I have officially lost all of my baby weight from Ethan!! Woohoo! This week I lost 4.5 pounds and all together, I've lost 35 pounds. I'm so excited! I'm fitting into all of my pre-pregnancy shirts now and fitting into many of my pants.
Now I just have about 12 pounds to lose. That would be the 12 pounds I gained from studying for the Step 1 COMLEX I took right before I got pregnant.
I'm confident I can lose this last 12 pounds. My plan is to use a portion of my first pay check towards buying an elliptical for our house so I can exercise when I get home from the hospital. I'll keep up with my current plan when I get out there, even though I won't have the support and resources out there.
Skinny jeans - here I come!
June 9, 2010
June 7, 2010
Why raising a 2 year old rocks!
I love my Monkey. He is a truly awesome little person. Yesterday I was watching him play and I realized that I think 2 year-olds, even with all their trials and tribulations, make their parents' lives pretty awesome.
Example 1: Teaching him to be polite.
We have been teaching Monkey to always say please and thank you when he wants something. My parents were sticklers for good manners and it was something that always stuck with me. Ethan both say please and thank you and do them in sign-language. The sign-language appears crucial for when he is asking for something that will end up in his mouth because the thank you will be signed in that situation. While he remembers them 75% of the time, he has taken to some odd moments of using them.
"Mommy, I have kiss please?" (give kiss) "Thank you Mommy! Thank you!"
"Mommy! Daddy! I stuck! Help me!" (Open door for him in the morning to let him out of his bedroom) "Thank you Mommy!"
Or my personal favorite: (I take something from him because he was being naughty and put him in time out. He cries for 2 minutes because he is in time out) Mommy: Ethan, you can come out now. Ethan: Thank you Mommy!
Example 2: Teaching him colors, numbers, animals, well... just about anything we want to teach him!
Watching him learn things is about the coolest part of being a parent. Maybe it is because both my hubby and I have a large love of learning, but we could endlessly watch him learn to do things. I love the fact that he loves books and loves to listen to me read and learn new words (even if we have read the book a zillion times before, I swear he finds new words in the book). He could sit for hours listening to me read books on numbers, letters, colors.
But my favorite learning times are animals because he *loves* animals. I mean, he *L-O-V-E-S* animals. So we take trips to Barnes and Nobles to find books with new animals. We take trips to the Bronx Zoo, local petting zoos, aquariums, local parks with ducks, and pretty much any place we can think with animals in it. And he can name them all. I love it. My personal favorites to watch him name (mostly because of the looks surrounding people give us): platypus (I give credit to Phineus and Ferb for this one), jaguar, iguana and yak. For some reason, people find it absolutely amazing he can name them. It has become a dinner party trick. People try to find pictures of random animals on their IPhones and blackberries and see if he can name the animal. I'd say 90% of the time he can name the animal or at least something very closely related. And I glow with pride.
Example 3: Potty Training
Yes, this is a very frustrating time in parenthood. One filled with more errors in the beginning than any other process yet experienced for most parents. A time when you can lead them to the potty, you can show them by example, but you cannot make them do it or learn it unless they want to.
So why do I love potty training? Because it is cute to watch him be so proud of his underwear. (like shouting loudly at preschool to his teacher "Look! I got Mickey Mouse on my hiney!" Because it is amazing to watch his growing awareness of his own body. ("Mommy! I need to go peepee! I need to use potty now!") Because it is awesome to watch his sense of accomplishment when he succeeds. ("Yay! I super Ethan!") And because with every accident, he slowly understands that when he doesn't succeed, Mommy and Daddy will still love him and help him.
While the tantrums, bath-battles, bed time-battles, and separation anxiety can quickly run their toll on my emotional well-being and make me want to hide in my room for some quiet time of my own (When can Mommy have a time-out?), most of the time, I have to admit it: raising a 2 year old rocks!
Example 1: Teaching him to be polite.
We have been teaching Monkey to always say please and thank you when he wants something. My parents were sticklers for good manners and it was something that always stuck with me. Ethan both say please and thank you and do them in sign-language. The sign-language appears crucial for when he is asking for something that will end up in his mouth because the thank you will be signed in that situation. While he remembers them 75% of the time, he has taken to some odd moments of using them.
"Mommy, I have kiss please?" (give kiss) "Thank you Mommy! Thank you!"
"Mommy! Daddy! I stuck! Help me!" (Open door for him in the morning to let him out of his bedroom) "Thank you Mommy!"
Or my personal favorite: (I take something from him because he was being naughty and put him in time out. He cries for 2 minutes because he is in time out) Mommy: Ethan, you can come out now. Ethan: Thank you Mommy!
Example 2: Teaching him colors, numbers, animals, well... just about anything we want to teach him!
Watching him learn things is about the coolest part of being a parent. Maybe it is because both my hubby and I have a large love of learning, but we could endlessly watch him learn to do things. I love the fact that he loves books and loves to listen to me read and learn new words (even if we have read the book a zillion times before, I swear he finds new words in the book). He could sit for hours listening to me read books on numbers, letters, colors.
But my favorite learning times are animals because he *loves* animals. I mean, he *L-O-V-E-S* animals. So we take trips to Barnes and Nobles to find books with new animals. We take trips to the Bronx Zoo, local petting zoos, aquariums, local parks with ducks, and pretty much any place we can think with animals in it. And he can name them all. I love it. My personal favorites to watch him name (mostly because of the looks surrounding people give us): platypus (I give credit to Phineus and Ferb for this one), jaguar, iguana and yak. For some reason, people find it absolutely amazing he can name them. It has become a dinner party trick. People try to find pictures of random animals on their IPhones and blackberries and see if he can name the animal. I'd say 90% of the time he can name the animal or at least something very closely related. And I glow with pride.
