Blogging my day January 5

Taking a cue from Moments with Love, I'm gonna blog my day today. I can't resist. It's not even noon and already today has been unusual.

8:06 a.m.

Woke up in a panic from nightmare that Phoebe was kidnapped and molested (thank you very much, pregnancy hormones and watching the movie "Taken" last week) Heard Phoebe playing with her musical turtle in her crib. She was waking up. I got up and played online.

8:30 a.m.

Went to Phoebe's room, played with her for awhile while she was in her crib then took her out to change her diaper.

Lola the dog came in and I said "Hi Lola!" and she proceeded to take a dump in the baby's room (NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE EVER!).

I said "LOLA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" and as she was skimpering out, a turd dropped a few feet from the original pile.

8:45 a.m.

Downstairs now after cleaning up dog poop (and dry heaving a few times) I went into the kitchen to get Phoebe's milk.

8:46 a.m.

Walked into living room with Phoebe's milk to find her eating one of the chocolates we left on the coffee table (IN THE BOX) last night. Flavor? Coconut curry.

When she saw me, she looked startled and put the chocolate back into the box.

Teeth marks and all.

9:15 a.m.

Driving to Target (dog on my lap - she insisted on going) I heard one of my FAVORITE songs from 10 years ago: 16 Days by Whiskeytown. Turned up volume and sang. Phoebe didn't cry, so it must not have been too bad.



9:30 a.m.

SCORE! FAVORITE maternity shirts on sale at Target for $3 (I can't find them online though -- they're just long-sleeved cotton tops that fit really nicely). Also found new baby name book I am VERY excited about (has lots of lists)



Also found a step stool for Phoebe. We're supposed to be making her sit (with her knees bent) and then getting her to stand from that position and that's kinda difficult to do without a little chair or something and the step stool will do double duty - helping her get onto the couch (her new favorite thing in the world) and also will help her practice sitting.

10:45 a.m.

Home. Baby in bed. Hopefully she's gonna nap. With the gardeners and an expected package delivery from UPS (yay!) I am doubtful ... we'll see.

11 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Wash linens. Read through baby name book. Wrote down current favorites (Daphne, Clover, Marlo, Frances, Allison, Naomi, Koren, Penelope). Brewed (and enjoyed) some of my Canarino (DELICIOUS and THANK YOU UPS!)

Lunch, walk around Atascadero Lake, home for nap, wash dishes, fart around on Innernets.

So far ... pretty lazy afternoon. I plan on doing serious housework tomorrow as I am getting a new Melaleuca shipment (I LOVE MELALEUCA!) so today was lightweight.

Geoff should be home in an hour, so I'll probably pick up the living room while Phoebe is still napping/playing in her crib, and then start dinner (mostly leftovers so should be easy).

4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

Watched first hour of Heroes, but stupid DVR didn't record the second half! GUUUUUUUUUH!

5:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.

Geoff came home, we played with Phoebe (her new favorite game? us grabbing her "hams" -- her thighs -- and tickling mercilessly -- she loses her breath she laughs so hard), I made dinner, took a shower (washed my hair! SCORE!) and made Phoebe's bed while Geoff gave her a bath.

She went to bed at 8 (a late night for Phoebe) and we watched the rest of the Andromeda Strain (SO GOOD) and then watched "Body of Lies" with a fat Russell Crowe.

Then, reading a little bit of my book



... and then off to sleep.

Pretty boring day, really. Today is even moreso though -- cleaning. Deep. Cleaning. But I have new cleaning products so that always makes the time go faster.

Okay seriously, this is the best gum ever

I have loved fake watermelon flavor since FOREVER. My first love was probably the watermelon flavored Jolly Ranchers. Next to peach, the best flavor of jolly rancher EVER!

So, today at Vons, I picked up a pack of this gum:

I just popped in a piece and, seriously, IT'S THE BEST GUM OF MY LIFE!

The gimmick is that there's these "micro bursts" that are supposed to offer a hydrating sensation and OMFG people -- it works.

