I have all these ideas about things I want to write about. Things I want to say. Get off my chest. The ideas overfloweth so to speak.
But, I'm also trying to find that delicate balance in life. The life where there are only 24hours in a day and at least 28 hours of things to do.
I have to get back to reading Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves. I really like the ideas in it. It closely mirrors some things my counselor and I have been talking about when we discuss parenting issues. It's due back at the library tomorrow and it's likely I'm going to have to donate to the library and keep it for an extra day or so. You know, donate my late fee.
I'll leave you with this quote I read as I was waiting at the chiropractor's office this afternoon:
"People with great passions, people who accomplish great deeds, people who possess strong feelings, people with great minds and a strong personality rarely come from good little boys and girls." -- L.S. Vygotsky (from aforementioned book)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Babywearing Guest Post at Natural Parents Network
I am super excited to let you know that I have a guest post over at my favorite website, Natural Parents Network, today. If you haven't checked out NPN, then you are really missing out.
When I heard they were looking for a guest post on Using Nurturing Touch, I knew I wanted to write about babywearing. If you know me, you know I'm big on babywearing. I'm sure it has made our last year much, much easier than it could've been. I don't blog about it as much as I should, but there isn't a day that goes by where we don't wear Bubby, even now at one year old.
So, grab a cup of coffee, read up, and join the discussion at Natural Parents Network.
Babywearing: More than the logical choice
When I heard they were looking for a guest post on Using Nurturing Touch, I knew I wanted to write about babywearing. If you know me, you know I'm big on babywearing. I'm sure it has made our last year much, much easier than it could've been. I don't blog about it as much as I should, but there isn't a day that goes by where we don't wear Bubby, even now at one year old.
So, grab a cup of coffee, read up, and join the discussion at Natural Parents Network.
Babywearing: More than the logical choice
Menu Plan Monday: 03/28
Well, our first week back in to menu planning went pretty well. The weather was nicer than expected a few days so we barbecued. And we ended up making breakfast for dinner one night as Bubby's well check exam ran into our usual dinnertime. We also ended up going out to eat one night with my sister. And, somehow, our leftovers never seem to make it around for Leftover Buffet -- I don't know if it's that Beanie is eating more, I always eat leftovers for lunch, or what.
We didn't make the chicken enchiladas last week, but we ended up making them tonight. I've found that gluten-free tortillas just don't roll up quite as nicely (or really at all) as their gluten counterparts. It's somewhat frustrating trying to eat a taco or enchilada or what-have-you and have it crumbling apart before your eyes. Tonight I decided that instead of making my enchiladas the usual way that I would just layer the tortillas, chicken, sauce and olives into a dish. It worked out pretty well!
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| Deconstructed Enchiladas. Forgive the cell phone pic. |
Sunday: Chicken Enchiladas
Monday: Whole Chicken (in the crockpot)
Tuesday: Stuffed Peppers
Wednesday: Leftover Buffet
Thursday: Broccoli Beef
Friday: Stir Fry (with coconut aminos sauce)
Saturday: BBQ ??? (I'm holding out hope for nice weather sometime this week!)
I'm linked up an I'm an Organizing Junkie so click on over for more menu planning ideas.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"Who is this?"
Who is this person taking me away from my family?
I don't even know him.
I'm here. Alone. With him.
He's crying. What do I do?
I know he's mine, but I don't even know who he is.
I've gone over these thoughts over and over in my head since my counselor asked me what I remembered about my immediate post-partum experience. At the time, nearly four months ago, I told her that I remember feeling relieved that Glenn had three weeks off work, that we had time to adapt to being a family of four, that it was so much nicer than when he had to go back to work the night we came home with Beanie.
And then I thought about it some more. Bubby was born at 3:43 A.M. Sometime before six my sister (who was staying with Beanie) called Glenn's phone. Glenn was asleep while I was sitting there holding Bubby. I answered the phone; we had told my sister to call if there were problems. Beanie was hysterical. She hadn't slept well and my sister couldn't get her to go back to sleep. She was crying, saying she wanted me, saying she needed me, she couldn't sleep. She missed me. Oh, I missed her too. I woke Glenn up and told him to go home.
Then I sat there alone with my new son. I was anxious. I cried. I called the nurse for help with diaper changes, burping him, calming him, everything. I wanted to know Beanie was okay. I wanted Glenn there with me. I knew we were a family of four now and we had to take care of both our children, but I so wanted to be with the family I knew. This little guy? Who was he?
I worked to remember the nuances of nursing a newborn. I looked at my son and marveled at how much he looked like his sister. How he was smaller than I thought he would be. How he had blonde hair and blue eyes just like his sister. I held him and cuddled him. But, who was he? I didn't know him and I was entirely responsible for him?
