BIG SISTER!
Yes, you read that right!
This Mama is 6 weeks and 5 days along with Baby number 2!
I found out a while back and just 3 1/2 weeks. I had been taking a walk on a nice, cool day and suddenly got very hot and dizzy. The only time this happened before was with my pregnancy with Ashlynn. Ding ding ding! Alarms went off in my head.
I was also cramping quite a bit. A test the next day confirmed my thoughts.
I kept it quiet for a while because at 5 weeks I was in the ER for severe dehydration, I continued to cramp for a bit after that and just felt..blah.
But in the past week or so, I grew a cup size, my pants don't button..oh..and here's the best (worst!) part... Morning sickness!!!
I never had it with Ashlynn, but here it is.. Every morning I want to die (figuratively) and by nighttime I'm just tired.
I'm nauseous most of the time and already threw up once.
I think it's a boy, for sure.
Ashlynn has yet to wean, so if she doesn't by June, I'll be a tandem nursing mama. She's in her own bed, by her own choice, but is welcome in Mama's bed whenever she wants.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Still Advanced for her age
My daughter is almost 21 months old. Almost 2.
But she still doesn't "act her age"
We're talking 3-5 word sentences "Mama you okay? You got a boo boo?"
Jumping with both feet off the ground..easily.
She can draw a shaky circle, washes and dries her hands (she loves to wash her hands)
She's been walking down stairs for a couple months now, too.
My toddler is between 27 and 30 month development.
We have full on conversations.
She knows how to describe things (Big, Hot, Cold, Chilly, Auntie's, Mama's)
And people she sees once a week, sometimes even less, she can call by name each and every time she sees them.
I take things day by day..With a "gifted" child, that's all you can do.
I encourage her to count, talk, explore her environment, but I don't force anything.
Ash I type, she's sitting watching tv (bad, I know) and going "Lolly Lolly Lolly POP!" which her auntie taught her not too long ago.
But, despite all her advances..she still has her Dih-dee (Her pacifier)
So I'm still the classifier of the pacifier!
But she still doesn't "act her age"
We're talking 3-5 word sentences "Mama you okay? You got a boo boo?"
Jumping with both feet off the ground..easily.
She can draw a shaky circle, washes and dries her hands (she loves to wash her hands)
She's been walking down stairs for a couple months now, too.
My toddler is between 27 and 30 month development.
We have full on conversations.
She knows how to describe things (Big, Hot, Cold, Chilly, Auntie's, Mama's)
And people she sees once a week, sometimes even less, she can call by name each and every time she sees them.
I take things day by day..With a "gifted" child, that's all you can do.
I encourage her to count, talk, explore her environment, but I don't force anything.
Ash I type, she's sitting watching tv (bad, I know) and going "Lolly Lolly Lolly POP!" which her auntie taught her not too long ago.
But, despite all her advances..she still has her Dih-dee (Her pacifier)
So I'm still the classifier of the pacifier!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Circumcision and my potential future son
I'm not sure of everyone's view on circ, but if you're easily offended, look away.
First off, I did not mutilate my daughter's genitals..so why would I mutilate my son's?
Yes, I truly think it's mutilation.
I don't care if he looks like the other boys, if he has a "pretty penis", or any of those excuses..
I mean, if it's 100% medically NECESSARY, yes, I'd do it..but I'd do a LOT of research before making any decision. I won't just say "Oh..it's needed? Okay. Chop away"
because the hospital told me pitocin was needed..and breaking my water.. among other things.
And it didn't end well.
My son would remain intact, and within just a few years, he will be among the majority.
I have friends who have circ'd, and quite frankly we've had conversations about circumcision..and their reasons make me laugh.
"His daddy is" Okay... So if your arm is amputated, should we amputate your daughter's? No? Why not?
"Intact is gross looking" You sure about that? From what I hear, they look the same when erect, and the sex is better with an intact man. And, might I remind you, a vagina isn't very pretty.. Should we cut that off?
"Everyone does it" Not true. Actually, more and more mothers are choosing to leave their sons intact!
