Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Long Weekend

We got back yesterday from Charleston, where we had no internet to update you all... which was probably a good thing. It was nice to relax and see family. And Forrest and I took our first plane trip together, ever! :) The weekend went surprisingly well... and left me standing firmly on the ground, and not clinging to the ceiling like a cat. We were able to relax! enjoy! and visit! :) All good things... Shepherd put his feet in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time, we ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp, and enjoyed some beautiful art at the Picallo Spolato (sp?). The only downside was that we came back to our apartment, and the air conditioning wasn't working. So here I sit, sweat running down my back, typing as fast as I can so I can join Shepherd back in front of the fan... Here are some pictures to tide you guys over until I can post again! Slide Show of Trip

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

9 hours one Monday Night

Again with the 9 hour sleeping... I could get used to this! :) Shepherd went to sleep around 9 last night (ate at 8:30) and woke up this morning at 6 am, ready to eat. I cannot tell you how glorious a feeling it is to sleep that much. I still woke up once after 5 hours to check on him, but went back to sleep until Forrest's alarm clock went off at 5:30 am. Then, hoping Shepherd hadn't heard it, I rolled over and tried to sleep some more. That didn't happen, as Shepherd woke up soon after that. But the good thing? He went back to sleep after I fed him, and slept until 8:30....then around 9:45 he went back to sleep to nap for another hour...

and he's awake now... so i'm gonna go play! YAY!!

Monday, May 22, 2006

List-O-Mania

1) Shepherd slept through the night last night... and by through the night, I mean 9 hours, where I had to wake him up because I was swimming in my boobs. He then went back to sleep for 2 more hours after that. When he woke up, I swear, he looked 3 times bigger than he was yesterday. Is that possible???

2) Saturday we went over to Beth and Chris's house for dinner. It was so nice to hang out with other adults who laugh easy and cook extremely well (Beth's lasagna was the best I've had in a while)... and of course, we watched Shepherd flirt with Mia, and watched her proceed to slap some sense into him... hehehe... Both of them were so adorable, we ate them for dessert.

3) Sunday, we kept the nursery at church, and there were 15 babies in there. And 6 adults. Forrest walked away feeling happy that we only have one. I walked away crying saying I want more! Of course, Shepherd was the cutest of them all... but there were a few I snuck in my back pocket and took home...

4) We head to Charleston on Friday. We're flying down, thank goodness.. but we're looking forward to it. Last time I flew with Shepherd, he was still sleeping a lot during the day. Any advice on how to get him to sleep on the plane without giving him drugs?!

5) Forrest and I are trying to plan something for our Anniversary weekend that's a.) affordable, b.) kid friendly, and c.) did I mention affordable... free would be preferable. Any ideas? Currently, we're debating going camping or staying here and going out while someone babysits...

6) How many peppers did Peter Piper pick? seriously... I've always wanted to know....

Sunday, May 21, 2006

3 months

Shepherd,

Yesterday was your three month birthday. I can hardly believe that I'm typing that out... three whole months. You are an entirely different baby today than you were three months ago... and I'm an entirely different person than I was. You're smiling every day, and getting so close to laughing. In the morning when I go to pick you up out of your crib, you look up at me, and smile. I love it when you smile.



I must admit, when we first had you, it was so hard to interact with you. I felt awkward as a mother, uncomfortable in this new role I was playing. You slept a lot, and cried a lot. And I was left feeling helpless, as I couldn't do a lot to help you. Then you smiled for the first time, and that was awesome. Suddenly, you became more of a little person than just a baby.



Then you started cooing and then you rolled over. Daily, you amaze me with what you can do, and what you seem to understand. You're so strong, too. You love standing up on my lap when I hold you. You love sitting up and watching everything. Last week, we bought you an exersaucer, and I thought you couldn't use it, but daddy put you in it last night to see what you'd do, and you played a while in there. Then today, you did it again, grabbing toys and smiling at us as if you'd just done the coolest thing ever. And it was the coolest thing ever.



