Observation #1: I haven't blogged in so long I don't know how long it's been.
#2: It is possible for your back to swell when it's injured. Just ask RR.
#3: Mary Lane ER has the shortest wait times... probably in the country.
#4: If you need to drive 35 mph in a 50 zone, you probably shouldn't be driving
#5: Said ER offers a 10% discount if you pay at time of visit.
#6: There are some really dark stretches of road out here... just right for Steve Kind novels
#7: You can use Big Y turkey coupons at Stop and Shop.... this means like $4 for a 19 lb turkey
#8: I'm trying to decide what to make for ERP for his birthday, but we're celebrating together this year... so does that mean I need to cook on my birthday?
#9: Even with his haircut super short everyone still thinks ERP is a girl
#10: TT is the world's biggest cuddle bug
#11: Everyone in the ER thinks RR is really tall for his age... if only they knew how big his feet where as well
#12: Sometimes your armpits get sore when you're really over due to nurse a child
and to conclude.... RR is fine, "just" soft tissue damage to his back... from him falling off his bed and catching his back on the wooden rail while trying to get ERP to come see him
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Thursday, November 17
Wednesday, February 24
"Your My Favorite Smallest Baby"
ERP is sick; day two of a 103 fever.
Popsicles are one of the few things we've gotten him to eat.
As soon as he sat with TT, TT said "Your my favorite smallest baby".
And then I had to run quick and get my phone to capture the moment. This is what I got.
Labels:
brothers,
family fun,
health
Wednesday, July 29
Not Surgery Day
Today was suppose to be "surgery day".
Thankfully it is not.
Because it's too darn hot to be all miserable from surgery.
And because we're still learning about how to best deal with Husband's diabetes.
And because ERP is teething. Ergo he's miserable and surgery while he's miserable would have sucked.
Surgery was cancelled due to finding out that my thyroid cyst was benign. Woo Hoo!!
And... and this is a big and... the cyst shrank. It went from over 5cm to around 4cm. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but it was enough for it not to be putting pressure on my windpipe anymore. Seriously this change was life altering. Ok, so draining the cyst and it refilling was super painful. I couldn't talk to days, move my head or drive. I had pain in my jaw and ears. I was miserable. I would have given anything to have had my thyroid removed those days. But then the pain lessened. The neck pain I had been having for months and months went away. My doctor did another "look see" and was able to get good samples to test... and here were are.
Happy No Surgery Day!!
I do go back in six months to have it looked at again for more growths. But for now we celebrate.
I spent the day silently reflecting on how amazing the news of it being benign was. When I got word on Friday last week... I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
But today I kept thinking... "at this time we would be heading to the hospital"... when in fact I was eating breakfast with my family and my mom.
"at this time we would be going in to the operating room"... as I was cleaning my floors.
"at this time I would be coming out of the operating room"... as I was playing at the park with the little kids.
"at this time I would probably be heading home".... as I was playing in the pool with RR.
It was a good day...
A day I am thankful for. A blessed day....
Labels:
family fun,
health,
mom time
Tuesday, July 14
Project Food Budget: Week 7 (My Week 2)
Check it - I have the current logo this week. :-)
So this week things changed in the house. Things that affect how we eat and in the end how we shop. Now if you are not familiar with this blog I am the mom of three boys. RR is 11 years, nearly 11.5 and stands a good five foot two or three inches. TT is four, nearly four and a half; and is bigger than most six years old. I kid you not. He's better than 46-inches and about 60-lbs. Then there is ERP, the baby. My smallest guy at 19 months he's barley 19 pounds. But since starting medication for reflux seems to be eating more. And then there is me and Husband. On Thursday last week we found out that Husband was a diabetic. At this time he is classified as "unknown", but his doctor is leaning more towards him being a type one diabetic. Obviously we are pursuing more information and testing on this.
Now husband was the king of carbs. He could make entire meals, nay eat for an entire day; on nothing but carbs. And with this latest news, that has changed. He is reading labels. Looking at eats more vegetables and proteins and is more willing to try new foods. He really is doing good and I am sure once he meets with his new team of doctors we'll both learn more about food and eating for health.
So... with that being said... food shopping this week involved buying new foods. Our menu this week features new foods. And I am excited to be cooking new foods.
Our food budget for a two week period, because I do bulk shopping in two week blocks is $160. Every few days I do go to buy fresh produce and milk.
Aldi - $117.96 - this is my total after taking out the Hula Hoops and what not
Stop & Shop - $ 45.52
For a total of $163.47.
So.... It's going to be really hard to spend no money in the next two weeks on milk and produce, so I'll really have to be careful and shop with price in mind as I am technically over budget already.
Menu this week
Sunday: ham and turkey wrap sandwiches with veggies and tater tots
Monday: chicken nuggets with salad and fresh green beans
Tuesday: salmon burgers* with cantaloupe and cucumbers
Wednesday: RR has scouts so the boys will have mac and cheese and Husband and I will make something later
Thursday: mango chicken over whole wheat rice
Friday: tacos (made with ground turkey)
Saturday: chicken (in the crockpot) with veggies and maybe stuffing
* The salmon burgers were a HUGE HIT. Husband, and the kids for that matter; have never had them before. And I MADE them. It was super easy and super yummy. No one complained ONCE about this dinner. I was really proud of Husband for trying them, let alone liking them. I made a lemon-dill mayo to go with them, which ERP enjoyed eating as is. TT, who is super picky even ate some. It was a total winner.
Oh and in case you are wondering I do feed them meals aside from dinner. Breakfast is usually cereal or french toast sticks. But I did spluge on bagels this week. And Stop & Shop had big boxes of Kix and Cheerios on sale, 4 for $10 so I had to get those as well. Lunch is typically cheese sandwiches, turkey dogs, peanut butter anything. And they snack on fruit on graham crackers all day long.
So... now that you are hungry... make sure you stop by and see how these other members are doing and what's on their menu.
Emily Levenson - who started this all.
Labels:
health,
project food budget
Sunday, July 5
Once upon a time....
Once upon a time, way back when it was just RR and me; I used to get up early nearly every Saturday morning and have "me time".
It was back before everyone was on Facebook and people hung out on-line on message-boards. Do people even still use those? I was a community leader for a couple of them and on Saturday morning I would drink my coffee in peace while RR slept and spend time on-line. I used to post a weekly feature called "Saturday Stuff" where we would all chat about the nuances of day to day life.
This morning I am awake, down in the dining room alone. Almost like "old times".
RR is technically awake, but around 8:30am I gave him his DS so he could go watch videos and play games in his room. QUIETLY. After all I did get some snuggles from him this morning, which at age 11 I will take them when I get them.
TT is catching up on some much needed sleep. As is Husband.
And ERP; ever since his reflux medication kicked in his sleep has greatly improved. I don't think I updated about that. ERP's been having signs of silent or not so silent reflux for ages. Everything from ear infections to back arching crying and screaming in the middle of the night. At his 18 month well child appointment I went in to it with an agenda. Try and fix this mess he was - his pediatrician agreed to try the reflux meds, and really something else to give he had started to lose weight. So after about one and a half weeks on medication he turned the corner. He stopped waking five or six times a night, like he had been for the last 18 months and was waking one or two times. He stopped the back arching crying and crying in the middle of the night. He started eating, most days. And now he sleeps until eight or nine most days; instead of up and crying and miserable at five or six.
Anyhow; here I am alone. Just me and a cup of coffee, and possibly some of the worst chocolate chip pancakes I have ever made. How chocolate chip pancakes can be "bad" is beyond me. But I did it.
Since I have started writing this the dog is now down here with me. This can only mean one thing. TT is awake. She sleeps under his bed, with his bedroom door closed.... and that's how we know he's up... Lily is out. This works out great at nap-time when he's not napping.
And with that... I have run out of things to write about this morning. And my coffee is getting cold. And I cannot eat this nasty pancake. So... have a great Sunday everyone!
It was back before everyone was on Facebook and people hung out on-line on message-boards. Do people even still use those? I was a community leader for a couple of them and on Saturday morning I would drink my coffee in peace while RR slept and spend time on-line. I used to post a weekly feature called "Saturday Stuff" where we would all chat about the nuances of day to day life.
This morning I am awake, down in the dining room alone. Almost like "old times".
RR is technically awake, but around 8:30am I gave him his DS so he could go watch videos and play games in his room. QUIETLY. After all I did get some snuggles from him this morning, which at age 11 I will take them when I get them.
TT is catching up on some much needed sleep. As is Husband.
