Thursday, June 30, 2011
A-MA-ZING
This is just a little update that coincides with my last posting about Reece's "cry it out" sleep training. Monday night he cried for only 20 minutes and every night since he has not cried at all. He just goes to sleep. Not a peep. As a matter of fact, he has been sleeping so well, it almost seems like he can't wait to go to bed at night (and neither can we!) :) I hope I am not jinxing myself by talking about it, but I'm just so amazed. Oh, and since Sunday, he has only been waking up once at night to eat a little, but then goes right back to sleep. He used to wake us up in the morning and now Carlos has to wake him up to get him off to day care. Again, amazed. He sleeps from 7pm to about 1:30am then back to sleep at about 1:45am-6:30am. So, for all haters of the cry it out method, I'm here to tell you that it works...and in some cases it works quickly! I also feel better knowing Reece won't remember ever having gone through it :) My body is getting so much uninterrupted sleep, it doesn't know how to react! All I know is we are going to enjoy it while we have it because we know that horrible sleep disruption, otherwise known as teething, will be here before we know it!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Rainy Days
Tis the season...the Guam rainy season that is. Funny though, I'm actually enjoying it. I like having a break from the standard Guam weather of sunshine, hot, and humid. Don't get me wrong, we still have the humidity (oh do we ever), but the rain helps keep some of the overwhelming heat away. I'm enjoying this dreary day as I feel justified for being lazy and just doing household things. By 1pm I had showered, Skyped, talked on the phone, put Reece down for a morning nap (the only nap he enjoys), made dinner (pot roast in the crock pot still cooking away), baked 2 loaves of zucchini bread, and did one load of laundry. I guess my mention of "lazy" up above is all relative :)
As I type, I am wearing Reece so that he can get a good nap in. Nothing puts him to sleep faster/better/longer than dozing off in his Baby Bjorn carrier. He's getting to be that age where I shouldn't have to wear him to get him to take a good nap, but alas, my son does not seem to believe in an afternoon slumber so I trick him into one. Mean mommy :)
Carlos and I have started the crib transition at night and I'm happy to report it is going very well. For those who don't know, Reece has been sleeping in his Pack and Play in our bedroom since he was born. Well, because he now sleeps for longer stretches at a time, can roll over on his own, and knows how to self soothe, it was time to cut those night-time apron strings and put him in his own room. Now I'm sure we all have different beliefs in the methods used to get babies to sleep on their own. So if you don't agree with letting them "cry it out," then you may want to stop reading this post, because with Reece's personality, we knew this was going to be the way we had to go.
This is basically the play by play of our past two nights:
Carlos gives Reece his bedtime bottle in the nursery, gently rocking him to get him ready for sleepy time. Meanwhile, I am downstairs with the tv on and finding things to do in the kitchen so that I am not able to hear the cries once he gets laid down. Carlos puts him in the crib and for a couple of minutes, all is calm. At this point I think Reece is thinking "ok, this is cool, but now what? Oh yeah, I'm supposed to cry now for an unspecified amount of time." Cue crying.
Crying lasts anywhere between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Again, I'm doing everything and anything to NOT hear him. Thank goodness for concrete walls in Guam :) Crying eventually turns into Reece babbling to himself to which I interpret as "that was a good cry. I'm sure I made my mommy and daddy feel bad with that one, but I'm tired now, so off to sleep I go!" After 5 minutes of silence, I tip-toe into his room to make sure he hasn't put himself into some awkward position in his crib (nothing surprises me with this little mover and shaker), and to also turn on the baby monitor because now that he is asleep, I do want to hear him if he wakes up during the night!
This is the good part though...Reece sleeps...and sleeps...and sleeps. He wakes up at least once in the middle of the night to nurse, two times max. These are the time I debate if I should go to him or let him put himself back to sleep, but usually there is a distinct difference in the "I'm pissed off I'm in here" cry and the "get your butt in here and feed me because I'm hungry Mommy" cry. He goes right back to sleep after eating though and sleeps, sleeps, sleeps! That was the good part...the best part? My child has never slept past 6:15am. He has gone back to sleep after waking up at that time, but usually it takes some effort. Today, I'm happy to report he slept (without waking) until 7:15am! That is all a mother dreams for herself...the chance to just sleep until 7:00 :) He also woke up babbling, not crying and when he saw me peeking over the crib, I got the biggest Reece smile he can give.
