Wednesday, April 22, 2009
We have a tooth!
In celebration of Earth day and her 8 month birthday, Evelyn decided to get her first tooth in! It pretty much came out of nowhere too. Her bottom teeth have been sitting there for what seems like forever and still haven't come through. 2 days ago, I noticed her top gums looked swollen and then this morning I was feeling around and there it was! Its her top right tooth and its so sweet! She didn't seem bothered by it either when it was coming through. (yay!) I really hoped that she would have waited for daddy to come home so he could see her with a gummy smile one last time. The top left tooth looks like it is also about to break through also!
Monday, April 20, 2009
getting back to running.
Today for the first time since Evelyn was born, I went running! I haven't done much since high school, but I used to be an avid runner. I'm not claiming I was any good, but I could run for miles and miles. We have had a jogging stroller but for a while, we couldn't figure out how to lock the front wheel! Well today I figured it out! (woohoo!) I'm starting out slow because I don't want my crazy shin splints to act up. Today I made a game out of it. I walked until I reached the first street sign, and then I jogged to the next street sign. I then alternated jogging/walking at each street sign I got to. That way I'm not pushing myself too hard. I'm hoping to run at least 3 days a week. Hopefully I can keep this up and work towards a goal of running a road race.
Friday, April 17, 2009
I never thought the day would come...
When I could say Evelyn has been sleeping through the night for over a week! I really never thought it would happen. And its not just 8 hours straight, its 11-12 hours straight! She goes down at 6pm and doesn't wake up until after 5am. I feel so well rested, it is really amazing. I am finally starting to feel human again. I'm sure when teething strikes, we'll have a couple more sleepless nights but I know that she can do it now!
We're still working on naps. She'll go down quite easily but only stay asleep for 30-45min. I'm hopeful though! I'm pretty sure its environmental issues that are waking her up during her naps. We are the first house you see when you come into our neighborhood so everyone drives past our house. There are a lot of loud cars that drive by. Apparently everyone is 17 and needs their car to sound like a race car or they need their music to shake the pictures on the wall of everyone's house they drive by. Usually she'll be sleeping great and someone will drive by or the trash truck will come or the guy with the weed wacker is out in front of our house. I wish I could put some ear plugs in her ears for her naps! Wouldn't that be wonderful!?
We're still working on naps. She'll go down quite easily but only stay asleep for 30-45min. I'm hopeful though! I'm pretty sure its environmental issues that are waking her up during her naps. We are the first house you see when you come into our neighborhood so everyone drives past our house. There are a lot of loud cars that drive by. Apparently everyone is 17 and needs their car to sound like a race car or they need their music to shake the pictures on the wall of everyone's house they drive by. Usually she'll be sleeping great and someone will drive by or the trash truck will come or the guy with the weed wacker is out in front of our house. I wish I could put some ear plugs in her ears for her naps! Wouldn't that be wonderful!?
Monday, April 13, 2009
little did I know...
So I was thinking today about how I pictured what life would be like with a baby before I was pregnant versus how life really is.
Heres the idealized version-
I would have a perfect, uneventful pregnancy. No morning sickness, gain little weight and feel great the entire time. I would work out and be in great shape by delivery day. I would go into labor, naturally of course, a few days before my due date and after a short labor, give birth without drugs- no sweat.
Breastfeeding would be a breeze. I mean it must be because thats how I want it to be. The baby would never cry because I would anticipate its needs before it even knew what it wanted. The baby would sleep through the night in no time, without crying, and I would love being a mother because I would be so well rested and egar to start everyday. We would go on walks and I'd be back to my old body in no time flat.
The baby would get on its own nap schedule. It would never need to cry it out because I would always be there and if the baby never feels alone then it would be comfortable to go to sleep all on its own. I would feel comfortable leaving the baby in its own room because I have a monitor and of course you can hear the baby breathing over the monitor, right?
When we start solids, the baby would love everything and open its mouth in anticipation of the next bite. I, of course, will never raise a pick eater.
We would have no plastic toys that play loud annoying music. The baby will love toys even though they don't sing to it.
I will love being a mother every second of everyday.
Here is the real version-
My pregnancy was pretty easy. I didn't gain a lot of weight. It was pretty much uneventful... well if you don't count the couple of UTI's, passing out in the post office and the bad ultrasound that stressed me out every day for four weeks until we got a level II done. Morning sickness lasted until around 12 weeks. All I ate was pasta and I couldn't drink out of a cup- I had to drink from a straw for months because the motion of tipping my head back made me want to puke. Working out was a joke because honestly I had no energy. I did go into labor naturally... well if you count taking castor oil as natural... but I didn't have to medically be induced so thats great! I was 6 days late. The longest 6 days of my entire life. I cried everyday. Hard labor didn't last too long. I screemed for an epidural but little did I know, I was already 10cm by the time they put it in. It never worked. Evelyn was born naturally* (with an astrik).
