When I arrived to pick him up one day, this is what he looked like after falling asleep with his book.
This is what he looked like today.....
Amazing, hunh!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Naps at Daycare
Because he has a hard time falling asleep on his back, the teachers allow Charlie to fall asleep in his bouncy chair, and then they transport him to his crib. In order to fall asleep, he needs to hold on to a "lovie" (as my friend's mom calls it). For Charlie, that lovie can be a hand, a plush, stuffed animal, or a blanket. At the daycare, his lovie is a cloth book.
When I arrived to pick him up one day, this is what he looked like after falling asleep with his book.
This is what he looked like today.....
Amazing, hunh!
When I arrived to pick him up one day, this is what he looked like after falling asleep with his book.
This is what he looked like today.....
Amazing, hunh!
Teacher Appreciation Day
Teacher Appreciation Day was celebrated at Charlie's school a few weeks ago. The school provided parents with a list of each teacher's likes as well as what was going to be done on each day. On that Monday, the children were to write a sweet letter to their teacher. Since my baby obviously can't write a letter, I made shirts for all the teachers who care for him at some point in the day, and he wore a different shirt every day for three days.
I didn't get a picture of the third one, but it was cute. I was going to make one that said "You are Charlie's Angel", but he got sick and I had to take him to the doctor.
I also bought gifts for each teacher and the front office staff, took in flowers, and brought a dessert for their luncheon.
I had a blast, and I look forward to doing it next year!
I didn't get a picture of the third one, but it was cute. I was going to make one that said "You are Charlie's Angel", but he got sick and I had to take him to the doctor.
I also bought gifts for each teacher and the front office staff, took in flowers, and brought a dessert for their luncheon.
I had a blast, and I look forward to doing it next year!
Baby Food
Zack bought us the Baby Bullet (BB) soon after returning from the hospital because he couldn't wait to make organic baby food. We just started using it within the last month as we are now introducing Charlie to vegetables and fruits. Zack has made avocado and bananas, and those were the first foods we gave to the baby.
Zack demanded that I use the BB yesterday even though I didn't feel good and wanted to crash on the sofa in my Snuggie. After taking a decent about of pressure from him, I decided to make some sweet peas. I was amazed... and addicted...
I made peas, zucchini, and apples, and I would've made more, but I ran out of stuff to make. I LOVED putting the food in the little storage containers and the food "jars".
After comparing the color of the home foods to the jarred stuff from the grocery store, I don't ever want to give my baby jarred food.
The jar is a jar of peas from an organic baby food company, and my peas are the dark green in the top row (organic, frozen peas from Whole Foods).
Check out my first frozen stash!!! I'm so proud!!!
Far left: Avocado
Top left and bottom second column: apples
Second from the right: Zucchini
Far right: Peas
Zack demanded that I use the BB yesterday even though I didn't feel good and wanted to crash on the sofa in my Snuggie. After taking a decent about of pressure from him, I decided to make some sweet peas. I was amazed... and addicted...
I made peas, zucchini, and apples, and I would've made more, but I ran out of stuff to make. I LOVED putting the food in the little storage containers and the food "jars".
After comparing the color of the home foods to the jarred stuff from the grocery store, I don't ever want to give my baby jarred food.
The jar is a jar of peas from an organic baby food company, and my peas are the dark green in the top row (organic, frozen peas from Whole Foods).
Check out my first frozen stash!!! I'm so proud!!!
Far left: Avocado
Top left and bottom second column: apples
Second from the right: Zucchini
Far right: Peas
Surprised to Find...
My husband is totally into helping with the baby. As a matter of fact, he is like an over protective mother. He helps give baths, change diapers, and will feed him (with a bottle, of course).
I was going through Charlie's hamper so that I could wash his clothes, and I found this...
I immediately think, "WTF!!! Zack wiped Charlie's butt with his bib?!?!?!"
I march downstairs holding the two bibs and firmly state that "this" will NEVER happen to Charlie's bibs again... EVER!
Zack looks at me and say, "What?"
I frown and say, "This!!! This doesn't happen and not get soaked in water and oxy clean!"
He shrugs and says, "Steph, its only peas."
Long story short... the bibs are stained forever!
I was going through Charlie's hamper so that I could wash his clothes, and I found this...
I immediately think, "WTF!!! Zack wiped Charlie's butt with his bib?!?!?!"
I march downstairs holding the two bibs and firmly state that "this" will NEVER happen to Charlie's bibs again... EVER!
Zack looks at me and say, "What?"
I frown and say, "This!!! This doesn't happen and not get soaked in water and oxy clean!"
