mommy_2130's Momaroo

Memories, are made of these...

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:30:39 GMT

I haven't updated in a while, and I have a few minutes here, so I thought I would bring everyone up to date on our life.

Baby Sophia is rolling EVERYWHERE! I'm not too sure that she's too fond of crawling, but when she needs to go somewhere or get something she will roll herself there, it's pretty cute and very funny. Oh, and she's officially learned how to get out of her boppy! Can you believe that?! Daddy said that one day he put her in it and gave her some toys and left her in the living room while he went to go take a quick shower, and when he came back out, she was halfway to the kitchen! I didn't believe it, but a few days ago, sure enough I watched her do it. She will scoot herself all the way down, so her legs are dangling and touching the floor, and her head is where her butt should be, then she rolls over on her stomach and scoots the rest of her body off the boppy and onto the floor! She is gonna be trouble, I can tell, and a crib jumper, just like me and daddy, ahahaha. It's quite funny I must say, but now I'm not so comfortable with leaving her in it unsupervised. She's 6 months and 3 weeks, and she can't sit up yet, but she loves too. I think I'm going to pass on the Bumbo seat for now, since I waited too long, I think.

I haven't taken her swimming yet this summer, which I feel sad about, because she loves water! Like mother, like daughter. I even bought her, her first swimming suit, decked out in the Little Mermaid and all, haha, of course. So, I hope I get to take her before summer is over, can you believe it's like halfway over?!

So, she had her first fourth of july! here are some pictures..

It got really chilly as the sun went down, so thank goodness that being the overly worried mother I am, I packed 2 extra blankets and a sweater for her. I thought she would be scared of the fireworks and would cry, and we'd have to end up leaving, because we were super close to them, but she ended up sleeping through all of them, every now and then I'd see a little eye open but she would drift back asleep, so it was nice for me and daddy to watch them together and not have to worry about her. It was nice, and I can't wait till next year when she'll actually be excited for them.

My birthday is coming up at the end of this month, and me and daddy are getting a room for the night after dinner and drinks, and it will officially be the very first night, since she was born that I will be away from her for an entire night. I'm not too sure how I will handle that, but she will be in good hands with grandma and grandpa. I'll still probably end up calling, haha.

Other than that, just been busy with work, daddy, the baby, and the daily duties of a mother. Oh yeah, and the teeth are coming, she's fussin more now about her mouth, I can tell. Time to stock up on the Orajel, haha. How did you handle teething?

It's all fun, until something breaks

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:16:39 GMT

So, as Sophia reaches her 6 month mark there's a couple things that I'm getting very antsy about and wondering when she'll finally do these things, but I know as soon as she does I'll want her to go back to the baby she was.

First of all, I'm really antsy about her sitting up on her own. Sitting is her favorite position and I just want to be able to set her down on the floor and for her to play and sit by herself. I've been contemplating getting one of those Bumbo seats, but I'm thinking it's going to be a waste of money since she's probably real close to sitting up on her own, and then it's just gonna end up in the closet until the next baby comes around. So I don't know if I should get one this late and spend the $40.

Second, I'm really waiting for her to start crawling. As I read all these baby books that walk you through your baby's development every week, I'm noticing that they're all saying that your baby should be creeping or atleast being someone mobile. I know this is just the 'standard' and not every baby is the same or is going to adhere to that timeframe, but she still does not do well on her stomach. She rolls from her back to her stomach and vice versa all over the place but put her on her stomach and try to get her to creep is not something she enjoys. She gets very frustrated on her stomach and just gives up and kind of lays there, or rolls back onto her back. She's never been one to be on her stomach, since she was little, being on her stomach upset her and frustrated her because she couldn't move, and she still is like that.

I know that once she starts crawling I'm going to wish she didn't because then she'll start gettin into things and breakin things. But I'm more paitent and relaxed when it comes to that stuff, it's something that doesn't bother me and I expect it from babies to get into everything and things will break....it's daddy that isn't too happy about that, but he'll have to grow up and learn that that how's babies are.

