Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Walking Zombie

Some days I feel like I'm a walking zombie.  I haven't had a full nights rest in 20 weeks.  Nothing longer than 2-3 hours.  Before Abby was born, I would have never imagined I could have survived on a schedule like that.  I'm a sleeper, I love my sleep.  I need my sleep.

I think its all catching up to me. 

I'm exhausted.  Like really exhausted.  I fell asleep at work yesterday.  Just a 10 minute cat nap, but still, I fell asleep at work.  Some days I wish I could sleep all day at work.  Although I would still have to get up to pump, which would be beyond the point of getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Some how I think I was naive to how much lack of sleep I would be getting.  I definitely think Abby is in the four month wakeful period right now.  She wakes up several times a night.  Shes wide awake and playing with her feet, but crying because she is lonely.  Shes not easily consolable, and I usually end up nursing her back to sleep.  I was hoping the introduction of cereal would help fill her tummy for the night.  I guess I need to keep my hopes it.  Its only been a few days of that. She did take 2 tablespoons last night for the first time.

I know this phase won't last forever.  And in the middle of the night, I watch her nurse by the glow of the tv and I savor every moment.  Every sleepy moment.

Hey... Old Man Winter

It's time for you to go away!  This coldness is ridiculous!  Its nearly the end of March.  It should not be 30 degrees out in the mornings anymore.  Not that I'm ready to rush into 100 degree summers, I would just like to not be chilled to the bone anymore.

The only good part to it is Abby has been able to wear some of the 3-6 month winter things I bought last summer.  I was naive to believe that she would get wear out of things that size last summer.  I found a bunch of cute things on clearance at Gymboree and I snatched them up.  Lesson learned!  I will no longer buy clothing out of her sizing, or respective season.  She might be out of 0-3 by May, and I suspect she will be in 3-6 month all summer.  She's got some 6-9 and some 12 month things, but I don't think any are seasonal, so we should be ok.

But seriously, I'm ready for spring.  I'm tired of the tease.  I have a feeling we are going to go from extreme cold to extreme hot.  That's never fun.  I'm also tired of being sick.  I would hope that the warmer weather would keep the cold bugs away.  I'm back to having postnasal drip and a crackly voice.  Coughing up flem is routine.  Blah!

Old Man Winter, go away!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Stats

Abby has her 4 month check up yesterday.  (We're a few weeks off due to the holidays.)

At 19 weeks she is 10 pounds 13 ounces and 23 inches long.  That puts her in the 1% for her weight and 4% for her height.  She's a peanut.  I don't see her growing out of the 0-3 clothes anytime soon.  I just hope that she gets some summer use out of her 3-6 month things.  At least she is getting her monies worth!

The doctor wasn't concerned at all for her small size.  He said its not uncommon for breastfed babies to be lean. He said there should be a separate growth chart for them.  He said as long as she's making plenty of wets and dirties in a day, she is fine.

She also got to start cereal yesterday.  We picked up some rice cereal on the way home.  We also set the high chair up as soon as we got home.  She seemed to enjoy the experience of eating.  It was hard to keep her hand out of her mouth so I could get the spoon in.  We managed to finish the little bit she was offered.  We also escaped without too much of a mess.  Next week we will try oatmeal and see how she likes that. I tried the cereal again this morning, but she wasn't interested.  She had already eaten and I think she was full.

She also had her shots yesterday.  She managed those like a champ.  Of course she cried, but she didn't cry long.  I think she's feeling it this morning though.  She seemed a little crabby, which is unlike her in the mornings.

After the doctors, we went to Target to pick up a few things and she got to try out her new stroller.  I bought an umbrella stroller for her, since she's wanting to sit up and see things.  The snap and go has been great, and I love it, but she's not content in it if she's awake.  I did a lot of online research and settled on the Chicco Liteway.  It seemed to have the right features for us.  Its probably a little larger than Gene wants, but I think this stroller will last us a long time.  She loved riding around in it.  She really is a people watcher!  I foresee us getting good use out of it for soccer games.

I still can't believe how fast she is changing. She looked so little and so big sitting in the high chair.  I love seeing her personality emerge.  I'm finally seeing how easy of a baby she is (knock on wood). She smiles, laughs, hardly ever fuses, loves people.  We are working on the sleeping (she only woke up once last night, not sure if that's from the cereal, the shots, or not having an afternoon nap yesterday). She loves to ride in the car, shopping cart, or stroller.  I can only hope she continues to be this easy going. :)


Monday, March 18, 2013

For this child, I prayed

Yesterday Abby became a child of God.  She was baptized.

It was again, one of those surreal moments.  To think of all those Sundays I sat in the pew and prayed.  Silently opening my heart to God, asking him for the baby I longed for.  I fought back tears thinking about, seeing my prayers being answered.

She was the perfect baby.  She sat contently with us till it was time.  She went to the minister without fuss.  She let him sprinkle her with holy water without a peep.  He lifted her up and declared her a child of God and she smiled back at him, like it was right on cue.  She sat through the rest of the service like and angel.  Taking a small cat nap during the sermon.  She was wide awake when it was over, ready for her pictures.

