tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15812741251810756812024-03-05T00:52:09.504-06:00Random Acts of MotherhoodHow many people actually take the planned parenthood route?Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-60529281191528597242009-01-05T15:41:00.001-06:002009-01-05T15:43:26.915-06:00New year.......New blog!<br /><br />Please catch up with my updates at <a href="http://www.apronstringsymphony.com">my new blog</a> from now on.<br /><br />For now, I've got all of my archives from Random Acts there, but they may go away soon.<br /><br />Thanks so much for sticking with me through the slow times. Exciting things to come!<br /><br />-B<br /><br />PS: If you have a linky to me, please update the URL for optimum traffic flow ;)Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-87440773098208645362008-12-30T11:14:00.002-06:002008-12-30T12:15:37.579-06:00I'm going to shove the game up her....Christmas is all gone now, and I've got to wait until next year for more joy, cheer, and Santa. Our tree is still up, but it's lingering about like a washed up relative does around the Christmas buffet...no one knows why it's still there and it's not going away on its own.<br /><br />Teething has turned my sweet baby into a fussy, drooling monster on sleep strike. He sleeps decently at night, but napping? Well, that's out of the question. And on top of everything, he now bites me during every feeding. He got his first two teeth when he was only four months old, and now he's going to have six teeth by the time he's 6 months old. He's currently getting in four on top. And mind you, breastfeeding is expected for the first year.<br /><br />Adrien is sitting on the couch in his underwear. Yes, underwear. The big boy kind and all...complete with lightning McQueen. Please lord let him stay dry. The couch can't afford another pee spot. If the cushion covers get washed one more time, I think they might fall right apart. So far so good. But, so help me, if I have to wash poop out of those teeny whitey tighties...well. That's another story entirely.<br /><br />So Christmas is over. We're on to New Year's. My head is full of resolutions that I'm sure will be broken a day or two in. I suppose I'm just not a very resolute person. I do have other attributes though. I guess.<br /><br />In case you were wondering my Mom did come for Christmas and she did bring said video game thing. It's entirely too advanced for him. It's for ages 3 and up, and while I tried nicely to urge her not to get it, I guess she just had to. He didn't make the fuss about it Christmas morning like I thought he would. Thomas the Train actually <span style="font-style:italic;">did</span> win him over. But it's the fuss he's now making to play the darn thing. We got it out finally Sunday evening and low and behold, it's too hard. It takes either me or Andi to actually play it and he mainly watches and pushes a button or two every now and then. It's just too hard. So now my days are also filled with fits about playing his games. To top it off, my Mom bought him a Shrek game to go with it. The Shrek game is for ages four and up, so I can just imagine how incredibly above him that one is. Her reasoning for getting that one? Well they just didn't have any ones for the younger age group left at the store. Oh come on! Oh well. The thing came with a game anyway. But whatever.<br /><br />I guess that's what Grandma's are for, eh? Causing havoc with the grandkids and getting the privilege of walking away from it all. Seriously. She is not my favorite person right now.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-15241483316523702822008-12-22T14:55:00.002-06:002008-12-22T15:24:22.093-06:00My Mom, the NarcissistMy Mom is a narcissist. No really, she is. I know we all feel this way about our mothers...or, um, maybe we don't. But in dysfunction land -- where my family resides -- she is. And I can prove it.<br /><br />I won't even delve into the realm of what she did at my wedding. She single-handedly ruined the entire thing for me, and pretty much everyone else attending; forever staining that day into my memory. And not in the good way you'd think it would be. No, I'm not going there. And I won't even venture into how she left me more than 13 voicemails in the week following my wedding, while Andi and I were honeymooning. She eventually ended up calling our hotel. Why? Because my wedding was supposed to be <span style="font-style:italic;">about the bride's mother and the bride.</span> It was <span style="font-style:italic;">her</span> day. And those are her words, my friend. But I'm not going there...just as I said I wouldn't.<br /><br />I'm not even going to get into this past Thanksgiving and how it was supposed to be about <span style="font-style:italic;">her and her friends and family</span>. Yet again, I'm quoting of course.<br /><br />Nope, not me. I don't live in the past. I'm speaking of the future, and how my Mom intends to steal Christmas. My Mom's husband works offshore. He will be working on Christmas, and as such we've celebrated early with them this year just a few weekends back. Now that was fine. Then I found out my Mom was inviting herself over for Christmas this year. Which is fine, I don't want her to spend the day alone. Great. I'll see my Mom and the kids will see Meemaw. Wonderful. But then she announced she was coming up Christmas Eve. I can deal, really I can.<br /><br />In November my Mom told me about what she was wanting to order Adrien for Christmas. He's absolutely obsessed with tractors, as any boy is, and so she was getting him a pedal tractor. You know, a tractor that's just his size that can be pedaled around. It was even coming complete with a trailor. I figured it would be fine and he would love it. And he will, love it. And therein lies the problem.<br /><br />I'm not a mean Mom. I <span style="font-style:italic;">want</span> my kids to have presents they like. I want to see his joyful, expressive face light up when he sees this thing. And no doubt he'll want to ride it for <span style="font-weight:bold;">hours on end</span> after receiving it. He will LOVE it. But it didn't come in in time for our early Christmas with my Mom. So of course, she was going to be bringing it along for the real Christmas.<br /><br />Although Santa's got a grand Christmas planned for my little Pooka, let's face it. Thomas the Train does not compare to a big fat Adrien-sized tractor with trailer. It just doesn't. Neither do any of the other gifts Santa's going to be dropping through the chimney. So I politely called my Mom and requested she hold off on gifting the tractor until later that day. I'd prepared myself for my Mom to take it as badly as possible, and of course she would because you know, <span style="font-style:italic;">everything</span> is about <span style="font-weight:bold;">her</span>. But to my surprise, she understood. Or at least she said she did. That is, until she called me this morning asking if Adrien would like one of those VTech video game systems.