I really don't know what to say right now except...in 18 days I will be the mother of not one, but TWO boys! I am excited and nervous and just full of wonder. What is the second time around going to be like? Before, I had nothing to compare anything to...now I find myself wondering all the time - will this boy look like his big brother? Will he be as good-natured? Will he sleep through the night at 6 weeks like his brother did? (Please, God, say yes!!).
I don't know how the boys will differ from each other, but I do know there are some things I intend to do differently this time around. Hindsight, is they say, 20/20. With Joshua, the nurses told me I was "slacking" when I didn't wake him up like clockwork every 2-3 hours to nurse him...but oh my goodness I was TIRED! And he was sleeping. And it just seemed really horrible when I was exhausted (and he was apparently also!) to wake him up and try to feed him (when in reality, that wasn't such a smooth process at the beginning either!). This time, I will be feeding my boy when he is hungry and letting him sleep if he's sleepy. Come on, babies for generations have been raised that way and have all done FINE! Obviously, if he starts to lose too much weight or something I will do what I have to do, but I think those nurses made me think he was going to die if I didn't put him to the breast every 2.5 hours on the dot. Geez didn't they think I had enough worries going through my mind already!?
Also, I feel I have more confidence about keeping a baby alive and well this time. It may have been some baby blues in the first two weeks last time, but I seriously remember thinking: Can I really do this? Did I bite off more than I can chew here? I know it's going to be a lot of work this time around as well (DOUBLE the work, really), but I will have lots of help and I know in my heart I can do this. And if, after a few days at home I should start to forget this fact, I will report directly back to this blog post and take a deep breath and affirm what I do know is true in my heart: These boys are my gifts from God, whom He entrusted to me, and He doesn't make mistakes!
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
'Tis the Season...
One of my major concerns about having another baby is that it's going to limit the time I have with Joshua. Which, I know...it will. And he'll just have to get used to it, and we'll all have some adjusting to do...but it still makes my heart just a little bit sad. Especially because this year he's two, and I think he'll actually have somewhat of an idea of what Christmas is about - so seeing him wake up on Christmas morning this year will be all sorts of fun that it just wasn't before because he was too young.
That being said, I want to try to make this first Christmas season he will remember (hopefully!) a magical one. I want it to be about more than presents under the tree and Santa Claus (though we will definitely have those too!). I want him to have something fun and special to look forward to each day. Which I know will be no easy feat since I will also have a newborn to take care of. But still, I want to make this a special time for Joshua too.
I had to make the calendar now because Lord knows I won't have time to think about such projects when baby boy makes his arrival. So here it is, the middle of September, and I've already got Christmas on the brain.
There's just some small thing to do or make or talk about hidden beneath each number. For example, on the 7th it says pick out and decorate Christmas tree. One of the nights is a family slumber party in the living room with the Christmas tree all lit up! Another night is simply watching a Christmas movie, and another is having a candlelit family dinner. Nothing huge, just something to make each day special. Of course, there are also days to read about Christ's birth and sing Christmas songs - we don't want to forget the reason for the season! And some of the days simply say something like go Christmas shopping or wrap presents...because I'm definitely going to need some motivation to do those things once my second son arrives!!
I hope my boy (and someday both boys) will have fun with this and make this Christmas season a very special one!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Small Fries
Last week I had to take BOTH my boys to the doctor because they are...small. Which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone considering their mom is (pre-pregnancy) small and their dad is no football player! However, doctors will be doctors and I have to try to put my mind at ease about it.
Josh had a weight check because since his first birthday he has struggled to gain weight. He has gained some weight, but not at the rate the doctors would like to see. The exact same thing happened to me when I was about 15 months old - from that point on in my life (again, pre-pregnancy!) I, too, struggled to gain weight. Our pediatrician doesn't think there is any reason to be concerned, given the family history, but told me it's just something we're going to have to keep an eye on...for the rest of his life. AWESOME. Still, I am thankful my boy is healthy and seems to be thriving in every other way. He's getting taller, he's talking up a storm, his memory is awesome, and he's very active. Just the other day he "read" an entire book to daddy from memory and the picture cues...I mean seriously, MIT, here we come!! :)
My other boy (still 2 months away from his due date) is now measuring small in utero, which is something that never happened with Josh. The doctor is having me do ultrasounds about every two weeks from here on out to monitor his growth and development. It's hard not to worry, but the doctor says he is just slightly smaller than she would like him to be for his gestational age. She just wants to make sure he is growing and gaining in there - and stated he would probably just be a smaller baby when he's born - maybe 6-7 lbs. rather than 7-8 or 9. That's fine with me! As long as he's healthy and growing, that's all that matters. In other news, the ultrasound revealed he is BREECH right now...UGH! My doctor said he still has time to turn around, so I am VERY hopeful he will. I was so scared to have a vaginal birth the first time around, but now that I know it's not so bad (with an epidural, of course!) I am more terrified of having to have a C-section. Especially since the recovery period is much longer and I already have a toddler at home. I know everything will work out just the way it's supposed to, but here's hoping this boy turns his little booty around (literally) in the very near future!!!
