A couple of weeks ago I wrote a new post that was hilarious on all accounts. The story was so funny on its own that I had to do very little in order to make it a masterpiece. I mentioned a while back that a coworker of mine, Andrew, and I successfully planned and executed what was arguably the greatest practical joke on earth. Period. I was cracking up the whole time I wrote and edited the story. As I sat back in my computer chair marveling at my work, I moved the cursor over the "publish post" tab when suddenly the voice of reason popped into my head. It started out as a little whisper and the more I listened the more I realized it was screaming at me DON'T DO IT!
We played this practical joke on another coworker, and even though it was all in good fun, no feelings were hurt, and the world is officially a better place because we did it, I realized that in some circles what we did might be considered grounds for say, I don't know, getting fired? It would be an extreme and unnecessary consequence, sure, but the last thing I want to do is get dooced. On one hand I'm happy that I've grown up enough to realize when I should keep my mouth shut (it only took 26 years), but on the other hand I'm disappointed that I cannot share this delightful story.
Anyway, the whole thing got me to thinking about my blog. Originally I just wanted to journal everything because I never wanted to forget my pregnancy or all of Chloe's milestones. I wanted to share our story with friends and relatives. I thought of how amazing it would be if I could read my grandmother's journal. But this isn't a journal. It's a public forum. The more I thought about it, the more I started freaking out about the fact that any old creepster in the world could log on to the Internet, Google my name, and get my life story. I do, after all, have a history of attracting the creepiest of creepsters.
Like just two years ago I was up in Ludington inspecting a vacant laboratory building for work. The owner of the building had the groundskeeper meet me there and give me a tour. The building had been vacant for years and it was dark and scary on its own. They used to test animals there for Pete's sake. But on top of that I'm walking through the building with this textbook redneck by my side. I'm just trying to be pleasant and quick about my business, but this guy keeps casually cornering me, and by the end of the inspection he is telling me how nice and beautiful I am. I was freaking out because no one would have known or heard me if this lunatic touched me. Luckily I got out of there safely, but the next morning I got a phone call. I asked who it was and the deep lawnmowerman voice on the line would just say "Don't you know?" or "It's me." Then later that day the same thing. I received four phone calls from that guy over the next two days before he finally let me alone.
That story is nothing compared to the one I have from the summer after my freshman year in college. I was working at the golf course as a beach volleyball coordinator and beer cart girl. The job was fun, but you had to deal with a lot of wise guys. I got to know a few of the guys on a first name basis because they played in leagues and showed up every week. Well toward the end of the summer this one guy started showing up at my stand every night of the week. Then one night I was closing down my stand at 10:30 or so. I was the only one out there and was just hopping in my car when the guy comes driving up in his truck. He asked me to come to his window because he wanted to show me something. When I looked in he had a video camera and on it was a home video of him and his wife... you know... bow chicka wow wow. Stunned and disgusted I ran to my car and drove away. I mean, WTF? What is it about me that I attract the weirdest people in the world? I'm not sure.
I was talking to Paul about my blog and I asked him what he thought of it. He hurt my feelings a little when he said he wasn't really sure how he felt about it. Said he thought it was dangerous to post all of those pictures of Chloe, our house, our family. I think it only hurt my feelings because he was voicing my own concerns, and he kind of got me thinking there might be some weird person out there reading my blog (lawnmower man?) who is just waiting to up and steal our baby. The thought sounds crazy, but, like I said, crazy people tend to gravitate toward me.
So right now I'm on the fence about my blog. Should I stay, or should I go? I may just make it a private blog so that all seven of you will have to log on before reading. I'll be sure to let you know.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Just for Kicks
Just in case you need a laugh today, I thought I'd post this picture. I forgot about it until just now. Chloe received this "Lil' Kim" wig as a gift from daddy's friend.
I'm sorry, Chloe, but this is hilarious :o)
I'm sorry, Chloe, but this is hilarious :o)
Happy Independence Day!
Chloe had a great 4th of July weekend up at Houghton Lake and Hubbard Lake. We headed up to Houghton Lake to stay with the Moore's on Friday and Saturday. We went out to the sandbar where Chloe hung out on the beach the whole day. We sat her little Bumbo chair in the shallow water and she splashed around. She loved it! Saturday night we headed over to Hubbard Lake. We spent the rest of our time up north playing with Andrew, tubing, jet skiing, wake boarding, and just relaxing. It was perfect weather for playing in the water at almost 90 degrees!
We bought Chloe this little pool where she spent some time cooling off.
The problem was that mommy and daddy got too hot playing with her in the pool, so we decided to take her down to the lake. The lake was cold, but Chloe didn't even flinch. She loves the water!
