It has officially been one year since Coraline Rose was born. I almost can't believe it. It feels like the year flew by. She has truly grown so much. I know she is still very much a baby, but I feel like she has gotten so big compared to that newborn who was placed on my chest a year ago today.
Every day, I am in awe of the magnificent blessing that has been given to me and Brian. I marvel at how strong her personality is. Cora is very determined and independent (except for when she just wants to cuddle). She is very vocal about her wants, needs, likes, and dislikes. She will wiggle, squirm, and climb to reach something she wants. She will pinch her lips shut and stare me down in a battle of the wills when I try to feed her a food she doesn't like (unless I hide it under another "yummy" food, in which case she will gobble it down). She walks and crawls where she wants to go, and sometimes it is very hard to convince her to change direction.
Cora is delighting in discovering the world around her. She loves to explore and is always curious about what I am doing. Sometimes, it can be a bit dangerous (trying to check out the inside of the oven or stick a finger in an electrical socket), but usually it is a wonderful thing to watch. Sure, I have to slow down in my tasks, but seeing them through her eyes makes them far less tedious. I love watching her "read" to herself, even though she can't talk just yet. She loves to point at pictures and babble, flipping pages back and forth.
Sometimes she is clingy and cuddly. These times are getting fewer and further between, so I try to cherish them. I love when she sits in my lap, or wants to be carried, or wants to nurse quietly. I know that all too soon the day will come when she doesn't want to do any of those things with me.
Sure, there are days when she is a bit "moody" and can't decide if she wants to be up or down, but those days are few and far between. I am so very happy being a mother, and I love watching Brian be a wonderful father. It has truly been the most wonderful year of our lives, and I look forward to watching Cora grow and blossom in the year to come.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Cooking for baby
Ever since Coraline was born, I have been so excited to feed her "real" food. Our doctor advised us to wait until she was 4-6 months old, and sure enough, a few days after the 4 month mark I was giving her a carrot-breast milk puree. She was anxious to try out "real" food too. She had been staring at us while we ate and grabbing for our food since she was two months old. Now, she is almost 9 months old and we have both been having a blast cooking and eating food.
I love to cook. I love to experiment with new recipes and flavors. Sometimes my experiments are epic disasters, but usually they turn out okay. I knew I would want to cook for my baby even before she was born. Once I learned I was pregnant, I started looking into baby recipes and the equipment I would need to prepare them. I settled on the Beaba Babycook Pro, and so far, I LOVE it. I sometimes use it to blend a little bit of fruit for a one-time, instant meal, but usually I use it to make a big batch of food. I will then freeze the food in 1 oz. portions using these ice cube trays. When it is time for a meal, I will pop the appropriate number of cubes into the Beaba, usually using a tiny container, and heat it up. Cora loves it. She loves trying new foods and textures (except for spinach, which must be disguised by other yummy foods) and I love watching her try them. I am trying to make sure she is exposed to a wide variety of tastes now and praying that it spares us from a picky eater later.
Some of my favorite recipes are from this book, but I also enjoy trying to come up with my own recipes. I also have started blending or chopping portions of whatever dinner I have made for Brian and myself. It is super easy and saves us money. Now that I have the Beaba, I find it to be convenient to have a piece of equipment specifically used for making baby food. However, I think it would be just as feasible to cook for Cora with my regular pots and pans and a blender. I also feel that she is getting more nutritious food than she would otherwise. I recently made a batch of chicken liver mixed with onions, potatoes, apples, and carrots; it is chock full of iron and other vitamins. I do let her eat prepackaged food. Cora loves eating cereal, yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, peanut butter, and crackers. She goes nuts for frozen yogurt when we let her have a bite of ours. I don't cook for Cora because I think that store-bought food is unhealthy. I mainly do it because I love to cook and I really love watching her enjoy what I cook.
