Monday, July 28, 2008
Aubrey's 3 month pics
We thought she would be crabby after being sick all weekend, but somehow our little one rose to the occasion for her 3 month pictures. Enjoy!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
ER Insanity
The last few weeks have been really challenging for me as a new mom. First of all, we started daycare two weeks ago. I went from the comfort of knowing she was being cared for by my mom (I turned out fine, right?), to "here stranger, take the most precious thing in my life and treat it as I would." Luckily, we found wonderful child care with the help of good friends and they have been great to Aubrey.
Things had just started feeling comfortable again when Aubrey came down with an ear infection. Parenting fact: whenever you feel like things start to go smoothly, they always throw you a curve ball.
The first time your child is sick is a real threat to all of the instincts you have developed as a mom to that point. You suddenly are unable to calm the child you have spent months getting to know and everything you think you've learned has gone out the window.
It all started Thursday night with screaming. My baby was in PAIN and I knew it, but I didn't know why. Then came the fever. I was a little worried, so I called her doctor who ran through the signs of an emergency, and sure enough...in about an hour...she had all of them. Kyle wasn't home, and I wasn't going to wait for a call back, I threw Aubrey in the car and we headed to the hospital by ourselves. The only thing worse than taking your infant to the ER is taking her alone. But, as it was, I didn't get phone reception at the hospital so we were in parental limbo.
After a couple of hours in the ER, we were released with meds and Aubrey went right to sleep as soon as we got home. Of course, I didn't sleep at all. I was completely beside myself over an all-too-common ear infection. She ran a fever almost all night, which had me contemplating sleeping on her floor...seriously, I considered it.
The next day was no better...worse, in fact. Poor thing was either sleeping or crying all day. She wouldn't let me put her down, even for a second. I went the entire day until Kyle got home without even brushing my teeth and barely eating. I stood by the counter and picked Pringles out of a can for lunch. Even on my worst days during maternity leave I at least took a shower and brushed my teeth. I felt so helpless while I waited for the meds to kick in and provide her some degree of relief.
Finally, they did. At about 5:00 that night...just in time for daddy to get home and enjoy the first smile all day (of course). Parenting fact number two: they are always on their "A-game" when dad gets home. Luckily, I am married to the wonderful man that I am, who brought home takeout from one of my favorite Italian restaurants in hopes of lifting my spirits even a tad. It did.
She spent the rest of the weekend gradually improving. We're still not 100%, and I say we because I spent most of the weekend with my nerves on edge and a less than normal amount of sleep. But tonight, I think I'll be able to rest peacefully. Starting at 9. :)
Things had just started feeling comfortable again when Aubrey came down with an ear infection. Parenting fact: whenever you feel like things start to go smoothly, they always throw you a curve ball.
The first time your child is sick is a real threat to all of the instincts you have developed as a mom to that point. You suddenly are unable to calm the child you have spent months getting to know and everything you think you've learned has gone out the window.
It all started Thursday night with screaming. My baby was in PAIN and I knew it, but I didn't know why. Then came the fever. I was a little worried, so I called her doctor who ran through the signs of an emergency, and sure enough...in about an hour...she had all of them. Kyle wasn't home, and I wasn't going to wait for a call back, I threw Aubrey in the car and we headed to the hospital by ourselves. The only thing worse than taking your infant to the ER is taking her alone. But, as it was, I didn't get phone reception at the hospital so we were in parental limbo.
After a couple of hours in the ER, we were released with meds and Aubrey went right to sleep as soon as we got home. Of course, I didn't sleep at all. I was completely beside myself over an all-too-common ear infection. She ran a fever almost all night, which had me contemplating sleeping on her floor...seriously, I considered it.
The next day was no better...worse, in fact. Poor thing was either sleeping or crying all day. She wouldn't let me put her down, even for a second. I went the entire day until Kyle got home without even brushing my teeth and barely eating. I stood by the counter and picked Pringles out of a can for lunch. Even on my worst days during maternity leave I at least took a shower and brushed my teeth. I felt so helpless while I waited for the meds to kick in and provide her some degree of relief.
