So far this holiday has been going pretty well. I am enjoying being home with my baby, who is such a little man! We went to visit my parents for a few days and he had a lot of fun. Apparently he's really smart too. He was playing with my dad, they were stacking some coasters he had dumped on the floor and my dad said "one" and Jackson proceeded to say "two, three, four, five, six" which is how many coasters there were, and said this without any prompting beyond the "one" to start. At some point in his 18 months he's learned how to count... that's good right?
We had his check up Wednesday, and the last shots for awhile. He is a whopping 28.6 pounds and 35.4 inches tall. That's 75 percentile for weight and off the charts in height... He's a big boy! And healthy, talking up a storm, doing all the things he's supposed to be doing at 18 months. Right now he has a big bump on his head from a bad fall at my parent's, and a big rash on his face from either sunscreen or tomatoes... hopefully that clear up by tomorrow!
It was a nice vacation at my parent's, my mom got up at night with him, so I got to sleep straight through, which of course I didn't. When you have been getting up at least once a night for close to two years it's a hard habit to change lol. We got to spend some time in their backyard, with a little kiddy pool, Jackson loved that. He ran around saying "wader!" and splashing, it was quite cute. We are hopefully going back for the long weekend in about two weeks, and will hopefully get to the beach then!
Overall I've been enjoying this time with my little boy. We have one more day before I go back to work and he goes back to daycare. Other than getting some milk, and maybe some fruit, there's no real plans. Probably a trip to the park, a walk, and hopefully a good nap! The problem with 3 hours drives are he usually doesn't sleep the whole time any more, and when he wakes up he's unhappy to be still in his seat, and then of course doesn't have a nap when we get home either.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Diaper dilemas
I've been using cloth diapers since my son was about 7 months, it was the best decision, and I wish I had started sooner. He is, however, a big boy. I had a hard time then finding diapers that fit his rise with what I felt was room to grow. I did manage to find a few I liked, and rarely paid full price for them. I have yet to find a good over night solution and we use a disposable over night, he still leaks. I have a selection now, mostly pockets and all in ones, they are the preference of my daycare provider, and easier for me too. I am however getting worried.
Most of the diapers I have are starting to get a bit low in the rise, and look more like bikini underwear than a proper diaper. Having a boy, good coverage in front is important. A couple will still work, my sweetpeas should last awhile, and my one size fuzzibuns might last another 6 months or so. The mediums, I'll be lucky to get another 2 months out of. I love my TotsBots AIO's but they will probably only last another 6 months or so, which is sad because they are so cute, so absorbent, and bamboo, so nice and natural. I know my boy will not be potty trained before 2 1/2 at the earliest, he has no interest, doesn't even seem to know what's going on down there, and never complains if he's wet or dirty. So I need diapers to last another year.
As an attempt to try something new, that will hopefully fit, I ordered a couple Thirsties Duo pockets in size 2, and AMP AIO's in large. I ordered from Caterpillarbaby, who was great in answering some questions and recommending the Thirsties. I wanted to get some happy heiny's but the new fit is an inch shorted in the rise, so there is no way they will last. I am still on the look out for some of the old style, and hopefully I'll be able to pick a couple up.
The Thirsties fit really well, they are super cute, and have the same two openings that I love about my sweetpeas. They come in some nice colours and a couple cute prints. The prints cost a dollar more but I splurged and got one. The inserts are great, there are two that snap together, the top one is microfiber and the bottom one is hemp, so you get the best of both, with the microfiber pulling the moisture away quickly, and the hemp holding lots of liquid. So far they seem to be working really well. Of course he always poops in the new diapers as soon as I put them on him... but I tricked him and had two! The second one did hold up to a good 3 hours stretch, no leaks, no red marks, and it looks like he can grow another 2 or 3 inches, though it depends on where those inches are lol, the rise should last.
