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November 27, 2004

More tooth

To say more teeth would be an exaggeration. Gus has a new tooth popping up, this time on the bottom. You would think it would be the mirror of one of the top middle ones (I am not familiar with the proper names of teeth, I hope you can follow). No, it's the one to the right of the one that would be in the middle right (I'm laughing now, I have no idea what I'm talking about). Long story short: New tooth, bottom, poking out. Ouch. It was just more insult to the vomiting injury poor Gustav had to suffer through yesterday. I won't take it personally that he vomited only after nursing. After some pedialyte and rice cereal later in the day, Gus was pretty much back to normal today, thankfully, as was John. We're all still tired, but getting there.

In the spirit of showing off Gustav's established top two teeth, I am willing to sacrifice my pride and publish a picture that not only includes Gustav's double-whammy of a toothy grin, but also exposes my deepening double "I'm-taking-the-picture-so-I-must-push-my-head-as-far-away-as-possible" chin. I say deepening because I swear those chins are coming easier and easier with each self-portrait. Me no like. At least Gus is showing his off, too, but his is considered cute because he's a baby. :)

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This was our turkey, sitting in brine for a couple of days. Relax, it was in the fridge the whole time. I only show this to illustrate how useful old magazines can be.

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We had big plans for this turkey. It was fresh, we brined it for the first time (maple, water, salt, soy, garlic, bay leaves, a little happiness sprinkled in), and the goal was to grill. Heck, John even called Weber's hotline on Thanksgiving morning (way before sickness ensued), asking, "How cold is too cold?" Boy, were they encouraging, telling us to go for it in the 30-degree weather. Here's John fanning the fire with Zeppo's frisbee (to Zeppo's ire... throw the frickin' frisbee already!).

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This was before we found out John's mom was sick and we would have to go pick up John's Grammy. This was before we realized that the fire was not really taking very well and that at the rate we were going the turkey would be done at 7 pm rather than our noon-time schedule. So, delicious turkey, into the oven you go.
Not bad for our first turkey!

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Gus loves being with Grandma Shirley. Everytime we ask Gus where Grandma Shirley is, he looks right at her. He also loves trying to get her attention by climbing to stand up on everything (particularly things that move and have wheels) and scaring the be-jesus out of all of us.

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Gustav's new thing is clapping. He had clapped a bit before, but never on command. He woke up the other morning clapping, we called it clapping, and now when we say clap, he claps. The joy of learning! It has taken off, too. He sees people clapping on tv, so he claps. We say 'yea!' when something good and positive happens, and now he claps for that. The best clapping comes when there's music.

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Posted by janna at 11:22 PM | Comments (1)

November 26, 2004

"It's a boy virus," John said.

"Girls don't get it."

Right now I have Gus asleep on my chest. It's really the first deep sleep he's had since last night. First it was John, going to bed at eight, not feeling well. Then Gus woke up at ten, eleven, twelve....he didn't want to nurse, he was writhing, crying. Ooff. It's the worst feeling to not be able to figure out what's wrong. Then John threw up at one. We all were on the couch by 5. Gus was throwing up at 8. And at 9:30....

Oh, happy thanksgiving.

I was really worried that it was the food, but either it wasn't or my mom and I have guts of steel. John's mom wasn't able to come yesterday as she was sick, so it is quite ironic that we got the bug anyway.

My mom had quite a journey here on Wednesday night, too. She left Omaha on a flight around 2, came to Chicago, circled Chicago, and then was forced to fly BACK to Omaha because there was a ground halt. She eventually made it here, almost six hours later than scheduled, but she made it here nonetheless! One of the many things we are thankful for.

I'm thankful for Gustav's doctor, who calls back when he's forgotten to mention something.

I'm thankful for Pedialyte, despite it's purple staining qualities.

I'm thankful that John and Gus are sleeping now, finally getting much-needed rest. (John said, after his boy virus comment, "I feel old." I said, "You are old." He said, "No, I feel ELDERLY." I love him.)

I'm thankful that my first experience of ever being vomited on was by Gus. I'm also glad I was with him when it happened and he wasn't in his crib on his back.

I'm thankful that I just don't care that Zeppo has tracked mud all over the house and is now asleep on the couch with me.

I'm thankful that I saw Barry Manilow on Oprah this morning.

Mostly I'm just thankful for being together, whatever our current state of togetherness.

Posted by janna at 12:20 PM

November 20, 2004

Catching up

Here's a picture from halloween that I meant to put up.

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Here's a link to a video of Gus from the beginning of September. Don't watch this if you don't like watching a two-minute sequence of an adorable kid making adorable sounds. I mean it.

Gus loves his egg...

We had to lower Gustav's crib today to the lowest position and remove the bumper. The boy is trying to pull himself out!

Posted by janna at 10:37 PM

November 19, 2004

It's official: Gus has signed!