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">It doesn't have to be from Meemaw or the parents,</span> she explained, <span style="font-style:italic;">It can just be from Santa.</span><br /><br />I guess her understanding is out the window.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-25075563104376776552008-12-22T10:26:00.003-06:002008-12-22T10:28:08.126-06:00Check it out, yoI've got a new blog in progress! My content is all moved over, and we're (my super genius web designer husband and I) are going to be working on design soon.<br /><br />I've got my very own URL. I feel like such a big girl blogger!<br /><br />Check it out:<br /><a href="http://www.apronstringsymphony.com"><br />www.apronstringsymphony.com</a>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-16446813301808984342008-12-19T21:12:00.002-06:002008-12-19T21:20:30.401-06:00Budding Van Gogh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbJhCtnPX9KKy97Zusalc4xqDT4lkbNjJa0_vOJAAtlTtXZNSMzfDQpR6FSjgI6Dnt57_lo90eIGYxbdVZlmsZmym5WldXLv21U0aDRCN62x-Izg4yIM8BGk-CDSTUlRsf9jJALZngxU/s1600-h/P1010972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbJhCtnPX9KKy97Zusalc4xqDT4lkbNjJa0_vOJAAtlTtXZNSMzfDQpR6FSjgI6Dnt57_lo90eIGYxbdVZlmsZmym5WldXLv21U0aDRCN62x-Izg4yIM8BGk-CDSTUlRsf9jJALZngxU/s400/P1010972.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281706809097684418" /></a><br /><br /><br />Adrien never ceases to amaze me.<br /><br />About two weeks ago, I was astonished to hear him call <i>All Aboard!</I> while playing with his trains. I realize, of course, that others probably don't see the significance in this. But to me, it was the world.<br /><br />I was even more astounded yesterday when we were watching <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.noggin.com/">Noggin</a></span>. They always have these "picture puzzle" things between shows and they had a big picture with a ton of shapes hidden in it. The point was to find all the squares within the picture. Adrien walked straight up to the TV and pointed them ALL out. He knows what a square is! Once again, I realize the significance may be lost to others...<br /><br />And then today. I came into the living room from just having been checking email for about two minutes prior. I found him spraying a bottle of aerosol sunscreen onto his hand and licking it off.<br /><br />Never ceases to amaze me.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-2686464737876301522008-12-17T15:42:00.001-06:002008-12-17T15:42:08.927-06:00Elfish Charleston<div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A795601' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=z3VeIDT0iosC6YlW&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=z3VeIDT0iosC6YlW&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=z3VeIDT0iosC6YlW&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Send your own <a href='http://www.elfyourself.com'>ElfYourself</a> <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards'>eCards</a></div></div><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIyOTU1MDA1NzQ2NyZwdD*xMjI5NTUwMTIzNzQ4JnA9NDE4ODEzJmQ9MjAyNjYyJm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTImdD*mbz*zMWU*ODdmZTA4M2I*N2NkOTQ1MWM3YTYwNmI2YTNmOQ==.gif" />Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-8279818029588026312008-12-17T11:55:00.001-06:002008-12-17T11:58:11.322-06:00Wordless Wednesday: Look what I made!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV6LuCVJgGheu5lPAtK7NyeN5HAEch_AgHbM5nH-ASzBvZ2cUerKFOLunhAu7O_xEnlFgm5NMrF-MSti42d7vuDYVSpMtj39oP9_cyi6edxRaH-GHfa3znqczkD8NhSr43WpZ8baktyg/s1600-h/Dec08+184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV6LuCVJgGheu5lPAtK7NyeN5HAEch_AgHbM5nH-ASzBvZ2cUerKFOLunhAu7O_xEnlFgm5NMrF-MSti42d7vuDYVSpMtj39oP9_cyi6edxRaH-GHfa3znqczkD8NhSr43WpZ8baktyg/s400/Dec08+184.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280819805943145554" /></a>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-38658905445254743732008-12-09T20:46:00.004-06:002008-12-09T21:04:17.148-06:00Respect MY AuthorityThis past weekend we went to Dallas for the <span style="font-style:italic;">Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade</span>. It was fun, but holy poopsicles, was it ever cold. We got downtown at 8 or something and the parade didn't even start until 10. It was worth it though! Once the parade started, I forgot how cold I was. Did I mention Jude slept through the entire thing? Ya. Marching bands and all. And we were front and center. I wish he would sleep that deep all the time.<br /><br />Jude's been sleeping horribly the past few weeks. At first I thought it was his stomach with solids. So I'd cut out solid foods and he was still crying through the night. I can tell he's been in pain, so I finally took him into the doctor to see what was wrong. I was fearing an ear infection in his left ear, and I was right. I've been frustrated about finding a new doctor here in Tyler because I was so happy with our doc back in Dallas. I managed to find an osteopathic pediatrician at a local clinic not too far from our house and I was trying to remain optimistic. She looked nice in her photo and I was hoping the <span style="font-style:italic;">D.O.</span> that followed her name meant she would be a little more liberal on some issues. Mainly on the vaccines.<br /><br />When I told her my doctor in Dallas wasn't for vaccines she looked at me like I was insane and let me know that she would be willing to "work" with me on the schedule, but wouldn't be willing to see me if I wasn't working toward vaccinating. That seems to be the consensus I've gotten from doctors in this tiny little town. Fine, I'll take what I can get, and I'm guessing that means a doctor that will only allow a delayed schedule. It's not the fact that I'm being forced into vaccinating that bothers me as much as her reasoning behind it. She said, and I do quote;<br /><br /><blockquote>...If you choose not to move toward vaccinating at all, I would be afraid that you wouldn't respect my authority on other issues...</blockquote><br /><br />Authority? <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">AUTHORITY?