Daddy and I, as parents, haven't really had many of those classic sleepless nights. I realize how fortunate I am to be able to say that. Bubba was a great sleeper right from the start. Sure, he'd wake to be fed when he was teeny tiny but we never had a marathon screaming session that ended with everyone in tears.
Recently, I feel like we're eating our words. We're getting a second chance at that newborn stage but this time, it has nothing to do with newborns and everything to do with teeth.
I hate teeth. I've come to realize that not actually remembering getting our own teeth is probably a good thing. The payback for not remembering is having teething children.
After nearly three weeks of what I would call questionable bowel movements (LOL), we now have four eye teeth. (I know they are his teeth but WE ALL earned them.) Just as I started to bask in the glory of eye teeth and normal poop, the molars rear their ugly heads.
Did I mention I hate teeth?
All of the tooth talk leads me to a recent night. I knew that his teeth were starting to bother him but he doesn't do any complaining during the day. He gnaws on his fingers but doesn't whine about them one bit.
Daddy worked last night so I was, once again, flying solo. I knew it was going to be a long night when I was still tossing and turning at 12:00.
I am awakened (if you want to call it that) at about 12:30 by a very whiny boy. I try to ignore him and see if he'll lay back down on his own. The cries intensify. When it comes to night waking, we try to have him self sooth to a point. Once he passes a certain point, he's wide awake and it's nearly impossible to get him to sleep again. I go in and he immediately lays down. I cover him and tell him goodnight.
The quiet doesn't last long though. He starts up again at just about 2:00. When I go in, he's standing there giving me the most pitiful look ever. I gather Bubba and his choo-choo blankie and we cuddle in the chair. He can barely keep his eyes open. After twenty minutes of cuddling we have success, once again.
I am awakened AGAIN at just about 3:00. I decide that if I don't put my foot down this is going to continue all night long. I ask him to lay down and tell him goodnight. Again. This time he responds by screaming at the top of his lungs. Nice. I give him kisses and tell him night night.
He screams louder when I leave the room. I let him cry/scream/fake it for ten minutes.
After the ten-minute tirade, I give in and get the Motrin and teething tablets. He calms down after the tablets and I cuddle him again. By this time, I have a enormous headache and I'm begging for sleep.
This is where I reeeally give in. I whisk him off to bed with me. I secretly love this. When he was just a few days old, cuddling in bed with him was the only way to get him to really sleep. I get teary just thinking about it.
ANYwho, we go lay down. I can tell he's on cloud nine because he starts jabbering and wanting to play with the clock, etc. I am in no mood. In my mommy voice, I tell him to lay down and go to sleep.
This is where all of the crying and sleeplessness is worth it.
He curls up next to me and takes my hand in his. He holds my hand to his chest and gives it a little squeeze. (I used to cuddle with him *just* like this when he was a newborn.)
Then he starts gently rubbing my arm as if to say, "It's ok, mommy. Just relax and go to sleep."
We both finally drift off snuggled together. Boy, will I miss those nights.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
It's Not Easy Being Green(er)
Like most people my age, I didn't grow up in a "green" household. Who did, really? Back then (LOL waaay back then), being green meant being rich. Thankfully, things have come a long way and now we can all reap the benefits of living a cleaner, greener life.
I am what the urban dictionary would call crunchy. Here are some of the things I do:
Cloth diapering-This one doesn't apply to everyone (especially if you don't have a baby bum to cover) but I wish everyone that *did* have a baby bum to cover would give it a try. Cloth diapering has come a looong way. It's not all prefolds and pins anymore! A simple Google search will yield tons of results. I won't go into detail here but if you're curious about it, just start reading. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I am thrilled that we made the switch when our son was just little.
Line-drying-Here's one just about anyone can do! You don't need a baby bum for this. If you DO venture into the cloth diapering, hang those suckers up when it's nice out. There's nothing like some good, old fashioned sunshine to make your whites whiter.
When I was little, we had an old wringer washer (it wasn't exactly like this and it DID use electricity but this was the best picture I could find) and my mom line-dried clothes in the summer months. Oh, how I despised laundry days! LOL
Now I'm singing a different tune. A recent dryer issue sent me outside to hang clothes. I'm a convert. Sometimes the "alone time" I get while hanging a load of clothes is all I need to revitalize. Not only that, but we're saving a ton of money with the dryer stuck in the off position.
Recycling-If you live in the boonies like I do, check with your local churches or businesses to see if they run a recycling program. Just because the recycling truck doesn't come down your street doesn't mean you can participate.
