study break

Ok, all Emelia is for me today is a study break!! Thankfully, she was a precious (albeit stinky) flower for her Auntie and Uncle so I got some good stuff done.
Since then? eh, we'll see when I take the two exams. E is currently all about the toes...


This I wanted to post yesterday but the file got all wonky...isn't she cute all swaddled?

and see the lower right? Queenie Kudra takes over!

arrrrrrrgh (now with pics)

First things first, politics.
*This lady sums it up nicely (thanks Cookie for the linkie to kmkat, and thanks kmkat for the goods)

* there's this delight.

*and finally, for fun, you can do this.

In more personal news, I was feeling pretty confident yesterday that I was going to be able to get a lot done this weekend. Emelia was in a good mood, sleepy but cute, we went to the store, and I got myself some dinner on as Darrell had to work late again.
going forward? (this is her new expression, biting lips)

checks blindspot

moving?

mm hit something

dangit, why can't I go forward? these hands mock me!!! (baby, I know how you feel)

Today, I wake up, and maybe it's from watching McCain and Obama spar last night, but I'm feeling pretty shitty. Gorgeous day, E and her Daddy slept well, and my back is only slightly wonky. Had a few nightmares about what will happen to our country if the unthinkable happens and McCain/Palin gain the seat...pretty nasty to contemplate. I don't care what your politics are, it must be recognized that such incompetence and lying is not going to help to recover us nationally nor internationally.
Now, regardless of this looming mess, the multitude of crap on my plate is feeling overwhelming.

I will succeed. I know this. But it sucks sometimes. I'd rather be at a nice cafe in Madrid or a lovely bed and breakfast in Tuscany. Darrell and I have agreed that when I am done and waiting for my board results, we'll take a break and go on a little jaunt. It's a nice carrot on my stick.

dance!

Here they go, and me without my softshoes!

too short

that was Friday night. Now it's just me and Miss E, while Darrell works. I should, of course, be studying.

invasion

The Grandparents are here! Have been, since Friday night. E is just super duper happy, out yesterday and today with the Grands, and I'm doing schoolwork. Ugh. Such gorgeous weather, probably the last of the season, and I'm inside trying to do searches and getting lost in circular reasoning. JOY.
In the meantime, E has learned something new! She's crawling!! Not the right direction, but who am I to judge? So now she's able to amuse herself a wee bit, by scooting. While the videos are cute, it's actually hard to see the movement itself due to her cracking herself up the whole time. I put here two so you can sense the idea...apologies for my excited voice-overs. I have to quit that so the focus is on Miss E!


What was the coolest about their visit was the date Darrell and I had last night. Met him after work and we went to A Mano, Italian restaurant that is run by our pals from Bin36...so saw Chef Capudizzle, Craig-Sheet-Pans-DiFanzo, Brian-o-exalted-wine-god, and a few others. Good times. I finally felt full for a few hours! The darn tapeworm, aka "nursing", has kept me in starvation mode. We'll see what a new synthroid script (lower as of Thursday) will do for that and my sunny disposition. Hormones. Wacky things.
ok, back to MOHO...

here I go again

It's a countdown. See the four uneaten fingers? That's how many more days until Gram and Grampa come save her!

I was talking to my mom during this, and I think E was trying to talk her way over the airwaves. Like StarTrek or something. That's my girl, defying reality. Loudly. And while multitasking, grabbing her feet and yowling at the cats directly (not sure who was mocking who).

so cool

But why are there not more women like her? Go watch the video to see what I'm talkin bout (click here)

so as a reflection on my moment 5 months ago, Thanks Debi (and Gaye)!

ok, for the Grandparents in the house...this is from two whole days ago


Today was a good one, mostly, until about noon when my separation from baby hormones hit. It hits me at different times, and not every day.
This past weekend was good as I followed some suggestions from my developmental therapist friend in class, Laura. She has recommended that I try to change the way we react when Emelia screams and fusses. So I did. For three days, I cooed, giggled, snuggled, laughed, and bounced her around when she would scream. Surprisingly, this worked. For the weekend anyway!! I'm hoping it continues to work, as it's a lot more fun for both of us than getting upset.
D and I have talked about it, and we'll see how the approach begins to make some changes in his days with her. Wish us the best. Next up, I think I'll follow Laura's other idea and get this book.

School is beginning to have a pattern. Don't get me wrong, I am full of freak out and stress, but it's turned into a dull roar. Like standing next to a waterfall and after a while, you still can't hear well but the roar is not really in your consciousness. That. I'm screaming, but on the inside. Like I tell Emelia, when she's enjoying filling our ears with piercing noises that are supposed to be emitting joy, use your inside voice.