Little Bug is still asleep and has been since 1 am. She's got her immunizations this morning so if she doesn't wake soon I will have to wake her myself. Also, I'm a bit freaked out by how long she's slept tonight.

Paul took over the midnight feeding and let me go to bed last night. Bliss! It's the first time I've had eight hours of sleep in a row since... I can't remember when. Even before the baby was born, I was waking up with sciatica a lot. Maybe six months? 

Bug was Miss Crankypants yesterday (another growth spurt?) and I got almost nothing done. Have started to bead the bodice of her baptism gown. I did get out to consort practice, after four tries at finding Alyne's. Wow that's a nice instrumental group! Very competent and friendly. It was fun to play all the SCA dances again, like old friends, plus we did some new ones.

Time to wake Miss Baby. I have had my coffee first though today! 

Have been in a bit of a funk lately. I don't think it's post-partum depression, but that can be seen from here on a clear day. Some days are good, others not so much. I don't know if I need to get out more or just retreat to find my happy place. I'm going to drag my sorry ass to consort practice tonight anyway.

We went to the Ukrainian Village this weekend. It was cool, but I would have liked it more if we had gone to Fort Edmonton after and not before, since they are the same basic premise but FE is much bigger. The Ukrainian language re-enactors were very cool though (they do still do that btw, snooness ). And I really enjoyed the peaceful country atmosphere.

Other highlights from the weekend include finally cleaning up the backyard. We trimmed the hedges, weeded, laid down landscaping rock, got the planters operational, etc. Yay we are not the deadbeat house in the complex anymore! 

We also finally unpacked the basement (mostly). There is a ton of built-in cabinets and shelving in this unit, and there turned out to be a lot of storage space that we had forgotten about, so score! When we moved in, the basement was last last priority and we were frantic busy, so we just parked the boxes and left them. But it's much prettier now and there's still storage space available.

Most fun thing of the weekend: hearing Little Bug laugh for the first time! She has been smiling up a storm for a while now, but the laugh was new. She is so cute! We are so smitten! Also, she slept for seven hours last night. She does love her mommy! 

To do today: I have a ton of sewing to do over the next two weeks; Bug's baptism dress as well as new garb for everyone for Quad War. It's hard with Bug because she doesn't like me to sit unattended for too long, and she's too little to sit on my lap while I sew.

I'm trying to find a steady stream of French broadcasting (CBC Radio-Canada) online so that I can improve my french. Which is un petit peu terrible. I was listening to short newscasts today and it's apparently Jazz Festival time again! I remember being at that last year, with Lorraine, sitting in the hot sun drinking beer, letting the sound wash over us.

Paul and I no closer to getting to Montreal for fieldwork, except in my brain. We're both tired from such a busy year and all the changes over the last two years, so we're dragging our feet on this more than we might.

Did a bunch of housework and more unpacking yesterday. It's all very glacial. Perhaps I might hang one photo per day, that kind of thing. I finished Bug's fuschia dress and bought beaded trim for her baptism dress. Am toying with the idea of also beading her bodice. Someone talk me out of it?? Please?? 

Today: errands at the U; I can get my new Onecard if I register for the fall, and I need to submit the form that accepts the scholarship I got offered. Like I would turn it down. DUH. But it does happen, occasionally (to other people) that they get multiple scholarships and they need to turn something down. Hence the form.

Bug is a little under the weather, I think: she slept most of yesterday, and for seven hours straight last night, and seems really stuffed up today. I'm not alarmed, just watchful.

A quick post while I snarf down before-bed-cereal. Have been ravenously hungry today. It's nice to have an appetite again.

Went to Paul's Auntie's place to sew today. She is a super sewer! In fact she takes it in on piecework basis as a retirement hobby. Anyway, her services were free for me! She helped me with Little Bug's baptism dress, and we also threw together a pair of fight pants for Paul. In ORANGE, but that's his story. Anyway, the dress is completely awesome, it tickles me so much! It's not done, needs some hemming and of course I must add trim! Will post pics when done.

