Day 16: If Only Tonight We Could Sleep...

 After a short night, and getting up early for work, my work meeting was canceled this morning so I thought I'd get some blissful sleep. Thought.

I woke up Betty and asked her to get ready for school. She has a poster with the 6 things she needs to do to get ready. #1 is eat breakfast.

"Betty, you should go downstairs and eat breakfast"

"I need help"

"No, you don't. Have some pop tarts. You can do that yourself."

"I don't want pop tarts"

"Ok, how about cereal?"

"I don't WANT cereal!"

"Yogurt? Pudding?"

"I DON'T WANT THOSE! I WANT TOP RAMEN!"

"Top Ramen for breakfast? Are you sure? Why not have a nice bowl of cereal?"

"But I want Top Ramen!"

"OK Betty. You know how to make Top Ramen." (she really is a capable 6 year old) "Why don't you make some Top Ramen for yourself?" 

"I don't WANT to make Top Ramen. I want YOU to."

"But I'm going to sleep"

"MOOOOOOOM!!! DADDY'S BEING MEAN TO ME!"

Yep. that kind of morning. So, Betty climbed on Jen's bed and whined at her. I tried to sleep in the rocking chair. Jen's morning alarm was going off every 5 minutes on her phone.

...FOR TWO HOURS. Jen and I were both so tired that we couldn't really wake up and process what was going on. Betty was being stubborn and rather than have a decent breakfast of Cereal OR Pop Tarts OR Yogurt OR Pudding (OR Toast, OR a bagel), she whined and poked at us all morning.

So.. Betty was late for school. Finally, at 9:30, I stumbled downstairs, defeated, and made some top ramen. I then fed Ida and fell asleep with her on my chest while Jen took Betty to school.

We had our first well-child checkup with Ida this afternoon. Things went OK. No real surprises or anything. She's in the 5th percentile for weight, 8th percentile for length, and 1st percentile for head size. She's tiny.

Then home to try to cobble some naps together before the big evening:

THE CURE!!!

 

All dolled up and ready to see the world's biggest goth band.

 

Good friends Mick & Daisy (post concert)

An awkward selfie. (all my selfies are awkward)

During the opening band (The Twilight Sad. First I've heard of them. I was super impressed. I need to listen to their music), Jen found the Rose Garden mother's lounge and got Ida fed and milk pumped. She was the only one in there.

above: Superwoman: somehow managing to pump, feed baby a bottle, and take a selfie all at the same time.

 

In the hall, I ran into our midwife Tracy. She wasn't involved in Ida's birth, but we love her so much.

 

Betty has been on (facebook) Kids' messenger on her tablet for a while now, but she mostly just uses it to do video calls and put dog faces on people. She's discovered, however, that mom and dad don't do video calls in concerts, so she tried texting. This is a first. This is really good (goob) for a 6 year old:

 

 

 Jen managed to get back from the mother's lounge and stumble into our seats just as the first song was beginning. (and what a song!) I quickly fed Ida (who was a little squally but nobody could hear), and by song 2, she was asleep and slept the entire concert with her little earmuffs on.

 

snuggling Ida during the show

My hair glows in the blacklight.

So Ida slept the whole show! She was so peaceful and cute! And the show? Phenomenal. What a setlist! Some really obscure songs. Some really old songs. Lots of dirges (love the dirges). They played If Only Tonight We Could Sleep! and Burn! and Disintegration! and From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea! Plus, they played 6 new songs, and the new album (if it ever comes out) is going to be awesome.

yep, that's a band down there.

Ida was also the hit of the party. Everyone who saw her gushed over her. I think our neighbors at the show were a little worried when they saw her, but by the time she zonked out, I think her cuteness (and quietness) won them over.

 

The demographics at the Cure show were interesting. Most concerts tend to slant male, but this one was different. Mostly older people, as expected; but several twenty-year-olds and teens. We even saw a handful of kids; only one BABY though. We got a lot of ooohs and ahhs-- I'm sure it was memorable: big fat guy with bright orange hair holding a tiny baby. 

 

I got a lot of "She's going to be the coolest kid when she grows up!" and "She will be so cool for going to this show"... but I did the math. Ida seeing The Cure in 2023 would be like my parents taking me to see Glenn Miller and His Orchestra or Bing Crosby when I was born. An interesting fact, but not cool in the slightest, or even relevant.

 

After the show, I made a bad recommendation to my friends. We went to Virginia Cafe in Portland. I've only been there in the daytime, and it's quiet, if kinda seedy. Their hamburgers are delicious. Maybe the best I've had outside a summer cookout. I've also seen on their hours that they're open late, but ... I haven't actually been there late, until now.

When we got there, it was super sketchy, with a group of loud, LOUD drunk people outside. Also, it said "No Minors", which would probably get Ida kicked out. We decided to leave,  and then one of the drunk ladies rolled off the picnic bench and cracked her head on the concrete. 9-1-1 was called, and we disappeared before we could get in any more trouble.

Ida was done after sitting in the concert for so long. She cried most of the way home. Then, Jen and I had some late night cereal and an Ida feeding, then blogging. Ready for the sleeping.

 

Day 15: Now, Purple.

Aww, what a cute little girl.

What's that in the background? Oh, it's Edgar getting a color at a salon. That was a birthday present.

What? All I talk about on this blog is hair coloring? Not cute babies? That'll get old fast.

We had a lactation appointment this morning. Ida is still under her birth weight. (only by an ounce. I swear she pooped more than an ounce just before her appointment). Anyway, we've still got more pumping and bottle feeding in the future.

At 3, I took Edgar for the long-awaited salon appointment. Edgar spent 6 hours in the chair. Hope it's worth it. I sat through the first half and read my Salman Rushdie library book. Then, we had to do some creative car-swapping, and I went with Sabrina and Betty to Sabrina's school open house. We got snow-cones, we got to quickly meet Sabrina's teachers, then Sabrina serenaded passersby in the hallway with her cello.
 

 

 

 

OK, let's talk hair color. Sabrina got a lot of compliments for her red/purple/blue/brown look that she cooked up and I did last night. Here are some pictures although I don't think either really captures how awesome it is: 

And here's Edgar's journey:

Cut.

Curses. Foiled again.

Bleached.

Finished.

Oh yeah, and what about MY hair? Well, it looks like I dunked my head in a cheeto bag. Oh, and this is probably my favorite color I've ever had my hair.

 

Theoretically, my hair will glow under a black light. I'm going to see THE CURE tomorrow, so I'm pumped. Yes, we're taking baby. No, I don't know if that's wise or not. Wish us luck.

Day 14: Orange is the new... Orange?

The midnight feedings are becoming routine.

Took Sabrina to Powells Books in Portland. Powells is huge. It's the largest new/used bookstore in the world. 

We picked up:

-The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey

-An Elephant and Piggie book

-A Neil Gaiman graphic novel (for Sabrina) 

-A Salman Rushdie novel (for me!)

 -An old copy of The Leatherstocking Tales [This was my Dad's favorite book growing up, and he's been telling me to read it for 40 years]

-3 Sweet Valley Twins books to fill out Jen's collection

 -Some e.e.cummings poetry for Jen

It was an enjoyable trip, although I always have mixed feelings about Powells. It just reminds me of all the books that I haven't read, particularly books that I own and haven't read. I'm trying, OK?

 Then lunch, and a bit more shopping with Sabrina.

 Came home and took a substantial nap. Apparently Betty was busy during my nap and built a rocket:

I don't know when the following photos were taken, but I like them:

 

Ahh the elusive picture of Edgar with Ida. Edgar really loves Ida, but Edgar has been a bit scarce lately with the new Zelda game just out.

This evening, we ordered pizza and watched Enola Holmes. The sun was (literally) shining too brightly to see Wednesday. Too much black on screen to be viewed on a sunny day.

Sabrina and I did the final touches to each others' hair. Sabrina got bright red tips (used up a lot of dye), and I got semi-temporary Orange that glows in a black light.

Sabrina, all foil'd up. (actually, this was from yesterday)

Sabrina, with still-wet red tips, giving me orange hair.  

With this new orange hair, maybe I could run for president! Or pay hush money to a porn star! The sky is the limit for my ambition!

I've still got the orange in my hair right now, so I'll have a final picture tomorrow.

Day 13: Strawberry; Blonde

 

Here's a sample of some of Jen's artwork. She's super talented.

 

Had a real hard time waking up this morning, but this cute face was motivation:

That shirt says "LEGITIMATE TAX DEDUCTION 1978"  and was the shirt I wore home from the hospital. I think we had Edgar and Sabrina wearing this too. Betty was never this small.

I went to church (alone) today and had a good time. Then, a solid nap afterwards. 

