A Change In Routine

Aidan says no more work, ma.

In late June, I put in my one week notice with a company I had been with for approximately 5 years.  In fact, the week after I put in my notice, I was receiving the 5 year service award.  There were lots of factors leading up to my change and my short notice, but I will not divulge those reasons, just that a change of scenery is what I needed. 

So my last day was July 6th, and while I knew it was the best decision for my family and was something I had wanted to do almost four and half years ago, it was not easy walking away from a project and some great co workers.  I never left a project because I was going to another company.  Nope, reasons for leaving included end of an internship, lay off, and the project was complete.  I always worked until the last day or I was told they needed me on another project.  So I wasn't ready emotionally for what I would feel as I walked, escorted, out the gate and away from the largest project I have ever been apart ($1.34 billion).  A project I have made two professional presentations, which the first time was my first presentation to a professional society of engineers.  There was a lot I left behind...tears (unfortunately) were not.

Anyway...

So I began the new job on July 23rd.  The new job has later hours and is only four days a week.  Later work hours, starting at 6:30 AM instead of 5:00 AM means I would get off later and not have someone to watch Aidan while I went to the gym.  The gym and fitness is very important to me; I am a gym rat, so working out at home isn't much of an option.  So my solution...wake up at 4:00 AM, okay okay, hit the snooze until 4:18 AM.  My day starts with letting the dogs out, making coffee yes I like it now!, chugging a protein shake, putting on gym clothes, brushing my teeth, and rushing out the door.  Oh, and hopefully I remember deodorant...one of the days I did not. I must be out the door by 4:36AM in order to get a 45 minute work out in.  So Monday through Thursday, I alternate legs and arms, and since I switched to morning work outs, I feel the burn so much more.  There's NO ONE at the gym at 4:45 AM.  I have all the weights and machines to myself!  AT 5:30 AM, I have to be in the locker room getting ready for work which requires straightening hair, wiping the swear off, applying make up, and getting dressed.  By 5:40 AM, my butt better be out the door and in my truck to make my way to work.

So now I wake up 1 hour later, somehow get a 45 minute work out in, and only arrive at work one and a half hours later than what I was use to.  How does that happen?! Okay, guilty of hitting the snooze when I had to get up at 3:15 AM.  Plus, I was getting to work at 5:45 AM because I had a much longer walk, now I can park a 100' from the entrance to the building where I work.

The first two weeks have gone great, and while I sometimes want to reset my alarm to 5:00 AM, I get up despite me arguing with myself over sleep.  So far, so good.  In fact, I even got up early on my day off to attend my first ever gym class.  That's right, Mrs. Has no Rhythm attended one of those classes taught by an instructor who seems to know eveyrone's names because they're regulars.  Well, I had hoped to learn more core exercises to help strengtehn and compliment my weight lifting routines.  I had also hoped that the class would not require me to be in sync with the rest of the class.  Hah!  yeah right...so while I am trying to learn the poses and movements, I also have to keep in sync with others.  Really, it was hilarious.  Though, I did enjoy the class, and unfortuatnely, I have to admit that it kicked my butt.  However, I will be returning, and one day soon, I will kick its butt, but I know I will never be in sync with the rest of the classes rhythm.

It's nice to stay up late, 10:00 PM, through out the week.  I feel like a real adult instead of one that had to go to bed while the sun was still up.  I can also watch some of my favorite shows, such as True Blood and Damages, LIVE.  What did I do before a DVR?

The one routine to suffer, though, is dinner.  I eat my bigger meal at lunch now and eat a salad for dinner.  Getting home at 6:00 PM limits what I want to eat since I only have 4 hours to digest, and we all know I don't like to eat heavy that late.  But the nice thing is I can make a great crock pot meal that AJ and I can eat off for most of the week, then Friday rolls around, and I make other dishes.

Many Firsts on our Trip to the Big Apple

This past weekend, Anthony, Aidan and I experienced many firsts, though Aidan had the majority of them.  As a family, we went to the great city of New York, where it was AJ's and Aidan's first time being in the state; I was born in the upstate and my passport calls me a New Yorker.  Aidan quickly experienced his first ride on a plane, train, subway, and a ferry.

Our first impression of New York City and Long Island was loud, dirty, fast paced, little greenery, and requires the constant use of the horn. Oh, and motorcyclists are crazy for driving between lanes of cars. Rush hour was not as bad as I expected, though I had been stuck in bad traffic in LA and Atlanta, so I prepared myself for the worse.