We are so proud of our little guy and there is something to be said about teaching your baby how to sleep. We expect that every night will be a little less crying before falling to sleep and in no time, will just go down without a fight. It's hard to hear him cry, but I just keep telling myself that in the long run, this is best for Reece. Good sleep habits=happy baby.
Next project...getting him to take an afternoon nap without having to "wear" my baby :)
As I type, I am wearing Reece so that he can get a good nap in. Nothing puts him to sleep faster/better/longer than dozing off in his Baby Bjorn carrier. He's getting to be that age where I shouldn't have to wear him to get him to take a good nap, but alas, my son does not seem to believe in an afternoon slumber so I trick him into one. Mean mommy :)
Carlos and I have started the crib transition at night and I'm happy to report it is going very well. For those who don't know, Reece has been sleeping in his Pack and Play in our bedroom since he was born. Well, because he now sleeps for longer stretches at a time, can roll over on his own, and knows how to self soothe, it was time to cut those night-time apron strings and put him in his own room. Now I'm sure we all have different beliefs in the methods used to get babies to sleep on their own. So if you don't agree with letting them "cry it out," then you may want to stop reading this post, because with Reece's personality, we knew this was going to be the way we had to go.
This is basically the play by play of our past two nights:
Carlos gives Reece his bedtime bottle in the nursery, gently rocking him to get him ready for sleepy time. Meanwhile, I am downstairs with the tv on and finding things to do in the kitchen so that I am not able to hear the cries once he gets laid down. Carlos puts him in the crib and for a couple of minutes, all is calm. At this point I think Reece is thinking "ok, this is cool, but now what? Oh yeah, I'm supposed to cry now for an unspecified amount of time." Cue crying.
Crying lasts anywhere between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Again, I'm doing everything and anything to NOT hear him. Thank goodness for concrete walls in Guam :) Crying eventually turns into Reece babbling to himself to which I interpret as "that was a good cry. I'm sure I made my mommy and daddy feel bad with that one, but I'm tired now, so off to sleep I go!" After 5 minutes of silence, I tip-toe into his room to make sure he hasn't put himself into some awkward position in his crib (nothing surprises me with this little mover and shaker), and to also turn on the baby monitor because now that he is asleep, I do want to hear him if he wakes up during the night!
This is the good part though...Reece sleeps...and sleeps...and sleeps. He wakes up at least once in the middle of the night to nurse, two times max. These are the time I debate if I should go to him or let him put himself back to sleep, but usually there is a distinct difference in the "I'm pissed off I'm in here" cry and the "get your butt in here and feed me because I'm hungry Mommy" cry. He goes right back to sleep after eating though and sleeps, sleeps, sleeps! That was the good part...the best part? My child has never slept past 6:15am. He has gone back to sleep after waking up at that time, but usually it takes some effort. Today, I'm happy to report he slept (without waking) until 7:15am! That is all a mother dreams for herself...the chance to just sleep until 7:00 :) He also woke up babbling, not crying and when he saw me peeking over the crib, I got the biggest Reece smile he can give.
We are so proud of our little guy and there is something to be said about teaching your baby how to sleep. We expect that every night will be a little less crying before falling to sleep and in no time, will just go down without a fight. It's hard to hear him cry, but I just keep telling myself that in the long run, this is best for Reece. Good sleep habits=happy baby.
Next project...getting him to take an afternoon nap without having to "wear" my baby :)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
3 months and climbing!
The pictures of Reece below are one week over-due, but that seems to be my life these days. I have to chuckle when I think of how Type A/get-er done kind of person I used to be and now, well, although I am still type A, I allow myself more flexibility. Quite frankly, I just can't do all in one day that I used to, including staying up to date with my blog or following up on emails. Sigh. I do believe I have mastered the art of prioritizing and also being ok with letting things go/slide when I have to. The old type A me would never be satisfied if I didn't complete my list of things to do, but now it is just not that important. Funny how things/people change when life happens!
So here are some updates on the three of us...
Carlos:
*is in love with his boat
*is the only ortho surgeon at the hospital now and will be on call the entire summer (ugh...)
*is one heck of a daddy
*had more fun than Reece at the Sesame Street Live show last Friday
Missy:
*has yet to go on the boat (waiting until Carlos has given the green light for me and the baby)
*hates call days, but only when I get called in :)
*LOVES being a mommy to little Reece
*is exhausted at the end of each day
*could cuddle and kiss her baby all day. Thankfully for Reece, I do go to work
Reece:
*"talks" more and more every day
*loves to be smothered in kisses
*gives the biggest smiles
*loves to stick his hands in his mouth and suck on them
*still pulls/holds onto his hair
*is becoming even more aware of things around him - he was mesmerized by the Sesame Street characters dancing/singing and has also discovered his lion friend who is in his monthly pictures (see below)
*still hates his crib
*ROLLED OVER TODAY!
