Mimsy's Musings

9 month baby Amelia

2011-06-23T13:23:00.001-06:00

it has been ages since I last wrote on this blog, but so much has been happening. chris' homecoming, 4 day pass, 1st block leave, san francisco, home, paternal leave. chris went back to work today, so I hope to use this blog as a quick break from the day-to-day of being a housewife/mom.

yesterday was Amelia's 9 month birthday. hard to believe she'll be a year in 3 short months (that's about how long chris has been home and that has gone in a flash).

her stats were:
weight: 22 lbs, 15 oz (90%)
height: 28 in (77%)
head circumference: 46.something
shots: none
questions/concerns:

mouth rash (drool rash, has almost cleared in a day using hydrocortisone)
teething progress (none erupting right now): 2 total
labial adhesion: totally healed
not at risk for autism based upon current mental milestones (babbling, mimicry, etc.)
developmental milestones: scooting backwards, plank position, tries to sit up, babbles constantly, points, squeals to show delight, 2 teeth almost all the way up, bangs toys, empties toy bucket, peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, starting to turn pages in book
food: breastmilk 5x/day (morning, after both naps, before bed, middle of night), oatmeal & fruit for breakfast (about a shot glass portion), fruit or veg & cheese for lunch, fruit or veg and puffs for dinner.
sleeping: consistently takes 2 naps per day, ranging from 40 mins-2 hours (never know when it'll be long or short, though!). wake time about 3hrs, 15 mins in between naps - sometimes longer. still swaddled but is comfortable sleeping without it if she keeps breaking out. 0-1 wakeups per night - nurses and right back down. generally wakes b/t 615-7. bedtime generally 6-8 (depends on how naps were)

this stage is really fun. her personality is starting to really shine. she is very inquisitive, loves to read, and can play by herself on the floor for quite awhile. her ~~main~~ only mode of transportation is rolling/scooting backwards. today, she flopped from her crib, across her room, and ended up in her closet. it takes her awhile, but she gets there. she tries to get on hands and knees, but normally ends up on hands and toes. no interest in pulling up, standing, or walking. talk, talk, talks all day long. can look/point to kitty and dada when prompted, but not mama. says a, b, d, g, m, n, s, w, y sounds. loves quickly moving things, like puppies and when chris zigzags towards her. still loves to jump, use her walker, and take walks. she is a very good traveler and loves being around people. gets bored in the car easily and loves throwing her toys down.

her favorite toys are: dolly, stacking cups, stacking pots/pans, links, a funnel, paci, books, and teethers. during leave, chris changed most diapers, put her down for most naps, and did all baths. our next plans include installing a baby gate, raising her car seat straps, and setting up the baby pool.

(blogger isn't letting me post pics.)

the calm

2011-03-11T04:51:00.000-07:00

this is the calm before the best storm ever.
chris is between germany and here and i cannot sleep.

i am excited for him to truly meet his daughter. she is so much like him, his mannerisms, his facial expressions. he will do so well with her. he will calm my second-guessing of myself. i really pledge to get out of the way sometimes and let him do it. it will definitely be difficult, though, because it's been only me as her parent.

at diaper changes this week, i've been showing her the daddy pillow and saying dadadada. she'll get the biggest grin on her face, pull the pillow into her head, and lick it. that's the best form of affection she can show. i was a little worried she wouldn't remember him since we haven't skyped, but i truly believe she will.

i worry that he will have some lingering effects. that he'll feel inadequate, like he wasn't here to do enough. he is the most caring husband, though, and i know it will translate into his parental role.

the sausage balls, no bakes, hashbrown casserole are all made. beer's in the fridge. now back to killing time. i hope this is the one and only time i'll be the portrait of a waiting wife.

2/18/11

2011-03-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

i wrote this list on feb 18 - but apparently, time got away from me. this is all she can do at 5 months:

2/18/11

She is beginning to bat at toys and can bring them to her mouth.

Laughing

Smiling

Tracking cats & birds

Rolls onto side both ways

Pulls feet up into happy baby (not holding feet yet)

Clasps hands together

Can hold toy, but not for long

Still swaddled for every sleep time

4 short naps + 0-1 nightly wakeup

sleep ~730 til 5ish til 8ish

tries to sit up in boppy and bath

ebf

persistent yeast rash since nov, so in disposables for now

loves standing, jumping

can sit up when I put her in the position

recognizes faces

smacks lips

cher tongue (on top lip)

puts hand on head

doesn’t reach for people yet

still afraid of loud noises

no teeth

4 month checkup

2011-01-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

stats:
16 lbs, 1 oz (95%)
25 inches long (75%)
41.5 cm head circumference (65%)
cradle cap:
should be washing her hair daily. apply shampoo at beginning of bath, use fine tooth brush with shampoo still in hair, then rinse. did this last night and it's already looking much better!
bald spot:
totally normal.
skin care:
she has some bumpy stomach skin and dry patches on her legs/knees. dr said it is "winter skin" and i should use a cool mist humidifer (already doing this) and use more lotion.
teething:
she's still teething. can use teether rings (cold, vibrating, etc.). tooth could pop through next week or in two months. tylenol as needed for sleep issues.
labial adhesion:
this was the only hiccup in the physical. dr found this issue and decided to treat right then. after i got home, i found out that, generally, the course of treatment doesn't initally involve puncturing the labia as he did. this caused me great concern because of the pain amelia endured. however, what's done is done and i now know for next time. i will have to apply vaseline to the area several times daily until she's out of diapers to ensure it doesn't reclose.
rice cereal:
dr does not recommend rice cereal or solids until at least 6 months. this was pleasing to my ears because i don't feel she needs any supplementation (especially with her weight always being 95-97% her entire life). starting too early can affect iron absorption, can effect food allergies later on, and can irritate an immature digestive system.
shots:
she did better with these shots than the 2 month shots. i did not give tylenol before and she stopped crying within a few minutes. she was NOT a fan of the roto "drink" (probably because she likes the grape taste of tylenol). i tried to nurse her afterwards, but she wasn't having it. she sucked on her paci most of the way home, before talking a little towards the end of our ride.
shot post-effects:
she's had two 2-hr naps in the last two days, but every other nap has been her normal 45 minute ones. she didn't want to bear weight on her left leg yesterday, but was fine today. she wasn't nearly as boisterous as normal in her jumperoo and has been very whiny this afternoon. i've given her tylenol twice today.

quote of the day

2011-01-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

"Being pregnant is an occupational hazard of being a wife." -- Queen Victoria

sick sickly

2011-01-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Amelia has been sick this week and boy has it been a difficult process. I've never been on this side of the sick process (even Chris has never really been sick around me) and it's very hard to watch her suffer.

She woke up on Saturday sniffling and it went downhill from there. She was clammy and by Sunday, she was coughing and sneezing every 3 seconds. Her condition continued to worsen and, on Tuesday, I took her to the pediatrician. I hate feeling like one of those worrisome moms, but she could barely breathe and I was having to aspirate her nose all the time.

Dr Wilkes said she had a severe chest cold. Since her lungs aren't matured yet, she is unable to bring up the mucous and she had the potential to develop bronchitis or pneumonia if left untreated. He prescribed her a baby z-pack and recommended she sleep upright.

She's improved since then -- she even went in her jumperoo last night for a bit. Her poop is slowly going from orange back to normal.

Words cannot describe the helpless feeling I have when she's hacking up a lung and all I can do is hold her. I think the best thing for her (aside from the killer antibodies & antibiotics) has been holding her constantly. I wish I could give her crackers and Sprite.

disposable dilemma

2011-01-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

amelia has had a yeast diaper rash for 8 weeks now. we have tried nystatin, oral nystatin, active yogurt (both by mouth and slathered on her parts), sun, bleaching the diapers, tea tree oil on the diapers, and airing it out, but the rash keeps coming back.

overnight last night, her rash got even worse, so i put her in disposables this morning. i think i died a little inside and i'm having a really hard time adjusting to the change. so far, she hasn't shown any discomfort. i had really hoped to not have to use disposables, but i fear the yeast just keeps multiplying in the cloth diapers. until i can get rid of the rash and properly treat EVERYTHING her parts come into contact with, she'll have to stay in disposables.

both chris and my family are supportive of this move, but i can't help but feel like i've failed a little. sigh.

what i carry

2011-01-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

my lovely husband wrote a post about what he carries each day. looking over our lists, i don't think our daily lives could be any different.

i carry a 15 lb, 12 oz baby around.

i normally carry chapstick in my pockets.

in the diaper bag:
wallet
napkins
granola bar
hand sanitizer
phone
rash cream
chapstick
more hand sanitizer
change + a few dollars
hair ties
bobby pins
1-2 snappis
camera
bandaids
changing pad
disposable changing pad
disposable wipes (just in case)
baby headband
change of baby clothes
2-3 prefolds
extra cover
1 fitted diaper
4-5 wipes
wet bag
water spritzer
nursing cover
nursing rag
baby jacket, hat, mittens (when it's cold)
camelbak water bottle
baby tylenol
teether
musical snail (when we'll be out for awhile)
extra paci (when i can find one)

in the car seat:
paci
2 blankets (one MUST be the white/swaddler one)
baby
linking rings with teether + mr cow attached

in the car:
moby wrap
extra mom shirt
extra toy
stroller
extra blanket

i wonder if he's ready to pack this darn thing up everyday?
what do you carry?

15 weeks

2011-01-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

weight: 15 lbs, 12 oz
height: 24 2/3 inches

milestones:
laughing
teething - drooling, crankiness, tugging on ear, decreasing feedings
hands in mouth
attempting to roll hips to side (when on back)

this week, i took amelia to the pediatrician in lexington. we saw dr wilkes and i really liked him. she still has a yeast diaper rash - 8 weeks now - and we were re-prescribed nystatin cream again. i've tried this cream before, as well as active yogurt, oral nystatin, bleaching my diapers, and airing out, but nothing has gotten rid of this annoying issue. i asked dr. wilkes to check her mouth for thrush and he announced that she was teething! i didn't get any teeth until 12 months, so this is pretty surprising. he said it's hereditary, so i'm guessing chris got his teeth early.

amelia is loving her jumperoo that papaw bill got her for christmas. she'll be in it for 10-15 minutes at a time. she's also loving playing with a musical snail. i've taught her how to hit it to activate the music and she loves looking in its mirror or watching the blinking lights. her favorite thing ever, though, is bathtime. she will splash and splash. i can't wait until chris is able to take her to the pool this summer. they will enjoy being water babies together. (i don't know how to swim, but love to bob around.)

during the wedding this past weekend, she slept a LOT and ate very little. this week, she's back to 30-45 minute naps, but still is showing a decrease in feedings. all i can do is offer to her and she has to do the rest. dr. wilkes said she is likely to show a decrease due to gum pain.

we are anticipating chris' return in the next few months. he's been expressing some reservations about reintegrating within our new family, but i really think our track record shows that we will be able to get things under control fairly quickly. i look forward to getting him in the loop and getting me out of the house more :)

this week, she's been vocalizing some consonant sounds, especially "ma" and "ba". she's very vocal and loves telling stories to everyone.

tomorrow, amelia is having her first "date" with caedmon, a new friend. we may even get scandalous and take them to target.

bottles

2010-12-15T08:48:00.001-07:00

amelia will NOT take a bottle.

i could use a break from her every once in a while, so my parents and i have been trying to get her to take a bottle of my expressed milk. i know she's capable of it b/c we had to use (expressed milk) bottles to augment her feedings when she had jaundice. she had nipple confusion after that, so i've held off on bottles until now.

she WILL take her pacifier with no trouble, but won't even take the same brand of bottle.

here is what we have tried so far:

changing temperatures
changing personnel (me, mom, dad)
changing rooms
changing positions
changing type of milk (freshly tapped, refrigerated & bottle warmer, frozen)
changing when she gets it (hungry, 1/2 full, full, when playing, when sleepy)
changing types of bottles

medela, playtex (slow & fast), breastflow, soothie

she will scream like we are cutting her arms off. she'll take the breast with no issues.
i've heard to try nuk bottles.

it's ridiculous that people have to rush out and purchase all these types of bottles to try and find the one that works. they should have a system (similar to ones with cloth diapers) where you can pay to try out 10 different bottle types, then get some partial store credit back when you return them.