Our friends Vince and Christie and Xander came to visit. That's exciting. I think Xander has been to our house only once.

Vince, holding Ida.

Xander (3) holding Ida.

blurry, kids on the trampoline.

A peaceful backyard, Betty and Xander picnicking.

We enjoyed some delicious strawberry shortcake and had great conversation with Vince and Christi. Love those guys.

After Vince and Christi left, we watched another few episodes of Wednesday, and bleached my hair (for a third time) and dyed Sabrina's hair.

Selfie with Wednesday. I'm not sure bleach applications 2 and 3 are really doing anything. My hair still has tons of brassy tone. Glad I'm not going for a silver or purplish color.

Cute baby snuggling in her swing.

P.S. At my nephew Glenn's instruction, I had ChatGPT write a bedtime story for Betty tonight.

My prompt:

Please tell me a 3 minute bedtime story for a 6 year old starring a Mermaid princess named emerald who has a pet mer-cat and lives in a giant underwater rainbow castle as they fight against an evil mer-chicken that clucks so loud it can shatter glass 

 

 

ChatGPT:

Once upon a time, in the magical depths of the ocean, there lived a beautiful mermaid princess named Emerald. Emerald had shimmering emerald-green hair and a sparkling tail that glistened like the sea. She lived in a giant underwater rainbow castle, where colors danced all around her. Emerald had a special friend, a mischievous mer-cat named Coral. Coral had sleek, silver scales and eyes that twinkled like the stars. Together, they explored the enchanting underwater world and shared many exciting adventures. 

 

One sunny day, as Emerald and Coral swam near a coral reef, they heard an unusual sound coming from a nearby cave. It was the clucking of an evil mer-chicken! This mer-chicken was not like any ordinary bird; its clucks were so loud that they could shatter glass! The evil mer-chicken's name was Cluckzilla. 

 

Emerald and Coral knew they had to stop Cluckzilla from causing any more trouble. They followed the clucking sound, diving deeper into the ocean. As they approached the dark cave, they could see the shattered pieces of glass strewn about. Emerald used her magic powers to summon a bubble shield around them, protecting them from the sharp shards. With Coral by her side, she swam deeper into the cave, determined to confront Cluckzilla. 

 

Inside the cave, they found Cluckzilla perched on a rock, clucking with all its might. Emerald and Coral approached the mischievous mer-chicken, ready to put an end to its loud clucking once and for all. Using her enchanting voice, Emerald sang a beautiful melody that soothed the chaotic clucks. The powerful waves of her song calmed Cluckzilla, bringing peace to the underwater realm. 

 

The mer-chicken stopped clucking and hopped off the rock. Grateful for the respite, Cluckzilla apologized to Emerald and Coral for the trouble it had caused. Emerald forgave the mischievous mer-chicken, understanding that everyone deserved a second chance. From that day forward, Cluckzilla promised to use its clucks to spread joy and laughter instead of destruction. Emerald, Coral, and Cluckzilla became unlikely friends, exploring the ocean together, sharing laughter, and protecting the underwater world from any harm. 

 

The giant underwater rainbow castle filled with happiness as Emerald, Coral, and Cluckzilla brought peace and harmony to the ocean and its creatures. And so, as the sun set beneath the waves, Emerald and Coral returned to their castle, ready for a well-deserved rest. 

 

As they drifted off to sleep, they knew that their underwater kingdom was safe and filled with love. And that, my little friend, is the tale of Emerald, the mermaid princess, her loyal mer-cat Coral, and the mischievous but reformed mer-chicken Cluckzilla. May their adventures inspire your dreams and remind you that even the unlikeliest of friendships can create magic in our lives. 

 

Goodnight, sleep tight, and dream of your own underwater adventures!

Day 12: In Memory

Last night was restful, if uneventful. We finished our season of Cobra Kai, which was exciting. There was much butt-kicking and silliness. I remember some very sleepy feedings at 4 AM and 7 AM. After the 7:00 one, I was awake and went to pick up our grocery order from the store. With Sabrina's help, I was able to put groceries away, do some dishes, laundry, and other chores before heading out to Mom and Dad's house. 

Mom and Dad have, for almost 30 years, been tending to a family grave in town-- that of a stillborn nephew of mine named Gabriel. The last few years have sadly added two more graves, including one new one this memorial day. This is a big important undertaking for my parents, but at 85 and 87, it's no longer easy. I promise to take it over once Mom and Dad are done with it, but in the meantime, my job is to be as absolutely helpful as I can. I got to my parents' house to help Dad load their car with tools and flowers. (and 2 walkers!)