So here are some updates on the three of us...
Carlos:
*is in love with his boat
*is the only ortho surgeon at the hospital now and will be on call the entire summer (ugh...)
*is one heck of a daddy
*had more fun than Reece at the Sesame Street Live show last Friday
Missy:
*has yet to go on the boat (waiting until Carlos has given the green light for me and the baby)
*hates call days, but only when I get called in :)
*LOVES being a mommy to little Reece
*is exhausted at the end of each day
*could cuddle and kiss her baby all day. Thankfully for Reece, I do go to work
Reece:
*"talks" more and more every day
*loves to be smothered in kisses
*gives the biggest smiles
*loves to stick his hands in his mouth and suck on them
*still pulls/holds onto his hair
*is becoming even more aware of things around him - he was mesmerized by the Sesame Street characters dancing/singing and has also discovered his lion friend who is in his monthly pictures (see below)
*still hates his crib
*ROLLED OVER TODAY!
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| Hello, I'm Reece. And you are...? |
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| Now that we are friends, let me tell you a secret! |
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| Time for my 3 month picture! |
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
A few May photos
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| oooohhhh...mommy made a cheesecake |
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| what do you mean I don't get any? |
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| I'm 12 weeks old now and I can hold my own toys |
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| His feet have found each other and now they are inseparable :) |
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| I'm trying to play Mommy! |
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| not the best photo, but this is Reece at the passport office getting his first US passport |
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
May Days
Wow...where did the merry berry month of May go? You know, for all you 'burgh folk out there, I will always hear that Eat n' Park commercial in my head when thinking of May :) Anyway...
I promise all of you I have not given up on the blog and I do hope those of you who read my blog in the past are still around. It's just been a rather busy and exhausting month!
As you all know, May started with the passing of our sweet Kona. The same day we let Kona go, Reece had his two month vaccinations. He was quite the trooper and only cried just until I was able to pick him up a few seconds later. He stopped crying, snuggled against me and fell asleep. I hope the four month vaccines go as smoothly! Just two days later, Reece's Pappy and Nana B showed up for a wonderful visit. I am so glad that even though we are half way around the world, in just 11 weeks of life Reece has been able to meet all of his wonderful grandparents. He is a lucky little boy to have so many loving people in his life. Of course he shmoozed them all with his charm and adorable smile. I'm sure that charm and smile will be used later in life to get out of trouble, but at least I'm already on to him :)
I celebrated my very first Mother's Day and loved every second of it. At first it was kind of surreal...I kept thinking, "wow, I'm a mom!" I mean, I knew I was a mom, but it really hit me now that I have a day to celebrate my new status that I'm actually doing this mommy thing! Crazy!
Reece started "school" (I don't like saying day care...it just sounds ugly) this month...the day after Mother's Day was his first day. He is the youngest baby in the infant room, but he holds his own with the other kids :) Again, that charm and smile has all the ladies who work in the infant room just eating out of his hand. It makes me feel so good knowing how much they enjoy having him around and hearing how content he is during the day. I know they are doing a wonderful job with him and Reece doesn't seem to have any adjustment issues. The military CDC's (Child Development Centers) really are phenomenal facilities. My favorite part of the day though is when I get to pick him up and as soon as he lays his eyes on me when I'm in the room, I get one of those big gummy grins that I love so much and my heart just melts.
The downfall of "school" is that Reece also caught his very first cold the other day. He has a stuffy little nose and a junky cough that just breaks my heart when I hear it. He is getting a lot of rest though so I hope it won't last too long. Warm baths, some saline drops in the nose and lots of cuddles are helping him along as well...the cuddles may be helping me more since I feel so badly for him :(
May also brought around the arrival of our boat. Carlos has been looking and looking, all the while educating himself about boats and even renting boats from the marina on the Navy base to get comfortable and practice his fishing (I'm still waiting for a fish, but he'll get there). My husband has a grin from ear to ear over the arrival of his boat. It makes me happy to know that he found something he really enjoys and that it is something we can all enjoy as a family. The first boat launch will probably be this weekend, but Reece and I will most likely sit this one out. We want to make sure everything is smooth sailing (no pun intended) before we board :)
So today as I celebrate my 32nd birthday with my hubby and Reece, I realize its been one crazy busy month, but a great month nonetheless (with the exception of Kona). Carlos baked me a birthday cake and sang to me in only the way Carlos can...and has since we met...very off key and VERY LOUD, but it makes me laugh every time! I opened presents with my two men and am now ready to drift off to a good sleep after a fabulous day. Only 6 days remain in this merry berry month and I intend to enjoy every last one of them!
