Lucky

I’m sure this post will come back to bite me in the ass by angering the gods and bringing the wrath of toddlerhood down upon me, but I’ve decided to chance it and write it anyway.

I really like my kid. Notice I didn’t say that I loved my kid (which of course, I do). I said I like her. She’s fun to hang around. She’s very curious and observant. She’s pretty laid back and rarely has a fits anymore. She’s got an infectious laugh and she’s the most smoochable thing I know. I love to spend my time playing with her and showing her new things. For instance, tonight, she had peas for the first time. Actually, it was the first time she’d ever had a green vegetable. She loves them. She ate them with the veracity of a great white. She demanded that I feed them to her at her pace or she’d start clawing at the bowl and spoon to get them her damn self.

I feel so lucky to have her. I had a terrible pregnancy, an even worse birth experience and a heinous postpartum period. But, I got the best kid EVER out of it all. Every single minute of worry, sleeplessness and pain was worth it. I’m never doing it again, but it was worth it.

Now, I know that as she gets older and more independent, there will times when she tries my patience. And let’s be honest, there will be times when I don’t like her…. she will be a teenage girl after all. But I’m sure that we’ll get through those rough times and end up liking each other again. In fact, I’m sorta betting on it.

More Meme For Your Dollar

Daisy tagged me for the Seven Things Meme. I am, quite possibly, the last person on the internet to do this meme. I’m blogtarded.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! Note: I’m not tagging anyone, because I’m the last one to do this meme. However, please consider yourself tagged if you need a post topic.

1. I can sing pretty well. In high school, I went to Solo and Ensemble competition several times and, once, even made it to State.

2. Whenever I think a car is going to pull out in front of me or change lanes while I’m in the way, I point at them. I have this weird idea that I can force them to stay where they are by pointing at them. Oh… and I usually point at them with my pinkie. It’s my Power Pinkie.

3. I read voraciously. Before Maddie, it wasn’t uncommon for me to read three books a week. Now, I read maybe one a week. That’s if I have anything worth reading. Currently, I’m reading everything by Christopher Moore.

4. I can’t say the word “rhinoceros.” Seriously. I can’t. It comes out all wonky. I mean it. Ask Gerald.

5. I’m a spender. I have been since I was a kid. Money’s always burning a hole in my pocket. I really wish I was a saver.

6. I have to check on Maddie every single night before I go to sleep. I rub her little head and tell her I love her.

7. My mouth gets me into trouble. I have a terrible habit of saying things that really should just be thoughts. All the times I’ve ever been in serious trouble have been due to something I said, never something I did.

Miscellaneous Baby Polls

First of all, I’d like to recommend the Graco/Baby Einstein Activity Center to anyone on the lookout for such a product. We got it for Maddie on Friday and she’s in love with it. She’s already learned to rotate herself in order to play with all the toys.

OK, onto the polls… don’t pretend that that’s not why you’re here. We both know better.

1. The Clipping of the Nails – Now that Maddie’s ever so squirmy and grabby, it’s quite difficult to trim her nails. Last week, I trimmed the tip of her thumb. It bled for a 147 hours and made her cry. I felt like a monster and vowed never to trim her nails again. Unfortunately, her nails grow like crazy and she starts scratching herself if I don’t trim them once a week. I used to trim them right before bed when she was drowsy and docile. Now, when she’s drowsy, she’s fussy; not docile at all. Any tips on making this easier and less, well, bloody?

2. What’s in a name? I’ve read that babies start to realize that the word you keep saying to them is their name around five or six months. However, I hardly ever call Maddie by her name. She’s called:
Boo Bear
Maddie Boo
Fattie Maddie Boo Bah Laddie
Honey Girl
Sweet Pea
Baby (often accompanied with “Nobody puts Baby in the corner”)

And the best one? Champagne (pronounced: sham-pag-knee) Porsche Lynn. This one is all Gerald’s. Before her bath, Gerald reads her a story and then gets her undressed for her bath. As he brings her to me in the bathroom, he announces her nakedness using her “stripper name.” Yes, my daughter has a stripper name. Don’t worry, we’re not installing a pole in her room anytime soon.

This poll is two-fold. A. Should we concentrate on calling her “Maddie” all the time so that she knows her name? I’m kinda afraid that she’s going to think her name is Boo. Don’t get me wrong, Boo is a lovely name. It’s just not hers. B. I’m nosey and want to know what you call your kid(s)?

3. Sleepy – How much do/did your kids sleep at this age? Maddie sleeps A LOT. 11-13 hours a night and then two naps averaging two hours each. This seems like too much sleep. In the morning, she wants to go back to sleep about two hours after she gets up. Then, she’ll sleep for two hours or so. She’ll stay up for three hours(ish) and then take another nap. She’s ready for bed by 6:00. I’ve tried keeping her up, but she gets fussy and crabby until I let her sleep. I’ve tried letting her sleep as much as she wants to, but this seems to lead to more sleep. The more she sleeps, the more she sleeps. You see? Is this an issue? Should I talk to the pediatrician about this? Or is she just one of those people that needs a lot of sleep? To be honest, I’m one of those people. 10 hours is my ideal amount of sleep. Screw eight hours, man. Is this hereditary? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

4. TV – I know the AAP says that children under the age of two shouldn’t watch TV. However, Maddie has been very interested in TV for a while now. It would be on in the living room while I fed her and she’d stop eating to watch. I had to start turning it off so she’d eat. Seeing as she was watching, I started TiVOing Sesame Street for her. Now, we watch one or two episode a day together. And “watch” is loosely translated into “look at the TV for a few minutes, spit or laugh like a loon and then go back to playing.” Do you let your babies watch TV? Is this horribly damaging? It’s not like I put the TV on in lieu of playing with her…. well, not often, at least. Sometimes, I put it on so that I can wash dishes or take care of some other mundane chore around the house. Thoughts on this, anyone?

