Addiction

ad·dic·tion

/əˈdɪkʃən/ Show Spelled [uh-dik-shuhn] Show IPA

noun

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma

 

Ok. So maybe I'm not a total addict... but kinda. I have some addictions that at some point or another have caused Casey to get SEVERELY annoyed with me. the biggest one of course was reading. Right after I got my NOOK I ignored Casey for WEEKS. Since he bought it for me he was really good about it for a while. Then he got sick of it. Then I learned to turn on ESPN for him so that I could read. but here are some addictions I've become aware of that have had a definite affect (effect?) on my life:

• READING...(duh)-but it should please you to know that I'm down to only 2-4 books a week since having Heston and getting a new job.
• ACTION MOVIES- Seriously. CAN NOT get enough. Casey got the biggest kiss ever when he agreed to have a Die Hard Marathon with me (and I smiled through the whole new one). Casey HATES that I have the A-team memorized and watch Terminator every time it's on. He tries to fight my Fast and the Furious obsession. He refuses to see the new GI Joe (I know the first on sucked but,Channing, Bruce, and Dwayne... so. much. drool.)
• ORANGE JUICE- I know you don't think this can be an addiction. but it is. If I don't have it every morning I feel lost and confused.
• HESTON- man that kid's cute. He's recently started screaming "MAMA" if he's really sad or pissed off. I have to admit I kind of love it.
• CASEY- I sniff him. Creepy? maybe.
• CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AND MOVIE THEATRE POPCORN- I blame my father. I crave them. I have to have them! HAVE TO!
• PUPPIES- every time I see one I feel the need to point it out (and by point it out I mean I'll bark at it). and I can spot a puppy from miles away.
• GIRLS NIGHTS- these definitely piss off Casey. But sometimes one a month just isn't enough! the chatting, the laughing, the inappropriate humor. It just doesn't get better!

 

Alright. I'll leave it at that because I've got to go. sorry this is lame but it's just been too long since I've posted. The 3 people who read this were probably worried I died.

 

 

 

happenings

This is going to be quick because I'm trying to do it before Heston wakes up which could be any second. But I wanted to give an update as to why, as of late, I'm a sucky blog stalker and a sucky blogger. I got a new job/promotion. I am the new Travel Coordinator at UVU and I am CRAZY busy. No longer do I have spare time to read, watch tv, blog/facebook stalk, or harass people via text message. I like being busy. I like my new job and learning new things and meeting new people. I thrive on the chaos. before you ask, no, I cannot get you cheap flights or book your vacation. I'm not a travel agent.
In other news I've been "sick". I don't know if asthma can really be called "sick" but if so I guess I was.  I had a minor episode. I haven't had problems with my asthma since I was in Junior High but a few months ago I got a cold and had to go in for a rescue inhaler. then I got better. Then I got worse. A few weeks ago I started having to use it a few times a night and then progressively more often... well... things got to a point where I was waking up every hour or 2 to do the rescue inhaler so that I could sleep at night. I was also doing it multiple times a day. Casey told me to go to the doctor but I kept thinking it would just go away. I kept getting migraines and sick and shaky but didn't connect the two. One day I got SUPER sick and started passing out at work. I drove home (bad BAD idea. but I made it safe and managed to not pass out) and collapsed in bed. Casey says I passed out. I claim it was just a good nap. Anyway, the next morning I went to the doctor (while I was actually feeling pretty good and breathing decently) and it turns out my oxygen levels were low. They started me on a breathing treatment right away and filled me full of steroids. I guess the shaking was because I wasn't getting enough oxygen to my tissue.... oops. The doctor was pretty upset with me. Casey was even more upset.  Long story short. I'm fine. If Casey tells you I almost died, he's just being dramatic.
Also, Heston is mobile! The little turd has figured out how to scoot himself. darn. He's also sick. :( I've never seen so much snot in my life. I've also never had so much snot all over my shirt. Super attractive. But, he's wanted to cuddle a lot and so I'll take a snot soaked shirt (and I seriously mean SOAKED).
Let's see.... I think we're all caught up now??? We caved and bought a Dyson. The amount of dog hair got to be too much for a normal vacuum to handle. If you'd like to come clean my house I'd let you. It's desperately needed. But hey, you won't need to vacuum because we've done that! I'm sure I've missed something vitally important but I guess if it was I'd remember it.... Bye!

Things I Say

It's amazing how many things I say EVERY DAY that Shock me. Things that make me pause and think "wow, who saw that one coming?" Of course there are the obvious:

• "accounts payable- this is Leslie" My math teacher is probably having a stroke.
• "my son, Heston"- yes, I have a child. weird.
• "our house"- yup, real grown ups, 2 dogs, a baby, AND a house. We have arrived.
• "has he pooped today?" or "yay! he pooped!"- hmm... poop is a priority... interesting. Is this another sign that we've "arrived" or does this take me down a notch?

