Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Chio at 4 Months!
To celebrate 4 fabulous months with our little girl we had a day at Inwood park. The three of us took some food, some toys, a book and the camera and camped out. It was lovely. I can't believe how big she is!
At 4 months she:
Is eating about 4 bottles or 12 oz while with Daddy during Mommy's work day.
Sometimes visits Mommy at work for a snack and a cuddle.
Is sleeping from approximately 9pm to 9am, though likes to sleep in till 10 on Mommy's days off.
Is taking 2 naps a day, one around 11 and another sometime in the afternoon.
Can roll from back to each side. Also pivots around her activity mat quite a lot.
Loves when Daddy sings to her, plays with her in the mirror and pulls her up to standing.
LOVES standing.
Goes most places in the carrier, often falling asleep.
Doesn't have any teeth yet, but has all the symptoms of teething, especially drool!!
Pulls many things into her mouth with both hands.
"Talks" a LOT! Especially in the mornings.
Is fascinated by her feet.
Is fascinated by watching people eat.
Loves her Caterpillar and the giraffe on the activity mat.
Is about 25 inches long and 16 lbs.
At 4 months she:
Is eating about 4 bottles or 12 oz while with Daddy during Mommy's work day.
Sometimes visits Mommy at work for a snack and a cuddle.
Is sleeping from approximately 9pm to 9am, though likes to sleep in till 10 on Mommy's days off.
Is taking 2 naps a day, one around 11 and another sometime in the afternoon.
Can roll from back to each side. Also pivots around her activity mat quite a lot.
Loves when Daddy sings to her, plays with her in the mirror and pulls her up to standing.
LOVES standing.
Goes most places in the carrier, often falling asleep.
Doesn't have any teeth yet, but has all the symptoms of teething, especially drool!!
Pulls many things into her mouth with both hands.
"Talks" a LOT! Especially in the mornings.
Is fascinated by her feet.
Is fascinated by watching people eat.
Loves her Caterpillar and the giraffe on the activity mat.
Is about 25 inches long and 16 lbs.
Fears about raising a girl
The new Miley Cyrus video has me terrified. No joke, it kept me up last night. Watch, only if you're brave: scary stuff
Luckily, I read this article this morning. I am tempted to write my own. Having a clear vision of what I want to teach my daughter will keep me from being terrified of the Mileys of the world and their influence.
Here is another article I enjoyed:
How to Talk to Little Girls (Creepy title, but I liked what it had to say)
Luckily, I read this article this morning. I am tempted to write my own. Having a clear vision of what I want to teach my daughter will keep me from being terrified of the Mileys of the world and their influence.
Here is another article I enjoyed:
How to Talk to Little Girls (Creepy title, but I liked what it had to say)
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Horse pucky
NYC Dads Group (@NYCDadsGroup) tweeted at 2:01 AM on Thu, Jun 20, 2013: Does it really matter who the family breadwinner is? We say: No. Article
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Not about the family....
....But interesting to me.
Today I read these two very different articles. I know adolescence will come far too soon. I wonder how Christian and I will decide to protect Chio. Most likely we will have frank discussions about the risks of sex. We will definitely be keeping up with this research and not just because I am counseling other people's daughters about it.
Pro
Con
For the record, I was too old to get this vaccine when it was widely available (you can only get it up to 26 years old). Everything I was given to read about it in nursing school was Pro, and we were even given an article that discredited the theory of its connection with Guillen-Barre. However, I have always been suspicious of how quickly this vaccine was pushed on adolescent girls. I remember reading that someone in Virginia wanted to make it mandatory for girls to be able to attend public high school. I find that ridiculous as I'm most certain cervical cancer has never been diagnosed in a high schooler. WTF.
Today I read these two very different articles. I know adolescence will come far too soon. I wonder how Christian and I will decide to protect Chio. Most likely we will have frank discussions about the risks of sex. We will definitely be keeping up with this research and not just because I am counseling other people's daughters about it.
