The Invisible...

Hi everyone, almost 2 weeks has passed since my last post and I must first start off tonight's blog by sending out the biggest and most humbling thank you for your comments about my last post. I was overwhelmed with just shy of 90 messages, comments, and emails, with so many of you writing thank you! It took me awhile to really read those words and grasp the thought that I was getting a thank you, but I heard from so many who said the post made them think, both of their actions and FB Frenzied life, others wrote and said it was time to clean up their FB Friend list and others (and I must say quite a few) wrote and said, it was the motivation they were looking for and the FB Frenemy deletion was complete! I certainly didn't write my blog expecting people to delete individuals from their FB accounts, but I am touched that so many thought the post meant something and you could relate. We have had a busy few weeks watching Greta grow and explore. Truly amazing to watch this little girl learning and soaking up things we show or tell her. Each day there is something new, I'm sure this is the stage that most parents enjoy, as each day I can expect something new. Not like the first few months where the day was all the same: drink, diaper, sleep...drink, diaper, sleep - oh, I must clarify, I'm talking about the baby not myself! In the last few weeks she has learned to move. She is a scooter and she is going faster and faster. Who needs to crawl, I'm starting to think she doesn't like to get her hands dirty. It is pretty funny to watch, it looks more like a hop and reach action, but it is working for her. She has also mastered waving hello and goodbye (well, that sounds silly, not that she has a different action for each gesture, a wave is a wave - but she will wave if asked to say hello or goodbye to someone - we usually practice on the animals who come to visit her then quickly run away from her). She also waves to the birds outside, usually she'll wave at people once they have actually left her view, but I am seeing it. She is doing very well with sharing and definitely knows the word NO and Gentle. She hears them often! And after 9 months of doing Pat-a-cake, she is clapping! She is a chatterbox, of course! I have no idea what she is saying, BA is discussed a lot, but we never called her bottle any pet name other than MILK, so I don't think she is asking for a Baba like many kids would refer to a bottle. She does play ball a lot, has a pretty good arm too, but not convinced Ba is the ball either. Maybe it is her imaginary friend, she gets quite animated and says it over and over! Time will tell. She is also quite the charmer. We attended a Retirement Party yesterday for a co-worker and she went person to person visiting, smiling, showing off, thankfully she did not give me reason to write an "I am so embarrassed" story. She was so good and continued to be after the party as we then went to see my specialist. It was a long afternoon and she was quite the trooper. Yesterdays outing has me thinking and has brought me to tonight's post.... I must admit, yesterday I thought I looked okay! Almost pretty good! Many commented that my stomach was flat, some thought I looked smaller than before I was pregnant, others who saw me during my prednisone puffy face months could see a huge difference as the fluid retention has definitely come down, but what all those who made such lovely comments don't realize is I was in pain, agony actually. That is the sad thing about an invisible chronic illness, I can look fine on the outside, I can put a smile on my face and dress up, do my make up to cover up the black circles and the pasty white skin and people don't think I am sick. But what they didn't SEE yesterday was my fingers were so stiff that zipping up Greta's coat almost brought tears to my eyes, that my right and left sides felt like I ran miles to the party instead of driving and parking directly outside of the building, that the stress I am under makes my vision blurry because the headaches don't seem to ever disappear and the anxiety I feel about my next blood test, my next Dr's appt, my next hospital visit, my next medical procedure makes me want to throw up. So many times appearance is what determines if others see you as sick, but since I am on my way to "looking" better because my face doesn't look like a balloon, and I don't walk with a cane, and I don't have an IV pole dragging behind me, the perception is I am fine. Well, that is not always the case, the truth is chronic illnesses cannot be seen, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't affect the daily life and activities I, and others who have such an illness, once enjoyed. And lets talk about the medications for a minute...not only do people suffer with an illness or condition, but we are told take all this medicine - it will make you feel better...I would have you reading for days if I were to list all the side effects from the drugs I take. And lucky for me, I successfully worked through the entire list...and by successfully I mean I had them all. Well, maybe I didn't get prostate cancer - phew, I would be worried. Anyway, just food for thought and today's public service announcement. It's hard enough having an invisible illness, but the medicine to help control it just adds to the misery and stress. Hopefully this will make you think...don't tell someone you "wouldn't have recognized them" - that hurts, don't just assume because the outward appearance looks fine that the person must be faking or exaggerating their illness or pain- that hurts and if you want to - ask questions, inquire - I don't mind telling and sharing and I'm sure others wouldn't mind either. To end on a more fun note...enjoy the little video of our scooter!!! Starring Greta and her buddy Casanova. Toodles.

Friends and Frenemies.....

