Dear Levi,
I am so sorry about today. Mommy thought that you were dropping a nap and so I pushed you all the way until 12 when you were probably actually ready to go down at 10. Of course since you were overtired you only slept for an hour and then woke up. Daddy and I hoped you would fall back to sleep and so that's why we let you cry in your crib before we came and got you. I'm sorry you felt so fussy and had a sad afternoon. I'm sorry that we had all that nursing and you still couldn't get a nap in. I wish I could have some how communicated to you that you would have been so much happier at the picnic if only you had slept more in the afternoon, but of course, we already discussed how that was mom's fault. You are my first baby and I don't always get everything right. I am so sorry, but that will probably be the story for you for the rest of your life.
With all my heart and love,
Mommy
P.S. Would you mind letting us know when you are about to poop? Especially if we are about to put a clean diaper on you or something like that?
Yes, today was rough. I take full responsibility. I delusionally thought my 10 1/2 month old was dropping down to one nap after he didn't sleep all that much on Thursday or Friday. I threw all my mommy sense out the window and purposely ignored Levi's sleepy signs only to have him crash at noon and wake up a mere hour later. By the time we got to bedtime and a much-needed bath he was hysterical. Usually he gets excited and happy about bathtimes but this time he cried as we were filling up the tub, cried as I put him in it, cried as I poured water over his head, cried as I shampooed his little head, ... well, you get the picture. Relief finally came when it was time to nurse and then he was out 15 minutes later. What a relief.
So, I think I'm not gonna try to drop a nap unless he's ready. I think I'll know when he's ready and he'll let me know.
Being a mom is tough, and I'm sure I've just started scratching the surface.
EC update: put him on the potty twice today and got half a pee. I can't remember the last time he pooped on the potty... I was so sure he was pooping on it today. It was so disappointing to take him off and see a little tee tee drizzle. It's often tempting to give up, but I sort of feel like it would be stupid to give up and not try it at all. If anything, we are just going to scale back. I think that always gets us back on track, just stepping back and not taking ourselves too seriously.
Happy EC'ing everyone!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Children are a blessing from the Lord. Been thinking about that a lot lately and how it's not always automatic that we will be blessed with children. It's not "as soon as we stop using birth control" though, it is for some people, like a dear friend of mine. But there are other dear friends who have been trying for a while. I'm careful when I talk to them because I know that they are longing for what I have been blessed with. The thought sometimes crosses my mind, "what if Levi is the only child God chooses to bless us with?" How weird is that, that my fears of not being able to conceive again would already start when he is only 10 months? It's possible. Sometimes I wonder if I'm pregnant, I've taken a test recently and I wasn't, just so everyone knows :) ... and we're still nursing, so that could be why... Also, there's the factor that Levi was a C section baby and what that could mean for future babies, those little fears... I hate them, and why do I think of them? The one thing that I know is that God is good. There is enough to worry about today, Levi is enough children for me to handle today, to love today, I will run my errands, teach my piano lesson, prepare dinner and that will be enough for today. I am not to worry about tomorrow and what it will bring, it is in the Lord's hands.
Okay, this is supposed to be an EC blog right? Well, Levi's been sick lately and he's sleeping long for his nap, this is good, it's why I'm posting. We have missed many of his recent poops, so when I put him on the potty this morning I thought, "why try?" It's really a battle to get him to sit still, we are singing and clapping hands, I get toys and he still wants to crawl off. This is against EC rules, but sometimes I hold him on it, just for a little bit, make the noise, sing a quick song and then let him off. He needs to understand that he has to sit still on it if only for a few moments. Well, in those moments this morning he peed. It was as though he was holding it and I gave him permission, or maybe reminded him to release it. He had been diaper-less on the changing table and he could have done it then, but no, he waited for me. So maybe that was the little bit of hope that I needed.
I'm thinking we need to invest in a bigger potty though. He seems to be getting to big for his "little potty" But I'm trying to hold out for a Baby's R Us mailer where they will give me a discount or something. I'm a rewards member and I'm hoping they'll send me something soon. :) Is there someplace cheaper I can get a potty? They are about 30 dollars at Baby's R US. I want a Baby Bjorn potty too, none of those Dora potties or Thomas ones, just a simple one that is easy to clean.
