Last night I had a dream. I dreamt that Cory and I were on a vacation to Alaska. It was weird because I knew I was dreaming. I knew this because I really don't ever see myself going to Alaska on vacation and being excited to be there. I don't like cold weather. And in the dream, we had went there to go ice fishing. In the dream Cory and I were walking around this log cabin style bait and tackle shop. Kind of like bass pro meets old, dingy, secludedness (is that even a word?). We were purchasing all of our supplies and went to the register to check out and meet up with our ice fishing guide. Since we weren't locals, the manager told us it was required that we have a guide so nothing happened to us. We waited, and waited, AND WAITED.... for our guide. We were getting really impatient but the manager told us that we had to wait and that our guide was one of the best. When the guide finally showed up, it was a friend I haven't seen since December 12, 2004. It was my friend, Stephen Adams.
I instantly woke up because the turn of events startled me so. I was awakened so thoroughly that I couldn't go back to sleep for two hours. Why, you ask did this startle me so? Why, you ask, do I know the last time I saw him was the exact date of December 12, 2004? That's because on December 13, 2004 he became a mystery. He is missing.
Stephen and I had the same set of friends. We all worked at El Chico in Muskogee, OK. We weren't super close, but we were friends and did hang out from time to time. And we joked around at work. He was a nice guy. Kind of quiet to those that didn't know him, but he would do anything for anyone.
I remember the Easter before he went missing we were all working. My roommate and I were both scheduled to work until 5 that day, but I ended up getting to leave early. There was one problem. My roommate and I had car pooled from our apartment in Tahlequah to work in Muskogee. I wasn't thrilled about having to stay there for 3 hours waiting for her to get off work. Stephen let me drive his truck back to Tahlequah that day so that I didn't have to wait. Before I left he warned me the brakes had a mind of their own. He was right! I rear ended someone in his truck. No one was hurt. I was only going about 3 miles an hour when I lightly tapped the back of the truck in front of me. The driver of that truck wasn't even mad. He was laughing at my terrified look and my I'm so so so sorry-ness. When I told Stephen about it later, he just laughed.
Stephen was a laid back guy. The only thing that really got under his skin was his ex wife. After things had ended, his ex wife had done everything she could to keep him from seeing their daughter. She even alleged molestation twice on him. Both of those charges were found false. It was a nasty custody battle. Stephen just wanted to see his daughter. The ex wife ignored court ordered visitations. Shortly before he disappeared he had bought his little girl Christmas presents. He was so excited to give them to her that he couldn't wait until Christmas.
Then December 13 happened. He had taken a final at NSU that morning. He called his girlfriend and told her that he was taking someone home who needed a ride and that he was going to Keys, OK. That was the last phone conversation anyone had with him. He didn't show up for the lunch date with his girlfriend that was two hours later. He didn't show up for work at El Chico that evening. Friends and family began to get worried.
In the days and weeks that followed, we all called his cell phone. We all drove countless miles to post missing fliers at every gas station and truck stop in the state of Oklahoma. Every time we passed a white truck that looked like his, we would slow down to see if it was him. Yes, his truck went missing too. It was like living in one of those shows you see about missing persons. None of us could believe it. How does a 26 year old man just disappear?
The police suspect foul play. Friends and family think that his ex wife probably had a hand in the disappearance. Before he became a missing person, Stephen always said that she ever thought he was going to get custody of their daughter, that she would try to kill him. No one put much thought into that. Until he came up missing. And in the few days that followed his disappearance, there was a custody hearing.
It's just mind boggling that even after all these years, he still hasn't been found. I haven't even thought about him in a long while. I feel kind of guilty about that. Leave it to your strange, sub conscious to remember and now all day he's been on my mind.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
First Ear Infection Ramblings
I took Annie to the doctor today. She has her first ear infection. She is now on antibiotics for the first time ever. I know I probably shouldn't fret because it is only an ear infection, which is very common in babies. But I'm taking it a little harder than I should. Maybe because its her first sickness? I dunno. (Awesome grammatical skillz right?)
