As you can see in the left hand corner, there is a new link to Cole's registry on Amazon. Carolyn asked about books and stuff and so I decided to update the registry to reflect what he needs and will want in the near future. I registered for a lot more books, some sleep sacs, a winter cover for the Beco carriers we own, and more.
Thanks for thinking of Cole.
Enjoy!
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Pondering
Why is it that when he finally goes to sleep all I do is wait until he wakes up? (in the crib no less!)
I think it's because I keep expecting him to wake up. And I don't want to fall asleep only to be woken back up again. Oy.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Television
Before Cole, I watched tons of it. Bed rest and television were a match made in heaven. It's what Keith and I did together during all of those months when I was, literally, rooted to the couch.
After Cole was born, maybe a little here and there. I wasn't working, so I had no external worries, like grading. Working full-time (and commuting an hour each way) with a 5-month old baby: Nada. We watch so little television (read: none at all) that we had the same Netflix movie for 2 months. Finally, a few weeks ago, one of us had the genius idea to cancel Netflix and to return the damn movie! We probably paid at least 20 bucks for it and we never even got to enjoy it. If we are blessed with free time in the future we certainly aren't going to spend it sitting in front of the television - not when I have papers to grade and Keith has photos to edit. Not that I am saying there is anything wrong with television. I like television, but television doesn't pay the bills. Teaching and photography do.
(This post was inspired in part by Heather's facebook post about not watching the show "Glee.")
On the essay front: I have 30 essays graded. But I stupidly assigned another project due this week, and now I have double the work to read. I am kicking myself for not checking a calendar first!
After Cole was born, maybe a little here and there. I wasn't working, so I had no external worries, like grading. Working full-time (and commuting an hour each way) with a 5-month old baby: Nada. We watch so little television (read: none at all) that we had the same Netflix movie for 2 months. Finally, a few weeks ago, one of us had the genius idea to cancel Netflix and to return the damn movie! We probably paid at least 20 bucks for it and we never even got to enjoy it. If we are blessed with free time in the future we certainly aren't going to spend it sitting in front of the television - not when I have papers to grade and Keith has photos to edit. Not that I am saying there is anything wrong with television. I like television, but television doesn't pay the bills. Teaching and photography do.
(This post was inspired in part by Heather's facebook post about not watching the show "Glee.")
On the essay front: I have 30 essays graded. But I stupidly assigned another project due this week, and now I have double the work to read. I am kicking myself for not checking a calendar first!
Water glasses
So we have a habit - Okay, I have a habit - of leaving half empty (or half-full - whichever way you want to look at it) glasses of water around the house. Call me crazy, but every time I feed the baby, I have this intense desire for water. So, either I get it myself before I breastfeed, or I ask Keith to get it for me. The problem with this is that I often don't finish this glass of water, and I soon forget about it for some reason or another - usually having to do with the baby. This would not be a problem if we didn't have cats in the house. Of course we left those glasses of water for them to drink, duh! Clem (and Kiwi by default because she must copy everything Clem does) is literally on top of that water as soon as it's set down. If there's enough water, she just sticks her entire head into it and laps it up. If there isn't, she reaches her paw into the glass and either scoops it into her mouth like a spoon or just licks her paw. Yeah, gross. I mean, just think of the places that paw has been.
Where does this leave me? After remembering that "oh yeah I left that glass of water on the coffee table an hour ago," I go in search of my drink. It never fails though. Every time I locate the glass, there is a puddle of water around it. And god forbid there is a magazine or an important paper document in the vicinity of that glass. The sad part of all of this is that I still don't learn to not leave water glasses alone on a table she can reach. And she doesn't learn, even though I screech at her every time I catch her, to drink from her own water bowl.
As a result of this bad habit, we have to wash far more water glasses than should be necessary in any house with two adults.
Just thought I'd share.
Where does this leave me? After remembering that "oh yeah I left that glass of water on the coffee table an hour ago," I go in search of my drink. It never fails though. Every time I locate the glass, there is a puddle of water around it. And god forbid there is a magazine or an important paper document in the vicinity of that glass. The sad part of all of this is that I still don't learn to not leave water glasses alone on a table she can reach. And she doesn't learn, even though I screech at her every time I catch her, to drink from her own water bowl.
As a result of this bad habit, we have to wash far more water glasses than should be necessary in any house with two adults.
Just thought I'd share.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sick mommy
If you're a sick mommy, being a breastfeeding mommy doesn't help - especially if you dare to have a sinus infection, which I've had for over a month. You can't take decongestants, which can REALLY help a sinus infection, and you have to be careful which antibiotics you take. And if you've had sinus infections before, you know that many antibiotics used to treat sinus infections don't always work and that there are some sinus infections resistant to most antibiotics. But of course you don't figure that out until AFTER you're done taking one particular course of antibiotics. Instead the symptoms seem to go away a little bit but then they come back in full force a few days later. And as a breastfeeding mommy, when you do dare to go on antibiotics you have to worry about the side effects of that medicine on your baby's digestive system, where many times the medicine wreaks havoc - causing painful gas and diarrhea.
