Great Achievements

This weekend was spent in Spokane for the 2007 Empire Classic Bodybuilding Competition. Mike was a competitor. He had competed in the Emerald Cup the weekend before which prepared him for what to do for this last weekend's competition. The Emerald Cup is the largest amateur bodybuilding competition in Washington state and the Empire Classic is the second largest. Weigh-in was Saturday morning at 8am and the prejudging began at 10am. There was no time to mess around with weight. Mike had spent all of Friday night dehydrating and getting his weight down. We brought the scale to keep tabs on how he was doing. In order to stay in a competitive weight class, he needed to stay no more than 176 pounds. He ended up weighing in at 175 and was able to make Middle Weight. That was a VERY big deal. When we finished weighing in, we went to have breakfast and carb up. He had blueberry pancakes drenched in sugar. This was to help him bulk up and get very vascular. It worked. He was all painted up and oiled down, went to the back of the stage to lift weights and get the blood moving. He was ready to play. When he walked up on stage, I was there as always, screaming my head off. I'm very loud at the shows. I consider myself to be one of his groupies and his biggest fan. There were several of us shouting out commands and coaching him. He looked A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! There were 9 competitors in his class and everyone looked awesome. It was a tough group. Finally, the judges had everyone step back and called out 5 numbers; one of which was number 58...Mike. This was to get a better look at the top guys. Mike was in the group of the top guys!!! He had to of felt amazing when he heard his number called because we were all screaming and freaking out. They finished their posing and finally came off stage. Mike met up with us and we all congratulated him. We were able to find out later from one of the judges how he did. Well, he did awesome. Gordon told us he got 3rd place! 3rd out of 9 amazing looking men. It was so awesome. We went out for lunch, went to the hotel pool and got ready for the evening show. I decided to get myself all dolled up and look a little naughty for my husband. I wanted him to see me when he was up on the stage and be excited to get off the stage. When the time came for the announcements of who placed what, there was that little bit of doubt. What if Gordon lied? What if he truly didn't know what place Mike got and he was just guessing? When Mike was up on stage with the rest of the top 4 from his group, they announced who got 5th. Whew, it wasn't Mike. Then I got sick to my stomach. What if Mike got 4th? Then they announced 4th place. Not Mike. Finally, they announced 3rd. MIKE MOOOOODYYYY!!! We were all flipping out. It was so awesome to see that trophy handed to him. It was a very proud moment. When he was walking back to his group of friends, he was congratulated several times on his way. It was wonderful to watch. All that hard work and time spent paid off. Congratulations, honey. I'm so proud of you and am looking forward to painting and oiling you down again. I love you.

The Well is Running Dry

Whoa is me. My body has decided it is time to stop breastfeeding. I had intended to continue breastfeeding until the end of May. Mike and I are going to Vegas at the end of June and I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to spend my vacation pumping. Due to the fact that I am back at work full time, it has caused the milk production to slow down significantly. On top of that, I had to get on stronger BC pills and that slowed it down even more. Farrah has pushed me away a couple times, too because she wants instant gratification. It hit me last night how sad this is for me. I was talking to Mike at 3 in the morning and just started to cry about it. It is the last thing that is just between me and Farrah that I can't get back. Once it's done, it's done. I'd say I have about a week left of this bonding experience with my daughter. Mike reminded me that there will be several things that I will have with Farrah that no one else will have. It's hard to picture it right now because she doesn't talk, but it helped a little. There is a sadness that goes along with losing the ability to be the one and only person who can provide that one thing the child needs. Anyone can get a bottle. I don't want this to sound selfish, but I can't help it. Part of me wants my body back and to have it all to myself, but the other part of me still wants to hold on to that last piece of my experience. When you are pregnant, that child is relying souly on you. It's the same thing with breastfeeding. Don't get me wrong, I have been giving Farrah formula for a while now, but that was because of going back to work. Keep in mind, it was extremely hard for me to do that, too. I felt like I was depriving her of something. Now that it will be completely taken away from her, it makes my heart hurt. Ugh. (Lump in throat)

On another note, Farrah shared a small milestone today. I had been helping her with her teething ring by showing her how to wrap her fingers around it so she could grip it. I would then raise it up to her mouth so she would understand the connection. Well, this morning when I was getting ready to leave for work I noticed she had both hands wraped around the ring and was sucking on her toy. She did this all by herself. She figured it out without anyone's help. I was very excited about it.

