Friday, October 30, 2009

This is serious. Grateful.

As I read some of the blogs I’ve come to follow regularly, it has occurred to me that I have a lot to be grateful for. For example, Matt Logelin lost his wife shortly after the birth of their daughter, the Spohrs lost Madeline, and countless others lost a portion of their family unexpectedly.
I started my blog shortly before my daughter was born. At the time it was just for fun, now, just a few months later, it has become a little outlet for me and a way for family and friends to keep up with us even if I don't post as much as I'd like to.
I have seen friends lose their idea of birth and end up with a new plan due to high blood pressure or other pregnancy related issues. I have seen people on bed rest in the hospital for months to keep their twins as inside babies and not become outside babies all too soon. I have also recently seen a friend find out that she carries the breast cancer gene. The gene of the disease that took her mother from her way too soon.
Now, as I read the blogs of others and see what some of my family and friends go through in life, I realize just how lucky I am to have had a normal full term pregnancy, a fast delivery, a healthy baby and family and a speedy recovery. I am grateful that my Mom was able to come help me multiple times a week while I was on maternity leave. I am grateful my husband is as awesome as he is. I am grateful to have found such an awesome daycare where the baby gets to do art projects already. I am grateful my job allows me to work 4 days a week so I can spend Friday's at home with my baby. I am grateful that I got to hold her while she slept for 3 hours today. I am grateful we have a warm place to live, food in our pantry and fridge, and a little extra cash to spend once in a while. There is so much more I am grateful for that can't even begin to list.
I’m so grateful!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Oh Shit!

Be warned – This post is not for those with a queasy stomach.

Literally….. So, Tuesday. Frank had a half day so he picked up the baby early from his sister’s house. After a few rough days I wasn’t sure how she’d sleep, so early in the day I talked to Nicki and at that time she was sleeping. She continued to take 2 three and a half hour naps during the day only eating once and not pooping at all……. (I know you know where this is going)

At 4:45, Frank called to ask me where the milk was cuz the baby woke up and was hungry. The milk is in the freezer , thaw it in some water and you’ll be good to go.

I got home about 5:20. I don’t even think the screen door was closed and Abby came running downstairs and said “Dad needs you IMMEDIATELY, the baby pooped everywhere”. I laughed – yeah right I was thinking.

Yeah right, ah Yeah, she did. She pooped everywhere. On her onesie, her sleeper, all the way up her back. It ended up on her shoulders, her elbows, the brand new living room pillow, but remarkably, not on Frank who was holding her while the event happened. He said that he didn’t hear anything – mind you, usually my baby does some significant grunting in order to have a BM and usually you can hear the diaper filling up. BUT THEN he smelt it, and lifted her up to make sure she didn’t leak. Moments later she was happy as a clam sitting in her own poo…

So, since Abby was so excitedly telling me that Dad needed me, I RAN upstairs and when I walked into the bedroom, her chubby little naked body was on the changing table with Frank having a little bit of a freak out while mildly gagging and insisted she have her nightly bath immediately. He did a great job cleaning her up, so we waited a bit to see if there was another blow out and then bathed her at her normal pre-bedtime time. No additional blow out and this baby was totally happy, almost laughing in the face of what some would call a disaster.
Thank God, Mom got home in time to clean up the messy clothes, take out the poopy garbage and open the window to get the stink out.

Update: I have been assured that Frank will write his version of the incident. I'll post when complete!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday 10/22

There's an angel above us - 4 years.

So, we've survived week 2 of work/daycare. Sydney is doing so good at both of her daycare places. I'm very pleased. This week she got to watch a Halloween movie and visit the Grandfriends (seniors in the care center next door). She also has been learning to nap well in the hands of others which is putting my mind at ease. I was so worried that she wouldn't sleep while at daycare... but I guess she knows when she's tired and will sleep then. I hate having to take her out in this stupid cold rain and wind, but I know it's only going to get worse. Guess I better get my shit together and make sure I always have a blanket for her...unlike today. (No Mom of the year quite yet!)
She's also been a very good night sleeper.... sleeping anywhere from 5 - 7 1/2 hours per night! Rock on!
I feel like I'm starting to get back into the swing of things at work, actually accomplishing a fairly big project this week. It was nice to walk out of there today with at least one of the 100 loose ends tied up! I'm getting into the zone of pumping at work too... Just call me Bessy... anxiety is going away about that too!
I'm proud to say that it's been a good week and even though I have to be in 4 different places tomorrow, I'm happy that it's my day off! Hope that babe of mine knows how to sleep on the go!

Thanks for watching over us Carrie!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

She's an artist & has a tongue

So, the first week of Daycare, they have already started doing art work. Seriously, my baby is 9 weeks old and she's an artist.

Yes, she created a ghost with her foot, ok well maybe Miss Madeline did the work, but I'm sure this is the beginning of getting those creative juices flowing. I'm so proud! I can't wait to see what else she gets to do.
Oh an by the way she has found her tongue. She sticks it out at everything and likes to lick her burp cloth. I don't know, but it must taste good. Maybe I'll try it tonight just to see.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

2 months, back to work, blogging, thanks

So... This is week two of my going back to work.

So far it's not too bad and also not too good. But I'll go so far as to say it's more good than bad. Baby is at daycare 3 days a week and with my sister in law 1 day a week. Yes, that's 4 days and I don't work on Fridays...WAHOO!!!! (HUGE Thanks go to my boss for fighting for my 1 day off!!) Can I just say THANK GOD for my sister in law! She is taking such good care of my baby it puts my mind at ease. Not that the daycare isn't taking good care of her, but you know, it's different when it's family.
I really miss my baby when I'm at work, but I know she's in good hands, learning a lot and that I am in NO WAY cut out to be a SAHM. While I was home, I would work very hard to get her to go to sleep, then after she'd be sleeping for an hour and I was showered and fed, I would sit and stare at her just waiting for her to wake up. Now that I'm back to work, I really miss being able to just sit, because there is just so much to do each night and I still need to get to bed early so I can be up with her at least once.... Thanks to Sydney for having mostly good nights and only waking up once between 9 and 6. Another thing I miss is having time to see my husband and time to write and blog. I vow to take a few minutes each day to get some thoughts out on this screen so I can remember what's going on right now and so Sydney can some day know too!
So, back to this work thing... You'd sure think that some things would have gotten accomplished while I was gone for 8 freaking weeks. I had to create a folder for all the to do list notes I have since I've been back. This is totally crazy! I do enjoy being back in the real world and the fact that this week I have more clothes that fit than last week. Another Thanks to Sydney for helping Mommy shed those pregnancy pounds without much work.
During my maternity leave I found this blog... www.mattlogelin.com. Matt lost his wife 27 hours after his daughter was born. Matt is an amazing writer and is doing an amazing job raising his daughter. Check out his blog, you'll be addicted to the daily happenings of Matt and Maddy's life. I started from the beginning and have to force myself to step away from the computer each night so I can get some sleep. It's like a real life book you just can't put down.
Also, huge thanks to my Mom for coming to help us out so much over the last 2 months. She fed us, did our laundry, folded Frank's underwear, built stuff for us and sewed stuff for Sydney. Mom you ROCK!!!
One last thanks to my hubby. He holds me up, keeps me sane, calms me down when I'm freaking out about him being in school 3 nights a week among other things. He is a great dad and an even better hubby! I must say I'm a little jealous of him cuz he gets to stay up later than me on a regular basis... :) You also ROCK!!!
The thing I'm most surprised about during this whole becoming a Mom process is that I'm dealing with the sleep deprivation remarkably well. At least I think I am...I'm sure there are others who will attest to whether that is a true statement.