Ive been trying to think of a title for this post since 4 am and cant come up with anything except..

I need to start this post off by first saying, I am the worst mother at night time. I NEVER get up to take care of the baby.

Early on we realized that nursing is just too much for him at night. It wakes him up too much and he doesn’t get enough to eat. That combined with his reflux when he lays down made it a pretty easy decision to give him only bottles at night. He doesn’t love to take bottles from me, ESPECIALLY at night.. So Aaron has always willingly fed him at night.

Now it has turned into Aaron takes care of him alllll night every night. I seriously don’t know what I would do without him. He is the BEST daddy EVER!!!!!!

(I do, however, wake up every time the baby wakes up to pump. And occasionally I will go change his diaper and give him a love while Aaron is heating up a bottle. So I’m not totally heartless! :) )

The other thing about our baby… He does not love to sleep. Never really has. He was never one of those newborns that just slept and slept and slept. He thinks if he sleeps he’ll miss out on something really exciting.

His day time naps consist of 2 maybe 3 20 minute naps. That’s it…

At night he is up every 2-3 hours on the dot!

We used to try keeping him up really late, hoping for just a little more sleep.

It never worked.. nothing we tried worked.

A few people recommended a couple books to me, So I got online and started researching them.

I found one that had some pretty good reviews.

and cut to the good news…

He slept for 7 straight hours last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We put him to bed at about 8:30.. He didn’t wake up until 3:45…

Actually there is a good chance he could have slept longer..

I woke up out of the blue at about 3:40.. rolled over.. looked at the clock.. realizing I couldn’t remember the last time Aaron got up with the baby… I checked the monitor.. He was breathing.. everything looked fine..

I asked Aaron “When was the last time you got up?”

“ummmmmm…” He replied half asleep looking at the clock…

“Have you been up at all yet with the baby?”

“No.. I don’t think I have…” He said still asleep..

“Do you think we should go check on him?” I asked.. At this point he has already jolted out of bed realizing the baby had been asleep for 7 hours..

He ran into his room and put his hand on his chest. And bam… He was awake!

And MADDDDD… apparently he realized that that instant that he hadn’t eaten in 7 hours and he was not too happy about it! :)

I laid in bed in disbelief… He really slept for 7 hours…. OUR baby.. who’s previous record was something like 3 hours and 55 minutes…. He slept for 7 hours!!!!

It took Aaron less than 30 minutes to change, feed him and be back in bed.

We laid in bed amazed.. (and wide awake) for a good hour…. Trying to figure out why he slept so good.

Was it because he got two good naps?? Was it because it was cold in his room?? (Our handy dandy monitors informed us it was 63 degrees in there) Aaron said his diaper was clean.. Was it because he didn’t pee??? Was it because he snacked for 3 hours before he went to bed??? (Eating 1-2 ounces every 30 minutes..) or was it just a fluke??

Whatever it was.. We couldn’t believe it…

Granted.. He didn’t sleep much after that.. But every time he woke up.. Aaron just went in to change his diaper and he’s fall back asleep..

Until about 6.. Then he was up for the day. And ALLLL smiles..

He just laid in bed and smiled and talked until I left..

Can you believe it??? I still can’t..

Now if you’re reading this.. Please knock on wood for me… Let’s hope this wasn’t a fluke..

One of the last things Aaron said to me before we fell asleep sometime after 4 was..

“This will be really good to blog about!”

He’s well trained…

peel the art of the sticker..

in 2001 dave and holly combs left their home in indianapolis, indiana to help in the relief efforts of the aftermath of september 11th. during their down time in nyc they explored manhattan and were inspired by the hundreds and hundreds of stickers they on the streets. it was because of this auspicious trip to the big apple that led them to create their zine dedicated entirely to street stickers; PEEL. well, a few yrs have passed and that black and white zine has become a full-size glossy mag distributed all over the world. it now takes it's place amongst many an important publication w/in the street art world. PEEL is proud to announce their first hardcover 160 pg book covering the past four yrs of the magazine's existence. pre-order your signed copy here.

if Im really being honest with myself

I would like to be pregnant right now.But my cycle isn’t back.Well, I thought it was back? Maybe? I don’t know, you don’t need the details, but suffice it to say I had reason to be confused and as more time passes it’s looking like it’s not in fact back (and that is enough about that).With OBaby we felt ready to try, we tried, and we got pregnant. Those events were all on a 4 week time line. But right now? This? I think they call this the waiting game.I’ve never played the waiting game before, and frankly, it doesn’t feel like a game. It feels like watching the calendar and doing the +9 months math and praying that this is the month it comes back. It feels like knowing I should trust God and His perfect timing but deep down wanting His timing to just fit my timing, ok?It feels like I have been lifted out of the darkness that is postpartum depression, that I have seen the light and beauty of motherhood, and that I want more of it. I want to have the feeling of not being alone in my body. I want more of these wonderful moments as a family. I want to see DanO holding our newborn baby again. I want to see OBaby as a big brother.It feels like we came to a decision on what was once a daunting thing to consider but then it turned out we were wrong to think it was our decision at all.It feels like impatience.And I know. I know that this is not that. This is not longing and trying and praying and hoping and fearing for months and years and decades on end. I am grateful that by grace I have not known that struggle. But that does not negate the spiritual tug-of-war going on in my own mind and heart over this matter.If I’m really being honest with myself, I am thankful that I cannot be the one to choose. This motherhood thing is big. God knows just how big it is. He knows me and what I am capable of more than even I do. I trust that. I wish it were different, but I am happy to lean on the Truth that His ways are better than my ways.What peace that gives me, even as I count forward the months and yearn.::sigh::

Video Peggy Honeywell..