He shrugs and says, "Steph, its only peas."
Long story short... the bibs are stained forever!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Leaky Faucets
There are things I'm starting to take for granted (probably because I'm so tired with trying to keep up three jobs: wife, mother, teacher) like the amount of time it takes to get ready and out of the house on time or having a pre-packed lunch for the next day.
Another thing I take for granted are nursing pads. They're those little maxi pads for your "leaky faucets". I stopped wearing them about a month and a half ago when I ran out. I decided that I didn't really need them if I pumped or nursed regularly. And I was pumping regularly when I firt went back to work. I pumped at 6:30a, 9:30a, 12:15p, 4:45p, and then I nursed whenever he wanted until 6:30a the next day.
Well, the pumping has now been taken for granted, and i now pump at 12:25 and MAYBE at 6:00p... I'm just too darn busy OR too damn tired.
This neglect of my motherly duties has led to "leaky faucets"... Without nursing pads. I noticed them yesterday in my brand new, full-priced, sexy chic VS bra. (*thinking: "Good going, Steph. Thank goodness Zack bought you little laundry bags for your bras so that you don't have to try and clean this by hand.)
I woke 30 minutes ago to nurse the baby. (note: I neglected to wear the nursing sports bra I ALWAYS wear to bed because I was too tired to find it and put it on)
I touched his little booty and noticed it was wet. The entire bottom right side (the side my left boob was lying on) was soaking wet. I automatically figured he wet himself until I realized that he laid on his left side all night, so the left side should be wet.
I decided to taste the shirt (don't judge me) to confirm my second hypothesis... It was confirmed. The "pee" turned out to be breast milk, and my poor baby with the wet night gown was still nursing on my right boob either unaware or simply not caring that his gown was wet.
I'll be going to the store today to buy more nursing pads.
Another thing I take for granted are nursing pads. They're those little maxi pads for your "leaky faucets". I stopped wearing them about a month and a half ago when I ran out. I decided that I didn't really need them if I pumped or nursed regularly. And I was pumping regularly when I firt went back to work. I pumped at 6:30a, 9:30a, 12:15p, 4:45p, and then I nursed whenever he wanted until 6:30a the next day.
Well, the pumping has now been taken for granted, and i now pump at 12:25 and MAYBE at 6:00p... I'm just too darn busy OR too damn tired.
This neglect of my motherly duties has led to "leaky faucets"... Without nursing pads. I noticed them yesterday in my brand new, full-priced, sexy chic VS bra. (*thinking: "Good going, Steph. Thank goodness Zack bought you little laundry bags for your bras so that you don't have to try and clean this by hand.)
I woke 30 minutes ago to nurse the baby. (note: I neglected to wear the nursing sports bra I ALWAYS wear to bed because I was too tired to find it and put it on)
I touched his little booty and noticed it was wet. The entire bottom right side (the side my left boob was lying on) was soaking wet. I automatically figured he wet himself until I realized that he laid on his left side all night, so the left side should be wet.
I decided to taste the shirt (don't judge me) to confirm my second hypothesis... It was confirmed. The "pee" turned out to be breast milk, and my poor baby with the wet night gown was still nursing on my right boob either unaware or simply not caring that his gown was wet.
I'll be going to the store today to buy more nursing pads.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Teething Mistake
Charlie is drooling everywhere and has now started chewing on his fingers. We assume that he must be beginning the teething process... so what do we do?
Break out the teething rings... but first, they must be sterilized.
My sweet husband decides to bypass the sterilizer bags and boil them in water.
This is what I find after he tells me that they're probably done.... THIRTY MINUTES LATER!!!!!
All the teethers melted together.
*sigh*
Break out the teething rings... but first, they must be sterilized.
My sweet husband decides to bypass the sterilizer bags and boil them in water.
This is what I find after he tells me that they're probably done.... THIRTY MINUTES LATER!!!!!
All the teethers melted together.
*sigh*
Thursday, May 19, 2011
And I Say, "My Baby Sweats Roses!!!"
A friend of mine just returned to work from her maternity leave, and (as mothers do) we spent a decent portion of our time chit chatting about baby and mommy stuff. Well, the topic of baby baths came up. Here she was in front of me saying that she bathed her baby every... Single... Day... Everyday!!! And I smiled at her.
"Everyday?"
She confirmed. I guess from the look on my face she assumed that I didn't bathe Charlie every day...
And you know what?
She was right. *shrug*
I replied that I (this is the point where you turn off your judge-ometer) give him a bath at least once a week, twice if we're both lucky... But I usually shoot for twice: Sundays and Wednesdays.
