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My ipod Has Schizophrenia

Posted on October 14, 2009 Written by Tonya

I believe that everything is better with music and I love all different types; from bubble gum pop and jazz to Jay-Z and Radiohead (okay, Radiohead is one of your dad’s favorite bands, not mine, but I do have a two of their songs on my iPod).

Music is an incredibly powerful thing; it has the ability to uplift and motivate like nothing else. Just the right tune can put a smile on my face, a spring in my step, a wish in my heart or tear in my eye. It can make a long boring car ride more bearable and household chores dare I say, more fun to power through. It gives me that little extra something to go another few minutes on the treadmill.

I play music for you everyday. I have 15 days or 5316 songs on my iPod, so there is A LOT to choose from. My Essential playlist (otherwise known as the playlist of music I would have to have were I ever to find myself stranded on a deserted island and could only take one playlist), which you have probably listened to the most, includes 100 of my all time favorite songs. It is as eclectic as the rest of my music library. The first 10 songs are:

1. Ghost In You – The Psychedelic Furs
2. Rump Shaker – Wreckx-N-Effect
3. Melissa – The Allman Brothers Band
4. Anna Begins – Counting Crows
5. Love – Matt White
6. Peek-A-Boo – Sioxsie and the Banshees
7. Theme from “A Summer Place” – The Lettermen
8. Hallelujah – k.d. lang
9. Pig – Dave Matthews Band
10. Crazy – Patsy Cline

Each song is gorgeous, haunting and fun in their own special way. I think you can figure out which is which. 🙂

Music to me is like the sense of smell for others. It helps trigger a memory and hearing a certain song can bring me right back to that moment in time. For example, “Drive” by The Cars was my first slow dance, “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star was the song playing on the radio when I got into my first(!) car accident, “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure will always remind me of dancing the night away in Newport Beach with my college roommate and our boyfriends, “You are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder is the song my sister sang at my wedding and “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer will always make me think of my dad. Actually, a lot of songs remind me of my dad, but that one in particular. He couldn’t get enough of the video featuring the scantily clad long legged chicks.

I am not a very good dancer, but I can carry a tune and you sure seem to like it when I start to move and groove and belt out with the chorus. I hope I am instilling in you an appreciation for music, if not a move or two you may bust out later in life.

The best is yet to be.

A New Way Of Thinking

Posted on October 12, 2009 Written by Tonya

Everything changes when you have a baby. Loss of freedom and lack of sleep aside, your whole way of thinking shifts when you have a baby. Your senses are all heightened and it really is the strangest and most wonderful thing.

Aside from the typical new parent worries: are you getting enough to eat, are you warm enough, are you safe and are you breathing; here are just a few of the NUMEROUS mindset changes that have taken place for me.

Since I became a parent I feel like I am now a member of an exclusive club. I have a new sense of camaraderie that I never felt before with my fellow man, and in particular with my fellow moms. Now, whenever I pass one at the grocery store or mall, we nod and smile at one another as if to say, “I get it” or, “Hang in there”. It’s very comforting.

I find that people in general are kinder and more helpful to me now that I am a mother. They not only hold open doors, but actually strike up conversations AKA compliment you like crazy. I suppose everyone likes cute adorable quiet smiling babies. I can’t go anywhere without complete strangers asking me how old you are or commenting on your blue blue eyes.

I am way more cautious about everything that I do now; from driving to eating. Your father and I both owe it to you to stay safe and healthy and to do so by setting good examples for you. I find myself thinking twice about what I put into my body and about the products we purchase for our home. I am reading labels more and making a more concerted effort to be eco-friendly. You will inherit this earth and it is all of our responsibilities to take the very best care of it that we can.

There’s also more trivial changes like, the “How do I get to the top floor with a stroller?” strategies that takes place that I never gave a second thought to before our stroller became an everyday accessory. Come to find out, not every store, restaurant or neighborhood with sidewalks is stroller-friendly and in many places, if it weren’t for federal handicap access laws, we’d be screwed! Can you imagine? I never used to take elevators, ever and now I find myself constantly seeking them out.

