Archive for October, 2010
30 days of Thankful
Starting in my next post I will be posting about something I am thankful for every day. Wont you join me?
It like, a giant Storm
Typhoon!! Seriously they aren’t kidding! The weather is nasty.
And FYI, during a typhoon is not a great time to go for a stroll.
In other words, my hair has a nice wind blown look and my legs got a work out.
But does taking four steps outside count as a stroll?
Meal planning
I have no intention of turning this into a recipe blog but… I would love to do a weekly meal suggestion post.
So here are our plans for dinner this week:
Chicken Enchiladas
Crock pot Pork Hock and Beans
Crock Pot Roast
Spicy Turkey legs
Giant stuffed baked potatos
That is five solid meals for the week! I usually pair a meal with a vegetable or bowl of fruit. An depending on the meal, I will make bread.
One day a week we eat leftovers and the other we usually go out to dinner. I am attempting to follow this schedule every week and would love to hear any ideas for meals.
Also this week I made a fabulous apple cake that we have been eating off of every morning with our coffee.
Wanna share so easy recipes? Or meal ideas?
Date night
8pm and the baby is asleep in his crib, and the Hubby and I are enjoying a glass of wine while watching a movie. These are my favorite date nights!
What do you like to do for date night?
Things Ive learned as a Stay at home Mom.
- The work never ends
- It takes literally all day to get the house cleaned when you have a baby
- There is no way to nap when the baby naps because if you did then NOTHING would get finished
- Burning lunch is a hazard that really happens because you start to cook something then the baby cries and you forget to ever come back to what you were cooking.
- The lack of adult conversation will lead you to watching endless hours of food network
- The watching of food network leads to waaaaaay too much cooking.
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Now, the truth is that I am really enjoying being a SAHM. Its realy wonderful that I am getting the opportunity to spend so much time with Nolan and to be able to focus on learning how to be a Mom. I am so thankful that my husband is able to support us so that I can have this time with the baby. But reality is, this is the hardest most rewarding job Ive ever had.
The Boob and the snooze.
It seems to be the most popular things that people ask about with the baby.
“How is he eating?” and “Is he a good sleeper?” or “Is he a good baby?”
I guess I translate the latter into a combination of the two former questions. So I guess for documentation purposes I should tell everyone how things are going.
Boob stuff is pretty awesome. Once No got the whole “Suck, Swallow, Breathe” combination figured out, Breastfeeding is simple. We are blessed, dont get me wrong. Ive never had sore or cracked nipples, and once he was about 6 weeks and I stopped pumping and just kinda forced the idea on him, he has been a champ. That being said, we have our own set of problems. He likes to use me as a pacifier. He wont take the regular paci for more than a few minutes a day, but when he is fussy he just wants my nipple in his mouth.
Because it works so well to soothe him, I had started nursing him to sleep. I totally wish I had never done that because now it is the only way to get him to bed. Other then that things are going great in the boob department.
Now sleep. Sleep was elusive to us for the first two months. Then I discovered the whole “Nurse and cosleep” routine and BAM he slept for me. So then we move to Japan and the hubby is in bed with us, and I just know I wont be able to sleep if I am worrying about The Hubby rolling over onto No, or No keeping Hubby up when he has to be at work. To solve this, I started putting him to bed in other queen size bed (We were in a hotel room with two queens) all by himself. I would swaddle him and then nurse him to sleep. It worked like magic and now he sleeps from about 6pm-8am. He wakes a few times in the night to nurse and then goes back to sleep. I know, Im lucky. I get it.
Nap time is a different game. No needs his naps. Seriously needs naps or he whines! You can tell how tired he is by the amount of meltdowns he has. At the first eye rub I start to slow things down, swaddle him and then nurse him to sleep. It works, except that his naps will range anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours. And when he only sleeps for a few minutes he wakes up crankier then before. After a good 2 hour nap he is my happy, cooing baby again.
Also, I believe that teething may have started. He is chewing on EVERYTHING. His blanket, his paci, my NIPPLES! And the drool…dear lord the drool is coming in buckets! I thought this wasnt supposed to start for a few more months?
Dear Nolan (Week 11)
Dear Nolan,
My goodness little man, you are growing so fast. I cant believe that you will be 3 months old soon. You are starting to outgrow some of your 0-3 month clothes already and it is killing me! You are so long that it is hard for me to get the onesies buttoned.
This week marked the start of our adventures in Japan. Your first time in a foreign country. When we arrived you were so tired, even after sleeping almost the entire 10 hour flight here. I couldnt believe it, you only woke up to eat. Then you slept the 2 hour bus ride to our home and I was even more shocked, who is this baby that sleeps?
