Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Chio waking up from her nap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FK0a06TKGU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Fun Play Date
Today we had lunch with our friend Tara and her twin girls. Though they are 4+ months older than Chio, all three of the girls are about the same size. They also have a lot of fun toys that Chio has never been exposed to. Tara and I had a great time watching them all play.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
4 month visit-rant alert
We had a pediatric well-baby visit yesterday. We left feeling very un-well.
First, the good stuff: Chio is a full 16lbs6oz, and 25.5 inches long. This puts her in the 90% for weight AND height (or length, you know what I mean). In addition, she is meeting all the milestones: lifts head, starting to roll, smiles, babbles, etc. All signs were pointing to greatness, which we knew. She is an amazing baby.
Then came the downer. First, our pediatrician asked us if we were using the vitamin D supplements. Well, Christian and I had been discussing it since recommended at our very first pediatric appointment. First of all she is exclusively breastfed. (Fun fact: The vitamin D in breast milk is the most easily absorbed. Also, she couldn't recommend a brand without sugar or dye and didn't bother to ask about my diet) Secondly, since I am not Vitamin D deficient I assume she was born with ample stores. Thirdly, we don't live in a place that lacks sunlight. She gets outside daily. We felt confident that Chio was not at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Our pediatrician interrupted me almost immediately when explaining our reasoning. She stated that breast milk had NO vitamin D in it (WRONG). Then she said it's also time to start iron supplements because breast milk has no iron in it (close, but still WRONG). THEN she started telling us that we needed to put her on a feeding schedule, spacing her feedings (in fact she talked about distracting her when hungry) to every 3-4 hours because, and I quote "really what she's doing is snacking". She finished this nonsensical rant with "that way she won't wake up so often at night and you can get some sleep". After the last statement our jaws were on the floor. I think she noticed because she then politely asked us how we were sleeping. HELLO! We sleep amazingly well. We have bragged about it for a while now. On average, she wakes up to feed once or twice a night which was our pediatrician's whole goal with this artificial "schedule". Why would someone try to give us advice on sleeping well before asking us how we're sleeping? We didn't even approach our sleeping arrangement (in the bed) because I know she is against it and I am not willing to budge.
To further piss us off, while she was talking about a feeding schedule she was looking directly at me, even though we had already explained that I am back at work and that Christian is home with her during the day. I kept pointing to him when she asked questions about bottles and ounces. It was almost aggressive how she chose to completely ignore the fact that HE is the one that feeds her for most of the day. It was like she couldn't shake her gender stereotypes. Strange for a working mom, don't you think?
UGH.
Then Chio had to get shots. She screamed, cried and then fell asleep for a couple hours. When she woke up she was her happy self. A low-grade fever through the night, but she is absolutely sunny this morning. We are still unsure if we made the right decision to give her ALL the vaccines so young, but I am still a believer in some mainstream things, vaccines being one of them.
So what, you may ask, gives me the right to go against the Doctor's advice (my Grandmother would be horrified)? Basically this: I am an expert in my child. As is Christian. Since before her birth Christian and I have practiced attachment parenting and we are the only ones she spends time with. We are attentive, nurturing and in touch with our baby's needs. Furthermore, one has only to look at her to know she is healthy and well cared for. We may end up giving her supplements (once I check pros and cons), but a respectful approach to our particular situation and honest conversation would have been nice. Not all families are the same!!
I look forward to interviewing pediatricians in Olympia. I look forward to being supported in my (completely healthy, rational, deeply-personal, and evidence-based) parenting decisions. I may not be a perfect clinician myself, but I do see it as my job to support a mother's intuition in the way she approaches her self-care and that of her baby. I do my best to avoid treating all patients the same, looking at their individual needs and circumstances. I am looking for a pediatrician that practices this way too.
First, the good stuff: Chio is a full 16lbs6oz, and 25.5 inches long. This puts her in the 90% for weight AND height (or length, you know what I mean). In addition, she is meeting all the milestones: lifts head, starting to roll, smiles, babbles, etc. All signs were pointing to greatness, which we knew. She is an amazing baby.
