Your Score: Owl

You scored 17 Ego, 7 Anxiety, and 13 Agency!

"Correct me if I am wrong," he said, "but am I right in supposing that it is a very Blusterous day outside?"

"Very," said Piglet, who was quietly thawing his ears, and wishing that he was safely back in his own house.

"I thought so," said O-wl. "It was on just such a blusterous day as this that my Uncle Robert, a portrait of whom you see upon the wall on your right, Piglet, while returning in the late forenoon from a-- What's that?"

You scored as Owl!

ABOUT OWL: Owl is considered highly educated because he can spell his own name (WOL) and he can even spell Tuesday... although he doesn't always get it right. Owl is a good sort, really, although he can be a bit of a stuffed shirt, and he tends to overlook the smaller details in life - like the fact that his bellpull is actually someone's tail.

WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: You are confident and you feel capable of dealing with whatever life throws at you. You know that you can handle just about everything... mostly because you know how to delegate the job of actually handling things to the people around you. You aren't one of those Bisy Backsons, who rush around trying to do everything at once. You prefer to stay at home and reflect on life, rather than go out and live it.

Sometimes, you know, you need to stop waiting for things to come to you and go out and get them. You need to go enjoy the weather, smell the fresh air, and pay attention to the little people in your life. They may not be as great as you... but maybe they could use your help.

Link: The Deep and Meaningful Winnie-The-Pooh Character Test written by wolfcaroling on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test View My Profile(wolfcaroling)

Your Score: The Cardinal

You scored 55% Cardinal, 23% Monk, 47% Lady, and 43% Knight!

You are the real power behind the throne. No one dares dispute or refuse you. Which is good because that's how you get things done. You are also, however, completely corrupt and highly immoral. This doesn't bother you in the least as you lounge around your rich comfortable surroundings, reveling in wealth and authority.

Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test written by KnightlyKnave on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test View My Profile(KnightlyKnave)

I Can't Imagine Why Anybody Would Want To Stop Crying

Life has so many wonderful experiences to offer. Like sleep. Or ingestion and evacuation. But I find life offers few opportunities more rewarding...

sidenote***I don't have any recent pictures of Lucia because we have been out of batteries. I just made Kent go and buy some. She's a cute little bugger but had been the source of exactly one emotional breakdown today. Kent took the day off from work so he was able to swoop in and save me.***

Our Private Seattle

Here is my new idea for a small business inspired by my recent trip to Seattle:

I would like to open a coffee/espresso stand near the north dodge exit of I80. We would benefit from all the Pearson and ACT traffic not to mention travelers on I80. Its too far from the "rough" neighborhoods to get mugged by a crack addict on a bad night. I thought we could call it "My private Seattle."

Or we could employ strippers and have theme days like the stand near Chris' house and call it "Best Friends Coffee"... or was is "Cuddly Coffee." Mikey... Pop-o... You know the one. This idea would work better if I had a stripper's body... But maybe the truckers off I80 would be into my girth.

Kent did some naysaying when I told him but I think the plan is foolproof (P.s. I didn't tell him about the strippers- BAD IDEA!).

Bad Day

I'm just going to go ahead and roll in it a bit here...

I have the need to write about something work related that should probably go on my anonymous blog that I haven't created yet...

I hate tornadoes. Our basement is cold and makes Lucia cry. Now Kent will not get any dinner because I spent the entire evening calming and snuggling her (well, the snuggling is awesome). I also tried to put on another pair of pre-pregnancy pants that I actually used to call my "Fat pants" this morning...

Well folks...

My fat pants are too small.

I guess I'm not having a very good day. Haven't gotton a good night's sleep in a while either... Hmmmmm....

I don't have a treadmill so I guess I'll just go eat a whole cake. Just Kidding... sort of... Its Okay to shake your head and laugh off my pain here. That's what I am doing.

In order to end on a positive note I will express how excited I am to visit family in Ohio over Memorial day. I'm really looking forward to that.

I was hit on today...

Here is what happened:

8 am
I drive into the Sinclair and start filling tank with gas. I look up and think I see the feller pushing buttons for the gas tanks. I smile and he smiles back. So I finish filling tank. I look up again. The same guy is still smiling and puts up his hand in the universal symbol for phone and furrows brow as to ask, "Call me?" and I furrow my brow and shrug as if to answer back, "Huh?" He pretends to dial while I'm continuing to shake head in bewilderment. He holds up finger to signify, "Wait up a minute."
Stupid and curious as I am I begin to realize this is not the gas button pushing guy.
He comes out and asks, "Can I call you?"
"OH! I'm sorry, I'm married," as I flash the ring.
Smile, "Tell him he's lucky!" Shakes his head.
"You just made my day!" I drive away calling Kent to tell him how lucky he is. Kent says, "Uh-oh"
Yep- I still got it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND AND FATHER... I LOVE YOU KENT!!!

