rakey master

Ahhhhhtumn.



Autumn is my very very favorite season. I love the smell of wood smoke and Halloween apples, the chill-bitten mornings and the brisk-blue days. The color palette makes me giddy. I love thick sweaters and patterned socks (oh Man, I could go on about socks. Not baby socks this time, my socks. Everyone's socks! Everyone wears socks here! It's so fun to wear socks again, and to plan on wearing socks with your outfit every day. And the sock options! I am definitely investing. But I digress....)

I am particularly giddy this year because I have not experienced my favorite season for seven years. Isn't that a trip? I mean, the last time I had a proper Fall I was in college in Ashland. I was dating Andy, for godssakes. Sheesh. And now here I am, with crunchy brown leaves literally raining all around me. Yipee!

But as much as I love a yard with a nice shag carpet of crinkly gold, when one has an acre of land and giant tress all around, one must bust out what Alex Trebek called a "long-handled gardening tool [which] can also mean an immoral pleasure seeker."

No, not a hoe.

A rake.



Yay for Autumn!

the sleuth fairy

Of course, after I wrote last night's post about how awesome it's been that Luciya has slept TWELVE HOURS STRAIGHT for five out of the last 6 nights, she decided to mix things up a little last night and give us a one-hour mumble-moan-whimper-yelp-scream -arama starting at about 3:45 am.

This was the pattern about 2 weeks ago, when Luciya started waking with piercing, unsettling cries at about that time AND before and after, so much so that we were near desperation when we asked her pediatrician what could possibly be the matter. Her answer? "I don't know."

C'mon, give me anything. A maybe, a could be, a teeny tiny chance that there is this one perchance possibility that she is ________________. But no. So we went to another pediatrician. And we liked her so well that we decided that day to have Luciya's records switched to her office (which, incidentally, happens to be the very same office I went to as a wee youngster!).

The new doc said that Luciya's cries could be a form of early separation anxiety and she had developed this yelp because she realized it would get us in the room. This made sense since only the day before Luciya had started crying when I left her with her Tutu! I'm not quite ready for this separation anxiety thing, especially since it's not supposed to start for another couple months. But we took that into account.

Another thing Dr. Angie suggested is that Luciya might be teething. I KNEW IT!!!! Thank you, thank you, I feel the same way. Well, I have felt the same way every time she fussed in the middle of the night since she was 3 months old. Oh, she must be teething. Yep, definitely teething. But now, for reals, we think she is. Just starting to. Just feeling it. No way she's not teething.

Another thing that Dr. Angie mentioned that really hit home with me was the difference between "behavioral" and "nutritional" breastfeeding in the middle of the night. I realized that my 5 minutes with Luciya probably weren't giving her a whole lot of nutritional value, just a bit of comfort.

So, we stopped going into her room when she bawled. Man, it's been hard. All my brain can say after 2 nights of hour-and-a-half-long screamfests is "bwauuuuuallllpphhhhhhhhhaaaarrrrrkkkkooghhhhhllllllllllluuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhggggggggg." Torture.

But then, on Friday night, October 26, she did it. She slept. For THIRTEEN HOURS STRAIGHT. I didn't; at 5 am I was peering over the crib rail to make sure she was alive (she was), but damn it felt good. She did it throughout the weekend, too, even though she and I were in a strange place (Portland, visiting her Aunty T and Uncle Colby and future husband Jenner). Okay, Saturday night was a little rough because she got her legs stuck between the unfamiliar bars of Jenner's crib, but other than that she has been a champ.

Until last night. But it was Halloween, right? Spooky vibes in the air and whatnot. Maybe all those bucky jack-o-lanterns made her gums jealous so they decided to push a little harder. But she's gonna sleep again tonight and then every night until she's eighteen. Awesome!

all through the night

All through the night
Late October in 2007
We have finally entered sleeping Heaven
Our sweet babe sleeps through the night

All through the night
Though I didn't quite know what to think
And of course I hardly slept a wink
Wondering if she was all right

Oh I got a funny feeling when she first slept past three
And I started thinking, "Could it be....?"

do-do-do-do-do
do-do-do-do-do
All through the night!

eLLe - 6 months

Dear Luciya,

You turned six months old today.



My, my... half a year. It was exactly a year ago that I began writing to you in the Fairy Woods. You were nothing more than a little kidney bean inside of me but we had heard your heartbeat and we saw you for the first time on Friday, October 13th. I remember so clearly just aching to meet you, to discover you, and here you are a year later, six bouncy, chortly, soft, achingly perfect months old.



