Just like they say, nothing really prepares you for becoming a parent. I read EVERYTHING I could get my hands on. I know about development, sleep schedules, feeding, and anything else you can think of. I thought I knew it all and was prepared for anything parenthood threw at us. We braced ourselves for our life to change. We knew it would be a ton of work. We knew we wouldn't be sleeping. We knew that getting out of the house would become a chore. We knew that our time would never be just ours every again. We were prepared for that.
What we weren't prepared for was how joyful every single moment would be. When we spend an hour rocking her to sleep, put her down in her crib and sit down to dinner only to find her stirring because her pacifier fell out, it is with joy that I go into her room and replace it and/or spend 20 minutes settling her back down. I have never, not once, huffed or puffed about having to do anything for her. When she has poop up to her NECK, I giggle and wonder how in the world that happened. When I get her all dressed up, tights on, bundled up and out the door only to hear the "squish, squish, squirt!" of a dirty diaper, I happily turn around and undo everything for a diaper change. And love that I get more changing table time (she's especially sweet and playful at diaper change time and we sing songs and smile and laugh). And the traditionally fun times? Like morning wake up, baths, and general playtime? Forget about it - it's better than Disney World.
I did not expect this part of the deal. I thought I'd be at work every day complaining about how exhausted I am. When i went back to work, people asked if I was upset about leaving her. While I'd love to be home with her, I can't help but smile ALL DAMN DAY because I get to go home to the sweetest thing ever created. People comment on how content and happy I am now. I'm not a new mom mess, all disheveled and covered in spit up. My life has been nothing but enhanced in every single way. I was not expecting all that.
This mommy thing? It's good. It's real good. And my heart is full of prayers for all of you mommies-to-be who haven't had their miracle yet. It's coming. Keep the faith that you'll get the privilege of experiencing this too.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Happy Five Months
How is it possible that Sofia is five months old already? It scares me because I know I'm going to look up and she'll a year old and then it'll just keep flying from there. I think I'm doing a good job of being present when I'm with and appreciating every moment. She literally becomes cuter every single day.
Sleep. I'm getting plenty. Russ? Not so much. He sleeps with Sofia every night, in her room, on her chair. He says he's fine and getting plenty of sleep. I'm selfishly choosing to believe him. I read bloggy friend and mother of quintuplets, Sonja's blog today. She used the term "sleep training" and how "of course babies will cry" during the process. Even thought I've read EVERY book on the subject, I seem to be in denial of this fact. People will ask "Does she cry when she's in her crib?" The answer is that we don't know. The minute she stirs or whines, we swoop in. Our theory is that once she gets to the crying stage, she'll be so worked up she won't be consolable. This is left over thinking from her evening blues stage when she would cry before bedtime. Perhaps she's far over that and we need to just let her figure out how to sleep. I know we do. Russ stated yesterday that he doesn't care if he has to sleep this way until she's 14. While he was exaggerating, I know he means it to a certain degree.
OK, so here's my point. We are fine with the sleeping situation. I am letting outside pressure (from my mom and other new moms) influence me and make me think we're doing something wrong, but it really is working for us. This baby has the most content personality. She never, ever cries. Ever. The other day I was in a public restroom changing her and she cried and screamed and it was so alarming to me because I've never heard her like that. (I think the diaper scratched her slightly raw bum, my fault) She sleeps from 6pm (sometimes earlier) until the morning. She's alone in her crib until 9 or 10 and then Russ picks her up because that way he can sleep better. Otherwise he'd be getting up every 2 minutes to make sure she's OK. My theory is that if we left her in the crib and didn't have a video monitor, she would be just fine.
You've heard all of this before right? So obviously I'm just trying to convince myself.
Anyway, my baby girl ate sweet potatoes yesterday! She seems to love them. Food sure makes feeding time long and messy. Right now she downs 7 oz of formula in 5 minutes tops. Now we have to feed and clean up which takes a while, but it's worth it. And who am I kidding? She's eating food only once a day right now and Doris is doing it during the week, so who am I to complain? (we had a four day weekend this past weekend, so got to feed her a lot)
Did I mention my birthday is Friday? I can't wait. I don't want a thing except to spend time with my baby girl and Russ. Amazing how priorities change...
