Boobies

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the AFTER pregnancy stuff is much more difficult than pregnancy and even labor (hoping to finish my story tomorrow).

A couple of days ago I got a clog in one boobie (it's gone, thankfully) and now I'm feeling one in the other boobie.  OUCHIE!

I'm really hoping I don't have as many boob updates as I did with Cash.

Here are Mac and Scratch relaxing on the couch.

Here are Cub and Buttin pretending to be a worm - they're so strange.

Some Pictures

I'm still working on Chicken's birth story, but  I did meet with doula Shelley today and she filled in some of the fuzzy details.  

Here are some pictures of Cash and Mac.

This is Cash trying to "feed" Mac.  I think it's pretty cute.  

Here are Cash and Mac chatting. 

Here is Cash making snowflakes. 

 

Filanthropy Friday

I'm a little behind with Filanthropy Friday, but I meant to give to Sandy Hook and Newtown last week.

This week, I'm giving $25 to the United Way of Western Connecticut's Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Also, we received an email from Cub's school that the Sandy Hook teachers were requesting child-made snowflakes to decorate the older school the children will be returning to in January.  They wanted to create a "Winter Wonderland".

If I can get my act together, I'd like to help Cub make a couple snowflakes.  

I know some of my mom friends might be interested - so here are all the details.  All snowflakes must be received by January 12th.  

 

When school resumes for Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT; it will be in a new building.  The school district is preparing to reopen an older, empty school building to educate the students of Sandy Hook for the remainder of the year. The building is yet stark and undecorated, and here is where we can help.  Ways a classroom,  child or grandchild can help:   

"We are asking your students to make and decorate a snowflake. We will hang them in the hallways at the stark, new building where the Sandy Hook students will be returning. PLEASE NO WORDS! We want just a cheerful, happy (glitter and sparkle) environment for the students entering the new building.    Please pass on to any teachers you think may want to participate.

When you send your snowflakes, please include a note to tell us where they are from (your school, class, town, etc) to display along with your snowflakes. You can send them to me directly, and I will give them to our PTA."   Bonny Marsicano,  22 Pine Tree Hill Road,   Newtown, CT 06470

Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. We encourage senders to be as creative as possible, remembering that no two snowflakes are alike. Here are some tips from Martha Stewart on making paper snowflakes. Please make and send snowflakes by January 12, 2013 to the Connecticut PTSA address below. 

Paper Snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary School

Last week's tragedy in Connecticut was devastating for parents, teachers, and students at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Those students will be returning to a new school after the winter break, which hasn't been used for a while. The children need your help in creating a winter wonderland when they get there! Newtown PTSA has asked the Instructables community for help.

You can help by creating paper snowflakes to help decorate the new school, and sending it to them!

Mail snowflakes (or any donations to):

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

His Name

Mac's name is George Cormac.  

I swore that Mac was a girl and we had decided on the name Georgia.  While I was pregnant Buttin kept asking me what we would do if Chicken was a boy.  To make things simple, I said we should just use George if it's a boy and Georgia if it's a girl.  Buttin took a while to come around to my idea. 

George is Buttin's actual first name and it's also the name of both our maternal grandfathers. 

Cormac is for Cormac McCarthy - an author Buttin loves.  Buttin also loves that one of the meanings of Cormac is "impure son" - it also means "raven", "legend" and my personal favorite, "charioteer".   We also liked that Cormac gave us a good reason to call our son, Mac.   It was Buttin's idea.   

Several years ago (way before Cash and Mac) Buttin had me read The Road by Cormac McCarthy.  The novel is a post apocalyptic father/son story.   It's one of those books where lines stay with you.  One of those lines for me is one where the father describes his son by saying - "If he isn't the word of God, then God never spoke.".  

Buttin and I always talked about this particular line being for Cash - but now I guess it's for both of them. 

Here is little Mac tonight before his bath. It looks like a mug shot.

Here's big brother playing with his guitar.

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Let's Do This Tonight

News! News!

I really need to play catch up with my blog.

On Monday, December 17th at 9:31 AM Buttin and I welcomed our 2nd son (surprise!), George Cormac.  We're going to call him Mac.

I'm trying to finish his birth story and hope to post it tomorrow or Monday.  

I love watching my husband being a father and Cash being a big brother.

