Lucia meets Aunt Kim!

I was convinced anew how wonderful Aunt Kim was when Lucia met her last weekend. She is just wonderful and Lucia fell in love with her instantly. You can tell they are having a very nice discussion in this picture. She loves our Kurt very much and has a sensible head on her shoulders. We are all happy and relieved that they are doing so well and are so in love. There is nothing wrong with Kurt's PDA, Kim. Olson men are tried and true blue.

p.s. Isn't the outfit Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary got Lucia adorable?

p.p.s. If you zoom in you can catch a glimpse of Lucia's Cabbage Patch doll belly button.

Strut Miss Luci!

(This is my first video upload... )

Lucia LOVES being "bipedal" as Kent puts it. So, I went to Kidworks and bought this used Jumperoo for cheap. At first, Lucia wasn't long enough but now she can just barely touch down and she can't get enough of it. I often sing "Strut Miss Luci" (and have video of me doing so...) like my Momma but I didn't want to torture anyone with my singing voice. It may be a bit boring and long for the average anonymous reader but I can't help excersizing some of my bragging rights as a mother that she is so strong!

NO-BAKE CHAI CHEESE PIE

(oh man, this opportunity is TOOO good to pass up... SLo this Pie's for you. Because you're always harping about how much you love chai... Because you hoarded the no bake cheesecake throughout college... and because you LOVE pie, right?)

Ingredients:
1 individual tea bag
1/2 c. boiling water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 pk. (8 oz.) cream reduced fat cream chz
1 pk. fat free cream chz
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. refrigerated fat free French Vanilla nondairy creamer
1/2 t. ground cinnamon divided
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/8 t. each ground cardamom, allspice, and cloves
1 reduced fat graham cracker crust (8 ")
1/2 c reduced fat whipped topping.

Place tea bag in a small bowl; add boiling water. Cover and steep for 5 min. Discard tea bag. Refrigerate tea for 30 min. or until chilled.
Sprinkle gelatin over tea; let stand for 1 minute. Microwave on high for 30 sec; stir. Let stand for 1 minute or until gelatin is completely dissolved.
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheeses and sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in the creamer, gelatin mixture, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and cloves until blended.
Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until set. Garnish with whipped topping and remaining cinnamon.

1st Quarterly Love note to Lucia -

(3 Months Old)

We moved to Shamrock Dr. when I was one month pregnant with you. Your Grandma Olson started bringing barrel loads of Kent's musty old memorabilia to our home. I stared and stared at those pictures and studied each report card and award as if I was looking into what kind of person you might become. Daddy hung all his old swim warm up suits in your closet in case someday you might need them to swim in. After all, they already say Olson on the back.

I labored long into the night of January 28th, 2008 and on into January 29th. Daddy got us to the hospital just in time for you to be born. Your Aunt Sara was on-call all night to help Mommy labor. Your Aunt Genevieve and her were at the hospital within moments of your birth to welcome you. You burst into the world promptly on your due date with vigor and purpose and that was to feed and grow strong and healthy. That you did, baby. You amazed us all with your neck and back that was holding you up within your first couple of weeks. You spoiled Mommy and Daddy with how agreeable you were to breastfeeding and sleeping without a fuss the whole first month! Your smile can easily and I can't remember a time when you didn't recognize your mommy and daddy's voice and turn to look for us.

We became three and settled into family life full of all the love and warmth possible during that brutal month of February and late January with all it's ice storms and snow-ins. We simply didn't leave the house and cuddled up together.

Your Grandma Obert managed to make it here despite the whether and she got to know you and cooked for us for a nice amount of time. When she left we all felt it had gone too fast. She loved singing, "Strut Miss Lucy" to you "all day long." Grandpa Obert poked you in the chest with his big thick Obert finger when he say you and you actually smiled at him when he did that after only being alive for one week. Your Grandpa Olson was excited to meet his "Miss Obedelilah," as he had decided on this name for you already. He wasn't comfortable holding you until you were about two months old but you were each very curious of each other. Grandma Olson thought how delicate you were and how precious life is when she looked at you.