GREAT watermelon flavor and a great mouth-watering sensation when you start chewing. It's SO GOOD.

Without giving away too much information, let me just say that I wish I had this gum in high school and college, when dry mouth occasionally became a problem.

Giving this a try

I just learned today that Amazon has partnered with Blogger to help monetize blogs based on a blogger's review of something available for purchase on Amazon.

As I do 90% of my online shopping from Amazon (love it SO MUCH) I thought I'd give it a try.

So ... first off, let me recommend the following THAT I LOVE SO MUCH:



When Geoff and I started dating, I had a bottle of Hempz lotion in my bathroom that he'd use EVERY SINGLE TIME he was at my house. I bought him a bottle for our first Christmas together in 2005.

And he uses about one bottle each year (he uses it as a face lotion). And each year I buy him a bottle of it.

It smells SO DELICIOUS.

And -- best part -- it makes buying his Christmas gifts sorta easy because that one is always a given.

And each year he has said to me in December "Man, I need more lotion" and I go "I know you do ... but Christmas is coming up".

And he always acts surprised when he opens the box.

Happy New Year

... how we spent the day before coming home to pois pigeon (hoppin' john), cornbread and brownies.

Little Phoebe Blue Eyes



We had our first date and then got married within view of Morro Rock. It felt good to see it again this morning.



I hate this picture of myself, but hello - check that stroller in the sand, people. IT WENT DOWN THOSE STAIRS, TOO!







She took a few steps on the rocks. She doesn't like carpet most of the time, but the rocks were okay, I guess.

... plus they're good to bang together

SUPEERRRRRRRRRRRRBABY!





Belly shot and I don't know what setting Geoff used to take this picture, but I look like I weigh 100 lbs AND I'm not wearing maternity jeans (morning sickness has prevented weight gain ... so far) so I'm going with it.

... aaaaaaaaaaaand then Phoebe decided to eat some rocks/sand.

"I know you wanna eat more rocks, but mommy and daddy need fried foods for lunch"

cookie monster



One lonely teardrop ... so pitiful


... but a cookie makes it okay. Even if it's seasoned with sand.

The End

I feel like I should be trying to sum up 2009 for our family in this last blog post of the year. A sort of Christmas letter or something.

I have been wanting to write Phoebe another letter (I've long given up on monthly letters, but I still have lots to say).

But it's been a sparse blogging season ever since the demolition via water of our laptop. Something about sitting among the mess of our bedroom is just not good for writing.

I prefer sitting among the mess in the kitchen, for creativity purposes.

I can't say this year has gone particularly faster than any other. Certainly when looking back, it feels like everything that has happened blurs together into a collage of memories and moments that all spell out 2009.

Nothing more than any other stands out, really. Lots of surprises (but what of life isn't a surprise?). Lots of new experiences (each day we have them). Learned a lot. Probably forgot even more.

I could make a list of things. I like making lists. The end of the year seems like a good time to make one. But then ... where to begin?

I guess I try to take one day at a time.

No resolutions.

No reflections.

Just ... wonder.

That it's going to be a new year.

And Lola and Phoebe and Geoff are all getting older.

But I still feel the same age.

I don't know what that age is, or what I'd even want it to be.

All I know is in 2010 we're going to become a family of 4.

Anything other than that ... well, it's not in my planner.

And I like it this way.

See you next year.

Money can buy happiness

I just wanted to let you know I've removed the Paypal button that used to take up residence under the year-old picture of me over there, because two days ago I was able to buy the Stroller Of My Dreams at Costco. In green.

For $200 less than it costs online.

I. Am. In. Heaven.

I will be posting pictures soon.

And, look, I know it's gauche to brag about having an expensive stroller. I get it.

I made fun of people with expensive strollers and baby gear when I was pregnant with Phoebe.

And then I had a baby.

And then I realized I was gonna have 2 babies who will need to be in a stroller in June.

And I did some research.

And the UPPAbaby is the BEST ONE I found. Lightest, smallest, most convenient.

