Little Hiatus

My blog is taking a little hiatus, kind of.

Right now, it's just too difficult to write a daily post (but I will still write from time to time).

Now, I have Facebook page dedicated to daily pictures and mini-posts.  You can visit me here.

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.

Lack of Posting

My posts have been very scare this week, but I have good excuses.

Monday - we celebrated our friend Jonathan's birthday by eating at a yummy restaurant.

Tuesday - Cash was sick and he slept in bed with me and Buttin.  This means that I was in bed by 6:30 (only about an hour earlier than usual).  I took Cubbie to school on Tuesday morning (he had an "off" Monday afternoon - just tired and super snugly) and we were walking around the classroom and he took my hand, looked into my eyes and said tearfully, "mommy home".  I knew my little sugar man was not feeling right so I took him home where he pretty much snuggled with Miss Hannah all day long.  When I got home on Tuesday afternoon he just stayed in my lap - no outside time, no playing with trains, just snuggling. 

By Wednesday Cubbie was back to his playful self - must have been a little 24 hour bug or something.

Today, when I picked Cub up from school he was wearing an adorable hat (they share hats at school) and wanted to wear it home (his teacher said it was OK).

He looked so cute, I couldn't help but take a ton of pictures.

 

Here is Cub showing off his running form (future Olympian - hmm?)

 

Here he is with a "sleeping" butterfly that we HAD to take inside the house (after mama got all the ants off the butterfly).

 

Buttin asked me if I thought the school would mind if we didn't return the hat - I told him - don't worry as soon as Gigi reads this post she'll be online shopping for at least five hats for Cash. 

Happy Birthday To Me!

I had a wonderful day at the spa with Liz - I'm so relaxed right now that I can't write very much.

Here's Cub playing air conditioning in Buttin's truck.

The Chiropractor

Today I went to see a chiropractor for my tingly feet.

Honestly, I grew up in a pretty anti-chiropractor household so the thought of ever going to see one just never occurred to me. 

The short version of the visit today - my feet are still tingly.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting the feet tingling to go away or even really improve. 

She was able to increase my foot tingling by applying pressure to certain parts of my hips, which she said was a good sign.  She only manipulated my lower back and asked me to track any changes for the next few days and go back and see her on Friday.

We'll see how it goes - at least I feel good about trying to do something while I wait for the neurologist appointment. 

Here's Cub playing outside today.

Tomorrow, It Gets Better

The past couple weeks I've kind of been in a funk. 

My sporadic running and tingly feet (not to mention misfit shenanigans) has had me in a foul mood.

With Buttin's help, I'm making a plan to get over myself and adapt to my new situation (the tingly feet).  

• On Tuesday - I'm going to see a chiropractor.  I've never seen on in my ENTIRE life, but since I have to wait three weeks to see a neurologist, I figured I might try something while I wait.
• I'm also going to try to walk or do some other kind of working out (maybe even join a gym) everyday of the week (I think chasing Cub must count for at least two weekly workouts).
• In about three weeks I'm going to see a neurologist, who will probably tell me that I'm crazy, but at least we can start identifying the tingly feet issue (unless the chiropractor is able to work some magic).  
•  If all else fails, I will eat massive amounts of cookie dough  and flick spit balls at misfits.

Here's a picture of our little mouth-breather sleeping.   We heard from Dr. Boston and Cub's adenoids are very large so he has an appointment with an ENT in a few weeks.  

Bust

I was really looking forward to meeting with the doctor at Rogue tonight during their FREE injury clinic.  I even missed Cub's bedtime to attend.

Too bad I went to the WRONG location and the right location was downtown (too far to drive at 6:45 in the evening).  I know they'll have other injury clinics soon and maybe I'll have the patience to wait - my other option - large amounts of meth or heroine or something else to make this maddening tingly feeling go away.  It's still not painful - just very, very annoying.

I'm not sure at what point I call my doctor back and tell him MY FEET ARE STILL TINGLY - maybe it's time to try acupuncture or chiropracture (is it chiropracturing? I'm not sure what the noun is that means "going to the chiropractor") or alcohol.  

Now, two pictures of Cub for the day.

One that just cracked me up.

And another that's just cute.

Stolen!

This morning I went out to my car (parked in my driveway)  to find a messy-mess in my front seat and no purse!  

My purse had been stolen and the perpetrator (perp or unsub, for short) left a big mess (which is saying a lot because my car isn't super clean).  

I did leave my car unlocked which probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I thought it would be OK in my driveway.  

The perp decided to dump all of the stuff inside my purse onto my front seat. They even went so far as to pull out all my credit cards, drivers license and check book and leave it in my car.  The only things they took were my crappy, old Banana Republic outlet purse and the wallet (with maybe $14 in crumpled up one dollar bills) I've had for over ten years.  I guess it's time to get a new purse and wallet - and maybe start bringing them inside with me every night and also maybe start locking my car doors. 

As retribution Cub decided to steal a basketball from our neighbors yard - here he is not looking guilty. 

