This has been a very busy few weeks for us, in large part because my children just keep giving me things to cry proud tears over. I might be a bit biased but they really are amazing little people!
Kiddo
We took kiddo to a ATA competition about 6 weeks ago were she got first in combat sparring. I looked like a crazy woman whooping and cheering for her. Recently I checked the standings and it appears that she is going to get another state title this year. This one will be for... combat sparring.
Two weeks ago the boys and I spent the day traveling to Kiddo's National Junior Honor Society induction! Go Kiddo! More proud tears!
Last week Hubby took the day off of work and we all drove out for Kiddo's choir concert where she had her first ever solo! She did really well! :) The tears of pride just keep flowing!
Boogie
Boogie has been dancing for 3 years now. He loves dancing and I often hear that dancing is his life, so it should come as no surprise that his proud points have mostly revolves around dance.
The day that his dance studio moved was picture day and I couldn't help but melt at how cute he looked. I am really looking forward to seeing just how adorable the pictures are!
The next week was his dance recital. I think that I can safely say that he hit the nail on the head with both his dances. He was adorable and radiated happiness being on that stage! Then during curtain call he won an award from the studio for being the most dedicated dancer. And he definitely is a dedicated dancer! So proud of him!
In the midst of all that we found out that he has been invited to join the competition team for next year. It will be the first year of competition team and it is invitation only so it is so very exciting! I'll love getting to have more opportunities to watch him radiate on stage!
Willkins
My little Willkins has had a few milestones of his own.
Will started taking a few steps here and there a few months ago but in the last month he went from a few steps to walking all over the place. That baby can really move out. He walks sideways, backwards and can pivot around. He can walk then bend over and pick something up and take off again. He really pulled my heartstrings when I watched him learn how to walk with shoes on. He's just soooo cute!
Will has also started really conveying what he wants. He talks some and he also makes up his own little signs. It can be a funny game of charades but it is also wonderful to have a child who works to make you understand what he means instead of just yelling at his mommy!
The in utero hero
The latest/upcoming addition to the family is doing what babies do best- growing!
There is a strong little heartbeat. At my last appointment the nurse practitioner found the heartbeat immediately but couldn't keep up with the baby because it was swimming like Micheal Phelps. Hubby was listening to the heartbeat the other day and the baby moved. He tried to track it... the baby went from far left to far right like shabow!
I am utterly exhausted all the time which I choose to believe is the baby using my energy up to help grow. If that is all right this baby is growing faster than a race car drives!
Finally, about four nights ago I couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep because this new little baby was tickling my belly for hours! It was amazing! Go baby!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
After the wean
I have, over the past year, loosely chronicled my first time being a breastfeeding mom. And I told you a while ago that the doctor had instructed me to wean Will. Honestly, I thought my breastfeeding posts would end then. I was wrong, at least partly.
On Will's birthday he nursed for the last time. We had been gradually tapered down but I knew going from one to none would be a lot harder for us both than any of the other tapers. For his last feeding I turned off all distractions and just focused on him, on that last time of getting to provide for him what no one else could. It made me cry and somehow he seemed to understand because he drank for a long time that night. When he was done I convinced myself that in a week or two he would forget what he was missing.
I mean, he's a baby. Babies don't have long memories, right? So far I have been wrong. The other day Will was brought to me right after my shower. I hadn't yet gotten dressed but he was upset so I began to snuggle him. He calmed down, smiled at me and then began to slowly lean toward me like he wanted a hug. It was no hug that he was reaching for! He tried to latch on! Silly baby!
Last night Hubby had a horrible headache. Now, he has been responsible for taking care of Will at night for a few reasons. The first reason is that when we were weaning we needed him to be a buffer between Will and the milk. He would work to get Will back to sleep without milk. The second reason is that I am pregnant and, quite frankly, completely exhausted ALL THE TIME! The third being that it is already uncomfortable for me to put Will to bed. My baby belly makes my arms to short to reach his mattress!But, as I said, Hubby had a headache last night.