I made the decision not to be discharged later that day, to wait until the next morning. I don't know if it was the right decision, but it sure seemed like it at the time. We had been up for over 24 hours when Bubby was born and I hadn't slept much after his birth either. I felt like one more night at the hospital might be a good idea. Looking back, things were so much easier when I was able to come home and be with my family, my whole family. I wonder if we would have been better served coming home that same day. Surely there were no complications to keep us there.
That night was difficult as well. It was quiet, just me and Bubby. Glenn and Beanie had stayed most of the day, some family had come to visit, my sister came again later that night. But, as it was dark and evening fell it was just Bubby and I. I was alone with this little person I barely knew.
I felt really bad about all this until a friend commented on my Life Lessons from my Children post that she hadn't felt love at first sight either. It clicked that it was okay I didn't feel this immediate connection with Bubby. Of course, our attachment has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year.
I wonder how things would have been different if I'd given birth at a birth center, had a home birth, etc. If I'd gone home the day he was born. If...if....if. I know I'll never know. I'm not sure it matters. In fact, I'm sure it doesn't. I love my son and I can't imagine life without him. And I'm learning to accept that it's okay it wasn't love at first sight.
I don't even know him.
I'm here. Alone. With him.
He's crying. What do I do?
I know he's mine, but I don't even know who he is.
I've gone over these thoughts over and over in my head since my counselor asked me what I remembered about my immediate post-partum experience. At the time, nearly four months ago, I told her that I remember feeling relieved that Glenn had three weeks off work, that we had time to adapt to being a family of four, that it was so much nicer than when he had to go back to work the night we came home with Beanie.
And then I thought about it some more. Bubby was born at 3:43 A.M. Sometime before six my sister (who was staying with Beanie) called Glenn's phone. Glenn was asleep while I was sitting there holding Bubby. I answered the phone; we had told my sister to call if there were problems. Beanie was hysterical. She hadn't slept well and my sister couldn't get her to go back to sleep. She was crying, saying she wanted me, saying she needed me, she couldn't sleep. She missed me. Oh, I missed her too. I woke Glenn up and told him to go home.
Then I sat there alone with my new son. I was anxious. I cried. I called the nurse for help with diaper changes, burping him, calming him, everything. I wanted to know Beanie was okay. I wanted Glenn there with me. I knew we were a family of four now and we had to take care of both our children, but I so wanted to be with the family I knew. This little guy? Who was he?
I worked to remember the nuances of nursing a newborn. I looked at my son and marveled at how much he looked like his sister. How he was smaller than I thought he would be. How he had blonde hair and blue eyes just like his sister. I held him and cuddled him. But, who was he? I didn't know him and I was entirely responsible for him?
I made the decision not to be discharged later that day, to wait until the next morning. I don't know if it was the right decision, but it sure seemed like it at the time. We had been up for over 24 hours when Bubby was born and I hadn't slept much after his birth either. I felt like one more night at the hospital might be a good idea. Looking back, things were so much easier when I was able to come home and be with my family, my whole family. I wonder if we would have been better served coming home that same day. Surely there were no complications to keep us there.
That night was difficult as well. It was quiet, just me and Bubby. Glenn and Beanie had stayed most of the day, some family had come to visit, my sister came again later that night. But, as it was dark and evening fell it was just Bubby and I. I was alone with this little person I barely knew.
I felt really bad about all this until a friend commented on my Life Lessons from my Children post that she hadn't felt love at first sight either. It clicked that it was okay I didn't feel this immediate connection with Bubby. Of course, our attachment has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year.
I wonder how things would have been different if I'd given birth at a birth center, had a home birth, etc. If I'd gone home the day he was born. If...if....if. I know I'll never know. I'm not sure it matters. In fact, I'm sure it doesn't. I love my son and I can't imagine life without him. And I'm learning to accept that it's okay it wasn't love at first sight.
Sunday Surf: March 27
- A reminder from the Hippy Housewife to Beware of the Baby Trainers.
- In case you missed it, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendation on car seats.
- If you have questions or think the new AAP recommendations on rear-facing carseats until age 2 are too much (they aren't!), read Rear-Facing Until 2 Years Old: Why Not? And, for what it's worth, Beanie rode rear-facing until she was over 2 1/2 and she's so tall she was the height of an average four year old then. Your child is not too tall to ride rear-facing.
- Sheila at A Gift Universe wrote this well thought out and informative post on Food Sensitivities.
- Interesting article that doesn't weigh in on whether or not people should be religious, it just looks at mathematical models that point to the idea that Organized Religion 'will be driven toward extinction' in 9 countries.