And ERP; ever since his reflux medication kicked in his sleep has greatly improved. I don't think I updated about that. ERP's been having signs of silent or not so silent reflux for ages. Everything from ear infections to back arching crying and screaming in the middle of the night. At his 18 month well child appointment I went in to it with an agenda. Try and fix this mess he was - his pediatrician agreed to try the reflux meds, and really something else to give he had started to lose weight. So after about one and a half weeks on medication he turned the corner. He stopped waking five or six times a night, like he had been for the last 18 months and was waking one or two times. He stopped the back arching crying and crying in the middle of the night. He started eating, most days. And now he sleeps until eight or nine most days; instead of up and crying and miserable at five or six.
Anyhow; here I am alone. Just me and a cup of coffee, and possibly some of the worst chocolate chip pancakes I have ever made. How chocolate chip pancakes can be "bad" is beyond me. But I did it.
Since I have started writing this the dog is now down here with me. This can only mean one thing. TT is awake. She sleeps under his bed, with his bedroom door closed.... and that's how we know he's up... Lily is out. This works out great at nap-time when he's not napping.
And with that... I have run out of things to write about this morning. And my coffee is getting cold. And I cannot eat this nasty pancake. So... have a great Sunday everyone!
Thursday, June 25
Summer Vacation
School is out!!
RR's summer vacation officially started on Monday afternoon. TT has been out of school since mid last week.
And so far... it's been a pretty good start to the summer. Now, if the weather would cooperate that would be great.
The boys are all signed up for the summer reading program and have eagerly dived into the books they got at the library today. Well, expect RR; he has like 5 new books on his Kindle. So he's diving into that. It doesn't have the same ring... but you get the idea.
This summer we are avoiding the "Summer Bucket List". We did this last year and in the end it made me depressed for not "doing anything". Seriously.
And with not having a list we've already done more items on last year's list than we did last year.
I made gummie bear popsicles. Yeah, I'm cool like that.
We went for a hike already.
We've been to several playgrounds.
We've been to Six Flags a couple times. Yup, got the boys season passes for Christmas.
And really I figure, between the season passes, the new park in town, the hiking club and the new pool and the summer reading program... really... what else do we need to do. Oh yeah... the weather to work out so the pool can get set-up.
School is out! Summer is here!
And oh yeah; summer surgery. Surgery for my partial thyroid removal is set for July 29. Talk about big and happening summer plans.
This summer is going to fly by. Between all of the things above to do. RR going to camp for a week in July. My surgery. And then heading to Maine to see my mom in August. It will be back to school time before we know it.
Here's to a great summer - can you see me raising my glass - now if only I can squeeze in a few coffee dates with my girlfriends.
RR's summer vacation officially started on Monday afternoon. TT has been out of school since mid last week.
And so far... it's been a pretty good start to the summer. Now, if the weather would cooperate that would be great.
The boys are all signed up for the summer reading program and have eagerly dived into the books they got at the library today. Well, expect RR; he has like 5 new books on his Kindle. So he's diving into that. It doesn't have the same ring... but you get the idea.
This summer we are avoiding the "Summer Bucket List". We did this last year and in the end it made me depressed for not "doing anything". Seriously.
And with not having a list we've already done more items on last year's list than we did last year.
I made gummie bear popsicles. Yeah, I'm cool like that.
We went for a hike already.
We've been to several playgrounds.
We've been to Six Flags a couple times. Yup, got the boys season passes for Christmas.
And really I figure, between the season passes, the new park in town, the hiking club and the new pool and the summer reading program... really... what else do we need to do. Oh yeah... the weather to work out so the pool can get set-up.
School is out! Summer is here!
And oh yeah; summer surgery. Surgery for my partial thyroid removal is set for July 29. Talk about big and happening summer plans.
This summer is going to fly by. Between all of the things above to do. RR going to camp for a week in July. My surgery. And then heading to Maine to see my mom in August. It will be back to school time before we know it.
Here's to a great summer - can you see me raising my glass - now if only I can squeeze in a few coffee dates with my girlfriends.
Friday, May 29
Dusty Around Here: Biopsy
Last night Husband remarked it had been a long time since I made a blog post.
And he's right.
I've wanted to write. But I haven't been able to. I've been dealing with some medical issues, that have been affecting everything. And in order to blog about the boys, the holidays, work and what not I would have been impossible to not write about what was going on. And honestly I have been tired. And sore. I've kept up a good front around the boys. We have not said anything to RR, but as my surgery comes closer we will. I've been making the rounds telling people. I waited a long while to tell most people as I had to tell my mom first and in person. I have a few more people to tell and talk to about everything, and a few of them may read this blog before I get a chance to call. But it's time. I've mentioned it casually enough to enough people. And honestly I need to write about it. I need to get back to blogging. It's good for the soul.
It all started a little after Easter. It was a Tuesday. The kids were on spring vacation from school and I was driving home. I was about to be on vacation myself - traveling to see family in NJ and a wedding in MD. I was driving on a back road, by a farm; the day was warm the windows in the van where down. I had reached up to scratch my throat and I felt a lump in my neck. I played with the lump on and off while driving and when I got in the door I was very concerned about it. I told Husband I thought my thyroid was swollen. With everything we had planned for the next few days we felt it would be best if I went to urgent care to have it looked at. Urgent care had taken on a "serious case requiring many sutures" and was not taking anymore patients that evening when I walked in. The next morning RR woke with a fever over 103, then shortly after that Uncle F ended up in the hospital and out travel plans quickly came to a halt, so I made an appointment to see the NP at my primary doctors office.
The NP sent me for blood work and an ultrasound.
My blood work, testing thyroid function came back normal.
When my ultrasound results came back, no one in my primary care office would speak to me about the results. They referred me to an endocrinologist. Originally my appointment was for some time in June, but then I got a call that I couldn't wait that long to been seen and was given a same day appointment. Everything was moving very fast and no one would tell me answers. I was scared. I feared the worst. I was crying. Crying a lot.
The first endo doctor I saw finally gave me my test results. I had a 5cm nodule on my left thyroid. A biopsy would need to be done to see if it was benign or not. The odds were in my favor that it would be benign, 95% of thyroid cysts are.
More ultrasounds followed and the biopsy. Which was terribly painful. During this time we learned that the cyst was multi-nodular, it was a big pocket with lots of small pockets in it. It was officially labeled as a hemorrhagic multinodulous cyst. During the biopsy a good deal of blood was removed from it, but it quickly filled with blood again.
Within a week of the biopsy I was scheduled to meet with surgeon. Regardless of how the biopsy came out, at least half of my thyroid would need to be removed. It is pushing my esophagus to the right and causing restricted movement in my neck.
When we met with the surgeon he gave us the biopsy results - inconclusive.
Still no answers. Once that part of my thyroid is removed they will test further for cancer. If it comes back as cancerous then I will have to go and get the rest of my thyroid removed. And possibly do a "one and done" radioactive iodine treatment. Which has no hair loss or other nasty side affects, but would be a permanent end to breastfeeding. This is something I simply cannot comprehend. And just the thought brings tears to my eyes. ERP is no where ready to wean. At nearly 18 months, he isn't even 20 lbs. He wakes multiple times a night to nurse. He's not ready. I'm not ready. But who knows if it will come to that.
We are still waiting.
This whole ordeal started as a big rush.
Now I wait.
Wait for a date for surgery. My surgeon wanted to do it in June. But he is fully booked and can't get me in until late July. But that isn't even the final answer. Next week he'll look to see if anything in his schedule can be moved to have me brought in sooner.
My surgeon says most of his patients go home the same day as the surgery. Some stay over night. One guy went to work the next day, although most do not. He seems very versed in this surgery, having done some 7,000 over his professional life. He has bright white hair and a very faint British accent. He has an excellent bedside manner. He promises me the surgery will hurt less than the biopsy - which left me unable to speak for days and pain if I thought about speaking for the better part of a week.
For now, some days are better than others. Some days I can hardly feel the enlarged thyroid. Other days the pain is so intense, like it's sitting on a nerve - which I've been told is totally possible.
And while I know there are bigger battles in life I could be facing, this one has certainly given me a good scare. Some days the fear is overwhelming. Other days I can't get enough of my kids and other days I just want to lay in bed and wish the pain away.
But I take it one day at a time. For the last few weeks I have been at the mercy of my doctors and their schedules. I welcome getting the date for surgery and for the ability to plan around something. I want to be able to confidently schedule things - at home and at work - and not have to worry about "what if the doctor" calls today.
But most of all I am eager for the results of the biopsy. To know one way or the other for certain. to know if this surgery is the end of this mess, or the middle point. With half a thyroid there is a 70% chance that the remaining half will function as normal. So the surgery really could be the end of this mess... or it could be the half way point...
