I travel a lot - both for work and pleasure. I was out of state, on average, twice a month in 2008. I didn't even go anywhere the last 4 months, between the end of my pregnancy and my maternity leave, and my travels still average to two trips per month.
My husband is no stranger to traveling, either. Both within the state and heading elsewhere, he's often driving or flying somewhere himself.
What I'm trying to say, here, is that we're both very much used to packing up and heading out.
On Friday, we're flying out (at 0-dark-30, by the way!) to Pennsylvania, where we'll visit with my mother for the next ten days. (An example from my travel schedule - we fly back to Texas on the 13th and I get on another plane to SJC for the day on the 14th.) We're good at packing; we're good at planning; we're great at traveling.
But preparing to take the kiddo away for 10 days is seriously wrecking my brain.
My first packing list included EVERY item of baby stuff that in my house.
Which is a lot.
Including stuff she's already outgrown.
Ok, that's an exaggeration, but you get my point!
My second packing list feels way too short, but still includes EVERY bottle we own, and enough toys and blankets to start an orphanage.
I'm not sure if it's the prospect of traveling with the baby that has me stressed, or if it's the fact that we're going to be gone for so darn long.
But I'm struggling, here!
How did you prepare for your kiddo's first big trip? I'd love to hear ideas from other moms!
Of Direct Deposit and Digital Cameras
in:
Life
Do you ever think that we've OVER-simplified the world?
I have two examples that are SUPER helpful and are great technological advances - but that I still complain about regularly.
#1: Direct Deposit
I love direct deposit because I hate running errands. Before direct deposit, I had to (a) wait for my paycheck to come in the mail (or get handed to be at work at one of my jobs) and then drive to the bank and then stand in line and then wait for the check to clear and THEN I'd get to spend my money. With direct deposit, the money is magically waiting for me on payday, and I can then spend it immediately.
YAY.
Crap.
Although it's lovely to have my money available immediately, not going to the bank means that I'm not filling out a deposit slip, which then means that I'm not filling out the little line asking how much money I want to receive in cash versus deposit.
Which, of course, means that I never have cash. Ever.
Argh! LOVE immediate money, HATE never having actual cold, hard cash.
Whereas it was once routine to go to the bank weekly, it's now a pain in the ass to even go to the ATM. We've over-simplified life!
#2: Digital Cameras
I was given my first digital camera about 4 years ago by my friend Stephanie. Before that, I'd used the same trusty 35mm for many years - in fact, it was my 16th birthday present from my father. It was a brilliant camera, terrific zoom lens, built like a tank (I drop stuff...a lot) and followed me to dozens of states and a handful of countries taking thousands of pictures.
Know what happened to those pictures, after they were shot?
Righto - they were developed.
Like at the pharmacy. Where they hand you actual pictures that you can put in albums, frames, or send to family and friends.
I'm now on my second digital camera. I bought it the weekend before my first baby shower, last summer. Great deal from the now defunct Circuit City. High-end camera. Works like a charm.
Know what it doesn't do?
Spit out film that I need to take to the pharmacy to get developed, so that I can then have shots to put in albums, frames, or send to family and friends.
Now, those thousands of pictures that I take (dude...I have a baby...we're constantly snapping shots) get transferred to my laptop, posted to Shutterfly if people hassle me enough, and only very, very randomly get turned into prints to send out or display.
Why is the drive to the pharmacy to get prints done now twice as long as it was when I used to drive there twice - once to drop off film and again to pick up the developed prints?
Over-simplification...how has it affected your life?
I have two examples that are SUPER helpful and are great technological advances - but that I still complain about regularly.
#1: Direct Deposit
I love direct deposit because I hate running errands. Before direct deposit, I had to (a) wait for my paycheck to come in the mail (or get handed to be at work at one of my jobs) and then drive to the bank and then stand in line and then wait for the check to clear and THEN I'd get to spend my money. With direct deposit, the money is magically waiting for me on payday, and I can then spend it immediately.
YAY.
Crap.
Although it's lovely to have my money available immediately, not going to the bank means that I'm not filling out a deposit slip, which then means that I'm not filling out the little line asking how much money I want to receive in cash versus deposit.
Which, of course, means that I never have cash. Ever.
Argh! LOVE immediate money, HATE never having actual cold, hard cash.
Whereas it was once routine to go to the bank weekly, it's now a pain in the ass to even go to the ATM. We've over-simplified life!
#2: Digital Cameras
I was given my first digital camera about 4 years ago by my friend Stephanie. Before that, I'd used the same trusty 35mm for many years - in fact, it was my 16th birthday present from my father. It was a brilliant camera, terrific zoom lens, built like a tank (I drop stuff...a lot) and followed me to dozens of states and a handful of countries taking thousands of pictures.
Know what happened to those pictures, after they were shot?
Righto - they were developed.
Like at the pharmacy. Where they hand you actual pictures that you can put in albums, frames, or send to family and friends.
I'm now on my second digital camera. I bought it the weekend before my first baby shower, last summer. Great deal from the now defunct Circuit City. High-end camera. Works like a charm.
Know what it doesn't do?
Spit out film that I need to take to the pharmacy to get developed, so that I can then have shots to put in albums, frames, or send to family and friends.
Now, those thousands of pictures that I take (dude...I have a baby...we're constantly snapping shots) get transferred to my laptop, posted to Shutterfly if people hassle me enough, and only very, very randomly get turned into prints to send out or display.
Why is the drive to the pharmacy to get prints done now twice as long as it was when I used to drive there twice - once to drop off film and again to pick up the developed prints?
Over-simplification...how has it affected your life?
Move Over, Bananas!
I *thought* we'd already found Spoiled Baby's favorite food - bananas. When she eats bananas, she smacks her lips and she patiently waits for the next spoonful of goodness. (This is as opposed to peas, which causes nasty faces, nasty looks, and nasty gagging.)
But today...oh, today! Today, we found her REAL favorite food!
PEARS!
Normally, the kiddo will have between 1/4 and 1/3 of a bottle of baby food in one sitting. We use 2nd foods, because the bigger bottles are a cheaper price per ounce...and we're only using bottled foods until we identify her likes/dislikes and then we'll begin making our own. She'll then follow up the 1/4 to 1/3 bottle of food with 3-5 ounces of milk.
Not today. No, sir! She ate the ENTIRE bottle of pears.
I originally portioned out 1/4 of the bottle. With the first mouthful, her eyes lit up. With the second, she fussed impatiently for the next spoonful. By the third, she was actively reaching for my hand, to get the spoon to her mouth faster.
When her original portion was done, I tried to start her on her bottle of milk. NO GO! Wouldn't even entertain the thought. The spoon was on the tray in front of her, and in one fluid motion, she knocked the bottle out of her way and leaned forward to grab for the spoon.
So I portioned out another 1/4 bottle. Gone. Another portion. Gone. Another portion - the remains of the bottle. You guessed it! Gone.
After that, she reluctantly took her bottle and polished off a few ounces. But she kept sending hopeful glances at the bowl and spoon all the while.
Move over, bananas! Spoiled Baby needs her PEARS!
But today...oh, today! Today, we found her REAL favorite food!
PEARS!
Normally, the kiddo will have between 1/4 and 1/3 of a bottle of baby food in one sitting. We use 2nd foods, because the bigger bottles are a cheaper price per ounce...and we're only using bottled foods until we identify her likes/dislikes and then we'll begin making our own. She'll then follow up the 1/4 to 1/3 bottle of food with 3-5 ounces of milk.
Not today. No, sir! She ate the ENTIRE bottle of pears.
I originally portioned out 1/4 of the bottle. With the first mouthful, her eyes lit up. With the second, she fussed impatiently for the next spoonful. By the third, she was actively reaching for my hand, to get the spoon to her mouth faster.
When her original portion was done, I tried to start her on her bottle of milk. NO GO! Wouldn't even entertain the thought. The spoon was on the tray in front of her, and in one fluid motion, she knocked the bottle out of her way and leaned forward to grab for the spoon.
So I portioned out another 1/4 bottle. Gone. Another portion. Gone. Another portion - the remains of the bottle. You guessed it! Gone.
After that, she reluctantly took her bottle and polished off a few ounces. But she kept sending hopeful glances at the bowl and spoon all the while.
Move over, bananas! Spoiled Baby needs her PEARS!
Let's PARTY!
in:
0 to Mom
,
Blog Business
THIS POST IS STICKY...SCROLL DOWN TO READ NEW CONTENT! MWAH!
I'm participating in the Ultimate Blog Party sponsored by 5 Minutes for Mom, and I invite you to join in as well!
Running from March 20th until March 27th, it's a fabulous way to meet new bloggers, follow new Tweeters, win great prizes and just have a blast.
Here's a list of the prizes that most interest me - what ones are you hoping to win?
Welcome, fellow party-ers - I look forward to coming to see you!
I'm participating in the Ultimate Blog Party sponsored by 5 Minutes for Mom, and I invite you to join in as well!
Running from March 20th until March 27th, it's a fabulous way to meet new bloggers, follow new Tweeters, win great prizes and just have a blast.
Here's a list of the prizes that most interest me - what ones are you hoping to win?
- #3 - $25 GC to Happy Panda
- #10 - Book - Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!
- #19 - $50 GC to Target (I love me some Target!)
- #41 - Photo jewelry
- #88 - Carraba's GC
- #98 - Internet Organizer and Toddler Cookbook
- #129 - ListPlanIt
- USC15 - Amazon GC
- USC 33 - Turbo Mom
- USC 66 - Madre Gear
Welcome, fellow party-ers - I look forward to coming to see you!
Freelancing 101
in:
Freelancing
I read a blog post somewhere in the blogosphere recently, posing the question of what qualified someone to tell others how to write or how to develop their freelancing career.
My answer to that query would be having both experience and success! And since I have both (15 years of paid writing; freelance income that equals or exceeds my full-time salary during weeks when I have the capacity to take on 20 or more hours of contract work), I thought I'd start to offer my 2 cents in an ongoing series.
Welcome to Freelancing 101.
So...you want to be a writer.
Maybe you think you're good at writing.
Maybe you believe all of those web sites that claim that ANYONE who can scratch their own a$$ can write for the internet.
Think again.
Seriously. Freelancing 101 isn't meant to discourage you, but the simple fact is that to be truly successful as a freelancer - whether writing, editing, or performing other creative services - you have to have some degree of talent.
Sure, you can crank out web content at a penny a word and if you write "prolifically," you'll have enough cash to pay your rent.
But do you really want to do that day in and day out?
Nope, didn't think so.
So with that in mind, here is your first lesson:
Get 5 blank sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper.
When you've got all of that done, come back for Freelancing 102, when we'll put those 5 sheets together to create your business plan!
My answer to that query would be having both experience and success! And since I have both (15 years of paid writing; freelance income that equals or exceeds my full-time salary during weeks when I have the capacity to take on 20 or more hours of contract work), I thought I'd start to offer my 2 cents in an ongoing series.
