Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Change-of-Address

Greetings loyal FS readers!

I have decided to make a change. You can follow the continued adventures of Frume Sarah at http://www.frumesarah.com/.

Many thanks!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Watch out -- (Learning) Curve Ahead!

It was a wise decision to start Peach in daycare a few days before my return to work. I am determined to get my act together by then. This Friday, that is.

Yesterday's exit from the house was a little frazzled. But I managed to remember all the bags, bedding, bottles, pump, and so forth. Couldn't locate Beernut's lunchbox so I sent him with his old "Thomas the Tank Engine" lunch bag. PC mentioned that was a social gaffe so I made a mental note to replace the lunch box ASAP. I was a little dismayed to find that not only was our favourite teacher sick for the day (and out for the week) but that our least favourite teacher is going to be in the Infant-Toddler Center for another week or so until she is moved to another classroom. But I managed to overlook that minor annoyance and go about my day.

A friend of mine had offered to take me out and do anything I wanted in order to get my mind off of the baby. I decided that a long-leisurely lunch at the Cheesecake Factory was just the thing. I had it all planned out; run a few errands (such as picking up the replacement lunch box for Beernut), pump, and then meet up with my friend. And it was all going according to plan...until...

I realized that although I had remembered to bring the pump, the tubing, the vehicle lighter adapter, the ice packs, and the collection bottles, I somehow managed to forget the breastshields which are necessary for actually collecting the milk.

{AAARRRRRGH!!!}

A choice to make -- cancel my lunch in order to return home and pump OR cancel pumping for the day and feed Peach at pick-up. I really think that if this had happened with my first baby, I would have totally freaked out! As the experienced mom that I am, I calmly decided that going a few hours without pumping would be OK. Going home and seeing the empty crib and all the lonesome baby items would not have been OK.

It was a very good decision. Spending time with a friend is a truly underrated necessity that should be a regularity rather than a luxury. I was reminded how calming it can be to visit with a friend.

I was acutely aware, of course, of my ever-enlarging breast which continues to grow heavy with milk throughout the course of our (wonderful) meal.

And it goes without saying that Peach had finished a bottle about five minutes before my arrival...

So we learn from our missteps, right?

Today I was extremely careful to check and recheck the pump. And I felt pretty good about that too.

Of course, in the midst of all that diligence, I forgot to drop off Beernut's medication in the camp office and had to double-back.

But hey, tomorrow's another day.

Monday, July 09, 2007

Growing

It was a long day without my little man by my side. I managed to load the car in under 5 trips this morning and we dropped Beernut at camp before heading over to the pre-school. Poppyseed had asked to help drop off her little brother and was actually quite a big help. She entertained him while I was busy organizing his diapers, wipes, extra clothes, bedding, bottles, frozen milk, etc. We nursed and then it was time to let go.



Because that is really what today was all about; letting go of my baby.

When I explained to the older kids this morning (after snapping at them) that I was a bit nervous today, Poppyseed replied, "I'm nervous too."

"Really? What are you nervous about?" I asked.

"I don't want Peach to grow up yet," she replied.

I understand what she means. Peach was not only my largest baby at birth, but he weighes what Poppyseed did at her NINE MONTH checkup! Wearing 3-6 mos clothing and size 2 diapers, his journey through infancy is passing with such dizzying speed that I cannot catch my breath. "Slow down," I whisper as I watch him sleep. "Don't grow up so fast." But each child grows as he or she is meant to grow. It is selfish to wish time to slow its march.

Yet, I watch helplessly as my children grow...up...and apart from me.

Which is as it should be.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

The Night Before...

Sorry I haven't written in a couple of weeks. It's been crazy busy! My schedule is about to free up because {sigh} Peach is starting "school" tomorrow. This is in anticipation of my return to work on Friday.

We visited Peach's classroom last week. He will be attending the same school as his big sister, Poppyseed, who is thrilled to pieces that her little brother will be at her school. He'll be in her old classroom and will even have one of her beloved teachers from when she first started in the Infant-Toddler Center three years ago. The continuity is definitely nice. And it put my mind at ease when we saw Ms. B who called Peach "tateleh" and "bubbeleh". She clearly speaks our language!

Everything is all set. I've got his linens washed and folded, extra clothes, diapers, and wipes all packed and ready to go. He hasn't slept well today but maybe he is like a dog and senses something in the air. I have been pumping like crazy and have exceeded my goal of freezing at least 100 ounces of milk. Now I just have to get through tomorow...