"Intact is dirty" Yeah..if you don't bathe.. Should we remove his ears? Ever noticed just how dirty a newborn infant's palm creases get? And their toes.. and once they're older, their mouth??
But, in the end, I just go by this.. It's HIS body, not mine. I have no right to choose what body parts he is allowed to keep and what parts I want gone.. unless medically necessary.
And circumcision is NOT medically necessary (most of the time)
First off, I did not mutilate my daughter's genitals..so why would I mutilate my son's?
Yes, I truly think it's mutilation.
I don't care if he looks like the other boys, if he has a "pretty penis", or any of those excuses..
I mean, if it's 100% medically NECESSARY, yes, I'd do it..but I'd do a LOT of research before making any decision. I won't just say "Oh..it's needed? Okay. Chop away"
because the hospital told me pitocin was needed..and breaking my water.. among other things.
And it didn't end well.
My son would remain intact, and within just a few years, he will be among the majority.
I have friends who have circ'd, and quite frankly we've had conversations about circumcision..and their reasons make me laugh.
"His daddy is" Okay... So if your arm is amputated, should we amputate your daughter's? No? Why not?
"Intact is gross looking" You sure about that? From what I hear, they look the same when erect, and the sex is better with an intact man. And, might I remind you, a vagina isn't very pretty.. Should we cut that off?
"Everyone does it" Not true. Actually, more and more mothers are choosing to leave their sons intact!
"Intact is dirty" Yeah..if you don't bathe.. Should we remove his ears? Ever noticed just how dirty a newborn infant's palm creases get? And their toes.. and once they're older, their mouth??
But, in the end, I just go by this.. It's HIS body, not mine. I have no right to choose what body parts he is allowed to keep and what parts I want gone.. unless medically necessary.
And circumcision is NOT medically necessary (most of the time)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Haven't Been Posting Lately..
Sorry for not posting lately! Here's an update!
Ashlynn is doing wonderfully. She hasn't really learned anything super new other than new words, but she spits new words out daily and then never repeats them! She did develop an obsession with the word "shoes", but has since stopped saying it unless prompted.
One morning she came up to me with both my shoes and handed them to me going "Shoes?"
"Yes Ashlynn, those are shoes. Thank you"
I took them, put them on the floor and she picked them back up!
"Shoes!"
"Yes, Shoes. Please put them down, Sweetheart"
"Shoes...?"
"Yes, Shoes. Good Job! Can you put them down?"
She kept forcing me to take them, so I finally gave in and put them beside me on the couch, practically in my lap. She's very demanding!
She's also thinned out quite a bit, still in size 18 months..and get this one.. she has size 3 shoes that fit a bit tight, but not too tight..and size SIX shoes that fit and are only slightly loose! Makes no sense to me! Haha. Two pairs are from Walmart (size 3), not sure of the brand, and the other is a pair of crocs (the size 6). She also has 2 pairs of summer sandals in a size 6 from The Children's Place that also fit quite well..
Odd.
She has CURLS in her still very short hair now, which I love! Only in the back though, same as my hair when I was a child.
As for me, I'm hanging in there.
Things aren't going well between the girlfriend and I, sadly. Our communication is terrible and she's been withdrawing lately.
I'm also going on medication for my Depression and OCD because they've gotten unmanageable without medication. It's upsetting, but it's for the best. I will be going on something breastfeeding safe, since I'm still nursing Ashlynn 3-5x a day, sometimes more.
They think it MAY be bipolar, given my cycles of exhaustion and insomnia, but time will only tell on that. If it is in fact bipolar, I will have to prematurely wean Ashlynn. Mood stabilizers are not breastfeeding safe, sadly.
That's about it for the update :) Hope everyone is doing well!
I may take a break from blogging, depending on various factors in day to day life.
Sorry! :(
Ashlynn is doing wonderfully. She hasn't really learned anything super new other than new words, but she spits new words out daily and then never repeats them! She did develop an obsession with the word "shoes", but has since stopped saying it unless prompted.
One morning she came up to me with both my shoes and handed them to me going "Shoes?"
"Yes Ashlynn, those are shoes. Thank you"
I took them, put them on the floor and she picked them back up!
