I [heart] Davids It helps me to say these things aloud, I think.

April 24, 2010

Strides in Parenting

Filed under: Babies,Personal/Health — admin @ 4:07 pm

So, second time around. It definitely has its advantages. The big disadvantage, of course, is the presence of the first child, which makes everything more challenging.

But this time around, I understand better the value of sleep and make more an effort to get some sleep during the day. I really understand the value of putting the baby on a schedule. It’s better for me, for him, and for the rest of our family. I realize that every crying spell he has is not an indictment of my parenting skills and I’m able to take it less personally. I know that sometimes he’s just going to have to cry, and that it’s not going to ruin his chances of a happy childhood. It really takes the pressure off. On the other hand, I understand much better that the choices I make now should be those I want to make in 6 months, a year, or 18 months from now. So I’m more conscious of the decisions I’m making and the precedence I’m setting.

What’s Linus up to these days?
During the day, from 7 AM to about 5 PM, he eats every three hours. In between, he has a little playtime and a good long nap. From around 5 PM to 9 PM, he cluster feeds. This can make evenings a bit difficult to manage, but the payoff seems to be a long nighttime stretch of sleep, from around 9 or 10 PM until around 3 or 4 AM. Woot!
He’s about 10 pounds now, his body is filling out and his cheeks are getting plump! He is thriving and doing great.

How’s Henry?
I am making an extra effort to spend solo time with Henry, which has helped reduce the tantrum issues, though he still acts up when I’m nursing Linus. We just spent our second Saturday alone together and it went much better than the first, I’m happy to say. He is talking so much these days, putting together more and more complex statements. Only about 25% of what he says is difficult or impossible to ascertain. He repeats everything you say verbatim, so watch out! He is just the cutest thing you’ve ever met and every day he captures my heart in a new way.

What about Dave?
Dave is doing well, too. He’s trying to keep his nose to the grindstone with his studies, but at the same time, he’s supporting all three of us by making meals, keeping the house clean, and taking primary care of Henry. He’s awesome, in a word.

And how about you, Jeni?
I am good. I have had a much better physical recovery than I did with my last delivery. Being physically able to keep up with the demands of two kids is terrific. We are entering Week 5 and I feel like I’m finally starting to find my feet. I’ve got Linus on a schedule I can live with. I’m getting more sleep at night. And I’m able to spend one-on-one time with Henry now, which helps make the whole household run more smoothly. I’ve spent most of my time since coming home from the hospital researching Linus’s condition and understanding treatment options, so I’ve been busy. I’m hoping to wrap up that research soon as we make decisions about his care. After that, I’ve got another long list of to-dos!

February 28, 2010

Crunchy Granola

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 1:27 pm

I’ve been inspired, mostly by the awesome fabric selections, to try some “mama cloth” for my post-partum recovery and handmade reusable nursing pads for my nursing needs.

I just got some fabulous items in this pattern from Mimi’s Dreams:

Giant Octopi – I love it!!!!

October 26, 2009

Beauty Routine

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 8:46 pm

What’s your beauty routine like? How long does it take? I’m interested to know what the spectrum is like.

Here’s mine.

In the evenings, I take a shower. Shower usually lasts around 10-20 minutes depending on how long my day has been. In the shower, I wash and condition my hair (every other day), lather down and wash my face.
Total Time: 15 minutes

Out of the shower, I apply moisturizer to my face and since it’s winter and I’m pregnant, I make a devoted effort to apply lotion all over. Sometimes I moisturize my hair.
Total Time: 7 minutes

In the morning, I attempt to flatiron my hair into submission. I wash my face and apply moisturizer again. I brush my teeth, apply deodorant, spritz on some perfume, I’m ready to go.
Total Time: 15 minutes or longer, depending on how unruly my hair is.

So, all told, I’d say that say that I spend about 40 minutes a day on my “beauty routine.” How’s that compare to yours?
beauty routine

May 17, 2009

Be the Match

Filed under: Personal/Health — admin @ 9:47 am

I just received a letter yesterday that reminded me that I’ve been a member of the National Marrow Donor Program Registry since 1997.

Given my ancestry and the type of people that typically need bone marrow transplants, it is unlikely that I will ever be called to give. But if they call, I’m ready and willing.

It doesn’t take much work to become a donor. Won’t you consider being on the National Marrow Donor Program’s list of potential donors? Join now.

April 3, 2009

Unique Me

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 9:24 pm

Today I visited the ENT and discovered that the two holes on the roof of my mouth are not common. He didn’t seem worried. Indeed, he was quite nonchalant about the topic, but he did say that it wasn’t normal.
So, I think a poll is in order.

Does anyone out there have some kind of corresponding anatomy?

anatomy

He seemed to think that it is a congenital “problem” that might be related to a submucous cleft palate. He also thought that there should be no “communication” between my sinuses and my mouth via these holes. But I’m here to tell you that he is wrong – it’s a pathway.

October 13, 2008

OMG

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 1:34 pm

After 16 months of carefree livin’, it was quite a shocker to see Aunt Flo today.

July 30, 2008

poopers

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 10:14 am

No one noticed my new glasses today. And I thought I looked sexy.

So Sophisticated!

Maybe I look too sexy.

June 13, 2008

Confidence

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 11:38 am

I managed to make it to yoga class the other night. I was so surprised at myself – I went up in headstand pretty easily! I haven’t been doing yoga regularly since I had the baby and I was’t very disciplined before that. It’s a confidence builder to know that I can still do it.

April 23, 2008

Thank You!

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 2:14 pm

Thanks for all the positive comments and emails I got in regards to my body blues post. I love you all!

April 20, 2008

recovery and changes

Filed under: Personal/Health — JeniQ @ 3:18 pm

I’m 7 weeks postpartum. And slightly depressed.

I can fit into a few pairs of my pregnancy sweat pants, a pair of sweat pant shorts that have always been too big and one pair of size 8 jeans I picked up at the thrift store. How am I going to be able to go back to work when I, literally, have nothing to wear? I can fit into about 5 oversized t-shirts and just a few pregnancy tops. I did not expect that I wouldn’t be able to fit into any of my pre-pregnancy clothes, especially tops. Part of the problem is the increased size of my chest, but the other part is finding tops that allow for easy breastfeeding access. Most of mine don’t and are too tight anyway.
We took a nice high powered walk yesterday- how many more of those before the inches start to come off my thighs?

Gah! I am so frustrated! I hate having nothing to wear. It does nothing for my somewhat eroded self confidence.

“blogging is bitching”

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress