Are any of you familiar with Ebates? I use them when I order supplies at work, or clothes from Old Navy, or whatever, and I get a decent check every few months from them. If you're interested in them, I'd appreciate it if you'd use this link (www.ebates.com/refer-a-friend/bonusoffer/index.htm?id=24562497) so I can get credit for your referral.
By the way, this is NOT a sponsored post. I just really like Ebates. :-)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Taking Turns
I went to feed Carter mid-morning today because (stupid me) I forgot to give his babysitter nipples to go with the bottles. So, I went to feed him and then run home to get some nipples for the later feedings.
Anyway, I was sitting there nursing him and this other little boy, who's about 18 months old, came over and was watching us. Eyeballing my boob and patiently waiting his turn. Such good manners, this one, but I felt terrible that I had to disappoint him.
Anyway, I was sitting there nursing him and this other little boy, who's about 18 months old, came over and was watching us. Eyeballing my boob and patiently waiting his turn. Such good manners, this one, but I felt terrible that I had to disappoint him.
Monday, February 25, 2008
WTH??
All of the sudden, the past few nights, Carter wakes up every hour after the initial "nap" from around 8:00 to midnight. He wants to nurse every two hours and it's been horrible. What happened all of the sudden???
Thank God for my mother. She spent the night last night so she could stay home with Carter while I went to work today. After he woke up for the hundredth time at 5:15 or so, she held him and rocked him until I woke up TWO HOURS LATER. She sat there in the dark, no tv or book or anything; just the two of them. After having been up all night with him also. All just so I could get a few hours sleep. Is that amazing or what?
I just wish I knew what was going on with that boy.
Along the same lines...anyone have any thoughts on The Baby Whisperer?
Thank God for my mother. She spent the night last night so she could stay home with Carter while I went to work today. After he woke up for the hundredth time at 5:15 or so, she held him and rocked him until I woke up TWO HOURS LATER. She sat there in the dark, no tv or book or anything; just the two of them. After having been up all night with him also. All just so I could get a few hours sleep. Is that amazing or what?
I just wish I knew what was going on with that boy.
Along the same lines...anyone have any thoughts on The Baby Whisperer?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
24 hours later...
I think I'm finally ready to eat some pretzels. I puked twice more after my last post but nothing since 3:00 a.m., thank goodness. Just feel very tired and weak. Blech. This sucked.
Please pray that Carter doesn't get it now.
Please pray that Carter doesn't get it now.
Not food poisoning
Nope, it wasn't food poisoning. How do I know? Because I've been shitting and puking all evening too. So not fun. However, my body was kind enough to alternate and I didn't have to do both at the same time.
So now it's 1 a.m. and I'm up because I'm so thirsty I can't stand it and I'm having this weird arm tingly thing happening. I'm drinking water but only a little bit every 10-20 minutes so as not to overwhelm my stomach. I don't want to throw up anymore.
So now it's 1 a.m. and I'm up because I'm so thirsty I can't stand it and I'm having this weird arm tingly thing happening. I'm drinking water but only a little bit every 10-20 minutes so as not to overwhelm my stomach. I don't want to throw up anymore.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Pumping sucks
I hate pumping. I wish I didn't have to do it. I hate having to quantify how much milk I'm producing. I hate seeing only 2 oz come out and feeling like I'll never make enough to fill a bottle for him, much less the three he requires for each day of daycare. I hate that I can't get any work done while I'm pumping and feel like a slacker for those 20-30 minutes several times a day.
But really? The truth is that I hate expressing my milk into anything that's not my little boy's mouth, and seeing the sheer contentment that I bring him.
Anyone wanna donate a few thousand a month so I can quit my job? No? Didn't think so. Dammit.
But really? The truth is that I hate expressing my milk into anything that's not my little boy's mouth, and seeing the sheer contentment that I bring him.
Anyone wanna donate a few thousand a month so I can quit my job? No? Didn't think so. Dammit.
Monday, February 18, 2008
We need to stop eating out
Chris got food poisoning a few months ago. It was horrible and violent and scared the crap (pun intended) out of me.
Today, he got it again. This time was much less intense, but the poor guy was in and out of the bathroom ALL DAY. Carter and I got a lot of alone time so Daddy could rest, but I'm beat from trying to keep that little boy happy all day. It hasn't been easy.
Me thinks my husband should go vegetarian. At least when we go out to dinner.
Today, he got it again. This time was much less intense, but the poor guy was in and out of the bathroom ALL DAY. Carter and I got a lot of alone time so Daddy could rest, but I'm beat from trying to keep that little boy happy all day. It hasn't been easy.
