A few notes while I am waiting for my awful nausea to pass this morning so I can continue my day. My father in law made breakfast this morning, which I'm sure was tasty as it normally is, but the smell of it is killing me. I'm chilling in my room with a glass of water and hope, while the rest of the fam has gone to the park (three guesses who made that decision).
So yes, I suppose the good news here is that I have recovered enough to smell things. Not exactly subtle things, but I can smell the sausage and pancakes and eggs and whatever else got cooked this morning (I'm sure the hungry among you are salivating over that list. The nauseated among you [me] are trying very hard to forget I wrote that list). I'm at the point where I cough a lot from post-nasal drip and can't hear anything, but I'm basically okay. Just in time for the busy weekend and for El Segundo to make his or her presence known again.
Anyway, enough about my icky stomach, which writing about is not making feel any better.
How about that 100M butterfly?? .01 of a second translates to about 3/4 of an inch. Wow! My husband tells me that the Chinese media is calling Phelps the American man-fish. I wish I had a link to that but I can't find one in approximately 10 seconds of googling. It may be apocryphal. But I love it anyway. It seems so fitting, somehow.
Caetlin turns the big 2 tomorrow, as I may have mentioned. Wish me luck that my husband's planned burgers and hot dogs on the grill go as he hopes (I've been a pretty firm holdout for pizza for everyone, so I've left it all up to him).
Caetlin pooped in the tub last night for the first time ever. Sorry if that grosses some of you out. It's not as gross to me as the smell of breakfast is right now, unfortunately. I will say that cleaning it was more difficult than I thought. Let's just say that it, um, didn't hold together well as I tried to get it out of the tub. That's all I'm going to say about that.
Finally, this blog turns 1 today! Happy anniversary to me! It's become quite a bit more Caetlin-focused than I would have expected, but isn't that always the way? The kids end up the center, no matter what. Even Segundo is making that happen, in utero. Here's to another year of pictures and anecdotes (she's going to loooove the one I just told about her when she grows up) and staying in touch with everyone we love.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Still Sick. Still An Olympics Nerd.
Okay, I sound terrible. I've had (very nice and caring) people with whom I am working across the table on a transaction comment today on how awful I sound (not that I went in to work today, but I did try to manage working at home a little). I feel better, a little. Not a lot. I've lost that molasses feeling of being unable to do anything but slug around in bed, but I still can't say I feel anything resembling good.
The only upside of being sick is being able to indulge my Olympics-love to my heart's content. I fell asleep about halfway through last night's prime time, and then woke up a couple hours later (that's how I'm sleeping lately; it's horrible and I do not recommend it) to finish watching. Imagine the curses I threw at myself for having failed to set any extra time on the TiVo! I set it to record the prime time re-broadcast so I could watch this morning, when I caught the final gymnastics rotation, medal ceremony and excruciating post-meet interviews- the one with Alicia Sacramone was particularly painful. And the interviewer basically followed the "Step 1: Insert knife. Step 2: Twist." interview form, asking her something along the lines of, "You sound like you're blaming yourself. Why is that?" She may as well have asked, "Tell us all why you think you suck. No, really. Don't hold back." Anyway, I was impressed with Ms. Sacramone's poise in keeping it together during the interviews, when she was so clearly ready to dissolve at any moment.
And yes, I realize that NBC made a liar out of me by showing men's beach volleyball in prime time last night. The point holds, though, that there have been quite a few more women's matches televised in prime time than men's. It was actually worse during the Athens games, which is when I first noticed it.
In other news- did anyone see the USA-Italy men's water polo match? Holy smokes, was that a good game! And the women's match against Italy was similarly good, if a little more disappointing in the outcome. That Casanova is a beast!
Anyway, so begins another evening of hacking, coughing, Phelps watching (that 4x200M relay was crazy!), etc. Wish me luck that maybe I can get some sleep tonight, since I don't think I can miss another day of work.
The only upside of being sick is being able to indulge my Olympics-love to my heart's content. I fell asleep about halfway through last night's prime time, and then woke up a couple hours later (that's how I'm sleeping lately; it's horrible and I do not recommend it) to finish watching. Imagine the curses I threw at myself for having failed to set any extra time on the TiVo! I set it to record the prime time re-broadcast so I could watch this morning, when I caught the final gymnastics rotation, medal ceremony and excruciating post-meet interviews- the one with Alicia Sacramone was particularly painful. And the interviewer basically followed the "Step 1: Insert knife. Step 2: Twist." interview form, asking her something along the lines of, "You sound like you're blaming yourself. Why is that?" She may as well have asked, "Tell us all why you think you suck. No, really. Don't hold back." Anyway, I was impressed with Ms. Sacramone's poise in keeping it together during the interviews, when she was so clearly ready to dissolve at any moment.
