AJ got bit this week. By another child.
This is not something that I anticipated having to worry about as part of the world of daycare. His transition has taken a major turn for the better-- no more crying when we drop him off. Its all kisses and hugs and see you later. He found his groove and I was feeling awesome that things were going so well.
And then my phone rang one day this week and hearing the center's director on the other end, my heart took a time out. He was ok, but another kid bit him-- on the BACK! so he didn't even see it coming. Poor fella. He cried, but not for too long. She told me it "looks scraped" but didn't break the skin.
Well when he got home that day and I saw what this bite remnant actually looked like I wanted to both cry and start a manhunt for this Mini-Hannibal Lecter. At that moment I understood why it is against their policy to tell the parents of the bitee who the biter was.
Apparently at daycare, at this age, bites are not uncommon. Toddlers love to swarm together and are often right on top of each other and in that sense they are sometimes hard to prevent. The center did a good job of laying out how they approach these situations, who they have brought in for extra teacher training to this end, and how they have handled the more severe situations in the past. But even knowing all of this, it makes me go back and question whether it was the right thing to do to start sending him. Or whether it is the right thing to do not to wrap him in bubble wrap and attach him to my leg so he will never stray or get hurt or be in trouble ever ever in his lifetime.
The good thing is, outside of a cringe when I touch where his marks are, he doesn't seem phased by it. He didn't cry that day when i picked him up and he didn't hesitate in the slightest going back the next day. And that is my main concern, that he is happy, and ok. And that I can sneak some kind of forensics into that classroom and analyze teeth shape to match the bitemarks and slap a face mask on the culprit!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Roseola Shmoseola
Well, the important thing is that my brothers wedding was a success in every way, including AJs triumphant march (borderline run) down the aisle. I was such a proud momma! Unfortunately his good spirits faded after a few hours, his fever returning and after a missed nap, he was just craving sleep. I'm so happy he was able to be part of the day though, my heart would've broken even more if he didn't make it there at all.
It turns out, he probably had roseola. His fever lasted Wednesday night til Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon his rash showed up just like clockwork. It went away today, Tuesday. Dr. Google has given me conflicting information as to whether this is something you can only get once, but at lest now I know what to expect, and the real pediatrician was helpful. His nose is still pouring "yuckys" and he is coughing it out, but he is fever and rash free, and is back to a very healthy appetite.
The scariest part of the last week, though, was last night. Perhaps related, perhaps not, about 3 hours after going down to sleep, he woke up SCREAMING like I have never heard. High pitched truly fearful screaming at the top of his lungs. He was totally asleep the whole time, and it took a while to snap him out of it and calm him down. Poor baby! But I will admit. This past week, the few nights I got to sit with him in the glider and have him fall asleep on me, with a little snore from his stuffy nose, were totally precious.
It turns out, he probably had roseola. His fever lasted Wednesday night til Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon his rash showed up just like clockwork. It went away today, Tuesday. Dr. Google has given me conflicting information as to whether this is something you can only get once, but at lest now I know what to expect, and the real pediatrician was helpful. His nose is still pouring "yuckys" and he is coughing it out, but he is fever and rash free, and is back to a very healthy appetite.
The scariest part of the last week, though, was last night. Perhaps related, perhaps not, about 3 hours after going down to sleep, he woke up SCREAMING like I have never heard. High pitched truly fearful screaming at the top of his lungs. He was totally asleep the whole time, and it took a while to snap him out of it and calm him down. Poor baby! But I will admit. This past week, the few nights I got to sit with him in the glider and have him fall asleep on me, with a little snore from his stuffy nose, were totally precious.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Firsts
AJ is at that amazing age where everyday is literally a new accomplishment. The 'language explosion' I read so much about is not an urban legend. Over the past month he has started to say so many more words, and although they are still mainly a language that only Joe and i can understand, he clearly has an identifier for so many things. Over the summer while we were in Lake George, he said his first 2-word combo: "more please". It happened so fast I had to ask someone else if they heard it too, and like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot, we didn't have another sighting for quite sometime so I still questioned its existence. Then the past 2 weeks he came out with "too big" and "no more" distinctly and repeatedly! SO proud of him!
Daycare transition is going ok. Drop offs are still really tough and he clings to us, but I am very comfortable with his teachers, that they are attending to his needs especially when he first gets there. And the details of his day that they can tell me about are really meaningful, and that makes me feel so much better. Everyday we get a write up of activities they did, as well as how long he slept,what he ate and the diaper situation. ts fun to come home and ask him about the specific things they noted and see hm react, like "AJ, did you jump and stretch today" and he does it (well, still cant quite jump but tries!) or teh fact that he can complete the words to Twinkle Twinkle Little STar when thats not in our top 40 playlist at home, but I know he sings it in school. So, while I still wish I could be with him every second, he is happy when he comes home, and other than atypical short naps, he seems to be happy while he is there.
The inevitable downside to daycare happened just 2 weeks in, AJs first cold. This kid barely sniffled the first 19 months of his life, and now we've got a snot fountain, a tiny fever and a bit of a cough. I expected this (thought maybe not quite so soon) but I did not expect that Joe and I would catch it almost immediately. We're 3 peas in a pod home sick today, trying desperately to ingest as many vitamin packed foods as possible in order to recover in time for Uncle Joeys wedding this weekend. Despite being under the weather, AJ remains in mostly good spirits, except if I DARE try to wipe his nose. Ah well, a milestone nonetheless!
Daycare transition is going ok. Drop offs are still really tough and he clings to us, but I am very comfortable with his teachers, that they are attending to his needs especially when he first gets there. And the details of his day that they can tell me about are really meaningful, and that makes me feel so much better. Everyday we get a write up of activities they did, as well as how long he slept,what he ate and the diaper situation. ts fun to come home and ask him about the specific things they noted and see hm react, like "AJ, did you jump and stretch today" and he does it (well, still cant quite jump but tries!) or teh fact that he can complete the words to Twinkle Twinkle Little STar when thats not in our top 40 playlist at home, but I know he sings it in school. So, while I still wish I could be with him every second, he is happy when he comes home, and other than atypical short naps, he seems to be happy while he is there.
The inevitable downside to daycare happened just 2 weeks in, AJs first cold. This kid barely sniffled the first 19 months of his life, and now we've got a snot fountain, a tiny fever and a bit of a cough. I expected this (thought maybe not quite so soon) but I did not expect that Joe and I would catch it almost immediately. We're 3 peas in a pod home sick today, trying desperately to ingest as many vitamin packed foods as possible in order to recover in time for Uncle Joeys wedding this weekend. Despite being under the weather, AJ remains in mostly good spirits, except if I DARE try to wipe his nose. Ah well, a milestone nonetheless!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
How much is too much?
Last week Joe took AJ to ‘visit’ daycare, and he seemed to have
a great time! We wanted to get him used to seeing it/being there before we just
drop him off the first day. AJ hasn’t had
a ton of exposure to other kids, so I was afraid of how he would react. Joe sent me a ton of pictures while they were
there and while AJ was on the timid side, he did like it and smile a lot and
then did not want to leave!
