New Moms

I met a mom to be today, she was the hygenist cleaning my teeth, and we got to talking about parenting and different schools of thought. I told her that she should read Birthing From Within and that she should read at least the first couple chapters of the Baby Book by Dr.Sears before she has her baby. I told her that I am of the attachment parenting kind and I told her what types of things I do that places me into that category. Sometimes I feel like I should just keep my ideas to myself because I am afraid that I will sound preachy. Like I am an AP parent and you aren't. I feel like the way I parent is the RIGHT educated way, but then, I am sure that all parents feel like they are parenting the right way, even when they do Cry It Out. So what right do I have in placing my views on anyone else? And how do I let people know that there is another way of parenting out there without comming across as a know it all?

Sorry and Stars and Strollers

Okay maybe I went a little overboard on my last post. And maybe I was fuled by a disagreement with my husband that we had earlier in the day. And no I shouldn't be airing out all my dirty laundry on a blog in my MSNspace, but that is what they are for right? So I apologize to all of you who had to read my rant.

So if a blog is not to rant about your personal life, relationships etc. what are they there for? Pointless quips and qualms? Chris started a "real" blog because he found one by one of his really good friends from highschool. I went to her site and saw that she has a child about 2yrs old named Nathan, and she is pregnant again. So that is good to see that people my age are having children and it's not just me and my friend L taking on the world.

I went with this friend to Stars and Strollers the other day (for those of you w/out kids > Stars and Strollers is a baby friendly showing time for movies at Cineplex and Famous Players. You get to bring your baby with you). I have never seen so many babies in one room! It was rather odd. Every seat had a baby around 2 - 5mos old. The funny thing is that they wernt really fussy, it was a really good experiance.

Sometimes, just between me and you, I feel like I would like to have aspects of my old life back. Just for a fleeting moment. Like an uninterupted bath or massage. Or a night out with the girls to Outlaws until 3 in the morning. But I have to come back to reality and remember tha tI chose to be an AP parent and you just have to sacrifice for the emotional and psychological well being of your child.

As Chris would say, Suck it up princess.

Playgroup

This is an email that I sent out to my playgroup this afternoon. I think it speaks for itself.

Hi Guys!

I just wanted to clarify something that I said today. I said that I was looking for a replacement group for when all you beautiful working mama’s go back to work. I did not actually mean “replacement” as I could never replace all the friendships that I have made with this group. It means so much to me that we are all able to come together as a community on Fridays and share with such comfortable ease our trails and tribulations as parents. I am just mourning the fact that things will change very soon, as the older babies are all turning one in a matter of months and mat leaves are expiring. So I am sorry if I lead you to believe that you are easily replaced. This has been a great year, and has worked wonders for my well being.

Much Love

Alisha

At My Moms

So, when Chris goes to work for his 48hrs I usually don't like to stay home alone so I get my parents to come and pick me up and I spend 2 days at their house. It's good for the both of us because we can see eachother and catch up for the week. This time it sucks though because my parents have gone to a curling thingy for my dad's company and they are gone all day. so I am alone at thier house instead, which is kinda ridiculous. Plus, there is no "easy" food to make because my mom makes everything from scratch. So I am hungry and I have no idea what to make for lunch or dinner. I was supposed to meet up with Alex and Bree today for coffee and totally forgot because I was more interested in what my mom was doing. Not that I could have gone anyway because I have no child care for my boy. Irritating.

Back From Texas

So I am back, finally. Have been back for a couple days, but was trying to get back in the groove. Keenan was sick on the flight there and back (with a temp.) but he seems fine now. He just isnt eating soild foods, but that should remedy itself sooner than later. Really enjoyed San Antonio, if it wasnt the states I would move there. They have this beautiful canal system, just like Venice, where you walk around downtown next to the river. You can also take a boat taxi ride to anywhere on the river (the mall, resturants etc.) We wanted to do more sightseeing than we did but the weather was not cooperating. It was about -10, I know, alot warmer than here, so I am not complaining. We saw the Alamo, and some museums an old mill and a mexican market. When we came back we were delayed 8hrs because of the fog in Dallas, but we did get first class because of it. So in all it was a good trip.

Going To Texas

So my dad suprised me and bought me a ticket to go to Texas on vacation with them. I am a little aprehensive as I have never been to the states and this will be my first time flying with an infant. I am not sure if I should bring his car seat or not. I am excited though and it should prove to be alot of fun. The flight is the only thing I am worried about.

I am not sure what I am going to do with Keenan for 4 hrs and no in flight movie. I guess I should bring alot of stuff for him to do. I wish that he would just sleep and maybe I could read.

They say that public breastfeeding is not a big thing in Texas so my parents say that I have to cover uo. Are they THAT conservative? The good thing is that Keenan rarely breastfeeds during the day so it probably wont be that big of an issue.

Well, I shall keep you posted on what happens there, boy will I ever miss my email! I am totally addicted to it!

Crying it out

I went to playgroup today and listened to all the mom's talk about how great the Cry it out method is. For those of you who arn't parents...it's when you put your baby to sleep in the crib and let them cry until they fall asleep while you wait outside the door, gut wrenching until they stop. I personally don't agree with it. Especially under 6 months of age. In psychological terms it's called extinction, ignoring a behavior until it disapears. Chris says that I can't judge other moms, and he is right, just because they do something I don't agree with doesn't make them bad parents. It's just so frustrating that this procedure actually works. I do the No Cry Sleep Solution where I am shaping the behvior that I want to change, gradually so Keenan doesn't cry. It's working for us, and I bet those other mothers must think that I am a softy. Which I am.

