75th %tile

WHAT??

For height ... yes, expected.
For weight ... is that a typo??

Nope that is what Julia's stats were at her 4 year old well child check yesterday.
Ironically she doesn't weigh 40 pounds yet. That means she is still sitting in the same car seat. That's fine, gives us more time to find a booster seat (thought we'd found 1 on Craig's List, but it was gone quickly!).

Julia always has been tall & lean. Hopefully she will continue to be healthy despite her random eating style & mad crazy fast metabolism.

Oh, well, that's Julia! : )

Nutcracker ballet

Julia's birthday present from Grandma Bonnie was a treat for 3 generations.
The ballet for child, mother, grandmother was a date after church & lunch at Sitar Indian restaurant & was lots of fun! All dressed up in dresses & tights (2 of 3 of us were wearing tights!). : )

After intermission where we hung out in the lobby & watched people at the fountain, we returned to our seats.  I didn't hear this comment at the time, but my mom told me later that Julia, looking quite puzzled, said "what are we doing back here?" Priceless! So Julia. She thought the performance was over & I can understand it. It could have ended at that point & worked for me.

Another funny comment was about a male dancer's attire.
"He's wearing tights ... and you can see his _______ (accurately named male anatomy)." Such frank honesty!

Overall maybe this will become a family tradition though there was lots of Julia saying "what's going to happen next?" : )

funny julia comments

There are SO many funny statements Julia makes.
Many start with "Parents ..." or "My husband ..."
Really! Seriously! : )

These are some recent ones!

12/14/12 her annual birthday date with Uncle Mike
They were at the mall.
"Mike - you look cute in that shirt."
To a mannequin, holding his hand - "I like him."


12/13/12 after Family Math Night at my school

Talking about 1 of the teachers who she knows as Becca - "she is so nice."

While playing cards with Pre-k students - "Alright give me all your jacks."

Not sure of the date, happens quite often lately
To Mommy & Daddy when responding to Jacqueline's gibberish with nonsense words
"Don't do that, talk to her, she's learning."
Disclaimer: we used to say that to Julia when she cries or talks like a baby instead of a big girl in front of Jacqueline ... ahh, the student becomes the teacher.

HILARIOUS! : )

12-12-12

JSS is 11 months old yesterday
Cool numbers!

If you didn't know it, I'm a numbers geek.
Like JSS' birthdate is 1-11-12.
1-2-3 if you add those numbers individually or if you add the 1 + 11 that = 12 same as the year or 1 + the other 1's = 3 which equals the 1+2 in 12 which also is 3.

I've probably already written about it, but I like finding fun associations with numbers.

4 year old Julia

4 glorious years with Julia

We had another fun family birthday at home again this year.
No other friends, no big organized fiesta at an expensive play place or fancy decorated cake. We enjoyed attending those parties as well as some at the child's home - a good variety of experiences.

Julia's request was to make cupcakes together this year, not the typical applesauce cake. She is getting older & of course has her opinions. She wanted chocolate, but I said no so we had lemon. They were yummy! Julia also wanted pizza which we ordered from Castrillo's.

Next year I'm thinking we might reserve the meeting room at the Y - it's affordable& convenient & good parking.

She'll be 5 & we can invite 5 friends. That means about 20 people though because of parents ... surely I can handle that. : )

School Choice

Of course I started this post 2 months ago ... why cannot I pledge to post 1X a day so this doesn't happen. I don't remember what I was going to say exactly.
MNPS has this application process for certain schools which are considered optional. The application period is Nov. 1-30, deadline is Nov. 30.  We completed it in early November.

There are 2 schools for children aged 3-4 years old. They are Montessori focused schools located in the Donelson & Metrocenter areas. Typically you can apply for up to 7 schools; however, these are the only 2 available for Julia at this time. If she doesn't get selected (supposed to be random), then she's wait listed  Our next options are the other Pre-K programs at various schools around the county.

Luckily there are a few at schools in East Nashville which we prefer for a variety of reasons, mainly proximity as you must provide transportation. We also don't want Julia to change schools (hopefully we like the initial one she attends).
We really liked Hattie Cotton & Dan Mills, but DM is the only 1 that has a PK that she's eligible. Our friends' children go there as well as Julia's former teacher's grandchild; they all speak highly of the school. We went to HC's family fitness night & had a blast. We also like our SOZ (school of zone), Inglewood ES, but it doesn't have a PK that Julia is eligible.

Fortunately transportation is not an issue for us. You have to transport your child to PK regardless of where it is as well as any option school that is not your SOZ.  We're too close to Inglewood ES for bus transportation anyway so Jai is planning to walk with the girls if we go to IES or HC. DM is about 2 miles away.

The good thing is we like our options. Julia is going to school somewhere 5 days a week next year. Good for Julia, good for Jai, good for Jacqueline. : )

Pumping Countdown

I have 4 more weeks until Winter Break. I renewed the rental pump today for one last month. Excited much!!!!!!

If necessary after Winter Break I'll bring my home pump to work for a week or 2. I will try to wean myself to only 1 pump a day as Jacqueline will be 1 on Jan. 11. We'll see if that will be required, maybe it won't!!!

So excited for so many reasons! Now I need to get back to the gym more than once a day week so I can continue to consume the calories I enjoy. : )

CLOTH DIAPERS

This is a REALLY old post I started (not really) in 2009.
Really old, come on, so ridiculous!

We used cloth with Julia & we're using them again with Jacqueline. We use the diaper service Smile Mommy which is a small business in East Nashville. Some people ask me about washing my own. Nope, not going to do it. It is worth every dollar we pay SM for someone else to pick up a bag of dirty diapers each week & leave us a clean bag. I like using cloth for a variety of reasons, but I do not want to manage it.  Also it's really nice as your baby grows bigger all I have to do is contact SM & we have new covers & diapers in the next size. So easy, so simple!

One element that is different from when Julia was baby & toddler is that now we keep the covers & wash them ourselves. Initially Jai & I were not fond of this arrangement. We liked getting new covers each week, especially if there were some we didn't care for. However, Jacqueline quickly moved through a few size stages so it was good when we changed & got new covers a few weeks later.  We also can wash them more often if needed & they dry fairly quickly.

Jacqueline has been in her current size for a few months now & is not likely to grow out of it for awhile, possibly not before she toilet trains. We had a few covers we didn't like.  SM asked us to return a couple this week because we downsized how many diapers we receive each week which means we get fewer covers. We gladly chose the 2 we dislike to return. Win win for everyone! : )

The cost is maybe more than most disposables, but comparable to the more environmentally friendly 7th Generation or 365 Whole Foods brands which we purchase when we travel. Overall we like cloth being on our babies' bottoms & are very grateful for a diaper service in our community.

family

Another really old post - not sure what I intended to write though from the date it was a few weeks after Julia was born. My sister was in Nashville during Winter Break for the Christmas holiday & so was my dad & his family.

Original text in BOLD, didn't edit any of it.
dad & his kids - 3 from first marriage, 3 from second marriage
susie and joel here at same time, great opportunity
step-mother breastfed all 3 kids for 15-18 months after returning to paid job after 6 weeks (went to her mother's house on lunch hour to nurse), also used cloth diapers,
susie - the waterworks

Again not sure what else I was going to write, but I'm going to post it. : )

Horrid Day 101:

Start with an almost 4 year old who doesn't go to sleep till 10:30pm. Add an almost one year old who is too congested and wired from guests to go to sleep when she needs too. Let that mix simmer until someone pees in the bed. After that you can add the spices, said 1 yr old wakes up at least an hour before she needs to and 4 yr old isn't far behind. So now, with two under rested, congested children and one under rested, congested dad you start the day.

First thing is to feed the children, after an adequate breakfast 1 yr old starts to cry. Why? Who the hell knows, probably related to teething. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that. Does her crying stop for the next 2 hours? Only when food is in her mouth or she's being carried.

To finish the recipe you have the 4 yr old punch the dog and the refuse punishment.

Optional, correct 4 yr old with severity enough to bring tears and screams which, in turn, scare 1 yr old so much as to have simultaneous scream fest.

And that was all before 10am.

