Always, Alli

I’m probably going to jinx myself here, but I am feeling so much better these past few days. I am coming out of the first trimester haze, am able to see the mess we have made of the house (not just walk around it), and have been successful in making dinner for three nights in a row. The nice thing about the dinners is I have been able to actually join the guys at the table to eat. For a while now I have been fixing their plates, handing them over, and then going to rest.

Now that I am feeling better, I am starting to get more organized. I’m swapping out my clothes, going through clutter, and trying to create a routine of a sort.

Of course, I can’t over do it, but I have hopes. I have organizing to start (baby clothes, lists of baby things) and cleaning to attend to. Lists to make, furniture to rearrange, and of course we have to remember what it is like to have a newborn in the house.

I use a label maker like the Dymo label maker to organize our file folders (medical records, new baby papers), the diaper bag stuff, and baby bottles. I keep the medicine organized with the label maker, and print out instructions with it, so Damon can quickly glance at things and know how it works. And since we are doing a little bit of preschool homeschool, I use it to keep those supplies organized too.

I’m trying to keep my energy up so I can get it all done. February doesn’t seem that far away!

If you are fully involved in my online life, you know I twitter. In fact, if you can see my updates in the box on the left side of this blog (it says “Twitter Alli” in case you miss it).

There are lots of neat things about twitter I like. I used to think of it along the lines of the “DVD extras” for my blogs- just tiny little updates about what I was doing (like smashing my kid’s fingers in the freezer door at Wal-Mart). But a neat thing has come from Twitter- I have found even more online friends and have found a way to keep up with them in 140 characters or less.

Sometimes I throw out a question and people answer me. Other times, they throw out a question and I give my 140 characters or less answer. Which is why the following (abbreviated) twitter thread is such an exciting thing to me:

A little background:

Ted Murphy is CEO of Izea, the umbrella company for PayPerPost and SocialSpark. I participate in both these systems. I’m not as active as I used to be, but that is a personal choice.

Izeafest is a blogging conference I am going to next month. I went to PostieCon last year in Las Vegas. Izeafest is the grownup big brother of PostieCon.

Metromint is a kind of mint infused water I love. My mom introduced it to me January of 2005, when I was feeling nauseous and getting ready for the long car trip home from Ohio to Tennessee with my then three month old baby. I fell in love with the water and she would bring me some almost every time she visited Chattanooga. Then one day I discovered our World Market sold Metromint by the four pack. (You can also get it at Greenlife Grocery by the bottle.) When I got pregnant and morning sickness settled in, I drank a ton of it, trying to keep my sickness from showing, since we weren’t telling anyone yet. I personally like the Spearmint and Lemonmint, but they have several other flavors.

Having Ted Murphy take a small suggestion, even one that isn’t really on topic (he wanted to know about beer, a drink I 1) can’t have and 2) don’t like), and see it as a real possibility means a lot to me. Sure, he might say my Twitter background is the best, but it really doesn’t skew my take on how honored I feel for running with my suggestion.

And, I am thrilled to have Metromint as one of the Izeafest sponsors. I look forward to testing all the flavors (even the Chocolatemint). And then I’ll have to see if I can smuggle some of it home for free in my checked baggage.

Technorati Tags: Metromint, Izeafest, Twitter, Ted Murphy, morning sickness

… what about you?

Technorati Tags: youniverse

Last week our family happily gathered in the vicinity of the television so we could see what the Chinese had come up with for an opening ceremony. We were blown away by the technical and artistic aspects. I waited until the United States entered the Bird’s Nest and then gave in to sleep. The next morning I watched the lighting of the torch from the comfort of my laptop.

All day Saturday the television was turned to our one Olympic station (what you get when you give up super cable two weeks before the Olympics). We cheered on the US and made Fuller see that other sports exist except Football and Basketball. We looked up athlete profiles, noting the Bronze medalist who was a homeschooler. Damon continued his Olympic tradition of finding ALL the Auburn athletes and the events they are in. It was pretty easy since the Auburn website does all the work for him.

Sunday night we were glued to the television, watching pretty much all the primetime Olympic coverage. I went to bed soon after midnight and paid dearly for it the next day.

Then Monday came. We didn’t turn the TV on until 8 p.m. and puttered around while the Olympics flickered on the screen. I eventually succumbed to bed (hey, pregnant women love to sleep). And I missed one of the most amazing swim relays in US Olympic history. Sure, I’ve seen the replays a million times now, but really, I missed it.