One of your favorite things to do is sit up. You are even sitting up in the tub, in a bathtub seat for big kids! It is so nice to just be able to plop you down wherever you need to be plopped, and know that your little body will stay there. Until it doesn't. When you've had enough excitement just sitting in one place you kind of lurch yourself to the side and gently face-plant onto your belly where the backwards-scooting and rolling around can commence. Your rolling record so far (yes! You discovered how to roll from your belly to your back and back again and again) is four complete rotations, which moved you approximately 3 feet! Girl, if Timbuktu was in the kitchen, you could roll all the way to Timbuktu!



You've been sleeping better. Still waking up once between 2 and 4 a.m. to feed, but for the most part you are snug as a buggy in your crib. I think the main reason why is that you have begun scooting around so that you are lying sideways in the crib, head smooshed against one bumper pad and feet propped against the other. You used to be able to fit in there just right, but you've grown a teensy bit taller so now your feet are stacked up against the crib rails a ways. You love the tightness of it, and I have given up trying to move you back in to the wide depths of the crib mattress because it always wakes you up, and you eventually scoot back up there anyway.



Because of these comfy arrangements, you wake up in the morning with the hair of a mad scientist. It's really an entertaining combination -- ol' sleepy-eye morning jumble face with splayed-out electricity-head hair. Good morning, sunshine!



You crack yourself up lately, and when you do, you scrunch up your little nose and snort. Often you take the opportunity for a nose-scrunch giggle in between bites of your oh-so-delicious homemade baby food. We have moved from baby rice to pureed carrots and you are proving to be a very healthy little eater. Lately you have been sticking your thumb in your mouth directly after the food goes in and then rubbing your face, effectively getting yourself ready for Halloween by making your own pumpkin-colored mask. Effectively making your face much more messy than it ever was when we first started solids.

But no matter how scrumptious the carrots are, my dear, you have discovered something infinitely more delicious:



I have always loved the images of babies sucking on their toes and have been wondering if you would discover yours. Not only did you discover them, you were like Indiana Jones in your zeal to continue the exploration. You have nibbled your feet toe by toe, heel-first, and even both in your mouth at once. You are pleased as punch with this, the greatest of chew toys, and it is all made better by the fact that they are attached to your own body. Which I consider a great thing, since feet have proven to be a helpful distraction from the myriad of other things you have been wanting to shove into your mouth lately. You name it, if your chubby little hands can grab it, it's up for a taste test.



Today we celebrated your half-birthday, just you and I. I sang to you and even lit little candles. You sat there mesmerized in your little purple shirt and once I blew out the candles you paused for a moment, then looked up to my face and snorted.



Luciya, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. The snorty, grunty, deep, cherubic, blessed and happy little person you are fills every day with saccharine glee.

I love you, Luciya!

Love,
Mama

P.S. Happy Birthday, Aunty Clancy!

b.o. & boo-boos

I stink.

Seriously, ever since I was pregnant I have atrocious b.o. and I don't know why. It's not all the time (thank God) but I have found that the only weapon strong enough for my army of fumes is John's Right Guard gel stick. We buy it in bulk from Costco.

Anyway, I have been battling the odor demons more voraciously ever since I transferred the noxious offensiveness onto the sweetest-smelling object on the planet: Luciya's head.

Luciya wakes up between 7 and 7:30 every morning. We usually let her babble to herself for a while before I retrieve her and bring her into bed with us, where she and I snuggle and nurse for a while. Sometimes we even fall asleep together like that, her nestled under the crook of my arm, against my belly.

One morning a few months ago we woke up and smiled at each other and I brought her up to me to give her kisses. I inhaled her, recoiled, inhaled again. Her 20-minute pit nuzzle had left her with a head stench worthy of junior high locker room rivalry. Thankfully, we were alone. I applied sweet apricot baby oil to her dome. Seemed to help. Maybe no one would notice.

Luciya's big sister Eryn was in town at the time and that afternoon we went boating. Eryn was playing with Luciya and suddenly looked up at her dad. "Luciya doesn't smell like a baby anymore," she said. "She smells like your friend from Germany."



The mommy-sadism doesn't end there. A few weeks ago I was gently trimming Luciya's grow-an-inch-a-minute fingernails when I somehow miscalculated my aim and ended up SNIPPING OFF THE TOP OF HER FINGER. It bled. It bled all over the sheets in her play yard. It bled so much I had to put two adult band-aids over her teeny tiny digit and the blood SOAKED THROUGH THEM.

Luciya's reaction to the whole thing?



Guess I'm not such a bad mom after all.

ridiculous

You know what's ridiculous? Baby socks. They're just so little. So little and tiny. And so little and tiny and so cute. I love them. Fuzzy socks, striped socks, polka dot socks, giraffe socks, big socks, little socks (yes! too little! they don't even fit any more!), socks that look like mary janes.

I have always prided myself on my baby sock handling skills. Namely, on laundry day. I mean, my big old socks, and John's big old socks, seem to sneak away from Dryerville at the first opportunity, leaving us is a mis-matched sock world. But not so with Luciya's socks! Oh ho-ho no, I have never lost one single teeny tiny little sock in the wash.

That is, until a few weeks ago. Okay, it's been a month now. But I have been holding off with hope in my heart, intent that the FOUR SOCKS that disappeared from ONE LOAD of wash will rear their fuzzy, yellow, polka-dotted, and pink (respectively) heads. Er, feet. I didn't lose two pair of socks (I probably wouldn't even notice that). I lost FOUR SOCKS from four pairs of socks.

I was quite frustrated for a while (this happened just after Labor Day weekend) but then I just shoved three of the socks into the yellow sock and it turns out I now have an excellent duster for my dresser.

You know what else is ridiculous? My hair. Or lack thereof. Or - perhaps more appropriately - abundance thereof. On the furniture, the floor, Luciya's fingers, my clothes, John's clothes, the bathtub. So long, thick abundant pregnancy hair. Hello (or goodbye?) flimsy strands and handfuls.

Ridiculous.

my unsupported support

Look who's sitting up all by herself!!!





Baby step # 874...

"who can that attractive girl be?"

eLLe - 5 months

To my Luciya:

To my sweet, sweet baby...


To my brown-eyed girl...


To my bottle-sucking, nipple-chomping, solids-eating, growth-spurting, up-sitting, giggle-inducing, sweet-smelling, toe-grabbing, heart-holding, crazy-sleeping, bed-headed, doe-eyed, gerbil-cheeked, dimple-handed, smiling, chortling, fussing, rolling, wriggling, tumbling, grabbing, grinning, tasting, testing, sighing, crying, shrieking, peeking, perfect perfect little girl...



You're awesome.

I love you, Luciya!

Love,
Mama

won't the real shem-shemmy please stand up

Yeah, we know how to have a good time.

my favorite age

Those of you who knew me well in my mid-20's (Auma) may recall that every age was my favorite ("I love 25!" "I LOVE 26!" "Twenty-seven is the BEST!"). Yeah, well, now it's happening with my daughter. Every week, every day - nay, every hour she is around and growing is my favorite. And now that she is almost 5 months old, she is in her best space yet.

Luciya is incredible!! I swear she changes and emerges by the minute. She is at such a fun stage now - reaching out for objects that catch her attention, babbling and entertaining herself quietly in her crib, smiling, laughing, interacting in general. She has discovered her hands and feet and they are fascinating! She has mastered rolling from back to tummy and has almost got the tummy-to-back thing down. She loves to stand up on her feet and has been known to sit all by herself for up to 3 seconds! She is moving from blob to baby. What a fun trip!



I think she is beginning to teethe. She is a super-drooler and has been sucking on her upper and lower lips (which makes her look like a funny old man). And she has been sleeping horribly. Yes, I still adore everything about her, but seriously, since Labor Day weekend she has been waking up no less than 7 times a night. Eek. But I am experimenting with other reasons for this, and last night she actually slept for 9 1/2 hours straight!! I'll keep you posted on the progress.

We have been having fun in Boise -- going to the zoo, the park, downtown, on strolls around the neighborhood, to a fun festival called Art in the Park. She is alert and observant. We went on a camping trip over Labor Day weekend with our friends Trisha and Colby and their son, Jenner (Luciya's future husband). She was a champ and loved looking at all the trees.



Luciya and I have also starting taking a mommy-and-me class at this place called The Little Gym. Yeah, we're in the Bugs class. At first, I thought the class might be a little overstimulating for her mellow demeanor, but now I think she loves it. We play with balls and parachutes and bubbles. She gets to interact with other babies her age. It's really fun to watch.

And she likes to help with the laundry.

eLLe - 4 months

Dear Luciya,

You turned four months old last weekend.



