Reagan has started the "ever so endearing" what we call--shark attacks! We call these "kisses" shark attacks because they resemble the jaws of a shark taking down it's next meal.
She starts by aggressively grabbing hold of my hair and positioning my face in direct access to her mouth. What hair I have left from post pregnancy hair loss, comes out wrapped around her fingers. She then heads in for the kill, opens her mouth as wide as she can and swallows down any part of my face that will fit her her mouth (usually a chin, nose or cheek) . While in the death grip, she will take one of her hands and hook either a nostril or corner of my mouth with her fingers (this is when I realize I haven't trimmed her nails in a while because she can sometimes break skin!). By this time I am crying mercy and trying frantically to get out of the death grip/shark bite. I laugh every time at, first, how funny they are and, second, how stinkin STRONG she is!! Marking these to priceless moments with my daughter!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fat Jeans
Today I fit into my fat jeans! No, not the ones that were always one size too big but my actual roomy, my-(pre-pregnancy) size jeans. I'm not saying they look great. I'm not saying they feel great either. BUT THEY FIT. Hooray!
I was one of those people who always ate whatever I wanted and exercised almost every day and didn't really think much about it. I am vegetarian and a generally healthy eater, but never worried much about extra fat or calories.
Then, I became one of those pregnant women who gained one pound a week. It didn't matter what I ate. I didn't matter which trimester. I craved fresh fruit and veggies and never really wanted chocolate, cakes, or ice cream. And I still gained a pound every single week.
Now, I am one of those moms who really wants to exercise every day but has absolutely no time for it. Between working from the office, working from home, seeing family and friends, and --oh yeah!-- enjoying my 4 month old, I'm lucky if I get a shower in (and I definitely don't wash my hair more than a couple times a week). And did I mention that in spite of exercising only a couple times a week, I'm still eating whatever I want? So it is with joy indeed that I share the news that my fat jeans fit. Maybe I won't have to buy a whole new wardrobe after all. Of course, my tops are still hopeless. But exercise won't help with that....
I was one of those people who always ate whatever I wanted and exercised almost every day and didn't really think much about it. I am vegetarian and a generally healthy eater, but never worried much about extra fat or calories.
Then, I became one of those pregnant women who gained one pound a week. It didn't matter what I ate. I didn't matter which trimester. I craved fresh fruit and veggies and never really wanted chocolate, cakes, or ice cream. And I still gained a pound every single week.
Now, I am one of those moms who really wants to exercise every day but has absolutely no time for it. Between working from the office, working from home, seeing family and friends, and --oh yeah!-- enjoying my 4 month old, I'm lucky if I get a shower in (and I definitely don't wash my hair more than a couple times a week). And did I mention that in spite of exercising only a couple times a week, I'm still eating whatever I want? So it is with joy indeed that I share the news that my fat jeans fit. Maybe I won't have to buy a whole new wardrobe after all. Of course, my tops are still hopeless. But exercise won't help with that....
Monday, September 28, 2009
Baby's First Trip
Last weekend, we were invited to attend a wedding in Lake Arrowhead. When we first received the invitation I immediately went through the new mom array of emotions...excitement to uncertainty to pure anxiety.
I have been a HUGE stickler for Molly's nighttime routine. During her first few months of life we struggled to get to bed by 1am, so when we finally established a structured bedtime routine (that was working fabulously), it was VERY hard for me to mix it up! Despite my reservations we RSVP'd yes for the wedding.
As the weekend approached, I tried to establish a plan on what to bring and how we would set up our hotel room so we could all try to get some sleep. Molly has always slept in her crib, she's just slept better sleeping with silence verses hearing our sleeping noises, so you can probably imagine why I was worried about suddenly sleeping in the same room. Now I do have to admit, we had our secret weapon...adjoining rooms with my parents! Now you're probably thinking, "why in the world are you worried about the trip when you have back-up!?" I know my feelings of anxiety were pretty silly, but I couldn't stop myself from worrying.
The weekend quickly approaches. The day before we are suppose to leave, I have to pick Molly up from school early because she has the stomach flu (that's a whole different blog entry =). Later that night she was 90% better so we decided to continue with our trip.
When we arrive in Lake Arrowhead, my husband & I leave Molly in the care of my parents as we venture off to the wedding. We enjoyed having our adult time while being able to see Molly every couple hours. Half way through the reception I realize that I caught the stomach flu and needed to go to bed early....I know, what a bummer!!! As I continue to have a rough night, Molly's care now fell in the hands of my dear husband. I only heard her get up a couple times throughout the night, better than I thought she would do. In the morning I come to find out that she had been up for 2-3 hours straight because she had problems breathing through her nose full of boogers (of course we forgot the saline nasal spray & aspirator).