Your Uncle JR visited you EVERY possible opportunity those first few weeks. We were all so curious to know, "Who is she? What is she like?". He held you and you made us laugh with your "googly eyes" faces. JR mused that he makes us go googly for him. You certainly knew how to make some very unladylike faces and sounds. You snort, fart and burp with the best and worst of them. You snort the most when you are angry or hungry. You also head-banged the first month when you wanted to eat which seemed like always. Daddy was proud of your headbanging as he is an avid metal music fan. The rest of the Iowa City Family came every change they could get to see you and could NOT wait for their chance to hold you and get to know you.

I really came to love our cuddle naps. I worried Daddy when we started falling asleep together during feeding times. Now he's used to it. I love our mornings when you have just finished a morning meal and Daddy turns over and the three of us just curl into each other smiling and adoring with kisses for everyone.

Its true you are your daddy's little girl. When you are busting out with a screamfest Daddy just looks at you and says, "What's the matter Mini-me?". He identifies with your plight. Sometime around 6 weeks it became apparent that things were getting more complicated. The stress of your new digestive system was catching up to all of us especially while Mommy got more comfortable eating unhealthily. However, it was manageable and we even went and visited your Uncle Chris' family in Seattle. We did great. We were there five days and you and your cousin Madeleine were very curious of each other. You both worked hard to keep up with us grown ups as we carted you off to parks, zoos, restaurants, shops, and had parties. One of those mornings you and I just hid away in our room to catch up on rest and feeding.

The ride home was much more difficult as we were without your Grandma Obert who has been helping us the entire trip. You did great but something happened to Mommy when we got home. I came down with a very bad fever and my knee gave out. You cried very hard as if you knew things weren't right. Our feeding situation was altered which changed your habits of feeding and we embarked on a rocky patch. Its getting better and I became very stealth about switching out your pacifier for me when you least suspected it and that seems to work. Daddy suggested I just pump and that we go to bottle but I'm not ready to give up that special bonding time with you. It's too important to me and I hope for you as well right now and I'm suspicious of the instant gratification of the bottle. So while we were getting more and more sleep during the nighttime before our big trip and my return to work it seems we have backpedaled a bit in that department. Nonetheless, I was willing to tough it out until things turned around. And turn around they did. I read in a book that you were engaging in a "nursing strike". It ended gradually and today you nurse with the same enthusiasm as the day you were born.

I went back to work a few weeks ago and I was worried that I would miss you too much but it seems to be a positive for both of us. We get a break from one another, you get to know Daddy on a more one on one basis and our next door neighbor, Cindy, comes and watches you for a couple of hours everyday. She's such a great and willing sitter and was even available to sit with you one evening as well! You love her and you coo and smile at her voice. Between you and me, Lucia, your Daddy has thrived since your birth. I say this without a smidge of jealousy, "You have taught him the meaning of Love," without a doubt. He cares for you like no other person and I think through that love he has learned to bring his love of life and himself to a new and greater level. I love watching you two- those eyes, the shape of your head, the shape of your mouths- mirror images. I'm glad for it and prayed you would look like your daddy. He looks at you proudly and says, "You love your Daddy? Yeah... Daddy takes care of you."

It was Daddy who recognized first how much you love to stand up. During those "colic weeks" we tried everything to help soothe you during difficult times. I started "bicycling" your legs. I found that sometimes its what you need to toot out those annoying gas bubbles. Grandma Obert thinks that its all of that bicycling that made your legs so strong for now all you ever want to do is stand. Today you bicycle your own legs and toot with comfort and ease. No one can sit you down because you pop right up into the standing position. You have to stand and look around at everything. There will be no loafing or dilly-dallying on your clock. You even like to be waddled across the floor while you practice stepping and jumping off the floor. Mommy went ahead and bought you a jumper. For a time, we put you in it and you are swimming in it and your toes barely touch the ground. We put towels in to steady you and you enjoy just hanging out for small amounts of time in the standing position. Today you really bop around in there and like it most of all. Daddy says standing is your, "Off button."

