Our friends really enjoyed playing with the new items in the room and with each other. I did think the highlight of the day was getting to use the new outside bathroom and drinking fountain. Our class was the first class to christen the new potties.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Class highlights from last week...from his new teacher Ms. Cindy
After morning outside time, we conducted our first science experiment. We collected various items to see if they would sink or float. We posted pictures of the experiment and results on our door. When we do these experiments we encourage the children to make use of their sense to make observations, think about the process, and try to guess or predict the outcome. We then talk about what happened and why. They had lots fun with this experiment. We will try it again another time with different items.
We also started working on our self-portraits or as we like to call them - mini me's. This is an activity to promote self awareness. We talked about what color eyes and hair we have. I let them choose a pattern that best fit them. We will add yarn for our hair color. After we talked about what we looked like, I gave them the freedom to create their portrait as they wished. I like to do this activity at the beginning of the year and again at the end just to see how far they have progressed. We hope to have them ready to show you Wednesday evening at our spaghetti dinner open house.
Class highlights from last week...from his new teacher Ms. Cindy
After morning outside time, we conducted our first science experiment. We collected various items to see if they would sink or float. We posted pictures of the experiment and results on our door. When we do these experiments we encourage the children to make use of their sense to make observations, think about the process, and try to guess or predict the outcome. We then talk about what happened and why. They had lots fun with this experiment. We will try it again another time with different items.
We also started working on our self-portraits or as we like to call them - mini me's. This is an activity to promote self awareness. We talked about what color eyes and hair we have. I let them choose a pattern that best fit them. We will add yarn for our hair color. After we talked about what we looked like, I gave them the freedom to create their portrait as they wished. I like to do this activity at the beginning of the year and again at the end just to see how far they have progressed. We hope to have them ready to show you Wednesday evening at our spaghetti dinner open house.
Our friends really enjoyed playing with the new items in the room and with each other. I did think the highlight of the day was getting to use the new outside bathroom and drinking fountain. Our class was the first class to christen the new potties.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Band of Mothers...
Sarah and Jane (mom to Mae), You know us, Jordan and baby-boy-in-tummy (mom to Henry Wallace), Terry (mom to Amira and Emmet), Mary (mom to Leo and Joe) and Debby (mom to Moses and Truly).
Band of Mothers...
Sarah and Jane (mom to Mae), You know us, Jordan and baby-boy-in-tummy (mom to Henry Wallace), Terry (mom to Amira and Emmet), Mary (mom to Leo and Joe) and Debby (mom to Moses and Truly).
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
9 months old
Eleanor was 9 months yesterday. I wanted to take some nice photos but our 50mm lens is missing. There will be a full ransacking of our house this weekend.
But I will upload a video tonight of her "mamamamamamamamama-ing".
Her personality is definitely emerging, lately. She is much more mama-focused. She wants me (finally!). I wonder if it's b/c she doesn't have her Chela anymore?
I sometimes call her Ellie Belly but not sure if it will stick. She does not seem like an Ella or an Elle (yet). Henry said we needed to call her Giraffe (because he is Bear therefore she should be an animal too). Henry says Eleanor in the most perfect way. It makes me love her name even more when he says it. And all the children in Henry's class know her name and it sounds so sweet from kid mouths.
E loves to be upside down and thrown in the air. The OPPOSITE of Henry in every way. It makes her giggle and it terrified him.
This past Saturday night Justin got me a room at a hotel so I could get completely uninterrupted sleep and we could begin the night weaning process. It went SO WELL. I left milk of course but he/she did not even need it. Justin just cuddled with her when she woke and she was fine. Today is Wednesday and she is still doing great. I had no idea night weaning could be completely tear-free. I feel so liberated!!! I'm not the only one who can get her back to sleep anymore!!!! I went to a movie last night and did not come home till 11!!! Wooohoooo and more exclamation marks!!!!!
As of this week our new morning routine is I take Henry to school at 9 and E comes with us and then we go back home and I put her down for her nap and then when she wakes we play for a few minutes and then I take her to school at 11 and then go to work. They play for an hour and then eat lunch and then nap two hours and Dad gets her a little after 4. Not bad. I only feel slightly guilty as opposed to consumed with guilt.
But I will upload a video tonight of her "mamamamamamamamama-ing".
Her personality is definitely emerging, lately. She is much more mama-focused. She wants me (finally!). I wonder if it's b/c she doesn't have her Chela anymore?
I sometimes call her Ellie Belly but not sure if it will stick. She does not seem like an Ella or an Elle (yet). Henry said we needed to call her Giraffe (because he is Bear therefore she should be an animal too). Henry says Eleanor in the most perfect way. It makes me love her name even more when he says it. And all the children in Henry's class know her name and it sounds so sweet from kid mouths.
E loves to be upside down and thrown in the air. The OPPOSITE of Henry in every way. It makes her giggle and it terrified him.
This past Saturday night Justin got me a room at a hotel so I could get completely uninterrupted sleep and we could begin the night weaning process. It went SO WELL. I left milk of course but he/she did not even need it. Justin just cuddled with her when she woke and she was fine. Today is Wednesday and she is still doing great. I had no idea night weaning could be completely tear-free. I feel so liberated!!! I'm not the only one who can get her back to sleep anymore!!!! I went to a movie last night and did not come home till 11!!! Wooohoooo and more exclamation marks!!!!!
As of this week our new morning routine is I take Henry to school at 9 and E comes with us and then we go back home and I put her down for her nap and then when she wakes we play for a few minutes and then I take her to school at 11 and then go to work. They play for an hour and then eat lunch and then nap two hours and Dad gets her a little after 4. Not bad. I only feel slightly guilty as opposed to consumed with guilt.
9 months old
Eleanor was 9 months yesterday. I wanted to take some nice photos but our 50mm lens is missing. There will be a full ransacking of our house this weekend.
But I will upload a video tonight of her "mamamamamamamamama-ing".
Her personality is definitely emerging, lately. She is much more mama-focused. She wants me (finally!). I wonder if it's b/c she doesn't have her Chela anymore?
I sometimes call her Ellie Belly but not sure if it will stick. She does not seem like an Ella or an Elle (yet). Henry said we needed to call her Giraffe (because he is Bear therefore she should be an animal too). Henry says Eleanor in the most perfect way. It makes me love her name even more when he says it. And all the children in Henry's class know her name and it sounds so sweet from kid mouths.
E loves to be upside down and thrown in the air. The OPPOSITE of Henry in every way. It makes her giggle and it terrified him.
This past Saturday night Justin got me a room at a hotel so I could get completely uninterrupted sleep and we could begin the night weaning process. It went SO WELL. I left milk of course but he/she did not even need it. Justin just cuddled with her when she woke and she was fine. Today is Wednesday and she is still doing great. I had no idea night weaning could be completely tear-free. I feel so liberated!!! I'm not the only one who can get her back to sleep anymore!!!! I went to a movie last night and did not come home till 11!!! Wooohoooo and more exclamation marks!!!!!
As of this week our new morning routine is I take Henry to school at 9 and E comes with us and then we go back home and I put her down for her nap and then when she wakes we play for a few minutes and then I take her to school at 11 and then go to work. They play for an hour and then eat lunch and then nap two hours and Dad gets her a little after 4. Not bad. I only feel slightly guilty as opposed to consumed with guilt.
But I will upload a video tonight of her "mamamamamamamamama-ing".
Her personality is definitely emerging, lately. She is much more mama-focused. She wants me (finally!). I wonder if it's b/c she doesn't have her Chela anymore?
I sometimes call her Ellie Belly but not sure if it will stick. She does not seem like an Ella or an Elle (yet). Henry said we needed to call her Giraffe (because he is Bear therefore she should be an animal too). Henry says Eleanor in the most perfect way. It makes me love her name even more when he says it. And all the children in Henry's class know her name and it sounds so sweet from kid mouths.
E loves to be upside down and thrown in the air. The OPPOSITE of Henry in every way. It makes her giggle and it terrified him.
This past Saturday night Justin got me a room at a hotel so I could get completely uninterrupted sleep and we could begin the night weaning process. It went SO WELL. I left milk of course but he/she did not even need it. Justin just cuddled with her when she woke and she was fine. Today is Wednesday and she is still doing great. I had no idea night weaning could be completely tear-free. I feel so liberated!!! I'm not the only one who can get her back to sleep anymore!!!! I went to a movie last night and did not come home till 11!!! Wooohoooo and more exclamation marks!!!!!
