Monday, April 21, 2008

Miles' First Festival!

Pic of the day: Matt snapped this pic of me & Sugarpop right after I woke up one weekday to take over "the morning shift". Forgive me for looking like absolute crap but I think this looks as if I just told Miles the punchline to a great joke that he found absolutely hilarious.

Yesterday we made our second annual trek down to the river for the Crawfish Festival. Neither of us really eat crawfish but we have a friend who is a through and through Cajun woman who loves all things N'Awlins so she, her husband and three girls rent a VIP tent space each year. It's a bit of time for us to hook up with dear friends in wonderful, warm spring weather.

We packed the diaper bag TIGHT full of virtually everything a baby could possibly need without bathroom access...except a hat. Right after we popped him into the Hotsling and started walking from the car I looked down and saw that bald, little head totally and completely exposed to the hot sun and suddenly remembered I had the perfect wide-brimmed hat at home someone had given us at our shower last year. Curses!! So we kept him either in the shade or in his car seat for most of the day.

I loved watching his reaction to all these things he was experiencing for the very first time: a large crowd, Zydeco bands, other kids and babies. Then there were smells from the corn dog stand, funnel cakes, grilled burgers and corn on the cob. He silently watched with huge, interested eyes while sucking on his fist and cuddling up against me in his sling. Speaking of the sling, I made a bet with Matt that we would be the only people in that entire crowd wearing one and I was right. In a wide open park a stroller is ideal but in tight, crowed quarters around drunk people a Hotsling was the best $30 we ever spent. And we got so many smiles, comments and questions while we were wearing it! I love being in "the parent club" and striking up conversations with strangers on the phases of infanthood. Being a mom rocks so much more than I ever expected.

Also, last night my best girlfriends K and Cheri (names slightly changed to protect the guilty) and I carpooled over to our newly prego girlfriend Cat's place to dump some loot on her. I had no idea before I became pregnant that something snaps in a new mom's head making her want to give away lots of the stuff she used when she was formerly pregnant that came in handy along with some things she knows the preggers girlfriend will need. During the move I sorted through every scrap of my clothing and came up with 2 boxes worth of maternity clothes, a bottle brush (whoever invented those gets a hug from me) and a whole bag of newborn diapers we never even used since our lil one grew so fast. The three of us talked, laughed and drank wine for hours as Cat sat quietly, sipping her water and listening to our stories. It must have been a lot for the poor girl to take in but Cheri and I have been "on the front lines" with one child each and have a lot to share as far as safe remedies for all ailments of pregnancy as well as birthing advice. Cheri had a VERY fast natural childbirth with no time for an epidural while I, of course, had a c-section with lots and lots of great medication. Depending on Cat's progression there's no telling what path she will end up taking. Hopefully, having good girlfriends around to impart their sageness helped her feel a bit more at ease. After all, it's a scary process and a first-timer has no idea what to expect. Cat, any time you have a question no matter how trivial or "gross" you might think it, please do NOT hesitate to call or email your "fairy godmothers" and we will be happy to oblige.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Having a baby? BUY THIS!!

The Summer Infant 900 MHz 2.5" color LCD screen baby monitor. Yes, it's very pricey. But it is by far the coolest thing I have ever purchased for my child. It shows color during the day and black and white at night. Matt and I put the handheld piece on the coffee table while we were eating supper and watched "the Miles show". Then, while he was at work, I would roll over in bed several times during the night and flip on the screen so I could see what my sugarpop (as I call him) was up to. It picks up the slightest sounds and movement so us paranoid new moms can always make sure our lil ones haven't caught the SIDS. (Yeah, we call it that on purpose as if it's a contagious disease.)
I paid big bucks for mine because I had a JCPenney gift card but you can get it for much cheaper at Walmart. Cat, if you're reading this - it is WELL worth the investment. Put it on your baby registry!!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Life Changes Quickly

Between moving from our tiny shoebox one bedroom apartment to a huge ample two bedroom, facing the death of my last remaining grandmother and taking care of an infant you could say I've had a very busy last couple of weeks. And, since I wasn't feeling especially positive, I opted to refrain from blogging until today.

To recap the funeral was lovely. My dad found a company who sends out a lady with a giant basket of white doves to be released at the gravesite and it was one of the most impressive things I think I've ever seen. My brother and I released them and, to be honest, I think we were a bit scared of them. After all, we grew up around dozens of dogs and cats (even the occassional goldfish - Figaro, I believe it was named) but never a bird. However, the "bird lady" assured us that these doves are well trained and will simply fly back to their corporate headquarters...or wherever it is they call home.
Both of my aunts came which always greatly surprises me as well as my Papaw which filled dad's wish of wanting a picture of him with his greatgrandson. I read the eulogy and screwed up several times, embarassing myself. Nevertheless my husband assured me no one noticed except for the hard time he gave me for replacing the word "retired" with "retarded". Guh. Sue, I apologize for looking like such a schmuck.

Our new place is awesome. Matt and I have been living happily in an ultra tiny cubbyhole for the last 2 years and never would have moved at all if it hadn't of been for the little one. When one person is trying to sleep with only a thin wall between them and a screaming newborn being comforted by another it becomes quite clear that more square footage is needed. Who knew something so small could command so much room?! We chose our own colors for all the rooms (I'm especially proud of the bathroom) and now have a patio so large that we can fit all our outdoor furniture along with the grill and baby swing together. It's a LOT closer to the street whereas before we were in the center of the courtyard so traffic is a lot noisier but the sacrifice is well worth it. Plus, I had a great excuse to go out and buy this ultra pimp baby monitor with a color video screen because hey, you never know when we'll be hanging on the clamorous porch while Miles awakens from a nap. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Yeah, yeah, I know the cheapy $15 one from Target would suffice but I think I will really like my new toy.

Ok, time to get cracking on some Ebay shipments I need to get out today. Have I mentioned I have an Ebay business? No? Well then come on over and check out my store! Inventory is constantly being updated and my prices are almost always negotiable: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZclubdivaQQhtZ-1

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Miles' Great Grandmother

Sad news to deliver this afternoon: my only remaining living grandmother, Emma Sue Todd, passed away this morning in her sleep. For many years she was the executive assistant to the founder of Holiday Inn Hotels, something she was quite proud of. Known as Sue to friends and family she was only 3 weeks away from her 88th birthday but has been in declining health for a couple of years now. My father was her only child and he will have quite the burden in preparations for her funeral. This is just one more reminder to Matt and myself why we want Miles to have at least one sibling.
The cool thing is that my dad took baby and myself to see her in the nursing home shortly after his birth for a picture so at least I can show him visual proof of meeting his very own great grandmother.
My only living grandparent now is Papaw, grandfather on my mom's side. I've always loved his visits so it will be nice to see him at some point next week when he comes to pay his respects. My aunts came to my late grandfather's funeral 4 years ago and I'm wondering if they will make it as well.

The craziest part of all this is the timeline. My grandfather, Carl, died in April of 2004. Sue's birthday is 3 weeks from tomorrow so she was born and now has also died in April. My wedding anniversary with Matt is less than 3 weeks away and my uncle Nick died right before Matt and I began dating in April 6 years ago. There's something about April in my life that causes constant life upheaval!