Welcome to My Roller Coaster

We miss our condo, we really do. It was great to be close to family, we could drop everything and take a walk anytime or share extra food when we cooked too much. It was great to have a garage. The kitchen had SO much storage! The neighborhood was pretty and quiet.

However... we moved there while I was pregnant. Sasha was already toddling when we moved into our new apartment. This made it much easier to plan around her developmental level when we unpacked. I did more unpacking and rearranging last weekend and I've been quite happy with our arrangements. We have a full L-pit couch with an ottoman that serves as the gate when we want to lock her into the living room with us. Otherwise, she can have pretty much free-run of the apartment. The bathroom and bedroom doors stay closed. The 3 lower cabinets have been made Sasha-friendly (a term I prefer vs "baby proof"). One has a few pans and a colander. The next now has an open cardboard box full of colorful plastic bowls with lids on them. The next cabinet had to be emptied when I found she'd gotten the paper towels out and unrolled them this evening!

Then there is the pantry. It is in the dining room, across from the kitchen, so our giant desk / table separates it from the kitchen. The less-used foodstuffs and appliances are stored there. This weekend I put a cardboard box of toys in the bottom. There are some plastic things and lunch / bottle bags on the bottom shelf. The door stays open and it is right next to where I sit at my computer. Sasha loves to play in there!

We do still have a few problem areas, but overall I am very happy with the arrangement here.

She has figured out how to climb on the couch now, when the boppy is next to it. I imagine it won't be long before she is climbing over the back of the couch. Then we'll be in trouble! But then we've said that about each developmental milestone, travel-wise. I'm sure we'll manage just fine. She is tall enough now she can reach up and take stuff off of the table!

Oh! I had also planned and love that her high chair now sits AT the table and we can sit at the table to eat meals together. I don't use her tray, she just uses the table with me. We had veggies for dinner tonight. She doesn't like green beans as much as sugar snap peas.

So... Wednesday. My first day back to work... after my long weekend... after moving my office to the other end of the building... after giving up my cane. I had to walk back and forth a few times because there was no tugger available. It was making for a long, sore day. I also worked at VSA (gatekeeper of sorts) most of the evening and did more walking and standing around. I hadn't realized how much I tend to lean my knees on the tugger carts, but trust me - not comfortable on my stitches. I finally got out of there at 8 o'clock.

Run 2-part errand.

Pick up dinner.

Get home and eat with my family.

At 9:15 or so, I took Sasha and headed out into the rain to meet my mother at Wally World where I walked some more. The rain got worse. Mom was so helpful, holding Sasha while I unloaded the grocery cart and while I loaded groceries into the car in the rain. Sasha & I left the store at about 11:15. We waited for Mom to meet us at the apartment before I unloaded in more rain. She held Sasha while I unloaded the car in more rain, trudging through the river in the yard. She also held her while I parked my car about half a block away and walked (in more rain) back to her van.

Next time we need groceries and it is raining... we'll make do. Forget that shit.

Oh yeah, and right before we left home, Elmo pointed out that Sasha hadn't slept much. So while she has been keeping me up past midnight every night, last night might have been the night I could get her shifted back to an earlier schedule. We didn't wind up crawling into bed at 1 o'clock. My knee was so worn out by then!!

We arrived at the hospital at 9:45 for check-in. I preregistered yesterday. I gave my checks and we were taken to the Surgery Waiting room. We were immediately taken back out to my little cubicle. I had to pee in a cup (I'm not pregnant) and change into a cool paper gown called Bair Paws. It was soft on the outside, purple, marked with a bear paw, and part of a heating system that you could hook directly into your gown. It had a vent system inside and you could adjust the temperature blowing into your gown. I didn't actually use it, but I thought the system was awesome!

Then... we waited! The Anesthesiologist came in. I liked him and he said that I wouldn't actually have to pump-and-dump with general anesthesia. The problems I had before weren't actually general. They were drugs given intravenously. That was good news! My surgery was supposed to be at 11:45. The Doc came to see me right around then and said that he had a shoulder to do before me. He had another shoulder that was scheduled ahead of me, but he was going to do me next because my surgery was going to be much shorter. The shoulders take about 45 minutes. So he said I'd be in by 1:00 at the latest. I asked him about the possibility of lateral release of the ligament pulling on my knee cap. He said he would take a look and that if he did that there would be more swelling, bleeding, a brace, and longer healing. But he'd see if I was a candidate for that. I guess that shoulder was nastier than he expected. I didn't get taken back until about 3:00!! That is over 3 hours late! OMG, I was starving! I was getting cranky and also wanted to cry. Sasha finally fell asleep at about 2:30 though.

Surgery seemed to go fine (no lateral release of the ligament) and I did alright waking up from anesthesia. The staff was nice. The took me back to my cubicle and brought Elmo & Sasha back to me. I was able to hold her right away, but had to have him nearby because I was still a bit woozy. Courtney had some trouble finding me at the hospital but since it started so late, she agreed to come drive me home. Yay!

Courtney and I stopped at Drug Warehouse. I actually felt up to going in with her, but my crutches were at home and all the wheel chairs got stolen earlier in the day! Courtney got my scrips and some other drugs I needed. I just love that girl! Then we stopped at Whataburger so I could order lunch for Elmo, Tyler and myself. My dad and his wife were already on their way to drop her off. I guess they called Elmo about it because they hadn't called me! I arrived home about the same time everyone else got there. Brandon was even there! Joua even came by (to get Courtney to go somewhere)!

I was tired, but couldn't seem to sleep. Sasha napped in my lap for a bit. I'm hoping I can manage to get into the bed with her soon.

