house of h

stay tuned

August 1, 2007 by liz

well, i’ve managed to sleep off BlogHer ‘o7. And by “sleep off” I mean get some sleep. It’s not even like I didn’t get a good night’s sleep while in Chicago. I didn’t booze it up in the way I had thought I might. I was in bed and asleep each night by midnight. Granted, my roommate for Thursday and Friday night is, *ahem*, an early riser. Still, breakfast and seminars started early, and the days were long. LONG.

I’m still in the process of putting together my thoughts from my BlogHer experience. It goes without saying that all of my expectations were exceeded on the social networking front. I’m still thinking on the educational front–two sessions were good, one was horrible, one was teetering on horrible, and the final session I attended was downright infuriating.

But would I do it again? Absolutely.

I’m working on a post based on the first session I attended was about finding and following your passion. What was so interesting was that so many of my fellow BlogHers seemed to be there to find their passion. Which isn’t to say that I haven’t found my passion, its more to say that I’m seeking new passion to become more fulfilled. And? In a freak set of circumstances, Canape was sitting just one person away from me and I had no idea! It wasn’t until she had made a comment that I let out a squeak. And rather than lean over and introduce myself, I held my tongue for a minute until I made my comment and then promptly introduced myself to her (and the room). SQUEEE!

And can I just say? Canape is just beautiful and her slow southern drawl is like honey, honey. She and I bumped into one another several times over the course of both days–usually in pursuit of a bathroom. She’s 14 weeks pregnant with her beautiful Little Bird, and I still have the bladder of an 8-months pregnant woman. Woof.

then there are the stories. Like the treadmill debacle, in which several of you ladies have some fairly embarrassing photographs of me. Thanks girls.

My sides still hurt from laughing so hard and I’m tired as hell. But great googily moogily, it was worth it.

Posted in BlogHer '07 | 8 Comments »

blogging from the Y-list

July 28, 2007 by liz

Perhaps one of the most random and unfocused post, ever. But? Really, does it matter today? I’m too tired from laughing my ass off and meeting so many awesome bloggers.

Thoughtful posts will have to be saved for another day.

Suffice it to say that after a 3 hour delay in even boarding my flight, and another hour sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off we finally started to descend into Chicago. I enjoyed my traditional in-flight Bloody Mary (mmmm! tastes like vacation!). I tried to get some sleep. But I was nervous as hell and my anxiety level was skyrocketing as we were descending. Only, we were suddenly rerouted to fly over Wisconsin and spent the next 45 minutes circling the Midwest prior to *actually* landing. And what a rough landing it was. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in turbulence like that. It was all I could do to not hurl into one of those bags tucked into the seat back in front of me. But, sure enough, once we were on the ground and I was out of that tin can…I booted.

And then, I sat in traffic.

Forty-five minutes later, I had arrived at The W Lakeshore. And the pahtay had begun.

We had a small group dinner at Charlie’s Ale House–where, incidentally, they served nary a home brew. Only commercial beers and all were served in plastic cups. The waiter, however, looked as though he was Joey Lawrence‘s less successful brother.

*****

I sat in a session yesterday where a speaker kept referring to A-List bloggers and I looked at Isabel and said “Oh for fuck’s sake, I’m not even on the D-List.” So here we are…sitting at the breakfast table in the grand ballroom of the Navy Pier on Day 2 of BlogHer. Making horrible fun of one another.

To my left, is Jackie–a new blogger who I met over drinkies last night. Following a packed day of sessions, there was lovely cocktail reception on the rooftop. People, pregnancy really fucks with yer tolerance. I had three–count them–three glasses of Savignon Blanc and I was reeeeeeeeeeeetarded. All full of giggles and slurring. Woot! Seriously, though. It was great to relax and laugh with all the wonderful folks that I’ve met.