Mini-van Driving

Once again this is an old post ... when will it stop? : )

We bought a Toyota Sienna mini-van 3 months ago (so it really is February 2013, not October)! We LOVE it! Maybe that's why we haven't posted about it yet, been too busy enjoying life with a mini-van.

It was quite a process, especially convincing Jai to agree to get it. I guess I finally wore him down! : ) We researched a few different options, trying to consider the most economical choices with consumer reports. Our top choices were the well loved & more expensive Honda Odyssey & Toyota Sienna.  However, they seemed out of our price range even though we both have driven Hondas & Toyotas for most of our adult driving lives.

We looked primarily at Grand Caravans, but weren't finding the right one (year, mileage, details). We searched different used car sites, mainly on-line, including Car Max (actually looked last summer, but we weren't ready) & got Jai's car (green Corolla) evaluated there for trade-in value. Then 1 day we looked on Car Max's website & saw a Toyota Sienna for a decent price, more than we wanted to pay, but good considering the value for a Toyota or Honda.

So we arranged for Uncles Mike & Chad to watch the girls & headed there to check out the van. When we arrived, it was crowded & there was no one available to assist us. Annoying as Jacqueline had been asleep so I hadn't been able to feed her before we left M&C's house (1:00pm) ... I really was in quite a time predicament. We walked outside & checked out the vans on the lot, seeing a few we liked. We walked back & finally someone was available (2:00pm). We explained we wanted to test drive 2 vans & started the process with Jai giving his license to be verified ... discovered that it had expired 6 weeks ago on his birthday! Therefore I had to drive the vans which was fine, I enjoyed that, but really wanted Jai to drive it since he would be the primary driver.  We drove both, not liking the Kia, but thoroughly liked the Sienna, so spacious, great pick up with the V6 engine, in great condition (interior & exterior), only 82K miles, 8 passengers!

We returned to office cubicle to start purchase part of process (2:30p) & we discovered 2 issues as they checked credit.
1. Jai forgot to bring title to his car - 95% sure he knew where it was in house
2. There were 2 liens on his car ... odd since Jai said he had the title in his possession, but long story about why it didn't get transferred from bank name to his
He said "how did you know to do that?" I don't know, I just did. I'm sure someone told me.
After way too long talking about options, initially the manager saying we could have the van & bring back the title and I'm about to burst with engorgement & we should have just left with the plan to return with required documents, we finally leave, having to put car seats BACK in Jai's car (3:00pm)!

We drive back to M&C's place, hoping everyone is OK because they're not answering their phones, I'm driving of course, and discover that the E light turns on for the gas gauge. Are you kidding me?

First the license, then the title, now almost out of gas! Someone does not want us to get this van. Unbelievable!

We arrive safely at friends' house, Jacqueline only awaken recently, Julia happily watching a movie. I gratefully feed baby while Jai goes to get gas. After thanking M&C for everything, we load everyone into the car & head home to find the title (4:00pm). Jai goes inside & fairly quickly returns with the located document! Eureka! Then I need to go to the bathroom & so does Julia so inside we go while Jai watches Jacqueline. Thankfully she stayed in the car, the only 1! : ) We all get buckled back in the car & head back to Car Max (4:45pm).

This isn't how we wanted to complete the transaction with 2 young children in tow, but you do what you have to do. It really didn't take too long, but there was a TON of paperwork to complete & sign our names a zillion times. It reminded us of buying a house.

In the dark, we finally left Car Max (6:30pm) in our glorious van, all the i's dotted & t's crossed, extremely comfortable, happy & excited. It's nice! : )

10-11-12 = 9 months of Jacqueline

HAPPY MONTHIVERSARY!
Another 3 months have gone by & now you are 9 months old!
You are a character, constantly clapping & smiling!
You're not really crawling yet, but you're busy in your own way! : )
Today you weighed 16.11 pounds, 27 inches long & 42.5 cm head circumference.
Lots of growth since 6 month clinic visit, most definitely since you arrived!
Another pound & you'll have tripled your weight! That's truly amazing - you started so small! 

Side note:
Big sister almost weighs 38 pounds ... yeah!!! You only need a couple more to get to 40 pounds by 4th birthday in December. That way Jacqueline can move into a big kid car seat by 1st birthday in January & Julia can move into a booster seat.  Come on, girls, save your parents some money!!!! : )

Julia also is growing up & out as her pants & tops are getting shorter & her shoes are getting smaller. We don't have any tennis shoes in size 11 or 12 so we're headed to thrift store tomorrow. 

Chicago for Fall Break 2012

Another successful plane ride with 2 small children ... this trip was slightly different from the one to MA in June. Unusually Julia was quieter thanks to Jai's Ipod which she LOVES. Jacqueline did not sleep on this trip, coming or going; 1 example of the difference of being 4.5 versus 9 months old! So much to see & "talk" about this time. Once again we got compliments on how well behaved our children are, surprised as people anticipated how bad it would be sitting next to family with kids.

It was nice to see family. They fed us, cleaned dishes, washed our laundry, watched girls for a Date Night, played with the girls, held the baby often, welcomed & included my sister in their home. It was a great vacation, change of scenery, break from the routine of constant work of parenting, house maintenance & working outside the home. Lovely, so lovely! Thank you!

Side Note:
So awesome to take a break from the pump! Only 9 more weeks to go until Winter Break. FANTASTIC!!!!! : )

Complimentary Food

Jacqueline started eating some foods at 7 months old.
Banana - first one like Julia - loves it!
Sweet potato - yum!
Pumpkin - another loved orange food
Winter squash - delicious, favorite fall food
Tofu - Jacqueline likes it!
apples & blueberries - tart, some funny faces! : )
Oatmeal - OMG! The girl loves her oats! She really has bulked up eating it.

A girl who likes food almost as much as she likes the breast!

Tomato Watermelon Basil Salad

Delicious! Who knew!
Thanks Jai for making this wonderful combination of foods.
All locally sourced too!
YUMMY!!!!

Dear SAHD

Dear SAHD,

I have am 8 month old who seems to only take naps while I am carrying her. My wife has the advantage of nursing but if I even think about putting her in a horizontal position when she is tired she howls like a child who is being beaten within an inch of her life. What do I do? Is there anyway to get her to lay down for a nap?

Exacerbated,
Deaf Dad

---

Dear Deaf Dad,

I have a recently discovered solution that might work for you.

Love her and play with her so she will let her guard down. Feed her as much as possible even if you are squeezing two of her feedings closer together than you should or would like. Take her to the crib and lay her down. Walk away long enough to get another cup of coffee and take a few bites of your lunch. At this point she should be screaming bloody murder - no need for a baby monitor it will be loud enough.

Get a swaddle or blanket large enough to swaddle. Firmly break her concentration by firmly saying the child's name, pick her up and sooth her. Next you want to swaddle her. If she's anything like my child you have to do this straight-jacket tight. Sooth her more and lay her in the crib. Lightly pat her chest while slowly decreasing pressure. If you get no change in facial expression when you stop it is time to walk away and enjoy the solitude.

Hope this works for you.

Signed, SAHD

A Dad dreams

P090412PS-0695, a photo by The White House on Flickr.

Not that I want to be POTUS but one day I hope my girls and I can cut an image somewhere close to as fabulous as this

Via Flickr:
President Barack Obama and his daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, watch on television as First Lady Michelle Obama begins her speech at the Democratic National Convention, in the Treaty Room of the White House, Tuesday night, Sept. 4, 2012.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

Fun things Julia says

Dad, you realize that you have your shoes on inside of the house.

Yesterday Julia said some funny comments to Tara.
1. After checking her backpack for clothes, she was responsible for replacing what was missing.
As we got ready to go to Y, I asked her about the backpack's status.
Julia: "Yes, Mom. I'm on it."

2. We had plans with some friends who we haven't seen in a long time. Probably since Julia was about a year old & they live 2-3 miles from us! However, our plans changed because she was sick, then Jai got sick so we re-scheduled.
Julia: "Are we going? I really want to see them ... though I don't really know who they are."

Wise words from an almost 4 year old. : )

Not a vegetarian!

