A Year Ago

With the arrival of September, comes the realization that our little bundle will be turning one this month.  It just doesn't seem possible.  It seems so cliché to say, but it's true that they grow up so fast!  If you stop to think about it, the first year of life is really crazy.  I mean we go from little baby blobs that don't do a whole lot to little people that can walk (albeit in a drunken-sailor-type fashion), eat (also a bit like a drunken sailor), and even talk (hmmm, also kind of like a drunken sailor).  It's frankly amazing and it's been so much fun watching our bundle grow into a little toddler.

So all of this growing got me thinking about where we were just a year ago.  Boy was life different.  I was HUGE.  Seriously, I was a boat (not a drunken sailer, thank goodness), barely able to get around without running into something with my gi-normous belly.  It was super hot outside with multiple days in the upper 90's and I was sweating profusely...even when I was sitting in the air conditioning.  And I was so uncomfortable and just READY to have my little bundle.

This time last year I was wondering what giving birth would be like...would it hurt? (Um, yes, it did)  Would I be one of those crazy women screaming at their husbands (no, for the most part I was pretty good, in fact, I was even cracking jokes).  Would I be like the 0.5% of people that gets paralyzed from having an epidural (I don't know the exact statistic there, but I am sure it's even less than that...and yes, I was worried about that, and no, I am no paralyzed after my epidural).  I was excited and nervous, but I felt ready.

I was looking forward to meeting my little miracle.  Seeing what her little face looked like.  Wondering what characteristics she had of mine and which she had from her daddy.  It was all so new and fun to think about.

Yes, it's amazing how things have changed in just a year.  We are now a party of three and I couldn't be any happier!!!

The Wonder of it All

Today I did something that I haven't done in awhile...or maybe ever.  As I was sitting across from my little bundle feeding her breakfast, I stopped and really looked at her.  Not just my usual glance or gaze...I straight up stared at her.  For the first time, I really felt like I saw her.  I know that sounds super weird, I mean heck, I look at her everyday!  But this time was different...

It took my breath away.  I saw the light in her eyes which seemed to speak volumes.  They were eyes of joy and curiosity...a glimpse into her little mind and soul.  In that moment I realized that this little creature would soon become a walking and talking little girl and woman.  Now you see why it took my breath away!!!  For months I have been so focused on baby-dom that I haven't even thought about the fact that she will one day be an adult.  Oh my, it seems impossible.

I will try my best to remember to enjoy this special time in our lives.  And enjoy gazing at her precious face and startling brilliant blue eyes.  I will take each moment as a gift as I know that it's only a matter of time until she's asking to borrow the car keys...

Cheerios

As you know, I have been introducing new foods to our little bundle and boy has she surprised me with what she likes..lentils, black beans and broccoli???  Yup, it's true she actually likes those things.  I didn't even have to bribe her...she just ate them...that's my girl!

I have been one of those super-crazy moms about what I have been feeding her.  Yes, I am one of those nutty women who makes sure that whatever goes in my daughter's mouth is organic, has been allowed to graze in open pastures, is free of chemicals and dyes and is the most pure source of nutrition possible.  (I know, it's completely ridiculous!)  But, for some reason, this makes me feel like a good mom.  (Geez!)

So, you can only guess my reaction when my pediatrician suggested trying Cheerios for my new now hands-on eater.  What?  Cheerios?  Oh no...NOT my baby.  That is wayyyyy too processed for her precious little body.  Ridiculous...really, I know...I feel stupid just writing it.  Anyway, after some computer research...oh my gosh, get off my back, of course I researched this...I decided to wait.  Instead, I bought organic kamut puffs....yes I did and she likes them!

But, for some reason Cheerios just kept popping in my head.  I mean how many times have I seen a kid noshing on Cheerios with glee in his eyes?  More than I can count.  For crying out loud, I LOVED Cheerios when I was a kid.  So, I did it everyone...I bought Cheerios and not even the organic version they sell at Whole Foods.  Nope, 100% Cheerios and you know what...she LOVES them...just as I thought.

So here's to you Cheerios!  May you continue to bring joy into young little teething tots around the world!

Floating Bundle

The bundle can float!  That's right folks, the bundle is officially a little goldfish!  After much hesitation and contemplation, the husband and I finally agreed to introduce the bundle to the great world of swimming.

