Peace, Love, Shimmies

Done some good photobucket updating...need to some more, but here ya go!!

http://s208.photobucket.com/home/jlbehel/index

It seems my son is the wild bull of our Little Gym classes. Head down and full speed ahead. At least he's a gentle bull. He'll help you up once he's knocked you down.

I'm just taking this right off the website. Would love to see people there!!! It's going to be the biggest shindig in Huntsville...and the wildest. The frist raffele of the night is our beer and wine raffle. And if you miss it, the event is BYOB!


Welcome to Shahala's 6th Annual Toys for Tots Hafla! This year, I am pleased to announce that we have moved to the Flying Monkey Arts Center in Lowe Mill. I hope that you will still come out and support this worthy cause!

The Gist Of It All!

When: Saturday, December 5, 2009
6:00 pm doors open

Where: Flying Monkey Arts Center in Lowe Mill
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org
2211 Seminole Drive
Huntsville, AL

Price: $10 in advance/ $15 at door/ 12 and under are FREE
$5 off ticket price with new toy donation!

Other Info: Bake Sale items and Raffle tickets will be sold during the event!

The Details:

Tickets go on sale on December 1. This includes raffle tickets as well as show tickets.

You can purchase advanced tickets to the show either through me or at the studio - Nomadic Tapestry at 1219 Jordan Lane in Huntsville.

There is a special raffle for an amazing hand-crafted rocking horse named Jasmine! Tickets for the rocking horse are $5 a piece or 5 for $20. You do not have to be present to win the rocking horse, but you must be able to make arrangements to pick it up to take home that evening or from the studio at a later date. Neither I, Shahala Liz, nor Nomadic Tapestry are responsible in getting that item to the winner.

Bake sale items will be available for a suggested donation price of $1 per item.

Chinese Raffle tickets will be sold for the rest of the auction items. They are $3 a piece, 5 for $12, 15 for $30 or a full sheet of 25 for $50. You will be able to use a Chinese Raffle ticket to purchase bake sale items. You must be present to win and take home your Chinese Raffle wins!

What makes the Chinese Raffle tickets different is that you will only have 1 number to keep track of that evening if you purchase up to 25 tickets! Rocking Horse raffle tickets are different and the Chinese Raffle tickets do not count towards the Rocking Horse.

The first raffle will be held at 6:25 pm so be there! The Rocking Horse Raffle will be held during intermission.

This is the proposed schedule for the evening - actual times may vary greatly!
6:00 pm Doors Open
6:25 pm First Raffle Drawings
7:00 pm Act I Show begins
8:30 pm Intermission - Rest of Raffle Drawings
9:00 pm Act II Show begins
11:00 pm Proposed end time

Gah...I want to update, but I know I should be doing a hundred other things right now. But if I don't do it now, it's be like another six months until I do it.

OK, I'll try for short :-)

Nolan -- Amazing. He's a full blown toddler now. He no longer sleeps in a crib (we converted his crib to the next step, the toddler day bed), his vocabualry is exploding and he's just as silly as ever. He's started to be able to follow simple instructions and even answering yes and no to easy questions. I'm trying to let him make choices and learning how to divert his attention to other things if I see a melt down coming on...not that he has melt downs. We have YET to have a full blown tantrum. But I know it's coming...

We're still doing our Little Gym classes and are now going 3 times a week! Monday and Wednesday at the Providence Gym and then Tuesdays at the Jones Valley Gym. Nolan loves his teachers and really gets into the skills and activities we do together. Yeah mommy and son tumble time!

Dance -- Lots of it. I'm teaching Tuesday nights at 6:45 at The Studio; Wednesdays nights at 4:30 at the Matrix; and Thursday nights at 6:30 at the UFC...and yes, it's free to UAH students! I'm still taking Jade's ATS class on Tuesday nights and Lisa's Fusion class on Wednesdays. Then it's Lumani rehersal on Wednesday nights and then every third Sunday for music. Whew.

New hobbies -- After taking a class at TribeOrginial, I've started trying to learn the basics of poi spinning. I've got a pair of sock poi made by Claire Metz. I can't wait to graduate to veil poi or LED poi. I've also started hoop dancing, which I'm also LOVING. I've aquired two hoops so far...one HUGE and one reglar trick size. Hopefully I'll be good enough to perform with it in the next year or so...maybe even start some classes!

Work -- I'm still working weekends at The Little Gym. Both the Providence and Jones Valley locations.


New Baby -- We got a dog! She's a 10 month old black and white Jack Russel mix that weighs about 15 pounds...and she's crazy. We adopted her from MARF in October. Even though we love her dearly, I can see why someone wanted to give her up. She can be a little over whelming.

OK, enough for now! Back to work!

Woot! Thanks to Holley Wright and her gushing, I have been asked to start bellydance classes at both the Matrix on Leaman Ferry and the University Fitness Center.

And these will be dance classes, not fitness or belly blast classes.

