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11 years ago
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Blogging solutions
I have a hard time remembering what I want to blog about. I have great ideas but never at the right time, then I forget. Or I'll go to write X's monthly update and have no idea what happened. So, my solution? Micro blogging! Aka, Twitter. See it over there. Yup that's right, constant updates on my adorable baby, parenting and my boobs. I hope no one actually follows my Twitter feed because that could be rough. Now I can reference it for blog updates and use it to keep my blog updated when I don't have time to write an entry. Whoo hoo social media.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
I know, I suck at blogging. I use blogging for three things: to vent, to whine and to document. So in the past when I have suddenly stopped blogging it has been because I am happy and busy or super lame and apathetic. Am I those? No. So, what is the problem? I have a 4.5 month old!! Holy fuck, it is like being a constant puppet master for the small dictator of the world. Constant entertainment, feeding, diaper changes, baths, cleaning and trying to eat and drink water. Plus clogged milk ducts, oversupply issues, synthetic material stink, finding pajamas that fit, sleep schedules, play dates, story time La Leche League meetings and writing letters of rec from the other life. Oh, and I AM GETTING MARRIED. Holy fuck. So, when the monster goes to bed, or naps, what do I do. Nothing. I look at my phone. I don't blog, or watch TV or read. I seriously look at my phone for like hours. Seriously, it is insane. I have never been this busy in my life. Mondays we have LLL and Otto play dates, Tuesday is library day, Wednesday is usually stay home day, Thursday is teaching day, Friday is grandma day, Saturday is seeing anyone with a job day, Sunday is Mike's time to go to Old Chicago and hang out with Scott, which shouldn't affect me but it does. Wait, that is only one thing each day. Don't forget the incessant laundry that cloth diapering creates, reading about solids, getting X to nap, cooking for Mike and I, actually eating and showering, researching carseats, learning toys and the impact of TV on little brains. Oh and we have a dog, and a budget, and I AM PLANNING A WEDDING. I miss blogging, but not as much as I miss uninterrupted sleep. Peace. Check out my ring.
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Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
What month are we on?
So, month 4 was pretty awesome, but I haven't written anything about because of the so called four month wakeful period. And Mike being gone a lot. And X being almost mobile, definitely being more aware and demanding a whole lot more of attention. So, I will try to keep this as a month 4 update, but realize we are at 4.5 months, so it may be a little blurry.
So, X man, at 4 months (well, two days shy) you weighed 17 pounds and 15 ounces and were 26.5 inches tall. Yes, that is HUGE. You also hit most of your 6 month milestones already and thoroughly impressed your doctor. They have cleared you for solids, but we are waiting until 6 months because of growing evidence of the causes of childhood obesity, adult diabetes and quite frankly, nasty poop. So, your sole source of nutrients for those 18 pounds is mama. Yeah. We spend a lot of time "bonding."
At the beginning of this month we took a trip to Estes Park to hike around. I am not sure I would say that you were a fan of it necessarily, but you tolerated it. You like to be outdoors, but driving is not your favorite thing and I am not sure you get why we had to go to another town to spend time outside when there are plenty of open spaces near us.
You definitely entered the 4 month wakeful about a week before 4 months, essentially skirting all naps or tricking me with 10 minutes at a time. Nights are not horrible, but you want to nurse all of the time at night, like every two hours.
We still go out with Otto and Allison at least once a week, and you are very interested in Otto, although not nearly as interested as you are with the baby in the mirror. However, you and Otto will at least chew on each other and share toys. Otto is much better at napping than you are, but I think it is because you like having mommy and Allison all to yourself. You still like everyone, but in particular young women. You are a total flirt.
You spend a lot of time naked and playing at home. Sitting up is your newest accomplishment, although you fall over after a minute or two. By your 4 month appointment you could sit unassisted for at least a minute though. Apparently this is still really early because everyone is impressed with it.
You have also mastered the MMMMM sound, which you find hilarious and making smacking noises with your mouth.
We have also invested in a Jumperoo which you love, although it wears you out and makes you cranky if you are in it too long. You love all toys, especially anything easy to lift and put in your mouth. You also seem to be teething, no teeth broken through yet, but you love chewing and drool A LOT. Since you can't really sit too well, and you are too chubby for the popular bumbo, we had to get you another chair, which you like a lot.
So, X man, at 4 months (well, two days shy) you weighed 17 pounds and 15 ounces and were 26.5 inches tall. Yes, that is HUGE. You also hit most of your 6 month milestones already and thoroughly impressed your doctor. They have cleared you for solids, but we are waiting until 6 months because of growing evidence of the causes of childhood obesity, adult diabetes and quite frankly, nasty poop. So, your sole source of nutrients for those 18 pounds is mama. Yeah. We spend a lot of time "bonding."
At the beginning of this month we took a trip to Estes Park to hike around. I am not sure I would say that you were a fan of it necessarily, but you tolerated it. You like to be outdoors, but driving is not your favorite thing and I am not sure you get why we had to go to another town to spend time outside when there are plenty of open spaces near us.
