Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Singing his ABCs with Piano Accompaniment
On Saturday we took Nick to my mom and stepdad's house for a visit. I'll write more about that tomorrow, but for now, here's a video of Nick showing off his ABC skills. He loved playing the piano and singing with his Auntie Mandy. I believe he sings the whole song twice thorugh, although I didn't get every bit on video.
I'm thinking I'll probably have to sign this boy up for piano lessons at some point. He can play for quite a long time without getting bored.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday Morning Oatmeal
I don't have time to make it on weekdays, but Nick and I love to have old fashioned oatmeal on the weekends. This morning he was asking me for some before I'd even finished my first cup of coffee. "You make oatmeal. Want to eat oatmeal. With cinnamon!"
Nick had already had breakfast, about an hour before. My husband gets up with him and lets me sleep in, which is nice. So this meal was his second breakfast. We had our oatmeal with strawberries. Please notice how Nick took a bite from the tip of all the strawberries. It made me giggle. That must be the best part.
During the week, I use the packets of oatmeal, which are okay. But they're nothing like real oatmeal made on the stove. I use milk instead of water, and the old fashioned regular oatmeal with the big pieces. It takes 5-10 minutes of constant stirring to get the consistency just right, but it's definitely worth the weight. This oatmeal is heartier and the milk gives it protein. I add fancy Vietnamese cinnamon from Penzey's Spices. It's way nicer than grocery store cinnamon.
Nick can eat an entire serving by himself. Oh, and he eventually ate four of the strawberries. He just likes to eat the tips first, for some reason.
Oatmeal is a pretty healthy meal, but it always makes me feel relaxed. Maybe that's because I only make it on leisurely weekend days.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Pilates for a Pipsqueak?
Despite still being pretty sick today, I decided to try a pilates workout. With my two-year-old. Yup. He loved it. I am extremely sore. Here is our story.
Today I decided to try doing my Pilates Bodyband DVD workout. This is a workout I've done lots of times before, but not really at all since I've been pregnant. I wanted to try at least modified versions of the exercises to build core strength and keep stretching out my muscles, which tend to be tight. Nick insisted on doing the exercises with me, so I found a little band for him and we worked out together. The workout took about twice as long as it would've if I'd done it alone, but Nick had a good time and undoubtedly got some exercise.
I'm actually extremely proud of myself for finishing a workout today at all. I am recovering from a vile illness that has practically knocked me out this week. It started last week with allergies, and now I have a sinus infection, bronchitis, and an asthma flare up. I was in bed at the same time as Nick Monday through Wednesday, because I felt like I was going to keel over at any moment. I couldn't stay home from work because (1.) it's ISAT week (state high-stakes testing), and (2.) I don't have many sick days left, and I have no choice but to save them up in case this baby comes early. Anyhow, a workout was not a possibility until today. I'm still not feeling terrific, but I knew if I didn't get back into stretching, I'd ruin all of the progress I made with my physical therapy. (See the bottom of this post if you'd like a PT update.) My two inhalers, antibiotic, and nasal spray (total cost=$135) have finally started to kick it, and I decided not to let being sick be an excuse. At least not today.
I had to do a lot of hand over hand to show him how to use the bodyband. His favorite moves were the ones where he put the band on his cute little toes. Nick actually started shouting at one point, "Mommy, you put it back on my toes! I exercise with you!" The band had come off and he couldn't figure out how to do it himself. He loved stretching his toes up by his head.
So if you'd ever like to try pilates with a two-year-old, I'd suggest bringing patience and a remote control with a pause button on it. You'll have to stop every few minutes to help the kid get into position and fix his band. Most of the two-year-old's exercises will not be done with proper form, but he will enjoy them.
