Good-bye 2009....

One year ago we rang in 2009 at my sister's Bachelorette party.  It was a great start to her three night winter wedding weekend.  The wedding was held at a beautiful hotel in Northern New England and every detail was carefully attended to. The weekend was wonderful but filled with emotion. As we celebrated her marriage to her high school sweetheart, my grandmother was losing her 4 month battle after a severe stroke. 

K got married on January 3rd and my Noni passed away three days later.  It was a relief to see her go as she had suffered so much but we still didn't know what life would be like without her in it.  She was one of my favorite people in the world and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her or miss her terribly.

At Noni's funeral, the priest told the 5 grandchildren to make a wish when he lifted the host into the air.  Ten and a half months later my wish came true....my baby girl was born.  I kept telling everyone that if I had a girl, it would be my Noni's baby.  She would have wanted me to have a girl and sure enough, she made it happen.  Because of this Little C's middle name is Evelyn, after my Noni (S's mom and grandmother are also named Evelyn :)).

Despite my Noni's passing, 2009 proved to be a very good year.  We have had too many blessings to count but our two little cherubs are at the top our list.  They make us smile each and every day and S and I can't imagine life without them.  Another one of our many blessings is our wonderful support network of family and friends.  And we are truly grateful that everyone remained relatively healthy in 2009 and that we were able to spend the holidays with most of the special people in our lives, including S's three remaining grandparents who are 88, 90 and 90!!!

As we go into the New Year, my resolution is to find balance in my life.  I hope to find more time for myself (to work out and lose this baby weight), live in the moment with my children (give them my undivided attention) and work on decluttering my life.   I hope that 2010 brings happiness and that any challenges that arise will be met with strength and courage. 

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!!

What a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Our Christmas was just wonderful.  With a dash of magic, a large heap of family and friends and just a pinch of chaos.....it was a very merry Christmas!  As all of you know, my present came early this year, October 22nd to be exact.  I loved having my new baby girl by my side this holiday, even if we did miss a lot of the action because of nursing :)  Not only was it our first Christmas as a family of four but it was our first time having Christmas morning at home....it was such a special time.

Z has enjoyed the holidays so much this year.  If you ask him what season it is he will respond with, "The Holiday Season." The child has been walking around since the middle of November singing Christmas carols, quoting holiday movies (Rudolph is his favorite) and pointing out great holiday decorations (he is his momma's child).  He helped write his first letter to Santa this year, spoke to the big guy on the Polar Express and did such a good job picking out toys for Toys for Tots. 

Christmas morning was such a treat for S and I.  Z had to be woken up (I am sure that is the last year that will happen) and was timid coming down the stairs.  His face lit up as he saw the stockings filled above the fireplace and then his eyes quickly darted to the tree.  There he saw many of the things on his list (thankfully his list was short) and walked over to check them out (Santa does not wrap in our house).  He then checked out C's things and started talking a mile a minute about all of the things that Santa had left behind.  He kept telling us that the elves made all of the toys....it was precious.

After three days of travel.....a night at my mom's, a night at home and then a night at S's parents house.....we were exhausted.  This week has been all about getting back on a schedule, eating normal foods and bringing Z down from his holiday high and preparing him for what is to happen next, the taking down of the decorations.  To prevent him from slipping into a deep dark depression, I have been doing it very slowly :)  By New Years Day I hope to be finished. 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

G and Z searching for the Christmas pickle at my mom's

The dog in the middle of the Christmas Eve Morning Chaos at my mom's :)

All partied out on Christmas Eve :)

A Crazy Week

I am sorry to say that I missed a whole week in the blog world.  My babies needed me and so I was unable to write one-handed posts and didn't even have a chance to read and respond to my favorite blogs!  I am sorry that I will not be able to catch up but I do hope to check in on all of you before Christmas :)  This post is going to have to be quick....I am already getting a hand cramp :)

After a few days back on her original medicine...our Lil C was back to her happy self, though you can't tell from this picture :) We were so relieved and will never again mess with medication that is working to save money!!!!