So starting in September, you can find me on Thursday nights at 6:30 at the UAH fitness center and then Friday mornings at 9:00 at the Matrix.

As for my class over at Nomadic Tapestry, it's still going strong. But the time will be changing starting in September. My Performance Skillz class will be 6:45 on Tuesday nights. No more 5:30. Bad, bad 5:30.

I just wanted to send my love to all those going to say goodbye to Kris today and tomorrow. He's a star that will forever shine. You will never be forgotten.

Maybe not so grand, but an update none the less.

Things in the Behel house have been go go go. I started a job at The Little Gym in Jones Valley on the weekends to make some extra money. No big thing, but I enjoy getting to work with kids again and getting to be back in the structure that is outside the home work. Even though I still wipe snotty faces and clean up spills.

My bellydance practice is still going strong. I've taken some AMAZING workshops in the past few months that I feel have really elavated my dance to a new level of awareness. I'm still teaching my Tuesday night class, but it's now a Performance Skills class. It's great for our student troupe girlies and our Lumani girls. Lots of brain mushing. I've also become one of the Lumani choreographers, which really helps to keep my brain moving.

Jason and I are about to make a move...to Madison! We've bought a house on Balch road and will moving in just a few weeks. Or as soon as the paint dries and the sheet rock dust settles. It's a cute little thing with a great backyard for Nolan to run in. And after our trip to Ikea this week, I'll really be ready to get things organized and in place.

It seems likes after Nolan turned one, he went from baby straight to little boy. Everyone ask me how I've lost the baby weight...then they see Nolan run by...and the run back...and then run around...and then want a hug...and then run away again. The boy is always on the move. Not hyper. Just excited. Loves to explore and learn new things. We've been working on body party and animal sounds lately. And for a 16 month old he's doing pretty good. He knows his head, tummy, toes, penis (yeah, we say it) and then knows what the dog, cat, sheep, cow, owl and dove say. And how old he is...he'll proudly show you one little index finger.

And for those who asked, we will be at D*C this year. My girl Dani and I will be performing at the Wolfpack Elite Saturday night party at the Hardrock Cafe...steampunk bellydance style. Invite only, so find me or any WPE member for a wrist band before Saturday. Other than that, not much. No costumes except belyldance this year. Too much to pack all the guns and props! Drum circle every night, room party every night, parade with the drum circle folks Saturday morning, WPE party promo Saturday afternoon, two morning bellydance classes for the WPE ladies and then some chillage. And sleeping in. I know no one sleeps, but I do. I WILL be sleeping at D*C. I deserve to sleep past 6:30.

OK, that's it for now. Peace and love!

14 weeks without posting? I think I've done a personal best.

I think I've been avoiding LJ so I wouldn't have to re-read my last post. Thank you to everyone who commented, e-mailed and gave hugs in person. We're really doing great. We needed a few days to cry and mourn and realize he wasn't hiding in the closet or under the bed.

I think the hardest part about not ahving Max around anymore is Max was truly a presence in our house...not just a cat. My sister and I agreed that Max was more spirit than cat. He has quirks I had never come across in cat. I never like to say animals think of themselves as humans, because it's US that think of them as humans, but there was something in Max that was more.

Max really symbolized stability for us. He got him as soon as we moved to Huntsville. In a time of change, was became a new focal point. Even when Nolan was born, he was there as a constent. Our house was a little crazy, but we count on Max being there to comfort us. He was here for both Jason and I when we stayed at home with Nolan. He was here for me during the day and for Jason during the night when I would dance. He didn't say much, but he was there and comforting.

We've been to a few places looking for a new cat, but nothing serious. And I'm OK with that. Even though we miss him, Im really OK with having just one cat. We got Max for Milo anyways. As long as he's OK by himself, we're OK.

Sigh. Now I can catch up on LJ stuff and hopefully make another post today. March 26th...tomorrow Nolan will be one year old.

We knew there was something wrong...turns out it's terminal. We took Max in on Tuesday when we realized he hadn't really been moving much (besides getting up to pee or get water) and wasn't really eating. We also discovered his nose was draining a really foul smelling snot.

So I took him Tuesday morning, they did blood work, sent it off and today around noon I found out our Max has Chronic Kidney Failure. There are treatment options that might extend his life, but the initial treatment starts at about $800...and there is no cure for CKF.

We were too late to end it today, which we now really wish we has done, but we're going in first thing tomorrow and tellign them to end his pain and let him die in our arms, in peace.

We'll miss our Max...but the cat we've had around us for the past six months has not been him. We adopted him at about 16 pounds and he now barely weighs 7. He doesn't purr or snuggle like he used to. He doesn't wrap his paws around his nose when he sleeps. He doesn't wrestle with Milo anymore. He's a shell, a skeleton of what he was. I'll miss him so much...but he's been gone.