Pro
Con
For the record, I was too old to get this vaccine when it was widely available (you can only get it up to 26 years old). Everything I was given to read about it in nursing school was Pro, and we were even given an article that discredited the theory of its connection with Guillen-Barre. However, I have always been suspicious of how quickly this vaccine was pushed on adolescent girls. I remember reading that someone in Virginia wanted to make it mandatory for girls to be able to attend public high school. I find that ridiculous as I'm most certain cervical cancer has never been diagnosed in a high schooler. WTF.
Week three
Returning back to work has been easier in some ways, and more difficult in others, than I expected. I've gotten better at getting out the door, however am still taking cabs more than I'd like to admit. The busyness of my job makes the days go by quicker so I'm not missing her sooooo much (but still missing her a LOT). I've had a plugged duct twice which is really painful and exhausting. This week my milk supply has been much much less than it was the past two weeks. Finding chances to pump has been difficult. kellymom.com has been good to us, very informative.
As you can tell by the brevity and bland nature of this entry, we are very tired over here in camp Malvaez.
As you can tell by the brevity and bland nature of this entry, we are very tired over here in camp Malvaez.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
It's the Water: Crazy Family Life-Changing Adventure
As it was here that we announced our first drastic life-changing adventure (that of becoming parents), we are happy to announce our latest plans: we are moving back to Olympia!!
That's right, folks. We have made the difficult decision to leave New York. Why difficult? Well, we've put a lot of work into making our lives here over the past six years. We have stable jobs, LOVELY friends, and a sincere appreciation for the city and what it has to offer. However, when discussing our deepest desires for our child (and her probable future siblings), as well as for our own lives, Olympia has won out yet again.
There's a popular belief that anyone who has drunk water from the Artesian Well is destined to return to Olympia. This will be my third time moving to Olympia. First for college at The Evergreen State University, "Go Geoducks". Second, a return after an ill-planned but life-altering year in Oaxaca, Mexico. For the third time around, I am looking forward to learning about all the amazing things this artsy, crunchy, diverse, rainy town has going for it so many years later.
It looks like the move will take place at the end of October. I have given notice at work and was grateful for the kind words from my bosses. I have told a few select friends and felt blessed to be met with such a mix of support and open regret at our not being around. We have started the slow, painful process of planning the actual move. (Look for entry " It's the Water: Crazy Family Life Changing Adventure Part 2, coming soon") So stay tuned for more details and rants to come.
That's right, folks. We have made the difficult decision to leave New York. Why difficult? Well, we've put a lot of work into making our lives here over the past six years. We have stable jobs, LOVELY friends, and a sincere appreciation for the city and what it has to offer. However, when discussing our deepest desires for our child (and her probable future siblings), as well as for our own lives, Olympia has won out yet again.
There's a popular belief that anyone who has drunk water from the Artesian Well is destined to return to Olympia. This will be my third time moving to Olympia. First for college at The Evergreen State University, "Go Geoducks". Second, a return after an ill-planned but life-altering year in Oaxaca, Mexico. For the third time around, I am looking forward to learning about all the amazing things this artsy, crunchy, diverse, rainy town has going for it so many years later.
It looks like the move will take place at the end of October. I have given notice at work and was grateful for the kind words from my bosses. I have told a few select friends and felt blessed to be met with such a mix of support and open regret at our not being around. We have started the slow, painful process of planning the actual move. (Look for entry " It's the Water: Crazy Family Life Changing Adventure Part 2, coming soon") So stay tuned for more details and rants to come.
(Not my tattoo)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
First day back at work
Ok, so not only did I have to come down off the high of vacation, I had to go back to work!!! To be honest, Saturday night (the night before my first shift) I seriously contemplated backing out completely. Like quitting. Like calling my boss crying and confessing that "I just can't do it". But everyone said "you'll be OK". And, for the most part, they were right.
If you're not familiar with how midwives are scheduled in a hospital setting, it goes a little something like this: We see patients all day in "clinic" which is scheduled in 15 minute slots. Unless it is a pregnant woman's first time being seen, they get 45 min. "All day" usually means 8 hours, but sometimes there is a late clinic, going until 8pm. That means 12 hours of seeing patients every 15 minutes. We are also scheduled in Labor and Delivery where we oversee and support laboring women and do deliveries. We also see women who have just given birth and support them with healing, breast feeding and getting ready to go home. These shifts are usually 12 hours.
