A good couple of days

The past two days have been really good.

Yesterday I decided Bertie and I were going to have an adventure.  I needed to go to Ikea to get clothes pins (they have the best and cheapest ones).  I looked up parks in Palo Alto, and parks with water features in Sunnyvale.  It was still fairly early when we left (before 10), so I thought maybe we could hit the water feature on the way back.  But I read about this cool park in Palo Alto called the Magical Bridge. We drove over there.  And I was disappointed.  

As you can see, it was fine.  But certainly not magically.  And while helping him on the slide, I socked him in the eye with my ring.  After we played there for a bit, we walked around.  It was a big park, and they were setting up for 4th of July festivities.  At the far end of the park, we found it: the Magical Bridge.

Slides, swings, spinning things, a little kid area, it was great!  Bertie took a tumble and bumped his head (on one of the few un-padded surfaces).  But he recovered quickly.  He loved the slides!  Two of the three are in the picture above.  The other one was made of a bunch of rollers.  He thought they were all fun.  And he went down the blue one by himself!  (That was the fastest slide).  We had so much fun.  He probably could have played longer, but I was sweaty.

You can see where I hit his right eye, and if you look close you can see the bump on his left forehead.

We continued on to Ikea.  We got lunch: Swedish meatballs.  And then Bertie fell asleep.  I got my clothes pins (and nothing else (a first!)). I was able to transfer him to the car and have him stay asleep.  I was going to take him to the water feature park on the way home, but opted not to wake him. We drove back, and went to the grocery store.  At the grocery store, he pulled a jar off the shelf when I wasn't looking, and broke it.

I made burgers, with corn and watermelon for dinner.  We had a nice night.

Today Aaron had the day off, so we decided to go to the boy scout camp for the day.  I could not wake up, so we left around 7:30, instead of 7.  We didn't hit any traffic (amazingly).  Bertie did pretty well.  I sat in the back with him off and on.  He napped on the way up.  We got to camp without incident.  Met up with a lot of people from the year Aaron worked up there.  We also had lunch there.

Now we always have to take a picture with the sign.

We stayed about two hours, and then drove up the road a little further to Pinecrest Lake.  It was really crowded.  But we lucked upon a good parking spot.  Bertie and I changed (Aaron didn't think to bring a suit).  It was hot there, and the water was chilly, but we got in and waded around for a while.  

 
We got dressed, Bertie had a little nurse, and then headed back.  We got some McDonald's (ice cream and soda).  We got behind a car whose roof carrier was open.  They were losing clothes, towels and pillows.  So we got close enough to honk, and flash the lights and wave.  Eventually they got it.  But I was bummed they lost a bunch of their stuff.  Bertie slept for a while. We stopped at a fruit stand, not knowing it was one of the lamer ones (oh well). Later, we stopped in Tracey for gas (and got 31.4 mpg!)  We only hit a little traffic on the way home.  And we saw license plates from 16 different states!

We had a quick dinner, and took the dogs for a walk.  I wish we could have bathed Bertram, but he was too tired.  It's getting late, and I'm tired.  Fortunately, there haven't been many fireworks tonight.  (We medicated Yoie, so she is calm and sleeping).

Stream of conciousness

Bertie was sick with a high fever for a week.  We went to the doctor a total of three times in that week.  Had 3 weigh-ins, 3 rectal temperatures, 2 blood draws, 1 nasal culture, 1 chest x-ray and countless doses of Tylenol, Advil, nurse and snuggles.  We were really just getting in the swing of weaning, then sickness.  Bertie lost .75 lbs in the week he was sick.  It was hard on me, and Aaron (and everyone else), and stressful to have a sick kid.  I mean, 105+ fevers for a week?  Yikes.  But, here we are, a week later, and he's almost himself again.  Still not quite eating as much as usual, and still more tired, but the fever is gone.

Bertram took his first step yesterday.  He was helping me close the dishwasher, just one step.  

Aaron might have to strike on Tuesday.  The county is not playing fair.  The managers' union got an 8% raise, the county actually has money, and Kaiser lowered their premiums.  The union wants a 5% raise (it has had to forgo cost of living raises for the past 5 years) and no changes to health care.  The offer the county had was a 1.5% raise, and 2% of your salary pays for health care, which equals a .5% decrease in pay.  And the county wanted to be able to change health care systems and rates with a 30 day notice.  (Uh, no.) If they don't have a better offer by Tuesday, the 9000 member union will strike.  

I was asked to start working three days a week again.  I like working less, but more money is always nice.