We thought it was just the stress of having Nolan around that was making him loose weight. With all his hair, it was hard to tell how his body was eating away at him. I thought it was just stupidity that he wasn't running from Nolan anymore...in the past months, he would lie in front of Nolan and let him grab handfuls of skins and fur. Nolan would grin so big and start to shake Max up and down or grab his face and pull him close to try to lick him. I even though he was coming to accept Nolan and even WANT attention from him...but no. Max just didn't have the strength to get away. Or maybe he wanted Nolan to end it for him...crush his ribs and stop the pain.

I don't feel guilty for not catching this sooner...cats are so stubborn, so stoic. They don't wear their hearts on their sleeves like dogs do. Max had always been a little pouty about not getting attention...we just didn't know. But now we do. We see how fare his fallen and how he's not going to get back up. We might have been able to catch it ealier, but we still wouldn't have had the money to treat him...and what life would that leave him with? I don't think a good one.

Maybe we're making the wrong choice...but, to us, we don't have one.

Goodbye, Sir Max the Bobtailed Savage. You are a King of Cats and we will never find another one like you. We wish we had more time with you, but we will cherish what we had. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the laughs you have given us. Thank you for your quirks that no other cat will ever posses. Thank you for chosing us and letting us provide for you.

Tomorrow I will stroke your face, close your eyes and tell you I love...and that I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...

Tribal Con is next weekend. NEXT WEEKEND. I'm excited and nervous. The show will be amazing and I can't believe we're going to be performing along side some of the countries most amazing dancers and musicians.

http://www.tribalcon.com/index.asp

Hopefully I'll see some old friends and come away with some new ones. I'm ready to dance, to learn and to come away with some new energy.

I'm trying to round up bellydance things that I've lent out (costumes, CD's, DVD's). If you have something of mine, let know! I've sort of lost track. Bad, Liz, I know.

I can come pick it up, or you can come by and drop it off. Either or. Thanks!

Two days after he turned 10 months old, Nolan took his first steps. My baby can toddle.

Death came for me in the form of a peanut butter cookie. Either that or my husband's germs have amazing longevity.

Just when you think you know her, you wake up and Alabama has given you a morning of single digit coldness. Wait to keep me on my toes...even though I can't feel them right now.

Brr. So, an open house today at the studio from 1-5...I'll be teaching who knows what and probably not staying for very long. Hopefully Jason and Nolan will come and get to be social.

Other than being cold and letting my hair dry before I put on make-up, nothing much else to say. Hopefully I'll be making a trip up to the Shoals this week to see DD and Charlee...I'm hoping on Thursday. Also need to get my tires looked at.

Hopefully Jason will find out this week what the dooie has been going on with his stomach. The ultrasound showed no gallstones, so we just have to wait for the results of his scan and blood work. Fun times.

Oh! For those of you wanting to get back into dance classes, our prices have changed. $15 for a drop in, $40 a month (for one class a week), $55 a month (two classes a week) or $65 for unlimited classes a month. We're totally going to a monthly pay system for easier book keeping. So IF you had a class card and haven't used it since November, it's probably expired. Just come by and we'll fix you up.

Hark...my baby wakes.

So, here's my 2009 weekly dance schedule...which I'd love for people to join in on!

MONDAY
5:30PM Basic Dance Class at The Studio (teaching)

TUESDAY
1:30PM Choreography Time with Liz, Lisa and Salley
6:45PM Performance Skills Class at The Studio (teaching)
8:00PM ATS (American Tribal Style) with Jade at The Studio (taking)

WEDNESDAY
9:45AM Belly Blast Class at the Weatherly YMCA (teaching)
6:45PM World Fusion Class with Lisa at The Studio (taking when I have a chance)
8:00PM Lumani Group Rehersal at The Studio

THURSDAY
4:45 PM Belly Blast Class at the Weatherly YMCA (taking)

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
6:00 PM Meeting for the Beladi Club at The Studio

I went to the doc on Saturday and found out I have an ear and sinus infection. Another round of anti-biotics and good old Tylenol. I can't wait to stop breastfeeding so I can do a detox and a cleanse...icky icky drugs.

In the mean time, Nolan started his weekend with a fever, which made his a pitiful mess. He'd go from sweaty to chills to tears in seconds. Our ped's PA said it was probably cause of his teeth that are coming in, but Baby411 says teeth don't cause fevers. Either or, he had a 101 fever and runny nose for about three days, but woke up yesterday with a smile.

But that's not all, now Jason is home sick today with some sort of stomach flu...whichI hope I don't catch. And just between us, I'm a little jealous and slightly pissed that while I was sick (and still am) over the weekend, I was still the one to stay up all night with the screaming baby, get up early and still take care of the house while he slept in every morning, slept threw the night and has shut himself in the bedroom so he can rest.

Soemtimes I wish my job came with sick leave and lunch breaks.

Blarg. Anyways, stay away from my house. I the vents have sucked up all our sickness from last year and decided to circulate them all in one weekend. But at least Nolan feels better. I can only deal with one sick boy in my house at a time.

I was trying to start 2009 without sickness, but no such luck. Maybe next year I can welcome in 2010 without hacking on it.