So today, I took him for his second visit so I could see how
he did for myself. Similar to his last
visit he was a bit reserved. The other kids,
who are used to being there, are much more vocal and sometimes rambunctious
(especially the ones who are almost 2 years old and will be moving on
soon). AJ didn’t cling to me, but did
look for me and sometimes grabbed my finger the way he always does when he wants
to bring me somewhere. He played with
the toys, but stayed near the back of the pack most of the time. He sat down like a big boy during snack time,
and other than trying to shove an entire apple slice in his mouth at once,
loved his snack and was the last one to leave the table.
Mom however, was pretty much a wreck. I held it together while we were there but
once we got home and I called Joe, I was sobbing with rivers of tears streaming
down my face. I don’t think I am questioning
our decision to send him, but I think I’m fully grasping the impact of him not
having one-on-one attention day in and day out.
I’m wondering whether his being new and a bit shy will mean he won’t get
the same interaction from teachers that the other kids will. Will they ask him what color things are so
that he learns? Will they make him count
to 5 like Mommy does 10x a day because it’s so freaking adorable? Will they have enough eyeballs on him to make
sure he doesn’t choke on entire apple slices or whole graham crackers?? I’ve never done this before, so I don’t know
how much worry is the normal amount of worry or whether my mommy instinct is
trying to give me warning signs. Or is
this the natural inclination to try and protect him and want to keep him in a
little pouch like a kangaroo?
Like every other transition he has been through, my guess is
that he will be unfazed and my worry will far outpace any resulting bumps or
boo-boos he might get at day care. I
just want him to stay the amazing happy kid that he is, always.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Updates.
Well, I wasnt intending to ignore this blog for 2 months, and then life was happening and, ooops, its now the end of August. I feel like Ive been slacking terribly in my attempt to keep up with documenting what AJ is up to for my memory, if not your enjoyment!
At 18 months we have a very energetic little boy on our hands. Walking, running, throwing, climbing, talking, tooth brushing, its too much fun! He is trying to say words or talking to hear himself talk almost every minute of the day. He makes an attempt to repeat words you say to him (he even counts to 4 with help!) but my favorite noise that he makes is "dadoo" . He says it over and over again while running across the living room or hiding in our closet. Oh yes, lots of hiding. He will run and hide in the same places al the time (usually a corner in plain sight) and then, once he is good and ready-- which can be MINUTES-- he will finally look up or come out and say BOO! But most times he waits quietly and patiently for you to find him. I tell you it will be scary if he ever hides for real, I may never find him!
I'm still feeling totally inept at feeding him. Even though we're past the food allergies and I have incorporated yogurt and cheese into his diet (still too scared to try eggs straight, but will try them IN things) I feel like I feed him the same things over and over and over. And part of my issue, I know, is my own old hang ups with food and concern over making sure he is eating as nutritiously as possible. Some days though, I wonder if I'm doing him a disservice. He grew in the past 3 months and gained less than a pound... the doctor is not concerned and his development is right on track.... so why do I panic if I give him white pasta more than once a week? He sometimes eats what we eat, but his 7 little teeth cant always handle the meaty stuff. Ugh, anyway, I'm trying to relax more and find new ideas and not panic over every little thing. He did eat brussel sprouts the other night! Meaning I probably could've tried them months ago! I think I need to sing the 'Confidence' song from The Sound of Music daily.
At 18 months we have a very energetic little boy on our hands. Walking, running, throwing, climbing, talking, tooth brushing, its too much fun! He is trying to say words or talking to hear himself talk almost every minute of the day. He makes an attempt to repeat words you say to him (he even counts to 4 with help!) but my favorite noise that he makes is "dadoo" . He says it over and over again while running across the living room or hiding in our closet. Oh yes, lots of hiding. He will run and hide in the same places al the time (usually a corner in plain sight) and then, once he is good and ready-- which can be MINUTES-- he will finally look up or come out and say BOO! But most times he waits quietly and patiently for you to find him. I tell you it will be scary if he ever hides for real, I may never find him!
I'm still feeling totally inept at feeding him. Even though we're past the food allergies and I have incorporated yogurt and cheese into his diet (still too scared to try eggs straight, but will try them IN things) I feel like I feed him the same things over and over and over. And part of my issue, I know, is my own old hang ups with food and concern over making sure he is eating as nutritiously as possible. Some days though, I wonder if I'm doing him a disservice. He grew in the past 3 months and gained less than a pound... the doctor is not concerned and his development is right on track.... so why do I panic if I give him white pasta more than once a week? He sometimes eats what we eat, but his 7 little teeth cant always handle the meaty stuff. Ugh, anyway, I'm trying to relax more and find new ideas and not panic over every little thing. He did eat brussel sprouts the other night! Meaning I probably could've tried them months ago! I think I need to sing the 'Confidence' song from The Sound of Music daily.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Cherish
You would think that after almost 16 months I would have accepted the enormity of the love that I have for AJ, but it still amazes me. The past 2 weeks I have had a few observations as AJ seems to be developing by leaps and bounds.
1. I literally daydream about what I would do if I were home with him every day. I know I know, the grass is always greener. But one day this week I left work and ran to Whole Foods to grab lunch, and I saw moms and babies and moms and toddlers, and I thought jeez, I'd totally take AJ food shopping! We've been getting groceries delivered literally since he was born, so except for a trip or 2 here or there, its not something AJ and I do together regularly. This quickly morphed into thinking about taking him on picnics, and up to the beach, and thinking about how he'd react to the seagulls flying around, and whether or not he'd be scared of the ocean waves. Story time at the library, or lunch with grandma and grandpa. The weekends are just too short, but we do try to do one thing to together each weekend, just mommy and AJ.
2. As much as I try to soak AJ in when I do have time with him, and despite the fact that my hard drive is busting at the seams with the number of pictures Ive taken to try to capture all of his moments, I am petrified that I'm going to forget the little details that are making each and every day with him so special. This weekend he was babbling so many new noises, they were hysterical, he really thinks he is talking. He tries to say so many words now and his memory is incredible. He loves playing on the grass, and loves picking up rocks and collecting sticks when we are at the park. I never thought teaching him to take 'one' Cheerio rather than his typical fist-ful would be a moment that filled me with pride, but it did. Every day is a new discovery and my merely mortal memory can't retain all the mini-moments with the kind of accuracy my heart wishes for. I just want to bottle every moment. If nothing else I guess it has taught me that I have to be better about documenting these little things in some way, whether its his baby book, a journal or blog I feel like I have to record it somewhere.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Roasted Chicken Thighs
Roasted Chicken Thighs... not some witty way of referring to AJs legs. He hasnt had chicken thighs since about 3 weeks old. Although he grew 1/2 an inch between 12 and 15 months, his legs remain cushioned with ample pudge... just calling for tickling fingers!
