2011 is almost over. I can't believe it. I can't even begin to describe how incredible the past year has been. Miss S has changed more in the past year than I could ever imagine. She has achieved so much, grown so much, and amazed me so much...she has grown from an infant to a toddler. From 100% dependent on me, to wanting to become more independent. Last year she was wearing 3m clothing, now she is in 18m clothing. How is that even possible?? Last year she was rolling, today she is running, dancing, spinning...last year she was cooing, now she is talking.
Enough gushing for a moment, because what I really want to talk about is having a toddler at Christmas.
In many ways, it is SO MUCH FUN! Sure, she is TERRIFIED of Santa (though she likes looking at pictures of Santa and saying, "Ho ho ho!"), but BOY, does she love presents! All we have to do is tell her there is a present for her and she comes a running! She booked it downstairs and ran to the tree on Christmas Day, she didn't know where to start, but watching her was the entertainment for the day.
Sure, nap time was a bust, but she was in great spirits because of the food, presents and family around her giving her constant attention. She was a little social butterfly and the entertainment for the night.
However, it was also more that a little overwhelming. By bed time, she was DONE, like crying over everything DONE. It's basically been a week of visitors and general disruption to routine, including tomorrow, New Year's Eve. Luckily I have managed to get her into bed at a decent time the past two nights (7:30 and 7:45 ish), which is MUCH better than after 8, I only like the chocolates, not the bedtime. If Miss S goes to bed at 8:30, that means by the time I get settled, bathed and make a cup of tea myself (after cleaning the kitchen and doing laundry), it's close to, or after 10, which leaves very little time to read or watch TV, and isn't that what winter holidays are supposed to be all about? Thank GOD I still have a week off. I plan on doing NOTHING. Taking down the Christmas decorations will be the busiest day of my week.
All in all though, it has been a fabulous December. I am already thinking about how excited she will be on her birthday and next Christmas, she'll be even more aware of Santa, presents and gushing family spoiling her rotten. Plus, she will hopefully have a better understanding of what, "Leave the tree ALONE! Stop! No. Those are mommy's decorations...DANGER," means. I hope.
Friday 30 December 2011
Wednesday 14 December 2011
On Motherhood
My baby is now 17 months old, that's almost a year and a half. She is getting so big. She understands so much. She knows so much. I can ask her to do something, like throw something in the garbage or bring someone a specific item, and she can do it (now, this doesn't always mean she DOES do it, but she CAN). We spend our days together completing small tasks, putting things away, throwing things out, carrying objects back and forth across in the house in the hopes of tiring her out, and each time she follows instructions, I am amazed at how much she has grown.
She isn't a baby anymore. Of course she is my baby, but really, she is a toddler, on her way to becoming a little girl. Before a year, people always thought she was younger because she was so slight, now, because of the hair and the height, they generally think she's older. It's so bittersweet.
Christmas is just around the corner, and holiday nostalgia prompted me to look back on last year's Christmas pictures. I cannot believe how much my little girl has changed in one year. It is unbelievable that last year she wasn't even sitting up on her own, wasn't eating solid foods, I could put her down on a blanket and know she'd still be there in 5 minutes (or ten, or 30 seconds). Now I have a toddler who never stops, who eats like it's her job, who is always on the go.
Last Christmas she sat in her Bumbo and watched us open presents. This year I have to hide her (and all) present because she is a professional present opener.
Last year I had baby. This year I have a toddler.
It has also made me more nostalgic to my own family traditions. My mom (aka GranO) was saying that she didn't think she was going to use the Christmas plates this year, that she was sick of them. I couldn't believe it, I can't imagine a Christmas without those plates! Now I can't wait to bring them home and have my own children use them; to start our own traditions.
Now we have a fancy tree upstairs, that is true, but we also have our family tree downstairs in the living room, with handmade decorations, and those handed down, that we can form new memories for.
I look back at old family pictures of myself as a child, see us all sitting around the tree with our dog, and see how much my new family resembles my former one. I see my mother and grandmother in myself, surrounded by family and by love. Children growing up may be bittersweet, but creating new memories and traditions is nothing but sweet.
She isn't a baby anymore. Of course she is my baby, but really, she is a toddler, on her way to becoming a little girl. Before a year, people always thought she was younger because she was so slight, now, because of the hair and the height, they generally think she's older. It's so bittersweet.
Christmas is just around the corner, and holiday nostalgia prompted me to look back on last year's Christmas pictures. I cannot believe how much my little girl has changed in one year. It is unbelievable that last year she wasn't even sitting up on her own, wasn't eating solid foods, I could put her down on a blanket and know she'd still be there in 5 minutes (or ten, or 30 seconds). Now I have a toddler who never stops, who eats like it's her job, who is always on the go.
Last Christmas she sat in her Bumbo and watched us open presents. This year I have to hide her (and all) present because she is a professional present opener.
Last year I had baby. This year I have a toddler.
It has also made me more nostalgic to my own family traditions. My mom (aka GranO) was saying that she didn't think she was going to use the Christmas plates this year, that she was sick of them. I couldn't believe it, I can't imagine a Christmas without those plates! Now I can't wait to bring them home and have my own children use them; to start our own traditions.
Now we have a fancy tree upstairs, that is true, but we also have our family tree downstairs in the living room, with handmade decorations, and those handed down, that we can form new memories for.
I look back at old family pictures of myself as a child, see us all sitting around the tree with our dog, and see how much my new family resembles my former one. I see my mother and grandmother in myself, surrounded by family and by love. Children growing up may be bittersweet, but creating new memories and traditions is nothing but sweet.
Thursday 1 December 2011
Why My Front Loader is the DEVIL...
At first I was thrilled to get a front load washing and dryer. Think of the space! Think of the money I'll save! Think of all the good I'll be doing for the environment! HA.
Sure, the front loader is great for saving space. It's great for saving money on water usage and hydro, it's great that it uses less energy and water, and therefore helps reduce my carbon footprint. It is also a great pain in the azz.
The following are the reasons my front loader is the devil's plaything.
5) The size. Sure, it saves space, but the barrel is too small! I have to take my heavy duty washes to my mother's house. I can't fit the dog's bed in there! I can barely fit all of my bedding in there! The duvet MIGHT fit, but I've always washed it at my mom's. Troy's winter coat is a load in it's own!
Now, I know you can buy front loader with a larger drum, but it's not the same. They just don't soak your stuff the way a traditional washing machine does.
4) Heavy Duty Cycle my arse. Do you know the difference between the heavy duty and the delicate cycle on a front load washer? Me neither. Water usage? The speed at which clothes are gently tossed in the bare minimum amount of water to clean them? I think it's all a ploy on behalf of the washing machine companies to get us to buy two washing machines. A front loader for regular, or delicates, and a normal one for everything else. Clothes need a better beating to get clean!
3) Washing cloth diapers is a pain. They need more water and a better beating than any front loader could possibly provide. I hate it. My diapers never smell as clean as they did after a wash in my mom's washing machine. My diapers just lounge around, gently dancing in my machine, with barely enough water to penetrate. They need the heavy duty, full barrel of water, bashing around that my mother's machine gives them. Man I miss that.
2) Washing vomit. Miss S has been throwing up since around 2am. I have done A LOT of laundry in the past 16 hours or so. OK, score one for the front loader, because it didn't drain the well. HOWEVER, I can still smell the vomit in the "clean" clothes. Like the cloth diapers, vomit filled clothes need a super soak and a heavy duty beating. I washed on heavy duty on the largest load I could with as much soap as I could...they still stink. Gross.
It's not just vomit either. Mud, heavily soiled clothes (poop, food, dirt), none of it comes out as nicely, easily, or quickly. I have made good use of my laundry sink, that's for sure. I am forever soaking clothes in there before washing them. Pain.In.My.Azz.
1) The stupid rubber lip thing. This is the number one reason I hate my front loader. If my husband "forgets" to shake out the poops before throwing diapers in the wash, if a stray piece of food (or vomit) is left attached to clothes/bib, it ends up the rubber thing. GROSS. DISGUSTING. VOMIT INDUCING. Plus it STINKS if you leave the washer door closed. Which means it is open, and an apparently perfect spot for Miss S to put things or climb in.
So there you have it. Now, the worst part of all of this is that I designed my laundry room around the front loaders, so they are here to stay. HOWEVER, I am in the market for new ones, just a washer would do, one that has more cycle...maybe I could trick it into adding more water or a soak, because my current regime of standing at the washer and pouring extra water in the detergent slot is getting old.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I am off. I am praying that Miss S got the bug out of her system and gets a full night's sleep because I am teaching kindergarten tomorrow and going on a date night. A night with NO CHILDREN. Oh my GOD, I can't wait.
Sure, the front loader is great for saving space. It's great for saving money on water usage and hydro, it's great that it uses less energy and water, and therefore helps reduce my carbon footprint. It is also a great pain in the azz.
The following are the reasons my front loader is the devil's plaything.
5) The size. Sure, it saves space, but the barrel is too small! I have to take my heavy duty washes to my mother's house. I can't fit the dog's bed in there! I can barely fit all of my bedding in there! The duvet MIGHT fit, but I've always washed it at my mom's. Troy's winter coat is a load in it's own!
Now, I know you can buy front loader with a larger drum, but it's not the same. They just don't soak your stuff the way a traditional washing machine does.
4) Heavy Duty Cycle my arse. Do you know the difference between the heavy duty and the delicate cycle on a front load washer? Me neither. Water usage? The speed at which clothes are gently tossed in the bare minimum amount of water to clean them? I think it's all a ploy on behalf of the washing machine companies to get us to buy two washing machines. A front loader for regular, or delicates, and a normal one for everything else. Clothes need a better beating to get clean!
3) Washing cloth diapers is a pain. They need more water and a better beating than any front loader could possibly provide. I hate it. My diapers never smell as clean as they did after a wash in my mom's washing machine. My diapers just lounge around, gently dancing in my machine, with barely enough water to penetrate. They need the heavy duty, full barrel of water, bashing around that my mother's machine gives them. Man I miss that.
2) Washing vomit. Miss S has been throwing up since around 2am. I have done A LOT of laundry in the past 16 hours or so. OK, score one for the front loader, because it didn't drain the well. HOWEVER, I can still smell the vomit in the "clean" clothes. Like the cloth diapers, vomit filled clothes need a super soak and a heavy duty beating. I washed on heavy duty on the largest load I could with as much soap as I could...they still stink. Gross.
It's not just vomit either. Mud, heavily soiled clothes (poop, food, dirt), none of it comes out as nicely, easily, or quickly. I have made good use of my laundry sink, that's for sure. I am forever soaking clothes in there before washing them. Pain.In.My.Azz.
1) The stupid rubber lip thing. This is the number one reason I hate my front loader. If my husband "forgets" to shake out the poops before throwing diapers in the wash, if a stray piece of food (or vomit) is left attached to clothes/bib, it ends up the rubber thing. GROSS. DISGUSTING. VOMIT INDUCING. Plus it STINKS if you leave the washer door closed. Which means it is open, and an apparently perfect spot for Miss S to put things or climb in.