It makes me think back to when Ems was a baby. He had ear infections almost every time he cut a tooth. I think ear infections and teething go hand in hand. I know, some don't believe that. Believe as you like and I will believe as I like.
Anywho... these infections occured often. I was and still am against tubes before the age of two. I think most babies grow out of ear infections by that age. So I refuse to have my child sedated and be given tubes. Again, some parents are very much pro tube placing. Thats awesome for you, and I think everyone has to do what works with their own children. (Wow... I rambling)
So... back to ear infections occuring often. They became, not such a big deal after a while. Part of life and having a baby, you see. But now that I have Annie I am saddened all over again by an ear infection. Maybe because its her first one? Well, this is making zero sense to me, and someone is fussing.
Ta ta for now.....
It makes me think back to when Ems was a baby. He had ear infections almost every time he cut a tooth. I think ear infections and teething go hand in hand. I know, some don't believe that. Believe as you like and I will believe as I like.
Anywho... these infections occured often. I was and still am against tubes before the age of two. I think most babies grow out of ear infections by that age. So I refuse to have my child sedated and be given tubes. Again, some parents are very much pro tube placing. Thats awesome for you, and I think everyone has to do what works with their own children. (Wow... I rambling)
So... back to ear infections occuring often. They became, not such a big deal after a while. Part of life and having a baby, you see. But now that I have Annie I am saddened all over again by an ear infection. Maybe because its her first one? Well, this is making zero sense to me, and someone is fussing.
Ta ta for now.....
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Multiple Emotions of Mommyhood
Being a mother brings about so many emotions. Some are simple. Some are complex. Here's a few that I feel are noteworthy.
Happiness
When Annie is upset and crying and I finally figure out how to soothe her.
When I'm playing outside with Emery and an impromptu water fight happens.
Love
Snuggling up and cuddling in my chair with Annie. Feeling our heart beats synchronize and our breathing patterns match right before nodding off to la la land.
Cuddling and watching Emery's favorite cartoon movies. While we are sitting there, he will tell me he loves me very much and give me the biggest hug, just because he can.
Frustration
Those times when Cory is at work, and I feel all alone. Nothing is going right. Emery won't listen. Annie won't let me put her down.
Serenity
Those moments when Annie is playing quietly in the floor and Emery is quietly coloring. Or late at night when I finally manage to get both of them to sleep. I just sit and stare at them and think how much I love them.
Worry
When Annie starts running a very low grade temp at night and gets very fussy and I start wondering/ worrying if its only teething or if shes getting an ear infection.
When I hear Emery whimper in his sleep at night and I worry if he's having a bad dream.
Terror
When I'm clipping Annie's nails and I accidentally nick the end of her little thumb. She didn't even cry. I, however, cried enough for both of us.
When Emery is playing outside and I hear him start to cry and then begin to scream. I still don't know how he managed to get his head stuck in his pic nick table, but y'all it was tricky to get him un-stuck.
Anger
This one isn't so much at my kids, but more for people (some complete strangers) who ask you nosey questions and then comment with a tone of voice full of disdain. The momma bear comes out and it's all I can do to not snap at them and tell them to mind their own business (and ad-lib some very colorful, not so nice, four letter words at them.)
There are many, many more emotions that I'm sure I've missed. It just floors me, even after being a mother for over five years now, how many emotions you feel in just one day related to your children. It isn't always a walk in the park. Some days I feel like I'm just enduring being a mother, and these are the days I feel guilty and like a terrible mother. Some days I wish the day wouldn't end from all the fun I'm having with the kids, and these are the days that I know it's all going to be ok. Ultimately, no matter what kind of day we are having, I know it's worth it. My kids prove it every time they smile.
Happiness
When Annie is upset and crying and I finally figure out how to soothe her.
When I'm playing outside with Emery and an impromptu water fight happens.
Love
Snuggling up and cuddling in my chair with Annie. Feeling our heart beats synchronize and our breathing patterns match right before nodding off to la la land.