Only time will tell. And so I wait. One biopsy done. One more to go.
And he's right.
I've wanted to write. But I haven't been able to. I've been dealing with some medical issues, that have been affecting everything. And in order to blog about the boys, the holidays, work and what not I would have been impossible to not write about what was going on. And honestly I have been tired. And sore. I've kept up a good front around the boys. We have not said anything to RR, but as my surgery comes closer we will. I've been making the rounds telling people. I waited a long while to tell most people as I had to tell my mom first and in person. I have a few more people to tell and talk to about everything, and a few of them may read this blog before I get a chance to call. But it's time. I've mentioned it casually enough to enough people. And honestly I need to write about it. I need to get back to blogging. It's good for the soul.
It all started a little after Easter. It was a Tuesday. The kids were on spring vacation from school and I was driving home. I was about to be on vacation myself - traveling to see family in NJ and a wedding in MD. I was driving on a back road, by a farm; the day was warm the windows in the van where down. I had reached up to scratch my throat and I felt a lump in my neck. I played with the lump on and off while driving and when I got in the door I was very concerned about it. I told Husband I thought my thyroid was swollen. With everything we had planned for the next few days we felt it would be best if I went to urgent care to have it looked at. Urgent care had taken on a "serious case requiring many sutures" and was not taking anymore patients that evening when I walked in. The next morning RR woke with a fever over 103, then shortly after that Uncle F ended up in the hospital and out travel plans quickly came to a halt, so I made an appointment to see the NP at my primary doctors office.
The NP sent me for blood work and an ultrasound.
My blood work, testing thyroid function came back normal.
When my ultrasound results came back, no one in my primary care office would speak to me about the results. They referred me to an endocrinologist. Originally my appointment was for some time in June, but then I got a call that I couldn't wait that long to been seen and was given a same day appointment. Everything was moving very fast and no one would tell me answers. I was scared. I feared the worst. I was crying. Crying a lot.
The first endo doctor I saw finally gave me my test results. I had a 5cm nodule on my left thyroid. A biopsy would need to be done to see if it was benign or not. The odds were in my favor that it would be benign, 95% of thyroid cysts are.
More ultrasounds followed and the biopsy. Which was terribly painful. During this time we learned that the cyst was multi-nodular, it was a big pocket with lots of small pockets in it. It was officially labeled as a hemorrhagic multinodulous cyst. During the biopsy a good deal of blood was removed from it, but it quickly filled with blood again.
Within a week of the biopsy I was scheduled to meet with surgeon. Regardless of how the biopsy came out, at least half of my thyroid would need to be removed. It is pushing my esophagus to the right and causing restricted movement in my neck.
When we met with the surgeon he gave us the biopsy results - inconclusive.
Still no answers. Once that part of my thyroid is removed they will test further for cancer. If it comes back as cancerous then I will have to go and get the rest of my thyroid removed. And possibly do a "one and done" radioactive iodine treatment. Which has no hair loss or other nasty side affects, but would be a permanent end to breastfeeding. This is something I simply cannot comprehend. And just the thought brings tears to my eyes. ERP is no where ready to wean. At nearly 18 months, he isn't even 20 lbs. He wakes multiple times a night to nurse. He's not ready. I'm not ready. But who knows if it will come to that.
We are still waiting.
This whole ordeal started as a big rush.
Now I wait.
Wait for a date for surgery. My surgeon wanted to do it in June. But he is fully booked and can't get me in until late July. But that isn't even the final answer. Next week he'll look to see if anything in his schedule can be moved to have me brought in sooner.
My surgeon says most of his patients go home the same day as the surgery. Some stay over night. One guy went to work the next day, although most do not. He seems very versed in this surgery, having done some 7,000 over his professional life. He has bright white hair and a very faint British accent. He has an excellent bedside manner. He promises me the surgery will hurt less than the biopsy - which left me unable to speak for days and pain if I thought about speaking for the better part of a week.
For now, some days are better than others. Some days I can hardly feel the enlarged thyroid. Other days the pain is so intense, like it's sitting on a nerve - which I've been told is totally possible.
And while I know there are bigger battles in life I could be facing, this one has certainly given me a good scare. Some days the fear is overwhelming. Other days I can't get enough of my kids and other days I just want to lay in bed and wish the pain away.
But I take it one day at a time. For the last few weeks I have been at the mercy of my doctors and their schedules. I welcome getting the date for surgery and for the ability to plan around something. I want to be able to confidently schedule things - at home and at work - and not have to worry about "what if the doctor" calls today.
But most of all I am eager for the results of the biopsy. To know one way or the other for certain. to know if this surgery is the end of this mess, or the middle point. With half a thyroid there is a 70% chance that the remaining half will function as normal. So the surgery really could be the end of this mess... or it could be the half way point...
Only time will tell. And so I wait. One biopsy done. One more to go.
Saturday, April 5
4 Months
My little name ERP turned 4 months old yesterday. This has certainly been a month of milestones for him. I don't know if it's because I am with him more than I was his brothers at this age or what; but I swear I am noticing every little thing that he does. I can tell from one day to the next that he is starting to use his hands together versus independently, I notice when he's going through developmental leaps without looking at the calendar or an app on my phone. When I look in his eyes, I sometimes feel like I can see him thinking and wondering. Those big big eyes. Those eyes that look more and more light blue with every passing day. I so hop your eyes stay blue baby. Mama would love a blue eyed boy.
Over this month his fair has also gotten increasingly lighter; although it is still very much chameleon hair - some days it looks dark brown, others a dirty blond and still others a touch of red.
This month ERP started rolling over, from back to front. He does it fairly regularly these days. I've tried to get it on video a number of times, but he doesn't like to perform. ERP has also developed a whole new host of sounds, including a screech. That too I have tried to get on video, and he clams up the minute he sees the light on my phone. He is a wiggle worm when on the floor, he rolls here and there, scooches and manages to get himself wedged under chairs and couches. As I write this, he has rolled from front to back and is trying to get his knees under him. He was such a mover and shaker in utero, I guess nothing has changed.
ERP is just now getting into his size 3 months clothes. The fancy European sized clothing that we have some of is a size 2-4 months. He is my pocket baby still.
He had a terrible ear infection this past month and had snot coming out of his ear - otherwise he was totally his normal happy self. At that appointment he was 12 lbs. 4 ounces. I am guessing when he finally has his 4 month well visit (on the 14th) he'll be 13 lbs.
This month has also seen ERP starting to fall into a more predictable pattern. He is up most days around 6:30am and is ready for his first nap at 8am. He is typically up from that nap around 10:30 ish and is ready to go back down again around noon. He'll wake from his second nap around 3or so and will look for another nap around 5pm. If we hold off on that last nap, he thinks it's a good idea to go to bed at 6pm. Otherwise ,I tuck him in around 8:30pm. We started reading books before bed and he LOVES them.
Things from this month I don't want to forget:
~ Watching him learn how to take his pacifier out of his mouth and put it back in
~ How easily he smiles at everyone
~ The first time he rolled over
~ The smell of his hair
~ The way he gets so excited right before we nurse
~ How much he misses me when I go into the office and how happy he is to see me when I come home
~ The funny noises he's making
~ Watching him play with his musical giraffe
~ The fact that his stuffed cow is his favorite toy
~ Him giving hugs to his brothers
~ The way he yells at the TV when Baby Mozart comes on
~ Him sitting in his bumbo for the first time
~ Him sitting in his high chair for the first time
~ How much he disliked his first breastmilk popsicle - too cold
Here's a video of ERP playing with his toys - I was trying to get him rolling over. He stopped rolling once the camera came out and then finished once I got out of his face.
Over this month his fair has also gotten increasingly lighter; although it is still very much chameleon hair - some days it looks dark brown, others a dirty blond and still others a touch of red.
This month ERP started rolling over, from back to front. He does it fairly regularly these days. I've tried to get it on video a number of times, but he doesn't like to perform. ERP has also developed a whole new host of sounds, including a screech. That too I have tried to get on video, and he clams up the minute he sees the light on my phone. He is a wiggle worm when on the floor, he rolls here and there, scooches and manages to get himself wedged under chairs and couches. As I write this, he has rolled from front to back and is trying to get his knees under him. He was such a mover and shaker in utero, I guess nothing has changed.
ERP is just now getting into his size 3 months clothes. The fancy European sized clothing that we have some of is a size 2-4 months. He is my pocket baby still.
