TGIF? Not for me.

January 29, 2010

I don’t know why, but I am just lacking patience today big time. Seems like all my Fridays are like this. Whereas most people enjoy Fridays, I do not especially, because by the end of the week, I am running on empty and the weekend is spent trying to tank up for the week ahead.

People tell me.. “Enjoy it while you can, because he won’t be little forever”. I get it, I really do. And I DO enjoy him. I love my son with all of my being. I devote all of my days (and parts of my nights) to him and his happiness and I truly enjoy most of it.

Toddlers are EXHAUSTING though. They are tenacious and full of energy and my boy seems to never need to nap or rest to recoup that energy. Although, by the end of the day, if he hasn’t taken an hour-long nap (or longer, but who are we kidding here?), he is a BEAR. He is downright awful to be around and super duper cranky. But, try as I might, he is not a child to be scheduled, so I have learned to watch signals. Yawning? Rubbing eyes? Whining more often than usual? Time for a nap. So, I attempt to get him down for a nap.

I do the whole naptime ritual at least twice a day. I read at least two books, usually more. He gets two homeopathic Hyland’s Teething Tablets and we “brush” our teeth. The music and white noise are carefully selected and then I lay down next to him on a mattress in his room. Usually, if the nap is going to stick, he falls asleep within 10 minutes and I transfer him to his crib and cover him up with blankets. If not, it’s very obvious and we go about our day.

On most days, one of naps does stick, but I am lucky if it lasts more than 30 minutes. That’s his average. Sometimes, the planets align and he takes an hour and a half nap, but that’s maybe once a week. Maybe. If I’m lucky.

I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. He has ample time to run around and play, both inside and outside (though lately it’s been dreadful weather, so the last few days we’ve skipped outdoor time). We get out of the house usually at least once a day to run errands, and he has a very large playroom inside where nothing is “off limits”. I am a stay-at-home-mom and have nothing else to do other than to take care of him and the house. I did sign him up at a local “The Little Gym” for a once a week class in the mornings. He loved the trial class. I am hoping that it will let him release some of that energy he has.

The two things that really bother me about his lack of naps is, first, that sleep is SO important for children his age (he is 15 months old), so I feel incredibly guilty and worried that he isn’t getting enough daytime sleep, and, second, that I resent the lack of time for me to recharge during the day.

So, what is the deal with my little guy not napping?

{ 6 comments }

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2009

Having a happy new year with my family at home. I’m folding laundry, Kevin is putting together our kitchen dining set and Binary Boy has been asleep for 2 hours! Wouldn’t have it any other way, either! 🙂

Hope you are happy and having fun wherever you are ringing in 2010!

PS – My two resolutions: do more yoga and post more to my blog! What are yours?

{ 4 comments }

Bittersweet

December 13, 2009

I managed to keep it together while reading “The Going to Bed Book” and my voice cracked a few times while reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, but I didn’t cry until I closed the door behind me after I put him down for his morning nap. He didn’t nurse yesterday or today (Dec. 13). He’s not yet 14 months, yet he’s already [almost?] weaned.

It’s been all him. I still offer him the option to nurse twice a day (morning and evening) and up until the point he is about to latch, he seems interested.. and then, he squirms his way up to sitting and points to another book on the shelf for me to read.

I know one of my jobs as his mom is to make him not need me, but why is it that I still want that closeness with him. Mother Nature can be so cruel.

{ 4 comments }

Babywearing

November 4, 2009

I’ve been babywearing Binary Boy since he was born. I first started with a sling, used it for about a week and decided that I didn’t really like it. Then I switched to a Mei Tai and used that for a while, but felt it wasn’t supportive enough for my back.

After doing some research and reading some blogs, I got an ERGObaby Carrier. And that is all I’ve ever used since. I am hooked! I still use it on a daily basis and especially enjoy shopping while babywearing Binary Boy. It keeps him close and I never have to worry about him if I have to leave the cart for a minute.

Ms. Babywearer herself, Stephanie, over at Adventures in Babywearing, asked for favorite babywearing photos. I only have a few, unfortunately. I will have to remedy that! However, choosing from the few that I have, here are my favorites:

I’ve removed the photos themselves, but here are the details:

  • Babywearing at the Texas State Capitol Building in Austin – March 27, 2009 – Binary Boy is 5 months old
  • Babywearing while sporting shades, June 1, 2009 – Binary Boy is just over 7 months old
  • Babywearing at Whole Foods, October 11, 2009 – Binary Boy is about two weeks away from his 1st birthday.

She has been featuring the winners of the Sakura Bloom Triathlon contest and it’s been fascinating to read about others who practice babywearing! Go take a look. Even if you’re not into babywearing, Stephanie’s writing and photos are captivating.

{ 9 comments }