When I first became pregnant, the idea of breastfeeding was uncharted territory. My mother had not been able to bf me...but she had my brothers. She let me know her thoughts. I had a few friends that also shared their thoughts. So, I was interested.
I was nervous, to say the least. Once our son was born, I tried in the hospital. Needless to say, he inherited my fiery Spanish temper... and it was not an easy task to attempt. After many failed attempts, I was almost ready to give up.
LC specialists came in... often cramming my tiny little man's head into my chest - which only served to anger him further. A day and a half went by, and I was reduced to tears. My baby boy was crying from hunger, I was trying to pump and getting literally drops, as milk had not come in. My husband came into the room one morning to find me cuddling the baby and bawling my eyes out.
Being an attentive husband, he immediately asked me what was wrong. I don't know how he was able to make out what was bothering me from my sobs and snotty breaths, but he somehow managed. He immediately spoke to the nurse manager... and our nursing team sprang into action.
A feeding schedule was made, the nurses vowed we should always try bf first... and as a last resort formula feed, if baby refused. The rest of the stay was so much more pleasant.
It wasn't until I was home for a couple of days that my milk actually came in... at which time, the baby was still rather frustrated with the whole ordeal, and didn't want to latch much. So I pumped like a mad woman. Once he got a taste for mama's milk, he loved feeding.
In short, while it was very difficult to get to the point of baby latching properly and feeding well... the experience was well worth the heartache and frustration. Breast feeding was one of the most rewarding and amazing experiences I have ever gone through.
I'm glad I stuck to my guns and didn't just give up... because it really led to some wonderful bonding time for myself and the LN... and that time was the best time I've invested in anything in my life. LM is one of the greatest investments in my life... and he's well worth every single minute I get to spend with him.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Catching Rainbows
Little Monkey (LM)...the whirlwind of a spider monkey that has made our house a home. We crave the laughter and the antics. We get lost when we don't hear them.
18 months ago... we never would have expected as much. We knew our lives would change, but we didn't know a tiny human would have such a profound effect on us. I mean, he is my everything. I wake up and my first thought is of him... I think of him all day while I'm at work and he's at daycare... I go to sleep at night, him cuddled tightly at my side... and my dreams are filled with his smile and laughter. Long story short, I am addicted to the sweetest little boy I have ever met, and I am so very thankful God has trusted one of his angels into my care.
It seems as though LM learns new things by the minute. It amazes people that he is only 18 months old...they always ask if he's 2 or 3. He talks a LOT. When I say a lot... I mean, from the moment he wakes up until the moment he falls asleep... as long as he's with us, that little boy babbles incessantly. It's the sweetest sound I have heard in a long time. We have our little conversations - which may not make any sense to anyone else; but they make absolute perfect sense to myself and LM. That's pretty much all that matters.
He adores his friend Bella - our incredibly gentle cat. I have to give her props... she has all of her claws and a full set of very sharp teeth. LM flops on her, pulls her tail, pokes at her, and does other things cats generally hate... and she never once has even bared a tooth or a claw aimed at what was once the smallest member of our family. She is the most patient and loving cat, and it amazes me. As soon as LM makes a peep, she runs to check on him. If she doesn't think I jump fast enough, she will "escort" me to him. She really loves her little baby - I sometimes jokingly call her Nana.
Anyway - as LM grows and changes and develops into a very independent little man, I stand by and watch. I wish I could spend every minute of every day with him... so I didn't have to miss a second of his life. But I know it is best to let him be around other children and learn to function as a part of society. It makes any time I get to spend with him that much more special - and I cherish our play time. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. I just wish time would slow down a bit so I could enjoy him that much more.
18 months ago... we never would have expected as much. We knew our lives would change, but we didn't know a tiny human would have such a profound effect on us. I mean, he is my everything. I wake up and my first thought is of him... I think of him all day while I'm at work and he's at daycare... I go to sleep at night, him cuddled tightly at my side... and my dreams are filled with his smile and laughter. Long story short, I am addicted to the sweetest little boy I have ever met, and I am so very thankful God has trusted one of his angels into my care.