Welcome to Freelancing 101.
So...you want to be a writer.
Maybe you think you're good at writing.
Maybe you believe all of those web sites that claim that ANYONE who can scratch their own a$$ can write for the internet.
Think again.
Seriously. Freelancing 101 isn't meant to discourage you, but the simple fact is that to be truly successful as a freelancer - whether writing, editing, or performing other creative services - you have to have some degree of talent.
Sure, you can crank out web content at a penny a word and if you write "prolifically," you'll have enough cash to pay your rent.
But do you really want to do that day in and day out?
Nope, didn't think so.
So with that in mind, here is your first lesson:
Get 5 blank sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper.
- On sheet number 1, brainstorm your talents.
- On sheet number 2, brainstorm everything that you think might hinder your budding freelancing business.
- On sheet number 3, brainstorm the areas that you need to learn more about before you get started or as you're striving to learn more.
- On sheet number 4, brainstorm the time you have available to freelance and what you can do to properly schedule yourself.
- And on sheet number 5, brainstorm the money you hope to make on a weekly basis.
When you've got all of that done, come back for Freelancing 102, when we'll put those 5 sheets together to create your business plan!
READER RESPONSE TIME:
If you are already a freelancer, what steps did you initially take to get started?
Travelin' Mom
Traveling for business when you have a baby back home isn't the easiest proposition in the world, is it? Typically, I travel on Tuesdays, once or twice a month, and am only gone for the day - not even overnight. It's a long day, granted, totaling around 15 or 16 hours away from home, but since Tuesday is one of my husband's days off, he's home with the baby.
Not this week!
This week, Funny Daddy had an important meeting that he had to attend in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday. And...that made Frazzled Mom even more...frazzled...because she had an important meeting to attend in San Jose, California. Which meant that both of us had to leave Spoiled Baby for about 15 hours. Yikes!
Luckily, my husband's aunt stepped in and took over baby duty for the day. Since she cares for her grandson, also, it was a great opportunity for Spoiled Baby to spend time with her cousin, who is only a year older than she is. And what a great day they had! Apparently, there was lots of cuddles and Spoiled Baby even inspired her cousin's first words - a derivative of her name!
By some miracle, our flights left and came back around the same time, so Funny Daddy and I were able to drive to the airport and back together. When we went to pick up Spoiled Baby, she and her cousin were both cuddled together on the rocking chair with his aunt, watching Mickey Mouse. All looked tired...but happy.
And we were all happy to get home, and go curl up in bed as a family to enjoy the snuggle time we'd missed out on during the day. Long day...long travel...but glad to be back home!
How to you handle traveling when you have kiddos back home?
Not this week!
This week, Funny Daddy had an important meeting that he had to attend in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday. And...that made Frazzled Mom even more...frazzled...because she had an important meeting to attend in San Jose, California. Which meant that both of us had to leave Spoiled Baby for about 15 hours. Yikes!
Luckily, my husband's aunt stepped in and took over baby duty for the day. Since she cares for her grandson, also, it was a great opportunity for Spoiled Baby to spend time with her cousin, who is only a year older than she is. And what a great day they had! Apparently, there was lots of cuddles and Spoiled Baby even inspired her cousin's first words - a derivative of her name!
By some miracle, our flights left and came back around the same time, so Funny Daddy and I were able to drive to the airport and back together. When we went to pick up Spoiled Baby, she and her cousin were both cuddled together on the rocking chair with his aunt, watching Mickey Mouse. All looked tired...but happy.
And we were all happy to get home, and go curl up in bed as a family to enjoy the snuggle time we'd missed out on during the day. Long day...long travel...but glad to be back home!
How to you handle traveling when you have kiddos back home?
Christening Day
in:
0 to Mom
It's a big day for our little girl - she will be baptized during the 11 o'clock service at our church today! Two of our friends - Danielle and Timo - have honored us by agreeing to become her Godparents. Catherine will be wearing the baptism slip, dress and jacket that I wore in December 2008 when I was baptized - I think that's so neat! I'll have pictures up soon, and will resume my letters to Catherine tomorrow morning!
For now, we're buzzing around the house doing a bit of last minute picking up (a few friends and family members will be joining us to celebrate this afternoon) and then getting ourselves and the baby ready to be out the door to the church!
Have a blessed Sunday!
For now, we're buzzing around the house doing a bit of last minute picking up (a few friends and family members will be joining us to celebrate this afternoon) and then getting ourselves and the baby ready to be out the door to the church!
Have a blessed Sunday!
Dear Catherine, Weeks 5-9
in:
0 to Mom
,
Dear Catherine
Catch up by reading Dear Catherine, Weeks 1-4 and the Baby Bunny Birth Story.
Dear Catherine,
The second four weeks of your life (November 6 - December 3) included fun times with family and friends, and lots of firsts!
In early November, we finally began to settle into a new routine with you - you were sleeping in consistent 2.5-3 hour stretches and your Mommy and Daddy were figuring out how to keep up with household "stuff." Daddy went back to work after having taking about 3 weeks off, and so you and Mommy got a lot of alone time together. That gave me the opportunity to dress you up and take cute pictures that you slept through!
Catherine, you and I attended a very special event on November 15th. Early that morning, we bundled up and headed for the Dallas Zoo, where we took part in the Alzheimer's Walk in memory of Poppa - your grandfather and my father. Because you missed getting to meet him by only 2 months since he passed away in August 2008, it was extremely important for me to involve you in the walk with me. Because you were so bundled up and in your carrier, it was hard for me to get a good picture of you at the walk, so I posed you by one of the statues at the end. I look forward to telling you all about your Poppa as you grow older.
Even though it was hard to get a good picture at the Zoo, your Daddy and I posed you for about a million pictures that afternoon when we got home. I happen to think that this Pooh outfit is the cutest of your early outfits and I dressed you in it as often as I could for as long as it fit! Even Audrey, one of our kitty cats, thought that you were cuter than cute in this ensemble. In this picture, you're propped up in the Bumbo, where you love sitting, which is then propped into a little rocking chair that was mine and is now yours.
The day after we participated in the Alzheimer's Walk in memory of one of your grandfathers, your other grandfather and your step-grandmother arrived at our house to spend a couple weeks around Thanksgiving. Grandpa and Grandma Aller just fell in love with you from the first moment they set their eyes on you! Over the next few weeks, we enjoyed a fun time together, and spoiled the heck out of you. We spent a lot of time working in the yard and on projects in the house, and had many enjoyable evenings just hanging out together.
Don't think for a minute that your Grandma and Grandpa Aller being here meant that you spent any less time cuddling with your mom and dad! Your Daddy was able to take more time off during this time, and so, feeling more comfortable in our new routines, we carved out a lot of time to relax. During this month, one of your most fabulous firsts was smiling in response to being kissed or when your goofy mom or dad would do something silly. And believe me - we did everything we could to get that smile to come out!
While here, your Grandma Aller held you as much as she could - she wanted to do a lot of your bottle feedings (Mom was probably a bit too shy, so she spent a lot of time tucked away alone on the pump so you could eat by bottle) and your diaper changes. She mastered your cloth diapers like a champ! A lot of the time, she just enjoyed sitting with you on her lap. Your Grandma Aller has a lot of grandkids and even a few great-grandkids, but she definitely believed that you were the most special and most beautiful!
Right before Thanksgiving, you and your mom and dad and grandparents traveled about an hour east to a neat country restaurant/club to enjoy a good steak dinner, and you got to dance with your daddy for the first time. Personally, I thought that was the cutest thing ever! Then, you hung out with your Grandma and Grandpa while your mom and dad took a twirl around the dance floor.
Your first Thanksgiving was very neat, from your "I'm a little Turkey" bib, to a dinner full of family and friends, to your rivaling onesies with your cousin Zach during the Cowboys/Seahawks football game. You took advantage of having bunches of people here wanting to see you...by sleeping most of the day! Geez, you didn't even have tryptophan! We'll let the pictures tell the rest of the Thanksgiving story!
We really enjoyed getting to take you out for your first Sunday brunch right after Thanksgiving, and then spent the day driving around the area to show your Grandpa some of the little local airports, in case he decides to fly his own plane in next time. As usual, when you were saddled up in your car seat, you were happier than a clam!
During your second four weeks of life, one of your signature moves was the stretch. You stretched and stretched and stretched and stretched. We joked that you were stretching right into being a 2 year old! You had your one-month checkup and measured in the 90th percentile for height and weight - you developed fabulously despite a bit of a rough start. You also got your first shots, but handled that like a champ! You began wearing 3 month sized clothing at 6 weeks - we were astounded! Your little feetsies also grew fast - your couple pairs of newborn shoes lasted for about 3 weeks and then you were into size 1's. One of your big accomplishments in your second four weeks was to grasp toys. We could hand your your plastic rings or your Mooby rattle and you would hang on with a fierce grip and wave them around in front of your face.
Grandma and Grandpa babysat you for us twice while they were here - once so we could go out for dinner and a movie, and once so daddy could take mommy to get her wisdom teeth taken out. Both times, you were a perfect angel for them! It was really hard for them to leave at the end of your second four weeks of life, but even before they left, plans were made to get together again in 2009, up in Idaho, where your daddy grew up! In this last picture taken when you were 8 weeks old, you look pretty happy about getting to see them again soon!
We love you, Catherine!
Mommy and Daddy
Dear Catherine,
The second four weeks of your life (November 6 - December 3) included fun times with family and friends, and lots of firsts!
In early November, we finally began to settle into a new routine with you - you were sleeping in consistent 2.5-3 hour stretches and your Mommy and Daddy were figuring out how to keep up with household "stuff." Daddy went back to work after having taking about 3 weeks off, and so you and Mommy got a lot of alone time together. That gave me the opportunity to dress you up and take cute pictures that you slept through!
Catherine, you and I attended a very special event on November 15th. Early that morning, we bundled up and headed for the Dallas Zoo, where we took part in the Alzheimer's Walk in memory of Poppa - your grandfather and my father. Because you missed getting to meet him by only 2 months since he passed away in August 2008, it was extremely important for me to involve you in the walk with me. Because you were so bundled up and in your carrier, it was hard for me to get a good picture of you at the walk, so I posed you by one of the statues at the end. I look forward to telling you all about your Poppa as you grow older.
Even though it was hard to get a good picture at the Zoo, your Daddy and I posed you for about a million pictures that afternoon when we got home. I happen to think that this Pooh outfit is the cutest of your early outfits and I dressed you in it as often as I could for as long as it fit! Even Audrey, one of our kitty cats, thought that you were cuter than cute in this ensemble. In this picture, you're propped up in the Bumbo, where you love sitting, which is then propped into a little rocking chair that was mine and is now yours.
