Cereal With a Milk Chaser

And So It Goes

recovering well from surgery but still think hospital gowns more than push the edge when it comes to standards of human decency ... feel self would be more covered if naked than when wearing a hospital gown with various peek-a-boo slits and "secure" ties ...
anyway, have just returned from pediatrician ... annie is now 11 pounds 14.4 ounces and 23.5 inches long compared to 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches long two months ago ... dr. very pleased and has given us the go ahead to start cereal ... hmmm ... wonder if should try fruity pebbles or corn flakes or perhaps raisin bran?? kidding, of course but excited about next step ... know she may spit new cereal right in our face but shall see ... just when you get used to one thing it changes ... such is the world of parenting!
finally, to sweet Molly Calvert, perhaps the most beautiful dog I have ever had the privilege of knowing, we'll miss you ...

Bathtime

Takin' It Easy

surgery went as expected (endometriosis on both sides of pelvic cavity, right ovarian cyst and adhesions caused by scar tissue) ... back home by about 2 PM and doing well ... will write more later.

Annie's Hands

much to her dismay, annie has recently discovered her hands ... she stares at them with great interest and fascination and is always disappointed when they go away ...
luckily she has recovered from her little incident at Publix yesterday ... I was simply smelling some shower soap, and it accidentally squirted out onto her head ... she never knew the difference but wow did she smell good!

Endo 101

sorry for the delay in this fascinating science lesson, but something's going on with the power cord for our computer. Anyway, not to gross anyone out but for a basic definition of endometriosis: it is a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the uterus (the endometrium) grows elsewhere in the body. Common locations include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, uterine ligaments, abdominal lining and the lower part of the large intestine. Other areas may be affected, including the lungs, retina, skin and brain, but this is rare. There are different treatment options, one of which is surgery to remove lesions or adhesions (scar tissue) formed by the endometriosis, but for some people this is only a temporary option as endometriosis has no cure and can always come back. Symptoms include severe menstrual pain, abdominal pain, lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, leg pain, fatigue, headaches, low blood sugar and depression. Approximately 40% of women who have endometriosis experience infertility. Annie is waking up, so I must go, but please e-mail me with any questions ...

Hello, Familiar Friend

(no, this is not my picture, just one that was already on the computer ...)
For those who don't know, my medical history prior to the beginnings of this blog was somewhat interesting ... among other things (to include two brown recluse spider bites, once which had to be removed due to staph infection), I had three laparoscopic surgeries for endometriosis over the course of six years ... went to the doctor yesterday and am scheduled for my fourth lap surgery Monday the 24th to remove suspected endometriosis. I say "suspected" because endo cannot be seen or felt and can only be confirmed during surgery. Tiny endometriosis lesson to follow tomorrow to refresh my mind as well as to educate any readers who may be unfamiliar with the term. Feel free to skip tomorrow's blog as will likely be on the boring side ...
Nashville in grip of heat wave, though not as bad as other areas ... Annie not out and about much as is TOO hot ... will not accompany me to hospital for pre-surgical testing tomorrow as favorite babysitter will come visit. Fairly certain saw horns of Lucifer earlier is so hot ...

Tummy Time

Full Moon

picured today are annie's big sisters, mary and hope ... aren't they lovely ??
continue to be amazed at all the stuff that comes out of annie, most especially when she's just been changed into something cute and adorable (not that she isn't always cute you understand) ... she'll be dressed for a super fun day of grocery shopping and some liquid of some variety will shoot out of some orifice on her body ... either a nose, a mouth, a private area, you get the picture ... outfit will be changed, all the while the probability VERY high that liquid-shooting will occur all over again ... too bad naked is not appropriate outfit for errand-running baby.

