Being Short

We all went to RC Willey this afternoon to look for a new rocker for our front room. I really thought we had enough rockers already but The Marshmallow wants me to be able to rock the baby in every room of our house, so why should I complain?

We looked at quite a few rockers and I had to take my shoes off for each one because most of the time my feet don't reach the floor in a rocker and it's so uncomfortable when I try to rock. I literally have to push off with my tip toes and sort of scrunch down so I can keep it going. It's pretty uncomfortable. Don't laugh! Yeah, I'm 5'1" and it can be inconvenient sometimes!

The Marshmallow has pretty long legs which is a problem for us because furniture that works great for him inevitably sucks for me. Like all the rockers he looked at. So we decided that buying a La Z Boy might be a good idea. The problem is that most La Z Boy's are built for average folks of average height. I am NOT average height and I feel like a little kid whenever I'm sitting in one. My legs dangle over the edge and the neck roll hits me right square in the back of the head instead of the neck forcing my head forward at a most awkward angle. Terrible.

I finally had to sit in nearly every single chair before I finally found one that was made for a shrimp like me. It reminded me of Goldilocks - you know, Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear's individual chairs. Mama Bear's chair was medium sized, just like this little chair I found for myself. It's quite a small chair and when The Marshmallow sat in it, his legs buckled up under his chin and he said it was nearly the most uncomfortable chair he'd ever sat in. Well, I said, good thing it's for me! And because he loves me, he bought it.

Life As We Know It

...has changed. My house is a disaster but I only have eyes for this little brown-haired beauty in my lap all day long. Anyone who dares try to take her from me gets the stink-eye! And that includes The Marshmallow.

Everything has slowed down - like my home has its own metabolism and it's barely chugging along. Meals haven't been regular and thank goodness we have tons of food in the fridge. Showers are happening sporadically (and my hair just doesn't get done!). Laundry gets done if we need clothes but not regularly. And my goals for each day include ...nothing. There's lots of sitting around staring at Baby's face, chatting on the phone, playing games with SP and of course, nursing.

And I'm in heaven. If I was worried about postpartum, then I shall worry no more. I've not been happier in my life.

The Numbers Are Proof

The day I got home from the hospital, I stepped on the scale and I had only lost 14 lbs. Chalk 1/2 of that up to actual baby, and the other to all the fluid she was floating in and you're probably close to 14 lbs.

I got on the scale again today, 3 days later and have now dropped 25 lbs from my top pregnancy weight. 25 lbs! That's awesome!

Not exactly into anything I formerly could wear and not nearly looking anything remotely like I used to but 25 lbs isn't too shabby. Plus, I still have a lot of water still hanging around. My feet aren't down to normal yet, and neither are my legs. But it's definitely a start.

The 2nd Child

Well, at the close of the second day having (hmmm, what do I name her - I still don't know) the 2nd child home, all is calm on the homefront. Much more calm than I anticipated frankly.

We had a somewhat troubled night with her waking up each hour until 3 when she finally crashed until 7 and that was great. I was tired during the day but was able to get a nap with The Marshmallow's help. Not that it was difficult as 2nd Child slept all day long which isn't a good sign for things to come tonight. What do you do? If you don't expect to be up all night the first month of a child's life than you've got some serious disillusionment problems.

Mainly because she sleeps all day long, there's not much change in what was going on around here before, other than I have a pretty sore tummy along the scar-line. Other than that, it's pretty typical with several nursing breaks. I'm sure it'll change here soon and it'll be nice to see her pretty peepers more.

Today, a large portion of The Marshmallow's family came to visit and they stayed only a few hours. They all came bearing clothing gifts for 2nd Child, greatly appreciated since practically none of her clothing is brand new.

SP is having a strained time adjusting though. Too much attention for 2nd Child, too much disruption in what she knows to be the typical schedule, and too many gifts for 2nd Child. We've already had several pouting sessions but I've been told it only lasts for a couple of weeks. I'll be glad to see the end of it as it truly makes me feel awful. I really haven't ever had to compromise the attention I've given to her and it hurts my feelings almost as bad as it hurts her. (Except that I have another little snuggle-bunny to mack on in the meantime - and don't think that I don't smother her constantly!)

We're Home!!

