Dear Swen,
Apparently I am not capable of keeping up with blogging anymore. I blame you! You will not leave me alone enough to do anything on a computer. However, this blog is important for me to keep records of your life, so I am going to try harder. It's hard to believe that I'll forget anything about you because you consume my entire life (how lucky am I?), but it's bound to happen, and I want to be able to look back and remember things I've forgotten. I have a few friends that write letters to their children every once in a while. I like the idea, so maybe that will help me remember to write about you!
You are a little over 20 months old with the best personality EVER. You move non-stop and eat non-stop. Usually you do both at the same time. You love to find any random toy that resembles a bowl, then bring it up to me and say, "ahh ahh ahh ahh." I know this means that you would like a snack. Then you carry it around and put it in other little toys and eventually eat it. The word "more" has popped up into your vocabulary this past couple weeks, so when you run out of food, you come up so cute and ask for more.
Next to eating and playing with the garbage can, your all-time favorite thing to do is play with Kitty. My favorite thing is to hear you say her name because you call her Titty! So you just run around saying, "Titty, Titty, Titty" and it is hilarious. You can name all the parts of her face, and she doesn't mind you poking her eyes at all. She probably is okay with it because you are the one who feeds her. You are not patient enough to let her just eat her food, so you carry it around the house and throw her one piece at a time. She follows you around to every room just waiting for the next little piece of food.
I truly love being your mom more than anything in the world. I find myself tearing up quite often just thinking about how much I love you. Really the only hard thing about raising you so far has been your sleep. If/when you ever go back to read this blog, you will think that all I ever cared about was getting you to sleep! I'm sorry about that. You now sleep through the night every single night. It took a lot of time, but you finally figured it out without any harsh sleep training. People all told us you'd never sleep if we didn't just force you to do it on your own by letting you cry. Daddy and I would never even consider doing that, but being first-time parents we did start doubting our intuition. However, we all three survived together, and you sleep better than most toddlers I hear about (as long as we keep you on a very strict schedule). All I can think now is that I shouldn't have rushed you and had faith that you would sleep all night when you're ready. I plan on being much more patient with your little brothers and sisters.
Daddy and I really believe in letting you explore the world as much as possible and do most things you want. As a toddler you have really little say in anything about your life, so all the little things that don't matter we let you do. This includes eating your meals all over our house, playing with anything that isn't dangerous, not wearing shoes or socks, turning the TV on and off, taking out all the DVD's, rearranging the fridge, helping cook, eating dry cereal regularly, drinking sips of Diet Coke, throwing things down vents, taking napkins out at every restaurant, getting soaking wet in water fountains while you're fully dressed, being carried all the time, and so much more. You have only been alive 20 months, and you have so much to learn! The best way to learn about the world is to interact with it.
I see so many kids your age with parents who expect them to act like adults.There is no need for you to be expected to act like an adult yet. You've barely been alive! I often get asked if we are "swatting" you or giving you time outs yet! Each parent has every right to parent how s/he wants, but to think that I would ever put your little body in time out is bonkers to me. You would have no idea what I was doing! And don't get me started on "swatting." I'd like to go on a tangent about how I feel about that. Instead, I will just promise you that your that daddy and I will NEVER let anyone spank you. Not ever.
The one thing that I had to stop you from doing when you were about 17 months old was nursing. I know you would still be nursing if I had the energy, because you loved it. But I am growing a baby sister, and I needed a break before she came! I think you finally have forgiven me, but it was hard for both of us.
Daddy and I love you so much, Swen! We lie in bed just talking about you every night. As long as you always know that we love you, then we will be happy.
Love, Mommy
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Monday, November 4, 2013
All Jobs Are Important
At the ripe age of one, Swen has begun to dream about his future. He has set a goal of what he would like to be when he grows up. He is not wishy-washy, and he has never changed his mind about his future career path.
Before I let everyone in on his future, I want to remind you that all jobs are important. Society needs janitors, grocery store cashiers, plumbers, etc. These are all jobs that many of us don't view as "ideal professions," but it would be hard to function without them. It just so happens that Swen's dream job is one of these. It is a job that most of us wouldn't want to do, yet one that is critically important. Are you ready? Swen's dream is to become a garbage man! He loves the garbage more than anything in the world. He doesn't care about size, shape, color, or smell. Any garbage can is heaven to him.
At home, all he wants is the garbage cans in the kitchen or the bathroom. They are both up on counters now, but on very special days, the garbage comes down with a fresh bag, and Swen gets to play with it all he wants!
At every restaurant we go to, the first thing Swen finds is the garbage can. I know this is gross, but he's unstoppable. He needs to practice to gain experience for his future.
Guess where else there are garbage cans? The park! Who needs slides, swings, and climbing walls when there are garbage cans around? At every park, Swen immediately finds garbage to throw away. Why would I stand in the way of him saving the planet?
There you have it. Swen will be a garbage man when he grows up. I am so proud of him and his dreams. Next time you see a garbage man, think of baby Swen and remember that all jobs are important!
 |
Guess where else there are garbage cans? The park! Who needs slides, swings, and climbing walls when there are garbage cans around? At every park, Swen immediately finds garbage to throw away. Why would I stand in the way of him saving the planet?
There you have it. Swen will be a garbage man when he grows up. I am so proud of him and his dreams. Next time you see a garbage man, think of baby Swen and remember that all jobs are important!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
He's Finally Perfect!
I have always said that Swen is my ALMOST perfect baby. I hear stories about other babies his age, and they scare me. Things like, "He won't eat" or "I can't take her anywhere" or "He bites everyone." The list goes on and on.
Swen hasn't really had any of these typical toddler behaviors (yet). He is very easy going and loves life. He explores the world as if nothing could go wrong. He eats all the time and has yet to bite or hit anyone. I actually prefer to take him out on errands rather than be bored with him at home. He is so easy to take places. And he doesn't cry very much either. The one thing that was stopping him from being absolutely perfect was how he pretty much refused to sleep more than two hours in a row. Ever.
UNTIL NOW!!
For months I have searched for anything and everything I could find to get Swen to sleep. And I tried most everything too! About a month ago, I gave up looking. I hated failing, and nothing seemed to be designed to meet Swen's needs. Then, when I wasn't even looking, I came upon this article:
http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html
I still don't know how I found it. I'm sure it was an answer to prayer (finally!). It was the only thing I ever read that met two criteria. First, it described Swen's problems perfectly--getting up every hour and only wanting to nurse. Second, and most importantly, it was a gentle, peaceful way to teach Swen to sleep. The second I read it I KNEW this was the answer to our problems. I typed out a checklist and stuck it on the fridge to motivate me because I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it is supposed to take a couple of weeks, and I didn't want to give up. I could check off each night and watch myself get closer!
Following the plan, the first 3 nights I was to nurse Swen when he woke up but not let him fall asleep while nursing. I needed to lay him down in his crib while he was still awake. This was rough. He didn't like it one bit. But I was to stay right next to him, pat him, reassure him, sing to him, etc. until he fell asleep. After a couple nights, I could already see a difference!
After the third night, it happened to be our 15 month doctor appointment. I just switched to a new pediatrician, and I know he was another answer to my prayers. I explained our sleeping problems and also mentioned the new plan I was trying. He was so kind and non judgmental and made me feel like I was doing the exact right thing. I mentioned that I felt like everyone (including our previous doctor) kept telling me to let him "cry it out" alone in a room, so he would learn to self soothe and sleep through the night. I told him that this wasn't for us, and there has to be another way to fix this. His exact words were, "You need to do this gradually. Toddlers thrive with routine, and if you were to just change everything all at once by leaving him in a room to cry, there would be severe consequences, not only with his sleeping but with his entire life." He recommended to continue with the new plan, and to make sure Swen fell asleep in his crib right from the start. This way when he woke up in the night, he wouldn't be confused and wonder how he got into the crib. This was a huge change for us; I always nursed Swen and then rocked him to sleep and then laid him down.
However, I trusted this doctor and again felt like this was what I needed to do. So that night I laid Swen down and sang to him for 30 minutes until he fell asleep in his crib. Then I cried and cried. This is exactly what I wanted; still, it was hard for me not to put him to sleep the way I had for the past 15 months. The next four nights of the plan involved not nursing at all during the night, but instead, picking Swen up when he awoke, snuggling him, singing to him, and they laying him back down when he was still awake. This was harder, but I was going to do it, and sure enough, I continued to see a difference!
Now after two weeks of both the plan I found and the doctor's suggestion, Swen is sleeping through the night! He has slept through the night for the past 3 nights, so I think it is for real. The crib is in our room (which we love) and if he does wake a little, I just say, "night night" and he goes back to sleep. It was the longest two weeks of my life. Physically because I was getting even less sleep than before. Emotionally because I am nursing Swen less than I used to, and that has been much harder for me than I anticipated. I never had postpartum depression, but I could see myself getting post-weaning depression if that exists. Currently, he is only nursing when he wakes up in the morning, and that's it. I hope he doesn't give that up for quite a while.
I am so grateful that I randomly found this sleep plan and also found a great doctor at the same time. Prayer does work! I have no idea why my "Swen sleep issues" prayers took FOREVER to be answered, but I'm sure there's a reason, so I'll try not to complain.
Anyway, until my next Swen trial arises, I will enjoy my completely perfect boy!
Swen hasn't really had any of these typical toddler behaviors (yet). He is very easy going and loves life. He explores the world as if nothing could go wrong. He eats all the time and has yet to bite or hit anyone. I actually prefer to take him out on errands rather than be bored with him at home. He is so easy to take places. And he doesn't cry very much either. The one thing that was stopping him from being absolutely perfect was how he pretty much refused to sleep more than two hours in a row. Ever.
UNTIL NOW!!
For months I have searched for anything and everything I could find to get Swen to sleep. And I tried most everything too! About a month ago, I gave up looking. I hated failing, and nothing seemed to be designed to meet Swen's needs. Then, when I wasn't even looking, I came upon this article:
http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html
I still don't know how I found it. I'm sure it was an answer to prayer (finally!). It was the only thing I ever read that met two criteria. First, it described Swen's problems perfectly--getting up every hour and only wanting to nurse. Second, and most importantly, it was a gentle, peaceful way to teach Swen to sleep. The second I read it I KNEW this was the answer to our problems. I typed out a checklist and stuck it on the fridge to motivate me because I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it is supposed to take a couple of weeks, and I didn't want to give up. I could check off each night and watch myself get closer!
Following the plan, the first 3 nights I was to nurse Swen when he woke up but not let him fall asleep while nursing. I needed to lay him down in his crib while he was still awake. This was rough. He didn't like it one bit. But I was to stay right next to him, pat him, reassure him, sing to him, etc. until he fell asleep. After a couple nights, I could already see a difference!
After the third night, it happened to be our 15 month doctor appointment. I just switched to a new pediatrician, and I know he was another answer to my prayers. I explained our sleeping problems and also mentioned the new plan I was trying. He was so kind and non judgmental and made me feel like I was doing the exact right thing. I mentioned that I felt like everyone (including our previous doctor) kept telling me to let him "cry it out" alone in a room, so he would learn to self soothe and sleep through the night. I told him that this wasn't for us, and there has to be another way to fix this. His exact words were, "You need to do this gradually. Toddlers thrive with routine, and if you were to just change everything all at once by leaving him in a room to cry, there would be severe consequences, not only with his sleeping but with his entire life." He recommended to continue with the new plan, and to make sure Swen fell asleep in his crib right from the start. This way when he woke up in the night, he wouldn't be confused and wonder how he got into the crib. This was a huge change for us; I always nursed Swen and then rocked him to sleep and then laid him down.
However, I trusted this doctor and again felt like this was what I needed to do. So that night I laid Swen down and sang to him for 30 minutes until he fell asleep in his crib. Then I cried and cried. This is exactly what I wanted; still, it was hard for me not to put him to sleep the way I had for the past 15 months. The next four nights of the plan involved not nursing at all during the night, but instead, picking Swen up when he awoke, snuggling him, singing to him, and they laying him back down when he was still awake. This was harder, but I was going to do it, and sure enough, I continued to see a difference!
Now after two weeks of both the plan I found and the doctor's suggestion, Swen is sleeping through the night! He has slept through the night for the past 3 nights, so I think it is for real. The crib is in our room (which we love) and if he does wake a little, I just say, "night night" and he goes back to sleep. It was the longest two weeks of my life. Physically because I was getting even less sleep than before. Emotionally because I am nursing Swen less than I used to, and that has been much harder for me than I anticipated. I never had postpartum depression, but I could see myself getting post-weaning depression if that exists. Currently, he is only nursing when he wakes up in the morning, and that's it. I hope he doesn't give that up for quite a while.
I am so grateful that I randomly found this sleep plan and also found a great doctor at the same time. Prayer does work! I have no idea why my "Swen sleep issues" prayers took FOREVER to be answered, but I'm sure there's a reason, so I'll try not to complain.
Anyway, until my next Swen trial arises, I will enjoy my completely perfect boy!
Once morning comes, he still gets into bed. BEST EVER.
Hanging out in the gym at church.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Swen's Words
Swen is learning some new words and imitating us constantly. I wanted to write them down real quick so I'll remember them. Right now his favorite words consist of:
up
this
uh-oh
thank you
da
mmmmmm
Adorable right?
up
this
uh-oh
thank you
da
mmmmmm
Adorable right?
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Summer
Once again I'm way behind on updating things about life, so I will just try to sum up summer so far the best I can!
- Matt got the chance to go to Havasupi, near the Grand Canyon. He had an amazing time hiking and cliff jumping into bright blue waters.
- My mom, Seth, Swen, and I all made a long trip up to Portland to visit my grandma. The car ride went surprisingly well. Seth took care of little Swen 80% of the time. The best day was going to the ocean and running in the waves. Swen loved the sand!
- My grandma has the cleanest house in the entire world. It looks like nobody has ever lived there. While I was there, she told me every product she uses, how she cleans, and how often. I wrote it all down and am determined to make my house look like hers one day.
- Swen is talking gibberish ALL the time. He gets books out and pretends to read them. It's just adorable.
- Swen has a few real words: "uh-oh" "up" and his newest is "this" which he says while he points to everything he wants.
- Swen can climb up onto everything. His newest trick is getting up onto the shelf behind our couch.
- Matt just finished his summer semester of school. He only has one semester until graduation! YAY!!! I am exceptionally happy about this for a few reasons. First, he will be done with school and able to get a good-paying job. Second, we are really tired of paying money to that stupid school. My entire teaching bonus and all of our tax refund is completely gone to the University of Utah. We never liked having a savings account anyway. Third, and the most exciting, is that he will be home more!
- We have sacrificed a lot so I can stay home with Swen, and after a year of not working, I am now working very part time (around 7-9 hours a week) at Macaroni Grill to help with finances and tuition. I guess this is a third reason I'm glad Matt's almost done. I am a wimp and don't like working at all. Even though it is just 2-3 days a week for just a few hours at the most, I feel like I'm missing out with Swen. He learns new things every day. He won't stay little for long, and I will be putting in two weeks' notice two weeks before Matt's graduation. :) The one good thing about working at Mac.Grill is sometimes I get to work with my little brother Isaiah, and I love that because he's busy and I don't see him too much.
- I am so proud and excited for Matt to be finishing school! I think it is something he never thought would really happen. I always knew he would get it done, and I know that although it has been hard, it is totally worth it for him to get a degree! Education is so important.
- With school and work, Matt is very busy, but he always makes time to play with Swen. He takes a bath with him every night he's not at work. Swen much prefers taking baths with Daddy over me just sitting outside the bath and cleaning him as fast as possible.
- Swen loves playing with Kitty ALL the time. He laughs and laughs while chasing her around.
- My mom and I were supposed to start training for a 5K. Which hasn't happened.... Maybe next week?
- I've tried several new recipes. They all sucked. Matt's exact words were, "You should just stick with making what you know. Those always taste OK." Haha! Just OK is a great way to describe my food.
- We left Swen for an entire night for the first time! He stayed with my parents and didn't miss me at all. My mom was so nice to get up with him over and over all night long. I was her worst sleeper as a baby, and now she is up with my horrible sleeping baby.
- Swen still is a horrible sleeper. Matt has three weeks off before fall semester begins, and he has been taking over trying to get him to sleep, and I think it is working because if I'm not around, he doesn't think about nursing.
- Swen has recently decided to be a vegetarian. I hope this phase ends soon.
- Matt's mom has summer vacation, so Swen has been able to spend some more time over there! Here's what happened on one of his visits.
Monday, June 24, 2013
My Saturday
Remember how forever ago I wrote a blog about breastfeeding? I wrote how wonderful it is and how much I love it. I also wrote how I had no need for a pump because I am blessed to be able to stay at home with Swen. Well, it's still wonderful, but after 13 months I had to go buy a breast pump.
Swen had been sick for a couple days starting Thursday. Friday night he was having a horrible time sleeping (worse than normal, and it's always bad). He wouldn't nurse and actually bit me really hard a couple times. He had never bitten me before! It scared me, and I jumped and firmly said, "Don't bite me, Swen." He screamed for a bit and finally, I just decided to take him out to the rocking chair to hold him so maybe we could both sleep.
Just as I got him to sleep in the rocking chair, I discovered I was freezing cold. Like I was shivering to death. I had a warm baby and two blankets on me. I didn't want to move because Swen was finally asleep. After an hour and a half of shivering, I finally laid Swen down and took some medicine. I went into the bedroom to wake up Matt, hoping he could help me get warm, and after about an hour, I finally fell asleep. I didn't wake up til 10:30. I never sleep that long anymore. I woke up feeling a little better, but not great.
Swen only nurses a few times a day now, usually mornings, nap time, and night time. Considering it was morning, I went to feed Swen but he wouldn't nurse. He would put his mouth on me and then take it off and cry. I must have scared him really badly the night before because he was totally afraid to nurse! Meanwhile, I was becoming more and more engorged as the day went on and feeling sicker and sicker. I was pretty sure I had mastitis, but hoped I could make it go away on my own. The problem is that the best cure is to nurse lots, but Swen would NOT nurse. He was miserable. He wouldn't eat, drink from his sippy cups , or nurse. He would just cry to me and do what he does when he wants to nurse. Then I would try to nurse him, and he would get scared and cry. Over and over. It was sad for me to see him so upset when there was nothing I could do. I really thought this was it, that he was done nursing. Would it be the end of the world? No. He is 13 months old after all! But I always thought I would at least know when the "last time" would be.
As the day progressed, nothing changed except I felt worse and worse. Finally, at around 6:00, I decided I needed to go buy a breast pump. I was so engorged and sore. I found an electric pump for $60 (money we do not have right now). I went home and read the directions on how to use the thing. Sure enough, it was pretty simple and it actually worked! I couldn't believe that there was actually milk coming out! I was able to get 5 ounces from both sides. I am sure that Swen gets WAY more milk than that because he is efficient, but I am grateful that the cheapest pump I could find worked that well and made me feel a little better.
Considering Swen hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day, I wanted him to drink this milk! He had never had a bottle before because there was no need to give him one. He just uses sippy cups to drink. Earlier in the day, I had tried a random bottle, thinking maybe he would drink some regular milk from it, but he threw it right down. But this pump came with its own bottle, so I put the breast milk I had pumped in it and gave it to him. At first screamed at me for even trying, but I just shoved it in his mouth, so he could see what it was. He hit the bottle onto the floor and then stopped short and looked at me as if to say, "This is what I want!" He grabbed the bottle off the floor and started chugging. He chugged the entire bottle in minutes. It made me tear up to watch him. I knew he had wanted my milk all day, but he was too scared to nurse. But even after this bottle, he still wouldn't.
Swen was feeling better because he had gotten what he needed, but I was getting worse. So off to the doctor I went. I put it off a long time becuase we don't have insurance right now, and it is $140 to walk into a clinic. Luckily, I didn't change my last name, and my mom has a Flex card that I was able to use. Because we have the same last name, I could pass as one of her unmarried children.
When I got there, I had a temperature of 103 and my heart rate was way up from the high fever. My left breast was badly infected and red. I had been so focused on getting Swen to nurse that I hadn't realized how sick I was. The doctor gave me a shot with a huge dose of antibiotics so they would start working right away. I came home and, once again, tried to nurse Swen, but he still wouldn't do it. So, I pumped some more, and he drank it from the bottle again.
Late Saturday night, after pumping AGAIN, my prayers were answered, and Swen nursed great. The pump was never able to drain me enough to not feel engorged, but Swen did the job. It hurt so badly on my infected side, but I know he needed to do it.
Long story, I know. But I have realized that I am so grateful for breast pumps. How wonderful is it that mothers who work can use them or those who have a baby that can't latch on. But I'm also grateful that I didn't have to use one this past year. It was such a hassle, and I truly admire moms who do it regularly! Washing the pump and the bottle was annoying, and while I was pumping I couldn't hold Swen or do anything for him, and it took FOREVER to get milk. Still, I'm glad I have a pump now for all my future babies who might need pumped milk at some point, and it was fun to see how they work.
Swen had been sick for a couple days starting Thursday. Friday night he was having a horrible time sleeping (worse than normal, and it's always bad). He wouldn't nurse and actually bit me really hard a couple times. He had never bitten me before! It scared me, and I jumped and firmly said, "Don't bite me, Swen." He screamed for a bit and finally, I just decided to take him out to the rocking chair to hold him so maybe we could both sleep.
Just as I got him to sleep in the rocking chair, I discovered I was freezing cold. Like I was shivering to death. I had a warm baby and two blankets on me. I didn't want to move because Swen was finally asleep. After an hour and a half of shivering, I finally laid Swen down and took some medicine. I went into the bedroom to wake up Matt, hoping he could help me get warm, and after about an hour, I finally fell asleep. I didn't wake up til 10:30. I never sleep that long anymore. I woke up feeling a little better, but not great.
Swen only nurses a few times a day now, usually mornings, nap time, and night time. Considering it was morning, I went to feed Swen but he wouldn't nurse. He would put his mouth on me and then take it off and cry. I must have scared him really badly the night before because he was totally afraid to nurse! Meanwhile, I was becoming more and more engorged as the day went on and feeling sicker and sicker. I was pretty sure I had mastitis, but hoped I could make it go away on my own. The problem is that the best cure is to nurse lots, but Swen would NOT nurse. He was miserable. He wouldn't eat, drink from his sippy cups , or nurse. He would just cry to me and do what he does when he wants to nurse. Then I would try to nurse him, and he would get scared and cry. Over and over. It was sad for me to see him so upset when there was nothing I could do. I really thought this was it, that he was done nursing. Would it be the end of the world? No. He is 13 months old after all! But I always thought I would at least know when the "last time" would be.
As the day progressed, nothing changed except I felt worse and worse. Finally, at around 6:00, I decided I needed to go buy a breast pump. I was so engorged and sore. I found an electric pump for $60 (money we do not have right now). I went home and read the directions on how to use the thing. Sure enough, it was pretty simple and it actually worked! I couldn't believe that there was actually milk coming out! I was able to get 5 ounces from both sides. I am sure that Swen gets WAY more milk than that because he is efficient, but I am grateful that the cheapest pump I could find worked that well and made me feel a little better.
Considering Swen hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day, I wanted him to drink this milk! He had never had a bottle before because there was no need to give him one. He just uses sippy cups to drink. Earlier in the day, I had tried a random bottle, thinking maybe he would drink some regular milk from it, but he threw it right down. But this pump came with its own bottle, so I put the breast milk I had pumped in it and gave it to him. At first screamed at me for even trying, but I just shoved it in his mouth, so he could see what it was. He hit the bottle onto the floor and then stopped short and looked at me as if to say, "This is what I want!" He grabbed the bottle off the floor and started chugging. He chugged the entire bottle in minutes. It made me tear up to watch him. I knew he had wanted my milk all day, but he was too scared to nurse. But even after this bottle, he still wouldn't.
Swen was feeling better because he had gotten what he needed, but I was getting worse. So off to the doctor I went. I put it off a long time becuase we don't have insurance right now, and it is $140 to walk into a clinic. Luckily, I didn't change my last name, and my mom has a Flex card that I was able to use. Because we have the same last name, I could pass as one of her unmarried children.
When I got there, I had a temperature of 103 and my heart rate was way up from the high fever. My left breast was badly infected and red. I had been so focused on getting Swen to nurse that I hadn't realized how sick I was. The doctor gave me a shot with a huge dose of antibiotics so they would start working right away. I came home and, once again, tried to nurse Swen, but he still wouldn't do it. So, I pumped some more, and he drank it from the bottle again.
Late Saturday night, after pumping AGAIN, my prayers were answered, and Swen nursed great. The pump was never able to drain me enough to not feel engorged, but Swen did the job. It hurt so badly on my infected side, but I know he needed to do it.
Long story, I know. But I have realized that I am so grateful for breast pumps. How wonderful is it that mothers who work can use them or those who have a baby that can't latch on. But I'm also grateful that I didn't have to use one this past year. It was such a hassle, and I truly admire moms who do it regularly! Washing the pump and the bottle was annoying, and while I was pumping I couldn't hold Swen or do anything for him, and it took FOREVER to get milk. Still, I'm glad I have a pump now for all my future babies who might need pumped milk at some point, and it was fun to see how they work.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Swen is ONE!
Before having Swen, the previous eight years of my life seemed to go by very very very slowly. While I was in college, my parents paid for most of my school, but I still needed to work to help pay what I could. I waited tables. It was a long four years. After I graduated, I thought I had found my dream job. I was going to teach kindergarten! Unfortunately, it was really hard. I had horrible kids. I felt like my weeks were never ending. Luckily, I met Matt in the end, and that it made go by faster, but it still wasn't fun.
Now when I want my life to slow down, it just seems to have disappeared. It has been an entire year since I brought this perfect little baby home from the hospital. I cannot believe it. I had a couple of cry sessions the week before his birthday asking myself how this happened. I am not a crier! I now understand when other parents tell me to enjoy ALL the tiring, long, hard, amazing, and fun moments because they will be gone before I know it. I have been really cherishing my time with Swen the last couple of weeks because of how fast it hit me that he will grow up way too quickly.
When Swen was little, I thought to myself that a newborn is the best age of babies. I would look at older babies and dread it! I didn't think it could be as good as it was right in that moment. Then as he grew older, I realized that each new stage is just as good, if not better than the one before. However, I am CONVINCED one year old is the very best age there is. I love having a toddler. He has this huge personality in a little tiny (well if a fat baby can be called tiny) body. He toddles around talking in his baby words while destroying everything he can. Then while he is messing up whatever room he's in, he laughs as if it is the best thing in the world. Right now his favorites are pulling all the wipes out of the container, taking laundry out of drawers, removing DVD's from drawers, and emptying all the cupboards. Isn't he talented?
Another of his greatest talents is eating/nursing. I no longer need to use our garbage disposal. He wants everything we are eating or drinking. Especially if we are eating pizza or macaroni and cheese. Swen still loves to nurse. He doesn't need to nurse as frequently as before, just a few times a day. I don't see him giving it up any time soon.
Swen's biggest talent of all is NOT sleeping. This past week has actually started to improve a bit. I'm hoping the trend continues. I'm tired of being tired all the time!
We had a wonderful 1st birthday party for him with family. My mom did such a good job blogging about it that I don't need to. You can read about it here:
http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2013/05/that-baby-was-born-five-weeks-early.html
Here are way too many pictures of our little ONE YEAR OLD SWEN! I'm so grateful to be a mom and to be able to be with him all day.... and night. Actually, that's a lie. I would like to be far, far away from him at night. :)
Now when I want my life to slow down, it just seems to have disappeared. It has been an entire year since I brought this perfect little baby home from the hospital. I cannot believe it. I had a couple of cry sessions the week before his birthday asking myself how this happened. I am not a crier! I now understand when other parents tell me to enjoy ALL the tiring, long, hard, amazing, and fun moments because they will be gone before I know it. I have been really cherishing my time with Swen the last couple of weeks because of how fast it hit me that he will grow up way too quickly.
When Swen was little, I thought to myself that a newborn is the best age of babies. I would look at older babies and dread it! I didn't think it could be as good as it was right in that moment. Then as he grew older, I realized that each new stage is just as good, if not better than the one before. However, I am CONVINCED one year old is the very best age there is. I love having a toddler. He has this huge personality in a little tiny (well if a fat baby can be called tiny) body. He toddles around talking in his baby words while destroying everything he can. Then while he is messing up whatever room he's in, he laughs as if it is the best thing in the world. Right now his favorites are pulling all the wipes out of the container, taking laundry out of drawers, removing DVD's from drawers, and emptying all the cupboards. Isn't he talented?
Another of his greatest talents is eating/nursing. I no longer need to use our garbage disposal. He wants everything we are eating or drinking. Especially if we are eating pizza or macaroni and cheese. Swen still loves to nurse. He doesn't need to nurse as frequently as before, just a few times a day. I don't see him giving it up any time soon.
Swen's biggest talent of all is NOT sleeping. This past week has actually started to improve a bit. I'm hoping the trend continues. I'm tired of being tired all the time!
We had a wonderful 1st birthday party for him with family. My mom did such a good job blogging about it that I don't need to. You can read about it here:
http://itslegs.blogspot.com/2013/05/that-baby-was-born-five-weeks-early.html
Here are way too many pictures of our little ONE YEAR OLD SWEN! I'm so grateful to be a mom and to be able to be with him all day.... and night. Actually, that's a lie. I would like to be far, far away from him at night. :)
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