Lucas Goes to Comic-Con

I love the idea of Comic-Con. All geeky stuff, all the movies I want to see, people in awesome costumes. I'm all for it. The thing is, Comic-Con is crazy expensive and crazy crowded. So I'm not interested in buying a ticket so I can see the Joss Whedon/Hunger Games/insert other awesome panel here, waiting in line for 4+ hours (on the short end) and more than likely not even getting into said panel. So I don't bother. (I wish they sold half-tickets so I could just walk the convention hall though!)

That said, the atmosphere at Comic-Con is such fun, I wanted Lucas to experience it. So we headed down on the Friday of the 4-day convention to people-watch and take in the fun. It was my first time taking Lucas on the trolley, too, and it went quite well.

We mainly just walked around the outside of the Convention Center and hung out in a picnic area to watch the crowds, but I had a great time and I think my tiny Superman did too!

A little weirded out by the trolley but he liked it

They changed all the text at the trolley stop to Game of Thrones style

Right when we got off the trolley there was an awesome giant robot!

Rocking the cape

Cool giant Hobbit Lego structure

Running around after being trapped in the stroller

I can take you, bat boy

Learning to fly

More Adventures in Personal Health: Complex migraine with aura

Do you know what this is? I didn't either, until Wednesday.

As far as I know, I've never had a migraine before. I assumed that migraines are simply a really bad headache, although I knew other symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity can also play a role. But I've never been one to suffer from chronic headaches; the worst headache I've ever had was the spinal headache I had following my epidural when Lucas was born.

So on Wednesday, when I suddenly lost half the sight in the right eye, and the other half was nearly taken over by a blinking, zebra-striped light, I had no idea was happening. So I did what anyone my age would do -- I googled it.

Only when the results came up, I couldn't read them. Not that I could see the words or make them out -- I literally could not understand the words on the page. Only if I went very slowly and picked out each word one at a time could I decipher them, and even then I couldn't make the whole sentence make sense. At this point I got pretty scared and called Brandon. It was also difficult for me to talk clearly, find the correct words, and make myself understood, and about half of what Brandon said to me sounded like gibberish.

Loss of vision and inability to speak or understand words -- I had no idea that these are symptoms of a complex migraine with aura. I figured I must be dying of a stroke or something equally dire. I made Brandon come home and take me to the hospital. Just as we arrived, my vision loss and "transient aphasia" (the technical term for the understanding words thing) were fading and being replaced by nausea and headache that lasted for about 24 hours. The doctors checked me out just in case and I even had my first head CT scan, but the official diagnosis was complex ocular migraine.

I admit I feel a little silly for going to the ER for a headache, but if this happens in the future at least I'll be more aware of what is happening to me and be able to remain calm. I'm also going to follow up with my regular doctor to see if we can track down triggers or preventative measures in case this becomes something that happens to me more regularly. Hopefully it won't! The aphasia in particular was extremely unsettling.

Oh, and if you really do think you are having a stroke, do these three things: 1) Smile, 2) Stick out your tongue, and 3) Raise both arms above your head. If you are having trouble doing anything of these things, call an ambulance rather than waiting for your husband to drive home from work to pick you up. Other symptoms of complex migraine with aura are weakness, numbness, dizziness/vertigo, confusion, and loss of body control/paralysis. These symptoms can precede any head pain.

Why am I happy today?

Did you know that people in China, Russia, Australia, Belgium, Spain, South Korea, and Israel have looked at this piddly little blog? I don't know how on earth anyone in these places found this blog or why it seemed interesting enough to check out. Unless they are spambots or something, which seems more likely.

What am I happy about today?

I am happy that DOMA was overturned and that Prop 8 was too.

I am happy that my house doesn't get as hot as our old one did, even when the temperatures are pushing triple-digits this week.

I am happy that friends gave us their old portable AC that we're going to install tomorrow.

I am happy that I get to meet friends at Miguel's tonight for drinks and delicious white queso.

I am happy to have an excuse to go to Target today.

I am happy that we finally seem to be making some progress with sleep training Lucas. He still needs us to be in the room, but we can sit by the crib quietly and he will fall asleep without additional soothing.

I am happy that my family is coming to visit in less than two weeks!

I am happy that my son has been napping for an entire hour. I probably should have gotten more housework done.

Weaning etc.

