Alrighty folks. It's time to do something about this extra weight. It's getting ridiculous. I can't handle it anymore. I don't want Chloe to have a fat mama. Starting tomorrow it's time to get healthy. Time to eat better and move more. No more being lazy all day long and then baking a tray of cookie bars.
I've been debating for a while what the best possible way to do this is. Because of my history with eating disorders I do not want to be on the scale everyday crunching numbers. I still need to breastfeed my baby girl and I don't want a major drop in supply. I also don't want to scare the crap out of my husband by going on some crazy crash diet. So I decided I'd make a goal to fit into something. So my first goal is that by the end of the summer I can wear Chloe in our Ergo carrier (they are seriously the best invention ever!) without the extra waist attachment. Time to get my butt in gear as I've got a lot of inches to say goodbye to. I will weight myself once a week and no more than that. Let's hope this works!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
PSA
This is a quick rant. Sometimes I want to put a shirt on Chloe that says the following:
I'm _ months old.
Yes, I'm little.
No, I was not a premie.
Yes, my mommy feeds me.
No, I would not like to eat (insert non-age appropriate food here).
I'm so sick of people asking me these questions. I'm not starving my baby. I realize that she's small, but that's just how she is. I was a small baby as well. She's hitting her milestones, maybe not as fast as some other babies her age, but she's not delayed either. I'm just so frustrated. People make me feel like I'm a bad mom, but she's happy and healthy and I know I'm doing things right for her.
End Rant.
I'm so sick of people asking me these questions. I'm not starving my baby. I realize that she's small, but that's just how she is. I was a small baby as well. She's hitting her milestones, maybe not as fast as some other babies her age, but she's not delayed either. I'm just so frustrated. People make me feel like I'm a bad mom, but she's happy and healthy and I know I'm doing things right for her.
End Rant.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
gDiaper Review!
I've been wanting to do this review for a while, but I also wanted to wait until I had used gDiapers for a few months before reviewing them. So it's been almost three months since we started using our gDiapers. They are the first cloth diaper I've ever used, and they have started an addiction I never would have expected. The journey into cloth has been a great one. I had been curious about it for a long time, but never knew where to start or how to do it. Thankfully I met a mama at playgroup (who is now becoming a good friend - double bonus!) back in February who used cloth diapers and she gave me lots of information. From there I researched about lots of different diapers, consulted with the hubby, and we decided we thought gDiapers were just the diaper for us. So lets get started!
Getting Started!
Getting started with any cloth diaper is overwhelming when you really have no idea what you're getting into. gDiapers can be a little more confusing at first in comparison to other cloth diapers because they have several different components.
The Little gPant
The first thing you'll need is a little gPant. These come in the most adorable colors. Pictured in this review is the new color 'Glacier Blue' from the Spring 2011 line. Little gPants are sized so you will need new pants as your child grows. Chloe was just over 13lbs when we started to cloth diaper so I went with the medium size of little gPant, which fits 13-28lbs. Of course this can vary depending on the size and shape of your baby. I sort of wish I had purchased some diapers for her in the small size which fits 8-14lbs as I think they may have helped the fit at first. Starting with the mediums was fine, the only problem I had was purely cosmetic. When I would put the diaper on the elastic would overlap and cause some pilling on the waistband. At first I was mad at myself because they didn't look as "new" as I wanted after a few weeks, but then another gMum suggested that I try using a razor and shaving off the pilling, and voila, brand new looking dipes again!
The little gPant is unique from other diapers because it is reusable many times over as long as it does not get wet or dirty. It has a waterproof liner that snaps in and holds the insert. If the liner gets dirty and the little gPant does not, you can just remove the liner, put a new one in, and continue using your little gPant. I would recommend having 6-8 little gPants if you plan on gDiapering full time. I started with six, and thanks to a wonderful gift from my in-laws, we then had 8. Soon after I was hooked and now I have over 20 little gPants! There are so many cute colors and patterns. They are really easy to match to outfits as well!
The cotton on the little gPant is not organic cotton, but it is still very soft. I wash the little gPants and liners with Chloe's regular clothes in a cold or warm delicate cycle. I hang both the little gPants and liners to dry. I've read of other moms having issues with velcro pulling off, g's falling off, and fading. I have not had any of those issues with the regular little gPants. I did have some light fading with my gFlutter and gCamper (Spring 2011 gStyle line) but it was hardly noticeable.
Each gPant comes with one waterproof breathable snap-in liner. The liners are said to last about 100 washes before they need to be replaced. I recommend purchasing enough to have two liners per gPant you have. You can purchase extra 6-packs of liners for $20. The liners do tend to stretch out with use. You can pop them in the dryer on low for a few minutes to tighten the elastic and it does help a little. Also the cloth does sometimes bunch up in the liner, but that's why the liner is there, it still catches the pee and poop. We've never had a blowout with our gDiapers. On a daily basis I wonder what a solution to the liners might be, but I haven't thought of it yet. gDiapers has a wonderful team over at gHQ and I'm sure there working on something!
