Well Baby Visit

Today Stefan had his 9 month well baby visit. No shots, just a check up today, though you'd never know from the crying. Dr's visits are a mix of stress and happiness. Usually I'm planning on some battle because I've chosen to do something different than normal. Then I see the Pedi, and he is totally cool with my decisions, gives me advice about them, and I leave happy. Unless my Pedi is not in, but he was there today, so I'm not going there. I was prepared to fight BLW (though he said it is fine, but he didn't know much about it). I also thought Stefan was going to need his iron checked, since he's not consuming iron fortified cereal that much. (Note: babies don't absorb iron supplements readily and breast milk iron is actually designed for absorption.) However, as a part of my fight, I was ready to with that breast milk information- though cautious, since it isn't my first hand experience. Common sense would tell me my milk was sufficient (unless I was iron deficient which I am quite the contrary, from past blood tests), since back in the caveman days, there was no Gerber Stages at the local grocery store, or watering hole. Yet some how, they survived, since we're all here, right? 


The second part of my fight would have been how to get more iron in Stefan's diet without supplements. I found some sites with lists and "recipes" on how to get iron into Baby's diet. We actually tired smashed prunes in cereal earlier this week and he liked it.It turns out, there was no fight, no iron tests until 1 year, and I was uber happy.


The other cool part about Dr. visits is finding how much Stefan has grown with reliable scales! He's only put on a little weight this time: 19 lbs 12 oz and is 29 inches. So the new car seat needs to be had, since ours only goes to 30 inches. I thought I was off the hook for a while due to his weight not reaching the 25 lb. limit. Now you'd think the people who made our seat would have one in the very next size up. Nope. 35lb is the next size up with them, which seems to me to be a HUGE business blunder as we would have stayed with that company. We have another one now. Anyway, that is neither here nor there.


We've had a week of severe ups and downs. Tuesday, frustrating. Wednesday, WONDERFUL! He was a perfect gem in music classes, despite having only one nap. He discovered he could write with his finger in chalk dust on a chalk board- and that it coated his already magical fingers in white. He played on the floor quietly while I taught class for 45 minutes straight. We arrived home late, as we do every Tuesday and Wednesday, and he pretty much goes straight to bed (hence all the unreturned phone calls on Tuesday...sorry, bed time took a LONG time). Wednesday night...out peacefully listening to some cello music my childhood neighbor's mom, Eileen, sent us back in the winter. I suppose it's a little microcosm of "this too shall pass". For almost a week, we cut out the 10pm feeding. Now it's back. I wish the good stuff didn't keep passing! I know it will be back, but it was nice to chill with Sean longer than a couple of hours before I have to tend to the baby and hope I don't pass out for the night while doing so.


Today, we're back to troubled napping, and an overtired, silly baby. It does give me a chance to step back and remember what is important. Stefan getting a nap, or most things when he is truly sad, trumps most everything else (but for a bathroom break and even that is pushed further away). BS (Before Stefan) I thought I'd be sick of him after seeing him 24/7- there are certainly students of mine who I'd feel that way about after only a few hours. Of course, it's never the case. I don't know why he was so hard to go to nap just now...but if I felt as bad as he was seeming to feel, I'd want my mom to sit and cuddle with me also. If UPS hadn't shown up with Sean's new work computer, I'd still be trying to make myself comfortable in the rocking chair (the wood is much too firm for my tender bony bum and I love sitting sideways, however my blood vessels don't. Nothing like a numb back and legs). Yes, did you see that I said IBM actually sent Sean a new work computer...so now he isn't working on something that is over 5 years old, refurbished multiple times, and slower than molasses in January. Kudos for looking out for your employees, jerks...<pleh!> Sorry, sometimes I wish I could tell IBM to "Out source this!", you create a visual.


Tonight I'm off to band rehearsal, almost 3 baby-free hours! I said I don't get sick of him, I didn't say I don't appreciate time away...to drive... by myself... in my car... with my music loud, my windows down, and whatever other not so crazy things I choose to do.

Ans now is the time on Sprockets where we dance...

I'm into random titles. It kinda fits, I'm having a dancing morning. It's either 1. the light after the dark of last night's frustrations 2. finally having a light bulb moment 3. the 1/2 caf. coffee I indulged in, in hopes of stopping a headache (it worked!!).

