This morning was my six-week postpartum visit (Happy 6 weeks, A!). It also happened to be the morning of the worst downpour I have ever driven in, and also the latest I have ever slept through my alarm. Oops!
The doctor's visit went well. I am cleared to begin training for whichever run I end up participating in this spring. While I'm anxious to get my abs back, I'm not so psyched about actually having to put forth the effort, but I digress. In other good news, I've lost all my baby weight. At this rate, ill breastfeed forever! I suddenly understand the skinny women with a two-year-old attached to their breast ;)
Now that we've knocked that appointment out of the way, it's off to Barnes & Noble and the post office to send my littlest sister's birthday gift (only two weeks late :/), and then time to go to work! Four and a half weeks until Spring Break!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Question for Runners.
Remember how back when I was pregnant and desperate for some freedom and outlet from the physical discomfort of pregnancy, I vowed to run the Capitol 10K in April?!? You do? Damn. I mean, I'm not trying to wuss out, but 10K? I hardly have the energy to run and check the mail today!
Ok, in all seriousness, though, I need some advice/a pep talk from all you seasoned runners out there. For those of you who know me well, you know I'm a walker, at best, so this is a big goal for me. Here's my big question: Can I train for a 10K in 9 weeks after not having exercised a single muscle in my body in over six months, and after having a c-section five and a half weeks ago? If so, what kind of training regimen/diet/lifestyle changes do I need to adopt?! Lastly, if anyone reading is in the Austin area, would you be interested in training/running the 10K with me? I need some support, ladies!
Ok, in all seriousness, though, I need some advice/a pep talk from all you seasoned runners out there. For those of you who know me well, you know I'm a walker, at best, so this is a big goal for me. Here's my big question: Can I train for a 10K in 9 weeks after not having exercised a single muscle in my body in over six months, and after having a c-section five and a half weeks ago? If so, what kind of training regimen/diet/lifestyle changes do I need to adopt?! Lastly, if anyone reading is in the Austin area, would you be interested in training/running the 10K with me? I need some support, ladies!
Confessions.
I have a second blog, that was started lonnnnnnng before I was pregnant, if anyone's interested. I have been neglecting it since my pregnancy began, but am starting to tend to it more frequently in the hopes of having a non-baby writing outlet :)
Confessions of a Former Nanny
Confessions of a Former Nanny
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Striking A Balance.
I wish I could tell you that this is a post about how I've found a happy medium when it comes to caring for Ava, but rather it's one asking you, dear readers, how you've found/are finding yours.
You see, I find myself constantly conflicted. Am I holding her enough? Am I holding her too often? If I let her cry for 30 seconds while I finish going to the bathroom, will she feel abandoned and become insecure? Should I allow her to cry just for a moment to make sure she can handle not always experiencing immediate gratification? You would think as a child development major I would know all the answers, and regarding the research, I'm pretty well versed. I actually assisted a very prominent attachment researcher in her lab my senior year, and wrote on some of her papers. BUT, sometimes the practical application of this information oresents a conflict, and leaves me wondering what I should do.
Just this morning, I had her sitting next to me in her favorite pillow while I pumped. She was half dozing/half watching me pump with the same why-is-that-thing-stealing-my-milk look she always gives. When I finished, I faced the same dilemma I do every day. Should I pick her up and hold her, or leave her in the pillow? I wasn't doing anything that would require me to have my arms free, and the way she looked at me with those big blue-brown eyes made me feel like she was wishing to snuggle. But then again, shouldn't I let a calm baby lie?
So I ask - how do you strike a good balance to where you can feel good about what you're doing? Or is part of motherhood never feeling 100% confident?
You see, I find myself constantly conflicted. Am I holding her enough? Am I holding her too often? If I let her cry for 30 seconds while I finish going to the bathroom, will she feel abandoned and become insecure? Should I allow her to cry just for a moment to make sure she can handle not always experiencing immediate gratification? You would think as a child development major I would know all the answers, and regarding the research, I'm pretty well versed. I actually assisted a very prominent attachment researcher in her lab my senior year, and wrote on some of her papers. BUT, sometimes the practical application of this information oresents a conflict, and leaves me wondering what I should do.