Inserts
There are two options provided by gDiapers to use as inserts for your little gPant. They have a flushable, compost-able, biodegradable insert called gRefills, and a cloth insert called gCloth. We really only use the gCloth, although we did use the gRefills for a weekend when we went out of town. The gRefills were very absorbent and great for use on vacation. I did not try flushing them because I wasn't sure of the plumbing where I was. But they only take 45-180 days to decompose (as opposed to 500 years with regular disposable diapers!), so I felt better using them. They aren't as soft as disposables, but Chloe never seemed uncomfortable in them. They look huge, but they fit into the liners just fine once you get the hang of it.
gCloth
We primarily use the gCloth with our gDiapers. They are so soft! The gCloth features two layers of stay dry microfleece and two layers of hemp. I have a love/hate relationship with my gCloth. They work great for daytime for us, but unfortunately it's just not enough absorbency for us during naps or nighttime. Chloe is now a tummy or side sleeper, and the cloth just doesn't stay where it needs to in order to absorb the pee before it leaks onto the liner and then sometimes out the side of the pant. They are just fine during playitme when she's moving around and learning to crawl, it's extended periods when we have a problem. I have worked with gHQ on achieving a good fit for naps, but unfortunately it hasn't worked out. I tried doubling up, and it worked to prevent leaks, but Chloe was uncomfortable. Bulky diapers make her mad! If I could redesign gCloth I would take away one of the stay-dry layers and add another 2 or 3 layers of hemp. I think that might help the cloth absorb faster and hold more.
I recommend purchasing 24 gCloth if you plan on using gDiapers full time and wash every other day. You may not go through all of them in the two days, but it's nice to have a few extra for doubling, and so that they don't wear out as fast.
Other Insert Options
I have also tried some other inserts in my gDiapers. Bummis organic cotton prefolds in the infant (7-20lb) size fit great in gDiapers. They are very absorbent and soft. They do add quite a bit of bulk on the butt, but they do not add any width between the legs, so Chloe does fine in them. I've also used my AppleCheeks bamboo inserts in my little gPants. They are a little too small for the liners, so they bunch and move around a bit, but they still absorb great. Bummis are my favorite because of the cost. I purchased a 6-pack from Amazon.com for $16 with free shipping. So about $2.60 per insert. gCloth retails at Diapers.com for $29.99 (free shipping after $49), so about $6.66 per insert. If you are on a tight budget, I would give prefolds a try!
Pros & Cons
I'll wrap this up with my pros and cons for using gDiapers. If anyone has any questions about using g's or getting started leave a comment and I'll be happy to help (or find someone else who can!).
Pros
Adorable colors and styling
Great for the environment
EXCELLENT customer service (seriously, they are amazing)
Soft gCloth inserts
Easy to reuse over and over without having to do tons of laundry
Lots of insert options
Cons
Initial expense is higher than some other big name cloth diaper brands
Learning curve with getting proper liner seal and fit
Leaking at naps & nighttime (obviously not everybody has this problem)
Liner lifetime is only 100 washes, then you need to purchase more at $20 for 6 liners.
Liners stretch easily
Purchasing new little gPants as your baby grows (this is also a pro for me though, because I like the custom fit you get from a sized diaper)
*Just a quick note- I was not given product, or paid by anyway by gDiapers to do this review. I simply love their product & company and decided to write this to help other moms!*
Getting Started!
Getting started with any cloth diaper is overwhelming when you really have no idea what you're getting into. gDiapers can be a little more confusing at first in comparison to other cloth diapers because they have several different components.
The Little gPant
The first thing you'll need is a little gPant. These come in the most adorable colors. Pictured in this review is the new color 'Glacier Blue' from the Spring 2011 line. Little gPants are sized so you will need new pants as your child grows. Chloe was just over 13lbs when we started to cloth diaper so I went with the medium size of little gPant, which fits 13-28lbs. Of course this can vary depending on the size and shape of your baby. I sort of wish I had purchased some diapers for her in the small size which fits 8-14lbs as I think they may have helped the fit at first. Starting with the mediums was fine, the only problem I had was purely cosmetic. When I would put the diaper on the elastic would overlap and cause some pilling on the waistband. At first I was mad at myself because they didn't look as "new" as I wanted after a few weeks, but then another gMum suggested that I try using a razor and shaving off the pilling, and voila, brand new looking dipes again!
The little gPant is unique from other diapers because it is reusable many times over as long as it does not get wet or dirty. It has a waterproof liner that snaps in and holds the insert. If the liner gets dirty and the little gPant does not, you can just remove the liner, put a new one in, and continue using your little gPant. I would recommend having 6-8 little gPants if you plan on gDiapering full time. I started with six, and thanks to a wonderful gift from my in-laws, we then had 8. Soon after I was hooked and now I have over 20 little gPants! There are so many cute colors and patterns. They are really easy to match to outfits as well!
