Rough Night of (No) Sleep

The baby had a rough night last night. While he went to bed easily (around 7pm), he woke up a little after 9pm screaming his head off. His father comforted him a bit and put him back in his crib when he was calm again.

Unfortunately, that didn't last long and he started screaming again. We went in once more, changed his diaper, and I tried to sit with him for some extra cuddle time in the big soft chair in his room. When it seemed like he just wanted to keep climbing and looking around (even though the lights were off), I said goodnight and put him back in his crib.

A few minutes later, more screaming. This time I brought him back to our room. Maybe he just needs a little TLC and co-sleeping? However, my husband was still watching TV, which was a huge distraction to the baby. I took him to the guest bedroom so we could co-sleep quietly, but he was having none of it. So, back to the baby's room to try cuddling again.

When that just wasn't working, I put the baby back in his crib one more time. I turned on one light and told the baby that if he wants to look around and play, he can do so in his crib. I got a blanket, turned on some lullabies, and curled up in the chair. He watched me for a bit from his crib, but I soon fell asleep, and when I woke up, he was fast asleep as well.

November 5, 2008

We went to bed last night, after watching both speeches, full of excitement, pride, and hope. I tried to avoid bawling like a baby, but tears were inevitable. We have many more challenges ahead of us, but I am optimistic and look forward to doing what I can to make our country better and our citizens happier.

On a sadder note, Californians were fighting against bigotry and discrimination in the form of Prop 8. This measure, supported heavily by Christian groups, seeks to ban gay couples from marrying. It baffles me how a "true blue" state can support a measure which limits the rights of decent, loving human beings because they do not fit the traditional definition of married couples. I'm sorry, but I just can't buy into the whole idea of "the sanctity of marriage" unless anyone can prove that heterosexual couples can love one another more than gay couples can, or that heterosexual families have a stronger bond than homosexual families. Divorce rates, broken homes, and troubled kids point to the fact that marriage and family aren't magically protected from harm just because the union was between a man and a woman.

While I sit here today as a proud American, I also can't help but feel shameful for my Catholic upbringing.

Election Day 2008

My husband and I took our 10-month-old son to the polls this morning to vote. This is actually the baby's second time out to the polls since I had him with me when I voted in the primaries this past June. He was asleep for the most part then, but today he was wide awake and (thankfully) very calm. It was actually awesome to stand in line with my husband while wearing our baby in a cozy mei tai in what seemed like the most autumn-like weather we could ask for in Southern California.

For the record, here is how I voted today:

President and Vice President: Barack Obama and Joe Biden

U.S. Representative, 40th District: Christina Avalos
State Senator , 33rd District: Gary Pritchard
Member of the State Assembly , 71st District: Jeff Miller (unopposed)

Judge of the Superior Court Office No. 12: Debra Carrillo

Rancho Santiago Community College District Governing Board Member, Area 1: Lynn Verino and Brian Conley
Rancho Santiago Community College District Governing Board Member, Area 3: Lisa Woolery
Orange Unified School District Governing Board Member, Area 3: Florence Hoffman
Orange Unified School District Governing Board Member, Area 6: none
City of Orange Mayor: Carolyn Cavecche (unopposed)
City of Orange City Council Member: Teresa Smith
City of Orange City Clerk: Mary Murphy (unopposed)
City of Orange City Treasurer: Helen Walker
Orange County Water District Division 2 Director: Denis Bilodeau

State Measures
1A: Yes
2: Yes
3: Yes
4: No
5: Yes
6: No
7: No
8: No
9: No
10: No
11: No
12: Yes
J: Yes

Naps

For the first time ever, the baby is taking his morning nap upstairs in his crib. Normally he naps downstairs in his swing, but since I'm expecting the DirecTV service guy this morning, I figured he'd have less chance of being disturbed if he napped upstairs.

So far, so good, but it's only been a few minutes.

Stubborness, I Has It!

My son is getting the hang of crawling, and more recently, pulling himself up to stand. I wasn't prepared for this to happen so soon. Being a preemie, I thought he'd take on standing closer to a year in his actual age, which would be around 10 months adjusted. He's currently nine months actual, seven adjusted.

Every day now I run into having to make a choice between letting my son explore to his heart's content (as long as he's safely supervised), or start "training" him on what not to do. When he insists on pulling himself up using the coffee table, do I let him do it (and let him fall down), or do I discourage him from trying? When he attempts to climb the stairs, should I let him learn how to do it, or should I automatically pull him away?

A big part of me wants him to explore as much as he can. This morning he was trying to climb the stairs, and I sat with him as he tried, with my hands at the ready in case he lost his footing. I don't want a kid who is used to having everything done for him; I want a child who is confident and independent. On the other hand, of course there is a part of me that is scared that overconfidence and fearlessness could put him in harm's way.

When he's on our bed, he sometimes crawls away without regard to the edge, despite having fallen off it a couple of times. At the same time, when he's on the floor right outside our bathroom, I can say "No, don't come in" and he will stop from crawling in and busy himself with the mirrors.

I am learning where to draw the line, and I hope my son is learning along with me. It's an exciting time as a first-time mother, but an exhausting one for sure.

Cheerios Explosion

The baby and I were at a Corner Bakery today meeting with a group of other 2008 moms. I whipped out his bowl of Cheerios and before I could scatter some on the table, he slapped the bowl and sent the cereal flying everywhere.

I used to think I would be mortified when things like this would happen to me, but as I heard a woman at a nearby table giggle at what happened, I just had to look up, smile at her, and tickle my baby as "punishment" for making such a mess.

Simple Abundances

It was raining when I awoke this morning. I love morning rain and the cool breeze it brings. Next to me was the baby, quietly drifting in and out of sleep. And at the other end of the bed was my husband, whom I haven't seen much of the past few months due to a crazy work schedule that keeps him away from home.

Life as a new mother gets pretty crazy (especially now that he's mobile), but moments like this morning make everything worth it.