"Shoes!"
"Yes, Shoes. Please put them down, Sweetheart"
"Shoes...?"
"Yes, Shoes. Good Job! Can you put them down?"
She kept forcing me to take them, so I finally gave in and put them beside me on the couch, practically in my lap. She's very demanding!
She's also thinned out quite a bit, still in size 18 months..and get this one.. she has size 3 shoes that fit a bit tight, but not too tight..and size SIX shoes that fit and are only slightly loose! Makes no sense to me! Haha. Two pairs are from Walmart (size 3), not sure of the brand, and the other is a pair of crocs (the size 6). She also has 2 pairs of summer sandals in a size 6 from The Children's Place that also fit quite well..
Odd.
She has CURLS in her still very short hair now, which I love! Only in the back though, same as my hair when I was a child.
As for me, I'm hanging in there.
Things aren't going well between the girlfriend and I, sadly. Our communication is terrible and she's been withdrawing lately.
I'm also going on medication for my Depression and OCD because they've gotten unmanageable without medication. It's upsetting, but it's for the best. I will be going on something breastfeeding safe, since I'm still nursing Ashlynn 3-5x a day, sometimes more.
They think it MAY be bipolar, given my cycles of exhaustion and insomnia, but time will only tell on that. If it is in fact bipolar, I will have to prematurely wean Ashlynn. Mood stabilizers are not breastfeeding safe, sadly.
That's about it for the update :) Hope everyone is doing well!
I may take a break from blogging, depending on various factors in day to day life.
Sorry! :(
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Update!
It's been a while since I posted..
I guess I've been a bit busy with school and being a mommy.
So this post will be dedicated to Ashlynn's current standing with development!
I believe at this point she's at around an 18 month level, going by this; (things she can do are bolded)
Today we were playing a game where I wiggled my fingers and said "I'm gonna get you!!" then tickled her. When I stopped, she wiggled her own fingers and said 'I gonna get!"
We repeated and the next time she said "I get you!"
She can't quite get those 4 words, but she tried!
And this past weekend she was climbing the steps and her Nana told her to get down.
She turned around, sat down and said "I sit here"
Then climbed up one step, sat and said "I just sit here"
Climbed another and sat "I sit here...I sit"
She's one smart cookie!
I guess I've been a bit busy with school and being a mommy.
So this post will be dedicated to Ashlynn's current standing with development!
I believe at this point she's at around an 18 month level, going by this; (things she can do are bolded)
His Physical Development…Motor Skills
Your 18 month old child…
- Is able to walk regularly and stop safely, without sitting down
quickly - Can climb forward into an adult chair and then turn round and sit
- Is able to kneel upright without help
- Squats to pick up a toy
- Moves without support from a squatting position to standing
- Uses a delicate pincer grasp to pick up very small objects
- Uses spoon when feeding himself
- Holds a pencil in his whole hand or between the thumb and the first two fingers...primitive tri-pod grasp
- Is able to scribble to and fro with a pencil on paper
- Can thread large beads onto a lace or string (We haven't tried this yet)
- Can control his wrist movement to manipulate objects
- Moves small objects from a bottle by turning it upside-down
- Points to familiar objects
- Builds a tower of three or more bricks.
His Sensory/Intellectual Development
- Can identify known people at a distance
- Is aware that he is looking at himself in the mirror (I'm not sure about this one)
- No longer explore things in his mouth.
His Language Development
- Is aware of the names of parts of his body, and can point to them when asked (She can do it on the doggy, but not herself)
- Uses 6-40 recognizable words and understand many more…but the word mostly used is 'no' (Her favorite word is actually "This", still..
- Uses signs and gestures beside words
- Indicates desire by pointing
- Obeys simple instructions such as 'shut the door', and responds to simple questions such as 'Where's the cat?'
- Refers to himself by name
- Begins to wave his arms up and down, meaning 'start again', 'more', or 'I like it'
- Can identify that people may have desires…thinks that everyone feels the same as he does.