Anyways, those are my thoughts this morning. I hope y'all have a wonderful Wednesday.
Okay, this is supposed to be an EC blog right? Well, Levi's been sick lately and he's sleeping long for his nap, this is good, it's why I'm posting. We have missed many of his recent poops, so when I put him on the potty this morning I thought, "why try?" It's really a battle to get him to sit still, we are singing and clapping hands, I get toys and he still wants to crawl off. This is against EC rules, but sometimes I hold him on it, just for a little bit, make the noise, sing a quick song and then let him off. He needs to understand that he has to sit still on it if only for a few moments. Well, in those moments this morning he peed. It was as though he was holding it and I gave him permission, or maybe reminded him to release it. He had been diaper-less on the changing table and he could have done it then, but no, he waited for me. So maybe that was the little bit of hope that I needed.
I'm thinking we need to invest in a bigger potty though. He seems to be getting to big for his "little potty" But I'm trying to hold out for a Baby's R Us mailer where they will give me a discount or something. I'm a rewards member and I'm hoping they'll send me something soon. :) Is there someplace cheaper I can get a potty? They are about 30 dollars at Baby's R US. I want a Baby Bjorn potty too, none of those Dora potties or Thomas ones, just a simple one that is easy to clean.
Anyways, those are my thoughts this morning. I hope y'all have a wonderful Wednesday.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
count by numbers!
One tee tee on the potty last night
Two tired parents from middle of the night wake-ups
Three day weekend makes things fun
Four teeth are now appearing
Five poops on the potty this week!
We are still nursing about 5 or 6 times a day. Still cloth-diapering when rashes are not an issue, I'm thinking I need to order about 6 more since I'm laundering them about every day and a half...
These are the things that define my life :)
Levi had a bad day yesterday in general. Teething is killing him and he's getting about 3 or 4 at the same time, all on top, none of them fun.
Levi is starting to just get the hang of pushing when he gets on the potty. The "cue" seems to be less and less of a factor right now.
He's 10 months old, we'll see how well he's doing in a few months. Wouldn't it be amazing to say he's completely potty trained by a year?! Ha! Like that would happen, but I do fantasize about it sometimes :) Anyways, that's me. Anyone else having struggles or issues? Or victories?
Two tired parents from middle of the night wake-ups
Three day weekend makes things fun
Four teeth are now appearing
Five poops on the potty this week!
We are still nursing about 5 or 6 times a day. Still cloth-diapering when rashes are not an issue, I'm thinking I need to order about 6 more since I'm laundering them about every day and a half...
These are the things that define my life :)
Levi had a bad day yesterday in general. Teething is killing him and he's getting about 3 or 4 at the same time, all on top, none of them fun.
Levi is starting to just get the hang of pushing when he gets on the potty. The "cue" seems to be less and less of a factor right now.
He's 10 months old, we'll see how well he's doing in a few months. Wouldn't it be amazing to say he's completely potty trained by a year?! Ha! Like that would happen, but I do fantasize about it sometimes :) Anyways, that's me. Anyone else having struggles or issues? Or victories?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Levi loves going on walks. Loves it, walks are the best part of the day as far as he's concerned. About 20 minutes before we leave he gets fussy and complainy and then as soon as I open the door to the garage where his stroller is he goes bananas. Sometimes just so I can go back through the house and make sure things are off and the laundry is started I will just set him in his stroller, buckle him in and park it so it's facing outside. He just sits there quietly in awe of the nature. He could seriously sit there for 30 minutes while I do yard work. Okay, and as we walk along he makes his own bumps in the road by bouncing up and down in the stroller. He grabs the tray and I think he secretly thinks he's driving me and he's in control. He watches all the birds and dogs and the cars go by. Occasionally he looks back at me and smiles this huge smile that says, "Isn't this the best thing in the world mom?!" I just consider him to be my personal trainer in getting me to exercise every day :) He's worth way more than those guys who yell at you in the gym and he's way more effective.