Another calendar page is ready to flip, where are the months going. April is here! It is usually my favorite month, the smell of spring (minus the mounds of dog crap around that is in desperate need to be cleaned up), the first Robins, the first flowers popping up, the Easter decorations that are hitting the stores. I just always liked April, but wow, now that it is April, I can start talking in the amount of weeks I have left before preparing to return to work...8 weeks and counting. I have a full 8 weeks that will include - trips, showers (not the daily one I have, but wedding and baby ones), a wedding, visits, Doctor appts, I have no doubt all the activities I have in the book are going to make the next 8 weeks fly by. The past 9 months as I have written so many times have been so very interesting, I have learned and done things I never dreamt would be part of my reality, I still go in to Greta's room at night and think, oh my goodness, there is a baby in the crib, in my house, and she belongs to me...WTF! You would think after 9 months of feeding, changing, shopping for, rocking, carrying and playing with a baby that it would have fully sunk in, but honestly, I sometimes take a double take and think, WOW, when did this all happen!!! I don't know if others feel that, maybe those who always knew they were going to be parents don't experience this reality jolt, but it happens often for me, of course, I can't really recall our "old life", it feels like Greta has just always been part of our lives, good thing, other wise I would head out the door and the poor little thing would be sitting with her toys or sleeping in her crib thinking, damn, that woman forgot about me again! I am happy to say, I have not left her once...although sometimes I am driving to the store or an appointment and I will check the back seat just to make sure I did bring her (for the record, she is just really quiet in the car).

So, 9 months have passed since little Greta has joined the world and it has me thinking yet again, who is a friend. This month has been such an eye opener, I was going to refrain from discussing friendships again, but I think it is my form of therapy to talk about it, and who knows, maybe shed light for others. I started to think about friendships as yesterday was my Birthday! Another year older and wow, do I ever hope and pray the year ahead will have a bit more luck shining on me (okay, I'm just looking for no bad luck and crazy things like last year), a lot more good news in the health department and I hope it is the year that I finally stand up for myself and stop letting others actions bother or upset me. I can no longer make excuses in my head for those that have not come near in 9 months, I had a baby, and yes, I have had a hell of a year with sickness, but I have liver disease, not a rare contagious disease that you will catch if you walk through my door. And sadly, I'm not talking just "friends"... family who live within a 20 minute radius of our home have not met Greta or maybe have given up 40 minutes in the last 9 months to "see her". Family of course is a word I use with some sarcasm, just because you may have a hint of the same blood line, does not mean you deserve to have a relative title. I realize there are many children I haven't met in person, but that is where Facebook becomes weird, there are Facebook friends that I feel via pictures and comments know Greta so well and I know their children and that is perfect! I love seeing a picture and commenting and equally enjoy reading a comment that a friend has posted. I don't expect to fly across the country and meet up for lunch, it would be nice of course, but FB has allowed connections and friendships to be regained and built around technology and for many friendships, I can honestly say I feel closer to some people that I haven't seen in 20 years because we can chat and share via FB than to some people I see regularly. But then there are the friends who you considered a part of your life outside of Facebook, who live in your town, who have celebrated milestones, careers, "life" that should have made some efforts and haven't. It was actually a Facebook comment last night that brought this issue to light yet again. As I read a Status Post from a new Mom of a sweet little boy (and although our friendship is via FB and she "found" me because she was a blog follower), she asked the question: where are the friends, where are the invites? Becoming a Mom doesn't mean you can't go out, that you can't go to supper, that you can't have visitors. I hated to read she was feeling the same way I was, but at the same time, felt a little bit relieved that this is not all in my head, that it happens to tons of people when a baby enters the world. And for those reading, I'm not saying this as a plea to come visit, it would just be awkward now anyway, I am writing it to make myself feel better and to tell those who are experiencing the fair weather friendships, that there is a time to just let it go and realize that some friendships and family relationships come to an end, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think 37 and 1 day old is a good time to say, I have better things to worry about, alot of things actually, but I do feel sad for those that will miss out on meeting some sweet little babies.

