Tag Archives: baby

Sibling Gifts

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I wrote this post before we were surprised by Baby Jo’s early arrival. Thankfully, C absolutely adores his sister!

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C’s reaction to meeting Baby Deuce is going to go one of two ways:

1. “Oooo, baby!” *cue soft petting of baby’s head and attempt to kiss her*

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2. Zero interest in baby, but anger over the fact that Mama or Dada is holding baby instead of him.

Like every other parent in the history of the world, I’m afraid of reaction deux. I thought that perhaps if Baby Deuce presents C with gifts, he might be more receptive to her. Either that, or so excited about his gifts that he’s too distracted to have reaction deux. C absolutely loves cars, trucks, buses…anything with wheels. These are the two gifts that Baby Deuce will give him when they meet:

Sibling Gifts

I know he’ll love them. I hope he’ll love his new baby sister, too!

Did you present your older child with a gift from the new baby?

 

We Bought an Ergo!

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Amazon had an amazing deal on Ergo Baby Carriers last week, and Hubster and I decided to snag one.  I’ve been eyeing these up for months.  My sister-in-law loves hers!  I know I’ll be using a carrier a lot so that I have my hands free to take care of C.  I’m just hoping that Baby Deuce enjoys carriers more than C did!

Two Parts Excited, One Part Scared

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I’m excited about Baby Deuce…but I’m also kind of scared.

I’m scared to go through a traumatic birth experience again, although I know the likelihood of a repeat scenario is zero simply because I’m scheduling a cesarean.

I’m scared to go through a super uncomfortable pregnancy again.  There were so many pains and general discomforts when I was pregnant with C, and it’s likely that I’ll go through all of those things again.  But the reward is great, and that’s what I’ll need to focus on.

I’m scared to go through PPD again, but I have a plan in place as well as medical professionals to call upon to help me through.

I’m scared to lose myself again.  To fall into the deep abyss of depression, rage, intrusive thoughts and anxiety.  It’s terrifying to think that I’ll need to claw my way back into my life.  I spent many months doing that, and finally got back to “me” right before I got pregnant with little Baby Deuce.

But then I think about how awesome of a big brother C will be.  When I tell him that there’s a baby in mama’s belly, he says, “Yeah!”

I’m excited to give him a sibling and to see their relationship develop.

I’m excited to say, “My kids.”  Plural.

I’m excited for the opportunity to experience the newborn and baby stage again.  Hopefully this time I will be present.  Hopefully this time I will remember it all.

Hopeful.  I’m hopeful.

My Baby Gave Up His Bottle

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*sniffle*

C has given up his bottle.

We decided not to wean him off of his nighttime bottle at 12 months, because of all the transition we’ve had in the past two months.  That bottle always seemed to comfort him before bed and I didn’t want to take that comfort away.  He’s 14 months old now and I was planning on weaning him in the next couple weeks after he adjusted to our new home.  I know that it was time and am relieved not to go through a weaning process, but I still find myself grieving the fact that my son isn’t a little baby anymore.

That time just went too quickly!  I miss those moments of holding him in the darkness, breathing in his freshly-bathed scent while he drank his bottle just before bed.  I used those moments to gaze at his sweet features and just soak him in.  It’s sad those moments are now over.

My Sweet Baby C is Now a Toddler

I’m Coming Down With Baby Fever…

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Hubster and I are noticing how big our little baby is getting.  How do they grow so much, so quickly in their first year?!  He used to be only eight pounds, 22.75 inches long, and completely dependent on us.  He was so easy to hold and cuddle, and so very tiny.

Now he’s our little monkey, climbing all over us and lunging in every direction.  He yells, screams, calls our names and does hilarious things that even he laughs about.  I just started putting my little boy in 12-month size sleepers and size 3 diapers.  Did you know that they start putting rubber on the feet of 12-month sleepers for when kids start to walk?  *sniffle*

I’ve always wanted to have kids close in age and now that we see our baby getting to be a much larger baby, I’m starting to get the itch.  I’m fighting an inner battle with my newfound baby fever, because logically I know that it’s not the right time.  This summer, we’ll be moving to a different state (which one is yet to be determined) and Hubster will be starting a different job.  I don’t want to be pregnant when we’re in the middle of a big move.  There’s a lot of stress that goes into it, not to mention the change in insurance – and the possible gap between when we have coverage.  Most importantly, I’m in the midst of my battle with postpartum depression.  I’m still working with my OBGYN to find the proper dosage of medication to help me.  After that, she said that I should stay on it for a year before trying to wean off of it.  I know that I shouldn’t get pregnant again before dealing with this first.  But, then there’s the other part of me.

My biological clock has been screaming at me lately.  I know that I’m young (24), but I have extenuating circumstances.  I have PCOS, which can make it very difficult to get pregnant.  Until we try again, it’s impossible to know if C was a medical marvel or if I don’t have a problem conceiving despite my PCOS.  It might take a long time for us to have another child.  I want more than one.  In fact, I want more than two children.  I feel like my ovaries are screaming at me to get going on all this babymaking!  I really want C to have a sibling close in age.