Recycling has come a long way as well. A lot of programs don't require much sorting anymore, making it really simple to collect all of recyclable materials. All we need to do here, at our house, is collect the plastic and metal items in one bin and the paper (junk mail, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in another. You really can do it with minimal effort and a small space.
Please check with your local facilities as "rules" vary from one place to the next.
Composting-This is something that I am fairly new at but I'm really getting into it. I'm finding myself searching for more things to add to the collection bucket. Here's a good resource I found if you're just starting out.
We simply collect our kitchen scraps (like egg shells, coffee grounds, fresh fruit and vegetable cuttings, banana peels, etc.) in a plastic ice cream bucket with a lid. When it's close to full, we take it out to the pile. We didn't spend a lot of money on a fancy compost bin either. Keep an open mind and you'll be surprised what you can find that will work for a "bin".
Cleaning-I've turned to making a lot of cleaning products. If you're not aware what a little baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice can do, I encourage you to find out.
If you're not into making your own cleaning agents, you're not out of luck. Nearly every company has a line of green cleaning products now. One that I really like is Method.
These are just a few of the things that we do around here. Of course there are things like turning lights off, shutting down the computer, unplugging those cell phone chargers when you're not actually charging your cell phone and using more energy efficient lightbulbs that make a huge difference as well.
I'd love to hear how you're going green too!
I am what the urban dictionary would call crunchy. Here are some of the things I do:
Cloth diapering-This one doesn't apply to everyone (especially if you don't have a baby bum to cover) but I wish everyone that *did* have a baby bum to cover would give it a try. Cloth diapering has come a looong way. It's not all prefolds and pins anymore! A simple Google search will yield tons of results. I won't go into detail here but if you're curious about it, just start reading. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I am thrilled that we made the switch when our son was just little.
Line-drying-Here's one just about anyone can do! You don't need a baby bum for this. If you DO venture into the cloth diapering, hang those suckers up when it's nice out. There's nothing like some good, old fashioned sunshine to make your whites whiter.
When I was little, we had an old wringer washer (it wasn't exactly like this and it DID use electricity but this was the best picture I could find) and my mom line-dried clothes in the summer months. Oh, how I despised laundry days! LOL
Now I'm singing a different tune. A recent dryer issue sent me outside to hang clothes. I'm a convert. Sometimes the "alone time" I get while hanging a load of clothes is all I need to revitalize. Not only that, but we're saving a ton of money with the dryer stuck in the off position.
Recycling-If you live in the boonies like I do, check with your local churches or businesses to see if they run a recycling program. Just because the recycling truck doesn't come down your street doesn't mean you can participate.
Recycling has come a long way as well. A lot of programs don't require much sorting anymore, making it really simple to collect all of recyclable materials. All we need to do here, at our house, is collect the plastic and metal items in one bin and the paper (junk mail, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in another. You really can do it with minimal effort and a small space.
Please check with your local facilities as "rules" vary from one place to the next.
Composting-This is something that I am fairly new at but I'm really getting into it. I'm finding myself searching for more things to add to the collection bucket. Here's a good resource I found if you're just starting out.
We simply collect our kitchen scraps (like egg shells, coffee grounds, fresh fruit and vegetable cuttings, banana peels, etc.) in a plastic ice cream bucket with a lid. When it's close to full, we take it out to the pile. We didn't spend a lot of money on a fancy compost bin either. Keep an open mind and you'll be surprised what you can find that will work for a "bin".
Cleaning-I've turned to making a lot of cleaning products. If you're not aware what a little baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice can do, I encourage you to find out.
If you're not into making your own cleaning agents, you're not out of luck. Nearly every company has a line of green cleaning products now. One that I really like is Method.
These are just a few of the things that we do around here. Of course there are things like turning lights off, shutting down the computer, unplugging those cell phone chargers when you're not actually charging your cell phone and using more energy efficient lightbulbs that make a huge difference as well.
I'd love to hear how you're going green too!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mother's Day
I was thinking of posting something special for Mother's Day but then a friend of mine beat me to it. Read this entry A Week of Celebration? For ME??? first.
It's like she was reading my mind. When you're struggling to have a baby of your own, things like baby showers and Mother's Day are pure torture. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more precious and exciting than a new baby but having to endure new baby after new baby while wondering if you're ever going to enjoy that same happiness is heartbreaking, to put it lightly.
I'll never forget my "first" Mother's Day. I was about six months pregnant. Our pastor decided to play a little game after the service for Mother's Day. He had Great Grandmothers stand, Grandmothers Mothers, etc. to determine who had the most children and grandchildren. Every mother got a rose.
