Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Dear Karen,
I forgot to send the swaddling blankets with you.
And I couldn't be happier.
As I was reading the book you suggested, I thought of another book I read that created my love for swaddling.
I remembered the swaddling blankets, yesterday, and decided to try it, again.
It worked.
He didn't fuss.
He napped.
And last night? He slept. From about 7pm to 2am then to 7am.
So, I'm glad I didn't pull them out of the drawer to pack them with the other stuff I sent home with you. :)
I haven't opened it yet, but thank you for sending the ecard. :)
Love,
Your mostly rested and highly un-stressed daughter-in-law
And I couldn't be happier.
As I was reading the book you suggested, I thought of another book I read that created my love for swaddling.
I remembered the swaddling blankets, yesterday, and decided to try it, again.
It worked.
He didn't fuss.
He napped.
And last night? He slept. From about 7pm to 2am then to 7am.
So, I'm glad I didn't pull them out of the drawer to pack them with the other stuff I sent home with you. :)
I haven't opened it yet, but thank you for sending the ecard. :)
Love,
Your mostly rested and highly un-stressed daughter-in-law
Friday, February 24, 2012
Hard Day's Night
My two year old has a sheet protector on his bed that lays on top of his bed sheets. Two nights ago, he woke me up at 4am to fix it because it was crooked. He's my little OCD child.
Yesterday, he stripped the comforter and his sheet protector off of his bed. So, last night we fixed it, but we left off the sheet protector. He went to bed fine without it (again, OCD - he has to have everything where it should be).
Big mistake.
Owen woke up just before 2am to eat... and didn't want to stay asleep after that. Finally, at 3:48am, he was sleeping. I wasn't.
Good thing, though. Quin decided he really DID need the sheet protector put back on his bed at that exact time.
To say I'm tired, this morning, would be putting it lightly. To say I miss the opportunity to hand off my kids to my in-laws while I regather my sanity would be putting it lightly.
To say I can't wait for my baby to start sleeping through the night, let alone my TWO YEAR OLD, would be the biggest understatement of the century.
*yawn*
Yesterday, he stripped the comforter and his sheet protector off of his bed. So, last night we fixed it, but we left off the sheet protector. He went to bed fine without it (again, OCD - he has to have everything where it should be).
Big mistake.
Owen woke up just before 2am to eat... and didn't want to stay asleep after that. Finally, at 3:48am, he was sleeping. I wasn't.
Good thing, though. Quin decided he really DID need the sheet protector put back on his bed at that exact time.
To say I'm tired, this morning, would be putting it lightly. To say I miss the opportunity to hand off my kids to my in-laws while I regather my sanity would be putting it lightly.
To say I can't wait for my baby to start sleeping through the night, let alone my TWO YEAR OLD, would be the biggest understatement of the century.
*yawn*
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A good moment
My baby. He's a sweety. For real. He makes the cutest tongue-clicking noise while he stares at you when he's hungry. I love it. I love him.
I can say that at this very moment without the slightest bit of forcing it out because he's laying on the floor. And has been... for over 20 minutes.
This is a first.
I held him a lot this past month, and he's seemed to come to expect it.
This drives me nuts. I'm not a holder. Never have been. My kids got held plenty, but they got put down even more plenty, and they're very independent and confident in being by themselves because of it.
My sweetness has now fallen asleep on his playmat. By himself. As in, without me holding him.
I don't feel guilty about this. This is a good thing and I find the tightness in my chest easing a little bit because of it.
*sigh* <<<< A big one. More like, a deep breath of relief. If only for this very moment.
I know there are going to be more stressful moments, and even stressful days. But, man, I'm so glad there are going to be good ones, too. :)
I feel very fortunate at the moment - I have good friends. Friends who have cared enough to offer advice and help and words of comfort and encouragement. I know this is the Lord's hand in my life. I feel very blessed to be able to see good times ahead, even if I needed reminders from others that they would come. I'm thankful for the family that's been there for me, too. I'm thankful my two year old still insists on sitting in the same spot I'm sitting in order to sit "by" me. I'm glad he's still my little buddy even though he has to share. I'm glad he's happy to share. :)
I have to make note of the good things and the bad things, if you haven't noticed. I'm an open book. Ask me how I'm doing and I'll tell ya. It's how I work through things; by acknowledging them, by facing them, by verbalizing them, by letting them go if needed.
