You know it's bad when
Your sister asks why, my dear,
There's no BOSSY post?
The reason is clear
I am one lazy blogger
Five weeks since we met
BOSSY was divine
Earnest, sincere, snapping pics
So sweet and so kind
Can you see VDog
In the group line up photo
With newly brown hair?
Now it's not so dark
Since, you know, five weeks have passed?
Back to blonde, you say?
VDog is all light,
Happiness and sunshine, right?
Seeing BOSSY's hair
Live and in person
Will scare a girl off blonde hair.
How can you compete?
BOSSY's hair is fab!
The best blonde I've ever seen!
We'll see what happens.
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It's Haiku Friday.
Did you see me on Bossy's blog? No? Well VDog took screen caps! W00t!
I was the photo of the day on April 13th, I believe. I got 245 hits off that photo in a few hours. Oh, the power of BOSSY. She is amazing. 
Can I have any more tabs and windows open? At least you can see what I was doing that day!
The party and meeting BOSSY was truly amazing. Georgia, aka BOSSY, was so sweet, down to earth, beautiful, interested in everyone -- simply amazing.
Apparently some people thought FOR SURE I had to be a dude with a name like VDog. So I had to explain how my nickname came to be, which resulted in BOSSY's little blurb about me, "But under that hispanic rapper exterior is pure sugar." Cute, right? (Oh, YOU want to know the story? We'll save that for another day. Soon. I promise. For reals. (OH, you don't believe me?? Fair enough.) Heh.)
VDog got to ride home in BOSSY's car. Why, you ask? Because BOSSY spent the night at Casa de Cracker! VDog got to see the infamous suitcase and have BOSSY do an assessment of Casa de Cracker. BOSSY even knew where all of VDog's furniture came from...she's that damn good.
Unfortunately, the only other Cracker that BOSSY got to meet was CrackerDog Sasha, since we got back from the party at 0'dark:30, and BOSSY left promptly at ButtCrackOfDawn. (Seriously. She was here like, five hours total.)
It was a great night out for this mama. I also got to meet other really cool bloggers like CityMama, Glennia from The Silent I and MOMocrats, Techmama, CrazedParent, Andrea from Sweet Life, and some of the SVMoms. The party was hosted by the beautiful and talented Bad Kitty.
So, to recap: BOSSY is totally awesome, as are other bloggers. VDog might go back to blonde(-ish); what do her gentle readers think? VDog is promising more blog posts (at least one, heh). Will you hold her to it? (One idea: have any questions about Bossy? About our party? Leave 'em in the comments and I'll answer them.)
Have a great weekend! We'll be roasting here in Cali.
5.16.2008
The Day BOSSY Came to Town, Part Deux
4.30.2008
Little Man Goes to Daddy's Office
He hadn't been there in a long time, and when he saw Daddy, he started crying!! Poor baby.
4.11.2008
The Day BOSSY Came to Town
Today's the big day
BOSSY has arrived in town
Big party tonight
I get to go out!
Without the babe or husband
To meet cool bloggers
Like CityMama,
Glennia, and my Cracker friend
No Watch Me Christine
Excitement abounds
As if it were a first date
I can hardly wait!
-----
It's Haiku Friday!
4.07.2008
Two Weeks
Two weeks since I last posted. Two weeks. I've seriously lost my blogging mojo.
I'm having an internal struggle with the nature of blogging. How much do I want to share? If I don't want to share some special moments, but feel like blogging them is the only way they are going to get recorded, what do I do?
This blog is largely a way for me to record my son's progress and life and to explore my new role as a mother. I'm terrible at keeping a diary/journal, and haven't even purchased a physical baby book for the Little Man. Keeping this blog felt like something I could do -- occasionally updating to record his milestones and show my friends and family, and myself, how much he has changed over the last year+.
I've been selfish lately, wanting to keep these memories all to myself. But I also understand that these memories get lost, and misremembered, when I don't record them in some way. And I desperately want to remember every detail...they are already starting to fade.
If I had the courage to ignore the fact that much of my extended family reads this blog, I would tell you about more intimate moments, many of them involving my boobs. Not because I think you'd be interested, but because nursing has been such a HUGE part of our relationship, and it's important for me to remember and record those moments.
I'd like to tell you (preserve the memory for myself) how we're still nursing, at least four times a day. How I love laying in bed with him in the morning, having a big nurse, both of us closing our eyes and trying to wake up a little more before starting our day. I'd tell you about how he can find the "target" with such ease and grace now, not even needing assistance from me to begin nursing. It truly amazes me how well he takes care of business now. It is such a dramatic departure from what we were doing a year ago, struggling to stop using the nipple shield.