Cuddling and watching Emery's favorite cartoon movies. While we are sitting there, he will tell me he loves me very much and give me the biggest hug, just because he can.
Frustration
Those times when Cory is at work, and I feel all alone. Nothing is going right. Emery won't listen. Annie won't let me put her down.
Serenity
Those moments when Annie is playing quietly in the floor and Emery is quietly coloring. Or late at night when I finally manage to get both of them to sleep. I just sit and stare at them and think how much I love them.
Worry
When Annie starts running a very low grade temp at night and gets very fussy and I start wondering/ worrying if its only teething or if shes getting an ear infection.
When I hear Emery whimper in his sleep at night and I worry if he's having a bad dream.
Terror
When I'm clipping Annie's nails and I accidentally nick the end of her little thumb. She didn't even cry. I, however, cried enough for both of us.
When Emery is playing outside and I hear him start to cry and then begin to scream. I still don't know how he managed to get his head stuck in his pic nick table, but y'all it was tricky to get him un-stuck.
Anger
This one isn't so much at my kids, but more for people (some complete strangers) who ask you nosey questions and then comment with a tone of voice full of disdain. The momma bear comes out and it's all I can do to not snap at them and tell them to mind their own business (and ad-lib some very colorful, not so nice, four letter words at them.)
There are many, many more emotions that I'm sure I've missed. It just floors me, even after being a mother for over five years now, how many emotions you feel in just one day related to your children. It isn't always a walk in the park. Some days I feel like I'm just enduring being a mother, and these are the days I feel guilty and like a terrible mother. Some days I wish the day wouldn't end from all the fun I'm having with the kids, and these are the days that I know it's all going to be ok. Ultimately, no matter what kind of day we are having, I know it's worth it. My kids prove it every time they smile.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tee Ball Lessons For Mom
Emery almost paying attention. But notice the patch of flowers he's in? He's picking flowers.
For those that have known me since I was a child, you know my love of sports. My biggest sport love was softball. I was not the best player on the field. I know that. I don't even pretend that I was. However, I did love the game, and I had heart. Softball was always serious business to me as a child. I even broke up with one of my boyfriends when I was a freshman in high school because he said that I devoted to much time to the game (kind of makes me giggle thinking about it, actually). The sport came, some what, natural to me. The things that didn't come natural involving the game, I worked and practiced at so I could be better. So, it only stood to reason that my children will be some what natural at sports, and they will take it seriously as well. Right??
WRONG!!!!!!
This is Emery's second year of tee ball. Last year, however, he was in tee ball minor. It was the league for four and five year olds. It was the league where they didn't keep score. They didn't abide by three outs. Everyone batted and even if they didn't get a hit they ran to first base. It was organized chaos, but only slightly organized. Last year, the kids, Emery included, just walked around the field randomly. The girls would pull out their lip gloss that they had secretly stashed in their pockets before the game and trade with the other girls. The boys would throw grass and dirt at each other.
This year, I thought I was entering Emery in that league again. But he ended up in the league above, tee ball major. This league is for five and six year olds. They do keep score. They do track outs. If a player doesn't hit the ball, they don't get to automatically go to first base and so on from there. Most of the kids in this league are more serious about ball. Some of the kids even hit without the tee. No lip gloss trading and grass throwing allowed.
I was mildly panicked when I discovered this was the league he was in. Then I thought, "No, this is a good thing. He can learn from this. He must always pay attention. He must be pushed to focus and this will help." This line of thinking made the first half of the season a frustrating experience for both of us.
Emery didn't care he was in the older league. He went on picking and throwing grass. When it was his turn to bat, he thought it was a huge joke. He wouldn't even try to hit the ball. When he got out because he didn't hit the ball, he would run to first and I would have to go get him and lead him to the dugout with him upset at me for pulling him off the base. I would get frustrated, and at the end of practice and games, I would sit him down for what I like to call, "come to Jesus" talks. I would explain everything he did wrong. I would use a serious tone of voice. I wasn't being very positive with him at all.