After heading to our hotel, we met up with some friends for our first taste of "real" pizza. Seriously, what's wrong with Papa John's or a good thin crust Pizza Hut pie? Our impression was that it was good, but was it that great...I mean some people FedEx NY pizza to their house all over the U.S.  But wait, we had more NY pizza over the following days, and it really is fantastic.  Also, I have relented a little with the foods Aidan eats, and he had his first taste of pizza, okay so he had cheese, a little sauce and some bread...not much different than a grilled cheese.  But I wonder, have I ruined the boy? Will he eat our chain restaurant pizza or will he demand NY pizza?

Aidan also experienced his first island visit (Long Island and Fire Island); Fire Island reminds us of small beach towns back in SC.  It was a nice change of pace to the hustle of NYC.  The ocean water was COLD.  AJ and I tasted our first Australian fish (not too impressed) and Rocket Fuel, which is a hard liquor drink exclusive to the island than many try to duplicate but fail.  However, we quickly learned that the island is expensive, more so than NYC and Long Island, so curb the adult beverages!

We all saw the WTC, Time Square, and the Statue of Liberty in person for the first time thanks to some wonderful friends who were our local tour guide.  The friend's husband works at the construction of one of the WTC buildings, and I was able to ask him 100 questions about the construction, cranes, foundation, etc.  It was great having someone around that knew so much.  Though I will say, I have seen much bigger cranes. :)

Since we were visiting during the middle of the day, the streets and subways were not as crowded as they typically are, and I greatly appreciate it.  I don't know how I could be packed into a subway like sardines while smelling the urine and having to touch someone who is also sweaty.  Big cities are not for me.

On the train, which we were waiting for underground after getting off the subway, we celebrated our visit to the city with a beer...good ol' Bug Light tall boy.  The beer hit the spot and cooled us down while we waited and apparently missed our train, which never came on the tracks we were led to by our New Yorker friends.  So I had fun running around, looking at train boards, and hauling butt up and down stairs with Aidan in my arms as AJ help bring strollers up and down the stairs.  Then, to top it off, a nice New Yorker wanted to point out that the last car was the quiet car, so she accurately assumed we were not from around New York.  Why thank you, but we're going to board your quiet car.

At the conclusion of our trip, one of my dreams came true...I attended my FIRST Yankee game, and it just so happens to be in the Bronx.  Aidan was not a fan of the noise when a home run was hit by the Yankees or when Granderson made some awesome defensive plays, but he did get use to the noise.  The heat was another issue...gotta break him in for college football. :)
I absolutely loved watching the game in Yankee stadium, and I cannot wait to make a second game.  The game, even though the Yankees lost, was everything I imagined and more.  I know a few years back, I tried to not like the Yankees since I was living in the South and needed to be a Braves fan, but I couldn't.  After attending the Yankees game, I will forever be a NYY.  Though, I think I need a new hat since my favorite hat is apparently not a lucky one.  Oh, and I concluded the day by having my first dirty water dog, and it was delicious.

Aidan did exceptionally well in NY and on the flights.  He stayed up past his bed time with a smile on his face, he slept in, and he chugged his water to stay hydrated.  In addition, he slept on 3 of the 4 flights, flirted with the passengers and stewards, and ate his food with no issue.  The boy makes traveling easy, even when our flight was delayed and we had to run in the ATL airport to make our connecting flight to NY.

As far as New York goes - the city is exhausting but we had a spectacular time.  We would love to return to the city and see more.  So until next time, that's all of our firsts.

Hold the Mayo.....or not!

I have never been a fan of mayonnaise.  I don't like the taste, the texture, or it touching me.  When I work at Fazoli's and Wendy's, I hated having to put mayo on a sandwich.  I always wore gloves so the mayo would not touch my skin (and for good food hygiene!).  The thought of mayo on my tongue made me shiver.  Really, mayo and I were enemies.  But now...slap me some mayo on a club sandwich, and I am loving it!  Mayo isn't the only change.
Steamed brocolli and cheese - yeesh, but now, give me a bowl, and I love every bit of it.
Margarita (okay, always loved) and a side of guacamole, yes please!  But I never liked guacamole.  Are my taste buds tricking me?

And to answer your question, NO I AM NOT PREGNANT.