Sleep. I'm getting plenty. Russ? Not so much. He sleeps with Sofia every night, in her room, on her chair. He says he's fine and getting plenty of sleep. I'm selfishly choosing to believe him. I read bloggy friend and mother of quintuplets, Sonja's blog today. She used the term "sleep training" and how "of course babies will cry" during the process. Even thought I've read EVERY book on the subject, I seem to be in denial of this fact. People will ask "Does she cry when she's in her crib?" The answer is that we don't know. The minute she stirs or whines, we swoop in. Our theory is that once she gets to the crying stage, she'll be so worked up she won't be consolable. This is left over thinking from her evening blues stage when she would cry before bedtime. Perhaps she's far over that and we need to just let her figure out how to sleep. I know we do. Russ stated yesterday that he doesn't care if he has to sleep this way until she's 14. While he was exaggerating, I know he means it to a certain degree.
OK, so here's my point. We are fine with the sleeping situation. I am letting outside pressure (from my mom and other new moms) influence me and make me think we're doing something wrong, but it really is working for us. This baby has the most content personality. She never, ever cries. Ever. The other day I was in a public restroom changing her and she cried and screamed and it was so alarming to me because I've never heard her like that. (I think the diaper scratched her slightly raw bum, my fault) She sleeps from 6pm (sometimes earlier) until the morning. She's alone in her crib until 9 or 10 and then Russ picks her up because that way he can sleep better. Otherwise he'd be getting up every 2 minutes to make sure she's OK. My theory is that if we left her in the crib and didn't have a video monitor, she would be just fine.
You've heard all of this before right? So obviously I'm just trying to convince myself.
Anyway, my baby girl ate sweet potatoes yesterday! She seems to love them. Food sure makes feeding time long and messy. Right now she downs 7 oz of formula in 5 minutes tops. Now we have to feed and clean up which takes a while, but it's worth it. And who am I kidding? She's eating food only once a day right now and Doris is doing it during the week, so who am I to complain? (we had a four day weekend this past weekend, so got to feed her a lot)
Did I mention my birthday is Friday? I can't wait. I don't want a thing except to spend time with my baby girl and Russ. Amazing how priorities change...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Doris the Great
Today is Sofia's 7th day with Doris (AKA the MOST fabulous babysitter ever). This woman is amazing. I love her. Sofia loves her. She loves Sofia.
The following has been accomplished since she began with Doris:
- nails are cut and look professionally manicured (Doris asked if she could do this and I said YES please?)
- Sofia is eating cereal every day and learning how to manage the spoon feeding thing very well. Next week we might move on to sweet potatoes. Woo hoo!
- Sofia FELL ASLEEP ON HER OWN at Doris's house and STAYED ASLEEP for TWO HOURS. My jaw dropped open. This has NEVER happened. Not ever (the falling asleep unassisted part...and staying asleep part at nap time)
- Sofia has started sleeping at home better and has gone 8 hours between feedings at night for 3 nights (not in a row, but it's progress)
In a nutshell? I LOVE DORIS! I'm not anxious during the day at all about her being there. I am grateful every single day that we have her and feel bad that we only pay her the little money that we do. She is worth 5 times the amount ($225 per week if you're curious).
Every day, Russ sends me a picture of Sofia when he drops her off. Here are two from this week:
Today was a bad hair day, although when I left the house she was looking cute...not sure what happened. Winter hat maybe?
The following has been accomplished since she began with Doris:
- nails are cut and look professionally manicured (Doris asked if she could do this and I said YES please?)
- Sofia is eating cereal every day and learning how to manage the spoon feeding thing very well. Next week we might move on to sweet potatoes. Woo hoo!
- Sofia FELL ASLEEP ON HER OWN at Doris's house and STAYED ASLEEP for TWO HOURS. My jaw dropped open. This has NEVER happened. Not ever (the falling asleep unassisted part...and staying asleep part at nap time)
- Sofia has started sleeping at home better and has gone 8 hours between feedings at night for 3 nights (not in a row, but it's progress)
In a nutshell? I LOVE DORIS! I'm not anxious during the day at all about her being there. I am grateful every single day that we have her and feel bad that we only pay her the little money that we do. She is worth 5 times the amount ($225 per week if you're curious).