Me thinks my husband should go vegetarian. At least when we go out to dinner.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Forgot to mention
I forgot to mention in the last post that my sweet little boy fell asleep on my chest for the first time in months. It was heaven.
He's back!
Carter's been a real jerk lately.
For a few days, he's been inconsolable. The only quiet times were when he was sleeping. Otherwise, screaming and crying and fussy and just plain upset. At first I thought it was something I ate (I highly recommend the cream of crab soup at Clydes...unless you're breastfeeding) and it probably was. But then it just didn't go away. It was horrible. He didn't want to get in his swing, didn't want his binky, and absolutely would not tolerate me trying to put him in his buzzing seat. The only thing that quieted him was nursing, and it didn't matter if he'd just nursed 15 minutes prior. Of course, then he puked up all the extra milk he was getting.
It was so bad I took him to the doctor yesterday thinking maybe it was an ear infection. Nope. He's a healthy 11lb 6oz very pissed off boy. She said if it continues or gets worse by the end of the week to bring him back and they'd do some cultures to see if it's gastrointestinal.
After his appointment I took him to his babysitter and a few hours later when I talked to her she said he had a big poop and seemed to be doing better. I was hopeful but guarded.
She was right...my loving, smiling, sweet boy was back! He and I chatted last night, and he smiled and laughed and had a grand old time. He had a short episode of screaming while he was fighting sleep, but that's normal for him.
And then he slept in his room, waking up twice to nurse and then went right back to sleep. That's my boy! I'm so glad he's back. I missed him.
For a few days, he's been inconsolable. The only quiet times were when he was sleeping. Otherwise, screaming and crying and fussy and just plain upset. At first I thought it was something I ate (I highly recommend the cream of crab soup at Clydes...unless you're breastfeeding) and it probably was. But then it just didn't go away. It was horrible. He didn't want to get in his swing, didn't want his binky, and absolutely would not tolerate me trying to put him in his buzzing seat. The only thing that quieted him was nursing, and it didn't matter if he'd just nursed 15 minutes prior. Of course, then he puked up all the extra milk he was getting.
It was so bad I took him to the doctor yesterday thinking maybe it was an ear infection. Nope. He's a healthy 11lb 6oz very pissed off boy. She said if it continues or gets worse by the end of the week to bring him back and they'd do some cultures to see if it's gastrointestinal.
After his appointment I took him to his babysitter and a few hours later when I talked to her she said he had a big poop and seemed to be doing better. I was hopeful but guarded.
She was right...my loving, smiling, sweet boy was back! He and I chatted last night, and he smiled and laughed and had a grand old time. He had a short episode of screaming while he was fighting sleep, but that's normal for him.
And then he slept in his room, waking up twice to nurse and then went right back to sleep. That's my boy! I'm so glad he's back. I missed him.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Whoa
Carter was just rude this weekend. He cried and fussed a LOT. Not a nice boy. I know it was because he wasn't sleeping much during the day, but I can't force him. So, last night Chris gave him a bath and he had a grand time splashing around, then he napped for a few hours and we woke him up to eat at 9:30 because we were both getting tired. He took a bottle from Chris, played for a little while, and then I put him down around 10:00ish.
And then? He slept until 4:30. That's his longest stretch yet! I woke up periodically and heard him grunting and making noises, but nothing that indicated he needed me. It was awesome.
And in other news...we had our shower recaulked (again) this morning and can't use it until Wednesday. Nice.
And then? He slept until 4:30. That's his longest stretch yet! I woke up periodically and heard him grunting and making noises, but nothing that indicated he needed me. It was awesome.
And in other news...we had our shower recaulked (again) this morning and can't use it until Wednesday. Nice.
Friday, February 08, 2008
A few thoughts on breastfeeding
Before Carter was born, I knew it was important for me to breastfeed him. Everyone wants the best for their child, and the best I knew to give him was my own milk. I was scared something in my body wouldn't work right and that I wouldn't be able to feed my son. But, like clockwork, my milk came in and (after 2 horrible weeks of latching issues) it's been smooth sailing.
My body amazes me sometimes. It grew a child and nurtured him for nine months. It delivered this child with little effort on my part. It produced milk for him to grow and thrive. It's just amazing.
Anyway...
The biggest issue I've been facing? People who don't understand why I do it. They don't understand why I put so much effort into it. Why I forego sleep to get up a few times in the middle of the night to feed him, when he might actually sleep for hours longer if I fed him formula. Why I race over to his babysitter's in the middle of the day because I'd rather he get it "straight from the tap" than from a bottle. Why I go through the "hassle" of it. Why I cried and cried and went through the overwhelming pain those first few weeks. I've even heard from one or more people that it's gross.
