health

On My Own

Posted on August 9, 2010 Written by Tonya

My husband travels for work a lot. He takes at least 14 business trips per year, most of them only lasting two to three days. Tomorrow is leaving for a whole week.

Usually I have my sister or mother-in-law come visit so that they can help me out, but this time, I’m going to do it all alone. I know what you’re thinking… I’m crazy, right? You’re probably right.

I do have 10 hours of nanny help each week as it is, but beyond that I have some fun things planned for Lucas and me to do, so we (I) should be okay. Of course, I did wake up this morning with a sore throat and now my head feels like it’s going to explode, I’m so stuffed up, but I’ll be okay. I’ll let you know how I’m holding up in a couple of days.

Back to my husband traveling… every time he goes away, he mails Lucas a postcard from wherever in the world he may be. It’s better than having him buy some awful overpriced trinket at the airport and so much more thoughtful. When the postcards arrive (usually after Todd has returned home), I read them to Lucas and them promptly display them on the memo board in Lucas’ bedroom. The notes are sweet, mean a lot to me and I know someday will mean a lot to Lucas too, or will he just be bitter that his dad traveled so much when he was an infant?

At 14 months, Lucas doesn’t seem to really notice when daddy is away for an extended period of time, but he does look around for him and starts asking for him around 5:30 each evening and gets very excited whenever he sees his picture pop up on my phone, when Todd calls me.

For those of you with small children and spouses that travel, how are you teaching your child(ren) to stay connected to the parent that is away? Phone calls? Skype? iChat? I feel like it’s only a matter of time before this becomes a potential problem. I appreciate your insight and any advice you can offer.

I’m off to find some NyQuil.

The best is yet to be.

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Aches & Pains

Posted on May 7, 2010 Written by Tonya

Aside from the sheer exhaustion, I never knew that motherhood was so physically demanding or dangerous. Most nights, I feel like I’m getting enough rest, but I am still sore ALL. THE. TIME.

You weigh almost 25 pounds and I swear your diaper bag does too!

My back hurts, my feet hurt, my shoulders are tight, I have a constant crick in my neck and in the last 11 months, I have stubbed my toes and have more tension headaches and broken nails and than ever before.

I can visibly tell that the muscles in my left arm are more defined than the ones in my right arm because I favor my left when holding you balanced just so on my hip. I must remember to alternate.

I chase you around the house all day long keeping you out of harm’s way and making you laugh.

I crawl around on my hands and knees when we play together.

I bend over so many times a day to wipe up the floor and pick up toys that you’d think I’d have six-pack abs by now. Sadly, this is not the case, and before you chime in, I know, I know, I should be bending at the knees.

I slouch, hunch, lean, contort, reach, twist and turn in the most peculiar ways out of pure necessity.

At the end of the day I often discover mysterious bruises on my body, usually on my butt and probably from either the car door, door leading to the garage or baby gates.

My hands have always been dry but have gotten worse with all the bottle washing and diaper changing. I should own stock in Purell hand sanitizer. I still can’t wear my wedding rings without breaking out in a rash.

I am using muscles and a physical strength I never knew I had in order to multitask and care for you in the best way I know how and while it is all worth it, this mama needs a massage… pronto and at least once a week!! Maybe a good long soak in the tub will do for now.

The best is yet to be.

Day 73/100

I Heart Diet Coke

Posted on February 5, 2010 Written by Tonya

In 1983, just one year after being introduced, Diet Coke became the best selling low-calorie soft drink in America, a position it has never relinquished. By 1986, Diet Coke — or Coca-Cola Light, as it is known abroad — was the most popular low-calorie beverage in the world, served in 61 countries.

Diet Coke is crisp, refreshing, effervescent and light. It provides just enough caffeine to get me going in the morning and I can’t go a day without having at least one. I love it!

I know that diet sodas aren’t great for you and if you drink too much of it without a straw, it can begin to turn your teeth yellow. Aspartame, which is used to sweeten it, is really not good for you either, but, one a day isn’t too terrible, is it?

And now, drinking my favorite beverage has never been so fashionable…

As part of Diet Coke’s annual partnership with The Heart Truth campaign, the company has just introduced limited-edition “heart graphic” cans, which feature a large, adorable big red heart.

The goal of the new design is to increase awareness about heart disease; the number one killer of women in America. It also is intended to inspire people to incorporate healthy activities into their lives and encourage others to do the same.

There’s nothing like the present to start a new, healthier heart routine! Find out how you can participate with heart-loving facts.

The best is yet to be.

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Shaping Your Future

Posted on January 30, 2010 Written by Tonya

Lucas has been diagnosed with in utero left sided plagiocephaly (significant flattening and asymmetry of the back of the head and face and ear misalignment) and we have been seeing a physical therapist for his torticollis (a condition in which the head is tilted toward one side, and the chin is elevated and turned toward the opposite side) for three months.

The good news is that plagiocephaly and torticollis are not life threatening and are easily treated.

Yesterday, we were told Lucas is a candidate for the DOC Band, a lightweight 6-oz helmet, that works by applying mild holding pressure and redirecting growth to less prominent areas. The band must be worn for 23 hours a day, only removing for bathing and dressing for up to four months.

