All posts by leslie

My Grandmom

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Miriam Trauger (c. 1970s)

I’ve been thinking a lot about my Grandmom lately. She lived through the Depression, stopping school in the 8th grade to help her family run the farm. As the oldest child with no brothers, it was her responsibility to work the land as a farmhand when money was tight. She didn’t even inherit the farm she toiled over because she wanted to marry my Grandpop, a man my grandparents thought inferior for her. 
maybe their 50th wedding anniversary


A housewife, she loved her family, went to (first Mennonite, later Congregational, and lastly Presbyterian) church regularly, and cherished food. She always admonished me when I failed to clear my plate. Don’t worry, she saved whatever I didn’t eat and included it in her weekly soup (any and all leftovers, mostly produce, that didn’t get eaten became her soup). As far as I know, no one ate the soup except for her. I guess growing up not having enough to eat will do that to a person. 


She also advocated for food security in the best way she knew how – through walking in the Arlington area’s annual CROP Walk for Hunger. The most prolific fundraiser for years, she walked the six miles with joy knowing she was helping those who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. She loved to walk (she could be seen in the mornings and evenings each day walking throughout the neighborhood), and was the oldest person to complete the walk her last couple of years of doing it. 


But that’s not why I’m thinking about her these days. Most of the time, I just think about how much I miss her. She lived less than a mile down the street from me while I was growing up, and she was my first and most memorable babysitter. One of my favorite moments as a kid was piling all my stuffed animals on the bed and reading books while laying on top of them. She did that with me. She also braided my hair in pigtails whenever she was around after bath time, something I loved because only she could do it (my mom never did). Funny, I ended up being the one to brush and braid her hair in pigtails at the end.


We took walks to the neighborhood playground, collecting nuts that fell from trees to throw in the St. John’s River, played endless games (she loved card games the best), and ate weekly Sunday dinners together. As I got older, I spent less time at her house, and more time with sports and school activities. She came to those when she could, but mostly I saw her at our family dinners (which I didn’t even really want to attend (ugh, teen life)).
 
During high school, my parents chaperoned a trip for my brother for a week one summer and I was bummed to have to stay with my grandparents. Looking back now, I’m so happy I did. I’d never spent a whole week with them before, being part of their regular lives. It felt special, and I felt loved.

Before she died, she told me how happy I made her, especially since I was excelling in college. She said that’s why all of my birthday and Christmas money (never presents) had to go to my college fund – it was that important. She didn’t see the importance of it when my dad wanted to attend college (first in the family), but after he did, and saw his support of us and my grandparents, she told me she was glad to be wrong. 
The last time I remember seeing her was on a car ride on my way back to college. She was pretty frail at that point, but she insisted on making the two hour ride to and from Gainesville with me and my parents. I think she slept most of the ride. But I knew she cared for me and was there for me unconditionally.

I hope that I’m continuing to make her proud in my raising of two young boys. I often think about how she would react to a situation or what kind of advice she would give me. I miss her. And our Grandmom/Granddaughter bond is why I’m thinking about her so much these days. Right now, Henry spends two days a week with his Oma and Opa, who live 20 short minutes away. It’s a lifesaver for me as I adjust to life with two kiddos, but it’s amazing for him (and hopefully them) as well. I know he’s going to have lovely memories of his time spent with them now, and I hope these memories continue to build exponentially in the years to come.

my favorite picture of her

I Survived

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Well, I survived my first day with two kids on one parent. It went smoother at times than I thought it would, but also was more overwhelming at times. Elliot did a great job napping in his crib in between nursing sessions. He would wake up, eat, be quietly alert for about 30 minutes, and then fall back asleep (sometimes doing another nursing session). This allowed me time to play endless board games with Henry. We also put together a jumbo fire truck puzzle and played in his darkened tent with glow in the dark bracelets, which became a parking garage and later became one giant circle. It was fun, but exhausting on only a few hours of sleep.


Henry gave me time to clean the kitchen and make our lunches for later. We decided to bring one to Keith since we couldn’t be apart from him all day long. It was difficult figuring out how to get two kids into car seats and into the car (fruit snack bribes for one to prevent excess rocking of the other’s infant car seat), but we managed fairly quickly. It was really nice lunching with Keith, and Elliot got to meet some of the office staff.