How did I do with pilates at 25 weeks pregnant? Pretty well, actually. Before all of my physical therapy, I had to do the exercises with the old lady. You know, the modified version of each stretch. Well, I still need to do that, but some of the stretches are much easier. I also skipped a bunch of the moves where you have to be on your tummy. That just doesn't work for me right now. I was able to do some of the modified abdominal work, and I think I'm actually stronger now than I was before I was pregnant. That felt really good.
Physical Therapy Update:
Last week, I had my last physical therapy session. My progress over the last three months has been steady but strong, and in my final evaluation, my physical therapist said that I had crossed into the normal range for most of the stretches. (The lowest end of normal, but still. . . ) For example, most people can stretch each foot so that it makes a 90 degree angle with the leg, and then stretch about ten degrees further in than that. I could only get to around 100 degrees, meaning that my foot wouldn't even make a right angle.
During one of my first PT sessions, my therapist called over several other PTs to see how bad my feet and legs were. My arches and hamstrings were incredibly tight and couldn't be stretched. Now, after all of this physical therapy, I can get past 90 degrees just a little bit, putting my feet into the normal range. I can also do regular leg lifts without assistance, and my core strength has increased significantly. I will never be a flexible gal, and the low end of normal is the best I can hope for, but I feel pretty proud of myself. I need to check with the podiatrist for sure, but chances are I won't have to have leg surgery to lengthen my hamstrings. I guess all of my hard work paid off. The giant, heavy orthotics I wear in my shoes are helping with the foot pain, which has decreased quite a bit despite the fact that I'm six months pregnant.
This could all go back to how it was before, though, if I don't keep stretching the muscles. That's why I'm going to try to do a modified pilates workout at least two or three times a week, in addition to keeping up with the 5-10 minutes of stretching I've been doing every day since I started PT. I've never been very consistent with exercise, but hopefully I can keep this up so I don't have to have surgery. So far, so good.
Today I decided to try doing my Pilates Bodyband DVD workout. This is a workout I've done lots of times before, but not really at all since I've been pregnant. I wanted to try at least modified versions of the exercises to build core strength and keep stretching out my muscles, which tend to be tight. Nick insisted on doing the exercises with me, so I found a little band for him and we worked out together. The workout took about twice as long as it would've if I'd done it alone, but Nick had a good time and undoubtedly got some exercise.
I'm actually extremely proud of myself for finishing a workout today at all. I am recovering from a vile illness that has practically knocked me out this week. It started last week with allergies, and now I have a sinus infection, bronchitis, and an asthma flare up. I was in bed at the same time as Nick Monday through Wednesday, because I felt like I was going to keel over at any moment. I couldn't stay home from work because (1.) it's ISAT week (state high-stakes testing), and (2.) I don't have many sick days left, and I have no choice but to save them up in case this baby comes early. Anyhow, a workout was not a possibility until today. I'm still not feeling terrific, but I knew if I didn't get back into stretching, I'd ruin all of the progress I made with my physical therapy. (See the bottom of this post if you'd like a PT update.) My two inhalers, antibiotic, and nasal spray (total cost=$135) have finally started to kick it, and I decided not to let being sick be an excuse. At least not today.
I had to do a lot of hand over hand to show him how to use the bodyband. His favorite moves were the ones where he put the band on his cute little toes. Nick actually started shouting at one point, "Mommy, you put it back on my toes! I exercise with you!" The band had come off and he couldn't figure out how to do it himself. He loved stretching his toes up by his head.
So if you'd ever like to try pilates with a two-year-old, I'd suggest bringing patience and a remote control with a pause button on it. You'll have to stop every few minutes to help the kid get into position and fix his band. Most of the two-year-old's exercises will not be done with proper form, but he will enjoy them.
How did I do with pilates at 25 weeks pregnant? Pretty well, actually. Before all of my physical therapy, I had to do the exercises with the old lady. You know, the modified version of each stretch. Well, I still need to do that, but some of the stretches are much easier. I also skipped a bunch of the moves where you have to be on your tummy. That just doesn't work for me right now. I was able to do some of the modified abdominal work, and I think I'm actually stronger now than I was before I was pregnant. That felt really good.
