I had always thought wedding planning had to be the most stressful event but now I know nothing comes close to planning and getting ready for a baby. There is so much more to do, with so many things to buy and it’s also endless. Even though it’s more work, I’m enjoying it so much more. I love getting baby stuff and all of a sudden I find myself more in the kids section at stores than anywhere else. I can't wait to meet my little girl.
February 25, 2011
February 23, 2011
Parenting Potpourri
Notes from Babywise chapter 12
Bathing your Baby: Your baby should not receive her first bath at home until the remainder of the umbilical cord has fallen off (7-14 days after birth.)
Bonding with your baby: Take time to acknowledge the wonderful creation of a new life. But don’t think these first few minutes are more binding or important than all the hours and days that will follow.
Crib Death or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) It is unexpected death that can happen anytime in the first year with most occurring between 2-4 months. More babies die in the winter months, than in summer and in colder climates than in warmer. The one thing that most pediatricians agree on is a good quality firm mattress. Soft mattresses should be avoided. Spend extra money for a good mattress.
Diapers: As a general rule, you will change your baby’s diaper at each feeding. On an average 6-8 diaper changes a day. Remember your goal is for baby to sleep through the night, not to wake up for a diaper change.
Diaper Rash: Caused by yeast infections, food allergies, new teeth or sitting too long in a dirty diaper.
Grandparents: There is a special relationship between the third generation and the first. Within, reason, you will want to take advantage of every opportunity for grandparents to enjoy your child. While they may very much enjoy their grandchildren, they are not the parents- you are. Having a high powered, take charge relative come in right after birth can be very hard on new mother’s emotions. A husband can help by protecting his wife from unwelcome intrusions. We would strongly suggest you provide each set of grandparents with their own copy of Babywise.
Immunizations: the 8 common vaccinations offered are Polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) tetanus, rubella (German measles) mumps, measles, hepatitis and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). Most docs start routine immunizations within the first two months.
Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking: Pacifiers can be used for when the baby is fussing but not hungry. But be careful not to use the pacifier as a “plug” whenever you baby fusses, nor should it become a sleep prop. Don’t create habits that will have to be broken later. Some children will not take pacifiers and suck their thumb instead. That’s fine.
Sleeping with your baby The family Bed: The family bed is unsafe. Shared sleep confuses infant sleep cycles. And separation anxiety often occurs when the child is asked to leave mom and dad’s bed. If an infant is placed in her bed and room right from the start, no separation anxiety takes place.
Spitting up: This is normal. Your baby may have taken more milk than she needed. Vomiting is not the same thing as spitting. Call your doctor if vomiting occurs when she ejects all she took in.
Starting Solid Foods: At about 3 months of age, you will see the baby preparing for a change in menu ( although you will not begin feeding solid foods until she is 4-6 months of age. The first food to add is rice cereal.
Teething: Your baby’s first teeth will push through at between 6-8 month. Irritability, fussiness, increased salivation, and a slightly raised temperature sometimes accompanies new teeth.
Weaning your baby: You may breastfeed from 6 months to a year. You can start the weaning process by eliminating one feeding at a time, going 3-4 days before dropping the next one. Usually late afternoon feeding is the easiest to drop. Replace each feeding with 6-8oz of formula milk in a bottle. If your baby is 9 months or older, consider going straight to a cup rather than a bottle. When your baby is one years, begin to wean her from the bottle. It takes time so be prepared to be patient.
Bathing your Baby: Your baby should not receive her first bath at home until the remainder of the umbilical cord has fallen off (7-14 days after birth.)
Bonding with your baby: Take time to acknowledge the wonderful creation of a new life. But don’t think these first few minutes are more binding or important than all the hours and days that will follow.
Crib Death or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) It is unexpected death that can happen anytime in the first year with most occurring between 2-4 months. More babies die in the winter months, than in summer and in colder climates than in warmer. The one thing that most pediatricians agree on is a good quality firm mattress. Soft mattresses should be avoided. Spend extra money for a good mattress.
Diapers: As a general rule, you will change your baby’s diaper at each feeding. On an average 6-8 diaper changes a day. Remember your goal is for baby to sleep through the night, not to wake up for a diaper change.
Diaper Rash: Caused by yeast infections, food allergies, new teeth or sitting too long in a dirty diaper.
Grandparents: There is a special relationship between the third generation and the first. Within, reason, you will want to take advantage of every opportunity for grandparents to enjoy your child. While they may very much enjoy their grandchildren, they are not the parents- you are. Having a high powered, take charge relative come in right after birth can be very hard on new mother’s emotions. A husband can help by protecting his wife from unwelcome intrusions. We would strongly suggest you provide each set of grandparents with their own copy of Babywise.
Immunizations: the 8 common vaccinations offered are Polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) tetanus, rubella (German measles) mumps, measles, hepatitis and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). Most docs start routine immunizations within the first two months.
Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking: Pacifiers can be used for when the baby is fussing but not hungry. But be careful not to use the pacifier as a “plug” whenever you baby fusses, nor should it become a sleep prop. Don’t create habits that will have to be broken later. Some children will not take pacifiers and suck their thumb instead. That’s fine.
Sleeping with your baby The family Bed: The family bed is unsafe. Shared sleep confuses infant sleep cycles. And separation anxiety often occurs when the child is asked to leave mom and dad’s bed. If an infant is placed in her bed and room right from the start, no separation anxiety takes place.
