Happy 11 months!

Today little Ohh is 11 months old. I just can't believe it! 1 more month til she is a year old. How did that happen?!

We had a fun weekend away in Kingston visiting family. I miss it there. Sometimes I wish I was back.

Here are some pictures from a wondeful weekend. It makes me wish we had a pool. Time to get some sleep...stupid cold.

What a week

It went from the crappiest ever to a wonderful much needed relaxing day at a spa with some great momma friends.

I was supposed to have a busy week of storytime, photo shoot for Ohh, swimming, and a little mommy/baby party at my house. Ending today with a pedicure and drinks. But of course things didn't go quite as planned. Our house ended up with some type stomach flu. I was MISERABLE! And trying to take care of my little girl was near impossible for a couple days, especially when she started to get sick. Thank goodness for a wonderful hubby that let me take some gravol and live next to the bathroom when he was home! (even if I wasn't appreciative at the time)

So this is what I learned about babies and having dirrhea. ( I want to document what happend to maybe help some other moms, and also to remind me of what to do, the next time it happens.)

• There is nothing you can do about it. My Dr at least thinks letting it run it's course is the best thing. Giving drugs to stop it aren't good because it's the bodies way of getting rid of some type of infection.
• The most dangerous thing is dehydration. Babies can die from this. You don't need to be super stressed, but you do need to be mindful and use your instincts.

When Ohh was at the peak of her sickness, she was much more tired, she would sleep her regular 11/12 hour night, then take a 3 hour nap 2-3 hours later, then take up to another 1-2 hour nap 2-3 hours after waking up again. I knew that she wasn't in "danger" mode because she was still relatively happy when she was awake, and would still play with her toys. If she hadn't been, then I would have been more worried.
The day she didn't eat so well, she also looked a little "spacey" or "lost". To others I'm sure she looked like a happy, hyper little baby, but DH and I kept saying to each other that something wasn't quite right for her. And we talked about how if we took here to the dr's they would think she was totally fine. Now I know that, that was a sign of some dehydration. And I will know how to deal with it for next time. Luckily though, she ate better the next day and was more herself again.

• In adults, not eating for a day is a good way to give your gut a break, but in babies that isn't an option, so feeding a diet that is full of banana's, apples, rice, starchy foods is the best idea.
• If on formula which is milk based, switching to pedialyte is best because the milk can be yucky on their tummies. (I`m not sure what you would do if they were on breast milk? would you still switch?) We were told to completely stop the formula and feed pedialyte until firm bm's were seen.
  

We gave it in the bottle, and she loved it. She drank quite a bit of it, which was good, and you could soon see her getting more energy, and getting back to her old self. It isn`t very filling, so she was more hungry for solids food!

My only regret in all of this, is that I hadn't called the Dr sooner. I mean I knew there wasn't much I could do, and I knew pedialyte was a good option, but I didn't realize that you replaced it completely from the formula. I had also been too sick to make it too the store, so from now on I will have at least one container on hand just in case for the next time. Next time I will know to start this plan sooner.

So I know have a new found respect when other mothers tell me they are sick (especially with the stomach flu) and have a baby to take care of, whether they are sick or not. It really is the worst thing around. Maybe I`m just a wuss, but I just wanted to sleep, and was glad when she was sleeping more too. Its the only time I`ve wished little Ohh was old enough to take care of herself. Bad mom? No I don't think so, just a sick one!

But now I`m back to feeling wonderful, and oh so glad to be able to mother my little girl.
Good news is, she was in a great mood today, and had a "firm" poop for the first time in 4-5 days. So we restarted formula, and await for the next "movement". If its still firm, then I'm satisfied that we've survived our first but certainly not our last stomach flu!


P.s...we found a daycare!!!! so no more stressing about that!

Picture updates!

Its been a while since I've posted some pictures...so here are some over the last little bit. She she is growing up. Looking at her pictures always make me feel better!
I can't believe she'll be 10 months in just a few days!!! And even more amazing is that her hat is on in all of them. It lasts a whole 2 seconds on her head now! I'm sure she'll have a burned head by the end of the summer.

The second picture is of her in the swing for the first time...she loved it!

Count down - 2 months, 2 weeks

Thats about how much time I have left on my Mat leave. Yuck. That is exactly how I am feeling today...Blah!

The rush is on right now to find daycare. I had a little meltdown on Tuesday. Not sure exactly why, partly because I'm in the 2 week hell of PMS, partly because reality is sinking in, and partly because I'm scared of not finding the right place, let alone a place at all.