The AMPs were great as well. I was actually surprised as I tried one in the demo I did when I started and did not like it then. I still do not think I would like the AMP pockets as they look puffy in front, and that's not a good look on a boy. The AIO's were great though. They take a long time to dry but are super easy to wash. I again bought two, and they both stood up to a few hours of pee'ing. I have a heavy wetter, so this is a big deal to me. Also, no rashes or anything, so they wick the moisture away nicely. I don't think I would use one overnight, but as I said, I have yet to find any cloth that will hold up to overnight (and up to 4 bottles between bedtime and overnight). I like that the AMP's come in a lot of colours, though I don't think any prints, and they don't need to be prepped. You need to wash them once first of course but not multiple times like the Thirsties inserts.
I am debating how many I need to get, and how soon. I am still hoping to get some HH, they are OS which would be good to have for baby number 2. That is one thing I'm hoping for with all these diapers, that I can use them again on baby number 2. I might sell a few that I'm not as happy with, and replace them with ones that I really like.
All in all, using cloth diapers has been a huge learning curve but also incredibly fun. And actually it is easier in the day to day to use them than I thought it would be. I wish I had started sooner. At least I know for next time, and am all set to start.
Most of the diapers I have are starting to get a bit low in the rise, and look more like bikini underwear than a proper diaper. Having a boy, good coverage in front is important. A couple will still work, my sweetpeas should last awhile, and my one size fuzzibuns might last another 6 months or so. The mediums, I'll be lucky to get another 2 months out of. I love my TotsBots AIO's but they will probably only last another 6 months or so, which is sad because they are so cute, so absorbent, and bamboo, so nice and natural. I know my boy will not be potty trained before 2 1/2 at the earliest, he has no interest, doesn't even seem to know what's going on down there, and never complains if he's wet or dirty. So I need diapers to last another year.
As an attempt to try something new, that will hopefully fit, I ordered a couple Thirsties Duo pockets in size 2, and AMP AIO's in large. I ordered from Caterpillarbaby, who was great in answering some questions and recommending the Thirsties. I wanted to get some happy heiny's but the new fit is an inch shorted in the rise, so there is no way they will last. I am still on the look out for some of the old style, and hopefully I'll be able to pick a couple up.
The Thirsties fit really well, they are super cute, and have the same two openings that I love about my sweetpeas. They come in some nice colours and a couple cute prints. The prints cost a dollar more but I splurged and got one. The inserts are great, there are two that snap together, the top one is microfiber and the bottom one is hemp, so you get the best of both, with the microfiber pulling the moisture away quickly, and the hemp holding lots of liquid. So far they seem to be working really well. Of course he always poops in the new diapers as soon as I put them on him... but I tricked him and had two! The second one did hold up to a good 3 hours stretch, no leaks, no red marks, and it looks like he can grow another 2 or 3 inches, though it depends on where those inches are lol, the rise should last.
The AMPs were great as well. I was actually surprised as I tried one in the demo I did when I started and did not like it then. I still do not think I would like the AMP pockets as they look puffy in front, and that's not a good look on a boy. The AIO's were great though. They take a long time to dry but are super easy to wash. I again bought two, and they both stood up to a few hours of pee'ing. I have a heavy wetter, so this is a big deal to me. Also, no rashes or anything, so they wick the moisture away nicely. I don't think I would use one overnight, but as I said, I have yet to find any cloth that will hold up to overnight (and up to 4 bottles between bedtime and overnight). I like that the AMP's come in a lot of colours, though I don't think any prints, and they don't need to be prepped. You need to wash them once first of course but not multiple times like the Thirsties inserts.
I am debating how many I need to get, and how soon. I am still hoping to get some HH, they are OS which would be good to have for baby number 2. That is one thing I'm hoping for with all these diapers, that I can use them again on baby number 2. I might sell a few that I'm not as happy with, and replace them with ones that I really like.
All in all, using cloth diapers has been a huge learning curve but also incredibly fun. And actually it is easier in the day to day to use them than I thought it would be. I wish I had started sooner. At least I know for next time, and am all set to start.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Is it Friday yet?