Chloe spent some time playing with Andrew, but Andrew is a little skeptical about Chloe. In fact, twice when Chloe cooed at Andrew he started crying huge crocodile tears. We aren't sure what she told him, but it certainly hurt his feelings! When Chloe wasn't busy being a bully we snapped a few pictures.
It was another wonderful mini vacation and we had a great time. We are so blessed to have the cabin. It is out little piece of paradise!
We bought Chloe this little pool where she spent some time cooling off.
The problem was that mommy and daddy got too hot playing with her in the pool, so we decided to take her down to the lake. The lake was cold, but Chloe didn't even flinch. She loves the water!
Chloe spent some time playing with Andrew, but Andrew is a little skeptical about Chloe. In fact, twice when Chloe cooed at Andrew he started crying huge crocodile tears. We aren't sure what she told him, but it certainly hurt his feelings! When Chloe wasn't busy being a bully we snapped a few pictures.
It was another wonderful mini vacation and we had a great time. We are so blessed to have the cabin. It is out little piece of paradise!
Chloe - 5 Months
Five months. I'd like to savor this moment forever. I'm not sure if we will ever again be blessed with such a happy, pleasant phase in Chloe's life. If you showed me this five month old Chloe a few months ago I may not have believed you.
We are so blessed to have a baby who cries only when she is tired or hungry. At five months Chloe is still going to bed at 8:00 p.m. and is waking at 4:00 a.m. to eat. She goes right back to sleep and wakes again at 7:00 a.m. When she wakes up she doesn't scream or cry, but instead coos and plays in her crib until the noises she makes are so irresistibly cute that you would be crazy not to go rescue her. She takes a two hour nap in the morning and several one hour naps throughout the day. The best part is that I usually need only lie her down and pat her butt for a minute before she falls asleep willingly. No rocking, swinging, and praying like the first two months of her life.
In between her naps she mostly just plays on her blanket or in her exersaucer. She still loves to be outside and would prefer to be outside the whole day if possible. I sat her in her Bumbo seat facing Griffin and the yard one morning and silently read a book for an hour straight before I decided to take a break. She just sat there and observed the world.
Chloe could watch Griffin for hours and tries crawling just to get closer to him. In fact, she loves Griffin so much that she saved her first laugh for him. Paul and I had been trying for months to get her to laugh and then one day Griffin was playing and barking at his girlfriend, Lola, when Chloe let out a huge belly laugh. She would giggle harder and harder every time Griff barked. It was the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my whole life and I even managed to get it on camera.
The one thing that Chloe finally just gave up crying about is getting her clothes changed. Up until this point baby girl has hated getting dressed and undressed. She would just scream the entire time. She hated having her diaper changed until about two months, and then she hated getting out of the bath until about four months, but it took this long to get over getting dressed. I think once I get her naked she is just so happy that way that she doesn't want anyone putting clothes on her.
Chloe is trying so hard to crawl and I'm terrified. It is bad enough that she can roll over and over again to get from one side of the room to the other. Things were so much easier when I could set her on a blanket, go to the kitchen, and return to a little baby lying in the same exact spot I left her. We really need to get started on baby proofing the house. She is also getting very good at sticking things in her mouth. Still no teeth, but a lot of drool and chewing going on.
Little Miss Amelia (as her daddy calls her) is starting to get blond hair. For a while there it was auburn, but it seems to be getting lighter and lighter as the days pass. She has quite a little baby tan going on despite keeping her sun screened and shaded as much as possible. She is just lucky, I guess. She still has beautiful blue eyes.
Funny story. Earlier this month Paul let me sleep in one Sunday morning. He took Chloe downstairs and let her play in her exersaucer. He was in the kitchen when he heard her fussing in the living room. When he came back into the living room he found that the entire saucer was filled with poop! She had poop pooled in her socks and her entire backside was covered in yellow goo. For some reason he didn't wake me up, but instead he stripped her down and gave her a bath. I woke up to hear him gagging while he cleaned up the poop. I was thinking he was being a wuss until I saw what had happened. It looked like a murder scene! It was impressive. I just thought I'd write that one down so that I don't forget. Anyone who knows me knows how I love poop humor!
We are so blessed to have a baby who cries only when she is tired or hungry. At five months Chloe is still going to bed at 8:00 p.m. and is waking at 4:00 a.m. to eat. She goes right back to sleep and wakes again at 7:00 a.m. When she wakes up she doesn't scream or cry, but instead coos and plays in her crib until the noises she makes are so irresistibly cute that you would be crazy not to go rescue her. She takes a two hour nap in the morning and several one hour naps throughout the day. The best part is that I usually need only lie her down and pat her butt for a minute before she falls asleep willingly. No rocking, swinging, and praying like the first two months of her life.