You're going through a stage where you really just want to be with me, much to Daddy's dismay. Secretly, it makes me feel very, very important and special, because I'm the one you want to be with. I'm your favorite for now. I know one day it won't be this way, you'll follow daddy everywhere, and you'll roll your eyes at me when I tell you to wear your helmet when riding a bike, so for now, I'm enjoying being the apple of your eye. But don't get me wrong, it's not like you don't like being around other people. You love when we visit places and see other folks. You are laid back when being passed around the room, but when it comes time and you've had enough, you want mommy. That's got to be the coolest feeling ever...



This afternoon, I watched you roll over from your back to your front, well, almost all the way. Your arm was still in the way, but you didn't start crying right away, you seemed intent on figuring out how to get it out from under you. I know you'll figure that out soon. And soon after that, I know you'll be sitting up, then crawling, then walking... and my, oh my, that thought takes my very breath away. You're growing up. And you're developing into this beautiful child that I love with all of my heart. I'm not always the best mother I can be (I mean, I dropped a camera on your head) and sometimes I'll mess up (like trying to use Babywise as a guide for raising you, DOH!), but know that I love you more than you will ever know. Words cannot explain how much I love you, but I hope that one day, you'll just know that I love you utterly.

Happy Three Months, Pumpkin!

Love,
Mommy

Friday, May 19, 2006

I have discovered his dirty little secret

Shepherd may seem too young to have a dirty little secret, but he does. And no, it's not that he digs other mommy's boobies (although that would be devastating), nor does he have a secret crush on his only girl-friend (not that I know of at least.. you know how boys don't tell their mothers everything).

Alas, this secret is very, very dirty. Backstory, anyone?

Very early on in his life, Shepherd decided he hated his swing. And on top of that, he was gassy as can be. So I spent hours upon hours bouncing the child, until my kind Pediatrician suggested a bouncy chair. I'd heard of this "bouncy chair" and went to investigate for myself. I had sworn (pre-motherhood) to never become one of those mothers... the ones who have every trinket and toy for their child. I had wanted a simple house, free of the clutter of 500 gadgets for my child to play with. So we'd only registered for a swing. And thought surely my son would love the swing. And Lo', he hated it. Anyways, so I bought the bouncy chair, and put him in it that afternoon. Miraculously, he didn't scream. In fact, he loved it so much, that he proceeded to fart the entire afternoon in it.

Last weekend, we took the magic chair with us on our trip. It was wonderful to have along for family dinners when we needed to put him down for a second while we all ate. On the way back, the switch to the vibrator thingy must have turned on, because when we got home, the thing was dead. And O' how he hated the lack of vibrating goodness. So much so, he didn't poop. Well, he did, but only in small amounts. So finally, I went and got batteries for the thing, and right now, he's giggling in it, and farting up a storm.

Shepherd's Dirty Little Secret? He only likes to poop in the bouncy chair. And as I type, I can hear the gastrointestinal fireworks going on in his little body. I only pray that when he's 15, he's not still running to the bouncy seat and strapping himself in... I mean, what a killer to his social life.

Anyways, tomorrow is Shepherd's 3 month birthday (he's been 12 weeks all week long, but I guess "officially" he's not 3 months). It's been a wild ride, and I'll probably do a post looking back on the past three months... something sappy I'm sure. So y'all tune in for the sap...

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Ohmygoshhesquealedandlaughed!!!!!!

AWWWWWW!!!! I was just playing some music for Shepherd, and was lying on the floor with him, clapping his hands in beat to the music, and he smiled a huge smile and squeeled in delight. This is the first time he's done this... and he kept doing it... I swear, each day that goes by, I fall deeper and deeper in love with my son...

Here's to my squeeling piglet! hehehe.... I love you little man!!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

I'm a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad mother...

Yes. I am.

A little while ago, I was attempting to take some photos of Shepherd, so we can have some artsy fartsy photos in our photo frames. I was doing one shot above him, looking down at him, and gravity took over my camera, and pulled it from my hands... right onto my little boys noggin'. Damn you, Gravity!!!! And lo', was there crying... and screaming... Yes, Shepherd cried too. But I felt AWFUL. I'm sitting here, writing this, and I feel like a terrible mother. Who drops a camera on a 3 month old baby?! Seriously, y'all!!

