More of my favorite things

Lazy Saturday mornings when the sun streams through your window so brightly that you refuse to even think about turning on any lights for fear of ruining that perfect glow.

And easy going afternoons when you get to play in the paints and take a bath right after not once ~ but TWO times.

(and that was LAST weekend!)

The dress...

So the saga continues. I have ASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSloads of work to do, but funcationally can't do a thing till all the data is pulled. I never thought i'd say this, but i need 2 computers.

Anyhooo - in my 'spare' time today i did the "skirt" part of my dress. I was terrified of sewing the netting. I'm talking straight beads of sweat running down my body. Not only was the material more expensive than i had reallyl wanted to spend, but MY GOD its netting. Somehow I just never thought it would be possible to seam together even quasi nicely.

Well i must say - i don't suck. I used approx two yards and did a simple 'gathering' stich on the top seam (yes thats the technical term). Then put it on elastic, pulling it tight the entire time. Well it WORKED!

So now i'm playing with the shapes of the dress, as the original -- though cute, doesn't exactly work for my body. I *think* i have it, but we'll see in a few days time.

ohhhh LUCY!

This past weekend we went to the (2nd) Annual Lucy Stomp. It was soo fun. Aside from loving the changing of the seasons, wine and hangin with my hunnies ~ i was THRILLED with the opportunity to squish some grapes between my toes.

G was faar more interested in eating the grapes vs. dancing on them. But it was a great weekend and she even learned how to do a propper pour.

the dress (cont)

So i'm learning
A) i need a new sewing machine or ummm propper lessons on how to sew
B) jersey knit is kinda a beeep to sew with but at the same time VERY forgiving

SO the easy part is done ~ the tube dress part. Now comes the tough stuff. THe overlay. The pic above is just the dress tied behind my back. The top will ideally be 'less poofy' and more like the inspiration dress and the bottom will be not exaclty poof, but far more gathered fabric.

I'm scared to even touch the stuff at this point. I think i need a day or two of reflection :)

In search of the perfect dress

So Mr A. and I have PLENTY of weddings to go to over the next few months. I'm usually in favor of skipping weddings, but one is at a cool location ~ another is unskippable ~ one we have to go to if we go to another and the other just promises more fun than perhaps the rest.

So being somewhere in between "normal" and plus size i'm limited to my choices of dresses that even fit. Put a budget on top of it ~ add my style preferences and welll ummm...there's not much left.

The first one is acceptable & inexpensive. The second is my ideal if i had money to burn and weighed 40lbs.

Sooo I'm doing what any reasonable person would. Give up and make my own! (no worries, i bought the black&white one just in case)

This was my inspiration:
but again too expensive, not my size and not colorful enough for me to really splurge, but i liked the neckline, the overlay and the general idea.

So armed with fabric and a dream ~ i'm off.

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

What started as an attempt to take a few quick pictures before school ~ turned into a little moment of reflection. I had hoped to catch a fun pic of G in her first pair of jeans lookin all grown up ~ but in the rush to get out of the house, find shoes, keys, and stay out of the landscapers way I didn't get any good pics.

Or so i thought.

Now while reviewing them, I came upon this one and it's just made me stop. The blur seems to be almost normal and necessary these days as we're constantly moving at lightening speeds and her feet...always on the go.

Not sad...just wishing i could stop time for a few days and catch my breath.

I knew this day would come

but somehow i had tricked myself into believing that i was a better parent than that.

HAHAHAHAHA

It sorta came out of the blue. The first time i heard it it tilted my head and sorta thought "hmmm was that what i thought it was??" The next time it was clear and i sorta giggled. With each passing hour the strength of this word grew as lil G realized its full potential and i even heard about it when we picked her up from daycare. In less 24 hours it went from cute lil 'beaker beaker' noises to a full blown ~ the devil may have possessed me

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

(no) Labor - Labor day

Last weekend was labor day and I'm FINALLY getting around to uploading the pics. Far to many to share here, but thats the indication of a fantastic weekend ~ right?

Its been SEVEN - count em, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 looooooong years since i've been to the lake. And somehow, not much has changed and that felt WONDERFUL. Sure there are a few fabulous improvements to the house (dock bar anyone) but overall i'm happy to report that the lake wasn't 1/10 as crowded as I had expected.

Perhaps this is the silver lining to the high gas prices.

Small-us Rant-us (round 2)

So how's this for interesting.

Yes we're talking about my issues again. So a quick search for caprylic acid results in [quote] Caprylic acid is the common name for the eight-carbon saturated fatty acid known by the systematic name octanoic acid. It is found naturally in coconuts and breast milk. [/quote]

It's a fatty acid that has anti-fungal properties and is used to treat bacterial infections.

Sorry Similac but you can keep your "important additive, Choline chloride, in feed especially for chickens where it accelerates growth" We'll keep doing what we do and grow in a slightly more natural way.

