.:Buddha:Belle:.

Cast me in FRIENDS please!

2008-07-07T10:47:00.003-05:00

I'm going to admit here that I don't have the greatest luck in finding friends. I mean I have had some great people come into my life but somehow it always ends up that we both move away, lose touch, etc. I think I'm a pretty ok gal who's a good listener, honest opinion giver when asked, will help you out if you need it, will help you finish that bottle of wine :), and help you beat up that guy who hurt your feelings...so what the hell is the problem???

First of all, the thing I'm learning lately is that the friends you have and make are most of the time circumstantial. Obviously, you don't go out seeking them high and low with a sign on your forehead...they just kinda come into your life. Think about how many of your friends are from work or school...circumstance, no? Then, there are my friendships I developed because we have mommyhood in common. When I was single and mingling, I had my "party" friends because we had that in common...well, because we were all going out trying to get some action (not that kind...), I mean just some young girl fun, you know?

Well...when that circumstance fades...I find so do your friendships..unless they're really strong. I've graduated, so my college friends all have moved on to grad school or jobs, and now they have different friends. I'm not working, so the work friends I had probably forgot what I look like. Not everyone will have a baby at the same time you do, so I have maybe like 2 friends with children who just so happen to live hundreds of miles away. Forget trying to make mom friends at the park...they're already there with their OTHER mom friends having fun ignoring you while you repeatedly ask your non-speaking child, "Do you like to swing?" about 30 times just for some background noise.

Where are my Sex & the City friends?? Or even Rachel, Joey, Chandler...you know? Why don't they have shows about people who have NO best girl-friend, and best gay guy friend....oh yea...because it would be boring.

Now that I'm married, it seems that the most appropriate thing is if we have other "couple" friends, maybe married or serious. If +kid, then even more perfect. People make most out of a friendship if they have more in common. Because as much as I would love to, I can't drive 3 hours on a Saturday to ride around in a boat in 100 degree heat and then 4 hours back, to Chicago's nightlife to party...I'm a mother now (this one girl doesn't seem to understand that!)

So imagine how excited I was that we made some new friends this weekend...a couple! And both of them nice and from Mongolia too. They, too, were bored out of their minds living in this boring (read family-friendly) suburban town of ours, so we were all in the same boat - in the words of Jerry Maguire, we completed each other hahaha. Hope they don't find this blog and figure out how desperate I am....HEY! You would be too if you spend each and every single day for a whole YEAR being a stay-at-home mom!

I Heart Fireworks :)

2008-07-04T01:57:00.001-05:00

HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Stay safe, baby

2008-07-03T14:29:00.004-05:00

I've decided to institute a weekly feature here at Buddha Belle called "My Dear LC". As you guys know, LC is my daughter, and I've thought of this because I want to tell her so many things. Maybe she won't understand me right now or my notes are too far ahead in her time...but still I'd like to write them down. It's just me writing a letter to her about various things I've learned or experienced in my life. I hope you guys enjoy and add in your comments or even suggest on topics I can write about. Thank you!

"The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot."
~ Mark Twain ~

I was always afraid of ghosts when I was little (ok, even now) but my mother always told me not to be afraid because the dead can't hurt you, it's the living I need to be worried about. And she was absolutely right. When I was about 16, one night I went walking to my aunt's house who lived not too far away to get something from her. It was pretty late. Our neighborhood has always been considered very safe and besides I was a big girl, I could handle myself.

On the way back home, I noticed a man watching me intently on the other side of the street. It was a T cross and I was walking right towards him. My alerts went up and I turned right as I reached the corner. If he started walking towards me, I knew what that meant. He crossed the street towards me and as soon as he did, I crossed to the other side. His pace quickened and he came after me growling, "hey! hey!" I started running and he came up behind me and almost grabbed my hand. My adrenaline rushed in, scared for my life and all the prospects of just what could happen right then....just in time I saw some people coming out of a parking garage and screamed as loud as I could, HELP!!!

This scared the guy off and he quickly ran away. And I just kept running and running until I reached our apartment door...I had never been more scared in my life. I was always the kind of person that when I'm scared, I'm SO overwhelmed I can't scream out...I would just freeze. Glad I found my voice that day.

Women are preyed upon by many ways, LC. We are such vulnerable creatures in the physical sort of way that we can be hurt and abused because we ARE women. You have to be brave, smart, AND be alert of your surroundings at all times. I was dumb to put myself in a situation like that - going out by myself at night. Now I know better.

So many times parents are worried what kind of people their children will be, how others will influence them, what they will accomplish, etc. But the truth is, all we care about is that you're safe, happy, and loved...the rest will happen on its own.

Mr. BuddhaBelle asks...

2008-07-02T15:19:00.002-05:00

Do you see this poll to the right? Go ahead and pick an answer so we can amuse my husband...LOL, this was a big discussion yesterday (yea we are that deep!), poll closes on 7/9.

I'm spending today just surfing through my fave blogs catching up on what other mamas and dads have been up to. Check out my blogroll to surf with me.

On another note, there's an election going on in my country...well yesterday there have been huge riots and burning of buildings that Mongolia has declared a state of emergency. I've been on the phone with my family, worried about my mom because she's been volunteering for one of the campaigns, maybe you've seen it on CNN?

I really hope everything will get better...

Am I "slim"....yet???

2008-07-01T14:49:00.002-05:00

If you knew me personally, you'd soon figure out I'm a little bit lazy. Not a good beginning? Ok, I know I know...it's officially over, June that is, and it's been four weeks since my grand announcement of Slim in 6 (need a catch-up? read HERE) Well, the six weeks is gonna have to become more like 7.5 because I've had some drawbacks-->

I was really enthusiastic in the beginning and was staying on track, until I realized that the pounds just weren't coming off. After much sweating and cursing, I had only lost 2 pounds. So I was repeatedly giving Mady the finger!!! Lack of progress is SUCH a turn-off, I tell ya.
Remember the damn chipmunk? Well that was couple days of missing work-outs because in now way in hell am I going to be doing floor exercises when the pest can jump on me!
My monthly "friend" made an impromptu appearance after going AWOL for 10 months plus 9 of the pregnancy...so that was very sudden and not friendly to my attitude (or my body) at all. And plus I get super hungry when that happens...blah blah blah
Finally, with no more excuses, I was just plain hungry AND lazy, I mean working out for an hour everyday is very time consuming and sometimes with a little baby around, I just can't get to it.

There's 100% proof that counting calories will shed the pounds. Lazy + counting calories = not a good combo. I always thought how the hell am I gonna spend all that extra time measuring, weighing, journaling...plus I'm mathematically challenged so I must use a calculator before eating anything. Well I had to finally decide: Do I hate counting calories more OR do I hate jiggling while walking?

The answer should be obvious.