After what seems like an eternity, we have finally brought home our beautiful baby girl. We couldn't be more thrilled. It's like she has completed our family - she just fits right in, so naturally.

The surgery went well. Better than expected; far better than with SP. The recovery was LEAGUES better. And my 3 day vacation was fabulous! I couldn't say anything better about Lakeview Hospital. It was the most fantastic experience. And every single nurse and other person that saw to our care was terrific!

My little girl was 7 lbs 6 oz and 20" long. She has such darker skin than SP and dark hair vs. SP's blonde. Weird. She's a GREAT nurser already and takes her binky really well. She's just cute as a button and we are IN LOVE! SP is showing signs of jealousy but she's also very intrigued too. She wants to help so much; we're lucky to have her.

Anyway, thanks for all your thoughts and emails about what was happening with us. We're all doing great and happy to be home!

I Can't Be Sure But...

I think I might actually be in the very first stages of labor. And, since it creeps up on me so slowly, I might be feeling exactly like this for a whole day.

It seems like last time I felt like this all day and finally went to the hospital at around 11pm but of course they sent me home because my progression is so slow.

Anyway, it's nice to know that my c-section isn't scheduled too soon and that the baby is actually ready to come out. In any case, I'll probably have the baby according to schedule tomorrow morning as planned.

But you never know...

Down to the Last Day

So, if you knew that your life was about to change monumentally, and that from this day forward the simplest tasks would become harder than you ever could imagine to complete, what would you do with that last day?

Most women don't usually know what day their lives will change - they go into labor when their bodies say so instead of "scheduling" it. Well, I guess this day and age, more women are getting to choose but for the most part it's sort of thrust at us. The baby comes when it wants to not when we want it to.

So I'm standing on the precipice of my last day functioning the way I'm used to. I have nothing planned for tomorrow. I worked my last day today. I am NOT planning to do housework or laundry other than the minimal amount. I'm probably not going anywhere since SP is still a little sicky. My mom is coming to give me a massage in the afternoon but other than that, nothing. So I have virtually the whole day to do...what? I don't know.

What would you do?

Great, Just Perfect

We've been relatively unaffected by the cold and flu season this year except for a brief bout early in November. I had a flu shot and perhaps consequently have remained perfectly healthy in that respect fortunately. I know being sick with the flu while pregnant is like stabbing oneself repeatedly in the eye with a steak knife.

However, SP woke this morning with a horrendous cough. And I thought, "now? -are you serious?"

I'm not used to being concerned about her ever making anyone else in the family sick (we're adults and can handle it better) - just the opposite. It's always a wage against the rest of the world so that SHE doesn't get sick. But I find myself fast-forwarding two days to when she's holding my brand new baby...and coughing all over her.

Ugh. At least I have a couple of days to try to get her better. I feel bad being mainly concerned for the new baby but hey, I've spent nearly 5 years being solely concerned about SP's health. I've seen too many RSV babies and it literally scares me to death!

p.s. I think it's time I picked a new bloggy name for SP. It just doesn't seem right anymore, does it? Ideas? Oh, and I'll need one for the baby too.

Body Stats

Just for kicks, I took my measurements today. Keep in mind my due date was yesterday. Do I enjoy torturing myself? I must.

Keeping track of my body stats is a slight compulsion of mine and I've been logging them on a spreadsheet for about 6 years. The last time I took my measurements was 3 days after I got pregnant so it's interesting to see how my body has changed this past 9 months. It's absolutely unreal how many inches this body has put on. One can only hope it's mainly water!

Since I don't plan to be pregnant ever again and currently weigh more than I have ever (or ever will again), it's interesting to see how "big" my body really is with all this baby & water weight. My feet alone, measured around the middle are 10"! My ankles are also measuring 10" around!

You want to see something funny? I swore I wouldn't share this but what the heck. It's hilarious! Can the real ankle please stand up?I can't wait to see my real ankles again, lol! (and my real waist, and belly, and knees, and neck, and....)

My Treehouse Treasures

A few days ago, I downloaded the whole Season 1 of Heroes. I've always wanted to watch it but missed the first few episodes in the very beginning and that always just messes me up with a TV mini-series. There's rarely a time in my life when I can get away with watching an entire series of a TV show in just a few days and fortunately, right now is one of them. It took me like 3 days to watch 18 episodes! And! - I just downloaded Season 2 - so here I go again (but this is only 11 episodes because of the writer's strike). That's where I've been.

