Now that my youngest is 8.5 months old and my oldest is almost 29 months old I'm getting a much better sense of just how different my two sons are:
Here are some comparisons:
Size: They can pretty much wear the same sizing in clothes now with some exceptions. My 2 year old is long and lanky and my 8 month old is big for his age, length and width and full of baby fat rolls!
Eyes: 8 month old got the true baby blues and my 2 year old is a brown eyed boy. Both my hubby and I have a mixture, I'm hazel (brown with greenish tint) and his are lighter (green, with a bluish tint)
Beach play: My 2 year old still dislikes getting dirty and beaches and making sand castles are not really his cup of tea. He's ok when there is a tool involved, aka using the shovel to put sand in a bucket, but the minute sand gets all over his fingers I hear "Mama, mama, my hands are dirty!" [Um, yeah we are at the beach]
Meanwhile his brother is not one to sit calmly on the blanket. He is off in less than a millisecond grabbing and pulling the sand into his hands and directly into his mouth! Question to all parents of children like my youngest son: Should I just let him consume the beach and hope he will eventually realize how disgusting sand is as a food source? Or will he just continue to eat it until he chokes causing himself worse harm? I ended up compromising with my 8 month old destructive force of nature and let him crawl on the wet sand by the water an immerse himself in a nice muddy mess, while my older son stood on the waters edge holding my hand and trying not to get too dirty.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Working Full Time is Not Natural or Easy
Yup with 2 babies and a full-time position I'm definitely with them on this one
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-brenoff/work-life-balance-on-the-nail-its-not-natural-work-full-time_b_2679674.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-brenoff/work-life-balance-on-the-nail-its-not-natural-work-full-time_b_2679674.html
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Baby #2
Our big bouncy baby boy arrived a few days early and showed up very fast. I had a much quicker labor with #2 than #1. I woke up at 3:45am feeling cramps that were only a few minutes apart and increased in intensity very fast. At 4:30am we had made it into the car with my father-in-law and just my luck a huge tractor trailer had made a wrong turn and got stuck on the bridge and we were stuck right in the center of the bridge--no traffic moving in either direction. I was on the floor of the backseat at that point just yelling. I believe I was screaming at my husband and father-in-law they needed to start moving that traffic along now! My husband left the car and ran to the front of the bridge to see about getting a police escort. My generally talkative and very opinionated father-in-law did not say a word that entire time. He was as silent as a mouse as I carried on in the back seat writhing in pain. I could have used something to keep my mind off the pain at that point and I remember thinking I need my husband to come back so he can count while I breathe through this.
In the end after a police escort and an ambulance ride with some very junior looking EMTs who did not look at all ready to assist in birthing a child if it came down to this, we made it too the hospital. Luckily my OBGYN was on the shift that morning and with the ambulance stretcher and EMTs I didn't have to wait in the waiting room and fill out paperwork this time, they brought me right in. This was how I should have done it the first time! (more about that episode later). After the resident determined my status (8 cm), and contractions about 1.5 min apart, she asked if I would like an epidural. Isn't it a little late for one? I really wanted the pain to go away, but what's the point if I would be pushing before then. The doctor came in and asked if I felt like pushing. I told her I did need to go #2 and #1. She said to wait. Well, I waiting until I couldn't anymore and then she said it was up to me if I wanted to try pushing. I told her I did, I wanted that kid out! She told me he was still a little high up but I should go for it if I wanted since this might help the pain. They didn't break the water this time even though the nurse got upset with me for moving with all the monitors strapped to my belly. The doctor was right, pushing did help ease the pain. The water didn't break until after his shoulders came out and I had no tearing. He was also bigger by almost a pound than my 1st, so go figure. It felt as if that sac acted as a cushion. I felt ok after giving birth, not like a chopped up piece of meat down there as I was the first round. Baby was healthy and we only stayed 1 night. Overall a much quicker and easier experience. My body knew what to do this time and I knew what to expect. Like they say, practice makes...well in birthing's case never perfect, but at least a little easier!