So there you have it. Now, the worst part of all of this is that I designed my laundry room around the front loaders, so they are here to stay. HOWEVER, I am in the market for new ones, just a washer would do, one that has more cycle...maybe I could trick it into adding more water or a soak, because my current regime of standing at the washer and pouring extra water in the detergent slot is getting old.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I am off. I am praying that Miss S got the bug out of her system and gets a full night's sleep because I am teaching kindergarten tomorrow and going on a date night. A night with NO CHILDREN. Oh my GOD, I can't wait.
Thursday 24 November 2011
StonzWear Giveaway!
A fabulous mommy blogger friend is having a giveaway for some StonzWear products. Stonzwear ROCKS, it is currently my most coveted lol. The are basically lined, warm bags to put over your child's hands and feet to keep them warm and are next to impossible for your little one to pull off! Head on over to
http://notjustbabybrain.com and check it out!
http://notjustbabybrain.com and check it out!
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Christmas!
This isn't our first Christmas with Miss S, but it will definitely be a more exciting one! Since her birthday in July, Miss S has become very aware of presents. She loves tissue paper, unwrapping gifts, gift bows, boxes...Christmas will be so much fun for her this year!
I have realized, however, that it is harder to shop for a toddler than it is a tween. Tweens are happy with books, music, gift cards, clothes. Toddlers are happy with anything. You would think that wold make it easier, but I want Miss S to be excited about her gifts! I picked up a couple things that I think will really get her attention, but really, I could wrap a cardboard box and she'd play with it.
Also, why are toys so expensive? All the cool gifts blow our budget out of the water. We were thinking about getting her a play kitchen, but Grano thinks she is too young. Momma readers, do you think 18 months is too young? Should we wait until her 2nd birthday?
Another, more prominent, concern is what to do. I know that my hubby and I would love ot just stay at home for the entire holidays, but obviously can't, or, if we do, we will have oodles of people coming and going. Either option means we will have a tired, over stimulated baby on our hands. Scratch that, a tired, over stimulated TODDLER. A baby was easy. I'd nurse her to sleep wherever. A toddler likes her own bed, in her own room. Or she likes momma to nap/sleep with her. I am thinking that we may just open up our home to whatever family would like to make the trip. Plus, it means I don't have to drive and listen to my DH (dear husband...or damn husband) complain about the driving conditions, the cruisers, the other drivers, the cost of gas, the music playing and how tired he is.
It's like people forget how hard it is to travel with young children, and how easily they become over stimulated and cranky. Miss S is so loved, and so lucky to have so many people who love to spoil her, and she loves it, but it also means that she simply gets overwhelmed with it all. I have a pile of toys, books and puzzles that she hasn't used, and when she is fussy I will pull out a "new" one for her, then put it away for a few weeks. Rinse. Repeat.
The nice thing is the CLOTHES! Miss S loves dressing up. She lets me put her in dresses just to take pictures. I wish she'd let me do her hair, but that's another story for another day. She also loves shoes. She doesn't like anyone to be without shoes or socks and will bring me mine to wear if I am barefoot. Her new "thing" is coats. She will wear her winter coat, and even her snowsuit, around the house. What a ham. We have clothes going up to size four that are suitable for all seasons. Sometimes I just look at her closet longingly and think about all the combinations of outfits she has. Then DH puts her in whatever shirt and pants he finds in the hamper. He always puts her in the same three outfits (I guess because I keep washing them...hmmm...). Men.
So anyway, here we are, a month away from Christmas. Turkey, eggnog (which Miss S has also tried and loved), Christmas trees (yes trees, plural, we are having two, a fake downstairs where the presents will go, and a real one upstairs which will be decorated by ME), lights and watching the girls tear into their gifts. Can't wait.
I have realized, however, that it is harder to shop for a toddler than it is a tween. Tweens are happy with books, music, gift cards, clothes. Toddlers are happy with anything. You would think that wold make it easier, but I want Miss S to be excited about her gifts! I picked up a couple things that I think will really get her attention, but really, I could wrap a cardboard box and she'd play with it.
Also, why are toys so expensive? All the cool gifts blow our budget out of the water. We were thinking about getting her a play kitchen, but Grano thinks she is too young. Momma readers, do you think 18 months is too young? Should we wait until her 2nd birthday?
Another, more prominent, concern is what to do. I know that my hubby and I would love ot just stay at home for the entire holidays, but obviously can't, or, if we do, we will have oodles of people coming and going. Either option means we will have a tired, over stimulated baby on our hands. Scratch that, a tired, over stimulated TODDLER. A baby was easy. I'd nurse her to sleep wherever. A toddler likes her own bed, in her own room. Or she likes momma to nap/sleep with her. I am thinking that we may just open up our home to whatever family would like to make the trip. Plus, it means I don't have to drive and listen to my DH (dear husband...or damn husband) complain about the driving conditions, the cruisers, the other drivers, the cost of gas, the music playing and how tired he is.
It's like people forget how hard it is to travel with young children, and how easily they become over stimulated and cranky. Miss S is so loved, and so lucky to have so many people who love to spoil her, and she loves it, but it also means that she simply gets overwhelmed with it all. I have a pile of toys, books and puzzles that she hasn't used, and when she is fussy I will pull out a "new" one for her, then put it away for a few weeks. Rinse. Repeat.
The nice thing is the CLOTHES! Miss S loves dressing up. She lets me put her in dresses just to take pictures. I wish she'd let me do her hair, but that's another story for another day. She also loves shoes. She doesn't like anyone to be without shoes or socks and will bring me mine to wear if I am barefoot. Her new "thing" is coats. She will wear her winter coat, and even her snowsuit, around the house. What a ham. We have clothes going up to size four that are suitable for all seasons. Sometimes I just look at her closet longingly and think about all the combinations of outfits she has. Then DH puts her in whatever shirt and pants he finds in the hamper. He always puts her in the same three outfits (I guess because I keep washing them...hmmm...). Men.
So anyway, here we are, a month away from Christmas. Turkey, eggnog (which Miss S has also tried and loved), Christmas trees (yes trees, plural, we are having two, a fake downstairs where the presents will go, and a real one upstairs which will be decorated by ME), lights and watching the girls tear into their gifts. Can't wait.
Sunday 13 November 2011
Month 16
16 months of motherhood. Technically over two years, if you count POAS Day 2009 (October 24 for those not in the know). What an incredible journey it has been.
Today I am reflecting. I am in awe of the milestones Miss S has achieved, and those she is determined to master. For example, she has backwards walking and spinning in circles mastered. She spins so much that she falls over dizzy like a tiny little lush. She is determined to master the fork and spoon. She now wants one at every meal. She's getting pretty good, but the dogs are still reaping the benefits of her drive to use cutlery.Today I am thankful. Some of you may know about a little angel named Anaya, and her incredible story. If this doesn't make you hug your loved ones tighter, nothing will. This beautiful baby and her amazingly brave parents truly make me realize how much I take for granted, and how utterly blessed I am.
With all the hurdles my loved ones and I encounter every day, all the fights, the disappointments, the days that make me want to bury my head in the sand (or in a bottle of wine), I truly do LML. I love watching my baby girl grow, I love waking up to warm baby snuggles (though I prefer them after 7am, and usually dread them before sunrise).
As I sit here I can currently hear my little miss dreaming. She is sighing, shrieking and making all sorts of other sweet baby noises that make my uterus skip a beat. How has it been 16 months since I felt her kick me from the inside? Just 16 months ago I was holding a newborn in my arms after being convinced I would be pregnant FOREVER. Just 16 months ago she was a squishy newborn, all she could do was nurse, cry, sleep and poop. And she did a lot of all four.
It really hit me how much she has grown when visiting with my grandparents, her great-grandparents. My cousin was there with his new family, including his 4 month old son. They are almost exactly 1 year apart (he was born the beginning of this past July, Miss S was July 13 of last July). A year ago it was my baby who wouldn't let me finish a meal. A year ago it was my baby who could be put down on the floor without me worrying about where she'd end up. A year ago I had the new baby.
Even scarier is comparing her to my 10 days new niece. Man alive babies grow fast.
If you are still here, that you for baring with me as I work my way through these feelings. It is nostalgia. It is, in a way, bittersweet. Of course I love watching Miss S grow and change, but with every passing day I am reminded that my baby is growing up. She is a toddler, a little girl. And, incidentally, if we are waiting until her 3rd birthday to talk about trying for a little bambino, we are half way there. Just saying.
Just for good measure...
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| Nov. 13, 2010 |
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| Nov. 11, 2011 |
Wednesday 2 November 2011
"Wordless" Wednesday
For anyone who knows me but at all, you will know I cannot be wordless, not totally. I love subtitles, sidebars and details. However, I am going to attempt a semi-wordless Wednesday because I love when other bloggers do it!
So, without further adieu...
Where are all my friends??
Followed by.....
WAAAAAHHHHHHHH!
Sunday 30 October 2011
A Parenting Proposal
Please note, this is a work of irony. Tongue in cheek sarcasm. ;)
With all the debate about parenting, breast feeding vs formula feed, to breast feed in public, to breast feed beyond a year; to co-sleep, bed share or cry it out; to vaccinate, to delay or forgo vaccinations; to cloth diaper, to use disposables, to use elimination communication. How are mother's to know how to properly raise and care for their children? Due to the lack of common knowledge and understanding as how to adequately raise a child, the author has taken it upon herself to create a guideline for parents to follow. It is suggested that the World Health Organization as well as individual governments adapt this as the "right" way to raise a child and enforce it by law, especially with the understanding we know have that all babies have the same needs and temperaments.
Note, should you feel your child has other needs or you consider him to be "different", "fussy" or "colicky", be sure to spend one week following these specific instructions, or, as a last resort, take the advice of your mother and/or mother-in-law. They raised an entire generation of children and "nothing happened to them".
Firstly, all women should use an obstetrician and give birth in a hospital, monitored by doctors and nurses. They should go to the hospital upon the waters breaking or contractions becoming so severe, she can no longer talk through them. Upon arrival she will be given an epidural for the pain, a shot of pitocin to "get things going" and an episiotomy. Women used to die in childbirth, under no circumstances should they be allowed to "trust" their bodies, doctors are trained to know what a woman in labor needs. It should be at the doctor's discretion as to what interventions, cesarian section included, are needed to bring the baby into the world. A doctor delivers the baby after all, the woman only carries it.
After the delivery, the baby should be cleaned, weighed and checked before bringing her to the mother. The baby will likely be hungry, so the doctor will have a bottle ready for use as the mother's milk will not have come in yet. She will also be given formula and pacifiers to taken home.
The mother should use formula, or, if she prefers, expressed breast milk to feed the baby at night. This way her mother and mother-in-law can spend time with the baby and help to feed him. The mother may choose to breast feed, but should no that this is a very lonely task. It should be done in privacy so as not to make anyone who may be visiting uncomfortable. Breasts should remain covered, so the mother will want to invest in extra blankets or a nursing cover so as not to expose herself unnecessarily. She should not venture out in public when the baby may need to eat if she is going to breast feed unless there is a private room for nursing mothers. She should never breast feed in a restaurant where other people are eating, it may ruin their meals if others are forced to watch her nurse her baby.
