So as many of you know I recently re-activated my account and have logged in for a few short stretches.  After spending a week with enough free time to play crappy video games, I figured I might as well do something I enjoyed a bit more.

Well, enough time has passed for me that I feel a bit lost.  My gameplay for so long was centered on raiding that I kinda don't know what to do with myself!  I've been toying around with the idea of doing pvp (in battlegrounds) because that's the easiest way for me to have flexibility to step away if need be.

The nice thing is that the last month has made a major difference in how much care my son needs, and I've really been enjoying getting some of my free time back.  He's starting to consistently go to bed earlier, and even though he still wakes up a LOT at night (and hence I wake up), he sleeps very well during the night time hours.

My question to you all is:  what's your take on solo-ish play these days?  One of the reasons I stopped playing wow was because I couldn't commit to doing things w/ other people (as to not want to inconvenience them if I had to bail at a moment's notice).  Once upon a time I played completely on my own on another server (on a horde mage) and didn't even have a guild, so I know there was a period when I enjoyed solo play.  

I miss the group game play and whatnot, but I know it's completely possible to have lots of fun doing solo things on wow.  I just need some ideas and inspiration!

Hi guys,

Totally missing wow right now.  Not that I could actually play it to any real enjoyment, but I do miss all of you!  It feels weird to be out of touch with the gameplay as well as just knowing what is new with all of you guildies.

Here are some new pics of kiddo.  He's a handful but absolutely wonderful and worth all the hard work.  I go back to work part time in February and then full time in March, and that's when the real challenge will begin I think.  Still completely sleep deprived and in sort of a baby-induced twilight zone, but enjoying it while it lasts. 

Miss you all lots and hope you're kicking ass on Gorg!

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, right now Colin is almost 10 weeks old, and most of these pics were taken around Christmas and New Years.

Colin B&W

Colin at 7 weeks 

Colin & DadThree kids in the cribColin & Karin (Karli)

Productivity Fail

Sleeping Colin (at Hospital)Colin Awake (at Hospital)Colin & Mommy (at Hospital)My three boysMommy & Colin on couchColin in bassinet (up close)Colin's First Gang Signs!Colin crying in baby swingColin on changing tableColin in SwingColin up close

Colin was born via c-section at 1:22am on Friday November 7th.  He is completely healthy and weighed 7 lbs 12 oz at birth and measured 20 3/4 inches long.

Labor was induced starting around 9:30pm Wednesday evening per our decision (we were just tired of playing the waiting game--it's enormously hard on your psyche--and they typically offer it to past-due women).  I began contractions around 3am, and by 10am was having some serious issues dealing with the pain.  I spent another 1 1/2 hours actually in a tub which really helps, and then I had some IV pain meds which got me through about another 2 hours.  By then I had totally caved and demanded an Epidural, and I can honestly say that I cannot fathom the pain getting any worse than it had been or dealing with it any longer....so for those of you ladies who spent longer in labor and made it all the way through, I applaud you.

Anyways, got the epidural around 3pm, and was doing amazingly well after that (as in, I almost felt normal).  They started to have some concerns about my progress and how baby would handle it as the night wore on, and even though I REALLY did not want to consider a c-section as an option they pretty much told me that if things got much worse it may have turned in to an emergency situation.

So, at around 1 am they started the surgery.  It's not painful because you are numbed up beyond belief, but you CAN feel enormous amounts of pressure and your body typically responds by shaking violently.  Colin was born shortly thereafter, and his proud papa, who was previously so squeemish around blood that he couldn't look at me getting a shot, cut the umbilical cord. 

So it could mean something significant, but it's more likely to not mean anything at all.  I had what's called a "non-stress test" today because I'm a few days past due (due date was November 2nd) and basically baby was very sleepy and not moving around enough for them to feel comfortable about its well being.

Standard protocal is to require telling the mother to go to the hospital for a more in-depth observation, usually lasting a minimum of four hours.  I've already had to do this once and honestly felt bored out of my skull because I kind of knew baby was fine (I had fallen down a few stairs and landed on my ass).  After spending almost 6 hours at the hospital a few weeks ago lying on a bed, not able to really move around, and watching crappy tv, I am NOT looking forward to this upcoming stint.

That being said, it's just as likely that we'll be home by midnight as they will say "nope, you need to get this kid out, and sorry we're not going to let you do it naturally."  Ky and I are very excitaed to meet our baby and so this could be a great thing, but the likelihood that they'll want to induce me (which is more painful, longer, and harder on the baby than natural labor) and even do a c-section is much higher, so boo to that.

Anyways, just wanted to give a more in-depth heads up and we will keep you posted!