He had a terrible ear infection this past month and had snot coming out of his ear - otherwise he was totally his normal happy self. At that appointment he was 12 lbs. 4 ounces. I am guessing when he finally has his 4 month well visit (on the 14th) he'll be 13 lbs.
This month has also seen ERP starting to fall into a more predictable pattern. He is up most days around 6:30am and is ready for his first nap at 8am. He is typically up from that nap around 10:30 ish and is ready to go back down again around noon. He'll wake from his second nap around 3or so and will look for another nap around 5pm. If we hold off on that last nap, he thinks it's a good idea to go to bed at 6pm. Otherwise ,I tuck him in around 8:30pm. We started reading books before bed and he LOVES them.
Things from this month I don't want to forget:
~ Watching him learn how to take his pacifier out of his mouth and put it back in
~ How easily he smiles at everyone
~ The first time he rolled over
~ The smell of his hair
~ The way he gets so excited right before we nurse
~ How much he misses me when I go into the office and how happy he is to see me when I come home
~ The funny noises he's making
~ Watching him play with his musical giraffe
~ The fact that his stuffed cow is his favorite toy
~ Him giving hugs to his brothers
~ The way he yells at the TV when Baby Mozart comes on
~ Him sitting in his bumbo for the first time
~ Him sitting in his high chair for the first time
~ How much he disliked his first breastmilk popsicle - too cold
Here's a video of ERP playing with his toys - I was trying to get him rolling over. He stopped rolling once the camera came out and then finished once I got out of his face.
Labels:
brothers,
child rearing,
growing up,
hair,
health,
milestones,
new baby,
nursing
Thursday, June 6
The Bloat is Gone
TMI Warning - Lots's of talk about lady bits and the "upside" of pregnancy.
I had heard somewhere that pregnant women have a tendency to over share; to tell too many details, to really get into the nitty gritty of what is going on. This is one such story. But one I feel that needs to be told because when I looked on-line for more information there was very little information out there.
For the past week or so when I would wake up in the morning I was having a hard time going to the bathroom, and I don't mean like constipation. I couldn't pee. I would have to sit on the seat and wiggle about to go. Then that stopped working, so I would get up and jiggle my belly and try to bounce baby around. Then that stopped working and I would pace around and dance around until I was able to go.
Then Tuesday came and I could not go. I tried running my fingers under warm water (old trick from junior high I am sure you all know about), I showered and tried to go in there (hey, I am the one that cleans the tub), I got dressed and decided to go get gas - maybe really moving around would get things going. I drank some cranberry juice, thinking I was a little dehydrated (but my bladder told me otherwise). Still nothing. After about 2 hours of this and some major muscle spasms I decided to call my midwife. She suggested lying in a warm bath and to try going that way. I was told if that didn't work I would need to go in. I laid in the bathtub for 40 minutes. 40 long minutes. Husband and I decided we would leave to go to the midwife as soon as the bus came for RR. But the bus was late. Of course it was late. I was in so much pain... so we took him with us.
We get to the midwife's office and she drained my bladder. I am sure you can figure out how she did that... and no it was not comfortable, but it was better than the alternative. 1,200 cc of urine later and we are done!! 1,200 cc - that's a little over 5 cups and about 2.5 lbs. Holy cow... the bloat is gone. I get warned if I can't go again to call them sooner, don't wait so long. I promise and we head to breakfast.
You see one of the joys of having a retroverted uterus is that in some rare cases; lucky me I get to be rare, it causes "urine retention". Basically your uterus crushes your urethra and you simply can't go on your own. About 1/3 of all women have a retreoverted uterus, the vast majority of those "right" themselves between the 10 and 12 week mark. Mine on the other hand not so much. The chance of this happening is about 1 in 8,000 pregnancies.
Anyhow, we all go to breakfast to celebrate mom going pee. I have a couple glasses of water and a couple cups of decaf. We get home and I race into the house having to go... and nothing. I mean nothing. I want to cry. I didn't talk a "what if" plan with my midwife. So I call her back, and she consults with the OB on staff. I have three choices 1) get a pessary (a what I said... more to come on that) 2) get a folly catheter or 3) learn how to cath myself every-time I have to go to the bathroom (which on a good day is every 30 minutes). So right off the bat options 2 and 3 are out in my opinion, so we wait another few hours and drive all the way back (it's 40 minutes each way... picking up RR from school - he basically went for lunch and recess that day) for the pessary.
Basically a pessary is a medical device inserted in the vagina. Typically they are used to treat pelvic organ prolapses or to help with incontinence. Mine was inserted to help straight out my uterus and to take pressure off my bladder. So after trying on a few for size, talk about painful, the OB selects one and asks me to use the bathroom. Which I do. Then he wants to insert catheter #2 of the day, to see if I really emptied my bladder. And it turns out I didn't. I still had some 500 cc of urine up there. Gah!! Does it ever end. Now he wants to "give my bladder a break" and install the folly cath for a couple of days. Oh dear. Onto catheter #3 for the day... this one I get to wear home. Around my leg thank you very much.
I can barely walk. I can barely sit. It's nearly impossible to get comfortable.
I spend the next 48 hours miserable with all this crap shoved places I really don't think things should be shoved. I cry several times. Sometimes from the pain. Sometimes because I feel like I hit a new low. I am able to work from home, keeping as comfy as possible on the big chair or the bed. Husband runs around after the boys, does all the lifting and takes care of me. My brother in law comes over to lend a hand, he's a sweetie. I have to eat alone in the living room because I can't sit on the kitchen chairs. It sucks. I mean really sucks.
Finally I go back and the midwife takes out the catheter. I feel human again, almost... still can't sit right, still can't walk right. Nine more days of the pessary. How do some women live with these? I swear mine is too big.
But hey, at least I finally got TT's haircut... the one place he behaves for a haircut is down the street from the midwive's office. So there's a silver lining.
I love this baby... I really do. I've asked so many times in the last few days for them to check on this baby. But really this baby needs to stop giving mama such a hard time... his/her brothers were way easier to be pregnant with. That being said, I have decided once this one comes it will have to be the chillest baby ever, to make up for all.... 27 more weeks till we meet them.
I had heard somewhere that pregnant women have a tendency to over share; to tell too many details, to really get into the nitty gritty of what is going on. This is one such story. But one I feel that needs to be told because when I looked on-line for more information there was very little information out there.
For the past week or so when I would wake up in the morning I was having a hard time going to the bathroom, and I don't mean like constipation. I couldn't pee. I would have to sit on the seat and wiggle about to go. Then that stopped working, so I would get up and jiggle my belly and try to bounce baby around. Then that stopped working and I would pace around and dance around until I was able to go.
Then Tuesday came and I could not go. I tried running my fingers under warm water (old trick from junior high I am sure you all know about), I showered and tried to go in there (hey, I am the one that cleans the tub), I got dressed and decided to go get gas - maybe really moving around would get things going. I drank some cranberry juice, thinking I was a little dehydrated (but my bladder told me otherwise). Still nothing. After about 2 hours of this and some major muscle spasms I decided to call my midwife. She suggested lying in a warm bath and to try going that way. I was told if that didn't work I would need to go in. I laid in the bathtub for 40 minutes. 40 long minutes. Husband and I decided we would leave to go to the midwife as soon as the bus came for RR. But the bus was late. Of course it was late. I was in so much pain... so we took him with us.
We get to the midwife's office and she drained my bladder. I am sure you can figure out how she did that... and no it was not comfortable, but it was better than the alternative. 1,200 cc of urine later and we are done!! 1,200 cc - that's a little over 5 cups and about 2.5 lbs. Holy cow... the bloat is gone. I get warned if I can't go again to call them sooner, don't wait so long. I promise and we head to breakfast.
You see one of the joys of having a retroverted uterus is that in some rare cases; lucky me I get to be rare, it causes "urine retention". Basically your uterus crushes your urethra and you simply can't go on your own. About 1/3 of all women have a retreoverted uterus, the vast majority of those "right" themselves between the 10 and 12 week mark. Mine on the other hand not so much. The chance of this happening is about 1 in 8,000 pregnancies.
Anyhow, we all go to breakfast to celebrate mom going pee. I have a couple glasses of water and a couple cups of decaf. We get home and I race into the house having to go... and nothing. I mean nothing. I want to cry. I didn't talk a "what if" plan with my midwife. So I call her back, and she consults with the OB on staff. I have three choices 1) get a pessary (a what I said... more to come on that) 2) get a folly catheter or 3) learn how to cath myself every-time I have to go to the bathroom (which on a good day is every 30 minutes). So right off the bat options 2 and 3 are out in my opinion, so we wait another few hours and drive all the way back (it's 40 minutes each way... picking up RR from school - he basically went for lunch and recess that day) for the pessary.
