The Cottage on the Hill

I am a desperate housewife. I'm a housewife who's desperate to get her gardens in! Right now, my garden is covered in yard debris that needs to be burned. However, there's been a burn ban. When it rains, by the time the pile is dry, the burn ban is back in place! Sheesh.....it's early to get the full garden in, but I could at least start peas and spinach. Bubby made it healthfully to a month old, and he's made it to his due date! Now I can stop treating him like a preterm and start treating him like a newborn. He's taken to it wonderfully. :) I am eager to get him in his nursery, though. Speaking of which, my brother will be moving out in a couple of weeks. Hubby and I hate to see him go, but he'll be done with his semester at college. Hubby wishes we could afford to put the second storey on the house now so my brother can move back in August. I wish the same thing, but we simply don't have enough equity in the house yet. There's a water...

During my pregnancy, I remember hearing horror stories of new moms going for days without showers, never getting their make-up on, wearing the same pjs all day for days straight, etc. I even have first hand experience in dropping by a new mom's house and her answering the door in her bathrobe, hair a mess and face unwashed at 2 in the afternoon. I really hoped I wasn't one of those. Thankfully, I've been able to instill this part of the routine with my son. After his morning feeding and diaper change, I put him in his carseat and set him in the bathroom. He fusses a little, but the white noise of the bathroom fan and the shower going quickly calms him. He falls asleep on his own while I shower. Also, I've been blessed with a bathroom that has a large vanity. On one side of the sink, I cleared a space and turned it into a changing table. It's great because Bubby likes to look in the mirror, and I have easy access to the sink. He fusses less when I clean him ...

It's amazing how many mothering skills do not just come naturally, but are actually learned. Perhaps that's why they're skills. I sometimes wish I were like animals and had great instincts. I bet I do anyway, I just don't realize it. There are too many outside factors that cause me to self-doubt. Anyhow, there is one skill that I am naturally good at. I realized it yesterday. It's butt sniffing. Without even thinking, many times I hoist my son up in the air, put nose to bum and inhale in search of those telltale odors.

Bubby is 4 weeks old today, 28 days. They're right. Time does fly! As for the colic, I'm still not so sure it's actually COLIC colic. Yesterday, I followed Tracy Hogg's (Baby Whisperer) advice and followed the EASY system. Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time. I also followed the Bubby's cues and a few other tidbits of advice and we both did MUCH better. He had regular intervals of sleep, adequate active time, and at night, he slept in two 2-hour blocks and then a 2 1/2 hour block. The only major screaming was from 2 to 3 in the morning, and that was solved by playing his nature sounds CD and rocking him in his carseat. He's still a gassy baby, hence why I think he prefers his carseat. It's more comfortable for him to be upright. Not much for cleaning today. I have a dentist appointment. My wisdom teeth need to come out, so they're starting the preliminaries for that; x-rays and the like. I hope they can get them out soon. I'm in pain!

Colic has struck Taigh Beag. I only got the fixtures and mirror done in the bathroom yesterday. Oh, and I did manage to tidy the enclosed porch. Bubby was up for 7 hours screaming and crying. Nothing I did could soothe him, the poor dear. Thankfully, we're seeing the doctor on Friday, but I have a good idea what he's going to say: "Welcome to colic." I'm not sure I believe in colic in that people say it's just a phase baby's go through, but it is clear to me that Bubby's little tummy is gassy and uncomfortable for him and that in turn makes him upset. Gas drops don't help much. I HAVE to get sewing done, so my mother is coming over this afternoon to lend a hand with tidying up. As for the no dairy, I did well yesterday. For dinner, I sauteed chicken, green pepper, tomato, spinach and garlic and served it over plain egg noodles. The fellows got a chicken and rice bake, cottage cheese and leftover baked beans.

