Rubber bath toys (the squeaky kinds, especially) make great chew toys. Waterproof (no soggy stuffed animals), interesting shapes, typically too big to fit entirely into a little mouth, make sound (once they figure out how), come in a variety of colours, and are *chewy* (as opposed to hard or soft or hot or cold). We’ve found, with Ethan, that chewy is the supreme texture. He loves fabric to chew on (like shirt sleeves or stuffed animals).

And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming…

For Ethan loves:

Photo One
Photo Too

Video One (6.6mb)
Video Too (7.7mb)

Enjoy!

Jeez I’m chatty today!

I wanted to officially state that the BIG PROJECT (stitching) that I’ve been working on the past 2+ years is, as of last night, finished! I haven’t pressed it yet, so I’ll not post any pictures, but they are coming. I’m pretty proud of this one. I can’t wait to see it framed.

Now on to the tree-skirt (40″ dia). I wonder if, in “rinsing” my threads, I have to do them all separately; or can they be done en masse?

Mkay, here it/they are.

Completed project
Something for scale
Close-up of the one side

I know, I know… I screwed up with not removing it from the hoop (thus the hoop lines) and there’s no way I’m going to attempt to clean those off, so they’re there el permanento, but for my very first *big* project, I’m damned proud.

I’ve read two news articles today that really surprise and dismay me. Article #1 talks about how the government is changing how they refer to RFID (radio-frequency identification tags) to “contactless” or “proximity” chips. The reason they’re doing this is because RFID tags are unsecure and there’s a lot of controversy over their usage. The government is hoping to have them in passports in the future. Think of that… all your personal information conveniently stored on something that broadcasts that information out to anybody who has a receiver. Yes, they say they’ll be using ones that only broadcast up to 4″, but what about people who have higher sensitivity receivers and can eavesdrop on that information from 30′ away. Even without that, who’s to say someone bumping up against your bag at the airport can’t read the information through your bag? The gov’t will be spending millions of dollars in changing the terminology of this in an effort to make it sound better to the general public.

Article #2 talks about the State of California’s new policy of free (state-funded) vasectomies to men who’re diagnosed as clinically obese. Think about that. Yes, I think the idea isn’t that bad – but neither is dictating someone’s job or pay-rate based on their IQ bad either, or communism, or forced vegetarianism. In theory and on paper – not in the real world with real people. They’re saying that “By offering such a highly effective form of birth control freely to men who, by clinical diagnosis, have been deemed genetically inferior to the normalized median of homo sapien development, such a gene line would effectively be eliminated.” The words “gene line” and “eliminated” scream at me. I appreciate that some people have genetic challenges to overcome – I do, you do, we all do. Does that mean we should resume tossing deformed babies over cliffs? Should people be screened and sterilized if they have autoimmune diabetes (genetic) or parkinsons disease or certain forms of cancer? In that strain, should people who’re medicated for depression be eliminated? Why don’t we stop medicating every chronic disease and let those people die off?

When did I enter such a scary world?

Well, we’re still the same as the past few weeks, but I’m not concerned. He’s still climbing at a higher rate than the chart line he started at, so we’re doing well.
Height: 25.25″
Weight: 14.0lbs
Noggin: 42.5cm

Yesterday he did two exciting things. 1) he rolled from back to tummy (when I wasn’t looking, of course). Full roll, too – both arms under him (when I looked) and playing with the blanket under him. 2) he lifted his tummy. He was on his belly and pulling his knees under him and he lifted his bum and then his shoulders with his arms. It was for a very brief moment (each time – since he did it more than once) but I’m sure I saw daylight under there.

He’s not been sleeping well. Last night he was up every hour, on the hour, from when we went to bed until 4 hrs later. At that point Ken took him and he slept for a few hours in a row before getting up again at 5:30 and not going back to sleep until an hour later. Suffice it to say I’m a bit tired today. So’s he. He hardly napped yesterday – only sleeping while on top of me (waking as soon as I moved him to his bassinet). He’s done that just now, too. I’m getting to the point that I may lay him down and let him put himself to sleep once he’s tired enough to do so. I don’t want to, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle his crying. I don’t agree with letting a baby “cry it out”, if possible. I don’t think it breeds independance like so many people think. Or, if it does, it’s because the baby learns that they can’t depend on anybody but themselves. I think if a baby feels secure and loved and cared for, they will naturally become independant; knowing that they will be caught if they fall. That’s a healthier mindset, I believe.