Anyway, despite my NEW Age, I feel about 77 but who is counting! I have thought about moving, divorce, dying, rotten relatives and friends, have thought about how lucky I am to have some wonderful friends and family, have eaten 2 yummy cupcakes, did have to return to changing diapers after my b-day break, reluctantly let Darren take Greta for a visit to Rustico, have been too lazy to turn the TV channel so I have watched cartoons all afternoon...ummm, that pretty much sums up 37 so far...surely I can only go up from here! I must also send a shout out and explain the picture at the top of the blog...Each year on my birthday I think about my Truro friends, the birthday parties, the themes, the toys of the day, the must have group party shot! Although my memory is poor, I do remember the birthdays! I have valued Facebook for many reasons, but despite moving away from my NS friends when I was 12 years old, reconnecting with those from NS is probably why I struggle deleting my Facebook profile. I love seeing how so many are still friends, and I think fair to say best friends, and I so genuinely appreciate the conversations I've had, watching their families grow via pictures and hearing from them. I miss being a kid, well, I think I do, at least miss being a kid in the 70s and 80s (not so sure I would want to be a kid today), we didn't even talk on the phone, you actually saw each other, went to play Barbies at each others house...or Dukes of Hazard in our neighbourhood, the parents would call you in at dusk, where you would go in to your house that didn't have a key to the door, and if it did have a key, who knows where it was, because the doors were never locked! Life was just so much easier back then. Now, as much as I am a techie communicator, Facebook has created a lot of imaginary friends. As I said, my birthday was yesterday and since I didn't have it posted on Facebook, 6 people remembered. This is life now, if a birthday doesn't pop up on the side of Facebook, it is forgotten. I do remember birthdays, but it took some work, and I am sure there are some I have forgotten over the years, but I really, really do my best to keep the dates written down and messages sent out. I did have a nice day, Mom of course went overboard and the house looked more like Christmas, and our friends Garry and Gwen and my old neighbour Janet joined us for a lovely supper, so much food that I am still not hungry and it's almost 4pm the following day.

So I leave you with this today...who are your friends...Do you have a list of 500 people on your Facebook, are they really your friends or were you in a competition to see how quickly you could gather up friends on FB. Do you comment on their photos, do you write them a message, or say hello once in awhile. If you don't, why are they there? If you needed a shoulder to lean on, do you think they would be there. Would you know their birthday if it wasn't posted for you to see, would you know their kids and pets names, do you care what they are doing or are you just creeping around on their profiles hoping they have misfortune and bad luck. I have learned a little too much this month about Frenemies (like the Push Present - I swear I am not making this up), it actually has hit the dictionary. As the Urban Dictionary states - It is the type of "friend" whose words or actions bring you down(whether you realize it as intentional or not). The type of friend you ought to cut off but don't because...they're nice... good ...you've had good times with them. You know ... they're good people that you can count on to bring you down again sometime in the near future. The friend you may or may not have cornered about their quicksand like ways and keep around because "its in the past"... and so was one minute ago. The person that will continue to bring you down until you demand better for yourself. When you ask yourself is that person my friend or enemy...they are your frenemy. Straighten them out or leave them. Don't put up with it.

Toodles!

Babies and Tiara's (not quite)

