, I sing Baby Mine (the Dumbo version, of course)



Then, as I've mentioned before, to calm the cub down when he's going to sleep we sing You Are My Sunshine.

It's probably not the music Buttin would like for me to sing to his (tribute to Johnny Cash) son (we also listen to a ton of Johnny Cash and The Beatles on Pandora during our day - I just don't really sing those songs to him), but it's a good variety (cub and I also listen to Peter & The Wolf, The Nutcracker and music from Harry Potter).

Since we didn't go swimming yesterday, we did lots of swimming today and I took lots of pictures (I'm allowing myself to do so every other day and today was an "other" day). I like to call this picture, I have one toy, but I want this other one too.

It's quite entertaining to watch him try to grab toys in the water because as soon as he makes a move towards a toy - it floats away.

Baby Mamas Day!

For the first time since we started our group (some three or so months ago), I hosted our weekly mamas day get together.

Apparently, it's a well established fact that I enjoy cookies (in both dough and baked form) because three of the mamas brought cookies and one brought brownies. Sadly, no one brought me any dough or batter - bad baby mamas!

As always, it was great to see the ladies and we even had a new addition (the mama I donated milk to and her four week old son). In an "it's a small world" kind of moment, I discovered that the new mama actually had Dr. Elephant as her gyno, but decided against having him as her OB. She had a couple not so great experiences with Dr. Elephant, none of which include him saying she had a "generous" weight gain.

We spent a little time talking about our group (as we introduced ourselves to the new mama) and how it's a very non-judgmental and supportive group. I have really, really grown to care for these ladies and their sons. They make me feel completely normal (even if I barely managed to brush my hair) and secure in the parenting decisions Buttin and I have made.

Now, for a couple cute pictures.

Here's cub & his buddy Henry:


Here's Nico playing with his new best friend - Mouser:


Here is a very sweet picture of Heather & Isaac:


Here is adorable Jackson & his mama Julia:


Here is the new mama, Karen and her itty-bitty son Alan (sniff . . sniff . . I remember when Cash was this itty-bitty):


Here is Cash using his friend Henry's mom as a teether:

Will I Ever REALLY Run Again?

I'm having a little woe is me kind of day. I know this is stupid because my life is damn near perfect.

I love my son more than living, but I'm beginning to wonder when real running will be possible. Right now his sleep schedule is just so sporadic and I know my sleep is more important than my running (but less important than cookie dough). Sleep (and cookie dough) is a biological imperative and running is just very, very important.

I have been unable to crack 6 miles (I think I CAN go further, I just don't have the time) and I'm finding it frustrating when I can't run. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations. I know that any running I'm doing right now is good for me (physically and emotionally), but doing 3 miles/3 times a week just doesn't feel like enough. All I can do right now is remember the days when a 10 mile jog was an easy run I did any old Wednesday and read about other runners' mileage with a little bit of jealousy.

In other news, I took little cub to the doctor today. He's had a persistent cough and running nose (no fever) for the last couple of weeks and I just wanted to be on the safe side. Surprise! He has a cold. Oh and he now weights 17 lbs!

Here's a little swimming picture from today (I love the splashing water and the joy on his face). I know I take a ton of swimming pictures, but I've actually pulled it back a little - I only allow myself to take swimming pictures every other day.

Pulp Fiction & Return of the Living Dead

Between these two movie posters . . .



Graby sleeps (sometimes).

It's not your traditional nursery (actually it's half of Buttin's office), but it works.

Bear Attack!

A little Halloween preview.

A Me Day

Today was a ME day.

Buttin wanted me to have some time with friends, so he and cub hung out together while I played.

I started the day with a sweaty run - I saw a few deer, ate a couple bugs and fertilized some grass.

After a shower, I got ready for brunch with my baby mamas group. I actually did my hair and put on some make-up (we were all joking about how we would wear clothes without spit up). We all clean up rather well:


We missed Julia and Bethany, but we'll certainly do it again soon.

I came home for a quick visit with cub and Buttin, but cub stayed asleep the whole time (I really missed not seeing him) so I had to pump too.

Next, I headed to my friend Liz's house for an afternoon of Harry Potter watching. She informed me that she now likes an exercise class more than vodka. I'm not sure what the world is coming to - maybe she was just joking.

When I got home little cub hadn't been asleep for 2.5 hours so I helped him take a nap (read: magic boob time). After he woke up, we went for a little walk.


We got home and cub helped Buttin play video games.

It was strange being away from Graby for most of the day, but it was nice to spend time with friends.

Stinker!

So, for a couple weeks now cub has decided to flip (from stomach to back) in the middle of the night, well now I know he can go the other way too!

Baby Free Friday - Inventions

My fabulous friend Liz and I are always making up inventions. Most of them involve ways we can watch Harry Potter, Law & Order and other good shows on a continuous loop (our own TV station - not really an invention, but you get the idea) or ways to make things easier to eat (or drink).

For example, she came up with the idea of selling pie crust on a roll (like fabric). We wouldn't actually do it - but it would be fabulous if there was a store you could walk into and they could roll out sheets of pie crust for you (I know they sell something similar at a place called a grocery store, but it's not quite the same thing).

Well I've become a very light sleeper (can't mention why - but here's a hint - it's in the name of the post) and although I love it when Buttin comes to bed with me - even he's not quite ready to go to sleep at 9 PM (or sometimes 8:36) - I can't go to sleep with the lights and TV on. So, I came up with an invention so that he can read without turning on lots of lights. I know what you're thinking - don't they make something called an Itty Bitty Book Light? - well this is much different and SO MUCH BETTER.

I call it - The Arm PIT:

Arm Paperback Illumination Thingy.