12 wks

2010-12-15T08:39:00.001-07:00

bebe amelia,

today, you are 12 wks old. next week, you will be THREE MONTHS old. it's hard to understand what people mean when they say it will go fast, but it truly does. the days are long, but the weeks are short.

this week, you have really found your hands. you love sucking on them and looking at them cross-eyed. at nighttime, you are breaking out of your swaddle, so during night feedings, i put your frigid hands between my chest to warm them.

you are talking a LOT more. you will follow us as we say a-e-i-o-u or la-la-la with your own baby sounds. you still haven't laughed yet, but i hope it's close.

you have been a little sick this week. you threw up SEVEN times on mommy on monday. thankfully, your poop is back to normal and you seem to be doing better. last week was a very hard week. we stayed in the house all week because it was so cold and because i wasn't motivated to get out. this is not a good idea for us, especially as you decided to stop napping and began waking up 2-3 times per night. i hope that is behind us b/c i didn't function well with no sleep/breaks from tues-sun.

we hope to take you to see santa this week. i dressed you up in your bear suit to get some pictures outside, which you didn't like too much. this morning, it's only 9 degrees, so it may be another inside day.

you still haven't given daddy a smile over skype. we might have to skype him in our house once he gets back b/c seeing him in person may rock your world. he loves talking to you in the mornings and calls you milkface.

this week, we got a travel swing, baby scale, umbrella stroller, toys, and a high chair from the carter's. they were donating them and we happened upon them. according to the scale, you now weigh over 15 lbs! this means you are in 3-6 month clothes and are almost out of your size 1 thirsties covers (which are SUPPOSED to last 0-9 months). what will we do with you!?

10 wks

2010-12-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

today, Amelia is 10 weeks old. a blog i read posts letters to their baby and i would like to try to start the same.

dear amelia,
today is your 10 wk birthday. although it's been rough in the beginning, especially when all the visitors left colorado, our bond has grown stronger in the last few weeks. you weren't sure about all these new strangers in lexington, but i think you're starting to warm up to them now.

you are currently trying to find/control your arms and hands. you also LOVE kicking your feet. sometimes, you are able to get your thumb knuckle into your mouth. your favorite games are "ah-boo" and playing in your bouncer. you love having your diaper changed and taking a bath. you still have the yeast diaper rash, which we are trying to combat with tea tree oil, nystatin, and (soon) yogurt. recently, you've started lifting your butt up in your bathtub and the ensuing bump causes a tidal wave over the edge of the tub. we might have to start putting the tub in the tub soon.

you love skyping with daddy and follow his voice and video. i always wrap you in his t-shirt during your morning naps on your boppy pillow.

you generally start getting sleepy around 930-10. we have our final feeding, swaddle you, and i rock you to sleep before going down. the last two nights, though, you've stayed up later. i think you just want me to rock you some more...but mommy is missing her full night's sleep. you generally wake at 4 to eat and then around 7-8 for the day. two big naps and smaller cat naps round out your sleeping schedule.

you are a very good eater. you will feed 5-7 mins on each side (and sometimes go back for more immediately). you spit up about once a day and exorcist-style throw up about once a week. it scares me when that happens because it comes up so fast and gets all over your face and - well - all over everything.

you don't like being in one place too long. and when you're hungry, you are hungry. today, we tried on your christmas dress, sleeper, and new outfit from grandma. you will be so pretty on christmas eve!

less than 4 months until you get to re-meet your dad. and let me tell you, he's a keeper.

love, me

Le bebe

2010-10-23T14:34:00.000-06:00

Here she is!
Born at 1:18 am on Sept 22 - Amelia Jean.

There are so many stories I want to write on this blog and I hope to get around to them all eventually.

Funniest story from the week:
I have an overactive letdown, so I have to be careful about keeping her stomach lower than her head (otherwise, she throws up). I was burping her over my shoulder and she spit up in my hair, down my shoulder, and onto the couch. I moved her onto her back so I could clean us up and her head fell to the side and she threw up exorcist-style. My reflex was to stick my foot out to catch (?) it and it splashed all down my jeans, in between my toes, and all over the carpet. She had the proudest look on her face and I could not stop laughing. Definitely a "oh wow I'm a mom" moment.

Here is a list of topics I hope to cover:
Chris' journey here
The birth story
Staying in the hospital for 5 days
Hospital food and supplies
Coming home
Jaundice - Bili checks, under the lights
Settling in
Breastfeeding
Cloth diapering
Chris leaving
My parents' visit
Going it alone
First car meltdown
Pacifier use
Skyping with daddy

dear king soopers

2010-09-15T20:25:00.000-06:00

i do not normally shop at your establishment, but dang if you aren't my new best friend. i literally shed a tear when i found out this was available just a few miles from my freezer.

(this kroger-linked company distributes pints of my favorite [and really the only] ice cream in every c.springs and denver store. drool)

39 wk update

2010-09-15T20:16:00.000-06:00

How far along: 38w, 5d

Best of the week: being homebound
Worst of the week: being homebound
Symptoms: headache, lower back pains, cramping, swelling, sore hands, leaking, reflux

All About Amelia
Movement: active after meals, but lots of sleeping
Position: head down, +1 or +2 station
Last weight: 6lbs, 12 oz! (taken 9/2)
Growth developments: putting on fat.
Last heart rate: baseline 145, accels to 160s

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -2.5 from pre-pregnancy weight (lost 2.5 lbs! sigh) (taken 9/15)
Cravings: water, cold things
Fundal height: 33 cm (taken 9/15)
What I Miss: Chris, sleeping a full night
Sleep: 2-3 hrs at night - no fun!
Been researching: recipes
What I purchased this week: didn't leave the house
Big news this week: Chris coming home

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: Chris coming home!
Next on the medical horizon: non stress tests 2x/wk
Dates: Chris home: ~9/18, Induction: 9/21, Due date: 9/24

Today, I saw Dr Silver again. My BP was still the highest it's been all pregnancy (as it has been for the past week), but I am not spilling protein. This is important because it means I have not developed pre-eclampsia. If I were to spill protein, they would induce me rather quickly. I have lost 2.5 lbs this week, which is surprising because I haven't left the house and have been eating Graeter's ice cream each day.

The pelvic exam revealed I was 50-60% effaced and between a 1 & 2 station, but still only dilated to 1cm. This was welcome news because Chris isn't scheduled to get in until early Saturday. Dr Silver was very surprised at how low Amelia is sitting - he poked her in the head again.

The biggest news is that, due to my continued high BP, ripened cervix, and other factors, I will be induced this coming Tuesday, September 21, if I have not gone yet. Yes - no later than Tuesday night, there will be a baby!

I cannot believe it is coming to the end of my first pregnancy. While I have enjoyed the new experiences, I wish Chris would've been here to go through it all with me. I am forever grateful to the inventor of Skype and to Basra's MWR & USO, as we have been able to talk daily. However, we are 99.9999999% sure this is just the beginning of our family and hope to plan the next one a little better (or really plan it to begin with...wink).
Once Chris arrives, we plan to try all the wives tales out there to get Amelia to come out. For the time being, I am still on house arrest except for dr visits. However, I'm starting to crave a salad, which is problematic when you have no ingredients...

Chris Travel Update: Chris will be leaving post late Thursday morning, America time. He will travel via Kuwait, Germany, Dallas, then C.Springs. He hopes to get here late Friday night, but will likely be here Saturday morning. Dear Lord, please let him get here in time!

38 wk update

2010-09-08T12:58:00.003-06:00

How far along: 37w, 5d

Best of the week: the gorgeous CO weather
Worst of the week:
Symptoms: severe headache, lower back pains, cramping, LOTS of swelling, sore hands, leaking, reflux

All About Amelia
Movement: active after meals, but lots of sleeping
Position: head down, +1 station
Last weight: 6lbs, 12 oz! (taken 9/2)
Growth developments: she has dropped!
Last heart rate: baseline 144, accels to 160s

Mamacita's Details
Weight: +0 from pre-pregnancy weight (gained 0.5 lbs!) (taken 9/8)
Cravings: water, cinnamon, chocolate
Fundal height: 34 cm (taken 9/8)
What I Miss: Chris
Sleep: 1-6 hrs at night with one 1 hr nap.
Been researching: early labor stages
What I purchased this week: fall decorations, nursing tank
Big news this week: Balloon Classic in C.Springs, some of my wonderful friends got us baby stuff

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: Chris coming home!
Next on the medical horizon: non stress tests 2x/wk, regular (to me) urine/bloodwork
Dates: Dr appt: 9/15, Chris home: ~9/18, Due date: 9/24

Today, I went in for my 38 wk appt. I saw Dr Silver, who will be my doctor for the duration. He was very nice, asked lots of questions, and was calm. Vitals are good (although BP still up at 134/95). I am positive for Group B Strep, which means I will receive IV antibiotics when admitted.

I had my first pelvic check and whoa was I unprepared for it. Let's just say that area has been closed for business for awhile and I hadn't mentally prepared myself. He laughed and asked if I realized I'd be giving birth soon. Afterwards, I had some mild cramping, but nothing too bad.

Turns out, I am 1cm dilated, 50% effaced, and at a +1 station. He couldn't quit remarking how low she was and he felt the top of her head. Apparently, she's dropped (as both Chris and my dad had suggested), but I haven't noticed. This would explain the sharp, shooting pains I've been feeling in my cervix - she's a headbutter. I could stay like this for weeks or she could come today. Due to my vitals and high-risk status, I will be induced b/t 39-40 wks if I haven't given birth yet. Dr Silver does not want me to develop pre-eclampsia (and frankly, can't believe I haven't yet with all the symptoms I have).

So now, we wait.
Chris is due to leave in 8 days...so I really hope to cook til then.
Until then, I will continue to putter around the house, watch the West Wing (on loan from a friend and I LOVE it), and cheer for the Reds from afar.

freezer meals

2010-09-02T20:59:00.000-06:00

using the apple peeler on 10 lbs of potatoes

upon doing some research, i decided to make some freezer meals for when chris is here/my parents are here/when i'm tired out of my skull and don't want to make dinner. little did i know what a large community there is for this type of cooking.

i started slow, making 2 entrees and a side, but plan to do more as time allows. my logical/mathematical mind LOVED creating lists for this project, including a protein list, ingredient list, and shopping list.

i made kerry's baked spaghetti, hashbrown casserole, and (10 lbs of) mashed potatoes. it didn't take much longer than regular baking and it's comforting to know i've got several dinner options. i still plan to make bleu cheese burgers, jerk chicken, cheesy rice, and some muffins.

here are some of the best links i've found.

i hope to continue this process in the future, including with baby food.
anyone have any other good recipes/links for freezer meals?

Aug 2010 Pictures

2010-09-02T20:27:00.000-06:00

36 wks - SkySox game

Lilah, Amelia, and I watching Chris' video

Making freezer mashed potatoes


Drying prefolds on my clothesline

37 wk update

2010-09-02T20:21:00.001-06:00

How far along: 36w, 6d

Best of the week: relaxing
Worst of the week: BP scare
Symptoms: severe headache, nighttime contractions, cramping, LOTS of swelling, sore hands, leaking, reflux

All About Amelia
Movement: decreased
Position: head down
Last weight: 6lbs, 12 oz! (taken 9/2)
Growth developments: considered full term
Last heart rate: baseline 150, accels to 180

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -1 from pre-pregnancy weight (GAINED 3 lbs!) (taken 9/1)
Cravings: water, cinnamon, chocolate
Fundal height: 35 cm (taken 9/1)
What I Miss: Chris
Sleep: 4 hrs at night with one 1 hr nap.
Been researching: how to keep baby in until your husband comes back
What I purchased this week: stuff for freezer meals, dresser
Big news this week: Reds take huge lead in NL Central

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: Chris coming home, fall shows starting
Next on the medical horizon: NSTs, regular (to me) urine/bloodwork
Dates: Dr appt: 9/8 & 9/15, Chris home: ~9/18, Due date: 9/24

It's been an eventful few days. I have been having some cramping and, at night, lower back pain. I went in for my 36ish appt on Weds with a different doctor. I had gained 3 lbs in 3 wks, baby's heart rate was good, and the nurse administered the routine Strep B test. All good news, except my BP was 149/101 and 152/101! (It has been baselining around 135/90). The nurse was kinda freaking and, after a quick vitals check, went to get the dr.