We still go out with Otto and Allison at least once a week, and you are very interested in Otto, although not nearly as interested as you are with the baby in the mirror. However, you and Otto will at least chew on each other and share toys. Otto is much better at napping than you are, but I think it is because you like having mommy and Allison all to yourself. You still like everyone, but in particular young women. You are a total flirt.
 |
| Learning how to sit all by yourself |
You spend a lot of time naked and playing at home. Sitting up is your newest accomplishment, although you fall over after a minute or two. By your 4 month appointment you could sit unassisted for at least a minute though. Apparently this is still really early because everyone is impressed with it.
 |
| The Boppy definitely helps |
 | |
| Just a tiny bit of help from mommy |
You have also mastered the MMMMM sound, which you find hilarious and making smacking noises with your mouth.
We have also invested in a Jumperoo which you love, although it wears you out and makes you cranky if you are in it too long. You love all toys, especially anything easy to lift and put in your mouth. You also seem to be teething, no teeth broken through yet, but you love chewing and drool A LOT. Since you can't really sit too well, and you are too chubby for the popular bumbo, we had to get you another chair, which you like a lot.
 |
| Chillin' in the chair |
 |
| trying to escape the chair |
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Something other than X
I have a new obsession lately, pinterest.com. If you are not familiar, don't do it. It will suck away your life with all sorts of things you want to buy, do, build, cook and make. Not to mention the time you spend finding such things.
Lately I have been feeling very trapped. X is still really young and therefore needs a lot of attention. Plus he really wants to do more than he is physically capable of, which leads to me helping him sit, stand, walk and get close to things to touch, grab, taste and look at. And while all of this is totally exciting, sometimes I just need a break. It is just draining. So Mike offered to take X for four hours--two hours at his parents house then bring him home to nurse and I could leave for two more hours.
So, what did I do? I found crafts I could do on pinterest and went away to the craft store. First, let me say how nice it is to do something that takes both hands and some concentration for more than 10 minutes. I love my son more than anything, but the only things I do aside from him are laundry and cleaning, both of which need done ALL.THE.TIME. So craft time was amazing. I really wanted a fall wreath and I became obsessed with makeing modge podge coasters. No idea why, we have plenty of coasters. Maybe Christmas presents?
The wreath was sort of pricey since I had to buy all of the flowers, wire and base to make it, but I love it and it was way cheaper than buying one.
The coasters were pretty cheap. I had to buy a can of sealant to make them waterproof but that will last forever. The actual tiles are 16 cents each, I already had everything else. So I made 8 coasters for $11.28 and I can make a gazillion more for just $1.28 a set. I really like how they came out too. Next time I will leave a boarder like I did in the maroon background with white flower ones, I like how it looks better. So, here is to Donna time, as in Donna the person, not mom or milk lady.
Lately I have been feeling very trapped. X is still really young and therefore needs a lot of attention. Plus he really wants to do more than he is physically capable of, which leads to me helping him sit, stand, walk and get close to things to touch, grab, taste and look at. And while all of this is totally exciting, sometimes I just need a break. It is just draining. So Mike offered to take X for four hours--two hours at his parents house then bring him home to nurse and I could leave for two more hours.
So, what did I do? I found crafts I could do on pinterest and went away to the craft store. First, let me say how nice it is to do something that takes both hands and some concentration for more than 10 minutes. I love my son more than anything, but the only things I do aside from him are laundry and cleaning, both of which need done ALL.THE.TIME. So craft time was amazing. I really wanted a fall wreath and I became obsessed with makeing modge podge coasters. No idea why, we have plenty of coasters. Maybe Christmas presents?
The wreath was sort of pricey since I had to buy all of the flowers, wire and base to make it, but I love it and it was way cheaper than buying one.
The coasters were pretty cheap. I had to buy a can of sealant to make them waterproof but that will last forever. The actual tiles are 16 cents each, I already had everything else. So I made 8 coasters for $11.28 and I can make a gazillion more for just $1.28 a set. I really like how they came out too. Next time I will leave a boarder like I did in the maroon background with white flower ones, I like how it looks better. So, here is to Donna time, as in Donna the person, not mom or milk lady.
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Monday, September 12, 2011
Oh memories
Right before my baby shower my lovely friend Rachel sent me this link. I nearly died laughing. The captions are priceless, as are the creepy ass cakes. I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. Even in my hormonal pregnant state I thought this was the funniest shit out there, and looking back on it, I still do. Thank you pregnant chicken, for all of your comic relief over the last year, as well as good information. And thanks mom for making me a normal cake.
