Geek in Heels - Page 110

Dec 7, 2010 • In Personal

Thirty

Today is my thirtieth birthday.

And it is turning out to be the worst birthday that I can remember.

Actually, the past couple of weeks have been pretty horrible overall.

This past Friday, I discovered that J was planning a surprise party for later that night and I became furious at him.

How dare he plan a party at home when the house is a mess and he knows that I’m in no condition to entertain? That whenever we have more than two guests at a time, and/or they stay past 8pm, the baby gets overstimulated and becomes particularly difficult when it comes time to put her to sleep?

How dare he plan a party for 8:30pm when he knows that the baby’s fussy time is between the hours of 8pm and midnight? When the only thing that keeps her from screaming bloody murder is to be held tightly by her mommy, and that even then she’ll cry and fuss?

How dare he plan a party for the day that the baby is scheduled to receive her 2-month vaccinations? Doesn’t he know that she might have an adverse reaction to the shots? Doesn’t he know that she might develop a fever and will most likely be extra cranky? (Which turned out to be true.)

Party canceled.

Crying baby, crying mommy, flustered dad.

I loved him for the effort, but I couldn’t get over the overwhelming sense that my own husband must not know me — our family — well enough to plan such a poorly thought-out shindig.

And that was just one night.

The rest of the week was a flurry of dark emotions and mini breakdowns. I lost 5 lbs in one week. Which is great for my post-partum weight loss plans. But you can see the toll that my thoughts — the pressure of being a new mom, turning 30 and my life not being what I had imagined/hoped it to be, the realization that my life and my body will never be the same again, irrepressible guilt over everything, especially for having these thoughts — had on my body.

So yes. I have a roof over my head. I have a loving husband. I have a healthy baby. I have a dog who goes ballistic at the mere thought of losing me. I have others who obviously care for me and want me to be happy.

I have nothing that indicates I should be having a horrible birthday, yet I am.

I didn’t have to cancel the party. I could’ve asked for a quiet dinner out with close friends and leave the baby with J’s parents. I could’ve asked for at least a birthday cupcake and a candle to blow out. I could’ve asked for a celebratory glass of wine and a toast in my honor.

Instead, I am getting nothing as a result. And I am well aware that it is my own damn fault.

Pity party for one, please.

A is for Ackbar

Graphic designer Brandon Peat created a series of Star Wars alphabet prints in order to decorate his son Tycho’s nursery. The result is magnificent to say the least!

The prints have been compiled into a book titled A is for Ackbar, which can be purchased by donating a minimum of $15 to Tycho’s college fund. And according to the product/donation page, the volume of donations have been so overwhelming that the donation drive will now end on Thursday, December 9 at 11:59PM EST. What a fun and creative way to decorate your little one’s nursery, celebrate one of the greatest film franchises of all time, and build a healthy education fund!

I had featured Star Wars ABC Cards before, but I must admit that these alphabet prints are cuter and much more kid-friendly.

Via The Daily What.

Harry Pupper

I. Just. Can’t. Handle.

Via The Daily What.

Cosplay With My Heart

I know that Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” is one of the most overplayed songs of the year, but I love it all the same for the catchy tune and oh-so-sweet lyrics.

When I see your face there’s not a thing I wouldn’t change
‘Cause you’re amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stare for a while
‘Cause you’re amazing, just the way you are

So when College Humor released the parody song and video, “Cosplay With My Heart,” I immediately pressed ‘play’ and allowed my geeky side to mingle with my inner pop music enthusiast. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Via Fashionably Geek.

Popular TV/Movie Characters Sorted into Hogwarts Houses

What if your favorite television/movie character were to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Where would the Sorting Hat assign them?

I remember taking a Sorting Hat quiz aeons ago and finding out that I would be sorted into Ravenclaw. As much as the books make Gryffindor to be the house to be in, I think that I would fare best in Ravenclaw too — courage is not, and never has been, my strong suit!

Which house do you think you would be sorted into?

Via Geekologie.

Star Wars Movie Mashup Posters

Artist Matthew Ranzetta has re-created the posters of five popular movies using the typography and imagery of Star Wars. Beautifully thought-out and rendered!

Via Geekosystem.

Last Week, I…

Quit breastfeeding.

Had to choose between quitting cold turkey and gradually quitting (by cutting out one pumping/nursing session every couple of days). Decided that engorgement pain is preferable to the razor-sharp pain from thrush I get every time my right breast is emptied. Smelled like cabbage soup as I stuffed my bra with cold cabbage leaves to help with the engorgement. Drank sage tea and Coke to help kill my milk supply. Regretted quitting more than once as my breasts became rock-hard and throbbed with pain. Leaked through numerous nursing pads, bras, and shirts.

Felt overwhelming guilt for not providing the best available nutrition for my child. Felt further burdened by “lactivists” online who likened formula to poison, who informed me that if I were not ready to make sacrifices for my child, I shouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place.

Realized these women know squat about my life or my family.

Did research and discovered that while breastmilk is best, it is only marginally better. Most studies that tout the benefits of breastmilk (or formula, for that matter) are so flawed/biased that there really is no conclusive evidence that children who are formula-fed are any less smart or healthy, or vice-versa. Correlation ≠ causation.

Realized that some of the healthiest, smartest, and most talented people I know were formula-fed as babies. People who are Ivy League graduates, have great jobs, hold MBAs and PhDs, are at top physical shapes and rarely get sick.

Cried tears of relief as I put away my pumping supplies.

Shed a few more tears the first day that Claire went 100% formula. Told her how sorry I was and that I had failed her as a mommy, that she must be patient as I will most likely fail her many more times in the future. Watched as she happily sucked away at her bottle of Similac Sensitive and looked at me as if to say, “I forgive you.”

Bonded more with my daughter in 5 days than I had with her in the entire past month. Was able to hold her tight (despite the painful engorgement in my chest) and not dread my next nursing/pumping session.

Realized that I had been associating my baby with pain, and that was now a thing of the past.

Gorged on Thanksgiving dinner without worrying about whether a dish had dairy, seafood, beans, broccoli, and all the other foods I had cut from my diet.

Had my first glass of wine in over 11 months and enjoyed every last drop.

Still experience guilt time to time. Am dreading Claire’s 3rd month checkup this Friday when the pediatrician is sure to ask if I am still breastfeeding. Have been reading sites such as Fearless Formula Feeder for encouragement and support.

Hopes that no one will judge me for this decision. After all, doesn’t a happy mommy help lead to a happy baby?

Fetal Hello Kitty

This is so disturbing yet intriguing at the same time. I wonder if Mr. Freeny will go on to produce fetal versions of various other characters, as he did with his anatomy series.

Via MoistProduction.

A Typographic Anatomy Lesson

I am loving this Typographic Anatomy Lesson Plan by Ligature, Loop, and Stem. Unfortunately, the limited-edition letterpress print is sold out, but after taking a look at the company’s Ampersand print as well, I immediately joined their mailing list to be updated on all their future endeavors.