I decided I would take Will for the night and allow Hubby to get in some really good rest. He desperately needed a full night's sleep. Oh my- Will has not forgotten those night time feedings. As I tried to cuddle him to sleep Will just kept trying to rip my nightgown off. He hit me in the face when he couldn't gain access to his favorite feeding trough. Finally he latched on to the soft skin on the inside of my elbow and went to sleep. All I could think was oh my! When he awoke after some rest he did the exact same sequence again.
I just keep wondering when he will stop wanting to nurse. I really didn't expect him to still crave it after weeks of it being gone. Perhaps I am the silly one and that is completely common. I don't know. But as much as it saddens me to not be able to provide that for him I also revel in the thought that he really loved being a breastfed baby. OK, so maybe I am definitely a silly mommy!
On Will's birthday he nursed for the last time. We had been gradually tapered down but I knew going from one to none would be a lot harder for us both than any of the other tapers. For his last feeding I turned off all distractions and just focused on him, on that last time of getting to provide for him what no one else could. It made me cry and somehow he seemed to understand because he drank for a long time that night. When he was done I convinced myself that in a week or two he would forget what he was missing.
I mean, he's a baby. Babies don't have long memories, right? So far I have been wrong. The other day Will was brought to me right after my shower. I hadn't yet gotten dressed but he was upset so I began to snuggle him. He calmed down, smiled at me and then began to slowly lean toward me like he wanted a hug. It was no hug that he was reaching for! He tried to latch on! Silly baby!
Last night Hubby had a horrible headache. Now, he has been responsible for taking care of Will at night for a few reasons. The first reason is that when we were weaning we needed him to be a buffer between Will and the milk. He would work to get Will back to sleep without milk. The second reason is that I am pregnant and, quite frankly, completely exhausted ALL THE TIME! The third being that it is already uncomfortable for me to put Will to bed. My baby belly makes my arms to short to reach his mattress!But, as I said, Hubby had a headache last night.
I decided I would take Will for the night and allow Hubby to get in some really good rest. He desperately needed a full night's sleep. Oh my- Will has not forgotten those night time feedings. As I tried to cuddle him to sleep Will just kept trying to rip my nightgown off. He hit me in the face when he couldn't gain access to his favorite feeding trough. Finally he latched on to the soft skin on the inside of my elbow and went to sleep. All I could think was oh my! When he awoke after some rest he did the exact same sequence again.
I just keep wondering when he will stop wanting to nurse. I really didn't expect him to still crave it after weeks of it being gone. Perhaps I am the silly one and that is completely common. I don't know. But as much as it saddens me to not be able to provide that for him I also revel in the thought that he really loved being a breastfed baby. OK, so maybe I am definitely a silly mommy!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Going with Barefeet
This weekend my whole family helped to move a dance studio, the studio that my Boog has attended for almost 3 years now. I honestly thought that there wouldn't be much to moving a studio where there had to be wide open spaces for dance. I was wrong. While there was a lot of work involved there was also a lot of emotion involved.
I felt it, the kids felt it and it was written all over the owner's face. There was as much sadness as excitement. It was sad to think of this chapter of things ending, of the new chapter to come. It almost felt like a graduation. BUT, it was amazing to know that we all felt that because Barefeet studio isn't just a dance studio for us, it is an extended family. The teachers don't just teach, they love the kids they teach. And the kids love them.
And that's why we do what we can to help. That's why we drive 40 minutes to the studio. And that's why we will be moving to the new studio with them. Cause we're all going with barefeet! :)
I felt it, the kids felt it and it was written all over the owner's face. There was as much sadness as excitement. It was sad to think of this chapter of things ending, of the new chapter to come. It almost felt like a graduation. BUT, it was amazing to know that we all felt that because Barefeet studio isn't just a dance studio for us, it is an extended family. The teachers don't just teach, they love the kids they teach. And the kids love them.