Haute Couture

have decided zipper sleepers like Annie's should become part of grown-up fashion ... are incredibly functional (zippers extend from just below chin all the way down to below crotch) and would be so fast to put on and could seriously speed up bathroom time for women ... could create dress-up versions, etc. feel is fashion breakthrough and should contact someone ... realize zipper jumpsuits already in existence but these will be different ... is only matter of time until run into Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman as have been spotted in Target and other Nashville hot spots so expect to see her sporting a zipper outfit soon ...

Whose Idea Was It to Pull the Fire Alarm,Kelly?

ah, lovely vacation time with family ... where else would you hear stories with lines like "it wasn't my idea to tell her to pull the fire alarm" and "exactly how long was I lost in DisneyWorld?" attached photo is Annie on the beach studying the dolphins merrily moving along, the infinite nature of the universe, etc. oh, no wait, that's actually Annie hanging out on our back deck because our camera fogged up due to the humidity on the beach in Fort Morgan ... never fear, vacation pictures are on their way from other sources, namely Matt and Mandi ...

Quoth the Raven Nevermore

preparing to depart for week-long beach vacation (hallelujah!)... except of course for Anthony who will be returning to Nashville on the 4th to go back to work on the 5th ... have rented house in Fort Morgan with family and know in truth family is glad we're coming but more excited because we're Annie's transportation!!
was packing and decided to become intellectual beach reader and pack To Kill a Mockingbird but then more realistically packed the last 3 months of People magazine and both Bridget Jones books ... and I never leave the house without my Mommy Mantras: Affirmations and Insights to Keep You from Losing Your Mind book, which I quote constantly ("Surrender to the goat ...") honestly, beach reading should not require much thought as mind could possibly be affected by any of the following: sun, plain margaritas, sun, more margaritas, sun, refreshing sleep to prepare self for strawberry margaritas, and awaking to book with no recollection of what page you were on ... happy tanning! shall return to blogging in a week or so ...

Resting Up For the Beach

Who Needs a Nap?

Dust In the Wind

vacation picture from recent trip to Gulf Coast ... very first pit stop to feed tiny Annie ... we had made it approximately 2 miles outside of Nashville ...
hair loss continues ... tiny hair tumbleweeds now blow around bathroom floor ... is sad ... perhaps trip to Target will cheer self up ...

The World Cup

This is Annie recovering from her wonderful trip while enjoying the World Cup on tv ... as some of you know, she's also resting up for her big beach trip at the end of the week!

State of Emergency

still have travel tales and pictures to share but more important matter at hand ... self is losing hair. according to various pregnancy "bibles" this is normal around 3-6 months after giving birth but still is alarming. find self's hair everywhere and is not funny ... books encourage discontinuing the use of heating devices ( i.e. hair dryers and flat irons) during this time but get real ... self's hair air-dried is just this side of Don King. not cool. state of emergency declared and threat level elevated to orange!
P.S. By the by, Annie is doing fabulously well!!

What Can Brown Do For You?

Traveling Tip #1: When in an enclosed car and suspicions arise that tiny passenger MAY have pooped (thereby requiring a pit stop,) it is NOT a good idea to check this situation whilst tiny tot is in car seat as attempting to visually see area MAY result in your finger slipping into what is in fact poop ...

All Aboard

fortunately (and to self's great relief) have found way to fit kitchen sink into tiny Annie's pink duffel bag ... shall report back when return from great adventure ...

Does That Include the Kitchen Sink?

Annie's first road trip coming up ... will be traveling to the Gulf Coast for several days ... have begun packing for her and could appear we will be traveling to a deserted island and living there for 3-5 years. do not want to be caught off-guard should any travel emergency or need arise so am packing all manner of things: onesies, dressy onesies, rompers, dresses, socks for all occasions, sleepers, dressy sleepers, burp cloths, dressy burp cloths, flashlights, candles, a generator, canned goods, bottled water, plastic bags to dispose of toxic diapers, baby CD's, changing pads, tylenol, gas drops, pacifiers, dressy pacifiers, etc. will be prepared like Marines are prepared. will win award for preparedness ...