Took Ian to work yesterday and he was a big hit. I have never seen so many of my colleagues cry at the same time because there’s a baby in the office.

There were so, so sweet. It will make going back July 1st, a bit easier…I hope.

I fell asleep with a prayer for all those affected in Boston. I don’t take this life for granted and pray for those who lost their dear ones.

My husband just kept shaking his head…sick people. SMH!

Yesterday after a day of laundry (yup—my butler is no where to be found) interrupting my time with Ian, my Mom offered to stop by to spend time with him while I ran down the street to get a mani/pedi.

As soon as she got to my apt. I put everything away and walked the dogs for a bit & then came back to get my flip flops and left. He was cooing and laughing with grandma…it was hard to leave. He’s such a charmer and social baby, its hard to miss every moment.

The mani/pedi was glorious. I requested really, really hot water and my feet felt so good. It was my time to relax, but instead I couldn’t stop paying attention to the news.
Sick people. ugh. I tried breathing and using the fancy massage chair…it took me awhile. Then … I got a hold of some trashy magazines and that did it. I learned the Kardashians still exist and that Princess Kate still cute as ever. Thank you gossipy/trashy magazines—who would have thought it.

The mani/pedi was everything I expected & then Sally offered a 10 minute head and shoulder massage when she was finished. OMG—I was in heaven; a dark room & a pair of strong hands and ban, my shoulders’ knots were gone in No time. I have never held tension on my upper body. It’s always my feet and calves, but motherhood has brought this new thing, so I foresee lots of these massages in my life now.

I assume its from holding my lil’ man and the constant looking down while I breastfeed. No biggie—he’s worth every knot and bit of worry for his well being.

As soon as we’re done, I promise to come back. Last time I got a mani/pedi was Feb. 4th… Yeah, it’s been awhile. I opted for no polish on my hands because I just want to keep my nails short and clean. My feet got a nice hot pink.

This nail place is brand new and only 2.5 blocks from my apt. building…I’m so glad the old owners left and this new owner has made it so much better. I tried going there last summer, but upon entering i realized the empty place was too busy to take care of me (one customer) on a Friday evening & the owner hardly acknowledged me. Now, everything is new, they take cc’s & their customer service is amazing! Yeah—I’m not upset about this at all.

When I got back, Ian was ready to eat & call it a night.

And, this Momma was all relaxed and ready to spend more time with him before he passed out for the night, followed by QT with my hubby and the doxies. Yup—the doxies have learned that around 9:00pm we give them attention and their QT time. At 10pm, I pumped and promptly passed out by 10:30pm. We can barely stay up once we’re done with chores these days, but let me tell you, those 2 hours were appreciated very much. Thank God for my Momma.

:)!

This has been a happy post.

A lot like clubbing…

You stay up until sunrise.
You get really hungry at random times.
Coffee is a must.
You dance (sway) with a sweet little partner.
You’re happy and tired.
& The thing is that you do this it on repeat everyday of the week.

This time of my life reminds me of my semester abroad in Brazil from June to December, 1999. I seriously never, EVER slept. All day at USP (University of São Paulo) studying, tutoring, being tutored to then socializing at *Runner, the best gym I have ever belonged to in my life to outings w/ my host family, Brazilian friends every single night. SP was seriously a NYC but better. The night life, the food, the people, the music, the darn sushi & Lebanese food, the polluted air… I Loved SP hard core. I was constantly reminded that upon my return to Middlebury and those bitter cold days of Winter, life as a college student in the USA wouldn’t be the same. I mean, as a Senior…I had stuff to produce and graduate.

We went out every night…because when you’re 21 with a scholarship that suddenly doubled in value because the local currency just depreciated to double its original value &in a city that is just so much fun, who the heck needs sleep? By the time Friday rolled around, I was so tired, but a cafezinho & an Axé song in the background always recharged the body and soul.

I never slept. Didn’t care. Many times I would get home at 6:30am to just pack a bag, shower & get on a 8am bus to some random little town on the coast of SP or RJ state and literally have a beer for breakfast.

And, now. I get to do this with my child.

Yup. It’s like clubbing in Brazil.
Tired and happy at the same time in a constant state of euphoria.