A few days ago I was certain Gus had signed his first sign, cheerio. I had signed it, then he signed it. I rejoyced, but since then he hasn't spontaneously signed cheerio.

BUT.

Tonight Gus spontaneously, and frequently, signed 'Zeppo'. Zeppo is our pup, to remind you all, and Gus is in love. When we pulled into the garage tonight, we ended up sitting in the car for a few minutes, in the dark, listening to 'This American Life' on NPR. Gus was still for a moment, then out came his pointy finger as he swished it back and forth in the air in front of him. See, Zeppo's name sign is drawing the letter Z in front of you. I then asked, 'where's Zeppo?' To this he replied with the sign again. But wait, that's not all. He did it again once we were inside and he was playing with her. I love that he's starting to make these associations, and I love that Zeppo is getting her time in the spotlight.

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Today was my last day at McDougal... it was quite the whirlwind, which I think was good for me. I'm so sentimental, goodbyes are hard, so being busy was a good thing. The department had a little party for me, full of yummy chocolate goodness, and we were able to reminisce about my time there. I feel lucky to have worked with such great people there.

Now my brain is turning towards Monday. I'm really excited. But before that: laundry. Maybe Gus can swiffer under the couch for me.

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Tonight we had dinner at Cosi. I met John and Gus there after getting off the train. When I first took Gus, he was so excited to see me that he couldn't help but hug me again and again. Holy melting heart all over the floor, batman. Man, he's going to use that on me when he's older and it's going to work.

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The scariest thing about tonight?

When I took Gus up to bed, I stayed in the doorway so I could watch what he was doing.

THE BOY CAN STAND. A lot. He was constantly pulling himself up to standing, arms hanging over the sides. I couldn't leave as I was afraid he was going to step up on the bumper and climb out.

Tomorrow: lowering the crib, removing the bumper. Please make it work.

xo
janna

Posted by janna at 11:43 PM

November 17, 2004

Tres Leches

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When Gus turns one, which is just weeks away, he will no longer need to drink formula. He will be able to drink good ole' cow's milk, moooooo. Cristy thought it good to start a little milk to see if Gus has a reaction. When I picked Gus up tonight, I asked how the experiment with milk went (and I mean that in the nicest possible way, no beakers or bunson burners...).

No problem. In fact, the sweetpea had not one, not two, but three types of 'milk' today. First, a bag of my milk was found in the freezer for breakfast. Lunch, formula (aka milk-like substance). Snack, mooo cow milk.

The boy is not picky. He not only likes food, he enjoys it.

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Tonight Gus was standing, holding on to the foot stool. Zeppo kept bringing her toy hedgehog and dropping it by Gus. I'd give it to him and tell him to throw it to Zeppo. He pick hedgehog up by its nose and wing it away from him. When Zeppo would jump after it, Gus would look at me with such glee, showing all TWO teeth (yes, we're plural now!).

Posted by janna at 10:24 PM

November 16, 2004

change

This is my last week at McDougal Littell. I'll be starting a new job as an information architect at Orbitz on Monday. It's an exciting and hectic and sad and happy time all mixed into one big ball. I packed up some heavy stuff yesterday to bring home, which made it all the more real that the time was approaching. I've really enjoyed working at ML, I cherish the friends I've made there, and I learned a lot. Everyone there has been so supportive of this change. I started there three years ago, three months after being laid off, so they've seen me through an engagement, marriage, house and baby... A lot has happened in the past three years, and I'm so thankful for my time at ML during it all.

I must say I'll be looking forward to my new shorter commute...I'll be shaving an hour off each day!

Posted by janna at 10:41 PM

November 13, 2004

Here we are.

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Yesterday was a day of happiness.

I went to a follow-up appointment for a root canal (that was the second time on the same tooth), and the doctor found another HIDDEN canal, the culprit in my pain, so I had it 'canaled' for yet a third time. The whole 'third time is a charm' is hopefully in play. Have you ever seen someone so happy to have a root canal for the third time? This tooth has been a thorn since 1996, when I was in Germany.

Yesterday was also happy because we went to bed at 9... and by we I mean John and I. Of course, that threw John off so he was awake at 2:45.

Gus just sat himself up from being on his belly. With ease. And joy. He's growing so much... he's peeking in his wagon full of books. Grandma Shirley will be thrilled, being the number one fan of books in the family.

Another thing on the cute scale: This morning, while eating oatmeal, Gus took his spoon. As he held it I said, 'Hello!'

He then put the spoon up to his ear and in the cutest sweetest voice said his own version of hello.

I love him.

Posted by janna at 08:34 AM

November 11, 2004

Mama's nose

Gus, where's Mama's nose?

We're enjoying chins and teeth now, too.