I'm anxious for the weekend to arrive. My daycare is closed next week so I am off for the whole week. It'll be the longest stretch of time I've spent with Jackson since I went back to work, and I'm really looking forward to it. I do kind of wish it was later in the summer so we could go to the beach, but I'm sure we'll manage to have some fun! Hopefully I'm able to handle it, I'm out of practise!
My plans aren't huge, we will do some shopping because mama needs some summer work clothes! The last summer I worked I was pregnant, and while I'd love to wear my maternity shorts and capris to work, I'm sure there'd be some talk :-) So shopping we will go! It's actually good timing too, because I live in Ontario and will be getting $335 from the Ontario government on Friday because of the stupid HST. We might go to a mall and have lunch there too, we'll see.
I plan on taking him to Valleyview Farm, which has a train ride and a petting zoo area with baby animals, as well as a big play structure park area. I'm sure we'll have fun, and he's free this year because he's under two, so we just have to pay for me. We've gone once but I didn't really let him run around, and this time I think I'll have him walk instead of taking the stroller. Could be a mistake, we'll see!
His 18 month appointment is Wednesday, and he gets his last shots for awhile, so that day will likely be a write off, hopefully we'll be able to go to the park in the afternoon, but I expect he'll be tired after the shots, and ready for an early nap.
Then Thursday we're going down to visit my parents for a few days, I think we'll come home Sunday, which happens to be Father's Day as well. Hopefully we both have fun, I know I'll be ready to get back to my own home by the end of the trip, and my poor cats will miss us of course. But I want him to spend time with his grandparents, and I know they want to see him. Plus it's nice to get a little spoiled down there, I don't have to cook or do dishes, they help play with him, entertain him, even walk my dog! So it's nice :-) I'm hoping we can all go out for breakfast but we'll see.
So all in all, it'll be a nice week and I'm hoping we can work on some sleep issues while we're at it, maybe sort out bed time and wake up time, naps and all that... not too much to ask for a week is it? I'll probably take some more time off in the summer so we can go to the beach, my parent's live near Sandbanks Provincial Park, which is an amazing beach, and I'm sure he'd have a lot of fun there.
I have one more day of work to get through though... and that's going to make it a long day of work. Especially since my usual coffee partner is off.
I have to say, having this time off is making me look forward more and more to the time when he's older and we get to spend summer's together. I'm hoping that I'll be able to take the whole summer off work, there is a program called leave with income averaging, so I can take the summer off, with no pay, but the lack of pay gets averaged over the year. Since I expect to have two kids by then, it'll be worth it to not have to pay for daycare or day camps for two months. Plus, I get to spend the time with my baby! And I'm sure we'll have lots of fun. One of the perks of working for the government, particularly in my area.
My plans aren't huge, we will do some shopping because mama needs some summer work clothes! The last summer I worked I was pregnant, and while I'd love to wear my maternity shorts and capris to work, I'm sure there'd be some talk :-) So shopping we will go! It's actually good timing too, because I live in Ontario and will be getting $335 from the Ontario government on Friday because of the stupid HST. We might go to a mall and have lunch there too, we'll see.
I plan on taking him to Valleyview Farm, which has a train ride and a petting zoo area with baby animals, as well as a big play structure park area. I'm sure we'll have fun, and he's free this year because he's under two, so we just have to pay for me. We've gone once but I didn't really let him run around, and this time I think I'll have him walk instead of taking the stroller. Could be a mistake, we'll see!
His 18 month appointment is Wednesday, and he gets his last shots for awhile, so that day will likely be a write off, hopefully we'll be able to go to the park in the afternoon, but I expect he'll be tired after the shots, and ready for an early nap.
