Right now she's is sitting in her stroller 'singing' to her self (making a mental note to film this), while I write this and sneak a quick up of coffee.
Seeing your little one sick is so hard :( You just want to take it away for them.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The sickies :(
My poor little girl has a cold. She is sneezing and coughing and just wants to sit in mommy's arms all day & cuddle.
Right now she's is sitting in her stroller 'singing' to her self (making a mental note to film this), while I write this and sneak a quick up of coffee.
Seeing your little one sick is so hard :( You just want to take it away for them.
Right now she's is sitting in her stroller 'singing' to her self (making a mental note to film this), while I write this and sneak a quick up of coffee.
Seeing your little one sick is so hard :( You just want to take it away for them.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Baby-led Solids
As Layla nears her 6 month mark (::gaspgaspgasp::) I've been thinking a lot about solids & their introduction into her diet. As of right now she is still exclusively breast-fed. Every now and then we'll give her a taste of whatever we are having - mashed 'taters, bananas, maybe a little bit of avocado, but never more than a wee little taste.
This is baby-led solids in a nut shell. Your baby feds him/herself whatever you cook for them on their own accord. They eat how much they want & how they want, essentially. We're also on the side of delaying solids until Layla is old enough to sit on her own and has lost her tongue thrust reflex. Dr. Sear's has a great article about why we should delay solids here.
Obviously this may not work for all mommies, but it works for us. There is a high rate of food allergies in my family - I can't eat eggplants, my little sister is allergic to green pepper & cucumbers ... my cousin chicken & aunt bananas. We all need to be in food bubbles. Diabetes also runs in both my family and Mr. G's family, so we decided early on that Layla's introduction to food will be done carefully and with much attention.
I am, however, extremely excited to see her in her highchair sitting at the dinner table with us munching on nomnoms!
This is baby-led solids in a nut shell. Your baby feds him/herself whatever you cook for them on their own accord. They eat how much they want & how they want, essentially. We're also on the side of delaying solids until Layla is old enough to sit on her own and has lost her tongue thrust reflex. Dr. Sear's has a great article about why we should delay solids here.
Obviously this may not work for all mommies, but it works for us. There is a high rate of food allergies in my family - I can't eat eggplants, my little sister is allergic to green pepper & cucumbers ... my cousin chicken & aunt bananas. We all need to be in food bubbles. Diabetes also runs in both my family and Mr. G's family, so we decided early on that Layla's introduction to food will be done carefully and with much attention.
I am, however, extremely excited to see her in her highchair sitting at the dinner table with us munching on nomnoms!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Buona Pasqua!
Happy Easter, or as we say in my house: Buona Pasqua!
He is Risen. Rejoice!
To those who celebrate (and those who don't), may you have a blessed day! Celebrate the miracles God has given us!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
You're a first time mom...
... which means according to everyone else, you know jack shit.
Your mom, sisters, mother-in-law & total strangers will inevitably know better than you.
Books lie. Pediatricians lie, too. (Actually, this sometimes can be true)
According to everyone else, your nursing (and exclusively breastfed baby) should not be eating every 2-3 hours. A baby should, no matter what, be sleeping through the night, uninterrupted & 12 hours straight by 3 months. By 4 months that kid should have rice in her formula, and if she isn't on formula yet should be supplementing with formula.
WHA? No schedule!? EXCUSE ME? You co-sleep!? Blasphemy!
Now, do not get me wrong - when I have no effing idea what the hell I'm doing that first person I call is my mother (Hi, Mom!), and I thank the good Lord every day for her knowledge in baby-raising. I've also called my older sister on occasion. The woman has four kids. She knows a thing or two, but I'm doing things just a 'wittle bit different and different (which means change ::GASP::) can be a little off or scary for some. No big deal.
I wrote about old school vs new school here. I'm more of a new school mama but that doesn't mean I'm wrong; nor does it mean that old school mamas are wrong, either.
What is frustrating to me is that when I explain this I get a look. The look makes me second guess my choices as a mother and often leads me to feel like I'm not doing a good job. I then remember that my child is in the 75% percentile for weight and 90% for height. She is a champion eater and a little nursling who loves boob. I still have no issues letting her sleep with me or using me as a pacifier. She's is 5 months old & self soothing at this point means to her, "Oh, I've cried and cried and cried. I'm tired. There must not be anyone out there for me."
Things have changed in the last 20+ years. We understand infants better - their needs and wants, which allows mommies to be effective mother's. Effective mothering means healthier and more independent children. I strongly believe there is a reason why obesity is such an issue in the states, and that is because we don't inform and educate mother's on the benefits of breastfeeding or baby-led solids or what exactly is going into your child's formula.
