Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I hope you all have a wonderful day...we are headed to my aunt's house this afternoon for some yummy food, drinks, and of course, a little laughter...have a happy Thanksgiving! xo
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Happy birthday Uncle Jimmy!
Jimmy ~ You are seriously the best uncle Acadia could ever have....you are so natural with her and I love, love, love seeing the way she reacts when she sees you. You and "Auntie Sissy" are on quite a pedestal with that girl :) Have a happy birthday!!
Love,
M, J & A
Love,
M, J & A
Bookgroup
I have been in an amazing book group for 3 years, now, and I've been meaning to share with you some of our picks. I am always looking for a book recommendation and am curious as to what others are reading, so I thought, Why not just share our books once a month?
A small overview of our book group: We meet once a month over wine, cheese and dinner to discuss the book. At the end of book group, after we are stuffed from dessert, we rate the book on a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest).
A small overview of our book group: We meet once a month over wine, cheese and dinner to discuss the book. At the end of book group, after we are stuffed from dessert, we rate the book on a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest).
The November book was Pat Conroy's My Losing Season. I have realized as I'm typing this that this month isn't the best month for me to start sharing our book group reads, as I didn't read this book! LOL! The month slipped away from me and I never went out to buy it. In any case, it got a rating of 6.19 and the discussion last night was great!
Baby Paradee
We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and heard the heartbeat again! Is there a better sound in the world? I think not. The baby sounds good and I feel great - things are moving along, and May will be here before we know it! We can't wait :)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I remember Monday
I remember...nursing you in the very beginning. I knew I wanted to nurse, but also knew I wouldn't beat myself up if it didn't work out for either of us. Going into it, I had the "I'll give it a shot" attitude and knew that formula would be a backup plan, and one that I was absolutely fine with.
Oh my. I had no idea how much I would love nursing. From the second day you were born, I didn't have any problems with you latching on - no pain, etc. involved for me, and it just seemed easy from day one. What an empowering thing it was to be able to provide you with this type of nourishment. I was simply amazed at how much I love it, and how much closer it brought us together.
I would stare down at your little face and take in your eyes, checks, nose, lips...I would stare and stare until my neck would start to hurt. I loved sitting in our room in the rocking chair your grandma bought for us and rocked with you while I nursed. We would stare at each other for literally hours a day while I nursed....I had this feeling in my heart for you that you will not be able to understand until you have a daughter of your own. I have so many wonderful memories from the past 19 months of your life, but nursing you will always be one of my most fondest memory...
Oh my. I had no idea how much I would love nursing. From the second day you were born, I didn't have any problems with you latching on - no pain, etc. involved for me, and it just seemed easy from day one. What an empowering thing it was to be able to provide you with this type of nourishment. I was simply amazed at how much I love it, and how much closer it brought us together.
I would stare down at your little face and take in your eyes, checks, nose, lips...I would stare and stare until my neck would start to hurt. I loved sitting in our room in the rocking chair your grandma bought for us and rocked with you while I nursed. We would stare at each other for literally hours a day while I nursed....I had this feeling in my heart for you that you will not be able to understand until you have a daughter of your own. I have so many wonderful memories from the past 19 months of your life, but nursing you will always be one of my most fondest memory...
I feel....
rested! Oh my gosh - for the very first time since Acadia was born, I seriously feel completely rested! Yesterday was my day to sleep in (Matt and I alternate - I sleep in on Sat and he sleeps in on Sun) and I slept in until 10am! That never, ever happens - I think once your used to getting up at a certain time, your internal alarm clock wakes you up at that time every day.
We had an awesome day yesterday and got so much done around the house. I even wrapped all my Christmas presents! Then, last night we went on a double date with Lindsey and her husband Dave. Lindsey and Matt have known each other since they were kids, but this is the first time we have actually hung out with them. We went to Mexicali and had SO much fun! We ended up staying 2 1/2 hours just talking and laughing - they are awesome. Miche and Jimmy watched Acadia overnight, which was really cool - thanks guys!!! So that means that this am was my my second day in a row sleeping in until 10am :) I haven't done that in years!
I am headed over to Miche's soon for lunch and can't wait to see my girl. I break is always nice, but then I end up missing her like crazy! I hope you all had a good weekend!