I don't know how Susie does it. Meat grosses her out.
That is not the case for me or Jai or Julia. We love meat!
Recently Jai cooked this beef roast in the most incredible way.
It was rich, flavorful, so delicious. He said he used black cherry juice to create a glaze.
OMG! So yummy!

Yesterday we cooked some beef bacon we got from Porter Road Butcher which is located on Gallatin Road (long story). I ate like 5 pieces! This is why I shouldn't eat bacon, regardless of it being beef, not pork. Pork is a meat I do not eat, sadly Jai laments constantly.
Luckily there still is some left as well as another 1/2 pound of the beef bacon we didn't cook yet. Tomorrow! : )

Most, if not all, of our meat is locally sourced either from our Avalon Acres Farm CSA or one of the farms at the Farmers' Market or PRB. Helps me eat meat with less guilt! : )

Back to Work Part 2

I'm tired. I'm not getting enough sleep.
I'm tired also of pumping 3x a day, wondering if I'm going to have enough EBM.
Jacqueline is 7 months, healthy, doing fine, still gaining weight, has a great personality.
I also have a freezer full of breast milk, but I have to be careful how/when I use it.

So I had a knot on Sunday in my right breast. Really strange!
Maybe it's pumping related as I haven't had a knot in months.
I barely had engorgement issues even in beginning days, not like with Julia.
It took 2 days of serious efforts, including Tiger Balm & even more diligent feedings.
Finally it is gone, but my supply, at least from what I pump at work, took a hit.
I'm taking extra Fenugreek pills to see if that will help.
I'm also working with Jacqueline to make sure her latch is good.
I noticed she was slipping a bit, tugging more so I'm slighly raw & irritated.

Then there's the sleep deprivation.
She's reverse cycling & feeding more at night.
Come on! A woman needs her sleep!

Driving to work this morning, I thought 5 more months ... I can do it.
Of course that's no question! I'll get more sleep one of these days.
This has been a cake walk compared to the hard work I put in to feed Julia.
She got breast milk for 14 months; one year is my minimum.
That is my goal for Jacqueline, too.

Many debate whether breast is best & is formula really poison.
Also people discuss whether breast milk makes your child smarter, for example.
There are other reasons why a formula fed child could be smart ... like genetics.
We know that Julia is brillant for that reason. : )
However, formula is made by people, in a factory, filled with perservatives.
Breast milk is made by my body, filled with great food & nutrients I eat.

Alright, somehow I got on my BF soapbox AGAIN.
I'm really tired & ready for a vacation already.
As a parent I feel like there never is a break.
They are small like when I take a shower or walk the dog.
I guess I have to take it when I get it. : )

No sleeping allowed

I have two daughters who seem to believe that no sleeping is allowed.

Julia, 3 1/2 yrs old, refuses to go to sleep before she yells and screams and cries and thrashes for an hour or so. Almost every night over the past 2 or 3 weeks we have seen some version of this ritual. She will go through various parts of her bedtime routine with no problem but at some point she decides it is necessary to through a tantrum. She's doesn't want to be isolated from the family, we get that but almost EVERY night she seems to forget the end result is the same...she goes to sleep. It might be 2 hours after her bedtime but she ends up asleep. So, no amount of tantruming will change the fact that she will end up asleep.

Jacqueline, 7 mths, refuses to take a nap while laying down. She doesn't sleep though the night yet and she still naps a lot but only when she is being held on her mother's lap or when I have her strapped in the Ergo.

Why won't everybody sleep like normal people?

Happy Birthday Mommy

It was one of my best birthdays with few presents or a big party.
The recognition & excitement of a 3 year old made this day extra special!
Julia was so cute - constantly saying "Happy Birthday" for days before as she couldn't quite remember the exact date so she was covering all her bases. : )

I had to work which is typical, especially working in middle & high schools, I was used to going back to work 1-2 weeks before Aug. 1. Last year I transferred to an elementary school & it was the first year I started AFTER my birthday. However, this year MNPS switched to a "balanced" calendar so school started earlier & actually the first day is today. It's OK - I like the balanced idea so working on my birthday is fine.

When I arrived home, there was a Happy Birthday banner with "words" written all over it. Jai wrote the HB message & transcribed Julia's other words as well as Julia's art decorated this HB card. It was awesome! It made my day! Later we went to the Farmer's Market & Turnip Truck for weekly groceries & met my mom who had brought dinner too. At home we ate yummy food from Istanbul Restaurant (love that place!) & also ice cream for dessert. I also opened a few cards & present from Bonnie (gift card to TT!!!); Jai's present is in the mail ... : )

It was a perfect birthday celebration - simple, with family, good food, at least 1 present. Nothing else required. : )

Back to "Normal" Sleep

Nope it was a oddity. Hoping to get that elusive 5 hours together sleep again, but it was back to "normal" routine the last few nights. Bummer! I love sleep.

Why?

Today has been a day of a pooping, crying, awake infant combined with a motormouth, awake preschooler.

Why didn't I become that professional anthropologist?

Does it smell like Grandma Bonnie?

What does that mean? Just something else Miss Julia said to us yesterday.
They picked up some food from my mom's house & she'd put it in her cooler.
The cooler is sitting on the bench by back door now & I guess Julia smelled it.
When Jai asked her what it smelled like, was it a bad smell, she said no.
So funny!

Glorious Sleep

Jacqueline slept from 9:15p-4a.
That means I slept from 10:30p-3:45a.
OMG! That is 5.5 hours ... TOGETHER!
I cannot remember the last time I slept that many hours in 1 stretch.
That many hours is my usual amount of sleep each night.
However, not consecutive sleep with no interruptions, usually for a feeding.

I fed Jacqueline at 8:30p, only on left side too.
I should have been in bed myself at 9:30p, but I had stuff to do - of course (clean pump stuff!).
Then I decided to pump, felt slightly full, definitely on right side;.
I got about 1.5 ounces which is nice to store.
Good thing I did too as that would have been a long stretch, really uncomfortable.

Julia of course was not asleep when I went upstairs. UGH!
She has so many books she wants to "read."
I was so tired & told her I was going to bed. I didn't even look at my book.
Then Julia comes into my room & says "I cannot see my book, Mommy."
I said "No, you cannot. My light is off. I'm going to sleep."
I don't know what happened after that.

Now as I pump & write this blog post, I hear her moving around upstairs.
WTF! It's 5am! Girl, go to sleep & stay asleep! DANG IT!
I'm going to Y when I finish, hope she's back in bed. I want Jai & Jacqueline to keep sleeping.
Too much going on in her brain! Amazing!

Rushing Part 3

Really! Seriously! My last statement in previous post is so not realistic. Anyone who has seen my house or calendar & the many lists I have, constantly making, editing, crossing off stuff, knows that I am Queen of Multi-Tasking. As much as it seems like a good idea it's not the best plan to do multiple tasks at the same time. Folding laundry while watching TV maybe, writing blog post while pumping, yes possibly, but most tasks need a certain amount of majority attention.

So I forgot to mention about getting home to eat lunch quickly before heading to 1p clinic appt. 
Yep, after the 10am movie, I have my annual well woman exam. It actually worked out in my favor as I went alone & it was quite lovely. I listened to my audio book (Man Made) during drive over & back. Also while waiting in exam room I read book #4 of 5 (Mindy Kaling's satirical memoir) in NPL's Summer Reading Program. Really funny book, I love "The Office" too!

Then after Julia's nap, I decide to go to Y to read book. I dropped girls at Y Play for 45 minutes of quiet time to read book as it was due yesterday. I'm almost finished! I get home at 5pm to feed Jacqueline. However, she fell asleep so had to pump as I'm rushing to leave to pick up Anne Marie (we're carpooling to save the earth & also difficult parking situation). We're going to see "My Sister's Sister" at the Belcourt Theater. Yep I'm seeing another movie, this time without my children. 

We're late of course so running to get ticket so can get code for parking pass. Whew! We're inside finally & we get into DARKEST theater ever, searching for seats & sit down. We're briefly talking, whispering I believe, about what happened, what we missed & we got shushed! We are at the Belcourt so I'm sure that's part of it. So fancy! Really though! The woman stands up with this man, whom we did NOT see sitting there,  & says "of all the seats in this theater you choose this row & then you have to talk" & walks off to some other dark row of seats. Seriously! We just sat down, hardly said anything & not that loud. I doubt you missed anything! I barely thought about it until after the movie, half expecting her to find us & chew us out again. However, when the lights appeared (barely!) it was like the few people in the theater had disappeared into thin air. Strange! Good movie though.

