First, I would like to say that I truly didnot anticipate the recovery time we, and especially Ali would need from this trip. Geez, we’re still worn out. To the point of feeling almost hungover! And Ali…she took a good nap flying into Portland, slept most of the nearly two hour ride home and went to bed at 5pm! I thought it was just a nap so she was still in her clothes and everything. She woke up once earlyin the morning and laid with/played around me for about an hour before going back to sleep until, like, nine thirty.

Today we have to work on re-training her to sleep in the crib, which she is throwing a big fit about. One of my least favorite things. We also really need to go to thestore as there is no substantial food in the house to speak of, definitely nothing remotely fresh or parishable, but finding the energy or desire to get up and out is proving to be a struggle. Also wondering why I bothered to clean before leaving. Coming home somehow seemed to tear the whole house apart. 

Anyway, backing up:

We left here around 8pm last Sunday. Ali slept in the car. Got to the airport and did long-term parking. Ali woke up and was excited and confused. We took the shuttle and checked our bags and the whole time Ali was so cute talking and smiling and having a great time. We checked two bags and had two backpacks, Ali’s little suitcase, a stuffed diaper bag, and a stroller to carry on. Which, plus Ali, was a LOT to lug through the airport. SO GLAD we ended up vetoing the carseat.

Entertaining herself at the gate.

Mom and Dad.

Ali stayed up and played until we got on the plane and fell asleep just before take-off (about 12:30pm). We flew first to the Minneapolis airport, a little over three hour flight. So we got there just after 5am after the two hour time change. Ali didn’thave a seat and I have to say it is a pain to have a one year old on your lap. And it was exclusively my lap b/c I’m the one she sleeps with and we were desperate to do whatever possible to keep her asleep. I slept a little but with my arm squished between the girl and the armrest my hand kept falling asleep and waking me up. Eventually the sun started to rise (so amazing to see from the sky!) and I just stayed up. I don’t think Tony slept much, if at all.

Over Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes.

Tired eyes.

Landed in Minneapolis and she’s still sleeping.

Ali didn’t wake until we were in the airport. And then she woke very happy and excited. She was seriously so funnywith all her airport wakes. Not at all how she normally wakes up. In Minneapolis we had about an hour to make ourway across their HUGE airport (from gate F to A something). I started to feel a little sick on the first flight (I get motion sick pretty easily) so I took a non-drowsy Bonine at the gate (thanks Alyssa!). Almost immediately, probably because my stomach was empty and I had slept very little, drowsiness set in. 

The flight to Des Moines was on a tiny, tiny plane. It was scary tiny- at least to me. Again, Ali fell asleep before take-off and didn’t wake up until we were in the airport. What a good girl! I also slept through most ofthe short flight. I don’t think Tony did though. He is crazy like that.

We got into Des Moines at about 8:30. Karen and Martha (Tony’s stepmom and sister) picked us up. We didn’t even have to wait at baggage, apparently a benefit of having taken a tiny plane. And then the fun began…

Where is this heat wave?!?! Grrr, it’s cloudy and cooooold right now.

After three one-a-nap-days Ali is now taking a very definite morning nap. Which means probably an afternoon one as well. I’m okay with that, trying to cut down to one has been difficult. Especially when it takes twenty minutes to get anywhere so she always falls asleep. Usually twice (there and back). And there goes nap time. I need a better break than that! And she needs more that 25 or so minutes of sleep a day. Yesterday that’s allshe had between 8am and 7pm. Though I must say it’s nice when she goes down so easy, so early.

Anyway.

Here’s the girl yesterday.

The sunset.

And my arm after having given blood.

It’s short. Sorry for the video overload as of late. Busy with Wii Fit and trying to get outside and keep the house picked up and doing usability tests (Tony). Thinking about prepping for Iowa. Also tonight Ali has woken up five or six times since 7pm when she went to bed.  So frustrating I could cry or throw something. Beyond that, I am so stoked about this heat wave that it supposedly coming our way!!!

WATCH THIS VIDEO!

I have been wondering forever how kids fall asleep while eating. Today Ali got up at 8am and didn’t really seem tired at 11am (she usually is awake three to four hours) or even noon. Finally, around one we decided to give her lunch, even though by then she was tired but it was that or have lunch whenever she awoke. And, for the love of God, I am desperate to get on a one-nap-a-day schedule. Today, for example I could definitely do:

Ali awakes at 8am. Sleeps from 1:15ish until almost 2pm. Wakes up but I put her back down, though it takes awhile and I wonder if it’s worth it. She sleep until after three!! Then, to bed at 8pm and has yet to wake up! Lately she’s been going two-three hours after first being put down which, sadly, is not usual. I hope it becomes as such.

Today Tony not only let me sleep in (until nearly ten!) but brought me breakfast in bed! Though I got up and ate downstairs with Ali. Then we went to Tillamook to see some of these garage sales. It’d been raining earlier but had stopped, though the weather was far from nice. Cloudy, cold, and breezy. Most of the sales were canceled.

