This

Is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. Soooo true. Mom's are so judgmental of each other :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikvcS3Oe-oA

I love my life

Seriously. I do. There are times that I'm tired, sad, frustrated or just downright grumpy, but ultimately... I love my life.

Last Sunday I woke up a bit before Jade did. I laid there in bed watching her and Chuck sleep. I was overcome with happiness. I know it sounds cheesy, but there's no other way to describe it. There was my husband, who could not be more perfect for me, and my amazing little girl sleeping contentedly. I could not ask for anything else. I love my life.

Unfortunately, my poor little girl is sick. We went to the doctor last Tuesday and she was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given an antibiotic that we were supposed to give her for 10 days. Unfortunately, it didn't really do much. So yesterday we went back to the doctor. They said it might be mycoplasma instead of a sinus infection, which would explain why it was resistant to that particular antiobiotic, and they gave her another one. I gave her the first dose last night and this morning I spent 10 minutes suctioning junk out of her nose. While it was disgusting, I think the medicine is actually breaking everything up, which the other one never did. So that's good. I pray she will feel better soon.

Pictures

It's been too long since I posted some pictures on here!

So here are 2 of my recent favorites:

I mean really, who wouldn't love those??

Maybe...

I could have said that differently.

My point is: you raise your kid your way, I'll raise my kid mine. Just because it's different doesn't mean either one of us is right or wrong, it just means we're different. Do what works for you and your kid.

I'm the weird one?

Since becoming a parent, it's been brought to my attention numerous times that I'm "different" than most of the other moms that I know. It seems that most parents are super-worried about promoting dependancy in their children. They let their kids cry and fuss because they want them to learn to self-soothe. They sleep train very early in order to ensure that their kid will sleep in their crib for long stretches of time. They put them on a schedule because they feel that they, as the parent, know what is best for their kid.

Now I'm not saying that these are bad things. I'm just saying that they're not really my style. Jade is still sleeping badly, and I have let her scream in her crib a few times in efforts to get her to sleep. But honestly, I regret that decision and it was something I did out of exhaustion and frustration and not love. I always try to put myself in her shoes. I don't feel that she's ready to sleep on her own, and really, I don't blame her. She was inside of me for 9 long months. What kind of sense does it make to put her in a crib all by herself when she's only 4 months old? Some babies do crave space, and do well by themselves, but she's not one of them... and I'm ok with that. I want to meet her needs. If meeting her needs falls under other people's definition of "spoiling" then oh well. I truly believe that meeting her needs now will help her to be a more independent person in the future.

I'm reading a book called Our Babies, Ourselves and I'm realizing that we, as Americans, are the weird ones. I might be weird within America for bedsharing, but worldwide bedsharing is the norm. I don't think there is any right or wrong... I just think it's important to do what's best for your family. I am amazed at all the people in our culture that think that our way is the only way to parent... particularly with bedsharing. The American Academy of Pediatrics says not to do this because of the suffocation risk to the baby and the increased risk of SIDS. Yet SIDS doesn't even exist in most places where bedsharing is normal. Can bedsharing be unsafe? Of course. You should never bedshare if you're obese, or under the influence of any kind of drug (alcohol included). I pull the blankets down and sleep on the edge of a pillow.

There have been numerous studies done that are so cool to me that show how the baby's and mom's sleep cycles sync. And I experience it every night. I often wake up right before Jade does. I'm able to soothe her back to sleep before she even wakes up all the way and then we're both right back to sleep. Now, I will admit this doesn't always happen, but I can assure you it doesn't happen at all when she's down the hall.

Anyways, I'm rambling. I'm just sick of people attacking me because I don't parent the way that they do. I'm just doing what I feel is best for my family and my kid :)

September 11th

This day always leaves me feeling a little sad. I was a senior in high school in September of 01 and was in computer lab when they announced the crash into the first tower. We turned on the TV and saw the crash into the second tower. The rest of the day, all we did was watch TV in class. I remember that all of the Ft Benning kids were excused from all after-school activities because it was taking so long to get onto post.

But mostly, I remember the patriotic craze that swept the nation. Columbus is a pretty patriotic place all the time, but all of a sudden there were American flags everywhere and everyone was pro-military.

Recently, a C-17 crashed at Elmendorf. The 4 men on board (1 of which I knew) were killed on impact. I have a friend on Facebook that was really upset by this crash... but not because there were men killed, because of how expensive the jets are. I wonder if his attitude towards military spending would be different if our country were attacked again? It's amazing to me how quickly people forget what really matters.

Better late than never?

When I was cleaning this morning, I realized that I had never posted the birth story that the doula wrote... so I figured I'd post it now. Don't worry, it's much shorter than the ones Chuck and I wrote!

Early on April 27^th you called Christi telling her you had been up throughout the night. You were experiencing mild, inconsistent contractions. She reminded you to eat, to drink, and to go on with your normal activities. She encouraged you to keep your appointment with the chiropractor- knowing an adjustment would help proper alignment for the baby. Later that day you called again saying the contractions were still hanging around. We expressed the importance of rest and relaxation.

At 7:00pm Chuck called me to give an update. After talking with him on the phone I asked to talk with you (I needed to hear you work through a contraction). Once I heard you breath/moan through a LNOG contraction I instructed Chuck to fill a bath (in an attempt to get you to relax). At that point I knew it was time to come. I arrived at your house sometime before 9:00. I found you upstairs, completely naked, contracting on the toiled. You said you wanted to go to the hospital, I too thought that was a good idea. Based on the amount of bloody show you were presenting I knew you were dilating well.

I helped you get dressed while Chuck packed up a few last minute things. Your loyal dogs walked you to the door and we left the house around 9:25. Once at Riverside you labored your way through the parking ot and up to the labor and delivery floor. You were told there were no beds available and to wait in the waiting room. I shrugged saying “When you feel the urge to push we will get a room.” Your next contraction brought you to your knees, which lead the nurses to find you a room. Once in the room, at 9:45, your cervix was checked and your dilation was 8-9 cm!

You were laboring beautifully- so controlled. Chuck and I set the room with dim lights and soft music. I shared with you the verse Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Erin, Chuck and I witnessed the Lord’s provision of strength to you, what a blessed. You continued to confidently change positions, drink water, and empty your bladder. You liked warm compresses on your back and loved cold washcloths on your bladder.

The nursing staff allowed you to move around as needed, they only got a bit jumpy when you labored on the toilet. Chuck and I watched you move from active labor into transition, the tremble and shake of endorphins (to offset the pain) was quite clear. At 10:45, which squatting, you felt a small urge to push. The caused the nurse to check your cervix, which was now measuring 10cm. For the next hour you labored in several positions, however you preferred hands and knees. While in this position, I applied warm compresses on your perineum and at 11:45 your membranes ruptured- causing all of us to jump (and laugh). You trusted in your Maker completely.

You pushed with each urge and you rested (and even slept) between each contraction. You leaned into the Lord and His design for birth. You worshiped along with the music. You were not anxious or fearful. You continued to move your baby down through your pelvis. A little after midnight the doctor came into the room and allowed you to stay on your hands and knees. You continued to push with strength and stamina. Your baby’s head began to crown, you blew, and then with one more push she was born.

At 12:13am, on April 28, 2019, Christiana Jade took her first breath. She received a few minutes of cord blood and then was placed in your arms. You and Chuck soaked in the sweet moment of meeting your daughter. We all gave thanks to the Lord for this blessed event and miracle baby.

The doctor agrees

That Jade's amazing :) We had Jade's 4-month appt yesterday and she said that Jade has the trunk control of a 6-month old and the leg strength of an 8-month old. Yeah, you read that right. So it's not just conceited mama thinking :)

She weighed in at a whopping 12 pounds 2 ounces. She's 24 inches long and her head measurement is 15.75. She's in the 15-25% for weight and the 45-50% for everything else, which has been consistent since 2 weeks so everything is good to go.

I discussed our sleep/bottle issues and got 2 suggestions: try to give her a little bit of cereal (1 tablespoon) so see if it helps her sleep and go ahead and try a sippy cup... and skip straight to the kind with a straw. The sippy cup I'm totally game for... I'm sick of bottles :) But the solids kind of trip me out... there are all kinds of reasons why they normally advise waiting until 6 months, but they said that she has all the qualities they look for: lots of drool, good neck/trunk control and is very oral (ie, everything goes into her mouth). So I dunno. I figure we'll try it... but I kind of doubt that it'll help, and if it doesn't I'm gonna stop until the 6 month point.

My parents are supposed to come visit on Saturday, but Hurricane Earl is visiting on Friday. Hopefully the hurricane won't be too bad and we won't have to evacuate because that would definitely put a cramp in our weekend plans :)