I should technically title this "Childcare" Reflections since they're taking care of the child, not the day...but I've grown up calling it daycare and I'm sure I always will.
All mothers, moms-to-be, and future mothers - Please read!! You are my target audience for this particular blog. I'd love to hear your comments, thoughts, reflections, etc. as they apply to you and your current/past/future situation.
I've not had a chance to blog about my reflections on sending Layla to daycare and I figured now is an appropriate time to do so as the calendar year is coming to an end. If you've read my past posts about my thoughts/fears/reluctance to head back to work and send Layla to a daycare, it might be interesting for you to read to gain a better understanding of exactly how/what I was feeling. They're found in my posts during July & August.
To put it in a nutshell, I was one huge, emotional basket-case for about a month leading up to Layla's first day at Little Hands. Oddly enough, on that first day, I didn't shed a single tear. It didn't rip me up inside to let her go. I did call once to check up on her, and that was it. I was completely surprised by how I handled the whole situation once it finally arrived.
Four months later, I absolutely LOVE that she's attending daycare!
These thoughts have become more apparent/vivid this past week as I had it off work and was able to spend every moment with Layla. It sounds a little ironic, I know.
It could just be a stage Layla is in, but I truly believe she is simply bored at home with just us and her few toys (yay for Christmas gifts!!). She's very whiny and clingy. If I'm not physically in the room with her, crying ensues! Don't get me wrong, I love my daughter and at times enjoy the clinginess...but my goodness! I can't get anything done! I don't know if I could handle that every day :-)
She 100% knows who mommy & daddy are. She knows when she's home and when she's somewhere else. She always has. Daycare has not prevented/hindered any relationship between us.
I've watched her with her cousins as we're at all our holiday get-togethers and am amazed at how much she enjoys watching & playing with them. It gives me great joy to know that she gets to have that much fun every day with all the kids who attend Little Hands.
I know that she saves all her "firsts" for home based on conversations with the ladies at the daycare. I remember them being so impressed one day on how well she was pulling herself up and I thought to myself "she's been doing that for a week or two now." When Layla begins saying a new word, it seems they have never heard her say it when I mention it at drop-off or pick-up. On the flip-side, I know that she's learned words from daycare that she wouldn't have otherwise learned because we don't (or didn't) use them.
I cherish the first 5.5 months I had with her and hope that I get to spend a fairly equivalent amount of time with any future children we may have...but I don't regret going back to work.
I'm simlpy hoping to encourage you that it's not as bad as it might feel...sending your precious little bundle to a strange house/building every day. A lot of positives can come from it. She's interacting with other kids & learning physical, mental & social skills that couldn't happen at home with just me.
I've actually not had a single negative thought from the moment I dropped her off at her first day of "school."
I may not have the cleanest house because when I'm home I'd rather focus on her than what's around us...but that's just the way it might have to be.
I'm sure this post would have a far different approach had I stayed home, but I don't regret one second of the past 4 months.
If you're at home now struggling with the idea of leaving your little one...pregnant and weighing your options...or know that one day you will start a family of your own...I would love to talk with you, be an ear as you unload your thoughts & feelings, and encourage you as you deal with this emotional war within. I've been there...I know how it feels...and I know you get through it with minimal battle wounds & victory for both you & your child :-)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
First Fever & What I Learned
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Layla officially has her first fever.
It all started yesterday. Mommy and Daddy got to stay home because of a snow day and Layla decided to be fussy and clingy ALL day. This is not like her at all! She is such a happy baby. However, I didn't think much about it (except the inconvenience of it). As I was nursing her at the end of the day I noticed she kept flapping at her ear. This made me think maybe she was getting an ear infection and that's why she was so fussy all day. I put her down for the night and a few hours later headed to bed myself. I went in to check on her and noticed the humidifier was leaking. Needless to say, I woke her up with all my commotion. I lifted her up and noticed she was very warm. I took her temp. and it showed 99.8. I was slightly concerned. Usually when I take her temp it's 97-something.
I woke up this morning and she still felt warm - her temp. was down to 99.2. I decided to send her to "school" and told the ladies of her behavior yesterday and temp. this morning. I called to check on her mid-morning and she ate breakfast well and had just gone down for a nap. They told me she felt warm and would check her temp. when she woke up and call to let me know the results. As I was enjoying a lunch out with my team to celebrate Christmas I got the call. Layla's temp. was 101.8!!! I couldn't believe it! I was thinking maybe 99 still...but not 102! I left lunch early, made up my plans for the afternoon, made a doctor's appointment and picked her up. She definitely felt hot!
We came home for a bit and she took a little nap before her appointment. By the time we finally got called back to get her temp. checked by the nurse it was about 3 hours after the child care initially called me. The nurse's thermometer read 99.6. I was a bit relieved, but curious as to the big difference in temps.
The doctor comes in and is at first excited to see that Layla has gained 5 oz. since her last appointment! Then we get to business. She checks her ears - no infection. She tells me that their thermometer is pretty accurate because it's some high-tech silver thing and that 100.3 constitutes a fever. She's curious as to how Layla's temp. dropped so quickly with no fever reducer and asks how they took her temperature at child care. At the time I didn't know, but I later found out it's under the arm. We're not sure why there's such a difference and the doctor prescribes an antibiotic in case she gets worse or starts showing other symptoms over the weekend/holidays.
We leave with not much resolution to the reason for the fever and therefore my mind isn't at peace. I know my daughter is not her usual self and has temp. readings around 2 degrees higher than her "average."
I call the child care to tell them that nothing contagious was determined and asked about the possibility of her returning tomorrow since she doesn't technically have a fever. It turns out that 2 other kids were sent home with fevers...one being Layla's friend Macy. So maybe there really is something to this.
I take her temp. around 4:30 or so and my thermometer reads 101.8! Now I'm just confused! I check it later in the evening and it's about 100.8. I'm not sure why her temp. didn't read higher at the doctor's office.
Regardless, she's still fairly happy and is showing no other signs...and I hope she doesn't! I'm not looking forward to our first vomiting episode or exploding diarrhea!!
***
What I learned:
1.) You do not need to add a degree when you take a temp. with a digital thermometer under the arm (the child care & a couple other people told me this which would have made her temp. near 103)
2.) Check at least 3 times under the arms to get an accurate idea of temp. (rectal is best...no thank you!)
3.) You do not need to rush to the doctor at the first sign of fever - I think I always knew this...but I wasn't necessarily thinking rationally with the knowledge that my first child has her first fever.
4.) Going to the doctor too early might result in missing the true cause of the fever
5.) Although fevers aren't good, it allows for a bit more cuddle time than usual. :-)
On a lighter note...Layla kept saying "uh-oh" when the doctor was in the room. In fact, the doctor noticed it before I did...I think I was too intent on listening to what she had to tell me. She was very impressed with Layla saying this at 9 months. It looks like we're going to have quite the talker on our hands.
It all started yesterday. Mommy and Daddy got to stay home because of a snow day and Layla decided to be fussy and clingy ALL day. This is not like her at all! She is such a happy baby. However, I didn't think much about it (except the inconvenience of it). As I was nursing her at the end of the day I noticed she kept flapping at her ear. This made me think maybe she was getting an ear infection and that's why she was so fussy all day. I put her down for the night and a few hours later headed to bed myself. I went in to check on her and noticed the humidifier was leaking. Needless to say, I woke her up with all my commotion. I lifted her up and noticed she was very warm. I took her temp. and it showed 99.8. I was slightly concerned. Usually when I take her temp it's 97-something.
I woke up this morning and she still felt warm - her temp. was down to 99.2. I decided to send her to "school" and told the ladies of her behavior yesterday and temp. this morning. I called to check on her mid-morning and she ate breakfast well and had just gone down for a nap. They told me she felt warm and would check her temp. when she woke up and call to let me know the results. As I was enjoying a lunch out with my team to celebrate Christmas I got the call. Layla's temp. was 101.8!!! I couldn't believe it! I was thinking maybe 99 still...but not 102! I left lunch early, made up my plans for the afternoon, made a doctor's appointment and picked her up. She definitely felt hot!
We came home for a bit and she took a little nap before her appointment. By the time we finally got called back to get her temp. checked by the nurse it was about 3 hours after the child care initially called me. The nurse's thermometer read 99.6. I was a bit relieved, but curious as to the big difference in temps.
The doctor comes in and is at first excited to see that Layla has gained 5 oz. since her last appointment! Then we get to business. She checks her ears - no infection. She tells me that their thermometer is pretty accurate because it's some high-tech silver thing and that 100.3 constitutes a fever. She's curious as to how Layla's temp. dropped so quickly with no fever reducer and asks how they took her temperature at child care. At the time I didn't know, but I later found out it's under the arm. We're not sure why there's such a difference and the doctor prescribes an antibiotic in case she gets worse or starts showing other symptoms over the weekend/holidays.
We leave with not much resolution to the reason for the fever and therefore my mind isn't at peace. I know my daughter is not her usual self and has temp. readings around 2 degrees higher than her "average."
I call the child care to tell them that nothing contagious was determined and asked about the possibility of her returning tomorrow since she doesn't technically have a fever. It turns out that 2 other kids were sent home with fevers...one being Layla's friend Macy. So maybe there really is something to this.
I take her temp. around 4:30 or so and my thermometer reads 101.8! Now I'm just confused! I check it later in the evening and it's about 100.8. I'm not sure why her temp. didn't read higher at the doctor's office.
Regardless, she's still fairly happy and is showing no other signs...and I hope she doesn't! I'm not looking forward to our first vomiting episode or exploding diarrhea!!
***
What I learned:
1.) You do not need to add a degree when you take a temp. with a digital thermometer under the arm (the child care & a couple other people told me this which would have made her temp. near 103)
2.) Check at least 3 times under the arms to get an accurate idea of temp. (rectal is best...no thank you!)
3.) You do not need to rush to the doctor at the first sign of fever - I think I always knew this...but I wasn't necessarily thinking rationally with the knowledge that my first child has her first fever.
4.) Going to the doctor too early might result in missing the true cause of the fever
5.) Although fevers aren't good, it allows for a bit more cuddle time than usual. :-)
On a lighter note...Layla kept saying "uh-oh" when the doctor was in the room. In fact, the doctor noticed it before I did...I think I was too intent on listening to what she had to tell me. She was very impressed with Layla saying this at 9 months. It looks like we're going to have quite the talker on our hands.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
hips & more
A couple of nights ago I noticed Layla swaying her hips to music instead of just bobbing up and down. Where does she learn this stuf?!?! I'm hoping to get a video of it and post it on facebook...be on the lookout.