*sigh*

I guess I could post the pictures I took, but then again... I feel terrible for ever taking them now. But here you go... here are the pictures that led to the worst thing I've done as a mother so far...









Monday, May 15, 2006

Wanted: Fabulous Footwear

What a weekend. We had a great time visiting family and being in the mountains. It was way too short of a visit, but it was a great weekend nonetheless. We're still recovering today... It took WAY longer than 7 hours to drive. We had horrible traffic, and didn't get to Forrest's mom's until 1 am. Then, we got back Sunday at 11 pm. You always underestimate how long it will take when traveling with an infant. Thankfully, Shepherd did wonderfully. In fact, last night he slept 5 hours and 45 minutes in one stretch! I was super happy about that.

Then he woke up this morning, and I was sooooooooooo tired. I haven't been able to perk up yet, and it's 2:45 in the afternoon. I think part of it is that I'm down because we had to come back home so early and leave family behind. Also? I have no clothes to wear. Yes, I have a closet full of clothes that I could wear before I was pregnant, and I have my maternity clothes.. but the pre-pregnancy clothes don't fit (going from a C cup to a DD cup will do that) and my maternity clothes are all winter clothes. Well, y'all... it ain't winter. Plus, in 2 weeks, we're going to Charleston, SC for Memorial Day. (Forrest's dad is flying us down, so no long drives). I have no shorts that fit (well... some Winnie the Pooh boxers that I sleep in, but those don't count unless it's 1990 again). (Remember that? or am I the only one... when you wore faux-boxers with baggy t-shirts?? am I crazy? or was this truly a fashion statement). My short sleeve shirts that do fit are incredibly tight in the boob area (which, the guys may dig, but me? I'm hating the stretched out look up there). And I think I have 2 pair of maternity capris that fit. I should go buy clothes, but, A.) We don't have the kind of $ to buy clothing right now, B.) I hate buying new clothes when I plan on losing this weight, and C.) Even if I had the money, and didn't mind buying clothes that HOPEFULLY won't fit in a few months, everything out there is for short-torso'd women (or ladies who love showing off their bellies) which, um... unless you'd like the see the trainwreck that is my abdomen (we're talking stretchmarks that look like railroad tracks from the bellybutton around to my back), I don't think that'll be such a good idea.

Anyways. The only plus side to shopping at the mall is finding incredibly cute shoes that I must have... so if any of you out there want to buy me these shoes because I'm totally fabulous (HA!), I wear a size 8.5 and I love these in Ocean and these in Brown Nubuck. Just a thought... :) See? I've resorted to begging the internet for things.. which is totally unacceptable. I need to just be happy with my beat up Birks, and just... chill.

Anybody know of any jobs out there that I can stay at home and do to earn a few extra bucks to support my shoe addiction??? I totally missed out on the Club Mom thing... anyone know of any other opportunities?!?!

Edited to Add: I also tried on these, which I loved, but of course there's that whole, no white after Labor Day rule that would render an absolutely beautiful shoe useless.... and if I'm gonna get shoes, it's going to be something I can wear year round.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Too Fast


Making a Face at Daddy
Originally uploaded by meandscreech.
If you close enough in the picture, you can see that Shepherd already has an attitude problem. Yes, yes... we're working on it. It seems he's figured out how to tastefully insult his parents, be it by public humiliation with his gastro-works or the subtle display of disaproval shown in how he looks at us.

Actually, this is nothing more than our own fault. Forrest and I figured out last week that Shepherd LOVES it when you stick your tongue out at him, or make raspberries with your tongue hanging out. He's even, at times, stuck his back out at us. It's quite cute to watch him try to stick his tongue out, because often, he doesn't get it out.

