Well, it finally happened, I had to travel for work last week. I knew it was coming, and when I went back to work after maternity leave, that was honestly my biggest source of anxiety... Work travel!! (Other than: how was I going to handle working from home full time with a 3-month old, 8-year old, and no school for the summer... Had to love MJ's questions about "when was I going to get my summer break??")
I was technically supposed to travel in mid-October, so in about Aug/Sept I started getting psycho about pumping. I was determined to have at least 30 bags of breast milk in the freezer for when I left. since that was Connor's sole nutrition. I also quickly realized I hated pumping, but I managed to store up enough milk for a small army in the freezer... So by some small miracle, October rolled around, and I didn't have to go! I got out of it! That was a relief times a thousand..... :D
Fast forward to January, and another work trip came up. And this time there was no getting around it! I thought back to the breast milk still stored in the freezer that we hadn't made much of a dent in.. And I thought, this will be easy! Connor is 9 months old, he's eating regular "people" food, he'll be fine! Sort of in denial about how hard it might actually be... So I left Todd with the frozen bags of milk from August and went on my merry way...
Long story short, I had a great time. Todd, not so much. And neither of us had given much thought to the breastfeeding situation. So, Connor effectively weaned while I was gone... Todd said he wouldn't really take a bottle/sippy cup much after day 1. And I discovered I needed to pump regularly or else I got engorged. And Madison was sick right before I left, so Connor and Todd both managed to get it... And Todd hurt his back to boot! Sigh. Needless to say, they were counting down the days/hours/minutes til I came home.
I have to add the disclaimer that I arranged 2 playdates for Madison and 2 nanny visits before I left, so I wasn't feeling tooo bad.... Did I mention I was only gone for 4 days? Four days of sleeping all night, staying at my dad's and in a hotel, eating out. Bonus happy hours thrown in there & visiting friends in Richmond! sigh...
T-minus 2 1/2 months till my next business trip!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
Kidblog
Here is the link for Madison's class blog - "Kidblog" ☺
http://kidblog.org/home/
Join code (good thru Feb 10th: c6yg4rh)
And in case any of you are wondering, YES, Madison did write that last blog entry! I know there were some doubters (um, Dad!)... Well, I started out writing it for her and she said no, it would be easier if she typed it herself. So that is what she did! I know it's a bit rambling.. well that is a typical example of a conversation with this kid!
And - stay tuned for "BUSINESS TRIP!" (My next blog post)
Sincerely, Kristin
http://kidblog.org/home/
Join code (good thru Feb 10th: c6yg4rh)
And in case any of you are wondering, YES, Madison did write that last blog entry! I know there were some doubters (um, Dad!)... Well, I started out writing it for her and she said no, it would be easier if she typed it herself. So that is what she did! I know it's a bit rambling.. well that is a typical example of a conversation with this kid!
And - stay tuned for "BUSINESS TRIP!" (My next blog post)
Sincerely, Kristin
Friday, January 13, 2017
Guest Blogger!
Hi everybody! You may know me as Kristin's daughter Madison😃 Today, I'm so excit ed to be here guest blogging. I'm going to talk about some very exciting things that have been happening with me...
Well, first, I had Christmas! and I got tons of good presents! For my books, I got a really good book, Story Thieves and another good book Twice Upon a Time, they are both written by author James Riley who I would recommend to kids ages 10 and up.. I also got a cool book called Key Hunters with Even and Cleo who can go into books in a secret library and to get out they have to get a key 🔑 from the book!
I also have the new edition in the family Baby Connor who is quite adorable he had his first Christmas recently he got some really cool presents but I think I got more! I think his favorite present was a light up aquarium that makes the fish swim around he can turn it on and off himself It's super cool I had one like it when I was a baby too.
For Christmas I got also a electric scooter it is FAST! I got a snow cone machine too it is awesome me and my friend Kiera, stared it for the first time a few weeks ago, the flavor was tropical punch!
I got an air brush kit to it's so cool you put it through your mouth and blow and color comes out, there's also a magic white marker that makes the air brush thing change color!
Another new things that happening is that Connor has now started crawling and pulling him self up on ledges ! It's adorable and scary at the same time! My nickname for him is "Boo bear" because I think he is really cute and looks like a Boo bear the way his eyes pop out and as he smiles, he's really addicted to me! Seriously! I think I may be his favorite person in the whole world. I remember st the hospital when he was just a newborn and he first saw me and he opened his eyes at me and I knew he was going to like me, and we were going to be good brother and sister friends.
My new kitty that I got last July is Pippin and we got him when he was only 5 weeks old as a little fluff ball. I think his favorite people are me and my mom, I think were his favorite because he hugs us a lot. And I think it's really an adorable talent that he can hug, and my old kitty Solly didn't even know how to hug. Pippen is silly, he acts like my big high bed is his giant kitty mansion.🐱
School has been going very good for me, but I have had a lot of tests which is really annoying, but a lot of my friends are there when I need them. School has been fun, mostly at recess. 😀 During normal hours, not so fun. It's better than college I guess but not better than kindergarten! My class is actually doing a blog too which is why I am so good at writing a blog! If you want to see it, go to:
https://kidblog.org/
And use class code:
One weird thing that's been happening is - I've just been getting generally hurt! Like, I'll wake up with an owie arm, or ill look down st school and see a scratch on my leg. It's weird!
One really sad thing that is happening in school is that we are reading a really sad and heartfelt story that is non fiction is a story about a little girl named Abby, and she has dark skin, and she can't go places or do things like normal. It was in the olden days. Me and my friend Dylan cried, it's so sad.
One of my fsvortite things at school is doing PE, and playing basketball. It's been really fun, because me and my friend Dylan in my class have been partners. The only part I don't like is playing a real game, and dodging people and getting hurt and getting sweaty, it gives me the chills!
Well, I'm also really excited for my 10th birthday! 🎉 Right now I'm almost 9, but my mom said for my 10th birthday I instead of having a party I can go anywhere in the world on a trip and I think I will pick Hawaii! I've never been there but my mom and dad have and they say it's awesome!!!
One of the clothing items I normally wear: daily: are: Headbands! Headbands are just easy in the mornings and I love them. Sure I like hair clips and hair bands but headbands are the best.
And finally, my last word to the public-- I Love Art. I'm really good at animals, I love making their eyes and making them look so different, and I think they are easier to draw than people. People are hard to draw but I love art!
Well thanks for reading it was a pleasure to write this for you, Your Friend, Madison Sanford 😃🍩
Well, first, I had Christmas! and I got tons of good presents! For my books, I got a really good book, Story Thieves and another good book Twice Upon a Time, they are both written by author James Riley who I would recommend to kids ages 10 and up.. I also got a cool book called Key Hunters with Even and Cleo who can go into books in a secret library and to get out they have to get a key 🔑 from the book!
I also have the new edition in the family Baby Connor who is quite adorable he had his first Christmas recently he got some really cool presents but I think I got more! I think his favorite present was a light up aquarium that makes the fish swim around he can turn it on and off himself It's super cool I had one like it when I was a baby too.
For Christmas I got also a electric scooter it is FAST! I got a snow cone machine too it is awesome me and my friend Kiera, stared it for the first time a few weeks ago, the flavor was tropical punch!
I got an air brush kit to it's so cool you put it through your mouth and blow and color comes out, there's also a magic white marker that makes the air brush thing change color!
Another new things that happening is that Connor has now started crawling and pulling him self up on ledges ! It's adorable and scary at the same time! My nickname for him is "Boo bear" because I think he is really cute and looks like a Boo bear the way his eyes pop out and as he smiles, he's really addicted to me! Seriously! I think I may be his favorite person in the whole world. I remember st the hospital when he was just a newborn and he first saw me and he opened his eyes at me and I knew he was going to like me, and we were going to be good brother and sister friends.
My new kitty that I got last July is Pippin and we got him when he was only 5 weeks old as a little fluff ball. I think his favorite people are me and my mom, I think were his favorite because he hugs us a lot. And I think it's really an adorable talent that he can hug, and my old kitty Solly didn't even know how to hug. Pippen is silly, he acts like my big high bed is his giant kitty mansion.🐱
School has been going very good for me, but I have had a lot of tests which is really annoying, but a lot of my friends are there when I need them. School has been fun, mostly at recess. 😀 During normal hours, not so fun. It's better than college I guess but not better than kindergarten! My class is actually doing a blog too which is why I am so good at writing a blog! If you want to see it, go to:
https://kidblog.org/
And use class code:
One weird thing that's been happening is - I've just been getting generally hurt! Like, I'll wake up with an owie arm, or ill look down st school and see a scratch on my leg. It's weird!
One really sad thing that is happening in school is that we are reading a really sad and heartfelt story that is non fiction is a story about a little girl named Abby, and she has dark skin, and she can't go places or do things like normal. It was in the olden days. Me and my friend Dylan cried, it's so sad.
One of my fsvortite things at school is doing PE, and playing basketball. It's been really fun, because me and my friend Dylan in my class have been partners. The only part I don't like is playing a real game, and dodging people and getting hurt and getting sweaty, it gives me the chills!