We had an awesome day yesterday and got so much done around the house. I even wrapped all my Christmas presents! Then, last night we went on a double date with Lindsey and her husband Dave. Lindsey and Matt have known each other since they were kids, but this is the first time we have actually hung out with them. We went to Mexicali and had SO much fun! We ended up staying 2 1/2 hours just talking and laughing - they are awesome. Miche and Jimmy watched Acadia overnight, which was really cool - thanks guys!!! So that means that this am was my my second day in a row sleeping in until 10am :) I haven't done that in years!
I am headed over to Miche's soon for lunch and can't wait to see my girl. I break is always nice, but then I end up missing her like crazy! I hope you all had a good weekend!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Snow!
It snowed here for the first time this year a few days ago and it was so exciting to see Acadia's reaction - she was so excited! :)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
18 month appointment
We had Acadia's 18 month appointment this morning - I just love our pediatrician!! He's so awesome and I think Matt and I both look forward to our appointments and being able to chat with him. He always takes his time to answer all our questions, and is just a super nice guy!
Some updates:
~Acadia is 19 1/2 months old
~Height is 33 1/4 inches (75th %) and her weight is 20 pounds (4th %)
~She got her second chicken pox vaccine today
Things we talked about at the appointment:
~She has had a red eye (on the bottom of her eye on the skin) for a couple of months. We went in last month for eye drops. Brad gave us an ointment today that will hopefully help. He said her eye was nothing to worry about and that sometimes children have sensitive eyes/skin and it could take a couple of months to go back to a normal color
~She hasn't been eating that well for the past few weeks, ever since her last cold. We asked Brad if we should be giving vitamins, and he said not to worry - he very rarely recommends vitamins, as normally children get what they need from the food they eat. He also said kids go through phases where they will eat more some weeks/months and eat less during other weeks/months
~We give snacks twice a day - in the morning and the afternoon, after her nap. Sometimes she asks for snacks in between, and I was unsure if she was asking because she was really hungry, or bored. Brad said that kids her age don't ask for snacks for any other reason than they are hungry, and that it's ok to give her snacks if she asks for them
~We asked about transitioning her into her new room. (When the baby gets here, he/she will go into Acadia's nursery, and Acadia will move down the hall into her "big girl room") Brad said the sooner the better to make that transition. We told him we were planning on doing it next month and he said that was perfect. We were also going to transition her into a toddler bed, and he said he would wait until she was closer to her 2nd birthday.
~We asked about getting her ready to welcome her baby sibling into the family, and he told us the more we talk about the baby, the better. To tell Acadia that the baby is in mommy's belly, to get her involved in getting the nursery ready, and when the baby is born, to have Acadia help out - getting diapers for mommy and daddy, wipes, etc.
~We asked about discipline, and Brad said that redirection was the best tactic at this age, as well as ignoring the tantrums. He said that toddlers throw tantrums to get a reaction from their parents, and it's best to walk away, not react to their tantrum, and give them space. Then come back after a bit and redirect.
Some updates:
~Acadia is 19 1/2 months old
~Height is 33 1/4 inches (75th %) and her weight is 20 pounds (4th %)
~She got her second chicken pox vaccine today
Things we talked about at the appointment:
~She has had a red eye (on the bottom of her eye on the skin) for a couple of months. We went in last month for eye drops. Brad gave us an ointment today that will hopefully help. He said her eye was nothing to worry about and that sometimes children have sensitive eyes/skin and it could take a couple of months to go back to a normal color
~She hasn't been eating that well for the past few weeks, ever since her last cold. We asked Brad if we should be giving vitamins, and he said not to worry - he very rarely recommends vitamins, as normally children get what they need from the food they eat. He also said kids go through phases where they will eat more some weeks/months and eat less during other weeks/months
~We give snacks twice a day - in the morning and the afternoon, after her nap. Sometimes she asks for snacks in between, and I was unsure if she was asking because she was really hungry, or bored. Brad said that kids her age don't ask for snacks for any other reason than they are hungry, and that it's ok to give her snacks if she asks for them
~We asked about transitioning her into her new room. (When the baby gets here, he/she will go into Acadia's nursery, and Acadia will move down the hall into her "big girl room") Brad said the sooner the better to make that transition. We told him we were planning on doing it next month and he said that was perfect. We were also going to transition her into a toddler bed, and he said he would wait until she was closer to her 2nd birthday.