OK so here's another funny tidbit going back to NPL Summer Reading Program. I try to participate every year & this year we registered Julia too. She completed hers, but I forgot to log her 5th star before the deadline. I was doing that last night & also going to log in my 4th star & I cannot find the icon on NPL website. Odd! Then I realize the date & the deadline was LAST Saturday, not this Saturday as I think it is. Trying to reach my goal, cross another item off my list. DANG IT! I was so close too. Jai completed his 5th star on-line so he gets a prize. Oh, well, next year. However, I decided to continue to think this Saturday is my deadline. My 5th star is this YA book "Planet Tad" written by a writer for Daily Show so you know it's funny. It's hilarious! It's written from the perspective of a 7th grade boy & every day is a blog post so wicked easy to read; I'll be done in no time. 3 months a day is my goal. Whatever your age, whether or not you've worked with or lived with a middle school boy, you will enjoy this book. So funny!

Rushing Part 2

OMG! First of all, Julia got it right. She's amazing! Yet I'm focusing on the wrong things. This is time with my family. The other stuff doesn't matter.

The activity is going to see a movie that costs $1 per person. It doesn't matter if we're on time. There probably aren't any previews either which I love. Plus I feel bad & angry trying to do so much that I'm not enjoying the current activity as I think of a zillion other tasks.

I say "come on, Tara - suck it up! Be late! Who cares! Go to the movie with your family." I finish with Jacqueline, put clothes in dryer, hang clothes on line outside (I have to, it's really hot so they'll be dry by the time we return) while Jai puts kids in car seats. I eat my cereal in the car & we arrive at theater in 10 minutes. We pay $3 for tickets & with Regal Crown Club card purchase of tickets on a Tuesday, we receive $2 small popcorn vouchers. Sweet! I buy 2 bags of popcorn = grand total of $7 for this movie experience. Jai & girls are already in theater which is semi-crowded. We climb over a family to seats in middle of row & settle in to watch movie "Rio" which came out last year.

Julia has her own bag of popcorn - so fun for her! : )
I hold baby while Jai eats popcorn from other bag.
Then we switch & he holds Jacqueline while I eat popcorn & watch movie.
I get Jacqueline back & nurse her to sleep for rest of movie.

This Summer Movie Express is a great program. $1 admission on Tuesdays & Wednesdays for 10am showing of "older" movies. You don't have to have children to attend, but most of the movies are aimed at kids plus much more affordable movie going experience for families.

"Rio" was great! Good music, fun story, set in Rio de Janiero, Brazil of course during Carnival. Julia was slightly loud at a few points, asking questions about the story.  It especially seemed like she talked loudly during a quiet moment, & we reminded her to whisper. No one shushed us though as the theater was filled with families with small children. As we left the theater we saw a friend Lisa with her children & she said this was their first time here all summer. Definitely need to do this next summer, especially on hot or rainy days!

Be late, do less tasks, be happy with the now! Rushing around is crazy!

Rushing ...

I feel like this is the title of my life. I'm always trying to get so much done in what feels like the smallest amount of time. Rushing here, rushing there, on a constant treadmill through my life. I also rush other people, especially Jai who seems super slow sometimes & Julia too despite other posts about her constant movement. Even drivers on the road sometimes are slow - well, some are!

It's not that they (Jai & Julia) are that slow, it's that I cannot realistically get everything I want done in the time allowed, especially not with a small baby, also a breastfed baby. Factoring in the time to feed her before, after or during an activity is really annoying sometimes and means things don't get done. Frustrating!

Example:
Yesterday I slept "late" meaning I didn't get up after Jacqueline's typical 5am feeding & do my alone time routine (pump/email or blog posts, laundry, exercise, shower) before everyone else wakes. We ALL slept in MY bed until 8am. OMG! Yes, that is late in our house. I really do not remember how many times Jacqueline ate; I was so tired! At some point Julia came into our room; not finding any room in the middle of bed or on the side by Jai she sleeps perpendicularly at the foot board.

Last night I told Jai I wanted to be ready to leave for that day's activity at 9am. Usually I set the time about an hour before we need to be at destination. No way it's going to happen now! Instead of jumping in shower & focusing on essential tasks, I put a load of laundry in washer. They're all still upstairs doing I don't know what. Now I realize I won't be able to shower with washer on (weirdness) so I start to vacuum as the dog hair is SO annoying right now, well really always! Family downstairs now, Jai starts breakfast. I get clothes from washer to hang outside & put ANOTHER load in washer.  I leave basket with wet clean clothes (to hang on clothes line outside) on bench by back door. I figure I'll get to them later.

Finally I decide to jump in shower - it's past 9am now. I hear Jacqueline crying as I'm dressing & I cannot remember how long it's been since I fed her. I hurry to get her & remind Jai that we need to leave in 30 minutes max & he still needs to shower. I'm also hungry so this is making me extra irritable of course. While feeding Jacqueline, I brush Julia's hair & help her put some lotion on her arms & legs. Jai brings me bacon & heads upstairs to shower. As 9:45am approaches I decide I'm not going - I say aloud "I need to feed myself, feed Jacqueline, hang laundry, put other laundry in dryer."  Jai has showered & dressed already & come downstairs really quickly - he's amazingly fast at this task. Julia walks to kitchen to tell him that "Mommy isn't going with us to the movie."  "What? Why?" I hear him ask. Her reply - "She has things she wants to get done."

Post is too long - to be continued.

6 months of Jacqueline

HAPPY MONTHIVERSARY!
I cannot believe it has already been 6 months!
You are a cutie pie, with your constant smiles, real laughter & that busy tongue!
What an easy temperament too & you let many people hold you. Thanks! : )
You weighed 14.4 pounds, 26 inches long & 41 cm head circumference.
Lots of growth since 4 month clinic visit, definitely since you arrived!
A couple more pounds & you'll have tripled your weight! That's amazing since you started so small!

Jai - insert photo here. please : )

Julia goes to the Dentist Part 2

I forgot to write about this event.

Julia went to dentist in early April for first cleaning.
Sometime soon after that & before I went to my June dentist appointment, Julia fell while at Grandma Bonnie's & 1 of her front "eye" teeth came out, "roots & all" Jai told me. The tooth next to it was loose, getting looser every day.

In mid-June when I go to dentist, Julia comes with me for more dentist exposure & we ask them to look at it. It's OK. As the days/weeks go by, the tooth getting looser, Julia is more irritable (in pain naturally). So we call our favorite pediatric dentist referral (he helped us during the tooth pushed up in gum incident 2 years ago) & he has an opening at 4pm TODAY! We go!

Very calmly after examining the tooth situation & consulting with us about taking it out to which we both immediately say YES, Dr. Adams with gauze in hand while talking with Julia, removes the tooth. Minimal blood & pain almost unmentionable, we now have a 3 year old with 2 missing front teeth.

When asked about the Tooth Fairy, we reply "uh, no, not at this time." We're not trying to encourage "accidents" to happen for monetary gain. In due time we realize, but most kids lose their teeth around 6-7 years old, maybe 5, but definitely not 3. Oh, Julia, always ahead of the curve, well some curves! : )

Serenus

What Julia calls Serena & Venus Williams! Hilarious!

June is tennis month in our house.
The French Open ends at the beginning of the month & Wimbledon starts at the end of the month so I watch a LOT of tennis; so do Julia & Jai by default. Jai loves soccer so he watched some of Euro 2012, but I cannot wait for Julia to take some tennis lessons. She'll also probably play on a soccer team first as that is conveniently located at our very close Y. Plus swimming lessons started yesterday. Julia is a very physical child with TONS of energy so we are trying to channel it appropriately.

Back to Serenus ...