So that's why I've started counting calories. It's not that easy and takes time getting used to, but I've already lost a pound without much effort. Combined with work-outs, the sky is the limit. Those of you who have been looking forward to my embarrassing before and after pictures (hopefully you forgot already), they shall be unveiled mid-July. AAAH! I better transform into a super-model by then....furious nail biting ensues.

Would you "borrow" your baby?

2008-06-30T15:34:00.004-05:00

Being a stay-at-home mom some of my favorite activities include eating, napping (if I'm lucky), blogging, wondering what to do, OF COURSE cleaning and cooking...hear the smirk?...and last, but certainly not least, watching some good old cable.

Well, last week after screaming at the Deal or No Deal contestant to take the money and go home, a pretty interesting show came on called the Baby Borrowers. It's about some teenagers in a 'social experiment' to fast-track into parenthood and real life. They had to set up house, get a job, take care of a baby, toddler, teen, and then elders all in a time frame of three weeks. Last week was the first episode and they had to take care of a baby....someone else's baby.

At this point I'm thinking...you won't pay me enough money to have some high schooler watch my little one! Well some parents volunteered because they want to show these teens that having a baby is no easy feat. They're freaking right!!!

Example: one couple has this little baby (sorry, details miss me) and they're trying to feed him but the baby is cranky and refuses. The moron girl then gets very frustrated and says, "FINE, then starve". At this moment, of course being the emotionally unstable person I am, I'm walking over to the television half-expecting it to transport me there so I can kick her fugly ass. The real mother of the baby who's watching from nearby on camera, immediately marches over and scolds her. Good for her...at which point that girl gives her major attitude and refuses to even associate with the baby. Then the boy, who is her "spouse" on the show, becomes the sole caregiver while the attitude girl becomes the breadwinner and goes to work.

Anyway, if this sounds interesting, you can check it out. It's on Wednesday nights on NBC, I'm interested to see what happens.

Hey, but if you don't have time to watch TV, no worries. I will watch it FOR you!

Kel's Birth Story

2008-06-29T22:53:00.004-05:00

Kel is someone I would love to hang out with, grab a drink together, and chat away the night... but until then, there is Cafe Kel. I absolutely love her writing, because she discusses many honest and thought-provoking topics. Did I mention she's going to run a marathon in December??? For now, she's here closing off Birth Story Week for us, so I'd like to thank Kel and everybody else who took the time and submitted all their wonderful stories!

May 7, 2002

My first daughter arrived the morning of May 7 about 7 minutes after we got started - this however wasn't the first time we thought we would get to meet her. About 18 weeks into my pregnancy, my doctor told me I had a 'low placenta,' but "not to worry," he was sure it would go away as I got bigger. HA! Two weeks later I was getting ready one morning and noticed blood...I went to the emergency room at which time I was asked if I knew I was having contractions about 2-3 minutes apart. Um, no...I didn't know what that was - this was my first baby, was I supposed to know these things??

One day in the hospital turned into 14 (they couldn't stop the labor) and during that time, I was transferred to a different hospital. After two weeks of continuous labor (I still wasn't dilated) they agreed to let me go but restricted me to bed rest. Because I was away from home (and active duty military) at the time, they moved me to a house about a block from the hospital and required me to remain there until she was born.

Each week was critical - one week more was another week knowing she would be that much healthier when she was born. No one expected me to go as long as I did, but we waited it out. I made it to 36 weeks when the doctor announced it was time and I couldn't wait anymore. I had been diagnosed with Placenta Previa and couldn't deliver because my placenta was too low. If we waited any longer we would risk me dilating and then both my baby and myself would be in danger. The following morning I arrived at the hospital, got hooked up to the monitors (she was doing great), got situated with my IV and then was wheeled into the coldest, most sterile room imaginable. The anesthesiologist proceeded to give me a spinal (numb me from about chest down) so the doctor could do my c-section.

It was all kind of a whirlwind after that point. Immediately following, they grabbed my legs and spun me around so I would be laying flat. They were propping them up and situating me (because I couldn't feel anything) and just telling me to relax. I remember hearing the doctor say..."I'm making the incision" and then feeling them wiggle and jiggle her loose from my body. As soon as she was free, I remember lying there helpless, just waiting to hear her cry. I wanted to know she was ok - when she finally did, it was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

Who knew that 6 years later I would do it all again to have my second daughter?

December 5. 2007

Certainly not me, because I had sworn I would never go through that again. I was fortunate enough to be blessed with one more miracle - this pregnancy was not like the last, it was much easier. I was not diagnosed with placenta previa again, this time I had diabetes. (a girl just can't catch a break) While there was no worry about delivering early, I had to monitor my blood sugar and give myself insulin throughout the pregnancy. This too would be a scheduled c-section - it all went as close to the doctor's plan as possible.

I went to the hospital, got checked in and hooked up to the monitors, and prepared to wait my turn. Unfortunately, they had put me next to a woman who was screaming (in what I imagine was unbearable pain) which just made me uncomfortable for her. Eventually my time arrived and they wheeled me off once again, I had another spinal and then a whirlwind of activity. My husband was brought into the room after they had already started making the incision and he was interested to see what was going on.

A few minutes later, my second baby girl was lifted up and took her first breath. There is nothing to describe that moment except to say - there is nothing in this world quite like the sound your baby makes when it takes its first breath.

Karen's Birth Story

2008-06-29T10:44:00.004-05:00

So, in perfect harmony, today I have the other Busy Mama...Yes, she is Karen and the Queen of her domain (which is located in Hawaii, mind you!). Why, I tell you - because she has THREE boys, well four, if you count her tech-savvy hubby. Read more about her HERE.

I actually enjoyed being pregnant...all three times. Sure, there were parts of it that I disliked…the nausea, backaches, peeing all the time, and that funny taste in my mouth (what is that about)? But it was worth every minute of it and so was labor, because I love being a mom.

January 13, 2003

TSO Jr. was born exactly 7 days early. My contractions started in late afternoon the day before and when they were about 3 minutes apart, we went to the hospital but I was only dilated 2 cm's, so I was sent back home. How could that be? I was doubled over in pain and only at 2 cm’s! It was past my bedtime by the time we got home, so I decided to get some shut eye. I was so tired and kept dozing off only to be woken up minutes later by intense pain. I know what you’re thinking…sleep with contractions? I was such a novice!

So sleep was out of the question and being that I had paid attention in our birthing classes, I decided to follow their recommendation to take a shower to help with the pain. It actually felt very good but it seems I forgot to breathe during a contraction, held my breath, and blacked out. Did I say I paid attention in birthing class? Scratch that! I woke up sitting on our shower floor and my husband, TSO, was helping me up. He told what had happened and insisted on returning to the hospital.