Naptime was horrible, I’m not going to lie. Both kids needed me at the exact same time, and I’m not great at nursing while doing anything else. So I attempted to comfort the baby while changing Henry into his diaper, reading, and tucking him in. Just when I thought I could feed Elliot, Henry needed me two additional times. I went in once, and he managed to self-settle the second time. Of course, Elliot didn’t nap when Henry did (until the last 30 minutes ore so) so I only got a 20 minute nap. Better 20 minutes than nothing (I had time today to catch up).

tackle hug
poop face

After nap, we settled into our normal routine, pre-baby: watch a few shows, get dinner ready, and eat with Keith. We had an after dinner adventure – I took a 2-mile walk at Lake Seminole with Elliot while Keith played with Henry at its two playgrounds. It was really nice to have some quiet time at sunset. We got both boys ready for bed afterwards (well, Elliot ready for his next round of eating and sleeping and Henry into bed), and then I was ready to crash and burn at 9:30. I can’t remember the last time I was in bed so early, but I made it (not asleep, because I knew Elliot would be eating again around 10 but close enough).

always ready for more mama milk

Our Lovely Little Bubble

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Our time spent living in our little paternity leave bubble is almost complete. Keith goes back to work tomorrow, and it has been wonderful having him home for the past two weeks. He has played a million and seven games of Richard Scarry’s Busytown Eye Found It and Connect Four with Henry, taken point for mostly all things Henry, attended doctor’s appointments, and swaddled and performed diaper changes whenever necessary for Elliot. In other words, he’s been a great dad who has worked hard during his leave time, which has not been a vacation. 
This has allowed me to focus on my nursing relationship with Elliot; nursing on demand whenever he likes. I’ve also been sleeping as much as possible (but still not as much as I like/need) to be as rested as I can to survive the upcoming onslaught of having two kids demanding my time and attention simultaneously. I am definitely feeling intimidated by tomorrow, but Keith says I can do it so he must be right. It’s just going to be difficult at first until I get a routine going again. It will happen. Until that time, I have a team of awesome family and friends to help because it takes a village or something. Wish me luck.

Elliot’s Birth Story

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Around midnight on the morning of the 13th, I started having regular cramping every ten minutes following a tiny bit of pink show. Since it was the middle of the night, I tried to get some rest (actually managed a few hours of sleep) and let Keith sleep all night (I waited until he got up for work to tell him). We made a plan to be in touch throughout the day, and he would come home whenever I thought contractions were strong enough for me to need him as my labor coach.

My parents arrived in town on Wednesday evening to help with Henry just in case I went into labor in advance of my due date since Tom and Margo had other extenuating circumstances this past week and couldn’t help as planned. Thank goodness they were here because I don’t know how I would have taken care of Henry otherwise. Henry and my dad set off on a bike ride to the park for the morning, and I ate breakfast and watched the season finale of Scandal with my mom. My contractions were regular throughout the morning, ranging from 7 to 11 minutes apart, with light intensity. 


Around lunchtime, it was becoming more difficult to calmly breathe and speak through each contraction so I told Keith he needed to prepare to come home. I spoke with Midwife Vikki at the Birth Center around 1:55pm to let her know I was in early labor with contractions around 7 minutes apart and lasting for about 45 seconds each. We made a plan for me to call back when I was ready to come into the Birth Center once contractions were 4 minutes apart, lasting for a minute each. Keith came home immediately after I finished speaking with Vikki and I could finally let the contractions intensify. I think I was fighting them to a certain extent until he was ready, too (he had a sermon to write, after all).