As of this week our new morning routine is I take Henry to school at 9 and E comes with us and then we go back home and I put her down for her nap and then when she wakes we play for a few minutes and then I take her to school at 11 and then go to work. They play for an hour and then eat lunch and then nap two hours and Dad gets her a little after 4. Not bad. I only feel slightly guilty as opposed to consumed with guilt.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Circus 2.0
Henry and I went to the circus on Saturday. I have a few videos I might share someday...but, for now just a few memories. The theme this year was less circus-y than last year and more magic show-y, so I am not sure how much Henry understood about the woman in the box disappearing or the man turning into a tiger, but he seemed to like it all the same. It's funny to hear his impressions, because the things he seemed to remember were very ancillary to the overall show...usually happening on the side while the main event was setting up. He loved the "clown with the brown hair who was funny" and the clown who jumped through the brick wall. At one point he wanted to know where the animals were when things got a little too Vegas show-ish and performer-heavy for his liking. My favorite memory this time is from the first five seconds of the show when the emcee was getting the crowd pumped up. Henry looked at me with great concern and asked, "Is he mad at us?" (because anything loud equals angry in his mind.) "No, Henry....he's just getting us ready for the show." He spent the first ten minutes covering his ears, just in case.
There were a couple moments this year where I wasn't all that comfortable with the animal treatment, whereas last year it didn't seem to be an issue. Maybe Henry's excitement last year blinded me a little, but I cringed a few times this year....like watching the zebras with constant head twitches run in circles or the tigers that justifiably wanted a piece of their heavy handed trainer. They were very similar moments to how I felt during my one experience watching a bullfight in person. I couldn't help but cheer for the bull silently to myself....or the tigers, in this instance. Granted, I wouldn't want this animal vengeance to happen during the live performance with Henry and thousands of other children watching. But, next time I read the "tiger attacks trainer" story, I will probably get that same sense of satisfaction that the "matador gored by bull" story brings to my face. I am not proud of this, just honest.
This might be our last "greatest show on Earth." We'll see.
There were a couple moments this year where I wasn't all that comfortable with the animal treatment, whereas last year it didn't seem to be an issue. Maybe Henry's excitement last year blinded me a little, but I cringed a few times this year....like watching the zebras with constant head twitches run in circles or the tigers that justifiably wanted a piece of their heavy handed trainer. They were very similar moments to how I felt during my one experience watching a bullfight in person. I couldn't help but cheer for the bull silently to myself....or the tigers, in this instance. Granted, I wouldn't want this animal vengeance to happen during the live performance with Henry and thousands of other children watching. But, next time I read the "tiger attacks trainer" story, I will probably get that same sense of satisfaction that the "matador gored by bull" story brings to my face. I am not proud of this, just honest.
This might be our last "greatest show on Earth." We'll see.
The Circus 2.0
Henry and I went to the circus on Saturday. I have a few videos I might share someday...but, for now just a few memories. The theme this year was less circus-y than last year and more magic show-y, so I am not sure how much Henry understood about the woman in the box disappearing or the man turning into a tiger, but he seemed to like it all the same. It's funny to hear his impressions, because the things he seemed to remember were very ancillary to the overall show...usually happening on the side while the main event was setting up. He loved the "clown with the brown hair who was funny" and the clown who jumped through the brick wall. At one point he wanted to know where the animals were when things got a little too Vegas show-ish and performer-heavy for his liking. My favorite memory this time is from the first five seconds of the show when the emcee was getting the crowd pumped up. Henry looked at me with great concern and asked, "Is he mad at us?" (because anything loud equals angry in his mind.) "No, Henry....he's just getting us ready for the show." He spent the first ten minutes covering his ears, just in case.
There were a couple moments this year where I wasn't all that comfortable with the animal treatment, whereas last year it didn't seem to be an issue. Maybe Henry's excitement last year blinded me a little, but I cringed a few times this year....like watching the zebras with constant head twitches run in circles or the tigers that justifiably wanted a piece of their heavy handed trainer. They were very similar moments to how I felt during my one experience watching a bullfight in person. I couldn't help but cheer for the bull silently to myself....or the tigers, in this instance. Granted, I wouldn't want this animal vengeance to happen during the live performance with Henry and thousands of other children watching. But, next time I read the "tiger attacks trainer" story, I will probably get that same sense of satisfaction that the "matador gored by bull" story brings to my face. I am not proud of this, just honest.
This might be our last "greatest show on Earth." We'll see.
There were a couple moments this year where I wasn't all that comfortable with the animal treatment, whereas last year it didn't seem to be an issue. Maybe Henry's excitement last year blinded me a little, but I cringed a few times this year....like watching the zebras with constant head twitches run in circles or the tigers that justifiably wanted a piece of their heavy handed trainer. They were very similar moments to how I felt during my one experience watching a bullfight in person. I couldn't help but cheer for the bull silently to myself....or the tigers, in this instance. Granted, I wouldn't want this animal vengeance to happen during the live performance with Henry and thousands of other children watching. But, next time I read the "tiger attacks trainer" story, I will probably get that same sense of satisfaction that the "matador gored by bull" story brings to my face. I am not proud of this, just honest.
This might be our last "greatest show on Earth." We'll see.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
When I lose my sh**
It does not happen very often. Prior to children, maybe only once a year, even. When I have proper childcare (Henry is at school and E is taken care of, minimum 15 hrs a week) I can go weeks and weeks w/o losing it. But one week...ONE WEEK of no childcare for Henry and only 3 hours total for E, and I lost it almost once a day.
The sad thing is that none of it is ever Henry's fault even though it is always directed at him. For instance, yesterday I was putting E down for her nap and she did this miraculous thing. She fell asleep while I was nursing her. While this was the requirement for Henry to take naps back in the day, for Eleanor it is a rare bonding-treat for me. I was enjoying the back and forth in the chair and her little sounds and closed eyelids , the hum of the white noise, the sunshine through a parted curtain, and then SCREAMS from the kitchen. They woke Eleanor up. And they made me see red because I knew it was going to be about something that did not warrant such a scream. And I was right. I bolted out of the chair with a now wide awake and terrified E and yelled at him. Then he had something to cry about. I know my losing it does not help. It makes it worse. And worse and worse. And then I get pleading sobs, "Please don't be mad at me, mooooooom." which is like the most awful thing to ever hear your kid say, and then I am instantly sorry and feel terrible and want to crush Henry in my bosom and beg forgiveness. Nice, huh? Good parenting all around, I say.
I can be a stay at home mom for one. I can't do it with two. Not at this age. Their needs are just so different--it's impossible to make all three of us happy.
This morning I was feeding E and wondering why I do not feel as close to her at this point as I did Henry. I'm not sure why it's taken me almost 9 months to figure this out but obviously it's because her and I are never alone together. My attention is always divided between her and Henry. She gets me a lot but rarely solo. And when dad is around during the weekend I want family time--the four of us. And even when her and I are alone briefly, my mind can be elsewhere and I'm exhausted. I guess I never really thought about all that before E arrived. I thought it would be the same with her as it was with H. I was really looking forward to those dates to the grocery store and afternoons lying around, but now they are double dates and the lying around includes protecting her head from the three year old jumping up and down next to us.
It's not all work though. It's pretty great to see Henry and Eleanor laughing at each other, which is a daily occurrence. They both are doing this thing now where they blow water out of their mouths at the table and then laugh hysterically at each other. And her laugh makes Henry laugh more which makes E laugh more which makes me laugh.
Good times, indeed.
The sad thing is that none of it is ever Henry's fault even though it is always directed at him. For instance, yesterday I was putting E down for her nap and she did this miraculous thing. She fell asleep while I was nursing her. While this was the requirement for Henry to take naps back in the day, for Eleanor it is a rare bonding-treat for me. I was enjoying the back and forth in the chair and her little sounds and closed eyelids , the hum of the white noise, the sunshine through a parted curtain, and then SCREAMS from the kitchen. They woke Eleanor up. And they made me see red because I knew it was going to be about something that did not warrant such a scream. And I was right. I bolted out of the chair with a now wide awake and terrified E and yelled at him. Then he had something to cry about. I know my losing it does not help. It makes it worse. And worse and worse. And then I get pleading sobs, "Please don't be mad at me, mooooooom." which is like the most awful thing to ever hear your kid say, and then I am instantly sorry and feel terrible and want to crush Henry in my bosom and beg forgiveness. Nice, huh? Good parenting all around, I say.
I can be a stay at home mom for one. I can't do it with two. Not at this age. Their needs are just so different--it's impossible to make all three of us happy.
This morning I was feeding E and wondering why I do not feel as close to her at this point as I did Henry. I'm not sure why it's taken me almost 9 months to figure this out but obviously it's because her and I are never alone together. My attention is always divided between her and Henry. She gets me a lot but rarely solo. And when dad is around during the weekend I want family time--the four of us. And even when her and I are alone briefly, my mind can be elsewhere and I'm exhausted. I guess I never really thought about all that before E arrived. I thought it would be the same with her as it was with H. I was really looking forward to those dates to the grocery store and afternoons lying around, but now they are double dates and the lying around includes protecting her head from the three year old jumping up and down next to us.
It's not all work though. It's pretty great to see Henry and Eleanor laughing at each other, which is a daily occurrence. They both are doing this thing now where they blow water out of their mouths at the table and then laugh hysterically at each other. And her laugh makes Henry laugh more which makes E laugh more which makes me laugh.
Good times, indeed.
