Life In Color

13

Man was last night rough. But lucky for me I have Bj, otherwise I'm sure I would have propped Tuesday in front of the television right now with a TV dinner and said, "Fend for yourself." Okay maybe not, but I was very tired after multiple night wakings. Bj was lovely and got her early this morning so I could sleep. And when he brought her to me so she could have breakfast I laid her next to me and we snoozed until a quarter to eleven. Very nice. Still it didn't get me caught up enough, so I'm headed to bed soon. Tuesday is already asleep.

 Bj and I laid in the sun with Tuesday so she could look at the trees and we talked about what to do about it. We read the last little bit of The No Cry Sleep Solution, the part where she asks if you're about to go mad from lack of sleep. We decided that we were not trying hard enough to get her down with out nursing (which I think is why she wakes up in the night, looking for more milky and is all confused that it's not right there). So Bj and I took turns tonight rocking, singing, patting and loving her. Finally I got her to sleep by telling her about a story about a little girl the size of a grain of rice who lived in a little tree that grew on a bigger tree in the middle of a narrow stream. Now nothing in any book I've read said anything about telling your baby a story about a little girl the size of a grain of rice, so I'm thinking maybe they don't have it all figured out. We were talking about the things we're learning with Tuesday, and one thing I am learning is to trust myself. I've always wanted to be a mother, and I think I need to draw on those feelings more, the feelings that I'm meant to be her mother and that I will do the right things by her if I listen to myself. We'll see if this works, I'm sure hoping that it does, and that I have the strength in the middle of the night to pace the floor with her instead of automatically offering up some milky.*

Once I did get out the door with Tuesday today we headed downtown to meet my dad at his 295 Church project - a cool bunch of new condos "in the heart of the city." :)

You might remember when I took pictures from the lot to showcase what the future views would be. My dad wants some photos from around the city to frame up for the hallways so we walked around town and I snapped some.

It was fun to be a tourist in my own city.

It was also fun to see my dad push around the carriage.

Nice calves dad. :)

We ran into my brother so I had to get them together for a shot. Of course they both make crazy faces, no surprise, but this is pretty tame - I think it's a keeper! 

*She has woken once since I started writing this, but was easily coaxed back to sleep with a little rocking.

12

The bumper is still not done, in large part due to the negative amount of sleep I got last night. I say negative because the sleep I did get was so horrible (and on the floor of the nursery), that I just don't think it should count. But lets go back in time shall we? 

On Saturday we went to the Lavender Festival. Tuesday was so fantastic. I mean sure she had a little screaming spell in the car when we got behind a wreck and couldn't move. I'm guessing her thought process goes something like this: "Hey, we're slowing down. Wait we're stopping? NOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO I WANT TO GO 90, GO PEOPLE GO." When we got to a place we could pull over she was all snotty nosed and tear stained, I hate that, poor Tutu. By the time we got to the festival (and she had a little car siesta) we were golden. I wore Tuesday in the Peanut Shell, which I haven't used much.

I got it as a gift when I was only 12 weeks along or so, because you have to size it. Well I gained so much weight I couldn't wear it with her for a while, but now I can, yeah! She sat like this while I took pictures happy as a clam. Double awesome:

It's great for nursing!

Then we sat and watched some more music:

Tuesday asks, "Would you like to comment on my eyebrows?"

It's so funny, every one seems to lately. They look like normal eyebrows to me, but apparently they are uber fantastic, go Tuesday!

Tuesday loves one on one time as well as lots of people talking to her, so these kind of events are perfect for her. I'm not sure how this translates to sleep, if it's like super boring to her or what. But last night it was PARTY TIME from 11:30 to almost three IN THE MORNING. Yikes. So that's when I drug a blanket out and just laid next to the babbling funny girl. If you can't beat them, join em, right? The problem is the tiredness is throwing me off my game seriously. Not only did I not shred today (or yesterday, or the day before), but I just finished a big bowl of ice cream. The really crappy part? It did not make me feel better :( 

11

Having a little trouble with this bumper... Will report back later.

