Okay, see that pretty new button in the right there -------------> Topmommyblogs.com? Pretty pretty please, if you like me (heck, even if you don't like me and just stumbled on this site by way of whatever), cruise on over to that button and click thru:) Pretty pretty please with sugar on top?? (and fudge and whipped cream)
I just joined the site so my bloggy doesn't even show up yet. A few clickys by my bloggy friends will make it appear:)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sooo..that's the secret...
So, from day one from the hospital Noah was a fairly pleasant baby. He slept like a newborn should sleep and when he was awake he was alert and looking around. However, at about 1 month he started to show his cranky side. Generally around 6:00pm he'd start fussing/crying and only calm down if he was being held. He'd be like this until 9:30pm or sometimes 10:00pm at which he fell asleep but only for a few hours. At that point we'd repeat the process - I was exhausted!
Now, we tried a number of things thinking it was gas - gas drops, new bottles, different formula and each had an impact but it was minimal. So, being the ever loving, ever doting, my-child-is-perfect-in-his-own-way mom that I am I just accepted that he was going to be a grumpy baby and prepared myself accordingly (and reminded myself that this too shall pass). Until one day I was reading a book on sleep training (in preparation for the months to come when we'd set a routine and hopefully have a happy, protest free naptime and bedtime).
The book suggested that no newborn/infant should go more than 2 hours without a nap of some sort (and some nap every hour). I looked back at my babybix.com sleep charts and realized that Noah was going for 4 and 5 hours during the day time hours without a single nap and that I was putting him down waaay late. Little man was only getting 12 hours a sleep a day (which apparently is not enough). His cranking in the evenings had to do with him being uber tired and unable to soothe himself to sleep (and I likely didn't help what with my singing, dancing, and trying to get him to play with me all the time)
So, I started to watch more closely for his sleepy queues and at that point would try to wind him down into a nap. It took a while to get it right and I still fight it here and there but it seems to be working. DH has even commented on how pleasant he is in the evenings now. Plus, he's sleeping longer at night! Now, that may just be maturity but it could also be the naps!
Who'da thunk that more sleep during the day ='s more sleep at night and a happier baby!
Here's his schedule:
6am he's up for a bottle and then back down till 8 or sometimes 9. Then generally he's napping every 2 - 3 hours for at least 30 min each (there's usually one longer nap in the AM or early mid day and sometimes a second in the afternoon. If he misses that then we just cat nap thru the afternoon ever hour or two). We start the bed time ritual by 7:00 and he's generally out like a light by 8:00. There he sleeps until 11, wakes for a bottle and immediately goes back down. Then, depending on how much he took in that 11:00 bottle he'll be down until 3 or so. Last night he went from 1am to 5am before he woke up!
I'm sooo happy my pleasant baby is back! Now, when he's away he's calm and usually smiley (unless he's hungry). But as soon as he starts to zone out or rub his eyes we know it's time to wind him done and try for a nap! Hopefully this continues thru our first days at daycare!!
Now, we tried a number of things thinking it was gas - gas drops, new bottles, different formula and each had an impact but it was minimal. So, being the ever loving, ever doting, my-child-is-perfect-in-his-own-way mom that I am I just accepted that he was going to be a grumpy baby and prepared myself accordingly (and reminded myself that this too shall pass). Until one day I was reading a book on sleep training (in preparation for the months to come when we'd set a routine and hopefully have a happy, protest free naptime and bedtime).
The book suggested that no newborn/infant should go more than 2 hours without a nap of some sort (and some nap every hour). I looked back at my babybix.com sleep charts and realized that Noah was going for 4 and 5 hours during the day time hours without a single nap and that I was putting him down waaay late. Little man was only getting 12 hours a sleep a day (which apparently is not enough). His cranking in the evenings had to do with him being uber tired and unable to soothe himself to sleep (and I likely didn't help what with my singing, dancing, and trying to get him to play with me all the time)
So, I started to watch more closely for his sleepy queues and at that point would try to wind him down into a nap. It took a while to get it right and I still fight it here and there but it seems to be working. DH has even commented on how pleasant he is in the evenings now. Plus, he's sleeping longer at night! Now, that may just be maturity but it could also be the naps!
Who'da thunk that more sleep during the day ='s more sleep at night and a happier baby!
