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Daily Life

Hip Dysplasia Awareness month

Posted on June 29, 2018

Did you know that June is Hip Dysplasia Awareness month? And did you know that risk factors for having a baby with hip dysplasia are: 1st pregnancy, genetics, breech presentation, or having a girl? When I found out Isabelle was breech, all I knew is she would be a c-section. I worried about her safety and my recovery from the surgery. It was not until AFTER she was born that the doctors told me she was at risk for hip dysplasia and needed to do a hip ultrasound. (If you want to follow our whole hip dysplasia journey, check out the hashtag #freeiblegs on instagram.)

It was not until AFTER she was born that the doctors told me she was at risk for hip dysplasia and needed to do a hip ultrasound. 

We got our ultrasound at 5 weeks, went to the orthopaedic doctor later that week, and imagine our surprise when we left with Isabelle in a pavlik harness (see below.)  I felt awful for Isabelle. I think I was more upset than she was. It looked so restrictive. I was sad we couldn’t take it off for diaper changes or baths and she felt so much less snuggly. She actually adjusted to it really well though. She wore it full time for 6 weeks, then 16 hours/day for 3 weeks, then 8 hours/day for 3 weeks. It seemed like eternity at the time, but now it seems like it was just a blink.

I was sad we couldn’t take it off for diaper changes or baths and she felt so much less snuggly. 

Once it was off, we had to wait to see if she would need further treatment. It felt horrible to not be able to do anything during that time. The next possible steps would have been a body cast or surgery. I tried to remind myself how well she adjusted to her harness, and that a body cast wouldn’t be the end of the world. I really didn’t want her to need surgery though. Luckily for us, after much waiting and several more xrays, she needed neither. Despite the time she spent in the harness, she still pulled to stand at 5.5 months, crawled at 8, and walked at 11.5.

The doctors say she still has mild hip dysplasia in her right hip but because we caught it early and treated it, she would live a normal life.

The doctors say she still has mild hip dysplasia in her right hip but because we caught it early and treated it, she would live a normal life. When it is not caught early, surgery may be the only option. I encourage all moms with breech pregnancies to ask their doctors about hip dysplasia. If mine hadn’t told me about it, we would never have known.

Daily Life

Katie is growing up

Posted on June 15, 2018

She’s such a young lady now! I can’t believe how much her language has exploded in the past 6 months and it’s really cute watching her try out new phrases. I assume she heard “that’s not fair” at school recently because she said it when she was having a hard time turning on her scooter yesterday. Apparently gravity is so unjust! Jason and I tried to explain to her what “fair” actually means, but she wasn’t interested at the time. She’ll get it…

Jason and I tried to explain to her what “fair” actually means, but she wasn’t interested at the time. 

She’s also been seeking out conversations with kids her age and I love watching her initiate them. It’s usually something like “Hey, you guys are big kids. I’m a big kid too.” Then she asks their names or how old they are and tries to compliment them like, “Oh, your name is John? THAT’S SUPER COOL!” With oh-so-much enthusiasm.

I try to remember that with all the struggles we have raising a toddler, she’s also struggling trying to find her place in the world.

I try to remember that with all the struggles we have raising a toddler, she’s also struggling trying to find her place in the world. Everything is new to her and her developing language is opening up relationships for her in a new way. It’s pretty impressive when you think about it. But that doesn’t mean things have been easy lately. K is about 90% done with her naps and I’m trying to juggle work, watching both girls, keeping up the house, making dinner, etc.

It’s hard now that I’m missing the time she used to nap, and even harder because a non-napped toddler is not the most pleasant to be around come 6 o’clock. 

It’s hard now that I’m missing the time she used to nap, and even harder because a non-napped toddler is not the most pleasant to be around come 6 o’clock. Like I want to lock myself in the bathroom with a bottle of wine. And my computer so I can squeeze in some work! We are headed to Michigan tomorrow morning so it will be a nice change of pace for all of us and we are super excited to see my Michigan family and friends! And there is nothing in the world like a Michigan summer! I guess I wasn’t really going anywhere with this post, just some rambling I needed to get off my chest. Wish us luck on the flight and with packing. We’ll be in the mitten soon!

Daily Life

My Stage 5 Clinger

Posted on June 6, 2018

My sweet baby girl! It’s a beautiful burden having such an attached baby. We laugh because we had to put up the baby gate the minute Katie started crawling and we left it up until she was 18 months old. We have never put the baby gate up for Isabelle because she is never not touching me. Some days it drives me crazy. When I’m using the bathroom, when I’m trying to put on my shoes, when I’m trying to do literally anything that requires body autonomy…

When I’m using the bathroom, when I’m trying to put on my shoes, when I’m trying to do literally anything that requires body autonomy…

And it doesn’t make for an enjoyable start to the day when you’re trying to pack your kids’ lunches so you can go somewhere fun and there’s a baby screaming at your feet and tugging on your pants because you had to set them down for 5 minutes. There are times Jason holds her so I can have a break and she stares at me and cries the whole time. Does not feel like a break.

