From Cobble Hill to Carroll Gardens.
Hence the radio silence.
Stay tuned: we'll be back on air shortly.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
In Which I Talk About Poop
Be forewarned.
MAS, like a lot of preemies, was anemic in the beginning. He even had a blood transfusion at 30 weeks gestation, two weeks after he was born. And several rounds of some drug I've since blocked out that stimulated his bone marrow to produce red blood cells. And he's been on iron supplementation ever since and will be for his first year.
Iron, as we all know, slows your system down. And so it is with MAS. He only poops about once or twice a week, which to be honest I'm grateful for. Granted that poop is always a massive black mess, but he's not constipated nor in pain.
Here's the thing, though: the bigger he gets the bigger those weekly poos get.
This morning? He had a full diaper and so, when I saw what I was dealing with I called The Husband in from the other room for reinforcement. (Despite having two cats and a 6 month old, poop frankly grosses me out.) As we were both cleaning MAS off--and before a new diaper could be secured--he projectile pooped all over the room.
Poop everywhere! On a pile of freshly laundered sleepers! On a towel! On the goddamn window folks!
Ack! Ack! Ack!
MAS, though, seemed pretty pleased with himself, smiling and giggling away.
MAS, the previous afternoon, shows no sign of the coming storm. And yes, that's a Sophie giraffe he's holding, hip toy du jour.
MAS, like a lot of preemies, was anemic in the beginning. He even had a blood transfusion at 30 weeks gestation, two weeks after he was born. And several rounds of some drug I've since blocked out that stimulated his bone marrow to produce red blood cells. And he's been on iron supplementation ever since and will be for his first year.
Iron, as we all know, slows your system down. And so it is with MAS. He only poops about once or twice a week, which to be honest I'm grateful for. Granted that poop is always a massive black mess, but he's not constipated nor in pain.
Here's the thing, though: the bigger he gets the bigger those weekly poos get.
This morning? He had a full diaper and so, when I saw what I was dealing with I called The Husband in from the other room for reinforcement. (Despite having two cats and a 6 month old, poop frankly grosses me out.) As we were both cleaning MAS off--and before a new diaper could be secured--he projectile pooped all over the room.
Poop everywhere! On a pile of freshly laundered sleepers! On a towel! On the goddamn window folks!
Ack! Ack! Ack!
MAS, though, seemed pretty pleased with himself, smiling and giggling away.
MAS, the previous afternoon, shows no sign of the coming storm. And yes, that's a Sophie giraffe he's holding, hip toy du jour.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
13 Things About Brownstone Baby
1. He was born on Thanksgiving Day.
2. He was born 12 weeks early.
3. He therefore, like all preemies, has a double identity: Sagittarius and Aquarius.
4. He loves the stuffed loon on his activity gym.
5. He thinks diaper changes are funny.
6. He’s ticklish.
7. He abhors being hungry.
8. He finds his Fisher Price swing sometimes hilarious, sometimes disturbing.
9. He had a full head of hair when he was born; no mean feat for a 28 weeker.
10. Since he learned to stick his tongue out it’s become his favorite trick.
11. He loves bath time more than any other time of day.
12. He loves speed whether its in the car or stroller: stoplights and traffic jams make him angry.
13. He's been hitting every single milestone when he would have had he been born on his due date--sometimes earlier. (Rolling over at 3 months!)
2. He was born 12 weeks early.
3. He therefore, like all preemies, has a double identity: Sagittarius and Aquarius.
4. He loves the stuffed loon on his activity gym.
5. He thinks diaper changes are funny.
6. He’s ticklish.
7. He abhors being hungry.
8. He finds his Fisher Price swing sometimes hilarious, sometimes disturbing.
9. He had a full head of hair when he was born; no mean feat for a 28 weeker.
10. Since he learned to stick his tongue out it’s become his favorite trick.
11. He loves bath time more than any other time of day.
12. He loves speed whether its in the car or stroller: stoplights and traffic jams make him angry.
13. He's been hitting every single milestone when he would have had he been born on his due date--sometimes earlier. (Rolling over at 3 months!)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Avian Analogies
To take the bird metaphor further: she who lays her eggs in an open field has to be more aggressive in defending her chicks than she who lays in a camouflaging tree.
Me? I laid my egg on a freshly mown suburban lawn. Danger all around: kids playing ball and dogs digging and cars speeding past.
Nestless, I used my very own puffed up self to protect him. And letting go of that? Ah. Harder than I thought.
