- Are you really ready to give up your morning nap Monkey? As much as it would give us more opportunities to do things in the mornings (ie. errands, finally joining Stroller Strides, story time at the library, etc.), Mommy needs one more month of two naps. In April, when I go to day shift, I will be so ready for you to give up your morning nap. But I NEED that nap too on days that I work. Today you didn't want it. You played for 45 minutes in your crib until you dropped blankie on the floor and this crushed your itty bitty heart. Momma said "bag it" and brought you out to play for real. We'll adapt if your ready though little man!
- What happened to my "eat everything you put down in front of me" little boy? The last two days you have just picked at your food. You haven't really wanted to drink anything either. You are such a great water drinker, and I can't hardly get you to take a sip. Hmmm! Probably a phase. Just a strange phenomenon for us little man!
- I have to wonder if you are ever going to get anymore teeth. Not that I want to go through teething....ugh....that makes me shutter. But you haven't cut a tooth since October. You still have the same 6 in there. It would make eating somethings a bit easier for you. But I guess we'll just keep waiting. I just pray that those teeth don't decide to come while we are down for Aunt Laure's wedding!
- Speaking of going down for the wedding. Please, please, please let the weather be warm and sunny. Not only for my sister who can't stand winter but for my spirit that is soooo tired of winter and cold! My aunt told me that she saw a couple robins down there last week. Oh please, please let it be true that spring has almost sprung there!!!
- Caribbean in March 2010! That is the goal! Either Hubby and I or a group of people. I just have to get there next winter! Last winter spoiled me with a Caribbean cruise in March. It was a wonderful break from the cold and snow. Now I'm going stir crazy this winter and realize we just have to plan something warm every winter. Doesn't have to be extravagant. Just some sunshine and flip flops! I almost did San Diego next week and now I'm kicking myself for not pushing harder!! But had to be practical since we are leaving for the wedding in a month too!! Winter just gets long....long on the spirit too!
- Happy Birthday to my sis!! What a year this is going to be for you! I'm so excited and so very proud of you! My heart swells every time I think of what you have accomplished. All that schooling and all those frustrations. All of the Ramen noodle dinners and long days going to school and then going to work the evenings at the hospital. All the long distance months and worrying about your man while he was abroad defending our country. You are pioneering studies and opening doors that haven't ever been opened. When did you grow up? I feel like I missed some of it. Wow! I'm so very proud of you, and I know I don't tell you that enough. Love you little sis!!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Thoughts for the day....
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
How Ironic
I'm a nurse. A nurse who has worked the night shift for five years. A nurse who once loved to work the night shift. For the extra money. For the lack of doctors, hospital big wigs (because believe me, they DO NOT come in to visit and see how the other half of the day runs in their hospital), therapists, nutritionists, case managers, pharmacists, cleaning crew members, and all the other people who run around clouding the front desk, hallways, stealing your patient charts, and just plain get in the way.
I loved the night shift for the simplicity of things. For the extra one-on-one time you found for your patients. For those middle of the night stories that they finally had time to tell someone b/c you weren't off and running to the next patient dilemma. For the night shift nurses. A more laid back, go with the flow nurse. A younger crew to work with b/c most of us know, the newbies get the night shift to start their career. For the older nurses who work the night shift b/c they're the "cool" nurses who have worked the night shift for upteen million years and are so laid back and gel with us young ones!
For my supervisor, Eva, whom I will cherish forever. She's like a momma hen and we're all her chicks, whether we're fresh out of school at 21 or over 50 like Angel (aka. Grandpa). She makes it all special for us.....birthdays, holidays, weddings, babies!! Nothing ever goes forgotten. She knows everything about us and doesn't forget a thing. She truly loves us all individually and puts up with so much! She has helped to mold me into the nurse I am today!
That leads me to my struggle. The night shift has finally taken its toll on me! I'm not a lifer like Grandpa or Nora. I know that now. The night shift is making me crazy. It's really hard to work when you have a one-year old at home. It's up at 6:45am with him and down for a morning and afternoon nap. Whether those be 1 or 2 hour naps and then I leave for work at 5:30pm not to return until the next morning at 8:30am and that's only if I have a good night and get out of there on time. Hence, not much sleep is occurring on those days. Thankfully, I'm part-time and only do this two nights a week, but nonetheless, it has taken it's toll on my body, my mind, and my spirit.
My husband says I have changed, which in a way, yes I have. I've become a mother over the last year. That in itself makes for a HUGE change as we all know. But he says, I'm different in other ways. I'm now the one with the short temper and less patience. I don't laugh as much as I used to. I cry much easier, and I want to sleep all the time. I know what you're thinking....I'm pregnant and it's just the hormones.....this started way before the pregnancy.....like last fall.