That's how I roll. ;)
I can say that at this very moment without the slightest bit of forcing it out because he's laying on the floor. And has been... for over 20 minutes.
This is a first.
I held him a lot this past month, and he's seemed to come to expect it.
This drives me nuts. I'm not a holder. Never have been. My kids got held plenty, but they got put down even more plenty, and they're very independent and confident in being by themselves because of it.
My sweetness has now fallen asleep on his playmat. By himself. As in, without me holding him.
I don't feel guilty about this. This is a good thing and I find the tightness in my chest easing a little bit because of it.
*sigh* <<<< A big one. More like, a deep breath of relief. If only for this very moment.
I know there are going to be more stressful moments, and even stressful days. But, man, I'm so glad there are going to be good ones, too. :)
I feel very fortunate at the moment - I have good friends. Friends who have cared enough to offer advice and help and words of comfort and encouragement. I know this is the Lord's hand in my life. I feel very blessed to be able to see good times ahead, even if I needed reminders from others that they would come. I'm thankful for the family that's been there for me, too. I'm thankful my two year old still insists on sitting in the same spot I'm sitting in order to sit "by" me. I'm glad he's still my little buddy even though he has to share. I'm glad he's happy to share. :)
I have to make note of the good things and the bad things, if you haven't noticed. I'm an open book. Ask me how I'm doing and I'll tell ya. It's how I work through things; by acknowledging them, by facing them, by verbalizing them, by letting them go if needed.
That's how I roll. ;)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
To wake or not to wake...
I love living my life in two hour increments.
That's how often the tiniest Ham eats, these days. Unless it's after 4pm - then he cluster-feeds and eats every hour. And I'm bottle-feeding!
So, today, after his long spurt of sleep last night, I tried starting out the day with a 3 ouncer (he's been doing two, typically). So far, he's eaten twice since 7:45am.
The point of my post is mostly to kill time... he's still sleeping and should've woken up like half an hour ago...
But am I going to wake him up? Hmmm..... NO.
Well, maybe. I don't know. HAHAHAHA I hate trying to figure out a schedule and trying to get them on the schedule that I want them to be on...
Sleepy dude. At least I was able to get my house un-cluttered, the trash taken out, the dishes in the dishwasher, my bladder emptied, and my two year old down for a nap.
Now what?
That's how often the tiniest Ham eats, these days. Unless it's after 4pm - then he cluster-feeds and eats every hour. And I'm bottle-feeding!
So, today, after his long spurt of sleep last night, I tried starting out the day with a 3 ouncer (he's been doing two, typically). So far, he's eaten twice since 7:45am.
The point of my post is mostly to kill time... he's still sleeping and should've woken up like half an hour ago...
But am I going to wake him up? Hmmm..... NO.
Well, maybe. I don't know. HAHAHAHA I hate trying to figure out a schedule and trying to get them on the schedule that I want them to be on...
Sleepy dude. At least I was able to get my house un-cluttered, the trash taken out, the dishes in the dishwasher, my bladder emptied, and my two year old down for a nap.
Now what?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thank you, again!
I wanted to post a big THANK YOU to my in-laws, again.
Thank you for ALL you did for us when you were here. We were so sad to see you go, this morning.
Thank you for the food you brought and bought and prepared. Thank you for the vacuuming, the mopping, the sweeping, the dish-doing, the bathroom-cleaning, the baby-holding, the Quin-entertaining, the show-watching, the errand-running, the company-keeping, the treat-buying, the lesson-providing and all the other good stuff you did for us. :)
We miss you, already! It's not going to be the same without you here, which I know is supposed to be a good thing. We're supposed to figure out how to do this all on our own, and we have, before, so we can, again.
We're so glad you came to help us welcome our newest (and *final) addition.
*I say "final" and mean it, this time. (Yes, I know I've said that, before.) The tubes are tied, so, really, I mean it.
We look forward to the next time we see you and hope you get (got) home safe! :)
Thank you for ALL you did for us when you were here. We were so sad to see you go, this morning.