You got to see your Daddy for the first time in more than half your life, and you have spent alot of time with him this week. NoNo, he is amazing with you. He kisses you and snuggles you and you smile at him and coo at him. You two make the same little smirk and it melts my heart.
Your eyes seem to have turned decidedly brown now, but you have flecks of color in them just like your Papa does. You have long gorgeous eye lashes and full lips. You learned how to pout this week, and you stick your bottom lip out like a little boy. Its sad, and kinda cute.
Along with pouting, you have learned how to whine. DEAR GOD, PLEASE STOP WHINING!! This drives your Mama nuts! You are still rolling over onto your back just about every time we set you on your tummy and you are trying so hard to push off on the ground that I am sure you are gonna be crawling by Christmas time!
We love you somuch!!
Love,
Your Mama
I live in the future now.
Remember the movie “Back to the future”? Well, most days I now feel like I live in the future. Just so you know there are no hoverboards here, and No I cannot give you the winning lotto numbers.
After living a substantial amount of time overseas as a child, I thought I would be used to converting the time and remembering that we are a shocking 16 hours difference from the PNW. And yet, I am still weirded out by the fact that I am infact living in the future, at least from the perspective of my family and friends.
As I am writing them about my lovely Sunday evening they are just about to enter a Sunday dawn. I was posting about how Monday is starting off with a “bang” only to be greeted with moans that they were still trying to enjoy Sunday. My child naps when theirs are going to bed. Its a little bit of a pain in the ass to try and remember this while making our weekly phone calls home.
What have I learned in “The Future”? Well, there are much cooler candies and drinks here then there were in the Past. I found green tea flavored Oreo cookies, Apple Flavored Nestea, and Royal Milk Tea flavored Kit Kats. Seriously, it is freaking awesome! Pictures will follow soon, I promise!
There may be a serious shortage of posts in the next couple days as I try to get the internet set up in our new digs. So….for now…see ya in the Future!
Lets talk about sex.
Yes, Sex. That three letter word that is sure to get everyone’s attention. But what I really want to talk about is post baby body, post baby sex. Rather than posting details that Im sure would even make my husband faint, I figured I would talk about sex in a more general term.
Sex. Its an important part of an intimate relationship, and an important part of a marriage. I was once told that sex is the part of the equation that equals a happy marriage. Thus meaning that it isnt the most important thing, but if you dont have it then you cannot have a happy marriage. Or atleast that was my interpretation.
Sex is a form of intimacy, right? Not the only form…. and its hard to remember that sex is a basic need. In nursing school we learned about sex being a person’s right. And that it is in the Maslows hierarchy of needs “Psychological needs”. So why is it wrong to talk about sex? And why do some of you have your panties in a wad over me writing about it, I know who you are, you are shaking your head thinking “is there anything she wont blog about?”
So back to post baby sex, its uh…..different. There is a huge potential to forget about the intimate relationship and the needs of both yourself and your partner after having a baby. The baby takes all your time, energy, thoughts and consumes every damn waking (and sleeping) moment. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my son, I am so happy to have him in our lives. But the fact is still the same, he is work. A 24 hour a day, seven day a week job.
Its important to make time for some lovin’. Whether this means that you forego an hour of sleep or you give up your solo minutes in the morning, it is important. It will remind you why you decided to have a baby with your partner, it brings back that lovin’ feeling (Whoooa that lovin’ feeling!) and for women it will also help you feel sexier, and more alive.
I dont know about all women, but after spending weeks surviving on a few hours of sleep a night (not consecutive, mind you) and still having some lagging pregnancy weight hanging on, and having stretch marks on my formerly taut skin (that is now kinda saggy) I was feeling less then sexy. Infact I was starting to feel like I could audition for Night of the Living Dead part 75. But after taking a moment to myself (and sharing that moment with my hubby) I am rejuvenated. Our relationship feels fresh again, and we both have a nice spring in our step.
I need to send kudos to my hubby though, even when I was looking like crap, feeling less than human, and was being more bitchy then some former spouses, he was still loving. He was snuggly, kissy and complementary of me. He made me feel like I was even more beautiful after having given birth then I was before baby.
So what’s the point of this? The point is that there is sex after baby. And not years later. I was told when I found out I was pregnant to “kiss my sex life goodbye”, and I was terrified that absolutely everything was lost now that we have created such a miracle. And Im here to tell you that its not true, there is a sex life after baby. Its different, its better, it requires a little more effort in the timing department, but you can have that intimacy after baby.
Ramen goodness
Trying not to spill Ramen on the baby
Ramen, Fried rice, and gyoza.....yummy!
Happy Mommy and Moby'd baby
Yes, we really are that lame.
Along with many rights of passage as an adult, there comes the age old tradition of becoming LAME. My husband and I are prime examples.
The other day, on his first day off with us since our arrival, we did errands like adults, bought a mini van, like adults, and then….we went to bed at 4pm, like geriatrics. Seriously, WTF??
This would be the reason for my lack of pictures. That and well, my lack of internet capabilities while Im mobile. We still havent quite gotten my phone situation worked out. But the bigger reason is my apparent need for 12-14 hours of sleep starting in the mid-day.
I know that this is jetlag and I shouldnt give into it because it will just make it harder in the long run, but it is really hard to convince myself to stay up when my 2.5 month old is sleeping and I am exhausted. I mean they say to sleep when the baby sleeps, right? Or am I past that point in my mothering experience?
And what is up with the contagious JetLag? It seems that rather than getting over it, I managed to pass it onto the hubby! Holy crap, now we are both screwed up beyond belief.
I have some ridiculously fun things to post about, but first….its almost dark outside and waaaaay past my bedtime.
Ummmmm…that was my ice cream.
Today we ventured off base to enjoy some delicious ramen!! It was amazing! Shoyu ramen and fried rice with gyoza. On the way back we stopped at the 7-11 and I got my favorite treat Monnaka (ice cream bar). While walking back on the base I felt like I had been slapped with something, and I thought I dropped my ice cream….uh, no.
What really happened was a giant hawk swooped down and grabbed the ice cream with the packaging right out of my hand. In the process he smacked my hubby with his wings and nearly took off my finger. Holy SHIT!!
So I guess Im on the Japan Diet…cant eat, the birds will steal it!
Not quite as exciting as I thought
I was all geared up and ready to go and start exploring the city while the Hubby had to work, and then….. there were errands and running around that I needed to do. So I got up early and tried to get everything done. Nolan was fabulous and totally went along with everything just napping while in the Moby. No remember that we dont have a car here, so everything I am doing is via public transit or walking (not complaining, Im actually loving the freedom of it). By noon we had been awake and on the go for 6 hours and I was exhausted.
I grabbed some food at the commisary and headed back to our room to take a nap with the baby. 3 hours later we finally managed to drift off to sleep. and 5 hours later we woke up. I lost the entire day.
I guess Jet Lag finally hit me. And it hit me hard. THe baby was pretty sleepy too. And now that its late here and past the baby’s bedtime I am wondering if he is gonna even sleep tonight. Ugh. I may have screwed myself.
It was supposed to be this exciting day, I had intended to start my Japan journals out with a bang…not so much.
Here are some of the highlights from today though:
- All the taxi’s here on base are Nissan Cubes. Its weird.
- I forgot how narrow the roads are in Japan, imagine the size of our roads and now divide it in half, seriously.
- Still no yummy food to report…I ate a lean cuisine for dinner because I was too frigging tired to even imagine trying to head off base to forage for food.
- The housing on base is sky rise apartments and town houses. Im pretty sure we will end up in a sky rise apartment, hoping to recieve our offer tomorrow.
- Even the Japanese think my kid is cute! Everywhere I go I hear “Kawaii Akachan!!”.
- The Japanese are so polite. I had a woman assist me with my groceries on the bus, and she was like 700 years old, I felt like I should be helping her.
We made it!!
Amazingly it went so smoothly that I would even voluntarily do it again! Seriously, the baby slept the entire flight only waking to eat a little meal and then back to sleep in his carrier. My child, who does not sleep in the car apparently enjoys the feel of the airplane. Too bad I cant just take him out for a spin in one of those when he wont sleep.
Other then the crappy food served on the plane it was phenomenal. The flight crew were amazing and helpful and the bus ride onto the base was even enjoyable.
Im shocked at how much things have changed since I was here a decade ago. The base looks completley different now. And there is even a starbucks here on base, THANK YOU JESUS!!
We got checked into the NAvy Lodge and are just planning on hanging out until The Sailor gets off of work and can come greet us. Tomorrow its time to find housing and then I think No and I are gonna go explore the town while Daddy works.
Now onto the serious stuff…leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done. EVER. I made some of the best friends, and have the most amazing family that it just broke my heart to leave. I know it had to happen, but after living so close to them in my previous life and then being with them through the entire pregnancy and No’s life so far, well….it just made it heart breaking. I cried so much.
Leaving was opening a new chapter in my life, but it was also closing off some old ones. Here we will only be known as a family, not as our lives before we met. Here my true friends will keep in touch and the ones that cant, wont, dont show the effort will still be missed and loved but it will clarify who is a true friend, a life long friend.
Ok…baby is waking up and I still have so much to do! And since I dont have a phone for here yet…I am typing this old school on my computer and it requires two hands….. more on our adventures tomorrow!
Dear Nolan (week 10)
Dear Nolan,
This week begins with us taking the big trip to our new home in Japan. This is your first time leaving the country, and the first stamp in your passport!
Last week was full of doctors appointments, movers, running errands, playdates and saying goodbye.
You did so great this week buddy! You slept like a dream, napped pretty regularly even though it was in ypur carseat while on the go. You were a smiley happy guy!
This week we saw the start of your social smile. We smile at you and you smile back!
You truly love your Papa and I know he is going to miss you like crazy. Whenever your Papa talks to you, you smile. Whenever he kisses you, you smile. You love him so much!!
You weigh over 10lbs now and are 22 inches tall. Your eyes are maintaining a hazel green color (im hoping!!) You arent a huge fan of tummy time, but you sure do like your glow worm.
I am amazed by you everyday. And am more in love with you every second that we are together. Keep growing little man!!
Love,
Your Mama
My BOB
About two weeks after Nolan was born the hubby and I decided we needed a good stroller for traveling, hiking, jogging, and long walks.
After some extensive research we decided on the B.O.B stroller from R.E.I. Bright orange and reflective, its light folds up to a decent size and is manueverable with one hand.
B.O.B is my new best friend. I love everything about my B.O.B.
The only downside is the price. Its the equivilent of a beater car. Luckily they are high quality and made to last. I figure if it lasts the next decade then it will have paid for itself!!
What is your favorite stroller?
Dear Washington
Dear Washington,
With only one day left before I leave you behind, I am starting to feel strangely nostalgic. Yesterday I finally saw wild orcas while riding the ferry. It was magical. That event made me think about all the other magic that has occurred here.
Washington is where I have made great friends, lifelong friends.
It is where I fell in love for the first time, and many times after. It is where I had my first dance, my first date, my first job.
It is where my last memories of my Grandpa are. It is where I met all my Dogs, and where I said goodbye to Meyah.
It is where I found out I was pregnant for the first time, and a few after that. It is where I cried over lost babies, and where I rejoiced over the birth of Nolan.
It is where my husband proposed, where we made our family, and where we all came home from the hospital.
Washington holds so many of my happiest moments, and a couple of devastating ones. It is the place where my life changed forever in 2008. It is where I was encouraged to reach for the stars and follow my dreams.
For as long as my brain can think and my heart can beat, there will be a special place in my heart for dear Washington.
Love,
Forever changed
T-2 until Japan
Everything finally worked out. Now its time to rush and do last minute visiting with people to say goodbye and finish packing. In less than 72 hours I will be boarding a plane with a 2.5 month old for 12 hrs.
Oh god!
Thursday thinkers
The ratio of rational thought is equal to that of sleep. That being said apparently the amount of sleep required to have the rational thoughts that are needed to attain proper direction of underwear was less then achieved last night. It made for a very uncomfortable day. Also on that note, this was discovered around 6pm at my first solo bathroom break of the day.
Yes, my life really is glamorous.
Another fun fact, all my stuff is officially on its way to Japan and Nono and I are living completely out of suit cases.
We should be residing in Japan officially by the end of next week. (barring any further interruptions).
Patience is not my strong suite
Between dealing with the random crap from the move and some drama from the Ex Files, its been one hell of a week. I needed a break.
So for the very first time, I left NoNo with family and went to the movies with friends. It was surprisingly way easier to leave him then I thought it would be.
The movie was hilarious, I think all parents should see “Life as We know it”. I laughed so hard I cried!
I called home after the movie and my Mom informed me that my son didnt miss me, he was content and fed and napping. Sooooo….I decided to go out to dinner! Whoa, I forgot how much easier it is to eat with two hands!!
When I got home and took the baby in my arms, I felt renewed. However I was so exhaustd from worry that we headed to bed.
All in all it was a great night!
Happy 2 months
2 months ago i met this amazing little man. Born at 5lbs 4 oz and 19 inches, and now at 2 months he is 9lbs 2oz and 21 3/4oz.
I love him more every day!!
Nursing school stuff
So, Im reregistered for mentorship. I will be back next spring to finish my school journey.
I have a lot of mixed emotions about coming back to my school. Im excited to finally finish and take the NCLEX. Im nervous about joining a new group of students. Im terrified about figuring out the grueling mentorship schedule with a baby. Im just all over the place.
Nolan was able to meet almost all of my instructors. He was oogled over by all the students and he acted like his usual adorable self.
The show will go on. But until then there is Adventures in Japan!!