It's so funny how in everything you are either one extreme or the other. Cry it out or No cry (at all). Co-sleep or Crib. Attachment parent or not. And that is another thing, if asked all parents would say that they are fostering attachment with thier child, even if they don't follow "all the B's" of attachment parenting. I am afraid to tell people that I am an attachment parent because I am scared that they will think that I am saying that they arn't. For those of you interested in attachment parenting, google Dr. Sears.

Heritage O's

Keenan is growing up so fast!! I wish that it would fly by like it is. He is such a big boy, eating cheerios...well not cheerios, Heritage O's which are organic. He has been eating more solids and less breastmilk, which makes me sad because I love nursing. It's that special time just for me and him. But, he has to grow up and I will always be there, just watching it happen.

Finding New Friends

We are just getting settled in our new house in MT and looking for other mom's with babies around Keenan's age. There is this website that is set up for finding people but it seems like no one uses it so I may post something in the grocery store. Not that I really need another playgroup but it would be noce not having to leave the community. Ah the subburbs.

So I started a corespondence course with Athabasca University and it was all good. I finished three quizzes on paper that I had to finish in hour long incriments while Keenan was sleeping. Then when I called the prof to give him the anwser he says no one does them on paper anymore, that it is all done online! Then why would they hand out the paper in the first place? Grrr. The worst part is that paper works well for me because you can stop and start up at any time. With online you have to get online and do the quiz, hoping that Keenan wont wake up or you are screwed. Oh well, just another thing I have to get used to

Psyc 378

I have finally started my class from Athabasca and do the homework whenever Keenan is sleeping. He has slept in the crib for an half an hour which was a big accomplishment but I am not ready for him to leave the family bed just yet. I love to have him snuggle me close.

New House

We have moved into our new house and had a lovely first Christmas in it! The unpacking is proving to be a bit of a challenge with Keenan needing to be held all the time.I dont know how he is ever going to learn how to crawl or walk if he just screams and crys whenever he is put down. Is a little overwhelming, knowing that this is our house and that we are responisble for it. The exciting part is that this is where we are going to raise our family.

Sweet Potatoes

Sad news. Keenan's great granny Jean passed away last Thursday, a week tomorrow, so we have had family staying with us during the mourning. It was great to have Chris' cousins (Jill and Chandra) around as they loved(left today) to play with Keenan and we had adventures(like going to Banff). Just sad circumstances. Keenan has been a little bunged up so I am starting something other than rice cereal for him to keep things moving. We had sweet potatoes for the first time today.

Juice

It's been a busy time that is for sure! We have our possesion date, late December, so we will be living with Chris' parents a little while longer. Which is okay, I am just so anxious to get in my own place.Keenan eats cereal everyday now, and when he turns 6mos I will be introducing sweet potatoes. He had juice for the first time on the first and he wouldnt settle for bed, not sure if it was related or not, we have tired the juice again today so we shall see how it goes. He hasnt been a good sleeper these last few days so I am a walking zombie, but thats okay, still wouldnt trade for anything in the world.

Swimming Lessons

Started swimming today! Keenan loves it! He was splashingg in the water and getting really excited! If I could let go he would probably swim all around the pool. The concept that they are trying to teach is to get the ears in the water so when they are older it wont be a problem. Keenan already let me put his ears in the water so he is already ahead! Its daddy's turn next Monday, I wil let you know how that works out.

Lindsay

Still waiting for our house to finish. Not doing much just spending time with the boy. We go to yoga every friday and playgroup right after. Then starting Nov 7 we will be doing swimming every monday morning, We went for coffee with Lindsay who we met at LLL and that was fun, will be going to another meeting on the first monday of next month.

Swimming

Keenan is developing great. He reaches out to grab things, plays with his feet, rolls over and eats rice cereal. He is becomming a big boy! I can't believe that he is going to be 5months old on Tuesday! No longer a little baby! We have established a routine and he sticks to it pretty well. Up at 1030am nap at 1130-1200 another big nap from 2-4pm then nap at 7-730pm and then bed at 10pm.
We went swimming for the first time yesterday and Keenan loved it so much that I have putt him in lessons! He was laughing and kicking! We had so much fun.

Teething

The last few days have been long. I have been pretty tired and not able to do what I have wanted...Finish replying to all my emails. Keenan is teething for sure. He is so drooly and goobery and constantly has something in his mouth. I feel sorry for him but there is nothing that I can do. He is starting to like to play by himself so I will begin to have a little more time. My corespondence course came in the mail so I will have to start that..we shall see how it goes.

4 Months

I can't believe that Keenan is already 4 months old! He has grown so much just in the last month! He is holding his head up when I put him on his tummy and he likes to sit fully not slanted down at all. We just got an excersauser from a friend on our online parenting group for free! He's not big enough yet but he will be soon!
Mommy feels a little displaced right now as mommy is living at granny Barbs and Grandma Ruths on a rotating schedule. It's good because it gives me time with my own family and Chris' family some time without me.

Poor Baby

I think Keenan had his first bug. He was really not having a good time being ill. Chris is always away so we don't get to see him often, which sucks. It kinda makes me irritated that I have the baby day in and day out, but I guess that is what being a mom is!