When I lose my sh**
It does not happen very often. Prior to children, maybe only once a year, even. When I have proper childcare (Henry is at school and E is taken care of, minimum 15 hrs a week) I can go weeks and weeks w/o losing it. But one week...ONE WEEK of no childcare for Henry and only 3 hours total for E, and I lost it almost once a day.
The sad thing is that none of it is ever Henry's fault even though it is always directed at him. For instance, yesterday I was putting E down for her nap and she did this miraculous thing. She fell asleep while I was nursing her. While this was the requirement for Henry to take naps back in the day, for Eleanor it is a rare bonding-treat for me. I was enjoying the back and forth in the chair and her little sounds and closed eyelids , the hum of the white noise, the sunshine through a parted curtain, and then SCREAMS from the kitchen. They woke Eleanor up. And they made me see red because I knew it was going to be about something that did not warrant such a scream. And I was right. I bolted out of the chair with a now wide awake and terrified E and yelled at him. Then he had something to cry about. I know my losing it does not help. It makes it worse. And worse and worse. And then I get pleading sobs, "Please don't be mad at me, mooooooom." which is like the most awful thing to ever hear your kid say, and then I am instantly sorry and feel terrible and want to crush Henry in my bosom and beg forgiveness. Nice, huh? Good parenting all around, I say.
I can be a stay at home mom for one. I can't do it with two. Not at this age. Their needs are just so different--it's impossible to make all three of us happy.
This morning I was feeding E and wondering why I do not feel as close to her at this point as I did Henry. I'm not sure why it's taken me almost 9 months to figure this out but obviously it's because her and I are never alone together. My attention is always divided between her and Henry. She gets me a lot but rarely solo. And when dad is around during the weekend I want family time--the four of us. And even when her and I are alone briefly, my mind can be elsewhere and I'm exhausted. I guess I never really thought about all that before E arrived. I thought it would be the same with her as it was with H. I was really looking forward to those dates to the grocery store and afternoons lying around, but now they are double dates and the lying around includes protecting her head from the three year old jumping up and down next to us.
It's not all work though. It's pretty great to see Henry and Eleanor laughing at each other, which is a daily occurrence. They both are doing this thing now where they blow water out of their mouths at the table and then laugh hysterically at each other. And her laugh makes Henry laugh more which makes E laugh more which makes me laugh.
Good times, indeed.
The sad thing is that none of it is ever Henry's fault even though it is always directed at him. For instance, yesterday I was putting E down for her nap and she did this miraculous thing. She fell asleep while I was nursing her. While this was the requirement for Henry to take naps back in the day, for Eleanor it is a rare bonding-treat for me. I was enjoying the back and forth in the chair and her little sounds and closed eyelids , the hum of the white noise, the sunshine through a parted curtain, and then SCREAMS from the kitchen. They woke Eleanor up. And they made me see red because I knew it was going to be about something that did not warrant such a scream. And I was right. I bolted out of the chair with a now wide awake and terrified E and yelled at him. Then he had something to cry about. I know my losing it does not help. It makes it worse. And worse and worse. And then I get pleading sobs, "Please don't be mad at me, mooooooom." which is like the most awful thing to ever hear your kid say, and then I am instantly sorry and feel terrible and want to crush Henry in my bosom and beg forgiveness. Nice, huh? Good parenting all around, I say.
I can be a stay at home mom for one. I can't do it with two. Not at this age. Their needs are just so different--it's impossible to make all three of us happy.
This morning I was feeding E and wondering why I do not feel as close to her at this point as I did Henry. I'm not sure why it's taken me almost 9 months to figure this out but obviously it's because her and I are never alone together. My attention is always divided between her and Henry. She gets me a lot but rarely solo. And when dad is around during the weekend I want family time--the four of us. And even when her and I are alone briefly, my mind can be elsewhere and I'm exhausted. I guess I never really thought about all that before E arrived. I thought it would be the same with her as it was with H. I was really looking forward to those dates to the grocery store and afternoons lying around, but now they are double dates and the lying around includes protecting her head from the three year old jumping up and down next to us.
It's not all work though. It's pretty great to see Henry and Eleanor laughing at each other, which is a daily occurrence. They both are doing this thing now where they blow water out of their mouths at the table and then laugh hysterically at each other. And her laugh makes Henry laugh more which makes E laugh more which makes me laugh.
Good times, indeed.
Friday, August 20, 2010
I am proud to report...
.... that I have not performed any life saving techniques on either of my children in over 24 hours.
I am proud to report...
.... that I have not performed any life saving techniques on either of my children in over 24 hours.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A lot for one day....
Last night was the first night of E's life that I did not sleep in the same room with her. Justin was with her though while I got some blissfully deep sleep.
Today was the first time I left E with someone besides Justin or Chela. She does not really know anyone besides her immediate family and Chela, so this was a big deal. Unfortunately, due to my juggling a three year old and a job, this was handled with about the same amount of ceremony as returning a video. The entire drop off was probably a minute and thirty seconds, as opposed to the hour and a half (sometimes longer) I used to linger at Henry's school when he first started going. I also sobbed when I left him and with her it was a non-event. But, I only left her for an hour and a half, I was about a mile away, and she had her teacher all to herself (there were two other babies but they were napping). So, definitely different circumstances but I have to say...it's nice to not feel so grief stricken about leaving my baby. It's nice to not feel like my child is going to disintegrate in my absence.
When I came back to get her she was happily playing with toys next to two other babies. The teacher was sitting on the floor next to the three of them. I felt good about that scene. The teacher (Toni) told me E got a little sad for a few minutes (pouty lip and her trademark "ehhhh") when she realized Henry and I were gone. Toni said she cuddled with her and she was fine from that point on.
A few things occurred to me simultaneously when Toni said E was looking around for me:
1. E missed me?
2. E missed me! Hurray!!!!
3. Wow, I'm not micromanaging this teacher. She is a professional. I trust her. I don't normally trust people.
4. I feel okay with E having moments of her day that I do not know about.
5. I feel empowered by E having this tiny bit of independence from me.
6. I feel relieved of the responsibility of sheltering E from every single discomfort that may come her way.
7. I think her discomfort at being in a strange place and having to adapt to it is...good. Adapting to strange environments at 8 months old is certainly not a must-have life experience. But it is what it is.
While E was at "school" Henry and I went to his school-friend's house to swim in their saline pool! She is Chinese-American and her mother is Chinese so their house is very different from ours (I'm pretty sure there was not a single toy he recognized). The kids went off to play and came back later in a child-sized parade dragon. Henry was the head. I of course did not bring my camera so you'll just have to imagine the cuteness. The mom had her tea-things out and some small dishes of nuts, cherries, and dried figs. She prepared some home-made chrysanthemum tea. They own a tea house so I was delighted to drink up and WOW it was yummy. Henry never had tea before and he gulped it down. It was such a quiet peaceful moment, the four of us drinking tea.
When it was time to finish our tea and go, Henry's friend was mad we were leaving so early (he had to nap, I had to get Eleanor) so it was less than an hour and a half we were there. Children being children, the girl angrily said, "I don't want to play with Henry anymore. I want to play with Liam!" Amidst a convulsion of Chinese, I looked over at Henry and he appeared a bit off. I hoped it was because he was 30 min overdo on his nap. He rested his face in his hands and said nothing. When we got to the car his friend came running out and hugged and kissed him. Henry was flat as a pancake. Gave her nothing back. As I drove away he said, "Why did Aryn say that? Why did she say she didn't want to play with me? She wanted to play with Liam? That hurt my feelings."
There really needs to be a word created for the social-emotional pain a parent feels for their child. It's a special, unique pain and deserves it's own word. You see...you see? This is why I am so relieved to not have to carry this same burden with Eleanor (yet, at least). She's tougher. Even if she's not, I've decided she is. She will be. She will have to be.
After picking E up, getting them home and in their respective beds for nap-time, I got ready for work, traded out with Justin and did three back to back therapy sessions and sped home to join my family for dinner. I walked in and Justin looked a bit...ashen. I could tell immediately something happened. He told me he had his worst parenting moment ever.
I bought peaches and one was not exactly ready to eat. I knew this when I cut it up for Henry and so I just ate most of it myself. But in my rush to leave for work I did not put it back and Justin gave some to Eleanor. It looked like a sweet juicy peach but if you bit it you could tell it was more like an apple. Justin had to do the Heimlich. She is fine. But Justin wants to sleep with her tonight.
What a day for my babies.
Today was the first time I left E with someone besides Justin or Chela. She does not really know anyone besides her immediate family and Chela, so this was a big deal. Unfortunately, due to my juggling a three year old and a job, this was handled with about the same amount of ceremony as returning a video. The entire drop off was probably a minute and thirty seconds, as opposed to the hour and a half (sometimes longer) I used to linger at Henry's school when he first started going. I also sobbed when I left him and with her it was a non-event. But, I only left her for an hour and a half, I was about a mile away, and she had her teacher all to herself (there were two other babies but they were napping). So, definitely different circumstances but I have to say...it's nice to not feel so grief stricken about leaving my baby. It's nice to not feel like my child is going to disintegrate in my absence.