The cotton on the little gPant is not organic cotton, but it is still very soft. I wash the little gPants and liners with Chloe's regular clothes in a cold or warm delicate cycle. I hang both the little gPants and liners to dry. I've read of other moms having issues with velcro pulling off, g's falling off, and fading. I have not had any of those issues with the regular little gPants. I did have some light fading with my gFlutter and gCamper (Spring 2011 gStyle line) but it was hardly noticeable.
Each gPant comes with one waterproof breathable snap-in liner. The liners are said to last about 100 washes before they need to be replaced. I recommend purchasing enough to have two liners per gPant you have. You can purchase extra 6-packs of liners for $20. The liners do tend to stretch out with use. You can pop them in the dryer on low for a few minutes to tighten the elastic and it does help a little. Also the cloth does sometimes bunch up in the liner, but that's why the liner is there, it still catches the pee and poop. We've never had a blowout with our gDiapers. On a daily basis I wonder what a solution to the liners might be, but I haven't thought of it yet. gDiapers has a wonderful team over at gHQ and I'm sure there working on something!
Inserts
There are two options provided by gDiapers to use as inserts for your little gPant. They have a flushable, compost-able, biodegradable insert called gRefills, and a cloth insert called gCloth. We really only use the gCloth, although we did use the gRefills for a weekend when we went out of town. The gRefills were very absorbent and great for use on vacation. I did not try flushing them because I wasn't sure of the plumbing where I was. But they only take 45-180 days to decompose (as opposed to 500 years with regular disposable diapers!), so I felt better using them. They aren't as soft as disposables, but Chloe never seemed uncomfortable in them. They look huge, but they fit into the liners just fine once you get the hang of it.
gCloth
We primarily use the gCloth with our gDiapers. They are so soft! The gCloth features two layers of stay dry microfleece and two layers of hemp. I have a love/hate relationship with my gCloth. They work great for daytime for us, but unfortunately it's just not enough absorbency for us during naps or nighttime. Chloe is now a tummy or side sleeper, and the cloth just doesn't stay where it needs to in order to absorb the pee before it leaks onto the liner and then sometimes out the side of the pant. They are just fine during playitme when she's moving around and learning to crawl, it's extended periods when we have a problem. I have worked with gHQ on achieving a good fit for naps, but unfortunately it hasn't worked out. I tried doubling up, and it worked to prevent leaks, but Chloe was uncomfortable. Bulky diapers make her mad! If I could redesign gCloth I would take away one of the stay-dry layers and add another 2 or 3 layers of hemp. I think that might help the cloth absorb faster and hold more.
I recommend purchasing 24 gCloth if you plan on using gDiapers full time and wash every other day. You may not go through all of them in the two days, but it's nice to have a few extra for doubling, and so that they don't wear out as fast.
Other Insert Options
I have also tried some other inserts in my gDiapers. Bummis organic cotton prefolds in the infant (7-20lb) size fit great in gDiapers. They are very absorbent and soft. They do add quite a bit of bulk on the butt, but they do not add any width between the legs, so Chloe does fine in them. I've also used my AppleCheeks bamboo inserts in my little gPants. They are a little too small for the liners, so they bunch and move around a bit, but they still absorb great. Bummis are my favorite because of the cost. I purchased a 6-pack from Amazon.com for $16 with free shipping. So about $2.60 per insert. gCloth retails at Diapers.com for $29.99 (free shipping after $49), so about $6.66 per insert. If you are on a tight budget, I would give prefolds a try!
Pros & Cons
I'll wrap this up with my pros and cons for using gDiapers. If anyone has any questions about using g's or getting started leave a comment and I'll be happy to help (or find someone else who can!).
Pros
Cons
*Just a quick note- I was not given product, or paid by anyway by gDiapers to do this review. I simply love their product & company and decided to write this to help other moms!*
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Time Flies!
Is it seriously the end of April already?!? I feel like I had so much more to get done. But that's how I feel all the time.
A year ago today I married my best friend. I can't believe how different things are in just one year. Last year at this time Chloe was 23 weeks and we were getting ready to find out that she was indeed a she. We had our quiet wedding just like we wanted, but honestly we talked more about our baby plans.
Chloe is eight months old now. She's thinking about crawling (the back end works, front end not so much), she's finally sitting well, and she's still sleeping terribly. I have no idea what to do there. I've become somewhat of a zombie. I keep hoping there's an end in sight.
Today we went to the Great Cloth Diaper Change event. It was an interesting experience (my organized control freak side was having a slight panic attack) but was fun. John took some pictures of Chloe and I and when I looked at them I wanted to cry. My weight is getting way out of control.
I'm so lost as to where to start. I've always been either thin or fat. Never really in-between. When I was thin it was not because I was healthy. I was starving myself and purging what I did eat. I do not want to restrict my diet much now because I don't want it to kill my milk supply. But I do need to make better choices. Breastfeeding makes me so hungry! And it makes me want sweets, which I never wanted before. I need to eat more veggies and less processed food. I need to make it my new obsession, but I'm almost scared to because of where I've been before. I could drop 50 pounds in two months if I wanted to, but that wouldn't be good for me or Chloe.
