Tweet...NOT!

With the recent craze in social networking sites like Twitter, FaceBook, and MySpace, I was wondering how to keep up with everything and maintain my sanity. I bring up this topic since I'm absolutely NOT on board with Tweeting, or hitting up everyone's FaceBook wall and commenting on it. I am busy, I am NOT online 24/7, and I am too tired to be in everyone else's business on a daily basis.

It takes enough energy to live your life, let alone talking about living your life.

Besides the whole issue of the time it takes to notify the world that you're making spaghetti sauce or just had the best weekend ever, I think it's totally and utterly narcissistic and quite frankly egocentric, to write trivial crap about daily life. Do people really think they're lives are that interesting that they need to announce to the world every little thing they're doing? Do they really think that I, or for that matter one of their thousand friends that may include the local grocery check out guy, care that they're washing their face or that they just had oatmeal for breakfast? What is our world coming to?

I may or may not fall into this category since I myself have a blog, but my intent is not to showcase my life for the entire world to see; just close friends and family to keep up with with our life with Ava. Not my pre-school friend whom I haven't seen for twenty something years coming out of the woodwork to "add me as a friend" to their group.

I just personally find it horrifying that today's culture practically mandates you to join these social networking sites, and even chastises when you don't. I even folded under the weight of this peer pressure and joined to stay in touch with friends and family. It was great at first (and still is) to stay connected to everyone, but at the same time, a little overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, these sites can be wonderful for keeping in touch with everyone, but it's those who overindulge and write about every little thing they're doing. Please - post pictures, catch up, and stay in touch. Please don't - write about how fabulous it is to boil water or what you're doing as you're stuck in traffic.

But give it to Kent to provide some comic relief when I get down on myself. Kent's theory, and a hysterical one at that, is that people could easily live a fake Facebook life. Yes, for all we know, these people writing about their AMAZING life could downright be hiding under the covers in their bed, at home with the shades drawn and the AC going full blast, twittering and tweeting on their laptop with the lowly glow of the computer screen being the closest thing to natural light in a five mile vicinity. For all I know, they could be cutting and pasting pictures from Google images to support said fabulous life. I gave this a thought, laughed out loud hysterically, and agreed that it could be possible.

Just leave it to my good ol' other half to bring a smile to my face, lift my spirits, and not get caught up with all this crap - thanks Kent! I know how crazy and guilty these stupid social networking sites can make people feel- like you're not doing enough, cool enough, or fun enough. Well, you know what - I don't care.

So, for all of you other "boring" people out there like me, fret not, staying home on a Saturday night and watching Goonies on TBS with microwave popcorn IS good enough and NO you don't have to tweet or Facebook about it. In fact, come over to my place and we can hang out together and spend our time living our life rather than writing about it.

P.S. Go to Google and type in "Facebook makes" and see what Google's suggested searches are...it's not only true to this post and the life of social networking but funny too!

Peace.

Video Happy

Ava and I were watching Aladdin the other day when I happened to catch her particularly entranced with the scene where Aladdin and Princess Jasmine sang 'A Whole New World'. Not only did she watch and listen to the entire song intently, she laughed appropriately during a funny part! Of all the little things she does to melt my heart, this one is right up there with the best of them.

A Crawling We Will Go

Ava has been trying to crawl for the past couple weeks and I was finally able to catch her in action one morning. Getting this on film was an enormous feat since she's been camera shy about her new endeavor. She's been quite discreet about it, only crawling when no one is looking directly at her - I know, she's totally a diva...I wonder where she gets it from...;)

Music To My Ears

Baby laugher. Nuff said.

Baby Houdini

Kent and I woke up one morning to find Ava in yet another amazing pose. See for yourself... ;)

Big Girls Eat Real Food

Right before her big six month "birthday", Ava had her first real meal - rice cereal, carrots, and apples. We've given her a little of each before, but never as a full blown meal. And man oh man, did she like it. Surprisingly, the rice cereal is the least favorite (probably a little bland), but she loved them carrots! Here are a few shots of her first meal.

Six Months

Dear Ava,

Today you are six months old, and I have the following to say to you: Quit growing up so dang fast! It feels like just yesterday that we were bringing you home from the hospital in your oversized onesie, deprived of sleep, unsure of what to do with a newborn. Flash forward six months, and I can proudly say that we are not only happy and healthy, we are thriving!

In the half year you have been with us, we three have grown leaps and bounds as a family and as individuals. You’ve mastered rolling, taken a liking to eating rice cereal, carrots and apples, and have even crawled just two weeks shy of your six month birthday. Now that you’re semi-mobile, you seem so much more content and can happily play and entertain yourself.

You have come to really appreciate the playmat and adore all the little lights and sounds it makes. In fact, this is the very first thing you roll/crawl to in the morning after you wake up. I love how you scrunch your face to examine every little toy on the mat even if you’ve seen it a hundred times before. You particularly like the crinkly leaf in the corner of the mat, and just lay for minutes scratching and squeezing it for the texture and sound. And although you do this every morning, it still excites you and I melt when you look at me to “show” me this new and interesting thing you found; even if it’s the same as yesterday.

You love the Disney channel (believe it or not) and I’m not ashamed to say that we’ve enjoyed a few quiet afternoons lying on the couch together watching Hannah Montana or The Wizards of Waverly Place. If this is what I have to look forward with you as a toddler, bring it….I can’t wait!

Another saving grace for us has been the baby exersaucer. You LOVE this thing. Besides all the fun toys and buttons, I really believe you enjoy standing up and seeing things at eye level. You love bouncing in this and especially adore the little sun toy that must be a tasty treat since it goes straight into your mouth!

As for your father and I – we’ve grown much more confident in our skills as parents and have really enjoyed playing and interacting with you. We’ve learned to relax a bit and let go of some responsibility to spend more quality time with each other as a family. The dishes can wait, the shopping can be done later, and dinner can be a peanut butter jelly sandwich sometimes. We’re okay with that because it frees up time to hang out, be silly, and play.

We have also toted you around the great North West for a number of little trips and excursions; it is in these moments that I realize that you truly are an extension of us. You go where we go, do what we do, and seem to love every minute of it.

You are definitely an active baby and have been since day one. You’ve kept us on our toes and we have yet to experience a mundane moment with you. Though you have been wonderful these past six months, you can still be a bit of a "diva" at times. But you know what? I have friends who have "easy" babies, babies who are so peaceful and complacent that their parent's biggest problem is wondering what to do with all their free time while their easy babies sleep noiselessly in their cribs for hours on end. And while an "easy baby" would probably be nice from time to time, I wouldn't want you to be any other way than the way you are.

You're Ava Mo. You're full of life with all its highs and lows. You can smile and laugh with sheer joy and still scream and cry in anger. You demand the best in care from those around you because you know you're worth it.

What I see in you already, even at six months old, is an independent spirit, a wild heart, a girl who is going to grab the world with both hands. You may not always be an easy baby, be docile, quiet, and obedient, but the women in this world who make history seldom are. I hope you never change, that you continue to demand the best from anyone who has the privilege to know you. Never settle for second best. Rebel a little. Bend the rules.

See just how far you can fly. I know you will. And I know that when you do, you're going to soar.

I love you, my baby girl. So, so much.

Love,
Mommy

Giri Giri

Yet another wonderful thing to report on - my hair has finally started to grow back in and I'm no longer losing clumps of hair! Fear not friends and family, this hair loss I've been experiencing has been a perfectly normal post-partum issue. The drop in hormones after birth apparently does a number to your hair and falls out until you're practically bald. Now I can safely cancel that Bosely Hair Institute complimentary DVD I phoned in for since I was seriously considering getting hair implants. My normally cute widow's peak was dangerously in the receding forehead zone. And that would NOT have gone down good with me. I would have totally done something ala Jon Gosselin.

Anyways, the baby hair aka "giri giri" is coming in nice and strong and I don't think I'll have to worry about sporting a rug anytime soon. Hooray!

Happy Thursday!

There are dishes in the sink, toys strewn everywhere, lots of laundry to do, and dinner still to cook, but I.AM.SO.HAPPY.

I woke up to a smiling, happy baby this morning and we've just had so much fun hanging out together today. We watched the Disney channel, played in the exersaucer, and went to an afternoon playdate. We laughed a lot today and Ava was just so smiley and happy. It is precious days like these that I feel so lucky and grateful to stay home; even on days when it doesn't go so great either! Thank you Kent for working hard so I can be at home with Ava. I know I don't tell you often enough, but I really do appreciate it and enjoy it so much. It's hard work, but for the first time, I really feel like this is what I'm supposed to be doing. Ava and I are both very lucky to have such a fabulous man in our life.