</span></span> I mean, who died and made you mother to my children? Since when did doctors become the be all and end all of authority in our childrens' lives? I get that I have no medical degree. But what I get even more is my children and when I know what feels right for them and what doesn't. Is it even right for a doctor to act as if a parent has no authority in their child's life? What <span style="font-style:italic;">she</span> should be respecting is <span style="font-style:italic;">my</span> authority as a parent.<br /><br />I've caught flack for my stance on vaccinations before. But what's the world coming to when you're afraid to take your child to the doctor because of an informed medical decision you've made regarding their welfare? I was told by another pediatrician here in town that he, too, would have to refuse to see my children in his office if I put off vaccinating Jude after four months of age.<br /><br />It's just unsettling.<br /><br />You know what else is unsettling? The fact that I don't think I've brushed my teeth today.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-3194168964682591882008-12-03T16:18:00.001-06:002008-12-03T16:28:44.651-06:00As requested....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlWQ-rbjxCaI9-wFTSScspBughyelwKZwNtByIipAYdye-ZbqmKc6CSaKe-2S0B_MiCDUagFj3-F9hiE-K1s37kRRBP73KCOlkjOHZzcxqjbjvbbA6P2Vsuf0q5vwPVuCDKoAaYCOKpo/s1600-h/Nov08+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlWQ-rbjxCaI9-wFTSScspBughyelwKZwNtByIipAYdye-ZbqmKc6CSaKe-2S0B_MiCDUagFj3-F9hiE-K1s37kRRBP73KCOlkjOHZzcxqjbjvbbA6P2Vsuf0q5vwPVuCDKoAaYCOKpo/s400/Nov08+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275694078960338738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1KSf3HfF_PMrBOlX0oIcENl-IvaR7bBBrHhob6UvzC_l-GvewW9QKWpWwcTHLUEfGlNMjDzcS9LkX2Dt8VIJ2HHPmiSX-a11-e0f6uSsLwAQSv7fuJGoUFHTlMYosTfnBa40YyhGVAo/s1600-h/Nov08+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1KSf3HfF_PMrBOlX0oIcENl-IvaR7bBBrHhob6UvzC_l-GvewW9QKWpWwcTHLUEfGlNMjDzcS9LkX2Dt8VIJ2HHPmiSX-a11-e0f6uSsLwAQSv7fuJGoUFHTlMYosTfnBa40YyhGVAo/s400/Nov08+018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275694064182858834" /></a>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-14689223720216236512008-12-03T15:06:00.004-06:002008-12-03T15:28:57.277-06:00Diapers and SchoolingIt's been forever since I posted. I'm so bad about that. I really need to try to get better. Props to all those bloggers who have multiple children in the preschool years and still get a daily blog up. I mean, really. It just boggles my mind. Blogging time used to come easily when it was just Adrien...just turn on some telly and I was good for like 20 minutes at least. Jude just doesn't get that whole <span style="font-style:italic;">zone out to the t.v.</span> thing yet.<br /><br />Speaking of the telly, I'm quite sure my kid(s) watch too much...you see, I'm already anticipating Jude watching too much as well. I was the mom who was never going to let my kid watch that much television. Really, I was. Then, when Adrien was a few weeks old, I discovered that he'd stop crying for a few minutes to let me get some dishes done if he was in front of the <span style="font-style:italic;">moving color</span> box. Call me a bad mom or whatever, but I really needed those few scream-less minutes. And then it was that easy. Not that I let my infant really watch t.v...but when he was a little older we'd put it on Disney every morning. Oh how I miss the days of watching the Today Show...<br /><br />And now it's like just the norm. We turn on cartoons in the morning, and since I've had Jude, it's sort of like my crutch. At least a few times a week (if not every day some weeks) I catch myself turning on <span style="font-weight:bold;">Wow Wow Wubbzy</span> reruns I've TiVo'd just to catch a cat nap while Jude takes his morning nap. And then some days that ends up turning into an all day occurrence (not the napping part, unfortunately). It's like <span style="font-style:italic;">ohmigoodness I need some breathing room, LOOK! there's Spongebob, finally I can get a minute of sanity.</span> So I am really trying to work on that whole using the television as a crutch thing. You know I'm not the only mom. Don't look at me like that. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Judge me, bitch, just try.</span><br /><br />In jest though. But seriously, I got my new cloth diaper order today! Can we say exciting? I can. Exciting. I ordered some new covers because Jude's chunky little self moved up into a new size quite a while ago, we've just been stretching by with what the had. I decided to try a new kind of cover since the others I had were bulky (and expensive). I tried <a href="http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=97">these</a> ones out and I'm so happy so far! They're not bulky at all, and best of all you get TWO for only FIVE BUCKS!!! (That's compared to only one cover for close to $12 or $15). I also ordered some new prefolds for him since he's long since outgrown his infant sized ones (we've been living on some hand me down fitted diapers). They're absolutely GINORMOUS! And best of all, I finally broke down and ordered a <a href="http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1279">BumGenius 3.0 one-size diaper</a>. These are like cutting edge in the cloth diaper world. I've so coveted them, but have been too cheap to order until now. I finally allowed myself to order one because it was on sale and it was Black Friday. I sense an addiction coming on.<br /><br />I've also been starting to think about schooling. I can't believe that in just two and a half more short years we'll be starting Adrien in school. I want to start the whole preschool experience soon. He's at an age where he's picking up on new concepts easily, and I feel now's the time to let that budding genius loose. In all seriousness though, I'd like to start him in a preschool when he's closer to three, but I realize we most likely won't have the money to put him into one I'd like. So I was checking around town for a preschool co-op. There is one that is ran through a homeschool co-op, and I was very excited to learn that...until I found out you have to have at least one school-aged child to enroll your children into the program. So that stinks. So I could enroll Adrien for Kindergarten when he's old enough and Jude would get the preschool benefit. That doesn't exactly do much for Adrien. So I'm going to keep checking. But I was talking to Andi about it and telling him how excited I was about the co-op thing and he asked me if I wanted to homeschool. So that set off a spark in my head. And now I'm researching that too. I am eager to get my adult life back, complete with a job and all, but education is very important to me. I don't want my children to be poorly educated by the public school system. On the other hand, I don't want them to miss anything socially by not going to public schools. I would adore a private school, but I'm being realistic and we probably won't be able to afford that either.