November 29, 2011

You funny

Ashlin is eight months old today.  It totally snuck up on me.  Or maybe I was dozing through it.  I’m not sure. She’s changed so much.  She’s grown so big.  She loves to sit, and watch.  Tips her head to the side in the “I’m so cute” look she has.  Her lip turns down a la Billy Idol when she cries.  She loves to feed herself.  Cheerios and puffs are her bacon.

She sits up. For a LONG time. Scoots backwards, and does superman impressions. I don’t have the heart to tell her she can’t fly.

There isn’t any forward motion. Yet.  But it’s coming.

She claps, and laughs. Her sister gets the best laughs, then dada.  I don’t mind being third.  I still more than enough smiles, and quite a few giggles.

I like cheerios

She’s becoming her own little person.  Her personality is beginning to appear.   And she’s oh, so much different than her sister.  As Stu said, Ashlin will sit back and watch everything, taking it all in. Unlike her sister, who wanted to be the center of attention, and will try to pull you in.

Not that Ashlin doesn’t engage you, she does.  She’s just more zen about it.  And more quiet.

Usually.

Though she does have a voice, and will use it.

I’m eager for her to start communicating more with us.  Today she clapped instead of using the sign for “more.”  So cute.

She still loves to nurse, usually, and will get super excited when she sees me pull the boppy out.

Clap. Clap. More!

Her hands shake when she’s excited, or scared.

I am looking forward to her continuing to grow, to evolve.

I just wish time would slow down.

 

Moment of Reflection

Was that my butt?

September 15, 2011

Ashlin did ok today at day care. I sent in four (!) bottles of 50ml -1.7oz. She grudgingly took one around 11:30, but only drank 30ml. No morning naps today, but she did take two in the afternoon.

Between the naps, day care noticed that she was sucking on her pacifier, almost nursing on it. They quickly swapped her bubble for a bottle at a natural pause in the suck, and she ended up taking the whole thing!

Even though she did not get enough sleep, nor ate enough, she was in a good mood, happy. The afternoon care giver told Stu that she was a pleasure. Always smiling, or quick to smile. Very good natured, even with her bottle issues.

Yay for slowly getting better.

Related articles

• September 12, 2011 ~ Day Care Update, Part II (lisasff.wordpress.com)
• September 14, 2011 (lisasff.wordpress.com)
• September 8, 2011 ~ Day Care Update (lisasff.wordpress.com)
• September 7, 2011 (lisasff.wordpress.com)

September 12, 2011

On a Carousel

Yesterday, we had a much more pleasant toddler.  We took her to the fair.  It was fun!  She had fun!  She had her first ever carousel ride.  I put her on the horse – “the white one mama!” and she had fun sitting on it, but then something spooked her, and she wanted down.  It didn’t matter that I told her that I would be holding her the entire time. The horse was high.  This was her first time, she was a bit scared.  Down, mama.  Now, mama.

I was a bit sad that she was scared.  I want her to become a brave, strong woman.  One who’s not scared of a carousel ride.  Or of very little else.  How do you teach bravery?

Hiding my disappointment - hopefully enough! – I quickly suggested the nearby bench.  That was ok, Sort of. It wasn’t as high.  She was definitely not sure if she wanted to ride at all, even though her friend was giggling and bouncing up and down with excitement.  He’s done this before.  She hasn’t.

She had a momentary look of panic in her eyes as the ride started up.  The first few times around, she was very uneasy, unsure if she wanted to be there.  Each time around, I would point out dada, who was on the side with Ashlin, and prompt her to wave.  Eventually, she started looking for him, waving, all on her own.  Before she knew it, she was enjoying it, and having fun!

Baby you can drive my car!

After her eventual success on the carousel, she was a bit braver.  She wanted to go on everything!  Even the rides that were way too big and fast for her.  Her friend, G, wanted to go on this car ride, so she wanted to go too.  He may have been the source of some of her bravery.  That’s ok.  Maybe that’s how you learn how to be brave, you watch your friends.

We let them into the ride.  She wanted the “red one, dada.”  Help get her in, hooked the belt.  Told her to stay sitting until we came back for her.  And off she went.  All by herself.  My big girl.  I was so proud of her for being so big and brave, and then sad she was growing up.  So fast.  She cried when the ride was over, she was having so much fun.

Driving Miss T

She ended up going into the bouncy castle and then on a Caterpillar - Look! Buggy! – ride.  She did not enjoy the caterpillar one as much as the cars.  It was a bit more jerky and a bit faster too.

She wanted to do the car ride again, before her friend had to leave.  Since she had so much fun the first time, how could we say no?  Some kid had taken the red car, so they shared a blue jeep.  G drive.  She loved it.  She waved.

We have to try a carousel again.  Soon.  Maybe this time, she’ll be brave.  All on her own.

May 11, 2011

05-11-11 – Ashlin smiles

I’ve been busy lately! Lookie!!  Here’s one big reason.  Ashlin’s been smiling a lot, and I lose huge chunks of my day.  I’ve gotten behind on laundry, cleaning, stuff.  I haven’t minded.