Well, I'm also really excited for my 10th birthday! 🎉 Right now I'm almost 9, but my mom said for my 10th birthday I instead of having a party I can go anywhere in the world on a trip and I think I will pick Hawaii! I've never been there but my mom and dad have and they say it's awesome!!!
One of the clothing items I normally wear: daily: are: Headbands! Headbands are just easy in the mornings and I love them. Sure I like hair clips and hair bands but headbands are the best.
And finally, my last word to the public-- I Love Art. I'm really good at animals, I love making their eyes and making them look so different, and I think they are easier to draw than people. People are hard to draw but I love art!
Well thanks for reading it was a pleasure to write this for you, Your Friend, Madison Sanford 😃🍩
Monday, January 9, 2017
Glenwood Springs
A few pictures from the last post ☺☺☺
Driving through Glenwood Canyon
Bundled 👶
We made it! The hot springs
My happy place 💗
NYE
Hotel pool
Bighorn sheep in the parking lot
The day after we got home ⛄
Standing!
As I write the title of this post, I can't help but think the next post will be called "Walking!" Ack! How time flies and we are so not ready! 👶!
Lately our lil man is able to pull up (!!) all by himself! He's happy just to stand there smiling (I wonder how long that will last!) because if he moves he may topple over. I sort of miss the days when we could sit him on a blanket surrounded by toys and that was enough.. (sigh!) but it sure is fun seeing him learn new things and be proud of himself. And it's been all coming on pretty quick ever since the crawling started. Todd and I have likened it to someone coming out of a coma... now he's ready to SEE & DO everything! ALL AT ONCE! Our sleepy baby is not so sleepy anymore! We are finding things to babyproof that it hadn't occurred to us to babyproof. Even things like rocking chairs that little hands can go under.. drawers that can pinch.. cat food to be eaten. And the carbon monoxide detector has been a big hit. So we are catching on... Connor is keeping us on our toes!
Also a quick holiday update: For Christmas (& my bday!) we just stayed local and had fun seeing what Santa brought. Todd and I were exhausted but it was a really special, magical time for the kiddos. Connor was pretty clueless but Madison "helped" open all his presents. For New Years we spent the weekend in Glenwood Springs. I truly love it there. We have been before on New Years but stayed at a different hotel this time. I wasn't sure about bringing Connor in the hot springs, but saw plenty of other babies there (including a 2-month old!) and there are varying degrees of the pools so you can go in some of the milder ones and don't have to stay in the hot part. This time Madison and I made it til dark, but didn't stay til midnight like last time. She is a trooper, tho- when she wants to do something she is in for the long haul! We also took the gondola up the to the alpine adventure park this time - too cold to do most things but fun to walk around!
Also a quick holiday update: For Christmas (& my bday!) we just stayed local and had fun seeing what Santa brought. Todd and I were exhausted but it was a really special, magical time for the kiddos. Connor was pretty clueless but Madison "helped" open all his presents. For New Years we spent the weekend in Glenwood Springs. I truly love it there. We have been before on New Years but stayed at a different hotel this time. I wasn't sure about bringing Connor in the hot springs, but saw plenty of other babies there (including a 2-month old!) and there are varying degrees of the pools so you can go in some of the milder ones and don't have to stay in the hot part. This time Madison and I made it til dark, but didn't stay til midnight like last time. She is a trooper, tho- when she wants to do something she is in for the long haul! We also took the gondola up the to the alpine adventure park this time - too cold to do most things but fun to walk around!
My bday 🎁
Christmas 🎅
Christmas crafts
Pippen 👿
Cozy
Finally - some "boy" toys!
Friday, December 16, 2016
Crawling!
The eagle has landed. A light went on in Connor's head and he realized he could get from Point A to Point B, and even tho his little limbs aren't quite in tune with his brain yet, he manages to do it! You can almost see the wheels churning as he gets his mind set on something and reaches and hurls himself across the room. It's kind of like a combo Army-crawl/fish-out-of-water thing happening, and it's awesome! He's pretty proud of himself!
I realized this blog uses flash for all videos, so anyone viewing on a mobile or tablet is not going to be able to watch them, and it will just show a blank square which is annoying. So I am going to chill out on the video posts. I may still need to include one of crawling though!
