13 posts tagged “baby”
It’s long overdue, but I’m happy to announce the brand new Calobee Doodles Web site!
It’s a showcase of my doodles, as well as an archive of past custom orders. I needed a separate place to show off my illustrations, because let’s face it–my photographs and doodles are two very different beasts and at times it feels as if I’m catering to different audiences.
Besides, I’ve been looking for an excuse to geek around, and what better way than to build a new Web site? This one was particularly fun because I got to be a bit more playful with the layout. At some point in the near future I hope to redesign sixhours.net as well… it’s been over a year (where does the time go?). As if I don’t do enough of this stuff at my day job… I’m practically dreaming in PHP and CSS these days.
Speaking of which, I’ll tell you a story. You know how I posted earlier about Elspeth and how she’s typically a great sleeper, right? Well, I totally jinxed myself with that post, because suddenly the little bean is waking up in the middle of the night to eat–after almost eight weeks of sleeping through without so much as a peep. Apparently someone’s going through a growth spurt.
Anyway, at 3 a.m. last Saturday, my sleep-deprived brain had the craziest thought:
I bet I could write a PHP function to illustrate Ellie’s sleep habits.*
Yes, I actually thought, “I could probably program my daughter in PHP.” That’s how bad it is, people. I’m now applying computer coding principles to completely organic situations… I think it’s time to step away from the computer and get some sun.
What is this “sun” you speak of? Never mind, I’ll just Google it.
* What would that function look like, anyway? I’m so glad you asked…
function sleep_baby_sleep($baby, $the_fussy)
{
if ($baby == $the_fussy)
{
if (apply_binky($baby))
$baby = “This isn’t food. Where’s my damn food? Scream!”;
else if (apply_bottle($baby))
$baby = “This is food. Yum. But now I’m gassy. Scream!”;
else if (apply_gas_drops($baby))
$baby = ” I feel better. But now I’m WIDE AWAKE. What’re you gonna do about it, punk?”;
else if (apply_snuggles($baby))
{
$baby = “So… sleepy… must… fight… urge… to… zzzzzzz”;
if (put_in_crib($baby))
$baby = “Hey, wait! I’m still awake! You can’t put me in my crib! Scream!”;
else (three_hours_later($baby))
$baby = “Ok, fine, I’ll sleep. But I’m totally waking you up in two hours.”;
}
else if (is_asleep($baby))
$mommy = “*twitch twitch*”;
}
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
Our baby girl is almost four months old, and how many times have I written in that fancy baby book we bought? Um... that would be "none," of course. It's not that I don't want to look back and fondly remember all her firsts, it's just that my shorthand? Not so pretty. I can type 120 words per minute, but don't ask me to hand-write a paragraph... my hand will cramp up faster than you can say "carpal tunnel."
This is why Kidmondo.com is my savior. I spend the majority of my day on a computer as it is, so managing Elspeth's online baby book is as easy as posting new photos and videos to Flickr, or writing a quick blog entry--two things I do on a semi-regular basis anyway.
That's right. My kid is barely out of the womb and she already has her own blog. But given her parentage, is that really so surprising?
I can also chart her height and weight (kidmondo calculates the percentiles automatically and plots them on a nifty line graph, which I love--I'm such a nerd), keep notes about dental and medical records, tag my posts with specific "firsts," and invite friends and family to follow along as she grows. I can jot down quick drafts about milestones and other amusing anecdotes to be written about in more detail when I have time--there will be no unsightly scribbles or cross-outs or sleep-deprived misspellings in my baby's book! There are even options for journaling about pregnancy, if you wanted to start from the very beginning. And all updates and posts are summarized in a tidy timeline format, which satisfies the OCD nitpick in me.
And the best part: at the end of the year, I can purchase a hardcover, professionally-bound book of Ellie's adventures, complete with several pages of color photos. As someone who's scrapbooking-stupid, I love that I can still have a tangible product and keepsake to show for my digital efforts.
Something I'd love to see as part of the Kidmondo package is the ability to add a "family tree" page... most traditional baby books include a way to list the members of baby's extended family in a tree format. The Flickr integration is also a little clunky, but the site's creator assured me that they're aware of the problem and working to resolve it. And that's another point--the Kidmondo staff were helpful and quick to respond when I had questions.
And no, they're not paying me to write this. I've just had such a good experience so far, I thought I'd help spread the word to other parents and parents-to-be.
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
Every time I watch it, I giggle. :)
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
I know it's been nearly a month since I last posted, but how do you expect me to get anything done with that adorable face looking up at me? She's just begging to be hugged and cuddled and, in the words of her uncle Julian, spoiled rotten.
But the clock is ticking, and my maternity leave is winding down. I go back to work at the beginning of March. I'm both looking forward to it and not... I know the change of pace will be refreshing, but the time has gone too fast. I feel like I'm just getting to know this amazing little person, and now I'm going to be pulled away from her. It's so unfair. Thankfully we're able to leave Ellie in the hands of a dear and trusted friend while we're at work, and I know she'll be quite happy and safe. That makes the transition a little easier, at least.
In business news (oh wow, that's right, I have an Etsy shop!) Calobee Doodles is taking custom orders again! The break was nice, but now I'm itching to get back to work. I already have some new orders in the pipeline, so this is good. I also miss taking photos, but I have a feeling it will be a while before I can focus on a project of that scale... best to start small. Besides, I maintain that any long, uninterrupted stretches of time will be spent exactly as they should be--napping!
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
Happy 26th to me! Hurrah!
Birthday with baby definitely changes things a bit. It's not as easy to run off to a movie or dinner, or take an impromptu trip to Portland or Bar Harbor... everything has to be planned more thoroughly with Elspeth in tow. Thankfully we have awesome family and friends to help pick up the slack. My parents came to visit last weekend and watched Ellie for a few hours while T & I had an evening out--we saw the new Daniel Craig movie, Defiance. And the lovely Danielle was kind enough to sit for us on Thursday so T & I could have a birthday dinner at Olive Garden and do a little shopping. Both outings were a welcome reprieve from diapers and feedings, but each time I was more than ready to come home and snuggle our baby girl. It's funny how I miss the freedom and spontaneity, but I wouldn't trade her for my old life, not for a second.
So what would a birthday be without birthday goodies? First, my wonderful husband took all the baby duties on himself so I could sleep last night (oh, delicious, delicious sleep!)--that was enough of a present in itself, but then he bumped it up a notch by surprising me with a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit! Yay!! I've been eying the system ever since they introduced the fitness component... I'm all for things that make exercise bearable, if not (dare I say it?) fun. We justified the expense by reminding ourselves that a year-long membership to the campus rec center costs about the same, and a new treadmill or elliptical would cost even more (but let's ignore the fact that I have a perfectly good working treadmill upstairs, ok?). Plus, have you looked outside lately? It's cold--like, below-zero cold. Icy and snowy and generally not baby-friendly... a brisk walk with the stroller is a great idea in theory, but we're basically stuck in the house until spring.
So until then, I'm going to get down and dirty with my Mii.
It's the perfect way to get back on track after almost a year of slacking in the exercise department... and boy, am I in need. Feeding Ellie requires that I have my butt in a chair for most of the day, so I haven't been all that motivated to get up and move, and over the last couple weeks the sluggishness has taken its toll. When I don't move, I get cranky, and crankiness can quickly spiral into depression--depression that is only magnified by the intense life change of having a new baby, and my usual vulnerability to these long, cold winter days. It's not even about weight loss--I just want to feel better and take care of my body. For that reason, my fitness goals are not about shedding pounds or toning muscles--they'll focus on the fact that I'm moving, period. My aim is to start with at least 20 minutes of Wii Fit time, five days a week, then I'll bump up the time as I go along. I think it will be fun!
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
If I had one word to describe the last few weeks, it would be "surreal." It's 5 a.m. and there's a baby on my chest, snoozing in her new Snugli carrier. This would be night number 3? 4? where Tim or I is up at some ungodly hour because she's gassy and fighting sleep.
I didn't think this would be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but I guess I thought it might be... easier? I suppose I expected I'd feel better suited to the task of motherhood... that after going through pregnancy and birth, I would feel like a Parent-with-a-capital-P.
But to be honest, I still feel like a kid playing house.
Oh, there are good days, of course... days when I'm competent and calm and can handle anything she throws at me. Then there are the days when it seems I can do nothing right, when she will not stop crying no matter how much rocking, soothing, and feeding I do. It's those times when I feel like the worst parent in the world.
I haven't quite integrated "mother" into my world view. In short, I can't believe she's ours to keep. Any day now I expect the "real" parents to walk through the door and say, "Thanks for taking care of our baby girl for us! We'll take her now." (Admittedly, on the nights when I am most hurting for sleep, this is more than just a fleeting thought... it's a full-fledged fantasy). Then life would go back to normal... just T & I, hanging out, responsible only to ourselves.
On the other hand, if something like that were to actually happen, I know I'd never let anyone take her from me. I'd do anything to keep her safe. The mama bear instincts are definitely there, but they're taking more time to assimilate than expected. Daughter, sister, wife... mom? It's like a new pair of shoes that have yet to be broken in... the role fits, but it's not quite comfortable.
So after 3 weeks, the verdict is: it's hard sometimes. But then the other day I was holding her, and her eyes locked onto Tim and followed him--it was as if she were truly seeing him and recognizing him for the first time--and then she smiled the most beautiful baby smile I have ever seen. Yeah, it was probably just gas, but it brought tears to my eyes. And those rare, almost heartbreaking moments make these early mornings totally worthwhile.
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
- New baby smell
- The downy softness of her hair after a bath
- The little piggy noises she makes when she eats
- The dimples in her cheeks when she cries
- Her impressive array of facial expressions
- Her first uncertain, fleeting smiles
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
Sorry this is a bit late in coming--we're still adjusting to the new routine.
Elspeth is just over two weeks old and just as sweet as ever. Her favorite things include eating, sleeping, bath time, making adorable facial expressions, and pontificating (rather loudly) about the relative discomfort of diaper changes.
As for me, I'm trying to master the art of Motherly Multitasking. Basically, do everything you'd normally do except with one addition--try to breastfeed your kid at the same time! Eating, sleeping, and checking e-mail all become complicated endeavors when you add a boob to the mix, but I'm sure I'll be a pro by the end of January.
So here it is--the long, long birth story. Elspeth did not make her entrance into the world quickly or easily, but then I've always been one to do things the hard way... why would my daughter be any different?
We're talking days of labor. Days. Apparently my body is a bit slow to catch on to the whole birthing process. Someone forgot to tell my cervix that dilation is a necessary component of getting the baby out and so it decided to take its pleasant time in getting from point A to point PUSH!
Contractions started early on the morning of December 17th, and by 7 a.m. I was in active labor. We called our midwife, Andrea, and our doula, Evelyn, to let them know, and Tim made up a birth bed in the guest bedroom. It started off intense... contractions were 2 minutes apart right from the beginning, and they got longer and stronger very quickly. I didn't have much break in between, which was a bit scary. I figured I'd have a few minutes to catch my breath, but my body had other ideas! Thankfully our doula was a huge help in reassuring me that the pain was good, that it meant my body was doing what it needed to do. Throughout the entire labor, staying calm was key in keeping the pain at a bearable level.
Tim helped Evelyn set up a birth tub in the kitchen and by the time I got in, I was pretty uncomfortable. Labor pain is something else entirely... I can't compare it to anything I've ever felt, but once I got used to the rhythm, it was manageable, and the tub was a pleasant distraction. As things got more intense, I withdrew into myself... all energy was focused on getting through the next contraction. By the time our midwife arrived, we were all pretty certain I'd be holding baby Elspeth in my arms that evening. Things appeared to be progressing fast.
But a few hours later, the contractions lessened in intensity and and I was getting tired. I hadn't been able to keep food down for most of the day, and I hadn't had a decent meal in well over 24 hours, so my energy was low. That was probably the most excruciating part of the first day... when I realized I didn't have the strength to keep going. Because my water hadn't broken, there was no risk of infection and therefore no rush, so our midwife agreed it would be best if I rested. She checked my cervix around 8 p.m. and--after 12 hours of active labor--I was only 2 cm dilated.
TWO CENTIMETERS, people. This is what they call "failure to progress." I was pretty bummed, but Andrea reassured me that this isn't uncommon for first-time moms, and that things would probably pick up again in the next few days.
Wednesday night was bad, because the contractions kept coming (albeit several minutes apart) and I was frustrated knowing they weren't effective. The pain was enough to keep me from getting much rest, but by Thursday morning they had mostly subsided. I was able to sleep and eat. The contractions were still there, but spaced far apart and less intense.
Thursday night was scary... I started having localized pain in my upper right side--not like contraction pain, but on top of the contractions it was almost unbearable--and I was vomiting. Also, my bladder was aching so badly I could barely walk, I couldn't pee, and I worried about a kidney infection or a UTI. Tim and I decided to go to the emergency room because things didn't feel right. I was admitted to labor and delivery at Eastern Maine Medical around 11 p.m., where the OB on call ran some tests. They all came back negative for infection, and an ultrasound confirmed that baby's head was firmly seated on my bladder--hence the inability to pee! The OB theorized that I was probably feeling kidney pain brought on by fluid retention and the stress of labor. We had the option of being admitted to the hospital for induction, but by that point the worst pain had subsided (of course) and I wasn't comfortable with the idea of being induced, so we opted to head home.
