I have been reading a lot of novels lately. Here’s a quick recap of what I’ve read since Sun was born:

1. I finished reading “I am a Cat” by Natsume. This was not my favorite Japanese author to read. But it had its moments. It was interesting reading about life in Japan from a cat’s perspective. But it isn’t something I could recommend to anyone.

2. Then I read “The Lost German Slave Girl: The Extraordinary True Story of Sally Miller and Her Fight for Freedom in Old New Orleans” by John Bailey. I could not put this book down. It was very well documented and well written. The legal wranglings done back in the day were quite different than how they are today! Bailey also did a good job describing the legal issues surrounding slaves. For example, did you know that when you owned a slave and took her to a free state, like France, then you freed her? And she could sue for her freedom? And win? Or that you could leave your slave to your child in your will when you died? Interesting stuff.

3. Next was “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia” by Elizabeth Gilbert. This came recommended by Jenny at Absolutely Bananas. This, too, was a book I devoured. It made me want to, well, eat, pray and love. I haven’t been inspired to want to pray in quite a while. And this book handled the religious end of things beautifully and not in a preachy way at all.

4. Next came “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. This came recommended by several sources. I hate to say that I did not enjoy this book at all. The ending redeemed it a bit for me, but it was just too violent and trite for me. For another coming of age book dealing with similar issues, I much prefer John Knowles’ “A Separate Peace.”

5. Then came J.K. Rowling’s seventh and final Harry Potter novel–”Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” I dodged all rumors and managed not to be spoiled on this book. Man, that Rowling can spin a yarn! I will miss you, Harry Potter! I am still suffering Post-Potter Depression.

6. Now I am on “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel. I am just sinking my teeth into this one, but so far so good. It, too, deftly covers the philosophical issue of religion. It has a good sense of humor, too.

But alas! Once I am done with “Pi,” I will be running low on books to read. And I still have five weeks of maternity leave to go! So I need your help! If you could recommend a book to read–maybe your all-time favorite or your current good read–I would be much in your debt. Long or short, fiction or not, classic or trashy: as long as you really liked it, I want to read it.

After waiting 8 hours on standby after having missed his flight yesterday, Captain Sarcastic was told there was no room on the plane for him to come home. After much scrambling, it was concluded that he’d have to fly out this morning. So I had one extra day alone with Sun. And that was fine. Except for me getting sick. Yup, last night I developed a sinus infection–runny nose, sore throat, ringing ears, burning eyes. It’s been a rough 12 hours.

And to top it off, when CS arrived home, the first thing out of his mouth was, “You are breaking out.” “Add it to my list of woes,” I responded. I think my lack of sleep is showing in my face. I have more acne now than I ever recall having in my life.

Thankfully, CS is on deck for all Sun-related matters tonight and tomorrow so that I can get the rest I need. I am sure to feel much better in a couple of days.

Day 5 has been mostly uneventful, other than CS missed his flight, waited around all day on standby, has had the standby flight delayed, and is still is not sure if he’ll make it in tonight–at the moment it is not looking good. Ugh.

The trepidation I felt going into this first stint of being home alone with Sun for several days was, I have learned, unfounded. She and I did quite well just the two of us. We found things to do and people to visit during the days and muddled through the nights just fine. In fact, we did better than just “muddled through.” I think after six weeks I have finally adjusted to the fractured sleep I am getting and am starting to feel rested.

And Sun went easy on me–she currently has a very short list of reasons she cries:

1. She’s hungry;
2. She has a stomach ache; or
3. She’s cold.

And 97% of the time, it is hunger. She did not add any new items to this list while Daddy was away. She kept the rules the same. And by so doing, she allowed me to look like I actually knew what I was doing. And the fake-it-’til-you-make-it regime worked. I feel more confident now, less anxious about being left alone with her. She is no worse the wear for having spent these last five days alone with just her Momma. Who knew I could pull it off?

So, with Day 4 at hand and no poopy diaper in 24 hours and the last two being exploding, I have been on the lookout–lurking around Sun waiting for the moment. For the past five hours, I’ve kept a lap pad, or as I call it–a drop cloth, under her tushie just in case (thanks for the tip, Southern Mom).

Then I heard it. Loud and clear. And I scooped up Sun and got her changed (she DID require to be hosed down again) before it exploded.

So what did I learn? Apparently motherhood is an evolutionary thing. It only took me three times to get it right.

Sun and I dropped CS off at the airport and came home. I put Sun down for a nap, continued reading Harry Potter, then gave Sun a bottle. As she was sucking away, I could hear and feel her stomach churning. Finally, I thought, she’ll get some relief. Introducing formula into her system has had her a little stopped up.

After she finishes eating, I put her in the bouncy chair (borrowed from Southern Mom). Then I sit down to my microwaved frozen meal. Then I hear Sun’s relief. She continues to bounce. I finish eating and pick Sun up to change her diaper. Poop is EVERYWHERE. The poor bouncy chair! I change plans and place Sun on the bathroom floor to prepare to bathe her. I get her onesie off and then remove her diaper as the water comes to the right temperature. Even had she been in a Depends, she’d have blown out of the diaper. So much poop for such a small baby!!

She enjoyed her bath (after being hosed down by the faucet) and fell fast asleep once she was re-dressed and put down. I then did a load of laundry and am delighted to have removed all stains!!

Now as bad as my start without CS sounds, as I was feeding Sun, CS called to tell me he had been on the tarmac for over an hour with his plane getting work done on it. That type of thing–all that nasty, warm recirculated air for an indefinite period of time in a cramped space–puts me over the edge. So, I am not sure who’s having a more difficult time, CS or me. At least my initial episode is behind me, and CS still has five hours of flying to go.

