Our little Sophie has hurdled yet another milestone. After feeding her her morning bottle 2 days ago I discovered a sharp little protrusion jutting out from her bottom gums. Yes, her first tooth has made it's glorious debut! While I'm so proud of her, and aware of how fast these baby moments are all going by, I did reflect for a brief moment at how simply this little tooth made it's appearance. I mean I had heard some horror stories from friends about their little ones getting their first tooth. These stories ranged from tales of fevers, numerous and frequent poo's, complete lack of sleep, and inconsolable crying. Needless to say, I was not really looking forward to teething.
So here I am thinking, "Wow! That was easy!" But, as I should have known, Sophie was saving the good stuff for a more inconvenient time. It began that afternoon when she absolutely, almost psychotically, refused to take her afternoon nap. We actually had to resort to putting her in the car and driving around the neighborhood for 45 minutes while she snoozed. Haven't had to pull out that trick in awhile. Later that night, after she went down for bed, she decided that the party was just getting started at midnight. Let me tell you, we have become way too accustomed to sleeping through the night, because that midnight crying wake up call was very much like being punched out of deep sleep by Mike Tyson. She then continued the fuss parade from 1am-2am and had one last hurrah at 5:40am. So much for easy teething! Silly silly first-time mommy!
Once again I have learned some valuable lessons. 1) Never get too comfortable in your routine because 7 month-old's don't really "do" routines 2)Teething is really super-awful for these little folk and I feel very sad that there isn't more I can do to ease her discomfort 3) Just accepting the fact that I don't have an active social life anymore and that I really should just go to bed at 9pm because it makes getting up at 1am much easier 4) I, at one time, fully expected to be up at 2am on a weekend night? Remind me how that was fun because it really sucks now! 5) While I've never been the sappy sort, if I have to be up at 2am, there is a certain sweetness to cuddling my little gal in her quiet room and, finally, 6) I now get why it's called "cutting" teeth. It doesn't just describe the physical act of the tooth cutting through the gums. It also describes the "cutting" into your daily life. Such as, "cutting" into my sleep, "cutting" into my daytime routine, "cutting" into my sanity!
One tooth down! 19 baby teeth left to go!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Welcome To Paradise Hubby!
First time parents + two adults who have minimal exposure to children of any age (yes, we were the ones who looked annoyed when you sat down near us with your child on a plane!) + three months of screaming colic once the precious bundle did arrive + 2 weeks enduring wife's postpartum depression = not a happy husband/daddy!
I thought I'd take a moment to describe life for my husband post baby. However, to do so, I have to go back a few pages. When I met my husband he was a commitment-phobe to the extreme. He really wasn't all too excited to label himself "in a relationship", was the one who all his friends said would be the last to marry, really didn't think he wanted kids and definitely didn't want a dog (but if he did that sucker would be outside!) Well, never one to back down from a challenge, I decided that this was my dream man!
Now, wait a minute, before you cast judgement from what I just wrote, please keep in mind that we are talking about a good-looking, well-employed, single guy in his 20's, living in Dallas, TX at the time I met him. He was living high on the bachelor life. There is a show getting ready to premiere on Bravo called "Most Eligible Dallas", while I'm sure it will be obnoxious beyond belief, at one time, you could probably have cast my husband on this show. (Oh my, he's going to be so embarrassed and mad at me for that one!)
Anyway, first came relationship. Since we are happily married, that obviously worked out. I can proudly say that he was among the early ranks of his friends to get married. And, some (I love you guys dearly) are still swinging the single life. Then came dog. Our Wrigley! Oh my goodness do we love that boy! And that "outdoor" dog idea was soon promoted to "indoor but not on furniture", to "he can do whatever he wants because this is his house and he's family!" Then came baby.
