Why do our little ones fight it? They either get super grumpy, super silly, or just listless.
I know he's tired. His dad knows he's tired. But, to ask him, he'll tell you "nooooooooooooooooooooo mommy". He gets mega restless and starts climbing all over you. This could just be cabin fever, typical crazy boy behaviour, or he's tired. We've got him in enough activities, crafts, toys, books, baking together at home, and cartoons on demand and video to keep him entertained. We STILL have to do the car ride trick to get him to take a nap. He needs it. If we have to resort to the car ride, buddy falls asleep before we hit the next block!
Now, with my little one, it's a bit different. He loves to be held. Who doesn't? But, to keep my sanity and to get laundry, dishes, and food ready, I cannot hold you 24-hrs. Sometimes, I submit and just hold him while he sleeps (trust me I love it, but I learned from the first one, if you don't put them down, you'll be holding them while you go to the bathroom too!) but, sometimes holding him just isn't enough.
He's already fed, burped, and has a clean diaper. So, he rubs his eyes. Is being fussy. I know he's tired. His father knows he's tired. But, to ask him, he'll tell you "waaaaaaaaaaah". So, my last resort after doing the monkey dance bounce-shuffle, I bust out the FIVE S.
I hold him side ways and monkey dance bounce in the bathroom with the lights off and the fan on. We don't do the pacifier. Heard too many nightmare stories from other parents. i.e. can't get rid of them when they get older, they cry in the crib when it falls out of their mouth every 2 minutes, it wrecks their teeth. Works EVERY time.
Don't know the Five S's to calming your baby? Google it, or here's some info from a site:
* Swaddling - Tight swaddling provides the continuous touching and support the fetus experienced while still in Mom's womb.
* Side/stomach position - You place your baby, while holding her, either on her left side to aid in digestion, or on her stomach to provide reassuring support. Once your baby is happily asleep, you can safely put her in her crib, on her back.
* Shushing Sounds - These sounds imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through arteries near the womb. This white noise can be in the form of a vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, a fan and so on. The good news is that you can easily save the motors on your household appliances and get a white noise CD which can be played over and over again with no worries.
* Swinging - Newborns are used to the swinging motions that were present when they were still in Mom's womb. Every step mom took, every movement caused a swinging motion for your baby. After your baby is born, this calming motion, which was so comforting and familiar, is abruptly taken away. Your baby misses the motion and has a difficult time getting used to it not being there. "It's disorienting and unnatural," says Karp. Rocking, car rides, and other swinging movements all can help.
* Sucking - "Sucking has its effects deep within the nervous system," notes Karp, "and triggers the calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain." This "S" can be accomplished with breast, bottle, pacifier or even a finger.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Being Polite or Indecisive?
Remember, back in the day you could just call up your buddy and meet up for some good times. Nowadays, trying to decide when and where to eat as a group can get too ridiculous. That's about a million emails, texts, or phone calls just to see if the person you are talking to and their partner are free. If you also have kids, then you have to include their social calendar too. This week and next week doesn't work for us, the week after isn't good for you. How's the first week next month? Oh brother.
We tried to make plans for lunch with a couple that are good friends of ours. 20 emails later, we have a date and time. We'll figure out where later. That should be easy right? There was a lot of "we're flexible". They know we have a picky toddler, so they were probably just trying to be kind and go with what would be palatable for The Boy. We've brought them to most of our local haunts, plus the chickee was on a time restraint, so we were flexible for them to choose. Closer to home so she'd make it on time, but also we could try a new place that we haven't been to before. Where do YOU go out to eat? That's me making a decision. I want to go where YOU eat.
Well, there were a few phone calls in the morning, websites checked (todine.com, chowhound.ca), and we all were still being 'flexible'. After an hour after the first morning call, I just wanted someone to be INFLEXIBLE and choose. Where is the pregnant lady who has a craving when we need her? Or maybe a 'pushy' person who will just not care what everyone else wants and stake their claim.
