WEEKEND COFFEE WITH DADDY

THE BRADY BUNCH

Joey & I had dinner over at Bob & Sally's. Patty and Linda & Jim came over as well. Joey was in a splendid mood and it was really fun to just talk and play.

It is amazing to me how one baby can entertain a room full of adults.

This is the answer to what people did before television.

LET THE SUN SHINE

Now that it isn't raining every afternoon and the humidity isn't at 99%, I'm starting to hand my clothes up outside again.

Mark and I actually got our power bill down to $104 one winter month.

• We didn't have the air on; we had the windows open. (Our alarm is connected to the screens, and our windows crank open. That means we can have the windows open and the alarm on at the same time.)
• I line dried the clothes. (HINT*** Take them down while they are still the slightest bit damp and finish them in the dryer for 5 to 10 minutes. They won't feel a bit like they were line dried, and you save ALL THAT POWER!!!)
• We have all eco friendly lights. The outdoor spotlights really made a difference. Yes, the lights cost more up front, by a lot. But you make up your money immediately.

Some of you might think, but I don't want to look ghetto and have a clothes line up in the back yard.

Mark fixed that.

He put a eye hook into the side of the house, and one in the fence. He also put a boat cleat on the bottom of the fence. When I'm not using it, I wrap it up on the side of the fence post using the boat cleat and you don't even see it. It 's wire and I think it has a tension spring in it because it is easy to put on and take off and still stays taunt when I hang the clothes.

We save over a hundred dollars a month in the winter time.

What are you going to do with the money you save?

FAMILY DINNER

Uncle Tom & Vesna had Bob & Sally and Grandma & Grandpa Higgins over for dinner on the Sat night my parents were in town. That way my parents could visit with everyone without having to drive all over Cleveland (which they did anyways).

Romeo LOVES it when people come over for dinner, because then more people feed him and drop things on the floor. You can see him scavenging in the foreground of this picture.

Joey, Mommy, Grandma & Grandpa.

Joey likes Sally. She laughs really funny and Joey thinks anything funny is good.

THE FRIENDLY SKIES

Flying with a 9 month old.
By yourself.
With lots of luggage.

No, this is not the beginning of a horror movie but the beginning, and end, of a wonderful trip Joey & I had to Ohio to visit family.

And the airport, security, bags, baby and flight went perfectly fine.

The blog entry: I AM SERIOUS, AND DON'T CALL ME SHIRLEY! told you everything I had learned before take off.
Now I'm going to tell you how it went.

1) I think security was actually easier. When you have a stroller, you go in a separate line. In other words, YOU GET TO SKIP THE BIG LINE! And since I was alone with a baby and a whole lotta s#$%, they helped me carry and move everything. They were done with their additional screening of my bags before I had my shoes back on.

I'd like to take this moment to give a big shot out to the Security people at FLL & CLE airports for not only doing their jobs, but smiling and laughing while doing it and being so helpful.

2) Obviously if you are traveling with a baby you did arrive at the airport at least 1 1/2 hours before you flight to give you plenty of time. Get yourself something to eat, relax.

3) Claim some territory by the windows near your gate and turn it into a baby play yard. Let them burn some of that energy.

4) Be ready to board when they are. They allow people who need assistance to board first, along with 1st class. That is you. You will need time to store all the items you will need during the flight in front and beneath you before you put the big stuff above your head. You also will need some time to fold and hand over your stroller before you board.

5) Make a bottle. A bottle of water and formula (to make next bottle). Have cheerios handy. Small toys. Sleep assistance item (Lovey). Wipees. At least one diaper. This are the items that need to be in front of or beneath you and easily reached.

6) When you go to take off, insert bottle. She will probably finish the bottle before the plane is finished ascending. Give her cheerios next. The idea is to keep her sucking and swallowing until the plane has basically reached it's cruising height. If your child is younger, a pacifier or nursing will do the trick.

7) On the way down, reverse the above. Start with cheerios, and save the bottle for the more dramatic part of the descent.

8) I recommend a dose of Tylenol when your sitting at the gate. Just assume a little ear discomfort. It takes the edge off.

9) Try to get your kid to sleep. You might enjoy those lovely noises she makes and think all is well because she isn't crying. Others may not understand those are "happy" noises.

Be courteous and wait for everyone else to leave before you try to get all your stuff together and pick up the cheerios from the floor. Your luggage won't be ready at the caraousel for a while.

WELCOME KENNEDY!

Sugey & Kevin were visited by the stork last night.

Kennedy Anais Packler arrived at 8:40 PM, weighing in at 7.58 oz & measuring 19.5 inches.

High Maintenance from the get-go, she had to be delivered by C-section.

Watch out world, she's going to have it her way!

For more info & pics on Kennedy, just visit Kevin & Sugey's blog: S+K=3. You can click on the link I just typed, or find them every day on the left side of my blog, as they are one of the blogs I follow.

Congrats to the proud mama & papa!

2 POUNDS

The saying goes:

"It took 9 months to put the weight on, it'll take 9 months to take it off."

I wanna know where I can go to file for an extension.

I missed my goal by 2 pounds.

I was 165 pounds when I became pregnant with Joey & 160 when I actually found out I was. ( I was really working out and eating right in preparation for being pregnant and so losing weight at good steady rate then.)

This past Sunday, Joey turned 9 months old. I weighed in at 167 pounds. (Mind you, that is from a pre delivery weight of 184 or so.)

But my body most definitely doesn't wear that weight in the same way. And more of it is fat which used to be muscle.

But I'm close!

I can zip up those old jeans... but barely.

And the muffin top is no ordinary muffin top. It is a muffin top out of a Tim Burton movie.

I really didn't start losing weight until a few months ago. It is just so hard to make the time to exercise when there is so much else that has to be done. And I like to exercise!

I'm still going at it, it is just slow. And it is so very hard to stick to it, when progress is so slow. My goal is to reach the early 140s. I don't know if I will make it there before we have another kid, but I shouldn't stop trying until then.

And making your goals public is a good way to make you stick to it. Because now everyone will know when I fail.

I really don't like to fail, and that is something everyone already knows.

ON THE PROWL

Joey just loved crawling around in Grandma Higgin's yard. The cool air, the strong breeze with new scents, REAL GRASS, things to touch and explore... She was just in heaven!

She just can't keep that tongue inside her mouth!

Hmmm, I wonder what this tastes like?

NITE NITE

Okay, they is more to getting your child to nap well then just a schedule.

Depending on how old he or she is, I suggest the following that worked for me.

0 to 2 months: Doesn't really matter, she will fall asleep easily and will sleep anywhere.

2 - 3 months:

• Start getting them used to their crib. Once they have fallen asleep, don't leave them where they dozed off, in the middle of your bed, surrounded by pillows. Or on the floor in the boppy. Don't carry them around in your arms. They should get used to waking up in the crib, so they are more comfortable with the surroundings and will go to sleep more easily there.

• Don't use the crib as a play pen. If the only thing he or she does in the crib is sleep, she will get the idea of what it is for and why she's in there quicker. If she plays in there as well, she may not know she is supposed to go to sleep when you put her in there.

• Music.
• Turn the CD player on to REPEAT ALL and not as softly as you think. It isn't there to make her go to asleep as much as keep her asleep. She becomes accustomed to the noise, and sleeping through it (I recommend changing CDs every week so she doesn't depend on one). This should allow you to put away the dishes, answer the phone, get some stuff done without being afraid of waking the baby.

• Have a baby that wakes up when you transfer them from your arms to the crib? Or out of your arms to anything? Before you give her the bottle that is going to put her to sleep or nurse her, wrap her in a blanket. Not necessarily swaddle, but have a blanket around her. When you go to put her down later, the warm blanket will still be around her and it eases the transition. Otherwise, you go from warm arms to cold sheets and yeah, I would probably wake up too.
  

• Feed them to sleep. I know you are trying to get onto a feeding a schedule, but topping off the tank before a nap will help them drift off and a full tummy stays asleep longer. You can work it into a feeding schedule.

3 - 6 months: (After 6 months, your napping pattern is pretty much the same)

This is where I had trouble. I finally got the schedule down and it helped me tremendously. Luckily, I was able to feed Joey to sleep, nursing worked best. If not, I think I might have become a rocker (someone who has to rock their babies to sleep - a great way to spoil them). The other good thing about giving them a bottle before nap time is it will later be replaced by snack time in a well balanced daily nutritional schedule (3 meals, 2 snacks & a bottle before bed). There is no need to break the habit.