Also I have a continuous slideshow of pictures on my computer, including Wimbledon 2008 that I attended with my Wellesley friend, Pauline, when I was pregnant with Julia. She LOVES looking at them, especially the many ones of S & V. We saw the Williams sisters play in 2 doubles matches, once on Centre Court (so lucky, so cool!). However, the photos (taken by P, they are so good) are from seeing them play on a side court, an unexpected court change, so we had front row seats! So awesome!

Anyway, what a clever way to combine their names. So adorable! : )

Summer Travel

I started to write about our 2012 trips in mid-August when I realized I hadn't.
Then I was looking through the draft file; I never finished writing the post!
Come on! Crazy ridiculous! Now I won't remember most of the fun crazy details.

Like Julia vomiting on the flight from Nashville to Baltimore as we descended.
Oh, yeah, that one is memorable, not likely to forget that one for a long time! : )
Especially as our destination was Boston & we had to make a connecting flight.
That was fun stripping down my 3 year old in the very narrow space, using the wipes & wet bag.
Thank goodness we always have extra clothes in their back packs!
Hoping passengers are not inhaling noxious smells of early morning ingestion of yogurt & OJ vomit!
I thought I was going to hurl as I begged Julia not to touch me - "Mother of Year" award for me! : )

Thankfully Jacqueline slept peacefully in Jai's arms.
Then we had to disembark with a nasty car seat & our carry-on bags & find a bathroom quickly.
We found an open family bathroom & washed Julia again & scrubbed the seat as best possible.
As we walked quickly to our next gate, we hear announcement to board OUR plane to Beantown.
Now we're running!

Actually everything went alright though Julia kept asking for food; Jai & I simultaneously said NO.
We arrived, got rental vehicle, drove to Wellesley, got checked into dorm, ready for reunion activities.
Luckily we had some time since we'd left Nashville so early & arrived in Boston in early afternoon.
We washed all of the vomit clothes & car seat cover & cleaned the seat again.
We had to drive that evening since we had dinner plans with my Wellesley pals.
We had some time to rest before the class mixer, luckily downstairs in the dorm.
20th class reunion at Wellesley was great, lots of fun catching up with my friends & their spouses.
Kids love playing with their "cousins" & of course showing Julia the campus was awesome!
Class of 2031, sadly not 2032 which would mean we'd have the same reunion year.
Jac is Class of 2034, not again not a 2 or 7 ending year so not same reunion year for either girls. : (

Monday through Friday we rented a beach house in east coast Newburyport community.
We picked up Susie at her friend's place outside Boston & Bonnie at the bus station in Arlington.
Then we drove the hour or so to Plum Island.
Not the best beach weather, bit of rain, chilly temps, but nice to be somewhere different, love MA.
It also was good family time too, lots of rest, walks on the beach, good eats, even found a local farm!
See photo of Julia in her eclectic layered look, smiling big near the llama Ferninand.

Friday we headed to western MA for weekend wedding of my younger cousin, Carrie & her fiance, Jay.
That was tons of fun too. We got to see lots of family, most of whom had not meet Jacqueline.

By the time we returned home, it had been almost 2 weeks & we were glad to be there.
I know we went somewhere in July, but I cannot remember.
Not as memorable as the vomit flight! : )

Disclaimer = this post was written in June 2013!

Swim Lessons

It's started! We have become the "soccer mom/dad" stereotype & we only have a 3 year old. Actually after listening to some other parents for the past few months, we're actually kind of late compared to activities other children are doing. Soccer, T-ball, ballet, gymnastics, there are so many choices & that's not even including the obvious choice of TENNIS. I've already checked on those classes & she needs to be 4 or 5. : )

Really it is the magic number 3 for most of these activities & she didn't turn 3 until December. Then we had the baby in January so we knew it would be slightly delayed, closer to her being 4. Kind of like when she started the Parent Day Out program as we wanted to wait. Also similar is that it has been motivated by seeing a great need for Julia. She has a lot of energy, maybe not more than a typical 3 year old, but whew, we're tired looking at her run around the house.

This summer we've gone to the pool a few mornings each week & realized that she needed some lessons. Even though I've been taking her to the pool since she was 6 months old, she hadn't had any formal or really informal lessons. Jai & I each earned a free swim lesson during this Y Rewards program in 2010-11 & it ended last October so we still had these 2 vouchers to use. Technically they told us they had expired when we went to use them, but I argued since there wasn't an expiration date printed on the voucher. I go to the Y almost every day & you know it helps to know people & talk with them, use their names, be friendly, plus it's good PR for them. After her 2 free private lessons, we signed her up for 2 series of Group Lessons.

Seriously we have to keep this girl busy!
Soccer registration is in mid-July at the Y.
We're going to Dance East's Open House in July.
There's also a free trial lesson at gymnastics class in Madison/Rivergate area.
Most of these would be once a week for semester at least.

None of this is cheap, but it is so worth it as Julia learns new physical skills as well as the social interactions & the skills that go with those experiences. She really has blossomed quickly in her swimming skills, helped by her adventurous/no fear attitude. Another reason to teach her to swim - she really wants to jump into the deep end of the pool just as in life. Whew! She's a live wire & I love her for her spunk. Reminds me of someone ... : )

Sisters are Great

This is an old post (I hadn't written anything just the title as usual) from a few months ago yet an appropriate one as my sister was in town for 2 weeks (she left today) & the previous 2 weeks we were together in MA. I believe I originally meant to write something in reference to Julia & Jacqueline & how glad I am that they have each other as sisters are great. I love having a sister & I hope my girls enjoy having a sister as much as I have. I think they will be based on how they already interact with each other. It is especially sweet to watch them currently as Jacqueline is much more engaging with Julia, more reciprocal, whereas before Julia was doing most of the work with her song/dance routine. The other day Jacqueline grabbed Julia's hair when she got in her face too close, not that Jacqueline was upset, she's just grabbing at things now & Julia's hair was there. It was funny! We shall see how it goes - it will be interesting!

I miss my sister already, really enjoyed hanging out with her every day for most of June. She was incredibly helpful too with caring for the girls & cleaning our house & buying groceries. Hopefully we'll see each other in Chicago in a few months - that's the plan. Then we're planning to go to Phoenix in March 2013 for a week during Spring Break as we get 2 weeks off this school year.

I'm glad I have a sister.

Can't Sleep

Julia has been having lots of trouble going to sleep and staying in her bed. There are all sorts of things going on with that. She goes to bed upstairs and first. She sleeps in her room by herself while the rest of us are in the master bedroom and even sometimes in the master bed.

Her excuses are usually standard pre-schooler excuses: she doesn't feel good, she's scared, she's hungry. Tonight - as of 10min ago - a full 2.5 hours past her bedtime, I hear her tell her mom:

I want to sleep in your bed. Your bed is soft and comfortable. My bed isn't soft or comfortable. 

So, once again her verbal skills make it that much harder to say no even though you know you have to.

Bacon

Julia: I smell bacon.
Tara: Daddy is cooking bacon.
Julia: I am hungry for bacon.

Wise words from a 3.5 year old.

Boobies

We had a potluck dinner with some friends tonight.
It was lovely to see everyone & catch up as it had been awhile.
While at their house, I had to feed Jacqueline of course so I sat down in a very comfortable looking chair. Unfortunately it was right near the TV & the kids were watching a program.
I figured distractions were imminent for everyone, especially Miss Jacqueline who is the queen of popping on & off the breast now.
Luckily she was hungry & motivated so it wasn't a problem.
However, one of my friend's sons, D, who is 6 or 7 years old & very friendly & curious which is good, came over to chat with me.
He & his older brother, C, loved playing with Julia as a baby & so of course he loves to see how the new baby is too.
Well, he asks what is she doing; I explain that she's eating.
He pauses, stares at me, then comments "that is gross to eat from your boobies."
I respond that some babies eat food this way & probably he do too.
He shakes his head no & walks away.

So funny!

Hair Loss

UGH! I hate it! I feel like I already wrote about the hair loss when Jacqueline was a couple of months old, but I cannot find a post. I know I wrote about it with Julia because it was so strange. It shouldn't be so odd this time, but I still hate it. I'm not a fan of hair, mine, yours, dogs, in particular in copious amounts.