Usually, that's me. Pregnant or pushy. At one point, both! I have been brainwashed to label myself pushy. As a woman, that's what they call you. I would prefer to call it decisive. On my résumé, it's listed as "strong decision-making skills ensuring objectives are exceeded". I'm still having rough nights getting the baby to sleep through the night, so my decision-making and patience were not in effect. Just picture yourself on a Monday morning boardroom meeting with 4-hrs sleep. You see how I feel?
We finally narrowed it down to two choices. Greek or Pho. Since we don't know a good Pho place (someone please comment of a good one in the north-east end. Markham, Richmond Hill, but no further than Scarborough) we went with Greek. We took them to a place we've been to a couple of times. They have good tzatziki. And now, we have our next meet-up decided. Pho!
You just cannot satisfy everyone. To try to do so, will only make for frustration. Be it lunch or other decisions in your life. Find out the constraints (in this case, time) and benefits (in this case, satisfying our food cravings), budgets (nobody wanted to have to wear a gown nor tux), transportation, blah blah blah (uh oh...paralysis by analysis again) to consider, but K.I.S.S., it's lunch!
disclaimer: to the couple we met with. if you recognize yourself here, trust that we love you guys and enjoy your company. can't wait to eat pho!
We tried to make plans for lunch with a couple that are good friends of ours. 20 emails later, we have a date and time. We'll figure out where later. That should be easy right? There was a lot of "we're flexible". They know we have a picky toddler, so they were probably just trying to be kind and go with what would be palatable for The Boy. We've brought them to most of our local haunts, plus the chickee was on a time restraint, so we were flexible for them to choose. Closer to home so she'd make it on time, but also we could try a new place that we haven't been to before. Where do YOU go out to eat? That's me making a decision. I want to go where YOU eat.
Well, there were a few phone calls in the morning, websites checked (todine.com, chowhound.ca), and we all were still being 'flexible'. After an hour after the first morning call, I just wanted someone to be INFLEXIBLE and choose. Where is the pregnant lady who has a craving when we need her? Or maybe a 'pushy' person who will just not care what everyone else wants and stake their claim.
Usually, that's me. Pregnant or pushy. At one point, both! I have been brainwashed to label myself pushy. As a woman, that's what they call you. I would prefer to call it decisive. On my résumé, it's listed as "strong decision-making skills ensuring objectives are exceeded". I'm still having rough nights getting the baby to sleep through the night, so my decision-making and patience were not in effect. Just picture yourself on a Monday morning boardroom meeting with 4-hrs sleep. You see how I feel?
We finally narrowed it down to two choices. Greek or Pho. Since we don't know a good Pho place (someone please comment of a good one in the north-east end. Markham, Richmond Hill, but no further than Scarborough) we went with Greek. We took them to a place we've been to a couple of times. They have good tzatziki. And now, we have our next meet-up decided. Pho!
You just cannot satisfy everyone. To try to do so, will only make for frustration. Be it lunch or other decisions in your life. Find out the constraints (in this case, time) and benefits (in this case, satisfying our food cravings), budgets (nobody wanted to have to wear a gown nor tux), transportation, blah blah blah (uh oh...paralysis by analysis again) to consider, but K.I.S.S., it's lunch!
disclaimer: to the couple we met with. if you recognize yourself here, trust that we love you guys and enjoy your company. can't wait to eat pho!
[polldaddy poll=4504689]
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Di Ackee 'n Salt Fish make mi LOSE
It was an awesome foody night of amazing Jamaican food cooked by with love by the parental units.
The night's eats included:
They don't cook this often enough for me, so diet schmiet. I had 2nd and 3rds! And the perfect drink to compliment the feast was Champagne Cola, Ting, Pineapple drink
I guess it shouldn't be totally shocking that I lost this weeks weigh-in.
I have slacked for 4 days now. Not noting my food intake on myfitnesspal.com. Eating at the Southern BBQ joint with less restraint. Not doing the snacks-in-between-meals. And the icing on the cake was the delicious goodness of mommy and daddy's cooking.
I gained one pound from last week. Had to give back The Brother's $5 I won last week. It hurt. I won't lie. You'd think I would have smarten up over the weekend. Nope. Had 4 cookies yesterday. 2 cupcakes today.