I mentioned my new symptoms to the dr: increased swelling, headache lasting for 29 days, cramping, etc. and he asked "Are you just trying to get yourself induced?" I informed him it was quite the opposite...that I was trying to NOT give birth for two more wks. He was worried about my headaches and hypothesized it could be cranial hypertension. He sent me over to the head of ophthalmology to be checked. Thankfully, I passed all his tests and ruled that out.

I was sent straight to antepartum testing for a non-stress test a day early. After sitting for an hour, my pressures came down to my baseline and Amelia didn't seem to be in any distress. Like Monday, though, she did not want to wake up. (The nurses establish a baseline and the baby's heartrate is to accelerate at least twice and she is to move at least twice within the time frame.) We tried moving me, eating, and drinking, before the nurse buzzed her awake. She wasn't too fond of that. I also had blood/urine labs done - which all came back normal. I'm doing another 24 hr pee test (my fave!) currently.

The doctors are watching very closely. I had to start preparing my brain yesterday for the potential of giving birth without Chris. Even typing those words brings tears to my eyes. Hopefully, my pressures continue to stabilize and Amelia simmers for two more wks.

Today, I had a biophysical profile (aka: big fancy ultrasound) to check her growth. She is head down, with a head circumference of ~32 cm, a femur length of ~7cm, normal amniotic fluid levels, and is still a girl. Her bottom lip was pouting out and she had a full bladder. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her hand was resting on my placenta. Her estimated gestational age was 36w6d, which is a rare perfect "score".

All in all, some good news and some kind of eh news.

being thrifty

2010-08-24T19:15:00.000-06:00

I have always prided myself on being a bit of a tightwad. Having managed my money very well growing up and in my early 20s, I am able to do so much more than many people my age -- without the debt. Thankfully, Chris also bought into my financial philosophies. I have also gone through Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" and listen to his broadcast when tooling around in the mornings. His teachings reinforced my practices.

I hate paying full price for things. My neighbor gets the Sunday paper, but never uses the ads. Each week, I jack her ads for weekly plundering. This week, Walgreens was having coupon days, so I decided to stock up and refurbish our household office supplies. In addition to the ad coupons, they have a 15% military discount on Tuesdays! Score!

Item	Original Price	My Price	Savings
Bubble mailers (3)	1.59 x 3 = 4.77	0.39 x 3 = 1.17	-3.60
Scotch tape	1.29	0.39	-0.90
10 Ballpoint pens	1.99	0.39	-1.60
Wooden ruler	0.99	0.39	-0.60
70 Index cards	1.99	0.39	-1.60
Composition book	2.29	0.17	-2.12
50 sheet protectors	4.99	1.99	-3.00
Scissors	2.99	1.49	-1.50
Posterboard (3)	0.89 x 3 = 2.67	0.39 x 3 = 1.17	-1.50
60 Ziplock bags	1.89	0.99	-0.90
200 Kleenex	1.99	1.29	-0.70
Salt	0.99	0.50	-0.49
Plastic wrap	2.79	1.99	-0.80
Candy corn	1.39	0.99	-0.40
2 Pink erasers	0.99	0.39	-0.60
Bleach	1.99	0.99	-1.00
Rubber gloves	2.29	0.99	-1.30
TOTAL	38.29	15.68	-22.61
In-store savings		-1.34
Tax		+1.02
FINAL TOTAL	38.29	15.36	-22.93

While many people may begrudge the "annoyance" of waiting for deals, using coupons, and delaying gratification, but I find it to be a sign of maturity and discipline. In addition, Chris and I are able to do things like paying cash for our basement finish. Another example: Instead of buying wall art for the nursery, I researched DIY projects. Not only did I save a TON of money, but I satisfied nesting urges.

I have several thrifty blogs on my Google Reader and enjoy finding new ways to repurpose, save, and DIY.

Where do you go for your deals?

35 wk update

2010-08-20T19:15:00.001-06:00

**Got a new camera. Once I figure out how to use it, I will post copious belly and nursery pics!**
How far along: 35w

Best of the week: getting an MLB.tv subscription from Eric (only the best thing ever for a 9 months pregnant baseball fan who normally only gets the Rockies games!)
Worst of the week: continued headache
Symptoms: severe headache, gastro "issues", fatigue, leaking, reflux, swelling

All About Amelia
Movement: has a routine: early morning, after every mealtime, at bedtime; hiccups after every mealtime
Position: head down for 10 days now
Last weight: 4lbs, 6 oz (taken 7/29) - should be over 5 lbs according to growth charts
Growth developments: liver producing waste, all parts developed - now just growing
Last heart rate: ranging from 140s-155 bpm (taken 8/19)

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -4 from pre-pregnancy weight (GAINED 2.5 lbs!) (taken 8/11)
Cravings: water, cinnamon, chocolate
Fundal height: 34 cm (taken 8/11)
What I Miss: Chris
Sleep: 6-7 hrs at night with one 1 hr nap.
Been researching: breastfeeding tips
What I purchased this week: diaper bag, cloth diapers from online swapsBig news this week: egg recall, war "over"*, Brett heading to college

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: watching the Reds in the pennant race, getting my clothesline set up
Next on the medical horizon: NSTs, regular (to me) urine/bloodwork
Dates: Dr appt: 9/2, Thorough ultrasound: 9/2, Chris home: ~9/18, Due date: 9/24

My blood pressure remains high, but routinely high. I get regular urine/bloodwork to make sure I have not developed preeclampsia. I'm finding it's harder to get around these days. Whereas I used to be able to run 5-6 errands in a row, now I am only able to hit 1-2 stores before I come home to nap.

The headache is still there - 17 days now. In the last two weeks, a new dr has put me on a tylenol/caffeine/barbiturate pill and percocet. I only took the percocet for 24 hrs because I did NOT like how I felt on it. So I've been self-medicating with sleep, sweet tea, and 120 oz of water per day.

I recently switched from the North Clinic back down to the main hospital. It was fun getting out of the house at first, but the 40 min drive got to be too much. However, that meant I had to leave my wonderful doctor. The doctor I've been seeing now is the one who has put me on all these different medications and I am not fond of him. He never sits down during appts, makes too many jokes, and isn't very thorough. I was used to my old dr asking about new symptoms, talking about what was coming up, etc. Yesterday, this dr didn't even weigh or measure me. Needless to say, I'm switching doctors. I doubt if he'll notice.

I continue to get non-stress tests (NST) every Mon & Thurs and an ultrasound to look at amniotic fluid levels every Thurs. I am hooked up to a fetal monitor and contraction monitor, as well as blood pressure cuff. I get a Jeopardy button to push whenever she moves. They monitor Amelia's heart rate vs her movement vs my heart rate to see if she's being affected by my blood pressure. So far, so good.

Other than that, I am in a lull phase. I hope to be like that until Chris gets home. Although, the thought of being in this state for another month seems just...*whew*

*Many this week saw the proclamation that the last combat brigade has left Iraq. This caused many to falsely believe this meant the war in Iraq was over. This is not true. The "drawdown" is less than half of the total troops in Iraq and there are still 50,000 there now. Many brigades have been simply relabeled as non-combat, which is misleading. Those left are not paper-pushers, weak, or out of harm's way. This is not a partisan issue, but rather, an Army PR issue. Please do your research before believing the media.

cloth diapering (LONG)

2010-08-10T16:29:00.001-06:00

due to my super thrifty nature, deciding to cloth diaper (CD) was pretty much a no-brainer. not only does it save money, it reduces waste, rashes, and saves energy. we have decided to use disposables until her stump falls off/in case of emergency.

i have done extensive research regarding the various types of cloth diapers, including utilizing the expertise of several other mommy-friends who CD. it is a very confusing world at first, but i feel confident in my choice. thankfully, there is a CD store in C.Springs, so i have also been able to use the knowledge of Dani, the owner. there are tons of types out there to fit every lifestyle.

how many you need (and thusly, how much you spend) depends upon the type of CD you select and how often you plan to launder. newborns typically go through 10-12 changes per day, so if you plan to wash every 3 days, that's 30-36 diapers.

with some diapers, you just buy the diaper and you're done. with other ones, you have to purchase several pieces to complete the set. in addition, there are "one size" ones (which i find to be a crock, but that's me), two size, 4-5 sizes, etc. (that is the most basic explanation...i could talk all day about it)

i plan to keep a running tally of my expenditures to show the difference, as well as check in on our progress. i plan to construct (or have my neighbor's husband construct) a simple clothesline in the backyard to take advantage of colorado's year-round sunshine. that will also save on dryer costs.

we have decided to use thirsties duo wraps (pictured below) aplix with prefolds/snappis. (we will use snaps for sz 2.) i also plan to purchase some thirsties fab fitteds for overnight/to see how i like them. i liked these the best because of their leg gussets, local manufacturer (in CO), velcro guarantee, and price. we will need 4-6 sz 1 covers, 24-36 prefolds, ~3-6 fitteds, and 2 infant snappis. we have a registry on BabyCottonBottoms for our needs, but everything there is full price...but new.

(source)

due to my aforementioned cheap self, i went in search of internet deals. i am pleased to report i have found some great prices out there on barely used fluff!

here are the sites i peruse most often to stalk/purchase:
amazon
BabyCenter's Cloth Diaper Swap (must have an acct to use) LIKE it.
BabyCottonBottoms (C.Springs diaper store)
DiaperSwappers.com's Forums (esp. the cover forum) LOVE it.
eBay
Hyena Cart Spot's Corner (although prices are a bit high)

and my running tally:

Style	Full Price	My Price	Savings	Source
Duo Wrap (Lavender)	$12.75	$6	-$6.75	Babycenter
Duo Wrap (Meadow)	$12.75	$10	-$2.75	Diaperswappers
Duo Wrap (Rose)	$12.75	$9	-$3.75	Diaperswappers
Duo Wrap (Honeydew) x2	$25.50	$16	-$9.50	Diaperswappers
TOTALS	$63.75	$41	-$22.75

thoughts/advice/questions?

ache of the head

2010-08-09T21:35:00.001-06:00

(since i've finished grad school, am not expecting any more visitors, and have nested nearly the entire house, i expect my blogging to pick up a lot.)

the last 6 days, i have had a severe headache on top of my head. sometimes when i move my head to the side, it feels like my brain moves. i haven't really had a headache my entire pregnancy.

at first, i tried to self-medicate with sleep, water, caffeine, rest, etc. on thurs, i went into L&D to get it checked out. they told me to take 9 tylenol per day and up my water intake to 120oz (yes, i am a pee machine, now). i did that all wknd, but the headache persisted.

i went back today and got all hooked up again. still having a few contractions, but everything checked out ok. they put me on a pill called either esgic or fioricet. it's a combo of tylenol, caffeine, and a barbiturate called butalbital. so far, it has not helped at all. the pharmacist said i would either be manic with the caffeine or loopy with the sedative. my body went with loopy, as i zoned out all night and had heavy legs (no using the bailer for me).

one frustrating thing is that one of the nurses said "oh you're probably just dehydrated." dude - fish could swim in my pee, it's so clear. i've been drinking 120oz a day since thurs and wasn't slacking before that. it's frustrating when you know something is wrong and medical professionals just laugh it off as a simple solution. another thing...after lying in the same position for 2 hours, my BP went down. so another nurse said "oh you don't have BP problems. look how low it is." no kidding...

they ordered another 24 hr urine test tomorrow to check for protein and i have my 34 wk appt on weds. dear lordy please let this headache stop. i'm starting to feel like a true pregnant now: slow, achy, and tired.

anyone out there have other suggestions? (team med?)

