One year ago - Sept 23rd 11:19am

Katie Madison was born!

Happy birthday baby girl!

She's lucky!

I told Katie that she needed to walk by her first birthday and it seems that she's listened. She is still getting the hang out of it, but can go about 5-10 steps without falling. Here is a little video, although it is not great because I turned the camera sideways. Either way...it is proof!

One year ago - Sept 22nd

On this date, one year ago...

...I was pretty tired, as I didn't sleep well the night before. I still had some cramping and was getting anxious and wondering if this was the start of labor. I had a feeling things were going to get started soon (Katie's due date was 9/23), so I felt the need to get things done. I went, with my Mom, to get my hair cut. I thought I was having contractions but they were pretty infrequent. When I arrived to get my hair done, they asked when I was due. I said "tomorrow" and got a kick out of the shocked faces.

After my hair cut, we went to Wegmans for some groceries. I'm not sure where Andrew was, but I remember being with my parents. I remember my Dad wanted us to all get iced tea and sit outside, so we did. While we sat there, I had a couple contractions and my dad was talking to me about who knows what. He asked me something and I didn't answer...my mom said "She's having a contraction, she can't talk to you!". It was after this trip that we were pretty sure Katie was on her way.

For the rest of the afternoon, I was writing down contraction times. They were pretty infrequent, so Andy wasn't timing them. Later that night, I called the doctor and said they were about 15-20 minutes apart, but really painful. He said to wait.

So, we went downstairs for the night and watched "Blades of Glory". I will never forget that awful awful movie because I was in such pain throughout the whole thing (not just because the movie sucked). I had to keep pushing up off the couch because each contraction felt like someone stabbing me in the pubic bone. At this point, Andy was timing them. Around 8pm, they were about 6-7 minutes apart and the doctor had us come to the hospital.

After sitting in 66 traffic, we arrived and were set up in a room. I was checked...still 3 cm. My parents stayed for a few hours and I sent them home, as things didn't seem to be happening tonight. I spent the rest of the night pushing up off the bed and groaning, with every contraction. I was afraid to move because the heart monitor kept falling off and losing the baby's heartbeat. Oh, the memories!

<--Smiling through a contraction (you can tell because I'm gripping the bed rail)

One year ago - Sept 21st

On this date, one year ago...

...I went to the doctor for my final checkup before my induction. I'll spare everyone the details, but my doctor tried to "get things started" for me, as I was 3 cm already. It was painful, but luckily my mom was there and we went out for breakfast afterwards.

All night, I had some cramping, but nothing unbearable.

Could this be it?

A proud moment

We were having dinner at one of my new favorite restaurants (Masala Wok) and noticed a guy eating alone and taking notes. We kept looking at him because he was getting a couple meals and we wondered if he was a food critic or a writer for a local paper. Anyway, he finishes eating and starts to walk over. I'm thinking "CRAP, he is going to comment on us looking at him" or "CRAP, he is going to say something about the food that Katie keeps dropping on the floor".

So, he comes over and says "I just want to thank you guys for having such a well behaved baby". I think I was in total shock and remember not even knowing how to react. Once it sunk in, I stammered out a "thank you" with a goofy grin on my face. I was so proud and couldn't believe someone would walk over to tell us that (especially a single guy). It made me love Masala Wok even more!

1 year birthday countdown: 6 days...AHHH!

Green mommy update #1

A few months ago, I decided to trade in some of my "old ways" for greener alternatives...not only for benefits to the environment, but in hopes of protecting Katie, as long as I can. Here are some of my product reviews.

Muti-purpose cleaning:

• Vinegar and water - you really do get over the smell after awhile...and it is only short lived. I've been using this solution to clean our kitchen floors now that Katie is crawling everywhere. I also use it to clean down her highchair cover (and everything else that she gets messy during mealtimes).
• Method Grapefruit all surface cleaner - toted as a naturally derived, non toxic cleaner. I've been using this to clean kitchen counters because I love the scent and feel that it does a better job than vinegar. Bonus - it is biodegradable.

Kitchen sink:

• I've been sprinkling baking soda all over the sink and then dousing it with vinegar. I do love the "sizzling" sound it makes and hope that indicates some breaking down of dirt. After it sits for awhile, I use the baking soda/vinegar paste to scrub the sink and then wash it all down the drain with hot water. It has been working fairly well, but does not get it as sparkly as windex or other steel cleaners.

Baby products:

• Placemats - I've always been paranoid about having Katie eat off restaurant tables, especially because she can't use a plate (it will just end up on the floor). After numerous meals out, I noticed some kids with disposable placemats stuck on the table. I looked into them and found that they were very convenient and had pull off sticky strips that stuck to the table. When you were done with the meal, you just roll it up and toss it. The more I thought about it, it seemed very wasteful, not to mention expensive. They run about $8.99 for a 15-20 pack. I went to the store and instead purchased the Tiny Diner Placemat. It rolls up and fits in a diaper bag and also uses suction to adhere to tables (although they don't always work on vinyl tablecloths). It has been working well so far and I'd like to think that we're saving a few trees by not purchasing all the disposable placemats.
• Seventh Generation Free & Clear dish soap - I've been using this to clean Katie's bottles, sippy cups and bowls/plates. It is non toxic, no dyes, colorings, etc. I will admit that it does not get as sudsy as a typical dish liquid, but her things get clean nonetheless. I also like that I'm not using a colored, fragranced soap on her things.
• Method baby wash - I'm still using this and you can read more about it on my previous post. http://babylamken.blogspot.com/2008/06/method-baby-squeaky-green-baby-wash.html

Those are all my reviews for now. I'm currently on the search for "green" hardwood floor cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner. Any suggestions?

More videos, by popular demand

These are not very exciting...but here they are anyway!

She stands! (NC vacation)

We just got back from our NC vacation and I thought I'd share some beach pictures. Katie was not crazy about the ocean...I think the crashing waves and noise was a little frightening. On a more positive note, our big girl started standing recently and had to show off on the beach.
Check her out!

She had lots of "firsts" on her vacation. First time in the ocean, first bowl of grits (she loved them), first snapper, first sweet potato fries (so good), first taste of sausage and first homemade mac and cheese. She loved hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa, too. Below is a video of Grandma making her laugh, while acting like a goofball. Note the "fake" laugh from both Grandma and Katie.