Oh yeah! I was scratching at one last thing to put in the last post...
He's in love with cars. How the hell Dad has rubbed off so quickly with this, IDK. Anyway, he's always pointing at cars, loves our cars and going for rides in them. He likes to walk along side our cars and touch all the screws, crevices and bumps. He points at everyone's car and makes a sound like: "Are we taking that one?" and "How about that one?" I wonder if he's wondering why we don't just take the coolest looking car each time we park in a place where there seems to be so many cars to choose from.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Just Messin' With Ya
Che-che Kul: Various
Smarty pants is back at it...being too smart for his own good. There have been a few things he's done, let me see if I can remember them all.
The one that stands out foremost is fake choking. Apparently I react to that one, because he uses it a lot. It's also not out of the ordinary that he chokes (well gags, not actual Heimlich gasping) so I have reason to drop everything and watch him (besides being an over protective parent). In addition, it's a symptom of allergies, so it's important that I make sure he's doing important things like breathing when he starts making those noises. It's his "pay attention to me" sound, ya know because I'm not doing that enough already. He usually does it while I'm making him food...for him...what a goober!
Because Mommy is sooooo adament about socks not going in Stefan's mouth, they continue to go there, now along with bibs , booties and shirts. Then they are carried around, like a dog with a toy, until he tires of the game. (Sorry if that is a repeat, he looks so absurd doing this).
He's developed this hilarious fake laugh complete with gafaws and squinted up eyes. He unleashed it on the mildly annoying lady at the S&S yesterday. It sounded like he was mimicking her and he gave it to her as she was begging for a smile from him. His switched off after a couple of seconds and his face went completely dead pan. Nice.
He knows his food cabinet, "chooses" his own food (well he grabs the jar he is sure he wants, though they all look pretty much the same despite the contents), immediately directs it toward the microwave by handing it to me and pointing where I need to go next. Then points for me to get him to the spoon pail. There he selects his favorite spoon of the minute, and by then, 30 seconds has elapsed and the food is ready.
The "Happy to Be Home Dance" (imagine jazz hands and vigorous head shaking) continues (I think I've mentioned that one). I know there is one more cheeky thing he's started doing, but I can't remember it now. Aight, ff to find a song to accompany this post...though OK GO Shoot the moon, I'm lovin' hearing that one when ever I preview my posts!
Smarty pants is back at it...being too smart for his own good. There have been a few things he's done, let me see if I can remember them all.
The one that stands out foremost is fake choking. Apparently I react to that one, because he uses it a lot. It's also not out of the ordinary that he chokes (well gags, not actual Heimlich gasping) so I have reason to drop everything and watch him (besides being an over protective parent). In addition, it's a symptom of allergies, so it's important that I make sure he's doing important things like breathing when he starts making those noises. It's his "pay attention to me" sound, ya know because I'm not doing that enough already. He usually does it while I'm making him food...for him...what a goober!
Because Mommy is sooooo adament about socks not going in Stefan's mouth, they continue to go there, now along with bibs , booties and shirts. Then they are carried around, like a dog with a toy, until he tires of the game. (Sorry if that is a repeat, he looks so absurd doing this).
He's developed this hilarious fake laugh complete with gafaws and squinted up eyes. He unleashed it on the mildly annoying lady at the S&S yesterday. It sounded like he was mimicking her and he gave it to her as she was begging for a smile from him. His switched off after a couple of seconds and his face went completely dead pan. Nice.
He knows his food cabinet, "chooses" his own food (well he grabs the jar he is sure he wants, though they all look pretty much the same despite the contents), immediately directs it toward the microwave by handing it to me and pointing where I need to go next. Then points for me to get him to the spoon pail. There he selects his favorite spoon of the minute, and by then, 30 seconds has elapsed and the food is ready.
The "Happy to Be Home Dance" (imagine jazz hands and vigorous head shaking) continues (I think I've mentioned that one). I know there is one more cheeky thing he's started doing, but I can't remember it now. Aight, ff to find a song to accompany this post...though OK GO Shoot the moon, I'm lovin' hearing that one when ever I preview my posts!
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Moon
Shooting the Moon: OK GO
"When I first discovered the moon," he said," I gave it a different name. But everyone kept calling it 'the moon'. The real name never caught on." ~Brian Andreas
It makes me wonder, with all the fabulous conversations Stefan has, some of which I share with him, what is actually being said. When I fret that he only has a few words right now and I can't communicate with him, perhaps he feels the same, only that I am not learning his words so well. In the grand scheme of things, we have our own communication, regardless of what the doubters say (They are the people who roll their eyes when I offer up a translation on something that Stefan does), and it really doesn't matter what English or sign he chooses to use.
Friday, April 15, 2011
4-14, Discovered someone's following...
Me and my Shadow: Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
My Shadow
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.
He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!
One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an errant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
These are a few of my favorite things...
...about today.
1. We returned 2 repairs, hit the pharmacy, and the bank without indecent. Also taxes are complete and I have few work worries until after spring break. But even better....
2. I finally got to take Stefan out to "garden". I planted seeds, he pulled up grass...thankfully much of it was dead.
3. A nice long walk around the whole yard with the push truck, chasing the cat. No one lost an eye, the cat makes a great escort.
4.No nap time! Which means no planning around nap time and lots of time outside and playing.
5. He's eating a ton, drinking a really healthy juice consistently, and ate a whole ton of pasta and his favorite sausage/egg plant meal, which is also adult food, so we have a lot and it's cheaper than the jars of baby food. So I'm in feeding heaven again today.
6.He's been awesome with self entertainment while I prepare things etc.(like taxes and food).
7.Lastly, he knows all sorts of cool stuff I've never made mention of...like where Q tips go, and that he uses soap when we wash hands. Lot s of little cool things he's picking up.
I said I really liked 8 months, but 16 is so much better! I can also see, with the toddler independence, why mom's get the baby itch for another small, not so opinionated little one. That's a thought for another day.
1. We returned 2 repairs, hit the pharmacy, and the bank without indecent. Also taxes are complete and I have few work worries until after spring break. But even better....
2. I finally got to take Stefan out to "garden". I planted seeds, he pulled up grass...thankfully much of it was dead.
3. A nice long walk around the whole yard with the push truck, chasing the cat. No one lost an eye, the cat makes a great escort.
4.No nap time! Which means no planning around nap time and lots of time outside and playing.
5. He's eating a ton, drinking a really healthy juice consistently, and ate a whole ton of pasta and his favorite sausage/egg plant meal, which is also adult food, so we have a lot and it's cheaper than the jars of baby food. So I'm in feeding heaven again today.
6.He's been awesome with self entertainment while I prepare things etc.(like taxes and food).
7.Lastly, he knows all sorts of cool stuff I've never made mention of...like where Q tips go, and that he uses soap when we wash hands. Lot s of little cool things he's picking up.
I said I really liked 8 months, but 16 is so much better! I can also see, with the toddler independence, why mom's get the baby itch for another small, not so opinionated little one. That's a thought for another day.
Monday, April 11, 2011
April Thus Far
Another picture story of some stuff Stef's been up to. We have no shots of the past absolutely amazing days because I never remember to have a camera handy, and it's more fun to actually play then it is to recreate photos that look like play. Anyway, these are some inside shots. Like how he's fallen in love with the piano.
Luckily we have more than one, he loves both. If I leave my office door open, he's guaranteed to be at one, usually playing along with the demonstration music. He's great about pushing one note at a time, though he has some nice cluster chords as well.
This Kindermusik favorite has Stefan-created hand movements, which is throwing his hands up in the air. Then moving them to his sides, way down low. If he's really excited (or rather, not lazy), he'll do two hands in the air.
Some new changing table art he's really diggin'.
I thought it was time. He rakes die well. The Roulette wheel takes didn't come out very clear. He was more interested in disassembling it and finding the uber-pointy screw thing under the wheel. That's when I lost interest in teaching him the dealings of the gaming underworld.
"Who is Keyser Soze? He is supposed to be Turkish. Some say his father was German. Nobody believed he was real. Nobody ever saw him or knew anybody that ever worked directly for him, but to hear Kobayashi tell it, anybody could have worked for Soze. You never knew. That was his power. The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that, poof. He's gone."~Verbals
"Dickory, dickory, dare,
the pig flew up in the air.
The man in brown soon pulled him down,
Dickory, dickory, dare!"
This Kindermusik favorite has Stefan-created hand movements, which is throwing his hands up in the air. Then moving them to his sides, way down low. If he's really excited (or rather, not lazy), he'll do two hands in the air.
Some new changing table art he's really diggin'.
"One humming bird hummmmmmmmmmmms...
one, two pa-ra-keets....
3 penguins, 1-2-3, Daddy, Mommy, and Ba-by!"
I thought it was time. He rakes die well. The Roulette wheel takes didn't come out very clear. He was more interested in disassembling it and finding the uber-pointy screw thing under the wheel. That's when I lost interest in teaching him the dealings of the gaming underworld.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Communication update
Aside from all the non-traditional communication I've come to understand, he has a few signs and words. For verbal, he finally requests "Mom" and "Dad". He is almost saying a clear "All Done". OK that list is short. "Eh" is "yes" still (he understands "question" inflection and will answer "eh" questions asked on TV or CD's). Occasionally I hear an "n" sounding word where he should say "no", but I think that is a stretch. His head turning and eye closing is more effective. He makes a squeaky whine to indicate he wants something (ie a spoonful of tofu with one bite of soup, then he'll request just broth the next, seaweed for the following bite, etc). His babble is really entertaining, with a lot of different sounds.