Me? I laid my egg on a freshly mown suburban lawn. Danger all around: kids playing ball and dogs digging and cars speeding past.
Nestless, I used my very own puffed up self to protect him. And letting go of that? Ah. Harder than I thought.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Mountain Buggy Strollers In Brooklyn
MAS in his Mountain Buggy Urban Elite
First off, let me say that I don’t really think you can get by with one stroller or one baby carrier anymore than you can get by with one pair of shoes. Sometimes you need a sandal, sometimes you need a sneaker and sometimes only a rain boot will do.
In the best of all possible worlds you’d get a lightweight stroller for hopping on and off subways, a rugged jogging stroller for marathon training (see how funny I can be?) and a chichi but durable Bugaboo for urban restaurant and shopping excursions.
But. Financial circumstances being what they are, forced to make a compromise Ebronis and I were when MAS entered the world.
So we bought a Mountain Buggy jogging stroller. Because I had—still have—this idea that I’m going to get back in shape this summer by training for the NIKE 10k. Not that I really have all that much more to lose—skipping the entire third trimester was a really great way to forgo the whole mommybody thing. (And no: I don’t recommend it as a strategy: a 2.5 pound baby is a frightening thing.
Back to the stroller.
Things I love about my Mountain Buggy Urban Elite:
The rugged wheels handle the often-crappy Brooklyn streets & sidewalks without once jostling the baby awake.
A swiveling front wheel makes turning city corners a breeze but it also locks into place for stability on long runs.
The water bottle holder puts a cold drink at my fingertips.
The seat is extra comfy and MAS has no trouble napping out.
The entire seat and sun canopy snap off for easy cleaning.
The $50 car seat clip meant I never had to wake MAS when going from car to stroller to apartment. (If you have a colicky baby like I did, you’ll understand the true value of such a feature.)
Things I Hate About My Mountain Buggy Urban Elite:
Since it weighs in at 23 lbs there’s no way I’m lugging that thing up or down any subway stairs soon.
The wide wheelbase makes for a stable ride over a variety of terrain but also means I can’t get into certain narrow Brooklyn storefronts.
There’s no coffee cup holder. (Hello people: caffeine is the only antidote to infant-induced sleep deprivation. Sheesh.)
Keep in mind that this thing is the SUV of strollers: its overall appearance is mountain bike meets REI fashion. Not surprisingly, maitre d’s see us coming & cringe. Some, like the folks at Chestnut, mask their chagrin so well they deserve a medal for the effort.
Given all the above we’ve decided to purchase a second lightweight stroller for subways & restaurants. A used Maclaren, for example: 11 pounds or less & folds into near nothingness.
Got one?
Friday, May 22, 2009
Could He Be Teething?
3 months adjusted seems a little early, no? But all of the sudden he's gnawing on everything.
Monday, May 11, 2009
When The Worst Isn’t That Bad
Giving birth 12 weeks early was the biggest crisis I’ve dealt with in my adult life.
But it wasn’t an entirely negative experience:
I meet a group of really wonderful women and some pretty tough preemies.
I got to know a team of phenomenal NICU doctors and nurses.
I got an extra three months with MAS—months during which he would have otherwise been a mystery to me. (And what a miracle to be able to watch the rapid and spectacular development that occurs during the third trimester.)
But the real kicker: I discovered something really important about myself, something that has changed me in the most profound way.
Despite my previous doubts, it turns out I’m actually a remarkably strong person. Life can throw its worst at me and I don’t crumble. I bend like a reed. I bounce back easily and quickly. I don’t lose perspective even while I’m terrified and the walls are crumbling around me.
And somehow knowing that about myself changes everything. And that’s the gift MAS gave me: faith that no matter what happens from here on out, I’ll rise out of the ashes.
But it wasn’t an entirely negative experience:
I meet a group of really wonderful women and some pretty tough preemies.
I got to know a team of phenomenal NICU doctors and nurses.
I got an extra three months with MAS—months during which he would have otherwise been a mystery to me. (And what a miracle to be able to watch the rapid and spectacular development that occurs during the third trimester.)
But the real kicker: I discovered something really important about myself, something that has changed me in the most profound way.
Despite my previous doubts, it turns out I’m actually a remarkably strong person. Life can throw its worst at me and I don’t crumble. I bend like a reed. I bounce back easily and quickly. I don’t lose perspective even while I’m terrified and the walls are crumbling around me.
And somehow knowing that about myself changes everything. And that’s the gift MAS gave me: faith that no matter what happens from here on out, I’ll rise out of the ashes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