I love to cook. I love to experiment with new recipes and flavors. Sometimes my experiments are epic disasters, but usually they turn out okay. I knew I would want to cook for my baby even before she was born. Once I learned I was pregnant, I started looking into baby recipes and the equipment I would need to prepare them. I settled on the Beaba Babycook Pro, and so far, I LOVE it. I sometimes use it to blend a little bit of fruit for a one-time, instant meal, but usually I use it to make a big batch of food. I will then freeze the food in 1 oz. portions using these ice cube trays. When it is time for a meal, I will pop the appropriate number of cubes into the Beaba, usually using a tiny container, and heat it up. Cora loves it. She loves trying new foods and textures (except for spinach, which must be disguised by other yummy foods) and I love watching her try them. I am trying to make sure she is exposed to a wide variety of tastes now and praying that it spares us from a picky eater later.
Some of my favorite recipes are from this book, but I also enjoy trying to come up with my own recipes. I also have started blending or chopping portions of whatever dinner I have made for Brian and myself. It is super easy and saves us money. Now that I have the Beaba, I find it to be convenient to have a piece of equipment specifically used for making baby food. However, I think it would be just as feasible to cook for Cora with my regular pots and pans and a blender. I also feel that she is getting more nutritious food than she would otherwise. I recently made a batch of chicken liver mixed with onions, potatoes, apples, and carrots; it is chock full of iron and other vitamins. I do let her eat prepackaged food. Cora loves eating cereal, yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, peanut butter, and crackers. She goes nuts for frozen yogurt when we let her have a bite of ours. I don't cook for Cora because I think that store-bought food is unhealthy. I mainly do it because I love to cook and I really love watching her enjoy what I cook.
Cora in January, before I figured out how to disguise spinach :-)
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
What a wonderful year!
2014 has been the best year of my life thus far. It really all comes down to Coraline. I started this year by publicly announcing our pregnancy, and it was certainly indicative of how the rest of the year would go. For Brian and I, 2014 was the year of the baby.
Coraline was born five and a half months ago, in July. Yes, there have been a few sleep-deprived nights, some diaper explosions, and a fair amount of spit-up. But I have never been happier in my life. Cora is such an easy baby. Brian and I know we are being spoiled by her, but being parents has brought us an incredible joy. She has a very sunny disposition and is usually happy, smiling, and laughing. She really only cries when she has an immediate and pressing need, like hunger, fatigue, or a dirty diaper. She started sleeping through the night before she was two months old, all on her own without any prompting on our part. We hope our good fortune continues!
Being a parent has colored my perspective of the world. I go through my day more slowly, more deliberately. I am finding great pleasure in the smallest of things. All of Coraline's accomplishments, no matter how small, are amazing to me. When she started to hold her head up by herself, I had an urge to take out an ad in the newspaper. I cheered as she rolled over for the first time. Every time she reaches for an object or stares in amazement at something new, I see it again through her eyes. This Christmas was the most exciting one in years; it was almost as exciting as being a kid again myself.
It's interesting how 2014 is coming to a close, but I don't feel like the year is over at all. In a way, my "year" is only half way over and won't be completed until Cora turns one. Still, I do look forward to 2015 and everything it will bring. If 2014 was any indication, 2015 will be awesome.
Coraline was born five and a half months ago, in July. Yes, there have been a few sleep-deprived nights, some diaper explosions, and a fair amount of spit-up. But I have never been happier in my life. Cora is such an easy baby. Brian and I know we are being spoiled by her, but being parents has brought us an incredible joy. She has a very sunny disposition and is usually happy, smiling, and laughing. She really only cries when she has an immediate and pressing need, like hunger, fatigue, or a dirty diaper. She started sleeping through the night before she was two months old, all on her own without any prompting on our part. We hope our good fortune continues!