Then Thursday we're going down to visit my parents for a few days, I think we'll come home Sunday, which happens to be Father's Day as well. Hopefully we both have fun, I know I'll be ready to get back to my own home by the end of the trip, and my poor cats will miss us of course. But I want him to spend time with his grandparents, and I know they want to see him. Plus it's nice to get a little spoiled down there, I don't have to cook or do dishes, they help play with him, entertain him, even walk my dog! So it's nice :-) I'm hoping we can all go out for breakfast but we'll see.
So all in all, it'll be a nice week and I'm hoping we can work on some sleep issues while we're at it, maybe sort out bed time and wake up time, naps and all that... not too much to ask for a week is it? I'll probably take some more time off in the summer so we can go to the beach, my parent's live near Sandbanks Provincial Park, which is an amazing beach, and I'm sure he'd have a lot of fun there.
I have one more day of work to get through though... and that's going to make it a long day of work. Especially since my usual coffee partner is off.
I have to say, having this time off is making me look forward more and more to the time when he's older and we get to spend summer's together. I'm hoping that I'll be able to take the whole summer off work, there is a program called leave with income averaging, so I can take the summer off, with no pay, but the lack of pay gets averaged over the year. Since I expect to have two kids by then, it'll be worth it to not have to pay for daycare or day camps for two months. Plus, I get to spend the time with my baby! And I'm sure we'll have lots of fun. One of the perks of working for the government, particularly in my area.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Trying to exercise
You would think that after almost two years of little sleep (my boy is not the best sleeper, he rarely sleeps straight through the night, and I had a hard time sleeping my last trimester) I'd be able to either manage on this amount of sleep, or be able to fall asleep easily. But no. I have hard time falling asleep every night, even though I'm tired. It's going to be worse in the summer, when it's hot. Which is starting now. And then you'd think that since Jackson wakes up around 5 some days, and goes back to sleep with a bottle, that I'd be able to get up then and do my workout. But no.
One of my goals before trying for number 2 is to lose 20 pounds. Technically I need to lose more than that but that is probably about what I need to be healthy, I think, and to feel better, and what I can lose in the time I've given myself. I have noticed, when I do manage to workout, that it is easier than I remember, the workouts, especially cardio, don't seem to be as hard as I thought. I'm sure it's from chasing a toddler around, getting up and down from the floor, running up and down stairs carrying a 28 pound baby/toddler, and all the walking we've been doing. But it's not enough.
I know that diet is 80% of weight loss, and I'm trying to do better. It is easier with having Jackson, I eat better because I want him to eat better, and he does love his veggies and fruit. But then he goes to bed. And I sit. And eat. Tonight I made a 4 minute microwave cake. I only ate half of it, but still! Not exactly healthy!! I should have had an apple. Or even the 100 calorie chocolate pretzel pack in the cupboard. But no, I make a cake!! It was pretty good though.
I've been trying to get up to workout early, but haven't managed to do it yet. Then I try and workout when I get home from work, before I go get Jackson, but I haven't done that very much either. I am still getting us all out for a walk after dinner, but it's right after dinner so it's not really a power walk or anything. I guess it's better than nothing. But I have this flabby stuff left over from when there was a baby in there, and it's not pretty! I admit, I was pretty flabby before too :-) But this is flabby in a new way.
I want to be healthy, I want to show Jackson that we can be active, and eat well. We can live healthy lives and live a long time, enjoying lots of things in life. Why does it have to be so hard? I know new habits are hard, it's all hard, but it should all be doable. I need to buy more fruits and veggies, and then actually cook and eat them lol. I need to make a meal plan, and stick to it! Shop only for what we need, stop making microwave cakes :-) Take my lunch to work, stop buying coffee everyday. I pretty much need to do these things or I won't be able to lose those 20 pounds, or save the money I need to try and get pregnant again. Who knows how many tries it'll take!
