What virtues do you value in yourself?
To be honest, I had to look up the word "virtue" in the dictionary. I didn't know if it was the same thing as "value" or not, so I looked it up. The definition I like is "a particularly efficacious, good, or beneficial quality; advantage"... so, basically the same thing, right?
Well, the good qualities I like in myself: compassion for all living things. I am a vegetarian because I know animals feel, just like people. I am sad when I read/hear about someone dying, even if it's someone on death row who did something terrible themself. I brake for butterflies and swerve for squirrels. I can't watch really sad movies without getting upset because I automatically think about it happening to someone in real life.
I'm honest. My best friend says that she likes my advice because it's brutally honest. Why lie when you can sincerely communicate?
I'm organized and kind of a clean-freak. My husband may beg to differ about this being a good quality, because I can tend to drive him nuts with it. But I believe that taking care of your surroundings shows respect to yourself and the people you share those surroundings with.
I'm also funny and smart and nurturing and crafty and appreciative and happy. :)
Jan 19, 2011
Jan 13, 2011
By the way... New Years!
I forgot to mention: Happy New Year's! We stayed up as we usually do, hanging out at home. Our first new year's as a family! We typically don't go out for new year's, but this year there was no way we'd consider it, even if we did have invites to parties or whatnot, given the recent arrival of our little babe.
We still haven't gotten around to writing our resolutions/goals, but hopefully we'll make time soon for that. We have a new year's scrapbook where I put reflections of the passing year, and goals for each of us for the new year, as well as a photo or two from new year's eve.
(She already looks different from that night!)
We still haven't gotten around to writing our resolutions/goals, but hopefully we'll make time soon for that. We have a new year's scrapbook where I put reflections of the passing year, and goals for each of us for the new year, as well as a photo or two from new year's eve.
(She already looks different from that night!)
Jan 9, 2011
Moby!
Take a look at the awesomeness below:
That's my baby, sleeping soundly all wrapped up in our Moby. Complete awesomeness. I got the wrap as a gift from the family I used to babysit for. I was, oh, 7 months pregnant when they gifted it to me, and I attempted to put it on then over my big belly. Then the older girl went and got her American Girl doll so we could get a (very poor) feel for how it would go with a baby. Needless to say, a real-live baby feels so much better than a stiff doll!
I'd tried to put it on before and put Adelaide in the cradle hold, but she had none of that. This morning, however, during a spell of calmness (in between the grunting and pooting, that is), I set her on the bed and talked her through putting on the Moby wrap. And then I took a quick peek at the directions for the Newborn Hug hold, and tada!
She fussed for all of two minutes with the newness of it, but then conked out and stayed that way for over an hour. I tucked her head in and then danced around a bit for Kevin, and saying "this is so cool!" and "hands free!" while I did jazz hands.
This Wednesday I am going to a babywearing meetup, and hopefully I'll get some tips on how to put on the Moby a little quicker and neater. And maybe she how to do a hold where I can breastfeed her. I can't wait to get just a little better at it, so I'll feel comfortable wearing her at the grocery store or out on a walk (when there isn't snow in the forecast, like there is tonight - maybe Kevin will get a snow day???)!
That's my baby, sleeping soundly all wrapped up in our Moby. Complete awesomeness. I got the wrap as a gift from the family I used to babysit for. I was, oh, 7 months pregnant when they gifted it to me, and I attempted to put it on then over my big belly. Then the older girl went and got her American Girl doll so we could get a (very poor) feel for how it would go with a baby. Needless to say, a real-live baby feels so much better than a stiff doll!
I'd tried to put it on before and put Adelaide in the cradle hold, but she had none of that. This morning, however, during a spell of calmness (in between the grunting and pooting, that is), I set her on the bed and talked her through putting on the Moby wrap. And then I took a quick peek at the directions for the Newborn Hug hold, and tada!
She fussed for all of two minutes with the newness of it, but then conked out and stayed that way for over an hour. I tucked her head in and then danced around a bit for Kevin, and saying "this is so cool!" and "hands free!" while I did jazz hands.
This Wednesday I am going to a babywearing meetup, and hopefully I'll get some tips on how to put on the Moby a little quicker and neater. And maybe she how to do a hold where I can breastfeed her. I can't wait to get just a little better at it, so I'll feel comfortable wearing her at the grocery store or out on a walk (when there isn't snow in the forecast, like there is tonight - maybe Kevin will get a snow day???)!
Jan 8, 2011
Oh the gas...
A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that we were having an issue with Adelaide being gassy. Well, that issue has yet to resolve itself. I went to the pediatrician for her two week checkup on Thursday and mentioned the gassiness, and the doctor told me a couple of things to try, and Kevin and I have been googling like it's our job to find some remedies.
We just feel so bad for her when she's grunting and screaming from the gas pains. It's truly upsetting for all of us - I've cried a bunch when she gets really fussy about it because I can just imagine how frustrating/painful it can be! She'll be nursing and then scream all of a sudden, or she'll wake right up screaming sometimes. I really feel so bad for her. The past couple of nights she'll seem so tired, but can't sleep. *sigh*
Here's what we're doing to try and help the problem (none working much yet):
Any of you have gassy babies or experience with it? I'd love any advice or tips!!!
