A little of this and that

[judecorp]

Wow. Fussy baby last night and a good chunk of today. I've spent a LOT of time bouncing and walking. She's down for the count right now, though. Yay! I wonder if there's something that I'm eating that's bothering her? I didn't think it would be an issue because she gets so little of my milk but maybe I will cut out the dairy for a couple of days just to check. She's eating the same old formula so I doubt that's it. Please bring my Zen Baby back!

The humidity is out of control today, to cap off a little heat wave. It's theoretically supposed to thundershower out here tonight, and I do hope that's the case. Jen's parents are coming tomorrow and will be staying with us for about a week, and I would hate for the house to be sticky and miserable for them. We only have one window unit A/C (in our bedroom) and while we can certainly give them our bedroom to make them more comfortable, the whole HOUSE would be more comfortable with less humidity. Our house isn't that big and then there will be four big people and one little people. (And three cats.)

I'm a little nervous about the visit from the in-laws. I like my in-laws very much but we are certainly different people, and I get anxious anyway when people are staying over because I want everything to be perfect for them. I /especially/ want things to be perfect for my in-laws! I also worry that they will be uncomfortable since we only have one bathroom, and since the baby has been really fussy from the hours of about 10pm to 1am or so the last couple of days. Here's hoping everyone has a terrific time!

It's amazing how things change. I like to think that I don't change, but I'm sure I do because everyone does. Right? But I don't think I change that much. I'd like to think that the things that were important to me continue to be important to me, and that the standards I hold myself to don't change. I know that being a parent changes people's convictions and such, and that you can't set ultimatums for yourself and your parenting, but I'm hoping that I can be the good parent that I'd like to be.

The truth is that I've always worried that I would be a bad parent because I haven't had good parenting role models. I am terrified of being someone who abuses children - I know I could never hit a person but I know first hand that emotional scars can be just as difficult to heal. I hope this is just an irrational fear.

When I was pregnant, I took time out every night to say prayers for the health of my baby, and for my family and friends. Now sleep is such a precious commodity that I think I fall asleep even before I get into the bedroom. I've been really lax in the prayer department because of it. I need to get back on that.

Comments

[ladygreyy.livejournal.com]

WHEN (not if, when) I come to visit you, I demand that you do not stress yourself out about being a good host or anything. Clear?

*snugs cute baby*

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I make no guaranteers of not stressing. What can I say, I like a clean house! :)

[artjax.livejournal.com]

"The truth is that I've always worried that I would be a bad parent because I haven't had good parenting role models. I am terrified of being someone who abuses children - I know I could never hit a person but I know first hand that emotional scars can be just as difficult to heal. I hope this is just an irrational fear."

I hear this, big time. I think you just have to accept and realize it as a part of your history, and do your damndest to never ever make it part of hers. I think recognizing that is half the battle.

xo

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I think so, too. But it still scares me.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sometimes I end up thinking weird things about the baby, too. As if the baby can control what she's doing. I think it's totally normal and irrational and you're right - you just have to check yourself. Heck, sometimes even Ghandi must have gotten frustrated.

I have a couple of parent friends around here (and some soon-to-be parents, yay!) and hopefully we can all trod through together. I'm thinking of joining a mom-and-baby group to meet some more mamas, too.

[thatpatti.livejournal.com]

what kind of formula is she drinking? regular formula is made from cow's milk, so if she has a diary issue, that would bother her.

maybe you knew this, but i originally didn't, so ii thought i'd put it out there, just in case :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You know, after I wrote this I said, "Duh, why cut dairy out of my diet while I've been giving her milk-based formula?" She's been taking the same formula since day of life 5 without too much issue, so I guess I'll watch it and see if the gas was a fluke. I also had caffiene last night, which I don't usually. Of course, sometimes kids just get gas, so maybe I need to just chill.

But yeah, thanks for the reminder! So far she's been good on the milk-based formula but if this becomes a constant problem, I will totally be on it.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

She COULD be having a growth spurt but she's also been on one big growth spurt since she stopped being underfed, heh. But you're right, she did become a lot less zen once she was getting a healthy amount of calories and got her energy back. She's so squirmy and wiggly like a real baby now! ;)

I need some centering and calming right about now. We should remind each other.

Hey - your kid is big! Did he ever get to fit into your Secret Stork clothes? xoxo

[sassywoman.livejournal.com]

You may want to try gripe water or gas drops to help her if she's gassy. Emma was and still is the GASSIEST baby I know.

About the in-laws ... I'm lucky mine live here and don't stay with us for long stretches. They come for a few hours, a meal etc... then they're gone. I don't give a crap anymore what the house looks like when they come because we have a baby and it's just not as "picked up" as before. Our house is very clean because I'm a germ-a-phobe and very sanitary with keeping things to a certain standard. Did you stress as much when your mom and Papa John came out? I don't stress as much when it's my own parents coming over. Just wondering if it was because they are the in-laws.

Anyway, I'm just rambling here. Sorry. Wanted to give you a serious high-five for making it through the first month with Gus. It's a lot harder then people tell you. LOL!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

We Mylicon her sometimes when she really seems to be struggling, but I try not to do it if she's just fussy... I try everything else first. Sometimes she just seems to be ticked off, heh.

When my mom came out, we made sure the house was clean when they arrived but I didn't care so much once they were here. We made sure everything was all cleaned up but as the time passed, stuff got moved around. Of course, my mom kept the kitchen clean and vacuumed once so it kept things pretty nice. I did care about the cleanliness of the house for her arrival... maybe when Jen's parents are here over time I will relax. (Part of it is that they've never come to any house we've shared.)

I am not the best about being sanitary but I /am/ a freak about clutter. I /hate/ clutter. When people leave stuff around and it piles on tables and dressers and things, it drives me bonkers. I always want to make nice tidy piles and slip things into drawers!

And yeah, this stuff is hard! But you are a good role model! :)

[sassywoman.livejournal.com]

Hee, hee. I have little piles of clutter but after a while it gets to me and I go on a cleaning/organizing spree.
Have fun with your in-laws. I'm sure they will just fall in love with August.
I'm honored you consider me a role model. Being a momma is full with all sorts of love, unknowns, and worries. Just like pregnancy sometimes ... :)

[mtgirl.livejournal.com]

"When I was pregnant, I took time out every night to say prayers for the health of my baby, and for my family and friends. Now sleep is such a precious commodity that I think I fall asleep even before I get into the bedroom. I've been really lax in the prayer department because of it. I need to get back on that."

Oh sweetie, I think it's at times like these that God/Buddha/Whomever you Believe in makes up the prayers for you. You just get to feel love and grace for being the wonderful, imperfect, loved person that you are. You will be an amazing parent. You don't have to be a perfect parent.

[growinginwonder.livejournal.com]

1. I'll pray for you. Not as an alternative, but for you.

2. God knows what you have to say before you even say it. And especially if you don't say it. Just a reminder!

In-laws have to be the scariest thing ever. Your constant bravery amazes me!

[(Anonymous)]

I had sucky parenting too, but because I'm super-conscious of that I'm pretty sure I won't repeat the same mistakes. I doubt you will either sweetie! I used to be really worried about the exact same thing but I've found more patience and kindness in me than I've ever known before by becoming a mum. Just tap into that in yourself and you'll do a fabulous job.

xxx Mermaidgrrrl