I'm actually literally referring to roasted chicken thighs, which I just took out of the oven. My latest endeavor to get AJ to eat actual meat. His typical reaction to meat of any non-babyfood kind is to put it in his mouth, then stick out his tongue and precisely remove said meat, placing it on his high chair. But, mom isnt giving up and today we're trying something new.
I remember when I was pregnant and I went back to easting whole eggs (instead of just whites)-- it was like I rediscovered food! Whole eggs are SO GOOD! How did I ever convince myself that the whites alone were good enough? Thats how I felt today with the chicken. I was squarely in the white meat only camp for so long that I forgot the juicyness that is some dark meat. If I can't convince AJ of this deliciousness, we may very well have a vegetarian on our hands!
In the past 2 months since I last blogged, its like we got a different kid! He's walking-- most of the time first grabbing my finger and dragging me wherever he wants to go, just for a little more balance, but he's doing it! He has so many 'words' now also, trying to repeat what we say even if much of it sounds similar. I love to hear his daily babble, when hes playing alone or when he gets very excited about something. He's probably sick of my quizzing him on what all the animals say but his lion roar is just too precious to go more than a few hours without hearing. He still loves books, but Im noticing he gets bored more quickly so we have to swap out the rotation every few days. Aj is also starting to communicate his preferences with vigor. Well, more like when he doesnt want to do something he will surely let you know. I see glimpses of tantrums in our future and I am pre-summoning as much patience as I can.
Oh, we finally got some more teeth too! The count if 4 and climbing... 3 on bottom and one lone front tooth so far. He asks to brush them about 10x a day but I'm still too nervous to use even baby toothpaste.
Ah and with that, I hear him up from his nap. Some how in the last few weeks his wake up time has moved from 6:15am to 5:30am and I'm just not sure how to change that, other than becoming an early bird myself. Not the worst thing, an extra half hour-45 mins with him in the morning is kind of a nice treat!
I'm actually literally referring to roasted chicken thighs, which I just took out of the oven. My latest endeavor to get AJ to eat actual meat. His typical reaction to meat of any non-babyfood kind is to put it in his mouth, then stick out his tongue and precisely remove said meat, placing it on his high chair. But, mom isnt giving up and today we're trying something new.
I remember when I was pregnant and I went back to easting whole eggs (instead of just whites)-- it was like I rediscovered food! Whole eggs are SO GOOD! How did I ever convince myself that the whites alone were good enough? Thats how I felt today with the chicken. I was squarely in the white meat only camp for so long that I forgot the juicyness that is some dark meat. If I can't convince AJ of this deliciousness, we may very well have a vegetarian on our hands!
In the past 2 months since I last blogged, its like we got a different kid! He's walking-- most of the time first grabbing my finger and dragging me wherever he wants to go, just for a little more balance, but he's doing it! He has so many 'words' now also, trying to repeat what we say even if much of it sounds similar. I love to hear his daily babble, when hes playing alone or when he gets very excited about something. He's probably sick of my quizzing him on what all the animals say but his lion roar is just too precious to go more than a few hours without hearing. He still loves books, but Im noticing he gets bored more quickly so we have to swap out the rotation every few days. Aj is also starting to communicate his preferences with vigor. Well, more like when he doesnt want to do something he will surely let you know. I see glimpses of tantrums in our future and I am pre-summoning as much patience as I can.
Oh, we finally got some more teeth too! The count if 4 and climbing... 3 on bottom and one lone front tooth so far. He asks to brush them about 10x a day but I'm still too nervous to use even baby toothpaste.
Ah and with that, I hear him up from his nap. Some how in the last few weeks his wake up time has moved from 6:15am to 5:30am and I'm just not sure how to change that, other than becoming an early bird myself. Not the worst thing, an extra half hour-45 mins with him in the morning is kind of a nice treat!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Just Kidding
So I'm not a doctor, and I'm not really sure how allergies work beyond the basics, but this one has got me totally thrown. Saturday AJ had a reaction to eggs. If you are keeping score, the progression has gone like this:
~2 months ago: yolks, no reaction
~1 month ago: whole egg, no reaction
Florida 3 weeks ago: whole egg (undercooked?), a few hives all of a sudden while he ate
Last week: Whole egg twice in the week, no reaction
Saturday:
Egg for lunch (ate the whole thing), red spots on face, or just messy eating?
Wake up from nap, hives on his face, ears very red and starting to swell(?!), followed by hives on neck, redness and hives on his legs, under arms and on belly.
Poor kiddo! Although none of this seemed to phase him at all...so I guess poor mom and dad is more like it.
I had no idea your ears could swell from an allergy. So, AJ got his first dose of Benedryl ever on Saturday and symptoms subsided within 30 minutes. I don't know if the level of egg cooked-ness is a real thing or not, and maybe he'd be fine eating something with egg as an ingredient, but I'm not really very eager to try.
In happier news, AJ loves being outside now that the weather is nicer! He constantly asks to go over to the window or door with an aggressive point of his arm. He's been 'walking' holding our fingers more and more and even though when he tries to say most words they come out as "da" "ba" or "ka" he actually does have consistent words for 'up' (puh), 'milk' (ka), and 'car' (ca), not to be confused with his word for 'vacuum' which is more like a German back of the throat kkkkkkkkkaaaaa or the sound you would make if you swallowed a bug. He is obsessed with the vacuum. Even the swiffer will due in absence of a vacuum. The cutest thing lately though is if you ask him if he has smelly feet, he reaches down to get his foot and smells it with a nose inhale sound and all. He also plays peekaboo with himself in the mirror when he wakes up in the morning. He has been much more willing to give mommy hugs and 'cuddle' with daddy, which he learned from one of his books, called (of course) "Cuddle". He got a stuffed animal for Easter which he immediately hugged, as he does his other stuffed animals. It is beyond adorable to see him start to show affection, and even kind of know what it means. Almost 14 months old... where did the time go!
~2 months ago: yolks, no reaction
~1 month ago: whole egg, no reaction
Florida 3 weeks ago: whole egg (undercooked?), a few hives all of a sudden while he ate
Last week: Whole egg twice in the week, no reaction
Saturday:
Egg for lunch (ate the whole thing), red spots on face, or just messy eating?
Wake up from nap, hives on his face, ears very red and starting to swell(?!), followed by hives on neck, redness and hives on his legs, under arms and on belly.
Poor kiddo! Although none of this seemed to phase him at all...so I guess poor mom and dad is more like it.
I had no idea your ears could swell from an allergy. So, AJ got his first dose of Benedryl ever on Saturday and symptoms subsided within 30 minutes. I don't know if the level of egg cooked-ness is a real thing or not, and maybe he'd be fine eating something with egg as an ingredient, but I'm not really very eager to try.
