Ode to My Mom

My mom came to take care of Chick during the birth, & to see the birth herself. She's given birth 7 times, but never SEEN a birth. Chick slept through everything, but my Mom thought it was cool to see the birth. It was exciting for me to have her there, too.

After that, she took care of Chick (which is no small feat--a 22 month old can really wear anyone out!) and took care of me so that I could rest & not worry about maintaining my home. She also helped with groceries & replaced my 2 cup measuring cup that broke a while ago.

Mom also made tapioca pudding, in celebration of breastfeeding (it's a tradition). It was delicious. She did also make healthy stuff...one really delicious thing was a Blue Breakfast Smoothie (her changes are that she doesn't measure the spinach--she puts in 2 handfuls, she added a thick slice of pineapple, and the second time that she made it she omitted the blueberries because she ran out--it was still delicious but not blue...it was green). I promise you CAN'T taste the spinach...it tastes like a yummy fruit smoothie.

Anyhow, I know lots of people don't have help after giving birth--in fact my Mom only had help once: her Mom came for 3 days after the first baby was born. I don't know how they do it--but for myself I can honestly say that I couldn't have done it without my Mom. With the usual healing that comes after giving birth, plus hormones shifting, & re-learning to breastfeed & engorgment, & sleep deprivation, & keeping up with a toddler.... Nope. There were times when I felt like I could barely make it through that first week even WITH help...I don't even want to think what it would be like without help.

Thank you Mom!!

I am thankful for...

Blogs. I know, I've done a couple of "ode to blogs" already, but I haven't been able to read everyone's blogs for the past week, and this morning I felt like I got to "chat" with family and friends for an hour!

Slings. I was able to make breakfast and type on the computer & all of the other random things that I would normally do in the morning--with the Babe cuddled up next to me (& out of Chick's reach), and with two hands!!

The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. My midwife had mentioned that with her second baby she had a completely different set of "issues" than she'd had with the first. It's the same for us. Glad to have such a thorough reference.

Breastfeeding. I battled engorgement that was starting to turn nasty earlier this week, so it's funny that I'm grateful for this one. But now that we're starting to turn a corner & it's getting more comfortable, I am so happy to have that bonding time & the extra boost of hormones that help me love my baby even more.

Chick. She's either in the Babe's face or she's being a bit of a pill these days...hopefully we'll get back to our regular routine in the next couple of days. However, she's surprisingly gentle with Babe. Even when 2 days ago she managed to sneak some unsupervised time with the baby, she was gentle and loving.

My visiting teachers. They brought/are bringing food & support. Thanks Stacy & Meghan.

There are other things, of course (My Mom, for one, but she's going to get her own post...coming soon)--but Chick reached her level of being ignored & is now in time-out. That's my cue to get off & pay attention to her & feed the Babe.

HH=

= A GREAT DAD

= A HUNKY HUSBAND

= 36! Happy Birthday, Handsome!

Another Ode to Blogs

I can't sleep--Chick woke up at 2:30 and went back to sleep, but I was not so lucky. HH left for work an hour ago, and I've been on the computer since then. I've been catching up on blogs that I didn't have time to read in the chaos of getting ready for Halloween.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks! I love reading about what everyone is up to & seeing pictures and videos. This morning I was treated to two music videos--one was "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" by They Might Be Giants, and the other was "O Holy Night" sung by Renee Fleming. As polar opposite as they are, they both made me so happy! And I loved that Erin blogged about missing a painting that a friend did (it's been packed away lately)...some things are just "things" but others really enrich your life & home, you know?

Anyhow, it's been a nice morning with friends, so thanks!

Ode to Blogs

I want to take a moment and thank all of you fellow bloggers out there. Not only do I get to share a little of my life with anyone that will take time to read about it, but I also am being totally inspired.

Today I came across a link to a new blog. It's a woman who made a new years resolution to use her crock pot every day for a year. Not only is it an incredibly creative new years resolution, which is inspiring all on it's own, but then I also get to be inspired by the recipes!

Of course she's not the only one. Nikko's blog shows me how to be a domestic Goddess (I'm just in training). Stacy's blog had a great idea not only to have FHE (ok, not HER great idea...I have heard that one before) but to pattern the lessons from her daughter's primary manual (I totally need to get the new nursery class manual so that I can copy the idea)! Katie's blog is interactive and thought provoking (I love that she asks questions). I could name something cool from everyone's blogs, but the Chick is running around in just underwear and I think I should attend to her....

So, I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration. Handsome Handyman says that I could get just as inspired by sitting on a park bench with friends while the kids played...true enough, but what about my cool friends in other states? And crockpot lady who I don't actually know?! You just can't beat the internet sometimes.