So, my exclusively breastfed baby who will be starting baby-led solids (you can read about baby-led solids here) next month will remain co-sleeping with her mommy and daddy for the next few months & breastfed till she is 12 months.
There is a reason why my child is so happy. Because I AM A GOOD MOMMY.
Your mom, sisters, mother-in-law & total strangers will inevitably know better than you.
Books lie. Pediatricians lie, too. (Actually, this sometimes can be true)
According to everyone else, your nursing (and exclusively breastfed baby) should not be eating every 2-3 hours. A baby should, no matter what, be sleeping through the night, uninterrupted & 12 hours straight by 3 months. By 4 months that kid should have rice in her formula, and if she isn't on formula yet should be supplementing with formula.
WHA? No schedule!? EXCUSE ME? You co-sleep!? Blasphemy!
Now, do not get me wrong - when I have no effing idea what the hell I'm doing that first person I call is my mother (Hi, Mom!), and I thank the good Lord every day for her knowledge in baby-raising. I've also called my older sister on occasion. The woman has four kids. She knows a thing or two, but I'm doing things just a 'wittle bit different and different (which means change ::GASP::) can be a little off or scary for some. No big deal.
I wrote about old school vs new school here. I'm more of a new school mama but that doesn't mean I'm wrong; nor does it mean that old school mamas are wrong, either.
What is frustrating to me is that when I explain this I get a look. The look makes me second guess my choices as a mother and often leads me to feel like I'm not doing a good job. I then remember that my child is in the 75% percentile for weight and 90% for height. She is a champion eater and a little nursling who loves boob. I still have no issues letting her sleep with me or using me as a pacifier. She's is 5 months old & self soothing at this point means to her, "Oh, I've cried and cried and cried. I'm tired. There must not be anyone out there for me."
Things have changed in the last 20+ years. We understand infants better - their needs and wants, which allows mommies to be effective mother's. Effective mothering means healthier and more independent children. I strongly believe there is a reason why obesity is such an issue in the states, and that is because we don't inform and educate mother's on the benefits of breastfeeding or baby-led solids or what exactly is going into your child's formula.
So, my exclusively breastfed baby who will be starting baby-led solids (you can read about baby-led solids here) next month will remain co-sleeping with her mommy and daddy for the next few months & breastfed till she is 12 months.
There is a reason why my child is so happy. Because I AM A GOOD MOMMY.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Fun in the kitchen with Layla Grace
I have a huge sweet tooth. HUGE. I could literally eat ice cream every night for the rest of my life and not ever be bored of it.
The other night we had nothing fun in the house in the way of dessert. I was sick of Oreos and milk. We had no ice cream. No fruit. Nada. BUT, we did have this:
[LIGHTBLUBOVERHEAD] Parfaits! Noms.
First I crushed oreos
Now, I must add that this is the only time it is acceptable to crush oreos.
Unless you have nothing to eat for breakfast and decide to turn them into cereal. NO, I've never done that........
After you've crushed the oreos nice and good take some pudding and put a nice big glob at the bottom of the parfait glass & alternate the pudding, whipped cream & oreos till you have this:
Throw some crushed oreos on the top & enjoy!!!
The other night we had nothing fun in the house in the way of dessert. I was sick of Oreos and milk. We had no ice cream. No fruit. Nada. BUT, we did have this:
[LIGHTBLUBOVERHEAD] Parfaits! Noms.
First I crushed oreos
Now, I must add that this is the only time it is acceptable to crush oreos.
Unless you have nothing to eat for breakfast and decide to turn them into cereal. NO, I've never done that........
After you've crushed the oreos nice and good take some pudding and put a nice big glob at the bottom of the parfait glass & alternate the pudding, whipped cream & oreos till you have this:
Throw some crushed oreos on the top & enjoy!!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Kickin' it old school
These pictures are from when I first found out I was knocked up
This one I believe is from the day I took these:
Little belly @ 8 weeks. I'm fatter now [O__o]
Halloween 2010; 35/35. About 2 weeks before LG made her debut!
Now I have a 5 month old & her 5 month pics will come later on today ...
Now I have a 5 month old & her 5 month pics will come later on today ...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Letters to Layla part II
Dear my sweet little Layla Grace -
You are nearing your five month milestone this month (April 17th, 2011). Daddy and I can't believe it. Even now, five months later, he still looks at you and says, "Wow, she is for real. We get to keep her forever." He loves with you so much.