By one year the infant must be weaned, no mother should be breast feeding a child that can "ask for it". There are formula and milk substitutes that will adequately nourish a growing toddler without making other uncomfortable. The infant should already be accustomed to alternate food sources as, by six months old, she should be eating solids at every meal. Rice cereal is the best source, mother's need not bother themselves with homemade food that will take up freezer space and require containers to carry around while she is running errands. Jarred or freeze dried baby food is best for babies. It is the correct consistency and is already categorized by age, so the mother will know what to feed the baby at each stage. Purees are best for babies, they do not have teeth, giving a child larger chunks is a choking hazard and should be avoided until one year, when the baby food experts begin to sell small portions for toddlers.
Babies may sleep in a bassinet in the parent's room up until the age of three months. At the three month mark, the baby must be sleep trained, which will include leaving her to cry in her crib until she falls asleep. The baby is never to be brought to bed with the mother. This will spoil the baby, she needs to know how to comfort herself. The mother may choose to wear headphones or turn up the television, or, even better, to do housework while the infant learns to put himself to sleep. The baby may cry for hours, but the mother must be strong and know that nothing is wrong, he just needs to cry it out.
All babies should use cloth diapers. They are been perfected since earlier models and will reduce the garbage the husband has to take out. The mother will be responsible for laundering the diapers, she has a year off after all, she has plenty of time. A good time would be while the infant is crying it out. If the mother is getting behind on the laundry, she may choose to use disposable liners, but should be careful to not make a habit of it. The baby must be toilet trained by two years of age. There is not excuse to not have a child potty trained before their second birthday. The child must sit on the toilet after all naps and meals. If she soils herself, she should be punished so that she knows that all body eliminations must happen on the potty. Elimination communication is a viable option, but the mother must be careful as she will be responsible for the laundering of any clothing or bed sheets that the child may soil.
All parents must vaccinate their children on schedule without burdening the doctor with their questions on whether or not it is necessary. As previously stated, doctors are the professionals and they know what is best. Parents will vaccinate their children with all possible vaccines, those not covered by public healthcare will come at a cost to the parents, but that is a small price to pay for the safety of the general population.
Parents must carefully read parenting books and take note at when milestones should be achieved. Babies should be rolling over by three months of age, crawling by six, standing by nine and walking by one year. By one year they should also begin using words. Parents should not introduce sign language, it will interfere with their speech development, parents must use words to communicate, as a parent you should know what your child needs. Tantrums are not acceptable, time outs and spankings will nip tantrums in the bud.
Should all parents follow the above guidelines, children will be better behaved and husbands will come home to a happier, more relaxed house. The mother must remember that, because she stays home with the infant, she is responsible for the overall growth, development and behavior of said baby. She must forgo outings and "me time" and instead focus on keeping her house clean, her child well behaved, and her work life (after her designated year off) organized. Mother's must remember that they do not know best, that is why the experts have published books and the doctors have degrees. She should take the advice of these learned people instead of going by her "gut", which is often simply hysterics and overbearing indulgence associated with becoming a mother.
With all the debate about parenting, breast feeding vs formula feed, to breast feed in public, to breast feed beyond a year; to co-sleep, bed share or cry it out; to vaccinate, to delay or forgo vaccinations; to cloth diaper, to use disposables, to use elimination communication. How are mother's to know how to properly raise and care for their children? Due to the lack of common knowledge and understanding as how to adequately raise a child, the author has taken it upon herself to create a guideline for parents to follow. It is suggested that the World Health Organization as well as individual governments adapt this as the "right" way to raise a child and enforce it by law, especially with the understanding we know have that all babies have the same needs and temperaments.
Note, should you feel your child has other needs or you consider him to be "different", "fussy" or "colicky", be sure to spend one week following these specific instructions, or, as a last resort, take the advice of your mother and/or mother-in-law. They raised an entire generation of children and "nothing happened to them".
Firstly, all women should use an obstetrician and give birth in a hospital, monitored by doctors and nurses. They should go to the hospital upon the waters breaking or contractions becoming so severe, she can no longer talk through them. Upon arrival she will be given an epidural for the pain, a shot of pitocin to "get things going" and an episiotomy. Women used to die in childbirth, under no circumstances should they be allowed to "trust" their bodies, doctors are trained to know what a woman in labor needs. It should be at the doctor's discretion as to what interventions, cesarian section included, are needed to bring the baby into the world. A doctor delivers the baby after all, the woman only carries it.
After the delivery, the baby should be cleaned, weighed and checked before bringing her to the mother. The baby will likely be hungry, so the doctor will have a bottle ready for use as the mother's milk will not have come in yet. She will also be given formula and pacifiers to taken home.
The mother should use formula, or, if she prefers, expressed breast milk to feed the baby at night. This way her mother and mother-in-law can spend time with the baby and help to feed him. The mother may choose to breast feed, but should no that this is a very lonely task. It should be done in privacy so as not to make anyone who may be visiting uncomfortable. Breasts should remain covered, so the mother will want to invest in extra blankets or a nursing cover so as not to expose herself unnecessarily. She should not venture out in public when the baby may need to eat if she is going to breast feed unless there is a private room for nursing mothers. She should never breast feed in a restaurant where other people are eating, it may ruin their meals if others are forced to watch her nurse her baby.
By one year the infant must be weaned, no mother should be breast feeding a child that can "ask for it". There are formula and milk substitutes that will adequately nourish a growing toddler without making other uncomfortable. The infant should already be accustomed to alternate food sources as, by six months old, she should be eating solids at every meal. Rice cereal is the best source, mother's need not bother themselves with homemade food that will take up freezer space and require containers to carry around while she is running errands. Jarred or freeze dried baby food is best for babies. It is the correct consistency and is already categorized by age, so the mother will know what to feed the baby at each stage. Purees are best for babies, they do not have teeth, giving a child larger chunks is a choking hazard and should be avoided until one year, when the baby food experts begin to sell small portions for toddlers.
Babies may sleep in a bassinet in the parent's room up until the age of three months. At the three month mark, the baby must be sleep trained, which will include leaving her to cry in her crib until she falls asleep. The baby is never to be brought to bed with the mother. This will spoil the baby, she needs to know how to comfort herself. The mother may choose to wear headphones or turn up the television, or, even better, to do housework while the infant learns to put himself to sleep. The baby may cry for hours, but the mother must be strong and know that nothing is wrong, he just needs to cry it out.
All babies should use cloth diapers. They are been perfected since earlier models and will reduce the garbage the husband has to take out. The mother will be responsible for laundering the diapers, she has a year off after all, she has plenty of time. A good time would be while the infant is crying it out. If the mother is getting behind on the laundry, she may choose to use disposable liners, but should be careful to not make a habit of it. The baby must be toilet trained by two years of age. There is not excuse to not have a child potty trained before their second birthday. The child must sit on the toilet after all naps and meals. If she soils herself, she should be punished so that she knows that all body eliminations must happen on the potty. Elimination communication is a viable option, but the mother must be careful as she will be responsible for the laundering of any clothing or bed sheets that the child may soil.
All parents must vaccinate their children on schedule without burdening the doctor with their questions on whether or not it is necessary. As previously stated, doctors are the professionals and they know what is best. Parents will vaccinate their children with all possible vaccines, those not covered by public healthcare will come at a cost to the parents, but that is a small price to pay for the safety of the general population.
Parents must carefully read parenting books and take note at when milestones should be achieved. Babies should be rolling over by three months of age, crawling by six, standing by nine and walking by one year. By one year they should also begin using words. Parents should not introduce sign language, it will interfere with their speech development, parents must use words to communicate, as a parent you should know what your child needs. Tantrums are not acceptable, time outs and spankings will nip tantrums in the bud.
Should all parents follow the above guidelines, children will be better behaved and husbands will come home to a happier, more relaxed house. The mother must remember that, because she stays home with the infant, she is responsible for the overall growth, development and behavior of said baby. She must forgo outings and "me time" and instead focus on keeping her house clean, her child well behaved, and her work life (after her designated year off) organized. Mother's must remember that they do not know best, that is why the experts have published books and the doctors have degrees. She should take the advice of these learned people instead of going by her "gut", which is often simply hysterics and overbearing indulgence associated with becoming a mother.
Thursday 20 October 2011
LML
LML= Love My Life. Inspired by a friend's insightful blog about the term, FML (f*ck my life for those out of the internet speak loop).
Things happen to us all daily that make us shake our heads, face palm ourselves, or blurt out a vast number of obscenities.
However, there are also small, every day miracles. For every asinine thing my husband does that makes me grind my teeth, there are two sweet, totally redeemable ones, if not more (though some days it's only one sweet thing).
For every stupid thing my dog does in a day that makes me scream, just as I am ready to send him packing, there are adorable, lovable quirks that make my day.
For every annoying and/or exhausting thing my girls do, there are countless amazing ones.
Here are a few things that make me smile and think LML:
10. As I am cleaning smushed egg out of the carpet, the dog comes up and licks my face until I am laughing. LML
9. As I pick up toys/books/clothes left behind by a baby who shall remain anonymous, said baby comes up behind me and give me a big bear hug. LML
8. My husband coming into bed with a big bowl of ice cream and 2 spoons. LML
7. Hearing my big girl tell me how she stood up to a group of boys teasing another boy. LML
6. My baby waving and shrieking in excitement when she sees her GranO, and Grano reacting equally excited. LML
5. My baby girl running up to me with her dolly/blankie and settling herself in my lap for a snuggle. LML
4. My husband rubbing my back as I fall asleep, sick and feverish. LML.
3. Waking up each morning with a husband I love, and who loves me. LML
2. Early morning baby snuggles. LML
1. Watching my girls sleep. LML
What makes you think, WOW, LML?
Things happen to us all daily that make us shake our heads, face palm ourselves, or blurt out a vast number of obscenities.
However, there are also small, every day miracles. For every asinine thing my husband does that makes me grind my teeth, there are two sweet, totally redeemable ones, if not more (though some days it's only one sweet thing).
For every stupid thing my dog does in a day that makes me scream, just as I am ready to send him packing, there are adorable, lovable quirks that make my day.
For every annoying and/or exhausting thing my girls do, there are countless amazing ones.
Here are a few things that make me smile and think LML:
10. As I am cleaning smushed egg out of the carpet, the dog comes up and licks my face until I am laughing. LML
9. As I pick up toys/books/clothes left behind by a baby who shall remain anonymous, said baby comes up behind me and give me a big bear hug. LML
8. My husband coming into bed with a big bowl of ice cream and 2 spoons. LML
7. Hearing my big girl tell me how she stood up to a group of boys teasing another boy. LML
6. My baby waving and shrieking in excitement when she sees her GranO, and Grano reacting equally excited. LML
5. My baby girl running up to me with her dolly/blankie and settling herself in my lap for a snuggle. LML
4. My husband rubbing my back as I fall asleep, sick and feverish. LML.
3. Waking up each morning with a husband I love, and who loves me. LML
2. Early morning baby snuggles. LML
1. Watching my girls sleep. LML
What makes you think, WOW, LML?
