Sacha and I are tired. We've had a big last week, with her starting her new job and the steep learning curve that that has entailed. For me, it has been my first week of being on nearly round-the-clock baby duty. And Mateo, after several nights of going to sleep like magic at 7 pm, has decided that he no longer likes his new bedtime. He prefers to fuss for a few hours and then go to sleep more like 9:30 or 10.
It's not the bedtime itself that's getting us. If we knew he was just going to go down at 10 or any other time, it would be fine. It's the variability and the several hours of wind-up and fussing before bed that have been wearing us down. We can see him getting overtired and worked up but have a hard time helping him calm down. This process has effectively consumed our last several evenings.
I know this is all part of having an infant join our family! Still, I'm looking forward to that day in the far-distant future when going to bed and sleeping through the night are more normal again. Considering that we want to have another baby at some point, this may really be FAR in the distant future :)
However, some things are improving. After he finally went down last night, he slept from 9 pm to 5 am! It was amazing. He woke up once and needed to be reswaddled, but went right back to sleep and that was that. It was great. I was telling Sacha that if we both didn't have colds (courtesy of her kindergarten class), I bet we would have felt like a million bucks this morning.
In other news, we've had a really nice V Day. Sacha brought home enough chocolate (gifts from her class) to build our house a new foundation and we are in the process of trying to decide what to do with it. Seriously - almost every kid brought her a huge box of something. Apparently, this is a perk of being an elementary school teacher! She reports that teaching middle school was nothing like this on Valentine's Day.
After she got home, I decided that having some time for us as a couple was more important than going to my Spanish class, so I stayed home and we cooked and had a nice time catching up. Mateo even consented to spend a little time in his swing so that his moms could actually eat dinner at the same time!
As I noted a few days ago, we got our first clearly positive pregnancy test on Valentine's Day last year. I am still amazed at how far we have come since then. On at least a weekly, if not daily, basis, I look at Mateo and still can't believe that we actually managed to have a child. And such a great one at that. He such a fun little guy to be around, even when he's fussing.
Speaking of that, said child is currently crying his little heart out, so I'd better go and walk him around this block and pray that he falls asleep soon!
*************************
Edited to add: The walk worked like a charm! I may have to try that again. He conked right out and is now happily asleep in his co-sleeper. Wahoo!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Photo fun...
On Friday, Mateo and I went to hang out with our friend, Emily, and her son, Nils. The four of us had a great time together. The little guys relaxed in the luxury of our nearly-identical strollers while Emily and I chatted and powered up and down some Portland hills. Yes, hills in Portland! Emily's neighborhood was an excellent break from our flat-as-a-pancake neck of the woods.
I learned during our walk that those things (strollers) are surprisingly hard to steer! I ran Mateo off the road more times that I'd care to admit. Gonna have to work on that. Emily also got a couple of great photos of Mateo and Nils checking each other out under Nils' play gym. Well, at least Nils was checking Mateo out. Mateo seemed a bit distracted by the purple elephant overhead!
Also, here are some photos I've been meaning to post forever. Zenaido took them on his visit to Portland in early January. I know I'm behind, but they are so cute that hopefully they're worth the wait!
I learned during our walk that those things (strollers) are surprisingly hard to steer! I ran Mateo off the road more times that I'd care to admit. Gonna have to work on that. Emily also got a couple of great photos of Mateo and Nils checking each other out under Nils' play gym. Well, at least Nils was checking Mateo out. Mateo seemed a bit distracted by the purple elephant overhead!
Also, here are some photos I've been meaning to post forever. Zenaido took them on his visit to Portland in early January. I know I'm behind, but they are so cute that hopefully they're worth the wait!
Poppy seeds, part one
I'm telling you now, I'll probably be doing this all year. I've been thinking about last year a lot recently, because this was the month when we managed to get me knocked up after six months of trying. It was this weekend last year when Sacha and I went to my grandma's place on the Oregon coast to get away and try to distract ourselves from the waiting game.
Of course, we couldn't quite get away from it and by the time we had driven the two hours out to the beach, we had convinced ourselves that we really should buy some pregnancy tests for while we were there :) I think we bought three and used two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. They all came up negative right away and we told ourselves we should have known better than to test that early....but when we fished them out of the trash later on in the day (did I mention that we were obsessed?) they all had these very faint positive lines on them. We decided they must be false positives, because the tests are really supposed to be invalid after ten minutes. Still, we wondered.....
On the way home, we drove a different way and visited the famous Tillamook Cheese Factory. We walked around and had a very greasy lunch in the cafeteria there and boy was I feeling crampy. We wrote that off, as well, to the progesterone supplements I was taking. Still, we couldn't help but wondering.