Spitting up: This is normal. Your baby may have taken more milk than she needed. Vomiting is not the same thing as spitting. Call your doctor if vomiting occurs when she ejects all she took in.
Starting Solid Foods: At about 3 months of age, you will see the baby preparing for a change in menu ( although you will not begin feeding solid foods until she is 4-6 months of age. The first food to add is rice cereal.
Teething: Your baby’s first teeth will push through at between 6-8 month. Irritability, fussiness, increased salivation, and a slightly raised temperature sometimes accompanies new teeth.
Weaning your baby: You may breastfeed from 6 months to a year. You can start the weaning process by eliminating one feeding at a time, going 3-4 days before dropping the next one. Usually late afternoon feeding is the easiest to drop. Replace each feeding with 6-8oz of formula milk in a bottle. If your baby is 9 months or older, consider going straight to a cup rather than a bottle. When your baby is one years, begin to wean her from the bottle. It takes time so be prepared to be patient.
When Your Baby Cries
Notes from Babywise chapter 8
Clearly, the cry is a multi-functional tool for a baby to get what she needs. Besides crying when hungry, baby plays the blues when she is tired, wet, sick, bored, frustrated, out of routine, fed to often or sometimes simply because that is what normal, healthy babies do.
All babies cry, often without any apparent reason. Newborns cry a total of 1-4 hours a day. No mother can console her child every time she cries, so don’t expect to be a miracle worker with your baby. Pay close attention to your baby’s different cries and you’ll soon be able to tell when she needs to be picked up, consoled, or tended to, and when she is better off left alone.
Thing of crying as a signal, not a statement against your parenting.
In early infancy, crying is the intuitive way of communication both need and pleasure
Parents are most affected by a baby’s cry. We can assure you of this truth: you will not take pleasure in hearing that sound, especially if you are a first-time parent.
Will blocking baby’s cry be good for her? No.
What mom needs to respond to is why of the cry. Learn to assess the why behind baby’s cry. Only then your response be rational and purposeful instead of emotive.
A baby’s security is tied to her developing relationships with mom and dad, not simply the proximity of mom.
A marked change in your baby’s crying pattern may be a warning of illness. Look for a sudden increase in the frequency and duration of crying or a weak, mousy cry.
You can be certain the cry is not hunger-and-thrist cry if your baby is satisfied after feeding.
Babies who routinely cry and act hungry after and hour and a half are probably not getting enough food.
Another cry that needs investigation is when your baby wakes up in the middle of her nap with a loud, piercing cry. This could be caused by gas. Your baby may also be reacting to something in your breast milk as a result of what you ate earlier in the day. If this cry persists, physically check your baby. One mom reported that a strand of her long hair was wrapped tightly around her son’s toe. Once the hair was removed, the crying stopped immediately.
ANSWERING YOUR BABY’S CRY
How long should I let my baby cry? The timing of your baby’s cry is the first clue to understanding how you should respond.
Abnormal cry times include the following:
1. During feedings- Crying during feeding- Might be because baby is not getting enough food or isn’t taking in food fast enough
2. Immediately after feedings Crying Immediately after feeding or 30 minutes after, and the cry sounds like a pain cry rather than sleepiness cry, it may be caused one of these factors: trapped gas, your diet, milk quality problem.
3. At times when baby wakes early out of a sound nap- Waking early out a sound nap. If your babe wakes out of a sound sleep with a strong cry, it may be combination of the three factors mentioned above.
Crying during any one of these periods requires attention. Don’t wait for crying to subside. Investigate it, looking for the root cause.
Normal Crying Periods:
1. Just before feeding- Under normal circumstances, any cry that happens just before feeding should be limited, since the next event for the baby is mealtime.
2. When baby is put down for a nap- Many babies cannot fall asleep without crying and will go to sleep more quickly if left to cry for awhile. The crying shouldn’t last long if the child is truly tired. It is not unusual for the baby to occasionally begin whimpering or crying softly in the middle of nap. Sometimes you may think your baby is waking up when she’s actually going through a phase of very light slumber. She could be squirming, startling, fussing or even crying-and still be asleep. Don’t make the mistake of trying to comfort her during these moments; you’ll only awaken her further and delay her going back to sleep. Instead, if you let her fuss and even cry for a few moments, she’ll learn to get herself to sleep without relying on you. Some babies actually need to let off energy by crying in order to settle into sleep or rouse themselves out of it. As much as 15-20 minutes of fussing won’t do your child any harm. Just be sure she’s not crying out of hunger or pain or because her diaper is wet.
3. During late afternoon/early evening nap- Most babies have a personal fussy time. If a child is not comforted by the baby swing, an infant seat, siblings or grandma, consider the crib. At least there she has the chance to fall asleep. If you have a baby who becomes exceptionally and continuously fussy, consider the possibility that she is hungry.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN MY BABY CRIES?
1. Listen for the type of cry. You’ll begin to distinguish the different tones and patterns. Your baby is working hard to spell out her needs. Get to know your baby by decoding baby’s cries.
2. Think about where you baby is in her routine. Is it naptime, mealtime?
3. Take action based on what you have heard and reasonable concluded.Just remember, sometimes the best action is no action.
4. Take a note of how long your baby cries. Moms are surprised to find that most crying lasts between 5-10 minutes.
WHEN SHOULD I HOLD AND COMFORT MY BABY?