She’s growing so fast.  Six weeks and a day today.  With Teagan, time felt a bit slower.  Now, it’s just zooming along.  A blink of an eye and it’s six weeks.  The skinny legs and arms are filling out – they’re still skinny though!  She’s nursing like a champ!

Milestones are beginning to pile up – she can bring both hands together, focus on a face, smile.  Today she rolled over from front to back, though only the once.    She’s awake more and more during the day.  She stares at herself in a mirror.  Bats at toys hanging on her play mat.

I need to find a way to make it all slow down.

May 6, 2011

It’s been a busy week.  Let’s just play catch up!

Last Friday we went out to dinner, the four of us!  We were on the hunt for good pizza, but the place we were recommended looked to be in a very bad part of town, so we didn’t go in.  Instead we ate at SBC, who gave Teagan a pirate mask.  At first she didn’t want to even touch it, but she eventually warmed up to it, and we had to sneak it out.  LOL!

Ashlin just chilled.  She was such a good baby during dinner.  Slept almost the entire time and didn’t fuss.  She woke up at the end.  Look!  You can see the mask’s hiding spot.

Saturday, we went to my friend’s son’s Confirmation party.  Left Teagan with my parents, to try to get her to nap – she didn’t, but had “quiet time.”  Ashlin came with us to the party, and was passed around.  She ended up sleeping on just about every one there.  LOL!

We got her after the party was over, but before everyone left, and she got very very shy.  I had to pick her up and carry her in – Stu had Ashlin at the time – Teagan was that freaked out.  I’ve never seen her react that strongly, normally the social butterfly, the party planner.  She’s taken over at day care, handing out toys, telling the other kids, the older kids what to play with.  After a little bit, she warmed up, so that was good.  A balloon helped.  I don’t know why I don’t have any pictures from that.  Watching her play with the balloons was great :)

Sunday, we celebrated Stu’s birthday with family.  Teagan sang for her dad, and got to eat some cake.  So sweet.

0217 050111 – happy birthday hat!

Monday and Tuesday were blurs, as Ashlin decided that she didn’t want to sleep much at 4am… So I spent both days in fogs.  With naps.  Wednesday was Star Wars day!  Woo woo!!

Sleeping at Group

Thursday, I went to the Breast feeding Support Group, and bumped into a friend of a friend. Such a small world.  Her daughter is three days younger Ashlin, but we didn’t cross paths at the hospital.

Ashlin had a good time too!  She slept through half of it.  Next to an Ashlyn.

We ended up meeting up today to go for a walk on the beach. It was a good walk. It was a beautiful day.

April 19, 2011 ~ 21 days

Ashlin was born 21 days ago. Three weeks. Amazing how quickly time has passed. I cant believe she’s three weeks old already.

She’s mostly a sweet, well behaved baby.  She has lungs and doesn’t hesitate to use them when she’s unhappy about something – hungry, dirty, gassy.  We’ve been putting her to sleep at night in her pappasan lamb, the one that Teagan loved so much.  For some reason she’s not a big fan of lying completely flat.  It could be gas, she’s much harder to burp than her sister was.  Teagan used to rattle windows.  Maybe we need to wait another week for Ashlin to follow in her sister’s footsteps.  Maybe the ginormous burps start at four weeks.  LOL!

She also doesn’t seem to like being swaddled, though I do try at least part of the time she’s sleeping.  Her days and nights are mostly straightened out, thankfully.  Eating schedule is pretty solid 3-3.5 hours, with a little cluster feeding between 7-11pm.  Not too bad.

So far, she hasn’t protested too much about being dragged out.  She went to Babies R Us, Target, BJ’s, Stop & Shop, all before she was a week old.  She’s been on walks in the rain, to an orchard on a chilly and windy day.  Blustery Day!

All in all, she’s following in her sister’s footsteps.  We just may keep her.  LOL!

Cute toes

April 10, 2011

High Five!!

We survived the weekend.   Saturday, much like Friday evening, was just shy of a dream.   Sunday was also good, that is, until bed time.

Saturday, Teagan slept late.  Yay.  Always a good thing.  LOL.  We had a nice long breakfast and then play session where Teagan brought me stuffed animal after stuffed animal.  Baby doll, book.  There was a pile of toys by my chair blocking my escape. As her energy started ramping up, Stu took her out mid-morning for a swing.  She loves swinging.  I stayed in and nursed Ashlin.  She came in tired, so we had a snack and put her down for a nap.  She didn’t nap very well.

Lunch time, in her booster at the table, and Teagan loved it.  Afterwards, Stu took her to a few stores, to give me a bit of a break, and to burn off some of her energy, she loves going to stores and saying “hi!” to everyone.  Miss T had a full blown tantrum between stores, she thought they were going home and freaked. Threw her sippy cup, which bounced off the side of her car seat, so she kicked it.  Crying.  Stu said it was kinda funny, she was so over the top with the reaction, and as soon as they were at a new store, she was all giggles and smiles again.

Before dinner we went for a walk with both kiddos – using the new double stroller!  Ashlin slept the entire walk, Teagan was in her glory, loving her cup holder and snack tray.  She’s never been in a stroller with a cup holder and snack tray.