Onto "non-verbal". He still signs "milk", I hate to see that one, and usually ignore it. He clearly signs "more", "all done", and "up". He watches intently with new signs, but I don't use much with regularity/frequency (Ball, Bacon, and potato are in the works) His own language includes tummy pointing for hungry (and he's always hungry!), pushing objects away for all done. He points clearly to things he wants, which he will spot from across the room and we play hot and cold to find them (again with the squeaky whine). He understands what containers have certain foods and accurately will request what he wants to eat.
He understands a whole slew of things. I can ask, "What do you want to eat?" and he'll answer appropriately. He understands that he needs to wait, if I explain that we are going to do X first and Y second (I think), and he continues to respect when I tell him to "leave it alone" or "be careful". He understands when I ask him to "close" something, turn things "on/off", or to hold an object and give it to Dad (or put it somewhere). In fact, he understands a heck of a lot more that I can't think of off the top of my head. I explain every thing to him all the time, and it seems to quell whining or expectations that he has, so I assume he's getting it. I have to say Kindermusik and our current theme of nursery rhymes (which I love), realy has gotten a lot of language in there. Like when I say "up in the air, way down low" he'll move his hands up and down appropriately. He knows the little piggy toe-play and shoves his feet at me on the changing table.
Finally he has waving down well. He has it reserved for a few people he really cares about, so not everyone gets a wave. I think I mentioned it before, he's not one to mince words!
Onto "non-verbal". He still signs "milk", I hate to see that one, and usually ignore it. He clearly signs "more", "all done", and "up". He watches intently with new signs, but I don't use much with regularity/frequency (Ball, Bacon, and potato are in the works) His own language includes tummy pointing for hungry (and he's always hungry!), pushing objects away for all done. He points clearly to things he wants, which he will spot from across the room and we play hot and cold to find them (again with the squeaky whine). He understands what containers have certain foods and accurately will request what he wants to eat.
He understands a whole slew of things. I can ask, "What do you want to eat?" and he'll answer appropriately. He understands that he needs to wait, if I explain that we are going to do X first and Y second (I think), and he continues to respect when I tell him to "leave it alone" or "be careful". He understands when I ask him to "close" something, turn things "on/off", or to hold an object and give it to Dad (or put it somewhere). In fact, he understands a heck of a lot more that I can't think of off the top of my head. I explain every thing to him all the time, and it seems to quell whining or expectations that he has, so I assume he's getting it. I have to say Kindermusik and our current theme of nursery rhymes (which I love), realy has gotten a lot of language in there. Like when I say "up in the air, way down low" he'll move his hands up and down appropriately. He knows the little piggy toe-play and shoves his feet at me on the changing table.
Finally he has waving down well. He has it reserved for a few people he really cares about, so not everyone gets a wave. I think I mentioned it before, he's not one to mince words!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What we're up to: Pictoral Version
 | |
| Hello, Mom? Hi, how ya doin'? I found this great phone...ya it just looks like a mouse. The reception is crystal clear! Listen, meet me at the toy box, pronto! |
 | ||
| I'll wait for you by the door...we'll play some peek-a-boo! |
 | ||
| Awe, Mom, this is my favorite "seat". But enough hugs, the toy box awaits! |
 | ||
| Finally, time to get my play on!! Hey Mom, wanna hang in the box with me? Get Dad, we can all fit! |
Alternative Baby Wipes
I was bored of the same old same old and had been meaning to revisit homemade baby wipes. Last time I was ripping select -a-size Bounty in half....great thickness, held water excellent, but I couldn't find an appropriate container so that they could be pulled out easily while elbow deep in poo. Also the unrolling, ripping in half, refolding was a bit monotonous. Diaper rash is also a consideration in my experiment.
Baby oil is an alternative to water/soapy water, for stuck poo. I don't necessarily like using strictly baby oil, and rely on traditional wipes for big messes. It does remove the poo though, FYI. Due to more frequent diaper rashes, I've been following using MY wipe to dry the traditional wipe's dampness left on Baby. It leaves behind a little oil as well, further helping the rashes.
Baby oil is an alternative to water/soapy water, for stuck poo. I don't necessarily like using strictly baby oil, and rely on traditional wipes for big messes. It does remove the poo though, FYI. Due to more frequent diaper rashes, I've been following using MY wipe to dry the traditional wipe's dampness left on Baby. It leaves behind a little oil as well, further helping the rashes.
Start with a large container able to fit a roll of toilet paper, baby oil, and a roll of toilet paper.
Next gently pull the cardboard center from the roll.
You'll use the roll from the inside out. Douse generously with oil and use. I add extra oil along the way, if it seems too dry, I flip the roll around to keep it evenly dispersed. Basically, I rub the paper on my skin and if it leaves a scent or shine, I feel like there is enough. If you use it for poo, you may need more oil.
Taa Daa, You've just Marth Stewarted some diaper wipes. Less irritating and more cost effective!
Take that Pampers!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Stefan's First Documentary: Pepper Shaker
Not much posting these days...lots going on. We're happy to be moving toward spring (Stef was conned into taking a walk both yesterday AND today, though basically only his eyes ever visible under all the coats and hats etc). It's nice to have the bleak mid-winter moving behind us. With more nutrition/less belly ache, Stef is feeling like a new man and bopping all around the house this morning. Which means I was finally able to put him down, and make plans to do stuff ( lots of stuff, any stuff, stuff that can be done with 2 hands). So we were sorting out some spinach (because "stuff" is hyper cooking since he loves a lot of the meals I make...over the hit or miss with jarred food) when I realized how full the camera was...memory card and internal memory packed- well also because the stupid Kodak software doesn't erase as it should...in other words, it isn't all my inaction. P.S. if it was EASTMAN- Kodak, they'd have better software which worked properly (family joke). I've been avoiding my office so long, that I haven't taken anything off of that camera in...a long time. So this is mildly outdated...with a baby I've found that a week is out dated for how much change can happen.
On this particular day, we were chillin' in the living room, and he was feeling chatty. Of course, he becomes less chatty when ever the camera comes out, but he still was interested in playing look how cute I am.
On this particular day, we were chillin' in the living room, and he was feeling chatty. Of course, he becomes less chatty when ever the camera comes out, but he still was interested in playing look how cute I am.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Weaned
Well, our second attempt at weaning went much better than the first, which ended after 1 day. We went cold turkey, for a variety of reasons. Basically, he was pissed. I held him and still am, a lot, a lot, a lot. Everyday he's gotten less clingy over it, every day he's become more accepting when I say there are no more "Milkies". He's stopped signing for it, or laying himself down and digging under my shirts, but I still catch him looking or patting on my chest, the precursor to the former 2 behaviors. At night, it takes a simple rocking to get him to forget he's hungry...gees, I didn't even notice that he slept through the night with out waking once last night!
I thought the physical pain would go on longer than it did. I had a convenient cold, so the decongestants helped. I was mildly hormonal, I think. It could have just been mommy guilt, but I have less of the feeling now than I did last week, so I'm thinking it was hormones. We've had an absolutely crazy week, so I think being distracted by that has helped as well. The 2nd night in, we ordered pizza, and the 3rd included fish fry, both containing dairy, so nursing was out anyway. I think if I hadn't done that, I probably would have caved, especially with the night feedings, and the early morning ones.
I miss it to some extent, and still wish it could continue, like I said, at night or in the early mornings when it's convenient, but babies aren't conveniences;), and I have to follow his rules. The whole bonding thing I miss too, but we have other ways to accomplish that. He's growing more already, on solids, 6.5 oz. in a week! woot!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
My Body Back
48 Hours in...he's still off the sauce. Pizza was amazing! I miss lazy mornings in bed though.
I thought this whole weaning thing was monumental because I had accomplished BFing longer than the average mother, and longer than I had initially intended. I realized last night, it's much bigger. For nearly 2 years, I haven't had my body. Pregnancy is just weird, with hormones and all the internal changes, externally visible changes, and the fact that I felt like I was incubating and alien...not literally. Monsters are different from aliens, like comparing werewolves to vampires, duh. Then with all the restrictions on caffeine, diet, and most of all BEER, once he was out, and all the ways feeding kind of forced me to stop life and sit while he ate...oye!
So the point is, I can eat, drink, and "BE" what I want, when I want, and it's not gonna hurt nobody nohow.
On a side note: I highly recommend no one goes cold turkey unless they think they really have to. It's not a very comfortable time.
I thought this whole weaning thing was monumental because I had accomplished BFing longer than the average mother, and longer than I had initially intended. I realized last night, it's much bigger. For nearly 2 years, I haven't had my body. Pregnancy is just weird, with hormones and all the internal changes, externally visible changes, and the fact that I felt like I was incubating and alien...not literally. Monsters are different from aliens, like comparing werewolves to vampires, duh. Then with all the restrictions on caffeine, diet, and most of all BEER, once he was out, and all the ways feeding kind of forced me to stop life and sit while he ate...oye!
So the point is, I can eat, drink, and "BE" what I want, when I want, and it's not gonna hurt nobody nohow.
On a side note: I highly recommend no one goes cold turkey unless they think they really have to. It's not a very comfortable time.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End
Did you ever end your week in some other "place" than where you started it, and it was a place you never would have guessed? (I envision you, Melissa, nodding at that one, though this doesn't compare.) After a quick Dr.'s appointment on Thursday, to realize that Monster weighs the same as he did back in September (so much for running out to get the new car seat when we did, by law, we still don't need it), we discovered we needed to make some changes. It was decided that we should stop breastfeeding and we'd be doing this cold turkey. I kind of remove myself from the decision in saying it was decided for me. It's a bitter sweet ending to an interesting practice.
BFing, started out so hard, I almost gave it up. Then it clicked and it had it's conveniences and annoyances. No bottles to lug, however I can't just whip out a breast like I can a bottle, especially in front of my students! It's cheaper by far, and I have a lot of control over it, no recalls to deal with. But S's constant desire to feed, especially recently, had become too much. Regardless I was committed to the long haul and willing to wait for him to wean himself (within reason). It gave me more time to sleep as he just needed to lay beside me, it took away foods I loved. It was the best of times...it was the wort of times...you get it.
