We have STANDING

Repeat: we have frickin' standing!?!

That was on Friday. As the weekend progressed, she got stronger and stronger. Lots of climbing over things, rocking back on her knees, pulling herself up (with help) on us. She's not yet crawling on her hands and knees but it is imminent.

I just want it to stop. She's growing up way too fast.

National Spelling Bee

ABC is going to be showing the National Spelling Bee finals on Thursday from 8 - 10 p.m. I can't wait! Should be exciting.

Whew.

I'm exhausted. Partly because it is so hot all of a sudden. And partly because there was a lot of activity this weekend. Or, at least, a lot of people and food and talking and laughing. It was great to see my younger sister. Although a bit strange to see her pregnant. The last time we saw her, she was barely showing. Now? Full-blown belly. With lots of movement. It was fun. She seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the baby talk. We jam-packed their car with stuff and squished the dogs in and sent them on their way. We are thinking of heading down there for the 4th of July to bring some more stuff down and to help her sort things out before the baby arrives.

We headed home on Monday with a very cranky Sophie. It was either the heat or teefs that were bothering her. She had a bad night on Saturday and could barely fall asleep. Sunday night was better, but she woke up on Monday all cranky and fussy. And so we got her home and struggled to get her to take a nap. She was very tired but fighting sleep tooth and nail (which we were waiting to clip until she fell asleep...). Crawling on us and snuggling up and just making herself sweaty. We kept trying to put her in the crib, but she kept melting down. Aaron finally brought her in the tub with him and then I was able to get her to sleep for a power nap.

And then it just got hotter and hotter. Muggy and sticky. We have a small A/C unit but we haven't set it up yet. We actually never set it up last year, but now we have Sophie to think about. And she already runs quite warm, so she was a bit miserable last night. We have these plastic ice cube things that we gave her to gnaw on and that helped. We also decided to put her in the stroller and go for a walk to see if she would snooze a bit. We gave her another cube and we decided to just keep an eye out for when she throws it. But we got all the way into town and we peeked under the sun shade and she was awake and clutching the cube with both hands. My precious.

We turned fans on, opened windows, removed blankets, let Sophie lounge in just her diaper. Sleep in just her diaper. She did pretty well, considering.

Anyhoo, I didn't get a chance to upload anything last night, so here is a photo courtesy of my gorgeous sister. If you click on it, there are more. Including a couple of Sophie in a little wading pool.

No Sophie Saturday

I completely forgot to upload photos and videos this morning and now we are up at my parents' house. So, it might be a Sophie Monday this weekend. We had hot, sunny, slightly muggy weather for the picnic/BBQ today. Today was also the informal baby shower and graduation congratulations party. Fun was had by all. The cake was a HIT. I have pictures of that as well. Monday.

Memorial Day Weekend

The whole fam damily is converging again this weekend for an informal baby shower/graduation BBQ for my younger sister and her husband. And then a weekend of watching babies and playing cards and eat mass amounts of chocolate.

I've made a cake, but I can't talk about it yet because my sister might read this and I want it to be a surprise. It's a bit of an experiment. Well, the icing/decoration is a bit of an experiment that I hope turns out well because I have high hopes for future uses of the technology. Sounds mysterious, no? Well, that's all you're going to get for now. That, and the fact that it is chocolate. Of course.

I haven't seen my sister in a few months and she's due in July. I'm excited to see how big her belly is now! And to see if she is freaking out. We have a TON of things to give her. She doesn't want to know the sex of the baby so my SIL and I are giving her the hand-me-down clothes. All of them. We probably won't see her again until after the Little Bugger is born, so she's going to need them. So all boy and girl clothes from 0-6 months and then all the other assorted things we've accumulated and that are now outgrown. Swing, extra Pack-n-Play, bouncy seat, strollers, car seats, etc.

They have two bigger, rambunctious dogs who haven't seen Sophie or her little cousin since they were quite wee. Good dogs, but you never know how dogs will react to a little being who sounds like a yummy squirrel. And now that Sophie is on-the-GO, it should be interesting to see their reaction. Let's just say that I will be a big alpha momma dog this weekend.

