But not just long in the good way. Long in the exhausting way as well.
The good news, is the house looks great from the outside. We weeded, trimmed, mulched, sprayed, and overall spruced up the outdoors. It looks roughly 1,000 times better than it did before.
More good news, thank goodness we had today off as well. Shew!
Bad news, Karson has his first ear infection. He's had the sniffles for a few days, but as always, he was still a smiling, happy, active baby. But then he started a mild fever Friday evening, and Friday night...was a very restless unhappy guy. Saturday AM we spoke with his doctor's answering service, and upon further discussion went ahead and took a trip to the ER. Ear infections! He remained fussy all day Saturday and all night Saturday night. It was so pitiful to see him hurting, and unfortunately, I heard a new cry from him. One I wish I didn't know...his "I don't feel good" cry. Such a stark contrast from his usually happy self.
Back to the good news, he's on upswing. His fever has broken, and he seems to be slightly more comfortable. He drank his first full bottle earlier this afternoon, and as of now, is resting peacefully in his own bed again. (To be determined if he'll spend the night there...) He's even slipped a few smiles in today.
More good news, we are thankful to have had no damage to the house despite multiple instances of damage nearby us. We got power back on Friday evening, and have had it ever since. And despite losing roughly $300 worth of food, and even a few ruined bags of breastmilk, (screams in frustration!) and despite some damage to the airplane...it's hard to complain when you see articles about the poor people of Joplin. We are very fortunate, and our prayers for them continue.
And on that note, I'm going to take advantage of a functioning air conditioner and a sleeping baby, and get some much needed shut eye.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Things I wish I had known about pregnancy:
This is in honor of a sweet friend who is carrying her first. Good luck and enjoy this special time!
**********
Things I wish I had known about pregnancy:
That when people say "sleep all you can now"...they mean it. I never quite found time to nap often. Then I hit the can't sleep at night phase. Then I went in to labor at 2:00 am. Then I breastfed and took care of all night time feedings. Even when Karson starting sleeping through the night, I sometimes still got up to pump in the middle of the night, and my morning routine now starts at 5:15...unless he gets up earlier. Could I have stockpiled sleep so I would be better rested now? No. But I am jealous of the pregnant gal who not only had an excuse to snooze, but had plenty of time to do so and just didn't realize it.
That losing control over when you sleep, eat, and pee because of this special new guest...is excellent practice for the flexibility in your life that will soon be required.
That you should love your prepregnancy/first trimester body. You may never see it again.
That you should also love your pregnancy body. It's a special time, and carrying life is a beautiful thing. Also...when else can you be fat and have people say "awww"?
That everyone knows everything about pregnancy, and wants to tell you. (Guilty!) You know you can't sleep on your back, right? Have you been talking to your baby? Should you be eating that? Argh! It can be overwhelming! Just know that those busy bees are mamas who can't help but try to mother you through this process too. They mean well, even if they drive you nuts.
That eating "for two"...while fun at the time...is a bad idea. You don't actually need 4,000 calories, no matter how irresistible cheese fries and root beer floats become.
That you WILL be ok, as will your baby. I googled, read, and wondered way too much. Pregnancy is stressful enough without having a panic fit when someone scolds you for eating a ham sandwich once, or for drinking something with yellow 5 in it. What? You're probably just glad to find something that doesn't make you heave! Make educated decisions, and do your best. Then try to relax a little!
That you can love someone so much it hurts, before you even meet them.
That you'll let go of any privacy issues/inhibitions you have. Anyone who wants to touch your belly will. You'll find yourself discussing bodily functions with complete strangers. You'll be "checked" and on display more than any of us care to think about. Then the baby arrives, and you'll find yourself nursing in front of people when you swore you never would, and much to the dismay of anyone who has to listen to you...you'll be obsessed with poop. It happens to the best of us.
That staring at your belly will become the most fascinating experience you've ever had. And despite the fact that those sweet kicks eventually become painful at times, and even keep you up at night...you'll miss that feeling.
That you should have never said "My kid won't..." You don't know. He just might. I didn't plan for my kid to use a pacifier. Nor did I think we would leave the house with dried boogers, return home with no pants due to a diaper failure, borrow a bottle from a cousin at a restaurant, let him stare at the light box (ok, TV) so I can pee in peace. And we still have a long way to go! My guess is the parent of that kid throwing a tantrum in aisle 2 used to judge the bad kids in the grocery store too. Don't judge. Don't say never. Just wait...your day in aisle 2 is coming.
That 9 months can last 2 years.
And most importantly...that it's totally worth it. Whatever your "cons" are...excessive weight gain, sleepless nights, swollen feet, puffy face, hemorrhoids, weird diet restrictions, stretch marks...or any combination thereof...it's absolutely without a doubt worth it. Worth it when you feel those tiny flutters for the first time. Worth it when you see that healthy growing baby on the ultrasound, and hear that beautiful heart beat. Worth it...when you finally get to meet the special invader, and look in to the eyes of your first, true love.