laboring at home
I had an hour of intense contractions, lost my mucus plug, and followed by the loud pop of my water breaking around 2:50pm, which was when it got real. I thought all the contractions I had up to that point were hard and increasingly painful, but I didn’t know they would feel like nothing compared to the ones after my water broke. I immediately felt the worst pain of my life and felt the urge to push (something that never happened with Henry since I had an epidural). I told (maybe yelled at) Keith to load the car and call the Birth Center for me – the baby was coming. I don’t know who I spoke with at the Birth Center, but I pretty much just said my name, labor had intensified, my water broke, and I was coming in immediately.
Keith calmly put everything into the car, including the uninstalled car seat, and then looked around to see if we were forgetting anything. My dad told him to hurry up and go because it looked like I could have had the baby at home. Keith’s driving skills were definitely put to the test during our twenty minute or so car ride to the Birth Center. I’m sure there’s nothing like your wife having incredibly intense contractions every two minutes and trying not to push out a baby while telling you what lane you should be in to more efficiently get to the Birth Center. At one point, I ended up straight up biting my seatbelt during a contraction while waiting at a light for what felt like eternity (Ulmerton and Starkey, you suck). A super buff tattooed dude in a giant truck next to us saw me, and Keith said his reaction was hilarious. I wouldn’t know, but it felt like the right move to make at the time.
Once we arrived at Breath of Life, I waited in the car to complete a contraction, and Vikki met me in the parking lot to escort me inside. I had another contraction in the hallway and stopped to breathe through it. I made sure to warn Vikki there would be cursing during my labor process – I felt it was that important. We made it into the room, where she checked the heartbeat of our baby (sounded good) and then asked if I wanted to get into the tub. I said yes, of course, stripped, and climbed in at the start of another contraction. 
Two pushes later, Elliot was born. Like Henry, he had the cord wrapped around his neck, but unlike the doctor who cut the cord immediately to unravel it, the midwives had me stand up so they could unwrap it and place Elliot on my chest. He had a hearty yell once the cord was removed and spent the first few hours of his life on either my or Keith’s chest, skin to skin. We did delayed cord clamping, and the placenta came out without incident. We stayed at the Birth Center until 10:30pm or so, stopped to get Twistee Treat (because I needed ice cream), and spent our first night as a family of four in our own home. 


I am just so happy we decided to birth with the midwives at Breath of Life. They were such a calming presence and empowered me to make my own decisions about the birthing process, all while knowing my body was built to withstand and succeed at unmedicated, natural childbirth.



Total labor time: 15 1/2 hours.

Total time spent in labor prior to delivery at the Birth Center: 3 minutes.  

Total recovery time spent at the Birth Center: 7 hours.

I feel like a champion.


Elliot Levi

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Welcome to the world, Elliot! We’ve been waiting for you to join us, and we’re so happy you arrived early on May 13, 2016, at 3:32pm, but perfect.

You’re so much smaller than your big brother – 18.5 inches long and weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces – but you showed up a week earlier than he did so that makes sense.


You have such a strong sucking reflex, and you’re adapting to nursing like a champ – cluster feeding already. You love to be cuddled and worn in your Moby wrap, and would sleep on someone all the time if you possibly could. We know it’s early, but you have been so relaxed and chill, compared to Henry, I like the balance you’ve brought to our family so far. 


We all love you so much, especially Henry. If he could love on you all the time I think he would. He has given you so many kisses, pats, and tickles and you’ve more than tolerated it – you’ve embraced it. 


Welcome to team Walbolt!

Henry is Three!

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My little Henry is not so little anymore – “I’m getting bigger all the time, Mama!” I hear him say this, or some version of it, on the daily especially now that he has turned three. I have a three year old; it seems like he was just born while at the same time some days feel like they drag on for eternity. It’s strange how that happens.


We celebrated his birthday a day early with some family members and his favorite friends in our backyard with an Under the Sea theme. Keith rigged up a hose to mist water, splash-pad style, over a medium-sized kiddie pool and the kids LOVED it. Margo helped the little ones create an octopus art project and set up a fishing game, and they also had the opportunity to dig for buried treasure. There were giggles, conversation, food, and hugs. Henry said his favorite part was being with his friends and family. I don’t think the party could have been more fun, for him or for any of us. 


On his actual birthday we did our regular church routine after eating a cupcake breakfast, he had his nap, and then played in his pool out back until bedtime. A pretty mundane yet epic way to spend the day. Like he says, “I want to do all the things I like to do.” And I think he managed to do it all.


We had his three year old check up with his pediatrician, Dr. Notter, and he is 39 3/4 inches tall and 33 1/2 pounds, making him in the 95th percentile for height and 55th percentile for weight. He’s perfectly growing on his curve, and brings us so much joy. Some things he is really into right now are kicking a ball around with his Daddy, building airplanes and vehicles with his Legos and magnetic blocks, and playing trains. Our little extravert, he loves going to the gym to see his friends, playing at playgrounds where there are kids, and dancing at the library. He also enjoys reading; some favorites include “The Giving Tree,” “The Day the Crayons Came Home,” and “The Lorax.” 


