Mommy's Moment

I know that everyone wants to hear about the baby (and even if you don't ask me, I'll tell you all about him!), but what about the mommy? I promise that she disappear. So, I'll just check in and do a little update about what it's been like being a working mommy.

I have to say that I have been relieved to leave Christian with Ken everyday when I go to work. I am able to focus on my store knowing my son is in the best, most capable hands in the world. Plus, Ken is a great "stay at home Dad" even though he works, too. Check out this video as a tribute to stay at home dads! It's too much fun! Plus it's by my favorite comedian, Jon Lajoie.

My store is doing fabulously. Continuing on at the number one spot in the region. My assistant managers are learning and growing in their knowledge and skill set at an amazing rate! I am so impressed with them. I love going to work everyday knowing that they are as dedicated and driven to excellence as I am.

When I was pregnant I was in so much pain physically that it was hard to enjoy being at work. Now that I am not enormously pregnant, I am able to maneuver up and down ladders and walk twenty miles a day back and forth in my store without feeling like my feet are going to fall off and my hips are going to become disjointed. (Seriously, that is no exaggeration...) I love my customers again and all of a sudden I am not annoyed by the screaming children who run wayward through the clothing racks (probably because I have my own kid who can have a meltdown without a second's notice). Every kid that comes in is simply an extension of my baby boy who waits patiently at home for his mommy.

Ken and I are doing really well! We enjoy our son together so much. We do tend to put Christian's needs before our own, but he is needier than us. Duh! We always seem to find time to sneak off to another bedroom for intimacy and I have to say that it is uh.maz.ing. Seriously. It's like we just met...(partly because I am not quite as large and uncomfortable as I was...I'm more like a beluga and not so much like a humpback? Does that give you a good visual?)

As far as my personal feelings about myself are concerned...well, let's just say that I am not happy about the way I look. I feel fat. I really thought I would have no problem losing my baby weight within the 8 weeks I was on maternity leave. Boy, was I wrong! You don't just lose 65 pounds in a snap. (There. I said it. 65 pounds. That's what I gained...) And it doesn't help that I haven't curbed my eating AT ALL. It's like my body still wants all the things it wanted when I was pregnant. I literally have to re-program my mind before I can be successful in feeling good about me.


There is a significant amount of drama in one portion of my life that won't seem to go away...coucoughfamilycoughcough...but sometimes you just have to remove yourself from it and move on with life. Especially when I have so much going on and so much to be thankful for, the LAST thing I need are people who continue to rain on my parade. And I have to set a boundary and say, "No more!".

Anyways, that is my vent for now. I'm sure I'll have more later! Thanks for listening!

Attention All Fatties

It's true. I gained a couple of pounds while I was pregnant (Just a couple...gosh!) And when they tell you things like, "That weight will just fall off once you have the baby!"...they're lying. And I want to punch those people in the face for making me believe a fairytale dream that is NOT TRUE. (Feeling better now that I got that off my chest...)

So, because my fellow co-workers want to support me in re-discovering my waist line (because let's be honest, I don't know where it is!) we are competing in our own version of "The Biggest Loser". We tend to be just a little cheesy at work (I know that this probably shocks most of you...), so we have a poster posted in the backroom explaining the rules of the competition.

As we discussed the competition with everyone, we decided that it shouldn't be all about weight loss. (After all, not everyone needs to lose 50 pounds...not saying that I do, but then, maybe I am...) We decided that at the end of the competition we would all vote for the winner, and that the winner should be the person who achieved their goal to the greatest extent.

So, wish me luck! I have got to lose this weight. And it will be great to have the support of the people I work with (especially since I spend more time with them than anyone else...) I will keep everyone updated!

Pool Boy For Hire

Yes, it's true! We're putting Christian to work! He really needs a summer job in order to earn some extra spending money for...well, for whatever it is that a 2 month old needs! Won't you please hire Christian?...

My Daddy bought me my very own pool so that I could practice being a pool boy!

The first thing I did was fill the pool up with water...

Then Mommy helped me put on my swim trunks! Actually, they weren't really swim trunks. Mom said she couldn't find any that would fit me on account of my hiney being so skinny. 
(Thanks for that one, Daddy.) 

No worries! A little flash here and there is free of charge! 
(Hey! I gotta do somethin' to keep up with the competition!)

I like to test the water first for temperature....

Then I like to test the water for buoyancy...

Yep! Everything checks out with this pool!

I think I'll just sit back and relax for a bit!

*Wink* That was just for you...

Might as well get nakey nakey eggs and bakey! 

Ahhhh...That's better!

Time for lunch! And check out the sparkly pool! Didn't I do such a good job? 
Hey, has anyone seen my shorts???

Let's Go TEAM CHRISTIAN! (The Sequel)

"Way to go Team Christian, way to go! Woot woot! Way to go Team Christian, way to go! Woot woot!"

That's right! The second month's visit to the pediatrician has proven Christian victorious over...well...over non-victoriousness! FANTASTIC!

Once they called him back, the first thing they did was weigh my little man. I remember it like it was yesterday...(actually it was today, but you get the idea...)  

It was the moment of truth! The crowd became silent as the nurse reached for Christian. Apprehensively, Mommy handed Christian over to the nice lady and held her breath. Mommy knew that she and he had worked very hard for the past month, and that only the scale would be the silent judge of their combined efforts. Carefully the nurse lay Christian atop the scale. The crowd awaited the final read aaaand...TOUCHDOWN! Christian weighed in at 11 pounds 4.5 ounces! The nurse announced, "WE HAVE A WINNER!" The crowd went WILD!

Heavyweight champion!

Christian gained over 2 pounds in one month on breastmilk alone! There is a certain satisfaction in knowing your child is growing at a healthy rate while nourished solely on the breastmilk you provide. Being at work and pumping every three hours has proven to be a challenge, but I am happy to say that my co-workers are super supportive of my efforts and have encouraged me to stick with it. Christian also grew another inch and a half. Thus putting him at 22 inches even!

When the doctor entered the room she said, "I'm looking for a big boy! Is there a big boy in here!?!?" (Don't you just love that?) Dr.Rosenthal was so excited to see how much Christian had grown. She even verbalized how luscious his chubby little thighs were...(Hey! They are luscious!) She asked how often he was eating, to which I replied, "Whenever he wants"..."Good", she said. Then she asked how he was sleeping. I told her that he slept really well last night but that it's pretty normal for him to wake up about twice for a snack. I told her that it didn't bother me and that we are continuing co-sleeping because I get more sleep without having to get up to feed him. She agreed that it's normal for him to not sleep through the night. If, at six months, he's not sleeping through the night, then we might have a problem.

She then took out a little toy and passed it back and forth in front of his face and watched him follow it with his eyes. She noted that he preferred to look at the human face in that he kept making intense eye contact with her throughout the visit (You know my kid is intense...) She also witnessed him bring his hands together in complete amazement! She said that most babies don't do that till they're 3 months (Score!) Dr.Rosenthal also commented on how happy Christian was. That made my heart so happy! A mother loves for people to tell her how happy her baby is.

Smiling for the doctor!

I told her that a week ago Ken and I had been deathly ill with colds that were really aggressive. I told her that even with Christian sleeping next to me and being around the two of us constantly, he still didn't get sick. She confirmed what I already knew by telling me that the antibodies he was getting from my breastmilk were keeping him from getting sick! So get this: you're sick, your body produces antibodies to fight off the infection and since your child is drinking the antibodies he's already "vaccinated" from the infection! How cool is that? It's like I'm a human vaccine! Groovy...

Yummy! Christian loves eating vaccines!

Now it was time for the fun part...time for the real vaccines. Christian had to get two shots and some sort of sippy dropper immunization thingy (that was the scientific term, of course). He loved the sippy dropper immunization thingy. The nurse was like, "Wow! He really likes this. Not many babies do..." To which I responded, "Yeah. My kid will eat anything you put in his mouth. How's about giving us one of those things for the road?"

Unfortunately, all vaccines are not as fun (or tasty) as the sippy dropper immunization thingy. Some vaccines are a little painful. Christian got two shots in his luscious chubby thighs today. But he took it like a champ!

Poor guy. He never saw it comin'.

Yep. That one hurt.

Christian only cried for about five seconds and then he was back to his normal happy self! What a trooper!

He even got TWO red band aids to show off his new battle wounds (...because only real men get to wear crayon band aids!)

Christian had a great visit with Dr.Rosenthal, but about half way through the visit, his eye started to tear up. It was so weird and a little disconcerting. I was afraid that he had either scratched his eye or had come into contact with something he was allergic to. I asked the doctor if something was wrong and she reassured me that it was only a clogged tear duct and not something terrible. She suggested rubbing the side of his nose to unclog the duct a couple of times a day. Easy enough.

 We are so very grateful to have a healthy happy baby.  He is all we hoped and prayed for and more...

Be sure and stay tuned for the third installment of Go Team Christian in July!

The First of Many

When I was a little girl (and even to this day), I would always ask my mom what she wanted for Mother's Day. She would always say (and still does), "Nothing, dear. A card would be nice." And I would always get so frustrated. I would want her to name something-anything-that she would enjoy on her special day. A card just didn't seem like enough. I would have given her the world!

But now, I get it. I understand why the card and the message inside were enough; because the words are forever written on your heart.

Dear Mommy, 

Daddy said he would help me with this card because I was having some trouble writing it myself.

I wanted to tell you that I am the luckiest baby in the world because you are my mommy. I wanted you to know that you make everything o.k. when you hold me and when you talk to me. And that when I hear your voice, I know that everything will be alright. I know that when I am hungry you will feed me and when I am upset, you will comfort me. And when I am near you in the big bed, I can sleep because I know you are there with me.


I am also lucky because you feed me the very best milky-milk that you make for me yourself. Daddy says it's the super smart milk that only a loving Mommy can make. When Daddy holds me, he tells me that you are the greatest Mom ever and that you love me more than anything or anybody in the whole world and that I am your little Prince. 


So I wanted to give you this card on Mother's Day to say thank you for giving me life. Thank you for nourishing me with your own body and letting me sleep with you in the big comfy beddy-bye. And thank you for loving scruffy ole Daddy.


You're the best Mommy Ever.

Love,
Christian

Daddy took pictures of me and Christian's special snuggle time

He's the best cuddler in the whole wide world

So in love

Christian and Daddy even got me some super thoughtful presents. But after that letter, everything paled in comparison. Even the chocolate wasn't as good...but I ate it anyway because I'm a trooper like that!

My beautiful sea turtle necklace as a reminder of Christian and his totem. So beautiful. 

My first "Mommy Bracelet Charm"! Ken says that every Mommy needs a Mommy bracelet! (I think what he was trying to say is that it's ok if I wear tacky Mommy things because I'm a Mommy!)

Christian was so excited to watch me open my presents! We had to tell him to calm down like, 50 times...

My Mother's Day gifts. (The best one is sleeping on the left...)

Waiting to eat at Outback

Biiiiiig Stretch!

I am so thankful for my son. He is a little piece of heaven that I could never possibly deserve...that is why he is my redemption.

And as for my husband who put so much thought into my special day, I could never ask for more in a companion, lover, friend. Thank you for delving into this journey with me; for believing in me enough to be a mother. That alone...your faith in me...is enough.

Prince Prints

If you're a mom, then you probably got a baby hand/foot print kit when you had a baby shower. When you got the kit you probably thought, "Wow! This is awesome! I can't wait to imprint my child's hands and feet on some impervious material that will last forever and frame for posterity...

And how hard can it be right? Just a dollop of dark ink on those cute little digits and bam! artwork...Well let's see, shall we count how many items in my bedroom that are now headed for the laundry?  And you'd think the little Prince would want to finger paint, or try his hand at some creative graffiti, or at the very least, just cooperate because it was Mother's Day weekend and he loves his Mommy.  Nope... None of the above.  Little Christian wanted to ink up, clench up and dare me to straighten his fingers.

It goes without saying that his feet were a little easier so I do have a couple of fairly decent footprints. But it will take our friends at CSI to find a match on these fingerprints.  In fact, with the tight fists he was making and the way he was swinging them around, he may be better suited for the boxing ring than the artist's pallet.

Foot Prints? Not so bad.

Perhaps it we photoshop all the above we might get one good hand print...

No Daddy, I'm not touching that paper!

Silly Daddy, you're making a mess!

I told you.

Ha Ha, give up yet?

The Second Month

NEWS FLASH! CHRISTIAN IS TWO MONTHS OLD! TIME IS FLYING BY!...Ok. Now that I got that out of my system, here's what we've been up to this month...

Added another chin!

Lots of hard work went into this double chin...

Went to the beach!

Met my sister and my brother...

Started wearing "big boy diapers"! (size ones instead of newborn)

Made a friend! (Lily Ashcraft)

Did my first photo shoot

And celebrated my first Easter!

