More firsts

It seems appropriate that so many first have been going on here lately, given the entire post I wrote about first year firsts just the other day. (there is a giveaway there, go enter!)

I am not sure I could have used the word first any more in that sentence.

Moving on!

I think I forgot to mention that our first born got her ears pierced, after much begging, with her bestie the other day! I am glad I waited until this was her idea (she has been BEGGING for weeks!)because she reminds me that her ears need cleaned every day, which I know I would forget if I had to remember on my own.  And she has “kitty hello” earrings, such a cool chick!

I ran my first turkey trot (in super freezing cold weather!) on thanksgiving. It really wasn’t that bad at all, and I am pretty sure the cold motivated me to run faster than normal - I’m not fast at all, so I’ll take any extra seconds off my time I can get!

Aleesia enjoyed her first thanksgiving.

<—this is what happens when I try to take their picture!

Gianna wrote out table cards for everyone and decided where each person should sit, she is becoming such a young lady these days!

Our weekend continued with me taking Gianna to the movies for the first time. We saw Frozen which is ADORABLE!

Aleesia had been stuffy (again again again, she’s always stuffy!) and generally crabby so we took her to the doctor, first ear infection.

Followed up on Sunday with her first stomach virus. (honestly. I had no idea a 10 month old could vomit so much at one time.)

It was a super fun end to the holiday weekend up in here! (but overall, we did have a fun weekend)

I also got a little surprise in my inbox today:

Looks like I’ll be adding “first half marathon” to my list of 2014 firsts.  No backing out or slacking on training now!  I honestly did not think I would be selected (no one else I know who registered was selected) so I am a little shocked, nervous, mostly excited though.  It’s something I’ve wanted to accomplish for a long time and no time like the present, right?

Germies be gone with “The Germinator” {review}

Lately it seems that  many of the small people in the lives of my tweeps have been constantly sick.  Almost making me think that germs can be spread via tweet.

But that is just ridiculous.

We are lucky that the germies have pretty much steered clear of our house with the exception of the occasional sniffle, but that doesn’t stop us from going on the defensive.

BabyGanics, the makers of “The Germinator” make a FABULOUS Alcohol Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer that is effective against 99.9% of germs.

We keep it in our upstairs bathroom for easy access since most diaper changes (I seriously can’t believe we are still changing diapers at almost 3 years old with no end in sight. But I digress) happen up there.  And it’s easy for Gianna to get to before meal times. 

It smells good (Tangerine!) (also available unscented), is not chemical-y like some other hand sanitizers, doesn’t leave your skin feeling slime-y and best of all, it does not burn.  Especially important for those of us with super extreme dry skin, like me.  There is NOTHING worse than “accidentally” discovering a paper cut or chapped skin with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

BabyGanics “The Germinator” Alcohol Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer retails for $6.99 (250ml) and can be purchased online or at Babies R Us, Bed Bath & Beyond (don’t forget your 20% off coupon!) and Buy Buy Baby.

I know we’ll be keeping “The Germinator” around so we can keep the germies away this cold and flu season! 

<--- happy to not have sick people living in my house!

**Disclaimer: BabyGanics’ “The Germinator” Alcohol Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer was provided for my review.  All opinions are 100% my own. Pictures are mine too. Cheesy smile and all.**

Friday Night Leftovers: Back to Work Edition

• This week I am so thankful to Danifred for hosting FNL, more than usual!
• Back to work week 1 has been EXHAUSTING. Pile a few after work meetings (you know, for my other-other job!), finishing up teaching this term and getting a cold on top of it and I AM SPENT.
• It has also been a little boring. To be expected with the whole learning curve and all that – but honestly, I don’t do bored well. (I know, you are SHOCKED to hear that)
• It hasn’t been as hard as I imagined leaving G every day, but she has only been awake one day when I had to leave.
• That sucked – she kept saying “NO! Put your jammies back on, Mommy!” It was very adorable and very heartbreaking.
• When I called home at lunch the other day she was very excited to tell me she bought me flowers – that was also very adorable.
• I think it will be harder as we continue on – I so miss the everyday stuff.
• Getting up early isn’t an issue, getting home at 6 though? That is hard for me.
• BUT! New job has lots of benefits, like a constant flow of coffee, a comfy chair, 2 computer monitors just for me and all the office supplies a girl could ask for.
• The people are nice too.
• In the employee handbook is a section about blogging and how you shouldn’t identify who you work for BUT we don’t want to hinder your personal creativity.
• Also, I need to go shopping! My last job I could wear scrubs to work – I needs some more work clothes. And shoes. Duh.
• Praying that we all fall into a new routine soon, I don’t over extend myself and that the stress slowly starts to go away.

day 30 of 30

You guys, this posting every day gig has been really fun.