It seems as though LM learns new things by the minute. It amazes people that he is only 18 months old...they always ask if he's 2 or 3. He talks a LOT. When I say a lot... I mean, from the moment he wakes up until the moment he falls asleep... as long as he's with us, that little boy babbles incessantly. It's the sweetest sound I have heard in a long time. We have our little conversations - which may not make any sense to anyone else; but they make absolute perfect sense to myself and LM. That's pretty much all that matters.
He adores his friend Bella - our incredibly gentle cat. I have to give her props... she has all of her claws and a full set of very sharp teeth. LM flops on her, pulls her tail, pokes at her, and does other things cats generally hate... and she never once has even bared a tooth or a claw aimed at what was once the smallest member of our family. She is the most patient and loving cat, and it amazes me. As soon as LM makes a peep, she runs to check on him. If she doesn't think I jump fast enough, she will "escort" me to him. She really loves her little baby - I sometimes jokingly call her Nana.
Anyway - as LM grows and changes and develops into a very independent little man, I stand by and watch. I wish I could spend every minute of every day with him... so I didn't have to miss a second of his life. But I know it is best to let him be around other children and learn to function as a part of society. It makes any time I get to spend with him that much more special - and I cherish our play time. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. I just wish time would slow down a bit so I could enjoy him that much more.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Hello Again
Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything at all about our sweet little man... so, here goes:
When I left off, LM had begun to walk and run. We still can't get him to slow down - but at least he has gotten better with his balance. The little man is always on the go. It's pretty funny to watch him most of the time. He also loves to climb up on tables, couches, chairs, laps - pretty much whatever he can crawl up on. He has mastered this skill and makes it look easy now.
LM still has a love for reading. He has switched his tastes to the likes of Old McDonald Had A Farm, My Little Golden Book about Numbers, My Little Golden Book about God... and pretty much anything that talks, plays songs, or makes any type of noise. He also likes to read back to you - while it sounds like babble... it's still cute.
I think our reading to him since he was very tiny (a week old) has helped with his verbal development. He loves to babble... knows about 115 words, sign language, several phrases (which he uses correctly and in context), and some Spanish. He is a little sponge, we really have to watch what we say around him. But it has been a complete joy watching him learn new terms and learn to use them properly.
LM has always loved water. We have made a discovery - tub crayons. He LOVES them. It's so cute to watch him scribble on the walls in the tub and play in the water. He loves the bubble blower, too. He didn't always like this contraption... but once we got one that played music and talked, he was game. It's a fight to get him out of the tub most nights... but it's absolutely adorable.
He has acquired a love of cleaning. He loves to play with the dust mop, dust rags, and the vacuum. He will mimic whatever I do with these household tools. We actually had to go buy him a tiny, kid-sized vacuum at the toy store (that makes noises like a real vacuum - yes, they exist), because he would throw a fit every time we turned off the vacuum and told him cleaning time was over. (Wow, I really hope that he never loses sight of his love for these skills.)
Over the Christmas holidays, we decided we would take a trip to Oklahoma to spend it with my immediate family. 13.5 hours and three states later, we really had a pleasant trip. LM loves car rides, this has never been a secret. But we were surprised he did so well on such a long trip.
Now we are at another developmental milestone. We are embarking on the potty training journey. He has been hinting for a couple of months that he is ready to try - he tells us when his diaper is dirty, goes to his room for the table, leads us to his room, and sometimes will go to the toilet and point at it, saying "potty" or "pee-pee". Yep, he's definitely ready. Now that we have his training potty (we had to get one that goes on the normal toilet... he would not use the kids themed one), we will be starting.
Words can't even express how in love I am with this tiny miracle. He's nothing short of amazing to me.
When I left off, LM had begun to walk and run. We still can't get him to slow down - but at least he has gotten better with his balance. The little man is always on the go. It's pretty funny to watch him most of the time. He also loves to climb up on tables, couches, chairs, laps - pretty much whatever he can crawl up on. He has mastered this skill and makes it look easy now.
LM still has a love for reading. He has switched his tastes to the likes of Old McDonald Had A Farm, My Little Golden Book about Numbers, My Little Golden Book about God... and pretty much anything that talks, plays songs, or makes any type of noise. He also likes to read back to you - while it sounds like babble... it's still cute.
I think our reading to him since he was very tiny (a week old) has helped with his verbal development. He loves to babble... knows about 115 words, sign language, several phrases (which he uses correctly and in context), and some Spanish. He is a little sponge, we really have to watch what we say around him. But it has been a complete joy watching him learn new terms and learn to use them properly.
