Maybe it wasn't such a good idea...

I'm begining to think that the "Big Girl Bed" was not such a good idea. Currently, Mary is in her bedroom going "Whee!" about something, and occasionally banging on her door. I know she's tired, she fell asleep in the car on the way home from IKEA, so why won't she sleep?

Anyways, this is the scene that greeted me after nap time this afternoon. The pink thing that she is in is a doll crib given to us by our friends S & A a while back. Other than her being trapped in the doll crib, the mess is pretty much what I see every morning and after nap time. When does this phase end, anyways?


 
 
  

Sweat

I'm sorry, it's been a while since I posted here. The miserable stinking heat has sucked the life and energy right out of me. I realized this week that while I enjoy 30+ degree heat while in Puerto Rico sitting on the beach or by the pool, I don't much like it here when real life has to continue on. Mary's not dealing well with the heat either, she's more miserable than I am, and it takes even less than usually to get her whining and shrieking in frustration. She is also sweating buckets, it's unreal how icky and wet she is after her nap. She also desperately wants cuddles from me, and gets extremely annoyed because I'm just as hot as she is. So she spends her entire time being held by me whining, squirming, and giving me extremely dirty looks.




You can see a picture here of Mary playing with her big pink ball. I leave her balls outside every night, but I bring them close to the house. Our yard is fully fenced, and I always assumed that would be enough to keep what was within safe. Not so, my friends. On Monday night, at some point in the night, someone came in too my yard, and stole Marys big pink ball. I am really bothered by this, not only because Mary loved that ball, and now it's gone (it'll cost $3.99 to replace), but it is the fact that someone came through my gate or over the fence, right up to my front steps to steal a ball. Right under my bedroom window. I suppose it's my own fault for leaving things out in the yard and assuming that people would leave them alone.

I'm so crafty!

I just had to post my latest cross-stitch efforts to show off. They aren't much to look at, but I have finished more projects in the last months than I have in my entire life! Christmas stuff is next on my list, and I'm tackleing some dificult projects which are more embroidery than x-stitch. Wish me luck!

 
 
  

Friday Baby and Boobie Blogging

Hello there everyone! Pardon me if I seem a wee bit distracted, I'm watching the neighbours children run wild through the construction workers and equipment out front. Our sidewalks are being paved with asphalt, and those horrible, parentless children are going to get themselves killed. I haven't decided if it will be an accident or not, the construction workers are getting awfully frustrated with telling the wretched little beasts to bugger off. Where is their mother? Likely still sobbing over the Oilers loss. I try so hard not to judge other parents, but come on...a little parental supervision is required from time to time, don't you think?

Speaking of hockey...did you hear about the Montreal Canadian goalie who was photographed cuddling and kissing with Paris Hilton? I've been hearing about it for a couple of days, but I didn't really get why everyone was making such a big deal about it. Then I realized that his wife, who has been in the hospital caring for their premature baby for the last three months found out at the same time as the rest of us. Oops.

On to boobie blogging. My boobs are big, as if most of you who know me didn't know that already. I hate them with a hot hot heat, and I always have. It's very dificult to buy a bra, and because of the weight of the boobies, unless I splurge and spend about $150 on a german engineered monstrosity, they wear out (wow, what a sentance! and the bra's wear out, not the boobs). Anyways, I went to the doctor yesterday for my annual exam, and during the breast exam my doctor was amazed. He commented that my breasts are very dense and large, and he said that he was amazed I'm not constantly crippled from back pain. I mentioned that my back always hurts, but that I'm tough, and I just deal with it. He postulated that my breasts account for about 30lbs of my weight. Wow. Then he told me that once I am done having babies I ought to consider having breast reduction surgery, and that he would be happy to arrange that for me. I asked him if I couldn't just have it done today, and he laughed. So...all the more reason to have more babies now instead of later. The sooner I can get myself into a normal bra size (hell, I'd be happy even with a D!) the better.

Now here's a picture! Of my boobs! No...just kidding. It's a picture of Mary sleeping beside her new toddler bed. Where she sleeps. Instead of in her bed. She's so strange.



  

Ouch

Today was a day for accidents.

Mary was playing with Jonah today, they were both full of energy and craziness. She tripped over something on the floor and landed flat on her face on the hardwood floor. The screaming was loud and painful to my ears. After I calmed her down, I noticed that her nose was bleeding, poor thing. I must say, it's extremely dificult to clean the nose of a squirmy, excited, happy, full of energy toddler. It's like wrestling a greased pig.

