I have a pit bull. That's right... and a baby.
I heard quite a bit of negative info on pit bulls while I was pregnant... stories about pit bulls eating baby's legs or babies getting into the neighbor's yard, and eaten by a pit bull. But I believe that whether or not any dog eats any baby has to do with 1. doggie training AND 2. parental supervision
1. DOGGIE TRAINING 101
Lucy, my pit bull knows how to sit, stay, wait, rollover, show me her belly, be gentle, kennel up, shake, high-five, and stay in the yard. But she also knows that she's allowed to jump on daddy but not mommy. She knows that she's not allowed on the bed. She knows not to bother mommy when I'm changing a diaper...
She knows these things because I took the time to teach her each individual trick- one at a time- mostly before the baby came. Each trick took a few days with practice several times a day, and the attention I gave her ultimately made her pay more attention to me.
She knows she's loved.. and she knows that breaking any rules will result in my giving her a dirty look.. and then ignoring her. AND THAT'S IT. I never hit her because... remember when you were a kid and your parents spanked you and you just decided then and there to be bad because getting spanked sucks? Well, that's how these dogs respond to violence.
I don't spank her, I don't let her walk first through doorways, I don't let her start eating before I've finished pouring her doggie food, I don't knee her in the chest when she jumps (or I didn't when she jumped--common pit bull practice), I don't ever let her win tug of war, I don't do these things because I want her to know that I am a fair and practical boss who loves her but will discipline her if necessary. And I'm not to be crossed.
So far it's working.
2. PARENTAL SUPERVISION 101
This is mostly common sense but hey- apparently not for some. The dog is NOT a babysitter. I never leave my baby alone in a room with the dog- not for 1 second- not ever.
And I never leave my baby unattended (like in the crib, or his spinny bug thing, or his baby gym) when the dog is able to get to her. If I need to cook or something, the dog goes outside or in her kennel.
We do have doggie baby play time where Lucy licks Jaden's toes or hands or cheeks once or twice. Then we tell her she's a good doggie for being gentle, let Jaden touch her head, and that's the end of doggie baby play time.
So... fellow moms and moms to be, if you have a pit bull, take the time to train her well and remember that even if she's the sweetest dog in the world- her claws and teeth are sharp and accidents happen. AND be careful!!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
1 minute workout
Good morning new moms!
It hasn't been too too hard to lose my baby weight, but I think I need to kick it up a notch.
It's been three months and two weeks, and I only have 15lbs to go to get back to my pre-baby weight. This all accomplished with NO working out besides carrying the baby up and down stairs AND eating a salad every now and then (like once a week) to go with my dark chocolate-whole milk-daily coffee. I really don't have time to work out, but yesterday I decided to start.
For those of you who don't know me, I'm out of town with my husband for his work. We aren't sure when we will be home and until then, we are in a company condo. It's hard enough to find time to work out at home with everything you own... but in a hotel?
So, I've come up with some ideas to start off the fastest workout routine ever!
Yesterday I alternated plank and push up position every ten seconds for 1 minute total. That's it. And it was enough to get my heart pumping. I felt like I at least burned off about a sip of my chocolate coffee.
Today I plan on jumping rope (ROSS for like $5.00!!) for no more than 1 minute... if I can even last that long...
And tomorrow I'm going to do 30 squats with a resistance band (ROSS for like $5.00!!) which will probably take about a minute..
So far that's my plan.
I heard from Dr. Oz and my would be PT that you should do something different everyday or your muscles will get used to your workout, and the efficacy of it will be diminished. That's why I'm only planning a few workouts at a time.
Honestly, this probably won't do much but get me in the workout mode/routine whatever... I'd love to jump right back into my 800 calorie burning kickboxing sessions, but lets be realistic here. I'm exhausted, and the only thing motivating me to drop my last 15lbs is my booty-do.
I'll let everyone know how it goes! Oh, one more thing... I heard a rumor that breastfeeding burns up to 1000 calories per day. Does anyone know if this is true?
It hasn't been too too hard to lose my baby weight, but I think I need to kick it up a notch.
It's been three months and two weeks, and I only have 15lbs to go to get back to my pre-baby weight. This all accomplished with NO working out besides carrying the baby up and down stairs AND eating a salad every now and then (like once a week) to go with my dark chocolate-whole milk-daily coffee. I really don't have time to work out, but yesterday I decided to start.
For those of you who don't know me, I'm out of town with my husband for his work. We aren't sure when we will be home and until then, we are in a company condo. It's hard enough to find time to work out at home with everything you own... but in a hotel?
So, I've come up with some ideas to start off the fastest workout routine ever!
Yesterday I alternated plank and push up position every ten seconds for 1 minute total. That's it. And it was enough to get my heart pumping. I felt like I at least burned off about a sip of my chocolate coffee.
Today I plan on jumping rope (ROSS for like $5.00!!) for no more than 1 minute... if I can even last that long...
And tomorrow I'm going to do 30 squats with a resistance band (ROSS for like $5.00!!) which will probably take about a minute..
So far that's my plan.
I heard from Dr. Oz and my would be PT that you should do something different everyday or your muscles will get used to your workout, and the efficacy of it will be diminished. That's why I'm only planning a few workouts at a time.
Honestly, this probably won't do much but get me in the workout mode/routine whatever... I'd love to jump right back into my 800 calorie burning kickboxing sessions, but lets be realistic here. I'm exhausted, and the only thing motivating me to drop my last 15lbs is my booty-do.
I'll let everyone know how it goes! Oh, one more thing... I heard a rumor that breastfeeding burns up to 1000 calories per day. Does anyone know if this is true?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Dear Jaden
Dear Jaden,
I have a journal that I keep for you, but it has been in storage for quite a while, and I don't want to forget some little details about your growing up. I want to remember all of your little quirks that come and go as you grow.
First, at two months your spicy yellow mustard turned into honey mustard, and at three months your honey mustard turned into peanut butter... gross, I know, but still... a milestone
At two months, you started assisted standing (thanks Dad!). You started smiling more often... And your hands smelled exactly like boiled peanuts.
At three months, you can stand while holding on to something- like the coffee table (for about 2 seconds), and you play with your toys!! You also acknowledge the dog, and she's sooooo excited about it! We went to the vet yesterday, and you flirted with three women for at least 10 minutes. You were smiling and cooing at them, and they just ate it up! You were too cute.
You loooove to swim in the pool, you love to go for walks and look up at the trees. You DON'T love riding in the car. You've never liked that, but now you tolerate it because you have lots of toys and a mirror that you can converse with.
That's about it for now. As you grow, I'll continue to write down your little quirks so I'll always remember, and you will have a record of your babyhood.
Love you,
Mama
I have a journal that I keep for you, but it has been in storage for quite a while, and I don't want to forget some little details about your growing up. I want to remember all of your little quirks that come and go as you grow.
First, at two months your spicy yellow mustard turned into honey mustard, and at three months your honey mustard turned into peanut butter... gross, I know, but still... a milestone
At two months, you started assisted standing (thanks Dad!). You started smiling more often... And your hands smelled exactly like boiled peanuts.
At three months, you can stand while holding on to something- like the coffee table (for about 2 seconds), and you play with your toys!! You also acknowledge the dog, and she's sooooo excited about it! We went to the vet yesterday, and you flirted with three women for at least 10 minutes. You were smiling and cooing at them, and they just ate it up! You were too cute.
You loooove to swim in the pool, you love to go for walks and look up at the trees. You DON'T love riding in the car. You've never liked that, but now you tolerate it because you have lots of toys and a mirror that you can converse with.
That's about it for now. As you grow, I'll continue to write down your little quirks so I'll always remember, and you will have a record of your babyhood.
Love you,
Mama
Friday, October 19, 2012
Traveling with the little one
Good morning new moms!
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to fly with a little one. Jaden, Chris and I are planning on a trip to Puerto Rico in February to see my wonderful sister, Nicole and her awesome family! Jaden will only be 7 months then! Do I buy him a seat? Do I bring his stroller? Do I bring his carseat and strap it into a seat? Can I breast feed from my seat or do I have to hide in the restroom?? How do I keep his ears from popping?? What's the baby protocol???
We've already taken our first long car trip down to Florida. The five hour drive took eight hours because we stopped every two or so hours for a feeding and a doggie walking and a diaper changing. That trip went better than expected with minimal crying and lots of sleeping; probably because we left at 4am! So I'm thinking an EARLY flight may be best.
I'm guessing the flight is right around 3 hours, so even if he cries the whole way...
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
gDiapers?
top 10 Reasons I LOVE gdiapers!
10. They are SO CUTE!
9. They are as easy to use as regular diapers!
8. They are as absorbent as regular diapers (or more)!
7. They don't leak poo out of the back or sides like regular diapers!
6. You have options (cloth or biodegradable inserts)!
5. FLUSHABLE!
4. So many colors to choose from!
3. Cheaper or comparable to regular diapers!
2. NO MORE DIAPER RASH!!!
1. Completely environmentally friendly!!
The End!