The day after we participated in the Alzheimer's Walk in memory of one of your grandfathers, your other grandfather and your step-grandmother arrived at our house to spend a couple weeks around Thanksgiving. Grandpa and Grandma Aller just fell in love with you from the first moment they set their eyes on you! Over the next few weeks, we enjoyed a fun time together, and spoiled the heck out of you. We spent a lot of time working in the yard and on projects in the house, and had many enjoyable evenings just hanging out together.
Don't think for a minute that your Grandma and Grandpa Aller being here meant that you spent any less time cuddling with your mom and dad! Your Daddy was able to take more time off during this time, and so, feeling more comfortable in our new routines, we carved out a lot of time to relax. During this month, one of your most fabulous firsts was smiling in response to being kissed or when your goofy mom or dad would do something silly. And believe me - we did everything we could to get that smile to come out!
While here, your Grandma Aller held you as much as she could - she wanted to do a lot of your bottle feedings (Mom was probably a bit too shy, so she spent a lot of time tucked away alone on the pump so you could eat by bottle) and your diaper changes. She mastered your cloth diapers like a champ! A lot of the time, she just enjoyed sitting with you on her lap. Your Grandma Aller has a lot of grandkids and even a few great-grandkids, but she definitely believed that you were the most special and most beautiful!
Right before Thanksgiving, you and your mom and dad and grandparents traveled about an hour east to a neat country restaurant/club to enjoy a good steak dinner, and you got to dance with your daddy for the first time. Personally, I thought that was the cutest thing ever! Then, you hung out with your Grandma and Grandpa while your mom and dad took a twirl around the dance floor.Your first Thanksgiving was very neat, from your "I'm a little Turkey" bib, to a dinner full of family and friends, to your rivaling onesies with your cousin Zach during the Cowboys/Seahawks football game. You took advantage of having bunches of people here wanting to see you...by sleeping most of the day! Geez, you didn't even have tryptophan! We'll let the pictures tell the rest of the Thanksgiving story!
We really enjoyed getting to take you out for your first Sunday brunch right after Thanksgiving, and then spent the day driving around the area to show your Grandpa some of the little local airports, in case he decides to fly his own plane in next time. As usual, when you were saddled up in your car seat, you were happier than a clam!
During your second four weeks of life, one of your signature moves was the stretch. You stretched and stretched and stretched and stretched. We joked that you were stretching right into being a 2 year old! You had your one-month checkup and measured in the 90th percentile for height and weight - you developed fabulously despite a bit of a rough start. You also got your first shots, but handled that like a champ! You began wearing 3 month sized clothing at 6 weeks - we were astounded! Your little feetsies also grew fast - your couple pairs of newborn shoes lasted for about 3 weeks and then you were into size 1's. One of your big accomplishments in your second four weeks was to grasp toys. We could hand your your plastic rings or your Mooby rattle and you would hang on with a fierce grip and wave them around in front of your face.
Grandma and Grandpa babysat you for us twice while they were here - once so we could go out for dinner and a movie, and once so daddy could take mommy to get her wisdom teeth taken out. Both times, you were a perfect angel for them! It was really hard for them to leave at the end of your second four weeks of life, but even before they left, plans were made to get together again in 2009, up in Idaho, where your daddy grew up! In this last picture taken when you were 8 weeks old, you look pretty happy about getting to see them again soon!We love you, Catherine!
Mommy and Daddy
Dear Catherine, Weeks 1-4
in:
0 to Mom
,
Dear Catherine
If you haven't already, go read the preludes to "Dear Catherine, Weeks 1 to 4" over at How to Have a Baby, where I share her birth story, as well as stories of the time leading up to her arrival.
Dear Catherine,
The first four weeks of your life (October 9-November 5) were happy, heartbreaking, and hectic, in that general order.
Your dad and I were more excited than anything to have you join our family. So much so that we absolutely couldn't wait to leave the hospital and come home to introduce you to your new home and our puppies and kitties. This first picture of you is from when we first brought your home on October 11th, and we plopped you in your bouncey and let you look around. When we got home from the hospital, your Uncle Jerry and Lori came to visit, as did your Aunt Patti and your Uncle Don and your cousin Jamie. They were very excited to meet you!
Your first few days at home were fairly uneventful. On your first full day at home - October 12th - you got to watch your first NASCAR race on TV. You actually seemed to be looking at the TV - very cute. On day three at home - October 14th - you got to enjoy your first bath before getting ready to go to your first doctor's appointment. We couldn't wait to brag to the doctor that you were already quite actively holding your head up on your own! We also couldn't wait to brag that you were also already sleeping more than 4 hours at a clip - what a treat!
Unfortunately, your doctor would have news for us that would quickly turn happiness into heartbreak. While we were in the doctor's office, we learned that you'd lost too much of your birth weight and that we would have to start force-feeding you (or in your case, force-nursing you) in order for you to thrive. But what we learned after we got home was far scarier. You see, your bilirubin levels had climbed through the roof since you left the hospital, and were within a hair of the level thought to cause brain damage. Your mom's heart damn near stopped when your daddy took that phone call. Luckily, the doctor wanted to try to get you better at home instead of tucking you back into the hospital. So the home health folks showed up with some nifty blue lights and turned you into our little glo worm.
You had to be under those lights at all times until your bilirubin levels came down to a safer level. In addition, you had to be force-nursed every 2 hours, on the dot. Twelve feedings a day, no excuses, no exceptions. And for added fun, we had to take you to the doctor's office every single day to be weighed and to have blood drawn. We kept up that routine for a full week. At least you got to try out pretty outfits, like this one, during our doctor visits. Your daddy changed every single one of your diapers during that time, just so he could hold you, and we all slept in the living room for that entire week, so there was enough space to set the lights up around the portable crib that we brought out from our bedroom. Thank God, you gained weight like a champ (including 5 ounces in one day, which caused the nurse to accuse mommy of supplementing you!) and your levels came down steadily to a much safer zone.
Even though we weren't supposed to take you out from under the blue lights unless you were being fed or going to the doctor, we couldn't resist posing for a few pictures. Unfortunately, posing with the self-timer on mommy's camera resulted in some goofy shots - but when we were snapping directly of you, the pictures were beautiful 100% of the time! You were the most peaceful looking baby whenever you slept - and you were just the best snuggler in the world, which made it hard for your mom and dad to have to put you back in your crib and under those lights.
During your first four weeks, we didn't have any visitors, other than the day you came home from the hospital. We did, however, send lots of pictures to your Grandma Karen in Idaho, your Grandma and Grandpa Aller in Arizona, and your Grandmother Lewis in Pennsylvania.
The most special pictures we took in October were when the Phillies won the World Series on October 29th. Here's why mommy thinks that's special: her birthday is October 8, 1980, which was the same month as the Phillies' very first World Series championship. Your birthday is October 9, 2008...and just after your birth, the Phillies won the World Series for only the 2nd time in franchise history. Go Phanatics!
When you were 2 weeks old, your mommy started to make friends with her pump, and so you were introduced to a bottle. Even though you were fed breastmilk exclusively, we wanted to get you used to drinking from a bottle well in advance of mommy going back to work. In addition, your dad couldn't wait to start feeding you. Having some milk stored away in the fridge made it easier to go out on trips to the mall and the grocery store, too. You also got to go out visiting several times, including going to mommy's office and going to your Aunt Patti's house to see your cousin Zachary on Hallowe'en. You had the cutest onesie and sockies to wear for Hallowe'en - and had a terrific day that day.
During your first month, you loved swinging in your swing, picking your head up on your own to look around, looking at your mommy and daddy very closely, and turning your head to see the TV. You grew rapidly - you went from having lost more than a pound of your birth weight to being in the 90th percentile - and loved loved loved being cuddled. One of your favorite activities was waiting until we had your cloth diapers off to pee all over us - we cleaned up a lot of puddles! We also learned that you could poop, pee, puke and sneeze simultaneously. And that takes talent! You refused to even consider a pacifier during your first four weeks, but didn't mind being soothed by a purring kitty.
We love you, Catherine!
Mommy and Daddy
Dear Catherine,
The first four weeks of your life (October 9-November 5) were happy, heartbreaking, and hectic, in that general order.
Your dad and I were more excited than anything to have you join our family. So much so that we absolutely couldn't wait to leave the hospital and come home to introduce you to your new home and our puppies and kitties. This first picture of you is from when we first brought your home on October 11th, and we plopped you in your bouncey and let you look around. When we got home from the hospital, your Uncle Jerry and Lori came to visit, as did your Aunt Patti and your Uncle Don and your cousin Jamie. They were very excited to meet you!
Your first few days at home were fairly uneventful. On your first full day at home - October 12th - you got to watch your first NASCAR race on TV. You actually seemed to be looking at the TV - very cute. On day three at home - October 14th - you got to enjoy your first bath before getting ready to go to your first doctor's appointment. We couldn't wait to brag to the doctor that you were already quite actively holding your head up on your own! We also couldn't wait to brag that you were also already sleeping more than 4 hours at a clip - what a treat!
Unfortunately, your doctor would have news for us that would quickly turn happiness into heartbreak. While we were in the doctor's office, we learned that you'd lost too much of your birth weight and that we would have to start force-feeding you (or in your case, force-nursing you) in order for you to thrive. But what we learned after we got home was far scarier. You see, your bilirubin levels had climbed through the roof since you left the hospital, and were within a hair of the level thought to cause brain damage. Your mom's heart damn near stopped when your daddy took that phone call. Luckily, the doctor wanted to try to get you better at home instead of tucking you back into the hospital. So the home health folks showed up with some nifty blue lights and turned you into our little glo worm.
You had to be under those lights at all times until your bilirubin levels came down to a safer level. In addition, you had to be force-nursed every 2 hours, on the dot. Twelve feedings a day, no excuses, no exceptions. And for added fun, we had to take you to the doctor's office every single day to be weighed and to have blood drawn. We kept up that routine for a full week. At least you got to try out pretty outfits, like this one, during our doctor visits. Your daddy changed every single one of your diapers during that time, just so he could hold you, and we all slept in the living room for that entire week, so there was enough space to set the lights up around the portable crib that we brought out from our bedroom. Thank God, you gained weight like a champ (including 5 ounces in one day, which caused the nurse to accuse mommy of supplementing you!) and your levels came down steadily to a much safer zone.
Even though we weren't supposed to take you out from under the blue lights unless you were being fed or going to the doctor, we couldn't resist posing for a few pictures. Unfortunately, posing with the self-timer on mommy's camera resulted in some goofy shots - but when we were snapping directly of you, the pictures were beautiful 100% of the time! You were the most peaceful looking baby whenever you slept - and you were just the best snuggler in the world, which made it hard for your mom and dad to have to put you back in your crib and under those lights.
During your first four weeks, we didn't have any visitors, other than the day you came home from the hospital. We did, however, send lots of pictures to your Grandma Karen in Idaho, your Grandma and Grandpa Aller in Arizona, and your Grandmother Lewis in Pennsylvania.The most special pictures we took in October were when the Phillies won the World Series on October 29th. Here's why mommy thinks that's special: her birthday is October 8, 1980, which was the same month as the Phillies' very first World Series championship. Your birthday is October 9, 2008...and just after your birth, the Phillies won the World Series for only the 2nd time in franchise history. Go Phanatics!