I say it's all three, actually. I love the refreshing start of a new day after the previous one has been fraught with high expectations that had no chance of ever being met, and the fact that I realize this and can move on. High expectation 1. "Stefan in Kindermusik class will be a quiet joy and he'll do well with someone else while I teach." NOPE! So with the support of my boss, we'll be retrying this next week a little differently. Sorry Meegan, this will mean a little less interaction for you and him at first...but I think if we take it slow and steady, you'll have him for the entire class before the winter. So Stefan is my "doll" (we have a demonstration doll to use a prop), which he did OK with in practice this morning!

High expectation 2. I can't teach in a program and "BE" the person who had been running it for 10 years. Kind of my internal struggle. I think I'm doing my best and I bet it's better than I think. Still I'm great at making assumptions :( and we all know what happens when one assumes...besides it consuming my thoughts ALL last night it makes an a$$ out of U and ME...well not you, I like you!! It's all me:)

High Expectation 3. I CAN keep the house, jobs, outside curb appeal gardening etc. up 100% while having the Yippi-Yuk attached to my side. Actually...I think I CAN, and will accomplish this (before he's in preschool)! I've gotten some tricks down, I think, that at least made today more enjoyable. Stefan and I are getting into a routine...until now, we haven't matched up. Either he hasn't has a schedule, or I haven't, and we've been missing each other. Today it finally clicked! Well so far...

So in the future I'm looking to incorporate more flute practice time (I've started already, it's wonderful), more outside time to work on gardens (curb appeal will have to wait more until next spring). We'll be moving patches, setting up new spaces and getting everything ready for the winter to get a good start on planting for the spring. Those organic veggies are pricey and I'd like to be growing everything here. Also I'm hoping to be able to paint the kitchen and maybe Stefan's room before his first birthday. However when there is already acceptable paint on the walls, it's hard to get motivation!

So if you're still reading my "thinking out loud" thanks! I promise there will be something inspirational here before it snows. Now off to do some work on the Music For Little Hands Blog...there are some great articles about children, brain development, and nutrition, check it and see:)

Simply an update

Not too many deep thoughts for this post. I put him down a while ago for a nap, and he'll probably wake soon. It's easiest not to get involved in anything and plant myself in the room next to his so I can hear him wake. Anyway....

A couple of cool things I think I noticed...one is that he has started communicating more than just throwing "ehhh" back in forth, like a little conversation. Sean noticed that while he was "talking", he was looking at a cup in particular. When Sean gave him the out of reach object, Stefan was thrilled. I think he may have been asking Sean for the cup. There have been a couple of other occurrences like this, I'm just not sure if he's actually realized that he can communicate with sound, or if I just recognized his communication until now. I think it's the former.

He's made laundry folding go faster. I dump the basket in front of him, sit behind him, and he hands me the clothing, piece by piece. If I through in a "Thank You" for every piece, he gets excited and keeps the game going. I think this has drinking game potential, but I'm weary of drinking near the clean laundry!

Another very cool thing is he's making strides with BLW. It is only a small step forward, followed by the two steps back were in now, but we had a great meal where he was totally into feeding himself. He was making choices to try different foods and most of it ended up in his mouth. Since that day (last Wed.) he's returned to only small tastes before he throws the food on the floor. I keep trying daily; once I cut into the veg/fruit, it is kind of destined to be his (and some mine when I demonstrate how to eat it, and finally just consume what he's about to throw on the floor). So I kind of "kill" him with one food until it's gone. Last night we went a little crazy and had a whole spread of mushroom, mango, pepper, onion, and potato. He even got a chance to try some good steak (we grilled a nice cut to perfection, nom nom). I think the potato gave him a bad face rash when he rubbed it all over his cheeks, so we'll have to come back to that one another day. I'm glad he's making choices, mimicking my eating, and I'm not shoving processed yuck baby food at him. I can't even trust my morning OJ to be healthy and fresh, no way I'm trusting those baby food companies to have Stefan's best interests in mind!

Nine Months

Hello, I'm 9 months today!

"Your baby now loves to play games. He'd rather not go to sleep. And he loves to practice "walking" while holding on to a steady yet movable object (like a laundry basket)! Your 9-month-old is starting to have "a mind of his own." Isn't it wonderful to see your child seeking some independence?"

It seems like it should be more of a milestone, in my head at least. I guess waiting all those months for that nine month deadline (that he missed) is why I feel like this is more momentous than it actually is. Though I guess most momentous birthdays one feels just the same as they did the day before.

I apologize if this is a repeat, it's my blog and my reminiscing though, deal with it;)

I think back nine months from today (loosely). We had eaten out at all our favorite restaurants repeatedly, since "this may be the last time we can eat at ____ for a while". Bags were packed (3 weeks earlier!- no I lie, I'm never that prepared. They had been packed a few days though and I kept finding more stuff to put in them, so It's good he got out when he did!) On December 15th, I was really wishing he was coming out. The house had been cleaned 10 times over (once each day that he was late), I was in day 3 of disorganized labor thinking how unfair it was to give us 3 days of no sleep right before the most work in my life and before we were to embark on months or years of bad sleep. Labor aside, I was so impatient to meet Stefan, who was virtually nameless at that point. "Friedrich" was at the top of the list, so if all else failed, at least we had something to call him...but what if he wasn't a him at all? I'd have been really irked to have to return all those blue clothes! Not that I'm down with gender specific colors and having to have a girl in pink (although all I had was blue and that isn't fair). I could feel the annoyance in explaining why the blue clothed baby wasn't a boy, and hoped the Dr. wasn't incorrect, as his colleague suggested he tended to be.

I was very wrapped up in having MY perfect labor. That included soft music, a hot tub, lots of patience and support, no cutting, cuddling with a bloody baby seconds after birth. In true Lisa fashion, I left my birth plan and months of research at home on the coffee table (despite having 3 chances to pack it, as I kept getting sent home). Monday night, day 2 of disorganized labor, I was crying on the bathroom floor, telling Sean about how much I didn't want a C-section. Sean assured me the boy was coming out one way or the other, we'd just have to do what ever was best for him, and with the way things were going, it may be a reality. For some reason, despite my revolt at Cesarean, I kind of came to peace with the whole process, though saying, "Everything will work out the way we want." , and I put it out of my head (most likely to endure a 7 minute contraction to nowhere). I think that is why when the Doc. said we need to do a C-section, I easily caved...that and the lack of a baby heart beat convinced me enough. I don't know if something could have been done to stop his distress and get his head out. I had read some miraculous stories about a midwife who did some amazing things. I think if I was with her, Stefan would have come out fine, naturally. I'd like to think that my Dr's weren't trying to make a buck or get things moving any faster for themselves. Ultimately, after 4 days, by any means necessary was more of my motto, come to think of it.

The days in the hospital were weird...lots of sitting, I was SO tired, and every three seconds someone was bursting into the room for some reason, I was getting so aggravated. I couldn't get home soon enough. When I arrived, in the bitter 20 degrees, it was very surreal. My neighbor saw me from her window, a L&D nurse on her 9th year of maternity leave (she's with her 4 children ages 11 mo.-about 9 years), recognized the "C-section walk". I put Stefan down on the dining room table while I cleaned the big, stinky mess the cats made and gave them some food and I kind of forgot he was even there. He gave a bit of a cry and the cats went FLYING! It was great! And -oh yeah, I have a baby! To back Melissa up, in the first few months, I often forgot I had a baby...like in the midst of him sleeping all day, once I got on my feet and was into doing something. I'd hear him cry and realize I had forgotten I had even had a baby. Percocet is some good stuff;) Kidding. It kept happening whenever I really got into what I was doing, and wasn't drug related:) Compared to now, when I can't wait to escape the baby while he naps. However, by the end of a couple of hours, I'm ready to go wake him up and play because I miss him.

And 9 months before 10/16...I was trying to extend my life by working a double life with 5 different jobs in as many different locations. I taught at 5 schools in 4 days and repaired in all the other down time, children's music classes, private lessons, playing flute for weddings and in a community band... all in multiple locations down Rte. 8 all the way to the shore and over to Farmington. So much commuting, so many different hats to wear. Whew...life is SOOOO much calmer now!

So, will I do all this baby stuff again? Not today! Not tomorrow...hopefully not for a while. Being pregnant was fun for a couple of months in the 2nd trimester and infancy is not as exciting as I thought it would be, but certainly not uneventful. Someday, it would be nice for Stefan to have a little sister...or brother. Right now, we're just regaining our sanity...Stefan doesn't cry our ears off, Dad can baby sit more comfortably, and we're getting things down. It is nice to revel and enjoy the giggles of the little monster and give him all my attention; and it's nice to get things calm enough to where I can work better. Most of all, I bet he appreciates not having to share mom!

My little chutney butt

Here's a little note while I kill time before going to teach and purposefully ignore Stefan on the floor. He's mad to be on his back, but I think it's about time he figured how to get off his back himself. He does roll, but that puts him on his tummy which he hates...another place he should spend more time. So we're practicing independence.

He's been making more progress in solids. I realized today that in addition to taste, temperature, and consistency, the shape/size of the bits he is presented with and how many are also effecting if he tries to eat it. I knew they did, but I thought after he tasted how amazing food is, it wouldn't matter. I've been going a bit too small, he needs something golf ball sized or larger. Though chip-shaped food is recommended for BLW, he's not so down with it. One has only to look at the dining room floor to realize what he likes and doesn't (I'm trying to discourage floor food without success). Yesterday he had fun with a huge hunk of grilled squash and today, a big mushroom. He also tried some of the rice covered in curry sauce I made and was screaming for more (yes screaming, he doesn't mince screams). We've also been practicing using a cup, no sippy top. He eats his solids meals with me, so we just sit at the table together and practice...it gives me something to do besides eat in silence.

Well I better go rescue him, seems he's really pissed off on his belly...cheers!

Brain Flow

I just arrived home from yet another study walk with Stefan (what a perfect fall day by the way...sun wasn't too hot, there was a lot of shade patches, a slight breeze and the scent of pine in the air. A year ago today I think about "where" I was, and this is so much better!)- I take my music class lessons and practice them, sing the songs, deliver the parent education, sing the songs, practice the activities in my head, sing the songs again:) ...I know I've said all this in a previous post.

Have you ever noticed TV jingles and radio songs that are play redundantly drill into your brain like little worms (ear worms I call them). This isn't an accident, those jingle writers know, repeating a catchy tune sells- and is advertising in our heads long after the commercial/show is over. It's always the most annoying ones that stick too, aren't we lucky? Part of why this happens is related to how music uses both sides of the brain. Unfortunately, when I'm walking, I don't have aural access to my songs, which would make them stick so much quicker and better. However, and this is the very cool part, exercise seems to make up for loosing the aural advantage, for me at least. We all learn a little differently, verbal and visual are my stronger methods, so the whole walking reading and listening while driving thing really works for me. This is one of the reason our public education system needs a revamp...too much rote, sitting quietly at a desk reading. That's another post for another blog!

When we move, we are usually using both sides of our brain. To have non-moving thoughts stick better (that is whatever you're trying to learn or memorize), it is best to move while studying them. Stefan's carriage is a great book holder! I also practice songs while doing chores like vacuuming, dishes, etc...usually I'm moving to complete the chores. Aerobic exercise, for a person who is in shape, will keep that extra powerful learning going up to 2 hours after it is completed.

I'm excited for when Stefan is a bit older and can actually do things to learn. Oh I know he is learning all sorts of things from what he is doing now, but I'm referring to those dirt up to your elbows, fun learning situations we'll be having out back in the woods. For now, he's content (and safer) throwing blocks across the room to learn more about gravity, practicing physics while splashing in water, and licking toys to understand them better (he's so discriminating with the licking, it's hilarious).

Thought for the day

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow,
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."
~anon.

I'm thought I posted this on here somewhere, but perhaps it was just a FB status. It bears repeating. Actually, by staying at home all these months but also doing some occasional work- teaching or repair- I haven't felt like I've missed anything. Nor do I feel like I wish I had taken more time with him when he was "x" months old. Add to that list, I don't feel like it is going by too fast. I enjoy where he is as much as possible, and I love where he is now, but I don't wish him to stay there any longer than he has to. Of course, I haven't gotten to the times where he will refuse to tell me any more than, "Good." when I asked how his day went. The general consensus among parents I've spoken with is that spending all this time now is totally worth it in the long run, so I naively expect that we'll have a great relationship founded on this time together now...I'll get back to you with how it all works out.