My 21 year old self would be so proud I’m loving this time of my life, too.

Cheers!!

*they even had a medical doctor on site with all the works. It was really expensive but then the Real had depreciated galore.  I won.

You’re so charming.

Yesterday, after an all day marathon of breastfeeding, you finally took a mini nap around 5:30pm. Your dad came home at 6:00 to find me laying on my back semi-sleeping in bed next to you. I looked tired, i bet. (A combo of me doing all the laundry & not taking a break all day yesterday & your cluster feeding today took a toll on me).

And…then, the day ended on a great note:

When Daddy walked in, you had begun to wake up again. He came over to see you & when you saw him, your eyes lit up & you started to move/flare your arms in excitement and you gave him a big smile. It was so sweet to witness this… Your dad got a bit emotional as you recognized him for the first time. The dude you’ve hanging out with besides me loves you so, SO much.

You’re so charming, indeed.

My two men are the world to me!

We came home from the hospital on a Sunday evening. As we drove from Manhattan over the Queensbotough bridge, I clearly remember feeling pulling and tenderness all over my body…my milk had started to come…I was vulnerable & ready to be home.

There was much physical pain & joy at the same time. I only remember the joy. Women are amazing!

Every Sunday night, I stare at this beautiful child and I thank the universe, all the Gods & Mother Nature for him.

I can’t believe I get to be your Mommy Ian.

I refuse to become a guilty parent… (Have you read the article on the Huffington that justifies the guilt we experience no matter what we choose to do?).

Now parents can breath & not feel so guilty about their choices: blah, blah…so it’s now legit since it was published on a reputable source? My Mom’s reactions to this are Priceless. Why wait until its written online? Whatever works today, won’t work tomorrow…so, lets go with the flow and let the kid be a newborn/infant & us, new parents one day at a time.

In the era of too much information, I’m trying my earnest to keep it simple for the sake of our sanity. I don’t need the HP & the NYT to back me up. Whatever do parents in the rest of the world do? Wait…they just do that… “Be parents!” No need to check on their newspaper online to validate them…or books or join the guilt/comparison game.

I counted the number of places Ian has slept on since he was born:

-Our bed (between us)
-Co-sleeper (mini crib; bassinet…6 inches away from my face…yes, I get to see his sweet face as we both fall asleep
-his crib (during the day)
-bouncer
-car seat
-nap mat on top of our dinning room table (we use this a lot for tummy time)
-on us (chest, arms, shoulders)

He self-soothes a lot & if the “meh-meh” cries and coos make 3 cycles of “I’m about to cry my guts out,” we then pick him up and sooth him.

This diversity of places, apparently helps for when he needs to move to his crib…we didn’t plan it this way, but it sorta worked because I wouldn’t dare move him from places he’s comfortably sleeping in…

He’s only going to be a newborn once & the only sleep training I plan on implementing around here it’s for me. I wake up now every two hours w/o missing a beat…this can become quite the skill, but a nice 4-6 hours stretch would be more replenishing/relaxing for Momma.

I love how all the nurses & books say: drink 6-8 glasses of water a day postpartum.

Please, I drink that by the first 4 hours of each day. I’m not a camel, I needs more. That’s not counting my tea, juice or almond lattes.

I’m so thirsty all the time!

So, it’s the lil’ man.

The drama over über expensive/see through yoga pants is deep!

So, hubby drives an hour to and from work. At night i try my earnest to not wake him. We don’t need two sleep deprived people in this house & much less one driving on the LIE to work with all the other crazy New Yorkers.

Baby feeds at 11pm or 12am then 3am or 4am. The stretches of how long he sleeps are getting longer & longer. Funny thing is that no matter what time I finally lan goes down & i go back to bed, on cue, hubby turns on his back (always a on his side sleeper) & begins to snore. Every time!

Why? Because I’m about to fall asleep. That’s why! :/!

I gently (or not, like few minutes ago) whisper, “please on your side honey” & pray that it works.

I can’t stAnd snoring & I’m not sure why this started within the last year. Wait, I go know the reasons…but now, really, now?

I need my 2 hours of solid sleep, but hubby …anyway

Off to sleep until 4ish or when baby & boobs begin to cry for food and/or release, respectively.