I know, some of you may be thinking, "wow, isn't she a little young for that?"  Don't think I haven't heard the judgement in your voices, but I am ignoring you.  Why?  Well, simply because I know my baby better than you.  Not to be rude or anything...it's just the truth. She absolutely loves bath time and water...so I went with my gut and enrolled her in a swim class.

"Are you serious?"  Yes, I am serious.  In fact, she had her first lesson yesterday.  I basically just tossed her in the pool and hoped for the best.  What!?????  Holy cow, you guys need to relax, I am just kidding.  Seriously though, it is a parent and baby class.  So, the parents are holding onto the babies the whole time while an instructor leads the little exercises.

We got there nice and early and I figured the experience could go down in two possible ways.  The first, more desirable way being that she loves it and can't get enough.  The second, less desirable way would be that she hates it and screams bloody murder until I remove her from the pool.  I crossed my fingers.

You're dying to know what happens, right?  Well, let's just say the bundle LOVED it!  Oh my, it was like she had been waiting her whole short life for the experience.  She floated, she kicked, she paddled and giggled.  It was a blast for both of us.  After a 30 minute power session, she was beat, and so was I.  Good thing bedtime was a few short hours away!

I am glad I took her and I have a feeling she was pretty happy about it too.  Here's to more swim sessions with my little goldfish!

While You Were Sleeping

Nope, I am not referring to the cute little Sandra Bullock movie...no indeed.  In fact, I am actually talking about what I managed to accomplish while my little bundle of joy was napping.  Yes, I said it, napping!  Yes, as a side note, the little bundle has sort of officially fallen into a nice little nap schedule!  Hooray!  Good job bundle!  So now I have a bout 2 hours each day to get some things done around the house.

For some reason, I was especially proud of what I accomplished the other day.  So, while the bundle was sleeping, here was what I managed to accomplish....in no certain order...because there is no such thing as order in my life anymore...I digress....I present the list!

1. Made cookie dough and baked off one batch of cookies.
2. Made most of dinner...including quinoa tabbouleh salad and marinated chicken breasts.
3. Did two loads of laundry (ok, some of this was accomplished when the bundle was awake, but give me some credit!).
4. Made the bed (yes, that is an accomplishment).
5. Cleaned the bathroom and tub (super accomplishment as this is the task I hate the most).
6. Did some jobby-job work...the kind I actually get paid for.


Whoo hoo!  Looking at that list makes me proud even today.  I will go ahead and pat myself on the back.  Here's to more accomplishments and bundle naps!

Is that a bruise?

Worried.  I think this feeling will follow me for the rest of my days now that I am a parent.  It really escalated the moment I became pregnant and it has, unfortunately, gotten worse.  No wonder I noticed my first grey hair a month ago!

Case in point.  I had just gone to get the bundle out of her crib from a nap when I noticed something on her arm.  "Oh no...it couldn't be!!!  Is that bruise?"  Then, "I am a horrible parent, how could she have gotten a bruise in her crib?" Then, "Did she do it before her nap and I didn't notice?"  Worried thoughts were creeping up in my mind and then...guilt...and then complete irrational behavior.

I swooped up my little one and gave her a bunch of kisses, apologizing for the fact that her horrible mommy somehow let her get a bruise.  Let's just say she didn't seem phased in the least.  Nope...no tears, no crying at all...just her normal smilely self.  Well, I just couldn't let it go...so, I called my mom.  See, what I mean?  Totally irrational!  Like I didn't know how to treat a bruise (um, you can't really)...but, I guess I just wanted verification.

My mom was very supportive and didn't make me feel like the total crazy new mom that I was.  She told me not to worry (yeah right) and that if the little bundle didn't seem to be hurt, then don't worry about it...there would be many more bruises to come.  Indeed, thanks Mom...I know you speak from experience.

Well, the best part of this story is that the mark on my daughter's arm...after some inspection...was not a bruise...nope...it was a hickey that she had given herself!  Yup, she has gotten into the habit of sometimes sucking on her arm...so there you go...all of that worrying and she did it to herself.

God bless motherhood!  Time for me to worry about something else now...

