Strawberry picking yesterday! (June 23rd)
And sitting with Mom on the back porch.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
As promised...summer 2010 so far
Here she is in her stroller, as we're waiting around at Chicago O'Hare airport on June 15th. Loooong day for both of us.
Strawberry picking yesterday! (June 23rd)
And sitting with Mom on the back porch.
Strawberry picking yesterday! (June 23rd)
And sitting with Mom on the back porch.
New York state of mind
Wow, how lame am I??? I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted! My apologies.
Well, we're finally in upstate New York, and we'll be here through August 7th or so. Getting here was...um...interesting, but we did make it in one piece, albeit a bit delayed. Baby K was an absolute champ--she slept for most of the first leg, which brought us to Chicago O'Hare, where we had a three hour layover before we headed to our final destination of Syracuse. And wow, was it crazy there! SO many people dealing with delayed and canceled flights due to weather, and difficult to maneuver through them with the stroller, it was that crowded. I kept getting text messages of different departure times...delays, then--wait--nope, back to the original time. So I didn't get much in the way of dinner, but that was okay. We finally got to board, and only got in about 45 minutes late. But it was a very, very long day, and both K and I were so happy to finally get there. I did end up paying extra for economy plus, which had a noticeable amount of extra legroom. Very glad about that. And bringing along the Baby Bjorn was a stroke of genius--very helpful, especially when boarding and deplaning. I was so lucky to have an empty seat beside me during both legs of the trip, because I needed a place to lay baby while I wriggled out of the Baby Bjorn! Interesting that a flight attendant on the first leg told me that I *had* to take her out of the carrier before take-off. I wasn't told that on the second leg of the trip. Hmm. But definite note to self: on the way back I will NOT bring two carryons. Waaay too much to lug around, especially getting through security. I'm so glad I'll know what to expect on the way back! Hard to believe that K will be a little over five months old at that point!
So we're living at a much slower pace these days, which is really nice. K is getting to know her grandparents better, and they are *thrilled* to be able to spend time with her every day. She is growing and changing SO much!! I really have seen progress with tummy time, and she's getting better and better at lifting her head and chest up while she's lying on her tummy. She's fussing a lot less with it, too. The only thing I'm worried about while we're here is the car seat that we've borrowed from a family friend...it's plenty sturdy and in great condition, but the harness is only a 3-point harness rather than 5-point. I think it will work out fine in the end, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous at all about using it. It's only till early August.
I get some "me time" three days a week now, with the option of four: I joined a local rowing club, and I'm absolutely loving the chance to get on the water all summer! I rowed for all four years of college (at Syracuse U.) followed by stints of coaching at Florida State and Purdue, the latter while I was finishing my master's. I also did some coaching in Syracuse after I graduated...for some community and high school programs. So to get back into it is amazing! It's been fifteen years since the last time I rowed...until tonight! And wow, it really was pretty much like riding a bike--it all comes back pretty quickly. Definitely trial by fire, though...the club is getting ready for a regatta on July 3rd, so it was a lot of race-pace work tonight. Not so sure I'll be able to walk tomorrow! But I'm so glad I went out and did it. Can't wait for Saturday morning, our next practice!
I have lots of pictures of K to publish soon, and I will definitely get on that!!
Well, we're finally in upstate New York, and we'll be here through August 7th or so. Getting here was...um...interesting, but we did make it in one piece, albeit a bit delayed. Baby K was an absolute champ--she slept for most of the first leg, which brought us to Chicago O'Hare, where we had a three hour layover before we headed to our final destination of Syracuse. And wow, was it crazy there! SO many people dealing with delayed and canceled flights due to weather, and difficult to maneuver through them with the stroller, it was that crowded. I kept getting text messages of different departure times...delays, then--wait--nope, back to the original time. So I didn't get much in the way of dinner, but that was okay. We finally got to board, and only got in about 45 minutes late. But it was a very, very long day, and both K and I were so happy to finally get there. I did end up paying extra for economy plus, which had a noticeable amount of extra legroom. Very glad about that. And bringing along the Baby Bjorn was a stroke of genius--very helpful, especially when boarding and deplaning. I was so lucky to have an empty seat beside me during both legs of the trip, because I needed a place to lay baby while I wriggled out of the Baby Bjorn! Interesting that a flight attendant on the first leg told me that I *had* to take her out of the carrier before take-off. I wasn't told that on the second leg of the trip. Hmm. But definite note to self: on the way back I will NOT bring two carryons. Waaay too much to lug around, especially getting through security. I'm so glad I'll know what to expect on the way back! Hard to believe that K will be a little over five months old at that point!
So we're living at a much slower pace these days, which is really nice. K is getting to know her grandparents better, and they are *thrilled* to be able to spend time with her every day. She is growing and changing SO much!! I really have seen progress with tummy time, and she's getting better and better at lifting her head and chest up while she's lying on her tummy. She's fussing a lot less with it, too. The only thing I'm worried about while we're here is the car seat that we've borrowed from a family friend...it's plenty sturdy and in great condition, but the harness is only a 3-point harness rather than 5-point. I think it will work out fine in the end, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous at all about using it. It's only till early August.
