The New Addition

We got a dog! I've missed having a pet since Belvedere passed, and I just got the idea in my head to go to the Animal Rescue League last night after work. Adelaide (they were calling her Victoria, but that didn't suit her) is an Aussie shepherd/cattle dog mix. She came to the pound as a stray, and no one's quite sure where she was at for the first 4-5 years of her life; but she's very sweet and a little shy, and so far appears to be housebroken. Adelaide won't get up on the furniture, despite me urging her to get on up in the bed, and spent the night quietly sleeping on a blanket on the floor. I haven't even heard her bark yet! She doesn't seem overly interested in the baby, just sniffs at him, and she's terrified of Hazel. Which is probably a good thing, because it is Hazel's house and Hazel's family. Jason keeps telling me what a good job I did picking her out, she's a good sweet girl, and I think she's going to be an excellent addition to our growing family.

Cut Loose

Last night Footloose was on VH1 classic, and I of course decided that we needed to watch it We then had the following conversation

"How many times do we have to watch this?"
"About 50 more times should do it."
"I hate this dumb movie."
"Do you even know what it's about?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"They can't dance because it's against their religion and then a rogue dancer comes to town and shakes things up."

and then he said:

"I'd rather watch a movie with a rogue samurai."

How do I love thee? That is definitely one of the ways.

Light Summer Reading

In times of yore (anytime before 2/2/07) I used to read upwards of two books a week, every week. When the new Harry Potter novel would come out I would call off work (because I'm responsible like that) and settle in with various snacks to read until it was finished. I got "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" on Saturday, early Saturday, and I'm still not done. I tried to stay up til midnight last night to finish it. Book still unfinished, alarm not set, me begging my mom for a ride to work so I'm not horrendously late. I was horrendously late one day last week and I try not to do that too many times in one month, having a baby doesn't automatically excuse tardiness, though really it should. If I finish it tonight I'm going to finish reading "The Liars Club", and then start in on my Summer of Faulkner 3-book set. Those books are smaller paperbacks which I might be able to read one handed while nursing. I love my son so much more than I thought possible, but I do miss my free time. I miss reading for hours on end, not stopping except to pee or get snacks, or maybe watch a soap opera. Of course someday he won't need my constant attention, that's what I tell myself when I get frustrated, but I do get frustrated.

Sharp Tooth

Eli was being extra cranky yesterday, so I stuck my finger in his mouth to see if he was hungry (if he's hungry he sucks vigorously) and felt something sharp on his bottom gum! He has a real live tooth coming in, and it's a lot sharper than I thought it would be. No wonder the little man's been so angry. My baby is getting to be so very very grownup.

Taking names and breaking hearts

Eli said his first word last night, ma-ma! It's amazing to me that I'm someones first word, the person that is foremost in his life. A lot of my time is spent trying to do the best that I can for him; trying to decide the best way to raise him. One of the big things for me is raising him to be healthy and environmentally conscious. So far we've implemented cloth diapers, and the breastfeeding of course, I've been slowly switching over to all natural bath stuff. Last night I made his first batch of baby food (organic carrots) to freeze for later, and tonight I'm going to do sweet potatoes. I like feeling domestic, like a 50's housewife, and I'm getting a lot better at cooking. I made split pea soup from scratch while I was cooking Eli's carrots last night and it was amazing! Last time I let it get too thick (Jason called it mashed potato soup), but this time it was just right. I've also been researching pre school homeschooling curriculum's. I don't think I'll be homeschooling him for K-12, but I'd like to give him a good head start before sending him off to school. Eli literally takes up 90% of my time, whether I'm with him or not I'm always thinking of him. The other ten percent is focused on TV, books, and movies. On the World Series of Pop Culture finals last night there was an entire category dedicated to Dirty Dancing. I aced it of course, it's kind of what I've been preparing for my entire life. I've seen it close to 400 times I think. Next year I'm going to be in the World Series of Pop Culture, you just wait and see, and I'm going to win. And then I'm going to use the money to take a year off with Eli.