As a result you end up with a sick mommy who doesn't get much sleep, who can't take anything really to keep the sinus infection at bay and who also happens to work in a germ factory. (An overheard-in-the- hallway the other day is a case in point - an administrator was heard asking a student "What's that up your nose?" Sorry I never got around to posting that, but I was too busy coughing phlegm up while pumping.)
All of those factors lead to more sickness. In fact, I've been sick for 5 weeks now. It's a vicious cycle and I wish I had some answers on how to stop it. For now, I'll try this new antibiotic and pray to whatever higher spirit is out there that my face stops hurting, my ears and nose unclog and that I can breathe clearly again without having to cough up yellow-greenish phlegm!
As a result you end up with a sick mommy who doesn't get much sleep, who can't take anything really to keep the sinus infection at bay and who also happens to work in a germ factory. (An overheard-in-the- hallway the other day is a case in point - an administrator was heard asking a student "What's that up your nose?" Sorry I never got around to posting that, but I was too busy coughing phlegm up while pumping.)
All of those factors lead to more sickness. In fact, I've been sick for 5 weeks now. It's a vicious cycle and I wish I had some answers on how to stop it. For now, I'll try this new antibiotic and pray to whatever higher spirit is out there that my face stops hurting, my ears and nose unclog and that I can breathe clearly again without having to cough up yellow-greenish phlegm!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Gas
In the middle of nursing, Cole just squeezed my hand, raised his knees to his chest just a little and farted. Must have learned THAT from his father.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, October 25, 2010
Cole update-Almost 5 months
1. For a little while Cole did raspberries. Lots of them. Now he's moved on to screeching, the kind you heard in the boppy video.
2. Cole touches our faces and everything else he can get his hands on.
3. Cole is starting to string together
sounds. A few weeks ago I swear it sounded like he said "dada" and a couple of times I know he's said "hi." sometimes he says "eme" or "hem" and I think he's trying to say mommy.
4. He is teething even more and I'm definitely seeing little white spots that feel hard across his gums. My nipples are not looking forward to that.
5. He weighs almost 16 lbs now.
6. I still can't believe he's going to be 5 months in two days!
7. He still smiles a LOT. It's the best part about looking at him
8. He can put the pacifier back into his mouth if it falls out. It's amazing to watch his little hands turn it around to face him and then watch as his hands guide it into his mouth. He uses the pacifier more for teething than to suck on.
9. We got him Sophie, the all-natural, rubber giraffe. It's his new favorite teething toy. And it's the only one he doesn't drop!
10. He's fascinated by the faucet when he's in the bathtub. It's one of the only diversions that work to keep him from crying during his bath.
2. Cole touches our faces and everything else he can get his hands on.
3. Cole is starting to string together
sounds. A few weeks ago I swear it sounded like he said "dada" and a couple of times I know he's said "hi." sometimes he says "eme" or "hem" and I think he's trying to say mommy.
4. He is teething even more and I'm definitely seeing little white spots that feel hard across his gums. My nipples are not looking forward to that.
5. He weighs almost 16 lbs now.
6. I still can't believe he's going to be 5 months in two days!
7. He still smiles a LOT. It's the best part about looking at him
8. He can put the pacifier back into his mouth if it falls out. It's amazing to watch his little hands turn it around to face him and then watch as his hands guide it into his mouth. He uses the pacifier more for teething than to suck on.
9. We got him Sophie, the all-natural, rubber giraffe. It's his new favorite teething toy. And it's the only one he doesn't drop!
10. He's fascinated by the faucet when he's in the bathtub. It's one of the only diversions that work to keep him from crying during his bath.
Sent from my iPhone
One hand
As a parent I've learned how to do many things one handed:
Eat meals
Do laundry
Blow my nose
Text or send an email
Put on my socks and shoes
Read a book (If I'm lucky )
Make a really quick meal
Eat meals
Do laundry
Blow my nose
Text or send an email
Put on my socks and shoes
Read a book (If I'm lucky )
Make a really quick meal
Did I miss anything?
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Daily cuteness: limber baby
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Duck Pond
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| Babywearing is fun! Cole finally likes facing me, and that's most likely because now he's big enough to see out. |
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| Keith's picture of Duck Pond. Peg and I couldn't decide if Sunday was the peak of the fall foliage or if the peak was yet to come. Either way, the mountain was BEautiful. |
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| Two roads diverged in a yellow wood... |
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| Keith took a picture of Peter taking a picture of me. Notice the big pack of lighting equipment (battery pack I think) on Peter's back, not to mention the yellow bag of camera stuff Peg was carrying in the background. |
Studio pics
Thanks to Peter for taking the family portrait of us. The outfit Cole is wearing in the first photo is one given to us by Amy, Mike and Sophia when Cole was 2 days old. It always looked so big, I figured he'd have to be at least six months to wear it, but I figured I'd try him in it because he has been growing so much. Lo and behold it fit perfectly! It's one of those square onesies that are deceiving because they have longer legs so they look like they are going to be bigger on the baby. The last picture was part of a stock concept of working mother. I liked it because that is what Cole does frequently to me now, touching my face or lips when I hold him up. And he does it in such a loving way, like he wants to get to know every part of my face. It's moments like those when I realize how blessed I am.