In between her naps she mostly just plays on her blanket or in her exersaucer. She still loves to be outside and would prefer to be outside the whole day if possible. I sat her in her Bumbo seat facing Griffin and the yard one morning and silently read a book for an hour straight before I decided to take a break. She just sat there and observed the world.
Chloe could watch Griffin for hours and tries crawling just to get closer to him. In fact, she loves Griffin so much that she saved her first laugh for him. Paul and I had been trying for months to get her to laugh and then one day Griffin was playing and barking at his girlfriend, Lola, when Chloe let out a huge belly laugh. She would giggle harder and harder every time Griff barked. It was the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my whole life and I even managed to get it on camera.
The one thing that Chloe finally just gave up crying about is getting her clothes changed. Up until this point baby girl has hated getting dressed and undressed. She would just scream the entire time. She hated having her diaper changed until about two months, and then she hated getting out of the bath until about four months, but it took this long to get over getting dressed. I think once I get her naked she is just so happy that way that she doesn't want anyone putting clothes on her.
Chloe is trying so hard to crawl and I'm terrified. It is bad enough that she can roll over and over again to get from one side of the room to the other. Things were so much easier when I could set her on a blanket, go to the kitchen, and return to a little baby lying in the same exact spot I left her. We really need to get started on baby proofing the house. She is also getting very good at sticking things in her mouth. Still no teeth, but a lot of drool and chewing going on.
Little Miss Amelia (as her daddy calls her) is starting to get blond hair. For a while there it was auburn, but it seems to be getting lighter and lighter as the days pass. She has quite a little baby tan going on despite keeping her sun screened and shaded as much as possible. She is just lucky, I guess. She still has beautiful blue eyes.
Funny story. Earlier this month Paul let me sleep in one Sunday morning. He took Chloe downstairs and let her play in her exersaucer. He was in the kitchen when he heard her fussing in the living room. When he came back into the living room he found that the entire saucer was filled with poop! She had poop pooled in her socks and her entire backside was covered in yellow goo. For some reason he didn't wake me up, but instead he stripped her down and gave her a bath. I woke up to hear him gagging while he cleaned up the poop. I was thinking he was being a wuss until I saw what had happened. It looked like a murder scene! It was impressive. I just thought I'd write that one down so that I don't forget. Anyone who knows me knows how I love poop humor!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
You Look Good...
For all of those "you look good" people out there I will first briefly say "thank you." But for you, however, I would like to quickly share this "out of the mouths of babes" story before I forget. Over the weekend my youngest niece, Taylor, was sitting on my lap when we had a conversation that went a little like this:
Taylor: Aunt Cassie, are you going to have more than one baby?
Me: Probably.
Taylor: *deep in thought* *pokes my belly* Why do you still have a big belly?
Me: Well sometimes it takes a little while to get rid of that belly once you've had a baby. Not everyone is as lucky as your mommy and has a flat tummy right after she has a baby.
Taylor: So only you got a big belly?
Me: No, only your mommy didn't get a big belly.
It is hilarious and devastating all at the same time. I remember thinking to myself that morning that I was finally starting to look presentable. In fact, I had just started squeezing myself into some non-maternity pants for the first time in, like, nine months. To say that I look good is only a partial truth. I'm looking good relative to my pregnant self and my immediate postpartum self. I'm not really looking that good relative to my pre-baby self. So in light of this recent incident I feel inspired enough to dig out my old running shoes and hit the pavement.
Last night was my first jog in what has been almost 1.5 years. The first block I was feeling awesome. Like, yes, I can do this. Then about two seconds later I felt the true weight of my legs and ugh... I'm out of shape. I made it over two miles only stopping once to catch my breath and fight back some vomit after one particularly long hill. When it was over I was panting worse than Griffin on a 100 degree day, but in a strange way I felt great. Here's hoping my inspiration lasts - that I can keep that sweet little voice in my head, so honest and innocent, "Why do you still have a big belly?"
Taylor: Aunt Cassie, are you going to have more than one baby?
Me: Probably.
Taylor: *deep in thought* *pokes my belly* Why do you still have a big belly?
Me: Well sometimes it takes a little while to get rid of that belly once you've had a baby. Not everyone is as lucky as your mommy and has a flat tummy right after she has a baby.
Taylor: So only you got a big belly?
Me: No, only your mommy didn't get a big belly.
