Why I don't blog enough, and how I blame my husband

Yes, I am still here. Well, not HERE, on this blog, but still alive and kicking.

I blame my husband.

You see, it all started back on Christmas Day last year. When I opened my last Christmas gift, and was totally shocked and surprised at receiving an iPad. I hadn't asked for one. I had no huge interest in having one. Yet, I did. In my hands. For me. (Well, not really. It was gifted as a "family gift." But more on that later).

To be completely honest, I didn't care much for the iPad at first. Call it old habits. Call it routine. Call it what you want, but that little iPad was a passing notion when I wanted to puruse online. Instead, I would heft my old familiar friend, my laptop, into my lap each day. And then something happened.

I was pregnant. And it started to get uncomfortable hefting that hot laptop into my lap every day. The iPad was so much smaller and portable. Cue the pillows, the blankets, my comfy bed, and my new friend, the iPad propped up on my knees, against a pillow, or wherever the heck had me in a comfortable pregnant position that day...ahh, I had been converted.

To further my love affair with the iPad was when my second daughter, Leia was born. Feedings were so much better with my trusty techy side-kick.

And it is a perfect family gift. We all use and love it (well Leia not so much right now, but I'm sure she will in time). Katie has had countless fun with the educational and sometimes not-so-educational apps (Angry Birds, anyone?). And she enjoys watching her videos on YouTube. I think most importantly, she enjoys being able to get on and navigate the iPad herself. Little Miss Independent. And I won't admit that she may be better on the iPad then her parents are.

How does the iPad contribute to my lack of blogging? Well, since I'm on the iPad so much, I'm on my laptop so much less. And I do have to admit that I prefer to blog on a regular keyboard. The iPad (especially that autocorrect thing) make it a tad tedious of a process. So, since the iPad and I are such close companions now, my laptop, along with blogging, have been put on the back burner.

So there you have it. The reason I blog less, and why I blame my husband.

Perhaps I shall add "Blog More" to my list of New Year's resolutions. Oh good God, did I just jump ahead to New Year's already? This year has flown by...

In the meantime, perhaps I can make it up to you all (ahem, the handful of you) with a darling photo of two other reasons of how my time is consumed these days.

Leia Grace

On Monday, May 2, 2011, this beautiful little bundle of joy made her entrance into the world, weighing in at 6 lbs 14 ounces, and measuring 20 1/2 inches long. 

 

 Leia was welcomed by Mommy, Daddy, and very special big sister, Katie. 

(as well as big fur-brother, Optimus)

We are in love with the newest addition to our family.

Details of her birth and how we're all adjusting coming soon...

(I've been a little busy snuggling a certain newborn). 

:)

Still wiped

Still wiped - I had my doctor do a strep throat culture  on me, but won't know the results until tomorrow. I went to bed early last night, but it didn't help. For the entire night, I could only sleep for about 20-30 minutes at a time. I couldn't get comfortable, and I alternated between having the chills and breaking out in a sweat. It was definitely a long, long night. I am exhausted today. And still feeling like crud.

Doctor's appointment went well, otherwise. My OB wants to do one more ultrasound to check on the position of the placenta. If it's moved enough, my c-section date may be moved to closer to my due date (May 19th). Nothing like the last minute, right? I know it's in the baby's best interest though to stay inside for the extra 10 days or so, if possible. But let me tell you, I'm looking forward to the end of this pregnancy. My body is just one achy mess!

On a different note, I'm really looking forward to celebrating Easter with Katie. She's at an age now where I think she will have so much fun with everything!

Happy Easter!

Wiped

After a day and a half of running a fever, the little one was diagnosed with Strep yesterday. She and I stayed home and tried to rest and relax with quiet time, movies, and cuddling. Katie seems to be doing fine, but Mommy is not, and I'll tell you why.

Administering medication to a toddler is not fun. Actually, it is extremely emotionally draining to this Momma. Katie does not want to take her medicine, so administering it to her usually consists of me holding her arms down and my husband having to hold her head still while we try to squirt enough of the medicine in her mouth. A lot of it will be spit out, and spills down Katie's face, neck and into her hair, creating what I affectionately call "crunchy hair."  The poor little thing is so traumatized by the whole experience (as am I). Having to hold down your child is one of the worst things. And the tears, let's not forget the tears that follow.

When I laid her down last night for bed, I told her I was sorry she was sick and having such a hard time taking her medicine. Then I went into my bedroom and just cried. It was such an emotionally draining day. And to think she has 8 1/2 more days of the meds.

Secondly, I am feeling like crud. I woke up with a sore throat, cough, and feel like I've been hit by a mack truck. I really hope it's all just because of the crying last night, which usually wears me out the next day. I see my doctor tomorrow, so we'll just hope it's nothing.

If any of you have advice for giving medicine to a fighting child, please let me know. We've tried offering her hershey kisses before and after (to help coat her tongue), offering a drink after to help chase the med down, letting her squeeze the medicine in her mouth by herself, and changing the flavor of the medicine. Nothing has helped.

8 1/2 more days. 8 1/2 more days. 8 1/2 more days...

Wrong number

I was looking through my blog stats recently. Under search keywords, I usually get results related to "newborn baby" or  "newborn baby girl in hospital." 

This week I had a new search keyword phrase:

"transexual jodi residing colospring. co."

Ummm no, sorry, you have the wrong person!

Five for Friday - Mommy Woes

Five for Friday - Mommy/Pregnancy Woes...can you tell I'm nearing the end of this pregnancy?

1. Swollen ankles and feet, which I know will be a thousand times worse after delivery. I do not like it now, and I will not like it then. 
2. Congestion. According to BabyCenter, "About 20 to 30 percent of pregnant women have congestion without having allergies or a viral infection like the common cold. This condition even has a name: rhinitis of pregnancy." Bonus! It has a name!
3. Round. Ligament. Pain. I notice it more on my right side, especially when I'm putting more weight on that side when I sit, or when I sleep. 
4. Head rush. Bending over to pick something up off the floor sends all the blood rushing to my head. Not a good thing. 
5. Trouble Sleeping. Toss and turn. Check clock Flip pillow. Check Clock. Legs out from under the covers. Check Clock. Legs back in. Check clock. Nudge hubby because he's snoring. Check clock. Oy. 

I'm not trying to complain. I know all of these things will go away in a matter of weeks, and I will be blessed with a sweet baby girl in their place. Well, everything except for the lack of sleep!

Katie-isms

Just a few Katie-isms I want to jot down before I forget.

• When Katie is taking a bubble bath, she likes to take a handful of bubbles and slather them on her chin. She then says, "Ho, ho, ho, Merry Ho-Ho."
• Speaking of bath time, beforehand Katie likes to weigh herself on the bathroom scale. I frequently tell her how much she weighs, which ranges between 27-29 lbs. Now Katie will weigh herself, and proclaim, "9 pounds!"
• When we leave the house each morning, Katie will say, "Bye house, see you ta-mellow"  When I repeat or try to correct her, saying "tomorrow," she will adamantly say, "No. Mellow!" Apparently our house reminds her of marshmallows? 
• I've recently introduced an umbrella to Katie (you know what they say, "April Showers bring May Flowers). Katie however, refers to it as "Cinderella." 

And on another note, a conversation between me and my husband:

Me: "I'm only one person."
(After a moment of silence) Husband: "Well, technically you're two right now."

:)

Not for long!