I know that my blog is supposed to be about my life in DC, but as of a few months ago, a small stork brought me a little someone who has now become my new life in DC. The subject of this post has been the new "hot topic" in our house the last week or so. Annie has reached the stage of "creeping" and rolling around like a mad woman. She thinks she's big stuff.
However, when I swaddle her at night, she sleeps like a teenager. You know, you remember...sleeping in until 10 on Saturdays. Only, she sleeps "in" until 7 to 8. Trust me, it's sleeping in. But, because she is getting older, when do you take the wrap off and call her a big girl; sending her into the wild of restless nights with no net to catch her (so to speak)? Am I stunting her developmentally because I and she needs a little shut eye?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Big Weekend
Well, not only did we have our first couch experience, but Sunday was Annie's first baseball game. Our friends, Toni and Jesse gave us tickets for FANTASTIC seats. We had a great time, considering... She was all geared up and ready to go, except one thing. She hadn't taken that great of a nap before hand. We got to the line at 5 Guys in the stands and wouldn't you know she screamed bloody murder for two straight innings. The innings were long in the beginning b/c the other team kept scoring. We finally got to our seats by the 3rd inning and she zoncked out! She was up and at'em by the 7th inning stretch and ready to go home by the 9th. I don't blame her. The Nats aren't that great, but the games are still fun to go to when you can.
All in all, it was memorable for everyone.
All in all, it was memorable for everyone.
We all saw it coming...
Okay, so lets be honest here. What I am about to tell you will absolutely not shock you. Why, b/c I am a mother. It's what I do.
So, Saturday night we were trying to settle Annie down before getting her to bed. Matt was in the kitchen getting her bottle ready and I was in the living room getting her swaddled and ready for our bedtime story. I turned my back for a moment, thanks to my sick obsession with text messaging and I see it happening in slow motion... thud! thud! WHAAAAAH!!!
That's right, she fell of the couch! OH MY GOSH! SHE FELL OFF OF THE COUCH! Now, honestly, it was bound to happen sooner or later, but I would rather it be the later part. It was so sad. She was so tired and scared. I mean, I am supposed to be the one to catch her when she falls, but I wasn't. My poor girl! I know that in about a year or so I'll probably leave her at the grocery store of something. What goes around comes around. I mean, I was left all over Muskogee, OK as a kid. I love my parents, but I think they secretly were trying to teach me a lesson (still not sure what it was just yet). If I cried once I cried 6 times at several different points in my growing years. I was left in SALISAW, OK, my dad's office, the grocery store, the mall... Not that I am bitter or have a complex...My point is, my poor Annie doesn't stand a chance.
So, Saturday night we were trying to settle Annie down before getting her to bed. Matt was in the kitchen getting her bottle ready and I was in the living room getting her swaddled and ready for our bedtime story. I turned my back for a moment, thanks to my sick obsession with text messaging and I see it happening in slow motion... thud! thud! WHAAAAAH!!!
That's right, she fell of the couch! OH MY GOSH! SHE FELL OFF OF THE COUCH! Now, honestly, it was bound to happen sooner or later, but I would rather it be the later part. It was so sad. She was so tired and scared. I mean, I am supposed to be the one to catch her when she falls, but I wasn't. My poor girl! I know that in about a year or so I'll probably leave her at the grocery store of something. What goes around comes around. I mean, I was left all over Muskogee, OK as a kid. I love my parents, but I think they secretly were trying to teach me a lesson (still not sure what it was just yet). If I cried once I cried 6 times at several different points in my growing years. I was left in SALISAW, OK, my dad's office, the grocery store, the mall... Not that I am bitter or have a complex...My point is, my poor Annie doesn't stand a chance.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The last 5 months...
As of this past Monday, I have embarked on new territory in feeding Annie. Oatmeal. Okay, here's what has happened.
For some unknown reason, even to myself, I decided day 1 I was going to breast feed. Now I know this is a less than appealing topic, trust me, but I have learned a few things I think people should know.
In my last real post I mentioned selfishness, and this is one of those moments.
You see, Annie was not a super big fan of latching. I mean, she and I battled it out for weeks. I called in the professionals and even they were like, "I don't know what to tell you." I paid good money to hear that btw.
I decided to solely pump and that is what I have been doing for the last 4- 5 months. As of March I have been weening myself off b/c well, after what I have been through I think I deserve a break.
In January I got mastitis. I got rid of it with the help of modern medicine and lots of hot showers. Oh, and pumping. 2 weeks later I got mastitis on the other side, this time after two rounds of different antibiotics it had gotten progressively worse. It had actually formed an abscess the size of a baseball. At this point, I am going back and forth to Georgetown Hospital at least once a week. I had the sucker drained (I will spare you details on that whole mess) and they found MRSA had settled in for a long winters nap. On my fourth round of antibiotics and a visit to GTown twice a week for a straight month and a half, I am MRSA free and abscess free as of the end of Feb. I was there so much it got to the point that all of the nurses knew me by name and would just say, head to "your room" and I'm not even kidding.