The Zen of Blog

Since my friend JR has been really starting to enjoy blogging I have been thinking more about our blogs. I say our blogs because, although I know a few of you out there are what they call cyber-stalkers- people reading my blog completely unbeknownst to me, my regular readers are you-my friends and family who want to see what I'm up to now and again and I read yours for the same reason.
Some people do not create blogs because they think its somewhat strange or egotistical to have a blog... you know the whole, "Why would anyone want to read about you?" thing. Well, yeah, people do! Sad as it may seem I would know very little of my nephews and my niece if my brothers didn't blog about thier lives. I know feel much more connected to family in California because we rarely have the pleasure of visiting. I wish more of my family members blogged and MORE OFTEN. Pop-o and I were talking about the ability blogs have to resolve the non-aging phenomenon that happens when you don't keep up with someone during dinner. For example, if you do not see a family member for years, they stay the same person they were when you last saw them. This includes all the same faults, annoying habits, as well as the good traits too they might have. All along this person is learning and growing! They meet someone, they settle down, they undergo some serious medical brush with death. If you don't know these things you just go on thinking they are the same and you expect nothing more of them. You may even hold a grudge against them. If you are more privy to the things happening to them you may be more open to them the next time you see them. Some post little anecdotes or jokes that keep me privy to their sense of humor or some of the more subtle nuances of their personality. How great is that?
I even enjoy reading about friends here in Iowa City. I keep up in their fast paced thirty something lives (yes, we have those in Iowa City too!). We juggle work, families, partners, romance, kids, activities and hobbies in 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I often hear the words, "There just isn't enough time!"
Are blogs egotistical and the musings of self important individuals?... Sure, sometimes (maybe like me now, right?). But I find blogging therapeutic in many ways. I often think there is a certain Zen to finding a moment to cherish in a hum drum day.
I have also been toying with the idea of creating a secret blogger identity. There are things I do not write about on my current blog... this blog... that I think about writing all the time. However, I know better not to in order to save myself from the repercussions of those who love me. Do I want to be well received at the next family wedding or night at poker? Yes! No one wants to know about the wild musings of a friend, sister, niece, cousin, or daughter but they will read about that of someone completely anonymous. My friends know more than they care to already. However, do I want to validate the things I do by reading that someone else has done them or thought about doing them too? Hell, yes! Over time I have learned to edit my candidness in company- sometimes. However, it doesn't keep me from still wanting to say those things ;)

BTW I learned today that its too early to get Lucia on the waiting list to attend Lemme over Lucas Elementary school. .. Does that make me an annoying mom?

My birthday day...

It's officially my birthday today and it was pretty normal. I brought one of my now famous Irish Cream Bundt cakes (Go ahead JR... "Bundt! a Bunnnn-t") into work and the teachers loved it... Teachers. The way into their heart is definitely through their stomachs.
After work I ran home to my lovely Lucia and she promptly ate so long we were unable to take a walk in today's gorgeous weather. Pop-o came and took us to eat at the Power Company. I had the Oscar Steak which is a steak medallion topped with asparagus and crab. It was delectable! YUM... I did drink more than one glass of wine, I'm afraid... We drank a Cab with a fancy Spanish name that was actually from California. For dessert I had the bread budding that had a chocolate chip banana nut element topped with caramel sauce. Pop-o insisted we bring dessert home for Kent as his birthday is on the 8th. So I picked out the Irish Cream cheesecake topped with some sauce for him.
We had a humorous moment when our meals came out and I could tell something was written in his Bourdelaise (sp!?!)sauce in green but I couldn't tell what. I saw it while he was cutting into his steak and said, "Did someone sign your meal?"
"I guess so!" Pop-o laughed.
But alas it wasn't signed. Someone wrote, "Enjoy." In his sauce. I thought some smart ass named Enzo had signed his work.
So now I think that Lucia and I will just snuggle up and watch "Pride and Prejudice." It's playing on WE tonight. I am consciously trying not to think about feeding my husband.
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN SAMMIE!

I forgot to post my yearly quiz so I'm doing it for my birthday...