If anyone knows an easy, here eat this kind of plan, please let me know! I keep finding them but they are hard to adapt to a toddler. I've seen low carb, or low carb afternoon diets, but my baby needs potatoes and pasta to grow well. I've seen low fat, but he needs fat too. And I've done vegan/vegetarian before, and didn't lose weight on it. We still do vegetarian meals a couple times a week, to save money, but I can't see doing that daily. I think I need to be told what to eat when, or I get distracted by pizza and burgers :-)
Alrighty then. Time for bed. Actually late for bed, but diapers are washed and ready to hang, and baby sounds restless so it might be warm up there... here's to a good night's sleep!
One of my goals before trying for number 2 is to lose 20 pounds. Technically I need to lose more than that but that is probably about what I need to be healthy, I think, and to feel better, and what I can lose in the time I've given myself. I have noticed, when I do manage to workout, that it is easier than I remember, the workouts, especially cardio, don't seem to be as hard as I thought. I'm sure it's from chasing a toddler around, getting up and down from the floor, running up and down stairs carrying a 28 pound baby/toddler, and all the walking we've been doing. But it's not enough.
I know that diet is 80% of weight loss, and I'm trying to do better. It is easier with having Jackson, I eat better because I want him to eat better, and he does love his veggies and fruit. But then he goes to bed. And I sit. And eat. Tonight I made a 4 minute microwave cake. I only ate half of it, but still! Not exactly healthy!! I should have had an apple. Or even the 100 calorie chocolate pretzel pack in the cupboard. But no, I make a cake!! It was pretty good though.
I've been trying to get up to workout early, but haven't managed to do it yet. Then I try and workout when I get home from work, before I go get Jackson, but I haven't done that very much either. I am still getting us all out for a walk after dinner, but it's right after dinner so it's not really a power walk or anything. I guess it's better than nothing. But I have this flabby stuff left over from when there was a baby in there, and it's not pretty! I admit, I was pretty flabby before too :-) But this is flabby in a new way.
I want to be healthy, I want to show Jackson that we can be active, and eat well. We can live healthy lives and live a long time, enjoying lots of things in life. Why does it have to be so hard? I know new habits are hard, it's all hard, but it should all be doable. I need to buy more fruits and veggies, and then actually cook and eat them lol. I need to make a meal plan, and stick to it! Shop only for what we need, stop making microwave cakes :-) Take my lunch to work, stop buying coffee everyday. I pretty much need to do these things or I won't be able to lose those 20 pounds, or save the money I need to try and get pregnant again. Who knows how many tries it'll take!
If anyone knows an easy, here eat this kind of plan, please let me know! I keep finding them but they are hard to adapt to a toddler. I've seen low carb, or low carb afternoon diets, but my baby needs potatoes and pasta to grow well. I've seen low fat, but he needs fat too. And I've done vegan/vegetarian before, and didn't lose weight on it. We still do vegetarian meals a couple times a week, to save money, but I can't see doing that daily. I think I need to be told what to eat when, or I get distracted by pizza and burgers :-)
Alrighty then. Time for bed. Actually late for bed, but diapers are washed and ready to hang, and baby sounds restless so it might be warm up there... here's to a good night's sleep!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Da da
I've read some books on single moms, that explain how to deal with the daddy question. And they are great, and I'm sure I'll use the advice in a few years when he really starts to understand. But for now... how do I cope with Jackson calling every man he sees "da da"?
I blame the signing DVD's we watch, they all have family segments with mommy, daddy and baby. So of course he gets the mommy part, he has one of those. And he gets the baby part, one of his favourite words actually. But then the daddy part comes on, and apparently all he sees is it's a man... and having nothing in his little world that really fits that, he just thinks every man is called da da. I know he's seen some daddy's, the other kids at daycare sometimes have their Daddy come get them. Jackson calls them da da too.
Not sure entirely how to deal with it, I mean he's a little young to understand the concept. I can't stop showing him the DVD's, he really likes them, and he learns a lot from them. I tell him the random men we see when on our walks are not his da da, but as we don't have a dad at home, I think it's going to be hard to really explain. I'm hoping as he gets older it'll get easier to deal with. I do have a story I tell, to explain that we have a mommy and me family, with no daddy. But, I guess he doesn't get it yet.
