Ellie recently rolled over from her back to front for the first time. Now that she has figured it out, she is a rolling machine! The best part is how excited she gets when she flips herself over. Her smile grows to encompass her entire face and she looks like she is about to explode from happiness. She is just so proud of herself!
The only trouble started last night. Ellie still sleeps swaddled. We have tried to have her sleep without it, with both arms out, and with one arm out, but she sleeps best wrapped like a baby burrito. Last night she rolled herself onto her stomach while still completely swaddled, arms and all. When Eugene went in after hearing her cry at 2am, he found her with her back arched and head up.
We have to make sure her arms are out, but I am so nervous that she won't sleep well with that kind of movement. I already bought a sleep sack to use when she outgrows the swaddle, but if it wasn't for the rolling incident, she would stay wrapped.
Does anyone have any advice about leaving the swaddle behind?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hershey
We had a death in our little family. Hershey, our 8 year old chihuahua, passed away last Thursday. He had been sick for about a month and a half and we had taken him to the vet four times for his mystery illness. Finally, last Wednesday, I noticed he seemed off in the morning, but didn't think that much of it since he had been acting differently since getting sick. He was still walking around, but his tail was down and he wouldn't eat. He went to sleep in his bed and stayed there for the rest of the day. This wasn't completely unusual, since he always slept a lot.
When Eugene came home, Ellie and I had just woken up from a nap and were in her room. I noticed that he did not bark when he heard the screen door, like he usually did. I asked Eugene to go check on him. He had a hard time waking him and had to be picked up to get out of bed. He couldn't stand up; he just laid there on the floor where Eugene had set him down. We took him to the emergency vet, where they kept him overnight to stabilize him and run tests.
After an ultrasound and biopsy, they discovered that he had primary renal lymphoma. It was in both kidneys and there were signs that his spleen was also compromised. Chemotherapy does not often work on this type of cancer, and if it did, it would only prolong his life by 4-6 months. We felt that the only choice was to put him down.
We were with him, petting him and loving him, when he died. I brought his favorite toy, the only toy he would ever play with, his purple pig. It was peaceful and immediate, not the 2-5 minute process they said it could be. He was ready to go.
I am heartbroken. I got Hershey when I was 20 and living alone while in college. He was my practice baby, my fur-child. He was barometer for the worthiness of guys. He generally hated men, so if he liked one, it was generally a sign that he was a good guy. Plus, I think how a man treats a tiny, yappy dog says a lot about him. Hershey was our watchdog. He alerted us any time he heard a noise, and despite his diminutive size, I felt safe when he was around.
Friends have shared their favorite memories of Hershey, and I have been so grateful to hear the stories that I have forgotten, and to know that Hershey touched the lives of so many. He had such a big personality. It's funny, we have another dog and two cats, yet the house seems quiet and empty without him. I am having a hard time with this. On one hand, I am so thankful that he did not suffer long, but his cancer and death was so sudden that it has been extremely difficult on us. I just miss him so much. He was still young and I never imagined that we wouldn't have another 6 or 7 years with him. I miss him.
When Eugene came home, Ellie and I had just woken up from a nap and were in her room. I noticed that he did not bark when he heard the screen door, like he usually did. I asked Eugene to go check on him. He had a hard time waking him and had to be picked up to get out of bed. He couldn't stand up; he just laid there on the floor where Eugene had set him down. We took him to the emergency vet, where they kept him overnight to stabilize him and run tests.
After an ultrasound and biopsy, they discovered that he had primary renal lymphoma. It was in both kidneys and there were signs that his spleen was also compromised. Chemotherapy does not often work on this type of cancer, and if it did, it would only prolong his life by 4-6 months. We felt that the only choice was to put him down.
We were with him, petting him and loving him, when he died. I brought his favorite toy, the only toy he would ever play with, his purple pig. It was peaceful and immediate, not the 2-5 minute process they said it could be. He was ready to go.
