Update on work

The big boss called me this afternoon while I was getting a manicure. The agreement of the big boss (my division head), the assistant OHC director, and the director's secretary is that I should be fine pumping in the family restroom downstairs. I said I would give it a try, although I would prefer to pump at my desk. They promise to provide a chair and a small table. I asked that they make sure there is an electrical outlet! The concern is not for staff in my office, but for any visitors. Whatever! I guess we'll see how it goes. She was very friendly about it and called me on her day off, the day after her mother's funeral, so she really is trying to be accommodating.

Tomorrow, we're off down south for my ten year class reunion. We go to the football game tomorrow night and then a picnic on Saturday afternoon.

Baby had a rough day today. He was very whiny and did not want to sleep.

I had a haircut and then went to the nail salon. I had a pedicure and then they fixed my very messed up thumbnail. I really need that nail for a multitude of baby related things! Not to mention I didn't want to be wearing an ugly bandaid on my thumb at my reunion. Doesn't suit the person voted "Most Likely to Succeed." It's hard to believe Mill was voted class clown.

2 Month Checkup

Nathaniel had his two-month checkup this morning. We had to be there bright and early at 8:30 a.m. He now weighs 11 lbs. 11 ozs. and is 23 1/4 inches. He is still in the 50th percentile for height and weight. We go back in two more months. Oh, the pediatrician thought his insistence on standing was pretty amazing (usually seen around 6 months) and she kept saying how sweet he is.

Then, it was time for shots. He had four and did really well. He did let out one heartbreaking cry. Dh helped to hold him. I cried. We gave him t*lenol before and every four hours since. He was pretty sour afterwards and slept a lot of the afternoon, but he's been smiling and cooing for the last hour or so. He laid on the floor on a quilt for a long time, just talking.

I received another early birthday present today. Quinn is sneaky! But, I love it! I can't wait to hang it up.

This weekend is my ten year reunion. Have I mentioned it before? I still haven't sent in my RSVP. Mill is trouble for skipping out on the Friday night football game. I don't know if we'll go to that or not. I guess we will make it to the picnic on Saturday though.

I considered titling this post "angry." There's still a possibility I will not be going back to work . . . and possibly suing the state! I have been reassured since January that accommodations would be made for me to pump at work. Well, last week I emailed my supervisor to check on those accommodations, making it clear that I would prefer to pump at my desk. I can cover up and the pump is quiet. No big deal. Well, the big boss is out of the office (her mother passed away). So, my supervisor must have spoken to administration. Anyway, I have an email today that says the director's secretary has found some rule or something that says I cannot pump at my desk. I have searched state statutes and not found anything that says I can't pump at my desk. State law says I have the right to breastfeed anywhere and that my employer must give me the time to pump (although it doesn't have to be paid). They are going to have to show it to me in an existing statute or I will do what I want. I shouldn't have even asked. I should have just done it and dared them to tell me to stop. Otherwise, they have to find a suitable place for me to pump. I will not pump in the bathroom! I will not pump in my car in the parking lot. And they have to have something arranged by Monday. Guess what, my supervisor will not be there Monday. I will need to pump shortly after I get to work on Monday, and it can't wait! I'll be miserable and leaking milk. If this doesn't get worked out, I'll stay home because I expect this to be a recurring issue, as I hope to have multiple children over the next several years and I intend to pump and feed or breastfeed them all.

Early Birthday

I received my birthday present a little early. We had meetings at church this morning and afterwards, I told dh we needed to go look at computers at the A*ple store. We did, and we now have a new macbook that dh says is really mine, so that's a great present. But, while we were there, we were looking at software. I thought dh was looking for parallels, so we can run vista on the mac. While he was looking, I came across some home design software. I picked up the box and put it back, thinking it was too expensive. Dh looked at me and then said that is what he was thinking about for my birthday (he'd been debating and even mentioned to me that he was undecided). Well, it looks like great software. I can't wait to try it out! That way I can visualize what I have in mind. (I also contacted a different realtor. Our previous one just wasn't responding and I'd like to get moving on the lot).

Nathaniel has been talking and laughing a lot. He's also drueling, so teeth must be on the way.

"The Smell of Heaven"

Today, Nathaniel and I got to visit my old school and then have lunch with daddy. It was nice to see the teachers and the students. It was the first time I'd seen the principal since leaving last November. He held the baby and said in Turkey, they say that the scent of babies is the smell of heaven. They were so nice to me there. He told Nathaniel that I gave up teaching for him. Gladly! The principal doesn't know I started a new job in January! That makes me feel a little bad, although I did leave teaching because it was too stressful. I would have left soon anyway. But, I still feel a little guilty. I liked what he said today, although I couldn't help thinking that his concept of heaven and our's is quite different!