Winning Photo

So, you know when everyone thinks they have the cutest baby, well, hate to burst the bubbles, but there are a lot of babies that start off a little rough around the cute edges. I was actually looking back at a few of Greta's pics, and I do think she was a fairly cute little newborn, but wow, do I ever think her looks have improved with age. She did have a pretty well shaped head, and her eyes were sweet from the beginning, but there are a few pics that I have to say - why did I share those. And I was looking at the Facebook Comments - she is beautiful, cute, OMG Adorable - and then I realized, people have "standard lines" as over the past 9 months a lot of babies have been born and the same people who commented on Greta's pics, also know these new babies and guess what, they are making the SAME comments...the standard lines. I try to refrain from saying, look at all that hair - only because people know it's my hidden meaning comment of yikes, your child is ape like, but I have actually seen a few babies recently that look mighty cute with lots of hair, but I'm almost afraid to write that in case the hormonal mama will have a break down because they know what lots of hair usually means to be - I'm calling their baby an ape, sometimes I have gone as far as writing, "Really, I'm serious, I really, really mean that the baby is cute!" Anyway, I now can say - I do have the cutest baby! Well, at least the cutest baby of submitted photos during the months of December to March on Canadian Mothers Resource, but that is just a few details, really, I have the cutest baby! Miss Greta Claire just won her "first" photo contest, and with this win comes a generous gift certificate for Toys R Us. Looks like the little miss is holding her own for income and off to buy herself a new car seat and maybe a few new toys. We'll be the practical parents and make her buy something she'll need (car seat) and what is left over well, we'll let her pick out what she wants (because 9 months old surely can point and say, that is what I want). Darren thought she would like an XBox, but she voted against that - with my help. It was a lovely surprise, as I must admit, I totally forgot about submitting the photo. I submitted the picture because so many were saying, you really should submit a photo to a contest - so thanks to all who persuaded me to do so. The gentleman who called to tell me the news of the win was so kind, and it was almost funny to hear him say how cute she was, and how the picture was adorable. I could see the girls saying it, but to hear him say it just struck me funny. Anyway, I think we were both pretty proud. Now, this DOES NOT mean I'm off to the pageant world and we'll be recreating a Toddlers and Tiara's scenario, I just got a lucky shot of a cute little grin and a wide eyed tilted head little Greta, the truth of the matter is, I probably took 50 pics to capture that one perfect shot - a professional photographer I will not be. I hand it to those who can do children's photography, it wouldn't be for me. On to other news - well, I don't have much news, it was a lovely weekend, a tad chilly and it has come and gone too quickly. The big accomplishment of the weekend - I have Greta's 1st Birthday all set. Yes, it is 3 months away, but I was online shopping ( I know, shocking ) and found the perfect birthday dress, NWT (new with tags for you non Ebay users) it has a sweet band on the dress that says Birthday Princess, so I had to get it, the big dilemma, the size, I bought 12 months, it was the smallest I could buy, so she has a lot of growing to do, or her birthday pics will be taken at Xmas instead of June. She is currently wearing 6 months, I bought her 9 month summer outfits, but I feel optimistic she'll look cute in the dress even if it is sweeping on the floor. And on to my other favorite online shopping experience, Etsy. For those that don't know much about Etsy, it is the homemade goods version of Ebay. All items are hand made, so I order clips, bows, hats, you name it. I found a sweet ad and inquired about birthday items and have just placed an order for homemade invitations and a homemade birthday banner (in pink and brown of course). Can't wait to see them, the buying experience has been wonderful. I can just sit on my butt and hit a few buttons and presto, everything is taken care of. I'm starting to realize I would make a good hermit. So, that ends another weekend, and almost the end of another month. Where does the time go! In two months, I'll be preparing for my first day back to work, I'll enjoy the next month or so lounging in my pjs until noon, what a challenge it will be to wear real clothes other than pjs and yoga outfits, I'm afraid I won't remember how to zip up dress pants! And I better practice wearing my high heels, slippers just won't cut it as office attire. I'm on a roll for posts, but just in case I don't make it back this week, have a great and enjoyable week. For my friends returning to work after their year maternity leave - good luck and enjoy the adult conversations, for one special person who is going to kick cancer in the ass, good luck with your radiation treatments I will be thinking of you and to those coming for a visit, I thank you in advance and am looking forward to seeing you!!! Toodles!

Two days in a Row

Don't fall off your chairs, I am posting another blog a day after my last post, actually, 24 hours has yet to pass. It is a multi-tasking evening: I'm typing obviously, watching re-runs of the Big Bang Theory (what a hilarious show), thinking about the cleaning I should be doing and watching Greta drift off to sleep in Darren's arms as she loudly chomps on her soother and rubs her blanket between her hands. How can such a little gal be so noisy chomping, I have never done well with noisy eaters or drinkers, and I am afraid we may have created one.

It was brought to my attention this morning that my blog site has somehow made its way to the PEI INFO website, someone has obviously submitted my blog and there it was this morning, right alongside the blog updates from the Guardian, Eastern Graphic and the Charlottetown Police Reports. So, I felt it was my obligation to welcome any new readers and to confirm, I'm not quite as messed up as the blogs may make you believe...really, I mean it, okay, most of it is true, but I have normal moments of motherhood too! I also must apologize in advance, I can't possibly review every post to edit out bad language, poor grammar and my take on Motherhood could very well offend you. So...be warned, if you are overly religious, don't like swearing, or think baby snot, crappy diapers and peas sneezed out of a baby's nose are the best things about motherhood, you better find another blog to read. But, if you are looking for a little big of reality and want to read what I have no doubt many new mothers think but don't dare admit it, well, you may just have a fun time reading so I suggest starting at the beginning of my journey! (Pre Baby blogs I have to admit, were much more exciting).

We had a pretty full day, Darren's sister came by for lunch...thanks to leftovers, we had quite the spread at lunch and of course, Greta was the main attraction. We put a lot clicks on the stroller, two walks today, little Scarlet's legs could hardly keep up, my idea years ago to get a dog that would be a good walking partner were not well thought out...walking and Shih Tzu means short little trips, at least I didn't have to carry the dog home this time. Naps, house cleaning, eBay surfing and presto, another day is done. One tragic thing for the evening...I realized I will be in the USA shopping for William and Kate's wedding...oh my. I had a moment - shopping just isn't worth missing it!!! Darren bowed his head in shame, but a royal freak like me, really needs to see the full Royal Wedding. I remember watching Charles and Diana's wedding as a young girl, I had all the Royal books, even had a pop up book when William was born, you pulled the tab and William crawled on the blanket that was spread out in front of Windsor Castle. So, to miss it for my other passion, shopping, well, it's a sacrifice. The deals better be amazing, and I mean, really amazing! I was in NYC when Diana's funeral was on, I chose to stay in and watch the procession ... how is that for a Royal Watcher!