Monster's lack of weight gain...how the hell he got that being a member of our family, I have no clue!!... and other potential issues related to BFing and his health that are still left undiscovered, have lead me to wean. The Doc and I agreed that I probably should go for cold turkey for a few reasons I'll not go into here...though if you're BFing and want personal stories or support I'm learning from this, feel free to comment and I'll be in touch. I'll probably post the process, sorry family, it's a record to help others, hopefully. So, it has been an interesting 24 hours. He won't let go of me, like a child playing tag who is on base via "electricity". He's not happy, but he's been oddly accepting at times when I thought we weren't going to make it (like cry fest 2011, last night). Sean rocked him to sleep for the first time (yay poppa!) and I really felt good not having to be the one solving his problems. He refuses to drink anything besides juice, but for now, that's OK. I'm trying all the tricks I can come up with to get him to drink various milks. He's too savvy. If we can get him off a new born's feeding schedule for solids, I'd be much happier. That is a battle for the future though.
The Doc said things should settle after 3-4 days. We're just starting into day 2...but tonight, is pizza night!! Just like in elementary school! I can't wait. It will be a nice finish to a rather awful Friday and it seals the weaning deal, as I won't be able to BF for two weeks. Maybe I can get some real ice cream going on as well...I have so much lost dairy time to make up for.
Leaving the elimination diet behind is also kind of weird. Soon, I'll have to be hyper diligent about what is in the house and how close it can get to S, but I won't have to watch what I eat so closely. I plan on steering clear of a lot of dairy, since it's has really pulled the off with absolutely no effort.
So here's to leaving the infant Stefan behind, for the new solids only Toddler with a Mama who has the weight of elimination diets lifted. Cheers!
BFing, started out so hard, I almost gave it up. Then it clicked and it had it's conveniences and annoyances. No bottles to lug, however I can't just whip out a breast like I can a bottle, especially in front of my students! It's cheaper by far, and I have a lot of control over it, no recalls to deal with. But S's constant desire to feed, especially recently, had become too much. Regardless I was committed to the long haul and willing to wait for him to wean himself (within reason). It gave me more time to sleep as he just needed to lay beside me, it took away foods I loved. It was the best of times...it was the wort of times...you get it.
Monster's lack of weight gain...how the hell he got that being a member of our family, I have no clue!!... and other potential issues related to BFing and his health that are still left undiscovered, have lead me to wean. The Doc and I agreed that I probably should go for cold turkey for a few reasons I'll not go into here...though if you're BFing and want personal stories or support I'm learning from this, feel free to comment and I'll be in touch. I'll probably post the process, sorry family, it's a record to help others, hopefully. So, it has been an interesting 24 hours. He won't let go of me, like a child playing tag who is on base via "electricity". He's not happy, but he's been oddly accepting at times when I thought we weren't going to make it (like cry fest 2011, last night). Sean rocked him to sleep for the first time (yay poppa!) and I really felt good not having to be the one solving his problems. He refuses to drink anything besides juice, but for now, that's OK. I'm trying all the tricks I can come up with to get him to drink various milks. He's too savvy. If we can get him off a new born's feeding schedule for solids, I'd be much happier. That is a battle for the future though.
The Doc said things should settle after 3-4 days. We're just starting into day 2...but tonight, is pizza night!! Just like in elementary school! I can't wait. It will be a nice finish to a rather awful Friday and it seals the weaning deal, as I won't be able to BF for two weeks. Maybe I can get some real ice cream going on as well...I have so much lost dairy time to make up for.
Leaving the elimination diet behind is also kind of weird. Soon, I'll have to be hyper diligent about what is in the house and how close it can get to S, but I won't have to watch what I eat so closely. I plan on steering clear of a lot of dairy, since it's has really pulled the off with absolutely no effort.
So here's to leaving the infant Stefan behind, for the new solids only Toddler with a Mama who has the weight of elimination diets lifted. Cheers!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Success?
Rough day...I'm sitting here, finally not listening to a screaming baby after trying to get him to nap for the past hour or 2. I've lost count. After I crammed in a trip to the grocery store, the impossible destination, fed him twice, nursed him twice, rocked him twice, remade the changing table twice, and reminded him for the 4th time that it is indeed nap time...well, I'm just not feeling successful today. I did get to put in 5 minutes toward instrument repair. Woot.
This has been the story of my life for...um I can't remember. Minus the tricky naps, he's usually better. However leaving the house to do anything is becoming an activity of the past. He's hungry about every 1/2 hour, or cranky, or deciding to take a nap about when I thought we were going out the door. Between naps and feeding, I'm losing my mind. Perhaps I'll find it on Spring Cleaning weekend (gonna be a fun time out here in T-town for the next couple of days, folks!). Or maybe the general contractor I've been trying to call for the past two weeks knows where my mind has gone!
So at the end of the day, when all is said and done, how do I measure success? It used to be in work accomplished, students taught, new things learned. I suppose it's much the same, but work isn't instruments repaired or lessons taught. Though I learn daily, it isn't going to earn me any new degree. My measurement success has transformed. It's loads of laundry and dishes done, groceries bought, and meals made. It is in how easily the baby ate food (ie I didn't have to prepare 8 lunches before I found something he'd actually eat more than a a taste of), took a nap, or played/cooperated while I tried to accomplish something else. Some days it is in what Stefan learned to do or how many hugs I received through the day. I hope soon it will be in hours I could practice, time spent reading, and projects around the house accomplished.
So how do you measure success? Dollars earned/saved? Time with loved ones? Tasks accomplished? Amount of education you received? The car you drive or phone you own? Lives you've touched? Something completely different?
This has been the story of my life for...um I can't remember. Minus the tricky naps, he's usually better. However leaving the house to do anything is becoming an activity of the past. He's hungry about every 1/2 hour, or cranky, or deciding to take a nap about when I thought we were going out the door. Between naps and feeding, I'm losing my mind. Perhaps I'll find it on Spring Cleaning weekend (gonna be a fun time out here in T-town for the next couple of days, folks!). Or maybe the general contractor I've been trying to call for the past two weeks knows where my mind has gone!
So at the end of the day, when all is said and done, how do I measure success? It used to be in work accomplished, students taught, new things learned. I suppose it's much the same, but work isn't instruments repaired or lessons taught. Though I learn daily, it isn't going to earn me any new degree. My measurement success has transformed. It's loads of laundry and dishes done, groceries bought, and meals made. It is in how easily the baby ate food (ie I didn't have to prepare 8 lunches before I found something he'd actually eat more than a a taste of), took a nap, or played/cooperated while I tried to accomplish something else. Some days it is in what Stefan learned to do or how many hugs I received through the day. I hope soon it will be in hours I could practice, time spent reading, and projects around the house accomplished.
So how do you measure success? Dollars earned/saved? Time with loved ones? Tasks accomplished? Amount of education you received? The car you drive or phone you own? Lives you've touched? Something completely different?
Takin' off the kid gloves
Anyone can make a difference. I tried to embed, but couldn't..do check it 'n see, it's short.
This conjures up so many sentiments. I'm so sad that someone so young is forced to live in a place like this. I'm thankful for the life we have here. I'm so proud that a child feels courageous enough to help a cause so much bigger and older than himself. I am excited that people in his country are rising up to make a better life for themselves. I'm disgusted that people in our country think invading other countries is the way to make better lives for others...revolution happens from the inside. Invasion is not revolution. I hope Libya is more successful than Iraq etc.
And today's USA parents are afraid of germs on shopping carts. How do our children manage to live past the age of three with all the dangers over here? I wonder where our common sense has gone. Some children I've encountered here can't even put in the effort to open a juice box without adult help. C'mon people, what are we teaching our children? I guess the question is, what aren't we teaching our children?
Last night I commented to Sean that I rarely surf the net beyond a few familiar sites (FB, Abby Blog, Pregnancy Forum Friends). I surfed for about 2 seconds today, and now I'm on a rampage. It wouldn't matter except I'm supposed to be on the phone with general contractors getting estimates for removing the mold from our walls or starting the spectacular spring clean-a-thon of '2011. That's what I get for wanting to know more about what is going on out there. Better get to not procrastinating...
This conjures up so many sentiments. I'm so sad that someone so young is forced to live in a place like this. I'm thankful for the life we have here. I'm so proud that a child feels courageous enough to help a cause so much bigger and older than himself. I am excited that people in his country are rising up to make a better life for themselves. I'm disgusted that people in our country think invading other countries is the way to make better lives for others...revolution happens from the inside. Invasion is not revolution. I hope Libya is more successful than Iraq etc.
And today's USA parents are afraid of germs on shopping carts. How do our children manage to live past the age of three with all the dangers over here? I wonder where our common sense has gone. Some children I've encountered here can't even put in the effort to open a juice box without adult help. C'mon people, what are we teaching our children? I guess the question is, what aren't we teaching our children?
Last night I commented to Sean that I rarely surf the net beyond a few familiar sites (FB, Abby Blog, Pregnancy Forum Friends). I surfed for about 2 seconds today, and now I'm on a rampage. It wouldn't matter except I'm supposed to be on the phone with general contractors getting estimates for removing the mold from our walls or starting the spectacular spring clean-a-thon of '2011. That's what I get for wanting to know more about what is going on out there. Better get to not procrastinating...
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Outside My Box
I pride myself on thinking outside the box...between Sean and I, we can usually solve most anything. He's the voice of reason and logic, I'm the voice of trying something completely off the wall that just might work. This post isn't so outside the box, but enough away from the usual morning routine that I had some fun with it. Enough about us.