The use of DOC Band is NOT a cosmetic fix, it is a restorative fix designed to bring the infant’s head back to its normal head shape and balance the asymmetry.

I am devastated.

I don’t want my baby to wear this device.

I think my son is perfect exactly the way he is.

I don’t want strangers to stare at him in the band. I don’t want to hear their comments or questions and I certainly do not want to respond to them.

I am angry that my OBGYN and ultrasound technicians didn’t see in the umpteen ultrasounds I had done that my baby was crunched up in my womb. We could have possibly repositioned him.

I am vain.

I am also a mother who wants the very best for my child. A misshapen head can lead to vision problems, ear infections, headaches and speech disorders. Not to mention the psychological impact of society’s often cruel view of deformity.

This is going to be a difficult four months for me, but Lucas will never remember it and in the long run will probably thank us for making this decision.

The best is yet to be and you’re welcome, my love.

Bon Appetit

Posted on January 30, 2010 Written by Tonya

I’m convinced, homemade baby food is the way to go and it is so easy!

Making my own baby’s food gives me total control over what is in it i.e. no additives or preservatives or any other chemicals that I can’t pronounce, and if I can do it, so can you (see my previous post, Creature of Habit regarding my lack of experience and comfort when it comes to the kitchen).

I love that I didn’t need to buy some fancy contraption, like the Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker for $150 or the industrial strength Vita-Mix 5200 (whatever that is?!). Everything I needed was already in my kitchen…a wire steamer basket, a Cuisinart and muffin tins. Have I mentioned how easy it is? The directions are simple: steam veggies and fruit, or boil meats, puree the heck out of them and then freeze. Depending on your appetite, I have at least two months of brown rice, acorn squash, sweet potatoes and pears on hand.

I recently heard journalist and author, Michael Pollan* say “you can feed your family fast food cheaper than you can buy fresh produce as a result of federal agricultural policy”. That statement is just sad. The average American family eats fast food four times a week. Not this family!!

I believe that healthy eating habits begin at home and I was thrilled when our nanny enthusiastically agreed to help me take the plunge into making baby food at home. To be fair, she did most of the work.

Once I was Desperately Seeking Baby Food/Feeding Advice and now I am all about homemade goodness! I am committed to making high quality, healthy, organic food for you and you seem to love it! Bonus. 🙂

The best is yet to be.

………………………………………………………………………….

*In his 20 years of reporting on food, Michael Pollan has picked up a number of rules to eat by. They’re now collected in an eater’s manual, Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual. His guidelines to good eating include:

1: Eat food .
2: Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.
7: Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce.
13: Eat only foods that will eventually rot.
39: Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself.

“It’s not that hard to eat well if you’re willing to put a little more time into it, a little more thoughtfulness into it and, yes, a little bit more money,” Pollan says.

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Guilt Goes Hand-In-Hand With Motherhood

Posted on January 13, 2010 Written by Tonya

I made the mistake of taking you for a sleep over at my good friend, Colleen’s house last night. She also has a baby and we like to get our boys together from time to time (AKA hope that they will go sleep and we can visit). You were pretty much fussy the entire time we were there. Thankfully, you went to sleep at 6:30 per usual and then woke up at 10:00 crying, scared and completely out of sorts. You would not go back to sleep. I could see the writing on the wall so, at almost midnight with both of us in tears, I packed up our stuff and drove home (an hour drive by the way).

You fell asleep half way home and I was successful in getting you from your car seat to your crib without too much upheaval and there you slept peacefully until almost 3:00, when you woke up screaming having peed through your jammies and sheets. We were up for an hour, you downed a bottle, got a new outfit and dry sheets and blankets and were back down for two hours. You decided to greet the day at 6:00 and up until 26 minutes ago had been going strong ever since. Can you say exhaustion?

You had a follow up doctor’s appointment this morning to check on your ear infection and we found out that not only do you still have it, but it’s now in your other ear too. That would explain your recent sour mood and agitation.

Poor Baby + Guilty Mommy = More Antibiotics and hopefully a nice long nap…for both of us.

The best is yet to be.

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New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 31, 2009 Written by Tonya

It is New Year’s Eve and it has been over a week since I have posted anything. I have attempted to write a couple of times, but have felt so uninspired and maybe even a little depressed. This always seems to happen to me after the holiday. Christmas comes and goes and I end up feeling like I missed it. I think there is so much hype and preparation, not to mention, pressure and in my case, it’s spending another holiday season without my parents, coupled with being sick on and off for almost two months and, when you aren’t feeling 100% , it’s really hard to truly enjoy anything to it’s fullest. I had a bunch of lab work done on Tuesday, so hopefully I’ll get the results today and be on the mend soon.

You were as cute as ever Christmas morning and loved rolling back and forth under the Christmas tree looking up at all the lights and ornaments. You especially loved all the wrapping paper and we got some very cute photos of you in the middle of it. You kept the smile on my face all week and I am grateful.

