Hey friends. Have you ever noticed that when you become a momma, or are taking care of someone's child, that you turn into a llama? Well I have. There are about a million and a half extra things you have to carry with you! Traveling used to be so easy! Grab your purse, or whatever it is that you normally take with you, and off you go! Easy peasy. Well not anymore my friends! Times have changed, and so has your load.
First, you have to make sure that you have the child with you. In this case Nate. Then you have to make sure you have the diaper bag filled with the essentials. Here is a list of the essentials that I try not to leave the house without. Diapers, wipes, formula and bottle filled with water, baby food and spoon, cereal or some other type of snacky food, butt paste, or desitin, toys, a change of clothes, my wallet, keys, cell phone and the every important pacifier. There are usually some other floating odd balls in the bag, but these may vary. Like hand sanitizer, a plastic bag, theremometer, nose drops, bulb syringe, tissues, a blanket and make-up. My point? There is a LOT to carry!
Now imagine me, carrying my 22+ lb son, with a daiper bag that weighs anywhere from two to five lbs depending on the day, or where we are going; add to that the tasks of locking the front door, getting in, and out of the car, and carrying additional items into the house.
Here comes the fun part. Try bringing in groceries with that much to carry already! Its like running a marathon, while wearing ankle, thigh, bicep, torso, and wrist weights. Its a joke! Imagine me slowly taking steps toward the door, gradually sinking lower to the ground, one hand out stretched and saying, "I c-can m-m-make it! S-so very c-close!" and then collapsing into a broken heap, just a few feet from the front door.
Ok. So this may be a huge exaggeration, but sometimes it feels like we momma's should be olympic weight lifters. Or llamas. Either way we have a large load to carry.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Job Perks
Being a Momma is difficult sometimes. Especially when you have to soothe a crying child at three in the morning, or comfort an upset baby who is teething. But, like any job, there are perks! Here are just a few of those "perks" that I have come to love.
The first perk I like to call, "the after nap time glow." Everytime Nathaniel gets up from a nap, or wakes up for the day, he smiles at me. This is not a small smile either, its a face eating, smile up to your forehead type of smile. He also starts to bounce up and down in his crib, and make happy noises. It warms my heart that he is so happy to see me, and so glad to be alive! He stays pretty happy for about a half hour or so, in which time, there are lots of giggles, and tons of smiles.
The next perk is called, "casual fridays, everyday!" When you're a stay at home Momma, there is no dress code. As long as you're wearing clothes, you are good to go! Nathan has no idea what I wear everyday, and it doesn't matter him. Heck! He doesn't even care what he is wearing most days!
Do you remember The Three Stooges? Well, this next perk has a lot to do with how silly they were. I like to call it, "Larry, Curly, Moe, and Me!" This perk in a nutshell? I can be as silly as I want to be, and I don't get weird looks. In fact, the sillier the better! I could look like a complete idiot, and all Nate would do is laugh. Not out of judgement, not out of spite, not out of embaressment (yet), but out of sheer enjoyment. I treasure these moments where all the walls come down, and we are just our silly selves.
The last perk I would like to talk about is, "baby loves, and nap time snuggles." This is one of my personal favorites. In the last month or so, Nathan has started to cuddle with me again, which is kind of a big deal. He only does it when he is ready for a nap, but hey! I'll take what I can get. He likes to sit with me, while we watch a movie or tv show, and just cuddle until he falls alseep. There is nothing sweeter than holding a sleeping baby, or a tired one at that. It makes me feel so needed and loved to know, that when my son is tired, and needs some loving, he turns to me for snuggles, and love.
So, you see? Even though Motherhood can have its downs, there are plenty of ups to make it all worthwhile. Just look for the little things, like the smile you weren't expecting, or the hug you didn't know you needed. Life will bless you if you let it.
The first perk I like to call, "the after nap time glow." Everytime Nathaniel gets up from a nap, or wakes up for the day, he smiles at me. This is not a small smile either, its a face eating, smile up to your forehead type of smile. He also starts to bounce up and down in his crib, and make happy noises. It warms my heart that he is so happy to see me, and so glad to be alive! He stays pretty happy for about a half hour or so, in which time, there are lots of giggles, and tons of smiles.
The next perk is called, "casual fridays, everyday!" When you're a stay at home Momma, there is no dress code. As long as you're wearing clothes, you are good to go! Nathan has no idea what I wear everyday, and it doesn't matter him. Heck! He doesn't even care what he is wearing most days!
Do you remember The Three Stooges? Well, this next perk has a lot to do with how silly they were. I like to call it, "Larry, Curly, Moe, and Me!" This perk in a nutshell? I can be as silly as I want to be, and I don't get weird looks. In fact, the sillier the better! I could look like a complete idiot, and all Nate would do is laugh. Not out of judgement, not out of spite, not out of embaressment (yet), but out of sheer enjoyment. I treasure these moments where all the walls come down, and we are just our silly selves.
