B has been struggling with night time sleep. For the past couple of nights, I have put him down, like always at 7 pm, following a bath and storytime. Usually, the boy fussed around for a few minutes and then quickly drifts off. No so, lately. He has been sitting in bed fussing, whining, kicking, and head banging until 8:30 or later. Last night, he was banging his head so loudly that I thought some one was outside the house hammering.
I have tried to take a very hands off approach to this new development. Unless the crying/kicking/whining is constant and uncontrolled, I leave him alone in bed. But this head banging just sends me over the edge. It is so loud and sounds so painful that I can't help but go up and grab him for a few minutes until he calms down. I know that this could encourage him to bang his head more to get me to come upstairs, but I just can't help it.
I know that head banging is very normal behavior for sleepy kids, but, man, does it sound bad. In fact, in my research (webMD, I heart you), something 20% of kids do and boys are way more likely to do it than girls. And while it could be a sign of a more serious problem, I really don't think that is the case. I think B is struggling to settle into not seeing his dad (we are officially at the longest point ever with a long way to go), a mom who is too tired to pay him the attention that he deserves, and what appears to be a nasty mix of teething and a growth spurt. This is the point at which J would say that I am projecting my own feeling on him, but I really think that B has noticed the difference in our house and sleep has become a challenge for him. I am hopeful that this will be a short phase, but who knows, it could be until he is 3.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Two Sparkling Navy Gems
Just a brief rant about to miserable things associated with being a lady in the Navy. Urinalysis and the maternity uniform.
First, urinalysis. While this process is absolutely necessary, this is perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to your day. There is no more embarrassing feeling that getting that dreaded email. You have to wander over to the "collection center," get your parts and head into the bathroom. While in there, some one stares directly at your unmentionable region and watches you go to the bathroom. Going to the bathroom in itself is a challenge. For dudes, totally easy, aim. For ladies, not so much, it's always a wild guess whether you are going to pee on your hand or not. Then you have to try and dress yourself with a possibly peed on hand. Finally, to really take the cake, you have to walk back to the cental collection point with a bottle full of pee for everyone to see. Are you hydrated? Hey, don't worry, everyone will know! Ugh, it's miserable, embarrassing and downright gross. Again, I understand why the process is important and I agree that it needs to be done. But, I still get bummed out when I come up due to take the whiz quiz.
Second, maternity uniforms. Let's not fool anyone, regular women's uniforms are ugly. Butt ugly. Just terrible. I mean they are the single least flattering piece of clothing I own. I'm not looking for something to really show myself off, but I would atleast like something that fits properly and doesn't highlight every flaw I have. Maternity uniforms take the ugliness to a whole new level. Truly hideous. It's a brown tent. It is like the udly maternity clothes of the 1970's. And, to make matters worse, they are made of the single most uncomfortable, itchy material on the planet. Because no pregnant woman doesn't feel uncomfortable already. AND they are expensive. I have literally been squeezing myself into my regular uniform for the past couple of weeks to avoid wearing that thing. I'm making the switch next week and am none to thrilled about it (little known fact to Diana, you get bigger way faster the second time around).
Anyway, just a quick rant about the constant joys of being a female military officer. To recap: you have to pee in front of people in a teeny tiny cup and you have to wear ugly clothes. Back to what promises to be a fulfilling Navy day!
First, urinalysis. While this process is absolutely necessary, this is perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to your day. There is no more embarrassing feeling that getting that dreaded email. You have to wander over to the "collection center," get your parts and head into the bathroom. While in there, some one stares directly at your unmentionable region and watches you go to the bathroom. Going to the bathroom in itself is a challenge. For dudes, totally easy, aim. For ladies, not so much, it's always a wild guess whether you are going to pee on your hand or not. Then you have to try and dress yourself with a possibly peed on hand. Finally, to really take the cake, you have to walk back to the cental collection point with a bottle full of pee for everyone to see. Are you hydrated? Hey, don't worry, everyone will know! Ugh, it's miserable, embarrassing and downright gross. Again, I understand why the process is important and I agree that it needs to be done. But, I still get bummed out when I come up due to take the whiz quiz.
