Lots of new things going on here. We sold our lair and are currently hunting for a new abode. It has been relatively stressful, but I think we're coping just fine considering that we were outbid on a beautiful house. That's OK. We ended up bidding on another beautiful home. Good problems to have, right?
Baby Bear is going to be 7 months on Monday. I cannot believe I have a 7 month old! And she is awesome. I think the sun shines out of her ass. I really do. This past week she has been up on all fours and has mastered the fine art of sitting independently. Now when she sits on the couch she grabs the arm rest and peers over it like she might find lost treasure. All very exciting things.
I'm still breastfeeding and still loving it. Especially since Baby Bear has zero teeth. She still knows how to bite me. I don't love her any less for it, but man oh man does it really hurt. I think I actually cried once.
She's still waking up during the night about 75% of the time to eat. I'm OK with it since she's so petite. If I had a 20 lb chunker (like so many of my friends do) I would probably tell her to roll over and go back to bed. I don't know, maybe it's the oxytocin high, but I really don't mind it. There's something so precious about snuggling in the wee hours of the morning and watching her eat with her eyes closed. She's so calm and sleepy and sweet. Which is a little different from the nosey, distracted, albeit sweet 7 month old that I feed during daylight hours. Soon enough she will be scrambling to get off of my lap. Before you know it, she'll be screaming at me about how much she hates me because I won't let her wear something or do something and I'll be looking back wistfully at those 3 AM feedings, right?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Apparently Size Does Matter
With babies at least. Random strangers will approach us and remark how small she is. Yes, she is only 25% for weight, but she's 75% for length. She's on the growth chart people--there are actual thriving babies that aren't. But remarking on how small she is isn't the bad part. It's the actual disbelief that some people show when we say that she is 5.5 months old:
RANDOM IDIOT: What a beautiful baby!
ME: Thanks!
RANDOM IDIOT: How old is she?
ME: A little over 5 months.
RANDOM IDIOT: Really? She doesn't look a day over 3 months.
ME: She's 5 months old.
RANDOM IDIOT: So small...
I wanted to scream, "FU lady!" while I kicked her shins.
Then the following week:
STUPID MORON: She's so small!
ME: Well, she's 25% for weight, 75% height. Her pediatrician says she's perfectly healthy.
STUPID MORON: Really? How much does she weigh?
ME: She was 7# 10oz at birth and at her 4 month check she was 12# 5oz. She's over 5 months now.
STUPID MORON: Well, I just don't believe that she's over 12 lbs.
WTF you piece of shit! I almost said, "Well, if you want, you can certainly accompany us to our next doctor's appointment. You know, for your own piece of mind."
I know that I shouldn't let this bother me, but seriously, random people come up to us all the time. Since when did it become acceptable for people to become such idiots? I guess I'm just shocked...although, I really shouldn't be. I should remember how random people would tell me how small I looked when I was pregnant. Did I ever mention how a coworker lovingly stroked my belly and said, "It's a boy. Five, maybe 6 pounds?" I wanted to swat her hand away and say, "Five pounds!? Where the hell did the other 45 go?" That's ok, the jokes on her, Baby Bear was very average in weight and lacked a penis.
Moral of this story: Grow some balls and don't listen to anyone (random stranger or friends) when it comes to my baby's weight. It's between us and her pediatrician, who happens to think that she's small, but very very healthy and social.
Coming up: Flying with Baby Bear...our coastal adventures!
RANDOM IDIOT: What a beautiful baby!
ME: Thanks!
RANDOM IDIOT: How old is she?
ME: A little over 5 months.
RANDOM IDIOT: Really? She doesn't look a day over 3 months.
ME: She's 5 months old.
RANDOM IDIOT: So small...
I wanted to scream, "FU lady!" while I kicked her shins.
Then the following week:
STUPID MORON: She's so small!
ME: Well, she's 25% for weight, 75% height. Her pediatrician says she's perfectly healthy.
STUPID MORON: Really? How much does she weigh?
