We sat by the pool with some friends today. Mila was in the Baby Bjorn facing out and apparently got tired from all the craziness!
She was fast asleep with her big pink hat over her eyes.
6.27.2008
Mommy and Mila at the Pool!
We sat by the pool with some friends today. Mila was in the Baby Bjorn facing out and apparently got tired from all the craziness!
She was fast asleep with her big pink hat over her eyes.
6.26.2008
Sleep...
This is the first of many posts I'm sure I'll make on sleep. Sleep has become the ever elusive quest that I have started for myself and my 4 month old baby girl. When she gets good sleep, I get good sleep. When I get good sleep, I don't lose my mind at 3am feedings.
Sleep is the one subject all parents can talk about at length. When did your baby sleep through the night? How many naps does she/he take and when? It's like some insane badge of competency that you get if you answer the questions correctly. First of all, finally after reading every book about sleep I could get my hands on -- or at least the most well known ones, I have come to the following realizations....
1. Sleeping through the night means 5-6 hours straight. Ok, so Mila does this a lot. Not all the time, but she can do it. In fact, one night she went almost all through the night for real...and it scared me. I woke up that one night at 3am, clutching my chest in pain and realizing she hadn't fed for several hours - SEVERAL HOURS...not 2 or 3 but like 6 or 7.
2. Bedtime needs to be as soon as Mila shows she's tired -- which we try to hope happens around 7ish so she falls asleep at the same time every night - 7:20pm ish. Sometimes it happens earlier...
3. We can't rock her, shhh her, swaddle her, sing her, nurse her to sleep forever...The rocking her to sleep is starting to become physically impossible. The Shhh-ing her...I'll keep doing, the swaddling I'll do until she breaks free every night and can roll over and back in both directions. The singing I will never stop doing. The nursing...well, I know I'm supposed to lay her down sleepy but who doesn't love a full tummy to induce a food coma? We are working on "putting her down when she's drowsy but not asleep." This amounts to putting her in the crib when her eyes are kinda open...but she probably is already asleep. I don't know how we are going to accomplish this task.
4. Naps are so hard to get, but I keep trying -- even if it's to get a short cat nap. My hope is that even though she's not getting all the sleep she needs, at least she is getting some and hopefully it resets her enough to be able to hang longer in the evening until her real bedtime.
5. Don't think you've got it down and the sleep routine is set ... so far in her 4 months, she has varied her sleep pattern so many times that I can't even tell you... I made the mistake at one point into becoming too comfortable with how she was sleeping...JINX...she changed without a warning and that night I went slightly insane. As long as you expect nothing but constant possible change, you will be so disappointed...and who knows how you will react. I realize that Mila cannot be treated the same as my other life goals I've set for myself...Find out how to achieve them and step by step...you get there...No, you do not get there with a baby. She is hopefully going to get there just fine on her own...All you can do is help her have some sort of routine and even then sometimes that doesn't work!
6. If I had to do this part again, I would have approached the first weeks very differently. We had lots of family around so it was impossible to get any sort of routine in place...even though they were so much help to us. I didn't know how to make it comfy for her in our room, I might have really forced the issue on that and let her stay in there with us for a bit longer.
7. Oh I would have bought a white noise machine right off the bat and a sling...I have neither now but hear so many good things about them and wish I had started them when she was way younger. Now, we use the water/wave sounds from her swing to create a white noise barrier with the rest of the house. She also loves looking up at the AC vent when it is on and it seems to help her fall asleep.
I know this post was all over the place, but you see now what lack of sleep has done to me!
Sleep is the one subject all parents can talk about at length. When did your baby sleep through the night? How many naps does she/he take and when? It's like some insane badge of competency that you get if you answer the questions correctly. First of all, finally after reading every book about sleep I could get my hands on -- or at least the most well known ones, I have come to the following realizations....
1. Sleeping through the night means 5-6 hours straight. Ok, so Mila does this a lot. Not all the time, but she can do it. In fact, one night she went almost all through the night for real...and it scared me. I woke up that one night at 3am, clutching my chest in pain and realizing she hadn't fed for several hours - SEVERAL HOURS...not 2 or 3 but like 6 or 7.
2. Bedtime needs to be as soon as Mila shows she's tired -- which we try to hope happens around 7ish so she falls asleep at the same time every night - 7:20pm ish. Sometimes it happens earlier...
