Brief Description:
When a mother decides to forgo a job for pay to stay at home with her child(ren) for other compensation(described below).
Duties Include (But Are Not Limited To):
-Feedings
-Burpings
-Diaper Changes
-Clothing Changes
-Baths
-Dishes
-Laundry
-Tummy Time
-Story Time
-Play Time
-Walks
Additional Duties (Extra Compensation):
-Baby may soil multiple diapers/clothes and extra baths/laundry is required
-Baby may fight naps and thus be cranky all day due to being overtired
-Baby may be sick and therefore extremely cranky
Requirements Include (But Are Not Limited To):
-Being a female in child bearing years (Yes, this is a sexist job...get over it!)
-Be willing to gain 20+ pounds over the course of 9 months
-Posses zombie like qualities that allow you to go months without a decent nights sleep
-Fluent in Baby Talk
-Multi-tasker
-Patience
-Willing to work nights and weekends
Compensation:
-Coffee
Compensation for Additional Duties:
-Wine
*Compensation increases based on number of children in your care.
Benefits:
-Baby smiles and laughter
-Enjoyment from baby's milestones
-Unconditional love
*Please note this job is Mon-Sun. Does not include breaks, overtime pay, holidays, or vacations.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Little Baby Milestones
So there's all these books, doctors, magazines, etc. that say what your baby should be doing by a certain age. I freaked out when Michelle had not mastered rolling tummy to back by 4 months, but could roll back to tummy. I was sad that she was getting tummy time (very important!!!), but not holding her head up for a long time. I looked at other babies her age that could do more than her and I was worried. You know what...I feel like she won't slow down now! When she decides to reach another milestone, it's not like an Oops..how did I do that? It's a...YES! I figured it out and I am going to do it all the time. She never built up to rolling tummy to back...she finally did it one day and was like...Look at me mom! I am an expert at this. Now tummy time is so difficult! I can't keep the monkey on her tummy.
Of course they need help from you to reach these milestones! She sits up all by herself thanks to her Bumbo seat (I highly recommend!) and sitting her on the floor for some trial and error. She didn't mind falling thank goodness. We did tummy time a lot, but she was not very tolerable of it. One thing that hepled immensely with learning to roll tummy to back and lifting her head was Mark and I's decision to have her sleep on her tummy. The American Academy of Pediatrics started a Back To Sleep campaign in the 90's due to an increased incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It encourages all parents to place their babies on their backs to sleep. We did this for 4 months and when we decided to place Michelle on her tummy, we had our reasons and we were confident in our decision. We did a lot of research on SIDS and there are many other reasons involved that can lead to SIDS (smoking around the baby, blankets in cribs, etc). We started with just naps on her tummy so we could keep a close eye on her and then transitioned into nighttime on her tummy. Now she loves to sleep on her tummy!
So, when it comes to your baby's milestones just remember to not freak out about what other babies his or her age are doing or what the books say. As long as your baby is healthy, he or she will reach their own milestones when they are ready!
Of course they need help from you to reach these milestones! She sits up all by herself thanks to her Bumbo seat (I highly recommend!) and sitting her on the floor for some trial and error. She didn't mind falling thank goodness. We did tummy time a lot, but she was not very tolerable of it. One thing that hepled immensely with learning to roll tummy to back and lifting her head was Mark and I's decision to have her sleep on her tummy. The American Academy of Pediatrics started a Back To Sleep campaign in the 90's due to an increased incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It encourages all parents to place their babies on their backs to sleep. We did this for 4 months and when we decided to place Michelle on her tummy, we had our reasons and we were confident in our decision. We did a lot of research on SIDS and there are many other reasons involved that can lead to SIDS (smoking around the baby, blankets in cribs, etc). We started with just naps on her tummy so we could keep a close eye on her and then transitioned into nighttime on her tummy. Now she loves to sleep on her tummy!
So, when it comes to your baby's milestones just remember to not freak out about what other babies his or her age are doing or what the books say. As long as your baby is healthy, he or she will reach their own milestones when they are ready!
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| Michelle sitting up all on her own (thanks to her Bumbo seat)! |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Losing It
...The hair and weight that is.
First off, the hair. It is unreal the amount of hair you shed after having a baby. Here I am 7 months postpartum and still losing hair like crazy. So now I am not only growing hair like crazy from prenatal vitamins (yes...very important to take while still breastfeeding), but shedding it just as quickly. Your hormones can do some pretty crazy things. I think I have swept up enough hair to make a wig! So stock up on some Drano and a good broom now!
First off, the hair. It is unreal the amount of hair you shed after having a baby. Here I am 7 months postpartum and still losing hair like crazy. So now I am not only growing hair like crazy from prenatal vitamins (yes...very important to take while still breastfeeding), but shedding it just as quickly. Your hormones can do some pretty crazy things. I think I have swept up enough hair to make a wig! So stock up on some Drano and a good broom now!