And yes, I realize that NBC made a liar out of me by showing men's beach volleyball in prime time last night. The point holds, though, that there have been quite a few more women's matches televised in prime time than men's. It was actually worse during the Athens games, which is when I first noticed it.
In other news- did anyone see the USA-Italy men's water polo match? Holy smokes, was that a good game! And the women's match against Italy was similarly good, if a little more disappointing in the outcome. That Casanova is a beast!
Anyway, so begins another evening of hacking, coughing, Phelps watching (that 4x200M relay was crazy!), etc. Wish me luck that maybe I can get some sleep tonight, since I don't think I can miss another day of work.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Haaack! Wheeze! Snorfle!
So...I'm sick. I'm sicker than I remember being anytime in the recent past. It's just a head cold...but it's oh-so-much more. I'm running a slight fever, I'm weak, my stomach is upset from the phlegm that runs down my throat. I'm a party and then some. I've essentially lain in bed all day today, and it seems beyond me to do much else.
It doesn't help that I didn't sleep really at all last night, not just because of the snot-filled condition of my nose, but because I just couldn't get comfortable. I tossed and turned, and tried to relax and laid still and closed my eyes...and was awake. And uncomfortable. I tried the living room sofa. The den sofa. Back to the bed again. And fell asleep somewhere around 5 a.m., after having already sent the email calling in sick to work. If I have another night like that tonight, I'll be staying home again tomorrow.
So I've spent the day in a clogged-sinus induced haze, wondering vaguely when I might have the energy to do the work I need to do, both the paying kind and around the house. And around the house is especially important, because, dun-dun-DUUNN, Caetlin turns the big 2 on Sunday. Which means in-laws coming to visit tomorrow, and my parents and sister coming on Sunday, and all of us shlepping over to a photography studio to have pictures made. Plus new toys and other gifts for Caetlin, plus something needs to be done to feed and water everyone, etc. Plus I have a baby shower that I am co-hosting on Saturday.
Plus Caetlin (the source of all this disease) is still sick, and her nanny has it too, though not as bad as me, and I'm horribly afraid Bruce is going to pick it up over the next days and then we'll really be screwed. Because this is only really the second day of my illness. Think about that, folks: the second day. Most of the time, it's the third or fourth day that really lays me low. I'm so scared to think what may be in store for me over the rest of the week.
And we have other stuff to do. Beyond the work that I mentioned, we're scheduled for an ultrasound of El Segundo on Thursday. I have been looking forward to this for literally weeks, and all I can think about now is whether I'll have the energy to deal with it. Caetlin still needs to be cared for, though her nanny has really hung in there better than we could ever have asked her to.
Some other random news from our House of Sicknesse and Grave Pestilence:
- I've become a huge fan of the neti pot. How did I not know this existed until recently?
As someone who has serious issues with all things sinus, this thing is the awesomest. I've been getting all kinds of gunk out of my nostrils, working them over every few hours. It's kind of not as cool when one sinus is so plugged that the water doesn't actually go anywhere, just hangs out in the nostril, but it helps nonetheless.
- I've been able to indulge my inner Olympics dork, TiVo-ing all the overnight and primetime coverage and dozing through it all day. I've gotten wayyy into water polo, which is seriously awesome. I've also been caught up in Michael Phelps and USA swimming, though it's tough not to be caught up in it with NBC basically moving in with Phelps and giving him evening foot massages and breakfast in bed each morning. Still, the 4X100 M relay was the most exciting swimming race I've ever seen. Can you imagine- five teams in that race were below world record time. Can you imagine swimming faster than the existing world record and not getting a medal? How crazy is that?
- One thing I haven't been too fond of is the love NBC commentators seem to be lavishing on the Chinese, especially in gymnastics. We all need to agree that the Chinese women are not 16 and move on. I actually agree with Bela Karolyi that the rule is stupid, but if you're going to have the rules, enforce them already! And those children are so clearly not 16- no breasts, no hips, no thighs, no maturity of face, lack of maturity of motion...compare one of the American gymnasts, who are certainly 16. It's not just about height or curves- I can sympathize with a short woman with a boyish figure. But looking at the Chinese gymnast who is 20- and looks it- only makes it more apparent that the Chinese are completely breaking the rules. And the commentators gave them a complete pass. Maybe they have to- they are broadcasting from a repressive, censorious regime, after all. But come on- couldn't we get a little skepticism? And really, the Chinese men are not the end all, be all of men's gymnastics. We get it- they're good. Moving on.
