I'm one of those people that set goals, Google the crap out of ways to achieve those goals and then make a 1/2 hearted attempt at following through. Lately, my goals have to do with organization - after all, I have 3 kids now and only 2 arms. It's chaos at its finest.
My latest attempt to get organized involves creating a family planner that will help me manage my work and cleaning. Hopefully I'll get organized enough to have time left over for a hobby... whatever that is!
I'm cutting this post short because I just got off the phone with the pediatrician. My (almost) 7 week old baby just threw up IN HIS EYEBALLS. I swear it was like a scene from the exorcist. I didn't know babies could puke that much. Sooo wrong on so many levels. They told me to "watch it" so I'll be spending some quality time snuggling my baby and making sure he's feeling OK.
If the family planner thing works out, I'll post PDF files of the pages for you all to print out.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
I'm still here!
I know I haven't been posting regularly since baby #3 was born, but I'm hoping that will change as things settle down (and he starts eating less often). I've managed to get back into the work routine a little bit - I'm still on a lighter than normal load, which stinks because the bills are piling up and I need to make the money to pay them!
In the spirit of saving time to get a little work done while #3 naps, here's the latest:
I'm still breastfeeding!! Woo-hoo! 6 weeks and going strong! :-D I'm so happy that it has finally worked this time. It's empowering to know that your little one gets everything they need from you. Not to mention that as we head into the hurricane season (not that we get hit that often), I have everything he needs to be nourished and I don't have to hoard formula like it's going out of style.
Besides having all of the equipment on board, it's nice to not have to worry about washing bottles all the time, or sanitizing anything. It's just so much more convenient for me. When we go places I bring a bottle of water and some formula just in case, but the last couple times I've just popped on a nursing cover and done what needed to be done - no questions asked. I'm not sure how that would work in a store, but I'm sure we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
So that's the update, all is going well and I'm weirdly proud of making it about 6 weeks with breastfeeding. The nightly bottle he used to get went away about 2 weeks ago and it's only breastmilk now.
In the spirit of saving time to get a little work done while #3 naps, here's the latest:
I'm still breastfeeding!! Woo-hoo! 6 weeks and going strong! :-D I'm so happy that it has finally worked this time. It's empowering to know that your little one gets everything they need from you. Not to mention that as we head into the hurricane season (not that we get hit that often), I have everything he needs to be nourished and I don't have to hoard formula like it's going out of style.
Besides having all of the equipment on board, it's nice to not have to worry about washing bottles all the time, or sanitizing anything. It's just so much more convenient for me. When we go places I bring a bottle of water and some formula just in case, but the last couple times I've just popped on a nursing cover and done what needed to be done - no questions asked. I'm not sure how that would work in a store, but I'm sure we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
So that's the update, all is going well and I'm weirdly proud of making it about 6 weeks with breastfeeding. The nightly bottle he used to get went away about 2 weeks ago and it's only breastmilk now.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Product Review: Privacy Patches
Today I'm doing a quick product review of a new and super simple internet security device. It's called a Privacy Patch and it's basically a reusable vinyl sticker that goes over the camera on your device to prevent unauthorized users from looking at you.
Why is this of interest to me? Well, I saw a story on 60 minutes about how any hacker can basically access your computer to watch you in your own home. I don't know about you, but I don't want people watching me while I work! I also have 3 kids - I can't imagine what will happen when they're old enough to use the computer.
So, anyway, once you order your patches, here's what you get:
Note that you get 5 patches. I've put mine on my computer, my phone and my iPod. I've also taken them off the cameras a few times and put them back on without losing any stickiness. I'm not sure what I'll use the other 2 for, possibly just replacements. In any event, it seems like a pretty good deal because you get 5 of them. I chose the plain black ones because they're the most discreet (my phone is black), but they have other colors and shapes too like snowflakes, leaves, flowers, hearts and more. There's about a dozen color options to choose from including popular electronic colors - black, white and silver.
Here's what it looks like on a computer:
That little black dot in the center is all there is. It's hardly larger than the computer's camera, so it really doesn't stand out much at all. Of course, if you wanted it to stand out you could always choose another shape or color - that's totally up to you.
To test the patches, I turned on the Facetime application on my computer. All I saw was a solid black screen. Mission accomplished! If someone does decide to try to access my computer's camera (or if I turn it on by accident) they won't see anything. For just $5 this seems like the easiest and cheapest security measure I've ever seen. Go order some Privacy Patches for yourself too!
Why is this of interest to me? Well, I saw a story on 60 minutes about how any hacker can basically access your computer to watch you in your own home. I don't know about you, but I don't want people watching me while I work! I also have 3 kids - I can't imagine what will happen when they're old enough to use the computer.
So, anyway, once you order your patches, here's what you get:
Note that you get 5 patches. I've put mine on my computer, my phone and my iPod. I've also taken them off the cameras a few times and put them back on without losing any stickiness. I'm not sure what I'll use the other 2 for, possibly just replacements. In any event, it seems like a pretty good deal because you get 5 of them. I chose the plain black ones because they're the most discreet (my phone is black), but they have other colors and shapes too like snowflakes, leaves, flowers, hearts and more. There's about a dozen color options to choose from including popular electronic colors - black, white and silver.
Here's what it looks like on a computer:
That little black dot in the center is all there is. It's hardly larger than the computer's camera, so it really doesn't stand out much at all. Of course, if you wanted it to stand out you could always choose another shape or color - that's totally up to you.
To test the patches, I turned on the Facetime application on my computer. All I saw was a solid black screen. Mission accomplished! If someone does decide to try to access my computer's camera (or if I turn it on by accident) they won't see anything. For just $5 this seems like the easiest and cheapest security measure I've ever seen. Go order some Privacy Patches for yourself too!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
New Additions
As if having a newborn and 2 other kids wasn't enough, we decided to expand our family even further with 6 chicks. My husband has wanted to be one of those crazy backyard chicken farmers for a while, but I'd always come up with reasons why we couldn't do it. Then one day I found a coop for free on one of the Facebook sites and suddenly chickens became a possibility. My husband went on to find places we could get chicks and soon we were picking out breeds and researching brooders.
We wound up getting 2 Easter Eggers, 2 Barred Rocks and 2 Buff Orpingtons.
Here's a picture of the babies in their brooder:
There's a few of the babies. :-) I'll try to get another post up soon about how we built the (washable) brooder (including accessories in it) for under $50!
We wound up getting 2 Easter Eggers, 2 Barred Rocks and 2 Buff Orpingtons.
Here's a picture of the babies in their brooder:
There's a few of the babies. :-) I'll try to get another post up soon about how we built the (washable) brooder (including accessories in it) for under $50!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Baby is Here!
I have some exciting (and belated) news to share. The baby has finally arrived! Baby Ben came into the world on April 10th at 11:27pm. He weighed 8 pounds 8.8 ounces (yikes, I know!) and he's doing great.
One of the biggest challenges this time around has been breastfeeding. Ben didn't want to extend his tongue and several lactation nurses thought he might have been tongue tied. The pediatrician at the hospital disagreed and so we struggled through the beginning stages of feeding. At one point I was expressing more blood than milk and I gave up, then the hospital called and sucked me back in. After a 2 day break, I was healed and we started over. Currently, I'm breastfeeding during the day and he gets a couple bottles in the beginning of the night to give mom a break, then it's back to the boob. He's a picky little guy and definitely prefers breast milk straight from the tap over the bottle.
I've also been battling postpartum depression. It reared its ugly head about a week after Ben was born. I had it with my 2nd child as well so it was easier to seek help this time. Actually, Ben's pediatrician is the one that got me help. I was at a weight check with him, and I was tired. I had a breakdown in front of her and she called my OB to get me in for medication. I was embarrassed, but I went. I'm not sure if the drugs are really working yet, but having them gives me some sense of empowerment and when I start getting the weepy overwhelmed feeling it helps to know that I'm getting help and it won't last forever. Logically I know that PPD is nothing to be ashamed of, but I still feel embarrassed and like a bit of a failure knowing that I only made it a week without having to get help.
In other news, my husband took a week off after Ben was born, but he's back at work now. During his week off he didn't really spend any time with us - instead he did a fence project in the yard and crossed stuff off of his to-do list. Part of me is angry at him for that, but the other part of me knows that watching me sleep on the couch with the baby probably wasn't the most exciting way to spend a week off, so it's probably better that he spent time doing what he needed to do. It also gave me little trial runs at managing the kids alone. I was finally able to get outside with the baby yesterday and the fresh air was nice. The mosquitoes however, were not.
So that's the update. Not too exciting, but this mama is taking her time easing into caring for 3 little ones before things get too hectic.
One of the biggest challenges this time around has been breastfeeding. Ben didn't want to extend his tongue and several lactation nurses thought he might have been tongue tied. The pediatrician at the hospital disagreed and so we struggled through the beginning stages of feeding. At one point I was expressing more blood than milk and I gave up, then the hospital called and sucked me back in. After a 2 day break, I was healed and we started over. Currently, I'm breastfeeding during the day and he gets a couple bottles in the beginning of the night to give mom a break, then it's back to the boob. He's a picky little guy and definitely prefers breast milk straight from the tap over the bottle.
I've also been battling postpartum depression. It reared its ugly head about a week after Ben was born. I had it with my 2nd child as well so it was easier to seek help this time. Actually, Ben's pediatrician is the one that got me help. I was at a weight check with him, and I was tired. I had a breakdown in front of her and she called my OB to get me in for medication. I was embarrassed, but I went. I'm not sure if the drugs are really working yet, but having them gives me some sense of empowerment and when I start getting the weepy overwhelmed feeling it helps to know that I'm getting help and it won't last forever. Logically I know that PPD is nothing to be ashamed of, but I still feel embarrassed and like a bit of a failure knowing that I only made it a week without having to get help.
In other news, my husband took a week off after Ben was born, but he's back at work now. During his week off he didn't really spend any time with us - instead he did a fence project in the yard and crossed stuff off of his to-do list. Part of me is angry at him for that, but the other part of me knows that watching me sleep on the couch with the baby probably wasn't the most exciting way to spend a week off, so it's probably better that he spent time doing what he needed to do. It also gave me little trial runs at managing the kids alone. I was finally able to get outside with the baby yesterday and the fresh air was nice. The mosquitoes however, were not.
So that's the update. Not too exciting, but this mama is taking her time easing into caring for 3 little ones before things get too hectic.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Pregnancy Update: Week 38
I haven't done an update in a long time because there hasn't been much to say. I see the Dr. again tomorrow to find out if I've made any progress. I'm scheduled for an induction on Thursday, which I'm really not excited about. I'm huge, I'm having swelling issues in my feet (though Toxemia results came back negative - not sure how that's possible!) and I'm basically miserable. The pressure and foot swelling is making it hard to do much.
My sister is here to watch the kids when I go into labor, but it's been a lot of work having her here. Today is day 8 that she has been in town and it's basically like having another child. More dishes, more work making actual lunches (that she'll eat) and more clean up. She doesn't cook or clean or do any of that. I'm not really sure what she thinks she's here for? I know if I was going to help her out before the baby was born, I'd be at least helping to pick up. Or maybe I'd throw out some food ideas? Offer to make a meal? I mean, she doesn't even initiate food times, she just waits for me to actually get up and make something. I have way too much on my plate right now to take care of her too, so I'm just letting the house go to shit. I can't walk or bend or do much of anything right now, though I'm trying. It's all so frustrating.
Fingers crossed that tomorrow's Dr.'s appointment has some good news... like any amount of dilation whatsoever. I'd love if she could strip my membranes Tuesday so I go into labor BEFORE the induction on Thursday...
My sister is here to watch the kids when I go into labor, but it's been a lot of work having her here. Today is day 8 that she has been in town and it's basically like having another child. More dishes, more work making actual lunches (that she'll eat) and more clean up. She doesn't cook or clean or do any of that. I'm not really sure what she thinks she's here for? I know if I was going to help her out before the baby was born, I'd be at least helping to pick up. Or maybe I'd throw out some food ideas? Offer to make a meal? I mean, she doesn't even initiate food times, she just waits for me to actually get up and make something. I have way too much on my plate right now to take care of her too, so I'm just letting the house go to shit. I can't walk or bend or do much of anything right now, though I'm trying. It's all so frustrating.
Fingers crossed that tomorrow's Dr.'s appointment has some good news... like any amount of dilation whatsoever. I'd love if she could strip my membranes Tuesday so I go into labor BEFORE the induction on Thursday...
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sister
As part of my previous post on "time management" I'm trying to get ahead with the blog posts a little bit. I thought I'd pre-write Monday's post as my sister is coming to stay with us until #3 is born and she's due to arrive Sunday.
So today's post is about her, even though she isn't even here yet. I haven't seen my sister in 2 years and out of the blue she volunteered to leave her family and come stay with mine while we wait for #3 to arrive. I'm shocked that she'd do that, and at the same time I'm not sure what to expect. We're not exactly "close" these days so I really don't know what's going to happen. On top of not seeing her for years, she's 6 years older than me and her daughter is a pre-teen. Her husband is in the military, so they live several states away. Not exactly a strong foundation of things in common.
I'm a little nervous about how things will change while she's here. I'm taking a work hiatus for the duration of her stay (because it's polite, but mostly for my own sanity so I can have plenty of time to rest, prepare for the baby and pay attention to my older kids).
I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on how it goes.
So today's post is about her, even though she isn't even here yet. I haven't seen my sister in 2 years and out of the blue she volunteered to leave her family and come stay with mine while we wait for #3 to arrive. I'm shocked that she'd do that, and at the same time I'm not sure what to expect. We're not exactly "close" these days so I really don't know what's going to happen. On top of not seeing her for years, she's 6 years older than me and her daughter is a pre-teen. Her husband is in the military, so they live several states away. Not exactly a strong foundation of things in common.
I'm a little nervous about how things will change while she's here. I'm taking a work hiatus for the duration of her stay (because it's polite, but mostly for my own sanity so I can have plenty of time to rest, prepare for the baby and pay attention to my older kids).
I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on how it goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)