Is anyone else real antsy about getting your baby to reach that next milestone?

Somewhere...

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:26:38 GMT

Besides my own daughter, this little girl is by far the cutiest little girl I have ever seen. Her voice is so amazing and so innocent. I can't even handle it, it brings me to tears everytime I watch this.

I know we all want our kids to have every talent ever and be good at everything. But is there one thing you hope you're child grows up to be good at? Is there one secret talent you want to instill in him or her? I will never become a stage mom, but I will instill the things I think will be good for her, much like my mom did for me. My mom started taking me to have piano lessons when I was 10 years old, I started cheerleading at 13, and voice lessons and 14. I have now played piano for over 10 years, singing for just as many, and I was a cheerleader for 7 years. All three of those things were my life and my love. I can't tell you how many times I came home from piano lessons and told my mom I was gonna quit, but she wouldn't let me. There was even a period where I hated piano and hated her for making me go. But I got over it, and quickly learned to love it again. Through the years, I played in high school concerts, talent shows, I was our church's pianist for hymns every Sunday, I played in college and countless other activities that I enjoyed. I have sang since I can remember and I have always loved it, although I will never do it in front of a crowd. And we will not go into cheerleading because that was my LIFE in high school, it's what I lived, breathed, and ate. Never once did I regret having my mother instill those things into my life and I look back at those things I did and I am proud.

And now that I have a daughter of my own, guess what I want her to do? Piano, singing, and cheerleading...haha. I will never force her to do something she doesn't want to do, but instilling things in her that will possibly enjoy is my right as a mother. Cheerleaders/dancers are bred from birth so you better believe that when she gets to that age of 3-4 she's going to take some kind of dance lessons or something to get out of the house and out of in front of the television. I'm sure an instrument will come naturally, but my mother always had a piano in the house which was what made me curious and ultimatly made me ask my mother if I could get lessons. I will also do the same for my daughter. And if my daughter will grow to love music as much I do, singing will come naturally as well. Now, mind you...if she grows up to like baseball, computers, and wrestling I will be a little dissapointed, but if she's good at them I will be the proudest mom of the coolest daughter ever. She is her own person, as was I, but there was always music playing in my house growing up which made me appreicate good music....it's all about surroundings and how you were raised. My mother never brought the idea of playing the piano up, I asked for it, and it was probably because of the kind of enviornment she had me in. I will let Sophia be her own person, at the same time instilling things my mother instilled in me.

Is there anything you secretly hope your child grows up to be good at?

Survey

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:14:38 GMT

So I stole this from another momaroo who stole it from another mom. Haha. Just keepin the chain of stealing going.

1. How many kids do you have?
One

2. Their age(s)?
5 months and 3 weeks.

3. Boy or girl?
Girl

4. Are you with their father?
Been together for 2 years

5. Were you ready for kids?
We were not ready, but she was no accident

6. What do you think is the best age gap between kids?
3-4 years. As soon as she's out of diapers, I think is the perfect time to have another.

7. How long have you changed diapers?
about 10 years. Between my nephew, cousin, niece, and my baby...It's been about 10 years, haha.

8. What is one thing you gave up after being a parent?
Sleep, alone time, and convenient travel

9. What is one thing you gained after being a parent?
A whole new world of unconditional love and amazement, not to mention more paitence too.

10. If you could go back and do it differently, would you?
Never!

11. Are you going to have any more kids?
Yes - I want a boy. So hopefully the next one is a boy, if not, 3 is our max. So if we get all girls..."sorry honey!" haha

12. Have you let yourself go after having kids?
hahahaha....yes

13. Do you still secretly wear your maternity clothes because they fit?
Secretly?? HA! Did you read my last post?

14. Do you have stretch marks?
Yes, my stomach looks like WWIII happened right on my stomach. And they're still purple.

15. Are you happy with your body?
Again....do you even read my posts? haha.

16. What do your kids call you?
"oooohhh!! aaaaahhhhh!! grrrrrr!!" haha...I think "aaaahhhh" means mommy...haha

17. Do you spank?
Not now obviously. But I was spanked as a kid, and I don't see anything wrong with it, so at the right age, I will consider it.