Sitting to my right, the wonderful Ms Lizarita, wearing a sexy little number. Carrisa, who took some awesome f’ing pictures of our shenanigans last night; CPA Mom, the absolutely glowing Frema and the quiet but wickedly hilarious Molly. Breakfast is a delicious mix of eggs and pork products (YAY bacon!) and coffee. Can we have a moment of silence to appreciate the coffee?

As the beautiful and talented Mrs Squirrel blogged yesterday, this conference is brought to you by poop. Or, more specifically, the need to poop but the complete inability to do so. Staying at The W, the bathrooms are like summer camp–wooden slatted shutters and a sliding shutter door. With no fan. So, as long as my roommate is occupying space in the uber-hip room in The W, there will be no pooping.

And finding a restroom that is also not occupied by a zillion peeing women? Hard. I’ve spent a great deal of time scoping out the hidden restrooms throughout the Navy Pier Conference Center. I may have found one, but I’ll not mention it here, should I give up the goods.

Last night, during the cocktail hour, Stacy and I staked out/stalked the hors d’oeurves dudes. We were all sat at the far end of the rooftop, apparently in No Man’s Land. Evidently, no canapes were making their way towards our hungry crowd. In fact, the servers were ACTIVELY avoiding our table. Was the pack of cackling hyenas really that hard to avoid? So in our mission to, you know, EAT SOMETHING (and also make our way to the loo), we managed to tackle a lady with a plate full o’ mini quesadillas (and I totally just said “ques-a-dill-ah, ala Napoleon Dynamite in my head). And, naturally, hilarity ensued.

Seriously, two major themes of the weekend thus far have been scavenging for food and scavenging for places to have a minute of solitude to…you know. BlogPoop?

Also? I don’t know who might perpetuate the rumors (Stacy) but…it is true, I did laugh so hard that I peed a little. Hey, I’m a mom. That happens. Bladder control became a thing of the past along about my 6th week of pregnancy.

I spoke with The Mistah yesterday a few times and he told me that Henry spent a few hours at the window saying “Mama.” Which was totally what I needed to hear–that Henry missed me as much as I miss him. The Mistah sent me many pictures on my cell phone–including one in which my 16-month-old son is holding both a set of car keys and a beer bottle. Shenanigans, people. Hijinks.

*****

So, I blogged for about an hour and half this afternoon, and it would seem that I’ve lost my whole blogging session. F@(#!

Posted in BlogHer '07 | 11 Comments »

begin live blogging…now

July 26, 2007 by liz

I’m sitting in the JetBlue terminal of JFK and my flight’s been delayed…by more than 2 hours. Meh.

Also? I just paid $3.40 for a 20 oz (that’s $0.17 an ounce, y’all) bottle of Smart Water. Damn. And I got a salad and it was the slooooowwwesssst make-your-own-salad experience I’ve ever had. Seriously folks…you work at JFK, some sense of urgency would be appreciated.

A delayed flight is made much more palatable when you have a noonie (that’s Lizzy for anything electronic gadgety, in this case, my MP3 player) and wireless internet service. And sitting directly to my left is a fellow BlogHer attendee whom I just met. Small world, eh?

Jenn’s a media critic and the Executive Director of Women In Media & News. She’s sitting on a panel for the Earn Our Vote session (Saturday morning session)–and you should all totally go. I know that I voted on issues that were important to me, that I would like to see questions posed to our leaders. The BlogHer program describes this session as one in which”attendees will work to develop a Voter Manifesto based on questions that women from across the political spectrum agree are currently ignored, but must be a priority in the next presidential election.”

*****

Last night, Henry SCREAMED in his crib for a couple of hours. Which, truth be told, makes leaving just a little bit easier. Is that bad to admit? It’s no secret that I’m looking forward to the bed at The W. But as much I’m looking forward to meeting all the great women I’ve been connecting with over the past few months, and during my blogging tenure, I’m looking forward to a bit of separation.