10. They are SO CUTE!
9. They are as easy to use as regular diapers!
8. They are as absorbent as regular diapers (or more)!
7. They don't leak poo out of the back or sides like regular diapers!
6. You have options (cloth or biodegradable inserts)!
5. FLUSHABLE!
4. So many colors to choose from!
3. Cheaper or comparable to regular diapers!
2. NO MORE DIAPER RASH!!!
1. Completely environmentally friendly!!
The End!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Jaden Desi Coats
Good morning new moms! How many of you wondered till the last second what to name your child? I sure did. We came up with Jaden Desi Coats at the start of my pregnancy but had so many people countering that choice, we were second guessing ourselves. Everyone was trying to be helpful, and I certainly value my family's and friend's opinions, but we ended up on the name with which we started. "Lemme tell ya why."
Chris, my husband, had a tradition in his family: He and his sisters all had names beginning with a "C," and their first born children all had names beginning with a "J." Cassandra, Crystal, Chris... and Jessica and Jalynn. We wanted to continue in this tradition, and weeded through many "J" names... Jaden, Jacob, Jackson were a couple of our top pics. Eventually, happily landed on Jaden.
I found two meanings for Jaden. One possibility is that i derived from the Hebrew "Jadon" meaning "grateful," something we certainly are! It also means, "God is listening" or "God has heard," but I can't remember the origin of that! If you put "Jaden" together with his middle name, Desi, Latin for "longed for" or "desire," you get "God is listening to your desire." We desired a kid... so there ya go.
Desi had a story as well. Chris has been friends with the sweetest teddy bear of a burly man, Desi, for years. But has been pronouncing his name DESS-EE instead of the traditional DEZ-EE. When Chris told Desi that we were thinking of using the name, he said, "You know it's pronounced DEZ-EE, right?" We didn't know. But we liked the way DESS-EE sounded and stuck with that.
Jaden is waking up so I'm gonna have to type fast! Jaden Desi Coats, our sweet little boy, this is where your name came from. Is it a coincidence that we have a dog named Lucy? (Lucy and Desi...) YES! Lucy's name has a story as well, but nap time's over!
until next time
Chris, my husband, had a tradition in his family: He and his sisters all had names beginning with a "C," and their first born children all had names beginning with a "J." Cassandra, Crystal, Chris... and Jessica and Jalynn. We wanted to continue in this tradition, and weeded through many "J" names... Jaden, Jacob, Jackson were a couple of our top pics. Eventually, happily landed on Jaden.
I found two meanings for Jaden. One possibility is that i derived from the Hebrew "Jadon" meaning "grateful," something we certainly are! It also means, "God is listening" or "God has heard," but I can't remember the origin of that! If you put "Jaden" together with his middle name, Desi, Latin for "longed for" or "desire," you get "God is listening to your desire." We desired a kid... so there ya go.
Desi had a story as well. Chris has been friends with the sweetest teddy bear of a burly man, Desi, for years. But has been pronouncing his name DESS-EE instead of the traditional DEZ-EE. When Chris told Desi that we were thinking of using the name, he said, "You know it's pronounced DEZ-EE, right?" We didn't know. But we liked the way DESS-EE sounded and stuck with that.
Jaden is waking up so I'm gonna have to type fast! Jaden Desi Coats, our sweet little boy, this is where your name came from. Is it a coincidence that we have a dog named Lucy? (Lucy and Desi...) YES! Lucy's name has a story as well, but nap time's over!
until next time
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Introduction
Good morning brand new moms! I'm a brand new mom myself here to post tips I've heard, and tried, and things I'm learning along the way. My name is Lara Coats, but you can call me "L." I have a 3 month old son named Jaden Desi Coats and a wonderful husband, Chris Coats. I used to work as an anthropologist, but I've decided that although it's a whole new financial situation, I will stay home to take care of Jaden. My husband asked me if I was OK with my new mommy role. He said that I had to change everything, and he really didn't have to change anything, it was all pretty much the same for him... Did I miss my job? Was that what he was asking me..? uh...Heck no! Instead of putting up with non-paid overtime hours, constant sexual harassment, and walking on eggshells to avoid confrontations with crazy people... I get to watch my little boy grow every day. I don't have to miss a single sweet smile or new cry or interest. I get to see Jaden's face light up at aquariums, parks, museums; he loves looking at new things and it's amazing. So, yes dear sweet husband, I am perfectly happy with my new mommy role. Actually, I couldn't be happier.
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