Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Well I discovered something new about Brennon today. He doesn't like to wear clothes. I tested this theory out after observing him on the changing table. When he is not wearing clothes he is much more content and active. But as soon as the clothes go on he begins to get fussy. Now lately I have been struggling during the day getting him to sleep for anything longer than 20 minutes at a time. At night he is about 3 hours at a time. So I decided to experiment today with putting him in only a diaper and socks - and so far he is very content. He is even asleep long enough to let me type! I have the key to having a happy baby! (for now) Now as Brian says, he may be one of those children who like to take their clothes off - a free spirit as we might say. And that could pose some problems down the line. But for now, I feel like a master problem solver - ready to tackle what else may trouble him in the future.
Speaking of free spirits, we watched a documentary yesterday about air guitar. Apparently, they have a contest each year on the east coast and west coast to crown an air guitar champion for the entire US. That person then gets to go to the world competition in Finland - where they take air guitar very seriously :) The movie was quite entertaining since not a one of these contestants use an instrument whatsoever. They just air guitar and wear goofy costumes (except for one guy coming out in his birthday suit - and guess what he used as one of his props?)while getting judged on technicality, charisma, precision and other obscure things. It makes me wonder what a real guitar competition gets judged on? Now I think Brian has dismissed the movie for obvious reasons - but I was entertained by the idea of someone being a rock star without playing an instrument. In fact, one of the contestants in the movie, Bjorn Turoc abandoned his real guitar band to participate in an air guitar competition. When he was interviewed, he just felt like he had more opportunities to succeed in air guitar than in a real band. I suppose so - since you are the only one up there performing on stage. Anyway, the movie's finale came when the first ever US contestant C-diddy won the world competition doing a Yngwie Malmsteen song with great technicality and precision - I guess? I haven't seen the song done by the original guitarist, but something tells me it was way more technical on real guitar. Hee Hee. But props to C-diddy he is now in the annals of fame and is an aspiring actor to boot - look for him on Law and Order SVU strutting his 'killer' air guitar skills...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
What a World
I was thinking today about Brennon growing up in this crazy mixed up world we live in...and it kind of put the parent's fear of God in me. I mean I am not a paranoid person (I think?) and I don't fear what's around every corner - but I already worry for my son. Life centers around choices for the individual. That is what God left us with..unfortunately. I hope he makes good choices and heeds the guidance of his parents. It is a unique position to be in - now that my life has been lived with the ultimate goal of complete freedom and independence. That is what an individual strives for, but when you have a child, you seriously want to limit that freedom and independence. Now we have discussed, as rational parents do, that our children should experience 'worldly' things. Honestly, is there really any other alternative? Part of me wants to shield him from all of these worldly things that the Bible so adamantly warns us about. It's as if my conservative meter runs sky high when it comes to my child. Of course he is a baby right now, and later on I may mellow out a bit, who knows? Part of me wants to be optimistic about the future. Brennon could be part of the solution in this world, someone who cares about the earth, curing diseases and helping mankind. As a parent, I should instill that belief in him - instead of fear and pessimism. Anyway, we shall see how he turns out - and I am hopeful that he will become the strong, good, helpful member of society that we will raise him to be.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Baby phat
Well I am one of the many women who notice the little unpleasantries that come with afterbirth. I have some 'baby phat' that I want to be rid of and so I decided to quit talking about getting on the treadmill and actually do it. Of course I am not running 4 miles or anything, but I am starting slow and sure by power walking until my doctor clears me for vigorous exercise. Now I really won't blame the baby for my 'phat' - because I wasn 't in prime shape before I was pregnant...I'll blame marriage for that :) But lo, I won't blame marriage either because how I take care of my body is my choice and I haven't made the best choices in my 31 years. However, I must say that since Brennon has been born - I don't feel as obsessive about food... and maybe I'll blame that on our new happy family. I also made the promise that Brennon wouldn't fall prey to the obesity epidemic that is going around. Now that will be tough, since I have fallen prey to it myself - but I believe that the cycle can be broken. I mean, there are still some thin people left in this world!
So now my routine is two 15 minute segments of powerwalking on our treadmill (since I have had success on the treadmill before) and 2 leisurely strolls with the baby and dog. I can report that I am down 2 lbs. since my regimen and of course there are many more lbs to go. The good news is, I am not putting as much pressure on myself as I have in the past - my goal now is to be a healthy weight that I feel comfortable at. I think age does that for you, too. As you get older, you realize you do not want to look to the world for your size and your weight - since that will mess with your thinking. I mean there is so much food to be had in the good old USA, while the media is peddling weight loss and the obesity epidemic 24/7. It really gets people confused...especially our children, who are experiencing the brunt of all this excess and restriction. So, I must be mindful what I model to my child -because I desperately want him to be healthy and well balanced. We'll see how it goes....
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Baby washing machine
Yesterday we received a DVD in the mail entitled 'Happiest Baby on the Block' courtesy of Daddy Bass. This purchase was made in order to quiet Brennon's fussiness during the day. We sat down and watched a pediatrician (now famed Dr. Phil rockstar) discuss the difficulties of parenthood with new moms and dads. He listened to the parents' laments and then began to describe his 5 techniques for quieting a fussy baby. Shushing, swaddling, sucking, swinging, and one other one I can't remember! He proceeded to demonstrate his magic on a screaming baby. He first swaddled the child in the DUDU method (down, up, down, up) and then put the baby on its side and did long loud shhhhh in their ear. Now to the layperson, this might seem annoying at best - but to a baby it simulates the womb experience and they fall magically silent. The onlooking parents were amazed at the difference! He went on to describe the child as being in the 4th trimester, which means the child is very immature and still needs some comfort from being out of the womb. The doc even mentioned that the child could even sleep an extra hour or so at night using his magical techniques.
I must say I was impressed, and so I tried it last night and it worked well to quiet the fussiness! Sadly, Brennon did not sleep any longer at bedtime. And even worse, he woke up earlier than usual and did not want to fall back asleep to give me some extra rest. So, I took him on his morning stroller ride... but that didn't work as well as I had hoped. So when we got back in the house, I tried the technique I learned last night, and he rested a bit - but woke himself up due to my ceased shushing. So I finally thought about what one parent said on the video about how the sound of a vacuum works on her child and I figured well...the dishwasher is running right now - so what the hey? I put Brennon next to it and he slowly fell back asleep again. Eureka! Now I can take my siesta. Hopefully, I can find enough dishes to wash to keep him happy but if not, there is always the washing machine!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Moms Day Out
Yesterday my mother took me to my dentist appt. in Arlington to assist with Brennon. I went in to the waiting room and the hygienist was able to get me in early. The workers noticed I had the baby with me and mentioned how cute he was. Mom stayed with Brennon while I got my teeth cleaned, and so the hygienist was eager to tell me about baby teeth care. Apparently, babies gums do need washing and so you should wipe them gently with a soft cloth. When the child is ready for their first dentist visit, the doctor just looks at their teeth. I believe that is to prepare them for future visits and leave the child feeling good about things. It would be funny if the dentist dressed up like SpongeBob and made it seem like a party. However, all visits after that one would sure be a big letdown. After my cleaning, the three of us went to lunch at a nearby restaurant. I was worried about the whole crying baby in a restaurant ordeal - but I'll admit Brennon was a very good boy. Mom and I think it is because he was exposed to something new and exciting during the day. We even stopped by a few other stores after the restaurant (while mom watched out for Brennon) and I purchased a charm for my bracelet and some chocolate. It was a pleasant outing, and I was pleased that Brennon cooperated. I hope we can do it again with the same good results. Now when B turns 2 I may be singing a different tune!
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