Z enjoyed a trip on the Polar Express with his grandparents, cousin, aunt and uncle.  They had a great time and Z was so excited that he got to talk to the big guy :)  He told him that he wanted a talking Lightning McQueen, a mailbox and a wee little bunny for his sister.  Thankfully Santa had time to order a wee little bunny on Amazon, how could he not when Z asked for something for his new baby sister!!! :)

Z and daddy made this fun gingerbread train.

Z had another rough week at school :(  He was okay when I dropped him off but at snack time started crying and cried for a very long time.  By the time I got there his eyes were so red and puffy and he clung to me for dear life.  This is becoming a pattern and he has so much anxiety around school. We are thinking he may be too young and with all the changes this fall he might need a break for a bit.  We will talk to his teachers next week about all of it.  We don't want him to not like school.

Just in case I don't get a chance to post again this week....

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Enjoy your family, friends, the food and all of the magic that this special time of year brings :)

Mommy Made A Mistake

Last week I called the doctor and asked them to change Lil' C's reflux prescription from the $50 Pepcid to the much cheaper $15 generic version of Zantac.....BIG MISTAKE!  That $35 dollars of savings cost us so much this weekend :(  My poor little baby reverted back to square one and spent the weekend gagging, crying while eating, spitting up (and swallowing it again) and not sleeping because she was so miserable.  It was rough for all and S and I being so sleep deprived could not figure out why this was happening.  We blamed my diet....was it the few chix wings that we ate from the local pizza shop and/or the garlic in my dinner???  It turns out there is soy in those little chewy peppermint candy's with the Christmas trees in the middle...was it the few of those that I ate??  Never did it occur to us that it was the change in medication.

Then in the middle of the night last night, as I was rocking the baby to sleep, I remembered that we had just switched her medicine.  The first thing I did this morning was search the internet for people who had made a similar switch in medication.  What I found was a few moms who had regretted their decision to try to save money and they had similar experiences.  I immediately got on the phone with my pediatrician, talked it over with them and now she is back on the Pepcid.  My hope is that it will work very quickly and peace will be restored to the Raising Z home :)   I guess the moral of the story is...."if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Just for The Joy--Baby Joy

A house with a brand new baby can best be described as "Chaotic".  It does not matter if this is your first baby or 5th......trying to assimilate an infant into a house that once had some sort of routine is pure chaos :)  The helpless little love that you just brought home relies on everyone in the home to help them to grow and thrive.  For those moms who are breastfeeding, most of the infant care falls on us and thus we are on 24/7.  These little babies need food, comfort, love, sleep, clean clothes, numerous diaper changes and round the clock attention.  The members of the house (except for baby) exist with very little sleep and try to get through the day as best as they can.  The first 6 weeks are a blur and even though you try to appreciate every moment, they are over before you know it.

At about that 6 week mark, if not before, it feels like you will never sleep again.  You are so tired and feel as though there is nothing left to give.  Tears are often shed as you wonder how you will go on.........and then it happens........this little baby who has needed so much from you bestows the greatest gift.......they smile for the first time!

This is what happened to me last Friday.....I was so tired both physically and emotionally.  Z was very angry with me for not being able to play and even madder with the baby for taking up my time.  The baby was screaming because she was over tired and my back was about to break from walking her around the house.  We were 4 hours away from S coming home and my mom was at the hairdresser......it was a very tough moment.  I finally got Z in front of the electric babysitter (desperate times call for desperate measures) and I stripped C down to see if that would stop her tears.  Thankfully it worked and she began to calm down!  I watched her as she glanced up at her mobile and then she looked over at me and her face brightened with a very big smile.  My heart melted, this was the most perfect gift at the most perfect moment!  It was as if my sweet little baby was thanking me for all that I had done for her over the last 6 weeks :)  Here she was expressing her love for me in the only way that she could, I will never forget that moment!  It brought me so much joy and was the only Christmas gift I need this year :)

WW--Snow Day

 

Z is dreading the rain....he is afraid that Christmas is going to melt away :(

I didn't get a picture of the mini snowman that he made.  He was so proud of it but our plow guy just buried it......he cried.