3. We can't rock her, shhh her, swaddle her, sing her, nurse her to sleep forever...The rocking her to sleep is starting to become physically impossible. The Shhh-ing her...I'll keep doing, the swaddling I'll do until she breaks free every night and can roll over and back in both directions. The singing I will never stop doing. The nursing...well, I know I'm supposed to lay her down sleepy but who doesn't love a full tummy to induce a food coma? We are working on "putting her down when she's drowsy but not asleep." This amounts to putting her in the crib when her eyes are kinda open...but she probably is already asleep. I don't know how we are going to accomplish this task.
4. Naps are so hard to get, but I keep trying -- even if it's to get a short cat nap. My hope is that even though she's not getting all the sleep she needs, at least she is getting some and hopefully it resets her enough to be able to hang longer in the evening until her real bedtime.
5. Don't think you've got it down and the sleep routine is set ... so far in her 4 months, she has varied her sleep pattern so many times that I can't even tell you... I made the mistake at one point into becoming too comfortable with how she was sleeping...JINX...she changed without a warning and that night I went slightly insane. As long as you expect nothing but constant possible change, you will be so disappointed...and who knows how you will react. I realize that Mila cannot be treated the same as my other life goals I've set for myself...Find out how to achieve them and step by step...you get there...No, you do not get there with a baby. She is hopefully going to get there just fine on her own...All you can do is help her have some sort of routine and even then sometimes that doesn't work!
6. If I had to do this part again, I would have approached the first weeks very differently. We had lots of family around so it was impossible to get any sort of routine in place...even though they were so much help to us. I didn't know how to make it comfy for her in our room, I might have really forced the issue on that and let her stay in there with us for a bit longer.
7. Oh I would have bought a white noise machine right off the bat and a sling...I have neither now but hear so many good things about them and wish I had started them when she was way younger. Now, we use the water/wave sounds from her swing to create a white noise barrier with the rest of the house. She also loves looking up at the AC vent when it is on and it seems to help her fall asleep.
I know this post was all over the place, but you see now what lack of sleep has done to me!
6.25.2008
Mila Update!
I'm not going to sugar coat this ... being a mom is the hardest job I have ever attempted...It is a series of experiments all of which feel like a failure most of the time. The one thing I feel like I'm doing right is breastfeeding...she's gaining weight steadily and seems to be happy with the quality of my milk!
Right now, we are constantly talking about the following challenges...sleep, naps, socializing, flying to Canada in September...and just general demeanor. There are so many theories we come up with on how we want to help her sleep, help her be comfortable out in the world and just generally help her feel comfortable with herself....
Last week she started rolling from her back to her belly...but she can't roll back...This means that she starts crying the second she realizes she can neither crawl or roll off her belly. But still...she constantly rolls to the belly! We can't stop her! Here's a video of her rolling to her belly!
Right now, we are constantly talking about the following challenges...sleep, naps, socializing, flying to Canada in September...and just general demeanor. There are so many theories we come up with on how we want to help her sleep, help her be comfortable out in the world and just generally help her feel comfortable with herself....
Last week she started rolling from her back to her belly...but she can't roll back...This means that she starts crying the second she realizes she can neither crawl or roll off her belly. But still...she constantly rolls to the belly! We can't stop her! Here's a video of her rolling to her belly!
Has anyone seen Anne?
It's been awhile since I've updated this blog...I've been trying to think of some catchy name for a blog to feature my new daughter Mila. For now, I'll post updates about her here! If anyone has any cute names for a blog - which would feature Mila, my challenges with being a mom, etc...you know, the typical but not so typical mommy blog....let me know!
Here we are having a little belly time on the boppy pillow!
11.29.2007
Which Way To Muscle Beach?
I know this happened...what weeks ago?? Dinner at Thai's - prepared by the lovely Amy - met up with the infamous Mike Kitchen of Meteor Studios fame (he'll hate me for saying that!) and his bro! It was a reunion to end all reunions. We ate lots of homecooked Mexican food, played Wii, and watched the Visualizer on Thai's new iMac.
Mike and his brother were in town shooting a film. Their comic books/convention booth were featured. Check out their site and buy their shiz: Ultraist Studios.
11.17.2007
11.13.2007
Orangina anyone?
Found this online tonight...always interesting to see different cultures take on effective advertising...
Meow!