Here's his schedule:
6am he's up for a bottle and then back down till 8 or sometimes 9. Then generally he's napping every 2 - 3 hours for at least 30 min each (there's usually one longer nap in the AM or early mid day and sometimes a second in the afternoon. If he misses that then we just cat nap thru the afternoon ever hour or two). We start the bed time ritual by 7:00 and he's generally out like a light by 8:00. There he sleeps until 11, wakes for a bottle and immediately goes back down. Then, depending on how much he took in that 11:00 bottle he'll be down until 3 or so. Last night he went from 1am to 5am before he woke up!
I'm sooo happy my pleasant baby is back! Now, when he's away he's calm and usually smiley (unless he's hungry). But as soon as he starts to zone out or rub his eyes we know it's time to wind him done and try for a nap! Hopefully this continues thru our first days at daycare!!
Blogger Badge
So, my computer with all my fun photo processing and graphic software is back at HP being fixed (stupid bum fan). Anyone of my super duper awesome creative friends in bloggy world want to help me create a blog badge?? pretty please??:) I'll be forever grateful and sing you praises to all 22 of my followers:)
Little Miss Macie...
I've mentioned her before plenty - Macie, our 2 year old Vizsla. In fact, she's all I blogged about before Noah (on our Photography Blog). Seems silly to spend so much time documenting an animal but I'll contest that Macie is not just any animal. She's one of the best dogs I've ever known (and I've known alot of dogs!).
Vizslas are known for their gentle nature, need-to-be-an-equal-member-of-the-family mentality, full-of-energy-please-exercise-me look, and this-is-my-baby-now protectiveness. They're affectionately referred to as Velcro Vizslas because they must be with you at all times (if you don't want help going to the bathroom or showering ever again - don't get a V) and they forget that they're 40+lbs when they climb into your lap. Macie's no exception! She exhibits all the best qualities of V and more:)
She follows you from room to room and then finds the softest comfiest spot to plop down and relax. Often times that's an 8"x8" square pillow on our couch that she turns and turns until she finds a comfortable way to drop down. If there is a pillow handy she's using it. If there's a blanket in the vicinity she's under it. This dog is all about comfort.
More than that she's so laid back and what we all "pliable." She will let you pick her up, man handle her, rearrange her, pull on her tail, pull on her ears, sit on her back whatever...she just takes it. Sometimes you get the look like "are you done yet?" but most times she just lays there and waits for you to finish so she can snuggle in again and get comfy.
She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with tennis balls and will do anything for those mini carrots or a cheese cube. She only eats when she's told, loves to cuddle in bed but only when you say it's okay, loves dogs more than she loves people and would be happy as a clam to spend her day chasing balls down at the field. Her recall is not so great but add a tennis ball or the possibility at cheese and your odds at getting her to come to you increase dramatically!
At the end of a long day of playing all she wants to do is cuddle up next to her people and snooze. If she can rest her head on your lap (or put herself fully in your lap) she's happiest. She appears to love Noah and plants the occasional kiss on him (although it's a mini kiss with just the tip of her tongue rather than a full out slurp) when we're not looking. She's become fiercely protective and will bark at anyone that comes to the door but she's more likely to cover you in kisses than bite you once you come in - don't tell the door to door solicitors that!
I gush about her and could probably go on for days but it's all because I realize how lucky we are to have a pup that loves everyone in our family and has taken to the new baby with grace and ease.
Okay...I'm done being sappy about my dog now:)
Vizslas are known for their gentle nature, need-to-be-an-equal-member-of-the-family mentality, full-of-energy-please-exercise-me look, and this-is-my-baby-now protectiveness. They're affectionately referred to as Velcro Vizslas because they must be with you at all times (if you don't want help going to the bathroom or showering ever again - don't get a V) and they forget that they're 40+lbs when they climb into your lap. Macie's no exception! She exhibits all the best qualities of V and more:)
More than that she's so laid back and what we all "pliable." She will let you pick her up, man handle her, rearrange her, pull on her tail, pull on her ears, sit on her back whatever...she just takes it. Sometimes you get the look like "are you done yet?" but most times she just lays there and waits for you to finish so she can snuggle in again and get comfy.
She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with tennis balls and will do anything for those mini carrots or a cheese cube. She only eats when she's told, loves to cuddle in bed but only when you say it's okay, loves dogs more than she loves people and would be happy as a clam to spend her day chasing balls down at the field. Her recall is not so great but add a tennis ball or the possibility at cheese and your odds at getting her to come to you increase dramatically!