~We asked about getting her ready to welcome her baby sibling into the family, and he told us the more we talk about the baby, the better. To tell Acadia that the baby is in mommy's belly, to get her involved in getting the nursery ready, and when the baby is born, to have Acadia help out - getting diapers for mommy and daddy, wipes, etc.
~We asked about discipline, and Brad said that redirection was the best tactic at this age, as well as ignoring the tantrums. He said that toddlers throw tantrums to get a reaction from their parents, and it's best to walk away, not react to their tantrum, and give them space. Then come back after a bit and redirect.
TFT - Holidays
When Matt and I first started dating, we spent every holiday with both sides of the family. This means that for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and the 4th of July, we were going to Matt's family, my dad's side of the family and my mom's side of the family. My mom said to my during one holiday a few years into our relationship, "Do you realize that you and Matt fight every single holiday?" I tried to argue with her, then realized that she was right. We would always be late leaving the first party and make the second party annoyed, because we were late for their party. Either we would hold up dinner, opening up presents, etc. and it would be frustrating for our families. On the way from one house to the other, Matt and I would be fighting and arguing - "We should have left a half hour ago! My family is waiting for us!" "I know, but my family didn't want us to leave and I wanted my aunt to finish the story she was telling me." Seriously. It was so stressful, I can't even explain. We ended up not having fun, not speaking to each other half the time and couldn't wait for the holidays to be over with.
Then, a few years ago, we decided to do what my mom's side of the family has been doing for quite some time now - the infamous "every other holiday". We decided that we would alternate spending Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter with our families. My family, having been through this already were fine - it would mean less fighting between Matt and I, and we would be able to actually enjoy our holidays. My inlaws, who had never had to part with any family members for the holidays didn't take it so well, but are getting better over the years.
Now, especially, that we have Acadia and another baby on the way, it is even more important to us that we do every other holiday. We don't ever want our kids to have the stress we had, and to have to run from house to house, just to be exhausted at the end of the day. Now when I miss Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I miss it. No big deal - I'll see them next year. When I miss Christmas, we'll make it up, so we can exchange presents, but Easter is the same as Thanksgiving - we'll see them the following year. It is heaven. It is so relaxing and we really, really enjoy each other, our extended families and holidays. I am especially looking forward to the holidays this year, because Acadia is at such a fun age. It is totally different, now as a mom, seeing the holidays, food and presents through her eyes - it's magical!!
TFT - What do you do for the holidays?
Then, a few years ago, we decided to do what my mom's side of the family has been doing for quite some time now - the infamous "every other holiday". We decided that we would alternate spending Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter with our families. My family, having been through this already were fine - it would mean less fighting between Matt and I, and we would be able to actually enjoy our holidays. My inlaws, who had never had to part with any family members for the holidays didn't take it so well, but are getting better over the years.
Now, especially, that we have Acadia and another baby on the way, it is even more important to us that we do every other holiday. We don't ever want our kids to have the stress we had, and to have to run from house to house, just to be exhausted at the end of the day. Now when I miss Thanksgiving dinner with my family, I miss it. No big deal - I'll see them next year. When I miss Christmas, we'll make it up, so we can exchange presents, but Easter is the same as Thanksgiving - we'll see them the following year. It is heaven. It is so relaxing and we really, really enjoy each other, our extended families and holidays. I am especially looking forward to the holidays this year, because Acadia is at such a fun age. It is totally different, now as a mom, seeing the holidays, food and presents through her eyes - it's magical!!
TFT - What do you do for the holidays?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The wheels on the bus
I got this craft idea from my friend Cindy, and Acadia loved it!! As soon as I started cutting out the bus, she started saying, "Bus momma! Bus!" I cut everything out and she used the gluestick to glue on all the pieces. She had so much fun and it was adorable to hear her repeating "bus" when working on her project!
Kakey
Some updates on Acadia's daily life for my records :)
~Acadia usually wakes up around 7:30
~We give her a sippy of milk and bring her into bed with us
~She has breakfast at 8am - some of her favorites are pancakes (I make batches of blueberry, strawberry and banana on the weekends and freeze them), eggs, toast with jam, bagels with cream cheese, fruit (strawberries and grapes are her favorites)
~She is in day care twice a week - Monday and Friday from 8:30ish-12:30
~She eats lunch at noon and goes down for a nap shortly afterwards
~She naps for about 2-2 1/2 hours
~Dinner is around 6
~Bath after dinner
~Bedtime at 7
Our weekly schedule looks like this: Mondays she goes to school, Tuesday mornings we have MOPS (every other week - the weeks we don't have MOPS, we have a playgroup), Wednesday mornings we have playgroup, Thursday mornings we have music time at the library and Fridays she is back in school.
Also - she pronounces Cadi "Kakey", so it's become her new nickname :)
~Acadia usually wakes up around 7:30
~We give her a sippy of milk and bring her into bed with us
~She has breakfast at 8am - some of her favorites are pancakes (I make batches of blueberry, strawberry and banana on the weekends and freeze them), eggs, toast with jam, bagels with cream cheese, fruit (strawberries and grapes are her favorites)
~She is in day care twice a week - Monday and Friday from 8:30ish-12:30
~She eats lunch at noon and goes down for a nap shortly afterwards
~She naps for about 2-2 1/2 hours
~Dinner is around 6
~Bath after dinner
~Bedtime at 7
Our weekly schedule looks like this: Mondays she goes to school, Tuesday mornings we have MOPS (every other week - the weeks we don't have MOPS, we have a playgroup), Wednesday mornings we have playgroup, Thursday mornings we have music time at the library and Fridays she is back in school.
Also - she pronounces Cadi "Kakey", so it's become her new nickname :)
Monday, November 17, 2008
I remember Monday
I remember...the first few months of Acadia's life thinking of the huge possibility that I might die. I mean...surely someone can die of sleep deprivation, right? You go from the last trimester, where you are using the restroom 10 times a night, to a long and exhausting labor, to having a newborn that wakes up every two hours. And the funny part? The two things that a mother actually NEEDS (and I mean needs to, like, survive): alcohol and coffee, are off limits if you're nursing. If I could have had a caffeine drip, I know I would have. And at night, having a glass of wine to relax was about the most perfect ending of the day that I could think of. But for the first couple of months, I stayed away from my two best friends.
I remember being up in the middle of the night in tears, because I was in pain, emotional and completely and utterly exhausted. Matt was an amazing father and husband and would stay up with me many of the nights and do what he could to change the baby, get me comfortable and keep me company. But there was only so much he could do, and many times, I felt so alone. Sitting there at 2am, while Matt silently snored, I would nurse the baby for the 20th time that day. A few times I would break down, and our dog Mercedes, would come over to me and put her head in my lap, which of course, would make me cry harder.
We would sleep when Acadia slept during the day and when we were awake, would wander around in a daze, unshowered in our pjs, wondering when we would ever feel normal again. What we have learned is that there is now a new type of normal. We will never feel completely rested again - that much is true. But having Acadia wake up during the night twice a month, now, due to a cold, is nothing compared to the awful, awful "infant stage".
I'm not looking forward to going through it again come May, but I know that if we survived it once, Team Paradee can do it again...
I remember being up in the middle of the night in tears, because I was in pain, emotional and completely and utterly exhausted. Matt was an amazing father and husband and would stay up with me many of the nights and do what he could to change the baby, get me comfortable and keep me company. But there was only so much he could do, and many times, I felt so alone. Sitting there at 2am, while Matt silently snored, I would nurse the baby for the 20th time that day. A few times I would break down, and our dog Mercedes, would come over to me and put her head in my lap, which of course, would make me cry harder.
We would sleep when Acadia slept during the day and when we were awake, would wander around in a daze, unshowered in our pjs, wondering when we would ever feel normal again. What we have learned is that there is now a new type of normal. We will never feel completely rested again - that much is true. But having Acadia wake up during the night twice a month, now, due to a cold, is nothing compared to the awful, awful "infant stage".
I'm not looking forward to going through it again come May, but I know that if we survived it once, Team Paradee can do it again...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
I'm not ready
I just went into your room....you're sound asleep and look like a perfect angel...before I was pregnant, I rarely went into your room after you fell asleep for fear of waking you...now it's a must before I go to bed...to see you one more time...
I'm not ready for you to be the big sister...
I'm not ready for you to be a toddler...
I'm not ready for you to move into your new room...
I'm not ready for your big girl bed...
I'm not ready for my time to be taken away from you...