Then there are the WEIRD things. Things that I think there's NO WAY that other people have to (get to?) say these on a daily basis:

• "Don't eat the dog!"- do the dogs look tasty? why does he insist on trying this?
• "Don't lick the baby!"- Heston loves it, and the dogs get yelled at. It's a cruel world.
• "Please don't eat spit up"- Skills is gross
• "Don't hump your sister!"- dogs. oy. in all fairness this isn't everyday... still, very awkward.
• "So, in the book I read last night..."- I always loved to read but I think it's become a problem. Reading slow means taking 2 days... :\ I may need an intervention.
• "You're a ho bag. But I love you"- He (Casey) really is a Ho-bag. But he's okay to look at so I put up with it.

Alright. This was random. But I need to get back to work. :D

Thanks

I have WAY too many things to be thankful for. But, as it's Thanksgiving I'm going to enjoy it instead of just dreading the coming of Christmas music. If you see me screaming like a crazy person it's probably because of the music. Anyway, back to being thankful...
I'm SO thankful for my friends and my family. I don't know what I would do without them.
 My friends not only put up with my craziness and definite over-sharing but they seem to love the real me. They love Casey, they care about my family, they are the best friends a girl could ask for. LOVE THEM.
Then there's my family; I don't even know what to write without it being ridiculously long and sappy. Every single person is AMAZING and I aspire to be just like them. They love Casey and Heston and accept the fact that I'm a crazy dog lady. They are the best.
Then there's Casey's family; I have great in-laws. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I'm sorry your in-laws suck, but mine rock. They are the easiest people to get along with and they would do anything for us. I think they are still shocked by my craziness sometimes, but they accept it and that's what matters! On a side note: at the last family party I found the best joke on a laffy taffy "why did the momma cat move her kittens?"          Answer: "because she didn't want to litter"   ahahahaha!!! such a goodie! And Casey's family now knows that I have the sense of humor of a 5 year old.
What I am most thankful for is this

This is my world. I could not be more spoiled than I am because of these 4 beings. They love me, they cuddle me, and they want to be with me. I love them. Skills is a diva who thinks she's a person, Moose is on crack and I either want to cuddle with him or punch him in the face, Heston is perfect in every way, and Casey is the best. He's everything; Smart, funny, strong, can fix anything, likes to cook, etc etc..
Also lately I've been thankful for laughter. It has recently come to my attention that most people don't throw there heads back when they laugh... apparently that's just me. and children. Embarrassing. But I'm so glad for the laughter in my life. Funny things:

• Casey: "is that a bottle in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"   (it was a bottle)
• I'm doing my post-baby-shedding and Casey asked me if Cousin-It died in our garbage can.
• Phil on Duck Dynasty: "we should head on down to the wal-mart and buy you a personality"
• Marshal on How I Met Your Mother: " what do you call a fish with no eyes?... FSH"
• Wreck It Ralph
• Casey on Wreck It Ralph Casey: "is it as funny as Tangled?" Me:"It's a different kind of funny" Casey: "Does it have a funny horse?" Me: "no..." Casey: "Then it's not as funny."
• dirty texts from Maegan

alright, I'll stop. The point is, I'm glad I can enjoy the little things. I'm glad my life is full of joy and I'm so thankful to the people in my life who are constantly making me laugh. Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!

debates- take 2

So, As I posted before Casey and I LOVE  to have debates over stupid things. Of course no one ever wins so we still have the ones from my last post. But here are the latest. I'm sure on most of these you can guess whose opinion is whose, but please feel free to weigh in.

• what's nerdier (I'm sure that's a word), a reading addiction or actually LIKING math?
• Is it normal to not be able to suck and swallow at the same time? (Out of a straw!!!! I know this sounds dirty. it's not. I PROMISE!)
• Does Heston look like Casey or Me?

Sorry this is the only one I've got of the 3 of us... 

• Is it OK to not have emotions/block emotions?
• Pee chills: fact or fiction?
• Basketball or Baseball? This one just makes me mad! How is this even a competition???!!!

• Nature Vs. Nurture? A little serious for Leslie and Casey? yep! totally obvious who stands where on this one but it's really weird because normally we have fairly similar opinions on serious issues but we are TOTALLY opposites on this! our conversations about it are hilarious.
• Is Brandi from Storage Wars Hot?  

And I'm sure there are more but I don't remember. Also in the Batman vs. Superman I want everyone to know that Heston is being Superman for Halloween!!! I'm sure you all thought Casey was winning since he had his batman outfit in the newborn pics. But don't worry, I won't take that lying down! So thank you Callie Johnson for his superman costume and Thank you Kim for his Superman Onesie!