Physical Therapy Update:
Last week, I had my last physical therapy session. My progress over the last three months has been steady but strong, and in my final evaluation, my physical therapist said that I had crossed into the normal range for most of the stretches. (The lowest end of normal, but still. . . ) For example, most people can stretch each foot so that it makes a 90 degree angle with the leg, and then stretch about ten degrees further in than that. I could only get to around 100 degrees, meaning that my foot wouldn't even make a right angle.
During one of my first PT sessions, my therapist called over several other PTs to see how bad my feet and legs were. My arches and hamstrings were incredibly tight and couldn't be stretched. Now, after all of this physical therapy, I can get past 90 degrees just a little bit, putting my feet into the normal range. I can also do regular leg lifts without assistance, and my core strength has increased significantly. I will never be a flexible gal, and the low end of normal is the best I can hope for, but I feel pretty proud of myself. I need to check with the podiatrist for sure, but chances are I won't have to have leg surgery to lengthen my hamstrings. I guess all of my hard work paid off. The giant, heavy orthotics I wear in my shoes are helping with the foot pain, which has decreased quite a bit despite the fact that I'm six months pregnant.
This could all go back to how it was before, though, if I don't keep stretching the muscles. That's why I'm going to try to do a modified pilates workout at least two or three times a week, in addition to keeping up with the 5-10 minutes of stretching I've been doing every day since I started PT. I've never been very consistent with exercise, but hopefully I can keep this up so I don't have to have surgery. So far, so good.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Pregnancy Update: 24 Weeks
It's been awhile since I posted a pregnancy update, so here we go. I'm at the end of the 2nd trimester now, past the age of viability. My sister took this picture of me last week. I feel huge, but I know this is nothing compared to what's coming.
Weeks Pregnant: 24 weeks, 4 days. He's about the size of a large papaya or a football, depending on the website you ask. I had another ultrasound on the 15th, and you can definitely tell he's gotten bigger. The ultrasound technician said he weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces, though I'm sure he's bigger by now. He's been really hungry lately.
If you can't tell, his heat is to the right side of the picture, in profile, looking up. He's big enough now that you can't see his whole body, just the head and torso. I go every four weeks for growth ultrasounds, just to make sure he's growing right. Nick had borderline growth restriction due to my RNY surgery, and they want to make sure that doesn't happen with this little boy. So far, so good. . . he's measuring 5 days ahead.
Weight: (From starting weight) +2 pounds, which actually means I gained back the six pounds I lost, plus I gained two more. That may or may not have something to do with all the girl scout cookies my husband ordered. My weight really varies quite a bit from day to day, so I try not to worry about it too much. I think the variance is because I drink so much water, 100 ounces or more a day.
Movement: Yup, though not nearly as much as I had with Nick. The doctor said that my placenta is in the front, and that's probably why I feel less movement. I do feel him squiggling around in there more each week. His head is up by my ribs, and his feet are pointing down and kicking my bladder. I think that's why my belly looks smaller now than it did just a few weeks ago--he was sideways and now he's vertical.
Exercise: I had my final physical therapy appointment (hopefully) last Wednesday, so I'm responsible for my own exercise now. I started out today with 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer, then topped it off with some heavy duty grocery shopping. We'll see how I do tomorrow. I hope I made up for the girl scout cookies I ate.
Cravings: Coffee. When we were up in Wisconsin over the weekend, we seriously considered driving the 30 mile round trip each morning to the nearest Starbucks. We decided against it, but I almost wept for joy when we finally stopped at a Starbucks on our way back home. That latte tasted so good! I was craving the girl scout cookies my husband bought (tagalongs) until they were all gone. Oh, and I've been drinking glasses of milk everyday. I usually have it in my cereal, oatmeal, and coffee, but the last month or so I crave straight glasses of milk.
