August 05 Mamas - Happy 2008! - Page 5

[wsgrl84]

Originally Posted by riverundine

hey mamas! sorry it took so long to get back on here, but the day after the birth we all came down with the plague. blech. so the babymoon has been, umm, different, than we had planned. but, setting us aside for a moment....

she's beautiful and healthy and perfectly perfect!!! and she's a she! we so thought she was a boy - and then we looked, and holy moley - it's a girl! yay yay hooray!

faith ann was born into the water, into her dada's hands, with her eyes wide open. she was 8lbs 8oz, born on 1/13 at 1:13 pm. i'll link my birth story for anyone who might be interested.

faith, second day of life
faith with dada and big sister
the family and the midwife, moments after the birth

Congratulations mama!!! She's beautiful!! I love your pictures!! Enjoy your babymoon....the baby stage passes soooo fast! my J is 9 1/2 months and he can stand up for about 15 sec now...I can't believe it!

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by hopefulfaith

Oh, and one more thing tonight -- watercolors stain. It's true. One breaks out that little innocuous box of colors and hands out the brushes and the water...and one figures since you mix water with it, it must be harmless. Wrong. One might also spend the rest of the day working on stain removal from one's son's favorite train shirt. Nice.

Thanks for the PSA. We actually have an old watercolor set in with Henry's drawing stuff, but I don't he knows what it's for and I've never shown him. Just not one of those messy, anything-goes kind of moms, I'm afraid.

[riverundine]

hey mamas!

nonny, i hear you about really needing personal time. i remember feeling like i was freaking out when laurel was about 6 months. i really needed to rejuvenate with some me time. dh got me a membership to the gym, but then he works constantly so i only ever got to go when laurel's godfather was in town for a month. and then, i got out for an hour once a week. it was crucial time, but i definitely could have used more. when laurel turned one it seemed like a big turning point. she was able to self-entertain a bit more. now i can tell her that it's time to go play with her toys and she'll head into her room to play for awhile. very helpful.
as much as i was super excited to have faith, an amazing blessing to our family, that part (no personal time, etc) was a bit overwhelming for me to remember and realize i'll be going through it all over again. but infancy and early childhood is a precious time and short-lived, so i'm trying to focus on the wonder and beauty and blessing of it all. hard when you need a break, i know. (personally, i'm really hoping my placenta caps help shift my outlook and keep my hormones in check.)
also, i've got laurel into a wonderful waldorf-inspired childcare 2 days a week, starting in feb. this should help her have her own personal time, as well as give me a bit of a break. i know how you feel about daycare, though, but maybe you can check out a bunch of different ones and one may seem perfect? or you might be able to hire someone to come over while you're home to play with the kids so you can slip off to another part of your house for some personal time? you may even be able to trade this with another local mama. what about your relatives?
don't know, but here's really hoping you can get a break. when we realize we undeniably need one it's usually long past due.

rivka, i loved your photos! thanks for sharing!

hopeful, you mentioned cloth nursing pads. i need to find mine. and a bra or two. i'm a leaky faucet over here and i think my necessities in that area are hiding in our schoolbus somewhere. good thing i'm not leaving my house for another 2 weeks .

[ktmama]

Nonny, hugs to you. I personally don't know what I'd do without my YMCA membership and their free childcare. I'm there three/four days a week for an hour and it helps so much. I also do a trade with another AP mom so I get a break by myself for 90 minutes every other week. Of course, dh helps on the weekends (I'm going to Home Depot by myself tomorrow to get some supplies to build some bookshelves!), but I get where you're at because, really, the kids are my responsibility and I rarely get "me" time unless I ask for it. When my baby comes in September, A will have started preschool four 1/2 days a week. I know that's what I'll need to be the best mom I can be and for A to get what she needs too.

Rivka, I love, love your pics. Oh, the eyes! You're adorable too, mama.

Deb, for cloth we use cut up old t-shirts of dh for cloth wipes too and micro-fiber cloths for cleaning, wiping counters, etc. I got mine from Freecycle, but I've seen them at Costco too. Not the best looking things (they're NEON yellow, but WTH. People use them for cleaning cars because they're super-absorbent. Oh, you can also use them for dipe doublers. We also use cloth napkins and I've bought some and made some. I get material for $1 a yard on sale and can sew four napkins per yard of cloth. HTH.

I so appreciate all of your understanding and I do think this is the perfect place to brag about our sooooo special kiddos and also get a reality check. So, just as I'm feeling super awful about my average kid, she draws a person the other day, complete with a face, legs and shoes. Our children really are our greatest teachers, aren't they?

Peace!

[Mama Coltrane]

ktmama.
you totally summed it up right there. We have special kids- all of them and they all have their gifts and amaze us every day. It is really great being a parent and being witness to the wonder

[ktmama]

Sorry, Deb, you also asked about using vinegar in the laundry. I use b/s in the soap "box" and put 1/4 c or so of vinegar into the place for the bleach. Then I add a few drops of lavender oil to that for disinfecting. HTH.