I’d like to say I am not concerned at all–that I am looking forward to it. But that is just not the case.

The hubs is leaving town today returning Sunday. Leaving me alone with Sun for four days. In a row. One of his best friends is getting married in L.A. When Captain Sarcastic and I married in San Diego, five friends joined us. This friend was one. Plus, CS is standing in the wedding. No way he wasn’t going. Even when we thought Sun would arrive around July 10 (her due date), I insisted he go. I was more concerned that she’d be late and his trip would need to be canceled. But when she came early, we thought me being alone with a seven-week old would be a cake-walk. See how little we know about parenting??

So he’s off this afternoon. And Sun is still not sleeping more than four hours at a stretch. And now that she’s on some formula each day, she is having a lot of stomach aches. Lots of crying and quivering of the lower lip.

I have confidence we both will survive, but I am not looking forward to the next four days. Wonder if a slice of wedding cake can withstand a five hour flight.

P.S. This wedding will be a traditional Indian wedding. It is going to be a four day blow-out. I so wanted to attend but knew traveling with a very young infant would be far worse than staying home with one. But, boy, am I jealous of CS!

I had dinner out last night followed by a movie. And Sun was left home. It was almost a date except I was with a friend and not the hubs. I ordered a margarita while we waited for our table. Then I ordered a second one with my meal. Two sips into the second one and all I could taste was liquor. As we were leaving the restaurant, I pointed my mostly-full glass out to my friend, saying that the old me (read pre-pregnant) never made that faux paus–I’d have considered that alcohol abuse. My friend responded, “I noticed.”

Then we went to the 10pm showing of “Ratatoille.” I did not enjoy one minute of the movie. I couldn’t get my mind off of Sun. I kept seeing her in her bed sleeping peacefully. I was quite relieved when, at 11:30, I looked over at my friend and noticed she was sleeping. I roused her and we left the movie early.

It was insane of me to think I’d last through a late-night movie. It continues to surprise me that my complete tolerance (and taste) for liquor is gone–I woke up at 5am with a headache and have had a slight hangover all morning.

I am a mother. My body knows it even when my brain doesn’t. It’s been duly noted.

A friend died this week. He had been struggling with cancer for four years, and it finally got the better of him. Being on the receiving end of new life these days, it is really a shock to now deal with a death. My friend had a good life, an amazing wife.

I will miss him. A lot.

Au revoir, cher ami.

Because Sun was breech, there was a concern she may have some hip issues. So while in the hospital, they did an ultrasound and all looked well. But to be sure, they ordered a second ultrasound at the one-month mark. That ultrasound was today. Here’s how it went:

The hubs could not join us as he had to take Zella to the vet since she chewed her side yesterday. Crazy German shepherd. So off we go. We get to the hospital out-patient registration desk and do the insurance song-and-dance. Does Sun have her own insurance card? No. Social security number? Not yet. Did I get pre-authorization for this u/s with my insurer? No, did I need to? Check-in chick goes away from her desk for five minutes to find out….No; we are a-go.

Am then told that because Sun is an infant they cannot do the u/s as out-patient, will have to go the hospital radiology–down the hall. This makes no sense to me, but I oblige.

Check in for second time. Feel things not going well when receptionist tells me, “It will be a few minutes. They need to get a room for you.” An hour later, Sun is hungry (and Momma didn’t pack a bottle thinking this would be well over by now) and getting fussy. Other patient asks, “Is she spoiled?” Ugh.

Ask receptionist how much longer, ten minutes later am told the hold up now is that they need a doctor to do the u/s and he is in with another doctor. What?? Sun now smells. And I do not want to have to change her on the bathroom floor. So I wait until the waiting room is empty. As I change her, she starts to pee, so I take off her onesie to put on a fresh one. Now she is buck naked. Of course, this is when the tech finally comes to get us.

So I get a diaper on her and leave her clothes off (thinking they may take them off anyway to do the u/s), wrap a blanket around her, grab the carrier and diaper bag and follow the tech who apparently is late for lunch and rushing to get done. Now you are in a hurry? Errr.

We get to the room and Sun is already pissed. Well, so am I. The doc shows up, undoes Sun’s diaper and takes a good long look at her strawberry mark on her leg and says, “That’s quite the hemangioma.” “Good for you, doc,” I think, “now, do you think we can focus your attention on her hips and get this thing moving??”

He then starts the u/s. The cold gel REALLY pisses Sun off and she starts crying, wailing, and does not stop. Nothing I do comforts her. I am so upset I cannot make eye contact with the doc or the tech–not that they are acknowledging my presence anyway.

Right leg complete after ten L.O.N.G. minutes. Onto left. Sun poops all over the place. Apparently the doc does not see this. Sun wails on. Another long ten minutes pass and then it is over.

The doctor tells me all looks good. I suspected as much (and maybe would have been less irritable if I had any real concern that this was a problem). Then he sees the poop and says, “Look what I did! Hey tech guy, look what I did! I usually only make them spray.” Congratulations, doc. Mark it on your calendar and let’s wrap this up.

I clean Sun up again and get the hell outta there as fast as I can. Total time we were there: two and a half hours. We both needed a good long nap to get past this episode.

You know what makes me forget about all of my pumping woes? A day like yesterday. Here’s what we did:

1. Brunch with my friend Wendy and her family.

2. A trip to two bookstores (with a purchase of two new novels).

3. A long hot bath wherein one of my new novels started to get read.

4. Champagne also accompanying the hot bath. This champagne was a gift given to us while still in the hospital. The first champagne I’ve had in almost a year. Ahhh.

5. An in-home massage by a professional masseuse.

Oh, and a baby that for the first time stayed awake from one feeding to another–over three hours! Maybe this will mean she’ll start being awake more during the day than at night.