The bane of my existence
Grading. That is the bane of my existence. One year during one horrendous stretch of grading we were doing in the office, one of my co-workers said that grading was killing her soul. I couldn't agree more. In fact I wrote a poem about it inspired by her observation. But I can't for the life of me what journal I put it in, so you'll never have the pleasure of reading it. Maybe if I ever get out from under the pile I have created for myself, I can write a new one. On Monday, I just collected essays from my students. They are good essays so far, but grading them is the challenging part. I HATE putting a number on language. I HATE putting a number on words that students have painstakingly put together to create beautiful flowing sentences and stories that are so interesting they put my first year essays to total and complete shame. I took an hour after school to start the grading, because if I don't, I will procrastinate and then it will be close to the end of the quarter and THAT would not be pretty. I am trying to be pre-emptive about this, but it took me that whole hour to grade SIX essays. Ten minutes per essay! It's because I've been out of the game for 8 long months that I spent sooooo much time assessing these 6 essays. It's also because these students have spent hours putting this essay together, both in class and out of class (I could be exaggerating though. I truly have no idea how long they spent on their essays at home). Anyway, I've got to streamline the process. I'm going to have to do this for the next few days and Keith may even have to pick up Cole from daycare one day so I can get the work done. I hate to leave him there for so long but this is part of my job as an English teacher. The grading must get done.
NOT the bane of my existence
What was nice, was at the end of that long hour of grading, I picked up Cole from day care and I was so happy to see him. So happy. He was also so happy to see me. He had the most adorable smile on his face when he finally noticed me. I try to get his milk in the fridge and his car seat ready before he notices me, because if he notices me sooner and I don't pick him up right away, he cries. And it's the saddest cry ever. His lips form this tremendous frown and his face gets red immediately and the tears flow quickly. Thankfully, he noticed me when I was ready to pick him up and we had a joyous reunion.
Today he had a well baby visit, the first one I was not present for. He weighs: 15 lbs 8 oz. and is 26 inches long. Wooh! Baby is growing! Doctor says he is perfect. I like the sound of that. I wish I could tell you his head measurement, but Keith forgot to get it in writing. I think I may call up and see if they can tell me. Maybe it's just me, but I like to know these things. He had more vaccines and so tonight he was a bit cranky.
This morning Grandma Carolyn dropped off the most adorable handmade hat for Cole at my job. We'll be taking a picture and I'll be posting it soon. Thanks Carolyn!
What will follow this post will be a post or two of pictures: studio outtakes and pics from our hike this weekend. Cole and I went on a walk around Split Rock at Mohonk on Saturday morning while Keith worked and on Sunday we went on a family hike with friends, Peter and Peg. Peter posted some gorgeous photos from that hike on Facebook if you haven't seen them already. And yes, the funniest part about that hike was when I asked Keith to take a picture of me with my iPhone and there among the two of them, according to Peter, is $14,000 worth of camera equipment (yes the three of them carried that stuff into the woods). But in my defense - I wanted something I could post to my blog FROM my iPhone! Sometimes I blog from my phone via the email while I am pumping. I like to blog a post with a picture attached, just as I'm sure you like to read those.
So the date is set. Cole will be meeting my grandmother, his great-grandmother on Nov. 20. Keith and I are making a day trip to LI to see Mom. I can't wait for the two to meet. I think it will really make her day - maybe even her week!
And this weekend we are heading to New Jersey on Saturday for Lucas' first birthday party. Today is his first birthday and speaking of birthdays - Junie will be 10 months on Friday and Cole will be five months next Wednesday. Lori's boy is also due next Thursday! Wooooa. So many babies, so little time. It's just such an amazing time. It's so awesome that all of our kids will be around the same age. Our pool parties will be just as fun!
NOT the bane of my existence
What was nice, was at the end of that long hour of grading, I picked up Cole from day care and I was so happy to see him. So happy. He was also so happy to see me. He had the most adorable smile on his face when he finally noticed me. I try to get his milk in the fridge and his car seat ready before he notices me, because if he notices me sooner and I don't pick him up right away, he cries. And it's the saddest cry ever. His lips form this tremendous frown and his face gets red immediately and the tears flow quickly. Thankfully, he noticed me when I was ready to pick him up and we had a joyous reunion.
Today he had a well baby visit, the first one I was not present for. He weighs: 15 lbs 8 oz. and is 26 inches long. Wooh! Baby is growing! Doctor says he is perfect. I like the sound of that. I wish I could tell you his head measurement, but Keith forgot to get it in writing. I think I may call up and see if they can tell me. Maybe it's just me, but I like to know these things. He had more vaccines and so tonight he was a bit cranky.
