Handmade Holidays

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I believe moving to Artfire has been a great decision for me and my little shop. Tomorrow is Cyber Monday and I'll be busy at home taking care of my baby.  My first day of work at Disney is on Saturday.
   

All the way across the sky so intense.

Today I was supposed to move into the Intown Suites on Orange Blossom while Brian was at work. So I drove there and they gave me a key to check out the room.  That was the filthiest room I have ever seen and I told the front desk that.  The manager told me that he had just checked it but I was like WTF?  I told him a detailed list of everything wrong with that room.  There was scum all over the sink and bathtub. There was food caked in the microwave. It had not been vacuumed in weeks.  I was terrified to set my baby down cause she might get tetanus. I looked around for other weekly places but couldn't find any nearby that I could afford.  So I called the other Intown suites near Winter Park.  I drove there and as I got off the exit, I saw a massive double rainbow.  The staff was very nice and the room was clean.  So I decided to stay here for awhile.

Moving to Florida

My husband and I both got jobs in Florida. The problem is that we didn't have enough money for a moving van. So we had to decide what was most important to us.  We sold most of our furniture and put a couple of boxes in storage.  Our important small things and all of Azalea's things into our small car and drove six hours to Florida.  Brian started working right away and my job starts December 4th.

2 week checkup

Today I took Azalea to her two week checkup.  She peed on the nurse and screamed while she got her heel pricked.  She has both eating more often and now weighs 5 lbs 9 oz.  I also stopped by the health department to talk to the lactation nurse. I spent an hour filling out paperwork and no one showed up.  I make bottles of my milk everyday but Azalea still won't breastfeed. She just prefers bottles.  It's the same milk, I just wish she would nurse so I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of filling up and storing bottles.

The good news is the books in my book store are selling like hot cakes.  If I could get the same luck with my etsy shop, we'd be set.  It is kind of hard running two stores but it's worth it for my daughter.

The baby is sleepin nao

It's 3 pm and Azalea is sound asleep on my lap.  And I got to thinking, if the sun farted, what would happen? Would the Earth explode?

So I drew a cartoon using Paint.  It is near impossible to draw using the trackpad on a netbook. But this is what I think would happen if the sun actually farted.

 

See? The best part about it is the total scientific accuracy.  Everyone is so scared of tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, that they forget how easily a giant ball of gas could destroy us.

Going to stay at NICU

Azalea has been steadily doing better each day.  So tonight I am going over to spend the night with her. Previously, I have only spent a couple of hours at a time playing with her and feeding her.  I went to the gas station and got some snacks and vanilla coke so I am ready.  The nurses took Azalea off her picc line and took out her IVs and I'm sure she is happier because they kept my IV in for three days and that thing is irritating. The nurses will be there to help me feed and take care of her, and if she does well, they will discharge her tomorrow.

Brian is coming late at night to bring dinner for me and I'm going to try to take plenty of pictures.  My mom took me to the mall to look at nursing bras and we actually found one that fits sort of.  This old lady that smelled like cigarettes poked me in the belly and told me that I didn't even look pregnant and I was like, AHHHHHHHHH MY STITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!eleven!  So I need to take more painkillers before I leave for the hospital.  I take alternating rounds of motrin and tylenol.  But anyway, I am excited to spend the whole night with my daughter for the first time. Azalea fell asleep in my arms after I gave her a bottle so we got a pic:

Azalea now has her own blog!

I have a new blog specifically about my baby girl. Here's the link: http://azaleascastle.blogspot.com

I got to finally feed and hold my baby!!

We stopped by the nicu at 9:00 pm and the nurse let me feed my baby Azalea for the first time. This is the first time I have ever been allowed to hold my daughter. Lots of pics! I look pretty good for someone who just had a 24 hour labor and c-section and is wearing no makeup:

Numbers Treasury

Numbers

Number 1 Pendant
XOHandworks$20.00 USD

Second Birthday 2nd Numbe
happyfamily$14.00 USD

NUMBER 3 (B) 5x7 Vertical
alphabetcityphot$6.50 USD

Series of Number Pillows
justlouisdesigns$35.00 USD

Number Five Arrow pendant
JoliJewellery$139.00 USD

Pick Your Number Spotty I
tadpolecreations$8.00 USD

Linen pillow handpainted
samantha2818$21.50 USD

Ceramic 8 Ball Piggy Bank
ThePigPen$38.50 USD

Black metal number Nine o
repurposedantiqu$7.00 USD

Perfect Number 10 (Ten) B
qacreate$29.99 USD

11 - 4 x 6 fine art photo
NumericDesign$8.00 USD

Bella Table Numbers 1-10
lzdezigns$22.00 USD

Lucky 13 pendant/necklace
SVJewellery$12.95 USD

Custom Number Belt Buckle
vintageinretrosp$29.00 USD

Red butterscotch lucky nu
berisose$24.00 USD

Sweet 16 Vintage Key Neck
dayslonggone$52.00 USD

Generated using Treasure Trove by packagery.com

Pics of Azalea's Nursery

Here are some pics of my baby Azalea's nursery:

nataliedee.com

More false labor

This is what's going on.