Perhaps putting it "out there" will put the proverbial Scarlett Letter F (for fatty) will get me back to mental discipline starting....tomorrow.
I need to finish the left overs I brought home!
The night's eats included:
- Oxtail
- Ackee & Salt Fish
- Mackerel Fish
- Dumplings
- Breadfruit
- Rice and Peas with Salt Pork
- Boiled Yams
They don't cook this often enough for me, so diet schmiet. I had 2nd and 3rds! And the perfect drink to compliment the feast was Champagne Cola, Ting, Pineapple drink
I guess it shouldn't be totally shocking that I lost this weeks weigh-in.
I have slacked for 4 days now. Not noting my food intake on myfitnesspal.com. Eating at the Southern BBQ joint with less restraint. Not doing the snacks-in-between-meals. And the icing on the cake was the delicious goodness of mommy and daddy's cooking.
I gained one pound from last week. Had to give back The Brother's $5 I won last week. It hurt. I won't lie. You'd think I would have smarten up over the weekend. Nope. Had 4 cookies yesterday. 2 cupcakes today.
Perhaps putting it "out there" will put the proverbial Scarlett Letter F (for fatty) will get me back to mental discipline starting....tomorrow.
I need to finish the left overs I brought home!
Layered Jello
Layered Jello – is so cool looking and tastes great!
Ingredients:
different jello flavours
can of condensed milk
gelatin package
boiling water
Instructions:
1. make one jello flavour as per package’s instructions
2. in another bowl, mix condensed milk and boiling water until well blended. stir in gelatin package.
3. ladle jello into container, place into fridge.
4. once jello is set, ladle a layer of condensed milk mixture. place back into fridge.
5. repeat steps 1, 3, and 4
note: replace water with juice to add more vitamins and switch up the flavour combo! mango juice with strawberry jello
Ingredients:
different jello flavours
can of condensed milk
gelatin package
boiling water
Instructions:
1. make one jello flavour as per package’s instructions
2. in another bowl, mix condensed milk and boiling water until well blended. stir in gelatin package.
3. ladle jello into container, place into fridge.
4. once jello is set, ladle a layer of condensed milk mixture. place back into fridge.
5. repeat steps 1, 3, and 4
note: replace water with juice to add more vitamins and switch up the flavour combo! mango juice with strawberry jello
J-E-L-L-O
What else can I feed The Boy that will help him get all his nutrients. He loves to help in the kitchen, so trying to find recipes that doesn't involve a whole bunch of chopping isn't always easy. I become the sous chef, and then I'll call him over to be my mixer. He's also a great 'go-for'.
Last night, it was Jello time. It's powdered sugar with gelatin and colour. Great.
So, to bump up the nutritious value we added blueberries and grapes. We used Arthur's Smoothie Juice instead of water. BAM! Just had him eating more fruit in one dessert! Used clear plastic cups so he could see the suspended fruit.
He's had one already and wants more. Dude, it's a snack/dessert, not a meal.
Layered Jello - is so cool looking and tastes great!
Recipe:
different jello flavours
can of condensed milk
gelatin package
boiling water
1. make one jello flavour as per package's instructions
2. in another bowl, mix condensed milk and boiling water until well blended. stir in gelatin package.
3. ladle jello into container, place into fridge.
4. once jello is set, ladle a layer of condensed milk mixture. place back into fridge.
5. repeat steps 1, 3, and 4
note: replace water with juice to add more vitamins and switch up the flavour combo! mango juice with strawberry jello
Last night, it was Jello time. It's powdered sugar with gelatin and colour. Great.
So, to bump up the nutritious value we added blueberries and grapes. We used Arthur's Smoothie Juice instead of water. BAM! Just had him eating more fruit in one dessert! Used clear plastic cups so he could see the suspended fruit.
He's had one already and wants more. Dude, it's a snack/dessert, not a meal.
Layered Jello - is so cool looking and tastes great!
Recipe:
different jello flavours
can of condensed milk
gelatin package
boiling water
1. make one jello flavour as per package's instructions
2. in another bowl, mix condensed milk and boiling water until well blended. stir in gelatin package.