I am heartbroken. I got Hershey when I was 20 and living alone while in college. He was my practice baby, my fur-child. He was barometer for the worthiness of guys. He generally hated men, so if he liked one, it was generally a sign that he was a good guy. Plus, I think how a man treats a tiny, yappy dog says a lot about him. Hershey was our watchdog. He alerted us any time he heard a noise, and despite his diminutive size, I felt safe when he was around.
Friends have shared their favorite memories of Hershey, and I have been so grateful to hear the stories that I have forgotten, and to know that Hershey touched the lives of so many. He had such a big personality. It's funny, we have another dog and two cats, yet the house seems quiet and empty without him. I am having a hard time with this. On one hand, I am so thankful that he did not suffer long, but his cancer and death was so sudden that it has been extremely difficult on us. I just miss him so much. He was still young and I never imagined that we wouldn't have another 6 or 7 years with him. I miss him.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Balancing Mommy Time
Ellie is five months old and we have finally gotten into a routine again after moving to Georgia. She is a champion napper, which helps me in the morning while I work. She is getting better at sleeping at night, but Eugene and I bought Dr. Karp's The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep to help us along.
I have noticed something that has changed in me the longer I have been a mother. I feel like I have developed some sort of mild form of ADD. When I am finished with work and Ellie is taking her afternoon nap, I struggle with what to do with my time. I have so much that I want to get done and need to get done, that I bounce around, trying to figure out what to do. So far, napping wins most of the time.
I, like everyone I know, is obsessed with Pinterest, and am partially in the middle of a few crafts. That is part of my mania. Do I crochet, work on the yarn-covered "M" for the shelf in our bedroom that I haven't hung up yet, put together the cabinet for the sunroom to house my craft supplies and various sundries, read, clean, do laundry, or nap. Oh, and exercising. I should be doing that. Seriously, these things spin through my mind any time Ellie sleeps.
I'm sure I will eventually get better at prioritizing my free time. Right now, I think I need to just focus on getting enough rest so I can have the energy to play with Ellie and occupy her time when she is awake.
I have noticed something that has changed in me the longer I have been a mother. I feel like I have developed some sort of mild form of ADD. When I am finished with work and Ellie is taking her afternoon nap, I struggle with what to do with my time. I have so much that I want to get done and need to get done, that I bounce around, trying to figure out what to do. So far, napping wins most of the time.
I, like everyone I know, is obsessed with Pinterest, and am partially in the middle of a few crafts. That is part of my mania. Do I crochet, work on the yarn-covered "M" for the shelf in our bedroom that I haven't hung up yet, put together the cabinet for the sunroom to house my craft supplies and various sundries, read, clean, do laundry, or nap. Oh, and exercising. I should be doing that. Seriously, these things spin through my mind any time Ellie sleeps.
I'm sure I will eventually get better at prioritizing my free time. Right now, I think I need to just focus on getting enough rest so I can have the energy to play with Ellie and occupy her time when she is awake.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Two Months
Dear Ellie,
This has been quite a month! You change and grow everyday. This month you have been so smiley, giving your daddy and I huge grins. I live for those smiles. You love to lay on the couch and kick your legs, usually kicking us in the stomach. You have started talking to us, and every few days you discover a new sound you can make. You especially like to make I and A noises. It usually sounds like you are saying hi or hey. You yell "hey" to us if we aren't paying enough attention to you.
We drove to Georgia this month so your daddy could interview for some jobs. It took a little longer than normal, since you were not happy about sitting in your car seat all day. We stopped every couple of hours to change you and hold you for awhile. You are used to being held for most of the day, since we can't get enough of your baby snuggles, so going eleven hours in your seat was frustrating for you. We stayed with your Uncle Bill and Aunt Sara, and they loved getting to spend time with you. You were so well behaved at their house, and you impressed them so much. You even slept all the way through the night for three nights! It was amazing! We didn't know what to do with ourselves after getting so much sleep. I had to keep checking on you because I was not expecting you to sleep so long. The ride back home went much better for you. You weren't as upset and I figured out that if I put my hand under your shoulder, you would calm down and sleep a little bit more. It only took us a little over 9 hours, which is not much longer than it normally takes.