However, I wonder if pregnancy changed what I did not like.  I did try to like tomatoes during pregnancy with no luck, but I definitely did not try nor crave mayo, steamed broccoli, or guacamole. I know I have been trying to eat better since Aidan eats a more diverse variety of vegetables me.  What happens when he gets older and asks me why he has to eat zucchini when daddy and I don't? Or now that Aidan offers everything, how will he react if I say "No thank you.", will he continue to eat the food?  So in hopes of teaching Aidan better eating habits than myself, I am trying to cultivate my food palate.

Good questions to ponder on a Friday night...speaking of which, I'm craving a grilled turkey sandwich with, you guessed it, MAYO.  Mmm, mayo oozing out of my sandwich.

Tubes in the Ears

After months of fighting ear infections and Aidan patiently taking various medications, we received a referral to see an ENT.  I was anxious about the visit and Aidan needing tubes.  You see, I have had ear trouble and tubes multiple times, and I had hoped Aidan could avoid ear problems.

Side Story(ies) - I can't clap in sync, I can't do jump n jacks with a group, and I have a hard time differentiating tones.

I am a die hard Clemson fan, and even the Clemson cheer that requires rhythm is hard for me.

The one test I attempted to cheat on was a test that would allow me to enter into band. The test was not a curriculum test, but the score would be a starting point for being allowed in band.  I really wanted to play the violin, so I thought being in band would help. When the test began, and I had to differentiate between tones, rhythms, and notes, I was LOST.  People all around me where marking their scan tron, and I thought every sound clip I heard was the same.  So I peered around to see what people were marking in order to understand what they heard, but in the end, I didn't hear anything different.  Thus, I failed miserably and never made it into bad.  At that point, I gave up hopes of ever playing the violin.

Jump to the future...I am playing softball in a critical  playoff game, and I hit a nice blooper to the outfield.  Due to other circumstances on the field, I thought I could take second base, so I kept running.  Two first base coaches were yelling for me to come back to first.  Our dugout of players were yelling for me to get back to first.  All I heard was noise...when there is that many voices coming at my ears, they all blend together to be "blaaaaaaaaaaah blah blah blah".  I made it to second safely, the only problem was our other player was still on second, so I attempted to run back to first and be safe...sadly even a last ditch effort to dive was not enough.

Back to Aidan's ears.  Due to my history, I was nervous and sad that Aidan might suffer the same fate as I did.  However, after a wonderful first appointment with Dr. Moretz in Augusta, GA, I was excited for Aidan to receive tubes.  I wish this doctor was a pediatrician.  His bed side manner was spectacular, and he was very informative and patient with us.  We were able to view the inside of Aidan's ears on a computer screen while Dr. Moretz explained the entire concern with the ears.  Once Dr. Moretz determined Aidan needed tubes, he took the time to explain the procedure and put us at ease.  The tube procedure was scheduled four days later.  Not only does his office schedule appointments quickly, they also send appointment reminders by email and send the doctor's report.

The procedure.  Dr. Moretz prefers to perform the tube insertion procedure in his office for kids under 2.  This means no anesthesia, food restrictions, or worrying with post-op recovery.  We were in the doctor's office for approximately one hour.  The first 30 minutes we waited for the numbing medicine to take affect, which I know it worked well since I kissed Aidan on the check and got some of the medicine on my lips that.  My lips went numb in 5 minutes and stayed numb for two hours! The next half of the procedure required us holding Aidan down while a laser created the holes in the ears, then the fluids being sucked out of his ears, and finally the tubes placed in his ears.  Aidan only cried from being held down (from all the doctor visits), but once I picked him up, he was happy.

The first night Aidan was home, he slept through the night...and every night following the surgery.  Dr. Moretz predicted this would happen, but I was skeptical since Aidan would be able to hear all the noises he was missing out on (he was diagnosed with 40% hearing loss), but Dr. Moretz was right.  Aidan did not have pressure on his ears anymore since the fluid had a place to escape.

Over the next week, Aidan had a lot of fluid and nasty gunk coming out of his ears.  He also began trying to pull up and get on his knees to crawl.  In 2.5 weeks, he crawled and has not stopped since.  He's a completely different kid now, and I am so thankful for Dr. Moretz and the tubes.

It's Been A While

I know, I am neglecting the blog.  I have several blog ideas in my head that kept being delayed as I attempted to write them.