Tonight when I was "cooking" my supper (putting a frozen pizza into a pre-heated oven) I burned my arm on the inside of the oven door. I actually held my arm there for a few seconds, not realizing that I was cooking myself, before I flung the pizza to the ground and lept back. I have a huge raised red welt on my forearm now, and it hurts like a son of a bitch. Thanfully Rob and Scott were very good nurses, and when I got to their place for D&D they got sick of my whimpering and provided me with both ice and aloe vera lotion. It's still a nasty burn, but it no longer hurts so badly that I want to vomit. I recently quit cooking except for frozen things that can be heated up in the oven or microwave (I really am a terrible, terrible cook) and now I think I may have to quit with the oven too.

Getting Lonely

Moustapha has been gone for three weeks now since his last visit. Five months since he first went away. He's been home twice, about a week each time, and I visited him for 2 weeks when he was in Puerto Rico. That's about four and a half weeks that I have seen my husband in the last five months. I'm used to it. I have a routine, and it isn't so bad. I get out quite a bit, thanks to my fantastic friends. I manage to make it to most of my games, although finding a sitter is always stressful for me (even though I know Raven is happy to look after Mary from time to time). I've been thinking about it, and the worst part of Moustapha being away is the lack of touch. I miss kissing. I miss being held. I miss holding hands, I miss cuddling. I miss...other stuff. From time to time I almost wish that my morals were a wee bit looser. They aren't likely to be though, except in my dreams. Dreams which have been getting more vivid lately featuring a vast cast of friends and famous people mingling in my huge, clean, imaginary bedroom. After my dream last night, there are a few people out there who I'm not going to be able to talk too without blushing like crazy.

This Saturday was Cori and Jackie's Arthurian LARP, and wow. It was fantastic fun. I am so very very thankful that I was able to find a babysitter at the last minute and attend. We were at a midsummer ball in Arcadia (Fairy Land) and there were several actors playing the parts of mischievous fae. My character, Morgause, Arthurs eldest and most bitter half sister was up to absolutely no good. I counciled sweet Princess Guinevere on pleasing men, encouraged her and Arthur to spend time together and whisper sweet nothings. Arthur kissed her, and was glowing with love when I slipped her a love potion to another man. I also slipped Lancelot a love potion for my sister Morgaine for the second time. Noble Lancelot ended up having a trist in the trees with her, effectively betraying his vows to his wife. I also managed to ensure the support of one of the other northern Kings for my husband, Lot of Orkney (interestingly enough played by Moustapha when he's in town), for when he decides that we've had enough of Arthurs noble stupidity and leads a rebellion. I'm very much looking forward to the next game to see what sort of evil shenanigans I can get up too. I'm also curious to see how long I can manage to get away with my mischief before people begin to suspect me...

Last night I started watching the Battlestar Galactica DVD's that Raven loaned me, and holy smokes! I've only watched the first episode, and I really hadn't expected to be quite so affected and blown away by it. I'm incredibly eager to watch more of the series.

Happy Fathers Day, Husband!

I know you won't see this till Tuesday night, but I'm thinking about you, and I miss you terribly. I wish you could be here with us

 
 
 
  

Friday Baby Blogging

Things are going much better than I expected with the toddler bed. Marys first night seemed to go well, but when I woke up and went to get ehr she was fast asleep curled up on the rocking chair beside the window. Naptime yesterday went well, but she didn't seem to realize that she could get out of bed herself (see the picture). This morning she was curled up in front of her door when I went in to get her up. Other than getting out of bed sometime in the middle of the night, she is doing really well. She doesn't fuss at all when I put her to bed which is fantastic!

And just for Anne, I made sure that RackBear was included in this picture.

  

Big Girl

After an incredibly long and frustrating hour, I managed to switch Mary's crib to a toddler bed. I've never enjoyed putting things together, and it's even worse when you have a toddler trying to "help." My patience was sorely tested, but I came out victorious. Here's a couple pictures of Mary exploring her new bed.


 
  

News Flash

This morning when I got up I went to Mary's room, as usual. As usual, she had been up for a while, and playing quietly till I went to get her. Her bedroom light was on, as usual, she can reach it from her crib. What was not usual was the fact that she was not in her crib. That's right, she was a free range baby, roaming around her room making a mess. What the hell? She's not even 18 months old, how can she have figured out how to get out of her crib? Should I keep putting her in her crib and hope that we don't have a repeat performance, or should I go about changing her crib into a toddler bed? If it's a real bed then there is absolutely nothing keeping her in bed at night or during nap time, and that's not cool.