I have met a lot of new bloggers and hope that some other new friends have decided to stick around here as well.

I have some videos, lots of pictures and other holiday fanfare (hopefully cookies!)  to share with you all through the next month, maybe not every single day, but hey, I’ll do my best!

But first, I have to show you what I got in the mail for Gianna this week (from etsy, of course):

 

I can’t wait for her to wear it!!

Also  - Mike picked up these most awesome Boogie Wipes to combat the snot/raw nose problem that has been going on in our house:

They freaking ROCK and the little one has been more willing to have her nose wiped.  Still not a fan of the chinese torture boogie sucker, but hey, one thing at a time I guess.

Snot Snot Everywhere

I have a sick toddler.

A stuffy, sickly little girl – who, thankfully, is actually in a pretty good mood despite clearly feeling junky.

Friday night was less than productive in the sleep department and at one point when I went in to check on the bug, her hair was covered in snot (very attractive look) and I could hear the junk building up in her little head.

Yesterday she seemed better in the morning, so we went forward with our christmas tree plans.  It was all down hill from there. She had the sick eyes, the faucet nose and she was just out.of.it the entire time. (but she did see Santa – so WIN!).

She woke up from her nap super early with a pretty significant fever.  And then was wired from the meds….. and didn’t nap.

I did get lots of snuggles.  And I do get to wear the hot new accessory, baby snot.  WOOT.

Last night was equally unproductive as far as sleep.

Her poor nose is bloody from running/blowing and she is so stuffy her eyes are watering.  But, she is a pretty happy camper, so that helps.  And her stuffy voice is kind of adorable.

We have tried putting vicks on her feet, saline/chinese torture bugger sucker, humidifier all that fun stuff.

What else can I do for her?

A week for the record book

This week has been ridiculous. In every sense of the word.

Let me break it down:

Monday: Woke up feeling crummy and running late for a doctor’s appointment with my sister in which I went to the wrong building and had to argue with the receptionist. Gianna went to her 18 month appt and got shots. And was crabby.

Tuesday: It was raining. Work was…. work…. and my sore throat got worse with a side of head stuffy-ness.

Wednesday: Woke up late. Dropped my muffin on the way out of the house. Voice was on it’s way out. Work was, work. Then at 4:50pm, I found out I wouldn’t be returning to work with no rhyme or reason given. I had to fight with them over my phone/phone #, I won the phone # but lost the phone.  A lot of crying, frustration and plan-making and plan-executing ensued.

Thursday: Voice is completely gone. I didn’t get my phone back until 5 and ended up relinquishing my beloved blackberry for a much less appealing Samsung reality. Have I mentioned that I have lost my voice and think I have bronchitis?  I have to start a midterm for class, clean and work on my capstone project.

Tomorrow is Friday. I am having people over for a Premiere Designs Jewelry party.  And wine. And chocolate. And wine.

All is not lost, but things are defiantly thrown up in the air and I have not a clue where they will fall. 

Medicine Head

Allergies? The Plaque? Sinus Infection?

All of the above.

Me and G both have the sickness.  

Total suckage in this house right now.

And honestly, when I am sick, I am worthless.  I pretend like "oh, I am fine" but inside I am all "I could just fall over and die any second now"  

When Gianna is sick? The Drama comes on in full force. Whining. snoring. Pitiful tantrums because "WHOOAA these people just don't understand my needs" (no really, she will gently lower herself to the ground, roll around going "whooaa") She wants outside. no inside. up. no down. wawa. no cups. lovie. sleep. no sleep. So indecisive this chick.

The other really really really crappy part about G being sick? Night terrors.

She has them usually when she is teething in full force (which she is also doing, thank you 2yr molars) and/or sick.  Last night? ROUGH.  It is one of the scariest things to witness.

so, no sleep for the weary in our house. more suckage.

Except the things that don't suck. 

Like having a job interview next week.  That's cool. 

And having date night tomorrow. That will be fun. If I can keep my snot to myself.....

one sick baby = no sleep. ever.

This last week has been, interesting.

Last week was scary.

Gianna had high fevers for a few days, followed by a REALLY high fever and trip to the ER.  Of course she was happy as could be when the doctor came in, clearly she is dramatic.  It's just a virus they tell us, ask jennepper how assholeish that phrase is. 
The next day she started with the congestion.  But it's up really high in her sinuses, as in, no boogy sucker*, saline drop or humidifier is touching it.  Poor kid snores when she sleeps, very pitiful.  I called the nurse line to our peds office last night because, helloooo she is not sleeping or breathing (ok, she IS breathing, but not well!) they basically said that until she has been miserable stuffed up for 10days don't even bother coming in.  Thanks for that, asshole.  I hope they are sending me coffee by the case because there is not much sleeping going on here. 