Thus, I continue to grapple with logic versus the heart’s desire and probably will do so for the next year.  Have you had difficulty deciding which time was right for you to add to your family?

Review: Baby Bjorn Babysitter Balance

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C Bouncing, 7 Months Old

When C had colic during his first eight weeks, Hubster and I were desperate to find anything that would help him.  Hubster had heard about the BABYBJÖRN BabySitter Balance from a supervisor.  We balked at the price, but we were sold after Hubster conducted further research on the product.

The natural rocking motion helps develop a child’s motor skills and balance, since the baby is in complete control of the seat’s movements.  There isn’t a mechanism to make the seat move.  When C was very young, we could use our foot to bounce the seat.  By about 2.5 months of age, C recognized that he was in charge of making the seat bounce.  Even now, at 7 months of age, he loves his seat.  He swings his legs up as high as he can and quickly brings them down.  It’s pretty hilarious to watch him bouncing and laughing.

There are three positions to the seat: play, rest and sleep.  The weight maximum is 29 pounds for play, 22 pounds for rest and 15 pounds for sleep.  I love that the weight maximum is that high so we can get a lot of use out of the seat.

Another thing I love is that the fabric comes completely off in one piece and is machine washable.  It’s been so easy to clean spit-up or general baby slobber. :)

We’ve also been able to bring this along with us when we visit family, because it folds almost flat for easy travel or storage.

Even though the price is a bit steep, we’ve found that the BABYBJÖRN BabySitter Balance is worth the investment.  It’s a quality product that has grown with C, and I know that he will continue to enjoy it for many more months.  I love that it is so compact when folded down.  It’s so easy to use and clean.  I recommend it!

*Baby Bjorn did not compensate me for this review.*

Am I Stay-At-Home Mom Material?

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Courtesy of babble.com

We’ve all seen supermom.  She effortlessly drives around town in her minivan, escorting her children to all of their extracurricular activities.  Dressed in school colors, she claps wildly at her kids’ sporting events.  She bakes elaborate snacks and her house is always spotless.  She has time to do her hair every morning and never wears yoga pants unless she’s working out.

I’m most definitely not supermom.  I have no idea how supermom operates, but I’d welcome her into my home to provide me with a tutorial on life.  Lately, I’ve been starting to wonder if I really have what it takes to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM).

While I thrive off of interactions with people, I’ve always been an introvert who needs some time alone to recharge.  I cannot be with anyone 24/7…even my own child.

In the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize that even my flesh and blood is not immune to my need to be alone.  I’ve had to spend a lot of solo time with C in the past few weeks while Hubster worked some long hours and attended two conferences.  A heaping dose of mom guilt comes along with realizing that you’re not capable of sanely taking care of your child every second.  I’m going to compare being a SAHM to having a job, though I do see it as both an occupation and a privilege.

When I worked outside of the home, I had lunch breaks.  If I got really sick, I took a sick day.  When I had to use the bathroom, I did so without my boss crying because I left my desk.  I went home at the end of the day to do whatever I chose to do.  Each night, I slept without being interrupted by my boss.

I miss those moments of alone time!  That time to just take care of yourself and just “be.”  I don’t know if I have what it takes to be a SAHM long-term.  I know that I will continue until we move next summer.  Perhaps by then I will figure out how to be a SAHM and not lose my identity (and sanity!) in the process.  I’ve been told by other SAHMs that the first year was very difficult.  I’m learning that in order to be a good mother and wife, I need to get away.  Hubster has agreed to let me get out once or twice a week for a few hours of “me time,” and I am so glad.

How do you handle being a SAHM?

Motherlove Diaper Rash and Thrush Salve Review

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After being very pleased with the Motherlove Nipple Cream while breastfeeding, the kind folks at Motherlove sent me their Diaper Rash & Thrush salve to try.  I’m so glad that they did!  

C typically does not have any diaper rash; however, he’s had quite a bit of redness since he started teething.  We avoid changing C’s diaper during the night because it causes him to wake up too much.  By the morning, his little butt is red.  We started applying Motherlove Diaper Rash & Thrush salve before bed and also when he wakes up.  The redness has significantly diminished in the past two weeks.  In fact, on most days C does not have any diaper rash.  We apply the salve even when his bootie isn’t red for preventative measures.

The consistency of the salve is a lot different than the typical white paste that you slather onto your baby’s bottom!  It’s almost the consistency of a lip balm.  It goes on clear and doesn’t leave any residue behind (heh, behind! I crack myself up! Oh, the puns just keep on coming…).  The salve seems to moisturize the skin in addition to healing the diaper rash.

As a mother, I like to use as many natural ingredients as possible for my son.  Motherlove Diaper Rash & Thrush salve is made with 96% certified organic ingredients.  It’s an all-natural herbal treatment.  If your baby struggles with diaper rash, I would highly recommend this product!

Enjoy!

Packing Away Baby Clothes

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Earlier this week, I posted about how C has been growing like a weed.  I really thought I could still get two more weeks out of the bigger sleepers and onesies.  No such luck!