Now for the weight. Want to have the most weightloss ever in 1 day? Have a baby! From checking into the hospital to arriving home I'd lost 15 pounds! I am very fortunate that the pounds have melted off me since then. Some women find it very easy to lose the baby weight and for others it is more difficult. A few things that have worked for me are breastfeeding (probably the number 1 thing!...and I plan to until Michelle is 1 year old...did you know it burns up to 500 calories a day?! Heck yes...sign me up!), moderate exercise, and a healthy diet (and of course Michelle keeps me pretty busy). I am actually 10 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight! The issue I am having now is actually keeping weight on. I know...I shouldn't be complaining, but I told my hubby the other day I either needed to get my jeans taken in or it was time for a new wardrobe. But, I do remember being very self conscious the first couple months after Michelle was born. Come to find out, it's pretty normal. I kept reminding myself it just takes time and I had received the best reward...a beautiful baby girl. Just be careful...as soon as I got the green light from my OB to pick up my workout routine, I was back in the gym full force. BAD IDEA. I was in so much pain and had a few other complications that kept me from getting back into the gym for another few weeks. I then realized I needed to get back into things gradually and carefully. This is when I decided to set realistic goals for myself and have a workout buddy. So keep your head up! The weight will come off...gradually and healthily.
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| 6 1/2 months post baby. About to enjoy a night out with the hubby and friends! |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
I'm Supposed to Take Her Home Now?
A Mommy's definition of HARD: A lack of describing how difficult those first few weeks postpartum are.
A Mommy's definition of TIRED: A lack of describing the pure exhaustion you feel the first few weeks postpartum.
These 2 words have absolutely no meaning to me anymore!
While you are pregnant, you think about having your baby, what your baby will look like, and many other things. What you rarely think about, until it happens, is bringing your baby home for the first time and being without nurses and doctors to answer all of your questions. The fear that encompasses a new mom is unimaginable those first few weeks postpartum. You are constantly thinking, "Is she hungry? Is she still breathing? Is she sleeping too much? Too little? Is it too cold? Too warm? Etc..." But once you get the hang of it, a routine sets in place and things become much easier.
The first few weeks postpartum, I had many mood swings; Your hormones are soo out of balance and you can cry for any reason at all (as if you actually need a reason!). I remember rocking Michelle in her room while feeding her and just crying. Why? I don't know. I remember wanting so badly to be pregnant again. I truly missed it and I never though I would. I had constant neck pain from looking down at her and constant back pain from standing and leaning over to change her. And the headaches! Ouch! When your hormone levels are off the charts combined with no sleep whatsoever, you get the most painful headaches. And while breastfeeding, you're limited to Tylenol. I also had a clogged milk duct=low grade fever and achiness. NO FUN and super PAINFUL! I had also heard about some mom's getting spinal headaches and soreness where they'd received their epidural. I was so thankful at that point that I did not have an epidural because I don't think I could have handled much more. On top of all this, your body has just gone through labor and delivery! A huge thing! So, your body is trying to recuperate, but it is very difficult while getting no sleep!
Yes....I was one of those mom's the first few weeks that charted everything Michelle did. When she last ate, peed, pooped, slept. It felt like I had things a little bit under control that way. One day Mark just grabbed the chart and threw it away. I was upset at first, and then over the next few days I became much more relaxed. Doctors say your baby needs to wet their diaper 6-8 times a day while newborns (so you know they are drinking enough). I was so terrified the day Michelle only wet 5 diapers. But you know what!? Babies can pee twice in one diaper...so how did I really know? The lack of the chart was the best thing that could have happened. And the baby poo...oh-my-goodness. I can't tell you how many times I had to start laundry at 2 AM because Michelle had exploded all over her crib, clothes and me! Not funny at the time, but looking back, it is hilarious!
So, while this may be enough to make you say, "Wait, am I really ready for this?" No one is ever ready. But, the joy of having a child is the best thing in the world. While those first few weeks (or even months) may be difficult, it is truly worth it.
A Mommy's definition of TIRED: A lack of describing the pure exhaustion you feel the first few weeks postpartum.
These 2 words have absolutely no meaning to me anymore!
 |
| First week home from hospital taking a nap in her swing |
The first few weeks postpartum, I had many mood swings; Your hormones are soo out of balance and you can cry for any reason at all (as if you actually need a reason!). I remember rocking Michelle in her room while feeding her and just crying. Why? I don't know. I remember wanting so badly to be pregnant again. I truly missed it and I never though I would. I had constant neck pain from looking down at her and constant back pain from standing and leaning over to change her. And the headaches! Ouch! When your hormone levels are off the charts combined with no sleep whatsoever, you get the most painful headaches. And while breastfeeding, you're limited to Tylenol. I also had a clogged milk duct=low grade fever and achiness. NO FUN and super PAINFUL! I had also heard about some mom's getting spinal headaches and soreness where they'd received their epidural. I was so thankful at that point that I did not have an epidural because I don't think I could have handled much more. On top of all this, your body has just gone through labor and delivery! A huge thing! So, your body is trying to recuperate, but it is very difficult while getting no sleep!
 |
| Car ride home from hospital |
Yes....I was one of those mom's the first few weeks that charted everything Michelle did. When she last ate, peed, pooped, slept. It felt like I had things a little bit under control that way. One day Mark just grabbed the chart and threw it away. I was upset at first, and then over the next few days I became much more relaxed. Doctors say your baby needs to wet their diaper 6-8 times a day while newborns (so you know they are drinking enough). I was so terrified the day Michelle only wet 5 diapers. But you know what!? Babies can pee twice in one diaper...so how did I really know? The lack of the chart was the best thing that could have happened. And the baby poo...oh-my-goodness. I can't tell you how many times I had to start laundry at 2 AM because Michelle had exploded all over her crib, clothes and me! Not funny at the time, but looking back, it is hilarious!
So, while this may be enough to make you say, "Wait, am I really ready for this?" No one is ever ready. But, the joy of having a child is the best thing in the world. While those first few weeks (or even months) may be difficult, it is truly worth it.
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| Daddy and Michelle first week home |
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