In the end after a police escort and an ambulance ride with some very junior looking EMTs who did not look at all ready to assist in birthing a child if it came down to this, we made it too the hospital. Luckily my OBGYN was on the shift that morning and with the ambulance stretcher and EMTs I didn't have to wait in the waiting room and fill out paperwork this time, they brought me right in. This was how I should have done it the first time! (more about that episode later). After the resident determined my status (8 cm), and contractions about 1.5 min apart, she asked if I would like an epidural. Isn't it a little late for one? I really wanted the pain to go away, but what's the point if I would be pushing before then. The doctor came in and asked if I felt like pushing. I told her I did need to go #2 and #1. She said to wait. Well, I waiting until I couldn't anymore and then she said it was up to me if I wanted to try pushing. I told her I did, I wanted that kid out! She told me he was still a little high up but I should go for it if I wanted since this might help the pain. They didn't break the water this time even though the nurse got upset with me for moving with all the monitors strapped to my belly. The doctor was right, pushing did help ease the pain. The water didn't break until after his shoulders came out and I had no tearing. He was also bigger by almost a pound than my 1st, so go figure. It felt as if that sac acted as a cushion. I felt ok after giving birth, not like a chopped up piece of meat down there as I was the first round. Baby was healthy and we only stayed 1 night. Overall a much quicker and easier experience. My body knew what to do this time and I knew what to expect. Like they say, practice makes...well in birthing's case never perfect, but at least a little easier!
Monday, October 1, 2012
18 months with More Words, Buckles and Zippers
At 18 months old now, our baby is definitely well on the way to becoming a little boy with more words and more adult tasks to take on.
Here are some of the recent new word additions: "airplane, basketball, ball, Elmo, Thank you" (I actually haven't hear him say this, but they say he does at daycare and once for Papa), names all the kids at daycare and the daycare provider by name now, he can even name some relatives. "A, B, C, D," (sometimes he gets to E). He sings this quite a bit now. He will say some phrases like "Oh, no Mama," "Oh no Papa," "Oh no, Me," or to any other object that falls. Other phrases are "Hey mama" and Hey papa" when we come home. We're very casual in our family ;) Some Spanish words are "zapatos" "mio" and "carrer" or "calle" for street. He says "sandals" for the English version of shoes, which makes sense because he did wear sandals all summer. He also says "Baby" for babies he sees and baby dolls. Yesterday we saw his cousins and the 4 year old had a doll, which he took and got very attached to; even cried when he had to give it back. I personally think its fine for him to play with a baby doll. Since he will have a real baby brother soon, I feel like it could be a good thing for him to get him used to the whole baby thing.
Other great forms of distraction for him now are buckles and zippers. He loves to buckle anything with a buckle, but he doesn't yet know how to unbuckle, so once it's buckled he says, "Open," which is our cue to help. Zippers he is fine with on his own, except for starting off the bottom of a jacket. The worst thing about his love of zippering is now that it is getting cold he unzippers all his sweaters and coats and we have to constantly zipper him back up.
Here are some of the recent new word additions: "airplane, basketball, ball, Elmo, Thank you" (I actually haven't hear him say this, but they say he does at daycare and once for Papa), names all the kids at daycare and the daycare provider by name now, he can even name some relatives. "A, B, C, D," (sometimes he gets to E). He sings this quite a bit now. He will say some phrases like "Oh, no Mama," "Oh no Papa," "Oh no, Me," or to any other object that falls. Other phrases are "Hey mama" and Hey papa" when we come home. We're very casual in our family ;) Some Spanish words are "zapatos" "mio" and "carrer" or "calle" for street. He says "sandals" for the English version of shoes, which makes sense because he did wear sandals all summer. He also says "Baby" for babies he sees and baby dolls. Yesterday we saw his cousins and the 4 year old had a doll, which he took and got very attached to; even cried when he had to give it back. I personally think its fine for him to play with a baby doll. Since he will have a real baby brother soon, I feel like it could be a good thing for him to get him used to the whole baby thing.
Other great forms of distraction for him now are buckles and zippers. He loves to buckle anything with a buckle, but he doesn't yet know how to unbuckle, so once it's buckled he says, "Open," which is our cue to help. Zippers he is fine with on his own, except for starting off the bottom of a jacket. The worst thing about his love of zippering is now that it is getting cold he unzippers all his sweaters and coats and we have to constantly zipper him back up.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Supreme Rudeness on the Subway
Up until a few weeks ago I rarely ever had anyone offer me a seat on the subway, but now at 6+ (almost 7 months) I am looking very obviously pregnant and now taking the subway during rush hour has become a game of "Will anyone offer their seat to the pregnant woman?" I would say maybe half the time if I'm standing near someone nice they will offer up a seat. The rest of the time I just stand for those 25 minutes while everyone looks down or away from my general direction. One time a woman looked at my belly about 5 or 6 times before looking around (I guess to check if anyone else would offer) and then tentatively asking if I wanted to sit.