Anyhoo, I'm happy it's Friday and that we have Monday off. Next weekend is a visit from one of our fantastic California friends. Which means we have to CLEAN. We've been putting off the big dusting/vacuuming/scouring until right before she arrives so that the cats have less time to completely cover everything with fur again (yeah, yeah, that's the ticket, that's why we haven't cleaned).

And just to keep this entry going, Aaron is up at my parents' house today with Sophie. My mom is going to watch Sophie while Aaron unloads bags and bags of pellets for their pellet stove. Should be interesting.

Mommy Madness

(link via Sweetney)

Very important article by Judith Warner.

What happened when the Girls Who Had It All became mothers?

From the article:

"For real change to happen, we don't need more politicians sounding off about "family values." Neither do we need to pat the backs of working mothers, or "reward" moms who stay at home, or "valorize" motherhood, generally, by acknowledging that it's "the toughest job in the world." We need solutions—politically palatable, economically feasible, home-grown American solutions—that can, collectively, give mothers and families a break."

I won't quote the whole list of ideas she lists here, but it all hit home for me. I'm getting a little panicked about Aaron starting school in the Fall and then having to put Sophie in daycare. And I'm the sole breadwinner at this point. He will be making a small salary as a grad student, but it would just about pay for daycare. Never mind rent and bills and living.

I'm not saying I want to be at home with Sophie full-time. I like my job. I like getting out and seeing people and feeling like I'm getting things accomplished. But it would be nice to have the option of working part-time. Or working part-time from home and part-time at work. And, if I have to put Sophie in daycare, a part-time option would be great because then I wouldn't feel so sad about leaving her. But no. First, we can't afford for me to only work part-time. Second, there aren't part-time daycares around here and, also? see "First". Third, my work doesn't allow people to telecommute because of abuse in the past. I need decent health care coverage. WE need decent health care coverage. I'm putting money in a 401K. We have a great profit-sharing program here. As long as I keep working and Aaron makes his small graduate salary, we will be fine.

And yet it seems so against nature for me to place Sophie's care in the hands of someone else. I'm torn. We've been very lucky to be able to have her out of daycare for so long. And Aaron's fantastic with her. They've really bonded. But full-time care of a seven-month old is tiring. There are days I come home from work and he looks shell-shocked. And I wish we could win the lottery and he could pursue his degree and I could, I don't know, start a party cake/craft/photo/something business. For fun. Anyone have an 'in' with the powers that be?

It is time we parents stood up and demanded real "family values" policies so that life with kids isn't about sacrificing dreams or sacrificing self or about pipe dream hopes of winning the lottery.

Giant Squid Hat!

Any of you crafty knitters out there want to make Sophie a GIANT SQUID HAT for winter? I will pay you. And I will send you head measurements. And it will be featured in photos on a Sophie Saturday.

Please, please, pretty pretty please.

T'ain't Taint

So, episode 4 of Season 2 on Deadwood. One of the people uses the word t'ain't to describe Swearengen's surgery. Was that even in use then? I like this show because of its (mostly) historical accuracy, so I'm curious about that. I've just put the Netflix envelope in the mail, so I can't go back, but are they even saying "ain't"?

Also, I love the scene with Calamity Jane and Trixie. Maybe episode 3? Where they are drinking and talking shit about Al. And Sol. And Bullock. Hilarious. Were they drinking beer? It seems like the only alcohol in town is whiskey and maybe gin.

And the relationship between Ellsworth and Alma is great. I really like his character. Wolcott is a scary freak. I don't like Maddie the madam at all. She's so pinched and awful. What is Wolcott going to do to Carrie? Yikes.

We've started watching the show on our computer upstairs and WOW the clarity is so much better than on our tv. We have a flat panel monitor upstairs and a newish system and it so kicks our tv to the curb. We kept pausing and reading the signs behind people in the scenes. No beer on any of them. And you can get elk for 15 cents.