It was one of the two days in her life that she can wear white in front of the church.  And wear white she did.  Her gown was beautiful. A gift from my mother.  Embroidered with her name and the date.  She had little white shoes, adorned with Shamrocks.  (For St. Patty's Day).  I found it fitting that the little Irish girl got baptized on St. Patty's Day. 

Its one of those moments in her life that has come and gone too quickly.  I want to hold on to everything because it seems to go by faster than I can take it all in.  But it was truly the day I said thank you to God.


Friday, March 15, 2013

A memory that will never fade

Today is the one year anniversary of the day I found out I was pregnant.  Its been 365 days since I became a mother.

Its a day I'll never forget.  That agonizing feeling on whether or not I should take a test.  That pit in my stomach when I did, and then drop I felt when the positive line appeared before the control.  That shaking fear/excitement I had as I woke Gene up.  Then, as he held me tight as the thought sunk in. Its hard to believe that a year has already passed.

This morning I woke up to a happy, smiling baby.  (Who quite possibly could be going through the 4 month wakeful period right now, because we were up several times last night!).  But, nonetheless, she was so precious to see this morning.  Her warm cheek snuggling the crook in my neck.  The bright smile she gives when she finally opens her eyes and sees its me that's holding her. Its all unimaginable.

I thank god every day for this opportunity.

Monday, March 11, 2013

You Evil Bug You!

So the pediatrician said it was probably just the start of her getting the nasty crud going around. He confirmed instantly that it wasn't her ears, and she wasn't teething.  I guess my mothering instincts were right, because I didn't believe it was either of those.

Yes, she has been rubbing her ears, but she does that when she's tired.  She just needs to be removed of stimulation and soothed to sleep and she will be fine. 

Yes, I do think that she might be getting teeth, but I don't think its time yet.  He assured me that with a fever that high, that its not teething.

He did do a finger stick to check her CBC.  That came back normal.  That ruled out a mysterious infection.  The last thing he wanted to check was her urine.  He didn't suspect a UTI, but he just wanted to make sure.  And just as suspected, that was negative too.  Although someone traumatic, more the betadine and alcohol than the cath itself.

So, with advice to give Tylenol as needed, we went home to weather the weekend. 

She still slept awful Friday and Saturday nights.  My philosophy was bad sleep was better than no sleep, so co-sleeping it was.  She wouldn't dare have it any other way.  Thankfully, last night she was able to lay in her own bed with no problems.  (well, except for the paci kept falling out).

The fever broke on Saturday and she was back to her little perky self.  She took two good naps yesterday and went to bed without problems.  She's not showing any signs of further cold symptoms.  I don't know if she will or not.  She gets a crusty nose every now and then, and the occasionally snot bubble. 

She was happy to go back to daycare today.  Life returns to normal.  I hope all future illnesses are this easy (or at least now I know what to do, so that makes it easier, right?!?!)

Friday, March 8, 2013

I can tell by the look in your eyes

My mother used to be able to tell when I wasn't feeling well because she could tell by the look in my eyes.  I'm not one for sympathy, or coddling, so I never outwardly expressed when I didn't feel well, unless I really didn't feel well.

Now I understand what she means.  I can see it in Abby's eyes.  Those big bluish grey eyes, looking at me, deep into me, going straight to my heart.

She's currently running a fever.  Yesterday afternoon is was 101, its still close to that this morning.  She's not her perky self, although she's still smiling.  Her little cries are pathetic.  More like whimpers.  She just wants to be held and snuggled.

I don't know what it is.  The daycare thinks its just teething.  But they say she's been tugging on her ear.  I called as soon as I could this morning and got her an appointment with the pediatrician.  I hope its not her ears.  I really hope its nothing, but I know with a fever like that, it can't be.

I know this isn't the last time she will be sick, but it breaks my heart to see her uncomfortable.  Although I do love the baby snuggles, I would rather snuggle with a happy baby than a sick one.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Proud Mama

This morning, JJ was inducted in the Jr. Beta Club.  This is a service club/honor society.  It has strict rules regarding grades and behavior.  We were excited that JJ was invited to participate.  We hope this can be a motivation for him to keep his behavior in check and stop acting out.

The students were asked to dress in their Sunday best.  JJ was excited to wear his sport coat and tie to school.  He even wanted to continue to wear it through out the day.  He looked so dapper.  He really is becoming a little man.

After the ceremony was over, the parents had a chance to take some photos.  JJ wasn't really willing to get photos with his parents, but I managed to get him to smile long enough to get at least one.  We then realized what he really wanted to do.  He wanted his photo taken with the club president.  A really cute brunette, upperclassman!  Way to go JJ.  I think we are about to have our hands full.

