Photo Challenge | Bust A Gut

Having fun in the backyard.
Y'know, they say laughter is the best medicine.

This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Happy Fat Tuesday!!!

Happy Fat Tuesday!!! a photo by solcookie on Flickr.

Would you know??

I got the baby from the slice of King Cake this morning! I have been told I have to host a King Cake party next year.

FUN.

I love parties.

At the lottery. Waiting to see if Ari gets picked for the magnet program.

At the lottery. Waiting to see if Ari gets picked for the magnet program. #fingerscrossed a photo by solcookie on Flickr.

*********************drum roll******************************

He did not get picked.

{{SIGH}}.

When I didn't see his name come across the big screen. I got a bit emotional. I knew it was a slim chance since there is only thirty slots available for the 3 year old magnet program, but I sure was hoping.....
It didn't seem to bother Ari, just as long as he got the lollipop I promised him for behaving during the lottery process. And he did.
There is another lottery at the end of April.

Fingers Crossed!

Yay! We got our winning prize from @baykidsmuseum.

Yay! We got our winning prize from @baykidsmuseum. #DrSeuss #contest #winning a photo by solcookie on Flickr.

I entered a twitter contest via @baykidsmuseum for celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday. We won a Dr. Seuss Wings and Things DVD. I am so excited because the boys love Cat in the Hat shows on PBS television.

My favorite Dr. Seuss book is Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You??

What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

Breastfeeding 101

I was just telling the hubby this morning while I was nursing the baby that I didn't expect breastfeeding would be draining on me emotionally and physically. I really thought it would've came to me so natural, like second nature. NOPE!! I struggled in the first month and most of the second. Y'know, because I was recovering from a c-section and my hormones were SO out of whack, it was not easy. Oh, don't get me wrong, by all means.... I am very happy to be breastfeeding. It is indeed a special bond. Like, right now I am at the stage where I feel comfortable giving advice to others who decide to nurse. It's that I have to return to work from maternity leave next month and I feel a bit overwhelmed with anxiety of having to get the technique of pumping while I am away. For example, in order to keep up with my milk supply I must pump, at work. Did I mention.... AT WORK I will be pumping milk?!? I am probably over-reacting, but I want the transition to be smooth. Very unlikely that will happen.

Breastfeeding Humor...

Happy Birthday Rebecca!!

Happy Birthday to a friend who has a kind heart and sweet soul. Best Wishes!

Tender Kisses

Tender Kisses
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

Happy Birthday Corey!!

Rocky Mountain
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

Happy Birthday to the one Dude who can make an awesome campfire!!

winter blues w/notes

winter blues w/notes
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

I've been suffering from a cold since the day before Christmas eve. Since I am nursing the Dude his pediatrician said I was not to take any over the counter medications and to "ride it out" with natural remedies. It has been really exhausting to take care of a newborn and myself while nursing, but with a little more rest and patience. I am sure I will be better real soon. In time to celebrate the new year.

Hi Santa!

silent night, holy night

Eats, Poops, & Leaves

I attended my office Christmas party Monday. And this is my favorite gift I received... a baby etiquette book.

3 am WAKE UP CALL

The baby wakes up around 3 am for a diaper change and feeding. When rocking the baby back to sleep and my singing doesn't seem to work, I wonder why?!?? I will play the ACL episode of Wilco or Beatles Love DVD.

Learn to forgive.....

I come to realize that I need to forgive myself for....

..not mailing Christmas cards this year
..still having to Christmas shop (four days 'till Xmas)
..not mailing baby shower Thank you cards in a timely manner
..not keeping up with house chores
..not returning phone calls
..not sleeping when my baby sleeps.


Since we have extended our family with the joyous birth of Ari. I have neglected most of my routine tasks in my life. Everyone has been very forgiving and so can I.

One Month - Newsletter

WOW!! How time goes by so fast...

On Thursday, Nov. 1st I delivered you successfully by a scheduled caesarean section , scheduled meaning I could not deliver you natural because of the myomectomy surgery I had last year to remove several fibriod tumors. Right after you were born, your daddy introduced you to me and asked what we should call you besides The Dude. When I made eye contact with you I knew we were going to name you Ari (pronounced R-E). Now we almost named you Jackson. Yeah, Jackson. You can ask your daddy about that one.

After our first meeting, they whisked you to meet the rest of your family waiting by the nursery and took me to a room to recover. While in the recovery room waiting for a private room. Your daddy came by to tell me the nurses were doing routine newborn tests followed by a fresh clean bath you didn't like at all. When we settled in our room they finally brought you to me. Oh, I was so over-whelmed with love. You looked so peaceful. You were swaddled like a little burrito. My little burrito.

