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| ...leap towards the future | ||
| Take a step back in time... | ||
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Wake Up: Updated my food blog... |
Spiced Pumpkin Bread Ginger Molasses Cookies Enjoy the start of the cold weather :) Super tasty with a cup of coffee. |
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Wake Up: lulz |
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Wake Up: Rockabye |
If only toddler slept as much as newborn babies, we'd be in business! Harper easily sleeps in long blocks (hours), wakes up and has a long feed, maybe a little look around and goes back to sleep for a few hours. Jane slept against me and Harper in my arms (it was so cute) for a long time today, and I went ahead and took a short nap while they slept with me on the couch. Heavenly, really. We had our first day out today, we all went to Aldi and got groceries. I've taken notice that I doubt I'll want to be shopping with Jane AND the baby too often, ahem. I installed the carseat for the first time and man, its awesome. It's a Concord Ultimax, its really solid, and it'll rearface for a long time. Cormac's mom and dad came up today and we had a nice visit and a chat. We're going down at the weekend. Hugh and Catherine decided on a name, so Harper's birthday cousin is Adam! Can't wait to see them and compare them-- he was born 4 hours after her! I think I'm going to make some pumpkin bread tomorrow (well, butternut squash bread, no one needs to know). I might cook it in a bundt pan. Something to bring down to Cobh and it'll be quick to mix up and cook since I need to be resting. I was running around a bit too much this morning and I got all crampy and realized I need to be sitting down. I did have a baby 4 days ago after all-- I've just recovered so well I forget that I still need to rest even if I'm feeling good. I've got to make some cornbread to let get stale as well for my stuffing for the American meet up on Sunday. Midwife came out for the last time (well she is swinging by later to pick up my chart) and did the heel prick test and final bits. She (Annette) was absolutely brilliant. I'm very happy with everything and I just feel so happy that I had this dream birth without any complication and I can hold on to that memory now. Cormac's late getting home tonight, about 8pm. He went in to teach around 2pm. Tomorrow we've nothing on so it'll be a chill out day. My little accuweather thing on firefox has a "very windy" symbol for tomorrow that I've never seen before. It's finally getting chilly and I'm happy about it. Gives me an excuse to knit nice warm things. I just got "One Skein" and well its a nice book it doesn't have very many things to knit up with one skein. I prefer just looking up things on ravelry.com for free. Blessed ravelry. I really want a smoothie at the moment, but I've got nothing to put in one. Damnit. |
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Wake Up: Day 4 |
Just when I thought I was getting plenty of rest because I was functioning-- holy hell. Cormac took Jane with him to work this morning since Angelica was going to take her from Educate Together when she dropped off Iz. The second they both left the bedroom I laid down with Harper and drifted into the most pleasant, tingly slumber ever. I woke briefly a few times to text Angelica and to talk to Cormac on the phone and then I thought about getting up (around 10am) and I said I'd lay back down one more time to feed Harp and I didn't wake up again until 11:20am. I feel so nice and rested now. I have Harper in the sling now and she's sleeping away. I forgot how handy these things are. So I made my breakfast and even popped her on the boob for a short while. She's a super trooper with the boob-- she latches on well (I remember at this stage just fussing and crying and trying to get Jane to latch, I think a lot of it is that this time I know exactly what I'm doing and I'm not at all intimidated by the process) and nurses efficiently. She'll happily gulp down what she wants in a few minutes and drifts off to sleep for ages. I love this newborn stage :D Jane was up bright and early demanding to hold Harper. I'm having the opposite problem than I expected! Then she told me she wished she had milkies. I assume she figures this means she could hold her more, ha. Jane's coming back home in a little while before Angelica picks up Isabella from school. She's a saint, she really is. Plus Jane will have been worn out a bit. We're going down to Cobh more than likely on Friday night to see everyone and see Hugh and Catherine and the new baby. It's been ages since we've been down. Sunday we're going to a Thanksgiving dinner meet up with the American gals and their families- I'm going to make a cornbread stuffing. |
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Wake Up: Easy Peasy |
Day 3, I'm on my own while Cormac does a few hours of lessons. Jane fast asleep, Harper only nursing because I picked her up out of a long, long nap when she moved around a bit. If I can manage this regularly we'll be in business! Feeling good.  Jane is a giant. It's so weird how old/big she now seems. Wants to hold her and kiss her all.the.time. Thankfully. Not in the least bit jealous, if anything she's acting super independent (go attachment parenting!). I'm gonna knit my super hip hand warmers soon. My wool came :) Colors on the site were misleading but I'm still pleased. Rowan Lima is sooooooo soft, holy hell. Cormac and I made a list of short term and long term goals. He's anxious to move, so we have been browsing New Hampshire real estate again, le sigh. We're gonna do the garden up nice in the spring and put it on the market again :) We need to take a trip to travel around NH soon, maybe during our trip in the summer. Gonna close my eyes for abit. |
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Wake Up: Welcome Harper Jamie! |
So I'm on the couch now, Harper is feeding away into blissful slumber, Cormac is catching up on his sleep and Jane just went off with Angelica to play for a little while with the girls. Harper Jamie (we changed the middle name as Cormac wanted to give her the name of a friend who passed recently and I think its lovely... Simone was a bit pretentious anyways) was born at 1:44am at home, 6 pounds 6.5 ounces (I know, I know, tiny for nearly a week overdue-- and my dates had to be quite accurate since I was counting ovulation days-- Jane was 6lbs 14ounces).  Shot of us this morning. More on facebook. Cormac only videoed parts of my labor instead of taking pics but its all kind of dark :( ( Birth Story time! ) That's the story in a nutshell. Jane went to bed at 8:30pm and slept through the whole thing. She woke up (by falling out of bed for the first time ever I might add) about 30 minutes after the baby was born. So she came downstairs, completely exhausted and shivering to see baby Harper-- she's doing great with her. And oddly enough, we get a text this morning that Cormac's brothers wife, Catherine, had her baby a week and half early this morning! So two new Kavanagh babies, born on Halloween together! One nearly a week late and one just over a week early. How crazy is that? Congrats to them as well! So, I'm feeling pretty good. The difference after the birth having had no drugs is unbelievable. All those natural hormones and pain relievers kick in, I was very alert afterward (I was well dozy with Jane) for it being past 2am (we got to bed a bit after 4am-- shower in my own shower, sleeping in my own bed! go home birth!). I had no tears at all. The beauty of having natural birth where you feel the pain and you push only with the pains and your body does the work its built to do. The midwife did a small bit of perineal massage while I pushed and that felt good and I'm sure it helped. I have pain pills now for the cramps and the soreness down below which I'm happy to take. Baby is so alert, not at all jaundiced and pinked up straight away. Full head of dark hair like Jane (just not as long or as curly). They look very similar. Gonna rest now, but wanted to write this while it's fresh. Happy Halloween! |
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Wake Up: Baby soon? |
I've had painful contractions irregularly since about, 8pm last night. Here we are at 8am! Damn damn. Part of me is happy because dealing with Jane in the middle of the night if I were in the deep throws of labor would have been awful for Jane and for Angelica and Barry who'd be coming out to get her (because she wakes, inevitably at some point, looking for me). Lots of rectal pressure during my contractions. They hurt, big time. All night at 10, 20, or 30 minute intervals which is driving me crazy. Get consistent! I haven't rang the midwives yet but I will soon. I didn't want to cause a fuss if this is just going to go on for another forever. However, I'm a thinking we're gonna have a baby today. |
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Wake Up: Labor waiting sucks |
So, I've been having strong braxton hicks all afternoon. Since about 2. I've been like "yeah, well, I feel weird but..." the rest of the day. Now, of course, Cormac walks out the door after hanging on all evening for me to play a gig and I'm like, "hmm, those are weird pressure-y, crampy twinges, eh?". Now it feels like she is playing hockey in my crotch. UGH. I've kind of got until quarter to 12 to figure out whats going on here. He's 20 minutes from home but from 11:45-1:30 he'll be gigging and won't know if I text. So, it'll be typical that I'll go into labor now, yeah? I'm ready for this. Bring it! BRING IT! nah, not that lucky. Must make me suffer another week, at least! |