- Am I the only one who finds it amusing that women's beach volleyball is on in primetime, while men's beach volleyball is on at like 10:30 in the morning? I'm guessing the sport isn't exactly the only, uh, draw here. The guys wear basically basketball uniforms, while the women wear those itty-bitty bikinis. We ladies can't even get a little Top Gun volleyball scene action. I'm sure it's not dignified enough for the Olympics. Though to be fair, to get back to water polo for a second, there's enough of that sort of thing going around in water polo. Tivo is your friend, ladies!
Okay, enough Olympics dorkery. Wish me luck that I can kick this thing by the weekend, which would be faster than I ever have beat a cold before, as well as deprived of my normal crutches of Zycam (it works for me, I swear!) and Tylenol Cold medicine.
And, here she is in happier-and windier- times:
And looking like the big kid that she is- almost a whole 2 years old!
It doesn't help that I didn't sleep really at all last night, not just because of the snot-filled condition of my nose, but because I just couldn't get comfortable. I tossed and turned, and tried to relax and laid still and closed my eyes...and was awake. And uncomfortable. I tried the living room sofa. The den sofa. Back to the bed again. And fell asleep somewhere around 5 a.m., after having already sent the email calling in sick to work. If I have another night like that tonight, I'll be staying home again tomorrow.
So I've spent the day in a clogged-sinus induced haze, wondering vaguely when I might have the energy to do the work I need to do, both the paying kind and around the house. And around the house is especially important, because, dun-dun-DUUNN, Caetlin turns the big 2 on Sunday. Which means in-laws coming to visit tomorrow, and my parents and sister coming on Sunday, and all of us shlepping over to a photography studio to have pictures made. Plus new toys and other gifts for Caetlin, plus something needs to be done to feed and water everyone, etc. Plus I have a baby shower that I am co-hosting on Saturday.
Plus Caetlin (the source of all this disease) is still sick, and her nanny has it too, though not as bad as me, and I'm horribly afraid Bruce is going to pick it up over the next days and then we'll really be screwed. Because this is only really the second day of my illness. Think about that, folks: the second day. Most of the time, it's the third or fourth day that really lays me low. I'm so scared to think what may be in store for me over the rest of the week.
And we have other stuff to do. Beyond the work that I mentioned, we're scheduled for an ultrasound of El Segundo on Thursday. I have been looking forward to this for literally weeks, and all I can think about now is whether I'll have the energy to deal with it. Caetlin still needs to be cared for, though her nanny has really hung in there better than we could ever have asked her to.
Some other random news from our House of Sicknesse and Grave Pestilence:
- I've become a huge fan of the neti pot. How did I not know this existed until recently?
As someone who has serious issues with all things sinus, this thing is the awesomest. I've been getting all kinds of gunk out of my nostrils, working them over every few hours. It's kind of not as cool when one sinus is so plugged that the water doesn't actually go anywhere, just hangs out in the nostril, but it helps nonetheless.
- I've been able to indulge my inner Olympics dork, TiVo-ing all the overnight and primetime coverage and dozing through it all day. I've gotten wayyy into water polo, which is seriously awesome. I've also been caught up in Michael Phelps and USA swimming, though it's tough not to be caught up in it with NBC basically moving in with Phelps and giving him evening foot massages and breakfast in bed each morning. Still, the 4X100 M relay was the most exciting swimming race I've ever seen. Can you imagine- five teams in that race were below world record time. Can you imagine swimming faster than the existing world record and not getting a medal? How crazy is that?
- One thing I haven't been too fond of is the love NBC commentators seem to be lavishing on the Chinese, especially in gymnastics. We all need to agree that the Chinese women are not 16 and move on. I actually agree with Bela Karolyi that the rule is stupid, but if you're going to have the rules, enforce them already! And those children are so clearly not 16- no breasts, no hips, no thighs, no maturity of face, lack of maturity of motion...compare one of the American gymnasts, who are certainly 16. It's not just about height or curves- I can sympathize with a short woman with a boyish figure. But looking at the Chinese gymnast who is 20- and looks it- only makes it more apparent that the Chinese are completely breaking the rules. And the commentators gave them a complete pass. Maybe they have to- they are broadcasting from a repressive, censorious regime, after all. But come on- couldn't we get a little skepticism? And really, the Chinese men are not the end all, be all of men's gymnastics. We get it- they're good. Moving on.
- Am I the only one who finds it amusing that women's beach volleyball is on in primetime, while men's beach volleyball is on at like 10:30 in the morning? I'm guessing the sport isn't exactly the only, uh, draw here. The guys wear basically basketball uniforms, while the women wear those itty-bitty bikinis. We ladies can't even get a little Top Gun volleyball scene action. I'm sure it's not dignified enough for the Olympics. Though to be fair, to get back to water polo for a second, there's enough of that sort of thing going around in water polo. Tivo is your friend, ladies!
Okay, enough Olympics dorkery. Wish me luck that I can kick this thing by the weekend, which would be faster than I ever have beat a cold before, as well as deprived of my normal crutches of Zycam (it works for me, I swear!) and Tylenol Cold medicine.
And, here she is in happier-and windier- times:
And looking like the big kid that she is- almost a whole 2 years old!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Quick One
I know I've been slack about Alaska pictures. So here is one. It's not terribly representative of Alaska or our trip at all, but let's face it, this is why most of my readers come here. (Yes, Dad, I'm talking to you.) (Both of you.)
To All My Dear Friends
Who had their lives altered yesterday...you know who you are...we love you and are thinking about you. Please call or write if we can help at all.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Quick Weekend Update
I need to be working this morning, and I'm battling the worst morning sickness I've had so far, so this will have to be quick.
Saturday we went to the Chattahoochee Nature Center (the link to its website isn't working right now, but it normally is here) to attend a ranger-led baby nature walk (it's supposed to discuss which plants are safe to touch and other things possibly encountered at two feet tall) and to see the butterfly release. Apparently, the Nature Center typically releases all butterflies on one day each July, making a big festival out of it. However, this year, because construction is underway for a new wildlife center, they spread it over several weekends this month, and this past weekend was the last release.
The infant walk was canceled, so we just walked through the gardens for an hour. It was hot as Hades, and Caetlin really wanted to run around but she kept picking the flowers, so she spent a good chunk of time on Bruce's shoulders. We did get to see a sleeping beaver (verdict: much larger than I thought it would be) and a number of birds in the aviary. However, when it came to the butterfly release, we bailed. Turns out you have to get there early to get a good seat, and early did not work for Caetlin. You can't expect a 2 year old to just sit and wait for 20 minutes, when nothing is happening to keep her attention. It was also a madhouse. Completely packed, with people just barrelling through the doors, getting snippy that we were blocking their way by trying to get in the door the other direction. We've been there a couple of times before and it was never so crowded.
So, no baby nature walk and no butterfly release. The Nature Center was a big bust this time, though we did get bird seed for our hopefully more squirrel resistant bird feeder (they have destroyed two feeders in the last couple of months). The rest of the day was errands and miscellaneous. It was a miscellaneous kind of day.
Sunday was awesome- Six Flags! We had a blast, despite it being about 1000 degrees outside. We actually bought a pass for 6 more visits by November 2, because I think we'll be going back when it is cooler. Caetlin had a great time, especially in Thomas Town (dedicated to the characters of Thomas the Tank Engine) where there is a little kid train ride that we stayed on three times and a playground. She also liked looking at all the people and things- she was just blown away by it all. Also loved the roller coasters (looking at them, of course), saying, "Hello choo choo train!" and "Bye bye train!" when the cars whooshed around overhead. No pictures, unfortunately- I forgot my camera. Next time.
We also saw The Dark Knight, and oh my, was it good. Wonderful performances from Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhardt, a thought-provoking story and great visuals. More on that later, if I get time.
Sunday was also the day of cooking, as I made two different dishes for the week. We're going to start eating dinner with Caetlin- previously her nanny has fed her dinner before we get home in the evenings- and I want her to start eating what I eat. Wish us luck in broadening the child's palate.
Anyway, that was about it for the weekend. I know I owe Alaska pictures. Soon, I promise.
Saturday we went to the Chattahoochee Nature Center (the link to its website isn't working right now, but it normally is here) to attend a ranger-led baby nature walk (it's supposed to discuss which plants are safe to touch and other things possibly encountered at two feet tall) and to see the butterfly release. Apparently, the Nature Center typically releases all butterflies on one day each July, making a big festival out of it. However, this year, because construction is underway for a new wildlife center, they spread it over several weekends this month, and this past weekend was the last release.
The infant walk was canceled, so we just walked through the gardens for an hour. It was hot as Hades, and Caetlin really wanted to run around but she kept picking the flowers, so she spent a good chunk of time on Bruce's shoulders. We did get to see a sleeping beaver (verdict: much larger than I thought it would be) and a number of birds in the aviary. However, when it came to the butterfly release, we bailed. Turns out you have to get there early to get a good seat, and early did not work for Caetlin. You can't expect a 2 year old to just sit and wait for 20 minutes, when nothing is happening to keep her attention. It was also a madhouse. Completely packed, with people just barrelling through the doors, getting snippy that we were blocking their way by trying to get in the door the other direction. We've been there a couple of times before and it was never so crowded.
