Had both the Kapplinger and Otterness/Flatin Xmas this week. It was a bit busy but everything went great.
Because Jenny was on bed rest we decided to bring Xmas to Sioux Falls. Unfortunately there was a horrible snowstorm (of course). We quickly threw our stuff together and decided to leave in the evening...knowing we were going to hit snow no matter when we left...but also knowing Vera was much more likely to travel better in the evening. Boy were we spot on. We headed out around 8:30pm and what should have taken 3.5 hrs took us 6 hrs. We had to stop only once so Vera could eat but otherwise she slept the whole way- what a gem!!! :):) The roads were awful...there were no plows out so we were driving through at least 4 inches of snow. There were no lanes on the highway; just people driving in the middle of the road. Jam was a trooper driving 40 mph the whole way there. Ugh. We got there around 3-3:30am...and had no trouble until we got to their alley...where Jam got the car stuck- haha. :) It was a really nice holiday with the whole crew at the Clementson's.
Mom's xmas was at Otter and Sarah's like usual but this year we had undesirable intruders...random Tripp cousins came out of no where to WATCH our xmas. It was SO weird and we were not fans. They ate our food and watched us open presents like we were on display...creepers. Mom was so mad. Anywho...we still love getting together as a fam. :) This year the sing-a-magigs were a hit. :) We did the whole present-opening over skype with K&D and fam which was really fun...not quite like they were here, but better than nothing. Wish they were home.
Monday, February 28, 2011
leave half over (6 wks)
I can't believe my maternity leave is half over already. :( Time has gone by so fast. Every day Jam and I look at her and think she's changed so much.
- Tried the pack n play this week...no problems. Vera is her mother's child- and the super-power of the ability to sleep anywhere has been passed on. YES!
- We just love it when she smiles and chuckles while she's sleeping...wonder what she's dreaming about.
- V loves to hold on to us when she's upright and LOVES to snuggle. :)
- ROUND 2 bottle battle: Playtex vs Vera...Playtex 0, Vera 1.
- Vera is still so gasey...I think it's reflux.
- We popped in to work and passed Vera around...everyone just thought she was so cute in her AC/DC onesie. Jam was such a proud papa, wanting to show her off to his class and the lab.
- Had my 6 wk check up with the midwives and checked out ok. 8lbs left before I'm back to my pre-baby weight. Got the ok to exercise and have sex...yah...haha. Started the pill again. I'll leave the sex story out...it's a bit personal, but wtf is with the bleeding/period crap after that...for one week...ugh!
- V scoped out her first basketball game and LOVED it! She loved all the noise and watched intently as the boys ran up and down the court. :):)
- Jamie gave baby girl a bath for the first time. He was so nervous and wanted me to tell him every single step. :) But he did a good job and Vera got clean. :)
- Tried the pack n play this week...no problems. Vera is her mother's child- and the super-power of the ability to sleep anywhere has been passed on. YES!
- We just love it when she smiles and chuckles while she's sleeping...wonder what she's dreaming about.
- V loves to hold on to us when she's upright and LOVES to snuggle. :)
- ROUND 2 bottle battle: Playtex vs Vera...Playtex 0, Vera 1.
- Vera is still so gasey...I think it's reflux.
- We popped in to work and passed Vera around...everyone just thought she was so cute in her AC/DC onesie. Jam was such a proud papa, wanting to show her off to his class and the lab.
- Had my 6 wk check up with the midwives and checked out ok. 8lbs left before I'm back to my pre-baby weight. Got the ok to exercise and have sex...yah...haha. Started the pill again. I'll leave the sex story out...it's a bit personal, but wtf is with the bleeding/period crap after that...for one week...ugh!
- V scoped out her first basketball game and LOVED it! She loved all the noise and watched intently as the boys ran up and down the court. :):)
- Jamie gave baby girl a bath for the first time. He was so nervous and wanted me to tell him every single step. :) But he did a good job and Vera got clean. :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
spandex to spanx
Just wondering why I couldn't have my pre-baby body back? My wardrobe, and thereby my self-esteem, is garbage. Maybe when I lost weight pre-baby, I shouldn't have changed out my entire wardrobe for a closet full of spandex. Seriously, I think all I owned was tight, little clothes (which was wonderful when I was in the best shape I'd been in 10 yrs).