Yesterday, I started Spring Cleaning. I started work on the bathroom. I scrubbed the tub and shower and I cleaned out and reorganized the drawers to the vanity. I tossed out almost all of my scented body lotions and some old make-up. Not only weren't I using them, but being more than a year old, there was a chance for them to be rancid. For the tub and shower, I splurged and bought Kaboom Ultra Scrub. It was on sale for $2.99. I'm so glad I did because it actually worked on that old, caked on soap scum!! And the best is it's non-toxic. I was supposed to clean the light fixtures, too, but I had a colicky infant to deal with. ladyscott

Last night Bubby unmistakably had colic, so I've been frantically doing research on colic. The internet isn't much help, really. Everyone has an answer, but they don't all match. However, the most oft repeated colic remedy is "eliminate dairy." (Only one website suggested that dairy isn't the culprit because milk is produced from mother's blood, not mother's digestion). So, as of today I'm eliminating dairy. I cut back on dairy before. Well, I cut out most cheeses. This helped, but he's still gassy and last night he was horribly gassy. I thought there was no way I was going to sacrifice my milk intake. I love milk. I just bought a gallon of skim, two bags of cereal, cottage cheese, and cheesecake snack bars. Not to mention I planned a pasta bake and a calzone for dinners during the week. Then, I looked at my screaming son in my husband's arms, and I knew that cutting out dairy was a small price to pay for my son's comfort an...

Christ the Lord is Risen today, Hallelujah!! Happy Ressurection Sunday! Remember to thank Jesus for dying for our sins!

I re-read my previous post. It is now 8 am and yes, God did grant me sleep, just as His Word says! Despite Bubby only sleeping in 2 hour blocks and wanting to party for 2 1/2 hours in the middle of the night, overall, I got somewhere between 5 and 7 hours of sleep. That's pretty good for a mother of a 3 week old! Thank you, Jesus! Bubby doesn't find it humorous, though. He's the one dealing with gas, the poor thing.

127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. It's funny how God granting sleep and verses on the blessings of having children are together in this Psalm. Unfortunatly, my sense of humor is greatly diminished as it is noe 12:30 am and I've been up with my confused son for the past 2 hours. He still thinks night is day, even though he's up more during the day and I try to keep him up during the day rather than sleep it through.

I'm unloading 2 ways: Spring cleaning and losing my baby weight. Spring Cleaning: I can tell this is going to be hard with a newborn. I'm used to doing things when I want to. Now, I have to work around my sweet son. So, rather than keep my expectations high and get it all done at once, I'm going to space out my spring cleaning. Also, some rooms will wait until my brother moves out because they contain baby stuff that'll go in the nursery once it's finished. I'll post my room by room, project by project progress on this blog. :) Weight Loss: When I got pregnant, I was 130 lbs and attempting to drop a few. When I gave birth, I was 160 lbs. 2 weeks after giving birth, I weighed in at 144 lbs. My goal then was to drop 20 lbs. So far, I've dropped 2! I'm happy because I've been able to go for walks, though it's still too early to start a regular exercise regime. I haven't had my 6 week check-up yet. I do have a weakness, though. I...

Bubby's cord stump fell out last night! Now, he has the cutest belly button!

Hubby and I are switching.....where we sleep that is. Due to hubby's highly physically and mentally demanding job, I have round the clock baby care. He does not have to wake up in the wee hours to take care of Bubby. Besides, he can't breast feed anyway. :) When people scoff at this, I tell them I'd rather be tired than have a dead husband. He really needs his sleep. Besides, I can sleep during the day. Thankfully, I'm one of those people who can sleep just about any time just about anywhere. Especially now. When Bubby came home from the hospital, hubby graciously let us have the master bedroom. We live in a 2 bedroom house. What is going to be Bubby's nursery is currently occupied by my brother who's staying here until he finishes college in May. Hubby slept in the living room. After two weeks of this, I can see the toll it's taking on my husband. He's tired, sore and sorely misses sharing our bed. I also have a problem with staying awake i...

Thursday, March 23rd at 2 in the morning, I awoke to wetting my underwear. I quickly got out of bed and went to the toilet. Something told me it wasn't urine. When it just kept coming and coming, I knew my water had broken. But I was confused. I'm early and I wasn't having any contractions at all. So, in between changing pads, I poured over my pregnancy books. They all came to the same conclusion. If your water breaks before 37 weeks, get thee to a hospital! (I had every intention on staying home until labor got more progressive). So, I called the doctor. He told me to get to my birthing hospital. By this time, it was 3 am and I was having menstrual-like cramps, but nothing that really hurt. I woke up hubby and told him I had to go to the hospital. He seemed a little miffed and figured it was a false alarm. I kept telling him that when the water breaks, it is no false alarm. Baby's coming! He kept insisting my water didn't break and that I wasn't...