The New Year's quiz
1. what did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
2005: Plan wedding
2006: Married and Honeymoon!
2007: bought house-got preggers

2. did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
2005:I kept most of them at one time or another. I didn't go to Europe with Kent, however.
2006:I accomplished a few more (I keep a list on the fridge and a few more are checked off).
2007: went backwards here

3. did anyone close to you give birth?
2005:My Cousin Chu had his second baby this year.
2006: My friends Genevieve and Rich had Joshua and Chris and Trish had Madeline
2007: Angie had Aaron

4. did anyone close to you die?
2005:My grandpa Charles Anthony Wuennemann died around St. Patty's day
2006: No, thank goodness
2007: no

5. what countries did you visit?
2005: Mexico and America
2006: Mexico and America
2007: USA

6. what would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
2005: more money and a single job that makes me happy.
2006: More time with Kent (travel)
2007: better places of employment for Kent and I- time w/baby

7. what date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2005: Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies left in the storm.
2006: September 2nd: My wedding!
2007: April when I woke up and took pregnancy test- telling Kent... yikes.

8. what was your biggest achievement of the year?
2005: Being a good girlfriend to Kent and trying to be a good friend.
2006: Getting "one job to rule them all!"
2007: gestating human

9. what was your biggest failure?
2005: Not going to Europe.
2006: Getting into Guitar Lessons and having to bow out after a month because I didn't have time to practice.
2007: RFYP - I will say no more.

10. did you suffer illness or injury?
2005: It was decided that I suffer of depression
2006: A sprained ankle, sprained wrist, and a bout with a digestive virus
2007: felt ill most of this year

11. what was the best thing you bought?
2005: I bought a bike off my friend, Melissa's, Dad.
2006: I got a lot of gifts this year so I didn't buy anything too major. Maybe my Honeymoon...
2007: house

12. whose behavior merited celebration?
2005: My girlfriend Genevieve and her husband Dr. Rich got knocked up!
2006: Everyone who went to my wedding! Thanks for coming- everyone was a joy to be with!
2007: Kent - for putting up w/ me

13. whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
2005: I plea the right to stay silent!
2006: Oh my, this really is an incriminating question. You know who you are...
2007: I hereby eliminate this question- too risky...

14. where did most of your money go?
2005: Bills.
2006: Wedding stuff or bills.
2007: house

15. what did you get really, really, really excited about?
2005: Planning my wedding, the prospect of moving and going to school, seeing my parents.
2006: Getting Married and going on my honeymoon. Quitting the school job and working at Reach.
2007: my baby

16. what song(s) will always remind you of 2005?
2005: ?
2006: "Fly me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra
2007: "Santa baby" METROMIX!

17. compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder?:
2005: Happy- hooray for medication!
2006: Happier (not due to meds :)
2007: bigger highs and lows

ii. thinner or fatter?:
2005: maybe a little fatter
2006: a little thinner
2007: fattest ever

iii. richer or poorer?:
2005: Approximately the same.
2006: richer (a little)
2007: way poorer

18. what do you wish you’d done more of?
2005: Traveling
2006: Camping
2007: standing up for myself

19. what do you wish you’d done less of?
2005: sleeping. I slept most of 2005 away.
2006: watching TV
2007: crying and throwing up

20. how did you spend Christmas?
2005: With my honey, Kent, warm and cozy.
2006: with Mom and Dad (lots of food and fun!)
2007: Kent, Mom and Dad- CF

22. did you fall in love in 2005?
2005:I am always falling in love again with Kent.
2006: ditto
2007: ditto
23. what was your favorite TV program?
2005: Project Runway
2006: Lost
2007:Intervention

24. do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
2005: No
2006: Sort of...in retrospect
2007: oh, yeah...

25. what was the best book you read?
2005: Harry Potter #6 was pretty good.
2006: another Douglas Adams book. They are pretty funny
2007: Paolo Cohelo- Zahir

your greatest musical discovery?
2005: That I hate R. Kelly's multi par song "In the closet"
2006: Shakira SHAKIRA!!!
2007: METROMIX CHOIR

(I don’t know what happened to 27 and 28)

29. what did you want and get?
2005: I wanted a nice place to have a wedding and I got it... wedding still on the way!
2006: a happy and joyous family filled wedding!
2007: I didn't know I Wanted it but I guess pregnant...

30. what did you want and not get?
2005: I generally want too much so I won't bore you with the list.
2006: (shhhhh.... a wedding band)
2007: job stability

31. what was your favorite film of this year?
2005: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
2006: maybe "Running with Scissors"
2007: maybe "Once"

32. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
2005: I turned 28. I can't remember. Must not have been too exciting. Unless it was the one where I got the New England travel guide from Andy and JR- In which case I had a nice breakfast at my friends' Melissa and Sarah's house.
2006: Low key again. I think it was a nice European lunch with my friends and dinner with Kent.
2007: parents came up- I turned thirty and played poker

33. what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
2005: Traveling to Europe with Kent.
2006: Ditto
2007: if RFYP didn't flop

34. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
2005: Kinda sloppy. Sometimes i dressed up but mostly I just wore what I've been wearing for the last four-ten years. I don't buy new clothes very often.
2006: Improved... more acessories and a little more razzle dazzle.
2007: Boo! fat pregnant clothes.