1. My mucus plug is gone, but my water still hasn't broken yet.
2. My power level is over 9000.
3. We are going for long walks every day to see if it helps.
4. I have been sent home twice for false labor, and they gave me a shot to stop all contractions.

T shirt yarn

I've been working on some T-shirt yarn. I chose the kind of tees without side seams so I don't have to do any looping/knotting whatever.  I'm thinking about making some baby bibs and such with it.  My biggest hook is a 10 so I'm not worried about size. 

I still don't have my car back.  Even though it is very much under warranty, Chrysler is trying to sneak out of paying for it. And they were supposed to give us a loaner car. Which they didn't.  Well I'm not paying for it because it's under warranty and they can suck it.

Blog Feature

Yay! Today I was featured in my team's blog! I am so excited.

Here is a link to the blog:
Crochet Dreamers Etsy Team

 I crocheted this hat as my challenge piece. It represents a Florida orange and was inspired by my baby girl. :)

Maternity Clothes - FTW!

My baby girl is due in 4 weeks people!

When we first found out we were expecting, we went to every single store that Disney offered. And there is a lot of stores on Disney property. Like hundreds. Each time we asked if they had any maternity clothes, because I wanted to wear some really cute Disney clothes while I was expecting. Each time, they said sorry, we don't offer them.  No where. Not even Downtown Disney had any offerings.  Which made me realize that they are completely missing a niche market here which is odd because you would think that they would already have a foothold in every market. So I has a sad because I don't get to wear any cute maternity clothes.

Except this morning I checked the news about Disney like I do every day, and do you know what I saw? Disney has officially announced plans to collaborate with Motherhood Maternity to produce a line of Disney maternity fashions. Too little, too late - my baby will be here soon! 

28 Days Later is an awesome movie

I saw 28 Days Later on sale and I was like "YAY!!" Oh, and it's not about zombies, it's about the rage virus. Duh. So my husband was like "you only like it because that one guy is naked." That movie is hilarious and awesome. "no cause that guy is naked"

 Especially that scene
"that guy"
where the army guy is cooking and he's wearing a pink frilly apron? Hilarious! And they all go shopping in the supermarket even while the rage virus victims are stalking them?
"is naked"
YES THAT GUY WAS NAKED! I GET IT!!
*beams*
We are totally buying this movie, but not right now. Then we went home and watched Resident Evil. Which actually is about zombies, but they are infected with the T-Virus, not a rage virus, FYI. Also the "lickers" are the boss from the second video game. 

personal thought: My bewbs feel like they're on fire. Stop with the bewbsquishes - They hurt!

Moving Tomorrow

Tomorrow I am moving to my new townhouse with my husband.  It was hard to find a reasonably priced one in a safe neighborhood.  Now my attention has been turned to decorating the house, especially for the nursery.  It's been hard trying to find a decorating style as I never had really anything to decorate.  I have been looking at a series of websites for ideas - I did find that there is a nursery called "The Lindsey Butterfly Nursery" at the Pottery Barn.  Pottery Barn and Anthropologie are examples of stores where you look through the catalogs and then go home and make the same object for cheaper.  That's how I got my snake scarf.  I saw it for $60, went and bought a $3 skein of yarn and proceeded to crochet one myself.  Of course it took two weeks as I had no idea how to shape the head.

Watching HGTV is like the worst thing you can do for decorating ideas.  Which is ironic because a few years ago that's all the kind of shows they had on there.  Now every single show is about de-personalizing a house into order to sell it to the generic masses.  Every show is them ripping apart old cabinets and smashing vintage fixtures, replacing it with stainless steel and pretty pretty granite.  Blech.  Oh, and nevermind recycling or donating any furnishes or wood (which the Habitat for Humanity Restore store is always asking for) - let's just throw it in the dumpster. Okay?? 

More drama

I received a bill in the mail from the idiot Birmingham people. So I called them and Medicaid too and after talking to six people it turns out the wrong due date for my baby was entered and that's why my medicaid is screwed up. So all I have to do is bring my new proof of pregnancy letter to my social worker and it will get fixed. I was considering not even going back to UAB but the lady I talked to was so nice that I am reconsidering. I just really hope that it doesn't take 4 hours and that an actual dr really does see me.