The weight thing is getting me down though. I weigh more now than I did before I got pregnant. Nothing fits. I'll be honest, sometimes I still wear maternity jeans (insert yucky face here). I don't want Chloe to grow up with me being so overweight. I want her to see me as healthy and active.
Time to devise a plan!
And here's a recent pic of my love. She's growing up way too fast.
A year ago today I married my best friend. I can't believe how different things are in just one year. Last year at this time Chloe was 23 weeks and we were getting ready to find out that she was indeed a she. We had our quiet wedding just like we wanted, but honestly we talked more about our baby plans.
Chloe is eight months old now. She's thinking about crawling (the back end works, front end not so much), she's finally sitting well, and she's still sleeping terribly. I have no idea what to do there. I've become somewhat of a zombie. I keep hoping there's an end in sight.
Today we went to the Great Cloth Diaper Change event. It was an interesting experience (my organized control freak side was having a slight panic attack) but was fun. John took some pictures of Chloe and I and when I looked at them I wanted to cry. My weight is getting way out of control.
I'm so lost as to where to start. I've always been either thin or fat. Never really in-between. When I was thin it was not because I was healthy. I was starving myself and purging what I did eat. I do not want to restrict my diet much now because I don't want it to kill my milk supply. But I do need to make better choices. Breastfeeding makes me so hungry! And it makes me want sweets, which I never wanted before. I need to eat more veggies and less processed food. I need to make it my new obsession, but I'm almost scared to because of where I've been before. I could drop 50 pounds in two months if I wanted to, but that wouldn't be good for me or Chloe.
The weight thing is getting me down though. I weigh more now than I did before I got pregnant. Nothing fits. I'll be honest, sometimes I still wear maternity jeans (insert yucky face here). I don't want Chloe to grow up with me being so overweight. I want her to see me as healthy and active.
Time to devise a plan!
And here's a recent pic of my love. She's growing up way too fast.
Monday, April 4, 2011
C-Section
I gave birth via c-section when I had Chloe. Prior to finding out that it would be what we had to have, I was planning an unmedicated natural birth. But Miss Chloe had other plans. She was frank breech with her little hips stuck in the birth canal. While I am aware that vaginal breech births are possible, it was not a risk I was willing to take.
When I found out about my c-section I was disappointed but didn't really think about it too much. I've had plenty of surgeries and am thankful for modern medical practices. The surgery went off without any major issues. I didn't feel a thing, my doctor was very sweet, and most importantly my baby was born healthy.
Throughout the last seven and a half months I've reflected on my birth experience from time to time. When Chloe was about a month old I remember being upset because I didn't know what to call my experience. I didn't feel like I had given birth. I didn't know if it was fair to those who had vaginal births for me to say that I gave birth. In reality my baby was cut out of me. I still have not come to terms with what to call it. I still feel weird saying that I gave birth.
I never felt really sad about my c-section a week ago. One of my sorority sisters gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. I'm so happy for her and her fiancé. They are going to be great parents. Her birth got me thinking of my own and I began to think more and more about my c-section. I guess I haven't really put my feelings about it behind me, I sort of just buried them. I'm not really sure what to do. It's quite frustrating. I'm so thankful for my baby, but I still wonder everyday what it would have been like if I had really had the birth I wanted. I'm a bit lost there.
On a lighter note, here's a new picture I took last week of my girl. She's so beautiful :)
When I found out about my c-section I was disappointed but didn't really think about it too much. I've had plenty of surgeries and am thankful for modern medical practices. The surgery went off without any major issues. I didn't feel a thing, my doctor was very sweet, and most importantly my baby was born healthy.
Throughout the last seven and a half months I've reflected on my birth experience from time to time. When Chloe was about a month old I remember being upset because I didn't know what to call my experience. I didn't feel like I had given birth. I didn't know if it was fair to those who had vaginal births for me to say that I gave birth. In reality my baby was cut out of me. I still have not come to terms with what to call it. I still feel weird saying that I gave birth.
I never felt really sad about my c-section a week ago. One of my sorority sisters gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. I'm so happy for her and her fiancé. They are going to be great parents. Her birth got me thinking of my own and I began to think more and more about my c-section. I guess I haven't really put my feelings about it behind me, I sort of just buried them. I'm not really sure what to do. It's quite frustrating. I'm so thankful for my baby, but I still wonder everyday what it would have been like if I had really had the birth I wanted. I'm a bit lost there.
On a lighter note, here's a new picture I took last week of my girl. She's so beautiful :)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Crunchy?
Sorry to my few followers that it's been so long since I've blogged! Chloe is still only sleeping in 1.5 hour spurts at night and I'm exhausted. Blogging has been the last thing on my mind lately.
But we've been a busy bunch. Chloe turned 7 months old yesterday! She's still tiny, just a little over 13lbs but she's tall! She rolls everywhere and is very good at it. She likes to try and get to the cat and dog. They have no interest in her and run away. She's still not sitting up on her own. Not because she can't necessarily, but because when she does she sees something that she wants and dives for it. Silly girl. If she would just hold still for a few minutes I'm sure we would have sitting up perfected.