Anyway...
I have lots of friends who often ask me who my source is for all of my vinyl lettering projects, of which I have a ton of them around my house for various seasons. And most of them have been custom requests - like I get a blank spot and think of something cute I want somewhere and I just make a phone call to my friend Jennifer of My Treehouse Treasures.

She recently got a website and an Etsy shop so I thought I'd share the wealth. I get no profit from this endorsement, I just think she is seriously awesome and know a lot of my friends would like in on my source.

Speaking of cute projects though, she has the cutest season signs that she does. I have one for nearly every single season AND holiday and if there's one that I want that she doesn't make, she'll create one. She's that cool. About a week or two ago, I did the Valentine's Day plaque (pic) but I have one for Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patricks (?, I think), and 4th of July (super cute) too. She charges $12 for these season/holiday kits which I think is really reasonable.

She also does wall art (like I've done in my nursery which I'll post), tiles and lots of other wood plaques, magnet boards, etc. Check out her sites!

The Latest Casualty

This is NOT my fault. It's Not! I promise.

I've done everything possible in my power over the past year to save the life of this clown fish who, I swear, is suicidal. And you know this! I've posted several times about the things I've done to protect his little life. But I'll recap it for you.

Shortly after we got the fish, the tiniest one came down with Ich - a disease that coats his little body with this fuzz. I quarantined him for like two months and finally healed him (little self pat on the back for me).

And then, well the actual tank and the filter are separated by a rather low wall and this little guy kept jumping over the wall into the filter where I'd spend literally an hour each time trying to fish (hehe, little play with words) him out and rescue him. He did this so many times that The Marshmallow told me just to leave him there until he died and floated to the top. Heartless - where's the Marshmallow now?

So to remedy that, I finally put some pieces of plastic over the top of the filter so that he couldn't jump up there anymore. That worked for a long time - like 6 months! Until yesterday.

I went in there to feed the guys and the little one was missing. No big surprise - last week he got himself stuck behind a rock and AGAIN, I had to save his miserable little life. I went in search of him. I had a bad feeling. I opened up the top and there he was - he had jumped up on top of the plastic and hadn't been able to flip himself down back into the water (something I was sure he'd be able to do should he find himself in that predicament. He was dead.

I'm done. I've lost 3 of 4 fish now not to mention all of the hermit crabs and snails that have come and gone. I'm surrounded in marine DEATH!

Each of those clown fish is like $25! SP wants me to buy another one so that the last one isn't lonely - I think not. I'm not a bank. I'm thinking the whole contraption should find a new home. I'm thinking Craigslist.

Another Week Gone

I'm down to 2 1/2 weeks. This week flew by - wow!

I did what I set down to do last Sunday. My nursery is by all intents and purposes...done. I have a chair that needs re-upholstering and with my friend Kelly's help this Wednesday, that will be done as well. I guess the nursery didn't turn out quite as awesome as I'd hoped but it's done and it will do. I sat in there for about 1/2 hour the night it was done, after SP's lights were out and I was alone. It was quiet and dark in the nursery and I imagined what it will be like to visit that room frequently in the night when I hear a baby cry. I look forward to those quiet moments alone with my second child.

We got back from Duchesne last night after an over-nighter. DH's older sister went through the LDS temple for the first time yesterday and invited me to go with her. It was a wonderful experience. I've never been in the Vernal temple and was amazed at how small but beautiful it is. It was a great session and I'm glad I was able to go.

This morning I meant to go to church but I woke up exhausted and I found that all of my church clothes felt like cinches around me especially my socks and shoes. For one day, I thought, I just can't force myself into these binding clothes! Besides I became even more exhausted with the thought of the meetings. I felt bad but decided I'd just stay home and rest.

I spent my afternoon watching an old movie and stitching patches onto SP's jeans. She is forever a kitty and is on her hands and knees all over the house tearing holes in the knees of her jeans. I cut out cute hearts from DH's old jeans and stitched them over the holes. They were cute even if it took me forever.

Later, I took a series of Photoshop tutorials so I can learn to make my own digital scrapbooking supplies. I learned a ton! I've no idea if I can actually make them work out but I'll try. It could be fun!

Sorry for the blah blah but that's my life, take it or leave it. Have a great week!