This deserves a new paragraph. We didn't jump right on that baby train. We thought, "let's stop preventing and see what happens." Well, you know what happens when you stop preventing? You get pregnant! After the initial fear, worry and shock that accompanies all positive pee sticks we were pumped. We took the classes, got the nursery ready, had the showers and then came baby. She was precious, little, adorable and hubs was just getting warmed up and then came colic. I literally then watched my husband turn into a Transformer. Whenever that screeching bundle was handed his way Mr. Roboto would emerge. The most stressed out, jerky movements would come from my normally laid-back, composed man. Since I stayed home with her during the day once my husband would get home, often, I would need a break. Just to stress how comfortable he was with her, my "break" would normally consist of him holding her while they followed me around the house! And to think, all I wanted was 1 hour of quiet to watch Grey's Anatomy! My needs were simple at best! And it lasted 3 months!
Once the colic storm passed my husband behaved much like I would imagine a spooked cat to act. He would come in for a peek, then the baby would make a squawk and he would jump back and retreat. However, to be fair, we both emerged from the colic battle victorious but not without scars and post-traumatic stress.
A few months have now passed and we have an even-keeled, awesome tyke on our hands. While we still have our, "I can't believe she doesn't cry all the time anymore" moments, we have settled into life with our gal. She's been so cool to get to know.
So, to wrap up. Ways that I know my husband is down with baby now. 1) He kisses her non-stop when he holds her (very cute). 2) Mr. Roboto has left the building. 3) She literally poo'd in his hand the other day (thank the Lord I wasn't home!) and he handled it like he's been poo'd on regularly his whole life. He even figured out the complicated equation of how to get the baby to the changing table while not getting the poo hand on her. Get the hand cleaned up enough with baby wipes so that he could change her, set her in her crib, and get his hands washed. Seriously, that scenario should be an SAT question. And finally 4) If I go out to run errands while she is napping and leave my husband at home with baby I no longer get frantic, panic calls alerting me that she has woken up and I should hurry home. Ahhh, life is bliss!
I thought I'd take a moment to describe life for my husband post baby. However, to do so, I have to go back a few pages. When I met my husband he was a commitment-phobe to the extreme. He really wasn't all too excited to label himself "in a relationship", was the one who all his friends said would be the last to marry, really didn't think he wanted kids and definitely didn't want a dog (but if he did that sucker would be outside!) Well, never one to back down from a challenge, I decided that this was my dream man!
Now, wait a minute, before you cast judgement from what I just wrote, please keep in mind that we are talking about a good-looking, well-employed, single guy in his 20's, living in Dallas, TX at the time I met him. He was living high on the bachelor life. There is a show getting ready to premiere on Bravo called "Most Eligible Dallas", while I'm sure it will be obnoxious beyond belief, at one time, you could probably have cast my husband on this show. (Oh my, he's going to be so embarrassed and mad at me for that one!)
Anyway, first came relationship. Since we are happily married, that obviously worked out. I can proudly say that he was among the early ranks of his friends to get married. And, some (I love you guys dearly) are still swinging the single life. Then came dog. Our Wrigley! Oh my goodness do we love that boy! And that "outdoor" dog idea was soon promoted to "indoor but not on furniture", to "he can do whatever he wants because this is his house and he's family!" Then came baby.
This deserves a new paragraph. We didn't jump right on that baby train. We thought, "let's stop preventing and see what happens." Well, you know what happens when you stop preventing? You get pregnant! After the initial fear, worry and shock that accompanies all positive pee sticks we were pumped. We took the classes, got the nursery ready, had the showers and then came baby. She was precious, little, adorable and hubs was just getting warmed up and then came colic. I literally then watched my husband turn into a Transformer. Whenever that screeching bundle was handed his way Mr. Roboto would emerge. The most stressed out, jerky movements would come from my normally laid-back, composed man. Since I stayed home with her during the day once my husband would get home, often, I would need a break. Just to stress how comfortable he was with her, my "break" would normally consist of him holding her while they followed me around the house! And to think, all I wanted was 1 hour of quiet to watch Grey's Anatomy! My needs were simple at best! And it lasted 3 months!