18. Do you stay at home or go to school/work?
(I'm going to copy the previous mom's answer, cuz it's so true for me and funny)
I would love to stay home with her, but until they start handing out free money, I have no choice but to work full time

19. Are you happy as a mother?
Happiest I have ever been in my entire life

20. Advice to other parents?
Enjoy it...enjoy every second and capture every moment by picture, scrapbook or memory..you'll regret it if you don't. Becuase before you know, she'll be all grown up. I'm already dreading that, I wake up everyday and hold her and tell her to stop growing. She grabbed her bottle today and stuck it in her mouth all by herself!! And she won't let me hold her in my arms as long as she used to...*sigh* time flies.

If Posh really was a spice, I'd sprinkle her all over my food

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:10:38 GMT

So, another momaroo friend wrote about her problem with her self image and body post baby, which made me leave a ridiculously long comment, which got me to thinking, I should just write a blog on this myself. So here I am...

So, there I was, 5'1'', 130lbs, size 7 jeans, pretty good shape...then...BAM....along comes a baby and there goes my body. Little did I know just how badly this baby would affect my body and my self-esteem. I figured, I'd get a few strech marks, gain a few pounds, and most of it would be gone by the summer (she was born on December 30th). Fast forward to June, summer's here! Already? No! It can't be! I look like I just had a baby last week! I need more time! Why do I still look the same exact I did 5 1/2 months ago?! I asked myself those questions everyday as summer creeped closer without an inch of compassion for me. As I'm sure other mothers are reading this and laughing, because it's so true. Now I'm 5'1'', 170 lbs, size 14 jeans (if I'm lucky), and still heave up the stairs. Pathetic.

I didn't bounce back from the weight as I anticipated, I still eat like I'm pregnant and not because I choose too, but because my appetite is still heavy, my strech marks are still purple, and I got strech marks where I didn't even think you could get strech marks, and I still wear maternity clothes 80% of the time. It wasn't until I literally DRAGGED myself with a friend to Sears and Target and found out what size I am in clothes. I went from small and medium tee's to XL and size 7 to 14 jeans and even then I have to suck it in and wear big shirts so my flab doesn't show. That was possibly one of the worst days of my life, and I am not exaggerating. I was so depressed that day it was unbelievable. Here I am thinking that I'm going to feel better cuz I'm going to get out of maternity clothes..only to not end up not wanting to wear them and looking so disgustingly at the clothes I bought. And everybody always says "well, you have an excuse you just had a baby" Yeah...that excuse expired about 3 months ago, what am I going to be saying that when she's 5?
"Gabby, why do you still look like a beached whale?"
"Oh, I just had a baby"
"Oh really?! Congrats! When?"
"5 years ago"

No....I don't think so. And I'm not the type of person that has any kind of metabolism whatsoever...in fact I'm pretty sure I have none. If I eat, you can tell, If I don't eat, you can tell. It all goes directly to my stomach the second I swallow it and it's horrible. This also makes thing 100 times worse becuase it has been and is affecting me and the hubby's intimate life. I dress and undress in complete darkness or I leave the room if he needs the light on. I refuse for him to be in the shower with me and I make sure he never gets a glimpse of my stomach. I am so incredibly insecure about myself that when he comes home from work I make sure I put on makeup and do my hair so he doesn't see me like some slob or some whale he has to live with.

I've cried myself to sleep so many nights becuase of the insecurity, the longingness to feel like I once did, the sexiness I wish I could feel and have, the entire closet full of clothes that haven't been worn in over a year. And the fact that summer came and jeans and black tarps that I wear as shirts is what I have to deal with. Not a single thing from before I was pregnant fits me, and I refused to buy a lot of maternity clothes when I was pregnant becuase I didn't want to face the fact that my normal clothes would not fit me after I have the baby. It's frustrating, it's tiresome, it's not healthy, and it's the worst thing a mother has to deal with.