Although we ended up having unforeseen challenges, we were glad to have made the jump to take Molly on her first trip! Hopefully next time we can enjoy our time together while staying healthy and rested =)!
Here's to another first as a new mom!
Appetite Changes
Brett was exclusively breast fed for the first 6-months of her life. Around 5-months old I had a reduction in my milk supply (see previous posts). I tried multiple things to increase it and it was the introduction a beer a night that seemed to help (I'm serious).
Throughout my breast feeding I found myself to be STARVING constantly. I had to be eating something almost every hour. If I went more than two hours or so without eating I would start to feel weak, my hands would shake and I could even get to the point of being dizzy. I could out-eat my 6'3" 230 pound husband! My brothers teased me about how many tacos I could eat in a sitting. I would rarely feel 'full' even after eating a ton of food. As crazy as it sounds, I was also continuing to lose weight and was down to my pre-pregnancy weight!
At 6-months I gave Brett cereal and then slowly introduced other solids into her diet. This change to her diet resulted in changes to her poop. It became firmer. She was getting two solid food meals a day. I remained hungry at all times.
Around 7-months I decided to introduce formula. I did this because Brett was basically weening herself. She wouldn't stay latched on to my breast for longer than a minute (no exaggeration). It became frustrating for me and she wasn't eating enough during the day. So, that is why the bottle came into play. I started with 3/4 breast milk and 1/4 formula, then moved to 1/2 formula and 1/2 breast milk until it was completely formula.
Now, as Brett is 8-months old she is nursing in the morning when she wakes up and right before bed. Sometimes I nurse her in order for her to take a nap in the afternoon.
As this change with her eating habits has occurred my eating habits have changed as well. I realized one day that I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and was only slightly hungry! When I am eating now I am able to eat much less than before. I actually get full rather quickly now. Some of my friends that have breast fed in the past have said that they have gained back about 10 lbs after they stop breast feeding so I'm hoping that doesn't happen to me.
Sounds like it time to watch what I eat again. Bummer...
Throughout my breast feeding I found myself to be STARVING constantly. I had to be eating something almost every hour. If I went more than two hours or so without eating I would start to feel weak, my hands would shake and I could even get to the point of being dizzy. I could out-eat my 6'3" 230 pound husband! My brothers teased me about how many tacos I could eat in a sitting. I would rarely feel 'full' even after eating a ton of food. As crazy as it sounds, I was also continuing to lose weight and was down to my pre-pregnancy weight!
At 6-months I gave Brett cereal and then slowly introduced other solids into her diet. This change to her diet resulted in changes to her poop. It became firmer. She was getting two solid food meals a day. I remained hungry at all times.
Around 7-months I decided to introduce formula. I did this because Brett was basically weening herself. She wouldn't stay latched on to my breast for longer than a minute (no exaggeration). It became frustrating for me and she wasn't eating enough during the day. So, that is why the bottle came into play. I started with 3/4 breast milk and 1/4 formula, then moved to 1/2 formula and 1/2 breast milk until it was completely formula.
Now, as Brett is 8-months old she is nursing in the morning when she wakes up and right before bed. Sometimes I nurse her in order for her to take a nap in the afternoon.
As this change with her eating habits has occurred my eating habits have changed as well. I realized one day that I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and was only slightly hungry! When I am eating now I am able to eat much less than before. I actually get full rather quickly now. Some of my friends that have breast fed in the past have said that they have gained back about 10 lbs after they stop breast feeding so I'm hoping that doesn't happen to me.
Sounds like it time to watch what I eat again. Bummer...
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Kisses
On Friday night I developed a lovely, large, cold sore on my lower lip. I haven't had one since I was about 7 months pregnant so it has been over a year. Why am I sharing this with everyone? Well, because I will not give Brett kisses right now because I don't want her to get coldsores. I also won't let her give me the open-mouth kisses that she gives me on a daily basis.
I didn't think this would be a big deal but it wasn't until now that I realized just how many times I kiss her throughout the day! It is so hard not to give her kisses!
I can't wait for this coldsore to go away so that I am able to kiss my little girl as much as I want to. Enjoy kissing your babies!
I didn't think this would be a big deal but it wasn't until now that I realized just how many times I kiss her throughout the day! It is so hard not to give her kisses!