I know, I can't believe it either.

You are becoming such a big girl!! You recognize mommy and daddy now, and your face lights up when you see us. Your neck is strong and you love to practice sitting up (with our help) and rolling over (but only front back to tummy; you haven't figured out how to get onto your back again).



You have started laughing more. When we went to visit your Abuelita in San Diego we went swimming in her pool and you laughed and laughed! It was pure delight. I get a little nervous when daddy dunks you into the water, but you don't seem to mind!



You grab for anything you see and try to stick it in you mouth. Favorites include mommy's hair, Tutu's necklaces and daddy's goatee. But you also love pink burp cloths and your gnome rattle.

You are on a funky sleep schedule, ever since you got your latest round of immunization shots. I put you down at 7 pm, and exactly 45 minutes later, you wake and whine for a minute. I think you jus want to make sure mommy is still around. And you've been waking up all through the night! Just when we thought you were thisclose to sleeping "through the night," you've been waking up and 1, 3, and 5! What's up, girl?



We have been having fun exploring Boise. Last week we went to the park and to the Boise zoo, where you loved to watch the butterflies in the butterfly exhibit. You went on the swing with mommy and fed the ducks with daddy. You are joyful.



Other accomplishments:

Bumbo-Sitter:


(never mind the knives in the background and the box of nails on the counter!)


Vacuum Cleaner Repairwoman:



Day Maker:




I love you, Luciya!!

Love, Mama

yay for diarrhea!!!

Deployment? What deployment??! Adam is NOT leaving on Sunday!

In brief: he went in for a physical on Monday, where he learned that his high blood pressure (like, 165/105) required medicine that would probably give him diarrhea (which he has already had for 2 weeks non-stop; sorry, Brother, but the world needs details), headaches, and - oh yeah - sensitivity to sunlight. Um, last time I checked there's a lot of that in the Middle East.

After hearing from his pharmacist that he should definitely notify the Army of this, and after he's getting irritated with the idea of collecting a poop sample for the doctor, he got a call yesterday for Senator Craig's office, in response to the letter I sent! They said they had just gotten off the phone with the Pentagon and that it was too late for them to do anything, but for him to call this 800 number.

Long story short, he called and received an 8-week deferment based on his medical conditions. In that time, he can gain exemption for being a Key Employee (a cop!). The department here in Boise has already started the ball rolling.

We have had a party planned for tonight. It is still happening, only now, it's a CELEBRATION!!!

wakey baby

It's 4 a.m. I'm trying to research online what effects caffeine might have on baby through the breastmilk. I had half a Coke today! At 1:00! It just tasted so good! So sue me!

Help.

sorry, sorry...

I know, I am so bad. I promise to update at least once a week and I can't even do that! Why am I so crazy? Wait... don't answer that.

More tomorrow. I promise.

summer on the porch

This is a puzzle we put together on July 4th. It is called "Summer on the Porch." As you can see, it invokes a familiar summer scene, complete with two golden retrievers, a cat, a rabbit, a hampster and a guinea pig and, naturally, a ferret. All gathered on the porch.

change of plans

We will probably be changing our wedding date from May 24th to Ocotber 11th of next year. Stay tuned~!

not okay

This is my brother, Luciya's awesome Uncle Adam.



Adam is 26 years old and lives just a few minutes from us. It has been amazing to have the opportunity to reconnect with him on a near-daily basis.

Adam is funny, tall, handsome, funny, and tall. He is smart and funny and tall. I totally admire everything about him.



Adam was honorably discharged from the Army in 2005 after spending almost 2 years as a Military Police officer in South Korea. He is now a deputy with the Ada County Sheriff's Department here in Boise. He is a fabulous cop. He is gentle and forthright. The kind of cop you wish all cops were.



On Thursday, Adam received his papers for deployment to Iraq.

Now, I'm a pretty intuitive person and my heart tells me that Adam will be safe and strong for many, many, many years to come.

But this sucks.

Adam is to deploy on August 26. They gave him 30 days! It's ludicrous. He just received a raise, is finalizing a divorce, and has a new girlfriend, a new home, a new niece, and a new dog.

If you are reading my blog I'm sure we share the same sentiments about the war and Dipdong Bush in general. And I'm sure you'll understand my stance as a big sister and the fact that I have taken it upon myself to urge Idaho's congressmen to cease Adam's deployment. If you know Adam, and even if you don't, I urge you to join me in doing what we can to see that he can stay here, safe.