Basically a pessary is a medical device inserted in the vagina. Typically they are used to treat pelvic organ prolapses or to help with incontinence. Mine was inserted to help straight out my uterus and to take pressure off my bladder. So after trying on a few for size, talk about painful, the OB selects one and asks me to use the bathroom. Which I do. Then he wants to insert catheter #2 of the day, to see if I really emptied my bladder. And it turns out I didn't. I still had some 500 cc of urine up there. Gah!! Does it ever end. Now he wants to "give my bladder a break" and install the folly cath for a couple of days. Oh dear. Onto catheter #3 for the day... this one I get to wear home. Around my leg thank you very much.
I can barely walk. I can barely sit. It's nearly impossible to get comfortable.
I spend the next 48 hours miserable with all this crap shoved places I really don't think things should be shoved. I cry several times. Sometimes from the pain. Sometimes because I feel like I hit a new low. I am able to work from home, keeping as comfy as possible on the big chair or the bed. Husband runs around after the boys, does all the lifting and takes care of me. My brother in law comes over to lend a hand, he's a sweetie. I have to eat alone in the living room because I can't sit on the kitchen chairs. It sucks. I mean really sucks.
Finally I go back and the midwife takes out the catheter. I feel human again, almost... still can't sit right, still can't walk right. Nine more days of the pessary. How do some women live with these? I swear mine is too big.
But hey, at least I finally got TT's haircut... the one place he behaves for a haircut is down the street from the midwive's office. So there's a silver lining.
I love this baby... I really do. I've asked so many times in the last few days for them to check on this baby. But really this baby needs to stop giving mama such a hard time... his/her brothers were way easier to be pregnant with. That being said, I have decided once this one comes it will have to be the chillest baby ever, to make up for all.... 27 more weeks till we meet them.
Labels:
health,
life balancing,
pregnancy
Friday, April 26
Thankful
It's been a rough few weeks here in our house; Husband appears to be falling apart. Last week he pulled a muscle out in his back. Just as he seemed to be starting to make a rebound from that he developed a problem tooth. The tooth was sore, and then his face started to swell, and then his tongue swelled, and he was getting strange pockets of puss in his mouth. He made an appointment with his dentist.
Thursday evening I dropped him off at the dentist and took the boys to the library. We had been at the library for about 10 minutes when Husband called. First he was being told he had to go see an oral surgeon right away; but then when no oral surgeon was found to still be on-call he was told he had to go to the ER. The dentist told him if I wasn't going to drive him; Husband being the dad he is was worried about keeping the boys out too late, especially on a school night, then he was going in an ambulance. Apparently this was more serious than we thought it was. I drove him to the ER and we agreed I would take the boys to dinner (since it was now going on 5) and then for a walk and we'd decide from there what to do next with them.
Dinner was oh so good, and the boys really showed down; but I was too worried about Husband to eat. The walk was good, the sky was a bright hopeful blue and the air was just a little crisp; and again the boys were both being angles.
After the walk I decided to let the boys watch some cartoons in the car before heading into the hospital; as it was just going on 7pm now, and for some reason I felt like it was too soon to see how things where.
Around 7:30 we went in and I asked for Husband at the front desk. The receptionist was very serious and somber and I suddenly feared the worst. She told me he was out getting a CAT scan and told me where his bed was located and that we could wait for him there. I think we only waited about 5 or 10 minutes for him to get back from his scan, but the time really seemed to drag on. When he came back he was in good spirits; which made me smile, and he was hooked up to an IV with fluids, antibiotics and morphine (which I suppose made him smile - no really it was seeing his boys that made him smile). We were told there was a chance he was going to be admitted to the hospital. Apparently the infection in his face was just that bad - and too think I thought the dentist was over exaggerating when he said he had never seem something like this before. We visited with Husband some more, but once TT wanted to start running wild in the ER I knew it was time to go outside. I opted not to bring the boys home since he hospital seemed to be close to making a decision about Husband staying or not. We kissed him and went outside to watch more videos in the car; it was now getting very dark out.
As time went on, TT grew tired of being in a non-moving car; as one would expect from a 2 year old; a little after after 8:30 we went to go see what was going on. Just as we got to the front of the ER out came Husband. He certainly received a hero's welcome, especially from RR.
On the way home we got his prescriptions filled and treated everyone to a milkshake. So thankful to have him home with us; and on the mend.
Since then his dentist and primary care doctors have both called several times to follow up with him. They both tell him what a lucky man he is to be alive. Apparently the infection and swelling was so bad he was at risk of it closing off his airways. We are also lucky it didn't develop to strong of a foothold in his blood stream or worse. So for now he is fighting the infection on a very strong dose of antibiotics and painkillers, and then once the 10 days is up it's back to the dentist to see where we go from here.
I am thankful he is home with me, on the mend; even if that means snoring in my ear.
Thursday evening I dropped him off at the dentist and took the boys to the library. We had been at the library for about 10 minutes when Husband called. First he was being told he had to go see an oral surgeon right away; but then when no oral surgeon was found to still be on-call he was told he had to go to the ER. The dentist told him if I wasn't going to drive him; Husband being the dad he is was worried about keeping the boys out too late, especially on a school night, then he was going in an ambulance. Apparently this was more serious than we thought it was. I drove him to the ER and we agreed I would take the boys to dinner (since it was now going on 5) and then for a walk and we'd decide from there what to do next with them.
Dinner was oh so good, and the boys really showed down; but I was too worried about Husband to eat. The walk was good, the sky was a bright hopeful blue and the air was just a little crisp; and again the boys were both being angles.
After the walk I decided to let the boys watch some cartoons in the car before heading into the hospital; as it was just going on 7pm now, and for some reason I felt like it was too soon to see how things where.
Around 7:30 we went in and I asked for Husband at the front desk. The receptionist was very serious and somber and I suddenly feared the worst. She told me he was out getting a CAT scan and told me where his bed was located and that we could wait for him there. I think we only waited about 5 or 10 minutes for him to get back from his scan, but the time really seemed to drag on. When he came back he was in good spirits; which made me smile, and he was hooked up to an IV with fluids, antibiotics and morphine (which I suppose made him smile - no really it was seeing his boys that made him smile). We were told there was a chance he was going to be admitted to the hospital. Apparently the infection in his face was just that bad - and too think I thought the dentist was over exaggerating when he said he had never seem something like this before. We visited with Husband some more, but once TT wanted to start running wild in the ER I knew it was time to go outside. I opted not to bring the boys home since he hospital seemed to be close to making a decision about Husband staying or not. We kissed him and went outside to watch more videos in the car; it was now getting very dark out.
As time went on, TT grew tired of being in a non-moving car; as one would expect from a 2 year old; a little after after 8:30 we went to go see what was going on. Just as we got to the front of the ER out came Husband. He certainly received a hero's welcome, especially from RR.
On the way home we got his prescriptions filled and treated everyone to a milkshake. So thankful to have him home with us; and on the mend.
Since then his dentist and primary care doctors have both called several times to follow up with him. They both tell him what a lucky man he is to be alive. Apparently the infection and swelling was so bad he was at risk of it closing off his airways. We are also lucky it didn't develop to strong of a foothold in his blood stream or worse. So for now he is fighting the infection on a very strong dose of antibiotics and painkillers, and then once the 10 days is up it's back to the dentist to see where we go from here.
I am thankful he is home with me, on the mend; even if that means snoring in my ear.
Labels:
child rearing,
doctor,
health,
marriage
Monday, April 1
ER
TT has been sick. This is nothing new for him, it was a holiday weekend, and he is sick for every holiday. Ever since he had pneumonia on his first Halloween during that terrible snow storm.
And because he's been sick he's been waking up between three and four in the morning to nurse. Yawn. Last night was no exception, but instead of waking and hemming and hawing in his crib until I went in he was wailing. Goodness can that child cry. To top if off he's had a coup-sounding cough when crying the last few days; so there he is laying in his crib coughing / barking and banging at his head. We nurse some, but he is still holding the side of his neck and will not let go... even when we switch breasts and it's not as easy to hold that spot on his neck. I am tired. Drop down I need a nap tired, oh wait... it's the middle of the night I should be sleeping. And TT is crying. He nurses some, then pops off only to cry and cry and cry. I bring him to the bedroom, hoping maybe we can lay down and nurse, but in my gut I know something is wrong.
