Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Your Little One

Hey there Other Mothers and friends. I am writing this post from my banishment into my bedroom enforced by Wonderful Hubby. Why am I banished do you ask? Because he realized I needed to take a moment for myself and he took over on full time Daddy duty to get his Little Sunshine to bed.

I never realized how much motherhood in general, whether you are a SAHM or a Working Mom, can take a toll on you. With all the feeding, pumping, singing, playing, and sleep deprivation you don't realize how quickly you can become a crazy cranky mom. As I told you in my teething post, Little Sunshine is teething at the moment plus she is adjusting to a new nap schedule, a schedule we have yet to figure out, so we are both a little cranky and tired since little miss is waking up every few hours. God Bless Wonderful Hubby for having the strength to deal with TWO cranky girls in one house (granted one is his wife and the other is almost 6 months old, but alas both cry.)

There have been days where Little Sunshine doesn't want to take a nap or is fussy most of the day and I can't get anything done. I kid you not, today she had 2 of her 3 naps in my arms for an hour at a time because I didn't want her to wake. If she takes good naps, she sleeps better at night. So today my mission was for at least a total of 4 hours of nap time. On days like today, I start loosing my sanity. It happens, it's life, you are normal.

This is where having a support system comes into play. Wonderful Hubby takes over responsibility once he sees the crazy in my eyes. Second, is having an escape. One day, Wonderful Hubby went to a seminar for half a day, he asked if I could hold down the fort (this was when she was a few weeks old). I responded, "I got this, easy peasey." Lord did I know, Little Sunshine refused to nap for me that day and wanted me. As soon as Wonderful Hubby came home, I immediately proclaimed, "See ya later I am running to go get a milkshake, be back in 5." That 5 minutes was what kept me sane that day. Tonight it's my bedroom and having Wonderful Hubby take over bed time duties.

Lastly, make sure every day you do something that helps you feel like you. It doesn't have to be grand and it doesn't have to be major. For me, I have to shower. Whether Lil' Sunshine takes a nap or not, I make sure I take a shower. I shower is what helps me feel normal and able to start my day. Other's it might be that much needed cup of coffee or painting your nails.

So among my ramblings, let me review. First and most take care of yourself; make sure you eat and take care of yourself. Second, have a support system. And lastly, treat yourself and do something for you. Being a parent is hard and it's even harder when you can't take care of yourself. So enjoy your little ones and enjoy the day!!

Oh the Joys of Teething

Teething, oh lovely lovely teething. Little Sunshine is what I would call the in between stage of teething. The stage "MUST.KNAW.ON.EVERYTHING". It comes right after "Drooling puddles the size of The Gulf of Mexico" and before "Breaking skin and in pain...ahhh tooth has arrived!". Teething is a long process and your little one can go back and forth in between these lovely stages. Little Sunshine decided to trick us week of Christmas. She was chewing on everything and was cranky as all get out (which is unusual for her), and rubbing on her gums relieved her pain. So I thought, "Oh man oh man, my little girl is going to have her first tooth shortly after Christmas." No such luck, we are a month later and no sight of that little sucker.

Now teething is different for every child. The average is 7 months for the first tooth to appear, but it can be as early as 3 or as late as 12. Now for us, it could be worse. Not gonna lie, I secretly prayed that Little Sunshine would be one of those who would have a cranky day or two and then BAM, over night a pretty little pearly white waiting for me. But I am fortunate that she isn't those who are up all night screaming bloody murder. If this is you, I light a candle in prayer for you.

What is a parent to do!?!?! If you are at home all day and all night with a fussy and cranky baby, one could loose their mind! I was fortunate the first time she was cranky during the holidays, so I had relatives who wanted to play with her which also distracted her. There are things you can do to help alleviate the pain. Let them chew! Yes nothing you own will be dry ever again, but it helps. Usually something cold and wet can numb the pain, but again every child is different. Little Sunshine loves to chew on Wonderful Hubby's fingers and her plastic keys. If you are trying solids, something cold to eat or drink might also help.

Worst case scenario, give the kid some infant Tylenol! It's OK to give it to your baby as long as you follow the instructions and give them the right dosage. I know some mom's don't want to over medicate their baby and worry about their livers, but as long as you confer with your doctor and don't over do it, It's OKAY! Let me tell you once more, It's perfectly OKAY to give your kid Tylenol. If it helps with your baby's pain, it is not only helps them, but frankly it helps you stay sane or get a decent nights sleep. You have to not only take care of your baby but take care of you also. You can not take care of your baby well if you are not well enough yourself. We will address Mommy Care later in a post or two.

If you are concerned about anything, call your pediatrician, that's what you pay them for in visits. If they start drooling at 4 months go ahead and spark the convo with them, if not probably at your 6 month check up with do. But alas, teething is one of those "fun" parts of enjoying your little baby grow. Just sit back, try to relax, and have fun waiting for those little pearly suckers to pop out of those adorable pinky gummy gums!

Surviving one post at a time, first post

Hey there friends, family, and hopefully other mothers who need to know that they are not alone. At this moment and time I am a stay at home mom (SAHM) to a beautiful adorable little 5 1/2 month old girl who knows she is pretty cute too. I have always been pretty good with children and when my Wonderful Hubby and I found out we had a bun in the oven, I secretly thought, "I got this. It's going to be like babysitting my cousins but all the time." I thought wrong...

Don't get me wrong, the moment I laid eyes on my little girl and saw my husbands face of pure joy, I knew I hit the mother freaking load. I was in perfect harmony. I was in complete love even after 28 hours of labor being exhausted and so so so thirsty and starving. That went a away the moment I saw her perfect face. (I was lucky, her face never got mushed like most babies do when they come to the world.) That was the day I officially started being a SAHM.

Now before I became pregnant I never knew quite what I wanted to do. I thought I would stay at home with the baby for about 6 months and go back to work. But Wonderful Hubby and I did the math, it would cost us more to keep our Little Sunshine in Daycare than it would be if I stayed at home with her, and wouldn't it be better if one of us took care of her? I instantly thought in my head, what the hell am I going to do all day? I am going to be so bored! I feel so bad I am not going to be able to contribute bringing the bacon to the table. Wonderful Hubby had to coach me several times when I was at home alone before she came (we moved at 37 weeks pregnant, oh so fun) that it was ok. I repeat, "It's OKAY that you are not bringing in an income. Your job is to take care of our daughter. That is more of a job than you think it is. I don't think you realize how hard it is to be a homemaker". Boy was he right, I had no fucking idea.

Now I am almost six months in and it is the most rewarding yet exhausting job I have ever had, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love taking care of our Little Sunshine, but no one really tells you "Kiss sleeping in goodbye for a few years!" or "Oh yea, you are going to be up every few hours for a while until they get bigger". So recently I thought, why not blow the lid wide open.

I wanted to start this blog to discuss about motherhood, raising kids, life all while staying sane and all surviving on 2 hours of sleep. Granted, now I am getting a little more than that, but I felt like that in the very beginning. Now I am not an expert, I just read a lot, trying to figure it out day by day, and ask for help, so no way should you take it as professional advice (I will do all the research I can and ask others, but please don't hold me legally responsible for anything). I want this blog to be for those who want extra information, a place to not feel alone, and maybe just need a laugh. Just to warn you, I am honest, blunt, and sarcastic. Take what you like and leave the rest! For now, enjoy your little one because they will have grown up before you know it!