During the hospital stay I was heavily under pain medication. I was so worried I was not going to be as alert as I needed to be, but your daddy assured me that everything was going to be alright. He stayed with me even though the stay was very uncomfortable, but he made sure I was as comfortable as possible. He even set up the laptop for "movie night".

Since I couldn't get out of bed and not feeling very well, your daddy would change your diapers. The second diaper he ever changed, you decided to pee all over him and your hospital bed. We felt so awful, but could not help ourselves from laughing out loud and still do!

I was having a difficult time breastfeeding you in the beginning. You didn't want to latch on properly or you'd fall asleep real quick. But with a couple of tips from the nursing staff and a visit with the hospital lactation specialist we managed.

On Sunday morning we were told by the pediatrician and doctor that we could be released from the hospital by lunch time. Your daddy and I were so excited and could not wait to go home as a new family. We dressed you in the yellow sailboat outfit your daddy wore when he was born. The first couple of days at home was already a predictable routine for us..... SLEEP DEPRIVATION. You would sleep and be fed every 2-3 hours with changing diapers ALOT! Though, you gave us a scare later that week. You were very unhappy and we did a list of everything we could do to make you happy.

*swaddle no swaddle
*change diaper
*change of clothes
*rocking chair
*sing to you
*pulled out the baby books!!!

...finally your daddy thought of skin on skin. When daddy put you on his warm chest you both fell asleep like sweet babies. Now your predictable routine is not predictable anymore. And it's okay.

Did I mention SLEEP DEPRIVATION???

You give us such joy by recognizing us when we talk to you in our high pitched voices. We like to think you understand when we ask what we can do for you whenever you cry, but it's us who don't understand you quite yet. And you can be so forgiving to us. You are so cute when we do "tummy time" because you kick your baby legs so hard to push yourself to crawl.


I was very lucky your daddy was able to stay home with us from his work for the first three weeks. He is very supportive to me and has so much love for you. I am so happy we have you in our lives... Happy One Month to you Ari!

Love,
Mommy

dream a little dream

dream a little dream
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

Give PEACE a chance

How can I convince my husband to purchase these cute peace baby shoes for "The Dude" ? He feels there is no logical reason to buy shoes for a baby, since they do not walk... But.. But.. they are too cute. I am not sure if I will be able to resist the temptation.

What a wonderful feeling...

Ari is quietly sleeping so I have some time to blog for awhile, unless he wakes for a feeding.

Ari is just about a week old. I can't believe how time goes by so fast. Not being pregnant anymore sometimes makes me feel a little empty. I know. I know. I know I complained a lot during the last month, but I guess I miss Ari moving inside of me... a sweet feeling.

Having a baby is the most endearing feeling I could have EVER imagined. I never thought I could have so much love for someone. I love holding, talking, and giving him sweet kisses. He is fun to play with too. And having my husband, Chad enjoying this experience with me is a wonderful feeling.

We are a family.

Introducing... Ari "The Dude"

visit my website... http://thedudelindeen.jimdo.com/

Butterflies...Pregnant...Sleepless

It is early in the morning and I am not able to sleep probably because I will not be pregnant anymore. I am scheduled to have a c-section delivery at 12:30...
I am nervous and I (think) am going to miss my pregnant belly.

I need sleep!!!!

Happy Halloween 2007

Happy Halloween 2007
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

Happy Birthday Fishtankonia!

***visit his blog***

Bedrest at 37 weeks

During my weekly prenatal visits in the last month of my pregnancy my blood pressure has been consistently high, high enough for her to put me on bedrest as of last Friday. I was already restricted to work part time a couple of weeks ago to avoid any preterm labor.

On Friday morning I took my blood pressure when I woke and it was too high. I called my Ob/Gyn nurse and she told me to come in to see the doctor. Chad and I brought our overnight bags, including the Dude's diaper bag incase we were going to have the baby.

When we arrived to the doctor's office my blood pressure was still high. She checked my cervix and told us I have dilated 1.5 cm. She decided to admit me to the hospital's "Testing-Room" to run blood work and be monitored by a nurse, similar to the time I was admitted to the labor & delivery at 27 weeks, but this area is catered to less severe pregnancy issues. The attending nurse we were given was so sweet and motherly, possibly a bit too motherly. She gave us great pediatrician advice, but she wasn't too happy that I had several tattoos. In the end, she wished us good luck and would try to visit us when the Dude is born.

All of my blood work came back negative and blood pressure finally was at a normal rate. However, I did have two contractions, but were very far apart to not worry. My Ob/Gyn came to visit me (at the end of the day) and that is when she told me to not go back to work and stay on bedrest until my due date, Nov. 1st. I have to admit I was so nervous and scared being at the hospital waiting for answers. But I am okay now enjoying the bedrest at home all weekend and the rest of this week.