33 wk update

2010-08-07T18:19:00.000-06:00

How far along: 33w, 1d

Best of the week: mom/brett here, getting to know a new neighbor
Worst of the week: mom/bert leaving
Symptoms: severe headache, abdominal "issues", fatigue, leaking, reflux, no sleep at night

All About Amelia
Movement: active late at night and early in the morning
Position: still able to move, but much less so. mainly head down.
Last weight: 4lbs, 6 oz (taken 7/29)
Growth developments: skeleton hardening
Last heart rate: 140ish bpm (taken 8/5)

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -6.5 from pre-pregnancy weight (STILL no change!) (taken 7/29)
Cravings: water, cinnamon
Fundal height: 32 cm (taken 7/29)
What I Miss: a full night's sleep
Sleep: 4-5 hrs at night with one 1 hr nap.
Been researching: getting into a newborn routine
Big news this week: Kagan sworn in, oil spill stopped

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: naps
Next on the medical horizon: 34 wk appt on Weds
Dates: Dr appt: 8/11, Chris home: ~9/18, Due date: 9/24

My first non-stress test (NST) last Friday resulted in good news. My scores were good enough that I didn't have to go at all this week. I still might have to start them, based upon my next dr report. Amelia got the hiccups during it, but looked very good. During the ultrasound, she was holding her feet.

After mom and Brett left on Thurs afternoon, I was headed to breastfeeding class at the hospital, but decided to stop into Labor & Delivery to get my headache and abdominal issues checked out. I haven't had a headache the entire time and had had this one for 48 hrs (Tylenol was no help).

They hooked me up to a monitor, did a pee test, etc. and I laid there forever. During the nurses' shift change, the new nurse asked me how long I had been having contractions. I said "I'm not having contractions." She informed me that I was and to look at this line on the monitor. They were averaging 3 mins. After promptly freaking out, she sent the doctor in. (I simply cannot have this baby yet!) He explained that they didn't think they were contractions leading to labor and a baby, but they were going to monitor for awhile to make sure.

I told him that if I told Chris the "C" word, he would jump in the ocean and swim here from Iraq. He assured me I would not have the baby that night. After 3.5 total hours of monitoring, they decided to send me home because the contractions were irregular enough that they weren't worried about them (10 mins apart, then 1 min apart, then 7 mins apart). They could continue for the next 6 wks (and I hope they do!).

As for my headaches, he told me to take 3 Tylenol 3x per day and up fluids. So far, in 2 days, this has not helped anything. I can't wait to go to the dr on Weds. I had been feeling period-like cramping for awhile, but always thought it was gas or the baby moving around in an annoying way. So now, I am staying put at home as much as possible and drinking water til my bladder falls out.

Sigh. I just want my husband here!

32 wk update

2010-07-30T07:44:00.000-06:00

How far along: 32w

Best of the week: my mom is here, done with grad school
Worst of the week: missing chris
Symptoms: fatigue, leaking, reflux, no sleep at night

All About Amelia
Movement: super duper active, especially when i'm lying down
Position: still moving around, but less room to do so, mostly head down and/or in my ribs
Last weight: 4lbs, 6 oz (taken 7/29)
Growth developments: fine-tuning central nervous system, genitals, teeth, and eyes
Last heart rate: 136 bpm (taken 7/29)

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -6.5 from pre-pregnancy weight (STILL no change!)
Cravings: chocolate, water
Fundal height: 32 cm (taken 7/29)
What I Miss: a full night's sleep
Sleep: 4-5 hrs at night with one 1 hr nap.
Been researching: cloth diapering, non-stress tests
Big news this week: Pitino on the stand, Wikileaks

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: Brett arriving Saturday, continued nesting
Next on the medical horizon: non-stress tests 2x/wk
Dates: Dr appt: 8/11, Chris home: ~9/20, Due date: 9/24

Amelia got a wonderful report at the 32wk appt. She is 68%ile for weight, which greatly pleased the doctor. All of her measurements are on track and even a bit ahead. I am now going to be seeing the doctor every two weeks.

At the ultrasound, she had much less room to move around, but was still a little squirrelly. There was no evidence of fluids near the cervix, which is very good. We saw all her major parts, including her femur, heart, brain, and profile. She was playing with her feet and also had her arms above her head.

My report was not as good, but still okay. I have still not gained any weight, but as long as she is growing, they are not super worried about it. My BP was the highest it's ever been (140/96 and 133/96), so they are displeased with that. I am currently doing another 24hr urinalysis to check for protein spillage. The doctor ordered non-stress tests done every Tues & Fri, so I will start with those today.

I have finished grad school, so all I have left to do now is get ready for baby. What a relief!

(pictures forthcoming)

other blog

2010-07-09T22:18:00.002-06:00

For my last Master's class, I had to create a reading journal blog. Thus, my "about me" changed (gosh it sounds so stuffy!)

For those of you in that mindset, here is the link to my reading journal blog.
(This is also so I don't lose it if I'm away from my computer.)

We have to read and critique 18 books over the next few weeks.
If you have any suggestions of non-mainstream titles published within the last 10 years, I'd love to hear them.

(Our major topics are: Caldecott winners, Newbery winners, diversity, international titles, & books to films. Harry Potter is on-limits, since I've never read/seen them, but I cannot bring myself to give it another chance. No Hungry Caterpillar, etc.)

(link)

29 wk update

2010-07-09T14:52:00.001-06:00

How far along: 29w

Best of the week: cool weather, passing all my labs
Worst of the week: missing my parents
Symptoms: fatigue, leaking, reflux, charley horses

All About Amelia
New developments: None to report
Movement: super duper active
Position: easily moving between side-to-side and up-and-down
Last weight: 1 lb, 10 oz (taken 6/7) - according to growth charts, she should be over 2.5 lbs now
Growth developments: brain, lungs, and muscles developing
Last heart rate: 143 bpm (taken 7/8)

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -6 from pre-pregnancy weight (STILL no change!)
Cravings: chocolate, water
Fundal height: 29 cm (taken 7/8)
What I Miss: having plans with people
Sleep: 6-7 hrs at night with one 1-1.5 hr nap.
Been researching: cloth diapering, induction rates with high blood pressure
Big news this week: Lebron as egomaniac, Russian spies caught

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: nesting
Next on the medical horizon: monitoring
Dates: Dr appt: 7/28, Ultrasound: 7/28, Chris home: ~9/20, Due date: 9/24

My 28 wk appt went pretty well. Doctor was pleased to see I passed my glucose tolerance test, CBC, and urinalysis. My proteins were higher, as was my blood pressure, so he's carefully monitoring both. I have still not gained any weight, which he was displeased about. All of baby's growth is on track, though. I will now be seeing him every 3 weeks.

28 week update

2010-07-03T17:46:00.000-06:00

How far along: 28w, 1d

Best of the week: Mom & Dad visiting
Worst of the week: the heat in the house
Symptoms: swollen feet, fatigue, leaking, reflux, crankiness

All About Amelia
New developments: None to report
Movement: much less active (probable growth spurt)
Position: easily moving between side-to-side and up-and-down
Last weight: 1 lb, 10 oz (taken 6/7) - according to growth charts, she should be over 2 lbs now
Growth developments: brain developing, eyes opening and shutting as a reflex
Last heart rate: 157 bpm (taken 6/9)

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -6 from pre-pregnancy weight (no change)
Cravings: root beer
Fundal height: 22.5 cm (taken 6/9)
What I Miss: Chris
Sleep: 5-6 hrs at night with 1 nap. MUCH better with my new body pillow chris got!
Clothes of the week: Tank top + skirt
Music of the week: None
Big news this week: USA out of World Cup, bear attack @ the Gorge

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: dr's appt on 7/8, cooler weather
Next on the medical horizon: lab results
Dates: Dr appt: 7/8, Ultrasound: 7/28, Chris home: ~9/20, Due date: 9/24

26 week update!

2010-06-21T20:31:00.001-06:00

How far along: 26w, 3d

Best of the week: going to the post pool, Skyping with the fam on Fajah's Day
Worst of the week: being overwhelmed + cranky, Chris working a lot
Symptoms: nesting, fatigue, leaking, lower back pain, crankiness, possible Braxton Hicks?

All About Amelia
New developments: baby hiccups!, playing at night when she's really active.
Movement: sharp, quick jabs. normal kicks.
Position: she's mostly on my right side or up and down (head down)
Last weight: 1 lb, 10 oz (taken 6/7) - according to growth charts, she should be around 2 lbs now
Growth developments: hearing developed, hair has color/texture (red?!!)
Last heart rate: 157 bpm (taken 6/9)

Mamacita's Details
Weight: -6 from pre-pregnancy weight
Cravings: fruit, cinnamon
Fundal height: 22.5 cm (taken 6/9)
What I Miss: wearing t-shirts with nothing underneath ;)
Sleep: eh. seems to be the return of fatigue. sleeping about 5-6 hrs at night + 2 naps in the day
Clothes of the week: Sports bra and underwear - it's been HOT!
Music of the week: Elton John, vuvuzelas on TV

Coming Soon...
What I'm looking forward to: Mom & Dad visiting next week, dr's appt on 7/8
Next on the medical horizon: getting labs done (Glucose Tolerance Test, blood work, urine protein check for BP)
Dates: Dr appt: 7/8, Ultrasound: 7/30, Chris home: ~9/20, Due date: 9/24

Taken June 7 at 24 wks (new one coming soon!)

26.5 weeks (taken 6/22)

A Game for All America

2010-05-05T09:26:00.001-06:00

A Game For All America

By Ernie Harwell

Baseball is President Eisenhower tossing out the first ball of the season; and a pudgy schoolboy playing catch with his dad on a Mississippi farm. Its the big league pitchers who sin in night clubs. And the Hollywood singer who pitches to the Giants in spring training.

A tall, thin old man waving a scorecard from his dugout -- that's baseball. So is the big, fat guy with a bulbous nose running out one of his 714 home runs with mincing steps.

It's America, this baseball. A re-issued newsreel of boyhood dreams. Dreams lost somewhere between boy and man.

It's the Bronx cheer and the Baltimore farewell. The left-field screen in Boston, the right-field dump at Nashville's Sulphur Dell, the open stands in San Francisco, the dusty, wind-swept diamond at Albuquerque. And a rock home plate and a chicken wire backstop -- anywhere.

There's a man in Mobile who remembers a triple he saw Honus Wagner hit in Pittsburgh 46 years ago. That's baseball. So is the scout reporting that a 16-year-old sandlot pitcher in Cheyenne is the new "Walter Johnson."

It's a wizened little man shouting insults from the safety of his bleacher seat. And a big, smiling first baseman playfully tousling the hair of a youngster outside the players' gate.

Baseball is a spirited race of man against man, reflex against reflex. A game of inches. Every skill is measured. Every heroic, every failing is seen and cheered -- or booed. And then becomes a statistic.

In baseball, democracy shines its clearest. Here the only race that matters is the race to the bag. The creed is the rule book. Color is something to distinguish one team's uniform from another.

Baseball is Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin, asking his Brooklyn hosts to explain Dodger signals. It's player Moe Berg speaking seven languages and working crossword puzzles in Sanskrit. It's a scramble in the box seats for a foul -- and a $125 suit ruined. A man barking into a hot microphone about a cool beer, that's baseball. So is the sportswriter telling a .383 hitter how to stride, and a 20-victory pitcher trying to write his impressions of the World Series.

Baseball is a ballet without music. Drama without words. A carnival without kewpie dolls.

A housewife in California couldn't tell you the color of her husband's eyes, but she knows that Yogi Berra is hitting .337, has brown eyes and used to love to eat bananas with mustard. That's baseball. So is the bright sanctity of Cooperstown's Hall of Fame. And the former big leaguer, who is playing out the string in a Class B loop.

Baseball is continuity. Pitch to pitch. Inning to inning. Game to game. Series to series. Season to season.

It's rain, rain, rain splattering on a puddled tarpaulin as thousands sit in damp disappointment. And the click of typewriters and telegraph keys in the press box -- like so many awakened crickets. Baseball is a cocky batboy. The old-timer whose batting average increases every time he tells it. A lady celebrating a home team rally by mauling her husband with a rolled-up scorecard.

Baseball is the cool, clear eyes of Rogers Hornsby, the flashing spikes of Ty Cobb, an overaged pixie named Rabbit Maranville, and Jackie Robinson testifying before a Congressional hearing.

