I’m working on a few other posts that I haven’t been able to finish up. Until then, here are some common sights and sounds in our home as of lately…(sorry for the crappy lighting in the photos)
90 degree weather + sweaty baby + drool + explosion poops = stinky baby = more baths = cuteness in a towel 🙂
Parker thinks his fingers taste soo good!
Parker gets some study time in with Daddy when Mommy eats breakfast.
Jammin’ to some tunes
Warning: Turn the volume on your computer to LOW
Ok baby mamas. I’m looking for some advice.
I’m flying home with Parker (alone) in about 2 weeks and I’m looking to see if anyone has any advice to make it a little easier. I flew with Parker to Miami when he was 2 weeks old but that was easy – he was pretty much a little marshmallow that slept the whole time. Now he’s much more alert, wants to keep moving around and changing positions and is much more vocal!
I know that nursing him on take off and landing will help his little ears but what if he’s already sleeping? Would you wake him up to nurse or just leave him?…
Should I use my baby carrier? I was planning on it but my concern is when he wants to move around, it won’t be as easy to get him in and out without an extra pair of hands (he’s a bit of a squirmer) and in such a tight space…
It will be about a 4 hour flight. Any and all tips would be great!
Lets hope this is how Parker will be the entire flight…the other passengers will thank me 🙂
Yes, you read it correctly. A PERK!
I often hear fellow spouses talk about how hard it is to be married to a medical student. Sure, it’s easy to sit and complain about the stress of upcoming tests, never-ending studying, exorbitant amount of student loan debt, the wall decorations in our room in our temporary apartment consisting solely of post-it notes of graphs, words anyone can hardly pronounce and the mile-long list of “to-dos”, moving the family out of the United States to a Caribbean island (I know, you’re probably thinking “complaints? what is there to complain about?!”), and the uncertainty of the future. But…
This morning was different. There was no complaining, I was more than appreciative.
I’m the type of person that likes to know as much as I can about the task at hand. Example: When we found out we were moving to Dominica in 2009 I wanted no surprises. I read every blog from every spouse that lived on the island. I wanted to know what our days were going to be like, what apartments were available, how do we get food, where are we going to live, where do you do laundry…you get the point. Same goes for the decision to cloth diaper Parker. Brandon says I know everything there is to know about diapers. Now that I read that it sounds a little pathetic. Well, Parker’s health is no different.
Brandon is in the process of studying for the USMLE Step 1 exam. It’s a national test that covers all the material from the first 2 years of medical school. He studies at home by watching high-yield lectures on his computer. Poor thing sits in the same seat all day with headphones on, taking notes, only for lunch and dinner and then he’s back to work. His lectures today were about the benefits of breastfeeding.
::Ding Ding Ding::
Something went off in his head about how maybe I’d like to listen to the lecture with him since I’m super passionate about nursing Parker until he turns 1. Anyone that asks how long I plan on nursing for and hears my answer gives me this look like I’m absolutely out-of-my-mind. I get it a lot. I could explain to each person about my reasons why but to be honest, I don’t really care what they think since it’s none of their business in the first place. I sat there playing with Parker, folding clothes and listening to the lecture that reiterated and enhanced my reasoning.
Maybe a year isn’t an outrageous goal, solely because of how beneficial it will be for Parker.
“Breastfeeding should continue for at least 12 months” American Association of Pediatrics
Bonding. Bonding. Bonding. Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to read to their children and feel stronger emotions towards them. I’m hoping that special connection we have will help me be a better mother.
I won’t get into the nitty-gritty technical medical terms but babies that are breastfed absorb more iron and proteins than formula fed babies – in turn, aiding relief to their little tummies (less diarrhea, less colic).
Baby’s immune system is better (he technically has my immune system) decreasing infectious diseases, decreases SIDS, overweight and obesity, asthma, increases cognitive development…I could go on and on.
So I see learning this information as a perk of being a medical student’s wife. If I hadn’t researched on my own, Brandon’s lectures would have been the only way I learned all of the itty-bitty details. I went to a feeding class recently and I was the only breastfeeding mother in the group of 7, many of which had not been educated of the advantages for both mom and baby and held a great deal of false information. It’s satisfying to see that our future doctors are learning about how beneficial nursing an infant can be so they can eventually inform their patients correctly.
We try to get out of the house as much as possible although some days are easier than others. It’s crunch time for Brandon who is taking the COMP in about 2 weeks so Parker and I went to the mall with Stef while trying out his new Ergo carrier (which is awesome by the way!!!) and trying on some comfy TOMS. Black or Green. size 7. Mother’s Day May 8th. Just sayin.
Spent most of the day at home on Tuesday…here’s Parker hanging out on his new play mat while watching his fave girl Kelly Ripa in the morning and waking up from a nap to work on some tummy time.
We’re so lucky to live right by such a nice park. Anything you could ever want to do at a park – baseball, soccer, kayaking, boxing, tennis, fishing, equestrian center, dog park, you name it, it’s there. It’s super quiet during the week which gave Parker and I plenty of options as to which tree to lay under – we chose the perfect one where he looked up at the sky and eventually fell asleep.
Milk happy baby. Ran the track with my hubby and baby after a delicious dinner by moi. nom nom nom
Parker’s first hockey game. Sabres vs. Flyers game 5. LETS GO BUFFALO! This is my child staring at the TV literally watching the puck across the screen. He didn’t blink. Didn’t move for a second. Nothing could break his concentration. I’m told its a “guy thing”…oh how bad I want a little girl one day! I’m out numbered right now.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
Went to Parker’s favorite place this morning – South Beach- for some breakfast with our roomies. We wished we could spend Easter with our families at home but french toast and bottomless coffee with our little family really made my morning 🙂
Linking up with a good life.
Parker and I took advantage of the warm weather and took a walk up to the grocery store. I had a moment that took me back to Dominica…wearing my baby in his carrier, lugging my groceries back to the apartment, my sweat soaking Parker’s clothes so much that I threw him in the bath the second we got home. Moms of Dominica, you are super-women!
After a bath it’s naked baby time in our house. This kid loves being naked!
I just want to congratulate our friends Brian and Anna on the birth of their beautiful 8lb 8oz daughter Dara! Their little baby is such a blessing. These two are going to make the most gentle, understanding, fun parents in the world.
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