His Emotional and Social Development
- Knows where objects are kept... this reflects an increase in long-term memory
- Plays continuously alone... solitary play... but may like to be near a familiar adult or sibling
- Most likely to be independent, for example to dress himself
- Has the knowledge that others are fearful or anxious for him as he climbs on or off chairs
- Is likely to become frustrated, with occasional temper tantrums
- May show a sign of toilet needs by restless or words
- Is able to follow stories, enjoy stories and rhymes that include repetition.
Today we were playing a game where I wiggled my fingers and said "I'm gonna get you!!" then tickled her. When I stopped, she wiggled her own fingers and said 'I gonna get!"
We repeated and the next time she said "I get you!"
She can't quite get those 4 words, but she tried!
And this past weekend she was climbing the steps and her Nana told her to get down.
She turned around, sat down and said "I sit here"
Then climbed up one step, sat and said "I just sit here"
Climbed another and sat "I sit here...I sit"
She's one smart cookie!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Let's Discuss... Toys!
Ashlynn has tons of toys; Books, Tables, Baby Dolls, Toy Phones, A Teapot, Two Ride On Ponies.....
Then her favorite; A Busy Ball Popper.
But no, putting the balls into the toy and watching them pop up isn't her favorite thing to do. She loves it, don't get me wrong, but her favorite thing? That would be sticking a spoon or glue stick into it, then clapping. Over. And Over.
She'll "read" a book for a few seconds, flipping the pages while pointing and babbling, but she really has no interest.
Her little toys get played with for about 5 minutes a week, maybe 10.
Anything that plays music with become the "toy of the minute" for a little while each day,
but she spends at least 30 minutes playing with that Busy Ball Popper.
So wait..what does she do with the other time in her day?
Well, she has breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A nap around 1-2pm until 3 or 4, music time, sitting on the couch with Mommy to watch TV (which she isn't a big fan of, actually), playing with her aunties, playing with her Nana or Poppy, and bedtime around 8-8:30.
She's a busy girl!
So if you're ever looking for toy recommendations, try the Busy Ball Popper!
Play tables are also great because they make noise, play music, teach..and the one we have has a small bowl in the middle that I put snacks in!
Push toys are a hit and miss. With Ashlynn, they were a miss. She walked with her table more than her Stride To Ride Dino, and now she turns every toy into a push toy. And she's walking and RUNNING!
Baby Dolls are great for babies! Ashlynn knows to love hers nicely, and she's adorable with it.
If I may make a toy suggestion that I'm not sure exists...
Toy dog food and water!
She's obsessed with both and it drives me crazy!
And that's toys for ya!
Then her favorite; A Busy Ball Popper.
But no, putting the balls into the toy and watching them pop up isn't her favorite thing to do. She loves it, don't get me wrong, but her favorite thing? That would be sticking a spoon or glue stick into it, then clapping. Over. And Over.
She'll "read" a book for a few seconds, flipping the pages while pointing and babbling, but she really has no interest.
Her little toys get played with for about 5 minutes a week, maybe 10.
Anything that plays music with become the "toy of the minute" for a little while each day,
but she spends at least 30 minutes playing with that Busy Ball Popper.
So wait..what does she do with the other time in her day?
Well, she has breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A nap around 1-2pm until 3 or 4, music time, sitting on the couch with Mommy to watch TV (which she isn't a big fan of, actually), playing with her aunties, playing with her Nana or Poppy, and bedtime around 8-8:30.
She's a busy girl!
So if you're ever looking for toy recommendations, try the Busy Ball Popper!
Play tables are also great because they make noise, play music, teach..and the one we have has a small bowl in the middle that I put snacks in!
Push toys are a hit and miss. With Ashlynn, they were a miss. She walked with her table more than her Stride To Ride Dino, and now she turns every toy into a push toy. And she's walking and RUNNING!
Baby Dolls are great for babies! Ashlynn knows to love hers nicely, and she's adorable with it.
If I may make a toy suggestion that I'm not sure exists...
Toy dog food and water!
She's obsessed with both and it drives me crazy!
And that's toys for ya!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ashlynn and Male Figures In Her Life
Obviously Ashlynn's father is not in the picture. Nor will he ever be. It's a complicated situation, but he was out of the picture when I was 6 weeks pregnant. He was desperate to get away, and I let him. No use forcing something when she's better off without him.
