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March 13, 2003
Thursday, March 13th, 2003
Hana: 9.5 months
Mike just played in the championship game of his winter flag football game. They lost in the final championship, but it was a great season and the guys had lots of fun. Hana & I made it out to a couple of games, but given that they were on Sunday evenings in downtown (rainy, winter) Seattle, we were fair weather fans. When Mike came home from his final game this last Sunday, soaking wet and rosy-cheeked, I foolishly thought that perhaps we were done with football for just a few months. Silly, silly me. I must learn that in my household, football is a season-less sport, and will never, ever be over. Mike recently informed me that his NEXT (“next?!” said I…) football league begins in March. Sigh. When will I learn? In addition to his intramural activities, Mike is also the receiver coach for our high school football team, which truly amoutns to a part-time job (luckily he’s paid for it!). “Spring ball” for the high school team begins in April or May, likely just as this “next” flag football league is ending. I do believe we will get a brief break in mid-summer, but have no doubt that any spare moment will be filled by a baseball or softball league. And then we start again, with football (the high school team) beginning in August and lasting through November or December. And the cycle begins again…
Meanwhile, here sit, just glowing on the days I manage to get a walk in! I swear that someday, someday I really will get back into a regular workout program! I am A-OK with walking; in fact it is my preferred form of exercise, and really does work. What I miss though, is swimming. I am just dying to get back in the pool, but life is just too hectic before and after work to find the time. More importantly, when I’m home, I want to be with Hana & Mike…working out falls at the end of my priority list, as much as I want to.
Mike & I recently revamped our goals (we periodically sit down and mull over what our goals/aspirations are for 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 10 years, etc. etc.) and one of my goals is always to participate in a triathlon each summer. Pre-baby, I had achieved this goal several times (albeit, not since about 2000). This year, I decided to get realistic. I COULD do it. I could find the time to train and prepare myself. But if I’m honest with myself, I realize that I don’t truly WANT to direct my energy there right now (despite the awesome fulfillment you get when you finish a tri…ah, sigh…). And to be REALLY honest with myself, I must realize that I will probably be relatively consumed with babies & toddlers for the next several years (since we do plan to give Hana a brother or sister in the next few years). So, I got realistic and gave myself a revised goal of participating in a triathlon in 5 years. In the meantime, I hope to really dedicate myself to swimming. This summer I plan to join our beach club’s summer Adult Swim Team, which culminates in a fun meet in August, followed by a raucous late-night party. I would eventually like to join a USS Masters team again, and drag my bootie out of bed to join the 5:30am workouts at the pool just down the street. Yes, that is lofty, but to me, this is very do-able. Especially if I do quit my job and work from my home…then my mornings will not be so all-consumed with getting everyone’s bags & lunches packed, bed made, breakfast eaten, yada yada. So there you have it. Now I’ve announced it to the world and you can all hold me to my word and keep me motivated!
Hana has recently discovered that she can scream, just for the heck of it, and get a lot of attention. I try so hard not to laugh and encourage it, but she gets the funniest look on her face, such concentration and then sheer joy at the sound of herself…its hard to resist! I usually put Hana in her highchair with some Cheerios while I make dinner. This has become her favorite time to erupt into a loud chorus of ear-piercing shrieks, screams and roars. While I can’t help but laugh, I also can’t stop the horrific images of being “those parents” in a restaurant with a shrieking child that they can’t control. Hmmph.
She’s regressed on the walking scene. Well, perhaps regressed is not the right word, but she is not as enthusiastic about it as she first seemed. She’s still quite content to just cruise, and will take independent steps only when coerced or coaxed. Fine by me!
Last week my mom & I took Hana to the pediatrician because she was being extraordinarily fussy and pulling on her ears one day (my mom was watching her). All turned out well—no ear infection or anything, and as with seemingly everything else, this was blamed on teething. The doctor visit was horrible for me. Hana was screaming her little head off and turning blue in the face. Meanwhile I was the evil mother (close to tears) pinning her down like a wrestler while the doctor poked and prodded her potentially very-sensitive little ears. I walked away from the appointment a bit…I don’t know, disappointed with the doctor-? I guess I wished she had been a little gentler or a little more….soft…..motherly. I’m not sure. Of course, logic tells me that she has to do her job, she has to get into those little ears (and Hana was putting up a darn good fight). But still… So my question: do any of you have any advice or insight on this? Are my instincts right, that perhaps I should try to find a doctor with a gentler manner? Or am I just a crazy neurotic mom who needs to get a grip? She certainly wasn’t doing any real harm, and she was very nice and friendly. I just got a little mother-bear-ish because she didn’t seem as sympathetic as I would hope to my poor baby’s plight. Is what I experienced pretty normal fare for a check-up (we’ve only been in for her regular pediatric appts, and those are usually quick & easy)? Tell me about your own pediatrician. How much time does s/he spend interacting with your child(ren)? Is s/he pretty “wham bam” about things, or slow, methodical and gentle?
A few last questions. Without intending to offend anyone, I must preface by saying that I am embarrassed to even write this, but I must… I am considering buying a mini-van. Now I SWEAR under all other circumstances, I never ever would, but since I’m thinking about watching 2-3 kids in my home, a minivan is the most practical (transportation) solution I can come up with. I have always had an aversion to mini vans (ever since my mom got one of the first Caravans—barf!), but I have an even bigger aversion to SUVs, so my options are limited. So, my questions are for those of you with mini-vans (don’t hide!). What kind do you have? Are you happy with it? Do you have any complaints?
With that, I’m off….
Jessica
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