Second, maternity uniforms. Let's not fool anyone, regular women's uniforms are ugly. Butt ugly. Just terrible. I mean they are the single least flattering piece of clothing I own. I'm not looking for something to really show myself off, but I would atleast like something that fits properly and doesn't highlight every flaw I have. Maternity uniforms take the ugliness to a whole new level. Truly hideous. It's a brown tent. It is like the udly maternity clothes of the 1970's. And, to make matters worse, they are made of the single most uncomfortable, itchy material on the planet. Because no pregnant woman doesn't feel uncomfortable already. AND they are expensive. I have literally been squeezing myself into my regular uniform for the past couple of weeks to avoid wearing that thing. I'm making the switch next week and am none to thrilled about it (little known fact to Diana, you get bigger way faster the second time around).
Anyway, just a quick rant about the constant joys of being a female military officer. To recap: you have to pee in front of people in a teeny tiny cup and you have to wear ugly clothes. Back to what promises to be a fulfilling Navy day!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fall TV Time
Well, I'll be honest. I love watching TV. Sometimes, at the end of a long day, all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch TV. I know that it isn't the best way to spend my time, but I just love it. I read every night, I work out, I play with my son (he doesn't watch TV), so I justify to myself that watching TV is okay once everything for the day is done and B is in bed.
I like a variety of different types of shows. Comedy, drama, reality, network or cable I pretty much watch them all. Thursday night is probably the best night of all, but Wednesday is making a run at it this year as well.
The past couple of weeks I have really been struggling with finding things to watch, so I am pretty thrilled that all the new Fall shows start next week. In fact, I even wrote on my calender what shows come on what night so I can be sure that I don't miss any of the shows, new or old, that I want to see. (I doubt I would be this obsessive if J were around, but there's not much else going on).
See, here's the thing. This is only the second year since I graduated from college that I can reasonably anticipate that I can watch the whole season when it actually airs. Normally, I would always be underway for some portion of the season and would have to live viraciously through the reviews that you can read on the internet (which really doesn't amount to much). And, I know that I probably only have one more year before I head back to sea and once again go to a crazy underway schedule. So, I have to get it in while I can.
I know this all sounds a little silly, I mean it is after all just TV, but filling the empty time is the number one goal of deployment, so TV is a pretty good time filler.
So, here's my starting list. I know that it will shift around, but right now, this is the starting point.
Musts: Modern Family (funniest show on TV, hands down)
Community
30 Rock
The Office
Grey's Anatomy
Big Bang Theory
Glee
How I Met Your Mother
Amazing Race
New Tries:
Mike and Molly
The Middle (I caught some re-runs this summer, looks pretty good)
My Generation
Running Wilde
Mehs (I'll give them a shot, but I'm not committed)
The Event
Undercovers
Outsourced
No Ordinary Family
I like a variety of different types of shows. Comedy, drama, reality, network or cable I pretty much watch them all. Thursday night is probably the best night of all, but Wednesday is making a run at it this year as well.
The past couple of weeks I have really been struggling with finding things to watch, so I am pretty thrilled that all the new Fall shows start next week. In fact, I even wrote on my calender what shows come on what night so I can be sure that I don't miss any of the shows, new or old, that I want to see. (I doubt I would be this obsessive if J were around, but there's not much else going on).
See, here's the thing. This is only the second year since I graduated from college that I can reasonably anticipate that I can watch the whole season when it actually airs. Normally, I would always be underway for some portion of the season and would have to live viraciously through the reviews that you can read on the internet (which really doesn't amount to much). And, I know that I probably only have one more year before I head back to sea and once again go to a crazy underway schedule. So, I have to get it in while I can.
I know this all sounds a little silly, I mean it is after all just TV, but filling the empty time is the number one goal of deployment, so TV is a pretty good time filler.
So, here's my starting list. I know that it will shift around, but right now, this is the starting point.
Musts: Modern Family (funniest show on TV, hands down)
Community
30 Rock
The Office
Grey's Anatomy
Big Bang Theory
Glee
How I Met Your Mother
Amazing Race
New Tries:
Mike and Molly
The Middle (I caught some re-runs this summer, looks pretty good)
My Generation
Running Wilde
Mehs (I'll give them a shot, but I'm not committed)
The Event
Undercovers
Outsourced
No Ordinary Family
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Big News!