Christmas MEME

Courtney over at One Loopy Life tagged me for this Christmas MEME.  I LOVE Christmas so I am excited to participate, thanks Courtney!!!!  This is part of Heather's Top Ten Christmas Blog.  I am tagging Beth, Nicolasa, Lee-Ann, Poolside and Annie.

1.  Have you started your Christmas Shopping?
    I am actually done and have been since December 4th.  I tried so hard to be done by Thanksgiving but my husband's family added 4 more people to our Christmas!  I did most of my shopping this year online...easy to do with a newborn.

2.  Tell me about one of your special Traditions.
Every year on Christmas Eve Eve (Dec. 23rd) my family gets together at my mom's house for Chinese Take Out and a viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation :)  We then sleep over (it's getting crowded now) and wake up to have our family Christmas and breakfast on Christmas Eve.  My sisters and I still fight to be the first to find the Christmas Pickle!!!




3.  When do you put up your Tree?
The day after Thanksgiving :)  We have a fake tree due to my allergies so there is no problem putting it up then. 

4.  Are you a Black Friday Shopper?
Absolutely not....I am a Black Friday Decorator.  I spend the entire day decorating my house for the Holidays :) 

5.  Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?
This year we are doing a little of both.  We are at my mom's Christmas eve eve, our house to sleep on Christmas Eve so that Santa can come here and then down to my husband's family on Christmas morning. It makes me tired just typing it all....eventually I want to just stay home on Christmas day and play and relax :)

6.  What is your funniest Christmas memory??
As I mentioned before, my sisters and I fight over finding the Christmas Pickle on Christmas Eve morning.  For years my baby sister K would always finds it first....she then got the extra gift.  This drove me nuts!!!!  Finally my year came and I actually found the pickle!  I was so excited, I threw my arms up in the air to celebrate and the glass ornament slipped from my hands, fell on the brick fireplace and shattered!  It was pretty ironic that after years of wanting to win, the first time I actually found it, I broke it!  Ooops...it was pretty funny!

7.  What is your favorite Christmas Movie??
A Very Brady Christmas!!!!!  I can't find my VHS (I think my family hid it) and it is not on DVD....what am I going to do????



8.  Do you do your own Christmas baking?  What is your favorite treat??
I do make sugar and gingerbread cookies.  My favorite treat are my MIL's Italian cookies...Yum!!!

9. Fake or Real Tree?
Fake, I am allergic!

10.  What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Two weeks before Thanksgiving!

11.  Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Only if I am wrapping for my dad.

12.  What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
The Christmas Eve Party at my mom's is a huge competition.  There are two teams of our family and friends and we compete in 3 events.  Over the years we have competed in games of mini golf, jenga, Beirut (w/water), Holiday Jeopardy, card toss, Don't forget the lyrics and so many more!!!  The winning team wins scratch tix.

13.  What Christmas craft do you like best??
Decorating the gingerbread house :)

14.  Christmas music??
All of it!!!  My favorite albums are Jimmy Buffett, Charlie Brown and the muppets.

15.) When do you plan to finish all your shopping?

I'm done.  I hope to wrap it all this weekend.

Just simply copy and paste the questions into your blog, and then answer them.


When you post your blog, please spread some Christmas cheer, and leave a link back to Heather's Top Ten Christmas Blog, and the blog that you were tagged by.

I enjoyed this meme!! If you play along, leave me a comment and let me know so I can check out your responses!

Monday MEMe--5 Laps :)

Five Laps I'd Rather Sit on Than Santa's

 Mommybrain's and Supah have come up with this great prompt for this weeks Monday MEme.  I am not much of a lap sitter so here is my very RANDOM list....

1.   Buddy the Elf

 I LOVE Buddy and know that if he were real, we would be very good friends :)  We both love Christmas, candy corns and syrup!

2.  The Apple Store Guy when he gives me my new free LAPtop :)

 I know this is a stretch but I would love a new computer!!! 

3.  The LAP of Luxury

This was S's idea :)  It is a very good lap to sit on!!!!