UGH! I get why it happens. The hormones while pregnant makes more grow, yada yada yada, it's all beautiful, yada yada yada. Now 3 months after the baby is born, hormones change & the hair has to come out somehow.

UGH! It's just so much & it's every day, seems like ALL day, for MONTHS! I remember with Julia it lasted SO long, oh it is so gross. I don't know why hair loss is gross to me, but it is. Luckily I have tons of hair so I'm not bald or anything. That happens to some women & they have much thinner hair & other hair issues, but that is not my situation, again thankfully. However, I'd like some balance.

I know it won't last forever & soon it will be normal hair loss, but besides the sleep deprivation & of course my advanced maternal age, there is ANOTHER reason to not have another baby. : )

GCDC

Great Cloth Diaper Change event was today, this morning at East Park Community Center. It was sponsored by a number of organizations focused on children, in particular cloth diapers. A main sponsor & how I learned about the event was Smile Mommy! the cloth diaper service we used for Julia & now use for Jacqueline. They started the cloth diaper service 5 years ago here in East Nashville, the year before Julia was born, & I am so grateful. Really awesome to have the event & business in our community too! 

GCDC event is national for sure, possibly international, & the goal is to have as many people at a certain time change a cloth diaper at the same time. There were quite a few people there, though strangely only 1 other Smile Mommy customer whom I'd met before at a La Leche League meeting. Overall it was lots of fun on a rainy morning & I enjoyed seeing the variety of folks & the children of various ages & of course some breastfeeding moms (lots who were using covers, so interesting). There were some great door prizes one of which I won! Gift certificate for 1 month of Stroller Strides and a box of mini Luna bars in a flavor I like (awesome!).  I didn't think I was going to win anything & then I needed to feed Jacqueline & I thought "of course, now I'll win something" & then it happened, right after she latched on, my number was called. So funny really because the woman calling the numbers saw me react & get up & not unlatch the baby & retrieve my prize! She apologized & I said "that's OK, it was my good luck trick!" : )

Looking forward to GCDC 2013!

Pumping Isn't Easy

The idea for this post came from reading a post on Blacktating blog, one of my favorite & few blogs that I read (not even once a week!). However, now I cannot remember exactly what it was (it's now July when I'm actually writing this message!). I know I'm back at work a few weeks & I'm pumping 3 times a day, getting plenty of milk, at least 3 ounces each session, sometimes more, for a daily total usually of about 10-11 ounces, sometimes more (I started getting less some days by the end of May). The post was about how the author struggled to get much milk when she pumped & other women have similar struggle to express milk using a pump. There was a photo to illustrate how much the author got from pumping after 30 minutes - it looked like maybe 1 ounce. How frustrating that is for many reasons, 1 you know you need to feed your baby something tomorrow & 2 you need to empty to breasts in order to make more milk & the downward spiral (emotional & physical) created when you don't.

Luckily that has not been my issue, I usually get a decent amount of milk. Also when I didn't get enough at work (with Julia) I pumped extra sessions in am before work & pm before bed. Ironically with Jacqueline, I started pumping in late January & have a good freezer stash (over 120 ounces). My dilemma is using the freezer stash appropriately before it expires & protecting my current breast milk supply & communicating with Jai to make sure that happens correctly. I don't want Jacqueline to have less than she needs, but babies can overeat with bottle feeding. I also don't want to pump extra to make my daily total "right" when I have a freezer full of breast milk - seems so silly & complicated for the simple process of breastfeeding a baby. Yet when the pump enters the picture it's no longer a simple "feed on demand" - the pump is not natural & it creates a different dynamic with your body.

I am grateful to have been home on maternity leave for 13 weeks (1/2 paid, I wish all!) & only have to pump 7 weeks before summer break. Then I have 8 weeks at home to breastfeed Jacqueline, pump a little to store about 2 weeks before returning to work on July 24. Also she will be an older baby & maybe starting solid foods soon. I'll have 10 weeks of pumping before Fall Break & then about 8 more weeks to pump before Winter Break. After that 2 weeks vacation, we return to work on Jan. 7, 2013 & Jacqueline will be 1 on January 11. A year flies by & then I'll move on to feeding her at home only.

Lots of women pump for 10 months with no breaks like I have. If I have to go to the freezer stash more often & pump in the evening, I will. I want Jacqueline to have only breast milk so I'm willing to do the extra work. I just hope I won't! : )

Titantic

I really enjoyed the recent mini-series created/produced by Julian Fellowes, the creator extraordinaire of "Downton Abbey." It is interesting as that is how DA series starts in 1912 when the boat sinks & sets off the drama of having a new male heir to inherit the estate, Matthew Crawley, whom the family doesn't know. I love DA & it was fascinating to see some of the same actors in different roles & of course the story of the failed voyage again. It made me want to re-watch the 1997 movie. How young Leo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet were? Reminds me how young I was! : )

RIDICULOUS

This might seem strange as a post, but this is my new favorite word. Since having Jacqueline I feel like I say it OFTEN. There seem to be so many situations where it is the appropriate word to express how I feel, mainly frustrated with something. Sometimes it is funny stuff, but usually it is in response to something absurd! Ironically I also feel like I hear it a lot from other people, even in a lot of TV shows or movies. Strange how that happens - like when I was pregnant I noticed lots of pregnant women. Now that I have a little baby I notice babies often, especially in strollers. I love strollers, especially ones with high handles. We went to the zoo a few weeks ago & I constantly was staring at the different strollers, there are so many. I've gone to a few consignment sales recently & again always looking at the strollers.

That is what is ridiculous! In March I almost bought a double stroller and I thought it was different from one I bought last August. Guess what? When I got home, I looked at the stroller ... exact SAME one! I paid less for it too so if I'd bought it, I would have spent MORE money for something I already have, hadn't used it yet either! RIDICULOUS!

You know what it is not ridiculous?! I went to my favorite consignment sale (POTATO) today & I got 2 Britax car seats for cheap! Such a great deal! Now we have 1 for my mom's car & an extra one for us. Thank goodness, no more shifting car seat from one car to another!

Jacqueline is 3 months old

HAPPY MONTHIVERSARY!
I cannot believe it has already been 3 months!
So glad you're here, cutie pie, with your sweet smiles & giggles!
You weighed 11 pounds, 25 inches long & 37 cm head circumference.
Lots of growth since 2 month clinic visit, well since you arrived! Amazing!

Jai - insert photo here. please : )

Back to work!

First day back to work - yeah! Awesome!
Good day! I ate lunch by myself, no crying children, or the possibility of not eating.

BTW - you'll notice I haven't posted much in past 13 weeks.
Expect shorter posts with few words like above. I do not have time!
Post soon to come I hope is Birth Story (VBAC success)!

I'm sure the elation of being back to work will fade as the week progresses, but it was great to drive to work this morning by myself. : )

Stomach Flu/SB 2012/Easter

Whew! This was awful! Not that we were planning to go anywhere for Spring Break as I've been on maternity leave since January 11, but we planned to go to church for Easter today. It really sucked to be sick the week before I returned to work. As a bonus I lost 5 pounds, but I didn't enjoy the time spent in the bathroom or lying on the bed in agony. Julia actually had the bug the weekend before; we cared for her, no problem. A few days later Jai got sick & I'll admit I had little sympathy as I cared for both girls & tried to help him (I really thought he was exaggerating!). Then 12 hours later I succumbed to the torture. So awful! Luckily Jai felt slightly better so he helped me by bringing drinking water & the baby to the bed for me to feed. Thankfully Jacqueline was fine & got tons of time with me on the bed; I mastered nursing lying down which is another nice bonus. Real kudos to breast milk keeping her healthy since that is all she eats & it's easily digestible. Someone was healthy in our house! : )

Verbose

Please God, tell me that a 3-year old who literally does not stop moving her mouth is exhibiting an early sign of genius or high-level success.

Julia goes to the dentist

Today Julia went to the dentist for HER first cleaning. Another big girl moment! It was exciting!


She actually has been once before, in February, so she could see me getting my teeth cleaned. We wanted her to be comfortable for her turn. I'm a geek, I love going to the dentist so I want her to have a positive relationship with this important health provider. I'm been going to see Dr. E & Latisha for years, literally since I was a little girl though not as young as Julia. I think we started going there when I was about 10, maybe younger, but not 3! It's so great to get started early, especially as Jai has some dental issues & even though I'm diligent with daily dental care & 2X a year dentist appointments, I have some challenges with cavities (it's been years thankfully).