I say all of this to say, since the beginning of March I have been slowly backing away from my pump (my new husband) and entering the world of formula. And the thing is, I am not afraid of formula or think one is better than the other, I am just stubborn. I don't like the feeling of defeat or that I didn't do what I had set out to do. And you know, through it all and all the driving back and forth, I never once minded the pain or the process. It was love. It's what I felt I had to do for her. I know that she is going to be a genius and go to Harvard or Oklahoma Christian (because they are almost the same) b/c she has her father's genes. It's one of those bonding things, I guess. It's that I could do this one thing for her. I was giving her a piece of me. I mean, she has Matt's looks, will have his brain power (Lord willing), but I could feed her. Ya know? I guess that is it. And now, here we are changing the game again with oatmeal. What's next steak? As I look back on the past 5 months with nothing but joy and watching her grow, I am so excited to see what she does next. I have learned that formula really isn't the "F" word. I have SO much more time on my hands, and she and I still bond. (who wouldn't want to bond with me? I'm fabulous!) Breast feeding drama and trauma is not worth it. I would rather her have a healthy mommy who loves her and can give her more attention than she needs than something worse. Speaking of attention: She awakes. So to you out there in the cyber world who are learning as you go like the rest of us...take it from me. It's better to love and play and be by taking care of yourself just as much as it is to take care of your little piece of precious. Play time!
For some unknown reason, even to myself, I decided day 1 I was going to breast feed. Now I know this is a less than appealing topic, trust me, but I have learned a few things I think people should know.
In my last real post I mentioned selfishness, and this is one of those moments.
You see, Annie was not a super big fan of latching. I mean, she and I battled it out for weeks. I called in the professionals and even they were like, "I don't know what to tell you." I paid good money to hear that btw.
I decided to solely pump and that is what I have been doing for the last 4- 5 months. As of March I have been weening myself off b/c well, after what I have been through I think I deserve a break.
In January I got mastitis. I got rid of it with the help of modern medicine and lots of hot showers. Oh, and pumping. 2 weeks later I got mastitis on the other side, this time after two rounds of different antibiotics it had gotten progressively worse. It had actually formed an abscess the size of a baseball. At this point, I am going back and forth to Georgetown Hospital at least once a week. I had the sucker drained (I will spare you details on that whole mess) and they found MRSA had settled in for a long winters nap. On my fourth round of antibiotics and a visit to GTown twice a week for a straight month and a half, I am MRSA free and abscess free as of the end of Feb. I was there so much it got to the point that all of the nurses knew me by name and would just say, head to "your room" and I'm not even kidding.
I say all of this to say, since the beginning of March I have been slowly backing away from my pump (my new husband) and entering the world of formula. And the thing is, I am not afraid of formula or think one is better than the other, I am just stubborn. I don't like the feeling of defeat or that I didn't do what I had set out to do. And you know, through it all and all the driving back and forth, I never once minded the pain or the process. It was love. It's what I felt I had to do for her. I know that she is going to be a genius and go to Harvard or Oklahoma Christian (because they are almost the same) b/c she has her father's genes. It's one of those bonding things, I guess. It's that I could do this one thing for her. I was giving her a piece of me. I mean, she has Matt's looks, will have his brain power (Lord willing), but I could feed her. Ya know? I guess that is it. And now, here we are changing the game again with oatmeal. What's next steak? As I look back on the past 5 months with nothing but joy and watching her grow, I am so excited to see what she does next. I have learned that formula really isn't the "F" word. I have SO much more time on my hands, and she and I still bond. (who wouldn't want to bond with me? I'm fabulous!) Breast feeding drama and trauma is not worth it. I would rather her have a healthy mommy who loves her and can give her more attention than she needs than something worse. Speaking of attention: She awakes. So to you out there in the cyber world who are learning as you go like the rest of us...take it from me. It's better to love and play and be by taking care of yourself just as much as it is to take care of your little piece of precious. Play time!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Well...
I know. I am pretty much the worst blogger in the creation of online journaling...I know.