35. what kept you sane?
2005: Looking forward to moving, going to grad school, my friends, and Kent.
2006: Knitting
2007: Mom

36. which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
2005: Definitely Colin Firth.
2006: Maybe Johnny Depp
2007: maybe Obama

37. what political issue stirred you the most?
2005: Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies that were left in the storm.
2006: Gay Marriage... want my friends to be able to get legally married in name.
2007: 2008 election

38. who did you miss?
2005: My parents in Mexico and Kara in Australia.
2006: My brothers and their kids... after getting a taste of my family I want more of that too!
2007: Same as above

39. who was the best new person you met?
2005: i think my best new people are the new associates that worked in the same classroom with me, Jessica Gordon and Brian Rath.
2006: Friends from work at Reach.
2007: does Brian Hagmeier fit here?

40. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
2005: There is no such thing as constructive criticism. To construct is to build up and to criticize is to break down and pick apart.
2006: Stay cool- don't lost yourself to stress.
2007: Don't move up too fast then get knocked up- your co-workers will be assholes.

41. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
2005: The lyrics to "I'm telling you now" by Keb Mo'
2006: Lyrics to "my hips don't lie" - FUN FUN FUN (Chicago's bachelorette party, the wedding, and out with my friends! Also a lot of workouts to my ipod)
2007: "multiply life by the power of two"- Indigo girls

Girls just wanna have FUN!

Lucia was able to visit with her cousins Lauren and Lindsey again today. They were wonderful with her and Lucia had lots of smiles to share with them. I was able to take the girls on a walk at Hickory Hill Park (one of my favorite Iowa City things to do) and have nice long chats about life. Grandma and Grandpa Olson were able to watch Lucia and Daddy gave her a bottle and Lucia happily accepted it.

This makes me feel better about going back to work tomorrow. In the same breath, it will be nice to get some more structure to my day. I do well with structure in my routine. I can eat better, exercise more and appreciate things better when I'm not feeling cooped up.

I remember when Duane and Elaine came the day Lucia turned 1 month as well! It was THAT night when I decided that there was a shift in Lucia's behavior. She was "discovering" crying. Things got progressively more difficult from them until now. I made it my mission to untangle the causes of her discontent or, better yet, better understand those reasons.

Here is what I came up with:

1. She's hungry
2. She's Gassy/has bubbles
3. She's overstimulated
4. She's Hungry but has bubbles to work out first
5. She's overstimulated because she's gassy and is getting things, people shoved in her face.
6. She's hungry but has been so too long and got overstimulated so she can't focus to eat.
7. She's Hungry gassy and overstimulated (FREAK OUT).
8. She can't poop... Wait that opens a whole new realm of possibilities.
9. Mommy is sick and she is not getting what she needs from her.

Yes, I think some of my milk may have dried up when I had my fever. I'm working steadily to get it back up there. In the meantime, I think Lucia gets frustrated that she has to work harder to get what she needs. Funny, I was so overly confident about my milk production.

I also read today that if your baby has a food allergy to something you ate they will break out into a rash, will wheeze more and will have mucus green stools. Lucia had all of the above symptoms on the plane rides home Seattle. So I'm trying to work that one out.

Seattle introduced us to the joys of the stroller. We have gone on more walks when weather permitted.

Well, Lucia calls so I must go...

Lucia is Two Months today!

Here she is in an outfit given to her by Uncle Bernie. Isn't she cute?

In-laws are visiting and just arrived so I will have to write more later.

"If you like Pina Coladas!..."

I bought a pineapple slicer while I was in Seattle and tried it out. It really rocks my world. I love fresh pineapple. When you're done extracting the pineapple it really does leave the outside part in the form of a cup as shown top right of picture. My brother already had one. Then Mom wanted one. So I bought her one as a Mother's day gift and bought one for myself.

More moments from Seattle trip

Lucia and I arrived in Iowa City feeling quite abused by travel. Mommy was feeling crampy in her stomach and achy in the joints. Before the night was over my temp hit 102 degrees and was unable to walk on my right knee. So, in lieu of the original plan to return to work today, I am restricted until next Monday from work. It feels risky to be off longer and I'm nervous about returning. I will see the doc again before I return.