I had been doing well with eating right, and exercising, until the sickness.  Hopefully next week I'll get back on the horse.  

We were able to get out to dinner for our 10th anniversary on Tuesday. Just a nice dinner downtown.  I'd like to do an overnight at some point. Maybe when my mom comes to visit.

I only cooked twice this week, but I made two good dinners, both vegan.  I did a tofu and veggie stir-fry (with no-calorie yam flour noodles) and summer rolls (with rice noodles, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot and cilantro). with peanut sauce.  We're trying to eat a more plant based diet.  I bought some Kale, though I'm pretty sure neither of us like kale.  I'm not sure how I'll cook it, maybe sauteed with olive oil and garlic.  

The supreme court legalized gay marriage for the whole country this week.  This means that Pride weekend (this weekend) will be awesome, and church tomorrow, will likely be awful.  Since I'm so on the fence with church lately, I decided to stay home.  I love Love.

A break

And just as I was about to blog, he wakes up.

My once happy, mischievous baby has been replaced with a constantly clingy and feverish one.  Oh, how I miss the happy baby.

This is day 5 of whatever plague this is.  I only know it's not an ear infection.  Aside from that, I'm in the dark.  But his high fevers (106+) are scaring me.  And I think we're single-handedly keeping baby Tylenol and Advil in business.

On the plus side, I was able to bathe him today, in between fever spikes.

Now to attend to fussy.

Birthdays, Beach, Trampolines, etc

I turned 32. I feel old.

We went to the flea market.  We found an extra-wide baby gate for $10.  Score!  After that we got burgers at The Habit.  There was a Radio Shack closing sale, and we found a few good deals there.  We came home so Bertie could nap.  We ran a couple errands, and then went to Red Lobster for dinner.  Bertie ate crab, shrimp and a whole lemon slice.  (He's weird).  Aaron and Bertie got me gift certificates for massages.  And we had ice cream cake after dinner.

Monday was (hopefully) the hottest day of the week.  So I'd planned to take Bertie to Santa Cruz.  That morning I caught him eating out of the trash can (moldy blackberries, and an apricot pit in the other hand).  Before hitting the road we ran into Bed, Bath and Beyond to look for a new trash can (one that he can't get into).  But, the ones that might work were at least $160.  No thanks.
We headed over the hill, Bertie napped the whole way.  I put him in his rash guard, and we walked down to the beach.  We stopped at a small inlet, and he splashed around.  That water was warm, shallow, and slow moving, so he was happy.  After that we walked along the water.  I had him in a sling, he liked looking at the ocean, and seeing all the kids and dogs.  I stood him in front of me, so the waves could wash on us.  I held his left hand, in his right he was clutching my sunglasses like a security blanket.  He liked the waves, as long as I held him tight.
I realized I should have brought a change of clothes for me.  I didn't think about it, but I was all wet and sandy.  Bertie didn't like getting changed, he wanted to nurse a lot (so we did).  Then we went to Marianne's to get ice cream.  I got the bigger scoop, because usually Bertie can't get enough.  But I couldn't even get him to take a bite!

On Tuesday we went to Rockin' Tots at the trampoline gym.  I had a lot of fun, I love trampolines.  Bertie wasn't too sure.  He liked the blocks from the foam pit, but not actually being in the foam pit.  Mostly, he just wanted to got down the stairs (which I didn't pay $15 for us to do).  He did crawl off the edge into the foam pit a couple times. I think once he can walk he'll have more fun.

Today is grandma's 91st birthday.  We got together with the family and had dinner.  Bertie had pineapple for the first time, he ate pickled beets, some shrimp, and bread.  He also (possibly) took a step, just one, from the table to Janet.  I missed it, of course.
Earlier today something unusual happened: it rained!  It's been a lot time since it rained, and it came down pretty good for a while.  Before the rain, I put Bertram on my back and mowed the lawns.  I tried to shower with him after, but he didn't like that, so we bathed instead.  After the bath, he wanted to nurse.  We did skin to skin, and nursed.  Then he peed on me, and the bed.  I'd just changed the sheets yesterday, fortunately we have a waterproof mattress cover. I started the laundry, then we ran a couple errands.

Thoughts on parenting and life this week

I was thinking about parenting a little bit.  And it seems like parenting (at least for me, with a little guy) is all about extremes.  Like huge highs and lows.  More joy than you ever thought you could feel.  More frustrated that you thought.  More bored than you thought you would be with a newborn.  More love than you knew you had capacity for.  And more empathy.  (I swore I wouldn't cry when Bertie got his shots, and I think I've cried almost every time).  Anyway, blah, blah, blah.  Rachel waxes philosophical.