Baseball? It's just a game -- as simple as a ball and a bat. Yet, as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, business -- and sometimes even religion.

Baseball is Tradition in flannel knickerbockers. And Chagrin in being picked off base. It is Dignity in the blue serge of an umpire running the game by rule of thumb. It is Humor, holding its sides when an errant puppy eludes two groundskeepers and the fastest outfielder. And Pathos, dragging itself off the field after being knocked from the box.

Nicknames are baseball. Names like Zeke and Pie and Kiki and Home Run and Cracker and Dizzy and Dazzy.

Baseball is a sweaty, steaming dressing room where hopes and feelings are as naked as the men themselves. It's a dugout with spike-scarred flooring. And shadows across an empty ballpark. It's the endless list of names in box scores, abbreviated almost beyond recognition.

The holdout is baseball, too. He wants 55 grand or he won't turn a muscle. But, it's also the youngster who hitch-hikes from South Dakota to Florida just for a tryout.

Arguments, Casey at the Bat, old cigarette cards, photographs, Take Me Out to the Ball Game -- all of them are baseball.

Baseball is a rookie -- his experience no bigger than the lump in his throat -- trying to begin fulfillment of a dream. It's a veteran, too -- a tired old man of 35, hoping his aching muscles can drag him through another sweltering August and September.

For nine innings, baseball is the story of David and Goliath, of Samson, Cinderella, Paul Bunyan, Homer's Iliad and the Count of Monte Cristo.

Willie Mays making a brilliant World Series catch. And then going home to Harlem to play stick-ball in the street with his teen-age pals -- that's baseball.

And so is the husky voice of a doomed Lou Gehrig saying, "I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."

Baseball is cigar smoke, hot-roasted peanuts, The Sporting News, winter trades, "Down in Front," and the "Seventh-Inning Stretch." Sore arms, broken bats, a no-hitter, and the strains of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Baseball is a highly paid Brooklyn catcher telling the nation's business leaders: "You have to be a man to be a big leaguer, but you have to have a lot of little boy in you, too."

This is a game for America, this baseball!

Gleeking Out

2010-04-30T22:19:00.000-06:00

to calm down from (yet another) bad experience with my current professor, i went on a youtube glee spree. some people dismiss this show as cotton candy fodder, with no real point. i may be in the minority, but i don't like gore, horror, suspense, or bad things when i watch tv (it's why i ban the news). i want to be able to feel good about myself and the world when the show is over.

i don't watch it for the intricate storylines or to be on the bandwagon, but for the feeling i get when it's over. sure, you have to suspend reality a little when you watch it, but the music has a power to uplift and change unlike anything i've experienced.

and if you don't like musicals, you need to LIGHTEN UP!

being a fan from day one, there are a few songs i will always return to when i am feeling sad. these are my favorite songs from glee thusfar:

It's My Life/Confessions (Pt II) - New Directions boys

Best song ever to be on glee. I can listen to this mashup every day.

Defying Gravity - Rachel/Kurt

The blending of their voices is amazing. Rachel's note at 1:56 always gives me chills.

And I'm Telling You - Mercedes

Gives Jennifer Hudson a run for her money. (Also a nod to my favorite Idol contestant ever - Norman Gentle).

Don't Rain on my Parade - Rachel

This song was so important in context of the show's plot. Such an unexpected song for that time and she just nailed it. Also, this song is TOTALLY directed at my horrible professor.

whew. that's better.

'round here

2010-04-25T14:38:00.000-06:00

Well I suppose it's about time to fire up the blogging jets again. With my pregnant brain, I tend to forget things that happen to me, so I figure now is as good of time as any to get thoughts down. Most of my blog readers already get our bimonthly updates, but this will serve as more of a personal look into my life these days.

Once my life settled from my traveling and travelers, I quickly realized the need to fill my schedule.

In the past two weeks, I have:

Subbed two days for a horrible class
Visited Castle Rock Outlets with Alison
Attended two 1-68 spousal functions
Wrote a research paper for class
Saw Matt off to Kuwait/Iraq
Experienced my first CO thunderstorm, replete with hail, thunder, & a dusting of snow
Had 3 mtgs with contractors
Saw the regular doctor, triage nurse, dentist, optometrist, & masseuse
Found out I have a bladder infection and upper respiratory virus (and thus, spent the wknd on the couch)
Saw Valentine's Day with Nikki (dumb)
Felt Squirt's first movements

So ready for the basement to be started and finished. We are just doing a basic finish, but the 30 days of noise and dust will be annoying, I'm sure.

So glad to figure out I had a bladder infection, which was causing a lot of my back pain. I'm not one of those pregnants who second-guesses their doctor all the time, so I welcomed the antibiotics (Macrobid). Only complaint now is my lack of appetite. I visited the OB clinic the other day because I was only eating about 1000 calories a day. They informed me that I needed 2400, which was a shock. I'm trying to eat as much as possible, but I can only do what I can do...

So thankful I get to talk to Chris twice daily now. Many wives complain that they don't talk to their husbands but once or twice a week. This is actually the husband's choice, which makes me sad for their relationships. I am lucky to have a husband like Chris who is interested in the home fires and makes the effort.

That is all for now. My camera is dead and the other one is in Iraq, so I am in the market. No pictures for now, but hope to get belly pics up soon.

Fall Day Menu

2009-09-27T13:43:00.004-06:00

Chris & I had our "1st Hurst Fall Day" this weekend, capped on Sat night with the most delish dinner ever. We had punkin soup, feta-stuffed chicken breasts, and streusel apple pie (plus a Hurst Hot Toddy).

Click here for Chris' blog with pictures. Following are the recipes I used:

Punkin Soup:
1/3 c brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp butter

1-1.5 cans low-sodium chicken broth (depending upon how creamy you want it)

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp salt

pinch nutmeg

pinch black pepper

1 c heavy whipping cream

1 c sauted chopped onion (optional)

pinch pumpkin pie spices (optional)

Combine broth, pumpkin, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, butter; stir well. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Stir in whipping cream and heat throughout, but DO NOT BOIL. Serve immediately.

*We don't like onions, so I didn't use that. Not sure how it would change the taste. If you use onions, you would first combine 1/2 the broth, butter, and onion. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 mins. Then, use mixer to mix it until smooth. Follow rest of recipe.

Feta-stuffed Chicken Breasts:

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1/4 c crumbled feta cheese

2 tbsp cream cheese

some shakes of parsley

some shakes of black pepper

olive oil to cook in

Using a sharp knife, butterfly (or cut a pocket horizontally from one side of the chicken to another without coming through on the other side) chicken. In separate bowl, mix feta cheese, cream cheese, parsley, pepper; mix well with a spoon. Spoon mixture into each breast. Secure openings with 2-3 wooden toothpicks (optional). Cook in non-stick skillet with hot olive oil over low-medium heat for 12-14 mins. Flip halfway through. If browning too quickly, reduce heat. Chicken should be tender and not pink.

Streusel Apple Pie:
1 nine-inch pie shell

1 egg white, beaten

5 c apples (~3 lbs), cored, peeled, sliced; Golden Delicious or preference

2/3 c white sugar

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

2 tbsp butter

3/4 c flour

1/2 c packed brown sugar

3/4 c oats

1/2 c butter

Brush beaten egg over unbaked pie crust. Bake @ 425 for 5 minutes. Place apples in large bowl. In separate bowl, mix 2 tbsp flour, white sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg. Mix well then toss until apples are evenly coated. Place apple mixture into pie shell and dot with 2 tbsp chopped butter. Lightly cover with sheet of aluminum foil but do not enclose. Bake @ 425 for 10 minutes. While baking, in separate bowl, mix 3/4 c flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, brown sugar, and oats. Mix thoroughly then cut in 1/2 c butter until mixture is crumbly. Remove filling from oven and cover with topping. Return to oven, reduce heat to 375 and bake 30-35 mins (or until browned), loosely covered with aluminum foil.

Hurst Hot Toddy:

1 oz spiced rum

5 oz apple cider

pinch cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

warm all ingredients over stove.

9 19 23 39 41

2009-09-22T20:51:00.002-06:00

Found this list of observations via facebook. Interesting...what are your top 5?

1-I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

2-Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3-Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

4-I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

5-Is it just me, or are 80% of the people in the "people you may know" feature on Facebook people that I do know, but I deliberately choose not to be friends with?

6-Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

7-There is a great need for a sarcasm font.

8-Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what was going on when I first saw it.

9-I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

10-How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

11- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

12- A recent study has shown that playing drinking games contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

13- Was learning cursive really necessary?

14- Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

15- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

16- My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads. Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us." Classy, bro.

17- Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

18- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

19- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a idiot from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

20-What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

21- While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

22- MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

23- Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

24- I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

25-Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

26- I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an ugly woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."

27-I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

28- Bad decisions make good stories

29-Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

30-You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

31-There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

32- "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.

33-I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dammit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

34-Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles.. .

35- As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

36-Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

37-It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

38-I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

39-Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

40-Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

41-I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

42-I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

43-I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

44-The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself.

my Word

2009-09-21T15:33:00.001-06:00

Instead of the usual pleasantries of "I was busy" and "wow it's been forever," I am going to jump into what has been rolling around in my noggin as of late. Thinking about it too much might make the urge to blog go away...

As I lay reading "Eat, Pray, Love" this afternoon, I came across a notion explained ingeniously by Elizabeth Gilbert (the author). She explains that every city has its own word, a word that if you were to peek into the minds of its citizens, would be on the minds of most. She lists SEX as Rome's word, POWER as the Vatican's, and SUCCEED as LA's.

Invariably, the conversation shifts from the words of cities to the words of people. She wonders aloud about her journey and restlessly decides upon SEEK as her word.

Of course, this got me to thinking about my own word. It couldn't be TEACH anymore, it couldn't be CHILDREN (lordy be, not yet), it couldn't even be SPORT. My word is:

LEARN.

So much of my life is consumed by a thirst for knowledge.

I want to LEARN how to be a wife.

I want to LEARN how to live out-of-state for the first time.

I want to LEARN how to cook for two.

I want to LEARN what the Holocaust was about, what denotes a republic, and about the background of Jerry Jones (all of my Wikipedia searches from today).

I want to LEARN about my surroundings.

I want to LEARN why soldiers always nod at civilians.

I want to LEARN about educational philosophy and technology.

I want to LEARN about myself as a communicator.

I want to LEARN.

I must LEARN to go forward.

What is your word?

zzz.

2009-04-03T14:41:00.004-06:00

i have mono. zzzzz.

(photo source)

at least it wasn't for patterson.

2009-03-31T15:36:00.003-06:00

another one bites the dust.

keppy...we loved thee.

para mi amor

2009-03-29T21:45:00.005-06:00

if i was a poet, this would be my sonnet.

i am thinking it's a sign

that the freckles in our eyes

are mirror images

and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned

and i have to speculate

that God himself did make

us into corresponding shapes

like puzzle pieces from the clay

and, true, it may seem like a stretch

but it's thoughts like this that catch

my troubled head when you're away

and i am missing you

when you're out there on the road

for several wks of shows

and when you scan the radio

i hope this song will guide you home

they will see us waving

from such great heights

come down now

they'll say

everything looks perfect

from far away

come down now

but we'll stay

love.

Big Bird Says brings me back

2009-03-29T18:16:00.002-06:00

it reminds me of: my mom's voice. reading it before bed. the end "now YOU tell ME what to do".

j&k+8

2009-03-04T18:58:00.001-07:00

so i was catching up on some things on my DVR tonight and i watched two episodes of jon&kate+8 back to back. i found this show way back in the early days b/c i am one of those suckers that LOVES(D) to watch the stories of multiple birth families.

in the early days, i enjoyed watching the tribulations of caring for 6 infants day in and day out. seeing all of the little things it took and how freaking adorable the kids were. i loved figuring out their personalities from a wee age.

i am sad to say that this show has jumped the shark. after watching the two episodes (one old and one new), i finally figured out what had been bothering me about this show of late. it's the lack of interaction. in the old episodes, the family would do things together, interact with people outside the immediate family, play. jon and kate would giggle together about things the kids had done. if you look at the most recent episodes, there is none of that. no real interactions, no giggles. just lots of eyerolling, screaming, and passive/aggressiveness.

i will NOT get up on a high-horse about the ethics of this family. it's really none of my business. but it is sad to see such a loving family become one that spends most days independent of each other.

could it be editing? sure.

but i, for one, will only stick to old episodes.

take me out w/ the crowd

2009-02-24T14:55:00.004-07:00

best quote ever

(via Cardinals Diaspora: via Big League Stew: via Google Reader: via them internets)

what do gay bears and the world series have in common?

no cubs.

