What are YOU doing this weekend?

Looking for a more personal way to shop for handmade goods in Chicago? Well, that's what DEPART-ment is--everything has been handmade by local artisans, all arranged like a department store with racks and islands and counters and one central checkout area. This is a cash-only event, but an ATM is on-site for your convenience.
DEPART-ment includes hip and happening handmade clothing, jewelry, accessories, bath and body, housewares and...items from yours truly!

If you're in the Chicago area, stop by and support crafters and artists and put your money into people that work hard to make quality, one of a kind items!

DEPART-ment is held at AV-aerie, 2000 W. Fulton, 3rd floor.

Open Friday April 25th 7pm-11pm and Saturday and Sunday April 26-27 11am-5pm.

Visit the DEPART-ment web site for more info at
http://depart-ment.com/

Some other etsy artisans will be there, too:

http://ScentimentsBySandra.etsy.com

http://crankypickle.etsy.com

http://DekvengaDelights.etsy.com

Docs appointment

I took Elle for her almost 10 month well visit and the doc said that she is in perfect health. Even though she's been constipated and still not pooping regularly. Also, this past week, she's been losing her voice and sounding like an old lady with a pack a day habit. I promise you she's not sneaking in any smokes behind my back. Fortunately he said her throat looks ok and that it might just be from crying too much. I guess waking up every hour or so crying does take a toll on her throat even if she only cries for a minute or two at a time.

What I'm upset about is the fact that I've been seeing this doctor about every 2 months for 10 months, that's at least 5 times but so far EVERY fucking time, he starts by asking me if he had seen Eleanor before. Are you that busy that you can't remember us? Are we just that forgettable? or are you fucking stupid? In addition, the office has a stupid insurance policy where they require you to sign in with a credit card number at every visit (even though we have health insurance) which is no easy feat with a squirmy baby in your arms. but I let that annoyance slide because I do like their practice but if that doctor keeps asking me if we are new patients, I think I'm going to scream.

I've been thinking of switching docs but I'm so nervous to find the perfect one nor do I want to drive around town interviewing doctors' and their philosophy.
Plus this doc's office is just down the street and so far the recommended doctors are miles away.

I'm just not sure what to do.

oh, here are Elle's stats as of this morning.

Head: 18 inches
Weight: 23 pounds, 11 ounces
Height: 28.25 inches

I hope she grows more vertically than horizontally but she's healthy and I am grateful for that. Go boobs!

I'm in trouble

My 9.5 month old baby girl is standing. That only means that in mere weeks or days, she will be walking. I'm not ready, the house is definitely not ready but I don't think she'll take no for an answer.
She's been grabbing anything within reach, be it my hand or the ottoman, and lifting herself up very well. But 3 days ago, she let go! For a second, she stood. She held her arms out trying to balance herself just before she plopped down onto her well insulated heiney. The next day, she tried again but this time she held herself up for about 2 seconds. And today, the third day, she stood what felt like eternity but probably just under a minute. I am so proud. She has been "talking" so much lately and eating so much better. I better get the house baby proofed before she starts running around chasing the cats and dog.

My baby is growing so fast.

Typical Virgo

Once again, I have way too much on my plate. Its two weeks away from DEPART-ment and
I haven't really made anything new. I am still dealing with Elle waking up frequently due to either constipation, teething, or just wanting to drive her mommy crazy. I am hosting a party for 9 mommies and their soon to be one year old babies at my house in two days. I have to clean for aforementioned lunch party. I told my friend that I would reupholster her couch and spent 3 hours with her today to cut out the material.

I'm not really complaining because I'm super excited about all of it, well, except for the lack of sleep due to having to tend to Elle every hour or so (although last night wasn't too bad. She slept for a 3 hour stetch!). She isn't regular just yet but she seems to be doing better about eating the prunes which helps get things going for her.

The lunch party is for all the other parents that took the bradley birthing class with us. All but one are first time moms like me and I have only kept in touch with just one of the moms and am looking forward to seeing all the other moms and their babies. Taking that class to prepare us for the birth was the BEST thing I have ever done and I credit it completely in helping me give birth naturally and somewhat peacefully without worry or stress. Thank goodness it's a pot luck lunch but that doesn't mean that I won't have a bunch of food prepared. Plus my house is a complete mess so I'll have to really spend the next 2 days getting down and dirty.