We made it out to Tavern too, that's two in a row. Some kind of record for me. Little Bug was the Littlest Gypsy today! Will post pic tomorrow. Her little tiny turban stayed on fine except she got super hot and I had to take it off before too long. Another highlight from Tavern was getting to dance the Korobushka again! A non-period dance but my period nazi filter fails before the beguiling charms of Korobushka! I haven't danced it in years but it all came back to me perfectly.

I put my name on a list at Thyme Maternity many months ago (October?) and various companies have been sending us things and phoning us ever since. Actually it was a good list to be on. rectangularcat , if you see it, opt in. Nestle baby food sent us a big can of formula and a really good diaper bag, and the phone promos have been good ones. Most recent phone promo was from Canadian Babies, a photography studio. They come to the house, there's no sitting fee, and we get a free 8 x 10 and calendar.

Anyway, the photographer came this morning and was hugely impressive. Missy R grinned and chortled for him like he was her best friend (and actually cried when he started to pack up). He set up a little studio in our kitchen and outfitted Bug in a variety of costumes, in a variety of poses. He was fast and efficient and the baby loved him.

The proofs will be ready in about three weeks. They send someone around to the house to discuss packages.

Help me. I may be a easy mark for the salesperson!! 

It takes a big time investment, but it's cheap and easy to follow. It looks like this: 

( Free details inside!  )

We had a really lovely weekend in Red Deer. Spent time with Paul's family AND they babysat for us (yay that my girl is good with bottle feeding!) so we got to see Star Trek on the big screen! I am Teh Happy. Sigh. Loved it. And Bug was shamelessly spoiled for loves this weekend. Paul's mom and her partner are such besotted grandparents! Bug smiled her toothless little grin all weekend and everyone was quite enchanted.

Got a great photo of four generations of Paul's family: Missy R through to her great-grandaddy. We had such a nice supper with Paul's grandpa and step-grandma (is that a word? I'm making it a word). I really love spending time with this side of his family. They are quite cool. Paul's mom was wearing a purple and fuschia sequinned top, and how many mothers-in-law can wear those and make them look good?! I took a photo of her in that with Bug in her new fuschia dress with a purple sequinned kitty. It was too cute.

I take too many photos. 

Paul's step-grandma apparently had a baby that weighed two pounds eight ounces at birth, and it is all growed up and healthy now. Wowsers.

I'm so tired today I can barely drink coffee. ( Sewing, fabric, and baby things )

Paul seems genuinely shocked by the amount of time I spend making/ buying/ thinking about clothes for Missy R, and how much I enjoy dressing her up. 

=O  Isn't that the point of a girl baby?! 

That being said, I cannot take full responsibility for the mountain of clothes in her closet. We have gotten SO many clothes from everyone, some new (because everyone else likes buying baby clothes too), some lightly used, that it's slightly ridiculous. And all really nice clothes too. It's really hard to choose what to dress her in every day.

Little Bug is game; she does her best to make them dirty fast so I can legitimately change her more often, but it's a losing battle.

She slept like a trouper again last night--she does love her mommy!---and I've gotten lots done today. I finished recovering the chairs, and did many boring but useful things like opening mail and tidy up.

She has started to smile, really smile with recognition, in the last few days. Great big toothless gaping smiles when she sees me and Paul. I thought my heart would melt the first time I saw it.

Canada Day! All of the friends that we propositioned for BBQ and spiked watermelon are being incredibly anti-social. So Paul and Bug and Dog and I are going to hit Whyte Ave and gawk at the crowds. Pooh on these anti-social friends! BBQ and watermelon still on the agenda, or possibly a household party.

Paul's really swimming like a duck in the SCA . He's been obsessed with his armour for weeks now. He's standing in the living room RIGHT now in full armour (to see how it all works with legs, arms, gambeson etc) looking desolate because he just discovered his chin strap won't do up with the modifications he made to his gorget. As a non-armourer, I'm not much help other than giggling (sympathetically, though) a little bit.