I realize this is not a novel or shocking statement but my body is just not the same, post-baby. My boobs go from deflated tube socks to engorged volleyballs...I think my thighs grew and I'm not sure WHY they would need to...I've got this little belly flap of skin that makes every piece of spandex clothing I have NOT work. Every day I have to evaluate- do I go over the flap, divide the flap, or go under the flap? And with my shirts...can't be too tight cause then I am either battling the bulge or the annoying breast pad outline through my giant, expensive (yet uncomfortable) maternity bra. But I'm not really interested in sporting tents or garbage bags either since I've lost most of the baby weight. Dilemma, dilemma. Sure wish I didn't have to dress up every day.
I realize this is not a novel or shocking statement but my body is just not the same, post-baby. My boobs go from deflated tube socks to engorged volleyballs...I think my thighs grew and I'm not sure WHY they would need to...I've got this little belly flap of skin that makes every piece of spandex clothing I have NOT work. Every day I have to evaluate- do I go over the flap, divide the flap, or go under the flap? And with my shirts...can't be too tight cause then I am either battling the bulge or the annoying breast pad outline through my giant, expensive (yet uncomfortable) maternity bra. But I'm not really interested in sporting tents or garbage bags either since I've lost most of the baby weight. Dilemma, dilemma. Sure wish I didn't have to dress up every day.
thank God for television
Baby V and I did a whole lot of snuggling while on maternity leave, and what was momma doing during all of this, besides lovin up the cutest baby in the whole world and taking naps...watching TV. Sadly, Vera joined this world just in time for the start of winter, thus making outside excursions non-existent. So, we were cooped up inside.
Shows of choice? Really more like stations of choice: Bravo, TLC, CMT, Vh1
Garbage TV = my favorite. I think I saw almost every episode of the "Real Housewives of...Orange County and Beverly Hills, " Millionaire Matchmaker, Tabitha's Salon Takeover, Top Chef (all on Bravo). On TLC I watched, What not to wear and Cake boss. In the mornings we watched music videos on Vh1 and CMT. I would even watch the same episodes several times...haha.
Anything about baking/cooking AND fashion...MY FAVS :) Wouldn't want to stress or overwork my brain...no problem. :)
Shows of choice? Really more like stations of choice: Bravo, TLC, CMT, Vh1
Garbage TV = my favorite. I think I saw almost every episode of the "Real Housewives of...Orange County and Beverly Hills, " Millionaire Matchmaker, Tabitha's Salon Takeover, Top Chef (all on Bravo). On TLC I watched, What not to wear and Cake boss. In the mornings we watched music videos on Vh1 and CMT. I would even watch the same episodes several times...haha.
Anything about baking/cooking AND fashion...MY FAVS :) Wouldn't want to stress or overwork my brain...no problem. :)
Mooooooooo
Pumping sucks. There's not much more to say than that. Obviously it has to be done since I don't want to stop breastfeeding...but I could do without it.
At home it's no big deal. In fact, after Vera started sleeping through the night, I would pump 11 ounces off ONE BOOB in the morning! Craziness.
At work, it really sucks. Since I am never engorged, I forget I need to pump so I sometimes go 6 hours without...which thereby decreases my milk supply.
I guess I'm not excited to take half hour "breaks" to sit in a cold room half naked hooked up to a milk machine that makes my nipples reach a freakishly long size while holding the suction cups up to my boobs so I don't even get to relax to enjoy my "break," (but I DO get to listen to a very soothing pumping noise...which makes me want to throw it against the wall) and scalding my fingers while attempting to clean my equipment with the boiling water spicket. And...I GET to do this twice a day...lucky me. I just let my surgeon know I need to go, "moo" for half hour and I'll find him when I get back. Their reactions (since they're all male) to that kind of comment is amusing every time. :)
Seriously though, I can't even imagine what it would be like to have a crappy pump. I donated my right kidney for my Medela pump so I don't know any difference, but I've seen cheaper ones, or manual ones...huh? Is that even possible? I suppose it is since I've seen farmers do that to cows...how AWFUL! I already think it's worse than child labor at stealing modesty...I can't imagine what someone feels like to hand pump...yikes. And it would take FOREVER! I am the most inpatient person when it comes to pumping...why can't I just open the flood gates and the milk produced just pour out? Why? I even pump quickly...when I'm full, about an ounce a minute.
Moral of story: pumping sucks. ...but I guess it's for a good cause. :)
Duration estimated? I would like to make it a year if possible to avoid having to use formula at all, and I really enjoy breastfeeding- it's so easy, cheap, and convenient!