Josh had a weight check because since his first birthday he has struggled to gain weight. He has gained some weight, but not at the rate the doctors would like to see. The exact same thing happened to me when I was about 15 months old - from that point on in my life (again, pre-pregnancy!) I, too, struggled to gain weight. Our pediatrician doesn't think there is any reason to be concerned, given the family history, but told me it's just something we're going to have to keep an eye on...for the rest of his life. AWESOME. Still, I am thankful my boy is healthy and seems to be thriving in every other way. He's getting taller, he's talking up a storm, his memory is awesome, and he's very active. Just the other day he "read" an entire book to daddy from memory and the picture cues...I mean seriously, MIT, here we come!! :)
My other boy (still 2 months away from his due date) is now measuring small in utero, which is something that never happened with Josh. The doctor is having me do ultrasounds about every two weeks from here on out to monitor his growth and development. It's hard not to worry, but the doctor says he is just slightly smaller than she would like him to be for his gestational age. She just wants to make sure he is growing and gaining in there - and stated he would probably just be a smaller baby when he's born - maybe 6-7 lbs. rather than 7-8 or 9. That's fine with me! As long as he's healthy and growing, that's all that matters. In other news, the ultrasound revealed he is BREECH right now...UGH! My doctor said he still has time to turn around, so I am VERY hopeful he will. I was so scared to have a vaginal birth the first time around, but now that I know it's not so bad (with an epidural, of course!) I am more terrified of having to have a C-section. Especially since the recovery period is much longer and I already have a toddler at home. I know everything will work out just the way it's supposed to, but here's hoping this boy turns his little booty around (literally) in the very near future!!!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Make it March
Last month Josh and I had Fort February. This month, we are moving on to "Make It March." We're going to spend some time in the kitchen, making some easy, yummy recipes and decorating/setting the table.
Today we made place mats which we will use at dinner tonight. Josh and I colored on blank white paper with crayons - nothing fancy, no oil paints or anything like that. Just some delightful scribbles from my budding little Picasso. I'm sure Daddy will at least get a kick out of them when he comes home for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, our place mat-making session had to be cut short early when Josh started coloring with crayon all over the cute little kid-sized chair that Grandma & Grandpa got him for Christmas. Not good! We're hoping to develop the skill of knowing where to keep crayons (ahem, on the paper!).
Here are some kid-friendly (well toddler friendly, I hope) recipes we may be trying out in the next few weeks:
Rice Roll Ups
Stir 2 tablespoons shredded carrot, 1 tablespoon sweet-and-sour sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon salt into 3/4 cup cooked brown rice. Spoon 2 tablespoons of rice mixture onto a thin slice of deli roast beef. Top with a slice each of red pepper and avocado; then roll up. Cut rolls in half diagonally. Repeat steps to make 12 pieces.
Cheesy Bruschetta
Slice a 1/2-pound whole-grain baguette into 16 pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F. for 6 to 8 minutes or until just toasted, turning once. In a small bowl, stir together 2 seeded and chopped Roma tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Spoon mixture onto each bread slice. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to oven and bake 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
(both recipes taken from Parents.com)
Clover Cookies (in honor of St. Patty's Day!)
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Green food coloring
Measure the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium-sized bowl. Stir well
and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for about
1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar, mixing well after
each addition. The dough should be stiff.
Add several drops of green food coloring. Knead the dough until the color is
evenly distributed. (Make sure children wash their hands immediately after
kneading--food coloring can be messy.)
Gather the dough into two balls, flatten into disks beginning at the edge of
the dough and working toward the center. Cover with plastic and chill for at
least 2 hours or overnight.
After the dough has chilled, place one half on a large piece of plastic wrap,
cover with another piece of plastic wrap and then roll until it is 1/4-inch
thick. Lift off the top sheet of plastic wrap and cut out shamrocks, beginning
at the edge of the dough and working toward the center.
Place each shamrock on an ungreased baking sheet. Heat the oven to 350
degrees. Bake for 8 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown. Remove to
a rack to cool. For particularly festive shamrocks, decorate them with green
candies or frosting.Makes about 34.
(recipe taken from FamilyFun.com).
Today we made place mats which we will use at dinner tonight. Josh and I colored on blank white paper with crayons - nothing fancy, no oil paints or anything like that. Just some delightful scribbles from my budding little Picasso. I'm sure Daddy will at least get a kick out of them when he comes home for dinner tonight. Unfortunately, our place mat-making session had to be cut short early when Josh started coloring with crayon all over the cute little kid-sized chair that Grandma & Grandpa got him for Christmas. Not good! We're hoping to develop the skill of knowing where to keep crayons (ahem, on the paper!).