Tomorrow marks Greta's 9th Month, will pick out a fun outfit for her Monthly Birthday Photo Shoot, 9 months just sounds so old. Above pics are Greta and big cousin Haley during Haley's spring break vacation a few weeks ago.

Toodles!

It has been a little while....

What a long time between blog posts, guess you can say I've been having a month that resembles toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, bird crapping on your head just as you leave the hairdresser...okay, so those things didn't really happen to me, but should sum up the month! There were a few good times too...

Lets see, not a hope I will remember a full month of activities, but Greta of course is a growing little weed, she celebrated her 8th month with quite a few "firsts"...she said her first word, a shout out to her favorite person...no, not Mommy or Daddy...not even Scarlet (although I would be pretty impressed if an 8 month old said the word Scarlet)...but her favorite is Casanova, and we hear "Kitty, Kitty" quite a bit in this house. It is pretty cute I must say, a little dig at us perhaps, I mean, if she likes the cat so much, maybe we could take a break and let the cat take care of her! Also fair to share the news that Mom was her second word...Well, more like Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum... we are claiming it as MOM and not the yucky rice biscuit that kids choke on. She is quite observant and seems to know everything we are talking about, well, maybe not everything, but when we are discussing objects, toys, animals, she will look for the item.

Another milestone - her first REAL cold, I have discussed snot in the past, well, that was from the teeth...this month, she was hit with a real cold and cough that made us all miserable, and not just from her suffering. She actually spread her germs and there were days that Darren had to stay home from work and all three of us were ill. Worse, Darren had to stay home because I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed and look after Greta. I have almost been proud of my little bubble world, for the first time in years, I had not been sick with a cold, I was warned during my liver treatments to avoid sick people as they were stripping my immune system, not the easiest thing to do, but I really did well. I banned those with sniffles from our house, I only go out with healthy non sniffling people and I even wear gloves at stores...but germs got in our bubble and wow, having no immune system and not being allowed to take anything out of fear it could harm my liver more...well, lets just say, I've had better 3 week stretches in my life. Thankfully Greta is feeling better, she just had to let it take care of it herself, no meds were required other than Baby Tylenol, but I think I've had enough of the runny nose for a bit. I don't know how we are going to make it through germs at the sitters. I so wish we could afford a nanny or sitter to come to the house, protect my little bubble world for a little longer!

Not only is Greta healthy she is SOLID. Holy heavy to carry now, she is a whopping 17lbs and a friend pointed out this evening, it looks like she is taller, this is a new development, must be the yogurt she has been eating, as her little legs always were so short, but I must admit, she actually looks longer just in the past few weeks. And the hair - well, it is growing and filling in fast. Definitely changing in her looks.

Daddy had a break, a real break. Darren and cousins Richie and Colin cashed in on their Xmas / Birthday gifts from the significant others and headed to Boston for a hockey game, drinking nights, and whatever else they did that I didn't bother asking about. I think they had a fun time. It was my first solo 4 day stretch, day and night with Greta, although as it happened, Mom was in town for a few nights, so a little help along the way. I even got out to trivia with friends.

Probably the most significant thing that has happened to change life in the Edgett-Gallant household is I am officially Prednisone Free. I know many have followed my journey and I can confirm, for me, prednisone was the hardest thing I have done, having a baby is nothing compared to the anguish, disguist, self esteem harming, self confidence slashing this drug caused. Mood swings is on the list of side effects for a reason, holy lord, I was a royal bitch most of the time (and not my regular bitch switch), I'm talking a whole new level of I hate your guts and this is why type of bitch. Emotions were a roller coaster, every time I passed a mirror I cried, even when I was out in public, I have left stores because I would see myself. Prednisone completely changed how my face looked, how my clothes fit, a total of 15 lbs of fluid found it's way to my post baby body, which I had proudly shed all the weight I had gained in 6 weeks after Greta's arrival. Oh my, hard, hard, hard. Since March 1st I haven't had these dreadful pills and in 21 days, I'm thrilled to say, I almost look like myself again, I happily wore my Size 6 pants again, and have about 5 lbs to go. I still can't figure out if the rest is still fluid, or a result of the other side effect - increased appetite (when the dose was high) - I fully admit, I ate my fair share of cookies! Hopefully my next blog post won't be a full month away and I'll be able to report the prednisone was just a bad experience that has left no evidence.

It definitely has been an interesting month, I'm glad it will soon come to an end! Real friends once again emerged to help out when help was needed, kind gestures were provided when they definitely were not expected, and some friends...well, lets just say I have learned a lot and as someone told me a few weeks ago, I need to find just a small group who I can really trust and let others go. Which I have!