At home it's no big deal. In fact, after Vera started sleeping through the night, I would pump 11 ounces off ONE BOOB in the morning! Craziness.
At work, it really sucks. Since I am never engorged, I forget I need to pump so I sometimes go 6 hours without...which thereby decreases my milk supply.
I guess I'm not excited to take half hour "breaks" to sit in a cold room half naked hooked up to a milk machine that makes my nipples reach a freakishly long size while holding the suction cups up to my boobs so I don't even get to relax to enjoy my "break," (but I DO get to listen to a very soothing pumping noise...which makes me want to throw it against the wall) and scalding my fingers while attempting to clean my equipment with the boiling water spicket. And...I GET to do this twice a day...lucky me. I just let my surgeon know I need to go, "moo" for half hour and I'll find him when I get back. Their reactions (since they're all male) to that kind of comment is amusing every time. :)
Seriously though, I can't even imagine what it would be like to have a crappy pump. I donated my right kidney for my Medela pump so I don't know any difference, but I've seen cheaper ones, or manual ones...huh? Is that even possible? I suppose it is since I've seen farmers do that to cows...how AWFUL! I already think it's worse than child labor at stealing modesty...I can't imagine what someone feels like to hand pump...yikes. And it would take FOREVER! I am the most inpatient person when it comes to pumping...why can't I just open the flood gates and the milk produced just pour out? Why? I even pump quickly...when I'm full, about an ounce a minute.
Moral of story: pumping sucks. ...but I guess it's for a good cause. :)
Duration estimated? I would like to make it a year if possible to avoid having to use formula at all, and I really enjoy breastfeeding- it's so easy, cheap, and convenient!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
BOTTLE BATTLE
Vera vs bottles...a big battle.
I can't say I was surprised she didn't want the bottle since she HATED pacifiers. I had bought some Dr. Brown bottles (10 bottles for like $10) off craigslist and quickly these were SHOT DOWN! Vera 1. Bottles 0.
I decided to give Playtex natural-type nipples with drop-ins a try. Those nipples seem a little less plasticy. SHOT DOWN! Vera 2. Bottles 0.
Jam and I really struggled with what to do...he hates to hear her cry but I needed him to put in a good effort with her, not giving in to the freak outs right away. I tried to give one to her but that was DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING...she knew momma has the goods. It got a little better with Jam, but Dad's intuition was right...these weren't going to work either, though there was a little progress with length of time before losing it. We also concluded we needed a bottle warmer since the breast milk cannot be microwaved...good move. :)
Back to Target in search for a winner...and a winner we found. A bottle with a shorter nipple...First Years...and at 8 weeks, Vera finally caved and took the bottle. YAH!!!!!
So, the brand new (aka ignorant idiots) parents we were figured taking the bottle was like riding a bike...NOT SO MUCH. So when we went to give her the bottle again...a week and a half later...the battle was back on. This was tough on me since Jam was so busy with school, and it was getting close to me having to go back to work, and I still had not spent any time away from Vera. We decided it was going to have to be me "training" her to take the bottle since Jam would only be able to try once a day and in the evening when she's already tempermental. Jam had read some things to try online so Mom and Vera had it out. Let the training begin.
My mom came over to try, as I retained the thought Vera wouldn't take a bottle from mom, and after 25 minutes of screaming/crying, we caved and I breastfed her. Trial 2 (later that day), I had it out with Vera for 45 minutes as I gave myself a pep talk- "you can do it! you can do it! hang in there! I will prevail!!" But, I just felt so terrible for her, having done this to her earlier in the day...mom caved. For the next couple days I tried different things and we had a couple more long sessions of crying (mostly just Vera...haha) but eventually she took it.
FINAL RESULTS: First Years bottle, sitting upright and facing out on my lap in a place where she doesn't normally breastfeed like the kitchen chairs or a different place on the couch or walking around while feeding. Stubborn shit.
Hope this excursion and stubborness is not a sign of things to come. :/
I can't say I was surprised she didn't want the bottle since she HATED pacifiers. I had bought some Dr. Brown bottles (10 bottles for like $10) off craigslist and quickly these were SHOT DOWN! Vera 1. Bottles 0.
I decided to give Playtex natural-type nipples with drop-ins a try. Those nipples seem a little less plasticy. SHOT DOWN! Vera 2. Bottles 0.