When I came back to get her she was happily playing with toys next to two other babies. The teacher was sitting on the floor next to the three of them. I felt good about that scene. The teacher (Toni) told me E got a little sad for a few minutes (pouty lip and her trademark "ehhhh") when she realized Henry and I were gone. Toni said she cuddled with her and she was fine from that point on.
A few things occurred to me simultaneously when Toni said E was looking around for me:
1. E missed me?
2. E missed me! Hurray!!!!
3. Wow, I'm not micromanaging this teacher. She is a professional. I trust her. I don't normally trust people.
4. I feel okay with E having moments of her day that I do not know about.
5. I feel empowered by E having this tiny bit of independence from me.
6. I feel relieved of the responsibility of sheltering E from every single discomfort that may come her way.
7. I think her discomfort at being in a strange place and having to adapt to it is...good. Adapting to strange environments at 8 months old is certainly not a must-have life experience. But it is what it is.
While E was at "school" Henry and I went to his school-friend's house to swim in their saline pool! She is Chinese-American and her mother is Chinese so their house is very different from ours (I'm pretty sure there was not a single toy he recognized). The kids went off to play and came back later in a child-sized parade dragon. Henry was the head. I of course did not bring my camera so you'll just have to imagine the cuteness. The mom had her tea-things out and some small dishes of nuts, cherries, and dried figs. She prepared some home-made chrysanthemum tea. They own a tea house so I was delighted to drink up and WOW it was yummy. Henry never had tea before and he gulped it down. It was such a quiet peaceful moment, the four of us drinking tea.
When it was time to finish our tea and go, Henry's friend was mad we were leaving so early (he had to nap, I had to get Eleanor) so it was less than an hour and a half we were there. Children being children, the girl angrily said, "I don't want to play with Henry anymore. I want to play with Liam!" Amidst a convulsion of Chinese, I looked over at Henry and he appeared a bit off. I hoped it was because he was 30 min overdo on his nap. He rested his face in his hands and said nothing. When we got to the car his friend came running out and hugged and kissed him. Henry was flat as a pancake. Gave her nothing back. As I drove away he said, "Why did Aryn say that? Why did she say she didn't want to play with me? She wanted to play with Liam? That hurt my feelings."
There really needs to be a word created for the social-emotional pain a parent feels for their child. It's a special, unique pain and deserves it's own word. You see...you see? This is why I am so relieved to not have to carry this same burden with Eleanor (yet, at least). She's tougher. Even if she's not, I've decided she is. She will be. She will have to be.
After picking E up, getting them home and in their respective beds for nap-time, I got ready for work, traded out with Justin and did three back to back therapy sessions and sped home to join my family for dinner. I walked in and Justin looked a bit...ashen. I could tell immediately something happened. He told me he had his worst parenting moment ever.
I bought peaches and one was not exactly ready to eat. I knew this when I cut it up for Henry and so I just ate most of it myself. But in my rush to leave for work I did not put it back and Justin gave some to Eleanor. It looked like a sweet juicy peach but if you bit it you could tell it was more like an apple. Justin had to do the Heimlich. She is fine. But Justin wants to sleep with her tonight.
What a day for my babies.
A lot for one day....
Last night was the first night of E's life that I did not sleep in the same room with her. Justin was with her though while I got some blissfully deep sleep.
Today was the first time I left E with someone besides Justin or Chela. She does not really know anyone besides her immediate family and Chela, so this was a big deal. Unfortunately, due to my juggling a three year old and a job, this was handled with about the same amount of ceremony as returning a video. The entire drop off was probably a minute and thirty seconds, as opposed to the hour and a half (sometimes longer) I used to linger at Henry's school when he first started going. I also sobbed when I left him and with her it was a non-event. But, I only left her for an hour and a half, I was about a mile away, and she had her teacher all to herself (there were two other babies but they were napping). So, definitely different circumstances but I have to say...it's nice to not feel so grief stricken about leaving my baby. It's nice to not feel like my child is going to disintegrate in my absence.
When I came back to get her she was happily playing with toys next to two other babies. The teacher was sitting on the floor next to the three of them. I felt good about that scene. The teacher (Toni) told me E got a little sad for a few minutes (pouty lip and her trademark "ehhhh") when she realized Henry and I were gone. Toni said she cuddled with her and she was fine from that point on.
A few things occurred to me simultaneously when Toni said E was looking around for me:
1. E missed me?
2. E missed me! Hurray!!!!
3. Wow, I'm not micromanaging this teacher. She is a professional. I trust her. I don't normally trust people.
4. I feel okay with E having moments of her day that I do not know about.
5. I feel empowered by E having this tiny bit of independence from me.
6. I feel relieved of the responsibility of sheltering E from every single discomfort that may come her way.
7. I think her discomfort at being in a strange place and having to adapt to it is...good. Adapting to strange environments at 8 months old is certainly not a must-have life experience. But it is what it is.
While E was at "school" Henry and I went to his school-friend's house to swim in their saline pool! She is Chinese-American and her mother is Chinese so their house is very different from ours (I'm pretty sure there was not a single toy he recognized). The kids went off to play and came back later in a child-sized parade dragon. Henry was the head. I of course did not bring my camera so you'll just have to imagine the cuteness. The mom had her tea-things out and some small dishes of nuts, cherries, and dried figs. She prepared some home-made chrysanthemum tea. They own a tea house so I was delighted to drink up and WOW it was yummy. Henry never had tea before and he gulped it down. It was such a quiet peaceful moment, the four of us drinking tea.
When it was time to finish our tea and go, Henry's friend was mad we were leaving so early (he had to nap, I had to get Eleanor) so it was less than an hour and a half we were there. Children being children, the girl angrily said, "I don't want to play with Henry anymore. I want to play with Liam!" Amidst a convulsion of Chinese, I looked over at Henry and he appeared a bit off. I hoped it was because he was 30 min overdo on his nap. He rested his face in his hands and said nothing. When we got to the car his friend came running out and hugged and kissed him. Henry was flat as a pancake. Gave her nothing back. As I drove away he said, "Why did Aryn say that? Why did she say she didn't want to play with me? She wanted to play with Liam? That hurt my feelings."
There really needs to be a word created for the social-emotional pain a parent feels for their child. It's a special, unique pain and deserves it's own word. You see...you see? This is why I am so relieved to not have to carry this same burden with Eleanor (yet, at least). She's tougher. Even if she's not, I've decided she is. She will be. She will have to be.
After picking E up, getting them home and in their respective beds for nap-time, I got ready for work, traded out with Justin and did three back to back therapy sessions and sped home to join my family for dinner. I walked in and Justin looked a bit...ashen. I could tell immediately something happened. He told me he had his worst parenting moment ever.
I bought peaches and one was not exactly ready to eat. I knew this when I cut it up for Henry and so I just ate most of it myself. But in my rush to leave for work I did not put it back and Justin gave some to Eleanor. It looked like a sweet juicy peach but if you bit it you could tell it was more like an apple. Justin had to do the Heimlich. She is fine. But Justin wants to sleep with her tonight.
What a day for my babies.
Today was the first time I left E with someone besides Justin or Chela. She does not really know anyone besides her immediate family and Chela, so this was a big deal. Unfortunately, due to my juggling a three year old and a job, this was handled with about the same amount of ceremony as returning a video. The entire drop off was probably a minute and thirty seconds, as opposed to the hour and a half (sometimes longer) I used to linger at Henry's school when he first started going. I also sobbed when I left him and with her it was a non-event. But, I only left her for an hour and a half, I was about a mile away, and she had her teacher all to herself (there were two other babies but they were napping). So, definitely different circumstances but I have to say...it's nice to not feel so grief stricken about leaving my baby. It's nice to not feel like my child is going to disintegrate in my absence.
When I came back to get her she was happily playing with toys next to two other babies. The teacher was sitting on the floor next to the three of them. I felt good about that scene. The teacher (Toni) told me E got a little sad for a few minutes (pouty lip and her trademark "ehhhh") when she realized Henry and I were gone. Toni said she cuddled with her and she was fine from that point on.
A few things occurred to me simultaneously when Toni said E was looking around for me:
1. E missed me?
2. E missed me! Hurray!!!!
3. Wow, I'm not micromanaging this teacher. She is a professional. I trust her. I don't normally trust people.
4. I feel okay with E having moments of her day that I do not know about.
5. I feel empowered by E having this tiny bit of independence from me.
6. I feel relieved of the responsibility of sheltering E from every single discomfort that may come her way.
7. I think her discomfort at being in a strange place and having to adapt to it is...good. Adapting to strange environments at 8 months old is certainly not a must-have life experience. But it is what it is.