Example 3: Potty Training
Yes, this is a very frustrating time in parenthood. One filled with more errors in the beginning than any other process yet experienced for most parents. A time when you can lead them to the potty, you can show them by example, but you cannot make them do it or learn it unless they want to.
So why do I love potty training? Because it is cute to watch him be so proud of his underwear. (like shouting loudly at preschool to his teacher "Look! I got Mickey Mouse on my hiney!" Because it is amazing to watch his growing awareness of his own body. ("Mommy! I need to go peepee! I need to use potty now!") Because it is awesome to watch his sense of accomplishment when he succeeds. ("Yay! I super Ethan!") And because with every accident, he slowly understands that when he doesn't succeed, Mommy and Daddy will still love him and help him.
While the tantrums, bath-battles, bed time-battles, and separation anxiety can quickly run their toll on my emotional well-being and make me want to hide in my room for some quiet time of my own (When can Mommy have a time-out?), most of the time, I have to admit it: raising a 2 year old rocks!
June 4, 2010
Congratulations, DOCTORS of the class of 2010!
The event about 20 years in the making has finally occurred: I graduated medical school! (Que choirs of angels)
Now I actually have to focus on the next part of my journey: moving to Erie for residency. I'm very excited to begin my internship at a hospital that seems more dedicated to mental health than any of the places I've worked before. Monkey is enrolled in a good school 2 blocks from our house and the hubby has found a job that will let him work from home 90% of the time (very valuable for nights I'm on-call!). So everyone has something to do when we get there. Yay!
For the actual move itself, we are pretty set. We have hired a full-service moving company that will pack and load our stuff, drive the truck, and unload our stuff. The hospital will reimburse part of the moving costs, so it offsets the money spent on a full-service move as opposed to doing it ourselves. All we need to do is pack anything we don't want them to take, be home when they pack, load, and unload our stuff, and get ourselves to Erie. The major downside is anything they take, we don't see for about 1 week. They pack it on a Monday and unload it on the following Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm am looking very forward to this!!
And in case you were wondering through this whole where the 20 years came from, I've been working towards being a doctor since the 2nd or 3rd grade. My mom swears I wanted to be a veterinarian first, but I'm guessing that was when I was in kindergarten...
Now I actually have to focus on the next part of my journey: moving to Erie for residency. I'm very excited to begin my internship at a hospital that seems more dedicated to mental health than any of the places I've worked before. Monkey is enrolled in a good school 2 blocks from our house and the hubby has found a job that will let him work from home 90% of the time (very valuable for nights I'm on-call!). So everyone has something to do when we get there. Yay!
For the actual move itself, we are pretty set. We have hired a full-service moving company that will pack and load our stuff, drive the truck, and unload our stuff. The hospital will reimburse part of the moving costs, so it offsets the money spent on a full-service move as opposed to doing it ourselves. All we need to do is pack anything we don't want them to take, be home when they pack, load, and unload our stuff, and get ourselves to Erie. The major downside is anything they take, we don't see for about 1 week. They pack it on a Monday and unload it on the following Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm am looking very forward to this!!
And in case you were wondering through this whole where the 20 years came from, I've been working towards being a doctor since the 2nd or 3rd grade. My mom swears I wanted to be a veterinarian first, but I'm guessing that was when I was in kindergarten...
May 19, 2010
Can I be a kid again for like a week?
Ugh... being responsible sometimes really sucks!
So far today, I have done:
Edit to day: I got everything on this list done by 6:15pm!! Woohoo! And I got the hubby two new short-sleeved dress shirts for the graduation ceremonies so he won't die in the heat!
So far today, I have done:
- 1 load of dishes, unloaded them, reloaded the dishwasher, and am running that
- cleaned up every floor in the entire apartment
- vacuumed every floor in the apartment
- put down deodorizer on every floor and revacuumed
- took out 1 bag of garbage, 1 bag of plastic/can recyclables, and 2 trips worth of cardboard boxes
- aside from dressing, feeding, and taking the Monkey to school
- load up 1 more load of dishes (seriously, where do they all come from??)
- get my hair cut
- buy new dress shoes for the hubby
- pick up the Monkey from school and get his haircut
- make dinner
Edit to day: I got everything on this list done by 6:15pm!! Woohoo! And I got the hubby two new short-sleeved dress shirts for the graduation ceremonies so he won't die in the heat!
May 18, 2010
Take it off Tuesdays!
This past week was rough in the weight loss zone. I did maintain my weight which seems like an accomplishment in itself when I gave into several cravings, had a couple of emotional meltdowns, and did a lot less exercise this week.
I've been on my current weight loss plan since the end of January and have lost about 30 pounds. It is a wonderful plan that has definitely taught me to eat better and exercise more. It even forced me to experiment with more forms of exercises until I discovered my new love: the elliptical. It has definitely been worth the expense.
However, recently I've been hitting a mental brick wall with the plan. It is a bit strict with what I cannot eat and at first it seemed impossible. Then it seemed easy and I didn't miss the bad foods anymore. Now I'm starting to miss them again and I'm struggling to resist. I think my main problem is my "comfort" foods are on the banned list, feeling bored with my current days, and all the stress from everything going on in my life are combining into some trouble sticking to plan.
My goal this week is to try to find something else to do when I get a craving for something on my "banned" food list. Maybe it is time to pick up my cross-stitching again. After all, I can't eat if I want to keep my threads and cloth clean. :-)
I've been on my current weight loss plan since the end of January and have lost about 30 pounds. It is a wonderful plan that has definitely taught me to eat better and exercise more. It even forced me to experiment with more forms of exercises until I discovered my new love: the elliptical. It has definitely been worth the expense.