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Things that I Worry About as a Mom
After talking to a fellow mommy today, I got to thinking about all the things that we, as mothers, worry about. It's a long list, and I am sure I am forgetting at least half even as I think about them, but here are a few that stick out.
1) Poop. When is the baby pooping? What does it look like? Is she pooping too much? Is she pooping enough? Why hasn't she pooped today? (FYI, the last question is currently on my mind).
2) Fluids. Is she drinking enough? Is she drinking too much? Why isn't she drinking more?
3) Talking. Should she be talking more? Why isn't she talking more? Did teaching her sign language somehow retard her speech? WHY WONT SHE SAY MAMA????
4) Eating. Is she eating enough? She sure is eating a lot...I hope she doesn't have worms. She's not eating enough, is she sick? Is she getting enough protein/dairy/fiber etc? WHAT IS SHE EATING NOW??
5) Sleep. Is she sleeping enough? Why isn't she still sleeping? Why wont she go to sleep? She is still sleeping...I wonder what's wrong?
6) Illness. Is she sick? Why is she sick? Should I call the doctor? Should I give her Tylenol/Advil or homeopathic remedies?
7) Shoes. Should she be wearing them? Soft or hard soled? Should I buy more shoes aka does she have enough shoes?
8) Temperature. Is she too hot? Is she too cold? Should I turn on the furnace/ac?
9) Socialization. Does she get out enough? Is staying at home with me hindering her socialization?
10) Size. Is she gaining enough weight? Does she weigh enough....is she too heavy? Why is she still in 9 month clothes at 15 months? Does her head look big? Why do they have these stupid curves that "average" babies are "supposed" to grow by?
Get the picture? Why on earth do people give mom's so many things to worry about. A good number of these things may not have even bothered me if not for someone else bringing it up.
"Oh, she is so tiny."
"Oh, so and so was walking at 8 months."
"Oh, she's not talking yet, my friend's niece was talking sentences by now."
How about this, 'Oh, you want me to punch you in the face for giving me another thing to worry about?" Sure thing. Just tell me another story about some random, twice removed kid you know that was doing something sooner than my child and I'll give you something to talk about.
I try so hard now to just smile and nod, and when talking to other mom's always assure them that their child is happy, healthy and just fine (even though I am doubting it about my own). Funny how we can be so sure that the child next to ours, who is the sam age and reaching the same milestones, is fine, but we worry about our own. I know, that's motherhood, and it's wonderful, but it sure does add gray hairs and wrinkles faster than anything else in the world.
1) Poop. When is the baby pooping? What does it look like? Is she pooping too much? Is she pooping enough? Why hasn't she pooped today? (FYI, the last question is currently on my mind).
2) Fluids. Is she drinking enough? Is she drinking too much? Why isn't she drinking more?
3) Talking. Should she be talking more? Why isn't she talking more? Did teaching her sign language somehow retard her speech? WHY WONT SHE SAY MAMA????
4) Eating. Is she eating enough? She sure is eating a lot...I hope she doesn't have worms. She's not eating enough, is she sick? Is she getting enough protein/dairy/fiber etc? WHAT IS SHE EATING NOW??
5) Sleep. Is she sleeping enough? Why isn't she still sleeping? Why wont she go to sleep? She is still sleeping...I wonder what's wrong?
6) Illness. Is she sick? Why is she sick? Should I call the doctor? Should I give her Tylenol/Advil or homeopathic remedies?
7) Shoes. Should she be wearing them? Soft or hard soled? Should I buy more shoes aka does she have enough shoes?
8) Temperature. Is she too hot? Is she too cold? Should I turn on the furnace/ac?
9) Socialization. Does she get out enough? Is staying at home with me hindering her socialization?
10) Size. Is she gaining enough weight? Does she weigh enough....is she too heavy? Why is she still in 9 month clothes at 15 months? Does her head look big? Why do they have these stupid curves that "average" babies are "supposed" to grow by?
Get the picture? Why on earth do people give mom's so many things to worry about. A good number of these things may not have even bothered me if not for someone else bringing it up.
"Oh, she is so tiny."
"Oh, so and so was walking at 8 months."
"Oh, she's not talking yet, my friend's niece was talking sentences by now."
How about this, 'Oh, you want me to punch you in the face for giving me another thing to worry about?" Sure thing. Just tell me another story about some random, twice removed kid you know that was doing something sooner than my child and I'll give you something to talk about.
I try so hard now to just smile and nod, and when talking to other mom's always assure them that their child is happy, healthy and just fine (even though I am doubting it about my own). Funny how we can be so sure that the child next to ours, who is the sam age and reaching the same milestones, is fine, but we worry about our own. I know, that's motherhood, and it's wonderful, but it sure does add gray hairs and wrinkles faster than anything else in the world.
Friday 7 October 2011
Work, Illness and Other Things
Wow, it's been a while since I've written. I've been busy though. I had my first day back at work, and it was a full day. My first full day away from Miss S, I've never been away from her for more than a few hours, and usually while she is asleep. I cried all the way to work. Luckily the kids kept me busy and I was working with people I knew (and didn't feel stupid crying to). I survived, and so did Miss S, though I hear she did not nap at all...
Working a half day was much easier, I put her down for her nap and went to work, I came home and she had only been up for about an hour and a half. That works much better for me and would be optimal, because full days away are stressful. I couldn't imagine having gone back to work when she was only a few months old.
I will say this though, being away from her all day makes me appreciate my time with her all the more. I didn't check facebook or my emails while she was awake. Didn't watch TV, just played.
This week has been different. I only worked one day because my little miss has been sick. Stuffy, bad cough, feverish, the whole nine yards. It has not been fun, especially when she so generously shared her cold with me. She can nap during the day, I had things to do (like be awake and present for the carpet installers). The only thing worse than a sick baby is a sick baby when you yourself are under the weather. The two of us ended up passed out in bed together at 7pm because I couldn't muster the strength or motivation to put her in her own bed. Daddy came in and put her in her crib while I soaked in a scalding tub.
Here's what I'd like to know...How the heck does my 14 (almost 15) month old have the energy to scamper around the house, pulling pillows off the couch and tormenting the dog while sick when I just want to climb under the covers and sleep? Her battery does drain faster, but while it's full, she's like a little energizer bunny.
Speaking of which, my energizer bunny is done her snack and currently pulling all the vents out of the floor and piling them at the dogs feet. Time to go.
Just popping back in to add that Miss S has officially started using me as her personal tissue. I have baby snot all over me. I was hoping to wait at least another year before she learned to blow her nose on my clothes...
Working a half day was much easier, I put her down for her nap and went to work, I came home and she had only been up for about an hour and a half. That works much better for me and would be optimal, because full days away are stressful. I couldn't imagine having gone back to work when she was only a few months old.
I will say this though, being away from her all day makes me appreciate my time with her all the more. I didn't check facebook or my emails while she was awake. Didn't watch TV, just played.
This week has been different. I only worked one day because my little miss has been sick. Stuffy, bad cough, feverish, the whole nine yards. It has not been fun, especially when she so generously shared her cold with me. She can nap during the day, I had things to do (like be awake and present for the carpet installers). The only thing worse than a sick baby is a sick baby when you yourself are under the weather. The two of us ended up passed out in bed together at 7pm because I couldn't muster the strength or motivation to put her in her own bed. Daddy came in and put her in her crib while I soaked in a scalding tub.
Here's what I'd like to know...How the heck does my 14 (almost 15) month old have the energy to scamper around the house, pulling pillows off the couch and tormenting the dog while sick when I just want to climb under the covers and sleep? Her battery does drain faster, but while it's full, she's like a little energizer bunny.
Speaking of which, my energizer bunny is done her snack and currently pulling all the vents out of the floor and piling them at the dogs feet. Time to go.
Just popping back in to add that Miss S has officially started using me as her personal tissue. I have baby snot all over me. I was hoping to wait at least another year before she learned to blow her nose on my clothes...
Saturday 24 September 2011
Fellow Mommy Blogger Giveaway!
A fellow Mommy Blogger friend is having a giveaway for yet another mommy friend!
Head on down to http://notjustbabybrain.com/2011/09/hello-fabulous-giveaway.html to win! This is for some fabulous homemade baby shoes, which I am sure everyone could use! I know Miss S would love a few pairs, they are seriously adorable! Here is a link to check them out: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelloFabulousDe... I hope it works...I am still new at this linking thing.
Alrighty, that's all I have for now. Miss S and I have to get ready, we are having family over this afternoon and I am hoping that today's nap goes better than yesterday's...which was basically nonexistent. Baby girl was not only falling asleep while standing up, but also in the tub. Eyes rolling, head drooping, the whole nine yards.
Head on down to http://notjustbabybrain.com/2011/09/hello-fabulous-giveaway.html to win! This is for some fabulous homemade baby shoes, which I am sure everyone could use! I know Miss S would love a few pairs, they are seriously adorable! Here is a link to check them out: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelloFabulousDe... I hope it works...I am still new at this linking thing.
Alrighty, that's all I have for now. Miss S and I have to get ready, we are having family over this afternoon and I am hoping that today's nap goes better than yesterday's...which was basically nonexistent. Baby girl was not only falling asleep while standing up, but also in the tub. Eyes rolling, head drooping, the whole nine yards.
Thursday 22 September 2011
Mommy to a Big Girl
Having a "big girl" is pretty great. You get lots of hugs and kisses, a bay that runs into your arms and climbs into your lap. However, you also sometimes get this:
A baby girl who climbs into cupboards and pulls everything out. Or climbs into the laundry basket and pulls it all out...or just opens drawers and pulls everything out. I literally need eight arms and 12 eyes to monitor her sometimes. It's been "one of those" mornings around here today...I don't have a recent picture to document our morning because I literally couldn't get a camera with all the correcting and redirecting I have done so far. I actually would have been happy if one cabinet was all i had to worry about. She's sleeping now, so I am off to do more laundry and such before she wakes up and gets into some more trouble. I will go look for a nice, happy, snugly girl picture to post about now.
PS- Do you SEE those shoes?! Are they not the most fabulous baby shoes EVER! People, we have shoes that fit that she can actually walk in! Bonus, she signs shoes and wants to wear them. SUCCESS.
PS- Do you SEE those shoes?! Are they not the most fabulous baby shoes EVER! People, we have shoes that fit that she can actually walk in! Bonus, she signs shoes and wants to wear them. SUCCESS.
Saturday 17 September 2011
Adventures of Toddlerhood
That's right folks. We have officially entered toddlerhood. Miss S walks/waddles everywhere now. She can make it across the house easily, occasionally stopping to catch her balance, sometimes falling (when her pesky socks get in her way), and rarely stopping to crawl. She is getting pretty fast on her feet.
This means that everything is being moved up another level. It was easy with a crawler, nothing breakable was at her eye level, aka on the floor. Now we are even more careful and I have developed a 6th (or are we on 7th) sense...the ability to predict what it is she has gotten into when it is quiet.