This morning Grandma Carolyn dropped off the most adorable handmade hat for Cole at my job. We'll be taking a picture and I'll be posting it soon. Thanks Carolyn!
What will follow this post will be a post or two of pictures: studio outtakes and pics from our hike this weekend. Cole and I went on a walk around Split Rock at Mohonk on Saturday morning while Keith worked and on Sunday we went on a family hike with friends, Peter and Peg. Peter posted some gorgeous photos from that hike on Facebook if you haven't seen them already. And yes, the funniest part about that hike was when I asked Keith to take a picture of me with my iPhone and there among the two of them, according to Peter, is $14,000 worth of camera equipment (yes the three of them carried that stuff into the woods). But in my defense - I wanted something I could post to my blog FROM my iPhone! Sometimes I blog from my phone via the email while I am pumping. I like to blog a post with a picture attached, just as I'm sure you like to read those.
So the date is set. Cole will be meeting my grandmother, his great-grandmother on Nov. 20. Keith and I are making a day trip to LI to see Mom. I can't wait for the two to meet. I think it will really make her day - maybe even her week!
And this weekend we are heading to New Jersey on Saturday for Lucas' first birthday party. Today is his first birthday and speaking of birthdays - Junie will be 10 months on Friday and Cole will be five months next Wednesday. Lori's boy is also due next Thursday! Wooooa. So many babies, so little time. It's just such an amazing time. It's so awesome that all of our kids will be around the same age. Our pool parties will be just as fun!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
A few personality traits
1) Cole is impatient, especially when it comes to his food. He grunts and makes loud noises like "Argh!" until he gets the boob or the bottle. He does this with his mouth wide open (good baby sign if I ever saw one!)
2) He loves to dance and be danced with, especially in the Baby Bjorn. He squeals with delight when you sing and dance with him. He likes to do this in front of the mirror too, where he can watch himself go back and forth.
3) He likes the outside. He doesn't crank at all when we go outside. It's actually a way of calming him down, which is something we need to do less and less these days.
4) Did I mention how limber he is? Like all babies he is very flexible. Teething has made him determined to stay flexible. At least once a day he sticks the front half of his foot (yes- all 5 toes!) into his mouth and he sucks on them.
5) He is patient if you ask him nicely to wait.
6) When placed in someone else's arms, he inevitably stares at the person who was just holding him. He will actually try to turn around in the new person's arms and stare back at the person just holding him.
2) He loves to dance and be danced with, especially in the Baby Bjorn. He squeals with delight when you sing and dance with him. He likes to do this in front of the mirror too, where he can watch himself go back and forth.
3) He likes the outside. He doesn't crank at all when we go outside. It's actually a way of calming him down, which is something we need to do less and less these days.
4) Did I mention how limber he is? Like all babies he is very flexible. Teething has made him determined to stay flexible. At least once a day he sticks the front half of his foot (yes- all 5 toes!) into his mouth and he sucks on them.
5) He is patient if you ask him nicely to wait.
6) When placed in someone else's arms, he inevitably stares at the person who was just holding him. He will actually try to turn around in the new person's arms and stare back at the person just holding him.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I apologize for my previous long winded post. I realized I could have made my point in far fewer words, but sometimes we need to vent, right? I felt better afterwards.
Good news : I pumped 14 oz today!
Cole ate 13 at daycare, up from the previous 2 days. Tuesday he ate 6 oz ( which concerned me) and yesterday 9 oz. Eating more is a sign he's feeling better. He also doesn't sound as congested. Because he was eating less and probably because I pumped more I've caught up a bit and we haven't had to give him formula in a few days.
Cheers to more of mommy's milk!
Sent from my iPhone
New diagnosis
So I took Cole to the doctor again on Tuesday. He was still congested and a bit fussy and not sleeping well because at some points during the night he couldn't breathe through his nose. Our regular dr is in vacation so we saw someone else. He thinks Cole has reflux. One way to remedy that is to elevate the mattress. Coles regular dr has already mentioned that as a possibility ( especially considering the signs: he spits up a lot more lately and sometimes when he spits up it appears to be the entire feeding- although it probably isn't considering the weight gain.) We did the elevation of the co- sleeper mattress and it seemed to help the first night- although last night he was pretty cranky.
As for me, I'm still sick and frustrated with the dr for not paying close enough attention. I'll explain what i mean. Last week I called the office to tell them I wanted an antibiotic. I had been sick for 2 weeks by that point and just wanted to get better. I had done everything ( saline spray, steam bath etc) to get better and was taking the only cold medicine I could- mucinex.
