Friday, January 25, 2008

Scrappage

I realize I haven't posted any scrapbook stuff in a while, mostly due to the hiatus I took because of the ol' computer crash. But, I'm up and running with a real live copy of Photoshop CS3......so here are the past few layouts I've been working on. Looking at them now, apparently I've been very drawn to earth tones as of late! As always, click on the images for a larger view.

The first one is my ALL TIME NEW FAVORITE! I just love how it came out, and it was so simple and easy! I just LOVE IT! Its called:

We Love You More - credits can be seen HERE

SOOO BIG! - Credits

L is for Liam - Credits

2007 Year in Review - Credits

Oh Holy Night - Credits

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Grrrr....

I despise bottle feeding Liam. Like, physically doing it myself. It makes me angry. I feel awkward...like I don't know what I'm doing. Like I'm learning to nourish and feed him all over again. Ugh - I hate the way that feels.

This morning was the last time I breast-fed him. So as of today, he's officially weaned. I had visions in my head of this last time being picture perfect....me looking lovingly down at his beautiful little face as he drank mama's milk, pausing only to smile sweetly at me. Instead - it was pretty much the opposite! He was fidgety, fighting me most of the way because - lets face it - its just much easier to drink out of a bottle.....and getting that most of the time now, I know its his preferred method of feeding.

To tell you the truth I was kind of offended. I know he's just a baby, and when it comes down to it, he doesn't care where he's getting his nourishment from, as long as its yummy, and preferably in the easiest delivery method possible! But, I wanted him to want milk from his Mommy :(

*sigh* And my boobs really hurt right now because they are filling up......ouch!

Although I'm having difficulty emotionally with it......its whats best for us right now. Not just because I'm taking medication. I really must admit, there is a certain amount of freedom from not having to breastfeed. Its nice not having to pump during the day - and giving up night time responsibility to share with Pat is nice too. So there is a small, silver lining, and I know I'll feel better about it all soon.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

New Do......

I chopped off 12 inches of my hair to donate to Locks of Love......

Before (it doesn't look that long here I guess - since its all kinky from sleeping on it crazy - but trust me, it was long):


After - I also got some golden highlights. Its been almost three years since I've colored my hair! You can also see my cool new carrier! isn't it awesome!?!?


And now, some cool pics of Liam and Daddy. I've been playing around with Lightroom presets.....pretty fun so far!


That's all for now :)

Monday, January 14, 2008

Babywearing USA



I really do love wearing Liam, and I know he's not going to be itty bitty forever, so I'm enjoying it now!

I've decided to branch out of my pouches and Moby wrap to include a wrap with a little more support. I found a FANTASTIC deal on Craigslist on this beautiful wrap by Ella Roo. Its just sooooo pretty!!! And, its called Kristen (who is a super awesome Chick and just happens to be my Sister In law!) Seriously - SO PRETTY!


The only bad part is woven wraps are sooooo different that the stretchies like my Moby. So its definitely a learning curve, and I don't quite love it yet. But, I'll give it a week or two, and we'll see where she takes us. I know that I can't use the Moby forever, because they don't give very much support for large kids, and since I have a Chunkasaurus Rex, I knew I'd be needing a woven soon if I was going to continue wrapping. We wore it on Saturday when we went to Shedd, and it was relatively comfy. Just needs some practice and breaking in.

I also decided to branch out to another type of carrier called a Mei Tai. I've tried a couple on, and they are pretty quick and versatile - and very comfy too! I have been lusting over this fabric called Loteria for a while, and just in general love all the Mexican Folk Art fabric - its just so cool, funky, and, well - MEXICAN! Here's a few of the samples - these are all made by Alexander Henry as part of his Folklorico Collection:
Frida, Senoritas

Loteria, Calaveras


I've been keeping my eye out on eBay and the "For Sale or Trade" boards out there, hoping something would come along in my price range, because I really can't afford to go shelling out $100 + for these carriers. I lost out on an eBay auction (by $1 - because I'm a crappy eBay-er)But I found something else a few days ago!!! I kept thinking and thinking about it - and last night I even dreamed about it. So I decided it had to be mine. Its a BBO :) OR in non-baby wearer speak, a Ball Baby Overall Mei Tai, which I'm so excited about because the design makes it feel a little more like a wrap instead of a back pack. Again, I'm STOKED because it is soooo stinkin' pretty! And FUNKY! can you see the glitter in the skulls?!?!


They are the Mexican Sugar Skulls - or Calaveras. I have a few on my bookshelf that made the trip back with me. Its not Loteria, but its the next best thing for sure - and for a great price!!!! YAY! It should be in the mail and on its way tomorrow!

And, tomorrow Liam and I have a Mommy/Baby play group with some other babywearers. I'm hoping there are some wrappin' type peeps there, who can hopefully give me some tips! I've been watching You Tube like crazy trying to learn new carries, but nothing beats a seasoned pro!

Ahhhh - beginning to feel normal again :)

And needing to post pics of my little man :)



Every once and a while you just get a shot that makes the 100's of photos you take so worth it :) This was definitely one of those! He just made this silly little face, and I happened to be pushing the button at the same time. *Sigh* I love his crazy hair!!