At least she has given up on going under the sink, but yanking her out of the TV cabinet for the umpteenth time this morning has given me a new appreciation for newborns...and walker. I wish we had walkers in Canada. It would create a barrier between her and whatever cabinet/drawer she wants to get into. Alas, here in Canada we have to simply watch our young ones, tell the "NO" and "eh eh", pull their hands (or bodies) away from the "DANGER". Miss S hears these three things many times in a day, she also shakes her head and "eh ehs" right back at me...or pokes her finger out at the "DANGER" and yelps "AH!" Apparently she doesn't know that "AH! HOT!" is a bad thing, she thinks it is a game.
Speaking of games, I never thought I would tire of "peak a boo". Miss S can play for hours. If I stop, she will cover my face with her hands, or throw a blanket over my head, the pull it off and exclaim in excitement, "EEEHHHH YA YA!" Even in the bathtub we play this game, only then it is with a wet washcloth that often ends up everywhere but in the actual tub.
It is fun though. It's an amazing thing to think back to a year ago, she was just a little baby, a lump. She couldn't move at all. I would put her down on her blanket and find her exactly where I left her. Those were the good old days. Only now, 525,600 minutes later, I get goopy kisses, bear hugs, a baby (toddler) that crawls into my lap with her blankie to snuggle and constant giggles and looks of wonder at the world around her. A year passes so quickly, heck, 14 months have passed so quickly. It's scary to think of where we will be next year. For now I'll just enjoy these moments...especially the quiet ones while she naps.
This means that everything is being moved up another level. It was easy with a crawler, nothing breakable was at her eye level, aka on the floor. Now we are even more careful and I have developed a 6th (or are we on 7th) sense...the ability to predict what it is she has gotten into when it is quiet.
At least she has given up on going under the sink, but yanking her out of the TV cabinet for the umpteenth time this morning has given me a new appreciation for newborns...and walker. I wish we had walkers in Canada. It would create a barrier between her and whatever cabinet/drawer she wants to get into. Alas, here in Canada we have to simply watch our young ones, tell the "NO" and "eh eh", pull their hands (or bodies) away from the "DANGER". Miss S hears these three things many times in a day, she also shakes her head and "eh ehs" right back at me...or pokes her finger out at the "DANGER" and yelps "AH!" Apparently she doesn't know that "AH! HOT!" is a bad thing, she thinks it is a game.
Speaking of games, I never thought I would tire of "peak a boo". Miss S can play for hours. If I stop, she will cover my face with her hands, or throw a blanket over my head, the pull it off and exclaim in excitement, "EEEHHHH YA YA!" Even in the bathtub we play this game, only then it is with a wet washcloth that often ends up everywhere but in the actual tub.
It is fun though. It's an amazing thing to think back to a year ago, she was just a little baby, a lump. She couldn't move at all. I would put her down on her blanket and find her exactly where I left her. Those were the good old days. Only now, 525,600 minutes later, I get goopy kisses, bear hugs, a baby (toddler) that crawls into my lap with her blankie to snuggle and constant giggles and looks of wonder at the world around her. A year passes so quickly, heck, 14 months have passed so quickly. It's scary to think of where we will be next year. For now I'll just enjoy these moments...especially the quiet ones while she naps.
Monday 12 September 2011
Communication
Just popping in for a moment to brag about the genius that is my daughter. We have been doing baby signing with Miss S since she was very small, and she's shown a few signs...until recently when it seems that her "vocabulary" has exploded! She basically signs to the entire first DVD....AND, when she signs "cracker", she SAYS "gacker". It is UNBELIEVABLE! Her "mama" and "dada"s have also finally started to be geared towards her parents instead of whatever she happens to be looking at. People have also started to recognize that she is, in fact, signing. Plus, she LOVES the Baby Signing Time DVDs! It is the ONLY thing she shows any interest in, and luckily it autostarts and plays on a loop. I can get her food ready while she happily sits and watches.
The downside to her loving Baby Signing Time is that she can recognize the music from as little as 2 notes. I mistakingly put the TV on, thinking The Office was in the DVD player...it wasn't. So, instead of going down for a nap, Miss S bounced up and started signing "Eat". Really, all she heard was the first three "doots' and Hopkins laughing (boy, that must sound bizarre to anyone who has not watched Baby Signing Time).
Isn't it incredible how much little babies absorb? Miss S is the cutest little sponge I have ever seen. Every day she amazes me with the new skills she masters, or attempts to master. Now, if only I could have the stupid camcorder ready to go when she is in the mood to show off...One day I will capture these moments on film and figure out how to get them online...or at least onto the computer.
The downside to her loving Baby Signing Time is that she can recognize the music from as little as 2 notes. I mistakingly put the TV on, thinking The Office was in the DVD player...it wasn't. So, instead of going down for a nap, Miss S bounced up and started signing "Eat". Really, all she heard was the first three "doots' and Hopkins laughing (boy, that must sound bizarre to anyone who has not watched Baby Signing Time).
Isn't it incredible how much little babies absorb? Miss S is the cutest little sponge I have ever seen. Every day she amazes me with the new skills she masters, or attempts to master. Now, if only I could have the stupid camcorder ready to go when she is in the mood to show off...One day I will capture these moments on film and figure out how to get them online...or at least onto the computer.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
1 shoe, 2 shoes, 3 shoes!
I took Miss S to WalMart today because I wanted to get her a little pair of soft soled shoes. I always thought she had relatively small feet. She is still wearing the little 6-12m shoes from The Children's Place with room (granted not a lot of room) to grow, but the 12-18 month shoes from anywhere are huge! We tried little 12m ones from H&M, GAP and Old Navy and found that they all were fitting now, JUST fitting. WalMart was no better, but at Walmart, she was JUST fitting into a size 4! How crazy is that. It must have been the socks or something, or maybe they just make small shoes because that seems crazy! 12m socks are still big, they are all knee socks for crying out loud!
Why is it so hard to buy shoes for babies? I know barefoot is better for early walkers, but if we are outside, in public, she needs shoes so she doesn't get warts or step in poop.
PLUS, she LOVES shoes. She sees shoes and tries to put them on her own feet...or chew on them, depends on her mood I guess. She has the sweetest little flip flops, and if I take them off, she screams and tries to put them back on herself...then gets frustrated when they slow her down and chews on them.
Aren't her little toes just too cute for words?!
Anyways, this was really just a way to relieve some frustration because we both want new shoes...She has the CUTEST pair of leather slippers that are at least 2 sizes too big...they would be perfect if they only fit. Note to self, not only is buying shoes for an adult impossible to do online, but doing so for an infant is an even bigger gamble.
Why is it so hard to buy shoes for babies? I know barefoot is better for early walkers, but if we are outside, in public, she needs shoes so she doesn't get warts or step in poop.
PLUS, she LOVES shoes. She sees shoes and tries to put them on her own feet...or chew on them, depends on her mood I guess. She has the sweetest little flip flops, and if I take them off, she screams and tries to put them back on herself...then gets frustrated when they slow her down and chews on them.
Anyways, this was really just a way to relieve some frustration because we both want new shoes...She has the CUTEST pair of leather slippers that are at least 2 sizes too big...they would be perfect if they only fit. Note to self, not only is buying shoes for an adult impossible to do online, but doing so for an infant is an even bigger gamble.
Saturday 27 August 2011
Should have taken a picture...
Today I have been house cleaning and applying to job postings. Miss S has been a dream. She's followed me around, playing happily at my feet. I was sitting here, typing away, when I noticed that not only had it gotten very quiet, but I no longer heard the familiar bang of plastic on plastic. Afraid to look around and see what she had gotten into, I turned my head. To my surprise (and pleasure), my daughter was NOT getting into mischief. Quite the opposite actually. She was curled up with her blanket on the floor half asleep.
I promptly scooped her up... I should have taken a picture first, but went into mommy mode instead. Drats. Hopefully I can catch it on "film" next time.
She was so docile I was able to carry her to her room (as she nestled into my neck), change her diaper without a fight (as her eyes rolled in her head) and get her into bed.
What a doll. I "heart" her. :) Now if only the dog could adjust his attitude and be such a sweetheart. He is currently barricaded in the mud room for trying to attack my sweet little baby as she Swiffered the floor (which I did get on video via my blackberry). Funny how sweet they are after a good night's sleep.
I promptly scooped her up... I should have taken a picture first, but went into mommy mode instead. Drats. Hopefully I can catch it on "film" next time.
She was so docile I was able to carry her to her room (as she nestled into my neck), change her diaper without a fight (as her eyes rolled in her head) and get her into bed.
What a doll. I "heart" her. :) Now if only the dog could adjust his attitude and be such a sweetheart. He is currently barricaded in the mud room for trying to attack my sweet little baby as she Swiffered the floor (which I did get on video via my blackberry). Funny how sweet they are after a good night's sleep.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Traveling with a Baby...Part 2
So, Miss S and I are home, safe and sound. Traveling with a one year old was much easier than I had hoped.
Our flight to Germany was a night flight. She slept most of the way. The only down side was the full flight meant that we were stuck in the middle of the plane with people all around us, so baby girl stretched out across my mom and I and slept while the two adults tried not to move and disturb her. She was passed out before take off and was great for the landing.
A note to TransAt though, when you say I can keep my stroller, please let me keep it. I had to hand it over when we got on the plane, thinking that I'd get it back when we exited. Nope. I had to go get it from baggage claim, and it wasn't even being monitored, it was just thrown on the ground in a pile with other "oversized" baggage. Annoying.
Getting around the Frankfurt airport is a PITA. The elevators are sporadic and the terminals are not all connected. For instance. To get from the terminal 2 to the train (to get to Dusseldorf), you have to go down stairs, up stairs, up another set of stairs, on a sky train, down stairs (a few times) and I think upstairs once more. Repeat to return. Doing this with 2 suitcases, 2 carry ons, a stroller and a baby is NUTS. Luckily we met a few helpful people that gave us a hand getting on/off the escalators and stairs, as well as on and off the train.
Our trip was great under the circumstances. The time change did a number on us for the first few nights. By the time she was on a good sleep schedule...we were leaving the next day. She wasn't bad though, tired, but not really cranky. We went for a lot of walks, so the stroller got good use.
The flight back was a bit trickier. It was a mid-afternoon flight, which meant that she was awake for a lot of it. She was fine for take off, fell asleep soon after, like before we had reached our flying altitude. This time though we were at the front and were given a bassinet. She wouldn't sleep in the bassinet though, and we ended up sending it back after she tried to use it as a jungle gym. Eating on this flight was trickier. The tray came out of the arm rest, which was a TIGHT squeeze...and meant that she wanted it out...and in...and out...and in...fun for mommy.
It was also a LONG walk to the one washroom with a change table. Like to the back of the plane and half way up the opposite side. IF it had just been my mom and I at the front, I would have been able to cut across, but an elderly woman in a wheelchair was sitting with us, so for every bum change, we walked all the way around.
One thing I will say about Air Transat on the Canadian side is...they rock. Our stroller was taken at the gate, but when we exited the plane at Pearson, they had a complimentary rental stroller waiting for us, and our stroller was waiting at the Air Transat booth at baggage claim. That was awesome, especially since, after 11 hours in the Ergo or in arms, Miss S wanted to kick her feet and look around.