Sadly, I hate to admit it, but he's right. All I want to do is sleep. My patience with Monkey is less and less, especially now that he doesn't sleep as much (and I don't sleep as much). I'm not crabby alot. It's no fun for anyone, especially my wonderful husband who has gotten the brunt of it and alot of that brunt lately. It's been hard on our relationship the last month.
So I decided something has to change. That being the night shift. I think moving to days will at least give me some sense of normality. I'll live on a normal person's schedule and stop trying to switch back and forth from days to nights. There are some drawbacks. With the 12 hour day and the one hour commute each way, I may not see Monkey on those days b/c I will leave before he wakes and come home after he goes to bed. That kills me and is why I have been dragging my feet to make the change for a few months. I'm an analytical person and if you calculate that out, I potentially won't see him 104 days out of the year.....ugh.....it makes me want to cry to even think the number, let alone see it typed out. But it's hopefully going to bring his Mommy's happy spirit back! It will make me a better Momma, right??? I will appreciate those moments we have more, right??
No, I'm not looking forward to the hubbub of the day shift, but it will work. I'm continuing to tell myself this. And I'm going to continue to wait for the part time position to open up in day surgery where I ultimately would love to work! Fast pace, get 'em in, get 'em out! Ten hour days. No weekends or holidays. I never thought that could exist as a nurse unless I worked a clinic.
So I emailed my manager yesterday morning and told her I was ready to take the plunge on the next schedule. It works perfect b/c she is losing a day shift nurse too. Making two worlds happy!
Ironically enough, we were watching the evening news last night, and one of the stories was about the adverse affects night shifts have on workers. Higher incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and obesity. Hmmm, it was like someone was telling me that I made the right decision.
Wish me luck! I'm probably taking the plunge in April. It's going to be for the better for myself and my family. Ultimately, that is the most important decision. I finally stopped and listened to what my heart was telling me and ignored that fact that my brain was telling me I was going to disappoint Eva and my manager, that I was going to not "mesh" well with the day crew, that I was going to miss out on Monkey's days. Those were all excuses for not making the change! Change is good right! That seems to be the theme these days!
Day shift here I come!
I loved the night shift for the simplicity of things. For the extra one-on-one time you found for your patients. For those middle of the night stories that they finally had time to tell someone b/c you weren't off and running to the next patient dilemma. For the night shift nurses. A more laid back, go with the flow nurse. A younger crew to work with b/c most of us know, the newbies get the night shift to start their career. For the older nurses who work the night shift b/c they're the "cool" nurses who have worked the night shift for upteen million years and are so laid back and gel with us young ones!
For my supervisor, Eva, whom I will cherish forever. She's like a momma hen and we're all her chicks, whether we're fresh out of school at 21 or over 50 like Angel (aka. Grandpa). She makes it all special for us.....birthdays, holidays, weddings, babies!! Nothing ever goes forgotten. She knows everything about us and doesn't forget a thing. She truly loves us all individually and puts up with so much! She has helped to mold me into the nurse I am today!
That leads me to my struggle. The night shift has finally taken its toll on me! I'm not a lifer like Grandpa or Nora. I know that now. The night shift is making me crazy. It's really hard to work when you have a one-year old at home. It's up at 6:45am with him and down for a morning and afternoon nap. Whether those be 1 or 2 hour naps and then I leave for work at 5:30pm not to return until the next morning at 8:30am and that's only if I have a good night and get out of there on time. Hence, not much sleep is occurring on those days. Thankfully, I'm part-time and only do this two nights a week, but nonetheless, it has taken it's toll on my body, my mind, and my spirit.
My husband says I have changed, which in a way, yes I have. I've become a mother over the last year. That in itself makes for a HUGE change as we all know. But he says, I'm different in other ways. I'm now the one with the short temper and less patience. I don't laugh as much as I used to. I cry much easier, and I want to sleep all the time. I know what you're thinking....I'm pregnant and it's just the hormones.....this started way before the pregnancy.....like last fall.
Sadly, I hate to admit it, but he's right. All I want to do is sleep. My patience with Monkey is less and less, especially now that he doesn't sleep as much (and I don't sleep as much). I'm not crabby alot. It's no fun for anyone, especially my wonderful husband who has gotten the brunt of it and alot of that brunt lately. It's been hard on our relationship the last month.
So I decided something has to change. That being the night shift. I think moving to days will at least give me some sense of normality. I'll live on a normal person's schedule and stop trying to switch back and forth from days to nights. There are some drawbacks. With the 12 hour day and the one hour commute each way, I may not see Monkey on those days b/c I will leave before he wakes and come home after he goes to bed. That kills me and is why I have been dragging my feet to make the change for a few months. I'm an analytical person and if you calculate that out, I potentially won't see him 104 days out of the year.....ugh.....it makes me want to cry to even think the number, let alone see it typed out. But it's hopefully going to bring his Mommy's happy spirit back! It will make me a better Momma, right??? I will appreciate those moments we have more, right??
No, I'm not looking forward to the hubbub of the day shift, but it will work. I'm continuing to tell myself this. And I'm going to continue to wait for the part time position to open up in day surgery where I ultimately would love to work! Fast pace, get 'em in, get 'em out! Ten hour days. No weekends or holidays. I never thought that could exist as a nurse unless I worked a clinic.
So I emailed my manager yesterday morning and told her I was ready to take the plunge on the next schedule. It works perfect b/c she is losing a day shift nurse too. Making two worlds happy!
Ironically enough, we were watching the evening news last night, and one of the stories was about the adverse affects night shifts have on workers. Higher incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and obesity. Hmmm, it was like someone was telling me that I made the right decision.
Wish me luck! I'm probably taking the plunge in April. It's going to be for the better for myself and my family. Ultimately, that is the most important decision. I finally stopped and listened to what my heart was telling me and ignored that fact that my brain was telling me I was going to disappoint Eva and my manager, that I was going to not "mesh" well with the day crew, that I was going to miss out on Monkey's days. Those were all excuses for not making the change! Change is good right! That seems to be the theme these days!
Day shift here I come!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Love a Sale
I'm too excited about my winter sale find to not share! Monkey and I went to Freddy's today for a few groceries, and we managed to end up in the kiddo clothing section. They lured me in with the extra 70% off sale rack right when you walk in the doors. I'll have to say that I'm glad they caught me. All their winter clothing was already 50% off with an extra 70% off the lowest price!!
Monkey now has a great start on pants and shirts for next fall/winter and God forbid this summer if we have another yucky one like we did last year! I got 9 pair of pants and 5 shirts (all Carter's) for around $50. I save $108.76!!!!!
How's that for a frugal effort!! I just wish we knew what we were having so I could get a head start if there is a little princess in my tummy!!
Monkey now has a great start on pants and shirts for next fall/winter and God forbid this summer if we have another yucky one like we did last year! I got 9 pair of pants and 5 shirts (all Carter's) for around $50. I save $108.76!!!!!
How's that for a frugal effort!! I just wish we knew what we were having so I could get a head start if there is a little princess in my tummy!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Random Things
Some new things you do that continue to amaze me everyday!!
- You were dancing to your CD player the other day, and before I knew it, you were spinning in circles. Who knew you had the coordination to figure this out! You even managed to not run into the coffee table....job well done Monkey!
- This morning you thought it was hilarious to feed me Cheerios! You couldn't get enough of scooping them off your tray and shoving them into my mouth. The giggles were endless!
- You have figured out how to make your 4-wheeler move by propelling it with your feet!! You think your pretty hot stuff when you're doing this and so does Mommy!! Although you still like to put your feet up front and give the eyes that say "please Momma, drive me around". And I, of course, oblige you!!
- You are really starting to point at things you want or something that catches my eye. It's so fun b/c you are able to communicate some of your wants!
- This morning I was snapping some pictures of you being silly with your Tonka truck. You proceeded to go over to the coffee table and pick up the camera lens cap. You brought it over to me and tried to put it on the camera lens! How smart you are that you associated that! Makes my heart swell!!
I continue to marvel everyday at the new things you do Monkey!! You are at such a fun, sweet age! I can never get enough of your jibber jabbering! You make Momma's heart grown larger everyday!
Weaning update!!
My best friend is a Goddess! We trade Mommy woes and jubilation back and forth at least a couple times a week (being that we live 1000s of miles from one another). She, being a Mommy to two of the sweetest little girls you would ever meet, gets asks way more questions from me that she sometimes probably can take. She's just the best Mommy ever, so I automatically go to her when I have a trial and tribulation that I'm trying to get through with Monkey! The latest being (yep, you guessed it) the weaning of the bottle issue!
We have been done with the nap bottle for a week now, but Monkey still refuses to drink milk from his sippy cup. I was starting to freak out that he wasn't getting enough calcium everyday, since the new "suggestion" is 32 ounces of milk a day for those little ones under two. He's great at eating his yogurt and cheese, but I still was sure it wasn't enough. I was explaining this to my BF, and she mentioned that they tried the liquid yogurt mixed with milk with her oldest.
So we went grocery shopping today and bought us some Strawberry Blast liquid yogurt! I mixed it with his milk and gave it to him in his favorite sippy (the one with the straw)! Lo' and behold, he practically downed the whole thing in no time!! HALLELUJAH!!! We have cured our problem!! Time will tell as we wean the yogurt from the milk, but I'm optimistic he will be a sippy-cup-milk-drinking pro before long!!
I heart you my wonderful BF!!
We have been done with the nap bottle for a week now, but Monkey still refuses to drink milk from his sippy cup. I was starting to freak out that he wasn't getting enough calcium everyday, since the new "suggestion" is 32 ounces of milk a day for those little ones under two. He's great at eating his yogurt and cheese, but I still was sure it wasn't enough. I was explaining this to my BF, and she mentioned that they tried the liquid yogurt mixed with milk with her oldest.
So we went grocery shopping today and bought us some Strawberry Blast liquid yogurt! I mixed it with his milk and gave it to him in his favorite sippy (the one with the straw)! Lo' and behold, he practically downed the whole thing in no time!! HALLELUJAH!!! We have cured our problem!! Time will tell as we wean the yogurt from the milk, but I'm optimistic he will be a sippy-cup-milk-drinking pro before long!!
I heart you my wonderful BF!!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Weaning....ugh!
Why can't weaning the bottle be as easy as weaning the breast was? This is murder! He is in screaming his bloody head off right now instead laying down to take his nap. We've gone without a bottle for our afternoon nap for 4 out of the last 5 days. It's killing me! And he's only getting more attached to them. I don't know if we should just go cold turkey and take the bedtime and wake up bottle away too or continue with this gradual process. We've got to keep going though because he is starting to expect them now. I never ever in a million years figured this was going to be this hard!
He acts like I'm playing some dirty trick when I give him his milk in a sippy cup. It's even warmed up, and he still looks at it like it's crazy. I'm top of it all I'm concerned that he's not going to get his calcium like he needs too. I can only give him so much yogurt and cheese.
The whole weaning process was suppose to have started a month ago but then came the Rotavirus, then burnt fingers, and now a nasty cold. I decided there was always going to be something and just get the show on the road, but this s.u.c.k.s larger than life. We read our books, and I give him the sippy cup to "drink". He knows that the inevitable bed is coming though and starts to pitch a fit. I'm so tired of the fight. He never used to fight his naps like he does now. Is is a stage? How long is going to last? I know nobody has the answers but ugh......
He acts like I'm playing some dirty trick when I give him his milk in a sippy cup. It's even warmed up, and he still looks at it like it's crazy. I'm top of it all I'm concerned that he's not going to get his calcium like he needs too. I can only give him so much yogurt and cheese.
The whole weaning process was suppose to have started a month ago but then came the Rotavirus, then burnt fingers, and now a nasty cold. I decided there was always going to be something and just get the show on the road, but this s.u.c.k.s larger than life. We read our books, and I give him the sippy cup to "drink". He knows that the inevitable bed is coming though and starts to pitch a fit. I'm so tired of the fight. He never used to fight his naps like he does now. Is is a stage? How long is going to last? I know nobody has the answers but ugh......
Friday, February 6, 2009
A Sneak Peak
Today was our first prenatal appointment for Peanut #2! Everything went great! We were able to sneak a peak of our little bambino swimming away! How sweet those wiggles are.....almost surreal to realize we are actually doing it again. It made it all so real today, and it felt wonderful! All those new baby feelings come soaring back.
At this point, we have the due date calculated as August 27, 2009. Yet, my uterus is measuring much further along.....around 15 weeks when the due date says I'm 11 weeks. Not sure why exactly! That's why were able to sneak a quick peak at the baby to catch a quick measurement and see what the ultrasound said.....12 weeks, 4 days!! So we are going in on Tuesday for the Ultrascreen which should give us a good idea for due date! Either way, it was so exciting to get started on our journey! Many months ahead that I'm sure will go much faster than we realize. I can't wait!!
At this point, we have the due date calculated as August 27, 2009. Yet, my uterus is measuring much further along.....around 15 weeks when the due date says I'm 11 weeks. Not sure why exactly! That's why were able to sneak a quick peak at the baby to catch a quick measurement and see what the ultrasound said.....12 weeks, 4 days!! So we are going in on Tuesday for the Ultrascreen which should give us a good idea for due date! Either way, it was so exciting to get started on our journey! Many months ahead that I'm sure will go much faster than we realize. I can't wait!!
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