Jack Black

I love Jack Black. Yes, he can be a bit annoying, but he was really funny on Ellen this morning.

Covetousness

Oh man. I stumbled upon the bestest site ever.

It all started with this amazing mirror image love/hate shirt on Miss Domestic. And, in the comments, someone linked to Made in Design - a French store of fabulousness.

And then, as I am wont to do when faced with a new shopping site, I started peeking around.

And I came upon THESE:

I ask you - who *doesn't* need a box just for rice?

Or just for little candies?

There is an ENTIRE COLLECTION OF ADORABLE BOXES!

Oh man. And I've only just begun to look through the site.

Well wishes for Nadine

What a sweet idea. Little Nadine has cancer and there is a little campaign to send her princess cards. Because she loves princesses. C'mon all you crafty people, send her a pretty card. More information and a mailing address at the link above.

"Open the bar!"

We watched the first two episodes of Deadwood, Season 2 last night. May I tell you how much I love Calamity Jane? "I just farted. So what." I also love that Alma had hairy armpits because I'm sure that was true at the time. And she did seem to love showing them off to Bullock. And Al looked The Crazy with the swollen eye from the fight with Bullock. And Dolly sticking her thumb up his butt? Awesome. Where did Sofia's teacher come from? I thought Alma was the only non-whore in town. I also love Doc Cochran's character. Even if you see him pulling brains (mmmm) out of someone's head. Hey, he's just curious.

New Baby!

Amanda from Mandajuice had her baby girl! Go say congratulations! She's a beauty (just like her mom).

Linktastical Whiplash

I love this idea. Make a bag out of an old velvet painting!

Tyra Banks has a moustache!

Further proof that money does not always equal taste. Would you pay more than $800 for these shoes?!?

One of my favorite illustrators: Natascha Rosenberg's online store.

Seven Months!

Where did the time go? I looked at the calendar this morning and realized it was the 22nd! And time for another monthly update.

Sophie - you are a moving, talking, shrieking machine. All day long: wiggle, wiggle, squirm, da-da-da, beeble, beeble, wiggle. You can now make your way across the room using your army commando moves. Not exactly crawling, but you are that much faster every day.

Which means that the gate to your nursery is now up. We still need to fully Sophie-proof your room because if there is something dangerous in there, you are going to find it. Luckily, so far, you are content to meander in a wide circle that ignores the closet and the gate and the little sofa.

Yesterday I discovered a very ticklish spot on you. You were standing up on my lap, looking over my shoulder out the window. And your arms were sort of slung over the couch cushion behind us. So, I did what any mommy would do, I zerberted your armpit. OH, the laughing and squirming. And head flailing. You have quite the hard head. I promise not to overdo the tickling and turn you into Daddy or Auntie G who are both so afraid of being tickled that they squirm away from you if you so much as look at them funny. And by "you", I mean "me".

Speaking of which, this month saw your first shiner. You and Daddy were sitting downstairs and you were tired and you decided the floor with the comfy quilt looked very comfortable and cozy and maybe it would be okay to lay your head down on the floor. Daddy tried to catch you before you hit the stupid and very hard dinosaur pop-up toy, but it was too late. You have quite the impressive black eye. Luckily it's starting to fade so that Daddy can stop feeling so guilty.

This month also saw the introduction of TWO teeth. We have yet to get a good glimpse of them but, believe me, they are there. You are pretty good about not biting me when you nurse.

You stopped beebling for a bit but now you are beebling like a champion. You are also still saying da, dah, duh and ba, bah, buh. And the jumpy thingy has become very fun now that you know you can bounce and jump.

We are also currently playing a game when you are in your exersaucer where we put all kinds of toys in the tray around the saucer - like plastic rings and balls and pyramids and blocks - and you gnaw on them and then fling them across the room. You watch each one as it sails away and wait for it to clang! bang! bonk! and then move on to the next loose victim. You've also become fascinated with the pile of VHS tapes on the low and slightly dangerous entertainment stand. Pulling them off the shelf, tossing them behind you, maybe licking them. We try to stay right next to you and patiently put the tapes back so that you can pull them off, fling them and/or lick them.

