Monday, September 1, 2008
Mommy 24/7
A lot has happened over the last couple of weeks, leaving me a very negligent blogger. Two weeks ago, Kyle left for an entire week in Chicago for work. Since he has been home, I have taken a short respite from many obligations with the excuse I am making up for lost time to myself. Ha! Like I've had that over the last 4 months anyway. But, alas, I am running out of excuses, so I cleaned the bathroom, did laundry and...am back to blogging.
Poor me, right? There are thousands of single moms across the nation and I had 8 days...just 8 to experience even a slice of what that might be like. I will now be the first to tell you these women are AMAZING! I think I did a pretty darn good job holding down the fort while dad was gone, but again...8 days, not forever. And, rest assured my little bird did not make this easy on me.
Right off the bat (as in the day Kyle left), teething went into full-force. Most babies cut the bottom front teeth first, but not my kid. Of course she had to cut the side bottom one first. Um, yeah...that's a tough one to start with. Not only was the tooth giving her a tough time, add to that a fever and explosive diarrhea and you have one frazzled baby and mom. Two days in a row she woke up at 3:30 a.m. for the day!
By Wednesday, I could see two little white spots peeking out from the gums and the hard part was over. In fact, I thought I was getting the hang of things. We were half way through the week and had our routine down to a science. Fast forward to the weekend. I decided to take a much-needed trip to Target for a few necessities. All was going well when we approached the checkout. As I was getting ready to pay, I heard a little tummy grumble, and then it came...Aubrey projectile vomited all over herself, me, the floor, the checkout...I don't think she hit any innocent bystanders, but I heard the woman behind us gasp and the checkout clerk, who was about 16 asked me if something was wrong with my baby. Wrong? Nah...sometimes my baby just shoots puke 3 feet in all directions. Take that as a good excuse for birth control, sweetie. I cleaned us up and ran out the door as fast as I could. Little stinker was smiling the second we got home.
By Monday, I was stressed out, exhausted and smelled like spit up. Just in time for vaccinations. I woke up that morning, with two thoughts: 1. I really hope Kyle can come home tonight and 2. If not, please God, let her get through vaccinations with as little grumpiness as possible. By 11 that morning, I got a call that my husband was coming home. Horray! Now I just had to get through the doctor's appointment and I was home free...or at least I would have another set of hands in case things didn't go well. And, you know what? SHE TOOK IT LIKE A CHAMP! Cried for about 2 seconds when they injected her, sat up, looked around and LAUGHED! Are you kidding? Lauging?
And that was it. She never lost sleep, never fussed and got over 4-month vaccinations in record time. Of course this is more evidence for my theory...they are always on their best in time for dad to get home.
Poor me, right? There are thousands of single moms across the nation and I had 8 days...just 8 to experience even a slice of what that might be like. I will now be the first to tell you these women are AMAZING! I think I did a pretty darn good job holding down the fort while dad was gone, but again...8 days, not forever. And, rest assured my little bird did not make this easy on me.
Right off the bat (as in the day Kyle left), teething went into full-force. Most babies cut the bottom front teeth first, but not my kid. Of course she had to cut the side bottom one first. Um, yeah...that's a tough one to start with. Not only was the tooth giving her a tough time, add to that a fever and explosive diarrhea and you have one frazzled baby and mom. Two days in a row she woke up at 3:30 a.m. for the day!
By Wednesday, I could see two little white spots peeking out from the gums and the hard part was over. In fact, I thought I was getting the hang of things. We were half way through the week and had our routine down to a science. Fast forward to the weekend. I decided to take a much-needed trip to Target for a few necessities. All was going well when we approached the checkout. As I was getting ready to pay, I heard a little tummy grumble, and then it came...Aubrey projectile vomited all over herself, me, the floor, the checkout...I don't think she hit any innocent bystanders, but I heard the woman behind us gasp and the checkout clerk, who was about 16 asked me if something was wrong with my baby. Wrong? Nah...sometimes my baby just shoots puke 3 feet in all directions. Take that as a good excuse for birth control, sweetie. I cleaned us up and ran out the door as fast as I could. Little stinker was smiling the second we got home.
By Monday, I was stressed out, exhausted and smelled like spit up. Just in time for vaccinations. I woke up that morning, with two thoughts: 1. I really hope Kyle can come home tonight and 2. If not, please God, let her get through vaccinations with as little grumpiness as possible. By 11 that morning, I got a call that my husband was coming home. Horray! Now I just had to get through the doctor's appointment and I was home free...or at least I would have another set of hands in case things didn't go well. And, you know what? SHE TOOK IT LIKE A CHAMP! Cried for about 2 seconds when they injected her, sat up, looked around and LAUGHED! Are you kidding? Lauging?
And that was it. She never lost sleep, never fussed and got over 4-month vaccinations in record time. Of course this is more evidence for my theory...they are always on their best in time for dad to get home.
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!
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