A few weeks ago I was reading another homeschool blogger’s recount of visiting her area homeschool bookfair. What she was most excited about wasn’t drooling over the books and discovering new ways to teach her children, but meeting other homeschool bloggers!
I was a tad wistful, wishing there were homeschool bloggers in my area I could get revved up about meeting. My thoughts drifted to tweet-ups and playdates, wondering if I could pull out my “digital mom” status and arrange such a technological wonder. Then I realized, I actually did know another homeschool blogger. And she lived a block or less from my house.
And then I wondered, why did it have to be a blogger? Why can’t I just go out and meet with people?
Not quite willing to let go of the technology, I sent Karen a facebook message asking her something about story time at the library that day. I mentioned wanted to talk to her about homeschool (she is/ was finishing her first year with her oldest). We did see each other at the library, but it was so crazy full (thanks to a visit from three animals from the zoo) it was difficult to chat. Karen then reached out and invited us over to her house for lunch.
It was a wonderful two or three hour visit. Fuller had his fill of playing with kids and I had a an energizing chat with Karen, making me excited not just for the education of my children but for the relationships to be had with other homeschool families.
The neat thing is, the same thing happened the next week too. After mentioning some homeschool things to a mom at Moms Group, she invited us over for lunch and playtime to chat about reading and homeschool plans and dreams.
I value the information I get from homeschool bloggers and reading about their adventures in learning. It gives me ideas, helps expand my educational goals, and gives me affirmation that we are doing the right thing for our family. But meeting with people in real life, while watching our children play together, it is valuable and energizing. I have a feeling, by connecting with folks in my own neighborhood, we will have more accountability and success. And more playdates, which makes it even more fun!
It’s been a fun filled last few days with lots of offline interaction. Tomorrow is going to be like the last three days packed into one, but I’m looking forward to it. And hopefully I can rest on Sunday.
Today I had an excellent lunch with a friend and during our conversation I jinxed myself said I think things have evened out around here. I’m able to make it through the day an accomplish more than feeding the baby. In fact, I am able to do more than just survive the day, which does a lot for my self confidence in what needs to be done.
I think it is because we have reached a kind of normalcy, I have found myself working my camera more. Part of it is taking pictures of the new baby, but recent travels and outings have afforded me the opportunity to stretch my photography skills to what I hope is a new level.
Learning how to do light trails was one achievement (I feel like I should get a badge or something). I’ve recently been offered the opportunity to do a time-lapse project, so I have been studying up on that. And I took a bold step this morning when I asked a friend if I could come to her house and take some maternity pictures (provided she doesn’t have the baby before Monday). I want the practice and she was happy to tell me I could do it.
While photography is still just a hobby, it is something I am definitely sticking to and enjoying learning new tricks. It makes me happy and definitely like we have achieved the new normal.
Three months ago, around 4:30 in the morning it was raining. I know because Damon and I were trying not to get my pillow wet when we loaded into the car.
Three months ago, a little before 5 a.m. I met a woman who handed me a bunch of papers to sign, clipped a piece of plastic around my wrist and directed us to go back the way we came.
Three months ago, around 5:05 a.m. I was in a bed, answering questions to a nurse on my right and getting my left hand stabbed with an IV port by another nurse. I was checked and I was still at 3 centimeters (as I had been for over a week) and the monitors showed some small contractions but nothing I considered bothersome.
Three months ago, I was given some pitocin and fluids, via the aforementioned IV port. I tried to watch the local morning news, since it was around 6:30 a.m. but I opted for the rain instead. Damon was shown where to find the popsicles and ice chips.
Three months ago, my doctor was in another hospital room delivering a baby. When he was done, he showed up in my room and broke my water. Until then, I don’t really recall experiencing any painful contractions. But I could tell soon afterwards, things were progressing.
Three months ago, a nurse came into my room and told me if I was thinking about getting an epidural I needed to let them know because I needed to have had two liters of fluids before I could have the epidural. It was a good thing she told me because I was thinking about having the epidural, but I wasn’t at that point yet.
Three months ago, I looked at the I.V. stand and wondered how long it was going to take me to get those two liters, because I was really starting to think about having that epidural. And the fluids were going slower than the pain was coming.
Three months ago, around 10 a.m., Ellen was dancing on TV and I was asking the nurse about how long it would be until I had completed those two liters because I was really starting to think about the epidural now. She laughed and said they would turn it up to make it go faster. I said, “Yes, please.” It was no longer raining. In fact, it was very sunny and we had a beautiful view out the window.