Nap Time is a Good Time

I just had a massive Qdoba burrito in a bowl for lunch and now I really feel like a nap is in order. Downstairs is a lovely plush couch that would be perfect for just such an activity, but I fear that a swift firing would be the next activity, sigh. I can remember hating naps when I was little, my mom would put us all in bed with her (5 yr. old Josh, 4 yr. old me and little baby Marty) and as soon as everyone else dozed off I was sneaking outside to play with my friends. The good old days when I had copius amounts of energy.

In other, non-nap related news, Eli is chubbing out again. He had a length growth spurt and was starting to look just a little skinny, and starting to make me think that maybe mommy's milk wasn't quite rich enough. In just the past couple days though his thighs have started to plump up, and all his adorable (and hard to clean between) rolls are taking shape again. I know I'm thoroughly prejudiced but he just keeps getting cuter and cuter. He's especially charming out on the town where he smiles and coos at anyone who takes the time to look in his direction. He's a favorite of the old Italian ladies roaming my neighborhood, they always bless him which I find charming. We can all use all the blessing we can get. I kind of wish someone would bless me.

AAARRGH

http://www.talklikeapirateday.com/translate/index.php

How awesome is the pirate translater? Like totally awesome. Ever wonder how a pirate would say totally awesome? Well, now you can find out, can't you?

um, ew

"According to that report, Western Pennsylvania's climate will resemble the current climate in Alabama if emissions continue to grow, with 20 to 25 days each summer with above-100-degree temperatures and 60 days a year with temperatures above 90."-Pittsburgh Post Gazette

I did think it was hotter than it used to be here this summer. I was just accrediting my new found sweatiness to my pregnancy weight gain, good to know it's more likely caused by my previously lax stance on recycling. Seriously though I'm trying to be more environmentally sound for just this reason, I don't want Eli to think snow is just some story I made up. Plus I hate sweating, especially when it's right above my upper lip and it just keeps coming back no matter how many times i wipe it. OK, that was probably TMI, but you have to be graphic when you're trying to stir people to change.

I can do it legal now

"Local governments may not prohibit public breast-feeding, whether or not the mother's breast is concealed, and the act cannot be considered indecent exposure, obscene or sexual conduct, or a nuisance."-The Pittsburgh Channel

Pittsburgh has finally come around! I can breastfeed everywhere now without fear of harrassment. Party time, Excellent! Eli's going to be so excited, he does love his boobies.

Since the last time I wrote Eli has had his 5 month birthday and his first 4Th O' July. He now weighs in at a whopping 14 lbs 6 oz, rolls all over the place, giggles up a storm, and enjoys using his rain forest jumparoo (see picture below)

He has also been sleeping much better which is a blessing for me, I was starting to feel a little zombified at work and at home. Sometimes he will loosen his hold on Dangles the monkey and start crying, but as soon as he has a grip on him he usually drifts back to sleep. My little man is starting to seem very grown up.

In non-baby news Jason had his first trip to Kennywood! When asked to rate it on a 1-10 scale he gave it an 11, which seems about right to me since I consider it to be up there with Disneyland in the race for happiest place on earth. The best part was the Jackrabbit, I was tightening and tightening the seat belt and Jason gave me a look and said, "Why are you freaking out, we're not going anywhere?" Then when we hit that double dip and he felt that amazing derail/pop out of the cart sensation, the look on his face was priceless. Aah the joys of a Kennywood virgin.

We also found also found a new place to live this weekend, finally. I hate the apartment we're in now (I think Eli does too), it's too small, has no yard, the neighbors are loud and nasty, my mail gets stolen, my stove doesn't cook right, I could just go on and on. The new place is a five minute walk from work (my feet are ecstatic about that), has a big front porch, small backyard, air conditioning, a great kitchen, big bathroom, full basement with washer and dryer, and it's cute!! We fell in love pretty much the second we walked in, and we can't wait to get moved in at the beginning of the month. Our places are getting progressively nicer and I have high hopes that in 2-3 years we'll be in a place of our own. I also have high hopes that we'll be able to talk the new landlord into letting us get a dog, I miss Mr. B like crazy, and Eli loves dogs. He loves the cat too, but she's not so fond of him.