• Schedule. See previous sleep entry for more. This is the most important thing, as they get older, to good napping.

• Find her lovey. Figure out what will be her teddy bear, security blanket... whatever. She will probably not take to the first thing you try. There is a difference between something she loves and wants to PLAY with, and something she loves and wants to cuddle to sleep with. Joey kept pulling down the soft Afghan that Mom-Mom made her that hung on the side of her crib. She would bury her face in it, stick her fingers in her mouth, and go to sleep. But a blanket that big, deep & soft could be a suffocation hazard. So Mom-Mom made another one for her, just like it, only the size of a dish towel. We now have several, and so do the grandmas. She LOVES her lovey.

• When she has decided upon a lovey, it should never leave the crib. It is a sleeping device. If you need to use it in the car, okay, but the point is it's for sleepy purposes only. LINUS WAS NOT CUTE, dragging that thing everywhere.
  

• Last, but not least. I feel almost stupid mentioning it, as it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyways. A clean diaper, please.

Now that we have the scenario set, we can talk about putting a fully awake baby down for a nap... on the next entry.

ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS SWING

Every time we'd go to Grandma's, we'd go on the swing. And every time she'd laugh until she'd snort.

POSTCARD FROM OHIO

Is this not picture perfect or what?

VACCINES

I have been discussing the flu shot as of recently with family and friends and realized that I never blogged about the big time discussion over the major infant vaccines.

I wanted to give Joey less at one time, space them out a bit more, and start a bit late.

But the pediatrician office (several pediatricians practicing together) would not accept you as a new patient unless you agreed to the recommended vaccine schedule. And I really wanted to use that group, as one of the doctors, Dr. Flicker, was both Mark's and my pediatrician growing up. My mother speaks highly of him, and remembers the kindness when my brother Billy died.

But I kinda felt strongly about the vaccines and would have gone shopping if it wasn't for the conversation I had with one of the doctors at the interview. Most OBGYNs or Midwives will tell you to interview your perspective pediatricians and I did and think it is very important.

My pediatrician pointed out all the medical data available showing that the vaccines are safe. There still isn't anything PROVING the link between the vaccines and Autism, especially the mercury free vaccines. But most importantly, I live in Miami, not Nebraska. As a mother, you could maybe feel safe with the concept of your child being protected by those diseases if he or she is surrounded by a population that does vaccinate for them. Who is she going to catch it from?

I live in Miami. There are all sorts of 3rd world immigrants coming over, legally and illegally, all the time. Now I live in a nice neighborhood but that doesn't mean much. Nice neighborhoods are full of cleaning ladies and yardmen from who knows where you may or may not have been vaccinated. Mark is in construction. He drives all over Dade & Broward county and comes in contact with God knows what.

When I considered the risks, both ways, it just seems like it was much more dangerous not to vaccinate my child.

Joey has never had an ill effects after her vaccines, and she will be receiving her first dose of the Flu vaccine this Monday. Mommy will also be getting the flu vaccine, the first time in my life. Daddy doesn't know it yet, but he will get one too.

I know there are some studies that suggest a link, but it is tentative, at best, and still only effects a very small percentage of the population. In the end, you have to way the risks for yourself. I can definitely understand a mom who chooses either way.

DON'T ROCK THE BOAT BABY

JOEY VS. MOMMY

Mommy Wins!

8 & 1/2 months have come and gone, anyway you wanna figured it.

Joey is still not walking by herself, only while holding on to furniture.

Mommy will retain her title as earliest walker.

Or until the next child? ...

She does seem awful close though, and I will alert the media when the breakthrough occurs.

... AND THE STROLLER YOU ROLLED IN ON!

Uncle Chris got her this T-shirt. For all the concerned moms out there, no, I don't think she will wear this out in public.

But it's still cute.

SUAGR AND SPICE

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice,

And everything nice.

That's what little girls are made of.

Wanna know how to make your little girl smell like sugar and spice?

Let her play patty-cake with a loaf of pumpkin bread.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE

Clouded leopard escapes enclosure at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
By Donna J. Miller
October 11, 2009, 9:29AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A clouded leopard escaped his enclosure for a short time Friday afternoon on the second floor of the rainforest building at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
At 3:30 p.m., the 4-year-old leopard walked through a hole in a harp-wire fence, changed his mind and tried to get back inside the exhibit, but failed, zoo spokesman Tom O'Konowiz said in a news release issued Friday evening.
Zoo veterinary staff tranquilized the cat and placed him in another enclosure. All four of the rainforest exhibits with harp wire are being inspected.