Once the colic storm passed my husband behaved much like I would imagine a spooked cat to act. He would come in for a peek, then the baby would make a squawk and he would jump back and retreat. However, to be fair, we both emerged from the colic battle victorious but not without scars and post-traumatic stress.
A few months have now passed and we have an even-keeled, awesome tyke on our hands. While we still have our, "I can't believe she doesn't cry all the time anymore" moments, we have settled into life with our gal. She's been so cool to get to know.
So, to wrap up. Ways that I know my husband is down with baby now. 1) He kisses her non-stop when he holds her (very cute). 2) Mr. Roboto has left the building. 3) She literally poo'd in his hand the other day (thank the Lord I wasn't home!) and he handled it like he's been poo'd on regularly his whole life. He even figured out the complicated equation of how to get the baby to the changing table while not getting the poo hand on her. Get the hand cleaned up enough with baby wipes so that he could change her, set her in her crib, and get his hands washed. Seriously, that scenario should be an SAT question. And finally 4) If I go out to run errands while she is napping and leave my husband at home with baby I no longer get frantic, panic calls alerting me that she has woken up and I should hurry home. Ahhh, life is bliss!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen, What You Are Witnessing Is What We Call A Miracle!
We are currently on night #6 of the new bed time routine. We are putting our little gal to bed earlier with the expectation that she will sleep longer. Now, in my world, which I do believe to be the "real" world, that did not compute. However, let me tell ya, it DOES work. At least, it has in our house.
Now, 2 weeks ago, if you would have told me that putting my sweet girl down earlier for the night would produce less night time crying and allow her to sleep longer I would have promptly told you, "Of course! And if I drink MORE Cabernet at night it will not make me feel like Sophie's dirty diapers the next day, but instead it will allow me to feel like Wonder Woman!" Definitely a study of opposites at play.
I must say, I don't rightfully know where to bestow credit here. The earlier bedtime certainly does not seem to be hurting anyone involved. In fact, I have been able to sit and watch evening television again, and cook dinner, and go to bed early. Ahhh bliss!
The other factor at play in Sophie's successful sleeping is the fact that I don't rush in at every peep. I must state again that I know that seems like an obvious step but it has been the hardest one. I liken my "rush to every cry" response to a story that my husband once told me. When he was young, a game that he and his friends liked to play consisted solely of throwing rocks at one another. I KNOW! But, no, I didn't marry a "short bus" guy. However, he and his friends would take refuge in the ditch-like gullies that flanked his friend's driveway. One group would take cover on one side of the driveway and the other group would be on the other side. They would then throw rocks as hard as they could at one another. I asked him what the purpose of this game was. Apparently there was none. In my opinion, the object was "Don't die." He fully admits that it hurt, that they knew going into it that it would hurt, and yet they happily played it anyway. Hmmm, maybe he is a short bus boy. I mean, how many lobs to the head can one take before they become a bit, shall we say slow. Just kidding, love you hon!
Anyway, my response to Sophie's night cries were much like this game. It hurt (both of us with fully waking up), I knew going in it would hurt, and yet I did it anyway. Well, I finally stopped the madness and acted like the cool, level-headed, haute mama that I always pictured myself to be. Turns out, Sophie didn't "need" me. What she needed was to be left alone to learn to go back to sleep. And, I must brag, she is a genius at this skill.
With absolutely no "help" from me (because my "help" was actually a hindrance), my sweet girl has become a healthy sleeper! Hallelujah! Now, it has only been 6 days but that is like a year in Sophie time.
Now I wonder if that whole "opposites" effect actually does work with increased Cabernet consumption.....
Now, 2 weeks ago, if you would have told me that putting my sweet girl down earlier for the night would produce less night time crying and allow her to sleep longer I would have promptly told you, "Of course! And if I drink MORE Cabernet at night it will not make me feel like Sophie's dirty diapers the next day, but instead it will allow me to feel like Wonder Woman!" Definitely a study of opposites at play.
I must say, I don't rightfully know where to bestow credit here. The earlier bedtime certainly does not seem to be hurting anyone involved. In fact, I have been able to sit and watch evening television again, and cook dinner, and go to bed early. Ahhh bliss!
The other factor at play in Sophie's successful sleeping is the fact that I don't rush in at every peep. I must state again that I know that seems like an obvious step but it has been the hardest one. I liken my "rush to every cry" response to a story that my husband once told me. When he was young, a game that he and his friends liked to play consisted solely of throwing rocks at one another. I KNOW! But, no, I didn't marry a "short bus" guy. However, he and his friends would take refuge in the ditch-like gullies that flanked his friend's driveway. One group would take cover on one side of the driveway and the other group would be on the other side. They would then throw rocks as hard as they could at one another. I asked him what the purpose of this game was. Apparently there was none. In my opinion, the object was "Don't die." He fully admits that it hurt, that they knew going into it that it would hurt, and yet they happily played it anyway. Hmmm, maybe he is a short bus boy. I mean, how many lobs to the head can one take before they become a bit, shall we say slow. Just kidding, love you hon!
Anyway, my response to Sophie's night cries were much like this game. It hurt (both of us with fully waking up), I knew going in it would hurt, and yet I did it anyway. Well, I finally stopped the madness and acted like the cool, level-headed, haute mama that I always pictured myself to be. Turns out, Sophie didn't "need" me. What she needed was to be left alone to learn to go back to sleep. And, I must brag, she is a genius at this skill.
With absolutely no "help" from me (because my "help" was actually a hindrance), my sweet girl has become a healthy sleeper! Hallelujah! Now, it has only been 6 days but that is like a year in Sophie time.
Now I wonder if that whole "opposites" effect actually does work with increased Cabernet consumption.....
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
And Here We Go....
I last left off with my little Sophie going swaddle-free at night for the first time. The first two nights were awesome, amazing! She slept so well and actually slept a little past 6am, which hasn't happened too often in our house thus far. We were like, "what the Hell has been our hold up here?!" Then the bottom dropped out.
On the 3rd night she woke up screaming like she was literally on fire. However, as the night progressed I began to seriously question if demonic possession was at play. Since we had no head spinning and no split pea soup projectiles I guessed we were OK. She woke around 11:30pm ready to rumble and didn't stop the crazy parade until 1am. She then fell into an exhausted slump but was up and at 'em at 5am. We live very much in the city but I swear I heard the rooster crow at that hour.
The next night was pretty drama-free (which we welcome around here!) and then came super fun night number 5. She woke at 9pm, 11:30pm, 2am, 3am and then seriously lit it up at 3:30. At that point, and countless futile attempts to calm her down, my husband and I decided to implement the cry it out technique. It was ugly, it was hard, and it worked! One hour of misery later, we had a peacefully sleeping babe who slept until 7am.
She, again, came out of this event unscathed. Wish I could say the same. Another sorority mate, Becca, suggested a book "Healthy Sleeping Habits, Healthy Child." We hit up Barnes and Noble quick today and bought that baby up.
So here is where I bestow some more "tips". The book made me feel much better because it states that post-colic children's number one symptom is sleep disturbance. Makes sense to me, and since I'm dealing with a post-colic babe, I'll take it. It suggests an earlier bedtime for a nighttime waking baby. So that is what we did tonight. It also states that you should not jump and run in at every cry. I know, I know, that seems obvious. But I have had 3 months of navy seal-like colic boot camp where every fiber of my being is tuned into that cry and conditioned to do WHATEVER I can to make it go away. So, even though colic is gone, it's hard to let go of my training. However, I have renewed confidence after reading this book.