You may be wondering where I've been hiding for the past few days...well...sadly, I have been consumed with the installation/ugrade/fiasco of the Leopard OS onto my powerbook. At some point last week, I had the bright idea of upgrading ram and OS onto my pretty much antiquated powerbook system which was purchased in March of 2004. Ok, I might be exaggerating. The computer works, I love it...and I used to have final cut pro on it from a past job. Keywords...used to. After trying to do an upgrade of my system and then spending hours combing apple forums, mac fixit forums, you name it forums...I knew what I would eventually be forced to do.
I tried to be unemotional about the whole thing. Step one - backup as much as possible using Toast - one of the only apps that worked post Leopard upgrade. Step two - find all my install discs for my apps. Step three - call Apple support for one last confirmation that this is what I needed to do. Step four - call Denis to cry one last time about the loss of Photoshop CS and Final Cut Pro. Step five - choose Erase & Install Leopard.
It's sad that I have such an attachment to data and applications. Part of me wondered how elated I could feel if I backed up nothing and proceeded with the erase of my hard drive. A fresh start. A new me! Wow, it's like first day of school again! But I couldn't let the settings, the docs, the pictures, the music - or any of it go! It's disturbing to realize that you are a digital packrat in addition to a RL packrat. Thanks Mom...I blame you! I joke...I kid...I kid...kind of.
Now, that the Leopard install is complete, I do feel a sense of calm. In fact, I might not reinstall some of that data I spent so much time backing up! Or...I'll do it a little bit at a time, so I don't feel my hard drive closing in on me again.
One last note...I believe I did this upgrade for one reason only...I'll admit to it, so I can start dealing with this sickness...So, here goes. I really liked the new iCal and wanted the upgrade. Smack me please.
I tried to be unemotional about the whole thing. Step one - backup as much as possible using Toast - one of the only apps that worked post Leopard upgrade. Step two - find all my install discs for my apps. Step three - call Apple support for one last confirmation that this is what I needed to do. Step four - call Denis to cry one last time about the loss of Photoshop CS and Final Cut Pro. Step five - choose Erase & Install Leopard.
It's sad that I have such an attachment to data and applications. Part of me wondered how elated I could feel if I backed up nothing and proceeded with the erase of my hard drive. A fresh start. A new me! Wow, it's like first day of school again! But I couldn't let the settings, the docs, the pictures, the music - or any of it go! It's disturbing to realize that you are a digital packrat in addition to a RL packrat. Thanks Mom...I blame you! I joke...I kid...I kid...kind of.
Now, that the Leopard install is complete, I do feel a sense of calm. In fact, I might not reinstall some of that data I spent so much time backing up! Or...I'll do it a little bit at a time, so I don't feel my hard drive closing in on me again.
One last note...I believe I did this upgrade for one reason only...I'll admit to it, so I can start dealing with this sickness...So, here goes. I really liked the new iCal and wanted the upgrade. Smack me please.
11.07.2007
Vegas Baby Vegas!
My maternal instinct is so strong that I felt a prenatal visit to Sin City would be a learning experience for the growing bean in my tummy. We got to meet up with my mom and both my sisters -- an occasion that happens at about the same frequency as well...well, it doesn't happen very often. Here we are in all of our glory! I'm the one with the M & M bag and the protruding belly.
Feel free to click on the photo and check out other images from our little vacation in Vegas. You'll see what other characters we met up with during the weekend!
10.30.2007
Artist Spotlight :)
Strange Dolls
I knew Beth when we were growin' up in rural Vermont. She always had a creative spirit about her and it's not surprising to see that she created these haunting and mesmerizing dolls!
Check them out!
10.29.2007
Happy Monday
Up a bit too early but realized I have been meaning to post the 2 following videos (actually there are 3, but the 3rd I'm saving for now)!
A good friend and past co-worker of ours did these 2 short films with his current coworkers!
Great Job Karly!
A good friend and past co-worker of ours did these 2 short films with his current coworkers!
Great Job Karly!
10.24.2007
A whale of a time...
Our friends Miae and Dennis live in Wellington, NZ....This is such a cool video and they were there to see it live! They are the first 2 people you see in the foreground as the camera pans towards the water...in their scuba gear!
Miae and Dennis, we promise to get down to see you sometime soon!
Miae and Dennis, we promise to get down to see you sometime soon!
10.23.2007
Long time ....