Our Seattle trip was... well... wonderful. The weather really cooperated and Lucia was a very good traveling companion. Here is a list of some of our adventures:

• Woodland Park Zoo
• Dog Park/view of the sound garden
• Out to eat (ALOT)... Favorite meal was either the Dungeness Crab cake eggs Benedict or the King Alaskan Salmon.
• Pike's Park Market
• Underground Tour (just Chris and I here).
• Old Pioneer Square (Guinness with Chris)
• Dinner with Trish and Chris' family and friends
• afternoon out in Kirkland (?) east side art community upscale living part of Seattle. Trish's old haunts were found here.

Plans for future trips include more exploration of the islands and whale watching.

I FINALLY got to meet our Madeleine. She is SUCH a character. She's very much like Chris. However, there is a shyer and more thoughtful Trish side to her too. She's a nice balance. All in all, she's a beautiful and fun-loving girl and we are ecstatic to have gotten the opportunity to get to know her and for her to know us. She was very sweet with her cousin Lucia and even learned to say her name. She was on "Binky Patrol" all weekend long. Every time she found a "Lucia Binky" she would immediately find Lucia and try to shove the Binky in her mouth. One time I was nursing Lucia and hidden from her and she reportedly unrelentlessly looked for us until Grandma helped her find us to give us the binky. Binkies were a big deal.

If, indeed, Lucia turns out to be like her father with his loves the company of trouble- I can see these two stirring up a whole lot in the future.

Sorry... more baby talk.

(do I need to be apologizing for that?)

The other day I was listening to NPR. It was doing a show on "advice" to the younger generation. One listener called in and part of his "code of Hammurabi" (I like to call it because it was a list) was "Have children when you are sick of being selfish. If you don't want to stop being selfish with your life, and that's Okay- just don't have kids."

The listener so perfectly described what I was feeling. Many people w/out kids actually feel having children IS a selfish and egotistical act- wanting another you and all of that. However, to me it's about sharing your life. I have done all my selfish things (travel, out partying like a drunkard, etc.) and, for now, I am content focusing all my attention to another or to the "collective" Olson family. I don't mind coming home and having her to look after and quite like the company in the meantime. I imagine there are a few Iowa City friends and maybe others out there who are rolling their eyes and saying, "Just you wait." But I'll enjoy and welcome this feeling of non-selfishness as long as I can.

In other news, after some research on the Internet I have found some new techniques for making baby-O happier. Its all about the gas. So, I'm using this technique where I pump her legs like she's riding a bicycle into her abdomen and she starts tooting away! Now, another piece of common sense advice that I did not observe: Don't lie down below her on the bed when you do it as you will get a nose full of farts. I also read up on "baby massage". I started doing this last night after a scream fest and she was SO infinitely happier and remains that way still. In the meantime, she is turning into an Olympic bicyclist.

p.s. I read conflicting information: One source says that it really doesn't matter if you eats cabbage, onions, broccoli and the "Gassy" foods as long as you avoid lactose and caffeine. They say babies are gassy anyway. The other says that it's all bad and to avoid them all. I happen to love them all and have been trying to stifle my love affair with coffee by trying to drink more decaf. What do you think?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAE, GRANDMA ELAINE, JOE B., CARRIE and HAPPY ST. JOESPH'S day and HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY... Whew (did I miss anyone?). OH Yeah! and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHRIS AND TRISH!

Lucia, Kent and I all got up at 5 am this morning. She was happy and content and then soon after was asleep (while I wasn't). So.... I started a St. Joesph's day feast instead of a St. Patrick's day feast. I invited Grandma Olson for her birthday which was today (HAPPY 29th birthday... x's what again?)!

Here is the menu:

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage with Guinness
2. Irish Soda Bread
3. Irish Cream Bundt cake

I know my mom was real curious about it so I thought I would just share via my blog. We used some of the place settings my mother made for us this Christmas. Grandma Ole brought strawberry pie and daffodils for the centerpiece.

Lucia was NOT feeling super today- lots of gas, poops, and crying. So I felt bad that the grandparents had to endure so much of that. I used the infant Gas-x for the first time today. I hope that helps for the rest of the night.

Photo Shoot!

Lucia is bored w/me b/c Grandma Obert really kept her stimulated the last few days. So to cheer us up we had a photo shoot. I love those eyes- so curious and contemplative.

Fish oil to Flax seed...

I recently finished all my fish oil capsules to my relief and delight. At last! no more fishy burp days! My plan was to switch to Flax seed oil to prevent this unfortunate side effect. However, after a little research on WebMD I have found that not all Omega 3s were created equal. Apparently Fish oil is a DHA Omega 3... the really good kind that will make Lucia and I smart and capable of extraordinary sight! Flax seed is an AHA Omega 3 and, frankly, they didn't have much to say of it at all. So now I need to take back my new bottle of Flaxseed oil and return it for one of the special DHA breastfeeding supplements. I have been sampling some that was available at the doctor's office as a free gift from LIPIL that does not make me burp like a sailor. So I guess their advertising methods are about to PAY OFF!