Oh, well...

Jason's gone to the gym, I got my awesome paycheck of $17.59 from the YMCA and now I'm making some hobo veggie stew while Nolan takes his first nap.

We finally got to meet baby Alex yesterday! And I'm in love. Jason, Nolan and I jumped in the car to B-Ham and had lunch with Nick and Ashley and Nick older brother Michael...and Michael's wife and two youngest kids. And most importantly, 7 week old baby Alex. Even though the house was pretty full and not Nolan proof, we had a blast. Nolan was in awe of Toby (a cat that would actually let him pet and pull on him was instant love and entertainment) and seemed completely dilighted with all the people around to talk and play with him. He didn't even seem to mind when I held and fed Alex...which sent second child thoughts thundering through my head. Which I promptly tried to squash by reminding my brain about the joys of sleep...and showering.

We're planning a Destin vacation this summer for our two fams. Should be lots of fun. Nolan will be walking well enough to enjoy playing in the sand and Alex will be active enough to enjoy eating the sand.

Oh! If I had plans with you today (i've already called Lisa), I'm gonna have to stratch cause of the ickness. I don't want to spread it and I'd kind of like to take it easy while I've got Jason still on break to entertain Nolan. We'll reschedule. I promise!

It's amazing how many "baby's first Christmas" things there are. Stockings, hats, onesies, ornaments, wrapping paper, cards, toys...honestly it's a little overwhelming. Wait, a little? I'll re-phrase...it's nuts.

Am I bad parent because I didn't send out keepsake Christmas cards to everyone I've known since college? Am I a Grinch because I didn't get his picture with Santa? Am I memory killer just because I didn't want to even attempt to put up a tree because my two cats that think fake pine needles are the best cat nip ever and inevidbly thrown them up all December and a baby who thinks lights and wires belong in your mouth?

I didn't make him any cookies or fresh mulled cider. I didn't take gift baskets to the neighbors with our love...even though they sent some to me. I didn't even sign Nolan up to be the baby Jesus in the church play.

So, did I ruin his first Christmas by not showering him with gifts or covering our whole house in tinsel? Did I scar him by not getting his picture with a REAL reindeer or baking him his first angel shaped sugar cookie? I think not. I was lazy, frugal and very happy I didn't fill my baby's first Christmas memory card with the scrubbing of plastic tree crap laced cat vomit out of the new carpet.

We spent baby's first Christmas playing with wrapping paper and empty boxes, spending time with all of our families, reading classic holiday books, pressing the buttons of his new toys, eating Grandma Cathy Chex Mix and trying to find times to take a nap within the excitement.

We was exhausted, grumpy and ready to be by himself by the end of all things, but I think we made the best of our baby's first Christmas. And even though he won't remember a thing, I know I will.

Awe :-)

And if you need a first Christmas visual, s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/jlbehel/Christmas%202008/.

-Update the LJ more frequently
-Go to YMCA on non teaching days
-Get Nolan outside more
-Keep in touch with people better
-Choreographies...create them!
-Go to play group
-Get my boobs back
-Be nicer to my husband
-Clean out the clutter and sell it
-Find a house
-Go to the library
-Take advantage of the local sites
-Win an award...or a prize...or money...
-Help Jason get his pottery going again
-Remember that love is the reason

I've updated teh photobucket...Nolan pics, CrisisCon and Thanksgiving stuff...might even be some Ren Faire and Feast in there too.

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/jlbehel/

He crawls. He stands. He eats crunchy things all by himself. He wears 12-18 month clothes. He laughs at silly things. He laughs at not silly things. He turns pages. He points for more. He bites. He smiles at the phone. He chases the cats. He opens drawers. He climbs up stairs. He pushes buttons. He turns dials. He crashed into my lap to sit. He wraps his arms around my neck.

He's growing so fast my heart can't keep up. My baby is almost 9 months old...3 more months and I'll have a toddler.

I know I say this every time I make an update about him, but I can't believe how fast time is flying. The year is sailing by and he's moving right along with it. It's amazing that just a month can turn a baby from an army crawler into a fully mobile creature with razer sharp teeth and a taste for mango puffs. Light sockets become more interesting toys than toys. Books need to come off of shelves. Cats need to be chased. Doors need to be opened. And mommies become personal jumgle gyms with built in tickle spots and fleshy grip handles.

I'm feeling more and more like a mom. I'm becoming more than just a snack bar. We play. We laugh. We talk. We interact. I do mpre than just change him and feed him and burp him. I tell him no. I coddle him when he's sick. I limit the TV. I make choices about the food he eats. I point to pictures and tell him they have words to match. I hold our my arms for him to reach for. I let him cry. I try not reward pouting or fits...not that a 9 month old has many. I make him interact with other children. I make him stick to his nap times.

These past 9 months have flown and I've learned so much about being a stay at home mom...and being the wife of hard working and amazing father, like Jason. I'm lucky. I'm blessed. And now, I've updated :-)

I think that about covers the past few months.