Just this morning, I had her sitting next to me in her favorite pillow while I pumped. She was half dozing/half watching me pump with the same why-is-that-thing-stealing-my-milk look she always gives. When I finished, I faced the same dilemma I do every day. Should I pick her up and hold her, or leave her in the pillow? I wasn't doing anything that would require me to have my arms free, and the way she looked at me with those big blue-brown eyes made me feel like she was wishing to snuggle. But then again, shouldn't I let a calm baby lie?
So I ask - how do you strike a good balance to where you can feel good about what you're doing? Or is part of motherhood never feeling 100% confident?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ava's New Pediatrician.
This morning was Ava's first appointment with Dr. Halden, her new pediatrician, and I cannot say enough good things! This visit really made me realize how much Dr. Kibler was doing wrong.
First off, I was seen...(drumroll, please!)...immediately! No joke. That was awesome. The nurse was great and of course, her constant flattering of how 'darling' Ava is didn't hurt anything :) Ava is now weighing in at 9lbs, 9oz and is 22 inches long! When the nurse saw that she was 19 inches at birth and 21 a week later, she said that they had probably mismeasured when she was born due to her being all compact from being squished inside so long, and that chances are she was 21 inches when she was born, which I had wondered about. Either way, homegirl is tall! She must be getting that from her dad!
When Dr Halden came in, he was very kind and really took his time examining her. He listened to her heart and lungs and looked at her eyes, ears, throat and nose (none of which Dr. K had ever bothered to do!), and they all checked out perfect. Sadly, he gave her the second Hep B vaccine, which was awful to watch! I think I may have cried as much as she did :(
About the reflux - Dr. Halden simply said that babies spit up. As long as she's a 'happy spitter' and doesn't appear in pain or become colicky, and as long as she's gaining weight, he sees no need to address is with medication. That's much more what I was thinking as well. He said kudos on the breastfeeding and sent me on my way, telling me to return in a month for her big round of shots. I let him know about my vaccine allergy since her DTaP is coming up, and he said while he finds it slightly concerning, that he'll be prepared for any adverse reaction, and that the benefits of the shot far outweigh the miniscule possibility that she might have a reaction, since only 3 or 4 out of the millions of babies vaccinated per year have the reaction I did. Either way, I'll be dragging D along for moral support since I'm so ridiculously nervous about it.
All in all, a successful switch! I'm quite satisfied. We were in and out in 25 minutes with all my questions answered. I also really like that he talked to her through everything. He'd say, "Ok Ava, I'm going to look in those beautiful eyes now. And no, I don't say that to all the ladies." Pretty nice guy!
First off, I was seen...(drumroll, please!)...immediately! No joke. That was awesome. The nurse was great and of course, her constant flattering of how 'darling' Ava is didn't hurt anything :) Ava is now weighing in at 9lbs, 9oz and is 22 inches long! When the nurse saw that she was 19 inches at birth and 21 a week later, she said that they had probably mismeasured when she was born due to her being all compact from being squished inside so long, and that chances are she was 21 inches when she was born, which I had wondered about. Either way, homegirl is tall! She must be getting that from her dad!
When Dr Halden came in, he was very kind and really took his time examining her. He listened to her heart and lungs and looked at her eyes, ears, throat and nose (none of which Dr. K had ever bothered to do!), and they all checked out perfect. Sadly, he gave her the second Hep B vaccine, which was awful to watch! I think I may have cried as much as she did :(
About the reflux - Dr. Halden simply said that babies spit up. As long as she's a 'happy spitter' and doesn't appear in pain or become colicky, and as long as she's gaining weight, he sees no need to address is with medication. That's much more what I was thinking as well. He said kudos on the breastfeeding and sent me on my way, telling me to return in a month for her big round of shots. I let him know about my vaccine allergy since her DTaP is coming up, and he said while he finds it slightly concerning, that he'll be prepared for any adverse reaction, and that the benefits of the shot far outweigh the miniscule possibility that she might have a reaction, since only 3 or 4 out of the millions of babies vaccinated per year have the reaction I did. Either way, I'll be dragging D along for moral support since I'm so ridiculously nervous about it.