I vow to not go as long between blog postings again so don't give up on me just yet :)
I promise all of you I have not given up on the blog and I do hope those of you who read my blog in the past are still around. It's just been a rather busy and exhausting month!
As you all know, May started with the passing of our sweet Kona. The same day we let Kona go, Reece had his two month vaccinations. He was quite the trooper and only cried just until I was able to pick him up a few seconds later. He stopped crying, snuggled against me and fell asleep. I hope the four month vaccines go as smoothly! Just two days later, Reece's Pappy and Nana B showed up for a wonderful visit. I am so glad that even though we are half way around the world, in just 11 weeks of life Reece has been able to meet all of his wonderful grandparents. He is a lucky little boy to have so many loving people in his life. Of course he shmoozed them all with his charm and adorable smile. I'm sure that charm and smile will be used later in life to get out of trouble, but at least I'm already on to him :)
I celebrated my very first Mother's Day and loved every second of it. At first it was kind of surreal...I kept thinking, "wow, I'm a mom!" I mean, I knew I was a mom, but it really hit me now that I have a day to celebrate my new status that I'm actually doing this mommy thing! Crazy!
Reece started "school" (I don't like saying day care...it just sounds ugly) this month...the day after Mother's Day was his first day. He is the youngest baby in the infant room, but he holds his own with the other kids :) Again, that charm and smile has all the ladies who work in the infant room just eating out of his hand. It makes me feel so good knowing how much they enjoy having him around and hearing how content he is during the day. I know they are doing a wonderful job with him and Reece doesn't seem to have any adjustment issues. The military CDC's (Child Development Centers) really are phenomenal facilities. My favorite part of the day though is when I get to pick him up and as soon as he lays his eyes on me when I'm in the room, I get one of those big gummy grins that I love so much and my heart just melts.
The downfall of "school" is that Reece also caught his very first cold the other day. He has a stuffy little nose and a junky cough that just breaks my heart when I hear it. He is getting a lot of rest though so I hope it won't last too long. Warm baths, some saline drops in the nose and lots of cuddles are helping him along as well...the cuddles may be helping me more since I feel so badly for him :(
May also brought around the arrival of our boat. Carlos has been looking and looking, all the while educating himself about boats and even renting boats from the marina on the Navy base to get comfortable and practice his fishing (I'm still waiting for a fish, but he'll get there). My husband has a grin from ear to ear over the arrival of his boat. It makes me happy to know that he found something he really enjoys and that it is something we can all enjoy as a family. The first boat launch will probably be this weekend, but Reece and I will most likely sit this one out. We want to make sure everything is smooth sailing (no pun intended) before we board :)
So today as I celebrate my 32nd birthday with my hubby and Reece, I realize its been one crazy busy month, but a great month nonetheless (with the exception of Kona). Carlos baked me a birthday cake and sang to me in only the way Carlos can...and has since we met...very off key and VERY LOUD, but it makes me laugh every time! I opened presents with my two men and am now ready to drift off to a good sleep after a fabulous day. Only 6 days remain in this merry berry month and I intend to enjoy every last one of them!
I vow to not go as long between blog postings again so don't give up on me just yet :)
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| The boat has arrived! |
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| Reece enjoying his Bumbo |
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| Reece and Mommy out to lunch |
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Another Angel
This is just an update to last night's post.
Kona passed away this afternoon. He went peacefully with lots of hugs and kisses from the two of us. Kona essentially told us last night that it was time to let him go. We know he is watching over us and his little brother Reece. We miss him like crazy, but we know he will always be with us. He is surrounded by other dog friends now and munching on doggie biscuits...without having to do tricks to get them now :)
We love you Kona!
Kona passed away this afternoon. He went peacefully with lots of hugs and kisses from the two of us. Kona essentially told us last night that it was time to let him go. We know he is watching over us and his little brother Reece. We miss him like crazy, but we know he will always be with us. He is surrounded by other dog friends now and munching on doggie biscuits...without having to do tricks to get them now :)
We love you Kona!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Man's Best Friend
Had you asked me two weeks ago what was the hardest thing in life I've ever had to do, I would've responded with "give birth." We all know I did not have one of those fairy tale births of just sneezing and out popped a baby. I incubated for 41 weeks, was nauseated for most of my labor, had back labor so the epidural wasn't 100% effective, and I pushed for almost 3 hours simply because I was so exhausted. I remember it all like it happened yesterday and yes, it was the top contender of life's most difficult moments until this past weekend.