I blame the signing DVD's we watch, they all have family segments with mommy, daddy and baby. So of course he gets the mommy part, he has one of those. And he gets the baby part, one of his favourite words actually. But then the daddy part comes on, and apparently all he sees is it's a man... and having nothing in his little world that really fits that, he just thinks every man is called da da. I know he's seen some daddy's, the other kids at daycare sometimes have their Daddy come get them. Jackson calls them da da too.
Not sure entirely how to deal with it, I mean he's a little young to understand the concept. I can't stop showing him the DVD's, he really likes them, and he learns a lot from them. I tell him the random men we see when on our walks are not his da da, but as we don't have a dad at home, I think it's going to be hard to really explain. I'm hoping as he gets older it'll get easier to deal with. I do have a story I tell, to explain that we have a mommy and me family, with no daddy. But, I guess he doesn't get it yet.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Ah sleep...
It seems that every time Jackson's sleep gets better, a few days later it gets much worse than it was before. I was home Friday sick (feeling much better now!) and managed to get quite a bit of sleep myself. I picked him up from daycare and we were all set! I knew it was going to be a bit of a rough weekend, the weather was going to be rainy and icky (it was) so we wouldn't be able to get out and about. Plus I'm kind of broke at the moment, so we couldn't go anywhere.
Friday night wasn't too bad, he went to sleep pretty well. Woke up once, gave him a bottle and he went back to sleep. Then he was up at 6. In the morning. seriously! I am so not a morning person but since having my son I do not get to sleep in any more! I was a bad mommy and gave him a bottle, he was content for another hour or so, I think he went back to sleep for awhile and then woke up babbling and having a great time, so we were up for the day at 7.
Because we didn't get out Saturday, and he wasn't very tired, I tried putting him down for his nap at 11:30, usually he's asleep by 12, but this weekend he decided he'd stay up, so I got him up again and we tried at 12:45, it took him another 30 minutes to fall asleep, and then he only slept until 2, so about an hour long nap. You would think after that he'd be tired Saturday night for bed... but no! He was up, babbling, talking, crying, saying "book" and "park" over and over again, with an occasional "car" thrown in, until 9!! He is normally asleep by 8 at the latest. It was difficult for me because I do not let him cry it out, so if he was crying I'd go up to see what was wrong, he'd try to climb up me to get out of his crib, refuse to take his bottle, or lie down, and did not want to sleep even though he was obviously tired. He was yawning and his eyes were droopy tired. So it was a long night.
He woke up once, had a bottle, went back to sleep, and got up at 7 on Sunday. He seemed really tired so I put him down for his nap at 11, he was asleep by just before noon, it took awhile but he was playing and not crying, so it seemed well. Then the umm, very nice religious people, came and knocked on the door at 1. Which set the dog off. I mean he was barking like crazy, he woke the baby up... sigh... so I grabbed a second bottle and ran in to comfort him, he actually went back to sleep, thank goodness! But then, at 1:30, the dog barked at some guy walking behind my house... like people do all the freaking time... so again, the baby woke up but this time he was not going back to sleep... another long day.
Then last night, he was hard to get down again, it was after 8 before he fell asleep. And then just before midnight he woke up. As usual, I took him a bottle. He took it, and seemed to go back to sleep, or not... for the next 90 minutes I was in and out of his room before I finally told him I was going back to bed and he would just have to go to sleep because I was done. Of course he understood that :-) he did go back to sleep though, finally. But it meant I was extra tired this morning so didn't get up to do my workout :-(
Tonight was more of the same, I should be going to bed so I can at least get a bit of sleep before he wakes up again. I just don't know what the problem is. It could be his teeth, his two year molars are right there, I can see one peeking through, and the drool... oh the drool! I know he has a bit of my cold, his nose is runny, but colds make me tired! I refuse to let him simply cry, though that is what I'm being more tempted to try.
