brianandruby.org » Parenting

Storytime

Ruby — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:14:34 +0000

Here’s an adorable video I made with my phone last week of Brian reading to Izzy before bed.

We survived a year!

Ruby — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:51:05 +0000

Yesterday, my baby turned one! He’s not walking yet, so technically I guess he’s not a “toddler,” but it’s incredible to watch his understanding of the world grow at this stage. Although he can’t make any recognizable words yet, he absolutely communicates both verbally and physically. Pointing has become very popular with him, and sometimes even means something in particular. And in addition to something vaguely resembling “mama” and “dada,” he will sometimes try to echo a word or phrase he’s very interested in like “kitty” (“ih-eh”), or that he hears over and over like “I see you” (“aseu”) at Great Grandma Vickie’s house.

There are two important tasks that have now been hanging over my head for a year now: send thank-you notes for all the wonderful shower gift and hand-me-down we got, and write my birth story. When I was pregnant I found it both helpful and reassuring to read the stories of real people’s individual deliveries. Ina May Gaskin‘s Spiritual Midwifery includes a great collection, but I also consumed birth stories ravenously through the forums on mothering.com, and from my peers in Svea Oster’s prepared childbirth class (highly recommended).

I was hoping to write the birth story this weekend, but doing Izzy’s birthday party (a very low-key affair at a nearby park with friends and family) has sapped a lot of energy, and I have to save some up for yet another day without childcare as the daycare has decided to take 2 days off for Easter, even though I get none.

I’ve been having very strong flashbacks to a year ago, so hopefully I will capitalize on it soon before the memories fade away.

In a nutshell

Ruby — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:37:16 +0000

My condensed thoughts on one year of parenthood: It’s wonderful to be loved so much, and scary to be needed so badly.

A very happy time

Ruby — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:08:43 +0000

Last weekend, I was looking at Izzy and he seemed to age before my eyes. On Saturday, I took him with me canvassing door-to-door for my old friend Mark Kleinschmidt who was running for Mayor of Chapel Hill. Izzy enjoyed it most of the way, and I figured it couldn’t hurt to entice voters with an adorable, friendly baby. It seems to have worked, because on Tuesday Izzy turned 7 months old and he also attended the victory party of the next Mayor of Chapel Hill! (He had already gone home to bed by the time the picture at right was taken.)

Izzy seems to have taken a great leap forward in understanding the world around him, and in developing a sense of his own self as well. More and more he can play independently (for a little while). He is also developing some interest in “solid” food, which is a bittersweet milestone for me. It’s the first time since his conception that Izzy’s life isn’t being fully sustained by my body. I look forward to the independence this will bring me, but it’s also the beginning of the separation of us into two truly separate organisms. Yes I know that sounds weird.

The older Izzy gets, the more fun he is to be with. I never thought I would like infancy with its crying and its diapers, and I still don’t enjoy those aspects of it. But I can honestly say that the past month with Izzy has been a lot of FUN.

One hundred twenty-two days, nine hours, and fifty-eight minutes

Ruby — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:56:14 +0000

Izzy has been with us for four months today. I still keep thinking of things to write about him here and I still never seem to have the time. I drafted this post from my phone while Izzy played next to me in a (recently) rare moment of quietness. He has really been finding his voice, and it’s a loud and shrill one. He probably gets that from me.

He’s also getting taller, or longer as we’re supposed to say, and I’m relieved that he seems to be taking after his father in that respect. Almost every day he seems to develop a new skill or habit. He definitely recognizes his name, knows when he’s being spoken to, gazes at things you point at, and smiles to see his favorite people. Well actually he smiles at almost everyone – the boy is social!

He’s outgrowing the newborn-to-3-month size clothes, and I’m starting to look at Fall clothes at the consignment shop. He’s also eating TONS at the moment, but these growth spurts seem to ebb and flow. He’s working on sitting up, crawling, and standing – let’s hope these don’t all come together at once! I’ve taken him to the kiddie pool in our neighborhood, about which he was quite nonchalant. And he still loves walking around outside more than any other activity besides nursing, I think.

A great big THANK YOU

Ruby — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:17:56 +0000

I was recently reminded that we still haven’t sent out thank-you notes to the many generous friends and family that gave us gifts before and after Izzy was born. We frequently note how grateful we are, especially for the hand-me-downs that have met critical needs for clothing and equipment that we couldn’t live safely without.

Take my word that I have a long and thorough list, because I want to write personal notes to everyone. But meanwhile I just want to issue a gigantic Thanks to everyone for your gifts and for your patience with us.

Two months

Ruby — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:26:17 +0000

Today is Izzy’s two-month birthday. I want to write more about what an incredible experience parenting is. It’s so exciting to see him change, learn, and grow every day. (Which is exactly why it’s been so painful for me to go back to work. But at least we have a fabulous babysitter.)

But parenting also keeps me very, very busy – especially now that I am working part time. Tomorrow is Izzy’s next medical check up so I’ll be back soon with some updated vitals.

Until then, you can follow him on Twitter (if you have a Twitter account): http://twitter.com/izzysinreich

Mother’s Day Update

Ruby — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:12:54 +0000

This post is brought to you by the blue bouncy chair, a hand-me-down from Nicole’s friend Maria. Thank you!

Mommy’s-eye-view:

Yesterday was my first Mother’s Day as a mom, and it was unexpectedly nice. Saturday, we drove up to Richmond so Izzy could meet Brian’s family. It was very nice and we got to enjoy Cousin Tori’s ice skating birthday party, visit with Grandparents Ralph and Priscilla, as well as introduce Izzy to one of his THREE great-grandmothers.

For Mother’s Day, we went to the Flying Burrito (a Chapel Hill institution) and Brian wore Izzy (which I usually do) I had TWO whole margaritas – probably the most I had to drink since our anniversary last July. I plan to make margaritas a Mothers Day tradition.

Izzy is growing and changing every day. At his one-month checkup, the pediatrician reported that he had grown 3 1/2 inches and a little over 2 pounds since he was born! He is starting to use his hands a lot more, especially to give us sweet baby hugs, and his smiles have evolved from an internal reflex to occasional full-facial grins with eye contact.

Last week, my mom and dad came from the beach and London (respectively) to visit Izzy. So he has now met all four of his grandparents. Here they are:

Finally, I was thrilled to receive the great honor of being named Mother of the Year! (Wink, wink.)

Feed us, Seymour

Ruby — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:44:05 +0000

Lots of folks have offered to bring us food during the first weeks, which is much appreciated. I have created a calendar so that folks can sign up for days.

Feed me, Seymour

Here are some suggestions… Ruby likes: vegetarian, green salad, Mexican/burritos, Indian, Italian/pasta, garlic, savory stuff … Brian likes: pizza, stir-fry, Asian/Thai/Chinese, BBQ. Happily, Ruby will no longer need to follow the diabetic diet (G.D. goes away after birth, yay) but healthy choices are always welcome.

Click read more to see the schedule, and add your meal by posting a comment

Please post a comment letting us know the day you will come (and what you will bring, if possible) and we will add it to the calendar. Please try to space out your visits/feedings to no more than one every other day. Thanks!