Julia had a great time, wasn't scared or nervous about the big chair, equipment (the compressed air tool!!) or even the x-rays. I've never seen the chair lifted so high! : ) She also got to choose from the treasure chest - same exact one my sister & brother & I picked a prize. No issues, basically we need to brush before or after her to make sure she's getting them completely clean. She got a new toothbrush, really cool one that sticks on the bottom to the sink. Overall very exciting day!

Flirty Spice ... #2

I thought Julia was a flirt. She had nothing compared to Miss Jacqueline. She is so expressive with her face - eyes, mouth - so very happy to see you. It is going to be SO interesting very soon. I love how much more social she is. Thank you! I've almost survived the 3 months of "Baby Boot Camp." : )

Aunt Susie visits during Spring Break

Old post - title, nothing else started so winging it again from memory.

It was wonderful to have Susie here in Nashville during HER spring break (MNPS is not until April). Jacqueline is 8-9 weeks old so slightly older than when Susie first met Julia, but we all enjoyed our time together. Julia got some extra attention, really needs it right now as some of the novelty of having a little sister wears thin. Taking care of a small baby is a lot of work even with 2 parents. I do not understand how single parents do this & definitely don't know how you handle more than 1 child. I am grateful for the awesome support from family & friends. We received meals from family & friends for about 6 weeks & it was so great to not have to think about preparing those meals. 

Susie is gluten free/vegetarian so we got lots of fun things to eat that we do not buy, like tahini, while she was here. Another gift is her daily green smoothie. Julia likes it, I tolerate it, Jai hates it. I know we're slightly healthier while she's here. A week is never enough time, but I'm happy to have than time with her. Hopefully we'll be able to play tennis when she's here in June for Jacqueline's baptism.

A Lesson Learned

She lays on the bed and says "Come here, sweeetie." in a mock child voice.

As she pulls up her shirt she explains its time to feed you, let's see if you will latch on. Finally the look of satisfaction as her favorite lays across her chest to feed.

No, this is not Tara feeding Jacqueline. This is the scene of Julia breastfeeding her stuffed bear, Sawyer.

The Weights of JSS

Another old post, relying on memory for my original intent ...
It has been an interesting experience the past few weeks as I watch Jacqueline grow & grow she has.
After my stressful/scary times with Julia's weight challenges, I was prepared to have a similar experience with Jacqueline, especially as she was smaller at birth. Ironically my anxiety created a very vigilant attendant to feeding & making sure she was on the breast often. The scale (we bought one when Julia was 6 months old, best purchase EVER!) keeps saying she is gaining as do the number of diapers we change. However, for many reasons I cannot relax, continuing to not believe the scale or reassurances from family, friends, LLL leaders. I mark the daily chart religiously in case I need the information to discern when & where the problem began & how to fix it. I also pump most mornings & evenings in case I need extra milk. Really there never has been a problem other than in my head &amp. Also I have a freezer FULL of breast milk ... another post on that situation/dilemma. It's a good dilemma to have actually, but a potential conflict at times too.

Keep growing healthy, strong & beautiful, Jacqueline. You're doing an awesome job & I thank you.

Beyonce in the news again!

It's been 2 months since B had her baby girl, days before Jacqueline was born. This time the headline was about Beyonce breastfeeding in public. http://healthland.time.com/2012/03/05/how-beyonces-public-breast-feeding-changes-the-nursing-in-public-debate/

So interesting how this is a big deal. It is! Beyonce is a HUGE celebrity as well as as woman of color. NIP is such a hot button subject for debate. Should you do it? Should you cover yourself? The funny thing about it is that I have seen no pictures of Beyonce feeding the baby, but even if there weren't, it is still awesome that it's gotten people talking about it. It doesn't matter to me, I'll breastfeed in public no problem. However, some people are more shy or concerned about possible confrontation.

The law states that you can feed your baby any public location you are allowed to be. Private locations like someone's home are different, but I feel like if you're at someone's house & they give you grief about feeding your baby, then you need to leave anyway, you're not really welcome there. However, if I'm at at a restaurant, the park, my daughter's school, I can feed my baby where I am, not asked to leave or go to the bathroom. That gets me, with pumping at work, too, when people suggest the bathroom. Do YOU eat in the bathroom? No, so why should my child have to eat there?

I don't try to call attention to myself, but I also do not want to hide myself because you might possibly see part of my body & realize a baby is at my breast. There is also the possibility that you will skip a feeding because you cannot find a private space. That is not good for your baby or your milk supply. This could lead to possibly not being able to breastfeed your baby as long as you want or is recommended by AAP or WHO (at least 1 year).  This happens & it's a public health & economic issue when children are fed formula instead of breastmilk.

Then there's the person of color factor. That's huge! Not just about NIP, but as an example of breastfeeding. We all need to see people who look like us, saying it is possible, showing that it's OK to feed your baby this way, most definitely in the black community. Our numbers are low, really low, for initiation definitely, but even after that for continuing for 6 months, much less for 1 year. So many people, black, white, other, are amazed that I breastfed Julia for a year +. We all need support, encouragement, role models, but especially in the African-American community.

Thanks, Beyonce, for being a celebrity role model. Thanks, Jessie, who is a white friend, for sending me the article. Inspiration comes in all forms! : )

The Smiles begin

I'm guessing that this is when Jacqueline started smiling, but it is awesome! It seems a bit earlier than Julia, but we figure she was really hungry so not so much up for smiling. : ) Jacqueline is a really happy baby, not that Julia wasn't, but her sister seems really content. Part of it could be me, I'm much more relaxed parent, second baby syndrome I guess.

Plus our house is pretty busy with a 3 year old and a dog plus both parents home often. Jacqueline is on a crazy ride, hanging out for the fun times. She definitely observes the busy activity level, seems so easy going, maybe just see what happens next.  The smiles are great!

Pumping with Julia

This is another back dated post of course.
The funny part is that not much has changed in terms of Julia's interest.
I haven't pumped all summer while I am home until now (I have 3 more weeks at home) & yet when she heard me mention "pumping" she immediately asked "what does the pump say?"
waddaomp or something like that

She doesn't remember me pumping for her as I stopped at her 1 year birthday 2 1/2 years ago.
However, Julia has been fascinated since late January when I started pumping to boost/maintain my supply & store some milk for when I returned to work. She wants to touch everything naturally & I explained that I need her to respect the pumping area & bottles, etc & not touch any of it for cleanliness reasons & to keep Jacqueline healthy. Amazingly she's been really good about it.

Then of course there have been the comments:
"When I'm older, I'm going to pump milk for my baby."

Sometimes she says she's not going to breastfeed, only pump, but then she was feeding her baby doll the other day & talking to me about also feeding her stuffed bear, Sawyer too.
She also loves to say we'll go to La Leche League meetings (she LOVES to go with me) together when she's older & pregnant with a baby in her belly.

YES, I definitely will go to LLL meetings with Julia when she's MUCH older & has a baby to feed. I need to get a photo of her feeding "Pretty Girl" (that's the name of the doll!) or Sawyer the next time. Usually I'm feeding Jacqueline when she's feeding her babies. I'll remind Jai to capture this moment before it's too late!

Funny Quotes

New Girl - there are too many! Season 1 is hilarious! Best new show!
Parks & Recreation - "Not as beautiful as my sister, but you know the law."
The Office - "The only premature baby in the room is the baby THIS baby ate!"
Also called "Little Kevin"
Downton Abbey - I love the Dowager played by the great Maggie Smith, favorite line at end of season 2 in response to Mary's rude fiance who said something about leaving ... "do you promise?" Impeccable timing!

Joyful Julia

Joyful Julia, a photo by bmitd67 on Flickr.

Julia wears her emotions on her sleeve. Here she truly enjoys a winter afternoon on her tricycle.

I wont say genius but...

Julia is already on the academic fast track. Today she was moved from the older 2's/younger 3's to the 3's classroom at her Parent's Day Out program.

