Motherhood Musings

Since this little blog is my attempt to document our lives, here are a few things that I've learned in the past year.

People say really stupid things to you when you're pregnant.  Not sure why complete strangers feel the need to ask you if you are planning on breastfeeding.  If somebody tells you that you're carrying like its a boy, take it as a compliment.  If somebody tells you that you're carrying like it's a girl, that's code for you have a really fat ass. 

I always thought that I would never let the baby leave my sight while I was in the hospital.  Hell to the no on going to the nursery.  I changed my mind very quickly that first night when my eyes hurt so bad  from trying to keep them open.  I had no problem letting my brand new baby spend a few hours in the nursery while I napped.

I feel like I was jipped out of the birth experience I had dreamed about.  I hate that I had a C-section although it was necessary since it was clear after 17 hours that Audrey wasn't coming on her own.  I spent those 17 hours staring at the little baby warmer, picturing her slimy little body on my chest, wondering when it would be time to push, planning what my first post birth meal would be.   Instead I was strapped to a table in the OR, crucified with my arms out like Jesus on the cross, vomiting on myself and my husband, shaking like a scared little puppy.  I know in the end I got my perfect little baby, but I still feel ripped off. 

Confession time.  I judge those who continue to use the big, fluffy bumpers in cribs.  When I see a picture posted of these bumpers in a crib, I think, are you really going to keep those in your crib?  Have you not heard of SIDS?  I'm pretty laid back in this parenting thing, but SIDS is the one thing that scares the crap out of me. I'm constantly checking Audrey when she's sleeping to make sure she's still breathing. 

I wish I could say that people quit saying stupid things to you after the baby comes, but that's a lie.  It gets worse.  People can't process that we're thinking about having another one sooner than later.  You need to spend time with this one, she deserves it they'll say.   Or another favorite.  Don't you feel guilty that your child is in daycare?  No actually, I don't.  While the choice for me to continue working was pretty much made for me, I choose to see the best in the situation.   I believe a little separation from your little one can be healthy.  I enjoyed being home on my maternity leave, but damn did I miss having adult conversations with my friends at work.  I realize that we're extremely blessed to have such wonderful childcare available to us and not all people are as lucky, hence day care getting a bad rap.   Stay at home moms (some, not all) will say they could never have someone else raise their child.  They could never miss out on that much time in their child's life.  They would be devastated if God forbid an important milestone happened away from home.   Whatever.  I'll stop there because I don't have the energy to go on about this hot topic in the mommy wars.

Tonight, I spent about 30 minutes watching Audrey try to roll from her back to her tummy. She's been going from tummy to back for a while but has yet to mastered the other way.  She'd get about 3/4 of the way there and then roll back onto her back.   She'd laugh at herself each time she almost made it.  She never did roll all the way over tonight.  Maybe she'll do it tomorrow or maybe she's already done it at daycare and I missed one of her "firsts."  Life will go on!

Rice Cereal

I went back and forth as to whether or not to give Audrey rice cereal.  The pediatrician says it's fine. The crazy internet B's say it's the devil.  My normal real-life friends say they all did it.  Audrey has been showing us signs that she's getting ready to eat people food.  Sitting in her high chair watching us eat.  Mouthing everything she can get her hands on. Looking at our food while we eat.  Occassionally licking her little lips when she sees food.  That last one is so cute by the way.  Despite the disgusting appearance of this rice cereal stuff , we decided to give it a shot.  Please enjoy Audrey's commentary of her first "food" experience.

Holy crap, they actually gave me a spoon with something on it!

Hmmmm....I think I like it.

I'll have some more of that please.

Get me out of this damn chair!  I'm done!

Audrey Lately

Photo by Pink and Purple Photography

Family Fun at the Mall

We had a few errands to run at the mall on Friday night.  We ended up making a night out of it.  Returned a dress to Dillard's, had our rings checked for the bi-annual inspection, ate at California Pizza Kitchen, shopped a little at Target.  We're lucky to live 5 minutes from a pretty cool mall.  There's a lot for kids to do:  ice skating, train rides, double decker carousel, play castle. 

After we ate at CPK, Neal scooped Audrey up and went to sit by the fireplace.  The picture isn't that great of quality but seeing him talking to her in front of the fireplace was priceless. 



Audrey and I have been in the American Girl store a few times, but Neal was too chicken to venture in.  It's definetely another world in that place. I can't decide if the dolls are creepy or cute. I'm at about 60% creepy and 40% cute.

Best Little Sweatshop in Texas

This weekend, our spare bedroom became a sewing room.  My mom is here doing everything from smocking Audrey a Valentine's dress to hemming a few pairs of dress pants for me to altering a few of Audrey's outfits.  All that is missing is the little mice running around helping sew Cinderella's ball gown.  And she's even agreed to give me sewing lessons this summer.  You know, in my spare time. 

4 Months

We now have a 4 month old.  Just when we think it can't get any better, it does.  This little girl has seriously won our hearts and I can't even remember life without her here.  She laughs.  She squeals.  She makes weird noises from the back of her throat.  She drools.  She licks toys (and anything else she can manage to get in her mouth).  She sleeps 9-10 hours at night.  She sits in her high chair at the table and watches us eat.  She plays with her feet.  She poops.  A lot.  

 

 

Oh my, her noggin is getting too big for her bow.

 

We gave in and brought out as what I lovingly refer to as the "baby seizure" machine.  So many activities to choose from.  I swear those Baby Einstein people must have ADD/ADHD. 

 

Audrey had her 4 month check up with Dr. Shuman which included another round of vaccinations.  I swear I saw a tear this time on her little cheek.  Once again, I didn't cry which is surprising since I've cried over 2 TV shows this week (both involving babies/pregnancy) and one of my students at school.  The roller coaster ride of hormones continues.   Little miss is in the 14th percentile for height (sorry Audrey, you've got 2 shorties for parents), 38th percentile for weight, and 85th percentile for head circumference. So 23 1/4 inches long, weighs 13 lbs 4 oz, and her head is 16 3/4 inches around.   Dr . Shuman seemed a little concerned that she wasn't gaining weight fast enough but not me.  I think her height/weight percentiles are proportionate to each other. Looks like we might have a petite girl on our hands.  The "charts" predict that she'll be about 5'2" as an adult.  Again, not surprising since she's got the "short" genes.  We're going to give her a little more milk in her bottles for school.  She's wearing 3-6 and 6 months clothes.

 

We've also been blessed that the transition to daycare has been such a good experience. I am so thankful the school district provides a bright, clean, happy environment for our babies.  You can tell the ladies love the babies and treat them like their own.  I remember visiting one of the church daycares when I was evaluating a student and the whole place smelled like pee as soon as you walked in.  Ick.  At Bear Boulevard, you have to walk through the toddler room to get to the infant room and it's so cute to hear the 1-2 year olds say "Audrey mommy" when I walk in the door.  The highlight of my day is definetely going to pick her up.

 

 



 

Patience

PATIENCE. That's what my focus for 2013 is going to be. Call it a resolution if you like. I made the traditional list of goals for the year. Let's call it what it really is. A really long "to-do" list. Lose weight, eat better, spend less, save more, blah, blah, blah. While I'd still like to check those items off the list, I'm committing this year to PATIENCE. I think we could all use a little more PATIENCE in our lives.

PATIENCE for SBISD for docking my pay a whole extra two weeks for my maternity leave. Someone (not me)got their math wrong and this should be resolved soon.

PATIENCE for owners of unruly dogs that come out of nowhere and engage in a wrestling match with my dog in the middle of the street while on a leisurely neighborhood walk. Seriously neighbor lady, if your dog acts like a wild Indian, I wonder what your kids are like.
 
PATIENCE for dealing with my Dad. I know he means well.

PATIENCE for waiting for summer to get here. Can't wait to spend all that time with Audrey.

PATIENCE as we begin "dating" churches again. I know God will lead us to the right one.

PATIENCE for times like this morning when I show up to the daycare and learn that Audrey is out of diapers warranting an emergency trip to Walgreens and being late for work.

PATIENCE for my husband when he's taking care of Audrey and he doesn't do something like I would do it. Note to self: there's more than one way to do something and my way isn't necessarily the only way.

PATIENCE as I try to get rid of the baby weight.