I believe that I will help her learn to sleep. When she's a teen she will thank me!
As always, I will keep you posted.
On the 3rd night she woke up screaming like she was literally on fire. However, as the night progressed I began to seriously question if demonic possession was at play. Since we had no head spinning and no split pea soup projectiles I guessed we were OK. She woke around 11:30pm ready to rumble and didn't stop the crazy parade until 1am. She then fell into an exhausted slump but was up and at 'em at 5am. We live very much in the city but I swear I heard the rooster crow at that hour.
The next night was pretty drama-free (which we welcome around here!) and then came super fun night number 5. She woke at 9pm, 11:30pm, 2am, 3am and then seriously lit it up at 3:30. At that point, and countless futile attempts to calm her down, my husband and I decided to implement the cry it out technique. It was ugly, it was hard, and it worked! One hour of misery later, we had a peacefully sleeping babe who slept until 7am.
She, again, came out of this event unscathed. Wish I could say the same. Another sorority mate, Becca, suggested a book "Healthy Sleeping Habits, Healthy Child." We hit up Barnes and Noble quick today and bought that baby up.
So here is where I bestow some more "tips". The book made me feel much better because it states that post-colic children's number one symptom is sleep disturbance. Makes sense to me, and since I'm dealing with a post-colic babe, I'll take it. It suggests an earlier bedtime for a nighttime waking baby. So that is what we did tonight. It also states that you should not jump and run in at every cry. I know, I know, that seems obvious. But I have had 3 months of navy seal-like colic boot camp where every fiber of my being is tuned into that cry and conditioned to do WHATEVER I can to make it go away. So, even though colic is gone, it's hard to let go of my training. However, I have renewed confidence after reading this book.
I believe that I will help her learn to sleep. When she's a teen she will thank me!
As always, I will keep you posted.
Friday, July 1, 2011
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That.
Since I am so badly overdue on writing, I am going to attempt to catch up on a few past events in one post. So, bear with me here.
I had my first baby-free trip in May. I wish I could say it was to some far-off exotic locale with spa treatments and Michelin Star restaurants but, sadly, no. It was to Wichita, Kansas for my cousin's wedding. Let me tell you, at this point after 6 months of interrupted night time sleep, I would have found a mattress under the freeway overpass to be heaven. So, the 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep (as well as the lovely wedding with family) made the trip so very worthwhile. And, I have turned into an old lady apparently. I used to relish the days of open-bar events. I now find myself saying, "I can't drink too much wine or I won't sleep well!" It is a wild moment when your parents stay out but you go back to the hotel to sleep. Oh how the times have changed!
I did miss my little gal like crazy and had these visions of an overwhelming happy little tyke when I got home. Reality was slightly anti-climactic. I guess you can't expect an Oscar caliber performance for a homecoming from a 6 month old. However, I did get a big smile so that worked for me.
We then took our first road trip to my hometown of Kansas City. Picture this, hubby, me, baby and 90 lb. lab plus a week's worth of luggage and one enormous dog bed crammed into the 4-Runner driving down the highway. If anyone spotted us on the road they probably thought we were evacuating from somewhere. Sophie did so great on the trip and it was awesome to have her home. We did learn some lessons however: 1-An 8 hour trip to KC takes approximately 9 1/2 hours with a 6 month old
2-There is nothing more frightening on this Earth to Sophie than the jet-engined powered hand dryers found at major McDonald's rest stops along I-35.
3-You get alot of dirty looks from a lot of scary looking people when trying to change your screaming child's diaper in the restrooms of such rest stops as she is reeling from the terror of the hand dryers.
4-You decide that it is just better for everyone to change your child's diaper in the car for the remainder of the trip.
5-It is NOT a good idea to introduce peas to your 6 month old while on vacation. She didn't like them and they didn't like her (as judged from the 4 nasty diaper changes necessary on the ride home to Dallas!)