I felt a little twinge in my heart for those women that never got to stand.
He then asked anyone that had become a mother that year to stand. We all applauded for a friend who stood with her infant. Then he said, "Anyone who WILL become a mother this year, please stand." (He knew we were expecting but no one other than choir members in the congregation did.) I could barely hold back the tears as I stood. Everyone applauded with a look of surprise.
I always think of that moment when I think of Mother's Day. For me, it's not about having a "day off" (because really...does that actually happen?) or getting cards, candy or flowers. It's about remembering that feeling I had three years ago. I wish everyone could experience that.
So enjoy this Sunday with your family, your kids or your mommy friends. But don't forget those friends that are struggling to become mommies. You can't even begin to imagine their hurt.
It's like she was reading my mind. When you're struggling to have a baby of your own, things like baby showers and Mother's Day are pure torture. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more precious and exciting than a new baby but having to endure new baby after new baby while wondering if you're ever going to enjoy that same happiness is heartbreaking, to put it lightly.
I'll never forget my "first" Mother's Day. I was about six months pregnant. Our pastor decided to play a little game after the service for Mother's Day. He had Great Grandmothers stand, Grandmothers Mothers, etc. to determine who had the most children and grandchildren. Every mother got a rose.
I felt a little twinge in my heart for those women that never got to stand.
He then asked anyone that had become a mother that year to stand. We all applauded for a friend who stood with her infant. Then he said, "Anyone who WILL become a mother this year, please stand." (He knew we were expecting but no one other than choir members in the congregation did.) I could barely hold back the tears as I stood. Everyone applauded with a look of surprise.
I always think of that moment when I think of Mother's Day. For me, it's not about having a "day off" (because really...does that actually happen?) or getting cards, candy or flowers. It's about remembering that feeling I had three years ago. I wish everyone could experience that.
So enjoy this Sunday with your family, your kids or your mommy friends. But don't forget those friends that are struggling to become mommies. You can't even begin to imagine their hurt.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Read All About It
Fabulous article! Check it out.
I was doing a little research on the AAP's new advice that children should rear face until AT LEAST two years old (longer if your seat allows it) and came across this article. I wish every parent would read it.
I was doing a little research on the AAP's new advice that children should rear face until AT LEAST two years old (longer if your seat allows it) and came across this article. I wish every parent would read it.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Safety First
I've been waiting for the right moment to post this blog and, after a conversation with a friend this afternoon, there is no time like the present. Plus, Christa at Quintooples had a wonderful product review the other day that deals with this topic.
Many of you know how serious I am about car seat safety. Our children can't make decisions for themselves so they need parents who are well educated to keep them safe in the car (and elsewhere).
Bubba rides REAR-FACING in a Sunshine Kids Radian 65. He's 31 1/4 inches tall and weighs 23.5 pounds and YES he can still be rear-facing. I can't even imagine having him forward-facing.
I was talking with a friend of mine today and for one reason or another we came to the subject of car seats. She said that when her oldest son was still in a car seat she had a cop pull her over and tell her that he "couldn't be rear facing anymore because his feet [were] touching the back of the seat". He went on to tell her that he "does car seat checks all of the time" and that she would have to turn him around. He explained that if she were in an accident and his feet were forced into the back of the seat that his hips could be "dislodged" (his words). Wouldn't you rather have to deal with a broken hip than a broken neck? How many other people that we trust to give us correct information are giving INcorrect information!?!?
www.Car-safety.org states:
In the USA, this recommendation is valid through the 30, 33 or 35 pound maximum rear-facing weight limit of newer convertible carseats, or until the child outgrows their convertible carseat by height. The height limit of a rear-facing carseat may be listed in the owner's manual. A child is also considered too tall for a rear-facing seat if the top of their head is at the level of the top of the carseat shell. It is NOT considered a safety issue if a child's legs are bent at the knees in a rear-facing carseat, or if their feet can touch the vehicle's seat back. At a very minimum, children should remain rear-facing until AT LEAST one year of age AND 20 pounds in weight. *This is simply a guide and by no means a rule!!!*
In countries like Sweden, children are often kept rear-facing much longer, even to 3 or 4 years old. Auto related injury and death rates for rear-facing children in Sweden are near zero because of this.
Maybe we should take a page out of Sweden's book?
THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY
1.) Tighten those straps so their shoulders can't slip out in a crash
2.) Get those chest clips in the right place (even with their armpits not on their soft tummies)!