My Letter Writing Campaign

One of my New Year's goals was to become more educated about the things I buy, the companies that make them and where they are made. 

In the broadest sense - I'm trying to just be more educated and aware about "things". 

Things include - cookie dough production, movie release dates and my local government representatives

Recently we moved from a district in Austin represented by Democrats to a district in a burby-mc-suburbia-land represented by Republicans. 

A few weeks ago, I wrote to my Texas State House Representative (Larry Gonzales) and my Texas State Senator (Steve Ogden) about Texas House Bill 15 (the one that mandates a women get an ultrasound prior to an abortion).  I have no idea why I am so passionate about this issue (it doesn't pertain to me personally), but I am.  I asked both men to write me back and explain their rationale for voting for HB 15. 

I received a response today from State Senator Steve Ogden.  I obviously don't agree with his position, but do appreciate that he wrote me back to explain.  He mentioned that he thinks most of his constituents agree with his position, but I'm not convinced that most of the women living close to me want the Texas government making medical decisions for them.

I'm not quite sure what to do next (besides vote) - it's not like I'm not going to walk door-to-door with a petition.  I'd like to write State Senator Odgen back, but I don't think my saying "you're wrong" is a very convincing argument.  At least I am trying to participate in civil discourse.

Here is Cub today enjoying the beautiful day (although he was little grumpy) on a swing.

Daylight Savings - Bleh

I'm not really a fan of daylight savings - at least not the Spring version.

I wake up at 4:50 am and go to bed at 8:30 pm - I like the sun to rise and set early - otherwise it just makes me feel old.  The only reason Buttin comes to bed with me at 8:00 pm is because it's dark.  I'm convinced that when it's still light out at 8:00 pm - he won't come to bed so early.  

Cub is still a little under the weather, but at least it was nice outside today.

Here's Cub playing in what's left of the creek (from the rain).

 

Wise Baby Mama

Today we had a wonderful baby mama brunch/baby shower (four baby mamas are pregnant and three were in attendance). 

We played a little game where we all wrote down a piece of advice (funny, silly, sweet - it didn't matter what kind of advice) for each of the pregnant mamas and the pregnant mamas had to guess who wrote each piece of advice.

One of the mamas (she already has two kiddos) wrote something like - Spend more time making memories and less time worrying how to document the memories. 

I really liked this advice.  

I have often wondered if I spend too much time taking pictures (and documenting our life) instead of just living in the moment and making the memories.

I love my camera - I always have.  I love taking pictures of Cub. I don't think that's ever going to change (I think there would be a 3-person mutiny on this blog if it did); however, as the mama it's my job to help make the memories with Cub, not to document them. 

Here's Cub today (in a picture taken by Buttin):

We're Going To Be Pundits

Buttin and I are watching some of "The Southern Republican Presidential Debate" (super exciting) and I can't help but think we would be fantastic pundits.

Here is a transcript of a recent and very insightful political conversation.

Me:  You know, Mitt Romney, I wonder what his full name is, like what is Mitt short for? Mitchell? 

Buttin:  Mitten.

And there you have it.  I expect that we'll get a phone call from MSNBC to join their team any day now.

I'm still feeling pretty cruddy, so I don't have a great pictures of Cub today.  The picture is kind of fuzzy, but here's what Cub does when you tell him to do karate. 

CSI: Austin

My bone marrow registry donation kit came in the mail today!

 

It was a pretty simple process - just like watching CSI.

Here I am doing my best pirate face while taking one of the four swab samples.   

I accidentally got a little piece of my dinner on one of the cotton swabs - maybe they'll be able to tell what I ate for dinner (nope, it wasn't cookie dough).

Here is my completed kit!

I have no idea how long it takes them to test the swabs, but I'll make sure to post an update if they send me any information.

Cub is not yet 100%, but here he is doing his "flashdance" pose (according to Buttin) and eating chocolate. 

Tidbits

So, it's been a crazy week.  Here are a few updates concerning my always fascinating life.

• The A/C has not been fixed yet.  The repair peeps didn't even show up yesterday.  Our landlord has been pretty helpful and some new A/C experts should be stopping by for a visit (and hopefully, a repair) soon.
• I had a nice visit with Nana and her twin girls this week.  Seeing her makes me remember how exhausted I used to feel.  
• We had a misfit give notice (2-day notice, which is actually quite long by misfit standards) this week.  It makes me kind of sad, but I guess not everyone is cut out for the glamorous life of carpet.   The prospect of looking at resumes makes me kind of sad too.
• We're looking at houses tomorrow.  I'm very excited and I think Buttin could probably use a little time away from the office. 
• Graby is wonderful.  

Speaking of Graby - he has this new wonderful thing he likes to do.  He likes anything that is up high (like the ice dispenser or the water faucet) and will point and the object and say/scream/whine "eh, eh, eh" until I pick him up and allow him to play with the object while I hold him, forever.  Today's object was the electric meter. 

Here he is reading our meter - I think he's showing me how much electricity we're using.