**********
Things I wish I had known about pregnancy:
That when people say "sleep all you can now"...they mean it. I never quite found time to nap often. Then I hit the can't sleep at night phase. Then I went in to labor at 2:00 am. Then I breastfed and took care of all night time feedings. Even when Karson starting sleeping through the night, I sometimes still got up to pump in the middle of the night, and my morning routine now starts at 5:15...unless he gets up earlier. Could I have stockpiled sleep so I would be better rested now? No. But I am jealous of the pregnant gal who not only had an excuse to snooze, but had plenty of time to do so and just didn't realize it.
That losing control over when you sleep, eat, and pee because of this special new guest...is excellent practice for the flexibility in your life that will soon be required.
That you should love your prepregnancy/first trimester body. You may never see it again.
That you should also love your pregnancy body. It's a special time, and carrying life is a beautiful thing. Also...when else can you be fat and have people say "awww"?
That everyone knows everything about pregnancy, and wants to tell you. (Guilty!) You know you can't sleep on your back, right? Have you been talking to your baby? Should you be eating that? Argh! It can be overwhelming! Just know that those busy bees are mamas who can't help but try to mother you through this process too. They mean well, even if they drive you nuts.
That eating "for two"...while fun at the time...is a bad idea. You don't actually need 4,000 calories, no matter how irresistible cheese fries and root beer floats become.
That you WILL be ok, as will your baby. I googled, read, and wondered way too much. Pregnancy is stressful enough without having a panic fit when someone scolds you for eating a ham sandwich once, or for drinking something with yellow 5 in it. What? You're probably just glad to find something that doesn't make you heave! Make educated decisions, and do your best. Then try to relax a little!
That you can love someone so much it hurts, before you even meet them.
That you'll let go of any privacy issues/inhibitions you have. Anyone who wants to touch your belly will. You'll find yourself discussing bodily functions with complete strangers. You'll be "checked" and on display more than any of us care to think about. Then the baby arrives, and you'll find yourself nursing in front of people when you swore you never would, and much to the dismay of anyone who has to listen to you...you'll be obsessed with poop. It happens to the best of us.
That staring at your belly will become the most fascinating experience you've ever had. And despite the fact that those sweet kicks eventually become painful at times, and even keep you up at night...you'll miss that feeling.
That you should have never said "My kid won't..." You don't know. He just might. I didn't plan for my kid to use a pacifier. Nor did I think we would leave the house with dried boogers, return home with no pants due to a diaper failure, borrow a bottle from a cousin at a restaurant, let him stare at the light box (ok, TV) so I can pee in peace. And we still have a long way to go! My guess is the parent of that kid throwing a tantrum in aisle 2 used to judge the bad kids in the grocery store too. Don't judge. Don't say never. Just wait...your day in aisle 2 is coming.
That 9 months can last 2 years.
And most importantly...that it's totally worth it. Whatever your "cons" are...excessive weight gain, sleepless nights, swollen feet, puffy face, hemorrhoids, weird diet restrictions, stretch marks...or any combination thereof...it's absolutely without a doubt worth it. Worth it when you feel those tiny flutters for the first time. Worth it when you see that healthy growing baby on the ultrasound, and hear that beautiful heart beat. Worth it...when you finally get to meet the special invader, and look in to the eyes of your first, true love.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Today I was...
My baby is not only the youngest at his day care. (Ouch)
He's the first one dropped off.
AND...
He's the last one picked up. (Double Ouch)
I picture his big blue eyes looking around and wondering where his mama is. The good news is he seemed to handle day 1 well. When I picked him up (did I mention he was the last kid there?) he was all smiles, and on his little daily update card, his check box said "today I was...Happy".
Thankful for that...
He's the first one dropped off.
AND...
He's the last one picked up. (Double Ouch)
I picture his big blue eyes looking around and wondering where his mama is. The good news is he seemed to handle day 1 well. When I picked him up (did I mention he was the last kid there?) he was all smiles, and on his little daily update card, his check box said "today I was...Happy".
Thankful for that...
Sunday, May 22, 2011
He'll be fine. He'll be fine. He'll be fine.
I've said, thought, or heard that at least 1,000 times in the past 48 hours. Nonetheless, the realization that Karson will be in day care starting on Monday isn't going down too well.
Honestly...I DO think he'll be fine. He'll certainly handle it better than I will. He's proven over the last few weeks to adapt well to new hands. But these new hands...they aren't mine. And they aren't Nana's. They aren't Mima's. They are someone new. Someone unknown. Someone who has other kids to fuss over, and Karson is just one more head. That doesn't mean they won't be fantastic hands. But it also means I'll worry, and wonder, and pray.
Selfish me hopes he's their favorite. And realistic me...knows he will be. ;-)
Honestly...I DO think he'll be fine. He'll certainly handle it better than I will. He's proven over the last few weeks to adapt well to new hands. But these new hands...they aren't mine. And they aren't Nana's. They aren't Mima's. They are someone new. Someone unknown. Someone who has other kids to fuss over, and Karson is just one more head. That doesn't mean they won't be fantastic hands. But it also means I'll worry, and wonder, and pray.