Breastfeeding wasn't too hard. I didn't have much support from the hospital because no one really knew what they were doing. My nipples hurt for weeks and I had a clogged duct about once a month and mastitis once as well.
Evelyn cried. Almost every night for a few hours. Nothing we could do helped. She slept for two hour stretches and I was tired. I was not egar to start everyday. Since I was the one with the boobies, I was the one who woke time after time after time. She didn't start sleeping through the night until 7.5 months when I had to let her cry it out. Naps are still a joke. Although I lost all the baby weight right away, my body took until 7 months to be close to normal. It will never be the same.
Evelyn loved solids at first. Now she only wants apples or pears. And thats all I give her because I don't know what else to do. Do I try to feed her veggies even though I know she wont eat? Or do I just feed her what she likes because I know she'll eat. I feed her what she wants. I'm raising a picky kid.
Her toys play music. Its loud, its annoying and they are plastic and she loves them.
I do love being a mother. But not every second of every day. Somedays I want to go back to when I could do want I wanted. If I wanted a nap I could. If Owen and I wanted a date night, we could and if wanted to go surfing then we went.
I wouldn't give her up for the world though. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She has taught me patience, to go with the flow, to love someone else more than I love myself. Everything may not always go to plan but whatever works!
Heres the idealized version-
I would have a perfect, uneventful pregnancy. No morning sickness, gain little weight and feel great the entire time. I would work out and be in great shape by delivery day. I would go into labor, naturally of course, a few days before my due date and after a short labor, give birth without drugs- no sweat.
Breastfeeding would be a breeze. I mean it must be because thats how I want it to be. The baby would never cry because I would anticipate its needs before it even knew what it wanted. The baby would sleep through the night in no time, without crying, and I would love being a mother because I would be so well rested and egar to start everyday. We would go on walks and I'd be back to my old body in no time flat.
The baby would get on its own nap schedule. It would never need to cry it out because I would always be there and if the baby never feels alone then it would be comfortable to go to sleep all on its own. I would feel comfortable leaving the baby in its own room because I have a monitor and of course you can hear the baby breathing over the monitor, right?
When we start solids, the baby would love everything and open its mouth in anticipation of the next bite. I, of course, will never raise a pick eater.
We would have no plastic toys that play loud annoying music. The baby will love toys even though they don't sing to it.
I will love being a mother every second of everyday.
Here is the real version-
My pregnancy was pretty easy. I didn't gain a lot of weight. It was pretty much uneventful... well if you don't count the couple of UTI's, passing out in the post office and the bad ultrasound that stressed me out every day for four weeks until we got a level II done. Morning sickness lasted until around 12 weeks. All I ate was pasta and I couldn't drink out of a cup- I had to drink from a straw for months because the motion of tipping my head back made me want to puke. Working out was a joke because honestly I had no energy. I did go into labor naturally... well if you count taking castor oil as natural... but I didn't have to medically be induced so thats great! I was 6 days late. The longest 6 days of my entire life. I cried everyday. Hard labor didn't last too long. I screemed for an epidural but little did I know, I was already 10cm by the time they put it in. It never worked. Evelyn was born naturally* (with an astrik).
Breastfeeding wasn't too hard. I didn't have much support from the hospital because no one really knew what they were doing. My nipples hurt for weeks and I had a clogged duct about once a month and mastitis once as well.
Evelyn cried. Almost every night for a few hours. Nothing we could do helped. She slept for two hour stretches and I was tired. I was not egar to start everyday. Since I was the one with the boobies, I was the one who woke time after time after time. She didn't start sleeping through the night until 7.5 months when I had to let her cry it out. Naps are still a joke. Although I lost all the baby weight right away, my body took until 7 months to be close to normal. It will never be the same.
Evelyn loved solids at first. Now she only wants apples or pears. And thats all I give her because I don't know what else to do. Do I try to feed her veggies even though I know she wont eat? Or do I just feed her what she likes because I know she'll eat. I feed her what she wants. I'm raising a picky kid.
Her toys play music. Its loud, its annoying and they are plastic and she loves them.
I do love being a mother. But not every second of every day. Somedays I want to go back to when I could do want I wanted. If I wanted a nap I could. If Owen and I wanted a date night, we could and if wanted to go surfing then we went.