Spoons went in, spoons went out, over and under. Spoons needed a rewash, but Baby was happy and that is all I live for these days:). Regardless, I love watching him play and learn. I can't wait for him to be able to tell us what is going on in that little head of his!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sobering Thoughts
Give Peace A Chance: J. Lennon
I usually dread much of my Tuesday, not for what I have to do, but in worrying about all that could go wrong. I need to have Stefan to a sitter, get my butt to work on time, make sure all the lessons there run smoothly, get Stef, get us fed, him napped, me prepared for afternoon lessons, get the sitter, teach and hope I don't do anything tragically wrong, some nights return the sitter, and get home close to 8 PM where Stef. is basically fed and put to bed. I have no reason to worry about any of this, it has never gone wrong. Just my silly anxieties.
After a long Tuesday last week, I had on some NPR news. I heard a story much like this one...could have even been the same man, as the Stef was wailing his head off and I was catching news in between screams.
Libyan frightened for family safety.
I don't know why every time I hear news about Libya I can't change the station. I sit and listen, mouth agape to the atrocities innocent people are suffering, imagining what life would be like if I was there. I feel "fear" of my work day not gong smoothly...a far cry from fearing that a couple of words will destroy my whole family.
Maybe it is because I remember the news from a child of all the unrest in Libya, or that they have been under their current dictator almost as long as I have been alive...gotta suck. Maybe I have a better concept of how important children are to their parents, and I get it, that they'd do anything for them.
Close Calls
Shielding a 3 month old from gun fire?
Yikes. My high school spanish teacher was on one of the last planes to leave Cuba right before it was "closed". Anthony Bourdain almost encountered tradgedy in Beirut with their civil unrest. In my sheltered American life, I can't imagine having any close calls of this nature.
It puts so much into perspective when I get my head out of CT, teaching, and the "troubles" of having to balance work and a baby. It all doesn't seem so hard when I hear their stories.
I usually dread much of my Tuesday, not for what I have to do, but in worrying about all that could go wrong. I need to have Stefan to a sitter, get my butt to work on time, make sure all the lessons there run smoothly, get Stef, get us fed, him napped, me prepared for afternoon lessons, get the sitter, teach and hope I don't do anything tragically wrong, some nights return the sitter, and get home close to 8 PM where Stef. is basically fed and put to bed. I have no reason to worry about any of this, it has never gone wrong. Just my silly anxieties.
After a long Tuesday last week, I had on some NPR news. I heard a story much like this one...could have even been the same man, as the Stef was wailing his head off and I was catching news in between screams.
Libyan frightened for family safety.
I don't know why every time I hear news about Libya I can't change the station. I sit and listen, mouth agape to the atrocities innocent people are suffering, imagining what life would be like if I was there. I feel "fear" of my work day not gong smoothly...a far cry from fearing that a couple of words will destroy my whole family.
Maybe it is because I remember the news from a child of all the unrest in Libya, or that they have been under their current dictator almost as long as I have been alive...gotta suck. Maybe I have a better concept of how important children are to their parents, and I get it, that they'd do anything for them.
Close Calls
Shielding a 3 month old from gun fire?
Yikes. My high school spanish teacher was on one of the last planes to leave Cuba right before it was "closed". Anthony Bourdain almost encountered tradgedy in Beirut with their civil unrest. In my sheltered American life, I can't imagine having any close calls of this nature.
It puts so much into perspective when I get my head out of CT, teaching, and the "troubles" of having to balance work and a baby. It all doesn't seem so hard when I hear their stories.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Nom Noms: Oatmeal banana, Berry banana
I'm watching Stefan drink from his straw cup...on his own...filled with water. I can't believe it (note: no breastmilk or breast involved!! I'm so psyched!)
There are a lot of reasons why toddlers might not indulge in food readily...flavor, temperature, texture, color, their plate is too round, the floor makes a better surface for viewing food. Not to worry, what is scarfed down one day might be shunned and relegated to the linoleum the next. I'll be posting up some recipes that have either appeased him at least one day, or are appetizing enough for me to eat.
I've found gerber food to be...pretty nasty. My cardinal rule of feeding is that I don't expect him to eat anything I wouldn't want to eat. If he wants to eat something I wouldn't, it's up to him. I finally bought store made baby food in desperation - he wasn't eating my food regularly, some days I just don't have baby-appropriate food readily available and I am too lazy to whip something up. Gerber mangoes...eh, OK. I'd eat them. If I was REALLY hungry. Veggie mixes....barf. So bland and nasty. So I'm getting into making more purees, against the BLW practice. Food was fun until age one, now it needs to also provide sustenance. Don't get me wrong, I let him go silly experiencing food all the time, just he is eating more purees.
>>>...and a big thank you to Stefan, who has dug the computer charger plug out of the knitting pile and is now trying to plug it into this computer. My little tech-head.<<<
Today is banana day because we have been working on eating one for a day or so now. Since he wasn't into actual pieces, it's becoming other things.
Oatmeal Banana
Instant oatmeal+smoshed banana= Love
(OK, = smoosh all over the baby, table and floor.) I appreciated that though he didn't consume more than a taste, that at least he tasted it, and then had some tactile experience smooshing it up.
Banana Berry
In a blender, add 1 part mixed berries to 1 banana. Puree.
When made from frozen, it makes great ice cream (for everyone!), when slightly warmed, it makes a yummy heated snack. It tastes 1,000 times better than gerber.
There are a lot of reasons why toddlers might not indulge in food readily...flavor, temperature, texture, color, their plate is too round, the floor makes a better surface for viewing food. Not to worry, what is scarfed down one day might be shunned and relegated to the linoleum the next. I'll be posting up some recipes that have either appeased him at least one day, or are appetizing enough for me to eat.
I've found gerber food to be...pretty nasty. My cardinal rule of feeding is that I don't expect him to eat anything I wouldn't want to eat. If he wants to eat something I wouldn't, it's up to him. I finally bought store made baby food in desperation - he wasn't eating my food regularly, some days I just don't have baby-appropriate food readily available and I am too lazy to whip something up. Gerber mangoes...eh, OK. I'd eat them. If I was REALLY hungry. Veggie mixes....barf. So bland and nasty. So I'm getting into making more purees, against the BLW practice. Food was fun until age one, now it needs to also provide sustenance. Don't get me wrong, I let him go silly experiencing food all the time, just he is eating more purees.
>>>...and a big thank you to Stefan, who has dug the computer charger plug out of the knitting pile and is now trying to plug it into this computer. My little tech-head.<<<
Today is banana day because we have been working on eating one for a day or so now. Since he wasn't into actual pieces, it's becoming other things.
Oatmeal Banana
Instant oatmeal+smoshed banana= Love
(OK, = smoosh all over the baby, table and floor.) I appreciated that though he didn't consume more than a taste, that at least he tasted it, and then had some tactile experience smooshing it up.
Banana Berry
In a blender, add 1 part mixed berries to 1 banana. Puree.
When made from frozen, it makes great ice cream (for everyone!), when slightly warmed, it makes a yummy heated snack. It tastes 1,000 times better than gerber.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
More Silver Linings
I've been mulling over just how to paint a picture of how frustrating holiday time is with food allergies. All my favorite things, comfort family foods, none really edible while considering Stefan's allergies. It's all very disappointing to say the least. I know next year, I'll catch up on what I missed this year. Mad props to anyone having to eliminate any food, especially the biggies like dairy and gluten. I would have a greater mental battle going if I could never have dairy again.
I've realized there are silver linings to all of this. I have become much healthier. I dropped about 20 lbs and almost 2 pants sizes by doing nothing but not eating dairy. This means lower fat diet, less sugars, less snacking/meal options. I can't wait to see what exercise will do in the spring (winter exercise is nearly impossible for me since a baby isn't conducive to any yoga practice and 3 feet of snow doesn't make for a good stroll with the baby either).
I've become aware that much of the food out there is smothered in some sort of dairy to make up for it's lack of flavor otherwise. Restaurants especially disappoint me with this since their job IS food, and I assume making it taste good. I think they should rise to the challenge of not dousing on the cheese, but hey who am I? Besides, we are just so conditioned that it needs butter or cheese to taste good, I doubt they'd be successful.
 |
| Non-dairy options include napkins. |
I've realized there are silver linings to all of this. I have become much healthier. I dropped about 20 lbs and almost 2 pants sizes by doing nothing but not eating dairy. This means lower fat diet, less sugars, less snacking/meal options. I can't wait to see what exercise will do in the spring (winter exercise is nearly impossible for me since a baby isn't conducive to any yoga practice and 3 feet of snow doesn't make for a good stroll with the baby either).
 |
| How could non-dairy squash soup get any tastier?!? |
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Rock like a Party Star!
Wish I could have muted my commentary...getting used to YouTube interface. I hate new interfaces!
Silver Linings
It's been busy here, hence the no posting. I have about 6 drafts of stuff, most of which will be deleted because they are no longer relevant. I am still not used to that...everything changes pretty much weekly. The text I just deleted from the original "Hump day" (now renamed "Silver Linings"), was a blurb about Monster's first days care center experience, where he was going to stay while I taught at the center. That only happened for a week...which led to him slung up on my hip for the next week, and now this week it was sitter time, and next week it is a whole other arrangement (fortunately the final one, we need consistency!).
The last written post was Weaning, and now that's done. I'd like to brag that he's weaned in a week, muh haha ha! Kidding...I'm done with weaning. It wasn't working out and my gut says "no". Over any book or advice from whoever, I have come to trust my gut the most. The unpublished draft before weaning, was all about his sudden love of solids, which is out the door this week. I love that "This too shall pass", but not in regards to the positive changes.