It's been a long year since I posted on this blog and I'm starting to feel that rumbling again to express myself in music. I spent the 2 years really focused on studying, certifying, and teaching pilates. The skill set is so different from anything that I've ever done. For those who know me, they know how obsessed I get with learning certain things...it wasn't enough for me to take pilates. I decided I needed to teach it and work as a pilates instructor. I have now accomplished that and teach at a small studio in Santa Monica named M2 Pilates.
Of course, now that I've certified and am teaching regularly, my passion for performance and production are back -- so watch out!
Upcoming projects include:
1/A complete annemillermusic website overhaul -- anyone with web experience who wants to help, let me know!
2/Bring my offline blog LIVE...I've been playing around with iweb but have yet to post anything! I feel like Creed from the office with my fake blog no one can ever visit!
3/Finish my video resume - translation: hosting/producing reel.
4/Finish reading Getting Things Done!
11.09.2005
Anne Miller is On Itunes!
Thanks to the great people over at CDbaby, my songs from the Sampler CD, you can now download my songs at Itunes!
Instant Gratification!
Go check it out!
Also, if you want to hear 2 of my songs in full before checking out Itunes...They are available on MySpace.com!
11.04.2005
Week 2 - No Podcast This Week!
While I wasn't able to produce a podcast this week - due to many meetings for a day job and writing a lot.
I wanted to share a few random links with you. I hope you find them as helpful as I've found them!!!
Learn Guitar!
The one thing I realize over and over again being a lone singer/songwriter is that I am always dependent on someone else to flesh out my melody/lyric using guitar or piano. So, I went in search of a guitar program that might be easy and wouldn't take long. I found: Click Here! Learning at least one instrument like the guitar or piano will make it way easier to do songwriting on your own until you are ready to record.
GUERILLA MUSIC MARKETING GUIDEBOOK
I recently purchased this book and highly recommend it to anyone. I even got another ebook from Bob Baker which was also equally high quality. Click Here! If anyone buys this and has any comments or successes from the use of the book, let me know and I'll mention it on my next podcast.
Ok one more thing to get you going...Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis...Look them up and then come back and we gotta discuss! I hope to devote one whole podcast to fitness and your voice. I was told that taking Gyrokinesis opens your airways and is especially good for singers. I only took one beginning class and immediately felt a difference -- maybe it was mental. Now, I'm on the hunt for a dvd I can do at home. Also...I highly recommend taking pilates on the machine wherever you can find it! It's amazing and also strengthens your body! If you can't find an affordable Reformer (machine) class, try this: Pilates Power System. I am an avid viewer, buyer, and major enthusiast of all things Pilates. I highly recommend it!
Ok that's all for now...next week, I will continue the saga of how Anne Miller Music came to be and how I recorded my 4-song demo from start to finish!
Have a great weekend!!
I wanted to share a few random links with you. I hope you find them as helpful as I've found them!!!
Learn Guitar!
The one thing I realize over and over again being a lone singer/songwriter is that I am always dependent on someone else to flesh out my melody/lyric using guitar or piano. So, I went in search of a guitar program that might be easy and wouldn't take long. I found: Click Here! Learning at least one instrument like the guitar or piano will make it way easier to do songwriting on your own until you are ready to record.
GUERILLA MUSIC MARKETING GUIDEBOOK
I recently purchased this book and highly recommend it to anyone. I even got another ebook from Bob Baker which was also equally high quality. Click Here! If anyone buys this and has any comments or successes from the use of the book, let me know and I'll mention it on my next podcast.
Ok one more thing to get you going...Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis...Look them up and then come back and we gotta discuss! I hope to devote one whole podcast to fitness and your voice. I was told that taking Gyrokinesis opens your airways and is especially good for singers. I only took one beginning class and immediately felt a difference -- maybe it was mental. Now, I'm on the hunt for a dvd I can do at home. Also...I highly recommend taking pilates on the machine wherever you can find it! It's amazing and also strengthens your body! If you can't find an affordable Reformer (machine) class, try this: Pilates Power System. I am an avid viewer, buyer, and major enthusiast of all things Pilates. I highly recommend it!
Ok that's all for now...next week, I will continue the saga of how Anne Miller Music came to be and how I recorded my 4-song demo from start to finish!
Have a great weekend!!
10.25.2005
Anne Miller Music Podcast
The first podcast is going to be posted by the end of this week...but it's finished recording...and now just needs some editing! So...here are some links which I discuss in the first show!
How I got to my first finished recorded song!
Show Notes #1
10/25/05
How it all began...the history of how I went from film school grad to singing and songwriting.