While E was at "school" Henry and I went to his school-friend's house to swim in their saline pool! She is Chinese-American and her mother is Chinese so their house is very different from ours (I'm pretty sure there was not a single toy he recognized). The kids went off to play and came back later in a child-sized parade dragon. Henry was the head. I of course did not bring my camera so you'll just have to imagine the cuteness. The mom had her tea-things out and some small dishes of nuts, cherries, and dried figs. She prepared some home-made chrysanthemum tea. They own a tea house so I was delighted to drink up and WOW it was yummy. Henry never had tea before and he gulped it down. It was such a quiet peaceful moment, the four of us drinking tea.
When it was time to finish our tea and go, Henry's friend was mad we were leaving so early (he had to nap, I had to get Eleanor) so it was less than an hour and a half we were there. Children being children, the girl angrily said, "I don't want to play with Henry anymore. I want to play with Liam!" Amidst a convulsion of Chinese, I looked over at Henry and he appeared a bit off. I hoped it was because he was 30 min overdo on his nap. He rested his face in his hands and said nothing. When we got to the car his friend came running out and hugged and kissed him. Henry was flat as a pancake. Gave her nothing back. As I drove away he said, "Why did Aryn say that? Why did she say she didn't want to play with me? She wanted to play with Liam? That hurt my feelings."
There really needs to be a word created for the social-emotional pain a parent feels for their child. It's a special, unique pain and deserves it's own word. You see...you see? This is why I am so relieved to not have to carry this same burden with Eleanor (yet, at least). She's tougher. Even if she's not, I've decided she is. She will be. She will have to be.
After picking E up, getting them home and in their respective beds for nap-time, I got ready for work, traded out with Justin and did three back to back therapy sessions and sped home to join my family for dinner. I walked in and Justin looked a bit...ashen. I could tell immediately something happened. He told me he had his worst parenting moment ever.
I bought peaches and one was not exactly ready to eat. I knew this when I cut it up for Henry and so I just ate most of it myself. But in my rush to leave for work I did not put it back and Justin gave some to Eleanor. It looked like a sweet juicy peach but if you bit it you could tell it was more like an apple. Justin had to do the Heimlich. She is fine. But Justin wants to sleep with her tonight.
What a day for my babies.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Ode To Chela
Here is nearly the extent of our entire Chela photo and video collection. This woman spent three days a week with Eleanor since February 1st.....and this is all that we have.
(May 2010)
(May 2010)LBJ Library
We went to the LBJ Library this morning to kill some time and because Henry really loves 1960s political history. Actually, it's free, it has air conditioning, and we needed to recreate the Tet Offensive photo with Eleanor.
Anyway, they currently have a Walter Cronkite exhibit that I would be very interested in seeing sometime when Henry isn't saying, "Let's go see something else" every few seconds. But, he did like anything with headphones and buttons to push. Then we sat outside for a while and played in the shade.
(Henry December 2007)
(Eleanor August 2010)
(Diane May 2005)
Anyway, they currently have a Walter Cronkite exhibit that I would be very interested in seeing sometime when Henry isn't saying, "Let's go see something else" every few seconds. But, he did like anything with headphones and buttons to push. Then we sat outside for a while and played in the shade.
And, now....the Tet Offensive photographs:
(Henry December 2007)
(Eleanor August 2010)
(Diane May 2005)Ode To Chela
Here is nearly the extent of our entire Chela photo and video collection. This woman spent three days a week with Eleanor since February 1st.....and this is all that we have.
(May 2010)
(May 2010)LBJ Library
We went to the LBJ Library this morning to kill some time and because Henry really loves 1960s political history. Actually, it's free, it has air conditioning, and we needed to recreate the Tet Offensive photo with Eleanor.
Anyway, they currently have a Walter Cronkite exhibit that I would be very interested in seeing sometime when Henry isn't saying, "Let's go see something else" every few seconds. But, he did like anything with headphones and buttons to push. Then we sat outside for a while and played in the shade.
(Henry December 2007)
(Eleanor August 2010)
(Diane May 2005)
Anyway, they currently have a Walter Cronkite exhibit that I would be very interested in seeing sometime when Henry isn't saying, "Let's go see something else" every few seconds. But, he did like anything with headphones and buttons to push. Then we sat outside for a while and played in the shade.
And, now....the Tet Offensive photographs:
(Henry December 2007)
(Eleanor August 2010)
(Diane May 2005)Saturday, August 14, 2010
Inflatable Playgrounds!
Henry and I went to meet Moses and his Uncle Ben at Kidz n Play Inflatable Playground on Thursday. It's getting to be so much fun watching all of the kids play together these days. I spent most of the time just smiling at the two of them running around having fun together. Any time they got separated, they wanted to know where the other one was, which was very sweet...and genuine. They're truly friends now and it's great...for all of us.
We are so fortunate to have found such a close group of families with kids the same age. I can't imagine doing this without them. Nor would I want to.
We are so fortunate to have found such a close group of families with kids the same age. I can't imagine doing this without them. Nor would I want to.
Inflatable Playgrounds!
Henry and I went to meet Moses and his Uncle Ben at Kidz n Play Inflatable Playground on Thursday. It's getting to be so much fun watching all of the kids play together these days. I spent most of the time just smiling at the two of them running around having fun together. Any time they got separated, they wanted to know where the other one was, which was very sweet...and genuine. They're truly friends now and it's great...for all of us.
We are so fortunate to have found such a close group of families with kids the same age. I can't imagine doing this without them. Nor would I want to.
We are so fortunate to have found such a close group of families with kids the same age. I can't imagine doing this without them. Nor would I want to.
Notable events of the past week...
Chela's last day was yesterday. She brought gifts for Henry (a boat and a truck) and for Eleanor (a baby laptop). We gave her some jewelry and a card. She spoke of her happiness with us these past 6 months (I heard the words muy contento several times) and she gave me a hearty hug. I had to leave promptly to avoid tearing up. I'm grateful I was not present when she gave E one last hug and kiss before leaving.
We got a "smoothie making machine" (Henry's words). It's pretty great. You drink it out of the same cup you blend it in. I've been putting in fruit and berries, flax, yogurt, avocado and almond butter. I put some in E's sippy cup too and she gulped it down.
My good friend Nina came over with her daughter Tess (2). Tess shares my birthday. She is an exceptionally beautiful child. I should have taken pictures. Henry was his typical self with children younger than him (eh....not that great...he definitely takes advantage).
Henry and Mosey went to the jumpy place near our house. Justin will post a video (he says).
We went to Henry's friend Elizabeth's 4th birthday party at her house.
Eleanor started clicking her tongue but it makes that "Why are you so annoying?" smack that I remember all mom's making back in the 70's and 80's, when you smashed, spilled, or broke something. Do people still do that? It's the whole hand on your hip, tilted head, you're an idiot, sound. Eleanor is doing it a lot and it cracks me up.
She's still playing peek-a-boo with her shirt/skirt/blanket.
I read a lot of other people's baby blogs and they get comments. Why don't we get comments?
We got a "smoothie making machine" (Henry's words). It's pretty great. You drink it out of the same cup you blend it in. I've been putting in fruit and berries, flax, yogurt, avocado and almond butter. I put some in E's sippy cup too and she gulped it down.
My good friend Nina came over with her daughter Tess (2). Tess shares my birthday. She is an exceptionally beautiful child. I should have taken pictures. Henry was his typical self with children younger than him (eh....not that great...he definitely takes advantage).
Henry and Mosey went to the jumpy place near our house. Justin will post a video (he says).
We went to Henry's friend Elizabeth's 4th birthday party at her house.
Eleanor started clicking her tongue but it makes that "Why are you so annoying?" smack that I remember all mom's making back in the 70's and 80's, when you smashed, spilled, or broke something. Do people still do that? It's the whole hand on your hip, tilted head, you're an idiot, sound. Eleanor is doing it a lot and it cracks me up.
She's still playing peek-a-boo with her shirt/skirt/blanket.
I read a lot of other people's baby blogs and they get comments. Why don't we get comments?
Notable events of the past week...
Chela's last day was yesterday. She brought gifts for Henry (a boat and a truck) and for Eleanor (a baby laptop). We gave her some jewelry and a card. She spoke of her happiness with us these past 6 months (I heard the words muy contento several times) and she gave me a hearty hug. I had to leave promptly to avoid tearing up. I'm grateful I was not present when she gave E one last hug and kiss before leaving.
We got a "smoothie making machine" (Henry's words). It's pretty great. You drink it out of the same cup you blend it in. I've been putting in fruit and berries, flax, yogurt, avocado and almond butter. I put some in E's sippy cup too and she gulped it down.
My good friend Nina came over with her daughter Tess (2). Tess shares my birthday. She is an exceptionally beautiful child. I should have taken pictures. Henry was his typical self with children younger than him (eh....not that great...he definitely takes advantage).
Henry and Mosey went to the jumpy place near our house. Justin will post a video (he says).
We went to Henry's friend Elizabeth's 4th birthday party at her house.