This weekend, that is. I’m so close to finishing my stitching project that it’s eating away at me. I may have to break my guideline of not stitching during the day today. I’m on the “snowflakes” – the last bit of them too. We didn’t do much this weekend – watched almost all of My Hime (anime) – really great story. Very emotionally stressful when you watch the entire series (26 ep) in a big marathon run because it’s so easy to get emotionally involved with the characters and then things happen to them and you don’t have the weekly break between episodes to chill out. We won’t have the last episode until next week – which is frustrating, but worth the wait.

Ethan’s teething continues – though with less crank and more drool. It runs down his face now in mighty rivers at times. He’s trying to sit up on his own from laying on his back. He’ll straighten and raise his legs and curl his head forward – trying to lever himself up. He’s even started to pull on toys hanging above him to try and get up. He’ll figure it out though. He grabs his feet now. First his right foot with his right hand, now his left foot with his right hand (I’m getting the impression he’s right handed). Sitting has taken a twist since now that he’s strong enough to not depend solely on his arms for support, he doesn’t use them (or think he needs to) and doesn’t keep his balance without them. We’ve gone from sitting, unassisted, for several minutes to sitting momentarily and falling over. He also doesn’t seem enthralled to the “new view” that sitting gives him, so there’s not much motivation. He’s 33wks old now – 5 months corrected, almost 8 months old. I have trouble believing it all started so long ago, but it’s been a long road too. Time hasn’t flown by, but it’s still a long time ago.

I had a cry this weekend. I know I need to do it more, but it’s so hard to heal emotions when you just don’t want to feel them to begin with. I’ve been supressing a lot. I know I said I was ready to let down the walls, but it’s still hard and is going to take a long time. I told Ken this weekend that I’m not ready to not be angry about everything. I hope I can be soon though. I hate feeling like this.

First Name?
Kelly
Were you named after anyone?
Nope, my parents liked the name
What did you accomplish this year?
I’m about to accomplish finishing that huge cross-stitch project I’ve been working on for 2 years.
When did you last cry?
I don’t remember. Too long ago.
Do you like your handwriting?
Only if I pretend I’m a doctor.
What is your favorite lunch meat?
Roast beef sliced really thin.
What is your date of birth?
11/22
What is your most embarrassing CD?
Ace is Base
If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you?
I’d like to think so
Are you a daredevil?
Physically, no. Relationshipally, yep.
Have you ever told a secret you swore not to tell?
Only to a spouse.
Do looks matter?
Only on the surface.
How do you release anger?
I sulk or get back in passive ways.
Where is your second home?
I don’t have one anymore.
Do you trust others easily?
Nope.
What was your favorite toy as a child?
Transformers and My Little Pony’s (don’t make me choose!)
What class in high school do you think was totally useless?
History – I didn’t learn a damned thing.
Do you have a journal?
Just one.
Do you use sarcasm a lot?
I don’t know.
What are your nicknames?
Depends who’s involved
Would you bungee jump?
Nope
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Depends on the shoes
Do you think that you are strong? mentally? physically?
yes and no
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint Chocolate Chip!
Shoe Size?
7-8
What are your favorite colors?
Green
What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
My issues
What color pants are you wearing?
None
What are you listening to right now?
Tv commercials
Last thing you ate?
Chocolate-raspberry muffins
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Green
What is the weather like right now?
cloudy
Last person you talked to on the phone?
wrong number
First thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Smile
How Are You Today?
Tired
Favorite drink?
Merlot
Favorite Sport to watch?
Log-driver sports!
Hair Color?
brunette
Eye Color?
Green
Do you wear glasses?
Only when I drive and go to the movies
Favorite Food?
Chocolate, Poutine, Seafood, Steak
Last Movie You Watched?
Bubba-HoTep (again)
Favorite day of the Year?
Litha
Summer Or Winter?
Both
Hugs OR Kisses?
Both
What Is Your Favorite Dessert?
Chocolate anything
Living Arrangements?
House
What Books Are You Reading?
Mattimeo, Tarot for the Green Witch, The Baby Book, Super Baby Food
What’s On Your Mouse Pad?
Wassa mousepad?
What Did You Watch Last night on TV?
There’s never anything on – so the tv guide channel
Favorite Smell?
Lilac
Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Stones for their creativity and scope, Beatles for their pep
What’s the furthest you’ve been from home?
Rome, Italy
What’re your favorite hobbies?
Knitting, Cross-stitch, Crochet, Reading, Hiking, Walking, Road-trips, Cooking

Well, we got the last storm of the season yesterday/last night. 1′ of wet wet snow fell, and knocked out the power in Milford – including Ken’s work. YAY! Before we went to bed last night he was considering taking the day off for a mental health day – the power and I convinced him to do so. (technically the power came back on around 9:30 so I did my thang). Good thing too, since *our* power went out around 10:30 and stayed out until about 2:30. The phone updatey thingy for our power company said our area would be without power until 5, and our county until midnight. I was concerned, but Ken convinced me to stick it out and we were paid for our patience with an earlier time. Our power company rocks!