She is now on the fast track to a life of ridicule and difficulty finding boys to date...

She also gets her first taste of life at Wellesley... her class is all girls, giving her plenty of time to "just say no" to the all women's experience.

Mealbaby.com

Subject: Meal Help

OK, Friends & Family –

This is new to me so I apologize if there are any glitches.

I think it’s supposed to be pretty simple.

I’m sending this to many people so thanks for any help with anything!

Cannot hurt, right? All the books say to ask for help!

If you cannot help, no worries! : )

Feel free to forward to anyone else too.

THANKS!

Meal Registry Invitation Link
http://mealbaby.com/viewregistry/11048975

This link allows your registry to be made public.  Anyone who clicks on this link will be asked to login or create an account and will be able to view your registry.

BTW - if you want to keep in touch QUICKLY, email Jai at bmitd67@gmail.com or text him at this number (773-372-1262) (text only, no calling he said).

Love, Tara, Jai & big sister Julia

Jacqueline's Birth Story

Well you know Jai has written a few posts about the labor & contractions, but I haven't yet (it's July now). I don't know why - busy probably constantly feeding a baby. I know I wrote Julia's story much sooner, but I also have 2 children now so everything is slightly harder to complete sometimes. I kind of wish I had because  it's harder to remember, but really you don't need all the gritty details.

From Jai's posts you see that the process was a bit longer, but some of that is ignorance. I didn't realize I was in labor, having contractions as early as I did with Julia; this time I knew what was happening. I also felt like it happened really quickly with Julia & I was at work for many of those hours & I didn't want to be at a school if I progressed super quick. That however was not the case & I wonder if being more aware made me less relaxed & prolonged the labor/contractions process. Who knows & with everything related to having another child, you realize they are different so therefore labor & delivery was also. Thank goodness delivery was different! I had a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesearan).

Finally on day 2 (Wednesday afternoon) without getting much sleep for 2 previous nights, 2 nights my mom spent the night in our guest room, 2 trips to midwife to be informed I was 2 cm (Tues, Claire) & 5cm (Wed, Linda) & soon I would have a baby, not sure about who would be watching Julia as it depended on day & time, I was done. I decided that this baby was getting out of my body somehow that day/night. Like I was going to get more rest with a newborn! However, at least I wouldn't be having contractions.

Here's the timeline:
4pm I called midwife, said we're headed to hospital
We put Johnders in back yard, called Kris to ask/tell her to pick him up after school
4:30pm We dropped off Julia at Anne Marie & Kevin's house for her "slumber party"
5:00pm We arrived at Vanderbilt Hospital, admitted to L&D floor (contractions are more intense)
5:30pm Midwife (Lauren) checked me & I'm 6.5 cm (contractions are intense)
6:00pm Called my mom & asked when she's getting here, soon she arrived
7:30pm Midwife (Claire) checked me & I'm 7.5 cm (contractions are really intense)
I tell her to break my water, I'm done with this slow progress & I know it will bring me completely to 10.
7:45pm Break water
8:00pm I say "I need to push!"
8:43pm Jacqueline Suzanne arrives!! 
HALLELUJAH!


Details
Oxygen was involved - I couldn't regulate my breathing with pushing & baby's heart rate was fluctuating.
They kept saying "I see hair" but I couldn't understand why no baby was out!
Vacuum was involved - again concerned about baby's heart rate.
Some major tearing so some repair work that seemed to take forever.
Recovery nothing like with C-section thankfully.
Oh, also had to have "nitrous oxate" as the adrenaline kicked in & I was shaking majorly.
Good stuff, really helped calm me down.

Jai got to hold Jacqueline almost immediately & he cut the umbilical cord.
Bonnie got to hold her after Jai.
So much better than the surgery route!

I joke that if Julia had been born vaginally, I doubt Jacqueline would exist.
It is amazing to push your baby out of your body, but it is majorly intense.
You cannot understand until you do it & I'm glad I did.
Definitely no more Jai & Tara babies coming out of Tara's body.

: )

Jacqueline Suzanne

Jacqueline Suzanne, a photo by bmitd67 on Flickr.

Born 1/11/12
8:43pm
5lbs 14oz, 18.5" long

The waiting is the hardest part

Tara is laboring but we can't get to the breaking point.

Contractions are hovering around every 10min. They are getting more intense but not more frequent. If something doesn't give this will be the 3rd night of labor.

I have to say for all of Tara's low tolerance for discomfort (Its too cold, its too hot, etc) she is a monster at handling these contractions. Her focus and concentration are awe inspiring.

Boomerang Contractions

We got down to 8min apart but they slowly went back up to 20min apart and now they are back around 8. Damn you mother nature! Finish what you start please.

Baby coming, baby coming

Tara's been having contractions at a rate of 1 every 9min. We're aiming for 6 or 7 min for an hour before we go to the hospital.

So we might be having another middle of the night, rainy day baby.

We're all followers, aren't we.

Yesterday Beyoncé (Ingrid Jackson) and Jigga had a baby. Big up to them on the birth of their baby girl.

Today Tara says she feels weird, not labor necessarily but weird none-the-less. Is it time? I'm sure if Beyoncé hadn't had her baby Tara would feel fine, right? Riiiight.

37 & 38 week vist

I go to the midwife every week now so I decided to combine the blog post for 37 & 38 weeks, mainly because I hadn't written anything for last week yet! : ) Also not much has happened or changed in a week!

On Dec. 27 my appointment was with Soheyl who is our primary midwife this pregnancy & last one with Julia. It was wonderful to see her, especially as I hadn't seen her in MONTHS! 1 reason is that my appointments were more spread out this pregnancy, every 5-6 weeks instead of once a month. Another reason is the schedule, which days she works with when I scheduled my appointments. Also there are a few new midwives in the past 3 years & they really want you to meet them all if possible before you deliver as you never know who will be on call at your time. Amazingly Soheyl was on call when my water broke & we went to hospital last time, she'd just started her shift too so she saw us through the whole process though relatively short since I'd been in labor all day the day before!

Soheyl was excited to see Julia & Jai since they came with me today. She hadn't seen Julia since my 6 week follow-up visit in January 2009. Julia looks quite different now! : )

Nothing major to discuss, blood pressure is good as usual, lost 2 pounds which is not unusual at this point in pregnancy (despite holiday eating!), talked about heartburn of course, the bane of my existence currently. Baby's heartbeat was higher than usual. We talked about VBAC plan some, actually I asked what would happen if someone decided to have a C-section again. Would they still be able to be a patient of midwifery practice? She said that if you changed your mind as you got closer to delivery, then you could stay with practice, but if you decided from beginning, then they would refer you to an OB. Different circumstances, makes sense; not applicable for us since I'm not choosing surgery. If everything is attempted during L&D & VBAC is not possible, then OK, but I'm not going to start out choosing a C-section.

Today's appointment was with Lauren whom I'd met earlier in my pregnancy. She's new since Julia's birth, very nice, seems young, but competent. Today I got there early & they weren't busy so didn't have to wait long, good since Jai & Julia were with me again this week. Again nothing major to discuss, blood pressure is good as usual, same weight as last week (woo hoo!), baby's heartbeat was lower than usual.

We talked about heartburn again of course - it's SO uncomfortable. I really have more compassion for habitual sufferers - I don't know how they deal with it. I considered getting some Tums last week, but when I looked at the ingredients (red dye 5, yellow dye 24, etc.), I couldn't do it. That's disgusting! The papaya enzyme pills will have to be it for the next 2-3 weeks. Hopefully the baby will settle into my pelvis soon. I already go to the bathroom a lot now anyway. I don't think Julia dropped - probably why she flipped to breech position at last minute. Last week & today the baby was head down, last week face down, today sideways. Lauren estimated baby is about 6 pounds now, so if I go to 40 weeks, baby probably will be 7+. It seems like this baby is bigger, but who knows!

Stay head down, baby! Until next week - week 39!!! I'm finally in the due month - so very exciting!

Lauren suggested taking it 1 day at a time which is smart; it could be 17 days or less or more. I cannot really make plans for anything or if I do, know that it could change if the baby decides it is his or her time to emerge.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! : )