Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Ahh, Whack!

Melanie is finally asleep and it is 4:03 PM... Switching formulas is the devil!! The transition consisting of: lack of sleep;erratic sleep schedule(sucks because she just established a good 5-6 hrs a night); the tummy aches; the painful stool, horrible smell (which I do not mind so much). The worst is seeing Melanie start pushing and see her face flush in garnet because it's too hard and so painful :(... So I haven't have the most time to blog! Between waiting to hear about scholarships, anxiety about Baby G, Hormonal equilibrium...Blogging is last on my mind. Seeing as to she has been fed and given a bit of colic calm...Now is my chance!
(For all you mothers out there who have babies that are resistant to Mylicon...Try Colic Calm- It's only sold at CVS. This non-addictive gas med is fantastic!! Melanie stopped responding to Mylicon... and amidst my tears Brett did some research and found this alternative. My review: Two thumbs up; It's for more than just gas...teething and tummy aches as well! I suggested it to a friend who was/is going through a teething stage with her sprout- I'm spreading the word!)Oh, and no negative side effects, if you guys were curious... okay,okay...aside from it's rich dark syrup stains clothes, but stain remover tackles that.


Reaaaallll quick! I would like to accredit my Husband, Brett Gravois, for being supportive while he's working hard to support our family. He is not around a lot and it's more painful for him than it is for me; He cannot physically be there to share the anxiety and hurt that I am witness to during such transition. He gives me time to breathe when he is home. He worries he isn't there enough; Puh-leasssseee; This is a far cry from a single parent household- Brett, you are there- Physically- when you can; emotionally- all the time through you're encouraging words that have worked as mantras' in my head and your encouraging text messages and phone calls while you're working. 


It's juuuust about 4:43PM now...Melanie had just let out a shriek and slipped slightly back into her somber slumber. Why Somber? Because I know she'll wake up in a fury of pushing out a log :(..
I'm intensely thinking about an article I came across in my May issue of Cosmo...It was about bullying and how it made these three young woman strong. Bullying...Hmm....Sounds too familiar. There isn't a friend I have that hasn't had the least bit of bullying in their lives..Myself included...as a parent  I'm scared of the bullying Melanie may have to face in her life... I'm borderline livid and it hasn't even happened yet.

My frustrations root from when I went to school and I was mocked because I made perfect grades and I looked "different"...As I look back at it now...Those children were uncultured and probably lived in a shielded/sheltered household...I say Shielded/sheltered pertaining to the fact that they weren't exposed to the different cultures that were out there in the world- what is sad aside from that being an environmental factor...they had no motivation to search and pursue the world around them...Rather than using that motivation for their on advancement..they squandered that ability on making fun of children who looked different or who does well in school...more than half of those people that bullied me either did not make it through high school (which is sad...), are into hard drugs, sell drugs, or work flipping burgers at a Mcdonald's because they were fired from Waffle House---> Along the road, you eventually come across your past through people and through the world of facebook :p...
As someone (because of their limited brain capacity,this person did not know that it had a negative connotation)  once ignorantly called me a "mutt"... because of my different backgrounds my bloodline entailed...Here is my slap in the face to you: Not only am I rising to the top, eager for continuing education, matured socially,and am constantly bettering myself AND I have the life and love that all humans vie for...MY DAUGHTER will be a product of a world of knowledge, she is be my successor...she's my pride...and she will know manners, have keen instinct..and most importantly be a product of the strong family that surrounds her. She will constantly be a reminder of how much will power one had to continue on as others try to bring one down... In..Your..Face!

 I believe the best way of revenge is happiness in your own success...harboring ill feelings only lets them have a leash on your life...Tough lesson I learned.
-M


Monday, March 28, 2011

I don't even know where to start!

The past two days have been very...hmm. quite eventful? If only my hormones would quit interfering with my memory!
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Firstly,Melanie's christening is being planned- Invitations should be here on Tuesday! Brett designed them (boy, am I lucky to have a husband who likes things to be as aesthetically pleasing as I do; This could pose as a problem,though- particularly, Melanie's wardrobe)... and Thank you Jesus Christ for blessing me with such wonderful Godmothers to my child who will BOTH be attending this event! <3
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Yesterday, I have to be honest, was quite frustrating. My creative juices have been itching to flow. I kept thinking about how much of a vision I have in creating arts and crafts-- ranging from photography,fashion, center pieces, poses...etc. etc. Brett and I were discussing what I could focus on aside from school and Melanie that could satisfy my "itch" for something more ( as if Melanie and School isn't enough to focus on- Hey, I know I'm insane!)..but there was always a part of me that always existed before my babies came into my life..it IS the part of me that wants/has the NEED to CREATE. (create--not procreate, I obviously have that down packed!)


If my own mother,my husband..my friends..could point out something I liked doing..it would definitely be "making things pretty"---crafts, scrap booking, fix-it, D.I.Y, fixing pictures...I LOVE IT ALL!

I've been working on photography ( hence our venture downtown)...and I don't know..I don't want to get ahead of myself..but I think I have a shot at photography? not so much the editing..that could always use improvement and of course I don't have the correct/necessary tools to make my images ultra fabulous/competitor worthy...what I'm talking about is having the creativity of directing shots..making ordinary pictures into something magnificent..