At the end of a long day of playing all she wants to do is cuddle up next to her people and snooze. If she can rest her head on your lap (or put herself fully in your lap) she's happiest. She appears to love Noah and plants the occasional kiss on him (although it's a mini kiss with just the tip of her tongue rather than a full out slurp) when we're not looking. She's become fiercely protective and will bark at anyone that comes to the door but she's more likely to cover you in kisses than bite you once you come in - don't tell the door to door solicitors that!
I gush about her and could probably go on for days but it's all because I realize how lucky we are to have a pup that loves everyone in our family and has taken to the new baby with grace and ease.
Okay...I'm done being sappy about my dog now:)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
My little model...
Next week is Noah's baptism and since I know we're going to be crazed running around trying to get everything ready and what not I know that we'll likely slip on some of the pics I thought I'd do a quick photo session today with him to get a few shots of the beautiful gown he's wearing. He was even hanging with me long enough to get a few without the gown on:)
The gown has been used in his family for a very long time. His daddy wore it when he was baptized as did his gramma before him. In fact, all of his gramma's siblings, most of their children, and their children's children were baptized in this gown. The gown has been refurbished a few times and now bears the names of all those that have worn it for their baptism.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday Follow and Summer Shape up Check in..
So it's Friday - wow this week went fast! It was my first week back to work and I'm starting to get into the swing of things. However, my anxiety is growing as I have just one more week with my little Noah home with me:( I'm scrambling to figure out a way to keep him here - there are lots of college students that would love to Nanny I'm sure, now I just need to find them! I'm actually surprised at how well I can work even with him here (of course, as long as someone is watching him). I even moved my office out of the loft and into the guest room so that I can close the door and have some quiet as he's playing downstairs.
Anyways, two topics at hand today. Time for an accountability check with the Summer Shape Up and then a quick hello to all my new friends from the Friday Follow! So...summer shape up first...
I've fallen off the wagon already:) Doing the 30 day shred here at home with Noah was just too hard. By the time I got him off to a nap, I found 10,000 other things I needed to do so the best I could muster on semi regular basis was some sit ups and maybe a walk. Nothing hardly enough to start shedding the weight. Since hubs is home for two weeks I thought I'd try a different work out - something my girlfriend told me she does and loves - Boxing!!:) There is an LA Boxing gym just down the road and it happens to be the gym my friend goes to so I begged her to take me along one day. HOLY COW! I love it! Beating the crap out of a punching bag is a fantastic way to spend a workout! You get your cardio and your strength all in one with the added bonus of some much needed stress relief!
So, my goal is to go to a class three days a week. They say you can burn up to 1000 calories in an hour (of course, that's only if you last the entire hour going balls to the walls crazy...) but even burning 400 or 800 is a great start!
Stats for this week:
Day 1 - 142lbs
Day 8 - 138lbs - woohoo!
Day 24 - 140lbs - ouch...no excuses, I have a new workout regime and a new resolve for eating healthy...we should start seeing that number drop.
My ideal weight - the weight I'm shooting for - my lowest post college, non-starved-like-I-was-in-highschool weight - is 120lbs. I'd settle for 125lbs if it meant that I was more muscle than pudge and that the baby belly remnants were gone.
Okay, I'm accounted for now!:) On to Friday Follow!!
Hello to all you new folks! I hope you find something here that you'll want to come back over and over again for! This blog was started to keep the fam up to date on my first pregnancy and has continued after my little Noah was born. Topics range from smitten momma ramblings to hard hitting pieces about 529 plans and the like (haha...hard hitting..maybe not but it's fun to dream that I could actually write something that could be considered hard hitting) and has a smattering of photography (of my little man of course) thrown in for fun.
Me? I'm an almost 30 something working mamma who would love to ditch her mortgage in order to stay home with little man but sadly bought when the housing market was at its peak and probably couldn't even break even in the sale. Some day I dream of leaving the corporate world to do something more creative - like photography or crocheting!:) But for now amuse myself with hobby photography and blogging.
Anywho...glad to e-meet you and I hope you leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!
Anyways, two topics at hand today. Time for an accountability check with the Summer Shape Up and then a quick hello to all my new friends from the Friday Follow! So...summer shape up first...
I've fallen off the wagon already:) Doing the 30 day shred here at home with Noah was just too hard. By the time I got him off to a nap, I found 10,000 other things I needed to do so the best I could muster on semi regular basis was some sit ups and maybe a walk. Nothing hardly enough to start shedding the weight. Since hubs is home for two weeks I thought I'd try a different work out - something my girlfriend told me she does and loves - Boxing!!:) There is an LA Boxing gym just down the road and it happens to be the gym my friend goes to so I begged her to take me along one day. HOLY COW! I love it! Beating the crap out of a punching bag is a fantastic way to spend a workout! You get your cardio and your strength all in one with the added bonus of some much needed stress relief!