The contractions were so painful by this time that I instructed TSO to tell the nurses I wanted an epidural as soon as we got there…just in case I couldn’t talk. TSO and the nurses quickly learned when I was having a contraction, since I would ignore them. I would stare into space, grit my teeth, and tap my feet uncontrollably.

By the time the epidural was done, it was about 1am so I finally got to sleep. This was the last time I had a good rest to date! Yup, it’s been 1,995 days since I had sleep that decent.

At 6am, the nurses woke me up (what were they thinking?) and shortly after that they called my doctor to come to the hospital. My doctor had another patient in the next birthing room that needed to have an emergency c-section and asked if I could wait. Sure! I was rested and thrilled that my baby was on his way (oh maybe the epidural helped). When my doctor returned, I pushed for about 20 minutes and that was it. TSO Jr. weighed in at 7 lbs 11oz and was 21 inches long. I had always said I wanted two kids but after looking at TSO Jr., I knew I wanted more. Amazing!

December 3, 2004

It was 6 days before my due date, and more importantly 22 days before Christmas. I had to finish my shopping! TSO would not let me go shopping alone so my mother-in-law joined me and helped me watch TSO Jr. (now 23 months old). At around 10am, I started to feel contractions but I did not say a word fearing my mother-in-law would freak out and put a stop to my time at the mall. Besides it was probably a false alarm. Hours went by and the contractions were getting closer together but I was still able to walk without doubling over, so figured it wasn’t time yet. At around 3:30pm we were done and I asked my mother-in-law if she would stay with me since I had been having contractions…you know…just in case. She, of course, read me the riot act for keeping quiet all day but honestly, I felt fine.

I drove to TSO’s office…yes, that’s right I drove. I felt fine, not even close to the pain I had felt with my first son, so I was confident that it was not time yet. TSO wanted to go straight to the hospital but I insisted we go home. He kept saying that he was the one that would have to drive us to the hospital in rush hour traffic (blah, blah, blah) and wasn’t going to clean up the mess if I had the baby in the car (blah, blah, blah). Hello! Who carried this baby for 9 months and will have to endure the pain of contractions and PUSH out a bowling ball! MEN!

When the contractions were 3 minutes apart (not 3 1⁄2 minutes but 3 minutes, there is a difference) I finally gave in and yes, we had to sit in traffic but I sucked it up. Again I tapped my feet, stared off and tuned everything and everyone out until each contraction was done. And again I instructed TSO to let the nurses know I wanted an epidural.

When we arrived at the hospital, TSO pulled the car up front to have someone assist me to Labor & Delivery while he parked the car. I was leaning over the front of the car mid-contraction when a woman walked up and asked me for a cigarette! What the? I’m as big as a house and in labor and you’re asking me for a cigarette?

Matman’s delivery was even faster than the first and he was born a shortly after we got to the hospital. He weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long.

The doctor then gave me a lecture about waiting too long to get to the hospital and told me if I was going to have a 3^rd child, I better get there earlier since each labor is faster than the last. He proceeded to explain that I would not want to deliver a baby in the car because it’s messy! All the while TSO is looking at me with a smirk on his face. Hmm! He’s just lucky I was on cloud 9 with Matman.

November 5, 2006

One day before my due date. I was watching early morning cartoons with TSO Jr (almost 4 yrs) and Matman (almost 2 years). I started to feel contractions but was not at all in pain. I kept hearing my doctor’s lecture to me after having Matman (you know the one where he said I needed to get to the hospital sooner if I didn’t want to clean up a mess in the car) and decided to play it safe and have my in-laws come over to watch the kids just in case we had to leave. TSO called his mom and I went to take a shower. By the time I had dressed, my in-laws were there and the contractions were much closer - so we left for the hospital. (Hey, just because I didn’t listen in the birthing classes does not mean I would ignore my doctor!)

When we got to the hospital I was much farther along then the pain indicated (based on my other two deliveries), so I considered not getting the epidural. For about 10 seconds, then another contraction hit me and I was brought back to reality!

Immediately after giving me the epidural they checked me again and realized I was fully dilated. My husband, TSO’s, favorite team was playing football on TV. TSO was focused on the delivery (as he should) but in between pushes, I would check the score and keep him updated. Daredevil was born as the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a touchdown. Only about 4 hours after the contractions had started! Poor Daredevil entered the world so quickly that his face was bruised from his journey. He weighed 9 lbs and was 21 inches long. Our family was complete!

As I said before I love being a mom. My boys (TSO included) are my world and make every day better than the last!

Kim's Birth Story

2008-06-28T06:25:00.010-05:00

Kim is a fabulous Long Island mom of two adorable boys. I think some of us here know Kim, just because I see us chattering away on the comments section of her cool blog Jogging in Circles. You can see some amazing photography and great writing over at her blog ~ see you there!

It took us eight months to conceive our second child. I will never forget the moment on September 20th, 2006 when I took my monthly pregnancy test and it actually reflected a positive result. I stood in the bathroom and cried with joy.

When I was five months pregnant, the doctors told us we were having a little girl. I immediately went home and gave every piece of boy clothing away to charity. My mother was beyond ecstatic because it was going to be the first granddaughter she could spoil. You see, at the time she was a grandmother to six grandsons and no daughters. How quickly that all changed!

It was my 32 week sonogram appointment and I will never forget the conversation with the nurse. I asked the nurse, can you just double check that she is still a she. She said without hesitation, "who said you were having a girl, because you are clearly having a boy". My mother was at this appointment with me and we both went into a hysterical laughing fit. It was clear that she was not getting her first granddaughter.

I found it odd that on this appointment that I kept getting transferred from one room to the next. And then the whispering amongst the nurses was odd but I kept cool because my mom was with me. But then, my world seemed to collapse with what the sonogram specialist had told us next.

Hydrocephalus. There was a chance the baby would be born with hydrocephalus. I tried to have a stiff upper lip because the doctor was being so kind, and gentle with how he delivered the news, and again my mom was with me so I did not want her to freak out, watching me freak out. I don't remember walking to the car, but I remember closing the door and just sobbing. Sobbing so hard that I could not talk. Sobbing so hard that I could not breathe. Not only was I going to have to tell my husband that we are no longer having "Daddy's little girl", but that there was the possibility of our baby being born with a handicap. My husband was much stronger than I was because he filled me with hope; he hugged me and told me what I needed to hear.

In reality, the baby I carried was loved by us. I had to wait four long weeks before we could go for another sonogram. On my 36 week appointment, my husband and I received news that it appeared that the condition was clearing up and there was a strong possibility that he would be fine.

