Wednesday, December 28, 2011

First Christmas

Although June is unlikely to have clear memories of her first Christmas, we sure will! Amos and I can understand why people keep having children, because it means that you get to prolong the magic of the season for years to come. We began finding small ways to start and/or continue traditions, such as buying a Christmas book to read in the days leading up to the 25th, visiting Santa, making bourbon balls, and of course, a visit from our friend, Amrinder the Elf. It was wonderful having a much needed break from school, work and my internship, and miraculously, I didn't get sick, as I sometimes tend to do when I get a break.All in all, it was a great time, with visits from all of our parents and siblings, as well as good friends. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talkin'.


 Posing for holiday cards

 June Apple and her ol' pal.

 Waiting for Santa
 Tiny tree for a tiny girl!
 Christmas shopping makes for the best naps
 Bourbon ball making with G.G. Betty and Grandpa

 No bourbon balls for Juju
 Christmas Eve







A visit from Bepop Santa
 June's new friend, Tootie
 
 Papaw and Mamaw come for a visit
 Christmas party at Grandpa's


Thursday, December 15, 2011

11 months!

 
With Christmas just around the corner and the end of the semester  in sight, its hard to believe another month has flown by and here we are just shy of a year old! She is crawling everywhere and pulling herself up to stand (which means jumping on the bed in her crib when she want us to come get her). She babbles in full sentences, leaving us wishing we had a June Apple translator, because I know she is saying a lot, we just don't quite understand. But I bet it won't be long, before she is chattering away in a language more familiar to us. And if she talks as much as she babbles, I foresee many rounds of the "Quiet Game" in our future....

Apparently all June wants for Christmas was her two front teeth, because that's what she got. And, boy were they vicious in their entrance. She was not a happy camper, that's for sure! And with those teeth brought Miss June's first fever, which meant her first dose of Tylenol, which I didn't hesitate giving her, knowing she needed it, although, I was sorry to introduce such chemical yuckiness into her system. But it brought her fever down and I don't regret it one instant. Perhaps it was not the chemical yuckiness as much as crossing the threshold into what I am sure will be (as it inevitably is for all of us) a lifetime of medical interventions of some sort of another. I credit breastfeeding and dirt fearlessness for the absence of sickness up till this point, and know many a baby who did not fair as well as she did, nor make it as long before their first introduction to Tylenol. Of course, as medical interventions tend to go, one beget another, and a call to her pediatrician's office to let them know about the fever, resulted in their advisement that I take her in to urgent care as her fever was hovering at about 101 degrees. So in we went and although by the time we got there, she didn't have a fever at all, the doctor did see a slight reddening in her ear and some dullness, indicating a possible ear infection. So, then came the penicillin. Ugh. Now this was something I did not really want to do. The doctor said it was up to me, but she advised it (oh, yeah right, like I can really say no to that).  After a consult with her pediatrician's office (who could not see her themselves as they were booked that day), they supported the choice of antibiotics, since she had had the fever for the past couple days, and it could get worse. So I decided, reluctantly, to go ahead and give it to her. My reluctance was due, in part to the same reasons I didn't like the Tylenol. I was also reluctant because I would like to avoid giving her antibiotics if they're not necessary, in order to avoid the yucky side effects, such as weakened immune system when used frequently, intestinal trouble and possible allergic reactions. Amos' mom is allergic to penicillin and subsequently, Amos was never given it. He did however have many ear infections as a kid and tubes several times. I also had a fair number of childhood illnesses and took antibiotics all the time. The doctor assured me that penicillin allergy is generally not genetic. I also had horror stories of ear infections leading to hearing loss running through my head. And then there was the dreaded Anne Frank Fever (inside joke). So, I filled the prescription, and began the ten day cycle. Literally, within ten minutes of the first dose, she had diarrhea. I couldn't believe how fast it coursed through her system! By the next day her fever had gone away entirely, but she had a raging diaper rash. I cut out all fruit and most vegetables and was giving her lots of yogurt (to rebuild good bacteria), cereal and, of course breast milk. By day three she had a rash all over her body. I called the doctor and she told me to stop the penicillin, which I happily did. Needless to say, the rash went away immediately, the fever never came back and although we have not been back to the doc for a follow up, she does not appear to have an ear infection. I am sorry I gave her the penicillin in the first place, although I know I made the best decision with the information that I had at the time. If I knew it would clear up on its own, I wouldn't have given it to her. But I didn't know that. The doctor I spoke to at the urgent care clinic when I called about the rash told me that more and more doctors are choosing the "wait and see" camp when it comes to childhood ear infections, in order to avoid unnecessary antibiotics. Hmmm. I guess the first doctor I saw did not fall in this camp. 

Needless to say, I am glad she got better, and I am glad she didn't have to take much of the penicillin, and I am glad her allergic reaction was not worse than it was. It is so hard making decisions about what is right for someone else's body. Particularly when that someone else is your child. She doesn't have the words yet to tell me how bad she is feeling, or if she has a headache, or if her ear hurts. I just have to guess, based on ambiguous clues that could mean a lot of things. I can't imagine what it must be like for parents whose children are much sicker than June was. I guess all we can do is trust our instincts, seek out trusted sources (in my case June was seen by a doctor we'd never met), educate ourselves, and have faith that it will, hopefully, all be alright.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Hah!

Apparently the most common search phrase that leads people to my blog is "rectal thermometers." Close second was, "most amazing mother universe." I hope that people who are searching for a great rectal thermometer stumble upon this blog and enjoy it. And if not, well you know where they can stick that thermometer?

Good Morning!

Nothing says "Good Morning! Its 7am!" Like being thrown up in your face. Yeah, I guess that still happens. At least she thought it was funny.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Best Rendition of a Much Lived Life

We had a truly AWESOME Thanksgiving this year, with family driving in from Cincinnati, DC and Vermont. You know, I really have to admit that having a baby is like a magnet when it comes to getting your family to visit you, and I will happily take advantage of that whenever I can.


Thanksgiving is, hands down, my favorite holiday. First of all, it is a wonderful excuse to bring all your friends and family around my favorite place: the table. Second, it involves one of my favorite past times- planning and cooking a massive meal. Third, Thanksgiving is about one of my favorite feelings: gratitude. And I have so, so much to be grateful for this year: An amazing husband who continues to astound me with his ability to inject love, levity and passion into every inch of our lives. A husband who went out and killed us a wild turkey for this year's feast! A husband who is not only an amazing partner but an amazing father to our Squirrel Girl. We are so lucky to be in a place in our lives that allows us the flexibility to take care of June Apple at home, without having to have her in daycare. We have been blessed with incredible friends and family who graciously help us take care of June when we are both at work and school. I have a group of 8(!) girlfriends who rotate taking care of June Bug on Thursday nights when Amos has a gig and I am in class until 10pm. To say I am thankful for these women is an understatement. I am so grateful to be close to our families, as their love, support and endless supply of baby booties (Mom) overwhelms me. Speaking of support, the flexibility, baby-love, and encouragement that I have felt from the counseling psych department and my supervisor and co-workers in the teaching and learning department at U of L, allows me to really have my cake and eat it, too.


And then there's June Apple. Sometimes I look at her and the immensity of my gratitude literally takes my breath away. How did I get so lucky? I never, ever, take for granted what a gift she is in our lives, as I am painfully aware that her's is a gift not everyone in my life has been able to receive. My heart aches with the weight of my love for her and I am so grateful that she is happy, healthy, and much, much loved. Oh, and she's pretty cute, too.


Wow, re-reading this post makes it seem like an Oscar acceptance speech. I forgot to thank the Academy. An Oscar for Best Rendition of a Much Lived Life.


So here are some pictorial highlights from the day:








 All in all, an excellent day spent with excellent people eating excellent food!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

10 months!

Holy smokes, what a month its been! Between school, work, an internship two days a week an hours drive away, out of town visitors and final papers, things have been a little hectic. So much so, its taken me nearly two weeks to post pictures of Ms. June Apple at ten months. Here she is in all her ten month glory!
                                                        June practices for her Derby win
                                                                      New bath tub fun!
                                                         Deep conversations with Grandpa.
                              Trying to decide whether she is going to play drums or the bass....
                                                           Isn't she a stinker?!

