A note about how one's external activity level is affected by newborns. The best way to convey its magnitude is by creating a new calendar system. In this system, everything is displaced by one unit. Things you used to do in a minute, can now take an hour. If you want to spend an hour doing something, you better be willing to put it off for a day (at least!). And any kind of planning that takes a week will take at least a month. In other words, you overall productivity is completely eviscerated by your little charge.
I'm trying to learn a new programming language, and on some days (like today) it just doesn't happen. It's a damn good thing I'm unemployed, or I'd be unemployed by now. ; )
When we tell friends we'll be over at 3, our friends know to ask AM or PM? We politely reply "AM", then show up at 3 PM. And they are expecting us.
All this is just my way of saying how much I now appreciate what parents have to go through to raise young ones. Whoa, this baby thing is hard work. And I wouldn't trade one minute of it!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Out of the Woods?!?
I apologize: it's been quite a while since I've had a moment to add to our unfolding story. The simple reason, as you may have guessed, is that our little namesake has been more than a bit of a handful. Oh, and there was the road trip to Phoenix over Christmas (what!?, you say, but It's easier than it sounds).
Over that past several weeks, Julia has been a pretty fussy little girl, crying much of the time. I think Aunt Sandy got the short end of the baby during her visit. And still to this day, Julia manages to go into a crying jag whenever I happen to be on the phone with Sandy.
Well the good news is, Julia seems to be out of her cranky stage. We're working with lactation experts and our pediatrician and we think we may have a plan that is going to work for everyone. At least it seems to be at this point!
I have accumulated lots of pictures since that last time we wrote, so please do check out the Picasa link, which again is found here.
Over that past several weeks, Julia has been a pretty fussy little girl, crying much of the time. I think Aunt Sandy got the short end of the baby during her visit. And still to this day, Julia manages to go into a crying jag whenever I happen to be on the phone with Sandy.
Well the good news is, Julia seems to be out of her cranky stage. We're working with lactation experts and our pediatrician and we think we may have a plan that is going to work for everyone. At least it seems to be at this point!
I have accumulated lots of pictures since that last time we wrote, so please do check out the Picasa link, which again is found here.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Bouncy Balls, Drowsy Dryers, and Calming Commodes
The quest continues for improved baby relaxation techniques. Today's installment, we'll cover three nifty tricks: the Bouncy Ball, the Drowsy Dryer, and the Calming Commode.
Bouncy Ball
So, the bouncy ball is a large inflatable ball (about 2.5 ft dia.) that is more commonly used to do floor exercises, build your abs, etc. But when you hold Julia in your arms and sit on it, it provides just the kind of bouncy action that gets her energy down. Ahhhh... another soothing scheme!
Drowsy Dryer
This may be obvious to some of you, but a clothes dryer is an amazing device for those late-night, Dad's-turn-to-calm-fussy-babe-so-Mom-can-sleep-for-a-change-and-nothings-working-help! episodes. All you have to do is turn it on (best to set it for 50 min, since if the buzzer goes off while you're doing this, all is lost!) and lay a towel on top. Put baby fussy-girl down (actually, even screaming monster-girl eventually gives in) on towel. Say soothing sweet nothings. Miraculously, within about 2 minutes, she will be asleep! If you do this in broad daylight, maybe she'll just be relaxed. Whatever it is, it's the most powerful trick in the book (next to maybe going for a car ride).
Calming Commode
This one might be specific to our house, or our baby, but it is working great! We have a pretty loud exhaust fan in our bathroom, and this sound (I've heard hairdryers have the same effect) seems to really relax her. It also happens to be a nice deep green color, so maybe it's a combination of the sound and the soothing color. Whatever it is, it works!
Bouncy Ball
So, the bouncy ball is a large inflatable ball (about 2.5 ft dia.) that is more commonly used to do floor exercises, build your abs, etc. But when you hold Julia in your arms and sit on it, it provides just the kind of bouncy action that gets her energy down. Ahhhh... another soothing scheme!
Drowsy Dryer
This may be obvious to some of you, but a clothes dryer is an amazing device for those late-night, Dad's-turn-to-calm-fussy-babe-so-Mom-can-sleep-for-a-change-and-nothings-working-help! episodes. All you have to do is turn it on (best to set it for 50 min, since if the buzzer goes off while you're doing this, all is lost!) and lay a towel on top. Put baby fussy-girl down (actually, even screaming monster-girl eventually gives in) on towel. Say soothing sweet nothings. Miraculously, within about 2 minutes, she will be asleep! If you do this in broad daylight, maybe she'll just be relaxed. Whatever it is, it's the most powerful trick in the book (next to maybe going for a car ride).
Calming Commode
This one might be specific to our house, or our baby, but it is working great! We have a pretty loud exhaust fan in our bathroom, and this sound (I've heard hairdryers have the same effect) seems to really relax her. It also happens to be a nice deep green color, so maybe it's a combination of the sound and the soothing color. Whatever it is, it works!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Pinky Panacea
On of my obsessions of late is finding new ways to soothe the savage spawn (that being Julia of course!). And of all the tricks, my favorite so far is the careful insertion of one of my pinkies into her little mouth. It works better than anything except the genuine article (i.e. Momma's breast).
Pacifiers are passรจ, the Pinky Panacea Prevails!
Pacifiers are passรจ, the Pinky Panacea Prevails!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
More friends visiting!
Today, "Uncle" Jack and "Aunty" Dana came by, who are pregnant (due in Feb) with another potential future husband. They brought some girly things for me to wear, and I gave them some of my more boyish stuff. But the coolest thing? These awesome shoes! I can't wait to wear these out to my first formal shindig!
Another highlight for today: we went for food at something called a restaurant. I'm not sure what that is, but it looked like it made Mom and Dad happy. They were putting things in their mouth but they didn't have to visit the kitchen beforehand like they usually do. I'm thinking this may be related to the fact that I did not let them sleep for more than about an hour each last night. I'm not sure what it was, but something in Mom's milk really ticked me off. I was miserable. Maybe it was the cucumbers? Anyway, I wish kids my age could eat TUMS.
"Aunty" Taleese came by too today to say hello. We all hope her foot gets better soon...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Aunt Sandy arrives
My first visit from Dad's family. Aunt Sandy is really fun. She makes funny faces and noises, and seems to like copying what I do. But when I poop in my pants, she draws the line. She really likes my tiny feet. Who can blame her:
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