Pearly Whites

It finally happened!  No, the bundle didn't potty train herself, say her first real word, take her first step or dress herself...not yet at least.  Nope, she got her first set of pearly white teeth.  Ironically, neither the husband or myself even noticed at first.

Here's how it went down a few days ago.  Well, first let me set the scene...the day before we discovered those teeth, the husband noticed some scratches on the bundle's sippy cup.  Like idiots, we both asked, "where did those come from?"  Hmmmmm....wow, observant parents, huh?

The next day (or maybe it was later that day?  I don't remember anything these days...but I digress), the husband was sitting on the couch holding the little bundle.  She grabbed his hand, and like everything else these days, she shoved it in her mouth.  I heard the husband call out to me and I, in my "I-am-busy-in-the-kitchen-getting-dinner-ready-mode" respond with a short, "What!?"  He says, "I think the bundle has teeth!"

Well, you would've thought he said that he had found gold in our daughter's mouth with the way I responded.  I dropped what I was doing and rushed over...with I am sure, the dumbest, biggest smile on my face.  Of course I reached right in her mouth (my hands were clean I promise!) and there they were!  Two little tooth nubbins on the bottom of her mouth.  So freakin' cute!!!

I am still not 100% sure why I got so excited about those teeth.  Maybe it's because my dad is a dentist or maybe because that means she's getting closer and closer to enjoying some of the recipes I've been tearing out of Bon Appetit or Food and Wine Magazine.  Whatever the reason, they are adorable and even though they are driving her (and me) crazy, they are the next big milestone for our little bundle.  Time sure does fly.
Now move over baby oat cereal...teething biscuits here we come!

Jungle Gym or Crib?

Ok, so maybe I haven't been around enough babies to know, but is it normal to have your baby move around her crib like a gymnast doing a floor performance?

I am just wondering because the little bundle seems to think that her crib is the most awesome place to "exercise."  Instead of napping, she believes this little caged-in zone is her miniature jungle gym.  It never ceases to amaze me.  I'll get her nice and quiet, then set her in her crib...she'll lay quiet for about 30 seconds...and then, let the acrobatics begin!  She rolls from side to side, pulls on the rails...moving from one end of the crib to another...burning calories and her mommy's patience.

After all of these amazing acrobatics, she will eventually fall asleep...thank goodness.  But where does all of that energy come from and what in the world am I going to do when she figures out how to crawl????

I Will Not Forget

This week, April 21st-April 27th is National Infertility Awareness Week.  This is an important week for recognizing and bringing awareness to infertility.  A cause that as you know, I hold near and dear to my heart.

It wasn't that long ago that I was writing about the pain and struggle I was experiencing on my journey through infertility.  I remember the tears, the heart break and the sadness...I was devastated that the one thing I wanted the most was the one thing that I couldn't have.  It was an isolating experience and I had moments of doubt and anguish...maybe I just wasn't meant to be a mom....

But, luckily for me, I sought help because I wanted answers to my questions...and for some reason, I just knew that I was supposed to be a mom.  I found an amazing doctor (after a little trial and error...see my earlier blogs about that), I tried acupuncture and meditation, and I gathered all of the support of my friends and family.  The combination of all of these things plus the handiwork of the good Man upstairs is what I believe, led to the creation of our little miracle.

So, during this week, I wanted to take some time to reflect.  To let myself not forget about the journey that got me to where I am today.  To appreciate every day with my darling bundle...even on the really tough days...because she, I believe is the reason I exist...I was put here especially for her...and she was put here especially for me.  Bless you little bundle!!!

Please check out the Resolve website to learn more about infertility and this amazing week!

www.resolve.org

Breastfeeding is Not for the Faint of Heart

Before the bundle was born I spent hours worrying about breastfeeding.  How would I know if I was doing it right?  What if I couldn't breastfeed for some reason?  Which positions worked best....football hold (really, holding your baby like a football?) or laying down (seems nice...)?  Will I know if she's "latched-on" properly?  I seriously spent way too much time thinking about all of this.  I read the books and still felt completely overwhelmed.

In the beginning, the bundle was a horrible feeder.  She would constantly fall asleep mid-meal...so much so that we had to force her to stay awake.  The husband's duty during those early days of feeding was to make sure she was awake...tugging gently on her little arm, tickling her ear or chin, patting her neck with a damp washcloth...really, it was hilarious...not at the time of course...but now it's hilarious.  I was so confused and worried, that I eventually called in a lactation consultant.  She was awesome and basically told me I was doing everything right...which was really all I needed to hear.