The last perk I would like to talk about is, "baby loves, and nap time snuggles." This is one of my personal favorites. In the last month or so, Nathan has started to cuddle with me again, which is kind of a big deal. He only does it when he is ready for a nap, but hey! I'll take what I can get. He likes to sit with me, while we watch a movie or tv show, and just cuddle until he falls alseep. There is nothing sweeter than holding a sleeping baby, or a tired one at that. It makes me feel so needed and loved to know, that when my son is tired, and needs some loving, he turns to me for snuggles, and love.
So, you see? Even though Motherhood can have its downs, there are plenty of ups to make it all worthwhile. Just look for the little things, like the smile you weren't expecting, or the hug you didn't know you needed. Life will bless you if you let it.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Wait! What just happened?!
Hello friends!
Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch reading a book. Nathaniel was crawling around over by our back door. Our back door is a sliding glass door, and he likes to stand up on it, and look out. Our make-shift pantry sits right next to the door. Well, Nathan can now stand up on things, and likes to get into things he shouldn't.
As I said, yesterday Nate was crawling around by the back door, and all seemed quiet. Of course, that's when you expect trouble right? I heard smacking noises. Like someone smacking their lips. I asked Vince to see if Nathan had anything in his mouth. Vince starts laughing once he gets over to Nathan, and says that he needs to take a picture. Of course I am very curious now, and Vince proceeds to tell me that Nate has gotten into the Nesquick. It is open, on the ground, and there are finger marks. Nathan had been licking his fingers, and sticking the Nesquick in his mouth.
Needless to say, he was very proud of himself. A cute little ball of messy chocolate smiles. :) Its hard to be mad at someone who is so cute! :)
Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch reading a book. Nathaniel was crawling around over by our back door. Our back door is a sliding glass door, and he likes to stand up on it, and look out. Our make-shift pantry sits right next to the door. Well, Nathan can now stand up on things, and likes to get into things he shouldn't.
As I said, yesterday Nate was crawling around by the back door, and all seemed quiet. Of course, that's when you expect trouble right? I heard smacking noises. Like someone smacking their lips. I asked Vince to see if Nathan had anything in his mouth. Vince starts laughing once he gets over to Nathan, and says that he needs to take a picture. Of course I am very curious now, and Vince proceeds to tell me that Nate has gotten into the Nesquick. It is open, on the ground, and there are finger marks. Nathan had been licking his fingers, and sticking the Nesquick in his mouth.
Needless to say, he was very proud of himself. A cute little ball of messy chocolate smiles. :) Its hard to be mad at someone who is so cute! :)
Friday, September 7, 2012
Naptime, aka, the Warzone
Nathaniel has entered this phase as of late, where he doesn't want to take a nap, no matter how tired, or cranky he may be. You can imagine how frustrating this could be to a new mother. All that's going through my head while we fight is, "please go to sleep son! You need a nap, because you are tired, and this is going to help you feel better. I only want what's best for you I promise!" What's going through his head? Well, who knows, but what it seems like he's thinking is, "no! Must. Not. Give. In. I cannot fall asleep. I will miss something! There is so much to do, learn about and explore! I cannot miss a SINGLE moment! I won't go to sleep! I WON'T!!!"
Ouef. There I was again, earlier today, having fed my son, wrapped him in his favorite blankie, and given him his pacifier, and he STILL wasn't going to sleep. I was done. At my wits end. Not sure what to do anymore, I took him upstairs and put him in his bed, to see if he would just pass out on his own, and to give myself a break. (All momma's need a break at some point during the day). My plan failed. He still wasn't asleep. I went upstairs, after taking a few deep breaths, and decided to re-wrap him in his blanket and let him fight/cry it out. Well, this time, it worked. After a few minutes of squirming, he was out! O-U-T out! Finally!
You would think I would be relieved right? Yes and no. Yes because Nathaniel was finally asleep, and I had some time to myself, but no because despite all my efforts, snuggling with him, feeding his bottle, wrapping him up, and giving him the pacifier, he still fell asleep without my help. Grrr... After HOURS (I'm not even joking) of fighting with him, he fell asleep of his own accord, making me feel completely useless. Needless to say, not my favorite day in the land of Mommahood.
Well played, Nathan. Well played, indeed. Until the next naptime my son. You are a worthy opponent.
Ouef. There I was again, earlier today, having fed my son, wrapped him in his favorite blankie, and given him his pacifier, and he STILL wasn't going to sleep. I was done. At my wits end. Not sure what to do anymore, I took him upstairs and put him in his bed, to see if he would just pass out on his own, and to give myself a break. (All momma's need a break at some point during the day). My plan failed. He still wasn't asleep. I went upstairs, after taking a few deep breaths, and decided to re-wrap him in his blanket and let him fight/cry it out. Well, this time, it worked. After a few minutes of squirming, he was out! O-U-T out! Finally!