I wouldn't give her up for the world though. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She has taught me patience, to go with the flow, to love someone else more than I love myself. Everything may not always go to plan but whatever works!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
I haven't posted on here in a long time and I apologize!
Since the last time I posted, Evelyn has started standing up on everything and sleeping all night long! She also has started to walk holding on to things such as the couch or her walking toys or table! Its adorable. We took the bath seat out of the bath tub and takes a bath like a big girl now. She LOVES it! She is so happy in the bath tub. She loves to splash and splash and splash..
Ok I do admit to letting Evie cry at night to get her to sleep. It was something I never ever wanted to do but I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in so long... I was starting to become delirious and I knew if something didn't change then I couldn't be the mom I needed to be. I went out and bought the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child" and it helped me realize what we needed to do to get her to sleep. The first night was terrible. She cried for 45min and I did too. After she fell asleep, she slept all the way to 3 am and then slept to 630! The next night she cried only 2min and now she only cries for a couple seconds before she starts to self soothe. I'm so happy! I feel bad that that is what I needed to do but I am so greatful that I found something that worked and it worked fast. Now we're just working on naps...
Owen has been gone for more than a week now. Being a single mommy is so hard. Its hard running a household and taking care of another human being and a dog! Some days I just want to go upstairs, drink some wine and take a nap but I know thats not going to happen for another couple of decades!
We decided that Owen is going to reenlist in the Navy and we are going to move back to Saratoga Springs NY. We are looking forward to this. We love Hawaii but we also love our family and decided that we want Evelyn to be close to her grandparents. We will be moving at the end of the year.
The beginning of the month brought my sister Sarah and her son Garrett. We had a blast hanging out with them. The kids are only a month apart so they had so much fun!
ta ta for now!
Since the last time I posted, Evelyn has started standing up on everything and sleeping all night long! She also has started to walk holding on to things such as the couch or her walking toys or table! Its adorable. We took the bath seat out of the bath tub and takes a bath like a big girl now. She LOVES it! She is so happy in the bath tub. She loves to splash and splash and splash..
Ok I do admit to letting Evie cry at night to get her to sleep. It was something I never ever wanted to do but I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in so long... I was starting to become delirious and I knew if something didn't change then I couldn't be the mom I needed to be. I went out and bought the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child" and it helped me realize what we needed to do to get her to sleep. The first night was terrible. She cried for 45min and I did too. After she fell asleep, she slept all the way to 3 am and then slept to 630! The next night she cried only 2min and now she only cries for a couple seconds before she starts to self soothe. I'm so happy! I feel bad that that is what I needed to do but I am so greatful that I found something that worked and it worked fast. Now we're just working on naps...
Owen has been gone for more than a week now. Being a single mommy is so hard. Its hard running a household and taking care of another human being and a dog! Some days I just want to go upstairs, drink some wine and take a nap but I know thats not going to happen for another couple of decades!
We decided that Owen is going to reenlist in the Navy and we are going to move back to Saratoga Springs NY. We are looking forward to this. We love Hawaii but we also love our family and decided that we want Evelyn to be close to her grandparents. We will be moving at the end of the year.
The beginning of the month brought my sister Sarah and her son Garrett. We had a blast hanging out with them. The kids are only a month apart so they had so much fun!
ta ta for now!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Some photos!
Trying to stand already!
New toy! And Lucy in the background.
This is what happens when Evie tries to help me feed herself.
New toy! And Lucy in the background.
This is what happens when Evie tries to help me feed herself.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Its been a while since I've posted here but we've been so busy! Our house guests are now gone and life is starting to get back to normal. We had a great time playing tour guides though! We did most of the tourist things on the island and I'm exhausted. On top of all of that, Evelyn decided that she no long wants to sleep at night. She seems to be doing a little better the past few days so hopefully the trend continues.
Owen is back to work now after more than two weeks off. It was so nice to have him home although it was the most time we have spent together in years so by the end I was ready to have my space again! He was named the Pacific Submarine Sailor of the Year a few weeks back. So hes pretty much a big deal ;-) In April, he'll compete for Pacific Sailor of the Year and if he wins he'll be promoted to Chief! I'm so proud of him.
Evelyn is now crawling and eating solid foods! She eats rice cereal in the mornings and a veggie/fruit at night. We've only done sweet potatoes but we'll start avocados as soon as the ones I bought are ripe enough. She chases the dog around the house and thinks its the funniest thing in the whole world. Poor Lucy doesn't know what she is in for! I think shes getting teeth soon. I see little swollen buds on the bottom gums.