So this week I had one labor and delivery shift (12 hours), two regular clinic shifts (8 hours each) and one late clinic day (12 hours). The plus side: only 4 days of work which means more days at home with my baby. The down side: 40 hours! 40 hours away from my baby! 2-3 times pumping a day. A million phone calls home just to "check in". 100 or so patients that I want to give my full attention to but can't because my boobs hurt, my heart hurts, and my head is spinning. The math just doesn't add up.
How was I to prepare for this rude adjustment to my life? Oh, here's the fun part. Having only breastfed, except once or twice when the grandparents were in town, Chio has never taken a bottle. So Chris and I had to spend our last few vacation days trying to get her used to the idea. Which meant I had to keep leaving the house in order for the two of them to give it a good shot. I was a mess, but Chris was amazing. He made sure to keep me updated. He kept cool (for the most part) and Chio adjusted to it by day 3. But the whole thing just felt...unnatural.
Sunday comes. I'm supposed to be on Labor and Delivery at 7 am. I have my pump packed, my lunch packed and my MetroCard ready to go. Oh, but wait, Chio is waking up. So, of course, I lay down and nurse her. Christian does his best to get me out the door on time, but I can't bring myself to leave. When Chio falls asleep and I am finally ready to go (sniff, sniff), but the only way I can make it to work on time is by taking a ($12) cab. Day one and I've already violated our agreement. See, I HAVE to work. Chris has gone down to part-time in order to stay with Chio. This means tightening our belts. This means NO EXTRA EXPENSES....like cabs. Oh well. I packed my lunch for the day, so I figure it evens out.
Once I get to work I am greeted by my lovely coworkers, who I've missed dearly, and have two women in labor. OK, I can do this. I put on my brave face and start preparing for a delivery. Wouldn't it just be my luck, though, she ends up having a difficult birth (I had to call in the Doctor for a vacuum) and I am left shaky and self-doubting. And it's already time to pump.
I get a few ounces out, and it's time for lady #2 to start pushing. Luckily, this one goes well and I remember that I do, in fact, love my job. But I have to eat, like NOW, or I will pass out.
So I stuff some carrots in my face, write my notes and it's time to see the post-partum ladies. I enjoy visiting with them and am sending them home, but have to remember the many tedious steps on the computer to do so. In addition I have to speak with the social worker and the nurses about one of them because her baby may have to stay for observation. No. NO! I can't ask her to leave her baby. Absolutely not. The nurse argues that there are no free beds on the floor for mom to stay. This means little to me. I try to stay calm while talking to this mom about all the possible outcomes and she is crying, telling me she absolutely can't leave her baby at the hospital and go home. My mommy side is all atingle and I fight back crying right along with her, remembering the first, sweet, night at home with Chio. Cuddling and trying to get the hang of breast feeding. Of course not, or course not. In the end, the baby was discharged too so all was well. I sent them off with smiles and completely genuine well-wishes. But it was a good reminder that I am not the same. I am working in a system that is completely removed from the realities of the very vulnerable and magical time around having a baby. I, again, contemplate quitting. A hug and a few laughs with one of the residents gets me centered. I check my phone and Christian has texted saying that he and Chio are doing well. And...
It's time to pump again. So I eat my turkey sandwich while I pump in the call room. Relieved that I have lived through all of this already, unsure how much more I can take. The thing that is keeping me going is knowing that Christian and Chio plan to visit so that I can nurse and cuddle her and feel like me again.
Here is a picture of when they visited:
You can see that Chio is not into it. But that smile I have on my face is for real.
(The woman sitting next to us is my attending. She has two sons under five and was awesome about understanding my pumping needs and how tender I felt on that day. )
I see a few more patients triage, catch up with the nurses, pump once more (hey, I'm getting pretty good at it!) and before I know I am giving report and getting ready to go home. Waiting for the train seems like torture so I take another cab (darn it) home. But this face is so worth it!