On Friday morning the labor really picked up again, with contractions coming closer and closer together. Once again, we called Andrea and Evelyn, and they came over around 1 p.m. Andrea checked me and I was 6-7 cm dilated--YAY! All of Thursday's contractions were actually doing something (very slowly, but hey, progress is progress) and I was back in active labor. Andrea predicted we'd have a baby by midnight, possibly sooner.
But much like Wednesday, the going was slow. My labor's transition--the most painful, intense part--lasted for hours and hours. By 11 p.m. I was 9 cm dilated, and once again I was exhausted--physically and emotionally. Resting was not an option because the contractions were too intense, and I still had a long way to go.
At that point, I decided (with some encouragement from Andrea and Evelyn) to transfer to the hospital. Even if I'd gotten to 10 cm at home, I wouldn't have had the energy to push, and there was no telling how long it would take and how much more it would drain me to get there. At that point I didn't care if I had to have a C-section--I just wanted the kid OUT and to not be in pain.
So in the wee hours of Saturday morning it was off to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth (why we chose Ellsworth is a long and complicated political story--suffice it to say they were a much better choice, despite the distance), where I was strapped to a bed and given an IV and asked a million questions (some of which I answered, some of which I couldn't because I was too busy yelling). Thankfully the OB on call was not unkind about treating a home birth patient (some are) although it was clear he had reservations about our choosing to transfer so late in the labor. As he'd soon find out, though, we were in no danger of delivering a baby on the side of the road. Elspeth was still taking her pleasant time.
By this point I had no modesty left... everything was about getting away from the pain. Screaming, swearing and thrashing about were all fair game! When the nurse kindly asked me if I had a birth plan, I told her, "Get the #$%&!ing kid out of me now. That's my birth plan." Yeah, I turned into that laboring woman--the one brandishing a rolling pin and screaming obscenities at her husband. Thankfully no one in the room took it personally! And I joke about yelling at Tim, because I had no reason to... he was absolutely amazing through the entire process... attentive, encouraging, and comforting. If he was afraid at any point in the labor, he didn't let it show. I was (and still am) very proud of him.
I have never been so thankful for an epidural. The moment those sweet, sweet narcotics hit my system, I wanted to get out of bed and jump for joy--and I would have if my legs hadn't been numb! I was put on a Pitocin drip to help my cervix dilate, but I could barely feel the contractions... just a tightening sensation in my lower back and abdomen. The nurse also gave me a shot of Benedryl, which had the pleasant side effect of making me drowsy, and I was finally able to sleep. Evelyn, Tim and my mom stayed with me in the delivery room while I snoozed. I didn't have a great sense of time at this point, but it took about five hours to get from 9 to 10 cm with the Pitocin. When the OB checked my cervix again, he found that Elspeth's head was applied at a funny angle, which explained why I was dilating slowly. I was thisclose to having a C-section, but thankfully they were willing to give it some time.
When they told me I could push, I almost didn't believe it. It was the shortest and easiest part of the labor... she was out after only an hour or so. In fact, she came so quickly that the OB wasn't ready to catch her, and they hadn't even brought the baby warmer into the room. I got to a point where I couldn't NOT push because the feeling was too intense, and I vaguely remember saying, "I think that's the head," before Elspeth flew out of me. After such a long, drawn-out labor she was just as eager to get it over with as I was.
The nurses rushed Ellie out to the warmer and gave her oxygen. Her APGAR scores were 3 and 7, respectively... the long labor took its toll, but she recovered and pinked up quickly. Her mama was not so fortunate... I was shipped off to the OR to be stitched up under general anesthesia (I'll spare you the gory details... let's just say sitting was not very comfortable for several days).
I did get to hold her briefly before they took me away, and what they say is true: I forgot about the pain the minute I looked into her big, dark eyes. She's perfect and we love her so very much. It's nuts, but I'd actually consider doing this again. Totally worth it.
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
Dec. 20, 2008 @ 7:01 a.m.
7 lbs, 13 oz | 21.5 inches
More to follow when I have a chance to type with both hands. :)
Originally published at sixhours photography by caroline moore :: blog. You can comment here or there.
Apparently our daughter is a champion procrastinator... we had a consult with a breech specialist last Monday, but when the doctor examined me, she'd already turned. At some point last weekend she must have flipped around. Hurrah! Thanks everyone for the advice and well-wishes. It looks like the home birth is still a go!
So now we play the waiting game. 12 days (not that I'm counting or anything...) until her estimated due date. Earlier would be just fine with me, though! *hint hint, baby girl*
In the meantime, I doodled this little portrait of our soon-to-be family... aren't we cute?