10

Ah sweet sleeping baby bliss. Bj and I were so tired after a day in the sun that we all laid on the floor as a family and helped Tuesday settle down into night night time. So a quick post and then bed for me as well.

Today we went to the Lavender Festival. Our friends were playing there (two of them: Brian and Melissa played out our wedding with Ceara). They have asked me to take pictures for their new album. There band is Jettison Bend, check it out.  I've only uploaded half, and barely looked at them, but I think we'll have a few at least:

It was so bright out.

I want to play around with more of them. I took a whole bunch in the field. And I wore Tuesday while they were playing and got some then as well. Hopefully she'll give me a little time to get on the computer and edit them this week.

9

Tuesday and I did decide to get out this morning. She helped by getting me up way earlier than I wanted to, but it worked out as we were at the first sale before it started. Me, Tuesday and about thirty farmers. Oops, guess it wasn't the great sale I was hoping for. I only snagged a couple of things at it:

Jar lids and an old geography book (to cut apart). The linen is from another stop. I only had the one sale's address so I decided Tuesday and should go trolling - where you just drive through neighborhoods you like to shop and see if any signs are out. I set the GPS in our car to go home and took detours when ever I saw a sign. The rest of this stuff is from an estate sale that I found signs for, but had not been in the paper:

Full of a brand new (old) pack of clothespins. I love how it stays open. I think I'm going to use it in the craft or sewing area.

Another mini fork and spoon for Tuesday since she likes her other set so well.

Some embroidered pillowcases, I'm thinking a little dress for Tuesday from these. Not a lot of stuff, but enough to make the adventure seem worth it. And taking Tuesday wasn't bad at all. I put her in the Baby Hawk and had the basket for my stuff. Maybe when she gets a good reach on her it will be tricky. I did do a lot of drivebys because I wanted it to be worth it to get her out of the car seat and strapped onto me.

After thrifting we decided to stay out a little later because Bj had business calls and we had painters at our house, so we ate lunch with Sciarrino at her work. It was nice to stay out. And even nicer to come home to this:

Second times a charm on the painting.

We need gutters and some major clean up (the deck has lots of over spray, as do the windows) and we'll be done. There are a few things to be touched up, and we need our gas line that is going to the kitchen. But the light is at the end of the tunnel. I can just picture myself sitting on the porch. I want to track down an outdoor rug. We snagged some furniture from my dad's goodwill pile, a bench that was a Christmas present from my mom, and I have a plan to do a big pile of pillows. I'm trying to talk Bj into a baby gate for the front so we can sit out here (more afraid of neighborhood animals running up to us than anything). And I want to do some old windows hanging by chain in the space there where you can see the neighbor's house (that's two doors down, but since the guy in between went a tree hacking, we can see them really well). The yards a mess, in front and back. But we have plans for that. I think we just need to take a break from reno for a while. Of course I still have projects:

Flor carpet tiles. I mis calculated the first time I ordered, so the edges have been unfinished for a month.

Trying to make it baby friendly (on my side at least). You can also see in that picture light coming in. When we took off the back deck we got so much light flooded to the lower level (some might call it a basement), it's awesome. The other thing in that photo? The corner of the crib bumper - must finish this weekend!

It's hard when this little girl wants you to nap with her, who could say no to that face?

8

A quick post to say that the day started out well:

(Silly girl taken with the iPhone)

and got better from there:

(another iPhone pic, that in low light and black and white looks sort of artsy and fun I think).

Tuesday and I got a mega nap in - over two hours, her record I think. And we managed to get it in earlier, so she was up by shred o'clock (5). I sat next to her browsing the web on Bj's laptop (and finding lots of awesome new blogs). Every ten minutes or so she would stir and I just put a little pressure on her with my hand and let her know I was still right there. When she woke up from this nap she was the cutest thing ever! All rested and smiley. If we get another good nights sleep tonight we're going to try and strike out on our own adventure in the morning. I think it's high time for some mother daughter thrifting, don't you?