I reluctantly packed away all of C’s 3-month onesies and sleepers, along with his newborn and 0-3 month clothes.  It’s so sad to look at those adorable little outfits and fold them up one last time before putting them in a storage bin.  My little boy is getting big!

Hubster and I measured him tonight.  Who knows if they’ll take the time to stretch out his legs at the doctor’s office next week, but by our measurements C is 26 inches long!  That’s the limit of his infant carseat!  I’m glad that I brought back our convertible carseat when I visited my parents this month (they kindly store things for us when we don’t have space!).

On another note, the 6-month sleepers are SO wide on C.  It looks kind of funny.  He is such a skinny baby.  In fact, we noticed today that C has rock hard abs from all of his kicking and squirming.  I’ve never seen a baby that doesn’t have a soft, pudgy belly!  Silly kid. :)

One Year Ago Today I Found Out I Was Pregnant

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It was one year ago today that I woke up at 6am and decided to take a pregnancy test.  I was about to join a boot camp fitness team with three other grad students.  I hadn’t been feeling quite right and my period was late (although with PCOS, the latter part was not abnormal), so I thought I would make sure that I wasn’t pregnant before I spent $75 on boot camp.

Our Family of Three

Taking the test was more of a formality for me.  I really didn’t expect to be pregnant.  A month before, I had been diagnosed with PCOS and was told that it would be difficult for me to conceive.

I remember getting impatient waiting for the results.  It was pretty early and I really wanted to go back to bed.  Then that second pink line started to appear.  Uh-oh.  It was very faint.  What does this mean?!  I frantically looked at the instructions, only to find what I already suspected.  ANY second line, faint or not, means you’re pregnant, honey.  OH.  MY.  DEAR.  LORD.

I bounded out of the bathroom yelling Hubster’s name.  He was still asleep, so my frantic yells for him were a bit startling.  ”WHAT?!”

“Look at this.  There’s two lines.  I just took the pregnancy test and there’s two lines.  What does that mean?!”

Hubster walked into the bathroom to look at the test.  ”Well, it says here that if there’s two lines then you’re pregnant.”  I met his words with a look of shock and horror.  Much to my dismay, Hubster walked back to bed and was about to go back to sleep.

Me: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

Hubster: “Well, you’re pregnant.  I might as well get some sleep.”

Me: “WHAT??!?!”  Seeing that he really intended to go back to sleep even though I just discovered that I was PREGNANT, I got a bit upset.  ”We’re not going to talk about this?”

Hubster: “What’s there to talk about?  You’re pregnant.”

Me: “Ummm…YEAH??!”

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Even though Hubster was very nonchalant at first, we both had to make huge emotional adjustments over the next few months as we came to terms with how our lives were about to change in a way that we didn’t anticipate happening for several years.  We were both 23 and had just moved to a new state, where Hubster was starting a live-in graduate assistantship.  We had both just finished our first week of graduate school, where we were in the same program and classes.  I wasn’t thrilled about my graduate assistantship and was hesitant about starting graduate school, but I was super excited about us graduating with our Master’s degrees together.  It was such a fun thought that filled me with pride and excitement.  We were planning on starting a family after we both worked in our professional positions for a couple of years.  This was not at all in the plan.

I would venture to say that I had a much more difficult adjustment than Hubster did.  Between weeks 5-14, I had the most terrible morning sickness that ended up being diagnosed as hyperemesis.  I only vomited once, but I dry heaved so much that I spent the majority of my day hovering over the toilet or a bucket.  It was nearly impossible to eat or drink anything.  I was forced to drop a class that was heavily attendance-based.  Unable to pick up another class, I had to withdraw from school.  That also ended my graduate assistantship.  Within six weeks, I went from starting a new job and grad school to being constantly ill and not having any school or work.  That was really rough.  It wasn’t until week 14 of my pregnancy that the doctor found something to help me, Zofran.  I really wish I had found it sooner!

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Regardless of how difficult our journey has been this past year, I am now blessed with this beautiful, complex, wonderful child that fills me with joy (and despair at times!).  I’m a stay-at-home mom a few years earlier than I thought I would be.  But C is here now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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This journey started with two lines:

And now I get to look at this sweet little face every day:

Losing My Mind

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Today, C is only happy while being held in a standing-up position.  You’d think he’d be happy standing in his exersaucer.  Nope.  You’d think he’d be happy playing in his gym (his absolute favorite toy).  Nope.  Is he hungry?  No, recently ate.  Does he need a diaper change?  No, recently pooped.  Is he tired?  No, he just took a two hour nap while being held because he would NOT stop crying in his pack n play.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to take care of the overflowing basket of dirty laundry, the ominous stack of dirty pots and pans, and the fact that I must get some work done today.

Every time I tried to put C down so that I could get something – anything! – done, he started to cry.  Ya can’t even reason with this kid! :-p  So then I started crying.

There we sat, looking at each other in despair, tears rolling down our cheeks.  That’s when I knew I had to text Hubster with a plea for help.

Thankfully, C is now running errands with Hubster.  I need to pop some ibuprofen, turn on some trashy television, put my feet up, get some work done on my laptop and eat a few Oreos with absolutely no regard to how it’s messing with my Weight Watchers points.