Thank you for the food you brought and bought and prepared. Thank you for the vacuuming, the mopping, the sweeping, the dish-doing, the bathroom-cleaning, the baby-holding, the Quin-entertaining, the show-watching, the errand-running, the company-keeping, the treat-buying, the lesson-providing and all the other good stuff you did for us. :)
We miss you, already! It's not going to be the same without you here, which I know is supposed to be a good thing. We're supposed to figure out how to do this all on our own, and we have, before, so we can, again.
We're so glad you came to help us welcome our newest (and *final) addition.
*I say "final" and mean it, this time. (Yes, I know I've said that, before.) The tubes are tied, so, really, I mean it.
We look forward to the next time we see you and hope you get (got) home safe! :)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The gist of it...
Today was my date day with my son. We found ourselves walking through the local book store.
Apparently, at midnight last night, there was a big release party for some big movie... maybe you've heard of it? ;)
Anyway, as we were passing a rather large display of the aforesaid movie, my son commented how he thought it was lame. I asked him if he even knew what it was about.
He says, "Yeah, it's about this guy who's a vampire. He falls in love with this girl. Then she becomes a vampire. It's dumb."
LOL!! Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
Funny how the author took four books that were around 700 pages each to say that.
Apparently, at midnight last night, there was a big release party for some big movie... maybe you've heard of it? ;)
Anyway, as we were passing a rather large display of the aforesaid movie, my son commented how he thought it was lame. I asked him if he even knew what it was about.
He says, "Yeah, it's about this guy who's a vampire. He falls in love with this girl. Then she becomes a vampire. It's dumb."
LOL!! Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
Funny how the author took four books that were around 700 pages each to say that.
Friday, February 10, 2012
In the clear?
It's been three days since I felt the annoying need to cry about something stupid... and I don't feel trapped, anymore... so I'm thinking it's safe to say that post-partum depression has passed me by this round. I cannot express how happy I am about this! Seriously! And my hormones have ceased, so it's even better!!
Owen turned two weeks old last Tuesday... the marker (typically) for colic. And, except for some cluster feeding and slight fussiness between the hours of 4pm and 9pm, I think we're going to be blessed withOUT that, this time, too!
I really feel so blessed because of this and will thank my Heavenly Father profusely for the next nine months. (That's how long He had to here my pleas, so I figure it's only fair.)
Ok, life, let's do this!
Owen turned two weeks old last Tuesday... the marker (typically) for colic. And, except for some cluster feeding and slight fussiness between the hours of 4pm and 9pm, I think we're going to be blessed withOUT that, this time, too!
I really feel so blessed because of this and will thank my Heavenly Father profusely for the next nine months. (That's how long He had to here my pleas, so I figure it's only fair.)
Ok, life, let's do this!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Crazy is as crazy does
This month, last year, I got the "are you insane??" look from my husband.
I had just told him I wanted another baby.
I can tell you where we were, and can still see the look in his eyes.
He really did think I was *crazy.
*I was.
;)
However, today is the two week mark that will tell just how crazy I will be for the next few months.
Most books and moms with experience will tell you that two week old babies hit a growth spurt about this time, that mom's emotions are still all a-wack at this time, and that this is typically the time when one will know if *shudder* colic will be a most unwelcome companion for the next few months.
My last one had it. I pray that this one won't. Although, I'd take colic over post-partum depression, anyday.
So, once we get past this growth spurt (eating a lot, fussing a lot, wanting to be held... a lot), I'm hoping he'll be back to his calm, by-the-book-baby self.
I had just told him I wanted another baby.
I can tell you where we were, and can still see the look in his eyes.
He really did think I was *crazy.
*I was.
;)
However, today is the two week mark that will tell just how crazy I will be for the next few months.
Most books and moms with experience will tell you that two week old babies hit a growth spurt about this time, that mom's emotions are still all a-wack at this time, and that this is typically the time when one will know if *shudder* colic will be a most unwelcome companion for the next few months.
My last one had it. I pray that this one won't. Although, I'd take colic over post-partum depression, anyday.
So, once we get past this growth spurt (eating a lot, fussing a lot, wanting to be held... a lot), I'm hoping he'll be back to his calm, by-the-book-baby self.
Friday, February 3, 2012
A whole new ball game
I hate change.
I should've remembered this when I had the desire to have a baby last year.... hahaha!