However, recently I've been hitting a mental brick wall with the plan. It is a bit strict with what I cannot eat and at first it seemed impossible. Then it seemed easy and I didn't miss the bad foods anymore. Now I'm starting to miss them again and I'm struggling to resist. I think my main problem is my "comfort" foods are on the banned list, feeling bored with my current days, and all the stress from everything going on in my life are combining into some trouble sticking to plan.
My goal this week is to try to find something else to do when I get a craving for something on my "banned" food list. Maybe it is time to pick up my cross-stitching again. After all, I can't eat if I want to keep my threads and cloth clean. :-)
May 15, 2010
My Dad was right...
"Mommy, Hugs! Mommy, Kisses!"
When I hear this being shouted, I know I will soon be getting tackled by my little Love Monkey (like right now). He firsts positions you into how he wants to hug or kiss you and will spend the next minute or so lavishing affection down on you. He can be so cuddly and loving sometimes.
My absolute favorite part of this: the little "Iwubyoutoo Mommy" that comes with it.
Oh, and my dad was right. The littlest arms do give the best hugs.
When I hear this being shouted, I know I will soon be getting tackled by my little Love Monkey (like right now). He firsts positions you into how he wants to hug or kiss you and will spend the next minute or so lavishing affection down on you. He can be so cuddly and loving sometimes.
My absolute favorite part of this: the little "Iwubyoutoo Mommy" that comes with it.
Oh, and my dad was right. The littlest arms do give the best hugs.
May 13, 2010
Music's in my soul
Yes, I'm quoting a Jonas Brother's song there. I like it. Do you have a problem with that?
As I was working out in the gym today and blasting my radio station on Pandora, I realized that when I look back on parts of my life I always think about the music I listen to at that point. It's like I'm slowly compiling a soundtrack to my life in case I'm ever the next Hallmark or Lifetime movie. You know, the poor girl from small town becomes big successful doctor and does some crazy cool thing that helps society and the obstacles she overcame in the process.
Here is my personal soundtrack:
Early years (growing up in Belmar, NJ): a mixed tape (yes, tape) of Bruce Springsteen (I'm a Jersey girl after all), David Bowie (my mom's favorite), and Squeeze (it was the 80's)
Somewhere between 2nd grade and being a tween: Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men (we all have that time when we love Pop and collected their "action figures" - which made good boyfriends for my Barbie dolls)
Tween years: Alanis Morissette, Nirvana, Bush, Green Day (it was not an especially happy time)
High school: GooGoo Dolls, President's of the United States, Oasis (getting more upbeat, but kind outsider-y feeling stuff, which fit changing to a high school of geeks and nerds where I fit in)
College: first half: Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, Wallflowers (still trying to fit in while finding myself and some self-confidence I never had before)
second half: Lifehouse, Jimmy Eat World, Linkin Park, The White Stripes, Nickelback, Creed (the songs for when I met my husband, moved off campus with him, and kinda became my own person)
Medical school: pre-clinical years (aka: just married, moved to Queens, NY and spending all my time with my textbooks) The Killers (don't ask, they made good study music somehow). Lifehouse, Broadway soundtracks to Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, and Les Miserables (I was living in Queens with easy access to show tickets and it makes good study music)
clinical years (aka: pregnant, back in Jersey, having kid): Josh Groban, Lifehouse, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift (last 2 are a complete influence of watching the Disney Channel too much because they are the only toddler friendly shows that don't have me pulling my hair out!)
Aside from them, there are specific songs or artists that always make me think of specific people or times. Some examples include:
My first crush whom I convinced myself I was in love with from 4th grade to about 10th grade will always make me think of GooGoo Dolls, especially the songs Iris and Name.
My first boyfriend whom I dated from 10th grade to sophomore year of college makes me think of Oasis (most specifically Wonderwall, which was our song because we had a discussion and decided be both like it) As a result, I can barely stand to hear Oasis today.
My hubby is Lifehouse and Linkin Park. Our song is Everything by Lifehouse, we danced to it at our wedding, but almost every song by Lifehouse brings memories of my husband with them in different ways. Linkin Park is his favorite band and there are tons of moments and concerts of him and Linkin Park in my mind. However, thoughts of him in his dorm at college immediately bring me to Voodoo by Godsmack and some random Disturbed songs.
My Monkey: The Happy Little Monkey's Song by Ooh and Aah (the monkeys from Playhouse Disney) He knows all the lyrics and this song is part of the reason he is called my little Monkey (aside from his crazy antics and love of bananas)
Senior year of college: Boys of Summer by the Ataris. Whenever I think of my senior year, I think of driving through Baltimore after class with this song blasting. It was the only song I really listened to by them and I didn't have it on cd or downloaded or anything. I just think of this song and college.
So that is my personal soundtrack. I'm sure I can add a lot more to this. Somewhere in there the Beatles need a presence, as does Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Debbie Gibson, No Doubt, and the song Total Eclipse of the Heart. After all, music is in my soul...
As I was working out in the gym today and blasting my radio station on Pandora, I realized that when I look back on parts of my life I always think about the music I listen to at that point. It's like I'm slowly compiling a soundtrack to my life in case I'm ever the next Hallmark or Lifetime movie. You know, the poor girl from small town becomes big successful doctor and does some crazy cool thing that helps society and the obstacles she overcame in the process.
