A Good Samhain To You

Happy Celtic New Year.

Traditionally Samhain (pron. 'sau - an'), November 1st, marked the beginning of the year in Ireland. On the eve of Samhain the separation between the past and the future, this world and the next dissolved, the fairies feast, the púcáns (magical animals) roam and the Irish people set lighted candles inside turnips. The inspiration for the Jack-o-Lantern, like so many of our Halloween customs, grew from this festival that began a season of song and stories told around the fire during the long nights of winter.

Would you like some candy?



Could you refuse this little faery?



Beggar's Night was last night in our suburb. It was freakin' cold! And windy! Brenna had on thermal pjs and her sweat suit. Not a nice night to be out. We went ta a dozen houses and then came home to hand out candy. I think Brenna had more fun at home.



She stood at the door holding the cauldron of goodies saying, "People. People. People coming." It was so cute.

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Happy Birthday Brenna

You always hear how fast they grow up but it really doesn't prepare you for the fact of it. In two short years we've gone from this:



To this:


My faery princess is two years old. It just doesn't seem possible. Happy birthday Brenna Clare! We love you so much!

And, if that weren't enough reason to celebrate, when we got home from going to Chuck E Cheese for greasy pizza and games Brenna's pull up was dry. She sat right down on the potty and went pee-pee. There was much celebrating and cheering in the bathroom tonight. She is such a big girl! Yea Brenna!

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I Admit Defeat

I have control issues. Namely, I like to be in control. I plan everything. I make lists. I have timelines. It's all about scheduling.

Well, it was all about scheduling. Now it's all about Caelan. Whatever I am doing, or should be doing, must cease when she needs fed. Or changed. Or just held. And that throws my entire day into disarray. It also explains why my house hasn't been cleaned at all this week.

I should probably note that today is Brenna's birthday. If I were a good mommy with more time I would do a lovely post. Eh, maybe later. I mention it now because we are having her birthday party on Saturday. I have to clean the house for it. Have to. It's a mess.

So I had to break down and admit that I just can't do it all. I'm not super mom.

So today I ordered Brenna's birthday cake. Yes, I admit it, I am paying someone to bake and decorate a cake. I just can't do it. I haven't got the time -or the energy, to be quite honest.

And now Brenna is saying she's poopy- which I doubt; she just likes the attantion- and Caelan is making her grunting noises- which means she is pooping.

Yep, really glad I delegated the cake to someone else.

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Our Beautiful Girls

Today I took the girls to Portrait Innovations; Brenna for her "I'm Two" picture and Caelan for her "I'm New" picture. Aren't they gorgeous?

I really enjoyed the experience at Portrait Innovations and the pictures were printed immediately. Also a great value. I got LOTS of pictures for less than I thought I would spend.

Meritt- the dress Caelan is wearing is what you got her. :)

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I've Only to Ask (aka Happy Anniversary)

My wonderful husband, remembering our anniversary, got me a beautiful card with a lovely poem inside and a heartfelt message. Me, also remembering our anniversary, completely forgot to get a card the last two nights when I was out buying other necessities.

I'm so lame.

So, on the the heartfelt message: "What can I give to the perfect wife? You have only to ask and it will be yours."

Now, I must say that I am far from the perfect wife. I have a temper, I'm a control freak, my house is far from clean and many days I am lucky to get out of yoga pants and tank top and into real clothes.

Now, the asking and receiving thing... That's full of infinate possibilities.

My first instinct is to beg for 8 solid hours of sleep. But, unless Doug can grow breasts and begin producing milk I think that may be out for another month or so.

Next I thought about the possibility of trading in our tickets to Dallas for tickets to Ireland. Oh, yeah, that would win me big points with Doug's family.

I would love a weekend away. Either Minneapolis or Kansas City for some shopping. That would require taking someone with us to watch the girls so we could go out for an evening. I'm sure my mom would agree to come but then my dog is sitter-less.

But, quite honestly, I have everything I need or want.

I have a wonderful husband who provides completely for me and the girls. I have a beautiful house. I am lucky enough to get to raise my children and not have to work. For me to ask for more would be incredibly selfish.

To My Geek:

Happy 3rd anniversary. Because of you I have a life that I was afraid to admit I wanted; a life that is complete and perfect. Together we have created a family and a life that I wouldn't trade for a castle in the British Isles.

I love you.

J

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All Shot to Hell

Yep, I had such good intentions. I was gonna get stuff done yesterday. My intentions were about as far as I got.

Halloween decor is still on the dining room table- although I did get the basket of decorated mini-punkins and gourds onto the porch. Fabric wasn't even touched , let alone cut. Scrapbook wasn't even looked at- or thought about after I posted about it. Dishwasher is full of clean dishes, counter has dirty dishes all over it.

I did manage to give Doug, Jen & Brenna haircuts yesterday. And help Jen prepare for a costume party. I actually made it out of the house to get groceries (alone. Ahhhh, alone) and the girls both had baths so I suppose important things were achieved.