You would think I would be relieved right? Yes and no. Yes because Nathaniel was finally asleep, and I had some time to myself, but no because despite all my efforts, snuggling with him, feeding his bottle, wrapping him up, and giving him the pacifier, he still fell asleep without my help. Grrr... After HOURS (I'm not even joking) of fighting with him, he fell asleep of his own accord, making me feel completely useless. Needless to say, not my favorite day in the land of Mommahood.
Well played, Nathan. Well played, indeed. Until the next naptime my son. You are a worthy opponent.
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Mommylimpics
Hey! Its been a while! I haven't been posting due to a media fast that my dear husband and I were doing, but that is now over, and we are back to our regularly scheduled programming.
I have been thinking a lot lately, in honor of the recent Olympics, about how mommies should be considered Olympians. We would compete in the following catergories: weight lifting, endurance, and track and field.
The first event would be weight lifting. Here's why: from the moment our precious little bundles are conceived, we start to carry extra weight. This is not the kind of weight that you get to set down, or rest from for a while. It is a constant weight that only gets heavier and worse on your body throughout pregnancy. Once our little ones are born, they are no longer a constant a weight, but require lots of holding/lifting. Once again, these little weights only get heavier, not lighter people, as time goes on. Who wins the gold medal? Moms of multiples. I can't imagine having to bear that much weight during pregnancy, or afterwards for that matter!
The second event is a trial of endurance. There are many little sub-events in this catergory, as with track, but we will be dealing with the ability to endure whinning, crying and moaning. This includes any kind whinning, crying, or moaning. From temper tamtrums, to fighting sleep, we mommas have to be prepared for anything, and willing to help our loved ones through their tears. Hopefully someday we will all be masters of patience. The gold medal in this catergory goes to all the moms who have more than one child. Dealing with one fussy baby is enough, but having to deal with more than that? I can only imagine...
The third and final event is track and field. Have you ever noticed how quick, and agile mothers can be when saving their little ones from disaster? We have to be able to drop everything and stop the disaster before it happens, or save the child from themselves, before a real disaster takes place. We also have finely tuned ears to listen for silence, AKA mischief. I think the gold medal in this catergory definitely goes to moms of twins or multipules. Having to save my crawling, standing child from himself is exhausting enough, let alone having to do it with two or more!
There is so much more that mommas do for their babies. Don't even get me started on multi-tasking. Long story short (too late...)? Mommas are Olympians in my book. Nothing has opened my eyes to that more than being one myself.
I have been thinking a lot lately, in honor of the recent Olympics, about how mommies should be considered Olympians. We would compete in the following catergories: weight lifting, endurance, and track and field.
The first event would be weight lifting. Here's why: from the moment our precious little bundles are conceived, we start to carry extra weight. This is not the kind of weight that you get to set down, or rest from for a while. It is a constant weight that only gets heavier and worse on your body throughout pregnancy. Once our little ones are born, they are no longer a constant a weight, but require lots of holding/lifting. Once again, these little weights only get heavier, not lighter people, as time goes on. Who wins the gold medal? Moms of multiples. I can't imagine having to bear that much weight during pregnancy, or afterwards for that matter!
The second event is a trial of endurance. There are many little sub-events in this catergory, as with track, but we will be dealing with the ability to endure whinning, crying and moaning. This includes any kind whinning, crying, or moaning. From temper tamtrums, to fighting sleep, we mommas have to be prepared for anything, and willing to help our loved ones through their tears. Hopefully someday we will all be masters of patience. The gold medal in this catergory goes to all the moms who have more than one child. Dealing with one fussy baby is enough, but having to deal with more than that? I can only imagine...
The third and final event is track and field. Have you ever noticed how quick, and agile mothers can be when saving their little ones from disaster? We have to be able to drop everything and stop the disaster before it happens, or save the child from themselves, before a real disaster takes place. We also have finely tuned ears to listen for silence, AKA mischief. I think the gold medal in this catergory definitely goes to moms of twins or multipules. Having to save my crawling, standing child from himself is exhausting enough, let alone having to do it with two or more!
There is so much more that mommas do for their babies. Don't even get me started on multi-tasking. Long story short (too late...)? Mommas are Olympians in my book. Nothing has opened my eyes to that more than being one myself.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
The Things That Daddy's Do
Every child has a father, and sometimes they do silly things. This post is all about funny, sweet, and odd experiences, all involving one man, and one boy. My sweet husband Vince, and my smiley baby Nathaniel.