Here is my personal soundtrack:
Early years (growing up in Belmar, NJ): a mixed tape (yes, tape) of Bruce Springsteen (I'm a Jersey girl after all), David Bowie (my mom's favorite), and Squeeze (it was the 80's)
Somewhere between 2nd grade and being a tween: Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men (we all have that time when we love Pop and collected their "action figures" - which made good boyfriends for my Barbie dolls)
Tween years: Alanis Morissette, Nirvana, Bush, Green Day (it was not an especially happy time)
High school: GooGoo Dolls, President's of the United States, Oasis (getting more upbeat, but kind outsider-y feeling stuff, which fit changing to a high school of geeks and nerds where I fit in)
College: first half: Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox 20, Wallflowers (still trying to fit in while finding myself and some self-confidence I never had before)
second half: Lifehouse, Jimmy Eat World, Linkin Park, The White Stripes, Nickelback, Creed (the songs for when I met my husband, moved off campus with him, and kinda became my own person)
Medical school: pre-clinical years (aka: just married, moved to Queens, NY and spending all my time with my textbooks) The Killers (don't ask, they made good study music somehow). Lifehouse, Broadway soundtracks to Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, and Les Miserables (I was living in Queens with easy access to show tickets and it makes good study music)
clinical years (aka: pregnant, back in Jersey, having kid): Josh Groban, Lifehouse, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift (last 2 are a complete influence of watching the Disney Channel too much because they are the only toddler friendly shows that don't have me pulling my hair out!)
Aside from them, there are specific songs or artists that always make me think of specific people or times. Some examples include:
My first crush whom I convinced myself I was in love with from 4th grade to about 10th grade will always make me think of GooGoo Dolls, especially the songs Iris and Name.
My first boyfriend whom I dated from 10th grade to sophomore year of college makes me think of Oasis (most specifically Wonderwall, which was our song because we had a discussion and decided be both like it) As a result, I can barely stand to hear Oasis today.
My hubby is Lifehouse and Linkin Park. Our song is Everything by Lifehouse, we danced to it at our wedding, but almost every song by Lifehouse brings memories of my husband with them in different ways. Linkin Park is his favorite band and there are tons of moments and concerts of him and Linkin Park in my mind. However, thoughts of him in his dorm at college immediately bring me to Voodoo by Godsmack and some random Disturbed songs.
My Monkey: The Happy Little Monkey's Song by Ooh and Aah (the monkeys from Playhouse Disney) He knows all the lyrics and this song is part of the reason he is called my little Monkey (aside from his crazy antics and love of bananas)
Senior year of college: Boys of Summer by the Ataris. Whenever I think of my senior year, I think of driving through Baltimore after class with this song blasting. It was the only song I really listened to by them and I didn't have it on cd or downloaded or anything. I just think of this song and college.
So that is my personal soundtrack. I'm sure I can add a lot more to this. Somewhere in there the Beatles need a presence, as does Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Debbie Gibson, No Doubt, and the song Total Eclipse of the Heart. After all, music is in my soul...
Scratch that last post...
So after 2 hours at school, Monkey already had 2 accidents. It seems while he is very vocal at home about using the potty, he is very non-vocal at school about it. They called to ask if they could put him back in a diaper. I said to go for it since we weren't actually planning to potty train until the next 3-day weekend. Because really, I don't want to have to deal with him using the potty at the two 3-hour long graduation ceremonies we will be attending next week.
So adventures in potty training will be on hold for another 2 weeks.
So adventures in potty training will be on hold for another 2 weeks.
Potty Training for real Day 1
I sit here incredibly bleary-eyed and wishing I could just go back to sleep. I couldn't fall asleep last night because my back was hurting me and then Monkey decided to wake up an hour earlier than usual. Boo! Stupid molars, how I hate thee!
Upside of today: they are trying potty training at school today with the Monkey. Yesterday, he spontaneously initiated peeing on the potty 3 times. So last night, when he did it for Daddy, I gave him a sticker for a reward. Apparently, stickers are major currency for a 2 year-old and are definitely good incentives for going on the potty instead of his diaper because this morning he repeated his performance, got off the potty, and asked for another sticker.
Not knowing what to do at this point because when I reported his behavior to the teacher in his room yesterday, I was given instructions for potty training over the next 3-day weekend that we have (Memorial Day weekend). But since he seems to want to use the potty, I brought 3 changes of clothes, 3 underpants, and a spare pair of shoes to school today and reported his behavior to the head teacher in the classroom. She declared him ready for the potty and put him into underpants right then and there. She put him onto the classroom potty, where he sat looking a bit confused (it has no peepee guard like our potty seat does) but got very excited for the underpants. They gave him another sticker for good effort (he sat on the potty after all and didn't want the diaper - yay!).
So if he does good today and tomorrow, he will no longer be attending daycare in diapers!! Woohoo!!
I think I will think what we are doing this weekend after Friday...
Upside of today: they are trying potty training at school today with the Monkey. Yesterday, he spontaneously initiated peeing on the potty 3 times. So last night, when he did it for Daddy, I gave him a sticker for a reward. Apparently, stickers are major currency for a 2 year-old and are definitely good incentives for going on the potty instead of his diaper because this morning he repeated his performance, got off the potty, and asked for another sticker.
Not knowing what to do at this point because when I reported his behavior to the teacher in his room yesterday, I was given instructions for potty training over the next 3-day weekend that we have (Memorial Day weekend). But since he seems to want to use the potty, I brought 3 changes of clothes, 3 underpants, and a spare pair of shoes to school today and reported his behavior to the head teacher in the classroom. She declared him ready for the potty and put him into underpants right then and there. She put him onto the classroom potty, where he sat looking a bit confused (it has no peepee guard like our potty seat does) but got very excited for the underpants. They gave him another sticker for good effort (he sat on the potty after all and didn't want the diaper - yay!).
So if he does good today and tomorrow, he will no longer be attending daycare in diapers!! Woohoo!!
I think I will think what we are doing this weekend after Friday...
May 12, 2010
Random Mommy Thoughts...
1) Teething is equally cruel on the child and the parents!