I vented my frustrations to my parents, to Cory's parents, and a few close friends. All the people I vented to said the same thing: "he's only five years old. Still just a little guy. He hasn't even started school yet. Most athletes weren't made in a day. Be patient." I tried not to listen. I just wanted him to be great at this sport.
One night, after a particularly challenging episode at the ball fields (that involved Emery pitching a fit after the game), I was at my breaking point. I told Cory that I just couldn't do it anymore because it upset me too much. I told him I was going to call his coach and tell her we wouldn't be playing anymore. Cory told me exactly what I didn't want to hear: "Did you stop to think that tee ball isn't about you? Do you realize that you're the one with the bad attitude? "
Um... WOW!!!!!
My husband was exactly right. He reminded me of how we have always raised Emery. We have always focused on the positives with Emery. He responds better and tries harder when we do this. We down play what he does wrong. We don't focus on that. Instead, we try to show him a better way. Cory was right. As soon as I saw this, I began remembering everyone telling me that he was only five. The next day, I got on facebook and one of my friends had posted this:
From that point on, I have made it a point to make tee ball fun. If Emery is picking flowers in the outfield, I roll with it. I encourage him to focus when the batter is batting, but I also tell him if he wants to pick a flower, he can, and to save it and give it to someone he loves. If he misses the ball and gets out, I reassure him that its okay. I tell him that we don't always get a hit but that he tried hard and did good. When he does get a hit, I cheer, I jump up and down, and as soon as I can I give him the biggest hug. He seems to enjoy it much more since I've turned my attitude around.
If he chooses to continue in playing sports throughout his life, that will be great. But I've learned recently that if he chooses not to play sports, I will be fine with that too. Just because Cory and I were athletes doesn't mean our kids will be. He will find his nitch, whether it be baseball, some other sport, or some other hobby not even considered a sport. No matter what, I will be proud of him, and I will always attempt to focus on the positive.
If he chooses to continue in playing sports throughout his life, that will be great. But I've learned recently that if he chooses not to play sports, I will be fine with that too. Just because Cory and I were athletes doesn't mean our kids will be. He will find his nitch, whether it be baseball, some other sport, or some other hobby not even considered a sport. No matter what, I will be proud of him, and I will always attempt to focus on the positive.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Differences
When I was pregnant with Annie, anybody and everybody warned me how your second was always a handful. I would just smile politely and reply, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Every time this would happen, I would begin to wonder how different children could be. All my friends with multiple children always said how their kids were all different, but they didn't always say one was more of a handful than the others. They would simply comment about their preferences, and personalities, and what not. I wondered if this was present from birth, or if they grew into their own over time. So, lets fast forward to now. Emery is five. Annie is three months. So far, they have been very different little creatures, and here's how:
Sleeping:
Emery was an easy sleeper. I would put him in his swing and he would be asleep in mere seconds. He didn't want to be rocked. He didn't want to be cuddled. He didn't fight sleep. Its almost as if he embraced sleep, even as a very tiny baby. He came home from the hospital sleeping through the night, if I would let him. There is a phrase: never wake a sleeping baby. I did not follow that rule with Emery. I was always waking him up to eat. I wasn't always successful in the waking process either. The boy just slept anytime, anywhere he pleased.
Annie has not been an easy sleeper. She doesn't want to be put down. She wants to be loved, and rocked, and cuddled. She does fight sleep. It almost seems as if she doesn't want to miss out on anything. I'm constantly attempting not to wake her up, once she is asleep. Oddly she doesn't get cranky while fighting sleep. She just constantly moves and wiggles. The more tired she is, the more she tries to wiggle. If Emery embraced sleep, then she repels it.