I love this baby. I know life is going to be different and, right now, with the glorious hormones, things may not seem all that peachy, but I'm excited to watch this little guy grow and change just like my other three.
He's so different, so far, though! He sleeps so well at night, only getting up twice. He doesn't cry and cry (knock on wood) like my last one. He doesn't care to be swaddled (and I have FIVE swaddling blankets). He can sleep on his back (though I still put him in his carseat at night - not brave enough to try without it just yet).
My husband and I have commented how we're not quite sure how to do a "by the book" baby. I keep finding myself being hesitant, always wondering what horror lies around the corner... what will the two week mark bring?
I find myself anxious for summer time and warmer weather. I'd even take cool and rainy spring time. Winter time is the worst time to have a baby, I've decided. People get sick. We're all cooped up indoors. And the sun is rare... but when it does come out, man I soak it in. I'm excited to have the weekend ahead of me, though. It's like a mini vacation. I want to get out... I want to leave my house for a long period of time. I want life the way it used to be, even. I know these are the hormones talking, and my mind craving the solidity and routine that once was. I know these days will pass.
Soon, too soon, my baby will be sitting up and giggling and feeding himself... then turning ten. That means my oldest baby will be twenty. Twenty... my goodness. How could anything like that even be possible? I still remember being twenty. Heck, I still remember being ten.
Time passes all too quickly. Even on gloomy days, it shows no mercy. I'm happy for my life. I'm so very happy to have my body back and to be able to do things I haven't been able to do in what seems like forever. But, even then, it seems like it wasn't that long ago...
This is my last baby. I made sure of that. ;) I'm going to hold him and love on him and do the same with my other three because they need it just as much, as do I. I love being a mom, even with all the ugliness that comes with it, even when I do face those moments when time doesn't pass quickly enough.
I love being able to get this out on my blog. I don't even want to read how awful things were with my last one... I know I posted about that quite a bit. Things are different this time. The sun seems to shine a little brighter, and things don't seem quite so depressing. I hate the baby blues... with a passion. I won't miss the fact that I won't be able to do this ever again. Trust you me.
I'm ready to keep moving forward.
I should've remembered this when I had the desire to have a baby last year.... hahaha!
I love this baby. I know life is going to be different and, right now, with the glorious hormones, things may not seem all that peachy, but I'm excited to watch this little guy grow and change just like my other three.
He's so different, so far, though! He sleeps so well at night, only getting up twice. He doesn't cry and cry (knock on wood) like my last one. He doesn't care to be swaddled (and I have FIVE swaddling blankets). He can sleep on his back (though I still put him in his carseat at night - not brave enough to try without it just yet).
My husband and I have commented how we're not quite sure how to do a "by the book" baby. I keep finding myself being hesitant, always wondering what horror lies around the corner... what will the two week mark bring?
I find myself anxious for summer time and warmer weather. I'd even take cool and rainy spring time. Winter time is the worst time to have a baby, I've decided. People get sick. We're all cooped up indoors. And the sun is rare... but when it does come out, man I soak it in. I'm excited to have the weekend ahead of me, though. It's like a mini vacation. I want to get out... I want to leave my house for a long period of time. I want life the way it used to be, even. I know these are the hormones talking, and my mind craving the solidity and routine that once was. I know these days will pass.
Soon, too soon, my baby will be sitting up and giggling and feeding himself... then turning ten. That means my oldest baby will be twenty. Twenty... my goodness. How could anything like that even be possible? I still remember being twenty. Heck, I still remember being ten.
Time passes all too quickly. Even on gloomy days, it shows no mercy. I'm happy for my life. I'm so very happy to have my body back and to be able to do things I haven't been able to do in what seems like forever. But, even then, it seems like it wasn't that long ago...
This is my last baby. I made sure of that. ;) I'm going to hold him and love on him and do the same with my other three because they need it just as much, as do I. I love being a mom, even with all the ugliness that comes with it, even when I do face those moments when time doesn't pass quickly enough.
I love being able to get this out on my blog. I don't even want to read how awful things were with my last one... I know I posted about that quite a bit. Things are different this time. The sun seems to shine a little brighter, and things don't seem quite so depressing. I hate the baby blues... with a passion. I won't miss the fact that I won't be able to do this ever again. Trust you me.
I'm ready to keep moving forward.
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