…a week and a half now? And we’re leaving tomorrow. Was going to be today but some things came up and now it’s tomorrow. Going to Portland. Well, Gladstone. Premise is my getting a wisdom tooth pulled. For which I am so, so, so excited as it’s been bothering me for like a year or something. And it’s going to be covered by insurance which at the last minutes was in question as I got a noticei n the mail Saturday saying our dental had been downgraded to emergencies only. Couldn’t do anything about it until Monday. Appt. was Wednesday and had been on the books for FOUR MONTHS. That’s a long wait. It was a hassle but looks at the moment as if everything is going to work out.

So we leave earlyish tomorrow and are staying until Saturday or Sunday…or Monday, whatever. We’ll see. Don’t think we ever even got fully caught up. Whatever than even means.

Rocking out with her new toy.

Before her check-up last week.

Ali did great with the shots. Didn’t really seem to phase her a bit. She’s teething though, back ones I guess (since she has all the others) and that has been hard on her. Cranky and crying through the ngiht and knawing on practically her whole hand. Hopefully that ends with a quickness.

Last Friday night we went to a Relay For Life event at the local high school. On Saturday we went to a craft fair in Nehalem and then out to lunch for Tony’s and I "anniversary" which was the day before. Two years since our first date. Also my parents…twenty-seventh? wedding anniversary so happy anniversary to them! Weekends are so fun here in the summer, there’s so much to do. Or, maybe just SOMETHING to do, which feels like a lot after the winter.

Ali at the restaurant.

And before bed.

We’ve also been playing a lot of Wii. Well, almost exclusively Wii Fit. Because we promised to return in to Jordan when we go back to town. Sad. It will definitely be missed. But we are so, so, so grateful for the loan. I’ve seriously seen such a difference all over fromthe strength exercises and yoga I’ve been doing. I’m now down SEVENTY pounds from my pregnancy peak (which was 214-yikes!). Anyone looking to buy us a present in the upcoming months, hint hint.

Some time when we finished feeding the seagulls.

And the last few are from today. More here.

Been having a lot of falls lately.

And having moments of "acting" babyish.

Tickle monster!

Ali is starting to have a big biting problem. And it’s when she nurses. So that means it’s really MY big biting problem. except for maybe once today the boob has been put away every time because she is biting. And not once. I give her a bunch of tries. She usually starts but just kind of biting down and then I say NO, and/or grab her arm or something and she’ll usually let go. And then it’s suck, suck, bite, suck, sick, bite. Each time getting harder. It’s as the point where she seems to think it’s some kind of game? She smiles and nearly giggles when I kind-of-but-not-really yell. I’ll even smack her on the butt or lightly on the cheek and she doesn’t care. Eventually she’ll CLAMP down and then I YELL and/or hit to get her to just let go. And the boob goes away.

The afternoon when we were leaving the park I went to nurse her (b/c she barely ate any lunch or breakfast) she did the same thing and then got my arm instead. Bit me so hard there are still red, raised areas in the shape of her teeth. SO GLAD it was my arm!!!

I thought before bed she would leave it be, but nope. sucked just enough to get my milk to let down and then I had to get her off. Meanwhile I was squirting all over both of us after nearly a whole day without nursing (I hadn’t pumped since we got back from our two weeks away at the beginning of April! But got about 3oz. after I left her screaming in bed).

I don’t know what to do. In the moment all I want is to get her off. And it makes me so nervous and jumpy even when she’s being good. talk about taking the joy right out of the experience. I may have to track down one of my old nipple shields but who knows if she’d even  take it and I REALLY don’t want to have to deal with those again. It’s so frustrating. I’m even wondering if this is some sort of self-weaning?

Anyone have any advice?

I have not been blogging. As you may have noticed. For a variety of reasons.