<br /><br />Get excited! I have my MOPS meeting tomorrow. We've started attending the church I got to the MOPS group at and we love it so far. It's quite a bit larger than what we're used to, and we're attending the contemporary worship which differs greatly from the strongly liturgical Presbyterian church we'd been attending in Dallas. But the music at the service is superb, and unlike some contemporary worship services we've been to, the music doesn't stretch on and on. I'm feeling like I'm missing something in my life right now and I can't quite put my finger on it. I'm thinking it's a strong sense of church home. Hopefully we'll be fully settled in the new church soon. We're trying out a Sunday School class this Sunday. Let's see how that goes.<br /><br />We're going to be going back to Dallas this weekend to see a friend and go to the big Christmas parade they have there. I hope the weather's mild and not too terribly cold. I can't wait to see my friend! It's been too long already and I miss her a great deal.<br /><br />Dallas, here we come! :)Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-82877042977118829022008-11-20T21:59:00.002-06:002008-11-20T22:08:13.943-06:00I am what I think I amGod called me lazy today.<br /><br />For the last while, and especially this week, I've been moping around feeling pretty sorry for myself. I haven't been getting dressed. I haven't been cleaning. I've been flat out sour.<br /><br />Today I had a meeting with the local MOPS group I've joined. It was Christmas craft day and my day was brightened even more because my Mother in law was taking care of my two year old. I was left with only one child in-tow and I'd gotten his feeding schedule just-so this morning as to not disturb my 10am to noon crafting session. I was going to drop my baby off in the nursery at church, go my meeting, drink coffee and act like the refreshed mother I'm not. But it was going to be wonderful.<br /><br />And it was.<br /><br />Until I was Convicted.<br /><br />The devotional this morning was on Proverbs 31:10-31.<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?<br /> She is worth far more than rubies.<br /><br /> 11 Her husband has full confidence in her<br /> and lacks nothing of value.<br /><br /> 12 She brings him good, not harm,<br /> all the days of her life.<br /><br /> 13 She selects wool and flax<br /> and works with eager hands.<br /><br /> 14 She is like the merchant ships,<br /> bringing her food from afar.<br /><br /> 15 She gets up while it is still dark;<br /> she provides food for her family<br /> and portions for her servant girls.<br /><br /> 16 She considers a field and buys it;<br /> out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.<br /><br /> 17 She sets about her work vigorously;<br /> her arms are strong for her tasks.<br /><br /> 18 She sees that her trading is profitable,<br /> and her lamp does not go out at night.<br /><br /> 19 In her hand she holds the distaff<br /> and grasps the spindle with her fingers.<br /><br /> 20 She opens her arms to the poor<br /> and extends her hands to the needy.<br /><br /> 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;<br /> for all of them are clothed in scarlet.<br /><br /> 22 She makes coverings for her bed;<br /> she is clothed in fine linen and purple.<br /><br /> 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,<br /> where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.<br /><br /> 24 She makes linen garments and sells them,<br /> and supplies the merchants with sashes.<br /><br /> 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;<br /> she can laugh at the days to come.<br /><br /> 26 She speaks with wisdom,<br /> and faithful instruction is on her tongue.<br /><br /> 27 She watches over the affairs of her household<br /> and does not eat the bread of idleness.<br /><br /> 28 Her children arise and call her blessed;<br /> her husband also, and he praises her:<br /><br /> 29 "Many women do noble things,<br /> but you surpass them all."<br /><br /> 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;<br /> but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.<br /><br /> 31 Give her the reward she has earned,<br /> and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.</span></blockquote><br /><br />Okay, God. I hear You loud and clear. I'm getting dressed tomorrow. I did the dishes this afternoon.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-20186033575149738422008-11-19T15:16:00.002-06:002008-11-19T15:35:52.762-06:00Letting the dog from the leashThe kitchen is full of dishes. Some left from Sunday's party, some from other times. Until earlier today, the dining room table still held three dirty plates from dinner last night...one being my husband's over half full of old spaghetti. I'd upset him too much to eat, I guess. I was having another mid-week meltdown and giving him the what-for about my isolated life as a full time Mom. <br /><br />I haven't gotten dressed all week, save for on Monday when we attempted to have a great day at the zoo. We had a day there, anyway. Today I sat on my bed on pins and needles as Adrien slept in the living room and Jude lay on my bed napping. The last shower I had was Saturday morning before a friend's baby shower. Still, it was nap time and I'd chosen first and foremost to dig into a book that had come for me in today's mail. Dishes and hygiene be damned, because this book was about finding yourself in the depths of motherhood.<br /><br />Not even one chapter in and a dog started to yip outside my bedroom window. Banging from above. The trophy wife of the doctor who lives above me is home and she'd put her dandy little doggie out to doodie. I can still hear her high heels clicking around on the hardwood floor. She's so privileged...and she can't even drag her high heeled self out to walk her dog? I felt like walking right up to her door, pounding on it and giving her the run around about her dog waking my child up during precious, precious nap time.<br /><br />But how would I look to this pampered picture of perfection? So instead, I picked up the crying baby and came to the computer to write this.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-87100587040231169442008-10-10T09:10:00.002-05:002008-10-10T09:18:25.069-05:00Anybody out there?We've been in the sticks now for a few weeks. I get like zero time to do anything...odd since you'd think I'd have more time (seeing as I'm living with my in-laws). But the internet here is slower than Methuselah...they live so far out in the middle of nowhere, that just to get internet -- other than dial up (people still have that?) -- is satellite. Slower. Than. Methuselah.