I would tell you how much it amuses me, and makes me proud, strangely enough, that he bobbles my breast in his hands and opens wide, bringing his comfort deftly to his mouth.
I would tell you about how much part of me wants to wean, and part of me is grasping onto every last moment.
I would tell you about how embarrassing it can be when we're in public and my son is literally ripping my shirt off because he's upset or tired and wants to nurse. I would also tell you about how sweet it is that he sometimes just wants to put his hand down my shirt, without urgency, for comfort.
*****
I would tell you about how this blogging thing makes me a bit uncomfortable when I see people in real life who I know keep up with the blog. It is funny when people know what is going on with your life even when you haven't spoken to them in days or months. I guess that's the nature of blogging though -- to share your life. Yes?
It is surprising to me when people DO mention what they've seen on the blog, and also when they DON'T. This makes me censor myself.
*****
I would tell you about how I desperately want to use the Little Man's real name when I talk about him, but feel like that's really not an option because of how my family feels about this being a public blog. I just really feel like there is a fakeness to my writing when I can't really talk about "us." I'm talking about VDog & Little Man, our online personae, rather than Victoria & her son.
I'm considering using a psuedonym, because while perhaps not any less "fake," it would at least allow my to use a real name, and not just "Little Man."
He won't always be a little man.
*****
I would tell you about how busy my son is keeping me, and how much I am enjoying paying attention to him.
I would tell you about how I am spending more time with my husband. I am more present in my evenings with him when I am not trying to blog at the same time.
*****
In short, my life is very full of wonderful things. Making time to blog has just not been important to me lately. I have a lot of topics I WANT to blog about, but part of me is holding back, because a) I don't have that much time to blog anymore, and b) I am afraid of overstepping familial boundaries for the sake of a funny or personally fulfilling post.
I'm not sure how much of "me" I'm willing to share.
*****
I got my first offer to review something last week. I am excited to be getting an advance copy of The Rookie Mom's Handbook. I'll let you know what I think very soon.
*****
We had Little Man's fifteen month appointment today. He is doing so well. I'll fill you in on the complete details later.
*****
If after all this, you STILL care about VDog & Little Man, you may want to consider adding me to your reader or signing up for email updates. That way you'll know when I actually post again. Either that, or, you know, obsessively check back for updates. Whatever works for you.
Best,
V
3.24.2008
3.12.2008
Project Spare Change for Lotus
AKA Change for Change.
*UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM*
Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus, has fallen on hard times. I particularly identify with her because we both have thyroid glands that are whacked, and both of our sons had allergies to milk in our breast milk.
I also know how expensive blood work is, since I get my thyroid levels tested regularly (you know, 'cause mine's whacked?), and even with insurance, it's a pretty penny.
Due to insurance companies being such asshats, Lotus is currently without insurance (and un-insurable in the minds of said asshats). Since Lotus's thyroid is currently whacked, requiring plenty of doctor visits and no help from insurance, she has a lot of bills to pay. All by herself.
That's when I thought, hey, I can do something to help. I cooked up Project Spare Change for Lotus, or Change for Change. This is something I could do that wouldn't affect my bank account balance, since all this money is just lying around my house, doing nothing.
The Warrior comes home from work with change in his pockets. He deposits the change in random locations. Change also lives in his car. Having all this change just lying around causes me mental anguish. It's the clutter thing.
I invite you to de-clutter and clean out that change! Take it to a Coinstar machine, dump in your money (it is actually surprisingly fun to do), and turn that into a gift card for Lotus. Leave a comment here or on Angie's post that you are going to get your Change on, and we'll send you the address to which you can send your Lotus love.
Might I suggest Old Navy for that ever-growing boy Braden?
Since I had my idea, even more suckage has come into Lotus's life. Her house is falling apart and the landlord is also being an asshat (see a theme here?). Mold is growing everywhere. Imagine knowing you are living in a health hazard WITH YOUR PRECIOUS BABY and you can't do anything about it. Ugh.
Or perhaps Pier 1 to spice up the new digs (hopefully coming soon!)?
Did you know that there are places online where you can exchange your gift cards for ones you really want/need?
Perhaps you're not super lazy, like me, and actually cash out your change at the supermarket with your Coinstar slip. You could then take that money and get Lotus a card to Target (who doesn't need THAT?) or Home Depot. The possibilities are endless.
Go forth and earn good karma points, people!
Thanks to my girls Angie and Dawn for doing this up big time and cooking up HoF'oSho!
