Monthly Archives: June 2008

Lost in Fashion

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So, I just emerged from a serious state of getting lost in the blog Painfully Hip.

Painfully Hip is a cheap chic fashion blog and a collaboration of a pair of smartass west coast twins and a few hand-picked guest-bloggers. We feature inspired thrift fashion, vintage couture, artists, international streetwear, fashion advice, DIY ideas, independent boutiques and online discounts. We are mad about prints, color and incorrigibly unrepentant personal style.

I was first drawn in by their “thrift star of the day” posts where they post up a picture of a fashion thoughtful person who dresses in items they find in thrift stores. I was particularly smitten with the dress of this thrift star of the day. I even went to her flickr feed to see her other awesome outfits. Sigh. I want to dress pretty. I have 1 pair of pants that will fit me now. I can squeeze into 3 of my dresses still which is helpful. Even when I can begin fitting into my clothes that I could wear before I became pregnant, I don’t really want to wear even 1/4 of them. Yikes.

oh music music music

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A few months ago Billy told me about a new way to listen to music: The Hype Machine.

The Hype Machine follows music blog discussions.
Every day, thousands of people around the world write about music they love — and it all ends up here.

Its a way to listen to music you like or music you want to try out. It tracks blogs that link MP3 files and displays them in a variety of ways. Two of the ways you can find music is by going to a page where the “latest” links to music are shown, or you can go to the “popular” page. I found this site to be useful for sampling music by entering what I want to hear in the search box. It is especially useful when you are on someone else’s computer and need a music fix.

I have come across some things I might never have found otherwise by using The Hype Machine. I even started visiting the blogs that were being linked to Hype. One of my new favorites is Letters Have No Arms!. I first discovered this blog because Hype linked to some cool songs that they posted about like a few Cure covers and a Hot Chip cover. I was intrigued by the look and feel of this music blog in addition to their music choices so I spent a little time there and discovered more and more interesting stuff!

If you are in need of new music inspiration you have to explore The Hype Machine.

Riding the Rollercoaster of my Pregnancy

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Today I thought I was making some good headway in figuring out what I could afford and what pieces I needed to work on solidifying to make the birthing situation a comfortable one. I had to make compromises but I was willing to live with them. Then, later tonight, Billy and I started talking finances for real. It seems that things are going to be really tight. I was being overly optimistic. Well, I guess I am happy about the optimism part, as well as making some headway and decisions. As it stands with today’s optimistic plan I will be broke (no exaggeration) by August and unable to buy a ticket to see my brother’s wedding. Yikes. Then I would be relying on Billy to support me, the baby, and himself while I bond with and take care of the baby before returning to work. This is a heavy weight.

Now I am stepping back and utilizing the “necessity is the mother of invention” tool for creating something out of nothing. Hey, I did that in my uterus, shouldn’t I be able to do it with finances?

It was pointed out to me that I should appreciate what I have. The opportunity to have my baby in a good hospital (CPMC, which people in the Bay Area call “the baby factory”) and if all goes well, at a minimal cost. Doulas and midwives are seemingly luxuries. I just don’t trust that the doctor’s best interests and my best interests are aligned. Why can’t I have the luxury of choosing the birth I want?

Am I being a brat? Unrealistic? Ungrateful?
I don’t know. Probably.
I do know that I am frustrated with lack of insurance coverage (or any sort of funding for that matter) for doulas and midwives. These professionals actually cost less! AND, they statistically have better outcomes with less interventions!

I am frustrated and appreciative, and open to the possibility of making money.

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”

-Frank Herbert, Dune

Cool Clothes and Other Stuff For Boys

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Where are the cool clothes and other stuff for boys? It seems like the cutest stuff is for girls only. Almost all of what I have seen for boys is on the drab side of things. Why? I want to look at cute boy things for my little one.

I have been putting some thought into creating my own line of wonderful clothing, accessories, and toys for boys.

I did see a few fun things tonight like this shirt and this travel crayon and paper holder.

I discovered both of these through Cool Mom Picks website. One from an ad, one from a post. Thanks CMP!

Now, where can I find more fun stuff?

Pregnancy Update: Cervix Length (32 weeks along)

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I had my appointment to do the ultrasound to check my cervix length early this morning. My cervix is down to 1.3 cm. Ideally a pregnant woman would have their cervix length be at 3cm or more. As I mentioned in a post a few days ago the last time they checked it (6 weeks ago in the hospital) I was at 2.1 cm.

On the plus side, we also learned that my amniotic fluid levels are good, the baby’s growth is on track, and that he weighs 4lbs, 1oz.

I had to wait for the doctor to receive today’s results from the lab technician. Then after the doctor assessed things she would call me with a her verdict. I was worried they were going to ask us to drive back into the city for more testing, or worse, hospitalization!

Worry, worry, stress. Not good for me, not good for the baby. So, in the mean-time, I took a nap then read up on the topic of positive thinking. I came across an article that I liked called Positive thinking: Practice this stress management skill. I particularly liked the part where they explained ‘common forms of negative and irrational self-talk’. It helped me step back from worry and negative thinking and realize what I was doing. I felt like my perspective was widened and I was able to shift into the space of thinking (more) positively. I realize this will take practice as it is like learning any skill. It is something I have always wanted but now that there is the wee one inside of me along for the ride with little or no choice in the matter I would like him to have a pleasant time without the stress hormones I unleash on him.

The doctor called me in the afternoon and we talked over my situation. We decided that I would continue to keep being conservative and on strict modified bed rest, medication, and hydration for now. I am to call if anything changes. Whew!

I am to get my cervix length rechecked in two weeks. She said that if at that point I had lost half the length I have now she would still be happy because I would then be at 34 weeks and the baby has better chances and I could still make it with that little length to 36 weeks. So, given the circumstances, I would say this is good news. I aim to handle this time gracefully and from a positive standpoint.

I would love to hear what works for you or what inspires you to be positive.

Schwarzenegger To Cut Transit

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Part of the California state budget includes a proposed cut of $19 million from AC Transit ($1.4 billion in cuts in transit state-wide). Billy brought to my attention tonight that AC Transit is looking for transit riders support in letting Governor Schwarzenegger that this is concerning to the members of the East Bay community. If these cuts happen there will be fare increases and service reduction. I can tell you from experience that the AC Transit lines I take are already in need of MORE service not less.

This proposed cut is essentially a tax on the lower income people who rely on the public transit to get to work. The money needed by the government would be better found in places where it could be afforded. For instance in taxing a high priced luxury item. A car perhaps?

From AC Transit’s website:

Please call the Governor to tell him that AC Transit cannot afford to lose this funding. Let him know how important bus service is for you, your friends and family, and the community at large.

A phone call is the most effective, but a faxed letter or online comment is good, too. Thank you for your help!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
(916) 445-2841 (phone)
(916) 558-3160 (fax)
online comment form

Living in the O writes this:

It’s simple – just call and say your name and what city you live in. Then, say that you oppose any cuts to public transit funding. Really – it takes 30 seconds so pick up your phone and call now. And if you’re too freaked out about calling, send in a fax or make a comment online.

Go to Living in the O’s blog post to read more about other things you can do to take action to help save transit.

Go here to read more from AC Transit.

Let’s get the word out on this. Pass it on.

The Business of Being Born

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Tonight we had our friend Phoebe over for dinner and a movie. Billy made a yummy lentil dish with rice and tofu. When trying to decide what movie to watch the question came up of whether or not we had seen the movie The Business of Being Born. We had, but Phoebe had not. Since she seemed very interested in seeing it we decided to see if it was available via the Roku box on the Netflix instant stream. It was, so we watch it for the second time with her. It was still very interesting the second time around. Now, weeks later, it has a different meaning for me and my circumstances are different. I have read up a bit on midwifery and, chances (the fFN, actually) say that I am more likely to deliver pre-term. I guess what I took away from it this time around is the power and strength mothers have. I get to choose how I go into my delivery experience. Even as it gets intense I believe I will think of that. Also, it reaffirmed that I have choices on what interventions I do or do not receive. If I deliver in a hospital, I need to be strong in advocating for myself and my wishes. And, when I go into labor, I don’t want to go into the hospital too early so that I will be in my own environment for as long as possible and also there will be less of a time pressure on me to deliver on their time clock which could more likely lead to them falsely inducing or augmenting labor which will likely bring on complications.

Just thinking about all the hospital possibilities (especially with a preemie involved) strengthens my resolve to keep this baby in for about another month and a half so that he is full term and I can have a midwife deliver me.

The power of the mind is a fascinating thing… one that I wish I understood and could harness fully.