Finally, they did. At about 5:00 that night...just in time for daddy to get home and enjoy the first smile all day (of course). Parenting fact number two: they are always on their "A-game" when dad gets home. Luckily, I am married to the wonderful man that I am, who brought home takeout from one of my favorite Italian restaurants in hopes of lifting my spirits even a tad. It did.
She spent the rest of the weekend gradually improving. We're still not 100%, and I say we because I spent most of the weekend with my nerves on edge and a less than normal amount of sleep. But tonight, I think I'll be able to rest peacefully. Starting at 9. :)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Mommies are a girls best friend
After the experience of pregnancy and childbirth, I have a whole new appreciation for my girlfriends. As any new mommy will tell you, it is comforting to be able to confide in someone, especially the not-so-pretty details of a 17-hour labor or the first few weeks of sleep deprivation, and know you aren't facing judgment. My girlfriends are women who really care about what a having a jelly belly feels like and why I cried every day the first week I sent Aubrey to daycare. And it's not exclusive to my girlfriends who have children, either. I have experienced the same warmth and support from all of my friends.
The thing that continually amazes me, though, is the attention you get from people who are complete strangers. When you start carrying a baby around, everyone talks to you...EVERYONE.
Looking back, it actually started while I was pregnant...the world loves a pregnant lady. I had only one stranger touch my belly, but the night I went into labor, I was waddling around the grocery store and a woman stopped me to tell me she "had babies on the mind" and seeing me was a sign.
By now, men and women of all ages have stopped me while I'm out and about wanting to see my baby and tell me about...well, anyone they know, really...who has had kids. My favorite people are the other moms, though. All of a sudden, NOTHING is off-limits. They will tell you the most intimate details of their childbirth experience and ask you whether you're breastfeeding as well as other various questions regarding your lady parts.
It's like you've joined a secret club and the most private details of your life are completely on the table. And you know what? It doesn't even seem that weird after you've had countless people you've never met experiencing the greatest miracle of your life while your in more pain than anyone can possibly imagine and your face is so swollen your own husband can barely recognize you and you're puking into anything you can find because nothing can give you enough relief...not that that happened to me or anything.
I will say that I am not quick to dish any really private details to complete strangers. And although it doesn't bother me, it never ceases to amaze me what they ask. Today, I went to pick up my contacts and one of the women behind the counter asked how my labor was and then wanted to high-five me for birthing a nine pound baby. It was actually pretty sweet, because although it was no piece of cake, I didn't get a medal for it, and when I thought about it later, I secretly appreciated the "way to go."
The thing that continually amazes me, though, is the attention you get from people who are complete strangers. When you start carrying a baby around, everyone talks to you...EVERYONE.
Looking back, it actually started while I was pregnant...the world loves a pregnant lady. I had only one stranger touch my belly, but the night I went into labor, I was waddling around the grocery store and a woman stopped me to tell me she "had babies on the mind" and seeing me was a sign.
By now, men and women of all ages have stopped me while I'm out and about wanting to see my baby and tell me about...well, anyone they know, really...who has had kids. My favorite people are the other moms, though. All of a sudden, NOTHING is off-limits. They will tell you the most intimate details of their childbirth experience and ask you whether you're breastfeeding as well as other various questions regarding your lady parts.
It's like you've joined a secret club and the most private details of your life are completely on the table. And you know what? It doesn't even seem that weird after you've had countless people you've never met experiencing the greatest miracle of your life while your in more pain than anyone can possibly imagine and your face is so swollen your own husband can barely recognize you and you're puking into anything you can find because nothing can give you enough relief...not that that happened to me or anything.
I will say that I am not quick to dish any really private details to complete strangers. And although it doesn't bother me, it never ceases to amaze me what they ask. Today, I went to pick up my contacts and one of the women behind the counter asked how my labor was and then wanted to high-five me for birthing a nine pound baby. It was actually pretty sweet, because although it was no piece of cake, I didn't get a medal for it, and when I thought about it later, I secretly appreciated the "way to go."
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Kiss Count
Many times Kyle and I have wondered how much we kiss our baby in one day. This morning, I thought I'd try to count...I lost track within the first half hour. Poor kid, she's not loved at all.
