MommyDolce's Momaroo

How do I breast feed a teething baby?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:10:46 GMT

I feel like I should know how to do this because my son is my second child, but I don't. My daughter didn't start teething until she was 10 months old. I was dying to see her with teeth, and everyone told me I was lucky hers were coming in late because I was breastfeeding. I can probably count on one hand how many times she bit me. I would say "ouch" really loud, and she'd feel really sorry for me. She didn't do it again. She transitioned into sippy cups and that was that.

My son is only 6 months old. He is growing another tooth and despite my best efforts, he wont stop biting me. I tried giving him milk in a bottle, but he just wont have it. He will only drink juice out of the bottle. I don't want to stop breastfeeding, but his biting is getting worse every day. When you give him orajel his gag reflex kicks in no matter how little I give him.

Help.

Not going back there anymore

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:14:33 GMT

My husband had a falling out with his family. I think that is mildly put given the circumstances, but I'll leave it at that. We agreed that just because the adults can't get along the kids should not have to suffer. I don't really have family here, so his family is all we got as far as cousins go. When the sister that he still talks to asks to have the kids, we allows her to take them. My daughter still knows her, she has her own kids, and her son loves my daughter to death.

We gave up our kids for a few hours to go on a little date. I kept checking my phone and there were no phone calls, so I had a great time. I don't check in now because the last time I did that I was told my daughter threw a fit upon hearing my voice. I relaxed and had a great time. Everybody was tired from work, so we decided to call it a night early. I called my sister in law and told her we were on the way. She said okay and I didn't hear any crying in the background, so I felt completely happy.

When we got to the house, he sent me into the lion's den. You see, we don't go in that house because of the mildly put "falling out" situation. The situation was horrible, but he decided because I am not family by blood so they would be forced to be civil with me. When I walked in, it felt like I should've worn a bullet proof vest. Who knows what will be said, and so I sharpened my own claws just in case I had to defend my family. Nothing in hell would stop me from picking up my kids. There was some of the family in the living room. I was my usual cordial self. I said hello and did the polite Asian head nod to the elders ... no response. It was awkward, it was uncomfortable, and I'm sure they wanted me to feel it. I stood my ground and found my daughter running to me babbling. I gave her a hug, wrapped my son up as fast as I could, and I still politely said goodbye despite the fact that I knew I wouldn't really get a response back. There was some converstation during those awkward minutes of waiting for my sister in law to gather my kids things ... they kept grilling me about my husband. I didn't flinch and answered the questions. I know they didn't find satisfaction in any of them. When I left, one of his Aunts said, "You are always welcome in this house" How strange to say that to me. It certainly didn't feel like it.

In the car, my daughter managed to find words for her babbling. I knew she was babbling because she was upset. I just automatically assumed she was upset because we weren't with her. Now that she felt comfortable, she told me that her cousin is mean. I asked her why her cousin is mean, and she told me that her cousin "smacked" her face and hit her. I didn't know how to take it, I didn't know if they were watching adult movies and my daughter picked up on some words. I comforted her to the best of my ability and decided to investigate the situation in the morning. It was late and my daughter fell asleep.

The next morning my daughter repeated the story again without being asked. I asked her to show me where she was hit, and sure enough there was a bruise on her face. I didn't notice it in the dark night, but you can clearly see it in the morning light. When I gave her a bath, there were more bruises on her legs. I called my husband upste and told him what our daughter told me. When he came home, he gently asked her what happened and examined he boo boos. He was furious. He called his sister over and over again ... no answer. There were no answers given to us until the christening.

We know that his niece has a bad attitude. We saw it first hand living there. We also have to endure it, when our daughter comes home copying her cousin's ways. I have to put up with it and lead her back to the proper way of behaving. However, there is no excuse in the world to leave kids by themselves to do what they please. They're two and four. She denied everything and told us our daughter is a clutz. As clumsy as our daughter can be, she's never had a bruise on her face. My husband interrogated his nephew, and his nephew gave him that look. It's that look we know too well. It says, my mother is lying but I will never tell you she is. That answer was enough for us. The conclusion to this whole episode is ... she will not be going back there anymore.

Here's something to get you into movie mood.

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:13:45 GMT

Happy Friday Ladies and Gents...
As I catch up reading your blogs, here is something for your amusement. It's Charlee hour!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Resting from exhaustion

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:00:54 GMT

The Baptism finally happened. I wanted to leap for joy on Monday, when I looked back on what a great success it was ... but I could not. I've been fighting getting sick all of last week and on Monday it hit me h ard. I cleaned (disinfected my house from the party) my butt off and helped the husband with another paper til late hours ... so I was really asking for it. Yesterday and today has been a battle. I've been pushing myself with every inch to keep going with mommy duties.