Anyway, quick update...
Aidan received tubes in both of his ears (will detail later)
We went on an exciting camping/boating trip to the upstate of SC.  

Aidan turned 9 months and is still in the 90th percentile for weight and height.  He gets mad when he sees the doctor and his nurse, but has no issue with the nurse who administers the shots.

First Father's Day.

Aidan began crawling and now we are on high alert. See video below.

Aidan Crawls for Dog Food

Weaning

I love spreadsheets, and since I gave up several of them as a New Year’s Resolution in order to simplify my life, I decided I could have a pass for a month.  So I created a spread sheet to track my output and corresponding graphs.  In addition, I tracked output versus consumption.  My body was producing enough breast milk until I cut to two a day sessions and went on a mini vacation this past weekend.  Therefore, I began taking Sudafed because it’s a decongestant and dries you up.  I will take one a day and drop to one pump session and then, NONE!  This week, Aidan is receiving half formula and half breast milk bottles to help him with the transition.   I should add that a few weeks back, I fed Aidan a bottle of formula to ensure he would drink it prior to complete weaning.  However, yesterday, he kept throwing his cup on the floor when he only had formula.  Though I also tried putting the formula in the bottle, and he drank it.  Silly kid.

I am ready to cut the pumping cord since Aidan doesn’t nurse friendly – you know, he bites with his gums and teeth on the verge of popping through.  I hope to be done by this weekend, but I can go another week if necessary.  

Overall, my body has adjusted well to weaning.  Each time I dropped a pump session, I saw a slight to noticeable drop in output, with the most significant change occurring when I dropped from 3 to 2 pump sessions.  

There were many reasons for breast feeding – the bond, health benefits (immunities), convenience, supposedly reducing ear infections, and cost (or lack there of).  The bond was gone when Aidan would not stop clamping down, the majority of the health benefits were already gained, pumping is a complete inconvenience, it appears Aidan’s ears are terrible no matter what the food consumption is, and I am ready for the tether to be gone, so cost is no longer a factor.  I should add that there are added benefits to the mom if you continue to breastfeed, but I gave breastfeeding my all, and now I am done.

Breakfast with Aidan

I love to cook, and I love to bake.  Even more, I love for people to enjoy what I make.  Baking is a hobby in addition to a stress reliever.  I knew when I wanted kids that I would look forward to the day I could share my kitchen creations with them.

On Sunday, I woke up before Aidan (because I am the early riser) and tinkered around the house.  I made coffee, pumped, and began working on breakfast.  I made myself egg whites with cheese, and I made Aidan egg yolks with a small amount of cheese.  He must have known I was making him breakfast because he woke up as I was putting his eggs in a bowl.

I stood in the kitchen while Aidan sat in the high chair and hand fed himself the eggs.  He loved them!  So from now on, on my days off, I will make Aidan and me breakfast to eat together.  In case you’re wondering, AJ rarely eats breakfast, and if he does, it’s 3+ hours after I get up…his food would be cold.  I am happy Aidan wakes earlier to share this time with me.

Birthdays, Post Partum Symptoms, and Quitting

Birthdays are amazing with children.  I was able to have lunch with my mom and Aidan on my birthday, and it was the best celebration I could ask for!  Aidan was a delight, and he even giggled and laughed with a nearby baby.  He is so happy, and he is easy to take into restaurants.  Additionally the food, I had pizza at a nice Italian restaurant, and company were amazing.  I could have lunch on my birthday every year like this and be happy.

After a wonderful lunch, I had to deal with an agonizing post partum symptom.  My wrist, no not the right one which surgery was performed on, but the ever reliable left wrist.  The orthopedist diagnosed the wrist with De Quervain syndrome, which he presumed occurred due to overuse being a new (breastfeeding) mom.  TO be honest, I put off the doctor’s appointment because I wanted to believe that my wrist had post partum carpal tunnel that would resolve itself around 6 months PP. No such luck.  My treatment options are rather simple – cortisone shot with a brace and OT or surgery.  I willingly accepted the cortisone shot since I previously had a great experience with one.  However, this time proved difficult.  I was in far more pain the next day than I was before I went to the doctor.  I was nauseous all day, and at 9:30 PM, I threw up everything I had to eat.  Ugh, if this is what I have go through, sign me up for surgery!  I did buy a brace that immobilizes my thumb, which has helped significantly.  I wear the brace when I am at home during the week and most of the times on the weekend, especially if I am carrying Aidan a lot. I also wear the brace when I sleep, so we’ll see how it goes…