In the time of joy and love when you have a baby, you feel almost selfish to feel unhappy because this little angel did such horrendous WONDERS to your body. I'm just so tired of being tired. I NEVER have time to work out, and all the little things I've done to perk myself up...hair cut and styled, nails, new outfits, makeup....just isn't cutting it, becuase when I take all that off, this disgusting creature I see before me brings me to tears and I just want to lock myself up. Of course Michael tells me I'm beautiful and all that...but he's supposed to say that, or he'll be in bigger trouble...and I know that he still loves me and finds me attractive...but us women, we can read men, we know when they look at us a certain way - the way they did when we were young, we first met, and they thought we were the sexiest thing alive and wanted to take us down right then and there...we all want that look again from our man, but most importantly I want to just feel like myself again. I feel like I'm in somebody else's body, and I don't like it.

I just want to take off the fat suit and breathe again. This has been the most difficult thing I've to endeaur...given my background of self-esteem issues when I was younger and eating disorders coming into the picture...you can only realize what it's taking me to not starve myself and just do it the old fashion way. I'm brought to tears from the frustration and lack of ''women'' I feel....

The blues, little shoes, and bounce-a-roo's

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:24:40 GMT

So, I've officially entered the stage of watching kids' cartoons with them. I find myself eating while my daughter is watching Dora the Explorer, Little Bear, Blue's Clues or whatever is playing on Nog'in and actually watching it and paying attention, haha. Sure my baby is only 5 1/2 months old, but she needs that kind of stimulation and she loves it, ok ok, I like it too.

Grandma and Grandpa came over yesterday because grandpa hadn't seen her in a while, and as soon as he picked her up she started screaming and crying. My guess is because she hasn't seen him in a while and forgot his face, whereas she see's grandma about 3 times a week. He got kind of sad but understood it was probably because she hadn't seen him. Although she does not do well with strangers, if a stranger picks her up, she will immediatly start crying if she can not see me, or I am right in front of her when the person is holding her, even then she'll whimper and fuss. Has anyone ever experienced this with an infant? Where they're baby does horrible with strangers? Or is your little one open to everyone? I was like this when I was an infant - as my mother tells me - and my older sister was the opposite, she loved being held by anyone and everyone.

So, she finally can touch the floor when I put her in her bouncer, and she's tall for her age 25" at her 4month check up. We decided to go with a bouncer verses a walker because she's so young, and she'll probably get a walker for her baptisim. After spending days and countless hours online, reading mother's reviews on Walmart.com and Target.com on the bouncers they bought, we finally went with the Fisher -Price Rainforest Jumperoo

And a smart investment it was. It has a lot of things she can play with, and a couple of things light up and the music turns on every time she jumps which is an incentive for her. But a warning to all mothers, the music is beyond annoying! We don't turn on the music anymore, and she's ok with that, thank God. But there's enough toys to keep her occupied, but not enough to over-stimulate her. It's got 3 levels to change too as she gets older and gets taller, we can adjust the height, and she can swivel in the seat. It doesn't take up very much room, but it is bit bulky but so worth it. She loves it and after about a month of having it, she gets-a-jumping and it is adorable

As you can see, she's mesmerized, haha.

So, if you thinking about getting one, or don't know which one, I would DEFINITELY recommend this one.
Any products you would recommend?

Top 10

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:36:16 GMT

So, I've been a mom of an actual baby for 5 1/2 months now, and acting like a mom for 9 months plus 5 1/2 months and here are the top 10 things I've learned so far, I hope you new mothers or expecting mothers can benefit from it.