What a busy month Christian has had! You should see his Day Planner! I have to call his agent just to get a date. Well, that's a lie because every night this month Christian has slept curled up right beside me. I really struggled with the whole co-sleeping thing (is it right? is it wrong?), but Ken and I agree that it's ok. Since I have gone back to work (and sometimes get home really late at night...try 1 am!), co-sleeping is a great way to reconnect and bond (Thank you, Ashley Colbaugh...my fellow crunchy mom!) Honestly, I think I was more concerned about Ken and my love life dwindling, but that hasn't been a problem in the least ;) Finding a different room while Christian is asleep kinda makes it feel like vacation sex! What? T.M.I?  

This past month Christian has been one very lucky little boy in that he has made not one, but two special lady friends! Yes. It's true. My son has already wooed the hearts of two beautiful little girls while Mommy chit-chatted with their mommy's at lunch. Christian was able to "meet" Stephanie Ashcraft's daughter, Lily (who is now 7 months old) and Katie Lynn's daughter, Kylee (who is almost exactly one month younger than Christian)  during our weekly "mommy lunches". I really enjoyed my time being a stay at home mom and even indulged in some girl's day shopping and lunching with my friends. It's so important to have friends that are moms...here's why:
1) They never judge you for being late (And yes.I was always the one who was late.)
2) They never try to keep talking to you on the phone while your baby is having a meltdown.
3) They understand when you have to cut and run instead of shopping due to afore mentioned meltdown.
4) They love you no matter whether you've showered or not.
5) They don't notice if you are a repeat offender...and if they do, they are kind enough not to say anything. (*Repeat Offender*=someone who wears the same outfit the next day.)

Since I have gone back to work Ken has been Christian's primary caretaker and will remain as such. He has cut back his day hours to accommodate my work schedule and has taken on more teaching hours at night. Juggling schedules can be a little dicey but we feel like it is worth the effort. The bond that Christian has with his daddy is indescribable. I watch them together and I know that Ken is most assuredly the best dad I have ever known. 

Does Christian sleep through the night? Um, no. Does it bother me? No. It's normal. He still wakes up at 2 and 4 in the morning, but sometimes he doesn't even want to eat; he's just stretching. I feel so rejected when I try to feed him and he just goes back to sleep. I don't know what I am going to do when I stop nursing. I think I will be distraught!

We learned a few things about Christian this month!
1) He still doesn't love his bassinet. Big surprise, right?
2) He LOVES bath time! And in order to establish a routine, we have started giving him a bath almost every night. This month we have really used his plastic baby tub a lot. He loves to lounge around in it! I almost want to give him a glass of scotch and a cigar...

3) The reason he wasn't crazy about his pacifiers from the first month is because they were nothing like a nipple. They were exactly like a bottle! So we switched from a Soothie to a Nuk and now he'll actually suck on a pacifier for more than 10 seconds at a time. He's still not dependent on them all the time, but I'd rather him suck on a paci instead of his hand or thumb.

New pacifier

Old pacifier

4) Christian is less fussy at night. And we know why. Let's just say that Mommy has a soda problem. And Mommy was drinking a little too much caffeine. And the caffeine made Christian very angry. So now Mommy drinks caffeine free diet coke (aka: colored water) and we have a much happier baby come bedtime.
5) With a fashion sense that rivals Calvin Klein, Christian is also a huge fan of disco! He love love loves the Bee Gees! Anytime he's crying in the car, we turn on the Bee Gees and bam! He quits crying! It's pretty funny. Come to find out, he is also a really good dancer...

6)I know everyone thinks their kid is more advanced, smarter, stronger, cuter and wittier than everyone elses, but mine really is! Really! Because look what my kid can do before he's even TWO months old!

 That's right! Christian can smile and "laugh" (His laughs sound more like a giggle crossed with a coo. It's super cute and can soften the hardest of hearts.) I can't wait till Christian can smile on a regular basis. It really makes my day.

And then there's the talking. I know, your first thought is that I am exaggerating..  O.K. maybe a little but I assure you he does try to talk.  Maybe not the Kings English yet, but he is very expressive. When I talk softly to him, he looks directly at my mouth and tries to talk back.  Something I have tried to capture for your amazement but of course he is always more expressive when there is no camera present... Murphy's Law

We go for Christian's two month checkup on May 17th. I can't wait to see how much weight he has gained and how much longer he has gotten! Tune in for the second edition of Go Team Christian after that appointment.