Monkey slept horribly last night because two 2-year-old molars are currently cutting. Thank the Heavens these are the last 2 teeth to cut for a long while. However, I have no clue what there is left to help him with the pain. Before bed, he already gets: 1)Motrin/Ibuprofen for the pain, 2) Benadryl for the excess secretions draining from pretty much any facial orifice (my pediatrician recommended this route, so please ask yours before doing this) 3) Hyland's teething tabs (which worked wonderfully for the earlier teeth, but seems to have little effect on molars). Combined with having nightmares of my own last night means that I'm doubling my normal intake of coffee this morning just to have the energy to move.
2) Potty training is about the weirdest part of parenthood so far.
Around February, I got the brilliant idea that Monkey was ready for potty training because he always told me when he was going to poop. After a weekend of trying I realized a couple of things: 1) just because I thought it looked like a good potty, doesn't mean Monkey will want to use that one 2) he wanted to use the big potty like mommy and daddy 3) just because he knows when he is going, doesn't mean he wants to actually use the potty. He is just giving me warning of what is to come.
So after that epic fail, we left the training potty lid we got for the big potty on and let him sit up there whenever he asked to sit there. Which pretty much meant whenever he wanted an excuse to have us read to him for 30 minutes to an hour straight. However, we didn't want to discourage potty time, so we did it.
Then this morning, Monkey said he needed to use the potty. So I helped him out of his pants and diaper and down he sat. I got the books ready for reading and then he PEED! ON! THE! POTTY! I did a little celebratory dance, called the hubby, and showed Monkey how to clean up after using the potty. Of course this made me realize two new things: 1) it is sad when the highlight of your morning is your 2-year-old peeing in the toilet and 2) what the hell do I do now? Now that is he is expressing interest and actually doing something on the potty, how do I move him to doing all his needs on the potty?? I don't remember a class in medical school teaching me how to direct potty training...
Monkey slept horribly last night because two 2-year-old molars are currently cutting. Thank the Heavens these are the last 2 teeth to cut for a long while. However, I have no clue what there is left to help him with the pain. Before bed, he already gets: 1)Motrin/Ibuprofen for the pain, 2) Benadryl for the excess secretions draining from pretty much any facial orifice (my pediatrician recommended this route, so please ask yours before doing this) 3) Hyland's teething tabs (which worked wonderfully for the earlier teeth, but seems to have little effect on molars). Combined with having nightmares of my own last night means that I'm doubling my normal intake of coffee this morning just to have the energy to move.
2) Potty training is about the weirdest part of parenthood so far.
Around February, I got the brilliant idea that Monkey was ready for potty training because he always told me when he was going to poop. After a weekend of trying I realized a couple of things: 1) just because I thought it looked like a good potty, doesn't mean Monkey will want to use that one 2) he wanted to use the big potty like mommy and daddy 3) just because he knows when he is going, doesn't mean he wants to actually use the potty. He is just giving me warning of what is to come.
So after that epic fail, we left the training potty lid we got for the big potty on and let him sit up there whenever he asked to sit there. Which pretty much meant whenever he wanted an excuse to have us read to him for 30 minutes to an hour straight. However, we didn't want to discourage potty time, so we did it.
Then this morning, Monkey said he needed to use the potty. So I helped him out of his pants and diaper and down he sat. I got the books ready for reading and then he PEED! ON! THE! POTTY! I did a little celebratory dance, called the hubby, and showed Monkey how to clean up after using the potty. Of course this made me realize two new things: 1) it is sad when the highlight of your morning is your 2-year-old peeing in the toilet and 2) what the hell do I do now? Now that is he is expressing interest and actually doing something on the potty, how do I move him to doing all his needs on the potty?? I don't remember a class in medical school teaching me how to direct potty training...
Because breastfeeding is cool!
I'm a huge advocate of breastfeeding your little one. If I had it my way, every baby would be breastfed. The scientifically-back benefits are numerous and impressive. I breastfed Monkey until he was 14 months and we only stopped then because he was going to start daycare and I didn't want to pump anymore. If he had it his way, I think he would still be breastfeeding.
When we were breastfeeding, I commonly did it out in public. If my baby was hungry, I fed him. When doing it out in public I often used a hooter hider. I didn't do this because of my own modesty (which I think I might have some somewhere...), but because of the looks people would give me when they saw me nursing. Especially when he got older and people would give me the look that clearly said "why are you still nursing a child that old?" I don't know when 12 months became too old to nurse, but I got the hider so we could nurse in comfort without all of the rude stares or questions. However, Monkey hated the hider. In the summer, he would get hot under it. He didn't like being unable to see what was going around him. Instead of enjoying our 20 minutes of bonding, it became a battle to keep the damn hider over at least half of us.
Then today, a friend of mine posted this website on facebook: www.ifbreastfeedingoffendsyou.org The title made me laugh something fierce. Then I read today's post on the site and I stopped laughing. It was such an interesting article I needed to share it and I hope you will take the time to read it. The history of how formula companies have undermined breastfeeding is a scary thing. I believe if more people were educated about the benefits of breastfeeding and the societal attitudes against a woman openly feeding her child the way nature intended were changed, breastfeeding in public wouldn't require the damn hider that made it such a tedious process for us.
When we were breastfeeding, I commonly did it out in public. If my baby was hungry, I fed him. When doing it out in public I often used a hooter hider. I didn't do this because of my own modesty (which I think I might have some somewhere...), but because of the looks people would give me when they saw me nursing. Especially when he got older and people would give me the look that clearly said "why are you still nursing a child that old?" I don't know when 12 months became too old to nurse, but I got the hider so we could nurse in comfort without all of the rude stares or questions. However, Monkey hated the hider. In the summer, he would get hot under it. He didn't like being unable to see what was going around him. Instead of enjoying our 20 minutes of bonding, it became a battle to keep the damn hider over at least half of us.
Then today, a friend of mine posted this website on facebook: www.ifbreastfeedingoffendsyou.org The title made me laugh something fierce. Then I read today's post on the site and I stopped laughing. It was such an interesting article I needed to share it and I hope you will take the time to read it. The history of how formula companies have undermined breastfeeding is a scary thing. I believe if more people were educated about the benefits of breastfeeding and the societal attitudes against a woman openly feeding her child the way nature intended were changed, breastfeeding in public wouldn't require the damn hider that made it such a tedious process for us.
May 11, 2010
Take it off Tuesdays!
In my family, personal addictions are the rule more than the exception. However, addictions vary from person to person. My addiction: food. And I'm not just talking about eating too much. I love to bake, cook, experiment, and eat food. My favorite childhood game: Kids in the Kitchen. My mom supervised while my friends and I would pretend we had our own cooking show and bake wacky creations. With the high metabolism and nonstop attitude of childhood, I remained a healthy weight even with my unhealthy eating habits.
However, when I entered college, things changed. My activity level dropped as I spent hours doing what a pre-med does best: studying. My roommates introduced me to the most dangerous two men on the planet: Ben and Jerry. By the end of college I was up 20 pounds. Then I entered medical school and I gained 10 pounds in the span of 6 months. After seeing a picture of myself one day, I realized I needed a change and I joined Weight Watchers. Within 1 year, I dropped 45 pounds with barely a thought and was the thinnest I ever was in my life. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. I maintained it for over 1 year.
Then, I got pregnant. However, I watched what I ate, tried to maintain activity, and at 32 weeks pregnant, I had only gained 30 pounds. I was exactly where my OB wanted me. Then came the most dreaded phrase any pregnant woman can hear: bed rest. Because of some complications with my health, I was placed bed rest for the next 7 weeks. I gained 3-4 pounds every week. Without physical activity, I ballooned. By time I had delivered Ethan, I was up over 50 pounds from my starting weight. Ugh...
After delivering him, my weight didn't change an ounce. Every time I tried to reduce my calories or increase my exercise, my milk supply dropped. Since breastfeeding was more important than weight loss in my eyes, I continued to maintain a very unhealthy weight. After I weaned him, I tried Weight Watchers again, but this time it just wasn't working. Even with following every letter of the Weight Watchers law, I still barely lost half a pound each week. I was not a happy camper.
Then my OB started a weight loss group in her office with the help of 2 nutritionists and another doctor. A medically managed weight loss program with a diet tailored to each participant and weekly meetings with one of the nutritionists to help re-tailor the diet each week. They promised a 3-5 pound weight loss each week without medication and 5-7 pound loss with medication. I didn't need to be asked twice. As my Christmas present from the hubby, I joined myself right up.
I've now been on the diet for about 14 weeks (today starts week 15). Even with many "bad" weeks (aka: weeks where I didn't follow the plan or didn't bother exercising), I'm now down a total of 29 pounds! My diet is basically a low-fat, low-carb, high-protein diet with a minimum of 30 minutes exercise daily. There are no calories to count, no points to track. I just eat food from my "allowed" list in reasonable portions. I get 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, plus dessert. I love it! It is super easy, I rarely feel like I'm bored with my foods, and I'm losing weight. Added side effects: I found some gym activities I actually enjoy and I have more energy. Yay me!
However, when I entered college, things changed. My activity level dropped as I spent hours doing what a pre-med does best: studying. My roommates introduced me to the most dangerous two men on the planet: Ben and Jerry. By the end of college I was up 20 pounds. Then I entered medical school and I gained 10 pounds in the span of 6 months. After seeing a picture of myself one day, I realized I needed a change and I joined Weight Watchers. Within 1 year, I dropped 45 pounds with barely a thought and was the thinnest I ever was in my life. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. I maintained it for over 1 year.
Then, I got pregnant. However, I watched what I ate, tried to maintain activity, and at 32 weeks pregnant, I had only gained 30 pounds. I was exactly where my OB wanted me. Then came the most dreaded phrase any pregnant woman can hear: bed rest. Because of some complications with my health, I was placed bed rest for the next 7 weeks. I gained 3-4 pounds every week. Without physical activity, I ballooned. By time I had delivered Ethan, I was up over 50 pounds from my starting weight. Ugh...
After delivering him, my weight didn't change an ounce. Every time I tried to reduce my calories or increase my exercise, my milk supply dropped. Since breastfeeding was more important than weight loss in my eyes, I continued to maintain a very unhealthy weight. After I weaned him, I tried Weight Watchers again, but this time it just wasn't working. Even with following every letter of the Weight Watchers law, I still barely lost half a pound each week. I was not a happy camper.
Then my OB started a weight loss group in her office with the help of 2 nutritionists and another doctor. A medically managed weight loss program with a diet tailored to each participant and weekly meetings with one of the nutritionists to help re-tailor the diet each week. They promised a 3-5 pound weight loss each week without medication and 5-7 pound loss with medication. I didn't need to be asked twice. As my Christmas present from the hubby, I joined myself right up.
I've now been on the diet for about 14 weeks (today starts week 15). Even with many "bad" weeks (aka: weeks where I didn't follow the plan or didn't bother exercising), I'm now down a total of 29 pounds! My diet is basically a low-fat, low-carb, high-protein diet with a minimum of 30 minutes exercise daily. There are no calories to count, no points to track. I just eat food from my "allowed" list in reasonable portions. I get 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, plus dessert. I love it! It is super easy, I rarely feel like I'm bored with my foods, and I'm losing weight. Added side effects: I found some gym activities I actually enjoy and I have more energy. Yay me!
May 10, 2010
Where did April go??
So I meant to blog at least twice a week, but somehow I lost the month of April. Maybe that was because we were barely home all month.