So, lying in bed, typing up this blog, I think that is all I can recall from the past month. Greta will be 9 months on Thursday, very hard to believe in some aspects, but then again, it feels like it was ages ago since I was nervously preparing for my C-section and heading to the hospital. I return to work in 2 months time, as much as I didn't enjoy being home the first few months, I have ZERO desire to return, and don't mind saying that...Not that I want to stay home, but a year off work is a very long time, out of a routine, out of dress up clothes, currently I can stay in my pjs until noon, then switch to a yoga outfit. Kind of thinking that won't go over so well at the office. And how in the hell am I going to get up, ready and out the door for work at 7am...Oh my word, it all seems impossible in my brain. Others do it, so surely I won't fail at this great task, but YIKES.

Next thing I'll have to start thinking about is her birthday - don't worry, I am not sending invites out to attend a 1 year olds birthday...but I will have cupcakes and a pretty dress for her to wear for my own enjoyment.

Special thanks to our friend and AWARD Winning Photographer Rachel Peters who took the lovely photos of Greta at the beginning of the blog. She caught a steady on her feet little gal, who actually stood up on her own, without me holding on to her, just for a few seconds during the shoot. Check out a few more pics on her blog:

http://www.blogbyrachel.com/2011/03/greta/

Toodles and my apologies for the grammar and spelling errors, much to tired to read it over again and spell check isn't working.

Rational

I seem to be watching TV way too much these days, well, at least it is on all the time, I only watch a few shows during the day but one is usually Ellen. See, around 10am Greta USUALLY has a nap, USUALLY does not include this week for some reason. She is faking it for a few minutes, for example today she shut her eyes for 10 minutes, pretended to be a sweet napping little angel, but then yikes...the Demon awoke, the teeth are making her evil, or shall I say the lack of teeth. Still only 2 pearly whites in that raw gummy mouth of hers. By 10am I had given her Tylenol, Baby Anbesol, every frozen teething ring we have (which is a lot), watched Baby Einstein, Guess with Jess, dumped 101 blocks out to play along with every toy in her toy box. Had her in the stroller, danced, practiced walking (she, not I) and nothing helped. It was exhausting, enhanced by the fact she woke for the day at 5:30am - I ignored her until 6am, but when it seemed she was not going to drift back to sleep, I was also up.

Anyway, back to Ellen, yesterday she was talking about medical sites and google - and just how dangerous it is to search and self diagnosis (of course, she was making a joke out of the results, but she was talking about me, well, maybe not me exactly, but people like me). I am the pro, I mean honestly, I do what every rational, worry wart does, you know - go to Google and type in my medical ailments of the day...hit enter and what do you know, I have some life threatening rare disease or I am expecting triplets...UMMM, so you think I would learn..but I don't. Now I add Greta's ailments to my insanity...I'm a Google nightmare. In between Googling What to do about teething babies and my liver hurts I am a pretty busy gal.

Small break required from blogging - Greta is up (I didn't even get to explain that I'm now writing in the afternoon and she thank goodness slept for 45 minutes)...be back soon (Pause and think of this as intermission).

I'm back, can you tell I was away - changed, fed, took a few pictures in her cute outfit because she seemed happy after her rest and now she is playing and I'm sitting watching her and able to type away.

I wrote a few posts ago about my favorite things, but seemed to ramble and it had no rhyme or reason, so I thought for the mothers to be, new mom's, people buying things for new mom's, I will give my favorite items that I know I would certainly purchase for others:

1) Sleep Sheep - Since the day Greta arrived home, despite my few complaints, she has been a great sleeper and I thank the Sleep Sheep for playing a part. Now, any white noise would probably do, but the Sleep Sheep is a fuzzy sheep that has ocean sounds, rain fall, heart beat, and there is one other, but for the life of me, can't recall. It is tied to the crib and travels with us if we are doing an overnight trip. I have to say, when Greta is finished with it, I'm going to move it to my bedside table. If your baby needs a more relaxing sleep - who knows, this may do the trick!

2) GroBag - I am currently looking for the next size - this was recommended as a must have and I now pass it along - we love it! Think of SweetPea from Popeye Days in her little bunting bag and you will imagine the look of a sleep sac. The GroBags are perfect, not too thin, not too thick and keeps Greta all snug in bed, we don't need blankets or quilts, she just wears her pjs and in to her sleep sac she goes. Of course, you can't buy them around here, so I have been desperately trying to win one on Ebay - better start bidder higher to ensure I have one ready for her growth spurt.