So we went to the library and there were two kids there. A little girl a few months older than Ali and her older brother, about three. Omg, Ali was SO CUTE. She loved every minute of playing with these kids. Especially Clark, the older boy. He obviously knew how to entertain his little sister! In the fall they’re going to start back up with toddler story time (16 months and up I think) and Ali will BE A TODDLER. Ok, scary thought, but that is very exciting. She/we can meet other kids. So necessary.

After stopping at the store (after lunch at McDonalds…someone was loving chicken nuggets) we came home and it was partly sunny. It’s very sad how exciting partly sunny is this June.We went for a walk and played at the park and a little "basketball" and then stopped in this new gallery-type shop and talked to the owner for a little bit.

Then, came home and hung out and I made dinner (chicken curry cinnamon stir-fry stuff) and Ali had a bath and went to bed. Last night she was until until past ten! So glad that doesn’t appear to be a trend.

There are a couple videos I’ve been meaning to upload but haven’t gotten around to, but this one has yet to be posted. It’s from about a week ago, just Ali messing around during lunchtime. Kind of a spoiler…in the middle of it she chokes, which any mother knows is totally routine and you know they’re most likely okay but there’s still that moment of panic. And, yeah…it’s on tape:

Edit: I thought this video didn’t have sound so I just re-uploaded it only to find out it’s only really quiet. So turn your volume up. Also, because now I have this too, this video is from the same day, just before lunch. She was being such a chatterbox.

Re-edit: I just realized Tony had his headphones plugged in. Leave your volume alone!

Since we spent two weeks away from home (we returned at the beginning of April) I have spent all but three nights sleeping on the trundle in Ali’s room. With Ali. The first time we reverted back to our old way was the night of Mother’s Day when Ali was really sick. And then the two nights Billie was here a few weeks ago. Two nights in a row Tony slept on the regular (non-trundle) bed with us, but not last night. He was feeling left out so I told him he was welcome anytime.

On one hand, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

On the other…because of the alcove-ness of the trundle with the dresser pulled up next to it the bed is PERFECT for [all]night breastfeeding. The pillows works just right, and the bed is low enough to the floor that I don’t have to worry about Ali falling. If I remember to close the door when I come in (usually between eleven and twelve-thirty) then she can even crawl out in the morning and do whatever while I drift. So, it actually works quite well. And yet, I feel as if this is somehow taking steps backward? I don’t know. Like everything else, there are always pros and cons.

The biting was much, much better today. Thanks for all the advice thus far and do keep it coming! We read in What To Expect the First Year to just say no, calmly and take her off, look her in the face and say it hurts mommy, etc. I usually give her one chance and then take her off on the second time. She nurses without incident a few times today and got "removed" probably three times. Which is easier said than done because then she hangs around me all whiny wanting to be held and if I hold her she digs her face into my chest of lifts up/pulls down my shirt. Ah, the joys of breastfeeding an older baby! Anyway, it’s progress and I am VERY pleased with that.

We really don’t have formula in the budget…

This sickness that is. Ali got warm last night. I didn’t take her temp but gave her meds when she woke up about midnight. Yesterday, as a whole, was quite odd. She/we slept in until 8:30-9am, then she took a long nap (hour to and hour and a half) until noon. Then another nap just after four-thirty…until almost six! I expected her to be up until nine at least but she fell asleep on me at eight. Definitely a sign of something not quite right. This morning she was warm again and temp was 103.2 under the arm. So, 104.2!

When Tony had this he was on-and-off sick for what seemed like EVER. Probably two to three weeks. I sure hope this is the final round. Also, the worst part about so many sick days (coupled with the less-than-stellar weather) is SO much indoor time. I think the last week or so has been spent mainly in the house, venturing out only a handful of times. Stir-crazy is one thing, but the construction is making us (or at least Tony and I) very aware of some violent tendencies. There is a constant urge to punch or throw something and anger/rage boiling very close to the surface. We need a vay-cay from our own home!

At least I’m pretty sure it was. There was an extraordinarily young girl in a Fred Meyer uniform at the store today. And the contractor working next door had one of his little girls with him. So, Tony "took" Ali to work for a bit as well. Adorable, I know. Now, somethings that have been running through my mind.

• Ali’s hair is getting SO long. And it’s such chameleon hair too. Dark still on the ends from birth, with red and gold highlights. I’m so interested to see how it "turns out."

• The above pics were taken two days ago…on Earth Day. Ali wore her Oregon Zoo t-shirt from Hannah in honor of the event.
• I think Ali is teething again. A marked increase in drool, and general tendency to gnaw things I thought I’d taught her not to forever ago (like the coffee table) have led me to this conclusion.
• Last night was LAME.
• If I wonder why it’s sometimes hard to find the drive and energy to really work out then I probably should take the fact that it’s now been nearly ten months since I got a full night’s sleep into further consideration. Longer if you count pregnancy peeing. Also, I don’t think she’s slept more than four or five consecutive hours since about eight weeks old. That’s a long time.
• I hate being stuck indoors.
• For days on end.
• With a cranky baby.
• Who is struggling to nap because of construction noise.
• Yesterday is rained and rained and rained. Through the night and hard all morning. When I looked outside after 7am there was a large puddle. About four hours later we had a backyard lake! Crazy-scary but the rain soon slowed and the water went down quickly.