We are home now. Miss S slept in her own bed, better than she did all week, and had a fabulous nap. She's a little home body, just like her momma. At least now I don't have to be afraid of flying and traveling with her, she's a champ.
Our flight to Germany was a night flight. She slept most of the way. The only down side was the full flight meant that we were stuck in the middle of the plane with people all around us, so baby girl stretched out across my mom and I and slept while the two adults tried not to move and disturb her. She was passed out before take off and was great for the landing.
A note to TransAt though, when you say I can keep my stroller, please let me keep it. I had to hand it over when we got on the plane, thinking that I'd get it back when we exited. Nope. I had to go get it from baggage claim, and it wasn't even being monitored, it was just thrown on the ground in a pile with other "oversized" baggage. Annoying.
Getting around the Frankfurt airport is a PITA. The elevators are sporadic and the terminals are not all connected. For instance. To get from the terminal 2 to the train (to get to Dusseldorf), you have to go down stairs, up stairs, up another set of stairs, on a sky train, down stairs (a few times) and I think upstairs once more. Repeat to return. Doing this with 2 suitcases, 2 carry ons, a stroller and a baby is NUTS. Luckily we met a few helpful people that gave us a hand getting on/off the escalators and stairs, as well as on and off the train.
Our trip was great under the circumstances. The time change did a number on us for the first few nights. By the time she was on a good sleep schedule...we were leaving the next day. She wasn't bad though, tired, but not really cranky. We went for a lot of walks, so the stroller got good use.
The flight back was a bit trickier. It was a mid-afternoon flight, which meant that she was awake for a lot of it. She was fine for take off, fell asleep soon after, like before we had reached our flying altitude. This time though we were at the front and were given a bassinet. She wouldn't sleep in the bassinet though, and we ended up sending it back after she tried to use it as a jungle gym. Eating on this flight was trickier. The tray came out of the arm rest, which was a TIGHT squeeze...and meant that she wanted it out...and in...and out...and in...fun for mommy.
It was also a LONG walk to the one washroom with a change table. Like to the back of the plane and half way up the opposite side. IF it had just been my mom and I at the front, I would have been able to cut across, but an elderly woman in a wheelchair was sitting with us, so for every bum change, we walked all the way around.
One thing I will say about Air Transat on the Canadian side is...they rock. Our stroller was taken at the gate, but when we exited the plane at Pearson, they had a complimentary rental stroller waiting for us, and our stroller was waiting at the Air Transat booth at baggage claim. That was awesome, especially since, after 11 hours in the Ergo or in arms, Miss S wanted to kick her feet and look around.
We are home now. Miss S slept in her own bed, better than she did all week, and had a fabulous nap. She's a little home body, just like her momma. At least now I don't have to be afraid of flying and traveling with her, she's a champ.
Monday 15 August 2011
Flying with a Baby... Part 1
In a few hours Miss S, my mom and I will be flying across the ocean to Germany. Since having a baby, I have gotten somewhat better at packing... or so I thought.
My carry on is, of course, the diaper bag. My beloved Ju-Ju-Be is being left behind in favour of my larger bag, which I am all ready second guessing because at least my Pack-A-Be can be a back pack...wearing the Ergo and carrying a bag, and stroller, will not be fun. Oh wait. Scratch that. I can always put the diaper bag in the stroller if I am wearing Miss S. Crisis averted.
As I was saying, normally I would be packing a change of clothes for myself. Now, by the time I get clothes for the baby, snacks for the baby, entertainment for the baby...I barely have room for my Kobo. Not to mention the suitcase that is full of diapers, wipes, baby shampoo and more. I don't have my own shampoo packed because, when I stopped at WalMart to get diapers and travel shampoo, I was distracted by the umbrella strollers and toddler snacks and totally forgot to buy items for myself.
I am fortunate to have a car seat waiting for me, otherwise I would also be lugging around a massive car seat. If we were flying direct, it would be no big deal. We are not. We have to take the train from the airport to the next city, hence the umbrella stroller purchase. Miss S will only tolerate being carried for so long, and if she wants to snack, I don't want to arrive with fruit and cereal in my hair (and in my bra).
All right. No more stalling. I have to finish getting ready. We leave for the airport in 2.5 hours... here's hoping baby girl sleeps for another 30 minutes so she can wake up and have a meal before we go.
And here's hoping that the airplane has those nifty little TVs in every seat, or at least USB ports so I can plug in the iPod for her and the Kobo for me.
Wish us luck.
S&S
My carry on is, of course, the diaper bag. My beloved Ju-Ju-Be is being left behind in favour of my larger bag, which I am all ready second guessing because at least my Pack-A-Be can be a back pack...wearing the Ergo and carrying a bag, and stroller, will not be fun. Oh wait. Scratch that. I can always put the diaper bag in the stroller if I am wearing Miss S. Crisis averted.
As I was saying, normally I would be packing a change of clothes for myself. Now, by the time I get clothes for the baby, snacks for the baby, entertainment for the baby...I barely have room for my Kobo. Not to mention the suitcase that is full of diapers, wipes, baby shampoo and more. I don't have my own shampoo packed because, when I stopped at WalMart to get diapers and travel shampoo, I was distracted by the umbrella strollers and toddler snacks and totally forgot to buy items for myself.
I am fortunate to have a car seat waiting for me, otherwise I would also be lugging around a massive car seat. If we were flying direct, it would be no big deal. We are not. We have to take the train from the airport to the next city, hence the umbrella stroller purchase. Miss S will only tolerate being carried for so long, and if she wants to snack, I don't want to arrive with fruit and cereal in my hair (and in my bra).
All right. No more stalling. I have to finish getting ready. We leave for the airport in 2.5 hours... here's hoping baby girl sleeps for another 30 minutes so she can wake up and have a meal before we go.
And here's hoping that the airplane has those nifty little TVs in every seat, or at least USB ports so I can plug in the iPod for her and the Kobo for me.
Wish us luck.
S&S
Friday 12 August 2011
Diaper Dance
While my husband is bathing our little miss, I am taking this opportunity to share a Friday Night Funny.
We got home late after a walk around the mall (which is why the baby is still awake at 7:40). We got home and threw some cheese ravioli and peas on for a quick dinner. I put a fresh diaper on baby girl, which, in itself is a chore. I had a comb, a singing card, a bunny and her pants to entertain her while I ripped off the velcro and fastened a new diaper on.
I was arranging my new candles on the mantel while my darling daughter played at my feet when I heard a familiar "RRRRIIIIIIP!"
My first thought was, Where on earth did she find velcro? Followed by her tossing her diaper at me.
FACEPALM.
I didn't put her pants back on, figuring that we were eating and bathing anyways. I didn't use a snap diaper because, well, a velcro one was at the top of the pile. What this means is I gave my daughter a license to pee.
She promptly picked up her diaper and motored away. She rubbed her bare bottom on my white carpet, dragged it along the register, sat in the dog's bed and, her glorifying moment, shook her bum in the dog's face.
Velcro is officially no good for diapers unless it is covered by pants. I am just thankful that it was a clean diaper instead of the loaded one I had just changed.
We got home late after a walk around the mall (which is why the baby is still awake at 7:40). We got home and threw some cheese ravioli and peas on for a quick dinner. I put a fresh diaper on baby girl, which, in itself is a chore. I had a comb, a singing card, a bunny and her pants to entertain her while I ripped off the velcro and fastened a new diaper on.
I was arranging my new candles on the mantel while my darling daughter played at my feet when I heard a familiar "RRRRIIIIIIP!"
My first thought was, Where on earth did she find velcro? Followed by her tossing her diaper at me.
FACEPALM.
I didn't put her pants back on, figuring that we were eating and bathing anyways. I didn't use a snap diaper because, well, a velcro one was at the top of the pile. What this means is I gave my daughter a license to pee.
She promptly picked up her diaper and motored away. She rubbed her bare bottom on my white carpet, dragged it along the register, sat in the dog's bed and, her glorifying moment, shook her bum in the dog's face.
Velcro is officially no good for diapers unless it is covered by pants. I am just thankful that it was a clean diaper instead of the loaded one I had just changed.
Thursday 11 August 2011
5 Things I "Still" Do
While baby girl naps I thought I’d take a moment to make a few “confessions”...if you can call them that. This post comes after a visit at the doctor’s office where a nurse made a few comments that I found to be rather strange. Here we go.
1.Yes, I “still” breast feed. My daughter is only one year (almost 13 months...didn’t she JUST have a birthday?!?). The WHO recommends breast feeding to two years. It’s not just this nurse in particular, it’s a number of people. I usually just laugh it off, but the truth is people, yes, I still nurse, and no, I don’t know when WE (yes, my baby and I) will stop. I suppose when she is ready.
It’s not like nursing is her primary source of nutrition at this stage, nor does it replace her meals, but it does soothe her, it does give us quiet time to bond, it does help her get to sleep (which is another confession), and, most importantly, it does benefit her.
Why do people take such an interest in “extended” breast feeding? I don’t mind being asked if I still breast feed, what I mind is when I am asked when I will stop because, “You can’t keep it up forever.” Thanks a heap, I thought I’d be breast feeding until she went away to university --insert eye roll here--.
On a completely different note, to those who say that breast feeding is weird, gross, that the mother “does it for herself”, clearly you have never breast fed. I would also like to say that thanks to sign language, my daughter has been able to “ask” for milk for quite a while, and, even as a newborn, she “asked” for (or demanded) milk when she cried (watch a Dunstan Baby Language video if you don’t believe me).
2. Yes, I “still” nurse to sleep. It cuts down on the time it takes to put her down. It prevents us from crying it out (CIO), which I do not like, it’s time to bond, it gives her a little something to top up her belly before bed. My daughter sleeps through the night (STTN). She sometimes does wake up in the middle of the night, but 95% of the time, can put herself back to sleep. I have also been out at bedtime and she has had no problem going to sleep when my husband puts her down. Again, why do people care how I put my baby to bed? She goes to sleep happy, that’s all that matters to me.
3.Yes, I “still” cloth diaper. This is more of an “lol” because our family doctor said, “Oh, I see you are still using the cloth diapers! Most families I see have them at 2 months, but have given up by 6 months!” It wasn’t a negative comment from him at all, but I have encountered a few people who have turned up their noses like, “ewww, gross”. News flash, dirty diapers are gross regardless, at least mine are pink.
By the way, I also use cloth wipes. ;)
4. Yes, I have let my baby have *gasp* “junk food”. Now, to be fair, it’s more my husband and her grandparents who have done this, but I too have let her have ice cream, french fries, gravy, even coffee (see my last post). However, I made my own baby food and did BLW, so the majority of what she eats is very healthy. Except cheese slices. I think she loves them more than the dog.
5. Yes, I do baby signing with my daughter, and have since she was only a few months old. She signs “milk”, “more”, “food/eat”, “dog” and “baby”...I am still trying to get her to sign “mom”. I am determined she will do “mom” before “dad”, and cannot believe she will sign “dog” to all the dogs she sees, but not “mama”.