And that's why we do what we can to help. That's why we drive 40 minutes to the studio. And that's why we will be moving to the new studio with them. Cause we're all going with barefeet! :)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
A year in his life
Before I start describing Will's first birthday I want to point out that I haven't posted in so long because I didn't want to push that last post off the top of the page. Until the man that killed Cory is arrested I want that post to be the first thing that people see if they stumble upon my page. So, that post has been postdated by a year. I hope and pray I will be able to change the date back to the original before then as it won't be needed once the arrest is made. That said- on to happy thoughts.
Will is a year old! No, seriously! Will is a year old! I can't believe it. After he was born I found myself staring at him and thinking how I couldn't believe that this sweet little boy was mine. Now those thoughts have morphed into my not being able to believe that I have been blessed with such a wonderful little guy for an entire year! It is just so incredible!
In celebration of that incredible little boy we did the best we could to give him fun little experiences. For his actual birthday my cousin and her little boy were visiting. We all went to the Rainforest Cafe for a little celebration. He LOVED the animatronics and the guy dressed up like a frog.... and the volcano! That was definitely something yummy in his tummy!
The following weekend we had his party. I let him pick his theme (as much as a one year old can pick a theme) of baby Mickey. Personally I think it was amazingly cute! There were little Mickey's and cupcakes everywhere. Funny little dude that Will is, he fell asleep as soon as his dinner was set in front of him though! It was OK since it gave us all time to visit. When he woke up I gave him his birthday cupcake and he definitely didn't fall asleep with that cupcake in his hand! He loved all his presents and has been enjoying them every day. In all, he had a great birthday and party! :)
Will is a year old! No, seriously! Will is a year old! I can't believe it. After he was born I found myself staring at him and thinking how I couldn't believe that this sweet little boy was mine. Now those thoughts have morphed into my not being able to believe that I have been blessed with such a wonderful little guy for an entire year! It is just so incredible!
In celebration of that incredible little boy we did the best we could to give him fun little experiences. For his actual birthday my cousin and her little boy were visiting. We all went to the Rainforest Cafe for a little celebration. He LOVED the animatronics and the guy dressed up like a frog.... and the volcano! That was definitely something yummy in his tummy!
The following weekend we had his party. I let him pick his theme (as much as a one year old can pick a theme) of baby Mickey. Personally I think it was amazingly cute! There were little Mickey's and cupcakes everywhere. Funny little dude that Will is, he fell asleep as soon as his dinner was set in front of him though! It was OK since it gave us all time to visit. When he woke up I gave him his birthday cupcake and he definitely didn't fall asleep with that cupcake in his hand! He loved all his presents and has been enjoying them every day. In all, he had a great birthday and party! :)
Friday, March 30, 2012
A call for justice in the murder of a child
On August 20, 2009 my friend Molly gave birth to a little boy. On September 8, 2010 she said goodbye to him. After days of watching her little bug suffer through a stroke and major brain damage her son, Cory Francis Sechtin, left her life. He was barely a year old. As my little boy approaches a year old I look at him and think of Molly and Cory.
I think of how Molly must have felt when she got the phone call that Cory was injured. I think of those days that she spent by his side wanting what could only be considered a miracle. I think of all the things that she will miss with him because he is gone. She will never see him run or hit a baseball. She will never get to hold his hand (or be told not to hold his hand) on the way to his first day of school. She will never find out if he is a dunker or a twister of Oreos. She will never have the opportunity to love or hate his first girlfriend. She will never cheer him on at a ball game or a concert. She will never help him with his homework. She will miss kindergarten, middle school, high school and college graduations. She will never know what kind of big brother he would be. She will never have grand kids that look exactly him. She will never embarrass him by taking 6 million pictures of him with his prom date. She will never teach him to ride a bike or a skateboard. She will never hear him sing or say, "I love you so much Mom!" She will miss so many large moments and a million little moments. She has been robbed of her little boy.