Selfish me hopes he's their favorite. And realistic me...knows he will be. ;-)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Three Months!
Karson is three months (and six days) old!
This has been a busy month! Here are some facts about three month old Karson:
Karson's three month pics were taken while camping near Yosemite National Park. Here's the picture with a travel monkey standing in! (Thanks Aunt Devon!)
This has been a busy month! Here are some facts about three month old Karson:
- At his last official measurement he was 13 lb 10.5 oz, and 25 1/4 inches long. But based on his most recent at home weigh in...I would guess he is up to 14 lb 10 oz!
- He still eats well, plays hard, and sleeps well. The bedtime routine starts around 9:00 ish, and he usually sleeps past 4 am. Last night he slept from 10:30-6:00!
- He has the most beautiful clear blue eyes.
- His hair appears to be light brown, and is finally starting to form a patch on top. Although it is now disappearing in the back. :-) Poor bald little fella!
- I've hung on to size one diapers a little too long. We're switching to size two. I'm also in the process of putting away the 0-3 and transitioning to 3-6 month clothes. Mostly, he's getting too long for the 0-3 PJ's.
- He still loves his swing, bouncy seat, and floor play gym. He's getting better at reaching and grasping, and achieved the following things in the past few weeks: removing and replacing the pacifier in his mouth, putting toys to his mouth to chew/(slobber) on, semi holding his own bottle, holding his head up for longer spurts, and cooing/gooing like crazy.
- He doesn't "laugh" per say yet, but he does smile out loud. That make sense if you've heard it. :-D
- He took his first over night trip to KY for Easter. He then took a LONG trip through 11 states and handled traveling/camping sooo well!!
Karson's three month pics were taken while camping near Yosemite National Park. Here's the picture with a travel monkey standing in! (Thanks Aunt Devon!)
And here's the three month photo shoot! He continues to play shy around a camera. Not only am I having a hard time getting his smiles on camera, his cooing/talking has been nearly impossible to catch on video. Hopefully I'll have a good video to upload soon!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Throwback Thursday
This time last year...
I was in between jobs, waiting for my upcoming start date with a new industry.
We were not yet pregnant.
We were in New Orleans. We watched the derby in a Casino, ate charbroiled Oysters at Drago's, walked Bourbon Street, went on swamp and ghost tours, and soaked up some of our last days as a family of two...(we just had no idea how soon that would be changing!)
I was in between jobs, waiting for my upcoming start date with a new industry.
We were not yet pregnant.
We were in New Orleans. We watched the derby in a Casino, ate charbroiled Oysters at Drago's, walked Bourbon Street, went on swamp and ghost tours, and soaked up some of our last days as a family of two...(we just had no idea how soon that would be changing!)
 |
| Yum! |
 |
| Ghost Tour! |
 |
| Dinner by the water. |
 |
| With "Elvis" |
Bueller....Bueller
Ok, I've been a little...shall we say...absent. Sorry about that.
I can explain, I really can!
I've been spending every spare minute with this guy! Karson and have an extra special three week stint together. And it's hard for me to find things that seem more important than soaking up every second with him that I can. That includes blogging. It also includes cleaning, laundry, etc. (whoops).
Anyway, we're still here and doing great! Karson will be THREE MONTHS OLD soon. So I'll give you a more complete update then. But he's doing great, and growing like a weed! I keep waiting for a "laugh" to come out any minute. When he "talks" and smiles and coos...he's so close!
My current favorite moment is going in to get him out of bed, and listening to him coooo and talk like crazy. I keep wondering...what is he saying? And WHO is he talking to? I've tried more than once to capture it on video, but he has this uncanny ability to stop whatever he's doing when a camera is out.
The photo above is from a mini mother's day celebration the three of us had. I got a new, extra special necklace with Karson's birthstone. The biggest present? A healthy, happy, baby boy!
I can explain, I really can!
I've been spending every spare minute with this guy! Karson and have an extra special three week stint together. And it's hard for me to find things that seem more important than soaking up every second with him that I can. That includes blogging. It also includes cleaning, laundry, etc. (whoops).
Anyway, we're still here and doing great! Karson will be THREE MONTHS OLD soon. So I'll give you a more complete update then. But he's doing great, and growing like a weed! I keep waiting for a "laugh" to come out any minute. When he "talks" and smiles and coos...he's so close!
My current favorite moment is going in to get him out of bed, and listening to him coooo and talk like crazy. I keep wondering...what is he saying? And WHO is he talking to? I've tried more than once to capture it on video, but he has this uncanny ability to stop whatever he's doing when a camera is out.
The photo above is from a mini mother's day celebration the three of us had. I got a new, extra special necklace with Karson's birthstone. The biggest present? A healthy, happy, baby boy!
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