In happier news, AJ loves being outside now that the weather is nicer! He constantly asks to go over to the window or door with an aggressive point of his arm. He's been 'walking' holding our fingers more and more and even though when he tries to say most words they come out as "da" "ba" or "ka" he actually does have consistent words for 'up' (puh), 'milk' (ka), and 'car' (ca), not to be confused with his word for 'vacuum' which is more like a German back of the throat kkkkkkkkkaaaaa or the sound you would make if you swallowed a bug. He is obsessed with the vacuum. Even the swiffer will due in absence of a vacuum. The cutest thing lately though is if you ask him if he has smelly feet, he reaches down to get his foot and smells it with a nose inhale sound and all. He also plays peekaboo with himself in the mirror when he wakes up in the morning. He has been much more willing to give mommy hugs and 'cuddle' with daddy, which he learned from one of his books, called (of course) "Cuddle". He got a stuffed animal for Easter which he immediately hugged, as he does his other stuffed animals. It is beyond adorable to see him start to show affection, and even kind of know what it means. Almost 14 months old... where did the time go!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Worry of the Day
Since there probably is a new worry every day, sometimes founded, sometimes paranoid, here is today's:
When do we teach AJ that his name is actually Anthony? I picture him on the first day of Kindergarten as his new teacher is taking attendance, and not answering when they say Anthony, and just sitting quietly hopeful that at some point in the list the teacher will say AJ. Because as a Kindergartener, that's what I would've done. We will definitely have to teach him to not be as polite as his mom.
Ooof. Still better than teaching him hamburger = cow.
When do we teach AJ that his name is actually Anthony? I picture him on the first day of Kindergarten as his new teacher is taking attendance, and not answering when they say Anthony, and just sitting quietly hopeful that at some point in the list the teacher will say AJ. Because as a Kindergartener, that's what I would've done. We will definitely have to teach him to not be as polite as his mom.
Ooof. Still better than teaching him hamburger = cow.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Reversal of Fortune
As it turns out, AJ is not allergic to eggs after all. We tried again this weekend and he had no reaction, and actually ate the whole thing. I don't know what happened last attempt but he is apparently over it, and I am rejoicing to have one more food to be able to give him.
This weekend we also tried salmon for the first time. Perhaps it was because he was also having awesome, delicious sweet potato, but he hated the salmon. Like, wouldnt even pick it up. When he accidentally got some in his mouth he made a terrible face and picked it off his tongue. Hilarious. But the funny part for me was when I enthusiastically announced "AJ, we're having fish for dinner!' and he started to make the fishy noise that he makes when we see pet goldfish. Oh my gosh. Panic. Someday I will have to explain that we eat animals. The animals that he plays with plastic toy replicas of and lovingly makes their sounds. In all of my anticipatory worry about parenthood, that was not a question I thought of! Maybe we will just be vegetarians and I can avoid the topic forever!
This weekend we also tried salmon for the first time. Perhaps it was because he was also having awesome, delicious sweet potato, but he hated the salmon. Like, wouldnt even pick it up. When he accidentally got some in his mouth he made a terrible face and picked it off his tongue. Hilarious. But the funny part for me was when I enthusiastically announced "AJ, we're having fish for dinner!' and he started to make the fishy noise that he makes when we see pet goldfish. Oh my gosh. Panic. Someday I will have to explain that we eat animals. The animals that he plays with plastic toy replicas of and lovingly makes their sounds. In all of my anticipatory worry about parenthood, that was not a question I thought of! Maybe we will just be vegetarians and I can avoid the topic forever!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Everything Must Go!
In the 20 days since my last update, I'm [fill in undecided feeling here] to say that I have successfully gotten down to producing almost no milk, and I accomplished this without a major mental/hormonal breakdown. It was certainly convenient not to lug a big pump with me down the eastern seaboard, and also nice to not have to stop what I was doing at some point in the day to pump. I'm left now with: a recurring thought that there is something I forgot to do, an occasional need to pump the tiniest bit (literally drops), a little more time in the day, a minute to minute fear that I am putting weight back on, and, bras from pre-pregnancy that are too big on me, not awesome. So... I guess that's it? No confetti or anything? :-)
In other news, AJ had a successful first plane ride and an unsuccessful second trial of whole eggs. I am also amazed to see that most unflavored soy milk still has sugar added, and how far I have to dig to find the ones without added sugar. I assume I am doing the right thing... does a 1 year old really need evaporated cane juice? This week we will probably try tofu. In what form, I don't know yet.
My best guess is that he will be walking for real sometime in the next month. He bravely takes a step or 2 at a time and then usually falls, but he does keep trying! And he can definitely do an ok job walking if he is holding on to my finger. His personality came out even more while we were on vacation. Such a silly boy, and so excited about everything, especially the dog! Another high point was when the kid 2 rows ahead of us on the plane kept screaming-- not crying, just randomly SCREAMING , and AJ put his hands over his ears. I didnt even know he knew how to do that! Seriously, he cracks me up every day!
In other news, AJ had a successful first plane ride and an unsuccessful second trial of whole eggs. I am also amazed to see that most unflavored soy milk still has sugar added, and how far I have to dig to find the ones without added sugar. I assume I am doing the right thing... does a 1 year old really need evaporated cane juice? This week we will probably try tofu. In what form, I don't know yet.
My best guess is that he will be walking for real sometime in the next month. He bravely takes a step or 2 at a time and then usually falls, but he does keep trying! And he can definitely do an ok job walking if he is holding on to my finger. His personality came out even more while we were on vacation. Such a silly boy, and so excited about everything, especially the dog! Another high point was when the kid 2 rows ahead of us on the plane kept screaming-- not crying, just randomly SCREAMING , and AJ put his hands over his ears. I didnt even know he knew how to do that! Seriously, he cracks me up every day!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Psychological/Biological/Illogical?
Something is up.
This past week I got the first pimple I've had on my face since first trimester of pregnancy. Two actually.
Yesterday I had to take a nap (a nap?!) because I was totally exhausted and could seriously no longer function. I woke up this morning and could. not. move. Its a cross between as exhausted as I was during pregnancy, and what i can only describe as feeling like thick mud is moving through my veins.
I've gotten more than one sideways glance from Joe this week for snappy answers I gave to pretty innocent questions.
This week I also fully cut out one of my remaining three pumping sessions of the day, and have been decreasing the amount I pump at the other two. It took me a full week to adjust to moving from 2 to 3 but comfort/discomfort wise, I'm fine now. The other times of day I'm not even getting as much, so.... I guess its working.
Except whatever the F is happening as my hormones try to figure themselves out. I don't think its a coincidence that these things are linked, and Dr. Google has provided enough evidence that I don't think I'm making it up. The truth is I've been feeling basically amazing since pregnancy, counting out first trimester and the couple of times I was a crazed paranoid maniac during the third. Sure I was a little weepy in the week or so that followed AJ being born, but overall I have never felt better in the 11 months that followed-- physically and mentally. And I think its all about to come to a screeching halt.
This past week I got the first pimple I've had on my face since first trimester of pregnancy. Two actually.
Yesterday I had to take a nap (a nap?!) because I was totally exhausted and could seriously no longer function. I woke up this morning and could. not. move. Its a cross between as exhausted as I was during pregnancy, and what i can only describe as feeling like thick mud is moving through my veins.
I've gotten more than one sideways glance from Joe this week for snappy answers I gave to pretty innocent questions.
This week I also fully cut out one of my remaining three pumping sessions of the day, and have been decreasing the amount I pump at the other two. It took me a full week to adjust to moving from 2 to 3 but comfort/discomfort wise, I'm fine now. The other times of day I'm not even getting as much, so.... I guess its working.
Except whatever the F is happening as my hormones try to figure themselves out. I don't think its a coincidence that these things are linked, and Dr. Google has provided enough evidence that I don't think I'm making it up. The truth is I've been feeling basically amazing since pregnancy, counting out first trimester and the couple of times I was a crazed paranoid maniac during the third. Sure I was a little weepy in the week or so that followed AJ being born, but overall I have never felt better in the 11 months that followed-- physically and mentally. And I think its all about to come to a screeching halt.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
To the left, to the left
We have embarked on the journey of soymilk! Rosy, rashy cheeks are gone and so far AJ has taken very well to a few ounces in his bottles. In fact he hasn't seemed to notice a change in taste and I'm hopeful that this will continue as I increase the soymilk proportion over the next few weeks.
That means the time has come-- I really can phase out pumping. If you asked me 9 months ago when I first returned to work and was pumping 6-7 times every 24 hours, I never would have thought I'd get here. Once I got down to fewer times per day, like 3 or 4, I started to appreciate the time rather than feel like it was ruling my entire life. I could read a little, zone out watching TV, just have a few minutes to myself over the course of the day. In a way I will miss that. I also feel like this is the last thing I've got going that makes me say 'wow, our bodies are amazing!' which I said daily during pregnancy. I will miss feeling like a bit of a superhero. And of course, long gone will be the days when what AJ would consume in a day was something I didnt have to think about or plan. I already miss that. Oh real food, why wont you prepare yourself??
But there is one thing that I will not miss. Since 2 days after AJ was born, my boobs have been noticeably lopsided. I have no idea what I did to make one side so crazy, but I haven't been able to regulate supply on that side to equal the other. I will not miss that, and I really hope that when the milk production facility finally closes up shop, that I'm not left with still lopsided-ness. Because among other things, I really cant wait to get fitted for new bras.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Rosy Cheeks
No, not a cute Valentines day pun... more like, I think AJ has an allergy. On Sunday he had yogurt for lunch, and an abundance of kisses from his grandparents for dessert. Shortly after, his cheeks and chin got super red and splotchy and bumpy. I attributed it to more kisses than usual (so hard to resist) including facial hair and lipstick (don't worry, not on the same person). But when it happened again yesterday after more yogurt and no kisses... its not looking so good. As reactions go, some face splotchiness isnt so bad, but Mondays reaction was worse than Sunday's so needless to say, no more yogurt.
Whats odd is that he has had yogurt in jar food mixes for over a month with no ill effects... but I have read that this can happen suddenly. I'm not sure this fares so well for our transition to milk, but the doctor will make that call. Supposedly kids can outgrow dairy allergies (if that is in fact what this is) so we will see. And to think, I ate all that cheese and drank all that milk during pregnancy how could his body not love it!
Whats odd is that he has had yogurt in jar food mixes for over a month with no ill effects... but I have read that this can happen suddenly. I'm not sure this fares so well for our transition to milk, but the doctor will make that call. Supposedly kids can outgrow dairy allergies (if that is in fact what this is) so we will see. And to think, I ate all that cheese and drank all that milk during pregnancy how could his body not love it!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Resolution check-in
Right after the new year I posted about my New Years Resolutions. Now that we're into February, let's do a little check in.
-Multitask less. The intention here is to give more of my undivided attention to whatever it is that I am doing. Grade: D-
Let's face it, a D- is basically and F. I'm really not sure how to get better at this.
-Start working out again. I thought my expectations were pretty reasonable here. 3x a week at home plus yoga once a week.
Grade: C I've worked out a total of 6 times since the beginning of the year and gone to yoga zero times. Not total failure but certainly still room for improvement. I think a C is generous.
-Cut the pump cord by April. Can't really do anything on this until the doctor clears AJ to start having Milk, but I have been trying to mentally prepare myself. Also, I have started to decrease the amount I pump at mid-day. Grade: B
-Declutter this house. This one is temporarily on hold but I did clean out and reorganize my closet. Also, this will get a ginormous kick start when we start kitchen construction (more like entire first floor construction) in March. I am secretly thrilled.
Grade: TBD
-Cook more. My goal was 2x a week.
Grade: B-
This wasn't a very lofty goal but I'm still struggling with it a bit. Some weeks its great, Other weeks its a lot of cereal. But at least I have been making sure AJ has cut up veggies and fruit. I think this one will continue to improve, as I get more organized with my shopping list too.
So.... I still have some work to do. But these are all still important and really not too much to ask. Onward and upward!
-Multitask less. The intention here is to give more of my undivided attention to whatever it is that I am doing. Grade: D-
Let's face it, a D- is basically and F. I'm really not sure how to get better at this.
-Start working out again. I thought my expectations were pretty reasonable here. 3x a week at home plus yoga once a week.
Grade: C I've worked out a total of 6 times since the beginning of the year and gone to yoga zero times. Not total failure but certainly still room for improvement. I think a C is generous.
-Cut the pump cord by April. Can't really do anything on this until the doctor clears AJ to start having Milk, but I have been trying to mentally prepare myself. Also, I have started to decrease the amount I pump at mid-day. Grade: B
-Declutter this house. This one is temporarily on hold but I did clean out and reorganize my closet. Also, this will get a ginormous kick start when we start kitchen construction (more like entire first floor construction) in March. I am secretly thrilled.
Grade: TBD
-Cook more. My goal was 2x a week.
Grade: B-
This wasn't a very lofty goal but I'm still struggling with it a bit. Some weeks its great, Other weeks its a lot of cereal. But at least I have been making sure AJ has cut up veggies and fruit. I think this one will continue to improve, as I get more organized with my shopping list too.
So.... I still have some work to do. But these are all still important and really not too much to ask. Onward and upward!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Taters for my Tot
I conquered a bit of my food fear with AJ this week. My cousin suggested the very obvious but totally foreign to me idea of cooking a potato and giving it to AJ. Duh. Why didn't I think of this.
So Monday evening I stuck 2 potatoes in the oven and baked them in nothing but foil (the chef I am!). Once they were done I cut them up into tiny pieces and wouldn't you know-- perfect finger food and AJ loved them. Actually I loved them too. I don't know what kind of potatoes these were but for not having one drop of butter or salt they were delicious. So then I steamed some carrots so we'd have them on hand too. AJ loved them both and ate them all by himself. Once again, oh mommy of little faith, I was proven wrong and my little guy is obviously well up to the task and took it all in stride. Remind me of this when he starts daycare, starts school, learns to ride a bike, etc etc etc etc.
I still have no idea how to give him non-babyfood meat, nor what portions and distribution of food groups to give him but this is progress.