4.  My Daddy---I am a Daddy's Girl

No my Daddy did not run for President of the Country but he was president of his Rotary Club :)  People Say he looks a lot like John Kerry :)

5.  My Sweet Husband, Papa Bear

He has my most favorite lap to sit on and now a days I have to compete with Z and C for my space on his coveted lap :)

Z's Life of Crime

"Shoplifter Attempts to Steal Light Up Toy in Target"

This is what the headlines would read if anyone other than me (and now all of you) knew what was going on in the Christmas section of Target the other day.  Z found this light up toy and was absolutely mesmerized by it.  He carried it around with him, as I found the last few goodies to send in my Aunt's holiday package.  He asked me over and over to bring it home and I told him "no".  When I was finished, I asked him to put it back because we had to go and check out.  I turned around to grab his hand and shuffle him along when I saw him trying very hard to shove the toy in his pocket!!!!

I stopped there in the middle of the store, got down on his level and calmly asked him for the toy.  I put it back on the shelf and asked him what he was doing with the toy.  "I want that toy Momma."  When I asked him what I had told him to do with the toy, he looked down at the ground in shame.  He finally said, "put it back".  I then asked him if he knew what the word steal meant (heavy lesson for a three year old) and he said "no".  I explained that it was against the rules to take things from stores unless you pay the store for them.  I told him that when rules like this are broken it is a very big deal.  We then spent the rest of the shopping trip talking about how important it was to not break the rules and when we got to the cashier, I explained that I was paying for all of our items.

There was no trip to the chicken store for young Z and he was very upset.  I explained that he hadn't listened to me and so we would have lunch at home.  I then called daddy and told him what had happened so that Z could hear every word of our conversation.  I know this is quite the lesson for a three year old and this is just the beginning of our teaching.  I was not upset that he attempted to steal the toy (he has no idea what stealing is) but I was upset that he did not listen to me when I asked him to put it back and disobeyed me by putting it in his pocket.  S and I plan to role play with him and have him more involved in the paying part of our shopping experiences.  This is only the beginning of the heavy stuff that I know we will have to deal with in the years to come!!!!  Yikes ;)

Park the Elf Arrived Today!!!

The Raising Z household is filled with excitement because Park the Elf arrived today.  This is his second holiday season with us and we are thrilled that he decided to visit us once again.  For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about...check out the Elf Magic Website. 

I first heard about this site from Connie at The Young and the Relentless.  After reading her entry about the elves at her house, I immediately went to get an elf of our own.  A few days later, Park arrived and we had a blast toting him all over the place.  He went on the Polar Express, came on an overnight to Portland Maine with us, went to see Christmas lights, baked cookies and so much more.  He often left small little gifts for Z in his sack and on Christmas Eve, when he had to go back to the North Pole to help Santa, he left him a larger gift as a thank you for being such a good host :)  It was so much fun.

This year we have decided to change things up a bit.  Rather than have Park come to live with us and join us in all of our daily adventures, he will just be popping in at night to check things out (he is much too busy this year and Santa desperately needs him at the North Pole during the day).  Z will never actually see Park this season but every morning (except for Preschool mornings) Park will leave a photo of himself doing something in the house, a letter for Z and C and some small gift for the day.  S feels by doing it this way, Park will be more magical and mysterious ;)  I spent the weekend getting all the pictures and letters ready to go.

Last year I bought the gifts, this year I wanted to save money so I got creative :)  Today he left Z and C their Nativity Set.  Park has lots of exciting things to leave this season like... their holiday trains, cookie cutters to make cookies, a holiday potty chart (we have really fallen off the wagon on that), the Polar Express book and a bell from Santa's sleigh, Candy canes, our stockings (with a new one for C), money to go out and buy toys for Toys for Tots and so much more.  Each time he visits he will leave something unique and special.....and on Christmas Eve, he will leave them a slightly larger gift once again.

I have included a few of the pictures that Park will leave behind.....he is one wild and crazy elf :)

Park hanging from the lights, going potty and riding Z's trike

Park making cookies (he ate them all though), driving Mom's car and hanging with the Grinch!