As I mentioned below I took a few videos of Peggy Honeywell playing at the We They, We They opening last nice. She was modest, sincere and gracious. It was a beautiful set. Total warm fuzzies all around.

that is not what working out looks like

There are photographs out there floating around the interwebs that are referred to as “fitspiration” or “fitspo”. They are pictures of fit, well toned women in athletic apparel seemingly in the throws of a hardcore workout. Their purpose is to inspire the viewer to work like the woman in the picture is “working” so that you can look like she does.K, but here’s the thing.THAT IS NOT WHAT WORKING OUT LOOKS LIKE.It does not look like this:or this:or this:(Seriously? Pushups with your hair down? Who do you think you’re fooling?)Working out looks like a bright red splotchy face.Working out looks like sweat circles on your armpits and yea, probably on your bra.Working out looks like blowing snot rockets into the bushes because it’s been an hour and a half since you could blow your nose.Working out looks like rocking unshaved legs with those running shorts because Mama don’t have time to shave AND run.Working out looks like forgetting that you were wearing non waterproof mascara until you get home and look in the mirror.Working out looks like taking a walking break with your arms above your head because you have a side ache.Working out looks like having a spray trail up your back because it just rained and the path was wet.Working out looks like this:Sure, it’s a horrible picture of me and not worthy of tagging as “fitspiration”, but that’s ok, know why?Because working out looks like not caring what working out looks like.

Clifton Burt X 20x200 Think-Make-Think..

It is ideas like this that make me delighted to be alive. Clifton Burt's Think-Make-Think second edition over 20x200. Creative, warm fuzzies all around.

"In April of 2007, John Maeda quietly posted a haiku he had written tohis blog. It was entitled think-make-think, and to me it fulfilled thepotential of Maeda's simplicity. Over the next few months, that haikuoften found its way to the forefront of my mind. When our studioacquired the remnants of a discarded arrow sign, it was clear to methat think-make-think was a perfect fit, both in form and function."

wildcatters..

Oh, this has got to be one of the cutest brooches I have seen in quite some time; No Tears Medal, get out of town! THE BEST. Check out Wildcatters, a new store on etsy. I bet you that brooch will be gone by the time you click here. It's too cute to last...luckily, I think they'll be more. They'll be adding new items all week.

where the wild things are..

Check this trailer out for the upcoming film by Spike Jonze, Where The Wild Things Are. If this doesn't give you a kick in the paints and gets you going today....welp buddy, I think it's safe to say you are a goner. CAN NOT WAIT!***Looks like the video has been taken downpretty much anywhere but authorized sites...Thank you Jmercier for pointing us here.

Melissa Loop..

Melissa Loop recently contacted me to show me her paintings and sculptures of saturated colorful utopic worlds she creates through paint & everyday craft, party, and home improvement materials. I loved the color combos and really fell for her sculptures. I asked her to tell me a little bit about her influence & where her work comes from:

"I've become obsessed with making what amounts to my personal fantasy islands. Some are in a state of just coming into being and others are city escapes. For me they are not necessarily happy places, but just places of refuge without any other people where one can go to get away for awhile.  I love to take images off the Internet and collage them into new bizarre retreats out of places that were already supposed to be little utopias."

mel stringer's etsy store girlie pains..

i really dig mel stringer's illustrations. her odd colored girls w/ funny noses in awkward poses make me feel very comforted in a weird way. her drawings are strange and soothing all at the same time. always a favorite combination of mine. not only do i love that mel's shop's name is girlie pains but what i really love is that mel has on offer original paintings on buttons. i wish i wasn't so broke, i'd buy all 3. yes, folks i'm that broke. but don't let my sob story stop you...you, you should jump at this offer. don't you want to wear a hand painted, rad little pin that says 'you are cute'? what a wonderful way to make the world such a nicer place to live in. don't forget to check out mel's prints, original drawings and her other stuffed brooches (which are just the best by the by.).

Jessica Joslin..

Jessica Joslin gives findings a new meaning all together. She takes bones, skulls, leather, fur, fabric and odds and ends castaway from other lives and eras, fashioning and creating a kingdom of her own. Her work definitely has a gothic feel, but they also have a real playful edge to them as well. Her animals remind me of a friend's hairless cat, Yuri, who at first glance you're not sure what to make of her, yet her warm and lovable personality wins you over in seconds. As does Jessica's incredible menagerie.

Jessica's solo show Brass and Bone opens this Thursday at Lisa Sette Gallery.

***As a side note, I am trying out a new feature on the blog with images...Fingers crossed I hope it works well! Just click on the thumbnails to see the images larger. Any feedback is welcome!***

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Boom Internet, Boom The Real Hennessy..