It rained for about two weeks and now both you and Daddy are REALLY ready to take some quality walks around town. I really wish I could join you.

All my love and zerberts.

Mommy.

Sophie Saturday!

Before we get to the Sophie picks, I want to show you a video that has been cracking me up all week. The quality is complete crap and it's probably not funny to anyone but us, but I love it.

Let me preface the showing by setting the tone. We have been watching the first season of Deadwood. And, during a pee-and-"can you get me some water" break, Aaron walked to the kitchen like a bonafide gunslinger. Guns in his holsters and like he had just got off a horse. I tried to catch THAT on video, but he moved too fast and my camera is the very opposite of fast. So, when he came back, I said - hey let me catch that gunslinger thing. I thought he understood I meant "movie"; he thought I meant "photo".

Hijinks ensue (the best part is the laughing at the end):

Okay, now on to the reason you are here this fine day. Yes, it has finally stopped raining. At least for a couple of hours. Ah, glorious sun. The garden, by the way, is a veritable carpet of weeds because we have not been able to get out there to do anything for about 2 weeks. And we've had too weeks of rain.

Anyhoo, here's Sophie tormenting Otto. I think Otto is finally coming to the realization that she can chase him and he is no longer safe to sit and observe the little monkey.

I must eat the camera:

With determination and strength, the Snopher Worm wiggles her way across the floor. All distractions merely brushed aside in her quest for the elusive lens cap.

(side note, when she pushes the blocks to the side, listen for the injured chirping of a little chick toy)

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We're hoping the rain holds off for a bit so that we can get outside.

TGIF

It's still frickin' raining out. There was a short respite yesterday and now it is pouring. It is just too MUCH. Aaron's cranky because he can't get out of the house and take walks with Sophie. Soph's a bit cranky because of her teefs and because she likes to get out the house as well. The cats are cranky because they only hear: "mwah, mwah mwah, mwah mwah" when we tell them that it's raining and they really don't want to go outside. I tried to shove Otto out into the rain this morning because he was meowing really loudly and was especially annoying but the moment I opened the door and started pushing on him with my foot, his little pea brain registered "HOLYSHITWET" and he ferociously attached himself to the doormat with all his clawing might and stubborness. Tabitha is off sulking somewhere. Aaron just called and you can hear Otto meowing again in the background because all memory of the rain has left his little brain. It's one big household of crank.

I'm so happy it's Friday. Can you tell? It's been quite an annoying week at work and I'm really ready for a weekend. I have to work on my June swap-o-rama package (black, white and red this time). I also have to organize the breastmilk in the freezer because I'm out of sync with the rotation. Yay! Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

It had better stop raining or I'm going to shiv someone.

All over the place

Last night was another stamp night with the matrons (do you like that one, Jen?). I decided to surprise everyone and take Sophie along. She did really well, but it meant that I got almost no stamping done. Which was fine because I didn't really think about what I wanted to do anyway. I got her loaded up and headed home right before she had a meltdown and she eventually fell asleep in the car. And then we had to wake her up to get her back out. And then she didn't fall asleep again until around 8:30. I also managed to see the finale of ANTM last night - Danielle won! I really thought it was going to be Joanie, but I thought they were both great. Maybe ANTM really wants a model who is going to go farther than the others have. Danielle is gorgeous and funny and grounded.

In other news, we've been working our way through 'Deadwood' on Netflix. We just finished the first season and it is fantastic. More swearing than you can imagine in one show, but it sort of washes over you after a while. Great characters, great writing. Al Swearengen is such a complex character. You think he is just evil at first and then the crusty layers slowly peel off and he catches you off-guard by actually being noble and sometimes even sweet. Also? Bullock makes my pulse race a little bit. Don't tell me what happened in Season 2 - those disks are coming soon. What I especially like about the show is that they've created such a distinct place in time. I feel like, even when I'm not watching, that they are still somewhere in time, living their daily lives. And then the show gives you just a glimpse into the happenings. I highly recommend it. If you can get past the swearing and the violence.