Right after my last post we headed off to Disney World with the Monkey and my in-laws. It was a crazy fun trip. Monkey loved every minute of it! However, the highlight of the trip was the morning of our first full day there. We did breakfast at Chef Mickey's where the Fab Five (Goofy, Daisy, Pluto, Minnie, and Mickey) walk around the restaurant. When Mickey stopped at our table, I thought Monkey was going to die from happiness. I never saw a bigger smile on his face. I also think he shattered a few ear drums with his piercing squeal of "MICKEY MOUSE!!!" That moment made the entire week completely worth every penny and dime spent. Although, the Animal Kingdom Lodge was amazing and I think Monkey would like to move in and permanently stay there. And his favorite ride of the vacation: Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. We had to drag him off the ride kicking and screaming. He loved driving the car!
When we got home, I immediately got very sick for the next week. I'm talking 102F fever, nausea, body aches, the whole works. I'm guessing it was some fun flu-like viral illness. Just as I was going to scrape myself off the couch and head to the doctor, the fever broke and I started to get better. Of fracking course...
After that it was a road-trip off to Erie to find a house to rent and a school for Monkey. In one day, we successfully found both! The hospital I'll be working for offers subsidized rentals for the residents and a 3-bedroom home opened up! It is a cute little cape with a two car garage and a huge backyard that is already fenced in! It was an answer to a heart prayer! The rooms are a bit smaller than we are used to currently, but we have an entire basement for storage (so maybe I can use the closets for stuff we are currently using!) and the backyard means the dog and Monkey have some place to run around without being trapped in my living room. The school is also smaller than the one Monkey currently goes to, but I think that will be to his benefit. It is at a local Baptist school 2 blocks from our house, which has the hubby a bit concerned since we are Catholic. But he got over that since it was the best fit academically and emotionally for Monkey compared to the other schools we interviewed.
Since we were able to do everything that was needed in one day, we spent our second day meeting up with a friend with twin 2-year old boys in Buffalo, NY. My friend is actually a mommy I met online when I first found out I was pregnant and joined a discussion board for pregnant woman due in March 2008. We had never met in person before, but I have talked to her on a regular basis for almost 3 years now so it was more like seeing an old friend than meeting a new one. :-) Our boys had a blast together and were like peas in a pod by the end of the day. Monkey is very reticent about his displays of affection, but he was hugging everyone by the end of the day. It was so stinking cute! And I got to finally see Niagra Falls (definitely doing more trips there now that I know it is so close!) and have real Buffalo wings (so good!). It was definitely one hell of a fun weekend.
So now we have been back for a week and I've been trying to clean my apartment. Last week I attacked Monkey's bedroom and wardrobe. Yes, his room took a week to clean. I don't know what he does in there. This week is our bedroom and, if I'm feeling ambitious, our bathroom.
Right after my last post we headed off to Disney World with the Monkey and my in-laws. It was a crazy fun trip. Monkey loved every minute of it! However, the highlight of the trip was the morning of our first full day there. We did breakfast at Chef Mickey's where the Fab Five (Goofy, Daisy, Pluto, Minnie, and Mickey) walk around the restaurant. When Mickey stopped at our table, I thought Monkey was going to die from happiness. I never saw a bigger smile on his face. I also think he shattered a few ear drums with his piercing squeal of "MICKEY MOUSE!!!" That moment made the entire week completely worth every penny and dime spent. Although, the Animal Kingdom Lodge was amazing and I think Monkey would like to move in and permanently stay there. And his favorite ride of the vacation: Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. We had to drag him off the ride kicking and screaming. He loved driving the car!
When we got home, I immediately got very sick for the next week. I'm talking 102F fever, nausea, body aches, the whole works. I'm guessing it was some fun flu-like viral illness. Just as I was going to scrape myself off the couch and head to the doctor, the fever broke and I started to get better. Of fracking course...
After that it was a road-trip off to Erie to find a house to rent and a school for Monkey. In one day, we successfully found both! The hospital I'll be working for offers subsidized rentals for the residents and a 3-bedroom home opened up! It is a cute little cape with a two car garage and a huge backyard that is already fenced in! It was an answer to a heart prayer! The rooms are a bit smaller than we are used to currently, but we have an entire basement for storage (so maybe I can use the closets for stuff we are currently using!) and the backyard means the dog and Monkey have some place to run around without being trapped in my living room. The school is also smaller than the one Monkey currently goes to, but I think that will be to his benefit. It is at a local Baptist school 2 blocks from our house, which has the hubby a bit concerned since we are Catholic. But he got over that since it was the best fit academically and emotionally for Monkey compared to the other schools we interviewed.
Since we were able to do everything that was needed in one day, we spent our second day meeting up with a friend with twin 2-year old boys in Buffalo, NY. My friend is actually a mommy I met online when I first found out I was pregnant and joined a discussion board for pregnant woman due in March 2008. We had never met in person before, but I have talked to her on a regular basis for almost 3 years now so it was more like seeing an old friend than meeting a new one. :-) Our boys had a blast together and were like peas in a pod by the end of the day. Monkey is very reticent about his displays of affection, but he was hugging everyone by the end of the day. It was so stinking cute! And I got to finally see Niagra Falls (definitely doing more trips there now that I know it is so close!) and have real Buffalo wings (so good!). It was definitely one hell of a fun weekend.
So now we have been back for a week and I've been trying to clean my apartment. Last week I attacked Monkey's bedroom and wardrobe. Yes, his room took a week to clean. I don't know what he does in there. This week is our bedroom and, if I'm feeling ambitious, our bathroom.
April 9, 2010
Ready, set, gooooooo!
That would be my monkey's favorite expression. All day long he shouts that phrase at any opportune moment: stopped at a red light in the car, pushing a toy car, riding his rocket, getting up from the couch... You get the idea. It is adorably cute sometimes and just annoying at other times.