Sunday Play

This weekend Gigi came in for a quick visit. I think she was hoping Chicken would arrive, but instead Cash just spoiled her with snuggles.  Cash didn't care that mom or dad were around  - he only wanted Gigi.  

Sadly, we said goodbye to Gigi this morning and Cash had to make do with me and Buttin.

Here he is getting ready for a super classy bike ride (yup, those are fuzzy crocs over footie pjs).

 

Here he is being swung by Buttin.

Check out Buttin's strange foot positioning - I have no idea how he is staying upright.

WRONG

OK, so unless something happens VERY quickly - Chicken has missed my prediction date of the 14th or 15th.  Chicken's technical due date isn't until the 18th, but I still I feel a tiny bit sad for missing the mark on this one.  I guess I knew Chicken's arrival date like I knew Cash was a girl. 

Oh well the countdown continues . . . or begins.

Here is little Cub playing with his shoes today - he thought it was so funny to put shoes on the wrong feet.

Filanthropy Friday

For the holidays this year we decided to buy a  bunch of gifts for Dell Children's Hospital - Breakfast With Santa.

Hannah's (Cub's nanny) mom is a nurse at Dell Children's and when I heard about the Breakfast With Santa Program - I asked how we could help. It's pretty easy to help  - buy toys!

Last Sunday, Buttin and I raced through Target and purchased a cart full of toys.  At first is was kind of difficult to pick (because you want to give GOOD gifts), but then you just start tossing stuff in basket and going crazy.

I wish we could do more.  We are (broken record) very, very thankful for the health of our child and buying toys for children and their siblings who are spending Christmas in a hospital seems like a very small thing to do. 

Wordless Wednesday

Eye Roll

So - if my friend Liz reads this post, I'm sure it will get a big eye roll (actually, I'm guessing most people will have that reaction). 

This morning I saw Dr. Bubbly for perhaps the last time (until Chicken is born).   She said she was on-call the past couple of nights and she SWORE she was going to hear from me (apparently I'm "up next").  I told her I was sorry to disappoint her, but that at least she got to sleep and she got to see me this morning.  

Everything is normal with Chicken.  I told her I was expecting Chicken's arrival sometime in the next few days, but I was in no hurry.  She gave me ONE warning - STAY AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL TOMORROW - 12/12/12. 

She said the hospital will be a madhouse because there are dozens of elective c-sections scheduled because some parents want (and this is her term) a "cosmetic birth date" for their child.  Apparently, she was on-call on 11/11/11 and it was crazy.  

To me, a  "cosmetic birth date" is about as stupid as a vanity license plate, baked cookie dough or something even stupider that I can't think of right now.   Oh well - I'm sure the parents who want a cosmetic birth date for their baby probably think some of my birth decisions are pretty stupid too.  

Here is Cash today riding his bike in the leaves.

Misfit Monday

All day yesterday I kept telling Chicken to stay put.

I had a ton of work to do today.  I finished most of it, so now I'm a little less stressed about Chicken's arrival and work.

Last night Chicken was doing back flips on my bladder and I didn't sleep well, so it's time to go to bed.

Here's Cub giving me a serious look today while getting gas (or as he calls it "grass"). 

Dear Cash - 2.66 Years

Dear Cash,

OK, I missed the technical date (by 3 days), but I wouldn't miss this month for anything - it's your last month as an only child.

There is a blog I love to read - it's called The Honest Toddler.  It's mostly very funny stuff written from a toddler's perspective, but every once in a while - it's serious.

As your dad and I anticipate the arrival of Chicken (you - are still in fierce denial), I'm reminded of a post called The Woman.  It makes me cry big huge tears every time I read it, but right now as you grow so quickly, I'm focused on the last paragraph.

So today I will cling. The collar of her shirt will remain in my fist, my face pressed against the skin of her chest as I inhale the first scent that wafted into my nose when I was still floating within her. “Don’t leave me,” my spirit whispers to hers as I try to melt back inside and remember the song we used to sing.

Today I want to be one.

Little Cash, I know you are learning to be your own little person - but I just can't help it - right now, I still want to be one with you.

Please continue to be sweet to me and your dad and TRY to be sweet to Chicken.  Please don't grow up too quickly.

Love, 

Mom

Here are a couple pictures of your from today.