This month she has mastered the art of standing up and jumping in her crib. This also means when she wakes up in the middle of the night, she immediately stands up and screams at the top of her lungs, making it all the more difficult for her to fall back asleep. I've heard that when babies are trying a new skill (like standing) they often wake up to try it out....and then can't fall back to sleep as well. Ugh. She had been sleeping gloriously from 8 or 9 until 5 in the morning. And then she would sing out to me, "Mother dearest! I would love to enjoy some nursing now." And then I would bring her into bed with us and nurse her into sleeping blissfulness until we both arose with smiles at 8am. And now it goes something like this:
12 am: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!Nurse, nurse, nurse, BITE MOMMY!!!!!! 3am:AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!Nurse, nurse, nurse, BITE BITE BITE MOMMY!!!!!!
5am: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!Nurse, nurse, nurse, BITE MOMMY!!!!! Oh! Is it time to play now?! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!Don't put me back in the crib!!!!!!!! No! I don't want to lie quietly with you!!!!!!!
7 am: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!Time to get up!!!!!!
So, any suggestions? I've tried just letting her cry, and sometimes she will fall back to sleep quickly, but other times, I just give in and go to her because I know I will be asleep again sooner than if I just lie there and listen to her yelling. Ugh. I take solace in the fact that I don't know any older kids who still wake up and call out to their parents in the night....oh, wait....I DO know kids that do that. Shit. Now what?

Friday, November 4, 2011

Tonight

Tonight, my dear June Apple, I put you in your crib, after you sang your way through peas and carrots, after you squealed with delight at the shower on your face, after we read Little Bear Goes to the Moon, and after you giggled and nuzzled into my breast. I put you in your crib, said goodnight and crept away, and you sweetly talked yourself to sleep. No tears. No crying out. Babble and sleep. You rock.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Wearing June

Excuse me while I blow bubbles on top of my soapbox...


So, there are some things that I've done as a parent that I take pretty seriously. Like most parents, I try to make the best informed decisions I can, while simultaneously trying to be flexible and laid back, allowing my intuition guide me. As a graduate student, I having too much information at my fingertips and I have worked very hard to not go crazy searching evidence-based practices for parenting, when I know better. Being a good mama is about being selective and blocking out the noise (and the annoying people) that don't resonate with you.  I feel (mostly) confident listening to my heart in most matters because I have worked hard to seek out advice and answers from people and sources that I trust.


When June was born she was so tiny- 4 pounds, 12 ounces, see the pic for a reminder of her little sweetness. 



I never thought of her as fragile. I knew her spirit from the start. She had already fought so hard to survive and she and I and her Papa would do what we knew was right for our family. I strive not be one of those parents who shoves their values in other people's faces. I try to make choices for our family that are the best for us, and I do no presume to know whether that same thing would be best for someone else's family.  Babies who are born low birth weight, like June Apple, are at risk for many physical and cognitive delays. It was very important to me that I do whatever I could to help her grow and be as strong as she could. After doing extensive research (it helped that I was taking a human growth and development course the semester she was born) I found some solid steps I could take to help insure that she thrive. These steps include breastfeeding, babywearing, skin to skin contact, baby sign language, exposing her to music, and reading to her.


My soapbox on the wonders of breastfeeding will be saved for another day, so today I will talk about the wonders of baby wearing.


                    

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why Katy, are you preaching about babywearing today, of all days?" Well, last week I was having lunch with my new co-workers at the community mental health clinic I am an intern at. I started talking about National Babywearing Week and the flashmob I was planning on taking a part of that Saturday. (Thats right, there is a week to celebrate carrying your baby, and yes, I was in a flashmob. Jealous?) Anyhoo, one of the therapists was like, "Babywearing?!" I explained to her quickly  (because who want to hear my 45 minute spiel? Oh, wait, isn't that what your reading now? Well, I guess your could stop reading if you lose interest........Still with me?) that babywearing meant carrying your baby in a sling or carrier. I mentioned that there is a lot of research out there that supports that wearing your baby improves cognitive functioning. I threw in the word "research," because I thought, you know, this lady has her master's degree in counseling. Apparently that meant nothing to her. Instead she looked at me like I just said, "I love to surround my baby in crystals and smudge her in sage while I read her palm and read to her from The Mists of Avalon."


For the first couple months of her life I wore her tucked into a Moby wrap or sling. Research supports that wearing babies who are low birth weight or born early help continue a baby's time in the womb, by simulating the environment with a cozy wrap.  Babies who are worn spend less time crying and more time in a quiet, alert state, which allows them time to pay attention to what is going on, thus boosting brain power. Also, it helps promote secure attachment. I mean come on! Hello! You are literally attached to each other, so how could that not promote attachment? 

I have four different baby wearing options at my disposal- a Moby wrap, an Ergo Baby carrier (as seen below) and two slings. The Moby has proven to be the most versatile, as June can be worn in many different ways. Currently, she loves to face out, so she can kick her legs and allow everyone to admire her cuteness. The Ergo is great because I can easily take it on and off, making it a good choice when we are running errands and are in and out of the car several times. Amos also wears the Ergo, as it is the most "manly." The slings are good too, but only when I have a sleepy June Apple, as its very conducive for napping.
                   
