Babbling

My Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor and acupuncturist said to me a couple weeks ago, "You have beautiful hair. You know in Chinese medicine it is believed that it takes lots of blood to keep long hair looking nice." I have a bit of a blood deficiency issue something my previous acupuncturist mentioned many times (he had me eating octopus and wanted me to eat more red meat, and no popcorn or other drying things.) I'd been thinking about cutting my hair for a couple of weeks, but getting my period Thursday and it being very manageable blood wise was the signal to go for it. I emailed Wendy on Friday and got a Saturday appointment.

Friday I took photos of the long hair. You can't tell but the longest parts of the heavily layered hair went to the middle of my back. Oh, and I hadn't washed my hair with shampoo in at least a week. It was wet down perhaps three days before these photos Friday night so the curls were pretty loose.

Saturday while T napped I headed out. I had sort of warned B that I was cutting it short, but hadn't shared with him the photo I'd sent Wendy (any local folks want a referral to Great stylist let me know.) It's perhaps a good thing I wore my glasses to the cut so I couldn't really tell all that was going on (remember I can only see the big E on the eye chart w/o my glasses) other than tons of hair hitting the floor...

It was really swinggy Saturday fresh from the wash and fabulous product and blow out. Sunday, after my shower and the ends getting wet, it is less swingy having picked up a bit more moisture. T and I got into a 'thing' on the way to church and he demanded that I made my hair straight again. I shot back he would need to learn how to use a hair dryer and round brush or get used to it. Funny the things he picks up on to try and get his way when he is feeling out of control. Anyway, the cut is cute and a big change. It is a little wedged in back so that my hand goes 'shwoop' right off the hair when I pull on it. If you have ever gone form long to short hair you'll understand the feeling of your hands leaving hair where there used to be some.

Here's hoping I get more blood out of this, but if not it is still cute. Good reactions from folks so far.

Oh, and not that you can tell much from this photo, but I cut T's hair too.

Halloween used to be a big deal in my company. A young software company we used to have lots of parties, cake and ice cream once a month to celebrate birthdays, ultimate Frisbee Thursdays, etc. A couple things happened. People got older and more have kids = less time for Frisbee. We didn't get the new product out early enough and started bleeding money so we were purchased. Our new company (complete merger and loss of our name sure to come in January) is a little less 'free' with the parties. So along with open email, "no" all office emails, no announcements of when people leave etc, no one is dressed today.

There has been a sign in the break room announcing the countdown to Halloween (written backwards) which lead me to believe it would be a underground thing. I guess it is so underground that you can't tell... Could be that since we have clients in until 1pm the freaks will come out later, but we'll see.

Just in case, I have two ideas I can do pretty quickly; one suggested by my friend Melanie, one I read on a blog (can't remember or I would totally give credit - I think it was actually a comment on a blog.) The blog suggestion: Ceiling fan = word ceiling on chest, wave pom-poms. I have to make the pom-poms, but I have a couple of plastic bags I can cut into strips and tape to a pencil. The other idea is to be Julia Child. I wore a button down and have the sleeves rolled up. I wore more conservative jewelry (couldn't find my button clip on earrings) of gold 'bamboo' hoops and gold chain necklace wrapped three times around my neck.I brought a wine glass, a wooden spoon, one of my aprons, and my Julia's Kitchen Wisdom book. My hair is totally wrong and I'm not sure I can do the voice, but maybe I can just smile and drink 'wine'.

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Apparently there are six of us... I'm now wearing my apron and have my 'wine' - Bon Apetit!

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Listening to this and this and more on my Pandora Station http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmYT79tPvLg

"Did you ever get the feeling there is a ZAMP in the LAMP? ... or a WOSEST in the CLOSET?"

We've been reading the short version of Dr Suesse's There's a WOCKET in my POCKET for well over a year. T's reaction to it has been mixed over the months. We recently started reading it again and he has lots and lots of questions about it. Where before he always wanted to turn the book upside down so he could get a better look at the treat eating GEILING on the CEILING, he now asks why, Why, WHY?

And he's become fixated on the Woset. "What's that mommy? Is there a woset in my closet? How big is a woset? What does a woset eat? Why isnt there a woset in my closet? Why is it pretend? Why?"

Tonight, after lights out T asked B for a story about a woset. B didn't know T is a little afraid of the woset. He told the story letting T direct it ("and then they heard a rustling in the bushes!"). After some time, after the story was over, T got frightened. He was worried the woset might exit the clost.