• I am currently spending way to much time READING a blog. I’m consumed.
• Ali is sick again. On the mend I think but that runny nose was struggling her real bad for awhile. She even had her first throw up a couple nights ago. Though it could have been a glorified spit up? I think it was because I had her sleeping kind of upright to drain some of the nasties and she coughed and coughed and then barfed warm stuff all over me. Whatever…I was glad to was at least out of her little airway!
• I also think she’s teething again. Or still maybe. She been biting me a lot. And the coffee table.
• I cannot handle the still wintery weather now that it is almost JUNE. It is NOT FAIR that we have had, like, no spring. NW winters are dark, dreary, and tolling enough. Lasting almost two months- or more!- longer than they should is driving me batty.
• I get headaches everyday. I blame the CONSTANT INCESSANT MIND NUMBING banging and sawing and whatever the f&^$ else next door.
• Also I have been kind of sick since mother’s day. But off and on. And kind of, which is the worst b/c it’s always there but never a high enough priority to receive enough attention to be remedied. And I keep forgetting to buy 7-up for my upset stomach.
• I got my hair trimmed on Monday. It needed it so, so, bad and I think I finally found someone I would gladly return to. That hasn’t happened in years and years and it always makes needing a haircut stressful and a big event if you don’t know where to go.
• Ali is getting too big. I’ve basically began referring to her as a one-year-old in my head so I can get used to the idea that she’s not a baby anymore.
• We’ve been working on standing but now she refuses and makes her legs go limp. So stubborn! But I’m okay with that, Her timing is alright, plus I’m just NOT READY for a walker.
• Some pics that never got posted:

• Ok, I’m off to make the most of the grey and dreary day. Or at least the naptime that Ali has blessed me with!

I think this was the day before yesterday. What she is carrying around is what’s left of an ENTIRE pickle Tony gave her to chew on. Which she ate right up. The joys of teething have been titillating us all as of late. If you don’t usually watch the videos, take a few minutes for this one. Ali really is such a doll and TURN YOUR SOUND UP. Because she has a sweet voice too.

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 Shady 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.

I just noticed both of Ali’s top teeth poking through a few hours ago. No wonder we have some rough nights a few weeks back. Four teeth all in a row! I’m sad to see her fangs go though. They are just the cutest thing.

Turns out I have an inflamed SI (sacroiliac) joint. For which basically nothing can be done except alternating hot and cold, stretching, and avoiding activities that aggravate. My doc said he would have me do physical therapy if my insurance covered it. I can’t take any pain meds or muscle relaxers because I’m breastfeeding. The best outcome is it starts to resolve itself in about a month(!). If not, the next course of treatment is an injection of cortisone into the joint. I also had some white blood cells in my urine, which is being sent for a culture to see if that’s anything.

I’ve been alternating heat pad and frozen veggies for a few hours and it’s becoming more painful with every turn. Like, it makes me nauseous. So I’ve definitely been a happier camper.

Thank you for the duckie!

Teeth!

What happened to our baby?

A few things…

• Ali now has a sixth tooth! On the bottom to the left of her other two. That means four bottom teeth and her two top fangs. For now anyway.
• Thank you to Tony’s dad’s family for the package Ali got today. Such cute clothes and sunglasses we are hoping to get her to keep on! Also, for some reason she thinks the duck is very kissable and has been kissing it all day.
• I finally remembered to look at ponytail holders to find some that might work for Ali at the store today. As you can see, I found some to try. The real question is if they will stand the test of time. Her pony was already sagging and loose after just a few hours tonight.

• Another video! And the start of a new batch, per se. This one starring the Elmo doll Ali got on her first visit to a toy store last month. This is from….Saturday?

• The bed and naptime routine has been going amazingly well! Tonight she was asleep within, like, five minutes at 7:45. Which was 6:45 two days ago! Although last night she went down easy, then woke up about 11:45 and didn’t go back to sleep for probably an hour. And that was downstairs in bed with me. So I won’t be counting any chickens before they hatch. Still, it makes me think I could take up a hobby. Or, more realistically, some classes.

This was at my parents’ house weekend before last.

Last night. Took about half hour to get her to fall asleep. Woke up 30-45 minutes later. Another thirty or so minutes. Woke up again before midnight. Finally took her down with us about one. Then woke up this morning at, like, 6:20! Ugh. But, was very grouchy and tired right after nine so off to the crib she went. Fell asleep in fifteen minutes and has been out for halfan hour. And just awoke!!

Also, found tooth number five this morning. Surprisingly, on the bottom.