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Wake Up: I bought yarn |
100g Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky Indigo 150g Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky Lime 100g Rowan Lima Pampas 100g Debbie Bliss Fez Fuchsia 100g Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran Stone Prym/Inox Circular Knitting Needles [5.00mm / 100cm] Prym/Inox Circular Knitting Needles [7.00mm / 60cm] All for about 60 euro shipped. I think thats pretty good. http://kangaroo.uk.com. I was going to go with a lady on Ebay but I got some stuff to start here as they had the chunky cashmerino and I really want to try it. |
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Wake Up: Hey, babykins |
40 + 3 days I'm getting cranky, please get out of me. She wants to be a Halloween baby. She's already probably faced with Halloween-themed birthdays (if she so desires). Both kids are going to be off school during their birthdays, cools. Anyways, like I said, get out. I've walked, I've climbed, I've sexed. I'm having cramps here, cramps there, braxton hicks here and there. I've done a lot of knitting. Well, lots of me. I did a very soft and pretty cowl and did some 2k2p ribbing and I did an earflap baby hat (which said newborn but its looking big to me)! I attempted some crochet but honestly, I think I was using too crappy of a yarn to enjoy it. I have loads of 100% wool from Michaels, but its not great. I have lots of red though, so watch out Christmas! I'm online now with a tidy little yarn allowance looking to spend 50 euro on nice yarn. I want some good chunkier stuff. Suggestions? Debbie Bliss luxury tweed looks nice, is it? Or is it scratchy. I'm getting more cashmerino because I made my cowl out of that and its soooo purty. I wish I could drive up to This is Knit and pet a lot of yarn to make my decision but that's not an option :( and there is f all around here. Ebay has some UK sellers with realllllly good prices. I had to buy some double ended needles. I'm feeling super confident at the moment, I think my big mistake was starting out thinking "I'll make a blanket!" instead of making nice soft small things. Handwarmers to match my cowl are next. /knitnerd |
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Wake Up: Eviction Notice |
Dear Spawn 2 (known to be Baby Harper), You must vacate Candace Fore by Sunday, October 25th 2009, as agreed upon by all the pregnancy due date calculators on the internet, Waterford Regional midwives, and accurate watching of ovulation. If you fail to vacate the uterus by this date, you have 10 days before home birth is pulled as an option as stated in the Domino midwives policy on home births. Let's not push it. --- I was going to have a little check up today, but we were in town so the midwife is coming by tomorrow. Wouldn't it be great if oh, we started labor and didn't need a check up? I think so. On another note, Cormac went online yesterday and bought seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Lost, because we are pathetic like that. Aldi has Reese's Peanut Butter cups. Oh yes. This brings happiness to teh preggie. |
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Wake Up: I think I said something along the lines of "you're evicted" at this stage with Jane. |
I have a tummy full of chicken soup. Nom. I got my hair cut today, I'll have to take a picture. It's just a little choppy cut that I can flip out and do a bunch of things with while my hair grows out. I needed to cut off the ends that were permed (the perm had mostly fallen out). I got it cut in the village and it wasn't too bad! The girl down there is lovely and really chatty so it was a nice little break. Usually I cut my own hair, but I went to cut at it last night and it was just such a mess, and I can't really twist and bend around or keep my arms in the air too long so I just gave up. I had nice long hairs to work with on the sides too but I was frustrated and chopped them off, anyways. Not important. I have a cute little cut for now, and it should grow out pretty well. ( Haircut and a belly shot ) Things have slowed here. I was feeling all sorts of cramping and back pain. However it comes, it goes. Loads of pressure, and I'm a full walking penguin now. She was pushing herself down in there last night and it was making me jump. However, nothing else going on. BAH BAH BAH. I lost loads of mucous plug over the last week but no bloody show. So, today I got out in the yard and planted some daffodil bulbs and picked weeds and even took a walk with Cormac, Jane and Zeppe. Peeing all the time, though. Even when there is like, two tsps of pee in there. So annoying. I'm due on Sunday, I was hoping we'd go earlier than later, but, oh well! I'm all ready anyways. I'm staring at a stack of towels and a plastic tarp on the moses basket in the corner, the birthing pool in a box in the dining room... sigh. I got some clary sage oil yesterday and let me say, whoa. I didn't realize it was related to Salvia, but once I had rubbed a little too much all over myself I started feeling a bit high, lol. It's supposed to help relax everything and ease your anxiety and its great. I mixed a few drops up with some lavender and a carrier oil to rub on my body and use during labor. I actually have a little bar of cocoa butter that has clary sage and lavender it in that I got at the home birth conference to use as well. I had a few drops in my bath last night and it was very relaxing. Cormac and I are hooked on Lost. I bought my dad the complete first series ages ago but I borrowed it from them when were we home in the summer time. So we started to watch it since Sky never has crap on to watch and I really need to push Cormac to get the Sky+ so we can record things we actually do watch. It's actually, really good! I'm shocked how quickly we got into the story and started caring about the characters. We were trying to get into Fringe but I've decided the stories are shite and I don't really like nor care about any of the characters. And all the other shows I do like are either not on yet or playing repeats. I should just, read. We have Religulous to watch from the Screenclicks (its like Netflix). I have been watching some shows/movies on my mom's Netflix account online, through an anonymous isp thing (because they won't let you view from outside the US). Man, I really want to eat a chocolate bar right now. I shall. There won't be anything left for the trick or treaters. Speaking of which (witch, haha), Jane had her little princess dress on yesterday and it was so cute. She's totally into it. She has a little wand that lights up and makes a twinkling noise, too. I'm also trying to knit and crotchet. Did I mention this? I'm doing too different hair band type things but honestly its going to take a donkey's age because my yarn is not as chunky as it should be (although one is super awesome so I'm going to use the other ball to make some fingerless gloves). I need some lessons on how to be better at this. |
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Wake Up: Slow wins the brain race too, yeah? dur |
Feel like I've been slow to reply to people lately-- if you comment to me and I'm slow like the tortoise to respond to you don't be offended, my brain is in standby mode at the moment. Yesterday I went out into town and walked around a bit (was hoping to treat myself to a cute sweater cardigan/jacket type thing but no luck finding something reasonable and attractive looking). Sat in one of those shiatsu massage chairs for 10 minutes, although after I put in my money I read "not for pregnant women". Chyeah right. I get a stronger massage from Jane! It was relaxing though. I guess I just enjoy when I feel like a massage is borderline abuse. I met up with a few of the girls for dinner at L'atmosphere around 5:30. Sigh sigh. We were giving this restaurant a second (third) chance (which I wouldn't have given but I wasn't booking it)-- and it was a mistake. There were a few problems (metal in one dessert, egg custard in profiteroles instead of cream-- and she was allergic to egg, good that she didn't just pop it in her mouth!, plate from a hot hot oven sat down in front of me with no warning it was just out of 200C oven, some shabby looking very bone filled fish and a lobster and prawn bisque with no lobster OR prawn that resembled more of a lobster and prawn watery broth than bisque). Fine French dining, I think not. It was good craic, though, just to have a nice night out (my last supper? hardy har...) with the girls before I'm plastered to the couch for a month. Made waffles this morning and butternut squash (read: tastes like pumpkin) cinnamon rolls. Midwife came out late in the afternoon and she was brilliant. Everything is on track, the appropriate people are on call and everyone has their mobiles close to their beds-- just for me! It's so wonderful being a Domino home birth because my birth is the kind they want to do. Let me explain the scheme. Domino midwives (are part of the public system so this is all FREE) are hospital midwives who take on low