Then came the downer. First, our pediatrician asked us if we were using the vitamin D supplements. Well, Christian and I had been discussing it since recommended at our very first pediatric appointment. First of all she is exclusively breastfed. (Fun fact: The vitamin D in breast milk is the most easily absorbed. Also, she couldn't recommend a brand without sugar or dye and didn't bother to ask about my diet) Secondly, since I am not Vitamin D deficient I assume she was born with ample stores. Thirdly, we don't live in a place that lacks sunlight. She gets outside daily. We felt confident that Chio was not at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Our pediatrician interrupted me almost immediately when explaining our reasoning. She stated that breast milk had NO vitamin D in it (WRONG). Then she said it's also time to start iron supplements because breast milk has no iron in it (close, but still WRONG). THEN she started telling us that we needed to put her on a feeding schedule, spacing her feedings (in fact she talked about distracting her when hungry) to every 3-4 hours because, and I quote "really what she's doing is snacking". She finished this nonsensical rant with "that way she won't wake up so often at night and you can get some sleep". After the last statement our jaws were on the floor. I think she noticed because she then politely asked us how we were sleeping. HELLO! We sleep amazingly well. We have bragged about it for a while now. On average, she wakes up to feed once or twice a night which was our pediatrician's whole goal with this artificial "schedule". Why would someone try to give us advice on sleeping well before asking us how we're sleeping? We didn't even approach our sleeping arrangement (in the bed) because I know she is against it and I am not willing to budge.
To further piss us off, while she was talking about a feeding schedule she was looking directly at me, even though we had already explained that I am back at work and that Christian is home with her during the day. I kept pointing to him when she asked questions about bottles and ounces. It was almost aggressive how she chose to completely ignore the fact that HE is the one that feeds her for most of the day. It was like she couldn't shake her gender stereotypes. Strange for a working mom, don't you think?
UGH.
Then Chio had to get shots. She screamed, cried and then fell asleep for a couple hours. When she woke up she was her happy self. A low-grade fever through the night, but she is absolutely sunny this morning. We are still unsure if we made the right decision to give her ALL the vaccines so young, but I am still a believer in some mainstream things, vaccines being one of them.
So what, you may ask, gives me the right to go against the Doctor's advice (my Grandmother would be horrified)? Basically this: I am an expert in my child. As is Christian. Since before her birth Christian and I have practiced attachment parenting and we are the only ones she spends time with. We are attentive, nurturing and in touch with our baby's needs. Furthermore, one has only to look at her to know she is healthy and well cared for. We may end up giving her supplements (once I check pros and cons), but a respectful approach to our particular situation and honest conversation would have been nice. Not all families are the same!!
I look forward to interviewing pediatricians in Olympia. I look forward to being supported in my (completely healthy, rational, deeply-personal, and evidence-based) parenting decisions. I may not be a perfect clinician myself, but I do see it as my job to support a mother's intuition in the way she approaches her self-care and that of her baby. I do my best to avoid treating all patients the same, looking at their individual needs and circumstances. I am looking for a pediatrician that practices this way too.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Anniversary
Christian just turned 31. I celebrate my birthday July 7th. But another very important anniversary befalls us this week.
One year ago today, July 2nd, I found out I was pregnant!
I remember the day vividly. I had expected the pregnancy test to come out negative. So much so, that I didn't even watch the test in progress. Instead I reasoned with my friend Linda about how hard I had worked out that morning and my latest raw juice cleanse, thinking it was the reason for my nausea. I remember her screaming while I my eyes darted back and forth, back and forth between the two lines and her excited face. Complete disbelief. How had she switched tests to play this prank on me? Who was really pregnant? Maybe she was. I certainly didn't feel "with child". I wasn't ready. Sure, babies are great, but having babies is something grown-ups do. Well, my little brother had a baby. But that was him. I live in a one-bedroom. Despite our best efforts, Christian and I were still living paycheck-to-paycheck with a mountain of student loan debt. Why was Linda playing this trick on me? I know she loved being a mom, but she's smart and energetic. I just want to make it through my work day to go home and take a nap...