Co-sleeping

A new study out encourages parents to sleep with their children.

We put Sophie in her crib for the first part of the night. She generally sleeps there for 4-5 hours and then when she wakes up, into the bed with us. I love sleeping with her next to me. It is really easy to nurse her back to sleep and there is something so lovely about snuggling next to her all night. If she were to sleep 'through the night' (again), then she would stay in her crib. But for now she knows that we are there for her when she wakes up frightened. It is not in our natural, hard-wired instincts to be a baby and feel okay about being abandoned. I've gotten snide comments about how we are spoiling her. Well, I disagree. Plain and simple. We have one baby, she is the love of our life and she is going to feel protected and secure and safe.

And now there is science to back up our instincts.

Did you know, for instance, "For example, a neurological study three years ago showed that a child separated from a parent experienced similar brain activity to one in physical pain."

Granted, we have a king-sized bed and neither of us are overweight nor do we smoke.

Veronica Mars

It's official. The best show on television has been renewed for another year!

Recaptacular!

Quick-ish recap of the weekend. Saturday found us traveling, in the rain, to Target (again). This time to purchase some California Closets components to put in what was formerly the "this is a weird-shaped room" and what I have claimed in the name of...me...to be my craft room. This was accomplished by gradually loading up the table in the room with craft things until Aaron just couldn't stand it any more. I'll have before/after photos because the transformation will be quite amazing. Once I'm done. Apparently, I've got a LOT of craft to room.

Sophie was fabulous at Target and at Panera Bread where she flirted with people near us and gnawed and drooled on a dill pickle and then we headed home where she was even more funny and entertaining with the shrieking and warbling and the tormenting of the cats' sensitive hearing. I feel like we did something else on Saturday, but now I can't remember.

And then Sunday was Mother's Day and I got a fantastic gift from Aaron with a card that said - "to my two bestest girls in the universe". We haven't put it together yet because I'm trying to decide on a photo.

And then Aaron made me his famous scrambled garlic eggs with sausage and pepper jack cheese. And then I took a nap with my Snowpea and then she woke up in the BEST mood and we put her in the exersaucer while Aaron started putting together the craft room solution unit. Sophie was a happy little talking monkey in her command central - the key is to put a lot of toys on the tray that she can launch around the room. Another learning experience from the weekend? If you warm up her baby food? She will eat almost twice as much. While making lots of yummy noises. Especially the vegetables.

Mystery Disease!

This has got to be a joke, right?

"'These people will have like beads of sweat but it's black, black and tarry,' Ginger Savely, a nurse practioner in Austin who has treated a majority of Morgellons patients, told the San Antonio Express-News"

"'It looked like a piece of spaghetti was sticking out about a quarter to an eighth of an inch long and it was sticking out of his chest,' Lisa Wilson said. 'I tried to pull it as hard as I could out and I could not pull it out.'"

(link via the morning news)

And I thought we lived in America

How is this even possible?

"A senior federal law enforcement official tells ABC News the government is tracking the phone numbers we call in an effort to root out confidential sources.

"It's time for you to get some new cell phones, quick," the source told us in an in-person conversation.

ABC News does not know how the government determined who we are calling, or whether our phone records were provided to the government as part of the recently-disclosed NSA collection of domestic phone calls.

Other sources have told us that phone calls and contacts by reporters for ABC News, along with the New York Times and the Washington Post, are being examined as part of a widespread CIA leak investigation."

President Al Gore

Hilarious. And very sad. President Al Gore on SNL. Oh, to imagine what might have been.

Happy Mother's Day!

I can't even begin to describe what it feels like to be a mother. Last year at this time, I was sitting around our table with my mom and dad and Aaron and my brother and sister-in-law and her parents. My SIL and I were both pregnant and our mothers wanted to celebrate with us. It all seemed a little strange to think that I would be a MOM. It's still hard to get my head around. You just get sort of sucked up into the whirlwind and then sit back one day and think - holy shit - that is my DAUGHTER. Aaron and I are PARENTS.

