May 29th, 2010

Mom's Stuff:
At different points in my life I have done things that make me feel stronger and more independent, and which often involve a bit of risk (the one of the main one was moving out to the East Coast with no job and only really knowing one person out here). Some of the positive results of taking these risks is that I often feel more independent and stronger after the fact. I think it has to do with feeling like "hey, if I can do that, I can do anything!" With having a baby the actions that qualify as risks may seem silly. I remember that going to meet a friend for lunch with just LP and myself when he was four weeks old seemed like the biggest deal in the world. But after we made it through without catastrophe I started to feel way more confident about taking him out in the world. This week was a week full of such events. On Sunday I took LP on an airplane for the first time, just me and him. It was tiring for sure, but it went well. He was calm for the most part, probably calmer than me. Then we spent two days at my sister's place, without LP's swing or crib. LP adjusted very well, probably better than me. On our way back home, I was feeling both very happy to be home, but also a sense of accomplishment. Yes I was exhausted, and it has taken me a few days to really recover, but I did it. I figure if I can do that, I can do almost anything with LP on my own. And so today he and I went for a run with him in the jogging stroller. It was nothing compared to our plane trip, but it was something I had been putting off because I wasn't sure how it would go. But hey, after traveling by yourself with a baby, there is nothing you can't do!

LP's Stuff:
As mentioned above, LP had a very busy week with his traveling. He is also now sleeping without being swaddled, mostly because it has been warm and we want to get him used to it. So far, so good, although he did wake up at 2:30 the last two nights. He loved the jogging stroller this morning - his little legs were kicking up a storm, and he smiled at people as he ran by. However, his most impressive accomplishment this week was the way he rolled over. Now when I put him on his tummy he can roll over, although, to be honest, it looks a bit more like flopping over. But he loves it, and it is pretty fun to watch! No more leaving him sitting on the couch while I grab my breakfast though - sigh.

Pictures and Video:

May 15th 2010

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Mom's Stuff:
I thought I understood what compromise really means, but having a child is giving me a whole new perspective. On one hand I am making compromises left and right. The dishes are "clean enough." I'm finishing my master's but I'm not sure that the final product will be as good as it could have been under other circumstances. When I was preparing a presentation I realized that the wording on one of the slides would make more sense if it was changed, but that required me being able to go upstairs and work on the PC - a feat that I was not sure I could accomplish with LP awake in the mere 30 minutes I had. So, the wording remained and life continued. I also have soy formula on hand, though I have not had to use it yet. Unfortunately, I have not found any true vegan formula out there since almost all of them have vitamin D3 in them, which is derived from non-vegan sources. So, while my diet (and therefore LP's) is strictly vegan, we have the formula just in case we need it - one more compromise I have made. On the flip side, there are many areas where we are not compromising what is really important to us. I'm breastfeeding even though it is sometimes painful and inconvenient. LP will not be going to daycare, even thought that means I'm going without pay for a few months and then we will be living on a teacher's salary. I have found myself wondering more in the past few days (after seriously compromising my desires to have LP on a nap schedule) what other compromises we will make that we never expected, and also what principles we will find ourselves totally unwilling to compromise on. Only time will tell.

LP's stuff:
As I just mentioned, at the pediatrician's suggestion I have been trying to get LP to take more naps both on a schedule and in a crib. Suffice to say this was a failed experiment for both of us. So, in the interest of getting LP to get enough sleep, he is still sleeping in his swing occasionally, although we always try putting him in his crib or pack n' play first. This week LP has started to want to interact even more. When we are playing with him he is happy, but when we leave he starts throwing a fit. This can be irritating, but on the other hand it is exciting that he is wanting to interact more and that he is starting to acknowledge us as more than just diaper changers and food sources. As one of my friends reminded me he is still in the "fourth trimester" and so it is fine to cuddle him, rock him, and do whatever he needs - we are certainly not spoiling him! Although I have explained to him that we can play, but he has to be willing to watch Glee with me on Wednesdays as well. So far he seems to be fine with that.

Pictures: Remember, if click on a picture it should open up in another browser window in a bigger size that is easier to see.

