Pregnancy is...

making my posture better?

That sounds funny, but it seems to be the case. I have to sit up fairly straight (if I'm not in a semi-reclined position) otherwise it feels like I'm squishing my little buddy. And then there's the careful bending and lifting. If it's not done just so, there's swift justice. So, there you go.

saving grace

A few years ago, during my time in the working world, I was constantly whining and lamenting that everyone was coming to work sick. I didn't want their cooties. I didn't want to be stuck at home sick...mainly because we don't have cable. I didn't want sleepless, stuffy, coughing nights or having to take Theraflu or NyQuil or whatever.

After a few days of my complaining, I came back from lunch to find this on my chair.

One of my sweet...and likely annoyed...co-workers had taken pity on me and decided to show me her family secret (I'm eternally grateful, Tedi). At first the idea of rinsing my sinuses was not very appealing, but I was desperate not to get sick.

Now, this thing is my go-to during cold season. And, if I'm not good about it and I end up catching stuff (read: my life for the past month and a half), this little guy clears things up, gets things moving and makes me feel better in general.

It's the same idea as the neti pot (which they make as well), but you are able to a) use a little gentle pressure and b) keep your head straight, instead of the 90 degree tilt.

So, there you go. You can find these babies online or at most drugstores. The kit (shown above) comes with the bottle and the premixed packets. Yes, it's really just a saline/bicarb mixture, but it's nice to just open the packet and know that it won't burn your little sinuses. You can also buy the packets separately when you run out.

Oh, I should warn you about the alarming stuff that will come out of you...it's really shocking.

Okay then, stay well!

my favorite street

Happy 40th birthday, Sesame Street!

It was hard to choose just a few...so many memories, but to mark the occasion, here are several of my favorite Sesame Street songs. Enjoy!

The "O" song

The "L" song

Mah Na Mah Na

The Ladybug Picnic

From waaaay back, ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

side note: I love that you can find anything online...with special thanks to YouTube.

feeling my age

I'm sore. Not because I've done anything athletic or incredibly physical mind you...just sore. I'm wondering if it is due to the chiropractic adjustments that I've gotten over the past several days. You see I have been plagued by activity-induced sciatica. :( It's one of those not fun, sacrifice-y things in pregnancy. So, while my doctors and midwives are really urging me to be active it literally is a pain in the...tuchas...to do so. Finally, upon everyone's advice I sought out a chiropractor. I've been to see him 3 times and, while I haven't been experiencing the sciatica, I have been feeling generally sore, mostly in my mid-back.

This soreness could very well be related to the adjustments and the fact that it would cause me to carry myself differently, thus using all of those little muscles in new ways. It could also be my ever-increasing girth pulling me forward and forcing my back to compensate, keeping me from face-planting every time I stand up. Finally, it could be from the ridiculous sleep positions that I've had to adopt, which are not sleep inducing.

Whatever the cause...ugh. But, this too shall pass.

Anyone have any pregnancy-friendly suggestions?

Whatever the reason I wish it would go away. I'm giving chiropractic a real try here and not just writing it off. But, if the sore, stiff feeling keeps persisting I may have to reconsider.

she may be little, but she's a big fan

I'm pretty sure that if fruit had a fan club...Cababy would sign up! Heck, she might even be the president of the fan club, run the fan site and even start a facebook fan page.

She's loving banana, applesauce, and pears...and, though she doesn't realize it (or maybe she does), she loves all of the aforementioned mixed with butternut squash puree. Mmmmmm.

a little more Halloween...

Here are the other costumes that didn't make the cut...I think you'll see we made the right decision with the penguin. :)

First we set the stage a little...I told you, no farm pictures and I couldn't bring myself to tromp outside in the cold. So, this is it. (fyi - the statement, "this is it" is not meant to be an infringement on the current documentary out in theaters).

Cababy liked playing with the small gourds very much...which you'll see later too.

First we had a wee little piggy.

She seems happy enough, considering this is at least one size too small. :)

And, yes, it does have a little curly tail

Next, Elmo, always a crowd favorite...although, is it me or does it look like Elmo ate Cababy?

hehehe, some day these will come in handy. :)

Nothing to see here, just 4 little pumpkins.

fin.

mommy question:

How am I supposed to get my 9 month old adjusted to daylight savings? Any ideas?!

At this point I'm guessing we just have to go with it and she'll adjust by next week...but if anyone knows any tricks I'm up for entertaining them.

Thanks!