All in all, a successful switch! I'm quite satisfied. We were in and out in 25 minutes with all my questions answered. I also really like that he talked to her through everything. He'd say, "Ok Ava, I'm going to look in those beautiful eyes now. And no, I don't say that to all the ladies." Pretty nice guy!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Bad News.
This morning started out decently enough. Ava was up for a bit from 4-5 due to some explosive diapers, but otherwise slept well. I was able to get some extra sleep also, and had the motivation to get out of bed before she woke up to grab a few minutes to myself. Not a bad way to start the day! Then, I got an email.
As it turns out, the littlest of the two girls I watch is going to be in school full-time M-Th in the fall (until 2:30 each day), and my schedule only has me working until 4:30 each day, which, if you do the math, leaves me with a full day Friday and 8 hours between the other four. Even with the one to two mornings I make myself available to run errands such as grocery shopping, ill end up with 25 hours per week, max. While the D's had mentioned the possibility of this in the future, I didn't expect it to come so soon, and am deeply saddened both by the prospect of not getting to spend as much time with S & P, and by what this means for me with regards to work. I have every intention of staying on with them as long as I can find something to supplement a couple mornings where I can take Ava. Luckily I have been given a lot of advance notice to start scouting my options and have seven months before anything changes, but I am definitely worried about what will happen if I cannot find supplemental work :(
It seems as though little A has picked up on my sad mood, though, and has been smiling nonstop this morning to cheer me up!
Plus, Lost premieres tonight, and how can anyone be sad about that?!
As it turns out, the littlest of the two girls I watch is going to be in school full-time M-Th in the fall (until 2:30 each day), and my schedule only has me working until 4:30 each day, which, if you do the math, leaves me with a full day Friday and 8 hours between the other four. Even with the one to two mornings I make myself available to run errands such as grocery shopping, ill end up with 25 hours per week, max. While the D's had mentioned the possibility of this in the future, I didn't expect it to come so soon, and am deeply saddened both by the prospect of not getting to spend as much time with S & P, and by what this means for me with regards to work. I have every intention of staying on with them as long as I can find something to supplement a couple mornings where I can take Ava. Luckily I have been given a lot of advance notice to start scouting my options and have seven months before anything changes, but I am definitely worried about what will happen if I cannot find supplemental work :(
It seems as though little A has picked up on my sad mood, though, and has been smiling nonstop this morning to cheer me up!
Plus, Lost premieres tonight, and how can anyone be sad about that?!
Monday, February 1, 2010
5 Weeks!
How is it possible that my little munchkin is already five weeks old? Eek!
She is learning and growing so much everyday. In the past five weeks, she's learned to hold her head up on her own for long periods of time, turn her head from side to side, track objects/people with her eyes, and smile! She's still only smiling here and there, and I can't wait until she's doing it more frequently, and laughing little baby laughs!
Ava is still wearing NB onesies and dresses, but 0-3 month sleepers and pants since she's so long. I'll be curious to see her height at the new doctor's office on Wednesday! She's also officially now in size 1 diapers!
She's also having less issues with reflux, even without the medicine. I've been giving her gas meds, since I stopped taking the ones I was given post c-section right around the time she started having issues with spit-up, and they seem to really be helping. Perhaps she was just suffering from a little baby gas :)
Here are some more pics to brighten this gloomy Monday morning in Austin:
She is learning and growing so much everyday. In the past five weeks, she's learned to hold her head up on her own for long periods of time, turn her head from side to side, track objects/people with her eyes, and smile! She's still only smiling here and there, and I can't wait until she's doing it more frequently, and laughing little baby laughs!
Ava is still wearing NB onesies and dresses, but 0-3 month sleepers and pants since she's so long. I'll be curious to see her height at the new doctor's office on Wednesday! She's also officially now in size 1 diapers!
She's also having less issues with reflux, even without the medicine. I've been giving her gas meds, since I stopped taking the ones I was given post c-section right around the time she started having issues with spit-up, and they seem to really be helping. Perhaps she was just suffering from a little baby gas :)
Here are some more pics to brighten this gloomy Monday morning in Austin:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
