New Camera

I’m very, very embarrassed to admit that since I began developing an interest in photography (an interest which has resulted in a couple decent pictures and thousands of crap ones) I’ve spent quite a bit of money; a trend that I’m keeping up, apparently.

I have a very nice camera already – two in fact.  I have a small collection of lenses and a nice flash…but could I stop and maybe develop my actual skills a little?  At least to keep pace with my equipment?  Now, really – what would be the fun in that?  So last week I decided to dip into my savings (because it’s not like I’m earning any interest recently, I mean really – it’s almost more sensible to spend than it is to save these days…) and buy a new super-duper camera.  So in a couple days I will be the proud new owner of a Nikon D90.  I could really not be more excited.

In my defense, I’ve decided to sell my other two cameras and will be making back over 2/3 of the cost of the new camera, so it’s not really that bad…right??  Hello?

And my final rationalization…who could not want to document these two as well as possible…?

Happily Ever During

Ok, so it’s been a pretty long time since I posted…well, that’s because we had our baby!!  Little girl arrived on 31 January and to everyone’s surprise she was even bigger than her brother - an immense 10lbs 5oz and 21 inches!  Labor was only 3 hours total and because I’d progressed so quickly, I wasn’t even able to get an epidural.  I still can’t get over it.  The experience was just amazing.

Recovery has been fantastic, I’ve been able to breastfeed and best of all – I’m not depressed!!!  It’s such an unbelievable relief that everything is going so much better than expected. 

Bam-Bam is adjusting beautifully.  The first week was a little rough – but now?  He’s becoming such a fantastic big brother.  He kisses his sister, helps us with diaper changes, and always looks for her when he comes into a room.  It’s the sweetest thing to watch.  I can’t wait until she’s more interactive – I think he’ll just love it. 

So here are the requisite photos…more to come soon.

New Photos

I’ve somehow managed to hardly post any photos lately despite the fact that I’ve been taking tons and really working on my skills with the camera and with Photoshop.  I think I’m getting a little better finally!

Here are some recent pics of my favorite boy.

An End to Buying Second-hand for Children

I came across this article today and was shocked to learn of this already passed, soon-to-be-in-effect law:

LA Times – New safety rules for children’s clothes have stores in a fit

 

From what I can tell, this law will ban the resale of used children’s items (including clothing) unless testing to ensure the items are lead- and phthalate-free is done.  I imagine this law will extend to the sale of new items made by craftspeople – cloth diapers, slings, toys, etc.  No more consigning, no more selling on eBay, bye-bye cool handmade baby items on Etsy. 

 

I currently buy, sell, and donate clothing, toys and cloth diapers – on eBay, on Craigslist, yard sales and on Freecycle, etc.  While I’ll hopefully still be able to Freecycle, I’ll no longer be able to buy pre-owned pajamas for my child or cloth diapers handmade by a WAHM.  Aside from the impact on me, on my family and our finances, imagine the impact on the consignment stores, the consignors, the eBayers who resell as a business or for needed extra income…what about those WAHM-businesses?   

 

I do understand and agree that children need and deserve to be protected, but as parents, Anthony and I research items thoroughly prior to purchase, and ultimately we have the final say on what we introduce to our children in our home – new or used, handmade or mass-produced.   I don’t think I’d disagree with this law if it were being introduced differently – but to just suddenly make items unsellable is a bit extreme.  Perhaps if items sold prior to the law introduction date were marked as such so that parents could make their own decision it would ease businesses and consumers into this new mandate.  Over time, all resale items will meet the requirements by default, but a more gradual implementation of the law would certainly make the short term a lot more bearable.  I’m not sure how the homemade impact could be lessened, but I’m certain there must be a way all our favorite craftspeople can continue to sell their wonderful wares. 

 

If this issue has you as worked up as it has me, please write to your congressman and senator.  While the law has already been passed, it can still be amended.

Click here to write to your congressman.

Click here to write to your senator.

24 Days to Go (Plus or Minus), Non-verbal Communication and Buckas

I can’t believe we’re this close to having a family of 4.  Next week is my last full week at work, then hopefully at least a week to rest at home, then Little Girl will make her debut.  It’s getting very exciting.  After a terrible bout of debilitating lower back pain subsided a few weeks ago I’ve been feeling pretty great, so we have the nursery finished, Bam-Bam’s new room pretty much finished and our new room nearly done as well.  We’re getting there!  Now, assuming there’s no depression to deal with this time around things should be really good – right??