October was full of dance and Wolf Pack friends. The feast and faire were fabulous as usually and Lumani once again pulled off an incredible set for both. Between the shows, classes, practices and gigs, my feet were numb for most of the month. I also got treated to soem WPE love from my girl Nash and Lise at the faire and then with CrisisCon on Halloween weekend. The con was a bust, but Dani and I rocked our Hydra Bellydance costumes and had a great time hanging with everyone.

November wasn't as eventful, but still full of dancing and family...well, the blood related kind. Shahala's Toys for Tots was a great success and Artemis once again kicked our butts with her Tukish Rom and snazzy zill work. Seems like I'm forgetting a gig in there somewhere, but either way the month was full of dancing and playing with my Lumani family. There was also much traveling to see family family for the Thanksgiving holidays, but we managed to squeeze everyone in and got some good food along the way. I never ask to be catered too during the holiday eatings, but somehow I end up with left overs to fill my fridge for a week. Everyone loves to create and experiment for the vegetarian.

So here we are to December. It's cold. We're poor. But our little tree is sitting on the dining room table with a few gifts under it and it makes me realize how blessed we really are. Awe :-) Other than trying to collect couch money to buy presents, I've been dancing (again with the dancing! Sheeesh!), cleaning and trying to catch up with all the things I've fallen behind on. Wolf Pack boards, LJ, MySpace and my non-interweb folks that seem to slip through my fingers when I'm not paying attention. I've also been chasing after Nolan...you didn't think I'd update with this junka nd NOT give a Nolan update???

Well, this deserves another post...

Nine weeks without an update...I think I've made a new record.

Just wanted to say how awesome it is being part of your big day. You're going to make an incredible bride and wife.

And I think I found our shower place :-) I'll tell you at the studio!!

My Tuesday night intermediate class is no more. I've replaced it with a private 6 week intro class as of last week. I had almost a month where no one showed up for the beyond class...and I gots to pay rent. If I can get people to commit, I'll start another one after the private 6 week class. But we'll see. I'm also teaching a Wednesday night basic class that might turn into a beyond basics class...those ladies are inhaling everything I throw at them. I'll let you guys know.

Also, as of October 13th we'll be having hooping classes again!! I can't wait!! Classes will be taught by Amanda (StellarHooper on myspace) and prices and details are on our studio myspace.

And for those of you that took yoga, Holley still loves you. But needs you to pay up if you missed any payments ;-)

And hopefully I'll be starting some Belly Blast aerobic classes with Shahala soon at the YMCA in south Huntsville...she's already got two classes started and we're hoping to add more.

As for gigs, October is full. We've got the Alabama Renaissance Feast, then the Alabama Renaissance Faire, the UAH International Dinner and then Dani and I with CrisisCon. Woosh. And we've still got a number to learn...yikes. We can always throw in Rompi Rompi. Everyone loves some Turkish Gypsy chaos.

Nolan turned 6 months old on Saturday. I can't believe my baby is over half a year old. It makes me a little emotional to think how fast time is flying, especially after going to Ashley Casiday's baby shower in the Shoals on Sunday. Passing around the newborn socks and size 0 diapers...I realized my baby won't be a baby for very much longer.

But then I see how much Nolan can do now. He sit up on his own and tries to crawl. He can pull up on things and grab his own toys. He can go longer without sleep and sleeps like a brick at night. He laughs, smiles, blows spit bubbles and raspberries...all the things a little bitty baby can't do. He listens when I talk to him and responds to singing and clapping. He can finally sit up by himself in a grocery cart, which mean I can shop much easier if I'm by myself. He's easily distracted from fussing and easier to calm down if he gets worked up. He can sit in the Ergo with both legs out, which means more time outside. He's recogizing people he sees often and turn to the door whenever it creaks to see if someone is coming through it.

Long story short...my baby's growing up :-)

And as of this week, he's eating solid food. Well, sort of. He's just swallowing more than he's spitting out...and actually opening his mouth for more. So far, we've tried carrots, peas, Stoneyfield Organic baby yogurt, squash, bananas, pears, apples and sweet potatoes. And DD, I LOVE Earth's Best organic food...taste much better than anything else ;-)

Oh...and when we went for his 6 month visit at Dr. Powell's (which was yesterday), he was 28 inches long and 21 pounds. And still bald like his daddy.

I want give hugs to all my Wolfpack Elite and Dragon*Con friends on LJ. I don't always comment on your entries, but I read them and are entertained just the same. Thanks for keeping me updated :-)

I've made a lot of updates to the studio's MySpace...blogs, pics, videos, etc. We've also made some price and class changes, so you might need to check that out too.

Also, if you have a class card, they must be used in 3 months. So that's 10 classes from any teacher. Shahala Liz is managing our books now, so it's her keeping track...not me! So, I can't let ya slide. If you think you're running out of time, try some other classes so you don't loose your money. I've started going back Jade's ATS (right after my drills class on Tuesday)...you should join me!!

