answer me this

How is one's mothering style determined?

Is it what your own mother did?  Or didn't do?

Is it based on the most recent parenting book you read?

Does your personality decide what kind of mother you're going to be?

I think that parents are like athletes.  Some people are natural athletes.  We all know these people.  We hate them.  Natural athletes can throw any ball, swing any racquet, and swim any stroke... and are normally super attractive (like I said, we hate them).  But you can't forget about the rest of the athletes.  They are just as good as the natural athletes (although they probably have fewer dates) but they have to work really hard at it.

I am the latter, in both the athletic and parenting worlds.  I'm being the best mother I can be, it's just that not one part of this job comes naturally to me.  I mean, come on, I'm still trying to find my mothering style.  My kid keeps changing his mind and his schedule, so I keep changing my angle on mothering.

I think my mothering style will ultimately be a combination of all these things (although George wishes I wouldn't read so much trendy parenting advice).  Hopefully, one of these things can steer me in the right direction.  Otherwise my kid is screwed!

who knew?

Who knew that breastmilk was so addicting?

This guy is seriously addicted.  And when he needs a fix, he needs it now! When he's hungry, he's in seek and destroy mode.  He turns into a bloodhound, trying to sniff it out! 

But the best part, is his breastmilk hangover!  After he eats, he gets this drunk look...his eyes are only half open, he's sleepy, and he can't hold his head up.  Sometimes he even throws up...ahhh, just like a real hangover.  It's hilarious.  But since he's pint size it only last a short amount of time.  A five minute nap and he rallies!  

Also, it is during this time he makes my very favorite face...the Stevie Wonder face.  I'm not trying to be insensitive, he just looks exactly like him...I just called, to say, I love you...

Who knew I'd get peed on so much?  And, who knew I wouldn't care?

Ok I don't love being peed on, I mean I'm not Rex Ryan!  But my Squirtbaby is just so cute I can't be upset about it.  What I don't love though, is the laundry.

Who knew that my boy, who got my blockhead, would have a profile that looked exactly like his dad, who does not have a blockhead?

Seriously, it's the cutest thing.  And it freaked me out when I saw it the first time.  So handsome, my boys.

Who knew I'd be so upset about my giant boobs?

If I were a man, I'd be a boob man, but these are seriously ridiculous.  I hate them.  They are in my way.  And have you seen these nursing bras?  What's a girl gotta do to get a supportive nursing bra around here?  Seriously, there is no bra on this planet that could make these girls look perky right now.

Who knew?

 

Isn't this picture the cutest?!?!  Squirt is loving two of his warmest gifts, his Patagonia coat and his baby sherpa boots!  We took advantage of the beautiful weather today to go on another walk.  George had him in the carrier again and said he could relate to me being pregnant because he couldn't see his feet!  Yeah, try carrying that load for 9 months and then we'll talk!!!

So we took our Squirtmonster to the pediatrician this week for his two week check-up, in his third week of life!  Turns out...he is a giant!  My three week old infant weighs 10lbs 13 oz!  Yeah...that's right!  

My girlfriend's daughter was born two days after Squirt and I'm pretty sure she said she weighs 6lbs 13 oz.  I mean, Squirt could eat her for lunch!  

The baby is seriously huge, no wonder he wants to eat every hour!  Mama, however, is not so happy about that part!  Do you know how exhausting it is to nurse every hour???  Do you know how little I can get done during the day when I'm nursing every hour?  Does anyone know when my Squirtgiant will learn to cooperate with his mama?  So many questions...

Ok internet peeps, I'm off to nurse...again!  And then hopefully my pride and joy will decide to sleep for 6 hours (wishful thinking)!

you can call me mr. i-pee-all-over-everytime-my-diaper-is-changed

Here's a good one: I've never taken care of a baby boy before!  

I have a sister.  I don't think I ever even babysat for a boy that was still in diapers.  Therefore, changing baby boy diapers is brand-freaking-new to me!  And it is an adventure every single time!