When you were 2 weeks old, your mommy started to make friends with her pump, and so you were introduced to a bottle. Even though you were fed breastmilk exclusively, we wanted to get you used to drinking from a bottle well in advance of mommy going back to work. In addition, your dad couldn't wait to start feeding you. Having some milk stored away in the fridge made it easier to go out on trips to the mall and the grocery store, too. You also got to go out visiting several times, including going to mommy's office and going to your Aunt Patti's house to see your cousin Zachary on Hallowe'en. You had the cutest onesie and sockies to wear for Hallowe'en - and had a terrific day that day.
During your first month, you loved swinging in your swing, picking your head up on your own to look around, looking at your mommy and daddy very closely, and turning your head to see the TV. You grew rapidly - you went from having lost more than a pound of your birth weight to being in the 90th percentile - and loved loved loved being cuddled. One of your favorite activities was waiting until we had your cloth diapers off to pee all over us - we cleaned up a lot of puddles! We also learned that you could poop, pee, puke and sneeze simultaneously. And that takes talent! You refused to even consider a pacifier during your first four weeks, but didn't mind being soothed by a purring kitty.We love you, Catherine!
Mommy and Daddy
Instead of Parenting...
in:
0 to Mom
,
Fabulous Friday
...at the speed of life, this post is about baby growing at the speed of sound!
And not just growing - really developing into a feisty little person who is smart, alert, and generally happy.
I think I've missed out - or perhaps, you've missed out - because a lot of what I post here is more on the topic of parenting than on Spoiled Baby growing up. After all, this blog grew out of my prior adventures in TTC-land over at How to Have a Baby, and trust me, that's an extremely personal blog with details on Spoiled Baby since she was Spoiled Bunny.
So in light of this Fabulous Friday, I thought I'd announce that I'm going to start writing more baby-centric posts...be prepared to be inundated with cute (at least, to me) stories about the cutest baby - and yes, pictures included.
To catch you up on the first 24 weeks of her life, I'm going to put up posts that each cover 4 weeks - a 6-post look at when she learned what and how she looked doing it. That'll take us to next Thursday, when she'll actually be 24 weeks old!
And yes, I'll admit that I'm OCD enough to be annoyed that 24 weeks doesn't actually equate to 6 months...whoever designed the calendar really ought to have made each month a perfect 28 days so my head didn't have to hurt.
Have a fabulous Friday, ya'll, and come back later today and for the next 5 days for "Dear Catherine," weeks 1-24.
And not just growing - really developing into a feisty little person who is smart, alert, and generally happy.
I think I've missed out - or perhaps, you've missed out - because a lot of what I post here is more on the topic of parenting than on Spoiled Baby growing up. After all, this blog grew out of my prior adventures in TTC-land over at How to Have a Baby, and trust me, that's an extremely personal blog with details on Spoiled Baby since she was Spoiled Bunny.
So in light of this Fabulous Friday, I thought I'd announce that I'm going to start writing more baby-centric posts...be prepared to be inundated with cute (at least, to me) stories about the cutest baby - and yes, pictures included.
To catch you up on the first 24 weeks of her life, I'm going to put up posts that each cover 4 weeks - a 6-post look at when she learned what and how she looked doing it. That'll take us to next Thursday, when she'll actually be 24 weeks old!
And yes, I'll admit that I'm OCD enough to be annoyed that 24 weeks doesn't actually equate to 6 months...whoever designed the calendar really ought to have made each month a perfect 28 days so my head didn't have to hurt.
Have a fabulous Friday, ya'll, and come back later today and for the next 5 days for "Dear Catherine," weeks 1-24.
That'll Show 'Em
in:
Tiffany Takes On
In a move typically seen by a pouting kid in a sandbox, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill to tax bonuses received by executives of companies who received stimulus funds at a rate of 90 percent. Spurred on by the furor over around 400 AIG senior leaders who split a bonus pot equaling $165 million, 326 United States Representatives collectively stuck out their tongues and wagged their weanies. That'll show 'em.
Ok, so I made up that last part, but seriously, folks. This is ludicrous. I understand that Congress, after having doled out more money in unstimulating stimulus funds than my mind can wrap itself around, has now decided that they get to determine everything for companies like AIG from executive salary caps to the kind of kind of toilet paper is stocked in their washrooms. But here's the problem, and it's one that Congress, made up largely of individuals with legal backgrounds, should realize: this move is punishing EMPLOYEES, not COMPANIES.
Why's that, you say? Contractually, AIG was obligated to pay those bonuses, per agreements made before their financial troubles threatened to topple the insurance giant. Surely, lawyers understand contracts. They are the most basic of legal instruments, after all. And prior to them paying out, the Treasury Department determined that the bonuses could not be legally blocked.
Ah, heck. Can't block 'em. So we'll just steal 'em. I mean take 'em back. I mean redistribute the wealth to another
I think it would have been appropriate for the senior leaders who received bonuses to turn them down. And I would agree that the bonuses were not deserved, considering the current financial stress facing the company. But it was a contract. And if the government is looking to punish AIG as a corporation for paying out bonuses, taxing the hell out of their executives as individuals is certainly not the way to do it.
Congress doesn't give a tinker's damn about that money, however. They simply don't like being one-upped. Afterall, it's supposed to be their job to go around handing out funny money to those who don't deserve it.
Read more here: US House passes 90 pct tax on bailout bonuses
Readers, it's your turn: comment away!
undeserving
Ok, so I made up that last part, but seriously, folks. This is ludicrous. I understand that Congress, after having doled out more money in unstimulating stimulus funds than my mind can wrap itself around, has now decided that they get to determine everything for companies like AIG from executive salary caps to the kind of kind of toilet paper is stocked in their washrooms. But here's the problem, and it's one that Congress, made up largely of individuals with legal backgrounds, should realize: this move is punishing EMPLOYEES, not COMPANIES.
Why's that, you say? Contractually, AIG was obligated to pay those bonuses, per agreements made before their financial troubles threatened to topple the insurance giant. Surely, lawyers understand contracts. They are the most basic of legal instruments, after all. And prior to them paying out, the Treasury Department determined that the bonuses could not be legally blocked.
Ah, heck. Can't block 'em. So we'll just steal 'em. I mean take 'em back. I mean redistribute the wealth to another
I think it would have been appropriate for the senior leaders who received bonuses to turn them down. And I would agree that the bonuses were not deserved, considering the current financial stress facing the company. But it was a contract. And if the government is looking to punish AIG as a corporation for paying out bonuses, taxing the hell out of their executives as individuals is certainly not the way to do it.
Congress doesn't give a tinker's damn about that money, however. They simply don't like being one-upped. Afterall, it's supposed to be their job to go around handing out funny money to those who don't deserve it.
Read more here: US House passes 90 pct tax on bailout bonuses
Readers, it's your turn: comment away!
undeserving
An Award to Pass Along!
in:
Award
I am remiss is thanking some blogging friends for awards I was given months ago, and even more remiss in not passing them along. Over the next few days, I'll fix that!!
We'll start with this one:
Thank you to Babette at Definitely Maybe for this honor!
I'd like to pass this along to:
Mwah!
We'll start with this one:
Thank you to Babette at Definitely Maybe for this honor!
I'd like to pass this along to:
Mwah!
P90X is the DEVIL!
in:
0 to Mom
,
Weighty Wednesday
Do you all remember the movie The Waterboy, where the mom refers to everything she fears as the devil?
Well...after more than a month on P90X, and now on phase 2 of the 3 phase cycle, I'm convinced: it's the devil!
This thing kicks my butt around the block so routinely that at the start of each workout, I begin by cursing at the instructor.
And the sad part is that I've only exercised about 60% of the time that I was supposed to...there are just some days when I'm so busy/lazy (depends on the day) that I couldn't drag myself into exercising.
But kudos to my husband, who has not only followed the exercise regimen faithfully, but is also doing a bang up job following the related diet.
I suppose I'd be more concerned if I hadn't lost so much weight simply by breastfeeding like crazy after the baby was born - any way you crack it, losing 35 pounds in 8 weeks is fabulous. But now I'm flabby.
So mama's - how did you tone up post baby? Am I overthinking this P90X thing? What do you do to motivate yourself to exercise more often??
The floor is yours!
Well...after more than a month on P90X, and now on phase 2 of the 3 phase cycle, I'm convinced: it's the devil!
This thing kicks my butt around the block so routinely that at the start of each workout, I begin by cursing at the instructor.
And the sad part is that I've only exercised about 60% of the time that I was supposed to...there are just some days when I'm so busy/lazy (depends on the day) that I couldn't drag myself into exercising.
But kudos to my husband, who has not only followed the exercise regimen faithfully, but is also doing a bang up job following the related diet.
I suppose I'd be more concerned if I hadn't lost so much weight simply by breastfeeding like crazy after the baby was born - any way you crack it, losing 35 pounds in 8 weeks is fabulous. But now I'm flabby.
So mama's - how did you tone up post baby? Am I overthinking this P90X thing? What do you do to motivate yourself to exercise more often??
The floor is yours!
New Design
Voila!
My new design is implemented! After almost a year of the old design, I was thoroughly tired of it. I was actually looking for a new design for my How to Have a Baby blog when I stumbled over this theme...and I just love it, love it, love it!
I've tweaked the crap out of it, but now I think it's where I want it to be. What do ya'll think?
And...any RSS experts out there? I need your help! I want to somehow stream the most recent headlines from some of my other blogs in my sidebar...but I don't want to list out in separate widgets per blog like I did before. And I hate the Feedburner widgets. Any suggestions? I've played with this for like 2 hours tonight and I'm throwing in the towel for now. Leave me a comment if you can help!
My new design is implemented! After almost a year of the old design, I was thoroughly tired of it. I was actually looking for a new design for my How to Have a Baby blog when I stumbled over this theme...and I just love it, love it, love it!
I've tweaked the crap out of it, but now I think it's where I want it to be. What do ya'll think?
And...any RSS experts out there? I need your help! I want to somehow stream the most recent headlines from some of my other blogs in my sidebar...but I don't want to list out in separate widgets per blog like I did before. And I hate the Feedburner widgets. Any suggestions? I've played with this for like 2 hours tonight and I'm throwing in the towel for now. Leave me a comment if you can help!
Rental Car Etiquette
in:
Snark
,
Tuesday Travel Tips
Hey, dear readers! Sorry for not posting more in the past week - I had training 3 days last week, and spent the other two days preparing for and then recovering from it!
For this week's Tuesday Travel Tips, let's discuss the rental car.
Ah, the rental car.
That sparkly, shiny vehicle that you've just exchanged a moderate (or not so moderate) sum of money for, intending to beat the hell out of it for the next several days.
That colorful, late model chariot that has had as many driver's as Obama has had failed cabinet appointees. (Couldn't resist. Sorry!)
