Hippity ... Hoppity

No sleeveless, open-toe shoe, sandal-wearing Easter outfits for us this year. I have my wool coat ready for church tomorrow morning. Spring, where are you?

By the way, did you know its National Chocolate Week? So eat up! And not just because its Easter!

Our furry friend (a/k/a the Easter Bunny) living under the shed

Logan says "to hell with trying to catch him...its too cold out"

365 Days Later...

Funny how a year can go by in the blink of an eye or it can seem like an eternity. I vividly remember a year ago today like it happened yesterday. I was last to go in a long line of alternating c-sections and hysterectomies. By the time it was my turn, I was debating whether I wanted a good stiff drink or a Big Mac extra value meal.

The year has been filled with highs and lows; happiness and joy; frustrations and sleepless nights. At times, I thought I was blessed with a baby who didn't appreciate sleep and had digestive issues beyond anyone's understanding. Looking back, I think I can start to understand its all catagorized as "surviving the first year".

The day was somewhat low keyed. Our wish was for a sunny, warm day - a trip to the zoo. Instead, we got fog, rain, and now snow - a trip to the pediatrician instead. For her birthday, Carley got her one-year checkup, 2 shots, a swing, a handful of new books, plenty of new clothes (including TWO bathing suits), french fries from Applebees, her two top teeth, and an early bedtime.

Happy Birthday, Carley!

Spring Cleaning

We've been married nearly 12 years, have moved twice, and yet it amazes me how much "stuff" we have. Ok. Should I call it junk? No, we're not pack rats, but at times I do feel like Sanford and Son.

I think this time of year, we all feel the need to blow the dust off those things sitting in the basement, attic, or spare room that we just haven't used in a long, long time ... reevaluate what we really need and what we don't.

Spring cleaning. I missed it last year.

We started a few weeks ago in the basement. I'll admit we move at a snails pace, but eventually we'll get the job done: labeled boxes, everything nice and neat in storage containers, a good scrubbing of the floors.

Today I started going through old books. Let me correct myself ... my goal was to go through old books. Perhaps its because yet another good-watching reality tv show started: High School Reunion (on TV Land), but I stumbled across our yearbooks. How timely.

I found a comfy spot on the weight bench that has too many cobwebs to count and grinned as I read flattering little messages my classmates left me ... some from people I don't even remember. Here's one that made me laugh: Chrissie - to the 5th best looking girl in my history class. Stay sweet, Bob.

Thanks, Bob. Now the question lurks in my mind: Just how many girls were in our history class that year?

Lost: One functioning Brain

Having worked with several pregnant women in the past 15 years, a common complaint seems to be forgetfulness during pregnancy. Trying to be a good listener, but inwardly thinking "how bad can it really be?", I'd nod my head and act somewhat interested in hearing their pregnancy woes. Never once was I warned about post-pregnancy forgetfulness.

Surely I'm not the only woman suffering with this?

I understand there are more severe problems that I could be suffering from, and I feel fortunate that I am in good health, so I go about writing this post light-heartedly, but nonetheless there are days when I think I've lost most of my functioning brain. Will I ever get it back? Will I ever be able to form complete sentences again without having to think through what I'm saying? Will I ever be able to walk downstairs to the basement without thinking "why did I come down here?" Will I ever be able to stop saying "Where was I going with this?" midway through a story?

So I googled: Losing brain function after pregnancy.

And here's an uplifting exerpt from an article: There are many theories of why this occurs in some pregnant women. One of the theories includes brain shrinkage. Saying that the brain shrinks 3-5% during pregnancy, which takes approximately six months after birth to return to normal.

I'm still waiting for my brain to return to its normal size. Perhaps I should have changed the title to this post: Lost: One full-size Brain. If found: Return to Chrissie.

Testing ... 1, 2, 3

I thought this blog was just painfully slow on my computer. A loyal reader (thank you, Michelle) eased my mind last week. So its not just me. Then I worried. I can't lose readers. I must fix the apparent slowdown of my blog.

So I googled. I surfed blog help. I messed around with "things" ... I think I fixed the problem, but unfortunately I deleted much of my sidebar. Darn Blogger.

So come on back readers! Does it seem faster?

I promise not to lock up your computer anymore. I can't promise exciting, uplifting, and inspirational posts, but I can promise faster service.