Additional Note: As I was trying to post this, Aric chucked our DVD remote into a bucket of water. That is how remotes get broken.
Friday, June 26, 2009
I Believe This Is How Toys Get Broken...
Additional Note: As I was trying to post this, Aric chucked our DVD remote into a bucket of water. That is how remotes get broken.
I Said I Wouldn't, But I Did...
I know I said I wouldn't read any parenting books, but I started one last night. I checked out a couple of books about picky eaters from the library. They were on a book list given to me by Aric's doctor at his last appointment. Hopefully I can gain some insight and helpful ideas on expanding Aric's diet. He wants to feed himself and we let him as much as we can, but since he won't eat more than a select few finger foods it's impossible right now. Last night we tried to give him a level 3 baby food again. All it did was create an unhappy dinner hour for the three of us. I want mealtimes to be happy, not sources of contention.
Ryan had a job interview yesterday afternoon. He thinks it went well and was told they probably won't have a decision made until mid-July. If he does get the job it will be locally and won't involve any major life changes, other than a change in the hours Ryan is supposed to work. I don't know if this is the job that God wants Ryan to have. Right now we're still trying to be patient and wait on His timing.
The new schedule at my work came out on Wednesday afternoon. As of August 2 I will be working Thurs-Sun 6pm-4am. That will be a huge adjustment, but it will be nice to be home with Aric more and not have to leave him in daycare. The only downside of the new schedule change, is that I'm afraid I'm going to be misused alot. They are already scheduling me to work a couple of midnight shifts to cover for other people's vacations in August. In addition they are already talking about having to make changes again if the new schedule just doesn't work out or if people quit and we have a shortage at work. This will be my fourth schedule change in the past two years. I know I get paid well, but money isn't everything and I'm not sure it will be worth staying if they keep trying to move me around and disrupt my life.
It was fun being home with Aric yesterday. He decided he was going to walk around the house as much as possible. It makes me giggle watching him walk like baby Frankenstein with his arms straight in front of him for balance, especially if he's holding something. I'm sure it won't be long before he's running, though, I don't know that I'm quite ready to chase him.
Ryan had a job interview yesterday afternoon. He thinks it went well and was told they probably won't have a decision made until mid-July. If he does get the job it will be locally and won't involve any major life changes, other than a change in the hours Ryan is supposed to work. I don't know if this is the job that God wants Ryan to have. Right now we're still trying to be patient and wait on His timing.
The new schedule at my work came out on Wednesday afternoon. As of August 2 I will be working Thurs-Sun 6pm-4am. That will be a huge adjustment, but it will be nice to be home with Aric more and not have to leave him in daycare. The only downside of the new schedule change, is that I'm afraid I'm going to be misused alot. They are already scheduling me to work a couple of midnight shifts to cover for other people's vacations in August. In addition they are already talking about having to make changes again if the new schedule just doesn't work out or if people quit and we have a shortage at work. This will be my fourth schedule change in the past two years. I know I get paid well, but money isn't everything and I'm not sure it will be worth staying if they keep trying to move me around and disrupt my life.
It was fun being home with Aric yesterday. He decided he was going to walk around the house as much as possible. It makes me giggle watching him walk like baby Frankenstein with his arms straight in front of him for balance, especially if he's holding something. I'm sure it won't be long before he's running, though, I don't know that I'm quite ready to chase him.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Oops!
Apparently someone's crib was pushed too far over and he was able to reach a stack of bedding this morning.
Note to self: move crib over, move storage bins out of the room, and consider a haircut now that it looks like he's sprouting wings out of the side of his head.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Name Fiasco
Since I've had several requests and have never posted it, here is the story of how Aric was named:
About eleven years ago, Ryan and I were driving from El Paso to San Antonio and started a discussion on what we would name our children if we ever got married and had any. We decided that we would name any boy we had Chase Cameron. Over the years we tweaked the name a bit until we came up with Chase Levi, which is what was still in the running when I found out I was pregnant with a boy. We called the baby Chase and told anyone and everyone who asked that we were naming our baby Chase Levi. We even received boxes of baby clothes addressed to Chase Levi while I was pregnant.