[henhao]

Originally Posted by wsgrl84

Seriously does every mom feel this way? It just seems like everyone gets a break but me.. What about those working moms, or student moms? How do you fit in work or studying or reading?

Sorry you are having a hard time. I don't have any good answers. It's just hard.

I work FT (more than FT actually) and have nearly no free time. I wake up, play with Olive for a few hours, go to work, come home, play with Olive, put her to bed if it's my turn and wash dishes if it isn't. Then, if I'm not too exhausted, I read a little or do work for my freelance clients.

And that is my day nearly every day.

O is napping less, too, which has me worried. I really need that little mid-day break on the weekends to get through the day!

I don't know how you mamas with two or more do it. You amaze me!

[quelindo]

((HUGS)) Nonny. Last night DH, Henry and I went out to eat with our neighbors and they were telling us about the case the husband (an attorney) is working on regarding unions, which started a whole discussion about unions in general. I said, "What about SAHM's?" and the husband laughed and said, "Yes! You should be getting breaks, time off, etc." It's truly a 24/7 job.

I've found that if I want "me" time I have to ask for it and make it happen. Lately I've been telling my husband that when he gets home from work I'm going upstairs to take a bath. By myself. With the door closed. With (hopefully) no little boy twisting the doorknob from the outside, begging to come in. The other day when DH came home from work early I ran to Starbucks for a venti cafe mocha, then came home and took an epsom-salt/lavender bath. It was heaven.

I'm so glad my DH isn't a workaholic. I don't know how moms who are single or army wives or whose DH's work all the time do it.

Wow, drawing a whole person! That's really incredible. That reminds me that just today Henry was chattering to himself (he talks CONSTANTLY -- which if you knew me you would find pretty funny, because I'm sort of quiet) and I caught him saying the last part of the alphabet. I didn't know he knew any of the alphabet in order! I kind of get the feeling that he knows more than we realize.

[henhao]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Henhao, FWIW I didn't think you were pushing O. at all. Ever since I heard that she was saying "helicopter" before Henry was even talking much at all I've been waiting for more amazing O. stories.

Thank you, sweetie.

Someone said they teach in passing. That is how I am, too. O never, ever stops talking unless she's really tired and zoning out in the car.

We took our first Spanish class today. I grew up in an area with lots of diplomats and never liked being the only one of my friends to know only one language. So, I want to help O have the choice to be bilingual. She was a bit freaked by the class, but I think she enjoys learning Spanish words. The class was a bit loud, and she's always freaked a little in environments like that.

We're also taking a music class. I've never taken scheduled classes with with her before, and I thought it might be good in order to get me out of the house and seeing people. I tend towards being a homebody otherwise.

[henhao]

Originally Posted by ktmama

I so appreciate all of your understanding and I do think this is the perfect place to brag about our sooooo special kiddos and also get a reality check. So, just as I'm feeling super awful about my average kid, she draws a person the other day, complete with a face, legs and shoes. Our children really are our greatest teachers, aren't they?

Super cool! They are the best teachers. When I need to learn a lesson in life, I do find O tends to teach me it in some unexpected way.

Lots of love,
hh

[henhao]

Oops, sorry about the double post.

[tikva18]

Thanks for the compliments. I had my oldest take the picture of me from across the room - where I was nursing the babies...

Henhao - can I ask what made you go wheat free? what differences do you feel as a result today?

[wsgrl84]

:)

Thanks everyone for the sympathy and hugs. I hope I didn't come across as being selfish or a naive mom for wanting a little break. I get different views about free time...between "yes Nonny you should try to find a little break time" and "you know what Nonny this is the reality of being a parent now, especially with little kids." So far I have been following the second advise because it makes more sense to me and I can't find the courage to look at their face and say "Mommy's leaving by myself". I tried before and just looking at Christopher's eyes just make me put my bag and jacket down. The reality is once in awhile I find myself really irritated with them and I keep asking myself why and I realize wow...I don't do anything outside the house by myself. I really thought it was normal for SAHM but it isn't because we do get burnt out. I also get this motivation inside to prove to everyone(family, friends whoever) that I can handle my boys, that not all young moms are stupid or irresponsible or undetermined to raise their kids. Not all young moms are like Britney Spears. Did you know there's a new primetime show coming soon about young adults taking care of random obnoxious kids and showing how young adults can't take it anymore. What is UP with that? I think that is very rude to me. Sorry off topic. So anyway...Lately my activity has been listening to music ( I've always been a music fan) and just being in the same room as my DH. After I put them down to sleep I relax (come online, watch a movie with DH) for around 3 hrs straight on a good day. But on those random days when they just keep waking up for some reason or they had a long nap during the day (late bedtime), I feel myself annoyed and getting really irritated inside. On those bad days is when I also start regretting my choices of breastfeeding to sleep or family bed. I guess this is motherhood though right?...surprises...ups and downs. In the end I do love my kids very much, I think about them every second, I wish I can hold them close to my heart every minute but I can't, I wish they would stay with me forever, I wish they will say "I love mommy the most" forever...Christopher tells me that every now and then and I just melt. I love being a mom. I love being a SAHM. It's so darn hard! But I love it.

