Category: Mothering

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Cole Health Me Mothering Ryan

Sick Yet Again

I am getting so tired of getting sick!  Yesterday evening when I arrived at my in-law’s house, after work, my mother-in-law said that Ryan had gotten sick after breakfast, but he was fine now.

He ate some of his dinner, was playing, and whatever he had, wasn’t bothering him anymore.

About three hours after dinner, I started feeling terrible.  My stomach was cramping, and I just got that sick feeling. I knew I was going to be vomiting at any time.  I managed to put Cole to sleep, and then it hit me about 9:30.  At 2 AM, I vomited for the last time, in between Cole waking up.  He wasn’t sick, but he just kept waking up, which was ironic. He has been sleeping through the night now, for about a month.  He goes down, and doesn’t make a peep until 6:30 or 7 in the morning (pending that he isn’t teething)- except for last night- he kept waking up every hour, and only wanted me. 

I felt so sick, I just sat in the glider with him, with a big bowl near me, in case I couldn’t get to the bathroom in time.  Then I tossed and turned the rest of the night, until I got up at 7, to call our child care provider to tell her I wasn’t going anywhere today, and to call in to work.    I begged Joe to stay home today, but he just couldn’t- he had a big meeting. 

I told Ryan he had to be a good boy today, and he was so good!  Around 10, Cole wanted to take his nap, so I snuggled in bed with him, while Ryan played in his room, right next door to us.  I didn’t fall into a deep sleep, but I dozed, and Ryan was so quiet and told me he had been playing with his blocks, and reading his books.  He kept asking me if I felt better, and told me he was sorry I was sick.  He would say, “Don’t worry Mommy, you’ll feel better in a few days.” 

I managed to keep some toast down at lunchtime, and took a nap.  I feel better tonight, but feel weak, cold, and clammy.  I thought I might have gotten food poisoning, but my in-laws, Joe, and I, all ate the same thing for dinner last night, and they were fine.  Thinking back to Ryan, there probably was some bug that I caught, although I’m glad that Ryan didn’t get as sick as I.

So hopefully, no one else around here will come down with that bug.  It was awful. Fortunately, Joe is taking tomorrow off.  It is SO hard to take care of your kids, when you are sick.  We have had so many bugs and viruses since the summer, I really think we have payed our dues.  No more sickness!  🙂

Categories
Cole Health Mothering Ryan Work

It Was Bound To Happen

It was bound to happen- I caught the nasty cold(s) that Ryan and Cole have. 

Ryan is *finally* better.  He still has an occasional cough, but he is back to his happy, old, self.  Poor Cole seems like he is in the worse of it right now- lots of congestion and a cough.  I feel so bad for the little guy.  He wakes up at night, because he can’t breathe, and he throws up, because of all of the gunk in his throat he can’t get out.  Then he just wants to be held. 

On Sunday night, I held him for 3 hours- until 4 am.  Every time he was asleep, and I would try to set him back in his crib, he’d wake up and start crying.  After 3 hours, and about 10 attempts, he finally stayed asleep.

On Monday night, I thought I would try another tactic- after he threw up all over me, and I gave him a bath (at 1 am), to try to clear up his congestion, I brought him to sleep with me.  He fell asleep on top of me- right away, and his breathing was really good- no raspy noises.  I could taste the sleep I was going to get- wrong!  After about 15 minutes, he started tossing and turning, and I was so bone-dead tired, I just didn’t have the energy to get up, and sit with him until he fell asleep.  So I let him toss around on me, and got about 10 minutes of sleep all night.

Needless to say, it has been a fun few nights at my house. On top of that I am trying to get over this junk too.  It is odd when you stay at home, and you are only around your kids all day, you never really think that you are sick.  You still have to get up, make them their food, play with them, take care of them, etc. They don’t care if you have a cold, life must go on.

I have the same little nagging, hacking, annoying cough now too.  This afternoon at work, after listening to me cough all day, my boss told me that I sounded awful, and I should go home and take care of myself!  I immediately told her I felt fine- I just had this cough.  It was like an instant reaction to state that I wasn’t sick.

Then I started thinking, that she was right. I didn’t feel that great, and this cough and cold is wearing me down.  She told me not to come in tomorrow, so I’m going to accept her offer, not go in, and rest.  I’ll see if I feel better by the weekend and maybe go in on Saturday for a few hours to catch up.

It really is ironic for me anyway, that as much effort, thought, and worry I put into my boys’ health, it is so hard for me to think of my own health in the same way.  I’m glad there was someone today that reminded me that it is okay to take a break and rest when I’m not well.

So if I don’t blog for the next few days, you know I am resting…well, at least as much as I can with one active three-year old, and one sick toddler.  🙂

Categories
Breastfeeding Mothering

The Hooter Hider

One of my friends mentioned today that she was watching The View, and they were reviewing baby products.  One of the products they had was called Hooter Hider.