As I've said every single month, THIS IS THE BEST AGE! Despite his clinginess which does get pretty difficult, I adore the fact that he is getting so curious and that he just understands so much. One of my new favorites is singing "where is thumbkin" to him. We just started this over the weekend, and tonight when I sag it to him right away he held out his hands and started moving his fingers. he doesn't hold the right one up but who cares! He totally gets it. Oh man, just totally in love.
So Monday evening I stuck 2 potatoes in the oven and baked them in nothing but foil (the chef I am!). Once they were done I cut them up into tiny pieces and wouldn't you know-- perfect finger food and AJ loved them. Actually I loved them too. I don't know what kind of potatoes these were but for not having one drop of butter or salt they were delicious. So then I steamed some carrots so we'd have them on hand too. AJ loved them both and ate them all by himself. Once again, oh mommy of little faith, I was proven wrong and my little guy is obviously well up to the task and took it all in stride. Remind me of this when he starts daycare, starts school, learns to ride a bike, etc etc etc etc.
I still have no idea how to give him non-babyfood meat, nor what portions and distribution of food groups to give him but this is progress.
As I've said every single month, THIS IS THE BEST AGE! Despite his clinginess which does get pretty difficult, I adore the fact that he is getting so curious and that he just understands so much. One of my new favorites is singing "where is thumbkin" to him. We just started this over the weekend, and tonight when I sag it to him right away he held out his hands and started moving his fingers. he doesn't hold the right one up but who cares! He totally gets it. Oh man, just totally in love.
Monday, January 16, 2012
In the dumps
I just don't know where I will come up with ideas to blog about after I stop pumping. It's seriously an endless source of mental energy. Today marks a full week that I have been dumping some, if not all, of my milk every day. I have never been so thankful for my freezer stash. Last Sunday night I started to feel sick. Like really sick. I thought I had escaped the super-germ that Joe got after Christmas but sure as Murphy's Law would have it, I got it the day before I was to leave for Vegas for 4 days. Sunday night my throat and head hurt so much, that I got up at 2 am and actually took cough medicine. This is saying a lot since (outside of C section meds) I have not taken even a single Tylenol since getting pregnant. But I didn't think I would make it, so I took it knowing that I would have to dump the last milk I'd have the opportunity to pump before leaving on Monday morning.
Now, I have no idea if I am overly cautious when it comes to getting rid of milk that may or may not be tainted with OTC cold remedies. But the guilt that ensued back when I was in my first trimester prevailed and (rather than calling the doctor) I just err on the side of caution.
Then I was in Vegas for 4 days. I never liked Vegas. I liked it even less when I had to think about accommodating time to pump within a ridiculous trade show and client meeting and client dinner schedule, with a time change on top of it. Needless to say it wasn't easy, but I did ok. I was obviously just pumping for supply upkeep and even if I wasn't downing Dayquil and Nyquil like it was my job, I wouldn't have made any attempt to get this milk home. Well, between a few missed pumping sessions and-- I think moreso-- probable borderline dehydration from walking one million square feet of convention center space and 4 days of decongestants, my supply has finally dipped. I think today will be the last day I take anything, so I can start giving AJ some fresh milk again, but right now I am not pumping enough to cover his daily intake so we'll still be mixing with frozen.
I'd like to go on a frozen milk tangent for a moment. AJ doesn't seem to notice a difference.... but frozen milk, to me, smells like freezer burn. It just gets a little funny. It not bad, or sour, but its not the same. If I had a dollar for every time I Googled something about frozen breastmilk, I could quit my job.
Anyway, I know what I can do to increase supply, but now I'm thinking, AJ is 11 months old today. Within 4-6 weeks we will start transitioning him to regular milk (cue panic about cows milk hormones)...so I could probably be ok between what I'm pumping and what I have frozen. Its more of a mental hurdle than anything else. So we'll see. I thank Dayquil, and I especially thank Mucinex, without which I would not have regained the ability to speak. But at the same time I am really looking forward to being medication free.
Now, I have no idea if I am overly cautious when it comes to getting rid of milk that may or may not be tainted with OTC cold remedies. But the guilt that ensued back when I was in my first trimester prevailed and (rather than calling the doctor) I just err on the side of caution.
Then I was in Vegas for 4 days. I never liked Vegas. I liked it even less when I had to think about accommodating time to pump within a ridiculous trade show and client meeting and client dinner schedule, with a time change on top of it. Needless to say it wasn't easy, but I did ok. I was obviously just pumping for supply upkeep and even if I wasn't downing Dayquil and Nyquil like it was my job, I wouldn't have made any attempt to get this milk home. Well, between a few missed pumping sessions and-- I think moreso-- probable borderline dehydration from walking one million square feet of convention center space and 4 days of decongestants, my supply has finally dipped. I think today will be the last day I take anything, so I can start giving AJ some fresh milk again, but right now I am not pumping enough to cover his daily intake so we'll still be mixing with frozen.
I'd like to go on a frozen milk tangent for a moment. AJ doesn't seem to notice a difference.... but frozen milk, to me, smells like freezer burn. It just gets a little funny. It not bad, or sour, but its not the same. If I had a dollar for every time I Googled something about frozen breastmilk, I could quit my job.
Anyway, I know what I can do to increase supply, but now I'm thinking, AJ is 11 months old today. Within 4-6 weeks we will start transitioning him to regular milk (cue panic about cows milk hormones)...so I could probably be ok between what I'm pumping and what I have frozen. Its more of a mental hurdle than anything else. So we'll see. I thank Dayquil, and I especially thank Mucinex, without which I would not have regained the ability to speak. But at the same time I am really looking forward to being medication free.
Monday, January 2, 2012
A New Year!
Happy 2012, and wow, I haven't written in about a month. I guess that is holiday craziness!
I think AJ had a great first Christmas. We didn't overdo it with gifts but somehow our house still looks like Toys R Us and he still enjoys playing with simple Christmas cards and empty plastic bottles. We saw ALL the families over the course of the week. It was busy but it was great to see everyone and they were, of course, thrilled to see AJ. I cannot believe that in a little over 6 weeks he will be a year old. Time is truly flying.
AJ continues to progress into toddler-hood. While he is still not saying ma-ma, he understands SO much! He got this farm toy thing and today I said "feed this to the cow" and he went over and put it in the cow's mouth. He also FINALLY started holding his own bottle....when he feels like it. But at least he is doing it! A few weeks ago we started giving him a sippy cup to get him used to it and he is really starting to get how it works. When I say "lift it up!" he does! It was so wonderful to be home with him for a while week. He must've thought so too because he was SUPER clingy to me every day! He gets to the point where he will not go to anyone else, even Joe, and sometimes he does not let me put him down. Towards the end of the week I figured out how to at least get him to play on the floor with me, as my back is really starting to hurt! But at the same time, I do cherish the closeness (I just worry about going back to work tomorrow and how he will do!)