That home away from home on four wheels that you apparently don't care one iota about, because you've left it a mess.
Can I tell you how much it annoys me to spend precious money, just to get a car that's been left a mess?
Half of this I blame on the rental car company, for being in such a hurry to turnover cars that they gloss over the cleaning process faster than Obama can change his mind on a campaign promise. (Again, sorry. I crack myself up.)
But half I blame on you, dear rental car renter. Have some pride! Have some caring about your surroundings! If nothing else, at least have some shame!
I completely don't get why people would find it acceptable to leave behind miscellaneous garbage, including spilled fast food and a variety of, uh, personal items. No joke - I've seen it happen.
Let's do this as a 1-2-3-4 lesson, shall we?
Not hard, eh? Now, it's your turn! Make me proud.
Until next time,
Safe travels!
For this week's Tuesday Travel Tips, let's discuss the rental car.
Ah, the rental car.
That sparkly, shiny vehicle that you've just exchanged a moderate (or not so moderate) sum of money for, intending to beat the hell out of it for the next several days.
That colorful, late model chariot that has had as many driver's as Obama has had failed cabinet appointees. (Couldn't resist. Sorry!)
That home away from home on four wheels that you apparently don't care one iota about, because you've left it a mess.
Can I tell you how much it annoys me to spend precious money, just to get a car that's been left a mess?
Half of this I blame on the rental car company, for being in such a hurry to turnover cars that they gloss over the cleaning process faster than Obama can change his mind on a campaign promise. (Again, sorry. I crack myself up.)
But half I blame on you, dear rental car renter. Have some pride! Have some caring about your surroundings! If nothing else, at least have some shame!
I completely don't get why people would find it acceptable to leave behind miscellaneous garbage, including spilled fast food and a variety of, uh, personal items. No joke - I've seen it happen.
Let's do this as a 1-2-3-4 lesson, shall we?
- Rent a car.
- Enjoy your trip to Wherever, USA or insert alternate country <> .
- Pick up after yourself like a normal, rational human being.
- Return your rental car.
Not hard, eh? Now, it's your turn! Make me proud.
Until next time,
Safe travels!
It's Just Another...
in:
0 to Mom
,
Manic Monday
...Manic Monday!
Moms, what is your favorite day of the week?
How many in the virtual blogosphere room are now raising their hands to say "Friday?"
I used to agree with you!
But now, I have to confess that it's Monday!
But why? Aren't I here most Mondays lamenting my manic pace of life?
But that's exactly why it's my favorite day of the week.
I love being busy. I love working. And, more than anything, I love coming home at the end of a long and busy day and seeing my baby's face absolutely light up when she sees me walk in the door.
On Mondays, this is my most special moment.
Have a great week, ya'll!
Moms, what is your favorite day of the week?
How many in the virtual blogosphere room are now raising their hands to say "Friday?"
I used to agree with you!
But now, I have to confess that it's Monday!
But why? Aren't I here most Mondays lamenting my manic pace of life?
But that's exactly why it's my favorite day of the week.
I love being busy. I love working. And, more than anything, I love coming home at the end of a long and busy day and seeing my baby's face absolutely light up when she sees me walk in the door.
On Mondays, this is my most special moment.
Have a great week, ya'll!
Expecting Handouts
in:
0 to Mom
,
Seriously Saturday
I have a major problem when people expect to receive help.
If you have a catastrophe in your life and need momentary help to get back on your feet, that's one thing. By all means - accept help from others, dust yourself off, and go on about the business of taking care of yourself once again.
But if you walk knowingly into a situation that you know damn well you cannot handle on your own, you should not expect to be bailed out by anyone else.
Nadya Suleman fits the bill as someone who just absolutely makes me see red. In case you are one of the 5 remaining people on the planet who hasn't heard about this foolish woman, she was the single mom of 6 children, 3 of whom are considered legally disabled, who was unemployed and lived with her parents. All of her children were conceived using donor sperm and in vitro fertilization. She supports her family on a variety of state/federal assistance.
After going through yet another in vitro procedure, she gave birth to 8 more babies. Still unemployed. Moving out of her parents tiny home into a slightly larger home, using money gained from deals arranged to share her "story." Dr. Phil pitched in and paid for renovations. The woman has had in vitro more than half a dozen times (not cheap!), sport manicured nails and has had plastic surgery. Have I mentioned she has no job?
But, by God, she's actively soliciting donations! Here's a screenshot from her website:
Check out her Wikipedia entry to take a look at her life. (Yes, I know that Wikipedia isn't known for having 100% accuracy since users can edit...but I've read and followed each reference out of sheer morbid curiosity and it's a good compilation to-date.)
Bloggers have gotten a lot of crap for speaking ill of Nadya. Many have encouraged us to feel sypathy for Nadya and gather 'round to help her.
HELL NO.
It's her CHILDREN who deserve sympathy and help. And, frankly, they're not going to get it while their mother continues to exploit their very existance.
Seriously.
If you have a catastrophe in your life and need momentary help to get back on your feet, that's one thing. By all means - accept help from others, dust yourself off, and go on about the business of taking care of yourself once again.
But if you walk knowingly into a situation that you know damn well you cannot handle on your own, you should not expect to be bailed out by anyone else.
Nadya Suleman fits the bill as someone who just absolutely makes me see red. In case you are one of the 5 remaining people on the planet who hasn't heard about this foolish woman, she was the single mom of 6 children, 3 of whom are considered legally disabled, who was unemployed and lived with her parents. All of her children were conceived using donor sperm and in vitro fertilization. She supports her family on a variety of state/federal assistance.
After going through yet another in vitro procedure, she gave birth to 8 more babies. Still unemployed. Moving out of her parents tiny home into a slightly larger home, using money gained from deals arranged to share her "story." Dr. Phil pitched in and paid for renovations. The woman has had in vitro more than half a dozen times (not cheap!), sport manicured nails and has had plastic surgery. Have I mentioned she has no job?
But, by God, she's actively soliciting donations! Here's a screenshot from her website:
Check out her Wikipedia entry to take a look at her life. (Yes, I know that Wikipedia isn't known for having 100% accuracy since users can edit...but I've read and followed each reference out of sheer morbid curiosity and it's a good compilation to-date.)
Bloggers have gotten a lot of crap for speaking ill of Nadya. Many have encouraged us to feel sypathy for Nadya and gather 'round to help her.
HELL NO.
It's her CHILDREN who deserve sympathy and help. And, frankly, they're not going to get it while their mother continues to exploit their very existance.
Seriously.
Definitely Sweet, Not a Pea
in:
0 to Mom
,
Baby Food
,
Fabulous Friday
Happy Friday, everyone!
It's a fabulous Friday in our world, and the baby is especially happen now that she's finished off today's new food adventure.
Isn't introducing solid foods fun? Yes, I know we're fast-forwarding a bit. Our pediatrician told us to go ahead with trying rice and oatmeal cereals when Spoiled Baby was just over 4 weeks old. According to the little handout she gave us, we were supposed to wait, then, until 6 months to start fruits and then 7 months to start vegetables.
And then Funny Daddy found baby food on sale at the grocery store. Despite the fact that we had planned on making our own baby food.
So he bought it...and she loved cereal...so we figured what the heck! Let's give it a try. If it upsets her tummy or makes her sick in any other way, we'd quit.
It's been a huge success, though! Baby LOVES LOVES LOVES bananas and apple sauce.
Prunes, however, were not quite a hit. In fact, the only good thing about trying that particular food was that it helped me to invent a new color: prune puke purple. Yeah, no go.
The last two foods we've tried have been the most adventurous, however.
With the first, every spoonful that goes in her mouth is followed by an awful gagging sound, a hideous face, and her tongue quickly poking the food back out.
With the second, she kept licking her lips and waited expectantly for each new spoonful to arrive. Unfortunately, she was having so much fun eating that she started blowing bubbles. Which then led to food being smeared all over her face and bib. But boy did she love it.
Spoiled baby is definitely a sweet potato fan...not a lover of peas!
What do your little ones like to eat best?
It's a fabulous Friday in our world, and the baby is especially happen now that she's finished off today's new food adventure.
Isn't introducing solid foods fun? Yes, I know we're fast-forwarding a bit. Our pediatrician told us to go ahead with trying rice and oatmeal cereals when Spoiled Baby was just over 4 weeks old. According to the little handout she gave us, we were supposed to wait, then, until 6 months to start fruits and then 7 months to start vegetables.
And then Funny Daddy found baby food on sale at the grocery store. Despite the fact that we had planned on making our own baby food.
So he bought it...and she loved cereal...so we figured what the heck! Let's give it a try. If it upsets her tummy or makes her sick in any other way, we'd quit.
It's been a huge success, though! Baby LOVES LOVES LOVES bananas and apple sauce.
Prunes, however, were not quite a hit. In fact, the only good thing about trying that particular food was that it helped me to invent a new color: prune puke purple. Yeah, no go.
The last two foods we've tried have been the most adventurous, however.
With the first, every spoonful that goes in her mouth is followed by an awful gagging sound, a hideous face, and her tongue quickly poking the food back out.
With the second, she kept licking her lips and waited expectantly for each new spoonful to arrive. Unfortunately, she was having so much fun eating that she started blowing bubbles. Which then led to food being smeared all over her face and bib. But boy did she love it.
Spoiled baby is definitely a sweet potato fan...not a lover of peas!
What do your little ones like to eat best?
That Doesn't Make Me a Bad Mom
in:
0 to Mom
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Time Management
,
Working Moms
I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about the integration of the various parts of my life. I sometimes feel frustrated, because I spend more time on some areas than I'd prefer, and not as much as I'd like on others.
But one thing that I'm feeling okay about is the time I get to spend with my daughter.
I've gotten some well-meaning sympathy lately about "only" taking just over 3 months for maternity leave. And while I agree that certain things might be easier - such as breastfeeding - with longer periods of leave, I'm really not upset over the length of time I did take. And considering that at 5 months old the baby has still never had a drop of formula, I'm still fitting in my pumping time quite nicely to keep her well fed.
Ya know what? I was READY to go back to work. I was READY to be challenged with something other than avoiding being peed on or pooped on or puked on. I was ready to get out of my house on a regular basis and interact with adults.
And the baby is just fine with me being at work. She's not at daycare. She isn't with a nanny or babysitter every day. She's with her dad, who works nights. And when I get home from work and he heads out the door, I think he's ready to go too.
We both love this kiddo more than anything...but we're both very glad to have careers to balance against our home life.
I've fielded questions about staying home with the baby - or potentially, in the future, if/when we have more kids - and really, it's not an option. I've toyed, on and off, with the thought of taking my freelance writing full time and staying at home to do that. I know I could; I very nearly out-earned my full-time job last year with my freelancing, and only spent half as much time doing it.
But as much as I love writing...and as much as I love the occasional days I work from home with my full-time job...I don't want to work from home every single day, day in and day out. I would go berserk. And all of the activities in the world would not fulfill me as much as my work does.