I wonder about mom's who say they bring the kids into the bed with them. I would love to do that if it would work. But if he's in my bed, he's in my room, and I don't think he'll stay in the bed. He knows how to get out of it, and he loves to play with everything he can reach in my room. I'm not sure how to manage that. Even putting him into a toddler bed, I can't see how that would work, he's into EVERYTHING. And he tosses and turns, puts his feet between the bars, squishes up in one end of the crib or the other, moves as much as I do when I sleep.
I just don't know what to do. I'm sure the bottles are part of the problem, but when I can actually get him to take it, he usually falls asleep. Oh, and rocking him in the rocking chair now just brings giggles and no longer puts him to sleep... that's a little bit sad. I hope it gets sorted out soon. I was so excited a week or two ago when he slept all night through with no wake ups. I knew it wouldn't last, but I didn't think it would get so much worse! I cannot see keeping him up until 8 then putting him to bed, I just don't see how that would work.
Any way, I think this turned out a bit rambling. I think I need some sleep :-)
Friday night wasn't too bad, he went to sleep pretty well. Woke up once, gave him a bottle and he went back to sleep. Then he was up at 6. In the morning. seriously! I am so not a morning person but since having my son I do not get to sleep in any more! I was a bad mommy and gave him a bottle, he was content for another hour or so, I think he went back to sleep for awhile and then woke up babbling and having a great time, so we were up for the day at 7.
Because we didn't get out Saturday, and he wasn't very tired, I tried putting him down for his nap at 11:30, usually he's asleep by 12, but this weekend he decided he'd stay up, so I got him up again and we tried at 12:45, it took him another 30 minutes to fall asleep, and then he only slept until 2, so about an hour long nap. You would think after that he'd be tired Saturday night for bed... but no! He was up, babbling, talking, crying, saying "book" and "park" over and over again, with an occasional "car" thrown in, until 9!! He is normally asleep by 8 at the latest. It was difficult for me because I do not let him cry it out, so if he was crying I'd go up to see what was wrong, he'd try to climb up me to get out of his crib, refuse to take his bottle, or lie down, and did not want to sleep even though he was obviously tired. He was yawning and his eyes were droopy tired. So it was a long night.
He woke up once, had a bottle, went back to sleep, and got up at 7 on Sunday. He seemed really tired so I put him down for his nap at 11, he was asleep by just before noon, it took awhile but he was playing and not crying, so it seemed well. Then the umm, very nice religious people, came and knocked on the door at 1. Which set the dog off. I mean he was barking like crazy, he woke the baby up... sigh... so I grabbed a second bottle and ran in to comfort him, he actually went back to sleep, thank goodness! But then, at 1:30, the dog barked at some guy walking behind my house... like people do all the freaking time... so again, the baby woke up but this time he was not going back to sleep... another long day.
Then last night, he was hard to get down again, it was after 8 before he fell asleep. And then just before midnight he woke up. As usual, I took him a bottle. He took it, and seemed to go back to sleep, or not... for the next 90 minutes I was in and out of his room before I finally told him I was going back to bed and he would just have to go to sleep because I was done. Of course he understood that :-) he did go back to sleep though, finally. But it meant I was extra tired this morning so didn't get up to do my workout :-(
Tonight was more of the same, I should be going to bed so I can at least get a bit of sleep before he wakes up again. I just don't know what the problem is. It could be his teeth, his two year molars are right there, I can see one peeking through, and the drool... oh the drool! I know he has a bit of my cold, his nose is runny, but colds make me tired! I refuse to let him simply cry, though that is what I'm being more tempted to try.
I wonder about mom's who say they bring the kids into the bed with them. I would love to do that if it would work. But if he's in my bed, he's in my room, and I don't think he'll stay in the bed. He knows how to get out of it, and he loves to play with everything he can reach in my room. I'm not sure how to manage that. Even putting him into a toddler bed, I can't see how that would work, he's into EVERYTHING. And he tosses and turns, puts his feet between the bars, squishes up in one end of the crib or the other, moves as much as I do when I sleep.