So besides that milestone, we've had some other recent activity in our household like: Travel! Connor has now been on THREE trips in a airplane already. 1st trip: To Alabama with me & Madison (solo mama!) to go to my niece Jamie's wedding. Age 4 months. Flew on a tiny plane and I brought waaay too much stuff but that was by far the easiest trip so far because all he did was sleep on my lap and nurse. 2nd trip: To Indiana (all of us) to visit Todd's family and friends. Age 6 months. Got to visit most of the midwest relatives and friends in Todd's stomping ground. We rented a car and that was a fun trip. 3rd trip: To Virginia over Thanksgiving! This was the most recent trip, and definitely the most challenging as far as baby-on-board. He wasn't as content to be held in one spot (plus it was a longer flight) and was no longer just breast-milking-it, but eating real foods too, which are messy/sticky/not so fun on an airplane. So while we had a blast in VA once we were there, I can see why people don't travel so much with babies! I am glad we took those first couple trips in the beginning for the experience!
Here are some fun pics for your blog-viewing pleasure.
And stay tuned for a very special guest blogger on here... TBA!
I realized this blog uses flash for all videos, so anyone viewing on a mobile or tablet is not going to be able to watch them, and it will just show a blank square which is annoying. So I am going to chill out on the video posts. I may still need to include one of crawling though!
So besides that milestone, we've had some other recent activity in our household like: Travel! Connor has now been on THREE trips in a airplane already. 1st trip: To Alabama with me & Madison (solo mama!) to go to my niece Jamie's wedding. Age 4 months. Flew on a tiny plane and I brought waaay too much stuff but that was by far the easiest trip so far because all he did was sleep on my lap and nurse. 2nd trip: To Indiana (all of us) to visit Todd's family and friends. Age 6 months. Got to visit most of the midwest relatives and friends in Todd's stomping ground. We rented a car and that was a fun trip. 3rd trip: To Virginia over Thanksgiving! This was the most recent trip, and definitely the most challenging as far as baby-on-board. He wasn't as content to be held in one spot (plus it was a longer flight) and was no longer just breast-milking-it, but eating real foods too, which are messy/sticky/not so fun on an airplane. So while we had a blast in VA once we were there, I can see why people don't travel so much with babies! I am glad we took those first couple trips in the beginning for the experience!
Here are some fun pics for your blog-viewing pleasure.
And stay tuned for a very special guest blogger on here... TBA!
Monday, November 7, 2016
Six Month Stats & First Sickness!
Well we finally had Connor's six-month checkup at the pediatrician last week. He was unfortunately sick with his first cold (!) and so we didn't end up doing his vaccinations yet. We will have them done next week hopefully if he is all better. Reallllllly hoping he's all better because I'm not sure how long we can deal with the not-sleeping/snotty-nose/mouth-breathing baby every night. Sigh. It's not so bad during the day when he is sitting up and playing, but at night he gets stuffy as soon as he lays down in the crib. I've used that snot sucker more times than I can count (thanks Kazumi!!) and he haaaates it. They recommended using saline spray which helps slightly but doesn't decrease the hate. I'll spare you any more snot details 😪😫😭 and here are the six month stats!
Height: 28" (79th %)
Weight: 18 lbs 12 oz (58th %)
Head: 46 1/2" (97th %)
I looked back in Madison's baby book and see that she was 17 lbs 10 oz at age 1. So either we have a giant baby or she was a lil thing, I can't remember. I think she was a chubby baby until she started crawling/walking so it makes me wonder if the same thing will happen to him. Right now he seems content just sitting and playing and watching his big sister!
Speaking of Madison, she has asked me to post different Halloween pictures than the ones below, so I am going to post a couple here and take those out. We had a blast on Halloween, went trick-or-treating on our street first and then met friends in a "cool" neighborhood (as opposed to ours, where people barely put out pumpkins)... These houses were decorated in "themes" -- there was an Oktoberfest house complete with free beer in the garage and a pretzel machine out front... A circus house with a big top tent and fortune telling... and a hot dog house with a hot dog stand! The best costume we saw was Pac Man and the ghosts!
Height: 28" (79th %)
Weight: 18 lbs 12 oz (58th %)
Head: 46 1/2" (97th %)
I looked back in Madison's baby book and see that she was 17 lbs 10 oz at age 1. So either we have a giant baby or she was a lil thing, I can't remember. I think she was a chubby baby until she started crawling/walking so it makes me wonder if the same thing will happen to him. Right now he seems content just sitting and playing and watching his big sister!
Speaking of Madison, she has asked me to post different Halloween pictures than the ones below, so I am going to post a couple here and take those out. We had a blast on Halloween, went trick-or-treating on our street first and then met friends in a "cool" neighborhood (as opposed to ours, where people barely put out pumpkins)... These houses were decorated in "themes" -- there was an Oktoberfest house complete with free beer in the garage and a pretzel machine out front... A circus house with a big top tent and fortune telling... and a hot dog house with a hot dog stand! The best costume we saw was Pac Man and the ghosts!
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