Well, yesterday Levi learned how to suck out of a straw. He would always watch me drink out of my hospital canister and then grab the straw from me and chew it. He knew he was missing something because then he would let me take it back and then quickly grab it out of my mouth again, water usually splattering everywhere. Yesterday he had it in his mouth and I watched the water go up the straw! His little eyes perked up and he started to choke. I took it out of his mouth but as soon as he had recovered he wanted it back. It took a couple of tries, but then he learned to drink without drowning himself. My little baby is growing up!! I'm gonna cry, partly from joy, partly that he's not a baby as much anymore.
Anyways, EC has been unsuccessful the past few days. I'm trying to figure out when he will want to go on the potty. So we are taking a step back for now. Not a step off, but just a step back.
Well, yesterday Levi learned how to suck out of a straw. He would always watch me drink out of my hospital canister and then grab the straw from me and chew it. He knew he was missing something because then he would let me take it back and then quickly grab it out of my mouth again, water usually splattering everywhere. Yesterday he had it in his mouth and I watched the water go up the straw! His little eyes perked up and he started to choke. I took it out of his mouth but as soon as he had recovered he wanted it back. It took a couple of tries, but then he learned to drink without drowning himself. My little baby is growing up!! I'm gonna cry, partly from joy, partly that he's not a baby as much anymore.
Anyways, EC has been unsuccessful the past few days. I'm trying to figure out when he will want to go on the potty. So we are taking a step back for now. Not a step off, but just a step back.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Starting EC (again)
I feel like my day consists of managing bodily functions. Levi spit up on our bed today. He peed in his high chair, spit up on the kitchen floor, I've already dealt with two poopy diapers... This is my job as a mom, well, part of it. Motherhood is not glorious at times, but it is necessary.
Well, my sister in law asked what my book said about starting to EC a twelve-month-old and so it got me reading again. Reading the book always inspires ore diaper-free, elimination-awareness, time on the potty time... Although it sometimes creates more messes I'm always glad for these refreshers. With each stage Levi has gone through I have to make sure that we get back on the wagon of EC. I'm so thankful that we have been practicing. I'm thankful for all the rashes we have avoided, all the diapers we have saved and that I have not had to clean and just the fun it has been to see how he responds to us when we put him on the potty.
Okay, Marcie, the book makes no distinction of ages as much as stages. They talk about when your baby becomes mobile and then when your baby is a toddler. The main thing they emphasize is creating an awareness of elimination in your child. They recommend keeping your baby diaper free for periods of time so they can see what it feels like or looks like to eliminate outside of their diaper. Levi's pretty good about staying in the living room if I am in there, or in the kitchen so I just try to keep my eye on him while he's diaper free.
Okay, they say to allow your child to experience wetness. Maybe put them in training pants of a coverless cloth diaper so that you will know immediately when they have eliminated.
The next thing is learning associations. When they eliminate make your cuing noise for them when they eliminate so they can associate your cues with eliminating.
Finally, show them the proper place to potty. I've found the Baby Bjorn little potty has been the best thing. I actually think I'm going to buy another potty to keep in my living room/kitchen area and then one to keep in our guest bathroom/Levi's room. It seems whenever I leave to get him the potty or I transport him to the place where the potty is his little bladder can't hold it that well. Some might think that this is not showing him the proper room to potty in, but I think keeping the potty in a place where he can still be with Ben or me while he goes is a positive thing. Keep the association with the potty positive, sing songs, keep toys nearby. I've found with his little shirts that snap on the bottom that it's best to roll them up while he's on the toilet, this keeps them from falling into the potty.
So right now we are working on awareness, for both him and me. :) I'm looking for patterns of when he poops or pees. I made up a potty song for him... I need to post it, but I don't know how to post music on here.
Anyways, if you have any questions about it, feel free to ask! Also, the book I recommend is called "Diaper Free Baby" by Christine Gross-Loh. Check it out at the library, get it off of Amazon or you can buy it from the Diaper Free website!
Well, my sister in law asked what my book said about starting to EC a twelve-month-old and so it got me reading again. Reading the book always inspires ore diaper-free, elimination-awareness, time on the potty time... Although it sometimes creates more messes I'm always glad for these refreshers. With each stage Levi has gone through I have to make sure that we get back on the wagon of EC. I'm so thankful that we have been practicing. I'm thankful for all the rashes we have avoided, all the diapers we have saved and that I have not had to clean and just the fun it has been to see how he responds to us when we put him on the potty.