I guess I'm becoming somewhat of a "crunchy" mom as some people label it. I've been making her baby food myself from organic vegetables. So far she loves butternut squash the most. She also eats carrots and green beans. She still hates any kind of baby cereal but will sometimes tolerate some oatmeal with apple purée mixed in.
I also started cloth diapering a month ago. I am loving it! I really wish I had started when she was born. It's so much easier than I ever would have imagined. I primarily use gDiapers with gCloth inserts, but I also have some bumGenius pockets and AIO's as well as a Fuzzibunz pocket diaper. The gDiapers are by far my favorite. They fit Chloe so well and I love the gCloth. I plan on doing some reviews here and on YouTube of my experience with the different diapers.
More posts to come soon, I promise! And pictures too!
But we've been a busy bunch. Chloe turned 7 months old yesterday! She's still tiny, just a little over 13lbs but she's tall! She rolls everywhere and is very good at it. She likes to try and get to the cat and dog. They have no interest in her and run away. She's still not sitting up on her own. Not because she can't necessarily, but because when she does she sees something that she wants and dives for it. Silly girl. If she would just hold still for a few minutes I'm sure we would have sitting up perfected.
I guess I'm becoming somewhat of a "crunchy" mom as some people label it. I've been making her baby food myself from organic vegetables. So far she loves butternut squash the most. She also eats carrots and green beans. She still hates any kind of baby cereal but will sometimes tolerate some oatmeal with apple purée mixed in.
I also started cloth diapering a month ago. I am loving it! I really wish I had started when she was born. It's so much easier than I ever would have imagined. I primarily use gDiapers with gCloth inserts, but I also have some bumGenius pockets and AIO's as well as a Fuzzibunz pocket diaper. The gDiapers are by far my favorite. They fit Chloe so well and I love the gCloth. I plan on doing some reviews here and on YouTube of my experience with the different diapers.
More posts to come soon, I promise! And pictures too!
Monday, January 31, 2011
In a Rut
I've been in a rut the last week or so. I've finally got Chloe on a schedule and you'd think that would make more time for me to get things done and be productive right? Nope. I've been lazier than ever. I've still made meals and done baby things, but my house is a disaster. There are baskets of unfolded clean laundry in our room, the stove is dirty, the stairs and floor need vacuumed, etc. But I just don't have the energy to do it. I want to nap about as much as ever and just relax. I feel like we've been go go go all the time and now that I actually know what is happening I just want to sit back and breathe. I need to get myself together. Hopefully I'll gain some motivation this week.
Some days I feel guilty. There are days when I think about how nice it would be to have one day, or even a half day, with no responsibility. Where I could just lay in bed and sleep uninterrupted, go where I want, and have a very large cocktail. I love my girl more than anything in the world, but I'm feeling worn down.
On a happier note, check out my friend Carson's blog at, http://eatingaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com/. For the rest of the year he's going to make a few meals several times a week each from a different country around the world. I'm really excited to see what he makes and try some of the recipes!
Some days I feel guilty. There are days when I think about how nice it would be to have one day, or even a half day, with no responsibility. Where I could just lay in bed and sleep uninterrupted, go where I want, and have a very large cocktail. I love my girl more than anything in the world, but I'm feeling worn down.
On a happier note, check out my friend Carson's blog at, http://eatingaroundtheglobe.blogspot.com/. For the rest of the year he's going to make a few meals several times a week each from a different country around the world. I'm really excited to see what he makes and try some of the recipes!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Pulling my hair out ... if I had any!
One thing nobody told me was going to happen after giving birth was that my hair was going to fall out. Now I have super thick hair to begin with. It's ridiculous. Every stylist I've ever gone to has made comments on it. When I got pregnant it grew quite a bit in length and got even more thick! I hated how thick it was. If I didn't style it I would have an afro. About three months after having Chloe I began losing major handfuls of hair. It's disgusting. It gets everywhere. I have no clue how I'm not bald. I'm scared that I am going to go bald. Hopefully this stops soon.
This week has been stressful. If I had hair I could part with, I would have probably pulled it out by now. The Zantac isn't really doing much. She's sleeping a tiny bit better, but it's not fantastic and we've got a long way to go. During the days she's been fussy and unhappy. It breaks my heart. I just want her to feel comfortable and happy. So far (hopefully I don't jinx it) today has been pretty good. She's been a bit fussy but I've been trying to keep her busy. Unfortunately it's just too darn cold outside to really go anywhere, but there's lots to play with here at least.
Time for me to have something to eat before she wakes up! Here's day 2 & 3 of my Chloe 365 project!