Sometimes I combine music and babywearing, for a double whammy. 

Clearly baby wearing made June Apple a genius who can hold drum sticks at 3 days old. And just to prove that baby wearing does not make me a perfect mother, this picture was taken in a bar. When she was three days old. That goes to show that a parent's good decisions are usually balanced by plenty of questionable ones. Seriously though, so far, June has met all of her milestones and is as smart as a whip (Are whips smart? Okay, amend that- Smart as a Nobel Peace Prize winner when they were a baby) and I definitely attribute this, in part, to my choice to wear her so often.

So I could go on and on, and in fact, if you are thirsting for more academic flavored candy, I will email you the research paper I wrote on improving cognitive outcomes for low birthweight babies. The Dr. Sears Baby Book is also a good resource for finding out more about the benefits of baby wearing and attachment parenting. 


The take away from it all is this: I LOVE to have June close. I know doing so has contributed to her growth and to our relationship. As a mama, it is my number one goal to raise her to be a smart, independent woman who loves her mama and papa dearly, but doesn't move back in when she's 35 with her collection of embroidery floss and toy poodles, sleeping on our couch and eating all our food. I know that my days of carrying her so close to my heart are numbered, so I cherish them so very dearly. Because soon she'll be running and skipping ahead while I meander behind and watch my girl go, go, go. 


Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween Squirrel





Okay, so this past Monday marked June Apple's first Halloween. She helped pass out candy and stayed content in her little squirrel costume for much longer than I expected. All the hub bub clearly wore her out because she fell right to sleep instead of playing on our bed for 15-30 minutes like she usually does before bed. Having a baby too young to care what they dress up as is awesome, because before we know it, she's going to be like I was, and insist on being a boring old "punk rocker" for 4 years straight. 
Amos and I were very disappointed over the lack of homemade costumes (except for one very cool Teen Wolf), particularly those made from cardboard boxes. Come on, kids! Cardboard is the magic key to endless costume possibilities! Case in point: Here is a picture of my brother Josh (Crest), a neighbor (card) and his half sister Lynn (present), from the 1980's:
Awesome, right?! Where have kids creativity gone?! Or rather, where have parents creativity gone?! My mom and I made June Apple's costume out of a bear suit and an old mink coat. I envision many more homemade costumes to come, hopefully with cardboard.


Even though June Apple didn't eat any candy this year, Amos and I certainly did! With reckless abandon! Halloween officially starts the season of abundance and, at times, overabundance. I came across an awesome blog, "Its Not About Nutrition: The Art and Science of Teaching Your Kids to Eat Right", written by food sociologist, foodie and mom, Dr. Dina Rose. Her recent post talked about how to deal with all the candy and your kids and I think it makes a lot of sense. Her strategies include:


1. Think of Halloween as a big buffet. Teach your kids to be browsers not loaders. Encourage then to scan their stash- perhaps by sorting by category first- so they choose to save (and eat) what they like best.  


2. Encourage your children to take a taste test.  Have them sample one bite from any ( and every) candy that looks interesting and compare how different candies look, taste, smell, and how they feel in their hands, in their mouths and in their tummies.


3. Teach your kids to think BIG. Proportion- eating foods in relation to their healthy benefits- is, hands down, the most important thing you can teach your kids about eating. Especially in today's environment where sweets and treats (read crap) are everywhere. Rather than getting caught up in the control struggle, teach your kids to think BIG. Talk to them about proportion and how to integrate inferior foods into their diets in a way that works. Its only by talking about sweets in context of the overall diet that kids can learn to manage their eating.


Dr. Rose also has other great tips, including resisting becoming the Sugar Police which results in the following unintended lessons:


1. I am going to throw it away so you better eat as much as you can now.


2. Candy has power.


3. Feel guilty when you eat candy.


4. Its best to eat candy when your full- (which leads to them overeating).


5. You're not to be trusted around candy.


This all makes so much sense to me, as I want to raise June to enjoy and savor good food, including sweets, as a part of a varied, healthy, balanced diet. Read more of Dr. Rose's great post at:
http://itsnotaboutnutrition.squarespace.com


And also check out this HILARIOUS video of what happens when you don't follow Dina's advice, and instead eat all of your kid's candy:


http://devour.com/video/i-ate-all-your-halloween-candy/


Happy Halloween!