Of course, she explodes in laughter, and I felt like maybe I was doing something wrong... Like not fully explaining my position. I spent the next 15-20 minutes and another 15 minutes the next day trying to explain myself. All I did was draw more laughter and side-eye looks from other co-workers. I gave up and concluded that I needed to etch more time into my day to throw baby into some bath water.
So... I work up early (the same time) on Monday morning to give him a bath... In the sink because it's just waaaaay too much effort to pull out that baby tub and ruin my back for the day. We made a mess with the water, but he was good and clean. We bathed him again Thursday... He'll get another today or tomorrow... And that's as good as it gets. He'll now get three baths a week because there isn't enough time or energy in a day.
When he starts developin big boy stank, I'll be sure to dip him is water every night... And teenage boy stank will be upgraded to afternoon and morning showers... But until then, my baby sweats roses.
"Everyday?"
She confirmed. I guess from the look on my face she assumed that I didn't bathe Charlie every day...
And you know what?
She was right. *shrug*
I replied that I (this is the point where you turn off your judge-ometer) give him a bath at least once a week, twice if we're both lucky... But I usually shoot for twice: Sundays and Wednesdays.
Of course, she explodes in laughter, and I felt like maybe I was doing something wrong... Like not fully explaining my position. I spent the next 15-20 minutes and another 15 minutes the next day trying to explain myself. All I did was draw more laughter and side-eye looks from other co-workers. I gave up and concluded that I needed to etch more time into my day to throw baby into some bath water.
So... I work up early (the same time) on Monday morning to give him a bath... In the sink because it's just waaaaay too much effort to pull out that baby tub and ruin my back for the day. We made a mess with the water, but he was good and clean. We bathed him again Thursday... He'll get another today or tomorrow... And that's as good as it gets. He'll now get three baths a week because there isn't enough time or energy in a day.
When he starts developin big boy stank, I'll be sure to dip him is water every night... And teenage boy stank will be upgraded to afternoon and morning showers... But until then, my baby sweats roses.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
My first Mother's Day was really nice! I'm so blessed to have such an amazing baby! He's better than I ever could've hoped for... I wonder if he'll ever know how much I love him or how awesome I think he is...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Solitary Confinement
Twice a day I go to a little room near the counselors office so that I can pump. This room contains nothing more than a desk, two chairs, and an empty bookcase. The walls are an institutional mauve-like color, and there is a clock on the wall that (I now realize after all this time) is frozen at 3:58 and 57 seconds. The clock is seems to always disappoint me... First, it doesn't work, then it never got to 4:00!
Now, in this tiny room and with the droning sound of my pump... I'm pissed off that the clock never made it to four. The batteries couldn't wait a measly minute and three seconds!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Broken Sleep
When I was in college, I chose whether or not I slept for a full eight hours or not. If I had something to finish (like a 25 page paper I waited until the last minute to complete), I would go to bed early and wake at 2 or 3 in the morning to finish the assignment. I would work until my first class at 8am and go to class with a good amount of energy to complete my day... which was over at 1pm. I spent a lot of time in the mirror with Visine trying to get rid of the redness and burning sensation in my eyes.
I figured nothing would be worse than that. Well, I guess I hadn't factored in motherhood.
I have the perfect baby... he is cuter than I could've ever hoped for, he ALWAYS smiles and laughs, he loves to cuddle, he doesn't cry often, he goes to bed at 7:30, and he takes long naps.
but.......
This little kid wakes up in the night every two and a half to three hours to eat. He sleeps in the bed with us because I can't handle getting him out of his crib and nursing him and placing him back in the crib.
What gets me is that he doesn't cry when he's hungry, but instead, he will kick, flail his arms, and claw at my face. I try to ignore it hoping that he goes back to sleep, but he only becomes more violent until I pick him up and put a boob in his mouth.
He'll only nurse for about 15-20 minutes, and in the meantime, I go back to sleep... but last night was terrible!
He seemed to be awake every hour and a half. He was up so much that I just decided to start getting ready for work at 4:30 because it didn't make sense to go back to sleep.
Parents with young children kept saying, "He'll sleep through the night when you start feeding him cereal." I prayed that this was true, but I didn't keep my hopes up.
And for good reason... it seems that adding the cereal to his bottle has made him even more ravenous. He has increased his intake to 4.5 ounces of milk plus two tablespoons of cereal. I'm actually having to supplement with formula almost full-time since I send him to school with all the milk I can pump (4 four oz bottles).
He's only in the 10th percentile for his size, but based on how he's eating now, he'll be in the 90th percentile in no time!