You're probably wondering about Medicaid and the Maternity services that Alabama provides. All pregnant women are guaranteed a special kind of insurance called Pregnancy Medicaid which is done through the Small Wonders Maternity Program in AL so they can have the best prenatal care available and to have healthy babies. Blue Cross/Blue Shield does not cover pregnancy and I can't get other insurance because I have a birth defect. So Small Wonders covers me at least until my husband gets in the navy which I hope is soon. Small Wonders has a lot of classes like a breastfeeding class and they have WIC (which most people are eligible for even Military families) which is like getting coupons for free cereal and juice once a month. After the baby is born, you get a set number of coupons for baby formula and jars of food. Now, please enjoy this picture of a baby trying to grab a spoon.

Tetris Heart Blanket

I'm in the planning stages of making a baby blanket.  It's going to be based on the famous Tetris heart cross stitch which looks like this:

Except I'm going to make it be one complete heart to snuggle up my baby in.  I'm choosing girly colors like pastel pink and lavender.  I need to take a field trip to Montgomery to look at yarn to pick out the best colors.  I'm using Caron Simply Soft as its inexpensive and 100% acrylic, which means it's machine washable and I believe is better for sensitive skin. I worry that since babies can't have honey or many other foods because of potential of allergies, it's best not to use animal fibers. Most baby yarns are expensive and consist of chenille or cotton, or even bamboo silk yarn.  Which is fine, just that cotton and bamboo don't stretch.  I want this blanket to be stretchy and snuggly.  Each pixel of the tetris pieces is going to be made of granny squares. I've been experimenting with square sizes and should have one picked out by tomorrow.

May be gay alien.

This was found on a bathroom wall. It answers basically every question I've had about Robert Pattinson.

Headphones!!

I did ask for headphones for my birthday. Not for me, but for my baby. I want them to like stretch over my belly to provide a surround sound experience for my baby. In the meantime, Mom gave me a pair of old airline headphones to try. Unfortunately one one ear works but I'm still using them until my birthday.

I decided that the first song I wanted my baby to hear would be "Major Tom" by Shiny Toy Guns. So I turned on my ipod and placed the one working ear to my belly. Upon hearing the music start, my baby's whole body shifted itself towards the music. It started moving and bubbling excitedly. When my baby moves or swims, it creates a bubbling sensation in my lower belly. If it gets too close to the surface, it will starting kicking or hitting, and it can hurt occasionally. Like Saturday when it kicked me in the lung. That hurt. Anyway when I played the music and a few more Shiny Toy Guns songs, I moved the headphone piece across my belly and each time the baby followed the music. Which makes me glad that it has such great taste in music and that it can hear well. I'm going to try a few more bands and see how it responds.

On another plus note, I have spent countless hours campaigning for a Disturbed Rock Band (or Guitar Hero, it really is the same company no matter how much the people on forums whine). Now a couple of their songs are available for download for the Rock band pack starting June 3. I believe that they are "Indestructible" and "Inside the Fire". Nice, but still waiting for "The Night" and plenty of other songs that showcase their talent. I can't think of a better way to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Which brings me to my new dream of GUITAR HERO MUSE!!!!! The newer Guitar Heroes also have drums included, which would be perfect for Muse (or System of a Down, but they don't have enough songs to warrant their own video game. However, if I could just download "Question" I would be extremely happy). You can download "Hysteria" for Rock Band, but I've always enjoyed playing Guitar Hero more. Also you can download several of their songs already on Guitar Hero. Bonus: You can play as Matt on Guitar Hero 5!! Adorable!

Birmingham Sucks

I have been waiting to get my baby's heart checked out since March 2nd. The only notice I got was forwarded from a wrong address the day after the appointment. I don't understand why they didn't call me like a normal dr would. Today we left the house at 6:00 am to make it to Birmingham before 9:00, which was when my appointment was. All I got in the mail was an appointment card that said 1500 6th ave. That was it. So we drove around and found the 6th ave parking deck and walked into the hospital. We couldn't find the Women's Dept and we ran into a dr. She was very nice and called the women's dept to see where they were located. Turns out they were on the 10th floor of the new Women and Infant Center, and the dr. led us to it. It was so pristine and beautiful and it was amazing that anybody could afford to be treated there. So obviously I wasn't.

After traveling to the 10th floor, I was informed by a receptionist that the address on my card was wrong and was actually for a clinic 4 blocks away. And it wasn't called the Women's Dept. It was a research center for people with difficult pregnancies. Of course no one told me this either. So we went back down 10 floors to the street and walked 4 blocks down to a dirty overcrowded clinic. Out of 50 women there, I was the only married one. And I waited for 4 hours there until I was seen by a doctor for ten minutes. Only to be told that 16 weeks is too early to check the baby's heart and they needed to schedule a new appointment. Oh, they also said that the baby had 50% chance of inheriting my heart conditions. No shit! I could have figured that out. I have a heart defect. Brian does not. Ergo, 50% chance. Thanks, Genius Doctor.