On May 25th, I was induced. Our little boy was big and I was a week shy from my due date and the doctor said if we waited any longer I may not be able to give birth naturally. They loaded me up with pitocin at 7:00 pm and we waited. Shortly after I received the epidural, unlike my delivery with my first son, they were able to get the tube in the first time (my first it took three attempts- so not fun). Then we waited some more. My husband and I watched a Law and Order marathon until I could no longer keep my eyes open.

Around 1:00 am, I started to feel really bad pains. With my first I had no idea what these pains were, but being a seasoned mom who had gone through a natural delivery the first time through, I knew the time was coming that I would soon be a mom of two. I called my mother to hurry and get down to the hospital; I just knew I would have the baby before she was able to make it.

On May 26th, 2007 at 2:01 am, God allowed me to become a mother to another one of his beautiful angels. My Aaron angel. His birth was like something out of the movies. I was in hard labor for all of 11 minutes. We laugh that he was in a rush to meet us. Hearing him cry for the first time was magical. Having the doctors tell daddy and me that he was 100% healthy made us both cry.

There are days I still cannot believe I am a mother to two boys, and no, there is no chance of me trying for that baby girl.

Kellie's Birth Story

2008-06-27T10:07:00.005-05:00

Today we have the birth story of Kellie's daughter. Kellie is one part of the dynamic duo at a very snazzy little website called Busy Mamas. Let me tell ya, when I'm over at their blog, you can hear me laughing out loud and seriously neglecting my child because these ladies CAN write! Give these mamas a visit ~

My labor started bright and early when I woke up to get ready for work. I had weird contractions (weird because they were different from the others I constantly felt throughout the last 3 months of my pregnancy) and a bloody show, but figured I might as well go to work to wait it out and see what would happen (Like deliver on the floor by my desk clutching my computer mouse? Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking.) I managed to make it to lunchtime and then called my doctor to see what he thought. Contractions were coming regularly but still pretty far apart so he wasn’t that concerned and predicted that delivery would be later that night. I had so much work to finish up at the office so I tried to get it done the best I could. When 3 PM rolled around I finally couldn’t take it anymore and told my boss I had to leave. They thought I was nuts for sticking around anyway so they practically shoved me out the door.

When I got home, I called my husband at work and told him that he might want to think about coming home since the baby was on it’s way. He had no idea what was going on and immediately canceled the rest of the patients. When he got home, he asked why I never told him I was in labor. Hello…contractions when we left the house…bloody show…I called you after I talked to the doctor…did none of this register with you that we’re having a baby…TODAY?

Unfortunately, all the excitement was premature as the hours ticked by and the labor went nowhere for hours. We finally went to bed – well HE went to bed – and I stayed up until the pain was more than I could handle. At 2 AM I woke him mid-snore to drive me to the hospital. At that point I was ready for my epidural and was panicking that it was taking the nurses so long to check me in. Based on the pain levels, I figured I had to be around 7 or 8 centimeters. After all, I toughed it out at home for hours and hours. How far was I actually dilated? 3 centimeters. Yes. 3 centimeters. *&^)#@!!!

They finally checked me into my room and wouldn’t you know it, the lady next door was screaming her head off. And I’m talking screaming like you hear in movies where the woman is shouting obscenities at her husband. Or like she’s getting hacked to pieces by a psycho killer wielding a machete. Same thing. The nurse walks in with a sheepish look on her face and shuts the door as quickly as possible. Then she apologizes profusely to me for the racket from the next room. Why? You’re not the one screaming. Apparently the poor woman arrived too late to get her epidural and the baby was making its appearance. You can bet I asked the nurse when I could get my epidural. In a surprised voice she asked “Oh, you want one?” Hell yes I want one, especially after I hear the mauling going on next door!

Thankfully the epidural went smoothly, despite having a doctor whose hands shook like a crack addict going through withdrawals the entire time (my husband said he was frightened to watch him). The delivery also went smoothly although it took another 8 hours of labor before my daughter was ready to come out and an hour and a half of pushing. What an amazing experience to give birth to a child. Nothing could ever compare to it and I feel so blessed to have experienced it!

My Birth Story

2008-06-26T07:19:00.009-05:00

There's something to be said about putting a story down into writing. Although we would never forget something as amazing as the births of our children...details do fade. I'm glad I'm getting to share my story with you guys! So here goes...

I was SO excited about having a baby that I read two “what to expect during pregnancy” books even before I got pregnant. I knew I wanted a girl more than anything in the world that I even researched of “ways” to conceive a girl. I took my basal temperature every morning, used up about 5 pregnancy tests (consecutively, mind you), and finally I had a bun in the oven.

At four months, when for the first time I had an ultrasound and saw my baby…my heart skipped a beat. And when the tech told me I had a girl, happy tears rolled down my face effortlessly. I had my doctor check twice if she was a girl and asked him at EVERY appointment afterwards (just because I had accumulated so much pink stuff by then!)

Then 9 months later, one Thursday morning I woke up and my water had broken…or so I thought. A-HA! By then my underwear didn’t even fit anymore, so I resorted to wearing my husband’s boxers and they were soaked. I thought it was weird that I didn’t feel anything and I wasn’t having any contractions. Did I pee myself? You know when you look like you swallowed a basketball and can’t see your legs…those are NOT the times to trust yourself! My husband’s like sniffing around and he says, “Honey, no, that is definitely not pee!” (gotta love him eh?)

The doctor (stand-in) calls me in to check and confirms that it’s NOT my water that broke, but that it was a mucous plug that came out. But I was already 2 cm dilated and she said that I will probably deliver soon. Next morning (Friday), I went to see my own gyno and I think I was already 3 cm by then, but still no contractions. He tells me…”Jojo, I will be out of town this weekend, but I think you might deliver as early as tomorrow, so I’ll break your water and try to get this baby out tonight.” I was SO excited because at that point, I just wanted her out – I was in so much discomfort, what with the sweltering August heat and peeing 80 times a day.

I got to the hospital around 4pm, and was just waiting around for a room…ALL the babies decided to be born that exact weekend so they were completely swamped. I started having light contractions then and by 8pm the Doc broke my water and told me to go to sleep. The contractions started getting stronger and stronger by each hour, about 6 random people coming in sticking their fingers in me, and the doctor asking me if I want an epidural. I had already decided that I wanted to go natural and I didn’t want to change my mind. IT HURT A LOT. I’m not going to lie, it’s the kind of pain that is so hard to describe…but one I knew that would make me into a mother.

My husband and my mom were there with me holding my hand while I cried out that I wanted to die…just the look on their faces showed how helpless they felt! My mom kept telling me that countless of women go through this and you’re not going to die! By 7 cm, I gave in a little…I waited with agony and said ok if it doesn’t happen soon, I might just have to get the epidural…so the nurse said ok, and after a while checked me and said “you don’t need it, you’re already fully dilated!”