Donald E. Born March 23, 2006 at 35 weeks. 5lbs 7oz 17 1/2" long. Looks just like his daddy, but has mommy's eyes, hands, fingers and toes. My labor was natural and lasted 7 hours from start to finish! Praise God!

Oh what fun! Last weekend the local Catholic school held an indoor tag sale! The place was milling with people, but I managed to get some neat things: a little red old-fashioned-type baby piano for the baby's room a copper gelatin mold a box of stationary two sets of brand new baby shower thank you cards a really cute silk blend mint colored cardigan with embroidered flowers on it a Fannie Farmer cookbook two old text books (New York State Second Year Arithmetic and Business Arithmetic) I spent $8.25 (the little piano was $5.00) ladyscott

March 20th! Spring is officially here at 1:26 pm EST! I'm so glad, even if it is only 25 degrees F out today. The sun is out, so I'm happy. There's a song my hubby and I listen to whenever we need a boost, especially during the cabin fever days of late winter. It's from the celtic band Runrig: Maymorning I'm alive again on a Maymorning Going to wipe the slate clean Follow my dreams All the yearning buds are here again With the the promise of a new life to come Spring is here again The sun is melting over the hills All our roads are waitingTo be revealed For this in day history has brought us to here Now it's all there for the taking The day is what you see The light's returning, the work is in hand All the cynics have vanished From where we stand All the chances wasted are drawing me near And all around there's new life rising From the winter fields I'm alive again I'm alive again Of course, this about a May morning, not March. Spring we...

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and there's hardly any snow on the ground. It looks like a lovely early spring day. Just open the door, though and you'll realize it's still winter. My neighbor's daughters looked like they were going on a polar expedition while waiting for the bus. I did see my first robin of spring last Sunday, though. Unfortunately, it was dead in the road! If I believed in omens, I'd take that as one! LOL I am 5 weeks, 6 days from my due date! Pregnancy is becoming quite cumbersome, but I have good days and bad days. It is nice to have the excuse to rest when I please, but I don't like to abuse the privaledge. My greatest desire to is putter in the yard, but not in this frigid weather! Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those who observe! Hubby and I are having bangers and mash for dinner. The corned beef is too expensive this year. We're not Irish, though. He's Scottish and Italian. I'm German, Polish, and Wels...

After succumbing to some bad eating habits these past few days, and feeling achy from the pregnancy weight I've gained, and reading magazine after magazine concerning health and nutrition, food has been on my mind. I keep reading about portion control and the appropriate number of calories certain people need to take in. Apparently, America eats too much (as if that's not obvious already). Our portions are huge! I rarely can finish a meal at a restaurant, and when I do, everyone's thrilled. But, if you think about it, I just ate a meal for 3 adults! No wonder America's fat! Thankfully, I've never been overweight. Underweight, yes. Overweight, no. Sooo....I've been reading up on what serving sizes and portions are and I'm shocked at how little they are!! I think, how can anyone feel full on that?! So, I decided to take on a challenge (I'll talk about it later in the post). Can I cut my portions into individual serving sizes and still feel full?...

I have to laugh at my mixed emotions. I'm so blessed and prayers have been answered in my life, yet at the time same time I'm a bit grumpy. I'm thankful for the blessings, but there's a few things going on that have me a little perterbed. My car breaking is one of them. The bathroom door broke and it's causing hubby a great headache. The weather is turning colder. My knee is killing me and the rest of my body is helping it along. I can't sleep in bed anymore. It's too uncomfortable. Mud season has started, so I can't keep the floors clean. I'm super clumsy and keep dropping things, but I can barely get down to pick them up again..... But it's funny that one thing falls on top of the other.....it's like the fellow who stubs his toe and gets so mad at it he hits the wall. That causes the wall to break and his knuckles to throb. While fixing the wall, he splots putty on the carpet that causes his wife to grump about it which gets him...