Quote of the week

"When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together"

-All I need to know I learned in Kindergarten

Gratitude

Well I thought I should come here and write, but alas, I don't know what to say!  I was thinking, I don't really know what goes on in the world these days, as it seems my whole life is consumed with the subject of sleep!  Which likely isn't too exciting for many!  So I read WearManyHats' article, and got to thinking about appreciation.  I thought the least I could do today is list ten things I'm grateful for right now; so here it goes:

1.  My son (Yes, even though if our lives were a movie, it would be called Sleepless in Long Beach)

2.  My husband, who works so hard at a job he dislikes, for his family

3.  We still own our condo! 

4.  That my son is napping (still!)

5.  Air conditioning

6.  Quiet

7.  FiOS (don't ask, but only because we no longer have a cable running from our balcony through our living room, which makes me ecstatic)

8.  Kitchen is finally painted!

9.  A glass of good red wine

10.  My baby boy's hugs (when he chooses to give them, there's nothing like it)

I want to start being more grateful...

The Secret, to Cry or not to Cry

Sorry it's been so long!  Also just want to apologize as some comments ended up on the wrong posts (?)  Don't know how that happened, but fixed it now...Wow, there are some strong feelings about the legalization of marijuana, as would be expected I suppose.  Who knows where we will end up with that.  Time will tell...And I've been given hope by a couple of women who've also experienced sleep deprivation, thank you so much!  Actually, for a short time I got really into "The Secret", I have some books on it and stuff, and it makes a lot of sense to me--it's actually very scientific.  Well, I've fallen out of "practice" with it, but was thinking the other day that I talk so much about my boy waking up at night, etc, I have possibly made it worse (you'll know what I mean if you've seen "The Secret").  So, now I shall change subjects and report (really!) that he did sleep much better last night, and is taking an OVER 2 HOUR nap!!!  Makes me so happy : )  And I have also been pondering the subject of "crying it out".  I have not thus far believed in it, nor really done it (I have let him cry at times, but depending upon the type of cry I go in to him).  Was wondering what you think about "sleep training"?  Well, my pumpkin eater seems to be waking, so got to go, everyone have a wonderful day!

A crazy idea?

Well, I just noticed that somehow this post has disappeared from my blog, so here it is again!

I have an idea. Call it Socialist, crazy, or whatever you like. But I just thought I'd put it out there for those who live in Southern California. The financial situation in California is abysmal right now. I think the amount of debt we're in is historic. And terrible. I'm not going to comment on how we possibly could have gotten into this mess, but we are certainly paying for it now. There have already been many layoffs, programs closed (including summer school), and discussion of closing 3/4 of the State Parks, among other things. My husband and I both work for a State developmental center, so already are taking a 10% pay cut (which is "made up" for with time on the books), and they are talking about another 5%. Plus, taxes going up, etc etc. The list goes on. So, how many million adults reside in California? I suppose I could find out on the Internet. I was just thinking, if everyone donated $5 or $10 or whatever they could (some would donate less, some more), would it wipe out at least half the debt? What about if we who live here could pay it ALL off with a one time donation, and start over, just start completely clean. I would rather give $25 now than continue to pay higher taxes, take pay cuts, layoffs, cuts in programs for who knows HOW many years...I know, sounds naive (and likely is) and too simple and "we shouldn't have to do that" and all that will happen is those in power will get us in the same situation again...but why not try? If we pool our resources, we could get out of this mess together. Just a thought...what do you think? Should I start donations?! 

Simple as that?

OK, I have an another suggestion (besides the one posted below) to help end California's budget crisis:

Legalize Marijuana

Duh. (Or as we used to say in the 70's, "No Doy", pronounced while poking and turning the index finger in the cheek)

Nuff Said.

Poooor California

You know how when people run out of money, sometimes they end up on the street? What will happen when California runs out of money, will it slide into the ocean? Or just go live with it's relatives in Arizona?