Flash forward a few months and everything has changed.  I should first note that when I had envisioned breastfeeding my little bundle, warm fuzzy pictures of a docile, cooing baby in my arms came to mind.  You know, like the images you see in books and movies.  Um...not the case with my bundle.  She is anything but docile during feeds.  If she's not swinging her legs or arms, she's pulling her ear or face.  And recently she's been pulling on my hair or pinching the back of my arm...so sweet and loving...geez.  But, that's just her and I wouldn't want her any other way.

So, I won't worry about those bruises on the backs of my arms or the bald patches that may start forming on my head soon.  Nope, I'll just be grateful that my little bundle is getting the nutrition she needs to power that strong and willful body of hers.

What a Funny Bundle!

I have noticed recently that the bundle has become increasingly hilarious and entertaining.  Every day something new happens that makes me laugh.  Whether it's a new face (has she really learned to raise one eye brow?) or a new sound...this girl has got me in stitches!

New funny things...not in any particular of course....

1.  The bundle loves tags.  If any clothing or toy has a tag, she wants it and is going to put it in her mouth.  Because of this, I bought her a toy made specifically for this purpose...apparently all babies love tags as much as my bundle?  The book is called Taggies and it's a soft cloth book with little ribbon tags around the sides.  "Perfect," I thought, "she'll love this!"  So I gave her the new book and you know what...the only tag she likes on the book is the manufacturer's tag!  Hilarious...no, she isn't interested in the pretty colored ribbons...just the boring big black and white tag with the washing information.

2.  The bundle loves books...especially ones where songs are involved.  I bought this book that she loves called Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton.  If you don't own it, go and get it...it's worth every penny of the 6.99 I spent.  She loves it and lights up every time we read/sing it to her.

3.  The bundle thinks she's pretty funny.  She really does.  Once she does something that makes you laugh, she'll keep on doing it.

4.  The bundle is infatuated with the "Where's the Bundle?" game that involves covering her face with a cloth and then uncovering it to hear her parents say "There she is!"  We have played this game a million times...and I feel like we'll be playing it for at least the next 6 years!

5.  The bundle is an active sleeper!  Oh my, she gets a workout in that crib.  Good thing we bought the sturdiest one we could find....we must have known she would be a gymnast.  Let's just say that we seldom find her in the morning or after a nap in the same place we left her.  Most often she ends up in a corner somewhere with her noggin up against the rails...I cannot figure out how that is a comfortable way to sleep.

Thank you bundle for being so hilarious.  You are one awesome and amazing lady!    

Eat Your Green Beans!

This is it, I thought, it's time for the bundle to try her first real food...no more of that baby cereal...the real stuff...we're talking vegetables people!

I was convinced, that as a healthy, vegetable-loving dietitian, my daughter would love vegetables.  That the sight and smell of the yummy organic green beans that I had so lovingly steamed and pureed for her would make her squeal in delight.  Cue the laughter from parents everywhere please.

Yes, I was mistaken.  My love for green beans has not (yet) made it's way into my daughter's list of favorite foods.  Nope...she scrunched her face up hard when I put that first little dabble on her lips.  The spoonful of green beans was even worse...upon entering her mouth she promptly stuck out her tongue and gagged.  I didn't know a 6 month old was capable of the distaste she seemed to be experiencing.  Hilarious.

So, we'll keep trying those green beans...they say it takes 8-10 days...we'll see if the bundle has patience for that.

In the meantime, thank goodness for breast milk and baby cereal.

Bon Appetit Bundle!

Bring on the Madness

Hmmm, to what am I referring with the title of this post?  Is it a reference to my general state of mind these days...or perhaps it is a reference to my super active ambitious baby...or maybe it has to do with a certain thing that happens around this time of year.

I am going to assume that you did not guess MARCH MADNESS.  :)  Yes, I am talking about college hoops here people.  Can you blame me?  I mean I am from Indiana and my Hoosiers happen to be kinda' good this year (finally!).  This time of year is always fun and I definitely love filling out my bracket.