Being a parent has colored my perspective of the world. I go through my day more slowly, more deliberately. I am finding great pleasure in the smallest of things. All of Coraline's accomplishments, no matter how small, are amazing to me. When she started to hold her head up by herself, I had an urge to take out an ad in the newspaper. I cheered as she rolled over for the first time. Every time she reaches for an object or stares in amazement at something new, I see it again through her eyes. This Christmas was the most exciting one in years; it was almost as exciting as being a kid again myself.
It's interesting how 2014 is coming to a close, but I don't feel like the year is over at all. In a way, my "year" is only half way over and won't be completed until Cora turns one. Still, I do look forward to 2015 and everything it will bring. If 2014 was any indication, 2015 will be awesome.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Coraline Rose - The First Month
It has been so long since I've written anything. My life has definitely gotten much busier, and I have never been happier. It's amazing how much of your time and energy can be taken up by someone so small.
Coraline was born on July 17, 2014. It's been a little over a month, and already she has changed so much. Every day, she gets a little bit bigger. Her limbs get a little longer, her features get more defined, she spends more time awake, and she gets a little more interactive. I'm trying to savor every moment, but sometimes it feels like the days are flying by.
Brian and I are so fortunate. I am able to stay home, and Brian is able to do most of his work at home, only going into the school a few days a week. Cora eats well and (usually) sleeps pretty soundly. We are both able to spend a lot of time with her and give each other a break when we need one. We can go out and about just as much as we could before she was born; in fact, we probably go out more than we did before she was born. I have developed an immense respect for working moms and single parents. I feel tired and worn out, and I have the luxury of being able to nap whenever I want during the day and a wonderful, supportive husband. I cannot imagine being the sole parent or having to worry about job performance on top of taking care of a baby.
One of the most awesome things for me has been watching Brian be a father. He is so wonderful, caring, and involved. Coraline definitely loves falling asleep on his lap and cuddling with him on the couch. I have never been happier than when the three of us are just quietly being together as a family. We move much more slowly and things get done at a more relaxed pace, taking time to smell the roses. Life is pretty amazing right now.
Coraline was born on July 17, 2014. It's been a little over a month, and already she has changed so much. Every day, she gets a little bit bigger. Her limbs get a little longer, her features get more defined, she spends more time awake, and she gets a little more interactive. I'm trying to savor every moment, but sometimes it feels like the days are flying by.
Brian and I are so fortunate. I am able to stay home, and Brian is able to do most of his work at home, only going into the school a few days a week. Cora eats well and (usually) sleeps pretty soundly. We are both able to spend a lot of time with her and give each other a break when we need one. We can go out and about just as much as we could before she was born; in fact, we probably go out more than we did before she was born. I have developed an immense respect for working moms and single parents. I feel tired and worn out, and I have the luxury of being able to nap whenever I want during the day and a wonderful, supportive husband. I cannot imagine being the sole parent or having to worry about job performance on top of taking care of a baby.
One of the most awesome things for me has been watching Brian be a father. He is so wonderful, caring, and involved. Coraline definitely loves falling asleep on his lap and cuddling with him on the couch. I have never been happier than when the three of us are just quietly being together as a family. We move much more slowly and things get done at a more relaxed pace, taking time to smell the roses. Life is pretty amazing right now.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
How Not To Kill Your Baby 101
So this week Brian and I went to our first Prepared Childbirth class at the hospital where we will (hopefully) be delivering. It was kind of fun, and it was nice to meet other people who are expecting around the same time we are. The first class was all about signs and stages of labor. Brian and I both agreed that we didn't really learn anything we didn't already know. I guess that's what happens when you teach a bunch of high school students about the reproductive system and make your husband watch YouTube videos while planning your lessons.
Even though we didn't really learn anything at the last class, we are really looking forward to the future classes. Specifically, the ones where we get a tour of the maternity ward and learn infant CPR. I'm also looking forward to the class where we get to play with a baby doll. Sure, I've baby sat before and changed diapers, given bottles, etc., but I'm really hoping they go into more detail. Even if they don't, it will be good to review. I have started calling the class "How Not To Kill Your Baby 101" in my head.
