Solo parenting takes a lot of energy, y’all. Just so you know. In case you don’t already know. And if you do already know, props to you. This stuff ain’t no walk in the park.
So anyway, just some things.
- I’m learning/practicing back wraps. I haven’t figured out how to make it comfy enough to wear for multiple hours, but it’s comfy enough and very secure, so that I can rush around and do some things that require leaning over… emptying the dishwasher (and filling it), moving boxes around, laundry, whatever. It’s cool.
- Teething is going on. And it is intense. VERY intense. A million people have asked me, “Have you tried an amber teething necklace?” Um, do you ever look at my pictures? She has been wearing one 24/7 for over a month. So that’s covered. Icy toys, wet cold cloths, Borion’s camilia, Hyland’s teething gel, breast milk popsicles, ice cubes, and Tylenol. I went out to buy ibuprofen (Motrin) for her today and the infant Motrin wasn’t on the shelves…recalled (again?) and the only other brand was children’s (2+ years), not infant. So that did not happen today. But I am venturing into town tomorrow to search some more. Also, all the teething toys in the world won’t help much when she is trying to go to sleep… she needs drug-induced relief.
- Teeth have erupted. I don’t know if you can see them in this picture. I can though. The two little slivers of the very tippy tops of her bottom front teeth. Hard to get a photo of them though, because she wiggles a lot and her tongue covers them up most of the time. Everyone said when they pop, the pain and such is over for a bit… but that doesn’t seem to be true in this case. Who knows? Maybe more teeth are on the way already, or maybe these still just hurt.
- I think she’s growing. LOTS of nursing the last 36 hours or so. I mean TONS. Last night, after the first few hours in her own room, she was latched on and nursing the entire rest of the night… we had had a few great nights in a row, with her sleeping well on her own until the early hours of the morning, so this was out of the ordinary.
- I went ahead and ordered some zip-up footie sleepers in 9m size, since her 6m ones are getting a bit tight length-wise. I also looked through her 9m clothes, but it looks like most of it is spring stuff. I think I might just improvise with spring dresses, jackets/coats, and leg warmers/long socks… I’m a bit lazy when it comes to baby pants. I take them off to change a diaper, and don’t put them back on unless we’re going to leave the house. So baby leg warmers or thigh-high socks are perfect for us.
- Anneliese and Zora are becoming fast friends. Sometimes if Anneliese is having a hard time and nothing is cheering her up, I’ll call Zora over and ask her to sit nearby. Inevitably, Anneliese ends up laughing and reaching out to touch her dog. It is very sweet.
- It is taking me some time to come to terms with the fact that it takes longer (a LOT longer) to get settled into a new house when you’re alone with a baby. For every other move, we’ve been pretty much settled within a week. Here, we’re comfortable living here – everything is unpacked – but it’s not “finished” yet. Pictures on walls, curtains, that sort of thing. I’m working on it, but it’s taking a long time. I had envisioned quickly getting set-up and then hosting a sweet little lunch housewarming. Yeah, that didn’t happen. But bits and pieces are slowly coming together.
I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
haha aww! that first picture with the back-wrap is adorable!
I can only imagine how hard solo parenting must be, massive props to you!
Jade P recently posted… Madbid Review
Love these photos. She’s beautiful! We have been going through teething troubles here too. Her two bottom teeth are totally broken through now so I *thought* the worst part was over? Guess not. Or maybe more are coming in, who the heck knows! I got her some meds but it’s so hard for me to get the numbing stuff on her gums so I think I’ll use Tylenol, we have some of that!
Almost bought an amber necklace, glad I didn’t now. Or maybe it has a different effect on different babies? Good luck!
Baby Making Mama recently posted… 365 Love Letters Week 6
Time flies. She is so big and gorgeous. I am the same way with baby pants. Baby legs are so cute nowadays anyway. Good luck with the teething. Im right there with you and stealing your tips.
Poor baby…I hope she gets some relief soon
whoa, that back wrap is crazy awesome! I am certain I could never put that on by myself!
Though I am not alone in raising my baby sometimes I feel like I’m the one who has to do the majority of things since I exclusively breastfeed, infant potty train and am a stay at home mom. I wouldn’t have it any other way of course and if I need to run to the store or something I can always do it after my husband gets home….so I’m not completely alone. However, at this point in my sons life I do most things relating to him and my husband provides so I can stay at home. A huge blessing.