Sidebar: Have you heard of the gentleman that 'cured' his cancer with breastmilk?? Not sure how i feel about premie babies being skipped over for an older man, but fascinating nonetheless.

More test results

So the poo tests came back today. Let me be the first to say

SHUT UP to EVERYONE who's ever said i was fat because i'm lazy -- i'm fat b.c. i don't eat well -- i'm fat because i don't eat well AND i'm lazy. Everyone who's offered me all expense paid trips to fat spas just becuase they love me. Everyone who's wanted to have a heart to heart with me because they're just intersted in my well being can SUCK IT FOLKS -- because I EAT JUST FINE and my CRAP CONFIRMS IT.

Ok - nice Jenn is back.

I have some infections and my bacteria aren't up to snuff. Probiotics and some caprylic acid should clear that up and immensely help my immune system (and allergies)

DONE & DONE!!

A few rough nights

So lately i've been having the wierdest of dreams.

Last night our car was stolen in NYC / Paris?? Somewhere big and busy. The night before was something odd (but i can't remember) and the night before that was HORRIBLE.

I dreamt that Peter and I had gotten lil G a big ol tattoo. A HUGE one on her back. Apparently we thought it would be fun. Fun?!?! This from a mama who won't even pierce her baby's ears? Anyhoo she had this big heart on her back and a lil tendril that went over her shoulder. As far as tattoos go ~ I'll admit ~ it was a nice one, but on my BABY?!? Do you think this is the kinda torture parents feel when we come home from college 'all tatted up'?

On another TMI note last night G and i were hanging out in the middle of the night. We put her to bed before our class so she's not quite the terror she can be for guests when she's overtired and HAS to stay up with the grown ups. Sometimes its works ~ sometimes it doesn't. Guess what? Last night it didn't.

So we're hangin out for awhile after misnight when she finally gets sleepy. She comes over and lays her head on my belly and is gently / sweetly patting me. Then she decides to roll over and kiss my belly. "BAABY Babby" she repeats as she pats and kisses my belly.

For all of you passing out right now A) i have my period ~ right NOW and B) i have an IUD

But for the love of god ~ someone get this girl a baby doll becuase she's FREAKING ME OUT.

The Glory of Gluttony

So after quite the lil blow last wednesday, Peter and I did lots and lots of grocery shopping and i (eek) bought a lot of crap. Food i NEVER eat, but for some reason felt compelled to try simply because it was gluten free. I may have put on 5lbs, but at least i've learned what brands of stuff i like and which i don't ~ in the quickest manner possible at that :)

In a short 4 days i've learned: going out to eat is impossible and cooking at home isn't all that different. Well we have a 1 year old and need to save $$$ anyhoo, so there restuarants ~ i don't want your sneaky food anyhow!

On a cuter note ~ yes that would be G ~ seems like she's totally skipped a round of toothgrowing and opted for a new set further back. Normal??? Prob not. Surprise me?? Definately not ;)

Oh No your DIDN'T!!!!

So this morning after much chasing ~ i finally corralled a nudie G and laid her down to put her diaper on and 'school' clothes. Now I could be mistaken ~ and lord please tell me i was ~ but as i was laying her down and saying something about being a good girl and going to school i SWEAR she rolled her eyes at me!

ARE YOU KIDDING??

I KNOW what i saw and it was definitely an eye roll. But I'm holding out hope and telling myself she was simply moving her eyes around because her hair was in her eyes. Yes, the same hair she REFUSES to allow to be pulled back in a barrette.

Right ~ it was the hair...~ RIGHT!!!

Chrio/Accu/Kines Appt update

Sooo after i spat, pee'd/poo'd, enough for the rest of my life of testing ~ its pretty much confirmed that my problem isn't thyroid ~ but adrenal.

Apparently my adrenal function is sooo bad ~ that its effecting my thyroid as well (among other things) There are still more test results to come in (and umm one i forgot to do) but...its all coming together & i'm beginning to be treated!

I'm forgoing western medicine this time and seeing a chiropractor trained in Kinesiology. Also in this office are acupuncture, nutritionists, ION rooms ~ the whole shebang.

I'll be honest ~ I wasn't a huge fan of the chiropractic idea. BUT i have HAD it w/my doctors. Telling me that i HAVE to have an organ removed only to be on medication for the rest of my life?? No thanks.

Then i ask myself ~ why are you so anti chiro / acupuncture care. Those voices in my head sounded like those folks that flipped out when i told them i was seeing a midwife for my prenatal care & birth. I have NO doubts that that was the perfect choice for me, but it was a hard bridge to cross (paperwork wise) and i don't think some people ever understood my decision...an some only after the birth.

So i pushed those old school voices out of my head and followed my gut. Well i asked my fellow bradley teachers for their recs ~ found a great office ~ and THEN followed my gut.