So he prescribed me an antibiotic that was not recommended for use by breastfeeding mothers. It also had lots of scary warnings all over the bottle. He was gone for the day by the time I got the medicine so the dr on call prescribed me something else and said if it doesn't help in 48 hrs to call my dr because it's one of those medicines that don't always help patients with sinus infections. However my dr said I should wait it out (it's a 10 day medication ) but it's been 5 days and I still feel like crappola. Yesterday I stayed home from work and Keith took Cole to daycare and I rested as much as I could. I'm still feeling run down with aches and I am still congested. My mucus is still yellow. My ears also still feel infected and they keep unclogging and clogging back up. It's not easy to teach with clogged ears, let me tell you.
I hope the dr finally listens to me and prescribes me something that I can take and that will help me.
Sent from my iPhone
As for me, I'm still sick and frustrated with the dr for not paying close enough attention. I'll explain what i mean. Last week I called the office to tell them I wanted an antibiotic. I had been sick for 2 weeks by that point and just wanted to get better. I had done everything ( saline spray, steam bath etc) to get better and was taking the only cold medicine I could- mucinex.
So he prescribed me an antibiotic that was not recommended for use by breastfeeding mothers. It also had lots of scary warnings all over the bottle. He was gone for the day by the time I got the medicine so the dr on call prescribed me something else and said if it doesn't help in 48 hrs to call my dr because it's one of those medicines that don't always help patients with sinus infections. However my dr said I should wait it out (it's a 10 day medication ) but it's been 5 days and I still feel like crappola. Yesterday I stayed home from work and Keith took Cole to daycare and I rested as much as I could. I'm still feeling run down with aches and I am still congested. My mucus is still yellow. My ears also still feel infected and they keep unclogging and clogging back up. It's not easy to teach with clogged ears, let me tell you.
I hope the dr finally listens to me and prescribes me something that I can take and that will help me.
Sent from my iPhone
Daily cuteness: autumn stroller ride
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Overheard in the hallway
This will be a new feature of little snippets of conversation that I hear and that always manage to give me a little chuckle ( yes, I chuckle). These are snippets overheard while I walk through the hallways at work and while pumping ( remember my little closet?) at work.
Today's is: "I have rights, free rights!" a student was overheard saying when another student demanded he come back to his locker and he didn't want to go.
Sent my iPhone
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Dear Cole's hands
This is an open letter to Cole's hands.
Dear sirs:
As the mother and creator of you, I feel it is my right to lay out my rule. Here it is:
STAY AWAY FROM MY SON'S EYES WHILE HE IS SLEEPING.
I am getting really tired of you waking Cole up when he is in a deep sleep. This is really my only rule, because it is really my only qualm with you. I have waited 4 months for you to get control of yourselves, but for some reason, you still do whatever the hell you feel like doing. What I don't understand is why you feel it is necessary to push yourselves directly into my son's sleeping eyes when they are calm and resting. Why must you force them open by constantly rubbing them? Do you think that's fair to Cole? I know he would love to stay asleep, and I would love for him to stay asleep, especially when he's not feeling well. So why do you keep being so persistent in waking him up? Are you that bored? Do you need a playmate? You have each other! You can play with each other down by his lap or his thighs or up past his head - where you belong! NOT on his face and especially NOT near his eyes!
If you do not follow my rule, I will be forced to deal the consequences. Right now, you are subdued by a swaddling blanket that you usually find your way out of. But no more. If I get my hands on a size medium Sleep Sack, that velcro will be the end of you. Do you really want that? Do you want to be in what amounts to a sleeping strait jacket? I didn't think so. Please abide by my rule and you can remain as free as you are now.
Sincerely,
Mama
P.S. What is with you rubbing the side of his head recently? You make it red and irritated and it still wakes him up. Do you really have no morals at all? What kind of hands are you, anyway?
Dear sirs:
As the mother and creator of you, I feel it is my right to lay out my rule. Here it is:
STAY AWAY FROM MY SON'S EYES WHILE HE IS SLEEPING.
I am getting really tired of you waking Cole up when he is in a deep sleep. This is really my only rule, because it is really my only qualm with you. I have waited 4 months for you to get control of yourselves, but for some reason, you still do whatever the hell you feel like doing. What I don't understand is why you feel it is necessary to push yourselves directly into my son's sleeping eyes when they are calm and resting. Why must you force them open by constantly rubbing them? Do you think that's fair to Cole? I know he would love to stay asleep, and I would love for him to stay asleep, especially when he's not feeling well. So why do you keep being so persistent in waking him up? Are you that bored? Do you need a playmate? You have each other! You can play with each other down by his lap or his thighs or up past his head - where you belong! NOT on his face and especially NOT near his eyes!
If you do not follow my rule, I will be forced to deal the consequences. Right now, you are subdued by a swaddling blanket that you usually find your way out of. But no more. If I get my hands on a size medium Sleep Sack, that velcro will be the end of you. Do you really want that? Do you want to be in what amounts to a sleeping strait jacket? I didn't think so. Please abide by my rule and you can remain as free as you are now.
Sincerely,
Mama
P.S. What is with you rubbing the side of his head recently? You make it red and irritated and it still wakes him up. Do you really have no morals at all? What kind of hands are you, anyway?