Eating:
Emery wasn't the easiest eater at first. I wanted, desperately, to breast feed him. He had no interest in breast feeding. As fast as my milk came in, it dried up. He just didn't want to work that hard to get a meal. (He wanted to sleep) So, at a week old, we started attempting formula. My husband drove to Wal Mart at one in the morning after a can of formula, because I was crying and in hysterics because my milk had dried up. It hurt my feelings badly. I swore if I ever had another child, I wouldn't even attempt breast feeding. I couldn't feel like that big of a failure again. Everyone said breast feeding was "the natural thing" to do, and I had failed. I kept wondering how I could fail at something so "natural." Feeding Emery didn't get much easier from there. We tried what seemed like a million types of formulas. None seemed to agree with him. He would projectile vomit. He would get constipated. It was ROUGH. I began rice cereal with Emery at five weeks old (I know, I know... wait till four to six months of age, blah blah). I was hoping that the tiny amount of cereal would help him keep his food down. Our doctor was okay with it, and encouraged me to use a small amount of prune juice or dark Karo syrup to help with constipation. Things were slightly better. He was still vomiting, but at least it wasn't projectile. And, he wasn't as constipated. At about four months, I started him on baby food. It was like the kid was born to eat with a spoon. And oddly, once I began feeding him baby food, he stopped spitting up, and he was no longer constipated.
When I was pregnant with Annie, I swore I would not breast feed. (Remember, I'm a major failure, or so I thought) I had sent in for various coupons from different brands of formula and that was that. Until about a week before she was born. I had found out I was group B strep positive. I know this happens to a lot of a pregnant women. But it worried me that she would get sick. So the idea of breast feeding began to implant itself. It started out simply. I rationalized that I would just breast feed in the hospital so she could have colostrum. And then I rationalized breast feeding for one week so I could make sure she got all the colostrum. And then I rationalized, that I didn't know how long I would breast feed, but that I would try, and I wouldn't kick myself WHEN (notice I didn't say if) it didn't work out. When she was born, she breast fed like a champ. Breast feeding her was easy. It was fun. It proved my theory that I would never be able to breast feed completely wrong. I breast fed her, exclusively for 8 weeks. I weaned her after that because I thought I was going back to work full time. But God had other plans, and I'm lucky that I don't have to work full time. So, we are now on formula. I miss breast feeding her sometimes. But this is what is working for us and she is doing well with formula. She is now three months. I've just recently (in the last week) started giving her rice cereal. She doesn't like eating with a spoon. She wants to suck on something while she eats. And that's okay. She's still a tiny baby. We have many, many years to prefect eating with utensils. She also has no constipation issues thus far. So, all in all, Annie is an easier eater.
Attitude:
Emery was laid back. He didn't get mad. He smiled and laughed at everyone. Emery didn't get fussy until he was held to much. He loved his swing. He also loved to be on a blanket in the floor. He didn't love watching TV or playing with toys. He just entertained himself.
Annie is another story. Annie gets bored quickly. She wants people to entertain her. She prefers to be held. She isn't quick to smile. She makes you work for her smiles. Annie is constantly in motion: wiggling around, trying to figure out how to move, holding her head up, and looking at new things and figuring out her world. She lets you know when shes done and ready to move on to the next activity with a fuss. If I'm busy and can't get to her quickly, her fuss becomes a scream. She makes sure we know she's there (as if we didn't already know). If I'm involved with other activities (cooking, laundry, playing with Emery, bathing Emery, ect) I have this little rotation to keep Annie happy. We use the play mat, let her watch ESPN (this is her favorite channel, and it thrills me), put her in her swing, put her in her bouncy seat (which she likes the least), put her in her crib to stare at her mobile, and if i can safely baby wear, I sport the moby wrap with her.
Soothing:
Emery, again, was laid back. He was happiest in his swing. He was a home body. He would fuss if we were out and about for longer than he wanted. As soon as we got him back home, all was right with the world again. No binky (or paci, or pacifer, or whatever other slang term you use), no favorite blanket, no thumb sucking. As he has gotten older, he does have two stuffed animals he sleeps with now. One is George (the curious George monkey) and another is a blue dog that a dear friend of mine got him when he was born. He named the blue dog Jelly puppy. Shhhh.... don't tell him I told you he sleeps with stuffed animals. He wants it to be a secret because boys aren't supposed to have stuffed animals (so he thinks).
