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.

 

 

All About MEme Monday

This week's writing assignment is called Inspiration Point :)  Supah Mommy and MommyBrain gave two options and I decided to go with option number 2.  

I had emailed my husband on Friday with his homework for this week's post but it was his first day back after his "paternity leave" and somehow he never got to it ;)  I forgot to remind him over the weekend and remembered this morning while feeding the baby at 2:30 AM.  Since my husband has been such a champ during my pregnancy and over the last week and a half....I decided to write about him and if he decides to reciprocate, I will post that later :)

For my Sweet and Caring Husband

1.  I admire you for...your patience.  You always take life in stride and it is rare to see you lose your temper.  You are so good with our children and with me (I can be a bit moody :)).  I strive to be more laid back like you but I think it is my "go go go" personality and your more relaxed personality that make us a great team! 


2.  Your laugh is .... contagious!  Especially your deep belly laugh (the one where you tear up and your eyes get all squinty).  This laugh doesn't surface often but when it does, it is the best! I always feel super proud when I am the one responsible for this belly laugh....it is just AWESOME!

3.  It makes me smile when I see you ... cuddle up with our children.  Z worships and adores you and Lil' C already has you wrapped around her little finger.  They both think the world of you and I know they feel so safe in your arms (I do!). 

4.  I love that you ... think that family is so important.  We are blessed with two wonderful families and I love that you love to spend time with both groups.  Our parents are now our friends and I so value the relationships that we now have with our siblings.  They are four of our best friends and we are so lucky to have them in our lives. 

5.  Your heart is... bursting with love.  I will never forget the look on your face during the births of both of your children.  You were the proud papa and beamed down on their little faces.  You are an amazing dad and always ready to change diapers, play, soothe, bathe and keep me company during those late night feedings.  The kids and I are so lucky!

6.  I hope that you know... how much I love you and how proud I am of you.  You have grown so much in our 11 years together and your strength amazes me.  You have gone from a non-assertive computer programmer to a no-nonsense executive.  It has been so much fun to watch you grow and bloom and I love you more and more everyday!

7.  When we first met I ... tried to fix you up with my good friend :)  I am so glad you turned down that option and waited for me to come to my senses!  The past 11 years have flown by and we have had so much fun.  I hope that we get the chance to grow old together....enjoying time with our grandchildren at the lake :)

8.  You are... my best friend!  Thanks for all that you do for our family and for me.  You have been so supportive over the last few months (not many men would give breastfeeding coaching sessions!) and I am so lucky to have you in my life.  Whenever I am scared, as long as you are by my side....I know everything will be okay.  Thanks for being you!

S's Version for Me :) Thanks Honey!!!

1.       I admire you for… your love and devotion to your family. You’re always thinking of your family first, especially when it comes to Z and now C. You’re always wondering if you’re doing the right things, which I think makes you a great parent.

2.       Your laugh is… contagious. I especially love when you laugh so hard that you tear up and you have to grab you belly, as if it’s going to  fall out. It’s so cute!

3.       It makes me smile when… I see you truly relaxed. You take on so much that it’s a rare moment, but when it happens, I can see the jubilation on your face and it makes me happy.

4.       I love that you… love holidays and focus on creating memories for our family and friends.

5.       Your heart is… with your family. I love that you are so caring and generous, especially when it comes to your kids. It’s shows in Z and all that you’ve been able to teach him over the last 3 years. You are a wonderful and loving mother with a heart of gold.

6.       I hope you know that… I love you more than you know! You are so important to me and you are truly my best friend. I love spending time with you and exploring our lives and the world together.

7.       When we first met I… tried to persuade you that you should go on a date with me when you tried to hook me up with your friend. Good thing you came to your senses, even though it was a whole year later!

8.       You are… strong, honorable, kind, friendly, loving, caring, soothing, fun, energetic and passionate.  I love you for all that you are and all that you will be. I adore you and look forward to many, many years together.