Relief
As much as I hated giving Cole formula as a supplement it has come as somewhat as a relief. I no longer have to stress at work if I am pumping enough milk. That is a huge weight off my shoulders. I can enjoy the time I spend out of my day getting milk for my baby and not spend so much time pumping that I am killing my nipples. Sometimes I would pump for 30 minutes straight just to get every last drop and that did a number on them. Now I take about 15-20 minutes and I stop. I don't kill myself and it doesn't take the entire period anymore (a period =41 minutes). The day care gives him formula if there is no more breast milk and we give him formula at night. So he will definitely be getting it at least once a day. But so far, I've been keeping on top of production. I'm sure there will be days where I fall short and that's what the formula is there for. I feel relieved and I feel like I can relax more. That is so important. I want to enjoy the time I have with my baby not worry about pumping more at night if I couldn't pump enough during the day.
Blessing: Behind the scenes
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| A nice setting the scene shot |
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| Lucas and Juni play together |
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| Nicholas and Jason up close and personal |
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| This is me reading the naming portion of the blessing |
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| Such a happy boy |
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| Sling baby |
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| Front row: Grandparents and aunt |
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| Jana and Kieran stand by as Cole says hi to Grandpa Bill |
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| Behind the blessing |
Updates
Cole just laid down for a nap and Keith just left for a wedding. So I have to make this quick, because there's lots to do with this time (plan what I'm going to teach next week, for instance!) I never know how long he's going to stay down for. On Friday he only took one 40 minute nap the entire day at day care. They tried to get him to sleep, but to no avail. His nose is so stuffed that I think it wakes him up a lot. That and his hands. Oh, his hands. But that's another post entirely.
Updates on Cole
1. He rolls around onto his belly now. He's figured out how to maneuver over his arm and then get his arm out from under him. He does amazing push ups and can really scoot around on his belly. This is a picture of him doing just that.
2. He's getting close to sitting up. He can hold himself up with his hand but still falls over without it. He sits well in the boppy, even though he complains a lot. We got him a Bumbo chair, and that helps him too.
3. We bought him a jumparoo off craigslist. It turns out it was the same woman we bought a bunch of used clothes from. She has a 10-month old son. I wanted to say to her - OK so next thing you want to sell - just email us directly - save us all the hassle! But I didn't because I think we have most of what we need right now. So he LOVES the jumparoo. He squeals with delight. But definitely gets stimulated quickly, so he doesn't last as long as he does in the Baby Einstein.
4. Which brings me to the Baby Einstein. His favorite thing ever. When I put him on the floor next to the Einstein he will sometimes just turn his head and gawk at the Baby Einstein and I know that's my cue to put him in it.
5. I think his cold, like mine and like Keith's, has progressed into a sinus infection. I just started antibiotics yesterday and I hope they have a positive affect on him as well. I've been doing saline sprays and the nasal aspirator as much as possible, but he needs to cough it up and that's hard to get a baby to do. The more saline sprays the better.
6. Yesterday he went on his fourth hike. Yesterday was Spontaneous Saturday. What started out as a quick outing to get my medicine turned into an almost whole day affair. First breakfast then moving sale then donuts at Saunderskill then hike at Peter's Kill. We stuck to the OTHER side of the mountain. We knew if we ventured into New Paltz it would have been a traffic nightmare with this being the HEIGHT of the leaf-peeping season. I do, however, need to get down there today. Please pray for a quick entry and exit.
7. Cole tried his first formula, and is able to switch back and forth between that and breastmilk no problem.
8. He's also been eating rice cereal as an afternoon and before bedtime snack.
9. He's beginning to take food from my hands and from our plates. He marvels at glasses of water and cans of ginger ale. He's definitely starting to take an interest in adult food (for lack of a better adjective phrase).
10. He notices the cats regularly and strives to touch them. As soon as he touches them, they run away or move to the other side of wherever he is (bed, couch, window, floor).
I will be posting more pics of the blessing momentarily
Updates on Cole
2. He's getting close to sitting up. He can hold himself up with his hand but still falls over without it. He sits well in the boppy, even though he complains a lot. We got him a Bumbo chair, and that helps him too.
3. We bought him a jumparoo off craigslist. It turns out it was the same woman we bought a bunch of used clothes from. She has a 10-month old son. I wanted to say to her - OK so next thing you want to sell - just email us directly - save us all the hassle! But I didn't because I think we have most of what we need right now. So he LOVES the jumparoo. He squeals with delight. But definitely gets stimulated quickly, so he doesn't last as long as he does in the Baby Einstein.
4. Which brings me to the Baby Einstein. His favorite thing ever. When I put him on the floor next to the Einstein he will sometimes just turn his head and gawk at the Baby Einstein and I know that's my cue to put him in it.
5. I think his cold, like mine and like Keith's, has progressed into a sinus infection. I just started antibiotics yesterday and I hope they have a positive affect on him as well. I've been doing saline sprays and the nasal aspirator as much as possible, but he needs to cough it up and that's hard to get a baby to do. The more saline sprays the better.