Anyways. Today has been okay. The weather outside is absolutely depressing. We've been stuck inside most of the day, with one little adventure to Sam's Club to get some snacks and check on their prices for diapers. Surprisingly? They weren't cheaper. Well, if I get the off-brand diapers (which I totally don't trust now, thanks to several ruined outfits) they'd be cheaper. Then it was back home to finish laundry and start packing. Yep, we're kinda crazy like that. We're driving 7 hours tomorrow night to visit family. We're so excited. Forrest's brother and his girlfriend will be there. Also? His mom lives in the same town that I went to college at. I absolutely LOVE this place, and can't wait to go back. There's so much I want to do, and so little time to cram it all in. Every time I go to Boone, I want to eat at Phan's Japanese Steakhouse (little place in the mall), Black Cat Burrito (where Forrest and I went on our first date!), Mellow Mushroom, and of course, Woodlands... I want to get ice cream or fudge at Kilwin's in Blowing Rock, walk around campus, and drive out to the Parkway. The one sure thing is that we'll drive right by

Monday, May 08, 2006

I Dream of Shoes

Last night, I was looking at my flickr contacts, and came across Forrest's co-workers Flickr site. Beth has the cutest shoes ever, and I decided to go check out the brand of shoes she was wearing.

Big... Fat.... Hairy.... Mistake.

In my former life as a single woman, college student, and tip earning waitress... (i.e. when I had money) I was addicted to shoes. Not heels or fancy shoes... but comfortable, cute casual shoes. An hour after I went to Zappos website, and perused the shoe collection for Earth shoes, I promptly fell in love with these and about 100 other pairs of shoes that they make. Yet, they cost a fortune!!!

I found several other brands of shoes I liked, including a biodegradable shoe by Simple. But back to the Earth shoes. I was so smitten I went to their home website to see what other shoes they had. And I ordered a catalog. I have to be able to touch the pretty pictures of these, these, these, and of course, these.

Pardon me, while I clean the drool off of the keyboard. So today, since Shepherd and I have some errands to run, I might... I just might... stop by the store near here that sells these shoes, JUST to try them on. At no time am I under the impression that I can actually have these shoes, but a girl can dream can't she?

What is it with men?

Scene: Last night, in bed after putting the baby to sleep.

Me: (passes gas) *giggle*
Him: Please tell me that wasn't a fart.
Me: *giggle* Dutch Oven!!!!! *giggle giggle*
Him: Gross. I can't believe girls fart.
Me: Well we do. We also poop too.
Him: (horrified expression) Geee-ROSSSSS!!!
Me: I poop....
Him: Nonononono... stoppppppp.......
Me: Our moms poop....
HIm: Gahhhhhh!!!!!!!
Me: Even your grandmother poops.
Him: (silence)
Me: Yep... she poops too.
Him: That's the most disturbing thing I've ever heard in my life.
Me: Really? So if I say, Your grandfather poops...
Him: Doesn't bother me.
Me: But if I say, your grand...
Him: (interrupting) AHHHHHHHHHH!! STOP!!!!
Me: *giggle giggle*

It's so much fun to mess with my husband........ :)

Friday, May 05, 2006

The Girl in the Mirror

Last night, after putting Shepherd to bed, Forrest and I took turns walking on our treadmill. (Yes, we actually use our treadmill for something other than a clothes hanger from time to time) While walking we talked about a variety of things, most importantly, body image. I was looking through old photos of us yesterday, and came across some from Labor Day 2004. I remember getting those pictures back from the store, and thinking how incredibly porky and fat I looked. Yesterday, looking at those pictures, I thought how incredibly thin and skinny I was. Amazing how our perspectives change with time.

I realize that I need to continue to lose weight, and get down to at LEAST my pre-pregnancy weight, which I was working at when I got pregnant. I've looked at all the weight charts telling me what the average for a person my height is... I've looked at the BMI factors (I'm teetering right above the mark for obesity... so DANG, I've got to lose)... and all of that is kind of frustrating to me.

I'm the kind of person who wants things now. I hate waiting. I know this is a weakness of mine, and something I'm struggling to work on. However, that said, I know that my weight has to come off slowly to stay off. Plus? I'm nursing, so I can't really diet because I need the calories to maintain nourishment for Shepherd. So, I'm doing the right thing, losing slowly. It's just so hard to look at myself in the mirror sometimes and love myself. I've confessed this to Forrest, but there's no amount of encouragement that he can offer me that makes me feel better. I know he loves me for me.. I know he loves me no matter how much I weigh. I'm just incredibly hard on myself and incredibly judgemental. I look in the mirror and see a fat woman, who hasn't a shred of beauty. Yes... yes... I know this isn't true.