For grins, I asked him to kiss the meter and HE DID. I can't wait to show this picture at his wedding slide show. Of course, if I ask him to give ME a kiss; he shakes his head "no". 

Happy Birthday To Me!

I'm now the young age of thirty-three.  Geez, I remember being eighteen and thinking that any 30-something age was SO old.

I spent most of the day relaxing with my family, but managed to put on a little make up and go to brunch with my baby mamas group.  I ate so much, I needed a nap (which I got).

Here's a picture of Cub today playing (not at all biting) with Scratch.  

OK, I'm off to eat my melted birthday cupcake.  Buttin tried to surprise me - guess the surprise was on him. Surprise! If you leave a cupcake in a truck (when the temp outside is 100), the icing will melt.  I think it'll still taste good.

Playing Catch Up

I have a lot of catching up to do on my blog.

I'll start with today and work backwards on subsequent posts, that seems to make the most sense - kind of.

Today I went for a surprisingly good 9.7 mile run.  It was warm and sticky, but I still managed an 11:26/mile pace.  My new running friend (the one who says my panting pace is easy for her) wasn't there today, so I came in very, very, very last place by myself. 

This afternoon, Buttin, Cub and I went looking at houses with our real estate agent. It was kind of a bust.  Looks like we'll be staying in our current location a few months longer than we originally planned, but now we have lots and lots of time to look and we'll probably need to expand our search.  

Later in the afternoon, Cub went outside in his swimsuit to play with the hose.

Soon after this picture was taken, he pooped in his swimsuit.  I won't publish a picture of the event, but it did happen and I do have a picture of it. 

Insert Clever Title Here

Right now, I'm not sure if I can form complete sentences - so here are some updates  with bullet points and sentence fragments.

• Morning training run - "easy" 5 miles at a 11:21 minute/mile pace.  This included hills and a water stop.  At one point during the run (closer to the end), I asked the woman running with me - Is this difficult for you?.  Woman: No, not really.  I'm not sure if the two of us are going to be friends.  
• We also did several running drills - I'm so slow, I came in last even during the drills.  Some of the drills include things like - skipping, running backwards and sideways and multiplication tables.  Not really the last one, but maybe if cookie dough eating or diaper changing was a drill, I would stand a better chance. 
• I'm leaving tomorrow for a small trip to Houston to help my friend Nana with her twins (remember, they were born on Cub's birthday).  I'm looking forward to seeing Nana, her sister Weenie and the little girls but I'm not looking forward to being away from Cub.  I'm feeling a little sad about it, if I'm being honest.  I know Buttin and Cub will be just fine without me, but I hope neither one forgets me.
• We were notified by our landlord that we need to be out of our house by June 30th or sign a 9 month lease.  This means, we need to find a house ASAP (not ideal) or stay in our rental house longer than we had originally planned.  We're leaning towards signing another lease and then maybe finding a house sometime in the fall and then we can slowly move into the new house.  Buttin and I may go looking at houses in the next few days, but really there's no time.  Not to mention, we really don't have time to be moving right now!
• Some of my family members from Florida might be coming for a visit next week.  It'll be really nice to see them.  I hope they're OK with a slightly crazy, frazzled and otherwise sweaty sister/daughter.

Here is my little Cub today, playing outside.

Did I mention that I'm really going to miss him (and his daddy too)?

P.S. Probably no blog posts for the next couple of days.  I hope to return to blogging in time for Filanthropy Friday.  

CSI: MY LIFE

Just a few of life's little mysteries I'm currently pondering:

• Bed crumbs - we don't eat in our bed, but every night when we go to bed, I feel little bits of stuff.  I usually just sweep it over to Buttin's side of the bed.  
• Phantom poo - sometimes when I go to the bathroom, I swear I've gone #2 and then when I look in the toilet, there's nothing in it. 
• Mysterious bruises - I've always had these, but I have even more since we had Cash.  Coincidence?  Probably not, the kid punches me - alot.
• No beef - we just found out that the Vietnamese restaurant we've been ordering take out from at least once a week for the past seven years does not have beef.  Even stranger - that it took us this long to figure that out.

Here's little Cub focusing on his ball.

Programming Interruption

I realize that I'm off schedule.

Yesterday was supposed to be Cub's 11 month (gulp) letter and today is supposed to be misfit Monday. However, yesterday (morning) I caught a horrible stomach bug. It was so bad I was in bed (or in the bathroom) all day long and never even turned on the TV. Poor Buttin caught the same thing yesterday evening and he was in the bathroom most of the night (my friend Liz also got sick last night). Right now Buttin and I are starting to feel better, but we're just keeping our fingers crossed that Cub doesn't catch it.

Here's a little picture from Saturday, two of my best friends (who are sisters) came to town for a visit. Cub was a little shy, but I think he has a thing for blondes.

I've Got Pink Eye

And wrinkles too, apparently.



Yesterday morning my eye was all crusted over and disgusting. My eye is already doing better this morning after some medication.