My daughter was a painful teether. Keep trying different things. Hopefully she’s nursing so much also because it relieves the pain.
Is she eating any real foods yet? Those mesh strainers for fruit work well for teething. Pop in some smashed berries, banana or avocado and freeze. This was the only thing I didn’t see on your list.
Also single parenting at this age is tough. Hang in there.
M
There is a great website http://www.mamatoto.org that shows complete illustrations on different carriers and how to use. Was really helpful when we started babywearing! I have a 5.2M storchenweige that is a woven fabric, lovely and functional. Also have a structured mei-tai for those easy off and on situations. Good luck figuring out the back wraps.
Oh the solo parenting. 4 kids. 3 days a week without a Man around. I. Am. Tired. So so very tired.
I feel your pain. You’re doing a great job being patient, loving, attached mom. A will someday thank you.
And i heart you
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Oh the solo parenting… After we move to St. Louis, I’ll be a solo parent for one week out of every month for a long time. (They’ll re-evaluate it in January ’12) I’m not looking forward to it.
Oh and you have my sympathy for the teething. We’ve been having a hellish time here, too. I’ve been buying the store brand tylenol and ibuprofen because of the recalls. It’s usually cheaper, too.
A friend of ours gave us some of those onesie extenders. They actually helped transition her when we were short on the next size up. I just layered spring dresses over them. Super cute.
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Ditto on parenting solo being really rough. Especially for us Stay-At-Home Moms. There’s never a break. Never. I am my 14-month old’s only source of entertainment and it is sucking the life out of me! I’m a military spouse as well, so I know how difficult it can be. Hang in there!
Sounds normal..i let my son sleep with me when he was tehneitg.. try a clod wash clothe. and i also gave my son Hylands tehneitg tablets..there safe for baby’s 3 months and older..they worked amazing.. Good luck..wish you the best. You also could try Tylenol and baby orgel..
I had a little luck sometimes with a washcloth soaked in either warm or cool chamomile tea with honey that my little one could suck on. The chamomile would really calm her down, especially before bedtime. Just another alternative sensation for her gums/teeth with a little soothing non-chemical kicker.
Aw, you are doing such a good job taking care of her during teething AND with no hubby! Have you tried baby Advil? You can take it from 6 months. My LO was SO sore from teething recently, couldn’t nurse to sleep, and this had him calmed down in about 5 minutes, literally! It’s not an every night thing but it has worked really well for him. You need the sleep so you can function, especially dong all this by yourself.
Haha, I always wear amber, since its my name, its pretty much the only jewel I get.
I agree with Melissa, ibuprofen is a lifesaver. Its the only thing that worked on my son. Speaking of my son, he thinks your daughter is adorable. Every picture he tells me, ‘Aw cute baby, so cute’.
Never in a million years would I have thought of breast milk popsicles. Brilliant!
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It’s definitely worth venturing into town for the Ibuprofen. It’s a lifesaver!!
I’m so blessed that my dd hasn’t been too bothered by teething. However, I know the amber necklace works – it relieved a massive migraine for me when I wore it!
Have you hard of clove essential oil? Some people dilute it to help numb hurting gums. http://www.healthhomehappy.com/2010/01/essential-oils-for-beginners-what-we-use-and-why.html talks about it. I’m sure you’re burnt out on remedies, but it may be worth a try.
Love this. I’m putting together a baby wearing post for my readers since most of them have never seen or done it. My first didn’t tolerate it after 3 PR 4 months but the princess loves it, especially during this teething time.
That stinks about the amber necklace. I just ordered one thinking it would be a life-saver. Dido just waste our money?
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Teething sucks. Period. No matter what you do. Once you can get ibuprofin that will help immensely. I always figured that if I would want drugs in that situations then I shouldn’t deny it for my child. I can’t imagine trying to deal with it all by myself. Big hugs.
When my daughter got big enough for a back carry I quit using the moby and moved to the ergo. Much easier to navigate. E
Cute cute cute. Sounds like you have baby-drug-guilt like me. I hate giving Tylenol but I hate him being in pain more.
You’re lucky about the back carry… Sebastian will not tolerate a carrier at this point unless he’s being actively carried around. Sit down for a moment and you get massive fussing.
I agree on baby pants. So so cute but so impractical.