Sunday, August 23, 2009

Notes from a tired momma

So it's midnight. The house is beginning to come together again. The attrocious kitchen has been put back together and is near immaculate. The children are in bed, homework is done. The baby is fed, bathed (dinner did NOT go so well), laundry has been started in preparation for the next day (uniforms still need done). Litterbox has been cleaned, trash is out, finally a moment to myself.

Don't get me wrong, I love my life, and know that God has given me what He knows that I can handle, but sometimes, I just don't think I'm strong enough. I have found myself in the same conversation several times, people being jealous that I am married with a child, a house of my own, and again, I am very grateful for what I have, but often feel the analogy of hair ringing in my ears. Those who have curly dream of straight, those who have straight dream of curly. The life of a single person is hard, yet rewarding. That is the road of a mother and wife as well...And how do you ever find the time?!

We went to have one year pictures taken of Gianna for birthday invitations, and I asked the wonderful Sears photographer if she could sneak in a couple of the kids ;) I was very glad she let me. Unfortunately, Gianna had been sick with a fever for nearly a week (darn teeth and allergies), so she was not quite full of the smiles we hoped for. Still cute. We spent a little more than planned, but now have the copyrights to the pictures and can go in for buy one get one pictures and a free 8X10 whenever we want. Worth it in the end. It's so hard to watch them grow so fast. Definately starts to give you baby fever again... I feel myself sad that I did not caption the moments more on film or paper. Alas...


Speaking of, I would LOVE ideas on cakes or decorating if anyone has any they would love to share!

Gianna now has four teeth...we are waiting for the next two to pop in any day now. She has reached the first temper tantrum stage, many more to come I am sure. I am trying to wean her from mommy milk, and she is not liking that. She has also gained a new-found adversion to textures in baby food: noodles, rice, etc. She does not have a problem with human food of this sort, but doesn't like it in the baby food. Help? Suggestions anyone? She scoots it all to the front of her mouth and gives the worst face while squealing...truly something. We will have to try some trickery.



She is getting better at standing on her own, though she still is not found of it. She would much rather crawl and hold on to anything she can. She loves listening to music still, and I recently found a series of CD's that is perfect for her! I found them at Family Christian Store if anyone is interested. Four CD's for 12.99...can't beat that! She also LOVEs playing in pillows. This evening I found her banging on brother's door wanting him to come out! How cute...



Our neighbors brought their new lab down to visit this evening. Gianna was a little unsure, but giggled like crazy as he licked her face. I told Jes this could satisfy his dog craving! Needless to say, he was not convinced.

She is full of words. She is now saying "bye bye", "hi", "po" for please (more please), "Aaaaye Duh" for all done (a personal favorite), "mama", "dadda", "bubba", "uh oh", and occasionally she will attempt "I don't know", although it comes out more like "Aye duh doda" (adorable ;) She signs most of those words as well as milk and food and "oh no". Amazing what they learn.

The older two begin week number two of school and soccer. Jury is still out on St. Francis beginning to switch for three classes starting in the third grade. Opinions? I can see the benefits, but still think it is way too early. Homeschooling is looking better and better for Gianna ;)

I am also still researching cloth diapers. I have SO many questions though...and I wonder if there really is savings with the first child. The idea of making my own sounds very appealing though, I despirately need something to do for myself, project-wise. And I wish I could sew better, but there is only one way to learn!

We should hear back on Jes's job on Friday, prayers would be greatly appreciated.

I have been missing Colorado a great deal lately. Especially with the cool weather, I just step outside and miss the sound of the river, the mountains, the smells. There is just a peace there that I don't seem to have here. Perhaps it is just association with vacation...maybe one day.

I should call it a night...I have the early shift in the morning (kids that is :) Sleep well all.

