News of note

[theatokos]

We have a rental car for a work event this weekend. After a surprisingly satisfying short day of work Adam suggested we go for a hike at Tilden in the hills. BEST IDEA EVER. Bennett was soaking it all in and then fell asleep. Adam and I walked for about an hour, having some of the best conversation we've had in a while. We saw a couple of snakes - black with orange bellies. We held one - it was amazing. I think that was only the second snake I've ever touched. Do snakes have pheromones? Because afterward our hands smelled like ass.

Later that night Bennett waved in context for the first time. Both initiated it and as a response. I woke up in the night to him practicing it too.

And, 11 months to the day after Bennett's birth, my menses returned.

Today we are planning Bennett's first birthday party. Wow! We thought about postponing it to celebrate the day of his homecoming, but I think we'll just have second celebration of just us for that. I'm debating whether or not to have cake. The only thing that Bennett has had with sugar is some high quality pomegranate yoghurt. I'm not keen on filling him with refined flour and sugar just yet. But I know it has to happen sometime.

Comments

[miss-swamp.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a lovely day. Well, maybe not the menses part (I've been thinking today that the lack thereof was one of the top 5 things about being pregnant), but the rest. I can't wait for summer and more adventures.

We are planning to have a big one-year survival party for US. Okay, people will come to pinch the boys' cheeks, but it's more of a thank-you for everyone who's contributed to their lives so far. The big debate is whether to introduce gluten beforehand so their (tiny bites of) cake can be good cake, or just make GF cake. Or a frozen yogurt cake? That might be good, actually.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I think of the one year party more as a the baby shower redux. A big thank you to everyone who has supported us and loved Bennett. Seriously, this kid is well loved! Maybe we'll have some cupcakes and he can try a bite. I don't want to be *too* controlling. I don't want to be that mom.

[kittyx-x.livejournal.com]

Was Bennett in hospital for a time after his birth? hense the 'homecoming?'

I think you should give him a slice of cake, whether it be gluten free or not.. it's his birthday! Leify has some & loved it - the rest of the food we had was healthy - lots of fruit & veg so I didn't see a problem ♥

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Yes. Bennett was born 6 weeks early, on May 24. He spent 4 weeks and one day in the hospital. He was born perfectly healthy - full lung development, latch, 9/9 apgar, but developed jaundice on day two, that was gone by day 4 and then he contracted a UTI from the NICU.

[kittyx-x.livejournal.com]

Oh that's awful, poor babe. My son was in Special care for 6 days - over Christmas.. It did feel alot longer :(

I'm glad he's healthy x

[sapphire-kittum.livejournal.com]

Your hike sounds like it was lovely. It's pretty awesome holding a snake, isn't it? The first time I did it, I was expecting it to feel scaly, but it was silky smooth and sort of oily. Pretty cool. :D The snake I held did have a musky sort of smell, but it was a pet, so that might be why it was different.

Congratulations to Bennett for reaching another milestone. How exciting!!

Ugh, that sucks about your period coming back. Hey, at least you had 11 months without it.

Party planning sounds like fun. Jayden hadn't really had much sugar before he turned one, but I figured it was his first birthday, it was a special occasion and he only turns one once. A friend of mine made a gluten free sponge cake for her daughter's first birthday and made a low sugar icing. Perhaps you could do something similar?

BTW, I love your new layout. :)

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Oh! Thanks! (about the layout)

I don't mind getting my period. It was a great break, but I'm not sad that it's returned.

[sapphire-kittum.livejournal.com]

I suppose this means that you can try for another baby when you guys are ready then.

[miss-malloreee.livejournal.com]

wow, my first period came 4 weeks after giving birth!

& you HAVE to do cake!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Breastfeeding keeps the body from menstruating. Breastfeeding is a form of birth control, in that the body knows that there is an infant that needs resources and holds off on becoming fertile. I wonder if being a little older is what made mine longer? Or if, as Adam suggests, I wasn't ready for another and now I am.

[bloodfever.livejournal.com]

Not always. I know a few hardcore BFing women - women who are tandem feeding 2 or 3 children - who had their menses return 8ish weeks after birth.

[pwilk.livejournal.com]

snakes have anal glands that are usually emptied upon handling. some stink more than others.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

We thought this might be it! It was neat.

[bloodfever.livejournal.com]

Heh, I read about the snake and thought "you saw a snake in the wild and you *picked it up*!? Are you insane?!" and then realised that not everyone lives in the land of the highly poisonous everything.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I know. There was a spider in our bathroom sink the other morning and for a moment it made me think of all my bug experiences in Australia. In Alaska there are even fewer bugs! Here (in CA) this apt has fruit flies almost all the time. One apartment had ants. I don't remember any of those things in Alaska. Australia..... that is a land that really doesn't want people around!

[keypike.livejournal.com]

Your hike sounds awesome!

I'm too, doing the cake debate. I don't want to be 'that mom' either, but I also don't want a baby hopped up on refined sugar!