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April 29, 2006
pizzzzzzzaaaahhhhhh
*sigh*
I know in the grand scheme of things avoiding tomatoes is hardly a sacrifice. I know this. Yesterday, however, I just had to test out tomatoes again. With deep-dish pizza.
And despite the risk to Eli's sleep, we slept...9:30-1:30. Then up again at 3. Then 5:30....Then 7. We are getting sleep, people. When he gets 'up' it's not really 'up' as I can feed him lying down. It was the most important breastfeeding skill to learn with Gus, and it pays off with Eli.
Eli's gut seems to be calming down, a lot. He did really well at daycare the past two days, and Gus continues to keep track of him. Such a relief.
We took our new double-wide stroller for a twirl this morning at a nearby forest preserve. Four miles later, we knew for certain we were going to be out and about a lot this summer.
Posted by janna at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2006
Back to it
Eli, you were a champ. Not only did you manage to charm the pants off the ladies at daycare,, you took the most bottles you've ever had in a 24-hour period and dealt with eating every three hours rather than, oh, all day, very well.
You ate 12 oz, and I pumped 18 while you were away. This is a good sign as I'd rather pump more than you need because there will probably come a time when I just can't make enough.
Gus, you also performed your older brother routine beautifully, showering Eli with kisses throughout the day. Thank you for being so sweet. I know you often feel like Eli gets all of the attention, but I hope you also feel and know how much we love you, Now, if you could just stop 'tickling; Eli's eyes, we'd really lay off on the whole 'be gentle' talk we throw your way.
Cristy called me later in the afternoon. The first thing she said was, "Eli's fine." Then, she went on to say that she had wanted to say something to me earlier, but she thought it might make me feel worse. She went on to say, "Thank you for sharing your child with me."
I lost it. But certainly tried to thank her even more. It was the nicest thing ever. I felt instantly better after that.
Must sleep...no napping tomorrow!
Posted by janna at 09:46 PM | Comments (0)
We're okay, right?
Today is the practice day. The day where both Eli and Gus are at daycare. The day where I can get a haircut and do the things I need to do before going to work tomorrow.
This day is a good day. But it kind of sucks.
Good in that we are starting our routine. Sucky in that I don't have all-day snuggle time with Eli.
Good in that Eli gets to be with really good people all day long...and so do I. Sucky in that it's not the same people at the same time.
I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine.
Don't cry anymore. He's fine. Even though when you called they said he was 'anxious' so they gave him a bath to soothe him, it's fine. He's fine.
It's good that we're doing this today. This way I don't have to go to work and deal with all of the raw emotions AND act excited to be back. My friend Liz told me a trick... chew gum. She said it's impossible to cry and chew gum at the same time.
I have my pack ready.
In a shocking change of events, Eli actually slept pretty well last night! Maybe he knows it's time to hunker down and get into a routine. Good job, Eli!
Posted by janna at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2006
The Zoo
Check out these zoo pictures from last Saturday: "I go zoo NOW, Mama!"
We met up with Jennifer, Miles and Samantha...The kids go to daycare together and are fast friends. As Miles said to Gus a week ago, "Gustavo, you're my BEST friend."
Isn't that awesome??
Here's my favorite:
Posted by janna at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
No wonder
Eli has been wearing 3-6 month clothing for at least two weeks now. He turned eight weeks yesterday (clearly not within the 3-6 month age range).
We now know why he's almost too long for 3-6 month clothing.
At his two-month check-up today, Eli was:
13 lbs! (90-95th percentile)
24 1/2 inches! (75-90th percentile)
Eli gained 2 lbs 13 oz in a month, and grew 2 inches!