Someone once told me that women have two chances at the mother-child relationship in life. The first chance, you are a child and have no control over the relationship. The second chance, you are the mother and have the opportunity to create a wonderful experience for yourself and your child. I am so grateful for the honor of this opportunity and intend to embrace it wholeheartedly and "make it count".

One door closes, another opens...and then some

I been flooded with a ton of questions asking about Ava's six month milestone, most likely prompted by our graduation from mom's group this past Monday. I can happily report that Ava has been consistently sleeping "through" the night with either one waking or none at all. We have been successfully putting her down to sleep (with little to no crying) around 8pm, with a quick feed at 5am. She goes right back to bed and wakes up for good around 9am. With an apparent need for 12 hours of sleep, it's no question that she takes after her good ol' mom in that department. Yes, we need our beauty sleep and lots of it.

But, as life is a fine balance of give and take, I was recently graced with the lovely return of my period (Hello, old friend. We meet again). It's been a good run of nearly 15 months of no period, so it was to my surprise that while exclusively breastfeeding, old 'Aunt Flo' decided to pay me a visit. Apparently, the body begins to normalize hormonally when the baby starts to nurse less frequently or is physically away from the mother (don't ask me why). So, with the good news of Ava sleeping in her very own room since July and sleeping through the night, comes the not-so-good news of the return of my period. This might be TMI for most of you out there, but I openly discuss this topic because it was something I obsessively asked other mothers about. Not because I'm crazy or overly nosy, but because I truly wanted to know what to expect while breastfeeding. Everyone told me that as long as I exclusively breastfed, I would be period free. Not true. So, again for those of you out there thinking that breastfeeding is a magic pill for weight loss and period aversion, sorry to burst your bubble. It totally depends on your body.

But, as for the good news, it explains my recent bloating and extreme emotions. Quoting my dear husband, Kent- "damn, that was the longest PMS I've ever experienced. At least there's an explanation now!".

Oh Kent, if you only knew you sweet, sweet, naive boy. If you want to blame it on the PMS, you go on right ahead. Yes, it's totally the PMS that has made me the prime definition of crazy these past few weeks. Whatever helps you sleep at night my love. ;)

Note to Self

Get SERIOUSLY cracking on working out again and smiling nicely in pictures. I realized that I look either 1. ridiculously swollen or 2. like I have some mental retardation of some kind in all my photos...wtf?! The reflection that stares back at me in the mirror doesn't look like that...does it?! How can I fit my pre-preg jeans and look like this? I'm confused...oh man, body after pregnancy is really confusing. Everything is now officially a fun house mirror in my very, very tired mind's eye. Oy vey!

Graduation

Ava and I graduated from our mom's group yesterday. Mom's group has been an absolute savior for us as it really helped us (baby and mom) transition into motherhood/parenthood. For those of you that don't know about mom's group, it's something the hospital offers for any new mom's and their baby. New mom's are welcome to attend a weekly meeting at the hospital with other mom's and their babies to socialize and develop a support network. There is also a facilitator during the 2 hour group meetings to help us stay on topic or answer questions. It is here that I met my wonderful new "mom friends". We sit in a circle with our babies and take turns discussing anything on our minds - postpartum issues, questions on baby (sleeping is a big one!), body issues, health concerns, note comparisons on baby gear, etc. Not only did the group function to help in an informational and practical way, it was so much more helpful in an emotional way.

Ava and I attended our first meeting when she was just three weeks old. It was after my family had left town after Ava was born and there was this in between period of being alone for a week or so before my mother-in-law came. Being a first time mom, I remember feeling so overwhelmed, confused, and scared to be alone with a tiny helpless baby. Come Monday, when my family was gone and Kent went back to work, I remember not knowing what to do with myself. I didn't know any other moms, I didn't have friends with young children, let alone friends that stayed home during the day on a work week. With the direct support from family now gone, I remember putting Ava in her car seat and driving to the hospital alone, for the first time ever. That in itself was a big deal, since I had never driven with her by myself. Another milestone at that point was getting dressed (robe and pj's don't count) and being somewhat presentable (translation - teeth were brushed, face was washed). I remember having trouble even getting ready since I didn't know what to do with Ava while I was getting ready! Regardless, we somehow safely made it to the hospital where we went to our first group meeting.