That same night she also decided to start pushing things and walking with them! It was her first night crawling around on our hardwood dining room floor. I'm not sure if it was an accident at first, but she did very well! One foot in front of the other like it was the thousandth time she's done it. Later that night she was pushing her learning table across the carpet and walked across the room! She's getting so big!
Two new teeth have popped through, too. That puts the count up to six - four on top and two on bottom. She has a nice gap between her two front teeth...hopefully these two that just poked through will push them together a little. I might add we noticed that they popped through the same day as her swaying & walking. It all seems to come in bursts.
She's changed her crying, too. She frowns and contorts her face in this pitiful little expression and keeps her lips together more, making a new sound.
She also aparently does not like getting in her carseat after school anymore. She cries/screams all the way home. Luckily we don't live too far from there. I like to think that she misses me so much that it's just torture for me to let go and put her in the carseat right away. It's probably more because she's been free and wild all day having fun and doesn't like being restrained. I'm hoping the behavior doesn't spread to every time we put her in the car.
LOL...I was sitting here with Layla as she ate some Cheerios off a lid. When she finished them, she put the lid up to her mouth as if to lick every last crumb! So cute!!! She is now growlin at it...
Did I ever blog that she also gives us fives?? I keep it plural because she doesn't know to only do it once and stop...it turns out to be more like giving us a "fifteen."
That same night she also decided to start pushing things and walking with them! It was her first night crawling around on our hardwood dining room floor. I'm not sure if it was an accident at first, but she did very well! One foot in front of the other like it was the thousandth time she's done it. Later that night she was pushing her learning table across the carpet and walked across the room! She's getting so big!
Two new teeth have popped through, too. That puts the count up to six - four on top and two on bottom. She has a nice gap between her two front teeth...hopefully these two that just poked through will push them together a little. I might add we noticed that they popped through the same day as her swaying & walking. It all seems to come in bursts.
She's changed her crying, too. She frowns and contorts her face in this pitiful little expression and keeps her lips together more, making a new sound.
She also aparently does not like getting in her carseat after school anymore. She cries/screams all the way home. Luckily we don't live too far from there. I like to think that she misses me so much that it's just torture for me to let go and put her in the carseat right away. It's probably more because she's been free and wild all day having fun and doesn't like being restrained. I'm hoping the behavior doesn't spread to every time we put her in the car.
LOL...I was sitting here with Layla as she ate some Cheerios off a lid. When she finished them, she put the lid up to her mouth as if to lick every last crumb! So cute!!! She is now growlin at it...
Did I ever blog that she also gives us fives?? I keep it plural because she doesn't know to only do it once and stop...it turns out to be more like giving us a "fifteen."
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A big night!!
First - Layla said "mama"!!!! I was feeding her dinner and she just blurted it out! Of course I haven't gotten her to repeat it, but she said it! It was so cute the way she said it, too. She curled her lips around her teeth...okay, it's a bit difficult to explain. Ask me next time you see me and I'll show you. :-)
Second - Layla was playing with her learning table and it is very apparent that she knows what to do to get a song to play. Instead of just randomly hitting everything all the time, she would spin something and dance through the song. When it finished, she would spin it again. Dance again. Stop. Spin it again. She's so smart!!!
Third - You know how you can move your finger up and down over your lips to make a funny sound? As she was playing with her table, I thought I heard that sound. I looked up and her hand was just leaving her mouth. Out of curiosity, I did it myself. And do you know what she did?! She took her whole hand and moved it back and forth across her mouth and made the sound! I thought it could have been a fluke, so I did it again. And she did it again! We did it a good 4 or 5 times! Of course, once I decided it was a real thing and grabbed the camera, she was done. I got one final go...but it's nothing like she was doing. I'll try and post it later.
I just can't believe how quickly she's catching on to things!
Second - Layla was playing with her learning table and it is very apparent that she knows what to do to get a song to play. Instead of just randomly hitting everything all the time, she would spin something and dance through the song. When it finished, she would spin it again. Dance again. Stop. Spin it again. She's so smart!!!
Third - You know how you can move your finger up and down over your lips to make a funny sound? As she was playing with her table, I thought I heard that sound. I looked up and her hand was just leaving her mouth. Out of curiosity, I did it myself. And do you know what she did?! She took her whole hand and moved it back and forth across her mouth and made the sound! I thought it could have been a fluke, so I did it again. And she did it again! We did it a good 4 or 5 times! Of course, once I decided it was a real thing and grabbed the camera, she was done. I got one final go...but it's nothing like she was doing. I'll try and post it later.
I just can't believe how quickly she's catching on to things!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Fun times!
I had an absolutely wonderful time last night watching Layla stand on her own! It was so stinkin' cute!!! Words can't even describe...and of course every time Jeremy tried to get a video of it on the camera, Layla became too distracted. This all came out of nowhere! I was sitting on the floor and Layla was crawling on me. Her knees were bent and she was leaning forward when she started grunting (she just started this lately and does it all the time now). Next thing I know she takes her hands off of me and is staying in that position by herself!! I think my excitement startled her a bit. :-) The rest of the night she kept crawling on me and letting go with her hands. Only now she would stand upright with her hands in the air as if to show excitement. Oh, it was such fun!!
On a different note, Layla has now joined the world in loving Texas Roadhouse rolls. She had to have eaten the equivalent of at least one whole roll tonight! I don't know for sure because I kept finishing them off for her :-p I know they're not healthy, but hey, maybe this will put some weight on her bones :-) She also had a tiny bite of mashed potatoes. She turned her head every time I tried giving her another bite, so I'm guessing she's not a fan. I think tonight is the tip of the iceberg with me loosening up a bit on what she eats. Not entirely! I'm not going to be a parent letting their toddler sip soda or eat sweets every day...but I'm allowing a little more freedom with what she eats. I'm not going to obsess on "recommended lists" like I have been. She just might enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner herself this year...something aside from the mundane mixed veggies she always gets.
On a different note, Layla has now joined the world in loving Texas Roadhouse rolls. She had to have eaten the equivalent of at least one whole roll tonight! I don't know for sure because I kept finishing them off for her :-p I know they're not healthy, but hey, maybe this will put some weight on her bones :-) She also had a tiny bite of mashed potatoes. She turned her head every time I tried giving her another bite, so I'm guessing she's not a fan. I think tonight is the tip of the iceberg with me loosening up a bit on what she eats. Not entirely! I'm not going to be a parent letting their toddler sip soda or eat sweets every day...but I'm allowing a little more freedom with what she eats. I'm not going to obsess on "recommended lists" like I have been. She just might enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner herself this year...something aside from the mundane mixed veggies she always gets.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Shopping woes
I just went shopping for Layla's Christmas dress and think I found one I like. I have to go back to get it because I left a gift card at home. Ugh! Anyway, as I was shopping, I began to get discouraged (I'm not sure if that's thet exact word I'm looking for). Every time I looked at a tag the feeling grew deeper and deeper. You see, Layla is 9 months old next week (wow!). However, she's not even to the weight listed as the low end of the 6/9 month clothes. :-( I've been pretty good the past month or so about not worrying too much about her weight. As her 9 month appiontment draws near, it's been creeping more and more into my thoughts. Today's trip to the mall did not help at all. I guess I could look at is as a positive that my little girl is staying small to let me enjoy this size longer. I'm sure one day I'll look back wishing I hadn't kept worrying abour her size. I just can't help it. And then my mind does mean things and goes off on crazy tangents about what could be wrong or what would happen if this rate continues. I think I watch too many Discovery Health shows!
Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting her appiontment next Wednesday. I am hoping for good news.
Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting her appiontment next Wednesday. I am hoping for good news.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Notes from Layla
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
So cute
Layla is really trying to say "mama." She stares intently at my mouth as I repeat "mama" and she will follow it with "dadammmmm dadammmmm." It's so stinkin' cute!
She waves very well and claps in her own special way. :-)
She is pulling herself up all the time and even standing with no hands as she leans on items around her. She sometimes gets "stuck" and can't quite get back down. Mommy always comes to the rescue, though.
**Okay, I just read what I've written so far in case I needed to make any changes and I realized that what Layla says when she's trying to say "mama" looks like she's saying something naughty. Haha. She isn't. It's more like she's saying "dada -mmmmmmm." I hope that clears things up a bit more. **
She has 4 teeth.
She loves her Tigger toy that sings and bounces. She gets excited and bounces right along with him.
Although she's been doing it for some time, pulling her socks off seems to still be her favorite trick.
She loves watching kids. She will contort herself just to keep an eye on any kid in the area.
She had a blast at her friend Kate's house. You see, Kate just turned 1 and has some pretty cool toys. In fact, Layla was so intrigued by the toys, she was up far longer than she ever has been at night (with no nap to break it up) and didn't fuss once.
She would much rather feed herself than be spoon-fed.
She loves to "fall" from mommy's arms. She giggles to no end when I pretend I'm dropping her.
Listening to daddy play his guitar makes her smile.
She enjoys sticking out her tongue.
She waves very well and claps in her own special way. :-)
She is pulling herself up all the time and even standing with no hands as she leans on items around her. She sometimes gets "stuck" and can't quite get back down. Mommy always comes to the rescue, though.
**Okay, I just read what I've written so far in case I needed to make any changes and I realized that what Layla says when she's trying to say "mama" looks like she's saying something naughty. Haha. She isn't. It's more like she's saying "dada -mmmmmmm." I hope that clears things up a bit more. **
She has 4 teeth.
She loves her Tigger toy that sings and bounces. She gets excited and bounces right along with him.
Although she's been doing it for some time, pulling her socks off seems to still be her favorite trick.
She loves watching kids. She will contort herself just to keep an eye on any kid in the area.
She had a blast at her friend Kate's house. You see, Kate just turned 1 and has some pretty cool toys. In fact, Layla was so intrigued by the toys, she was up far longer than she ever has been at night (with no nap to break it up) and didn't fuss once.
She would much rather feed herself than be spoon-fed.
She loves to "fall" from mommy's arms. She giggles to no end when I pretend I'm dropping her.
Listening to daddy play his guitar makes her smile.