If you're not familiar with how midwives are scheduled in a hospital setting, it goes a little something like this: We see patients all day in "clinic" which is scheduled in 15 minute slots. Unless it is a pregnant woman's first time being seen, they get 45 min. "All day" usually means 8 hours, but sometimes there is a late clinic, going until 8pm. That means 12 hours of seeing patients every 15 minutes. We are also scheduled in Labor and Delivery where we oversee and support laboring women and do deliveries. We also see women who have just given birth and support them with healing, breast feeding and getting ready to go home. These shifts are usually 12 hours.
So this week I had one labor and delivery shift (12 hours), two regular clinic shifts (8 hours each) and one late clinic day (12 hours). The plus side: only 4 days of work which means more days at home with my baby. The down side: 40 hours! 40 hours away from my baby! 2-3 times pumping a day. A million phone calls home just to "check in". 100 or so patients that I want to give my full attention to but can't because my boobs hurt, my heart hurts, and my head is spinning. The math just doesn't add up.
How was I to prepare for this rude adjustment to my life? Oh, here's the fun part. Having only breastfed, except once or twice when the grandparents were in town, Chio has never taken a bottle. So Chris and I had to spend our last few vacation days trying to get her used to the idea. Which meant I had to keep leaving the house in order for the two of them to give it a good shot. I was a mess, but Chris was amazing. He made sure to keep me updated. He kept cool (for the most part) and Chio adjusted to it by day 3. But the whole thing just felt...unnatural.
Sunday comes. I'm supposed to be on Labor and Delivery at 7 am. I have my pump packed, my lunch packed and my MetroCard ready to go. Oh, but wait, Chio is waking up. So, of course, I lay down and nurse her. Christian does his best to get me out the door on time, but I can't bring myself to leave. When Chio falls asleep and I am finally ready to go (sniff, sniff), but the only way I can make it to work on time is by taking a ($12) cab. Day one and I've already violated our agreement. See, I HAVE to work. Chris has gone down to part-time in order to stay with Chio. This means tightening our belts. This means NO EXTRA EXPENSES....like cabs. Oh well. I packed my lunch for the day, so I figure it evens out.
Once I get to work I am greeted by my lovely coworkers, who I've missed dearly, and have two women in labor. OK, I can do this. I put on my brave face and start preparing for a delivery. Wouldn't it just be my luck, though, she ends up having a difficult birth (I had to call in the Doctor for a vacuum) and I am left shaky and self-doubting. And it's already time to pump.
I get a few ounces out, and it's time for lady #2 to start pushing. Luckily, this one goes well and I remember that I do, in fact, love my job. But I have to eat, like NOW, or I will pass out.
So I stuff some carrots in my face, write my notes and it's time to see the post-partum ladies. I enjoy visiting with them and am sending them home, but have to remember the many tedious steps on the computer to do so. In addition I have to speak with the social worker and the nurses about one of them because her baby may have to stay for observation. No. NO! I can't ask her to leave her baby. Absolutely not. The nurse argues that there are no free beds on the floor for mom to stay. This means little to me. I try to stay calm while talking to this mom about all the possible outcomes and she is crying, telling me she absolutely can't leave her baby at the hospital and go home. My mommy side is all atingle and I fight back crying right along with her, remembering the first, sweet, night at home with Chio. Cuddling and trying to get the hang of breast feeding. Of course not, or course not. In the end, the baby was discharged too so all was well. I sent them off with smiles and completely genuine well-wishes. But it was a good reminder that I am not the same. I am working in a system that is completely removed from the realities of the very vulnerable and magical time around having a baby. I, again, contemplate quitting. A hug and a few laughs with one of the residents gets me centered. I check my phone and Christian has texted saying that he and Chio are doing well. And...
It's time to pump again. So I eat my turkey sandwich while I pump in the call room. Relieved that I have lived through all of this already, unsure how much more I can take. The thing that is keeping me going is knowing that Christian and Chio plan to visit so that I can nurse and cuddle her and feel like me again.
Here is a picture of when they visited:
You can see that Chio is not into it. But that smile I have on my face is for real.