I'll never forget the sea of kind, tired, smiling faces staring back at me and feeling an instant shared connection between everyone. Without saying a word, I knew they understood. Since I was new, I was the first to talk, and clearly remember saying "Hi, I'm Liane and this is Ava. She is three weeks old and this is the first time I've taken her out of the house all by myself". This probably sounds normal to most people, but at mom's group, I was met with applause and smiles all around. Everyone had been through this same experience - the terror of being on your own with your new baby and actually driving somewhere for the first time. I felt so relieved I cried. Everything that came out of my mouth was jumbled and fast. I'mscaredIdon'tknowwhattodoallalonewithababy, pleasehelp! I remember people giving me their phone numbers and inviting me out to do things like coffee, walking, and playdates. There really is life after baby! I also remember seeing a lot of older babies (5/6 months) and not being able to comprehend Ava being that age one day...so full of energy and personality. I left that first group meeting a little early to meet Kent for lunch at this teriyaki place, feeling accomplished and excited. I knew I would be coming back every week thereafter with something to look forward to. That's how it all started.

Flash forward six months and we're graduating from mom's group. Graduation is mandatory when your baby turns six months, so the group doesn't get too big and allows room for new mom's and babies. I remember watching others graduate at one point and feeling anxiety thinking about our turn one day. Well, that was yesterday, and believe it or not, we were ready. We still need the support, but not directly from the weekly group meetings anymore. Our time with the group allowed me to meet other amazing moms, friends really, where we get together on our own almost every day of the week for coffee, lunch, movies, walks, playdates, and other fun outings. We established our own social network that I'm so thankful for. Ava has lots of friends right around her age that she loves to play with. In fact, she even has a favorite...little miss McKenzie!

On our last day yesterday, I was asked to address a few things to the group - advice to new mom's, what I learned, and how motherhood has changed me. My answer: I learned that you can never prepare enough for something like motherhood. And believe me, I prepared. You can read anything and everything, but there are still things that are to be learned by doing. Ask for help when you need it. It's okay to be weak or say that you can't do it alone. Reach out to others and stay connected, it's the best way to stay healthy and happy both mentally and physically especially if you plan to stay at home. Enjoy your baby and live in the moment...it goes so quickly. And try not to sweat the small stuff. Personally, that's the biggest thing that motherhood has changed with me. It's not worth the energy to worry about every little thing, although it's hard not to do. There are better things than making sure the house is spot clean or that every dish is washed and in it's place. There's always time and it can be done later. I realized this just recently when we came back from our trip to Seattle. Kent was surprised that I didn't frantically unpack everything that very night and put stuff away. I just kind of shrugged and said I'll do it slowly throughout the week. And you know what, things did get put away and done, and I had time with my family on Sunday night after our trip to relax.

Yesterday's graduation included me and Ava and two other set of mom's and babies, whom I'm very close to and fond of - Amber and Max & Sky and McKenzie. With the six of us leaving the group yesterday, it was also the first day for 3 other new moms and their babies; all quietly sitting there with their bundled newborns with anxious looks on their tired faces. They were probably looking at us with that same amazement I had just six months ago. I made sure to smile and welcome them to the group as this "new blood" will be what carries this on for the next half year. Funny how cyclical life really is. Hello and goodbye, I'm certain we'll all meet again soon. It's been a wonderful six months.

The Grads

Ava and McKenzie

Yes, we are wearing matching dresses. Thanks Christina!

Mini Vacay - Seattle!

We took a mini-vacation to Seattle this past weekend and had a FABULOUS time. We left on Friday night and had a nice, quiet drive as Ava and Oliver slept in the backseat the entire time. It was around her bedtime anyways, so it worked out perfectly. Kent and I took advantage of the peace and quiet and talked and played games the whole way. THAT in itself was fun, believe it or not!