I believe - barring winning the lottery, in which case all bets are off - that I will always work. More importantly, I believe that I will always want to work. I also believe that I will always get involved in a lot of other areas, including whatever activities the kiddo may get involved in, in the future.
As the baby grows older and our family potentially expands, I'm sure that the various pieces of my life will shift. Perhaps I'll work a reduced schedule in the future, or from home more often. Maybe I'll ditch some of my activities in favor of participating in some with my child. Maybe I'll win that lottery and go plant my entire family on a beach somewhere. Who knows?
But what I do know is that, as tired as I may be at the end of the day or the end of the week, it is still entirely possibly to keep a nice house, spend quality time with both my husband and child, devote some time to both fiction and freelance writing, participate in my many interests and activities, keep up with family and friends...and enjoy both the financial and psychological benefits of maintaining a full-time job.
And that doesn't make me a bad mom.
Stay at home moms and working moms alike - what's your take?
But one thing that I'm feeling okay about is the time I get to spend with my daughter.
I've gotten some well-meaning sympathy lately about "only" taking just over 3 months for maternity leave. And while I agree that certain things might be easier - such as breastfeeding - with longer periods of leave, I'm really not upset over the length of time I did take. And considering that at 5 months old the baby has still never had a drop of formula, I'm still fitting in my pumping time quite nicely to keep her well fed.
Ya know what? I was READY to go back to work. I was READY to be challenged with something other than avoiding being peed on or pooped on or puked on. I was ready to get out of my house on a regular basis and interact with adults.
And the baby is just fine with me being at work. She's not at daycare. She isn't with a nanny or babysitter every day. She's with her dad, who works nights. And when I get home from work and he heads out the door, I think he's ready to go too.
We both love this kiddo more than anything...but we're both very glad to have careers to balance against our home life.
I've fielded questions about staying home with the baby - or potentially, in the future, if/when we have more kids - and really, it's not an option. I've toyed, on and off, with the thought of taking my freelance writing full time and staying at home to do that. I know I could; I very nearly out-earned my full-time job last year with my freelancing, and only spent half as much time doing it.
But as much as I love writing...and as much as I love the occasional days I work from home with my full-time job...I don't want to work from home every single day, day in and day out. I would go berserk. And all of the activities in the world would not fulfill me as much as my work does.
I believe - barring winning the lottery, in which case all bets are off - that I will always work. More importantly, I believe that I will always want to work. I also believe that I will always get involved in a lot of other areas, including whatever activities the kiddo may get involved in, in the future.
As the baby grows older and our family potentially expands, I'm sure that the various pieces of my life will shift. Perhaps I'll work a reduced schedule in the future, or from home more often. Maybe I'll ditch some of my activities in favor of participating in some with my child. Maybe I'll win that lottery and go plant my entire family on a beach somewhere. Who knows?
But what I do know is that, as tired as I may be at the end of the day or the end of the week, it is still entirely possibly to keep a nice house, spend quality time with both my husband and child, devote some time to both fiction and freelance writing, participate in my many interests and activities, keep up with family and friends...and enjoy both the financial and psychological benefits of maintaining a full-time job.
And that doesn't make me a bad mom.
Stay at home moms and working moms alike - what's your take?
Sweet, Sweet Words
in:
0 to Mom
,
Magic Moments
Isn't it fun, watching as babies begin to grasp the concepts of speech?
Way back in December (was that really only a couple months ago?), Catherine began to make ooh ooh and aah aah sounds. Shortly after, she progressed to "saying" eye eye and haa haa. Sweet, sweet sounds.
Before long, she'd progressed to the point of "chatting" with us - if we imitated back to her what she'd just "said," she'd keep going and going. We'd chat with her until she lost interest and threw mom and dad overboard in favor of Jay Jay the Jet Plane on PBS or chewing on her rings.
Her next progression was to shouting. Hey - if it's gotta be said, say it loud! Her daddy would plop her in the breakfast room in the bumbo or swing and start cooking...and a few minutes later, she'd start "chatting" at the top of her lungs. Very cute!
Next, she progressed to guttural noises - those raspy noises like she was clearing the back of her throat. Not too much of that, though...apparently, she won't be studying German in the future! :-)
The most exciting progression became imitation. She'd take a common phrase and "repeat" it back to us using only vowel sounds - the harder consonant sounds just weren't ready to come out yet. She was starting to move her tongue around for a wider range of sounds, but still only ready for vowels. Our favorite phrase was "eye uh oo." Her daddy began coaching her to say "mama," because he figured he'd get points not only for getting her to say her first word, but for getting it to be that one in particular. No dice...not yet.
But last night...oh, boy. Last night.
We were eating leftovers for dinner while watching a show DVR'd from Monday night - Two and a Half Men. The kiddo was propped up on the couch next to me (I know - we have like 4 different tables we could sit at, but we eat at the couch...) and was chewing away contentedly on a toy.
And then...it happened. A phrase was used in the show - the phrase she also hears most often from her mommy and daddy. And she repeated it. For real. Not just vowel sounds. Actual, honest to goodness words. Her stunned daddy stopped the show and we both stared at her in shock. I grabbed my cell phone to record in case she said it again.
But she was done. After that, sweet smiles and occasional giggles, but no more sounds for the evening. And, as my husband pointed out, she probably has no idea what she said. After all...she was just 5 months old on March 9th.
That doesn't matter! She said it, and those are just the sweetest words we've ever heard.
I love you.
Baby girl, we love you, too...so much!
Way back in December (was that really only a couple months ago?), Catherine began to make ooh ooh and aah aah sounds. Shortly after, she progressed to "saying" eye eye and haa haa. Sweet, sweet sounds.
Before long, she'd progressed to the point of "chatting" with us - if we imitated back to her what she'd just "said," she'd keep going and going. We'd chat with her until she lost interest and threw mom and dad overboard in favor of Jay Jay the Jet Plane on PBS or chewing on her rings.
Her next progression was to shouting. Hey - if it's gotta be said, say it loud! Her daddy would plop her in the breakfast room in the bumbo or swing and start cooking...and a few minutes later, she'd start "chatting" at the top of her lungs. Very cute!
Next, she progressed to guttural noises - those raspy noises like she was clearing the back of her throat. Not too much of that, though...apparently, she won't be studying German in the future! :-)
The most exciting progression became imitation. She'd take a common phrase and "repeat" it back to us using only vowel sounds - the harder consonant sounds just weren't ready to come out yet. She was starting to move her tongue around for a wider range of sounds, but still only ready for vowels. Our favorite phrase was "eye uh oo." Her daddy began coaching her to say "mama," because he figured he'd get points not only for getting her to say her first word, but for getting it to be that one in particular. No dice...not yet.
But last night...oh, boy. Last night.
We were eating leftovers for dinner while watching a show DVR'd from Monday night - Two and a Half Men. The kiddo was propped up on the couch next to me (I know - we have like 4 different tables we could sit at, but we eat at the couch...) and was chewing away contentedly on a toy.
And then...it happened. A phrase was used in the show - the phrase she also hears most often from her mommy and daddy. And she repeated it. For real. Not just vowel sounds. Actual, honest to goodness words. Her stunned daddy stopped the show and we both stared at her in shock. I grabbed my cell phone to record in case she said it again.
But she was done. After that, sweet smiles and occasional giggles, but no more sounds for the evening. And, as my husband pointed out, she probably has no idea what she said. After all...she was just 5 months old on March 9th.
That doesn't matter! She said it, and those are just the sweetest words we've ever heard.
I love you.
Baby girl, we love you, too...so much!
Y-I-E-L-D
in:
Snark
,
Tuesday Travel Tips
Welcome to the first Tuesday Travel Tips with Tiffany since my hiatus! For today's topic, I will actually be reverting back to a topic that I wrote (ranted?) about more than 6 months ago.
Let's discuss: the yield sign.
Obviously, my "what to do and what not to do" guide on this topic failed. Because there's still a large contingent of drivers out there who continue to ignore this most basic traffic control device. Or, perhaps, they've just not yet found my blog. Pity.
Because, really, this is all about me, I'd like to directly address some drivers I encounter daily on my drive to work.
Attention drivers on the 820 northbound service road approaching the SH 10 intersection:
YOU HAVE A YIELD SIGN.
I, a driver on 820 northbound, exiting at SH 10, DO NOT HAVE A YIELD SIGN.
THAT MEANS IT'S MY RIGHT OF WAY, NOT YOURS.
And having a big honkin' tractor trailer, or a pickup loaded down in the back with imported gardeners or construction workers, doesn't change the balance of the equation.
MINE.
I feel like a kid fighting over a toy. Except, in this case, we're fighting over lanes, and people seem to be going with the theory of who is bigger instead of who needs to watch for signs that will CLEARLY tell them to back off.
So let's discuss why people seem to have such a blockage over yield signs.
Does the triangle shape confuse them?
Is the red just too distracting or perhaps overused?
Or, really, is it a Freudian thing where they didn't learn how to share their mother's attention so now they're taking it out on me?
What do you think, readers? I yield (har har har) the floor to you!
Let's discuss: the yield sign.
Obviously, my "what to do and what not to do" guide on this topic failed. Because there's still a large contingent of drivers out there who continue to ignore this most basic traffic control device. Or, perhaps, they've just not yet found my blog. Pity.
Because, really, this is all about me, I'd like to directly address some drivers I encounter daily on my drive to work.
Attention drivers on the 820 northbound service road approaching the SH 10 intersection:
YOU HAVE A YIELD SIGN.
I, a driver on 820 northbound, exiting at SH 10, DO NOT HAVE A YIELD SIGN.
THAT MEANS IT'S MY RIGHT OF WAY, NOT YOURS.
And having a big honkin' tractor trailer, or a pickup loaded down in the back with imported gardeners or construction workers, doesn't change the balance of the equation.
MINE.
I feel like a kid fighting over a toy. Except, in this case, we're fighting over lanes, and people seem to be going with the theory of who is bigger instead of who needs to watch for signs that will CLEARLY tell them to back off.
So let's discuss why people seem to have such a blockage over yield signs.
Does the triangle shape confuse them?
Is the red just too distracting or perhaps overused?
Or, really, is it a Freudian thing where they didn't learn how to share their mother's attention so now they're taking it out on me?
What do you think, readers? I yield (har har har) the floor to you!
Thoughts from Afar
in:
0 to Mom
,
Manic Monday
,
Time Management
,
Working Moms
What gets you through an especially manic day, busy mamas?
When you are at work, or away from your baby for whatever reason, do you compartmentalize? Or perhaps do you have set times that you think of the little one? Maybe your baby is always just thought away. How do you balance spending necessary energy on your non-baby duties - work, clubs, whatever - with keeping your kiddo close in your mind?
For me, it's a challenge. I tend to compartmentalize. Whatever I'm working on at the moment tends to be my single focus. So I'll go at a task at work hard core for whatever period of time - sometimes hours on end - and then suddenly stop and remember that I haven't thought about the baby in that time. And then I feel guilty. ACK!
So on this Manic Monday, I'm reminding myself that it's ok not to think of my kiddo 24/7. In fact, it's probably healthy. If I were thinking of her constantly, I'd not be giving my work it's fair due, or I'd never get anything else done.
But I'm also reminded that I need to start setting more realistic goals for what I want to accomplish when I'm not at work. After all...if work gets the lion's share of my attention during the day, kiddo needs, wants and deserves the lion's share of my attention when I'm at home. And my writing/housework/activities will still get done...but not to the exclusion of special times with my family!
Share your thoughts here about how you balance out your manic lives!
When you are at work, or away from your baby for whatever reason, do you compartmentalize? Or perhaps do you have set times that you think of the little one? Maybe your baby is always just thought away. How do you balance spending necessary energy on your non-baby duties - work, clubs, whatever - with keeping your kiddo close in your mind?
For me, it's a challenge. I tend to compartmentalize. Whatever I'm working on at the moment tends to be my single focus. So I'll go at a task at work hard core for whatever period of time - sometimes hours on end - and then suddenly stop and remember that I haven't thought about the baby in that time. And then I feel guilty. ACK!
So on this Manic Monday, I'm reminding myself that it's ok not to think of my kiddo 24/7. In fact, it's probably healthy. If I were thinking of her constantly, I'd not be giving my work it's fair due, or I'd never get anything else done.
But I'm also reminded that I need to start setting more realistic goals for what I want to accomplish when I'm not at work. After all...if work gets the lion's share of my attention during the day, kiddo needs, wants and deserves the lion's share of my attention when I'm at home. And my writing/housework/activities will still get done...but not to the exclusion of special times with my family!
Share your thoughts here about how you balance out your manic lives!
What's In a Smile?
in:
0 to Mom
,
Fabulous Friday
For today's Fabulous Friday post, I just couldn't resist gushing about Spoiled Baby's smile.
Funny Daddy pointed out the other day that while he can get her laughing pretty hard sometimes, she saves all of her best smiles for moi. And those smiles are what make being a Frazzled Mommy so darn worthwhile.
Sometimes, Spoiled Baby will be in her swing, playing with a toy or watching Disney while I'm working on something else. And suddenly, she'll just look up in my direction and get a big grin on her face. Oh, what a beautiful child.
Mommies, tell me about your kiddo's smiles. When do they turn them on? How do they make you feel? To what (goofy) lengths will you go to, to coax a grin?
Funny Daddy pointed out the other day that while he can get her laughing pretty hard sometimes, she saves all of her best smiles for moi. And those smiles are what make being a Frazzled Mommy so darn worthwhile.
Sometimes, Spoiled Baby will be in her swing, playing with a toy or watching Disney while I'm working on something else. And suddenly, she'll just look up in my direction and get a big grin on her face. Oh, what a beautiful child.
Mommies, tell me about your kiddo's smiles. When do they turn them on? How do they make you feel? To what (goofy) lengths will you go to, to coax a grin?
Fitting Everything In
in:
Babies
,
Freelancing
,
Time to Write
,
Work
Hi, everyone!
I've been struggling to carve time out of my schedule to actually get writing done post-baby. Not just fiction, which I've always struggled to find time for, but also the freelancing that used to add significantly to my household income.
So I thought I'd open up the blog to elicit reader responses - what do YOU do to schedule yourself time to write? What all do you balance writing against? Do you have any tips or tricks to get quality writing done?
Here's a look at what I'm trying to balance right now:
Here's what's fallen by the wayside:
Your turn, readers! What are you juggling right now? What are your magical tips for making it all fit together? What have you gotten away from doing but really miss??
I've been struggling to carve time out of my schedule to actually get writing done post-baby. Not just fiction, which I've always struggled to find time for, but also the freelancing that used to add significantly to my household income.
So I thought I'd open up the blog to elicit reader responses - what do YOU do to schedule yourself time to write? What all do you balance writing against? Do you have any tips or tricks to get quality writing done?
Here's a look at what I'm trying to balance right now:
- Baby - a full time job in and of itself, especially since the hubby works a shift opposite of mine, so when I'm home with baby, I'm home alone with baby.
- Working - full time, outside of the home, including occasional travel.
- Household schtuff - I'm bound and determined not to use having a baby as an excuse to have a messy home. It's way harder now, but I'm sticking with it as best I can.
- Toastmasters - I'm the club secretary this year, and am also competing in Table Topics and the International Speech Contest. Just won 1st place in my area for both and go on to the divisional competition at the end of March.
Here's what's fallen by the wayside:
- Freelance writing - I started back 10 days postpartum, which was a huge mistake. I pulled back after 4 weeks of trying to keep up with client contracts and in the last 4 months have only written sporadically at best.
- Fictional writing - The goal was to add 10k a month in 2009 to one of my WIPs - The Mommy Letters, which I started writing way back in November 2006. So far this year? Have added a grand total of 3k. Ick.
- Judging Speech and Debate - I just want to get the baby a little bit older before I start leaving her elsewhere - with friends or family - for a full day so I can take on a tournament. Plus, the Friday night portions go late and I just don't feel I should be away from her at bedtime yet. Was hoping to do a Saturday-only in February but it fell through. I'm afraid that the school districts I contract with are going to stop inviting me if I don't jump in again fairly soon, although I've told some that I probably won't start again until the '09/'10 school year.
- Pampered Chef - Haven't held a show in a year. A year! Promised clients a catalog show in late 2008 but was too overwhelmed with other stuff to get it off the ground. Mea culpa! Planning a "Hey, it's Spring!" show for later this month and hope I actually pull it off.
- Choir/Orchestra - I haven't been active in the choir or orchestra at my church in a looooong time now and to be honest, of all the things that have gone by the wayside, that's what distresses me most. But Wednesday night practices when the baby isn't yet old enough for the church-sponsored babysitter just ain't gonna happen, since hubby is, of course, at work.
- Leadership Development Training - I haven't taught for my volunteer organization in almost a year and a half - and I'll stop being "certified" to teach my courses at the two year mark if I haven't taught them in that time. ACK! Trying to figure this piece out.
Your turn, readers! What are you juggling right now? What are your magical tips for making it all fit together? What have you gotten away from doing but really miss??
Did You Miss Me?
in:
0 to Mom
Howdy, dear readers!
I've missed you all terribly, but once I decided that my work maternity leave needed to extend to my blogs, I was determined to stick it through.
So why did I go cold turkey on blogging for 3.5 months? That's easy. Because I needed and wanted to spend as much attention on baby girl as I could, both while I was still away from my full-time job on maternity leave, and also during the first few weeks that I learned to balance my new schedule once I returned to work.
And let me tell ya...it's been tough! The kiddo definitely keeps me on my toes. That...and she doesn't sleep. Seriously. Her limit is 3 hours. She slept for 5 hours once, about a month ago, and I actually woke her up because I was frightened that something was wrong...since she'd never slept so long before! She's doing absolutely wonderfully well. Growing like a weed! And, of course, is the most beautiful/smart/sweet/lovable child ever born.
Balancing work and baby is definitely a challenge. I am going to start referring to myself as a semi-single parent. The great news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that the baby doesn't have to go to daycare. The bad news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that when we're home with the baby, we're almost always home alone with the baby...as in, no back up if I'm trying to work on writing and the kiddo starts fussing...and keeps fussing for the rest of the night. And then during the one day a week that we're actually home together, I feel guilty wanting to work on writing...since it's our only day when the 3 of us have significant time together. So I'm still learning to balance. More on that later, over at 0 to Mom.
I read a ton of books while on maternity leave - about the only thing I could really accomplish during the kiddo's 10 minute naps. (No, I'm not kidding. During the day, her naps typically only last 10-20 minutes.) The book blog, unfortunately, is behind by 30 books right now. ACK! So, until I get up-to-date, mosey on over to Read and Release and check out my old reviews (there's a ton of them!) and I'll let you know when the new ones are up.
We've been asked about a million times so far when we'll be having more kids...and although the answer to that is "not yet," I will be continuing to writing about the TTC journey over at How to Have a Baby. Even after 3 months on hiatus, that blog has enormous search engine popularity for phrasing related to family planning and so I will be continuing to post both on my own experience as well as general factoid-ish articles. And speaking of family planning, please tell me that while I've been on hiatus, some stupid unemployed and unmarried woman didn't actually have in vitro and add 8 babies to her family that already had 6 kids. I guess I'll save that rant for another post.
On the "keeping my sanity" front, I have finally begun the process of truly dealing with my father's death. I simply couldn't begin dealing with it in the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy. And then once the baby was here and wasn't well...and when I got sick (learn all about my mastitis in a post later this week at HTHAB)...and then when my in-laws were here for 3 weeks...and then when I was down after having all 4 wisdom teeth out...and then when more family was here throughout Christmas...and then when I first went back to work...
Basically, I completely comparmentalized my life for about 6 months just to keep my head glued on. On an interesting note, one of the ways that I've chosen to deal with Dad's death is to make him the focus of the speech I've recently used to win club and area level competitions in Toastmasters. It's not a sob-story speech - don't worry, I don't do that. But it deals with the topic of sharing memories - learning more about your friends and family through their special memories, and sharing your own remembrances with others. I only briefly mention his Alzheimer's-related memory loss, but instead choose to honor him by sharing one of my favorite memories in the speech. I've submitted a volunteer profile to get more involved in the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association this year, as a part of their speaker's bureau as well as in helping to plan the DFW area's 6 memory walks later in 2009. I also successfully nominated the Alzheimer's Association to be the recipient of donations during one of 12 monthly dress-down days at my company. Miss you, Daddy.
And...that's the update in a nutshell from my world! I look forward to catching back up with all of you, my dear readers, over the next few weeks as I ramp back up on blogging both at Breakfast at Tiffany's as well as my other blogs! In addition...I'll be announcing two new blogs where you can check me out shortly! One is a cookbook blog that I'm working on with my husband and his aunt, and another is the long-awaited Obama blog! Stay tuned!
Tiffany
(simultaneously posted to 0toMom, Breakfast at Tiffany's and How to Have a Baby.)
I've missed you all terribly, but once I decided that my work maternity leave needed to extend to my blogs, I was determined to stick it through.
So why did I go cold turkey on blogging for 3.5 months? That's easy. Because I needed and wanted to spend as much attention on baby girl as I could, both while I was still away from my full-time job on maternity leave, and also during the first few weeks that I learned to balance my new schedule once I returned to work.
And let me tell ya...it's been tough! The kiddo definitely keeps me on my toes. That...and she doesn't sleep. Seriously. Her limit is 3 hours. She slept for 5 hours once, about a month ago, and I actually woke her up because I was frightened that something was wrong...since she'd never slept so long before! She's doing absolutely wonderfully well. Growing like a weed! And, of course, is the most beautiful/smart/sweet/lovable child ever born.