...and so my irrational, disordered, frantic mind turned. Over and over for, I'm a little embarrassed to say, many weeks into my pregnancy. I was afraid to share the news, thinking I would be judged. For what, I wasn't sure. Tears appeared out of nowhere, practically daily. I was terrified, tired, and buzzing with nerves.
Telling Chris the news made it real. I wrapped a onesie as a birthday present and watched with fist-sized butterflies in my stomach as he slowly opened it and realized the deeper meaning. I remember him jumping up and grabbing me, pulling me into his chest, promising to work really hard. I cried happy tears, finally, knowing with a deep certainty that I had chosen the right person to share the journey.
I now know that the uncertainty, excitement and fear I felt is normal. Its size is on-par with the transformation involved in pregnancy and birth. No one can tell you how to get through it, but they hold a space for you on the other side of the tunnel, knowing all along that you'll make to that place of joy, elation and unbridled love.
Through it all, the excitement and support shown by my amazing husband and closest friends helped me accept. It was no longer about me, my body had already decided that. All of my resources were going to this new bundle of cells. By the time she arrived my mind and heart had caught up and I was ready to meet this new person.
I had no idea one year ago the many ways I would be changed by becoming a mother. It's an indescribable transformation. So on this anniversary I nod my head to all the women out there just finding out they are pregnant who are struggling to grasp the news. I am holding a space for you too, knowing that when you get through the tunnel you'll marvel at the ways you've changed.
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One year ago today, July 2nd, I found out I was pregnant!
I remember the day vividly. I had expected the pregnancy test to come out negative. So much so, that I didn't even watch the test in progress. Instead I reasoned with my friend Linda about how hard I had worked out that morning and my latest raw juice cleanse, thinking it was the reason for my nausea. I remember her screaming while I my eyes darted back and forth, back and forth between the two lines and her excited face. Complete disbelief. How had she switched tests to play this prank on me? Who was really pregnant? Maybe she was. I certainly didn't feel "with child". I wasn't ready. Sure, babies are great, but having babies is something grown-ups do. Well, my little brother had a baby. But that was him. I live in a one-bedroom. Despite our best efforts, Christian and I were still living paycheck-to-paycheck with a mountain of student loan debt. Why was Linda playing this trick on me? I know she loved being a mom, but she's smart and energetic. I just want to make it through my work day to go home and take a nap...
...and so my irrational, disordered, frantic mind turned. Over and over for, I'm a little embarrassed to say, many weeks into my pregnancy. I was afraid to share the news, thinking I would be judged. For what, I wasn't sure. Tears appeared out of nowhere, practically daily. I was terrified, tired, and buzzing with nerves.
Telling Chris the news made it real. I wrapped a onesie as a birthday present and watched with fist-sized butterflies in my stomach as he slowly opened it and realized the deeper meaning. I remember him jumping up and grabbing me, pulling me into his chest, promising to work really hard. I cried happy tears, finally, knowing with a deep certainty that I had chosen the right person to share the journey.
I now know that the uncertainty, excitement and fear I felt is normal. Its size is on-par with the transformation involved in pregnancy and birth. No one can tell you how to get through it, but they hold a space for you on the other side of the tunnel, knowing all along that you'll make to that place of joy, elation and unbridled love.
Through it all, the excitement and support shown by my amazing husband and closest friends helped me accept. It was no longer about me, my body had already decided that. All of my resources were going to this new bundle of cells. By the time she arrived my mind and heart had caught up and I was ready to meet this new person.
I had no idea one year ago the many ways I would be changed by becoming a mother. It's an indescribable transformation. So on this anniversary I nod my head to all the women out there just finding out they are pregnant who are struggling to grasp the news. I am holding a space for you too, knowing that when you get through the tunnel you'll marvel at the ways you've changed.
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