Dooce wrote recently about how it is so hard to be objective when thinking about your child. And it's true. I have no idea what other people see when they look at Sophie, but to me she is the cutest, most scrumptious, funniest, cuddliest and most lovely little girl in the whole world.

Before Sophie, I never knew contentment looked like this:

Sophie Saturday!

Well, thanks for increasing the smug around our household. I'm about ready to sucker punch him right off that high horse.

But I forgive you because that's how I roll.

And to show my appreciation for your honesty, Step Right UP to see the STRONGEST BABY IN THE UNIVERSE. COME ONE, COME ALL. Don't Be SHY.

Um, is that a freakin' PUSH UP?

Now she's helping Daddy with the gate. (Will you hurry the hell up, Aaron!? Did you not see the push-ups?!?)

And now for the videos.

This week, we find Sophie in her jumpy thingy. We were attempting to wear her out a bit so that maybe she'd go to sleep before 8pm.

After much swirling, she finally figures out she can jump.

New sounds from the Snopher. We're not sure where this is heading as she's already past the raspberries and the Bob Loblaws. We've tried saying all the words that start with "B" but none of them have caught her fancy.

Okay, is this officially crawling? Or scooting? Or just plain scary and, really, high time to invest in a leash?

Appropriate Music

Aaron loves heavy metal music. Like Metallica and Tool. And he thinks that since he likes this music, it should follow that Sophie would like this music. And he likes to play it first thing in the morning and any time he's in the kitchen with her. I think there is a time and a place for music and I don't think that Sophie needs to hear this right now. Also, I'm biased because it makes me stressed and angry and tense when I listen to it. He says: "She doesn't seem to mind it". But how, exactly, would she tell us either way? Is it just because I don't like it? And I don't want to listen to it? I've tried to discuss this with him but apparently I've taken the wrong tone or something and now it's become a power struggle and we start arguing about it in front of Sophie. Which is even worse. It's like talking to a frickin' stubborn and deaf goat. He automatically gets defensive. He started listening to heavy metal when he was an angry teenager and it gave him an outlet. I don't think Sophie needs this kind of outlet. We have baby-appropriate CDs that aren't horrible and are actually teaching her something. What is Metallica teaching? Or Tool? And then there is the fact that he is at home with her and I'm not and I don't have any say in things any more. He rolls his eyes at me and pretends he's listening and then I leave and he cranks Tool. Your thoughts?

Scientology gives you super powers

Now, why would anyone say this religion is weird?

True Confessions

Not only did we not go running, but it isn't even raining. So, shall I roll out the excuses? Aaron stayed up until midnight playing some online shoot-em-up game. And Sophie was up every hour last night. Her teeth are really bothering her. And I can really just start running on Saturday so I know how long it will really take and to make sure I won't be late for work in the mornings. And, and, and...

This is bad, people

"Tons of chemicals in antibacterial soaps used in the bathrooms and kitchens of virtually every home are being released into the environment, yet no government agency is monitoring or regulating them in water supplies or food."

"About 75% of a potent bacteria-killing chemical that people flush down their drains survives treatment at sewage plants, and most of that ends up in sludge spread on farm fields, according to Johns Hopkins University research. Every year, it says, an estimated 200 tons of two compounds — triclocarban and triclosan — are applied to agricultural lands nationwide."

"Some experts worry that widespread use of such products may be helping turn some dangerous germs into "superbugs" resistant to antibiotics."

"Triclosan, which is more abundant because it is used in liquid soaps, has been detected in human breast milk and fish in streams in Europe."

Veronica Mars

Holy excellent finale, Batman! Woo! Murder, deception, smooching, graduation, loose ends wrapping up, suicide. What a fantastic show. If you aren't watching, I'm not sure I trust your judgement because you are really, really missing out.

Now what am I going to do with my Tuesday nights?