Husband wakes and we decide to call the on-call doctor at the pediatrician's office. I talk to them, Husband tries to calm the boy, but this only works for a few moments. We review symptoms: Fever: slight for the last few days, I haven't checked it yet this morning, no he doesn't feel hot; Rashes: No I haven't looked yet this morning, should I? No; Can he move his head, touch his chest: Yes; Can he stand his neck being touched: Negative. OK she tells me you should bring him in. I think, OK so I call back and make an appointment then? Until she asks me which ER we plan on going to. G'ah. The last words any parent wants to hear. We get the baby dressed; it must be going on 5 am now. Husband holds TT in the living room and puts on his Mickey Mouse. TT is obsessed with the Mickey and Friends cartoons from the 1940s. I get my shoes on and send my boss a text. TT calms down and goes limp in Husband's arm. We ponder briefly about not taking TT to the ER. Then the crying starts again.
TT cried all the way to the hospital. Not even his Ghostbuster's music made him happy. My only solace at this point is at least I am not bringing a non-symptomatic baby to the ER. Sometimes I swear just calling the doctor's office cures kids. A short 15 minutes later we are there. Why couldn't we have delivered him at this hospital, it's so much closer. Oh that's right it's a little country hospital with no maternity ward.
We get inside and the crying stops. I give him the evil eye. Really? Now you are going to be fine. He's acting fairly normal as I give the desk all of his info, until I have to put him down to get out his insurance card. Then the wailing starts again.
Moments later the backdoor opens and a nurse steps out; and says in a deep voice with a thick eastern European accent "I am here for the little one." Creepy factor is a 10 on that one. Thankfully she turned out to be very nice.
We spend some time trying to get his vitals, clearly this place isn't used to such little patients. Speaking of which, why does everyone need to comment on how big he is once they know his age? Really, this gets old fast. Anyhow....
The doctor comes in right away and checks all the right places and concludes it's a double inner ear infection. Thank goodness.... that was all that was wrong.
A male nurse comes back with "magic drops". This guy, if I hasn't read his name badge I would have thought he was a grounds worker the way he was dressed. He tells me how the drops are going to numb his ears and how his own sons swear by them. Then a high dose of Motrin and we rest for a bit. The doctor comes back and offers him a Popsicle, which is gladly eats and starting acting more normal with. The male nurse comes back with antibiotics. European nurse comes back and tells us we just need to stay for observation for a bit and we'll be all set. She also tells me how her boys love the "magic ear drops". I just want to know how I have been a mom for nearly 10 years and this is the first I am hearing of this. The doctor comes back and wants to see TT walk around. She lures him out to the nurse station with promises of chocolate. I see a pattern here doctor. He walks with a stagger and the doctor says it from the ear infection but otherwise looks good.
Within 2 hours we are on our way home. Within 3 hours I was crawling back into bed after getting RR off to school and TT down for a much needed rest.
What a way to start April.
And because he's been sick he's been waking up between three and four in the morning to nurse. Yawn. Last night was no exception, but instead of waking and hemming and hawing in his crib until I went in he was wailing. Goodness can that child cry. To top if off he's had a coup-sounding cough when crying the last few days; so there he is laying in his crib coughing / barking and banging at his head. We nurse some, but he is still holding the side of his neck and will not let go... even when we switch breasts and it's not as easy to hold that spot on his neck. I am tired. Drop down I need a nap tired, oh wait... it's the middle of the night I should be sleeping. And TT is crying. He nurses some, then pops off only to cry and cry and cry. I bring him to the bedroom, hoping maybe we can lay down and nurse, but in my gut I know something is wrong.
Husband wakes and we decide to call the on-call doctor at the pediatrician's office. I talk to them, Husband tries to calm the boy, but this only works for a few moments. We review symptoms: Fever: slight for the last few days, I haven't checked it yet this morning, no he doesn't feel hot; Rashes: No I haven't looked yet this morning, should I? No; Can he move his head, touch his chest: Yes; Can he stand his neck being touched: Negative. OK she tells me you should bring him in. I think, OK so I call back and make an appointment then? Until she asks me which ER we plan on going to. G'ah. The last words any parent wants to hear. We get the baby dressed; it must be going on 5 am now. Husband holds TT in the living room and puts on his Mickey Mouse. TT is obsessed with the Mickey and Friends cartoons from the 1940s. I get my shoes on and send my boss a text. TT calms down and goes limp in Husband's arm. We ponder briefly about not taking TT to the ER. Then the crying starts again.
TT cried all the way to the hospital. Not even his Ghostbuster's music made him happy. My only solace at this point is at least I am not bringing a non-symptomatic baby to the ER. Sometimes I swear just calling the doctor's office cures kids. A short 15 minutes later we are there. Why couldn't we have delivered him at this hospital, it's so much closer. Oh that's right it's a little country hospital with no maternity ward.
We get inside and the crying stops. I give him the evil eye. Really? Now you are going to be fine. He's acting fairly normal as I give the desk all of his info, until I have to put him down to get out his insurance card. Then the wailing starts again.
Moments later the backdoor opens and a nurse steps out; and says in a deep voice with a thick eastern European accent "I am here for the little one." Creepy factor is a 10 on that one. Thankfully she turned out to be very nice.
We spend some time trying to get his vitals, clearly this place isn't used to such little patients. Speaking of which, why does everyone need to comment on how big he is once they know his age? Really, this gets old fast. Anyhow....
The doctor comes in right away and checks all the right places and concludes it's a double inner ear infection. Thank goodness.... that was all that was wrong.
A male nurse comes back with "magic drops". This guy, if I hasn't read his name badge I would have thought he was a grounds worker the way he was dressed. He tells me how the drops are going to numb his ears and how his own sons swear by them. Then a high dose of Motrin and we rest for a bit. The doctor comes back and offers him a Popsicle, which is gladly eats and starting acting more normal with. The male nurse comes back with antibiotics. European nurse comes back and tells us we just need to stay for observation for a bit and we'll be all set. She also tells me how her boys love the "magic ear drops". I just want to know how I have been a mom for nearly 10 years and this is the first I am hearing of this. The doctor comes back and wants to see TT walk around. She lures him out to the nurse station with promises of chocolate. I see a pattern here doctor. He walks with a stagger and the doctor says it from the ear infection but otherwise looks good.
Within 2 hours we are on our way home. Within 3 hours I was crawling back into bed after getting RR off to school and TT down for a much needed rest.
What a way to start April.
Thursday, February 21
At Two
Here we are... February 21, 2012. TT is 2 years and 6 days old. Time has flown by.
He had his annual physical this morning and he's growing big and strong. He's.... wait for it..... wait for it...
38.5-inches tall and 33 lbs. and 6 oz.
So to those of you who have told me he's the size of a 4 year old, I say "ha!!!". The average 4-year old boy is 40-inches tall and 40-lbs. Sure he might be the size of some 4-years, but not the average one. I know, you say tomato I say tomat-oh. I will agree that he is the size of your average 3-year old. In fact he's almost exactly the same size at two that RR was at three.
But physical growth aside; TT is changing so much every day. He is less and less a baby and more and more a toddler. Some days it is very obvious that he has entered the terrible-twos.
He is very strong willed and fiercely independent. His speech is coming along which is wonderful. We couldn't be happier with how this skill is finally blooming. His speech therapist is really committed and connects well with him; which I think greatly helps.
Right now his favorite toys are Imaginex guys and their vehicles/houses; trains; his shopping cart, trains, cars, his trampoline, and did I mention trains. TT is a total train head. He also deeply loves his stuffed puppy, muscial seahorse, Baby Dee, and stuffed Goofey.
He is currently teething his incisors all four seem to be coming in at once. Which is typical for TT.
He still refuses to sleep anywhere but in his crib. We (Husband and I) are not ready to switch him over to a toddler bed, but we know the time is knocking on our door.
He is climbing stairs on his own, getting onto the furniture and he loves, I mean LOVES, going down the slide.
His favorite food is probably a tie between meatballs, apples, bananas, cheese and sausage. Actually he loves all food; expect green beans and peas. He used to like peas... oh well. And yup, still breastfeeding.
Sleep has been wonderful lately, but I have heard this is this thing called "2 year sleep regression". I'm keeping my fingers crossed we don't go through this.
And lastly, on my little TT update; he is in LOVE, super EXTRA insane LOVE, with wearing things on his head - blankets, hat (Husband's Red Sox one in particular), buckets, bowls, baskets, toys... to him anything is a hat.
He had his annual physical this morning and he's growing big and strong. He's.... wait for it..... wait for it...
38.5-inches tall and 33 lbs. and 6 oz.
