Ashlynn has now been informed that Mommy has a baby in her belly. I can't begin to explain how darn adorable it is! She'll lift my shirt to see my belly and give it loves, kisses, poke it (just wait until s/he pokes back!) and now says "Baby!"
Before this, she never, ever said the word baby. Now she's pointing out babies in pictures 24/7. "Baby?? Baby?"
And she'll give my belly loves and say "Hi Baby!"
It's exciting seeing her excited about it. Granted, once the baby arrives she won't be so thrilled, but we'll work through it.
She also STILL has not weaned. It's to be expected, I suppose. Her nursing sessions are multiple times daily, but very brief (seconds at most) but she still doesn't want to give it up.
She has begun to climb into my bed at night some nights, and I admit that some nights I will also get her from her bed and put her in mine for bedtime snuggles. I'm enjoying her being an "only child" as much as possible.
I still have morning sickness, and a serious aversion to chicken. I can't for the life of me eat anything with chicken. Chicken broth is fine, but actual chicken isn't. If I do eat it, I feel seriously ill for 1hr+
Our moving date has been moved up as well. It's frustrating but also a good thing. Instead of looking at $1,200 a month for a 2 bedroom apartment, we'll be spending $900/month for our own condo, which will include our own washer and dryer! YAY for washing cloth diapers in our home! It makes things much, much easier since I'll have 2 in diapers. I've tried to potty train Miss Ashlynn, but she's too easily distracted. She will sit on the potty briefly then get up and go about her business, eventually peeing on the floor if I don't diaper her asap.
On another note, we're looking at a pretty bad milk intolerance.
I noticed that scrambled eggs made her vomit almost every time she had them, but I just took it as I should avoid them and not give her cups of milk (which at almost 2 years old she has never had) but then macaroni and cheese, which on occasion she used to throw up as well, made her get the poops the next day. And I'm talking vile smelling, gross poops.
To which she insists on shoving hands in her diaper to dig for instead of informing me that she pooped. She only tells me AFTER she's caught digging around.
One afternoon she had 7 poops and 2 baths..and lots of wiping down.. This was the day after she had eaten macaroni and cheese for lunch.
Today it was just 2 poops and one bath (and a wipe down) but she had also barely eaten her lunch the day before.
I'm frustrated!
I LOVE macaroni and cheese right now. It's one of the few foods I can guaranteed stomach, along with bagels, hot chocolate, goldfish crackers and salt and vinegar chips. Everything else is a hit or miss.
But with the way she reacts, Mac n Cheese may very well be a no-no in our home. We also just got SEVEN coupons from Kraft after I told them their boxes were hard to tell apart. I had accidentally purchase a thick n creamy mac when I meant to purchase original. They taste VERY different, and my stomach was not pleased with my choice. I didn't expect compensation (and most certainly not 7 boxes worth, as I only bought one box) but I was pleased with how they responded. Hopefully they change their boxes a bit for other poor morning sickness plagued mommies.
Well, it's almost 10:30 and I'm ready to crash for the night :) I will for sure update soon. Things should be kicking into gear VERY soon with moving and that amazing ultrasound I want to get so badly. I need to see my Blueberry!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Ashlynn is going to be a....
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.
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, 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!
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