Back to School...

Almost two weeks down! I started back to work last Tuesday, and everything's going pretty well so far. Zeke is sleeping through the night pretty consistently now, which makes life A LOT easier (and makes for a much less stressed-out Mommy!), and he's doing well in daycare. Mom keeps him two days a week, he goes to an in-home daycare two days, and Adam keeps him at home on Mondays, so we've got the whole week covered. I miss him terribly during the day, but I'm also REALLY busy, so I don't dwell on it as much as I might if I had a lot of downtime.

Our Tennessee trip went pretty well, and we got some good five-generation pictures of Zeke, Adam, Jack, Granny, and Great-Granny. We also got a fabulous picture of Great-Granny's .22 leaned up against the back window with dozens of spent shells all over the floor from when she shoots out the window at night. I'll post some of the weekend's photos when I get a chance.

On a side note, pumping has been going well but occupies EVERY SPARE SECOND of my day. I pump before school, during lunch, during planning, and after school, and while I do work while I pump (on the computer, reading papers, etc.), I still feel like I don't quite get everything done. Hopefully Zeke can keep breastfeeding for at least 18 months (that's the goal, anyway), and I think he can as long as I keep pumping regularly and often. I just wish it wasn't quite this difficult to find time for both pumping and work.

Oops.

I really need to get better at this. It's been nearly a month since I posted and lots of things have happened:

1. Zeke suddenly figured out how to nurse and cut 15 minutes from each feeding time.
2. We got to visit with my West Virginia family.
3. We started redecorating the den.
4. Zeke turned two months old.
5. We started going to Families for Natural Living gatherings (way fun!).

And now we're planning Zeke's first trip to Tennessee to visit Adam's VERY country great-granny. Yet another reason to stay at a hotel: she shoots out the window when she hears noises at night. Hopefully she won't try to start teaching Zeke to shoot a .22 this weekend; I think we should wait a couple of years for that.

Hooray for help!

Thank goodness for my in-laws! Now, I know a lot of people would be shocked by that statement and would look at me like I'm a total nut, but my in-laws are the best people on the planet (except for my own parents, of course!). They're willing to help whenever and with whatever we need, and I really appreciate that this weekend, especially. Adam went down to the river with his friends for a get-together they've had planned since last fall, and his mom and grandma both came to the house today. Grandma will be staying at least for tonight, and Robbin will be coming back tomorrow for the day, so I'll have tons of help with Zeke.

On one hand I feel a little incompetent (why can't I handle one little baby by myself?), but on the other I'm soooooooo grateful to be spelled for a little bit every now and then. My arms, back, and brain get tired, to tell the truth, even though there's only one of him! Plus, it's nice to have some other women to talk with, especially ones I really like.

One day at a time...

It seems that we have a difficult time having both a good day and a good night in a row, although today might be the day! Last night was wonderful; Zeke went down for the night around 1130 (a little late for Adam's taste since he had to get up early to pack this morning, but pretty good nonetheless), got up at 6 when Adam's alarm went off, and has been great with taking naps so far today. As I write this he's on his second nap of over an hour (the first was nearly two!) and will be very excited to learn that he's getting in the tub after he wakes up and nurses. I'll try to post a bath picture as soon as I manage to pull more photos off the camera.

It seems that the great outdoors is what works for Zeke. No matter what his mood, he's quiet, alert, and happy as soon as we step out the door. Therefore, we go on lots of walks; some are short and just involve taking Frank outside, but other are much longer and I'll either wear him in the Kozy or put him in his stroller to go up and down our road for awhile. Usually I have Frank's leash in one hand and the other hand either on the stroller (we have a VERY easily-maneuverable jogging stroller, a must for a gravel road) or supporting Zeke's head if I did a bad job putting him in the Kozy. We have to be careful to listen for cars, though, because some of my neighbors rocket around corners like I've seen only in rally racing.

For Goodness' Sake!

Yesterday afternoon was TERRIBLE! Zeke didn't sleep from the time of my last post until he finally dropped off for the night around 11pm. This wouldn't be a big deal except that he started screaming to eat within 15 minutes of finishing his previous feeding. I ended up calling Adam in tears asking him to come home as soon as possible, and he got home just a few minutes after five. As soon as Zeke was finished eating Adam took him so I could get a shower. It was GLORIOUS.

Unfortunately, Zeke continued this pattern well into the evening. Then, all of a sudden at 11, he just fell asleep and slept until 7am. Go figure.

Today has been MUCH better. He just woke up from a two-hour nap and is much less cranky than yesterday, plus I got a few things done around the house. Here's hoping for a good afternoon...

Not a Magician

So sorry, but I simply cannot feed you again ten minutes after you finish eating. I don't know what else you might want, since all your signals are saying "food" and there's nothing wrong with you, but there's no way you're actually eating anything when you nurse that often. It's impossible for me to magically produce more milk in ten minutes. NOT POSSIBLE, so stop screaming at me. What you really need is a nap, and what I really need is a shower.

Month #1 = CHECK

Today Zeke is one month old! We had a really rough night, so it's appropriate that today is making up for it (up from 3:30 to 6:30am and far too exhausted to go to church). We had a nice, quiet day at home, me working on household stuff and nursing while Adam worked on the 4Runner motor, and Adam's family came out for dinner around 5:30. It was the first full, real meal I've cooked since we came home from the hospital, and it was darn good if I say so myself.

He doesn't look too excited to be a month old...