This morning we took Henry to our Thursday morning Music Together class. Our teacher, Justin, was Henry’s first music teacher last summer. It’s hard to believe that we started MT when our baby was only 4 weeks old–I remember laying (lying?) him on top of the Gathering Drum and tapping so he could feel the vibrations. His very first musical experience. Justin has such a gentle and silly way about him, he’s just a special guy that truly understands the true and total musical experience for infants, toddlers, and children.

I know you’ve all read about our music class, but if you’re not familiar with the Music Together program, you should know that it’s not just a mommy-n-me program in which you sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat. MT is a total music immersion program. Each session is a unique collection of songs designed to develop certain musical abilities.It’s a full cirriculum. On the personal side: so many of Henry’s firsts have taken place in music class. The first time he ever really became vocal, his first sitting up on his own, the first time he ever pulled up was on a drum in class, and his walking went from a few tentative steps to home to confident walking in class. He’s learned not only musical skills (his Poppa and I are convinced that Henry’s bound to be a drummer. Oy.) but his social skills, as well. We’ve been fortunate enough to receive each session’s tuition as a gift from The Mistah’s mother and grandparents.

Henry and The Mistah dropped me and my luggage off at the JetBlue terminal and as excited as I am to hit this shindig, I’m terrified of meeting everyone. I’ve admitted to a few folks about a recent experience in meeting another blogger–it was in the midst of The Mistah being jobless, Henry being sick, and a whole host of other undiscolosed stresses. The meeting was fun, casual, short. But I wasn’t impressed with myself. And I never heard from the blogger again. I guess I wouldn’t have wanted to be friends with me either, given my baditude. Oh well.

I think it’s fair to consider that everyone going to BlogHer has her (his?) own insecurity and anxiety about being in a whole new environment–a place where all the bloggers are uncloaking and coming out from behind the veil of relative anonymity.

There will be pictures, that’s for sure. My camera has charged batteries, I’ve unloaded all the pictures that lived on the memory card–I’m ready! And! To maintain our ‘anonymity,’ Carrisa has created fabulous Black Bar glasses, ala Isabel. I can’t wait!

Other things I can’t wait for: a long bath with a glass of wine. The cocktail party tonight, the cocktail party on Saturday, the distinct possibility I’ll get to eat here again (OMG, deeelicious. I think about the meal I had there 10 years ago and I salivate!), sleeping a little bit–at least not waking up to the sound of Henry waking up–and all the really great sessions.

But first things first, I’m having dinner with some great ladies tonight: Carrisa, Isabel, Molly, Frema, Liza, Lizarita, and Stacy. WOOT!

Now, I’m going to find a beer with my name on it. Because I’m not driving, nor do I have my baby with me.

Holla’!

Posted in blogger love, BlogHer '07, henry bear, Music Together, traveling the great beyond | 7 Comments »

me in ten seconds

July 25, 2007 by liz

I love to laugh and enjoy a good cry from time to time. I heart cool white wine, hot & spicy food, a good book, and a long nap.

My son amazes me every day, but also can make a wee bit crazy. As can my rockin’ husband, whom I’ve been fortunate to love for 8 years and love more every day, even if I don’t show it in the right ways.

Sometimes I wish I were richer, thinner, prettier. And then Henry runs across the room and says “mumumummm.” And all is good in the world.

Posted in BlogHer '07, meme | 8 Comments »

thump thump thump

July 23, 2007 by liz

That’s the sound of my little Gateway’s heart beating.

It’s ALIVE! And kicking. It’s come and gone from The Laptop Guy and they even CLEANED THE SCREEN. I heart them. And I would’ve let them upgrade my RAM if I had the time, but ladies and gentleman (Hi! Mistah), I’M LEAVING FOR BLOGHER ON THURSDAY!

Since we’ve been absent from the interweb, we’ve had our annual family vacation in Myrtle Beach. I’ve learned that I don’t do well with daily doses of the internet–and dial-up is not my friend.