I am not a quitter, BUT I am done with being bitten while nursing, and I absolutely despise my pump.  I wish I could take my pump outside and beat it up Office Space style, but breaking the pump would only cost me in the long run, so I have refrained.  While Aidan has no teeth poking through, we can see them making their way towards puncturing the gums, and his gummy grip now hurts when he clamps down when nursing.  The first few times he did it, I shrieked, and he laughed.  Now, I shriek, he cries, I put the boob away.  I thought taking food away when he bites would help signal that he should not clamp down, but he continues to clamp.  He has even smiled and clamped down.  Little stinker.  My original goal was to breastfeed for 6 months, and when pumping was going so well at work, I had high hopes of a year, but my intermediate goal was 9 months.  Well, I hope to pump enough milk between month 8 and month 9 to make it 9 months on breast milk because I started decreasing my pump sessions on May 2^nd.  While I gave up tracking spreadsheets for a New Year’s resolution, I have made one to monitor my milk output as I slowly tell my body to stop producing milk.   I don’t know how long it will take for me to dry up, but I at least want to monitor what my body is doing so I don’t shock my system by dropping a pumping session.  I did not have Bfing woes early on, such as a plugged duct, but engorgement is still uncomfortable.  So yes, I, Diana Bowers, give up.  Oh well, he’s a few short months from being able to consume cow’s milk and he is drinking less milk than he was a few months ago due to consuming solids.  Formula can happily bridge the gap.

In other news, Aidan still cannot fight his ear infections.  We were told to try one last dose since the last visit indicated that the left ear infection was gone.  So here’s hoping the right ear will be healed on Monday!  I desperately want to take Aidan swimming since he loves his baths and baby pool, but I don’t want to risk aggravating an infection. L  Lately during bath time, he will lean over and put his  mouth in the water.  Once he blew bubbles, though I don’t think it was intentional, but it’s a start!  So please, ear infections, be gone!

Community Supported Agriculture

I make Aidan's food, and in doing so, I picked up organic vegetables and fruits, especially those that were on the dirty dozen list for pesticide use and exposure.  While in the midst of searching for the next food to try, I came across a facebook group that was supporting a local farm.  I bought a few baskets here and there in order to get fruits and vegetables for Aidan.  However, there is no way Aidan can eat a half basket of these goodies, so I had to pick what I liked and committed to eating it.  Waste means money down the drain, and there's no way I was going to let that happen.

I was never a big fan of kiwi, but after having fresh picked kiwi, I am in love.  I also love the sweetness the fresh oranges and strawberries contain.  Not only am I getting pesticide free foods, but they taste great.

Did you know carrots have to be bleached prior to being sold in grocery stores? Crazy!  But not from the local farm.  Did you know that apples have the highest pesticide use?  Or that wax is added to the skin of a cucumber?

Not only does the farm provide fresh fruits and vegetables, but it also provides butter, cheese, eggs, and pork.  I have had all of these items, and I am hooked.  I love the fresh cheese, which contains mostly goat's milk. 

Prior to going to the farm, Aidan turned away from sweet potato, but now that I receive fresh sweet potato, he gobbles the food up!  He actually screeches if you take too long to feed it to him.

So far, I have made a lot of fresh salads, tried egg plant Parmesan and beer battered asparagus, and fell in love with new fruits. 

From the farm, Aidan has tried and liked! carrots, squash, sweet potato, apples, green beans and a melon hybrid fruit.  He has also tried the goat's cheese through baby led weaning techniques.

Additionally, the farm has live chickens, ducks, and rabbits.  Aidan actually touched a baby chicken and baby duck very gently.  He LOVED looking around and hearing all of the sounds. 

Overall, I am not sure if what I bought locally has cost more, but I do not that the experience and the taste of the produce is well worth the cost.  The farmers also give me free produce from time to time.   Well, they give it to me because they know I make Aidan's baby food, and they want him to try something new!

Happy Easter

I can only imagine showing off these pictures when Aidan is a teenager. Oh well, I will enjoy dresssing him up while I can.  He receives lots of compliments, so I don't understand why he wouldn't like his adorable baby pictures!

By the way, if you ever like the knitted hats or sandals that you see Aidan wearing, I buy them from a friend.  Her facebook page is Lark and Juniper