Eleanor started clicking her tongue but it makes that "Why are you so annoying?" smack that I remember all mom's making back in the 70's and 80's, when you smashed, spilled, or broke something. Do people still do that? It's the whole hand on your hip, tilted head, you're an idiot, sound. Eleanor is doing it a lot and it cracks me up.
She's still playing peek-a-boo with her shirt/skirt/blanket.
I read a lot of other people's baby blogs and they get comments. Why don't we get comments?
We got a "smoothie making machine" (Henry's words). It's pretty great. You drink it out of the same cup you blend it in. I've been putting in fruit and berries, flax, yogurt, avocado and almond butter. I put some in E's sippy cup too and she gulped it down.
My good friend Nina came over with her daughter Tess (2). Tess shares my birthday. She is an exceptionally beautiful child. I should have taken pictures. Henry was his typical self with children younger than him (eh....not that great...he definitely takes advantage).
Henry and Mosey went to the jumpy place near our house. Justin will post a video (he says).
We went to Henry's friend Elizabeth's 4th birthday party at her house.
Eleanor started clicking her tongue but it makes that "Why are you so annoying?" smack that I remember all mom's making back in the 70's and 80's, when you smashed, spilled, or broke something. Do people still do that? It's the whole hand on your hip, tilted head, you're an idiot, sound. Eleanor is doing it a lot and it cracks me up.
She's still playing peek-a-boo with her shirt/skirt/blanket.
I read a lot of other people's baby blogs and they get comments. Why don't we get comments?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I forgot to document food and sleep on the 8 mos update
Sleep:
Eleanor sleeps from 6:15 PM to about 6:45 AM. It's pretty consistent. She wakes around 11 PM and again around 4 AM for milk. Sometimes she's extra hungry and wakes at 11, 2 and 5 but it's the same brevity as always--about 5 min or less. It will be pretty easy to night wean when we're ready. She's not much of a crier. I'm thinking I'll wait till after she's used to her new school arrangement.
I can't believe how much quicker the 9 months came with her than it did with Henry. I counted the days till 9 mos with him (per my sleep books which recommend not letting them cry till 9 mos) and it took till 10 months to succeed and now with her it hasn't been that rough (the sleep deprivation) and here we are, almost 9 mos. I mean, don't get me wrong--I'm pretty tired of being woken up at night but since I know there will not be any more babies I am just dealing.
I've also noticed that with second (read: last) babies my other mom-friends are pretty mum about sleep. It's like an obsession with the first baby. It's all we talked about back then. Now we're like soldiers on a second tour. We have perspective. We know it won't last. It would be great to get a solid 8 hours but we know it's not happening right now. Now is not forever. What else is there to say? I would have slapped someone if they said this to me back in my Henry baby days. Sleep deprivation hurts when you're not used to it. It really is torture. But this time around my eyes don't even burn when I'm woken up. I don't feel resentment towards E, either. I just feel happy I get to snuggle with her in the quiet. She holds my hand and her little baby sounds are the greatest. I play with her hair, rub her back. I can say without a doubt, I will miss our nighttime feedings (again, slappings would have come if I read this during the Henry night feeding-era).
Naps : I remember with Henry we were on an EXACT schedule. 9:00 and 1:00. And I rocked him for up to 20 min sometimes to get him to fall asleep. He dropped his 3rd nap by now but E still takes one 3 times a week, approx. Usually she takes a nap around 9, give or take 30 min. and again around 12:30, give or take 30 min. The morning nap is either 1 hour or two hours. And the afternoon nap is either one hour or two hours. If she takes a third nap it's 30-40 min and does not affect her bedtime. With Henry I followed the clock and with her I follow her sleep cues.
Our nap routine is I turn on the air filter and the ceiling fan for white noise, draw the curtain, and I put her in her crib with her paci and blanket and that's it. She rolls over and buries her face in her blanket. If she does not do that right away, I hold her and rock in the rocking chair for a min. and try again.
Food: Mama's milk when she wakes and a bit later some O's soaked in almond milk or just dry. Yogurt maybe. Some fruit. Lunch is usually something like blueberries, grapes, tofu, crackers etc. and mama milk and dinner is cottage cheese, squash or beans or sweet potato or some kind of veg. Maybe avocado. She has snacks too but it's just some variation of above, just in a smaller amount. She nurses about 3-4 times during the day, plus the 2-3 times at night. She likes to drink water from a sippy cup. Probably about 2-5 oz a day depending on how much we're outside.
Eleanor sleeps from 6:15 PM to about 6:45 AM. It's pretty consistent. She wakes around 11 PM and again around 4 AM for milk. Sometimes she's extra hungry and wakes at 11, 2 and 5 but it's the same brevity as always--about 5 min or less. It will be pretty easy to night wean when we're ready. She's not much of a crier. I'm thinking I'll wait till after she's used to her new school arrangement.
I can't believe how much quicker the 9 months came with her than it did with Henry. I counted the days till 9 mos with him (per my sleep books which recommend not letting them cry till 9 mos) and it took till 10 months to succeed and now with her it hasn't been that rough (the sleep deprivation) and here we are, almost 9 mos. I mean, don't get me wrong--I'm pretty tired of being woken up at night but since I know there will not be any more babies I am just dealing.
I've also noticed that with second (read: last) babies my other mom-friends are pretty mum about sleep. It's like an obsession with the first baby. It's all we talked about back then. Now we're like soldiers on a second tour. We have perspective. We know it won't last. It would be great to get a solid 8 hours but we know it's not happening right now. Now is not forever. What else is there to say? I would have slapped someone if they said this to me back in my Henry baby days. Sleep deprivation hurts when you're not used to it. It really is torture. But this time around my eyes don't even burn when I'm woken up. I don't feel resentment towards E, either. I just feel happy I get to snuggle with her in the quiet. She holds my hand and her little baby sounds are the greatest. I play with her hair, rub her back. I can say without a doubt, I will miss our nighttime feedings (again, slappings would have come if I read this during the Henry night feeding-era).
Naps : I remember with Henry we were on an EXACT schedule. 9:00 and 1:00. And I rocked him for up to 20 min sometimes to get him to fall asleep. He dropped his 3rd nap by now but E still takes one 3 times a week, approx. Usually she takes a nap around 9, give or take 30 min. and again around 12:30, give or take 30 min. The morning nap is either 1 hour or two hours. And the afternoon nap is either one hour or two hours. If she takes a third nap it's 30-40 min and does not affect her bedtime. With Henry I followed the clock and with her I follow her sleep cues.
Our nap routine is I turn on the air filter and the ceiling fan for white noise, draw the curtain, and I put her in her crib with her paci and blanket and that's it. She rolls over and buries her face in her blanket. If she does not do that right away, I hold her and rock in the rocking chair for a min. and try again.
Food: Mama's milk when she wakes and a bit later some O's soaked in almond milk or just dry. Yogurt maybe. Some fruit. Lunch is usually something like blueberries, grapes, tofu, crackers etc. and mama milk and dinner is cottage cheese, squash or beans or sweet potato or some kind of veg. Maybe avocado. She has snacks too but it's just some variation of above, just in a smaller amount. She nurses about 3-4 times during the day, plus the 2-3 times at night. She likes to drink water from a sippy cup. Probably about 2-5 oz a day depending on how much we're outside.
I forgot to document food and sleep on the 8 mos update
Sleep:
Eleanor sleeps from 6:15 PM to about 6:45 AM. It's pretty consistent. She wakes around 11 PM and again around 4 AM for milk. Sometimes she's extra hungry and wakes at 11, 2 and 5 but it's the same brevity as always--about 5 min or less. It will be pretty easy to night wean when we're ready. She's not much of a crier. I'm thinking I'll wait till after she's used to her new school arrangement.
I can't believe how much quicker the 9 months came with her than it did with Henry. I counted the days till 9 mos with him (per my sleep books which recommend not letting them cry till 9 mos) and it took till 10 months to succeed and now with her it hasn't been that rough (the sleep deprivation) and here we are, almost 9 mos. I mean, don't get me wrong--I'm pretty tired of being woken up at night but since I know there will not be any more babies I am just dealing.
I've also noticed that with second (read: last) babies my other mom-friends are pretty mum about sleep. It's like an obsession with the first baby. It's all we talked about back then. Now we're like soldiers on a second tour. We have perspective. We know it won't last. It would be great to get a solid 8 hours but we know it's not happening right now. Now is not forever. What else is there to say? I would have slapped someone if they said this to me back in my Henry baby days. Sleep deprivation hurts when you're not used to it. It really is torture. But this time around my eyes don't even burn when I'm woken up. I don't feel resentment towards E, either. I just feel happy I get to snuggle with her in the quiet. She holds my hand and her little baby sounds are the greatest. I play with her hair, rub her back. I can say without a doubt, I will miss our nighttime feedings (again, slappings would have come if I read this during the Henry night feeding-era).