Dear Farrah: Month 4

Happy 4 month birthday, sweetie! Wow, I can hardly believe how big you're getting. A year ago today is also the day that your Dad and I found out we were having you. I still have a picture of the pregnancy test stick that says "pregnant." My, you have really reached some crazy milestones lately, too. You have found your laugh. Both your Dad and I have found ways to make you laugh out loud. All I had to do was laugh real hard at you and you joined in. Your smile gets bigger and bigger everyday, just like the rest of you.


Your clothes are starting to get snug. Some of your newborn clothes you can still wear, but not for much longer. Those snaps are starting to hang on for dear life. You seem to love music. Almost every time I put some music on in the car, you start chatting up a storm. It's as if you're either singing along, or you're trying to talk over it so you don't have to listen. Last night, your Dad and I almost flipped out with a huge new thing you did. I was feeding you your 8pm bottle and I decided to try to allow you to hold it on your own. And guess what? You did it!!! You held your bottle! You even tilted up so you'd have no problems drinking. Your Dad rushed over to see and we were both very proud of you. You're so smart. For your first Easter, you received a new chair called the Bumble. It helps support your front and back so that you can practice sitting up. You seem to really enjoy it, too. I know it's time to take you out of it when you start to grunt. That means your neck is getting tired.




One of your new things is actually an old thing of yours that went away for a while. Your tongue. You stick it out at us like you're making faces at us. One day you did this so much, I started laughing really hard at you, and you started to laugh with me, which made me laugh even more.

We've learned a little trick to get you to relax and ultimately fall asleep. When you get fussy and all else fails, I simply hold you against my chest and gently tap you on the back and rock back & forth. You make little noises like you're humming when I do this. When you're completely quiet, I know I've won. And, Farrah, you are definitely showing signs that you are such a girl. If you're not getting your way, you let out a very high pitch squeal which is your way of whining. And so it begins. You also kick your feet when you whine. If you were standing up, you'd be stomping your feet. I suppose this is something we get to look forward to. Bath time is a little different now. You kick the water and splash like crazy. I can no longer walk away from bath time with dry clothes. Those days are gone. Finally, you had your very first sleep over so Daddy and I could play. Thank you, honey. You kept right on your schedule at Melissa's just like you do at home. Bedtime around 10:30 - 11:00 with your last bottle and then you wake up exactly at 4:00 am for your first feeding followed by the next feeding around 8:30 - 9:00 am. It's wonderful that you are so predictable. Your Daddy and I love you so much and can't believe how fast you're growing and how big you're getting. I will apologize in advance for the several shots you will be receiving on Friday for your 4 month check up. On a final note, you have inspired me to start a project. When this project is completed, I will share it with everyone, and of course, you, my muse.

I love you, Face.

