Reflux Sux
I love this picture of the Hutt man. I love it because It’s one of a few pictures we have where he’s almost smiling. Why doesn’t he smile a lot, you ask? Because reflux and RSV and whatever viral complication from RSV he currently has. This is how he’s looked for about 70% of his life so far. It’s really sad, I know. Between normal reflux and exacerbated reflux from the 2 viruses (thank you, kids at Beckett’s preschool), his 9 week existence on planet earth has been a rough one so far. He eats, he spits up by the bucketful, he cries. Repeat. Sometimes he naps restlessly in-between. A…
the danger of #selfies
#SELFIE, by The Chainsmokers. It’s currently #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. Have you heard this song? If you haven’t, we’ll get to it in a minute. It makes sense that a song with that title would be popular, right? Selfies are all the rage. (They’re also the bane of my existence, but that’s neither here nor there.) In case you’re already lost, let me define via Wikipedia: “A selfie is a type of self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone.” Teens love selfies. A lot. As in, when I searched Instagram for the hashtag #selfie just now, this is what I saw. 89,816,587 photos…
On being a Stay-at-Home Mom
I go to brush my teeth this morning and have to move fake celery out of the sink first. I would’ve moved the cars, but they and their toddler driver shower with me 9 out of 10 mornings anyway, so I just scoot them aside for later. After showering, I walk into the living room. We’ve been awake for 30 seconds and it is already covered in miscellaneous toys. I turn on Daniel Tiger so I can make breakfast. You can’t even tell what’s happening on the screen because of the greasy hand prints everywhere. Unbeknownst to my 2 year old, the television is not touchscreen. It’s 7:15am. Too early…
“We’re…adjusting.”
A conversation the other day after work: Taylor: *points at Beckett* Are those the same pajamas fr– Me: Are those the same pajamas from when? Taylor: …uhhhhh…. Me: Go ahead. Ask it. Are they the same pajamas from…this morning? Is that what you’d like to know? Taylor: …uhhhhh…I was just…uhhh…because if they’re new for bedtime I won’t…uhh…. Me: They are. Mine are different, but his are the same. Any other questions? Taylor: Nope. I wouldn’t wish a postpartum wife on anyone. In other news, I posted this on Facebook the other day: Aside from the obvious of keeping our second son alive and well for a whole month now, having…
Hutton and the Drive-Thru Delivery
“I feel like we just went through the hospital drive-thru. We drove up, they handed us a baby, and that was that.” – Taylor, moments after the birth of our son. I don’t want to say my boys have the best timing ever, but son #1 had a seizure in an urgent care waiting room, and son #2 decided to start the labor process just a few hours after my parents drove into town last week. So, basically, my boys have the best timing ever. Last Friday morning, I had my first “yep, this might be it” contraction in the bread aisle at Kroger. Instead of sitting at home waiting…
Early Labor Signs & Water Buffalos
I’m almost to full panic mode. I asked Taylor if we could skip church last Sunday because I was “uncomfortable”. We went on a family walk to get donuts instead. That always makes me more comfortable. There just comes a point in pregnancy where maternity clothes stop fitting, putting on underwear (let alone pants) causes searing pain, and questions about your impending labor make you twitch. I have reached such a point. Early Labor Signs Daily – nay, multiple times a day – when I’m feeling extra claustrophobic, I Google signs of early labor. If you could see my history, you’d never speak to me again. It’s included searches like…
Subway Truths & Other “I seriously just said that” Toddler Moments
I picked the worst table at Subway yesterday. We ended up at the one sitting pretty much in the middle of the restaurant. The people waiting to order are standing so close the table you’re nervous about elbowing them as you dive into your footlong meatball sub. So when Beckett piped up in that little high-pitched voice that carries as well as his momma’s, everyone within 10 feet could hear. He looked at something, pointed, and yelled, “MOMMY – WHY THAT MAN COLORED LIKE DAT?” (And for the record he didn’t say “dat”. He named an animal of the same coloring that I refuse to type out. It still makes…
The Boys’ New Digs: Transportation & Giraffes
We’ve been occupying our new house for 1 month now. And before any of you make that really cute statement about “Ohhh welcome to home ownership…” followed by a wink, save your breath. We’ve already had an appliance repair man fix our dryer for a small fee of a few hundred dollars. Ridic. Transportation One of the first rooms I wanted to have completely ready in the new house was the B man’s. Hutton won’t know the difference between sleeping in a laundry basket in the closet vs. sleeping in a fully-furnished nursery, so I wasn’t *quite* as concerned about getting his room done. We at the Brooks household have…
Showering Hut with Brunches & 7th Graders
Pregnancy, week 37: A man tried to start a conversation with me recently with, “My daughter has the same thing you do.” (“Thing”, I think, being the miracle of life growing within my womb. I believe this is commonly referred to as “pregnancy”.) Another lady let me skip ahead of everyone in a bathroom. She said, “The handicap stall is open. You can use that one because of your handicap.” And then the old man at church who looked at my belly and said, “How are those twins doin?!” So. Don’t ask me how I’m feeling, but rather ask me if I need help dumping any bodies. Brunch Style A…
Girls Gone Social: the struggle is real.
Friend: “Where’s your new house exactly?” Me: “It’s just right off of…uh…that one road….uh….{yells across the room} HEY TAYLOR – WHERE DO WE LIVE AGAIN?” This is the mental capacity I’m working with these days. Moment of silence for the moms of daughters I get to chat with tonight about social media. I fear it’s going to be rough for them. But since I do get to chat with them, I’ve been pondering what to share. I love talking to parents about social media, but I really love talking to parents of daughters. Girls have a unique set of struggles online. As of this moment on January 9th, 2014, here…