Here is a copy of a letter similar to what I sent to Governor Butch Otter.


Governor Butch Otter
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720


Dear Governor Otter:

I am writing on behalf of my brother, Ada County Sheriff Deputy Adam Nielsen.

Adam, who was recently recommended by several fellow deputies as a canine handler for the Department, just received his orders for deployment. Adam is not a member of the Idaho National Guard or the Army Reserves. He was honorably discharged from the US Army in 2005. Adam was mobilized as a member of the IRR.

Adam served two years as a highly regarded Military Police officer in South Korea, where he quickly moved up the ranks to be the General’s personal security officer, before returning to his hometown of Boise and fulfilling his dream of becoming a police officer.

Adam loves his job and has proven to be an excellent example of the type of officer we want in our state. He was involved in the November shooting of a dangerous ex-con, and his professional action was commended not only by his supervising sergeants, but by members of the community at large.

Adam’s heart and soul, however, are dedicated to helping families in need. He has worked with juveniles and at-risk teens since he was in high school at Centennial.

His presence in Idaho, not only as a stellar example of a caring and committed county officer, but as a brand new uncle to my baby girl, is needed, and I ask you to do whatever is in your power to cease his deployment and keep him safe in Boise, so he can ensure the safety of so many others.

Sincerely,



Emily Nielsen



You can contact Governor Butch Otter and Senator Larry Craig at the addresses below.

GOVERNOR BUTCH OTTER
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
P.O. BOX 83720
BOISE, ID 83720

US SENATOR LARRY CRAIG
225 N. 9TH STREET, SUITE 530
BOISE, ID 83702

Thanks for keeping Adam in your hearts and prayers.

good afternoon to you!

eLLe - 3 Months

Dear Luciya,

You turned three months old today.




Your little hands are grasping at everything. Not that I ever wear my hear down, but on the occasion I do, I need to be willing to lose a strand or two. You grasp and tug at hair, jewelry, shirts, blankets, and your new favorite toy, the stuffed froggy.



You continue to smile every day. You are a joy in the morning, when you greet me with that illuminating morning grin. And you are beginning to laugh. I think it's probably a laugh only a mommy can decipher, as anyone else would probably only call it a grunt. But you grunt when I kiss your tummy and when we play paddy cakes and I hear nothing but complete delight.



You are sleeping 7 to 10 hours straight at night. That's right. Ten. Okay, it only happened once, and I actually got worried and had to go look into your crib at 5 am to make you sure were still breathing, but you did it! In any case, you are only waking up for one feeding at night, and I tiptoe into your little nursery and rock you as you nurse.

Another freak occurance: you rolled over! From your back to you front! Five times! And then never again since! Oh, well, it was pretty cool. And I'm not ready to babyproof the house yet, anyway.



Your head is completely wobble-free when you hold it up. You actually strain to keep it up when you're lying down or in your car seat (which you have not been a fan of lately... hates the car seat! No car seat!). You do little crunches to try and sit up. You don't want to miss a thing!



You met your namesake (or are you her namesake?), Great Grandma Leona. The four generations of women have gotten together twice now. Great Grandma is delighted with you.



We're trying out a new nap schedule to regulate your day more (you're napping right now!) 10 am , 1 pm, and 4 pm (or within a half hour of each) is the goal. So far, you seem happy with this.




Your big sister Eryn has been here for a week. I love seeing the two of you together, and you love seeing her face! Eryn is a wonderful big sister to you and that makes my heart happy.



I love you, Luciya!
Mama

grrrr...

My computer isn't letting me upload pictures. Stay tuned.

we're baaack!

Here we are!

Our container arrived to our new home today, and with it our computers. Hooray! I went 3 weeks without a computer and I'm JUST FINE!

I haven't got a lot of time right now, but here are a few updates from the past few weeks:

- John and Mila got in on July 5th. Mila was a trooper on the planes and continues to be an amazing spirit. She is buck wild about her giant new backyard. And squirrels! OMG, what are these furry fuzzy fast skippy little things??!!!

- Luciya is an incredible adaptable little person, as well. Tonight will be her first full night in her new crib. She will be 3 months old on Thursday! Wha...??!

- The new house is looking quite phenomenal, if I do say so myself. The interior is painted, and the pool is ready for our evening swims (which feel awesome on these 102 degree days!).

So far, we are thrilled to be here. I haven't uploaded any pictures yet; those will come later.