Blathering

Hmm, where to start?

Sophie definitely has a tooth (well, technically, she has a mouth full of teeth, but only one has broken the surface thus far. Can you tell I live with a reality-based scientist? Mathematist?). However, every time we actually get her to open her mouth so we can look for it, she covers it with her tongue. You may then say - well, just move her tongue aside - and to that I will laugh and laugh. Have you ever wrestled the squirmiest baby in the word? No? Then you have no idea. So we play games like handing her the clear cap of that bottle so she can gum it and maybe we can see the tooth through the bottom of the cap. If I put a finger in there, I can definitely feel it. It's kind of like a scratchy piece of grain. Or some sand. Sand that is all in a little row. She likes to maw on pint glasses. Because, see, we tend to drink our water out of big pint glasses and she is all about doing what we are doing. And she hasn't quite figured out that all we are doing is drinking from and not gnawing on the glass. Anyhoo, her new little tooth is now clanking (clinking?) on the glass. So it's there, but we have no visual confirmation.

Whew, that was long-winded.

In other news: Aaron and I agreed over the weekend to get up early on Tuesdays and Thursdays and go for a run around the block with the Snopher in the jogging stroller. Also on Saturdays, but we don't have to get up early. And since I try to get into work around 7 am, that means the alarm is going off around 5:30. Which it normally does but then we just hit the snoozer a bunch of times before I crawl out of bed. Do you know how hard it is to leave the comfort of a little snuggle bug who is all nestled in with you? God, she smells so good and is all pink-flushed-cheeks and gorgeousness. It is so easy and, well, so *right* to stay there with her and, oh yeah, with Aaron. Hmm, where was I? Today is Tuesday. The first day of our agreed-upon plan. Guess what? We didn't go running. Ha! The other part of the equation should really be that we need to go to bed earlier but that is so very hard. We are both night owls and somehow we ended up with a I'm-wide-awake-at-the-crack-of-dark baby. And it is rare that we can get her to sleep before 8 (Last night was a 7:15 anomaly). Once she's in bed it is time for us (me) to do all the things I need to do before going to bed. Like: get the coffee ready and wash the bottles/spoons/containers/sippy cups from the day and defrost some breast milk for the next day and get my lunch/snacks ready and then watch a show on tv (mostly just Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and maybe work on some project while I'm watching my show and sometimes sit down and try to catch up on my blog reading. So, we may head to bed at 10 (but that's EARLY for us) but then we sit there talking and tossing and turning. And then she is awake at 5 and, geez, why are we so tired? It's a vicious cycle. Now the plan is to start running on Thursday morning. I'll let you know how that goes. I'd like to be all optimistic about it but it's supposed to rain the rest of this week. Also? There is no way I can get to bed before 10.

Sophie Sunday!

The screaming video edition.

Super Sonic Sophie. She got over-excited about Otto playing with his cat toy right next to her. She is hitting octaves about which Celine Dion can only dream. You might want to turn down your sound.

The cats really, really want to play with the toy. Partly because we haven't played with them like this since before Sophie. Sophie, however, can't hold her glee in check. Hijinks ensue.

One last video. Another one, from a different angle, of Sophie reacting to Otto playing with the feather cat toy. I love how her feet are splayed out to help with her balance.

She kept screaming/laughing like this for a while. Aaron and I had tears running down our faces from laughing. She was seriously making sounds that I'm sure every dog in the neighborhood heard. We didn't see the kitties for about 5 hours after this.

Sophie Saturday!

No photos yet. My hosting company screwed something up yesterday and I couldn't login to post anything until now. And now it's time for the 'big dance' of getting Sophie ready for bed. So, I'll have photos at some point tonight. Maybe some video.