I hate it when vacation is over. It might be a feeling worse than the day after Christmas.

I have SO MUCH to catch up on–read your blogs, comment on your blogs. You probably all hate me now and don’t want me to read or comment. But too bad! I’m back!

Speaking of back, The Mistah should be arriving home in Brooklyn–with my, ahem, OUR, stuff–sometime in the wee hours tonight. I have a busy day tomorrow, including Henry’s ear check in the morning (it wouldn’t be vacation without a 104 fever on a Sunday night, would it?) and I need to hit the Stride Rite for some new (on sale) shoes for my Big Foot. But I fully intend to hand off the boy and put in a good chunk of time at our neighborhood Starbucks and put in a proper post tomorrow. If I can get it together enough, I’ll even post some pictures.

*****

I’ve loved all the various comments to the Doin’ It post. I’ve had some great email exchanges with some of y’all. Sex isn’t something that women talk about freely–there’s still so much stigma for women to talk about their sex lives, whereas it’s completely acceptable for men to talk about doing it freely. So, it’s been really interesting to both share my dysfunction and read other women’s experiences. So, thanks for going on a limb and sharing.

Posted in BlogHer '07, henry bear, mommyhood, our little bear clan, the mistah, traveling the great beyond | 9 Comments »

doing it (or not)

July 10, 2007 by liz

I’ve been extra crap-tastic about posting on my blog and reading others. My little Gateway is in the shop and I miss it so much. It’s a little stunning and a bit disturbing how attached I am to my computer and vis a vis, The Interweb (as Isabel would say).

In other news: this was a fascinating article. Especially since we’re not doing it in the house of h. Really no worries for an accidental baby brother or sister for our boy Henry. I blame it on several things, including (but not limited to): a still extra crappy thyroid (and I’m looking for a reproductive endocrinologist to work with to see if we can regulate my hypothyroidism. Even though my TSH levels are considered “normal,” there are some new studies showing that TSH levels should be around 2. Also, we need to check out my free T3 and T4 levels, too. All of this would explain the No Nookie in Brooklyn, the exhaustion, the hair loss, the lack of ability to concentrate, etc…); I’m just plain tired, in spite of The Mistah being a fucking rock star and letting me sleep in almost every morning this week while he enjoys some special Henry/Poppa Morning-time; and I Just. Plain. Have. No. Mojo.

So, tell me. Are you doing it in your house?

Posted in love and marriage, mommyhood, opening my big fat mouth, our little bear clan, parenting, the mistah, woe is i | 17 Comments »

Protected: third verse, same as the first

July 4, 2007 by liz

Posted in dave, grandma lady, henry bear, love and marriage, mommyhood, my past lives, once upon a time, opening my big fat mouth, our little bear clan, parenting |

this morning is brought to you by

June 26, 2007 by liz

the makers of Chaser.

The Mistah and had a…wait for it… DATE last night. We dropped the baby off with his grandparents and skeeeeedaddled back to Manhattan. We had a loverly dinner at our local Applebees (brought to you by the Weight Watchers menu, takes out the guesswork, y’all!). And every two hours we downed two Chasers with our beers.

We caught our favorite live act, Wilco, at the Hammerstein and splurged on a cab home to Brooklyn.

And? We slept until 11:00am this morning. Woot!

I might barf later in the afternoon, but right now I feel alright. I’ve definitely felt better, but I’ve certainly felt worse. I have to admit though, perhaps this was my last ride on the drunk train. I slept poorly and had anxiety dreams and a headache and had to keep getting up to pee. Meh. And I will testify how much I loathe the morning after a gallon of beer headache.

Now, The Mistah and I are going to head back out to Long Island to the grandparents house. I miss Henry terribly. I passed out briefly in his room last night clutching his Cowie and wrapped in his blanket. Tomorrow, we head to scenic New Jersey for an ALS benefit for a family member with ALS. And Friday? We’re off to PA to meet some good friends from Massachusetts at Sesame Place.