Here are some kid-friendly (well toddler friendly, I hope) recipes we may be trying out in the next few weeks:
Rice Roll Ups
Stir 2 tablespoons shredded carrot, 1 tablespoon sweet-and-sour sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon salt into 3/4 cup cooked brown rice. Spoon 2 tablespoons of rice mixture onto a thin slice of deli roast beef. Top with a slice each of red pepper and avocado; then roll up. Cut rolls in half diagonally. Repeat steps to make 12 pieces.
Cheesy Bruschetta
Slice a 1/2-pound whole-grain baguette into 16 pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F. for 6 to 8 minutes or until just toasted, turning once. In a small bowl, stir together 2 seeded and chopped Roma tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Spoon mixture onto each bread slice. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to oven and bake 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
(both recipes taken from Parents.com)
Clover Cookies (in honor of St. Patty's Day!)
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Green food coloring
Measure the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium-sized bowl. Stir well
and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for about
1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar, mixing well after
each addition. The dough should be stiff.
Add several drops of green food coloring. Knead the dough until the color is
evenly distributed. (Make sure children wash their hands immediately after
kneading--food coloring can be messy.)
Gather the dough into two balls, flatten into disks beginning at the edge of
the dough and working toward the center. Cover with plastic and chill for at
least 2 hours or overnight.
After the dough has chilled, place one half on a large piece of plastic wrap,
cover with another piece of plastic wrap and then roll until it is 1/4-inch
thick. Lift off the top sheet of plastic wrap and cut out shamrocks, beginning
at the edge of the dough and working toward the center.
Place each shamrock on an ungreased baking sheet. Heat the oven to 350
degrees. Bake for 8 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown. Remove to
a rack to cool. For particularly festive shamrocks, decorate them with green
candies or frosting.Makes about 34.
(recipe taken from FamilyFun.com).
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Pants on the Ground
My child....will not....keep...his clothes ON.
No matter what he is wearing - he's like Houdini, I swear - he can get out of anything.
This is a recent development. The past few days, he has been experimenting with unsnapping and unzipping his pajamas so that when I go into his room in the morning, he has one arm in and one arm out. Perhaps he's been noticing the one-shoulder dresses popping up all over the runways lately. Regardless, it was cute. Note the use of was.
But now Mister Big Boy likes to be just plain naked! He knows how to take off socks, pants and diaper. And no matter how many times I keep dressing him, he just keeps taking everything off. I even asked my friend (and mother of four) "What should I do?! Ignore it? Let him run around like that? Just stop bothering to dress him altogether?"
She laughed and said her kids ran around essentially naked until they started preschool. I'm beginning to see why!!
I had to consult my Parents Magazine archives on this one. Yes, I'm a huge nerd and I rip out articles that I think will be helpful to me in the future - separating them into categories, putting the articles in sheet protectors, and then putting them in cute binders for later use. I know I could probably type in a search on their website, but I like having everything at my fingertips. And you wouldn't believe how much they have come in handy so far! My husband makes fun of me and whenever I tell him about a new fun "stage" Josh is going through, he laughs and says, "Perhaps it's time to consult the archives" or "Good thing you have the archives" - I think he just likes using the word "archives."
So here's what an old Parents article (yes, from the archives) has to say on the matter of toddlers who run around stark naked:
"If the stripping makes you uncomfortable, set limits. Some parents choose to let their toddler run around naked at home or in their backyard but not in public. After a while, your child should lose interest in baring it all. But if you make a big deal about it now by yelling or laughing uncontrollably, he may continue doing it to get a rise out of you. Avoid labeling the behavior as 'naughty.' You want to encourage your kid's curiosity without instilling shame" (Parents, July 2010, p. 158).
The last thing I want to do is instill shame. But the last thing I want Josh to do is keep stripping - especially in the dead of winter! For now, I'm just going to try not to make a big deal about it and re-dress him only when necessary. I just feel guilty when his little toes get cold without socks...and as much as I love the sight of his cute little bum-bum, it needs to stay warm too!
Despite the teasing from my husband, I'm so glad I have the archives at my disposal...if I asked him for advice, I'm pretty sure he would say "if you can't beat 'em, join em!" Then we'd really be in trouble!!!
No matter what he is wearing - he's like Houdini, I swear - he can get out of anything.
This is a recent development. The past few days, he has been experimenting with unsnapping and unzipping his pajamas so that when I go into his room in the morning, he has one arm in and one arm out. Perhaps he's been noticing the one-shoulder dresses popping up all over the runways lately. Regardless, it was cute. Note the use of was.