risk pregnancies and allow for early discharge (6 hours after birth), or home birth. Now, usually, they just get women who want to get home but want loads of intervention (epidurals) and are bottlefeeding, etc... its just not what they have in mind with the whole thing, I suppose. My midwife today even voiced her disappointment a bit about it and it makes me feel great that the people who are assisting me in having my child are actually EXCITED to help me! I'm not a burden, I'm not a time waster, I'm important! She even said to just be urgent when the time comes and when I want them there to get on the phone and tell them to just come. She said they can always leave for a while if I'm not close. It's such a difference from my last experience. What kills me is that I paid 2,000 to be treated like shit and I'm paying nothing and being treated like the only pregnant woman in Waterford. On another note, my dad is not coming at Christmas. Well, he still has a few... hours? to change his mind, but mom said she needed to book tickets soon and he said for her to go ahead and book her ticket. I know he is scared. I know he thinks the flight will be hard and it may very well be. Guess what, I think I'm worth it, damnit. I think seeing your grandchildren (one who you have never even met) is worth it. I think meeting your in-laws for the first time is worth it. I think not spending Christmas alone but spending it with your family is worth it. So, instead, stubbornly, my father will be spending Christmas and New Year's alone at home, unsafely by himself (we'll be calling to check up all the time because if he falls somewhere who the hell is going to find him?). I'm very upset, and angry, and hurt. But I've talked to him on the phone, I wrote him in his birthday card... clearly my guilting isn't working and honestly if I get on the phone with him again to bug him I'm going to get upset that I have to twist his arm. I realize he is 69 years old and its hard to do things you don't want to do (he hasn't been on a plane in 40 years, he's terrified of something going wrong-- he left the air force because his ears bled on the planes... unpressurized planes... 40 years ago). I'm just head wall thumping at the moment. Cormac is upset for me, asking if he should call him up. Honestly, when it comes to my dad if not even I can guilt him into something I just don't see any hope. I have little enough family as it is, and when I'm over here by myself it'd just be nice if my own family came to visit me. I remember how tough my first Christmas here was... I was pregnant and here with Cormac's family who I didn't know well at the time and I spent most of the time "resting" or crying upstairs. I'm lucky they are fab and have completely opened their arms to me... and at this point I feel like they are my own family at holidays. However, that's just besides the point. I would like for my father to meet Cormac's family. I'd like for him to see my home and where I live and raise my family. I just. sigh. ugh. I'm too pregnant for all this emotion and such. I'm off to bed. Late night for Cormac tonight. There was a massive spider in our landing on the ceiling for the last 3 days and it finally wandered somewhere where I could order Cormac to reach it to kill it, and now its disappeared. Where the hell did it go? |
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Wake Up: Baking time |
Pumpkin cinnamon rolls have to happen. Today. Wake up Cormie so I can make dem. In case you are wondering, the recipe is here on my blog: http://bohemiancrunch.blogspot.com/2 Yes, they are that delicious. |
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Wake Up: Halloween time! |
 More: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 btw, if we aren't facebook friends yet-- let's be! |
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Wake Up: 10 more days until the due date. |
Right now I wish to make: Pumpkin waffles Waffles with sausage gravy (american sausage) Zuppa toscana I'm tired. We carved pumpkins, I'll post some pictures later. I'd have done something more intricate but I wanted to do the typical scary face for Jane. I'm going out to an early bird dinner tomorrow night at L'atmosphere with the gals. It'll likely be my last night out. Yesterday we went to see Up with Jane. Up was brilliant. The first 10 minutes had me in tears. It was genius, really. I'd say its breathtaking in 3D. Jane enjoyed all the dogs. We met up with Sean and Shona for pizza at Gino's afterward which was tasty (sometimes its not so great, but we had some good ones yesterday). I'm glad we had a chance to socialize a bit but I feel like I didn't get much of a chance to chat because Jane was understandably squirmy. She ate a bit of pizza, bit of ice cream, but mostly wanted to get up and walk around and go up the stairs. She sat through 2 hours of movie in the cinema so really I can't complain. I'm glad we got a chance to do it either way. |
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Wake Up: Too many crackers and too much hummus |
Having loads of strong BH this afternoon. Would be great if that meant anything. Here we go, 38 weeks and 2 days:   You have my permission to gtfo of me. --- Jane is all better. No idea what it was. Not going to Dublin to be on TV3 tomorrow, even though I had plenty of encouragement to do it! It's 2.5 hours from home... and 11 days before my due date. I'd go, but Cormac isn't keen so, meh. We're going to go see 'Up' instead, which is just as good. I got a monster sized pumpkin. I'm going to carve that baby tomorrow. |
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Wake Up: I burnt my hand on the quiche dish |
I'm suffering from pregnancy irrationality, as I'm considering a drive up to Dublin on Wednesday because I was called about going on TV3 on the morning show for a breastfeeding vs formula episode. I wanna do it! However, 1. Cormac needs to not be teaching and I'm not 100% that its his off week (he does lessons on Wednesdays every other week) and, er, I'll be due in 11 days on Wednesday. I mean, how likely is it I'm going into labor early, right? I just really wish someone who knows what they are talking about would go on the show as their mother and baby week has been sponsored by SMA (formula company for those in the US) and today's show was just sad (in fact, she asked me if I could go on today's show that taped Friday saying it would be on homebirth... it wasn't. Maybe they wanted to have a homebirther couch sitting? Yesterday I went into the Nearly Near Cuidiu sale by myself, but there wasn't much on offer. I stopped on Angelica and picked up the birthing pool! Woot! We took an hour and went down to the psychic fair in hopes we could tease the crazies with a cheap reading but they were all charging 40 and 50 euro a reading... come on guys. If you are going to rip people off, don't make it so obvious. I did get a book, called "Fuck It". More on that later. Came home and we blew up the pool to make sure it was all functioning. I wanted to see how long it took to get together. Less than 5 minutes to inflate, and about 30 minutes to fill halfway. Jane and I swam around in it. I noticed during dinner that she felt a bit warm, and noticed it again in the pool (I have serious mommy-child-fever radar)... so after she fell asleep (quick after all that playing in the pool, which is super comfy btw!) I took her temp. 38.9! (thats 102F). Damn damn. Next time she woke up I gave her some nurofen and back to sleep. This morning was a bit over 102, so I dosed her up again and it came down to 100. We had a 2 hour nap as well this morning. It's now 6pm and we're staying at 99, and she hasn't had anything since noon. Passing virus? Teething? No idea? I'm not one to get all "zomg fever ahhh!" so I figured as long as it was only fever I'd not worry. She's playing away and I've kept her inside, and we've lounged around the living room all day (which I don't mind doing at this stage, still in my jammies! teehee). Hoping tomorrow she'll be over it. Birthing pool is brill though. Blows up on the bottom and has lots of support. I've been having sharp pains in my pelvis and butt that feel a good bit like head shoving down into my crotch, which are good things. Menstrual crampiness. I hate that there are basically few symptoms that mean labor is coming now, they mostly mean "yeah, you are ready, but I might hang out in here for, you know, another 3 weeks". I'm eating sweet potato, ham and cheese quiche with a whole wheat crust for dinner. It's delicious. |
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Wake Up: 38 weeks and counting. |
Don't you hate when you get your dinner in the oven and something cooks too fast? I have a delicious cheesy broccoli bake in the oven with sweet potatoes and chicken oysters, but of course, the chicken isn't close to done yet. Grr! Ramona sent me fat free fig newtons and baked cheetoes. I know they are horrible for me, still, but they are delicious. She sent on all her diapers from AJ and now I have so many diapers coming out of my ears, I'm a happy camper. The last midwife (the only one I hadn't met) came to the house today. She was so, so great. Young-ish, very enthusiastic, very warm. I kind of hope she'll be there at my birth but its not up to me, its whichever two are on call the day I go into labor. More importantly, she brought in all the equipment! I'm ready baby, come on out! I'm at 38 weeks tomorrow. So, it could happen tomorrow or 4 weeks from now. I think thats the most frustrating part of pregnancy. However, once you have it in your head that its perfectly normal and important for the baby to come out in their own time you let it go a bit. I made the mistake of looking on some pregnancy forums and everyone is all like "yeah well I'm due in two days and the doc said he would schedule me for my induction then so yay!". Uh, no. You don't want to fucking elect to have an induction ladies! It annoys me, as a person who never wanted an induction the first time and had to have one see these healthy women making such an unnecessary choice just to bring a baby into their lives a week or two early. I nearly beat up an old lady today. I was trying to manuever the stroller in Dunnes and you have to go beside a closed till-- and Jane kicked it with her foot. Which in turn set off an alarm. So I stopped for a second to close it back into place. Not abruptly, just paused. Some old lady with her cart hit me. I ignored it. But as I was kind of fixing it (and had pushed Jane to the side to allow room for people to walk by if need be) she banged me again! I have to clarify here that I'm way too nice. I'm really nice. No matter how boisterous or opinionated I might come off here, I'm quite and I say excuse me and sorry all the time when its not my fault. I just don't like conflict and I like being the better person. However, this lady just pushed my button the WRONG day. I turned around and said "CAN YOU JUST WAIT FOR ONE SECOND I'M PREGNANT WITH A TODDLER HERE TRYING TO FIX THIS THING". She of course ignored me and walked past. GAHHHH. Still though. F you lady. I realized today that Jane has been pretty great lately. Mostly because we stopped stressing out about bedtime. She is mostly falling asleep downstairs and we're moving her to her room, and she is waking up sometime in the early morning and coming into our room. No biggie. I'm taking on the effit philosophy because I'm too pregnant and when there is another baby I can't be stressing out about these things. It's been great for all of us. Plus I don't think I've gotten angry with Jane in a while either. It's nice. We rearranged the living room furniture and now I think Jane is more comfortable to play away than before, which has brought us a little peace, too. Checking my chicken now, adios. |
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Wake Up: Save some room for later Augustus! |
It's been a long week. First, the funeral. It was tough. Cormac is back and forth as to how well he is coping with Jay's death. There are a lot of sad people in Waterford at the moment. Very emotional. I knew Jay, and I do find it terribly depressing to see pictures of him- and the funeral/burial were difficult. However, Cormac would have known Jay very well and played with Jay a lot so I know this has been hard on him. I'm trying to give him the support he needs but honestly its been hard since my mind is on nothing but baby at the moment. Angelica watched Jane for a while and we spent a little time socializing after the funeral. I brought Jane over to the hotel where they were having a bit of food for a while but she was a bit tired for it. It was great to catch up with some people, its a shame it always takes something like this for people to regroup. We'll see how long it takes for the musical community here to recover. We went up to Dublin on Saturday for the Home Birth Ireland conference. It was okay. For what they offered, I do feel I overpaid. The La Leche League conference costs less and I feel they offered much more. Very few talks, and too much focus on advocacy than really offering information and tips for those interested in home birth. I'd have been better if they would have offered two talks at a time, one for experienced home birthers/advocates and others who are looking towards having a home birth. I mean, really, we are already on board-- we don't need to be convinced. Ricki Lake was the highlight and honestly yeah, I was star stuck a bit, cause it was a small enough event. I wanted to ask her a few questions but it digressed into a lot of people saying "go you for doing this!" more so than questions. Stuff like "How can we make more home births happen?" was a waste of time really. I did meet ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mrspeacockwi and her family, which was nice. I like putting blogs with faces!That evening we went over to stay with schmoomom and her clan who were nice enough to take us in and feed us. It really blows that they live so far away, I love this family. Jane loves the boys and she had a blast playing there. It was a long overdue visit and I really needed it-- I enjoyed the chat time. Only problem is I always leave wanting to do loads of knitting :) Sunday we spent the morning with them and went over with Brendan and the boys to the Dun Laoghaire farmer's market and grabbed some green thai curry and a chocolate crepe (and a blueberry scone, and a pretzel, ahem), walked around and went ahead home. Cormac did stop and pick up that amp on the way home, but we had to bring it back last night as it had a very problems.Today ionracas came up with her beautiful son to visit with us. I failed at making some cookies (although my soup was pretty good)... needed more flour I think gah. Then I left the dough out on the counter and it was too warm and the last few batches I put in the oven were all melty. We have a LLL coffee morning tomorrow for "National Breastfeeding Week" tomorrow so I'll probably make something else as well. Anywho, Jane gets all freaked out by Henry. She ran around most of the day trying to protect her toys from him. For some reason, she cannot handle play time with boys younger than her. Jess also brought me some yummy cookies! I enjoyed her visit, too. I'm getting spoiled with all this socialization! At least she is closer than Elana. Tomorrow we have LLL and hopefully I can plan to have some girly time with Angelica before the baby comes. I'm lucky to have her here in Waterford with me. Now if I could bring everyone in close to me. I'm ready for the baby to come now. |
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Wake Up: Braxton hicks, you tease |
Sometimes you've got a toddler who is starting to lose it in the store, and sometimes you manage it so well that you are walking out of the store feeling like you must most certainly be God. I am God. Cormac has to return an amp to... someplace half way between here and Dublin. So we're driving up there when I pick him up from work at 6:30. So, baby. Come out soon? ionracas is coming up to see me tomorrow. I think she will get some pumpkin soup with wild rice and bulgar wheat and some crusty bread. Yes? Yes. Please don't hate pumpkin. |
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Wake Up: Classic |
"baby harper in mommy belly, baby harper in mommy belly!" (to the tune of twinkle twinkle little star)... while playing a box like a drum. Real update later. Funeral, Home birth conference, and Elana's to come. |
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Wake Up: The good die young |
I was just about to update all about my week, how I met a couple of the American girls Sunday for a get together/baby shower and I really enjoyed their company-- especially chatting with ionracas. And how one of the midwives and a midwifery student came by today for a check up and everything is great, the baby's head is engaged and we're doing fine (measuring a bit small but having a scan on Thursday to make sure all is well). Then Cormac calls to tell me one of our friends/Cormac's band mates died in his sleep last night, his girlfriend couldn't wake him. It's not quite real, because he was so young and its just unexpected. Cormac had practice with him Thursday. I don't know how Cormac will react when it actually hits him as these things take a while with him. And of course I'm all pregnant and emotional as usual-- but while I knew him and was really fond of him he I was no where near as close to him. I'm not sure what this means for the conference and Dublin this weekend, because if the funeral is on we'll be going I'd imagine. I'm just shocked. There are going to be a lot of very, very sad people. So, anything I would have posted about today seems pretty fucking menial and pointless to write. I'm waiting to see if Cormac wants to cancel his lessons for this afternoon and come home. Sighs. |
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Wake Up: Nom nom hummous |
