Yep, Nyomi is a whopping 8 month's old! Can you believe it? I can. It's been an amazing 8 months, and I can truly say "Happy Mother's Day to me!" I have the best, most amazing, most adaptable, most chill, darling ever! I feel like I'll blink and we'll be singing "Happy Birthday!"
As I sit here listening to her cry, knowing that in 5 minutes she'll be asleep, I mentally pat myself on the back, for finally doing what needed to be done (despite how much it hurt my heart) and embarking on sleep training. It's been over 3 weeks now, and she's down to either no crying to go to sleep, or 10 minutes or less and then fast asleep through the night. Every now and then, she wakes up through the night, but getting her back to sleep is easier than ever, and doesn't require me nursing her! I pat myself on the back for being a great mom...I mean obviously I am, right? :-)
However, as I think of the past year and a half; the ups and downs, the long nights and even longer days; the moments when I thought I couldn't do it anymore...I take those pats on the back from me and I place them on the backs of every family member, friend, counselor, volunteer, and helping hand that has supported my daughter and I even before she arrived. The support, in whatever way given, has provided me the strength I need to go on. To be the best mother I can be. To not have to worry about certain things, has allowed me to focus on making sure my daughter's life is stress, drama, and burden free!
People comment frequently on how all Nyomi does is smile. When she does cry, it comes as a shock to most; and usually indicates I have taken too long to feed her, or kept her awake too long. However, all in all, she is constantly smiling! But it's because she really doesn't know anything else! She's never seen mommy in an argument, nor seen mommy crying or depressed. Nor has she seen mommy anxious and wallowing in self-pity. With God's help, she will never be exposed to these behaviors. Seeing mommy happy is all she knows. So aside from basic instict, my daughter has no other learned behaviors but smiling and being happy.
I literally want to get up and shout at the top of my lungs right now! If it wasn't for God's grace and Him loving me when I felt I didn't deserve to be loved, I would have passed those negative feelings on to my daughter. Gosh! If it weren't for my family and friends, etc that have given me a word of encouragement, provided our needs, and been prayor warriors, I would be in a different place right now.
So anyway, to sum it up...I'm no island...peninsula maybe. And my circle of support is one strong isthmus.
What's that? Silence...less than 10 minutes since beginning my post; Nyomi is asleep. High five to you...you know who you are. You rock. And by the way--Happy Mother's Day to you too, regardless of your gender.
Until next time, even when you think you've pulled yourself up by your bootstraps, remember those who bought you the boots in the first place!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
In Retrospect...
Soooo...it's been a minute, huh? Motherhood has been awesome so far! My daughter is a beautiful, even-tempered, smart (did I mention beautiful?) little girl. She has made me so very happy about my decision to be a mom. She loves to laugh, is silly like her mommy, and amazes me every day with how fast she learns. The world is definitely her play ground. And she is absolutely the joy in my life!
Do you feel the love?? Good. Moving on.
Unfortunately, despite all the wonderful reasons I love my daughter, the past few weeks have been a steady progression toward the realization that I've created a sleep monster!! LOL. Not literally, but seriously. My daughter is demanding like her mom, and I've allowed her to develop some not-so-attractive sleep behaviors. Not to mention, since I'm a nursing mom, and I pretty much feed on demand, she's gotten used to eating all through the night (sleeping with me) and pretty much running things.
Well today, I made a decision to take a stand against this little tyrant. She don't run nothing! (except my heart) But anyway...I said I wouldn't, but I realize that nothing else has worked--I tried CIO again, for like the 4th time, but I finally stuck to my guns and let her cry until she fell asleep. She really whined most of the time, but all-in-all the total time before falling asleep was 45 minutes.
Of course, I nursed her then read a book before bed time, and plan to follow this routine every night, regardless of bed time. Yes, to bed at the same time every night is preferred, and recommended, but how realistic is that when I work varying hours and attend extracurricular events throughout the week? Not very.
I really expected her to shriek for more than 30 minutes as she has in every other attempt made in the past, but she really just whined and fussed me out in her baby talk. Before I knew it, I didn't hear any more noise, and she was fast asleep. I only checked on her once, but it seemed to make her even more animated, so I decided against going in again. After all, I believe she is past the point of thinking I won't be there.Ever.Again.
As I type, 2 hours later, she has awakened again. She started off with a grunt--clearly saying "mommy, I'm awake, you can come get me now." Then that turned into distressed babble and fussing and has stayed that way for the past 10 minutes. But she has yet to get loud enough to turn on her voice activated sleep machine...that says a lot! There are 1 minute intervals between her fussing now...which let's me know she is either almost back asleep, or she's listening to see if I'm coming. LOL. Sorry hon, I'm not.