Mom puttered around the yard, selecting flowers from her legendary yard. Mom takes flower arrangement very seriously. I helped, carried, and lifted where I could. Next stop was one of 3 cemeteries. At each one, we cleaned up the headstone, and Mom created a unique flower arrangement for each grave. Mom and Dad have been taking care of the baby-grave next to Gabriel every year since noticing that it was becoming neglected, so we did that one too.

I tried my best to be helpful and do whatever physical tasks I could. I let Dad supervise and Mom stick to flowers for the most part.

 

 

Pictured: Dad supervising and Mom doing flowers.

 

you can almost hear them bickering...

Success.

This one was pretty far afield, so we left Dad in the car for this one.

Three loved ones we miss:

After our graveyard adventures, Dad sprung for Burger King and we went home and played a game of cribbage. It was good to be with them for a bit.

This afternoon I came home, exhausted and mosquito-bit, and napped for a few hours. I was awoken by Ida crying in her bassinet. I put her on my chest and we both fell into the deepest of sleeps. 

Fixed up a frozen pizza for the family for dinner and Sabrina and I set to a second application of bleaching each others' hair. I don't have a picture of mine, but I don't think this second application did much. It still looks brassy and Betty still thinks it looks like Ramen Noodles.

While we were bleaching, we tried a new series with the family: Wednesday. The older kids loved it, and it scared Betty.

Sabrina and Ida snuggling to end the day.

Day 11: It seems to get easier.

It seems each day gets a bit easier.

I woke up and had my one hour of work this morning. I shared the birth statistics Power BI report I created yesterday, as well as some other magic that I had done in Power BI, and the clients were super impressed.

A morning full of chores, including laundry, dishes, fixing different breakfasts for Betty and for Jen, cleaning up, and feeding Ida. Then, I got some good rest in before the rest of the day happened.

I got to run to the library with Sabrina, and got a new Salman Rushdie book to read. On the way home, we bought some fresh strawberries from our neighborhood Mango Man:

(Photo mostly included for future-me to see a 2023 street scene)

This evening, I got to finish my book and listen to a bit of music. The kids had lunchables for dinner, and the plan was for Jen and I to get take-out. I prepped some apple slices as a snack, but disaster struck:

It's like Halloween 1987: Razor blades in apples!

 

Afterwards, we ran over to my parents' house where Auntie Laura got to snuggle the baby:

...and Grandma too!

Home to put the kids to bed. Edgar and Sabrina did a great job of caring for Ida, including changing two outfit-ruining blowouts within 20 minutes of each other.

It got too late to actually get takeout, so Jen and I had some nachos and watched an old movie about Queen Victoria. Fun fact: Judi Dench played Queen Victoria twice in her life: "Mrs Brown" in 1997, and "Victoria and Abdul" in 2017. Queen Victoria lived a long time. She was (in real life) 20 years older when Victoria and Abdul happened, than she was during Mrs. Brown.

 

Day 10: A Statistical Evaluation

I spent way too much time tonight creating this:Ida was cute all day today: i

Ida is cute all day every day:

Jen and I got into it a bit this morning. Betty is sick and started bugging us about 5 AM that she was in pain. BUT, Betty won't take one of the 3 or 4 different pain relief types available to her. Not the right flavor. I was inclined to let Betty suffer until she was hurting enough to take a pill. Jen just wanted the whining to stop, so she ordered some early morning grocery delivery. Betty complained about the flavor of that one, too, but she took it and went to school.

 

A low-key day with Ida.

Betty ended up coming home sick from school, but she was able to finish her animal habitat and poster for her open house this evening.

The kindergartners also did a concert. This is Betty posing for pictures beforehand.Ida has been fussy all evening, and will only calm down in a parent's arms:Betty also had a full-on, demonic-posession-style night terror tonight, Edgar used to get those. She won't remember it tomorrow.

 

Jen needs sleep badly, so I typed tonight's entire blog one handed. Ida is in my arms. I asked Jen when Ida's next feeding was. It went like this:

Alex: "When should she eat next?"

Ida: "WAAAAAH"

Jen: "I can't think with..."

Ida: "WAAAAAH"

 

Jen: "Her next..."

 

Ida: (calms down)

 

Jen: "Her next....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

 

 

So, it looks like I'm on my own for a bit here.