I'm not ready....sometimes it hits me out of nowhere - I feel like I can't breathe, I have a tightness in my chest and I ask myself how this happened...how my baby turned into a little girl...I'm just not ready for any of this...
I know that tomorrow when I wake up, my face will no longer be red from crying...I will be excited for you to welcome your baby sibling soon...and I will feel better about everything...tomorrow...but for tonight....I'm just not ready....
I'm not ready for you to be the big sister...
I'm not ready for you to be a toddler...
I'm not ready for you to move into your new room...
I'm not ready for your big girl bed...
I'm not ready for my time to be taken away from you...
I'm not ready....sometimes it hits me out of nowhere - I feel like I can't breathe, I have a tightness in my chest and I ask myself how this happened...how my baby turned into a little girl...I'm just not ready for any of this...
I know that tomorrow when I wake up, my face will no longer be red from crying...I will be excited for you to welcome your baby sibling soon...and I will feel better about everything...tomorrow...but for tonight....I'm just not ready....
Have you succeeded?
To laugh often and love much: to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one's self; to leave the world a little better,whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,or redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...this is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Happy halloween!!
I know, I know - I am so backed up with my pictures. Acadia had an awesome time trick or treating a couple of weeks ago. Since we had gone to the Burton Halloween party and Acadia had had her first taste of TOTing and candy, she was definitely was excited! When I started getting her dressed, and got her TOTing bag out, she kept asking for "Moo" and would look into the bag, see nothing there, and ask, "Moo?" (ie. Where the ef is the candy, mom?!) I ended up having to put some dried apple slices in her bag to keep her happy while we were getting ready.
So excited to go to her first house!
So excited to go to her first house!
Leaving with her posse
My favorite picture of the whole night - playing in the leaves with Grandma
Thursday, November 13, 2008
TFT - Time alone
Tonight is my sister in law's boyfriend's birthday (you got that?) and Matt and Acadia are at my in-laws for dinner. I was supposed to have sewing class tonight, but had to cancel because I'm still sick. So instead, I'm home alone watching tv and eating a pizza. Do you know what I call that? Heaven. Seriously - being home alone never, ever, ever happens, much less for two whole hours!! I think I might grab my book later and take a warm bath.
Before I had Acadia, I would get lonely and bored if I was home alone for a few hours at a time. Now, I enjoy the peace and quiet more than anything in the world! Having an hour or so of alone time recharges me and I end up, of course, missing Acadia like crazy near the end of the hour.
TFT - What do you like to do if you have the house to yourself for a couple hours?
Melissa is posting about children's television shows
Before I had Acadia, I would get lonely and bored if I was home alone for a few hours at a time. Now, I enjoy the peace and quiet more than anything in the world! Having an hour or so of alone time recharges me and I end up, of course, missing Acadia like crazy near the end of the hour.
TFT - What do you like to do if you have the house to yourself for a couple hours?
Melissa is posting about children's television shows
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Update on Acadia June
Her croup is much better!! Yesterday was her first day back to preschool, thank goodness! I didn't realize how much I had come to rely on my two 4 hour breaks per week until I didn't have them last week! When I dropped her off yesterday, she didn't give me a hug goodbye and she cried when I picked her up. That's a first!
Also, we have decided to start "time out". Originally we weren't going to start time out until two or after, but we have been realizing more and more lately that she definitely knows the difference between right and wrong. The other day she started dumping her snack on the floor. One dropped and I told her no. Two dropped and I told her no and asked her to start picking up her snacks. She then told me no. So off to time out she went, for the first time. She actually sat there for about 30 seconds, and when I told her she could get out of time out if she picked up her snacks, she went right over to the few snacks she had dropped to the ground and picked them up! Since then, I think I have put her in time out twice.
So, last night Acadia threw a block and I told her that we don't throw our toys. She picked up another block and it looked like she was about to throw it again, so Matt said, "Acadia - we don't throw our toys. Do you want to go to time out?" And she dropped the block and went over to the time out area and sat and stared at her hands! LOL!! It was so cute I had to laugh. Then Matt told me not to laugh. He's probably right. I don't know that discipline is my strong suit - she's too cute for it! In any case, we told her she didn't have to actually sit in time out - how do you explain to a one year old that Daddy was just threatening you? LOL!
So even though time outs are very rarely needed in the Paradee household, they seem to be working!