The week before I was due, Ryan's coworkers asked him what we were naming the baby and he told them Chase Levi. The morning before I was scheduled to be induced Ryan called me at home. His coworkers came up to him that morning and told him that we couldn't use Chase as a name because then our baby would be named Chase Peters and that sounded too much like a gay porn star name. A nine month pregnant woman about to deliver does not receive that news very well. I remember telling Ryan he could sleep on the couch forever and that he needed to change his last name among other things which were very unlike me.
It really bothered me to hear that, though, and I spent the day thinking about names. As much as I liked the name Chase Levi I didn't want to saddle my innocent child with a name that he would be forever tormented for. When Ryan came home we sat down and had a serious discussion about what to name the baby. It was important to me to pick a name immediately because I didn't want our child to be nameless when he entered the world. We finally settled on Aric Levi. Aric is Ryan's middle name, which also accounts for the unusual spelling.
This is the reason we are keeping Baby #2's name closely guarded and why we have to pick her name apart. I would hate to give her a name that could be misconstrued.
About eleven years ago, Ryan and I were driving from El Paso to San Antonio and started a discussion on what we would name our children if we ever got married and had any. We decided that we would name any boy we had Chase Cameron. Over the years we tweaked the name a bit until we came up with Chase Levi, which is what was still in the running when I found out I was pregnant with a boy. We called the baby Chase and told anyone and everyone who asked that we were naming our baby Chase Levi. We even received boxes of baby clothes addressed to Chase Levi while I was pregnant.
The week before I was due, Ryan's coworkers asked him what we were naming the baby and he told them Chase Levi. The morning before I was scheduled to be induced Ryan called me at home. His coworkers came up to him that morning and told him that we couldn't use Chase as a name because then our baby would be named Chase Peters and that sounded too much like a gay porn star name. A nine month pregnant woman about to deliver does not receive that news very well. I remember telling Ryan he could sleep on the couch forever and that he needed to change his last name among other things which were very unlike me.
It really bothered me to hear that, though, and I spent the day thinking about names. As much as I liked the name Chase Levi I didn't want to saddle my innocent child with a name that he would be forever tormented for. When Ryan came home we sat down and had a serious discussion about what to name the baby. It was important to me to pick a name immediately because I didn't want our child to be nameless when he entered the world. We finally settled on Aric Levi. Aric is Ryan's middle name, which also accounts for the unusual spelling.
This is the reason we are keeping Baby #2's name closely guarded and why we have to pick her name apart. I would hate to give her a name that could be misconstrued.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Rough Week
This week has been really rough on Aric. Not only was he down a couple of days with a high fever and an ear infection, but Thursday I took him for his 1 year checkup and he received four immunizations and had to have blood drawn. In addition to all of this, he is also cutting two bottom teeth. In case you thought that wasn't rough enough for anyone to go through, he was stung by an insect on his eyebrow last night and now has a swollen eyelid. I dosed him on Benadryl this morning before I left for work and apparently wiped him out for most of the day. Poor kid!! We're just keeping watch on his eye and hoping it heals. I would rather not make another trip back to the doctor's office. We've already been there three times in the past two weeks.
Friday, June 19, 2009
And the Name Is...
...not going to be revealed until the baby is born. Sorry if you were excited for a moment. We received much grief over what we were intending to name Aric and after the trauma of a last minute name change, (Yes, I said trauma. You try being 9 months pregnant and get told the day before your induction that the name you planned on using all along wasn't going to work.) we decided to keep this name close.
I was asked yesterday how the baby is doing. Fine, I guess. It sounds cavalier, but I don't really give it much thought. The subsequent pregnancy isn't like the first pregnancy. I don't have the time to concentrate on every moment of being pregnant and I've been through this all before. I feel her move daily and I'm growing bigger and getting more uncomfortable, which are all good signs. I just don't have the time nor the inclination to pour over registries, baby sites, and books like I did with Aric.
I know that in less than four months I will need to install another car seat, set up a crib or at least the bassinet, pull the bouncer and swing out of storage and purchase smaller diapers. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to this baby and can't wait to meet her, but I'm just too tired and preoccupied to get as excited as I was with Aric. Life has changed quite a bit!