When my dog Kona started becoming a little under the weather two weeks ago, we thought a trip to the vet and maybe some antibiotics later we would have our Kona back. So when the days kept ticking by and he wasn't getting better, just worse, and we were left without any answers, Carlos and I became extremely frustrated. Fast forward to Thursday when we were able to get a CT scan done on Kona because we had already maxed out all the other tests that could be run and nothing was conclusive. We had the images put on a cd and thanks to a friend of mine back in Pittsburgh, we were able to have a veterinary neurosurgeon (yes, there really is such a profession...I was shocked too) read Kona's CT scan images we had emailed him. While we were prepared for what we would hear (denial could only last so long and his symptoms weren't fooling two people in the medical profession), it still didn't make it any easier to hear him say the words: brain tumor. Alas, we had our answer, but it was devastating to know there is nothing we can do. Carlos and I don't know how to be helpless. We are in professions that help people and treat them and do things to give them a better quality of life and we are not able to do a darn thing for one of our own family members. How is this fair??!!
So, back to the hardest thing I've ever had to do...
I think it was a couple of things from the weekend...one was actually have a conversation with Carlos about letting Kona meet his maker. The second was watch my husband suffer over the thought of losing his dog. Sure Kona is "our" dog, but he and Carlos have a bond that I can't compete with and never cared to. Kona loves us both unconditionally, this I know, but he truly is Carlos' best friend. So while Kona and I had a talk on Saturday about how much I love him and I cried pretty much all day, I have also decided I can and will do whatever is best for my darling dog. Never did Carlos and I think that we would leave Guam without our precious pooch and that is what makes this so much harder. Kona should still have quite a few more years and we are angry that his life is being cut short.
I would take the pain of giving birth any day than the pain of losing Kona. Because in the end, the pain of birth resulted in a beautiful baby boy and tons of joy, but the pain of losing a loved animal only results in sadness and a void.
Kona is still with us at this time. We know it will probably just be a matter of time, but as for now we are just letting nature take its course instead of interfering one way or another. He does not appear to be suffering so we are just taking this day by day.
When my dog Kona started becoming a little under the weather two weeks ago, we thought a trip to the vet and maybe some antibiotics later we would have our Kona back. So when the days kept ticking by and he wasn't getting better, just worse, and we were left without any answers, Carlos and I became extremely frustrated. Fast forward to Thursday when we were able to get a CT scan done on Kona because we had already maxed out all the other tests that could be run and nothing was conclusive. We had the images put on a cd and thanks to a friend of mine back in Pittsburgh, we were able to have a veterinary neurosurgeon (yes, there really is such a profession...I was shocked too) read Kona's CT scan images we had emailed him. While we were prepared for what we would hear (denial could only last so long and his symptoms weren't fooling two people in the medical profession), it still didn't make it any easier to hear him say the words: brain tumor. Alas, we had our answer, but it was devastating to know there is nothing we can do. Carlos and I don't know how to be helpless. We are in professions that help people and treat them and do things to give them a better quality of life and we are not able to do a darn thing for one of our own family members. How is this fair??!!
So, back to the hardest thing I've ever had to do...
I think it was a couple of things from the weekend...one was actually have a conversation with Carlos about letting Kona meet his maker. The second was watch my husband suffer over the thought of losing his dog. Sure Kona is "our" dog, but he and Carlos have a bond that I can't compete with and never cared to. Kona loves us both unconditionally, this I know, but he truly is Carlos' best friend. So while Kona and I had a talk on Saturday about how much I love him and I cried pretty much all day, I have also decided I can and will do whatever is best for my darling dog. Never did Carlos and I think that we would leave Guam without our precious pooch and that is what makes this so much harder. Kona should still have quite a few more years and we are angry that his life is being cut short.
I would take the pain of giving birth any day than the pain of losing Kona. Because in the end, the pain of birth resulted in a beautiful baby boy and tons of joy, but the pain of losing a loved animal only results in sadness and a void.
Kona is still with us at this time. We know it will probably just be a matter of time, but as for now we are just letting nature take its course instead of interfering one way or another. He does not appear to be suffering so we are just taking this day by day.
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