I'm gonna turn over, and get me some shut eye--finally.
And just that fast, no more fussing. Hmph. Seems I should have put my foot down sooner. Ah, well. All in due time right?
Until next time, remember that no one can convince you when the right time for ANYTHING is. When it's time--you'll know.
Do you feel the love?? Good. Moving on.
Unfortunately, despite all the wonderful reasons I love my daughter, the past few weeks have been a steady progression toward the realization that I've created a sleep monster!! LOL. Not literally, but seriously. My daughter is demanding like her mom, and I've allowed her to develop some not-so-attractive sleep behaviors. Not to mention, since I'm a nursing mom, and I pretty much feed on demand, she's gotten used to eating all through the night (sleeping with me) and pretty much running things.
Well today, I made a decision to take a stand against this little tyrant. She don't run nothing! (except my heart) But anyway...I said I wouldn't, but I realize that nothing else has worked--I tried CIO again, for like the 4th time, but I finally stuck to my guns and let her cry until she fell asleep. She really whined most of the time, but all-in-all the total time before falling asleep was 45 minutes.
Of course, I nursed her then read a book before bed time, and plan to follow this routine every night, regardless of bed time. Yes, to bed at the same time every night is preferred, and recommended, but how realistic is that when I work varying hours and attend extracurricular events throughout the week? Not very.
I really expected her to shriek for more than 30 minutes as she has in every other attempt made in the past, but she really just whined and fussed me out in her baby talk. Before I knew it, I didn't hear any more noise, and she was fast asleep. I only checked on her once, but it seemed to make her even more animated, so I decided against going in again. After all, I believe she is past the point of thinking I won't be there.Ever.Again.
As I type, 2 hours later, she has awakened again. She started off with a grunt--clearly saying "mommy, I'm awake, you can come get me now." Then that turned into distressed babble and fussing and has stayed that way for the past 10 minutes. But she has yet to get loud enough to turn on her voice activated sleep machine...that says a lot! There are 1 minute intervals between her fussing now...which let's me know she is either almost back asleep, or she's listening to see if I'm coming. LOL. Sorry hon, I'm not.
I'm gonna turn over, and get me some shut eye--finally.
And just that fast, no more fussing. Hmph. Seems I should have put my foot down sooner. Ah, well. All in due time right?
Until next time, remember that no one can convince you when the right time for ANYTHING is. When it's time--you'll know.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
So what, I'm still a rockstar!
OMGoodness! The holiday season has come and gone, and Nyomi is yet another month old! Gosh, how time flies...
So, as you know, Nyomi took her first flight a few weeks ago. She was SO amazingly wonderful! Thank God her ears gave her no problems...it's as if the take off lulled her to sleep! I did nurse her upon take off and landing, as I've read that helps her ears pop. Otherwise, I didn't do anything special. The times that she was awake, she just sat quietly taking in all the sights around her. On one flight, she was sitting across from an 11 month old little girl, and she couldn't get enough of trying to make eye contact with her so they could giggle and baby talk to each other. It was super cute! Every guest in my vicinity, as well as the flight attendants commented on how good of a baby she is. I just smiled, and said, "Yep, I know." LOL.
What a relief it was though [that she proved to be a great flyer] , because you should have seen the people's faces when they realized I was coming to sit at their same gate. I can imagine it is the same face I've given dozens of time when I was "sans baby," and saw an infant boarding my flight. I mean, I'm not offended by it, because there is always that chance that your baby will be screaming the entire flight...but not my baby...Nyomi has proven to be the most spectacular little lady since conception.
But I digress...you guys know I could go on and on about her and never bat an eye. Travel with her was highly different than traveling alone; I didn't have more bags, but making sure what I needed was on board and not under the plane was key. After the flight to ATL, I pretty much had it down to a science of how I'd carry her (in a holster/sling), my baby bag on right shoulder, and my rolling carry-on in left hand. I was dressed to impress (in cute flat boots of course) and breezing through the corridors like a pro! I was right proud of myself [chuckle]. Okay, I'm gonna share this, and DON'T JUDGE ME! I pretended like I was a celebrity traveling, and I had to be on my A game [fashion-wise], plus successfully look like a caring, well-prepared, doting mother. Ha! It worked though, I felt the paparazzi at every turn, trying to snap shots of Nyomi, which is why I made sure her head was covered. She--being the star she is--was sure to look around the room giving the cameras her best angles! Bwahahaha...back to reality.