After a long spell of waking at 7 am, (from the preferred wake time of 9ish) he's again sleeping in. Unfortunately, I'm not. We're all laid up with some mucousy sickness and after popping up for an early feeding, I couldn't get myself back to sleep, although it is much needed. I guess I get to have blog time, but then again, I wonder who is actually reading, besides Melissa and some spammer in China. All I know is that the quick and easy version of putting him down at night is over for now, usually it's followed by catching up on work or house cleaning that didn't get done all day, and the nights have gotten long and tiring, so I must enjoy the early morning calm now.
While he was growing more independent, he's back on my hip a heck of a lot these days. My left arm is seriously protesting the ongoing 20 lb Monster work out. Fortunately it worked up to 20lb. slowly over the past year, right? Silver linings...trying to find them! Although, a comment on this...Dr. Sear's remarked on how it was interesting children developed clingy behavior relative to becoming mobile. This suggests that mother nature kind of has a system of checks and balances for her little ones, making them weary of wandering off once they are able to actually do so. It's the best way to appreciate the cling, IMO.
I see this checks and balances system pop up a lot...Stefan has a way of avoiding dairy when I haven't caught it in food plus his extended nursing leads me to believe his body "knows" what he needs. He still has a strong gag reflex and a tongue that just won't cooperate, but very few teeth, making solids a challenge. I wonder if more teeth prompts the gag reflex and tongue action to leave. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
Now, just a blurb on recent things he does, for my baby journal part of this blog. I suppose it should be a separate post, but if I don't get this all accomplished in one entry, I don't think it will get done in the near future. I've already forgotten major details I never thought I would, like we we started Stefan in the crib full time...I thought it was 6 months yesterday, on more careful consideration, I think it was 11-12 months. Anyway...
...He's just started to figure that he can climb. Watching him attack stairs is absurd, since he just throws his foot up on them with a straight leg, usually at a precarious angle, not possible for any one to take on stairs without mommy hands to hold on to. His second climbing feat: the child's rocking chair. "Dear Stefan, please pick something with a stable base! Love, Mommy" I couldn't get my camera on quick enough before he realized what I was doing. He looked like a ballet dancer with his leg out stretching on the chair. He refuses to walk without assistance, still ever cautious, but I heard I was the same way.
He's become a lot more communicative, though I think I'm the only one who understands him. Then I feel like I'm crazy when I tell Sean what the baby is "saying" and Sean thinks I'm putting words in his mouth. I'll happily continue with my delusion, since I'm with him practically 24/7 and Sean, nor anyone else who thinks I'm crazy, isn't. So he stops whining when I guess what he wants. He knows all about his teeth, hungry belly, mommy milk, diaper, random objects (he has a fixation on the phone, blinking lights and buttons and knows where each and everyone is around the house), and occasionally he throws in pointing to his head. [I wonder if he has migraines like me, :( .] He almost says "yes" and he says, "hello" when the phone rings. When I sing little phrases, he mimics the pitches sometimes.
He's become more aggressive with the cat, poking at him a lot more, pulling his tail and legs, pushing him off of things when he doesn't want him there or when he thinks the cat should take a sip from the tub faucet. The cat only drinks from the tub faucet, it's just that Stefan makes the kitty get into the tub more efficiently.
He's become more opinionated, arguing with me when I take things away, and then throwing a fit. Bring on the toddlerhood! I've come to terms with his baby toys being fun for only a day or two, especially when bottle openers abound. They are much more interesting and usually metal, which sounds better when it's smashed on the coffee table. Speaking of smashing, I've showed him how to play the drums! I don't know what I was thinking, but he holds the sticks and taps on my drum pad, and does this all on his own now. He has even learned to throw the sticks like a true Rocker. Check the video I've posted.
Final tidbit: He LOVES Miso! And tofu. And some seaweed. Onion is the other favorite. Luckily Miso soup contains them all. We now order him his own bowl when we have sushi takeout. I was sick of him eating all of mine! If he isn't constantly presented with a full spoon, he throws a fit.
So that is all I can recollect right now. The squawker is up anyway...
The last written post was Weaning, and now that's done. I'd like to brag that he's weaned in a week, muh haha ha! Kidding...I'm done with weaning. It wasn't working out and my gut says "no". Over any book or advice from whoever, I have come to trust my gut the most. The unpublished draft before weaning, was all about his sudden love of solids, which is out the door this week. I love that "This too shall pass", but not in regards to the positive changes.
After a long spell of waking at 7 am, (from the preferred wake time of 9ish) he's again sleeping in. Unfortunately, I'm not. We're all laid up with some mucousy sickness and after popping up for an early feeding, I couldn't get myself back to sleep, although it is much needed. I guess I get to have blog time, but then again, I wonder who is actually reading, besides Melissa and some spammer in China. All I know is that the quick and easy version of putting him down at night is over for now, usually it's followed by catching up on work or house cleaning that didn't get done all day, and the nights have gotten long and tiring, so I must enjoy the early morning calm now.
While he was growing more independent, he's back on my hip a heck of a lot these days. My left arm is seriously protesting the ongoing 20 lb Monster work out. Fortunately it worked up to 20lb. slowly over the past year, right? Silver linings...trying to find them! Although, a comment on this...Dr. Sear's remarked on how it was interesting children developed clingy behavior relative to becoming mobile. This suggests that mother nature kind of has a system of checks and balances for her little ones, making them weary of wandering off once they are able to actually do so. It's the best way to appreciate the cling, IMO.
I see this checks and balances system pop up a lot...Stefan has a way of avoiding dairy when I haven't caught it in food plus his extended nursing leads me to believe his body "knows" what he needs. He still has a strong gag reflex and a tongue that just won't cooperate, but very few teeth, making solids a challenge. I wonder if more teeth prompts the gag reflex and tongue action to leave. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
Now, just a blurb on recent things he does, for my baby journal part of this blog. I suppose it should be a separate post, but if I don't get this all accomplished in one entry, I don't think it will get done in the near future. I've already forgotten major details I never thought I would, like we we started Stefan in the crib full time...I thought it was 6 months yesterday, on more careful consideration, I think it was 11-12 months. Anyway...
...He's just started to figure that he can climb. Watching him attack stairs is absurd, since he just throws his foot up on them with a straight leg, usually at a precarious angle, not possible for any one to take on stairs without mommy hands to hold on to. His second climbing feat: the child's rocking chair. "Dear Stefan, please pick something with a stable base! Love, Mommy" I couldn't get my camera on quick enough before he realized what I was doing. He looked like a ballet dancer with his leg out stretching on the chair. He refuses to walk without assistance, still ever cautious, but I heard I was the same way.
He's become a lot more communicative, though I think I'm the only one who understands him. Then I feel like I'm crazy when I tell Sean what the baby is "saying" and Sean thinks I'm putting words in his mouth. I'll happily continue with my delusion, since I'm with him practically 24/7 and Sean, nor anyone else who thinks I'm crazy, isn't. So he stops whining when I guess what he wants. He knows all about his teeth, hungry belly, mommy milk, diaper, random objects (he has a fixation on the phone, blinking lights and buttons and knows where each and everyone is around the house), and occasionally he throws in pointing to his head. [I wonder if he has migraines like me, :( .] He almost says "yes" and he says, "hello" when the phone rings. When I sing little phrases, he mimics the pitches sometimes.
He's become more aggressive with the cat, poking at him a lot more, pulling his tail and legs, pushing him off of things when he doesn't want him there or when he thinks the cat should take a sip from the tub faucet. The cat only drinks from the tub faucet, it's just that Stefan makes the kitty get into the tub more efficiently.
He's become more opinionated, arguing with me when I take things away, and then throwing a fit. Bring on the toddlerhood! I've come to terms with his baby toys being fun for only a day or two, especially when bottle openers abound. They are much more interesting and usually metal, which sounds better when it's smashed on the coffee table. Speaking of smashing, I've showed him how to play the drums! I don't know what I was thinking, but he holds the sticks and taps on my drum pad, and does this all on his own now. He has even learned to throw the sticks like a true Rocker. Check the video I've posted.
Final tidbit: He LOVES Miso! And tofu. And some seaweed. Onion is the other favorite. Luckily Miso soup contains them all. We now order him his own bowl when we have sushi takeout. I was sick of him eating all of mine! If he isn't constantly presented with a full spoon, he throws a fit.
So that is all I can recollect right now. The squawker is up anyway...
Monday, February 14, 2011
Weey Weaning: Day 1.5
So this post starts my weaning project. After reading some stuff and trusting my gut on how to go about this (but no contacting my lactation guru, Lisa, so I may be throwing this plan out the door), I've decided to start wean the monster. I actually started last night, since Stefan has been having some great luck with solid foods lately. I wrote a post on that, but I'm pretty sure I was waiting to attach a picture...I'll pop that one up too.
I nurse "on demand" so when I read that the best thing to do is start by dropping one feeding, well...it just doesn't work like that here. In one hour, especially at night, he may be "demanding" to be fed every 20 minutes...just a sip, but a feeding nonetheless. So I've decided to tackle habitual feeding times; right after solid feedings and right after waking from daytime naps, and hopefully soon, pre-sleep nursing. I'm trying to get him to drink other milk, or if that is refused, juice or water. He needs calories, so I'm not restricting them by limiting juice, etc. Yesterday we had some epic tantrums when I left off post nap nursing. After a noisy while, he decided he'd be up for tortillas and puffs with a side of Silk (bleh). Luckily Sean's video games kind of distracted him while I sat next to him and Sean and I ignored him until it all blew over. Today, I was more successful with putting off the post breakfast feeding while I gave him a cooking lesson on how to prep for squash soup. He's keen on puffs and cheerios, which he snacked on last week in place of nursing, which was so exciting to be able to teach and not have to leave the room in the middle of everything to satisfy the crank pants.
I've fallen back into the habit of nursing him to sleep, since it was just easier then propping myself up on the bars of his crib and rubbing his back, the circulation being cut off of my arms and hands. Plus he was teething (first year molar), so it was just working all around better; because snuggling in a rocking chair while I doze to lullabies is much more pleasing than dangling cribside. Anyway, I was able to get him to sleep in 2 songs this morning, so it worked out fine.