I find it’s mixed reviews, most people are interested, a few roll their eyes, one even said I would be negatively impacting her speech. Whatever, I enjoy it, she enjoys it, and, we are communicating. Plus, the Baby Signing Time songs are so cute, here’s a cute little preview.
I can’t think of anything else at the moment, it must be the lack of caffeine coupled with my lack of lunch. The funny thing is, the majority of my mommy friends do one or more of these, but I find that breast feeding in particular is “taboo.” Why is feeding my child something I feel I should keep to myself? Strange isn’t it...
By the way, I also use cloth wipes. ;)
4. Yes, I have let my baby have *gasp* “junk food”. Now, to be fair, it’s more my husband and her grandparents who have done this, but I too have let her have ice cream, french fries, gravy, even coffee (see my last post). However, I made my own baby food and did BLW, so the majority of what she eats is very healthy. Except cheese slices. I think she loves them more than the dog.
5. Yes, I do baby signing with my daughter, and have since she was only a few months old. She signs “milk”, “more”, “food/eat”, “dog” and “baby”...I am still trying to get her to sign “mom”. I am determined she will do “mom” before “dad”, and cannot believe she will sign “dog” to all the dogs she sees, but not “mama”.
I find it’s mixed reviews, most people are interested, a few roll their eyes, one even said I would be negatively impacting her speech. Whatever, I enjoy it, she enjoys it, and, we are communicating. Plus, the Baby Signing Time songs are so cute, here’s a cute little preview.
I can’t think of anything else at the moment, it must be the lack of caffeine coupled with my lack of lunch. The funny thing is, the majority of my mommy friends do one or more of these, but I find that breast feeding in particular is “taboo.” Why is feeding my child something I feel I should keep to myself? Strange isn’t it...
So, there you have it. Some of the things I do that apparently makes me a bit of a hippy. Oh, here’s another, baby girl has been wearing an amber teething necklace since she was...I don’t know, maybe 3 months old. I also use homeopathic teething remedies. For those who say they don’t work and are only placebos, please explain to me how you give a baby a placebo? Sorry, that’s snarky, but it’s the truth. I find that the necklace really does help, which is why we continue to use it. Plus, it looks super cute.
PS, this is my first time adding hyperlinks, so I hope they work, if not, you'll just have to google.
Wednesday 10 August 2011
Coffee
I love coffee. I would love to be able to enjoy one, just one, uninterrupted cup a day. Summers used to be all about enjoying a cup of coffee in silence. Often in bed or sitting on the deck with no noise.
And then I became a mother.
Don't get me wrong, because I wouldn't trade being a momma for a whole pot of coffee, but on days like today, when I have a killer headache, a barking dog and a baby who has recently started putting her fingers in her ears and screaming at the top of her lungs, I reminisce about the days when I'd just be getting up, making myself a cup of coffee and simply enjoying the morning sunshine. Now I am woken, enjoy the sunrise, feed the baby, change the baby (sometimes two times before breakfast), put the coffee on, get breakfast ready, make a coffee, get the baby ready for breakfast and give her food, feed the dog, get my own breakfast, zap my coffee, eat a few bites, clean everything up, zap my coffee...and eventually give up after half a cup.
Today I actually enjoyed most of the coffee, only it was full of blueberry muffin from the baby girl who has taken to sticking her dirty little fingers in my cup. I have tried to give her a little plastic mug of water, but there is no fooling her. She wants mine. The dog sits at my feet begging for coffee (thanks to my mother, who has got him hooked), the baby is practically taking me out to get her hands in the cup...Forget it. I'll try again at nap time, though, at this rate, I'll be napping then too.
Here's me, signing off, still thinking about my now cold and blueberry filled cup of coffee.
And then I became a mother.
Don't get me wrong, because I wouldn't trade being a momma for a whole pot of coffee, but on days like today, when I have a killer headache, a barking dog and a baby who has recently started putting her fingers in her ears and screaming at the top of her lungs, I reminisce about the days when I'd just be getting up, making myself a cup of coffee and simply enjoying the morning sunshine. Now I am woken, enjoy the sunrise, feed the baby, change the baby (sometimes two times before breakfast), put the coffee on, get breakfast ready, make a coffee, get the baby ready for breakfast and give her food, feed the dog, get my own breakfast, zap my coffee, eat a few bites, clean everything up, zap my coffee...and eventually give up after half a cup.
Today I actually enjoyed most of the coffee, only it was full of blueberry muffin from the baby girl who has taken to sticking her dirty little fingers in my cup. I have tried to give her a little plastic mug of water, but there is no fooling her. She wants mine. The dog sits at my feet begging for coffee (thanks to my mother, who has got him hooked), the baby is practically taking me out to get her hands in the cup...Forget it. I'll try again at nap time, though, at this rate, I'll be napping then too.
Here's me, signing off, still thinking about my now cold and blueberry filled cup of coffee.
Friday 5 August 2011
Reminiscing
I look at my soon to be toddler and understand why so many women decide to have "2 under 2". I loved being pregnant. Not every moment of it, like when my morning oatmeal, the ONLY thing I like(d) for breakfast, made me vomit. I bawled my eyes out proclaiming, quite dramatically, "Now there's NOTHING for me to eat for breakfast!!!"
Not to worry, soft pretzels and yogurt quickly became a breakfast staple for the first trimester.
I also did not like the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. I was 9 days late. To anyone who has ever been pregnant, particularly anyone who has ever gone past their due date, that is a LIFETIME. I literally felt like "Eggo" was going to reside in my uterus and make me a hot, swollen, emotional mess for THE REST OF MY LIFE. Luckily, when Miss S decided to make an appearance, it was RIGHT NOW.
Labor for me was...unexpected. I was expecting to have a massive GUSH when my water broke, not a dribble, which made me unsure of whether it was amniotic fluid or urine...not to worry, it was the former.
I was not expecting to go from no contractions to INTENSE ones. lasting nearly a minute and happening every 7-10 minutes...then lasting 60-90 seconds and happening every 5-7, at which point I DEMANDED to go to the hospital because of an intense urge to push. Good thing I listened to my body and not the midwife, my mother and my husband, because I arrived at the hospital at 2am on July 13, a mere 8 1/2 hours after my water broke, and 6 hours after the midwife simply confirming water water had, indeed, broke, but was not concerned about baby coming just yet, fully dilated and effaced and ready to have a baby.
It was the most amazing experience. Giving birth is unlike anything else. Yes, it hurts, but it's a pain that results in a beautiful little life that you love unconditionally.
FYI ladies, just when you think that you cannot possibly do it any longer, your baby will come. I remember thinking, "That's it. I can't do this anymore, this baby is never coming out," and had another contraction and POOF (literally, head an shoulders came out just like that), I was reaching down to pull my baby onto my chest.
Here's a fun tidbit though, I didn't know if I had a boy or girl for a few minutes. No, there was no confusion, my husband just didn't tell me! He had to double check when he announced it was a girl, we were all sure it was boy. Even strangers on the street were stopping me to tell me that I was DEFINITELY having a boy. Even those online gender predictors said boy more often (though I think it was like 45/55). HA. Shows what they know.
I've gotten off topic though. My apologies. To get back to my original thought, I look at Miss S now and can totally relate to wanting another baby. I loved being pregnant, and newborns are SO CUTE. Is there anything sweeter than a newborn? Then I look at my house, which we JUST moved back into after 10 months of renovations...Nope, not ready to redo another room for a nursery. I look at my bank account, which hasn't had a paycheck since June 2010...Nope, not quite ready to take another year off. I look at my 1 year old, who is starting to become a little girl...Nope, not ready yet to take anymore time away from enjoying watching her grow up.
Not to worry, I have enough new babies around to get my fix, and to remind me of how little sleep I got some nights before succumbing to co-sleeping and of those days when all she wanted to do was nurse, or be held, or be rocked... For now I'll chalk this mild case of Baby Fever up to the fact that my cousin, as well as several good friends, have recently added to their families, add in the fact that my sister is expecting in October and WHAM. My silly uterus thinks it should join in on the fun. Easy there killer, if we have another baby now, it will be one more year away from Wonderland, drive-in movies and all that other fun family stuff that our little one will FINALLY be ready for next year.
Not to worry, soft pretzels and yogurt quickly became a breakfast staple for the first trimester.
I also did not like the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. I was 9 days late. To anyone who has ever been pregnant, particularly anyone who has ever gone past their due date, that is a LIFETIME. I literally felt like "Eggo" was going to reside in my uterus and make me a hot, swollen, emotional mess for THE REST OF MY LIFE. Luckily, when Miss S decided to make an appearance, it was RIGHT NOW.
Labor for me was...unexpected. I was expecting to have a massive GUSH when my water broke, not a dribble, which made me unsure of whether it was amniotic fluid or urine...not to worry, it was the former.
I was not expecting to go from no contractions to INTENSE ones. lasting nearly a minute and happening every 7-10 minutes...then lasting 60-90 seconds and happening every 5-7, at which point I DEMANDED to go to the hospital because of an intense urge to push. Good thing I listened to my body and not the midwife, my mother and my husband, because I arrived at the hospital at 2am on July 13, a mere 8 1/2 hours after my water broke, and 6 hours after the midwife simply confirming water water had, indeed, broke, but was not concerned about baby coming just yet, fully dilated and effaced and ready to have a baby.
It was the most amazing experience. Giving birth is unlike anything else. Yes, it hurts, but it's a pain that results in a beautiful little life that you love unconditionally.
FYI ladies, just when you think that you cannot possibly do it any longer, your baby will come. I remember thinking, "That's it. I can't do this anymore, this baby is never coming out," and had another contraction and POOF (literally, head an shoulders came out just like that), I was reaching down to pull my baby onto my chest.
Here's a fun tidbit though, I didn't know if I had a boy or girl for a few minutes. No, there was no confusion, my husband just didn't tell me! He had to double check when he announced it was a girl, we were all sure it was boy. Even strangers on the street were stopping me to tell me that I was DEFINITELY having a boy. Even those online gender predictors said boy more often (though I think it was like 45/55). HA. Shows what they know.
I've gotten off topic though. My apologies. To get back to my original thought, I look at Miss S now and can totally relate to wanting another baby. I loved being pregnant, and newborns are SO CUTE. Is there anything sweeter than a newborn? Then I look at my house, which we JUST moved back into after 10 months of renovations...Nope, not ready to redo another room for a nursery. I look at my bank account, which hasn't had a paycheck since June 2010...Nope, not quite ready to take another year off. I look at my 1 year old, who is starting to become a little girl...Nope, not ready yet to take anymore time away from enjoying watching her grow up.
Not to worry, I have enough new babies around to get my fix, and to remind me of how little sleep I got some nights before succumbing to co-sleeping and of those days when all she wanted to do was nurse, or be held, or be rocked... For now I'll chalk this mild case of Baby Fever up to the fact that my cousin, as well as several good friends, have recently added to their families, add in the fact that my sister is expecting in October and WHAM. My silly uterus thinks it should join in on the fun. Easy there killer, if we have another baby now, it will be one more year away from Wonderland, drive-in movies and all that other fun family stuff that our little one will FINALLY be ready for next year.