I get it that people, and generally its the guys, don't want to give up their nice comfy plastic seats. It's easier to pretend not to notice.
So this is what was going on yesterday when another woman, also standing on the train, loudly asks me if anyone has offered their seat. [This is not the first time a woman has come to my rescue to find me a seat.] I tell her no, but not to worry about it. She of course is not about to let the row of able bodied men sitting in front of me get away with this and again very loudly asks any of them if they can give me their seat. All but one man looks away and pretend not to hear her. The one man actually looks up at me and says right to my face, "No." He said it quietly enough so the woman trying to get me a seat didn't hear him, but I have to say I was really shocked. And having been in this city for over 10 years I've seen alot of rudeness. I mean I get that none of those guys wanted to give up a seat. Obviously if they wanted to they would have already, but to actually tell someone to their face, "No I'm not giving up my seat because I'm choosing to be an inconsiderate ***" was something new for me.
End of story, none of those guys gave up their seats, although only the one was brutally honest with me about his feelings on giving up seats to pregnant women (perhaps he feels the same way about the elderly and disabled). Instead a woman (of course it was a woman) on the other side of the train got up for me.
Another blog about the cold shoulders pregnancy gets on the subway:
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/07/26/being-a-pregnant-woman-on-the-train-is-no-fun/
And another funny Times article. I have been offered seats in my last pregnancy by white guys, although more often than not, no guys (no matter what color) offered their seat.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/complaint-box-subway-squatters/
I get it that people, and generally its the guys, don't want to give up their nice comfy plastic seats. It's easier to pretend not to notice.
So this is what was going on yesterday when another woman, also standing on the train, loudly asks me if anyone has offered their seat. [This is not the first time a woman has come to my rescue to find me a seat.] I tell her no, but not to worry about it. She of course is not about to let the row of able bodied men sitting in front of me get away with this and again very loudly asks any of them if they can give me their seat. All but one man looks away and pretend not to hear her. The one man actually looks up at me and says right to my face, "No." He said it quietly enough so the woman trying to get me a seat didn't hear him, but I have to say I was really shocked. And having been in this city for over 10 years I've seen alot of rudeness. I mean I get that none of those guys wanted to give up a seat. Obviously if they wanted to they would have already, but to actually tell someone to their face, "No I'm not giving up my seat because I'm choosing to be an inconsiderate ***" was something new for me.
End of story, none of those guys gave up their seats, although only the one was brutally honest with me about his feelings on giving up seats to pregnant women (perhaps he feels the same way about the elderly and disabled). Instead a woman (of course it was a woman) on the other side of the train got up for me.
Another blog about the cold shoulders pregnancy gets on the subway:
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2012/07/26/being-a-pregnant-woman-on-the-train-is-no-fun/
And another funny Times article. I have been offered seats in my last pregnancy by white guys, although more often than not, no guys (no matter what color) offered their seat.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/complaint-box-subway-squatters/
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
2 Babies or 2 Cats?
Almost 2 months ago, when I was head deep in the toilet with morning sickness and not anywhere near capable to function as caretaker to anyone let alone myself, our cat got very sick. We came home from a 3 day weekend trip to find our almost 6 year old cat laying on the floor in a mess of blood and vomit. We thought he was dead or very near death.
This cat had been to the vet more than once already because he would spend forever in the kitty litter doing his business and then rub his butt on our carpets when he emerged. The vet decided there was nothing wrong with him and charged us $300 to drug him up and pop his anal glands. The cat seemed to lessen the but rubbing for a few months, or at least he did it when we weren't around, but we still would find vomit every so often and since we have 2 cats we were never sure if it was one cat or both.
We called the animal hospitals, human society and finally got a hold of the same vet who had looked at him before who agreed to see him late on a holiday. The vet finally discovered the issue was a urinary tract infection, which apparently if not treated right away can be fatal to cats. My husband refused to pay the full amount for all the treatment needing to be done for the procedures, since we felt this should have been caught a year ago when we first brought him in. To save our cats life, I suppose, the vet gave us a discount and threw in a free bag of special food, which we were told he would need to have for the rest of his life and the antibiotics for 1 week. We were told the UTI is something some cats are prone to and this condition is one that may come back. It was then we decided we would be best off to find another home for our 6 year old and 5 year old cats. My husband would be away on business in two weeks and I was in no position to be cleaning litter or taking care of a sick cat. The plan was to have family members come over every afternoon to watch our little boy so I could focus on myself and just getting to and from work everyday, which at that time I sometimes was unable to accomplish. If I had been in my normal healthy state I would have been more upset about giving away our cats, but I knew I couldn't take care of them and having a sick cat around a pregnant woman and a baby was bad news.
First we asked family members and friends if they were interested in taking them in; no one was. They were willing to help out with our one year old, but not our cats. We called shelters, but this would be a last resort since most didn't take adult cats and the one that did was a drop off service that promised to keep them alive for 72 hours, but after that there was no guarantee if the shelter was too crowded. I knew our younger cat would never survive in a shelter because he is wild and scared of people. Knowing him he would get scared and scratch someone and that would be the end of it. Not thinking there was much hope we decided to try posting an add on Craigslist. If you go on craigslist under pets you'll find at least 25 new postings for cats and about 2 for dogs. We didn't expect much but figured why not try anyway. That night at about midnight I got a text. We expected it to be a prank, at that hour, but it actually was an interested family! They had a big mouse problem and we had put on the ad that our cats were great at keeping rodents and roaches away.
I have to say there are some moments now where I miss our cats but ultimately this was the right decision. I am only now beginning to feel less sick and it is still difficult to chase around an energetic one year old in my weakened hormonal state. Now our only problem is the visiting roach family who got the memo that our cats are now gone.
This cat had been to the vet more than once already because he would spend forever in the kitty litter doing his business and then rub his butt on our carpets when he emerged. The vet decided there was nothing wrong with him and charged us $300 to drug him up and pop his anal glands. The cat seemed to lessen the but rubbing for a few months, or at least he did it when we weren't around, but we still would find vomit every so often and since we have 2 cats we were never sure if it was one cat or both.
We called the animal hospitals, human society and finally got a hold of the same vet who had looked at him before who agreed to see him late on a holiday. The vet finally discovered the issue was a urinary tract infection, which apparently if not treated right away can be fatal to cats. My husband refused to pay the full amount for all the treatment needing to be done for the procedures, since we felt this should have been caught a year ago when we first brought him in. To save our cats life, I suppose, the vet gave us a discount and threw in a free bag of special food, which we were told he would need to have for the rest of his life and the antibiotics for 1 week. We were told the UTI is something some cats are prone to and this condition is one that may come back. It was then we decided we would be best off to find another home for our 6 year old and 5 year old cats. My husband would be away on business in two weeks and I was in no position to be cleaning litter or taking care of a sick cat. The plan was to have family members come over every afternoon to watch our little boy so I could focus on myself and just getting to and from work everyday, which at that time I sometimes was unable to accomplish. If I had been in my normal healthy state I would have been more upset about giving away our cats, but I knew I couldn't take care of them and having a sick cat around a pregnant woman and a baby was bad news.
First we asked family members and friends if they were interested in taking them in; no one was. They were willing to help out with our one year old, but not our cats. We called shelters, but this would be a last resort since most didn't take adult cats and the one that did was a drop off service that promised to keep them alive for 72 hours, but after that there was no guarantee if the shelter was too crowded. I knew our younger cat would never survive in a shelter because he is wild and scared of people. Knowing him he would get scared and scratch someone and that would be the end of it. Not thinking there was much hope we decided to try posting an add on Craigslist. If you go on craigslist under pets you'll find at least 25 new postings for cats and about 2 for dogs. We didn't expect much but figured why not try anyway. That night at about midnight I got a text. We expected it to be a prank, at that hour, but it actually was an interested family! They had a big mouse problem and we had put on the ad that our cats were great at keeping rodents and roaches away.
I have to say there are some moments now where I miss our cats but ultimately this was the right decision. I am only now beginning to feel less sick and it is still difficult to chase around an energetic one year old in my weakened hormonal state. Now our only problem is the visiting roach family who got the memo that our cats are now gone.
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