I made a sleeve pattern for the Bug's sleeveless dress, and it works great. I think the pattern will be perfect for her christening gown! I have decided to go with the floofy soft cotton (thanks wendylicious for input!) in an Elizabethan-inspired pattern, with a sort of underskirt and then horizontal trim around the overskirt.

Bug remembered how to sleep through the night again; slept for almost seven hours. She rocks! Sometimes she forgets, but mostly now she gets at least five. My life is WAY better than a month ago.

It was July 2 last year that I left for Montreal, and in fact I had a blood test to do on July 1, and we drove way across town to find one of the only labs that was open on the holiday. If someone had told me that in a year I would have a little baby to pamper, I would have not believed them.

More amusement in the living room: Paul's also discovering how hard it is to get in and out of armour. Surely a wife who loved him would giggle less????

Thanks to everyone for your comments yesterday. I had no idea there were so many Catholics out there! It's really interesting to learn about a side of people that isn't apparent.

( Questions about baby gowns )

.... I has it!! 


I now have enough money for my fieldwork, no matter how it has to play out, and probably enough to not have to get a job for another 15 months. Next summer I can stay home with Missy and write my dissertation!! Angels sang! 

So I'm going to be even more ass-kickingly busy from this fall onwards: full time studies PLUS full time daycare. Means I should enjoy all my off time now!! (grin) 

Today I'm refinishing the dining room chairs (the staple gun is seductively easy to use) and making a mundane dress for Bug. If it works I can use it to pattern an Elizabethan dress and also her baptismal gown. I will know in about a half hour.

Finally my evil cell phone has gone to be with God. ( Read more... )

The day is yawning out ahead of me. Little Bug slept through the night again so yay her! We might take a field trip to VV today. I need more clothes in "my size" and refuse to pay full price for them as I know that this size is not permanent.

I'm thinking about classes for Quad this year. We're not sure if we'll camp or not, but nothing will keep us away! I want to do my usual Little Egyptian class but with a practical component this year. Time to mix it up a bit! 

I went out to the beginner recorder get together last night. It was fun to get out! Always lovely to make music with friends. Now I'm itching to get out to the more advanced consort group! 

Today: I need to get on some sewing for Quad War. Paul has two tunics in the works, and Missy R. needs some clothes, and Paul's son will need a new tunic, and ME! When do I get some new clothes too??? 

 
 

My little girl is a superstar for letting me sleep for six hours straight! She woke up in a great mood and so did I! I never appreciated six hours of sleep B.B (Before Baby) !

Yesterday: not too much done. I went to Superstore and developed more prints of my favourite baby. I am a shameless mama! What else... I talked Lorraine through making a bog tunic. (She is trying to make three of them for a camping event this weekend. Nice to see the "SCA deadline" spirit alive and kicking!) I unpacked four boxes in the basement. Eventually this place will be unpacked, darn it! Hopefully before we move out. I wrote some letters to grandparents, and watched too much Stargate. Was up very very late jiggling the baby who was overtired and did not want to sleep.

Today: Heading out to a Service Canada office to get the name on my SIN card changed. Hopefully that will go okay.

Haven't been really social lately. Normally I'm a social butterfly but lately I just seem to want to hibernate. Not sure if it's a consequence of sleep deprivation or life changes, or what. Haven't even been out walkies which I usually quite enjoy. Must find a Weight Watchers group close by. Weight loss has not gone as planned.

Paul's first Father's Day with Bug. She used my credit card, the scamp, to go online and buy him Kipling's "Just so Stories" that he wants to read to her when she is just a little older. We had dinner at Paul's dad's place. It was a nice Father's Day.

We did manage to get the house clean, or mostly clean, yesterday. The vaccuum cleaner went to be with God. Another expense then.

Paul is now fully kitted up for heavy fighting except for a shield. He's SO keen to get at it and has made all the armour himself from patterns he made himself. It's really impressive. 

