Confusional Arousal

Carver had one last night. And I'm not talking about his first erection (that already happened during a diaper change about a month ago). Normally, when he wakes up in the middle of the night (depending on how long he's been asleep), we just go in his room and give him his pacifier and he's back to sleep. Well, he didn't take the paci this time and I thought, hey, maybe its a wet diaper (I wouldn't be too crazy about sleeping in my own pee, either). BAD move. Changing his diaper set off an ear-piercing scream (very un-Carver like) that didn't go away with the normal comforting techniques. I eventually laid him down in the crib and pinned all four of his limbs down which settled him quite a bit. He didn't seem to actually wake up throughout this whole scenario. Because one of our play group friends suffers from several of these a night (poor soul) and she has done a lot of research (the mom, not the baby), I knew what it was right away. Confusional arousals fit in the category of night-terrors and sleep-walking. Everyone knows not to wake a sleepwalker. Well, I won't wake a confusional arousaler again. Ever. Other than that, his sleeping has been getting better. He's back to waiting about 8 hours to eat and only stirring every now and then (which used to be solved with the pacifier). He also ate 2 Tablespoons of rice cereal yesterday like a champ!

Sincere apologies for the lack of creative blogging lately. I got nothing. Maybe its because I've been sleeping better. No restless middle of the night writing. Although I do love sharing with you, I'd rather have the sleep. While I write this, Carver is nursing on one side as I soak his jammies with a leaky other side. Got to go!

Oh yeah, we are preparing to go to our family reunion next weekend. Any advice on packing for and flying with a 4 month old will be much appreciated!

Sleepily Ever After

There's not too much happening around here besides rain and waking up in the middle of the night. It literally has not stopped raining since Sunday afternoon when lightning got too close to our ultimate Frisbee game for comfort. I haven't even had a chance to plant my herbs from the farmer's market.

Let me tell you a little story called why isn't my baby sleeping. Once upon an 8 week old, he slept through the night. Since mother's day, however, he has been waking up at least 2 times a night! I know, not the greatest gift, right? He's still a drool machine, but that's not new, so I don't know if he is teething or not. I gave him rice cereal for the first time this Saturday. I was going to wait until he was 6 months to start it, but he seems genuinely hungry when he wakes up around 4 AM (he nurses on both sides). I decided to start cereal early partially because I thought it might help and partially because I wanted something fun to do while Ethan was out of town kayaking/camping. He seems to like it (the cereal, not the kayaking). I don't know who is funnier to watch; Carver, who concentrates really hard by leaning toward the spoon until he is completely slouched over or Ethan, who is easily grossed out and makes the same face/shudder he makes when I watch Discovery Health.

Free Frosty, Lauren

Even if you didn't just get your wisdom teeth out, help yourself to a free Wendy's frosty.

Nuff Said

Ok, despite my title, I can't help but point out a few things about this week's shopping trip:

1. Check out those savings: $106 worth of groceries for $40. And that includes two big ticket items- 32 ounces of extra virgin olive oil and 50 Huggies diapers (we buy 'sposies for back-up). See why I love Publix?

2. All but $5 of that will be paid for tomorrow by the guys we make lunch for.

3. There was more than enough left over in the grocery budget for some Farmers' Market finds:

Thank you, Lord for providing for our family!

Best Blueberry Banana Muffins

3-5 Handfuls of blueberries

2 Bananas

1 Cup vegetable oil

2 Eggs

3 Cups all purpose flour

1 Tablespoon baking soda

1 Teaspoon salt

1 Cup milk

1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 Cups sugar

1 Cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Set water to boil. Beat all ingredients (except blueberries) with a mixer, adding boiling water last. Fold in blueberries. Pour into greased muffin pans. Make 20 minutes or until done.

Or, leave out the blueberries, add walnuts and bake in loaf pans to make the best banana bread ever.

Have you ever tasted straight-up vanilla? Yuck.

He's Got Quite The Social Life

Baby swap! I had lunch with Gwen and Hillary and got to meet sweet baby Josiah.

Grandma Ronda came for a visit.

Carver got his toes wet at Danny & Lindsay's lake house party/wedding shower.

The big boys got all the way in.

Rolling over!

Kari graduated! Carver wanted me to match him, so he drooled on my shoulder too.

Sunrise from the sailboat we stayed on in St. Augustine

The reason I was up at sunrise

Self-inflicted family photo

We were in St. Augustine for this lovely lady's wedding.

Hahahaha...this is right after Carver pooped ALL OVER a restaurant patio. Casey: "I feel a rumbling!" Vinny: "What is that?!!"

Wiped out after a long weekend

Aunt Natalie took us blueberry picking!

Now if I don't have the cutest family, you just tell me who does.

This looks so much like his cousin, Ayden!

Playgroup with birthday twin, Lukas

If I Had $30 I Would Get A Pedicure & Eyebrow Wax

If I had 30 minutes, I would do it myself.

I don't have time for a real update, pictures, or even to write the blog I was brainstorming of last night (that would also require me actually remembering what it was about). So, this is what you're going to get:

I hate computer problems. Specifically, printer problems. This is a problem since I'm now a crazy coupon lady. Most coupons are online these days.

A great thing about children (specifically, my child) is that I don't know anyone else who smiles in delight when I sing to them.

If you ever want bigger boobs, don't. Mine are full of milk, a hassle and don't fit into my clothes.

I didn't know anyone outside of my friends and family read this, let alone outside the US! I don't need names, but who the heck reads my blog in Europe? Africa? Just know that you made my day when I saw your little red dot on my map ------>

Ethan and I decided if we ever move we are going to give ourselves a style makeover. We might have been half joking. I'll have to check with him. I am so bored of my clothes!!! It doesn't help that the only ones that really fit are the ones I bought when I was 3 months preggers.

Update on my new catering business: its going well. We are still making 4 meals a week for 2 of Ethan's coworkers at $5 a meal. Its really a light breakfast (usually a banana), lunch, a snack and a vitamin. Its a good deal on both sides. I hope and think they feel like they are getting a variety of healthy foods. Plus, its fun for me to feel like I'm contributing to our income (besides the free childcare). Shh, don't tell them, but I might make banana-blueberry muffins and send them in with Ethan tomorrow as a Friday freebie. We went blueberry pickin' with the Dourtes (siblings) and it was great. Pictures later. I promise?

Well, I think I'll go have some quiet time with The Lord (say that in a Beth Moore Southern accent) before Little Carverton wakes up.

Tomorrow's Friday! Love, Val

Ooh! I remembered! I was going to blog about how much I freaking love my husband. He always thanks me for feeding Carver. Who does that? 

Why I Pee In The Shower

Multitasking is an important tool on the belt of motherhood. This hasn't ever been a gift of mine. You probably know this if you've ever called me while shopping. Or ever shopped with me while I was on the phone (sorry Ethan, Kari). I like to focus on one task at a time.

I'm trying to get better, though. Ok, ok, so pumping while I watch Ellen doesn't really count. But now that I realize the value of time and a free hand, I don't ever walk into another room without de-cluttering and bringing a misplaced item back to its home. I check my email while nursing Carver, I stuff diapers while reading to him, I even chop vegetables while changing a dirty diaper (just kidding, that would be gross).

Dumpster Diving

This article is written by my friend Amy (Stewart) Greene. Great writing Amy! And so interesting. This sheds a whole new light on my coupon frugality. Now if you would only keep up with your blog...