Three months ago, a nice woman named Felicia stuck a needle in my back and dialed down the pain. Rachael Ray was on TV and we were talking about what she was cooking. I complained this wasn’t a good thing since I was actually very hungry. But I quit complaining when I learned I was about six centimeters. It was my personal goal to wait and get the epidural when I was more than four centimeters. Goal reached, score!
Three months ago, Damon photographed blue jays outside the hospital window while nurse Melanie (who was my third and final nurse of the delivery experience) gave me a catheter.
Three months ago, I spent about two hours feeling rather uncomfortable and just feeling a lot of pressure. I was surprised because when I was in labor with Fuller, after I had my epidural, I didn’t feel anything at all. This time was different. This time, I only had a partial block. This was definitely a different labor experience.
Three months ago, around 2:30, Melanie checked me and ten centimeters had been achieved. And suddenly people started appearing in the room and doing things like moving carts, piling baby blankets, and cracking jokes.
Three months ago, around 3 p.m. I started pushing. When I asked for a mirror, I shocked everyone because apparently people don’t usually ask for mirrors when they are pushing. They were very happy to get it for me, once they found it. I preferred the mirror because it helped give me a visual on my progress. Plus, I couldn’t wait to see what color hair the baby had.
Three months ago, around 3:15 p.m. I was still pushing with each contraction. Melanie was on my left and Damon was on my right, each helping hold my legs. And I kept thinking, “Why doesn’t he just give me the episiotomy already? It would make it a lot easier!”
Three months ago, probably around 3:25, Dr. I said he was going to have to give me an episiotomy. And I restrained from yelling, “Finally!” No, it didn’t hurt (probably because of the epidural), but I had already started to tear and this was my preferred method of delivery. As soon as it happened, with the next push, there was more progress and I was told to not push.
Three months ago, at 3:31 we had a new son.
Three months ago, my heart grew and I fell in love with Tebow.
I’ve been having a lot of fun behind the camera lately. The trip to Texas really activated my shutterbug gene and it was on that trip I decided I really wanted a white balance lens cap. Since it arrived, I have really felt like my pictures have reached a new level.
On Mother’s Day I had an unexpected gift when I figured out how to create a light trail while watching Fuller and Damon ride the carousel. Using a small aperture and a long exposure, I really liked the resulting picture.
When we went camping on Friday I gave the kids glow sticks and got them to do some light painting for me. When Emma said she wanted to make a smiley face, I realized I had only peeked into a new area of digital photography (and I see a future bulk purchase of glow sticks).
Here’s another way you can have some fun with photography (feel free to mute the music):
Some folks at Sony asked me to check out this game widget that shows off some features of their digital cameras and camcorder. The smile feature on the Cybershot seems really neat, if you are into capturing those perfect snapshot moments (something I actually feel bad about not doing more of). And I love, love, love the idea of the swiveling viewfinder on their Sony Alpha DSLR. I had to give that up when I went from the Canon to the Nikon D40, but am happy to see it on Sony’s Alpha. The handycam vibration reduction is awesome, which is something I need on everything since I weak arms (especially since my fall two weeks ago).
I can’t actually vouch for the products since I have never used them (I have read bloggers who have the Alpha and love it), but the games on the widget are a lot of fun. When you go to play the games, you can play for fun and practice them over and over again. I did this until I was comfortable and then I played to enter the competition. The top 29 players (and you can play more than once) will be declared the winners and given actual prizes like the Handycam, an Alpha (can I have that?), a Sony GPS, or a digital frame. I need to get a better score to get into that top 29.
So, lots of fun in digital photography these days. I’m hoping to enter a few more contests this week. Have fun playing the games. And if you are working, don’t tell your boss I told you about it.
[tags]Sony, Sony Cybershot, Sony Alpha, Sony Handcam, Sony game widget, Sony contest, digital photography[/tags]
We went camping on Friday and prior to the trip, I had only one real worry: how would I get my morning coffee on Saturday morning. I could have worried about how Tebow would behave, the weather, or if Fuller would fall into a poison ivy patch. Instead, I was obsessing over how to get my morning coffee.
I have to admit, I’m not a coffee snob. This is why it was perfectly natural for me to head to Wal-Mart and found the Folger’s Coffee Singles. I even found creamer in single packets. I knew I could boil water on Damon’s camp stove, so I was set. Or so I thought.
In the stress fun of packing for the one night in the great outdoors, I neglected to pack a coffee cup for myself. In fact, I didn’t pack any cups for us to drink from. Fuller and I had our Camelbak’s and Damon had his Coke Zero. But I just forgot about the coffee cup.
So, the next morning, I used the smallest pot from Damon’s cook kit and had a Grande coffee.