3.) Get rid of those supposed non slip seat protectors that are under your seats. They could be doing more harm than good. Click here for a few reasons
Please. Children are our most precious gift. Protect them! Don't be in such a hurry to turn them around just because you think that they're uncomfortable facing the rear of the car. They don't know any different! (Actually, I think Bubba loves it. His seat is slightly reclined so I think he's much more comfortable than if he were in a more upright position.)
Many of you know how serious I am about car seat safety. Our children can't make decisions for themselves so they need parents who are well educated to keep them safe in the car (and elsewhere).
Bubba rides REAR-FACING in a Sunshine Kids Radian 65. He's 31 1/4 inches tall and weighs 23.5 pounds and YES he can still be rear-facing. I can't even imagine having him forward-facing.
I was talking with a friend of mine today and for one reason or another we came to the subject of car seats. She said that when her oldest son was still in a car seat she had a cop pull her over and tell her that he "couldn't be rear facing anymore because his feet [were] touching the back of the seat". He went on to tell her that he "does car seat checks all of the time" and that she would have to turn him around. He explained that if she were in an accident and his feet were forced into the back of the seat that his hips could be "dislodged" (his words). Wouldn't you rather have to deal with a broken hip than a broken neck? How many other people that we trust to give us correct information are giving INcorrect information!?!?
www.Car-safety.org states:
In the USA, this recommendation is valid through the 30, 33 or 35 pound maximum rear-facing weight limit of newer convertible carseats, or until the child outgrows their convertible carseat by height. The height limit of a rear-facing carseat may be listed in the owner's manual. A child is also considered too tall for a rear-facing seat if the top of their head is at the level of the top of the carseat shell. It is NOT considered a safety issue if a child's legs are bent at the knees in a rear-facing carseat, or if their feet can touch the vehicle's seat back. At a very minimum, children should remain rear-facing until AT LEAST one year of age AND 20 pounds in weight. *This is simply a guide and by no means a rule!!!*
In countries like Sweden, children are often kept rear-facing much longer, even to 3 or 4 years old. Auto related injury and death rates for rear-facing children in Sweden are near zero because of this.
Maybe we should take a page out of Sweden's book?
THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY
1.) Tighten those straps so their shoulders can't slip out in a crash
2.) Get those chest clips in the right place (even with their armpits not on their soft tummies)!
3.) Get rid of those supposed non slip seat protectors that are under your seats. They could be doing more harm than good. Click here for a few reasons
Please. Children are our most precious gift. Protect them! Don't be in such a hurry to turn them around just because you think that they're uncomfortable facing the rear of the car. They don't know any different! (Actually, I think Bubba loves it. His seat is slightly reclined so I think he's much more comfortable than if he were in a more upright position.)
Monday, March 9, 2009
Plans Change
It has been quite some time since I've been able to carve enough time out of my day to post. A LOT has changed since my last entry.
I fell off the workout wagon. With Daddy needing to workout "more than me", I let him do the nap time workout and I used the time to do things like laundry and dishes. At least I wasn't sitting around but it's not what I had been doing previously.
Daddy was doing an amazing job with his weight loss. He dropped nine pounds in about two weeks. Men... ;) If I had exercised and eaten like him, my wrists would have gotten smaller but that's about it.
The amazing weight loss crusade has been laid to rest though. We've decided to go in yet another direction. Surprise!
After double checking some information with a recruiter in Alaska, Chris learned of the possibility of Reserve recruiting. This option is very similar to the Active Duty recruiting with the main difference being there is no weight requirement since he's already IN the Reserves. Yay!
The local AD Recruiter, of course, never mentioned this option because he didn't want to "lose" Chris as a possible recruit. That's completely understandable from his perspective but I still think he should have given Chris ALL of his options considering he knew the situation with the Reserves, etc. ANYwho...
We've started the paperwork process yet again. It was just lucky that he had his monthly UTA this past weekend so he was able to speak with the recruiter there and start gathering paperwork and having letters of recommendation written.
It'll be another few weeks before the package is sent and approved but at least the process has been started. The only really bad thing about this (either option really) is that the April class is full so he has to wait until JUNE to leave.
Yes, you heard right. That means we're "stuck" here until mid July before the possibility of a move. Like I said, it's a light at the end of the tunnel but I never expected us to be here for so long.
I fell off the workout wagon. With Daddy needing to workout "more than me", I let him do the nap time workout and I used the time to do things like laundry and dishes. At least I wasn't sitting around but it's not what I had been doing previously.