I'm not spoiled. All of Phoebe's baby stuff (high chair, crib, mattress, pack and play, sling) was bought for under $200. We were supremely frugal with all of the stuff we bought for her.

Her carseat and Chicco stroller were gifts.

And my stepdad gave us some money for the stroller and it ended up covering almost all of it because I found it so (comparatively) inexpensive.

I am soooo happy.

Now if it'd just stop raining so I could get out there and use it ... I'd be THRILLED.

I still need the Rumbleseat, but not until new baby is born.

And in the meantime, I have a Chicco Cortina I'd like to sell ... we only used it for a year because we got it for Christmas last year when Phoebe was 6 months old.

Life is pretty darn good.

The Many Faces Of Phoebe*

*who has a cold

Determination, Part 2

Well, Phoebe is eligible for the program. Some of her skill sets are at 3 month range. Some up to 15 month range.

So she qualified.

Geoff was able to leave work early to be here when Sherri came over and, man, can I just say AGAIN that I'd love for her to move in with us?

On Tuesday Sherri and Heather are coming by again to set up a game plan. Basically what happens at this point is we make up a list of 6 month goals.

Like, in 6 months we want Phoebe to be walking and maybe saying a word or two, etc.

And then we determine what we need to do to get there.

Basically it's going to be the most organized thing I've ever done in my life.

Sherri said what will most likely happen is that we'll have an occupational therapist, a speech therapist and a physical therapist all coming by once a week to work with Phoebe and I.

I say "and I" because they are only gonna be here maybe an hour. And then it's up to Geoff and I to continue helping Phoebe the rest of the week.

We're gonna get started in January.

And I can't wait.

Determination, Part 1

Today is the day the local agency will have a meeting to determine if Phoebe is eligible to receive services.

I got a phone call from one of the women who were at my house last Tuesday and she is coming by later to discuss her report, which will be discussed at the meeting today.

She told me she is certain Phoebe will be eligible, based on her report.

She is going to answer questions, explain the process from here, and just touch base.

She is coming by at 2.

My house is a disaster to the point I don't even know where to start to pick it up.

I've made a pot of coffee.

I'm going to keep busy with cleaning.

And I hope I remember everything I want to ask her.

A Good Night

Last night was my work's Christmas party. You guys might know that I work in a restaurant. A really really really good restaurant. A restaurant that's closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, hence we had the party in the middle of the week.

And the Christmas party was a pot luck.

So you can imagine how delicious the food was.

Duck mole enchiladas
Scallop Ceviche
Tamales (pork and green chile and cheese -- my FAVORITE)
Chile Verde (my dish)
Pot beans (my dish)
Guacamole (my dish)
Mexican bread pudding (Oh Holy Night it was SO GOOD)

Geoff enjoyed some beers and wine .. I had Margarita mix with water and ice. It was actually pretty good. I can't remember the last time I had a virgin margarita, but I'm sure it was at least 15 years ago.

The highlight of the night was the gift exchange. We had all drawn for secret santas a few weeks ago and last night learned who drew our names.

I drew Luis.

Luis drew me.

I love that.

I got him some pajama bottoms from Old Navy that had "Naughty" written on them in red. His daughter Poquita Daisy laughed when she saw them. We all laughed when Luis put on a fashion show for us. I also got him about 5 lbs of miscellaneous Lindor and Ferrero chocolates. Luis is the pickiest eater in the world. He won't even TASTE something if he so much as thinks he won't like it. But he does love all things chocolate.

I think it was a success.

He got me a necklace, earrings and a perfume/lotion box set. I think his wife Daisy picked it out for me.

But the best present of all?

It's definitely a tie between:

Luis telling everyone his wife is pregnant again (due in July -- and he told me about it on Sunday night -- I am so excited)

and

Luis telling me my chile verde was great. And then going back for seconds.

Friday is Geoff's company Christmas party at a nice restaurant in San Luis Obispo. And I like his coworkers a lot.

But I'm pretty sure they're not gonna have scallop ceviche.

And I know they're not gonna have a Luis.