It's a big week here at Casa Geek. Tomorrow is our 3rd anniversary. And the girls are getting their pictures taken. Thursday is Brenna's second birthday- and her first visit to Chuck E Cheese. And Saturday is her birthday party.

Now I just have to decide if we will have a theme- other than "Brenna's Birthday". Decorating cakes just isn't my strong suit, to put it mildly.

Want to know what else is shot to hell? My abs. I guess that's what follows two c-sections. Today, with Dr's approval, I began my attempts to get back in shape. OK, so I'm in shape. Right now it's kind of a rectangular shape with boobs. No waist. Ick.

So today I begin what I am not calling a diet and exercise routine. Nope, I am calling it eating in moderation and additional movement. No sense it trying to write down food intake and exercises done when I can barely check email most days.

I do have a goal: At my annaul checkup in April (6 months) I want to be down 30lbs. That's 5 lbs a month. Sounds do-able. Right?

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Just A Little Time

Wow, so my last post was Wednesday. How lame I feel. I have good intentions, really I do. I think I have everyone occupied, fed, changed. I sit down at the computer. And then it strikes. Something always strikes.

This morning I was just getting ready to post. My plan was to hide in the basement with a cup of tea. But I needed the tea. So up to the kitchen I went. Brenna decided to join me in the basement. OK. So we have to find a video to occupy her. Not an easy task. She has moved on from Buzz & Woody and now her favorite is Incredibles. Which I nixed. After a few false starts she settled for Blues Really Big Movie.

OK, heading for the computer. Almost there. When Doug appears with a crying Caelan and says "I can't fix it." Commence nursing.

Now I have finished feeding Caelan and the entire family has joined me in the basement. So much for hiding. Doug has pulled out the couch and he and Caelan are hiding under a blanket. Brenna is "finding" them and watching Blue.

So I have a few minutes. But whatever it was I planned to say has long since disappeared. I'm sure it would have been amusing. So now I'll just bore you and keep rambling along.

The sun has decided to shine today. I have to get Brenna outside to burn off some energy from being cooped up in the house for so long. We'll put up the outside Halloween decorations lateer and I'll have Brenna haul the pumpkins from the garage to the front stoop.

I need to cut the material for Caelan's bed skirt. Yes, it still isn't done. Her early arrival really threw off my schedule and I just can't seem to catch up. I keep telling myself that when she is sleeping through the night my days will be easier because I won't need to nap in the afternoon.

I say that... But I think I am deluding myself.

What else? Hmmm, I would like to work on my Ireland scrapbook. In another month it will be a year since we went. I should really have it done by that anniversary.

Speaking of anniversaries... Ours is Tuesday. Maybe I'll have time to post about it later. Now I should think about preparing breakfast. Pumpkin pancakes, eggs, bacon. Mmmmmm...

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Maybe A Little Cross Promotion?

I wonder if breast feeding infants would increase if doctors cross promoted the health benefits for baby with the fact that it helps you lose weight?

Today marks one month since Caelan was born. I visited my OB for my postpartum checkup and found that I have lost 26 pounds. Granted, about 10 pounds disappeared relatively quickly when she was born and there was some water that went away about 2 weeks after. But still... I'm about 5 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight.

Of course things are a bit less toned than they were 10 months ago. Luckily all is healing nicely and I can start doing pilates and lifting weights again. Technically. Finding the time may prove difficult. Luckily Brenna likes pilates.

I may have to get her a mat- she seems to take mine.

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It Got Us

You will have to forgive the lack of posting, it seems that we caught the bug that is going around. Or, more correctly, it got us. No fevers but stuffy, icky noses and big coughs.

Brenna got it first followed by Doug and now I am in the midst of the worst of it. Doug has been slamming Airborne like it's tequila shots and I, well, I am drug free. Which sucks. I would give almost anything for some DayQuil. That's the sucky thing about nursing- it's just like being pregnant- you can't take anything good for colds. So I am drinking lots of tea and OJ.

Caelan is showing no ill effects from us coughing and sneezing all around her. She, of course, is on the best stuff to keep you well- mommy's milk.

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The MPs Are On To You

Yep, the big, bad MALL POLICE are on the case.

Today I loaded up the girls and headed to the western suburb of our small city to the "new mall". OK, so it's been open two years but you know how these things are- there are shops here that I mourned when I moved from the Twin Cities. It's a really nice mall with some more "upscale" shops than you find at the city's "old malls".

Anyway, after trying to wear Brenna down in the play area we headed up to the food court. After ordering food at Wendy's (two kid's meals, one with chocolate milk- for Brenna, one with white milk- for me but Brenna took it, too, one with fries- for us to share, one with orange slices- also to share but Brenna ate them all while I fed Caelan), having the manager refigure the total as the girl taking my order barely spoke English and finding a seat we settled in to eat.