My doctor was with another patient performing a C-section, and here I am already starting to push with my mom holding up one leg, the nurse holding up the other, my husband holding my head and me screaming as loud as I could. I was so nervous the baby would come out without the doctor…at the last moment when I could feel the pressure of her head just there after 30 minutes of pushing, he rushed in. He slapped me on my thigh really hard and yelled at me to stop pushing. Good thing he did, because I was just distracted long enough for him to cut me – I felt a quick hot slash and my daughter plopped out at 4:30 am Saturday morning, August 18, 2007. B. had to cut our cord twice because it was so rubbery and hard.

In evidence of just how shallow I am, here’s what happened next: I still haven’t seen the baby and the first thing I asked my mother is “Is she a girl?” – Yes. “Is she pretty?” – Beautiful! God…if I was a better person, I would’ve asked “Is she ok?” first like other moms…but I didn’t. Then they put (more like threw) her on my chest and I just couldn’t believe my eyes…I cried, my husband and I glanced at each other in awe, and I’ll never forget that moment – she had finally arrived.

This part here maybe TMI but I just want to include it because I have no shame. My doc starts sewing up the episiotomy WITHOUT numbing me…oh…my…god. Then he had to leave because of that other c-section. Another physician comes in and started delivering the placenta. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? Why the hell didn’t anyone tell me that delivering the placenta was like having another baby because you push it out too? Man after that…I had to be sewed up AGAIN! Then it was finally over.

My amazing little girl was 8 pounds 1 ounce, 20.5 inches long and instantly became the love of our lives.

Michelle's Birth Stories

2008-06-25T12:27:00.011-05:00

Michelle is one mama I'm always calling about everything: "I'm pregnant!" - "I delivered!" - "My daughter bumped her head!" - and you get the idea. We've been friends since high school, mostly missing it LOL. I'm so happy to host the stories of her daughter & son. Visit Michelle at East to Southwest.

New Life - Daughter May 14th, 2003 - 6lbs 4oz

I remember waiting for each and every prenatal visit, eagerly. I loved going to the doctors to have them measure and feel and tell me how much I've gained and how well me and baby were doing. I especially loved hearing her little heart beat.

Every night I'd wonder how beautiful and smart my daughter would be. Also worried I wouldn't live up to being a good mother. Or a better mother.

My due date was May 7th. That day had passed and I was getting impatient. I wanted to meet my Princess. So, I had a check-up scheduled for a possible induced labor, which I was dreading and fearing. Funny how nature takes its course when it feels like it, because it felt like beating the docs to it.

May 14th, early morning...oh, I'd say around 5am, I started having pains. My (then) husband was sound asleep. Swear to goodness - a battle could be passing right over him and he wouldn't wake. So, I decided to wait as long as I could for him to wake himself.

I sat in bed for a little. Excited but SCARED! Then I went into the living room and sat on the couch for a little bit, biting my lower lip with every miniscule contraction. As I sat on the couch, my kitty Lilo came over and sat on my lap. Or, more on top of baby. I think she was able to feel that I was in pain, so I stroked her fur and enjoyed her comfort. Not too long after, I decided to wake him - he was up in a jiffy and getting ready.

My appointment that day was at 11am. I kept telling him I wanted to wait until the appointment but I was also scared that the baby would plop out any second. So at 9am, we caught a cab and headed towards the hospital. God, that was a long day.

They had me sit in the bed with all those wires and thingys strapped to my belly and arm. What killed me the most was when they told me I couldn't eat anything. Sure enough, the contractions were getting stronger. Me - more scared. Whenever the contractions got stronger, I thought, "Ok, this is painful. I think I'm ready to start pushing. They're painful enough, they can't get any worse."

Boy, was I wrong.

Uugh! What made me really start panicking was when they inserted that long hook and burst my water for me. When I felt the trickle and flow, I started crying and shaking, and felt so cold. I couldn't stop trembling - my whole body trembled.

When it got time to push, I can't remember too clearly but I know I was crying out loud and squeezing the sweat and blood outta my (then) husband's hand. He stood there next to me, wide eyed and silent. Would've laughed but I was in too much pain.

This nurse with a deep, heavy African accent was there, "Breathe, Iris, Breathe!" 1 2 3 PUSH! AAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH 10!

I wasn't breathing right, so they put the oxygen mask on me. It made it worse, so I thought. I couldn't breathe at all with that thing on my face. They put something in my IV, instead of the epidural. WELL, I still felt ALL the pain but I couldn't keep my eyes open. I just kept telling myself, "No more kids. Let this be over. I promise no more kids, just please hurry this up!"

I pushed for maybe a good 30 minutes, then her head was out. They yelled at me to stop pushing while they checked her and everything. I waited.

5pm - Last push!!! And there she was. Covered, but yet so beautiful. My baby, I finally saw and met my baby. They took her to the table and cleaned her up. As soon as she was out, I forced my eyes open and kept them on her. I felt EXHAUSTED!!! I kept asking if she was ok, why hadn't they handed her to me immediately? I was worried because I hadn't heard her cry. But when her tiny, sweet voice let everyone know she was finally in this world, I started to cry. I was so happy.

I held her in my arms and it was just so precious. SO beautiful. Her pink face and head full of hair. God! She was beautiful. And still is. I didn't want them to take her away. I wanted to hold her and never let go. And it felt like eternity when they would take her away for testing or baths, or whatnot. I couldn't sleep, waiting for her to come back. She's the light of my life - very smart and very beautiful. I don't know what I'd do or where I'd be without her. She keeps me sane. She keeps me loved.

New Life - Son March 24th, 2006 - 6lbs 7oz

" Second time around, it's easier and faster." Faster, yes. Easier...I wouldn't say so. I'd even say it was more painful. That boy was two days late but when he was ready to come out, he sure let me know.

March 23rd, late morning I started with the pains. I went to work with my mom and my daughter. My mom was a nanny and she would bring my daughter with her to play with the younger child, who had become like a brother to Fatima.

I walked around. Sat around. Walked some more. I was avoiding going to the hospital too early to just sit in a bed again. The pain eased up every time I walked. And late afternoon, I thought it was false labor because I was hardly hurting anymore. But when I got home, later that night, it got worse. Each and every contraction was immense. Breaks in between were short. Pain durations were getting longer. Biting down on my lower lip wasn't helping.

My mom would keep telling me to breathe. I tried but I felt like I was about to explode. SO, around 10pm we called our dear friend, Bonnie, and she came over to take me to the hospital. It's funny though because on the way to the hospital, I wasn't hurting much. Got to the hospital, got strapped and IVed, checked and hooked again. My prenatal doctor was there and he was the BEST!