She enjoys sticking out her tongue.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
fall photos (cont'd)
These are pictures in our front yard. Unfortunately, she didn't wake up from her nap until after the sun left that side of the yard. I went ahead and took the pictures because it was our last free afternoon with an excellent forecast.
fall photos
I got a new camera and have attempted a few "shoots" with Layla in the beautiful fall foliage. I'm disappointed with some of the shadows, but I couldn't justify having her look into the sun. Hopefully you'll see my photography mature as time goes on.
pretend i've cropped out the fuzzy in the corner
the color was much brighter & crisper when i had her facing the sun, but her face wasn't as cute
pretend i've cropped out the fuzzy in the corner
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Concerned
I woke up this morning with a feeling that has only intensified as I have watched the news tonight. Although I don't know exactly how to describe the feeling, I can try to explain why I'm feeling this way. I am deeply concerned that Obama received an enormous amount of votes simply because of the color of his skin and not because of his stance on issues. I truly hope that is not the case, but I fear it is. It seems everyone I have seen interviewed today has mentioned his race and how exciting it is that we have our first black president, but has not said one word about how excited they are to see his views be a part of the White House. I fear that thousands upon thousands of Americans were simply wanting to see a black man elected, despite his political beliefs. My fear is that the "change" they were looking for was more based on race-relations than on our country's needs.
When I saw the percentage of black voters that Obama captured (95%) I was shocked, but not surprised. Are you telling me that 95% of all black voters firmly believed that he was the better candidate for President based on his political beliefs?? It just seems highly unlikely to me.
Might I also add that many young voters seemed to be wooed by his "hipness" and eloquent ways.
I do feel his winning is a positive sign (in terms of race relations) of how far our country has come in 40 or so years, though.
When I saw the percentage of black voters that Obama captured (95%) I was shocked, but not surprised. Are you telling me that 95% of all black voters firmly believed that he was the better candidate for President based on his political beliefs?? It just seems highly unlikely to me.
Might I also add that many young voters seemed to be wooed by his "hipness" and eloquent ways.
I do feel his winning is a positive sign (in terms of race relations) of how far our country has come in 40 or so years, though.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Probably not too P.C.
I'm going to preface this blog stating that I hope this does not come across the wrong way.
I am not a big fan of the term "African American." I believe most (if not all) of people being referred to when this phrase is used are actually "Black Americans" as they are not immigrants from Africa. Otherwise, I should refer to myself as a "German American" or a "Polish American" or a "Slavic American." Are blacks in Britain referred to as African Britains? Can't we just all agree that we're simply American?
I'm afraid this next flow of thought could come across in a negative fashion...but I'm hoping it doesn't.
First of all, I don't care for either candidate for President. I voted for someone else in the primaries. It's looking that Barack Obama is going to be the next President of the United States. I'm sure I'll have a lot of issues with this as the next 4 years progress just as I probably would if John McCain were to become president. However, as I'm watching the election results roll in, my thoughts over the past several months are seeming to be looking as if they're based more on reality than just theory. I've heard several "regular citizens" mention that they voted or are *there* to celebrate because this is an historic time with the first "African American" to become president. I get the feeling that *so* many people voted for Obama simply because he is *black* and not because of his stance on issues. I would have thought the same thing had Hillary Clinton become a candidate and people voting simply because they wanted to see a first with a woman being president. It's so stinkin' frustrating!
I really hope "reverse racism" doesn't become more of a problem. I could go on an on about this issue. Can you imagine what would happen if there were grants out there that were only eligible for whites? Do you remember the big controversy with Kramer from Seinfeld? Did you ever hear the video from that night? The black man who Kramer (inexcusably) insulted referred to Kramer as a "cracker." Why is that okay (or at least not publicly abhorred) but what Kramer said was such an abomination (which it was)? It seems like quite the double standard that our country thinks it's completely wrong to degrade one person with a derogatory term yet not blink an eye when another person suffers the same type of treatment. I don't care who said what first...it's all wrong!
I've also heard (over the past couple of weeks) the issue of race arise in topics on the news more and more in regards to Obama's chances of winning. It seems to be that no matter the outcome, race was going to play a part in their excuse...either he lost because he's black or he won because he's black. After tonight's comments from citizens across the country, I find the latter to be true. How sad that a President might be decided not because of where he stands, but because of the color of his skin.
Now...I am in no way saying that the only reason why Obama would win is because of the color of his skin. I feel that the nation as a whole is very much repelled from the Republican party because of the last few years. I've said long before it was even determined who would appear on the primary tickets that our next president would be a Democrat because the nation is so turned off to the Bush administration. I'm just being quite candid with my thoughts.
When is race not going to play a role in our country? When are we going to realize that it's more "politically correct" to refer to people as either Black or White? When will we actually call all those with single citizenship to the United States simply Americans (for that's what they are)?
This ended up being longer than I had originally attended. I apologize if I have offended you in any way. Feel free to email me with any comments or concerns you might have.
I am not a big fan of the term "African American." I believe most (if not all) of people being referred to when this phrase is used are actually "Black Americans" as they are not immigrants from Africa. Otherwise, I should refer to myself as a "German American" or a "Polish American" or a "Slavic American." Are blacks in Britain referred to as African Britains? Can't we just all agree that we're simply American?
I'm afraid this next flow of thought could come across in a negative fashion...but I'm hoping it doesn't.
First of all, I don't care for either candidate for President. I voted for someone else in the primaries. It's looking that Barack Obama is going to be the next President of the United States. I'm sure I'll have a lot of issues with this as the next 4 years progress just as I probably would if John McCain were to become president. However, as I'm watching the election results roll in, my thoughts over the past several months are seeming to be looking as if they're based more on reality than just theory. I've heard several "regular citizens" mention that they voted or are *there* to celebrate because this is an historic time with the first "African American" to become president. I get the feeling that *so* many people voted for Obama simply because he is *black* and not because of his stance on issues. I would have thought the same thing had Hillary Clinton become a candidate and people voting simply because they wanted to see a first with a woman being president. It's so stinkin' frustrating!
I really hope "reverse racism" doesn't become more of a problem. I could go on an on about this issue. Can you imagine what would happen if there were grants out there that were only eligible for whites? Do you remember the big controversy with Kramer from Seinfeld? Did you ever hear the video from that night? The black man who Kramer (inexcusably) insulted referred to Kramer as a "cracker." Why is that okay (or at least not publicly abhorred) but what Kramer said was such an abomination (which it was)? It seems like quite the double standard that our country thinks it's completely wrong to degrade one person with a derogatory term yet not blink an eye when another person suffers the same type of treatment. I don't care who said what first...it's all wrong!
I've also heard (over the past couple of weeks) the issue of race arise in topics on the news more and more in regards to Obama's chances of winning. It seems to be that no matter the outcome, race was going to play a part in their excuse...either he lost because he's black or he won because he's black. After tonight's comments from citizens across the country, I find the latter to be true. How sad that a President might be decided not because of where he stands, but because of the color of his skin.
Now...I am in no way saying that the only reason why Obama would win is because of the color of his skin. I feel that the nation as a whole is very much repelled from the Republican party because of the last few years. I've said long before it was even determined who would appear on the primary tickets that our next president would be a Democrat because the nation is so turned off to the Bush administration. I'm just being quite candid with my thoughts.
When is race not going to play a role in our country? When are we going to realize that it's more "politically correct" to refer to people as either Black or White? When will we actually call all those with single citizenship to the United States simply Americans (for that's what they are)?
This ended up being longer than I had originally attended. I apologize if I have offended you in any way. Feel free to email me with any comments or concerns you might have.
Monday, November 3, 2008
missing calendar!
My calendar has apparently been misplaced and it's stressing me out!! I've been asked about all these dates and I have no idea what's going on! I didn't realize how heavily I rely on my calendar to keep myself organized (and sane!). I hope I find it soon!!!
In the meantime, if I committed to something and don't show up, please understand that I lost a big portion of my memory when I was pregnant and it hasn't seemed to return!
In the meantime, if I committed to something and don't show up, please understand that I lost a big portion of my memory when I was pregnant and it hasn't seemed to return!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
camera
I got a new camera and I'm super excited about it! I'm really thinking this is what I needed to get back into getting out and taking pictures. I wish we would have had it 8 months ago...but I'm glad we have it now.
I'm looking forward to developing some amateur photography skills.
I'm looking forward to developing some amateur photography skills.
Monday, October 27, 2008
20/72/3
These are my goal numbers.
20 minutes of cardio a day.
72 oz. of water during the work-day.
3 lbs. lost a week.
I have 5 more weigh-ins for the competition at school. I'm pretty sure I'm out of the running as one lady is way out in front of the pack. However, I'm not giving up on my personal goal. This week I'm allowing a bit of leniency with the 3 lbs lost b/c I actually have 3 less days than normal since I just weighed in today instead of Friday. The last week we weigh in on Wednesday instead of Friday, so I'll shoot for 2 lbs that week. My goal is 13 lbs. by Nov. 26. I'm currently down 7.6 lbs. Twenty even would be fabulous! I had a spell where I was consistently losing 1.5lbs a week. The last couple of weeks have been weird. But I'm hoping with the addition of exercise, I can see faster results. I'm a bit nervous that working out will cause me to want to eat a bit more in the evenings. I need to get to the store to get veggies to munch on!
I'm also planning on increasing my work-out time by 5-10 minutes every week or two. I'd like to be at 40 minutes consistently by Thanksgiving. It might be hard to get that in every night because of Layla's and Jeremy's schedules, but I'm going to try.
20 minutes of cardio a day.
72 oz. of water during the work-day.
3 lbs. lost a week.
I have 5 more weigh-ins for the competition at school. I'm pretty sure I'm out of the running as one lady is way out in front of the pack. However, I'm not giving up on my personal goal. This week I'm allowing a bit of leniency with the 3 lbs lost b/c I actually have 3 less days than normal since I just weighed in today instead of Friday. The last week we weigh in on Wednesday instead of Friday, so I'll shoot for 2 lbs that week. My goal is 13 lbs. by Nov. 26. I'm currently down 7.6 lbs. Twenty even would be fabulous! I had a spell where I was consistently losing 1.5lbs a week. The last couple of weeks have been weird. But I'm hoping with the addition of exercise, I can see faster results. I'm a bit nervous that working out will cause me to want to eat a bit more in the evenings. I need to get to the store to get veggies to munch on!
I'm also planning on increasing my work-out time by 5-10 minutes every week or two. I'd like to be at 40 minutes consistently by Thanksgiving. It might be hard to get that in every night because of Layla's and Jeremy's schedules, but I'm going to try.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Too much to title
Layla is learning so much every day! She likes to play with her tongue now. It's so cute! She knows that crying gets our attention (which will become annoying very quickly I'm sure!). I am 99% sure she "claps." I say 99% because I still have to administer a few more "tests" to determine I haven't been witnessing just a few coincidences. She puts herself into a sitting position from a crawling one. She pulled herself up to a standing position using Jeremy as help when he was sitting on the floor with her.
Might I add these developments have all been witnessed by Jeremy and/or I for the first time since yesterday! Well, all except for the crying thing, which I can't pinpoint down to a certain day.