Hard to believe he's approaching 4 months, isn't it?

Lets see, we did buy a new computer (hooray!) - got a great deal on a beauty from Costco! But Pat has hijacked it until he gets all his CD's (which is hundreds) ripped and safely on his iPod. The man and his music. I think he has over 30 Bruce Springsteen CD's. Every other song on shuffle is Bruce. I mean, yeah, he sings OK.....but, jeez!

Also bought a copy (an actual legitamate, not pirated copy!) of Photoshop CS3! I'm so excited!! That is on its way and should be here this week, just in time for Pat to give me the computer back from his hijacking it! I can't wait to get back to scrapping!

:::::::::::: Health Update ::::::::::::

Well, I haven't really been myself lately. Really since, Liam was born. OK, really, since I stopped taking my depression meds in July 05 :) Anyway, its just been really difficult for me to function - being sad all the time - its not hard for me to function as far as being a Mom, I think I'm doing a great job at that.....but taking care of myself, the house, and work - well, it just wasn't happening. I've been going to a therapist since October....and that seemed to help for a while, but its just not enough.

So, I made the tough decision to start to wean Liam. There is a lot of research out there that says it is safe to breastfeed while taking some meds.....but not everyone is in agreement, and they definitely aren't long term studies. My doctor felt pretty adamantly about it - he said he wouldn't perscribe the meds if I was going to continue. So after a lot of my own research, I decided I didn't quite feel comfortable enough to exclusively breastfeed. I'm going to cut out the day time feedings, and if my supply will allow, continue with two feedings a day, one in the morning, one at night. These two feedings will also be at the time where the drugs are at the lowest in my system, so I feel better about that too.

That's the logical side of the story.

The reality is that it was a HARD decision for me to come to. HARD. I bawled like a baby the night the doctor perscribed the meds. It just broke my heart. For a lot of reasons. I worked SO hard to get to this point - breastfeeding was TOUGH at first. So hard. It was so easy to see why some women just can't do it. And after working so hard to achieve something, its heartwrenching to give it up. And I really enjoy the closeness and breastfeeding relationship Liam and I have right now. It makes me feel pretty darn special to nourish his body with something I produce.

I really didn't have a set goal for breastfeeding him - I started out small - just make it through the first week - just make it through 2 weeks, then a month, then two months - then four......ultimately I would have liked to do 6, but four is pretty darn good considering I wanted to throw in the towel a million times around week 2.

I know he'll do just fine on formula, and I know I'll still get lots of snuggles and cuddles. It just is a big change.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Bah Humbug.

I forgot to mention the Christmas adventures we had.........

We had great travelling weather, both to and from Michigan. Christmas was fantastic, lots of food, family and friends.

The bad news befell us on Christmas Eve. My computer died. *sigh* The good news is that A) I have my work computer to still get online and such, and B) I backed everything up on the Friday before we left for Michigan. I did lose a couple of photos, including a whole bunch of adorable ones of Liam (but aren't they all adorable?) and a perfect photo of my mom's Christmas tree...but those two alone aren't worth the $250 it costs for hard drive recovery. So I'll cut my losses and move on.

I tried to restore the computer with a first aid disk, but no avail. The First aid disk tried to boot up Windows 95.......so its just not worth it.

So now we're in the market for a new computer. At first, we were going to wait until February to do it (because of cash issues), but I just can't be without photoshop that long. Digital scrapbooking is my outlet - my creative release - and to not do it for that long would probably send me to the funny farm. So I think we'll be able to get one sooner. If I feel up to it this afternoon, we may go take a look see.

Oh the Pressure

Sinus pressure - that is. I'm flipping miserable. I suppose I'm feeling better, at least good enough to write this post, but for the most part I feel like my head is going to explode. The pounding with each and every cough......the swelling of the tissue around my eyeballs.....its not pretty.

Each and every one of you needs to thank the sweet sweet Lord that you are able to take advantage of modern medicine and over the counter remedies. Without those OTC meds, you would feel like me - basically like poop warmed over. I can't take decongestants because I'm breastfeeding. Decongestants dry up mucous membranes (a good thing for colds, bad thing for breastmilk). Since I'm not ready to give breastfeeding up yet, I sit here and suffer.

It was so bad yesterday, after failed attempts to get a doctors appointment I went to an urgent care facility. I got a crunchy granola homeopathic doctor, who didn't perscribe me any medications.....she said antibiotics aren't the cure because she was pretty sure its just a viral infection, even though my history has told me that it almost always turns into a bacterial sinus infection. She said my old doctors were practicing "bad medicine" by perscribing me antibiotics...contributing to the countries over-perscription of antibiotics and development of antibiotic resistant super bugs.

I suppose she's right and all, but I just wanted some relief, you know? Instead, I got recomendations of nasal & sinus irrigation, tea with fresh ginger, personal vaporizors and a shit pile of menthol eucalyptus. My whole house smells like a Halls cough drop. At least thats what Pat says...not like I can actually smell anything.

OK - time to take a long, hot shower & maybe soak in the tub a bit. maybe then I'll actually be able to breathe.