Which leads me to this post.  Each year, my husband runs a little tournament with friends and family for the NCAA tournament.  He is quite proud of this fact and I have to say, he manages it quite well...lots of email updates, non-monetary awards and honors for particular picks...he's certainly creative.  This year is a little different because of our little bundle.  Not as much time will likely go into it as previous years...but have no fear, the spirit is still there.  So much so in fact, that the little bundle will have her own bracket.  A bracket she actually filled out herself.

What?  How did she fill out a bracket?  Well, I am glad you asked.  The husband came up with an ingenious idea involving numbered blocks.  We had the blocks set out in front of her and whichever one she grabbed was the winner of a particular round.  Now, this was no easy feat to set up and manage...there were a few tears (from the bundle and the husband), but after a good 20 minutes, the bundle got her bracket all set up.  Too bad we didn't take any video of this...I doubt no one in their right mind has ever gone to such measures before.

So, here we go again...time for madness...and time for some basketball people!  Go Hoosiers!

Six Months Old

Wow, I can hardly believe it!  My sweet little baby bundle of joy is officially 6 months old today.  It seems trite to say this, but time really does fly.  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital...happy, excited, tired, overwhelmed...tired....tired....hmmm, some things don't change.

Seriously though, our little bundle is amazing and it has been a joy to watch her grow and thrive.  No longer is just a little sweet lump sleeping in her crib.  She's a full-on small person who loves to explore and play.  She's sitting now, grabbing at everything (especially her feet), eating everything she can get her hands on (including those feet) and so much more.

I love you little bundle and I am so happy to have you in my life!!!  I can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring!

Sour

I woke up this morning in a sour mood.  I was feeling annoyed because yesterday wasn't the best day for the little bundle.  Poor naps, lots of puking and screeching...it was enough to make me want to go and hide in the corner.  It seemed like nothing I did made her feel any better...it was so frustrating.  To top it off, she had a pretty poor night of sleep.

So, here I was this morning, feeling nice and sorry for myself when I overheard a story on The Today Show. I guess I was meant to hear it because before that, I had been busy in the bedroom cleaning...not paying any attention to the TV..in fact, I normally don't even have it on.

The story was about a woman who had written a book about her son that she had lost to Tay-Sachs disease. The book is called The Still Point of the Turning World and below is an excerpt from that book.  Read on and you'll understand why I was meant to hear her story...

"My son died on February 15, a month shy of his third birthday. When he was nine months old Ronan was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease, an always fatal genetic neurological condition with no treatment and no cure. Every morning after the diagnosis I woke up with a sense of dread: Would today be the day he lost his vision, all his movement, his ability to eat? What kinds of seizures would he have? Most of his days were calm and peaceful, full of food and rest and fun. When he died, I mourned him, and I will always miss him, love him, grieve him, but I was relieved that he was released from a body that could not live in this world.

During these long years of Ronan’s illness, and in these thunderous weeks following his death, I see children with their parents in the coffee shop, playing in the park, bundling into cars in the small town in New Mexico where I live. The parents often look distracted, or annoyed, or exhausted; I understand these states of being, as I have been all three. Parenting is difficult, and even if your child dies, it goes on; the memory of it, and especially, in my case, the lessons I learned from being a mother to a terminally ill little boy who was completely good, wholly innocent and entirely helpless.

This is what parenting a child with no future has taught me: Nothing is forever. There is only now, the moment, the love you bear, the knowledge that loving is about letting go, and that the power of a person’s grief is a reflection of the depth of their love.

All of us are mortal; all of us will die, but we don’t like to think about it. Instead we focus on our achievements, and often those of our children. What will they do? Who will they become? How can I provide for them the best possible future? Of course this is part of the task of parenting; to usher a child into the world and prepare them to prosper within it. But parents all over the world will lose their children, and some of us will watch our children die. How does the knowledge that nothing lasts forever and that all of our time is limited change the way we approach the world?

Will we be fearless in our pursuit to live a life we consider big and beautiful, no matter what other people might think of our choices and no matter what difficult changes we might have to make? How does this knowledge affect the way we parent? Not knowing what tomorrow will bring, would we be so concerned with our children’s “progress” and perhaps more interested in activities that simply make them happy?