I used the crutches to get from the car to the house, but have otherwise been able to use the cane my dad loaned me. I am even walking around a bit with no assistance! I haven't felt the need to take anything for pain - I am SO pleased! At most, I have some discomfort. When I'm not moving it really doesn't hurt at all, especially when I'm using the ice thing on it.

EDIT: My throat hurts worse than anything. Ugh. And I've been pigging all day! I had a Whatacheeseburger, chocolate milk (of course!), a piece of sushi and some other leftovers from Courtney, and I ate a pop tart with milk.

We recently let Sasha try bacon. And last night she enjoyed peach yogurt. I also got some Organic Puffs - Greens for her. She likes them! They are crispy enough for her to crunch them, but they melt instantly when they get wet. They are so disgusting if they aren't in her mouth! It isn't like I have to trick her into eating vegetables, but still... I'm glad to have another healthy snack around. Mom got her some organic teething biscuits and she loves them, too!

I've decided I want Sasha (and us) to have a wagon. I think it would be great to have for zoo trips as well as walking to the laundromat! I had no idea they came with seat-belts these days! Here are the ones I have picked out that I like so far:

Radio Flyer Pathfinder Wagon or Step2 Wagon for Two Plus - There are some fancier Radio Flyer ones with canopies and stuff, but either of these more basic ones would be great! They also make ones with less features, but these two are awesome.

This is kind of a continuation on this post.

Both my girls have birthdays next month (a couple days apart). When Tyler had her 1st Birthday, I took her for lunch at my mom's. We also took her to Joe's mom's to celebrate that evening. Then we had a huge party for Joe's dad's side of the family and my dad's side of the family, plus his mom I think. I am just not "feeling it" for Sasha. I mean... I don't feel the need for such a huge event and she doesn't have as much local family anyway. I went whole hog with Teletubbies invites, etc. Do I want to go with a theme at all for Sasha? Do we want to do dinner out and have family / friends meet us? Or a picnic? I just do NOT know what I want to do!

Then Tyler... she usually has a big picnic because her dad's family is pretty big. I was involved that first year after I split, but since then I haven't been involved at all. So what shall I do with our family, especially considering that my dad won't attend if my mom is there. Ugh! I'm sure Tyler would be cool with a nice dinner out that her friends could also attend, but I just don't know. My nieces and nephews usually have a dinner / cake / present thing at my dad's place.

I know 1st Birthday is a big deal... she won't remember it, but she'll view pics of it for years to come... I just am at a loss. What is wrong with me?

Tooth #4 has emerged! Sasha is very fussy today.

During the days leading up to the move, we noticed that Sasha was falling more often. We even said she seemed a little drunk. I wasn't sure why she was doing it, but I wasn't worried. I just filed away the information for reference in case something else happened to go with it.

Saturday morning of the move, Sasha was needy. I figured it was all the turmoil of the move. I had to hold her pretty much all day, besides just keeping her from underfoot. Thankfully, I was able to hand her off to friends occasionally and do little tasks myself. Mostly I just directed.

This week, Sasha has become increasingly needy and has even been poking at an ear. That's it, she has an ear infection. I have called our doctor and gotten an appointment for Sasha to see the Physician's Assistant on Friday. I also sent Elmo and Brandon (with Sasha in tow) to the Health Food Store for garlic oil for Sasha's poor ear. I was not aware, however, that there is a garlic oil for cooking. Oops. I got home at 8:30. Ten minutes later, I scooped up the baby and we raced across town back to Akin's. Sasha bawled for almost the entire trip. I thought at first that the car made it worse, but it later occurred to me that she just didn't want to be alone. She has been needy and didn't want to be back there by herself. Poor dear.

We arrived at the store with moments to spare. Colleen was *very* helpful with find us some ear drops specifically for children. Should Sasha wind up on antibiotics, she suggested we come back for probiotics afterward. She also highly recommended a berry product... I don't remember what, but I have brochure in the car. Sasha was a DOLL at the store! She cried as I put her back into the car seat, even though we were at the store for a good 10 minutes (at least). She reached for me as I shut the door. :-(

We raced back home and she dozed off a couple of times from crying. I hadn't even fed her yet! She was fine in my arms as I got the cup of hot water ready and got all set to settle in for nursing and ear-treating. She noticed when I put the liquid in her ear, but moments later didn't seem to care any more. They are supposed to be soothing, so hopefully they were. She was soon happily gnawing on pizza crust in my lap. She smelled all good and garlic-y, I wanted to eat her! :-)

Hopefully she'll rest a bit better tonight. I'll treat her again in the morning. Then my dad is meeting us at Physical Therapy to wrangle her during my appointment. He doesn't babysit babies still in diapers but was willing to come along to help. Elmo will be visiting Samantha, so he won't be home.

Thankfully, tomorrow is my half-day at work. I'll get to see Tyler and she'll be here to help with errands and/or Sasha. Sasha will be SO excited to see her after we didn't see her last Thursday!

Sasha tried asparagus last weekend. Just regular canned, slimy asparagus. She liked it, as do I!

Today she has cut her other top tooth, so that makes 3 so far.

Also today, she is walking around a lot. It seems like she is going to take off running any second, but then she gets ahead of herself and falls.

The more I think about trying for another child (trying for a boy), the more I itch to be pregnant again. It is a little too soon yet, but it has been on my mind a lot lately. So... I've dug out my old chart files and requested the Natural Family Planning book as well as the Choose the Sex book from the library. So, I'll begin the research again so I'll be ready when we're really ready. I've always thought it would be novel to get pregnant on purpose. heh

I've also been thinking about gardening. Once we get moved to our new place next month, I'd like to set up some planters (lined milk crates) and try my hand at a couple of vegetables. I have several gardening books requested from the library, especially on the topics of container gardening and square foot gardening.