The thing about hearing this expression ad nauseam is that it makes me think about all the things I'm currently trying to get set so we can go. I'm getting our bags set so we can go to Disney World for our first vacation since the year before the monkey was conceived. I'm getting our lives set so we can move to Erie in 2 seemingly short months for my residency. I'm helping to get the hubby set for looking for a new job.
I'm ready to do things, and I'm desperately trying to get everything set, but for somethings I'm not sure if I'm ready for go. I'm definitely ready to go to Disney. We are all in need of this much longed for vacation. A time away from our worries (or at least from constantly worrying about our worries). A time away from our day-to-day routines that are starting to make the days blend together.
However, the job searching, house searching, moving searching has me scared to death. This is the biggest move I've done yet, which says something as I've moved 8 times in the past 10 years. And this time I have a toddler in tow as I move to an area I've only visited once and really don't know at all other than it has the job I want, good schools, and affordable housing. Oh, and a giant mall. Because you can take the Jersey mallrat out of Jersey, but you can't take the Jersey mallrat out of the girl. :-)
I think when I get back from vacation, I'll worry about the part where we goooooooo!
The thing about hearing this expression ad nauseam is that it makes me think about all the things I'm currently trying to get set so we can go. I'm getting our bags set so we can go to Disney World for our first vacation since the year before the monkey was conceived. I'm getting our lives set so we can move to Erie in 2 seemingly short months for my residency. I'm helping to get the hubby set for looking for a new job.
I'm ready to do things, and I'm desperately trying to get everything set, but for somethings I'm not sure if I'm ready for go. I'm definitely ready to go to Disney. We are all in need of this much longed for vacation. A time away from our worries (or at least from constantly worrying about our worries). A time away from our day-to-day routines that are starting to make the days blend together.
However, the job searching, house searching, moving searching has me scared to death. This is the biggest move I've done yet, which says something as I've moved 8 times in the past 10 years. And this time I have a toddler in tow as I move to an area I've only visited once and really don't know at all other than it has the job I want, good schools, and affordable housing. Oh, and a giant mall. Because you can take the Jersey mallrat out of Jersey, but you can't take the Jersey mallrat out of the girl. :-)
I think when I get back from vacation, I'll worry about the part where we goooooooo!
April 6, 2010
My life, my way
Ever since I was a little girl I had 2 goals in life:
My first goal (and the one that has taken up most of my life at this point) was to become a doctor. At 8 years old, when my friends wanted to be models/actresses/princesses, I wanted to be a doctor. Coming from a small town where college was more of an pipe dream than a common place occurrence, I was told from the start it would be near impossible. My parents encouraged me to pursue my dream, but told me quite honestly I would need scholarships to pay for college and medical school. They couldn't pay for it for me. So I worked hard in elementary school to get into the right public high school, then worked hard in high school to get a scholarship to the right college, and then worked even harder in college to get into medical school. And now, I'm a month away from seeing the completion of this goal. I've completed all the coursework, I've completed all the exams, and I've been accepted to residency. All I need is to show up for the ceremony and I will be a doctor.
My second goal was to become a mother. I always knew I would have children one day, it was not an option for me to imagine my life otherwise. Then, 3 years ago I found out I was quite unexpectedly pregnant. I was just starting my 3rd year of medical school and pregnancy/parenthood was not something I thought I was quite ready for yet. Yes, I was married already. Yes, we wanted children. But medical school and baby did not seem like compatible ideas to me. However, the second I saw the second blue line on the home pregnancy test, I knew I was in love already with someone I had never met. Now, that second blue line is a two year old boy with the cutest smile on the planet. Sometimes I think he is more monkey than little boy, but I love him for it.
How I survived 2 years of medical school as a new mother I will never really know. I always meant to journal it or record it somehow, but I never found the time. To me, it was just my life being lived in the only way I knew how.
I stand now on the cusp of graduation and seeing the completion of my life goals: a medical degree and motherhood. In 3 months, I begin my residency and my career as a psychiatrist. This time I plan on finding the time to record how I live my life in my way so when people ask how I find the time to raise a young child and do residency, I might have more of an answer.
My first goal (and the one that has taken up most of my life at this point) was to become a doctor. At 8 years old, when my friends wanted to be models/actresses/princesses, I wanted to be a doctor. Coming from a small town where college was more of an pipe dream than a common place occurrence, I was told from the start it would be near impossible. My parents encouraged me to pursue my dream, but told me quite honestly I would need scholarships to pay for college and medical school. They couldn't pay for it for me. So I worked hard in elementary school to get into the right public high school, then worked hard in high school to get a scholarship to the right college, and then worked even harder in college to get into medical school. And now, I'm a month away from seeing the completion of this goal. I've completed all the coursework, I've completed all the exams, and I've been accepted to residency. All I need is to show up for the ceremony and I will be a doctor.
My second goal was to become a mother. I always knew I would have children one day, it was not an option for me to imagine my life otherwise. Then, 3 years ago I found out I was quite unexpectedly pregnant. I was just starting my 3rd year of medical school and pregnancy/parenthood was not something I thought I was quite ready for yet. Yes, I was married already. Yes, we wanted children. But medical school and baby did not seem like compatible ideas to me. However, the second I saw the second blue line on the home pregnancy test, I knew I was in love already with someone I had never met. Now, that second blue line is a two year old boy with the cutest smile on the planet. Sometimes I think he is more monkey than little boy, but I love him for it.
How I survived 2 years of medical school as a new mother I will never really know. I always meant to journal it or record it somehow, but I never found the time. To me, it was just my life being lived in the only way I knew how.
I stand now on the cusp of graduation and seeing the completion of my life goals: a medical degree and motherhood. In 3 months, I begin my residency and my career as a psychiatrist. This time I plan on finding the time to record how I live my life in my way so when people ask how I find the time to raise a young child and do residency, I might have more of an answer.