****
We went to the ISU Homecoming Parade today and had a good time. It was rather chilly, though! I have some absolutely adorable pictures of Layla all bundled up that I'll post on here when I get around to it. She had a good time, but couldn't have cared less on watching the actual parade. She was far more interested in watching the kids running around.
I hadn't been to that parade since I was in college...and even then, I never got to enjoy it as I was always in it with Campus Crusade. It was nice to view all the floats as they passed by. I don't know which float won the contest, but the Humane Society's was SCARY!!! They did an excellent job...and I can't do it justice by describing it, but I can't help trying. There was a giant, evil-looking rabbit with monstrous claws and teeth standing on top of a hearse...and the workers were very dead-looking as well. Even though Layla would have no idea what she was looking at, I made sure she didn't turn her head to see the monstrosity!
****
I've begun to slack with the Biggest Loser competition. :-( I didn't weigh in yesterday because I took the day off...but I'm not sure I would have faired too well. I know once I actually get my butt in gear and go for a jog I would realize just how good I feel when I workout. I just can't seem to motivate myself to get there. I need help! Haha.
****
My current goal with the house is to maintain the 3 rooms that are in decent condition and have one more room welcome to the public by the end of next week. Within this goal, or maybe in addition, I would like Jeremy & I to spend 45 minutes to an hour a day working on the house (be it getting things where they belong or finishing up one of our many works-in-progress). I'm desperately hoping that our house is market ready by January 1st!
****
Layla does so much better in the evenings when she has friends over. Both last night and tonight we had guests over each with a girl either 4 months older or 1.5 months younger. I was so surprised to see Layla perfectly content playing on the floor so late at night with no sounds of fussiness. I can't really say that she was busy watching the other kid in the room, but it seemed that having someone else on the floor with her gave her the freedom to simply explore. Or maybe it's the fact that she was never alone in the room. But even when we're in the room with her she will get fussy after a while and want to be picked up. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is. I can see now why she's so tired when she comes home from daycare. She seems to forget the fact that she's tired and plays contently when other kids are around.
Might I add these developments have all been witnessed by Jeremy and/or I for the first time since yesterday! Well, all except for the crying thing, which I can't pinpoint down to a certain day.
****
We went to the ISU Homecoming Parade today and had a good time. It was rather chilly, though! I have some absolutely adorable pictures of Layla all bundled up that I'll post on here when I get around to it. She had a good time, but couldn't have cared less on watching the actual parade. She was far more interested in watching the kids running around.
I hadn't been to that parade since I was in college...and even then, I never got to enjoy it as I was always in it with Campus Crusade. It was nice to view all the floats as they passed by. I don't know which float won the contest, but the Humane Society's was SCARY!!! They did an excellent job...and I can't do it justice by describing it, but I can't help trying. There was a giant, evil-looking rabbit with monstrous claws and teeth standing on top of a hearse...and the workers were very dead-looking as well. Even though Layla would have no idea what she was looking at, I made sure she didn't turn her head to see the monstrosity!
****
I've begun to slack with the Biggest Loser competition. :-( I didn't weigh in yesterday because I took the day off...but I'm not sure I would have faired too well. I know once I actually get my butt in gear and go for a jog I would realize just how good I feel when I workout. I just can't seem to motivate myself to get there. I need help! Haha.
****
My current goal with the house is to maintain the 3 rooms that are in decent condition and have one more room welcome to the public by the end of next week. Within this goal, or maybe in addition, I would like Jeremy & I to spend 45 minutes to an hour a day working on the house (be it getting things where they belong or finishing up one of our many works-in-progress). I'm desperately hoping that our house is market ready by January 1st!
****
Layla does so much better in the evenings when she has friends over. Both last night and tonight we had guests over each with a girl either 4 months older or 1.5 months younger. I was so surprised to see Layla perfectly content playing on the floor so late at night with no sounds of fussiness. I can't really say that she was busy watching the other kid in the room, but it seemed that having someone else on the floor with her gave her the freedom to simply explore. Or maybe it's the fact that she was never alone in the room. But even when we're in the room with her she will get fussy after a while and want to be picked up. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is. I can see now why she's so tired when she comes home from daycare. She seems to forget the fact that she's tired and plays contently when other kids are around.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Loss of different kinds
Hair Loss - I looked at the back of Layla's head last night and most of her hair was gone! I don't know if this has been a slow process, but it sure seemed like it happened overnight! Her little "tail" she was born with and had forever is no longer there. And she used to have a little bald spot surrounded by lots of dark hair...that's not so much the case anymore :-( It's so thin! She still has long dark/turning light hair on the top of her head...giving her a reverse mullet look! Haha. She does have hair on the sides and back...it's just short, light and seemingly thin compared to what I'm used to. It's very sad to see her beautiful baby hair go. I'm regretting not getting more pictures when she was 1-3 months old that really show-cased her crazy hair! I'm curious to see what her hair will look like in her 9-month pictures, though. Below are a few pictures that show her hair changes over time...
Sep. 6
Weight Loss - Unfortunately this is not about myself (or Jeremy)...my precious Layla lost 5 oz. from her last doctor's appointment 3 weeks ago :-( I've tried to justify it in various ways - she fed right before she was weighed last time and hadn't eaten for several hours this time. But still! She has been PIGGING OUT the past week or two. I was truly hoping for 16lbs. She has felt a lot thicker to me lately. So I was very sad (I actually shed some tears) when I walked into the appointment and Jeremy said she weighed 14lbs. 11 oz. It was not the direction I was expecting at all. Last appointment, the doctor said she would look into blood tests if her weight gain wasn't improving. However, she's now going to wait and see how Layla's weight looks in a month and a half (9 month appt.). She's waiting because Layla is obviously happy and healthy looking. She's not having any issues with fevers, throwing up or diarrhea. The doctor kept reassuring us that everything is okay. She said it's not unusual for breastfed babies (I'm not sure if this is true of she was just easing our minds...all the breastfed babies I've known have gained weight with no problems). But the doctor has a great point in that Layla is a VERY happy baby and doesn't seem to be suffering from anything. Despite that, I'm really praying for excellent weight gain over the next several weeks...the last thing I want is to have blood tests run on my little sugar pie.
March 5 April 5
April 23 June 8
Sep. 6
Weight Loss - Unfortunately this is not about myself (or Jeremy)...my precious Layla lost 5 oz. from her last doctor's appointment 3 weeks ago :-( I've tried to justify it in various ways - she fed right before she was weighed last time and hadn't eaten for several hours this time. But still! She has been PIGGING OUT the past week or two. I was truly hoping for 16lbs. She has felt a lot thicker to me lately. So I was very sad (I actually shed some tears) when I walked into the appointment and Jeremy said she weighed 14lbs. 11 oz. It was not the direction I was expecting at all. Last appointment, the doctor said she would look into blood tests if her weight gain wasn't improving. However, she's now going to wait and see how Layla's weight looks in a month and a half (9 month appt.). She's waiting because Layla is obviously happy and healthy looking. She's not having any issues with fevers, throwing up or diarrhea. The doctor kept reassuring us that everything is okay. She said it's not unusual for breastfed babies (I'm not sure if this is true of she was just easing our minds...all the breastfed babies I've known have gained weight with no problems). But the doctor has a great point in that Layla is a VERY happy baby and doesn't seem to be suffering from anything. Despite that, I'm really praying for excellent weight gain over the next several weeks...the last thing I want is to have blood tests run on my little sugar pie.
Stress Loss - We were able to enjoy our Fall Break visiting our dear friends Becky & James in Atlanta and we had a wonderful time! If only we had a few more days to enjoy their company! You can read all about our trip and view a few pictures on their blog. We also drove over to Talladega, AL to visit some friends from church who moved down there in July. They're currently living in their RV while they wait for their house to be built. The quarters were rather small for 4 adults, a baby, and two dogs (one of which is 134lbs!). We enjoyed the visit, though. We ended the trip by staying in a hotel in Nashville to break up the return trip. It was nice to lay in a bed all evening and do nothing only to wake up in the morning to a delicious hot breakfast made by someone else. :-) I took a bag full of papers to grade during all the driving and I'm so glad I didn't! I think most will just have to end up in the trash...unless I can find some time to have the students grade it in class together :-)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
House woes
I'm so sick of having a house that is in constant disarray. It's completely overwhelming...so much that I just sit in despair feeling as if I can't do a thing about it. It has been awful for over a year now. It puts me in a bad mood...and I can't relax, but I can't seem to find motivation to work because I feel it never does a bit of good. So this runs over into my relationship with Jeremy because I'm just in an all-around icky mood when I'm home. I get frustrated that we haven't found a way to work together to keep the house in a decent condition. And now I'm even more frustrated with it all because Layla is more mobile and I can never put her down to play because there's no room (and, I feel, unsafe). In turn, I feel like I'm impairing her ability to crawl.
We can never have people over...and I would be utterly embarrassed if someone were to stop by unexpectedly. This has happened at least once in the recent past.
I don't want to live this way!!!
I want to be able to relax in my house. I want to have people over. I want to give my daugther the best environment for her development.
On a lighter note, I lost another 1.5 pounds this week. That puts me at 4.5 and counting!
We can never have people over...and I would be utterly embarrassed if someone were to stop by unexpectedly. This has happened at least once in the recent past.
I don't want to live this way!!!
I want to be able to relax in my house. I want to have people over. I want to give my daugther the best environment for her development.
On a lighter note, I lost another 1.5 pounds this week. That puts me at 4.5 and counting!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
3, puffs, red knees
I forgot to mention that I lost another 1.5 pounds last week. So I'm officially down 3 pounds. I'm hoping for another pound and a half tomorrow.
Layla ate baby puffs as a snack for the first time on Sunday. We introduced puffs to her a month ago but she wasn't too interested in them and made quite the face when I would put one in her mouth. But with the emergence of her teeth on Saturday, I thought I'd give them another try...and she loved them! I thouroughly enjoyed watching her try and feed herself. I added a few pictures of her attempts below. I might add that the next day, instead of her picking them up out of my hand she learned that bending her body forward to suck them out of my hand with her mouth was qutie a bit easier and more efficient. She's one smart cookie!
As for the red knees...Layla has had them lately. She must move around on the floor a lot while at daycare. I know she doesn't too much here because we hold her quite a bit. I'm sure that's stalled her as far as crawling is concerned, but after being away from her all day all I want to do is cuddle and have close contact with her. However, tonight I put her down and she moved forward just a bit on her hands and knees! WOOHOO!!! She crawled with her belly off the floor (she has been army crawling all over the place for about a month now)! It was just baby steps...or should I say baby crawls...but I feel she'll be all over the place in the very near future!