Balancing work and baby is definitely a challenge. I am going to start referring to myself as a semi-single parent. The great news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that the baby doesn't have to go to daycare. The bad news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that when we're home with the baby, we're almost always home alone with the baby...as in, no back up if I'm trying to work on writing and the kiddo starts fussing...and keeps fussing for the rest of the night. And then during the one day a week that we're actually home together, I feel guilty wanting to work on writing...since it's our only day when the 3 of us have significant time together. So I'm still learning to balance. More on that later, over at 0 to Mom.
I read a ton of books while on maternity leave - about the only thing I could really accomplish during the kiddo's 10 minute naps. (No, I'm not kidding. During the day, her naps typically only last 10-20 minutes.) The book blog, unfortunately, is behind by 30 books right now. ACK! So, until I get up-to-date, mosey on over to Read and Release and check out my old reviews (there's a ton of them!) and I'll let you know when the new ones are up.
We've been asked about a million times so far when we'll be having more kids...and although the answer to that is "not yet," I will be continuing to writing about the TTC journey over at How to Have a Baby. Even after 3 months on hiatus, that blog has enormous search engine popularity for phrasing related to family planning and so I will be continuing to post both on my own experience as well as general factoid-ish articles. And speaking of family planning, please tell me that while I've been on hiatus, some stupid unemployed and unmarried woman didn't actually have in vitro and add 8 babies to her family that already had 6 kids. I guess I'll save that rant for another post.
On the "keeping my sanity" front, I have finally begun the process of truly dealing with my father's death. I simply couldn't begin dealing with it in the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy. And then once the baby was here and wasn't well...and when I got sick (learn all about my mastitis in a post later this week at HTHAB)...and then when my in-laws were here for 3 weeks...and then when I was down after having all 4 wisdom teeth out...and then when more family was here throughout Christmas...and then when I first went back to work...
Basically, I completely comparmentalized my life for about 6 months just to keep my head glued on. On an interesting note, one of the ways that I've chosen to deal with Dad's death is to make him the focus of the speech I've recently used to win club and area level competitions in Toastmasters. It's not a sob-story speech - don't worry, I don't do that. But it deals with the topic of sharing memories - learning more about your friends and family through their special memories, and sharing your own remembrances with others. I only briefly mention his Alzheimer's-related memory loss, but instead choose to honor him by sharing one of my favorite memories in the speech. I've submitted a volunteer profile to get more involved in the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association this year, as a part of their speaker's bureau as well as in helping to plan the DFW area's 6 memory walks later in 2009. I also successfully nominated the Alzheimer's Association to be the recipient of donations during one of 12 monthly dress-down days at my company. Miss you, Daddy.
And...that's the update in a nutshell from my world! I look forward to catching back up with all of you, my dear readers, over the next few weeks as I ramp back up on blogging both at Breakfast at Tiffany's as well as my other blogs! In addition...I'll be announcing two new blogs where you can check me out shortly! One is a cookbook blog that I'm working on with my husband and his aunt, and another is the long-awaited Obama blog! Stay tuned!
Tiffany
(simultaneously posted to 0toMom, Breakfast at Tiffany's and How to Have a Baby.)
Have You Missed Me?
Howdy, dear readers!
I've missed you all terribly, but once I decided that my work maternity leave needed to extend to my blogs, I was determined to stick it through.
So why did I go cold turkey on blogging for 3.5 months? That's easy. Because I needed and wanted to spend as much attention on baby girl as I could, both while I was still away from my full-time job on maternity leave, and also during the first few weeks that I learned to balance my new schedule once I returned to work.
And let me tell ya...it's been tough! The kiddo definitely keeps me on my toes. That...and she doesn't sleep. Seriously. Her limit is 3 hours. She slept for 5 hours once, about a month ago, and I actually woke her up because I was frightened that something was wrong...since she'd never slept so long before! She's doing absolutely wonderfully well. Growing like a weed! And, of course, is the most beautiful/smart/sweet/lovable child ever born.
Balancing work and baby is definitely a challenge. I am going to start referring to myself as a semi-single parent. The great news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that the baby doesn't have to go to daycare. The bad news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that when we're home with the baby, we're almost always home alone with the baby...as in, no back up if I'm trying to work on writing and the kiddo starts fussing...and keeps fussing for the rest of the night. And then during the one day a week that we're actually home together, I feel guilty wanting to work on writing...since it's our only day when the 3 of us have significant time together. So I'm still learning to balance. More on that later, over at 0 to Mom.
I read a ton of books while on maternity leave - about the only thing I could really accomplish during the kiddo's 10 minute naps. (No, I'm not kidding. During the day, her naps typically only last 10-20 minutes.) The book blog, unfortunately, is behind by 30 books right now. ACK! So, until I get up-to-date, mosey on over to Read and Release and check out my old reviews (there's a ton of them!) and I'll let you know when the new ones are up.
We've been asked about a million times so far when we'll be having more kids...and although the answer to that is "not yet," I will be continuing to writing about the TTC journey over at How to Have a Baby. Even after 3 months on hiatus, that blog has enormous search engine popularity for phrasing related to family planning and so I will be continuing to post both on my own experience as well as general factoid-ish articles. And speaking of family planning, please tell me that while I've been on hiatus, some stupid unemployed and unmarried woman didn't actually have in vitro and add 8 babies to her family that already had 6 kids. I guess I'll save that rant for another post.
On the "keeping my sanity" front, I have finally begun the process of truly dealing with my father's death. I simply couldn't begin dealing with it in the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy. And then once the baby was here and wasn't well...and when I got sick (learn all about my mastitis in a post later this week at HTHAB)...and then when my in-laws were here for 3 weeks...and then when I was down after having all 4 wisdom teeth out...and then when more family was here throughout Christmas...and then when I first went back to work...
Basically, I completely comparmentalized my life for about 6 months just to keep my head glued on. On an interesting note, one of the ways that I've chosen to deal with Dad's death is to make him the focus of the speech I've recently used to win club and area level competitions in Toastmasters. It's not a sob-story speech - don't worry, I don't do that. But it deals with the topic of sharing memories - learning more about your friends and family through their special memories, and sharing your own remembrances with others. I only briefly mention his Alzheimer's-related memory loss, but instead choose to honor him by sharing one of my favorite memories in the speech. I've submitted a volunteer profile to get more involved in the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association this year, as a part of their speaker's bureau as well as in helping to plan the DFW area's 6 memory walks later in 2009. I also successfully nominated the Alzheimer's Association to be the recipient of donations during one of 12 monthly dress-down days at my company. Miss you, Daddy.
And...that's the update in a nutshell from my world! I look forward to catching back up with all of you, my dear readers, over the next few weeks as I ramp back up on blogging both at Breakfast at Tiffany's as well as my other blogs! In addition...I'll be announcing two new blogs where you can check me out shortly! One is a cookbook blog that I'm working on with my husband and his aunt, and another is the long-awaited Obama blog! Stay tuned!
Tiffany
(simultaneously posted to 0toMom, Breakfast at Tiffany's and How to Have a Baby.)
I've missed you all terribly, but once I decided that my work maternity leave needed to extend to my blogs, I was determined to stick it through.
So why did I go cold turkey on blogging for 3.5 months? That's easy. Because I needed and wanted to spend as much attention on baby girl as I could, both while I was still away from my full-time job on maternity leave, and also during the first few weeks that I learned to balance my new schedule once I returned to work.
And let me tell ya...it's been tough! The kiddo definitely keeps me on my toes. That...and she doesn't sleep. Seriously. Her limit is 3 hours. She slept for 5 hours once, about a month ago, and I actually woke her up because I was frightened that something was wrong...since she'd never slept so long before! She's doing absolutely wonderfully well. Growing like a weed! And, of course, is the most beautiful/smart/sweet/lovable child ever born.
Balancing work and baby is definitely a challenge. I am going to start referring to myself as a semi-single parent. The great news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that the baby doesn't have to go to daycare. The bad news about my husband and I working opposite shifts is that when we're home with the baby, we're almost always home alone with the baby...as in, no back up if I'm trying to work on writing and the kiddo starts fussing...and keeps fussing for the rest of the night. And then during the one day a week that we're actually home together, I feel guilty wanting to work on writing...since it's our only day when the 3 of us have significant time together. So I'm still learning to balance. More on that later, over at 0 to Mom.
I read a ton of books while on maternity leave - about the only thing I could really accomplish during the kiddo's 10 minute naps. (No, I'm not kidding. During the day, her naps typically only last 10-20 minutes.) The book blog, unfortunately, is behind by 30 books right now. ACK! So, until I get up-to-date, mosey on over to Read and Release and check out my old reviews (there's a ton of them!) and I'll let you know when the new ones are up.
We've been asked about a million times so far when we'll be having more kids...and although the answer to that is "not yet," I will be continuing to writing about the TTC journey over at How to Have a Baby. Even after 3 months on hiatus, that blog has enormous search engine popularity for phrasing related to family planning and so I will be continuing to post both on my own experience as well as general factoid-ish articles. And speaking of family planning, please tell me that while I've been on hiatus, some stupid unemployed and unmarried woman didn't actually have in vitro and add 8 babies to her family that already had 6 kids. I guess I'll save that rant for another post.
On the "keeping my sanity" front, I have finally begun the process of truly dealing with my father's death. I simply couldn't begin dealing with it in the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy. And then once the baby was here and wasn't well...and when I got sick (learn all about my mastitis in a post later this week at HTHAB)...and then when my in-laws were here for 3 weeks...and then when I was down after having all 4 wisdom teeth out...and then when more family was here throughout Christmas...and then when I first went back to work...
Basically, I completely comparmentalized my life for about 6 months just to keep my head glued on. On an interesting note, one of the ways that I've chosen to deal with Dad's death is to make him the focus of the speech I've recently used to win club and area level competitions in Toastmasters. It's not a sob-story speech - don't worry, I don't do that. But it deals with the topic of sharing memories - learning more about your friends and family through their special memories, and sharing your own remembrances with others. I only briefly mention his Alzheimer's-related memory loss, but instead choose to honor him by sharing one of my favorite memories in the speech. I've submitted a volunteer profile to get more involved in the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association this year, as a part of their speaker's bureau as well as in helping to plan the DFW area's 6 memory walks later in 2009. I also successfully nominated the Alzheimer's Association to be the recipient of donations during one of 12 monthly dress-down days at my company. Miss you, Daddy.
And...that's the update in a nutshell from my world! I look forward to catching back up with all of you, my dear readers, over the next few weeks as I ramp back up on blogging both at Breakfast at Tiffany's as well as my other blogs! In addition...I'll be announcing two new blogs where you can check me out shortly! One is a cookbook blog that I'm working on with my husband and his aunt, and another is the long-awaited Obama blog! Stay tuned!
Tiffany
(simultaneously posted to 0toMom, Breakfast at Tiffany's and How to Have a Baby.)