Parents should offer comfort when comfort is needed and determine what type of comfort is needed.
A baby can receive comfort in many different ways and different people.
The good news for the baby is that mom’s breasts are not the only source of comfort.
Remember, as baby grows her patterns of crying may change.
Clearly, the cry is a multi-functional tool for a baby to get what she needs. Besides crying when hungry, baby plays the blues when she is tired, wet, sick, bored, frustrated, out of routine, fed to often or sometimes simply because that is what normal, healthy babies do.
All babies cry, often without any apparent reason. Newborns cry a total of 1-4 hours a day. No mother can console her child every time she cries, so don’t expect to be a miracle worker with your baby. Pay close attention to your baby’s different cries and you’ll soon be able to tell when she needs to be picked up, consoled, or tended to, and when she is better off left alone.
Thing of crying as a signal, not a statement against your parenting.
In early infancy, crying is the intuitive way of communication both need and pleasure
Parents are most affected by a baby’s cry. We can assure you of this truth: you will not take pleasure in hearing that sound, especially if you are a first-time parent.
Will blocking baby’s cry be good for her? No.
What mom needs to respond to is why of the cry. Learn to assess the why behind baby’s cry. Only then your response be rational and purposeful instead of emotive.
A baby’s security is tied to her developing relationships with mom and dad, not simply the proximity of mom.
A marked change in your baby’s crying pattern may be a warning of illness. Look for a sudden increase in the frequency and duration of crying or a weak, mousy cry.
You can be certain the cry is not hunger-and-thrist cry if your baby is satisfied after feeding.
Babies who routinely cry and act hungry after and hour and a half are probably not getting enough food.
Another cry that needs investigation is when your baby wakes up in the middle of her nap with a loud, piercing cry. This could be caused by gas. Your baby may also be reacting to something in your breast milk as a result of what you ate earlier in the day. If this cry persists, physically check your baby. One mom reported that a strand of her long hair was wrapped tightly around her son’s toe. Once the hair was removed, the crying stopped immediately.
ANSWERING YOUR BABY’S CRY
How long should I let my baby cry? The timing of your baby’s cry is the first clue to understanding how you should respond.
Abnormal cry times include the following:
1. During feedings- Crying during feeding- Might be because baby is not getting enough food or isn’t taking in food fast enough
2. Immediately after feedings Crying Immediately after feeding or 30 minutes after, and the cry sounds like a pain cry rather than sleepiness cry, it may be caused one of these factors: trapped gas, your diet, milk quality problem.
3. At times when baby wakes early out of a sound nap- Waking early out a sound nap. If your babe wakes out of a sound sleep with a strong cry, it may be combination of the three factors mentioned above.
Crying during any one of these periods requires attention. Don’t wait for crying to subside. Investigate it, looking for the root cause.
Normal Crying Periods:
1. Just before feeding- Under normal circumstances, any cry that happens just before feeding should be limited, since the next event for the baby is mealtime.
2. When baby is put down for a nap- Many babies cannot fall asleep without crying and will go to sleep more quickly if left to cry for awhile. The crying shouldn’t last long if the child is truly tired. It is not unusual for the baby to occasionally begin whimpering or crying softly in the middle of nap. Sometimes you may think your baby is waking up when she’s actually going through a phase of very light slumber. She could be squirming, startling, fussing or even crying-and still be asleep. Don’t make the mistake of trying to comfort her during these moments; you’ll only awaken her further and delay her going back to sleep. Instead, if you let her fuss and even cry for a few moments, she’ll learn to get herself to sleep without relying on you. Some babies actually need to let off energy by crying in order to settle into sleep or rouse themselves out of it. As much as 15-20 minutes of fussing won’t do your child any harm. Just be sure she’s not crying out of hunger or pain or because her diaper is wet.
3. During late afternoon/early evening nap- Most babies have a personal fussy time. If a child is not comforted by the baby swing, an infant seat, siblings or grandma, consider the crib. At least there she has the chance to fall asleep. If you have a baby who becomes exceptionally and continuously fussy, consider the possibility that she is hungry.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN MY BABY CRIES?
1. Listen for the type of cry. You’ll begin to distinguish the different tones and patterns. Your baby is working hard to spell out her needs. Get to know your baby by decoding baby’s cries.
2. Think about where you baby is in her routine. Is it naptime, mealtime?
3. Take action based on what you have heard and reasonable concluded.Just remember, sometimes the best action is no action.
4. Take a note of how long your baby cries. Moms are surprised to find that most crying lasts between 5-10 minutes.
WHEN SHOULD I HOLD AND COMFORT MY BABY?
Parents should offer comfort when comfort is needed and determine what type of comfort is needed.
A baby can receive comfort in many different ways and different people.
The good news for the baby is that mom’s breasts are not the only source of comfort.
Remember, as baby grows her patterns of crying may change.
February 22, 2011
God Did Not Make You To Be Someone Else
Selected from Christine Caine Travel Blog http://www.equipandempower.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=224
You are the only you there will ever be. God made you unique, special and one of a kind. It is so important that in Him we become the best us we could possibly be. So many spend their lives wishing they were someone else living another life in another place. The truth is, this is your one and only life and you should never squander it in the world of comparison.