I've been having some low numbers in my drills class lately, so get your butt back to class ;-) We're going to work on some veil stuff next week...so come be floaty with us.

My mom does a great blog...

http://cathylwood.wordpress.com/

Nolan's first super hero costume...he was going to wear this to D*C, but now it's just for everyday alter-ego use.

Did some major updates. Beware the cuteness ;-)

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/jlbehel/

Today Liz Butler, Lisa and I will be dancing at an assisted living home. I'm glad to get out and get back into dancing with a cause. Hopefully no one will have any heart attacks ;-)

And since there's no D*C this weekend, I get to do the Movie Night/Photoshoot at the studio this weekend. I've lost about 10 pounds since the last one in June, so it'll be nice to have some new pics. And my Melodia pant and top set came in, so that means I'll actaully have some things the wear that fits. Even though I'm basically back to pre-preggy weight (give or take a few pounds) and I'm back in my pre-preggy pants, finding dance tops that fit and faltter is a whole new monster. So praise the wrap top and choli...they are my bestest friends.

Yesterday was the 27th...my baby is five months old. In a month, he'll be half a year old. My brain is going to explode --- as well as my tear ducts.

Besides him being sick at the moment (but doing MUCH better), he seems to be doing great. It's amazing that just over a month ago, he couldn't do half the things he's doing now. Like rolling over, sitting up, putting his feet in his mouth and even "talking" to the cats. He finds Milo very conversation worthy. Max just runs away. Milo at least will tolerate his grabbiness and babbles to a point.

I've also given in to some things I said I wouldn't. I said I wouldn't start him on solid food until he was 6 months old. I tried some rice cereal at 4 1/2 and then some bananas the other day. He doesn't seem to be a big fan though, but maybe I just haven't found the right time to feed him.

I also bought him a Baby Einstien excersaucer...which he loves. I was DETERMINED not to buy into the smart baby crap and not to suppost a company who sells DVD's to infants. But when all he seemed to want to do was stand up, my arms got too tired to argue. of course, the only reason we for the Baby Einstien brand was because this thing holds up to 30 pounds or 32 inch long baby. Most of the others topped at like 25 pounds, which I have a feeling we'll be hitting in a few months.

The last thing I've given into is the one I'm most ashamed of. I let him watch TV. And part of a movie. And dang it, he seemed to like it. He sat so still and even smiled. I try to keep the TV off during the day and only watch it in the morning and evening for the news. And Jason and I watch movies at night (since we still don't have cable and now we deffinately don't plan on gettting it since we've seen how easy he becomes entranced by its evilness), but he's usually playing and doesn't seem to notice we're watching anything...mostly because we're pay more attention to him than the screen.

Sigh.

But then I think of all the good things I'm doing for him. Breast feeding, wearing him (Ergo baby carriers rock my world), using as many natural products as I can, playing with him instead of letting things that blink and buzz do it for me, taking him to play group and Sunday school (he likes to flirt with the girls), reading to him, getting him outside, comforting him when he needs it...I guess I few screw ups won't stunt his creative development too much.

We're backing out of Dragon*Con.

It breaks my heart, but it also breaks my heart to think of taking Nolan when he's not well. He wouldn't have fun, we wouldn't sleep...no oen would be happy. And we have to decide today, or else we still have to shell out the money for three nights. We could wait to see if his (and now my) crud would clear up, but it would be too late to cancel the room. And we can't afford that.

Blarg. I guess we weren't meant to go this year. So you who are going, have fun! Take pictures and recap the craziness for me when you get back.

I always wondered if I could tell when Nolan got sick...I can tell.

I was up with him most of the night. He's snotty, can't breathe, coughing, watering eyes, throwing up mucus and milk and just being pitiful all around. The snot also makes eating and sleeping hard, so we'll add extra cranky to the list.

Already took him to see Dr. Powell this morning, and it's a cold. Nothing in his ears or chest,which is good, so he said just to keep using the saline drops, the humidifier and giving him Tylenol if the fever comes back.

My poor baby :-( Hopefully he'll feel better by Thursday...or else we might be making some new Dragon*Con plans.

Yup. So after only two weeks of getting over the last battle in the left boob, it's come back for the right one.

Of course I would get another painful bacterial infection in my breast the week of Dragon*Con. Hopefully if won't slow me down like last time, but we'll see. I think I caught this round before it really started to do some damage.

Sigh. I was hoping to wear an actually bra to D*C for a few outfits, but I guess I'll be rocking the Bravadas.

Before you forget...

-Open House flyers
-Call your Wednesday bellydance students
-Breaking Dawn rant
-Noon News reminder
-Christi Wells baby card
-Wash the Ergo
-Get together stuff for playgroud dance demo

Cause we got a room at the Marriott for Dragon*Con. It will be Nolan's first con outside of the womb. I'm sure he's excited.