I'll end with a few pictures of her gnawing on a breadstick. This was in the middle of September. She enjoyed gnawing on a carrot last night but I have no pictures of that adventure.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Teeth - the good, the bad and the ugly
First, the bad and ugly.
Layla was bit yesterday at daycare :-( When I arrived they told me she was bit on the right foot, that it didn't break the skin and that they cleaned the area and applied an ice pack. They had me sign a form that detailed the incident that would go in her file. They also gave me a list of "Why Kids Bite" and explained that the parent of the biter also received that paper (and I'm sure also had to sign a form to go in that kid's file). My poor baby! The lady told me that there were marks...but I didn't realize how clear those marks would be! I have pictures below. You'll have to forgive me, the quality isn't the greatest. The flash kept washing out her skin so I had to do the best I could with no flash and poor lighting.
So that makes me wonder...which foot was bit first? Did she not react too much to the first bite or was the biter that quick in grabbing her other foot?
Now the good!
I'm crossing my fingers that this has been why she has refused to eat for a week.
Layla was bit yesterday at daycare :-( When I arrived they told me she was bit on the right foot, that it didn't break the skin and that they cleaned the area and applied an ice pack. They had me sign a form that detailed the incident that would go in her file. They also gave me a list of "Why Kids Bite" and explained that the parent of the biter also received that paper (and I'm sure also had to sign a form to go in that kid's file). My poor baby! The lady told me that there were marks...but I didn't realize how clear those marks would be! I have pictures below. You'll have to forgive me, the quality isn't the greatest. The flash kept washing out her skin so I had to do the best I could with no flash and poor lighting.
When I was buckling Layla into her car seat I noticed some marks on the top of her left foot. I almost took her back in to have the ladies look at it, but decided against it (I'm not quite sure why). When I got home and was feeding her, I looked at her left foot again and it was definitely clear she had also been bitten on her left foot!! So I called up the daycare to let them know...I wasn't sure if they needed to add it to her file, but it made me feel a bit better that I told them.
So that makes me wonder...which foot was bit first? Did she not react too much to the first bite or was the biter that quick in grabbing her other foot?
Who knows. Here are some pictures of her left foot:
Now the good!
Layla woke up this morning and gave a smile...to show off her 2 bottom teeth that are popping through!! I'm pretty sure they weren't there last night when she went to bed. We were visiting with some friends and they commented that they thought they saw teeth...but when moving into a room with light they change their minds. I didn't look super close because I knew that she didn't have teeth. Maybe if I'd have looked closer I would have seen something...but I don't think so. When I was feeding her this morning I felt the difference on the spoon. I didn't feel that last night. I stuck my finger in there to feel and sure enough there are 2 sharp teeth protruding!
I'm crossing my fingers that this has been why she has refused to eat for a week.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
the perfect bottle??
We had an appointment today since Layla hasn't really been eating (solid food) for a week. Having only gained 5 oz. last month, I have been quite concerned...but allowed myself to wait it out a week. In a nutshell, she has gained some weight, but still not as much as the doctor would like to see. We have another appointment scheduled in 3 weeks to see how she's progressing. At that time, depending on weight gain, the doctor is going to think about blood tests and what-not. We are praying this does not have to happen!
I have been researching all night trying to figure out just what might be causing her to turn from eating (she was mowing down every night!). The doctor gave her a good bill of health aside from the lack of decent weight gain. So it's not because of an illness or anything. Through my research online I have concluded that she doesn't need to eat solid food yet as long as she's nursing well.
She is nursing well...when she's with me. We're still dealing with the issue of her time at daycare. The sippy cup has yet to produce results. I've been okay with this since she's been eating food so well. That not being the case anymore, I'm really wanting to get her on the bottle now more than ever before.
I came across something called the Adiri Breastbottle Nurser through my online searching. I really like the idea of this bottle and am all about trying something new (as the daycare has tried so many types of nipples already)! However, every site I find with this bottle is out of stock!!! Ugh!!! I think I did come across one site, but the price was twice as much as any other site I came across. I guess they can do that if the demand is there and the supply is low. I'm just not sure I'm ready to shell out that kind of money on another bottle that may not work.
Here's a picture and description of the bottle:
Soft and Warm: Filled with warm milk, Adiri's Breastbottle nurser provides an amazingly breast-like substitute that is soft, snuggly, and comforting - more like breastfeeding than any other bottle. Breastbottle® nursers have proven to be ideal when first switching from breast to bottle - their capacity is also based on maximum breast milk supply.They are easy to clean as there is no need for a bottle brush. The bottles are also dishwasher safe in the top rack.
Soft comforting shape
Minimized air ingestion
Three adjustable flow rates
Responsive to baby's touch
Minimized nipple confusion
Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Childproof closure system
Minimized air ingestion
Three adjustable flow rates
Responsive to baby's touch
Minimized nipple confusion
Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Childproof closure system
You can also simulate let-down with this bottle by gently squeezing on the sides.
There is another bottle by the same company called the Adiri Natural Nurser. I'm not as impressed with this bottle. First, I believe Layla will recognize it as something different more so than she would the one above. Second, you have to buy a new bottle if you want to increase the flow. The Breastbottle Nurser comes all in one. If you're ready to speed up the flow, you simply cut off a little nob from the inside.
If you have any comments about these (or other bottles), feel free to share. I really hope I can get my hands on one sometime soon!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
I'm dwindling!
I was down 1.5 pounds this week! Okay, so it's not significant...but it's enough to keep me motivated. If I can only get my butt in gear to get physically active I'm sure I'd drop the weight a bit faster.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
dadadada lalalala
Layla started talking like CRAZY this afternoon. She's been pretty much talking non-stop since I picked her up from daycare. She used to do 95% of her talking when she was attempting to put something in her mouth. She has done 95% of her talking today with nothing in her hands! And she's found some new sounds. "Dadadadadada lalalala dadadadada" Jeremy is now saying her first word is Dada...I tell him she has to associate her sounds with an object for it to be a true "word." I'm just holding out hope that Mama is her first word. But who am I kidding? If she's already making the sounds for dada, I'm sure that will end up being her first word. I've heard "Layla" several times in her ranting of lalalalalalalala-s. It looks like we picked a name that will be very easy for her (and other little kiddos) to say. Unless of course they have a speech impediment...then I guess she'll be "waywa." :-)
I'm currently listening to her talk away while she's army crawling across the floor to reach the various toys I've scattered about. What a fun time!
WHOA!!! She just pulled our cd drawer open!! Holy cow! Okay...I'm guessing child-proofing is going to come even sooner than I thought!
On a side note...I think Layla is boycotting vegetables while at daycare.
I'm currently listening to her talk away while she's army crawling across the floor to reach the various toys I've scattered about. What a fun time!
WHOA!!! She just pulled our cd drawer open!! Holy cow! Okay...I'm guessing child-proofing is going to come even sooner than I thought!
On a side note...I think Layla is boycotting vegetables while at daycare.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Colts Win!!
What a great way to end the weekend! It was a horrible first half, but we pulled it off! We had a couple over to watch the game so I was doing my usual last minute cleaning which resulted in a bunch of stuff being thrown into boxes to be filtered through at a later date. My goal this week is to keep the living room, kitchen and bathroom in their current conditions (if not better) and to filter through those 2 boxes.
Next week I'm hoping to be able to add a few other small goals. I have decided to take my house one small step at a time...and hopefully by the end of the month it will be back in a condition to welcome visitors at any time (even unexpectedly). I have found the best time to work is around 8 or 9 at night, after Layla has been put to bed. I'm hoping the start of television's season premiers doesn't hinder my progress.
I also have to find time to fit in some sort of physical activity. I need to get my butt in gear with this Biggest Loser competition at school! I didn't lose a thing last week! Of course I wasn't expecting much since I did absolutely nothing different. :-) At least I didn't gain.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
On a Mission
We took Macy to the vet yesterday and were told she needed to lose some weight. She gained 4lbs over the past year which turns out to be more than 25% of her weight. It looks like the whole family is now on a Biggest Loser mission. All except Layla, who is on the Biggest Gainer mission.
It looks like more family walks through the park now that the weather is turning decent.
Macy seems to have it easy...4lbs in a year. Jeremy and I have our final weigh-ins in November & December and we have MUCH more than 4lbs to lose!
It looks like more family walks through the park now that the weather is turning decent.
Macy seems to have it easy...4lbs in a year. Jeremy and I have our final weigh-ins in November & December and we have MUCH more than 4lbs to lose!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Weight Gain (or lack thereof)
This post relates to both Layla and myself. I'll begin with the cuter of the two choices :-) Layla had her 6-month appointment today. Jeremy and I had bets going on what her weight would be. Last month we went in for just a weight check and she was 13lbs. 13oz. She has been pretty consistent with gaining a pound a month. With this in mind, plus the fact that she's been chowing down on baby food lately and felt rather chunked out, my guess was 15lbs 7oz. and Jeremy's was 16lbs even. Getting straight to the point...she weighed in at 14lbs. 2oz! I put an exclamation there not to show my excitement, but to show my sheer shock. She only gained 5oz. in a month?!?!?! Are you serious! When I was first told the weight, nothing much registered except that Jeremy and I were way off with our guesses. By the time the doctor came in and started talking, it set in just how little she gained. At her 4 month appointment Layla was in the 30%...she fell to 15%. Being the emotional basket case I am, I started crying right there! Her refusal of the bottle these past two weeks hasn't really stressed me out too much...until this news! The doctor was very reassuring, though. She told me this isn't uncommon with breastfed babies. Layla is a happy, active baby and that hasn't changed at all. She told me that she should be nursing 4 times a day...and she is...but there's that gap from 7:30-4 where she's not. The doctor wasn't too concerned so I'm trying not to be. We're going to have the daycare try to add a 3rd feeding time and continue with the sippy cup. Her next appointment is in 3 months...but I'll be taking her in at the beginning of each month for a weight check (for my own piece of mind) to see where she stands.
Here's my part of this post...
I have joined the Biggest Loser group at school. Each person pays $10 to join and the winner takes all. We weighed in for the first time yesterday and I was sadly not shocked at the weight that appeared. I have roughly 15lbs on me that I did not before I became pregnant. The sad thing is that I honestly didn't gain an excessive amount of weight when I was pregnant. Throughout the pregnancy I had no qualms with the weight I was gaining and saw it as a reasonably easy amount to lose afterwards. Ugh! I'm not sure what's up with this 15lbs. I think it's all from my lack of exercise during the pregnancy. I am very much looking forward to this friendly competition at work. I hope it's enough to motivate me into serious effort! Did I mention the winner takes all!
