I Don't Like It Lying Down

Some of you may wonder what I do all day while Aaron is at daycare? You know as I am unemployed and and have nothing else to do but sit on,my butt all day and read blogs and blog. Well one of the things I do to pass time is get inked! And instead of getting something small as per the norm for me. I went big. Bigger than any of my previous tattoos.

Final product.

Eric got me a gift certificate for a tattoo for Christmas. I got a tattoo with it a few weeks ago. I know I wanted a black and grey flower of some sort and was pretty sure I wanted a lily. The artist drew this on me by hand. I am very happy and very pleased with it! The only thing I am not pleased with is this one hurt like a bitch. And I had to get while laying down. I have never gotten a tattoo laying down before. I've always straddled a chair and I prefer that. Laying down, I couldn't read and had nothing to take my mind off of the pain. Last time I barely felt it. This time I felt like a baby. But the pain is beauty, and a beauty this one is!

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On the serious side of things. Since my unemployed ass can't find a job I started school this week. I am upgrading high school courses and want to apply for nursing. I've also thought of another job alternative the most wouldn't think of. I am giving very serious thought to joining either the Army/Navy/Air Force Reserves. I've found a unit and a trade I like and have to get my paper work in. I will not specify which branch of the Canadian Forces I will joining as would be too easy to pin point me. Going this route means I will not deploy, I will work part-time one evening and 2 weekends per month which will allow me to stay home with Aaron (not deploy) contribute to my family's income, get some experience to add to the resume and it's something I can do while going to university should I get accepted into my program.

Now I just need to get my ass in shape as Basic Training will kill me. (Held on weekends.)

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On the autism front, Aaron's assessments are next week. We dont' know what to think or make. Some days we think he is a normal little boy other days some of his behaviors perplex us. Regardless of the outcome it's better to know than not. Aaron continues to develop at daycare and is participating in circle time and games. 2 months ago he never would've done this. I am still glad we decided to put him in. It's one of the best parenting decisions I think we've made for him.

Memories in Photos

Finally, a decent picture of my tattoos.

When I was over in Vancouver a few weeks ago I went to Kitsilano Beach with a friend and got some craptastic photos on my phone. I took pictures of the Showboat and pool as I have fond memories of these places from my childhood. My grandma used to take me to Kits Beach as a child and sometimes there would be performances on the Showboat. I used to love to watch these. Other times we'd swim in the pool in the back drop. It was a beautiful day and words can't describe the beauty that Vancouver possesses.

What I Managed To Avoid My Entire Pregnancy...

***I don't know what's up with blogger, but it won't accept spaces between my paragraphs at the bottom of my post and I've tried to edit it 3X amd I am tired. *** I picked some up today.

I managed to avoid having to use this product my ENTIRE pregnancy. I can proudly say, that I do not even know what a hemorrhoid looks like. And it isn't something I intend to google.

I was told that Preparation H is a good ointment to apply to my tattoos as per the after care instructions.

What I've found is that every artist, every studio seems to have a different opinion on tattoo aftercare. It's maddening.

I have been talking to a few different artists and studios and I've been searching Dr. Google.

I was told by my artist to wash it after a few hours with a mild soap then start using Lubiderm, Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizer (free of scents or dyes) or Preparation H and to not get it wet until it's completely healed. I was checking out the ingredients on the Prep H and low an behold it has fragrance listed on the ingredients. Seriously WTF? Why is fragrance needed in a cream that is meant to shrink appendages on your ass? If you have said appendages you certainly shouldn't be down there and neither should anybody else for that matter.

Some artists or it seems to be the case here, encourage you to wash your tattoo 2 - 3 times per day with a mild soap and to not break out the Lubiderm until day 3.

I've been told "Water will fuck it up." "Showers are good for it." "It's okay to get it a little wet." "Water is evil to a tattoo."

One thing that is a general consensus is that submerging the tattoo in water be it by swimming, bathing or lounging in a hot tub is a no no.

So I don't know if I should be showering, not showering, washing it with a mild soap 2-3 times a a day and avoiding moisturizer until day 3 (Is that the third day of having my tattoo which would be today? Or 72 hours after getting it which would put me into tomorrow?)

GAH!

So far I've been washing 2-3 times per day with a mild soap (Pears for those of you that might be interested), patting them dry with a clean towel and I avoided moisturizers until last night when it got itchy and dry and I used one of Aaron's Aveeno scent free ones. The today I broke down and bought the Preparation H as per this site your to put an anti bacterial ointment (which I realize it is not, but was a compromise on what I was told and what I have researched) on it for 2-3 days then break out the Lubiderm on Day 3. So maybe I've fucked up my healing process I hope not.

My first two tattoos I remember washing it off and moisturizing then with Vaseline Intensive Care. I was all gung ho to do to do that in 2005 when I got my third tattoo on a whim with a friend when we were on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. That we washed 2X a day with a mild soap and used Vitamin E cream. (She used Vitamin oil and hers healed poorly. Probably due to the lack of her skin being able to breath because of the oil) I'll keep up with the Prep H Ointment until tomorrow, and bust out the Lubiderm until they heal.

Obviously there is more than one right way to do something just as there is usually more than one way to get from point A to B.

Another thing that is maddening about this tattoo thing is that I can't work out. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! As the sweat will irritate it. I was planning on starting up at te gym again as I find exercise helps me stabilize my moods and I went off of my antidepressants for the egg donation. I've settled for light excerises that don't induce sweating. Like long walks on the beach.

***As a disclaimer I am not giving any tattoo aftercare advice, I am just writing about my experience this time around***

P.S. This is my 100th post on this blog. Happy 100th Post Birthday to me!

Tattoos

Here is a craptastic picure of my new tattoos. It was the best I could get with a cell phone cam as our batteries are dead for our other camera and I broke my point and shoot.

It's a Go

On both pages. I emailed to the doctor at the clinic about egg donation and tattoos/piercings. He says that my getting a tattoo won't hinder my chances at egg donation as long as I go to a licensed placed. (duh!)

A friend and I went down to the shop where I am getting my tattoos done and I spoke with the artist. I am beyond stoked and 100% sure about her abilities. I can't wait until Monday!

I've been enjoy my time at my dad's. I've been spending time with friends and relaxing.

Today I am going to hot yoga in a hour and then maybe going to the beach with my dad after he's off of work.

Tomorrow I am going out to celebrate some friends birthdays. Were going to the gay bar again. I don't intend to get drunk, I want to enjoy my Sunday, most likely at the beach. It is hotter than hell here. Well for the west coast at least. Were in the middle of a heat wave and I am loving it.

I need to hope in the shower before I head to yoga. (I know it kinda defeats the purpose of sweating my brains out, but I feel gross.)