Dinner went well, as well, as did bedtime.  She needed to be re-blanketed once, re-bubbled once, but went to sleep quickly.

Sunday, almost a repeat of Saturday, no shopping trip, but a walk around the block instead.  Dinner and then a bath.  Yay!  Bath!  She didn’t cry when Stu washed and rinsed her hair.  Joy!

Bedtime was another story.  Stu read books with her and put her in her crib, as usual.  She cried almost immediately, re-blanket, re-bubble.  Re-blanket, again.  Then the works started.  She became inconsolable.  Did not matter who went in to her.  She had too many blankets, not enough blankets.  No bubbles, was dirty, was wet.  Was hungry.  Crying between trips up the stairs to see if we could get her to calm down.  Nothing worked.  She would stop if she heard the stairs, or a footfall in the hallway outside her door.  Then would start up again once the door opened.  She’d stop for a minute, then start up again once she heard steps going away from her room.  She’s never been so difficult to get to bed.  I think it took her over an hour – with several visits from both of us – to finally get to sleep.

I want to go in to make sure she’s got a blanket on her and is ok, but I’m worried that she’ll wake up.

I know she was playing us, but it doesn’t make it feel any better.

Ashlin slept through the entire thing.

April 2, 2011

Home.  We’re home.  Yay.

Busy morning at the hospital.  I had my staples removed around 7:30am.  The same resident who’s been stopping in every morning was still on rounds.  Nice to have the continuity.  She promised that removing the staples did not use a stapler remover like you get at Office Depot.  LOL.  Of course that’s where my mind had dwelled all week.  She also said that they wouldn’t hurt.  She was right.  It wasn’t that bad.  There were one or two that were a bit more twingy than the others – there were about 14 or so – but all in all, not bad.  No numbing or anything, just popped them off gently, somehow.  I didn’t watch.  I didn’t want to know, though I did wonder what they looked like.

She then put steri strips on, while I joked about how I was worried all my guts would just ooze out if I laughed too hard.  She laughed at that.  According to her,  the incision was almost healed – though it has to be new tender skin.  I still need to be careful about moving and stuff, but it was all closed and healing nicely.  Still it’s hard to not worry about having a small hole become larger and then all my guts slip out.  It hurts to much to have that go completely away.

So, Stu drive home, carefully, trying to avoid the pot holes and the sharp turns.  getting out of the car was not fun, but walking into my house was.  Teagan was a bit funny at first, but everyone was crowding her, trying to make sure she was ok.  After a bit, they backed off.  She got better.

I sat with her while she had lunch – steamed veggies with dup dup – dumpling sauce or something.  She wanted more and more dup dup.  LOL.  It was nice getting a kiss and hug from her.  It’s going to be a challenge to not pick her up.

My parents are here, along with my sister.  They’re the distraction for Teagan.  The help I need for getting food and stuff.  I’m not supposed to do the stairs more than once or twice a day.  I need to keep my feet up.  No driving for two weeks.  No bending.  No carrying anything heavier than the baby – 7 lbs .5oz as of this morning.

I don’t have any pictures.  I will update with a picture from mom or sis tomorrow.

I’m going to sleep in my bed.  Heaven.

March 18, 2011

Am I allowed to love two inanimate things?  Today’s chiro appointment was at a different office, where they have “drop away” tables.  OMG!  It was awesome.  The doc showed me how the table works – a bit freaky, as it just drops down – and then did the adjustment.  Oh, it was great.  I’d like to have the next treatments done there, thank you.

Last night I slept better than I had for most of this week.  Yes, I was doing stretches and sitting on a yoga ball at 4am, but I did sleep most of the night.  Lovely.  I got up around 6:30 am and something felt different in my hip, less tension or something.  The Chiro noticed as well, my hip was much more flexible today than it was.  Maybe it was results from all the adjustments.  Doesn’t matter.  It was better.  Is better.

I think that, combined with the table, that things will improve.  He said that my “pain to treatment score” or whatever the insurance uses was 65, where 0 is the goal.  They approved all the treatments to date.  I retake the questionnaire and depending on the improvement, they approve more, or not.  I have an appointment tomorrow.  That will make 9 treatments in 11 days.

I feel better.

January 26,2011

This says it all.  In the next eight days, we’re getting five days of snow.

Lovely.

It took Stu about 2 hours to get home from work this afternoon.  I left once he got home, and it took me 45 minutes.  I’m very glad I decided to stay for lunch.  I was worried that if I left before eating, I would get stuck in the car, starving, and eat my own arm.

I also received good news about maternity leave today.   Most of my unhappiness and dissapointment was due to misinformation given me by the third party, thanks to some unclear state and federal laws.   Initially, I had been quite upset with the information I was given.  Researched via Google, and then called the in-house people to verify that the third party was right.  They were not.  I am now quite happy.  Results are much better than I hoped for.  Sometimes it does pay to check deeper into some things.

In other news, Teagan is LOVING her expanded space.  She found a balloon that we had tucked away in a corner.  Its now called “boom.”