Also, does anyone know when a child shows whether they are left or right handed? It's been driving me a little crazy (not that it matters which she is) but she shows a definate preference for her left hand right now.

My sinus cold has slowly migrated down my throat and into my chest, and is setting up camp there. How long should I suffer with a cold before going to the doctor? It's been a week now.

I'm Blind!

I just have to say that if you are going to wander around your living room stark naked, please, please please please, shut your blinds. There is a large, very hairy, very naked man roaming around his living room across the street from me, and he just stood, feet planted shoulder width apart, facing the street, right in the middle of the window with a light behind him. Ugh.

All For Anne

As Anne R. Key pointed out in my comments, it is Monday, and I have not blogged.

I know.

I really haven't much to talk about right now. I've been sick (again) and I have only left the house once since Friday evening. So there. Mary isn't sick yet, but it's coming, I can tell. Today she was incredibly crabby and wouldn't let me not hold her, except for when she didn't want to be held. Then she stood on the floor and sobbed miserably. It's possible that she's as tired of this house as I am.

Does anyone know if I can buy a new immune system on Ebay? I'm getting real tired of this defective piece of garbage that I've got, and according to my doctor, it'll likely only get worse.

The Oilers lost tonight. That means they only have to loose one more game and hockey will be done till fall.

Friday Baby Blogging

It pissed rain all day Thursday, so I thought I would go back to earlier in the week when it was sunny and hot.

 
  

Oops

Well, I suppose I owe y'all an explanation for the devil typing at the end of my last post.

You see, I was going to continue on and talk about my D&D game, but I needed to take a potty break first. When I got back, Mary was sitting in my chair and there was an error message on my web browser. I just assumed that blogger wasn't working, because as a few of you probably know, it's been acting up a whole lot in the last few days. I didn't even realize that the post had been posted till I saw Anne R. Key tonight at the restaurant.

I thought about going back to edit the post but I just couldn't bring myself to delete Marys first blog entry.

Happy Belated Devils Day

Huh. It looks like June sixth 2006 passed without a hitch. Go figure. I've been trying to blog since Tuesday evening, but every time I try to log on I get error messages. It's been incredibly frustrating. I've had things that I want to blog about, but I've forgotten them all now. Damn it. Anyways, look at this article. Unlike other women who were changing their induction/c-section dates to avoid the "Devils Day," this woman happily gave birth on June 6th, and even named her baby Damien. People are so weird.

Hmm. What else is going on in my life? Mary and I are both feeling better. Um. Oh, we played D&D on Tuesday night, and we have a new party member! Yay! uyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyys GIMuuMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM&WWQ&iIII7bgggggggggggg iSVVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC CCCCCCCvJM iyydIdydyDydidiiiyssddddddds
vvvvccccccccccccccsmMMMMMMMMMMMMMM7Y

I Hate Hockey

Yes. You heard it right. I, Jennifer Dixon, proud Canadian, hate hockey. Really there is nothing wrong with the sport as far as sports go. The problem is that I live very close to the rink (arena?) where the Edmonton Oilers play, and I am sick to death of the NHL. I'm tired of listening to the Woo Report, and I am tired of watching my unemployed single mother neighbour deck her house out horribly and tackily with Oilers parphenalia. Granted, I don't know her whole story, and I try oh so hard not to judge, but if she put even half the energy into finding a job as she does into the Oilers...well...needless to say, I'm feeling a wee bit snarky. Every time I go outside it gets uglier and uglier, and tonight I had to watch her on the news again. I won't even go into the fact that her unneutered male "purebred" pitbull sits in the front yard and flips out every time Mary and I go out to play, and I often see it running around the neighbourhood because it has escaped.

Phew. Now that I have that nastiness out of my system...It's hard to be a tolerant person some days, particularly living in the neighbourhood that I do. I see a lot of people every day who need help, who are living in the streets, who have drug problems or whatever else. It makes me so frustrated to watch my tax dollars go to whatever they are going to (Afghanistan, hunting "terrorists") when our social programs are just not working. I understand that our social programs in Canada are better than what is offered in the States, but sometimes I think that it's not enough. There is just no reason for anyone to live in poverty in the richest province in the country. I also have to say that there are very few legitimate reasons for an able bodied person to be out of work for any length of time in Edmonton. The Tim Horton's not too far away is so desperate for people to work for them that they are offering to pay 6 hours for every 4 hours you work, and they aren't the only place that is struggling to keep staff.