My imagination got a little carried away just now, but it's ok, that's how I stay young! I can't wait for Nyomi to get of age where we can pretend together, and frolic like I used to do as a little girl. But until that day...I will gladly just listen to her cooing, giggling and blowing bubbles.
Overall, our holiday break was fantastic. As soon as I walked through my mother's door, I smelled aromas of holiday food!!! For those of you who don't know what I mean...it was the smell of turkey, ham, mac n cheese, collard & mustard greens, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, cakes and pies! OMGEEE if I didn't hurt myself that week. There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING better to me than holiday meal leftovers...I'll eat them till their gone; and that's exactly what I set out to do.
Christmas day was wonderful and it felt surreal being the parent for the first time in 30 years...smiling so hard because you see the pleasure on your nieces faces at their gifts, and not really caring that there are hardly any gifts for you...never thought I'd see the day. Nyomi racked up on clothes, but of course she enjoyed just sitting there looking around. LOL.
Next year we should get some delight out of her, even if it's just tearing gift wrapping paper. LOL. Well, gotta go...Nyomi's just awakened and given me that "goodmorning Mommy" smile. I can't resist her!
Until next time, remember you're only as old as you feel...use that kid-like imagination sometimes; return to a place where life was exactly how you created it to be--and enjoy the moment!
So, as you know, Nyomi took her first flight a few weeks ago. She was SO amazingly wonderful! Thank God her ears gave her no problems...it's as if the take off lulled her to sleep! I did nurse her upon take off and landing, as I've read that helps her ears pop. Otherwise, I didn't do anything special. The times that she was awake, she just sat quietly taking in all the sights around her. On one flight, she was sitting across from an 11 month old little girl, and she couldn't get enough of trying to make eye contact with her so they could giggle and baby talk to each other. It was super cute! Every guest in my vicinity, as well as the flight attendants commented on how good of a baby she is. I just smiled, and said, "Yep, I know." LOL.
What a relief it was though [that she proved to be a great flyer] , because you should have seen the people's faces when they realized I was coming to sit at their same gate. I can imagine it is the same face I've given dozens of time when I was "sans baby," and saw an infant boarding my flight. I mean, I'm not offended by it, because there is always that chance that your baby will be screaming the entire flight...but not my baby...Nyomi has proven to be the most spectacular little lady since conception.
But I digress...you guys know I could go on and on about her and never bat an eye. Travel with her was highly different than traveling alone; I didn't have more bags, but making sure what I needed was on board and not under the plane was key. After the flight to ATL, I pretty much had it down to a science of how I'd carry her (in a holster/sling), my baby bag on right shoulder, and my rolling carry-on in left hand. I was dressed to impress (in cute flat boots of course) and breezing through the corridors like a pro! I was right proud of myself [chuckle]. Okay, I'm gonna share this, and DON'T JUDGE ME! I pretended like I was a celebrity traveling, and I had to be on my A game [fashion-wise], plus successfully look like a caring, well-prepared, doting mother. Ha! It worked though, I felt the paparazzi at every turn, trying to snap shots of Nyomi, which is why I made sure her head was covered. She--being the star she is--was sure to look around the room giving the cameras her best angles! Bwahahaha...back to reality.
My imagination got a little carried away just now, but it's ok, that's how I stay young! I can't wait for Nyomi to get of age where we can pretend together, and frolic like I used to do as a little girl. But until that day...I will gladly just listen to her cooing, giggling and blowing bubbles.
Overall, our holiday break was fantastic. As soon as I walked through my mother's door, I smelled aromas of holiday food!!! For those of you who don't know what I mean...it was the smell of turkey, ham, mac n cheese, collard & mustard greens, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, cakes and pies! OMGEEE if I didn't hurt myself that week. There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING better to me than holiday meal leftovers...I'll eat them till their gone; and that's exactly what I set out to do.
Christmas day was wonderful and it felt surreal being the parent for the first time in 30 years...smiling so hard because you see the pleasure on your nieces faces at their gifts, and not really caring that there are hardly any gifts for you...never thought I'd see the day. Nyomi racked up on clothes, but of course she enjoyed just sitting there looking around. LOL.
Next year we should get some delight out of her, even if it's just tearing gift wrapping paper. LOL. Well, gotta go...Nyomi's just awakened and given me that "goodmorning Mommy" smile. I can't resist her!
Until next time, remember you're only as old as you feel...use that kid-like imagination sometimes; return to a place where life was exactly how you created it to be--and enjoy the moment!
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