Taking the class makes everything feel a bit more "real." As in holy crap, I'm well into the third trimester and July is coming up fast kind of real. And in a month or so I will be packing a bag to be ready to take to the hospital. 0_o Fun times!
Even though we didn't really learn anything at the last class, we are really looking forward to the future classes. Specifically, the ones where we get a tour of the maternity ward and learn infant CPR. I'm also looking forward to the class where we get to play with a baby doll. Sure, I've baby sat before and changed diapers, given bottles, etc., but I'm really hoping they go into more detail. Even if they don't, it will be good to review. I have started calling the class "How Not To Kill Your Baby 101" in my head.
Taking the class makes everything feel a bit more "real." As in holy crap, I'm well into the third trimester and July is coming up fast kind of real. And in a month or so I will be packing a bag to be ready to take to the hospital. 0_o Fun times!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Viability and Pregnancy Paranoia
Yesterday, I officially hit the 24 week mark in my pregnancy. Woohoo! Viability! This means that if our daughter should choose to make an early appearance, she would have a decent chance of survival (with a little help). Ideally, she waits until her due date, but it does take a lot of stress off of me.
I have been ridiculously paranoid this pregnancy. We had a bit of a scare at the beginning when I was spotting off and on for a few weeks. I keep setting goals for myself to stop worrying. "Once we go to the 8 week ultrasound and see the heartbeat, I'll stop worrying...once we hit the end of the first trimester and the risk of miscarriage drops, I'll stop worrying...once I feel the baby move every day, I'll stop worrying...once I hit the 24 week mark, I'll stop worrying."
Newsflash: I haven't stopped worrying. Most of the time, I merrily go about my day, living my life, very excited and hopeful about this baby. But every now and then, I have a moment of panic and terror. How long has it been since she moved last? Is she okay? Did I take my prenatal vitamin? Did I eat something that could hurt my baby? Was that last physical activity too strenuous? Was that shower/bath too hot? DID I JUST KILL MY BABY?!?!?!
So far, the moments are brief and pass quickly, and I laugh at myself for overreacting. It doesn't help to read about horror stories like cervical incompetence, placental abruption, amniotic fluid leaks, etc. After I read these stories, I sit there for a while trying to figure out if I have any of those symptoms. Was that round ligament pain or the beginnings of an early labor cramp? Is my discharge waterier than usual? I don't know, what was it like before? And it doesn't end with things that could be happening to my body. I have never enjoyed driving, but suddenly it seems like the streets are filled with maniacs. Am I sitting too close to the steering wheel? Is that other car going to hit me? People in stores and other public places are suddenly crawling with infectious diseases. I just know that I am going to catch some terrible virus that could hurt my baby.
This state of paranoia is so foreign to me. I am usually a super calm, laid-back person. I know that the worrying never truly goes away, even after the baby is safely born. It just changes into a different type of worry. And I truly have relaxed a bit now that I can feel the baby move regularly and have reached the 24 week mark. And like I said, 95% of the time, I am very relaxed and excited about this pregnancy. But still...I worry.
I have been ridiculously paranoid this pregnancy. We had a bit of a scare at the beginning when I was spotting off and on for a few weeks. I keep setting goals for myself to stop worrying. "Once we go to the 8 week ultrasound and see the heartbeat, I'll stop worrying...once we hit the end of the first trimester and the risk of miscarriage drops, I'll stop worrying...once I feel the baby move every day, I'll stop worrying...once I hit the 24 week mark, I'll stop worrying."
Newsflash: I haven't stopped worrying. Most of the time, I merrily go about my day, living my life, very excited and hopeful about this baby. But every now and then, I have a moment of panic and terror. How long has it been since she moved last? Is she okay? Did I take my prenatal vitamin? Did I eat something that could hurt my baby? Was that last physical activity too strenuous? Was that shower/bath too hot? DID I JUST KILL MY BABY?!?!?!