So, no baby nature walk and no butterfly release. The Nature Center was a big bust this time, though we did get bird seed for our hopefully more squirrel resistant bird feeder (they have destroyed two feeders in the last couple of months). The rest of the day was errands and miscellaneous. It was a miscellaneous kind of day.
Sunday was awesome- Six Flags! We had a blast, despite it being about 1000 degrees outside. We actually bought a pass for 6 more visits by November 2, because I think we'll be going back when it is cooler. Caetlin had a great time, especially in Thomas Town (dedicated to the characters of Thomas the Tank Engine) where there is a little kid train ride that we stayed on three times and a playground. She also liked looking at all the people and things- she was just blown away by it all. Also loved the roller coasters (looking at them, of course), saying, "Hello choo choo train!" and "Bye bye train!" when the cars whooshed around overhead. No pictures, unfortunately- I forgot my camera. Next time.
We also saw The Dark Knight, and oh my, was it good. Wonderful performances from Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhardt, a thought-provoking story and great visuals. More on that later, if I get time.
Sunday was also the day of cooking, as I made two different dishes for the week. We're going to start eating dinner with Caetlin- previously her nanny has fed her dinner before we get home in the evenings- and I want her to start eating what I eat. Wish us luck in broadening the child's palate.
Anyway, that was about it for the weekend. I know I owe Alaska pictures. Soon, I promise.
Friday, July 18, 2008
I Fear For The Future
While on our way out of the mall where we saw the movie, I saw this ad, and I actually had to go back to take a picture of it. The picture was taken with the phone on my camera, so it wasn't a great pic, but I think you can see the relevant bits here.
Can you read the copy? Here, let me post a close(r) up:
And then contemplate the age of the model.
I hate this. As the mom of a daughter, I hate this and fear for her self-image. How obsessesed are we as a culture with youth, that we would encourage such a thing? I realize there are only economics underlying the ad- Botox can capture customers for life if it can get women in their twenties hooked on its product. But the fact that it will exploit the culture that is consumed with never aging, the fact that the culture is so consumed, the fact that there is such a market opening, worries me about my daughter.
How can I convey to her that she is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside? How can I present to her the idea that makeup is okay but plastic surgery usually isn't? The dichotomy between needing and wanting to look one's best, and valuing one's own personality and character without regard for the physical is one that I struggle with myself, though I think I'm pretty grounded. How can I give Caetlin the same grounding? How can I fight the overwhelming flow of images that are going to tell her she needs to be thin to the point of emaciation, have perfect hair and white teeth and a perpetual tan, and remain 20 for her entire life? Also, have big boobs, and no pubic hair beyond a small short strip, and know the Makeup Tips That Will Make Him Yours!
It just feels like advertising comes at me more and more quickly, in greater volume than ever, and it's all designed to make me feel bad about myself, so that I can go buy something to make myself feel better. I presume that advertising will only continue to grow and invade everyone's space, as we become more and more media saturated. How can I guide my girl, when as she grows I fear I will have less and less influence?
And then contemplate the age of the model.
I hate this. As the mom of a daughter, I hate this and fear for her self-image. How obsessesed are we as a culture with youth, that we would encourage such a thing? I realize there are only economics underlying the ad- Botox can capture customers for life if it can get women in their twenties hooked on its product. But the fact that it will exploit the culture that is consumed with never aging, the fact that the culture is so consumed, the fact that there is such a market opening, worries me about my daughter.
How can I convey to her that she is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside? How can I present to her the idea that makeup is okay but plastic surgery usually isn't? The dichotomy between needing and wanting to look one's best, and valuing one's own personality and character without regard for the physical is one that I struggle with myself, though I think I'm pretty grounded. How can I give Caetlin the same grounding? How can I fight the overwhelming flow of images that are going to tell her she needs to be thin to the point of emaciation, have perfect hair and white teeth and a perpetual tan, and remain 20 for her entire life? Also, have big boobs, and no pubic hair beyond a small short strip, and know the Makeup Tips That Will Make Him Yours!
It just feels like advertising comes at me more and more quickly, in greater volume than ever, and it's all designed to make me feel bad about myself, so that I can go buy something to make myself feel better. I presume that advertising will only continue to grow and invade everyone's space, as we become more and more media saturated. How can I guide my girl, when as she grows I fear I will have less and less influence?
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