I get some "me time" three days a week now, with the option of four: I joined a local rowing club, and I'm absolutely loving the chance to get on the water all summer! I rowed for all four years of college (at Syracuse U.) followed by stints of coaching at Florida State and Purdue, the latter while I was finishing my master's. I also did some coaching in Syracuse after I graduated...for some community and high school programs. So to get back into it is amazing! It's been fifteen years since the last time I rowed...until tonight! And wow, it really was pretty much like riding a bike--it all comes back pretty quickly. Definitely trial by fire, though...the club is getting ready for a regatta on July 3rd, so it was a lot of race-pace work tonight. Not so sure I'll be able to walk tomorrow! But I'm so glad I went out and did it. Can't wait for Saturday morning, our next practice!
I have lots of pictures of K to publish soon, and I will definitely get on that!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Pics, pics, and more pics
"YES, I have a scratch on my face and I'm not happy about it. Yes, I know I put it there. So what's your point?"
"And look at this silly hat Mom put on me. Not sure how I feel about it yet."
"What the sam hell are these pink plastic things on my face? Get 'em off, NOW!"
"Here's Mom and me on our porch swing, one of my favorite places to be. I love looking around at all the cool stuff on the porch and in the yard. And oh yeah, the swinging's not bad, either."
"Who needs a bed when a quilt on the floor will do just as nicely? I was out as soon as my head hit the...floor."
"Bunny blanket in one hand, keys in the other...now what?"
"Wow, I think that thing with the fingers might just belong to me! And check out my snazzy new sunsuit!"
Goodnight, everybunny. (I took this one just today.)
"And look at this silly hat Mom put on me. Not sure how I feel about it yet."
"What the sam hell are these pink plastic things on my face? Get 'em off, NOW!"
"Here's Mom and me on our porch swing, one of my favorite places to be. I love looking around at all the cool stuff on the porch and in the yard. And oh yeah, the swinging's not bad, either."
"Who needs a bed when a quilt on the floor will do just as nicely? I was out as soon as my head hit the...floor."
"Bunny blanket in one hand, keys in the other...now what?"
"Wow, I think that thing with the fingers might just belong to me! And check out my snazzy new sunsuit!"
Goodnight, everybunny. (I took this one just today.)
Friday, June 4, 2010
A-movin' and a-shakin'
Wow, the changes since my last post! It blows my mind how much K has changed in so little time.
Well, we finished up the school year in one piece, and can I say, I am really enjoying this vacation from the daily pumping! Of course, in true Murphy's Law way, I managed to get sick during the last two days of school, and it lasted a full two weeks. The kind of illness during which you're scared that you might actually die, and you're also scared that you might not actually die. Obviously, neither scenario came to fruition, but that's the kind of cold it was. I earned my first gold mama stars because I felt absolutely wretched, yet still had to take care of K full time every day. It's the first time I found I despised that aspect of being a single mom. Very, very hard. And then the horrible mommy guilt that I might pass on this terrible virus to my small and vulnerable sweet girl. That hasn't seemed to have happened, but she has had an elevated temperature just about every day for the past week or so. Not high enough to truly be considered a fever (I've called the pediatrician about it), but definitely higher than normal for her. No congestion, no coughing, so I'm hoping we're in the clear. The hot weather lately hasn't helped, that's for sure...I gave K a tepid bath this afternoon since she seemed so warm, and it really helped to cool her off. It was in the 90's today--yuk! And I don't have AC. If I were staying here this summer, I'd definitely invest in one of those window air conditioners. But we leave for upstate NY on the 15th!
Which brings me to...I've been waiting till I'm not coughing regularly to visit the potential daycare center for the next school year. The plan is that I'll go on Monday with K to check things out. I'm really excited, since it seems to have a lot to offer, plus there is one home-based daycare I'm still considering, so I have to call this lady to get more information.
We're busy getting ready for the big trip to upstate NY for the rest of the summer. We leave June 15th, and we fly back here on August tenth. I've never taken such a long vacation before. But we'll be hanging out with my parents in Syracuse, and I'm really looking forward to it. So are they. I've already been thinking about the kinds of things I want to do there with K (and without K, quite honestly)...we'll be taking long walks with the stroller, going to the lake, hanging out in the backyard in the baby pool and sandbox my parents saved for their grandchildren, and just spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. What I'm going to be doing without K? And Mom and Dad have gladly offered to babysit...there is a summer rowing program at a nearby lake, and I absolutely cannot wait! I still dream of rowing...on a regular basis. Crazy. I was on the rowing team at Syracuse U. for all four years I was there, and then I graduated to coaching: I coached in a couple of community/high school programs (including the community program I hope to participate in this summer!), followed by coaching at Florida State and Purdue (where I got my master's). But what's a bit strange is the fact that I don't want anyone there to know I've coached, since it's been forever (1995) and I am so out of shape and out of practice! I just hope it's a good fit...not too many people who are crazy-in-shape and uber-competitive. The fact that I live in Colorado is a limiting factor when it comes to rowing...the closest program is the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club located over an hour away in Denver. Doable, but pretty inconvenient, considering how early in the morning they get on the water. But oh, if I could row all summer? Heaven. Absolute heaven. I'll definitely post more about it. Heck, it would really help me drop weight before my cousin's wedding in Tennessee in early August. We fly back from Knoxville after the wedding.