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Here is a little project to do with T long before bedtime from Make and Takes.

Some of the perks at my company are free drinks (sodas, juices, coffee, tea, hot chocolate) and microwave popcorn. I love popcorn and I have much enjoyed being able to have a healthy snack in the afternoon or to supplement a less filling lunch. Over a month ago I decided I was eating too much of it and should cut down. I have done well but today I wanted something to munch... I 'made' a bag and was heading back to my desk when I spied a highlighted article torn from Prevention magazine: 7 foods that should never cross your lips that someone had left on the break room counter.

Highlight number one... microwave popcorn. Apparently chemicals in the lining of the bag can cause infertility in humans. Great. Just great. I left my bag on the counter.

From Other

• Crunchy pumpkin pie from BabyFit - I think this crust could be good with apple pie too.
• Also from BabyFit, when I start packing lunches for T, healthy lunches.
  
• Handmade instruments from About.com Family Crafts: towel roll handbell, Rice-a-raca, paperplate tambourine, 9 easy instruments, bottle cap rattle.
• Three from Prevention: Surprising Signs You'll Live to 100 (actually MSN), 25 Ridiculously Healthy Foods, Foods That Boost Brain Power
  

From Cool Mom Picks

• I don't know why, but it never occurred to me that there might be BPA in T's toothbrush! Uhg! Idea and links here.
• Create online books with illustrations from real illustrators/artists - just add the story line.
• Honey Dumplings buckwheat baby mat and toddler pillow
  

Ohdeedoh, Apartment Therapy

• Five must haves in a toddler room
• Tada Shop interview with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan about managing kids stuff/clutter
  
• Invisable lollipops from MS
• Pretty Dreamer Etsy shop for Waldorf style toys - wood and cloth
• Another blog to add to my inspiration for life with children - The Artful Parent. Read interview here.
• Very exciting post with preschool peer interaction book recommendations.
  
• Inspiration room from 1935 or so.
• Make a mobile with an embroidery hoop, paper, bakers twine, and glue.
• Make a tent - use the photo for inspiration as there isn't any further usable information.
• B is for baking gift idea from a.korn art.
  
• Whole Family Gift Suggestions
• I love this idea - shared digital photo frames can connect families across miles (from Portland Smiles)
  
• Animal lamps
• Danish house and Opra article to read
  

From Craftzine

• Heather Bailey is having some Halloween fun! She posted a bat sock doll pattern that is quite cute.
• Halloween goodies - costumes crafts etc - on The Long Thread
• SS Grover hand-puppet from Make and Takes
• DudeCraft
  

We didn't get a three year four month photo, but you can enjoy the ones below. Saturday we went to the zoo, Sunday we went to a parade. Fun inbetween as well.

I'm going through gum withdrawal. I just ate some microwave popcorn and would love to follow it up with some breath cleaning chewing. I finished my last pack of gum earlier in the week and am going to try and go gum free. Imagine, I could actually use the toothbrush and  toothpaste I keep in my desk drawer! Novel idea! Gum is so much easier, but I was eating too much of it, and it is one of several differences in my life now from when I got pregnant with T. Forget working, stress, lack of sleep, a kid... it's the gum that is the problem!

Last night T pooped in his sleep again. I went in to check on him before I climbed in bed and his room smelled. B confirmed he thought T had pooped when he went in to check. This was our topic of conversation as the lights went out: T's poop. How romantic! I was wearing big fuzzy socks and a 'sweater' on top of my somewhat sexy nightgown. It made me question any baby success; poop and sweaters before 'cuddling'.

I was thinking too about how the last bunch of times I have ovulated my breasts are very tender - so much so that I have to adjust T on my lap when we sit and read. I have also been feeling quite crampy and somewhat 'fragile' like a I do before a heavy period. Those feelings, and bloating gas, where no more conducive to baby making than the fuzzy socks and poop talk.

None-the-less I'm trying to visualize a happy sperm and a happy egg meeting and 'getting along.' I'm also trying to visualize a nice uterine wall lining so very inviting and lovely looking to a little blastocyst ball. Additionally, I am trying to be very inviting to any baby soals that might be hanging around looking for a home. We have a good one, not perfect, but much better than some alternatives!

'Baby 2010' is in full swing. A July baby seems just fine.