So to those of you who have told me he's the size of a 4 year old, I say "ha!!!". The average 4-year old boy is 40-inches tall and 40-lbs. Sure he might be the size of some 4-years, but not the average one. I know, you say tomato I say tomat-oh. I will agree that he is the size of your average 3-year old. In fact he's almost exactly the same size at two that RR was at three.
But physical growth aside; TT is changing so much every day. He is less and less a baby and more and more a toddler. Some days it is very obvious that he has entered the terrible-twos.
He is very strong willed and fiercely independent. His speech is coming along which is wonderful. We couldn't be happier with how this skill is finally blooming. His speech therapist is really committed and connects well with him; which I think greatly helps.
Right now his favorite toys are Imaginex guys and their vehicles/houses; trains; his shopping cart, trains, cars, his trampoline, and did I mention trains. TT is a total train head. He also deeply loves his stuffed puppy, muscial seahorse, Baby Dee, and stuffed Goofey.
He is currently teething his incisors all four seem to be coming in at once. Which is typical for TT.
He still refuses to sleep anywhere but in his crib. We (Husband and I) are not ready to switch him over to a toddler bed, but we know the time is knocking on our door.
He is climbing stairs on his own, getting onto the furniture and he loves, I mean LOVES, going down the slide.
His favorite food is probably a tie between meatballs, apples, bananas, cheese and sausage. Actually he loves all food; expect green beans and peas. He used to like peas... oh well. And yup, still breastfeeding.
Sleep has been wonderful lately, but I have heard this is this thing called "2 year sleep regression". I'm keeping my fingers crossed we don't go through this.
And lastly, on my little TT update; he is in LOVE, super EXTRA insane LOVE, with wearing things on his head - blankets, hat (Husband's Red Sox one in particular), buckets, bowls, baskets, toys... to him anything is a hat.
Labels:
age 5-,
feeding,
growing up,
health,
milestones,
nursing
Monday, January 28
And the winner is....
Amy!! She correctly guessed how big RR was going to be at his well-child visit today. OK, ok... she was the only one that took a guess, but she was spot on. RR is 82 lbs. and 55-inches tall.
You know what that means? All of his aunts that are hovering right around (or below) the 5-ft mark better watch out it's just a matter of time till he's taller than you.
But do you what else it means? It means that he's been having a steady 2.5 to 3 inch vertical growth per year for the last few years and is following along the 75% height curve nicely. It also means that since his weight gain slowed down so much this year (BMI is now 19.05); especially in comparison to his height gain he is no longer "overweight". I will tell you this is a HUGE sigh of relief.
Last year, when he was first classified as overweight I was crushed. It made me feel like I was failing him as a parent; eating too many meals on the go and not getting in enough exercise. I felt like I wasn't offering him a fair deal. Now I know genetics has something to do with weight gain and especially height; and I know my brothers always chunk-ed up before growing upwards, but it was a hard place to be as a parent. RR had always been on the leaner side; and even when he starting having some weight to him he was always a solid kid; but last year that was different. I could see there was a problem developing with his weight and I am glad we've been able to overcome it.
I do in part thank the changes to his school lunch program; with the switch to all whole grains and three servings of fruits/veggies for meals they are a lot healthier now than they were in the past... and as I have mentioned in the past school lunches are my life-saver during the week.
But honestly I think a big part of helping him maintain a healthy weight is him using the elliptical while watching his TV shows. This is also a HUGE help with getting out his pent up energy.... ADHD plus in door recess all week is no bueno.
Now if only Husband and I could follow his example a little bit better.... I know our primary doctor would be happy to see that.
You know what that means? All of his aunts that are hovering right around (or below) the 5-ft mark better watch out it's just a matter of time till he's taller than you.
But do you what else it means? It means that he's been having a steady 2.5 to 3 inch vertical growth per year for the last few years and is following along the 75% height curve nicely. It also means that since his weight gain slowed down so much this year (BMI is now 19.05); especially in comparison to his height gain he is no longer "overweight". I will tell you this is a HUGE sigh of relief.
Last year, when he was first classified as overweight I was crushed. It made me feel like I was failing him as a parent; eating too many meals on the go and not getting in enough exercise. I felt like I wasn't offering him a fair deal. Now I know genetics has something to do with weight gain and especially height; and I know my brothers always chunk-ed up before growing upwards, but it was a hard place to be as a parent. RR had always been on the leaner side; and even when he starting having some weight to him he was always a solid kid; but last year that was different. I could see there was a problem developing with his weight and I am glad we've been able to overcome it.
I do in part thank the changes to his school lunch program; with the switch to all whole grains and three servings of fruits/veggies for meals they are a lot healthier now than they were in the past... and as I have mentioned in the past school lunches are my life-saver during the week.
But honestly I think a big part of helping him maintain a healthy weight is him using the elliptical while watching his TV shows. This is also a HUGE help with getting out his pent up energy.... ADHD plus in door recess all week is no bueno.
Now if only Husband and I could follow his example a little bit better.... I know our primary doctor would be happy to see that.
 |
| Showing off the "suit of armor" he made out of copy paper today. |
Labels:
ADHD,
age 5+,
family fun,
growing up,
health,
milestones
Sunday, January 27
Place Your Bets
On Monday I take RR for his 9 year physical exam.
Any bets on how big the boy is now?
In case you missed the announcement on FB earlier this week, he is now wearing a men's size 7 shoe. Apparently 6 is the largest size they make in children after that you are into adult sizes. Sigh, I can feel my wallet getting lighter just thinking about it.
You can see his a history of his growth on the "Watch Us Grow" page on this here blog. He really had slowed down growing vertically the last few years and was filling out more - we had gotten a BMI warning last year at his physical, but when he went in to the doctor mid-year she was really happy with his BMI going down.... so I am hoping he followed that trend. He sure does seem taller lately.
Sp place your bets here... how big is RR at 9 years? (OK, he'll be a few days shy of 9 years at his appointment....)
Any bets on how big the boy is now?
In case you missed the announcement on FB earlier this week, he is now wearing a men's size 7 shoe. Apparently 6 is the largest size they make in children after that you are into adult sizes. Sigh, I can feel my wallet getting lighter just thinking about it.
You can see his a history of his growth on the "Watch Us Grow" page on this here blog. He really had slowed down growing vertically the last few years and was filling out more - we had gotten a BMI warning last year at his physical, but when he went in to the doctor mid-year she was really happy with his BMI going down.... so I am hoping he followed that trend. He sure does seem taller lately.
Sp place your bets here... how big is RR at 9 years? (OK, he'll be a few days shy of 9 years at his appointment....)
 |
| Here he is with his best-bud a few weeks ago. |
Labels:
age 5+,
child rearing,
growing up,
health
Saturday, January 5
Vacation Not
I had plans to take vacation from work from December 22 through January 1. Unfortunately my "vacation" got off to early start following the death of my uncle on December 17. His funeral was the 22nd and then there was a blur in time in which we prepared for Christmas, the best we could.
Then Christmas Eve came, and RR was sick.
And then the brakes on the car went. And we were stuck in the house for 4 days. And it snowed.
RR and I missed Christmas Mass. We had had plans to go to Midnight Mass. RR was excited about going for the first time and I was looking forward to it. But RR was sick, pretty darn sick by the time Christmas morning came; so it was just as well. Sick kid, no brakes and snow does not make for ideal driving conditions.
Then RR started getting better.
Just in time for TT to get sick.
Thankfully the brake issue with the car was just a loose nut (which caused all the brake fluid to drain out). So it was a fast and easy fix.
And then it snowed again. It snowed a lot. And TT got very sick.
Then the cat died.
TT was still running a temperature after 4 days, so we brought him to the doctors. TT had the flu and an ear infection.
Then Husband started getting sick; just in time for me to go back to work.
So there I was at work, and I started getting sick.
Talk about a terrible vacation.
Then Christmas Eve came, and RR was sick.
And then the brakes on the car went. And we were stuck in the house for 4 days. And it snowed.
RR and I missed Christmas Mass. We had had plans to go to Midnight Mass. RR was excited about going for the first time and I was looking forward to it. But RR was sick, pretty darn sick by the time Christmas morning came; so it was just as well. Sick kid, no brakes and snow does not make for ideal driving conditions.
Then RR started getting better.
Just in time for TT to get sick.
Thankfully the brake issue with the car was just a loose nut (which caused all the brake fluid to drain out). So it was a fast and easy fix.
And then it snowed again. It snowed a lot. And TT got very sick.
Then the cat died.
TT was still running a temperature after 4 days, so we brought him to the doctors. TT had the flu and an ear infection.