It was actually pretty funny because I was like the walking dead yesterday. My father found me laying on the playing matt watching my kids play together. He looked a little worried because I know it was hard to see that my eyes were still open. He said goodbye to his granddaughter and left. Ten minutes later, he came back, handed my daughter a doughnut, and gave me a lite late. I really wished someone would take them from me for 10 minutes, but the lite late was a noble gesture esp coming from my Dad.

As promised, here's a nice little run down on B-day
Some of the highlights of the menu were...
Osso Buco, Baked Salmon, Pod Kee Mao, Thai Beef

Oh there was sOOO much more food but those were some of my favorites.
I am drooling thinking about them. Yummy Yummy.
(It's very common to find crazy combo of food like Italian and Thai in our house)

(L-R: Best friend Franny, Sister Magnolia (also on Xanga) Juliette)
Everything was handmade minus the Thai food. We got it catered by this place called Pawana in Englewood, NJ. They are super nice and the food is super tasty. If ever you get a chance go eat there!

Those were my giveaways. Remember the pictures you guys voted on? And my handmade chocolate lollipops.
Here is my favorite picture of my little man. He doesn't have pictures because he went to sleep.

My friend Reilin took this pic. He's so handsome!

I wasn't so sure about what I was wearing for the Christening because I feel so out of it. Here is a great shot where you can see my whole unsamble.
*tehehehe. Hello Gee. Rob, you're gonna love me! I'm not going nowhere*

(Did I have to stand next to the tallest person? This is one of my fav couples Gee and Rob)
On Monday, I was looking through Parents magazine and saw Reese Witherspoon wearing the same top on page 24! *sigh* "It's cool I got it, I got it, I got it" LOL

I think my husband had a lot of fun ... just like he did in our daughter's christening.

Ahhh. Damn those Asians and their Karaoke.

My daughter found a new best friend. We are on the process of scheduling play dates.

They've always been friends, but I guess nothing seals the deal more than letting another person play with your toys.

AHHHh. I'm happy it finally happened. My son is now part of God's Army. Yay!

Looks like we made it.

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:04:44 GMT

I had a lot on my plate this week. I have the party on Sunday, I just found out my friend's brother passed, and my father was telling me that one of my uncles might be going blind. This is on top of everyday stress. As woman, I do what any woman does ... we put our heads up high and keep rolling. If it's not for ourselves we usually do it for our kids.

I was feeling a little weak through the week because my husband and I were going at it. I am talking about an all out brawl. It was REALLY BAD. It was like (he's a leo and I'm a virgo) he came out with his claws, growled, showed me his fangs and screamed "For Aslan" and I came out with my whips, chains, and XD40 screaming "Come and get it Hello Kitty!" We both knew it was unhealthy, and we knew better than to do it. However, when you have been together since 14 years of age ... you sometimes have some immature tendencies left over. You try to work on your kinks esp. if you're a parent, but sometimes your weak human nature wins the battle. After we made up, we quickly made sure we didn't damage our kids. We kept telling them that we still love each other, and sometimes grown ups fight. Our fight lasted a few days, so we tried to give them the same amount of days of reassurance to our children. Although the fight didn't go unnoticed, I think they are okay.

We were so bussy taking care of our kids, I didn't realize that my heart still hurt. I was talking to my husband like he was just any other friend. I also noticed that I wasn't excited about Valentines day, and I was just not my usual affectionate self. He came home late lastnight, so I called because my daughter was calling for "Papa, Papa, Papi" He was at the mall. He was supposed to be at Barnes finishing off his paper. He could tell I was annoyed, so he started to explain himself. In usual wife-fashion I read between the lines and realized ... this man is out buying me and my daughter presents for Valentines day. He didn't say that, but I've known him for so long I can read these things. He is still trying to surprise me even though I've been just civil with him. He's been starting conversations, stealing kisses, and now despite my lack of excitement for the "holiday" he still wants to be my knight in shinning armor. My heart finally melted.

I was so hurt by the words he said during our fight that I started to doubt his love. I actually failed to see him proving his unconditional love. As he says, "Yes I can be an asshole and say mean things, but never forget I never mean any of them" His love is unconditional because he was able to take the fight, throw it away, and take my hand forward towards Valentines day. *sigh* I will never be too proud to say I can learn a thing or two from this man .. it's probably why I married him.