**It occurred to me last night while I was lying in bed NOT sleeping (heh) that the best thing to do would be to get an Amazon credit -- the machine just prints out a slip with a code on it and you can just email the code straight to Lotus. She then can shop for groceries, tools, baby stuff, etc. and there is no snail mail involved!**
3.09.2008
Weekly Winners, March 9
My Weekly Winners ~ new outfit, lots of friends, and big day out!
And, I *actually* WROTE something the other weekend -- click here to check it out. Maybe you can throw me a bone or something by commenting. :D
3.01.2008
Lucky ~ March Blog Exchange
There have been many times in my life that my dreams did not come true. The disappointment and heartbreak of not having things go my way would leave me so hurt, so broken, and I remember how wounded I would remain. As an adult, however, life has taught me that being lucky sometimes means things do not go your way.
When I was in high school and college, I wanted to go into International Relations. I wanted to go to law school. The jet-setting lifestyle, the traveling to the far-reaches of the Earth, and living in hotels sounded so glamorous. I was certain that International Relations was the field of study I would end up in. I finished my undergraduate study, my Master's program, and began my search for PhD programs. I found the "right" program after a trip to Seattle. It was settled. I would complete my PhD at the University of Washington.
When I arrived home from Washington, I began getting closer to my "friend," Eric. As time went on, things were becoming more serious with Eric. By Christmas, we were serious and my plans to get a PhD were put on the back burner for a while. By October, we were engaged. I was officially not moving to Seattle. By June the following year, we were married and life was good. I went to school to be a teacher and had found my niche. I loved teaching!
We were enjoying our time together as a couple. We talked about not having children. We were certain children would ruin our perfect little life. A year later, we were pregnant.
These are just a few examples that taught me that the blessing is sometimes found in the wish that does not come true. I know now that living out of a suitcase, in and out of hotels would be an incredibly lonely life for me. International Relations would be a demanding lifestyle for a married woman and I have no regrets not pursuing that career.
The luckiest thing that ever happened in my life, is that my wish to be childless did not come true. I cannot imagine what life would be like if I never became a mom. I have been so lucky that life did not happen the way I wanted it to go. I am so lucky I became a wife. I am so lucky I became a mother.
Stay-at-home mom, runner, disgruntled...Laura blogs at My Beautiful Life and lives in San Diego, California with her husband, 28 month old baby girl, two dogs, and a cat. Laura is training for another marathon in June 2008. Today, Laura is running her second race of the year--- in San Diego.
You can find more info about the Blog Exchange and how to participate, as well as the March participants and entries, by clicking here. VDog is at Laura's place today!
2.29.2008
Haiku Yippee!
Yesterday was rough.
Sleep? What's that? Asked Little Man.
Mama's rope was short.
Today I wake up
To my Cracker best blog friend
Giving me a shout.
Oh! I am so loved!
I felt better instantly.
Thanks Dawn, you mah gurl.
-----
I'm so lucky to have lots of great blog friends. You all rock. Hopefully I'll meet some of you soon! ;) (And if you're on the blog roll, I'm talking to you, too!)
2.27.2008
He's A Maniac!
It's Wordless Wednesday!
Also, go visit Brad and see the question I asked for his Ask Brad the Stay At Home Dad feature!
2.24.2008
New Shoes and Smiles
More Weekly Winners.
Happy Birthday to one of my bloggy BFF's Dawn!!! Incidentally, February 24th, 2007 was Little Man's due date. I'm sure there will be thought provoking, mind-altering revelations about this once I'm not sick. Which will be...oh, say May??? Dang Winter sucks.
2.22.2008
Sentimental
It's Haiku Friday.
Now that Little Man is taking a sippy cup, the option of starting to wean is there, but I don't think we're ready just yet. I feel like this is going to go on forever, but not in a bad, oppressive way, if that makes any sense. It just seems like something we do, and I can't imagine our life without it.
Yesterday we didn't nurse immediately after the afternoon nap, as we usually do. Two hours later he was frantic to nurse (he had been drinking water from a sippy in the meantime, so it's not as if he was thirsty). I'm reading this as "he's not ready."
Impostor Mom's son, Boog, is only a few days older than Little Man. Boog's interest had been waning, and they had a natural, baby-led weaning experience. That's what I want for Little Man and myself. It seems far off at this point. I know I'll be sad when it happens.
Little Man seems to be dropping his morning nap -- at least that's what some of my friends said when I described this week's naps (or lack thereof).
He's almost one year corrected age, and fourteen months chronological age. Is this about the time? I want that morning nap!! I usually sleep then, too. I am really tired this week. ;)
Any thoughts on moving naps and holding on to my sanity are welcome.
*
Have a great weekend everybody. I have some SUPER cute pictures of the Little Man for Weekly Winners on Sunday, and I need to thank all of our wonderful March for Babies supporters. See you then!