Aside from my creative arteries being clogged...the frustration came from wanting to start something,a business, in doing something that I love..and finding the balance in home life and school life. I'm still adjusting to Melanie's sporadic schedule ( she's a growing tot!) and my marriage. I love investing my time in perpetual happiness with Brett and in raising Melanie..She's the future. I feel like I would be a smidge selfish if I were to take time away from them to start on a business venture... I couldn't help but bury my face in Brett's shoulder and cry--I've always been an overachiever or at least strived to excel in everything I wanted to do.
I may not have time to start an aesthetic/ visionary company of my own but It's not just me now..I have a family and if I have to put things off to be with them so be it...

But hey- if only,if only- the start of something potentially spectacular were easy....having time to do everything is NOT impossible...it is just hard.- my mantra...
.....The hardships not faced may take the shine away from the trophy...In other words..what is the worth of my goal if I did not have any trouble trying to get it?

I'm going to go after that dream someday...who's says I'm not in the process to already...but right now?..I'm living my other dream..being a Mom and a wife- and that...that is something some people wait a lifetime to do. Blessed am I.
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Okay, On a lighter note...
quick little update:Melanie has started to take a liking to her Bassinet = peaceful nights for mommy and daddy. Oh, and the little bit has grown out of a lot of her sleepers!! she's finally out of "newborn" sizing and into 0-3 month clothing!
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It was Melanie's first mass today at St. John's! Hooray!!
As we walked up the steps to the large solid doors of the church, Brett asked me if we were sitting in the baby room or "cry" room if you must. My mind contemplated the answer to his question not even for a jiffy- "No, we're sitting in our normal seats today."...This was not said with a glimmer of pride, more so the hopefulness of a mother that her daughter may sleep during the mass...just as my siblings and my spouses siblings had done at their tender age of infancy. ( or so I've heard...y'know...sometimes Moms do lie!)
But soon enough...Brett and I found out for ourselves...As soon as we sauntered to our seating and made our pew friendly with our behinds.... Melanie, sweet baby girl, fell asleep. :).......and what was even better?..She awoke ever so sweetly at the end of the exiting procession...
...Thas' what I'm talk'n 'bout!
After mass, we spent time at my parent's house...I absolutely had to show them the hilarity of Melanie laughing in her bumbo.....for those of you unfamiliar with the bumbo...its a child sitter seat ( like above!)
....TO ALL OF OUR SURPRISE....as I try to put the shrimp in her seat...she puts her legs together and kicks off the chair ever so STRONG, almost jumping out of my hands...my apologies if you can't fathom the event..but LORDY ME, neither was I  nor were her spectators (My two brothers, my dad, and Brett--sorry mom you missed it! ) expecting her to become a jumping bean...She literally put her feet together as I lowered her into her seat and kicked off of it as she sensed it was close enough...never underestimate the brainpower of children....will power as well..she did not want to sit down!...We're all in trouble when she starts walking!

....ahh, and here...to the end of the longest blog known to man...
not to get all philosophical...
Dreams will always be within arms reach...for the origins linger in the heart..the blueprints linger in the mind...and the will power lingers in the soul.


-M

Friday, March 25, 2011

Adventure day on Brett's semi-day off

We explored downtown Baton Rouge today- Brett,Melanie, and I. There are so many random pieces of the city that are just exquisite sites to take pictures in/by/around. I definitely took advantage of my two favorite test subjects. 
We used our baby Bjorn carrier for the first time! I tell you what, I don't care what other parents' opinions may be about those things...They are handy- No stroller hassles. And if one complains about the operational frustrations--- PATIENCE and the manual. Heh. But okay, okay...In all fairness they do have their disadvantages...I'll leave that for you guys to decide. It's really a matter of personal opinion.

 After roaming around and ending the day with some Schlitz and Giggles' pizza,.we ended up taking a collection of good shots- some of Melanie crying...laughing..and just doing funky faces. 
Oh, when our little diva gets cranky, she tends to bend backwards while kicking off of anything her feet can ground...Our little jumping bean as MaMe would say (Mrs. Laura- Brett's Mommy and my beloved mother-in-law)
Aside from her mini fit...there wasn't a person on the streets that couldn't pass up and look at her- physically stop and smile and backtrack!...Brett and I are so blessed. Our baby girl is "so precious"--> hey I'm not being bias at all...that's a quote from a stranger!

The ride home was some fun-- traffic and talking to Melanie in her car seat. It's something of a delight when your own baby starts to "coo" and respond back at you. I literally melt every time... No words or facial expressions can describe what I feel when she acknowledges me...I literally MELT.
 and so, to end today's blog...
I leave everyone with this... though it may be already known...I may reiterate...
if you're ever bored..and you feel like your hometown has sucked the very essence out of you...
grab a camera and a person(s) you love and just smell the roses....take pictures and really take a look at where you live...you'll have fun and most of all you'll end the day with feeling closer with the people you take with you..and definitely fall asleep with a smile on your face. 
-M

Thursday, March 24, 2011

First blog yay!!

This little project started off as a thought while I was pregnant with Melanie. 
I believe Melanie was about 5 months baked when I woke up one morning with the urgency to urinate...." What am I doing with my time aside from being a bubble and peeing??...It's kind of late but maybe I should start a blog about my pregnancy so far?"...Hmm...a little...okay, A LOT of procrastination and time later...Melanie is 2 months out the oven and here I am writing about my experiences with motherhood! (as she naps in her swing, of course. What new mother has time to blog while their child is awake!?..craziness..and excuse me if anyone proves me wrong, more power to you)

Thusly, my blog did not end up being about pregnancy but rather...motherhood :) hah.
So, yay..here's to my first blog post!

-M