This is the first show! Thanks for dealing with any quality issues and listening to my li'l story.
PopZone Music
Elisa Osborne was my voice teacher and all around inspiration for taking my passion for music seriously.
McCabe's Guitar Shop
Check out their site for instrument, voice, and songwriting classes! I highly recommend this place--nice environment.
Singing For A Living
If you are looking for voice lessons, no BS, and true professionals who can help you get your career started, this is the place to go. Marta Woodhull is awesome.
John Philip Shenale
I found this list of credits for Phil, but I think they are most definitely incomplete.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments or ideas for future podcasts.
Thanks again for listening and I'll post a new episode soon.
How I got to my first finished recorded song!
Show Notes #1
10/25/05
How it all began...the history of how I went from film school grad to singing and songwriting.
This is the first show! Thanks for dealing with any quality issues and listening to my li'l story.
PopZone Music
Elisa Osborne was my voice teacher and all around inspiration for taking my passion for music seriously.
McCabe's Guitar Shop
Check out their site for instrument, voice, and songwriting classes! I highly recommend this place--nice environment.
Singing For A Living
If you are looking for voice lessons, no BS, and true professionals who can help you get your career started, this is the place to go. Marta Woodhull is awesome.
John Philip Shenale
I found this list of credits for Phil, but I think they are most definitely incomplete.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments or ideas for future podcasts.
Thanks again for listening and I'll post a new episode soon.
9.22.2005
Back in the Saddle...
After a long hiatus this summer - from this blog...I'm back. I realized that I've been spending a lot of time updating and beautifying everything but this blog!
Right now I'm in the middle of figuring out how to get strangers to visit my website and love my music! It's not simple by any means and I'm realizing that I need a lot of help. I've sought out the advice of some friends/former colleagues and we'll see what happens within the next month or so.
If you would like to add me to your links page, feel free to do so! I'll add you to my links list too!
So, as some of you may know I was laid off a job in mid to late June. We all saw it coming and were somewhat relieved that the department was closed, but at the same time there is always a bittersweet feeling of loss. I felt like I helped build the teams there and was being let go from my children.
I've spent the last few months, searching for a scent to the new path. Mostly I am focused on songwriting and getting the website up - as well as finishing my press kit.
In the next post, I'll share an off the topic of music list of links that have helped me in my job search. Well, they haven't panned out to a job yet, but the main sites I visit will be listed, with a review for each.
Right now I'm in the middle of figuring out how to get strangers to visit my website and love my music! It's not simple by any means and I'm realizing that I need a lot of help. I've sought out the advice of some friends/former colleagues and we'll see what happens within the next month or so.
If you would like to add me to your links page, feel free to do so! I'll add you to my links list too!
So, as some of you may know I was laid off a job in mid to late June. We all saw it coming and were somewhat relieved that the department was closed, but at the same time there is always a bittersweet feeling of loss. I felt like I helped build the teams there and was being let go from my children.
I've spent the last few months, searching for a scent to the new path. Mostly I am focused on songwriting and getting the website up - as well as finishing my press kit.
In the next post, I'll share an off the topic of music list of links that have helped me in my job search. Well, they haven't panned out to a job yet, but the main sites I visit will be listed, with a review for each.
5.31.2005
Pong Studios Showcase!
Save the Date!
Saturday, June 4th!
Pong Studios Showcase
at:
Silent Partner Studios
11054 W. Pico Blvd. in West L.A.
Pico/Sepulveda
Park on Pico
8-midnight
I go on around 10pm!
Saturday, June 4th!
Pong Studios Showcase
at:
Silent Partner Studios
11054 W. Pico Blvd. in West L.A.
Pico/Sepulveda
Park on Pico
8-midnight
I go on around 10pm!
5.19.2005
2 Gigs....coming up...
June 4th
Silent Partner Studios
Details to be announced soon...
If you want to get the info...send me your email address!
May 29th
Undisclosed coffee house in Santa Monica, CA
...information available soon!
If you are interested in either or both of these, let me know, so I can send you all the info!
I'll also post more information on this blog!
June 4th
Silent Partner Studios
Details to be announced soon...
If you want to get the info...send me your email address!
May 29th
Undisclosed coffee house in Santa Monica, CA
...information available soon!
If you are interested in either or both of these, let me know, so I can send you all the info!
I'll also post more information on this blog!
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