I’d like to say that Little Miss was screaming Happy Friday from the rooftops, or that she adores mommy, but it was in fact a mini meltdown. Boy does my kid have some lungs on her!
Happy Friday everyone! Have a good weekend!
Happy Friday!
Sleeping like a baby…
So another week has come and gone. Honestly, I have no idea where it goes, half the time I don’t even know what day it is. Feedings, diapers changes, bath times, bottle sterilization, laundry, tummy time, play time, limited nap time and some sleep is how the days are primarily spent. I was telling someone yesterday how I was able to manage a team of people, read/handle/respond to on average 300 emails a day, work for 14-16 hours, travelled via planes, trains and automobiles and yet was never as exhausted as I am how. It is true when they say a mother’s job is never done. How do all of you who have more than one kid do it?!?
On a sad note we had to say goodbye to our newborn clothes already. Little Miss is just too long and as she was kicking and doing her daily leg lifts it was not comfortable. I was hoping to get more than 5 weeks out of the clothes but what can you do? Hello 3 month outfits! And what is it with all of the sizing variances? I want to know if boys clothes vary this much or is it just girls? How can a 3 month onesie vary by 2 inches on the length? This is before I washed it so no shrinking was involved 🙂 I’ve starter to measure clothes at this point as I organize them in the closet because I realize that “objects may seem smaller than they appear.”
I leave you with a quote I read last week which was, “sleeping like a baby should be changed to sleeping with a warthog.” A couple of months ago I wouldn’t have any idea what that meant, today I agree 100%.
Where did a month go?!?
I can’t believe that my baby is one month old today. Seriously where did a month go?!? When people first found out I was pregnant they would say make sure to tell me to cherish those first few months. I am now looking back and thinking of all of the firsts.
Her first smile, gripping of our fingers, the first carriage ride around the block, doctor’s visit and all those noises in the middle of the night that give comfort to a mom that her baby is still alive–I know you guys did this too. Then there are the other firsts. I’ve been spit on, puked on, peed on and pooped on. We had our first poopy explosion when we went to grandma’s house and the ever prepared mom that I thought I was failed! Who knew a kid could blow through a travel pack of wipes with one poop? After being in sleepers for most of her life, this mom forgot to pack socks for the cute two piece back up outfit she had packed. Good thing grandma lives close and mom went back to get socks, another back up outfit and more wipes. From each first we learned and grew. I say we because I think hubby and I did just as much as the little one.
So this morning we sang Happy Birthday to our one month old. Mommy and Daddy love you to the moon and back! We can’t wait to see what the next month holds for us.
xo
Emotional Roller Coaster
I was one of those women who didn’t want to read about everything that was going to happen to me but rather I wanted to experience it. So no I didn’t read Dr. Spock or What to Expect When You’re Expecting. I didn’t Google birth stories or ‘how much does labour really hurt?’ Everyone had said how amazing being a mother was gong to be and how special of a bond you have with your child, something that is unexplainable but you will know it once you live it.
In all of my conversations with other mamas the one thing that no one mentioned was the emotions you have. I get it hormones are out of whack. My body is still trying to recover from what it went through or as I joke from what happened to it. But really how can you be fine one minute and not fine the next? Yes I am sleep deprived and I know that is playing a role but really you have so much love for this tiny creature that at times you feel helpless. They can’t communicate with you other than to cry and sometimes when the ‘witching hours’ are upon us that crying can be a lot.
I read an article today about babies with colic and it read that, “some doctors define it by the rule of threes: three hours of crying at a time, at least three times a week, for at least three weeks in a row — usually starting between the third and sixth week of life.” I can’t imagine listening to three hours of crying. My baby cries for 30-40 minutes and I feel helpless…I admit it. As someone who loves to be in control it isn’t easy to admit that. I worked with a coach whose motto was, “get comfortable being uncomfortable” who knew that would be so fitting when it came to parenting.
I’d like to thank my hubby for making my first Mother’s Day a great one! Spending the day with him and our baby was perfect 🙂
Things aren’t what they used to be
So it took three different tries to get Little Miss in her car seat today. We had two complete meltdowns, like screaming bloody murder meltdowns. The third time was the charm and her daddy and I were able to get her in the seat with only a few tears. Needless to say she was asleep before we left the driveway.
Stop number one was the all important coffee run. We made it to the Starbucks drive-thru where mom had been looking forward to a coffee all day. Unfortunately there were ten cars in front of us and so daddy decided to go inside. There were 15 people in line inside and so mommy didn’t get caffeine today, oh well, c’est la vie.
Stop number two was Walmart. Yes I know it is crazy to go to Walmart any day but a Saturday afternoon, what could I do it had to be done. The drive to Walmart was good as was her first carriage ride. A few cries as we were at the cash register but again she was asleep before we left the store. Other than mommy’s baby brain forgetting one of the things we specifically went out for, the trip was a success.
The drive home was uneventful as was the transition into the house. It is amazing how things have changed. Now we leave with a car seat and at least one bag if not two. Today the carriage had to be put in the car as well. Oh and mommy went out with her hair up in a clip, no makeup on and at least two spit up stains on the second shirt of the day. Having gotten very little sleep last night I was hoping someone would say something. I know for me things aren’t what they used to be but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Silver and Gold
One of the things I didn’t realize was a tradition until I had a child was the way that Greeks choose to ‘asimoso to paidi’, which means ‘to silver the child’. People began to visit my child and along with the very generous gifts they brought they showered the child with money. Always a coin (either silver or gold) along with whatever denomination the visitor chose to give. I asked my husband about this as I recalled he got a rare coin for my Godson during our first visit and as well, my nephew. I thought it might have just been his part of Greece until my dad did it when he met my daughter for the first time. So then I did some research and found that this is customary for Greeks and Greeks of the diaspora. Along with silver or gold coins, many people give gifts to ward off the evil eye. These come in the form of a mati or a filaxto.
Being a mother who believes in the evil eye, I can only say I am very grateful for these individuals for giving my child these keepsakes that no doubt she will have her whole life.
My little one is very lucky to be surrounded by such generous people. And her mommy is happy that she learned one of what will certainly be many lessons. Have you visited a child and ‘to asimoses’? Do you have a gift of choice you go to? Share with us!
Yes I’m writing about pee and poo
So baby had her second visit to the doctor today. The first visit was 2 days post discharge from the hospital and the second a week from that. I have to say I’m proud of my little girl for not only putting on her birth weight but then some. For a new mom, who I hate to admit questions lots of things, it is comforting that we’re doing this right.
So my question of the day is how much peeing and pooing is enough? My little one hasn’t pooed in over 24 hours. I asked the doctor, after having Googled this for hours, and he said that not all kids have to go everyday. As long as they are peeing and eating and their stomach isn’t hard then you’re okay. Who knew?!? When we left the hospital we were given a chart that the baby should follow. What happens when your child does not fall on the chart? Where can a parent turn? Hopefully this will serve as a place for you to turn. Hey I admit I don’t have all the answers but I promise to share what I find out as I go along.