He’s potty trained when he’s not sleeping, and can’t stop talking these days. It’s so nice to be able to have conversations with him about his day and ask him to describe what he wants using his words. I love this stage for the most part, except when he feels too overcome by his emotions and can’t control them (he tends to Hulk-out on us until he calms down). He takes one nap for 1.5 to 2 hours in the afternoon, and sleeps well at night when we’re at home (occasionally waking once to have us turn his pillow over or re-tuck him in). He misses us and wants to make sure we’re still here at night; one day he’ll stop doing this altogether and I look forward to it.


We set up a big boy bed in his room as his birthday gift (thanks to the Buda family for the frame, Oma & Opa for the mattress, and Keith for MaGuyver-ing the frame together), and he still looks small in it. I know one day he will be too big for it, but for now I’m happy he is still my little big boy.

37 Weeks Pregnant so I Should Probably Prep My Go-Bag for the Birth Center

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I’ve hit the 37 week mark, so baby is officially (early) full term! He is the size of a winter melon, and like Henry keeps telling me, “I am three now so baby brother can pop out anytime!” Since that could totally happen (and he can now be born at Breath of Life), we should probably get our act together and prepare for this little one’s arrival. 

Seriously, until yesterday all we had prepared was purchasing diapers and wipes. Oh, the joys of a second child. I had a panic moment when we couldn’t locate our infant car seat and base despite knowing it was around here somewhere. Keith found it after two trips into the hundred degree attic, in good condition. In less than stellar condition was Henry’s old baby swing, where he basically lived for his first few months of life. Thanks to the magic of Oxyclean and laundry detergent, it looks great, and is ready to be rebuilt with its new motor.

Today’s priority in terms of preparing for baby brother’s arrival is to pack my go-bag for the Birth Center. This really means packing bags for the entire family, including a cooler with snacks and drinks for the birth. Here’s my list of what I think will be helpful to have for childbirth and immediately thereafter, as well as my three guys’ must haves:

First up, my bag:

  • Robe
  • Pajama Nightshirt
  • 2 Bathing Suit Tops (for the birthing pool, in case I get out and want to get back in later)
  • 2 Nursing Camisoles, Underwear, and Socks
  • Yoga Pants
  • Toiletries Bag with Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shower Stuff, Hairbrush, Glasses, Makeup, Chapstick
  • iPhone and Charger
  • Flip Flops
  • Depends and Always Maxi Pads
  • Nursing Pads & Lanolin


Keith’s Bag (letting him pack so not pictured):

  • Camera + Battery
  • iPhone + Charger (includes our labor playlist)
  • Change of Clothes
  • Flip Flops
  • Bathing Suit
  • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
  • Essential Oils (lavender, peppermint, orange)
  • Massage Bar
  • Tennis Ball
  • Rice Sock Heating Pad

Baby’s Bag:

  • Going Home Outfit (pajamas or onesie)
  • 2 Hats
  • Pair of Socks
  • Diapers and Wipes
  • Erythromycin Eye Medicine
  • 2 Blankets 
  • Burp Cloth
  • Installed Car Seat
  • Gift for Big Brother Henry


Henry’s Bag for Oma and Opa’s House:

  • 3 Outfits including Underwear
  • Pajamas
  • Diapers and Wipes
  • Shoes
  • Bathing Suit (always a good thing to have in Florida)
  • Socks
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Notes on Henry’s Daily Routine


Food Cooler (to be packed later):

  • Gatorade
  • Nalgenes for Water
  • Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese Sticks
  • Cheese-Its
  • Honey Sticks
  • Kind Bars
  • Granola Bars
  • Fruit

36 Weeks Pregnant

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Today I’m officially 36 week pregnant and baby is the size of a large cantaloupe. Nothing like feeling gigantic and then being told you are carrying a gigantic fruit-sized baby within you. Baby boy weighs 6 pounds and is 18-22 inches long (approximately), and this is how I feel:
Most days, I still feel pretty good but a few days a week I wake up knowing I’m not going to be able to do squat all day. These days usually follow a restless night of tossing and turning due to continuous Braxton Hicks contractions and crampiness, which my midwife assures me is normal (they don’t get worse or time-able, they just exist and cause discomfort). Apparently, my uterus is irritable after being pregnant the first time around and is doing these things in preparation for the baby’s birth. The muscle memory is strong with this one because even on good nights I have a ton of BH and crazy movement. I’m taking a Natural Calm Calcium-Magnesium supplement which is supposed to help with muscle relaxation and make these false contractions more bearable. It also assists with replenishing these vitamins that that baby is usurping from me.