Posted in i heart music, love and marriage, the mistah | 11 Comments »

for the love of

June 20, 2007 by liz

I never want to discuss poop or an*ses again. I mean seriously. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t giggle after saying “an*l.”

It has been a week of bodily functions. Another week of bodily functions, I ought to clarify. Last Wednesday, The Mistah called from work to report he was barfing. He never barfs. He’s like Seinfeld and the black & white cookie. He had a streak (well, I guess I should say that The Streak was broken last November with the first violent stomach ailment we suffered as a result of our offspring).

As I’ve posted previously, Henry’s had some lasting effects from his previous virus–although no blood work was taken at the time, we’re now fairly convinced that he had the rotavirus. I felt pretty strongly that Henry couldn’t be exposed to another or mutated strain of the same virus and we got the heck out of dodge. We spent 5 days with my in-laws on Long Island.

It was a 3.5 hour drive out on Wednesday night. And we woke up at 5 a.m. the next morning so we could drive all the way back to Brooklyn so Henry could be seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist at the hospital. Our pediatrician made the appointment for us because she was concerned about the size of the tear, the bleeding, and the withholding. So, Thursday morning started poorly with another 3 hour drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic (let me count the ways I loathe the L.I.E.). Upon arrival at the hospital, I pulled in to their parking garage only to find that it was open only to staff. So I looked behind me, saw no one and backed up. Only for some dude in a Yukon to drive into my bumper. THE DUDE NEVER EVEN STOPPED. Drove right on by. No real damage, just a cracked tail light. But c’mon! We wound up parking 15 blocks away in an unfamiliar neighborhood. And wouldn’t you know it…it started to pour rain.

Ultimately, we were seen much faster than I had anticipated. Henry cooperated by deciding he try to poop while we were being assessed by the physician assistant, Mary. Whom I heart. Mary was so kind and gentle and friendly and concerned and really made us both feel so much easier about the impending r*ctal exam, because really, who likes that? After all of his hard work to have a movement, Henry only produced a tiny little turd–which really made me feel better about bringing him to be seen. I seem to always be concerned that I’m bothering the doctor. I need to get over that. I just don’t want to be that mother–you know the type. But Henry just shouldn’t be that traumatized by having a b*wel movement. So having the PA witness the scene, I felt justified in being there.

Henry has a sizable tear ad several smaller fissures. When he strains, that tear opens up and causes him pain. So, because of the pain, he’s started to withhold his stool. Which makes him cranky–as I’m sure you could imagine. And it makes his belly bloated and it just isn’t a good thing.

So, we’re on a new routine–I have to say, I was confused with all of the information coming at me. Three doctors in as many days. Thank goodness for Mary, who kindly wrote down detailed instructions: use this ointment 3 times a day, this one twice a day, this suppository in the morning and again at nighttime, this sto*l softener with his milk, this supplement with his lunch. And on top of it, there’s the ye*st infection, so it’s Nystatin on the tush and in the mouth.

Holy crap.

If only.

In other news: The Mistah has recovered and had another interview yesterday–in the town where, if we had to leave Brooklyn, we’d want to move to. So, fingers and toes crossed?

My step mother is in town for a visit–my father’s second wife. J has come East from Orange County, CA. In spite of her long journey across the country, we met for a lovely dinner at our favorite local restaurant, and Henry was ON FIRE. He’s such an entertainer–especially at the dinner table. Tonight, he drank Italian sparkling water from a glass. Many glasses. He also enjoyed penne with meat sauce and loaves of bread.