ME: She was 7# 10oz at birth and at her 4 month check she was 12# 5oz. She's over 5 months now.
STUPID MORON: Well, I just don't believe that she's over 12 lbs.
WTF you piece of shit! I almost said, "Well, if you want, you can certainly accompany us to our next doctor's appointment. You know, for your own piece of mind."
I know that I shouldn't let this bother me, but seriously, random people come up to us all the time. Since when did it become acceptable for people to become such idiots? I guess I'm just shocked...although, I really shouldn't be. I should remember how random people would tell me how small I looked when I was pregnant. Did I ever mention how a coworker lovingly stroked my belly and said, "It's a boy. Five, maybe 6 pounds?" I wanted to swat her hand away and say, "Five pounds!? Where the hell did the other 45 go?" That's ok, the jokes on her, Baby Bear was very average in weight and lacked a penis.
Moral of this story: Grow some balls and don't listen to anyone (random stranger or friends) when it comes to my baby's weight. It's between us and her pediatrician, who happens to think that she's small, but very very healthy and social.
Coming up: Flying with Baby Bear...our coastal adventures!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Oy, my ta-tas!
Breastfeeding. Did I ever mention how I anticipated breastfeeding when I was pregnant? I used to imagine placing my child lovingly to my breast while they gently suckled to feed. There may have even been fake wind in this fantasy, I know there were blue birds chirping and possibly even landing on my shoulders. I mean, how could it be hard? It's so NATURAL, DUH. It's the best thing for your baby AND you bond with them.
Surprisingly only one person open mouth laughed at me when I described this vision (without the wind and birds). During those late, painful hours, I actually heard her laugh echoing in my head. God, I can only imagine how many more people made fun of me behind my back.
Dude, breastfeeding is HARD. Baby Bear is 4 months and some change and only recently have I found it rewarding. Now, we have had some obstacles. First, Baby Bear was tongue tied. Now, while that may not affect some babies, it sure prevented Baby Bear from sticking out her tongue, so she was biting down when latching. Hence the nickname The Barracuda. I remember it hurting so bad that I sobbed during an entire feeding. My toes used to curl and I swear once I thought I was going to pee from the pain. I was very lucky I never cracked or bled.
Then I got thrush. And that took awhile to clear up despite Jack Newman's magic nipple cream or whatever the hell that was that I was using. It didn't matter, all I kept thinking was, " EWWWW! You have a yeast infection on your boobies!"
It took 3 weeks for us to see an ENT who promptly clipped it after making strange remarks about how if we didn't have The Barracuda's phrenulum clipped she would have a hard time eating peanut butter when she was older and have difficulty with "Sexual things, you know like kissing." Ummmm, I don't really want to think about that with my 3 WEEK OLD DAUGHTER WEIRDO! She tolerated the procedure quite well. Two snips with a tiny scissors and lots o' money later (half of which insurance covered) and she was good to go. She didn't even whimper. That's how sleepy of a new born I had. But the damage had been done...3 weeks of an incorrect latch and the little stinker still liked to bite even though she could stick her tongue out halfway down her chin.
After a phone call to the lactation consultant, I was instructed to try to get her to mimic me sticking out my tongue when she was alert. This was supposed to help her stick out her tongue before she latched on. She occasionally does this. The reality is that while she's trying to latch on, I yell, "Open wide! Stick out your tongue!" and I get my nipples pinched. 20 weeks later, it only pinches for a second, or in the morning when I'm engorged.
I'll never forget the day I finally figured out how to breastfeed laying down. It was amazing. Perhaps that's when I really felt the bonding. Snuggling with The Barracuda while she nursed and I rubbed her furry little head. It was amazing. Whoever thought you could fall asleep with pain shooting towards your armpits while someone took a cheese grater to your nipples? I guess I was really that tired.
Despite all of the pain and hard work, I find it so amazing (and still a little weird) that our bodies can do this. I mean, obviously we're MAMMALS but I guess you don't really realize that until you put those mammary glands to good use. It's crazy to think that I make food for my daughter without warming or prepping or baking anything.