6. Yesterday he went on his fourth hike. Yesterday was Spontaneous Saturday. What started out as a quick outing to get my medicine turned into an almost whole day affair. First breakfast then moving sale then donuts at Saunderskill then hike at Peter's Kill. We stuck to the OTHER side of the mountain. We knew if we ventured into New Paltz it would have been a traffic nightmare with this being the HEIGHT of the leaf-peeping season. I do, however, need to get down there today. Please pray for a quick entry and exit.
7. Cole tried his first formula, and is able to switch back and forth between that and breastmilk no problem.
8. He's also been eating rice cereal as an afternoon and before bedtime snack.
9. He's beginning to take food from my hands and from our plates. He marvels at glasses of water and cans of ginger ale. He's definitely starting to take an interest in adult food (for lack of a better adjective phrase).
10. He notices the cats regularly and strives to touch them. As soon as he touches them, they run away or move to the other side of wherever he is (bed, couch, window, floor).
I will be posting more pics of the blessing momentarily
Friday, October 8, 2010
Daily Cuteness: All bundled up
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Blessing Pictures
These are pictures from Cole's baby blessing, which was held here at our house on Sept. 26. Cole was just one day shy of 4 months old. Tomorrow he will be 19 weeks old. My how time flies. Cole was blessed by Puja Thomson, the woman who married Keith and I. Allison took these pictures. She took more pictures, but I didn't have that much time to transfer the files over to smaller JPEGS so this was what I got before Cole started fussing. I must add that Cole did not fussing at all during the blessing. He was all smiles and had everyone laughing and smiling right back. He was definitely the star of the show that afternoon.
Long Awaited Hiking Pictures
Better days
I've seen better days. As far as days go, these have been the hardest. It is becoming ever so clear to me that the phrase "working mother" is an oxymoron. As a mother, you are already working - that is a full-time job in itself. Then add on top the responsibilities of a career and you've got a working working mother. Of course that sounds ridiculous so that's why it has been simplified for us simpletons.
Cole has been sick, I've been sick, and Keith has been sick. Currently, we are all still sick. I have dark circles under my eyes that make me look my age. My hair feels lifeless and I just feel like blech. It sucks and I'm so physically exhausted I'm not sure how I function every day and teach and smile and wake up and then do it all over again. Because he has been sick, and also because he's growing and maybe even also because he's teething, Cole has been ravenous. He eats more at day care and he nurses about every hour and a half at home. That means little to no sleep for both of us, and sometimes, all 3 of us wake up too tired to move.
Couple all of this at home with my work day - my work day in which I am pumping almost every free second I have (I'm being hyperbolic, but you get the point) and you have sheer exhaustion. Because of all this and because my job requires me to do more than just teach (planning, grading, communicating with parents, guidance counselors and administrators) I can't always pump what Cole needs the next day - especially if I'm stressed. For instance, I was so overtired and stressed today that I only pumped 8 oz. Consequently, we have decided to supplement his feedings with rice cereal and formula. Formula was the last thing I wanted to give Cole. There is nothing wrong with formula; it's just that breast milk is better for him plain and simple. And I want to give him the best.
But I cannot go on like this. I cannot spend all of my free time trying to make milk for him when I don't have that much free time nor can I spend my time worrying about getting enough milk for him. I also cannot continue to function on so little sleep. Do I sound like I am explaining myself? I probably am. This decision was not made lightly. I've cried and agonized over it, but it dawned on me today that for the past several weeks I've been denying to myself that he needs more to eat at day care. So last night we gave him 4 oz of formula, and he was STILL hungry afterwards. I nursed him after the formula bottle and he fell asleep with a little bit of help from Keith. By no means did he sleep through the night, but he woke up every 2 hours instead of every 90 mts - and THAT was an improvement.
I want to give my son the absolute best in life, so it kills me to not be able to do that - especially after believing I'd be able to nurse him for a year with just solids as supplements and not formula. I think the biggest lesson I can learn from this is how to let go. I have to let go and believe that I have done my best. I have done everything I can these past four months to make sure he only ate breast milk. But if I continue on like this, I will hit rock bottom, and I don't want to do that. I already had a breakdown at work over this - crying to my co-worker after she asked me how Cole and I were doing. Before I knew it I was crying to all of the women in the office and they were all giving me advice and trying to make me feel better about the situation. (They had all breastfed and all of them either supplemented or switched to formula after returning to work). I do not under any circumstance want to switch, but my biggest fear with supplementing was that I would lose my supply and could be forced to switch. Every breastfeeding book I read says that once you supplement with formula your supply can start to diminish by each feeding that is taken away. I've also heard anecdotes of mothers who've supplemented and whose child then preferred the formula over breastmilk. But I've also heard the opposite to be true as well. I truly hope that does not happen with Cole. Hopefully, at 4 months of age, breastfeeding is such a huge part of his life that he won't want to stop until we're both ready. I also hope that the 2 formula feedings a day we are planning to do (1 at daycare and one before bed) will not significantly affect my supply. One can only pray.