I wish I had come to Ireland 10 years ago so I could have loved it properly. Anywho. Can't complain, its been dry for a while, its even been on the warm side during the day. Sun was shining! This is the weather we should have had a month ago, but as always, it held off until all the poor kids have gone off to school. Eating some hummous from Lidl at the moment, not bad! not bad at all. Just watched a homebirth video of a water birth and it has me all weepy. I can labor in the pool but I can't birth in the pool. Well, I can kind of get up on my knees and birth out of the water. Some dumb Irish rule the hospitals have. I think someone messed up a few years ago and a baby died (which makes no sense, as babies don't take in air until they are out of liquid...) I suspect some sort of incompetence. Moved around a load of furniture and shorted the leaf from the table in the dining room to make more room. Some nesting going on I'd reckon. I drove up to Kilkenny yesterday (damn that road) to see Malinda and new baby Michael. Jane had a great time playing with both the baby ("Jane hold baby Michael?") and Katie. I really like Malinda and its a shame they are off to the states the second week of November. However, it sounds like they might be coming back next year sometime in the Spring-- we'll see! Moira asked me if I wanted to go to the Sugarcraft meeting on Monday night in Douglas... I don't know if I can swing it. I'd probably have to ask Chris if she could watch her and then see if Hugh will help Cormac pick her up and bring them both home. Eh. That's inconveniencing a lot of people just so I can learn how to decorate cakes, lol. Although I really would like to go. It's just late (7:45-9:30). If Cormac didn't have to teach on Tuesday he could just come down to Cork with Hugh and we'd stay down. Bah. We'll see. Going to see some of the Americans (you coming Jess??) on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing schmoomom next weekend and spoiling her with some delicious treat she hasn't been able to indulge in. Any requests?Jane is sleeping, Cormac is recording and probably won't be home until after 10pm. Tomorrow if the weather is nice (not too nice, want to keep those damn wasps away) we're going to pick blackberries in the morning. I very much enjoy watching Masterchef. Few pictures to come, camera cord has disappeared, I predict Cormac has been uploading pics on his comp and left the cord upstairs, hmm. |
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Wake Up: Don't let the click dictate the groove |
We had a surprise 40th anniversary party last night for Paddy and Breda. They had a few days full of surprises, and I think they were pleased. Hazel and the kids came over from England and picked them up from the airport when they got home from Lanzarote. Saturday during the day we had 19 of us for a big dinner that all the girls worked hard to organize and it was delicious-- Jane ran around all day with her cousins and aunties well entertained. That evening they had to get Pad and Breda out of the house for a "drink" without them being suspicious to surprise them with a load of their friends and family-- of course nana wanted to read to Jane! gah. Got her out of there and the girls managed to get them down to the tennis club in Cobh. Cormac and I (and Eoin) went over to the club after everyone else... I had hoped Jane would fall asleep and stay asleep in the car after such a long day but no dice. I got all preggo emotional over it, was trying to push her around in a borrowed stroller to get her to sleep but no way-- she knew it was party time somewhere. We just brought her into the tennis club (I wasn't sure at first if it was only us in the function room but it was) and she just ran around in her jammies and danced with her cousins and charmed everyone. She was going until 1am, I couldn't believe it. We had a great time socializing-- I made a big cake for the event and it seemed to go down a treat as I got a number of compliments. I'm always wondering what people think of the cake-- I rarely get to see them enjoying it. I really enjoy spending time with Cormac's family now, its so laid back and I really feel like a part of the family now. It's a comfort since I don't have my own family here. Jane's been wrecked all day today (as am I! I'm not used to getting to bed near 2am). Slept the whole way home, went to sleep easily for bed. We had to leave Cobh early enough as Cormac has a gig in Dungarvan-- he'll be home around 10:30pm so happy days. We grabbed a delicious Indian to take home for dinner. Tomorrow I've got to do some grocery shopping and I was thinking of picnicing with Jane somewhere. I may just take her to the park again because its so nice there on a sunny day-- if tomorrow is sunny. Tuesday I'm going to try to go to Kilkenny and see Malinda and the new baby. Baby is moving like crazy. My belly button is nearly non-existent. I never lost it with Jane-- but I suppose I had much less fat over my belly this time. Had a nice long bath tonight after I got Jane to sleep, really needed that. Just going over the little things I need to get for baby, like breast pads and thick pads for after birth... diapers are an issue at the moment since I thought I'd be getting them off Ramona-- but things are, weird at the moment there. I need to call her up. I don't want her thinking I'm only calling about the damn diapers though, so I almost don't want to bring it up. I'll happily pay to ship them over. Otherwise I have to hurry up and buy some. It was just something I didn't worry about because I thought it was covered. I have a really hard time keeping in touch with people who don't use the internet like I do. If you don't update on LJ or use facebook regularly or something, I forget. Or I remember too late. It's easy when I can read whats going on with you in my leisure, make a comment or what not. Otherwise I just don't think to sit down and write an email and I hate the phone(because I'm weird like that). I don't want people thinking I don't love or care about them because of it. On the note of people I love... still have to figure out how to convince my father he isn't going to stay home alone on Christmas just because he is scared to fly here and see his daughter and grandbabies (who otherwise he'll go a full year without seeing). Grr. No one has come to visit in ages, its depressing. |
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Wake Up: He's a little lamb with a lot to learn! |
I'm really behind on the whole keeping LJ updated wagon. Going down to Cobh this morning. I have some... edible work to complete this morning. Cormac had a wedding gig in Kilkenny last night so he is wrecked, home at quarter to 2am. Jane was up and down a lot last night, of course, after having slept straight from 7:30-11 without waking. Bugger! I was sleeping so deeply, too. That said, she never came into our room (its getting easier now that its not sunrise at 5am anymore-- on the same note, its not sunny until 11pm anymore so bedtime has been easier, too) and I just got up with her at 7am. Anything else going on worthy of note... not really, no. It's starting to get chilly here although its been dry the last week or so. I love cold-- its the wet that pisses me off. I'm looking forward to proper autumn so I can get in the Halloween spirit and bake some pumpkin pie and cozy up with a sweater. I'm having another baby next month. wow. Oh yeah, I cut my hair and added a fringe (its a cut I wouldn't trust with an Irish hairdresser under any circumstances) and dyed it a dark auburn color. Pictures soon. It's hip. I needed a change, to feel purty, you know, since I'm a preggo whale (I know, I know, I'm not). Going to try to get up to Malinda during the week, American meet-up rescheduled for next weekend here in Waterford, Home Birth Ireland conference and seeing Elana and her crowd the following weekend-- then its just going to be baby on the brain from there in, I'm sure. Richard Dawkins was on Ryan Tubridy (Late Late Show) last night, it was hilarious. 1. Damn Dawkins has gone gray. 2. Tubridy looking sideways at Dawkins while questioning him about the existence of God--- I mean, does Ryan here not actually know who Dawkins is? That he, you know, has some sort of argument that Dawkins hasn't countered before, eh? Why is it that people sit in denial of individuals smarter than themselves? Anyways 3. Hey, he's got a new book that's not The God Delusion... think he wanted to talk about that. I'd like to throw a shoe at Tubridy. I never had a real problem with him until a friend told me he said on air once "and are you breastfeeding?" the woman answered no and his response was along the lines of "Thank God!". |
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Wake Up: Unconditional Parenting |
God help me-- Booj is discussing unconditional parenting with a link to Alfie Kohn's article in the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/healt I wrote way too much trying to explain what it actually is-- since I get the distinct impression that no one in the booj understand what UP is. Like I said, we are not good UP parents all the time. But when I have the patience to teach and model instead of punish and to encourage and acknowledge instead of praise I see better results in Jane, much more quickly. She's a model for our parenting so far, I feel. People think that UP means being permissive on discipline, or even denying of love (because of the avoidance of praise). That's just silly. Anyways. I'm going to get eaten alive, but thats okay. |
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Wake Up: Add a little chili if you like things hot.... |
