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We put my son on the potty when he wakes up and after meals. He'll often poop in the potty rather than his diaper if we give him this opportunity. Sometime in the last month or two, he has started to only go if he has privacy. So I'll put him on the potty and leave him in his room for a few minutes. I did this today after he finished breakfast. My husband went into the room to see if he had gone yet and found that, not only had he gone, but he had picked up a piece of poop from the potty and was playing with it!
I'm glad he did this when my husband was around, that was someone could hold his hands while I ran to get wipes to clean him (and the carpet!) off.
Ick.
The original article can be found here: http://www.workitmom.com/article-4554-want_some_me_time_get_your_hubby_a_hobby
Went to Scottsdale AZ last weekend with hubby for a little Baby Moon. We thought we were going to get some pool time but alas, we are an active couple on vacations and this was no exception. Zero pool time, but got some good sightseeing, dining and spa time in. We also got lucky with the weather for the most part; with exception of rain on the last day, we enjoyed <100 degree, clear and sunny skies.
Here are some of the major things we did and places we went to:
- Hotel: FireSky Resort & Spa (a Kimpton hotel)
- Spa: Jurlique Spa at the FireSky
- Major Sights: Sedona, downtown and Old Town Scottsdale
- Restaurants: Trader Vic’s (Hotel Valley Ho), The Breakfast Club, Bourbon Steak (a Michael Mina restaurant at the Fairmont), Kona Grill
Our travels didn’t exactly start up on the best foot. When we got to LAX Friday morning we discovered that our flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems Southwest was having, so had to catch a later flight out. Things didn’t improve at the rental car counter in PHX when we found Dollar nickel-ing and dime-ing us on everything (hah, “Dollar” indeed!) and the final bill was significantly more than the initial booking.
Thankfully our day improved by miles upon arrival at the FireSky hotel. We were warmly welcomed by the staff – from the bellman to the front desk. We also immediately noticed the fresh treats and water bowls set up by the front door for four-legged companions at this pet-friendly hotel. Adorable too was a little doggie-shaped blackboard on the front desk counter announcing the pets that are leaving and those checking into the hotel that day. When we checked in, we received a free two-level upgrade to a pool view room with a good size landscaped patio.
I am a member of Kimpton’s loyalty program, but I don’t have any special status so was pleasantly surprised…it could also be that Scottsdale just passed its high season since it’s the weekend after 4th of July. Hubby and I had lunch at the hotel bar (very good Panini’s and drinks), then checked out the peaceful, lodge-y Jurlique Spa and got massages to unwind in the afternoon. The spa was running a buy 2 get 1 free special, so we got to return on Sunday for more massages – very cool. In our room, a little goldfish named Iris waited for us. The bed was comfy and the L’Occitane toiletries were definitely welcomed.
After cleaning up for dinner we headed over to Trader Vic’s, one of the newer restaurants in town. Although it is a well known chain, neither of us have been to Vic’s before so were curious to see what it was like. We were not disappointed – wrapped inside a casual yet upscale atmosphere was good n’ honest wood-smoked meats and Polynesian cuisine. We ordered a succulent pork medallion dish (smoked and cooked in Vic’s wood burning oven, served with a rich but not overly sweet plum sauce) and crispy halibut pad Thai. Service was excellent and the drinks were very good (even my virgin ones). Although relatively quiet on a Friday night where it was ~2/3 full, we were told by locals that it was a popular night hangout at the bar. With all the yummy rum drinks on the menu, it’s not hard to understand why. Took a pleasant (but yes, very hot and muggy) walk in nearby Old Town to work off the dinner – found the famous Rusty Spur Saloon and the Sugar Bowl ice cream parlor – and went home happy.
The next day we hopped over to The Breakfast Club on nearby Stetson for some morning grub. According to the bellman (who was naturally very knowledgeable about directions and local areas), it and The Good Egg are some of the locals’ favorite breakfast spots. We were not disappointed. The place was packed to the brim with a line out the door – all locals. We got lucky and snatched two seats at the coffee bar, ordered Huevos Rancheros and classic ham & eggs. It is arguably the best HR I’ve had. The chile verde on the HR was fiery hot and super yummy, the eggs fluffy, the fruit fresh, and both the coffee & smoothie (create your own) were just delish.