(The woman sitting next to us is my attending. She has two sons under five and was awesome about understanding my pumping needs and how tender I felt on that day. )
I see a few more patients triage, catch up with the nurses, pump once more (hey, I'm getting pretty good at it!) and before I know I am giving report and getting ready to go home. Waiting for the train seems like torture so I take another cab (darn it) home. But this face is so worth it!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Epic Vacation Pt. 3
Soon we were off to Oregon again. This time to see my Mom and Auntie Gail.
Chio had her first experience in a pool! We took pictures which I need to scan.
Once back in Olympia, we visited with friends Bibiana and her son Alexis, as well as Gelasia who was visiting from Mexico.
The vacation, of course, ended far too soon. We look forward to seeing all of these people more often and watching all the children grow up together.
Epic Vacation Pt. 2
After Louis's birth we headed down to Lafayette, Oregon so that Chio could meet her cousin, Kohner, visit with her grandparents and aunt and uncle, and see where her mama grew up.
We also had a nice BBQ with Aunt Kristen.
We were visited by my high school friends Nikki Kartchner and Leslie Levanger (who had boy #4 the very next day!!)
After Lafayette, we were back up to Olympia to bask in the peaceful new baby-ness at Kandi's.
While Aaron and Kandi took Louis to his first Doctor's appointment, Christian and I had the honor of spending time with Lazlo. We went to the Farmers' Market and to Old School Pizzaria.
That week we also had dinner with friends Ellen and Octavio, and Christian's former ESL teacher and current friend Pat and her husband Toby. Chio turned on the charm!
Epic Vacation Pt. 1
Don't know where to start! We are sitting in the Sea-Tac airport waiting for our plane. We are counting our blessings, which are far too numerous to count. At the top of the list is our AMAZING, easy-going, happy baby. Chio is, without a doubt, the best travel buddy.
The past two weeks in the Northwest have been filled with family, friends, food, new babies (!!), cuddles and a whole lot of infant development. I had hoped to keep up with the blog, but couldn't tear myself away from the fun long enough to type! Here are some highlights:
Chio's new best friend, Mr. Caterpillar, arrived right before we headed to the airport. Chio instantly fell for his big eyes and numerous fun features. Throughout the trip he provided entertainment and comfort for Chio, especially in the car. Thanks Aunt Amy and Uncle Andy!
The past two weeks in the Northwest have been filled with family, friends, food, new babies (!!), cuddles and a whole lot of infant development. I had hoped to keep up with the blog, but couldn't tear myself away from the fun long enough to type! Here are some highlights:
Chio's new best friend, Mr. Caterpillar, arrived right before we headed to the airport. Chio instantly fell for his big eyes and numerous fun features. Throughout the trip he provided entertainment and comfort for Chio, especially in the car. Thanks Aunt Amy and Uncle Andy!
We had hoped to travel light, avoiding the cliche of the over-packed new parents, but ended up taking one suitcase each (Christian shared with Chio's clothes, I had extra diapers in my suitcase), the Snap-and-Go stroller and her highchair, her diaper bag, Chris's backpack and my purse. Not too bad.
She did great on the flights, no fussing. Daddy was awesome, walking her up and down the aisle. She breastfed during take off and i think it helped.
Tia Jessie picked us up from the airport. We drove to Shelton where Grandpa Eddie was celebrating his birthday.
Chio met her new cousin Mariah Socorro also known as Coco. We were excited to see that she had a chin dimple too:)
She met Maggie and her Comadre Cleo.
We celebrated Mother's Day with locally made food:)
The next day we were visited by friends Bibiana and Alexis.
The wonderful Trejo family also paid us a visit.
We were lucky enough to be able to stay with Kandi, Aaron and Lazlo (in their new house!) while they awaited a new member of their family.
We passed the time by making cupcakes, gardening, playing scrabble, napping, going for walks. It was good quality time with people we love.
And soon,
Sweet baby Louis was born!!
It was amazing to be present during Kandi's labor and the birth of Louis. The house was full of babies, love and Midwives!!
To be continued...
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