She described it as a piece of cloth that you put over your head, and it does what just it says, for nursing out in public.  Not having seen the Hooter Hider yet, I replied that I thought it was the worse name ever for a product, and it sounded like it would just scream, “HEY LOOK AT ME!  I’M NURSING- THE HOOTERS ARE COMING OUT!”

I decided to look it up, and here is an actual picture of the Hooter Hider-

hooter-hider.jpg

I have to admit, that it does look more fashionable than I first thought.  However, nursing in public never bothered me, and until I got the hang of it, I just used a blanket.

This product kind of bugs me, because it perpetuates the message our society that breasts should be covered up while nursing, and babies nursing shouldn’t be seen.  If every nursing mother could just nurse without having to feel ashamed or made to feel like they have to cover up, I think that would do wonders to make breastfeeding in public acceptable.  It is what breasts are for, after all

I also wonder how much a baby would like it- both my boys hated to be covered up with a blanket and wanted their heads uncovered.

On the other hand, this product seems kind of cool too.  First off all, it looks like it would stay on really well, when a blanket would slide off, and it seems like you are always struggling with a blanket, or the baby is fighting it.

Second, it looks perfect if you want to nurse while having your baby in carrier, like a Baby Bjorn.  It looks like it would let you nurse, and still walk around. 

It might be nice in cooler weather, if you were walking with your baby, then the baby might like to be covered up while nursing.

My final decision is, even though I wouldn’t use it, I think it could be good tool to help some nursing mothers feel more confident, or less conspicuous while nursing in public.  If this can help a mother nurse her baby while out in public, instead of supplementing with formula, then I think that is a good thing. 

In the end, breast-milk is the absolute best food for babies, and if this helps a mother supply that for her baby, I’m all for it. 

I have been in those situations (haven’t we all?) where you need, or want to nurse, and it is just an awkward time, or your shirt isn’t long enough, etc.  Instead of having an upset, hungry baby, this could help ward off those situations that can add stress to a nursing mother.

Finally if you are a nursing mother, you have nothing to hide.  Babies deserve to be breastfed, and you have a right to do that.  Don’t feel like you have to cover-up to make others comfortable, unless YOU want to, and it makes YOU feel more confident. 

In the end though, whether you cover up or not, we should all feel very proud that we are nursing our babies!

Categories
Mothering Pregnancy & Birth

What I Love About Pregnancy

I was just reading vbacadventure blog, and Kendra had a neat topic- What she liked about being pregnant.  Below is her list, and I agree with all of hers!  I also added some more of mine (continuning on with number 11-22, numbers 23 and up are from my readers- thanks guys!). 

I have a few friends that are pregnant right now, and thought it would be fun to add what you loved about being pregnant.  If you have some that aren’t listed yet, leave me a comment and I’ll compile a list. 

I also just commented yesterday to Joe, that I read Halle Berry, who is 4 months pregnant, when asked how pregnancy was said,

“There is nothing bad about it. The morning sickness and the vomiting and the hot sweats. Nothing’s been bad about it. I’ve loved every second of it.”

I just LOVE her attitude- it is so easy to complain and get caught up in the pregnancy-is-horrible-and traumatic- mindset, and it is refreshing to hear someone like Halle Berry, talk positively about pregnancy.  Evidently she tried for a while before she conceived, so it puts it in perspective that even though there are things that aren’t great about being pregnant all the time, it really is a miracle, and it is such a special time-a time that is over very quickly.

So lets keep the positive energy going, and let us know what you loved about being pregnant!

1. It’s perfectly acceptable to gain weight

2. Your new little baby is all yours for 9 months!

3. The little kicks

4. The cute belly

5. All the comments from strangers about their own pregnancies

6. The anticipation of what your baby will look and act like

7. Finding out if it is a girl or a boy is SO EXCITING!

8. No birth control!

9. Excuses for back rubs

10. You get to budge long lines for the restroom

11.  Realizing when you really realize you are pregnant- you are going to be bringing a new person into the world

12. Feeling your baby kick for the first time

13. Imagining and wondering what your life will be like with a little boy or a little girl

14. Picking out names for the unique person in your tummy

15. Watching your belly grow, and knowing your body is doing what it is supposed to do

16. Knowing you not only had a hand in creating a new life, but you are solely responsible for nourishing it, and protecting it, while pregnant

17. Getting to splurge on treats for yourself (massages, special food, etc.)

18. Not feeling guilty for taking lots of naps, or lying on the couch doing absolutely nothing

19. Imagining how the new baby will interact with its older siblings

20. Anticipating the day you finally get to see, touch, and kiss your baby for the first time.

21. Thinking of what the baby’s birth will be like, and knowing it is a chance to do what millions of women have done before us, and will do after us- give birth, and keep the human race going.