So many things to work on now. Resident Evil reporter's costume for the parade with the Wolf Pack Elite, bellydance costume for the WPE party...oh, well I guess that's it. Not so much then! I've already ordered a Melodia pant and top set (black mini style pants and a wrap top to match) that will hopefully go with my red and black snake skin belt. Dani and I will be dancing at the WPE party on Sunday night at about midnight...double sword duet and then some VIP area improv. I'm excited, but nervous. This will be the first time I've really performed since before Nolan was born. And the first time I've gone beyond the dance studio with my stretch marks showing. Hopefully I can cover them with some makr-up, but if not, I guess people can get over it. They are my battle scars. I fought the stork and won :-)

We'll be staying Friday night to Monday. We've only got a few things planned (parade Saturday morning, Resident Evil photoshoot with the pack on Sunday at 2 and then the WPE party Sunday night) so I'd love to catch up with folks!! I probably won't be doing any drum circle this year, so message me if we need to set up a meet up. Or just let D*C fate brings us together. We'll be crunched for time since we have Nolan (naps and eating), but I'd love to kiss and hug you all.

Blast. He woke up...Mommy to the rescue!

We might have a room! AHHHHH!

Looks like we're not going to be able to pull it together...anyone need cheap tickets?

-Reading the Twiligt series
-Keeping Nolan swaddled at night
-Keeping people from feeding my child "solid" food
-Finding new bellydance costumes
-Cutting coupons
-Finding a room for Dragon*Con
-Motivating new students to keep dancing
-Using less electricity
-Remembing to use my "green" grocery bags
-Working on a group sword dance for Ren Faire

We went to our first playgroup today and had a blast. It's run by the main lactation nurse at Crestwood who's accent makes me swoon. Hopefully I'll get some dance students. But either way, we're hooked and coming every week to bond with other babies and moms.

Score.

At four months and two days old, Nolan was 18.4 pounds and 26 1/2 inches long. Woah. He's wearing 3-6 month clothes...almost in some 6-12. And contrary to popular belief, I'm not feeding him donuts...just good old mommy milk.

He did better with his shots than last time, but I think it was because Jason and I knew what to expect.

He's growing so fast. He's rolling over (back to front), grabbing, chewing, "talking", falling asleep on his own, regularly sleeping through the night, turning book pages, trying to sit up, holding his feet with his hands, laughing, smiling at the cats...my big bald boy :-)

I've been lazy...let's try this again.

-I'm done with work
-The vacations were awesome
-It's nice to be back teaching and dancing with regularity
-We bought D*C tickets, but still have no room
-I've started the Twlight series and ate the first one in a day
-Teaching Lisa's classes this week and next since she's at Pensic
-Nolan turned 4 months on Sunday
-Jacque's wedding is getting closer
-I'm almost back down to my pre-preggy weight...not my jean size though
-I got bangs again

Today: Shots for the little man (I don't like those tears), diaper run, hotel calls, book store stroll, yoga, dance and husband snuggles.

What an eventful weekend.

-Got measured for my matron of honor dress for Jacque's wedding
-Got to see Jascque's dress...sooo beautiful!
-Mom, Carolyn and the Grandparent Woods came over to have lunch and afternoon Nolan time on Saturday
-Went to The Studio's grand re-opening/photo shoot and gave Nolan a tour of his soon to be second home
-Nolan and Elvis put each other to sleep
-Jason's folks came up for church on Sunday and we had lunch with them and Jason's oldest brother Mark and his wife Karen
-My dad and step-mother came over about 3 for some Nolan time before they left for their Greek cruise
-Jason and I watch the 2nd and 3rd Bourne movies...very awesome
-Nolan slept the ENTIRE night in his nursery on Saturday without waking up...milestone.
-Nolan cried something aweful Sunday night cause he didn't get any good naps in, but still only got up once during the night

This week there's dance, working out with the hubs, dinner with Liza and Aidan, eye appointment and probably a trip to Baby's R Us for some Seventh Generation diapers and pumps parts. Doesn't seem like much, but it's a good start :-)


PS: After this week, I only have three more weeks at work. Then it's more baby, husband and dance time. Oh the joy :-)

Just thought I'd remind myself, and let you guys know, how awesome a stay at home dad Jason is. He even does the dishes and the laundry. What a lucky lady am I :-)

Nolan got shot.

My baby got his first round of immunizations...something Jason and I talked about alot. So many pros and cons. In the end we decided to go ahead and do them now instead of later (we were thinking of holding off until he was 2 or 3). He deffinately didn't like it. Although he only cried for about 10 seconds after they gave them to him, he screamed for about two hours after we came home. His little legs were swollen and red. So we got some baby tylynol and I came home from work early to nurse him and comfort him. Poor little boy :-(

We also found out his new stats: 24 inches long and 14.4 pounds. He's in the 75th percentile with his height and 95th with his weight. The doctor even thought he was there for his four month check-up. Oops. I told him I'm just nursing him. No formula or solid food. He gave me kudos on my super-potent breast milk and told us to keep up the good work.