This first experience is by far the most recent, and hilarious experience yet. One morning, Nathaniel decided to wake up at four am. I went to his bed and put the pacifier back in his mouth, and climbed back into bed. After a while, Nathan was up again. Vincent got up with him this time, which was very sweet, and proceeded to change Nate's daiper, and put him back in bed. Problem solved. Seems pretty routine right? Just wait. It gets better!
A couple of hours later, when I went to get Nate out of bed for real, I found something hilarious, yet distrubing. My 6 month old son was up on his hands and knees, bare bottom exposed, diaper off to the side, and a giant grin on his face, as if to say, "oh hello Mommy! You're up! How nice to see you this morning! Look what I did!" Needless to say, I questioned Vince about what had occured at four in the morning to see I could make sense of what had happened. Come to find out, Vincent had changed Nathan out of his onesie, because he had wetted through his diaper and onto his onesie. Ok. That I could handle. My next thought was, well why didn't he put a new onesie on Nathan after changing him out of his wet one? I guess it was four o' clock in the morning though, Vince hadn't slept well.
I later found out that Nathan had reached down to his diaper and played with the velcro that holds the diaper in place. My husband thought to himself, there's no way Nathan can take his diaper off! He's too young! Low and behold, Nathaniel surprised us all later that day when we discovered that a 6 month old can indeed take off his diaper. Thank goodness there was no mess left behind.
Fathers sometimes have to get children dressed. Vincent had to get Nathan dressed not too long ago, as I was gone somewhere having a little me time. I finished my errand and went home to my husband and son. Everything seemed to be in order, so I settled in. When I looked down at Nate, however, I realized that his romper was on backwards! I pointed this out to Vincent who promptly and sarcastically said, "What?! The buttons don't go on the back! Who thought of that!" We both got a good laugh out of this one. In my husband's defense, Nathan has other rompers/onesies that have buttons or snaps on the front. It was only natural that he would be confused.
Lastly, my husband likes to make Nathaniel "work-out." Picture this: Nathan, lying flat on his back, with a half pound weight (yes, a weight), in his hand, and Vincent close to by to catch it if anything goes wrong. (The weight was one of those long skinny ones that you put into an ankle or wrist weight). Well my first thought is, I hope he doesn't drop it on his little face and hurt himself, or drop it into the back of his throat, and choke himself on it. Vincent is thinking, oh man! This is going to strengthen his arms/wrists like crazy! My baby is going to be so buff! Silly, silly. He will get buff by holding himself up on his hands and knees, trying to crawl, and sitting up. Vince also does all sorts of other random exercises with Nathan that when asked about, his response is, "I'm making him work-out! Our little boy is going to be so strong!"
Well, that's our life with Daddy in a nutshell. There are other random happenstances that I could write about, but that would require a whole other post, and a lot more room. Daddy's do the things they do because they love their babies, so Vince must love Nathaniel a lot.
This first experience is by far the most recent, and hilarious experience yet. One morning, Nathaniel decided to wake up at four am. I went to his bed and put the pacifier back in his mouth, and climbed back into bed. After a while, Nathan was up again. Vincent got up with him this time, which was very sweet, and proceeded to change Nate's daiper, and put him back in bed. Problem solved. Seems pretty routine right? Just wait. It gets better!
A couple of hours later, when I went to get Nate out of bed for real, I found something hilarious, yet distrubing. My 6 month old son was up on his hands and knees, bare bottom exposed, diaper off to the side, and a giant grin on his face, as if to say, "oh hello Mommy! You're up! How nice to see you this morning! Look what I did!" Needless to say, I questioned Vince about what had occured at four in the morning to see I could make sense of what had happened. Come to find out, Vincent had changed Nathan out of his onesie, because he had wetted through his diaper and onto his onesie. Ok. That I could handle. My next thought was, well why didn't he put a new onesie on Nathan after changing him out of his wet one? I guess it was four o' clock in the morning though, Vince hadn't slept well.
I later found out that Nathan had reached down to his diaper and played with the velcro that holds the diaper in place. My husband thought to himself, there's no way Nathan can take his diaper off! He's too young! Low and behold, Nathaniel surprised us all later that day when we discovered that a 6 month old can indeed take off his diaper. Thank goodness there was no mess left behind.
Fathers sometimes have to get children dressed. Vincent had to get Nathan dressed not too long ago, as I was gone somewhere having a little me time. I finished my errand and went home to my husband and son. Everything seemed to be in order, so I settled in. When I looked down at Nate, however, I realized that his romper was on backwards! I pointed this out to Vincent who promptly and sarcastically said, "What?! The buttons don't go on the back! Who thought of that!" We both got a good laugh out of this one. In my husband's defense, Nathan has other rompers/onesies that have buttons or snaps on the front. It was only natural that he would be confused.