Once the nursing isn't associated with sleep or post solid eating, I will work to start refusing him all together except for feedings I want to keep (ie the ones that relieve my body and nourish him through the night or first thing in the morning). So far, it is seeming like it is going to be very hard for him to break and harder for me to say no. How can I turn down my begging 1-year old, with his down turned frown and tragically sad eyes, from the one thing that has offered him comfort for his whole 1 year life? Despite totally rearranging my diet and lifestyle (I'll put it out there that this food elimination/allergy runs that deep), I'm still not annoyed enough to toss breastfeeding out the window.
I nurse "on demand" so when I read that the best thing to do is start by dropping one feeding, well...it just doesn't work like that here. In one hour, especially at night, he may be "demanding" to be fed every 20 minutes...just a sip, but a feeding nonetheless. So I've decided to tackle habitual feeding times; right after solid feedings and right after waking from daytime naps, and hopefully soon, pre-sleep nursing. I'm trying to get him to drink other milk, or if that is refused, juice or water. He needs calories, so I'm not restricting them by limiting juice, etc. Yesterday we had some epic tantrums when I left off post nap nursing. After a noisy while, he decided he'd be up for tortillas and puffs with a side of Silk (bleh). Luckily Sean's video games kind of distracted him while I sat next to him and Sean and I ignored him until it all blew over. Today, I was more successful with putting off the post breakfast feeding while I gave him a cooking lesson on how to prep for squash soup. He's keen on puffs and cheerios, which he snacked on last week in place of nursing, which was so exciting to be able to teach and not have to leave the room in the middle of everything to satisfy the crank pants.
I've fallen back into the habit of nursing him to sleep, since it was just easier then propping myself up on the bars of his crib and rubbing his back, the circulation being cut off of my arms and hands. Plus he was teething (first year molar), so it was just working all around better; because snuggling in a rocking chair while I doze to lullabies is much more pleasing than dangling cribside. Anyway, I was able to get him to sleep in 2 songs this morning, so it worked out fine.
Once the nursing isn't associated with sleep or post solid eating, I will work to start refusing him all together except for feedings I want to keep (ie the ones that relieve my body and nourish him through the night or first thing in the morning). So far, it is seeming like it is going to be very hard for him to break and harder for me to say no. How can I turn down my begging 1-year old, with his down turned frown and tragically sad eyes, from the one thing that has offered him comfort for his whole 1 year life? Despite totally rearranging my diet and lifestyle (I'll put it out there that this food elimination/allergy runs that deep), I'm still not annoyed enough to toss breastfeeding out the window.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Shared photo book from lisa
So I made this huge photo book, then I actually read about how they charge (I hate reading instructions!) and had to make some revisions due to the cost prohibitiveness of the original. This is the huge version that didn't make it to print:). I'm happy to have it hosted on Shutterfly, and the printed copy came out really nice. I'll be making more in the future, for sure, though I may check out how Kodak does it in the next time (keeping it in the family, Eastman!;)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
I Have A Headache This Big, And It Has Stefan Written All Over It!
I spent most of this snow day in bed...slightly maddening. I didn't have anything to do, we've had so many snow days that I've caught up on everything pertinent. I'm slightly sick of having pain (yesterday my back/shoulder, today my head). After downing all the asprin/Excedrin I deemed safe, I hopped back into bed with a baby raring to go for the morning.
"How can I meaningfully entertain him and manage a migraine that had me in tears?" I wondered.
We started slow, working with resources at hand...blankets for "peek-a-boo", pillows to fall into, tissues to rip and "snow" (yes, we've all been battling colds on top of everything, two boxes of Kleenex ready to tear!). This was all great until he started exploring and crawling to the edge of the bed. Tortoises know when to stop, so as to not plummet, Stefan does not.
Into bed came the bath toys: foamy things and balls. The toys from their bright red lady bug container, taken out, put back in, taken out, back in, out, in, out...all over the bed...it never ends with "in", does it? I decorated him, he decorated me, we laughed and giggled. His giggle is way too contagious, so I started giggling more. Some baby rough housing thrown in for good measure. A few moments into our play, and I was feeling better already. Maybe it was the drugs, but honestly, they hadn't been digested. Some good old fashioned silliness took the edge off my searing headache.
It didn't cure anything, Stefan had a 2 hour nap buddy later in the afternoon, and only now at 5:00 pm (with taking more drugs and having a PB and Tahini sammich) am I able to comfortably sit in front of this lit computer, or in any light at all. The whole day could have been a bust, but it wasn't. I am so happy I've gotten to do what I've intended by not returning to work full time: Spend lots of time with my cool little guy.
PS Last night's/today's cool things included telling Stefan where the cat's ears were and having him point to his ears without prompting, knocking on Dad's door for visits at work, "calling" the birds to come get bread crumbs: he was copying my inflection saying "here birdies" and doing a "kissing" sound like I was using to call them; feeding himself soup and apple sauce!
"How can I meaningfully entertain him and manage a migraine that had me in tears?" I wondered.
We started slow, working with resources at hand...blankets for "peek-a-boo", pillows to fall into, tissues to rip and "snow" (yes, we've all been battling colds on top of everything, two boxes of Kleenex ready to tear!). This was all great until he started exploring and crawling to the edge of the bed. Tortoises know when to stop, so as to not plummet, Stefan does not.
Into bed came the bath toys: foamy things and balls. The toys from their bright red lady bug container, taken out, put back in, taken out, back in, out, in, out...all over the bed...it never ends with "in", does it? I decorated him, he decorated me, we laughed and giggled. His giggle is way too contagious, so I started giggling more. Some baby rough housing thrown in for good measure. A few moments into our play, and I was feeling better already. Maybe it was the drugs, but honestly, they hadn't been digested. Some good old fashioned silliness took the edge off my searing headache.
It didn't cure anything, Stefan had a 2 hour nap buddy later in the afternoon, and only now at 5:00 pm (with taking more drugs and having a PB and Tahini sammich) am I able to comfortably sit in front of this lit computer, or in any light at all. The whole day could have been a bust, but it wasn't. I am so happy I've gotten to do what I've intended by not returning to work full time: Spend lots of time with my cool little guy.
PS Last night's/today's cool things included telling Stefan where the cat's ears were and having him point to his ears without prompting, knocking on Dad's door for visits at work, "calling" the birds to come get bread crumbs: he was copying my inflection saying "here birdies" and doing a "kissing" sound like I was using to call them; feeding himself soup and apple sauce!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
STTN
Sleep Through The Night. Dirty little words. A coveted goal, if unreached by a certain age (usually at only a couple months old parents start this brag), your a Parent Fail. I used to fess up how he didn't STTN, and how he took hours to put down some nights, and yes, I am a firm believer in parenting to sleep. Then I'd receive a litany of advice focusing around letting him cry, ignoring xyz, etc. Now, especially at a year, I just lie... "he sleeps soundly. All the way, every night."
The truth is that he wakes, usually 1-2 times now, and half the time, he has fallen back asleep before I poke my head in to see why he's crying. That is a fabulous transition from waking every two hours, not much more than two months ago. Once we moved away from co-sleeping, we were both able to get more solid hours of sleep. I'll brag about how that transition occurred in a future post. Some nights, he doesn't wake at all until the early morning. Most mornings, if it's light out when he's up, I coax him into bed with me for the feeding and squeeze an hour or two more sleep out of him: it's beautiful! The best part, even better than STTN, is that for about 3 nights in a row, plus a few more prior, but not consecutively, he has gone to bed with NO, I repeat NO fussing. Please don't let that jinx me!
A wise friend, who happens to be a colleague and my boss says, "It's not who they are, it's where they are." It's so amazing that where they are changes over night. I'll never get over that!
The truth is that he wakes, usually 1-2 times now, and half the time, he has fallen back asleep before I poke my head in to see why he's crying. That is a fabulous transition from waking every two hours, not much more than two months ago. Once we moved away from co-sleeping, we were both able to get more solid hours of sleep. I'll brag about how that transition occurred in a future post. Some nights, he doesn't wake at all until the early morning. Most mornings, if it's light out when he's up, I coax him into bed with me for the feeding and squeeze an hour or two more sleep out of him: it's beautiful! The best part, even better than STTN, is that for about 3 nights in a row, plus a few more prior, but not consecutively, he has gone to bed with NO, I repeat NO fussing. Please don't let that jinx me!
A wise friend, who happens to be a colleague and my boss says, "It's not who they are, it's where they are." It's so amazing that where they are changes over night. I'll never get over that!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Hurray for snow days!
We've officially had enough snow days for me to catch up on work (I have had my current lessons prepared for a couple of weeks now), house (I'm ahead of the dishes!), and paying attention to baby (instead of fighting him to occupy himself while I accomplished the aforementioned). Even cooler, tomorrow is a snow day that I won't have to wake up at 6 am to decide if it is safe to drive, or fret over being down on the shore while snow accumulates, and I actually get to have it be a snow day without all that other stuff hanging over my head. I have 2 goals: write a work blog entry and chill with the baby. Oh yeah, and recuperate from this stupid cold. I actually got Stefan to nap with me today, it was beautiful, and restful. Enough about my accomplishments. I'm so psyched I am in front of a computer in a timely fashion to record Stefan's accomplishments.
Recently, I think he's either been signing "milk" or waving. The jury is still out as he doesn't do the hand motions enough to attribute to either. Which ever it is, it's a new development and either would be cool.
Today he started voluntarily walking while only holding one of our hands. Another step toward independence, and cleaner hands.
Today when I asked if he was hungry and wanted food in his belly, he pointed to his stomach. I did it a couple of times, same result:). Then while we read the 12 days of Christmas (illustrated with Anne Gedes babys) we found a baby putting a mallet in his mouth. I drew Stefan's attention to it and he too pointed to his mouth.