When I went to pick Gus up from Cristy's this evening, he was being pushed around in one of those kiddie wheelbarrows by Elodia. She pushed him over to me and I scooped him up. He began to cry and throw himself toward the wheelbarrow.

Gus wants to be on the move. Don't stop him!

Posted by janna at 09:29 PM

November 06, 2004

what have you done with my mama?

I haven't had a haircut since, oh... April. It was long, I kept pulling it up or back, and it was really thick and slightly unruly.

It's all Gus has known, really, this unruly-ness.

It was time to do something about it. I had my hair cut today.

Gus was asleep by the time I came out. He slept all through lunch. He woke up as we were leaving the restaurant. I bent over his stroller to say hello, he stared at me for a minute and then came the face.

The "Who the HELL are you, stranger?" face. And then came the tears.

Gus didn't recognize me! He spent the next 15 minutes being shy with me, ducking his head against John's chest, smiling at me but still wondering what the heck had happened.

I'll tell you what happened. My hair was definitely shorter, by at least four inches. BUT: Hair stylists have this overwhelming urge to straighten my hair. I always let them do it, but I always regret it in the end because I never feel like ME. Obviously Gus felt the same way. It was funny, but I felt a twinge of sad. It made me realize how sad I would be if I weren't a part of his life, if I was just a stranger meeting him. I would definitely be missing out on him.

It's important to note that today Gus is 11 months old!

Gus loves to stand. He could stand all day. He walks really well with us holding his hands. I've told him no walking on his own until the new year. I don't know if he'll obey that request.

Gus takes great pleasure in crawling the length of the house. He's rather quick these days.

Gus is doing well with the formula during the day at daycare, and still nursing at home. I'm doing well with it too, thank you very much. Friday was the first day I haven't brought the pump to work since going back to work on February 9th. I carried ONE bag. One. I felt so light!

Gus still loves reading books, is a huge fan of the Baby Elmo book in particular, with Brown Bear, Brown Bear being a close second. His favorite toys are his wooden blocks. He plays with them every day. Gus is also enjoying the magnet letters and numbers that are on the refridgerator.

In one month, we'll have to celebrate one year down!

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Posted by janna at 08:33 PM | Comments (3)

November 03, 2004

Cutest cutest cutest boy.

I just went upstairs to check on Gus.

The room is so dark that it takes a few seconds for your eyes to adjust and to figure out where the heck he is in the crib. Often I gingerly stick my hand in the crib, gently feeling around to find him. Tonight I had luck, I found him on my first pass. First I found his chest, which was lifting up and down, heavy with sleep. Then I found his head (I like to feel his ears to see if he's cold or not since blankets do NOT stay on the child. Ever.). Then I found the cutest thing ever. Gus had his arms wrapped around his sock elephant from Grandma Shirley. He sleeps with his sock monkey and sock elephant every night, and most often he's either sleeping ON them or they are in opposite corners, with Gus in the middle as referee.

OH MY GOD.

Elephant=GOP symbol
Elephant embraced=???

After the news of today, is it still cute?

Ah, the news of the day.

I felt sad. I was left wondering what would happen to all of the hope and energy and excitement that had been built up, all directed toward making a positive change.

And then I thought more about what happened. Our country is so divided, just as divided as it was in the last election. How do we go forward? I wanted to believe Bush when he said today that he would work to unite us, but I just didn't find his words sincere. I hope that changes for me because I really don't want to feel toxic about this administration for the next four years.

Posted by janna at 09:35 PM

November 02, 2004

Nail-biting evening

Painful.

Come on, Ohio!

I'm so tired, but I don't want to sleep, I want to watch it all unfold, but it's just killing me!

What will we wake up to? Regardless of the outcome of this election, big change has to occur in the next four years.

Could Iowa actually go for Kerry??!!

Posted by janna at 10:49 PM

November 01, 2004

vote vote vote vote vote

Everyone, go vote tomorrow! Gus is going, so should you! We're going to try to be at the polls at 6 am...

Posted by janna at 09:45 PM

F o r m u l a .

I gave myself a birthday present: stop pumping at work and give Gus formula during the day. Now, it's not something I can cut cold turkey, so I'm down to pumping once a day now, and anything else Gus needs will be formula. Today was the first day that he had formula. Christy told the other women that she thought Gus would balk at drinking formula, and thought it might take a while for him to get used to it.

Not our little boy, oh no. He GULPED it down. Two bottles, even.

The thought of only carrying one bag to work, of not worrying about having enough milk, of not sterilizing the pump bottles...I am elated. I finally gave myself a pat on the back, congratulated myself on having pumped so long, and gave myself a break. Gus is only a month away from being able to take regular milk, so the formula won't last very long, I imagine.

I'm so relieved.

Gus didn't sleep today. He fell asleep in the car as I rubbed his forehead. Just like his Papa.

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Posted by janna at 09:43 PM