So, my goal is to go to a class three days a week. They say you can burn up to 1000 calories in an hour (of course, that's only if you last the entire hour going balls to the walls crazy...) but even burning 400 or 800 is a great start!
Stats for this week:
Day 1 - 142lbs
Day 8 - 138lbs - woohoo!
Day 24 - 140lbs - ouch...no excuses, I have a new workout regime and a new resolve for eating healthy...we should start seeing that number drop.
My ideal weight - the weight I'm shooting for - my lowest post college, non-starved-like-I-was-in-highschool weight - is 120lbs. I'd settle for 125lbs if it meant that I was more muscle than pudge and that the baby belly remnants were gone.
Okay, I'm accounted for now!:) On to Friday Follow!!
Hello to all you new folks! I hope you find something here that you'll want to come back over and over again for! This blog was started to keep the fam up to date on my first pregnancy and has continued after my little Noah was born. Topics range from smitten momma ramblings to hard hitting pieces about 529 plans and the like (haha...hard hitting..maybe not but it's fun to dream that I could actually write something that could be considered hard hitting) and has a smattering of photography (of my little man of course) thrown in for fun.
Me? I'm an almost 30 something working mamma who would love to ditch her mortgage in order to stay home with little man but sadly bought when the housing market was at its peak and probably couldn't even break even in the sale. Some day I dream of leaving the corporate world to do something more creative - like photography or crocheting!:) But for now amuse myself with hobby photography and blogging.
Anywho...glad to e-meet you and I hope you leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Back to work...
So Monday was my first day back to work. I would say that I'm super sad and missing Noah but I can't - YET. See, hubsy is home now for two weeks with little man and since I work from home I can just walk downstairs and get my Noah fix any time I want. I'm hoping this two week pd will allow me to ease into not seeing him 24 hours a day. As much as I thought I would need a break from him after 9 straight weeks of Noah 24/7, I'm physically anxious when he's not here where I can see him anytime I please.
Case in point: Hubs took him to the store the other day and while I know he's perfectly safe with him and nothing is going to happen I was sooo anxious. Like hole in the pit of my stomach - couldn't concentrate - want to get in the car and drive to wherever they are to see him anxious. And when he was back all I wanted to do was sit and stare at his beautiful little cheeks! I just feel like I'm going to miss something while he's at daycare and that he'll become attached to our daycare provider instead of me. I know these are totally irrational thoughts but that doesn't stop me from having them.
I keep running thru our budget and trying to arrange it so that I can just quit my job and stay with him for the next 9 - 12 months but no matter how I slice it it won't work. We can either keep the house and eat or keep the house and have heat and electricity. We can't have the house, eat and pay utilities off of one salary:( And selling the house in this market is not a wise decision for us so...we're stuck. Little man goes to daycare in just over a week and i'm a wreck about it.
Anyone know of any college kids in NoVa that want to nanny for cheap??:)
Case in point: Hubs took him to the store the other day and while I know he's perfectly safe with him and nothing is going to happen I was sooo anxious. Like hole in the pit of my stomach - couldn't concentrate - want to get in the car and drive to wherever they are to see him anxious. And when he was back all I wanted to do was sit and stare at his beautiful little cheeks! I just feel like I'm going to miss something while he's at daycare and that he'll become attached to our daycare provider instead of me. I know these are totally irrational thoughts but that doesn't stop me from having them.
I keep running thru our budget and trying to arrange it so that I can just quit my job and stay with him for the next 9 - 12 months but no matter how I slice it it won't work. We can either keep the house and eat or keep the house and have heat and electricity. We can't have the house, eat and pay utilities off of one salary:( And selling the house in this market is not a wise decision for us so...we're stuck. Little man goes to daycare in just over a week and i'm a wreck about it.
Anyone know of any college kids in NoVa that want to nanny for cheap??:)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
My kids...
I always say that Macie is my first child - the 4 legged furry one with a significant speech impediment. She's been so amazing with Noah and the new living arrangement (not being the center of attention). I couldn't have asked for a better dog! The picture below took the coaxing on a carrot can do but it worked, she sat still enough to get a picture of my "kids":)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