I'm just enjoying having a beautiful baby girl and being married to an amazing man. Being a mommy and wife is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.
Owen is back to work now after more than two weeks off. It was so nice to have him home although it was the most time we have spent together in years so by the end I was ready to have my space again! He was named the Pacific Submarine Sailor of the Year a few weeks back. So hes pretty much a big deal ;-) In April, he'll compete for Pacific Sailor of the Year and if he wins he'll be promoted to Chief! I'm so proud of him.
Evelyn is now crawling and eating solid foods! She eats rice cereal in the mornings and a veggie/fruit at night. We've only done sweet potatoes but we'll start avocados as soon as the ones I bought are ripe enough. She chases the dog around the house and thinks its the funniest thing in the whole world. Poor Lucy doesn't know what she is in for! I think shes getting teeth soon. I see little swollen buds on the bottom gums.
I'm just enjoying having a beautiful baby girl and being married to an amazing man. Being a mommy and wife is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Going on a trip!
Starting Feb 21st, we'll be in San Diego for a week! Owen won sailor of the year for his boat (USS Tucson) and then sailor of the year for the squadron and then sailor of the year for Hawaii! We got a free trip to San Diego to compete for sailor of the pacific fleet. If he gets far enough, he'll automatically be turned into a chief!
Owen has been to San Diego twice but I've never been so this trip is going to be great. We are going to the San Diego zoo and we also have a bunch of events we have to attend. I'm looking forward to spending a full week as a family without Owen having to go to work.
We get back to Hawaii on March 1st. On March 3rd, Owen goes on leave for a week and his brother and sister in law are coming to visit with our niece Grace.
I'll be back next week with pictures!
Owen has been to San Diego twice but I've never been so this trip is going to be great. We are going to the San Diego zoo and we also have a bunch of events we have to attend. I'm looking forward to spending a full week as a family without Owen having to go to work.
We get back to Hawaii on March 1st. On March 3rd, Owen goes on leave for a week and his brother and sister in law are coming to visit with our niece Grace.
I'll be back next week with pictures!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Those eyes
The whole time I was pregnant, the only wish I had (in terms of how she looked) was that she had her daddy's eyes. Well I know my wish was granted when I look into her beautiful baby blues.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday Feb 2.
We had a good week this week. Evelyn has started getting up on her hands and knees all by herself. She can sit for long periods of time until she topples over. She is all over the place. She loves to bang on the computer when I am typing so typing this post is quite difficult!
Daddy came home on Tuesday from a week long underway. Evelyn was happy to see him when he got back and really looked excited. She gets really excited when he gets home from work now and will flap her arms and smile at him. Owen went back out to sea again today but he should be home in a few days.
Saturday we recycled! While living in Virginia, we tried SO hard to recycle but we could never find any recycling place. We felt terrible every time we threw stuff away but there was nothing we could do. Now that we are back in Hawaii, we can bring bottles back. We got $8.55 back for our bottles/cans and we brought back newspaper, cardboard, wine bottles, cans... anything you could think of! It made us feel great. Eventually we'd like to do a compost but decided that we don't have enough space to do that without having rats/bugs get into out small backyard.
Sunday we woke up early and went to the beach. It was just the three of us and we had a great time. We do miss the days where we could both go into the water and ride the waves all day. Evelyn is freaked out by the waves so only one of us could go into the water at a time but we still had a fun time. Evelyn sat on the blanket in the shade and played the whole time we were there. She took one header into the sand and had a face full of sand but she didn't seem to mind! I'm still picking out sandy boogers though! We took some photos but I haven't uploaded yet. I will post photos in a separate thread.
This week we are going to try to work on naptime. Evelyn is a terrible napper. Somedays she may only take one small catnap all day long and that makes for a cranky mommy! We are also going to switch Evelyns room with the guest room. The guest room is way too small and Evelyn's is way too big. All she has is a crib and drawers and a rocking chair and her room looks baren. In the guest room, we have a huge pull out couch that when made into a bed there is no room to move around. We have guests coming in the beginning of March so it'll give them a little extra room.
Daddy came home on Tuesday from a week long underway. Evelyn was happy to see him when he got back and really looked excited. She gets really excited when he gets home from work now and will flap her arms and smile at him. Owen went back out to sea again today but he should be home in a few days.
Saturday we recycled! While living in Virginia, we tried SO hard to recycle but we could never find any recycling place. We felt terrible every time we threw stuff away but there was nothing we could do. Now that we are back in Hawaii, we can bring bottles back. We got $8.55 back for our bottles/cans and we brought back newspaper, cardboard, wine bottles, cans... anything you could think of! It made us feel great. Eventually we'd like to do a compost but decided that we don't have enough space to do that without having rats/bugs get into out small backyard.