Lucia and I had our six week checkup today. Lucia really charmed the pants off of them but could only take so much before she was fed up and started howling.

He is growing too fast! She's really long now: 23"! That puts her in the 100th percentile for height. She is also 10.3 lbs. I can tell because my back feels it from trying to pick her up out of the co-sleeper to feed her without sitting up. Its not as easy as it was! Where has all that time gone?!?!? She was so little. My doctor says its because, "I"m a really good cow."... Nice...

Anyway, I put a sad and a happy picture for Lucia today because that has been her day... She really wanted to be happy but the discomfort of her first shots made her sad... I hate approving and signing off on all those vaccines. I'm afraid she's going to develop Autism or have super adverse effects. Even though I know the vaccine theory is a little far fetched I can't help being scared of shooting my "drug free" baby full of chemicals. I mean, I didn't endure an entirely natural birth to shoot my baby full of pain killers and chemicals, did I? I didn't approve the one that prevents diarrhea because I figure:

a. she's not going into a daycare

b. if her stomach needs to expel something... don't you think we should let it?

c. Do we really need to vaccinate against EVERYTHING?

I hate it because I just feel really uniformed because anyone you talk to at a clinic or a hospital or in a book tells you to do all of them because they don't want to get sued... Well, TELL ME EVERYTHING!

Anyone else have anything to share on vaccinations?

Here is a Picture of our lovely team "Get Hot Get Steamy!"
The theme was tropical... We were the top fundraisers of our shift! Thanks to everyone who contributed...

Here is my attempt at a nice picture of the coffee cake I made... Its pretty crumby! Haa ha ha ha. I'm hilarious.

This feels like heaven.

So when I'm not basking in the warm cuddeliness of my daughter I have been finding ways to use some of those ingredients in my cupboards that I haven't been able to incorporate into our weekly menus.

Here is what I came up with:

I had a pork loin roast but not onions for a more "Pot Roast" approach to the meat. Sooooo... I slow cooked it with sauerkraut, spices, and a bottle of Guinness... It was AWESOME! I so recommend it.

I also had ALOT of left over walnuts from a few holiday recipes. So I made a delicious coffee cake.

I feel pretty damned accomplished. Now I have to decide if I need to grocery shop today or can we make it another few days? I have very little time to decide as I'm visiting friends for 5:30 pm dinner.

I should do it. Wat wat waaaaaaaa.

Today Ms. Lucia is one month old. Gma Gpa Olson visited and I dressed her up special in a dress. She woke up and was coy and smiling. Now naps are the only grasp on sanity I have as she can't seem to get comfortable. I put on the classical music for her so I'm hoping whatever it is will be slept off. She doesn't have a tempurature so I'm thinking its just growing. I was going to write a bit about her first month but I can't think that hard at the moment so "Happy First Month Luci!"

Seattle!

I'm so excited to say that it looks like I'm going to be able to visit my brother and family in Seattle next month! It will be my first time meeting Madeleine who is going to be 2! already next August. They will be able to meet their new family member Lucia too! That's right: Lucia's first big trip!

Something I wouldn't mind trying to do is taking the underground tour (see above photo) except its not baby friendly. I was happy to see there is a scooby doo cartoon that features Seattle's underground, however. I'm open for things to do suggestions. We're only there for the weekend and will be carting around little girls.

p.s. while reading up I learned what a speak easy is and what a blind pig is too...

Here are some newer shots of Ms. Luci-Lou. The second from the top photo is what "The Girls" affectionatly call "Mr. Poop Face." Which is usually true that it predicts a poopy or what Kent calls, "Poopy in the Panties." It actually disturbs me a bit when he says that.

The pink jacket shots are taken in her car seat. Why is everything is easier when your child is strapped into a chair? I don't know but it sure works.

The last one is what I look at for majority of the day. Little Lucia sleeping like an angel. It is really hard for me to keep from picking her up and kissing her chubby cheeks.