Lastly, my husband likes to make Nathaniel "work-out." Picture this: Nathan, lying flat on his back, with a half pound weight (yes, a weight), in his hand, and Vincent close to by to catch it if anything goes wrong. (The weight was one of those long skinny ones that you put into an ankle or wrist weight). Well my first thought is, I hope he doesn't drop it on his little face and hurt himself, or drop it into the back of his throat, and choke himself on it. Vincent is thinking, oh man! This is going to strengthen his arms/wrists like crazy! My baby is going to be so buff! Silly, silly. He will get buff by holding himself up on his hands and knees, trying to crawl, and sitting up. Vince also does all sorts of other random exercises with Nathan that when asked about, his response is, "I'm making him work-out! Our little boy is going to be so strong!"
Well, that's our life with Daddy in a nutshell. There are other random happenstances that I could write about, but that would require a whole other post, and a lot more room. Daddy's do the things they do because they love their babies, so Vince must love Nathaniel a lot.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Nathaniel: Beginning to... Well... Now!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Air Mattresses Do Not Make Good Trampolines/High Chair Resistance Training
Sorry for the long title. This post includes two experiences that have contributed to my now thrown-out, and incredibly painful back.
Air mattresses do not make good trampolines. Plain and simple.
The other night, my husband was lying on the air mattress in the living room, which I had pulled out for Activity Days. As I was sitting above him on the couch, I had a funny thought. Wouldn't it be so awesome if I jumped off the couch, onto the air mattress, knees first, and bounced my husband?! We could then laugh hysterically at my ridiculous antics. Great plan right? Well, the idea was a little too enticing to resist, so I went ahead and took the plunge. WHACK! POP! Moan... As I hit the air mattress, my knees sank right to the ground, producing a hideous popping noise, and bright red marks on my knee caps. My husband, instead of laughing, proceeds to ask me if I'm alright. I manage to move my aching self back onto the couch and while mumbling ouch, confirm that there is no serious damage. My knee has not been the same since. I speculate that this was the first blow that contributed to my back pain.
High chair resistance training, and not on purpose!
A very generous and kind friend of mine, bought us a high chair the other day. As we were trying to assemble it, we were having a very hard time putting two of the pieces together. I had to literally step on the two pieces, to get them in place. Once I got them into place, I figured out that the reason we were having so much trouble, was because the base of the seat was crooked! I looked at the instructions again and realized we had put the pieces together out of order. By the time I had realized this, however, my friend had left, and so I was on my own. Me versus high chair. Again, we had put the pieces together out of order, so naturally my thought process is, pull the parts apart again, fix the crookedness, and put it back together! Genius! One problem: the high chair was ridiculously hard to get together in the first place. How much harder would it be to get apart? Especially now that it was in crooked?
Well, I put my feet on either side of the base, my hands on the back of the chair, and pulled. I pulled and pushed, pushed and pulled, and nothing happened. I put oil in the space where the two parts connected, and still nothing. I even tried putting scissors into the little holes where the buttons that hold the seat back and the base together were, and still NOTHING! I was sooooo frustrated. As I was pulling on the back of the high chair, I started to feel some pain in my lower back, but I would not be defeated! I kept trying and trying to no avail, until I finally gave up. I then realized that I could pull on the lever at the back of the seat and it would adjust the crooked part of the chair. After doing that a couple of times, the chair was perfectly normal, and I had pulled or thrown out my back, trying to fix it for nothing. Needless to say, Friday night the pain started, hitting a peak yesterday morning, and making sitting in church pews today unbearable.
What did I learn from all of this? You guessed it. Air mattresses are not for jumping onto, no matter how funny you might think it could be, and high chairs will always win the battle. Everytime.
Air mattresses do not make good trampolines. Plain and simple.
The other night, my husband was lying on the air mattress in the living room, which I had pulled out for Activity Days. As I was sitting above him on the couch, I had a funny thought. Wouldn't it be so awesome if I jumped off the couch, onto the air mattress, knees first, and bounced my husband?! We could then laugh hysterically at my ridiculous antics. Great plan right? Well, the idea was a little too enticing to resist, so I went ahead and took the plunge. WHACK! POP! Moan... As I hit the air mattress, my knees sank right to the ground, producing a hideous popping noise, and bright red marks on my knee caps. My husband, instead of laughing, proceeds to ask me if I'm alright. I manage to move my aching self back onto the couch and while mumbling ouch, confirm that there is no serious damage. My knee has not been the same since. I speculate that this was the first blow that contributed to my back pain.
High chair resistance training, and not on purpose!
A very generous and kind friend of mine, bought us a high chair the other day. As we were trying to assemble it, we were having a very hard time putting two of the pieces together. I had to literally step on the two pieces, to get them in place. Once I got them into place, I figured out that the reason we were having so much trouble, was because the base of the seat was crooked! I looked at the instructions again and realized we had put the pieces together out of order. By the time I had realized this, however, my friend had left, and so I was on my own. Me versus high chair. Again, we had put the pieces together out of order, so naturally my thought process is, pull the parts apart again, fix the crookedness, and put it back together! Genius! One problem: the high chair was ridiculously hard to get together in the first place. How much harder would it be to get apart? Especially now that it was in crooked?
