Back in the land of the living

For three weeks, we've endured sickness, moving, snow, and as a result, very little sleep. It's not been fun! I realized, yesterday morning at about three a.m., that I have merely been surviving these past few weeks. I've only made it out of town a few times to load up on groceries and other supplies. I haven't had much adult human contact. My focus has been on getting well... and, of course, moving (which isn't fun when you're sick!). I haven't been living. I complained to my friend on the phone about my status yesterday, and she surprised the heck out of me a couple hours later by showing up with a bouquet of beautiful yellow daffodils! Finally, everyone in our house is well, and although Kate's sleeping patterns are still crazy, we all feel better. I made a series of playdates for this week, went to the basketball game today, and will rejoin our Mammoth playgroup tomorrow. The flowers symbolize spring coming (although not really soon), and for me a commitment to live, not just exist. The mere site of them makes me realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, if I could just find a vase for the daffodils, amongst all our still-packed moving boxes, instead of the plastic pitcher they're currently sitting in!

New house, snow days

We're movin' on up... the street. Next door, actually. Our new house, in all its snowy glory:

And, of course, the backyard:

Winter has finally blessed us with her presence! Just wish I'd had snow tires put on sooner.

The "F" word

The other day, we bought our first-ever canister of infant formula. Jack nursed on-demand for more than two years, and we never had a problem with my milk supply. With Kate, I found the need for a feeding schedule, and so my supply has steadily dwindled over the past few months. The poor girl has been waking up angry during the night pretty regularly. We were assuming it was because of pain, from the imminent teeth ready to pop through those tender gums. But Tylenol wasn't helping much. So, then, what else could it be but hunger? Problem was, like I said before, not enough milk. I then thought that by guzzling gallons of water a day, my supply would increase, and it did, a little... but Brian finally convinced me that we should at least just buy some formula, just to have on hand. The first night, she drank a whopping eight ounces right before bed and slept eight hours straight. The second night, she slept twelve hours straight! I feel like I failed a little bit in my quest for perfect motherhood, but then, who really has time to be perfect nowadays? I'll settle for a happy baby instead.

Bringin' back the BSC

OMG! Kristy, Mary Anne, Stacey, Claudia and Dawn are coming back! Ann M. Martin has written a prequel to "The Baby-Sitters Club," one of my absolute favorite series as a kid, and publishers are reissuing the first two books later this year. I love that some of the language in the reissued books had to be modified. I can just imagine today's little girls asking, "What's a cassette player?" I just wish that my own kids were old enough to share in my excitement!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/books/31babysitters.html?_r=1

2010, really?!

Another new year! Didn't we all freak out about Y2K just yesterday? We didn't stay up last night--these days, I'd much rather sleep than watch the ball drop in Times Square--but I was up around 11:00 with Kate. I realized, at that late-night nursing hour, that we've been in a different place for each of the last six New Year's Eves: Reno, NV; Manteca, CA; Lewiston, ID; Valencia, CA; Winnemucca, NV; and Las Cruces, NM. We also lamented, on our way down to New Mexico two weeks ago, that we've traveled, to either Idaho or New Mexico, every single Christmas since we've been married: EIGHT YEARS now. To put it bluntly, we are sick and tired of driving each Christmas, most summers, and some Easters, spring breaks, and Thanksgivings. It would be so nice to live near family and not have to travel as much... but enough wishful thinking!

Our trip was wonderful. We spent the first half of it in Rio Rancho and the latter half in Las Cruces. Brian and I had our first actual DATE since the summer of 2008! We went antique shopping and saw the new "Twilight" movie. And I was able to have a pedicure and haircut (precious time sans children) later on in our trip! Kate's been a little hesitant to let others hold her, but I think that's mostly because of all the traveling we've been doing. Both Brian's mom and stepmom were able to babysit her, after she warmed up to them.

Each time we go to New Mexico, Jack plays better with his older cousins. Matthew is still a little annoyed by him sometimes, and doesn't realize how much Jack idolizes him. Marissa is good about driving the big mesh "Thomas" train around with Jack. And this time, Kate was able to join in on some of the fun.

Kate, by the way, is going back to California with a whole lot more skills. She can now push herself up on hands and knees to rock back and forth, "scootch" backward while on her tummy, and feed herself chunks of bread or "sticky stars." (Although sometimes the sticky stars get stuck en route, and she winds up with food hanging from her cheeks or fingers.) I love watching her manipulate things with those chunky little hands. Every milestone is a little victory for this mommy. So much that I don't necessarily mind having sticky stars stuck to my own derriere for a good portion of my romantic date with Brian!

Top baby names of the decade

I do love looking at baby naming trends! Babycenter has published a list of the 50 most popular baby names, both boys and girls, of the decade. Jack landed at #6 on the boys' list (which kind of surprised me, as we actually don't meet too many other Jacks), and although neither Kate or Katie shows up, Katherine is #41. Our Kate is spelled "Katharine"... and I don't think they take different spellings into account. Always fun to look at...

http://www.babycenter.com/babynamer/50_most_popular_baby_names_of_the_decade.html

Love my vintage stuff

Someday, I want to be organized enough to actually use these gorgeous gifttags:
http://hubpages.com/hub/christmas-gift-tags


Check out this adorable Santa! Don't you want to just pinch his rosy cheeks?
http://hubpages.com/hub/vintage-Santa-graphics

I also love these sweet little pictures; they remind me of being a child at Christmas, how utterly magical it can be.

http://hubpages.com/hub/antique-toys-vintage-christmas-cards

Rest in peace...

...my beautiful, vivacious Aunt Joanne. You are now free from the pain that ravaged your body these past few years. I know that you are in a better place, but we will miss you!

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:31

...and more Kate

Can you tell I'm in LOOOVE with my baby girl?

P.S. Finally got her in for her well check. She's 15 pounds, 4 ounces, and is 25 inches long. Growing girl!

Half a year

Hard to believe, but my little girl is six months old today. The snowfall prohibited us from taking her in for her well-check today, but when I do get her in, I'll make sure to record the stats. Kate is busy, feisty, determined, dramatic, and usually content. Solid foods, so far, have not been her "bag," but she is starting to enjoy carrots and applesauce. And she's now taking a bottle, even from her dad, which gives me a little more freedom. She'll sleep for a good ten-hour chunk most nights, but her naps are not quite up to par. She loves manipulating toys, especially now that she can sit up in the Boppy for up to twenty minutes at a time. She can almost bring her new pink sippy-cup up to her mouth to drink. Almost. She also looks at Jack like he hung the moon. Jack does his best to entertain her; he's a magnificent older brother! Today they play-wrestled for the first time, and both of them laughed like crazy.