Jam and I really struggled with what to do...he hates to hear her cry but I needed him to put in a good effort with her, not giving in to the freak outs right away. I tried to give one to her but that was DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING...she knew momma has the goods. It got a little better with Jam, but Dad's intuition was right...these weren't going to work either, though there was a little progress with length of time before losing it. We also concluded we needed a bottle warmer since the breast milk cannot be microwaved...good move. :)
Back to Target in search for a winner...and a winner we found. A bottle with a shorter nipple...First Years...and at 8 weeks, Vera finally caved and took the bottle. YAH!!!!!
So, the brand new (aka ignorant idiots) parents we were figured taking the bottle was like riding a bike...NOT SO MUCH. So when we went to give her the bottle again...a week and a half later...the battle was back on. This was tough on me since Jam was so busy with school, and it was getting close to me having to go back to work, and I still had not spent any time away from Vera. We decided it was going to have to be me "training" her to take the bottle since Jam would only be able to try once a day and in the evening when she's already tempermental. Jam had read some things to try online so Mom and Vera had it out. Let the training begin.
My mom came over to try, as I retained the thought Vera wouldn't take a bottle from mom, and after 25 minutes of screaming/crying, we caved and I breastfed her. Trial 2 (later that day), I had it out with Vera for 45 minutes as I gave myself a pep talk- "you can do it! you can do it! hang in there! I will prevail!!" But, I just felt so terrible for her, having done this to her earlier in the day...mom caved. For the next couple days I tried different things and we had a couple more long sessions of crying (mostly just Vera...haha) but eventually she took it.
FINAL RESULTS: First Years bottle, sitting upright and facing out on my lap in a place where she doesn't normally breastfeed like the kitchen chairs or a different place on the couch or walking around while feeding. Stubborn shit.
Hope this excursion and stubborness is not a sign of things to come. :/
Now who's the scrooge! (5 wks)
- For the first time in a LONG time I was not a scrooge this year...too bad my counterpart (for the first time in a long time) was... I really wanted to bust out the Xmas decorations and get a real tree and do it up for Vera's first Xmas, but I wanted to do it as a family- decorating together and baking Xmas cookies. We only got about 1/2 decorated...but, it's not like she knows the difference...oh well.
- we got a WICKED blizzard this week...thankful to be inside snuggling with my little one. :)
- I have been constantly thinking about and worried about creating bad habits... I try to remind myself she's only 5 wks...it's a bit early to be worried about it. But really, when is the time when I start making habits???? Someone tell me when that magical time is so I know when I need to make changes...
- well, we TRIED a bottle = NIGHTMARE. Tried and failed. Stay tuned.
- she can ALMOST find her thumb...almost.
- Jam and I bee-bopped down to SG so Vera could meet Great Grandma Otterness and as a bonus got to meet Great Aunt Diane too! V was possessed by gas demons during most of our visit, but Gma was not phased as she snuggled and patted V's back. Love that old persistence and patience. :)
- Jenny had a HUGE scare with the twins (at 19 wks) and ended up in the hospital needing a cervical cerclage since she started dilating/effacing. They were able to stop labor and eventually sent her home on strict foot up, laid back bed rest.
- we got a WICKED blizzard this week...thankful to be inside snuggling with my little one. :)
- I have been constantly thinking about and worried about creating bad habits... I try to remind myself she's only 5 wks...it's a bit early to be worried about it. But really, when is the time when I start making habits???? Someone tell me when that magical time is so I know when I need to make changes...
- well, we TRIED a bottle = NIGHTMARE. Tried and failed. Stay tuned.
- she can ALMOST find her thumb...almost.
- Jam and I bee-bopped down to SG so Vera could meet Great Grandma Otterness and as a bonus got to meet Great Aunt Diane too! V was possessed by gas demons during most of our visit, but Gma was not phased as she snuggled and patted V's back. Love that old persistence and patience. :)
- Jenny had a HUGE scare with the twins (at 19 wks) and ended up in the hospital needing a cervical cerclage since she started dilating/effacing. They were able to stop labor and eventually sent her home on strict foot up, laid back bed rest.
Aunties from the east coast visit!! (4 wks)
Vera is now starting to coo and get smiley...we just LOVE it...some personality beaming through. :) Just THE cutest thing ever.