I've made it to 4 months, now I'd like to make it to 5. I find that setting small goals is the best for me right now. I would probably find it much more amazing/wonderful if I had a roley-poley piglet. Alas, I have a long, lean supermodel. Our pediatrician isn't worried, she just gently reminded me that we should watch it because she is slipping down a growth curve each visit. Which is strange because this child is attached to my boobies all day long. And she is shitting up a storm. You know how you hear that breastfed babies don't poop as often? Not our girl, every morning it's like clockwork and now that I've started a little rice cereal, it's during the afternoon too.
So, yes, breastfeeding was/is difficult. But it is SO SO SO rewarding right now and I am so so so happy that I've stuck it out thus far. I still want to bitch slap anyone who says that you might experience "some discomfort" for a week or two, though. Me and my sore nipples say screw you.
Surprisingly only one person open mouth laughed at me when I described this vision (without the wind and birds). During those late, painful hours, I actually heard her laugh echoing in my head. God, I can only imagine how many more people made fun of me behind my back.
Dude, breastfeeding is HARD. Baby Bear is 4 months and some change and only recently have I found it rewarding. Now, we have had some obstacles. First, Baby Bear was tongue tied. Now, while that may not affect some babies, it sure prevented Baby Bear from sticking out her tongue, so she was biting down when latching. Hence the nickname The Barracuda. I remember it hurting so bad that I sobbed during an entire feeding. My toes used to curl and I swear once I thought I was going to pee from the pain. I was very lucky I never cracked or bled.
Then I got thrush. And that took awhile to clear up despite Jack Newman's magic nipple cream or whatever the hell that was that I was using. It didn't matter, all I kept thinking was, " EWWWW! You have a yeast infection on your boobies!"
It took 3 weeks for us to see an ENT who promptly clipped it after making strange remarks about how if we didn't have The Barracuda's phrenulum clipped she would have a hard time eating peanut butter when she was older and have difficulty with "Sexual things, you know like kissing." Ummmm, I don't really want to think about that with my 3 WEEK OLD DAUGHTER WEIRDO! She tolerated the procedure quite well. Two snips with a tiny scissors and lots o' money later (half of which insurance covered) and she was good to go. She didn't even whimper. That's how sleepy of a new born I had. But the damage had been done...3 weeks of an incorrect latch and the little stinker still liked to bite even though she could stick her tongue out halfway down her chin.
After a phone call to the lactation consultant, I was instructed to try to get her to mimic me sticking out my tongue when she was alert. This was supposed to help her stick out her tongue before she latched on. She occasionally does this. The reality is that while she's trying to latch on, I yell, "Open wide! Stick out your tongue!" and I get my nipples pinched. 20 weeks later, it only pinches for a second, or in the morning when I'm engorged.
I'll never forget the day I finally figured out how to breastfeed laying down. It was amazing. Perhaps that's when I really felt the bonding. Snuggling with The Barracuda while she nursed and I rubbed her furry little head. It was amazing. Whoever thought you could fall asleep with pain shooting towards your armpits while someone took a cheese grater to your nipples? I guess I was really that tired.
Despite all of the pain and hard work, I find it so amazing (and still a little weird) that our bodies can do this. I mean, obviously we're MAMMALS but I guess you don't really realize that until you put those mammary glands to good use. It's crazy to think that I make food for my daughter without warming or prepping or baking anything.
I've made it to 4 months, now I'd like to make it to 5. I find that setting small goals is the best for me right now. I would probably find it much more amazing/wonderful if I had a roley-poley piglet. Alas, I have a long, lean supermodel. Our pediatrician isn't worried, she just gently reminded me that we should watch it because she is slipping down a growth curve each visit. Which is strange because this child is attached to my boobies all day long. And she is shitting up a storm. You know how you hear that breastfed babies don't poop as often? Not our girl, every morning it's like clockwork and now that I've started a little rice cereal, it's during the afternoon too.