I have been wanting one of those temporal thermometers, would have come in handy last week when we were wrestling the baby taking her temperature.  I finally got one the other day at babies r us, for a killer deal.  It is fun to play with.  Did you know you the temperature on your forehead and stomach are significantly different? Me either......  But - I do really recommend it.  I will now be prepared for fevers and party fun.

She is pretty happy most of the day, but she stays up for even shorter amounts of time between naps/sleep, doesn't want to eat**, sleeps like shit.  But she laughs and smiles, so that counts for something right?  Does anyone want to come over and take the 3a-6a shift? Anyone at all?




*I totally typed booby first. thought you might want to know.
**tonight, she threw her entire dinner on the floor, tried to fling herself out of her highchair and when I put her down on the floor to entertain herself while we finished eating, she ate the cheerios off the floor. I am in SO MUCH TROUBLE.....

pieces

• I hate washing bottles, probably a tie between that and changing the diaper genie for worst baby related chores.
• Hate is a really strong word. I do not hate anyone in my life, even if I want to. What I do hate is that I am nice to everyone, whether they deserve it or not, and it gets me no where but frustrated a lot. But, I am not the kind of person that can be mean unless I am provoked, and even then, I usually get upset with a smile on my face. At least not out loud.
• I have an eye doctor appointment next week and I am really excited. I have never been able to see, but lately it is much much worse. My glasses are pointless.
• We went out to dinner tonight, it started out that we were going somewhere with alocoholic beverages and we ended up at IHOP.
• My semester started today, I am sad to be away from the baby and even though she doesn't notice or care that I am gone, it kills me. I know it is for the best, it just doesn't always feel like it.
• I think I feel worse about working and school today because G has been really sick this week. So sick we had our first trip to the ER. (all is fine.... it's just a virus.....::insert eye roll + angry face::) and I was at work. Not home with my sick baby. And that, made me sick.
• Mike was home with her, which made me feel about 1/10th better about the situation.
• Speaking of Mike, he has been looking for months for a job in video production/editing/broadcasting with out luck. Any ideas on what else he can do to get a job in his industry?
• I have been working out more and I feel great about it! Lets hope it keeps up with the busy semester ahead. Also, because I got a gift certificate to go tanning for christmas but I am holding out on using it until I look and feel better about myself.
• My project 365 is going well. I really like it, even if I only upload the pictures once a week or so.
• Oh and my laptop - it died. Well, the screen died. If I didn't have bad luck, I would have no luck at all.

14 days

and impatiently counting......

still here.
still pregnant.
still sick too....

I am actually feeling better than I was last week - but not 100%.

In baby news - we are making slow progress, but i'll take any progress. I have been having contractions off and on for a few days - they are getting stronger but not necessarily closer together. today I told mike (after having about 2 hours of 3-10min apart contractions) that I refused to call the doctor until I was sure something productive was going on because I am not going to L&D and leaving w/o this little girl! So - I am going to continue to monitor myself as best I can [I honestly don't know what I am supposed to feel, how long they are supposed to last blah blah blah - sure I know the "guidelines" but that's really giving me no reassurance.] and hope that this light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter quickly!

In other news - working from home last week was a success as far as I am concerned there are some major kinks to be worked out - but hey have to do with the other end of things and not me. I get my work done so much quicker which is awesome, and will be very nice when I have this little girl to look after. I will be doing this a few days this week I think so that is good with me - I am quickly running out of clothes - especially work appropriate clothes. Do you think they will let me wear gym shorts and hoodies next week?!

illegal

I woke up Sunday morning feeling a little under the weather - i thought it was from the long weekend.
I went to bed Sunday night feeling like complete shit.
I woke up* Monday morning feeling worse than that.
And today - I feel like it is not possible for anymore stuff to come out of my nose.

It should be illegal to be 37w4d pregnant and have a cold. Seriously.

Do you think anyone would notice if I crawled under my desk and went to sleep for a few hours?

Tomorrow is a work from home day and I am freaking ecstatic! I don't have to worry about what shirt will cover this big ol' belly and I can maybe relax for half a second.

On the upside, we got the rest of our maternity pictures yesterday - they are awesome! If you want to see the whole slide show leave me a comment w/ your email and I'll send it to you.

*I use the phrase "woke up" loosely, I barely slept.