Wednesday 3 August 2011
First Steps
I interrupt your regularly scheduled program for an important baby update...One small step for baby means one giant step towards toddlerhood.
My baby has reached a number of milestones on days so easy to remember that I forget to write them down. She started crawling on April 29, the day Prince William and Kate Middleton got married. She pulled herself up just a few days later on May 1st. She started to cruise around furniture and take big steps while holding onto something on July 25, stood unassisted from the middle of the room on August 1st and took her first two steps on her own on August 2nd, which happens to be her grandpa’s birthday.
I missed her first steps. I was at the end of the road talking to a neighbor and my baby took her first steps for her grandparents and dad. I almost cried, not because she is becoming a walker, but because I missed the first steps. Of course she refused to take any other steps yesterday. I had to wait until this morning. She looked at me, stood up and took one big step! She promptly fell on her little butt and clapped her hands.
How did she go from a stationary newborn to a cruiser? She’s starting to toddle, that means I have a toddler on my hands!
The first year goes by so quickly, I see friends with their newborns and my heart aches a little. Newborns are so sweet and tiny. They are so precious and innocent. My midwife said something soon after I gave birth that sums it up, “If every world leader had to start each day holding a newborn, we’d have a much nicer world.” It’s so true, but then again, having a one year old, who comes barreling at you full force to give you a sloppy kiss, who claps and waves as you come up the driveway, who smiles and reaches up for you from their crib, well, I wouldn’t give that up for the world.
Monday 1 August 2011
Babies and Food
I have other posts about pregnancy, childbirth and life with a newborn, but, in this house, food is our new "go to" topic. It used to be poop. Don't deny it mommas, food and poop are obsessions when you have infants. If you had told 16 year old me that all I would ever think or talk about as a mother is food and baby poop, I would never have believed it and laughed in your face. I don't care who you are, if you have children, you spend a portion of everyday worrying about either what they are (or are not) eating, and what they are (or are not) expelling.
My little monkey loves to eat. Or she did. Turning one has apparently made her a much pickier eater. One day last week she would only eat blueberries and strawberries. Another day it was cheese. I tried a grilled cheese and cheese with pasta, both were epic fails. One day she loved edamame, the next she threw them at the dog. Just when I think she has a new favourite and buy it in bulk, I'll open the new container and she'll spit it out, throw it at the dog, or, in the case of couscous, whip it across the dinning room. Have you ever tried to clean up couscous? I am still finding it in little nooks and crannies.
Another fun things about having a one year old is self feeding. We did baby led weaning, so she has been eating finger style foods for months, but she has now decided she should learn to use a spoon. This also means that she has learned that a spoon can be twice as effective for throwing food as her hand. It also means that even more food ends up in her hair, ears, eyes and nose. A girlfriend of mine, whose baby has yet to grow hair, commented that she didn't have to bathe her little one every night. Well ladies, when you have a baby with a full head of hair, bathing is a necessity, not an option, because by bath time, her hair is full of leftovers. It's only 10:30am and already I have rinsed her hair in the sink to rid it of leftover yogurt, eggs and cheese. Oh the joys.
My little monkey loves to eat. Or she did. Turning one has apparently made her a much pickier eater. One day last week she would only eat blueberries and strawberries. Another day it was cheese. I tried a grilled cheese and cheese with pasta, both were epic fails. One day she loved edamame, the next she threw them at the dog. Just when I think she has a new favourite and buy it in bulk, I'll open the new container and she'll spit it out, throw it at the dog, or, in the case of couscous, whip it across the dinning room. Have you ever tried to clean up couscous? I am still finding it in little nooks and crannies.
Another fun things about having a one year old is self feeding. We did baby led weaning, so she has been eating finger style foods for months, but she has now decided she should learn to use a spoon. This also means that she has learned that a spoon can be twice as effective for throwing food as her hand. It also means that even more food ends up in her hair, ears, eyes and nose. A girlfriend of mine, whose baby has yet to grow hair, commented that she didn't have to bathe her little one every night. Well ladies, when you have a baby with a full head of hair, bathing is a necessity, not an option, because by bath time, her hair is full of leftovers. It's only 10:30am and already I have rinsed her hair in the sink to rid it of leftover yogurt, eggs and cheese. Oh the joys.
Sunday 31 July 2011
It Starts... Conception and POAS Day
I am a first time mother to a wonderful baby girl. I have a stepdaughter, but she was already 2 years old when my husband and I got together, so starting from scratch with a newborn was a totally different experience. My baby girl is one year old, and to be honest, I have been terrible at keeping track of the past year. I feel like her first year flew by and I have forgotten to record all the wonderful milestones. After reading the blogs of some good friends, I have decided to venture into the world of online writing and reflect on, and record, my journey through motherhood. For my first post, I thought I'd start at the very beginning (it's a very good place to start)...
My husband and I were married July 18, 2009. We had a fabulous day surrounded by people we love, followed by an amazing honeymoon in Mexico. We came back home and very soon found we were both becoming sick with fever...BABY FEVER. The worst kind, in my opinion, because the ONLY way to cure Baby Fever is to have a baby. I was still on the pill, but only had a few packs left, so we decided that once I was done, I just wouldn't renew the prescription and we would just "see what happens". September came, and we were still on the same "let's see what happens" page, so, like any sane woman with Baby Fever, I bought "What to Expect Before You're Expecting", a Basal Body Thermometer and some prenatal vitamins. I also read EVERY book imaginable about first time moms, fiction and nonfiction, I did the same when I was a bride, but think Baby Fever made it worse.
I also denied the Baby Fever. People would ask me about having kids and I'd laugh it off with a, "Ohh maybe soon haha" and when my prenatal vitamins were discovered by various friends and family, I told them my doctor told me to start taking them instead of my one-a-days because they were cheaper.
After Thanksgiving I bought some HPTs (home pregnancy tests) because October 24, one month after my last period, would be POAS (pee on a stick) Day. October 22 rolled around and I POAS...it was negative and I was crushed, especially when I had some spotting and ruled myself out. On October 24, there was no more spotting, so I decided to POAS again and BAM
Yes, I took a picture. I sent this to my husband at work. He called me and the following dialogue took place:
Him: Is that positive?
Me: YUP!
Him: Good job!
Ohh my husband, doesn't he have a wonderful way with words?
Now, here is where I tell you that not only did I immediately take another test to prove to myself it was, in fact, a BFP (big fat positive), but I also had my husband go out and buy me some Clear Blue Digital HPTs. Not only did I test with those right away, but I also bought another pack and tested the next week to make sure the weeks since conception indicator went up.
That's not the end...I also tested on at least 3 other occasions. In my defense, one of those was after I had some bright red spotting, so it's not that crazy.
October 24, 2009 was POAS Day, the day I found out I was pregnant and the day I fell in love. I know some women don't, but I was in love from the moment that second line appeared. I affectionately nicknamed our baby "Eggo" (for those of you who have not watched Juno, "Ain't no doubt about it, your Eggo is preggo"). I can still remember that feeling of awe, followed by the "how can I keep this secret?!" I didn't my mom knew as soon as the doctor confirmed, and my closest friends knew as soon as I walked into the Halloween Party and passed on a Jello Shooter saying, "Oh, it's OK, I'm driving". My BFF looked at me and said, "You're such a liar, I know you have something in your belly! You're never the DD!"
So there you have it. My first week as a pregnant woman in a nutshell. Looking back I should have known. There were signs. I remember going out to dinner and being able to smell the mushroom ravioli the woman 3 tables over was eating. I remember having a Caesar and thinking that it had gone bad and dumping it. I remember making a "snack plate" of olives, pickles and artichokes and having to dump it all because it tasted "off". Thank goodness I took the advice of some wonderful online women and tested again, because I was pretty clueless.
If you are still reading, thanks! It feels good to think back on all of this again and write it out. It's unreal how quickly time passes when you are a mom, I was holding a friend's newborn last week and thinking how crazy it was that a year ago I was holding my newborn. Wow. Crazy.
My husband and I were married July 18, 2009. We had a fabulous day surrounded by people we love, followed by an amazing honeymoon in Mexico. We came back home and very soon found we were both becoming sick with fever...BABY FEVER. The worst kind, in my opinion, because the ONLY way to cure Baby Fever is to have a baby. I was still on the pill, but only had a few packs left, so we decided that once I was done, I just wouldn't renew the prescription and we would just "see what happens". September came, and we were still on the same "let's see what happens" page, so, like any sane woman with Baby Fever, I bought "What to Expect Before You're Expecting", a Basal Body Thermometer and some prenatal vitamins. I also read EVERY book imaginable about first time moms, fiction and nonfiction, I did the same when I was a bride, but think Baby Fever made it worse.
I also denied the Baby Fever. People would ask me about having kids and I'd laugh it off with a, "Ohh maybe soon haha" and when my prenatal vitamins were discovered by various friends and family, I told them my doctor told me to start taking them instead of my one-a-days because they were cheaper.
After Thanksgiving I bought some HPTs (home pregnancy tests) because October 24, one month after my last period, would be POAS (pee on a stick) Day. October 22 rolled around and I POAS...it was negative and I was crushed, especially when I had some spotting and ruled myself out. On October 24, there was no more spotting, so I decided to POAS again and BAM
Him: Is that positive?
Me: YUP!
Him: Good job!
Ohh my husband, doesn't he have a wonderful way with words?
Now, here is where I tell you that not only did I immediately take another test to prove to myself it was, in fact, a BFP (big fat positive), but I also had my husband go out and buy me some Clear Blue Digital HPTs. Not only did I test with those right away, but I also bought another pack and tested the next week to make sure the weeks since conception indicator went up.
October 24, 2009 was POAS Day, the day I found out I was pregnant and the day I fell in love. I know some women don't, but I was in love from the moment that second line appeared. I affectionately nicknamed our baby "Eggo" (for those of you who have not watched Juno, "Ain't no doubt about it, your Eggo is preggo"). I can still remember that feeling of awe, followed by the "how can I keep this secret?!" I didn't my mom knew as soon as the doctor confirmed, and my closest friends knew as soon as I walked into the Halloween Party and passed on a Jello Shooter saying, "Oh, it's OK, I'm driving". My BFF looked at me and said, "You're such a liar, I know you have something in your belly! You're never the DD!"
So there you have it. My first week as a pregnant woman in a nutshell. Looking back I should have known. There were signs. I remember going out to dinner and being able to smell the mushroom ravioli the woman 3 tables over was eating. I remember having a Caesar and thinking that it had gone bad and dumping it. I remember making a "snack plate" of olives, pickles and artichokes and having to dump it all because it tasted "off". Thank goodness I took the advice of some wonderful online women and tested again, because I was pretty clueless.
If you are still reading, thanks! It feels good to think back on all of this again and write it out. It's unreal how quickly time passes when you are a mom, I was holding a friend's newborn last week and thinking how crazy it was that a year ago I was holding my newborn. Wow. Crazy.
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