After breakfast we made our way to Sedona. It is a ~2-hour drive from Scottsdale but worth it. The red rocks were beautifully and memorably sculpted by nature. The town of Sedona itself is rather small, so it’s is definitely a manageable day trip. Since it was hot and we had dinner reservations in Scottsdale, we didn’t explore the entire area, but hit some of the highlights suggested by the helpful concierge at FireSky instead.
This included the Cathedral Dome Vortex rocks area (supposedly good “energies” there), the Frank Lloyed Wright-influenced Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Coffee Pot rocks area, the town itself and the Hideaway – a very good local pizza joint where the crust was tart pastry-like and the fillings honest. We also made a brief stop at L’Auberge, a local resort where all rooms are in little cabins and much of the local landscaping preserved – including a pretty little stream running through the property. It is a romantic spot and the on-site restaurant is highly rated.
Since my energy level has definitely lessened during this final trimester (am now 31 weeks preggers), I was feeling a bit pooped on our way back from Sedona in the early evening. We were both excited about dinner though – I’ve always wanted to try one of Michael Mina’s restaurants and Bourbon Steak (opened 2/08 at the Fairmont Princess) did not disappoint. The Fairmont itself is a pretty, sprawling property in N. Scottsdale. Valet parking was complimentary and once again the staff, from the bellmen to the restaurant hostess, was warm and friendly.
The food offered at Bourbon Steak was at once traditional and familiar, with interestingly modern twists. The meats are cooked sous-vide to retain moisture, then finished on the hot wood-fired smoked grill to seal in flavor and ensure a beautiful crust. The menu was more extensive than I expected, with bone marrow being one of the more unusual appetizers. Three types of meats were offered: premium USDA, American Kobe and Japanese Kobe. Since we had a late and big lunch, hubby and I decided to share a Kobe filet mignon, asparagus side and a Caesar (I wanted to be more adventurous on the salad but alas, everything else either had unpasteurized cheese or something else I needed to avoid). The Caesar is a refreshingly lighter version than the traditional but may have needed a touch more salt. The filet cut like butter beneath our knives and just melted in our mouths.
In addition to what we ordered the staff also brought complimentary tri-flavored duck fat fries and truffle-infused cast-iron baked bread that were heavenly and addictive. The dessert menu didn’t really catch our eyes (I think I was expecting more innovative creations than “molten chocolate cake,” for instance), so we went straight to after dinner drinks – lavender mint tea for me and bourbon for hubby.
Both the food and the service were excellent and worthy of a well-known chef. The manager on duty also made his rounds talking to all the diners. However, we thought various elements of the décor were a bit at odds with each other. Most of the sections (the bar, the cellar, the natural stone walls) looked hip yet warm, but the metal “chandelier” lights looked like someone pieced a lot of Ikea stainless steel lamps together (nothing against Ikea, just thought it was a bit odd). Similarly, the stainless steel handles and trim on the sectional doors didn’t reflect the warm glow from the candles and soft lighting. None of this really mattered of course, just an interesting side observation.
On our final day in Scottsdale, the weather made a turn for the worse. Rain poured and the sky thundered, adding to the humidity in the air but kept the thermometer from spiking over 100.
We took refuge at the nearby Scottsdale Fashion Square and had an enjoyable lunch at the Kona Grill. Many local restaurants aren’t open for lunch on Sundays, so be aware when you make your own plans. Not much was done on this day; we just hung out, got more massages, and relaxed. In terms of traveling back in bad weather, we again lucked out – we got to the airport early thinking we’ll do dinner there, and found out our original flight was delayed 3.5 hours. We were able to catch an earlier flight and since that flight was also delayed, we were actually able to leave PHX as originally planned.
It was a very enjoyable weekend all in all. In many ways Scottsdale reminded us of Orange County, making us giggle at times and instantly at ease. The food options are top notch, the nearby sights gorgeous, and the golf is world class if you’re into the sport. What’s not to like?