3. ladle jello into container, place into fridge.
4. once jello is set, ladle a layer of condensed milk mixture. place back into fridge.
5. repeat steps 1, 3, and 4
note: replace water with juice to add more vitamins and switch up the flavour combo! mango juice with strawberry jello
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Warning Signs
I am overjoyed to see that there were many hits on the post about how we found out that Franklin's kidneys were dying.
It was a bit difficult to write. To re-feel those emotions brought a few old tears that I shed back then. And then I read the post to Franklin and we hugged and talked about life's possibilities and responsibilities back then. One thing that's still going positively strong is our love for each other. This disease has tested our strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, both individually, as a twosome, and as a family. Some days we are winners.
But, I digress. In this post I wanted to share the warning signs that may indicate that you have kidney problems. As mentioned in the Lifetime Journey post, a big indicator was the high blood pressure/headaches. That was the early signs. But, as things progressed and his kidney function deteriorated to less than 10% there were more signs.
On The Kidney Foundation of Canada on Facebook they asked people to share what symptoms they experienced.
Some of theirs that were shared from the people who have the disease were:
There are summarized lists on the internet like 10 Symptoms of Kidney Disease. But, the best advice I could give is to get a yearly physical and to always follow through with the tests/blood work the doctors asks you to do.
It is scary, especially when you've never known anyone who has it. But, you do. You know my family. You know my husband. Either personally, or through me, you know someone.
Please sign your donor card.
It was a bit difficult to write. To re-feel those emotions brought a few old tears that I shed back then. And then I read the post to Franklin and we hugged and talked about life's possibilities and responsibilities back then. One thing that's still going positively strong is our love for each other. This disease has tested our strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, both individually, as a twosome, and as a family. Some days we are winners.
But, I digress. In this post I wanted to share the warning signs that may indicate that you have kidney problems. As mentioned in the Lifetime Journey post, a big indicator was the high blood pressure/headaches. That was the early signs. But, as things progressed and his kidney function deteriorated to less than 10% there were more signs.
On The Kidney Foundation of Canada on Facebook they asked people to share what symptoms they experienced.
Some of theirs that were shared from the people who have the disease were:
- Puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet
- itchiness, low blood count, tired
- Tired, swelling, high blood pressure, itching, unexplained nauseous feeling, appetite change..to name a few
- Don't forget the headaches, yellowing of the eyes and metallic tastes on the tongue if you're experiencing uremia.
- For me, food and beverages tasted horrible as well. Even after being diagnosed, I lost 80 lbs in 3 months. Took them a while to find a med that worked for me.
- Passing blood in the urine sent me to get diagnosed
- don't forget dark concentrated urine. it was foamy
- Flank pain was how my problems were discovered.
- leg and feet cramping, nausea, cold , blue knuckles and blue lace lines on my thighs , serious mid back pain up to my neck and down my arm
There are summarized lists on the internet like 10 Symptoms of Kidney Disease. But, the best advice I could give is to get a yearly physical and to always follow through with the tests/blood work the doctors asks you to do.
It is scary, especially when you've never known anyone who has it. But, you do. You know my family. You know my husband. Either personally, or through me, you know someone.
Please sign your donor card.
[polldaddy poll=4505113]
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Beginning of this Lifetime Journey
A lovely lady messaged me about The Husband.
"Hi Eleisa,
How are you?? Good blogs.. I read all your posts.. they are definitely interesting.. one question popped in my mind when I read the latest blog. You mentioned that Franklin has been go through dialysis for 10 years.. Exactly how did he get it?? It seems scary. I want to do everything possible to not get it.
Hope you and the family are doing well!!"
I've been meaning to tell her what the history was. Well, at least how it started and how we found out. What were the signs? What effect it had on him? on me? on our relationship?
We're in our early twenties and we don't know what is happening and why is it happening. It starts with really bad headaches. At first Extra Strength Tylonal would help. Then the headaches got worse and the Tylonal wasn't helping anymore. It was to the point where he would be in bed holding his head squirming and groaning in pain while in the dark.