We just feel so bad for her when she's grunting and screaming from the gas pains. It's truly upsetting for all of us - I've cried a bunch when she gets really fussy about it because I can just imagine how frustrating/painful it can be! She'll be nursing and then scream all of a sudden, or she'll wake right up screaming sometimes. I really feel so bad for her. The past couple of nights she'll seem so tired, but can't sleep. *sigh*
Here's what we're doing to try and help the problem (none working much yet):
- I'm going on a dairy-free diet. This is the age where her little digestive system will be sensitive to dairy, so I'm cutting it out completely. Today is day three of the diet. I'm already vegetarian, so except for eggs, I'm pretty much going vegan for this little girl! I'm doing this for a month, and then if things are seeming better I'll do a dairy challenge where I eat dairy with every meal for a couple of days to see if it'll cause a reaction. If nothing else, cutting out high fat cheese and other dairy products and upping my veggie intake will help me lose some more of this baby weight!
- Gas drops. Mylicol is the brand name, but we're doing the Walgreens store brand version. We started last night, giving her a little bit after each feeding. The active ingredient, simethicone, breaks down larger gas bubbles into smaller, less painful ones that are easier to pass. We did notice a lot of tooting last night, but she still shrieked and cried a bunch too.
- Belly massages. Here's one I found online that got a toot out: Rub from ribcage to belly button downward with alternating hands for a count of 15. Push knees to chest and hold for count of 15. Rub in a clockwise motion from belly button and around for a count of 15. Push knees to chest and hold for count of 15. Repeat.
- Pump the legs. Basically it's helping her do the "bicycle" motion with her legs. It just helps her work it out.
- Lots of burping. Sitting her upright after feeding so gas can move up and lots of patting her back. She often falls asleep for a little bit doing this as well.
Any of you have gassy babies or experience with it? I'd love any advice or tips!!!
Jan 6, 2011
Two weeks old!
Little Adelaide turned two weeks old yesterday. In some ways it feels like those two weeks have flown, and in other ways it seems she's been here forever. Maybe it's the sleep-deprived part of me that feels like it's been an eternity of nursing, changing diapers, and sitting up at night trying to figure out why she's fussy? Probably.
To commemorate the two-week mark, I took some pictures of my little one all wrapped up in fuzzy blankets in a basket that was originally the carrier of Harry and David fruit (a congrats gift from the family I used to babysit for).
I didn't quite get the shots that I was hoping for... you know, the naked newborn booty photos, but I did get a few that showed how expressive Adelaide can be. And of course, how beautiful she is.
At one point I moved the basket (which was on my kitchen table) and the table was all wet. Turns out she peed, and the blanket, basket, and table were the victims. I should have kept a diaper on her, but I was really hoping for those butt shots, and didn't want the marks from the diapers on her cute little tush. Next time I'll know better!
To commemorate the two-week mark, I took some pictures of my little one all wrapped up in fuzzy blankets in a basket that was originally the carrier of Harry and David fruit (a congrats gift from the family I used to babysit for).
I didn't quite get the shots that I was hoping for... you know, the naked newborn booty photos, but I did get a few that showed how expressive Adelaide can be. And of course, how beautiful she is.
At one point I moved the basket (which was on my kitchen table) and the table was all wet. Turns out she peed, and the blanket, basket, and table were the victims. I should have kept a diaper on her, but I was really hoping for those butt shots, and didn't want the marks from the diapers on her cute little tush. Next time I'll know better!
Jan 4, 2011
Noisy baby.
I think I have the noisiest baby ever. She grunts, groans, moans, screams, cries, coos... it goes on and on.
She doesn't just eat. She verbalizes every bite. At night, we can't sleep because she talks through supper. Poor Kevin doesn't get to sleep in like I do when she finally chooses to knock out.
The past couple of nights have been tough, too. My midwife says this is about the time that she'll get sensitive to certain foods I'm eating, so today is my first day trying no dairy, in case that's what's the problem. She has been gassy and really fussy, and today not as much. But... wait until 10:30, when the fussiness has been kicking in... we'll see!
She is still so precious, noise and all. :)
She doesn't just eat. She verbalizes every bite. At night, we can't sleep because she talks through supper. Poor Kevin doesn't get to sleep in like I do when she finally chooses to knock out.
The past couple of nights have been tough, too. My midwife says this is about the time that she'll get sensitive to certain foods I'm eating, so today is my first day trying no dairy, in case that's what's the problem. She has been gassy and really fussy, and today not as much. But... wait until 10:30, when the fussiness has been kicking in... we'll see!
She is still so precious, noise and all. :)
Jan 2, 2011
First walk with the little one.
Today was so nice! 62 degrees with just a bit of breeze.
Kevin and I took the opportunity with this awesome weather to get in our first walk with the little lady. She slept through it, but it was nice to get out and get some fresh air in my lungs.
This house has felt a little suffocating lately, so to be able to get out and walk around was awesome. I'd been used to walking so much leading up to the labor anyhow, it felt weird not to go on a walk for eleven days!
And now that this first one with papa was so successful, maybe I'll go on a walk alone with Adelaide when he's at work, so long as the weather is decent. All I have to do is fill her up and let her fall asleep first, haha! :)
Kevin and I took the opportunity with this awesome weather to get in our first walk with the little lady. She slept through it, but it was nice to get out and get some fresh air in my lungs.
This house has felt a little suffocating lately, so to be able to get out and walk around was awesome. I'd been used to walking so much leading up to the labor anyhow, it felt weird not to go on a walk for eleven days!
And now that this first one with papa was so successful, maybe I'll go on a walk alone with Adelaide when he's at work, so long as the weather is decent. All I have to do is fill her up and let her fall asleep first, haha! :)
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