• Today we returned home from the store to find cement being poured next door. There were two trucks blocking our entrance but Mr. Contractor was kind enough to have the guys move. I gave him a wave and he gave me a nod. Much appreciated. Still. Loud and obnoxious! I did feel so bad for the poor guy who worked alone almost all day yesterday. In the torrents of rain and 60mph wind gusts. I hope he is appreciated.

April 10th, early on

And later.

Today on the west side.

And the east.

• I’m glad people (Karlin!) like the one year ago today feature. It makes me wish I’d blogged more and drives me to strive for daily entries in the present.
• Ali is getting so big! She’s mastering skills on a near daily basis and constantly amazing both of us with her growth in all areas. Lately, she’s become Little Ms. Organizer. More onthat to come in the near future. Well, hopefully…
• Monday I have a dental consult in Portland. Well, Milwaukie. Here we call anything over the coastal range "Portland." Excited to go "home" even if it’s just for a short period.
• Trista is spending next week here! But not with us
• She’s a counselor for ODS (outdoor school) next week and Twin Rocks Friends Camp literally RIGHT down the street from us. We’re trying to hook up some sort of run-in but it’s tough because they’re not allowed to bring cell phones.
• I hate gas prices. Hate hate hate. Makes me feel even more stuck. Especially in the relentless cold and rain.
• I am  OH SO READY FOR SPRING.

Yesterday was the first time Ali was really affected by the going ons next door. She usually is awake in three hour increments. Awoke from morning nap at eleven (only down thirty minutes), so should have been sleepy again around two, maybe two-thirty. Went down close to three-thirty. The hammering (they’re working on the foundation…or something I’m no expert) was so loud we could hear it through the monitor. And she woke up after like half and hour. PISSED. It was a long night.

There have actually been a few long nights lately. Somehow I’ve spent the last three of them in Ali’s room. I keep meaning to get on top of the whole sleep in you own bed for most of the night thing. Followed by sleeping THROUGH the night. But she wakes and I take her out to nurse and then we’re both asleep.  And she keeps waking before seven. This morning though she randomly feel asleep before I thought she was even tired, like 8:45am. On me. So I just left her like that. It was pouring outside, like really hard, cold, nasty rain. So I just lay on the couch and watched Monday’s episode of Gossip Girl. And that was very nice. It’s like there’s a time and a place for sleeping on top of someone. And 3am ain’t it!

With so much going on (or maybe so little?) it’s easy to forget the nitty gritty of blogging about daily life. Or at least posting picture of "everyday." So…..let’s see. Weather has been crazy! Lots of hailstorms and even rain mixed with snow. Even some "sticking" or whatever you call it when you wake in the morning to a layer of frozen hail covering everything.

After a random "sunny" hailstorm yesterday.

Ali is doing well. She’s begun waving….kind of. But it’s something we’ve been working on and waiting for for awhile. She also finally started clapping today! Or something clapping-ish. It’s so funny how kids hit some milestones way ahead, others right on time, and yet there has to be at least a couple they lag on. Still sleeping really well in her crib. Until sometimes between eleven and one that is. Which is probably more my fault then anything because it’s easier to just take her if I’m going to bed or already asleep. Also she still wakes near hourly most night after she goes down. Will she ever sleep through the night?

Also, the last two mornings she’s woken up at six! YUCK and I hope that doesn’t continue. We’ve had a slight cold blow through around here. Why is there something so cute about a little kid with a runny nose? Maybe that only when it’s your own kid? And when it’s just a touch of clearish sheen, not any nasty green gunk. Yech, I’ll gag just thinking about it. Another recent development is some hardcore cruising. It’s kind of scary how quickly (so it seems!) Ali went from wobbly standing to confident climbing. Yes, climbing. She is trying to tackle our stairs but usually only gets just past halfway up (about stair seven) before going back down. Which, is fine with me. I’m glad she know how to get down because I don’t think that is always the case at first. Seriously though, we really need to invest in some baby gates.

Crouching to pick a fallen pacy is no big thing now.

Beyond that I can’t think of much. Tony is really busy. It was nice to have a weekend home. Alone. I really, really, really, want real spring to be here. I know I need to update on next door (Tony has been working on hooking up a web cam actually, if you are wondering what the new box on the right is). Hopefully will get to that soon. I am waiting on getting pictures situated. Basically, at the moment, the whole thing is a huge dirt lot. A portapotty was delivered Friday though, so I’m anticipating a lot of work this upcoming week. Thus far they’ve just been coming for a few hours in the morning and then peacing out. If anyone is there at all…

Ah yes, I did just remember something else. Ali’s new sense of exploration. Which is especially keen in the kitchen and has prompted a couple baby locks, some reorganizing and a whole cupboard and lower drawer designated for her stuff. One is full of all the jars from baby food that we’re keeping, and her cups and stuff and it is emptied out more times a day then I can count. Probably as many as it all gets put back in!