Naps : I remember with Henry we were on an EXACT schedule. 9:00 and 1:00. And I rocked him for up to 20 min sometimes to get him to fall asleep. He dropped his 3rd nap by now but E still takes one 3 times a week, approx. Usually she takes a nap around 9, give or take 30 min. and again around 12:30, give or take 30 min. The morning nap is either 1 hour or two hours. And the afternoon nap is either one hour or two hours. If she takes a third nap it's 30-40 min and does not affect her bedtime. With Henry I followed the clock and with her I follow her sleep cues.
Our nap routine is I turn on the air filter and the ceiling fan for white noise, draw the curtain, and I put her in her crib with her paci and blanket and that's it. She rolls over and buries her face in her blanket. If she does not do that right away, I hold her and rock in the rocking chair for a min. and try again.
Food: Mama's milk when she wakes and a bit later some O's soaked in almond milk or just dry. Yogurt maybe. Some fruit. Lunch is usually something like blueberries, grapes, tofu, crackers etc. and mama milk and dinner is cottage cheese, squash or beans or sweet potato or some kind of veg. Maybe avocado. She has snacks too but it's just some variation of above, just in a smaller amount. She nurses about 3-4 times during the day, plus the 2-3 times at night. She likes to drink water from a sippy cup. Probably about 2-5 oz a day depending on how much we're outside.
Eleanor sleeps from 6:15 PM to about 6:45 AM. It's pretty consistent. She wakes around 11 PM and again around 4 AM for milk. Sometimes she's extra hungry and wakes at 11, 2 and 5 but it's the same brevity as always--about 5 min or less. It will be pretty easy to night wean when we're ready. She's not much of a crier. I'm thinking I'll wait till after she's used to her new school arrangement.
I can't believe how much quicker the 9 months came with her than it did with Henry. I counted the days till 9 mos with him (per my sleep books which recommend not letting them cry till 9 mos) and it took till 10 months to succeed and now with her it hasn't been that rough (the sleep deprivation) and here we are, almost 9 mos. I mean, don't get me wrong--I'm pretty tired of being woken up at night but since I know there will not be any more babies I am just dealing.
I've also noticed that with second (read: last) babies my other mom-friends are pretty mum about sleep. It's like an obsession with the first baby. It's all we talked about back then. Now we're like soldiers on a second tour. We have perspective. We know it won't last. It would be great to get a solid 8 hours but we know it's not happening right now. Now is not forever. What else is there to say? I would have slapped someone if they said this to me back in my Henry baby days. Sleep deprivation hurts when you're not used to it. It really is torture. But this time around my eyes don't even burn when I'm woken up. I don't feel resentment towards E, either. I just feel happy I get to snuggle with her in the quiet. She holds my hand and her little baby sounds are the greatest. I play with her hair, rub her back. I can say without a doubt, I will miss our nighttime feedings (again, slappings would have come if I read this during the Henry night feeding-era).
Naps : I remember with Henry we were on an EXACT schedule. 9:00 and 1:00. And I rocked him for up to 20 min sometimes to get him to fall asleep. He dropped his 3rd nap by now but E still takes one 3 times a week, approx. Usually she takes a nap around 9, give or take 30 min. and again around 12:30, give or take 30 min. The morning nap is either 1 hour or two hours. And the afternoon nap is either one hour or two hours. If she takes a third nap it's 30-40 min and does not affect her bedtime. With Henry I followed the clock and with her I follow her sleep cues.
Our nap routine is I turn on the air filter and the ceiling fan for white noise, draw the curtain, and I put her in her crib with her paci and blanket and that's it. She rolls over and buries her face in her blanket. If she does not do that right away, I hold her and rock in the rocking chair for a min. and try again.
Food: Mama's milk when she wakes and a bit later some O's soaked in almond milk or just dry. Yogurt maybe. Some fruit. Lunch is usually something like blueberries, grapes, tofu, crackers etc. and mama milk and dinner is cottage cheese, squash or beans or sweet potato or some kind of veg. Maybe avocado. She has snacks too but it's just some variation of above, just in a smaller amount. She nurses about 3-4 times during the day, plus the 2-3 times at night. She likes to drink water from a sippy cup. Probably about 2-5 oz a day depending on how much we're outside.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
8 month check-up
A little slow to post but been busy with the child care shenanigans.
Weight: 17 lbs 12 oz (50%)
Height: 26 7/8 (50%)
Head is 50-75%
Her appointments are all off. I missed her 6 mos appointment (by 2 months!). I'm supposed to take her in for a nine month appointment but since we were just there and she got shots I will probably not take her back till she's ten months and then I'll take her to her 1 year and we'll be back on target.
I just looked up Henry's stats from his 9 month appointment and to give you yet another reminder of how ridiculously large he was, he weighed 7 lbs more and was 3 inches longer at 9 mos than E is now at 8 mos. Maybe this will be the month she catches up with him?:-) She would probably have to like milk for that to happen, though.
And speaking of growing....for dinner tonight E ate 1/3 of an avocado, 2 TBS of cottage cheese with strawberry puree, about 8 blueberries, a whole wheat cracker and some cut up plum. Henry ate a greens/tomato salad with mango dressing, corn on the cob, an enormous fruit salad, and some fish (we've added small amounts of fish to our diet so not entirely vegetarian now--although it's only 3-4 times a month). But this is why my entire paycheck goes to groceries. Our kids eat A LOT. I have to go to the grocery store 2-3 times a week.
Weight: 17 lbs 12 oz (50%)
Height: 26 7/8 (50%)
Head is 50-75%
Her appointments are all off. I missed her 6 mos appointment (by 2 months!). I'm supposed to take her in for a nine month appointment but since we were just there and she got shots I will probably not take her back till she's ten months and then I'll take her to her 1 year and we'll be back on target.
I just looked up Henry's stats from his 9 month appointment and to give you yet another reminder of how ridiculously large he was, he weighed 7 lbs more and was 3 inches longer at 9 mos than E is now at 8 mos. Maybe this will be the month she catches up with him?:-) She would probably have to like milk for that to happen, though.
And speaking of growing....for dinner tonight E ate 1/3 of an avocado, 2 TBS of cottage cheese with strawberry puree, about 8 blueberries, a whole wheat cracker and some cut up plum. Henry ate a greens/tomato salad with mango dressing, corn on the cob, an enormous fruit salad, and some fish (we've added small amounts of fish to our diet so not entirely vegetarian now--although it's only 3-4 times a month). But this is why my entire paycheck goes to groceries. Our kids eat A LOT. I have to go to the grocery store 2-3 times a week.
8 month check-up
A little slow to post but been busy with the child care shenanigans.
Weight: 17 lbs 12 oz (50%)
Height: 26 7/8 (50%)
Head is 50-75%
Her appointments are all off. I missed her 6 mos appointment (by 2 months!). I'm supposed to take her in for a nine month appointment but since we were just there and she got shots I will probably not take her back till she's ten months and then I'll take her to her 1 year and we'll be back on target.
I just looked up Henry's stats from his 9 month appointment and to give you yet another reminder of how ridiculously large he was, he weighed 7 lbs more and was 3 inches longer at 9 mos than E is now at 8 mos. Maybe this will be the month she catches up with him?:-) She would probably have to like milk for that to happen, though.
And speaking of growing....for dinner tonight E ate 1/3 of an avocado, 2 TBS of cottage cheese with strawberry puree, about 8 blueberries, a whole wheat cracker and some cut up plum. Henry ate a greens/tomato salad with mango dressing, corn on the cob, an enormous fruit salad, and some fish (we've added small amounts of fish to our diet so not entirely vegetarian now--although it's only 3-4 times a month). But this is why my entire paycheck goes to groceries. Our kids eat A LOT. I have to go to the grocery store 2-3 times a week.
Weight: 17 lbs 12 oz (50%)
Height: 26 7/8 (50%)
Head is 50-75%
Her appointments are all off. I missed her 6 mos appointment (by 2 months!). I'm supposed to take her in for a nine month appointment but since we were just there and she got shots I will probably not take her back till she's ten months and then I'll take her to her 1 year and we'll be back on target.
I just looked up Henry's stats from his 9 month appointment and to give you yet another reminder of how ridiculously large he was, he weighed 7 lbs more and was 3 inches longer at 9 mos than E is now at 8 mos. Maybe this will be the month she catches up with him?:-) She would probably have to like milk for that to happen, though.
And speaking of growing....for dinner tonight E ate 1/3 of an avocado, 2 TBS of cottage cheese with strawberry puree, about 8 blueberries, a whole wheat cracker and some cut up plum. Henry ate a greens/tomato salad with mango dressing, corn on the cob, an enormous fruit salad, and some fish (we've added small amounts of fish to our diet so not entirely vegetarian now--although it's only 3-4 times a month). But this is why my entire paycheck goes to groceries. Our kids eat A LOT. I have to go to the grocery store 2-3 times a week.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Big News...
Eleanor will be starting here on Wednesday.