I'll be updating my results each week so keep checking!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
6 Months
Layla is 6 months old today! I can't believe how time flies! Here are our monthly pictures of Layla from birth to 5 months...I forgot to take her 6 month picture today so I'll add it later. We were too busy celebrating at Olive Garden :-) Layla had fun, too! She ate a big jar of Sweet Potatoes!
5 days..................................................1 month
2 months.............................................3 months
4 months.............................................5 months
5 days..................................................1 month
2 months.............................................3 months
4 months.............................................5 months
Monday, August 25, 2008
A little bit of this & that
I just got back from another swim practice. I've only been 3 times so far :-( I don't want to start with excuses already...but boy it sure was hard to do much else last week besides school & come home and rest. I'm really hoping to get into a groove of going every Monday & Saturday at the least. It feels so good to be in the water...and so bad at the same time. I know my body shouldn't feel so achy and stiff at my age. I guess that's what happens after 4 years of pretty much complete inactivity. Staples, I want my easy button!
Layla is still refusing the bottle. I've all but given up hope. We have decided to have her eat rice cereal all day mixed with breast milk so she's still getting the protein she needs. We're moving on to the sippy cup. She hasn't gotten down the sucking part yet, but at least she puts it in her mouth and keeps it there! That's far more than we can say for the nipple of the bottle! It's amazing...she puts everything she can get her little hands on in her mouth and clamps down. Yet she won't even get the bottle nipple in her mouth! She's one smart cookie.
I'm one week into teaching and I'm enjoying it. It hasn't been too difficult to leave Layla at daycare and my students are quite nice (at least for the time being). I'm still trying to manage my time effectively while I'm there as I can't get there until about 15 minutes before the students arrive and have no desire to stay late because I want to go pick up Layla. Most of my personal plan time is spent pumping (and setting up and getting comfortable). Once the students start turning in work to grade I'm going to have to figure something out so I'm not stuck with piles of ungraded papers that I have to take home. My main goal this year is to not take any work home with me.
Jeremy & I spent all weekend cleaning our carpet. What a chore! When we move, if we decide to get light carpet again I'm going to be much better about taking care of it on a regular basis so it doesn't get to the point of this carpet! I sanitized all of Layla's hard toys and a few of her plush ones. Now all that's left is the rest of our house! If you (or anyone you know) have the gift of organizing & cleaning, I would love to allow you to practice your talents on my house! I'm at a loss of what to do with all our "stuff." I'm sure it can all fit neatly in our limited storage spaces...I just don't have an eye for that kind of thing.
I just ate ice cream & brownies...does that completely nullify my efforts at swim practice tonight???
Layla turns 6 months next week. Where has the time gone?!?! I'm excited to compare her 6-month pictures to her 3-month ones. Just by looking at the 3-month pics and back at her, I don't see much of a change...but I'm sure comparing pictures side-by-side, I'll see tremendous growth. I'm also looking forward to her 6-month appointment to see how much she weighs now. However, I'm not looking forward to another round of shots! I'm thinking about taking the entire day off so I can just spend time with her. We'll see.
Nights are beginning to turn cool (for good?) which is getting me in the mood to fill up our hot tub for the season. I'm very much looking forward to getting in this winter as I missed the entire hot tub season last year because I was pregnant or recovering from my c-section! Ahh, my back is yearning for the heat & bubbles as I type.
It's late (I'm such a fuddy-duddy!) and I need to be getting ready for bed. This getting up early to go to work has been quite hard to get used to after 5.5 months.
Layla is still refusing the bottle. I've all but given up hope. We have decided to have her eat rice cereal all day mixed with breast milk so she's still getting the protein she needs. We're moving on to the sippy cup. She hasn't gotten down the sucking part yet, but at least she puts it in her mouth and keeps it there! That's far more than we can say for the nipple of the bottle! It's amazing...she puts everything she can get her little hands on in her mouth and clamps down. Yet she won't even get the bottle nipple in her mouth! She's one smart cookie.
I'm one week into teaching and I'm enjoying it. It hasn't been too difficult to leave Layla at daycare and my students are quite nice (at least for the time being). I'm still trying to manage my time effectively while I'm there as I can't get there until about 15 minutes before the students arrive and have no desire to stay late because I want to go pick up Layla. Most of my personal plan time is spent pumping (and setting up and getting comfortable). Once the students start turning in work to grade I'm going to have to figure something out so I'm not stuck with piles of ungraded papers that I have to take home. My main goal this year is to not take any work home with me.
Jeremy & I spent all weekend cleaning our carpet. What a chore! When we move, if we decide to get light carpet again I'm going to be much better about taking care of it on a regular basis so it doesn't get to the point of this carpet! I sanitized all of Layla's hard toys and a few of her plush ones. Now all that's left is the rest of our house! If you (or anyone you know) have the gift of organizing & cleaning, I would love to allow you to practice your talents on my house! I'm at a loss of what to do with all our "stuff." I'm sure it can all fit neatly in our limited storage spaces...I just don't have an eye for that kind of thing.
I just ate ice cream & brownies...does that completely nullify my efforts at swim practice tonight???
Layla turns 6 months next week. Where has the time gone?!?! I'm excited to compare her 6-month pictures to her 3-month ones. Just by looking at the 3-month pics and back at her, I don't see much of a change...but I'm sure comparing pictures side-by-side, I'll see tremendous growth. I'm also looking forward to her 6-month appointment to see how much she weighs now. However, I'm not looking forward to another round of shots! I'm thinking about taking the entire day off so I can just spend time with her. We'll see.
Nights are beginning to turn cool (for good?) which is getting me in the mood to fill up our hot tub for the season. I'm very much looking forward to getting in this winter as I missed the entire hot tub season last year because I was pregnant or recovering from my c-section! Ahh, my back is yearning for the heat & bubbles as I type.
It's late (I'm such a fuddy-duddy!) and I need to be getting ready for bed. This getting up early to go to work has been quite hard to get used to after 5.5 months.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Bottle troubles
Layla has been in daycare full-time for two days now and she has wanted nothing to do with her bottle. Today they tried 5 different types of bottles and she wouldn't take any of them. She's never been the best at drinking from a bottle...but we've always been able to manage at least 2 oz. They are having no luck at all! Tomorrow I suggested they not feed her food mid-morning and just do the bottle around 11:30 and see how that goes. My guess is that she's just not hungry enough to go for the bottle. She has been eating every 4 hours at home with a little food occasionally in between. They've been feeding her an entire jar around 9 and then trying to feed her a bottle about 2 hours later.
I'm hoping things go better tomorrow with our new strategy!
I think I've learned my lesson - fear of "nipple confusion" is silly! At least for babies who had no problems latching on right away. I am definitely starting the bottle very early on next go around!
I'm hoping things go better tomorrow with our new strategy!
I think I've learned my lesson - fear of "nipple confusion" is silly! At least for babies who had no problems latching on right away. I am definitely starting the bottle very early on next go around!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
A More Positive Outlook
I'm beginning to feel better about teaching this year. There have been many frustrations over the course of these last 2 months...but I've given it to God and am looking on the positive side of things from here on out! At least that's my goal :-)
I was in and out of my classroom all last week and it feels much better now that it's not just a blank lecture hall. Yes...lecture hall...in middle school! Now all I have to do is plan...and it would really help if I could find my plan book from last year!
This is the first time in 5.5 months that I actually need to look presentable on a daily basis. This poses quite a problem since I still don't fit into any of my old clothes :-( So yesterday and today I went on a shopping spree (with money that we won't have until I get my first paycheck). I'm just going to have to realize that my body may never go back to what it used to be. That doesn't mean I'm giving up hope! I just know that it will take a while and in the mean time I need clothes to wear!
Last week we took Layla into daycare for 3 hours on 2 different days to see how she adjusted. Well...honestly...to see how I adjusted. I didn't do bad at all! Of course I had many things on my mind and to accomplish in those 3 hours, so that helped. But I think it's a good sign of things to come. Although I'm not looking forward to the days when she cries when I leave...there was a dad there both days I went that was dealing with that issue. Heartbreaking!
Layla did just fine, too! She was really busy watching all the toddlers run around! She had tummy time, play time, swing time, and even napped! Next week she'll be in the infant house...I'm hoping this doesn't lead to boredom on her part.
One thing I'm not quite sure what to think of is the fact that they changed her diaper 3 times in that 3 hours!!! I'm not sure if this is because she was the only infant there and they had nothing better to do...or if she was fussy and they tried changing her diaper to see if that would help (which it won't b/c she's not one to fuss with a wet diaper...dirty, sometimes now that she's eating food, but not wet). I told them that if she gets fussy it's probably because she's tired (she's such a good baby!). Really the only other time she fusses is if she's bored. And yes, we may be a bit lax on how often we change her diapers...but a ratio of one an hour?!?!?! Come on! Anyway, I have a feeling if this rate keeps up we're going to have to factor in a huge increase in diaper costs once school begins!
All-in-all, I'm feeling much better about this school year. New clothes, new school, new room, new students...all that's missing is a new house!
I was in and out of my classroom all last week and it feels much better now that it's not just a blank lecture hall. Yes...lecture hall...in middle school! Now all I have to do is plan...and it would really help if I could find my plan book from last year!
This is the first time in 5.5 months that I actually need to look presentable on a daily basis. This poses quite a problem since I still don't fit into any of my old clothes :-( So yesterday and today I went on a shopping spree (with money that we won't have until I get my first paycheck). I'm just going to have to realize that my body may never go back to what it used to be. That doesn't mean I'm giving up hope! I just know that it will take a while and in the mean time I need clothes to wear!
Last week we took Layla into daycare for 3 hours on 2 different days to see how she adjusted. Well...honestly...to see how I adjusted. I didn't do bad at all! Of course I had many things on my mind and to accomplish in those 3 hours, so that helped. But I think it's a good sign of things to come. Although I'm not looking forward to the days when she cries when I leave...there was a dad there both days I went that was dealing with that issue. Heartbreaking!
Layla did just fine, too! She was really busy watching all the toddlers run around! She had tummy time, play time, swing time, and even napped! Next week she'll be in the infant house...I'm hoping this doesn't lead to boredom on her part.
One thing I'm not quite sure what to think of is the fact that they changed her diaper 3 times in that 3 hours!!! I'm not sure if this is because she was the only infant there and they had nothing better to do...or if she was fussy and they tried changing her diaper to see if that would help (which it won't b/c she's not one to fuss with a wet diaper...dirty, sometimes now that she's eating food, but not wet). I told them that if she gets fussy it's probably because she's tired (she's such a good baby!). Really the only other time she fusses is if she's bored. And yes, we may be a bit lax on how often we change her diapers...but a ratio of one an hour?!?!?! Come on! Anyway, I have a feeling if this rate keeps up we're going to have to factor in a huge increase in diaper costs once school begins!