Bam-Bam is growing up so fast…in a way it will be nice to have a little baby again.  He’s 17 months old now, and I’m only moderately concerned that he really doesn’t talk yet.  He can say a few things – “all done, mama, dada, nana, no” but other than “all done” he really doesn’t use the other words unless prompted.  Mostly what we get is whining and pointing with emphatic nodding or shaking of the head.  It’s hard not to worry.  I’ve heard that it’s normal – lots of children don’t talk until 18 – 24 months, but Anthony and I were both early talkers so I just always assumed Bam-Bam would be as well.  Ah, the worries of a parent.

Well, so while we’re on the topic – here’s my other recent obsessive concern – the pacifier (or the bucka as we call it – don’t ask).  Bam-Bam really has grown attached to his.  He uses it at night, at naptime and in the car.  We wanted to wean him off it before the baby came, but now that seems kind of unfair – she may very well use one and it doesn’t seem right to take away his main comfort item right when his life is about to undergo a HUGE change.  Kind of like me trying to give up Ambien…so not happening now.  So then there’s part of me that worries that he’ll become so dependent on it that it will be impossible to break the habit (again, thinking of Ambien here).  Or maybe what I hear from other pacifier-parents is true – he’ll give it up when he’s ready and I can count on the fact that it WILL be before college.  Ugh, I just don’t know.  So easy to second-guess every decision. 

Ok, that’s all my rambling for now.  Here’s a picture of Bam-Bam and I from New Year’s Eve – we ate out at a British Pub at the dignified hour of 5pm.  Awesome.  But it was fun…

New Boiler

Well, timing being everything, we finally buckled down and decided to replace our 57 year-old oil boiler for a new energy-efficient model just as home heating oil prices have hit an all-time low.  Figures.  I’m still happy though because:

1. The old boiler was very old.  It weighed over 1,000 pounds and had to be cut into five pieces to be removed.  One of the servicemen told me the cast iron was actually coming apart at the seams and the whole thing could have stopped working any day.
2. The new boiler is MUCH more energy efficient – we’ve noticed a huge difference already in terms of amount of oil used and running time.
3. We have unlimited hot water!  I can finally run a hot bath!
4. The new boiler is 1/4 the size of the old one – we have so much more room in our basement.

So, all in all it was a good and necessary home improvement project.  Not cheap, but worth it.  This house remains a labor of love.

Emerging from the Darkness

So things are looking up.  In truth there probably wasn’t any other place for things to look after that last post, but seriously…things are better.  When I start feeling anxious or frightened, I run through the list of things we’re doing differently this time – and all the contingencies we have in place.  Please indulge me:

• I will not return to work until mid-June.  Last time I worked PT from home starting when Bam-Bam was 6 weeks old
• Anthony will be home with us for 1 month
• Bam-Bam will remain in daycare, at least PT
• If breastfeeding doesn’t work, we’re moving to formula without worry or guilt – and I won’t pump every 2 hours
• I’ve started anti-depressants already at a sub-therapeutic dosage which will be increased as needed after the baby comes
• I’ve met a few times with a psychologist to help me keep things in perspective and focus on coping mechanisms – I will continue to see her after the baby comes as needed
• I’ve saved up some money so I’ll have a little to spend on going out for lunch/coffee after the baby comes – especially important to me since I won’t be bringing in any income during that time and I think I’ll need to get out of the house in order to avoid depression

I think that’s about it.  I have a lot of support lined up and many “weapons” in my anti-depression arsenal.  Also, I know better what to expect this time in terms of caring for a newborn.  I think it’s going to be ok.  I’m even starting to feel a little excited to meet this little girl. 

Hopefully all of these precautions will prove unnecessary and on my more optimistic days I think this is perfectly reasonable hope. 

Ok, so on to Bam-Bam.  He’s freaking cute.  On the brink of using words, so expressive in every other way, running around the house giving hugs to us and to his stuffed animals, sorting, stacking, thinking – all the time.  It’s a magical age and I love watching him (and he loves being watched).  

Although he remains completely un-camera-friendly, I did manage a couple cute photos for our Christmas card: