- I wish I started having children earlier.
- One of my favorite books is Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead.
- Angelina Jolie is my favorite actress (and I’m not embarrassed to admit it).
- I wish my mom had taught me to sew when I was a kid.
- My first job was as a file clerk at an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
- When I was young, the books that made a big impression on me were The Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
- Hard to believe now, but I was a cheerleader for 3 years.
- I met my husband in high school. We finally married 13 years later.
- I attended 8 colleges and universities before getting my degree (including community colleges and 4-weeks of “study abroad”).
- Needless to say, I’ll probably be paying down my student loans for a very long time.
- I finally got a degree in Graphic Design.
- I am considered a small business owner (even though the only employees have been my husband and I).
- I love to garden.
- I love to take photographs.
- I love visiting other countries. Actually this would be my #1 favorite.
- I like girlie music: Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morrissette, Avril Lavigne. Maybe I have a thing for Canadians?
- In my next life, I would like to be a successful architect… or writer.
- A few of my favorite architects are Michelle Kaufman, Richard Neutra, and of course, Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Whenever I order a sundae from a fast food place I ask for half hot fudge, half caramel.
- I taught snowboarding for 2 years.
- It was 1998 when I knew someday I’d have a little girl named Autumn. Here she is, 10 years later, although Autumn turns out to be her middle name, and not her first.
- I like shoes, but I mostly tend to wear Danskos or flip-flops.
- I really enjoy eating out at new restaurants.
- I really like modern design.
- Today is my birthday.
Archive for January, 2009
2009 “Green” Desk Calendar Giveaway
Published January 29, 2009 baby , Life 24 CommentsTags: baby, calendar, free, giveaway, website
A sample view showing the different flower and plant images, and the plastic display holder.
I have (3) beautiful 2009 desk calendars to give away. Each has been printed by BB Print Source using 100% clean wind generated electricity, vegetable-based inks, and 100% post consumer recycled card stock. To participate, continue reading…
Obviously my life changed has changed dramatically since Chloe’s birth and it is no surprise that she is all I want to write about now. That said, I’ve been thinking about starting another blog, more geared to the mother I am now, including my thoughts on raising a child and my experiences with baby products. I hope to post about other things too, but I feel like now is a good time to start fresh somewhere else.
I’m also trying to think of possible web site names. Sadly, Paperseed.com is already taken. My favorite alternate so far is Paperseed Baby, but I’m afraid both Chloe and I will out grow it in a couple years. I also like Paperseed Blog, but I feel like specifically calling it a blog might be limiting, too. Other possibilities might be Paperseed Kid, Paperseed Ink, etc.
For a chance to win a calendar, I’d appreciate any comment with your thoughts on the new (possible) blog, your choice/suggestion for a new web site name, or anything else you feel like saying. I’ll use the generator at random.org to pick the winners early next week. Thanks and good luck!
Chloe defending her toys from the “big” kids – Just kidding!
Chloe had her first play date today with baby Ava and baby Lorenzo. Both are about 9 months old. It was striking to see how different they are from Chloe – so interactive and alert, with the beginnings of their own little personalties and character. Chloe pretty much just watched as the “older” babies enjoyed toys, made vocal sounds, and moved around on the floor. I tried to take photos, but all I got on camera were blurs. I’ve never been good at photographing people, but I have a feeling I’m going to be getting a lot of practice.
Finally finished these burp cloths today. Actually, it took me several days over the course of two weeks just to make three. I did each step a bit at a time, whenever there was a spare moment between caring for baby and everything else. Most new mothers would have probably made these types of things while they were pregnant. However, I didn’t want to do too much, for fear I might jinx myself. From this nice tutorial.
P.S. I hate to say this, but don’t buy the organic Gerber diapers to make these burp cloths. They wash up really wrinkled and feel more like gauze than sturdy cotton fabric. Plus they’re more expensive.
Um, wow. I wish I was riding around town in this.
I think it is true what they say – that I’ll always remember where I was and who I was with the morning Barack Obama got sworn in as President of the United States. I guess it is no surprise that I was at home with Chloe. She must have felt the importance of the day, too, because she was all kinds of lively. Here are just a few of her facial expressions that captured my heart.
Chloe got her first set of shots at the pediatrician’s this morning. Six vaccines in three shots and one oral dose. I can write here that is was a terrible moment for both of us, but there simply aren’t words enough to express how my tiny baby screamed in pain, her face heartbreakingly red, her little body clenched and gasping against shot after shot after shot. It was bad enough to helplessly watch a strange nurse hurt my child, but I was asked to help by holding down Chloe’s little arms, too. Thank God the succession was over quickly. I felt so distraught and exhausted afterwards, crooning and rocking and comforting as best I could. I had to keep reminding myself that this was for her own good, to protect her and keep her healthy. I’m so glad it’s over, and that there are two months to steel myself before the next set in March.
What a day! Going places with the baby is no small feat, but today was pretty successful. After her mid-morning nursing, David and I bundled Chloe up so we could run some errands, including a stop at The Container Store for a few organizational supplies. I really like that place. So many great ways to store and organize one’s life. Too bad everything is so expensive. Anyway, the nicest thing happened – two women stopped to admire Chloe, asked her age (8 weeks) and told her how adorable she was – and then one woman said “And doesn’t your mother look so great!?” Hello!? What a nice thing to say! I mean, it is common to notice babies, but to notice also that a new mother has lost some of her pregnancy weight and to compliment her, even indirectly? It felt amazing to hear that. I guess it is one thing to be told by friends and family who love you, but a stranger? Those words were so powerful. I’m sure she doesn’t realize how she made my day. But she did.
Afterwards we stopped at Babies R Us to pick up some more items on our list. I thought I’d nurse Chloe in the car before going in, so she wouldn’t fuss. About halfway through she did one of her once-daily huge throw ups, getting it all over our clothes. I changed her outfit and diaper in my lap (good practice for traveling on a plane with the baby) and let her nurse a little more, only to have her do a huge poop just minutes later. Sigh. Luckily Babies R Us has a nice “mothers’ room” with changing tables and wipes.
On our way home we took the car through (environmentally friendly) Kaddy Car Wash and then got a late lunch at Chipotle. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it was the first time David and I ate out alone with the baby, just the two of us. It felt good, almost like old times. That is what having a baby does to you – complicates things, certainly, but makes even simple pleasures that much more special.
Okay, I know it’s been ages since I last posted, but I really wanted to mention the Nau (pronounced “now”) warehouse sale going on here in Portland. David and I were downtown at the Patagonia sale when a friend mentioned the Nau sale going on just blocks away. Great stuff! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this brand, their design philosophy “is built on the balance of three criteria: beauty, performance, and sustainability.” So for example, most materials are organic or recycled. And did I mention that 11 out of the 12 peices I bought were only $5? That’s right, a gorgeous organic denim skirt that normally sells for $125 was $5! A pair of 95% recycled polyester capris (originally $98 ) was only $5! My one big splurge was a black silk/cashmere top, (originally $150) for $40. A steal! Be sure to check it out if you’re a local.
paperseed.wordpress.com 
Recent Comments