So today we relaxed. I’ve been stitching quite a lot – I’m going to get this thing done, damnit. It’s been over 2 years now and I’m soooo close! So while I did that, Ken video gamed and played with Ethan. For your enjoyment (and our memory banks), we have video of the giggle-puss. They’re all kinda big files (6mb), but *so* worth it! He likes playing with my water-bottle now, his socks don’t fit anymore, and just today he learned that he could grab his right foot while lying on his back. He’s also really close to rolling over from back to front – his arms get in the way but the rest of him makes it over. Only Ken makes him laugh like in these vids. They’re so damned cute together. *melt*

First giggle shots.
Second giggle shots. (closer up)
Uhoh… we’re going to be in trouble soon!

They’re gone, thank goodness! (Sharon, that was for you)

We had a great visit with Gram and Great Gram. Yesterday we went for lunch with Ken and then went shopping at the closest Babies’R'Us (which isn’t close at all). I did my best to hold back the spending and direct it to things we need for the man (summer clothes). We were all amazed at how big the clothes are that he’ll be fitting into this summer. They’re all adorable though, and were nicely priced. The weather was absolutely beautiful too, reaching a high of 62 off the back deck and 55 at noon from the car’s temp guage. Today, of course, it’s overcast and sleeting.

Teething is taking on a whole new level this week. Especially today (it doesn’t help that he’s also mad at his bum for not performing yesterday). We measured the Man yesterday and he’s not grown since last week (his head did, but it’s been very predictable in it’s growth for months). That’s alright though. I’m confident he’ll have a burst this week or next.

I’m working on getting the photos up but someone needs me urgently right now.

Edit:
Mkay, photos…
Ahh! Attack by toys!
Playing with Grammy.
Generational
Great Grammy

We had a quiet but very productive weekend. Ethan *almost* rolled from his back to his tummy a few times. So far we’ve discovered the tele is a great incentive (since we don’t generally let him watch he’s desperately fascinated with it) as it was a big reason why he was trying to roll over (it was “above” him and he was straining to look). We’ll get there soon, though. Sharon and Gram are coming to visit today until Wednesday morning (so I won’t be around much).

I’m tired and have a headache. Meh.

I’m fairly certain Ethan is psychic – or at least, his teeth are. Last time we were to visit people, his teething started with a vengence. Soon as we got home things settled down. Now we’re to have visitors this monday and guess who’s chewing on everything in site and barely eating?

No, it’s not Suzie. :/

I love how he bows at the end! (5.8mb)

I just shot these now… Enjoy!

Swimming Swimming in the swimming pool (or on the blue blanket). Both are between 5 and 6mb, FYI. The 2nd one he’s glancing between me and the camera (resting on my knee).

I realized this morning that I’m starting to tear down walls. Lately, any strong emotion – happiness, empathy, sadness, anger, pleasure, wistfulness – has made me want to cry. I know that I tend to put up walls around myself when I’m hurting – who doesn’t, with the big hurts? Putting up walls is very easy. It helps me protect myself from others as well as myself. It’s when they’re ready to start coming down that the hard part comes in, because the time that they’ve been up is time that I’ve unlearned how to deal with those emotions that they’re enclosing. It’s scary. I know it’s a positive step, though. I’ve been told that I’m a strong person, and I’m not sure what that means. I’m well versed in how to protect myself and keep a facade up – if that’s strong then sure, I guess I am.

I’m glad this is happening now. Spring is about to happen, and that always puts a fresh burst of life into me. I’ve always been very connected with the seasons, emotionally. It’s a good time for me to start dealing with my scars. To start getting on with my life. I’ve been going through the motions for a long time, and it’ll be nice to feel positive about the world; to feel good about where I’m at.

I’m ready.

8 months old (almost)
5 months chronological
14.0 lbs
25.25″
42cm noggin

He’s bang on the 25th% for height, just below it for weight, and just above it for his head circumference. Weight to height is halfway between 25 and 50%. Such a healthy body. Lets keep hoping his mind is developing as well.