Sunday, June 17, 2012

Son Rise

Beautiful picture of a sunrise over the horizon as the ocean waves come in?  Nah.  Not nearly as beautiful as that dad carrying his baby out to see it... so blessed that they happen to belong to me!    Happy First Father's Day PC!  We love you!


Friday, June 15, 2012

Vacation... Arrival

No need to be so worried about the car ride.  LB was a champ... either sleeping, watching something on the portable DVD, playing with toys or just chillin.  We stopped three brief times to let him stretch and eat.  Yay LB!  

Then we got here.  Big oops.  Didn't check the clearance of the parking deck and the cargo carrier we borrowed doesn't fit.  Enter moment of panic and telling PC to please come back from check-in with a plan.  [Side note:  The lady at the office seriously tells him that "it will be fine on the open top deck."  ...Um, yeah, but that requires driving through the parking deck, which is the reason we came to ask what to do in the first place.  PC politely explained the situation again.]  Next.  PC gets some help and takes the thing off and loads it on a luggage cart and we plan on just taking it to our room.  LB and I take off to the top deck to meet PC after he's dropped off the cargo carrier.  Poor PC... a few minutes later he comes around the corner and still has the (!*#$) cargo carrier on the cart.  It won't fit through any of the elevator doors!  He is covered in sweat from pushing that thing up several levels of the parking deck and wouldn't you know something like this always happens when you have to use the bathroom!  End result- cargo carrier is tied down in our parking space for the duration of the trip and PC truly deserves a special Father's Day Weekend.  And... we are having a good laugh. 

To be continued....





Sunday, June 3, 2012

Three Months worth of Thought Vomit

Feel free to peruse the topics below of life at the Mac & PC home and skip or read whatever may be of interest:]  Also, even though my son's name can be found in my blog, for the sake of keeping some anonymity I'm going to refer to him as LB (little bit/boy/blessing/baby, love bug... it works).    

Pumping/Nursing/Solid Foods:  I pump at or around 6 a.m., 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and nurse twice in the evenings and through the night.  Even with this, we use about 10-12 ounces of formula for supplementing and mixing with cereal.  LB eats oatmeal, avocado & has juice at lunch and rice cereal and another (baby food) fruit at supper.  These are all small portions but he (so far, knock on wood) is a really good eater with whatever is put in front of him.  The constipation from introducing solids has not been so great.  Prunes are usually the fruit choice for supper these days!  I love the idea of making food or letting him try out what we are eating but that would mean lots of McD.onalds & C.hicFil.A, so cereals & mashed fruit it will be!         

Avocados:  Took me some practice to figure these out and I'm still looking for ideas.  I let them ripen 2-3 days, then scoop out the insides, mash up and freeze in ice cube trays.  He gets one cube mixed with a little formula for his lunch meal. 

Sleeping:  We've actually seemed to go backwards since introducing solids or since 5 months old.  LB was waking around 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., nursing and going back to sleep.  Now if he starts out in the crib by 9 p.m. he ends up in our bed by 12 a.m. and nurses randomly until getting up around 5 a.m., ready to play.  If he's not nursing, he is wiggling, kicking or reaching out to hold my hair or touch my face.  Sweet as that is, I am tired from all the rest-less-ness.  I just keeping holding out for that one night when he starts out in the crib and stays in the crib all.night.long.   

Babydancing:  Do I still call it that?  It's actually referred to more often as "nap" time around here!  And we are not taking many naps because 1- when it is nap time we're too tired to nap, 2- scar tissue from giving birth means naps are painful, 3- no time for naps and 4- so many things to do when it really is nap time and 5- mood music for nap time is the humming of the baby monitor with lullabies in the background.  Do they make a mobile that plays Chi.cago's Greatest Hits?  Still it is great to be scheduling around nap times rather than OPK's!  And the scar tissue... the ob/gyn says that will be fine again in time or there is a procedure.  When he describes the procedure it sounds like it would just lead to more scar tissue, no thanks.  Ke.gels before birth, Ke.gels after birth!     

ART- Done.  A family of three we will be and we're both beyond happy & blessed with that!  I know that some would say "it can still happen" but I know my body and what we went through... it is broken when it comes to making a baby the "old fashioned" way.  Those treatments were a part-time job and I'm turning in my resignation! 