The title of this post refers to all of the changes K has been up to lately: she laughed for the first (and second and third) time this week--music to my ears! I haven't been able to get her to do it again yet, though. I'll keep trying. She also loves "standing" with her weight supported by her freakishly strong legs. She's getting steadier every day. I need to spend more time with her on "tummy time", though...if we did, she'd be that much stronger in her arms and shoulders. She's figured out how to dig her heels into the floor (bed, sofa, my lap, etc. etc.) and scoot herself upwards on her back. She's become a pro at arching her back and straightening her legs whenever she's upset about something or simply wants to move or a change of scenery. Not easy when she's on my lap! The arching of the back is definitely going to help her turn herself over at some point. She looooves sitting with me and swinging on the porch swing on our porch! She can be completely fussy, and immediately calms down when we go out to swing for a while. I'll really miss that when we go to New York. But we'll have it again when we get back.
Well, that's it for now...I will add a few pictures once I upload them onto the computer from my camera. Stay tuned. :)
Well, we finished up the school year in one piece, and can I say, I am really enjoying this vacation from the daily pumping! Of course, in true Murphy's Law way, I managed to get sick during the last two days of school, and it lasted a full two weeks. The kind of illness during which you're scared that you might actually die, and you're also scared that you might not actually die. Obviously, neither scenario came to fruition, but that's the kind of cold it was. I earned my first gold mama stars because I felt absolutely wretched, yet still had to take care of K full time every day. It's the first time I found I despised that aspect of being a single mom. Very, very hard. And then the horrible mommy guilt that I might pass on this terrible virus to my small and vulnerable sweet girl. That hasn't seemed to have happened, but she has had an elevated temperature just about every day for the past week or so. Not high enough to truly be considered a fever (I've called the pediatrician about it), but definitely higher than normal for her. No congestion, no coughing, so I'm hoping we're in the clear. The hot weather lately hasn't helped, that's for sure...I gave K a tepid bath this afternoon since she seemed so warm, and it really helped to cool her off. It was in the 90's today--yuk! And I don't have AC. If I were staying here this summer, I'd definitely invest in one of those window air conditioners. But we leave for upstate NY on the 15th!
Which brings me to...I've been waiting till I'm not coughing regularly to visit the potential daycare center for the next school year. The plan is that I'll go on Monday with K to check things out. I'm really excited, since it seems to have a lot to offer, plus there is one home-based daycare I'm still considering, so I have to call this lady to get more information.
We're busy getting ready for the big trip to upstate NY for the rest of the summer. We leave June 15th, and we fly back here on August tenth. I've never taken such a long vacation before. But we'll be hanging out with my parents in Syracuse, and I'm really looking forward to it. So are they. I've already been thinking about the kinds of things I want to do there with K (and without K, quite honestly)...we'll be taking long walks with the stroller, going to the lake, hanging out in the backyard in the baby pool and sandbox my parents saved for their grandchildren, and just spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. What I'm going to be doing without K? And Mom and Dad have gladly offered to babysit...there is a summer rowing program at a nearby lake, and I absolutely cannot wait! I still dream of rowing...on a regular basis. Crazy. I was on the rowing team at Syracuse U. for all four years I was there, and then I graduated to coaching: I coached in a couple of community/high school programs (including the community program I hope to participate in this summer!), followed by coaching at Florida State and Purdue (where I got my master's). But what's a bit strange is the fact that I don't want anyone there to know I've coached, since it's been forever (1995) and I am so out of shape and out of practice! I just hope it's a good fit...not too many people who are crazy-in-shape and uber-competitive. The fact that I live in Colorado is a limiting factor when it comes to rowing...the closest program is the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club located over an hour away in Denver. Doable, but pretty inconvenient, considering how early in the morning they get on the water. But oh, if I could row all summer? Heaven. Absolute heaven. I'll definitely post more about it. Heck, it would really help me drop weight before my cousin's wedding in Tennessee in early August. We fly back from Knoxville after the wedding.
The title of this post refers to all of the changes K has been up to lately: she laughed for the first (and second and third) time this week--music to my ears! I haven't been able to get her to do it again yet, though. I'll keep trying. She also loves "standing" with her weight supported by her freakishly strong legs. She's getting steadier every day. I need to spend more time with her on "tummy time", though...if we did, she'd be that much stronger in her arms and shoulders. She's figured out how to dig her heels into the floor (bed, sofa, my lap, etc. etc.) and scoot herself upwards on her back. She's become a pro at arching her back and straightening her legs whenever she's upset about something or simply wants to move or a change of scenery. Not easy when she's on my lap! The arching of the back is definitely going to help her turn herself over at some point. She looooves sitting with me and swinging on the porch swing on our porch! She can be completely fussy, and immediately calms down when we go out to swing for a while. I'll really miss that when we go to New York. But we'll have it again when we get back.
Well, that's it for now...I will add a few pictures once I upload them onto the computer from my camera. Stay tuned. :)
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