Chick-fil-Awkward

Lola and I went to Chick-fil-A for lunch today. The drive-thru was literally wrapped around the building, so we parked and ate-in. (I like the Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich; she likes to watch me eat it.) As I wandered around the completely packed restaurant (tray and stroller in tow) looking for a table, a woman who was sitting at a four-top with her 2 children offered me the seat next to her. At her table. It was a little strange - sitting down with a complete stranger, and her family, no less . . . but there were no other tables. And I was really hungry. So I sat.

But then the awkwardness began. Did this woman want to engage in conversation with me? Or was I just supposed to eat quietly in my corner of the table. She ended up asking me a few questions, and some polite banter occurred. But it was hard to tell where the lines of our newfound relationship really were. Did I offer to get her a refill when I went back for my own? Did I give her a ketchup packet when she needed an extra? I would, of course, do these things for anyone that I was actually at lunch with (on purpose, I mean). But wouldn't necessarily do them for the folks at the table next to me.

In the end, she got me a refill and I kept an eye on her kids. Next time I'll just wait out the drive-thru line.

Race for Hope

This weekend, Husband, Lola, and I (as well as a several folks from the orthopaedic program - residents, wives, attendings, nurses, and office staff) participated in a 5K race to raise money for sarcoma research. It was particularly meaningful for us because we lost a close family friend to sarcoma this summer. It was about 100 degrees outside, but Lola still managed to sleep for about 2 miles.

A timely matter

The power went out the other night, which means the clocks had to be reset the next morning. I'm not sure why, but I have this weird compulsion that all the clocks in a particular room have to be set to exactly the same time. I don't so much care from room to room, but when I'm sitting in one place, all the clocks in my sight need to be set the same. It weirds me out if it is 3:12 on the microwave and 3:13 on the oven. Who is right? Who is running behind? Or ahead?

Who, Me?

Enough is enough

I've told enough poop stories on this blog for now - so I will not regale you with the absolute disaster that occurred somewhere along the South Carolina/Georgia border and necessitated a stop at Dad's Pit Stop, a rinse in the bathroom sink, and a complete change of clothes.

Perusing the aisles of Dad's Pit Stop, I had to find something that could cover the poop-soaked carseat so that I could continue our journey to Commerce, GA (we were meeting my parents and siblings for lunch). As you can imagine, the selection was limited. In my haste, I grabbed the only thing in this poor-excuse-for-a-retail-establishment that would suit our needs - a t-shirt. I borrowed a pair of scissors and cut out holes for the car seat straps and made (in my opinion) one kick-ass last-minute version of the piddle pad (yes, I know, I'll buy it this week).

All that to tell you this: It was only when I got home and was pulling the affected wash out of the dryer (which, by the way, included the t-shirt, the carseat, her clothes, her lovey, her toy, my shirt, the nursing cover, and 2 burp-cloths) that I realized the only t-shirt they sold at Dad's Pit Stop read "I'm a lil' redneck", with the word "redneck" colored by the confederate flag design. Bestill my liberal heart.

Double Trouble

No longer satified by the pacifier or her fingers alone, Lola has decided that she prefers BOTH. At the same time.

OMG LOL

I'm not sure where to start.

My Husband, The Hero

Our air conditioning broke. Serious bummer in the 100 degree heat. The HVAC company came out do to an eval and quoted over $600 for parts and labor. Husband found some supplier in the area and fixed the air conditioning himself!! My hero.

Things to note

Just in case you were wondering . . .
1. When Lola has a blow-out poop - it must be changed immediately or the poop begins to seep into the carseat and then it has to be washed and air-dried.
2. Not only is there no changing table at the post office, there isn't even a public restroom.
3. The back seat of a Toyota 4Runner is not the best for massive-diaper changes due to the sloping of the seat
4. It is 95 degrees outside
5. Poop somehow stinks worse in the heat
6. Those little green bags that you put dirty diapers in are also great for transporting clothes that are covered in poo.
7. Although perhaps the pinnacle of red-neckiness, taking a topless baby into the Bank of America for some quick banking transactions really isn't all that big of a deal.
8. I have officially written 3 posts in the past month about bowel movements.

Not-so-curious hair loss

In addition to the hair that I am losing naturally, sweet Lola has decided to do her part for the cause by grabbing fist-fulls of my hair while nursing or falling asleep and pulling out whatever she can.

Warning: Grossness

Looks like returning the piddle pad was an err in judgement.

Curious Hair Loss

Before I got pregnant: I had the sort of hair loss that I think all people with thick hair have. A bit would come out in the shower when I shampooed; I would always have to swipe the drain after I was finished. I had to regularly clean out my brushes. And it wasn't uncommon to find a good bit of hair on my bathroom floor.

While I was pregnant: I didn't lose a SINGLE strand of hair. Not in the shower. Not while drying it. Not while pulling it out of a ponytail. Nada.

Now: Oh dear. For the first time it really seems like the amount of hair I'm losing could lead to a noticeable change in my appearance. First of all - it's everywhere - not just in the bathroom, but on the couch, in the rug, at the dinner table. Secondly, its a TON of hair. I swear after my shower and blow-dry this morning I could have pieced together a locks-for-love wig and still had a few strands to spare.

I think this is a normal part of the hormonal changes of pregnancy and post-childbirth. And I have to imagine that it regulates back to normal eventually. I'm not overly concerned . . . just curious.

Munchkin

Thank you

Dear Husband,

Thank you for the best 4 years of my life and the greatest gift ever.

I love you.

Wife

4 month stats

Lola went to the pediatrician yesterday (actually for a little cold that was coming on) - and they ended up just doing her 4-month well check while we were there.
Her current stats:
Head circum. - 16 3/4 inches (88th percentile)
Weight - 14 lbs. 10 oz. (73rd percentile)
Height - 25 7/8 inches (95th percentile!!)

So our little supermodel is doing great. She had a pretty yuck day yesterday between the cold and the shots - but she seems to be doing great this morning.

Hello, Blue Eyes

4 Months!

And going through a bit of an oral stage.

3 Months!

I realize I'm a bit behind . . . we actually took the 4 month picture today - so I figured I needed to get this one up asap. I know her hair looks red; it isn't. I can't explain why she has phantom red hair in pictures . . .

Sorry the blog has been quiet. The entire month of June slipped away. We were in Hilton Head for a week - and then back and forth to Atlanta. In spite of all the ups and downs of this month, Lola continues to bring constant light and joy to our lives. More pictures coming soon!