Immigration Demonstration

Yesterday Matt, Sam and I went into downtown Wenatchee to watch and support the immigration reform demonstration. Thousands of people came to protest and it was so empowering I was in tears. The peacful and strong chanting in English and Spanish, "Yes, we can!", and "Once unified, never divided!". It was such a sight to see and to be a part of. For the story and photo credits visit: http://www.wenworld.com/index.php

Never Thought

The past month of our lives has pushed us to make a few parenting decisions that I thought we'd never come to...but they seem to be working for us. With my being sick all the time and feeling my worst in the evenings and Matt now working more in the evenings; we have been working with Sam on putting himself to sleep....and yes, there has been some crying involved.

A few nights ago we decided to talk to Sam about putting himself to sleep. So, I read some books to him and sang a few songs and then explained that I was going to leave the room and that it was time for him to try to go to sleep on his own. He nodded and seemed to understand. I left the room and the crying ensued. He cried for about 15 minutes when Matt went in (I was in bed at this point) and once again explained that everything was okay, we were just outside the room...Sam nodded and Matt left. He cried.....etc. This lasted about 45 minutes. He didn't cry the entire time, and Matt went in every 15 minutes to comfort him and eventually he went to sleep. The next night it was 30 minutes....the same routine and last night it was less than 10 minutes. Nap times are working the same and today he only cried for about 5 minutes.

I know that any hardcore AP parent would chastise me for what we're doing and I have felt a little guilt. I just can't go through the nighttime bed routine we were doing feeling like I am and Matt is now working right during bedtime. This solutions is working and Sam seems to be doing just fine. I haven't noticed any extra clinging during the day or acting out or any strange behaviour at all. It helps that we are completely weaned now and have been for a few weeks. He doesn't even ask for milk at all anymore! (I am actually okay with it too!)

So, needless-to-say, I never thought we'd let Sam "cry it out". And even if I rationalize that he's almost two and we can reason with him, that he's not an infant and he can understand our presence exists outside of him room, that he is showing no signs of rejection or abandonment......it is still a form of "crying it out". I am coming to terms with the fact that we can still be AP parents even if we've chosen this method...right? I still honor Sam's needs and listen to him. I am still a compassionate mother that holds the mother-child bond higher than any other. I still encourage positive discipline. I don't spank.

I just never thought....

"It Was Easy!"

Matt and Sam returned from their cross-county adventure yesterday about 5 p.m. I was gifted another full day of rest and "LOST" episodes on DVD as Matt decided to spend the morning in Seattle with friends before the drive over the mountains.

When they pulled into the driveway I expected to see Sam awake and smiling, excited to see me...but to my surprise he was fast asleep in the car seat. This gave Matt and I some time reconnect and talk about the trip. When asked how it was to travel alone with a toddler across the country, Matt replied, "It was easy!" Yes, I was very surprised at his response, as I have never found it to be easy! But, I was glad to hear that he enjoyed the trip with his son. This could lead to future adventures without Mom, you see....and I could handle that once a year or so.

Today was a very good day with my feeling exceptionally well and energized for a change. The weather was amazing, 70 degrees and sunny...so we spent the morning at the park blowing bubbles and playing in the sun, the afternoon sleeping, and the evening grilling chicken and taking a leisurely stroll with Matt and Cyrus. All in all a very nice day.

Now, I am feeling quite sleepy and ready for bed...good night.

A Bit Better

I don't have much time to write this morning as I head out to babysit for the day, but I am feeling a bit better. It comes and goes and yesterday was a little rough, but today seems to be going pretty good so far.

Matt and Sam are on a daddy-son adventure to Iowa to visit Matt's grandma. I opted to stay here due to my sickness! It is a quick trip, but it leaves me here with no kiddo to watch and no hubby to help! I am mixed about the time away. If I were feeling well I would be excited and busy with fun projects....but since I am not I rented the first season of Desperate Houswives so I can see what all the hubbub is about and plan on doing nothing!

It is gorgeous here and my gardening thumb is beginning to itch....it is just that my gardening energy is too busy growing a baby!

Wiki-Me

A fun task when you're not feeling top notch...or when you are....thanks Scatterville!

Do a Wikipedia search of your birth date, minus the year; list three interesting events, three people who were born, and three people who died on that day.

Events:

1. 5509 BC - The world was created, according to the Byzantine Empire.


2. 1960-Disgruntled railroad workers effectively halt operations of the Pennsylvania Railroad, marking the first shutdown in the history of the company.


3. 1975-The last original episode of the American television series Gunsmoke airs on CBS after a record 20-year run

Births:

1. 1923 - Rocky Marciano, American boxer (d. 1969)


2. 1976 - Erik Morales, Mexican boxer


3. 1984 - Joseph Trohman, American Guitarist for Fall Out Boy

Deaths:

1. 1715 - François Girardon, French sculptor (b. 1628)


2. 1988 - Luis Alvarez, American physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1911)


3. 2004 - Ahmed Kuftaro, Grand Mufti of Syria (b. 1915)

Nausea, Viruses, and In-Laws

Okay, that sounds really bad! I love my in-laws and they are here visiting for a few days and saving me! I am feeling so icky and the nausea (and vomiting) hit so hard that I have been taking Unisom and B6 at night to help. It does help, but I still feel ick. Anyway, they have been cleaning and cooking and shopping and doing laundry and I have been sleeping and eating and really enjoying it!

Sam has a nasty virus in his mouth, close to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, except he doesn't seem to have it on his hands or feet. We took him to the doc today and he said there is nothing we can do, but provide pain relief and wait it out! Ugh, he cries constantly. The doc said it is extremely painful and contagious! So, a few sleepless nights ahead (with a few already behind us) and lots of bubble gum flavored ibuprofen.

Exhaustion

Okay, so I think I forgot to mention how extremely exhausted I am! And here is what I have been eating the last week:

• Toasted bagels, sometimes with honey, sometimes with PB, sometimes with both.


• Rice Chex cereal.


• Mac and Cheese, from a box, the powdered cheese kind ( I haven't eaten it since my last pregnancy).


• PB Cliff bars.


• Canned chicken soup.


• And lots of Peppermint Lifesavers.

That is my diet. Ugh! Time for a nap.