Annie is, what I like to call, a partial binky baby. She takes it when she's tired, and it soothes her to sleep. When she is (FINALLY) asleep, she spits it out. Over the last couple of weeks, I've also noticed her sucking on her fist. I wonder if it will develop into thumb sucking when she figures out how to not close her little fingers around said thumb. I've tried to encourage methods that help her self soothe. Ultimately, I'm what she prefers. She is happiest being held. And when shes sleepy, its me that she wants. It almost seems as if, even at this early age, she's decided daddy is for playing and mommy is for cuddling. Not that I mind. I love it that she likes to cuddle. It's a good feeling.
So, has my second child been a so called handful like so many people wanted to predict? Yes and no. I take a moment to add that with Emery, I had very little baby experience. My baby experience before him consisted of looking at babies and thinking, "oh, how cute. I'm glad that it isn't mine." When I had Emery. I was nervous about everything. Cory, my husband, was great. He had tons of baby experience from younger siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. When I had Annie, I was, and remain, much more calm about all things baby. I am greatful that Emery was a laid back little guy because if Annie would have been first, I think I would've had anxiety attacks daily (or maybe evenly hourly, ha ha). That being said, I don't so much see Annie as a handful. It could be worse. She could scream 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and she doesn't. She could be colicky, and she isn't. Annie was lovingly made and the changes she has brought to our home have been wonderful.
Sleeping:
Emery was an easy sleeper. I would put him in his swing and he would be asleep in mere seconds. He didn't want to be rocked. He didn't want to be cuddled. He didn't fight sleep. Its almost as if he embraced sleep, even as a very tiny baby. He came home from the hospital sleeping through the night, if I would let him. There is a phrase: never wake a sleeping baby. I did not follow that rule with Emery. I was always waking him up to eat. I wasn't always successful in the waking process either. The boy just slept anytime, anywhere he pleased.
Annie has not been an easy sleeper. She doesn't want to be put down. She wants to be loved, and rocked, and cuddled. She does fight sleep. It almost seems as if she doesn't want to miss out on anything. I'm constantly attempting not to wake her up, once she is asleep. Oddly she doesn't get cranky while fighting sleep. She just constantly moves and wiggles. The more tired she is, the more she tries to wiggle. If Emery embraced sleep, then she repels it.
Eating:
Emery wasn't the easiest eater at first. I wanted, desperately, to breast feed him. He had no interest in breast feeding. As fast as my milk came in, it dried up. He just didn't want to work that hard to get a meal. (He wanted to sleep) So, at a week old, we started attempting formula. My husband drove to Wal Mart at one in the morning after a can of formula, because I was crying and in hysterics because my milk had dried up. It hurt my feelings badly. I swore if I ever had another child, I wouldn't even attempt breast feeding. I couldn't feel like that big of a failure again. Everyone said breast feeding was "the natural thing" to do, and I had failed. I kept wondering how I could fail at something so "natural." Feeding Emery didn't get much easier from there. We tried what seemed like a million types of formulas. None seemed to agree with him. He would projectile vomit. He would get constipated. It was ROUGH. I began rice cereal with Emery at five weeks old (I know, I know... wait till four to six months of age, blah blah). I was hoping that the tiny amount of cereal would help him keep his food down. Our doctor was okay with it, and encouraged me to use a small amount of prune juice or dark Karo syrup to help with constipation. Things were slightly better. He was still vomiting, but at least it wasn't projectile. And, he wasn't as constipated. At about four months, I started him on baby food. It was like the kid was born to eat with a spoon. And oddly, once I began feeding him baby food, he stopped spitting up, and he was no longer constipated.
