Friday, October 12, 2012

Who needs sleep? Bring me coffee.

I realized that in order to be a successful as a full time employee and breastfeeder, I'd have to go to bed earlier than I had been.  This week, I've been in bed between 9 and 10 every night.  I even begrudgingly gave up watching The Soup on Wednesday.  

Last night, I stayed up to watch the debate and blog.

Today, there is not enough coffee in this office.

I need a refill.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Words FTW!

Mommy Thoughts
We've been walking after dinner for the last couple of weeks.  We strap Bo into his carseat and drop it into the stroller frame and push him around the neighborhood.  He blows bubbles at the sky while Cam and I talk about how handsome he is.  He enjoys the fresh air, and the gentle bumpity bump of the stoller soothes him.  It's good for us, and it's a lot cheaper than driving him around.

I want Bo to see us staying active.  I want exercise to be a part of his life.  I don't want him parked in front of a computer or a TV screen.  I'm guilty of it, but he makes me want to be a better person.  He's watching us.  He's learning from us.  He'll pick up our habits - good or bad.  No pressure there, eh?

State of the Bebe
Bo will be 7 weeks old tomorrow.  He tracks Cameron and me as we walk around a room.  He turns towards our voices.  He's curious.  He likes to lift his head off my shoulder and look around.  He's not completely sturdy yet, but he can definitely hold his head up for brief stretches.  He likes to watch shadows on the wall.  He's a waterbug, and a bath always calms him.  He doesn't mind water on his face.  He shows the most interest in the blue cow rattle - or maybe he likes to hear me moo.  He's drooling.  A LOT.  Teething?  This soon?  I hope not.

Routines
This week, I've really gotten back on the FlyLady bandwagon.  I've successfully completed a morning and evening routine 3 days this week.  It's Thursday, and we're heading into the weekend with the laundry done and the house clean.  That means that I can spend Saturday and Sunday snuggling and napping unapologetically with Bo.  Not only is the house in good order, but I managed to finish writing thank you notes for baby gifts. 

Exhaustion
I thought that I was sleep deprived in college.  I pulled all-nighters, and attended the occasional late party.  Having a newborn takes it to a new level.  I haven't slept through the night since somewhere around my second trimester.  Bo is only waking up twice a night now, and I think Cam and I may survive infant induced sleep deprivation without deep emotional scarring.

Breastfeeding
Baby Bo is still primarily a boobie baby.  I always feed him when I'm not at work, and I'm allowed 2 lactation breaks during the work day.  We supplement with formula when it's necessary, and I don't feel guilty about it.  There are a couple of things that I didn't anticipate about breast feeding. 

Firstly, people seem to feel awkward about it.  I'm not even talking about being in the presence of a breastfeeding baby.  I'm talking about TALKING about it.  I don't know if they get mental images that make them uncomfortable or what.  I think it's beautiful.  I've taken photos so I'll always remember.  (I promise not to share.)

Secondly, I had no idea how much work breastfeeding is.  It seemed to me to be the most natural thing in the world, and to me anything natural should be easy.  I suppose that not having to mix formula or wash bottles does make life easier, but knowing that a tiny person depends on you completely is exhausting.  We've made it this far.  I'll keep it up for as long as I can.  I'm in awe of women who breastfeed for a year or more.  Someone has to explain to me how that works with teeth. 

Smile!
I made an appointment this week with a new dentist.  There was a fancy coffee machine in the waiting room.  One of those Keurig type things that make one cup of yummy coffee at a time.  I didn't examine it closely, but I swear that I saw a Milky Way variety.  YUM.  I didn't feel right coating my mouth with creamy, sugary coffee before some poor hygenist poked around in there.  I didn't want to drink coffee right after my cleaning.  I feel that I'm entitled to a cup of their complimentary coffee though.  Think they'd notice if I strolled in before work tomorrow?  Think anyone would care?  Mmmm... coffee.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

It's ONLY Tuesday??

Things to be excited about:
Bo rolled over this week.
New episode of Big Bang Theory on Thursday night.
I no longer have to answer to a boss who *hates* me.
My house is getting back in order.
My Polly is going to come visit soon.
Guilt-free caffeine.

State of the Mama:
Refreshed.  Revived.  Renewed.  Attended Mellow's birthday party this weekend and got to spend time with two of my all-time favorite people.

Awesome.
For the first time ever, we were together.  Our sons were all there.  Why, oh, why did we not take a picture???  Oh, well.  Life goes on.

Since January, I've been working under a generally miserable fellow whose only delight in this world seems to be bullying me.  No joke.  I'm not being whiny.  This happened.  As of yesterday, he's no longer supervising me.  I swear that I felt my blood pressure go down.

Still sleep-deprived.  Adjusting.  I think.


State of the Bo:
Two BIG milestones this week!


 He also had his first road trip to Milledgeville.  This boy loves car rides.  He slept the whole way there.  He slept most of the way back.  I'm pretty sure he handled the time in the car better than I did.

OMGOSHWHEREDIDTHISYEARGO??
I was texting family yesterday about a pumpkin patch visit.  I've never been a pumpkin carver, but I want to do ALLTHEFUNTHINGS for Bo.  It occurred to me that we're about to hit that Holiday vortex of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  The year is about to be over.  I've gotta stay off of Pinterest.