One thing that is getting more and more difficult is figuring out what to feed him. Its the area I feel the most lost in. I guess he is doing fine since he gained 2 lbs in the past 2 months but I still wish I felt like I had a clue. He is still drinking 3-4 bottles a day, plus 3 meals of baby food a day. He doesnt finish his bottles anymore, but the DR said for the first year we should still try for most of his nutrition to come from the milk but consistently add other foods in. Thats the tough part. I'm giving him a pretty good variety of jarred baby foods, plus unsweetened applesauce, yogurt, and some mashed up fruit over the course of a week. But he is getting more and more interested when Joe and I eat and he REALLY wants to feed himself. He does not have anywhere near the dexterity (or interest) to feed himself with utensils so I need more food ideas that he can pick up with his fingers. Cheerios are great, but I'm having trouble with other things because he only has 2 teeth, and I have choking paranoia. I better read up on this, but I am open for suggestions too!
Well it is a new year so I should probably also post my 2012 resolutions. In no particular order:
-Multitask less. This may seem counterintuitive since I'm forever searching for a way to 'fit it all in' but especially towards the end of '11 I noticed that I haven't been giving anything full undivided attention. My brain is always a little bit somewhere else or on to the next thing. I think focusing more will be better for me, better for AJ, better for Joe, and better for whatever I'm doing.
-Start working out again. Ok, I have been totally riding the busy life/breastfeeding weight loss plan for 10 months. And its been pretty great. But (see below) milk production will not last forever, and though I'm at my lowest weight since the 90's I've clearly also lost ANY shred of fitness. I'm going to aim for 3 days a week of at least a short workout at home, plus one day of yoga. Once winter ends I will be anxious to start walking again with AJ!
-Cut the pump cord by April. Outside of AJ himself, one of the things I am most thankful for in this mom journey has been my ability to continue to be AJs main food source...well, at least food production facility...for all this time. I never imagined it would work out this way especially not with the many tears shed those first few weeks. After a year, when he can start drinking regular milk, it will be time to make the transition. As much as I have cursed that pump over the past many months I am a little sad to know that I'll be moving on. (And ok, as dysfunctional as this may be, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't petrified that once I stop I will gain 15 pounds back immediately.)
-Declutter this house. WE HAVE TOO MUCH (UNNECESSARY) STUFF! (AJs stuff is exempt)
-Cook more. Well AJs evolving eating habits are one reason for this but also I realized most of the cash I spend is on breakfast and lunches at work. Aside from not being the best food choices, I'm sure we can put that $ to better use. I have more yet to be made recipes bookmarked in my Google reader than I care to admit. I'll aim for 2x a week.
Ok, that should do it. Oh, and I also have to plan AJs first bday party. I think I will save the Very Hungry Caterpillar Extravaganza for Age 2.
I think AJ had a great first Christmas. We didn't overdo it with gifts but somehow our house still looks like Toys R Us and he still enjoys playing with simple Christmas cards and empty plastic bottles. We saw ALL the families over the course of the week. It was busy but it was great to see everyone and they were, of course, thrilled to see AJ. I cannot believe that in a little over 6 weeks he will be a year old. Time is truly flying.
AJ continues to progress into toddler-hood. While he is still not saying ma-ma, he understands SO much! He got this farm toy thing and today I said "feed this to the cow" and he went over and put it in the cow's mouth. He also FINALLY started holding his own bottle....when he feels like it. But at least he is doing it! A few weeks ago we started giving him a sippy cup to get him used to it and he is really starting to get how it works. When I say "lift it up!" he does! It was so wonderful to be home with him for a while week. He must've thought so too because he was SUPER clingy to me every day! He gets to the point where he will not go to anyone else, even Joe, and sometimes he does not let me put him down. Towards the end of the week I figured out how to at least get him to play on the floor with me, as my back is really starting to hurt! But at the same time, I do cherish the closeness (I just worry about going back to work tomorrow and how he will do!)
One thing that is getting more and more difficult is figuring out what to feed him. Its the area I feel the most lost in. I guess he is doing fine since he gained 2 lbs in the past 2 months but I still wish I felt like I had a clue. He is still drinking 3-4 bottles a day, plus 3 meals of baby food a day. He doesnt finish his bottles anymore, but the DR said for the first year we should still try for most of his nutrition to come from the milk but consistently add other foods in. Thats the tough part. I'm giving him a pretty good variety of jarred baby foods, plus unsweetened applesauce, yogurt, and some mashed up fruit over the course of a week. But he is getting more and more interested when Joe and I eat and he REALLY wants to feed himself. He does not have anywhere near the dexterity (or interest) to feed himself with utensils so I need more food ideas that he can pick up with his fingers. Cheerios are great, but I'm having trouble with other things because he only has 2 teeth, and I have choking paranoia. I better read up on this, but I am open for suggestions too!
Well it is a new year so I should probably also post my 2012 resolutions. In no particular order:
-Multitask less. This may seem counterintuitive since I'm forever searching for a way to 'fit it all in' but especially towards the end of '11 I noticed that I haven't been giving anything full undivided attention. My brain is always a little bit somewhere else or on to the next thing. I think focusing more will be better for me, better for AJ, better for Joe, and better for whatever I'm doing.
-Start working out again. Ok, I have been totally riding the busy life/breastfeeding weight loss plan for 10 months. And its been pretty great. But (see below) milk production will not last forever, and though I'm at my lowest weight since the 90's I've clearly also lost ANY shred of fitness. I'm going to aim for 3 days a week of at least a short workout at home, plus one day of yoga. Once winter ends I will be anxious to start walking again with AJ!
-Cut the pump cord by April. Outside of AJ himself, one of the things I am most thankful for in this mom journey has been my ability to continue to be AJs main food source...well, at least food production facility...for all this time. I never imagined it would work out this way especially not with the many tears shed those first few weeks. After a year, when he can start drinking regular milk, it will be time to make the transition. As much as I have cursed that pump over the past many months I am a little sad to know that I'll be moving on. (And ok, as dysfunctional as this may be, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't petrified that once I stop I will gain 15 pounds back immediately.)
-Declutter this house. WE HAVE TOO MUCH (UNNECESSARY) STUFF! (AJs stuff is exempt)
-Cook more. Well AJs evolving eating habits are one reason for this but also I realized most of the cash I spend is on breakfast and lunches at work. Aside from not being the best food choices, I'm sure we can put that $ to better use. I have more yet to be made recipes bookmarked in my Google reader than I care to admit. I'll aim for 2x a week.
Ok, that should do it. Oh, and I also have to plan AJs first bday party. I think I will save the Very Hungry Caterpillar Extravaganza for Age 2.
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Tale of Two Pumps
It was the best of times it was the worst of times. Well, not the worst, but perhaps, the "busiest" of times at least. Yesterday in work I was booked solid with meetings from 9:30am through 3:30pm. My typical routine now that I am down to pumping 3x per day, is to pump just once while in work, at around 2 pm. Yesterday's schedule was looking like it would make that quite difficult. Much to my delight, My 1pm meeting ended half an hour early, so at 1:30 I took advantage and went off to seek pump time in the room I have been using since I came back to work.
