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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

A Story About Kindness

Posted on April 22, 2018

This is a story about kindness. There is a homeless man named Michael who we often see near our apartment. We met him about a year and a half ago when Katie climbed up on the bench he was sitting on and started talking to him. We chatted briefly and went on our way. We see him almost every day now. If I have snacks like granola bars I stop and give him one but if not, we still stop to chat for a minute.

There is a homeless man named Michael who we often see near our apartment.

When I was pregnant with Isabelle, I saw him every day when I jogged. He always cheered me on and asked how the pregnancy was going. Over the past year and a half I have seen him start working odd jobs in our area like landscaping and dog-walking. He is in cleaner clothes as of late and seems to be in better spirits.

He told her that three was a very special age and pulled his money out of his pocket.

We saw Michael today on our way back from the beach and the girls and I stopped to say hi. He asked Katie how old she was and she said three, and that it was just her birthday. He told her that three was a very special age and pulled his money out of his pocket. I saw some ones, a twenty, and a five dollar bill. He handed her the five and told her to put it in her piggy bank and save it for something special. I insisted she give it back over and over, but he refused to take it. You can only refuse a gift so many times before you become the rude one, so eventually I said okay and Katie thanked him.

I have a lot more than he does, and I don’t give back nearly as much as I could.

The fact that he gave Katie five dollars when he has so little brought tears to my eyes. It made me think, I can do better, too. I have a lot more than he does, and I don’t give back nearly as much as I could. I think we’ll put together some blessing bags this week and hand them out to some of the homeless population in our area. It’s usually something we do on Thanksgiving but there’s no reason why we can’t do it more often. We always have plenty of food in our house, and we are so fortunate for that. What’s something that happened in your life that made you realize how grateful you are for all the blessings in your life?

Daily Life

My Baby Girl is 3!!

Posted on March 29, 2018

My baby girl is 3! It seems like forever ago, and yet only yesterday, that we brought you home from the hospital. And we were TERRIFIED. What do we do with this tiny human?! We worried about everything! (Or I did, rather.) Is she getting enough milk? She’s been sleeping for too long, is she breathing? Is her poop supposed to look like this? (I can’t even count the amount of photos of baby poop I looked at…)

What do we do with this tiny human?!

I remember the colic days, and the guilt I had because I didn’t know how to help you. And then between 3 and 4 months the colic got better, and you started to develop more of a personality. Between 6 and 7 months you got your first 2 teeth, learned to crawl, sit up, and pull to stand all within a few weeks. And you let us know that your brain was BUSY! Those were rough nights for sleep!

You got your first 2 teeth, learned to crawl, sit up, and pull to stand all within a few weeks.

Your development sped up after that. Feeding yourself, walking, and then saying a few words like Mama, Dada, and Up. (And waffle shortly after that. Waffles are important, I get it.) By 18 months you were hiking short hikes with me and climbing out of your crib with ease (and we started to realize you were going to be a strong willed child!) I still remember the first time you said “I love you”, and I watch the video of it sometimes and smile!

By 18 months you were hiking short hikes with me and climbing out of your crib with ease

Right after you turned 2, Isabelle was born. It was a big adjustment for everybody. We still have trouble sharing attention sometimes, but you are the most amazing big sister to her. I love watching you two play together and seeing how much you love each other. Also around 2, you language exploded! You went from short phases to full thoughts and sentences almost overnight! One day you were saying “Boo please!” for Blue’s Clues, and the next it was “I want to watch Trolls. Not Christmas Trolls, I want to watch regular Trolls.”

You went from short phases to full thoughts and sentences almost overnight! 

I can’t believe the amazing young lady you are turning into right before my eyes. I’m going to end here, because I am rambling and it’s getting hard to see through my tears, but I love you more than anything Katie Kay. You are so strong and powerful and I know you’re going to do great things. Never let that light inside you stop shining.

Daily Life

All the WHY Questions

Posted on February 6, 2018

Oh, the joys of toddlerhood… One minute you’re prancing around holding Dad’s hand, and the next you are falling apart because you suddenly decided you NEEDED ice but shockingly, no one had any on them. The power struggles are out of control lately! I swear K asks for stuff she doesn’t even want just so she can fall apart when we say we don’t have it! And don’t even get me started on the questions…

The “why” I can handle. If my little one has genuine questions, I will answer “why” all day long and if I don’t know the answer, I am happy to google. I will never say no to knowledge. The questions I’m talking about are the ones the repeat over and over and over even after you answer. “Where are we going?” “Home.” “Where are we going?” “Home.” “Where are we going?” “…..Still home.” Does anyone else’s toddler do this?!

If someone described this scenario before I had kids, I would have laughed. It doesn’t sound that bad, right? But omg after answering the same question ten times, and answering 50 other questions ten times, I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!

Part of me wonders is it a control thing? Are they trying to see how many times they can get something out of us that they don’t even need? (Because that sounds like a sociopath to me….) Or are they trying to initiate a conversation but have nothing new to say? I like to think the latter, but when I try to change topics and actually have a conversation, I get asked the same question again. Or is it something else entirely? Who else is dealing with this and what do you do? Or am I just a terrible mom for being annoyed by this? 

Daily Life

Honest Motherhood

Posted on January 27, 2018

#honestmotherhood … (well, except the words on the flash cards ?. Jason snapped this pic when I was only kind-of sort-of ready. As much as I want to pretend my tiny genius can read, we are doing the other side of the cards – letters and numbers, not words.) So I’m bouncing one in the carrier and doing flash cards with the other while I try to enjoy a post-hike beer. And I can’t help but think of when I was pregnant with K and Jason and I would say how after she was born we were going to get sitters ALL THE TIME and still go clubbing and go to bars ?.

It’s funny because I still hear first-time moms say this when they’re pregnant (and I don’t want to be that person to correct them because I think everyone needs to come to terms with their new roles as parents on their own.) But the truth is, it’s not that you CAN’T go clubbing when you’re a mom as long as you have a sitter; it’s that MOST of the time, you don’t really want that anymore.

While we do still like to go out for a drink sometimes, we prefer early happy hours where we can also grab dinner or appetizers for the kids (or brunch. Omg whoever invented brunch, I love you.) Not to mention we pretty much have to take up the entire table with 50 toys to occupy the kids long enough to each have one beer. Oh and don’t forget passing the baby back and forth ?. Because whoever is holding the baby pretty much cannot sip their beer. But at the same time, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Sprawling out across a high-top table with markers, crayons, flashcards, French fries, and a couple of brewery beers with my amazing family ranks amongst one of the best Saturday nights of all time ?