I have exercised all three days this week!  Baby steps, but I am going to get fit.  Aaron and I were talking about baby #2.  We thought we could start now, but I want us both to be in better shape (me, especially).  I don't want to have to lose 40+ lbs next time.  So the goal is to be back in the 140s by Feb 2016.  (I'm currently in the 180s, so I have a way to go). Hopefully Bertie will wean before too long, then I can get on Adderall again.

I made really good burgers for dinner tonight.  I had ground pork, and ground beef chorizo that I needed to use.  I mixed them together, and it was really good.  A little spicy, but Bertie ate 1/3 of a burger.  I also chose an awesome watermelon!  Huge, and only $4.

Bertie is a lot of fun lately, but super challenging.  He's into everything!  Dog food, dog water, pantry cabinet, pots and pans, and the fridge when he can get in it.  He loves unrolling toilet paper, tearing tissues and newspapers.  He love water.  I'm going to find out about free swim and mommy baby swim lessons at the local city pool.  Also, some of the splash pads (at city parks) are still open, in spite of the drought. So I need look around and see which local ones are open.  I'm trying to fine some fun and different things for him to do.  We went to the park today, after my walk/jog.  He still loves the swings, and now he loves the slide.

I've been watching True Detective.  I think I have 1 or 2 episodes left.

Mom of the Year

This morning:
I was looking up some exercises, and Bertie was right next to me.  He was pushing his walker around.  Then he fell over.  Not unusual, he's learning to walk, he falls over a lot.  But he fell over, and landed head first on a dog comb.

(The dog comb was on a low shelf, but Bertram loves taking every thing off shelves and putting it on the floor. The comb has since been locked away in the child-proof cabinet.)

So he fell sideways, and the comb hit right behind his ear.  And much to my horror was still in his head as he sat up.  He was screaming, of course.  I very gently removed the comb, and inspected his scalp.  It actually didn't look too bad.  Just two little puncture holes, neither were really bleeding.  I nursed him until he calmed down, which didn't take long.  Then I ran down the street to my MiL's house to get her opinion.  She said it would probably be ok, and to keep an eye on it.  I came back, cleaned his head with rubbing alcohol, and put bacitracin on it.  Then I called the advice nurse.  She said I did the right thing, and to keep an eye out for concussion symptoms for the next 24 hours.

So yep, mom of the year over here. -_-

Vacation in Virginia

We're about halfway through our trip. :-(

The flights: We flew from San Jose to Boston to Richmond.  We (Bertie and I, Aaron stayed home) had a red eye to Boston.  Bertie did pretty well, he slept most of the flight.  Follow passengers commented on how well he did.  (Our flight was only 2/3 full, so the middle seat in our row was empty).  He was awake when we got to Boston.  I changed him, and there was a little playground right by the bathroom, so he got to play for a few minutes.  He loved looking out the windows at the planes and trucks. The flight to Richmond was really empty, there were maybe 20 people in a 96 seat plane.  We had a lot of room, which was good, because he would not sit still.

Sleep: Mr Bertram has not been sleeping very well.  He's having separation anxiety about sleeping in an unfirmilar place.  I've been waiting in the room while he falls asleep, which seems to help.  He's been napping in the car, or on one of us (me, my sister, nana or papa).  This morning my sister came and took Bertie at 7am, so I could sleep.  (Happy mothers day!)

What we've been up to: Lots of visiting, and just hanging out.  We went to see Nanny, aunt Debbie, uncle Martin, (cousin) Abigail, and her hubby Nick.  We're going to see the other Pace's tomorrow.  Rebecca stayed at my mom's house all week so we could hang out.  We've been having a lot of fun.  My mom bought a paddle pool for Bertie, he's used it almost every day.  He loves it!  Today Rebecca and I went to Duck Donuts.  All the donuts are made to order: meaning the fry them when you order, and do the toppings right them.  I got Bertie a plain glazed, and I had maple bacon. O.M.G.  It was the BEST donut I've ever had!  After that we went to her apartment to use the pool.  It wasn't super hot, and the pool was a little cool.  But Bertie had so much fun.  He is a water baby.

Boy and the boy napping

Bubbles and the paddle pool.

Fun at the pool

So happy

Sitting in his own seat, like a big boy.

Watching the planes and trucks

Duck Donuts!