So Much for That

Well, that didn't last long...up again, quite a bit, actually. Mama wasn't feeling so patient last night. Blame it on teething? Seems like that's the "catch-all" for everything! Even baby Tylenol didn't work, when it usually does if that's the case. Before, I swore I'd never use any meds unless they were ABSOLUTELY necessary. Still, I try not to use it much, but somehow it's getting easier and easier. (I also thought I wouldn't let him watch TV until he was two, but that went right out the window--when I was having all those horrid breastfeeding issues, all I did was sit on the couch 24 hours a day with my boobs hooked up to some contraption or another trying to avoid using a bottle nipple, so what was a woman to do? I HAD to have the TV on, so since he was a babe, there it was. We love Baby Einstein's!). So, tried everything last night, couldn't figure it out, too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, too what the hell??? Oh well, Mama had a good half a pot of coffee so she's feeling fine! And now he's napping so all is good. Really he's my sweet little cuddle up happy kid during the day. One day when he's a teenager he'll make up for it and sleep until noon, right?

Whoopee!!

He slept all night. I mean ALL night. Without much of a peep. I awoke at 3 AM and got kind of worried, actually, as I hadn't heard anything. But overall, I think he's finally turned the corner! Of course, there's always bouts of colds or teething, or colds AND teething, as was the case the past couple of weeks...but now he's better, he sleeps! So, funny thing you do when that happens, you try to say, Oh, it's the shorts, he slept in shorts instead of long PJ's that must be it--or my hubby said "we should put him in a regular diaper all the time" as we'd run out of "overnight" diapers and to my dismay and anxiety about him leaking all over and having to change everything at 2 AM, he did not leak and all went well. Or, you try to feed him EXACTLY the same thing you fed him at EXACTLY the same time and have him drink the same amount of bed time bottle, etc etc. But we always try to figure it out, and we know deep down that none of those things REALLY makes a damn difference. It's just the luck of the draw. Anyway, Baby D is walking all over and imitating everything and talking (or trying to talk--some words he's actually good at) and laughing and although it's still demanding and tiring and 24/7 and all that, it seems to be getting easier overall...of course there are some of THOSE days still, and THOSE nights, but on the other hand he's becoming so much more fun. And, Grandma bought him his first pair of shoes--the good, walking kind of shoes that cost some dough--she insisted, who am I to say no? (I personally would have just gone to Target or something, but now I realize what good baby shoes are) And my God he if he isn't the cutest thing walking around in them, he actually looks like a real little boy picking up his feet and toddling around and tripping over himself. Anyway, I realize they all are cute in their first pair of shoes, aren't they? And I also realize it's getting late and I'm blabbering on about shoes which no one proabably cares about and my husband is going to sleep next to me and the striking of the keys is likely not the most pleasant sound to fall asleep to and no I haven't had 10 cups of coffee (in fact I'm having a glass of red wine)....Phew! I'd better turn this thing off and read or something. Bye for now!

I love him so, but....

OK, I just googled "motherhood sucks" and am glad to know that I am not alone. Today was just one of those days, you know? And I only have one kid! I think I must be crazy to want another one, but despite these days where one runs into another and it all sort of starts to become a blur, I do want to try. Anyway, it's just not fair. This is what I whined to my husband on the phone today because my son took 2 and a half (!) hour naps both days prior with my husband (while I was at work), and then I barely get an hour. What happened? What the hell am I doing wrong? I never get (well hardly ever) even a 2 hour nap...so I did it all like he did it, and still my babe took a shorter nap then he usually does. I was soooo irritated. Really I was. Especially since today my husband is working a double shift so it's the only day I really needed him to give me a little break with his nap. I know, I know, it's not his fault. He's just a baby. But man was I mad at that little guy when I heard him waking up! And I keep thinking, I need to get out. I need a break. It's been way too long. I'm ready to go. So the plan is when my husband gets home from work tomorrow, off I go! And dammit, I'm staying out til 10! But do I go, as my hubby did a double then works and then comes home and I just take off? I don't know...maybe I should postpone it. But if I don't get out soon, I'm going to literally go insane! This stay at home mom stuff (well now I work 2 days a week) is soooo hard. Well, there you go. I just had to let off some steam. It's just been quite the day (I could tell you more, but I won't bore you any longer!). When's he gonna be 5? Does it get any easier then?!

Surgeons, Pilots, and Moms

I love you, baby D

Saturday, April 25, 2009