<br /><br /><br />We found a place to move into, but the kitchen is being remodeled right now and it won't be ready until November 1. Which is fine. It's a duplex built in the 1930s, and all in all we'll have more square footage in the duplex than we did in our house back in the city. We'll be living downstairs from a doctor. It's in the nicest neighborhood in town. Can't wait to have my own space. And OH. My. Goodness...my king size bed. Four people sleeping in a bed that's supposedly queen size...it's like we're sardines, really.<br /><br />We went back to Dallas about two weeks ago to turn the keys over to our new tenants. We went a day early...only to discover the house had been broken into sometime the previous week. The back door was kicked in. And I guess they had a temper. They kicked a hole in the hallway wall. I assume it's because they only made off with a cheap electric drill. At the end of it we were left with a hundred dollar hotel bill for the night, cops who took no fingerprints, etc. and major repairs to be done -- the day our new lessors were to move in. Very, very exciting...and odd to see someone else moving their things into <span style="font-style:italic;">my</span> house. A bit heartbreaking...but I'm trying to remain optimistic.<br /><br />Andi loves his new job so far. Let's keep the momentum going. I'll blog again when I get a chance. I'm going to be doing a redesign and a possible URL switch soon, but that will likely not be until after we get into our own place.<br /><br />I'm so bored with this blog. Do I even have any readers anymore?Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-54634908552060811372008-09-16T22:14:00.006-05:002008-09-16T22:30:16.367-05:00What ice cream can and can't doWe've been packing, of course it has to wait until after the boys are in bed. I'm exhausted from the late nights. We went and bought blinds for the house today. I've lived here two years with just cheap paper blinds...and now, we've bought real, very nice blinds for the entire house. I'm fixing up my home so that someone else can move in. I feel a bit like I'm handing my own life over to someone else. Someone else will be cooking in my kitchen -- even using my refrigerator. I just loved that fridge. I thought it was so nice to move here and get one of the new refrigerators with the freezer drawer on the bottom.<br /><br />My Mom is still without power. I finally got in touch with my Dad and he's without power as well...although the car dealership he works at has power. My Mom gets food and water from FEMA every day. What a joke that is. If FEMA would just send the generators for the water treatment center in town (like they promised to do days ago), maybe they wouldn't have to send so many National Guard to help hand out bottled water. Ya, that's right. My Mom is even without running water. Thank God she's been through enough of these storms before to know to fill all the available bathtubs up with water before it gets bad. I have a friend who lives by my Mom and she's an insurance agent. She's been working every day with no electricity or phone line just to get people's claims. I think that times are getting desperate there...my Mom says my step dad hasn't been sober a day since the storm. Hopefully this will get cleared up soon and the bastard can go back out and work on his stupid oil rig. I loathe drunkards.<br /><br />And in other exciting news about what the storm dragged in, there's been a new colony of ants pop up in the back yard. Sunday was such a beautiful day that I let Adrien go out and play in the back yard. While the folks were here signing all the lease papers, Andi was showing the man our yard. Adrien had been picking me "flowers" which were really just tall pieces of grass going to seed...you know the ones with the black seeds attached. At some point Adrien ran in the house screaming, holding his hands out. I could see black dots on his hands, but I thought it was the grass seeds. I really thought he'd been stung by a wasp. No, he was being eaten by ants. They covered his hands. The rush to get them off of his tiny little fingers wasn't fast enough. He has about 75 bites between both hands. They swelled up like the marshmallow man's. I took him to the doctor Monday and she gave him a regime of steroids and Benadryl. He looks like he's got leprosy or some other crazy Biblical plague. I felt so bad for him on Monday that I let him have ice cream for lunch. Because if I'd just gotten eaten alive by ants, I'd want ice cream for lunch too. He was grateful.<br /><br />Too bad ice cream can't keep me in my life as I know it. But for now, it does at least offer some comfort.<br /><br />I'm spending the last few days here in this house, trying to soak everything in. I'm trying to absorb my life in every moment so that I don't forget...because I know I'll never have anything like this. Ever again.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-68966072142419068542008-09-14T16:12:00.003-05:002008-09-14T16:48:27.223-05:00The Storm has Passed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45015000/jpg/_45015851_afcfcac0-ccfb-4681-bd05-fd82e2714f29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45015000/jpg/_45015851_afcfcac0-ccfb-4681-bd05-fd82e2714f29.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The only part of the storm we saw was a full day of wind and rain. My husband's parents are still without power. Ike's eye moved right over their home, but fortunately, by the time it hit them, it had downgraded to a tropical storm. My Mom wasn't quite as lucky. The storm was still a category 1 hurricane when it moved over their home. And even though they live about two and a half hours inland, they've been told they may not have their power restored for two to three weeks. She's running on generator power right now, but that will only last as long as the fuel for it does.<br /><br />I stayed up late Friday night, watching minute by minute coverage of the storm on The Weather Channel. I knew it was going to do damage, but in my mind, I don't think I realized to what extent. Galveston Island was, for the most part, washed away. It will be a long time coming before it looks anything like the Galveston I know and love. I can't believe so many people stayed behind. This storm was a monster. Andi and I honeymooned there. I lived there for a while with my Mom after I graduated high school. It hits hard when you see something so familiar shambled.