I know I've promised pictures, and I will post them sometime this week, but this topic is at the forefront of my mind, and I needed to write it down. For me, writing is also therapeutic so this has helped. Thanks for reading.
Cole has been sick, I've been sick, and Keith has been sick. Currently, we are all still sick. I have dark circles under my eyes that make me look my age. My hair feels lifeless and I just feel like blech. It sucks and I'm so physically exhausted I'm not sure how I function every day and teach and smile and wake up and then do it all over again. Because he has been sick, and also because he's growing and maybe even also because he's teething, Cole has been ravenous. He eats more at day care and he nurses about every hour and a half at home. That means little to no sleep for both of us, and sometimes, all 3 of us wake up too tired to move.
Couple all of this at home with my work day - my work day in which I am pumping almost every free second I have (I'm being hyperbolic, but you get the point) and you have sheer exhaustion. Because of all this and because my job requires me to do more than just teach (planning, grading, communicating with parents, guidance counselors and administrators) I can't always pump what Cole needs the next day - especially if I'm stressed. For instance, I was so overtired and stressed today that I only pumped 8 oz. Consequently, we have decided to supplement his feedings with rice cereal and formula. Formula was the last thing I wanted to give Cole. There is nothing wrong with formula; it's just that breast milk is better for him plain and simple. And I want to give him the best.
But I cannot go on like this. I cannot spend all of my free time trying to make milk for him when I don't have that much free time nor can I spend my time worrying about getting enough milk for him. I also cannot continue to function on so little sleep. Do I sound like I am explaining myself? I probably am. This decision was not made lightly. I've cried and agonized over it, but it dawned on me today that for the past several weeks I've been denying to myself that he needs more to eat at day care. So last night we gave him 4 oz of formula, and he was STILL hungry afterwards. I nursed him after the formula bottle and he fell asleep with a little bit of help from Keith. By no means did he sleep through the night, but he woke up every 2 hours instead of every 90 mts - and THAT was an improvement.
I want to give my son the absolute best in life, so it kills me to not be able to do that - especially after believing I'd be able to nurse him for a year with just solids as supplements and not formula. I think the biggest lesson I can learn from this is how to let go. I have to let go and believe that I have done my best. I have done everything I can these past four months to make sure he only ate breast milk. But if I continue on like this, I will hit rock bottom, and I don't want to do that. I already had a breakdown at work over this - crying to my co-worker after she asked me how Cole and I were doing. Before I knew it I was crying to all of the women in the office and they were all giving me advice and trying to make me feel better about the situation. (They had all breastfed and all of them either supplemented or switched to formula after returning to work). I do not under any circumstance want to switch, but my biggest fear with supplementing was that I would lose my supply and could be forced to switch. Every breastfeeding book I read says that once you supplement with formula your supply can start to diminish by each feeding that is taken away. I've also heard anecdotes of mothers who've supplemented and whose child then preferred the formula over breastmilk. But I've also heard the opposite to be true as well. I truly hope that does not happen with Cole. Hopefully, at 4 months of age, breastfeeding is such a huge part of his life that he won't want to stop until we're both ready. I also hope that the 2 formula feedings a day we are planning to do (1 at daycare and one before bed) will not significantly affect my supply. One can only pray.
I know I've promised pictures, and I will post them sometime this week, but this topic is at the forefront of my mind, and I needed to write it down. For me, writing is also therapeutic so this has helped. Thanks for reading.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Coming soon..
I will be posting sometime this week...
Hiking pictures from a short hike we took on Saturday.
More studio pics... that include a nice family portrait that Peter took.
Then you'll all be able to see how much growing Cole has done.
Also - pics from the blessing...(I was supposed to post those a week ago, wasn't I?)
Then you'll all be able to see how much growing Cole has done.
Also - pics from the blessing...(I was supposed to post those a week ago, wasn't I?)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Growth spurt
The facts:
Cole is going through a growth spurt, eating more at daycare and nursing more at home. Keith and Cole both have a cold and I'm getting over mine. Cole is still teething and now he seems to have a little diarrhea illness, but no fever. Keith and I are beyond exhausted. So we caved and tried soft solids for the very first time last night. Cole had a tablespoon of dried organic rice cereal mixed with breast milk.
The result: No difference. Another night of barely any sleep. I don't know how I am functioning every day, but I am.
Sent from my iPhone
Cole is going through a growth spurt, eating more at daycare and nursing more at home. Keith and Cole both have a cold and I'm getting over mine. Cole is still teething and now he seems to have a little diarrhea illness, but no fever. Keith and I are beyond exhausted. So we caved and tried soft solids for the very first time last night. Cole had a tablespoon of dried organic rice cereal mixed with breast milk.
The result: No difference. Another night of barely any sleep. I don't know how I am functioning every day, but I am.
Sent from my iPhone
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