When we were registering for baby gifts, I saw these little "peepee teepee's", and I thought they were ridiculous!  But now I know why someone would think to invent this.  Actually, it could be the most useful invention ever.

Specifically, my boychild pees all over himself approximately 85% of the time he has his diaper changed.  He finds it particularly upsetting when he hits himself in the face.  His mama finds it particularly upsetting when he pees all over freshly cleaned sheets!  We're working on a better system!

*****

This afternoon we ventured into the wild outdoors!  I think it was good for all of us to get out of the house.  George put him in the carrier and the three of us went on our merry way!  It was fun and relaxing!  Also, it made for a good photo op!

pardon the interruption

I'm sorry I've been neglecting my little blog here.  I've been kinda busy...having a baby!!!!

Yep!  Our baby has arrived.  Well...he actually arrived about two weeks ago (yes, I'm being vague on purpose).  Basically, he is the best baby that ever lived!  And he is ours!!!  In fact, he is Squirtastic!

Labor was somehow wonderful and horrible at the same time.  I will spare the details for anybody who is about to have a baby or who is contemplating having a baby.  But just to be clear, no matter what happened in those two days in the hospital, waiting for my baby, it was all worth it.

He is amazing.  He hardly cries, but when he does it breaks my heart.  He eats like a champ, but what else would you expect from a nearly 10 lb baby!  

And very important, my Squirt is a little man.  There is no mistaking my baby for a little girlie.  He looks like such a little boy.  And I can't wait for my little boy to know his mama and hold out his little arms for me.  But in the meantime, I'll settle for watching him sleep peacefully on his daddy's chest (it's all I could ask for).

*****

As an expectant mother, I made every attempt to be prepared for the arrival of my child.  In the end, I decided that it was best to be prepared to be unprepared.  This was the best idea I had in nine months.

Oh.My.God.  There is nothing you can do to prepared for the arrival of your first child.  I'm acutely aware of that now...and I got lucky with this one!  

But, the crying, and the feeding, and the pooping, and funny faces while he sleeps.  Nothing could prepare me for this.  I almost never know why he's crying.  I never know when he wants to eat (which makes venturing out of my house terrifying at this point).  You never know what to expect in the diaper, but the explosive poop (which only happens when his dad changes him) is hilarious.  Oh and I've been peed on more times in the past two weeks than I would care to admit to!

And the faces, oh the faces.  His little face makes the most unique expressions while he sleeps.  Including smiling.  I'm desperate to know what he dreams about.  I imagine it goes something like, where's the boob, I can't find the boob, I need the boob, oh there it is....yesssssss.

*****

If I could rewind for two seconds, to a pre-baby topic, I would like to share the funniest thing I've ever seen.  A friend of my sister's, who is quite hilarious if I might add, likes to read this blog and she was curious about the belly photos.  

Apparently, it warranted an internet search (the network as my grandmother calls it)!  And this is what she found!

The best part is that I looked at the first picture and laughed.  Then I sent her an email that I was completely disturbed by the link.  But later, I was showing George and he scrolled down, something I had neglected to do.  Oh...it got MUCH worse!  So click on the link and make sure to look at the WHOLE page!  It's worth it!

*****

Ok, so here's what I'm sure you've been waiting for.  And since I'm not currently emotional and freaking out I'm going to post some little photos of my pride and joy!  (Sorry family, I don't think any of these are new to you.) Enjoy!

I'm off to partake in some QT with my boys now.  Peace!

are we there yet?

This is what you look like when you are 40 weeks pregnant, all your finals are done, you're done working, you can't sleep, you're uncomfortable, and you're NOT DILATED AT ALL!

Translation: I'm over it!

I was pissed when she said I wasn't dilated at all.  This is how that conversation went:

OB NP: Well, you're 50% effaced.

Me: And...

OB NP:  And, that's better than last time.

