Wow, where has the time gone?!?!

I just logged in to blogger because I was reading a password protected blog and realized it has been over 4!! months since my last post. I couldn't believe it.

Everything has been going really well. Work is good. Joe is getting bigger by the day (he'll be 18 months in 2 weeks). All in all, I have no complaints about anything.

Yesterday was my birthday, I am now 29 years old. When I was younger, I never really thought about what I would be at a given age. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, it's just nothing that was ever at the forefront of my mind. Like even now, I don't really imagine myself at 40 or at 50. I can imagine Joe growing up, I just can't picture myself at that time.

I read a lot more blogs right now. Some of them mommy blogs, since most of the ladies that I started TTCing blogs with are now all mommas. My new favorite blog type to read are the food/recipe blogs. It's funny, with the food/recipe blogs also comes with it the frugality blogs, which then also stems into the Christian blogs. It's interesting to see how all of those things tie into each other. I guess it's interesting to me because I'm not particulary religious that I subscribe to these blogs. I was raised Catholic, but don't go to church. The husband believes in something, but not organized religion.

So that's about it. I have about 3 posts brewing in my head at any given time, but as you can see, none of them ever make it to my blog.

Selfish

I religiously read my RSS feeds and get bored when I have no feeds left to read, so I figure it's time to return the favor by actually posting something of my own. It's a novel idea, I know.



So to catch you up a bit:



We had a birthday party for Joe on March 11th. There were 75 people in attendance. I don't think I saw him once that day other than to put his cake in front of him. It was an overwhelming day for all invloved and I was glad when it was over. I think this gets me off the birthday hook till he's at least 5, right? This was the picture that went on his invitations

We just got back from Ireland the 14th of April. It is an amazing country. They really do love kids there. They were very considerate of Joe and never once was his stroller kicked or were we given the eye-roll because he was in a restaurant. The scenery is breathtaking and all of the pictures you've ever seen don't do the country justice. Now that my feet have gotten wet for European travel, I can't wait to do it again.

I nursed Joe for the last time on the 19 of April. It was just a random day and, at the time, I didn't realize it would the last time, but I made the decision on the 20th to see how it would be if I didn't nurse him to sleep and he was OK. So the 19th was the last day. I was/am sad about it, but I also didn't want to get to the point where he absolutely had to nurse or he wouldn't sleep.

I haven't had a period since May 28, 2005. Yep, you're reading it right, almost 2 years. The only reason I remember the date is because it's the holy grail that gets you into your appointments to see the OB. So I had my annual about a month ago and decided that I would try the NuvaR1ng for birth control. I thought I had convinced myself that I wasn't going to go back on any sort of hormonal birth control, but I. HATE. CONDOMS!!!! And let's face it, the pull-out method we've been using as of late isn't so reliable, not that I think I'm fertile or anything, but I don't want to tempt the fates. So I was toying around with the idea of a M1rena but didn't know if it would be worth it to have it taken out in just a couple years. I did some research and thought I'd give the ring a try. Now, I'm currently taking provera to have a period and once that happens I will give the ring a try. If there's anyone out there who has experience with the ring, good or bad, let me know.

I'm still working full-time and two of those days I work from home and it's getting even more difficult with Joseph's increasing mobility and curiosity. It's still worth it most days.

I won't leave you with any empty promises of posting more often, but I will post again.

Off to see the Isle, the wonderful Isle of Green

I know, lame title, I was seriously lacking in inspiration. We're vacationing in Ireland for 10 days. We're leaving 04 April and returning 14 April. I vacillate between beyond excited to what the hell was I thinking, Joe will only be just over a year.

This is a huge family trip. My maternal Gramma, my Mom (plus her 3 kids [my half siblings] aged 14, 10, and 6), my Aunt and Uncle (plus their 3 kids aged 13, 10, and 8), and myself, the Husband, and Joe. It's quite the brood we're traveling with. So, if you're a math wizard, that makes 13 total with more than half being children. So the reason we're going is that my great-Gramma is from Ireland (county Cork) and my Gramma has been in contact with some relatives over there. From what I understand, my great-Gramma's house is still in their possession. How freaking cool is that. My great-Gramma was born in 1907 and her house is still standing. My Gramma has wanted to go to Ireland for as long as I can remember and she is the other reason I agreed to go.

Now for the particulars, we're flying into Dublin and staying there for a couple days. We're staying at the Jury's D0yle Ballsbr1dge Hotel (I know, the Husband and I had a good chuckle over the name of it too) in Dublin. Then we're driving to Killarney and staying at the Randle's C0urt H0tel. Finally, we're going to Galway and staying at Ard1laun H0use H0tel. If anyone has any past experience, good or bad, with these places, let me know. We are then flying out of Shannon to go home.

Aside from the family visits, we'll be doing touristy stuff while we're there, Waterf0rd Crystal, Gu1nness tour, etc. Since I've never been to Ireland before (I've barely been out of the US), what else is there to do? Are there any must sees/dos/etc?

Also, for all you jetsetters with babies out there, are there any tips you can give me for an 8-hour flight with a just over one year old?

Another Personality Quiz

I am a fan of personality quizzes. I am always looking for different ways for things to analyze me. Here are the results from the one Tertia posted today. You should go try.

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion |||||||||||||| 53% Stability |||||||||||||||||| 73% Orderliness |||||||||||||||||| 73% Accommodation |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Interdependence |||||||||| 36% Intellectual |||||||||||| 50% Mystical |||| 16% Artistic || 10% Religious |||| 16% Hedonism |||||| 30% Materialism |||||||||||||||| 63% Narcissism |||||||||||| 50% Adventurousness || 10% Work ethic |||||||||||||| 56% Self absorbed |||||| 23% Conflict seeking |||||||||||| 50% Need to dominate |||||||||||||||||| 76% Romantic |||||||||||||||| 63% Avoidant |||| 16% Anti-authority |||||||||| 36% Wealth |||| 16% Dependency |||||||||||| 43% Change averse |||||||||||||| 56% Cautiousness |||||||||||||||| 63% Individuality |||||||||||| 43% Sexuality |||||||||||||| 56% Peter pan complex |||||||||| 36% Physical security |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Physical Fitness || 10% Histrionic |||||||||| 36% Paranoia |||||| 23% Vanity |||||||||||| 50% Hypersensitivity |||||||||||| 43% Female cliche |||||||||||||||| 63%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Two days in a row!!!

I don't want anyone to be spoiled, but yes, I've now posted two days in a row. It's amazing isn't it. I also regret to inform everyone that I need to turn on the word verification, although, it's probably good punishment to get those dummy posts.

Doctor's visit went as expected. I expected her to tell me not to worry about anything and give it time. I think that's the doctor's first recommendation for everything, kinda like the help desk guy telling you to reboot, no matter what the problem is. So, that's what I'll do. Especially since Googling didn't bring any usable results anyway. Today's been good so far no puking; all food has stayed inside.

Since I have nothing substantive to say, I will let Joe do the talking for me. Here are some random shots.

Joe was the Incred1ble Hulk for Halloween. It was a pretty cute costume.

This is a natural mohawk. He takes a nap right after bath time and this was the sight after his bath a couple weeks ago.

Yes, he bathes in the kitchen sink. every. single. day. My husband doesn't mind it because it means that I do the dishes and wash the sink everyday he's home with me.

And this is a typical snorty face. It's really cute, he breathes in and out through his nose while making that face. It's a face only a momma could love.

Remember Me :)

I am embarrassed of myself. I can't believe it's been five months since my last post. I don't blame any of you who've jumped ship, it's worse than the T1tan1c.

As for what's been going on...everything and nothing. Joe continues to amaze me, every. single. day! He's quite mobile now and has no fear of anything. He's a crawling machine and pulls himself up everywhere he can. He has three teeth (2 bottom and 1 top one), I think that fourth one will be coming in anytime now. Oh yeah, he's nine months old as of tomorrow. Time really has flown. He looks like both me and the husband, really a good mix. He's full of smiles and says the word "uh oh" a lot. He actually knows what it means and when to use it, and he makes sure to use it deliberately when he drops stuff from his high chair. I'll have more stats for you after his 9-month visit tomorrow.

The only concern I have for my dear boy is that he tends to puke up whole meals. Yes, that's right whole meals. So if you thought baby food was gross going in, just imagine it coming up and out again. I've exercised my G00gle doctorate and haven't found much that applies to him. He wasn't premature and he doesn't have FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome) so Dr. Google is at a loss. I'm thinking (hoping) that he just has a very sensitive gag reflex since most of the puking incidents seem to be while eating regular table food. I'm always very cautious to make sure the bites are manageably (is this even a word?) sized. I'm hoping the doctor will have some ideas. I don't think it's an allergy either because there doesn't seem to be a pattern to his puking. I'm really trying not to stress about it, but sometimes I can't help it.

So, onto me. I am now working full-time. The gloriousness of this is that I only have to be in the office two days a week and work from home the other three (or five, depending on what's going on). If any of you remember, I am still a contractor. They are talking about making me a real live employee at which time I will bump it up to 3-10 hour days in the office with the remaining time being served worked at home. I feel quite fortunate to have this option and I work damn hard to make sure my other full-time, in-the-office colleagues feel like I'm pulling my weight. It's a hard balance to strike. I know I do good work, but I feel like I have to put in 200% because I'm not in the office all week. On the flip-side though I love working, I think I'm one of those people who needs that outside fulfillment. To each their own in this department, it's what makes the world go round. I love the time I spend with Joe too. Being away from him allows me to miss him and I treasure every moment I'm with him.

We had family pics taken yesterday. I was so disappointed with our photographer. The P1cture Pe0ple usually take really good, creative pics. This was so not the case yesterday. Our photographer was so not interested in being there. He was a twenty-something with spikey hair. I understand the feeling of not wanting to work, but come on, at least make the effort and go get a photographer that can make a kid smile and maybe consider another approach when you see that sticking the feather duster in my kid's face didn't work the first fifty times you did it, why would it work the last?!? Anywho...I should stop talking about this now, I need to save up my reserves for tomorrow when I call the store manager.

Here was one of two good family shots. I know it's decent, I just wanted more shots to choose from. Joe didn't smile in any of them.



k ,kj m.,hjymuikfbgb nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Just in case you needed translation, Joe says hi.

Probably should go now, blogging and breastfeeding a nine-month old don't mix. I really hope to post again soon.

Easter Joe













He's gonna be a plummer. Poor guy, he's got nothing to keep that diaper up.













Devlish smile that Momma loves.













If they were only this easy to come by.














Easter Family Picture













Snoopy and Joe, BFF
















Momma and Joe, officially not anonymous anymore.












This is how the boy sucks his thumb. I don't get it. We've even tried to help him curl his fingers, but he prefers to claw his face.















Another devlish smile pose. How can you say no to a face like that.













Momma and Joe sleeping on the couch, all is well with the world.