So, once again I’m up late and wanting to write something. There’s been a certain topic on my mind for a while now, and that’s the first night when my husband and I returned from the hospital with Yuuki.
Keep in mind as you read this that I had been in the hospital for three days before I was released. That is two nights spent sleeping on a hospital bed. My husband stayed with me and slept on a pull-out couch. Therefore, neither one of us had slept in a real bed in a few days.
We left the hospital pretty late on Saturday night/early Sunday morning. Now, this would be pretty normal, except for the fact that it had been storming earlier in the day, and this caused the power to be out. That’s right, we returned home to absolutely no electricity. We have a three-day-old baby, and we’re straining our eyes just to see the stairs.
The first thing we did when we returned was to make it into the nursery. From there, we need to figure out a way to see. The only thing that I could think of at the time was the mobile that we had bought for the crib. There’s a faint light on it, and it was the first thing that I reached for in the dark.
So, while I’m holding Yuuki, my husband goes around trying to find candles so, obviously, we can see. After we are able to locate one, it was the time to figure out exactly what we were going to do. No electricity means that the monitors are not going to work, so how are we supposed to hear if she cries? So what did we do?
We set up camp. Yes, my husband brought over a comforter and pillows from our room, and we had a little campout. We talked, fed Yuuki as she needed it, and switched off holding her until early morning. I still remember my husband holding Yuuki in the candlelight and the rush of love I had for him that night.
After a few hours, I told my husband that he could sleep while I stayed up with Yuuki. I watched some episodes of Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and the musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the dark (on my husband’s laptop with a dying battery), never failing to laugh at Anya’s hatred of bunnies.
(Quote directly from IMDB)
Anya: [singing] Bunnies aren't just cute like everybody supposes. They got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses. And what's with all the carrots? What do they need such good eyesight for anyway? Bunnies. Bunnies. It must be bunnies!
A few hours later, the electricity finally came back on. If I remember correctly, it was about 2 or 3 in the morning. I woke my husband up, we put Yuuki in her crib, then gathered our things and crawled into our nice, normal bed.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Maybe I’m Going Crazy…
So, those of you who personally know me, know that I’m pretty much anti-girl. After about twelve, it was pretty much impossible to get me in a dress or really anything not jeans and a t-shirt. Altogether, this means disliking anything pink, frilly, lacey, or too cutesy.
Well, I think I’ve been bitten by the cuteness bug. I’ve been thinking about what I would like to do with Yuuki’s room once my husband and I get our own place, and I’ve come across these adorable finds:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Dollhouse-Bookcase-With-Flip-Top/4200510#
I first came across the bookcase at a Once Upon a Child in my area. It’s a great second-hand children’s store. If there’s one in your area, I’d recommend at least checking them out. They have new items as well as second-hand. We bought a brand new crib there, but second-hand clothing for instance.
Well, one day this bookcase was there, and then it was not. However, by that time, I had already fallen in love with it, so I had to have it…for Yuuki. Yes, for Yuuki. I looked it up and there it was, at Wal-Mart. Never have I been so excited for Wal-Mart before.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Badger-Basket-9-Cubby-Storage-Unit-White/8056054
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=fabric+cubes&ic=48_0&search_constraint=0
With the cubby units, I intend to use the fabric cubes in it. Well, except that I plan to use the brightly colored ones…that I can’t find online. They’re always in store though, whether at Wal-Mart or Target. I figure that I can turn them into a makeshift dresser for when Yuuki is younger, like through 4 or so. Afterwards, she’s free to choose her own decorations. (I’m sure that statement will come to bite me someday.)
Well, these are just my ideas for now. As I find more I’ll definitely be posting.
Well, I think I’ve been bitten by the cuteness bug. I’ve been thinking about what I would like to do with Yuuki’s room once my husband and I get our own place, and I’ve come across these adorable finds:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Dollhouse-Bookcase-With-Flip-Top/4200510#
I first came across the bookcase at a Once Upon a Child in my area. It’s a great second-hand children’s store. If there’s one in your area, I’d recommend at least checking them out. They have new items as well as second-hand. We bought a brand new crib there, but second-hand clothing for instance.
Well, one day this bookcase was there, and then it was not. However, by that time, I had already fallen in love with it, so I had to have it…for Yuuki. Yes, for Yuuki. I looked it up and there it was, at Wal-Mart. Never have I been so excited for Wal-Mart before.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Badger-Basket-9-Cubby-Storage-Unit-White/8056054
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=fabric+cubes&ic=48_0&search_constraint=0
With the cubby units, I intend to use the fabric cubes in it. Well, except that I plan to use the brightly colored ones…that I can’t find online. They’re always in store though, whether at Wal-Mart or Target. I figure that I can turn them into a makeshift dresser for when Yuuki is younger, like through 4 or so. Afterwards, she’s free to choose her own decorations. (I’m sure that statement will come to bite me someday.)