In other words, we grow 'em big over here in the DeVylder household, especially the second time around. As a comparison:
At birth:
Gus- 7 lbs, 2 oz; 19.5 inches
Eli- 8 lbs, 2 oz; 20 inches
One month:
Gus- 8 lbs, 8 oz; 22 inches
Eli- 10 lbs, 3 oz; 22.5 inches
Two month:
Gus-11 lbs, 5 oz; 23.25 inches
Eli- 13 lbs; 24.5 inches
Thank goodness for Babydays, I would never remember this stuff on my own...It is important to note that Gus was born 2 1/2 weeks early, so who knows how big he would have been at birth!
Posted by janna at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
Someday he'll be too big for this...
...but for now, let's revel in it. Pure happiness.
Posted by janna at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
Anji
What a treat to see Anji! She was in town for a medical conference and took a break to visit. As you can see, both Eli and Gus were enamored! Eli was cooing away at the pretty lady...the charm turns on early in our boys.
Posted by janna at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2006
Passing on the wounds
I just watched Oprah this morning. (My daily Oprah fix is coming to a stop since I go back to work on Thursday, but I'm not ready to write about that yet.)
The show started by highlighting the stories of a three-year old who was obsessed with make-up and looking pretty and a four-year old who was obsessed with being thin, going so far as to skip the PB&J at lunch to just eat the fruit cup. Three and four. While the mom's acknowledged some of their own personal demons, they mostly pointed to outside sources as the influential culprits of their children's behavior.
Then there was the teenage model who hated herself, who saw herself as ugly when she looked in the mirror. Her mother did the same thing to herself, but when she saw her daughter, she gently chastised her for thinking she was ugly... "Look at how beautiful you are, how can you say you're ugly? How can you say you're fat? If you want to see fat, look at me." In a way, it ended up being a weird contest of who hated themselves more, who wasn't good enough, who wasn't *fill in the blank*.
Around this and other conversations, some comments from the doctor on the show struck me. One was the idea of us passing on the wounds. I kind of likened it to running around in a room while covered with honey, feathers floating everywhere. Stuff just sticks, no matter how you dodge it. For every painpoint you were unable to address or resolve in your life, it somehow gets passed on to your children and they embody it often in a more exaggerated way than you yourself experienced it. For example, the mother of the three-year old who thought she was ugly, the mother always felt that growing up. She tried to over compensate by always telling her daughter how beautiful she is, but in her case it became all about who she was.
This was a very girl-centric show, but I didn't find it hard to think about how such things impact boys and men. While I am not a male role model for Gus and Eli, they not only learn how to treat themselves by watching how I treat myself, they learn how to treat the other women they will encounter in their lives. For example, how can I expect Gus and Eli to remain active beings throughout their lives if I myself am not active? If I berate how I look, something I've done, or even other people, they'll do it, too. The question is, as a parent, how do you deal with your own insecurities and issues without imparting the insecurities and issues onto your children?
The other concept that I wondered about was the notion of writing a letter to your younger self. What in the world would you say to your younger self? I have a feeling that a lot of what we would say can only be accepted after the experience, you know? How many pieces of advice did you get growing up that you didn't accept as truth until after you did what you shouldn't have done?
Let me give it a shot.
-----------------------------------------
Dear little Janna (let's say, oh, anywhere from age 8-12),
Don't freak out, but I'm you when you're 31. I know, you thought you'd have three kids by the age of 24 because that seemed so OLD, but trust me, you won't be anywhere near ready to have a family by that point. It's not that you won't be able to, it's just that you'll still be figuring a lot of stuff out.
I don't like the idea of giving you advice or stearing you in a different direction that I experienced since all the roads you will travel will bring you to a pretty awesome place. I do, however, wish I could remove some self-doubt from you... you know, lighten your load a bit on your travels.
First, please know that it's okay to be smart. It's okay to be really smart. You'll start to figure this out in sixth grade when you meet a really amazing teacher named Ms. Sullivan. She'll suck you out of your defeatest ways so quickly your head will spin. Thank goodness for her. Enjoy your year with her, she'll inspire you to feel like the strong girl you are.