I watched King of the Hill while gripping the side bars on the bed for every contraction. I'm sure I could've yanked them right off. Around 11am, he checked my progress and told us that within 3 hours, the baby would be ready to come out. We waited those three hours watching back to back King of the Hill. I wanted to call my baby's father so bad to be there by my side. So he would able to see his first baby born. But I restrained myself because I felt like he didn't deserve to be there after what he did.

Doctors came back 3 hours later and checked me. I couldn't stand it anymore and started pushing. Dr started gathering all the supplies and instruments, gloves and smock. He kept telling me to "Hold on!" All I could think was, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN, 'HOLD ON'!!!!!!! GET THIS BABY OUT OF MEEEE!!!!" I had even made a promise to myself never, ever, EVER to get pregnant again!

The pain was killer. Dying probably felt sweet compared to it. Didn't take too many pushes and in no time at all, around 1:30am, my Prince was born.

He looked purple. And he was silent. I waited. And waited. He cried out and I laid my head back on the pillow. When they handed him to me, he felt so warm.

I knew he was a strong boy. I knew he would be fine. I rested and I waited. From the moment he was born, I could feel his masculinity. I knew he would be GREAT and strong, and kindhearted. He is wonderful! And he takes care of his two girls very well. He keeps us safe.

Angela's Birth Story

2008-06-24T10:18:00.004-05:00

I'm very happy to present Angela's story today. Angela is one of the two fabulous moms over at My Asian Heritage. The site is a GREAT resource for anything Asian, and is a perfect place for connecting with other Asian (moms) bloggers. Go there and show some love ~

Living in NYC definitely has its perks, but like many other places, bad weather...and the aftermath...can be crippling. Especially when you're already a week overdue and anticipating needing to get to the hospital at some point. And fast.

I figured I'd run into that with a February due date, so a day after a pretty heavy snow dump, I went into labor at 6 am. I did the usual....timed the contractions, gritted my teeth, watched bad TV and waited. And waited. Finally after about 10 hours, I was ready to go in. Thankfully we beat the taxi cab shift change and made our way through ice, narrow city streets and gridlocked traffic across town to the hospital. By then I wasn't feeling so hot. So we made it into the check-in room where I was promptly hooked up to machines to check my heart rate, and all that other stuff. But lo and behold, after having my vitals checked, heart rate monitored, I was denied admission. Denied because the doctor didn't think I wasn't in enough pain yet, and my heart rate wasn't high enough. WHAT? Needless to say, I wasn't a happy camper, but I wasn't about to cause a scene either. So, waited about 30 mins for a cab that took 45 mins to get us home (usually a 20 min ride, but with the snow piled up and rush hour traffic, we were stuck. And I almost barfed from car sickness in the stop and go traffic).

So we got home at around 6 pm..and guess what, sure enough, I was in mega pain by 9. And did I mention that we live across the street from a temple? And that Friday night temple festivities let out at about 9? Thankfully we had my bags, and I was obviously on a mission to beat down anyone who was going take my cab, so we got one fairly easily.

Got to the hospital. Checked in. Again. Was told to walk around and hang out until my pain got worse. Lovely. So, to make a really long story shorter....finally got in, hooked up with the epidural at midnight...shot up with pitosin (spelling?), and starting the pushing at 8. Oh, and remember how I referenced the perceived lack of pain earlier? While monitoring me during my 2 hours of pushing and pushing and pushing, one of the doctors commented how impressed she was at my high threshold for pain, considering my heart rate wasn't going up so high. HELLO!!!!!!!!!!

And alas, at about 10:30 am, about 28 hours after my first signs of labor, my beautiful baby girl was born. And now she's eating crayons.

Julie's Birth Story

2008-06-23T10:52:00.011-05:00

Julie from Evolving Mom was gracious enough to share her story with us today, along with the most adorable pictures of her daughter, Aly. Be sure to check out her blog to read along as she journeys to total health and "evolution"!

All of the thought and preparation in the world could not have prepared me for what I now consider one of the hardest yet, most incredible days of my life. 22 hours to be exact.

My sweet daughter Aly came exactly one week early with the traditional breaking of my water. I was officially on my third day of maternity leave from work and Hubby and I had spent all day away from home trying to get his car fixed (long story I won't bore you with). It was a Wednesday and this car thing had to be dealt with. So once we finally got back home that night, we were both exhausted. Me even more so being that I was 39 weeks pregnant and not doing all that relaxing I had planned to do before the baby arrived! But I digress.

Towards the end of the night, Hubby was on his way downstairs to do some work on the computer and I was heading into bed to read. We were standing on the stairs talking (me at the top and him at the bottom) when GUSH! My water broke! Wait, did it? Surely that was my "water" breaking! I don't think I had to pee... no, there's too much stuff coming out! "Hubby? I think my water just broke?!" And we both just stood there grinning before lapsing into a nervous attempt to prepare everything and head off to the hospital.

We made it to the hospital around 11:00 pm that evening. I will spare you the "wet" details but let's just say that I was leaking like a mother, going through pad after pad after pad and soaking everything that had the misfortune of being sat on by me that night. So at the hospital they admitted me right away because my water had already broken and advised me that because I was only dilated about 1 cm, to go ahead and try to get some sleep that night.

Uhhhhh. Your water breaks with your first baby ever, the moment you have dreamed about your entire life is finally about to happen, and they tell you to try and get some SLEEP?! So I "tried" but really just laid there in the dark, nervous and giddy with excitement.

Sometime early that next morning, I began to feel my contractions getting stronger so I advised the nurse that I was ready for my epidural. The epi team was sent in and I was given the epidural. At the time, I did not know this but apparently when you get an epidural, it is NOT normal for you to feel little shooting pains and sensations throughout your back. Again, I thought it must have been normal so I didn't mention it at the time.

Little progress was being made with my contractions for dilation so the Doc opted to give me Petocin to speed up the process. Slowly the Petocin made my contractions stronger and stronger. Wait, am I supposed to be feeling this pain? And before I knew it, I was feeling every single ounce of those contractions but just on one side of my body! It was the craziest, yet the most disturbingly painful thing I had ever felt! I kept telling the nurses that I could feel everything and they kept juicing up the epidural higher and higher until they reached the limit. And I was still feeling everything. Honestly folks, that afternoon is a blur of pain and tears for me. One cool thing is that the nurses named me "Trooper" because throughout all of my pain, I never freaked out, I just gritted my teeth and held on as best as I could. And the awesome thing was that throughout the ordeal, my daughter's heart rate stayed steady and she was strong right along with me.

So by around 5:00pm that day, I was dilated to around 8cm, in the most pain I've ever experienced in my life, and the doctors finally realized that my stupid epidural got screwed up. So they decided to do another one!!! So with crazy painful contractions coming very quickly, they heaved me over and did another epidural. The relief was temporary and for some reason the pain came back. At that point, I was too exhausted to care. I just wanted to get it over with.

Then I started throwing up. One, twice, three times... Ugh. My poor Hubby was there for me but he felt so helpless. My entire family of in-laws were in the waiting room (for approaching 20 hours). And I was friggin throwing up. Naaaaaasty.

Finally, finally, my wonderful doctor comes in and says it's time to start pushing! Oh Thank God! So I had a drill sergeant of a nurse holding my left leg, Hubby holding my right, and the awesome Dr. Pickler doing the catching. I think I pushed (and OMG I was so tired and in SO much pain!) for about 20-30 minutes before my football of a baby shot out of me! No seriously, she literally shot out like a cannon ball!! Doc literally had to catch her and she exclaimed "Whoa!!" as she did!

In a daze, I asked Hubby, is she okay? and he said yes, she's fine. And 22 hours later, I was holding my perfectly bundled, absolutely gorgeous, worth every second of everything I ever went through, sweet baby girl, my Alyson. She was and still is, our dream come true. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 inches long. She had light brown hair and big, beautiful blue eyes. God blessed us with an amazing child and my heart brims with joy and contentment every time I think about it.

My birth story is long. It's painful. And it's beautiful. Thanks for letting me share it with you. And now I'm exhausted after re-living it!

Birth Story Week

2008-06-23T10:45:00.003-05:00

Today we start the "My Delivery Story" event and I just wanted to let everyone know, you can still submit your story through Wednesday. Email it to jojo@buddhabelle.com and attach pictures if you want them in your post.

Those of you who submitted their stories, you can link to BuddhaBelle here so your readers can read your birth story as well. Feel free to take the logo above if needed!

I even got a trophy...

2008-06-21T22:14:00.008-05:00

Wow, what a day!? Hosoo and her hubby came last night after a 5 hour drive, and in all our excitement we went to bed pretty late...needless to say, it was a little hard getting up at 6 am to go to the race.

We had to drive about 40 minutes to get there - poor LC was still sleeping when we dressed her, but as always she had a cute little smile and went with the flow. Everything was pretty typical: signing in, picking up race packets, strapping on the numbers, and stretching - LIKE SO --->

The course was pretty flat, very well marked, full of cool supporters just hanging out on their porches cheering the runners on, since it was through a residential area. But here's what happened.

Like last time...I started out with everyone else...then 2 seconds later, everybody was way in front of me, even Hosoo left (we agreed to try and get our best times by not holding each other back...well me holding her back is more like it LOL). I ran about a half mile alongside a 70 y.o. man until he passed me. Then a deaf lady passed me...so there I was alone wondering if I'm last as always.

I looked back...only walkers left.

But anyway I kept going, doing my walk/run thing. The most encouraging thing I found was at each mile marker, there was a person shouting out your time. Every time I was surprised...and here's why:

I finished the race in 36 minutes 35 seconds!!!

That's whole 16 minutes faster than my first 5K - which was 52 minutes 10 seconds....oh my goodness, even though everyone was faster than me, that was a big personal achievement for me, and I was content. In my mind, I thought I would probably finish in 45 minutes...so yea.... But can you believe the fastest person finished in 17 minutes??? Amazing!

Hosoo did AWESOME for her first race, she didn't even stop once to walk and she finished in a cool 28 minutes! Congrats, girl! Afterwards, we all had a very tasty pancake breakfast, followed by the awards ceremony and prize drawings!

Hosoo got 3rd place in her age division
and
I got a trophy for 4th place in my age division YIPEEE!!!
(plus...we got picked for the prize drawings as well!)

We had a very short visit...but we had a blast and walked away with trophies, prizes, and great memories, actually hoping to come back again next year maybe for an even faster finish!

Monglish

2008-06-19T21:34:00.003-05:00

Mongolian is my mother tongue. From a very young age though (think pre-school) I spoke Russian, there is...was a big Russian influence in our country back in the day linked to political situations, so many schools were exclusively Russian-taught. Anyway....up to 7th grade which is when our family left for America, I went to a Russian school.

From six years of age, my mother hired me my first English tutor. We did the Muzzy language course (from BBC), then I moved on to many other wonderful teachers and after-school programs. At 11, I entered an essay contest in English and won a summer trip to Japan. A group of us went to represent our country in the Asian Pacific-Islander International Children's Convention in Fukuoka, Japan. Yes...my mother ALSO hired a tutor to teach me some Japanese before I left.

In the U.S., when I got a choice to pick either Spanish or French as a "second language", I picked French and stuck with it throughout my college years. But in no way am I fluent or anything. I am the prime example of "use it or lose it"...language is a delicate skill that needs to be in its own native environment and honed carefully...needless to say, without a place or person to practice with, I've lost my French, and Russian...almost. I can understand when someone is speaking it, but when I open my mouth to reply, the words come jumbled out....like some with English mixed in.

But what I WILL say is, exposure to many different languages from a young age makes you very receptive to picking them up easily. Baby Einstein's got dibs on that!

Well...when LC was born, what language to raise her in has become a big discussion. So many Mongolian children who were born here barely speak their "own" language, even so that Mongolian language after-school programs have popped up in some of our communities to prevent this "cultural loss". I can't stress enough how important it is, I think, to provide our daughter a stable foundation in her Mongolian.

At the same time....I speak English ALL the time, with my friends, and with my husband it's a 50/50 mix of Monglish, as we call it. Here are the opinions I've heard on this topic so far:

Speak only Mongolian, because she'll learn English in school anyway
If you speak both, she'll get confused and think it's ONE language
Exposure to both won't hinder her learning abilities when it comes to separating them

Do you have any idea how HARD it is to be conscious of what you're saying around your child...let alone mentally monitoring in what language you're saying it in???

Even IF I speak only Mongolian at home, she's going to be exposed to English when we go out, from strangers, and from TV...which, yes, she likes to watch (I don't feel guilty!) What if she doesn't understand her teacher when she enters pre-school? That's not good, is it?

In such a global age that we live in, speaking only one language doesn't cut it anymore. Certainly this is the thought in our country where they push us to be trilingual....AT LEAST! English is a global language...I don't know, I think this is not the WAY anymore.

Do you have a bilingual household - how do you teach your children? Do you think it's important for your children to learn foreign languages?
Share your thoughts!

Captured

2008-06-18T13:23:00.005-05:00

Here it is...it finally got trapped last night - THANK GOD!!! Because I don't know how many days I could go locked up in the bedroom.

Hub went far from our house and released it, and it better not come back. Otherwise, I'll definitely have to move out! Afterwards we had to vacuum, sweep, and wash the floor where there were little chipmunk turds...yucky!

Well it's hump day Wednesday today...3 more days until my 5K on Saturday. The only thing I hope is that I'll go a little bit faster than last time (52 mins). My friend Hosoo (who you see commenting around here) is coming all the way from IN to run the race with me, and also another friend K. is running it too. I know that we'll all have a blast, can't wait!

Mssg from the Chipmunk Prison

2008-06-17T14:20:00.004-05:00

So far the chipmunk has not been caught yet...it's too damn smart. We're getting a second live trap today so hopefully we (ok, I) won't be terrorized too long. Seriously, LC and I haven't left the bedroom since this morning - cabin fever to the twentieth degree! But thankfully she is such a good sport. We can't leave because I'm expecting an important delivery that has to be signed for. Anyway, won't bore you anymore!

The reason for this post is to remind everyone the deadline is coming up for the "My Delivery Story" carnival. Submissions are accepted through Sunday, June 22nd. Whip up your story, attach some pictures if you want, and click SEND to Jojo@Buddhabelle.com. I've received some wonderful stories so far and am so excited to kick off the event the following Monday.

Email me ~ I'm waiting! :)

My animal stories

2008-06-16T19:18:00.003-05:00

While people in this household can peacefully nap, I, on the other hand cannot shut my eyes because every creek I hear I'm thinking about the damn chipmunk. I figure this would be the perfect time to do my exercise video but I can't.....I have to do it in the living room where the TV is and imagine I'm doing the ab routine on the floor and the chipmunk jumps on my face - me=stroke!

Ok so instead I figure I'll share some of my many stand-offs with animals...can you see where the inspiration for this one came right?

When I used to live in DC, a pigeon flew into my bedroom through the window....feathers...everywhere...me...screaming! I had to call a friend of mine who owned a store nearby...I was so desperate he CLOSED his store, came and got the pigeon out.

There was this poor little kitten lurking outside my basement of an apartment when I first moved to IL...so I gave it a home and named her BeBe. Well, Bebe earned her cat-food by killing 2 mice and leaving them DEAD right in the middle of the living room floor...pretty. Again, I called one of my trusty friends to come ALL the way from the other side of town to retrieve the dead mouse and throw it away while I hid out in the laundry room.

In college, our dorm was SO hot and humid in the summertime, that I moved my bed right under the windows so I could feel the breeze while I slept my classes away. My brilliant roommate then decides to put HER half-eaten lunch RIGHT ON THE WINDOWSILL. So after some brain-washing exams, I come in to find a damn ANTHILL on my bed. Sure enough I made her clean everything.

Childhood memory : I'm strolling happily along through the forest with my brother picking wild strawberries when BOOM, I walk straight into the biggest spider web on this planet. It literally covered my whole body...poor spider spent his/her entire lifetime building it and it caught ME! My dumb brother is laughing his ass off while I did several jumping flips, crying hysterically, and making Jackie Chan proud with my Kung Fu!

Finally...this one was the most painful one. Three years ago, my then new boss says, "Jojo, oh my goodness this dog had puppies...come see the puppies, come see!" Do you see where this is going? I was kind of scared as I've always been afraid of dogs since I was little. Well, shit, she was my boss and a big DOG LOVER, so I couldn't be like eh...no THANKS! So there I go walking towards this super protective mother of cute puppies.

What the hell am I going to do to these puppies you know? I'm just looking....suddenly the damn "bi$%h",remember that's actually what it is called - she jumps at my face, and bites it! Yes I got bitten in the face by a dog...thank god it didn't bite down all the way through. I have a little scar right under my bottom lip and her top canine pierced through the bridge of my nose and BROKE IT! yea........................The underneath of both of my eyes was black and blue, my damn nose was soooooo bruised and swollen...i...hate....that...dog!

I do not wish animals harm...just STAY AWAY FROM ME! (especially bugs)

Share your stories in the comments!

UNWELCOME House Guest...it's only Monday???

2008-06-16T12:03:00.004-05:00

Oh my god you guys!!!! THERE IS A SQUIRREL IN MY HOUSE! ok it's not a squirrel to be exact, it's smaller, but it kind of looks like one...do you know what I'm talking about?? I don't know the stupid name.

SHIT AND I JUST HEARD A LOUD SOUND close by so it must be on our floor. Seriously LC and I are barricaded in our bedroom, I closed the door and put a blanket underneath where there's space and we're just sitting here. Sometime soon I bet I will get hungry AND have to pee or something...goddamn it (LC's potty is in our room....hhmmm?). My husband is going to come home for lunch to chase it away, but what if it doesn't get out?? Animal control better come get it then because I AM GOING TO DIE...I know it's smaller than me and it's probably scared in a strange place and everything....but who the hell TOLD IT TO COME IN ANYWAY right?

I just keep replaying over and over in my head a scenario where I'm walking and it suddenly running over my feet. I SWEAR to god I will have a heart attack. I'm scared of bugs, critters, big and small animals, basically everything so....p..l..e..a..s...e.....somebody come get it out!!!

NEED Mommy ADVICE!

2008-06-13T15:54:00.003-05:00

Remember how the early caveman made fire? Ok, then just think about Tom Hanks in Cast Off where he rubbed the stick on another stick in-between his palms as fast as he could....ta-da FIRE!

Ok, well would you believe me when I tell you that my ears were pierced like that??? No, we are not uncultured sadists in my country, but back in the day that's how lots of girls got pierced. Then, I think came the at-home needle thing, and then finally piercing places with the nifty guns.

I got my ears pierced when I was 5 or 6...either one...and it was one slow, painful afternoon with my mother. She pierced my ears with a sharpened #2 pencil. I know you guys are probably weirded out by now and have NEVER heard of this, but yea when you rub the pencil REALLY fast, it pierces through eventually. Then after the hole is made, you put a tea twig in there until it heals without closing back up. Don't ask me to explain further because I don't know how to...lol

Now that memory is distant and I don't know how long I must've cried, and I can wear pretty earrings with no problem. After that I've had some questionable choices on body piercing. I got my ear cartilage pierced TWICE, both times it closed up after lots of pain :(

Then I pierced my belly button about a year or so before I got pregnant...I was dating my husband then - I even got a belly button ring with a sparkly letter B (his first initial) on it and told him I "branded" myself. Yup...that girl was me, but now no cartilage earrings, no belly button rings....except I got a baby GIRL!

So her first birthday is soon approaching and for a long time I'm just wondering when I'm supposed to pierce her baby ears. I know you can do it at anytime, even when she's much older...but I see lots of other children with earrings. Some people asked me why didn't I have her pierced at birth?....uuuuuuuuhhhh WHAT?? That's the last thing I'm thinking about after something just burst out of my private area, dude!

You mommies with girls, and anybody else with nieces, siblings, etc...please ADVISE me on when I should do it!!!??? I have NO idea, all I know is I do want her to have her ears pierced but I'm afraid she'll fuss with it, scratch it, or pull it off...should I do it prior to her birthday?