[wsgrl84]

Update on my boys... here's some new pictures of 2008.

J love his brother but C doesn't always return the love. Most of the times C is pretty good with him but as soon as I turn my head, I find him taking his toy away or yelling "No Justin, that's mine!" "Stop it Justin!" I just had to laugh. C can make J laugh so hard, he's even better than me in amusing him, J is so so serious. It's amazing how well C is talking now too. "I love mommy the most" "Mommy, this is hot, blow it." "We are going to see grandma and grandpa and uncle." On drawing, he's not too great, as you can see, it's mostly lines and sometimes circles. He does know his alphabets, the alphabet song, colors and shapes, locations, opposites. my friend got him a first dictionary for Christmas of 1000 words, including, colors, shapes, locations, and now he practically knows the whole book. But of course showing off his knowledge is very tricky. I do agree that kids definitely know more than they can show. He amazes me everyday....he'll say something that I've told him a long time ago. It just sounds so funny and intelligent coming out of his mouth then mine.

got to go feed little one
Nonny

listening to "One Republic-Apolygize (remix)

[ktmama]

Nonny, love the pics of your boys and especially the one of J walking with you in the background. Your smile says it all! HUGS to you, young mama. Believe me, no one here would confuse you with Britney Spears!

So, A is all about proposing things with "how about". Today we were walking at the reservoir, and we were ready to leave because it was getting a bit chilly. While G and I were discussing what to do next, A says, "How about go to the coffee place called the Brewing Market?" And, well, we thought that was a fine idea!

[tikva18]

Originally Posted by wsgrl84

Update on my boys... here's some new pictures of 2008.

Nonny, your little ones are SO adorable!!!!

[hopefulfaith]

Originally Posted by ktmama

So, A is all about proposing things with "how about".

I love it! Adam's new phrase is "Never mind." As in "We can use the purple one! (pause) Never mind. I'll use the red one!"

I am going to miss this language stage. I realized yesterday that Adam was using affirmatives and negatives properly and simply telling me yes and no, when that is what he means. Previously, you would ask him something like "Would you like to color with your markers?" and he would answer "I WOULD like to color with my markers." -- all in complete sentences. Now that he has mastered Y/N, I am almost wistful and missing the his grave little sentences.

Sarah has begun agreeing with me with "Aishhhhhhhhh" - kind of sucking air in between her teeth and nodding. I'll propose eating or cooking or toothbrushing (something she enjoys doing) and she will nod her head vigorously and say "Aishhhhhhhhhhh" while proceeding to run to the location she imagines we are going to do that activity. I actually think she's saying "Yes" and it is cracking me up because it is very solemn and definite.


Nonny, I love your pictures! My favorite is also the one with you in the background - I would never confuse you with Britney. I feel your post about sahming - I was missing work the other day because I really, really miss conversation with other adults. Dh came home from a conference the other day - a terrifically boring one about safety/OSHA stuff - and when I asked him how it was, he gave me the standard shrug and dismissal re: nothing special. I pressed him: Wow me, dh - I've been speaking in short sentences all day....


Deb, I think that is fantastic that you are doing spanish and music with O. I am envious. I wish I could do that with A and S.


Oh, and re: my PSA earlier this week about watercolors. I'd just like to add that temperas also advertised as washable are not entirely so, either. Adam absolutely refuses a smock and I can't decide whether to press it on him or not - ideas, mamas? - so we've been painting in playclothes the last few days. Sarah is still content with "Paint with Water" books for the time being, thank heaven.

Have a great day, everyone. Love to all.

[ktmama]

Hey, Emily. Would Adam think it's cool to wear one of your dh's old t-shirts?

Mamas, I'm bragging a bit more - this time about myself. Check out what I made my nephew last week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktmama/

Hope everyone is well tonight. I need to post some belly pics soon. I am getting huge!

[wsgrl84]

Originally Posted by ktmama

Hey, Emily. Would Adam think it's cool to wear one of your dh's old t-shirts?

Mamas, I'm bragging a bit more - this time about myself. Check out what I made my nephew last week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktmama/

Hope everyone is well tonight. I need to post some belly pics soon. I am getting huge!

Omg your girls are sooo pretty!!!: I just want to snatch up A and take her home with me! Those eyes, the curly ..omgoodness

[wsgrl84]

Originally Posted by tikva18

here they are tandem nursing
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...8/IMG_0865.jpg

This reminds me of me tandem nursing. I always wanted a picture of my boys but I haven't figured a way to take one! TN is so difficult at times and yet I am still hanging on....