All posts by Savvy Spoonie

I am an artist, writer, jeweler, and a Spoonie. Before becoming a Spoonie I was a very busy high achieving attorney and advocate bent on saving the world. Now I'm struggle to redefine my life to fit within my reduced energy level. Some days are better than others. I have fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and chronic daily migraine.

Agoo or poo…


(Apple hat courtesy of Ariel Benjamin, Thanks Ariel!! It’s so cute on him!)

Agoo or Poo?

Yes, the language and facial displays of babies can be decieving. Otter has been working very hard to express himself lately, both verbally, and physically. When he tried to talk, he will often scrunch up his face, turn red, and say “agoo”. When he poops he will often scrunch up his face and turn red as well, leaving the family to guess at his intentions… Agoo or Poo?

Mom goes home tomorrow, and we will miss her dearly. Oh how I want to move back home, into my parents house too. I keep asking Lee how he would feel about rooming with the ‘rents for a while, but he is less than enthusiastic about the idea. “We need more space” he says. Space shmace, I want my mom and dad!

It has been wonderful having her here, she has helped me organize the house, catch up on laundry, and shower on a regular basis. It is truly a gift to have had her with me. I can’t be too sad about her going though, her dogs need her, my dad needs her, and I get to have my dad out here in another week. I am spoiled!!

As for other news, I developed a breast infection day before yesterday. I have never had a higher fever in my life, I was up in the 105 range, with chills that would not die and delirium to match. Luckily I got to the doctor right away and the antibiotics are helping the fever go away. I still have a teeny one, but I am no longer freezing and shaking. Ugh. Oddly I learned that cabbage leaves tucked between your breast and bra will help draw out the milk from the plugged duct. Who knew? Cabbage, it’s not just for salad anymore.

Snarky nose and the mimics…

Otter has suffered a snarky nose this week. He gets really really stuffed up at night and during the earlier part of the day. Luckily, I discovered a way to destuff him, though it had an interesting side effect. You can’t medicate a baby without a doctors visit, and I was trying to think of some way to help him breathe without putting him in the bathroom with the shower running all night. When Monkey is stuffy I slather her in Vick’s Vapo Rub. I guessed his skin would be too sensitive for it, so I put Vick’s Vapo-Rub on my breast while he was nursing. It worked! He can breathe almost immediately! It makes for a much happier baby.

Of course, while my mom was holding him yesterday she was sucking on a halls cough drop and he started trying to nurse. So he has developed an unusual response to the smell of menthol…

He has also started to mimic me, I have been stealing little kisses from him, leaning over, kissing his mouth, and saying “Ooops! Mommy stole a kiss!”. This morning, he leaned into my face, puckered his mouth (not very well, but he tried!) and banged his mouth on mine!! Otter stole a kiss! So I stole one, and he did it again! All morning we stole little kisses from each other. It was a wonderful way to spend part of a day.

Babies are so sweet!

A lovely day…

Lee and I spent the day organizing the office and clearing up the baby space. Mom kept Otter happy while he slept and we tackled our various tasks. Lee moved furniture down from the old office and organized his space, I packed up my maternity clothes for shipping to Hatchet and organized my space.

After we were done creating a calmer atmosphere in the house, (we are almost at a state of sanity, primarily thanks to my mother doing laundry all week!) Uncle Jack and Aunt Letitia came by to meet the newest member of the Krebs family. Otter ate and slept for most of the time, but he was social for a little while.

We had pizza for dinner, drank beer, and hung out comfortably with the family. Jack and Letitia are staying at a nearby Marriot until Tuesday morning. After they left for the night, we settled in for an evening of “Heroes”, snuggles, and nursing! Jack adn Letitia will be back tomorrow for another visit or two before heading home to Virginia Beach. I am hoping we can make it out to see them again this summer, as I would dearly love to spend more time with them and Monkey would love to see her cousins again. (All girls, all under 8.)

Here are some portraits of Sir Otter (Scientific name: Nurse-a-rificus spit-upicus) with his visiting family.
Otter and Nama

Otter and Great Uncle Jack

Otter and Great Aunt Letitia