But at the heart of all of this is playing this deep seeded insecurity that my son will be embarrassed by his mother. I don't want to be an embarrasement to my son. Forrest and I talked about this, and about if we'd ever been embarrassed by our parents. Then I realized that I'd never been embarrassed of my mom or my dad, despite their own struggles with weight. Yes, they talked about their weight, and their struggles, but I never once was embarrassed. This made me feel incredibly better about myself. That Shepherd would love me no matter what.

I still want to lose weight... for health reasons (hello, mr. 30.4 BMI!) and yes, for personal reasons. I would like to feel comfortable about myself no matter what... so yes, I'm working on that. So for now, I'll continue to eat healthy, drink my water, and try... try very hard... to motivate myself to walk. And hopefully, next week, I'll be down another pound or two. And the week after that... and after that... and hopefully, long term... I'll get this weight off. Because I know that I can.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Your Questions Answered

Thanks to those of you who sent me questions, both of you. Man... am I popular or what?! *sigh* I always have dreams of becoming the next Top Blogger, yet somehow, I doubt my content draws that kind of audience. Oh well... the few of you who read have been wonderful, and give me reason to keep posting on this thing we call the internets.

Autumn's Mom: What is the baby product that you just can't live without? (diapers not included!)

Hmmm... can't live without? Well, for starters there's my car seat and stroller which I love. But I'm guessing you want more of a product? I could not live without Shepherd's pacifiers. I know, I know, I swore I wouldn't ever give my son a pacifier... but 48 hours after being home with him, and having him on the boob for 47 of those hours... I gave in. My son is a very oral baby... and sucks on whatever he can... his arm, his shirt, your arm, your shirt... it doesn't matter. And when he goes down for a nap, he gets fussy, and the pacifier soothes him and he can get to sleep.

Jenni: What has been the most challenging thing about motherhood for you? What has been the most rewarding?
Gah... how much time do you have???? Because seriously, I could write all day about this question.
Challenging? The lack of sleep... the crying... the gassiness... but probably most of all. the lack of sleep. I love my sleep. I was never good at pulling all-nighters in college, and only once did I do that, and the next day? I was talking nonsense and had to give a presentation in front of my class... I'm sure they all thought I was stoned or hungover because, it wasn't pretty.
Rewarding? Man... there are lots of things. The first time Shepherd smiled a real smile was pretty dang rewarding. However, when he first smiled at me and only me... MAN, that was awesome! Then, when he watches me walk around the living room, and smiles when I stop and smile at him... BLOWS MY MIND!!! Then of course, he does things like roll over and laugh (yes, he laughed yesterday... though quick and short, it was a laugh, I'm sure of it). There are a lot of things that make it rewarding, but I think the best one of all is just watching him grow. He's so beautiful, and growing so fast, it's just amazing to see this person that you gave birth to come alive!

So any of you out there who didn't get any questions in, feel free to e-mail your questions to corinnyatgmaildotcom.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Where I ask you to come up with my content

I've been trying to come up with something to write about, because it seems the only content I can come up with lately is pictures and videos. I've been trying to figure out what's causing the writers block, and the only thing I come up with is the lack of sleep I've been getting here lately. You see, I was afraid to tell you (because similar instances had resulted in immediate termination of said behavior) that Shepherd had been sleeping regularly 5 hours at a stretch, twice a night. I was afraid that I'd jinx myself if I told you. Well, it seems Shepherd decided to have none of that, and is now waking up a few more times. He gets one good stretch in, usually from 7 or 8 pm until 12 or 1 am. Then he's up every 3 hours, or like last night, up all night after that!! I was so out of it nursing last night, I decided to check my e-mail while nursing around 3 am. After a while, I looked down, and the child was smiling up at me in the dark. Wide awake. Oh well... se la vide.

So with that explination, you can understand why my writing sucks lately. And you? Have been faithful... and patient. So, thank you.

In lieu of content, how 'bout we play the fun game of you ask me your burning questions, and I'll try to answer them as best as possible. Go ahead....

Ask away!

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Evidence I'm not Making Crap up

See for yourself... the child does roll.