Me: (In my head) That was three weeks ago!  Of course it's better than last time!  Unfortunately, 50% effaced isn't really helping me out here, lady!!!!  Grrrr. 

*****

So, I promised I would show pictures of the nursery.  And I have them.  Unfortunately, they're not turning out like I was hoping.  But you can see our wonderful, made-with-love bedding and wall art!  

The problem was that because the room is so small I couldn't get a good angle.  Either way, here are some pictures of the future location of our Squirt...once he vacates my uterus!

i would like to give some thanks

I am having an amazing Thanksgiving and am feeling like I would like to proclaim my thankfulness to the world!

However, I have to say that Turkey Day 2010 did not start out so wonderful.  First I was canceled from work.  So I had to kiss that holiday pay goodbye.  This always makes me feel guilty, which generally means that I do not go back to sleep in the morning.  This happened to me this morning.  But to be honest, I wasn't sleeping very well anyway, boo.  

The day continued to be icky as I was having some serious contractions this morning.  That, of course, made me all anxious and annoying.  But my loving George came to the rescue and was all supportive and understanding.  And that is when my day really picked up and caused me to want to scream my thanks from the tops of the trees.  

That being said, let's get to the thanks already.

I am so thankful for my family.  They are so amazing and supportive.  They are so excited about this little Squirt, so much more than I ever expected.  My mother, who hates talking on the phone, calls me regularly to check up on me.  It makes me smile every time.  My dad must know I love him because he asks me every time I talk to him how much weight I've gained, and I haven't screamed at him once!  And hanging out with my beautiful sister, who is so kind, independent, strong, motivated, and full of love, is absolutely the thing I miss most about home.

I am also thankful for George's family...he obviously is too!  I am clearly a unique brand of crazy in this family and yet they seem to like me just the same.  They are so open and loving and I always feel like part of the family.  The best part is seeing how much they love George.  I obviously think he's the best person ever and am so thankful that his family helped to make him like that!

I am super thankful for my Squirtfetus, a) because he was finally conceived and b) because he is going to grace us with his presence very shortly.  Speaking of that, I am so glad that he has not shown his little face yet but I am eagerly awaiting his arrival anytime after Tuesday!  He is obviously the best fetus a mom-to-be could ask for and I think that speaks volumes about how awesome he is going to be in the future!

Related, I am most thankful for my husband.  Without him I would have no fetus and no future little family of my own.  Today he was awarded the Best Husband Ever award by a seriously biased judging panel!  He is normally amazing but this year he has been exceptional.  He is supportive, understanding, and (almost) always says the right thing.  When I told him I felt so lucky that I had such a supportive husband, he looked at me like I had three heads and said how else would I be?  This is exactly my point, not every girl gets this lucky, but he just is that awesome without trying.  He always tells me how proud he is of me and even tells me that I'm not crazy when I clearly am!  He's so fantastic and I can't imagine my life without him.  In the last 11 years we've grown and changed so much, but are always getting closer.  I can't wait to see what happens in the next 11 years!

And now for some photo fun!  I am seriously thankful for the Thanksgiving dinner that George made today!  It was possibly the best Thanksgiving dinner we've ever had (sorry moms)!  He such a great cook and everything was fantastic!  In fact, it was so great I was inspired to take a picture of our feast (I felt like a certain food-blogging couple we know..what up guys!)!  

Yes, that is food for two people!  Also, while it is difficult to see, I would like to be thankful for my awesome gravy boat!  It was given to us as a wedding gift and it is seriously great!  I have never really liked gravy before but this year it was superb!  

And I am grateful that it is supposed to snow tomorrow and Saturday.  It would really make me so happy!  I know I'm the only one who thinks that but everyone else can suck it!

Ok, I think I've proclaimed enough thanks for one day.  Instead I'm going to hang out with my man.  And for those of you who don't care about me and only come here for the baby news, well, haha!  No I'm kidding, don't fret, nursery pictures will be up soon!  And of course, soon there will be a totally inappropriate number of baby pictures posted on this little blog!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!