Speaking of work, i think I'm ready to go back. I will certainly miss baby and it's going to be hard to juggle it all, but dh will help. I emailed today to check about accommodations for pumping. I think now that perhaps that I should have just started pumping in my cube and waited to see if anyone said anything. Now I'm gonna be really upset if they say no. It is a case of it being easier to ask forgiveness than permission. It shouldn't be a problem -- there's a grandpa on one side and a gay guy on the other! I'll come up with a curtain if I need to.

We made dinner tonight (steak and potatoes) for dh's friend who came over to watch the OU game with dh. Therefore, I'm pumping in the nursery.

Tomorrow, we have an early morning meeting at church and then dh is officially on vacation!! Yeah. I'm planning a pedicure, a haircut and maybe a color, and possibly a massage. Then next weekend is my ten year class reunion. What fun! If it had been nicely planned it would be alright, but everything is very last minute and half a**.

Oh, I joined We*ght W*atchers on Tuesday. Well, I don't guess you really join when you're a lifetime member. You just go face the music. I have about 40 pounds to lose to get to my goal. Dh has promised me a nice shopping spree when I get there. 40 sounds like so much! I am thinking in ten pound increments instead of one big chunk. I'm not supposed to try to get pg again until I lose that either.

Misc.

Well, he's 7, almost 8 weeks old. I still need to make the appointment for his 2 month shots. Joy!

Last Saturday we went to the reunion for our childbirth class. He was the second youngest and second largest baby there! He was very well behaved as well.

Speaking of behavior . . . he's been sleeping much better. He seems to go to bed around 9:30, waking around 3:30 for a feeding and then getting up around 6:00. Much improved!

Mom has been here helping me clean this week. We got a lot done and had fun. Thanks mom!

My time off is winding down. :( It sounds like I may go back to more hours sooner than planned because my supervisor is leaving.

** Our pastor mentioned something to me on Sunday that concerned me. He wondered if what I write has ever offended anyone since family reads this. I hope I haven't "stepped on any toes." However, just a little warning. This is MY blog. It is my venue to vent -- although I know it cannot serve the same function as a journal. It is my means of communicating my feelings to people I know. The same rules apply for my blog as for catering -- whatever I say cannot be held against me! Sometimes I write entries, and then go back and edit them because I'm afraid of how they might be perceived. Other times, I refrain from writing something in the first place for fear it might be offensive. But really, that defeats the purpose of this blog. I am supposed to write what I feel, what I want. Writing things out helps me to deal with them and if I censor myself, then part of the benefit of this blog is defeated. So remember, read at your own risk!!!

Six Weeks!

It's hard to believe that Nathaniel is 6 weeks old!

I had my six week checkup yesterday. Everything was good, so now I can finally mow the yard! And go back to Weight Watchers. I am definitely looking forward more to the former and not the latter!

In job news, my supervisor is leaving to take a job in Washington. That leaves me in a good position to advance to his position, which I would really like. So, I guess it is back to full time for me in January -- no staying home. I put in too many years in school to stay home when I have this opportunity. I'm kind of excited, although it will be hard to leave little guy. I love staying home with him. But from everything I have read, it's all about quality time and not quantity.

If I'm working full time, I want to move closer to work and I want to hire some help. Dh is opposed to this, he thinks it sets a bad example for our children. I disagree. I think that having someone to clean our house and do our lawn frees us up to spend time with our kids and each other -- which is most important. I think that is the best example for them. I don't think dh realizes how important it is to me that our house be clean all the time! It really messes with my head to be surrounded by a mess. I can't handle dirty dishes in the sink -- it makes me nuts! I'll still have laundry and cooking to do when I get home from work. I don't want to do the cleaning too -- it's too much!

Baby was only up 2 times during the night and then got up at 6:00 a.m. He still got up to play with his daddy in the middle of the night. And he doesn't want to go to bed until almost 11:00! Ornery boy!

First Trip to Maama's House

Well, we've been home from the country for about 2 hours. Baby made the trip very well -- he slept the whole time both directions! We had a very good visit and got to see lots of people (and eat lots of food!).

Last night, I dreamed I had fed the baby. I woke dh up to get him to burp Nathaniel (thinking I'd already fed the baby). It was a very vivid dream. The night wasn't too bad with mom's help. She let me go back to sleep around 6:00. I got to sleep for several more hours. Yeah! Needless to say, we were slightly late for church.

It was a good trip. I only wish we could have stayed longer, but it's so much easier to tend to baby at home.