May 8th, 2010

Mom's Stuff:
It's amazing how much better I feel about everything now that I have a full draft of my master's synthesis. It is not done by any means - I am still waiting for comments and feedback from my professors and I have a big presentation in a couple days, but the bulk of the writing is done, and I'm getting to take a few days away from it so that when I do go revise it I can see it with fresh eyes. This has allowed me to spend the last few days working on getting some basic stuff done: cleaning the house, doing laundry, checking e-mail, calling people, etc. It is amazing to me how much more energy I have now that I don't have to worry as much about getting my writing done. I'm realizing how much brain power it takes to think about how to figure out what you are going to do next when you don't know if "next" will happen in five minutes or 2 hours (or at all!) It helps a lot that now LP is getting a slightly better schedule and is able to entertain himself for longer stretches of time.

LP's stuff:
Speaking of entertaining himself, LP is doing quite a good job of keeping himself occupied. I can now stick him on the activity mat for 20-30 minute streches before he gets tired and cranky. He has also started sleeping in his crib instead of the bassinet, which has been going well. LP had his 2 month check-up yesterday and all was well. He is right on track with weight at 11 lbs 2 oz and he is doing a great job with his social smiling and following objects and light. The doctor said that pretty soon he would be ready to bat at objects hanging above him (which all our loyal followers have seen him do for weeks) so I figure we don't have to worry about his hand/eye coordination at this point! He was a very good baby with his shots and he only cried a little. Then we came home and he hung out with his aunt and was all better!

Pictures/Video:
A note about the pictures - if you want to see the picture better, click on it. Your browser should open another window or tab with a larger version of the picture.

LP preparing for his Calvin Klein shoot


Rrrrrr! Show that toy who's boss!


Look at me Dad!

April 26th, 2010

Mom's Stuff:
As I work on finishing up my synthesis project for my master's I have noticed a shift in how I am thinking about being a mom. When LP was just three weeks old I was lucky enough to have my mother-in-law here for a weekend, and I was able to escape baby duty long enough to go work on my paper at my local coffee shop (a place I used to be almost every day of the week. I wonder if they miss me!). At the time I honestly felt like I was escaping and getting a break, and in many ways I was. This weekend, (with LP at 7 weeks) I went back to the coffee shop to work, this time leaving the G-man in charge. It still felt like a bit of a break, but I found myself really missing both my guys, but especially my little one. I was certainly more productive, and it was nice to work without some of the distractions at home. But now that I am working more at home (or attempting to get work done) I find that what distracts me most is wanting to do stuff with LP rather than having to do stuff. Today he was fine in his swing, but he was cooing and wiggling a little, and I really wanted to hang out with him instead of work on my paper. So I took a break and we read a few of his books together. While I know he won't remember these moments, I do know they matter to him, and they will be far more precious memories for me than if I ignored him and just continued editing Chapter 3 (which will now have to be edited when LP goes to bed, but its worth it!)

LP's Stuff:
This little guy it totally growing! Not only is he bigger and starting to get a bit more of that chubby baby face going on, but he is developing like crazy. Putting his hand in his mouth is pretty much a routine at this point, and he is starting to both grab small things and try to grab larger items. Today on the activity mat he really looked like he was trying to grab one of the objects. When he was streching both his arms for it, it reminded me of the times I have tried to do weight-lifting flys with too much weight, and had my arms strained to pull the weights up. He starts fussing with that after a while, but I think he is mostly frustrated, so I let him keep trying for a bit before I pick him up - I figure it will be build character. He is also enjoying being read to and played with, and it is really fun to interact with him.

Pictures and Video:

Lucas with Sloth Bear and Nuzzle - his favorite furry creatures!

April 17th, 2010

Mom's Stuff:
Signs that you have made a drastic shift in your life:

• You go from joking about your baby having a "really good poop" to actually meaning it
• Taking a shower for more than five minutes is equivalent to a weekend at a luxury spa
• Sleeping in means sleeping from 11pm to 4am, and then again from 5am to 8am
• Canned soup, foccacia and salad is no longer an easy weeknight dinner - it is a three course meal
• You cuss out mothers on T.V. who dramatize the struggle of having a baby - all while wearing perfect make-up and somehow finding time to still be at work
• "Goo" and "Goo" seems like a perfectly legitimate conversation - with you on one side of it

And a shout out to LP's grandmas': You know you are officially a grandma when you start to show the guy at the post-office more pictures of your grandson, and he says he is pretty sure he has seen them all already.