In my breastfeeding goal. 3 months is 1/6 of 18 months. Sigh...such a small chunk. At least 6 months will mark 1/3 of the way there. I should celebrate these incremental benchmarks. I am grateful for the gift of breastfeeding but it's such a mental competition. It takes tremendous commitment: pumping at work, engorgement in the middle of the night, washing/sanitizing supplies, and storage.
It's so worth it at the moment that you're breastfeeding, automatically the rest of your world stops. I used to get frustrated that Vida was a gourmet nurser (takes her time at the breast). Now, she gets down to business, and it seems to be over so quickly.
It's now a grand task to maintain my supply, she consumes 12-15 oz between 8 am and 4 pm. Just today, I started to feed her formula at every other feeding. I want to make sure my freezer stash doesn't diminish and I don't want the stress of not having enough or running out. If she continues to nap for 4 of those 8 hours, there will be sufficient milk. We're getting (2) 2-hour naps! Grateful for that.
I must increase my water intake and continue to make baked oatmeal and/or have oatmeal 1/day. Any other suggestions?
My son has been trying to be a little helper the past few days. Yesterday, he decided that I needed the coasters that were on the end table. He picked up the coaster tray to carry it to me. But it has an open end and all the coasters fell out. No problem, he just sat down, put the coasters back in, and stood up again. And they fell out, again. He kept repeating this (and surprisingly, he did not get frustrated). He even tried wrapping a burp cloth around the coasters to keep them from falling out. Eventually he did give up and started bringing them to me one by one.
And then today he helped with laundry. I would hand him a piece of wet laundry from the washer and he would throw it into the dryer. Just the smaller items like his clothing, washcloths, socks, etc. Near the end he got kind of excited and started flinging the items any direction he pleased. He also started putting them into the laundry basket rather than the dryer. It's a start, at least!
When I bring Sofia over to the baby clinic to be weighed on Wednesday mornings there are usually at least a few other children there with one parent or the other, most often Mum. I always think to myself that these mothers look like "older" mothers. Really, many of them are probably in their late 20s or early 30s. I guess in my head I am still 20ish, not 33. So when I am looking at these other mothers I am really seeing myself. How did I get to be 33? And when exactly did that happen?
On another note, I am no longer worried about Sofia's weight. In the past four weeks (drinking formula instead of breastmilk) she has gained 2 pounds 5 ounces and has moved from the 5th percentile almost all the way up to the 25th percentile. Growing girl!
The cheese stands alone.
22 follicles matured
15 eggs retrieved
10 eggs fertilized
3 eggs grew
and finally,
1 heartbeat.
There was actually three sacs, but only one had a fetal pole and heartbeat.
After that the conversation as DaddyO heard it went something like...
"Everything looks great! We'll see you in two weeks for another ultrasound."
After that the conversation as *I* heard it went something like....
"Everything looks as good as could be expected. Things happen in the 7th and 8th week though. It might not have kidneys or a liver and you could miscarry. Don't get your hopes up Lady."
*sigh*
I was completely looking forward to having one less thing to worry about, but apparently, I'm not wired that way. I'm gonna fret no matter what. When did I stop being the fly by the seat of my pants goth/punk chick who graduated college with honors and decided to stick it to the man, travel the world and become a Dominatrix, and become The Fretter?
I really can't help it though. From 22 to 1? That's a pretty large fall off rate. And so I begin, yet another, two week wait. I promise, should everything look good I will stop fretting. Promise.
As baby becomes more of a reality, I seem to be collecting more stress. Some people collect coins, me? I collect stress. Let me elaborate.
I usually hate to let anyone know that I'm really stressed about something. It feels like admitting a weakness to me and I hate to feel weak. There were too many wasted years where I felt powerless to those around me. I want to feel strong so I internalize a lot and don't really let anyone know when I'm feeling the crunch.
It's hard NOT to feel the crunch nowadays. I'm having a baby in a little more than 3 months, we have a basement to finish -- a project which we now realize was more ambitious than we originally thought, a lease on our Nissan Pathfinder expiring and the rising cost of gas making just about everything more expensive.