Well, I put my feet on either side of the base, my hands on the back of the chair, and pulled. I pulled and pushed, pushed and pulled, and nothing happened. I put oil in the space where the two parts connected, and still nothing. I even tried putting scissors into the little holes where the buttons that hold the seat back and the base together were, and still NOTHING! I was sooooo frustrated. As I was pulling on the back of the high chair, I started to feel some pain in my lower back, but I would not be defeated! I kept trying and trying to no avail, until I finally gave up. I then realized that I could pull on the lever at the back of the seat and it would adjust the crooked part of the chair. After doing that a couple of times, the chair was perfectly normal, and I had pulled or thrown out my back, trying to fix it for nothing. Needless to say, Friday night the pain started, hitting a peak yesterday morning, and making sitting in church pews today unbearable.
What did I learn from all of this? You guessed it. Air mattresses are not for jumping onto, no matter how funny you might think it could be, and high chairs will always win the battle. Everytime.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Birthday Gifts of the Baby Kind
I recieved 3 birthday gifts today from my dear son Nathaniel. The first requires a little back story:
We had a another blow-out of epic proportions yesterday. Green, smelly, puddle making proportions. You're welcome for the mental picture. I had to take the sheets, and mat off of the bed to wash them. I was also incredibly busy getting things ready for Activity Days that would be taking place at my house later that evening. Well, we get through Activity Days, everyone goes home, and we are exhausted. You can guess what comes next right? We fell asleep on the bed before putting the mat and sheets back on. No big deal right? You wouldn't think so.
So, this morning I wake up, and Vincent is already up with Nathan. Pretty routine, Vince changes his diaper, and then gives Nate to me so I can feed him, and Vince can finish getting ready for school. This morning, Nathan was eating, and had finished all but about an ounce of his bottle, and he starts to choke, due to a faster nipple on his bottle than he's used too. Before I know what's happening, he has projectile vomited all over my nice, clean, un-made bed. No mat to catch it. I of course take care of Nathan, who is covered in breakfast re-runs, and try my best to soak up the wet nastiness that is now my bed. Turns out formula soaks into the mattress really well! I had to put a towel on the bed and press down to get the formula to come out and soak into the towel. The bed took a couple of hours to dry. Needless to say, I will be returning to size 2 nipples for my Avent bottles for at least a while longer. This was present #1.
Present #2 was a lot less messy, and much cuter than the formula re-runs. We went to the pool today, as we usually do on Thursdays for play group, and got into the water. Nathan was happy as can be, chilling like a snow flake in winter, in his little floaty. Eventually, he started to fuss in his little floaty, so I pulled him out and we began to float around the pool together. Out of nowhere, he takes his little right hand, and starts to beat the water with it, making quite the splash! He proceeded to get water in his face and all over me, but I couldn't help but be proud that my son had taught himself how to splash. Nathan even mimicked me splashing later on, and had quite the party with the water. This was present #2.
Present #3 is a combination of a relief, and a nightmare. Nathaniel is getting another tooth in his bottom gums, right next to his deluxe model tooth (the tooth he was born with). I am relieved that the tooth has broken the gums, because Nathan is more himself, but I am terrified at the prospect of him getting more teeth. He is only 6 months after all. I guess the sooner we get it over with the better right? Crankiville here we come... This was present #3.
Put everything together, and you get a soggy, drooly, splash of a birthday, all wrapped up in baby smiles and giggles. It was rough to begin with, but finished out on a high note. I am looking forward to what this new year of life has to bring, and future gifts of the baby kind. I just hope they are a little less wet, and a little less sharp.
We had a another blow-out of epic proportions yesterday. Green, smelly, puddle making proportions. You're welcome for the mental picture. I had to take the sheets, and mat off of the bed to wash them. I was also incredibly busy getting things ready for Activity Days that would be taking place at my house later that evening. Well, we get through Activity Days, everyone goes home, and we are exhausted. You can guess what comes next right? We fell asleep on the bed before putting the mat and sheets back on. No big deal right? You wouldn't think so.
So, this morning I wake up, and Vincent is already up with Nathan. Pretty routine, Vince changes his diaper, and then gives Nate to me so I can feed him, and Vince can finish getting ready for school. This morning, Nathan was eating, and had finished all but about an ounce of his bottle, and he starts to choke, due to a faster nipple on his bottle than he's used too. Before I know what's happening, he has projectile vomited all over my nice, clean, un-made bed. No mat to catch it. I of course take care of Nathan, who is covered in breakfast re-runs, and try my best to soak up the wet nastiness that is now my bed. Turns out formula soaks into the mattress really well! I had to put a towel on the bed and press down to get the formula to come out and soak into the towel. The bed took a couple of hours to dry. Needless to say, I will be returning to size 2 nipples for my Avent bottles for at least a while longer. This was present #1.