It is hilarious and devastating all at the same time. I remember thinking to myself that morning that I was finally starting to look presentable. In fact, I had just started squeezing myself into some non-maternity pants for the first time in, like, nine months. To say that I look good is only a partial truth. I'm looking good relative to my pregnant self and my immediate postpartum self. I'm not really looking that good relative to my pre-baby self. So in light of this recent incident I feel inspired enough to dig out my old running shoes and hit the pavement.
Last night was my first jog in what has been almost 1.5 years. The first block I was feeling awesome. Like, yes, I can do this. Then about two seconds later I felt the true weight of my legs and ugh... I'm out of shape. I made it over two miles only stopping once to catch my breath and fight back some vomit after one particularly long hill. When it was over I was panting worse than Griffin on a 100 degree day, but in a strange way I felt great. Here's hoping my inspiration lasts - that I can keep that sweet little voice in my head, so honest and innocent, "Why do you still have a big belly?"
Father's Day Weekend
We had a bit of a busy weekend that we kicked off by meeting Chloe's newest friend Bella Louise James. Bella was born June 16 and was 9 pounds 11 ounces! Her momma pushed for 1.5 hours before they decided to bust her out via C-section. We are so proud! Chloe did not get to meet Bella just yet, but Paul and I headed to the hospital where we got to cuddle the sweet baby. Bella has the chubbiest cheeks and she is so precious. We are so happy for you Kellie and Jeff!
My dad got to babysit Chloe all day on Friday while I was at work. My mom was helping the aunts get ready for a graduation party. At the party Friday night I hardly caught a glimpse of my little girl except to feed her here and there. She ended up staying up until 11:00 p.m. or so. She is such a good girl always going with the flow. We have her on something of a schedule with a mandatory morning nap and a pretty strict bedtime, but on weekends when we have events she usually strays from the norm and comes out relatively unscathed. Here she is getting cuddles from my Grandma Sally.
We celebrated Father's Day with our dads on Saturday. Bobby Kay made a big dinner and we hung out for a while. Chloe was once again passed around and around. Her Great Grandma Millie held her while she chomped on this Pop Ice. Working on some teeth, maybe?
We celebrated Paul's first Father's Day on Sunday. We headed out to Grand Haven because I had a little work to do there. We walked up and down the streets and visited some shops. Then we decided to walk to the pier and back. There were lots of people walking the pier and hanging out on the beach even though it was only about 75 degrees and windy. It was a beautiful day for walking. We had a family take a picture of our family on Paul's first Father's Day.
I had a great Father's Day (and I think Paul liked it, too)!
My dad got to babysit Chloe all day on Friday while I was at work. My mom was helping the aunts get ready for a graduation party. At the party Friday night I hardly caught a glimpse of my little girl except to feed her here and there. She ended up staying up until 11:00 p.m. or so. She is such a good girl always going with the flow. We have her on something of a schedule with a mandatory morning nap and a pretty strict bedtime, but on weekends when we have events she usually strays from the norm and comes out relatively unscathed. Here she is getting cuddles from my Grandma Sally.
We celebrated Father's Day with our dads on Saturday. Bobby Kay made a big dinner and we hung out for a while. Chloe was once again passed around and around. Her Great Grandma Millie held her while she chomped on this Pop Ice. Working on some teeth, maybe?
We celebrated Paul's first Father's Day on Sunday. We headed out to Grand Haven because I had a little work to do there. We walked up and down the streets and visited some shops. Then we decided to walk to the pier and back. There were lots of people walking the pier and hanging out on the beach even though it was only about 75 degrees and windy. It was a beautiful day for walking. We had a family take a picture of our family on Paul's first Father's Day.
I had a great Father's Day (and I think Paul liked it, too)!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Breastfeeding... dun dun dun
Despite its rising popularity since the age of our mothers, breastfeeding is still a highly private act. Most nursing mothers are so discreet that you wouldn't even guess what they were doing under that scarf. Thankfully, too, because even as a nursing mother the last thing I want to see at Olive Garden is a big random boob next to a plate of ravioli.
I think I went my whole life noticing only once or twice a mother breastfeeding her baby. So it is no surprise that my nine year old niece, Oli, was shocked one day to see me nursing Chloe. And I do mean shocked. As far as she knew, the only way to feed a baby was from a bottle. Didn't you know that the first Enfamil plant opened some 2.5 million years ago? She asked if Chloe was a vampire.