I do it for so many reasons and those reasons don't matter because the one I'm most proud of? I've stuck with it. I'm notorious for getting all gung-ho over something and then quickly moving on when it proves too hard or tedious. My goal was to breastfeed Carter for 3 months and then re-evaluate and determine if I wanted to continue.
Damn straight I want to continue. For as long as I can and I will not switch to formula just because it's easier. If other circumstances come up that require a switch (though I can't imagine), then that would be different. But this is one thing I will not give up on for the easier alternative.
I'm in it for the long haul.
My body amazes me sometimes. It grew a child and nurtured him for nine months. It delivered this child with little effort on my part. It produced milk for him to grow and thrive. It's just amazing.
Anyway...
The biggest issue I've been facing? People who don't understand why I do it. They don't understand why I put so much effort into it. Why I forego sleep to get up a few times in the middle of the night to feed him, when he might actually sleep for hours longer if I fed him formula. Why I race over to his babysitter's in the middle of the day because I'd rather he get it "straight from the tap" than from a bottle. Why I go through the "hassle" of it. Why I cried and cried and went through the overwhelming pain those first few weeks. I've even heard from one or more people that it's gross.
I do it for so many reasons and those reasons don't matter because the one I'm most proud of? I've stuck with it. I'm notorious for getting all gung-ho over something and then quickly moving on when it proves too hard or tedious. My goal was to breastfeed Carter for 3 months and then re-evaluate and determine if I wanted to continue.
Damn straight I want to continue. For as long as I can and I will not switch to formula just because it's easier. If other circumstances come up that require a switch (though I can't imagine), then that would be different. But this is one thing I will not give up on for the easier alternative.
I'm in it for the long haul.
Success!
I decided that it's time for Carter to make the transition to his own room. We don't have a huge condo so it's not like he was in the East Wing, but it was still a big decision to make. I like having him here. I like pulling him out of his cosleeper and snuggling next to him in bed. I like the sounds of his moans and sighs.
What I don't like? He grunts. A lot. He spits out his paci every five minutes and then cries for it. He whimpers. I'm a light sleeper and I have a lot of trouble going back to sleep sometimes after he wakes up to eat in the middle of the night with all these noises. Sometimes he'll make noises for a good hour, and I'm up the whole time listening to him. He's not crying, he's doing it in his sleep.
So we decided last night would be his first night apart from us. I don't have to work today so I figured if he kept me up all night then I could sleep today. I'm happy to report there is no need for me to nap today!
We prepped him by feeding him, giving him a bath, and then playing and cuddling for a little while. At 9:30, he was in his crib (swaddled, quiet and half asleep) and I was in my bed (also quiet and half asleep). He woke up at 1:30 to eat. Considering he hadn't eaten since 8:00ish, that was pretty darn good. He went right back to sleep after nursing and then he woke up again at 4:30 and 7:30. I stayed up and he's now napping again (it's 8:30 a.m.).
It went way better than I had anticipated. Woot!
What I don't like? He grunts. A lot. He spits out his paci every five minutes and then cries for it. He whimpers. I'm a light sleeper and I have a lot of trouble going back to sleep sometimes after he wakes up to eat in the middle of the night with all these noises. Sometimes he'll make noises for a good hour, and I'm up the whole time listening to him. He's not crying, he's doing it in his sleep.
So we decided last night would be his first night apart from us. I don't have to work today so I figured if he kept me up all night then I could sleep today. I'm happy to report there is no need for me to nap today!
We prepped him by feeding him, giving him a bath, and then playing and cuddling for a little while. At 9:30, he was in his crib (swaddled, quiet and half asleep) and I was in my bed (also quiet and half asleep). He woke up at 1:30 to eat. Considering he hadn't eaten since 8:00ish, that was pretty darn good. He went right back to sleep after nursing and then he woke up again at 4:30 and 7:30. I stayed up and he's now napping again (it's 8:30 a.m.).
It went way better than I had anticipated. Woot!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Chatty Carter
Here's a video of Carter talking to his new best friend, Mr. Sunshine. He looooves him.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Carter's First Day
My little boy started daycare today. It was so hard to leave him. I cried the whole way to work (the whole 2 miles...LOL) and then for a little while once I got here. I can distract myself but when I think about him again I start crying again. I know he's in good hands and he'll have fun and be happy, but it's so hard.
Here he is all packed up and ready to go.
Doesn't he look cute in his "first day of school outfit"???
Here he is with his new friend, Shaista. She's so good with him.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
What a crock of...
DELICIOUSNESS! (you thought I was gonna sat "shit", didn't ya?) .jpg)
Yep, I ate that whole plate. Yum!
Friday, February 01, 2008
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