Present #2 was a lot less messy, and much cuter than the formula re-runs. We went to the pool today, as we usually do on Thursdays for play group, and got into the water. Nathan was happy as can be, chilling like a snow flake in winter, in his little floaty. Eventually, he started to fuss in his little floaty, so I pulled him out and we began to float around the pool together. Out of nowhere, he takes his little right hand, and starts to beat the water with it, making quite the splash! He proceeded to get water in his face and all over me, but I couldn't help but be proud that my son had taught himself how to splash. Nathan even mimicked me splashing later on, and had quite the party with the water. This was present #2.
Present #3 is a combination of a relief, and a nightmare. Nathaniel is getting another tooth in his bottom gums, right next to his deluxe model tooth (the tooth he was born with). I am relieved that the tooth has broken the gums, because Nathan is more himself, but I am terrified at the prospect of him getting more teeth. He is only 6 months after all. I guess the sooner we get it over with the better right? Crankiville here we come... This was present #3.
Put everything together, and you get a soggy, drooly, splash of a birthday, all wrapped up in baby smiles and giggles. It was rough to begin with, but finished out on a high note. I am looking forward to what this new year of life has to bring, and future gifts of the baby kind. I just hope they are a little less wet, and a little less sharp.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Deep Dodo
The other day I went shopping with my friends for my birthday. We brought Nathan along because Vincent was at school, and I didn't even think about getting a babysitter. Everything was going great! We were trying on clothes, Nathan was happy, we were all finding things we liked, and then the unthinkable happened...
I pulled the stroller out of the dressing rooms, and was perusing the clothings racks when my dear friend went to say hello to Nathan. I said she could pull him out of the stroller if she wanted and she did. When I had finished looking at the items on the rack, I turned around and walked back to where Nathaniel and my friend were. My poor friend was holding Nathan, by the arms, as he stood on the ground as best he could, her hand covered in poop, and so was Nathan. When I asked what happened, she told me that the poop had squirted out of his diaper when she picked him up. I proceeded to wipe her hand, and Nathan down, while we hurriedly told the sales clerk we would be right back. We left our other friend in the dressing rooms, and walked quickly to the Subway next door.
Picture it: I was walking in front, dangling Nate in front of me, holding him by the his armpits and apologizing to people as we passed. My friend walked quickly behing with both the diaper bag and the stroller, trying to open doors, and retain some of our dignity. At least Nathan was calm through the whole experience, because we were quite the sight see! I hope someone got a good laugh.
We make it to the tiny bathroom inside Subway, and there is no changing table. Seriously?! Ugh. Its a good thing diaper bags come with those little changing mats. I pulled mine out, and took off Nate's onesie, changed his diaper and cleaned the poop off of him, and his onesie as best I could, with the help of my friend. She washed her hands as I'm digging through the diaper bag looking for the spare change of clothes that I ALWAYS have with me for just such occasions as this, and I find only a pair of khaki pants. Great. Not only will I go down in infamy as the mom who's child poops all over her friends, I will also be known as the redneck mother who lets her child roam free and wild in the open air, with nothing on save his diaper.
We wander back into Maurice's and my other friend had come out the dressing rooms wondering where on earth we had gotten too. We explained the situation as the sales clerk proceeds to tell us how she thinks its great that he's so "free." She calls the other sales clerk over to look at Nathan in all his glory. Again, at least Nathan was happy with being naked. He was smiling at everyone and having a great old time!
We made our purchases, and left the store with my naked son in tow, and funny memories that will last a life time.
Definitely a banner day in the crazy territory that is Mommahood. This has been one shopping trip that I will never forget.
I pulled the stroller out of the dressing rooms, and was perusing the clothings racks when my dear friend went to say hello to Nathan. I said she could pull him out of the stroller if she wanted and she did. When I had finished looking at the items on the rack, I turned around and walked back to where Nathaniel and my friend were. My poor friend was holding Nathan, by the arms, as he stood on the ground as best he could, her hand covered in poop, and so was Nathan. When I asked what happened, she told me that the poop had squirted out of his diaper when she picked him up. I proceeded to wipe her hand, and Nathan down, while we hurriedly told the sales clerk we would be right back. We left our other friend in the dressing rooms, and walked quickly to the Subway next door.
Picture it: I was walking in front, dangling Nate in front of me, holding him by the his armpits and apologizing to people as we passed. My friend walked quickly behing with both the diaper bag and the stroller, trying to open doors, and retain some of our dignity. At least Nathan was calm through the whole experience, because we were quite the sight see! I hope someone got a good laugh.