So, yes, breastfeeding was/is difficult. But it is SO SO SO rewarding right now and I am so so so happy that I've stuck it out thus far. I still want to bitch slap anyone who says that you might experience "some discomfort" for a week or two, though. Me and my sore nipples say screw you.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
R.I.P. Miracle Blanket
O Glorious Miracle Blanket, thank you for those wonderful hours and occasional nights of uninterrupted sleep. You will be sadly missed. The Barracuda is now 14 weeks old and you are no longer recommended, nor do you really fit. No one could swaddle as good as you. Sigh.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I meant to post this yesterday...
Exactly one year ago, I was showing The Bear how to give an injection. I'm sitting here watching The Barracuda swing and grin at a giraffe toy...and one year ago it all started...
Saturday, April 2, 2011
In Love
It's almost impossible to describe the love that I feel for The Barracuda, who is now three months old. I look down at her when she's eating and I just want to swoon. I have actually almost pulled a neck muscle multiple times when I've leaned over to kiss the top of her furry head when she's breastfeeding. When I burp her over my shoulder it takes every ounce of my being to prevent myself from hugging her so hard that she might break. It's totally true how bonded you become to this tiny little person. It's wonderful. I loved her so much when she was born I thought my heart was incapable of loving her even more, but that love has just grown exponentially each day.
I am very protective over The Barracuda. I once read in one of my books that that feeling of protection is something left over from mother nature. They described it like how when you have a family dog; it is a wonderful pet, good natured in spirit, and pleasant to be around. Blah, blah, blah. Then one day, the family dog gives birth to a litter of puppies. When you go over to try and pick up one of the puppies, the family dog barks and snaps. Sometimes I can be that family dog. I'm usually a pleasant individual, some might even say I'm nice to be around. But try and snatch The Barracuda from my arms without asking first, well, then watch me growl. It's my job. It's my job to protect her, keep her well fed, warm, safe and LOVED.
That being said, I still enjoy my time to myself and going to work--which occurred last week. It was a bittersweet ending. But I think I'm a better person and a better mom for going back to work. I've been lucky enough to go back part time and hopefully that will be the perfect balance between family and career. I do however miss her, even though while I'm working, she's sleeping.
Speaking of which, sleeping has gotten much better. Thank you Jesus! She usually goes down sometime between 6-8PM and then is up by 5:30AM. Now if we can just get naps down pat then we'll be in business.
Nursing has gotten better. It still pinches occasionally but I'm finding it so much more enjoyable. One of my favorite activities is to nurse her lying down in bed in the morning. SIDENOTE: I saw a picture on E! of Orlando Bloom's Baby Mama nursing her little one in bed...Holy Moly, do I wish I was that hot while a)nursing b)a couple months postpartum and c)in the morning. Ok, I just had to put that out there. Anyways, one morning I was so sleepy, we just stayed in bed and every time she cried I just fed her until she drifted off to sleep. It was a sweet, lazy morning before I had to go back to work that night.
I was worried about working because while I seemed to be exempt from pregnancy brain, I happened to get a double dose of mommy brain. But I was able to keep my shit together and work turned out just fine. Everyone said it would be like riding a bike. That freaked me out because I'm not the most stellar bike rider. But yes, a lot of it did come back to me. Pumping on the job went well and I did have time to do it, which was good. I'm so proud that I made it three months breastfeeding. To celebrate, I treated myself to some new nursing tank tops that were on sale at Target. I only got two, but I wanted to get, like, five! Plus a couple of cute bras, too. Maybe next time when they go on sale...
Ok...this post is rambling...time to sleep!
I am very protective over The Barracuda. I once read in one of my books that that feeling of protection is something left over from mother nature. They described it like how when you have a family dog; it is a wonderful pet, good natured in spirit, and pleasant to be around. Blah, blah, blah. Then one day, the family dog gives birth to a litter of puppies. When you go over to try and pick up one of the puppies, the family dog barks and snaps. Sometimes I can be that family dog. I'm usually a pleasant individual, some might even say I'm nice to be around. But try and snatch The Barracuda from my arms without asking first, well, then watch me growl. It's my job. It's my job to protect her, keep her well fed, warm, safe and LOVED.