Also, we have decided to start "time out". Originally we weren't going to start time out until two or after, but we have been realizing more and more lately that she definitely knows the difference between right and wrong. The other day she started dumping her snack on the floor. One dropped and I told her no. Two dropped and I told her no and asked her to start picking up her snacks. She then told me no. So off to time out she went, for the first time. She actually sat there for about 30 seconds, and when I told her she could get out of time out if she picked up her snacks, she went right over to the few snacks she had dropped to the ground and picked them up! Since then, I think I have put her in time out twice.
So, last night Acadia threw a block and I told her that we don't throw our toys. She picked up another block and it looked like she was about to throw it again, so Matt said, "Acadia - we don't throw our toys. Do you want to go to time out?" And she dropped the block and went over to the time out area and sat and stared at her hands! LOL!! It was so cute I had to laugh. Then Matt told me not to laugh. He's probably right. I don't know that discipline is my strong suit - she's too cute for it! In any case, we told her she didn't have to actually sit in time out - how do you explain to a one year old that Daddy was just threatening you? LOL!
So even though time outs are very rarely needed in the Paradee household, they seem to be working!
Burton's Halloween Party
Burton had their first annual Halloween party for the employee's families a couple weeks ago and Acadia had SO much fun! I think the parents were a little overstimulated and I know I was thankful that her costume was a bright yellow, so we could keep track of her, because it was packed!
Trying her very first piece of chocolate
Zoning out about two minutes after she ate the chocolate
Acadia and her buddy Max (look at the pose he has! I think I see modeling in his future...)
Trying her very first piece of chocolate
Zoning out about two minutes after she ate the chocolate
Acadia and her buddy Max (look at the pose he has! I think I see modeling in his future...)
The beginning of her obsession with the ape, which she kept referring to as monkey
She loved the penguin, until she notices the monkey - you can see her realize there's a monkey in the room in this picture
Running past the stupid penguin
Love at first sight...waiting her turn to hug monkey
Her "loot"
Taking a break to read a snowboarding mag
After the party, we went to a sushi place - trying miso soup for the first time - she loved it!
Taking a break to read a snowboarding mag
After the party, we went to a sushi place - trying miso soup for the first time - she loved it!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Updates
I haven't been able to find my camera cord in forever and a day, so I haven't had many Acadia pics up lately. I finally found it last night, so I'll try to update what we've been up to over the next few days.
The weekend before Halloween, the Ronner-Blands had us to their house for a pumpkin carving party. Max and Ollie are less than a year older than Acadia, so it was really fun seeing them all play together. Acadia loved Maxwell's toys! Especially his car :)
Watching It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (isn't that movie the BEST?!)
The weekend before Halloween, the Ronner-Blands had us to their house for a pumpkin carving party. Max and Ollie are less than a year older than Acadia, so it was really fun seeing them all play together. Acadia loved Maxwell's toys! Especially his car :)
Watching It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (isn't that movie the BEST?!)
I Remember Mondays
This pregnancy seems to be flying by, as it did when I was pregnant with Acadia, and I'm so caught up in trying to remember every detail of Acadia's pregnancy, birth and first few months, as I didn't write those memories down. If I had ten minutes when Acadia was a month old, I slept, not blogged! With every passing day, I can't help but think that it is one less day I will have with Acadia alone - before we know it, baby #2 will be here and my time with Cadi will be much more limited than it is now.
Watching Acadia grow has been very bittersweet, and I'm sure most parents feel this way. While it's amazing to see her grow and learn, it's also sad to realize how quickly the past 19 months have flown by. It feels like it was just yesterday that she was born and now here she is, becoming a big sister.
I have decided to start "I remember Mondays" as a way of remembering and recording those early months of Acadia's birth and my pregnancy, so I will have them to share with her when she becomes a mother herself. So here it goes....
I remember...bringing Acadia home from the hospital. On the drive home, every single car was the enemy and a potential car accident. Matt drove with two hands firmly on the wheel and I sat in the back taking turns staring at my precious baby and giving other cars dagger eyes.