First Appointment: I bet your problem is adrenal ~ its often confused with thyroid, but lets test this, this this and this. (about 30 more tests than i've ever had with a traditional dr) She tests some muscles using kinesiology ~ waaay cool. And says ~ its gonna be a lot of work, but you can be fixed, without medicine and lead a normal life again. I almost cried with happiness.

Today's Appointment: Some tests still aren't back ~ but the problem is most definitely adrenal. Cortisol levels ~ crap: Cortisol-DHEA ~ crap: Adrenal "fatigue": insulin, post prandial, progesterone ~ you guessed it ~ all crap. I'm also a 'silent celiac suffer' ~ apparently crazy common for any sorta autoimmune disorder.

Soo what does it all mean?
Cut out gluten ~ yesterday
breath a giant sigh of relief ~ i'm not MENTAL!!!

Next steps:
Meet with a nutritionist to learn how to eat
Allergy Testing (though muscles, not blood)
Appts 2x per week for the next 2 mos - then hopefully will taper off quickly for maintenance appts.

I could go on for pages and pages about everything i'm learning. Perhaps when i have a few more moments ~ i'll type it out.

Final 2 cents: DON'T GIVE UP!

Pimp Pimp!

Its allllllmost done.

www.jlaphotos.com

tell your friends ~ tell your coworkers ~ heck tell your enemies. :)

Froll Meets Froy

This craft swap had me STUMPED. The theme was bedtime ~ and i was at the beach (no sewing machine & no fabrics). I had considered making an eye pillow for 'mom' but with a newborn and a lil boy it seemed like more of a slap in the 'i-know-you-get-no-sleep' face than a practical gift. Auntie yuj suggested a mobile for the baby's crib ~ but i couldn't leave out the big brother and i wasn't sure if they're cosleepers. (see the overthinking i am capable of?!?)

Soo while hopping into toy stores as an afternoon activity I acquired quite an addiction to these adorable ~ rather expensive lil "Ugly Dolls". Only half as funny as Pee & Poop, but I digress. So i decide i'm going to make Ugly dolls for these boys.

P Says: "Monsters, your gonna make Monsters for a lil boy as a bedtime theme? Should we just call child services and have them take away G now?"

hmmm - he does sorta have a point.

Soooo I made a bedtime story to go with them ~ and kept them cute vs scary :)

Oh and the ridiculous names you ask...why they come from being a frunchy doll and toy of course!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Since its in the DVD player and all...


Thumb - check
Berkley - check
Snuggly Blankie - check
Eeyore Pillow - check

ummm box to rest in?? - check

Auntie Yuj

or Auntie Yuk as the case may be on your cell phone ;)

WE MISS YOU!!!!!!

Fortune cookie for G...

and a perfect one at that...but I'll get to that later.

yes despite needing to eat better we ordered chinese. It was yummy and well... there's not much in the house after all the travelling we've done lately. Peanut ate combo fried rice, a steamed dumpling and a spare rib. Right off the bone...classic G.

Dinner over it's not time for the cookies. I grab all 3 (this is Dad by the way) and put them in front of G who takes 1. It was actually a surprise that she didn't take ALL 3. Then Jenn and the last one for me. G takes a bite and hands the cookie so mom can retrieve the note. as I said before...perfect.

"You will have a fine capacity for the enjoyment of life."

This sums up our little G...the girl who smiles with her eyes.

Ohh OHH OHHH

So how is this for interesting.

My name is Jenn and I have hypothyroidism. I could go on and rant about how little people understand this disease, how it is often overlooked for laziness and eating too much or too poorly or how its dumped into a 'fat person' problem and ignored.

But folks ~ its real and it sucks. REAL BAD.

So frustrated with the hormone replacements I'm making an appointment with an acupuncture dude and really starting to get on that diet bandwagon. And by diet - i don't mean DIET - i mean eating certain foods and minerals and skipping others.

Anyhoo i'm getting to the interesting part I swear.

It's recommended that I increase my intake of selenium. Its an antioxidant trace mineral that is essential for converting the thyroid hormone your body produces, T4, into its active form, T3. The highest source of selenium is found in...BRAZIL NUTS.
Yes, it is in other things as well (almost everything really), but the distribution is absurdly skewed.

Brazil nuts, for those of you not in the know ~ are the one and ONLY thing i am like DEATHLY allergic to. For example, I walk past them in the grocery store and my throat gets all tight. Lord forbid should I accidentally ingest some dust ~ i need benadryl within 3 minutes. An actual nut ~ call 911.

Soooo what if i don't really have this lovely autoimmune disorder?!?! What if I am allergic to selenium and/or it just doesn't do its duty in my body?

Functionally this means a whole lotta nothing. (but is crazy interesting, no?) Just another piece of my health puzzle I've get to figure out what the picture is.