On to other things. Goody commented on my last post wondering if I have ever thought about homeschooling Mary. I have thought about it, an awful lot. I started looking into homeschool before Mary was born, and I've come to a few conclusions. Number one, it's very expensive. You need to pay for your supplies and extra-curricular activities which both cost a whole lot of money. Number two, well, I'm selfish. I'm looking forward to Mary going to school so I can get out of the house from time to time, maybe get a part time job. When you homeschool, you never get a break from your child, and I just don't think I could do it. I'm also not terribly confident that I could give her a quality education. I want her to speak French, and while I can teach her the basics, and I often talk to her in my bad French, I want her to be more fluent in the language than I am. I'll just need to do my best to teach her the values that are important to her father and I when she isn't in school.

Well, Miss Mary is getting crabby and tired, so I had better get my sweet girl into bed.

They Hate Us 'Cause We're Free

Sigh. Bye bye personal freedom, hello American style fear-mongering. Oh, and remember, if you think your neighbor's might be up to something suspicious, make sure you call the CSIS right away! You know, like the single mother across the street who you only see leave the house once every couple of days. She must be up to no good. And don't forget Muslims, Seiks, Hindus...You just can't trust those shifty eyed foreigners, eh? I'm a little terrified about where this is going to take our country, especially with Mr. Harper in charge. He's already restricting the press, only allowing pre-approved questions from reporters that he likes. What next?

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that they prevented Toronto from being blown to bits, but things in Ottawa have been getting more and more frightening since Stephen Harper took over, and I am afraid that this is going to take us even further towards the place that Bush has taken the USA.

Here's a link to the CBC website if You're interested.

My fears about the government aside, it really saddens me to see how badly people have twisted religions. Most of you who read this blog know that I have a deep fondness for religion, all religion, and I generally won't hesitate to defend Christianity or any other religion, major or minor, when people start badmouthing it. Islam is in theory a beautiful, tolerant and kind religion. If you've ever even read a page of the Qu'ran you can get the sense of that, even if you can't read the language it was intended to be read in. But then look at what extremists have done to the Christian faith over the years, and even now in the US and Russia (as Emmett showed us a few days ago).

I really wish that I could express myself better in writing. I wish I could make it clear how I feel, how frightened I am about the way things are going in Ottawa and in the world. I wish I could express eloquently and intelligently where I see things going, I wish I could come up with some sort of solution. I wish there was something I could do. I suppose the only thing I can do is my best to raise my daughter to be tolerant of everyone no matter what colour they are, no matter who they love, no matter where they live, and hope for the best when she starts school.

Friday Baby Blogging

 


Nice hat, eh? 

Goth Meme

You scored as Fantasy Goth. You are a Fantasy Goth. You may or may not actually be a goth, but "normal" folks see you as one of those weird kids, and you are probably considered a geek by quite a few. Fantasy Goth 79% Romantic Goth 75% Anything-Goes Goth 71% Old-school Goth 63% Ethereal Goth 58% Industrial/Rivet-Head 42% Understanding Outsider 29% Cyber-goth 25% Perky Goff 17% Death Rocker 17% Confused Outsider 8% What subcategory of Goth best fits you? created with QuizFarm.com

Timing is Everything

Yesterday morning we got up extra early to take Moustapha to the airport. I was feeling pretty run down, but it was understandable. I hadn't slept very well. Mary and I got home and played in the front yard for a while, and she went down for a nap around 10:30. By Noon I was shivering, and my head was killing me. I could hardly keep my eyes open, so I crawled in to bed. At three, I finally woke to find Mary playing quietly in her crib (thank God). I did not feel any better, as a matter of fact, I felt worse. My stomach hurt, all my muscles and joints ached, I was shivering, I had these nasty electric shock feelings every time my skin touched anything including my clothes, and I had a splitting head ache. By five I wanted to die. Mary was obviously not feeling great either, she hardly ate any supper at all, all she wanted to do was cuddle, and she was in bed asleep by 6:30, and I followed at around 7:30.

Today was much of the same, only with a later wake up time, no airport, and some grocery shopping. Oh yeah, and some really nasty toilet business and emesis for me. I do feel a wee bit better tonight, I don't want to die right now, which is a nice change. I have been drinking Pedialyte to keep myself hydrated due to the above mentioned toilet business. Have you ever tasted that crap? Nasty nasty stuff. I gag every time I drink it, but it is apparantly better for me than Dr. Pepper, so I'm going to be a trooper and keep it up. I do keep thinking that it might just be easier to drink plain old water, but oh well.

Anyways, wish me luck getting over this nasty bug, I think that I might need it.