I was asked yesterday how the baby is doing. Fine, I guess. It sounds cavalier, but I don't really give it much thought. The subsequent pregnancy isn't like the first pregnancy. I don't have the time to concentrate on every moment of being pregnant and I've been through this all before. I feel her move daily and I'm growing bigger and getting more uncomfortable, which are all good signs. I just don't have the time nor the inclination to pour over registries, baby sites, and books like I did with Aric.
I know that in less than four months I will need to install another car seat, set up a crib or at least the bassinet, pull the bouncer and swing out of storage and purchase smaller diapers. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to this baby and can't wait to meet her, but I'm just too tired and preoccupied to get as excited as I was with Aric. Life has changed quite a bit!
Back to Normal
Aric went from this:
Aric is still working on his walking. He can walk, he just prefers to hold on. Ryan and I are still working with Aric on walking on his own. It has been challenging, but we are seeing improvements in his confidence as he has started to let go and walk towards toys and other objects. Before he would only walk with prompting between the two of us.
We aren't doing much better in the picky eating department. We're offering him a range of foods and most of them end up on the floor. I'm confident that one of these days he'll actually start eating something, especially since eating bananas and sweet potatoes started the exact same way. Right now we're working on weaning him from formula to whole milk. At least the milk isn't ending up on the floor, well the sippy cup is, but that's for different reasons.
It's hard to believe how much Aric has changed in the past year. I feel so blessed to be his mommy.
Aric is still working on his walking. He can walk, he just prefers to hold on. Ryan and I are still working with Aric on walking on his own. It has been challenging, but we are seeing improvements in his confidence as he has started to let go and walk towards toys and other objects. Before he would only walk with prompting between the two of us.
We aren't doing much better in the picky eating department. We're offering him a range of foods and most of them end up on the floor. I'm confident that one of these days he'll actually start eating something, especially since eating bananas and sweet potatoes started the exact same way. Right now we're working on weaning him from formula to whole milk. At least the milk isn't ending up on the floor, well the sippy cup is, but that's for different reasons.
It's hard to believe how much Aric has changed in the past year. I feel so blessed to be his mommy.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
First Birthday
Aric had a good first birthday, despite still being sick from his ear infection. It started out with a mundane trip to the grocery store. Not fun, but it was our weekly trip. The fun part is that Aric is now big enough and old enough to ride in his car seat facing forward. He seemed to enjoy being able to see where we were going. Later on Ryan and I took him to the local zoo, which was just the right size for his attention span. (It's a very small zoo.) We rounded out the evening with presents (which are all loud and noisy, Ryan and I think everyone must hate us), cake and lots of play time. It seemed to be a good birthday overall.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sick Again
Aric is sick again and Mommy is a little bit annoyed. Not at Aric, of course. How could you be annoyed with someone who looks this pathetic?
This morning Aric seemed fine. I dropped him off at daycare and by 10:30 Autumn had called to tell me we needed to get Aric because his temperature was 101.9. Ryan picked him up and took him to the doctor this afternoon. She gave us a different antibiotic to try and said he still had an ear infection.
I'm annoyed with the nurse. Had she made an appointment on Thursday to have Aric seen again the doctor would've been able to tell that Aric's ear infection was not healing and we might not have reached this point. I guess they need better communication in that doctor's office.
**Note- This is in no way a bad post about nurses. I know and am related to too many nurses to believe they are incapable. I'm more annoyed that the nurse and doctor at Aric's office weren't on the same page as far as when he should be brought back in. And maybe that was partly my fault for not pushing more last Thursday when I called.
This morning Aric seemed fine. I dropped him off at daycare and by 10:30 Autumn had called to tell me we needed to get Aric because his temperature was 101.9. Ryan picked him up and took him to the doctor this afternoon. She gave us a different antibiotic to try and said he still had an ear infection.
I'm annoyed with the nurse. Had she made an appointment on Thursday to have Aric seen again the doctor would've been able to tell that Aric's ear infection was not healing and we might not have reached this point. I guess they need better communication in that doctor's office.
**Note- This is in no way a bad post about nurses. I know and am related to too many nurses to believe they are incapable. I'm more annoyed that the nurse and doctor at Aric's office weren't on the same page as far as when he should be brought back in. And maybe that was partly my fault for not pushing more last Thursday when I called.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
What a Week..
I think of weeks in relation to my days off. It may only seem like Wednesday night, but to me it's Friday.