So this is what has been happening.

We've figured out for certain that we can't afford the daycare centre. If we took her there we'd have less then $300 a month for groceries, diapers, some bills, and life in general! I think I was living in a fantasy world before thinking that somehow it would magically work out, but no it won't. I had my heart set on a centre and was upset that I was being a bad mom by not being able to give her the best because of money. We'll still be broke with a homedaycare, but at least it will be more managable.
Well I've come around, and found that there can be some good home daycares, I just have to find it.

But my first interview sure didn't help. She was an elderly lady. She was super nice, and I honestly wouldn't mind her to be a babysitter once in a while, but it just wouldn't work out long term.
So I found out from this, that I am looking for a place that will do more activities with them, something that is more like a centre where they are playing and learning a lot more.

I have an interview at this place next week....to me it seems to be a great place. And if you had seen the other place I had the interview at, you'd agree. She has lots of rules/policies, but from looking around that seems pretty common, and my mom said she has to protect herself. I suspect this interview will be different, and she will be interviewing me, just like I am her. Better be on my best behaviour...haha! I hope this turns out to be the one, and I won't need to search anymore.

ahh...I really should get outside when Ohh wakes up from her nap...

Holy smokes...she's 9 months old.

Wow..She's 9 months old today! I can't believe it.
More and more she is turning into a little girl. Is that possible at 9 months?

So what do I know about her at this time....

• She's getting quite the little personality. I'm realizing more and more what the little extrovert and chatter box she is. (way different from momma).
  
• She makes me laugh a million times a day!
• Shes also quite the busy little beaver. Inquisitive of everything, and wanting to grab anything that isn't tied down. Especially the remote controls!
• She's no longer a puker at all. Just normally spit up here and there I would say!(makes me so happy!)
  
• She still has a sensitive stomach, but I am thinking more and more, it's just her body getting used to new foods, and not any particular foods. At least there is no pattern then I can see so far.
• She isn't walking yet, as I had predicted. That doesn't bother me in the slightest. I get the feeling she is just happy with how fast she can get around on all fours, and can't be bothered.
  
• She loves being out with other babies, we love our nice little mommy and baby group!
• Still just has one tooth...wondering when the others will appear.
• Is still on the small side, but I've ALMOST stopped worrying. She really is the happiest baby I know, and so super active, I think it's just her.
• She is an excellent sleeper (knock on wood...please please don't let that be a jinx) and when we are at home we have a pretty good idea know of what to do.
• Naps outside the crib are rough unless she goes in the car or stroller.
  
• She loves bath time...especially with Daddy
• She LOVES daddy. He plays rough with her, and she loves it.
• She LOVES me more all the time I think. When she's not feeling well, I'm the one she wants. This is new. Before she wouldn't care, but she's getting a bit clingy now. It's bittersweet. Makes my heart melt when she wants to cuddle with me.
• Shes starting to use a sippy cup, but only a tiny bit at a time
• She is eating pretty much anything we are at this point. If it can be mushed, we'll let her try it. (except peanuts, egg white and tomatoes)

What do I know about me at this time...

• I feel like I am finally getting to know what I am doing. I am going more on instinct now, then reading books or looking up things online. It's a weird transition. I'll still look up some stuff, but really, as far as feeding goes (which has been my biggest stress) - I am just winging it, and going with what feels right. I'm not stressing over numbers anymore.
  
• I haven't lost any weight as I had planned. Still a work in progress. I want to lose weight now so I can be happy to be in pictures with her. I feel bad for not having any good ones of the 2 of us :(

So over all things are wonderful!

(can you tell I just ended my 2 weeks of hell...and am in the happy phase of my cycle? haha)

Back burner

Sadly my mommy blog has gone to the back burner lately. I have a feeling I will only be using this blog when I need to vent..sorry everyone! I don't have too much to vent about right now .... which is a good thing!

Well for me..I had my second dental surgery on Friday. I have to say so far (knock on wood) - it's not nearly as bad as last time. Of course it's not pleasant, but much more manageable so far.


My new genealogy blog is taking off with flying colours. Already, I have 15 followers! Now just how do I get them all to click on the ads so I can make a bit of cash? haha

Family history fun!

I'm starting on a new blogging adventure....gonna see how it goes...

http://familyhistoryfunforall.blogspot.com/