I took Paul's son and son's friend out yesterday to shop for Paul's present from his son. They're 10 and 13. They quoted from the Pink Panther movie the whole way there and back. Am seriously reconsidering trying for two children. =O 

Bug slept from 12:30 to 6:30 am last night, nursed for 15 minutes and then sacked out again till close to 9 am. It was wonderful! I'm still tired though. I think I'm owed some sleep back pay.

Front and back doors and open and the house is sort of clean. Paul and his son and friend are out making heavy armour. Or at least Paul is, don't know what the kids are doing.

Tomorrow is Paul's first father's day with Bug. I made him a card with her footprint (food colouring).  Hopefully he won't check the bottom of her feet today because it didn't all wash off. =O

I got this great book at VV called  "Between Interruptions". Its short stories written by career/ professional women( a lot of workaholics) who have dealt in various ways with motherhood. Superbly written vignettes ranging from saccharine to black, the whole breadth of experience.

Bug is squalling, excuse typoes. Must run! 

I got Bug into the clinic to be weighed today and she has gained 20 ounces in 10 days. Normal weight gain at this age, btw, is 4-7 ounces per week. She also grew three centimetres in the same time! She is now nine pounds 13 ounces.

This explains why she's been eating so much. I thought she seemed heavier...

I have sent her out with Paul to pick up his son so I have the house to myself. It's funny how fast I got used to there being a loud squawky thing here. The house feels eerily empty. I'm trying to muster up motivation to clean something, anything. Sigh.

I cancelled my follow-up appointment with the lactation clinic. I'm done getting advice from people. Little Bug and I can sort this out ourselves.

I woke up at 1 pm. it's amazing how much of the day isn't there after that! So far I have: made coffee, cleaned the kitchen, made soup. My boss is just starting to squawk so it's apparently feeding time Real Soon.

After all that hullaballoo I haven't actually stopped breastfeeding yet. I have cut out a couple of feeds each day and I top her up with formula any time she needs to feed for longer than about a half hour (ie, last night she took 8 ounces of formula between 10 and 1 am). So it's about a 60/40 split for breastfeeding right now, although I'm still nursing for at least 6 feeds a day. But I nurse only for as long as it doesn't hurt and not a second more, and gave myself permission to stop anytime, and really the whole thing is much more happy now. I seriously think I was at risk of post-partum depression for a little while there. I was just wretched about the whole thing and that's wrong wrong wrong.

Today: bath (yes, I'm putting it on my to-do list because it's more difficult than it sounds, with squawking Bug around), health clinic to weigh Bug (and me), lab to get bloodwork done. Would like to: work on Bug's baby album, clean house. We shall see. It's amazing how a whole day disappears in such basic tasks. Makes me fear for the fall when I return to academia. Hopefully Bug will be sleeping better by then.

Must run, she appears to be truly awake now. Poor little starving Bug! 

Rowan and I stopped in at the music department today to show off Her Fabulousness to the graduate coordinator who had expressed a desire to see her. She was petted and admired! I asked about this scholarship and will find out soon but really it seems likely. Keep crossing fingers! 

Had my six-week checkup at the dr's today, and I am all healthy. Waited FOUR hours for my appointment though. He asked what I had thought of the lactation specialist and I said it had been an inconclusive visit. He apparently doesn't like that Dr. very much. He said there's way too much pressure on new mothers today to breastfeed. I agreed fervently! BTW I got asked three times today if I was breastfeeding. Three.

Missy Rowan was in a phase yesterday and the day before where she could not tolerate being put down. At all. For any reason, even to sleep. I've started to wish for cable TV. She was better last night though, thank god.

The house is really untidy and I've just let go (mostly) of the desire for a clean one. It's not going to happen till I get more sleep. Paul is good about chipping in if I'm working too, but he ain't got cleaning initiative and I'm too sleepy to bop around much.

Went to VV after my dr's appt and got a whole bunch of cute clothes and books for Rowan. Also some stuff for me in my new (hopefully temporary) size. Man, there are great kids' clothes there.