As of yesterday, my Biggest Boy is no longer nursing. I feel like I should write up a whole reflection about breastfeeding because it's been such a wonderful experience, but I feel weird writing a whole blog entry about my boobs so I'll probably refrain. Suffice it to say, I'm very lucky to have had the experience I did and I'm feeling very sad about deciding to stop. Lucas took to weaning very well over the past month and luckily he's still a terrible sleeper so I still get lots of snuggles before naps and bedtime.

Life is still nice and busy these days, with lots of playdates and visits to the park. I was saying to someone recently that I feel guilty as a SAHM for loving my life so much. It's like I should go back to work so I can be a little more miserable because it's unfair to everyone else for me to be this happy.  Or maybe I should just try to do a little more housework, that might even things up a bit for me. Or I could even try again to teach my child to fall asleep on his own. That would ratchet up the misery right away.

We found an amazing babysitter that we love. She runs the nursery program at our church, and is wonderful with kids. We had her over to watch Lucas last weekend while we saw Man of Steel and grabbed some lunch, and it all went swimmingly. Lucas has been having a little separation anxiety with me since then, but it could be unrelated. Poor guy also has at least one molar on its way in and he's having a rough time of it.

I'm not sure I have too much to say today, I just thought I should commemorate the End of Nursing somehow. Another reason to be sad: no more extra 500 calories a day for me. Time to return to pre-pregnancy eating habits, boo. Secret milkshakes I bought while Brandon was at work, I will miss you most of all.

Damn Casseroles: Breakfast Edition

Generally, I do not like making casseroles because they are deceitful. They PRETEND like they are easy-prep-and-serve meals for a busy SAHM. "Just throw it in the oven!" LIE. There are eleventy-billion steps prior to the "throwing in the oven" part that tends to result in an entire sink full of dishes and pans that I now have to deal with because Every. Single. Component has to be prepped and, most of the time, cooked before the Damn Casserole (D.C.) can be constructed and readied for oven-throwing.

(If you disagree with me and have a delicious casserole recipe that has ingredients that only need to be cooked one single time, now would be the time to jump down to the comments and share your recipe, please.)

Now Crockpot cooking, there is something I can get behind. Sure, everything I make turns into the a similar-tasting unattractive gelatinous goop, but did I have to do anything put throw things into a pot then flip a switch? I did not. Then again, afore-mentioned unattractive gelatinous goop -- plus the face my husband makes when he walks in the door and sees that the Crockpot is out -- means that option can't be utilized too often.

My favorite D.C. to make, when I'm feeling like I want to spend my entire afternoon prepping bits and pieces of it while listening to my son whine from the Pack'n'Play in the corner of the kitchen, is a Holiday Breakfast Casserole that I can customize based on what is in my house at the time. The recipe is based on one that my family makes for Christmas brunch, but it also works great for a weeknight meal if you're into the whole breakfast-for-dinner thing. (If you are not, jump down to the comments and explain why you are so lame.)

Holiday Breakfast Casserole

24 oz. package hash browns (Today I used freshly grated potatoes and zucchini instead)
2T butter, melted
2c. ham, diced (Today I used 1lb. crumbled sausage, sauteed until browned with about 1/2c. diced onion)
1c. grated Cheddar Cheese
1c. grated Jack cheese (Today I used all Cheddar because that's what we keep in the house)
4 eggs
1c. milk
1/2t. seasoned salt
4 (4oz.) cans diced green chiles (Today I only have one 7oz. can)

Grease a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Spread hash browns in pan, brush with melted butter. Bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until slightly browned. Layer meat, chiles, and cheese over potatoes. Mix together eggs, milk, and seasoned salt; pour over casserole contents. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

So, a little fussy what with the several steps and cooking potatoes first, etc., but it does turn out delicious. I like to eat mine with a little sour cream on top; Brandon prefers ketchup. It would be great with green salad or fruit on the side, and maybe some good bread or muffins.

I don't have any of these things in the house, so we'll be having ours slopped into a bowl, but I definitely recommend doing better for yourself. Especially if you've expended all this effort on a D.C., at least make it worth your while, you know? Because we all need to realize that D.C.s aren't making anyone's lives any easier.

Life with a Toddler

It's so interesting to see how Lucas is changing from a baby into a toddler. Other than the walking, which is still hesitant but getting more confident by the day, he's also branching out into throwing tantrums and being a picky eater.

The tantrums mainly stem from being forced to give up a desired object, or transitioning from an activity he really wants to do, like crawl into the street. I mostly try to ignore them, although it's hard when you're in a public place where other parents can see you! His don't last more than a minute or two right now, though.