There is only moment left for her to have with Cory. That moment is the arrest of his murderer. Yes, I said murderer. There have more days since Cory's death than Cory had in life. What a sad thought. Molly has had to wait 18 months for the prosecutor to hold Cory's murderer responsible. She has waited over a year for the world to hear about how the husband of her child's daycare provider/babysitter shook her baby to death.
I am amazed that no one has taken note of Cory's life, and death. Where are the million binky marches for Cory? Where are the groups putting up pictures of Cory's killer and demanding justice? Where are the phone calls to the prosecutors office demanding he open the case file and get things moving? Where are the celebrities and sports teams crying out for Cory?
Well, I am crying out for Cory and for Molly. Won't you join me? You can start by clicking here and liking her page. From there Molly will keep you updated on the status of the case and what you can do to help demand justice for a little boy whose future was stolen from him.
*Edit* At the same time that I was writing this post another friend of Molly's wrote up a petition on Change.org to go to the office of the prosecutor responsible for the delay in prosecution. If you would like to go straight to the petition from here click here. Thanks!
I think of how Molly must have felt when she got the phone call that Cory was injured. I think of those days that she spent by his side wanting what could only be considered a miracle. I think of all the things that she will miss with him because he is gone. She will never see him run or hit a baseball. She will never get to hold his hand (or be told not to hold his hand) on the way to his first day of school. She will never find out if he is a dunker or a twister of Oreos. She will never have the opportunity to love or hate his first girlfriend. She will never cheer him on at a ball game or a concert. She will never help him with his homework. She will miss kindergarten, middle school, high school and college graduations. She will never know what kind of big brother he would be. She will never have grand kids that look exactly him. She will never embarrass him by taking 6 million pictures of him with his prom date. She will never teach him to ride a bike or a skateboard. She will never hear him sing or say, "I love you so much Mom!" She will miss so many large moments and a million little moments. She has been robbed of her little boy.
There is only moment left for her to have with Cory. That moment is the arrest of his murderer. Yes, I said murderer. There have more days since Cory's death than Cory had in life. What a sad thought. Molly has had to wait 18 months for the prosecutor to hold Cory's murderer responsible. She has waited over a year for the world to hear about how the husband of her child's daycare provider/babysitter shook her baby to death.
I am amazed that no one has taken note of Cory's life, and death. Where are the million binky marches for Cory? Where are the groups putting up pictures of Cory's killer and demanding justice? Where are the phone calls to the prosecutors office demanding he open the case file and get things moving? Where are the celebrities and sports teams crying out for Cory?
Well, I am crying out for Cory and for Molly. Won't you join me? You can start by clicking here and liking her page. From there Molly will keep you updated on the status of the case and what you can do to help demand justice for a little boy whose future was stolen from him.
*Edit* At the same time that I was writing this post another friend of Molly's wrote up a petition on Change.org to go to the office of the prosecutor responsible for the delay in prosecution. If you would like to go straight to the petition from here click here. Thanks!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Now it's time to say goodbye...
to breastfeeding the baby :(
A few weeks ago I had my first prenatal appointment for the new baby. Everything went great. They did an ultrasound so we got the baby's first picture. Everything seems to be progressing nicely. The doctor did make my due date October 30 because the baby measured in at only 7 weeks gestational but other than that little shocker things went almost exactly as we expected. I should add about the date change that the doctor said that is entirely normal for breastfeeding mommas of young kids. Since that makes menstruation and ovulation sporadic sometimes counting from the last normal period doesn't work so great.
And then he told me to wean. He said that he doesn't want the breastfeeding to cause uterine contractions once I am in to my second trimester. By the time he sees me again Will needs to be completely weaned. Now, Will was 11 months at the time. Honestly, we were coming up to the time when I was considering weaning anyway. At his 9 month check up his pediatrician said he could start drinking cow's milk when I was ready to give it to him. And, considering I have never before been able to breastfeed one of my babies, I am pleased as punch that I had this experience with him. BUT somehow I am still sad to think of forcing him to stop. I expected him to say, "No thanks Mom, I think I'll have an apple juice instead."