A Quiet Sunday

After a crazy (but wonderful) weekend...it is nice to have some downtime. I am currently sitting in front of my beautiful Christmas tree, sipping peppermint tea, watching Holiday Inn and rocking my sweet baby girl.  It is so peaceful :) 

S and Z are at my sister's house for Thanksgiving the Sequel.  My brother in-law is a police officer and had to work on Thanksgiving Day.  My sister has recreated the meal he missed with a Christmas twist.  Her entire house is decorated for Christmas so I guess today's feast could be called Thanksmas. 

Lil' C and I had to miss this fun party because she is getting over her first cold :(  She is doing much better today but I did not want to expose her to all those germs so soon.  The poor thing slept for two days straight because she was so miserable.  She was sneezing, coughing had a runny nose....it was awful.  Then yesterday she woke up, feeling a bit better but boy was she hungry!  She decided to spend most of yesterday and today eating (she had to make up for lost time :)).

Thanksgiving at my mom's was really nice.  My mom catered to my dairy and soy free needs and my meal ended up being really great.  I even found a yummy dairy and soy free pumpkin pie recipe that I made!   Z had a wonderful day, he wishes he could do it all over again.  He started off with breakfast in front of the new Curious George Christmas movie on PBS.  We then drove to my mom's and watched the parade and helped her cook. After that he enjoyed a feast of chicken nuggets, cherry tomatoes, carrots and jelly beans (he got this idea from Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving!!!).  He said to my dad, "This meal is GREAT!"

The rest of the weekend was spent taking care of C and decorating for Christmas.  Things took a little longer than they usually do but it all turned out really nice and cozy.  I am looking forward to a month of baking, singing, wrapping, gift giving, Christmas light seeking, holiday movies and TV specials, traditions, family, friends, smiles, laughs and joy!

Tis the Season!!  Have a Great One :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Once the comfy pants are on and the pies are done BUT before the tryptophan from the turkey takes over your body....hop on over to Supah's website and check out the merchandise up for auction in Jaden's Jingle Bell Bonanza :)  She has a lot of wonderful items to bid on and you will not only find the perfect gifts for this holiday season but all of the money will go to Jaden's family to help them with all of his medical expenses.  So before you go out and spend your money at all of the major retailers on Black Friday, check out the auction to see if you can find a gift or two there :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

And for those of you going out tomorrow, enjoy your Black Friday.  I will be home with my family getting the Raising Z home ready for Christmas!!!

WW-Thanksgiving Blessings

 

 

 He likes her....he really, really likes her!

That is, when she's not crying!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Post It Note Tuesday

Go visit Supah if you want to play!!!

And check out her special auction for Jaden!! It starts on Thanksgiving Day and ends December 6th.  She has a lot of great items so please check it out and help a special little boy!

Here are my notes....

 

 

 

 

All About MEme--What are you Thankful Four?

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

It's that time of year.

Time for the official kick-off of the holiday season. Hollah!

Time to eat some turkey and pumpkin pie.

Time to travel near and far to be with family.

Time to enjoy the pandemonium and traditions.

Time to think about ... and answer this question ...   

 

This is the perfect prompt for me today....it is short, sweet and can be done one handed! So here we go....

1. My Children--I am thankful that I am the mother to two beautiful and healthy children. They bring me so much joy and I learn something new from them everyday! They are AMAZING and warm my heart!!! I love my two little snuggle bunnies so much :)

2. My Husband--S is a superstar and I love him so much. He is a wonderful husband, father and a very hard worker. He has been so stressed at work lately but his family always comes first. He dropped everything this weekend to help Z (he has been really sick with an ear infection and croup like cough) and because of this was up late all weekend trying to get his work done. He is so patient and a wonderful person! 

3. My family--We are a super close family and I am so lucky to have them all live within 35 minutes of me. My parents and sisters are more like friends than family and I love to spend time with them. We get along really well and have so much fun together. We are a family that actually tries to find time to spend together. I am really thankful for all they have done for me since C has been born!!!

4. My friends--I have some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for. They are always there when I need them and I hope they know that I am here for them. They are funny, good listeners, keep me sane and I always have so much fun with them :) You guys know who you are and I hope you know how much I love you!!!

That is my list :) When I asked Z what he was Thankful for he said, 

"This sound Momma.....mmmmmmmmmmmrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmm" :) 

Happy Turkey Week!!!

 

THANK YOU!

I need to send a big THANK YOU out to my mom, dad, sister L and best friend L for helping me out this week while S was away!!!  Without them, it would have been a very teary week for me.  C's reflux is improving but she has had such bad gas and is not a happy camper because of it :(  I have truly eliminated milk and soy from my diet (as well as other gassy foods) to see if that will help.  Poor little girl. 

Thank you all for helping out, doing the laundry, the dishes, sleeping over, playing with Z, rocking and consoling C and most of all...keeping me sane!  S and I appreciate all you have done for us :)  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

This Holiday Elf is So Tired!

As many of my long time readers know, I LOVE the holidays....ALL HOLIDAYS...and my friend K has nicknamed me the "Holiday Elf".  This fall because of my pregnancy and now the baby, the holidays have been tough for me to keep up with.  I dragged through Halloween and didn't even have the energy for Z's last minute costume change (I made S deal with it).  Despite my lack of sleep, I still tried to make sure Z had a wonderful Halloween complete w/ a craft day, making Halloween cookies and a Countdown to Halloween paper chain. 

For years my friend S and I have gotten our families together for a "Friends Thanksgiving" in early November.  This year we decided to do it in February because I am just too tired (and she is just too busy).  I still plan to make a few dishes for real Thanksgiving at my mom's (dairy and soy free....not sure how I am going to pull that off), my house is decorated and we have been reading all of our Thanksgiving picture books but I just don't have the energy to make paper turkeys and all of the other fun things that I want to do with Z.

Now Christmas is fast approaching and I refuse to let sleep deprivation slow me down!  I started planning out this years Christmas in July.  This is when I made the budget, printed out my Christmas card labels and started my shopping.  Over the last month and a half I have been working on my cards (90/120 done), got 3/4 of my shopping done (I love the internet!!!), bought the wrapping paper, have plans to go see Santa on Monday (no lines when you go before Thanksgiving) and I hope to avoid all malls and major shopping centers after Thanksgiving (I am not a Black Friday kind of girl) :)

I love the holidays but I hate the crowds and craziness that December brings.  I would rather enjoy December in the comfort of my decorated home.....baking cookies, crafting with Z, wrapping presents and listening to my favorite holiday music.  That is so much nicer and less stressful than being out in the cold trying to find a parking spot and searching for gifts through the picked over merchandise.  My dad and husband prefer to wait until the last minute and don't seem to mind the craziness. 

My dad has taken us shopping for my mom every year since we were little.  It is one of my sisters and my favorite traditions and is the only reason I enter a mall in December.  Dad hates shopping but doesn't seem to mind waiting until the last minute (he even had his car stolen from the crowded lot one year).  S hates that I love to plan ahead and that I spread my shopping out over a few months.  He too likes to go to the mall in December and loves to find very unique gifts ;)  Unfortunately for him, I have completed all of his shopping for him this year and encouraged him to shop for me online (with a 50$ budget, you can't do much).....not sure what he will do without his last minute shopping trip in December :)  Maybe he will take Z out to get a few little things and they can start a tradition of their own.

I do hope I can keep the holiday spirit alive with so little sleep.  Many of the people around me count on my abundance of holiday spirit to get them excited and ready for the holiday.  With a lack of sleep and caffeine, I am not sure I will be able to keep it up all season long.  I am going to have to find new ways to stay upbeat and energized in order to help make this Christmas magical for everyone I love.  I guess I will have to watch A Very Brady Christmas a few extra times this season to help keep my spirit alive.  Happy Holidays!!

Pepcid Spells Relief???

Well we got the prescription :)  Lil' C has been on the medication since Friday afternoon and (knock on wood) has been doing better!!  She is sleeping better and seems much more happy and alert.  She still shows signs of pain at some feedings (she cried for over an hour last night during her feeding) but the doctor said it would take up to a week for the stomach lining and esophagus to repair themselves, so hopefully that too will pass. 

This medication has not only brought some relief to C but Z is much less stressed out than he was before.  He has taken a liking to this new baby that doesn't cry as much.  He will now be in the same room with us (unless she is crying), has given her kisses, asks to hold her, tries to play with her and talks about her non-stop.  It has been really nice.

