(Sorry for the long hiatus. I finally finished working on a big project and found myself with a little more free time to write, though I am working on a personal project now as well.)
So, Yuuki will be 11 months old on Monday. It’s the weirdest thing when you realize that a year has gone by, and that year has dragged on and on, but at the same time, it’s been the fastest year of your life.
Yesterday, I took the time to reorganize the nursery. One of Yuuki’s aunts took her for a short outing, and while I was cleaning, I came to a realization.
First, let me say that the day before yesterday, I did a lot of cleaning as well. I bagged a lot of Yuuki’s old clothes that I don’t want anymore, which will either be sold to Once Upon a Child or donated to Goodwill or Freecycle or something. I did this without any sentimentality, as these were already clothes that I had set aside as things that I never saw myself using with a second child, should I ever have a second child and another girl for that matter. It did absolutely nothing for me.
But yesterday, while Yuuki was having fun with her aunt, I was moving some things around. We keep everything stored in the nursery for convenience’s sake, and in particular, there is a box filled with formula for easy access. As Yuuki is almost one, I talked to my husband, and we decided that we were going to finish off the formula that’s left before starting Yuuki on whole milk.
I have been getting into the habit of putting everything that I don’t want Yuuki getting into in the crib so she can play on the floor without throwing bottles or spoons or dishes all over the place. I was moving everything back to their proper places when it hit me that I wouldn’t be using some of these items in just a few short weeks. In just a few short weeks, I won’t be using the box of formula, rice cereal, and the like that I keep stored on the floor by her books and toys. The bottles are going to be stored away here soon too as Yuuki moves on to sippy cups.
It just shocked me that such small objects that have been a very significant part of my life for the past year are going to be gone, packed away to be opened who knows how many years later. I had never thought of it before. Now, I have been gradually taking bottles away as it’s gotten closer to one year, but the thought that there would come a time where they wouldn’t be in sight is strange. I’ve spent I don’t know how many hours of my life making bottles, preparing them and cleaning them, and I won’t be making them anymore.
I imagine I’ll feel the same as she outgrows her toys, needs a new bed as opposed to her crib, even when she no longer needs to be changed and I can finally throw away the changing pad.
They are such little things within a bigger part of my life, but at the same time, they impact it in such a big way.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Yeah For Milestones!
I’ll admit right here and now that I’m not like most mothers when it comes to milestones. I have always been an ‘I can’t wait until she (fill in the blank)’ kind of mother. Yuuki will be 8 months in only a little under three weeks, and I love watching her reach new milestones.
One of the first displays of independence that Yuuki showed was holding her own bottle. She’s been doing this since about five months, and she’s been holding her own bottle ever since. I can honestly say that I don’t miss holding the bottle for her.
A few weeks ago, she started cutting her first teeth. My husband and I had suspected that she was teething for awhile at the time, and we had just picked up some gel to help with the pain. I had just put the gel on my finger and got it into her mouth. I had put some on her top gum and turned my finger to put some on her bottom when I felt something hard on her bottom gum. I started in surprise and looked down to see the white tip of a tooth sticking out. I tell you in complete honesty that I shrieked in excitement and jumped up and down I was so ecstatic. Now she has the other bottom tooth making its way through, and I’m watching every day to see when they’ll show themselves fully. If I see them even a millimeter taller I’m inwardly shouting in excitement.
Only today, Yuuki pushed herself up on her hands and got her legs under her. She actually stayed up for a few seconds before plopping back on her stomach on the floor. I was so thrilled that she is taking that next step towards crawling. She’s been doing mini-pushups for a month or so now, and occasionally tried to get her legs under her. She’s still going through the ‘trying to crawl but scooting backward instead’ phase, but now she’s finally starting to get the hang of it.
At this point, I don’t feel that I’ll miss when she isn’t mobile. It’s hilarious watching her roll everywhere (which she prefers to trying to crawl at times), and I know that it’s just one more thing about her that I’ll get to enjoy. Once she can walk, ‘look out playground, here we come’. Seriously, pushing her in the infant swing is one of my favorite things in the world. She gets so excited, and she giggles like crazy. I’m so glad that we have a picture of her in the swing with this look of absolute joy on her face. The next challenge the tackle: the slide. She was just confused the first time.
I’m so happy that she’s starting to become independent. If anything, it just proves that she’s our little girl.
One of the first displays of independence that Yuuki showed was holding her own bottle. She’s been doing this since about five months, and she’s been holding her own bottle ever since. I can honestly say that I don’t miss holding the bottle for her.
A few weeks ago, she started cutting her first teeth. My husband and I had suspected that she was teething for awhile at the time, and we had just picked up some gel to help with the pain. I had just put the gel on my finger and got it into her mouth. I had put some on her top gum and turned my finger to put some on her bottom when I felt something hard on her bottom gum. I started in surprise and looked down to see the white tip of a tooth sticking out. I tell you in complete honesty that I shrieked in excitement and jumped up and down I was so ecstatic. Now she has the other bottom tooth making its way through, and I’m watching every day to see when they’ll show themselves fully. If I see them even a millimeter taller I’m inwardly shouting in excitement.