That has yet to happen. I am diligently cutting down on the breast milk availability. He is down to twice a day. He can have it once during the day and once near bedtime. He doesn't nurse himself to sleep but he does fill up on it a little before he gets ready for bed to help him sleep well. And every time I give him access to them he looks like he just found his lost best friend. It is so sweet and bittersweet. I love how happy something I alone can do for him makes him but I hate that soon that will be gone for him. Soon his daytime feeding will go away. And then his night feeding.
I feel so blessed to be pregnant again. And I am going to do, as always, everything I can to keep this little one inside me growing and developing well. This time it just kind of makes me sad as well. But hey, maybe for a few months my boobs will belong to me again!
A few weeks ago I had my first prenatal appointment for the new baby. Everything went great. They did an ultrasound so we got the baby's first picture. Everything seems to be progressing nicely. The doctor did make my due date October 30 because the baby measured in at only 7 weeks gestational but other than that little shocker things went almost exactly as we expected. I should add about the date change that the doctor said that is entirely normal for breastfeeding mommas of young kids. Since that makes menstruation and ovulation sporadic sometimes counting from the last normal period doesn't work so great.
And then he told me to wean. He said that he doesn't want the breastfeeding to cause uterine contractions once I am in to my second trimester. By the time he sees me again Will needs to be completely weaned. Now, Will was 11 months at the time. Honestly, we were coming up to the time when I was considering weaning anyway. At his 9 month check up his pediatrician said he could start drinking cow's milk when I was ready to give it to him. And, considering I have never before been able to breastfeed one of my babies, I am pleased as punch that I had this experience with him. BUT somehow I am still sad to think of forcing him to stop. I expected him to say, "No thanks Mom, I think I'll have an apple juice instead."
That has yet to happen. I am diligently cutting down on the breast milk availability. He is down to twice a day. He can have it once during the day and once near bedtime. He doesn't nurse himself to sleep but he does fill up on it a little before he gets ready for bed to help him sleep well. And every time I give him access to them he looks like he just found his lost best friend. It is so sweet and bittersweet. I love how happy something I alone can do for him makes him but I hate that soon that will be gone for him. Soon his daytime feeding will go away. And then his night feeding.
I feel so blessed to be pregnant again. And I am going to do, as always, everything I can to keep this little one inside me growing and developing well. This time it just kind of makes me sad as well. But hey, maybe for a few months my boobs will belong to me again!
Friday, March 2, 2012
By the numbers
I don't know about anyone else but my brain often thinks in numbers and adding a new baby has really got me thinking numbers!
4: the number of kids I will have
6: the number of people in my family
5: the number of people my car holds
8: the number of months til my car is paid off
7: the number of months til the baby is due
4: the number of bedrooms in my house
4: the number of people that can sit at my kitchen table
2: the number of chairs I could add to my dining room table
9: the number of months old Will was when I got pregnant with the new baby
12 yrs, 7 yrs, 18 mos: the ages of my children when the new baby comes
3: the number of guys in my house (ahhh the testosterone)
65: the average number of hours a week that hubby works
5: the average number of hours of sleep I get at night
100: the approximate number of pictures I already have on display in my house
5: the number of years behind I am in my scrapbooking
Some of those are rather overwhelming until the second half of the thought enters my mind.
4: the number of kids I will have, and that makes me so happy!
6: the number of people in my family. Who would have thought an only child would get to have such a large family!
5: the number of people my car holds, but it's only an issue a few days a month and I have wanted a larger vehicle for a while anyway
8: the number of months til my car is paid off, and really, how fortuitous is that? It is so great that we are so close!