So guess where we took Joey on Friday?

The Cleveland Zoo.

Guess what is the only section we went through?

The Rainforest Exhibit.

Guess what we saw before he decided to go for a walk?

The clouded leopard.

Of all the places and of all the days...

JOEY'S 1ST PLANE RIDE

I'm making sure they load our luggage.

Mommy took over part of the terminal and turned it into a play area for me.

We flew 1st class! (Aren't I spoiled.) The nice man sitting next to us took the picture. Lots of people commented on what a good baby I was. That's cause I slept for half the trip.

YOU WOULD THINK ...

I'd like to take the time to share this little piece of wisdom from a my dad's good friend Kenny.

Nothing good will come on the end of a sentence that starts with the words:

" YOU WOULD THINK ..."

It's similar to "WHAT HAD HAPPEN WAS ..." in that manner.

This expression is used to heighten the patronizing and condescending attitude of the speaker.

"YOU WOULD THINK that after driving in Miami for over 30 years she would know not to take the Palmetto at this hour!"

JOEY GOES SWINGING

This is the swing in my grandma's backyard.

No doubts whatsoever...

Joey is a rollercoaster baby!

I AM SERIOUS, AND DON'T CALL ME SHIRLEY!

The title is a quote from the movie Airplane.

If you didn't know that, your pop culture Intelligence Quotient is non sufficient. Definitely before the 70 retard line. Go out and rent the movie now; it's funny, it's a classic, you'll enjoy it, and you'll have a sudden dawning of comprehension to a whole bunch of jokes you've heard that you didn't understand.

JOEY is going on her first airplane ride!

Joey and I are leaving tomorrow for Ohio. My mom and dad wanted to see the leaves change and so I, being my family's travel agent, was called.

So today I am packing and prepping. Tomorrow I will be a mom, a baby and a bunch of luggage trying to get through security.

That thought is so ugly or scary for some it's almost worth turning around now, isn't it?

But Joey is an amazingly well behaved, good temperment baby and I'm pretty good planner so this should work out.

Some tidbits about flying with babies that I have learned in the past couple of days:

1) The baby needs ID. -- Bring her birth certificate.

2) You can bring formula and baby food through the security check, you will just have to declare it.

3) Children under 2 years of age can ride for free if they ride on your lap. Limit one child per lap. So if you are Catholic or the Duggars, you're going to have to buy some seats for the older ones or put one on your husband's lap. Maybe that is a good way to get to the know the person sitting next to you:

"Hi nice to meet you. Wanna hold my kid for the next 3 hours?"

4) Besides the 2 bags you are allowed to check, you can check a stroller or car seat for free. It kinda counts as a wheelchair; it' an assistance device. But you get only one or the other unless...

5) If you have a stroller / car seat combo, that counts as one.

6) You can use the stroller to push the kid through the airport and then check it right before you get in the airplane. When you get to your destination, they will unload it and bring it right back to the airplane entrance again so you can use it through the terminal again.

7) Airplanes do have closets. There is limited space and it is reserved for wedding gowns and business suits. However, if there is space available, you can ask them to put your little folding umbrella stroller in there.

8) IMPORTANT!! Give you baby something to suck as you take off. In my case, since Joey doesn't take a pacifier and is already weaned, she is going to have a bottle. So I need to make sure she is thirsty. Same goes for landing. That helps them to equalize their ears.

9) It is safe to give your baby a small dose, 1/2 a teaspoon, of children's Benadryl. HOWEVER, test it out before you get on the plane. A significant minority of people, young and old, have the reverse reaction to Benadryl. Instead of being knocked out (tired) they get wired. You don't want a wired baby on a plane! Infant Tylenol should probably be enough though.

I will let everyone know how it went when I get back. But before I go, a request and suggestion. When making your reservations, please try to get a seat in the back of the plane. If your sweet little baby turns into demon hell spawn in mid air, the least you could do is try to limit the number of people who are effected. That's your problem, it shouldn't be the whole plane's, and no... people should not, and do not, have to be understanding.

FAMILY BUSINESS

It's a family business.

She learned the trade from Daddy.

She has learned well.

I think she might be making a deposit into her account right now.