<br /><br />My Mom had planned on spending her birthday at <a href="http://balineseroom.net/">the Balinese Room</a>...which is a historic night club on the Sea Wall in Galveston...or rather, it <span style="font-style:italic;">was</span>. <br /><br />This:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.texasexplorer.com/balinese.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.texasexplorer.com/balinese.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Was turned to this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gaysocialites.com/photos/Balinesedestroyed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://gaysocialites.com/photos/Balinesedestroyed.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It's so crazy to see all of this on television. Sort of like when the Tube was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_July_2005_London_bombings">bombed</a> in London. I'd just been living there a short while before, and I took the exact route that was bombed every morning, either to get to class or my job. It's such a strange feeling when something you've called home gets turned upside down. <br /><br />In other news though, we've managed to lease our house out. I prayed a lot about it and I finally told God I was giving it over to him. The next day, we had someone look at the house and decide to lease it...a three year lease none the less. They filled out the paperwork today. We won't be losing this place after all. We're starting to pack, which is utter chaos in and of itself. We'll be moving next weekend. I'm so sad about leaving my church...but I know that I'm heading some place God wants me to be. My life has a purpose, and I'm getting closer to fulfilling it. I'm going to miss all my friends and my life here, but having the house taken care of has lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. I can finally breathe again.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-70506135334350129502008-09-11T23:03:00.003-05:002008-09-14T16:48:04.138-05:00Where I was...I was sitting in Physics class. Third period. Junior year.<br /><br />A friend came in and told me she'd just heard that someone had crashed an airplane into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. She said she'd heard that another one was headed for the Whitehouse.<br /><br />She was such a gullible girl. Surely someone had tried to get the best of her to see what she would be believe. I mean, after all...earlier that year, I'd learned that she didn't know Kurt Cobain had killed himself. "<span style="font-style:italic;">Oh,</span>" she said, "<span style="font-style:italic;">I thought they just stopped making music...</span>"<br /><br />But it was true. Unimaginable truth. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. I still can't.<br /><br />A few years later my tour bus would stop at Ground Zero. I could hardly get out of the bus. I really didn't want to.<br /><br />Every year, I'm still that girl in third period physics. I still can't believe it.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-20214599056843789512008-09-03T13:41:00.005-05:002008-09-03T17:55:53.897-05:00A fork in the roadIt is sometimes the hardest to remember that our paths are already chosen for us. We forget that God knows how its going to end before we even begin. In our own human stubbornness, we plow through life with the rare realization that we have a purpose in this life. We get caught up in the day to day grind and routine of it all, often times never noticing those forks in the road that have been set out for us. I mean, sure, we've all got hose little decisions: turn left or right, cream or no cream, paper or plastic. But its those really big decisions in life that can be scary. The ones that will turn your life upside down. Sometimes we feel like we're deciding which road to take blindly; with no guidance from anyone. It's a shot in the dark. Other times, God sends us huge signs to follow. And still other times, He forces us down a path. I think the forced paths are the hardest pills to swallow. After all, God set in motion free will within each of us. <span style="font-style:italic;">Forced</span> is often not in our vocabulary.<br /><br />A few months back, my husband opened our mortgage statement to find we owed about $500 more than usual. We thought it was a mistake. A call to the mortgage company assured us it wasn't. It seemed that, since we'd built our house, our escrow payment had been sorely under charged. We owed a lot -- over a year and half's worth -- of property, city, and county taxes. The entire time we'd lived in this house, we'd been paying taxes on land only, with no house occupying the space. Obviously, there's a house here.<br /><br />The mortgage company was able to work with us a bit on our payment, but it still went up quite a bit. When you are raising tow kids on one income, it's hard to come up with that "extra" few hundred dollars at the end of the month. If that higher mortgage statement had come just a few weeks earlier, we wouldn't have bought the new SUV we'd just brought home only three weeks prior to opening that mortgage statement. We wouldn't be in this mess. But it didn't, we did, and we are -- in a huge mess. As of Monday we are 2 months late on our house payment. We pay half of it every two weeks, but we're slipping closer and closer to foreclosure.<br /><br />A few weeks ago, my husband was online perusing jobs, when he saw the name of the town his parents live in show up. He clicked to check out the job, only to find that it was exactly what he was looking for. Not thinking anything would come of it, he sent his resume off. A few hours later, he had an interview set up for the next week. The company, apparently, was looking for a candidate with his exact qualifications and experience. So he interviewed, never imagining they'd be able to pay him the salary we needed. To our amazement, they said his salary requirement was no problem. Andi meets with the CEO tomorrow. He should have an offer soon after.<br /><br />Although we'd been talking about moving closer to family recently, I never thought he'd actually find a job that payed...in his career field [<span style="font-style:italic;">They have tech jobs in the sticks?</span>]. This entire thing has thrown me for a loop. Of course I have a huge fear of what will happen when we leave. Will we be able to sell or lease our house? I'm not sure. Facing foreclosure is scary. I fear it will butcher our credit...and why wouldn't it? What kind of future will that be? Will we ever have a house again? [Do we deserve one?] For that matter, will we ever have anything again? Remembering that God will provide is increasingly hard. But He does, and He will. No matter how ashamed I feel right now, I have to be able to pick my chin up to thank God for all that I do have.