I imagine that tomorrow, when J comes to hang at our house tomorrow, we’ll get in to some discussions about my father–her ex-husband. The topic came up briefly at dinner, but I didn’t really want to get into it. I know her heart is broken by their divorce and she blames a lot of his current bullshit on his current wife–and that may well be. I suspect we’ll have some wine tomorrow and get to some nitty gritty–but most importantly I want her to enjoy our baby boy and know that she’s not responsible for my father anymore. I know she feels badly that things are the way they are, but the truth of the matter is that Henry isn’t lacking in love from anyone, whether it’s from a biological grandparent or a woman with whom I’ve had a special relationship with…

Also: a very special shout out to my husband and Henry’s Poppa. Happy Father’s Day, Schmoopy Bear. You make us proud every day. And you make us laugh until we pee in our pants–it’s easier for Henry, he wears diapers.

Posted in dave, henry bear, mommyhood, our little bear clan, parenting, poop, the mistah, woe is i | 10 Comments »

bits and pieces

June 11, 2007 by liz

~~I’m in the process of trying to move this blog over (again) to my very own brand spankin’ new domain.~~

~~But.~~

I’m totally technically retarded. I can’t figure this stuff out. I’ve paid for my own domain. I’ve paid for the hosting service. But I CAN. NOT get the blog to export. WTF?! I’ve spent more time on the phone with tech support for the new host and emails with tech support from WP. But. BUT. Clearly, I haven’t been successful yet.

~~YET.~~

Y’all check out the new domain!

By some strange twist of fate and modern technology…and a few glasses of Pinot Grigio, I have somehow managed to get my own domain up and running. It may just crash and burn in moments, but for now behold!

Appreciate.

Anyhoo: the weekend was BUSY. But wonderful family weekend. We had a 2-year-old birthday party held at the local Gymboree. And let me tell you: Exhausting. Both The Mistah and I were completely wiped out after the party. Kids running everywhere, pizza, ice cream cake, kids falling down, bubbles, more running, more bumps… it was so much fun, but we were Wiped. Out.

After the party, we headed in to Manhattan to meet up with Liza and Shelli–and of course, Henry didn’t nap in the car. We met up at Strawberry Fields and Henry and Malka made fast friends and Henry showed off his skillz by traipsing all around our little portion of Central Park. It was our first trip to the Park with Henry and he had so much fun chasing the pigeons, climbing on the rocks, and charming both Liza and Shelli.

The Mistah and I have always enjoyed attending the Opera and Philharmonic in the Park–free performances given every summer on the Great Lawn of Central Park. Last year, Henry was too tiny, this year? Maybe we’ll make a go of it and see how he does. We love to meet up with friends and enjoy the music, the wine, cheeses, and other yummies that everyone brings to share. I think Henry would have a great time looking at all the people and hearing all the sounds.

Sunday morning was Henry’s first swimming lesson. We can barely get him out of the bathtub, he loves the water so much. So it came as a great surprise when Henry SCREAMED through the entire lesson. The Mistah and I wonder if the highly chlorinated water irritated his eczema flare up or possibly the leftover soreness from his diaper rash following his virus a few weeks ago. Poor guy. He didn’t make it through the lesson, his screams were so heartbreaking.

This afternoon we’re off to see the pediatrician concerning his difficulty pooping. His stools are all normal consistency, but each movement seems to be causing a great deal of pain and it seems that he’s not quite able to expel all of his poops because the pushing and strain is causing him some pain. 😦 And he’s a pooper, too! Generally 3 poops before noon, just like his Poppa.

+++++

We’re back from our jaunt to the pediatrician. It’s been confirmed–Henry has several small tears in his a*us, the parting gift from the awful virus he survived two weeks ago. No wonder it was such a struggle for him to have movements. Poor guy. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done, treatment wise. We’ll continue to treat with Neosporyn and add some soothing Epsom salts in his bath water.

No wonder he was screaming in agony in that chlorinated pool yesterday. I feel awful that I made him stay in that water, it must have just been burning him.

Meh.

Further, Henry’s having a substantial outbreak of his eczema. The pediatrician said that this can be exacerbated by the stress of the virus and of his continued.