I enjoyed being with my sister and in-laws and spending time with friends over the week of Christmas, but I’m ready to slow down and resume our simple little lives. We have been busy the last few days; celebrating your dad’s 38th birthday on Tuesday night by having several friends over and going out last night with to watch my alma mater, University of Arizona get their asses kicked in the Holiday Bowl. We have absolutely no plans tonight to ring in the new year and I am just fine with that. Your dad fell going down the stairs this morning and is at the doctor’s office now having his ankle x-rayed, so a quiet night in will be perfect. I hope we can stay up until midnight!

I’m looking forward to a new year and a new decade and finding inspiration again soon. With you and your dad by my side, I shouldn’t have to much difficulty with that.

However you choose to celebrate tonight, have fun and please be safe.

The best is yet to be.

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Operation Get Fit

Posted on December 10, 2009 Written by Tonya

Why did I do it?! I stepped on the scale, damn it!! I know it’s only a number, but I still have SIX POUNDS left to lose to be at my pre-pregnancy weight.

I guess I sort of thought (hoped) that with all the walking we did in Italy and the several days I have spent eating like a bird, because I have been too stuffed up to even taste food that I would have lost those last few extra pesky pounds. I was wrong. Boo hoo!

This is definitely the hardest time of the year to be watching what I eat; with the holiday parties, my mother-in-law’s amazing cooking, libations o’plenty and all the other sinful goodies. But, I have a plan. I have asked Santa for a trainer! 😉 I have never had a trainer before and I am very excited and a little scared. And now that you are over six months old, I can actually take you with me to the gym and put you in the Kid’s Club for a couple of hours (with trained/certified/professional child care takers). Operation Get Fit starts next week!!

I fit in to one pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans, but there are many more where that came from, along with corduroys, slacks, skirts, dresses and bikinis I am bound and determined to wear them all again.

The best is yet to be.

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Sick Of Being Sick

Posted on December 9, 2009 Written by Tonya

Being sick sucks. Being sick and caring for an infant really sucks. Luckily, you have been very good, extremely patient and more important, haven’t gotten sick yourself.

My poor baby has put up with me coughing, blowing my nose, yelling from the bathroom that “I’ll be right back”, sucking on lozenges and laying around in my pajamas for over a month. I am now on my third round of this flu/sinus infection BS and I’m over it!

As soon as I start to feel better, I have a relapse. Maybe I need to visit the doctor again? Maybe I need yet another day in my jammies? Whatever I need, I’m sick of being sick. I have spent the last three Christmases feeling crummy and I refuse to make it a fourth. Enough is enough. So there!

The best if yet to be.

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The Perfect Travel Companion

Posted on November 30, 2009 Written by Tonya

Make no bones about it, traveling with a tot is hard work and while you were an absolute trouper on our trip, I was a mess!

I had a melt down at LAX before even boarding the plane. I discovered that I only had five, count ’em, FIVE diapers for the entire trip to Italy. I hadn’t taken into account our two hour lay over in Paris followed by our 90 minute flight to Florence. I had planned to take an additional five out of the suitcase before checking it and then promptly completely forgot. After checking one sundries store with no luck, I began to cry. Of course, why on earth would diapers be available for sale at the airport? There are too many sizes and not enough shelf space to hold them all and what kind of mother wouldn’t pack enough for an international flight? It’s not like forgetting your toothbrush. This ding bat, that’s who! Mercifully, we found a package of 10 at a cart vendor, of all places by our gate. Whew! That was a close one. What’s so funny now, is that you didn’t need more than the original five I had. Oh well, better safe than sorry.

You were great on the flight after you finally settled down. You recently discovered that you can scream, so you did that for about an hour making your dad and I both want to pull our hair out and then crashed and slept the rest of the way, waking up once to eat and then playing for the last 45 minutes or so.

It took you two nightmarish nights to get on the right time zone, but that was to be expected. You were resilient each day, as we bundled you up in your stroller and walked the bumpy cobble-stoned streets of Florence. You’d sleep a little, take in the sights, pose and smile sweetly for photos and flirt shamelessly with anyone that paid any sort of attention to you.

Half way though our trip, the cold that I had been trying to fight off for a week prior to our trip finally got the best of me and landed me in bed for a day and a half. This provided some great bonding time for you and your dad, but nothing but pure misery for me. One does not go to Europe to be sick in a hotel room should be one of the Ten Commandments.

I powered through on our last day and we had a great time taking the train to visit Pisa and the leaning tower and to Lucca, famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls and home of your great, great grandparents.

The flight home was especially hard on me. Nasal congestion, sinus pressure and body aches don’t mix well with altitude and cramped seating. I was in tears as we landed in Paris and then again in LA. My ears still haven’t popped. You, on the other hand, aside from the brief screaming outbursts, were once again awesome!

You really were the perfect traveling companion and your dad and I are so grateful. We loved having you in Italy with us. I am also so thankful for your dad’s help because without it, I don’t know how I would have been able to care for you on my own feeling as crummy as I do. You will be accompanying me to the doctor’s office today because my over-the-counter remedies just aren’t cutting it.

The best is yet to be and I’m looking forward to feeling better soon.

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On My Own

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