Penguin Press

What I’d like to say to the parents of healthy children: A child is a person, not a project. Ease up. Chaos will find all of us eventually, but in the moment, how can you be fully present? How can you love your child purely and simply, with no agenda, without a goal, without a net?

When I was in high school, I had a car with an eight-track player, so my musical choices were locked in the 1970s. I loved the song “Take it Easy” by the Eagles. I think of it often as I drive along Highway 14, sometimes crying for Ronan, always missing him, watching the light moving over the desert mountains. Take it easy, I want to say to those parents with healthy children. Enjoy your time now, rest and relax, try to stay in the moment before it’s gone. Ease up. Take it easy."

Yes, it's time to take it easy...there is no need to be sour.  Especially since, as I write this blog, my little bundle is napping peacefully in her crib.  No day is perfect and no one ever said parenting is easy, but I need to practice more of that living in the moment business...sometimes it just takes a reminder. 

Baby's First Food...I mean, solid food...I mean sort of solid food...oh, you know what I mean!

This past weekend we introduced our little bundle of joy to baby oat cereal.  I don't know who was more excited...me or her...ok, it was me.  Maybe it's because I am a dietitian...or maybe it's because I am a chef...or maybe it's just because I love food, but I had been totally looking forward to this day.  And I was not disappointed.

Probably no one on this earth has made as big of a fuss about their bundle eating their first solid food than I did.  This was a BIG DEAL.  Cue the cute bib, the perfect little spoon, the camera and oh yeah, the cereal!  Well, let's just say the whole thing was hilarious...as anyone with children knows...bundle was a hot, hot mess after all was said and done.  But, it was adorable...watching her take her first bite...skeptical, but then really digging it.  So much so that she was reaching for the spoon and even crying out for it when it was taken away for the split second needed to refill it.

It was so much fun and now I am totally looking forward when we can move on to more fun stuff like sweet potatoes, green beans and other yummy foods.  She won't know what to do with herself!

Bon Apetit little Bundle!

Who's going crazy?

I don't know...who do you think is going crazy?  If you guessed me, than you are absolutely right.  If you guessed my daughter...well, the jury is still out on that one.  So, why am I going crazy?  Well, because, as we  speak (or I guess, as I type) I am watching my daughter on the video monitor as she pulls her socks off her feet, then chews her feet, then chews her socks...cute...except she is supposed to be NAPPING!

Naps are supposed to be this magical time.  It's a time when your precious baby gets the restorative rest she needs to be a smart, happy baby.  It's also the time where mommies are supposed to get a few minutes of alone time...to restore their sanity.  Seems like a win, win...right?

Well, it is if your baby will actually nap.  Now, I am not saying that my daughter won't nap, it's just never an easy situation.  I have read the books, websites, blogs...blah, blah, blah...and I am trying the tricks (looking for signs of tiredness, keeping up only 1.5-2 hrs, routines, etc), but sometimes, she just won't buy it.

I hear other moms talking about their little baby blobs who just settle down for their regular daily naps, and I am not going to lie, I am jealous.  I would love it if my little blessing would just rub her little eyes, yawn, and then lay down for a nice little snooze.  Nope, about 75% of the time my little girl wants to just PARTY!  Even when she's tired!

So, I spend about half of my day trying to get her to nap and the other half wondering if I am doing the right thing.  It really is enough to make a person crazy....

Welcome to motherhood...right?

PS-If you are a baby sleep expert, please feel free to contact me!  :)

Blowout

When I say blowout, I am not referring to the beauty service that women get to have their hair blow dried and styled.  Nope, I am referring to the hazmat situation that occurs in my daughter's diaper about every other day. I don't think I need to go into detail here, but I am talking about the big old poops that are so big and powerful they escape her diaper.  Whoops, maybe that was too much detail!?  :)  (If my goal is to horrify my daughter when she is 16 with this post, than I think I am succeeding.)

So I have gotten used to these blowouts...especially when they happened multiple times a day.  It was a ritual...find baby in crib, pick baby up, smell something funky, lay baby down on changing table, open diaper to find hazmat situation, remove diaper, remove soiled sleeper/onesie, wash hazmat situation off of baby's back and bum, re-diaper (not a word, but I like it), and put in clean sleeper/onesie.  I can't tell you how much poop I have cleaned off not only my daughter, but her clothes, sheets and changing table covers too.  