Daddy was doing an amazing job with his weight loss. He dropped nine pounds in about two weeks. Men... ;) If I had exercised and eaten like him, my wrists would have gotten smaller but that's about it.
The amazing weight loss crusade has been laid to rest though. We've decided to go in yet another direction. Surprise!
After double checking some information with a recruiter in Alaska, Chris learned of the possibility of Reserve recruiting. This option is very similar to the Active Duty recruiting with the main difference being there is no weight requirement since he's already IN the Reserves. Yay!
The local AD Recruiter, of course, never mentioned this option because he didn't want to "lose" Chris as a possible recruit. That's completely understandable from his perspective but I still think he should have given Chris ALL of his options considering he knew the situation with the Reserves, etc. ANYwho...
We've started the paperwork process yet again. It was just lucky that he had his monthly UTA this past weekend so he was able to speak with the recruiter there and start gathering paperwork and having letters of recommendation written.
It'll be another few weeks before the package is sent and approved but at least the process has been started. The only really bad thing about this (either option really) is that the April class is full so he has to wait until JUNE to leave.
Yes, you heard right. That means we're "stuck" here until mid July before the possibility of a move. Like I said, it's a light at the end of the tunnel but I never expected us to be here for so long.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Outside the Bubble
The path that our lives has taken isn't what we ever imagined. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I just have a hard time letting my plan go. I'm learning to "go with the flow" more each day but I still struggle with one thing.
I don't belong here.
I was beyond excited when we were moving home. I've always felt guilty that my grandmother never met Bubba until he was over a year old. I know that it wasn't my fault and she is by no means upset with us but I still feel guilty.
I was so excited to be home among our families and friends. I couldn't wait to catch up with the girls-go shopping, out to lunch, girls night in (or out)...
I'm struggling because it never happens. I know that everyone has their own lives and families to take care of. At the same time I feel like I'm slipping away from my closest friends. The excitement has faded and the promises to get together have stopped coming in. I feel like I've lost touch with the people that I thought I'd never lose touch with.
I have no one to call when there's good news. I have no one to call when nap time rolls around and I just feel like chatting with a girlfriend to pass the afternoon. The two people that I felt like I could share anything with are thousands of miles away. They're just waking up and making breakfast when I'm eating lunch.
Last night I talked to one of those good friends for quite a while (closed in the bathroom so I wouldn't wake the rest of the house with my late night conversation LOL). She's always been the voice of reason for me.
She said this:
"It's hard when you grow up in a small town and none of your family of friends never leave. We left. We've met so many different people from so many different walks of life! It's hard to go back to that small town where no one or nothing ever changes and try to fit in. You just can't live in a little bubble anymore because you've actually seen the world."
I may like to think that I'm the same person that I was when we packed that U-Haul and left Albion in November of 2001 but I'd be fooling myself. I've changed. I've heard stories that no one would believe and I've had experiences that no one would understand...unless you've been there too.
I'm not in that military bubble right now. I may have desperately wanted to pop that bubble a year ago but now I can't wait to get back inside.
I don't belong here.
I was beyond excited when we were moving home. I've always felt guilty that my grandmother never met Bubba until he was over a year old. I know that it wasn't my fault and she is by no means upset with us but I still feel guilty.
I was so excited to be home among our families and friends. I couldn't wait to catch up with the girls-go shopping, out to lunch, girls night in (or out)...
I'm struggling because it never happens. I know that everyone has their own lives and families to take care of. At the same time I feel like I'm slipping away from my closest friends. The excitement has faded and the promises to get together have stopped coming in. I feel like I've lost touch with the people that I thought I'd never lose touch with.
I have no one to call when there's good news. I have no one to call when nap time rolls around and I just feel like chatting with a girlfriend to pass the afternoon. The two people that I felt like I could share anything with are thousands of miles away. They're just waking up and making breakfast when I'm eating lunch.
Last night I talked to one of those good friends for quite a while (closed in the bathroom so I wouldn't wake the rest of the house with my late night conversation LOL). She's always been the voice of reason for me.
She said this:
"It's hard when you grow up in a small town and none of your family of friends never leave. We left. We've met so many different people from so many different walks of life! It's hard to go back to that small town where no one or nothing ever changes and try to fit in. You just can't live in a little bubble anymore because you've actually seen the world."
I may like to think that I'm the same person that I was when we packed that U-Haul and left Albion in November of 2001 but I'd be fooling myself. I've changed. I've heard stories that no one would believe and I've had experiences that no one would understand...unless you've been there too.
I'm not in that military bubble right now. I may have desperately wanted to pop that bubble a year ago but now I can't wait to get back inside.
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