When I was pregnant with Annie, I swore I would not breast feed. (Remember, I'm a major failure, or so I thought) I had sent in for various coupons from different brands of formula and that was that. Until about a week before she was born. I had found out I was group B strep positive. I know this happens to a lot of a pregnant women. But it worried me that she would get sick. So the idea of breast feeding began to implant itself. It started out simply. I rationalized that I would just breast feed in the hospital so she could have colostrum. And then I rationalized breast feeding for one week so I could make sure she got all the colostrum. And then I rationalized, that I didn't know how long I would breast feed, but that I would try, and I wouldn't kick myself WHEN (notice I didn't say if) it didn't work out. When she was born, she breast fed like a champ. Breast feeding her was easy. It was fun. It proved my theory that I would never be able to breast feed completely wrong. I breast fed her, exclusively for 8 weeks. I weaned her after that because I thought I was going back to work full time. But God had other plans, and I'm lucky that I don't have to work full time. So, we are now on formula. I miss breast feeding her sometimes. But this is what is working for us and she is doing well with formula. She is now three months. I've just recently (in the last week) started giving her rice cereal. She doesn't like eating with a spoon. She wants to suck on something while she eats. And that's okay. She's still a tiny baby. We have many, many years to prefect eating with utensils. She also has no constipation issues thus far. So, all in all, Annie is an easier eater.
Attitude:
Emery was laid back. He didn't get mad. He smiled and laughed at everyone. Emery didn't get fussy until he was held to much. He loved his swing. He also loved to be on a blanket in the floor. He didn't love watching TV or playing with toys. He just entertained himself.
Annie is another story. Annie gets bored quickly. She wants people to entertain her. She prefers to be held. She isn't quick to smile. She makes you work for her smiles. Annie is constantly in motion: wiggling around, trying to figure out how to move, holding her head up, and looking at new things and figuring out her world. She lets you know when shes done and ready to move on to the next activity with a fuss. If I'm busy and can't get to her quickly, her fuss becomes a scream. She makes sure we know she's there (as if we didn't already know). If I'm involved with other activities (cooking, laundry, playing with Emery, bathing Emery, ect) I have this little rotation to keep Annie happy. We use the play mat, let her watch ESPN (this is her favorite channel, and it thrills me), put her in her swing, put her in her bouncy seat (which she likes the least), put her in her crib to stare at her mobile, and if i can safely baby wear, I sport the moby wrap with her.
Soothing:
Emery, again, was laid back. He was happiest in his swing. He was a home body. He would fuss if we were out and about for longer than he wanted. As soon as we got him back home, all was right with the world again. No binky (or paci, or pacifer, or whatever other slang term you use), no favorite blanket, no thumb sucking. As he has gotten older, he does have two stuffed animals he sleeps with now. One is George (the curious George monkey) and another is a blue dog that a dear friend of mine got him when he was born. He named the blue dog Jelly puppy. Shhhh.... don't tell him I told you he sleeps with stuffed animals. He wants it to be a secret because boys aren't supposed to have stuffed animals (so he thinks).
Annie is, what I like to call, a partial binky baby. She takes it when she's tired, and it soothes her to sleep. When she is (FINALLY) asleep, she spits it out. Over the last couple of weeks, I've also noticed her sucking on her fist. I wonder if it will develop into thumb sucking when she figures out how to not close her little fingers around said thumb. I've tried to encourage methods that help her self soothe. Ultimately, I'm what she prefers. She is happiest being held. And when shes sleepy, its me that she wants. It almost seems as if, even at this early age, she's decided daddy is for playing and mommy is for cuddling. Not that I mind. I love it that she likes to cuddle. It's a good feeling.
So, has my second child been a so called handful like so many people wanted to predict? Yes and no. I take a moment to add that with Emery, I had very little baby experience. My baby experience before him consisted of looking at babies and thinking, "oh, how cute. I'm glad that it isn't mine." When I had Emery. I was nervous about everything. Cory, my husband, was great. He had tons of baby experience from younger siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. When I had Annie, I was, and remain, much more calm about all things baby. I am greatful that Emery was a laid back little guy because if Annie would have been first, I think I would've had anxiety attacks daily (or maybe evenly hourly, ha ha). That being said, I don't so much see Annie as a handful. It could be worse. She could scream 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and she doesn't. She could be colicky, and she isn't. Annie was lovingly made and the changes she has brought to our home have been wonderful.
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