Mama

Recovering

Mike and I had arranged for Melissa to watch Farrah for an overnight on Saturday so he and I could stay out as late as we wanted. The day started by waking up early in the morning and taking care of things around the house. Around noon, Mike, Nick, Farrah, and I met up with Alex at the mall for lunch. We split up to find some fun clothes for the parties we were going to that evening. After shopping, we hustled home. Mike headed off to the gym for a last minute workout and I started to pull myself together. We got Farrah all packed up and took off to Melissa's. We dropped off both Nick and Farrah and we gave big kisses goodbye. When I hopped into Mike's truck I said, "Oh my god, it's just us!!!" We drove to Jen's 30th Birthday party in Silver Lake and got stuck in an awful traffic jam. Ugh, stressful. When we arrived, most of everyone there had already been getting the party going for a while. It was fun. The food was great and I loved seeing everyone. Jen was having a blast. Unfortunately, we had to leave to get to the next destination. When we arrived, several people had already been there for a while, too. Mike and I fixed ourselves a drink. Ahhh, a cocktail. I finally got to drink alcohol without the fear of being too tipsy to care for Farrah. I had also already planned what the next day would be like so I wouldn't pass any booze onto her. I intended to drink a lot and have fun. I figured I'd let 24 hours pass before breast feeding her again. Well, in the end, Mike and I never ended up going to bed. We stayed up ALL NIGHT long and into the morning. So long, that we looked at the clock and said, "Holy shit, we need to get Farrah." Those that stayed at our friends house stayed up the whole night, too. I haven't pulled an all-nighter in years. So, we picked up Farrah. Don't worry, we were beyond sober. The unfortunate thing was she wanted to be awake. I wanted to sleep. Her naps were teasers. She would sleep for approximately 20 minutes at a time. She was up until it was time for all of us to go to bed. I couldn't put her down too early or it would screw up her schedule. So, I was basically up from 8 in the morning on Saturday until 11 at night on Sunday. Yikes. Monday, I "cleansed" to get all the bad stuff out of my body. Not only was I exhausted, I was starving. 'Tis the price you pay when you want to have fun and you have a baby. Check out the evidence of a good time that was had:








Clearly, it has been a while since I partied my ass off.

Mmmmm

Today, as a matter of fact, 10 minutes ago, I experienced something that all parents at one time or another have the privilege to experience. After a light lunch, Farrah and I decided to play. She was lying on her back on my bed and I was bending over to kiss her on each cheek. I would go down kiss her about 5 times real fast while making "mommy" sounds and then I'd go to the next cheek doing the same thing. She was even lucky enough to get the loves on the forehead. I had done this about 5 or 6 times when I finally reached the left cheek again and suddenly tasted something. Yes, my daughter had spit up from all the fun directly into my mouth. Ewwwwww. The astonishing thing was that I did not follow suit and spit up myself. I simply grabbed the burp cloth and wiped my tongue down and wiped her mouth. I actually laughed at this. Anyway, I hope none of you were eating when you read this. Kinda gross, huh? I'm going to go play with her again. Hopefully she got it all out the first time.

He knows what to say

I have been working my ass off at the gym and eating well lately. It has helped that Mike has been getting ready for a body building competition because when he has to eat clean, the rest of us have to, too. He has been very supportive in me getting back to the 'old me' and it has been nice. The other day when he and I were leaving the gym together, he told me that he had been checking me out while we were there. How great is that? The man I've been with for almost 10 years is checking me out! Sometimes it's little comments like that, that can increase the marital flame. Thank you, Mike.

On another note, my sister-in-law posted a blog that I thought was supper awesome and in it she posted the site for a YouTube cartoon. Well, with the dieting that Mike and I have been doing, a friend shared this one with me. For those who diet, it is perfect. It's super funny and weird, too. I laughed my ass off. Check it out:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWXUi8fOJA4 - 91k

P.S. If you want to see Evie's Blog it's eviegraham.blogspot.com

Happy Fertility Day!

Mike and I learned that Easter was originally a day that was to celebrate fertility. That is where the Bunny came from (because they do it a lot) and why there are decorated eggs. No, the Bunny doesn't lay the eggs. The Cadburry Egg commercials, however, used to freak me out when it showed the Bunny "clucking" and then hopping away after laying an egg. What the hell?!! I didn't know they could communicate that way nor that they could push that out of their body. Delicious. Anyway, we celebrated Easter or Fertility Day, whichever you prefer, with a wonderful meatloaf, scalloped potatos, and sweet carrots. No ham. Already had that on Saturday. Well, here are some overly obsessive pictures of my daughter's first Fertility Day.

Birthdays

So, today is Nick's 13th Birthday!!! I can hardly believe it. What a huge milestone for that kid. I honestly wasn't sure he'd make it this far before his mom, his dad, or even I ended up killing him. Way to go, buddy. You have managed to survive yet another year. I'm an ass for not mentioning it earlier, but my other stepson, Alex, just turned 18. What a big year for both boys. One is an official teenager and one is an official adult. Freakin' crazy. Happy Birthday Nick & Alex. Here are the boys.