Internet back after being out for 2 days. I love how vodafone tried to make it out to be a problem with our router, but when their self-admitted DSL problems cleared we got internet back. Spoooooky. In the meantime, Cormac and I got to go to dinner last night at La Taverna as Moira was in town picking up her car and offered to watch Jane. We jumped straight on that opportunity! Jane loves all her aunties, she really does. Moira put her to sleep and everything. I was amazed. Had a great chat with Moira as well when we came home because Cormac had a gig in town. I rarely get one on one time with the girls and its nice when we get those chances to talk like real people. I've been trying to make plushies (stuffed animals) for Jane, but I used some crappy duvet fabric from the charity shop when I decided to make her a Halloween kitty and it keeps pulling apart at the seams. I ordered some felt but I've only got large pieces of red and orange, so I'm keeping the red for Christmas and I want to make a big pumpkin with the orange. What am I going to do when I have to give the sewing machine back? Ha, gotta be on the look out for one being sold second hand. Today we are going into today to the Harvest Festival in Waterford for a picnic in the park. The weather made a 180 for this week and its been sunny and warm (the air is cool, that autumn crispness just under the warmth from the sun)-- chilly at night. Tomorrow Cormac is running the Munster 10k Fun Run, and there is a large farmer's market in John Robert's Square in the afternoon. I was supposed to be meeting up with the America girls just here between Portlaw and Kilmacthomas but I think its been rescheduled for two weeks time. We're going to Cobh next weekend for Cormac's parents anniversary dinner. The first weekend in October we're going up to the Homebirth Conference in Dublin (I've sent off our form for tickets!) and seeing (gotta confirm with E) schmoomom -- I think I'm looking forward to seeing their lot more than the conference!Busy busy weeks ahead. I'm horrible about keeping up with everyone and I know Ramona is probably upset with me at the moment. I'm feeling weird now about emailing her because I upset her. I should really ring. I never ring anyone. I'm phone-conscious. Still haven't rang Hazel back either. Then again, our phone was out for longer than the internet-- took me ages to figure out that we couldn't ring out AT ALL but for some reason could receive calls just fine. Ugh vodafone die. |
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Wake Up: Thank me (or hurt me) later |
http://peopleofwalmart.com/ |
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Wake Up: It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it. |
So Cormac is gone from morning til night tonight... yesterday he was only home for a few hours. At least he is home the rest of the week, so I can't really complain. It's just difficult- I miss seeing his mug, too. I'm exhausted. Usually I get a little lie-in time, but since he's been working I haven't grabbed any. Later today I'm going to take Jane upstairs and see if she will nap with me. It's a windy, rainy day all day today so I'll probably throw some butternut squash in the oven later to make soup. Jane pretty much refused her lunch so, that was fun times. I'm only now perking up, I was cranky all morning. I think the main trigger for the depression and anger lately has been lack of sleep because I really felt it today, creeping up inside me. I see it and I'm handling it. Popping in to Angelica's tomorrow to cover some LLL stuff. Cormac's still unsure if he is back to school yet, since Newtown hasn't given him his schedule, so Jane may or may not come with me. I imagine he'll be back to school. Coming back to this later-- looks like we're going to have a lap nap here so if she falls asleep soon I might just carry her up to bed with me. I'm without motivation today. I've been trying to finish unfinished projects all over the house because that whole "hey, you're having a baby next month" realization is kicking in. I should ban MM on my computer like Angelica has done so I will stop looking at it and stop trying to defend my points. In fact, I'm just going to not look from this point on as I've said my piece. And that's hard for me! On a bright note, I was asked a favor that lifted my spirits :) More to come. I've also got all sorts of cravings at the moment with not a speck of food in the house that will satisfy them. Damnit! Meant to say I went to a "training" meeting in the village the other night for the Midway youth project (through Foroige). It's all up in the air for me, obviously, since the baby is here next month and it'll probably be a while after that before I can volunteer any more. Smadar is reluctant to schedule me too much I think for fear I'll be incapable of movement. Ha. I have no problem working with the kids up until the moment baby gets here. I'd rather do that than abandon it altogether. There was an American guy who came who worked in a rehabilitation camp for troubled boys in Pennsylvania for a while. It was really interesting, they basically take on boys who are facing a life of crime and have them live in groups of four in the woods-- they have to build their own structure to live in. Mad. I like it. Couple of other nice girls there, too. I do hate that I've gotten to know some of the kids well but I'll be leaving them, but I'm glad I got involved. |
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Wake Up: I'm sew hip |
Midwife Mary came by the house today. Jane was a complete doll. She pulled up her chair to Mary and I on the couch and kept bringing her stuffed animals to Mary to make them feel better. They "don't feel very well", she'd say. Mary is fantastic, and in fact by matter of coincidence only the one midwife of the team I've met with every time. She happily appeased Jane by giving the animals a listen in the tummy with the stethoscope and making them better with a nice rub. I've since went on ebay and bought a play one to add to my early Christmas present purchases. My hemoglobin is apparently great, and my iron levels are perfect (not taking any supplements, either, as its hard on the liver and I'm trying to avoid the cholestasis). Urine was good. Blood pressure was perfect. Heartbeat, good. Position, good. Everything is a go for the home birth. I'm looking into hypnobirthing but I don't think there will be any classes near me soon. I may just pick up a book and CD. I have a lot of apples, I need to do something with them. Will do some applesauce, but I want to make a tasty dessert sometime this week. Cormac is working (back to school) Monday and Tuesday so towards the end of the week I'll make a nice treat. I love the smell of apples cooking... its a true sign that summer has ended and autumn is sneaking in. Or pouring in. Rainwise. What happened to that Indian summer they promised us? Never came. Did I mention that we went to dinner with Angelica and Barry the other day? Jane was babysit by Chris, who I know through la leche. Her daughter Eliza is roughly 6 months younger than Jane. They got along great and Jane was in good form the 4 or so hours she was with her. She kissed me goodbye and ran off towards the toys so... I guess this is the proof that my attachment parenting has paid off and now she is a confident and independent little toddler happy to run from my side, yeah? Anywho, we had our delicious French cuisine at high price. La Boheme is delicious, although out of the 4 or so times we've gone this was the one meal I thought was the least impressive. Oh well, can't always win! However, I can say it was the best steak I've had in Ireland! We had a good ol' chat about religion and defecting from the Catholic church to school and the danger of star charts and rewards-- fairly certain we made an older couple at a nearby table uncomfortable with our intellectual discussion. It seems to be a trend for Irish couples to go out to dinner and sit there silent eating their food and staring at each other. I have dug out a few old skirts and dresses to add to my pile of things to sew into other cool items. I need to make a cushion cover for my chair upstairs, some gifts and some clothes for Jane. I remember that list of people I promised homemade goods for! ha. I think it means everyone will get something handmade from me at Christmas. Between baking, knitting, sewing and possibly learning crochet maybe I'll have some sort of skill to trade. I'm having a baby next month. O-damn. Doing my vagina squeezing exercises (pelvic floors? yeah) and dealing with some early, strong braxton hicks. Have to send my mom some money to mail us the ginormous box of things we've mailed to their address. Between diapers, Cormac's gear, fabric we've got a lot of weight to ship! I'm going to mail loads of Christmas presents to them. I spent the last conversation with my dad guilting him into having to come over at Christmas. My mom, I think, will most certainly come. It's hard going a whole year without getting to the states... sigh. |
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Wake Up: "Did you poo, Jane?" "No, farted." Classic |