Some more cutie pics to share!
Some more cutie pics to share!
Aubrey's first 4th of July
The 4th of July has long been my favorite holiday for many reasons, and this year I finally realized it's biggest appeal: it's a no-fuss holiday. This is particularly convenient when you have an infant. You don't have the stress of finding the perfect gift, you don't have to travel...just show up with a salad and enjoy spending the day with friends and family. It's the perfect holiday. Not to mention the fireworks...who doesn't love fireworks? This year fireworks and infant didn't mesh. Maybe next year we'll enjoy those again.
Of course, Aubrey had to have a new outfit for the occasion.
Of course, Aubrey had to have a new outfit for the occasion.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Aubrey's first trip to Grandma and Grandpa Schuman's
Pics from Aubrey's trip to Fort Dodge two weeks ago. She got to meet Grandma Judy for the first time. Judy cared for the Schuman children beginning when Kyle was 1 year old. She is a big reason why he grew up to be the wonderful person/husband he is today.
This one isn't from Fort Dodge, but it's really cute, so I tossed it in with the rest.
This one isn't from Fort Dodge, but it's really cute, so I tossed it in with the rest.
Stolen Hours
One interesting thing about being a mom is you see hours of the night that you haven't been awake for since college. The first few weeks, Aubrey slept about 3 hours at a time and I would get up to change and feed her and we would sit in the rocking chair and cuddle during the quietest hours of the night. She would look up at me and around her room and eventually drift off into a peaceful sleep. It was incredibly sweet, and I loved it...for about 3 weeks.
Around that time, the lack of sleep began catching up with me and by the time the 3 a.m. feeding came around, I was running into walls and tripping over her crib. Some days, the stress of caring for an infant all day by myself would bring me to tears. I never minded the actual getting up part, it was functioning on so little sleep that could bring me to my knees. Still, I enjoyed rocking her back to sleep and watching her gaze at the shadows on the wall. It was our time...just the two of us and I was experiencing a bond with her that I will always remember.
Aubrey has now been sleeping through the night for the last 6 weeks, and as I rocked her last night, it dawned on me that those weeks of watching her stare at shadows with her lips pursed in an "O" were past us. On one hand, life is much easier because Kyle and I are getting sleep. On the other hand, I will never get that time back.
So each night I rock her to bed around 8:00, feeling a little cheated that I get to see so little of my daughter by the time I get home from work, make dinner, wash bottles, etc. I always linger a while with her in my arms just to cuddle a few extra minutes.
I now wake up each morning at 5 a.m., which is something I never would have considered previous to parenthood. After getting myself ready, I wake up Aubrey, feed her and we sit quietly for a few minutes before we begin our day...just the two of us. I am exhausted every night before I go to bed, but I wake up every morning at the same time because now I enjoy it. I feel like I've stolen a few extra hours in the day just for us.
Around that time, the lack of sleep began catching up with me and by the time the 3 a.m. feeding came around, I was running into walls and tripping over her crib. Some days, the stress of caring for an infant all day by myself would bring me to tears. I never minded the actual getting up part, it was functioning on so little sleep that could bring me to my knees. Still, I enjoyed rocking her back to sleep and watching her gaze at the shadows on the wall. It was our time...just the two of us and I was experiencing a bond with her that I will always remember.
Aubrey has now been sleeping through the night for the last 6 weeks, and as I rocked her last night, it dawned on me that those weeks of watching her stare at shadows with her lips pursed in an "O" were past us. On one hand, life is much easier because Kyle and I are getting sleep. On the other hand, I will never get that time back.
So each night I rock her to bed around 8:00, feeling a little cheated that I get to see so little of my daughter by the time I get home from work, make dinner, wash bottles, etc. I always linger a while with her in my arms just to cuddle a few extra minutes.
I now wake up each morning at 5 a.m., which is something I never would have considered previous to parenthood. After getting myself ready, I wake up Aubrey, feed her and we sit quietly for a few minutes before we begin our day...just the two of us. I am exhausted every night before I go to bed, but I wake up every morning at the same time because now I enjoy it. I feel like I've stolen a few extra hours in the day just for us.
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