I started off the week feeling tired from watching that 9 yo last week. She was good, but needed constant entertaining. Never again- I keep saying to myself. I just started this past work week off too tired and feeling too behind in everything.
About a week ago we found out my in-laws were coming for a visit. They'll be here tomorrow night and plan on staying until Sunday. It's not a long visit and I certainly won't mind seeing them, however, it has sent Ryan and me into overdrive trying to get things done. The guest bedroom was full of junk from our newly cleaned out and repainted family room. There was no a/c set up in the guest bedroom and last week the weather was hot. Ryan worked hard on setting up one of our portable units in the room and putting away the junk. Of course it cooled off this week and the highest forecasted temp is 83. We also decided now was the time to re-caulk the bathtub. No, we don't do that for all the company that comes for a visit. The caulk was pulling away and cracking and really needed resealing. I wasn't happy doing it at the time, but as a friend pointed out now I won't have to do that closer to my due date or after the baby is born. I still have laundry to do, bathrooms to clean, floors to sweep and mop and all before tomorrow night. Tonight I'm too tired to attack any of that.
In the midst of all of that, Aric came down with an ear infection. I took him to the doctor on Monday. He's on antibiotics, but still isn't back to his normal, happy self. It's a shame that he became ill this week since it is his birthday week.
One year ago tonight, Ryan and I were trying to figure out what name to give Aric, since the name we had picked out wasn't going to work. One year ago tonight I was making sure my bag was ready for the next morning. One year ago tonight I was anxious to meet the babe growing in my belly. It's hard to believe that it's been a year already.
Tomorrow we have a fun day planned. Hopefully the weather will hold and we won't be rained out. A first birthday is a big deal...
I started off the week feeling tired from watching that 9 yo last week. She was good, but needed constant entertaining. Never again- I keep saying to myself. I just started this past work week off too tired and feeling too behind in everything.
About a week ago we found out my in-laws were coming for a visit. They'll be here tomorrow night and plan on staying until Sunday. It's not a long visit and I certainly won't mind seeing them, however, it has sent Ryan and me into overdrive trying to get things done. The guest bedroom was full of junk from our newly cleaned out and repainted family room. There was no a/c set up in the guest bedroom and last week the weather was hot. Ryan worked hard on setting up one of our portable units in the room and putting away the junk. Of course it cooled off this week and the highest forecasted temp is 83. We also decided now was the time to re-caulk the bathtub. No, we don't do that for all the company that comes for a visit. The caulk was pulling away and cracking and really needed resealing. I wasn't happy doing it at the time, but as a friend pointed out now I won't have to do that closer to my due date or after the baby is born. I still have laundry to do, bathrooms to clean, floors to sweep and mop and all before tomorrow night. Tonight I'm too tired to attack any of that.
In the midst of all of that, Aric came down with an ear infection. I took him to the doctor on Monday. He's on antibiotics, but still isn't back to his normal, happy self. It's a shame that he became ill this week since it is his birthday week.
One year ago tonight, Ryan and I were trying to figure out what name to give Aric, since the name we had picked out wasn't going to work. One year ago tonight I was making sure my bag was ready for the next morning. One year ago tonight I was anxious to meet the babe growing in my belly. It's hard to believe that it's been a year already.
Tomorrow we have a fun day planned. Hopefully the weather will hold and we won't be rained out. A first birthday is a big deal...
Spoiled
After my shower in the morning, before I get dressed and dry my hair I like to sit down, read my e-mail and catch up on the news. It's a peaceful start to my day. More often than not this is what I see when I arrive at the computer:
My sweet husband turns on the computer and leaves a cup of coffee waiting for me. I feel loved and a little bit spoiled. Though, now that I look at the picture I think maybe I should be dusting more.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Catching Up
Aric started walking on Thursday. He's only walking a couple of steps and still leans towards crawling. Ryan is thrilled that Aric learned to walk before he turned 1. It will only be a matter of time before he wants to walk all of the time. Now that I think about it, it will only be a matter of time before he's running everywhere.
The last two days I watched a coworker's 9 yo daughter. I am so thankful that we are given infants who nap before we are given 9 year olds. She wore me out with her constant need to be entertained. I went back to work today and feel as though I didn't have the past two days off. It was truly an exhausting time.
I received news from my work this past week regarding my request to work part time after I have the baby. They denied the request based on not wanting to set a precedent. Never mind that there have been three prior employees who have set the precedent. Frankly it has made me a little bitter with my employer. I have witnessed first hand how they are more concerned about themselves rather than their employees. With this news comes big changes. My supervisor offered me a time slot of Thurs-Sun 6pm- 4am. Ryan and I have decided to accept it. It will be hard for awhile, but it will allow me to stay home during the week and for us to reach a position of financial stability. Then I will be able to quit or find something better suited to our schedules. I haven't told my supervisor yet about my decision, Ryan thinks she needs to sweat it out a bit. Honestly I don't know when the change will start. It'll be sometime before the end of the year, but there is a possibility that it might happen before I have the baby.
The last two days I watched a coworker's 9 yo daughter. I am so thankful that we are given infants who nap before we are given 9 year olds. She wore me out with her constant need to be entertained. I went back to work today and feel as though I didn't have the past two days off. It was truly an exhausting time.
I received news from my work this past week regarding my request to work part time after I have the baby. They denied the request based on not wanting to set a precedent. Never mind that there have been three prior employees who have set the precedent. Frankly it has made me a little bitter with my employer. I have witnessed first hand how they are more concerned about themselves rather than their employees. With this news comes big changes. My supervisor offered me a time slot of Thurs-Sun 6pm- 4am. Ryan and I have decided to accept it. It will be hard for awhile, but it will allow me to stay home during the week and for us to reach a position of financial stability. Then I will be able to quit or find something better suited to our schedules. I haven't told my supervisor yet about my decision, Ryan thinks she needs to sweat it out a bit. Honestly I don't know when the change will start. It'll be sometime before the end of the year, but there is a possibility that it might happen before I have the baby.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Healed
Yesterday I had my follow-up/20 week ultrasound to check up on the baby and the abruption. The tech could find no sign of the abruption. The pocket of blood is gone and the placenta is attached to the uterine wall again. We prayed for healing and it was amazing to see the answer to that prayer. The baby is healthy and doing really well in there. She is also still a girl.
I've had many emotions going through me since we found out about the abruption. Frankly, I was scared to death that I was going to lose this baby, too. I was detached from her for awhile, because I didn't want to go through the loss of another child. It's too hard to remain detached from someone who is kicking and wiggling around inside of you, though. Yesterday, I fell in love with her.
The tech asked Ryan and I if we planned to come back for a 3D ultrasound. (They installed the machine shortly before Aric was born. We never had the opportunity to see him with a 3D ultrasound.) I told her that we hadn't talked about it. The truth is that we think there are better ways to spend that money on the baby (i.e.- cloth diapers and a crib), and we don't want Aric upset with us someday about not getting a 3D ultrasound of him. (Are we already thinking like parents of more than one child?) I digress. The point is that the tech flipped over into 3D mode and we were able to see our daughter's face. She is beautiful and I fell in love. (I should clarify- she is beautiful until she moves and then it looks like her skin is melting off. 3D ultrasounds can give you some weird moments.)
I really can't wait to meet her...
I've had many emotions going through me since we found out about the abruption. Frankly, I was scared to death that I was going to lose this baby, too. I was detached from her for awhile, because I didn't want to go through the loss of another child. It's too hard to remain detached from someone who is kicking and wiggling around inside of you, though. Yesterday, I fell in love with her.
The tech asked Ryan and I if we planned to come back for a 3D ultrasound. (They installed the machine shortly before Aric was born. We never had the opportunity to see him with a 3D ultrasound.) I told her that we hadn't talked about it. The truth is that we think there are better ways to spend that money on the baby (i.e.- cloth diapers and a crib), and we don't want Aric upset with us someday about not getting a 3D ultrasound of him. (Are we already thinking like parents of more than one child?) I digress. The point is that the tech flipped over into 3D mode and we were able to see our daughter's face. She is beautiful and I fell in love. (I should clarify- she is beautiful until she moves and then it looks like her skin is melting off. 3D ultrasounds can give you some weird moments.)
I really can't wait to meet her...
Oh and if you didn't notice the countdown, my due date has moved up. They think she's due the 17th, which is more on schedule with the dates I was given to decide when to have her. We were thinking Thursday, maybe Monday would be better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)