Next time, I’ll make sure to pack a mug. And maybe some cups, just in case.
While trying to maintain the cycle of an attempted routine, you are also dealing with the ups and downs of life. And most of the time, it’s fun!
Mother’s Day was sweet. After church we were driving home and admiring how awesome the weather was. Considering how wet and yucky it has been, having a sunny Mother’s Day was a real treat. And it called to us, “Go outside!” So, we did.
We made a stop in the Bi-Lo deli section and found all the ingredients for a picnic. Then we headed to Coolidge Park to find a spot of grass to enjoy our bounty.
After lunch there was plenty of playing and just having family fun.
Being at Coolidge Park meant being in the vicinity of Clumpies, where we were able to enjoy my required Mother’s Day ice cream.
The sweet thread through the entire day was how Tebow behaved like an angel. First off, I got to sleep in until 7:30! And in the afternoon, I had a two hour nap, because he had a two hour nap. He ate well, took great naps, and was generally happy.
All of yesterday was definitely an “up.”
Today, while we kept moving through the cycle of our lives (ha!) it was kind of a down because Tebow just wouldn’t nap. He was fine when he was awake, not even fussy. But his attitude toward naps was total disdain. This made getting things done kind of difficult, even though we just kept moving forward through his routine.
These are only recent examples of the ups and downs of being a mom. I know there are so many more to reflect on and so many more to watch out for… but in the end, I’m moving round and round and really having so much fun.
I hope other Mothers out there had a good Mother’s Day! I know I did!
I’m back in Chattanooga now, having flown in from Dallas yesterday afternoon. As soon as we got home I nursed Tebow, chatted with Damon, and then changed Tebow’s diaper. I stood up to go put Tebow in his seat and tripped over my feet, falling forward. I contorted by body to protect Tebow and ended up whacking my elbow pretty hard on the floor. Damon saw the whole thing, rushed over and picked up Tebow as I sat up. My arm was hurting really badly and I remember thinking, “So this is what blinding pain feels like.”
Apparently I then passed out (I was still sitting on the floor). When I came to, Damon was running toward me, calling my name. I sat up, felt pukey and asked for something to throw up in. I think I passed out again because next thing I know, I was asking Damon, “What happened.” He quizzed me on the recent events and suddenly I could feel like I was really coming to and remembered everything. I put my feet up and lay down for a while, per the internet’s instructions (Damon went to Dr. Google).
I iced my arm, but it was hurting more and swelling more on the forearm and wrist. So Damon canceled an evening meeting and we took off to see the doctor. I had x-rays that indicated nothing broken or fractured and was diagnosed with an elbow sprain. A neurological exam indicated my head was fine (I never hit it, but Damon says I was kicking my legs when I fainted), so I was sent along with a script for high dose ibuprofen.
If you see me and wonder why I don’t have a brace or sling for my arm, I found out they don’t do that for sprains or strains anymore. Apparently when it comes to R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation), if you sprain something, you don’t get the compression. I told a friend it feels like I have a cut and can’t have a Batman band-aid to show off!
While I wish it never happened, it did and now I’m healing and thinking. I’m thankful for protection of Tebow, nothing broken, and low expectations of my family. It makes sitting around much easier. I can already tell I’m on the mend since I can grasp things without pain and my fingers are no longer swollen.
Now excuse me while I try to nurse the baby in a way that doesn’t hurt my arm.
I’ve been deleting pictures and editing those I want to keep with Picnik. One of the features on picnik is a frame called “Before & After.”
I really like seeing the image that came out of my camera and the one I eventually turn it into. In this case, I think the picture looks better in the after. And I have many more to keep working on… after I get some more sleep. I’m still on vacation.
I’ve decided to start a photo project to be completed while I am here in Wichita Falls, Texas. I’m scouring downtown (the area where my parents live) for interesting letters of the alphabet. I’ve done this type of project before, in my own neighborhood.
I thought it would be fun to look beyond the action of the vacation (which there hasn’t been much of yet, but then again, I already have over 150 pictures to upload to flickr) and see some of the scenery surrounding us. Wichita Falls’ downtown is a bit on the “not dead yet” side, with gaps where stores used to be, leaving crumbling tile on the ground to mingle with the dandelions. Some of the buildings are being revitalized (like my parent’s apartment building) and a few have businesses still pumping some life downtown. It makes for some interesting glimpses into the past and the present.
If this goes well, I might try and repeat it in other cities I visit as well. I wonder where I can find the letter “Z” in Wetumpka, AL?
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Meet up in real life
. Since it arrived, I have really felt like my pictures have reached a new level. 
, so I was set. Or so I thought.