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Thursday, September 8, 2011
Nom nom nom
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4
Please, go the fuck to sleep
Lately X has been sleeping poorly. Well, lately X has not been sleeping. "Normally" he takes a 9:30 nap for about 30-45 minutes, then a two hour nap at 1:00, then a little 30 minute nap in the evening, at like 5:30. Then bed at 8:00. It has never really been an issue. Now he is boycotting morning naps all together and going down for a nap between 2 and 4. Urg. Plus he is getting up all the time during the night to nurse. Like every two hours. So I get maybe an hour of sleep by the time I wake up, nurse him, burp him, get him back to sleep, get him in his co-sleeper, comfort him some more and fall asleep myself. I am exhausted. However, I don't have to go to work, and honestly, I think it is normal for a baby to sleep like this, especially one who may be cutting teeth. That is why I am a stay at home mom, but it makes me SUPER cranky at 5 AM. However, in the nick of time, I found this article that just gave me a little encouragement. I am SO against sleep training, but every once in a while that voice in the back of my head questions my instincts and judgements, but the letters MD at the end of an article can really give me the courage to keep going.
Essentially this is what it says. Babies are super vulnerable, biologically speaking. They can't eat, walk, fight, hide. Essentially, all animals are born when their brains will fit. Well, X's didn't, but you get the idea. They do not know they are born into a developed country in the 21st century. All they know is they will get eaten by something if someone is not there to protect them.
All humans are like this. We have no protection except our ability to live in groups. People wake up all night long, sense safety and go back to sleep. This is interesting for someone with insomnia like myself because I essentially wake up and DON'T sense safety and don't go back to sleep.That is an entirely different blog though. One that doesn't exist, and one that I would probably need lots of therapy to write.
The article goes on to say that as Americans we stress that babies need to learn to sleep alone, to avoid dependency issues, when in reality it is the opposite. Babies don't need to sleep alone, they need to co-sleep. This makes me feel so much better about the fact that X has never, not once, actually slept in his crib. Someday I hope he does, but again, that is more for me than for him. I want my bed back, and Mike back. The end point is that parents measure how good at "parenting" they are based on normal baby behaviors. Most kids don't sleep through the night. That doesn't make me a bad parent. Sleeping with X will mean he wakes up more to nurse, it will also mean he won't die of SIDS or have abandonment issues. Truthfully, if he were in his crib, I would probably be sleeping on his floor anyway, or staying awake ALL night watching the monitor lights and creeping in to peek on him. Some people manage just fine, I hope at 6 months I do, because I feel like at 6 months it will be better for all of us for him to sleep in his crib. Right now, I just want him to sleep in his co-sleeper or pack and play, but that doesn't seem to be happening either. I just need to keep repeating "X's sleep habits don't make you a good or bad parent. It is just where he is developmentally, and you giving him what he needs which is you" over and over again. At least he is snuggly.
PS--I wrote this over the course of a week. It may seem choppy. Oh and X, he is sleeping on me right now because he wouldn't nap otherwise. At least dinner is already cooking.
PSS--read my disclaimer, its okay if you do this differently, I am not judging anyone, I am just justifying my decisions to myself. Yeah, I really should seek psychiatric help.
Essentially this is what it says. Babies are super vulnerable, biologically speaking. They can't eat, walk, fight, hide. Essentially, all animals are born when their brains will fit. Well, X's didn't, but you get the idea. They do not know they are born into a developed country in the 21st century. All they know is they will get eaten by something if someone is not there to protect them.
All humans are like this. We have no protection except our ability to live in groups. People wake up all night long, sense safety and go back to sleep. This is interesting for someone with insomnia like myself because I essentially wake up and DON'T sense safety and don't go back to sleep.That is an entirely different blog though. One that doesn't exist, and one that I would probably need lots of therapy to write.
The article goes on to say that as Americans we stress that babies need to learn to sleep alone, to avoid dependency issues, when in reality it is the opposite. Babies don't need to sleep alone, they need to co-sleep. This makes me feel so much better about the fact that X has never, not once, actually slept in his crib. Someday I hope he does, but again, that is more for me than for him. I want my bed back, and Mike back. The end point is that parents measure how good at "parenting" they are based on normal baby behaviors. Most kids don't sleep through the night. That doesn't make me a bad parent. Sleeping with X will mean he wakes up more to nurse, it will also mean he won't die of SIDS or have abandonment issues. Truthfully, if he were in his crib, I would probably be sleeping on his floor anyway, or staying awake ALL night watching the monitor lights and creeping in to peek on him. Some people manage just fine, I hope at 6 months I do, because I feel like at 6 months it will be better for all of us for him to sleep in his crib. Right now, I just want him to sleep in his co-sleeper or pack and play, but that doesn't seem to be happening either. I just need to keep repeating "X's sleep habits don't make you a good or bad parent. It is just where he is developmentally, and you giving him what he needs which is you" over and over again. At least he is snuggly.
PS--I wrote this over the course of a week. It may seem choppy. Oh and X, he is sleeping on me right now because he wouldn't nap otherwise. At least dinner is already cooking.
PSS--read my disclaimer, its okay if you do this differently, I am not judging anyone, I am just justifying my decisions to myself. Yeah, I really should seek psychiatric help.
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