3) Sophie - So I caught on that all these hip Mom's had Sophie the Giraffe when I would look at pictures of their little babies, so I read all about them (just a fluk, as I didn't really go out and research anything), but we LOVE Sophie. Sophie travels with us, sleeps with Greta and thanks to Nana, Greta has not only the rubber one that she can chew on to work these teeth out, but she has a stuffed Sophie who she chats with each morning when she gets up - and chews on (Can I say now - Sophie needs a bath).

4) Exercauser - Wow, she is getting a lot of mileage out of this item. Our house looks more like the shelf at a Toys R Us these days, but this "I think" has been my favorite item. Toys to play with, keeps her occupied, has been a great learning tool and amazing to watch Greta figure all the buttons and motions and she can jump in it. We also have a Jumperoo, and although she does enjoy it, I don't think I would recommend it as much, I actually think I would have preferred the Jolly Jumper that hangs in the door frame, both for size and convenience, but if you are looking for a fun gift that will be well used, I think the Exercauser would get my vote.

5) Camera / Photographer - Meaning Lots of pictures. I am snap happy I know, always was, just before Greta the subject was the cats and dog so people called me the crazy animal lady, but I'm happy that I have so many pictures and very happy that we have had so many professional photos taken. Greta changes so much on a weekly basis, her hair, expressions, personality, and we have all that captured. Of course, because all my family lives away, and so many people are either too far away or never met her in person, they can catch up on Greta's adventures and changes via pictures. I still am a mail girl too, I love technology, without it, I probably wouldn't SEE anyone, but I love to send letters and mail Greta's pictures...someone has to keep Canada post going! My old co-workers bought Greta a Smile Saver Card, this is from Sears and allows us to go anytime for no sitting fee, get a free pic each time and buy one get one free for any sheets we want...it is a great Shower Gift!!!

6) UGG boots - okay, I just love them and it's been my favorite splurge for Greta. If you are crazy enough to buy them - go to Ebay and buy second hand...makes it a tad more justifiable that the child's shoes are worth more than mine! And for the record - she has tiny little feet and they are miles too big so she'll get a lot of wear out of them. I actually buy tons of things on Ebay, I'm a great bargain hunter and have bought so many sweet outfits for just a few dollars, all with the tags still on them, got to love it. It keeps me going between my USA visits.

7) Toys with limited noise! So I am mean, but there is a lot of annoying toys that make way too much noise, you can only listen to songs so many times before catching yourself singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star at the Grocery store...So choose the toys wisely.

8) We love our Bumbo seat - maybe we will use the Highchair more when she is a bit older, but since she was 7 weeks old, we have had her sitting in the Bumbo and since she started eating, she eats most of her meals in it. Maybe it's because we have an open concept house and the Dining Room Table isn't used much, but it has been a great purchase. I did buy it in the States so half the price we would have paid here, but even at full price - still a worth while purchase, and again, buy second hand...you can't destroy them, they clean up with a quick wipe...Greta's will be on the market soon enough - it is pink of course!

9) Gripe Water - Greta was a frequent user, hiccups cured instantly! I have given a bottle in most shower packages over the years...it's Liquor for Babies!!!

10) Deep Relief - okay, so this is for those who are carrying the 15lbs kid daily in the car seats and your back feels like it's broken in 10 different spots...it's a heat rub...love it!! That coupled with my heated magic bag are life savers.

Well, I am still on the fence on how much I will love the play pen (Or play yard as they are called now) - probably some activist out there said pen was too demeaning to babies, but they were always play pens to me, so that is what I'll call it...anyway, Greta has moved from the floor to the play pen - with about 20 blocks, 3 dolls and 2 things to chew on, I think I'm liking it...it is like a little cage!!!! I'll have to update this list in a few months and see if these are still my fav's or if we have new favorites. I'm thinking Babysitters will be added to my Favorites List!!!!

Have a great weekend...a warm welcome to any new readers out there (start from the beginning of the blogs, much more exciting)...and I'll be back soon!

Toodles.

Photos of Greta and her boyfriend Erik

Teething....oh my word!

I greatly apologize to those paying attention at my lapse of writing on my blog, I don't have a great excuse, would be nice to tell you I have been sun tanning on a beach in the Dominican, or shopping my heart out in New Hampshire, instead, I've been on this side of hell - Teething Hell! This little place, we'll just say T.H for short, has been quite the journey. It started a few weeks before Xmas, and seemed like such a special little place, one where the cute baby gained two sweet little pearly whites on her bottom gum line, no fuss, no tears, just magically appeared one day. You know someone like me should never comment (I was far from bragging) but I was pretty impressed that teething seemed to not phase Greta, and was telling people "they just appeared, you would never know she was getting teeth other than the drool." Well, strike me down stupid Karma, I will never comment on something being easy again, because the punishment for being so overly optimistic has been sweet little baby needs an exorcism.