All-in-all, I'm feeling much better about this school year. New clothes, new school, new room, new students...all that's missing is a new house!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Excellent Night!!!
Layla fell asleep in her crib with no crying and no pacifier!! She slept from 9pm-8am with about 25 minutes of wake-time to eat. She fell back asleep after maybe 2 minutes of crying. What a glorious night! Now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it wasn't a fluke and will continue once school begins next week.
We've tried the "crying it out" method of falling asleep this week. Basically you go in after 3 minutes of crying and console & caress but don't pick up. You then wait 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 10 minutes...and then keep going back every 10 minutes. I think each new night you're supposed to wait a bit longer before going in the first time, but we kept it at 3 minutes. 7 minutes is the longest we've had to wait.
Wednesday night she cried for about 30 minutes. That was not fun AT ALL! However, I think this is very tame compared to stories I've heard from other parents.
Thursday night was about 20. Friday night 15ish. Saturday night was maybe 5 minutes. And last night was nothing!!!
We're still giving her a pacifier for naps during the day.
I might also add that I feel schedules are for the birds...not for babies! We have given up on a schedule...at least for the time being. I'm sure once school & daycare begin we'll see more of a consistent schedule emerge.
We've tried the "crying it out" method of falling asleep this week. Basically you go in after 3 minutes of crying and console & caress but don't pick up. You then wait 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 10 minutes...and then keep going back every 10 minutes. I think each new night you're supposed to wait a bit longer before going in the first time, but we kept it at 3 minutes. 7 minutes is the longest we've had to wait.
Wednesday night she cried for about 30 minutes. That was not fun AT ALL! However, I think this is very tame compared to stories I've heard from other parents.
Thursday night was about 20. Friday night 15ish. Saturday night was maybe 5 minutes. And last night was nothing!!!
We're still giving her a pacifier for naps during the day.
I might also add that I feel schedules are for the birds...not for babies! We have given up on a schedule...at least for the time being. I'm sure once school & daycare begin we'll see more of a consistent schedule emerge.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Ugh!
It's 5am and I've been up for 2.5 hours :-( Why is it that I can't sleep on nights Layla sleeps the best????
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Mighty Molly
The summer of 2002 I lived in Colorado with roughly 20 other college students from around the country. Although it was only 10 weeks, it was one of the sweetest seasons of my life. I grew more than I could have ever imagined both spiritually and personally that summer. There is a lot that has happened in my life since then that I can directly attribute to the trust I placed in God that summer.
One sweet woman I met that summer, Becca, has recently shown such faith and hope that I'm not sure I could show in a similar situation. Her precious daughter, Molly Ann, was born June 13 and went to be with her Heavenly Father a week later. Her story is truly inspiring.
I have found my own faith challenged through my dear friend. Would I continue to look up to God in awe and admiration? Would hope and love shine through or would anger and hatred emerge? Would my faith be strengthened or fall to the wayside? Could I look at it as a part of God's wonderful masterplan and share the love of Jesus Christ through it all? I would hope so...but I'm not sure.
I encourage you to read the reflections of Becca's parents. I pray that your faith is strenghtened and encouraged as you see God's love abound through Molly and her beautiful family. I have links posted in the top right corner if you would like to read more of Mighty Molly's story.
One sweet woman I met that summer, Becca, has recently shown such faith and hope that I'm not sure I could show in a similar situation. Her precious daughter, Molly Ann, was born June 13 and went to be with her Heavenly Father a week later. Her story is truly inspiring.
I have found my own faith challenged through my dear friend. Would I continue to look up to God in awe and admiration? Would hope and love shine through or would anger and hatred emerge? Would my faith be strengthened or fall to the wayside? Could I look at it as a part of God's wonderful masterplan and share the love of Jesus Christ through it all? I would hope so...but I'm not sure.
I encourage you to read the reflections of Becca's parents. I pray that your faith is strenghtened and encouraged as you see God's love abound through Molly and her beautiful family. I have links posted in the top right corner if you would like to read more of Mighty Molly's story.
Oh the frustrations!
In case you didn't know, back in June I went to an interview at a middle school and was offered a job. I was told I'd be teaching a mix of Literature and Grammar. However, a teacher currently employed there was trying to get on at a high school...and if that happened, I would be teaching Literature all year. This was what perked me up to the idea of a new school! I LOVE reading!! It was also helping me deal with the fact that I'll be enrolling Layla in daycare to teach. At least I'll be doing something I enjoy.
Anyway, I go in today only to find out that now I'm teaching Grammar all year! I was not a happy camper, to say the least! Basically, someone who was only on a temporary contract last year was given the position to teach Literature all year...what?!?!?! That was completely against what I was told at my interview.
While I was talking with the principal, she mentioned that she's still got hiring to do (b/c she was making small talk with me) and mentioned a 0.67 Grammar position. I thought about asking about it for a split second and didn't for a few reasons. So I left and met Jeremy out at the van in tears b/c I do NOT want to be teaching Grammar all year...I've done it before and it's simply boring!
We were headed home and to make a long story a little shorter, we turned back around so I could explain to the principal that I was passionate about Literature and wasn't looking for a Grammar-only position and that I was interested in the 0.67 position so I could be home a little sooner for Layla.
The principal told me the 0.67 position would typically be 8-1pm, but this one would be 10-3:15 because the students are in specials first thing in the morning. There would be a lunch in there, but no prep times. Knowing me, with no preps, I'd be getting in around 9:30 (maybe sooner) to work...so I really wouldn't be home that much more for Layla. And I'd be doing work during non-paid times. Plus I'd only get 0.67 benefits instead of full-time benefits. So I decided to stick with the position I have. However, the principal did tell me she's going to work so I can get 2 Literature classes. So I'm now hoping that I have 2 Lit and only 3 Grammar, instead of 5 Grammar classes. Better...but not what I have been looking forward to all summer (and told I would have). On top of that...they gave the new teacher the 2 GT classes (which always have better-behaved students!)!
Okay...enough of my grumbling. Hopefully going in and getting my classroom all setup and looking better than just a white room with no windows will help lift my spirits a little. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that this other lady they hired has a room with windows, bookshelves and cabinets!!! Oh wait...I said no more grumbling. I better stop....
Anyway, I go in today only to find out that now I'm teaching Grammar all year! I was not a happy camper, to say the least! Basically, someone who was only on a temporary contract last year was given the position to teach Literature all year...what?!?!?! That was completely against what I was told at my interview.
While I was talking with the principal, she mentioned that she's still got hiring to do (b/c she was making small talk with me) and mentioned a 0.67 Grammar position. I thought about asking about it for a split second and didn't for a few reasons. So I left and met Jeremy out at the van in tears b/c I do NOT want to be teaching Grammar all year...I've done it before and it's simply boring!
We were headed home and to make a long story a little shorter, we turned back around so I could explain to the principal that I was passionate about Literature and wasn't looking for a Grammar-only position and that I was interested in the 0.67 position so I could be home a little sooner for Layla.
The principal told me the 0.67 position would typically be 8-1pm, but this one would be 10-3:15 because the students are in specials first thing in the morning. There would be a lunch in there, but no prep times. Knowing me, with no preps, I'd be getting in around 9:30 (maybe sooner) to work...so I really wouldn't be home that much more for Layla. And I'd be doing work during non-paid times. Plus I'd only get 0.67 benefits instead of full-time benefits. So I decided to stick with the position I have. However, the principal did tell me she's going to work so I can get 2 Literature classes. So I'm now hoping that I have 2 Lit and only 3 Grammar, instead of 5 Grammar classes. Better...but not what I have been looking forward to all summer (and told I would have). On top of that...they gave the new teacher the 2 GT classes (which always have better-behaved students!)!
Okay...enough of my grumbling. Hopefully going in and getting my classroom all setup and looking better than just a white room with no windows will help lift my spirits a little. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that this other lady they hired has a room with windows, bookshelves and cabinets!!! Oh wait...I said no more grumbling. I better stop....
Monday, August 4, 2008
8.5 years is too long!
I just got back from my first swim practice in 8.5 years...and I am tired!! I have been looking forward to this for about a month now, and am glad the day finally arrived!
It's strange how I felt the moments before arriving. As I was driving to the pool my heart started racing! For someone who swam competitively for 12 years, this was a new sensation for me. The only time I would feel such anxiety was the moments before a race....never for practice!! How many people would be there? How fit would these people be? What level would I be at with the workouts created? What can I even handle in the pool anymore? There were so many unknowns!
Once I jumped into the water, all the fears went away. I forgot how comfortable I was in a pool. It truly is like "riding a bike" for me. The coach created a workout for me...after me explaining to him I had absolutely no idea what I could handle. We decided to see how I did tonight and tailor future workouts based on that. I feel I did pretty well...for not having a set workout in over 8 years...for not being in a pool to swim for well over a year (or two or three)...and for having a baby 5 months ago!
Saying I did pretty well does not at all mean I was stinkin' awesome! In fact, there were times I felt as slow as molasses!! Why in the world were my arms not pulling me through the water any faster???? Oh yeah...because I have lost all muscle mass I used to have!! And my shoulder definitely suffered the consequences of that tonight. Although I want to get in as much as I can before school begins, I'm glad that time won't allow me this week simply because I feel my body needs a bit more time to recover. I don't want to go all out for a few days and then hurt so bad I never go back! I have to remember, this is a marathon, not a race. Getting back into shape (or just better shape than what I'm in now) is my goal...not seeing the times I had in high school.
As I was leaving the coach was telling me about Masters Swim Meets. I think by next summer I would like to have competed in at least one. How exciting to feel the rush of competition again!! I just have to clear from my mind how fast I used to be and start fresh with new times and new goals. But right now my goal & focus is practicing twice a week to build my endurance and better my health for my daughter.
It's strange how I felt the moments before arriving. As I was driving to the pool my heart started racing! For someone who swam competitively for 12 years, this was a new sensation for me. The only time I would feel such anxiety was the moments before a race....never for practice!! How many people would be there? How fit would these people be? What level would I be at with the workouts created? What can I even handle in the pool anymore? There were so many unknowns!
Once I jumped into the water, all the fears went away. I forgot how comfortable I was in a pool. It truly is like "riding a bike" for me. The coach created a workout for me...after me explaining to him I had absolutely no idea what I could handle. We decided to see how I did tonight and tailor future workouts based on that. I feel I did pretty well...for not having a set workout in over 8 years...for not being in a pool to swim for well over a year (or two or three)...and for having a baby 5 months ago!