We spent our first Mother's Day in Georgia, just hanging out, and it was the best day because I got to spend it with you. Every day that I am your mother is a gift.
You are such a happy baby and we thank God every day for you. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. You truly make every day better. Getting to be your mom makes me so happy and has made my life so much greater and bigger than I could have ever imagined. I love you so much and the depth of my feelings still takes me by surprise.
I love you.
Love,
Mommy
This has been quite a month! You change and grow everyday. This month you have been so smiley, giving your daddy and I huge grins. I live for those smiles. You love to lay on the couch and kick your legs, usually kicking us in the stomach. You have started talking to us, and every few days you discover a new sound you can make. You especially like to make I and A noises. It usually sounds like you are saying hi or hey. You yell "hey" to us if we aren't paying enough attention to you.
We drove to Georgia this month so your daddy could interview for some jobs. It took a little longer than normal, since you were not happy about sitting in your car seat all day. We stopped every couple of hours to change you and hold you for awhile. You are used to being held for most of the day, since we can't get enough of your baby snuggles, so going eleven hours in your seat was frustrating for you. We stayed with your Uncle Bill and Aunt Sara, and they loved getting to spend time with you. You were so well behaved at their house, and you impressed them so much. You even slept all the way through the night for three nights! It was amazing! We didn't know what to do with ourselves after getting so much sleep. I had to keep checking on you because I was not expecting you to sleep so long. The ride back home went much better for you. You weren't as upset and I figured out that if I put my hand under your shoulder, you would calm down and sleep a little bit more. It only took us a little over 9 hours, which is not much longer than it normally takes.
We spent our first Mother's Day in Georgia, just hanging out, and it was the best day because I got to spend it with you. Every day that I am your mother is a gift.
You are such a happy baby and we thank God every day for you. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. You truly make every day better. Getting to be your mom makes me so happy and has made my life so much greater and bigger than I could have ever imagined. I love you so much and the depth of my feelings still takes me by surprise.
I love you.
Love,
Mommy
Friday, May 4, 2012
Sleepy Girl
Last night Ellie decided she did not want to go to sleep. She has been fighting sleep lately, but not to the extent that she did last night. I took a nap in the afternoon since Eugene was home, and she was awake when he handed her off to me at 5 so he could leave for his spin class. She had been fed, changed, and was swaddled. All ingredients for a sleepy baby. Except she wasn't. In the next 4 hours, she ate a bottle and a half and would doze off in my arms, but wake up the second I even thought about putting her down. I tried everything I could think of. We rocked in the glider, read two Curious George stories, walked around the apartment, she sat in the swing, and nothing worked. She would cry because she was so tired but still wouldn't sleep.
She has started doing this weird thing where she strains to pull herself into a sitting position while being cradled in my arms. She does this when she starts falling asleep, like she's trying to wake herself back up. She is such a happy baby, but when she is overtired she is miserable. It is so frustrating to know what the issue is but not be able to do anything about it. I can feed her, I can change her diaper, but I can't make her go to sleep. She made it until about 9:30 before passing out. Despite the frustration of last night, it may have been a good thing. She slept until 2, ate, got a clean diaper, and then was back to sleep in her bassinet by 3. It is almost 6am and she is still asleep.
She has put herself on a loose schedule, and sometimes sleeps 4-5 hours at a time at night. I have tried reading books about putting your baby on a schedule, and it just doesn't feel right to me. I am more comfortable with letting her lead the way when it comes to her hunger and level of tiredness. We do have a routine during the day, but I know we need to come up with a better bedtime routine. She isn't even 7 weeks, so I figure we still have some wiggle room before I need to really establish that. At least, I hope that is the case and that I am not setting her up for the sleep problems that I grew up with.