Ariane and Steph came to visit us again!!! They came Thurs-Mon. It was beyond amazing to see the girls. I can say, without a doubt, that having visitors for 5 days shortly after having a baby, is too long. They were not even remotely high maintenance but I was so tired and not really wanting to share my little thang that much. I LOVE those 2 ladies- and they spoil Vera rotten- getting her MORE amazing gifts (some of our favorite outfits- the leopard onesie, skirt with built in tights, Tap Out PJs, and PUMA outfit, among others) and never putting her down for a second- she got LOADS of snuggles which she just ATE UP. :) What was so nice was that they watched Vera while Jam and I had some quality time together...painting the basement. :) Just love them. :)
Ariane and Steph came to visit us again!!! They came Thurs-Mon. It was beyond amazing to see the girls. I can say, without a doubt, that having visitors for 5 days shortly after having a baby, is too long. They were not even remotely high maintenance but I was so tired and not really wanting to share my little thang that much. I LOVE those 2 ladies- and they spoil Vera rotten- getting her MORE amazing gifts (some of our favorite outfits- the leopard onesie, skirt with built in tights, Tap Out PJs, and PUMA outfit, among others) and never putting her down for a second- she got LOADS of snuggles which she just ATE UP. :) What was so nice was that they watched Vera while Jam and I had some quality time together...painting the basement. :) Just love them. :)
V perfects her role as Jesus (3 wks)
This amazingly wonderful little munchkin of mine is growing so fast...which is a phrase I think I will say every day of her life.
A bullet list kinda week:
- holy Moses she cries LOUD!
- BOOB RESTRICTIONS: only every 2 hours missy...unless you're freakin out
- Mommy and Daddy love that you love to snuggle & sleep belly to belly
- Jam and V have developed a pretty cute little relationship...he dotes on her so much and is afraid to do anything unsupervised...but the love eminating from him when he looks at her along with the tears in his eyes is just the most beautiful thing.
- schedule? uh, no...would be nice though. Makes it hard to get out, but why the hell would we want to do that? :)
- Kat & Clare, and Jess make the trek down to visit- LOVE company. Clare is so darling and such a great baby...a couple months older than Vera...excited to see our little girls grow up together
- I started pumping...and there will be an entire post on this- stay tuned.
- she's growing out of her newborn clothes- what?! STOP IT!
- V and I have been sleeping in the recliner lots, though she does also sleep in the bassinette...thinkin she's about ready for that crib
- her little faces/squeaks/grunts are the most precious things- LOVE THEM! :)
- our little Kapplinger trio made our acting debut and will be accepting Oscars at this year's ceremony. Vera was a star as Baby Jesus...and what an actress she was! Just amazing. Jam and I rocked out Mary and Joseph at Grandma Betty's church of yesteryear's Christmas program. V slept through the whole service thank goodness. I was just imaging her screaming during Silent Night...haha. But Vera was fantastic. One question: what kind of acting role do you take after perfecting Jesus? :)
A bullet list kinda week:
- holy Moses she cries LOUD!
- BOOB RESTRICTIONS: only every 2 hours missy...unless you're freakin out
- Mommy and Daddy love that you love to snuggle & sleep belly to belly
- Jam and V have developed a pretty cute little relationship...he dotes on her so much and is afraid to do anything unsupervised...but the love eminating from him when he looks at her along with the tears in his eyes is just the most beautiful thing.
- schedule? uh, no...would be nice though. Makes it hard to get out, but why the hell would we want to do that? :)
- Kat & Clare, and Jess make the trek down to visit- LOVE company. Clare is so darling and such a great baby...a couple months older than Vera...excited to see our little girls grow up together
- I started pumping...and there will be an entire post on this- stay tuned.
- she's growing out of her newborn clothes- what?! STOP IT!
- V and I have been sleeping in the recliner lots, though she does also sleep in the bassinette...thinkin she's about ready for that crib
- her little faces/squeaks/grunts are the most precious things- LOVE THEM! :)
- our little Kapplinger trio made our acting debut and will be accepting Oscars at this year's ceremony. Vera was a star as Baby Jesus...and what an actress she was! Just amazing. Jam and I rocked out Mary and Joseph at Grandma Betty's church of yesteryear's Christmas program. V slept through the whole service thank goodness. I was just imaging her screaming during Silent Night...haha. But Vera was fantastic. One question: what kind of acting role do you take after perfecting Jesus? :)
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