That being said, I still enjoy my time to myself and going to work--which occurred last week. It was a bittersweet ending. But I think I'm a better person and a better mom for going back to work. I've been lucky enough to go back part time and hopefully that will be the perfect balance between family and career. I do however miss her, even though while I'm working, she's sleeping.
Speaking of which, sleeping has gotten much better. Thank you Jesus! She usually goes down sometime between 6-8PM and then is up by 5:30AM. Now if we can just get naps down pat then we'll be in business.
Nursing has gotten better. It still pinches occasionally but I'm finding it so much more enjoyable. One of my favorite activities is to nurse her lying down in bed in the morning. SIDENOTE: I saw a picture on E! of Orlando Bloom's Baby Mama nursing her little one in bed...Holy Moly, do I wish I was that hot while a)nursing b)a couple months postpartum and c)in the morning. Ok, I just had to put that out there. Anyways, one morning I was so sleepy, we just stayed in bed and every time she cried I just fed her until she drifted off to sleep. It was a sweet, lazy morning before I had to go back to work that night.
I was worried about working because while I seemed to be exempt from pregnancy brain, I happened to get a double dose of mommy brain. But I was able to keep my shit together and work turned out just fine. Everyone said it would be like riding a bike. That freaked me out because I'm not the most stellar bike rider. But yes, a lot of it did come back to me. Pumping on the job went well and I did have time to do it, which was good. I'm so proud that I made it three months breastfeeding. To celebrate, I treated myself to some new nursing tank tops that were on sale at Target. I only got two, but I wanted to get, like, five! Plus a couple of cute bras, too. Maybe next time when they go on sale...
Ok...this post is rambling...time to sleep!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Fine Art of Sleep
Ahhh sleep...something that doesn't occur too often in this household. Before The Barracuda was born, I read a couple of different books regarding sleep. Many of the books had principles that sounded so easy to apply. And then The Barracuda was born and all of that great advice goes flying out the window. Like don't co-sleep. Ok, guess what? If I've only slept 3 hours, do you think it's safe for me to try and drowsily take a flight of stairs with a newborn who's head control is sketchy at best? Or is the safer option to keep her next to me in bed?
Now after The Barracuda arrived, I can see what some of these books are actually talking about. I read Babywise (don't be a hater) and while I certainly do not believe in crying it out or denying my child food b/c it's not "time yet." I do think there are some good things about this book...like keeping your kiddo up after they eat during the day. It's not advisable for adults to eat a large meal and then lay down on the couch. Although, I think we can all admit that it feels pretty freakin' awesome to do it.
When I finally got around to The Happiest Baby on the Block, I found that we were already applying almost all of those principles (courtesy of my mom) except for the side sleeping. We are huge fans of the swaddle and the miracle blanket was probably one of the best gifts ever. I also think there is really something to be said about this whole "4th trimester" stuff and how underdeveloped a baby's nervous system can be. Hello Moro Reflex!
I knew this was going to be difficult, but I had no idea it would be THIS difficult. As much as I love my little girl and cherish all of her smiles and coos (even if most of these are reserved for her boyfriend, the ceiling fan), I am still challenged by her. Sleep being the most challenging part of our life right now. I am just so perplexed. First off, The Barracuda comes from a long line of sleepy people. Seriously. Her Lolo has been known to start snoring mid sentence. Secondly, if I'm tired; I LAY DOWN AND GO TO SLEEP. I DO NOT start screaming my head off until my face is purple and wait for someone to wrap me up tightly, start shushing in my ear while swinging and jiggling me around all over the freakin' room. And yet, somehow this is how she will fall asleep in the evening. I swaddle her, start swinging her around, sometimes she takes her Nuk, and then about 5 to 10 minutes later her eyes start rolling back in her head. The minute I sit down or try to lay her down, her eyes will pop open. We try again. Lather, rinse, repeat. We have been trying to lay her down while she's drowsy so she will learn the art of putting herself back to sleep. But I have to be honest, after the fifth time of doing this, I will hold her until she's sound asleep so I can give my aching feet and back a break.