All this while, you have been suffering from conjunctivitis in the tear duct (not the eye itself). The doctor's thought it was just your clogged tear duct and that it would resolve itself but after almost three months of it I finally had to put my foot down about a more aggressive therapy or approach then wiping your eyes and hoping for the best. So everyday we massage the sides of your little nose and wipe your eye with a warm damp washcloth and I administer eye drops twice a day. I'm anxious for a morning when I'm not sad to find your eye half or entirely glued shut. You smile and endure our fussing over your eye but I'm sorry for picking on you all the same.

You love your hands and intensely shove them in your mouth and suck away at them. Sometimes I don't catch you in time and you gag yourself. That makes Mommy laugh. You like sucking your hands so much that you try to shove your hands in even when I'm nursing you. That frustrates you and me both. Its just like you to try to complicate matters!

You amaze me day after day. You started singing "Each of us is a flower" with me by matching my pitch when I sing "Suuuuunnnn shining over me!", "Mooooooon cool me with your night" I often break out laughing when you do this and you stop and give me your flirty eyes and raise your eyebrows at me when I do this. That just makes me laugh harder.

Cabbage Patch dolls were my favorite toy when I was a little girl. I would wrap them up tight in blankets and put them to sleep. Little did I know I could put this into such good use as a mother. Every night at 8 pm you fuss only to be wrapped up and put in bed. Within moments you are snoozing away. I also didn't know that my own little girl would also have a cute round outie bellybutton just like a living Cabbage Patch doll. However, Lucia, I promise to be a lot nicer of a Mommy to you than I was to my dolls. I'm afraid that Eldon and the bunch may have had some harsher punishment as part of Katy Obert's 8 year old Cabbage Patch Family.

I love walking outside with you in your stroller. When we go for our walks you either sleep, talk with me and smile at me or look on silently. My favorite is when you reach out and hold onto the sides of the stroller like you are on your throne. When you do that I march and declare (when no one is around), "All hail Queen Lucia! She is Queen of all her domain! Make way for Queen Lucia!" You think that is hilarious.

This letter is to you Lucia but it is published for all the world to see and is etched into the lining of cyberspace. Perhaps, someday when you least expect it you will be able to pull it up along with what I hope to be a quarterly report of each year of your life for many years to come. Mommy is infamous for starting projects and leaving them to the wind but I know that if there is one thing in my life that will rejuvenate and regenerate with each moment we share it is my love and interest in every moment of your life. I'm fascinated by each flicker of expression that comes over your face and don't want to miss a moment of it. You have captured and melted my heart and the heart of many since that fateful blizzard day in January. Thank you for forcing your way into this world. You are the best and happiest thing in my world.

I love you forever,

Mommy

MORELS!

Kent and I have Grey Morels growing around our house! We found three this morning. Tonight I was planning on grilling burgers so I think these Morels will be a welcome gourmet touch to them! YUM!

So all you Morel hunters get your boots on because they are POPPIN'! The above picture is not sampled it is the actual mushroom we picked growing in the ground!

I wanted to juxtapose these two images to see how much Lucia has grown and changed.

That first week she was born she made some hilariously unattractive faces... You could just see that brain working sooo hard in there as she screwed her face up in different ways in effort to think.

Neighbors

I remember as a young girl in Beaver Dam, WI, running around our neighborhood. There were times when I would meet someone new and I would want to play at their house. For the longest time I would run over to the elderly woman's house who shared back yards with us. She had a schnauzer that our dog, Chi-Chi, was in love with. This lady had lots of Barbie dolls and things to play with. Another time I used to run over to the woman's house next to my friend Angie. Her daughter had passed away and loved company.