I met with another mom who uses Chela's DIL as their nanny and we were invited to share their nanny, but after thinking about the logistics I decided I/we did not want to share another nanny. It would be at their house and it would have felt like we were just their guests and the nanny would not really have been ours. For instance, if their son got sick, the nanny would still go to their house to take care of him, as opposed to her coming to mine and watching E. So, I'm not going to take my baby over to a house with a sick kid. And if E got sick, we're out of luck. We obviously would not bring her over there. So there was a large potential for us to miss a lot of work, even though E has never really officially been sick yet (a few low grade fevers that resolved on their own in less than 12 hours). The other problem was there's no crib for her over there. We could get a pack N play but their house is pretty small (a 2 bedroom 1 bath) so we'd have to set up and take it down each time and schlep it back and forth with us. The final blow was they go to the park every single morning for 2 hours. E takes a morning nap. And she does not want to be at a playground for 2 hours in 100 degree heat.
So, it just wasn't a good fit.
The little nursery school however, is a good fit. It's close. It's tiny. There's an excellent ratio. The place is beautiful and immaculate. They have a giant lunch room where all the kids eat together family style at this kid sized wooden dining table. The babies have little seats that hook up to the table. E will LOVE that. They have a dramatic play room, a yoga room, a Spanish classroom, an art room, on top of the individual rooms that are all set up with brand new everything. It's cute as a button. There's also a massive back yard where they are setting up an organic garden. They have a chef that will do a buffet style snack arrangement with all organic local seasonal food. I'm pretty much in love with the place. E starts next Wednesday.
If I end up not being happy with the place I will go back to finding a nanny but I think this is going to work. I hope. She will only be there 10-4 MWF so I think she'll be able to handle it. I'll take pictures.
I met with another mom who uses Chela's DIL as their nanny and we were invited to share their nanny, but after thinking about the logistics I decided I/we did not want to share another nanny. It would be at their house and it would have felt like we were just their guests and the nanny would not really have been ours. For instance, if their son got sick, the nanny would still go to their house to take care of him, as opposed to her coming to mine and watching E. So, I'm not going to take my baby over to a house with a sick kid. And if E got sick, we're out of luck. We obviously would not bring her over there. So there was a large potential for us to miss a lot of work, even though E has never really officially been sick yet (a few low grade fevers that resolved on their own in less than 12 hours). The other problem was there's no crib for her over there. We could get a pack N play but their house is pretty small (a 2 bedroom 1 bath) so we'd have to set up and take it down each time and schlep it back and forth with us. The final blow was they go to the park every single morning for 2 hours. E takes a morning nap. And she does not want to be at a playground for 2 hours in 100 degree heat.
So, it just wasn't a good fit.
The little nursery school however, is a good fit. It's close. It's tiny. There's an excellent ratio. The place is beautiful and immaculate. They have a giant lunch room where all the kids eat together family style at this kid sized wooden dining table. The babies have little seats that hook up to the table. E will LOVE that. They have a dramatic play room, a yoga room, a Spanish classroom, an art room, on top of the individual rooms that are all set up with brand new everything. It's cute as a button. There's also a massive back yard where they are setting up an organic garden. They have a chef that will do a buffet style snack arrangement with all organic local seasonal food. I'm pretty much in love with the place. E starts next Wednesday.
If I end up not being happy with the place I will go back to finding a nanny but I think this is going to work. I hope. She will only be there 10-4 MWF so I think she'll be able to handle it. I'll take pictures.
Big News...
Eleanor will be starting here on Wednesday.
I met with another mom who uses Chela's DIL as their nanny and we were invited to share their nanny, but after thinking about the logistics I decided I/we did not want to share another nanny. It would be at their house and it would have felt like we were just their guests and the nanny would not really have been ours. For instance, if their son got sick, the nanny would still go to their house to take care of him, as opposed to her coming to mine and watching E. So, I'm not going to take my baby over to a house with a sick kid. And if E got sick, we're out of luck. We obviously would not bring her over there. So there was a large potential for us to miss a lot of work, even though E has never really officially been sick yet (a few low grade fevers that resolved on their own in less than 12 hours). The other problem was there's no crib for her over there. We could get a pack N play but their house is pretty small (a 2 bedroom 1 bath) so we'd have to set up and take it down each time and schlep it back and forth with us. The final blow was they go to the park every single morning for 2 hours. E takes a morning nap. And she does not want to be at a playground for 2 hours in 100 degree heat.
So, it just wasn't a good fit.
The little nursery school however, is a good fit. It's close. It's tiny. There's an excellent ratio. The place is beautiful and immaculate. They have a giant lunch room where all the kids eat together family style at this kid sized wooden dining table. The babies have little seats that hook up to the table. E will LOVE that. They have a dramatic play room, a yoga room, a Spanish classroom, an art room, on top of the individual rooms that are all set up with brand new everything. It's cute as a button. There's also a massive back yard where they are setting up an organic garden. They have a chef that will do a buffet style snack arrangement with all organic local seasonal food. I'm pretty much in love with the place. E starts next Wednesday.
If I end up not being happy with the place I will go back to finding a nanny but I think this is going to work. I hope. She will only be there 10-4 MWF so I think she'll be able to handle it. I'll take pictures.
I met with another mom who uses Chela's DIL as their nanny and we were invited to share their nanny, but after thinking about the logistics I decided I/we did not want to share another nanny. It would be at their house and it would have felt like we were just their guests and the nanny would not really have been ours. For instance, if their son got sick, the nanny would still go to their house to take care of him, as opposed to her coming to mine and watching E. So, I'm not going to take my baby over to a house with a sick kid. And if E got sick, we're out of luck. We obviously would not bring her over there. So there was a large potential for us to miss a lot of work, even though E has never really officially been sick yet (a few low grade fevers that resolved on their own in less than 12 hours). The other problem was there's no crib for her over there. We could get a pack N play but their house is pretty small (a 2 bedroom 1 bath) so we'd have to set up and take it down each time and schlep it back and forth with us. The final blow was they go to the park every single morning for 2 hours. E takes a morning nap. And she does not want to be at a playground for 2 hours in 100 degree heat.
So, it just wasn't a good fit.
The little nursery school however, is a good fit. It's close. It's tiny. There's an excellent ratio. The place is beautiful and immaculate. They have a giant lunch room where all the kids eat together family style at this kid sized wooden dining table. The babies have little seats that hook up to the table. E will LOVE that. They have a dramatic play room, a yoga room, a Spanish classroom, an art room, on top of the individual rooms that are all set up with brand new everything. It's cute as a button. There's also a massive back yard where they are setting up an organic garden. They have a chef that will do a buffet style snack arrangement with all organic local seasonal food. I'm pretty much in love with the place. E starts next Wednesday.
If I end up not being happy with the place I will go back to finding a nanny but I think this is going to work. I hope. She will only be there 10-4 MWF so I think she'll be able to handle it. I'll take pictures.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
We have pictures...
There's a backlog of pics and videos to post. These two were taken in June. Our computer has a virus and doing anything on it lately is very annoying.
We have pictures...
There's a backlog of pics and videos to post. These two were taken in June. Our computer has a virus and doing anything on it lately is very annoying.
Monday, August 2, 2010
I am angry...
We share a nanny. She works on Tue/Thursday with another family. That family had another baby on Friday. They called TODAY saying they want her back full time. Beginning in one week.
Of course I knew they were going to take Chela back full time but this was not supposed to happen until their maternity leave was over--in October.
Did I mention I am angry?
I mostly feel sad for Eleanor. It sort of breaks my heart. I know she will adjust but she is very attached to Chela. I was saying to Justin this very morning how I'm not entirely sure that E loves me more than Chela.
Usually when these things happen in life it turns out okay in the end but right now I just want to hate people.
Of course I knew they were going to take Chela back full time but this was not supposed to happen until their maternity leave was over--in October.
Did I mention I am angry?
I mostly feel sad for Eleanor. It sort of breaks my heart. I know she will adjust but she is very attached to Chela. I was saying to Justin this very morning how I'm not entirely sure that E loves me more than Chela.
Usually when these things happen in life it turns out okay in the end but right now I just want to hate people.
I am angry...
We share a nanny. She works on Tue/Thursday with another family. That family had another baby on Friday. They called TODAY saying they want her back full time. Beginning in one week.
Of course I knew they were going to take Chela back full time but this was not supposed to happen until their maternity leave was over--in October.
Did I mention I am angry?
I mostly feel sad for Eleanor. It sort of breaks my heart. I know she will adjust but she is very attached to Chela. I was saying to Justin this very morning how I'm not entirely sure that E loves me more than Chela.
Usually when these things happen in life it turns out okay in the end but right now I just want to hate people.
Of course I knew they were going to take Chela back full time but this was not supposed to happen until their maternity leave was over--in October.
Did I mention I am angry?
I mostly feel sad for Eleanor. It sort of breaks my heart. I know she will adjust but she is very attached to Chela. I was saying to Justin this very morning how I'm not entirely sure that E loves me more than Chela.
Usually when these things happen in life it turns out okay in the end but right now I just want to hate people.
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