This week has been stressful. If I had hair I could part with, I would have probably pulled it out by now. The Zantac isn't really doing much. She's sleeping a tiny bit better, but it's not fantastic and we've got a long way to go. During the days she's been fussy and unhappy. It breaks my heart. I just want her to feel comfortable and happy. So far (hopefully I don't jinx it) today has been pretty good. She's been a bit fussy but I've been trying to keep her busy. Unfortunately it's just too darn cold outside to really go anywhere, but there's lots to play with here at least.
Time for me to have something to eat before she wakes up! Here's day 2 & 3 of my Chloe 365 project!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
"That" Patient
I'm starting to think I may be becoming "that" patient at the doctors office. You know, the one that calls whenever she thinks something is up? That is always worried about her baby. Maybe it's being a FTM, I'm not sure.
For the last almost three months I feel like I've been taking Chloe to the doctor constantly because something is wrong with her. First they told me she was colicky. I thought that was not true. I've been around colicky babies, and I've read a ton about them, and really she wasn't acting colicky. It all started just before Thanksgiving when we moved Chloe from the newborn napper portion of her pack n' play to laying in the regular bassinet. She stopped sleeping through the night at that point and we chalked it up to her just being in a new sleeping position. Then she started waking even more. Everybody said it was the four month growth spurt. Then wonder weeks, then they said colic again. She was waking up in pain and I knew it, but the doctors kept acting like I was crazy.
Finally we went back again last week. They diagnosed her with GERD but did not want to try medication right away. So we tried having her sleep on an incline. That didn't go so well. She didn't really sleep very well. She does not like to sleep in a swing or in her bouncer so we inclined her crib. The doctor decided yesterday that we will try her on Zantac and see how that goes. Last night I didn't notice a difference, but so far tonight she's been asleep for almost three hours! I really hope this helps. I hate to watch her suffer and wake up screaming in pain.
Playgroup this week wasn't too exciting. There were only four babies including Chloe and she was showing off her magnificent shriek. It's the worst sound ever. It made the other babies cry. There was a new baby in the group, an adorable eight month old little boy. His poor mama looked exhausted and stressed, I wanted to give her a hug. I totally know how she feels.
I started a facebook photo album where I'm going to post a picture of Chloe every day for 365 days. I'm really hoping I can do this. I think I'll also post the pictures here, there won't always be a post but at least I can share her cuteness!
Here's day one. Blowing bubbles while sitting on daddy's lap!
Oh and Wednesday Winter blog hop!
For the last almost three months I feel like I've been taking Chloe to the doctor constantly because something is wrong with her. First they told me she was colicky. I thought that was not true. I've been around colicky babies, and I've read a ton about them, and really she wasn't acting colicky. It all started just before Thanksgiving when we moved Chloe from the newborn napper portion of her pack n' play to laying in the regular bassinet. She stopped sleeping through the night at that point and we chalked it up to her just being in a new sleeping position. Then she started waking even more. Everybody said it was the four month growth spurt. Then wonder weeks, then they said colic again. She was waking up in pain and I knew it, but the doctors kept acting like I was crazy.
Finally we went back again last week. They diagnosed her with GERD but did not want to try medication right away. So we tried having her sleep on an incline. That didn't go so well. She didn't really sleep very well. She does not like to sleep in a swing or in her bouncer so we inclined her crib. The doctor decided yesterday that we will try her on Zantac and see how that goes. Last night I didn't notice a difference, but so far tonight she's been asleep for almost three hours! I really hope this helps. I hate to watch her suffer and wake up screaming in pain.
Playgroup this week wasn't too exciting. There were only four babies including Chloe and she was showing off her magnificent shriek. It's the worst sound ever. It made the other babies cry. There was a new baby in the group, an adorable eight month old little boy. His poor mama looked exhausted and stressed, I wanted to give her a hug. I totally know how she feels.
I started a facebook photo album where I'm going to post a picture of Chloe every day for 365 days. I'm really hoping I can do this. I think I'll also post the pictures here, there won't always be a post but at least I can share her cuteness!
Here's day one. Blowing bubbles while sitting on daddy's lap!
Oh and Wednesday Winter blog hop!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Cry Baby
This weeks hot topic of debate was that of CIO (or cry-it-out for those not up on the modern mom abbreviations). Seriously these debates never end on the Baby Center forums. Usually I stay out of them, I did comment once or twice this week and kind of wish now that I hadn't, but it's too late.
Here's my take on the whole CIO controversy. Cry it out will not work on MY baby, therefore in my opinion doing it to her would be cruel and heartless. Chloe is fairly easy going. She only cries if she needs something. We have gone days without a major crying episode. She'll fuss when she wants it, and if I'm not fast enough the cry will come. The only time she'll go straight to the cry is if she's not feeling well. At night time she goes to bed drowsy, babbles in her crib and goes to sleep. She wakes to nurse or when her GERD is acting up then goes back to sleep.
I generally do not have a problem with others using CIO. For one, it's not really my business. If a mother needs it for her sanity, and the baby responds well to it, and she can listen to her baby scream for an hour before going to sleep (I would be clawing at the walls to get into the baby's room) and it works for that family, then CIO is probably for you. But if you're posting online about how you feel like the world's worst mother and you're going crazy listening to your baby scream for you, then damnit go pick up your baby and pick a different way of getting that baby to sleep! I don't think moms that use CIO are bad moms, it's just not a method I would use on my child.