- Catherine Deveny writes that all children need is to know they are loved.
- Lauren at Hobo Mama wrote a guest post about preparing an older sibling for a new birth at PhD in Parenting.
- Mamapoekie talks about spring cleaning in cyberspace, something I think is a great idea.
- Read Ina May Gaskin's Vision for the future of maternal health care in America.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Now What?
Bubby had his one year well check on Wednesday. Everything looked great! He was 21lb 13oz, so he's gained quite nicely mostly all on breastmilk. He still only eats the smallest pieces of food (think crumb-sized), but he is doing better with textures so we just need to keep plugging away with solid foods. I'm not really worried about it, but it is sometimes hard to see other little babies eating anything and everything in sight and see little Bubby gagging on a piece of quinoa. But, now he eats avocado, chicken, shredded apple, rice, banana, Rice Krispies -- lots of different textures so we just keep on working with things. For awhile I was wondering if we'd be looking at feeding therapy in our future so it's a good sign that he seems to be doing better.
We talked with our pediatrician about Bubby's food intolerances. She said that because his issues are largely gastrointestinal (if not entirely, he may have had some hives with soy but we are not sure they were related) there really isn't any testing we can do at this point. I want to look into that a bit further because I have friends who have had testing done by their naturopath. At this point, I wonder how accurate they really would be anyway since Bubby has never consumed the food that he reacts to. Our pediatrician encouraged trying the usual suspects again and seeing how he reacts. I'm just not sure. I don't see the harm in waiting longer. I plan on nursing for quite a while still, so there isn't any hurry (or need) for him to have cow's milk. We both seem to feel better not eating wheat. The soy is kind of a pain in the butt to worry about because it's in everything, but since we eat basically whole unprocessed foods now it's not as much of a concern. I just feel like we're in a good place now and why mess up a good thing?
Glenn and I have to chat about it some more. He leans toward trying soy, which is the one allergen we haven't re-introduced since the main elimination diet. I'm leary. When we initially reintroduced soy during the elimination diet we didn't think he had a problem. Weeks passed and then we noticed that he was getting hives and his gastrointestinal problems were back. I re-eliminated soy and both problems went away. I haven't touched soy (in any form) until very recently when I started taking some vitamins that had soy lecithin in them. My counselor thought it was important to start up with my vitamins (along with added Vitamin D and Omega 3s) and I figured the benefits outweighed the negatives right now. He hasn't shown any signs of a problem with it, so that's good. I think if we're reintroducing soy I have plans to go to my favorite Thai restaurant.
I don't know. I'm a bit rambly as this is weighing on my mind.
We talked with our pediatrician about Bubby's food intolerances. She said that because his issues are largely gastrointestinal (if not entirely, he may have had some hives with soy but we are not sure they were related) there really isn't any testing we can do at this point. I want to look into that a bit further because I have friends who have had testing done by their naturopath. At this point, I wonder how accurate they really would be anyway since Bubby has never consumed the food that he reacts to. Our pediatrician encouraged trying the usual suspects again and seeing how he reacts. I'm just not sure. I don't see the harm in waiting longer. I plan on nursing for quite a while still, so there isn't any hurry (or need) for him to have cow's milk. We both seem to feel better not eating wheat. The soy is kind of a pain in the butt to worry about because it's in everything, but since we eat basically whole unprocessed foods now it's not as much of a concern. I just feel like we're in a good place now and why mess up a good thing?
Glenn and I have to chat about it some more. He leans toward trying soy, which is the one allergen we haven't re-introduced since the main elimination diet. I'm leary. When we initially reintroduced soy during the elimination diet we didn't think he had a problem. Weeks passed and then we noticed that he was getting hives and his gastrointestinal problems were back. I re-eliminated soy and both problems went away. I haven't touched soy (in any form) until very recently when I started taking some vitamins that had soy lecithin in them. My counselor thought it was important to start up with my vitamins (along with added Vitamin D and Omega 3s) and I figured the benefits outweighed the negatives right now. He hasn't shown any signs of a problem with it, so that's good. I think if we're reintroducing soy I have plans to go to my favorite Thai restaurant.
I don't know. I'm a bit rambly as this is weighing on my mind.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: Discovering Clarabelle
When we go to get Beanie's haircut she asks about "Clarabelle." I wasn't sure what she was talking about; I thought maybe she had named one of the animal rides (they have lots of coin-operated rides at the little mall we go to) Clarabelle. Last week we headed to the zoo and, as we walked through the gate, she exclaimed, "A big Clarabelle!!!"
Ah, Clarabelle was Beanie-speak for carousel.
Mystery solved.