You and me get to spend almost every single day together. We do fun stuff, like go to Target & grocery shopping. I kiss your little feet to keep you occupied and you giggle through the aisles. We talk about every day - mostly about what you did that day and how much daddy and mommy love you.
You're becoming quite the independent little creature. You've grabbed and held your bottle on your own a few times now, but you still prefer to nurse. While you aren't the best at taking naps (and that's okay), you are getting much better at going to sleep at a scheduled bedtime. 8pm on the dot and you are off to dreamland. You love to laugh and smile in the morning. Daddy and I laugh and say we wish we were that happy to wake up! But, we are learning from you and take each day as it comes. We've amazed that we can learn so many things from someone so brand new.
Elmo is your favorite. You laugh as soon as you see him, so you get to watch Sesame Street with daddy on the weekends.
You are so very loved Layla Grace. We never knew our hearts could expand with so much love. You grace us with your presence and wisdom every single day. God found us worthy of you, and for that we are forever grateful.
Happy 5 months my little princess.
You are nearing your five month milestone this month (April 17th, 2011). Daddy and I can't believe it. Even now, five months later, he still looks at you and says, "Wow, she is for real. We get to keep her forever." He loves with you so much.
You and me get to spend almost every single day together. We do fun stuff, like go to Target & grocery shopping. I kiss your little feet to keep you occupied and you giggle through the aisles. We talk about every day - mostly about what you did that day and how much daddy and mommy love you.
You're becoming quite the independent little creature. You've grabbed and held your bottle on your own a few times now, but you still prefer to nurse. While you aren't the best at taking naps (and that's okay), you are getting much better at going to sleep at a scheduled bedtime. 8pm on the dot and you are off to dreamland. You love to laugh and smile in the morning. Daddy and I laugh and say we wish we were that happy to wake up! But, we are learning from you and take each day as it comes. We've amazed that we can learn so many things from someone so brand new.
Elmo is your favorite. You laugh as soon as you see him, so you get to watch Sesame Street with daddy on the weekends.
You are so very loved Layla Grace. We never knew our hearts could expand with so much love. You grace us with your presence and wisdom every single day. God found us worthy of you, and for that we are forever grateful.
Happy 5 months my little princess.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sometimes I feel like a genius
Layla has been having a few visits from the teething monster these days. Poor kid. Nothing seemed to be working for her. We tried toys, but she'd quickly lose interest. The Gerber cookies for toddlers are great, but we have to hold the cookie and watch her as she bites it. And frozen wash clothes work for a bit. So, we tried something else ...
Yes. That is a bagel. A frozen, semi-stale bagel. Chocking hazard = minimal. Grip for baby = perfect. Baby's love for bagel = HUGE. Since she obviously has no teeth (yet), she cannot break through the hard crust on this wonderful self-made teether, which means I can hand over the easy to hold carbohydrate and go about my business. It's wonderful and she LOVESSSSSSSSSSSS it. All she is doing is sucking and gnawing on the damn thing (not actually eating it - HELLO, no teeth), so the amount of gluten or sugar she is getting is probably slim to none. These bagels happen to be from a local deli, but I do believe Lenders makes a similar size bagel that you can find at your closest grocery store. I promise you, after this ... the teething monster will have gone bye-bye.
And because no blog post is complete without some ridiculously cute picture, I bring you this:
Yes. That is a bagel. A frozen, semi-stale bagel. Chocking hazard = minimal. Grip for baby = perfect. Baby's love for bagel = HUGE. Since she obviously has no teeth (yet), she cannot break through the hard crust on this wonderful self-made teether, which means I can hand over the easy to hold carbohydrate and go about my business. It's wonderful and she LOVESSSSSSSSSSSS it. All she is doing is sucking and gnawing on the damn thing (not actually eating it - HELLO, no teeth), so the amount of gluten or sugar she is getting is probably slim to none. These bagels happen to be from a local deli, but I do believe Lenders makes a similar size bagel that you can find at your closest grocery store. I promise you, after this ... the teething monster will have gone bye-bye.
And because no blog post is complete without some ridiculously cute picture, I bring you this:
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Patience
This is a confession Wednesday type post because I need to spill the beans.
Some days my patience is really thin. Days like today were Layla didn't sleep well the night before and when she flat out refuses to nap and wants to be held 24/7. A sleepy baby is a clingy baby and a clingy baby can drive mommy up the wall.
When I get to this point of having to remove my self from her screams (which has been more and more throughout the day), I feel like a failure. I feel like I should never ever feel the way I'm feeling, which in turn makes me feel worse. How can I let my child scream in her crib when she so desperately needs me? But ... I can't do it all day, every day. I need ME time. To be a good mom I need ME time and during the day (and even at night when hubs is home), I very rarely get it. I'm on call 24/7. My house has gone to the dogs (or... cats?), as it hasn't been vacuumed in over a week and I JUST mopped this morning for the first time in like ten days. There is laundry everywhere and while this is ridiculously vane, I'm in desperate need of a pedicure. I find my self running out the door on a Saturday or Sunday when I go to work just to escape the reality of what is here. What mother does that? What mother wants to escape the reality of her child? ::sigh::
So, I sit here while LG is in her stroller crying trying to find a place of zen and the groceries sit on the floor of the kitchen. I love being a mom, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I need a break and I HATE HATE HATE saying that. It brings me to tears.
Some days my patience is really thin. Days like today were Layla didn't sleep well the night before and when she flat out refuses to nap and wants to be held 24/7. A sleepy baby is a clingy baby and a clingy baby can drive mommy up the wall.
When I get to this point of having to remove my self from her screams (which has been more and more throughout the day), I feel like a failure. I feel like I should never ever feel the way I'm feeling, which in turn makes me feel worse. How can I let my child scream in her crib when she so desperately needs me? But ... I can't do it all day, every day. I need ME time. To be a good mom I need ME time and during the day (and even at night when hubs is home), I very rarely get it. I'm on call 24/7. My house has gone to the dogs (or... cats?), as it hasn't been vacuumed in over a week and I JUST mopped this morning for the first time in like ten days. There is laundry everywhere and while this is ridiculously vane, I'm in desperate need of a pedicure. I find my self running out the door on a Saturday or Sunday when I go to work just to escape the reality of what is here. What mother does that? What mother wants to escape the reality of her child? ::sigh::
So, I sit here while LG is in her stroller crying trying to find a place of zen and the groceries sit on the floor of the kitchen. I love being a mom, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I need a break and I HATE HATE HATE saying that. It brings me to tears.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A great way to procrastinate
I should be mopping the kitchen floor, but this looked like a lot more fun. Got the idea from another great mommy blog. The writer is wicked funny & just lays it all out there. Great read!
A. Age: 26. 27 in a month :::gag::
B. Bed size: Queen.
C. Chore you hate: Cleaning up after dinner
D. Dogs: PLEASE! A Golden Retriever.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee
F. Favorite color: Grey
G. Gold or silver: Silver
H. Height: 5’5"
I. Instruments: None
J. Job title: Mommy. I have nothing creative for this. hah.
K. Kids: Layla Grace - 4.5 months
L. Live: Some where south. Where it's really hot 95% of the year and the beaches are awesome.
M. Mom’s name: Debbie
N. Nicknames: Tessie
O. Overnight hospital stays: Having Layla & after my 3rd lap.
P. Pet peeve: Negativity & self righteousness. I CANNOT stand people who think they are above it all.
Q. Quote from a movie: He's the song bird of our generation
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 2 bros 2 sisters
T. Time you wake up: varies. 7-9
U. Underwear: Victoria Secret
V. Vegetables you dislike: Beets
W. What makes you run late: Finding something interesting on TV while i'm getting ready
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Wrist
Y. Yummy food you make: Ice cream! Noms
Z. Zoo- favorite animal: I'm an animal lovers. I couldn't pick just one.
A. Age: 26. 27 in a month :::gag::
B. Bed size: Queen.
C. Chore you hate: Cleaning up after dinner
D. Dogs: PLEASE! A Golden Retriever.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee
F. Favorite color: Grey
G. Gold or silver: Silver
H. Height: 5’5"
I. Instruments: None
J. Job title: Mommy. I have nothing creative for this. hah.
K. Kids: Layla Grace - 4.5 months
L. Live: Some where south. Where it's really hot 95% of the year and the beaches are awesome.
M. Mom’s name: Debbie
N. Nicknames: Tessie
O. Overnight hospital stays: Having Layla & after my 3rd lap.
P. Pet peeve: Negativity & self righteousness. I CANNOT stand people who think they are above it all.
Q. Quote from a movie: He's the song bird of our generation
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 2 bros 2 sisters
T. Time you wake up: varies. 7-9
U. Underwear: Victoria Secret
V. Vegetables you dislike: Beets
W. What makes you run late: Finding something interesting on TV while i'm getting ready
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Wrist
Y. Yummy food you make: Ice cream! Noms
Z. Zoo- favorite animal: I'm an animal lovers. I couldn't pick just one.
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