Friday, November 15, 2002

Big day today -- I was on my own for the first time since the birth, having sent my anxious boyfriend, who didn't believe for a minute that I'd behave myself and stay in bed -- off to Houston to see his mother and grandmother (and no doubt collect some nice birthday presents). It went OK. I can't believe how long it's taking me to feel normal after this birth. I'm quite sure that after Eli was born I was shuttling Jack to and from daycare within a few days, and doing pretty well. Now I get shaky after heating up a bowl of soup. That was lunch, and had me worried about picking up the boys, etc., but everything went well. I picked up the boys -- Jack's teacher Carla helped me get everything downstairs and into the van -- and we headed off to Chili's, because there was no way I was going to be able to cook a meal for these kids. Of course, Jack fell asleep in the back of the van on the way home and I had to wake him up to come inside. Normally I would carry him in and upstairs, but there was no way I was going to be able to pick up a 40+ pound boy and carry him up a flight of stairs. Poor thing was so tired, he collapsed at the bottom of the stairs and said he couldn't make it to the top. But I threatened and cajoled him and he got himself to bed. Of course at that point he immediately perked up for stories, and then he held Javi while I put Eli in his crib (he climbed in). He was SO cute holding his little brother, who fell right asleep in his lap. These boys are just knocking me out, they are so affectionate with the baby. Every time he fusses they tell him, "it's OK, baby Javi!" Awwww. Quite the contrast to when Eli arrived on the scene and Jack pulled him off the couch! Anyway, both boys fell asleep within minutes and I came down here and got in bed. Javi's asleep now so I think I'll go do some last minute picking up around the house and then go to bed for good. I feel surprisingly OK, not wiped out like I was day before yesterday, so I guess I really am on the mend. Finally!

Thursday, November 14, 2002

It's Technical Difficulties Day, otherwise known as Brian's birthday. Poor man is spending the whole day resolving issues with the NEW HIGH SPEED CABLE (woo hoo!) which is now up and running, and with my little ol' Palm, which keeps getting sick. Every time I change the batteries the f******ng thing crashes and I lose everything on there. So he's working on these issues while I sit here in bed like a helpless ninny, periodically nursing my child and doing stretches and stuff. Mostly I'm surfing the web (so quickly! so efficiently!) and reading emails and wishing I could just get out of bed and do things. I'm a terrible, terrible patient. But I'm trying not to be cranky because it's Brian's birthday and he shouldn't have to deal with Cranky Me today. And I really need to heal, already.

A very cool homebirthing blog has recently been brought to my attention. Check it out.

Yesterday I left the house for the first time, and oh what a mistake that was. Well, not a huge mistake, but enough of a mistake. We went up to Austin for our bi-weekly writer's group, then on to Central Market for some shopping. Within a few minutes of shuffling around the store I was light headed and shaky and tingly and stuff, and Brian had to escort me back to the car. Oh well. We did go out for sushi after that, so all was not lost. Mmmmm, maguro.

The boys will be back with me today after being at their dad's since Saturday afternoon. Brian picks them up from school in a couple of hours. I hope they're not too disappointed to find me still in bed...
Cable guy's here! Cable guy's here! I owe Brian (whose birthday it is today, by the way) a quarter (My daddy always told me never bet more than a quarter. Best financial advice I ever got). because I thought for sure he'd be late. Nope, right on time, right smack in the middle of his four hour window. He's oddly nervous and seems devoid of a personality, but who cares? I get high speed cable! No more 56K modem for me, baby!!!

Tuesday, November 12, 2002

I'm back after taking a little break to, you know, have a baby and stuff. I think he's the best thing since sliced bread, or at least the best thing since his two older brothers. Yes, I am now the mother of three boys. God help me. For those of you who like gory details, here's a link to the birth story. I'm not sure how long that link will last, though, since it's a message board. Try it, anyway. I suppose I could put the whole story on the blog, but we'll just see how it goes doing it this way. Javi was born at home, and it has been such a wonderful experience for us. I'm really thrilled I got the opportunity to have a baby in my own home.


So, I'm stuck in bed and terribly bored. I spend the day emailing and surfing and playing solitaire on my Palm. The baby spends the day breastfeeding, pooping, burping and sleeping. We're quite a pair. I'm on this classic movie fans list which I usually only pay a tiny bit of attention to -- most of the posts go directly to the trash. It's not that I don't think the discussions are interesting, but who has time? I guess I have time, now, because I'm reading EVERY post, and this is a prolific bunch. We've been talking a lot about silent movies this week, as we're having our own Oscar contest for the silent era. My vote goes to Janet Gaynor as best actress for her work in F. W. Murnau's "Sunrise." I know of no more beautiful film than that. Murnau was a genius. I'll let you know who wins, I'm sure you'll be on the edge of your seat.

Wednesday, November 06, 2002

Poor Winona Ryder. But didn't you just love her defense? "My director told me to do it...it was all in preparation for a role!" Uh huh. I'll bet that went over REALLY well with the judge and jury, sweetie.

Tuesday, November 05, 2002

The boyfriend suggests that I write about my voting experience because yes, of course, I voted today. Always get a little thrill about doing my civic duty, even when there's hardly a soul worth voting for on the whole ballot. I grew up in Massachusetts, where they are still filling in little ovals with Sharpie pens, according to my sources in Leominster. Me, I got to punch a ballot today, which was mighty exciting. You can be sure I held it up to the light afterwards to make sure all was clear. Nothing hanging or pregnant, unless you count yours truly. Speaking of voting issues, there was a good little article in Salon lately on the subject of high tech voting. I think sharpies and punch ballots are just fine for now, thank you very much. Anyway, so it looks like virtually everyone I voted for will lose -- this is par for the course for me. Funnily enough, I cast my first-ever vote for a Republican candidate today (County Commissioner Susie Carter), and she may be the ONLY candidate to win from my ballot. But it's close. The guy she's running against is an absolute joke and had to be stopped.

Saturday, November 02, 2002

Turns out someone does read my blog, and she noticed the severe lack of posting recently. So Betsy, this one's for you. Halloween was really very fun this year. The kids had coordinating dragon/dinosaur costumes, made by their Abuelita who can sew ANYTHING. I am in awe of this woman. I can sew a button back on after it has fallen off, but that sums up my abilities. She made these incredible costumes with sticky-up eyeballs and stuffed tails and everything. The boys had a fabulous time (once they got over being shy) running up to the doors and ringing the doorbells. Say what you will about my weird, suburban, subdevelopment, Truman Show-ish neighborhood, the place was just made for things like Halloween. I have an absurd amount of candy left over, but that will all go into Jack's birthday pinata, so not to worry.

I'm one week away from my due date now. Just waiting. The nights are the hardest -- every night I think maybe, just maybe, I'll go into labor. Anything to relieve the pain, pressure, and trips to the bathroom.