That first night, and for the next couple of weeks, Matt and I took turns watching Acadia sleep throughout the night. Every little noise she made was a death sentence, and one of us would jump up and stare into the bassinet at her little body to make sure she was still breathing. One of us would lay back down while the other sat on the bed. Staring. Watching. Waiting. For her to stop breathing. Every morning when I woke up, I swear to God, I was shocked that she was still alive. I remember feeling quite proud of Matt and I by the fact that she had lived 5 straight days. Then 6. 7. 8. Over time, we became less and less paranoid, and now she's lucky if we even remember to get her out of her crib in the morning. But I will always remember those first few weeks of being new parents and watching her through the night...
Watching Acadia grow has been very bittersweet, and I'm sure most parents feel this way. While it's amazing to see her grow and learn, it's also sad to realize how quickly the past 19 months have flown by. It feels like it was just yesterday that she was born and now here she is, becoming a big sister.
I have decided to start "I remember Mondays" as a way of remembering and recording those early months of Acadia's birth and my pregnancy, so I will have them to share with her when she becomes a mother herself. So here it goes....
I remember...bringing Acadia home from the hospital. On the drive home, every single car was the enemy and a potential car accident. Matt drove with two hands firmly on the wheel and I sat in the back taking turns staring at my precious baby and giving other cars dagger eyes.
That first night, and for the next couple of weeks, Matt and I took turns watching Acadia sleep throughout the night. Every little noise she made was a death sentence, and one of us would jump up and stare into the bassinet at her little body to make sure she was still breathing. One of us would lay back down while the other sat on the bed. Staring. Watching. Waiting. For her to stop breathing. Every morning when I woke up, I swear to God, I was shocked that she was still alive. I remember feeling quite proud of Matt and I by the fact that she had lived 5 straight days. Then 6. 7. 8. Over time, we became less and less paranoid, and now she's lucky if we even remember to get her out of her crib in the morning. But I will always remember those first few weeks of being new parents and watching her through the night...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Tag, I'm It!
Traci tagged me, which means that I get to share 6 interesting facts about myself and then "tag" other blog friends to share their own facts. I tag Miche, Kyler, Alissa, Aly and Holly.
1. Until about the age of 15, I wanted to be a boy. Really badly. Matt is very lucky that I changed my mind!
2. I have lived in Vermont my whole life
3. My favorite movie is The Story of Us, which also happens to be the movie Matt and I went on for our first date.
4. When I am drunk and at a party, I always ask Miche to put quarters in her cheeks. I mean the girl can put quarters in her cheeks! It makes me proud every time LOL!
5. I used to love tomato soup when I was a little girl, but then one time when I was eating it, I threw up. To this day, if I smell tomato soup, it makes me nauseous.
6. I am very, very shy. I think people think that I'm very outgoing because I am with my friends, but if I go to a party and don't know anyone, you can usually find me clinging by Matt's side.
1. Until about the age of 15, I wanted to be a boy. Really badly. Matt is very lucky that I changed my mind!
2. I have lived in Vermont my whole life
3. My favorite movie is The Story of Us, which also happens to be the movie Matt and I went on for our first date.
4. When I am drunk and at a party, I always ask Miche to put quarters in her cheeks. I mean the girl can put quarters in her cheeks! It makes me proud every time LOL!
5. I used to love tomato soup when I was a little girl, but then one time when I was eating it, I threw up. To this day, if I smell tomato soup, it makes me nauseous.
6. I am very, very shy. I think people think that I'm very outgoing because I am with my friends, but if I go to a party and don't know anyone, you can usually find me clinging by Matt's side.
Friday, November 7, 2008
A new record
My "Welcome, Mr President" post set a new record for comments (28 so far) and visitors per day (350), so obviously people are very passionate about this election, which is great!
After reading all the comments, I thought this one was worded very eloquently for someone who was behind a president nominee that lost:
"Disappointed...but with loyal opposition. We need to come together across the country to turn things around. I am proud to say that those who voted for McCain will give Obama the respect a president deserves as we know the importance of being patriotic and don't want to put up obstacles that do nothing but lead to failure."
Well said and absolutely true - I do hope that we can all come together as a nation and support our new president, no matter who we voted for.
Now, I will do what my husband respectfully requested of me last night, "Honey...no more political posts, ok?" Ok.
After reading all the comments, I thought this one was worded very eloquently for someone who was behind a president nominee that lost:
"Disappointed...but with loyal opposition. We need to come together across the country to turn things around. I am proud to say that those who voted for McCain will give Obama the respect a president deserves as we know the importance of being patriotic and don't want to put up obstacles that do nothing but lead to failure."
Well said and absolutely true - I do hope that we can all come together as a nation and support our new president, no matter who we voted for.
Now, I will do what my husband respectfully requested of me last night, "Honey...no more political posts, ok?" Ok.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
TFT - Mr. Paradee
Sometimes life gets so busy that Matt will come home from the end of the work day, I will give him a peck on the check and run off to either change Cadi's diaper, give her a bath, start dinner or hand her off to Matt.
Yesterday was one of those days that I had to hand her off to Matt. I'm going on day #4 of dealing with a sick baby all. day. long. She's been clingy, whiney, fussy, and generally miserable. I can't blame her one bit, poor thing, but it's exhausting to deal with. Combine that with not being able to go anywhere, as I don't want any other kids to catch her cold, and the two of us are downright miserable. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, and it hasn't been all bad all the time this past week, but yesterday was definitely a tough day.
So when Mr. Paradee got home from work last night and offered to do bath and bedtime, I fell in love with him a little bit more. And he said the magic words over and over again - "What can I do for you? How can I help you feel less stressed out?" That was pretty much all I needed. Well....that and the fact that he insisted that we order take away from my favorite Thai place.
So, even though some days it feels like we are extras in the movie Groundhog Day, and I sometimes forget to tell you, Mr. Paradee....I love you. I appreciate you. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you.
TFT - Tell me why you love your husband
ETA: If you're doing TFT, let me know and I'll link you
Melissa is writing about Keeping her Family Healthy
Yesterday was one of those days that I had to hand her off to Matt. I'm going on day #4 of dealing with a sick baby all. day. long. She's been clingy, whiney, fussy, and generally miserable. I can't blame her one bit, poor thing, but it's exhausting to deal with. Combine that with not being able to go anywhere, as I don't want any other kids to catch her cold, and the two of us are downright miserable. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, and it hasn't been all bad all the time this past week, but yesterday was definitely a tough day.
So when Mr. Paradee got home from work last night and offered to do bath and bedtime, I fell in love with him a little bit more. And he said the magic words over and over again - "What can I do for you? How can I help you feel less stressed out?" That was pretty much all I needed. Well....that and the fact that he insisted that we order take away from my favorite Thai place.
So, even though some days it feels like we are extras in the movie Groundhog Day, and I sometimes forget to tell you, Mr. Paradee....I love you. I appreciate you. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you.
TFT - Tell me why you love your husband
ETA: If you're doing TFT, let me know and I'll link you
Melissa is writing about Keeping her Family Healthy
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Croup
Sorry I haven't updated in a while - it's been a bit of a whirlwind weekend. We had a great time on Halloween (I'll post pics soon) and all went to bed happy. Around 2am on Saturday morning, Acadia woke up struggling to breath and coughing. I was ready to take her to the ER, but luckily Matt suggested calling our pediatrician. When Matt explained Acadia's symptoms to the doctor, he diagnosed her with croup. For those of you whose children have had croup, you know that there isn't much you can do besides steam and short periods of cold air. Matt and I took turns on Friday night rocking with her, taking her into the bathroom with the shower as hot as it would go, and taking her outside on the porch quickly for some cold air.
We made it through Friday night, and she seemed ok on Saturday - acting like herself and eating pretty normally. Saturday night, my mom had been planning on coming over and watching Acadia while Matt and I went out to dinner. Because Acadia seemed to be ok and because croup isn't contagious to adults, we went out to dinner and headed to the store to upgrad the humidifier we had for Acadia's room.
Saturday and Sunday night, she slept through the night, which was a shock to us. She's been pretty clingy and not eating well, but when I spoke to the doctor's office this morning, they told me that the important thing right now is that she drink plenty of fluids.
I'll update you when she's feeling better :)
We made it through Friday night, and she seemed ok on Saturday - acting like herself and eating pretty normally. Saturday night, my mom had been planning on coming over and watching Acadia while Matt and I went out to dinner. Because Acadia seemed to be ok and because croup isn't contagious to adults, we went out to dinner and headed to the store to upgrad the humidifier we had for Acadia's room.
Saturday and Sunday night, she slept through the night, which was a shock to us. She's been pretty clingy and not eating well, but when I spoke to the doctor's office this morning, they told me that the important thing right now is that she drink plenty of fluids.
I'll update you when she's feeling better :)
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