10. Don't buy any baby clothes when your pregnant or atleast until your baby is 6+ months old. Yes, go ahead and buy that adorable outfit that you just can't live without. But if you're getting a baby shower, don't even bother. 9 out of 10 people are gonna get you clothes on top of other stuff, because it's so easy to buy. And be sure to ask for clothes that are for older babies as well, if you get all newborn or 0-3 month clothes, chances are you're baby will grow out of all of it, around 2-4 months and the baby won't even get to wear all of it. For the first couple months, all you're gonna want to put the baby in is plain onsies, because of the bating, diaper changes, and spit up. Wait a little longer to dress the baby up. But there's no harm in dressing him up for an outing

9. If you plan to use pacifiers...you can NEVER have too many. Trust me, you'll think they can get up and walk away. They're so easy to lose and can fall in the tinest places, or places you'll never think to look. Especially if the baby only takes Soothie First Year Pacifiers, which is the one they give in the hospital, you drop it right in front of you, and it ends up being like 10 feet away behind you, they bounce like footballs. Always keep one at the babysitters, grandma's, and ALWAYS one in your purse or diaper bag.

8. Buy a brestpump. If you plan on breastfeeding, buy a breastpump as soon as you make that descion. Daddy needs to help too. Trust me, for the first 3 months, I got up every single night 3-6 times a night to feed the baby and I never want to do that again. Daddy needs to carry some of that responsibility of feeding the baby. If you're scared that once you introduce the nipple, they won't take to your brest, use a nipple that is shaped and formed the closet to your breast. They sell all types of nipples for that exact problem. I found that the gerber medium flow nipples worked best for me. Breastfeed during the day, and pump and store at night, so daddy can help you too. We all love our angels, but mommy needs some sleep too!

7. Don't buy one kind of bottle/nipple. When you're done breastfeeding, or if you chose not to breastfeed at all, buy a few different kinds of bottles and nipples. You're baby won't take to all of them, and you find that some nipples let out formula or breast milk too fast, some too slow, and some just don't fit quite right with your baby. Buy different kinds and see which one they take better. Try them all and see which one they latch on to the longest. I found that when my baby was 2-3 months she preferred the slowf-flow nipples the best, because all others would come out too fast and she would choke because she was sucking so hard and fast. So just observe what kind of eater your angel is. Oh, and ALWAYS choose BPA Free bottles. If you don't know about the BPA scandel, google it. The bottles I use that are BPA free are 'Parent's Choice bottles', Walmart has them and are a couple bucks for 3 bottles, the box is marked BPA Free

6. Don't waste your money on a bassinet. Every baby is different, but if you do choose to buy a bassinet, I beg of you not to spend too much money on it, and by too much, I mean more than $50. Because chances are, the baby won't sleep in it. I have yet to meet a mother who's baby slept in it, maybe 1 or 2. The best descion I ever made was to buy a bouncy seat

I had a bassinet that great grandma gave to us (thank God we didn't buy one) and we got this bouncy seat. Let me tell you, to this day she STILL sleeps in her bouncy seat. Never ONCE did she sleep in her bassinet. I find that most babies like to sleep on their side, stomach (which is dangerous at a young age, due to SID), or sitting up. She has slept in this thing ever since she was born, and recently, as of about 3 weeks ago or so, when she was 4 mo and 3 weeks old she started sleeping in her crib. But this was the best $50 we have spent so far. Get something that cradles the baby and is comfortable and not to flat.

5. Get on a routine, whether you're pregnant or already have your bundle. It's NEVER too early to start a routine with your baby. Studies show, that the baby can feel when your active and when your resting when you're pregnant, so stay on a good day/night routine and don't do too much at night, chances are it'll stay on the routine it's on when it's born from when it was in your belly. But start that routine as soon as you get home, when the sun sets, turn off as many lights as you can, keep the tv and radio very quite or not on at all, and don't interact with your baby as much as you do during the day. Keep the stimulation as minimal as possible, and make feedings and diaper changes quick and quiet. After about 2-3 months, the baby will know when bed time is and almost expects it. Of course all babies are different, but even if you baby doesn't sleep at night or fall asleep when it's ''bedtime'' it's still important to know that this when we sleep and not when we play. It worked well with my baby, and she knows the routine.