I did rent some movies last night... Alpha Dog, Transformers, & 1408.

We are ready!

The Dude's room
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

A mini reunion....

Laura's graduation day at Mac Arthur High 1988
Originally uploaded by solcookie.

My dear friend from high school, Laura and her family were in town from Florida. They were able to join us for Chad's birthday dinner. Laura's husband, Conrad is in the miltary so we don't see them very often and when we do, it is always a fun filled visit with memories we share from the past and present. Its as if we start our friendship right where we left it. Chad and I were thrilled they were able to meet the wonderful circle of friends we have in our lives now... Good times.

Happy Birthday Babe!

Today is Chad's 35th birthday.

Saturday we began celebrating his birthday with friends at Maria Selma & Hans Bier Haus bar. Sunday we worked on the baby's room - setting up the bassinet, that belonged to Chad when he was a baby. Today we both got to see the Dude by ultrasound, most likely our last scheduled one until he is born.

Trick or Treat

A TREAT!

9 months pregnant on Halloween...

On my favorite holiday of the year I will be ready to have a baby. Yep, my due date is November 1st.

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

I come home one day to see this on my TiVo list.
Dude, it is crazy funny.
Ryan let us borrow the 1st/2nd DVD season.
As soon as I have some free solcookie-TV time

before the Dude is born I plan to watch all episodes!
Check your FX channel for local listings... Seriously!

The Baby Shower

Rebecca, Tony, & Maya hosted a baby shower for us, including our immediate family, at their house. It was an awesome time had by all. Chad and I can't wait to enjoy all the gifts with our little Dude real soon.

Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris Tour

As I am writing this entry... Chad and Timmay are in Austin watching the USC vs Nebraska game at a bar down the street from La Zona Rosa where Queens of the Stone Age will be playing later this evening. Yea. I am jealous of those two @%^&*, but thrilled they will be enjoying a rockin' show.

I will have to catch them on their next Texas tour. Some might say I am a little obsessed. Here are shows I've been in the past.

Here is Mexicola LIVE from their first record.
I love the bass on this track.

James "Mic" Mitchell
RIP
1959 - 2007

An artist.
A musician.
A free spirit.
He will truly be missed. Mic your soul will live forever.

Priceless.... We Want The Funk

Fiesta - A WEEN instrumental break

Friday, August 24…. Check in @8am. Check out @7:45pm

Just when I thought everything was going really well with the pregnancy. I was admitted to the Labor & Delivery ER Friday morning because of severe heartburn, which turned out to be contractions.

Early in the morning at around 3am I woke up with heartburn so I took the recommend dose pain reliever, TUMS. I moved to the sofa to sleep in an upright position, but it didn’t help. I watched some early morning news and then decided to get up to get ready for work. Before I got into the shower I take more TUMS. I took a hot shower and started to get dressed, which was very painful. As I was leaving out the door I was thinking to myself that hopefully this pain will get better. As I start to drive off to only reach to the end of my street I stopped to realize I can not drive myself into work. I made a u-turn and came back home. By this time I was in so much pain I started to cry. I franticly woke up Chad to tell him what was going on. He immediately got out of bed to get dressed and told me to call the doctor. I called the emergency hotline since my doctor’s office doesn’t open until 9am. The hotline took all of my information and told me they will page my doctor and call me back within ten minutes. They did. They told me to come into the hospital right away.

As were heading to the hospital I could only think of the worse because I didn’t feel my baby move as much as he normally does, but he did surprise me and moved a little bit. And it could have been that I was in so much pain I couldn’t feel him move. As we checked into the hospital they already had a room ready for me. The admitting nurse told me to get in my gown and wait for the RN nurse. She came in and hooked me up to monitors that were attached to my belly. She then checked on all of my vital signs… my temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc… An hour goes by…. She gave me some Mylanta and that is when she told me I was having contractions. I said, “CONTRACTIONS?!?” Of course I started to cry. I am only 28 weeks/4days I’ve got 2 months to go; it is too early for him to be born!! The nurse assured me that everything is going to be fine because I was not having many contractions timed to close together. They decided to give a shot every 15 minutes of Terbutaline to stop the contractions. I only needed two shots. Thank goodness! I believe my last contraction was at noon. The nurse then took a cervix swap test to determine if I would go into labor within a week. As well as blood work to check if I have any infections and this could also help to determine why I was having contractions. All of my tests came back NEGATIVE. The nurse then gave me a Pepcid AC to relive the heartburn. The next test was to do an ultrasound to measure the baby and make sure he is doing well. I was happy to hear of the ultrasound so I could see him on the monitor. Well, he now has chubby checks and is growing so big. The Tech told me he weighs 2.5 lbs and is growing at a normal rate, but that my belly seems a bit small for him right now. Poor baby!