I shop totally differently now too. Instead of heading straight to the handbags or shoes, I go to the baby department in search of the next size of clothing for you. It isn’t about me or my wants anymore.

I know over time I will be able to add to this list, but for now I look forward to the further shift in my thoughts and priorities.

The best is yet to be.

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Four Months Old

Posted on October 6, 2009 Written by Tonya

It blows my mind that you are four months old today! Everyone always says, “Enjoy it now, they grow up so fast” and they are right on the money. I want time to stand still. You are so much fun right now and I know things are only going to get better.

Here’s a list of just a few of the cute and adorable accomplishments you have made so far…AKA things we love about you:

You rub your eyes when you’re tired.

You no longer need the hammock in your baby bath tub.

You can hold up your head.

You prefer to sleep on your side.

EVERYTHING goes in your mouth and it is just a matter of time before you have your first two teeth. Your middle name should have been Drooly.

You have already been to two birthday parties and two car events.

You are more alert and focused than ever and the more activity that’s going on around you, the better.

You grab at things and are really starting to enjoy your toys, especially Sophie the Giraffe, a crazy monkey and Flip the frog.

You smile and giggle A LOT and at the strangest things, like me sneezing and folding laundry.

Your dad claims that you can put your arms out to be picked up, but I have yet to see this phenomenon.

You can almost hold your own bottle.

You get so excited over looking at a book, you almost can’t stand it.

You still don’t like the car seat very much but, you are doing a lot better since we hung a toy from the handle.

You have almost lost all of your hair.

Your eyes are still blue. 🙂

You have been on three airplanes.

You have been dropped yet and still look at me sometimes as if to say, “careful, mom, two hands!”.

Your aunt and I took you to your first movie, Love Happens at the La Costa Ultra Star Cinemas.

You love to touch the facial hair on your dad’s face.

You break out a 1000 kilowatt smile whenever one of us walk in the room. A simple hello is usually enough to get one. You are definitely know who Mommy and Daddy are.

I love being your mommy.

The best is yet to be.

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Text Messages I Never Thought I’d Send (Or Receive)

Posted on September 21, 2009 Written by Tonya

When Lucas was born, one of my friends had a three month old and another was still pregnant with her first. Over the course of those first four months of our being new mommies, the text messages between us were indicative of what we were going through, the highs and lows of being new parents and the wonder and mystery of very uncharted territory. Thank goodness for our friends!

Some of these are to and from Todd as well.

These are definitely texts I never thought I’d send or receive:

Already had a poop blow out and got spit up on…it’s going to be a great day! Grr! Sent September 21

My kid is gassing up a storm right now while I feed him. Stinky boy. Received September 18

Seriously, how do you get rid of the stinky milk ring around the neck smell?! Sent September 17

My size 10 jeans are too big…finally! I miss my old body! Sent September 12

I am cracking myself up, I just fed LMW in Bjorn with one hand while I ate a Subway sandwich with the other. I should have had someone take a picture. Sent September 11

I believe my 13 week old just gave me the cold shoulder. Sent September 5

My son has already had three outfits on today and I’m still in my jammies! Sent August 27

LMW was a super star on the plane!! I am so relieved. Sent August 14

Back in my old bra size today! Yay!! Sent August 13

I wish my hair would just stop coming out. This is nuts. 6 months of it! Received August 11

I almost just donated your son to Goodwill!! He has been screaming for 15 minutes and counting! Sent August 6

It’s amazing how with LMW a trip to Chipotle can turn into a drive through Del Taco. Received August 1

I just got my first “real” smile. My heart is melting. Sent July 22

Just got spit up between my toes! Sent July 20

LMW just had the biggest poop blow out that I cut his onesie off and threw it away! Ah, the joys of mommyhood. Sent July 16

LMW has officially outgrown his newborn diapers! Sent July 8

It’s almost 4:30 and I just got around to brushing my teeth! This new parent thing is tough. Sent June 22

Alone with Lucas for the first time today. So far so good… Sent June 16

Our living room looks like a Babies R Us! Sent June 13

Happy circumcision day! Received June 11

I feel like I have been let in on one of the world’s greatest kept secrets: parenthood! Sent June 11

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