We made sure that this moment was about JJ.  Everyone asked me where Abby was.  I had decided that she would get dropped at daycare before we took him to school this morning.  For one, I didn't want her to interrupt things.  And two, I really wanted JJ to be the focus.  He needed to see that we recognized his efforts and that the focus from us (and everyone else there) was on him, not her.  I hope that he had the insight to see this.  He might not right now, but hopefully someday.  For know, we just get to enjoy having a kid in the smarty pants club!

4-5-11

I should have written this post yesterday, but I forgot till I was on the way home, and then it was too late.  So, its a day late.

Yesterday was/is a special day for our family.  March 6, is JJ's other special day.  It was the day he came to America, and began his new life with his forever family.  Its like a second birthday to him, but no presents.  We celebrate with love and affection and a reminder that hes so important to us.

Because of school and activities, its harder to plan celebrations, so Friday will be let him choose somewhere to go out to eat to celebrate.  We will celebrate 11 years this year.

That day is also important to our family.  That is the day that we took the step to secure our bond forever.  March 6, 2008 is the day Gene and I became engaged.  I can't believe I've been wearing that beautiful ring on my finger for 5 years now.  It really has gone by fast.  To look back at those pictures and see how much JJ has changed.  How he's not the little boy anymore, but the little man. I feel honored that Gene chose such and important day in his life to share with me.  I'm not sure Gene really thought much into the symbolism when he chose that day.  For me, it was the moment that two became three.

Now we have 4.  A sweet little thing that's 4 months old already!  She's quite the happy baby.  She loves to smile and "talk" to you.   Don't get her wrong though, she can through a hissy fit better than her mama.  She's learning to voice her opinions, and she's quite stubborn about it.  She's learning to pull herself toward a sitting position.  She wants to be upright so she can swivel that little head around and see what's going on.  Just like her mom and dad, watching people wherever she goes. 

She can grab things now.  She's not afraid to grab a chunk of my hair.  She doesn't pull yet, she just holds on.  She has learned to pick up toys and move them around.  I'm still not certain the movements are deliberate because it always seems that the toy ends up far away from her, for which she gets upset about.

She has learned to love the pacifier.  It still has trouble staying in her mouth sometimes, but she's learning how to grab it.  Soon I think she will be able to put it back in.  She often sleeps with one and she will let you know if she has awoken and its not in her mouth.  Thankfully, most of the time she can doze right back off once you get in her mouth.

I'm amazed by our little family.  We've come a long way.  We are unique and I'm proud of that. I think this calls for a toast.... lemonade anyone?

Monday, March 4, 2013

You're a Good Woman

I can imagine for many its hard to understand our modern family.  But for me, I know no different.  And I entered into this situation on my own free will, knowing all the strings that came attached. 

Yes, there are times I don't like it.  Like, for instances, after a long day at work and I come home to find the white GMC SUV is still in the driveway, thus signalling that pick up is still in progress.  This was particularly hard during those darkest IFV days when all I wanted to do was crawl into bed in cry.  Now its hard because all I want to do is take my baby into my arms and snuggle alone with her, but I have to "share" her for the moment.

The modern family sat together at church this weekend.  JJ's mom doesn't attend our church (anymore), but JJ's attending a confirmation class before Sunday service and she decided to stay for service afterward.  So it was quite the pew full.  This isn't the first time we've all done this, and it won't be the last, but it was the first for no special reason.  (Not a holiday, or the children doing something special).  We share our usual row with the sweetest elderly woman.   After church she found me in the nursery to see Abby and she told me that I was a "good woman".  She was curious to know what brought about today's visitation.  Nothing particular I told her, that's just our life.

I don't think of myself as a good woman.  The separation was amicable.  There is no hard feelings between them.  They have each moved on with their lives.  We are connected by one thing.  One special thing that doesn't deserve to know anything but happiness.  And its my job to make sure he gets nothing but that.


Friday, March 1, 2013

It might kill me, but it makes her happy

Daycare is gonna kill me.  I can already feel it.  This sickness needs to go away. And STAY AWAY!  (I know that's not going to happen, but I can hope).

Most people were surprised that Abby goes to daycare.  As opposed to having a family member watch her at home.  But I feel that daycare is a good things for her.  For the social her.  She seems to really enjoy people and groups.  She loves to watch her surroundings  (She gets that from both Gene and I).  Just last night I carried her in the Moby at the grocery store, hoping she would fall asleep as soon as we started walking around, but she didn't.  She stayed alert the whole time, looking around.  Smiling at everyone who would talk to her.  (And no old lady, she is not huge for a 3 1/2 month old.  If you actually saw her out of the wrap, she is rather small!) 

I'm glad she has some place to go everyday to interact with other people and things.  As her mental development grows, she will learn a lot from having other children to interact with.  I think not being the center of attention all day as helped her learn to soothe herself better.  And, that may just be a skill learned with age and not surroundings, but I probably do have a tendency to jump on her every whimper.


Of course I would love to be at home with her, but I think this is the best arrangement.  Its hard to leave her in the mornings, but she's always so happy to be there.  And, at the end of the day, when I show up to pick her up, she has that same big smile on her face when she sees me.