For now, I'm content with everything. Disappointed I'm not teaching more, but less teaching means more time with him...in 20 years, when I'll still be a teacher, he won't be a cool little guy, so it's worth it to me. I really look forward now to when he's up and around more and able to go places and appreciate things. I've been formulating a list of all the cool stuff we'll be doing together...Mystic, Sturbridge, zoos (Melissa...Catskill game farm is calling!), planetariums, countless parks and stuff all over the state, and there is this cool rock climbing hiking thing I haven't checked out up in Mass.

Groan

Lots of groaning going on today. I think he's reading me a book as I type, actually. Not too much going on with Stefan this week. He came to some Kindermusik demos classes (well one class, everyone else bailed on the other 2). Leslie spent some quality time with him as I taught the class- and they had some great fun playing in water and making noises in the church sanctuary (A FABULOUS practice space, wonderful acoustics).

Yesterday, Mom tore through the house and de-babified it along with some fall reorganization. It's so nice to be rid of much of the clutter that was growing over the summer. Unfortunately that meant not so much "Stefan one on one time", but we had a killer time grocery shopping with Dad. Especially since the store was nearly empty at 6 pm on a week night. We came home with a light up ball and some applesauce (you've loved them both in the last 24 hours!) in our mix of groceries. Mom and Dad finished the day with some wine, meat, cheese, crackers, and football. It was almost like back in the day (1 1/2 years ago:).

Today we're looking at relaxing, and doing the same over the weekend. Last weekend still has everyone's schedule all crazy- well Stefan's and therefore, mine. We typed out Stefan's first computer document, and now I think it's time for some playing (you're being silly, yet demanding with your vocalizations...mad skills!) Later tonight, some brewing with Dad while Mom teaches.

So that's about it. More inspiring posting to come another day

Go Team Abby!

In the midst of a thoroughly busy weekend here, but I found some time to contribute to Team Abby :) <---Click it to see Melissa's fabulous art work for our team jerseys or see here to directly share your support through the CDSC!

We'll be down in Madison on the 16th too, if you feel like walking with us!

Teeth, Cuckes, Throwing, Oh My

Most days, I love motherhood 100%, despite little frustrations through out the day. I could sit and watch/play with Stefan day after day and never grow bored. Yesterday, however, I could have thrown it out the window...and for part of today, too. I hate the pressure of getting a job done (repair and sometimes teaching) and being torn by baby needs as well. Note: house pressures are easily tossed aside in favor of baby care:) I guess, if my house is a wreck, we don't really care, but I need to keep customers happy, so it is very hard to put the crying teeth-Monster aside in favor of a pay check.

The repairs were finally completed this afternoon, and a great weight lifted. Now, to get the fall schedule straight and I'll be very happy. It stinks being so unsettled every year wondering how much work I'll actually have and it never turns out to be as much as I need. Oh well that is a whole other can of worms. On to the update.

Stefan has the biggest bumps ever on his top gums. I'm hoping something cuts through soon and we're out from under this teething cloud! He refuses to hold any relief (teether etc), and I'm tired of holding them for him... and being covered in ice water along with the floor and furniture. We've tried frozen wash cloths, ice in food bags, water in pacifiers, ice water in bottles, water in cups (this he actually likes, but is high maintenance), frozen bananas, cold carrots, and traditional teethers. Finally today, I think he received a little relief from a cold cucumber which leads me to this afternoon's excitement:

He's "eaten" 3 pieces of cucumber by himself. Eating means he held them in his hand and tasted it repeatedly, but not actually consumed more than a little bit. Hurray BLW!

Finally, the newest trick: Throwing things. It's really hysterical to see, though I choose which emotion to display, as I don't want it to turn into bad habits. So he is allowed to throw Poo (Winnie), and Eeyore during diaper changes and I make all sorts of faces. However, he does NOT get any response besides, "All done" (verbally and in sign), for tossing food on the floor. Then there is throwing toys all around the room...I just ignore it completely. I figure, if he tosses ALL of them, far enough away, he'll HAVE to crawl to get them. He's still completely immobile, but he has motions for the parts of crawling. He can easily get into position on his tummy fast, but doesn't tuck his legs. He has opposing arms and legs moving and can scoot himself at times with help, but again, can't do much with it by himself. So I'm just waiting for all the little parts to fall together on that one.

Womanity

You have to click it to get it. Awesome:)
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