Other than not liking shots and growing like crazy, he's doing great. He's smiling and laughing more. And even talking to objects that don't talk back to him. He's lifting up his chest and head now when he lays on his belly so that he can almost look at the celing. My little yoga baby already knows his cobra pose ;-) He's also getting better at falling asleep by himself...and staying asleep. Bedtime is between 8 and 9 and he usually gets up between 6 and 7. I'm only getting up once a night to feed him now. Sleep is an amazing thing.

We're moving him into his room this weekend. He's been sleeping in his bassinet in our room, but he's about to out grow it. We figured we need to get him use to sleeping in there by himself before we switch him over to his crib full time. It's kind of sad to think of him not sleeping in the room with us, but I know he's got to learn to sleep by himself now or we'll have major problems later. Thank goodness for Aunt Laura's Sleep Sheep :-)

I guess I'll make a post ;-)

In the past two weeks...

- I had my first Mother's Day (with a Belize Spa massage and pedi/mani from the husby)
- I went back to work
- Took Nolan on his first trips to the Shoals (mother's day weekend and then Memorial weekend)...both included spending the night away from home
- Had to bust out some 3-6 month clothes
- Had to move into size 2 Seventh Generation diapers
- Took out the infant insert in his bath tub...man he likes to play in the water
- Gotten more sleep (Nolan goes to bed about 9 and wakes up at about 7. I only have to get up once or twice during the night now!)
- Listened to Nolan's laugh get louder and watch his smile get bigger
- Gotten new upstairs neighbors...they have a six month old and another one on the way, so thank goodness they don't mind little babies
- Was given the OK from my OB that all things are well
- Got to spend some awesome time with my mom and sister (they stayed up here so they could babysit while Jason and I were at work)
- Jason started his summer va-ca
- Found some new bands (Cloud Cult, The Avett Brothers, The Mountain Goats, The Pronographers, The Ting Tings, Death Cab for Cutie)
- Signed up for Net Flix and decided we'd rather have movies than cable (no, we still don't have cable and don't plan on investing in any time soon)

I'm off today, so hopefully Jason, Nolan and I can get a park and musuem visit in before the afternoon rain hits. And hopefully I can catch up with a few people while I have some free time today. Tomorrow is Nolan's 2 month birthday...hopefully I can update with some photos.

Nolan is six weeks old today...I want to say something besides "I can't believe time is flying so fast", but that pretty much says it right there.

It's amazing how different he is. He's starting to be able to entertain himself on his Bobby mat and in his swing. He's focusing on faces more. He's smiling and making new "happy" noises. He's sleeping more at night. He's holding his head up more. He's not my sleepy newborn baby anymore...

We're also getting a more regular "sleep schedule". He's taking 3-4 naps during the day and then wakign up only 1 or 2 times now at night. We start our bedtime routine at about 7:30. We take a bath, dry him off, lotion him up, put on his PJ's, get him to eat, and then try to get him to bed. Sometimes he goes down by 8...sometimes it's 10:30. It just depends! Then it's usually up again about 2am and then again at 4 or 5. If we're lucky, he sleeps until 6 after that 2am waking, which is fine with me! Then it's breakfast and some play time. He usually takes his first nap at about 7:30 or 8 and will sleep for about and hour or two. It's nice to start to have a more predictable schedule.

I've started teaching dance classes again, which feels incredible. My body doesn't move the way it used to, but I'm getting more comfortable with it. It deffinately doesn't look like it used to, which is a little disheartening, but I realize pregnancy took a big toll on my body and it will take a while for it to reshape and rebuild itself. It makes me appriciate dance even more...the way it celebrates the body no matter what the size or shape. And the social beauty of women dancing together...not judging each other or cutting each other down. Just loving life and feeling the rythm in their feet...so awesome!

I go back to work on Monday...sigh. I love being at home with Nolan. I don't get much done other than take care of him, but I don't mind. It's worth it. Not to mention very economical since I don't really drive anywhere. My mom and Jason's mom will be coming up to watch him until Jason gets done with school on May 22nd. Then Jason becomes a stay-at-home dad until the end of June, which is when I will be quiting my job at the station. I thought I would be a little more nervous about quiting, but I can't wait. I figure I'll start looking for a part time job once he's a year old or so, but until then I can teach mroe dance classes and maybe clean a few houses to make some extra money. Hopefully Jason can get some art sold too (well, outside of school...he's been picking up orders from students and other teachers lately, which is pretty awesome). But I'm not really worried. We'll make things work.

OK...time for lunch and a nap! Well, for Nolan. I've updated the photobucket site with new baby pics and tried to start tagging them since their not in chronilogical order.

Hugs to Laura! It was great talking to you the other day! Also, hugs to Jacque (we'll quit playing tag some time I hope!), Melissa (I LOVE seeing you and dancing with you again!), Danielle (two months old! WOW!), my sister (best aunt EVER) and to my lovely Ashley Casiday who is now 12 weeks pregnant!!!