I went back to the receptionist and she said she will mail me an appointment card. I told her the whole problem began because they mailed it to the wrong address. But she still insisted on mailing it. Which means I won't get it. But I have a real ultrasound coming up and a prenatal visit with my real Dr. So I am definitely not going back to Birmingham for any prenatal care.

Puerto Rico enters statehood - possibly 2011

     Last week me and Brian were discussing what it would be like to have 51 states in our union.  First off, we would have to change our flags and it would look uneven.  But the real question is can we afford another state?  This question has come to my mind after reading a CNN report Monday morning after the US's impending purchase of Puerto Rico.  Not only that, they are comtemplating renaming the territory after our president in honor of his recent Nobel Prize win.  So if the territory of Puerto Rico does enter statehood, it will be renamed Obamaland.  This decision was not taken lightly and was not meant to detract from the rich Hispanic heritage of the island, it is simply meant as a welcoming gesture from the United States and to begin to assimilate them into a more English-oriented society.
     The main reason we are adding Puerto Rico as a state is because the citizens already enjoy many of the benefits.  For example, they get Social Security, the US military protection, US control of commerce and transportation.  They do not pay the same taxes and do not vote yet receive many of the benefits hard-working tax-paying Americans get.  So it is only fair.  Another great reason to include Puerto Rico into the statehood is because we will get a lot of money in return.  Not only does Puerto Rico have a bustling rum business and tourist industry, we will see a great deal of benefit by adding 3.96 million taxpayers to our country.  The more I think about it, the more I can see that adding Puerto Rico as a state is very beneficial, for ourselves and for our economy.  Here is the link to the CNN reports concerning Puerto Rico/Obamaland's bid for statehood: CNN Report

Where is the mountain?

Today was the most beautiful day. It was 70 degrees and the daffodils and pear trees were blooming.  We were still doing what hopefully was our last weekend route and all was quiet until my husband yelled "Where is the mountain?" "What mountain?" I asked. "The mountain! I didn't think there were any mountains this far south and I don't see any mountains!" This continued for 10 minutes until I finally told him I had no idea what he was talking about. "Don't you see the sign? It says Mt. Zion. I don't see any mountains around here." I had to tell him that Mt. Zion is a common name for a church and not an actual mountain. And sure enough, we soon passed by a church called Mt. Zion Church.  "Why would they name a church after a mountain?" "Because Mt. Zion is a Jewish holy place." He just stared at me blankly.  "Do you remember in The Matrix that their sacred city was called Zion?" "oh yeah!!" he said.  "Well that's why they named the church Zion too." "Oh I get it now." My husband is special but I love him.

Yesterday I was panicking because I've been bleeding quite a bit so we called the Dr and she said to come in as soon as possible. Unfortunately I was stuck in the middle of nowhere while Brian did his route and I had no way of getting to the dr.  We didn't even make it to Auburn until after 5:00.  So we went first thing this morning. I just had a exam with a different dr because Dr O wasn't there. But the nurse who's been with me since my last pregnancy was there and told me what to do.  I had a quick ultrasound to make sure the baby was okay, and not only is it okay, but it is huge! There is no more flipping around for it; it looked stuck. It's at least twice as big as the last ultrasound. I could even see its heart beating through its chest. However, I am forbidden from travelling, walking long distances and lifting anything. 

MLIA sucks

I didn't think a website could fail at life. However, mylifeisaverage.com, known as MLIA, most certainly does. I realized this last night while reading it. A certain post caught my eye:

today, after a long battle with Nerve Attenuation Syndrome (NAS), a condition that causes severe seizures, my younger brother died last night. This is his favorite website and he could never get a post o it. Here's to you, Luke Andrews.

Awww, isn't that sweet? You want a tribute to your brother, huh? But wait! Is...Isn't NAS the same disease from Johnny Mnemonic starring Keanu Reeves? Why yes it is! Nerve Attenuation Syndrome (NAS) is a FICTIONAL DISEASE FROM A MOVIE!!!

MLIA, you fail because you are gullible enough to post anything, and you are too lazy to fact-check. Now as how 90% of the posts consist of "I love Harry Potter and my boyfriend built me a blanket fort" it makes me realize that the entire site is comprised of 11 year olds. I realize that I am simply too old for that ridiculous site.

ps. Happy Birthday Codi!!

Sonagram of the baby - 10 weeks

I went to Dr. O's for a routine checkup and my 10-week ultrasound.  I already had an ultrasound at 6 weeks, but at the time it was the size of a grain of rice. Today we could clearly see the baby's body flipping around. It would not stay still long enough for a photo.  The pics were taken while it was in mid-flip. I also had blood drawn for genetic testing and the nurse asked if I was going to have twins. I told her that I only saw one baby in there so I don't think so.