Updates

So since I last really posted, these things (and others) happened:

1. Alyson hit all new heights of cuteness requiring the creation of a new scale (yet to be named - taking suggestions right now). By the way, on the scale, she's off the charts.

2. Alyson cut her first tooth - it's the lower front right tooth - so cute. She's also very close to cutting at least one if not both of her top teeth. Poor baby - she's such a good sport.

3. Alyson is trying to take steps. She actually had one evening when she consistently took several on her own and is now feigning amnesia of the event.

4. I began wearing my retainers again - it was supposed to be a surprise for my parents, but I'm not particularly good at keeping secrets, so I already spilled the beans on myself. It hurt like the dickens at first, but they already don't hurt too much (unless I don't wear them all day) and I can tell that my top teeth for sure are going to go back where they belong. As for my bottom teeth, I'm not so sure. There's only so much that plastic can do to spread teeth back out - moving them and compressing them is easier on the kind of retainer I have. We'll see - I'd like very much for them to be back where they were before by Christmas. This will require me to be consistent about wearing my retainers every day and night only taking them out to eat and brush my teeth. Besides that, I think I may need to have my wisdom teeth out because they're crowding everything around.

5. My maternal grandmother passed away unexpectedly. She was an amazingly positive woman - I wish that I'd had the opportunity to see her recently. I will miss her immensely but I'm keeping myself focused on the positive (like she would). Thinking of favorite memories and noticing things that remind me of her. Understanding death like we do helps me to recognize that though I'll miss her, I will see her again. I will have the opportunity to introduce my daughter (her first great grandchild) to her and talk to her again. I get most sad when I think about my Grandpa. He knows more than I that the covenants he made with her will bind them together for eternity, but I wonder if he'll be lonely or miss her. I'm so grateful for family. My patriarchal blessing mentions that I'll find joy in family history. I already do find joy in the lazy way of just knowing that knowing about it gives me joy. I know that once I start actually applying time to it, it will truly enrich my life. I should have started earlier - my Grandmother spent years working on our family history and pedigree.

6. I had my flu shot yesterday (yes it's OK to have it even though I'm still nursing). It hurt just like any shot then stopped hurting for about 15 minutes. Then it hurt like mad for about 2 hours in which I was distracted and had trouble lifting it in certain ways. Then it just kind of ached for a few more hours and now it doesn't hurt at all. Not particularly interesting news, I know, but this is my blog and if you're reading it, you already know that I ramble, so there.

7. Alyson had her first ear infection about 1 1/2 weeks ago. She was a very good sport - she had a consistently high temperature for a couple of days, so she had her first experience with an antibiotic. Unfortunately, the one we tried (zithromax) made her break out all over her body. She was so cute - looked just like a little speckled egg. I wanted to get a picture of her but it cleared up before I could (with the help of a baby antihistamine). You'll just have to take my word for it. Fortunately, the doses she got of the medication (before they had us stop it) completely took care of the infection and she didn't seem bothered by the rash.

8. I've decided that I really do like to do digital scrapbooking (that's one reason I'm so bad about blogging lately), so I think I'm going to start saving money for digital editing software like Photoshop Elements. To the right, you can see links to my different scrapblogs that I've made. I'll add more as they are completed.

Well that's a snapshot of my world. I'm tire and going to bed. :)
Love you!
Cara