Her little mouth is raw, and not one more stupid tooth has popped through, if her cheeks get any redder people are going to start asking if I have rouge make up on her face, the drooling has stopped, but in its place is a cranky, fussy little gal who has given up her 12 hour sleeping pattern at night for a nightly wake up, a wake up that causes her to whine and whine and whine in great discomfort. I feel awful for her, I feel awful for all of us. She isn't 24/7 grumpy, she is still a charmer when we are out, loves to shop and look around (are you shocked), but she saves up her teething hell persona for when we are alone. So, to combat this fussy stage her teeth have caused, we have a few options, I can shop morning, noon and night to keep her entertained, ensure we either have more visitors or get out more often to visit others, or continue to use every teething remedy out there. We really have the full list on the go, frozen wash cloths, frozen bananas, frozen teething rings, pretty much anything from her fist to her toys have acted as items to crunch on, and lets see for meds, I've tried the Naturopathic Dr's solution (didn't think it did much), Tylenol, Little Teethers Gel, Orajel and Baby Tylenol. I have refrained from Rum, only because the only Rum in the house if 150 proof Rum from the Dominican, thought it may burn her mouth a tad too much!!! Some days, we do all of the above (minus the Rum). The Orajel does provide some instant relief, I know how awful it is to have a toothache and sore mouth, so I can't imagine a little one trying to produce a mouthful of teeth, but a little frozen gum line causes instant grape smelling drool. I think it's fair to say teething has been the hardest challenge to date, it's just so exhausting. We just want her to go to sleep tonight so we can catch some ZZZZZZ's.

Besides the invasion of the little pearly whites, not tons happening in our household. Scarlet had a much needed hair cut this week, Darren has been laid up with a bad back and hip(disc and bursitis if you can imagine), I'm down to 1 dose of prednisone daily and finally some water pills to see if I can rid my body of some fluid. When you cry to the Dr. that you are finally going off the deep end because the drugs that are saving your life are making you wish you could just bury yourself in the sand until you look normal again - they finally break down and give you water pills. I would have pleaded my case ages ago if all I had to do was sound like I fully lost my mind. So what if I had to tell them jumping off a bridge was a better option than another day of prednisone, they got the message that I had enough. It's bitter sweet, I know the drug saves lives, and quite possibly saved my liver from total failure, but the side effects are pure hell. Thankfully though, with the help of the water pills, in one week I shed 7lbs of fluid, I feel a bit better, but as it was pointed out to me this week, I still look puffy and not like myself...but at least the pressure in my face and body isn't causing such discomfort.

I am really hoping by the time I return to work I at least look like I did post pregnancy / pre drugs...surely a few more months will do it. As shocking as it is, my return to work is just a few short months away, I will be back in my seat (I really hope my new ergonomic chair was marked with my name, it was set perfectly for me) at the end of May, just a bit past Greta's 11th month birthday. I hope she will do well at the sitters and I will be able to get my butt out of bed, dressed, hair and make up done and to work by 7am...I was thinking of this task as I was heading out of the house for a 10am play date, in which I was late for...I mean, it's not easy to get two of us ready, one of us who has to look cute (I'm obviously not talking about me).

So, that is the life, see you really haven't missed much by my lack of writing. How boring is this blog, I mean, teeth, drugs, whine, whine, whine (would be more fun if I was looped on wine, wine, wine), but that is the life we are living. We don't have much planned for the weekend, Darren suggested going to supper for Valentines Day, he suggested taking Greta as we don't have a sitter to watch her, but after a brief shake of the head when I thought maybe, I opted not to, do you know how annoyed people would get if they get out for an adult dinner, especially for a holiday, and have some kid cry from the next table - well, I would be annoyed, so I'm not going to do it...So for all those heading out to enjoy a romantic dinner for V-day, the kid crying behind you - is not mine!!! Oh, and just because V-day is my LEAST favorite holiday (and for those that know me well, yes we got engaged on V-Day) I still think it's a silly holiday of over priced flowers and over priced mushy cards so it's my obligation to let all you lovebirds out there know....Saint Valentine was eventually imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and beheaded. They don't tell you that on the cards. Happy Valentine's Day...

Toodles - and don't forget, February 17th my article on Push Presents hits G! Magazine. Get a copy for everyone you know expecting a baby - and give it to their significant others!!! And if you didn't get a push present from your significant other, it's not to late - they owe you!!! Let me tell you, Greta's baby book has tons of fun things in it, the story of her alien like beginnings to a Push Present article!