LM has always loved water. We have made a discovery - tub crayons. He LOVES them. It's so cute to watch him scribble on the walls in the tub and play in the water. He loves the bubble blower, too. He didn't always like this contraption... but once we got one that played music and talked, he was game. It's a fight to get him out of the tub most nights... but it's absolutely adorable.
He has acquired a love of cleaning. He loves to play with the dust mop, dust rags, and the vacuum. He will mimic whatever I do with these household tools. We actually had to go buy him a tiny, kid-sized vacuum at the toy store (that makes noises like a real vacuum - yes, they exist), because he would throw a fit every time we turned off the vacuum and told him cleaning time was over. (Wow, I really hope that he never loses sight of his love for these skills.)
Over the Christmas holidays, we decided we would take a trip to Oklahoma to spend it with my immediate family. 13.5 hours and three states later, we really had a pleasant trip. LM loves car rides, this has never been a secret. But we were surprised he did so well on such a long trip.
Now we are at another developmental milestone. We are embarking on the potty training journey. He has been hinting for a couple of months that he is ready to try - he tells us when his diaper is dirty, goes to his room for the table, leads us to his room, and sometimes will go to the toilet and point at it, saying "potty" or "pee-pee". Yep, he's definitely ready. Now that we have his training potty (we had to get one that goes on the normal toilet... he would not use the kids themed one), we will be starting.
Words can't even express how in love I am with this tiny miracle. He's nothing short of amazing to me.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
From miracle to movie star
Fourteen months have passed. On July 20, 2011, we realized life would forever change. We did not realize just how much of a change it would be.... and it has been one of the most wonderful and beneficial changes I've ever experienced.
LM has been with us to three countries, a US Virgin Island, Wisconsin, Florida, and had a short appearance on the news. What a busy year!
As we watch our LM and develop at a lightening pace, we can't help but beam with pride. He is such a sweet little guy... and he's a challenge with his intelligence and curiosity. It doesn't take him very long to learn new tasks... and mastery comes shortly thereafter.
One of my favorite times in the evening is when he picks out a book (most often it's "Giraffes Can't Dance" written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees), carries it to me, and proceeds to try to climb into my lap so I can read it for him. He absolutely loves being read to... which makes me feel good. I love cuddling with him as I read to him. It's a true win-win situation!
He went from crawling to walking within a day. The day after his first birthday, he just stood up and took off as if he'd been walking his entire life. His balance amazed us. He walks with such beautiful posture. But he didn't walk for long before he decided running was much more efficient. It's been a challenge to get him to slow down.
He loves climbing things. It's frightening how efficient he's gotten with this skill. It's necessary to stay close by him these days - lest he fall and really hurt himself.
We are currently making every attempt at figuring out a way to keep him from learning how to open our windows. He tries... very hard. It's not a comforting thing for me, as the windows he can reach easily are all on the upper level of our split level home.
This past fourteen months have been the craziest and most wonderful months of my life. I love our LM more than anyone or anything in this world. He holds my heart in his tiny little hands... and I'm so proud to be his mommy. I'm so humbled and thankful God blessed me with the care of one of his beautiful angels.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Mom Lessons I've Learned in the Little Monkey's First Year
1. He won't break if I drop him. Not that I have tested this theory, but he is far less delicate and fragile
than I thought he would be during pregnancy. He gives me heart attacks with his antics and then gets
up without so much as a bump and keeps on going.
2. It's okay to let him cry for a few minutes. While neither of us likes it when he cries, he does so for many
reasons. He cries when the cat won't let him pet her. He cries when his toys don't work the way he wants
them to work. He cries when I close the gate and go downstairs for a few seconds. The point is, tears are
easily triggered for many reasons... not once has a few tears shown signs of harm. Sometimes it's better
for his confidence if I sit back and let him figure it out for himself.
3. I'm not a baby wearer... nor does he like to be a fashion accessory. I got a moby wrap for a baby
shower gift. I thought it would be the greatest thing ever. I tried it a couple of times... and discovered we
just aren't really into that sort of thing.