But now Mister Big Boy likes to be just plain naked! He knows how to take off socks, pants and diaper. And no matter how many times I keep dressing him, he just keeps taking everything off. I even asked my friend (and mother of four) "What should I do?! Ignore it? Let him run around like that? Just stop bothering to dress him altogether?"
She laughed and said her kids ran around essentially naked until they started preschool. I'm beginning to see why!!
I had to consult my Parents Magazine archives on this one. Yes, I'm a huge nerd and I rip out articles that I think will be helpful to me in the future - separating them into categories, putting the articles in sheet protectors, and then putting them in cute binders for later use. I know I could probably type in a search on their website, but I like having everything at my fingertips. And you wouldn't believe how much they have come in handy so far! My husband makes fun of me and whenever I tell him about a new fun "stage" Josh is going through, he laughs and says, "Perhaps it's time to consult the archives" or "Good thing you have the archives" - I think he just likes using the word "archives."
So here's what an old Parents article (yes, from the archives) has to say on the matter of toddlers who run around stark naked:
"If the stripping makes you uncomfortable, set limits. Some parents choose to let their toddler run around naked at home or in their backyard but not in public. After a while, your child should lose interest in baring it all. But if you make a big deal about it now by yelling or laughing uncontrollably, he may continue doing it to get a rise out of you. Avoid labeling the behavior as 'naughty.' You want to encourage your kid's curiosity without instilling shame" (Parents, July 2010, p. 158).
The last thing I want to do is instill shame. But the last thing I want Josh to do is keep stripping - especially in the dead of winter! For now, I'm just going to try not to make a big deal about it and re-dress him only when necessary. I just feel guilty when his little toes get cold without socks...and as much as I love the sight of his cute little bum-bum, it needs to stay warm too!
Despite the teasing from my husband, I'm so glad I have the archives at my disposal...if I asked him for advice, I'm pretty sure he would say "if you can't beat 'em, join em!" Then we'd really be in trouble!!!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Most Important Job in the World
I'm working (at the hospital) three days this week - ick! I mean I like my job (most of the time) but it's making me very tired and very cranky to have to be away from home and my boy. I hate that the housework falls by the wayside (more so than usual!) when I work and the laundry piles up, seemingly taunting me every time I go near the hamper. UGH, hats off to working moms and single moms - it's just plain not for me!
I am so glad I have today off (and by off I mean catching up with my boy, catching up with housework, and smacking some of that sassy laundry around). Seriously, the days off make me appreciate my favorite job, my real job so much more than if I was just home all the time I think. Not to mention it helps the family stay financially afloat. So I know it's a good thing, it's a flexible job and I pretty much get to choose when I work. Not many people can say that! I'm trying to count my blessings.
I think one of the reasons it's hardest for me to work (especially during the week when I have to take Josh to a sitter - who, thankfully, we adore and she adores our boy) is that I don't consider being a hospital social worker my real job. Being a wife and mom is, I believe a very high calling - not everyone is called to it, but those who are - well they are very blessed and very challenged. Challenged to find balance between home and work, challenged to make the home a place of comfort and joy, and challenged to raise up the next generation - our precious children! We are challenged to cultivate a marriage that helps our children to feel safe and secure - and one that brings us closer to God as we become closer to our spouse.
Some friends and I are studying the book of Esther in Bible study right now and the title of the study is: Esther: It's Tough To Be a Woman! Beth Moore is the author - and she's really wonderful. In one of the video portions of the study, Beth read a letter from a woman who discussed why it's tough for her to be a woman. The woman wrote about being a mother and feeling like it can be such a thankless job so much of the time that it didn't seem to her that what she was doing as a mom was a very important job at all.
I have been haunted by hearing that ever since. I felt so bad for that woman, my heart completely went out to her. I came home from Bible study that night and told my husband what she had said and how it stuck with me. I seriously looked at him, with tears in my eyes and said, "Thank you for making me feel like I have the most important job in the world. Thank you for working so hard so that I can do my job well and be here to raise our son."
And he, being the wonderful man he is, looked back at me and said: "You do have the most important job in the world and you are amazing at it."
It was one of those sweet moments where you think to yourself: It seriously doesn't get much better than this.
I am so glad I have today off (and by off I mean catching up with my boy, catching up with housework, and smacking some of that sassy laundry around). Seriously, the days off make me appreciate my favorite job, my real job so much more than if I was just home all the time I think. Not to mention it helps the family stay financially afloat. So I know it's a good thing, it's a flexible job and I pretty much get to choose when I work. Not many people can say that! I'm trying to count my blessings.