Tonight we are actually going on a date. His sister is watching the kids. I'm exited to rekindle ... just in time for Valentines Day.

For my husband re-dedicating an oldie "You're Still the One"

It started out in 1997, young wild and crazy in love.
We eloped in 2004 ... married Army style in TN.

I think we still got this. Happy Valentines everyone!
( I wont be around this weekend, so I am greeting you all ahead of time)

I'm might be your latest subscriber

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:21:52 GMT

If we've been friends for a while, and you see that I've just subscribed to you here's a reason ...

The whole time I thought I was subscribed to you. Yes, I did wonder why I don't see your posts when I read my subscriptions, but I get so engrossed when I read blogs ... the thought of why escapes me after reading. SOooo, today I went through my friend list and subscribed to everyone. Yes, this is a major blond moment. You can now take the time to laugh at me.

Been feeling down...

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:02:36 GMT

My heart has been tested & broken these past few days .. watching this made me feel inspired.

"Some Days" Amalia Ortiz - More amazing video clips are a click away

Thanks to my Mings and my Gee for piecing back my broken heart and reminding me that I am never alone. You are both beautiful inside and out, and I will always hold you near and dear to my heart. I thank God everyday that he gave me two sisters .. one through blood and one through friendship to grow old with.

Help me and cast your vote!

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:26:43 GMT

It's my little man's christening this Sunday ... as you all are probably tired of hearing me say. I did my best to do a quick photo session ... despite how sick I am this morning. I've narrowed it down to three. So please tell me which one you like. I warn you it's going to be tough because my little man is a handsome fellow.

There you go. Happy Voting!

In the eyes of a stranger.

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:07:49 GMT

Have you ever met someone that told you a story that blew your mind? I met someone today. She shared her painful story, and I was blown away. It felt like my ears were bleeding, my tummy in knots, and my heart ached.

I can't sleep. My body and mind are both tired, but this woman's voice is inside my head. I can see the pain in her eyes, the anger in her story, and it's as if I can feel her broken heart inside of me. I've heard many gut-wrenching stories in my young life. I was active in church all through high school and into college. It wasn't uncommon for people to feel comfortable sharing their stories with me, but today was different.

I felt so overwhelmed and dizzy. My human nature wants to put this story away, but I feel like God made me meet this person for a reason. I prayed for her all through the drive home and before I put my kids to sleep.

I asked my husband for advice about this situation. He told me he thinks that maybe I have that gentle touch that can guide her to healing. He thinks maybe she's shared this story to a lot of people but cannot find peace, and maybe God allowed us to meet so we can walk there together. He reminded me that it was just last week that another woman did this same exact thing, when I just met her. She was different in that you can tell from her facial expression that she was surprised she was spilling her guts out to me. After telling me her also heart breaking story almost in tears, she walked away. She looked at me as if to say please erase our conversation from your memory. I wanted to hug her. He reminded me that people often find God's love in the eyes of a stranger.

Could it really be? It's been so long since I've been here. I feel so ill-equipped .. unprepared. It's only recently that I am slowly making my way back to HIM. Next month my husband and I along with my best friend and his wife will be on a religious journey, and with my son's baptism next week ... *sigh* I can't even put it into words. I know I'm being tested and I just need prayers.

Wanna give me your chicken soup recipe?

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:29:05 GMT

Another one bites the dust ... my daughter is now sick after my son just got over being sick and my hubby did a major clean up. Upon renting the top half of my parent's house, I haven't cooked. My dad is amongst the best cooks I've encountered ... so who am I to complain when he insists on cooking for his grandchildren? However, when my kids are in more need of mommy TLC ... I like to whip up some soul food. My all time favorite soul food when I'm sick is arroz caldo con pollo. Now when I cook it, I hold off an all that oil and use EVOO. Yes, you're thinking, "but it's soul food" Too much oil makes my belly hurt. I've cooked my version of arroz caldo for my inlaws who love to eat oily food, and even though they complained when they saw very little oil .. they ate it all up after the first taste.

My hubby bought chicken soup from Boston Market lastnight for our daughter ... I'm not a big fan. If you're going to buy cooked soup, I love Pollo Tropical's soup. If that's not a choice ... any chinese take out's veggie soup is good for me. There was an asian market in Texas that made the best udon, but I have my dad for that .. if ever I wanted it here.

Anyway, I simply cannot cook arroz caldo all the time, and I expect more people to get sick in my family (hubby is complaining of an achy throat). SOOoo, I'm asking .. wanna give me your favorite soup recipe?