Don't ponder too much about the popular girls. Yeah, yeah, they're cute and popular and seem to be good at everything they do, but you'll get yours someday. You'll even be really good friends with some of those same girls later, but for all the right reasons and never for the sake of popularity.
Janna, you compare yourself to the skinny girls sometimes, don't you? True, you're not skin and bones, and when you mention it to your Mom she'll say you have babyfat but you'll grow out of it. I don't think it matters what I say about this, you'll still think these things and compare yourself and feel hurt when some boys tease you, but you know what I wish for you? I wish for you strong and steady persistence and patience with people and a thick skin at times. I wish for you only the knowlege that comes with time, the knowledge that tells you there is no need to compete, because people are like apples and oranges. I wish for you to be surrounded by sweet, gentle, and fun folks who celebrate you as you and don't feel the urge to pick on you in order to build themselves up.
As an only child, you have quite the imagination. Keep using it, let it explode! Stop being your own worst enemy by sabotaging your own efforts. Again, see the previous paragraph about how it's okay to be smart.
I could go on and on, but one more thing... don't stop learning how to write code for computers. If you would only keep it up, you could be making a lot more money than I ever will. Embrace the geeky you!
xo
janna
Posted by janna at 09:40 AM | Comments (1)
April 21, 2006
Oozing cuteness
Gus, I could gobble you up.
This morning, as we were dropping John off at the train, Gus said, "I train, too!"
"You want to ride the train?" I said.
Gus replied in the sweetest, sing-songy voice, trying to convince me:
"It'll be fuuu-hhuuunn (fun)!"
Gus, most anything with you is fun. We're taking the train this weekend.
Posted by janna at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Spring has reached our yard
Posted by janna at 01:51 PM | Comments (0)
Hi Mama
Posted by janna at 01:30 PM | Comments (2)
April 18, 2006
A dose of Gusisms
me: "May I have a kiss?"
gus: *kisses my cheek*
gus: "You kiss Papa."
-----------
me: "Who will you play with today?
me: (waiting for a response)
me: "Miles? Gabe?"
gus: "Mama, stop!"
me: "You want me to stop talking?"
gus: "Yes."
me: "Okay, but you have to tell me a story."
gus: "I'm a moose!" (holding a stick on his head)
-----------
gus: "I'm counting zebras... 1, 2, 9, 10, 14!"
(a variation of counting includes: "1, 2, 2 , 2, 9, 9, 9, 10, 14!")
Posted by janna at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2006
Easter 2006
Getting ready for company
Great Grammy Shirley
Granny Janice
Dreaming of bunnies
Egg hunt indoors since it was raining..."I found one!"
Grandma Shirley made egg cakes, how cute!
Gus didn't take a nap, so when he fell asleep at 5:30, we were a bit concerned that he'd wake up at three am. While he did wake up several times in the night, he woke up for good at 7:15! Unbelievable.
Posted by janna at 11:48 AM | Comments (1)
April 16, 2006
Oh, so no one wants to help me get the spit up off my back?
Posted by janna at 06:57 PM | Comments (1)
101 uses for pump bottles
While I am so glad I am able to breastfeed, one of the hard things about working and breastfeeding is the whole pumping deal. There are all these 'things' you have to have with you every day, and it has to be sterilized, and you have to remember to put the milk in the fridge, blah blah blah. Gus taught me, however, that pump bottles have other uses...
(yes, that's a frog coming out of the bottle)
Posted by janna at 06:50 PM
C'mon, Grandma...
...show me the goods!
Posted by janna at 06:12 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2006
You're six weeks old?
Elias! What's the big idea, growing so fast?
You are becoming a bundle of personality. You have become quite the talker these days, giving us your opinion on many a topic (especially the topic of 'I'm hungry, feed me already'). You definitely prefer to be held over put down, but are starting to get used to hanging out a bit more in your bouncy seat.