Our poor blog is being neglected! And it’s not for lack of things to write about either. Chalk it up to us being busy, out of town for about 72 hours, and my trying oh-so-had to implement a new sleeping routine with Ali. Okay, backing up…

Friday morning we drove to my parents’ house. We hadn’t been there since Christmas and needed to make a trip. We also were in dire need of a Costco stock up. And a Target visit. My grandma was moving out of the apartment she’d lived in for nearly twelve years and, temporarily, in with my parents and we wanted to help. After helping clean the house a little we ventured out to visit my Nana and Grandpa. Nana had a new stent put in a heart valve last week and is still recuperating (very well I might add) but was as happy to see us and we were to see her. Ali was on pretty good behavior and even let Nana hold her for awhile. Which she wouldn’t let my dad do! She cried the first time she saw him. Ah, the joys of spending 24/7 with your parents.  Then we went to Costco and blew a lot of our recent earnings. Is it possible to get out of there and NOT do so?

Trista was gracious enoguh to volunteer to baby-sit for us Friday night. Although I’m pretty sure my mom helped a lot and Alyssa too. Tony and I have had a gift certificate from my Uncle Bill for Olive Garden since before Ali was born and we finally got the chance to use it! The food was good, the break was great, but going out as parents is definitely a whole different thing than going out as a couple. We are so indebted to everyone who was home because Ali cried, probably mostly scream-cried, the whole hour and a half. She dropped off to sleep just as we hurriedly headed home. And then woke up an hour or so later…

By then it was past her bedtime and she was up for awhile so her new "schedule" was kind of busted. Which I knew it would be, leaving home a few days after first implementing it. But, as Tony said, there’s always a reason not to start. Eventually you just have to do it. Though the girl got to stay up pretty late for a few nights, I was impressed with how quickly she fell asleep…and I think almost always without nursing! There were even a few good by herself naps. Next time though, I’ll definitely take the baby monitor. Spending the whole nap running back to peek in the door because I’m paranoid about her crawling off the bed (she’s done it before!) makes the whole thing pretty pointless. At least for me.

Saturday we convinced Alyssa to come to Babies’R'Us with us. One the way there we drove by this firefighter training burn. I have such a fire phobia but, still, this was cool! Anyway, we’ve been needing to get an umbrella stroller ever since lugging the high chair around became mandatory. With a little car, those two items take up too much room. But then we got swayed by the nice strollers. After a day of thinking on it (realizing it made no sense to buy a cheapy one now and a better one later) and a coupon hook-up from BRU employee Ms. Jennifer Dower, we returned the next day and purchased Ali’s new wheels! Mother and Father are stoked and Ali is currently asleep in it.

After perusing what I mentioned felt like a baby factory, we stopped to visit Cynthia at work across the street. We so do love to surprise but not be surprised. Cynthia has a bump!!!!! It’s so cute and I am so excited to find out if it’s a boy bump or a girl bump. In the evening we went over to my aunt and uncles to have a lasagna dinner after everyone got my Grandma moved. Once again, Ali was showing off all her new tricks. Aunt Yvonne brought out some new toys which were a bit hit.

Sunday we went to chruch with my family. During the service I took Ali down to the nursery. We’re trying very hard to expose her to new people as much as possible and yet…as controlled as possible. I’m sure it’s very probably much of the problem is us I stayed down with her, she had no intention of letting me leave. There was only one other baby, two weeks older than Ali, and neither of them had been around babies much before. They were soooo cute playing together. Sarah, the other little girl, had two clips in her hair. But Ali crawled all around her until she pulled both of them out. Which basically proved my theory that the only reason she leaves clips in her own hair is because she doesn’t know they’re there.

In the afternoon Trista snuck us into her palce of employment, the North Clackamas Aquatic Park, so we could take Ali swimming again. And, again, Ali loved every minute of it. Even though it was so crowded and so noisy she just had a blast. Afterwards she was so tired but so calm. I’m not sure it even hit her until Monday when she had some mega naps.

We were going to come home Sunday but after swimming we also were exhausted and decided to just leave early Monday morning. Btw, early for us = like ten or ten-thirty. We got home about twelve-thirty, got everything unpacked (our car was absolutely STUFFED) and…back to the daily grind. Amazingly, Ali has THREE poops in the potty yesterday. She’s been on a two days w/o poops, one day with a lot schedule. But, she’s also kind of struggling. I still think with those top teeth. She’s had a mild fever since Sunday and last night had that cry, the one where you can tell that something hurts. Her and I ended up sleeping up in her room last night and she seems to be feeling better today.

Alright, now the child has woke and her andI need to hit the road to Tillamook to get groceries. The hope was to have them before lunch but she feel asleep on the walk to the post office. So, lunch may have to be a bit late. Hope everyone had a good weekend and has a great week!