I figured nothing would be worse than that. Well, I guess I hadn't factored in motherhood.
I have the perfect baby... he is cuter than I could've ever hoped for, he ALWAYS smiles and laughs, he loves to cuddle, he doesn't cry often, he goes to bed at 7:30, and he takes long naps.
but.......
This little kid wakes up in the night every two and a half to three hours to eat. He sleeps in the bed with us because I can't handle getting him out of his crib and nursing him and placing him back in the crib.
What gets me is that he doesn't cry when he's hungry, but instead, he will kick, flail his arms, and claw at my face. I try to ignore it hoping that he goes back to sleep, but he only becomes more violent until I pick him up and put a boob in his mouth.
He'll only nurse for about 15-20 minutes, and in the meantime, I go back to sleep... but last night was terrible!
He seemed to be awake every hour and a half. He was up so much that I just decided to start getting ready for work at 4:30 because it didn't make sense to go back to sleep.
Parents with young children kept saying, "He'll sleep through the night when you start feeding him cereal." I prayed that this was true, but I didn't keep my hopes up.
And for good reason... it seems that adding the cereal to his bottle has made him even more ravenous. He has increased his intake to 4.5 ounces of milk plus two tablespoons of cereal. I'm actually having to supplement with formula almost full-time since I send him to school with all the milk I can pump (4 four oz bottles).
He's only in the 10th percentile for his size, but based on how he's eating now, he'll be in the 90th percentile in no time!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sheep Dog
Soooooooo..... according to pregnancy literature, some women lose a lot of hair after they give birth due to the fluctuations in hormones and blah, blah, blah. The last thing I read said that women usually shed hair for an entire year.
Well, if that is the case, I will be bald by Charlie's first birthday. I have been shedding hair like a friggin sheep dog. Its everywhere! In the kitchen, in the laundry room, in the fridge, wrapped in the folds of baby's neck. My hair literally rolls around like tumbleweeds in the desert.
If I run my hands through my hair, I'm guaranteed to have a few strands of hair wrapped around my fingers. I'm actually "balding" in spots where I've always had thin hair.
I'm so nervous about the hair loss that I'm considering setting up standing appointments for twice a month at the salon. I'm thinking about pre-paying for the service to ensure that I don't get lazy and return to my regular habit of getting my hair done when its absolutely necessary (every eight weeks or when it's so nappy that I can't comb it).
Well, if that is the case, I will be bald by Charlie's first birthday. I have been shedding hair like a friggin sheep dog. Its everywhere! In the kitchen, in the laundry room, in the fridge, wrapped in the folds of baby's neck. My hair literally rolls around like tumbleweeds in the desert.
If I run my hands through my hair, I'm guaranteed to have a few strands of hair wrapped around my fingers. I'm actually "balding" in spots where I've always had thin hair.
I'm so nervous about the hair loss that I'm considering setting up standing appointments for twice a month at the salon. I'm thinking about pre-paying for the service to ensure that I don't get lazy and return to my regular habit of getting my hair done when its absolutely necessary (every eight weeks or when it's so nappy that I can't comb it).
Snuggles
My husband is not a snuggler, but I'm in luck because my Charlie is the KING of snuggling... he's absolutely perfect for it! This is how we sleep every night. I love it!
Fleeting
I was reminded that I hadn't blogged in forever, and I vowed that I would write a post. That was three days ago. *sigh*
There is no time for anything (besides Words with Friends), and I always seem to be busy preparing for the next day or trying to keep my house from looking like land mines exploded in every room. Seriously... Time FLIES by once I walk in the door at 4:45pm. I'm either washing bottles or making sandwiches for lunch or washing a load of clothes or figuring out what we're going to have for dinner. I try to think of ways to save time or become more efficient, but I've failed at that because I can't seem to find a way around my 8:30 bedtime.
My schedule like this:
4:30- pick up Charlie
4:45- settle in at the house
5:00- scavenge for dinner, soak bottles
5:30- pump
6:00- eat something
6:30- watch tv, feed baby
7:00- pack bottles for daycare (baby goes to sleep for the night)
7:30- wash bottles, fix sandwiches
8:00- attempt to complete a household chore
8:30- pick out clothes for me and baby
9:00- go to bed
10:00, 1:00am, 3:30am- nurse baby
5:00-7:00am- wake up and get ready for the day (pump, feed and dress baby, make sure I have everything for the day)
7:20am- leave for daycare or work
8:00am-3:50pm- work
4:30- repeat
It is a never ending cycle of work! I can't believe that I ever said that I "didn't have time" before I had a baby. At this point in time, I look for every little second I can to get something done.
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