Ah, the bouncy seat. Since that is the place we place you most when not holding you, Gus has taken to sitting in it himself. Luckily, you're out of it most of the time when he does climb in. While you sit, Gus loves to come over to you and tickle your eyes (that's what his caring caress looks like), as he refuses to show his affection on, let's say, the side of your face. But Gus loves you, Eli, and he just can't help himself. He gives you hugs and kisses all the time, and we're trying to explain to him how his body is just a wee bit bigger than yours and it is not to be rested upon you. Again, another hard thing to learn and stop, especially when the love is so big.
Gus is starting to talk directly to you more and more. He often can be heard saying, "It's okay, Eli..." when you're crying. The phrase we hear most from Gus about you is, "I see Eli!" If we don't put you within reach of Gus that instant, we will hear about it. Gus has also started yelling at you. This is a new thing, but I reckon it's just the beginning. It's not really YELLING, it's more being bossy, really. For example, the other morning, as I brought you down to Gus' level (since he demanded to see you), your hand got caught on his shirt. Maybe you grabed it since you're becomming quite grabby these days, but whatever happened, it miffed Gus in such a cute way: "No, Eli, it's MY shirt!" Gus has wanted me to pick him up a couple of times when I'm holidng you, but otherwise seems pretty cool with the situation. This morning, though, we had been playing this stop/go game that we're trying so that Gus learns to STOP when he runs down the sidewalk and we yell stop. I had to feed you, Eli, so I went in the living room. Gus came in, asking me to play more. I told him I would as soon as I was finshed. He walked way, saying, "Oh, man...." I totally cracked up and also felt sad for him. I felt sad for me, too, because he's growing up and the fact that he can show disappointment by saying "Oh, man..." means I'm going to blink and he's going to go to college... I digress.
You love to look around, especially at the crown molding. It's still a favorite. If the TV is on, you will stare at it, so I try to keep you away from that. You'll have plenty of movie time later. You are starting to smile more and more and really enjoy sing-songy voices. You seem to recognize Boob and Guy now as YOUR people, but are mostly content with anyone holding you (except in times of hunger...only Boob will do then).
Your eyelashes have grown out, so light, just like your eyebrows. Your hair seems to be growing a little bit, but not much more than what you had when you were born. You definitely seem heavier and longer than a couple of weeks ago. You still laugh in your sleep occasionally...oh and yes, you're sleeping! Really well! Like three and four hour stretches! You still have about two fussy periods during the day, but they are extremely short and predictable. Now that I've figured out what I can eat and what to avoid (no garlic, tomatoes, onions, citrus, strawberries, corn, peppers, chocolate), you have not had suffering bouts of gas and crying and green poo. Oh, no, friends, the yellow poo is back and we sing a little song of thanks everytime you burp and poop with gusto and ease.
I'm going back to work in about two weeks. While I'm very sad at the prospect, I feel good knowing you're going to be with Gus in a wonderful home, making new friends and learning Spanish.
The good times have just begun. Papa and I just love watching you and Gus grow. We hope we continue to do right by you because we really feel so, so, so lucky to experience life with the two of you.
Posted by janna at 06:42 AM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2006
Trains
"No, Eli!" Gus says as the trains roll down Eli's chest. "You hold them!"
Yesterday, at the library (my first full round-trip outing with two kids on my own!) Gus says to a woman:
"Eli's name is Eli!"
Posted by janna at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
Cheeks, DeVylder style
Posted by janna at 10:13 PM | Comments (1)
Van-ing it with Granny Janice
Posted by janna at 10:03 PM | Comments (0)
Hold the tomatoes...all forms of them
After going to Unity Temple this morning, we decided to grab some lunch at this new Italian restaurant. John was understandably hesitant when I suggested it, wondering if I would be able to find anything 'safe' to eat. Of course I'll be able to find something at an Italian joint that doesn't have tomatoes or garlic or onions.
Right?
Well, yes and no. The choices are quite limited. And I learned and interesting lesson about tomatoes. Case in point:
I ordered a chicken panini. The board said it was just chicken and spinach. I asked the server what else was on it. Just chicken and spinach. Ok. Perfect.