41 days til opening day.

takin' care of bizzzness

2009-02-20T14:19:00.004-07:00

this article details what the arizona diamondbacks (baseball organization, ami) are doing to cope with the recession. basically, they are going back to basics with increased customer service. while this seems refreshing in today's times, i think customer service is the hallmark of any business.

some of the establishments which i love are the ones that make me feel important for spending the benjamins there. it seems so novel that a business would actually go out of its way to figure out what its customers want.

here are my top 4 things to keep my business:

don't charge too much for drinks -- alch or otherwise
have staff on tap just to answer questions on the floor
LIGHTING
access ease (if i have to go to hamburg, i will probably be in a bad mood when i get there)

what are your rules to keep your business?

as seen on tv

2009-02-11T19:28:00.003-07:00

O.M.G.

this is the funniest thing i have ever seen.

seriously.

it looks like gumby.

how have i never heard of this before?

this is your [electorate]...

2009-02-11T14:33:00.003-07:00

can you name this affable politician from his yearbook photo?

visit this site for more youngish pics of those in charge of the nation.

some of these people are unrecognizable!

ps-it's the current veep.

the era*

2009-02-10T19:54:00.004-07:00

as many sports nuts and non-fans alike know, this weekend brought about one of the most surprising disclosures of the era*. a. rodriguez, formerly of t-ball players' dreams, of latino players' fandom, and of the general savior label, admitted to steroid usage. for at least three years.

now, i am a baseball nut. i watched the congres

sional hearings 4 years ago. i read buster olney, peter gammons, and howard bryant on a regular basis. (anyone else? no? just me...)

but this one caught me by surprise. this one was a doozy.

here is my PED (performance-enhancing drug) manifesto:

you are a cheater
you are a liar
ALL of your records deserve to be wiped out
hank aaron should chew you out
you should be embarrassed of yourself because you hurt your family and you make every one else** look bad
you should NEVER ever get into the hall of fame
you are worse than corey patterson (yes, yes, i said it)
ALL names of positive tests should be released. if not, it would be like the police searching random homes, having a list of drug dens, saying to the public "hey, we have this list of really crappy people", and then not releasing it. as dave ramsey says, if you have a wound, don't let it fester. don't do things to make it bigger. take off the bandage, look at it, and start helping yourself feel better.

the worst part about a. rodriguez is that he stood idly by while people labeled him baseball's "savior" and was OKAY with deceiving everyone. get a life, seriously. what would your kindergarten teacher think?!

i will NOT call you a-fraud, a-roid, or a-rod. as i tell my students at school, it's not cute OR funny. so stop it.

you deserve small balls, a high voice, and a completely tarnished name forever. cheat.

*you do not even deserve an asterisk

**i love you sean casey and all other clean people***

***please let griffey be clean. i don't know it i could take it.

wordie

2009-02-04T10:26:00.003-07:00

i am a grammar, spelling, and punctuation stickler. i cannot stand it when people use your & you're wrong...or its & it's.

one of my favorite blogs is the "The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks" because the blogger highlights how important proper procedure is. if you are a stickler, another great (grate?) find is the book Eats, Shoots, and Leaves.

I stumbled upon the online test linked below. Suffice it to say, I was branded an "English Genius."

How about you?

How important are spelling, grammar, and punctuation to you?

Take The Commonly Confused Words Test at HelloQuizzy

finish this sentence...

2009-01-21T20:43:00.003-07:00

there is nothing better than....

*listening to UK basketball & reds baseball on the radio

*looking down at my finger and realizing i'm getting married (it hits me really hard sometimes)

*tomato soup with milk

*sitting in a warm house with your family

*the "light bulb" moment from kids while i am teaching

*electric blankets

*being in a long-distance w/ all this technology

complete this sentence

2009-01-05T22:06:00.002-07:00

in 2009, i want to...

(thanks to nicoleantoinette for the blog topic)

sunny days, keeping the clouds away.

2009-01-04T09:03:00.005-07:00

when i was little, the people on sesame street were my friends. i seriously loved mr. hooper, herry monster, guy smiley, and ernie. my favorite, though, was big bird. he just seemed like such a nice friend to have. plus, i knew he could put the (scary huge) snuffy in his place.

eric and i used to play the sesame street game for the original nintendo ALL THE TIME.

i found this video while trolling them internets. it is called "ernie gets crunk." lol.

ok, ok. here is a real clip from the show. i LOVED watching these two. i remember thinking linoleum was the coolest word ever. how do i still remember the words to this song after 20 years?!

as an educator, this is one of the few shows that i would allow my students to watch. it actually uses proven methods for literacy aquisition. how else would you ever get a kid interested in the word linoleum. long live sesame street (minus elmo).

the year

2009-01-01T13:30:00.004-07:00

best things about 08:

early jan: adopting lilah the cat
feb 16: getting engaged to my best friend
august: the olympics
late august: moving downtown
dec 24: new computer
may: not getting pink-slipped (even though i was low man on the totem pole)
fall: BLC started
november: campaign season finally over
july: seeing jack johnson in concert (one of the things on my life's to-do list)
june: riding the updated "it's a small world" @ disney world

i'm sure i will think of more things. and yes, i realize this list isn't in chronological order and it's driving me crazy. but i'm trying to not let it bother me....much.

7 things

2009-01-01T13:15:00.003-07:00

i was tagged by my pal, jen, to do a "7 things" blog that tells 7 things people might not know about me.

i love making lists. of everything. seriously, look back through my blog and see how many bulleted lists i made. i also really need to have the items in a list in ABC order.
i have an order for grocery shopping, which includes an order for how things go up on the conveyor belt. it actually makes my life easier. (eg: all cold things go first, so they will have more time in the bag so they won't spoil)
i have gone to my church for its entire life. i know many people who have gone to the same church for their whole life, but not many who have gone to a church for the church's whole life.
i think the world's greatest invention is the internet.
i actually like ryan seacrest (not romantically, but the work that he does).
i own no orange clothes.
97% of the music i listen to is from male artists.

i tag the following people:

chris

dad

eric

"08" (2008 in quotes)

2009-01-01T12:43:00.006-07:00

here is espn's absurd sports quotes from 08. a few of my favorites:

25. "Then why are you covering the [Washington] Nationals?"

Speaker: Presidential candidate Ralph Nader
Context: Nader to The Washington Post, after the paper decided not to cover his presidential bid because he had no chance of winning.
Absurd because: Come to think of it, this quote makes perfect sense.
Numerical score: 0

(blogger's note: agreed. and the nationals are actually just made up of the reds' sloppy 2nds)

6. "I think they do it to look good in the lobby in their three-piece suit."

Speaker: Roger Clemens
Context: The Rocket explaining why athletes use performance-enhancing drugs in the first place.
Absurd because: Clemens wore a two-piece suit to subsequent Capitol Hill steroids hearings ... thereby proving his innocence!
Numerical score: 90

(blogger's note: you are a ridiculous person. my kindergarteners have more common sense than you do. you are a disgrace to baseball...not only b/c you broke the rules, but b/c you thought you were ABOVE the rules. i wish you would get pulled over for speeding and land in jail. plus, you are greasy. that is all.)

baseball 08--strange but true

2009-01-01T12:32:00.004-07:00

here is a column from one of my favorite baseball writers (jayson stark). he writes about all of the strange things that happened during the 08 baseball season. this includes a game that took 4 months to play.

the most interesting detail involves ken griffey jr. on april 28th, he was still with the reds. also on that day, the white sox (his future and current team) started a game that wasn't finished for several months (due to weather and scheduling). griffey was traded during the 4 month lull. he ended up playing for the white sox to finish out the game, but since the game had started on april 28th, it went in the books as an april 28th game. therefore, according to the stats, he played games for two different teams on the same day.

check out what espn had to do to make the computer accept this.

95 days til opening day :)

bonne année (2009)

2008-12-31T17:12:00.002-07:00

the year of the wedding. the year of the move. the year of the reds winning. the year of the ox. the year of incandescent lightbulbs being banned in ireland & new zealand. the year of barack. the year of a total solar eclipse.

the year of change. enjoy it.

the hills were alive...

2008-12-31T16:56:00.003-07:00

i ADORE the movie "the sound of music". i could watch julie andrews cavort about in any movie, but this one is one of the best.

i found this interesting article about the true von trapp family, and as is the case for most movie adaptations, true life was quite different than what was portrayed @ the multiplex.

the real von trapp family

do yourself a favor and sing along. the perfect way to start a new year.

le sigh.

ode

2008-12-30T09:10:00.002-07:00

this is an ode to my favorite kitchen thing, the (silicone) spatula:

oh spatula, you are so helpful.

you get every last bit of food out of the bowl.

oh spatula, you are so strong.

you can even help mix tacos.

oh spatula, you are so noble.

you help with my need for a clean sink.

oh spatula, you are so loyal.

you are my best kitchen friend.

hi, i'm a mac (user)

2008-12-30T09:01:00.003-07:00

so i broke down last week and bought a new computer. not just any computer, though, i got the new macbook. i am not one who spends money easily (or much at ALL), but my old desktop was going on 6 years old and was laboring.

after about 6 months of consideration, i decided to make the switch to mac. while i am still trying to figure everything out, here are a few details i have grown to love:

backlit keyboard
streamlined, easy to understand tabs
voice commands
dashboard
the ease of iChatting
iCal colors

there are still lots of places i haven't ventured into. i really want to get the true experience of my new buddy.

any tips for a new mac user??

hot stove game

2008-12-27T08:02:00.004-07:00

check out this site to see how good you are at naming all 30 MLB teams in 3 minutes.

NO PEEKING!!!!!

http://www.jetpunk.com/quizzes/name-major-league-teams.php

i got 29/30.

and yes, this is what baseball fans do for fun in the offseason.

in other news...

2008-12-27T07:53:00.002-07:00

to update my medical condition:

my last period was just horrific. i was not allowed to start the pill until after the period, so i had to live with unbelievable pain in my side. thankfully, it ended, so i have begun the hormones/pill. i can't really tell if it's working yet until a few months in. but so far, so good.

it's tricky getting used to taking something at the same time...everyday. does anyone have any good tips/tricks they use to make sure they keep on schedule?

here i am

2008-12-27T07:50:00.002-07:00

do not abandon hope....all ye who click to here.

i have not died.

i have neglected my blog.

but fear not, i have the solution.

i am currently blogging from the comfort of my couch, although i could choose to blog from the kitchen, bed, or nearby starbucks.

why, say you?

because i am blogging from my very new, very first MACBOOK! yes. i actually went out and spent some money on something and i LOVE it.

i got the newest macbook (with the backlit keyboard). i am still learning how to make the switch from PC to mac, but so far, so good. my good pal erica recently got one too, so i'm hoping to learn a bit from her.

until then, cheers from the couch!

males beware

2008-11-20T15:42:00.008-07:00

this week, i have had a few medical problems.

i will explain in detail below...with important points underlined. feel free to scan the underlined font, as there is a lot of information. also, i will NOT censor my explanation, so if the words period, ovary, uterus, or blood get your panties in a twist, do not read on :)

i presented on sunday with severe cramp-like pain on the right side of my abdomen. i thought it was just cramps, so i took some ibuprofen and went to bed. monday, it was worse. i went to school all day and went to UTC that afternoon.

they suspected a pulled muscle or appendicitis, so they ordered a CT. good sam hospital's radiology dept was closed, so they told me to go to the ER. being stubborn, i went to my parents' instead. (in case i birthed alien babies or something in the middle of the night).

tuesday morning, it was a little worse, so i decided to go down to good sam. (little did i know i could've just gone to st joe east...but that is beside the point). after waiting forever, they took a ton of blood and did a CT scan. blood was normal, it was not my appendix, but they found a 2.2 cm adnexal mass on my ovary.

i was ordered to my ob/gyn the following day for an immediate ultrasound. i went to dr. jean's office on wednesday where she attempted a pelvic exam. it was too painful, so she ordered the ultrasound for thursday.

thursday, i went to st joe for my ultrasound. it hurt quite a bit. i took the results back to dr. jean where she informed me:

i have a ruptured ovarian cyst with fluid in the cul-de-sac (ovarian area)
probable endometriosis (reason for the mass)
my ovaries and uterus are normal size. i have a slightly tilted uterus, but that will not affect future child-bearing.