LP's Stuff:
LP is definitely starting to do his social smiling, and he is also starting to grab at objects more routinely. He also is starting to follow a bit more of a schedule in terms of play time and naps, which also seems to be helping him sleep more at night. He is also still growing. He has now officially outgrown a fair amount of his newborn outfits, and he is fitting into things that I had put away for when he is three months old (good thing I raided that drawer this morning!) He also is a huge fan of dad. Last night we discovered (on two different occasions) that LP wouldn't go to sleep or focus on nursing when he could look at Dad. The G-man had to cover LP's face with his T-shirt to get LP to go to sleep. Luckily for us LP still has not figured out object permanence, so if he can't see it, it doesn't exist. Still, I don't think we will be able to fool him that much longer!

Pictures:



LP gets in touch with his sports roots - don't tell the Red Socks fans!!!

April 15th, 2010

Mom's Stuff:
Well, I feel like I'm really starting to adjust to being home with baby instead of being at work. It doesn't feel like a short break from work anymore - it feels like a lifestyle change, at least for the time being. Instead of feeling like time just hanging out with LP is keeping me away from writing or work, I am feeling like my writing and work is keeping me away from him. This doesn't mean I'm not taking full advantage of any time he is sleeping to get stuff done - especially on my masters. And I relish the time I have on Monday's to really focus on my writing and thinking about teacher development. However, I'm starting to realize that being with my son is not only a real job, but is one that I can enjoy, especially for the next few months before I return to teaching.

LP's Stuff:
Well, today was a red-letter day. Before he left for work Dad got a BIG smile from LP. We are both supremely confident that it was a social smile in response to dad, not just "gas" or other such thing. I have yet to get a smile that big, but I figure that is because I'm around all the time and therefore boring. LP is also getting quite good at grabbing toys and batting things on the activity mat. He is pretty cute when he squirms around. I think that he assumes its the squirming that leads to him hitting things because he doesn't quite get how it's his hands doing the job. He is still doing pretty well at night, although he does better when Dad wraps him up for bed since Dad has got the baby burrito thing down.

Pictures:
Cute sleeping baby

He grabbed that ring ALL BY HIMSELF!!!

My boys and Nuzzle (taken while Mom was hard at work on her synthesis!)

April 8th, 2010

Mom's stuff:
This last week has been a really, really fun one. LP's grandparents (AZ) came to visit for a whole 5 days, and we both loved it. I got spoiled because I had time to eat breakfast and take a shower while they were here! One of the things I'm realizing about being a mom is how much I am "on." Again, this is one of those things I understood in my head before LP was born, but didn't really get until I was really into it. Basically, I am always alert and always have one eye and ear out for my little one, both during the day, and at night where I am theoretically sleeping. I didn't really realize the effect of this until the first time my husband was "in charge" for the night. Basically, he would listen for the baby and wake me up when the baby was ready to eat. I slept better that night that I had in three months, even though I was woken up at 4 am. Similarly, while my parents were here, they took LP to a local coffee shop in the mornings for about an hour. While they were gone I not only got stuff done, but I also was able to mentally and physically relax a bit. It is interesting to me how our bodies react to heightened need and stress. In some ways my body and mind are rising to meet the challenge - I don't even know I have been hyper aware and alert until I don't have to be for a little while. On the other hand if I don't make time for those breaks I'm pretty sure I will burn out when I least expect it. I like to think that teaching for six years has helped me a bit. As a teacher you get used to being "on" for a large chunk of time. Now I'm "on" 24 hours a day, but in this case for my own kid, which totally makes it worth the effort!

LP's Stuff:
LP is getting really used to being cuddled all the time with all his grandparents' visits! I swear he watches me when its just the two of us and is thinking "gee mom, you're pretty boring!" He definitely likes to hear people talk and sing, and he is starting to interact a bit when you are playing with him. We had an exciting moment yesterday on his activity mat where I SWEAR he was purposefully hitting on of the objects. For what it is worth, the G-man agrees with me on this, so maybe it's not just in my head. LP also had his 1 month checkup and he did great. He got a shot but he recovered quite well. He also weights a whopping 8 lbs. 10 oz. That may not sound so impressive to my many friends who had 9 lb babies, but LP was 6 lbs. 14 oz. when he was born, so he is making some serious progress!

Pictures and Video: