POD "Sad Suds"

Today's POD makes me sad. A sink full of bottles. It's a sadness that Matt can't understand. A sadness that only a mother can understand, more specifically, a breastfeeding mother.

For various reasons, I have started the weaning process and we're nearing completion. Today is probably the last day I will nurse Finlay.

Most people can understand the freedom that comes with finishing nursing. Now anyone can feed Finlay. Now I can take longer breaks for "me" time. Now I can drink as much coffee, wine, or beer that my heart desires. Now I can pop a bottle in his mouth wherever, whenever with no concern over who my exposed breast may offend.

Still, what probably only mother can understand,(or a person who is abnormally and amazingly empathetic) is why nevertheless, I am still sad.

So today, during the one bf session I have left, I will hold him close and cherish it. I will thank God that I have been able to BF at all. I will remember how lucky I am to have a baby that is growing strong and eating well and transitioning to the bottle so smoothly. AND,I will be clinging to the hope that I will be blessed with one or two or three more babies to share in this special moment with. Oh yeah, and...I will cry.

POD "Husky Anyone?"

For those of you that are considering getting a husky... just remember this:
They are a lot of fun in the snow, but when springtime comes... count on there being long shaggy hairs on your couches, floors, clothes and food. :)

POD "I'maaaaaaaaaaaa Bug"

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I'm a bug. But I sort of look like a mountain goat. ;)

Found this lil guy hanging out on one of my plants. He can stay... as long as he isn't eating it. But if I so much as see one chomped on leaf... he's a goner.

Conversations With A New Mother

Conversations with a new mother:

Nurse Assistant: Go ahead and step on the scale.

Me: Shouldn't I take off my boots?

Nurse Assistant: Naw, that's okay.

Me: (Pause) They are heavy boots. (Smile)

Nurse Assistant: (Ignores me and looks at his chart instead... probably looking for some sort of previous diagnosis of neurosis.)

Me: (Frowns. Steps on the scale.) Huh. Looks like your scale is a little off.

Nurse Assistant: (Chuckles) Oh yeah?

Me: (Mildly, but internally, irritated) Yeah... and by a little off, I mean it probably should be recalibrated.

Nurse Assistant: (A silent knod and polite smile that suggests he knows better than continue this conversation.) Okay. Let's get your temp.

A Finger Feeder

It all happened so fast. It started last Monday. He's been playing with the little corn puff, melt-in-your-mouth treats for a while. Let me tell you, there were MANY failed attempts to hit the pie hole, but most of the tid-bits ended up scattered all over the tile floor. AND THEN, on Monday, it allllll changed. SUCCESS. Not once, but twice. Over the course of breakfast he awkwardly grasped and landed TWO cereal puffs INTO the mouth. (Probably a 25% success rate for those of you who are keeping track.)

By Friday, I told Matt that his success to failure hit-the-pie-hole ratio had already increased to 75:25. Unbelievable. This kid is a quick learner. Maybe it's because there is food involved? Hey, it worked for Pavlov's dog and those little white mice in the cages with the creepy pink eyes! (But I digress...)

Anyway, by the end of the following week (the day before yesterday)... Finlay was a pro. Well... sort of.

Mmmmmmm! Scrambled egg yolks with cheese!

So yeah, we've got a FINGER FEEDER! :) HOLY smokes, somebody pump the breaks! This kid is growing up WAY too fast.

POD "Wanted: Labrahoover"

Really dogs? Really? There are crumbs ALL over the floor, and I have to SWEEP THEM UP?!!!
You are dogs. These savory morsels shouldn't even hit the floor. They should fall from the highchair and hit drooling, open mouths about 3 inches below. Remind me to invest in a Labrahoover next time around.

POD "Simple but Delicious"

REALLY good Spanish Olive Oil, a little Pampered Chef seasoning, and freshly baked bread... so simple, but SO delicious.

Fin'evision "The Sunshade"

I knew that sunshade would come in handy. How handy? Now THAT, I had no idea.

POD "It's Raining, It's Pouring and Inside is Boring"

What do you do when you have a 7 month old that LOVES, scratch that, EXPECTS to go outside immediately upon waking up from his morning nap... BUT... IT'S RAINING. Clearly he's not going to understand if you, very matter of factly, inform him that going out that day is impossible because of all that dreary wetness.

So what do you do when he starts fussing and whining and staring at the door?!

Here is a recipe for success:

Step 1: Dress whiny worm warmly. (You may need a sweatshirt too.)
Step 2: Layer tile floor with towels (they may get a smidge wet).
Step 3: Reposition toy selection to space near door.
Step 4: OPEN said door.
Step 5: Plop child in front of door.

Finished result should last approximately 10-15 minutes, which buys you just enough time to write a blog, in a few Pinterest items, or make sure you haven't missed anyting on Facebook. :)

Mommy's Night Out!

On Thursday night, Matt came home from work and took over Finlay-land while I hustled to get myself all fancied up for my big night out. That's right! Matt played daddy-daycare while I got a chance to take a shower, apply make up, get dressed up, and enjoy some drinks and food with friends! I was a little bit nervous leaving Finlay, but I knew he was Matt, so he'd be okay. It made my evening THAT much more stress-free when Finlay showed signs of exhaustion and I was able to put him to bed before I even left! Yahoo!

Anyway, my friend Alicia Olsen and I (also flying solo that evening because her husband is away) thoroughly enjoyed our time at this year's Dining Out. I was able to relax, unwind, and enjoy the laughs and silliness that a typical military dining out entails. Fin slept good for Matt, and although by the time I got home and got to bed, I only squeezed in about 4 hours of sleep... it was all worth it!