I think one of the reasons it's hardest for me to work (especially during the week when I have to take Josh to a sitter - who, thankfully, we adore and she adores our boy) is that I don't consider being a hospital social worker my real job. Being a wife and mom is, I believe a very high calling - not everyone is called to it, but those who are - well they are very blessed and very challenged. Challenged to find balance between home and work, challenged to make the home a place of comfort and joy, and challenged to raise up the next generation - our precious children! We are challenged to cultivate a marriage that helps our children to feel safe and secure - and one that brings us closer to God as we become closer to our spouse.
Some friends and I are studying the book of Esther in Bible study right now and the title of the study is: Esther: It's Tough To Be a Woman! Beth Moore is the author - and she's really wonderful. In one of the video portions of the study, Beth read a letter from a woman who discussed why it's tough for her to be a woman. The woman wrote about being a mother and feeling like it can be such a thankless job so much of the time that it didn't seem to her that what she was doing as a mom was a very important job at all.
I have been haunted by hearing that ever since. I felt so bad for that woman, my heart completely went out to her. I came home from Bible study that night and told my husband what she had said and how it stuck with me. I seriously looked at him, with tears in my eyes and said, "Thank you for making me feel like I have the most important job in the world. Thank you for working so hard so that I can do my job well and be here to raise our son."
And he, being the wonderful man he is, looked back at me and said: "You do have the most important job in the world and you are amazing at it."
It was one of those sweet moments where you think to yourself: It seriously doesn't get much better than this.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Fort February
Josh and I have decided if it's too cool to play outside, we're going to make playing inside cooler. So, we have initiated "Fort February." 
We had fun over the weekend building a fort in our living room out of cushions, blankets, pillows, and furniture. Josh brought some of his toys in and ta-da! A new place to play that is fun and cheap! He likes hiding away in there so much we may just leave the thing up for the whole month. 
This is what it looks like from the outside - I'm thinking later this week we might make a "Josh's Fort: Members Only" sign for it. Or better yet: "NO GIRLS ALLOWED EXCEPT MOMMY." I'm also thinking...I hope we don't have company while this mountain of cushions has taken over our living space!But you know what? Sometimes getting down on the floor and playing with you kids is more important than what company thinks. Actually, I'd say it's more important all the time! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go plop myself down on something equally as comfy for a bit!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Can't....Keep...Eyes...Open
So I'm exhausted. Josh finally did take a good nap yesterday but last night was horrible. He was coughing ALL night - I thought he was getting better. Maybe he is, everything is just breaking up.
This morning when he was playing with toys in his crib I came in to check on him and he had a literal mustache of snot. And I'm too tired to care that that was probably TMI.
I just put him down for his nap with a pillow in his crib to elevate his head and help him breathe a little easier. My fingers (and toes) are crossed that he will sleep for at least a couple of hours. Because I. Need. Sleep.
And so does he. Night night! Or as Josh would say, Na Na!
This morning when he was playing with toys in his crib I came in to check on him and he had a literal mustache of snot. And I'm too tired to care that that was probably TMI.
I just put him down for his nap with a pillow in his crib to elevate his head and help him breathe a little easier. My fingers (and toes) are crossed that he will sleep for at least a couple of hours. Because I. Need. Sleep.
And so does he. Night night! Or as Josh would say, Na Na!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Croupie Monster
AUGHGHSS! Is that even a real exclamation? No. Do I care? NO. It's better than typing what I really feel like typing because after only one full day of croup (word on the street is there are anywhere from 2-6 more to follow), I am exhausted, cranky, weepy, frustrated and oh...did I mention CRANKY??!!
And that's just me. All of those things also currently describe my formerly sweet, good natured boy. I'm about ready to cry uncle.
Josh woke up again this morning (after coughing through the night) with a 102 degree fever. He was lethargic and just plain miserable. I rushed for the ibuprofen and the fever came right down, but he's still just moping around, crying over every little thing, and I'm trying to keep him from crying because that aggravates the coughing. So all my parenting is going out the window...before the TV was off limits...well now all he has to do is start crying and I'm like, "Oh you're right...it is cool to touch the buttons on the TV and erase Daddy's DVRed sporting events."
I feel like this croup is creating a monster. And it's ME.
I'm praying for patience and strength to get through each day, and above all healing for my little boy. I hate it so much when he's sick. I feel so helpless, even though I'm trying my best. I even called the doctor again this morning (still haven't heard back from them...I wonder why!) to make sure they didn't want to give him anything for the croup. I know they probably think I'm crazy but I don't care...I highly doubt anyone in their office was up half the night worried sick about the coughing heap in the next room.
So here's hoping this is, miraculously the last day of croup. Because after only two days, I'm about to unravel. And also, it would be tough to do three days in a row of Croup play on words for my blog post titles.
And that's just me. All of those things also currently describe my formerly sweet, good natured boy. I'm about ready to cry uncle.