Only today, Yuuki pushed herself up on her hands and got her legs under her. She actually stayed up for a few seconds before plopping back on her stomach on the floor. I was so thrilled that she is taking that next step towards crawling. She’s been doing mini-pushups for a month or so now, and occasionally tried to get her legs under her. She’s still going through the ‘trying to crawl but scooting backward instead’ phase, but now she’s finally starting to get the hang of it.
At this point, I don’t feel that I’ll miss when she isn’t mobile. It’s hilarious watching her roll everywhere (which she prefers to trying to crawl at times), and I know that it’s just one more thing about her that I’ll get to enjoy. Once she can walk, ‘look out playground, here we come’. Seriously, pushing her in the infant swing is one of my favorite things in the world. She gets so excited, and she giggles like crazy. I’m so glad that we have a picture of her in the swing with this look of absolute joy on her face. The next challenge the tackle: the slide. She was just confused the first time.
I’m so happy that she’s starting to become independent. If anything, it just proves that she’s our little girl.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Attention DIY Lovers: Uses for Baby Food Jars and Formula Cans
Disclaimer: None of these craft ideas are created by me. I’m just giving links to ideas that I think you would be interested in. So excuse the overuse of links. I’m trying to adhere to copyright laws.
If you’re like me, you don’t like to just throw anything away. You might even enjoy making a craft or two in your spare time.
Being that Yuuki just started eating solid food, I thought I would post a few links to some adorable and creative crafts using baby food jars.
This first one caught my eye immediately with how adorable it is. It would be a good craft to use in the nursery or perhaps the bathroom for when you have to get up in the middle of the night.
http://www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com/baby-food-jar-crafts.html
Here’s a link to the main page if you like this idea: http://www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com/index.html
This baby food jar garden would be a great way to spruce up a room or office.
http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/crafts/baby-food-jar-garden.html
Their main page is http://funschool.kaboose.com/index.html
This one will probably take a bit to find the materials for, as most were salvaged or recycled. I’m sure this baby food chandelier could be modified as well for a simpler look. http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/Homemade-Home-Decor/Baby-Food-Chandelier.aspx
Main page: http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/
These hanging jar lanterns would make a nice touch for a porch when it starts getting darker outside. The creators are from Crafty Nest, and you can look here: http://www.craftynest.com/ for more ideas if you like this one.
http://www.craftynest.com/2008/10/hanging-jar-lanterns/
Now, for those who use formula, this site has a lot of great ideas for what you can do with the used cans other than throwing them out. http://rappleyefam.blogspot.com/2008/03/formula-cans-easy-pull-macgyver.html
The main page is http://rappleyefam.blogspot.com/. I looked through the site a bit, and they have some really cute craft ideas. The links are on the right side of the page.
Another great page is http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2009/09/4-ways-to-reuse-your-formula-can.html.
Main page is: http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/
These are just a few ideas of what you can do with your leftover baby food jars and formula cans. If none of these appeal to you, you can always Google image baby food jar crafts or formula can crafts and take a look around. That’s how I spotted most of the crafts that I linked on this page.
If you’re like me, you don’t like to just throw anything away. You might even enjoy making a craft or two in your spare time.
Being that Yuuki just started eating solid food, I thought I would post a few links to some adorable and creative crafts using baby food jars.
This first one caught my eye immediately with how adorable it is. It would be a good craft to use in the nursery or perhaps the bathroom for when you have to get up in the middle of the night.
http://www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com/baby-food-jar-crafts.html
Here’s a link to the main page if you like this idea: http://www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com/index.html
This baby food jar garden would be a great way to spruce up a room or office.
http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/crafts/baby-food-jar-garden.html
Their main page is http://funschool.kaboose.com/index.html
This one will probably take a bit to find the materials for, as most were salvaged or recycled. I’m sure this baby food chandelier could be modified as well for a simpler look. http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/Homemade-Home-Decor/Baby-Food-Chandelier.aspx
Main page: http://www.naturalhomemagazine.com/
These hanging jar lanterns would make a nice touch for a porch when it starts getting darker outside. The creators are from Crafty Nest, and you can look here: http://www.craftynest.com/ for more ideas if you like this one.
http://www.craftynest.com/2008/10/hanging-jar-lanterns/
Now, for those who use formula, this site has a lot of great ideas for what you can do with the used cans other than throwing them out. http://rappleyefam.blogspot.com/2008/03/formula-cans-easy-pull-macgyver.html
The main page is http://rappleyefam.blogspot.com/. I looked through the site a bit, and they have some really cute craft ideas. The links are on the right side of the page.
Another great page is http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2009/09/4-ways-to-reuse-your-formula-can.html.
Main page is: http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/
These are just a few ideas of what you can do with your leftover baby food jars and formula cans. If none of these appeal to you, you can always Google image baby food jar crafts or formula can crafts and take a look around. That’s how I spotted most of the crafts that I linked on this page.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
First Night Home
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)