Well, these are just my ideas for now. As I find more I’ll definitely be posting.
Free Time, No Time
I know that I haven’t posted too much in the past few days. This isn’t something that I’m doing on purpose, just that I have a lot going on right now.
As I mentioned a few posts ago, I’ve been hired to write a novelized version of a manga. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also extremely challenging. I’ve never written something that I didn’t create myself. Therefore, I’m left with using whatever dialogue I can that’s directly from the manga, and just using my own interpretations of what the characters are thinking. Also, I’m shooting for 50,000 words, and since I’m currently just over 6,000, I have a lot more to write before I finish. I write 1,000 words a day as often as I can. I admit that I skip a few days here and there, but it’s mostly because a more difficult task came up, say taking care of Yuuki all day, because she just won’t stop crying. Then again, I also miss, because I’m just having one of those days.
Today was one of those days, as was yesterday. Those days are when the very thought of writing on the novel sounds absolutely horrible. This is not to be confused with not wanting to work on it, just that upon having the screen in front of me, it looks unappealing. This happens when it comes to my own novels as well.
It’s also one of those days when I would just rather stay in bed all day than do anything else. I woke up this morning feeling just fine, but now I’m utterly exhausted, and I can’t take a nap, because Yuuki is just being fussy today.
I don’t really know the point of this thread other than to let everyone know that posts might take longer than usual to make their appearances. Once I’m done with the novel, I’ll be more on top of things. When it comes to what I do in my spare time, the novel takes precedence over everything else. However, I do slip up and spend way too much time on Facebook sometimes…okay, a lot of the time…but I’m working on that.
As I mentioned a few posts ago, I’ve been hired to write a novelized version of a manga. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also extremely challenging. I’ve never written something that I didn’t create myself. Therefore, I’m left with using whatever dialogue I can that’s directly from the manga, and just using my own interpretations of what the characters are thinking. Also, I’m shooting for 50,000 words, and since I’m currently just over 6,000, I have a lot more to write before I finish. I write 1,000 words a day as often as I can. I admit that I skip a few days here and there, but it’s mostly because a more difficult task came up, say taking care of Yuuki all day, because she just won’t stop crying. Then again, I also miss, because I’m just having one of those days.
Today was one of those days, as was yesterday. Those days are when the very thought of writing on the novel sounds absolutely horrible. This is not to be confused with not wanting to work on it, just that upon having the screen in front of me, it looks unappealing. This happens when it comes to my own novels as well.
It’s also one of those days when I would just rather stay in bed all day than do anything else. I woke up this morning feeling just fine, but now I’m utterly exhausted, and I can’t take a nap, because Yuuki is just being fussy today.
I don’t really know the point of this thread other than to let everyone know that posts might take longer than usual to make their appearances. Once I’m done with the novel, I’ll be more on top of things. When it comes to what I do in my spare time, the novel takes precedence over everything else. However, I do slip up and spend way too much time on Facebook sometimes…okay, a lot of the time…but I’m working on that.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Hello, Motherhood! Goodbye, Modesty!
Warning: Post will contain some information that is TMI.
It’s very true. From the second that you get pregnant, any sense of modesty you have will be out the window. Now, I’m not saying that you’ll suddenly start stripping in public or will become a nudist, but a degree of your modesty will be gone. As someone who is uncomfortable wearing a shirt that is a centimeter too low-cut, this is saying a lot.
Being pregnant usually brings along an ability to go to the bathroom five times (or more) in thirty minutes. I’m the type who can’t stand when someone is in the stall next to me, but I quickly had to let go (pun unintentional) of my pride and just do it. Soon enough, I no longer cared if somebody was in the next stall over. Being pregnant does not give the ability to hold it in for long.
When I entered the hospital to be induced, I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught. Upon being shown to my room, I was instructed to put on a baggy, thin hospital gown, wearing nothing underneath. This is because the doctor regularly has to check for progress, which is so much easier if nothing is in the way. Yes, it is humiliating, but is it as humiliating as the first time I stepped into doctor’s office and I had to have a yearly exam? No, not at all.
Then, of course, baby is born. Once I began to push, my doctor and a few nurses were everywhere. Someone was constantly looking to see how much further you have to go before baby is born. Oh, and sorry if TMI, but don’t be surprised if a baby isn’t the only thing that is pushed out. It happens. It happened to me (it was actually something that I was worried might happen), but honestly, I didn’t find it that humiliating, because I knew about it and it’s completely normal.