Here's a picture (done with MS Paint):
The features include:

• Flexible arm that attaches to headboard (or any other place) via a clip and can rotate just like a real arm;
• Little fingers to hold onto the book (could also be hardback) or magazine you are reading; and
  
• A light to "illuminate" your reading material.

Pretty cool, huh?

Everything Is A Toy

Everyday I try to give little cub a new little object to discover.

Today's new toy - a water bottle:


I also let him play with a real new toy - a set of keys my friend Suzin bought for him. Apparently, they taste badly:

This & That

A few updates in bullet point form:

• We've had some torrential rain her in central Texas during the last 36 hours. My favorite running trails (haven't been there since I was about 18 weeks prego . . . sometime last October) are completely washed out. Here is a picture (stolen from a friend of mine) - the water is UP TO THE TREE TOPS.

• As a result of all this rain, we were slammed at work (in addition to selling and installing flooring, we also do water extractions). Buttin had to play "water extraction technician". We've owned the business for a little over two years now, but I don't think he's ever been out on a water extraction before (I haven't either) and I'm sure it made for an interesting and tiring day (he's still out and it's 7 PM).
  

• Last week I wrote about Buttin's cousin. He has/had necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria) and it was looking pretty grim for a couple of days. Today he went in for his eighth surgery in as many days and has been declared infection free. He still has quite a long road to recovery, but the entire family is very relieved.

• Since Graby was born I've been pumping breast milk in addition to feeding him. I've developed quite a large stash in the freezer (Buttin calls them milk popsicles). I've been wanting to donate some of my supply, but milk banks have a screening process (which I totally understand) and I just haven't really had the time to get the blood test, fill out the paperwork, etc. Well, another mom from my new mamas group read on an online forum that another new mother in Austin was needing milk for her three week old. Since she didn't have a problem with my drug use (I kid, I kid - unless Splenda counts), I was happy to donate! She only lives about two miles away from us, so I got to meet her and her teenie-tiny son this afternoon. I can barely remember when cub was that small. She was extremely grateful and it felt good to be able to do something (that for me, is really so simple) for a new mother who cannot produce milk.
  

• The little cub's new favorite thing to do during bath time is to play with the running water. For the last few nights, after he's done getting cleaned, I push his little bath hammock towards the faucet and let him reach up for the water. He is absolutely fascinated by it.

Self-Portrait

I have very few pictures of my son and me.

Most other mothers are sympathetic because they too are guilty of taking pictures of their child with dad, dogs, cats, stuffed animals, pillows (that's for you, Heather), used Kleenex, plastic spoons and the list goes on - all the while never having a picture taken of themselves with their child.

It's been raining all day today (we're actually under a flash flood warning right now) so little cub and I could not go swimming. Instead, I just took a rug and towel and we went outside to our front porch (I use that term loosely) to play and get some fresh air.

I took many pictures (shocker) and even tried to rectify the lack of pictures of me with Graby situation. Here's one of the better attempts:


Since I know this picture of me with cub will not suffice for my mother (MorMor), here is another picture of cub by himself.

And A Little About Running

My running is greatly dependent upon my sleep.

My sleep is greatly dependent upon the cub.

Those of you who live in cooler states won't really understand this - but when the temperature (the low) gets below 70 for the first time in about five months - that's when I really look forward to a run. Last Friday, a cool front (meaning the high would only be in the low-90s) came through making our Saturday morning temperatures in the high-60s! I was so excited to run on Saturday morning; however, sleeping was not on the agenda for little cub on Friday night and he decided he wanted to see me every 90 minutes.

Me awake every 90 minutes = NO RUN.

Even before I had cub, I would get a little upset if for some reason I couldn't make it out on a morning that was cool - especially after a long summer of hot running.

I made up for Saturday by running both Sunday and Monday mornings (because cub decided to sleep a little better). They were cooler, but not as cool as Saturday. I'm really looking forward to some cooler temperatures and some longer runs (and also some sleep).

Dear Cash - 5 Months

Dear baby Cash,

You're certainly NOT a little baby anymore.

You're growing bigger and stronger everyday. I often look back at the pictures I took of you when you were two and three months old (when I thought you were already SO big) and you've grown so much.

We had many adventures this month. You got your four month vaccinations with little incident, you started rolling over (one direction anyway), started teething, had visits from MorMor, Dadoo, Bubie, Gigi and Nana, are now taking a bottle like a real pro and going back and forth between sleeping many hours (7 - 5) and waking up every 90 minutes.

We still go swimming every afternoon that the weather allows. You now enjoying pushing your legs off the side of the pool and sliding across the bottom. You also love being on your stomach in the pool and reaching for your toys.

Anything and everything you can get your hands on goes immediately into your mouth - doesn't matter if it's a toy, a Kleenex or a cat ear. Your dad and I enjoy watching you try to put odd shaped objects in your mouth.

You now smile and laugh all the time. It's fairly easy to get you to giggle and you enjoy trying to make us smile too. You are developing quite a little sense of humor. I never could have imagined that another person's smile would bring me so much joy. The thought of you makes your father and I euphoric - you are a little baby drug.

Also this month, you've really started to notice the animals. Mouser is actually the sweetest and most gentle with you. He is very tolerant of you pulling on his skin, fur, ears and feet. Cartman is not so fond of you and runs away to the furthest part of the couch whenever you are on it; however, you will lunge after him if given the opportunity.

Here are a couple of pictures:


I cannot believe that next month you will be 6 months old. Time is going by entirely too quickly, but I do enjoy watching you grow and do new things.

Please be sweet to your dad and me and please don't grow up to quickly.

I love you so much,
Your mom