You play with my world like its your little toy

Okay, I know this isn't a political blog, and I do not want it to become one, BUT, please allow me to submit a couple of observations and solutions to our current bailout situation. Ahhhem,

First: There is this one Seinfeld episode (don't you love how many analogies can STILL be made to that show) wherein George was having great success in life doing the exact opposite of what he'd normally do. Well, I was reminded of that when our other George took to the TVs the past couple of days to warn of doom and gloom and we only have one possible far fetched, unplanned, unprecedented, tactic or surely we will all die. George has made this speech before, only it was for a war. Also, unprecedented, very far fetched, and very expensive and we are still bogged down indefinitely in it today. So maybe, dear friends if we do the OPPOSITE of what he tells us, life will be fine and dandy as it was with Castanza..

Second: If you want a real option and clear plan of action, please go here, read what Dave Ramsey says, and then DO something.

Third: Mom's suggestion was just to send everyone in the US 1 million dollars, let them pay off their own debts, invest in the economy, let the government tax it, and we STILL come out cheaper than the bailout.

Forth: Eli.isn't.sleeping. He woke at 3am this morning to play, and has since only cat napped in the car, and even now is yelling from his room where he supposed to sleeping, "Oh Courtney, I need you." (He calls me by my first name when he's serious.) (Oh boy I love 2) (And, this lack of sleep is the A #1 reason 2 children is enough.)

I hope I don't Jinx it!

Elijah has had 3 consecutive nights of glorious sleep. He's been waking 1-2 times. Once for each parent. Woooooo-hoooooo. Just thought I'd share the good. More, much more later. Peace out.

Sleep Log and the Not-so-supermom blues

Ok, let's get honest. Those closest to me already know, but sleep in this house is almost non-existent. We keep a record on the dry-erase board on the fridge. Last night Eli was awake as such: 7:24, 7:41, 7:59, 8:37 (Notice the proximity of time is such that I was able to close my eyes, think "this might be it")(Also note, that each time, the kid was limp, totally asleep, totally oblivious to the dog barking or sirens or anything.)(Also note, that I wasn't actually asleep yet, but rather pouting in bed because I was soooo tired.)OK, then awake again at 11:36, 12:03, 12:22, 1:47-2:00, and blissfully asleep until 5:03, which I might add was 3 minutes after my alarm, instead of before, which he has been doing. So. I DID get 3 hours of uninterrupted, which kept me sane today with 150 teenagers, but not enough to keep me up partying on a Friday night.

I vaguely remember the same thing with Ollie. Actually I remember the most one night in particular: getting on the computer with a full glass of wine, and thinking, I can drink more than 1 glass if I choose, because it is relatively certain that he is going to sleep all night. So deep down I know that this will pass, and I will miss rocking and cuddling, as even now the almost 3 year old will rarely let me do. But for now, quite frankly, it is hell. We hate it. And yes the hubby helps, but I am nursing, and even when he goes out to "put a cork in it" or put the paci in, I am still awake. Wide awake.

May I bitch some more? Okay, let's while I'm on a role. Thrush is the worse curse known to women. Awful. I believe that I am going to have to throw in the towel, and go to formula only. I hate it. But, I truly feel like someone has slit my nipples with razors, and is pouring alcohol on them every time I nurse. My nipples are dry, cracked, oozing, and aching. I carry them around like road kill. It hurts worse knowing many women that have survived it, have survived worse, nurse til children are past 2 and on. I don't know that I can do that, and sometimes I rationalize it and say, well, I work full time, etc... And other times I feel like a big cop-out failure. A little pain and straight to the bottle I go. I keep thinking that if I just hang on it will go away. I have had it since way before Christmas, and no change except for the worse. I feel like showing my nipples to every person I know so they can say, yep, time to stop nursing, those are the worst nipples I have ever seen. Oh, and for the public!! I am more embarrassed to bottle feed in public than to nurse. For some reason I feel like that says something about me. Like I don't care enough about my children! Like I don't trust God and nature enough! Oh my! Ackkkk, such turmoil!

Keep your fingers crossed!

Or say a prayer. We really would love if Ollie was accepted into the public Montessori school program here in Nashville. The students are accepted via lottery which will be held tomorrow morning. One is for Standford Montessori , which you can see here: http://www.schooldigger.com/go/TN/schools/0318001707/school.aspx
Or for Hull-Jackson http://www.mnps.org/AssetFactory.aspx?did=12009. Either school would be a blessing, and we are excited to even be in the lottery. To find out more about Montessori in general, click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montessori#Concepts .

In Eli's world, still no sleep. He sleeps about 1 1/2 hours at a time. At 3 this morning, he went down for several hours, but my alarm went off at 5:15, so that didn't really afford very much uniterrupted sleep. Ack!!

Pictures later, but say us a prayer. Thanks.

Captain's Log #426

Above is Elijah and Granpa at Thanksgiving. I think they favor one another.

Christmas vacation has officially begun, and I am thrilled to be only mom for 2 weeks. One of many funny Ollie quotes this week included the following:
Ollie: I'm going to school tomorrow.
Me: Sorry, buddy, but we are on vacation.
Ollie: Vacation? Where's Florida?

In other news, the thrush persists and Elijah isn't sleeping. Last night he was up every 2 hours, and the night before he was up every hour. One of the first things we teach our children is how to sleep. It may be the hardest lesson for the parents. I know thousands of theories and a myriad of approaches, but all of them take time and consistency. The mantra, this too shall pass runs through my head every night, and I reflect on how distant of a memory Ollie's lack of sleep is, but still at 3:30 in the morning, I feel a little wack-0. Consider that as a you fall asleep tonight how comforting it is, that you will be able to snooze at will. A good nights sleep to all, and to all a good night.

Sleep!!

Elijah and Ollie both slept like logs last night!! It is a beautiful thing when a 2 1/2 year old stays in bed, but even better when a 6 month old wakes only once to eat. He even slept in his own bed. Although co-sleeping is tres chic, it doesn't suit our family well, and I am this close to falling into it, and then having to break the habit later. I feel triumphant when we make it all night in separate quarters. Lonely, but triumphant. Above is a picture of my boys fake sleeping.

Also, another couple of good pictures, because I can.