You playing in the leaves (photo taken by Miss Hannah).

 You and Scratch were both very interested in the butterflies - I love this picture.

Celebrating Christmas

Note about Chicken:  So if you were to predict Chicken's due date by using a traditional due date calculator with the date of my last period (March 3rd - day of Woodlands Marathon) - Chicken's due date would be TODAY!  However, my cycle is longer than the traditional due date calculator uses (and my current doctor listened to me when I told her this fact).  I was 6 days later than the traditional calculator with Cash.  So, if I was a betting woman - I'd say Chicken will arrive on the 14th or 15th, but I'd be OK if Chicken waited until the 18th.  

OK, back to regular scheduled programing - CHRISTMAS!

Last night we celebrated Christmas with Liz and Jonathan.

When I arrived at Liz's house, there were about 10 beautifully wrapped gifts for me. 

 I was a little worried that Liz went a little far, and I was right.

She got me a gift card to the Lake Austin Spa, a wallet and cosmetic case - and that's the boring stuff.  

She also got me two semi-used La Madeline gift cards, a $5 Starbucks gift card, a frequent diner club card to Fudruckers (that expired in 2009), a California Pizza Kitchen 10% off coupon  (that also expired in 2009), a Manny Hatten's frequent dinner card (they went out of business a couple years ago), some chicken seasoning, a Sees Candy Gift Card (to a "Glinda"),  pepper and onion relish (left over from a gift basket Liz received last Christmas), some hotel bath products (from Liz's recent stay at the Four Seasons), a pony named Harmony with pink hair, and pickle juice (that one was from Jonathan).

Pretty amazing, huh?

I was a little overwhelmed by her generosity (I think she cleaned out her junk drawer and the wallet she used in 2009).  It's OK though because I received Liz's birthday present in the mail today and Buttin says that I win!  We shall see.

Cub and I went to the park this morning to visit some baby mamas.  Here are a few pictures. 

Filanthropy Friday

This may come as a shock - but I use the interwebs to do lots of extensive (2 minute) research on various topics - from potty training to fork lift battery replacing. 

A site that frequently comes up in my search results is Wikipedia.  This week I was  doing some very intelligent research on the fiscal cliff (or cookie dough) and I noticed at the top of Wikipedia that they were doing a fundraiser because they're actually a non-profit - the Wikimedia Foundation.  Who knew?

Access to information (even if it isn't always 100% accurate) is good.  So this week I donated $10 to Wikipedia.

Crazy Mom

I've probably lost my mind. 

On Tuesday Cub left school early because he had diarrhea (although we never saw it).

Yesterday, Cash spent most of the day with us at work.  We actually had a really good time at work together and Cash really enjoyed himself  - especially with Ms. Patty.   All day, there was absolutely no diarrhea.  In fact (and here's where the crazy part comes), I actually took a picture of his one poop diaper just to prove that he didn't have diarrhea (I won't post the picture here).  

Today at school - no diarrhea - so there was no need to share the picture with anyone (except for Buttin, I sent it to him - he's so lucky).

Here are a couple cute pictures of Cash today.

Wordless Wednesday

Chicken Update

Today I had my 38 week appointment with mid-wifey and doula, Shelley. They know each other very well, so it was really chat among friends.

Chicken looks just perfect and hopefully Chicken will stay put for at least another couple of weeks (I have too much to do).

Cash got sent home early from school today - diarrhea.  Although, he doesn't seem sick in the slightest - no fever, not tired (he was bouncing off the walls when we got home this afternoon) and no diarrhea at all this afternoon. 

I think they've very cautious at school.  Buttin and I both have a ton to do and we couldn't find a sitter for tomorrow, so we're going to try to bring Cub to work with us.  We'll see how it goes. 

Here's Cub this afternoon trying to convince me it's OK to take a racket that was left at the playground (that was clearly marked "Ava") back home.  It took a while to divert his attention to other objects.

Misfit Monday

Buttin texted me last week.   

We had the first mystery solved by our video cameras.

One of our installers (we'll call him installer A) told Buttin that he thought another installer (we'll call him installer B) had taken his drill.  The video showed definitive proof that installer B's helper had, in fact, taken the drill.

Here is the exact telephone conversation.