Please forgive me if this post grossed you out in the slightest. It’s the unfortunate truth of being pregnant, and I’m not afraid to give a friendly warning to those out there who have never experienced it. And please keep in mind that just because it happened to me, it doesn’t mean it will happen to you.
It’s very true. From the second that you get pregnant, any sense of modesty you have will be out the window. Now, I’m not saying that you’ll suddenly start stripping in public or will become a nudist, but a degree of your modesty will be gone. As someone who is uncomfortable wearing a shirt that is a centimeter too low-cut, this is saying a lot.
Being pregnant usually brings along an ability to go to the bathroom five times (or more) in thirty minutes. I’m the type who can’t stand when someone is in the stall next to me, but I quickly had to let go (pun unintentional) of my pride and just do it. Soon enough, I no longer cared if somebody was in the next stall over. Being pregnant does not give the ability to hold it in for long.
When I entered the hospital to be induced, I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught. Upon being shown to my room, I was instructed to put on a baggy, thin hospital gown, wearing nothing underneath. This is because the doctor regularly has to check for progress, which is so much easier if nothing is in the way. Yes, it is humiliating, but is it as humiliating as the first time I stepped into doctor’s office and I had to have a yearly exam? No, not at all.
Then, of course, baby is born. Once I began to push, my doctor and a few nurses were everywhere. Someone was constantly looking to see how much further you have to go before baby is born. Oh, and sorry if TMI, but don’t be surprised if a baby isn’t the only thing that is pushed out. It happens. It happened to me (it was actually something that I was worried might happen), but honestly, I didn’t find it that humiliating, because I knew about it and it’s completely normal.
Please forgive me if this post grossed you out in the slightest. It’s the unfortunate truth of being pregnant, and I’m not afraid to give a friendly warning to those out there who have never experienced it. And please keep in mind that just because it happened to me, it doesn’t mean it will happen to you.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tip to Mothers: Be Creative!
In parenthood, sometimes you just don’t know why your child in crying. You’ve tried everything from changing to feeding to doing the most ridiculous face you can think of and nothing works. That’s the one it’s been for me today so far.
Yuuki has only been awake for about four hours, but she’s already consuming the contents of two bottles of formula. I’ve changed her diaper about four or five times. I’ve put her in different clothes just in case she was too warm. She’s had a brief nap in her swing.
For a while, a strange invention of mine was working to keep her on the quiet side. She is almost always absolutely mesmerized by her Takealong-Tunes, so I came up with this:
It’s not working anymore, but for some time, it did. So mothers, don’t be afraid to dig into your creative side and come up with something that might work. Oh, and don't use this if your swing actually works and you're going to turn on said swing. The batteries on ours are dead right now.
In parenthood, sometimes you just don’t know why your child in crying. You’ve tried everything from changing to feeding to doing the most ridiculous face you can think of and nothing works. That’s the one it’s been for me today so far.
Yuuki has only been awake for about four hours, but she’s already consuming the contents of two bottles of formula. I’ve changed her diaper about four or five times. I’ve put her in different clothes just in case she was too warm. She’s had a brief nap in her swing.
For a while, a strange invention of mine was working to keep her on the quiet side. She is almost always absolutely mesmerized by her Takealong-Tunes, so I came up with this:
It’s not working anymore, but for some time, it did. So mothers, don’t be afraid to dig into your creative side and come up with something that might work. Oh, and don't use this if your swing actually works and you're going to turn on said swing. The batteries on ours are dead right now.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Lucky in Pregnancy
This is just going to be a little post about what symptoms I dealt with during pregnancy, both good and bad.
Good:
1) I didn’t have swelling of the hands and feet. I wore my wedding rings until the day I gave birth.
2) I did not have gestational diabetes.
3) I was able to wear most of my normal clothes throughout pregnancy.
4) This doesn’t really count, but one of my cravings was chocolate.
5) Near the end of my pregnancy, I could eat tons of food. I once ate five pieces of french toast for a single meal.
Bad:
1) My blood type is 0-, so I had to have a Rho-GAM shot. It didn’t hurt, but the fact that I had to have it bothered me a bit. Basically, it means that your body might see your baby’s blood as intruders and attack it. It’s a scary thought.
2) I ended up testing positive for Group B Strep. I don’t even fully understand it, but the fact that I would need the medicine four hours before I gave birth helped me decide to be induced.
3) I do have stretch marks from pregnancy. For a long time, it looked like I would miss out (hahaha) on them, but in the final weeks, they appeared.