She has started doing this weird thing where she strains to pull herself into a sitting position while being cradled in my arms. She does this when she starts falling asleep, like she's trying to wake herself back up. She is such a happy baby, but when she is overtired she is miserable. It is so frustrating to know what the issue is but not be able to do anything about it. I can feed her, I can change her diaper, but I can't make her go to sleep. She made it until about 9:30 before passing out. Despite the frustration of last night, it may have been a good thing. She slept until 2, ate, got a clean diaper, and then was back to sleep in her bassinet by 3. It is almost 6am and she is still asleep.
She has put herself on a loose schedule, and sometimes sleeps 4-5 hours at a time at night. I have tried reading books about putting your baby on a schedule, and it just doesn't feel right to me. I am more comfortable with letting her lead the way when it comes to her hunger and level of tiredness. We do have a routine during the day, but I know we need to come up with a better bedtime routine. She isn't even 7 weeks, so I figure we still have some wiggle room before I need to really establish that. At least, I hope that is the case and that I am not setting her up for the sleep problems that I grew up with.
Monday, April 23, 2012
One Month
My sweet Ellie,
I can't believe you are already a month old. It seems amazing that you are already that old, yet I can't believe it hasn't been longer. Life before you feels like a lifetime ago, which is true, since our lives have completely changed since you were born. In such a short time, you have changed so much as well. You were this tiny baby who surprised the nurses with your insistance at repeatedly holding your head up while in the hospital, hours after being born. You needed to keep your hands by your face, and could get out of the tightest swaddle the nurses could come up with. You wanted to suck on something, anything that came close to your mouth, and did so with a force that would actually hurt our fingers when we surrendered them to you. You shocked us by how beautiful you were right away. We thought you would be squished from the birth like so many babies are.
You have filled out a bit. You still have skinny arms and legs like your daddy, but you have round cheeks and are starting to get a double chin. You are long and lean, and love waving your arms and legs. You refuse to wait to be fed. As soon as you decide you are hungry, we better get that bottle to your mouth or you start crying in anger. You only cry when you need something. You are a happy baby who loves to be held upright against our shoulders so you can look around and take everything in. You love holding your head up when we hold you, but tummy time is not your favorite. You spend most of it trying to move yourself forward or fling yourself to the side. You like to look at me in the mirror and will occasionaly look at yourself. Your favorite thing to look at is the black and white photograph of trees in the living room. You could stare at it for hours. You refuse to sleep in your basinet during the day. Anytime we put you in there, you stay asleep for 10 to 20 minutes before waking up. You will sleep in your swing, but you prefer our arms. You love being swaddled when you are tired, and wrapping you up will calm your tired cries in seconds. It is amazing. So far you aren't crazy about any toys, but this past week you finally decided that you like your pacifier.
This month has been the hardest, most challenging yet best month of my life. It took me about a week and a half before I felt comfortable with my ability to care for you without being terrified that something bad would happen every second of the day. Once I stopped being scared about my abilities to keep you safe, I moved on to be afraid when anyone else wanted to hold you, because what if they did it wrong, what if something happened? I've gotten better about letting people hold you, but I feel jealous because I miss feeling you in my arms. I know that this baby time is fleeting and I want to soak up as much of it as possible.
You make an assortment of faces as you fall asleep and start dreaming. I love watching your face, wondering what you are dreaming about when you break into a huge grin, or furrow your brow. These faces are an great preview of what is in store for us. A week ago you started to smile at Daddy and I. Those smiles are the greatest, and I keep trying to figure out different ways to get them out of you.
Most of all, this month with you has taught me how much love I have inside of me. I have loved you from the moment I found out about you last July, but that love took over my life the second I saw you, my tiny, perfect girl. You were so wanted and you are so cherished. I will do everything I can you make sure you are happy and know how incredibly loved you are.
Love,
Mommy
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