He's started trying to put socks and shoes on by himself. OK that only means touching them to his feet, but I'm excited he knows where the clothing goes.
That is all I can remember for now. Time to have a snow night!
Recently, I think he's either been signing "milk" or waving. The jury is still out as he doesn't do the hand motions enough to attribute to either. Which ever it is, it's a new development and either would be cool.
Today he started voluntarily walking while only holding one of our hands. Another step toward independence, and cleaner hands.
Today when I asked if he was hungry and wanted food in his belly, he pointed to his stomach. I did it a couple of times, same result:). Then while we read the 12 days of Christmas (illustrated with Anne Gedes babys) we found a baby putting a mallet in his mouth. I drew Stefan's attention to it and he too pointed to his mouth.
He's started trying to put socks and shoes on by himself. OK that only means touching them to his feet, but I'm excited he knows where the clothing goes.
That is all I can remember for now. Time to have a snow night!
Sick Day
 |
| How could this sweet face be so loud?! |
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Flu Shot Failure
When I received the card urging me to get a flu shot for Stefan, I weighed the pros and cons, and though I didn't want him to get it necessarily, I ended up making an appointment. I never get them, work with children daily and have never had the flu, but insurance was covering it, and I really wouldn't want my son to be sick, right? As it turned out, I had to cancel the appointment for some reason, and in the meantime had opted not to reschedule. I didn't give the whole thing much of a thought until our Pedi visit yesterday. It came up with the nurse that he hadn't had one, and she was strongly urging me to give him one, since she has them yearly (who knows how that is justification, but whatever). I still didn't want him to have it really. After a very brief discussion with the Doc, it turns out we were very lucky to not have given him one.
For all of you out there managing an egg allergy: Flu shots contain egg!
Despite how I felt the day I realized he was allergic to certain egg proteins when prepared a certain way, I'm so glad I didn't find it out through the flu shot.
As for the 1 year check up, a month late, Stefan is 19lb (I can't remember the ounces) and 29.5 inches. Otherwise healthy. Woot. Well, except for a cold and the allergies :(. On the bright side, I've been having lots of cuddle time with the little booger and fortunately a ton of snow days and not much repair to be able to accommodate all the snuggles.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Catch!
Dear Stefan,
On this frigid Monday morning, we had a great game of catch. Our first game that lasted for quite some time and actually involved the ball relaying between the two of us. You would only play this with the rattle balls, of course. The silent tennis ball isn't nearly as exciting. The game evolved into you chasing the balls around the room, and finished up on the little rocking chair. Later this week, you'll play catch with Kelder, too.
I've been so proud of a ton of little cool things you've done recently. I don't think I can remember them all right now, though. We had a great conversation in the car on the way home from Choir School. It's nice to have someone to talk to on that hour ride...even if it is only screams and babbles we share. Every so often I told you to find Jingle Pontuse (the very first toy you ever played with, attached to your seats), and you shook him around.
You've learned to pet the cat so gently and now have been playing with him a little. Both of you like the same toys (pencils, nerf darts, and ribbons...well pretty much every toy can go baby or cat). He's so gentle with you, he's become a mini mommy's helper, entertaining you while I try to get things done. Both of you love rubbing heads together, and you try to follow the cats where ever they go.
You've become a great listener heeding my warnings not to do certain things. I can't get over this...you listen better than many of the middle school students I've taught. You know to leave the "yuckies" around the house alone, despite wanting to taste them.When I tell you to be careful, you cautiously continue what you were doing. Sometimes, when I call for you to come back in to a room, you do!
I love that you devoured curry the other night, with a spoon, and more than ever made it into your mouth. Now if we could get you that excited over the other food you eat...tacos have lost favor, oranges are still pretty great and grapes too, but you're more into their juice then their flesh. Oh and for the first time, you grabbed a cup of water and drank it, without Mom helping to tip it up and hold it steady!
You're so gentle with turning pages of your story books. You've started to point you fingers at the words, swirling it around the paragraphs while I read the other page. And you're becoming much more patient with the long winded books we've been reading. Curling up in a blanket in the rocking chair with you and a book is the perfect way to spend these snowy days.
All about the house, there are so many fun things to point at. Once only the fun strings, chimes, or switches demanded a finger. Now you understand when I ask what you want and point to whatever it is. You're "no" eyes are appreciated too. It is so nice to be able to communicate with you and not have to assume everything all the time. I wonder if all the fabulous babble stories mean anything in Stefanese, and what is this new word "ying" you have?
Morning calf raises at the tub side make me grin. You pop right up on your tip toes. Someday, when dad's out, I'll teach you some ballet moves, but that'll be our secret;). Finally, you've been relinquishing one hand as we stroll about the house, but only when you're in a good mood. You walked this way with Dad today, and then you started kicking a couple of rattle balls around as you went.
Some people may look at a baby and think it's just a dull lump. Some people have told me that it's no use to communicate with a baby under 3 (OK it was a bit of a strange bachelor person that made that obviously erroneous remark). But I can, and do, sit and watch all the little things you do all day, fascinated that only a year ago, you couldn't even hold your head up, 6 months ago, you couldn't sit, barely three months ago you couldn't crawl, and only recently have you started saying Mom and Dad with meaning and consistency. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
Love,
Mom
On this frigid Monday morning, we had a great game of catch. Our first game that lasted for quite some time and actually involved the ball relaying between the two of us. You would only play this with the rattle balls, of course. The silent tennis ball isn't nearly as exciting. The game evolved into you chasing the balls around the room, and finished up on the little rocking chair. Later this week, you'll play catch with Kelder, too.
I've been so proud of a ton of little cool things you've done recently. I don't think I can remember them all right now, though. We had a great conversation in the car on the way home from Choir School. It's nice to have someone to talk to on that hour ride...even if it is only screams and babbles we share. Every so often I told you to find Jingle Pontuse (the very first toy you ever played with, attached to your seats), and you shook him around.
You've learned to pet the cat so gently and now have been playing with him a little. Both of you like the same toys (pencils, nerf darts, and ribbons...well pretty much every toy can go baby or cat). He's so gentle with you, he's become a mini mommy's helper, entertaining you while I try to get things done. Both of you love rubbing heads together, and you try to follow the cats where ever they go.
You've become a great listener heeding my warnings not to do certain things. I can't get over this...you listen better than many of the middle school students I've taught. You know to leave the "yuckies" around the house alone, despite wanting to taste them.When I tell you to be careful, you cautiously continue what you were doing. Sometimes, when I call for you to come back in to a room, you do!
I love that you devoured curry the other night, with a spoon, and more than ever made it into your mouth. Now if we could get you that excited over the other food you eat...tacos have lost favor, oranges are still pretty great and grapes too, but you're more into their juice then their flesh. Oh and for the first time, you grabbed a cup of water and drank it, without Mom helping to tip it up and hold it steady!
You're so gentle with turning pages of your story books. You've started to point you fingers at the words, swirling it around the paragraphs while I read the other page. And you're becoming much more patient with the long winded books we've been reading. Curling up in a blanket in the rocking chair with you and a book is the perfect way to spend these snowy days.
All about the house, there are so many fun things to point at. Once only the fun strings, chimes, or switches demanded a finger. Now you understand when I ask what you want and point to whatever it is. You're "no" eyes are appreciated too. It is so nice to be able to communicate with you and not have to assume everything all the time. I wonder if all the fabulous babble stories mean anything in Stefanese, and what is this new word "ying" you have?
Morning calf raises at the tub side make me grin. You pop right up on your tip toes. Someday, when dad's out, I'll teach you some ballet moves, but that'll be our secret;). Finally, you've been relinquishing one hand as we stroll about the house, but only when you're in a good mood. You walked this way with Dad today, and then you started kicking a couple of rattle balls around as you went.
Some people may look at a baby and think it's just a dull lump. Some people have told me that it's no use to communicate with a baby under 3 (OK it was a bit of a strange bachelor person that made that obviously erroneous remark). But I can, and do, sit and watch all the little things you do all day, fascinated that only a year ago, you couldn't even hold your head up, 6 months ago, you couldn't sit, barely three months ago you couldn't crawl, and only recently have you started saying Mom and Dad with meaning and consistency. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
Love,
Mom
Sunday, January 23, 2011
It's not what he says, it's how he says it
A recent topic of discussion on the pregnancy 'Dec '09 forum, now a "birthday club", was what our little ones are saying these days. Some have up to 12 words, some have sign language thrown in there, us...we have only babbles still. However, they have are filled with meaning. Like I've heard Vietnamese described, one word can mean many different things depending on the inflection used to say it, so is true for Stefanese. For Stefan, a mishmash of poetry styles all in one.
Sun rise, open eyes, Maestro approaches the podium:
a tap of the baton, rather, a pound of the changer, a moment of babble quickly subsides,
there's much to be done, then screams arise.
First chirpy, then sad,
growing louder...now mad.
That "Mom" I long to hear, is still a milk-demanding wail until
the Maestro is released from his cribby prison.
Humming while nursing, singing a song of the morning woes,
he quickly turns happy while letting those frustrations go.
Out into the world in search of a cat with light, lilting calls,
Squeaks, near a chuckle, turn to soft soothing hums,
cat hugging now, but one day, will be the sound of "Mum".
Off on a mission, searching for toys,
"Dad, dad, ad, add, dad!" and a whole ton of noise.
"Da, da, da, da !" "Ra, rer, re, roar!"
and his toy box is emptied all over the floor.
He pulls from the debris a coveted book,
Flips through the pages, reading, "La, ladd, rad ra ra." I stop to look...
Waving a hand in the air, delivering his speeches,
I believe he's summoning his army of Star bellied Sneeches.