But part of joining this cult of motherhood is that you meet all kinds. Another kind of parenting choice I wouldn't make came up at our infant playgroup on Tuesday. There were lots of babies there and Chloe had fun. It was great meeting other moms in the area and seeing the babies at all different ages. There was one mom there with an 11 month old. This baby was WIRED. Like bouncing off the walls and pretty much out of control. She said he was just fiesty and strong willed. She feeds him chocolate on a regular basis. He also eats McDonalds on a regular basis including having a little soda. Remember I said 11 months old not 11 years old? Everyone kind of just did the polite smile and nod and moved on to a different topic of conversation. I couldn't get it out of my head though. How much research and awareness do you need to realize what you shouldn't be feeding your kid? We're in Michigan, one of the fattest states, every third commercial is about obesity and getting help, and you're feeding your 11 month old chocolate and McDonalds? Get the #*$! out. /End Rant.
I'm not going to be the perfect mother. I don't mean to come off sounding like I'm the perfect mother. I'm sure I will do things with Chloe that will have some people going "WTF?". I just needed to get it out there that picturing this child scarfing down a happy meal at 11 months is haunting me a bit. I think one benefit of being with a group of moms in person rather than online is that you can generally expect the smile and nod as a response and you won't be attacked. If someone on the August 2010 birth boards posts in July of this year that they give their kid chocolate and cheeseburgers I'm going to need a boatload of popcorn and butter.
Here's my take on the whole CIO controversy. Cry it out will not work on MY baby, therefore in my opinion doing it to her would be cruel and heartless. Chloe is fairly easy going. She only cries if she needs something. We have gone days without a major crying episode. She'll fuss when she wants it, and if I'm not fast enough the cry will come. The only time she'll go straight to the cry is if she's not feeling well. At night time she goes to bed drowsy, babbles in her crib and goes to sleep. She wakes to nurse or when her GERD is acting up then goes back to sleep.
I generally do not have a problem with others using CIO. For one, it's not really my business. If a mother needs it for her sanity, and the baby responds well to it, and she can listen to her baby scream for an hour before going to sleep (I would be clawing at the walls to get into the baby's room) and it works for that family, then CIO is probably for you. But if you're posting online about how you feel like the world's worst mother and you're going crazy listening to your baby scream for you, then damnit go pick up your baby and pick a different way of getting that baby to sleep! I don't think moms that use CIO are bad moms, it's just not a method I would use on my child.
But part of joining this cult of motherhood is that you meet all kinds. Another kind of parenting choice I wouldn't make came up at our infant playgroup on Tuesday. There were lots of babies there and Chloe had fun. It was great meeting other moms in the area and seeing the babies at all different ages. There was one mom there with an 11 month old. This baby was WIRED. Like bouncing off the walls and pretty much out of control. She said he was just fiesty and strong willed. She feeds him chocolate on a regular basis. He also eats McDonalds on a regular basis including having a little soda. Remember I said 11 months old not 11 years old? Everyone kind of just did the polite smile and nod and moved on to a different topic of conversation. I couldn't get it out of my head though. How much research and awareness do you need to realize what you shouldn't be feeding your kid? We're in Michigan, one of the fattest states, every third commercial is about obesity and getting help, and you're feeding your 11 month old chocolate and McDonalds? Get the #*$! out. /End Rant.
I'm not going to be the perfect mother. I don't mean to come off sounding like I'm the perfect mother. I'm sure I will do things with Chloe that will have some people going "WTF?". I just needed to get it out there that picturing this child scarfing down a happy meal at 11 months is haunting me a bit. I think one benefit of being with a group of moms in person rather than online is that you can generally expect the smile and nod as a response and you won't be attacked. If someone on the August 2010 birth boards posts in July of this year that they give their kid chocolate and cheeseburgers I'm going to need a boatload of popcorn and butter.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Lazy Saturday
It's been a busy week! My little sister came to visit for the week and spend some time with Chloe. It's hard having family so far away, but it makes the visits more special. Chloe had a big of a cold bug this week, but although she wasn't feeling 100% she was happy for the most part.
Having Auntie in town was helpful, as John and I got to go on our first date night since Chloe was born. It was fun to go out for dinner and have some time to ourselves. We went to Upfront & Co. because I love their black & blue salmon dish. Yummy salmon cooked in cajun spices with a blue cheese sauce topping. Delish! Surprisingly we didn't talk about Chloe too much, we were joking on the way there that all we were going to talk about was here.
How can you resist:
Megan left yesterday to head home and today Chloe and I are having a lazy day. I'm sick of dishes and cleaning. Time to just relax with my girl. She's growing so fast and I don't want to miss a moment with her. I dressed her in some of her six month clothes on Thursday. I know some babies her age have been in those for a long time, but she's a teeny one. They're still a little bit big, but no too bad. It's hard to believe that she's been here for almost five months already!