We had a nice savings for maternity leave but the need to finish the basement before the baby gets here has depleted that to a few hundred dollars. Did I mention the basement is still not done? Welcome, stress #1. In case you're wondering, we live in a modest 2 bedroom (was 3), 1 bathroom house in a great area. We bought the cheapest house on a really nice block and basically tore it down and rebuilt. We knew when we bought the house 3 years ago knowing that it needed work and with a lot of family help, we finished the main floor. That was not without frustration and a lot of headaches for anyone involved in the process. We decided to save on said frustration to finish the basement ourselves. We've been doing it slowly and by slowly I mean, we didn't do anything for 2 years and this year, we started with doing the windows and working our way in. We're adding a full bathroom, electric, plumbing, new sheetrock, berber carpeting, a new staircase, adding shelving, closets, wainscotting... it's a huge undertaking. When I found out I was pregnant, well, it just increased this pressure to finish the basement so that we had room for the office, which is now located in the soon-to-be nursery. In order to make room for baby, we need the room the basement will provide.
We also need a car. Our lease on our 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is expiring in a few months and we desperately need a new car. We've been shopping around but aren't finding anything really exciting. We even went to Nissan and they want money down on a lease trade-in, which we find to be absolutely ridiculous. We want to downsize our gas guzzler to a more modest Rogue and don't feel we should be paying out of our eye balls to do so. If we had money to put down, I assure you, it wouldn't be on another Nissan. Customer Service wise, they are truly lacking. From offering bogus deals to get us in the door, to refusing to negotiate with a customer who has completely paid off their lease, they have not shown they would like to keep us in a Nissan. And to be honest, if we've got to go back into the debt we worked hard to pay off, we won't be driving a Nissan. I wrote a letter to Nissan Corporate... I doubt it will do anything but it was scathing and I've got to tell you, that felt good.
Then there is maternity leave. On maternity leave, I'll get 60% of my salary for 12 weeks. I've saved some vacation time so 3 1/2 weeks, I will have full pay then my salary will get reduced for the remainder of the time I take. I plan to "iron man" it and try to go to the very end so that I have as much time as possible with the baby. We have 9 weeks of 40% of my salary to save for and as you can imagine with a basement under construction, a new car needed -- well, we have depleted our savings on our basement and really don't have the opportunity to save more because my oil heating bill, went up $60 per month. My grocery bill, up $50 per month. My monthly gas usage for the car has gone down but the bill, up in the triple digits just to go back and forth to work. Everything has gone up but our respective salaries.
So I'm stressed which is why I'm awake at 4:17 am writing this blog entry and listening to the wonderful sounds of my stomach growling. I really have no idea how this is all going to work out. I keep thinking of Shakespeare in Love where the theater owner, played superbly by Geoffrey Rush keeps saying "somehow, it all works out in the end" and although I know that's true, I feel like we're sinking now. I know I'm not alone, I have Andrew and the entire middle class of America with me but God, I hate to feel like I'm drowning with no life preserver in sight.
I spoke one on one with the psychologist that we chose for C today, the appointment last week was... complicated by the fact that C acts out when ever I have to speak about his father and I am over sensitive to his trying to make him out to be a hero or something.
So today we went over C's IEP (Individual education plan), some history of what he went through and a tiny bit of what I had gone through living with his father as well. Since I did not have C along I could speak more freely and she could as well. I get the feeling that she understands where I am coming from and will have C's best interest in mind. She says she is looking forward to working with both of us.
She got us in touch with a family practice physician so that we could get an "emergency" prescription for C's meds as he took the last one last night. Getting the prescription filled took four times longer than the appointment with the doctor! Not her fault, or the doctor's, or even the pharmacy really. For some reason the pharmacy's computer system did not want to accept that our oldest boy has a different last name than my current husband's. One more reason (as if I needed another) to ask C's father to relinquish his parental rights.
But now I have at least something tentative to report to his father's Parenting Coordinator. We have been to the psychologist and by the end of Thursday or Friday she may have a report for him.