<br /><br />After returning to Andi's parents' house after a disappointing search for an affordable, decent sized apartment to cram the last two years of our life into, we learned that the house next to Andi's parents' property is going up for rent. Being a long-time family friend, the owner is willing to rent to us. God's providing us a home...And even though we'll most likely be staying with his parents for a short time while we figure things out financially, I'm grateful for that home. Those apartments were breaking my heart.<br /><br />Here I stand, at a huge fork in the road. I'm completely out of breath and scared. Up until now I've been too proud to write about all of this...or even talk to friends about it. I cling to my material possessions so tightly, and have for so long, that losing them is putting huge holes in my self. My whole life is down the road I'm on right now: friends, church, things...Stepping foot down my new path feels like jumping into an abyss. It's dark and unknown. I have to give it all to God and take the leap anyway.<br /><br />I'm absolutely terrified.<br /><br />----<br /><br />By the way, in case you're wondering, we have called the mortgage company. Despite the overwhelming number of foreclosures looming in America, our lender is unwilling to help us. They said that given all of our bills and expenses, since we have no surplus of income at the end of the month, they're unwilling to help us. If we had a surplus of income, don't you think we'd be paying our mortgage with it?Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-49090780780092514302008-09-03T08:39:00.001-05:002008-09-03T08:40:24.873-05:00CuppaSo I finally remembered to get some decaf at the store...and some really great creamer.<br /><br />I can't tell you how good it feels to wake up and have coffee to look forward to again.<br /><br />It just beeped to let me know a pot is ready. Mmmmmm.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-50891956770137508562008-09-02T16:41:00.002-05:002008-09-02T16:42:31.917-05:00QuickI have a lot to blog about.<br /><br />Of course it will all take entirely too long, and of course, it needs to wait until after the kids are in bed. Let's hope I have the energy to type it all up.<br /><br />The kids are in bed now...but not for much longer.<br /><br />I've just got a lot going on in my life and a lot circling around in my head about it.<br /><br />I really hate being an adult some days.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-6453892067087369062008-08-29T12:11:00.007-05:002008-08-29T12:22:49.781-05:00Completely Humiliating PhaseOkay, so Piper over at <a href="http://piperoflove.blogspot.com">Bliss in Bloom</a> posted a humiliating big hair pic [<span style="font-style:italic;">It's okay, Piper, I'm sure those bangs were all the rage -- with a big can of Rave</span>].<br /><br />Well, I'm too young to have experienced the big hair movement...although I did rock some killer bangs in elementary school. I don't have any big hair pics handy. I do, however, have this lovely pic. It's straight from my I'm gonna wear all black and listen to dark music period. You know...everyone else was doing it, why not me?<br /><br />I actually don't find this picture <span style="font-style:italic;">that</span> humiliating. I can still identify with the girl in the picture. What I don't get, however, is why my life's ambition <span style="font-weight:bold;">ever</span> involved being a roadie for some rock band. I would have taken the roll of groupie too.<br /><br />So here I am...at some obnoxious rock festival. I was 16 in this picture. <br /><br />Yes those are tiny camo shorts (with fishnets underneath <span style="font-weight:bold;">of course</span>) and yes, my eyes are actually open -- I just have too much black make up on them to tell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFLTvO8DxdQ9w98LX0iEGUdIZJhCq41bCFKO21Es3cdeLap5e2CNzM19OdgiiultFlzpovEQADM-tCS3C9DXMFVjE7gJ1aVtsaMK23hczOrN8VYtMb_QM9_To27-Et5w2_BM3Oy1GBVA/s1600-h/meandscott.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFLTvO8DxdQ9w98LX0iEGUdIZJhCq41bCFKO21Es3cdeLap5e2CNzM19OdgiiultFlzpovEQADM-tCS3C9DXMFVjE7gJ1aVtsaMK23hczOrN8VYtMb_QM9_To27-Et5w2_BM3Oy1GBVA/s400/meandscott.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239989762821894594" /></a><br /><br /><br />I did, however, manage to score <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_fish">Ginger Fish's</a> autograph at this concert.<br /><br />And, by the by -- my necklace says "Fuck you". Just in case you were wondering.<br /><br />I was such a happy girl.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-86815919005963208242008-08-23T23:41:00.003-05:002008-08-23T23:48:14.130-05:00Okay, so: Lots and lots of Snot...and shiteI haven't posted: the boys were sick with a cold for a while. I think I saw every color of snot known to man...and it call came out of my kids' noses. I think I've also seen every color shite known to man...and it's all come out of my newborn's bum.<br /><br />On top of battling the common cold -- in August -- I've been dealing with a newborn who cries nearly every second of the day when not asleep. We've been wondering if food allergies are to blame. Is it dairy? Is it gluten? Could it be corn? Maybe it's tomatoes. Oh, I know...I'll just not eat anything and see how that works out. I think he may be allergic to air.<br /><br />But this entire time, trying as it is, I've had this hymn stuck in my head. So I'm going to post it. Maybe it can be your light at the end of whatever tunnel you're stuck in.<br /><br />It's a beautiful Irish hymn...and I adore it. If you can, try to find an audio version and listen.<br /><br />But, for now, let the words be your rock.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,<br />be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;<br />be thou my best thought in the day and the night,<br />both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.<br /><br />Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,<br />be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;<br />be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;<br />be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.<br /><br />Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;<br />be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;<br />be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:<br />O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.<br /><br />Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:<br />be thou mine inheritance now and always;<br />be thou and thou only the first in my heart;<br />O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.