oops with an ending.

Allow me to fall all over myself with apologies for my poorly timed mini-vaca from everything but Facebook Scrabble all things internet.

I finally do have an update and an ending to what turned out to be a very long and very stressful summer.

See, Spouse was in danger of loosing his job. Well, maybe not in danger...lets say in imminent removal from. We had just 90 days for him to find a new one and let me just say those 90 days were hell.

There was pretty much a 98% chance we were going to have to move; whether it was to a new job in NH or back to NJ to live with my Dad. I even considered going back to work if Spouse was unemployed.

The horror.

We were making contingency plans.

We've been snipping at each other for months. There was no peace in this house, there was no money. Things were looking pretty scary.

And than a remarkable thing happened. This countries major financial institutions started to crumble.

Have I mentioned Spouse works in the crumbling financial industry? Well he does.

So finding a newer shinier job got that much harder. His old one started looking pretty good to him.

Have I mentioned Spouse is a pretty fast talker? Well he is.

And he gets to keep his job; with a few changes and a longer commute to a different campus.

Whatever.

We keep our house, we keep our new(ish) town.

We are actually happy again, a giant looming cloud was lifted. Can't you hear the angels singing?

So how did I celebrate? I instantly grabbed the baby and took off for Vermont to BF and family for a week. Leaving Spouse here alone. Aren't I nice?

Well it was the best thing; after this summer we needed a break.

Life is Good....at least that's what the tire cover on my Jeep says.

Now after I attend to my baby's cold/teething nightmare/growth spurt I will be blogging again.
I swear.

Oh and Amber...no more cliff hangers...Promise.

Rule #37

Yesterday Spouse and I went to a BBQ at our neighbor's up the hill.

We had a really nice time enjoying other people entertaining our baby relaxing and chatting the day away.

When Riley's bedtime rolled around Spouse was fairly well lit and wanted to stay. There were horseshoes! and boccie ball! and beer!

While he did offer to take bed time in hand I accepted my fate as Mommy and brought the girl home for bath! books! and bed!

Today we ventured out for breakfast and when we returned home I announced thoughtless of my slightly hung over hubby my need for a nap.

Spouse agreed to take over parenting duties so I could nap. See I keep saying nap.

To me, napping indicates 20-60 minutes of shut eye.

What did I do? I went back to bed.

Four hours later Spouse woke me from my dead sleep slumber with a very hungry baby.

I was racked with guilt when I saw the clock. What kind of weekend was this for my hard working Spouse? Sure he got to take advantage of the best parts of yesterday...the drinking, the smoking, the not going home for nap and/or bed time while there was partying to be had.

But I just couldn't get passed the fact that he had to deal with a cranky over tired baby on his Sunday.

Then it occurred to me.

Maybe Daddies stay at the party and get to have a blast blowing off the stress from days spent away from home and working all week.

Maybe Mommies get to crash mid-day without being disturbed so they can catch up from the night wakings and the hours of sleep lost all week.

We both get our jobs done and have our rewards.

Although, only one of us seems to be able to remember to change her diaper and feed her lunch.

I guess we cant have it all.

Game Day

Yesterday while Spouse and I drove to Boston for a consultation with a bad arse Lumpy surgeon we had a heated discussion conversation about cites and skylines and my naive views of the world unwavering loyalty to New York City and how, in my opinion, it is the only city that is actually...well....a CITY.

The others of course just being a hodge-podge of many neighborhoods and some really tall buildings.

I made mention that NYC is probably one of the only truly recognizable sky lines. He of course thinks I'm an idiot disagrees.

So we decided to leave it up to you few readers internets. Give me your best guesses.

A)

B)

C)

D)



E)

**As my little disclaimer...I have either lived or visited all of these places A LOT...therefore I feel that I am in a position to make ridiculous generalizations comparisons.

the thumb is always greener

This afternoon, regarding the grass seed Spouse had just spread on the property....

Spouse (pointing towards area containing new garden bed): I put some seed over there too.

Me: ehhh...I was going to put more plants there but...wait...is that grass seed in the bed.

Spouse (looking): So...(long pause)...Its not like its going to do anything.

Me: uhhh yeah it is...its going to turn into grass.


Jackass.

The baby is...

I spend an awful amount of time examining and making fun of the stress factors of new motherhood.

So for a twist of events...lets examine and make fun of some pretty good things.

I am back in my VS undies folks. That's right! And no matter how broke we are (ahem, Superbowl) I am buying mama some brand new spankies!

I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Granted, everything is in a different place but who cares? WAHOO!

Crazy statistic..I packed on 40 lbs while the bun was in the oven...ummm but that was ALL gained in the last 12 weeks...(this is what happens when you are sick for 28 weeks and then wake up hungry one day...very very very hungry).

However, it has taken just under 10 weeks to ship it off. All this while doing nothing but breast feeding. Imagine what will happen when I actually do crazy stuff like eat right and exercise.

The baby is a road warrior. A warrior I say! While putting her in the car seat induces absolute defiance on every level, the actual road tripping is a breeze.

Up and down the east coast this kid puts on a show for all she meets. Yesterday in fact she had a very in depth conversation with the crinkly cricket hanging in the back seat. I can not imagine what they were discussing but the cricket for one was taking it very seriously.