I guess where I'm going with this is... I've become "that house". The little boy who lives next door has really taken a liking to us and loves coming over to play. He came over today. Here are some of his activities:

1. Playing with Olivia (tricks, walks, you name it!)
2. Talking to Lucia
3. Filling our birdhouse with seed
4. Antagonizing Olivia (Blocking her into a corner of the house with pillows and carrying her around in a wild and crazy manner).
5. Drinking a Dr. Pepper
6. Eating some of the Scalloped Potatoes I made for dinner
7. Watching Willy Wonka on TV
8. Building a fort out of blankets in our house
9. Running with all the dogs (he has three of his own).
10. Playing with our hula hoop
11. Showing me his basketball moves

I told him next time he needs a playmate I would call over my friend's son, Damond. He was a lot of fun but BOY! am I tired! They are cute, however. Cindy is a real blessing and loves Lucia just as much as I would want someone watching her to love her. I can't thank God enough for sending her to us!

Our neighborhood/street really rocks! Within the last week I have met just about everyone. Let me count how many neighbors I met.... I just counted 18.

Ironically, I haven't met the gay male couple across the street considering how "gay friendly" I can be. I've tried to wave and smile at them but they won't even look my way. They were really helpful to our elderly "watchdog" neighbors across the street. The husband has a bleeding ulcer and went into the ER last Monday. Apparently, at 4:30 am, they came over and cared for them until the ambulance came (they were also the ones to call them). One of them is a VA doctor and the other is a nurse. You can tell that we have a very involved street because I already know all this about them.

For those of you who have been waiting here is a shot of Lucia this morning. Two months and four weeks next Tuesday. Isn't she LONG?! Last weigh in at the doc she was 11.8 pounds (last Tuesday, I think). She went in for eye drops to treat her conjunctivitis of her tear duct. I will measure height and report back later.

Check me out!

That's a royal flush, ya'll!

Too bad the pot was only worth about $1.50.

Our own little Gandhi

Well, it has been determined that Lucia is on what is called a "nursing strike". What that means is that when she is alert she cries, fusses, kicks and pushes the breast away when she is obviously hungry. She will suck her hand, her pacifier, and cry but will not eat. The more you try to feed her the more upset she becomes.

So, I feed her primarily when she is either sleepy or in that sleep state. This means that I get up a lot more in the nighttime now and am 100% more tired during the day. I bought a book yesterday, "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" by Jack Newman, M.D. and Teresa Pitman. They suggest that I simply pump more and wait it out. I can and have tried skin to skin contact, expressing milk into her mouth, switching out pacifier for myself when she is calm enough, and about a million other things. My sister-in-law suggested I try a breast shield. I like the sound of that and may try it out if I get desperate.They said it DOES end and, although it is stressful for the family, as long as she's eating 3 to 4 times in a 24 hour period she will maintain a healthy weight gain.

So my whole life and being has been centering around this fact. This weekend is my chance at resolving it because I don't go to work. Lucia is an awesome bottle feeder and loves the readiness of the bottle. I was a very "milky" mommy to begin with and she probably didn't have to work very hard to get milk from the beginning. Now that my milk is regulated and, well, actually "down" since my Seattle/sickness extravaganza she needs to work to get the milk to let down. They say that around three months is a typical time for this to happen. That is exactly how old Lucia is "around". They say it also can happen with eight month old babies as well. Now that I know more I feel less anxious and relieved that I don't need to be forcing the breast for her. I would hate for her to develop a Pavlov's dog response to hating my breasts.

Seattle... the lost photographs.

Mom visited today and delivered the rest of the pictures I took (Chris deleted them off my camera when he transferred them to his computer but forgot to include them on the disc he sent home with me). I wanted to share my favorite photograph I took during the visit of Maddie and her friend at the Zoo. And then introduce you to the wrong ways Chris and I handle the stress of having children... Chris is not breastfeeding despite the fullness of his "Pecs" these days.

*Note* No children were harmed in the course of this evening... save the hate mail.

Drip... Drip... Drip...

I feel like strangling someone... My breastpump stopped working today. It is now... almost 1 pm. I have two hours to go unit end of day... I can make it...
I'm so frustrated. Poor Lucia. Luckily she won't know as long as I resolve the situation soon as I have a supply of frozen in the freezer. I could kill this breastpump for not working!

OUCH!

I learned yesterday that its not a good idea to do a log roll down a hill in the grass when you are breastfeeding.

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.