Let me start by saying that motherhood...well, there are so many things to say about it. It's the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done, next to marriage. Annie is the best baby and I am beyond blessed, but the last 5 months ( I know! I can't believe it either) have been a true learning and growing experience. I have days where I want to be selfish and let her just sit and cry until I get annoyed and go get her, but her sweet little face forces me to do otherwise (most of the time). I remember actually thinking the night I went into the hospital "this will be my last nights sleep for a long time." Is that bad? The thing of it is, she sleeps through the night, but for some reason I can never get enough sleep. This experience, thus far, has throttled me into a world of selflessness, for sure. She cries, I jump into action, whatever it may be. I wash bottles at least 1 hour a day (total) thanks to Dr.Brown and his(it has to be a man) creative ways of 6 parts to 1 bottle. She flashes her million dollar smile and my heart melts and sometimes there are tears b/c there is no way I could ever have done anything so right as this little girl.
She roles over and has started creeping her way to whatever she wants. She is almost mobile. When the day comes that she understands how to get her little legs under her, I think I am doomed. She talks all of the time. She may look like daddy, but...well, I won't say it, but you all know.
As for me, I take each day with great stride in anticipation for what it holds and has in store for us. She is my little sidekick I take everywhere I go. She is even loving gardening with me. As I pull weeds, she tries to eat them. "Those aren't yours." She snores, as she is doing right this moment.
Anyway, that is what has been consuming my life the past 5 months. And those who say, "you won't even remember life before your baby" are in fact big fat liars. I remember life before here, and it was good. She just adds a little extra excitement. Like salsa or queso... it makes every chip taste a whole lot better.
Let me start by saying that motherhood...well, there are so many things to say about it. It's the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done, next to marriage. Annie is the best baby and I am beyond blessed, but the last 5 months ( I know! I can't believe it either) have been a true learning and growing experience. I have days where I want to be selfish and let her just sit and cry until I get annoyed and go get her, but her sweet little face forces me to do otherwise (most of the time). I remember actually thinking the night I went into the hospital "this will be my last nights sleep for a long time." Is that bad? The thing of it is, she sleeps through the night, but for some reason I can never get enough sleep. This experience, thus far, has throttled me into a world of selflessness, for sure. She cries, I jump into action, whatever it may be. I wash bottles at least 1 hour a day (total) thanks to Dr.Brown and his(it has to be a man) creative ways of 6 parts to 1 bottle. She flashes her million dollar smile and my heart melts and sometimes there are tears b/c there is no way I could ever have done anything so right as this little girl.
She roles over and has started creeping her way to whatever she wants. She is almost mobile. When the day comes that she understands how to get her little legs under her, I think I am doomed. She talks all of the time. She may look like daddy, but...well, I won't say it, but you all know.
As for me, I take each day with great stride in anticipation for what it holds and has in store for us. She is my little sidekick I take everywhere I go. She is even loving gardening with me. As I pull weeds, she tries to eat them. "Those aren't yours." She snores, as she is doing right this moment.
Anyway, that is what has been consuming my life the past 5 months. And those who say, "you won't even remember life before your baby" are in fact big fat liars. I remember life before here, and it was good. She just adds a little extra excitement. Like salsa or queso... it makes every chip taste a whole lot better.
Friday, March 05, 2010
IIIII'M BAAAAAACK!
Okay. So a couple of things have happened since my last blog. I'm not still pregnant for one thing and we finally got internet at home! So, you are now stuck listening to my rants, raves and whatever else comes to my mind as I type away.
Okay, lets start with the obvious...
I had our baby! Annie Jayne was born on Nov. 15 at 6lb 7oz. I have to say, my birth experience was awesome! I mean, I don't want to do it every day, but every couple of years...I could repeat the experience and be okay with myself. I'll tell you all about it in another post, but in the mean time...here's what she looked like minutes after taking her first breath in this world.
It was a little weird at first. Like there was an alien in the room. However, with the help of the amazing staff at our hospital, well, who are we kidding, there was still an alien in the room.
We were not allowed to have ANY visitors during our time at the hospital so Matt and I got to have 2 days with her all to ourselves before taking her home where my mom was DYING, I'm sure, to get her hands on her.
This is our first family photo before leaving the hospital with her. She's so tiny!
But honestly, I fell in love with her immediately, but it took some time to get used to her...
Okay, lets start with the obvious...
I had our baby! Annie Jayne was born on Nov. 15 at 6lb 7oz. I have to say, my birth experience was awesome! I mean, I don't want to do it every day, but every couple of years...I could repeat the experience and be okay with myself. I'll tell you all about it in another post, but in the mean time...here's what she looked like minutes after taking her first breath in this world.
It was a little weird at first. Like there was an alien in the room. However, with the help of the amazing staff at our hospital, well, who are we kidding, there was still an alien in the room.
We were not allowed to have ANY visitors during our time at the hospital so Matt and I got to have 2 days with her all to ourselves before taking her home where my mom was DYING, I'm sure, to get her hands on her.
This is our first family photo before leaving the hospital with her. She's so tiny!
But honestly, I fell in love with her immediately, but it took some time to get used to her...
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