Finally, he went to see the doctor. His blood pressure (BP) was 280/140. The doctor advised to get to Emergency right away. That's when he called me to meet him there. He didn't sound different then he usually did, so I didn't understand the urgency. When I met him there, the doctors said he's lucky he was young. Anyone else with that BP would be considered having a heart attack.
This is how we learned his kidney was dying.
A lot of emotions are going through our hearts. How could this happen? Why him? NO ONE in his family has kidney failure. What is his future? Will he live? Do I stay with him? Where do we go from here? When did this start? Could he have prevented it? Many of those questions we still ask ourselves today.
After some reflection, we believe it started when he ruptured his kidneys while playing rugby while in high school. Franklin researched our hunches and there are studies that show that people who have injured their kidneys are 70% more likely to have kidney problems later in life. So, take care of your kidneys.
I remember my dad asking me if I was sure I knew what I was getting myself into. He caveat-ed the harsh reality with "as your dad I just was to make sure you know what you're getting into." Only a parent who loves you and wants only the best for you would ask that. I understand where he is coming from. We are not married. I still have a choice to leave. The future with a partner who is terminally ill will be difficult to say the least.
I still have the same response today as I did all those years ago. I want to spend everyday with him even if it is for 1-yr or 50-yrs. I want to enjoy my life with him for as long as we both shall live.
I still have personal fears. Being alone at 50 with two (maybe three if I can convince him and we are so blessed :) ) and spending my golden years alone. That's the biggest one. But, even with that, I still want to experience every up and down with him. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.
Read the next chapter in Please put him on dialysis Doc post.
or
Read more stories about living with kidney failure from the spouses (my) perspective with posts from the Kidney Failure category.
"Hi Eleisa,
How are you?? Good blogs.. I read all your posts.. they are definitely interesting.. one question popped in my mind when I read the latest blog. You mentioned that Franklin has been go through dialysis for 10 years.. Exactly how did he get it?? It seems scary. I want to do everything possible to not get it.
Hope you and the family are doing well!!"
I've been meaning to tell her what the history was. Well, at least how it started and how we found out. What were the signs? What effect it had on him? on me? on our relationship?
We're in our early twenties and we don't know what is happening and why is it happening. It starts with really bad headaches. At first Extra Strength Tylonal would help. Then the headaches got worse and the Tylonal wasn't helping anymore. It was to the point where he would be in bed holding his head squirming and groaning in pain while in the dark.
Finally, he went to see the doctor. His blood pressure (BP) was 280/140. The doctor advised to get to Emergency right away. That's when he called me to meet him there. He didn't sound different then he usually did, so I didn't understand the urgency. When I met him there, the doctors said he's lucky he was young. Anyone else with that BP would be considered having a heart attack.
This is how we learned his kidney was dying.
A lot of emotions are going through our hearts. How could this happen? Why him? NO ONE in his family has kidney failure. What is his future? Will he live? Do I stay with him? Where do we go from here? When did this start? Could he have prevented it? Many of those questions we still ask ourselves today.
After some reflection, we believe it started when he ruptured his kidneys while playing rugby while in high school. Franklin researched our hunches and there are studies that show that people who have injured their kidneys are 70% more likely to have kidney problems later in life. So, take care of your kidneys.
I remember my dad asking me if I was sure I knew what I was getting myself into. He caveat-ed the harsh reality with "as your dad I just was to make sure you know what you're getting into." Only a parent who loves you and wants only the best for you would ask that. I understand where he is coming from. We are not married. I still have a choice to leave. The future with a partner who is terminally ill will be difficult to say the least.
I still have the same response today as I did all those years ago. I want to spend everyday with him even if it is for 1-yr or 50-yrs. I want to enjoy my life with him for as long as we both shall live.
I still have personal fears. Being alone at 50 with two (maybe three if I can convince him and we are so blessed :) ) and spending my golden years alone. That's the biggest one. But, even with that, I still want to experience every up and down with him. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.
Read the next chapter in Please put him on dialysis Doc post.
or
Read more stories about living with kidney failure from the spouses (my) perspective with posts from the Kidney Failure category.
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