4. I am a baby food maker. I have always loved to cook, so it's no surprise I love cooking for my adoring
son who loves to sit in the kitchen and watch me as I create concoctions for him to try.
5. Tony prefers my cooking to store bought foods. He will actually visibly snub store bought foods and
ask for my home-cooked goodness. He's shunned foods he sees in baby packaging and pointed at bowls
containing something I've cooked saying "want that" on more than one occasion. It really makes me feel
awesome.
6. I won't break down in intermittent sobs if I leave him with someone else for a few hours. I dreaded
the day I had to return to work after maternity leave. I didn't want to miss a single moment of my sweet
little boy's life. I really hated myself for not being able to be a stay-at-home mommy. (Damn my desire to
take my son on adventures and buy him great clothing in lieu of staying home!)
I learned that, as wistful as I may get when I kiss him goodbye, I'm fine when I get to the car. Being a
working mom is tough, but the look I get when I come in the daycare providers house every day is
priceless. It's something I wouldn't get if I didn't leave him in someone else's care.
7. LM won't hate me if I leave him with someone else for a few hours. Sometimes, when I drop him
off at daycare, he cries tearless cries. It's mostly a phase he's going through. The second I'm out of sight,
I'm out of mind and he starts laughing and playing with his daycare friends. One would think this would
bruise my mom-ego... but it really doesn't. I am so proud of the fact my son is secure enough in my love
for him that he is able to handle my not being by his side every waking moment. I'm also proud of his
ability to handle change. I always return, I love him too much to be gone for too long.
8. I don't have to make stupid faces or talk like a baby to make him laugh. A good, old-fashioned tickle
monster is all it takes sometimes. Or blowing on his belly. He will laugh at me if he finds things funny... and
I may not always know what triggers his giggles. The one thing I will always know is that his laugh is the
best thing I have heard in my entire life.
9. I don't have to be a constant source of entertainment. He is independent enough to know how to
occupy himself and creative enough to use his imagination. He's only a year old, but I can watch him use
his imagination when he's playing. When he's ready to be entertained, he will come to me or bring me a
toy or a book so we can play or read together.
10. He has defied every single thing I knew about baby development. I've always known children
develop at different paces. What I didn't know is that my child would be so far ahead of the curve. We
are amazed at his learning rate... he went from crawling to walking overnight. Not just tentative first
steps, actual standing up and walking down the hallway. He talks in partial phrases and knows more
words than most kids his age. He even knows some sign language. He amazes me with his abilities...
but it's also incredibly frightening.
than I thought he would be during pregnancy. He gives me heart attacks with his antics and then gets
up without so much as a bump and keeps on going.
2. It's okay to let him cry for a few minutes. While neither of us likes it when he cries, he does so for many
reasons. He cries when the cat won't let him pet her. He cries when his toys don't work the way he wants
them to work. He cries when I close the gate and go downstairs for a few seconds. The point is, tears are
easily triggered for many reasons... not once has a few tears shown signs of harm. Sometimes it's better
for his confidence if I sit back and let him figure it out for himself.
3. I'm not a baby wearer... nor does he like to be a fashion accessory. I got a moby wrap for a baby
shower gift. I thought it would be the greatest thing ever. I tried it a couple of times... and discovered we
just aren't really into that sort of thing.
4. I am a baby food maker. I have always loved to cook, so it's no surprise I love cooking for my adoring
son who loves to sit in the kitchen and watch me as I create concoctions for him to try.
5. Tony prefers my cooking to store bought foods. He will actually visibly snub store bought foods and
ask for my home-cooked goodness. He's shunned foods he sees in baby packaging and pointed at bowls
containing something I've cooked saying "want that" on more than one occasion. It really makes me feel
awesome.
6. I won't break down in intermittent sobs if I leave him with someone else for a few hours. I dreaded
the day I had to return to work after maternity leave. I didn't want to miss a single moment of my sweet
little boy's life. I really hated myself for not being able to be a stay-at-home mommy. (Damn my desire to
take my son on adventures and buy him great clothing in lieu of staying home!)
I learned that, as wistful as I may get when I kiss him goodbye, I'm fine when I get to the car. Being a
working mom is tough, but the look I get when I come in the daycare providers house every day is
priceless. It's something I wouldn't get if I didn't leave him in someone else's care.
7. LM won't hate me if I leave him with someone else for a few hours. Sometimes, when I drop him
off at daycare, he cries tearless cries. It's mostly a phase he's going through. The second I'm out of sight,
I'm out of mind and he starts laughing and playing with his daycare friends. One would think this would
bruise my mom-ego... but it really doesn't. I am so proud of the fact my son is secure enough in my love
for him that he is able to handle my not being by his side every waking moment. I'm also proud of his
ability to handle change. I always return, I love him too much to be gone for too long.
8. I don't have to make stupid faces or talk like a baby to make him laugh. A good, old-fashioned tickle
monster is all it takes sometimes. Or blowing on his belly. He will laugh at me if he finds things funny... and
I may not always know what triggers his giggles. The one thing I will always know is that his laugh is the
best thing I have heard in my entire life.
9. I don't have to be a constant source of entertainment. He is independent enough to know how to
occupy himself and creative enough to use his imagination. He's only a year old, but I can watch him use
his imagination when he's playing. When he's ready to be entertained, he will come to me or bring me a
toy or a book so we can play or read together.
10. He has defied every single thing I knew about baby development. I've always known children
develop at different paces. What I didn't know is that my child would be so far ahead of the curve. We
are amazed at his learning rate... he went from crawling to walking overnight. Not just tentative first
steps, actual standing up and walking down the hallway. He talks in partial phrases and knows more
words than most kids his age. He even knows some sign language. He amazes me with his abilities...
but it's also incredibly frightening.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Today, LM Turned 1
Today, my sweet angel, the LM turned 1.
Stop for a minute and soak that in.
It seems like just yesterday we were bringing this adorable little bundle home from the hospital. It seems like just yesterday, his first tooth poked through his gums. It seems like just yesterday for so many firsts. Yet, he's a whole year old already.
I can't believe how quickly time flew over the past 12 months. He's never stopped amazing us with his capabilities and antics... I'm pretty sure he will never cease to astound.
This little boy is nothing short of a miracle. He's so intelligent, and learns so quickly. He's one of the most lovable children I've ever met. I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother, I'm saying that because everyone who sees this little guy in action melts. He has a lengthy group of "followers" who adore him. I can't say that I blame him, but that might be my partiality speaking.
I love him so much. I only wish there was a way to slow time down a bit, it's breaking my heart to watch him growing so quickly.
Stop for a minute and soak that in.
It seems like just yesterday we were bringing this adorable little bundle home from the hospital. It seems like just yesterday, his first tooth poked through his gums. It seems like just yesterday for so many firsts. Yet, he's a whole year old already.
I can't believe how quickly time flew over the past 12 months. He's never stopped amazing us with his capabilities and antics... I'm pretty sure he will never cease to astound.
This little boy is nothing short of a miracle. He's so intelligent, and learns so quickly. He's one of the most lovable children I've ever met. I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother, I'm saying that because everyone who sees this little guy in action melts. He has a lengthy group of "followers" who adore him. I can't say that I blame him, but that might be my partiality speaking.
I love him so much. I only wish there was a way to slow time down a bit, it's breaking my heart to watch him growing so quickly.
Happy Birthday to me!!
Today, I am 1 year old.
I am on a ship called the Disney Fantasy - somewhere between Castaway Cay, Bahamas and Port Canaveral, Florida. Tonight, we go to dinner knowing we will be waking up in Florida and going through debarkation - very sad.
After dinner, the staff brought out a Mickey Mouse shaped cake for me - and I was allowed to dive in! That was our dessert - I was so happy that everyone let me play before taking their pieces. I got some presents when we got back to the cabin - it was so much fun! I can't wait until we get back to shore... I hear Via and Corky are going to take me to Walt Disney World... I can't wait!
I am on a ship called the Disney Fantasy - somewhere between Castaway Cay, Bahamas and Port Canaveral, Florida. Tonight, we go to dinner knowing we will be waking up in Florida and going through debarkation - very sad.
After dinner, the staff brought out a Mickey Mouse shaped cake for me - and I was allowed to dive in! That was our dessert - I was so happy that everyone let me play before taking their pieces. I got some presents when we got back to the cabin - it was so much fun! I can't wait until we get back to shore... I hear Via and Corky are going to take me to Walt Disney World... I can't wait!
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