7

Today was much more mellow than the last few, but some how it went by in a flash (so sorry I didn't call you Mary!). I had a dentist appointment and while the hygienist was very kind I could have just used that time to nap, since Tuesday didn't take one until well after four. My mom came to help me with work and tried to get Tutu to nap. But she wasn't having any of it. One of the sleep books I read (and they are all becoming jumbled in my brain right now) talked about a sleep window, and if you miss it basically you're screwed. I'm pretty sure that's what happened to us today.

But she did take one late, and then watched Bj and I shred (it might be getting a touch easier, just a touch). After dinner, which she spent in the Jump Up making the most amazing little sounds, we hung out in my craft den until it was wind down time.

(outfit was a gift from our construction crew :) While Tuesday played (yes with the sharpie, but I was watching her closely) I found myself day dreaming about new projects, even though I have many on the table... literally:

Do you ever do this? Find yourself getting inspiration but no time, or too many things already going? I need some good way to save up the inspiration for the days when I have time, but am lacking ideas. Some kind of journal maybe? Or something more organic and fun like a jar of ideas? Who has some good linkage for something like that? A common question (daily, from Bj); "So when is the bumper going to be done?" It's laid out and I'm loving it, but it comes down to time over and over. And I can knit a few rows on my sweater, but finish work and sewing take a little more brain power than I tend to have in the evening. So I gaze at a vintage quilt and daydream:

About little blocks of goodness.

Faded color combos.

And more things for a little baby who really does seem to appreciate all the things I've made so far.

On a side note. I've been doing the daily blog thing for a week. Who knew I had so much to say? Now I wonder what I let slip by in those days I was too busy or tired. Because I certainly can't remember it all now!

6

So I asked my mom what she wanted to do for her birthday today and she said, "walk downtown and have lunch." Whoa, two mega walks in a row. We did it though and it was really nice to get out since the weather is getting better everyday. I would have gone in the pouring rain though because my mom is just that awesome. Seriously.

I took this photo of her the other day and I love it. I was saving it up for the birthday post and my mom's all, "ohhh you never post pictures of me and Tuesday on the blog," today. Mom I was saving them up! When I think about my mom one of the first things I think about is her youthfulness. I always wanted to be a young fun mom like her, but am actually six years older than my mom was when she had me. I am going to do everything I can to be as active and fun as she was (and still is). I have tons of great memories of the millions of activities she planned for us. Plus the things she sewwed us, the wonderful food she cooked, her beautiful yard. Yikes, I have a lot to live up to. Luckily my mom and I talk daily and she comes over all the time to help me. I would never be able to take a vacation if my mom wasn't more than willing to jump in and help with Ribbon Jar orders. I can't thank my mom enough for everything she does.

I love you mom!

And so does Tuesday. I'm so glad you live nearby. And if you didn't keep telling me to give Tuesday rice cereal you might be the most perfect mother ever :)

It's kind of ironic that I've never appriciated my mom more and yet been so horrible at getting gifts together (what mother's day?). We are going to have to plan some special days with the three of us to make up for the lacking in that department.

The last two pictures were from her dinner tonight. Mom, you should know we totally paid for keeping up Tuesday. But we didn't mind because we love you so much (and because I took a two hour nap with Tutu this afternoon)!

5

Bj didn't get the number thing so I thought I'd clarify. I'm trying to do a month's worth of posts (30) everyday. Maybe I'll get to fifty, who knows. I like not having to come up with a title.

Last night was rough again. And today didn't start out much better. It's bad when she wakes up in the morning crying, yikes. I had her in the baby hawk at one point trying to force a nap on her and we laid down on the couch together. Tuesday was crying and I started fake crying. Bj came out and said, "Tuesday why won't you nap?" I looked at her and said, "I don't know maybe she's not tired." Bj could not stop laughing, even though he wanted to because he is still so sore. It was funny and turned the corner for the day. I called up Donna, told her I had to have company and she came over to have lunch. Before she came over I stopped trying to get Tuesday to nap and she cheered up considerably. She helped keep and eye on me so I wouldn't eat some of the mini candy bars I bought at Costco.

