Friday, March 28, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Loving Two
Going back to work
This is my last week at home before I go back to work. I have been so lucky to have 5 months at home with my sweet Oliver. We finally seem to have a bit of a routine -- he's napping better, we manage to get out once or twice a day, I get the laundry and the dishes done, I make dinner almost every night, and I am enjoying it (and I don't normally enjoy doing dishes, laundry or cooking... LOL). Clearly, I have mixed feelings about going back to work, but I knew that I would feel this way. I felt the same way when I went back to work after I had Miles. But, I also remember how, once I got past feeling sad and guilty, I enjoyed being back at work and felt a different sense of accomplishment. And, the best part of the day was the end of the work day -- I was going home to my little boy and my husband. I know it will be the same this time around.
Luckily, Oliver will be at home with family for 4 more weeks which should make the transition back to work easier for me. Derek's mom is watching him, then my mom, and then Derek. Oliver will then go to the same home daycare (which we LOVE) with Miles when he's almost 6 months old.
Big brother Miles
A lot of people ask me how Miles is as a big brother and if he's been jealous. I respond by saying that Miles is two and a half, so when he does get upset at something, it's hard to say if he's jealous or if he's just acting his age. Miles is a pretty passionate and emotional little boy and Derek and I think he's been an awesome big brother. Sure, he has his occasional temper tantrums, but so do I! :) He's very sweet and gentle with Oliver and he doesn't seem to get jealous very often. He loves to help us with Oliver and he never gets bothered by Oliver's crying. I love watching Oliver grow -- almost as much as I love watching Miles and Oliver grow as brothers. I know that there are many bumps ahead, but I also know that there are many special loving moments ahead as well.
When I was pregnant with Oliver, I found this poem/writing (below) and it was perfect for how I felt/feel as a mom of two kids.
~ Loving Two ~
I walk along holding your 2-year old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly, I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?
Then he is born and I watch you.
I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me," and I hear myself telling you in mine..."I can't."
Knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.
But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity...then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.
More days pass and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three (well, four).
I watch the love between you grow.
The way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how he adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my answer is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.
And although I realize that you have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.
I love and thank you both for blessing my life.
~Author Unknown
This is my last week at home before I go back to work. I have been so lucky to have 5 months at home with my sweet Oliver. We finally seem to have a bit of a routine -- he's napping better, we manage to get out once or twice a day, I get the laundry and the dishes done, I make dinner almost every night, and I am enjoying it (and I don't normally enjoy doing dishes, laundry or cooking... LOL). Clearly, I have mixed feelings about going back to work, but I knew that I would feel this way. I felt the same way when I went back to work after I had Miles. But, I also remember how, once I got past feeling sad and guilty, I enjoyed being back at work and felt a different sense of accomplishment. And, the best part of the day was the end of the work day -- I was going home to my little boy and my husband. I know it will be the same this time around.
Luckily, Oliver will be at home with family for 4 more weeks which should make the transition back to work easier for me. Derek's mom is watching him, then my mom, and then Derek. Oliver will then go to the same home daycare (which we LOVE) with Miles when he's almost 6 months old.
Big brother Miles
A lot of people ask me how Miles is as a big brother and if he's been jealous. I respond by saying that Miles is two and a half, so when he does get upset at something, it's hard to say if he's jealous or if he's just acting his age. Miles is a pretty passionate and emotional little boy and Derek and I think he's been an awesome big brother. Sure, he has his occasional temper tantrums, but so do I! :) He's very sweet and gentle with Oliver and he doesn't seem to get jealous very often. He loves to help us with Oliver and he never gets bothered by Oliver's crying. I love watching Oliver grow -- almost as much as I love watching Miles and Oliver grow as brothers. I know that there are many bumps ahead, but I also know that there are many special loving moments ahead as well.
When I was pregnant with Oliver, I found this poem/writing (below) and it was perfect for how I felt/feel as a mom of two kids.
~ Loving Two ~
I walk along holding your 2-year old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly, I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?
Then he is born and I watch you.
I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me," and I hear myself telling you in mine..."I can't."
Knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.
But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying him -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity...then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.
More days pass and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three (well, four).
I watch the love between you grow.
The way you look at each other, touch each other.
I watch how he adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my answer is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.
And although I realize that you have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.
I love and thank you both for blessing my life.
~Author Unknown
Happy Easter from Chef Miles
Miles got this chef's hat/apron outfit from the Easter Bunny.
We asked him if he is a chef, and he said "No, Goo Goo is." (His Auntie Lisa, a.k.a Goo Goo, is a pastry chef). Too cute :)
We asked him if he is a chef, and he said "No, Goo Goo is." (His Auntie Lisa, a.k.a Goo Goo, is a pastry chef). Too cute :)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Peace out, bra
Funny story to share...
A while back, Derek taught Miles to say "Peace out, bra" while making a peace sign with his fingers.
Yesterday when I dropped Miles off at daycare, I told Layla (his teacher) that there is a great cartoon on Nickelodeon called "Ni Hao, Kai-lan" which teaches Chinese language and culture.
Miles said to Layla "Ni Hao!" which means hello.
Layla said "I think Miles knows how to say the number two in Chinese."
I said "Really? I don't think he knows how to say that."
Layla said "Well, he makes the number two with his fingers and says something."
And then it dawned on me that he is probably saying "Peace out, bra" and Layla wasn't sure what he was saying and thought maybe it was Chinese.
So, I asked her "Does he say Peace out, bra, she said yes!" LOL.
Pretty funny.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Little Emperor's
We played dress up today. We are wearing our Chinese outfits that Jo Gun (Uncle Mike) gave us.
Xie xie.
Xie xie.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Oliver's 4 month check-up
Oliver had his 4 month check-up this morning and he's growing like a rock star! Here are his stats:
Weight: 17 pounds, 10 1/4 ounces (big boy!)
Length: 26 inches (he's tall!)
Head circumference: 17 inches (big head!)
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Success!
Here's a fun video of Oliver trying to roll over... third time's a charm! And, he sure likes to chew on his hands!
Mmmmm.... rice cereal
Since Oliver's 4-month birthday is tomorrow, I decided to start him on rice cereal today. His doctor gave me the go ahead to start rice cereal a while ago, as it can help with acid reflux, but I wanted to wait until he was closer to 4 months. He didn't quite have the tongue coordination down, but I think it will only be a matter of days for him to figure it out. Oliver really seems interested in what we are eating, so I have a feeling he will like eating something other than his gross formula. I really enjoyed starting Miles on solids and I loved making his food myself... I just hope I can find the time to do the same for Oliver. :)
Mommy and Miles go to Denver
Miles and I took our first trip solo together to visit my family in Colorado last weekend. Miles was a trooper - considering we flew in super late on Friday night, he caught a cold, and was out of his element. We had a fun time celebrating Uncle Chris' 40th birthday and it even snowed for us while we were there. Miles and I shared a bed and he is not an easy person to sleep with... he is a wiggle worm and a bed hog. And, he doesn't lay the correct way in bed! :)
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