S is away for the week on business and my family and best friend are taking shifts to help out during the day and sleep over at night.  C has been going through her 3 week growth spurt and all she and I do is nurse, so the help is much needed.  S felt so badly leaving us yesterday but he had to go and I understand that.  We are in good hands and despite the long cry last night, she had a very good night....I actually got more than an hour of sleep at one time :)  Let's hope for another good night tonight.

Give Me Some Zantac!!!

I have decided that I am not leaving my pediatricians office today without a prescription for Zantac in my hand.  My baby might be only 3 weeks old but she definitely has Silent Reflux and nothing we do (positioning, burping, mylicon, keeping her upright, having her sleep upright, changing my diet) is working.  She is miserable and that means we are miserable.  She isn't sleeping well, cries for much of the day and is crying while eating (which means I am also crying while she eats).  When she is asleep, I am only half asleep waiting for her to gag, stop breathing and then gasp for air.  I am constantly checking her to make sure that she is still breathing....I feel so badly for her.

Z suffered from severe colic for months.  When we brought it to the doctor's attention, she prescribed Zantac.  Both S and I did not like the idea of giving our baby medication and decided to not fill the prescription until we had tried everything else.  I went on an elimination diet where I only ate rice, chicken and some fruits and vegetables for one month.  I then started adding things back in slowly.....we then discovered (and stool tests confirmed it) that Z could not digest dairy or soy.  He still can't and drinks rice milk and avoids most products with milk and soy.

Z's issues were more gas related and that is why we didn't believe that he needed the Zantac....C's issues are very different.  My husband (Mr. Anti-Medicine) has asked that we get medicine to help our baby girl.  If for some reason we are wrong and the medicine does not work, then I will go back on the strict elimination diet (hopefully after Turkey day :().  I am willing to do whatever it takes to help my little bambino but I would like to try the medication first.  After all, a mother's instinct is usually right :)  Wish me LUCK with the doctor!

***Update.....We got the prescription :)  She has had two doses....it could take over a week to help heal her stomach and esophagus...I will keep you updated!****

Z's Imaginary Friend

We welcomed a new friend to our home this past week, Franklin, Z's imaginary turtle friend.  S and I have been doing some reading about imaginary friends and apparently it is normal and good for a child's imaginative development.  This being said, they often appear when a child is stressed, feeling lonely and needs a sense of comfort :(  This last part breaks my heart!

I have to be honest, the last week and a half has been very challenging.  We went from smooth sailing with baby C for about a week to some rougher weather this last week and a half.  C has been not sleeping well (day or night), burping wet burps, gets the hiccups 8-10 times a day, always sounds congested, wants to nurse constantly, has these moments where she gags and stops breathing for a minute, cries all the time and wants to be held constantly......it has been really challenging.  At the doctor's yesterday, she was diagnosed with Silent Reflux but she is too young for medication at this point.  We are in the process of trying all of the natural remedies to try to help her pain and discomfort (most of them we had already tried before our visit to the doctor).

Z is extremely sensitive to the sound of babies crying and he went from being intrigued by and tolerating his new baby sister to now avoiding her all together.  Z refuses to be in the same room with Lil' C :(  He often retreats upstairs to his room for a much needed break from the noise.  While I appreciate that he has this wonderful strategy of removing himself from situations that cause him stress, it breaks my heart that I never see the boy anymore.  He is sooooo afraid of C, afraid that at any moment she will start to cry.  He is often on the verge of tears himself....it is painful to see. 

C takes a few short naps during the day and it is then that I try to dress, feed and spend as much quality time with Z that I can.  Potty training is out the window (the poor guy is not independent and had way too many accidents while I was nursing...he is now in pull-ups), I am a mess (lucky if I get a shower in and I am averaging 4-5 hours of interrupted sleep a day) and my house is trashed....who has time to clean? I am either nursing, consoling or trying to spend time with Z.  S tries so hard to keep up with the dishes and my mom the laundry but it is impossible when Z and C both need so much attention. 