(read more about these things here and here)

every woman has (functional) ovarian cysts at all times, but they are normally dispelled during ovulation. cysts can grow if there is a problem with the release of the egg or other things spelled out in the website above.

the tissue mass is never anything that would be benign OR cancerous...it's just tissue (it is what it is). the fact that my pain has gotten worse over my last few periods leads her to believe it is more than just a ruptured cyst. also, my bowels are VERY jacked up during my periods.

the course of action is being put on hormones for the next 3 months.

if the pain gets better, then i will remain on hormones until menopause. if the pain stays the same, i will switch to a stronger hormone. if the pain gets worse, she will have to go in laproscopically to remove said tissue.

so, there you have it. it was a stressful week and i'm still in quite a lot of pain. i hope this course of action works out. i'm greatful for everyone's thoughts. now, on to the holidays....

my wordle

2008-11-15T11:03:00.002-07:00

this is the wordle maria made of my blog. my archaic* computer is unable to view this in a bigger size, but i just LOVE that the biggest word is ONE.

*in the market to buy a new, snazzy computer this weekend!!!

in search of...

2008-11-09T12:40:00.005-07:00

i am in search of the following things:

new laptop
*this computer is from early 2003 and is SOOOOO slow
*any suggestions?
female orange kitten
*lilah needs a friend
30+ mason jars
*centerpieces
someone to ice 400 funfetti cupcakes the week of the wedding
*i can make & freeze them ahead of time, but i am NOT going to want to ice them.
*or even, someone to make them for me...that won't charge upwards of $1.50-$2 for ONE CUPCAKE (which is what one baker told us). the entire box of funfetti doesn't cost that!
new camera
*mine is from high school and takes FOUR batteries (= cumbersome)
*i spilled applesauce on it one time at the lake and the zoom hasn't been the same since
*any suggestions?

j'adore reader

2008-11-09T12:18:00.002-07:00

i am obsessed with all things google reader.

i love the simplicity and the fact that i can create wedding categories to file away for the exact moment i need to look at pics of wedding hair. blogs i read must have a humor factor. after my hard days at work, i don't need anyone bringing me down!

here are a few blogs i've been frequenting:

weddingbee : my #1 wedding blog of choice forever. hilarious, diverse, LOVE it
keepyourreceipt : any blog that has the line The massage place was on the end of the row and before I even opened the door, I was assaulted by eucalyptus-scented potpourri, like they spent the morning roasting koalas on a bed of cough drops. in it is AMAZING in my book.
cake wrecks : HILARIOUS. gives me a guffaw every day. i LOVE that someone else critiques grammar and poor workmanship as i do.
who dey revolution : great blog that commiserates with fans of the worst team in the NFL. step down, mike brown (sometimes NSFW due to language)

anyone else have good suggestions?

greetings

2008-11-09T12:13:00.005-07:00

wow. i have been neglecting my blogging duties. my november resolution is to blog more.

i have been working hard on wedding stuff for the past month. i got my dress, worked out more with the budget, started planning centerpieces, and created & ordered my save-the dates. i hope to start picking out colors soon -- so bridesmaids, when are you free?

here is a teaser from our save-the-dates

chris was in town this weekend and we had a wonderful whirlwind of a time. we visited all sorts of people and had the surprise shindig at shamrock's last night. he is already nearly to NY already. here is our schedule for the next months:

*two weeks: thanksgiving in philly w/ the andersons
*one week after that: army/navy game in philly
*two weeks after that: xmas break/xmas cabin

this is one of the best stretches of our relationship yet, in terms of getting to see each other so much. i can't wait until i get to be with my best friend and love every DAY.

okay. one post down, dozens more to go.
i resolved; therefore, i type.

la bibliotech

2008-10-18T08:28:00.003-06:00

i've been reading several books lately. here is a rundown of a few:

Fat!so? This book has been a wonderful, intriguing read. It deals with body issues in a new way. It doesn't preach weight-loss or a fad diet...it preaches acceptance of self no matter what. the tagline is "don't apologize for your size"
the audacity of hope haven't gotten far into this one yet (thanks...sinus infection) but he is a great writer.
toxic in-laws while i would consider my future in-laws to be far from "toxic," it is true that chris and i were brought up differently. our current relationships with our parents are different, too. this book does a good job of breaking down issues and laying out how i can better respond when one of his parents does something i don't understand.
the minimalist cooks at home i am not a minimalist in my daily life, but i am in the kitchen. cooking for one is difficult because who wants to eat the same leftovers 4 days in a row? this book helps me cook better meals with fewer ingredients and portions. examples i can't wait to try out are pumpkin soup and grilled fruit skewers w/ ginger syrup.
ky insurance pamphlet open enrollment time...what a scream!

Nuptuals on the Net

2008-09-29T17:05:00.001-06:00

Here is the link to our wedding website. It's still a work in progress, but I couldn't hold out any longer.

Chris & Emily

Browse around and let us know what you think.

late summer playlist

2008-09-27T10:31:00.003-06:00

here are a few songs that i have been listening to ad nauseum this month.

matt costa - wash away

coldplay - vida la vida

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

5 little monkeys

matt costa - whiskey & wine

"we're going antiquing!!! through the quad and up to the gymnasium"

2008-09-27T09:18:00.003-06:00

i have an insane love of french country/antique/toile patterns and styling. i have been in lust for a small, girly, crystal chandelier for my bathroom for some time now. i have been unsuccessful in my search, thus far. i refuse to pay full price...and love unique finds at off-the-beaten-path type stores. yesterday, co-teacher extrordinare (allie) and i went off in search.

i will not tell what i got at these stores...you'll have to come visit to see!!

here is a breakdown of some stores:

room service (near winchester @ liberty): HUGE selection. weird stuff kind of, cool stuff kind of. i found out about this store from my parents. i got three things from here.
sofas and such (in the old buckhead restaurant building...off regency rd): weird smell. weird selection. i got a set of 4 things from here, a set of 2 things, and one other thing. probably wouldn't go back.
habitat restore (southland dr. across from marikka's): closed @ 5
lowe's: not what i was looking for
walmart: got a quart of paint to finish the living room.
overstock.com: too expensive
ebay: not quite right

so there you have it. today will be filled with dispersing new items and painting 1/8 of a wall. also, showering and hanging out w/ ria somewhere.

couric interview

2008-09-27T08:47:00.002-06:00

while i do not consider myself to be an overly political type, i found this interview quite interesting. i am not a fan of either woman, but i believe in educated national leaders.

don't get your panties in a twist...i'm sure there are many such videos on both sides of the scale. just thought it was very telling.

beisbol

2008-09-21T20:27:00.005-06:00

today was the last day of the regular season; always a sad time in my life. my resplendent redlegs are out of the playoffs for an 18th straight year, but beisbol was good to me this year.

in honor of my favorite sport, i have created a "good/bad" list of things i like and don't like (excuse the lame name...it's 11pm on a school night).

15 good things:

100 RBIs
6-4-3
outfield assists
baseball movies
baseball books
uniform pinstripes
extra innings
pitchers who can hit
SCORING A GAME :) :)
replay
Jon Miller & Joe Morgan
Brennamans
Buster Olney & Peter Gammons
backing up every play
batting around

15 bad things:

not running to first
all-white home uniforms
long pants to the ankles
wasting pitchers for L/L, R/R matchups
ol' leatherpants (aka: Jim Bowden)
Sox vs Yanks ad nauseum
corey patterson & adam dunn
sac bunts with one out
DH
all-star voting
cheerleaders
"speeding up the game"
new helmets w/ the slits
the wave
people who explain the rules wrong to others

i'm sure there are MANY MANY other things i could list. but i love beisbol and i can't wait until it starts again.

okracoke

2008-09-21T20:20:00.003-06:00

last weekend, chris surprised me by booking our honeymoon.

i gave him full reign over the travel plans and didn't really care where we went...north, south, warm, cold...etc.

we will be spending a week on okracoke island in the outer banks, NC. i am so very excited. i have been to outer banks before, but always stayed in condo-like locales.

this place is a private island with:
*our own private beach
*two story house
*hot tub
*outdoor shower
*private kayak
*hammock (the ONE THING i said i wanted for our honeymoon)
*etc etc etc

i was in steve & barry's when he called with the news. i was immediately brought to tears. it seems like the perfect place with the perfect person. i want to go this week!

upcoming travel

2008-09-21T20:12:00.003-06:00

being in a long-distance relationship means one of us is always traveling. we have several trips lined up in the next 8 months...as well as some tentative plans for after the wedding.

sept 22: dinner in frankfort w/ erica
oct 1: BLC dinner in winchester
october 9-12: chris in town for my cousin's wedding
nov 26-30: chris and i in philly for t'giving (at one of the groomsmen's houses)
dec 5-7: army/navy game in philly

feb 7-10: reading recovery conference in columbus (teacher thing)
feb 21: 100th night @ WP
may 23: WP graduation

chris will have 30-60 days of leave after graduation. we will be going on our honeymoon and settling in together. we don't know official dates yet, but we do know this much:

*BOLC II: 6 wks in either ft sill, OK or ft benning, GA
*BOLC III: 11.5 wks in ft lee, VA
*after that, we will get our official post. we can post at many places: 3 posts in germany, 1 in italy, or any major post in the US. (not sure about asia yet)

it's crazy to think about all of this actually happening, since we've been talking about it for so long. i can't wait to be together with chris every day. it will literally be a dream come true.

the weekend that was: sun

2008-09-21T20:07:00.003-06:00

this busy little bee was not done yet!

on sunday, before church, i cleaned out my google reader and went through some of my DVR.

went to church at the andover campus (alone...since everyone was in g'town) and headed to g'town.

the bengals lost (surprise surprise), but there was lots of fun at the bennett household. it is SO nice to watch sports with actual fans. who know what an O-line is and why it matters. who can debate great position players and quote actual evidence.

after that, i came home and spruced up a bit. my parents came over and helped finish putting together my new kitchen island. eric stopped by also and we watched some of the SNF game.

i DVRd sunday night baseball and, then, i washed my hair (quite a feat, if you know me). while i would not consider myself a yankee fan, i am a baseball history fan. tonight is the final game at yankee stadium and i found myself a bit choked up at yogi's opening.

now, i'm watching the fantasy score updates, watching romo on SNF, and thinking of possible new kitten names.

what a lovely weekend. the only thing missing was him.

the weekend that was: sat

2008-09-21T20:01:00.002-06:00

on saturday, this busy little bee was everywhere.

the dames and i went to the midway fall festival in the morning. there are all sorts of booths, vendors, and people watching to be found. the highlight was the "magic" show in the tent. this "magician" reminded me of a college professor--just loved to hear himself talk :)

i caught up on my google reader and caught lilah in the cutest nap position...splayed out on the loveseat. then, took a glorious 2 hour nap of my own.

i had dinner at fazoli's on campus and then headed over to CTK's oktoberfest. while it seemed to be middle school central, we found our way to the bingo tent and proceeded to suck at bingo. we finished up with some graeter's. ria and i shared a cup of cider sorbet. delish.

the night finished up with a lovely conversation with my husband-to-be.

the weekend that was: fri

2008-09-21T19:40:00.003-06:00

i was a very busy bee this weekend.

on friday, my friend, mj, and i went to the downtown gallery hop.

i have heard about these things, but have never taken part in them. i consider myself a slightly artsy person and it was very enjoyable to get to see the local art and mingle with other yuppies. the BEST part was getting to walk around and not have to worry about parking or such.

after that, we stopped by the festival latino @ the new courthouse. there was a parade of nations going on and it was cool to see all of the nations represented. i was hoping to see some of my students there, but we didn't stay too long.

then, we went to deVassa, lower 48, and the pub room. we got to check out the 3 new bars near vctorian square. i liked the vibe of the pub room the best.

a dalmatian plantation, I say

2008-09-08T17:58:00.001-06:00

happy 101st post to me.

thanks to my readers. thanks to my brain. thanks to the internet.

here's to 101 more...