Buttin:  So, installer B - do you know where installer A's drill is?

Installer B:  Nope.

Buttin:  Well, why don't you ask your helper.

Installer B:  He says he doesn't see it.

Buttin:  Well, I'm looking a monitor right now and it is showing your helper putting installer A's drill into your truck.

Installer B:  Wait, let me check.  Yup, it's here  - I found it.

Mystery solved!!

Here is our holiday card!  It's pretty exciting (and silly).   

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Six Years To Me & Buttin!

Here's Cub today playing in a stranger's yard (he loves the blow up things).

December

So, it's the first of December. In Texas, that means shorts and a t-shirt.

Looks like Chicken will be a December baby (at least, Chicken BETTER come in December).

Today the neighborhood down the street had a Holiday Craft Festival - with a train, petting zoo and Santa.

Cash had a pretty good time with the ducks.

Filanthropy Friday

My paternal grandfather passed away last night.

We were not particularly close, but I do feel sadness for my father and aunts and uncles and for my grandmother. 

His death was not sudden, but his health decline seemed very swift.  He only spent one night in hospice, but I'm always thankful for quality end of life care.

This week, I donated $25 to Hospice Austin in honor of my grandfather, rest in peace. 

Watching Trucks

We're having some family in town for the next few days so my posts might be a little sporadic.  

This afternoon there were people working on our street, repaving the road.  Cash man and I went to watch all the trucks. 

He was very excited. 

Wordless Wednesday

Updates

Here are some updates in bullet point form.  Please mind the warnings.

• (Warning, personal body stuff.) It's that time again - time for me to put flush-able wipes in every bathroom (even at work)  Now, because of Cub's age (2.5 years) you might think they were for him, but they're for me.  I'm not going to spell out exactly why I need these wipes, but let's just say it has to do with the largeness of my stomach.
• Last night Buttin and I meet with Doula Shelley.  I really like her.  I had kind of an "oh s - - t" moment realizing that Chicken is going to be here in about 3 - 4 weeks (or earlier).  I spent SO MUCH time preparing for Cub that time seemed to move more slowly.  On another note, it's on my agenda this weekend to pack my hospital bag. 
• Cash has developed a fondness for chocolate chip cookies (I'm not sure why it took him this long); however he likes to lick every cookie in the box before selecting one.  Just be warned - if you eat a cookie at my house - it was probably licked by a toddler.  
• In other Cash news - he absolutely cracks me up (which isn't really news). Tonight we were all on the bed together after Cub's bath and he took a piece of string and put it over Buttin's mouth and said, "Now you have a mooo-stash".  I have no idea where he learned that, but it made me laugh.
• There is a very bad smell coming from our fridge.  I haven't yet figured out where it's coming from, but it isn't annoying enough to make me want to clean out the entire fridge.  

Here is Cash today playing in the car.

Misfit Monday

Right now we are spending a lot of time getting ready for the end of the year - holiday gifts and cards seem to be the biggest priorities for the misfits.  

We're all having some fun.

Here's Cub today playing outside wearing a borrowed pair of pants (he peed on his clothes at school, but at least he was trying to go to the bathroom by himself). 

Sunday Movie Reviews

During the holiday week, we had a lot of family in town which meant lots of babysitters.  Buttin and I took advantage and went to see a few movies.

Rise of the Guardians

This is a very sweet animated holiday-ish movie.

Life of Pi

 

I loved, loved, loved this adventure, survival, spiritual story.  It made Buttin and I want to snuggle Mouser (our little Richard Parker).

The Sessions

I knew nothing about this movie going into it, but really enjoyed it.  It's based on a true story about a physically disabled man who decides to see a sex surrogate.  

Here's a picture of Cub and I from yesterday.

Playing Catch Up

We had a fun, but very busy Thanksgiving week.  Hence, the lack of blogging.

Now, it's time for a little catch up or at least a few pictures. 

Wordless Wednesday

Misfit Monday

Today we all took pictures for our misfit Holiday Card - we did individual pictures wearing the same sweater.   Here are a couple outtakes.

Most of the misfits did better than Buttin and I did. 

Here's Cub today - I think the look on his face is hilarious.

One of our misfits has given me a couple hand-me-down toys for Chicken.  Guess who found the toys and can't stop playing with them??!!