And if we don't heed, him there's a price to pay,
authoritative"ra-ra" becomes a raucous "ayyyyyyyyye!"
That turns to those screams higher than the piccolo can play.
Again on a mission while the kitchen is cleaned, and he's wandered too far,
I hear the worst sound of all...silence. "eh?" I call out...nothing...."eh?'
"...ah" a soft reply, we relay, and I find him deep in his room, hands holding high
magazine feathers which he offers me, full of pride.
"Dad, dad, dad!" he says, pointing here and there,
catching me up on what has happened, while I was cleaning.
"Ste, Ste, Ste" That must be his name,
I smile proud at the diagraph he's made. I pick him up, he snuggles right in,
gives a big hug, on my shoulder his chin.
"Ahhh, mmmmm, aaaaahhh." He hums while he pats my back,
not letting go, my favorite Stefan a kissing and hugging attack.
It changes to giggles and guffaws, eyes rolling, head spinning,
free falling, and dancing, on the Stefan coaster.
Now I've tried everything I can think of to get this straight, and I'm out of ideas. I apologize for the crick you'll get in your neck!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
First "Real" Christmas
The next thing I realized is great tradition is the food...won't get into here, because I plan a whole expose around this: "Holidays, Food Allergies, and Elimination Diets, a deadly combo! Why what is on your plate might KILL you! Story at 11:00." Let's just say, merely from my plate and his, I wouldn't have identified any of our holidays as being such.
We had an advent calendar on my desktop which was really cool (Thanks Liz!!). Every morning we watched the little animated cartoon and listened to the festive music. We're still revisiting it, actually. It brings cute little smiles to Stefan that I love so much!
 |
| "Love the Dinosaur!" |
Child rearing is the ultimate practice in patience, not just with the daily routines, but with all the fun activities he needs to grow into. We'll get there soon enough, as long as the Mayan's aren't correct, and the world is still around after 12/12/12.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Pooh Cake
It was easy popping up Melissa's birthday montage of Stefan, so easy I thought I did all the birthday picture posting I had wanted. I have so many pictures from the holidays that it is crippling to try to go through them, searching out the perfect for a specific post, so bear with the messed up time line I have going on here...it'll work out with topics in the tags, ultimately.
The cake that everyone else indulged in was dairy-full, covered in coconut and had some tropical fruit going on, or so I was told. Again, thanks Mom!
Stefan had a great time ripping into the presents, and being decorated. He's in love with wheels.
 |
| My first attempt at cake decorating. Not Duff-worthy, but recognizable. Thanks Mom for the dairy-free cake! |
The cake that everyone else indulged in was dairy-full, covered in coconut and had some tropical fruit going on, or so I was told. Again, thanks Mom!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Peanut Kid
So I've been remiss on posting. Partly because I'm busy again balancing work and the baby, some days well, others less successfully. Plus it seems when I come off of an extended vacation, I have a really hard time getting back into the groove of things. These snow days aren't helping...though they have made hunkering down in the basement, cozy with the furnace repairing instruments a bearable task that sunny summer days don't lend themselves to. Anyway...
I started blogging in general, as an outlet for all the new early childhood information I was learning. I hoped someone somewhere would find what I said useful. Here too, I've hoped the same, though I haven't really had a "cause". At first, Stefan was "high needs" as coined by Dr. Sears, but that was a bit of a phase, and now that he sleeps so much better, and has a lot less anxiety with people besides me, it's no longer an issue. I hope what little I wrote may help someone still. But now I'm starting to have an actual cause, and I wish I didn't.
Food Allergies. Gah, HATE! Of the gambit of things a child could have problems with, this is pretty tame on the surface. My biggest challenge until recently has been how to locate a grocery store that carries coconut ice cream which isn't a frost bitten snow ball, if there IS any at all, since it costs so much in the first place. I whine about what I can't eat, but really, it isn't that bad taking my favorite food group out of my life for a year...actually I would have made it two, but it's become more complicated. In retrospect, one severe food allergy is easy, 2 a pain, but tolerable...we're up to 3...and all of them have a huge place in my diet. But this isn't about my diet for much longer.
Here, crawling/walking are now one of the kinks in the ease of managing food allergies. His favorite place to graze: that hidden area right under the kitchen cabinets...with potentially 60 years of crumbs worked into the crevice between the linoleum and baseboard. Though 2/3 of our family is allergen safe, my husband still enjoys his American cheese (is that even considered a REAL cheese:), and there can't be Mexican food without cheddar shreds, which opens the door for crumbs on the floor and cross contamination aplenty. Yes, I keep it all hyper clean, but there is always that chance I missed something and that is a constant thought I can't get rid of.
When nuts were added to the list, it was relearning what to be vigilant all over again. Easier to shop for and actually find safe food than dairy, nuts avoidance isn't that hard. It's just that they used to sit out in a bowl on the table without a second thought, maybe one would fall into the cushions and it was OK...and now- well I'll steal the sentiment of a blog post I read recently: Stefan would be safer next to a pit bull than a peanut.
He's been fed primarily breast milk these past 13 months and I'm finding that though I complained about how it limited my diet, at least I had piece of mind that he was safe when he ate. As we're getting more into solids, this whole thing seems to have ramped up a notch. If I made a mistake through breast milk, he developed a rash, sucky, but relatively easy to handle. If I make a mistake with what he puts in his mouth, we need strong medications and an ambulance. And this worry is without even entering the realm of what happens when he's under someone else's care, without me in shouting distance. Not approaching that area of angst until I need to.
So, I used to condemn the "Peanut Kid"...my class didn't have that many allergies when I was a child in school, actually. No peanut kids, but as I hear it, they are the ones that ruin PB&J at school for the rest of us (wink, wink). I always thought people were making too big of a deal of the whole thing. Now I feel the peanut kid's pain, and more, the pain of his parents, who can't watch over their baby's shoulder every second of their life and hope that that he doesn't share his friend's lunch, decide to experiment with the allergen one day, or eat something that a package didn't label the ingredients properly on. I mean cold cuts could have dairy...cold cuts?!? It has made shopping easy in one respect...I can't buy most of the stuff in the store. Produce I KNOW is safe. Most likely fish. But the rest...let's just say I have to do a lot of reading when I go shopping.
Daily management becomes easier as time goes on however where I'm going to lose my calm: Restaurants, Parties, and one day, school. We don't deal with them too much right now. And the few from the holiday season and subsequent eating out have given me a glimpse of the frustration to come.
I started blogging in general, as an outlet for all the new early childhood information I was learning. I hoped someone somewhere would find what I said useful. Here too, I've hoped the same, though I haven't really had a "cause". At first, Stefan was "high needs" as coined by Dr. Sears, but that was a bit of a phase, and now that he sleeps so much better, and has a lot less anxiety with people besides me, it's no longer an issue. I hope what little I wrote may help someone still. But now I'm starting to have an actual cause, and I wish I didn't.
Food Allergies. Gah, HATE! Of the gambit of things a child could have problems with, this is pretty tame on the surface. My biggest challenge until recently has been how to locate a grocery store that carries coconut ice cream which isn't a frost bitten snow ball, if there IS any at all, since it costs so much in the first place. I whine about what I can't eat, but really, it isn't that bad taking my favorite food group out of my life for a year...actually I would have made it two, but it's become more complicated. In retrospect, one severe food allergy is easy, 2 a pain, but tolerable...we're up to 3...and all of them have a huge place in my diet. But this isn't about my diet for much longer.
Here, crawling/walking are now one of the kinks in the ease of managing food allergies. His favorite place to graze: that hidden area right under the kitchen cabinets...with potentially 60 years of crumbs worked into the crevice between the linoleum and baseboard. Though 2/3 of our family is allergen safe, my husband still enjoys his American cheese (is that even considered a REAL cheese:), and there can't be Mexican food without cheddar shreds, which opens the door for crumbs on the floor and cross contamination aplenty. Yes, I keep it all hyper clean, but there is always that chance I missed something and that is a constant thought I can't get rid of.
When nuts were added to the list, it was relearning what to be vigilant all over again. Easier to shop for and actually find safe food than dairy, nuts avoidance isn't that hard. It's just that they used to sit out in a bowl on the table without a second thought, maybe one would fall into the cushions and it was OK...and now- well I'll steal the sentiment of a blog post I read recently: Stefan would be safer next to a pit bull than a peanut.
He's been fed primarily breast milk these past 13 months and I'm finding that though I complained about how it limited my diet, at least I had piece of mind that he was safe when he ate. As we're getting more into solids, this whole thing seems to have ramped up a notch. If I made a mistake through breast milk, he developed a rash, sucky, but relatively easy to handle. If I make a mistake with what he puts in his mouth, we need strong medications and an ambulance. And this worry is without even entering the realm of what happens when he's under someone else's care, without me in shouting distance. Not approaching that area of angst until I need to.
So, I used to condemn the "Peanut Kid"...my class didn't have that many allergies when I was a child in school, actually. No peanut kids, but as I hear it, they are the ones that ruin PB&J at school for the rest of us (wink, wink). I always thought people were making too big of a deal of the whole thing. Now I feel the peanut kid's pain, and more, the pain of his parents, who can't watch over their baby's shoulder every second of their life and hope that that he doesn't share his friend's lunch, decide to experiment with the allergen one day, or eat something that a package didn't label the ingredients properly on. I mean cold cuts could have dairy...cold cuts?!? It has made shopping easy in one respect...I can't buy most of the stuff in the store. Produce I KNOW is safe. Most likely fish. But the rest...let's just say I have to do a lot of reading when I go shopping.
Daily management becomes easier as time goes on however where I'm going to lose my calm: Restaurants, Parties, and one day, school. We don't deal with them too much right now. And the few from the holiday season and subsequent eating out have given me a glimpse of the frustration to come.
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