4. Don't be afraid to read to the baby. Buy books, and interactive movies, there's nothing silly about reading to the baby when you're pregnant or when they're 1,2,3,4,5...etc..months old. Even though they don't understand you, they'll learn to focus on the images in the book and realize your reading, plus it helps them with their communication skills. Its the skin to skin contact and sound of your voice, along with the pictures that will catch their attention. Along with movies, when they're a few months older, that will help with their sense of depth, sense of movement and will help them with focusing their eyes on moving objects. I bought my daughter all the classic Disney Princess Movies and she's so alert and can see farther and focus better than most children her age (according to her pediatrician). Interactive toys as well will help with their motor skills. Make sure you introduce them to different textures and help them learn to hold objects. Newborns have their hands in fists most of the time, open up their little hands every once in a while, and place a skinny teether or small stuffed animal or anything else they can wrap their little hand around and close it back up. At 3 1/2 - 4 months old, my daughter could grab her pacifier and move it from one hand to another. Don't be afraid to spoil them with interactive toys.

3. Nesting before and after is important. In the last trimester of your pregnancy, you get so anxious that you'll need to do something with yourself that is baby related. Don't be afriad to nest, EMBRACE IT and enjoy it. Buy the baby stuff that you need. Even a few little guilty pleasures that you know you'll get at the baby shower, but that you just can't help to get. Those extra pacifiers, an outfit or two, a cute teether, a stuffed animal, scrapbooking material, nursery decorations. It will help you with your anxiety and satisfy that baby craving you get. As well as after you have the baby, decorate the nursey and buy them toys that make you happy. I finished decorating her nursey about a month ago and it was so rewarding. A mother's touch is the best kind, and it's also a good getaway to do something you like that relates to your little angel.

2. There's no such thing as too many pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Take pictures. Before you have the baby is also important, he or she is going to know what you looked like when they were in your belly when they're 2 or 3 years old. After they're born, go crazy. They will grow so fast that you won't want to miss a thing and it's your right as a mother to document every minute of that. I keep my camera out all the time, because you never know when you might want to catch something that you're baby is doing (which is every little thing for me), their first bath, first smile, first thumb sucking, first bottle, first burp, first poopy diaper (is that weird?), first outfit....the list goes on...trust me...you'll find a ''first time'' for everything. And it just goes on from there so don't hold back, months will fly and next thing you know, you'll be looking back at newborn pictures thinking ''look how big she is now!" and "she doesn't look like that anymore!" so...invest in a good camera and memory card and pretend you're your babies papparizzi.

1. And the most important thing I have learned....Mother Does Really Know's Best. Don't be afriad to question her pediatrician, you know you're baby better than they do. If you feel somethings not right, go with it, it's better to be safe and overprotective, than sorry and heartbroken. Always go with what you feel is right and not what the books or doctors say. For the longest time I was dealing with the whole contraversy of "let your baby cry himself to sleep" and everyone told me I was going to spoil my baby if I held her all the time and picked her up when she cried when I laid her down for the night. Even daddy was ok with letting her cry herself to sleep, but I wasn't. I couldn't do it, I tried it once or twice and I sat in the living room SOBBING because she was crying and I know she just wanted me and I couldn't go get her...and you know what..it didn't feel right. I never did that again and did it how I felt it needed to be, and now? She sleeps at night just fine and by herself...and of course I'm going to spoil her, why wouldn't I? So, even if your entire family of moms and doctors tell you otherwise, do what you feel is right and what you think is best for YOUR baby. Even when they're 16 years old...they'll thank you when they're our age.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:22:45 GMT

Hi everyone! I'm just getting started on Momaroo... Drop me a comment if you've got some ideas on what to do first - or just to say, "Hi!" :-)