I can't wait for this coldsore to go away so that I am able to kiss my little girl as much as I want to. Enjoy kissing your babies!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Shrinking boobs
I am happy to report that I have on a shirt today that I have not worn since pre-pregnancy. I have tried many times this summer to get it on, and it as only resulted in what I call a clothes tantrum. This morning I realized that my milk supply is going down because Madie is eating more and more solid food. With that comes the good news of my boobs shrinking and old favorite clothes fitting once again. But it also makes me sad. I have truly loved nursing Madie and the closeness we have because of it. It is a bond between me and her that no one else has. All the people weren't joking when they said enjoy your time with them when they are small because they aren't small for long. It's like a blink of an eye, and suddenly she is almost 8 months old. She is not solely dependent on me for food, she eats food now. Where as before I was loving each new thing she did. I could not wait for her to get older and learn new things. Soddenly, I want it all to stop and to keep her little for longer. I don't want to give up that time between her and I. But I know deep down that I will have to and to prepare myself for when she turns one in a little over 4 months and I stop nursing her and she continues to grow up!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tranquility at 4:00 a.m.
At 3:30am this morning Reagan did her usual “mom get up and feed me”. After she finished her bottle and fell asleep, I laid back in my bed. I also wanted to go right back to sleep. However, today, I changed my mind. Lately I’ve been trying to figure out a way to drop these 10 extra pregnancy pounds so I, somehow, motive myself to go to the gym- at 4:00am! It sounded very painful at the time and, quite frankly, insane. But it turned out to be complete serenity and a serious battery charger.
My workout at the gym was great, refreshing, energizing, etc, etc, etc- but it was the time I got to myself upon returning home that was awesome! I walked into the house- SILENCE!!!!! Everyone was still asleep. I took my shoes off- went into the kitchen and made myself breakfast- uninterrupted. I sat at the dining table and, as I ate my breakfast, I thought I’d turn on some tunes. I enjoyed my breakfast with the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, Lionel Richie and other classics. Expecting my time was going to be up soon, I looked at the clock, only to find I likely had a whole 45 minutes left!
I moved to the couch and turned on the television. No Barney and Friends, no Special Agent Oso… no football, no car repair shows that usually take over my television. This morning---- it was all about my long overdue Greys Anatomy episodes! Rerun- but that’s ok- so I moved to some magazine time and dove into some Parenting magazines I received from the group exchange last week. It didn’t matter what I read, but more, that I could take my time and just enjoy!
Well, it wasn’t going to last forever-at 7:00 am the family came down and our day began. Back to rushed meals, 2 minutes showers, on-call mom, preparing lunches, tackling a to-do list (with high hopes of getting at least 2 tasks done), walking dog, laundry etc, etc. But those special three hours were mine/just for me—and so worth the pain of getting up before the sun came up.
I can’t promise I will do it again tomorrow, because right now, I am exhausted from being awake for 18 hours. But I will be doing this on a more frequent basis- for my sanity and in efforts to, once and for all, loose these preggers lbs.
My workout at the gym was great, refreshing, energizing, etc, etc, etc- but it was the time I got to myself upon returning home that was awesome! I walked into the house- SILENCE!!!!! Everyone was still asleep. I took my shoes off- went into the kitchen and made myself breakfast- uninterrupted. I sat at the dining table and, as I ate my breakfast, I thought I’d turn on some tunes. I enjoyed my breakfast with the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, Lionel Richie and other classics. Expecting my time was going to be up soon, I looked at the clock, only to find I likely had a whole 45 minutes left!
I moved to the couch and turned on the television. No Barney and Friends, no Special Agent Oso… no football, no car repair shows that usually take over my television. This morning---- it was all about my long overdue Greys Anatomy episodes! Rerun- but that’s ok- so I moved to some magazine time and dove into some Parenting magazines I received from the group exchange last week. It didn’t matter what I read, but more, that I could take my time and just enjoy!
Well, it wasn’t going to last forever-at 7:00 am the family came down and our day began. Back to rushed meals, 2 minutes showers, on-call mom, preparing lunches, tackling a to-do list (with high hopes of getting at least 2 tasks done), walking dog, laundry etc, etc. But those special three hours were mine/just for me—and so worth the pain of getting up before the sun came up.
I can’t promise I will do it again tomorrow, because right now, I am exhausted from being awake for 18 hours. But I will be doing this on a more frequent basis- for my sanity and in efforts to, once and for all, loose these preggers lbs.
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