Another thing that I'm doing is for a great friend of mine that just turned 30 this past weekend. A while ago she had asked me if I would reupholster her couch and I vehemently said "NO!! But after a few months of consideration, I thought it would make the perfect birthday gift so I told her that I would and although it isn't too hard to do, it is pretty time consuming. I already spent hours with her picking out the fabric and cutting out the pieces of the material.

I am extremely overwhelmed because I know that nothing will be exactly as I would like it to turn out but being a mom has helped me stay calm about the little things and not worry if things get done exactly as I had planned.

Oh and another thing, I am listing my parents house on the market next week (I'm a Realtor) which means that my Sundays will now be taken over with open houses.

Maybe I'll get a chance to breathe next month.

Today is my father's birthday.

He past away on November 1st, 2001.

of liver cirrhosis.

he was a major alcoholic.

I hadn't spoken to him in over 9 years or so before he past away but I did see him 4 months prior to his passing and I ignored him.

I went to visit his gravesight but it was raining so much and Elle was sleeping so I just parked my car and sat there for a few minutes.

I don't know why I go but I always go for his birthday, father's day, new years day and the anniversary of his death.

He really had a tough life and upbringing but he didn't need to die like that. I wish I had spoken to him before he died.

A woman's body is an amazing thing.

Not only do we get to make a baby, we get to nurse her, and share a bond. I woke up this morning with my baby next to me sleeping so soundly and I just took a few minutes just to stare at her as I do at some point everyday. She brings me so much joy and pride. I can't imagine my life without her and I don't know how I survived this long without her in my life. I suppose the last 32 years helped me prepare for her arrival.

After 19 months, I finally got my period back today. Nothing out of the ordinary for women but it just fascinates me how well the body works. I know I sound a little crazy for being excited to get my period and it definitely was NOT missed but I'm glad it's here. This means that my body is working properly which is always a good thing.

I'm very grateful for my body and it's ability to conceive, carry, deliver, nurse, and love a baby; A baby that shows me love and how to love like no other.

9 glorious months!

It's been a stressful week leading up to today, Eleanor's 9th month of making our lives complete. I didn't notice until 2 days ago that she was totally constipated. I know, I am mother of the year! I'm usually at work in the mornings when she poo's so I just didn't really think about it. But the past 3 nights she's only been sleeping about an hour long. This one time, I had just put her down in her crib, holding my breath so she wouldn't wake up. I kept still just to make sure she was fast asleep before I made my exit. So I'm standing over her, holding my nursing bra ready to clip it back into place. But as I was holding it, I was thinking whether or not the clip would make too much noise, so I just held it for a minute or two but she seemed to be doing ok so I slowly clicked it back on. Big mistake!! Elle woke up screaming and I just about cried. I haven't had much sleep and was so delirious from the lack of sleep that I didn't realize that what was really bothering her was that she was completely blocked up.

By the time I noticed, it was well into it's 4th day so a friend suggested I feed her some prunes and apples and some juice as well. So I rushed over to Whole foods but they didn't have plain prunes so I had to go to the regular grocery store. I came back home and fed her as much as she would eat, which was about 2 teaspoons, if that. I tried to force her to eat it but she doesn't do well with solids and gags if there is anything in her mouth. I spent every diaper change massaging her stomach and lifting her legs into her stomach to relive some gas. Speaking of which, I think the main clue for me was that her farts were incredibly stinky and I knew that something was wrong.

The next day, I fed her a different jar of apples and prune and some pear juice and just hoped that something was happening. I had called my pediatrician but they told me they'd call back and didn't. (I'm going to change my ped) Around 3pm, I was sitting behind the computer and she was farting again in my lap so I decided to go check on her diaper and lo and behold, there was enough crap to fill a regular toilet bowl. It was the consistency of clay and tremendously foul. But I was overjoyed. I felt like I had finally taken a breath after holding it for days. It was such a relief as I'm sure it was for her as well.

so the week leading up to my baby's 9th month was pretty eventful. her first bout of constipation. I guess I'll never forget that. Plus we just sold our car over ebay and this past weekend, I cooked a turkey for the first time ever.

Lots of firsts this week but sadly I didn't capture much on film.