Josh woke up again this morning (after coughing through the night) with a 102 degree fever. He was lethargic and just plain miserable. I rushed for the ibuprofen and the fever came right down, but he's still just moping around, crying over every little thing, and I'm trying to keep him from crying because that aggravates the coughing. So all my parenting is going out the window...before the TV was off limits...well now all he has to do is start crying and I'm like, "Oh you're right...it is cool to touch the buttons on the TV and erase Daddy's DVRed sporting events."
I feel like this croup is creating a monster. And it's ME.
I'm praying for patience and strength to get through each day, and above all healing for my little boy. I hate it so much when he's sick. I feel so helpless, even though I'm trying my best. I even called the doctor again this morning (still haven't heard back from them...I wonder why!) to make sure they didn't want to give him anything for the croup. I know they probably think I'm crazy but I don't care...I highly doubt anyone in their office was up half the night worried sick about the coughing heap in the next room.
So here's hoping this is, miraculously the last day of croup. Because after only two days, I'm about to unravel. And also, it would be tough to do three days in a row of Croup play on words for my blog post titles.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Oh, Croup!
We spent the holiday week at my mom and dad's house in Ohio and had a blast there. It was especially fun to see Josh and his four month younger cousin Frankie playing and interacting together more than ever. My sister and I keep joking that they are "besties."
What was not especially fun was hearing from my sister just days after the boys were sharing everything (including, despite our best efforts, sippy cups) that my poor nephew Frankie had come down with croup. He had all the tell-tale signs, from fever to that sad seal-barking cough you never want to hear coming from your own kid...or anyone else's! Poor little Frankie had to go to the doctor, and his case was bad enough the doctor had to put him on a steroid.
Well, at first I thought we were doomed and that it would only be a matter of time before Josh started the seal-barking himself. But a couple of days passed since Frankie was diagnosed and all Josh had was a runny nose. Other than that, he seemed to be his normal, happy self.
Further research would have told me not to get my hopes up since that is how croup starts in almost all cases. And, wouldn't you know it, this morning my sweet baby woke up burning up with fever and coughing that dreaded cough. I tried my hardest not to freak out and called the pediatrician. Luckily, they could see us in an hour.
I gave my little Bubba boy a dose of ibuprofen and an extra dose of love and off to the doctor we went. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I'm not sure yet) the doctor didn't prescribe any medicine for Josh because she didn't (yet) feel the need. She said the best thing would be cold air before naps and bedtimes, drinking fluids and maybe some baby Vicks Vaporub if necessary. He's not really doing the coughing when he's resting (only when crying), so she said it's nothing to worry about too much.
Tell that to a first time mom who keeps her kid out of daycare on purpose to avoid such moments as these...I just hope he doesn't end up getting worse before he gets better!
Of course, I knew he would get sick eventually and I'd rather he have croup than say, cancer...so we're still pretty lucky. I just spent the past 5 minutes walking a bundled up toddler up and down our front walk in the blustery cold, hoping it would ease his little breathing. The things we do for love!!
What was not especially fun was hearing from my sister just days after the boys were sharing everything (including, despite our best efforts, sippy cups) that my poor nephew Frankie had come down with croup. He had all the tell-tale signs, from fever to that sad seal-barking cough you never want to hear coming from your own kid...or anyone else's! Poor little Frankie had to go to the doctor, and his case was bad enough the doctor had to put him on a steroid.
Well, at first I thought we were doomed and that it would only be a matter of time before Josh started the seal-barking himself. But a couple of days passed since Frankie was diagnosed and all Josh had was a runny nose. Other than that, he seemed to be his normal, happy self.
Further research would have told me not to get my hopes up since that is how croup starts in almost all cases. And, wouldn't you know it, this morning my sweet baby woke up burning up with fever and coughing that dreaded cough. I tried my hardest not to freak out and called the pediatrician. Luckily, they could see us in an hour.
I gave my little Bubba boy a dose of ibuprofen and an extra dose of love and off to the doctor we went. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I'm not sure yet) the doctor didn't prescribe any medicine for Josh because she didn't (yet) feel the need. She said the best thing would be cold air before naps and bedtimes, drinking fluids and maybe some baby Vicks Vaporub if necessary. He's not really doing the coughing when he's resting (only when crying), so she said it's nothing to worry about too much.
Tell that to a first time mom who keeps her kid out of daycare on purpose to avoid such moments as these...I just hope he doesn't end up getting worse before he gets better!
Of course, I knew he would get sick eventually and I'd rather he have croup than say, cancer...so we're still pretty lucky. I just spent the past 5 minutes walking a bundled up toddler up and down our front walk in the blustery cold, hoping it would ease his little breathing. The things we do for love!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Adventures in Slumberland
A long, long time ago, there was a boy named Joshua who could sleep through anything.