<br /><br />High King of heaven, thou heaven's bright sun,<br />O grant me its joys after victory is won;<br />great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,<br />still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.</span></blockquote> <br /><br />Words: Ancient Irish hymn;<br />trans. Mary Byrne, 1905, and versified by Eleanor Hull, 1912Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-38150953230800726732008-08-08T15:14:00.004-05:002008-08-08T15:20:27.542-05:00The muffin bingeI had some friends come by today. One of them brought (milk free) muffins.<br /><br />Yesterday, I practically starved to death. Elimination dieting is torture. I just have to say that. This is what I consumed yesterday:<br /><br />Breakfast: a rice cake and a pear<br /><br />Lunch: short grain brown rice with sauteed squash and zucchini...with just salt and pepper (and some olive oil).<br /><br />I decided to let myself have a banana. I mean, what's a banana going to do?<br /><br />Dinner: Baked sweet potato, like two tiny pieces of chicken, more rice with squash and zucchini.<br /><br />Later that night...even more rice with squash and zucchini.<br /><br />I was soooooooo stinking hungry! I mean, really. Look what I had for dinner...while my husband had taco salad. Complete with grated cheese. <span style="font-style:italic;">GRATED CHEESE!!!</span><br /><br />So today, when my friends showed up with milk free muffins, I ate like four of them. And let me tell you -- they're the best dang muffins ever. I have more, too. <br /><br />I'll go back to eliminating tomorrow. <br /><br />But good gracious, Momma needs to eat, and if I have to look at any more rice, I'm going to vomit.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-46706565186413541622008-08-06T16:39:00.002-05:002008-08-06T16:52:17.895-05:00Not-so Wordless WednesdayOnce you've looked at today's Wordless Wednesday, read this post...which is obviously not-so wordless.<br /><br />This past weekend Andi and I decided we were equally sick of the city, so we set out for the in-laws...who, by chance, live in the sticks. It was great. We really wish we lived closer to family. But Andi's profession (and mine -- if I ever go back to it) maintain a close distance to city. We're looking at ways to change that though. More on that later. <br /><br />Tomorrow I start a very exciting elimination diet. <span style="font-style:italic;">What's an elimination diet?</span> you may ask. Well let me explain. (or you can let Dr. Sears <a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T041200.asp">explain</a>) For the next few weeks I'll be eating nothing but rice, rice products, pears, yellow summer squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes and chicken, turkey and pork (I added the pork and chicken in myself -- I don't eat mutton). I'll consume no milk products, nor will I consume any gluten. I'll take in nothing but water, as I couldn't find the prescribed pear juice at the store. After about two weeks time, I'll get to add one new and exciting food (such as <span style="font-style:italic;">GASP!</span> carrots) every four days.<br /><br />And why am I putting myself through this? No, I'm not on some exciting new fad crash diet. I'm eliminating allergens. Something is making Jude cranky and possibly sick. He's only happy (for the most part) when being held, rocked, or worn in the wrap. He's had terrible diaper rash off and on since he was born. And he's got a rash on his face, although a call to the doctor reassured me that it was most likely just baby acne. Often when he nurses, he screams and pulls away, but acts like he wants to eat more. I know he's still hungry, but I feel like he's in pain. So I've got to find out what's making my poor baby so upset. I suspect milk...but it could be gluten (I'm a huge bread addict, and that would suck). So, this should be a very exciting venture. If nothing else, I'm sure to loose a few more pounds. And despite all the crankiness, he's still sleeping decently at night...only waking to eat every 3-4 hours, nursing, and returning back to sleep promptly. He does have some nights that aren't so easy (like the night I ate nachos for dinner -- he was up every hour all night), but all in all, I think I've got it relatively easy in that department. Now if I could just make him happy during the day.<br /><br />Speaking of losing weight, I weighed myself at a friend's house yesterday. We don't own a scale for various obsessive reasons. I'm happy to report that I've lost about 30 pounds total so far!!! That's pretty good considering I just had him on the 14th of July. I've only got 25 pounds left to lose! I'm in no rush though. I'm pretty sure consisting solely on rice products will take care of that last bit.<br /><br />Wish me luck. And drink something exciting for me. Water...Meh.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-59979364469930374312008-08-06T16:32:00.001-05:002008-08-06T16:35:47.682-05:00Wordless Wednesday: Swaddled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDSTei6DGeKxIWOZYc92lSgTv8tzZNtSzycVc2m3Xv2xvuAgqI9tb5CdvM2qcb_4DTWZZ_6lLhGevWkkrugIJeHDKeky-H17vfYKu7ZQV98KUs_3UXzf-DCXdbDMpGaNLgBIfqCoWewE/s1600-h/Aug08+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDSTei6DGeKxIWOZYc92lSgTv8tzZNtSzycVc2m3Xv2xvuAgqI9tb5CdvM2qcb_4DTWZZ_6lLhGevWkkrugIJeHDKeky-H17vfYKu7ZQV98KUs_3UXzf-DCXdbDMpGaNLgBIfqCoWewE/s400/Aug08+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231521607034723842" /></a>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581274125181075681.post-13488262791537294482008-08-01T15:35:00.003-05:002008-08-01T15:40:35.904-05:00Cannibalism, party of two [year old]Ohmyfuckinggoodness. <br /><br />Today, all I needed, was for my two year old to take a nap. I freaking needed my kid to take a nap like a chain smoker needs another cigarette. I mean, I really needed it. You know, that primal need. Sort of like the same thing that drives a lion to eat meat...ya'. That's the need. That same thing that drives the lion to go kill an antelope was about to push me over the mommy edge and straight into spanking land. Something about a two year old telling you <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">"No, Night night!"</span><br /></span><br />I resisted though. And I resorted to bribery instead. I told him if he went to sleep, Daddy would be home when he woke up. I'm probably lying...unless my husband gets off unusually early, or he sleeps for a long time.<br /><br />But seriously. I really didn't think either of us would survive. Some days, I really do understand why some species eat their own young.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729989545314177512noreply@blogger.com4