Comparison is an extremely destructive thing. It leads to self depreciation, self rejection and depression. If you focus on what you are not, what you do not have, who you are not, then you devalue who God actually made you to be, and what He called you to do. We are each different and have different levels of responsibility and authority, but we are all equally valuable in the sight of God. Don't spend your life looking at others and defining yourself by what you are not, rather look to Christ and discover all that He has created you to be in Him.
We are one body composing many parts, and we need each and every part to effectively function. It is our distinction, not our sameness, that sets us apart, and this is something we should celebrate in one another. Paul teaches, "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves, but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise." (1 Cor 10:12) It is unwise to compare your gifts, talents, accomplishments, ministry or call with that of someone else. We are here to please God and fulfill His purpose for our lives, not to impress people.
If we fall into the comparison trap then we lose sight of God and His purposes because we stop looking up and start looking across. Instead of focusing on God and reaching lost people, we begin to focus on each other and our measure no longer becomes the will of God, but the standard of others. It is a trap that we must determine to never be caught in.
It is great to be stirred and inspired by one another, but not to compete and compare with each other. Each of us has enough grace to run our race and no-one else's. You represent a part of the image of God, never again to be duplicated, so be the best you that you can be for His glory.
You are the only you there will ever be. God made you unique, special and one of a kind. It is so important that in Him we become the best us we could possibly be. So many spend their lives wishing they were someone else living another life in another place. The truth is, this is your one and only life and you should never squander it in the world of comparison.
Comparison is an extremely destructive thing. It leads to self depreciation, self rejection and depression. If you focus on what you are not, what you do not have, who you are not, then you devalue who God actually made you to be, and what He called you to do. We are each different and have different levels of responsibility and authority, but we are all equally valuable in the sight of God. Don't spend your life looking at others and defining yourself by what you are not, rather look to Christ and discover all that He has created you to be in Him.
We are one body composing many parts, and we need each and every part to effectively function. It is our distinction, not our sameness, that sets us apart, and this is something we should celebrate in one another. Paul teaches, "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves, but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise." (1 Cor 10:12) It is unwise to compare your gifts, talents, accomplishments, ministry or call with that of someone else. We are here to please God and fulfill His purpose for our lives, not to impress people.
If we fall into the comparison trap then we lose sight of God and His purposes because we stop looking up and start looking across. Instead of focusing on God and reaching lost people, we begin to focus on each other and our measure no longer becomes the will of God, but the standard of others. It is a trap that we must determine to never be caught in.
It is great to be stirred and inspired by one another, but not to compete and compare with each other. Each of us has enough grace to run our race and no-one else's. You represent a part of the image of God, never again to be duplicated, so be the best you that you can be for His glory.
Waketime and Naptime
Notes from Babywise chapter 7
Two activities in your baby’s routine: waketime and naptime specifically with a child who is at least one week old.
One of the most common mistakes made when following a routine is to reverse the order of the last two activities- that is, putting the baby down for a nap right after his or her feeding.
You have to work on keeping your baby awake to take full feeding. (Rub her feet, stroke her face, change a diaper, talk to her, remover her sleeper, but she must eat)
Waketime activities include times when you and your baby will be together and the times when your baby will explore his or her new world alone.
Naptime:
Naps are not an option based on your baby’s wants. When naptime comes, the baby goes down. It is that simple. For optimal development, infants need daytime rest.
When settling for a nap, crying for 15-20 minutes is not going to hurt your baby physically or emotionally.
Newborn:
Newborns can sleep 16-20 hours per day, including periods of sleep between each feeding.
The sleep will come in the form of 6-8 naps (depending on daily feedings)
When your baby has been up for an appropriate duration, which maybe only a total of 45 minutes including feeding time, and shows some sings of fussiness, it is time for a nap.
Two Months:
Baby drops her nighttime feeding and begins sleeping 7-8 hours continuously.
Naps during the day should be at least 1 ½ hours long.
NOTE; it is not unusual for 2-3 month old baby to awaken around 5 or 530am and talk to themselves for up to an hour. Afterward, they usually go back to sleep for another hour or so. This quirky phase can go on for a week or a month and sometimes longer. If you start to respond each time you hear a noise from the cradle, then 5am will become your baby’s waketime- and yours too.
3-5 months
Nighttime sleep will avg 10-12 hours.
The baby will have 3 daytime naps between 1 ½ to 2 hours long.
6-16th month
Your baby will drop her late afternoon/early evening nap at around 6 months, leaving two naptimes-one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The naps are usually 1 ½ to 2hours long.
16months and older
Between 16-20 months, the morning nap is dropped. Y
Your baby should be sleeping 10-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during one afternoon nap.
For baby to wake up Happy follow these 3 rules:
1. Mom, not baby, decides when the nap starts
2. Mom, not baby, decides when the nap en
3. If your baby wakes up crying or cranky, it’s most likely because she hasn’t had sufficient sleep. Other factors to consider are dirty diapers, a noisy neighbor, sickness coming on, or an arm or leg stuck between crib slats.
Summary:
If your baby is waking up cranky or crying he or she most likely is not getting enough sleep. Even though she may cry, your baby will probably go right back to sleep in 10 minutes for another 30-40 minutes of rest. When your baby gets enough sleep, you will notice a happy disposition; the baby will make happy sounds, letting you know it’s time to get her up.
When your baby starts to sleep through the night, people will say “you’re so lucky” or “you got an easy baby.” Neither is true. Your baby is sleeping through the night because you trained her to do so. You can take credit for your success.