And I, his mother, used to be the queen of Cry It Out. You know, I would put my sweet little cherub to bed each night and though he would cry in protest at first, I would never waver. Having read multiple books, magazine articles, and heard of countless friends with less resolve whose children sleep in their bed with them, I was bound and determined to let my son cry it out. All the experts seem to be in agreement - it's best for a child to learn how to soothe themselves to sleep rather than constantly returning to comfort them and then they learn to cry long and loud enough and Mommy will return.
NOT ME. No, I have an iron will.
Or at least, I had one. For the first 17 months of his life, Josh slept like a champion. Even if he would cry himself to sleep, he would sleep 12 hours like clockwork from the time he went to sleep to the time he would wake up. And sometimes, he would even sleep longer. I'm telling you, this child is amaaaazzing.
That being said, nobody's perfect. Josh turned 18 months old a couple of weeks ago, and right around that time, he would go to sleep with no problem but would wake several times during the night, fussing and crying, sometimes HOWLING. I assumed he was probably teething (again!) and would rock and comfort him and give him some ibuprofen. He would calm right down as soon as I came in and picked him up. But the second I would put him down, he would SCREAM bloody murder and sometimes it would take him an hour to calm back down and fall asleep.
This happened for about a week and a half off and on and I didn't know what to do. Weary, haggard and feeling pretty helpless, I took Josh to his regularly scheduled 18 month old appointment. I regaled the doctor with our night saga and he checked Josh thoroughly. No new teeth coming in, no fluid in the ears. Nothing.
Baffled, I asked the doctor what I should do. He looked at me with a glimmer in his eye and said, "You're going to have to let him cry it out, Mom. He's a big boy now."
WHAAATTT???! Did he mean to tell me that I was being had by my sweet, innocent baby boy?! ME?! Didn't he even know who I am? Or was? Hello, doc! It's me, the QUEEN.
Not knowing what else to do, I took my boy home and followed the doctor's advice. Night one: Josh woke crying once, for about 1 minute and then fell back asleep. I let him cry and didn't worry about it. Night two: Josh woke crying for about 30 seconds and fell back asleep. I held my ground. Nights three through six: Josh sleeps soundly through the night again.
Which means that I sleep through the night again too. Whew.
I'm so happy to have my boy back to normal. And so relieved there is nothing physically wrong with him. And so happy to once again have full reign of my kingdom, Slumberland. It's going to take a lot more than some feeble cries to remove me from power next time. Muahahahhaaha!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Daily Housework and Playtime Schedule
Everyone who knows me well knows I love to schedule things. Not filling up my days with appointments scheduling, but every minute of the day has a purpose scheduling. Even if that purpose is taking a nap! My mom loves to tell the story of when our family was going on a beach vacation when I was about nine. While she was packing up the car, she found a notebook in which I had written my "schedule" for each day we would be away. I had even written in times to have a snack or "drink a coke" - or at least, that's what she claims!
Well, old habits die hard and lately I've been feeling like I need to get a schedule in order to keep my home up, make sure I'm spending quality time with my son and start to get things organized around here.
The problem I sometimes encounter with schedules and lists are that I start out with the very best of intentions and then often fall off the horse when life gets in the way, as it inevitably does. My goal was to make a daily schedule that I could follow and live with. Also, it has to be flexible because my husband and I have Young Life commitments at least twice a week, and there always seems to be something else going on.
So here's my first attempt at getting on a schedule we can live with around here. I'm sure there will be some tweaking that happens as I begin to live it, but that's the beauty of a first draft, isn't iit? Also, by posting for all to see, hopefully this will give me accountability to stick with it!
6:15 - (actually the alarm goes off at 6:12 - my husband as apparently calculated the exact number of minutes it will take him to get ready in the the morning so he can get every possible minute of sleep. That's what I get for marrying a math teacher!) Husband and I get up, I make coffee, iron his clothes for the day and make his lunch.
6:45 - Husband off to work, I do my quiet time with God.
7:15 - I call my mom (yes, we talk every day - I know it's not what "normal" mothers and daughters do, but I love starting my day talking to one of my very best friends)
7:45 (or after) - Josh gets up, I change his diaper, and make and eat breakfast with him.
8:30ish - Josh has a half hour of playpen time while I do the Morning Routine (I cribbed this from my studies of 1950's housewives when I was doing my other blog "Move Over, June!" It seems to work well - I can get a lot done in just a half an hour!)
The Morning Routine consists of:
1. Loading and starting the washer
2. Cleaning the kitchen (empty dishwasher, load new dishes, clean counters)
3. Make our bed and tidy bedrooms
4. Tidy bathroom & run a disinfecting wipe quickly over sink and toilet
5. Tidy living room
9:00ish - Structured Activty with Josh (most of my scheduled time with Josh are ideas from the Babywise series, which I'm sure I will post more on later). This is time where we do an activity I choose, and lately I've been getting ideas from my Parents Magazines - more posts on these later as well!