Since that day I think Oli has asked me eight or nine times why I "feed her with my *insert wild hand motions toward breast*" or why I "feed her from my thingy things." And rather than explain to her all of the endless benefits of breastfeeding like breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of ear infections, respiratory infections, asthma, diabetes, childhood leukemia, and many other childhood illnesses; or that breast milk changes over time to meet your baby's needs, always containing the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for baby's growth. Rather than saying breastfeeding is also good for the mother by lowering the risk of diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression; and that, most importantly, people think we are vampires, which is totally in right now (take that Bella Swan). I always end up telling Oli the same thing. "Because it is the way that God made us." And that is the truth.
This weekend when she asked me the same question I gave her the same answer. This time she thought about it for a minute and asked "Is that how Mother Mary fed Jesus?" I thought about it for a minute, too, trying to imagine Mother Mary milking some mangy goat or cow on her way to Bethlehem before I told her that I was pretty sure Mother Mary breastfed Jesus.
People go on and on about the cost benefits of breastfeeding (which, between the pump, nursing bras, nursing tops, storage bags, etc. I'm not so sure is true). The truth is that the real reason I chose to breastfeed Chloe was that it just seemed unnatural to not. God gave us this perfect food - one that is so perfect many doctors believe it is safe to feed your baby breast milk exclusively for a whole year. One that is so perfect that doctors and scientists have been trying to reformulate it for decades using over one hundred ingredients, most of which a college graduate cannot pronounce.
That is the reason I started breastfeeding in the first place. Now I have a whole list of reasons why I love breastfeeding. Like when Chloe wakes up in the middle of the night it only takes ten seconds to pluck her out of her crib and begin feeding her. I get to cuddle with her all of the time. Most importantly, it is something that only I can do and I love that.
It was so difficult in the beginning, but now it is the most amazing bonding experience, and it is by far one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life. I just thought I would put it into words so that for my next baby, when I'm feeling like a slave to the boob waking up every two hours to feed a hungry baby, I can remember that period is only brief. The long-term benefits are definitely worth the initial frustrations.
And in case you are wondering, I am not going to be one of those crazy moms who breastfeeds her kids until they are five or thirteen or something. I don't want Chloe to have any weird memories of sucking on my boob. That's just weird.
I think I went my whole life noticing only once or twice a mother breastfeeding her baby. So it is no surprise that my nine year old niece, Oli, was shocked one day to see me nursing Chloe. And I do mean shocked. As far as she knew, the only way to feed a baby was from a bottle. Didn't you know that the first Enfamil plant opened some 2.5 million years ago? She asked if Chloe was a vampire.
Since that day I think Oli has asked me eight or nine times why I "feed her with my *insert wild hand motions toward breast*" or why I "feed her from my thingy things." And rather than explain to her all of the endless benefits of breastfeeding like breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of ear infections, respiratory infections, asthma, diabetes, childhood leukemia, and many other childhood illnesses; or that breast milk changes over time to meet your baby's needs, always containing the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for baby's growth. Rather than saying breastfeeding is also good for the mother by lowering the risk of diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression; and that, most importantly, people think we are vampires, which is totally in right now (take that Bella Swan). I always end up telling Oli the same thing. "Because it is the way that God made us." And that is the truth.
This weekend when she asked me the same question I gave her the same answer. This time she thought about it for a minute and asked "Is that how Mother Mary fed Jesus?" I thought about it for a minute, too, trying to imagine Mother Mary milking some mangy goat or cow on her way to Bethlehem before I told her that I was pretty sure Mother Mary breastfed Jesus.
People go on and on about the cost benefits of breastfeeding (which, between the pump, nursing bras, nursing tops, storage bags, etc. I'm not so sure is true). The truth is that the real reason I chose to breastfeed Chloe was that it just seemed unnatural to not. God gave us this perfect food - one that is so perfect many doctors believe it is safe to feed your baby breast milk exclusively for a whole year. One that is so perfect that doctors and scientists have been trying to reformulate it for decades using over one hundred ingredients, most of which a college graduate cannot pronounce.
That is the reason I started breastfeeding in the first place. Now I have a whole list of reasons why I love breastfeeding. Like when Chloe wakes up in the middle of the night it only takes ten seconds to pluck her out of her crib and begin feeding her. I get to cuddle with her all of the time. Most importantly, it is something that only I can do and I love that.
It was so difficult in the beginning, but now it is the most amazing bonding experience, and it is by far one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life. I just thought I would put it into words so that for my next baby, when I'm feeling like a slave to the boob waking up every two hours to feed a hungry baby, I can remember that period is only brief. The long-term benefits are definitely worth the initial frustrations.
And in case you are wondering, I am not going to be one of those crazy moms who breastfeeds her kids until they are five or thirteen or something. I don't want Chloe to have any weird memories of sucking on my boob. That's just weird.
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