I’m it!

I’ve been tagged by Michele for the “When I’m an old woman” meme. I’m feeling old and crotchety today, so I figured it was appropriate.

When I am an Old Woman I hope to:

• Be comfortable in my own skin.
  

• Have the freedom to travel the globe with Gerald.
  

• Be best friends with my daughter.

• Play with my grandchildren every chance I get.
  

• Say whatever the hell I feel like saying because I’m old and don’t give shit anymore.
  

When I am an old woman I will not:

• Drive 35mph on the highway.

• Make excuses.

• Draw on my eyebrows so that I look permanently surprised.

• Guilt my children or grandchildren into doing things.
  

• Penny pinch. You can’t take with you, so spend it all before you go.

I’m tagging Daisy, Jana and Theresa.

Yum!

I made Jana’s Lemon Chicken Salad for lunch today. It’s super delicious and easy to make. Four Stars, kids.

For the love of all that’s Holy

I just finished reading Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore.

Please, spend a few bucks and get this book. You will not be disappointed. It’s laugh-out-loud-funny, tender and thought-provoking. I wish I had a million dollars so that I could buy you all your very own copy. Seriously. It’s that good.

Recipe Share

I thought I’d share a recipe with you. I’m always on the lookout for fast and tasty recipes, so please feel free to leave one in the comments.

This recipe was originally on a can of mixed veggies, but over the last 10 years, I’ve changed it and made it my own. I encourage you to do the same. It’s quick and super tasty. A good work night / busy day meal.

Chicken Pot Pie

Pre-heat the oven to 325° and set out the pie crusts so they come to room temp.

One can of all white meat chicken breast - You can use “fresh” chicken f you’ve got it, but canned is easier for me.
One large can of mixed veggies - I hate mixed veggies, so I use a can of corn and a can of peas and carrots.
One 18.8oz can of Roasted Garlic Potato Soup - Of course, regular potato soup will work, too.
Thyme to taste - This is very important. It won’t taste like pot pie without thyme.
A splash of milk if you think it looks too thick
Two pre-made pie crusts. The rolled-up-in-a-tube kind, not the frozen kind. I like Pillsbury the best, but I’m sure any brand will be good.

In a mixing bowl, add drained veggies, soup, drained chicken, and thyme. Mix it all up with a fork. (The fork breaks up the chicken into smaller pieces.) Add a splash of milk if it looks too thick. You want it to be a pudding consistency. The veggies will add water to the mixture as they cook, so it ends up thinner when it’s done.

I use a 2 quart Pyrex bowl for my pot pie. Just line the bottom of the bowl with one pie crust and then add the pot pie mix. Next, place the second pie crust on top and fold over the edges. It makes a thick, yummy, crusty edge. Then, dock the top a couple of times with a fork or knife to let steam escape.

Bake at 325° for about 45 minutes. You may need a little more time, depending on your oven.

Milestones

Yesterday, Maddie turned five months old. To celebrate, she decided to roll over from her tummy to her back no less than five times in a row. I even managed to catch the last one on video. Those of you playing along at home may remember that she rolled over twice right before she turned four months old. That was the last time that she did it. My fingers are crossed that this time it sticks. She’s also getting close to rolling from her back to her tummy. She can make it to her side, and that’s halfway there, right?

Today, we took my dad to lunch for Father’s Day and she decided to sit up on her own. She put her hands out on the table in between her knees and sat there. It was amazing! All of the sudden, she’s becoming so independent. I’m alternately thrilled and saddened. My little girl is growing up. *wiping the tears away*

I was telling Gerald that I think I’ve pretty much gotten the hang of this mom thing. I’m learning to understand her moods and cues. I know when it’s nap time and can usually head off a meltdown. I know which toys she likes the best and how to make her squeal and laugh. I know that she likes her back to be patted instead of rubbed and she loves her feet and appreciates time to play with them while on the changing table. I know that she will not, under any circumstances, take a nap in her crib and that she likes applesauce way better than bananas. She will never let an opportunity to touch my hair pass her by. She expects kisses and accepts them with open mouth. She blows raspberries at her daddy and laughs like a loon when he does it back.

She’s turning into a little person. When we brought her home those short five months ago, I had no idea this was going to happen. She was just a lump that cried and ate every time I wanted to sleep. I was convinced we’d made a horrible, irrevocable mistake. Now? Now I know we did exactly the right thing.

Chillin’

She don’t need no stinkin’ crib.

Comedy or Tragedy?

We must go to the same nail salon…