The picky eater thing I am also trying to ignore. I am determined not to be a short order cook mama -- so I give him about 3-4 choices of food per meal, including one item he definitely likes assuming he is hungry. Once he refuses an item, I give it a break for a few minutes and try again. When he's refused all the choices, meal time is over. If he hasn't eaten much or anything, I offer food again about an hour later and he'll usually be interested. No fighting, no tears. It's very low stress for all involved, and clearly my Biggest Boy isn't going to starve to death anytime soon if he skips a meal or two.

I was right on target with his one-year stats, though. He weighed 25lbs 9oz, and was 32.25in tall at his appointment last week. That's 93rd percentile for weight and 97th percentile for height, the first time his height is greater than his weight.

Our daily routine these days goes something like this:

5:30-6:30am: Lucas is up for the day. We nurse and then get up and I watch the news for a bit while Lucas plays around in the living room.

7:00am: Breakfast time for both. Usually I feed Lucas first and then me, although sometimes we eat together. Then more playtime.

8:00am: We head out on a 30-40 minute walk or run around the nearby school and park. Fresh air for Lucas and exercise for me, win-win!

9:00am: Back from our walk, we start winding down for morning nap. Quiet play in the nursery, followed by books, milk, and sleep. He's usually asleep around 9:30.

11:00am: Wake-up from nap, change into play clothes, prep lunch for both.

11:30am: Lunch time!

12:00pm: Usually we head out the door for errands, park dates, Gymboree, or other outside the house events around this time.

2:30pm: Start winding down for afternoon nap. Hopefully Lucas is asleep by 3:00pm.

4:00-4:30pm: Lucas wakes up and we play in the backyard until Brandon gets home from work.

5:30pm: Dinner time for everyone! Eventually, depending on what everyone is eating.

6:45pm: Bathtime for Lucas, followed by jammies and books.

7:00pm: One more nursing session and then bedtime, in theory, although he generally doesn't fall asleep until 7:30 or 8:00.

He's still getting up at least once per night, often twice, occasionally three times, but it's mostly manageable. Our days feel a lot busier than back when I was counting the minutes until Brandon got home when Lucas was a newborn!

Here are a few recent photos!

Playing on our new piano

Birthday Biggest Boy!

Mom outing to a fun community garden/nursery

He loved the sandbox

Silly heart.

Aww, no more party in the back. Baby curls are gone!

Before rocking it out at Gymboree

Next up, First Baseman Lucas!

Lucas's Birthday Party

On Saturday, we threw a small party for Lucas's first birthday. I had an elaborate party all imagined with a Teddy Bear Picnic theme. I even had a Pinterest board all set up. But as usual, my imagination far exceeded both my motivation and my budget. So we just threw a few quilts on the back lawn and grilled some burgers and hot dogs instead. It was great!

A few of Lucas's little "friends" his age came with their parents, and we enjoyed chilling in the shade for a while watching the babies play with the toys I put out. Once the shade disappeared, we headed inside for cupcake time. Lucas didn't get as excited about the cupcake as you might expect, but he'd had a full lunch as well as bites of his Gram's lunch, so I think he just wasn't particularly hungry. He ate/smashed about half of it, more than enough to give him a pretty spectacular sugar rush for the rest of the afternoon.

He got pretty spoiled by his family in terms of presents, too. I was pretty proud of my gift -- a plastic wading pool filled with a variety of plastic cups, scoops, squirt bottles, and bowls to use as a makeshift "water table" this summer. He loves it! We've gone out every day since his birthday to splash around in the afternoon, I think we'll get a lot of use out of it. Brandon got him one of the giant stuffed dogs from Costco. Lucas is a bit wary of it but it is about three times his size. My parents got him a summer membership at Gymboree, as well as a dump truck, and he got a pile of sand toys from my sister that are a big hit even without the sand. Add to this a bunch of presents from Brandon's family and his extended family on my side and you get one very spoiled little one-year-old!

Lucas had a pretty good month prior to his birthday. He's started walking a few steps at a time, which is exciting and adorable. He gives kisses now, possibly the cutest thing ever, and can drink from a straw. We've started weaning slowly and he seems to be adjusting to it just fine - jury's still out on my adjustment, though. I'm not sure on his weight or height, his one-year appointment isn't until next week.  I'm estimating that he's around 25.5 pounds, and maybe 32 inches tall? We'll see how accurate that guess is later.

Here are a few photos from the party and a few others from April/May.

Cake!

Trying out the new "swimmy pool"

Mama snuggles at the party

Birthday party SuperBaby

Learning about puzzles during month 12

Silly almost-year-old baby

Trying out the big kid pool at the YMCA