7 comments:

  1. Keep the faith on her eating. It is tough. Teething really made eating difficult for Gemma. For a long time. It was antagonizing...it's hard for me to see the bigger picture sometimes. Anyways, after months and months of frustration and wondering if she would ever eat anything that amounted to a full meal, we have a daughter who is a wonderful eater and will try anything. So just keep on keepin' on!! And, it is obviously your business, so don't think I'm butting in and trying to tell you what to do, but I would maybe hold of on the weaning. During those rough times when Gemma wasn't eating many solid foods it was always comforting to know that she was getting nourishment through nursing, even if it wasn't the most convenient thing in the world. And once you start cows milk at 1yr that is a GREAT source of so many nutritious things!! Gemma took a few weeks to take to it, but loves it now and drinks 20-30 ounces a day. And she still nurses a bit at bed and naptime (if I'm the one putting her down) and 19 1/2 months. Just no hurry to force her to quit. Figure it will come. Anyways, that's my two-cents.

    And on the cloth diapering, there are more and less economical ways of doing it. It can certainly be more expensive (although also more earth-friendly) than disposalbes, but there are most definitely economical ways of doing it that are certainly cheaper. Be it making your own, or just starting out using prefolds or birdseye flats that run around $1 a piece. They're a bit bulkier, but they do the trick. Again, just my experience. We try to take the more economical route with ours and I know we've saved money. Plus, I just like the fact that I'm not throwing away trashcans full of diapers on a weekly basis.

    Okay, that's all for now. God bless and have a good week. Life can be frustrating sometimes, I know. Day at a time...

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  2. She is absolutely beautiful!
    I found that it was easier to just grind whatever we were eating and forget buying baby food. Collin always liked what we had better anyhow. I just tried to set some aside for him before I added all the extra salt and such that we like. Collin was always a really picky eater. It does get better.
    Weaning is hard. Just take your time. With Collin, I took one feeding away each week. It was a process. Don't stress over it.
    There is a website you can go to for cake and cupcake ideas, familyfun.com I have used it many times to find something cute. They have things separated out into sections and themes as well.
    I totally understand the whole "I am very thankful for my life and what I have" but still feeling overwhelmed at times. I love my boys more than anything, but that doesn't mean they don't drive me bonkers sometimes! It's important to find time for yourself. If you ever need to get out of the house you are more than welcome to come hang out. I am at home all day with my boys, and right now one other baby. 2 starting the end of September. I'm sure the boys would love to have a little girl to play with for a bit :)
    Anyhow. Let me know if you need anything.

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  3. We've cloth diapered all three of our kids. I agree with Monica - you can go the more economical route and do preflods/covers rather than all-in-ones. There are so many products out there now on the Internet it is really overwhelming. I bought much of ours 2nd hand and saved a lot. True - You might not see much of a savings with the first baby. Anyway, feel free to call or email if you have any questions.

    Wish I had some advice on weaning, but here I am nursing my two year old as I type!

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  4. Thank you greatly ladies ;) I was definately thinking prefolds and covers...hmmm...interesting. Does pregnancy affect nursing at all?

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  5. Came over off of Samantha's blog! Cloth diapering is very fun, economical, and easy to do. If you have any questions, ask away. I've been using cloth for almost 2 years.

    As for the breastfeeding, there is no reason to wean because your little one had a birthday. Breastmilk is beneficial for at least TWO years with the newest advice on table feeding being BEFORE ONE, JUST FOR FUN. And although sometimes uncomfortable during pregnancy, still possible and something that many, many, many women do.

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  6. Brilliant! Thank you Audrey! I have been composing a list of all my questions on cloth diapering. And I have rethought weaning completely, but have gone down to about three times a day. We have realized it was the half formula half milk we gave her. She has never had more than two to four ounces of formula a day, and wasn't used to it. So we do half me when I'm around and whole milk (which she loves). Thank you! and you may be hearing from me soon!

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  7. Not a problem- I am happy to help in any way! Cloth diapering is sooo fun and easy! I just want to encourage you to keep up the breastfeeding too. There is no need to wean to whole milk any time soon. Breastmilk is made for babies. Cows milk is made for cows. If you are having trouble with table feeding, know that she is getting everything she needs (and more) from your milk. Good luck!

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