Saying I did pretty well does not at all mean I was stinkin' awesome! In fact, there were times I felt as slow as molasses!! Why in the world were my arms not pulling me through the water any faster???? Oh yeah...because I have lost all muscle mass I used to have!! And my shoulder definitely suffered the consequences of that tonight. Although I want to get in as much as I can before school begins, I'm glad that time won't allow me this week simply because I feel my body needs a bit more time to recover. I don't want to go all out for a few days and then hurt so bad I never go back! I have to remember, this is a marathon, not a race. Getting back into shape (or just better shape than what I'm in now) is my goal...not seeing the times I had in high school.
As I was leaving the coach was telling me about Masters Swim Meets. I think by next summer I would like to have competed in at least one. How exciting to feel the rush of competition again!! I just have to clear from my mind how fast I used to be and start fresh with new times and new goals. But right now my goal & focus is practicing twice a week to build my endurance and better my health for my daughter.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Crossed fingers
We are officially beginning our attempt to get Layla on a schedule. We've got 2 weeks before school starts...hopefully that's enough time!
Layla has been a grump all day! I have a suspicion it's because she's teething. This may throw off our attempts at a normal schedule. She was not to keen on napping or eating today. Ugh!
Layla has been a grump all day! I have a suspicion it's because she's teething. This may throw off our attempts at a normal schedule. She was not to keen on napping or eating today. Ugh!
Speaking of eating, we introduced Layla to real food for the first time today. Since her 4 month appointment we've been sporadically feeding her rice cereal. Today we tried carrots! We're all about making our own baby food, so Jeremy went out and bought some organic carrots. We steamed them then blended them up in our Magic Bullet with a bit of water. She didn't mind them at all!! She took them better than she was milk from a bottle (which is another thing we've got to get down these next 2 weeks). I think tomorrow we'll add milk to the carrots instead of water.
We had fun!
I'm also putting myself on a schedule. I'm getting up at 6:45 each morning this week and 5:30 next week. This is a big change from being off work for 5 months and waking up whenever I wanted!!
I'm going to swim practice as much as possible these next 2 weeks, too, since I'll only be going twice a week (max) once school starts. I'm sure I'll be extremely sore...but I have to muscle through it!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Daycare & Swimming
Well I said I'd follow up with the other 2 topics that were keeping me up Wednesday night so here it goes...
Topic 2 - enrolling Layla part-time vs. full-time in daycare
Like I mentioned previously, we found a daycare that we really like. However, being teachers, there are many days throughout the year that we will not be utilizing their services (not to mention summer). Obviously this lady has her business to run and maintain and she requires payments each week based upon how your child is enrolled. So if we enroll Layla full-time then the 2 weeks of Christmas break and the week of Spring Break we'd be paying for nothing. If we enroll her part-time (3 days/week), we'd only be paying for 3 days of non-use instead of 5. Make sense? And the cost to reserve her spot over the summer for the following year would also be cheaper because it's based on how she was enrolled that fall/spring. So we'd be saving money all around to enroll her only 3 days/week rather than 5.
We asked around our church and found a lady who would watch her on Mondays and Fridays. Perfect! Mondays and Fridays are always the days we have off for holidays during the school year. So we wouldn't be paying the daycare or her on days we would be keeping Layla.
But Wednesday night I started second guessing this decision. It seems to be more of a hassle to have 2 locations for daycare. And after figuring how much we'd be saving, it seems more miniscule than I originally thought. Every penny counts, don't get me wrong! I guess it's more of a convenience thing. There's also the problem that occurs if the lady were to get sick and we couldn't find someone else to watch Layla for the day.
So in the end, I think I'm going to be enrolling Layla full-time and explaining everything to the lady who was planning on watching her.
Topic 3 - Masters Swimming
For those of you who don't know, I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years. I have always loved swimming and believe it to be the best form of excersie. I attempted (pretty miserably) in college to continue swimming on my own. Now 8 years after high school and 1 child later I am in the worst shape of my life! I have found that phrase to be a re-occuring one as the years have gone by. I would hate to see what I look like in another 8 if this keeps up!
But hope is around the corner! When I was roughly 6 months pregnant I came across some information about a Masters Swimming progam with the local swim team. It sounds more elite than it actually is. Basically it's anyone over 18 who wants to swim in an organized fashion (i.e. coach w/ workouts). However, being 6 months pregnant I was NOT fitting into any of my old suits. I emailed the man in charge and told him I was very interested but couldn't quite start at the time.
A few months later my precious Layla was born and I completely forgot about the program. Then one day, a few weeks ago, I received an email asking how my baby was and letting me know that they were still in full swing with the Masters Swimming! I quickly ordered some suits seeing as I only have 2 left from high school. Although I can still fit in them b/c they are beyond worn and used, I would rather start fresh....and I'm done with layering my suits just to practice. Okay, worn and used is a pretty lame way to describe these suits. The elastic is hard and cracking...they are thin and see-through...if you can picture the most pathetic suit you have ever seen just multiply that by 10 and you've got my suits. They were good to me through college...but if I'm going to get serious about swimming again...and be in the presence of a coach...I would like to look a bit more put together :-)
I just became a member of USA Masters and am excited to head to the pool Monday evening to register with the team and get started!
The suits arrived today and I think before I go to bed I'm going to try them on to see how they fit!!
I mentioned in my last blog that this topic ulitmately led back to Topic 1. I figured that I'll be spending roughly 4 hours with Layla a day when I have to go back to work. That will be slightly shortened because of swimming. So that night I was really questioning getting started with it. But after much thought, I decided to go ahead and join. I'll only be swimming 2 times a week. One week night and Saturday morning. I'm sure I'll drag my feet b/c I'll want to be with my sweet Layla...but the long-term benefits of doing this are enormous! She's soon going to be all over the place and I need to build up my stamina so I can play with her...I don't want to be a mom who can't play all day with her child b/c I've been a bum for 4 years! Sheesh...I've had my 2.5 year old nephew for just one day and I'm already worn out!! That's made me question exactly when we want to have our second child...but that's another post. :-)
So there it is...everything that kept me up until 5:30 am Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
*I would appreciate encouragement with this swimming thing. Just keep on me by asking me how it's going. I know the more people who hold me accountable, the more likely I'll be to stick with it.
**On a side note...I have found that I now think about things as topics to blog about instead of just thinking. Something will pop into my head and I'll begin thinking about how it would read in a blog. Does that mean I'm already addicted? I have at least 4 topics on hold already....
***I also promise that not all my posts will be this lengthy!
Topic 2 - enrolling Layla part-time vs. full-time in daycare
Like I mentioned previously, we found a daycare that we really like. However, being teachers, there are many days throughout the year that we will not be utilizing their services (not to mention summer). Obviously this lady has her business to run and maintain and she requires payments each week based upon how your child is enrolled. So if we enroll Layla full-time then the 2 weeks of Christmas break and the week of Spring Break we'd be paying for nothing. If we enroll her part-time (3 days/week), we'd only be paying for 3 days of non-use instead of 5. Make sense? And the cost to reserve her spot over the summer for the following year would also be cheaper because it's based on how she was enrolled that fall/spring. So we'd be saving money all around to enroll her only 3 days/week rather than 5.
We asked around our church and found a lady who would watch her on Mondays and Fridays. Perfect! Mondays and Fridays are always the days we have off for holidays during the school year. So we wouldn't be paying the daycare or her on days we would be keeping Layla.
But Wednesday night I started second guessing this decision. It seems to be more of a hassle to have 2 locations for daycare. And after figuring how much we'd be saving, it seems more miniscule than I originally thought. Every penny counts, don't get me wrong! I guess it's more of a convenience thing. There's also the problem that occurs if the lady were to get sick and we couldn't find someone else to watch Layla for the day.
So in the end, I think I'm going to be enrolling Layla full-time and explaining everything to the lady who was planning on watching her.
Topic 3 - Masters Swimming
For those of you who don't know, I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years. I have always loved swimming and believe it to be the best form of excersie. I attempted (pretty miserably) in college to continue swimming on my own. Now 8 years after high school and 1 child later I am in the worst shape of my life! I have found that phrase to be a re-occuring one as the years have gone by. I would hate to see what I look like in another 8 if this keeps up!
But hope is around the corner! When I was roughly 6 months pregnant I came across some information about a Masters Swimming progam with the local swim team. It sounds more elite than it actually is. Basically it's anyone over 18 who wants to swim in an organized fashion (i.e. coach w/ workouts). However, being 6 months pregnant I was NOT fitting into any of my old suits. I emailed the man in charge and told him I was very interested but couldn't quite start at the time.
A few months later my precious Layla was born and I completely forgot about the program. Then one day, a few weeks ago, I received an email asking how my baby was and letting me know that they were still in full swing with the Masters Swimming! I quickly ordered some suits seeing as I only have 2 left from high school. Although I can still fit in them b/c they are beyond worn and used, I would rather start fresh....and I'm done with layering my suits just to practice. Okay, worn and used is a pretty lame way to describe these suits. The elastic is hard and cracking...they are thin and see-through...if you can picture the most pathetic suit you have ever seen just multiply that by 10 and you've got my suits. They were good to me through college...but if I'm going to get serious about swimming again...and be in the presence of a coach...I would like to look a bit more put together :-)
I just became a member of USA Masters and am excited to head to the pool Monday evening to register with the team and get started!
The suits arrived today and I think before I go to bed I'm going to try them on to see how they fit!!
I mentioned in my last blog that this topic ulitmately led back to Topic 1. I figured that I'll be spending roughly 4 hours with Layla a day when I have to go back to work. That will be slightly shortened because of swimming. So that night I was really questioning getting started with it. But after much thought, I decided to go ahead and join. I'll only be swimming 2 times a week. One week night and Saturday morning. I'm sure I'll drag my feet b/c I'll want to be with my sweet Layla...but the long-term benefits of doing this are enormous! She's soon going to be all over the place and I need to build up my stamina so I can play with her...I don't want to be a mom who can't play all day with her child b/c I've been a bum for 4 years! Sheesh...I've had my 2.5 year old nephew for just one day and I'm already worn out!! That's made me question exactly when we want to have our second child...but that's another post. :-)
So there it is...everything that kept me up until 5:30 am Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
*I would appreciate encouragement with this swimming thing. Just keep on me by asking me how it's going. I know the more people who hold me accountable, the more likely I'll be to stick with it.
**On a side note...I have found that I now think about things as topics to blog about instead of just thinking. Something will pop into my head and I'll begin thinking about how it would read in a blog. Does that mean I'm already addicted? I have at least 4 topics on hold already....
***I also promise that not all my posts will be this lengthy!
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