Also I heard on the radio today that 85%  of studies say PMS is a myth. this made me chuckle. And I think  woman everywhere are rising up to strangle the people who did this study. However, as some one who's never really had PMS I feel fine about it. How do you feel? ;)

Work

Yes, I am back at work and yes, it BLOWS. I hate it. I was all sorts of nervous that I couldn't be a stay at home mom. And while I was correct in thinking I would suck at the homemaker thing (I tried, but cleaning is really just not one of my skills), I was incorrect in thinking I'd have a hard time being home all day. I loved cuddling with Heston all day and getting distracted by his cute giggles. I did get a bit jittery to get out of the house but nothing that a date night or a girls night couldn't fix. I was also correct in thinking that without a reason to shower I never would. I shouldn't say never... I showered like twice a week.... (casey's such a lucky man). But now I'm back to work, back to showering, back to having a reason to avoid deep cleaning my house, and I HATE IT. I miss him. I miss comforting him when he cries, and being spit up on, and playing with him while he giggles. I hate that I only see him for 3 hours a day. I get home at 5:30 and he's in bed by 8:30. But our neighbor, Amy, is great and sends me pics and texts to sooth my craziness and so that I know he's happy. Since I'm not a cryer she's probably been witnessing my moodiness which takes the form of VERY loud angry music. I also have eaten WAY to much cake...Anyway, I will probably be back at work for about 6 months so that we can pay off a few things and then we'll be able to afford expensive and crappy healthcare.  Just wanted to give an update! I really will start posting more often. eventually.

FAQ

Alright, this will hopefully be my last post about motherhood. I mean obviously I'll share a funny story or awesomeness if it happens but lets be honest; me having a motherhood blog is like Richard Simmons blogging about how to be manly. So this post is just to answer the questions that I get a lot.

• How's being a new mommy?   I LOVE it. Heston is amazing. He makes it sooo easy to love him.   He's a very chill baby... not sure where he gets that? me and Casey are both so high strung (heavy sarcasm). I'm still BLOWN AWAY by how much time he takes. every one said all they do is sleep, eat, and poop, so I figured I'd have plenty of down time... nope! because he came sleeping through the night and he needed 7 feedings a day (we just changed to 6 yesterday) I've been having to feed him every 2-2 1/2 hours... which sounds like a lot but it's totally not!

• How's breast feeding? you'd be surprised how often I get this question. The answer is I'm not breast feeding. I'm pumping. So Heston is getting breast milk but it's from a bottle. The follow up to this is always: WHY? It started because we had to get him out of the NICU. And since he'd already had a binky he had nipple confusion and if he didn't latch on for at least 10 minutes AND keep his blood sugar up they wouldn't let him out. We got frustrated and did a bottle with formula since obviously I wasn't producing much. We continued to give him formula and whatever I pumped until I was producing enough milk to switch completely to that. Now let me say that I'm not sure I would do it differently. Yes, it sucks that I have to feed AND then pump. You're thinking "no wonder you don't have a lot of time" but he's a pretty quick eater and I'm a pretty quick pumper. the reasons I like it; We can track how much he's eating, I've discovered my left breast produces 1/2 of what my right one does, when he has growth spurts we have have more milk ready to go instead of having to feed more frequently, any one can feed him, and the main one is IT'S EASIER TO GET HIM ON A SCHEDULE! I don't have to worry all the time that he's hungry or that he's not getting enough. Yes, I still worry about the nutrition content but all in all it's been great! especially as I'm discovering I'm not creating more milk. I've been trying to build a stock pile but no matter how long I pump for after the milk stops coming I can't seem to increase production. So far I'm still making enough but I feel like he's catching up fast...

• What are you doing about work? I was very worried about quitting my job. I didn't think I could hack it as a stay at home Mom. But, after this time with Heston I think I'll go back for the mandatory 2 weeks and that will be my 2 weeks notice. I can't imagine leaving him... and lets be honest; my job wasn't satisfying. Heston is. 

• How's he sleeping? As I mentioned above, he was pretty much born sleeping through the night. once the doctor told us it was ok to let him go more than 4 hours he's just progressively gotten longer. However, he also hates bedtime. He'll go to sleep, then wake up about a half hour later and cry and won't go back to sleep for at least another half hour. Sometimes he goes in ten minute cycles. It can take up to 2 hours to get him down for the night. But, he's getting better. We're not sure why this is, I think it's the lack of noise. During the day there are dogs barking, running, wrestling, me talking, the tv is pretty much always on and then at night... silence. We've read in order to self soothe he shouldn't go down for the night to a white noise type object because you don't want him relying on that. So that's a slow process but really... I can't complain. My 5 week old slept for 8 hours last night. AWESOME!

• How are YOU doing? They always emphasize the "you" like they pity me. I feel really bad when I tell people that I'm great. I know this sounds like bragging. It's not, I SWEAR! It's just honesty. I feel great! I have the whole time. I was a little sore for 24 hours after he was born but I was walking all over the hospital the next day. I had a bit of a bleeding issue 5 days after his birth  but after that I've been great! He's sleeping so good that I think it's safe to say even the first week he was home I got more sleep than I did when I was at Snow! Also, I thought mentally I would be going crazy. I'm not. Casey said the other day "you know everyone said our world would change completely. Well, I don't think it has at all!" my response to him was "yeah, for YOU!" Casey still goes to work, comes home, goes to dinner with his work buddies occasionally. Me on the other hand, my life is VERY different. I can't tell you the last time it was over a month since I had a girls night, went to a movie, or could count on one hand how many times I've worn jeans in the last month (basketball shorts. every day. LOVE.) 

Well I think that about covers it... and since the chair I was sitting on just broke I suppose I'll wrap this up! (and maybe take that as a sign that I should do another round with my elliptical...) Sorry this post is long and boring!