Two activities in your baby’s routine: waketime and naptime specifically with a child who is at least one week old.
One of the most common mistakes made when following a routine is to reverse the order of the last two activities- that is, putting the baby down for a nap right after his or her feeding.
You have to work on keeping your baby awake to take full feeding. (Rub her feet, stroke her face, change a diaper, talk to her, remover her sleeper, but she must eat)
Waketime activities include times when you and your baby will be together and the times when your baby will explore his or her new world alone.
Naptime:
Naps are not an option based on your baby’s wants. When naptime comes, the baby goes down. It is that simple. For optimal development, infants need daytime rest.
When settling for a nap, crying for 15-20 minutes is not going to hurt your baby physically or emotionally.
Newborn:
Newborns can sleep 16-20 hours per day, including periods of sleep between each feeding.
The sleep will come in the form of 6-8 naps (depending on daily feedings)
When your baby has been up for an appropriate duration, which maybe only a total of 45 minutes including feeding time, and shows some sings of fussiness, it is time for a nap.
Two Months:
Baby drops her nighttime feeding and begins sleeping 7-8 hours continuously.
Naps during the day should be at least 1 ½ hours long.
NOTE; it is not unusual for 2-3 month old baby to awaken around 5 or 530am and talk to themselves for up to an hour. Afterward, they usually go back to sleep for another hour or so. This quirky phase can go on for a week or a month and sometimes longer. If you start to respond each time you hear a noise from the cradle, then 5am will become your baby’s waketime- and yours too.
3-5 months
Nighttime sleep will avg 10-12 hours.
The baby will have 3 daytime naps between 1 ½ to 2 hours long.
6-16th month
Your baby will drop her late afternoon/early evening nap at around 6 months, leaving two naptimes-one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The naps are usually 1 ½ to 2hours long.
16months and older
Between 16-20 months, the morning nap is dropped. Y
Your baby should be sleeping 10-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during one afternoon nap.
For baby to wake up Happy follow these 3 rules:
1. Mom, not baby, decides when the nap starts
2. Mom, not baby, decides when the nap en
3. If your baby wakes up crying or cranky, it’s most likely because she hasn’t had sufficient sleep. Other factors to consider are dirty diapers, a noisy neighbor, sickness coming on, or an arm or leg stuck between crib slats.
If your baby is waking up cranky or crying he or she most likely is not getting enough sleep. Even though she may cry, your baby will probably go right back to sleep in 10 minutes for another 30-40 minutes of rest. When your baby gets enough sleep, you will notice a happy disposition; the baby will make happy sounds, letting you know it’s time to get her up.
When your baby starts to sleep through the night, people will say “you’re so lucky” or “you got an easy baby.” Neither is true. Your baby is sleeping through the night because you trained her to do so. You can take credit for your success.
ZzzzZzzz
I wish I could take naps or just lay down for some energy during work hours. Especially after eating around lunch time, all I want do is lay down and rest. I'm glad it stopped raining. The rain was making me even more sleepy. Sometimes when I get this tired, I wonder how and if I'm going to have enough energy for my baby and still be able to keep up with life. God help me.
February 21, 2011
Wait for it Patiently
Don’t ask God for patience; you might get pregnant. I’m joking. However, I never quite understood why so many pastors used pregnancy as an analogy for waiting on God and patience until I got pregnant myself. The first three months into it, I was already ready to quit and give up. I realized that there was not much I could do other than wait out the nine months for the baby’s delivery which gave me hope and strength for the different stages of pregnancy. I knew the promise would come and the vision of the promise is what helped me endure it all. I had to purposely watch my mouth and stop myself from complaining and instead start thanking God for such an awesome blessing. Even now, almost seven months pregnant, I want it to be already nine months. But I know if the baby came now she would be premature and so the nine months of waiting is needed and essential for a healthy baby. Likewise, in our lives there are seasons of “pregnancy” in which all we can do is wait it out patiently with a good attitude and keep our eyes on Jesus knowing that the promise will come. He is faithful to His word.
Reference below is adapted from the book Streams in the Desert, pgs 83, 84.
“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:7)
Have you prayed and prayed, and waited and waited, and still you see no evidence of an answer?
Are you tired of seeing no movement?
Are you at the point of giving up?
Then perhaps you have not waited in the right way, which removes you from the right place- the place where the Lord can meet you.
“Wait for it patiently” Rom 8:25.
Patience eliminates worry.
Patience eliminates weeping. Why feel so sad and discouraged? He knows your needs better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to receive more glory through it.
Patience eliminates self-works.
Patience eliminates all want.
Patience eliminates all weakness. Instead of thinking of waiting as being wasted time, realize that God is preparing His resources and strengthening you as well.
Patience yields worship.
Reference below is adapted from the book Streams in the Desert, pgs 83, 84.
“Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:7)
Have you prayed and prayed, and waited and waited, and still you see no evidence of an answer?
Are you tired of seeing no movement?
Are you at the point of giving up?
Then perhaps you have not waited in the right way, which removes you from the right place- the place where the Lord can meet you.
“Wait for it patiently” Rom 8:25.
Patience eliminates worry.
Patience eliminates weeping. Why feel so sad and discouraged? He knows your needs better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to receive more glory through it.
Patience eliminates self-works.
Patience eliminates all want.