Having Auntie in town was helpful, as John and I got to go on our first date night since Chloe was born. It was fun to go out for dinner and have some time to ourselves. We went to Upfront & Co. because I love their black & blue salmon dish. Yummy salmon cooked in cajun spices with a blue cheese sauce topping. Delish! Surprisingly we didn't talk about Chloe too much, we were joking on the way there that all we were going to talk about was here.
How can you resist:
Megan left yesterday to head home and today Chloe and I are having a lazy day. I'm sick of dishes and cleaning. Time to just relax with my girl. She's growing so fast and I don't want to miss a moment with her. I dressed her in some of her six month clothes on Thursday. I know some babies her age have been in those for a long time, but she's a teeny one. They're still a little bit big, but no too bad. It's hard to believe that she's been here for almost five months already!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010
Happy New Year! I can't believe 2010 is over with. In some ways it dragged on, but since August it's flown past and we're already starting 2011. I'm not one for new year resolutions. It's never been my thing as usually I'm dedicated for about a week and then I'm over it. But I've got a few little things in the back of my mind.
2010 was a year of love for me. Meeting my baby girl on August 10th and falling in love with her immediately was astonishing. It was a new kind of love I have never experienced before and it almost scared me a little. I had no idea that after kissing her for the first time I would be so hooked. I always knew I would love her, but that it happened so fast was pretty amazing. It still brings happy tears to my eyes sometimes when I look at her. The other night after her bath, I swaddled her up and nursed her, then we read Goodnight Moon. She was awake through the story and after the last line I put the book down, gave her a kiss on the forehead and she fell asleep. It was too perfect for words. She's precious, I'm obsessed.
I also found out there is a new kind of love for your husband when you have a baby. I of course knew I loved the man, after all I married him! But seeing him as a father moved me. Watching him be so gentle and careful with Chloe when she was a newborn, worrying about the things I worried about (and some that I didn't - which made it even more sweet), having his little moments of her. I love when he would fall asleep on the couch with her. I would sit there staring at them incase someone moved and I needed to catch a baby, but it was adorable. She'll snuggled right up on his chest and just pass right out, I can't blame her, I do the same thing when I can! There's something special about that moment you have with your spouse after you've put the baby to bed, and you walk into the hallway and look at each other. A sense of relief and accomplishment that another day has ended on a good note, and that spark of love you feel for that person for their commitment, hard work and love for you and your family.
I'm so excited to see what 2011 has in store for us. I'm sure we'll be thrown our challenges and have to clear some obstacles, but we'll make it through and come out stronger. We've done it all these other years. Watching Chloe grow this year is going to be unbelievable. To think that she'll be one in eight months! She grows and changes everyday. Sometimes I just want her to stay small, but that would be boring. It's way to exciting knowing that each day we'll learn something new and keep building memories. If you had asked me at the beginning of 2010 if I thought the year would end with me feeling this way I would've said no way, but it has and it's perfect. I'm so blessed for the amazing people I have around me to make me finally feel content and happy in the skin I'm in.
2010 was a year of love for me. Meeting my baby girl on August 10th and falling in love with her immediately was astonishing. It was a new kind of love I have never experienced before and it almost scared me a little. I had no idea that after kissing her for the first time I would be so hooked. I always knew I would love her, but that it happened so fast was pretty amazing. It still brings happy tears to my eyes sometimes when I look at her. The other night after her bath, I swaddled her up and nursed her, then we read Goodnight Moon. She was awake through the story and after the last line I put the book down, gave her a kiss on the forehead and she fell asleep. It was too perfect for words. She's precious, I'm obsessed.
I also found out there is a new kind of love for your husband when you have a baby. I of course knew I loved the man, after all I married him! But seeing him as a father moved me. Watching him be so gentle and careful with Chloe when she was a newborn, worrying about the things I worried about (and some that I didn't - which made it even more sweet), having his little moments of her. I love when he would fall asleep on the couch with her. I would sit there staring at them incase someone moved and I needed to catch a baby, but it was adorable. She'll snuggled right up on his chest and just pass right out, I can't blame her, I do the same thing when I can! There's something special about that moment you have with your spouse after you've put the baby to bed, and you walk into the hallway and look at each other. A sense of relief and accomplishment that another day has ended on a good note, and that spark of love you feel for that person for their commitment, hard work and love for you and your family.
I'm so excited to see what 2011 has in store for us. I'm sure we'll be thrown our challenges and have to clear some obstacles, but we'll make it through and come out stronger. We've done it all these other years. Watching Chloe grow this year is going to be unbelievable. To think that she'll be one in eight months! She grows and changes everyday. Sometimes I just want her to stay small, but that would be boring. It's way to exciting knowing that each day we'll learn something new and keep building memories. If you had asked me at the beginning of 2010 if I thought the year would end with me feeling this way I would've said no way, but it has and it's perfect. I'm so blessed for the amazing people I have around me to make me finally feel content and happy in the skin I'm in.
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