But she still has male figures in her life that she adores.
First off is my stepfather. He comes home from work and her eyes light up. He doesn't exactly sit on the floor and play with her, but he'll give her hugs, tip her upside down so she can walk on the ceiling (He did it with my sisters bringing them to bed, so she wanted to do it too!), and she loves him half to death. But it's her Poppy, of course she loves him!
Then there's my girlfriend's husband. Ashlynn absolutely adores him as well. When we are at their place, he will play with her, tickle her, toss her into the air, chase her. She's actually followed him around before. He'd chase her back into the room (Imagine hearing thumps of feet and then hysterical giggles then seeing Ashlynn burst into the room laughing with him not far behind) and as soon as he left, she was toddling after him.
If things get more serious, she may consider him a father figure, and my girlfriend as a second mother.
Even in atypical situations like my own, my daughter is loved to the max by so many people. She has all she needs with her Nana (my mom), Poppy (my stepdad), O-Nana (My grandmother), Auntie Kenzie (my sister), Auntie Nikki (my other sister), Auntie Ney Ney (My best friend), and my girlfriend and her husband, and of course her Mama.
I do wish some people were more involved. Her father is not one of them, but my father is.
He spent my life messing around with things. He'd be there. Then he wouldn't. He'd show up to see me, then he wouldn't..and I'd wait in the window for hours. "Daddy will be here! He will!" and I'd watch all the cars driving by, hoping one was him. I remember it so sickeningly clear.
When I was older, he was there for a couple years. Then one night he said I could spend the night at a friend's house. He was drunk, I'm assuming, when he said it..because the next morning I woke up to find out that he called the police and said I ran away.
He has seen his granddaughter maybe twice, and only one time was by choice.
He never said what he wants to be called, never wished her a happy birthday, never showed up for her party..
So he was written off of her life for good.
No yo-yo'ing with my baby girl's emotions. No window watching, No crying.
I make my choices with her best interest at heart, and so far I seem to be doing a very good job of it. She's thriving and happy.
But she still has male figures in her life that she adores.
First off is my stepfather. He comes home from work and her eyes light up. He doesn't exactly sit on the floor and play with her, but he'll give her hugs, tip her upside down so she can walk on the ceiling (He did it with my sisters bringing them to bed, so she wanted to do it too!), and she loves him half to death. But it's her Poppy, of course she loves him!
Then there's my girlfriend's husband. Ashlynn absolutely adores him as well. When we are at their place, he will play with her, tickle her, toss her into the air, chase her. She's actually followed him around before. He'd chase her back into the room (Imagine hearing thumps of feet and then hysterical giggles then seeing Ashlynn burst into the room laughing with him not far behind) and as soon as he left, she was toddling after him.
If things get more serious, she may consider him a father figure, and my girlfriend as a second mother.
Even in atypical situations like my own, my daughter is loved to the max by so many people. She has all she needs with her Nana (my mom), Poppy (my stepdad), O-Nana (My grandmother), Auntie Kenzie (my sister), Auntie Nikki (my other sister), Auntie Ney Ney (My best friend), and my girlfriend and her husband, and of course her Mama.
I do wish some people were more involved. Her father is not one of them, but my father is.
He spent my life messing around with things. He'd be there. Then he wouldn't. He'd show up to see me, then he wouldn't..and I'd wait in the window for hours. "Daddy will be here! He will!" and I'd watch all the cars driving by, hoping one was him. I remember it so sickeningly clear.
When I was older, he was there for a couple years. Then one night he said I could spend the night at a friend's house. He was drunk, I'm assuming, when he said it..because the next morning I woke up to find out that he called the police and said I ran away.
He has seen his granddaughter maybe twice, and only one time was by choice.
He never said what he wants to be called, never wished her a happy birthday, never showed up for her party..
So he was written off of her life for good.
No yo-yo'ing with my baby girl's emotions. No window watching, No crying.
I make my choices with her best interest at heart, and so far I seem to be doing a very good job of it. She's thriving and happy.
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