I just don't know what to do. I'm sure the bottles are part of the problem, but when I can actually get him to take it, he usually falls asleep. Oh, and rocking him in the rocking chair now just brings giggles and no longer puts him to sleep... that's a little bit sad. I hope it gets sorted out soon. I was so excited a week or two ago when he slept all night through with no wake ups. I knew it wouldn't last, but I didn't think it would get so much worse! I cannot see keeping him up until 8 then putting him to bed, I just don't see how that would work.
Any way, I think this turned out a bit rambling. I think I need some sleep :-)
Friday, May 27, 2011
I have a cold
I am sure my work is going to end up hating me, every time I am slightly sick now I call in, and don't go to work. Today I am home because I have a cold. If I didn't have a baby, I'd probably have gone to work. But then I would have had the weekend to recover and sleep lots, now I don't have that luxury. And this weekend promises to be raining and boring, and we'll both probably end up a little bit cranky.
Even while I was pregnant I called in sick more than I would have before, sometimes because of morning sickness, sometimes I was just too tired and feeling icky to get out of bed. Now, the slightest illness has me calling in. It didn't used to be that way! I was good about going in, I had sick leave built up. I also thought if I didn't go in the place would fall apart without me. Now I don't think that. And if it does, well honestly they should have planned a little better if that's the case.
It's kind of funny how having a child puts a new perspective on things, like leaving work at work so I can focus on being a mom while I'm at home. I went to pick up some groceries today, because I needed some juice and chicken noodle soup (I'm sick after all!) and it was so strange to be there pushing a cart without a toddler in it. Even while driving, I look back and see his empty car seat, it feels weird. I feel slightly guilty for taking him to daycare today while I'm home, but I am home to get better (and am going to take another nap in a few minutes), and I have to pay for the day any way.
I am not sure that moms in relationships, with fathers in the picture, would have it any easier. From what I've seen, even when sick those moms are expected to take care of everyone. That may not always be the case of course, but if that was me, I'd be more than resentful if he was all healthy and didn't take care of the baby so I could get better. I think things like that are why I'm happy as a single mom. I look at all the work and effort people have to put into their relationships after kids enter the picture, and I just can't see myself doing that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sick, but I don't feel sorry for myself, and I know we'll manage. But I am really glad I have good sick leave and other benefits at work because I sure do use them now!
Even while I was pregnant I called in sick more than I would have before, sometimes because of morning sickness, sometimes I was just too tired and feeling icky to get out of bed. Now, the slightest illness has me calling in. It didn't used to be that way! I was good about going in, I had sick leave built up. I also thought if I didn't go in the place would fall apart without me. Now I don't think that. And if it does, well honestly they should have planned a little better if that's the case.
It's kind of funny how having a child puts a new perspective on things, like leaving work at work so I can focus on being a mom while I'm at home. I went to pick up some groceries today, because I needed some juice and chicken noodle soup (I'm sick after all!) and it was so strange to be there pushing a cart without a toddler in it. Even while driving, I look back and see his empty car seat, it feels weird. I feel slightly guilty for taking him to daycare today while I'm home, but I am home to get better (and am going to take another nap in a few minutes), and I have to pay for the day any way.
I am not sure that moms in relationships, with fathers in the picture, would have it any easier. From what I've seen, even when sick those moms are expected to take care of everyone. That may not always be the case of course, but if that was me, I'd be more than resentful if he was all healthy and didn't take care of the baby so I could get better. I think things like that are why I'm happy as a single mom. I look at all the work and effort people have to put into their relationships after kids enter the picture, and I just can't see myself doing that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sick, but I don't feel sorry for myself, and I know we'll manage. But I am really glad I have good sick leave and other benefits at work because I sure do use them now!
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