Every day, Russ sends me a picture of Sofia when he drops her off. Here are two from this week:
Why do they come up sideways??? Sorry...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Off to Doris's: Day 1
Sofia is starting with her babysitter, Doris, today. We love Doris. Doris took care of our dear friends' children (two of whom have serious food allergies that require a specialized diet and care) and they were like family to her and she is family to them. Doris only has one other baby who is 6 months older than Sofia (though about the same size!) and then there are only one or two other toddlers there during the day (depending on the day) and then some older kids come in the afternoon after school. There is an assistant there also to help. She could not be in better hands and I know this. We are blessed to have her take care of our baby girl.
So then why was I bawling my eyes out last night? I just kept thinking of her all alone, wondering where her Momma and Daddy went. I know she won't ever be alone. I know that these ladies will love her up and give her a ridiculous amount of attention. Russ will drop her off between 8 and 9 and I will be able to get her by 3:15 at the latest. She won't even be there that long. It will be fine. That's what I keep telling myself.
Not sure if I shared this picture. It's one of my favorites, so if I did, you get to see it again. =)
So then why was I bawling my eyes out last night? I just kept thinking of her all alone, wondering where her Momma and Daddy went. I know she won't ever be alone. I know that these ladies will love her up and give her a ridiculous amount of attention. Russ will drop her off between 8 and 9 and I will be able to get her by 3:15 at the latest. She won't even be there that long. It will be fine. That's what I keep telling myself.
Not sure if I shared this picture. It's one of my favorites, so if I did, you get to see it again. =)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year! Merry Christmas!
Sofia is 4 months and 2 weeks old
Well the holidays sure went by quickly!! It was, by far, the best Christmas ever. It proved that gifts are not required to make the holidays special because all we needed or wanted was our little baby girl. She was showered with gifts and it was a joyful time for everyone.
Not to complain, but the only thing is that everyone bought her clothes. And I know how much fun it is to buy girl clothes, but baby girl has no toys! It's weird that I'm going to have to go out and get her toys - it just seems like something that you usually get too much of. Good thing is that it means I can get what we want and not go overboard. She also got no DVDs and only a couple books. Seems crazy to buy that stuff, but I guess I'm going to have to!
She starts with her babysitter tomorrow. I'm really not that nervous. I might feel differently if I had to drop her off, but i get to pick her up. We couldn't trust Doris more and are confident that Sofia will love her and will love being there.
In her Christmas dress! She didn't even mind the hat. She looked sooo precious! My aunt jumped up and down when she saw her.
New Year's was very low key. In fact I was asleep by 10:30. Russ and I were both fighting terrible colds (thank goodness Sofia hasn't gotten it yet). New Years Day was fun, we visited with lots of friends.
Life sure is good with that little girl around. And i thought life was pretty great before! If things get any better, I might just explode.
Well the holidays sure went by quickly!! It was, by far, the best Christmas ever. It proved that gifts are not required to make the holidays special because all we needed or wanted was our little baby girl. She was showered with gifts and it was a joyful time for everyone.
Not to complain, but the only thing is that everyone bought her clothes. And I know how much fun it is to buy girl clothes, but baby girl has no toys! It's weird that I'm going to have to go out and get her toys - it just seems like something that you usually get too much of. Good thing is that it means I can get what we want and not go overboard. She also got no DVDs and only a couple books. Seems crazy to buy that stuff, but I guess I'm going to have to!
She starts with her babysitter tomorrow. I'm really not that nervous. I might feel differently if I had to drop her off, but i get to pick her up. We couldn't trust Doris more and are confident that Sofia will love her and will love being there.
New Year's was very low key. In fact I was asleep by 10:30. Russ and I were both fighting terrible colds (thank goodness Sofia hasn't gotten it yet). New Years Day was fun, we visited with lots of friends.
Life sure is good with that little girl around. And i thought life was pretty great before! If things get any better, I might just explode.
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