You know your life has changed significantly when you spend time thinking of ways to prevent these hazmat situations.  So, one day, I was feeding my precious daughter...thinking of what I could do to possibly save some money on laundry detergent and soap...when I had my aha moment.  Ironically, at about the same time, my daughter had a blowout.  Perfect timing!  I could try my new technique!  What did I do?  Well, without grabbing her bum, I unsnapped her onesie and pulled it up to her armpits.  I picked her up and took her over to the changing table, sat her up and stuffed a paper towel down the back of her diaper...then laid her down.  I crossed my fingers and what do you know!?  It worked!  Woo hoo!  Hazmat situation avoided.  Yes, there was still a ton of poop, but it wasn't all up her back!  Success!

So, there you have it.  Ladies and gentlemen, if your little one creates similar hazmat situations, give the paper towel trick a try.  It may not prevent the blowout, but at least it will prevent what we lovingly call at my house the "up-the-back blowout!"  Good luck!

Beautiful

Today I watched my daughter sleep.

It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

She looked so peaceful, laying in her crib...with no idea that I had quietly entered her room and was peering at her from above.  There she was, my precious miracle...a sight I had to almost pinch myself to believe.  It wasn't that long ago that I had dreamed of a day like today.  Praying that God would bless us with a little one.

And here she was...her little hands clenched loosely into fists, her little legs splayed out like those of a frog, her little cheeks warm and rosy...her chest rising and falling ever so slowly...relaxed, content.  It was beautiful and a moment I feel so blessed to have seen.

Rest well darling daughter.

Is This The Worst Part of Parenting?

I bet you're wondering what I am going to say here...you may be thinking, "it's way too early for her to even know what the worst thing about parenting is!"  Or perhaps you already know what I am going to say because you are a parent and you have been in my position.  So, without further ado...the worst part about parenting (besides the lack of sleep and general state of delirium I am constantly in) is when you AND your baby are sick!

Oh boy, no one warned me about this one and I didn't see it coming at all.  Nope.  I was so proud of myself for getting a flu shoot and I literally have been patting myself on the back because of all of the great hand washing I have been doing.  My dry, chapped hands are proof of that.  But a few days ago, I started to feel a little sick...no worries, I thought...just a runny nose.

I wish!  It was bad, I was achy and had a fever and then the snot came...and still resides.  In the midst of my illness, I began to notice my little one wasn't behaving like herself.  At first, it was a few sneezes, then it became a runny nose and then, the worst thing ever for a new parent of a first child...a fever!  Holy crap!  In my half crazy and sick state I started to flip out...no rational thinking going on at all.  I called my husband...I called my mom...and THEN I called the pediatrician's office...mind you, none of these people were freaking out...just me.

We were told to give her some tylenol and keep an eye on her.  If she still had a fever in the morning and was fussy, we were to bring her to the doctor's office.  Well, she indeed was fussy most of the evening and still had a fever, so in we went.  Half asleep and with a head full of snot, we somehow got ourselves out the door.  Luckily, Em didn't have the flu...just a cold.  Thank goodness.

Back home we went and then I hit the proverbial wall.  Let's just say when you feel like scummy yuckiness, the last thing you feel like doing is caring for someone else.  But, with a strong will and the encouragement of my mother, I did it...and am still doing it.  It's been hard...incredibly hard.  But, this is what I signed up for and she needs me more now than ever.

So, thank you to my mom, for all of the times you took care of me when I was sick.  I know I did my fair share of puking and sneezing on you...thanks for seeing me through those rough times.  You are amazing.  And to all of you moms out there...the sick times are hard, but just remember...it won't last...thank goodness!  Now go get a flu shot and go wash your hands!

The Best Birthday

Today I celebrated my birth anniversary (my husband's term for birthdays).

I had a pretty good day, even though I am battling a little case of the sniffles.  It started with some yummy brunch with friends, then a fun outing with the little one and the husband followed by a decaf latte.

Could this day get any better? Why yes, because as I sit here and type this, the husband is busy in our kitchen making me a birthday meal.  Per his request, I am to sit and relax and not be concerned with what is going on in the kitchen.  This is hard for me to do, but he seems pretty serious about this request.  All I know is that it smells amazing and I have a feeling chocolate cupcakes are in my near future!  I am a lucky lady!