I was so happy that this worked out. You see, earlier in the week for the first time, I totally forgot to pump at all during the day. When I realized this via significant discomfort as I was stuck in a 5-6pm meeting, there was really nothing I could do about it until after, and I certainly didn't want a repeat of that day as I am still suffering some uncomfortable consequences of that.
So I pumped, and finished up just in time to go to my 2pm meeting without even stopping back at my desk-- since I am the only one who uses that room to pump right now, and it locks, I leave all of my stuff in there until the end of the day when I routinely retrieve it.
Well 5:15pm comes and I'm ready to pack up. I open my desk drawer to get my key to the pump room and...no key. Cue heart sinking and panic setting in. I review the day in my head...I went straight from pumping to my next meeting, didn't drop the key off in my office. OMG. Pump+milk+KEY is locked in the room. I then proceeded to stalk the building in search of anyone else who I knew/I hoped might have the key. HR, already gone. Building Services (who I KNOW has spares) already gone. Receptionist, no key. Cleaning people, no key.
Defeat.
My options at this point were:
- Wait until tomorrow morning to pump when I could get back here and find someone to give me the spare key. Ok, not really an option since if I didnt pump for 19 hours I'd probably explode.
-Pump with my manual pump, one side at a time. Oooof, I dont even know if it would work anymore, I only used to use it for a little 'help' before nursing AJ in the first few months. Maybe it wouldnt be strong enough now.
-Buy a new pump. Well at $300 a pop for the one I have, also not a great option.
In the end, I went to Buy Buy Baby and bought a single electric pump so at least I could plug it in, for a considerably cheaper price. Further rationalized by the notion that I can take it to Vegas with me instead of lugging my big one. But when I got home I decided to give the manual one a whirl anyway, and what do you know, while it was slower for sure, it got the job done. Lots of panic and being near tears for the night (I had a dinner to go to after work of course) but it all worked out.
This morning though, I did have to venture back to building services to ask for the spare key. Having to ask men for a key to the nursing room makes me automatically think they are looking at my boobs, or will look at my boobs every time I see them from now on. And I'm pretty sure it true. But I got the key, am reunited with my own key, and my pump, and yesterdays milk stash. Phew.
I was so happy that this worked out. You see, earlier in the week for the first time, I totally forgot to pump at all during the day. When I realized this via significant discomfort as I was stuck in a 5-6pm meeting, there was really nothing I could do about it until after, and I certainly didn't want a repeat of that day as I am still suffering some uncomfortable consequences of that.
So I pumped, and finished up just in time to go to my 2pm meeting without even stopping back at my desk-- since I am the only one who uses that room to pump right now, and it locks, I leave all of my stuff in there until the end of the day when I routinely retrieve it.
Well 5:15pm comes and I'm ready to pack up. I open my desk drawer to get my key to the pump room and...no key. Cue heart sinking and panic setting in. I review the day in my head...I went straight from pumping to my next meeting, didn't drop the key off in my office. OMG. Pump+milk+KEY is locked in the room. I then proceeded to stalk the building in search of anyone else who I knew/I hoped might have the key. HR, already gone. Building Services (who I KNOW has spares) already gone. Receptionist, no key. Cleaning people, no key.
Defeat.
My options at this point were:
- Wait until tomorrow morning to pump when I could get back here and find someone to give me the spare key. Ok, not really an option since if I didnt pump for 19 hours I'd probably explode.
-Pump with my manual pump, one side at a time. Oooof, I dont even know if it would work anymore, I only used to use it for a little 'help' before nursing AJ in the first few months. Maybe it wouldnt be strong enough now.
-Buy a new pump. Well at $300 a pop for the one I have, also not a great option.
In the end, I went to Buy Buy Baby and bought a single electric pump so at least I could plug it in, for a considerably cheaper price. Further rationalized by the notion that I can take it to Vegas with me instead of lugging my big one. But when I got home I decided to give the manual one a whirl anyway, and what do you know, while it was slower for sure, it got the job done. Lots of panic and being near tears for the night (I had a dinner to go to after work of course) but it all worked out.
This morning though, I did have to venture back to building services to ask for the spare key. Having to ask men for a key to the nursing room makes me automatically think they are looking at my boobs, or will look at my boobs every time I see them from now on. And I'm pretty sure it true. But I got the key, am reunited with my own key, and my pump, and yesterdays milk stash. Phew.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Excellence
I got a very nice surprise in work last week. My boss had nominated me and I was selected for our company's 'award for excellence'. The award is given quarterly and is designed to recognize contributions and achievements over time. It came with a physical award that I can keep on my desk, and a few other nice things, like a very nice write up on our company's intranet. I feel very flattered that I received it, and was probably blushing and shaking with the president presented it to me. This experience also showed me very clearly how bad I am at taking compliments. ("SEE??" says Joe)
I think what I am in most disbelief about is the timing of it. I received this in a year that has been my most challenging yet, life wise. When balance has become my new goal and I practically race out of the building at the end of the day for a chance to see AJ before bedtime. I'm not trying to succeed any less, but I certainly have a different sense of priorities, understandably. I've been very lucky that, while returning to work has meant sacrifices (in time), it hasn't been unmanageable so far. Busy weeks are tempered by less busy weeks, most of the time. Working late several days in a row usually means then working from home several days in a row if I can.
I hope that the balance I have found over the past 6 months is something I will be able to continue, since every day AJ is becoming more and more of a little person. This morning Joe merely put his jacket on and AJ started to wave bye-bye! And he has started to be able to identify objects "AJ go get the cup" and he gets it! He also says "cah" repeatedly . We have no idea what it means. First we thought it was 'cat' since he says it when he looks at his books. Then we thought it was 'cup' since he can get his cup. But frankly he says 'cah' at just about every object in the house, so we're just going with it :-) More than anything I hope that someday, with all of the juggling and balancing that is a necessary evil, AJ would also give me an award for mommy excellence. I can't imagine feeling more successful than that.
I think what I am in most disbelief about is the timing of it. I received this in a year that has been my most challenging yet, life wise. When balance has become my new goal and I practically race out of the building at the end of the day for a chance to see AJ before bedtime. I'm not trying to succeed any less, but I certainly have a different sense of priorities, understandably. I've been very lucky that, while returning to work has meant sacrifices (in time), it hasn't been unmanageable so far. Busy weeks are tempered by less busy weeks, most of the time. Working late several days in a row usually means then working from home several days in a row if I can.
I hope that the balance I have found over the past 6 months is something I will be able to continue, since every day AJ is becoming more and more of a little person. This morning Joe merely put his jacket on and AJ started to wave bye-bye! And he has started to be able to identify objects "AJ go get the cup" and he gets it! He also says "cah" repeatedly . We have no idea what it means. First we thought it was 'cat' since he says it when he looks at his books. Then we thought it was 'cup' since he can get his cup. But frankly he says 'cah' at just about every object in the house, so we're just going with it :-) More than anything I hope that someday, with all of the juggling and balancing that is a necessary evil, AJ would also give me an award for mommy excellence. I can't imagine feeling more successful than that.
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