22.  Dreaming of the future and what kind of child, teenager, adult, and parent, your baby will grow into.

23.  I love those kicks and rolls! And I’m really excited about birth this time too.

24.  Getting to see baby for the first time with an ultrasound.

Categories
Activities Cole Family & Friends Mothering Ryan

The Music “Man”

I was raised watching musicals.  My mother loved them and was very particular about what we got to watch on TV.  At the risk of sounding old, in those days it was pretty much you either rented a video or taped it off TV, trying to pause out the commercials.  I don’t even think a lot of the musicals were available in the ONE family owned video rental business in the town I grew up in- there was no NetFlicks, or Blockbuster. 

So, my mom would check out the TV guide every week, and if she saw a musical was coming on, she would tape it off TV.  Even though my brother and sisters, and I pretended we did not like them, the truth was we did- we watched, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Oklahoma, The Music Man, Gigi, Fiddler on the Roof, and Camelot, to name a few, over and over again. 

Needless to say, a lot of the songs and tunes I still remember today.  As a side note, all my brother’s girlfriends, and now his wife LOVE the fact, that he not only will go to a musical, but he knows most the dialog, songs, and he LIKES it.  I guess that is a benefit when you have three sisters!

If I had to say I had a favorite musical, it would probably be My Fair Lady.  I just love the story, the music, and the fact that the movie had Audrey Hepburn in it.  But, every time I see or hear music from another musical, I like them all over again.

A few weeks ago, as I was dishing out some ice cream for Ryan, a song popped into my head from Music Man– where Harold Hill teaches the school board members to sing, by just saying, “ice cream.”  If you have seen this show, you will know what I am talking about- if not, just bear with me, and see this show!  I started to sing “ice cream,” like they did in the movie, getting really loud, like the last little short guy did.  Ryan laughed and sang it right back to me.  Then he asked me why I was singing that. 

So I explained to him it was from a show, where a man teaches some people to sing.  He seemed really interested, so I told him I would try to find the movie for him so we could watch it.  I couldn’t find the movie in any of the video stores (just like old times,) so I ordered it off Amazon.  In the mean time, I had the soundtrack on CD.  Don’t know when I got that, but it was in my collection.  So I started playing the CD when we were in the car.

Ryan absolutely loves, “76 Trombones.”  He could sing the entire song after hearing the song for a few days.  When the DVD arrived and we watched a little of it, including that scene in the gym, where the song gets sung, and he was hooked. Cole even started dancing around, when members of the town started dancing in the movie.  He starts shaking his little bum, and bopping up and down.  In the car, when the music comes on, he starts patting his hands on his legs, and wiggling his toes- it is the cutest thing ever. 

Now Ryan goes in the back yard, and stands on our single step from the door to the patio, and acts out the scene from the gym.  He raises his hands and sings, “Please observe me if you will, I’m Professor Harold Hill, and I’m here to organize a River City boy’s band,” and then does the drum roll. After that, he jumps of the step, grabs his “baton,” and launches into the full three-year-old version of “76 Trombones,” as loud as he can, singing and dancing.  I am sure our neighbors think they are stuck in some awful time warp, but it is the most adorable thing for Joe and I to watch.  I tried to catch him on video, and I got a little, but as soon as he sees me he stops. 

The last few days, he got Cole involved, and now Cole is his “band.”  He’ll say to him, “Come on Coley, let’s go play Music Man,” and lead him outside, and then have Cole follow him around while he is singing- just like a real band conductor!   Cole thinks this is just wonderful. 

If nothing else, we have seen how much Ryan really loves music, and we think he has a pretty good ear for it.  He can really belt out the song, and surprisingly it is in tune for most of the song.  We are seriously thinking about having him take voice lessons at some point, since he likes to sing so much.  My next step is to find some theater in our area that will be playing the show.  There is a great kid theatre right in our town, and they switch shows quite often, so hopefully they will be showing it soon.  In the meantime, we get to hear our little Music Man’s sweet little voice, and get to see his sidekick brother dance, and play in the “band.”   

It is funny how what you do as a mother, can get extended beyond you.  If my mother never exposed us to musicals to the extent that she did, who knows if I would be able to share them with my children?   I doubt she ever imagined that one day her grandson would be belting out these songs, and acting out the musical.  It is so simple, and yet they are getting such joy out of it- yet another thing that I had no idea I would care about, while I was living it, or before I had kids.

In other news, if you are still reading- Joe had a milestone birthday today- the big 4-0! He didn’t want any fanfare, (which means a party), so we had a low-key day.  Ryan’s preschool had a band playing today, so we went there and listened to them play for a while, and then the boys played around.  We went and got dinner at a BBQ place, and then went and got Joe’s present- an iPod.  Yes, you read that right- an iPod. 

I know I have almost prided ourselves on not having an iPod, but Joe runs 5 days out of the week, and has been wanting one for a while.  This seemed like the perfect “excuse” to get one.  Now that I see it though, I want one, but I don’t run 5 days a week, and I am not likely to start anytime soon- even for an iPod.