Okay, Marcie, the book makes no distinction of ages as much as stages. They talk about when your baby becomes mobile and then when your baby is a toddler. The main thing they emphasize is creating an awareness of elimination in your child. They recommend keeping your baby diaper free for periods of time so they can see what it feels like or looks like to eliminate outside of their diaper. Levi's pretty good about staying in the living room if I am in there, or in the kitchen so I just try to keep my eye on him while he's diaper free.
Okay, they say to allow your child to experience wetness. Maybe put them in training pants of a coverless cloth diaper so that you will know immediately when they have eliminated.
The next thing is learning associations. When they eliminate make your cuing noise for them when they eliminate so they can associate your cues with eliminating.
Finally, show them the proper place to potty. I've found the Baby Bjorn little potty has been the best thing. I actually think I'm going to buy another potty to keep in my living room/kitchen area and then one to keep in our guest bathroom/Levi's room. It seems whenever I leave to get him the potty or I transport him to the place where the potty is his little bladder can't hold it that well. Some might think that this is not showing him the proper room to potty in, but I think keeping the potty in a place where he can still be with Ben or me while he goes is a positive thing. Keep the association with the potty positive, sing songs, keep toys nearby. I've found with his little shirts that snap on the bottom that it's best to roll them up while he's on the toilet, this keeps them from falling into the potty.
So right now we are working on awareness, for both him and me. :) I'm looking for patterns of when he poops or pees. I made up a potty song for him... I need to post it, but I don't know how to post music on here.
Anyways, if you have any questions about it, feel free to ask! Also, the book I recommend is called "Diaper Free Baby" by Christine Gross-Loh. Check it out at the library, get it off of Amazon or you can buy it from the Diaper Free website!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Levi is pulling up on things, crawling places and discovering. All this means that he is constantly hurting himself. I am either getting him out of trouble, trying to prevent an accident, or comforting him from his most recent fall or injury. Yesterday he discovered my bottom drawer in the kitchen and then slammed his little fingers in it twice. Yes, twice, babies take a little longer to learn certain things... now I just don't let him touch it. He's fallen face first off of our one step, falls as he's lowering himself down from the couch or coffee table, cries when he gets stuck under a chair or table and then cries when he loses sight of me. This makes for nice, restful times during his naps. ... I look forward to them in that I can get things done without having this little guy get into things and just that general stress of feeling like I need to keep an eye on him.
I realized today as I was praying with Ben that I get tired and frustrated pretty easily. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all of this and wish it away. But why in the world would I want to do that? I have this new tiny life in my care and he is amazing to watch and enjoy and delight in. I can look at this motherhood thing in one of two ways. My situation will not change regardless of my attitude. I can see him as a burden and a curse, stealing from my time, or I can see him as a delight and a joy, a blessing and be thankful for this time. Again, my situation will not change.
Cheerios are everywhere in my house right now, I even just saw some in the bathroom. They are like little landmines that when you step on them they explode into cheerio dust that must be swept or vacuumed up. How did they get to these random places? My theory is that Levi spills them down into the seat of his high chair, they get stuck to his diaper and then when I pick him up and take him somewhere they fall off randomly.
oh yeah, and Levi pooped on the potty this morning :)
I realized today as I was praying with Ben that I get tired and frustrated pretty easily. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all of this and wish it away. But why in the world would I want to do that? I have this new tiny life in my care and he is amazing to watch and enjoy and delight in. I can look at this motherhood thing in one of two ways. My situation will not change regardless of my attitude. I can see him as a burden and a curse, stealing from my time, or I can see him as a delight and a joy, a blessing and be thankful for this time. Again, my situation will not change.
Cheerios are everywhere in my house right now, I even just saw some in the bathroom. They are like little landmines that when you step on them they explode into cheerio dust that must be swept or vacuumed up. How did they get to these random places? My theory is that Levi spills them down into the seat of his high chair, they get stuck to his diaper and then when I pick him up and take him somewhere they fall off randomly.
oh yeah, and Levi pooped on the potty this morning :)
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