Marriage:  Strained, but we both know that this is a season of life that comes with new challenges. We've talked about being a united front on decisions.  We're seeing so many of our friends/colleagues (whose kids are much older of course because of our IF journey) navigate through the preteen years and some are taking sides with their kids when their spouse doesn't agree.  We've seen some marriages almost come apart because of this.  Our topics are diapers rather than dating but it's important to us for our child to see us as a team.  On that note, I have improved in the area of turning baby duties over to dad and then letting them be.  That was hard at first because I could anticipate some cues and cries and gave way too many instructions "try holding him this way, did you check his diaper, etc." and it just stressed all three of us out. LB is with his dad 2 hours every morning and they do their thing.  It's all good.       

Blogging:  I miss it.  I hope to read, post, and comment more when I have a few weeks off this summer. I can't wait to check out the new PAIL site!     

LB:  We're having more fun this month than ever.  We have GIGGLES, and all it took was making a hacking-gag-type noise and tickling his tummy... odd, but I'm proud to get them even if it requires weird noises.  We are spending a lot of time in the floor on a blanket just playing.  A favorite new game is to hold this big red ball with hands & feet then kick or push it away and watch mom and dad go get it.  I also think LB is going to be a champ at the "uh-oh" game... he drops it and we pick it up. 
    

Summer plans and need ideas:  Heading out for a weekend beach trip in a few weeks.  What do I need to survive this trip with a six month old... especially for the 6 hour car ride?  I am more worried about the ride than anything else.  Some of it will be timed during a nap but that leaves about 4 hours to figure out how to be creative at keeping a very active baby confined to a seat that long.  I've had one 20 minute back seat meltdown and it was awful!  I only want to take essentials and just a stroller and beach stuff is going to take up much of the car!  I stared out at the ocean on so many of our beach trips as a couple and dreamed of having a baby with us, it is going to be a surreal moment to experience the trip as a family of 3!    

Working:  I try not to dwell on the fact that I am away from this sweet baby 45 hours or more a week.  He is with people who love him during the day and he is usually at our home.  That is what keeps me going until I can get home and get my hands on him.  Weekends have new meaning!  I've known before and during IF that I would be a working mom outside of the home and it's just harder than I thought.  I am fortunate that working in the education field means that I have holidays and a few weeks in the summer off... the goal is to make memories and make the most of every minute. 

Life in general:  Having good great times.  Yes, we're tired and this is the hardest job ever, but we're having fun and experiencing a love for each other and this child that is just amazing.  LB and I recently walked to my grandparent's house (just up the hill from us) and we sat in the sun room and my granny said "These are the best days of your lives.  My mama used to say your children first step on your toes and then on your heart.  My children are grown and now my grandchildren are grown and here is LB... it goes by way too fast.  Enjoy every day."          Yes mam. 

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Five Months

I'm sitting here the night before Mother's Day, reading through blogs and occasionally glancing up to watch the first movie that PC and I have rented since bringing home a baby five months ago.  PC fell asleep in the recliner within the first 15 minutes, about the same time as baby boy who is in his swing just a few feet away.  It all makes me :].
It appears that I'm only going to be able to post a monthly update until I can figure out how to fit blogging into my life as a working mom.  I am thankful to have that problem! 

Five Months


Weight- 14 lbs
Height- 26"
Clothing- some 3-6 months, 6 month jumpers and onesies
Diapers- size 2
Hair- Finally growing and looking light brown/blonde
Eyes- Blue
Feeding- Every 2 1/2-3 hours, longer stretches at night- you prefer the "more frequent small meals" plan
Sleeping- you have started really fighting sleep through the day so we're lucky to get in more than 30 minutes for a nap, you wake about twice through the night
Favorites- Jumperoo
Firsts- cereal

Things to remember:
You wake up in the morning calm and serious, but smiling on cue!  You wake up so suddenly from naps... you will be asleep one minute and we look over at you the next and you are staring right back at us, funny!
You are starting to recognize family and generally do well with people you don't see as often, but you are always scanning a room for a familiar face.  
You have started getting some rice cereal and a little bit of fruit every evening.  You hit the tray then spread your arms out to say "more."  It ends up looking like the Karate Kid balancing pose!  
We had our first visit to the pedi for cold-like symptoms.  Turned out to just be allergies, which we are accustomed to around here!  We keep the humidifier going and suction your nose often. 
You love for us to hold you up on your legs so that you can stomp the floor, or dance if that's what you're trying to do!  
One night I was laying by you singing to get you to sleep and you started "singing" with me, I laughed and cried at the same time, it was so sweet!  Warning:  I am only a shower/car singer!
You enjoy touching anything and everything with your hands or your feet, so curious!   
Still nothing makes you as happy as a bath!
You will repeat a few sounds and try to imitate our funny faces- we say "hey" and you say "a."  
We have gotten just a couple of giggles out of you... I've tried every silly thing I know to do but you are one serious little dude.   
Poop is something we celebrate these days!  It comes about every 3-4 days and you are cranky on that last day and a much happier baby afterwards, we've added a little apple prune juice to try to help speed things along.  
You do not want anyone to see you sleeping, so you pull the cover/burp cloth over your eyes.  


I know there are things I'm leaving out but it is time to wrap up this Mother's Day by snuggling with my boys and sending up a special thank you prayer... this is a day I used to dream about celebrating.  Anyone who is reading this and still waiting on your turn... don't give up!  I am a six-years-waiting-and-only-two-good-eggs-IVF-mom... miracles still happen! 

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Four Months

Better late than never!  Busy right now is an understatement.
But happy.  And grateful. 

March 10- April 10

Weight- 13 lbs (10-15%ile)
Height- 25 1/2" (70-75%ile)
Clothing- 3 months, some 3-6 months
Diapers- size 1
Hair- ??? Not much left to even make a prediction!
Eyes- Very Blue
Feeding- Every 2 1/2- 3 hours, longer stretches at night
Sleeping- you wake up twice and usually go right back to sleep at night, and maybe 2-3 hours during the day
Favorites- outdoors, t.v.
Firsts- Easter, trip to the mall

Things to remember:
You have really started "talking" a lot... sometimes nicely and sometimes with attitude!  I really wish we could translate everything you are telling us!  
I keep waiting on a giggle or a laugh.  Dad and I got one good giggle when we were playing with you on the back porch, but other than that, your giggles come out as cute squeals.   
You found your feet one day this month while sitting in the Bumbo.  You reached out and grabbed them and then moved on to something else more interesting.
You are still drooling a lot and making us think that you are going to be an early teether. 
You still love the piano gym and have started swatting at the toys more than kicking this month.  
You are still smiling all the time... until we pull out the camera!
Your birthmark is about the size of a pencil eraser now.   We are in the rapid growth phase for the next several months and then it will start to slowly get smaller and fade.
 You have so much fun in the bath, splashing and kicking around little squirt toys. 
You do not just like t.v., you love it!  Dad and I are getting so tired of cartoons already... we are going to have to come up with a t.v. time plan or else you will one day want to watch it all day long.
You really enjoy outdoors, it has been unseasonably warm and we have taken you on many walks around the house and hung out on the back porch.  You won't even cry with a wet diaper if you are outside!
You have started to fight sleep during the day, so afraid to miss out on something.  I have a feeling you will hate nap time and I can't say your dad and I blame you- we hated naps too.  
You are holding your head up now with little or no support... good enough for the Jumperoo and you love it, for 10 minute stretches anyway! 
You have grown SO much this month, you now have a tummy fat roll and chubby legs.
Easter Day, pants were a little big but still so cute!
You snore! 
You are hot-natured in a major way.  We have found out that keeping you as close to naked as possible keeps you happy.  I never thought I would be a mom who let her child go barefoot... until I had a baby who hates socks & shoes!  Never say never!
I thought I was clear about this mom... "I hate shoes!"
We went to the mall and you were great, either sleeping or staring at all the colors. 
To PC- You are busted staring dreamily at all those cool Mac gadgets.  And that baby you're pushing around, he's already trying to use my MacBook. Yep, just accept :]  
 
Can't wait to see what adventures await us next month!  Love you so much sweet baby boy!