In Seattle, we stayed with my sister Lori, who has an awesome little condo right smack dab near downtown. We were minutes away from Pike’s Place, the Space Needle, and all the major highways. We had such a good time hanging out with Lori and Trevor and really appreciated their hospitality – THANK YOU! Ava was spoiled rotten from Aunty Lori and Uncle Trevor with lots of attention, toys, and gifts. This trip was a first for Ava and we were able to do a lot of fun things during a short weekend. I’ll let the photos do the talking, but our trip included Ava going to the Hemp Festival with Aunty Lori and Trevor (haha!), going to a Mariner/Yankee’s game, Pike’s Market, and LOTS of good food at interesting restaurants (compliments of our city slicker uncle and aunty!).

Take me out to the ballgame

Watching the game

Perfect weather at the game

Beautiful Seattle Skyline

The itty bitty speck is A-Rod hitting!

Daddy hanging out with our sleeping angel

Uncle Trevor and silly Aunty Lori

Ava's 'First Mariner's Game' certificate

Accidental camera switch made for an interesting pic

At Pike's with the babe

Ava was very interested in the fish!

Aunty Lori bought Ava a flower balloon hat

Playing dress up - Thanks for the pretty dress Uncle Trevor!

Baby Cherry Blossom Princess... ;)

On the drive home

Oliver was bored

Bye!

Epicurious...Sort Of

We've been seating little Miss Ava at the dinner table with us within the last month to get her used to the idea of eating at the table as a family. We decided not to give her solids until 9 months, so she's sort of in a practice mode. She's shown great interest in food and grabs at cups, food, and utensils. After extensive research on high chairs - and man, do they have a zillion types! - we decided on one that can seat her up to the table and can grow with her to adulthood. This way, she's an active eater at the table eating with us and not before or after. We'll just have to adjust the way we eat by feeding her and eating at the same time too. Bon appetit!

Life is Good

We just came back from a wonderful, fun weekend trip to Seattle. The weather was great, Ava slept and ate like a champ both in the car rides and at Lori's place in Seattle, Kent and I had quality time to talk in a quiet car (thanks again Ava!), and we got to hang out and do lots of fun stuff with family (we miss you already Lori and Trevor!). I think we all needed to get away and just have a fun weekend. It really helped us to relax and enjoy our time together as a family. I'll post pictures from our trip later since there's actually a lot going on this week. Ava is graduating from the baby & mom's group tomorrow since she's approaching the six month mark next Monday. Thinking about the past six months and how quickly it's flown by, really has my mind spinning with so much to reflect on. But, more on that later....

And one more thing - thank you to all the blog readers out there (Hi Lindsay!) for reaching out and saying hello. It means a lot to me that there are others out there that can understand, sympathize, and relate to this wonderful journey in life. Motherhood has definitely been, by far, a huge, wonderful, life-changing event that I couldn't have survived by myself. I find humor, fun, frustration, and everything in between in everyday moments. I'm so grateful to be able to share this experience with others and always welcome the same. Thank you.

BTW

I just scanned some of my recent posts and man, do I come off an an angry, sarcastic biyatch. If you ask Kent, he'd probably agree that this is a good reflection of me lately. But seriously, I'm not really that bad...am I?! Oh and I just noticed that the blog hit counter that I imbedded this April is almost at the 1,000 mark...! I know friends and family read this, but a thousand hits since April...wtf?! There must be others I'm not quite aware of. In fact, you lurkers out there that read my blog - welcome. Feel free to leave a comment from time to time. I'd love to hear what you think even if you want to give me the virtual middle finger. It's been fun and I intend to keep on blogging. Happy Friday y'all!

Keepin' It Real

I don’t know if it’s the hormones or just an inner demon that’s been dying to get out, but I’ve been a Class A biyatch lately. This month has been an ongoing challenge that doesn’t seem to end. First it was Ava and her fussiness; now the husband. Before I start my “cyber therapy”, I’d first like to address any naysayers that advise not to air my dirty laundry: shove it.

Maybe if everyone were to air their dirty laundry once in a while and keep it real, then the world would be a better place. Forget how you want to appear in front of others and just be. The blogs or articles that I love the most are the ones I can relate to. The ones that discuss the perfect reality of happy rainbows, puppies and kittens are just plain boring. Not to mention fake. I feel a connection in the stories that tap into the rawest of human emotions, which may be an uncomfortable and awkward place to be; but one we all share. And it often times falls into the extreme ends of emotions like happiness, sadness, and even anger. It has only been recently that I could pride myself as being a passionate person that can express all my happiness, sadness, and anger. For those who understand, thank you for putting up with it. For those who don't, I apologize if I offend you with my openness and honesty. I believe that life should be lived with the good, the bad, and the ugly. And what's better than to have people to share it with. It would be unfortunate to have to repress and hide your feelings away like a disease. Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, dance like no one's watching, and live like it's heaven on earth. And blog like no one's reading...hehe.

And since life is such, here I go again…

First off, I need to vent. Big time. Besides having a fussy baby (for the most part), I feel as though my role as wife has somehow morphed into a role of being a mother TO EVERYONE. This is not okay. I got married to be a wife/friend/confidant NOT a second mother. Kent, I love you to death and would walk through brimstone and fire for you, but HELL NO, you need to start picking up the slack and getting it together. Rather than bitch about this and that, I’m going to be efficient (as time is not a luxury I have these days) and bullet point the things that drive me nuts. Why, you ask, am I doing this? We’ve had discussions and motivational speeches to no success, so now you can refer to this list when you forget.

1. The little piles of STUFF everywhere. Please consolidate it to one area or put things back where they belong. I don’t like finding a little rat nest of coins, wooden golf tees, receipts and gum wrappers here and there, thank you very much.

2. Put away your laundry, damnit. What’s the point of even folding everything and leaving it in a basket for you to put away, when it just sits in the proverbial rat nest of clothes in our walk in closet. *sigh*

3. Wipe down the sink after you shave. I don’t particularly like seeing itty bitty pieces of hair meshed in with toothpaste first thing in the morning. DIS.CUS.TING.

4. Have the courtesy to turn back the radio dial to the original volume and station after you use my car. Surprises like hearing the radio on full volume blasting reggae music after I successfully transfer a sleeping baby into the car is not my idea of a good time.

5. Wash the dishes. Just like that. WASH. THE. DISHES. Rinsing the fork and plate under running water is not considering washing the dishes. When there is still an oily film on the plate, it is not clean, FYI.

6. Be direct. Just ask me to buy specific stuff at the grocery store rather than sneaking in a little comment like, “Are we all out of yogurt? Yogurt for breakfast would be nice. I like vanilla yogurt. I heard Trader Joes has some good vanilla yogurt.” Omg, just tell me to buy the fricken yogurt.

7. Answer your phone. Read your email. Stay connected to the rest of the world via YOURSELF. I am not your secretary. Repeat - I AM NOT YOUR SECRETARY.

8. Stop looking at my Facebook. If you want to lurk, open your own account.

9. Tell me when you think you’ll be home after work. Yes, I know I am not your keeper, but giving me a heads up will allow me to plan for dinner and run my errands. You, yourself said that you liked coming home to a warm house with dinner on the table. That can be the norm if you just tell me when I can expect you home.

10. Don’t ask me for my honest opinion, if you don’t want to hear my honest opinion. I am not a bullshitter and you know it. I know when to be polite, but come on, you know I like to keep it real.

That’s all. I feel so much better now. Peace out until next time.

First Trip to the Zoo - 8.11.09

I know going to the zoo is a must-do in all things warm and fuzzy as a child, but in reality, I personally do not care for it. It stinks, EVERYTHING is sticky, and there are kids running around everywhere (I know, HELLO, we're at a zoo). I think I'm more of a mall and indoor Children's Museum kind of gal...which means Disneyland is right up our alley. One of the other mom's even asked me if I was a zoo hater, and come to think of it, I think I might quite possibly be! All the caged animals, the overpriced food and drinks, the stroller traffic jams...!

But aside all the stinky, sticky, ickyness, Ava had a good time. She definitely showed interest in what was happening around her and was aware for the most part (considering she's only 5 months old). She particularly liked the Giraffes, Meer Kats, and Polar Bears - she would stare and follow them around with her eyes! We also had great company, a good walk, and a nice rest on the grassy knoll watching the bird show. I think once is enough for me at the Portland Zoo, but I'd definitely be interested in visiting the San Diego Zoo sometime in the future (perhaps a piggy back trip with Disneyland...hint, hint ;)

Ava intently watching the stinky bats

The REAL Sophie the Giraffe!

Ava and Nathaniel

Halfway there...

Looking at the Polar Bear