The past week, the night time sleep routine has gotten better. We put her down sometime between 6 and 8 PM depending on what's going on. She sleeps until about midnight, but as late as 2AM, wakes up, eats decently, and then goes back to bed. Then she wakes up again, usually at 4AM, but once she woke up at 6AM-hurray! I'm hoping that we can improve on napping during the day, which she does not like to do. And I strongly believe that her poor napping skills are contributing to her many MANY meltdowns that occur when we try to leave our house and actually do normal adult things like run errands, visit the grandparents, go to church or lunch with friends.
Ok, that's all I have to say about this topic. You should hear what I have to say about breastfeeding (her nickname is The Barracuda, after all). I am still BF and she seems to be gaining weight appropriately, even if she is a little small. But BF was a challenge. I will save that post for another day and after a post where all I talk about is her awesome-ness...because I fear this post is a titch negative...and I truly love my amazing daughter.
Now after The Barracuda arrived, I can see what some of these books are actually talking about. I read Babywise (don't be a hater) and while I certainly do not believe in crying it out or denying my child food b/c it's not "time yet." I do think there are some good things about this book...like keeping your kiddo up after they eat during the day. It's not advisable for adults to eat a large meal and then lay down on the couch. Although, I think we can all admit that it feels pretty freakin' awesome to do it.
When I finally got around to The Happiest Baby on the Block, I found that we were already applying almost all of those principles (courtesy of my mom) except for the side sleeping. We are huge fans of the swaddle and the miracle blanket was probably one of the best gifts ever. I also think there is really something to be said about this whole "4th trimester" stuff and how underdeveloped a baby's nervous system can be. Hello Moro Reflex!
I knew this was going to be difficult, but I had no idea it would be THIS difficult. As much as I love my little girl and cherish all of her smiles and coos (even if most of these are reserved for her boyfriend, the ceiling fan), I am still challenged by her. Sleep being the most challenging part of our life right now. I am just so perplexed. First off, The Barracuda comes from a long line of sleepy people. Seriously. Her Lolo has been known to start snoring mid sentence. Secondly, if I'm tired; I LAY DOWN AND GO TO SLEEP. I DO NOT start screaming my head off until my face is purple and wait for someone to wrap me up tightly, start shushing in my ear while swinging and jiggling me around all over the freakin' room. And yet, somehow this is how she will fall asleep in the evening. I swaddle her, start swinging her around, sometimes she takes her Nuk, and then about 5 to 10 minutes later her eyes start rolling back in her head. The minute I sit down or try to lay her down, her eyes will pop open. We try again. Lather, rinse, repeat. We have been trying to lay her down while she's drowsy so she will learn the art of putting herself back to sleep. But I have to be honest, after the fifth time of doing this, I will hold her until she's sound asleep so I can give my aching feet and back a break.
The past week, the night time sleep routine has gotten better. We put her down sometime between 6 and 8 PM depending on what's going on. She sleeps until about midnight, but as late as 2AM, wakes up, eats decently, and then goes back to bed. Then she wakes up again, usually at 4AM, but once she woke up at 6AM-hurray! I'm hoping that we can improve on napping during the day, which she does not like to do. And I strongly believe that her poor napping skills are contributing to her many MANY meltdowns that occur when we try to leave our house and actually do normal adult things like run errands, visit the grandparents, go to church or lunch with friends.
Ok, that's all I have to say about this topic. You should hear what I have to say about breastfeeding (her nickname is The Barracuda, after all). I am still BF and she seems to be gaining weight appropriately, even if she is a little small. But BF was a challenge. I will save that post for another day and after a post where all I talk about is her awesome-ness...because I fear this post is a titch negative...and I truly love my amazing daughter.
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