Painted my three drawer dresser from IKEA today. Rag rubbed it with paint and it looks good. I then kind of messed up some stamp stencils in the bathroom, gah. I want to do some stenciling in the bedroom but I need to wait until I have the patience and a good few hours to do it/plan it right. I have loads of fabric options for a few sewing projects at the moment, I just need to decide on a few things to do. Thanks marlatiara, craftster is pretty useful! I wish more people posted tutorials though. One thing that KILLS me about sewing is that patterns cost so damn much you might as well buy the clothing item you want to buy. I'll probably make Jane another shirt tomorrow and I'm going to think about what to do with the other fabric. I kind of want to make a quilt but I need to cut out perfect squares. Also, I have loads of felt on the way-- I want to make some cool little felt creatures. I need to visit both ionracas and schmoomom soon. Road trips before babykins comes along!I've been slowly introducing carbonated water to my diet. It's working out! I think, I think, over time, I will be able to phase this in totally and phase OUT the diet coke. It's the plan. This was really all Angelica's idea, but I had only ever had it room temp... and I find I HAVE to drink it cold or I don't really like it. I'm reading "The God Delusion" at the moment (so is Cormac), and all I want to do is have Richard Dawkins' babies. Is anyone here into Renaissance Faires or anything? Or want to dress up like that for Halloween? I am going to be selling a handmade dress with tunic soon. My mom is clearing out the house and I told her to take pictures of it so I can post it up on Ebay. It's a really amazing gown, I'd like to see someone take it that would love it. Any communities that I might want to post it on first? It'll fit a size 12 loose, but I'd say it'd fit a size 14 or 16 best. |
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Wake Up: Sewing? |
Is there a site like Ravelry for sewing? |
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Wake Up: I'll beep your face |
When people get married here, all the idiots then get in their cars are drive around after wards beeping their horns. But FUCK ME people, its 8:30pm, on Monday. Kids are sleeping. I will kill you. Second time this has happened, too. |
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Wake Up: Diapers, Sleeping, IKEA! |
Whoa, major deja vu when I was about to write this entry. It had to do with pull-up trainers made of minky in combo with big girl bed... anyways. Jane has started out her second night in her "big girl bed". Last night she slept in there from about 9pm - 2am. She's been quiet as a mouse, again, since 9pm tonight (yesterday and today we had long midday naps together so later to bed than usual!)... lets see how long it lasts! She's not freaked out about it, she likes it and altered to doing her usual night time routine of story time and big hugs to bed (don't ask, I have to like, lay on top of her for her to get to sleep-- this is a "big hug", sigh... she's moved from nursing to this!) without any problem. I have the black out blind just sitting on top of the window at the moment, need to drill it into the wall. I bought 5 yards of this trendy blue/green tree material to make curtains with (going to see if I can use Cormac's mum's sewing machine this weekend). I'm going to post some pictures of all the stuff we came home from IKEA with. IKEA is just... if I believed in God and as such an afterlife, it had better look like IKEA. I thought everything would be cheap but cheaply made crap, neat but not all that functional. I was wrong. It's cheap. It's awesome. And its just what you need when you are in Ireland. We spent roughly 500 euro on furniture. That includes a storage shelving unit for the kitchen, a large bookcase for the dining room, small table for Jane, Jane's adjustable (it has three lengths!) bed + mattress and modular bookcase plus canvas storage boxes to put clothes in, a three drawer dresser and a bookcase for Cormac's music computer room/my crafty desk. Flat pack, for the win. Fit it all in the car, plus another 150 of extras. I mean, I'm just, head over heels here. It's ridiculous. I know, part of me thinks I should hate this-- but it was so well organized, clean, family friendly... We were able to leave Jane with Oona, who took her down to Cobh for the day to hang with nana and aunties. We ran seriously late getting home, hitting traffic at the wrong time of day, etc... Angelica was a saint and let Oona drop Jane there for an hour before we got back. I'm topping up our cloth diaper stash (Ramona is mailing me hers) and in addition I'm getting some cloth training pants. I'm sick of buying disposable diapers. Time for cloth. Any brand suggestions? I'm looking at these soft fleecy ones. Tomorrow we're going to a post wedding get together (we missed the wedding because Cormac was playing another one tonight) for one of Cormac's band mates. We're heading down to Cobh after that for the night since Cormac's parents are going out of town soon. ionracas, you around on Sunday morning to get together by chance? |
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Wake Up: Poor Jane |
What is it about turning 2 years old that suddenly makes you start freaking out in random crying fits of desperation? Holy Christ. It's like, dude, I don't know whats wrong with you or how to help. Why are you going insane? WHY? On request, belly pic: 30 weeks  |
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Wake Up: Blueberry Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins |
http://bohemiancrunch.blogspot.com/2  Oh man. Delicious (as far as healthy blueberry muffins go!). Night in with Cormac, Revolutionary Road on DVD to watch. Relaxing time. Angelica's tomorrow for spot of lunch. IKEA on Tuesday! I'm horribly uncomfortable. It's like I'm being ripped in half from the front of my abdomen and my back. My abdomen is SORE. From the stretching, I suppose. I've grown a lot, I feel, recently. Pants are laughing at me now. I ordered two pairs of Next maternity (one pair of corduroys and one pair of jeans) off ebay, so, hopefully they fit well. Need to call Ramona. Need to call Hazel. Probably should call Jim. |
Congratulations to kitchenwitch on the birth of her son, Isaac this morning!! |
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Wake Up: Panic attacks. |
GOD I hate having panic attacks. I had full blown I'm-certain-I'm-going-to-die-this-is-def I'm glad now I know, pretty certainly, that its a panic attack. The first time, I had no idea. I thought I was dying. I just got through the worst part of this one with some deep breathing and distracting myself online. I hate them. I hate them so much. I guess I need to follow up on that referral I didn't get again from my GP. Have to make an appointment to see her next week anyways, so, sigh. I will tell her about this. Ugh. I hate shaking that lingering anxiety. Cormac isn't here, I'm very tired and I have a lot of aches and pains at the moment I'm sure that's all helped to trigger it. |
 lol lol |
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Wake Up: Dispatches |
I'm watching Dispatches: "Afghan Star" and its terribly sad. You want freedom, or not? You're happy to have art, singing in your lives but you'd suggest a woman who dances should be killed? What a fucked up religion. I'm sorry, but I happily criticize Christianity-- I'll more than happily criticize Islam. edit: I should side note that I expect a little backlash from saying this. In the same way I would criticize Christianity, I realize these things are not true of ALL Muslims. I still have little respect for their doctrine or countries that would enforce Sharia law. However, remember, I'm anti-all-religion for the most part (bless those pagan/wiccan types, I just like 'em-- been there done that too), and no one is safe from my criticism. |
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Wake Up: Oh LOL |
Most people like art. You are not "deeper" or more interesting for telling people you like art. lulz. Ah, to be a student again. Up at 6:45am. I'm not doing too bad, got to sleep later than I wanted to (11 something pm) but going to try to couch nap here in a few minutes while I suck at mommy of the year and turn on the TV for Jane. It's as though she has night time separation anxiety. She'd sleep with me in a choke hold all night if I let her, or well, latched on. She's accepting slowly, though, that we're not going to keep this up. I need to get Vitamin K and liquid Dandelion and Milk Thistle. Jane is sitting on top of Zeppe and "drawing" on him with a pen. Does a better dog exists? I don't think so. It has been warmer. That doesn't mean sunny or dry, though. |
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Wake Up: I'll take my bacon wrapped in bacon, thanks. Can you top that with bacon? |