It’s sweet, it’s exhausting. Some days I want to melt, some days I want to pull my hair out.

But she’s also the snuggliest baby I’ve ever met. On the rare occasions she does walk away to play on her own, she comes back every couple minutes to climb up on my lap, lie her head on my chest, and suck her thumb for a minute before getting back down to play. (And rinse and repeat every 3 minutes until she’s done playing…) She is constantly bringing me books and curling up next to me so I can read to her and she holds on so tight when I carry her. It’s sweet, it’s exhausting. Some days I want to melt, some days I want to pull my hair out. I know it won’t last forever, but it’s definitely a different experience than when K was a baby. It’s funny how different siblings can be.

Daily Life

Date night without any kids!

Posted on June 5, 2018

What do you do to keep your relationship strong after having kids? Jason and I were lucky enough to have a wonderful date night on Friday while his parents watched the girls. We did dinner, we went to an adults-only club for the first time in years, we danced, we held hands… It felt so amazing to reconnect as a couple.

We did dinner, we went to an adults-only club for the first time in years, we danced, we held hands… 

We have not been having problems, but being reminded of how good it feels to be a couple and not just “mom” and “dad” made me want to feel that more often. So, what are the things you do that help keep your relationship strong? I know it isn’t practical to spend every spare second together after the kids go bed, because we’re exhausted.

I know it isn’t practical to spend every spare second together after the kids go bed

I’d be lying if I said there aren’t some nights where I zone out in front of the tv and he works on his computer, and that’s fine sometimes. Actually… it’s necessary sometimes. After I’m done with the girls’ needs for the day, and he’s done with work, sometimes we need a minute to ourselves. When we do spend time together after the kids are in bed, we’ll watch a show together or have a drink and chat.

What are some little things you do in your relationship that remind you how much you love each other?

But I’m wondering what other couples do that they recommend. Play a card game? Do a puzzle? I’m not looking to spend every night staring into each other’s eyes talking about how much we love each other, because that’s crazy. (And please keep it PG because my parents are on here.) But what are some little things you do in your relationship that remind you how much you love each other?

Daily Life

Doing some redecorating! New Ameriwood Home bookshelf!

Posted on June 4, 2018

Isabelle is a year old now and I’m starting to look around the apartment and realize what a mess I’ve let it become since she was born!  Having a newborn is such a busy time and all you care about it is keeping the baby alive and getting some sleep (or thinking about sleep… or hoping you’ll sleep again some day…)

Having a newborn is such a busy time and all you care about it is keeping the baby alive and getting some sleep

I am getting to the point where I want a little more organization in my life, and it was time for a few furniture upgrades. (We have literally had our couch for 6 years and we got it from an apartment we rented after someone left it there.  This couch has seen it all!)

Luckily a bookshelf is good for both organization and a nice way to upgrade the look of our space!  We live in an apartment so storage is at a premium and when you don’t have places to put things away, they end up in piles.  And piles look yucky.

I want a little more organization in my life, and it was time for a few furniture upgrades.

I received this bookshelf for free from Ameriwood Home for my honest review and it was exactly what we needed for our apartment.  It came right to our door, it was easy to put together with 2 people, and it was much nicer quality than other assemble-yourself furniture we’ve seen. They actually have all different types of furniture, from cribs to cabinets to tv stands with built-in fireplaces.

This Ameriwood Home bookshelf came right to our door, it was easy to put together with 2 people, and it was much nicer quality than other assemble-yourself furniture we’ve seen.

The bookshelf I chose is the Wildwood Wood Veneer Bookcase in Espresso, linked here. It’s made really well and I especially like the metal X’s on the sides.  I think they give it a really unique look, and you would never guess we assembled it ourselves! It also came with a bracket to mount it so the kids can’t tip it over.  I would definitely recommend Ameriwood Home to anyone wanting to do some redecorating.  We are actually already looking at those tv stands with the fireplaces for when the weather cools down!

 

 

Daily Life

ParentDaze is 1 year old!

Posted on June 1, 2018

ParentDaze is 1 year old! This was the first photo I posted on IG and facebook, and it was also my first outing with both girls. I was 3 weeks post c-section and couldn’t lift K yet so all we could was walk and I had to keep both girls in the stroller the whole time. K still brought her pacifier EVERYWHERE and I lived in flip flops.

I was 3 weeks post c-section and couldn’t lift K yet so all we could was walk

I can’t believe how much I have grown since then. I remember being so scared about being a mom of 2 and now it’s like I have been doing it my whole life. I feel empowered! I have grown a lot as a writer as well. I started my ParentDaze blog as an outlet for my feelings, almost like a journal. I think I have really found my voice (and way less emojis ?. Why was I using so many in the beginning? ???)

I started my ParentDaze blog as an outlet for my feelings.

I am also branching out and writing more about myself and MY life, separate from the kids. When I started ParentDaze, it felt like my life WAS the kids. And it kind of was at the time. A 2 year old and a new baby are pretty consuming. But now I am gaining a little more independence back. I will still be sharing a lot about parenting, asking for advice, and speaking about our struggles, but I plan to branch out and do more lifestyle pieces too.

I am not my kids, and while being a mom is the most important job I’ve ever had, it does not define who I am.

I am also changing my profile photo on instagram today, to one of myself. Because I am not my kids, and while being a mom is the most important job I’ve ever had, it does not define who I am. I am really excited about the future of ParentDaze, and so grateful to everyone who has been supporting me all this time. My mom, my real life friends, and new IG and facebook friends within whom I have found an amazing support network. 

Daily Life

Toddler Power Struggles

Posted on May 31, 2018

Let’s talk toddler power struggles. Katie’s new thing is to wear 2 different shoes – which we are completely fine with. We try to let her make choices in her life whenever possible. I think we give her a fair amount of control for a toddler.

Lately we’ve been noticing Katie will ask for things and we aren’t even sure she wants anything

Lately we’ve been noticing Katie will ask for things and we aren’t even sure she wants anything – it’s like she just wants to see what we’ll give her. It usually goes something like, “I need water pleeeease!” (Of course in the whinest voice ever like she has been dying of thirst for 3 days.) So after we do the whole “How do you ask?” song and dance, we give her water.

Obviously we don’t want to deny her things she needs, but this game is getting kind of ridiculous.

Then it’s “I need milk!” “I need a snack!” “Can we watch something on tv?” “Can we go outside?” “Can we go home?” (She has literally asked me this while we are sitting on our couch AT HOME.) Obviously we don’t want to deny her things she needs, but this game is getting kind of ridiculous. It’s especially bad at bedtime, which is a whole separate stalling issue, I think. But the nonstop asking for things is driving me crazy. However, I’m not about to say no when my kid asks for water. Does anyone else’s kids do this? And how do you handle it?

Daily Life

FRÉ skincare. I think I’m in love!

Posted on May 30, 2018

I have been loving my 123FRÉ skincare set so much I decided to become a FRÉ ambassador! I am loving the freedom of being able to jog midday because the last step in the 123FRÉ set is Protect Me – a moisturizer with SPF 30 that is actually made to work out while you are wearing it! No more trying to squeeze in a workout before sun up or after sun down (I guess this means no more excuses for skipping summer workouts now, huh? ?)

The whole FRÉ line is designed to combat sweat-induced damage and the set lasts for 3 months. It is also Vegan and for every set sold, an Argan tree is planted. I’m super excited to be a part of their team! Use my promo code PD to get 15% off your set.

https://www.freskincare.com/

Daily Life

Katie’s new 2 wheeled Razor Scooter!

Posted on May 16, 2018

She’s doing an awesome job on 2 wheels! We bought K her first Razor scooter a few months before she turned 2. It was the Folding Kiddie Kick Scooter (at bottom of page) and she LOVED it. She spent countless hours scooting up and down the bluff while Jason and I walked alongside her. Now that she is getting older, her balance has improved and she wants to go faster! The kiddie scooter is perfect for learning to turn and learning to balance, but it isn’t made to go that fast because it’s for kids.

We love that Razor scooters are small, portable, and foldable

This week, Razor Scooters sent us this new 2 wheeled scooter (the A3 Scooter – recommended for ages 5 and up) and Katie is taking off! She loves scooting because she can get out and be active while also learning and improving a skill. We love that Razor scooters are small, portable, and foldable (because we live in the city and space is at a premium!) And if she scoots somewhere, it’s easy to fold it up and put in the stroller while we play at the park, or carry it around a store while we shop. I would definitely recommend these scooters to moms of toddlers and young kids. They are fun, convenient, and the perfect level of challenging.

Daily Life

Happy 1st Birthday Isabelle!!

Posted on May 8, 2018

Happy 1st Birthday baby girl! I feel like your first year has gone by a thousand times faster than Katie’s (although I guess we have been twice as busy!) It has been such a joy watching your personality develop. It’s amazing that one year ago they were pulling you out of my belly and now you are walking around, pointing and shouting at things you want, and running over when Jason and I kiss because you are becoming a little person and you want to be included in everything!

One year ago they were pulling you out of my belly and now you are walking around, pointing and shouting at things you want.

My favorite thing is watching your relationship with Katie blossom. It makes me so happy to see the bond that you two share. It cracks me up when you are crying for something and I say no, and Katie sneaks it to you anyways. That’s what siblings are for! You are still the biggest eater I’ve ever seen and I hope you continue to be a foodie (because I love food too!)

Even though you’re tiny, I know you will be mighty.

You are already climbing up on our bed and the couch and I have a feeling you might be a climber like your sister (and I might have a heart attack before I turn 35.) You are still absolutely the sweetest baby. You are so snuggly and I love when you lie your head down on me and suck your thumb. Even though you’re tiny, I know you will be mighty. (I think you have to be having a big sis like Katie!) I can’t wait to see what the next year brings and continue to watch you grow and become your own person. Happy Birthday, IB!