Many of you have asked how things are going with Oliver and Miles and I have to say that I finally feel that we are coming out of the "new baby fog" and turning a corner. Oliver is consistently sleeping through the night, which as many of you know, is an amazing feat in the world of parenthood. (Last night he slept form 7:30pm - 6:30am and it was heaven! Many of you know that he was a horrible sleeper for the first 4 months of his life, so it's simply amazing that he's sleeping so much better now.) I also feel that I am able to "read" Oliver much better... it's not such a guessing game. He is also slowly becoming more tolerant of car rides these days and therefore it's so much easier to take him places. He just seems much more content these days... I guess he's turned a corner.
When I go to bed at night, I lay there thinking how much I love getting a good night of sleep and, more importantly, how much I love the three males in my life.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
My first week back
Well, I survived my first week back at work.
Going back on Monday was an interesting day and it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. As I was driving into the office, I felt a mix of emotions... part of me was excited to see some old faces, not to mention that it was nice to be wearing something other than sweatpants and a T-shirt with spit up on it. But, another part of me felt like crying - knowing that my special time with Oliver at home had come to an end. We are also 99.9% sure that we are not having anymore kids, so it was kinda sad to say goodbye to my last maternity leave and everything that goes along with having a newborn. (I know... sooo dramatic! LOL)
Things got easier as the week went on and I think slowly it will start to feel normal again. My brain feels a bit out of shape and I am having a hard time focusing, but I think it will just take some time to get back into the swing of things.
I have a new manager, Jessica, who is AWESOME -- very supportive, organized, and she has two boys of her own, so she totally gets the need for work/life balance. I will also be working on the Creative Suite products, which should be a good change too.
A BIG THANK YOU to Hau-boo for watching Oliver this week. I know he is spoiled rotten by her and I wouldn't have it any other way. :) She great takes care of all of us and we are forever grateful.
Oliver is at home with Grandma Ramstetter next week, so he's going to get lots of hugs and kisses and she said she is going to bite those chubby cheeks. :)
Going back on Monday was an interesting day and it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. As I was driving into the office, I felt a mix of emotions... part of me was excited to see some old faces, not to mention that it was nice to be wearing something other than sweatpants and a T-shirt with spit up on it. But, another part of me felt like crying - knowing that my special time with Oliver at home had come to an end. We are also 99.9% sure that we are not having anymore kids, so it was kinda sad to say goodbye to my last maternity leave and everything that goes along with having a newborn. (I know... sooo dramatic! LOL)
Things got easier as the week went on and I think slowly it will start to feel normal again. My brain feels a bit out of shape and I am having a hard time focusing, but I think it will just take some time to get back into the swing of things.
I have a new manager, Jessica, who is AWESOME -- very supportive, organized, and she has two boys of her own, so she totally gets the need for work/life balance. I will also be working on the Creative Suite products, which should be a good change too.
A BIG THANK YOU to Hau-boo for watching Oliver this week. I know he is spoiled rotten by her and I wouldn't have it any other way. :) She great takes care of all of us and we are forever grateful.
Oliver is at home with Grandma Ramstetter next week, so he's going to get lots of hugs and kisses and she said she is going to bite those chubby cheeks. :)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Oliver is walking!!!
I hate to be one of those moms who constantly brag about their children, but this was too amazing to not write about!!!
This morning when we were getting ready, Miles was calling for me and Derek. We both went over to him and left Oliver playing on the floor. All of a sudden we heard footsteps and babbling and Oliver was walking towards us!!! We all sat there with our mouths wide open... I am still in shock! He's not even 5 months and he's walking! We are in for some real trouble with this little guy!
Look closely...
This morning when we were getting ready, Miles was calling for me and Derek. We both went over to him and left Oliver playing on the floor. All of a sudden we heard footsteps and babbling and Oliver was walking towards us!!! We all sat there with our mouths wide open... I am still in shock! He's not even 5 months and he's walking! We are in for some real trouble with this little guy!
Look closely...
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
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