Patience eliminates all weakness. Instead of thinking of waiting as being wasted time, realize that God is preparing His resources and strengthening you as well.
Patience yields worship.
Love Will Cost You Something
Jennifer Lopez was wrong about Love Don’t Cost a Thing. Love will cost you something. Love will cost you your stubbornness, pride, tendency to always want to be right, our ways of doing things and the demands we set on our spouse. Love requires lots of effort, deliberate acts of kindness, and always going the extra mile. It will sometimes cost a change of lifestyle and bad habits.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
February 18, 2011
Pregnancy: Loved It or Hated It?
Hmmm I hated the first three months. I was getting irritated by well meaning people telling me to enjoy my pregnancy when I felt like crap. But I know, what else do you say to a pregnant woman when she's nagging and complaining about everything? You just smile and say "I know it must be hard," and only share your similar experiences because we don't want to think what the heck is wrong with us that we're not all excited and upbeat about it. I was killing myself to enjoy it in the midst of mood swings, crankiness, nausea, crying spells and feeling blue. Hate feeling tired and not being able to move as speedily and easily as before. Second trimester was much better. Now in the third trimester, I am lacking energy but it's still so much better than the first one. However, it is getting every difficult to put on clothes, shoes, socks and bending over to pick up stuff. They say by the last month I will be so ready to get the baby out but you know what, I feel that way already close to 7th month. Yes, it's all worth it. Whoever sails through pregnancy should count themselves very fortunate but the rest of us who aren't really having a ball; please..it sucks...especially if you're used to looking hot and working out like crazy and all of a sudden everything is getting big and you have no control over anything and you can't go on the ab roller! One adivse I took is "whenever you don't feel like yourself and you feel like you can't do this anymore just blame it on hormones & remind yourself 'it's because I'm pregnant and it's only going to last for 9 months.'" Another one was to purposely do things that you normaly did before for enjoyment: Nails, hair, and yes you can have one cup of coffee a day & surround yourself with loved ones even when everything and everyone is getting on your nerves. Do it on purpose! I wish all my girlfriends a happy pregnancy but if you get stuck and feel like ripping someone's head off; cheer up, it's totally normal with hormones all gone wild! You are not alone=)
Babies and Sleep
Notes from Babywise chapter 3.
Three basic activities: feeding, waketime and naptime, repeat themselves in rhythmic cycles. Routine leads to consistency, consistency leads to stabilization of each activity. As a result, the whole family is blessed by the order brought to the baby’s day.
For better or worse, parents are the greatest influence on a child’s ability to sleep. Expecting babies and young children to sleep through the night is very realistic.
Healthy, full-term babies typically are born with the capacity to achieve 7-8 hours of continuous nighttime sleep between seven to nine weeks.
In the early months, an infant spends most of his or her time sleeping.
While sleep ranges from relaxed state to fitful rest, the awake ranges from tiredness to optimal alertness.
Infants, pre-toddlers, and toddlers who suffer from the lack of healthy naps and continuous nighttime sleep may experience fatigue. Fatigue is primary the cause of fussiness, daytime irritability, crankiness, discontentment, hypertension, poor focusing skills and poor eating habits.
In contrast, children who have healthy sleeping patterns are optimally alert to interact with their environment. These children are self assured and happy, less demanding and more sociable. They have longer attention spans and as a result become faster learners.
The typical infant has both the natural ability and the capacity to sleep through the night sometime with the first nine weeks of life. It is an acquired skill which is enhanced by routine.
Since sleep is a natural function of the body, the primary cue for infant sleep is sleepiness.
You should not use these three things to put your baby to sleep because baby will become dependent on it.
1. Intentionally nursing a baby to sleep
2. Rocking a baby to sleep or taking baby for a car ride
3. Sleeping with your baby (shared sleep)
Put your baby to sleep while you are both awake. This way baby will establish longer and stronger sleep cycles then if placed in the crib already asleep.
Feed your baby, rock her and love her, but put her down before she falls asleep.
Three basic activities: feeding, waketime and naptime, repeat themselves in rhythmic cycles. Routine leads to consistency, consistency leads to stabilization of each activity. As a result, the whole family is blessed by the order brought to the baby’s day.
For better or worse, parents are the greatest influence on a child’s ability to sleep. Expecting babies and young children to sleep through the night is very realistic.
Healthy, full-term babies typically are born with the capacity to achieve 7-8 hours of continuous nighttime sleep between seven to nine weeks.
In the early months, an infant spends most of his or her time sleeping.
While sleep ranges from relaxed state to fitful rest, the awake ranges from tiredness to optimal alertness.
Infants, pre-toddlers, and toddlers who suffer from the lack of healthy naps and continuous nighttime sleep may experience fatigue. Fatigue is primary the cause of fussiness, daytime irritability, crankiness, discontentment, hypertension, poor focusing skills and poor eating habits.
In contrast, children who have healthy sleeping patterns are optimally alert to interact with their environment. These children are self assured and happy, less demanding and more sociable. They have longer attention spans and as a result become faster learners.
The typical infant has both the natural ability and the capacity to sleep through the night sometime with the first nine weeks of life. It is an acquired skill which is enhanced by routine.
Since sleep is a natural function of the body, the primary cue for infant sleep is sleepiness.
You should not use these three things to put your baby to sleep because baby will become dependent on it.