I'm exhausted! Driving takes it out of me now I think. I'm needing to catch up on sleep as well I think I'm getting to bed early tonight. I drove up with ionracas to The Lord Bagenal Inn to a American get together in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. We did a bit of a surprise baby shower for Malinda, who is due in just a few weeks. I made her a cake and while I was pretty hormonally-induced emotional over how crap I decorated it, but everyone said it was delicious and Jess said she thought the handwriting looked good. I went ahead, bit the bullet, and did script writing. I used instant royal icing for the first time and well... it was a bit runny but overall if I get the knack of adding water to it its much handier than whipping egg whites. It hardens more quickly as well. So my script writing didn't look bad for the first time even with the icing a bit on the runny side. Jess took a shot of the cake (I was being all pregnant and not proud so I took no pictures of it). Anywho, had a delicious lunch (bacon caesar salad, chicken wrapped in bacon and fried on mash with veg and strawberry cheesecake that was more like... cheesecake jelly but not too bad either way-- my farewell to fats). Enjoyed chatting with the ladies and hopefully I'll get up to Kilkenny soon and see Malinda-- didn't get a chance to chat too much with he1ena but if I come up to Kilkenny we should all get together. It was nice to drive up with Jess, had a great chat with her! The company helped was great on the drive and I enjoyed having a chance to talk person to person not just via LJ, ha.We had to high-tail it out of there early as Cormac had a wedding gig in Dublin tonight worth a lot of money to him! We were a little late as I missed a round about and had to drive back through Waterford city but it turned out okay as he was there earlier than the rest of the band anyways. Phew! Jane was wrecked, we had our bath and she seemed like she was going to mess around in bed but it hit her quick and she was out like a light. First day in a few days bedtime has gone so quickly. I'm going to do some La Leche League work now and watch House. Then I'm getting to bed early. I think we might be going to Cobh tomorrow? Seems shit for Cormac, although he should still be home by maybe 3am. I'll drive down. Oh right, also I went to the hospital yesterday and spoke with one of the midwives. Care with the domino scheme is unbelievable (and free) compared to the private (2000 euro) consultant I saw with Jane. She is never rushed, takes my bloods herself, chats with me... so nice. I'm on track for the homebirth! They are not going to take my bloods unless I ask them to test for the Cholestasis. Which is fab. It means if I were to get tested, have Cholestasis but was managing it well, that they would have to discharge me from the home birth. However, if I'm not having symptoms its not dangerous to the baby. Unless I get intense itching, I have nothing to worry about. I'm going to kick start a low fat diet tomorrow. I'm going to follow some tips from itchymoms.com on managing via diet. From now on, the midwife comes to visit me at home for check ups. How great is that? All this is free, too! |
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Wake Up: There goes the sun, do do do do |
My peppers are turning red. It's so exciting. Strawberries are... dying. I hear they need something... what's that thing... oh yes. Sunshine. Heat helps too. Everything is dying. Cormac's dad said he pulled up everything out of the ground himself because everything was dying. Glad we're not farmers. I'm behind. On Wednesday we took 6 kids with the midway youth to fish-- that was pretty fun. The lake up by the dam is quite lovely and peaceful. Will take Jane and Zeppe sometime. Smadar gave me another dozen free range eggs. I can get used to this. Thursday I took Jane to the Portlaw village library-- that's right, we have a library. It's not too bad. Half the large room is filled with children's books and animal tables and cushions for the floor. Jane had no problem playing musical chairs for funsies. I checked out Nigella's Feast (which is kind of disappointing save the 849797598479387538 chocolate cake recipes, good tips on roast chicken though) and Dawkins 'The God Delusion'. I was a little shocked to find it in the Portlaw library, so I had to grab it. Gotta make some cupcakes or cake. Deciding. Going to meet up with the American gals on Sunday. ionracas is driving up to Carlow with me as long as she doesn't mind having to leave at 4pm to get back ;) Cormac has to turn around and drive to Dublin as soon as I get back to play at a wedding. I missed a midwife appointment (apparently) yesterday, as one of them called today thinking I had decided to go with the consultant I recently saw. Nope. Had the date wrong for some reason, even though I think someone wrote something down wrong. I always double check my dates/times when I write them up on the calendar. Oh well. Going in tomorrow for risk-assessment for homebirth in the morning. I'm wondering if this means they will give me a blood test to see if we're dealing with Cholestasis again. I'm nervous. It's hard to distinguish the itching at the moment since I'm paranoid and nearly waiting for it to crop up. I need to start managing my fat intake much better and doing a little more to support my liver health. Cobh on Monday. Might even get to go into Cork and even, perhaps, have dinner! I love Cork. I don't think I can mention that often enough. Jane is asleep in my lap. Lap nap. I guess that's what happens when you wake up before 7 am two days in a row. She started waking around 5:45 this morning. Kill me, please? What's going on with my kid? She's lucky she's cute. "Morning time now? Big potty time!!" sigh. Cormac heads into town for practice/gigs early tonight around 6pm. I'm getting to bed early. |
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Wake Up: May / December relationships |
LOL http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.p I'm in a bit of an argument with a girl on boards.ie (blame Cormac) because a guy posted that he is 31, and has a great friend who he is attracted to and who he is pretty sure is attracted to him, who is 21. So, I of course can't shut my mouth and jump right in to defend age gap relationships :) I wish I was good at one liners that make people look dumb, otherwise I always end up in arguments that are never ending. I love that this girl can't seem to accept that just because she was an immature dipshit at 20, that not all woman in their early 20s are dipshits. Maybe its an Irish thing... not-- I think its just a dumb thing. She can't be too old herself as she made a post elsewhere about herself and her boyfriend wanting advice on where to go as a "young couple". So. Maybe she's one of those women who thinks you don't have to bother being a grown up until 35? Sure, I've met loads of them since coming to Ireland! Poor guy, though. He got more than he bargained for! Really though, who else is in an age gapped relationship here? I'm sure there are a few of you. If you don't know me well or don't already know, I'm 24 and Cormac is 37. I mean, he is vastly life experienced and influences me do so much I don't want to do... I can barely control my own life. He's so overbearing. I'm just walked all over because I'm so youn... nope, I just can't do it. LULZ. Come on, I like, own him. He's not mentally retarded and while I'm definitely "mature" for my age I'm hardly some oddity. Age has a lot less to do with the success of a relationship than just purely whether or not you complement one another. |
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Wake Up: Morning time now! |
Holy crap, Braxton Hicks are driving me crazy. They start so much earlier the second time around. I've been seriously uncomfortable today. This chick is positioned all weird ways at the moment. My neck and back are in bits as well. A lot of this is because of Jane's sleeping. She is waking up early, like 5-6am and wanting to nurse. If I don't nurse her, its breakdown in her sleep and eventual waking up "morning time now!" she'll happily announce. Sigh. So my back isn't happy. Thank god we got a new mattress recently, I know 200% that's why I'm more comfortable sleeping this pregnancy than the last time. I picked up around the living room and had to stop as I was putting down Jane's tent because I felt woozy. I'm, pregnant! Bummer! I also rammed my leg into one of those open/close gates at Tesco's today when I went to slip through quickly the wrong way to meet Cormac and Jane on the other side of the check out. Who knew those things closed so quick? Man. I was limping afterwards, I know someone out there had to see and was snickering to themselves. We bought Jane a pine picnic table for 25 euro (50% off), and its great. Picked up a few other bits on sale from the gardening section. All the plants are very, very unhappy. Summer has gone "nah, I'm done" and so nothing is growing too hot. I have gotten LOADS of broad beans, and my mini peppers inside (in a greenhouse) are looking great. Our strawberries are doing okay. Taking a long time to ripen. My sunflowers are blooming but they look, sad. I reckon they generally like... the sun? When we walk in the yard its nothing but squish squish. I need to move Jane's slide to the porch. I stopped writing this half way through last night. I'm taking some kids fishing today. Luckily its not too long of an outing and its dry outside today. I might pop into with Cormac this morning and Jane and I can get out for an hour or two. Cormac lets me sleep in. Jane's up at 7 (20 past today) and I normally sleep until 9. When he's not gigging the night before, anyways. On his gig nights, I get up. I've gotta write Ramona now. |
| ...leap towards the future | ||
| Take a step back in time... | ||
I'm an American ex-pat in Ireland, with my Irish partner Cormac (who is a dirty musician). We've got a pretty cute border collie/springer spaniel named Zeppe.
I have a degree in Anthropology, so naturally I thought I might try to sell cookies and cakes. It's easier than digging up pot shards when you're an attachment parent to a beautiful daughter, Jane (born July 2007). I'm due another female spawn end of October 2009.
I'm bound to touch on parenting and child psychology, as well as attachment parenting. I talk about "issues". Expect complaining about religion, stupid moms and stupid people in general. I will probably complain about Ireland and the weather. I'm also bipolar, I delve into that from time to time.
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