I'm linked up at Natural Parents Network, Hobo Mama, and Accustomed Chaos so click on over for more Wordless Wednesday posts.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Today.
In the last 24 hours I've cleaned vomit off of my shoes, Glenn's shoes, and Beanie's shoes. The driveway. The car. Changed the sheets. Changed four vomity outfits. Combed vomit out of hair. Been sneezed on. Been spit up on. Changed poopy pants and poopy diapers. Done extra laundry and then some. Nursed a cranky one-year old off and on for nearly two hours straight while he fought falling asleep, kicked at me, pulled my hair, practiced nursing acrobatics, kept his sister awake and woke his dad up twice (or was it three times).
But, you know what? I also watched my son take his first steps. I held my daughter as she snuggled up next to me and fell asleep on the couch.
And those two things more than made up for all that other junk. Well, those two things and a hot shower.
Motherhood. You win some; you lose some.
But, you know what? I also watched my son take his first steps. I held my daughter as she snuggled up next to me and fell asleep on the couch.
And those two things more than made up for all that other junk. Well, those two things and a hot shower.
Motherhood. You win some; you lose some.
Menu Plan Monday: March 21
I really need to get back in to menu planning. It saves us time, stress, money, etc. So, we're giving it a shot this week after being kind of lackadaisical about it lately.
All menus are wheat-free, dairy-free and soy-free, or easily adapted to be.
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| Indonesian Chicken |
Sunday: Kielbasa, red peppers and potatoes
Monday: Indonesian Chicken (I use balsamic vinegar + a dab of molasses or Coconut Aminos to make it soy free)
Tuesday: Stuffed Peppers
Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas
Thursday: :Leftover Buffet
Friday: La Bamba Casserole
Saturday: Bean Soup
Gourmet Bean Soup (totally stolen from the side of our bean container)
1lb dry bean blend (ours is a blend of beans, peas and lentils)
1lb turkey Italian sausage, sliced into 1" pieces (I want to try the recipe without this, but Glenn isn't too jazzed about that idea)
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 12oz can diced tomatoes
1 6oz can tomato sauce
1/4tsp hot red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves (I've always left these out)
1/4tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 Tbs olive oil
8c water or chicken stock (I always use chicken stock)
In a stock pot, saute onion and sausage in olive oil until sausage is lightly browned. Add garlic and bell peppers. Saute an additional two minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 2-3hours. Remove bay leaves. Glenn and Beanie top theirs with Parmesan cheese and eat with crusty bread. I think I'll get some bread from Wheatless in Seattle.
I'm linked up at I'm an Organizing Junkie so click on over for more menu planning ideas.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Talking About Death
Beanie usually watches a "night-night show" before bed, usually Kipper or Harold and the Purple Crayon. It gives me a chance to nurse Bubby down for bed and she loves her "night-night show."
One night this last week, I emerged from nursing Bubby down to find that she and Glenn has been discussing death. I wondered when this discussion would come up because one of the Harold episodes involves his pet goldfish dying. Luckily we haven't had to deal with any death here (knock on wood), but, of course, we knew it would come up sometime. Maybe nice to discuss it with a cartoon leading in to it instead of the death of a loved one, I don't know.
After she went to bed Glenn and I talked about it a little more. It's hard to explain death to a three year old. We both said we felt like it'd almost be easier to say, "Oh yes, you die but then you are surrounded by all your family and loved ones and you go to this great place...." But we don't believe that. You die. You live on in people's memories of you and in their hearts, but there isn't any place else for you to go.
I don't know. I don't really have any answers or anything of that nature. We're just trying to keep it age appropriate. I feel like I need to pick up Parenting Beyond Belief and give it another read. I guess I just thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone had any enlightening ideas for me.
One night this last week, I emerged from nursing Bubby down to find that she and Glenn has been discussing death. I wondered when this discussion would come up because one of the Harold episodes involves his pet goldfish dying. Luckily we haven't had to deal with any death here (knock on wood), but, of course, we knew it would come up sometime. Maybe nice to discuss it with a cartoon leading in to it instead of the death of a loved one, I don't know.
After she went to bed Glenn and I talked about it a little more. It's hard to explain death to a three year old. We both said we felt like it'd almost be easier to say, "Oh yes, you die but then you are surrounded by all your family and loved ones and you go to this great place...." But we don't believe that. You die. You live on in people's memories of you and in their hearts, but there isn't any place else for you to go.
I don't know. I don't really have any answers or anything of that nature. We're just trying to keep it age appropriate. I feel like I need to pick up Parenting Beyond Belief and give it another read. I guess I just thought I'd throw it out there and see if anyone had any enlightening ideas for me.
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