I’ve also had some hip and back pain from carrying an additional 30 pounds or so, and from my joints relaxing in preparation for labor. Needless to say, I’m ready to have this baby, but know he has to stay on the inside at least another week so I can birth him at Breath of Life (at 37 weeks), and would prefer him to stay a little longer so he can get fatter with greater brain development. I have 28 days until my due date, and I’m officially counting down each day (singing “It’s the Final Countdown” Gob Bluth-magician style).


I’m also struggling with how I’m going to be a great mom to two kids, and this hypothetical can drive a person crazy. Obviously, I’m going to do my best, and love them both, and eventually I’ll figure out a rhythm to parenting two, but it’s going to be a challenge at first. I get sad when I think how Henry and I won’t be a two-person team during our days, because I love him too much, but he is such a caring kid I know we will be fine and we will both love his baby brother so hard.


When I’m feeling overwhelmed with all these pregnancy emotions, I try to make a list of all the ways this pregnancy is awesome so I’ll leave you all with my non-comprehensive list:

  • My hair, nails, and skin look amazing – definitely my best ever, and I don’t even have to do anything. 
  • I’m still Body Pumping at the gym, with much lighter weights. I feel incredibly strong and capable of having this baby naturally because of it (in part).
  • My feet and ankles are not swollen.
  • I don’t have any stretch marks.
  • Most people (the kind ones) tell me I’m all belly, meaning the baby weight isn’t all over my body.
  • My baby boy kicks and moves so often, he’s always letting me know he is doing well so I have little anxiety over his well-being.
  • Prenatal yoga calms me despite being the hardest yoga I’ve ever done. I’m never taking my natural flexibility for granted after trying to do yoga while pregnant.
  • I’m able to become pregnant easily, and remain pregnant until full-term with no complications. I realize not everyone is so fortunate.
  • This is my last pregnancy, and soon my body will be my own again. I’m doing my best to savor these last few weeks of pregnancy despite disliking the alien-feeling inside. Keith tells me I’ve completed 17 out of 18 months of being successfully pregnant, and this helps (for some reason).
  • I have an amazing husband and son who love me. For this, I’m eternally grateful and happy.

Sunken Gardens

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Not being a native to the Tampa Bay Area, I mostly use Groupon to discover some of the more touristy places at a discounted price. That way, I feel justified if the place I’m visiting is a trap or pleasantly surprised if it is awesome. Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg falls into the latter category. Originally owned by a private citizen who created the gardens around and inside a drained lake, and operated as a roadside attraction starting in the 1920s, it’s now owned by the City of St. Petersburg. 

    
Winding paths take visitors through some of the oldest tropical botanical gardens in Florida. Henry loved watching the fish and turtles swim in ponds connected to beautifully flowing waterfalls. He also enjoyed trying to make the birds talk to him, and running through the butterflies in their garden. 

      
As members, we not only have access to its many horticultural programs, many of them specific to Florida gardening, but also to various gardens around the state and country at a free or reduced rate. Sunken Gardens also has a deal with the Florida Aquarium for 50% off admission anytime, and free admission to MOSI certain months of the year. I’m excited to return with Keith, who as a Clearwater native has never been before. I hope he likes it as much as we did.

  
We finished our morning with lunch from the Fourth Street Shrimp Store, and it was delicious. They have options for people like my mom who do not like seafood, and the food came out quickly. So good.

   
 

Playground of the Week – Ridgecrest Park

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Henry has been asking to go to new parks lately, and we really lucked out when visiting this one – Ridgecrest Park (12000 Ulmerton Rd, Largo 33774) for our Playground of the Week. It was fenced in, shaded by beautiful trees, had bathrooms nearby (one only open on weekends, the other set open daily), and overlooked lovely ponds. There were a couple of playground structures, a climbing turtle, and swings, plus a baseball field that will be fun to play on when Henry gets older. It also had two big covered picnic areas, perfect for parties or family reunions, and several other tables spread out in the shade with adjacent grills. We will definitely be adding this park to the rotation.