Well, as I eluded to yesterday. We have some big news on the horizon. In March (or earlier) of 2011, we will be welcoming Baby Betz # 2 into the family. I am very excited, but also a little sad, as Jeff will still be gone on deployment and there isn't any hope that he will be home for it. I know that I can do labor alone, J wasn't really that much of a help (he did hold the barf bucket a couple of times), but I am dreading the end of pregnancy part.
As I had a challenging pregnancy last time, I am a little concerned at how difficult this will be to do with a very feisty one year old on my hands. I know that I can handle anything and that, ultimately, all will be fine, but I would be lying if I didn't admit I was a little nervous that my itchiness would drive me crazy and that B would suffer as a result. Now that I know what to expect, I am in a little better position to handle it, but the lack of sleep would do anyone in.
I know that I am not the first Navy wife to do this and I won't be the last, so this to shall pass. I am a little bit excited about what it is going to be like for J to walk of the ship first as one of the new dads.
As I had a challenging pregnancy last time, I am a little concerned at how difficult this will be to do with a very feisty one year old on my hands. I know that I can handle anything and that, ultimately, all will be fine, but I would be lying if I didn't admit I was a little nervous that my itchiness would drive me crazy and that B would suffer as a result. Now that I know what to expect, I am in a little better position to handle it, but the lack of sleep would do anyone in.
I know that I am not the first Navy wife to do this and I won't be the last, so this to shall pass. I am a little bit excited about what it is going to be like for J to walk of the ship first as one of the new dads.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
262 Day Countdown
Well my bloggy friends, it's been a crazy couple of weeks since I was last on here.
Two Fridays ago, B and I headed down the pier and said our final goodbyes to J. We had a crazy couple of days leading up to that trying to get all the final touches completed and squeeze in as much family time as we could. It was very, very sad. I have to admit that I got misty and was a little at a loss of what to do once we got home. It felt like there was this giant hole missing in the house. No matter where we looked, something reminded us of what wasn't there anymore. The comic book boxes in the corner, running shoes by the door, just everything seemed so empty. Even our pets knew something was up and were a little bit down all weekend.
So, to drag ourselves out of the dulldrums, B and I hopped on a plane to Orlando, FL to take a trip to Disney (had originally been planned as a family trip). We met my parents there and took 5 days to relax and escape our sadness. We had a great trip, B had a blast and it was nice to spend time with just my parents.
Then on Sunday, we began our journey back. When we got back to the house, the same gapping hole was still there. B and I did all of our errands and got home to just relax before I had to head back to work today. While I said downstairs watching TV last night, I looked at a calender and realized the significant amount of time that was streched out in front of me. I resolved that B and I weren't going to mope (much) and plan some fun adventures to fill our time. First up, a trip to the comic book store and the zoo this weekend and getting our fall flowers planted this weekend.
Plus, we have an interesting development which I should know more about tomorrow...more on that later!
Two Fridays ago, B and I headed down the pier and said our final goodbyes to J. We had a crazy couple of days leading up to that trying to get all the final touches completed and squeeze in as much family time as we could. It was very, very sad. I have to admit that I got misty and was a little at a loss of what to do once we got home. It felt like there was this giant hole missing in the house. No matter where we looked, something reminded us of what wasn't there anymore. The comic book boxes in the corner, running shoes by the door, just everything seemed so empty. Even our pets knew something was up and were a little bit down all weekend.
So, to drag ourselves out of the dulldrums, B and I hopped on a plane to Orlando, FL to take a trip to Disney (had originally been planned as a family trip). We met my parents there and took 5 days to relax and escape our sadness. We had a great trip, B had a blast and it was nice to spend time with just my parents.
Then on Sunday, we began our journey back. When we got back to the house, the same gapping hole was still there. B and I did all of our errands and got home to just relax before I had to head back to work today. While I said downstairs watching TV last night, I looked at a calender and realized the significant amount of time that was streched out in front of me. I resolved that B and I weren't going to mope (much) and plan some fun adventures to fill our time. First up, a trip to the comic book store and the zoo this weekend and getting our fall flowers planted this weekend.
Plus, we have an interesting development which I should know more about tomorrow...more on that later!
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