9:30 - Josh has juice and a light snack. I have water and a small snack with him. Change Josh's diaper and change him into clothes for the day.
10:00 - Josh free play time (he plays in living room with toys independently - or as independently as possible!) I'm in the living room making calls, updating our finances, etc.
11:00 - Josh playtime with Mom
11:30 - Make and eat lunch with Josh, change diaper.
12:00 - Josh nap. I call my husband to check in or just leave a message and say "I love you."
12:15 - Mama nap time! (hopefully) Or reading or just resting a bit. I used to feel guilty about this, but honestly, it's hard to get up so early and go to bed so late (on my husband's schedule) without getting at least a bit of a breather during the day!
1:30 - I shower and get ready for the day
2:00 (or after) - Josh up from nap, change diaper. Josh free playtime and/or run errands with Mom
3:00 - Josh playtime with Mom
3:30 - Make and eat snack with Josh, change diaper.
3:45 - Josh playpen time. This is when I clean the room of the day. I will use a rotating schedule that will start out like this:
Monday - Bathroom
Tuesday - Master Bedroom
Wednesday - Josh's Room
Thursday - Entry
Friday - Kitchen
Saturday - Living Room
Sunday - Rest
However, if I have Josh's playgroup or something (as I do every other Wednesday) during this afternoon slot, I will simply pick up the next day with the room I was supposed to do today. So basically the rooms will just rotate regardless of day after a while - but this is how I'm starting out!)
I have a detailed cleaning list for each room that I will go through as well. I will simply work for 30 minutes (until the timer goes off) and get as much done as I can in that time. I will pick up where I left off on that day the next week.
4:15 - Get mail with Josh & read him a story (we read way more than this during the day usually but this is just to ensure we read at least once a day)
4:30- Josh free playtime, Mama check email, then play with Josh.
5:00 - Quick house tidy up - kitchen clean up, put toys away, etc.
5:30 - Move clothes from washer to dryer - fold previous load (if applicable) and put away.
5:45 - Josh bath (if needed - we try to do this every other day)
6:00 - Make dinner. Josh playtime with Daddy (this is usually when he gets home).
6:30 - Eat dinner.
7:00 - Josh in PJs, diaper changed, teeth brushed.
7:15 - Prayers with Josh and then he goes to bed.
7:30 - I do dinner dishes and clean kitchen.
8:00 - Free time (unless it's a Young Life night) to blog, hang out with my hubby, meet a friend for coffee, etc.
10:00 - I get ready for bed or try to be in bed by now. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not!
Well there you have it - that's what I'm going to try to stick to and see if things can get organized around here. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho
Lately I feel like every time I need a baby-sitter (which isn't that often), I am scrambling to find someone! I mostly just need an occasional baby-sitter for the rare weekday that I work; however, since I work at a hospital, things can get a bit hectic and people call out last minute, etc. I am blessed to have two good friends who love my son on call to baby-sit when I need them to (their schedules allowing). Work is getting so crazy lately, though, that I am starting to feel guilty calling my sitters so often! I do pay them, but it's definitely less than they would make at a "regular" job for 8 hours. I know they are happy to help, but sometimes I can't help but think me working outside the house (during the week) is a big, fat waste of time.
I literally feel like I put in a full day's work sometimes before I even get to work on a weekday. When I work on a weekend, it's so relaxing to get ready in the morning (relatively speaking). I can get up, have some coffee and breakfast, take a leisurely shower and be confident in my ability to be out the door on time. My husband takes care of my son from the moment he wakes on these days, which makes my life about a zillion times easier!
During the week if I get called in to work (and I do always have the option to say no, but the bank account thanks me when I do a little extra here and there), I have to do everything myself. I get up (earlier than usual, I might add!), get showered, dressed, and ready. THEN, I get Josh up (sometimes I have to wake him, making things especially painful), get him breakfast and, depending on the day, deliver him to the sitter's house or try and make my house as presentable as I can for a sitter to come here. UGH! By the time I drive a half hour to work and get to the morning meeting, I am a breathless, sweaty, un-caffeinated mess...not to mention a few minutes late!
I know so many of my friends work full time and do this and so much more every day. To them, I simply say: I salute you! I just know I'm not cut out for it. The days I work during the week are hectic and by the time I get home, I'm completely spent. I long for time with my son and husband, but have no patience or energy to deal with them...let alone get dinner on the table!
That said, a mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do. My husband is always so appreciative when I pick up some extra hours at work, and this month we really could use the funds. So, hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go!
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