So far, the moments are brief and pass quickly, and I laugh at myself for overreacting. It doesn't help to read about horror stories like cervical incompetence, placental abruption, amniotic fluid leaks, etc. After I read these stories, I sit there for a while trying to figure out if I have any of those symptoms. Was that round ligament pain or the beginnings of an early labor cramp? Is my discharge waterier than usual? I don't know, what was it like before? And it doesn't end with things that could be happening to my body. I have never enjoyed driving, but suddenly it seems like the streets are filled with maniacs. Am I sitting too close to the steering wheel? Is that other car going to hit me? People in stores and other public places are suddenly crawling with infectious diseases. I just know that I am going to catch some terrible virus that could hurt my baby.
This state of paranoia is so foreign to me. I am usually a super calm, laid-back person. I know that the worrying never truly goes away, even after the baby is safely born. It just changes into a different type of worry. And I truly have relaxed a bit now that I can feel the baby move regularly and have reached the 24 week mark. And like I said, 95% of the time, I am very relaxed and excited about this pregnancy. But still...I worry.
Friday, March 7, 2014
The Last Vacation
This week Brian and I went down to Charleston for his Spring Break. Despite the cold, rainy weather, it was a lovely relaxing trip. We got to see Fort Sumter, see Grandma Zinser, and tour the aquarium. We ate delicious food that I didn't have to prepare, and in the mornings and evenings we could look out over the harbor and enjoy the view. It was a much-needed break for both of us, and the relaxed pace was great for my lower energy levels.
It was a bittersweet vacation. This will be the last vacation where it is just the two of us for many, many years. From now until our daughter comes, all of our other trips will be to visit and stay with family. After our daughter comes, we will be bringing her along for many years to come. We are so excited to start this new chapter in our lives, but we are still a little bit sad to see this one end.
And so we begin to prepare for our little bundle of joy to arrive. We have already received some clothes and blankets and started to clear out the craft room (soon to be a nursery). I have been feeling her move inside me, sometimes with gentle flutters, sometimes with strong, forceful kicks (those have been getting more frequent). It took us a while to settle on a name, but we finally did, and now we speak to her and sing to her. We decided to keep the name a secret until she is born for several reasons. First, we wanted something to be a surprise when she is born. Second, if people don't like the name, they won't be as likely to tell us if it's already done. And finally, if we change our minds between now and then, there won't be any awkward questions.
Sometimes it seems like July will never get here, and sometimes it feels like it is right around the corner. I have to think about time in terms of the next doctor's appointment (every 4 weeks), or I would go crazy. I will miss these little vacations with just Brian. I will miss being able to travel on a whim at the drop of a hat. But I am more than happy to trade those things in for a life with our daughter.
It was a bittersweet vacation. This will be the last vacation where it is just the two of us for many, many years. From now until our daughter comes, all of our other trips will be to visit and stay with family. After our daughter comes, we will be bringing her along for many years to come. We are so excited to start this new chapter in our lives, but we are still a little bit sad to see this one end.
And so we begin to prepare for our little bundle of joy to arrive. We have already received some clothes and blankets and started to clear out the craft room (soon to be a nursery). I have been feeling her move inside me, sometimes with gentle flutters, sometimes with strong, forceful kicks (those have been getting more frequent). It took us a while to settle on a name, but we finally did, and now we speak to her and sing to her. We decided to keep the name a secret until she is born for several reasons. First, we wanted something to be a surprise when she is born. Second, if people don't like the name, they won't be as likely to tell us if it's already done. And finally, if we change our minds between now and then, there won't be any awkward questions.
Sometimes it seems like July will never get here, and sometimes it feels like it is right around the corner. I have to think about time in terms of the next doctor's appointment (every 4 weeks), or I would go crazy. I will miss these little vacations with just Brian. I will miss being able to travel on a whim at the drop of a hat. But I am more than happy to trade those things in for a life with our daughter.
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