We got home and of course, took one of our million pregnancy tests that we had stockpiled. It looked negative at first, but then, right around nine minutes, we noticed a verrrrry faint line starting to appear. It never got very dark, and other people later said that they didn't see anything, but we thought there was definitely something there. We took a walk down the street and it was a beautiful day (just like the day when Mateo was born, actually, except in a different season). We talked about how great if it would be if I was pregnant, not that I necessarily was. We were so excited, but also trying not to be too excited! We got our first really solid positive on Valentine's Day, which is another story. But, this weekend was another beginning in a year full of them. At this time last year, Mateo was a clump of cells about the size of a poppy seed. We already loved him so much.
******************************************************
This weekend, Mateo's Bubby came to visit him! We had a wonderful time and she was so sweet with him. She also helped Sacha immensely with kindergarten prep work and strategizing, as well as with shoe shopping! She is great. Here's a cute photo of her and Mateo having a laugh together:
Of course, we couldn't quite get away from it and by the time we had driven the two hours out to the beach, we had convinced ourselves that we really should buy some pregnancy tests for while we were there :) I think we bought three and used two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning. They all came up negative right away and we told ourselves we should have known better than to test that early....but when we fished them out of the trash later on in the day (did I mention that we were obsessed?) they all had these very faint positive lines on them. We decided they must be false positives, because the tests are really supposed to be invalid after ten minutes. Still, we wondered.....
On the way home, we drove a different way and visited the famous Tillamook Cheese Factory. We walked around and had a very greasy lunch in the cafeteria there and boy was I feeling crampy. We wrote that off, as well, to the progesterone supplements I was taking. Still, we couldn't help but wondering.
We got home and of course, took one of our million pregnancy tests that we had stockpiled. It looked negative at first, but then, right around nine minutes, we noticed a verrrrry faint line starting to appear. It never got very dark, and other people later said that they didn't see anything, but we thought there was definitely something there. We took a walk down the street and it was a beautiful day (just like the day when Mateo was born, actually, except in a different season). We talked about how great if it would be if I was pregnant, not that I necessarily was. We were so excited, but also trying not to be too excited! We got our first really solid positive on Valentine's Day, which is another story. But, this weekend was another beginning in a year full of them. At this time last year, Mateo was a clump of cells about the size of a poppy seed. We already loved him so much.
******************************************************
This weekend, Mateo's Bubby came to visit him! We had a wonderful time and she was so sweet with him. She also helped Sacha immensely with kindergarten prep work and strategizing, as well as with shoe shopping! She is great. Here's a cute photo of her and Mateo having a laugh together:
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Three months
Dear Mateo,
On January 31st, you turned three months old. In fact, in some ways, you turned one year old. That was the date last year when you were conceived and we all started on this path together. It has been an amazing year and an even more amazing three months!
In the last month, you have gotten to be a very strong boy. You recently learned a new skill: when we hold on to both of your hands, you can pull yourself up to a sitting position and then to standing up! It is the cutest thing. You get a totally indescribable look on your face when we do it with you. Your little legs are still very bowed (I'm always saying that one could drive a truck through them) but you love to stand on them and look around.
As well, two momentous things have happened to you in the last month! First, you got adopted by your mommy and now have two legal parents! We were all so excited about this, as you might notice when you learn how to read and go back to read all these blog posts.
Secondly, you met your Apa for the first time. You and he hit it off like old pals and he loves you very much. You're going to get to see him again in a week or so and that will be wonderful for you and all of us.
You continue to be fascinated by the world around you and especially by the mobile in your crib. You love to watch the little ocean creatures turn around and around above your head...and Mommy and I love to constantly hum the song that the mobile plays. We know this is just the beginning of toys that play endlessly repeating jingles.
You are growing like a little weed and developing quite the milk belly. When you sit up, it hangs over your little legs. We love how roly-poly you are and know that you are stockpiling energy reserves for when you start crawling and walking! And boy oh boy, are you ready to do that. You sometimes seem ready to get going RIGHT NOW! You get going with your arms and legs and we think you must be frustrated that you can't seem to move yourself along yet. I have chosen not to think about the day that you become mobile, because I just can't imagine how we're going to keep up with you!
You have a lovely repetoire of cooing sounds, ranging from your trusty old "ah-goo!" to "ah-boo", "ah-doo", "goo", "boo", "doo", etc. Are you sensing a theme here?
You express yourself more and more all the time and have a beautiful smile that often comes along with your gooing. You have laughed several times and are also learning to shriek, which seems to delight you!
In the past month, you have also become a world traveler! You went to Mexico with us for a week, increasing your lifetime total of flights taken from two to six. You charm people everywhere we go and they always tell us how beautiful you are. As your parents, we certainly agree.
During our travels, we all spent time with your Grammy and Grandpa. You really love them and always give them lots of smiles. In fact, your face always lights up when you see your Grandpa. You must already sense what an important person he will be in your life. Soon you'll be seeing your Bubby and your Poppa and we know you'll have lots of fun reconnecting with them after not seeing them for a month or so!
Since you turned three months, your mommy has gone back to work and you're at home with me during the day now. We really miss her a lot and are adjusting to the difference in daily life. She's adjusting too. We all think she will really like her new job, though, and think it's a good move for our family. I guess change is always a part of life, eh?
Let's see, what else. Sleep! You are mastering the art. In fact, you are having a nap right now and have been asleep for almost 2 hours. This is amazing and unprecedented. You have also begun to sleep regularly (well, for the past four nights anyway) from 7 pm to 7 am. For this, we have a good friend of mine to thank, because she recommended Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth to us. At this point, we're just using the sleep schedule he recommends and it's working like a charm. We loooove it when you sleep so well. It helps you be happier when you're awake and that's great for all of us!
In your fourth month, Mateo, you have lots to look forward to! We can't wait to experience it all with you.
Con mucho amor,
Mama
On January 31st, you turned three months old. In fact, in some ways, you turned one year old. That was the date last year when you were conceived and we all started on this path together. It has been an amazing year and an even more amazing three months!
In the last month, you have gotten to be a very strong boy. You recently learned a new skill: when we hold on to both of your hands, you can pull yourself up to a sitting position and then to standing up! It is the cutest thing. You get a totally indescribable look on your face when we do it with you. Your little legs are still very bowed (I'm always saying that one could drive a truck through them) but you love to stand on them and look around.
As well, two momentous things have happened to you in the last month! First, you got adopted by your mommy and now have two legal parents! We were all so excited about this, as you might notice when you learn how to read and go back to read all these blog posts.
Secondly, you met your Apa for the first time. You and he hit it off like old pals and he loves you very much. You're going to get to see him again in a week or so and that will be wonderful for you and all of us.
You continue to be fascinated by the world around you and especially by the mobile in your crib. You love to watch the little ocean creatures turn around and around above your head...and Mommy and I love to constantly hum the song that the mobile plays. We know this is just the beginning of toys that play endlessly repeating jingles.
You are growing like a little weed and developing quite the milk belly. When you sit up, it hangs over your little legs. We love how roly-poly you are and know that you are stockpiling energy reserves for when you start crawling and walking! And boy oh boy, are you ready to do that. You sometimes seem ready to get going RIGHT NOW! You get going with your arms and legs and we think you must be frustrated that you can't seem to move yourself along yet. I have chosen not to think about the day that you become mobile, because I just can't imagine how we're going to keep up with you!
You have a lovely repetoire of cooing sounds, ranging from your trusty old "ah-goo!" to "ah-boo", "ah-doo", "goo", "boo", "doo", etc. Are you sensing a theme here?
You express yourself more and more all the time and have a beautiful smile that often comes along with your gooing. You have laughed several times and are also learning to shriek, which seems to delight you!
In the past month, you have also become a world traveler! You went to Mexico with us for a week, increasing your lifetime total of flights taken from two to six. You charm people everywhere we go and they always tell us how beautiful you are. As your parents, we certainly agree.
During our travels, we all spent time with your Grammy and Grandpa. You really love them and always give them lots of smiles. In fact, your face always lights up when you see your Grandpa. You must already sense what an important person he will be in your life. Soon you'll be seeing your Bubby and your Poppa and we know you'll have lots of fun reconnecting with them after not seeing them for a month or so!
Since you turned three months, your mommy has gone back to work and you're at home with me during the day now. We really miss her a lot and are adjusting to the difference in daily life. She's adjusting too. We all think she will really like her new job, though, and think it's a good move for our family. I guess change is always a part of life, eh?
Let's see, what else. Sleep! You are mastering the art. In fact, you are having a nap right now and have been asleep for almost 2 hours. This is amazing and unprecedented. You have also begun to sleep regularly (well, for the past four nights anyway) from 7 pm to 7 am. For this, we have a good friend of mine to thank, because she recommended Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth to us. At this point, we're just using the sleep schedule he recommends and it's working like a charm. We loooove it when you sleep so well. It helps you be happier when you're awake and that's great for all of us!
In your fourth month, Mateo, you have lots to look forward to! We can't wait to experience it all with you.
Con mucho amor,
Mama
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Comparisons
Before last week, Mateo had last visited the beach in utero, when he was about a week away from being born. It was pretty cool to go to the beach in Cancun and have a roly-poly three-month-old to play in the sand with, in place of the big beach ball I had in my shirt the last time. Here are some photos:
Me at 40 weeks pregnant:
We did reveal his name to the sand in Lincoln City:
And, the whole family three months later:
Also, we've been noticing just how big our little guy has been getting. Here's a photo of him in his co-sleeper before we left. Compare it with the shot we took of him at a couple of weeks old. Big difference, eh?