Sunday we woke up early and went to the beach. It was just the three of us and we had a great time. We do miss the days where we could both go into the water and ride the waves all day. Evelyn is freaked out by the waves so only one of us could go into the water at a time but we still had a fun time. Evelyn sat on the blanket in the shade and played the whole time we were there. She took one header into the sand and had a face full of sand but she didn't seem to mind! I'm still picking out sandy boogers though! We took some photos but I haven't uploaded yet. I will post photos in a separate thread.
This week we are going to try to work on naptime. Evelyn is a terrible napper. Somedays she may only take one small catnap all day long and that makes for a cranky mommy! We are also going to switch Evelyns room with the guest room. The guest room is way too small and Evelyn's is way too big. All she has is a crib and drawers and a rocking chair and her room looks baren. In the guest room, we have a huge pull out couch that when made into a bed there is no room to move around. We have guests coming in the beginning of March so it'll give them a little extra room.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday Jan 25
So this week marks the beginning of being lonely again. Owen went out to sea on Tuesday and will be back this next Tuesday (the 27th). He'll be in and out for the rest of the year. Luckily I have a beautiful baby girl to keep me company this time. Also, my best friend Charlotte lives about 1/4 a mile away so that helps a lot.
This week consisted of me trying to get into a routine. So far, we've been going for walks around Ford Island every morning.
I strap Ev into the stroller, put the leader on Lucy and off we go! Its about a 1.5 mile walk. It is so beautiful. I am so lucky to live in such a wonderful place. Every time I walk around the airstrip I think of all the men who lost their lives here. Its very surreal.
Evelyn turned 5 months this week. She sits very well unsupported now.
I put her on the floor and she rolls all over the place. It sure makes me keep my floors clean!
She also likes to grab onto her blanket and roll!
She can get up on her knees now but can't quite get her arms under her at the same time. I help her up a little and she'll bounce back and forth on her hands and knees before she falls over. I have a feeling I'm going to have an early crawler!
As for me... I'm getting over a mild case of mastitis (a breast infection). Breastfeeding has so many advantages (like its FREE) but I do have to deal with silly issues like this. I'm very lucky to be able to breastfeed so easily. I take after my mom in this department! Hopefully next week I'll be here with beach pictures!
This week consisted of me trying to get into a routine. So far, we've been going for walks around Ford Island every morning.
I strap Ev into the stroller, put the leader on Lucy and off we go! Its about a 1.5 mile walk. It is so beautiful. I am so lucky to live in such a wonderful place. Every time I walk around the airstrip I think of all the men who lost their lives here. Its very surreal.
Evelyn turned 5 months this week. She sits very well unsupported now.
I put her on the floor and she rolls all over the place. It sure makes me keep my floors clean!
She also likes to grab onto her blanket and roll!
She can get up on her knees now but can't quite get her arms under her at the same time. I help her up a little and she'll bounce back and forth on her hands and knees before she falls over. I have a feeling I'm going to have an early crawler!
As for me... I'm getting over a mild case of mastitis (a breast infection). Breastfeeding has so many advantages (like its FREE) but I do have to deal with silly issues like this. I'm very lucky to be able to breastfeed so easily. I take after my mom in this department! Hopefully next week I'll be here with beach pictures!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Evelyn is 5 months
I can't believe our baby girl is now 5 months old!
5 months ago our lives changed and we have enjoyed every second with her. We've been blessed with a perfect, happy baby who brightens our world everyday.
As of the 12th she is 15lbs 9oz and 24 inches. She now rolls everywhere and looks like she is trying to crawl. She sits all by herself also and grabs at everything in sight. Lucy is now her favorite toy and will pat and grab her whenever shes in reach.
She is growing SO quickly!
Newborn
One month
Two months
3 months
4months
5 months
I'm still amazed that she is MINE! I get to keep her and love her for the rest of my life and I'm looking forward to every day.
5 months ago our lives changed and we have enjoyed every second with her. We've been blessed with a perfect, happy baby who brightens our world everyday.
As of the 12th she is 15lbs 9oz and 24 inches. She now rolls everywhere and looks like she is trying to crawl. She sits all by herself also and grabs at everything in sight. Lucy is now her favorite toy and will pat and grab her whenever shes in reach.
She is growing SO quickly!
Newborn
One month
Two months
3 months
4months
5 months
I'm still amazed that she is MINE! I get to keep her and love her for the rest of my life and I'm looking forward to every day.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)