I am well into week three of mommidom and I am amazed at how quickly it has gone by and how it feels as if Lucia was always a part of our family. Despite some difficulty with the weather I have managed to keep the baby blues off my back. My friends have kept me laughing and social on the weekends. Lucia has already enjoyed her first poker night (2 of them, in fact), Valentine's party, trip to the Quad Cities, meals out with friends and grandma, and trips to the library for materials to keep mommy sane while Lucia is asleep.
Everyone visits and goes nutty for baby the first week baby is born. Mommy and baby get excited and then BAM! everything goes quiet. You are left shell shocked by what has just happened and dumbfounded as to how to continue to occupy yourselves. So I have books (haven't started them yet) and DVDs. I'm watching the continuing saga of "Six Feet Under." When baby is awake and calm we try to smile, play and sing. Its not easy to catch baby smiling b/c she's constantly changing expressions.
This coming up weekend (tomorrow) is finally "Bowl for Kid's Sake". The theme is tropical so Lucia and I may head to the second-hand stores in search of something to wear. I have a Hawaiian mu-mu at my parents but bad road conditions prevent Mom and us from visiting. I will post more Lucia pictures as soon and I take some worth posting. My camera is a bit overly complicated sometimes and makes it difficult to take that quick shot when you need it without it being blurry, too bright, or centered. I was excited to get a shot of her smiling today when I found the flash was too bright and washed her face out of the picture. We may have to invest in a point-and-click digital soon for good pictures of Lucia.
As for Kent, his work has decided they haven't aliennated enough of their employees enough with unmanagable schedules so they are now going to eliminate Kent's shift. Kent works 2nd shift (2p-10p). The new shifts will be from 6a-6p & 6p-6a... So we are reeling from this information. Kent really doesn't want to work overnight (I prefer to have Kent by my side) but it would be really difficult for me to give up my job at the school at the moment and find a new job to accomodate this new schedule. I would work 7p-what? Doing what? stocking Wal-mart? no thanks...We'll do what we have to but it isn't going to be fun or easy. But then again-nothing ever is...

I have one ring handed down to me from Grandma Obert. I wear it everyday (last month of pregnancy I couldn't b/c of fat finger syndrome) and it fits perfectly. It was given to her from Uncle Marty as I understand it and he bought it from Zuni Indians who inscribed the inside with the makers' names. I wore it at my wedding and it has special meaning to me as I didn't know her very well. I will hand it down to Lucia when the time comes.

note: I stole the ring on baby's hand idea from my friend Sarah Sparks.

Here are some of the more exciting momenta in Lucia's 2nd week-

Uncle Kurt and cousins Lauren and Lindsey stopped by for a visit. Also, Daddy gave Lucia her first bottle which she promptly scarffed down.

p.s. A Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LAUREN (Feburary 9th)! Also notice the sweater Lucia is wearing in the bottle feeding picture. Mommy knit it for her.

This is my Valentine's Day post...

Well, I'm typing this post with the sounds of my daughter cooing as my husband holds and speaks sweet nothings into her ear. I wish marriage and family was always this lovely. Kent got up and made me Eggs Benedict (my favorite) with a benedict sauce mix that was safer for me to eat because there were no raw eggs in it.

He went grocery shopping last night. When he arrived Lucia and I were already out cold and asleep in bed. In order not to wake us with the noise and commotion of our dog, Olivia, he went to sleep on the couch.

Normally, I have a big problem with my husband sleeping on the couch. When I was growing up I noticed that my Grandpa never slept with my Grandma (he slept on the living room couch and she slept on the family room pull out bed) and they later divorced. Therefore, I generally don't let Kent sleep without me next to him if I can help it. However, last night was for a good cause and so I'll let it slide... this time.

I do have such a full heart this Valentine's day and hope that more Valentine's days in the future feel as full of love and family as it feels today. I know there is a natural ebb and flow to marriage. Gotta appreiciate the flows in preparation for the ebbs.

Remember being warm?

The snow just keeps falling and building up. Lucia and I snuggle up under the covers together to keep warm. She falls asleep and I follow suit. We wake up and look at each other and exchange a few sentiments. I think we may be getting tired of looking at each other. More often than not Lucia is anxious for a new view. Daddy is home! She loves looking at him.
All in all, things are still bearable but we wish it wasn't the height of winter. We wish it wan't so cold. Lucia would like to see trees and take in new scenery and Mommy wishes she could show it to her. So we will continue to hole up here and wait for the ice to crack.
Anyone have any suggestions for us to cope with our cabin fever?
I will include a picture from my honeymoon for those of you who are also suffering through this cold long winter for inspiration. I have been quite positive about the beauty of winter thus far but even I must admit... Jack Frost has taken things a bit far.

One week Old and already making progress!

It has been a week already and every morning I wake up to find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with my Lucia. Yesterday, we were visited by the "home visiting nurse". Lucia has gained back all the weight she lost in the hospital and is now 7 lb 13 oz. She lost half an inch (probably due to her head rounding out after the birth). She is at VERY low risk of jaundice, she was rated "2" and I think they you can get as high as 18 before they worry. I forget the name of the test but I think it starts with "Billi". So we are both very happy and healthy.