But she got bored of that (and tried to squirm out of the seat), so she got into her (thrifted) Johnny Jump Up.

Oh no she wasn't tired, not at all:

She tried to balance her head on that strap to rest it, silly girl. We have a different jumpy thing coming, that she can lean back in, but it's coming from Canada and sometimes Canada seems very far away in mail land (hmm... it has been weeks maybe I should check on it).

Donna and William came over, we ate and decided to go to this used baby stuff store nearby. I wore Tuesday so by the time we got there she was OUT. So was William, but the store was closed. So we decided to walk downtown. We ended up walking all over and for a long time; minus our stops 2.5 hours of walking. Tuesday took two naps, it was awesome. Walking was the only exercise I was doing really since having Tuesday but I've recently decided to up my game in order to get my cabinets sooner than later, I mean be awesome and fit.

Jillian I don't know weather to love you or hate you! But even though I walked all those minutes I still did the 30 day shred (level one and I can't do the push ups yet). I'm on day four, and oh man oh man does she pack a good workout in 20 minutes. I feel extra motivated since finding out a friend of mine has been walking tons of miles in all weather and is now in awesome shape and even running (which sends a chill down my spine, I do not get along with running). I am going to try to say now that I LIKE working out and that I feel better after I do. Because I don't want Tuesday to hear me say working out sucks everyday. So far so good, as she seems to get a kick out of watching me do the exercises. She is very squealy about them.

When I had Tutu I was 159 pounds (according to my pregnancy journal, which was funny to go back and read. Last entry: "I just finished a cover for my heating pad, I'm being so productive!"). I lost a bunch at the beginning, but then I started gaining some more back because when I woke up and realized I had to start keeping track of calories again (the only way that's ever worked for me) I was still 145. Those numbers may not seem that high to you. But you know how people say they are big boned? Well I'm like small boned or something so I don't get a big starting number. I hit a big milestone yesterday: 10 pounds down!

I am almost at my heaviest pre-pregnancy weight. Slow and steady since I don't want to mess up my milk supply or anything, but it's working, about a pound a week. The app is the free Lose It one on my iPhone, I highly recommend it.

The day ended much better than it began. Tuesday went to sleep at 7:50 and has only gotten up once since (to eat for half an hour). It's 11:37 and I'm headed to bed myself. Wish us luck!

4

Father's Day! Oh my goodness is that crazy or what? I have to say it was only in my wildest dreams when I first met Bj that I thought we'd be celebrating a wonderful day like today. It's cliche to say, but Bj really is a fabulous father. He is being so great right now while we try to be gentle with Tuesday's sleep. And Tuesday just loves him. Sometimes she cracks up when she catches him out of the corner of her eye - too funny. Bj requested this outfit of Tuesday's, so snappy!

I let Bj sleep in this morning while Tuesday and I got up and got the day started. But I couldn't keep him from working and he cleaned up the yard and later vacuumed. Seriously. And he did it all while extremely sore. He played six softball games for charity yesterday and while he was hanging out with Tuesday today he said that if there was a fire he didn't know if he could get out fast enough. So ya, he was sore. Luckily the evening was much more relaxed as we all went over to my brother's house to celebrate with my dad.

My dad and all his "kids" Emilie (my step sister who is a senior this next year - WHAT?!?!), my brother Brent, and Tuesday and I. I was determined to get pictures with everyone.

I think this was Tuesday's first picture with this set of grandparents. You should have seen what was going on behind here to get her to smile, there was literally puppy dangling, funny stuff.

Brent's girlfriend Kat. Tuesday loved hanging out with her. She also loved a present my dad brought over from family friends for Tuesday. He kept forgetting to give it to me, but it was perfect timing because Tuesday loves it, having only recently discovered spoons:

Mmmm spoons. Bj took the camera at one point and I love the point of views he can get being so tall.

I want to find all my favorite pictures of the expressions people make when holding/playing with/talking to Tuesday. They are awesome.