It's been quite a weekend. We ventured out to Target and Trader Joe's yesterday and then went for a 5 mile walk around the area and then today we had visitors in the form of Aunt A and Uncle D and Cousin G! BBQ time! We spent the morning organizing and playing and cleaning and then playing with our visitors in the grass and in Sophie's room. She was quite cranky after they left and when I was trying to get her to calm down and take a nap, she started gnawing on my thumb knuckle and, wait for it, there's a tooth! I could feel it on my knuckle and yet we can't get her to open up so we can look in there. Yet. But, first tooth! Still exciting. Mark the date.

Killing Us Softly

It seems like every day you turn around and there is something else you are using/consuming/touching that is causing you harm. And in this case, I mean long-term harm. Words like tumors and liver failure and hormonal disfunction spring to the top of the list.

Now I read Leery Polyp's site about PVCs and how many, many things contain these dangerous chemical compounds and possibly linking these things to infertility among other things. Did you realize that a LOT of baby toys - teethers, etc., - contain these chemicals? These are things that our babies are putting in their mouths. AND that baby bottles and nipples and sippy cups and bowls and spoons contain the same chemicals?

So then I start clicking through to some of the links and I found this great list of how to try and avoid some of these toxic chemicals in your daily life. Back to the baby bottles - every day, several times a day, we stick a baby bottle in Sophie's mouth. Or a plastic teether. Or a sippy cup. And she gnaws on these and releases the chemicals into her bloodstream. This just makes my blood boil with anger at these companies. Sure, maybe they don't know. But I'd be willing to bet that they do and they are hoping to get away with it for a long time.

I found a site that sells baby bottles and sippy cups that do not contain Bisphenol-A in their nipples or bottles. I just bought a set and plan on replacing the Avent and Dr. Brown's bottles and the sippy cups. You may think I'm panicking needlessly, but I'd much rather be safe than sorry.

Windfall!

I used to use Geico for insurance when we were in CA. I would have continued, but Massachusetts has some law against certain kinds of insurance. I've never researched it, but for some reason I can't get Geico or Progressive coverage here. Anyhoo, apparently Geico had a suit brought against it about how they determined insurance premiums and it violated California codes. Geico decided to "resolve the action" instead of continuing legal proceedings. Because I was a Geico policy holder at the time alleged by the suit - Geico just sent me a check. Before I opened it, we were guessing the amount. I guessed $20; Aaron guessed $3. It was a whopping $335.50! Woo!

Baby Boom!

Our friends Eric and Daniela welcomed little Erika to the world yesterday. Big, chubby baby with a head full of red hair! Congratulations!

Baby Einstein

washingtonpost.com article:

"The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, saying Baby Einstein Co. and Brainy Baby Co. should not be able to say their products inspire "logical thinking," foster "the development of your toddler's speech and language skills," or give "your child a jumpstart on learning."

The group said the claims are deceptive, since there is no proof that these increasingly popular videos are beneficial and educational. In fact, it said, "research shows that television viewing is potentially harmful for infants and toddlers," because it could adversely affect cognitive development if it replaces creative play and interaction with a child's parents and surroundings."
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I always thought these videos - especially the Baby Einstein series - were weird in that they just showed toys moving to, sometimes, classical music. What exactly is this teaching kids? Wouldn't it be better just to let them play with their own toys?

Personally, I like Julie's version better.

Color-iffic Swap-o-rama

For May. The color scheme this time was yellow and orange. This beauty is heading to...?

I'm thinking I might start selling these boxes. They are all hand painted and embellished with ribbons and silk flowers.

Here is a shot of the wire butterfly ornament:

And maybe sell the ornaments as well. What do you think?

Here is a shot of everything else that went with the package:

Click on any of the photos for more information.

Thank you Stephen Colbert

Thank Stephen. He has a huge set of cajones.

Mission Accomplished?

Just answer the question, Scotty.

QUESTION: Let me ask it another way: Has the mission been accomplished?

MCCLELLAN: Next question.

QUESTION: Has the mission been accomplished?

And, oh barf. Lest we forget the fawning of the media over Bush arriving to proclaim "Mission Accomplished". It was a staged photo-op, people, and you fell for it hook, line and cod piece.

The Great Decider

Bush challenges hundreds of laws

"WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.

Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research."