I get my sandwich. I can't believe it. Tomato sauce everywhere. Since I'm feeding Eli, John takes my sandwich up and talks to the manager. John explains that I can't eat tomatoes (which I made my server aware of).
"Sir," said the manager, "There are no tomatoes on this sandwich."
Uh, what?
After John clarified that there were, in fact, tomatoes on the sandwich, a different manager comes up to me and asks if there was anything wrong with the sandwich.
Me: I can't eat tomatoes right now.
Her: There are no tomatoes on the sandwich, just tomato sauce
Me: Tomato sauce is made out of tomatoes!
For an Italian place there are a lot of employees who don't seem to know that.
Posted by janna at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2006
gu·ber·na·to·ri·al
Gustav's first six-syllable word
John was reading the Chicago Tribune online when he came across a picture of Judy Baar Topinka, the republican gubernatorial candidate in Illinois. It was a picture of her with her dogs, so John pointed it out to Gus.
Here's the closed captioned version of the audio file:
(Zeppo squeaking her hedgehog in the background)
John: Gubernatorial?
Gus: Guber-toryal
John: Say it again?
Gus: EEEeeeeee!
John: oooohhhhh!
Gus: Ah booboobooboo
John: Gubernatorial?
Gus: (in big dinosaur voice) Gu...ber...tor........yal...............YES!
John: (laughing) Yes...
Posted by janna at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2006
Curse you, mac and cheese
You sat there, so convenient in my freezer. Frozen bags of Kraft goodness, calling on me and my weakness to heat and serve. Oh, you seemed innocuous and took advantage of me in my weakened food selection state.
Sure, I had bragged I could have dairy, but I was only having small amounts. Then you came along, the whole bowl-full of goodness, and boom. Two hours later Eli is writhing in discomfort with a gassy belly and mucousy poo.
I thought you were my friend. You're lucky I didn't eat you for dinner.
Posted by janna at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2006
Two nights in a row
Two nights in a row we've gotten what we consider to be amazing nights of sleep.
Gus slept through the night because he wasn't startled awake by hour-long fits of Eli crying.
John and I got three- to four-hour stretches in. The secret in making sure Eli does not have a six=hour crying, painful stretch seems to have everything to do with what I eat.
My list of things to avoid has grown, and I did enjoy eating the foods while I could...but sleep and a comfortable baby are a bigger pull than eating.
No chocolate.
No tomatoes (which are in half of my favorite condiments, argh).
No onions.
No garlic.
No strawberries.
No citrus (ok, Jenn, so I gorged on lemon bars...they were so awesome! I'll need the recipe in, oh, a year.)
No red peppers.
Potentially no pineapple and white fish...I'll have to test those again.
I'm just thankful that wheat, dairy and soy seem ok. So far.
Posted by janna at 06:11 AM | Comments (1)
April 01, 2006
Embracing our date night
It's totally time.
My name is Janna and I love my Honda Odyssey. WE love it so much that for the last three weekends we have had a family date night in it. I swore I wasn't going to write about it because it's just too damn embarassing, but I love my van...how can I be embarassed by date night in it?
We've had little variation in our date night:
1. We pack up the van with our little peeps.
2. We start up a movie. Today it was Finding Nemo. Yes, we have a DVD player (you see why I crush on this thing?)
3. We drive two miles north.
4. We drive through Pollo Campero and pick up the best fried chicken we have ever eaten. It's not just fried chicken. It's Guatemalan fried chicken. It's heaven.
5. We park in the parking lot not far from Pollo Campero and we eat. And watch movies. And feed Eli.
Three weekends in a row.
We confessed our date night to our friends Dawson and Melissa who visited us today. Their enthusiasm pushed us to have a double date day. We all got in the van, Dawson and Melissa included, and shared in the glory of the chicken.
I have a feeling they'll be calling us for another date. Yes, it's that good.
Posted by janna at 09:41 PM | Comments (0)