Things that make me go GRRRR

#1 - Jason's car. Since June, we've put almost $2500 into it - and it's in the shop right now. I will be the first to say that I do not like/trust the dealership that has been fixing the car, but Jason has some sort of loyalty issue since that is where he bought the car. Piece of shiz.

#2 - Feeling like I'm not good enough. Jason and I duked it out last night. Typical stuff - both of our feelings have been hurt; different expectations of each other (especially now that we're parents) and CABIN FEVER!!

#3 - Not having any milk for my cereal.

#4 - The price of gas. $3.05/gallon is obsurd. Well, at least we're not in Romania where it's about that price per LITER!!

#5 - Politics. I'm still convinced that politicians will say anything to get elected. It's just picking the lesser of the two evils.

#6 - When the grocery store doesn't have "my" brand of soy milk. Kroger sucks lately.

#7 - Lack of traction control on the Milan. I was sliding while trying to get out of our subdivision.

Bret rolled over.....

....and I missed it!!

I was changing a *really* poopy diaper and I put him on his stomach in the P@ck-N-Pl@y to wipe the crap off his back. I went to his room to get clean clothes and when I returned, he was on his back!!

How horrible.

In other news, nothing too much going on. We have a surprise birthday party tomorrow and Jason is going to a wild game dinner on Saturday. I think that Bret and I will hibernate for the next 2 weeks.....It's supposed to get COLD!

How's the weather in MN???

Infant vitamins

After reading several books on vaccinations and stuff and since Bret is starting his immunization schedule in March I have a question - Where can I find infant vitamins?

The reason why I ask is because one of the books I read, "What Your Doctor Won't Tell You about Children's Vaccinations", suggested that vitamins A (cod liver oil) and C be given before and after shots to decrease any reactions (the A) and increase their ability to flush out any toxins (the C).

I found information that they are both safe for infants to take, but I just can't find where to get them. I'm assuming at a vitamin store or whole food store. GNC, maybe?

Whatever happened to customer service?

OMG, I just had the worst experience with customer service. Putting all my experiences where I've been put on hold for more than an hour (no lie) aside, M@sterC@rd gets the cherry.

I called to cancel my credit card to eliminate temptation of online shopping on an income I have no longer. Here is an abbreviated version of the 15 minute conversation, you'll get the gist of it:

Br@ndon (B): Hello Mrs. Stark, may I help you?
Diana (D): Yes, I'd like to close my account please.
B: I'm sorry to hear that, ma'am. I see you've been an excellent customer for X number of years. Why are you interested in closing the account?
D: I no longer need the card.
B: What don't you like about the card?
D: The annual fee, even if I'm carrying a zero balance.
B: I will waive the fee for 6 months for you to keep the acc't open.
D: If you waive the fee forever, then I'll keep the card.
B: I can't do that, but I can also offer 5,000 frequent flyer miles to your account.
D: Offer me two free tickets and no annual fee and I'll keep the card.
B: Sorry, I can not do that. Are you interested in another card?
D: Yes, one that offers frequent flyer miles on NWA.
B: Why? Their cards make you spend twice as much for the same amount of frequent flyer miles than we do.
D: I'm still interested in closing the account.
B: Why would you want to close this account and go with one that makes you spend 2X more money. That doesn't make any sense. What do you have to lose by staying with us?
D: Right now? My patience. I want to close this account.
B: Fine. Cut up your card, this account is now closed. *CLICK*

He actually hung up on me!!! No, "thank you for being a valued customer", "We're sorry to lose you as a valued customer"; NOTHING!!

He's just pissed off at the world because he got shitty Christmas gifts. @sshole....LOL

Solid foods

I was kind of surprised today when B's DR suggested that we start him on rice cereal at 4 months. I thought that babies are supposed to have breast milk exclusively until 6 months. She said to give him cereal for a week then start on fruits and vegetables for 3 - 4 days at a time. We're supposed to call the office with any allergic reactions.

Any advice on how to proceed with solid foods?! What worked best for you? Any food allergies? Should I feed him cereal at night or some other time? HELP :)

Happy 2-month birthday, baby! - Update

I don't know his current stats since his 2-month wellness appointment isn't until Friday. *I'll update this post on Friday with numbers* I do know he is getting big!! Clothes 0-3 months are getting small - I've started putting clothes away that don't fit; 3 month clothes fit him really well and he is in size 2 diapers - so that means he's at least 12 - 13 lbs. I love his rolls!! He is so awesome - smiling and 'talking' a lot. Jason and I can't wait for him to start laughing. He tries but can't quite do it yet.

He's sleeping about 4 -5 hours at a time during the night and has created his own schedule. Our day starts off between 7 and 8am. He goes down for a nap between 9 and 10am, around 1 or 2pm and then for a cat nap around 6pm. He goes to bed for the night around 9pm and gets up to eat around 1 or 2am and then again around 5am. He poops a lot easier (no more apple juice)....*Wow, I never thought I'd talk about pooping and be excited about it.*

Bret can hold his head up really well - almost too well. He pushes off of me and looks around when I burp him, making it almost a chore. It's funny. He kicks, grabs and screams when we play with his aquarium gym. He hasn't quite learned how to reach and hold things but if I put something in his hand, he'll hold it.

You are awesome, Bret. Mommy and Daddy love you.

*UPDATE - He weighs 14lbs 6.5 oz - 97th percentile; 23" long and 15-3/4" head. No shots today. Jason and I have opted to start the shots at 4 months, which is his next appointment.

Bret's first trip up north

Let's see where to start.....

We went up north to Jason's parents' cabin for a few days after Christmas. I was kind of nervous about the 4 - 5 hour drive because Bret has never been strapped in his car seat that long before. He slept most of the trip and started to get really antsy about 10 miles away from the cabin. We had to stop once for a feeding and diaper change. The ride home was about the same thing. I was really proud of him. Another thing I was sort of nervous about was sleeping. He had never slept flat before (because of the spit up thing) and we didn't bring his bouncy seat with us. I got a 'travel bed' at the baby shower and brought that instead. Again, I was so super proud of him. He slept like a champ and was totally content.

There was about 9 - 10 inches of snow on the ground so Jason was in seventh Heaven and hopped on his snowmobile. He wanted me to go out but I'm not much of a snow person. The only thing that I'll do in the snow is X-country ski. I like to do that.

After 3 days of snowy bliss, we came home. Plus, we didn't have anyone to take care of Caicos.