As I sit here and reflect on that fact, one thing in particular comes to mind.  My little miracle baby.  Just about this time last year we found out about our little bundle of joy.  It is amazing to have her here and in our world! And even though parenting has proved more difficult than I thought, I am beyond grateful for my little sweetheart.  She is by far, the best present I have ever received.

I have realized today just how lucky I am.  I have an amazing and blessed life.  I have great friends and a wonderful family!  What more could you ask for in life?

So here's to another year!

Traumatized

There is one universal fear among new parents...cutting their sweet little baby's fingernails.  Why is there such a fear?  Well, likely because their fingernails are so small and paper thin.  But it has to be done.

I knew that I had to face this task because my little one was using her face as a scratching post.  Not cool.  We had gone to the pediatrician for one of her early visits and we still had those little mitts on her hands.  I asked the pediatrician if this was bad and she remarked that it would probably be good to get them off her hands.  I think I said something like "well, then what do we do about her fingernails?" I think she heard the disdain in my voice, but answered with a knowing smile, "you're going to have to cut them." I immediately got a little sick to my stomach and half jokingly asked the pediatrician if she could do it? No dice.

So, we went home and both the husband and I had a go at it.  I would say we were somewhat successful, getting at least 2 or 3 of them cut before surrendering.  Now that the husband is back to work, the challenge of cutting our bundle's fingernails has been left up to me.  Oh joy.  It seems her fingernails grow at increasingly fast pace.  Seriously...I have to cut them at least twice a week.  But maybe this is good because I have gotten less fearful of it.

However, yesterday I had noticed that her little thumbnail was getting scraggly and likely to blame for the big scratch I found on top of her head. Drat! I was going to have to cut it! (Drat because I find the thumbnail the hardest to cut.) So, I grabbed the baby nail clippers and lovingly talked to my little one as I grasped her thumb. So far so good. She stopped squirming and in I went in with the clippers.  I pushed back her little thumb pad to get a better angle at the nail, and went in for the cut.....except....I somehow managed to get some skin.  Next thing I know she was wailing and I am crying because I had just injured my precious little baby.  I was and am still traumatized by this event.  I rocked her and kissed her and apologized profusely...her tears dried up and all of the sudden she was smiling and giggling like nothing ever happened.  God bless her little heart.

So, I made it through my little one's first injury, but I am not looking forward to the next nail clipping.  I just wonder how I am going to react when she gets her first bruise or scraped knee?

Love that smile!

An amazing thing begins to happen when your baby hits the 2-3 month mark...she starts to smile!  No, not because of gas, but because of you!  There is nothing more wonderful than when your once emotionless babe gets a sense of humor.

I love to see her smile so much that I will do anything to elicit it. I once laughed at parents who seemed to do silly faces and voices at their babies. So much work sometimes for that smile. Now I totally get it. After four months of poor sleep, worry, and lots of crying (from both me and my daughter), I am relishing these smiles! I deserve these smiles...or at least I think I do.

So yes, I am one of those parents now. I make tons of silly faces and millions of dumb sounds every day and am greatly rewarded with one of those precious smiles.

For those of you in the early stages of newborn baby-dom, hang in there. It's all worth it and that smile is your reward for all of your hard work!

Smile and they will smile in return!

Cooling off the Oven

Hello? Um, hello? Anybody out there?

Well, it finally happened! The bun is officially out of the oven. As you can probably tell due to the lapse in posts, I have been just a little bit busy.

Our little bundle of joy came into this world in September and our lives are forever changed! It wasn't the easiest delivery, but when I heard her cry and when they placed her on my chest, all the pain was forgotten.

Those first few weeks....oh, who am I kidding...these first few months have been HARD! Lack of sleep and trying to figure out our little one is like no other challenge I have ever faced. But it's a challenge I am ready to take on.

I am smitten and totally in love with my little one.  I will do my best to keep up with this blog, but with a new focus.  I will discuss the crazy, cute, funny, and not-so-funny things I encounter during parenthood and life with a newborn.  And, as she starts to eat, share recipes and other nutrition tidbits.

Well, that's all of the time I have now...I hear my little bundle waking up from a nap!