1. Intentionally nursing a baby to sleep
2. Rocking a baby to sleep or taking baby for a car ride
3. Sleeping with your baby (shared sleep)
Put your baby to sleep while you are both awake. This way baby will establish longer and stronger sleep cycles then if placed in the crib already asleep.
Feed your baby, rock her and love her, but put her down before she falls asleep.
February 17, 2011
The 6th Month
I’m disappointed. My energy level last month was at its peak but this month it just started going down the hill. Am I not getting enough sleep? Most likely. If I’m persistent in saying no to things and people, I can go to bed by 11pm and wake up by 6am for work and then I don’t get home until 6pm. It’s really difficult working 8 hours a day, maintaining the household, social life and attending events but I don’t want to miss a thing. However, I am advised to take 3-5 naps during the day and sleep at least 10 hours. I am beginning to want to listen to them. Due to work the naps aren’t possible but I need to deliberately go to bed so that I am getting 10 hours of sleep.
February 11, 2011
It's Getting Uncomfortable Here
The best part about pregnancy are the kicks, the food and if you were ever pregnant, you already know the third one. You don’t really have to eat for two people because all you really need is additional 200-300 calories but somehow pregnancy has given me the insurance to eat what I want. Maybe because I can’t do and have so many other things that if I didn’t eat what I wanted, I’d go even more nuts.
My 5th month was the best energy wise. I’m half way through my 6th month and I can feel my energy level going down. My legs are getting tired carrying the extra weight, I can’t sleep well because I can only sleep on my sides and I’m not comfortable with either side. I can’t sit like a lady, I prefer sitting with my legs open like a guy- that’s so much better. I can still put on socks and shoes but yesterday I couldn’t put on one of my boots. I have to lean on something while putting on jeans or else I’d fall flat on my face. This morning I almost tripped over a pencil and realized it’s because I can’t see anything past my bump. At work it’s really hard sitting in my chair because the keyboard and the bump …well they bump heads. I have to lean real back and try to pull the keyboard right under my bump so I’m not 10inches away from it. It’s becoming that way with hugs and cuddling too. The doc said the baby is going to double in growth the next two months which means I will get bigger and that is a scary fact. I am so looking forward to labor but yes I’m trying to enjoy my last few months of pregnancy and uncomfortableness.
February 03, 2011
Feeding Philosophies.
Notes from Babywise chapter 2
Feeding baby should be easy. Your baby needs food and you have it.
Prior to this century, common sense, not theoretical concepts, was most critical in raising children. Mothers nursed babes when they were hungry, pre-established guidelines for babies hunger patterns.
Parent-Directed Feeding (PDF) is a 24 hour infant-management strategy designed to help moms connect with their babies and their babies connect with them.
It is our experience that both baby and mom do better when a baby’s life is guided by a flexible routine. It has enough structure to bring security and order to your baby’s world, yet enough flexibility to give mom the freedom to respond to any need at any time.
Comparative Analysis of Feeding Philosophies
Child-led feeding: The constant of time is not considered, because the theory insists that parent submits to the baby’s hunger cue regardless of the lapse of time.
Clock feeding: Feeding times are guided strictly by the constant of the clock. The clock determines when and how the baby is fed so if the baby is hungry in 3 hours too bad, they have to wait till the 4th.
Parent-Directed feeding: Both the variable of hunger cues and the constant of time guide parents at each feeding.
The Philosophy of Parent-Directed Feeding
PDF brings into play the critical tool of parental assessment. Parental assessment takes the best of both and weds them together.
Hunger Cue + Clock + PA ( Parental Assessment) = Feeding Time
1. PDF with Parental Assessment provides tools to recognize and assess two potential problems with infant feeding a) a child who feeds often, such as every hour, may not be getting the rick hind milk. With PA you no only respond to the cue by feeding the baby, but are alerted to a potential problem with the feeding. B) when the cue is not present, the clock serves as a guide to ensure that too much time does not elapse between feedings.
2. When the hunger cue is present, the clock is submissive to the cue, because the hunger cue, not the clock, determines feedings.
3. In the end, PDF promotes breast-feeding, healthy sleep, and healthy infant weight gain.
Feeding baby should be easy. Your baby needs food and you have it.
Prior to this century, common sense, not theoretical concepts, was most critical in raising children. Mothers nursed babes when they were hungry, pre-established guidelines for babies hunger patterns.
Parent-Directed Feeding (PDF) is a 24 hour infant-management strategy designed to help moms connect with their babies and their babies connect with them.
It is our experience that both baby and mom do better when a baby’s life is guided by a flexible routine. It has enough structure to bring security and order to your baby’s world, yet enough flexibility to give mom the freedom to respond to any need at any time.
Comparative Analysis of Feeding Philosophies
Child-led feeding: The constant of time is not considered, because the theory insists that parent submits to the baby’s hunger cue regardless of the lapse of time.
Clock feeding: Feeding times are guided strictly by the constant of the clock. The clock determines when and how the baby is fed so if the baby is hungry in 3 hours too bad, they have to wait till the 4th.
Parent-Directed feeding: Both the variable of hunger cues and the constant of time guide parents at each feeding.
The Philosophy of Parent-Directed Feeding
PDF brings into play the critical tool of parental assessment. Parental assessment takes the best of both and weds them together.