7: the number of months til the baby is due and most everything we would need to do is still one from Will!
4: the number of bedrooms in my house, but the idea of kids having their own rooms is a 21st century thought. Growing up with a roommate will really help the kids learn to deal with other people.
4: the number of people that can sit at my kitchen table but since hubby never gets to eat breakfast or lunch with us and kiddo is rarely here most of the time we'll be fine. And that will just encourage us to use the dining room!
2: the number of chairs I could add to my dining table, and that would be perfect! And maybe getting those chairs will mean I get to finish the dining room!
9: the number of months old Will was when I got pregnant with the new baby and it's nice to think how close they will be.
12 yrs, 7 yrs, 18 mos: how old my kids will be when the new baby is born. How amazing is that?
3: the number of guys in my house. And I have survived so surely I will survive if this baby is also a boy!
65: the average number of hours hubby works per week. It's hard to be upbeat with this one, but I guess at least he is employed?
5: the average number of hours of sleep I get per night. Usually I really don't mind that because Will is so cute when I go in to put hum back to sleep. Additionally, Justin and my body have both been trying to increase that number.
100: the approximate number of pictures I already have on display in my house. That's right- I have had that many cute pictures or great memories made.
5: the number of years behind I am in my scrapbooking, but that just means that for 5 years I have made more great memories than I have had down time to put on paper.
When I look at everything that way I have to add one more number.
0: the number of times I have wanted to change the timing of this baby.
4: the number of kids I will have
6: the number of people in my family
5: the number of people my car holds
8: the number of months til my car is paid off
7: the number of months til the baby is due
4: the number of bedrooms in my house
4: the number of people that can sit at my kitchen table
2: the number of chairs I could add to my dining room table
9: the number of months old Will was when I got pregnant with the new baby
12 yrs, 7 yrs, 18 mos: the ages of my children when the new baby comes
3: the number of guys in my house (ahhh the testosterone)
65: the average number of hours a week that hubby works
5: the average number of hours of sleep I get at night
100: the approximate number of pictures I already have on display in my house
5: the number of years behind I am in my scrapbooking
Some of those are rather overwhelming until the second half of the thought enters my mind.
4: the number of kids I will have, and that makes me so happy!
6: the number of people in my family. Who would have thought an only child would get to have such a large family!
5: the number of people my car holds, but it's only an issue a few days a month and I have wanted a larger vehicle for a while anyway
8: the number of months til my car is paid off, and really, how fortuitous is that? It is so great that we are so close!
7: the number of months til the baby is due and most everything we would need to do is still one from Will!
4: the number of bedrooms in my house, but the idea of kids having their own rooms is a 21st century thought. Growing up with a roommate will really help the kids learn to deal with other people.
4: the number of people that can sit at my kitchen table but since hubby never gets to eat breakfast or lunch with us and kiddo is rarely here most of the time we'll be fine. And that will just encourage us to use the dining room!
2: the number of chairs I could add to my dining table, and that would be perfect! And maybe getting those chairs will mean I get to finish the dining room!
9: the number of months old Will was when I got pregnant with the new baby and it's nice to think how close they will be.
12 yrs, 7 yrs, 18 mos: how old my kids will be when the new baby is born. How amazing is that?
3: the number of guys in my house. And I have survived so surely I will survive if this baby is also a boy!
65: the average number of hours hubby works per week. It's hard to be upbeat with this one, but I guess at least he is employed?
5: the average number of hours of sleep I get per night. Usually I really don't mind that because Will is so cute when I go in to put hum back to sleep. Additionally, Justin and my body have both been trying to increase that number.
100: the approximate number of pictures I already have on display in my house. That's right- I have had that many cute pictures or great memories made.
5: the number of years behind I am in my scrapbooking, but that just means that for 5 years I have made more great memories than I have had down time to put on paper.
When I look at everything that way I have to add one more number.
0: the number of times I have wanted to change the timing of this baby.
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