Sleep: It is becoming more and more difficult to sleep. Being away from home didn't help, and my four pillow system of sleeping isn't working too well. I've been waking up with carpal tunnel pain from sleeping sideways on one or the other of my arms. Also, I keep rolling over on my belly in my sleep, and then it wakes me up because that is not comfortable.
Symptoms: The last few weeks I've had lots of lower back pain and headaches. The good news? My feet and legs are feeling much better. I'm not sure how I'd be if I had that to deal with, as well. Plus, I've had a runny nose and sore throat for the last week or so, and I'm not sure if I have a cold or if it's allergies. If it doesn't go away soon, I'm going to talk to my doctor, because it may be turning into a sinus infection. When I can't breathe through my nose at night, I wake up with a horrible sore throat and headache.
Mood: I think I've been doing okay. . . the second trimester is better in terms of horomones. I can't read anything bad in the newspaper about kids, though, or I get weepy.
Medical: I'm taking crazy amounts of vitamins: 1 liquigel prenatal vitamin, 2 Flintstones Complete Chewables, 3 chewable calcium supplements, 1sublingual B12, and 1 baby asprin. We'll see if all this prevents anemia and growth restriction. Not sure if this is medical, but my belly is itching like crazy as it grows.
Overall, I'm feeling pretty good, and we're getting more excited about the baby coming. I've started looking on Ebay for deals on cute summer baby clothes. Nick was born in the winter, so all of the clothes I have from him are long-sleeved or have polar bears or reindeers on them. I have some sleepers I can reuse, but tons of fleece stuff that'll probably be too warm for this little guy.
Weeks Pregnant: 24 weeks, 4 days. He's about the size of a large papaya or a football, depending on the website you ask. I had another ultrasound on the 15th, and you can definitely tell he's gotten bigger. The ultrasound technician said he weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces, though I'm sure he's bigger by now. He's been really hungry lately.
If you can't tell, his heat is to the right side of the picture, in profile, looking up. He's big enough now that you can't see his whole body, just the head and torso. I go every four weeks for growth ultrasounds, just to make sure he's growing right. Nick had borderline growth restriction due to my RNY surgery, and they want to make sure that doesn't happen with this little boy. So far, so good. . . he's measuring 5 days ahead.
Weight: (From starting weight) +2 pounds, which actually means I gained back the six pounds I lost, plus I gained two more. That may or may not have something to do with all the girl scout cookies my husband ordered. My weight really varies quite a bit from day to day, so I try not to worry about it too much. I think the variance is because I drink so much water, 100 ounces or more a day.
Movement: Yup, though not nearly as much as I had with Nick. The doctor said that my placenta is in the front, and that's probably why I feel less movement. I do feel him squiggling around in there more each week. His head is up by my ribs, and his feet are pointing down and kicking my bladder. I think that's why my belly looks smaller now than it did just a few weeks ago--he was sideways and now he's vertical.
Exercise: I had my final physical therapy appointment (hopefully) last Wednesday, so I'm responsible for my own exercise now. I started out today with 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer, then topped it off with some heavy duty grocery shopping. We'll see how I do tomorrow. I hope I made up for the girl scout cookies I ate.
Cravings: Coffee. When we were up in Wisconsin over the weekend, we seriously considered driving the 30 mile round trip each morning to the nearest Starbucks. We decided against it, but I almost wept for joy when we finally stopped at a Starbucks on our way back home. That latte tasted so good! I was craving the girl scout cookies my husband bought (tagalongs) until they were all gone. Oh, and I've been drinking glasses of milk everyday. I usually have it in my cereal, oatmeal, and coffee, but the last month or so I crave straight glasses of milk.
Sleep: It is becoming more and more difficult to sleep. Being away from home didn't help, and my four pillow system of sleeping isn't working too well. I've been waking up with carpal tunnel pain from sleeping sideways on one or the other of my arms. Also, I keep rolling over on my belly in my sleep, and then it wakes me up because that is not comfortable.
Symptoms: The last few weeks I've had lots of lower back pain and headaches. The good news? My feet and legs are feeling much better. I'm not sure how I'd be if I had that to deal with, as well. Plus, I've had a runny nose and sore throat for the last week or so, and I'm not sure if I have a cold or if it's allergies. If it doesn't go away soon, I'm going to talk to my doctor, because it may be turning into a sinus infection. When I can't breathe through my nose at night, I wake up with a horrible sore throat and headache.
Mood: I think I've been doing okay. . . the second trimester is better in terms of horomones. I can't read anything bad in the newspaper about kids, though, or I get weepy.
Medical: I'm taking crazy amounts of vitamins: 1 liquigel prenatal vitamin, 2 Flintstones Complete Chewables, 3 chewable calcium supplements, 1sublingual B12, and 1 baby asprin. We'll see if all this prevents anemia and growth restriction. Not sure if this is medical, but my belly is itching like crazy as it grows.
Overall, I'm feeling pretty good, and we're getting more excited about the baby coming. I've started looking on Ebay for deals on cute summer baby clothes. Nick was born in the winter, so all of the clothes I have from him are long-sleeved or have polar bears or reindeers on them. I have some sleepers I can reuse, but tons of fleece stuff that'll probably be too warm for this little guy.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
An Unexpected Trip to Northern Wisconsin
On Thursday morning, we set out on a journey that we hadn't planned on taking. Greg's grandmother passed away, and we went to Merrill, Wisconsin, for the funeral. The drive up there takes at least 5 hours, more if you stop for food and bathroom breaks. We left around noon and didn't arrive at our hotel until nearly 7 p.m. Crabby two-year-old plus mourning driver plus pregnant lady equals a challenging ride.
When we arrived at our hotel, it only took Nick about three seconds to find the phone and figure out how to dial it. I have no idea where he learned this; we only have cell-phones and I haven't had a corded landline since. . . well, since I was in college. But he somehow knew what to do, so we had to unplug the phone so that he wouldn't randomly start dialing people.
All of our previous trips have been for fun, but this one was (obviously) tinged with sadness. At the service, the minister talked about Grandma Marie's four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with one on the way. It occurred to me then that she would never meet her great-grandson, and that was tough to think about, especially with all of the pregnancy horomones running through my body. Greg and I walked around and looked at all of the pictures from her life, and I think that helped him with the grieving process. Living 96 years is quite an accomplishment, and it was impressive to see all of the things she was able to accomplish in her life.
I didn't take many pictures, because it somehow seemed inappropriate to snap pictures of Nick and his cousins running around and playing at the visitation. Plus, Nick decided to perform like a typical two-year-old during our trip. He barely slept at night, refused to nap, would only eat junk food, and threw countless fits. So pulling out my camera was not even on my mind. Thank goodness for Grandma Toni, who, along with Nick's Aunt Sarah, helped me distract Nick. When Nick started having constant tantrums right before the service, Grandma Toni offered to take him back to the hotel room. I think I have the best mother-in-law in the whole world! I don't know what we would've done otherwise.
One bright spot in a sad trip was the hot tub at the hotel. There was a pool, too, but only Greg was brave (and cold-tolerant enough) to take Nick there.
The rest of us opted to stay in the hot tub. I would like constant access to a hot tub. I think Nick agrees, because through our whole trip, he would randomly start asking, "I go in the hot tub?! I go in hot water!"
You would think that would've tired him out, but no. Even though he never had a nap and is usually asleep by 8:15, Nick was still screaming at the top of his lungs, refusing to sleep, at 11:30. Nothing would stop his screaming. Lately, he does this thing where he'll throw his blanket, his Elmo, or his stuffed dog out of the crib, then scream for it back. The exchange goes something like this:
Nick (throwing his Elmo out of the crib): I no like Elmo. Elmo out!
Mommy: Okay, honey. Elmo can sleep with me.
Nick: Want Elmo! Elmo! I want Elmo!
Mommy (handing him Elmo): Here you go.
Nick (throwing Elmo out again): No want Elmo! Elmo out!
The situation repeated itself for several hours, with Nick's pillow, blanket, book, and stuffed dog. I could not find anything that would stop his screaming. I know better than to play the throwing game with him, but it's hard not to give in when I would've done anything to get the yelling to stop. When he screamed for a straight hour, I was really afraid someone in the hotel was going to complain and we'd be kicked out. No one ever complained, but I feel really, really bad for anyone with rooms near ours.
Nick's incessant screaming plus my severe allergies made for a very long night, with an all-day car ride today to top it off. He did sleep in the car, though, and today he was better overall. Hopefully being back in his bed tonight and back to his regular schedule (and diet) will put him back on track.
When we arrived at our hotel, it only took Nick about three seconds to find the phone and figure out how to dial it. I have no idea where he learned this; we only have cell-phones and I haven't had a corded landline since. . . well, since I was in college. But he somehow knew what to do, so we had to unplug the phone so that he wouldn't randomly start dialing people.
All of our previous trips have been for fun, but this one was (obviously) tinged with sadness. At the service, the minister talked about Grandma Marie's four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with one on the way. It occurred to me then that she would never meet her great-grandson, and that was tough to think about, especially with all of the pregnancy horomones running through my body. Greg and I walked around and looked at all of the pictures from her life, and I think that helped him with the grieving process. Living 96 years is quite an accomplishment, and it was impressive to see all of the things she was able to accomplish in her life.
I didn't take many pictures, because it somehow seemed inappropriate to snap pictures of Nick and his cousins running around and playing at the visitation. Plus, Nick decided to perform like a typical two-year-old during our trip. He barely slept at night, refused to nap, would only eat junk food, and threw countless fits. So pulling out my camera was not even on my mind. Thank goodness for Grandma Toni, who, along with Nick's Aunt Sarah, helped me distract Nick. When Nick started having constant tantrums right before the service, Grandma Toni offered to take him back to the hotel room. I think I have the best mother-in-law in the whole world! I don't know what we would've done otherwise.
One bright spot in a sad trip was the hot tub at the hotel. There was a pool, too, but only Greg was brave (and cold-tolerant enough) to take Nick there.
The rest of us opted to stay in the hot tub. I would like constant access to a hot tub. I think Nick agrees, because through our whole trip, he would randomly start asking, "I go in the hot tub?! I go in hot water!"
You would think that would've tired him out, but no. Even though he never had a nap and is usually asleep by 8:15, Nick was still screaming at the top of his lungs, refusing to sleep, at 11:30. Nothing would stop his screaming. Lately, he does this thing where he'll throw his blanket, his Elmo, or his stuffed dog out of the crib, then scream for it back. The exchange goes something like this:
Nick (throwing his Elmo out of the crib): I no like Elmo. Elmo out!
Mommy: Okay, honey. Elmo can sleep with me.
Nick: Want Elmo! Elmo! I want Elmo!
Mommy (handing him Elmo): Here you go.
Nick (throwing Elmo out again): No want Elmo! Elmo out!
The situation repeated itself for several hours, with Nick's pillow, blanket, book, and stuffed dog. I could not find anything that would stop his screaming. I know better than to play the throwing game with him, but it's hard not to give in when I would've done anything to get the yelling to stop. When he screamed for a straight hour, I was really afraid someone in the hotel was going to complain and we'd be kicked out. No one ever complained, but I feel really, really bad for anyone with rooms near ours.
Nick's incessant screaming plus my severe allergies made for a very long night, with an all-day car ride today to top it off. He did sleep in the car, though, and today he was better overall. Hopefully being back in his bed tonight and back to his regular schedule (and diet) will put him back on track.
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