hmmm

I have spent a fair amount of time being depressed this last week. This is a big change, since my general mode for the several weeks previous had been anger. So.

I am finally almost over any sort of snot in my head. The Dillo is also fairly clear - he has been relatively un-goopy in the eyes for several days now. Of course, Casper has developed a terrible phlegmy cough, and we are once again worrying about pneumonia. Once bitten, forever shy, it would seem.

In accomplishments news, I listed our backcountry backpacks on Craigslist. I hope they sell. We haven't gone camping since Casper was born, and we (well, mr. flea) had basically decided that backcountry camping wasn't really for us, anyway. I would like to get a biggish tent and go car-camping with the kids; if the packs sell we can use the $ for that. mr. flea grew up traveling a decent amount, but they never camped, since his mother refused to sleep outside. I camped a fair amount as a kid, and I value my related accomplishments such as peeing in the woods with aplomb and being able to start fires from scratch.

Casper has been fragile and difficult and generally a total pain in the ass about 30% of the time lately. Jealous, a lot, of Dillo. Lots of thumb-sucking and pretending to be a baby, but also lots of general frustration and not being able to settle on anything. She's not able to make a decision, and some times everything is just wrong. For example, this morning I put milk in her cereal and apparently I didn't put enough. I added perhaps a tablespoon more, and that was fine. I am torn between sympathy for her - we have spent a lot of time cuddling - and wild annoyance. I am not sure what to do to help her - sometimes we (her stupid parents) can't do anything right. And she isn't afraid to tell us so. Poor bunny. Again I reminded of the way early teenagers are just ANNOYED at EVERYTHING and NOTHING is RIGHT.

Dillo update

Seventh tooth is through - a lower incisor (right). He's not biting me per se when nursing, but the big old front teeth and poor latch mean some discomfort for me, weirdly only on the one side (my right). I have about six weeks (give or take) less to pump for him and I am SO ready to stop pumping. I think I've been more impatient with the pumping this time around; it just gets so OLD. Note to self: next time at grocery store, buy baby sippy cup so we can start teaching Dillo how to drink. And we *just* threw away the last of the Casper sippy cups. Sigh.

He's old enough that I begin to see the brain-wheels turning now. He understands "no," not that he obeys it necessarily. Will crawl to me if asked to. Responds when asked if he wants food, or more food. (I do the sign language things for these, because they are all I can remember, really.) He just seems like he is attentive to what is going on and wants to be involved in a new way. Happiest participating by riding on my hip. I have been looking at Ergo carriers on ebay since he is too heavy for the Bjorn but the sling doesn't really give me two free hands with him. $$, though, and this is probably a short phase.

Video from this weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmmsjP1rlDk When he puts his head to the side towards the end he reminds me of a photo we have of Casper at about this age.