Ready for this one? I can sleep on my belly!

On.My.Belly.

This means so much to me that I even punctuated the entire sentence (which I never do)...I will even do it again with greater enthusiasm so you really get it.

On!My!Belly!

Spouse and I actually had a moment last night where we didn't hate each other. Our neighbors were here for dinner (check us out being all adult like) the baby was sleeping and we were talking to other people but no matter!

There was no crankiness or aggravated tones to our voices. We were both (dare I say it?) happy at the same time, in the same room. For the same reason.

...and finally...Spouse is upstairs right now giving his daughter a bottle and putting her down for a nap...and I'm doing this!

Rock on!

(Oh and for those of you interested in that dandy graphic up top you can get it here. Just be sure to get your wallet out first so you don't have to get up when you are all like "ooohhhh" and "aaaahhhhh" and "I have to have that!")

The Tenacious G

For those of you who may not know...

I bleed blue. Really blue. I mean BLUE.

Born and raised. Season ticket holder.

My New York Football Giants....are going to the SUPERBOWL!

Holy crap!

And you know who else is going to the Superbowl?

My brother.
With who you ask?
My Spouse.

(For those same people who don't know...they have been the very best of friends since they were 12)

Who isn't going to the Superbowl?

Besides Favre (who really I do feel so sad for).

Me.
My boobs.
My baby.

I always said I would never have a baby during football season...this is why.

Woops.

Ahhh the sacrifices of motherhood. They are many.

This is going to cost us a fortune. We actually cant afford this.

Still.

He is going.

Go Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Before Blog

Where have I been this holiday season?
New Jersey, but that's not why I've been neglecting my beloved online community.
I've been held captive...by my baby.

Seems I must have spoken too soon.
Oh she still sleeps 5-7 hours overnight.

...take another moment....hate me...

Maybe this will make you feel better?
She is awake...all day.

Really. All day long.

So what is my day like with my incredibly cute but non-sleeping baby?

GAAAWWAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
BOOB! BOOB! BOOB!

Really. All day long.

She has destroyed my left nipple single handed. It cowers in fear when it comes time to nurse her. Don't ask me why she has it in for only that nipple. She just adores the right one. Its clearly an easier nipple to get along with. Its her BFF. The left one must have said something offensive to her when I wasn't watching.

And when she is not nursing?

She is crying.

Really. All day long.

She has been super with our friends and family. She just coos and smiles and puts on her best "Aren't I the bestest baby ever?!?!" act.

Then they leave. And so it begins.

GAWWWAAAAA!!
Give me back that boobie!!!!
No wait...who the hell is this guy? Daddy you say?
I don't need no stinking Daddy!
He has no sweet nectar of life!
I said...give me back that boobie!!!
GAWWWAAAAA!!

And then she nods off to sleep.

For 20 minutes.

This is how is goes. All day long.

Until about midnight. When the coach turns back into a pumpkin and she sleeps for 5-7 hours.

At which point Spouse and I are pathetic excuses for human beings and everyone we know thinks we have the perfect baby.

Thank goodness she is so ridiculously cute.

They are made that way so you don't throw them in the river.

I know...this too shall pass.

Oh and before anyone jumps on me about the river comment...I would obviously never condone throwing babies in rivers. Its just wrong. Especially in winter.

Plus I am no where near the Delaware right now...so no worries.

Spouse-isms

Discussing my labor and its similarities of "inducement" ala BF.

Spouse: "You share a brain you might as well share a uterus".

Discussing the wait of 6 weeks for "marital playtime activities" and when the boobs will be his again.

Spouse: "I just don't know how I feel about it...it's like having sex on somebodies stove..."

Discussing the babe's need for multiple Binky's in the house (just in case)...I mentioned they come in Vanilla and Natural scents....

Spouse: "Natural? Like what boob scented Binky's?"

I feel so dirty!

I shouldn't have done it...I don't know what came over me.

Spouse brought home Burger King tonight. No I did not jump at his burger...yick. I don't eat Burger King...I don't eat fast food.

I never have....ever.
Not really veggie friendly. The occasional Wendy's baked potato but really that's it.

So I don't eat fast food...and along with the not eating of it I also don't drink soda.

Much.

I have partaken freely of Ginger Ale through out my pregnancy. Anything to help keep your food down I always say.

But tonight...Sitting there on the coffee table was Spouse's drink...a large COKE.

So like I said, I don't know what came over me. I picked it up and started gulping it down.

...and it was so0o0o0o0o0o good.

SO good!

Like crack. Not that I have ever or would ever try crack but I imagine this is what it would be like. A pure rush of delicious 'I know it is so bad for me' drug! It made me want more!

I have not had Coke in years! YEARS! Double digits.

Look how hyper I am from the sugar! I have used exclamation points six times already!
Ack...seven.

But tonight...oh tonight, that is all I want. He keeps glaring at me when I walk back into the room. I had to turn to the blog world to distract myself from the cold, syrupy, bubbly heaven with a straw that is in my house right now.

We do not buy soda...we do not even buy beer.

Apple juice. That is our vice.

But I understand now. I do not necessarily agree with it, but I understand the load full of Cola soda bottles in that ladies cart at the supermarket.
You know the one.

I will no longer judge her.

Much.