Swaddles have never been much of a challenge for the bug. We've tried a few recommended baby origami patterns and the Swaddle Me with death-grip-louder-than-it-needs-to-be velcro. Doesn't matter much. She can free her arms in her sleep... With one arm tied behind her back...
The swaddling has been critical and we couldn't have done without it. She doesn't always remember how to fall asleep and often, when she does, that crazy startle reflex can put a quick end to some hard won nappage. Yet, swaddling isn't forever, right? Don't misunderstand. She's a great sleeper. (Except when she's not.)
I try to encourage the bug to develop a better hand-eye coordination (Are they making video games for babies yet?) and this seems to be increasing her options for some rather creative swaddle twisting. A few times I've had to unlock the baby to feed and/or change her. At least she laughs about it. (She's not always pleasant to be around when she's impatient.)
This last week a new thing has started. The sound of a rattle when she should be swaddled. (We have wrist rattles at the ready on the sides of her bassinet.) I walk up to her and who knows how long she's been awake or what came first: the free arm, or the wakefulness. Then I watch her have a grand ol' time smacking that duck-faced wrist rattle like a speed bag, calling out De La Hoya.
We're not quite at the point yet where she can get her quality sleep without the swaddle. Yet, we're passed the point where it's all that effective. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule for when to discontinue swaddle use because the answers I've seen have all been vague. "When it's no longer working." Define working. "When she can get out of it." (Uhhhhh...)
Does anyone have any clarity out there? If she's gettin' all million-dollar-baby on us, do we just have her figure out for herself how to be still enough to fall asleep and stay asleep? Or are her calisthenics going to eat into her beauty sleep? What do you think?
11 October, 2011
07 October, 2011
Advocacy of Table Time (Part I)
Family on Friday!!!
Commenting on last week's post, Gussie pointed out that not only our handy-dandy electronic devices divide us, but that the drawing power of the outside world beckons us to leave our homes in such a rush that tables become a depository of sorts. (I admittedly paraphrased and took liberties, but you can read her comments at the bottom of the post if you're that curious.)
Let me start off Part I of my continued advocacy of table time as a cornerstone of family solidarity by saying it doesn't have to, and probably can't in some cases, be an every night thing (or mornings... I could go for mornings). Making it a chore doesn't help. Kinda makes it counterproductive.
But, if you cannot meet as a family around the table for at least a full meal, dessert, and one game on a weekly basis, then there is a serious problem. The subtext to leading such a busy life is "my family is not as important as these other things." Probably isn't how you feel, but actions are paramount in interpersonal relationships. They define our character (as I've learned in numerous writing classes).
So, yeah. At least once a week. There are days when kiddos will want to sleep over at a friend's house. And days when parentals will want the kiddos to sleep over at a friend's house. Some days, you'll scarcely see your bed, let alone a table. (Interesting how some people get a nice home, fill it with nice stuff, and then barely even sleep there.)
The busy lifestyle is quite simple really.
Commenting on last week's post, Gussie pointed out that not only our handy-dandy electronic devices divide us, but that the drawing power of the outside world beckons us to leave our homes in such a rush that tables become a depository of sorts. (I admittedly paraphrased and took liberties, but you can read her comments at the bottom of the post if you're that curious.)
Let me start off Part I of my continued advocacy of table time as a cornerstone of family solidarity by saying it doesn't have to, and probably can't in some cases, be an every night thing (or mornings... I could go for mornings). Making it a chore doesn't help. Kinda makes it counterproductive.
But, if you cannot meet as a family around the table for at least a full meal, dessert, and one game on a weekly basis, then there is a serious problem. The subtext to leading such a busy life is "my family is not as important as these other things." Probably isn't how you feel, but actions are paramount in interpersonal relationships. They define our character (as I've learned in numerous writing classes).
So, yeah. At least once a week. There are days when kiddos will want to sleep over at a friend's house. And days when parentals will want the kiddos to sleep over at a friend's house. Some days, you'll scarcely see your bed, let alone a table. (Interesting how some people get a nice home, fill it with nice stuff, and then barely even sleep there.)
The busy lifestyle is quite simple really.
- Live an hour from work
- Work a little extra because 110% is the new minimum
- Have the kids cram eight completely different classes in their day, each of which is supposed to assign two hours of homework for every hour in class
- Let the kids join a few clubs (gotta nurture their interests), a sport, and take lessons for fill-in-the-blank
- Join some clubs yourself
- Volunteer
- Be an active part of your community
- Now pick and choose on a daily basis who's being run where to meet the right-after-work/school activities that will run up to the start of the next one (grab dinner on the way)
- Spend time socializing with the people at the end of the second activity who, for some reason, never have anything to do
- Get home sometime before midnight
- Feed the pets and let them out in the yard
- Help kids with homework or trust they are while you flip through the DVR
- Rinse, sleep, repeat
05 October, 2011
It's a Free Country, Isn't it?
Writers' Wednesday!
Never write for free.
In case you missed that:
Never. Write. For. Free.
That's my new mantra. I have been willing to do all kinds of things for free in hopes that someone will see my genius and make it up in spades. Have you ever seen a music video directed for free when the group didn't take it seriously and the manager and producer wasted the better part of two days changing the plans, only to call the whole thing done when less than half of the shots were in the can? Let's just say no one would be knocking on my door (they were too busy locking theirs).
I've also acted for free (well, for a copy of the finished product to add to my reel), giving my best work and doing very physical stunts. I never received a copy. The work never snowballed into easy street.
I can't even count the times I've written free copy to help someone out (and hopefully get samples to use to seduce paying clients). What happened was I made myself into a creative whore. That's probably not the best term to use... whores get paid.
Regardless, (as I will undoubtedly be telling the bug when she's older) no one will respect you if you don't first respect yourself. Why would anyone pay good money in an economy such as this when they can get your best efforts for the cost of the air they breathe?
Novels, screenplays, articles, short stories, and (to a much, much lesser extent) poetry should be considered deferred pay. No one's paying me now, but just wait fifteen years... or more. I'm not even writing this blog for free. You think it's free because you haven't paid any money to read this. Still, my blog is upping my potential earnings from hopeful to possible. (hey, I've got the bug and wifey to consider)
If you've ever asked a writer to work for free, or questioned why writers should be paid at all, shame on you! Would you expect that of any other profession? Have any of you writers turned free work into financial independence? (didn't think so)
Never write for free.
In case you missed that:
Never. Write. For. Free.
That's my new mantra. I have been willing to do all kinds of things for free in hopes that someone will see my genius and make it up in spades. Have you ever seen a music video directed for free when the group didn't take it seriously and the manager and producer wasted the better part of two days changing the plans, only to call the whole thing done when less than half of the shots were in the can? Let's just say no one would be knocking on my door (they were too busy locking theirs).
I've also acted for free (well, for a copy of the finished product to add to my reel), giving my best work and doing very physical stunts. I never received a copy. The work never snowballed into easy street.
I can't even count the times I've written free copy to help someone out (and hopefully get samples to use to seduce paying clients). What happened was I made myself into a creative whore. That's probably not the best term to use... whores get paid.
Regardless, (as I will undoubtedly be telling the bug when she's older) no one will respect you if you don't first respect yourself. Why would anyone pay good money in an economy such as this when they can get your best efforts for the cost of the air they breathe?
Novels, screenplays, articles, short stories, and (to a much, much lesser extent) poetry should be considered deferred pay. No one's paying me now, but just wait fifteen years... or more. I'm not even writing this blog for free. You think it's free because you haven't paid any money to read this. Still, my blog is upping my potential earnings from hopeful to possible. (hey, I've got the bug and wifey to consider)
If you've ever asked a writer to work for free, or questioned why writers should be paid at all, shame on you! Would you expect that of any other profession? Have any of you writers turned free work into financial independence? (didn't think so)
04 October, 2011
Verizon Should Do Hot Water Heaters
The first week of transition is behind us. Whew. For those of you keeping score at home: Words - 3,993; Diapers - 3,994.
3,993 words in my first week of solo parenting! And I'm just talking novel here (not blogging, commenting, status updating, tweeting, texting, chatting, signing, googling, grocery listing, or Words With Friendsing). As long as I don't compare to my previous production numbers, I can be very proud. I did that while:
52,659!!!
Hey, I'm getting there. 4K a week is not going to be fast enough to keep me happy forever. Any suggestions out there for what to do this week to squeeze a few more words out? (I've already planned on spending less time with Verizon and plumbers, but I do have a doctor's appointment.)
3,993 words in my first week of solo parenting! And I'm just talking novel here (not blogging, commenting, status updating, tweeting, texting, chatting, signing, googling, grocery listing, or Words With Friendsing). As long as I don't compare to my previous production numbers, I can be very proud. I did that while:
- feeding
- changing
- dressing (the bug and myself)
- cleaning (mostly the bug)
- some of the cooking
- laundry
- shaving and showering (twice!)
- chasing wifey a quarter mile down a dirt road in flip-flops, waving bags of veggies (miscommunication)
- having lunch with wifey everyday
- a few dinners at grandma's
- grocery shopping
- reading Skippyjon Jones (that crazy kitten), et al.
- scouring over dozens of stamps (don't ask... please)
- spending many quality hours with the fine Verizon tech folks
- dealing with a plumber (and the issues leading up to such a necessity)
- Some rather quick night work and not so quick weekend work
- catching up on sleep
- and gaining a few pounds
52,659!!!
Hey, I'm getting there. 4K a week is not going to be fast enough to keep me happy forever. Any suggestions out there for what to do this week to squeeze a few more words out? (I've already planned on spending less time with Verizon and plumbers, but I do have a doctor's appointment.)
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