Every night I get to bed a little bit earlier, and I always miss something. And eventually I have just stopped caring. Which makes me feel bad, but in the end, I have to say, it is all about me. I need my sleep, I need to keep my life going. Just because there are athletes on the other side of the world giving their best, doesn’t mean I need to stop doing my best by staying up late every night and trying to function the next day.

Anyone else an Olympic Loser?

Technorati Tags: Olympics, loser

Last night our family spent quite a lot of time outdoors. We were at the drive-in and the while the weather was pleasant, it was enough humidity to make me swell and the aching to come back in my right wrist.

Pregnancy related carpal tunnel is going to be a battle I endure until this kiddo is out of here. I was thrilled when the weather cooled down and it was as if my carpal tunnel had disappeared. I was scared not of the surgery my doctor said I might need, but the time it would eat up- extra doctor trips, surgery, and then recovery time (which varies from person to person). I don’t have that kind of time.

So, I am committed to icing my wrist and using a brace when it gets throbbing or when I sleep. And to be honest, my wrist has been feeling so much better the last few days, I wasn’t even sleeping with the brace.

Last night, I iced my wrist and went to sleep with the brace. Apparently I took it off during one of my bathroom trips because I didn’t have it on when I woke up and found it on the bathroom counter.

I think having the brace is an excellent way to assist in my carpal tunnel relief. I use something similar to the SmartGlove PM, which helps keep my wrist from getting into funky positions during the night.

But my brace is really bulky and has metal braces on the palm part, so if I wear it all day long (which I was a few weeks ago), it gets in the way of normal duties. When driving, I was constantly hitting the steering wheel controls, changing the radio station.

Which is why something like the IMAK Smart Glove would be better for the days when I need the extra support. It increases circulation and keeps the wrist in the proper position, but is missing the bulk of the metal brace, keeping my hands acting in a more “normal” manner. I can blog better, cook better, and drive better.

Everyone I talk to is surprised pregnancy can induce carpal tunnel syndrome. And since I am a person who swells in the heat, even when not pregnant, I am more susceptible to the syndrome. I am thrilled there are tools I can use, like ice, rest, and braces, to keep me on a road to recovery instead of straight to the surgeon’s table.

Technorati Tags: pregnancy, pregnancy related carpal tunnel, IMAK SmartGlove

Hello, I am Alli’s new backpack.

In Alli’s mind, I speak with a Mexican accent. Similar to Esteban, the Mexican Mayor/ Drug Lord from Weeds. And no, I do not like to spank women. I just have the accent.

Alli bought me from Zappos. This is also where she bought her previous bag. And conincidentally, her previous bag and I are both from the same manufacturer- Dakine. Alli loves the fabrics Dakine uses in their women’s products. And you will notice Alli picked the bag with the orange accents, because you should know orange is her signature color.

Alli isn’t a bag lady. Sure her husband might mention how many bags she already has, but what Alli means is, she doesn’t like carrying more than one bag at a time. Her backpack has to be a workhorse. So, seeing a backpack with an insulated cooler pocket (perfect for kiddo’s snacks), zipper organizer pockets, and a hidden pocket at the top for her cell phone and/ or sunglasses? It was love, love, love at first sight.

As workhorses go, when she travels, I have to carry both Alli’s laptop and her camera stuff. Since she upgraded to the DSLR (fancy pants camera), she struggles keeping it safe and carrying the extra stuff she needs. I meet her needs, with the help of the new camera bag (kind of like Cesar, Esteban’s helper-dude on Weeds). There is also room for the various cords and such required for the technological lifestyle Alli leads.

The new camera bag is an insulated lunch tote made by the fine people of Thermos. Alli found it at Target, after she was drawn in by the pull of the polka dots. Alli’s previous camera bag was also an insulated lunch bag, but it was smaller and did not meet the needs of Alli’s upgraded digital photography lifestyle.

This bag carries all three of Alli’s lenses, the camera body, her external flash, extra battery, remote, and one hood. Alli realizes she doesn’t use all of these items on most outings, but when she travels (like she will be doing in September), she wants to have everything on hand.