As I am trying to get Caelan to take a bottle and making sure Brenna doesn't drench herself in milk I notice one plain clothed MP and two in uniform circling the food court. They end up behind us- we are seated next to a table of four young boys, one of whom had just left the table. The MPs see him across the food court and split up to apprehend him. His friends, hearing the MPs- as I did- know exactly who they are after. As they watch the MPs follow their friend they quickly get out of the booth and make their way to an exit.

So I'm watching this all go down and wondering just what they are going to do. They don't look old enough to drive and I'm sure they were just dropped off by someone's mommy. Then Caelan begins to scream and I forget all about the boys.

Until we are making our way out. An MP runs by us and I see the three boys who left shortly before. The MP heards them toward Hollister where they are met by the other MPs and their friend.

So my guess is that "friend" absconded with an item from Hollister and wasn't so smooth about it. Sucks to be them when their mommys find out. I wonder if they will get grounded from the very fancy cell phones they were carrying. Or maybe from their very expensive video game systems. Surely they won't lose their iPods- that would just be heinous.

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And Today?

So, what does the day hold for this SAHM and her kidlets? Not much. My major plan today is to clean the basement, do a couple loads of laundry and wash dishes. I don't think the girls and I will even get out of our loungewear (ie: pajamas). Yep, it's gonna be a lazy day.

I've got lists of things that I would like to do. So many lists. Amd every time I think I may get to something other than housework I am reminded by screaming and crying that I have A) a baby that needs to eat, B) a toddler that needs to eat, C) a baby that needs a diaper change, D) a stinky toddler that needs a diaper change (no, the potty training hasn't taken yet) or E) some other catastrophy that I must set to rights or bear the consequences for untold amounts of time.

Caelan is sleeping and Brenna is coloring at her desk. I should really begin cleaning- my desk is a mess. It will take me forever just to clean it.

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First Night- First Week

Caelan slept in her crib in her bedroom for the first time last night. Mommy & Daddy had the best sleep since bringing her home.

Because of the c-section and the declaration from the doctor to not go up and down steps any more than necessary we had her in a bassinet our room for the past 2 weeks. And Caelan is not a quiet sleeper; she grunts. Alot. Loudly. The grunting worries me a little, actually. I wonder if her airway is wide enough- she has the tiniest little nostrils- a preemie nose sucker-thingie (an aspirator?) is too big. The doctor doesn't seem concerned so I suppose she is ok.

Today we embark on our first week completely on our own. We've had family either staying with us or checking in on us since we came home- and the help was greatly appreciated. It is much easier to get stuff done or run little errands when you have people around to watch the little ones.

Plans today? Dust and vacuum the main floor of the house, visit the chiropractor & the grocery store do one or two loads of laundry and bake pumpkin bread. (Note to Brent: no extra banana bread but I have a loaf of pumpkin with your name on it. Let me know.)

And I'll get started on that. Just as soon as I nurse Caelan, feed Brenna & myself some breakfast, get us all cleaned and dressed and wash some dishes.

Damn. And I was so hoping it would be an Oprah & bon-bon day. HA!

** UPDATE: I actually got it all done!

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I should be...

Cleaning somewhere in the house; the bathrooms, bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room.

But I'm not.

I should be folding laundry.

But I'm not.

I should be gathing the family to get out the door to make a WalMart run.

But I'm not.

I should be making banana bread.

But I'm not.

What I am doing is playing Elmo's Keyboard-O-Rama on the Sesame Street website with Brenna and, alternately, having her count my toes.

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Meet my girls

Jody gave me the best gift for my birthday...

 




I am so proud of all of them.

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Happy Birthday Doug!

Even though he tells me that he refuses to get any older today is Doug's birthday. Which makes it rather difficult for me to take him out to dinner for his birthday. But that is the plan. We will leave both of the girls with my brother & sister-in-law for a couple of hours and enjoy a nice, quiet, kid-free dinner. (Yes, I am proud of myself for leaving Caelan. It is tempting to take her with us- she's so portable right now!)

Leave a nice birthday message for Doug. No presents necessary- you only get those if you age!

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All Is Well Baby

Caelan had her first well baby visit today and the Dr gave her high marks. Everything seems to have corrected itself and she is a strong, healthy baby. Her weight is up to 7 lb 13 oz, two ounces more than her birth weight and she has grown half an inch. The Dr was very impressed at her range of motion and how much strength she has; she is holding her head up already.

Yes, folks, my daughter is an overachiever even at this early age! Expect great things!

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Night and Day

Now I know that babies are only coherant for one out of every 10 hours per day. What I don't understand is why those 2 hours and 15 minutes of awake time must come from 2 to 4 am.

Caelan was always most active at night when she was in utero. I assumed it was because I was busy during the day and my movements lulled her to sleep. She no longer has that excuse yet night time is when she is most alert.

I am working on keeping her awake during the day but with Brenna and all the things that need done daily it is very easy to let her sleep. Too easy.

Until that 2am feeding rolls around and I begin kicking myself as her eyes open and focus on me and I realize that I will, once again, see about three of the darkest hours of the day.

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