Finally, tonight is the first night of no night time swaddling. In the past month the swaddle has become the bane of my existence. My child has been breaking out of it like the Hulk but then turns into a crying mess without it. Since she really can't have it both ways we began no-swaddle naps. After a rocky beginning she finally seemed to handle it and possibly prefer it. So, tonight is the big test. Last night was a comedy of errors at best. It reminded me an old "I Love Lucy" style comedic routine. Baby breaks out of swaddle about 4 times before folks go to bed. Mom (me), goes in and re-swaddles baby. After 4th time mom says, "No more! Let's just let her be." Folks turn out lights. 5 minutes later baby starts crying. Mom goes in and re-swaddles, baby appears to be asleep, mom goes back into bedroom, looks at monitor, baby is free again and awake. Now repeat this 4 times in a row with no break and you will get a taste of the fun I had last night. I am officially OVER the swaddle. Let's just pray that she is too. She has been asleep for and hour and a half and so far, so good.
I will keep you posted!
I had my first baby-free trip in May. I wish I could say it was to some far-off exotic locale with spa treatments and Michelin Star restaurants but, sadly, no. It was to Wichita, Kansas for my cousin's wedding. Let me tell you, at this point after 6 months of interrupted night time sleep, I would have found a mattress under the freeway overpass to be heaven. So, the 2 nights of uninterrupted sleep (as well as the lovely wedding with family) made the trip so very worthwhile. And, I have turned into an old lady apparently. I used to relish the days of open-bar events. I now find myself saying, "I can't drink too much wine or I won't sleep well!" It is a wild moment when your parents stay out but you go back to the hotel to sleep. Oh how the times have changed!
I did miss my little gal like crazy and had these visions of an overwhelming happy little tyke when I got home. Reality was slightly anti-climactic. I guess you can't expect an Oscar caliber performance for a homecoming from a 6 month old. However, I did get a big smile so that worked for me.
We then took our first road trip to my hometown of Kansas City. Picture this, hubby, me, baby and 90 lb. lab plus a week's worth of luggage and one enormous dog bed crammed into the 4-Runner driving down the highway. If anyone spotted us on the road they probably thought we were evacuating from somewhere. Sophie did so great on the trip and it was awesome to have her home. We did learn some lessons however: 1-An 8 hour trip to KC takes approximately 9 1/2 hours with a 6 month old
2-There is nothing more frightening on this Earth to Sophie than the jet-engined powered hand dryers found at major McDonald's rest stops along I-35.
3-You get alot of dirty looks from a lot of scary looking people when trying to change your screaming child's diaper in the restrooms of such rest stops as she is reeling from the terror of the hand dryers.
4-You decide that it is just better for everyone to change your child's diaper in the car for the remainder of the trip.
5-It is NOT a good idea to introduce peas to your 6 month old while on vacation. She didn't like them and they didn't like her (as judged from the 4 nasty diaper changes necessary on the ride home to Dallas!)
Finally, tonight is the first night of no night time swaddling. In the past month the swaddle has become the bane of my existence. My child has been breaking out of it like the Hulk but then turns into a crying mess without it. Since she really can't have it both ways we began no-swaddle naps. After a rocky beginning she finally seemed to handle it and possibly prefer it. So, tonight is the big test. Last night was a comedy of errors at best. It reminded me an old "I Love Lucy" style comedic routine. Baby breaks out of swaddle about 4 times before folks go to bed. Mom (me), goes in and re-swaddles baby. After 4th time mom says, "No more! Let's just let her be." Folks turn out lights. 5 minutes later baby starts crying. Mom goes in and re-swaddles, baby appears to be asleep, mom goes back into bedroom, looks at monitor, baby is free again and awake. Now repeat this 4 times in a row with no break and you will get a taste of the fun I had last night. I am officially OVER the swaddle. Let's just pray that she is too. She has been asleep for and hour and a half and so far, so good.
I will keep you posted!
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