Hunger Cue + Clock + PA ( Parental Assessment) = Feeding Time
1. PDF with Parental Assessment provides tools to recognize and assess two potential problems with infant feeding a) a child who feeds often, such as every hour, may not be getting the rick hind milk. With PA you no only respond to the cue by feeding the baby, but are alerted to a potential problem with the feeding. B) when the cue is not present, the clock serves as a guide to ensure that too much time does not elapse between feedings.
2. When the hunger cue is present, the clock is submissive to the cue, because the hunger cue, not the clock, determines feedings.
3. In the end, PDF promotes breast-feeding, healthy sleep, and healthy infant weight gain.
Your baby needs a Family
Notes from Babywise chapter 1
Too often, parents lose sight of this fact, getting lost in a parenting wonderland of photos, footsteps and first words. Baby becomes central to their existence. Yet the greatest overall influence you will have on your child will not come in your role as an individual parent, but in your joint role as husband and wife.
Great marriages produce great parents.
A healthy husband-wife relationship is essential to the emotional health of children in the home. When there is harmony in the marriage, there is an infused stability with the family. A strong marriage provides a haven of security for children as they grow in the nurturing process.
The goal of parenting is not simply to avoid excessive anxiety, but to create a world of confidence by what we do with each other as by what we avoid doing.
To be a good mom or dad, all you need is to continue as before.
To improve the quality of the parent-child relationship, parents first must continue to evaluate the quality of their relationship with each other.
Too often when a child enters a family, parents leave their first love: each other.
Rather than welcoming children to the family, children are treated as the center of the family universe.
Achieving balance:
1. Life doesn’t stop once you have a baby. It may slow down for a few weeks but it doesn’t stop.
2. Date your spouse. If you had a weekly date before the baby, get back in the swing of it as soon as possible. A friend or relative is capable of meeting your child’s needs and the baby will not suffer separation anxiety from one night. If you never had a date night, start now!
3. Continue those loving gestures you enjoyed before the baby came along.
4. Invite friends over.
5. At the end of each day have “couch time” talking about the day’s events which takes place before the children go to bed. This will demonstrate expression of togetherness. Children actually are assured of mom and dad’s love relationship through this tangible demonstration.
To excel in parenting, protect your marriage. Also resolve to be your child’s parent, not a peer. Potential peers are everywhere. Yet the child has only one mom and dad. Don’t let your baby down. Governing that life is in your child’s best interest.
Friendship with your child is a positive long-term objective, so exercise patience. Today, your child needs your guiding hand. Yes, welcome him or her as a wonderful addition to the family, but never place your child at its center. Instead, build a team spirit. When parents plan for family unity, everyone wins. Only then will life as you know it never be the same. Really, it just got richer.
Too often, parents lose sight of this fact, getting lost in a parenting wonderland of photos, footsteps and first words. Baby becomes central to their existence. Yet the greatest overall influence you will have on your child will not come in your role as an individual parent, but in your joint role as husband and wife.
Great marriages produce great parents.
A healthy husband-wife relationship is essential to the emotional health of children in the home. When there is harmony in the marriage, there is an infused stability with the family. A strong marriage provides a haven of security for children as they grow in the nurturing process.
The goal of parenting is not simply to avoid excessive anxiety, but to create a world of confidence by what we do with each other as by what we avoid doing.
To be a good mom or dad, all you need is to continue as before.
To improve the quality of the parent-child relationship, parents first must continue to evaluate the quality of their relationship with each other.
Too often when a child enters a family, parents leave their first love: each other.
Rather than welcoming children to the family, children are treated as the center of the family universe.
Achieving balance:
1. Life doesn’t stop once you have a baby. It may slow down for a few weeks but it doesn’t stop.
2. Date your spouse. If you had a weekly date before the baby, get back in the swing of it as soon as possible. A friend or relative is capable of meeting your child’s needs and the baby will not suffer separation anxiety from one night. If you never had a date night, start now!
3. Continue those loving gestures you enjoyed before the baby came along.
4. Invite friends over.
5. At the end of each day have “couch time” talking about the day’s events which takes place before the children go to bed. This will demonstrate expression of togetherness. Children actually are assured of mom and dad’s love relationship through this tangible demonstration.
To excel in parenting, protect your marriage. Also resolve to be your child’s parent, not a peer. Potential peers are everywhere. Yet the child has only one mom and dad. Don’t let your baby down. Governing that life is in your child’s best interest.
Friendship with your child is a positive long-term objective, so exercise patience. Today, your child needs your guiding hand. Yes, welcome him or her as a wonderful addition to the family, but never place your child at its center. Instead, build a team spirit. When parents plan for family unity, everyone wins. Only then will life as you know it never be the same. Really, it just got richer.
February 01, 2011
It's so Flufffffy!
“I love Despicable Me so much, I wanna share it with the world. That movie never gets old”- Osh
That is very much the same way when you love someone truly madly deeply, you want to share your love with the world. When you have something that you’re so proud and in fond of, you don’t hide it, instead you put it out on a lamp stand so everyone can see. It gives you the drive and the passion to run to the top of the highest mountain and yell it out! And that kind of love never gets old.
That is very much the same way when you love someone truly madly deeply, you want to share your love with the world. When you have something that you’re so proud and in fond of, you don’t hide it, instead you put it out on a lamp stand so everyone can see. It gives you the drive and the passion to run to the top of the highest mountain and yell it out! And that kind of love never gets old.
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