4) I did have morning sickness the first trimester. The very sight of pizza, even on TV, made me sick. Luckily, this passed and I was able to have pizza later on in pregnancy.
5) I had to have stitches after delivery.
Basically, this is to say that every pregnancy is different. Some woman won’t have to deal with morning sickness at all, or will have it a lot worse. Some women don’t need the Rho-GAM shot or will test positive for GBS. Some women won’t have any stretch marks. Some women won’t be able to wear rings on their fingers during pregnancy. Some women won’t have to get stitches when they deliver.
However your experiences are or will be, it will be different from anyone else’s experience. My next pregnancy, hopefully five years away, might leave me with none of these same symptoms (except for the stretch marks, those won’t go away).
Good:
1) I didn’t have swelling of the hands and feet. I wore my wedding rings until the day I gave birth.
2) I did not have gestational diabetes.
3) I was able to wear most of my normal clothes throughout pregnancy.
4) This doesn’t really count, but one of my cravings was chocolate.
5) Near the end of my pregnancy, I could eat tons of food. I once ate five pieces of french toast for a single meal.
Bad:
1) My blood type is 0-, so I had to have a Rho-GAM shot. It didn’t hurt, but the fact that I had to have it bothered me a bit. Basically, it means that your body might see your baby’s blood as intruders and attack it. It’s a scary thought.
2) I ended up testing positive for Group B Strep. I don’t even fully understand it, but the fact that I would need the medicine four hours before I gave birth helped me decide to be induced.
3) I do have stretch marks from pregnancy. For a long time, it looked like I would miss out (hahaha) on them, but in the final weeks, they appeared.
4) I did have morning sickness the first trimester. The very sight of pizza, even on TV, made me sick. Luckily, this passed and I was able to have pizza later on in pregnancy.
5) I had to have stitches after delivery.
Basically, this is to say that every pregnancy is different. Some woman won’t have to deal with morning sickness at all, or will have it a lot worse. Some women don’t need the Rho-GAM shot or will test positive for GBS. Some women won’t have any stretch marks. Some women won’t be able to wear rings on their fingers during pregnancy. Some women won’t have to get stitches when they deliver.
However your experiences are or will be, it will be different from anyone else’s experience. My next pregnancy, hopefully five years away, might leave me with none of these same symptoms (except for the stretch marks, those won’t go away).
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Insomnia
So, I’m not even sure to write about right now. It’s nearing one o’clock here and I can’t sleep, so I thought I would write another post while I’m up.
I’m usually exhausted when I get up in the morning, but by bedtime, I’m just not tired anymore.
Insomnia is not something that is new to me. I’ve always had a difficult time falling asleep, but it’s become even more difficult since Yuuki has been born. It’s all too easy to stay up late when most of my hours are spent taking care of a baby, and I’m wanting some me time or time with my husband.
It’s weird, because I spend so much time during the day around noise (crying, rattle, her Take-along Tunes, etc.) that I can’t sleep when it’s quieter (my husband likes background noise when he sleeps; I want none). I’ve taken plenty of naps in the middle of the day with the TV on and Yuuki’s swing playing music at the same time. I suppose it’s just one of those things that I’m going to have to get used to as a mother.
Now, I’m going to figure out how to balance sleep, baby, and writing. I’ve accepted a job from an independent source to write a novel based on a manga. I will have to make sure that I have plenty of time to devote to this job during the day, and with Yuuki’s semi-regular schedule, maybe I can work something out. I just hope that the hours I should spend sleeping don’t become new work hours.
I’m usually exhausted when I get up in the morning, but by bedtime, I’m just not tired anymore.
Insomnia is not something that is new to me. I’ve always had a difficult time falling asleep, but it’s become even more difficult since Yuuki has been born. It’s all too easy to stay up late when most of my hours are spent taking care of a baby, and I’m wanting some me time or time with my husband.
It’s weird, because I spend so much time during the day around noise (crying, rattle, her Take-along Tunes, etc.) that I can’t sleep when it’s quieter (my husband likes background noise when he sleeps; I want none). I’ve taken plenty of naps in the middle of the day with the TV on and Yuuki’s swing playing music at the same time. I suppose it’s just one of those things that I’m going to have to get used to as a mother.
Now, I’m going to figure out how to balance sleep, baby, and writing. I’ve accepted a job from an independent source to write a novel based on a manga. I will have to make sure that I have plenty of time to devote to this job during the day, and with Yuuki’s semi-regular schedule, maybe I can work something out. I just hope that the hours I should spend sleeping don’t become new work hours.
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