We make it to the tiny bathroom inside Subway, and there is no changing table. Seriously?! Ugh. Its a good thing diaper bags come with those little changing mats. I pulled mine out, and took off Nate's onesie, changed his diaper and cleaned the poop off of him, and his onesie as best I could, with the help of my friend. She washed her hands as I'm digging through the diaper bag looking for the spare change of clothes that I ALWAYS have with me for just such occasions as this, and I find only a pair of khaki pants. Great. Not only will I go down in infamy as the mom who's child poops all over her friends, I will also be known as the redneck mother who lets her child roam free and wild in the open air, with nothing on save his diaper.
We wander back into Maurice's and my other friend had come out the dressing rooms wondering where on earth we had gotten too. We explained the situation as the sales clerk proceeds to tell us how she thinks its great that he's so "free." She calls the other sales clerk over to look at Nathan in all his glory. Again, at least Nathan was happy with being naked. He was smiling at everyone and having a great old time!
We made our purchases, and left the store with my naked son in tow, and funny memories that will last a life time.
Definitely a banner day in the crazy territory that is Mommahood. This has been one shopping trip that I will never forget.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Nathaniel Edward Methot: My Firstborn Son
On January 16, 2012, at exactly 7:32 pm, Nathaniel Edward Methot was born (for deets on labor/delivery, please see my other blog: themethotexperience.blogspot.com. It is the post entitled: A Child is Born). Nathan weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz, and was 20.5 inches long. He has my nose, and Vincent's toes and eyelashes. Nate is the most adorable baby boy on the face of planet earth.
Nathaniel was born with a tooth! It was like we got the deluxe model baby, with a tooth included, and red hair!
We tried to breastfeed, but due to a high pallet in his mouth, he couldn't get a good latch. He takes a bottle well, and everyone is much happier. Especially Momma, because this means Daddy can also get up in the night with him if he cries for food. (He currently sleeps through the night, but it was great that Vince could help out when Nathan wasn't sleeping through the night. Momma needs her rest too)!
Nathan started to roll over at 4 months, and has been rolling all over, ever since. He is currently 6 months old, gets up on his hands and knees, smiles at everyone (with the cutest, cheesiest little toothy grin that just plain melts your heart), and is generally a good natured little man.
Nate (as Vince calls him) is very into faces and pulling peoples hair. If you have a face, he will grab it. If you have hair that hangs down, he will grab that too. He is one strong little boy! If he grabs your hair, there is no garuntee that you will be getting it back... EVER!
Nathan is such a blessing in my life. He lights up the world around him with his sweet smile, and playful nature. He is my little ray of sunshine, and I can't imagine life without him. I am one happy Momma!
Nathaniel was born with a tooth! It was like we got the deluxe model baby, with a tooth included, and red hair!
We tried to breastfeed, but due to a high pallet in his mouth, he couldn't get a good latch. He takes a bottle well, and everyone is much happier. Especially Momma, because this means Daddy can also get up in the night with him if he cries for food. (He currently sleeps through the night, but it was great that Vince could help out when Nathan wasn't sleeping through the night. Momma needs her rest too)!
Nathan started to roll over at 4 months, and has been rolling all over, ever since. He is currently 6 months old, gets up on his hands and knees, smiles at everyone (with the cutest, cheesiest little toothy grin that just plain melts your heart), and is generally a good natured little man.
Nate (as Vince calls him) is very into faces and pulling peoples hair. If you have a face, he will grab it. If you have hair that hangs down, he will grab that too. He is one strong little boy! If he grabs your hair, there is no garuntee that you will be getting it back... EVER!
Nathan is such a blessing in my life. He lights up the world around him with his sweet smile, and playful nature. He is my little ray of sunshine, and I can't imagine life without him. I am one happy Momma!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Introduction: Welcome to Methotville
There once was a boy and a girl. They fell in love, and got married. Soon after that, this boy and girl decided to expand their little family and welcomed a healthy baby boy on January 16, 2012. Welcome to Methotville.
This blog is a place for me to share my experiences as a new momma. I am excited, and terrified all at the same time, at the prospect of being responsible for someone other than myself. I do know this however, there is no greater love on this earth than the love a mother has for her child.
Spoiler alert: This blog may or may not contain some or all of the above: blackmail pictures, baby smiles, cute videos, happy memories, baby poop, bath time, mishaps, success stories, nap time, spit-up and lots of love. You have been warned...
This blog is a place for me to share my experiences as a new momma. I am excited, and terrified all at the same time, at the prospect of being responsible for someone other than myself. I do know this however, there is no greater love on this earth than the love a mother has for her child.
Spoiler alert: This blog may or may not contain some or all of the above: blackmail pictures, baby smiles, cute videos, happy memories, baby poop, bath time, mishaps, success stories, nap time, spit-up and lots of love. You have been warned...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)