This the last few days Grandma Obert has come to stay and enjoy new baby. Last night she made her "sweet and sour chicken" that I've been craving. We've only managed one outing to the grocery store because there is a BLIZZARD here in Iowa City. So, we've been knitting and tating and looking at quilting books in our PJs mostly.

Here are some other highlights:

• Melissa and Sara's family visited.
  
• JR and Andy's family visited.


• Grandma Olson and family friend Mrs. Kellerman visited.


• The Nelson Family visited.


• Lucia and Daddy watched thier first super-bowl together and they both cheered when the Giants won. Yea! for the underdogs!


• Lucia can hold her head up for significant periods of time.


• She can clasp her hands in front of herself and cross her arms.


• She is smiling and giggling (one morning when we were waking up together I said, "Good Morning Lucia and she responded with a big smile!).


• She is still sleeping and eating AWESOME!
  
• We think MAYBE we see a dimple (not sure yet).
• Lucia likes to wave her hands, listen to music, sing with Mommy, suck her fingers, and play with her hair.
• Lucia also had her first spongebath!

Hello everyone... Well are you ready to hear of our crazy labor ride? I know you are! Here is the run down... I will bullet it so it's easier to follow:

• Katy called Kent on Monday, January 28th to prepare him that she thought that the baby was going to come that day at about noon (due to details most of you won't appreciate).



• Kent went into work at 1pm.
  
• Katy went shopping at Fareway, did laundry, and cleaned the house while she was in early early easy labor.
  
• Katy got in the bathtub to relieve labor pain. Pains increased... Katy started timing the labor.
  
• Kent received phone call to come home from work around 6pm. He hightailed out of there and returned about 6:30pm.
  
• Kent recorded contraction times until they were 3 mins apart and about a minute long (Katy thought that was sufficent "Labor at home" progress to go into the hospital).
  
• Katy and Kent alerted our labor support person, Sara, and dog sitter, Genevieve, and went into the hospital at about 11:30 pm.
  
• Nurse determined at hospital that Katy was 2 cm dialated and was showing only minute contractions. She sent the labor team to go walk around for an hour to see if any progress would turn up.
  
• At about 1 am Katy was put back on monitor and nurse determined that no progress was made. She told us, "Keep your appointment for friday" and that it was probably false labor. She advised to sit in the bathtub and see if the pain subsides.
  
• Team returns home. Katy sends Kent to go rest and hops in the bathtub where she primarily labors for the rest of the night. Katy used, "Baby dancing" and pelvic tilts to cope with labor pain. She chants, "Making progress" and "Opening" to hypnotize herself and goes into dreamstate to acheive rest between contractions.
  
• At about 7 am Katy starts pushing without really knowing it.
  
• She makes phone call to Mercy Labor and Delivery to warn them of her progress. They advise she can come in but if no progress is made that, "there will be nothing they can do for her."
  
• Katy gets off the phone to discuss with Kent but ends up only able to moan.
  
• Kent and Katy promptly get into car to head for the hospital.
  
• They hit 8 am school traffic...
  
• Katy's water breaks and she feels the baby fall...
  
• Kent drops Katy off at entrance of the emergancy room.
  
• Katy frantically calls for them to let her through to LD.
  
• She gets into the elevator with her hand holding baby in...
  
• She alerts Labor and Delivery that, "This baby is coming NOW!"
  
• Kent arrives by following the sounds of a woman screaming.
  
• They call for a Doctor who opens Katy to find a head.
  
• Baby pulled out and born 8:12 am, January 29th.
  
• Lucia (pronounced Lou-See-Ah) Anne Olson. 7 lb 12 oz (some of which she has lost since then) and 21" long.
  
• Whew. We successfully achieved an all natural birth with sense of relief and pride.

Some of the nice things that have happenned since are:

• Uncle JR visited during his lunch break everyday.
• Grandpa and Grandma Elaine have visited (nice) on Wednesday. Lucia scared them off with dirty diapers (That was not so nice, Lucia).
• Aunt Genevieve and Joshua stayed with us a lot on Tuesay.
• Aunt Sara (see labor coach) stayed with us and baked us cookies on tuesday also.
• Kent's work sent us flowers!
• Katy's work sent congrats in the form of e-mails to hospital that were delivered like daily mail (nice surprise).
• I had the best am nurse: Carla. They took such awesome recovery care of me! Thank god for "ice diapers".
• Olivia is staying with Daphne and the Barrons. Apparently, Daphne (thier yorkie poo) knows how to keep my girl in line when its her house!
• Kent is a natural Daddy.
• Lucia and Mommy are a natural, "breast feeding team".
• Lucia sleeps through the night except for 4 am and 6 am feedings.
• We are a family.