Then Husband started getting sick; just in time for me to go back to work.
So there I was at work, and I started getting sick.
Talk about a terrible vacation.
Wednesday, December 26
Breastfeeding & Jaundice
Earlier in the year The Alpha Parent Blog did a series on "boobie traps", the pitfalls and obstacles women face when it comes to breastfeeding. They were looking for stories from nursing moms who had overcome various "boobie traps" and I submitted my stories in regards to nursing RR and TT. Last Tuesday, as part of the blog's Triumphant Tuesday segment which highlights women and babies who have overcome these "boobie traps" my nursing stories where shared.
You can find them here: Triumphant Tuesday: Breastfeeding a Jaundiced Baby.
Please note this is my story told through someone else. Some of the text is wholly my own, some is not.
You can find them here: Triumphant Tuesday: Breastfeeding a Jaundiced Baby.
Please note this is my story told through someone else. Some of the text is wholly my own, some is not.
Labels:
child birth,
health,
infant,
nursing
Friday, October 12
Um sure....
I have my cell phone programmed so that it "translates" my voice mail messages into text messages.
Wonder why I put translate in parenthesis? Wonder no more... look at these gem from earlier today; this was a prerecorded message reminding me about a doctor's appointment RR has on Monday.
Hello. This is the Wayward Memorial Hospital. The Griswold family is son Rodney King's lawyer's office, calling to remind you that Rodney, has an appointment on Monday 2 P M, Please bring all of your victims. Over the counter and prescription medication containers to each denial visit so that we can create an accurate list, of your mediation. Also bring your insurance card in canary if required by your insurance company. If you did not here at the complete pre recorded message or wish to change or cancel your appointment, call or Medical Center and speak to one or appointments staff members. Thanks. Thank you. An goodbye.
Classic. I wonder how Clark and the family know Mr. King. Perhaps from when they all drove to Wally World.
Wonder why I put translate in parenthesis? Wonder no more... look at these gem from earlier today; this was a prerecorded message reminding me about a doctor's appointment RR has on Monday.
Hello. This is the Wayward Memorial Hospital. The Griswold family is son Rodney King's lawyer's office, calling to remind you that Rodney, has an appointment on Monday 2 P M, Please bring all of your victims. Over the counter and prescription medication containers to each denial visit so that we can create an accurate list, of your mediation. Also bring your insurance card in canary if required by your insurance company. If you did not here at the complete pre recorded message or wish to change or cancel your appointment, call or Medical Center and speak to one or appointments staff members. Thanks. Thank you. An goodbye.
Classic. I wonder how Clark and the family know Mr. King. Perhaps from when they all drove to Wally World.
Sunday, September 30
Slowing Down
"On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?"
"Listen doctor, I've experienced natural child birth; that's a 10. Don't get me wrong this hurts, a lot. But in comparison it's probably only a 5."
And with that the doctor recommended alternating Tylenol and Motrin and icing my separated nasal cavity every few hours.
What had started out as an idyllic Saturday morning; laying in bed with the boys and Husband. Cuddling and snuggling, goofing around a little; had turned into TT crashing the back of his head into my nose and separating the cartilage from the bone.
We spent nearly 4 hours hours in the, normally very quiet, emergency room. Clearly the ER's advertising on TV was paying off by the number of people they were seeing that morning.
But it could have been worse; and thankfully it wasn't.
We were due at my step-dad's Uncle's house for a family gathering later that afternoon. Clearly I was in no shape to go.
And then the day got worse. Details of which I will not go into now... but no one has passed and no one has been injured, no jobs have been lost. There are some things in life you dread, yesterday was one of those days. But I will fight on.
In the meantime I am taking care of nose, and trying not to over do it (as I have a tendency to do). I am resting, icing my nose, playing with the boys (although I will admit I am a little nervous when TT is around my face), making banana bread and taking cat naps.
Tomorrow is Monday. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I start aggressively looking for help. In the meantime... resting up and being thankful for my family.
"Listen doctor, I've experienced natural child birth; that's a 10. Don't get me wrong this hurts, a lot. But in comparison it's probably only a 5."
And with that the doctor recommended alternating Tylenol and Motrin and icing my separated nasal cavity every few hours.
What had started out as an idyllic Saturday morning; laying in bed with the boys and Husband. Cuddling and snuggling, goofing around a little; had turned into TT crashing the back of his head into my nose and separating the cartilage from the bone.
We spent nearly 4 hours hours in the, normally very quiet, emergency room. Clearly the ER's advertising on TV was paying off by the number of people they were seeing that morning.
But it could have been worse; and thankfully it wasn't.
We were due at my step-dad's Uncle's house for a family gathering later that afternoon. Clearly I was in no shape to go.
And then the day got worse. Details of which I will not go into now... but no one has passed and no one has been injured, no jobs have been lost. There are some things in life you dread, yesterday was one of those days. But I will fight on.
In the meantime I am taking care of nose, and trying not to over do it (as I have a tendency to do). I am resting, icing my nose, playing with the boys (although I will admit I am a little nervous when TT is around my face), making banana bread and taking cat naps.
Tomorrow is Monday. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I start aggressively looking for help. In the meantime... resting up and being thankful for my family.
Labels:
age 5-,
baking,
child rearing,
children,
health,
life balancing,
marriage,
mom time,
toddler
Tuesday, July 31
Really??
Today I got, yet another, postcard from Similac (the formula company). They were inviting me to join their StrongMoms community, and as an incentive I would receive a "free gift" - a Similac bottle. Just what I needed and wanted!!! (Please tell me you can read the sarcasm in this line.)
Husband kept asking me "Are you really going to sign up for that junk?".
Why yes, yes I am. Yes, I did. I signed up on the StrongMoms community. And because I signed up they are going to send me up to $329 in membership gifts, offers and infant formula and coupons.
Really???
I mean - REALLY???
I am pretty sure that when you hit the 17 month breastfeeding mark your not going to decide it's time to switch to formula. At least I know I am not about to. Breastfeeding is best choice for me, and I am studying to become a breastfeeding counselor so I can help other women fulfill their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding is something I love. I really do. It's something I am passionate about.
And I think that is partly why I signed up. I want to know, I want to see, what promotional offers formula companies are making. What incentives to not breastfeed they are waving in women's faces.
So yeah... I joined a formula feeding community. I feel like a wolf in sheep's clothing, however I highly doubt I will ever participate in their conversations, and I have selected all e-mails to be sent to an account I use for junk.
Sigh.... it's a dark moment. But it makes me smile.
(In other related new I also got a letter from the GOP soliciting a donation. I am a registered Independent, and with liberal-green-libertarian left leaning views. So, um yeah.... this letter also made me think "really???")
Friday, June 8
Water Bed
The other night I wasn't feeling so well, so I filled my water bottle and took it to bed with me.
No, not that kind of water bottle.
The hot water bottle kind; like your grandmother would have had.
I tossed and I turned and I eventually fell asleep with my water bottle close against me.
Fast forward to around 1am. I wake up soaking wet. Like I had taken a bath in my PJs. The sheets were wet, the mattress with wet. Everything was wet. Apparently my hot water bottle strung a leak. All over me and the bed.
Thankfully we have a king size bed, so Husband was spared the mess.
Un-thankfully, Husband was sleeping with his friend Ambien, so he was of little help cleaning up the mess. (But in his defense he did clean up the mess of my mess then next day.)
So I stumble around, get changed, move the flat sheet and put a towel on top of the fitted sheet, and try to get comfy. Only to realize the mattress is so wet I can feel it through the towel... four bath towels piled up later I finally drift off to sleep... who knew a hot water bottle held so much liquid? Who knew I was ushc a deep sleeper at time?
No, not that kind of water bottle.
The hot water bottle kind; like your grandmother would have had.
I tossed and I turned and I eventually fell asleep with my water bottle close against me.
Fast forward to around 1am. I wake up soaking wet. Like I had taken a bath in my PJs. The sheets were wet, the mattress with wet. Everything was wet. Apparently my hot water bottle strung a leak. All over me and the bed.
Thankfully we have a king size bed, so Husband was spared the mess.
Un-thankfully, Husband was sleeping with his friend Ambien, so he was of little help cleaning up the mess. (But in his defense he did clean up the mess of my mess then next day.)
So I stumble around, get changed, move the flat sheet and put a towel on top of the fitted sheet, and try to get comfy. Only to realize the mattress is so wet I can feel it through the towel... four bath towels piled up later I finally drift off to sleep... who knew a hot water bottle held so much liquid? Who knew I was ushc a deep sleeper at time?
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