"It ain't that hard internet. It's not rocket science. It's the easy part making it. You know what I'm saying? The hard part is giving it...you know, giving it cultural context."

"Tyler Perry has more money than any artist will ever have, ever."

"Basically Relational Aesthetics is when someone with an MFA wants to meet new people, but becasue they spent all that time persuing an MFA they don't know how to talk to people normally & they have really poor social skills..."

"What's up internet...I am kinda in a somber mood cause of the passing of Louise Bourgeois...we lost a true soldier...she was on this planet for a good 150 years...doing her thing."

"She maintained it with her sculptures of cocks & spiders & shit & installations I don't really understand."

"...if you want to be a succesful artist...ummmm one, be white. A'right. Being white helps in the art world...uhhhh, two, be a white male..."

These are just a few of the amazing thoughts that come from Henessey Youngman. You need to watch these videos. And then you need to go to his YouTube page & watch more. These videos are seriously what makes me love life and the internet so much; wit, art and brilliance combined. But wait, then he sprinlkles race, gender and much more on the top. I mean come on, Hennessy refers to Louise Bourgeois as truly hip hop and a fallen soldier among the ranks of Tupac and Biggie! Good, good stuff. Special thanks to my girl, Katie Kurtz for leading me to The Real Hennessy's twitter page.

You can read an awesome interview with Jayson Musson, the man behind the brilliance on Art in America here. Serioulsy, I am now obsessed.

Install Shots Monica Canilao What's Lost is Safe..

Monica Canilao arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday to start her install for her upcoming show What's Lost is Safe at Sky High Gallery. ML4U's bff Faythe Levine shares a bunch of pictures she took on day one and two of the install. Along with what looks to be like a super, extensive installation there will also be original work and prints available. You can see more of the install on the gallery's blog or Faythe's flickr page.

A little blurb from Faythe on Sky High's blog:

"Working on a week long installation like this is such an amazing experience. There are so many variables to consider and as the curator having trust in your artist is a part of the process. Personally, Monica is the perfect person for me to work with on an unplanned install since I believe her work is consistently beautiful down to the most minor detail."

Sky High Gallery presents - “What's Lost Is Safe” solo exhibition by Monica Canilao, curated by Faythe Levine. Opening reception: Friday May 6th 6-10pm {Artist will be in attendance} through July 31, 2011.

 

Mobile Phone BlackBerry Bold 9700

With productivity and entertainment pre-loaded, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is a smartphone that is the perfect blend of style and cutting-edge technology. Read full review and features here!

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Article Content:
BlackBerry Bold 9700 for AT&T Mobility review with complete list of features including Compatibility Features, Technical Specifications and  pictures.
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GET FREE UPGRADE!!!The BlackBerry Bold 9700 for AT&T Mobility is a premium smartphone with the productivity features you want, such as FREE access to more than 20,000 AT&T WiFi hotspots nationwide.
With international 3G connectivity, the Bold 9700 lets you check Microsoft Exchange and personal email accounts, connect instantly to your favorite social networks, browse the web, download apps from BlackBerry App World and more at lighting fast speeds.
The next-generation processor means improved multi-tasking. Record video clips with the 3.2 megapixel camera/ camcorder to share online easily, or meet up with friends using the global aGPS with AT&T Navigator support and watch mobile videos together on the brilliant 2.4" color screen with speakerphone or stereo Bluetooth headphones.
With productivity and entertainment pre-loaded, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is a smartphone that is the perfect blend of style and cutting-edge technology.
According to it’s manufacturer, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 has 6 hours of talk time and up to 19 days of standby time on Li-Ion battery, which is very impressive for a smartphone with all the features.
And according to FCC radiation tests, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 has a digital SAR rating of 1.55 W/Kg at ear but actual SAR may vary.
BlackBerry Bold 9700 Highlights


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Studio Visit Repeat Press!.

I stopped by Repeat Press yesterday, to visit owner/printer Mike Dacey. He was nice enough to open up his studio so you guys could check out his world. And what a neat world it is. I was really transfixed by all the old machinery and stuff! SO many and letters! I would have pocketed a few but Mike kept his eye on me the entire time.

Repeat Press is housed (along with a bunch of other very creative folk) in an large, old, carpenter workshop, above Open Bicycle in Somerville. There is a ton of creative energy flying around that little corner! Let's get a look at his space...

Make sure to continue checking out the visit after the jump.

Check out that Record! Mike had the plate made for a suite of products for Middlesex's five year anniversary.

Mike's giving me a dry run of how the press worked. I had so many questions! I forgot to take better photos of this beast!

Just a few of the many posters Mike has worked on over the years.

This print is a mash up of all the jobs Mike had in 2009.

Speaking of jobs, the above is an awesome video shot by Quarter Productions of Mike working on a commission for High Snobiety/Selectism. Coasters!

Mike's print made exclusively for Corduroy: Surf. Skate. Art. Love. Purchase here.

Another commission for local shop Proletariat. Only five of these bad Larrys left! Purchase here.

Thanks Mike!