...with liberty and justice for all

2008-09-08T17:52:00.003-06:00

i have not taught my students about the pledge yet...so each morning, when they show kids saying the pledge on the "morning news", we sit and watch them.

one of my girls asked the other day "are those kids praying for you?"

oh, innocence.

put up...shut up

2008-09-07T17:12:00.004-06:00

as i watched the bungles lose their first game of the season, i was perplexed by one thing:

not by the fact that carson called a run play 88% of the time
not by the fact that rudi was not there
not by the fact that cats normally eat birds

i was reminded of the old "dennis rodman/terrell owens rule". if you want to act crazy and demand attention, you'd better be able to back it up with your play.

chad JOHNSON is the antithesis to this rule. he runs his mouth all the time, demands attention like one of my kindergarteners...yet had 0 receptions in the first half. what did your mama call you??? THAT'S your name.

why are the bengals paying him so much money?
why is anyone still paying attention to him?

stay classy.

r-o-s-i-e, it's rosie

2008-09-07T07:41:00.001-06:00

um. there are no words for this weatherman...but at least he's having a heckuva time at work.

go reds.

Drosophilidae

2008-09-06T12:32:00.003-06:00

time flies like an arrow,

fruit flies like a banana.

~chris hurst

argh. disregarding my homemaker duties in the past week has attracted these little buggers to empty beer bottles, open cat food, and dirty dishes.

when i called maria to ask her how to get rid of them, she was brilliant. "wash the dishes". hah.

check: ceremony site, reception site

2008-09-06T12:19:00.005-06:00

i realize my posting prowess has sucked lately, but in my defense, i had bronchitis, then chris came into town. i have also been getting an official wedding website up and running (hopefully will have the link next week). it's totally cute!

one exciting thing to report is that my mom and i went to talon this past week to sign the contract. it's official. i really am getting married.

this week, we are going to DaRae's to firm up the menu.
i've also been in contact with the photog.

wow. guess this is really happening! i'm really glad we had the time to sit and wallow in the post-engagement goodness. ain't nobody pushing this bride around!

j'adore j crew

2008-09-06T12:15:00.004-06:00

source

in 3-7 business days, i will be the proud owner of this j.crew dress. i love all things j.crew, especially the frequent online sales. i have been trolling the internet for cute summer dresses on sale and found this little beaut for 20% off the final sale price. the prefect wedding shower dress, no?

holla!

head on over to j.crew and find yourself a little end-o-summer pick me up. (use code EXTRA 20) to get extra off.

now if i could just stay away until sunday (when the sale ends)...must....get away...from computer!

bon anniversaire

2008-09-02T19:52:00.002-06:00

happy 24th bday to my favorite person in the world. make a wish!

ROFL

2008-08-30T08:58:00.011-06:00

there are no words to describe how much i laughed at these pictures this morning. i think i loved these so much b/c they look so cute, but are amazingly tongue-in-cheek. bravo, humor!

all credits to threadless.com

this one is called "runnin' rhino". ROFL. i literally had tears running down my cheeks i was laughing so hard.

this one is called "a birth day". these animals look like fisher price farm animals!

this one is called "russian newborn". hahahahahahaha

yippie! yuppie?

2008-08-30T08:26:00.004-06:00

the last of my stuff from the old apt was moved downtown this morning, so i am officially and totally a yuppie now. i am in love with my new surroundings.

i enjoy the 4 block walk to work each morning, as it allows me to center myself and ready for the tasks ahead.

i enjoy the farmer's market on saturday morning just around the corner.

i enjoy triangle park at any time i wish.

i enjoy all of the interesting architecture and vibrance along little pathways rarely seen by the driving masses.

i enjoy seeing change...albeit sad and, at times, politically motivated...because it reminds me that others think, breathe, and live all around me.

hello, lexington, once more.

whew

2008-08-28T14:59:00.002-06:00

oh dear sweet luscious internet. how i missed thee.

i have been without internet for 2 1/2 weeks now. it's been horrible! thankfully, they got their shizz together and hooked me up.

i have also been battling bronchitis on top of a sinus infection this week. so it's not been the best of times for ms. em. thankfully, things are looking up. we are soon to sign the contract for the caterer and the final contract for talon. and most importantly, chris is coming into town this weekend! happy twenty-four (on tuesday) to my love.

IKEA finds

2008-08-06T07:07:00.003-06:00

here are a few pictures of some things we bought at IKEA the other day. **more to come i promise!**

little moments like that

2008-08-06T06:53:00.003-06:00

it has been a whirlwind week already...and school hasn't even started yet. here are a few musings to mull over. i've GOT to get to school to beautify my classroom.

*i ate SUSHI last night. ami suggested that we all get to know each other better, so off we headed to miyako. i probably won't be eating it every night, but i was brave and it wasn't bad!

*i feel very honored to be in the new bluegrass ladies club. i have been searching for a long time for a group of genuine ladies in lexington and i believe i just might have found it (rather, we found each other). can't wait until the 27th!

*this week, i have been slowly moving into my *new* apartment on market street. it is even more adorable than i remembered and i can't wait to call it my home. chris has been doing SO much work for it. last night, maria and i went to check out the progress after dinner and chris was so sweaty, tired, and dirty. but you know what, i loved him a little bit more in that moment because i know how hard he was working to make this a livable place.

*today, i have my first caterer meeting. we are looking at several options. as long as they don't make me eat live anything, i think i'll be okay. my mom and chris are coming too. i'll let you know how it goes.

*school starts in ONE WEEK. i can't believe how quickly the summer goes. i thought it went quickly when i was little, but 2008's just flew by. i made some great memories, but i am very excited about the upcoming future.

GAH it's already 9. meeting kerry for lunch at 1130, then the caterer at 1. must run. hope everyone else is doing well. i promise to upload some "before" pics of the apartment once i find the cord. for rizzle.

mini-update

2008-08-04T08:20:00.002-06:00

i signed the lease last week and am in the process of moving apartments. it's nice not to have to rush and do it all in one weekend. i'm trying to get the apartment at least a little presentable by this weekend because i might have a few drunkies crashing the place. :)

open invite to anyone: atomic cafe this saturday

today is a great day! chris and i are going to IKEA (aka mecca) to pick up some things for the new apt. then, we are going to the beach waterpark. if you go after 4pm, it's only 10 bucks to get in. and you KNOW this red-headed, pale beauty can take all the precautions she can get.

i took pictures of the new apartment, but i haven't uploaded them yet. can't wait to do a before/after type thing.

today, i am specifically looking for shelving, a sleeper sofa, kitchen storage, and maybe a comfy looking ottoman.

cincy-bound...

estelle getty (sophia petrillo)

2008-07-22T13:50:00.003-06:00

i was saddened this afternoon to read that estelle getty had died. she played one of my favorite tv characters, sophia on "golden girls."

like most of us, i grew up watching that show and often catch myself watching it on lifetime while falling asleep at night. RIP estelle.

two examples of sophia's wit:

Dorothy: MA, WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP THAT!

Sophia: These are FRITOS, Dorothy. What do you want me to do, swallow them whole?

Dorothy: We're here to pay for a funeral.

Mr. Pfeiffer: Oh, isn't that nice, the three of you planning ahead for mother.

Sophia: [walks a little bit closer] Hey Puh-feiffer, how would you like a punch in your puh-face?

split screen sadness

2008-07-21T09:11:00.007-06:00

Here's what I've learned about dogs: They're a lot like pretty girls. Having one or two around makes everything more fun, but when you get a whole bunch together, it turns into one big power struggle. --Scott Westerfield--

Canvassing my past and present friend history, I notice I have had many girl acquaintances, but few girl friends. Girls tend to always be judging and we exhaust ourselves trying to be the cutest or best.

It's true I would rather work alone than in a group, but this does not always ring true in relationships. There is only so much you can clean or organize before you start to wish you had a gaggle of girls to share funny times with.

I always seemed to find myself in a horde of girls...whether it be on a softball team, on friday nights in high school, or in my sorority in college. However, I often caught myself with low self-esteem and feeling as if I was a lone reed. I am quite shy when it comes to new people and am not very good at breaking the ice. This probably makes me appear hoity at times, but I assure you, the opposite is true.

Even in 2008, I often find myself feeling this way. Even with the world at my feet...wonderful fiance, job that I love, etc...I feel a lack of true connection. I get so pissed at myself for pushing people away, only to feel lonely. Oh, self. You stink sometimes!

Does anyone else ever feel this way or sabotage themselves?

i'm on pins & needles

2008-07-15T12:27:00.006-06:00

one of my favorite shows begins its 5th season tomorrow night...PROJECT RUNWAY.
i adore tim gunn's accent, heidi's hair, and the music played during runway shows. i do not adore michael kors' monochromatic palette, nina garcia's snootiness, or wendy pepper.

i got into project runway near the end of the 1st season. since then, there have been a veritable scope of designers that have catwalked their way into fashion infamy.

my favorite designers have been: nick verreos, daniel vosovic, and kevin christiana. i also enjoyed watching santino, christian, and jeffrey piss people off :) i would most want to be friends with chris marsh because he is so freaking peppy.

watch what happens.

j. hamilton

2008-07-15T12:12:00.004-06:00

as i'm sure most of you have heard, josh hamilton became a "breakout star" last night at yankee stadium by blasting 28 home runs in the first round of the home-run derby.

i think i am one of the few baseball fans left in the lexington area...especially one that DVRs baseball tonight, reads 3+ baseball blogs a day, and knows the names and histories of all baseball broadcasters and most reds since 1990.

hamilton's story is one for hollywood or hemingway. he overcame addiction and came out the hero of the bronx.

i can say, with authority, that i saw this coming. i saw it coming during the lazy days last season, when i got the hamilton jersey for my birthday. the day hamilton was traded for volquez was the second saddest day in my personal baseball history (the day casey was traded made me cry).

the one thing i can't stand, though, is all of the bandwagon people. one look through google blogs today points to tons of new posts about being a hamilton "fan". where were you when he was on the reds? where were you when he was on the DL twice last year? where were you when he was first traded to the rangers? oh, that's right, you were doubting his abilities and his story. or you were too busy jumping on (and then off) the rays bandwagon.

i wear my hamilton jersey regularly with pride...even on off days. (**note: i would wear my casey jersey if it still fit :/ ...thanks college**). i couldn't be happier about his sudden rise as a "breakout star" among the many hamilton "fans". however, to me, the true fans are those that were there through the entire process. i am very proud the reds were the ones that offered him the fresh start.

it's obvious i have some sort of issue about bandwagon people. does anyone else get irritated when they hear people extoling the virtues of people you have long known about?

5 months later...

2008-07-10T13:20:00.005-06:00

WE SET THE DATE!!!!! :)

june 5, 2009

talon winery

hooray! now the real planning can begin.

pixifoods

2008-07-08T13:11:00.006-06:00

this interesting quote comes from joe posnanski -- a sports writer whose blog i frequent:

Another new word: Pixifood.

This is the kind of food that tastes absolutely delicious when you are young but is shockingly disgusting when you become an adult. It is named, of course, after Pixie Sticks, which I recall tasting a bit like heaven when I was 9 and now, I realize, is like pouring sugar down your throat. The idea alone makes me a bit ill. I don’t know if funnel cakes are a pixifood. I think Cookie Crisp cereal is a pixifood (but Cocoa Pebbles holds up quite nicely).

I think Chef Boyardee’s mini ravioli may be a pixifood. I lived on that stuff and a few weeks ago I had some for the first time in years, it was gross, tasted like rolled up mud balls or something.

i can think of several foods that could be considered a pixifood: m&m's, fish sticks, that candy gel stuff, lifesavers, tootsie pops, spaghetti-Os, raisins, butter, sugar packets...

what are your pixifoods?