So given all of this stress on my sweet Z and the fact that he spends so much time playing alone (which he does soooo well, I am so lucky!), he has turned to his new pal Franklin to keep him company.  I am so sad for him, I so wish there was more I could do to meet his needs while still meeting the needs of my new baby girl.  My family and friends have been very helpful when they can but it is impossible to have someone here everyday....I need to get use to doing this on my own. 

Someone told me that while figuring out my new role as a mother of two, it is important to strive to meet the emotional needs of the older child and the physical needs of the baby.  This seems impossible right now...the only thing I am able to do is meet the physical needs of both children (and that isn't even being done well).  I am truly in survival mode.  I know everyone says that it will get easier....I just wish I could appreciate this time a little more.  C is so little and cute (7 LBS 1 oz) and when she is not crying enjoys taking in the world around her.....I love her big beautiful eyes.  And Z is so much fun right now!  He is so curious and his imagination has taken off.  It is so much fun to listen to him play, I just wish I could join him a little more often.  I keep reminding myself it is Quality vs. Quantity...right??

Sorry if this post didn't make much sense.  It was typed one-handed and took a few feedings to complete :) 

All About MEme Monday

It's time to dump your dull duds

and sassafras your wardrobe!

Supah and Mommy Brain just handed you a big, phat (and very phake)

VISA gift card* with your name all over it. 

Now, go spend it ... in the first evah,

All About MEme Shopping Spree-Spree!

Head on over to Supah Mommy and Mommy Brain to learn more! 

Here is how I would spend my dough :)

A Cozy Cashmere Sweater

(I don't buy cashmere because of my messy little man.

Not to mention the fact that I can't afford it...I figure now I can splurge!)

Some new jeans (not on sale at the GAP)

A new Winter Running Outfit

so when I am cleared to run in 4 weeks I am ready to go!

A new little black dress so that the hubs and I can go out for a much needed 

night in the big city!

And to make all of these purchases wearable on this postpartum body.......

SPANX!!!!! 

Funny Z

Z has been very intrigued by breast feeding over the last few days and I have some cute stories to share with you :)

Story 1

I was pumping some milk and Z walked in and looked at me and said, "What you doing Mommy?"  I told him I was pumping milk for the baby to drink.  "Milk comes from your boobs?" he asked.  I told him it did and that it was special "Mommy Milk" for Lil' C.  I then told him that he use to drink "Mommy Milk" when he was a baby.  "And that all comes from your boobs?" he asked again looking awestruck.  He then said with such feeling, "Mommy, I LIKE boobs!" and skipped off to play in his room. 

Story 2

S and Z were off to Target for 4 much needed items.  I made them a list and it was Z's job to hold onto the list and make sure they got everything they needed.  Before they left he asked me to read him the list.  I told him that they needed a new Halloween Costume for him (after months of wanting to be Rich from Imagination Movers, he changed his mind days before Trick or Treat), laundry detergent, bottled water and special ice packs.  "Ice packs?" Z asked.  I told him that mommy needed them for her boobs because they really hurt. 

While in Target, S was in the breast feeding aisle searching for the ice packs.  Z looked down at his list and shouted for all to hear, "Daddy, we still need to get boobs!  Daddy where are the boobs?  Mommy said we needed boobs!"  S was a bit embarrassed...he quickly found the "boobs" and moved to a different part of the store :)

Story 3

Z was upstairs cleaning his room with my mom when he found his baby doll.  My mom asked him if he wanted to feed his baby and she handed him the little bottle.  Z said he wanted to feed the baby with his "pretend boobs".  He lifted up his shirt and fed the baby. 

Story 4

Z found the massage tool that I had taken to the hospital.  He ran over, started rubbing my back and said, "Mommy I make your back feel better."  I thanked him and told him that it felt much better now.  He then came around and started to massage my chest and said...."Now I make your boobs feel better!"

Post It Note Tuesdays

This is my first time participating in Post It Note Tuesdays....hosted by Supah Mommy :)

I am so sleep deprived (the baby is going through a growth spurt), so I apologize if it doesn't make sense :)  Go check out Supah to find out how to make Post It's of your own.