Me at 40 weeks pregnant:
We did reveal his name to the sand in Lincoln City:
And, the whole family three months later:
Also, we've been noticing just how big our little guy has been getting. Here's a photo of him in his co-sleeper before we left. Compare it with the shot we took of him at a couple of weeks old. Big difference, eh?
First day
Send some love out to Sacha if you get a chance. She had her first day as a kindergarten teacher today and it was a rough ride. She's a trooper and I know she'll be just fine, but the kids really ran her through the wringer. She and Mateo both crashed out early tonight and hopefully are both stocking up on sleep for a good day tomorrow!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
And...we're back!
I owe Mateo his three-month letter pretty soon here (okay, I'm way behind, but it will happen!) but wanted to report first that we're back from Cancun and had a wonderful time. It was sunny and warm and we had fun with my parents and it was really everything a vacation should be. It had its ups and downs, including Sacha having horrible ear trouble on our first flight and me getting the stomach flu on our third (I learned that airlines do indeed still carry those motion sickness bags), but there were many more ups than downs.
I'm not sure if I talked about this before, but the reason for our trip was that we were all going on the Carter Center Winter Weekend, which is an annual trip sponsored by former President Jimmy Carter's humanitarian non-profit. My parents took us to the Winter Weekend two years ago when it was in Utah and we had a great time playing in the snow. This year, they decided to go to a warmer locale. The way it works is that you have the days free to do activities or just relax and then they have events in the evening, like a town hall meeting with the Carters and a live auction and a bunch of other stuff. The Carter Center really does some amazing stuff. Check them out here.
Mateo had the good luck to be held twice by Jimmy Carter. We got some great photos, but one is stuck on my dad's phone and the other was with real film, so none for the blog as yet. In addition to winning over a former President, Mateo was a very popular boy among the other guests! Here are some photos of our trip, in semi-chronological order:
Here's Mateo perfecting his airplane sleeping position with Grammy:
Still snoozing much later upon arrival at Club Med in Cancun, while Sacha enjoys a refreshing drink:
The amazing view from our room:
Here are me and Mateo at Tulum, a site of ancient Mayan ruins. We took a half-day tour there and had a great tour guide who was born Belgian, raised in Morocco and a recently naturalized Mexican citizen! Mateo enjoyed the ruins, although he got pretty hot. He must have been thirsty, because he consumed an incredible amount of milk during our short visit to Tulum.
I love this photo of our little guy in the bath. My parents had a huge bathtub in their room, which filled only very slowly through a spray nozzle, and Mateo took several dips in it. He seemed to enjoy bathing much more than in our freezing Portland bathroom!
Here we are at the beach:
Checking things out outside the sling:
Family portrait!:
Sacha helping Mateo with his first ocean dip:
Hanging out with Grandpa and Grammy inside a restaurant:
And my favorite - Mateo reclining in the lap of luxury on my parents' deck:
I'm not sure if I talked about this before, but the reason for our trip was that we were all going on the Carter Center Winter Weekend, which is an annual trip sponsored by former President Jimmy Carter's humanitarian non-profit. My parents took us to the Winter Weekend two years ago when it was in Utah and we had a great time playing in the snow. This year, they decided to go to a warmer locale. The way it works is that you have the days free to do activities or just relax and then they have events in the evening, like a town hall meeting with the Carters and a live auction and a bunch of other stuff. The Carter Center really does some amazing stuff. Check them out here.
Mateo had the good luck to be held twice by Jimmy Carter. We got some great photos, but one is stuck on my dad's phone and the other was with real film, so none for the blog as yet. In addition to winning over a former President, Mateo was a very popular boy among the other guests! Here are some photos of our trip, in semi-chronological order:
Here's Mateo perfecting his airplane sleeping position with Grammy:
Still snoozing much later upon arrival at Club Med in Cancun, while Sacha enjoys a refreshing drink:
The amazing view from our room:
Here are me and Mateo at Tulum, a site of ancient Mayan ruins. We took a half-day tour there and had a great tour guide who was born Belgian, raised in Morocco and a recently naturalized Mexican citizen! Mateo enjoyed the ruins, although he got pretty hot. He must have been thirsty, because he consumed an incredible amount of milk during our short visit to Tulum.
I love this photo of our little guy in the bath. My parents had a huge bathtub in their room, which filled only very slowly through a spray nozzle, and Mateo took several dips in it. He seemed to enjoy bathing much more than in our freezing Portland bathroom!
Here we are at the beach:
Checking things out outside the sling:
Family portrait!:
Sacha helping Mateo with his first ocean dip:
Hanging out with Grandpa and Grammy inside a restaurant:
And my favorite - Mateo reclining in the lap of luxury on my parents' deck:
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