We finally got to see my doctor at around 7pm. She told us that unfortunately she could not determine if the heartburn caused the contractions or the contractions caused the heartburn, since I was having the contractions when I was admitted into the hospital. She told me I can start taking Pepcid every morning and night. I will not need to be on bed rest since all of my tests came back negative. Yay!! However, I do need to take it easy and call if I experience any unbearable pain. I WILL. And then she released me. Chad and I were so ready to go home to such a long day. Right before we left we went to visit the nursery and see some newborns. They were so adorable. I can’t wait until we have our little Dude and I can hold him in my arms for the first time.

28 weeks

I love this photo chad took of me in our backyard.

Alberto Frias' Transport - Illuminated sleeping pod!

I want to sleep like this... I'll try anything at this point and it looks cool. Anyone?
I've been having trouble sleeping in comfort lately. I've tried the pillow between the legs, sleeping on the sofa, even sleeping in the guest bed. Any preggo-women have any advice? (via ThisOne)

My evening with Ween in Austin

I didn't stay for the entire show. I tried my best. It's WEEN for crying out loud. I needed to be at the show. I didn't care if I was 6 months pregnant. But being pregnant, outdoors in the heat with a crowd of people, drinking water to keep hydrated (while being jealous of everyone else drinking beer), and taking a zillion potty breaks was just way too uncomfortable for me. I had to leave. I still enjoyed the show for the hour or so I was there and I don't regret at least trying.

GOD - WEEN - SATAN! ALL HAIL THE BOOGNISH!

PHOTO SET HERE

AUSTIN DAMN-HOT SET LIST 8/10/07

• She Wanted To Leave
• Marble Tulip Juicy Tree (tweaked w/1 verse Up On The Hill)
• Now I'm Freakin Out
• Bananas & Blow
• Take Me Away
• Mr Richard Smoker
• The Grobe
• Mister Would You Please Help My Pony
• Hammer Down
• Roses Are Free
  
• Buckingham Green
  
• Happy Colored Marbles
• Nan
• Pork Roll Egg and Cheese
• Gabrielle
• Dr Rock
• Pandy Fackler (Glen went OUT & DEEP)
• ------------------
  
• Acoustic Set
• Chocolate Town
• Bday Boys
• Mutilated Lips
• Joppa Road
• Help Me Scrape The Mucus off my brain
  
• I Don't Want It (Gene electric solo)
• -----------------
  
• Electric
• Flies On My Dick (w/Dickie Moist)
• Tick
• You Fucked Up
• Fat Lenny
• ----------------
  
• ENCORE
• Springtheme
• Don't Get 2 Close to My Fantasy
• Don't Squeal on The Pusher
• FLUFFY!!!

26 weeks - ALREADY!

At 26 weeks I am to take the required gestational diabetes test. You know the one where you have to drink pure sugar within five minutes, wait an hour to have 5 tubes of blood taken from you. Oh, and did I mention you have to fast the night before. I did pretty good considering the blood tech thought she only needed to take one tube of blood. When she removed the needle and put a Garfield band-aid on my arm she said, "Okay, sweetie you can go now." I said, "Are you sure?" She then apologized for not reading the paper work properly. OUCH!!! I was told I will get the results by next week.
After my blood work I went for my routine prenatal visit. All of my vital signs are good. I am still gaining the normal pregnancy weight. The dude was kicking really hard while we heard his strong heart beating. My next visit is scheduled for the beginning of September. I finally agree this pregnancy is going by really fast.

Let them eat.....CAKE!

The cake queen...
Rebecca made my birthday cake. I requested a red velvet cake. While everyone was enjoying their frozen screwdrivers, jack/coke, st arnold's devine right in front of me (you beeyatches)! I was enjoying my shirley temple on the rocks with an extra cherry!

Thanks to everyone for my gifts and spending time with me!!

The Babcock's... childhood friends.

Chad and I had dinner with the Babcock family Friday night... Amber, Jason, Brook - 4 years, and Brett - 2 1/2 years. It was the first time to visit their beautiful home in Kingwood, Texas.

Amber and I have been friends since elementary school. Jason, I believe some years later, but we all grew up and lived in the same neighborhood. It was fun sharing stories of our childhood... walking barefoot to 7-eleven and buying a big gulp of our favorite soft drink. Or the times when we would ride 3wheelers on Greens bayou. Oh, and the memory of Amber getting her drivers license. Good times. Good times.

Chad and I were sharing the story of how Amber formerly introduced me and Chad back in high school. Chad was a freshman and I was a sophomore. I can remember Chad having drum sticks in his hands when we were introduced. But it wasn't until after we graduated that Chad and I started dating seriously.

Well, we had a great time and hopefully next time we will be able to visit longer.... Check out more photos we took HERE as a set.

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