It was very nice to meet you. Alli wants everyone to know her previous bag was well loved and is going to a good home. Her needs changed and since she is pregnant, a backpack seemed like a safe, yet stylish option. She is pleased to introduce me to the world and looks forward to carrying me with pride everywhere we go.

Esteban, out.

Technorati Tags: Zappos, Dakine, backpack

Today will be a stay at home day because 1) I over did it yesterday and 2) we are expecting visitors from the lands of UPS, FedEx, and USPS. I guess the USPS people could just drop off whatever in the mailbox, no big deal, it is the UPS and FedEx packages we are really excited about.

FedEx will be delivering our Auburn Football Season Tickets. We would have them already if we had actually been here when FedEx attempted to deliver them yesterday. We are excited to begin this new chapter in our lives, where we don’t just plan our weekends around the television but around car trips to Auburn to see the Tigers play. We won’t be going to all the games (look for those tickets to be on ebay), but we have some fun weekends planned.

And this morning I followed the tracking number for UPS to learn my package from Zappos will be here today! I ordered a new bag for my trip to Orlando next month. I know, I know… another trip for Alli, another bag. A friend of mine actually asked if I got a new bag for each trip I take and really, the answer is no. But since the last time I traveled by myself, my needs have changed and I knew a new bag would be the answer. (More on the actual bag later.)

Later this week I expect Old Navy to be sending some of their minions from the maternity department with some pants and shorts for me.

Waiting at home as never been so much fun!

Technorati Tags: UPS, FedEx, USPS, online shopping, Zappos, bag

I’m not really happy with this picture, but if you saw my other pictures, well, this is the best one.

I need experiment more with my DSLR to get the remote to work on it. I can’t seem to get the self timer to work with the auto focus and it is getting frustrating. And I am so used to my Canon’s flip out LCD screen to help with the framing, I need to just practice more with the DSLR.

I also need to remember to clean my glasses before taking these pictures (I’m amazed I can see), and mop up the oil from my face. Pregnancy is screwing with my face now, which was not a challenge when I was pregnant with Fuller. But then again, someone at church did tell me today I was glowing. I bit my tongue and just told them thanks, but really the glow is coming from the excess oil I seem to be generating.

Any other Self Portraits out there? Head over to Cass’s and see some for yourself!

Technorati Tags: Self Portrait Sunday, digital photography

Yesterday was my first “off” day in some time. I spent the entire day at home, puttering around the house, doing a bit of laundry, resting, and playing with Fuller. And most importantly, I was inside in the comfort of cooler air thanks to the technological wonder of air conditioning.

The result was by the end of the day, my wrist was feeling as if nothing was wrong with it at all! To me, it solidified the theory that heat was causing my pain and I had been overdoing it, especially since I have not been staying inside and being cool.

I still iced my wrist after dinner, since chopping chicken in the warm kitchen seemed to make it throb, but it was nothing like it was on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Damon and Fuller made English Muffin Pizzas because I knew I should just rest and ice my wrist.

Thursday night was nothing like Wednesday night, and I was so happy. I just hope this isn’t temporary. I still slept with my brace on and plan on a light duty day, do cross your fingers and toes any relapse I have isn’t a big deal.

Technorati Tags: pregnancy, carpal tunnel

Yesterday was my second check up of this pregnancy. No big deal. I didn’t even have to get undressed. Unfortunately the baby is still too young to have his/ her heartbeat picked up by the doppler thingy, so I the misfortune turned into fortune where I got another peek at the kiddo. Heart was beating (more like fluttering) on the screen, so all was declared good on the baby front.

On the mother front however… the carpal tunnel I mentioned was back? Well, since it is so early in the pregnancy my doctor said it is probably caused by the heat and could get better before the baby is born. However, if it gets worse I will have to be referred to an orthopedist and I might have to have surgery. This is because of possible muscle damage due to the weakening of the wrist caused by carpal tunnel.

I guess on the one hand (har, har) having carpal tunnel and treating it with a wrist brace for two months is different than having carpal tunnel for five months. More time to do irreparable damage.

So, I’m praying the weather gets cooler and as the temperatures drop, my wrist will quit throbbing. I have five weeks for my wrist to get better or not worse, so I have some other things to try as well. And I need to be better about sleeping with my wrist brace on, which has been a challenge since I seem to take it off sometime in the middle of the night. (Last night I slept on the couch due to other issues, and managed to keep it on.)

Technorati Tags: carpal tunnel, pregnancy