Thoughts on a cold November day.
So much has been going here on lately. Birthday madness, Halloween madness, Mike went to Japan and came back, we had several family members visiting.... and we've all been sick, sick, sick. I've had little time, or inclination, to sit down and blog about it all, until this afternoon...
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Halloween 2006: After changing her mind about a kajillion times, Hazel decided to be "Belle" for Halloween, after my visiting grandpa bought her a much-coveted "Belle dress" at Target. This, according to Hazel, necessitated that Violet be Tinkerbelle (or Stinkerbelle, as we called her). After wearing her costume for 5 days prior to Halloween, Hazel was totally over it, and insisted on wearing her turtle leggings and fleece pullover on Halloween night instead. When told she wouldn't be able to trick or treat without a costume, she sighed heavily "Fine", and grudgingly shucked her dress on. Stinkerbelle was decked out in fairy wings, a faux fur jacket, punk rock shoes and stripey tights. Here's a late (and bad) pic:
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Midterm Elections: Because I knew Schwarzenegger would win, I voted green this year, as I do most every year. It felt right. I always get nervous on my way to vote, like something is going to happen where everyone at the precinct finds out that I shouldn't be there, that I didn't register, or committed some heinous crime unwittingly, and kick me out. But it was fine. And what amazing results: The house, the senate, and Nancy Pelosi -- and now Rumsfeld's fascist ass gets kicked to the curb! I haven't felt this optimistic in years.
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Allergies: We finally got Hazel in to see the allergy specialist, and it turns out that she has severe allergies to both grass and dust. The doctor put her on a nasal inhaler, prescribed Claratin for when she needs it (Spring, mostly), and gave me a list of mind-numbing chores to bang out, which boils down to me having to vacuum, dust, wash, cleanse and wipe every square inch of the girls' bedroom, at least once each week. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I'm anal about certain aspects of housekeeping, but only because we live in such a tiny space. I hate clutter and dirty carpet, but everything else can, and pretty much does, slide. But not anymore. Time to introduce Hazel to the concept of chores! Anyone else have a 4 year old with a chore list? How does it work in your house?
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Moving: Mike and I are caught between our love of Northern California, and our lack of millions of dollars. We love the Bay Area, we love Northern California, and we would be sad to have to leave -- but it's crazy expensive here ($700K for a 2 bedroom house. No, seriously). For what we pay to rent our dinky little bread box, we could be be paying a mortgage on something much nicer, practically anywhere we want to go. The catch is, of course, that Silicon Valley is where all the job opportunities are for Mike, and as long as we're going to be a single income family, we need to be where he can get good, interesting work. While trying to figure out if it's financially smart for us to stay here, we're also looking around, planning some trips, and trying to figure out where else we may want to go. Any suggestions?
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Extended Breast feeding: Yesterday, Violet hit the 18-month mark, and she's still nursing. Happily. While she was sick, she was nursing pretty much all day long, and I was so happy to be able to give that to her. I know it contributed to her quick recovery. Hazel was weaned by the time she was 15 months old, and although it was a gradual process, it was very hard on her. I think that was due to her personality, as much as it was to her age, but still; I felt a lot of guilt. Not wanting to repeat that experience with Violet, I've made no attempt to wean her so far, at all. I've been watching her cues and dropping feedings here and there, picking some of them back up again as needed, and not thinking about it too much. This approach is working for us very well. But I still can't quite believe I'm nursing an 18-month-old! Where'd my baby go?
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.
.
Nursing Mother's Council: Speaking of breast feeding, guess who's going to be a trained, certified lactation consultant? Me! My course, through the San Mateo Nursing Mothers Council, starts in January. I'm so excited. Breast feeding has been such a powerful and wonderful experience for me -- I'm really looking forward to helping new mamas have the best nursing experience possible. It's something I can see myself doing for a long time.
.
.
.
And that's what I've been thinking about on this cold November day.
.
.
.
Halloween 2006: After changing her mind about a kajillion times, Hazel decided to be "Belle" for Halloween, after my visiting grandpa bought her a much-coveted "Belle dress" at Target. This, according to Hazel, necessitated that Violet be Tinkerbelle (or Stinkerbelle, as we called her). After wearing her costume for 5 days prior to Halloween, Hazel was totally over it, and insisted on wearing her turtle leggings and fleece pullover on Halloween night instead. When told she wouldn't be able to trick or treat without a costume, she sighed heavily "Fine", and grudgingly shucked her dress on. Stinkerbelle was decked out in fairy wings, a faux fur jacket, punk rock shoes and stripey tights. Here's a late (and bad) pic:
.
.
.
Midterm Elections: Because I knew Schwarzenegger would win, I voted green this year, as I do most every year. It felt right. I always get nervous on my way to vote, like something is going to happen where everyone at the precinct finds out that I shouldn't be there, that I didn't register, or committed some heinous crime unwittingly, and kick me out. But it was fine. And what amazing results: The house, the senate, and Nancy Pelosi -- and now Rumsfeld's fascist ass gets kicked to the curb! I haven't felt this optimistic in years.
.
.
.
Allergies: We finally got Hazel in to see the allergy specialist, and it turns out that she has severe allergies to both grass and dust. The doctor put her on a nasal inhaler, prescribed Claratin for when she needs it (Spring, mostly), and gave me a list of mind-numbing chores to bang out, which boils down to me having to vacuum, dust, wash, cleanse and wipe every square inch of the girls' bedroom, at least once each week. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I'm anal about certain aspects of housekeeping, but only because we live in such a tiny space. I hate clutter and dirty carpet, but everything else can, and pretty much does, slide. But not anymore. Time to introduce Hazel to the concept of chores! Anyone else have a 4 year old with a chore list? How does it work in your house?
.
.
.
Moving: Mike and I are caught between our love of Northern California, and our lack of millions of dollars. We love the Bay Area, we love Northern California, and we would be sad to have to leave -- but it's crazy expensive here ($700K for a 2 bedroom house. No, seriously). For what we pay to rent our dinky little bread box, we could be be paying a mortgage on something much nicer, practically anywhere we want to go. The catch is, of course, that Silicon Valley is where all the job opportunities are for Mike, and as long as we're going to be a single income family, we need to be where he can get good, interesting work. While trying to figure out if it's financially smart for us to stay here, we're also looking around, planning some trips, and trying to figure out where else we may want to go. Any suggestions?
.
.
.
Extended Breast feeding: Yesterday, Violet hit the 18-month mark, and she's still nursing. Happily. While she was sick, she was nursing pretty much all day long, and I was so happy to be able to give that to her. I know it contributed to her quick recovery. Hazel was weaned by the time she was 15 months old, and although it was a gradual process, it was very hard on her. I think that was due to her personality, as much as it was to her age, but still; I felt a lot of guilt. Not wanting to repeat that experience with Violet, I've made no attempt to wean her so far, at all. I've been watching her cues and dropping feedings here and there, picking some of them back up again as needed, and not thinking about it too much. This approach is working for us very well. But I still can't quite believe I'm nursing an 18-month-old! Where'd my baby go?
.
.
.
Nursing Mother's Council: Speaking of breast feeding, guess who's going to be a trained, certified lactation consultant? Me! My course, through the San Mateo Nursing Mothers Council, starts in January. I'm so excited. Breast feeding has been such a powerful and wonderful experience for me -- I'm really looking forward to helping new mamas have the best nursing experience possible. It's something I can see myself doing for a long time.
.
.
.
And that's what I've been thinking about on this cold November day.
posted by Alisyn at 3:10 PM
7 Comments:
Your post reminded me to post about Bunny's chores, which I did, so hopefully you can glean some ideas for Hazel.
When you find that magical enclave in the Bay Area please tell me. The jobs thing is a big reason (probably THE reason) we are headed your way.
Wallie weaned at 18ish months...just stopped. WTF. I was not prepared for that at all. I hope for your boobies' sakes that when Vi is ready it isn't so...abrupt.
Congratulations on your training to be a lactation consultant!!!! That is so incredible. You will be helping so many people. I would not have been able to nurse Bunny if it weren't for my manymanymany sessions with our LC. On behalf of all mothers for whom nursing did not come easy, thank you for doing this.
I love these stream of consciousness posts.
Congrats on the lactation consultant gig. It was like pulling teeth for me to find one a few months ago when my daughter decided on her own to quit breastfeeding cold turkey. And when I finally did find a consultant, she didn't have much advice. I mean, maybe there WASN'T any advice to give, considering the adamant nature of my daughter's refusal, but I had been hoping for those magic words that would bring my baby back to the boob. Oh well. It's great that Violet is still getting all those antibodies and all that bonding. Good luck on your latest endeavor.
Um, just pretend I didn't go on and on the other night about how great formula is and how breastfeeding is for suckas. It's a wonder I manage to blather on so much with my foot in my mouth constantly.
p.s. I love the Halloween picture! They both look like they are just barely going to tolerate one more picture before you let them loose on the candy.
A lactation consultant? You are going to be so awesome! I wish I could have hired you when I was crying over my sore, cracked nipples...
And speaking of nipples, Sasha's still breastfeeding, too. The Other Other Stephanie's got my number: I'm a total sucka. This kid will still be pulling up my shirt when she's twelve years old.
You're thinking of moving? No, I can't hear you. LALALALALA.
Stephanie N.: I don't dis formula feeding mamas - far from it! I know you are trying to do your best, for you and Tessa, and trying to figure out the perfect "mix." You gotta do what you gotta do, girl.
Stephanie T.: We're not for sure moving -- we don't know what the fuck we're doing. I'm just blathering.
Look into Mike working for the State (they are WIDELY expanding their IT related classes) and move to Sac and be my friend.
:D
Oh man...Where were you when I suffered from painful, BLEEDING cracked nipped (C's first weeks)?!?
Seriously...that's awesome news. You've got the energy, drive and enthusiasm. Go girl!
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